cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Region-based Segmentation and Object Detection

Object detection and multi-class image segmentation are two closely related tasks that can be greatly improved when solved jointly by feeding information from one task to the other [10, 11]. However, current state-of-the-art models use a separate representation for each task making joint inference clumsy and leaving the classification of many parts of the scene ambiguous. In this work, we propose a hierarchical region-based approach to joint object detection and image segmentation. Our approach simultaneously reasons about pixels, regions and objects in a coherent probabilistic model. Pixel appearance features allow us to perform well on classifying amorphous background classes, while the explicit representation of regions facilitate the computation of more sophisticated features necessary for object detection. Importantly, our model gives a single unified description of the scene—we explain every pixel in the image and enforce global consistency between all random variables in our model. We run experiments on the challenging Street Scene dataset [2] and show significant improvement over state-of-the-art results for object detection accuracy.
Three-body photodissociation dynamics of I2-(CO2)

The three-body dissociation of I � 2 (CO2) following excitation of the I � 2 chromophore to the repulsive A 02 Pg,1/2 and B 2 R þ g;1=2 electronic states at 1.72 and 3.21 eV has been investigated using fast beam photofragment translational spectroscopy. The translational energy distributions for three-body dissociation provide a direct measurement of the CO2 binding energy, yielding a value of 218 ± 10 meV. These distributions are vibrationally resolved and show that some CO2 is produced with bend excitation. Dalitz plots show that the dominant three-body decay mechanism is asynchronous–concerted decay, in which the two bond cleavages are distinct but nearly simultaneous events.
Genetic patterns across multiple introductions of the globally invasive crab genus Carcinus

The European green crab Carcinus maenas is one of the world's most successful aquatic invaders, having established populations on every continent with temperate shores. Here we describe patterns of genetic diversity across both the native and introduced ranges of C. maenas and its sister species, C. aestuarii, including all known non-native populations. The global data set includes sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, as well as multilocus genotype data from nine polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci. Combined phylogeographic and population genetic analyses clarify the global colonization history of C. maenas, providing evidence of multiple invasions to Atlantic North America and South Africa, secondary invasions to the northeastern Pacific, Tasmania, and Argentina, and a strong likelihood of C. maenas x C. aestuarii hybrids in South Africa and Japan. Successful C. maenas invasions vary broadly in the degree to which they retain genetic diversity, although populations with the least variation typically derive from secondary invasions or from introductions that occurred more than 100 years ago.
‘Who Filled His Heart to Do This?’ Conceptual Metaphors of the Self in the Book of Esther*:

This essay responds to Carol A. Newsom's recent call for finer-grained studies of particular formulations of the moral self and agency in biblical and related Second Temple texts in two ways: first...
Fates: A Granular Approach to Real-Time Anomaly Detection

Anomaly-based intrusion detection systems have the ability of detecting novel attacks, but in real-time detection, they face the challenges of producing many false alarms and failing to contend with the high speed of modern networks due to their computationally demanding algorithms. In this paper, we present Fates, an anomaly-based NIDS designed to alleviate the two challenges. Fates views the monitored network as a collection of individual hosts instead of as a single autonomous entity and uses dynamic, individual threshold for each monitored host, such that it can differentiate between characteristics of individual hosts and independently assess their threat to the network. Each packet to and from a monitored host is analyzed with an adaptive and efficient charging scheme that considers the packet's type, number of occurrences, source, and destination. The resulting charge is applied to the individual hosts' threat assessment, providing pinpointed analysis of anomalous activities. We use various datasets to validate Fates's ability to distinguish scanning behavior from benign traffic in real time.
Work-Life Balance: Can You Actually Make That Happen?

