cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The molecular origins of multicellular transitions

Multicellularity has evolved multiple times independently from a variety of ancestral unicellular lineages. Past research on multicellularity was focused more on explaining why it was repeatedly invented and less so on the molecular foundations associated with each transition. Several recent comparative functional analyses of microbial unicellular and multicellular genomes have begun to throw considerable light on the molecular commonalities exhibited by independent multicellular transitions. These have enabled the delineation of the likely functional components of the genetic toolkit required for multicellular existence and to surprising discoveries, such as the presence of several toolkit components in unicellular lineages. The study of these toolkit proteins in a unicellular context has begun yielding insights into their ancestral functions and how they were coopted for multicellular development.
The accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in multicentric and multifocal invasive breast cancers

Abstract Background Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has proved to be an accurate alternative to complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in clinically node-negative breast cancer patients. Multicentric (MC) and multifocal (MF) invasive breast cancers are considered to be relative contraindications to SLNB. We examine the accuracy of SLNB in patients with MC and MF invasive breast cancers. Study design From September 1996 to August 2001, a total of 3,501 patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer underwent SLNB using both blue dye and radioisotope at our institution. A total of 70 patients had MC or MF invasive breast cancer, a successful SLNB, and mastectomy for local control. All had ≥10 axillary nodes excised (including the SLN) in a planned ALND. Exclusion criteria included MC and MF in situ carcinoma; breast conservation; previous breast irradiation, ALND, or SLNB; recurrent breast cancer; neoadjuvant chemotherapy; or ALND based solely on SLNB pathologic examination. Results The incidence of axillary metastases was 54% (38 of 70). SLNB accuracy was 96% (67 of 70), sensitivity 92% (35 of 38), and false-negative rate 8% (3 of 38). All patients with an inaccurate SLNB had a dominant invasive tumor >5 cm and one patient had palpable axillary disease intraoperatively. The SLN was the only site of axillary metastasis in 37% (14 of 38). Results were compared with those of published SLNB validation studies, most of which reflect experience with single-site invasive breast cancers. No statistically significant difference was noted for accuracy, sensitivity, or false-negative rate. Conclusions SLNB accuracy in MC and MF disease is comparable with that of published validation studies. MC and MF patients with a dominant T3 tumor (>5 cm) or axillary disease palpable intraoperatively should have a concurrent formal ALND. Our retrospective data suggest SLNB may be used as a reliable alternative to conventional ALND in selected patients with MC or MF disease. Further studies in this patient population are warranted.
The Equivalence Interval as a Measure of Uncertainty.

Abstract Subjects made a series of 15 psychophysical judgments, one about each of five stimuli in three different stimulus classes. Then, supposing that their answers were not exactly correct, half of the subjects indicated the range of values within which they were reasonably certain that the correct answer did in fact lie. This range is termed an equivalence interval. The remaining subjects simply rated their confidence in the accuracy of each judgment. It was found that the width of the equivalence intervals correlated quite highly with the confidence ratings, and that they became wider the further the judged stimulus was from a clearly defined standard of comparison. Interestingly, however, although the equivalence intervals increased in size as the subjects' judgments became less accurate, they still failed to enclose the correct value nearly 42% of the time. The results were discussed in terms of the usefulness of the equivalence interval as a measure of uncertainty.
Power in Advanced Capitalist Society: A Review Essay on Recent Elitist and Marxist Criticism of Pluralist Theory

Men make their own history, but they do not make it just as they please; they do not make it under circumstances chosen by themselves, but under circumstances directly encountered, given, and transmitted from the past. The tradition of all dead generations weighs like a nightmare on the brain of the living. Karl Marx, The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte
Conceptualising the impact of genetic testing on cancer disparities in the USA

Testing for germ-line mutations offers a predictive tool of hereditary cancer risk with the promise of future benefits to the US healthcare system and its consumers. Based on the few studies on genetic testing for cancer, awareness and uptake appear to be lower among racial/ethnic minorities. The sources of variation need to be understood for ethical reasons and for more successful technology diffusion in the broader population. We conceptualise a framework for the impact of genetic testing on disparities, as defined by the 2003 Institute of Medicine report on unequal treatment. We further extend this framework by discussing the bi-directional process of immigrant adjustment into a host country. Overall, we argue that genetic testing operating under the prevailing healthcare system will widen disparities, adverse effects of discrimination by providers and insurers will become more pronounced, but increased understanding of acculturation's effect on immigrants may promote more effective consumption of genetic testing and diffusion of awareness.
Using the KINEROS2 Modeling Framework to Evaluate the Increase in Storm Runoff from Residential Development in a Semiarid Environment