Let me start off by saying – there is no such thing as “work–life balance” in a biomedical research career. In today’s modern society, the world is evolving at an unprecedented fast pace. The speed of progress in the biomedical research field is astonishing. The publications indexed by PubMed was ~9,000 during 2000 and increased to ~60,000 during 2013 (1). Unfortunately, the growth of federal and private funding for biomedical research is much slower. In fact, it is estimated that the resources that National Health Institutes retains today are less than 75% than they were in 2003 (2). The ever-increasing competition for funding makes work–life balance almost impossible. From a personal perspective, I have not yet encountered a successful scientist with a laid-back lifestyle throughout my research career from 2004 (when I became a graduate student) to present day. In fact, in my experience, most successful scientists struggle with busy schedules and lack of work–life balance. My Ph.D. mentor – Dr. Stephania Cormier – who is a tenured, full professor now, started her career as an assistant professor in 2002. She is highly intelligent and disciplined to a level that intimidates people; however, she still constantly works during weekends and holidays to clear off her work lists. When I was a student or postdoctoral trainee, I dedicated my life to research. Some of my experiments were inherently time-consuming, so I had to stay up till 03:00 a.m. the next day although I started at 07:00 a.m. At times that I returned home at regular hours, I read papers, books or tutorials related to my research. I did not have a life outside of my research, and at that time I did not feel that I needed one. Research was fun and the excitement from a successful experiment, publication, or presentation for a national meeting was satisfying… until my son Arthur was born 3 years ago. He is demanding and exhausting, but also amazingly adorable. Naturally, as a mother I want to spend time with him, and do not want to miss a single step that he makes as he grows up. This change in my life inevitably affected my dedication to my career. All the extra hours that I used to commit to research are gone; I suddenly need a life away from the bench. The only option I have is to achieve a work–life balance, even if it seems a “mission impossible.” This may sound depressing, but realizing the truth is the first step to fix the problem. The problem is time! My workload has remained relatively the same, but now the time I have to complete tasks is about two-thirds of the time I had before having my son. This means that I must increase my efficiency at work one-and-a-half fold. To most scientists, including myself, who are already highly efficient, it is difficult to further increase efficiency. With this in mind, I have researched effective time management methods and practiced a few principles (3, 4). Here are some tips that have really helped me.
Title: A Democracy of Things? On Bruno Latour's Democratic Politics

Recently, Bruno Latour has been interpreted to be a radical democratic theorist, opening up and expanding the demos of democracy to include nonhumans. Undoubtedly, Latour has done much to complicate received understandings of who and what affects political organization and action in democracies. But in what sense is the inclusion of nonhumans in politics democratic? Rather than formulating a democratic politics in his recent Politics of Nature, I argue that Latourﾒs writings do give us a way of thinking about politics that opens up participation to other-than-human entities, but one that is not necessarily democratic. From this, I make two claims. First, Latourﾒs account of politics in Politics of Nature does not adequately encompass the range of political action, democratic or otherwise, available to a humans and nonhumans. Second, including nonhumans in political organization, processes, or action, does not necessarily make a democratic politics, and it is difficult at this point to describe a politics of humans and nonhumans as democratic. To develop these claims, I first consider Latourﾒs conceptualization of politics as the composition of common worlds in Politics of Nature. I then assess how and if it is possible to conceptualize a democratic politics that includes the activities of nonhumans, or if a new language of politics and political action is necessary to understand and evaluate the relations among humans and nonhumans.
Formulation and micro-extrusion of high concentration graphene slurries

Abstract In this study we have investigated the feasibility of preparing high concentration graphene slurries and their rheological properties as a function of various parameters including the sonicating time, solid loading, surfactant concentration, different types of graphene, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents. The feasibility of micro-extruding slurries with high graphene loading has also been studied. We demonstrate that slurries with graphene loading at 13 wt% (equivalent to 6.3 vol%) can be prepared to have pseudoplastic (shear thinning) properties. The 6.3 vol% graphene is the highest graphene loading ever reported in the open literature. An unusual phenomenon of increasing graphene loading leading to reduced viscosity after graphene loading has reached a critical value has been observed for the first time. This unusual phenomenon is attributed to the forced alignment of graphene flakes during shearing when graphene loading is high enough and has been utilized to prepare slurries with high graphene loading and pseudoplastic properties. Micro-extrusion of these high concentration graphene slurries reveals the capability of the extrudate to maintain its shape right after extrusion of the slurries. Thus, it is expected that these high concentration graphene slurries can be used to fabricate three-dimensional objects through layer-by-layer fabrication methods with high fabrication rates in the near future.
Realistic Models for Distillation Columns with Partial Condensers Producing Both Liquid and Vapor Products

Distillation columns frequently produce both vapor and liquid distillate product streams from the reflux drum when the feed stream contains small amounts of light components that would require high pressures or low temperatures if a total condenser were used to completely condense the overhead product. Since removing heat using cooling water in the condenser is much less expensive than using refrigeration, many columns are designed to operate with reflux-drum temperatures of about 120 °F so that cooling water at 90 °F can be used. Fixing reflux-drum temperature and selecting a reasonable pressure determines the split between the amount of vapor product and the amount of liquid product. In the operation of these systems, we usually want to condense as much as possible so as to minimize compression costs of dealing with the vapor product. Therefore the flow rate of cooling water should be maximized. This paper demonstrates a realistic way to model a partial-condenser distillation system using Aspen simulation.
Powder Processing and Densification of Ceramic Composites

Two issues, packing powder/reinforcement systems and constrained densification, are reviewed. It is shown that pressure filtration has the greatest potential for packing powders containing reinforcements and packing powders within reinforcement preforms. High particle packing is achieved with repulsive interparticle potentials, and for a very small particle to reinforcement diameter ratio. It is now clear that individual reinforcements do not constrain the densification of powders. Shrinkage constraint is caused by a network of either nontouching or touching reinforcements. Network shrinkage (and thus composite shrinkage) caused by powder densification leads to the development of a denser interconnected matrix material surrounding lower density regions. Densification of the lower density regions requires the creep deformation of the denser continuum. As detailed elsewhere in this proceedings, grain growth causes this denser continuum to become more resistant to creep, and coarsening within the lower density regions causes desintering and the dissipation of sintering ‘stresses’. These phenomena do not occur during the densification of glass powders and explains the different densification behavior of crystalline powder matrices relative to glass powder matrices.
Inclusive museum and its impact on learning of special needs children

This study investigates the effect of learning in museums, an informal environment different from the traditional classroom, on children with special needs. The purpose of the project is to examine how the museum experience influences learning and socialization of children with developmental disorders. The author aimed to quantify and understand the value and impact of the museum experience through a mixed methods study design. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a standardized scale, observations, parental surveys, and pre- and postactivity task evaluations. The results revealed a positive impact of the museum learning on knowledge acquisition and socialization demonstrated by increases in the total number of the participants' information sharing and communication behaviors. The study contributes to improving our understanding of information and cultural needs of children with disabilities in an unconventional learning environment. It also raises public awareness of museums' capacity to serve increasingly diverse user communities and provide wider access to cultural heritage.
Prediction Algorithm for Phase-controlled Fault Interruption Based on Prony Method

Fast and accurate prediction of zero-crossing points of fault current lays the foundation of the phasecontrolled fault interruption. In this paper, a new algorithm is proposed to predict the zero-crossing points based on Prony method. By calculating the frequencies, amplitudes, phases, etc., the original waveform is obtained through fitting the sampled signal to calculate the objective zero points. An ideal signal is set in MATLAB to test the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, and the result shows that the algorithm gains high SNR and very small margin of error. Moreover, compared with the safe-point algorithm, Prony algorithm demonstrates better fitting degree of waveform and higher stability to harmonics in the condition of 1/4 sampling cycle and triple-frequency harmonics.
Characterization of human and mouse granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factors derived from Escherichia coli.

Abstract Human and mouse granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factors (hGM-CSF and mGM-CSF, respectively), isolated from Escherichia coli cells expressing the corresponding human and mouse genes, have been characterized. The observed properties of the proteins have been compared with those properties which can be deduced from the DNA sequence alone and the published properties of natural GM-CSFs. The purified E. coli-derived proteins were found to have the expected molecular masses, amino acid compositions and N- and C-terminal amino acid sequences. The finding of 70-90% unprocessed N-terminal methionine for both proteins is discussed. The four Cys residues were found to be involved in two intramolecular disulphide bonds, linking the first and third, and second and fourth Cys residues. This disulphide bond arrangement is probably the one existing in natural material, since, although not glycosylated, both E. coli-derived proteins showed biological activity (colony stimulating assay for hGM-CSF, and cell proliferation assay for mGM-CSF) comparable with that reported for the respective proteins purified from animal cells.
Therapeutic drug monitoring. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles.

The individualization of drug dosage is desirable as each patient varies in his response to a prescribed dose. Factors that should be considered in the interpretation of serum drug concentrations and in the adjustment of standard doses include compliance, bioavailability, drug pharmacokinetics, physiologic and genetic factors, intercurrent disease, and drug interactions.
2 - Combinatorial Chemistry and High-Throughput Screening in Drug Discovery and Development

Combinatorial chemistry is a synthesis strategy that enables the simultaneous production of large numbers of related compounds. It is coupled to high-throughput screening (HTS) and computational methods and has been integrated into the lead discovery and optimization process throughout the pharmaceutical industry. Innovations in combinatorial chemistry have enabled the synthesis of large collections of libraries, which have led to the current efforts in developing methods capable of screening these compounds. The general synthetic strategy used for combinatorial chemistry is similar to the more classical approach, that is, commercial synthons or building blocks are combined through a range of usually established methods to generate a new entity. The combinatorial approach differs in that the reactions are generalized for a range of building blocks, so that a related set of compounds are simultaneously produced. As computational and experimental procedures for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) improve, the identification of problematic leads earlier in the drug discovery process will be possible. Taken together, innovations in chemical synthesis and library design, coupled with screening and bioinformatics technology, will help greatly to decrease drug development times and costs.
Non-Rel components of NF-κB as novel targets for selective inhibition of NF-κB in human cancer cells