The increase in runoff from urbanization is well known; one extreme example comes from a 13-ha residential neighborhood in southeast Arizona where runoff was 26 times greater than in an adjacent grassland watershed over a 40-month period from 2005 to 2008. Rainfall-runoff modeling using the newly described KINEROS2 urban element, which simulates a contiguous row of houses and the adjoining street as a series of pervious and impervious overland flow planes, combined with tension infiltrometer measurements of saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), indicate that 17 � 14% of this increase in runoff is due to a 53% decrease in Ks in constructed pervious areas as compared to the undeveloped grassland. Ks in the urban watershed identified from calibrating the rainfall-runoff model to measured runoff is higher than measured Ks but much lower than indicated by a soil texture-based KINEROS2 parameter look-up table. Tests using different levels of discretization found that watershed geometry could be represented in a simplified manner, although more detailed discretization led to better model performance. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000655. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
Deletion of the Aspergillus flavus Orthologue of A. nidulans fluG Reduces Conidiation and Promotes Production of Sclerotia but Does Not Abolish Aflatoxin Biosynthesis

The fluG gene is a member of a family of genes required for conidiation and sterigmatocystin production in Aspergillus nidulans. We examined the role of the Aspergillus flavus fluG orthologue in asexual development and aflatoxin biosynthesis. Deletion of fluG in A. flavus yielded strains with an approximately 3-fold reduction in conidiation but a 30-fold increase in sclerotial formation when grown on potato dextrose agar in the dark. The concurrent developmental changes suggest that A. flavus FluG exerts opposite effects on a mutual signaling pathway for both processes. The altered conidial development was in part attributable to delayed expression of brlA, a gene controlling conidiophore formation. Unlike the loss of sterigmatocystin production by A. nidulans fluG deletion strains, aflatoxin biosynthesis was not affected by the fluG deletion in A. flavus. In A. nidulans, FluG was recently found to be involved in the formation of dehydroaustinol, a component of a diffusible signal of conidiation. Coculturing experiments did not show a similar diffusible meroterpenoid secondary metabolite produced by A. flavus. These results suggest that the function of fluG and the signaling pathways related to conidiation are different in the two related aspergilli.
Simulation Trace Verification for Quantitative Constraints

System design methodology is poised to become the next big enabler for highly sophisticated electronic products. Design verification continues to be a major challenge and simulation will remain an important tool for making sure that implementations perform as they should. In this paper we present algorithms to automatically generate C++ checkers from any formula written in the formal quantitative constraint language, Logic Of Constraints (LOC). The executable can then be used to analyze the simulation traces for constraint violation and output debugging information. Different checkers can be generated for fast analysis under different memory limitations. LOC is particularly suitable for specification of system level quantitative constraints where relative coordination of instances of events, not lower level interaction, is of paramount concern. We illustrate the usefulness and efficiency of our automatic trace verification methodology with case studies on large simulation traces from various system level designs.
Test sequence generation for realistic faults in CMOS ICs based on standard cell library

We present in this paper a new concept of test sequence generation for realistic faults in CMOS ICs based on the pre-determined testing conditions of cells in the standard cell library. In a one-time effort, fabrication level defects in each cell in the standard cell library are extensively analyzed via circuit simulations. Optimal test sequence of each cell is then determined and pre-stored for later use. For a given circuit under test (CUT), the automatic test sequence generation (ATSG) program generates the test sequence of the circuit under test by trying to satisfy all test sequences of all cells in the given netlist. The results on ISCAS85 benchmark circuits show that the proposed approach reduces test generation time and test size significantly while providing the capability to adapt to virtually any fault/defect model.
Modeling transcriptional control in gene networks--methods, recent results, and future directions.

Abstract Mathematical models are useful for providing a framework for integrating data and gaining insights into the static and dynamic behavior of complex biological systems such as networks of interacting genes. We review the dynamic behaviors expected from model gene networks incorporating common biochemical motifs, and we compare current methods for modeling genetic networks. A common modeling technique, based on simply modeling genes as ON–OFF switches, is readily implemented and allows rapid numerical simulations. However, this method may predict dynamic solutions that do not correspond to those seen when systems are modeled with a more detailed method using ordinary differential equations. Until now, the majority of gene network modeling studies have focused on determining the types of dynamics that can be generated by common biochemical motifs such as feedback loops or protein oligomerization. For example, these elements can generate multiple stable states for gene product concentrations, state-dependent responses to stimuli, circadian rhythms and other oscillations, and optimal stimulus frequencies for maximal transcription. In the future, as new experimental techniques increase the ease of characterization of genetic networks, qualitative modeling will need to be supplanted by quantitative models for specific systems.
Small-Scale Hybrid Rocket Test Stand & Characterization of Swirl Injectors