C the alpha chain of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R), is inducibly expressed and required for formation of high affinity IL-2R. Elevated expression of CD25 has been detected in T cells in an array of autoimmune diseases and a large variety of cancers including both hematopoietic cancers and solid tumors. Moreover, soluble CD25 shed from the cell surface has been proposed as a prognostic indicator in cancer patients, with high plasma levels correlating with poor survival rates, in particular adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) caused by human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). In elucidating the mechanisms that govern the selective transcription of CD25, we identified the Src-associated substrate during mitosis of 68 kDa (Sam68) as a novel nonRel component in the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) complex that confers CD25 transcription, and discovered that Sam68 plays an essential role in the induction and maintenance of CD25 in T cells. It thus revealed the important roles of KH domaincontaining components in determining the promoter selectivity and transcriptional specificity of NF-κB. Given that aggressive leukemia and lymphoma cells are characterized by constitutively activated NF-κB signaling and elevated cell surface CD25 and that CD25-based therapies are used for ATL treatment, the potential to kill ATL cells through selective inhibition of NF-κB by targeting the non-Rel component Sam68 will be discussed. Fengyi Wan, J Cell Sci Ther 2013, 4:4 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2157-7013.S1.026
Fun Versus Meaningful Video Game Experiences: A Qualitative Analysis of User Responses

Emerging research on video games has suggested that feelings of both enjoyment and meaningfulness can be elicited from gameplay. Studies have shown enjoyment and meaningfulness evaluations to be associated with discrete elements of video games (ratings of gameplay and narrative, respectively), but have relied on closed-end data analysis. The current study analyzed participants’ open-ended reviews of either their “most fun” or “most meaningful” video game experience (N = 575, randomly assigned to either condition). Results demonstrated that “fun” games were explained in terms of gameplay mechanics, and “meaningful” games were explained in terms of connections with players and in-game characters.
Quality Factor and Coupling in Piezoelectric MEMS Resonators

A piezoelectric-based resonator is an electromechanical device in which electrical and mechanical energies are reciprocally converted to each other at a resonance frequency through the two-way coupling between stress and electric field in a piezoelectric material. Moreover, the mechanical energy in the resonator body and the applied electrical energy through the metallic electrodes convert from potential to kinetic and back in every vibration half cycle (Fig. 5.1). Therefore, the overall performance of a resonant system is determined by both of the energy conversion mechanisms mentioned above. To quantify the efficiency of these energy conversions in a resonator, there are two specific parameters defined as electromechanical coupling factor and quality factor (Q).
Recurrent Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors in the Imatinib Mesylate Era: Treatment Strategies for an Incurable Disease

Introduction. Recurrence of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) after surgical resection and imatinib mesylate (IM) adjuvant therapy poses a significant treatment challenge. We present the case of a patient who underwent surgical resection after recurrence and review the current literature regarding treatment. Case Presentation. A 58-year-old man with a large intra-abdominal jejunal GIST was treated with complete surgical resection followed by IM. The patient experienced disease recurrence 3.5 years later and underwent IM dose escalation and reresection. Conclusion. Current strategies to treat recurrent GIST include dose escalation, modifying adjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, and surgery. High-level evidence will be required to better define the combinatory roles of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, guided by molecular profiling, and surgery in the management of recurrent GIST.
Structural Enzymology of Polyketide Synthase: The Structure–Sequence–Function Correlation

Polyketides are a large class of structurally diverse, acetate derived natural products that exhibit a wide range of bioactivities. The biosynthesis of polyketides from acyl-CoA thioesters is catalyzed by polyketide synthase (PKS), a multi-enzyme complex that is highly homologous to fatty acid synthase (FAS). This chapter will focus on the structural enzymology of the Type II PKS enzymes that are responsible for the synthesis of aromatic polyketides such as actinorhodin, tetracycline, and tetracenomycin. Structures of initiation and condensation domains provide valuable insights into the molecular factors governing starter unit selectivity and chain-length control. Similarly, recently solved structures of polyketide modifying enzymes show how these enzymes govern reduction and cyclization patterns that further add to the diversity of polyketide products. The role protein-protein interactions in mediating the activity of the individual domains will also be discussed. A detailed understanding of the structural features controlling polyketide biosynthesis and modification offers a powerful tool for the controlled and rational design of novel polyketides through enzyme engineering.
Caring for children with mental disorders: do state parity laws increase access to treatment?