A small-scale motor and test stand were designed and developed with specific emphasis on characterizing swirl flow injection angles. The motor is designed for simple integration and setup, such that both the forward-end enclosure and end cap can be easily removed for rapid integration of components during testing. While examining injectors and their potential it is thought ideal to obtain the highest regression rates and overall motor performance. The oxidizer and fuel are nitrous oxide and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, respectively, due to previous experience and simplicity. The injector designs, selected for the same reasons, are designed such that they vary only in the swirl angle with tested Swirl Flow numbers of S= 0, 0.18, 0.39, 0.6 and 1.15. The system was limited in oxidizer mass flow rate so additional tests are required at higher mass fluxes for a reasonable fit for the regression rate exponent. Key results include an increase in 60 degree swirl flow injector regression rate as high as 1.63 times the regression rates of zero degree swirl flow injectors for similar oxidizer mass flux conditions. The results also show a nearly uniform regression rate along the grain length for the highest swirl flow number injector tests. A sensitivity analysis demonstrates that oxidizer mass flux and swirl flow number are the leading variables in the regression rate of this hybrid rocket motor. This is evidence that an alternate definition of oxidizer mass flux should be investigated to augment the fundamental hybrid rocket motor regression rate equation when using swirl flow injection.
Improving Teacher Education by Using Program Advisory Committees

(1982). Improving Teacher Education by Using Program Advisory Committees. The Social Studies: Vol. 73, No. 4, pp. 148-150.
Exposure-dependent increases in IL-1β, substance P, CTGF, and tendinosis in flexor digitorum tendons with upper extremity repetitive strain injury

Upper extremity tendinopathies are associated with performance of forceful repetitive tasks. We used our rat model of repetitive strain injury to study changes induced in forelimb flexor digitorum tendons. Rats were trained to perform a high repetition high force (HRHF) handle-pulling task (12 reaches/min at 60 +/- 5% maximum pulling force [MPF]), or a low repetition negligible force (LRNF) reaching and food retrieval task (three reaches/min at 5 +/- 5% MPF), for 2 h/day in 30 min sessions, 3 days/week for 3-12 weeks. Forelimb grip strength was tested. Flexor digitorum tendons were examined at midtendon at the level of the carpal tunnel for interleukin (IL)-1beta, neutrophil, and macrophage influx, Substance P, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and periostin-like factor (PLF) immunoexpression, and histopathological changes. In HRHF rats, grip strength progressively decreased, while IL-1beta levels progressively increased in the flexor digitorum peritendon (para- and epitendon combined) and endotendon with task performance. Macrophage invasion was evident in week 6 and 12 HRHF peritendon but not endotendon. Also in HRHF rats, Substance P immunoexpression increased in week 12 peritendon as did CTGF- and PLF-immunopositive fibroblasts, the increased fibroblasts contributing greatly to peritendon thickening. Endotendon collagen disorganization was evident in week 12 HRHF tendons. LRNF tendons did not differ from controls, even at 12 weeks. Thus, we observed exposure-dependent changes in flexor digitorum tendons within the carpal tunnel, including increased inflammation, nociceptor-related neuropeptide immunoexpression, and fibrotic histopathology, changes associated with grip strength decline.
Magnetospheric reconnection driven by solar wind pressure fronts

Abstract. Recent work has shown that solar wind dynamic pressure changes can have a dramatic effect on the particle precipitation in the high-latitude ionosphere. It has also been noted that the preexisting interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation can significantly affect the resulting changes in the size, location, and intensity of the auroral oval. Here we focus on the effect of pressure pulses on the size of the auroral oval. We use particle precipitation data from up to four Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft and simultaneous POLAR Ultra-Violet Imager (UVI) images to examine three events of solar wind pressure fronts impacting the magnetosphere under two IMF orientations, IMF strongly southward and IMF Bz nearly zero before the pressure jump. We show that the amount of change in the oval and polar cap sizes and the local time extent of the change depends strongly on IMF conditions prior to the pressure enhancement. Under steady southward IMF, a remarkable poleward widening of the oval at all magnetic local times and shrinking of the polar cap are observed after the increase in solar wind pressure. When the IMF Bz is nearly zero before the pressure pulse, a poleward widening of the oval is observed mostly on the nightside while the dayside remains unchanged. We interpret these differences in terms of enhanced magnetospheric reconnection and convection induced by the pressure change. When the IMF is southward for a long time before the pressure jump, open magnetic flux is accumulated in the tail and strong convection exists in the magnetosphere. The compression results in a great enhancement of reconnection across the tail which, coupled with an increase of magnetospheric convection, leads to a dramatic poleward expansion of the oval at all MLTs (dayside and nightside). For near-zero IMF Bz before the pulse the open flux in the tail, available for closing through reconnection, is smaller. This, in combination with the weaker magnetospheric convection, leads to a more limited poleward expansion of the oval, mostly on the nightside. Key words. Magnetospheric physics (solar windmagnetosphere interactions; magnetospheric configuration and dynamics; auroral phenomena)
Somatic, endocrine, and serum lipid changes during detraining in adult hamsters