Background High prevalence rates of mental health disorders in childhood have garnered increased public attention in recent years. Yet, among children diagnosed with serious mental health problems, a majority receive no treatment. Improving access to mental health services for children with behavioral and emotional disorders constitutes an important policy concern. Aims of the study To study whether living in a state that has implemented a mental health parity law affects a child's use of outpatient mental health services. Methods We use the National Survey of America's Families (NSAF) 1997 to 2002 to study whether enacting a state parity law increases the probability that a privately insured child receives mental health treatment (N=26,916). Using a differences-in-differences model, we control for detailed information on a child's health and functioning, and compare mental health care use before and after state parity implementation with non-parity states serving as a comparison group. Results Regression results indicate that state parity laws do not affect the likelihood of a child receiving outpatient mental health services. Among the subset of children identified with a greater need for mental health care, the effect of parity appears to be somewhat larger in magnitude but remains insignificant. Discussion State mental health parity policies aim to improve equity in private insurance coverage for mental health care and could provide a mechanism for reducing unmet need among children with mental health care disorders. Yet, our results suggest these policies do little to affect rates of use. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVISION AND UTILIZATION: Parity policies do not appear to represent a sufficient strategy for addressing access to mental health care among children and adolescents. Implications for health policies Developing new approaches to encourage the receipt of high value mental health care in youth constitutes a persisting challenge under both public and private insurance arrangements. Implications for further research Since other research has shown that state parity laws are helpful in reducing the family financial burden of caring for a mentally ill child and do not drive up total health care costs, these policies serve a vital function. However, given persistent access problems in the child population, research aimed at increasing rates of mental health services use is needed. In addition, future research on parity laws should consider whether, conditional on having a visit, children in parity states are likely to have more visits compared with other children.
A COMPARISON OF O-(2-IODOBENZOYL)-CHOLINE AND O-(2-IODOBENZOYL)-β-METHYLCHOLINE AS RADIOTRACERS FOR MYOCARDIAL STUDIES

Abstract A radioiodinated analog of benzoylcholine was investigated as a possible myocardial imaging agent. O-(2- 125 I-iodobenzoyl)-β-methylcholine was prepared by isotopic exchange of 125 I for 127 I in O-[1-N, N-dimethylamino)isopropyl]-2-iodobenzoate followed by methylation with methyl iodide. The in vivo distribution of this compound was determined as a function of time and compared to the distributions of other benzoylcholine analogs. Favorable heart-to-blood and heart-to-lung ratios were obtained with this compound.
Alignment and bonding of silicon mirrors for high-resolution astronomical x-ray optics

Recent advances in the fabrication of silicon mirrors and their alignment and integration methods make it possible to build large-area, lightweight, high-resolution x-ray telescopes with arc-second angular resolution. Such a telescope, having simultaneously arc-second resolution and large (> 1 m 2 ) collecting area, has never been built before and it will revolutionize high energy astronomy. For such optics, the challenges are twofold: fabrication of high quality mirror segments and precise integration of thousands of these mirrors to a common sharp focus. In this paper, we address the technology for the mirror integration carried out at Goddard Space Flight Center and report the recent result of making such high-resolution optics. We address the crucial technology components: positioning a mirror, measuring its focus, adjusting its mount pointsto optimize the focus, bonding the mirror, and co-alignment of mirrors. We also present the latest x-ray test results that demonstrate the efficacy of such methods and address areas for further improvement. Presently, mirrors built this way have a resolution of 2²-3² HPD (half-ower diameter).
Progesterone action on the LHRH and the nigrostriatal dopamine neuronal systems: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the in vitro and in vivo progesterone action on the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and the nigrostriatal dopamine neuronal systems (NS-DA). The effect of progesterone (P4) on neuroendocrine reproductive functions can be characterized by a two-phase process, initially an activational phase followed several hours later by an inhibitory phase. The chapter focuses on this biphasic, stimulatory-inhibitory effect of P4. It discusses some descriptive data on the action of P4 on the NS-DA system of rats. This system is a typical closed neuronal circuit involving cell bodies clustered in the zona compacta of the substantia nigra with long dopamine axons terminating in the corpus striatum. The chapter also discusses the action of P4 on the LHRH neuronal system, a system which includes two anatomically distinct clusters of cell bodies—one in the preoptic-septum area and the other in the mediobasal hypothalamus. This classic neuroendocrine circuit is an open-loop system whose major output at the level of the median eminence, the 10 amino acid decapeptide LHRH, controls the release of LH and reproductive functions.
Soviet Technical Alloys

Soviet technical alloys include the Ti-Nb types T 60 and NT 50, and the Ti-Zr-Nb types SS 2, 35 BT, 50 BT, and 65 BT, whose typical compositions are listed in Table 10-1. The positions of the ternary alloy types on the Ti-Zr-Nb composition triangle are indicated in Fig.10-1. A cable designated KSMI-6 consists of six Cu-plated 65 BT wires, and one Cu wire, twisted together and impregnated with In.
Approach to an Arteriovenous Access with Hyperpulsatile Pulse

A hyperpulsatile arteriovenous fistula (AVF) indicates a dialysis vascular access with a significant stenosis in the outflow segment. The physical examination performed with a hyperpulsatile AVF includes the arm elevation test, assessment of thrill in the segment distal to the stenosis, and listening to the pitch of the bruit over the entire outflow segment. A clinical finding of prolonged bleeding post withdrawal of dialysis needles is commonly encountered with hyperpulsatile AVF. The algorithm used in clinical practice for the appropriate management and role of percutaneous endovascular therapy for outflow stenosis is discussed in this chapter.
Nondestructive Characterization of Coatings on Metal Alloys

There is a need to nondestructively evaluate coatings on metal alloys that must endure high-temperature or highly oxidizing environments, such as for aircraft turbine blades. Such coatings are opaque and of the order of 25 μm in thickness. Characteristics of interest include the uniformity and thickness of the coating, which must be sufficient to protect the substrate from oxidation at high temperatures.
Toward efficient gradual typing for structural types via coercions

Gradual typing combines static and dynamic typing in the same program. Siek et al. (2015) describe five criteria for gradually typed languages, including type soundness and the gradual guarantee. A significant number of languages have been developed in academia and industry that support some of these criteria (TypeScript, Typed Racket, Safe TypeScript, Transient Reticulated Python, Thorn, etc.) but relatively few support all the criteria (Nom, Gradualtalk, Guarded Reticulated Python). Of those that do, only Nom does so efficiently. The Nom experiment shows that one can achieve efficient gradual typing in languages with only nominal types, but many languages have structural types: function types, tuples, record and object types, generics, etc. In this paper we present a compiler, named Grift, that addresses the difficult challenge of efficient gradual typing for structural types. The input language includes a selection of difficult features: first-class functions, mutable arrays, and recursive types. We show that a close-to-the-metal implementation of run-time casts inspired by Henglein's coercions eliminates all of the catastrophic slowdowns without introducing significant average-case overhead. As a result, Grift exhibits lower overheads than those of Typed Racket.
Virtual Reality Video Game Paired with Physical Monocular Blurring as Accessible Therapy for Amblyopia

This paper discusses a virtual reality (VR) therapeutic video game for treatment of the neurological eye disorder, Amblyopia. Amblyopia is often referred to as lazy eye, and it entails weaker vision in one eye due to a poor connection between the eye and the brain. Until recently it was thought to be untreatable in adults, but new research has proven that with consistent therapy even adults can improve their Amblyopia, especially through perceptual learning and video games. Even so, therapy compliance remains low due to the fact that conventional therapies are perceived as either invasive, dull and/or boring. Our game aims to make Amblyopia therapy more immersive, enjoyable and playful. The game was perceived by our users to be a fun and accessible alternative, as it involves adhering a Bangerter foil (an opaque sticker) on a VR headset to blur vision in an Amblyopic person's dominant eye while having them playa VR video game. To perform well in the video game, their brain must adapt to rely on seeing with their weaker eye, thereby reforging that neurological connection. While testing our game, we also studied users behavior to investigate what visual and kinetic components were more effective therapeutically. Our findings generally show positive results, showing that visual acuity in adults increases with 45 minutes of therapy. Amblyopia has many negative symptoms including poor depth perception (nec-essary for daily activities such as driving), so this therapy could be life changing for adults with Amblyopia.
Why expect causation at all? A pessimistic parallel with neuroscience

In their target article, Lynch, Parke, and O’Malley argue against the quick application of causal, interventionist explanatory frameworks to microbiomes and their purported role in many disparate states, from obesity to anxiety. I think the authors have undersold the force of their argument. A careful consideration of the scope of their claims, made easier by a parallel drawn from the history of explanation in neuroscience, yields a productive pessimism: that causal explanations likely operate at the wrong level of analysis for dynamic, distributed, Quineian entities like the microbiome. That is, we shouldn’t expect causal explanations for microbiomes at all—and this includes the authors’ own “microbiome success story” of C. difficile. Neuroscience, with its own computationally challenging, dynamic entity—the brain—may provide lessons for how to approach something like predictive control over the microbiome.
Can the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Classification Accurately Predict Outcomes in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

BackgroundMany scoring systems have been developed with the intension ofmortality and outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the utilityof the World Federation of Neurosurgical Society (WFNS) classification, whichis routinely used in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, has not been specificallyassessed in ICH. This study aims to achieve that. MethodsAretrospectively review of the records of consecutive ICH patients admitted overa 2-year period was carried out. Key data we collected included ICH size,location, intraventricular hemorrhage, age, admission Glasgow Coma scores, andoutcomes on discharge. Linear regression was performed to confirm correlationsof the WFNS scale and the ICH Score with poor outcome and in-hospitalmortality. Receiveroperator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to plot WFNS and ICH scores eachin relation to in-hospital mortality and poor outcome, and accuracy wasestimated by calculating the areas under the curves (AUC). ResultsIn this study, 128 patients were included, with mortality rate of 34.4%. Linear regression showed appropriate fit forboth the ICH Score and the WFNS in relation to poor outcome and mortality. The ROC curves for the scales in relation to in-hospital death produced anAUC estimate 0.93 for WFNS, and 0.92 for the ICH Score (p = 0.81). For poor outcome,the AUC values were 0.91 and 0.90 for the WFNS and the ICH Score, respectively(p = 0.9). ConclusionTheWFNS classification is as accurate as the ICH Score in predicting dischargeoutcomes and in-hospital mortality. Because of WFNS
No evidence that hormonal contraceptive use or circulating sex steroids predict complex emotion recognition