Effects of abrupt discontinuation of chronic exercise on body composition and serum lipid, insulin, and glucagon concentrations were examined in adult female hamsters. Thirty- six hamsters (100 to 120 g) were randomly allotted to two groups of 18 each for an 84-day study. One group served as controls and were sedentary throughout the experimental period: another group had access to voluntary running on horizontal discs during the first 42 days of the experimental period. Six hamsters from each group were killed at the end of the exercise period and at 12 and 42 days after retirement. Results showed that hamsters engaged in high levels of voluntary activity increased food intake by about 10 to 20% and this effect persisted for about 10 days after retirement. Voluntary running resulted in a 60% reduction in body fat content and a 30% decrease in serum triglyceride levels. Exercise was also associated with an increase in body cholesterol level, a decrease in glucagon concentration, and a suggestive increase in serum insulin level. Increased food consumption and changes in serum insulin and glucagon may reflect compensatory adjustments to increased energy expenditure of exercise. Discontinuation of exercise resulted in a reversal of exercise effects on body fat, body cholesterol, and serum triglyceride levels. Am. J. Clin. Nuir. 34: 373-376, 1981.
Information resources management in heterogeneous, distributed environments: A metadatabase approach

The core structure of a metadatabase system for information integration in heterogeneous and distributed environments, the global information resources dictionary (GIRD) model for unified metadata representation and management (both data and knowledge), is discussed. Overviews of metadatabase systems and the two-stage entity relationship (TSER) representation method are presented. To illustrate some major properties of the metadatabase model, and to show how the GIRD elements fit together to deliver these properties, manufacturing information management examples are given. The GIRD and the information resources dictionary system (IRDS) standard are compared. >
Preparative Purification of 2-(2′-Hydroxyethoxy)terephthalic Acid with Countercurrent Chromatography

Abstract 2-(2′-Hydroxyethoxy)terephthalic acid has been completely separated from its synthetic precursor, 2-hydroxyterephthalic acid using countercurrent chromatography on a preparative scale after more common separation techniques failed.
Variates of survival in metastatic uveal melanoma.

Purpose The course and outcome of metastatic uveal melanoma are not well described. We evaluated the survival of our patients with metastatic uveal melanoma, described factors that correlated with survival, and evaluated the influence of screening tests on time of detection and survival. Patients and Methods All patients with metastatic uveal melanoma seen at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between 1994 and 2004 were identified from our database. We recorded date of initial diagnosis, date of metastatic disease, date of last follow-up, site of the first metastasis, how the first metastasis was discovered, treatment, and outcome of therapy. Results The estimated median survival of the 119 patients analyzed was 12.5 months; 22% of patients were alive at 4 years. Five variates correlated independently with prolonged survival: Lung/soft tissue as only site of first metastasis, treatment with surgery or intrahepatic therapy, female sex, age younger than 60, and a longer interval from initial diagnosis t...
4528 Endoscopic ultrasound versus spiral computed tomography in staging locoregional lymphadenopathy in esophageal cancer.

After exclusion of metastases, malignant locoregional lymphadenopathy is the most important predictor of survival and the need for adjuvant therapy in esophageal cancer (EsoCa). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been shown to be superior to dynamic computed tomography (CT) in predicting metastases to lymph nodes but has not been compared to spiral CT. We prospectively compared the ability of EUS and spiral CT to detect malignant lymph nodes in patients with EsoCa. Methods: Patients with metastatic disease, those who received neoadjuvant therapy, and those who were unable to undergo spiral CT, EUS, or esophagectomy were excluded from the protocol. Thirty-three consecutive patients to date with biopsy proven EsoCa have undergone spiral CT, EUS, and esophageal resection with lymph node dissection. CT criteria for malignant lymph nodes was size greater 1 cm and EUS criteria were based on size, shape, border demarcation, and internal echo pattern. The ability of spiral CT and EUS to detect malignant lymphadenopathy was compared to histology at surgery. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of spiral CT and EUS to determine cancerous nodes were calculated. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the two tests were compared using the McNemar test. Results: EUS was significantly more sensitive than spiral CT in detecting malignant lymph nodes (88% vs. 54%, p=.02). EUS was more accurate than spiral CT, but the difference did not achieve significance (78% vs. 58%, p=. 15). Spiral CT was more specific than EUS, but the difference did not reach significance (71 % vs. 43%, p=.50). Conclusions: 1) EUS is superior to spiral CT in determining the presence of metastatic regional lymph nodes in EsoCa. 2) The use of EUS and spiral CT in conjunction improves the ability to detect malignant lymph nodes preoperatively in EsoCa with accuracy, sensitivity, and positive predictive value all greater than 80%. 3) The combination of EUS and spiral CT should be used in the staging of all patients with esophageal carcinoma.
Spatiotemporal Variability of ENSO and SST Teleconnections to Summer Drought over the United States during the Twentieth Century

Abstract Presented are investigations into the spatial structure of teleconnections between both the winter El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and global sea surface temperatures (SSTs), and a measure of continental U.S. summer drought during the twentieth century. Potential nonlinearities and nonstationarities in the relationships are noted. During the first three decades of this century, summer drought teleconnections in response to SST patterns linked to ENSO are found to be strongest in the southern regions of Texas, with extensions into regions of the Midwest. From the 1930s through the 1950s, the drought teleconnection pattern is found to extend into southern Arizona. The most recent three decades show weak teleconnections between summer drought over southern Texas and Arizona, and winter SSTs, which is consistent with previous findings. Instead, the response to Pacific SSTs shows a clear shift to the western United States and southern regions of California. These epochal variations are consistent ...
CMOS implementation of pixel-wise coded exposure imaging for insect-based sensor node

Insect based Mobile Wireless Sensor Nodes (MWSN) has gained interests from the research community in recent year. These small biological entities have excellent maneuverability and can enter extreme areas not accessible to human. In order not to hinder the flight of the insect, the image sensors carried by these small insects must be light, low power, high speed and is capable of providing high quality images for different scene conditions and flight speed. In this paper, we present an implementation of pixel-wise coded exposure image sensor, developed based on the theory of Compressed Sensing (CS). This architecture can provide up to 18× more frame rate with both high spatial and temporal resolution compared to a traditional image sensor with the same readout speed. Additionally, through adaptive control of the pixel exposure duration, this architecture can be made to provide optimal image quality under all conditions. The test pixel array consumes 46 μW at 100 fps.
Opportunities and Challenges in Using Geospatial Technologies for Education

Opportunities in using geospatial technologies as a meaningful and sustained part of education exist as never before. Most obvious are technological opportunities, centered on the evolution of GST to a web-based platform, including editable online maps that can be customized, analyzed, and shared on any device. Geospatial skills and approaches can be effectively taught in an ever-growing variety of face-to-face and online platforms such as Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs). But equally important are opportunities in education that focus attention on inquiry, critical thinking, outdoor education, authentic assessment, STEM, technical, green, and other careers, and meaningful teaching with technology. Societal trends offer unprecedented opportunity to use GST in education. These include location analytics that are embedding a positional component in everyday electronic devices, a growing awareness of the geographic significance of key twenty-first century issues, such as biodiversity, urbanization, food, hazards, water, human health, and others, and the increasing role seen for citizen science in solving problems.
Initial Treatment of "Pelvic Injuries" with Commercially Available Pelvic Binders Results in Displacement of Acetabular Fractures: A Report of Three Cases.

Cases: Three hemodynamically stable patients with displaced acetabular fractures were treated with commercially available pelvic binders after blunt trauma. In two of the patients, placement of the binder corresponded with transfer from a community hospital to a tertiary care facility. Conclusion: The pelvic binder is an increasingly utilized portable device that can provide lifesaving tamponade in patients with hemodynamically unstable pelvic injuries. However, incorrect application of the device may expose patients to unnecessary morbidity. This report demonstrates the need to establish appropriate guidelines and provide training for first responders and community physicians who are likely to encounter these fractures in the acute setting.
On becoming a teen mom: life before pregnancy

On Becoming a Teen Mom: Life Before Pregnancy, by Mary Patrice Erdmans and Timothy Black, is a much-needed examination of the lives of teenage mothers. Too often the dialogue surrounding teen mothe...
The role of 99m Tc-RBC scintigraphy in lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Given the controversy surrounding the use of 99m Tc-RBC scintigraphy (TRBCS) in lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage (LGIH), we examined how often it was performed and whether it led to specific therapy. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 565 admissions with a primary diagnosis of LGIH. We obtained detailed clinical data on all subjects, focusing in particular on outcomes after TRBCS. 199 TRBCS studies were performed during 166 patient admissions (a patient admission was defined as an incident LGIH episode in a single patient). Of the 166 patient admissions in which TRBCS was performed, the scan was positive in approximately half (84/166; 51%); if TRBCS themselves were considered, they were positive 42% (84/199) of the time. Of the 84 admissions with a positive TRBCS, angiography was performed 54 times. Among this group, angiography revealed bleeding in only 20 patients (11 patients underwent embolization and 9 had hemostatic therapy). Out of 64 patients with a positive TRBCS who underwent colonoscopy, only 3 patients underwent endoscopic hemostatic therapy. Surgery was performed in 20 patients after a positive TRBCS (including in 17/54 patients after angiogram) and hemostasis was achieved in 16. Angiography, surgery and therapeutic colonoscopy were more commonly performed after positive than after a negative TRBCS. Patients who underwent angiography within 4 h of a positive TRBCS were neither more likely to have active bleeding found nor to undergo successful embolization. Not all patients with a positive TRBCS underwent angiography, and an abnormal TRBCS did not appear to predict successful angiographic therapy; further, a positive TRBCS was not predictive of subsequent definitive therapy. Because TRBCS appears to be followed up inconsistently, the data bring into question its routine use in clinical practice, and specifically raise the possibility that it is overused in patients with LGIH.
The Presidential Short Ballot