Abstract Relatively little is known about the effects of endogenous and exogenous steroid hormones on ecologically relevant behavioral and cognitive phenotypes in women, such as emotion recognition, despite the widespread use of steroid hormone-altering hormonal contraceptives (HCs). Though some previous studies have examined the effect of HC use, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone on emotion recognition in women, they have been limited by cross-sectional designs, small sample sizes (total n
A single centre experience of treatment outcomes for Helicobacter pylori infection among inner-city children and adolescents.

Aim This study assessed treatment outcomes of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection among inner-city children. Methods This was a retrospective study of patients aged 1-21 years who underwent initial treatment for H pylori infection from 2011 to 2015. We included patients who completed 2 weeks of treatment with documented adequate compliance after H pylori infection was diagnosed. Treatment outcomes were measured based on stool H pylori antigen and/or histology. Results Of the total 261 patients diagnosed with H pylori, 239 completed the first-line treatment. The regimens used included amoxicillin/clarithromycin/proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in 207/239 patients (86.6%), amoxicillin/metronidazole/PPI in 14/239 patients (5.8%) and other regimens in 18/239 patients (7.5%). H pylori eradication status was tested in 111/207 (53.6%) patients treated with amoxicillin/clarithromycin/PPI, and the eradication was achieved in 84/111(75.7%) patients. The treatment success rates for amoxicillin/metronidazole/PPI and other regimens were 71.4% (5/7) and 63.6% (7/11), respectively. There was no statistical significance of post-treatment stool H pylori antigen results between PPI (n = 31) and no PPI (n = 43) users. Conclusion The study showed an eradication rate of 75.7% with the regimen amoxicillin/clarithromycin/PPI suggesting significant antibiotic resistance in our population. The use of PPI did not influence post-treatment stool H pylori antigen results.
The impact of athletic performance on alumni giving: An analysis of microdata

Abstract An ongoing controversy in the literature on the economics of higher education centers on whether the success of a school’s athletic program affects alumni donations. This paper uses a unique data set to investigate this issue. The data contain detailed information about donations made by alumni of a selective research university as well as a variety of their economic and demographic characteristics. One important question is how to characterize the success of an athletic program. We focus not only on the performance of the most visible teams, football and basketball, but also on the success of the team on which he or she played as an undergraduate. One of our key findings is that the impact of athletic success on donations differs for men and women. When a male graduate’s former team wins its conference championship, his donations for general purposes increase by about 7% and his donations to the athletic program increase by about the same percentage. Football and basketball records generally have small and statistically insignificant effects; in some specifications, a winning basketball season reduces donations. For women there is no statistically discernible effect of a former team’s success on current giving; as is the case for men, the impacts of football and basketball, while statistically significant in some specifications, are not important in magnitude. Another novel result is that for males, varsity athletes whose teams were successful when they were undergraduates subsequently make larger donations to the athletic program. For example, if a male alumnus’s team won its conference championship during his senior year, his subsequent giving to the athletic program is about 8% a year higher, ceteris paribus .
Epidemiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a follow-up study for 4 years

Objective To investigate the prevalence,incidence,death causes and natural course of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as well as the risk factors of NAFLD development in population of Guangdong province.Methods On the basis of previous epidemiological survey in 2005,3545 subjects were followed up (medium 4 years) for death causes.Of which,624 subjects (re-survey group) received interview,physical examinations,biochemical tests and ultrasonography again.The natural course and the risk factors of the NAFLD were analyzed.Results Of 3543 subjects,219subjects were failed to followed up and 4 out of 467 NAFLD patients (8.6‰) died of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases during follow-up period.In rest 2857 subjects,22 (7.7‰) died of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases and cancers.However,there were 117 NAFLD patients in resurvey group at the baseline.The NAFLD remained in 51 (43.6%) patients,aggravated in 26 (22.2%),alleviated in 21 (18.0%) and regressed in 19 (16.2%) at the endpoint.Meanwhile 185(36.5 %) out of 507 normal subjects developed NAFLD at the endpoint.The standard prevalence of NAFLD increased from 10.5% (2005) to 22.6% (2009,P<0.05).The standard incidence was 4.9% per year with male (5.1%) being higher than female (4.7%,P<0.05).The cumulative incidence was significantly higher in urban cities (43.1%) than in rural areas (27.4%,P<0.05).Cox proportional hazards regression showed that the age (OR= 1.893),waist circumference (OR=2.512),waist-to-hip ratio (WHR,OR= 1.400),body mass index (BMI,OR=2.581) and serum cholesterol levels (OR = 1.587) were associated with the development of NAFLD (P < 0.05).Multivariate regression logistic analysis revealed that age and BMI were associated factors for NAFLD.Decreased waist circumference was prone to remission.Conclusions The higher prevalence and incidence of NAFLD were noted in population of Guangdong province.The NAFLD patients mainly died of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases,but not liver disease.Obesity,aging and dyslipidemia are high risk factors for NAFLD development. Key words: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Epidemiology; Natural history; Incidence; Risk factors
Decomposing Race and Ethnic Differences in CVD Risk Factors for Mid-life Women.