The term “presidential short ballot” is applied to the ballot form in which the names of candidates for presidential electors are omitted and only the names of the candidates for president or for president and vice-president appear. The vote for the party presidential candidates on the ticket is a vote for the party electors whose names are filed with the secretary of state. The voter may feel that he is voting directly for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates; actually, he is voting for the electoral candidates of the party represented by his favored candidate for the presidency.This shortened ballot form is the result of three developments: (1) provision for a group vote for the electoral candidates of each party; (2) the addition at the head of the ticket of the names of the presidential candidates, whether the electoral candidates are voted on as individuals or as a group; and (3) introduction of the voting machine. Each of these developments started near the turn of the century.
Replicate ice-coring system testing

Drilling the WDC06A borehole at the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide with the Deep Ice Sheet Coring (DISC) drill began in December 2007 and was successfully completed in December 2011 to a depth of 3405 m. The design and construction of a replicate coring system for use with the existing DISC drill began in 2010. In January 2012, the new replicate coring system was tested in the parent borehole at WAIS Divide. While a full deviation was not completed during the test period, much was learned about the mechanical, electrical and operational aspects of the system. Extensive testing and modifications were done over the northern/boreal summer to prepare the system for the upcoming and final season of the project. Further tuning of the system continued during the 2012/13 field season at WAIS Divide. This paper identifies the issues found with the system during the initial test season and discusses solutions, methods and testing done to arrive at an operational system.
Kicking Genomic Profiling to the Curb: How Re-wiring the Phosphoproteome Can Explain Treatment Resistance in Glioma

In this issue of Cancer Cell, Wei et al. (2016) identify adaptive re-wiring of signaling nodes in glioma as major mechanisms of treatment resistance without genome-wide mutations. Targeting these nodes before treatment blocks resistance and underscores the importance of single-cell phosphoproteomics and network re-wiring in predicting cancer treatment responses.
A non-auxinic growth-promoting factor present in crown gall tumor tissue.

SummaryA biologically active factor is present in crown gall tumor tissue extracts which when used in association with an auxin is capable of encouraging the very active proliferation of normal tobacco pith tissue. Neither the factor present in the tumor extract nor the auxin is by itself effective in stimulating the active division of the pith cells.
Improving Influenza Vaccination Rates in Hospitalized Asthmatics

The goal of this project is to improve the influenza immunization rate of eligible asthmatics admitted to the Pediatric Hospital Medicine (PHM) service to 80% by February 2015. Asthma patients were identified via ICD-9 codes, and charts were manually reviewed to determine influenza immunization status. Metrics included:
Evaluating quantifiable metrics for hospital green checklists

Abstract While hospitals, sustainable healthcare organizations, and recent peer-reviewed publications have assessed the sustainability of medical products and services, the healthcare industry lacks a framework to effectively inform environmental decision making and quantitatively assess the success of sustainability initiatives for medical products and services. Several recent publications have even expressed a need for better ways to quantify sustainable healthcare practices. To address these needs, this research compared the cradle-to-grave environmental and economic impacts of some of the most common recommendations from checklists: reusable versus disposable medical products, and changes to common medical services. Salient results and conclusions from recent studies focusing on the environmental and economic impacts of various reusable versus disposable medical products and different medical services were synthesized and prioritized. All relevant results related to environmental and economic impacts of reusable versus disposable medical products and the analyzed medical services were also correlated with existing sustainable checklists. The results showed that reusable products were less expensive their single-use disposable alternatives. The dental bur also required the least amount of water for its associated cleaning processes, had the lowest total embodied energy, and had the lowest associated greenhouse gas emissions. These outcomes were likely due to the fact the burs were, by far, the smallest examined product. Based on the results derived from the study, healthcare checklists should be updated to include: optimizing the reusability of medical products; reduce products utilized in custom packs; and evaluating energy recovery potential of utilized products. The results of this study indicate that sustainable healthcare checklists be further validated with more environmental and economic life-cycle analyses related to medical products and services. The primary aim of this paper is to assist hospital employees and administrators with making more informed decisions about the sustainability of their products and services. The scientific value of this paper is underscored by a novel aggregation of life cycle assessment studies pertaining to medical devices and services in order to draw conclusions regarding the overall sustainability of those medical devices and services.
Building a Personal On-line Finances Center Based on New-generation ID Card and Single-Sign-On (SSO) Technology