This study decomposes race and ethnic differences in hypertension, waist circumference, obesity and allostatic load between black non-Hispanic (BNH), Mexican American (MA), and white non-Hispanic (WNH) women. This study uses 10,109 observations from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from years 1999–2014 for BNH, MA women, and WNH between 40 and 75 years old. We used the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition to explore how demographic, socioeconomic, healthcare access, and health behavior factors are associated with race and ethnic differences in blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and allostatic load score (ALS). We found that demographic factors, socioeconomic status, healthcare access, and health behaviors explained from 0 to 50% of the difference in CVD risk factors between BNH and WNH. However, these factors explain from 39 to 100% of the difference in CVD risk factors between MA and WNH. Differences in demographic, socioeconomic, access to care, and health behavior factor variables explained very little of the differences in CVD risk factors between NHB and MA women. The impact of the determinants on CVD risk factors varies by race and ethnicity. Efforts to address differences in CVD risk factors should promote health equity programs and acknowledge that even race and ethnic groups that have similar demographic, SES, access to care, and health behavior factors can have different outcomes.
Assessing pharmacy-based naloxone access using an innovative purchase trial methodology

Abstract Objectives Massachusetts was among the first states to allow standing orders to facilitate pharmacy-based naloxone purchases and reduce opioid overdose deaths. We conducted a unique purchase trial to establish a valid measure of standing order naloxone in Massachusetts, using purchasers from 2 high priority populations to determine whether naloxone is less accessible to those who use illicit opioids than other potential purchasers. Design Purchase trial. Setting and participants The study used a stratified random sample of 200 chain and independent retail pharmacies across Massachusetts. Each pharmacy underwent 2 purchase attempts—1 by a person who used illicit opioids (PWUIO) and 1 by a potential bystander who did not use illicit opioids but had a relationship with someone at risk of opioid overdose. Outcome measure Successful or unsuccessful naloxone purchase attempt. Results Overall, 322 of 397 purchase attempts (81%) were successful, with no statistically significant difference between PWUIO and bystanders (P = 0.221). Most purchases (93%) resulted in the acquisition of single-step nasal naloxone (Narcan; median cost $133.38). Forty percent of the purchases included state-mandated verbal counseling, and PWUIO were significantly less likely to receive counseling than bystanders (30% vs. 51%, P $150 (25%), and requiring a prescription (15%). Chain pharmacies were significantly more likely to sell naloxone than independent pharmacies (86% vs. 53%, P Conclusion We documented high levels of naloxone access for both PWUIO and bystanders, suggesting Massachusetts could serve as a model for states seeking to improve pharmacy-based naloxone access. Additional implementation efforts should focus on expanding availability at independent pharmacies and supporting pharmacies in proactively offering naloxone to PWUIO and other high-risk individuals.
A Team-based Approach Using an Electronic Registry to Increase Patient-Centered Goal Setting in Obesity Management

Background: Obesity affects approximately 17% of U.S. children and adolescents, threatening their health and longevity. Motivational Interviewing (MI) using patient-centered goals can be an effective clinical strategy for managing obesity, but it is difficult to incorporate and track in busy primary care settings. Electronic Health Records (EHR) have potential to improve process and documentation for patients with obesity. Purpose: This QI project investigates whether a team-based approach using EHR can increase patient-centered goal setting in …
Implementing smartphone technology to support relational competence in foster youth: a service provider perspective

The field of child welfare continues to search for effective ways to mitigate risks foster youth often encounter. Research discoveries about the importance of attachments and relational competence ...
Treatment Patterns for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria Vary by Baseline Clinical Data and Diagnosing Provider

Background/Purpose Approximately 0.7% of US adolescents identify as transgender or gender diverse (TGD). In recent years, TGD children have been presenting for treatment at increasing rates. While this population is at increased risk for mental health comorbidities, studies have demonstrated that TGD children supported in their gender identity have decreased risk. To date, few studies have described how many TGD patients are ultimately treated or the time-to-treatment (TTT) in this population. The aim of this study was to understand medication practices, TTT, and how they vary by different demographic and clinical factors. Methods Patients were identified using TGD-related …