Based on analysis of the operation mechanism and the original web framework of new financing groups in China,this page tries to find a conceptive solution by which people can rearrange the original web resources and build a Personal On-line Finances Center.Single-Sign-On technology is the key point of the solution.In order to assure the safety of above solution,the researcher analyzed the features of China second-generation identity card,So the target of rearranging original web recourses and improving operation efficiency can be easily achieved.
Short and Long-Term Responses to Changes in Hydraulic Loading in a Fixed Denitrifying Biofilm

The long- and short-term effects of hydraulic loading were investigated in a pilot packed tower bioreactor used for denitrifying a groundwater used for drinking water. Field experiments were conducted at hydraulic loading rates of 3.63 and 7.24 m 3 /hr/m 2 . The long-term (21 day average) performance of the denitrification reactor and the short-term response (48 hour) to regular air scour are reported here. In summary, an increase in hydraulic loading resulted in a long-term increase in the half-order denitrification rate constant, so that, on average, nitrate removal was maintained in the 5.2 m tower. At the lower hydraulic loading rate (3.63 m 3 /hr/m 2 ) denitrification performance in the first 48 hours after air scour was maintained; however at twice the hydraulic loading, several days were required to restore the biofilm performance to long-term average levels.
Theory of Optical Trapping Forces

Optical trapping is a technique that uses focused laser light to confine, manipulate, and apply optical forces to a variety of microscopic objects including dielectric, metallic, and biological samples. In this paper, we review the basic principles of optical trapping and summarize some of the key results derived from ray-optic and wave-optic theories for trapping forces and their parametric dependence. The application of these theories to the study of low-index microparticles and different trapping geometries are also described.
Brave New World and Vanity Fair : A ‘Draught that Will Make You […] Lighthearted and Gay’

From 1926 to 1928, Aldous Huxley had a feature page in Vanity Fair, the stylish American magazine that served upwardly mobile readers as a guidebook to modern art and culture. Although Jerome Meckier noted in 2000 that Huxley’s essays should be ‘required reading’ for students of Brave New World (1932), scholars have given scant attention to the novel’s periodical context.1 Yet Huxley’s Vanity Fair essays—which envision pleasure as an ‘appalling’ toxin and the comfort of modern society as enfeebling—clearly prefigure his dystopia’s critique of a culture of vapid consumerism, ease, and amusement.2 There is considerable irony in Huxley penning his screed against modern society within the glossy pages of an American magazine that largely promotes the values he satirizes, for Vanity Fair styles itself as a ‘draught that will make you […] lighthearted and gay’, presenting a fashionable new world of wealth and leisure, full of labor-saving technologies, thrilling diversions, and the trendiest art and ideas.3 However, by examining Huxley’s Vanity Fair essays in their original periodical context, we recover not only a greater appreciation of the satirical vision that shaped Brave New World, but also a more nuanced view of this deceptively light publication.
Migraine headache trigger site prevalence analysis of 2590 sites in 1010 patients

Summary Background Surgical deactivation of migraine trigger sites offers an alternate treatment option for patients with recalcitrant headaches who are unresponsive to medical therapies or for those who are unable to take medications. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review and a prevalence analysis of 2590 migraine surgery trigger sites in 1010 patients over a 14-year study period. Methods This is a retrospective review of migraine patients who underwent surgical decompression of peripheral nerves. Data from the migraine surgery database maintained by the senior author were reviewed. Preoperative variables included patient demographics and migraine trigger sites, whereas intraoperative variables included specific trigger site deactivation. Results Overall, 825 female and 158 male patients underwent the deactivation of 2590 migraine headache trigger sites. Migraine surgery patients had an average of 2.6 trigger sites. A single trigger site was operated in 26.9% of migraine headache patients, whereas 73.1% of the patients had multiple trigger sites. The nasal trigger site (III) was the most prevalent single trigger site affecting 12.3% of patients, and overall 66.9% of patients had this site as a component of their migraine complex. Concurrent occurrence of trigger sites I, II, III, and IV was the most prevalent trigger site combination involving 21.4% of patients. Conclusion This article offers the prevalence information of trigger sites and provides a simple classification for the ease of communication among surgeons and their teams.
Real-time image compression based on all-optical Haar wavelet transform

An ultrahigh-speed fiber optic imager based on all-optical Haar wavelet transform is presented. Images are compressed to less than 30% of their original size by thresholding the most significant wavelet coefficients.
Analyzing the role of the novel kinase Ror2 in renal cell carcinoma

B224 Sporadic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a notoriously hard to treat solid tumor malignancy, has minimal sensitivity to traditional chemotherapy and immune system modulation. The most current and effective therapies for renal cell carcinoma involves the use of kinase-specific inhibitors targeted against receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) and ligands specific to angiogenesis signaling. However, though these agents have shown promise, they remain to be fully optimized. The net effect is to almost double the time to progression of RCC, with tumors eventually developing resistance to these agents. RCC is defined by inappropriate chemokine expression where, for example, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are highly expressed growth factors in RCC because of inactivating mutations of the von Hippel-Lindau ( VHL ) tumor suppressor gene. However, VEGF receptor and PDGF receptor, which are present on tumor-associated endothelial cells and pericytes, respectively, are not generally present on RCC tumor cells. Currently, there are no known reported cancer cell specific kinases expressed on RCC. Our goal was to identify a cancer cell specific kinase expressed on RCC as a rational target for pharmaceutical development. Using a phospho specific RTK screen in renal carcinoma cells, we identified Ror2, a phosphorylated orphan receptor tyrosine kinase previously unknown in renal carcinoma cells. Ror2 is normally expressed in the heart, brain and lungs of developing mice and has also been implicated in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. By immunoblot and qRT-PCR, we have shown that not only is Ror2 expressed in renal carcinoma cells; it is expressed in a VHL -dependent manner. In addition, we were able to detect transcripts of Ror2 in more than 55% of a set of 19 archival human RCC tumor specimens. Further analysis is currently underway to delineate the importance of Ror2 for RCC tumorigenesis and regulation as it represents a potentially important molecular target for RCC.
Twelve tips for implementation of "student-as-teacher" programs.

Much has been written about the learning benefits of peer teaching for medical trainees. What remains less certain is how practically to implement “Student-as-teacher” (SaT) programs combining teac...
Chemical potentials of individual structure elements of compounds and face or dislocation specificity of thermodynamic parameters

Abstract Arguments for and against introduction of chemical potentials for individual structure elements are reconsidered, taking into account face and dislocation specificity. It is concluded that such chemical potentials remain useful. It will be necessary however, to specify, at least for compounds, the face or the dislocation from which atoms or ions involved in the formation of the defects in question are removed or to which they are added. The thermodynamic parameters of building units are not significantly face or dislocation specific. Corrections, required to obtain meaningful calculated values for the enthalpies of formation of individual vacancies (structure elements) in compounds, are proposed.
Quasi-static and dynamic mismatch for door opening and stair climbing with a legged robot

This paper contributes to quantifying the notion of robotic fitness by developing a set of necessary conditions that determine whether a small quadruped has the ability to open a class of doors or climb a class of stairs using only quasi-static maneuvers. After verifying that several such machines from the recent robotics literature are mismatched in this sense to the common human scale environment, we present empirical work-arounds for the Minitaur quadrupedal platform that enable it to leap up, force the door handle and push through the door, as well as bound up the stairs, thereby accomplishing through dynamical maneuvers otherwise (i.e., quasi-statically) unachievable tasks.
C1q Test for Identification of Sensitized Liver Recipients at Risk of Early Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection

BACKGROUND The majority of liver recipients transplanted with positive crossmatch have a post-transplant course free of acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). However, 10% of sensitized recipients develop early severe AMR. There is no clear strategy that would allow for predicting the postoperative course in sensitized liver recipients. One of the possible factors contributing to the dichotomous course in sensitized recipients may be the complement-binding characteristics of the donor-specific antibodies (DSA). MATERIAL AND METHODS We tested sera of sensitized recipients with DSA at the time of transplant, diagnosed with severe AMR or 'AMR-free' for C1q reactivity and strength of mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) in single-antigen beads (SAB) assay. RESULTS Both groups tested positive for DSA C1q binding and DSA-SAB. Recipients with early AMR had significantly stronger DSA MFI in the C1q assay (P<.0001). AMR was observed in patients with very high DSA C1q MFI (22681±8841 vs. the no-AMR group 7954±2061). In SAB assay, DSA MFI strength differences were equivocal (P=0.31). CONCLUSIONS The C1q test is a supportive adjunct in identifying patients at risk of postoperative acute AMR and selects an AMR-free course with 100% negative predictive value despite the presence of DSA.
Growing Up Manly: Male Samurai Childhood in Late Edo-Era Tosa

The social construction of male samurai childhood aimed at producing sons who would maintain the family’s hereditary status and economic class by being good, capable, and respectable. In order to go beyond a narrative that reproduces children simply as the objects of adult action, this chapter, by Luke Roberts, explores the rules of emotional expression and how they changed as children grew up. Based on memoirs and diaries, it examines the markers that defined the stages in a child’s growth to his coming of age; threats to a child’s survival, from infanticide to disease and beriberi and lead poisoning; training in self-denial and self-control as well as literacy and the martial arts; relations with peers, including rowdy gangs and same-sex intimacy; and emotional restraint in relations with women.
Antipsychotic discontinuation after the initiation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors therapy for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms associated with dementia.

Abstract Introduction: Antipsychotics are used off label to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Due to the emerging data of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI...