cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Light-directed migration of D. discoideum slugs in microchannels

This paper presents light-directed migration of multi-cellular microorganisms (slugs) of Dictyostelium discoideum in a microchip. The microchip consists of a microchamber and intersecting microchannels fabricated from agar to provide a moist environment necessary for slug survival. Slugs are driven to migrate in the geometric confinements of the microchannels under the stimulation of light, with the direction of migration determined by the position of an optical fiber that introduces light into the microchip. Experimental results demonstrate that this approach effectively allows controlled migration of slugs and has potential applications to biologically based microactuators.
Vemurafenib (RG67204, PLX4032): a potent, selective BRAF kinase inhibitor.

Vemurafenib is a potent inhibitor of the mutated BRAF kinase. Phase I and II clinical trials of vemurafenib showed response rates of more than 50% in patients with metastatic melanoma and BRAF mutation. A Phase III study comparing vemurafenib with dacarbazine in 675 previously untreated patients revealed overall survival to be 84% (95% CI: 78–89) in the vemurafenib group and 64% (95% CI: 56–73) in the dacarbazine group. Vemurafenib was associated with a relative reduction of 63% in the risk of death and 74% in the risk of either death or disease progression, as compared with dacarbazine (p < 0.001). Progression-free survival was longer in those treated with vemurafenib (median: 5.3 vs 1.6 months; hazard ratio: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.20–0.33). Response rates were 48% for vemurafenib and 5% for dacarbazine. After review of the interim analysis by an independent data and safety monitoring board, crossover from dacarbazine to vemurafenib was recommended.
Pulmonary Necrotizing Granulomas of Unknown Cause: Clinical and Pathologic Analysis of 131 Patients With Completely Resected Nodules

Background The cause of pulmonary necrotizing granulomas is often unclear, even after histologic examination. Our aim was to determine the clinical significance of histologically unexplained necrotizing granulomas. Methods Pulmonary necrotizing granulomas surgically resected at the Mayo Clinic (1994-2004) were retrieved and reviewed retrospectively. Cases in which a cause was evident at the time of initial histologic examination were excluded. The analysis cohort comprised 131 completely resected histologically unexplained pulmonary necrotizing granulomas. Clinical and laboratory information was abstracted from medical records, chest CT scans were reviewed, histologic slides were reexamined, and additional ancillary studies were performed in selected cases. Results A cause was determined on review in more than one-half of the histologically unexplained necrotizing granulomas (79 of 131, 60%) by reexamining histologic slides (47), incorporating the results of cultures (26), fungal serologies (14), and other laboratory studies (eight), and correlating histologic findings with clinical and radiologic information (13). Infections accounted for the majority (64 of 79), the most common being histoplasmosis (37) and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections (18). Noninfectious diagnoses (15 of 79) were rheumatoid nodule (five), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener) (five), sarcoidosis (four), and chronic granulomatous disease (one). Many cases remained unexplained even after extensive review (52 of 131, 40%). Most of these patients received no medical therapy and did not progress clinically or develop new nodules (median follow-up, 84 months). Conclusions A cause, the most common being infection, can be established in many surgically resected pulmonary necrotizing granulomas that appear unexplained at the time of initial histologic diagnosis. Patients whose granulomas remain unexplained after a rigorous review have a favorable outcome. Most do not develop new nodules or progress clinically, even without medical therapy.
Unique risks for mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing nonemergent colorectal surgery

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to identify unique risk factors for mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing nonemergent colorectal surgery. Methods A multivariate logistic regression model predicting 30-day mortality was constructed for patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing nonemergent colorectal procedures. Data were obtained from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2005–2010). Results Among the 394 patients analyzed, those with serum creatinine levels >7.5 mg/dL had .07 times the adjusted mortality risk of those with levels Conclusions High serum creatinine was associated with a lower risk for mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease, even though creatinine is often considered a risk factor for surgery. These results show how variables from a patient-centered subpopulation can differ in meaning from the general population.
Molecular Cloning and Post-transcriptional Regulation of Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1α in Alveolar Macrophages

Abstract Macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) belongs to the "chemokine" superfamily of chemoattractant pro-inflammatory cytokines. MIP-lα is chemotactic for monocytes and neutrophils and thus, plays an important role in initiation and control of inflammation. We have isolated and sequenced a cDNA clone encoding rat MIP-1α. This 0.75 kb cDNA includes a single open reading frame of 92 amino acids. Expression of MIP-1α mRNA was characterized in NR8383, a rat alveolar macrophage cell line (RAM). In resting RAM cells, MIP-1α mRNA decayed rapidly, with a half life of less than 2 hours. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment of RAM cells resulted in a dose-dependent increase in MIP-1α steady state mRNA expression. The induction of MIP-1α mRNA by LPS was partially the result of mRNA stabilization, as half life increased to over 6 hours.
The Information Key Technologies for Quality & Safety Monitor and Management of Agricultural Products

This paper studied on the information key technologies which were applied in quality and safety monitor and management of agricultural products and pointed out that the important role of the information technologies. The rapid detection technology included of three aspects: quality inspection (machine vision, near infrared spectroscopy, electronic nose etc.), pesticide residue detection (ELISA, biosensor and Raman spectra etc.), and producing environmental monitoring (mainly used X-ray rapid measurement of soil heavy metals etc.), using of these technologies, some advanced new detection systems and devices to be developed gradually. Referred to auto identification technology, the common technologies of bar codes and RFID were introduced. They were widely used in the building of an agricultural products quality and safety traceability management system, which could cover production, processing, circulation and consumption etc. whole process, and is helpful in agricultural products recall. In the system or platform of quality and safety agricultural products, network technology and database technology were applied to supply and demand inquiry, tracking and other function.
Changes in EMG and Finger Force with Repeated Hangs from the Hands in Rock Climbers.

The nature and degree of fatigue in muscles that control finger position during repeated sustained efforts in rock climbing have not been described. The purpose of this study was to identify changes in maximum hang time and forearm electromyogram (EMG) during repeated maximum duration hangs from a simulated rock feature. A second objective was to determine the effect of different recovery times between hangs upon changes in finger force. Five experienced rock climbers performed 2 test sessions on different days in a randomized order. Each session involved 8 repetitions of a maximum duration hang with either 1 min (R1) or 3 min (R3) resting recovery between hangs. Finger force (FF) was measured for the right hand via a piezoelectric force sensor fitted with a plate to accept the distal digits of four fingers. Peak EMG (EMGPK) and EMG Area (EMGAREA) were recorded from the anterior forearm for each hang and standardized as percent of maximum FF EMG prior to statistical analysis. Hang duration progressively decreased over repetitions but tended to plateau around repetition 5 for both R1 and R3 conditions. A significant difference was found for both recovery conditions and repetitions (p .05). EMGAREA decreased initially with repeated hangs during both R1 and R3 but this trend tended to plateau at repetition 3 for the R3 condition. A significant difference was found in EMGAREA for both recovery conditions and trials (p<.05) as well as a significant interaction of the two factors (p<.05). Mean FF decreased between pre- and post-hangs for both R1 and R3 however the difference was not significant. It was concluded that the overall decline in hang time is less with 3 min recovery vs 1 min recovery between hangs. Peak EMG does not appear to change despite this evidence of fatigue. A 3 min recovery interval between hang repetitions decreases the magnitude of fatigue experienced and enables a greater EMGAREA per hang.
Strain Distribution of Alfalfa Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in an Intergrade Zone

Strain distribution for the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), was determined for the five major alfalfa-growing regions of New Mexico. Mitochondrial DNA from field-collected weevils at each location was digested and sequenced to differentiate among strains. Eastern, Egyptian, and western strains were recovered, along with a population not matching any known strain. The majority of sites examined had populations of two strains intermingled within a field. This is the first confirmation of the presence of all three strains within the same geographic region. Possible implications for alfalfa weevil management are discussed.
The use of intraoperative triggered electromyography to detect misplaced pedicle screws: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECT Insertion of instruments or implants into the spine carries a risk for injury to neural tissue. Triggered electromyography (tEMG) is an intraoperative neuromonitoring technique that involves electrical stimulation of a tool or screw and subsequent measurement of muscle action potentials from myotomes innervated by nerve roots near the stimulated instrument. The authors of this study sought to determine the ability of tEMG to detect misplaced pedicle screws (PSs). METHODS The authors searched the US National Library of Medicine, the Web of Science Core Collection database, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for PS studies. A meta-analysis of these studies was performed on a per-screw basis to determine the ability of tEMG to detect misplaced PSs. Sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) were calculated overall and in subgroups. RESULTS Twenty-six studies were included in the systematic review. The authors analyzed 18 studies...
Association of SLCO2B1 Genotypes With Time to Progression and Overall Survival in Patients Receiving Androgen-Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

PurposeTo validate the association of three previously demonstrated SLCO2B1 germline variants with time to progression (TTP) in patients receiving androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), and to evaluate if the SLCO2B1 genetic variants impacted overall survival (OS) for prostate cancer (PC).Patients and MethodsThree single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), exonic SNP rs12422149 and intronic SNPs rs1789693 and rs1077858, were genotyped in an independent validation cohort of 616 patients with PC who were treated with ADT at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute from 1996 to 2013. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression adjusting for known prognostic factors estimated the association of these genetic variants with TTP and OS in patients receiving ADT. The expression of SLCO2B1 was examined in prostatectomy samples, and the impact of SLCO2B1 expression level on DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) uptake was evaluated in cell lines.ResultsThe association between exonic SNP rs12422149 and TTP in patients trea...
Right Ventricular Function Is Associated with Left Ventricular Stroke Volume in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background A subset of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) have lower stroke volumes and valve gradients despite a normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), referred to as paradoxical low-flow AS (PLF AS). However, the role of right ventricular (RV) function in patients with severe AS and preserved LVEF is not known. We hypothesized that right ventricular function is associated with left ventricular stroke volume in patients with severe AS and preserved LVEF. Methods From an echocardiographic database, we retrospectively identified 102 patients with an indexed aortic valve area ≤0.6 cm2/m2 and LVEF ≥ 50%. We used univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis to assess the association between aortic valve stroke volume index (SVi) and right ventricular systolic function as measured by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and by right ventricular fractional area change (FAC). Results Our population was 98% male with mean age 77.4 ± 9.3 years and mean SVi of 36.1 ± 7.9 mL/m2. Forty-four patients (43%) met criteria for PLF AS. TAPSE and FAC were positively associated with SVi in both univariate and multivariate regression analysis after correcting for left ventricular variables (β coefficient – TAPSE (cm): 4.59 ± 1.3, P = 0.001; FAC (%): 0.19 ± 0.08, P = 0.014). Additionally, PLF AS patients had significantly lower mean TAPSE and lower mean FAC when compared dichotomously to normal flow AS patients (P < 0.05). Conclusions Right ventricular systolic function assessed by TAPSE and FAC is significantly related to aortic valve flow in patients with severe AS and preserved LVEF.
A kinetic model of superoxide production from single pulmonary alveolar macrophages

A kinetic model was developed to describe the production of superoxide (O2-) by single pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM). Model predictions were compared with experimental results obtained from single rat PAM. The O2- was quantified by measuring the reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) to a diformazan precipitate (NBTH2) from video-recorded images of individual cells. The kinetic model considered three reactions: 1) the production of extracellular O2- from the reduction of oxygen by NADPH oxidase using intracellular NADPH as the substrate, 2) the subsequent dismutation of O2- to form H2O2, and 3) the reaction of O2- and NBT to form diformazan. NBT specificity for O2- was analyzed by comparing results in the presence and absence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) that catalyzes the dismutation of O2- to H2O2. Measured PAM heterogeneity was accounted for by varying the concentration of intracellular NADPH, its rate of depletion, and the concentration of intracellular NADPH oxidase in the kinetic model. Model predictions compared favorably with experimental results except when SOD was present. This discrepancy may be due to diffusional limitations because NBT is a relatively small molecule (818 mol wt) compared with SOD (34,000 mol wt). In addition, the cell surface is both ruffled and negatively charged, which may introduce steric hindrances and/or electrostatic effects, since SOD is also negatively charged, whereas NBT is positively charged.
My OS ought to know me better: in-app behavioural analytics as an OS service

What a user does in an app (e.g., viewing the menu of a restaurant or listening to the same song several times) is key to understanding user interests and preferences, and ultimately to enabling personalised experiences. This kind of behavioural analytics information, as we call it, is rarely used today (and if it is used, it remains siloed in one app). This paper makes a case for the OS to provide an in-app behavioural analytics service which monitors user activities within an app to extract such analytics and to share them with other apps in a secure, private and uniform way. All this must be achieved with zero-developer effort and with low resource overhead.
Putting All Your Eggs in a Single 10/50 Basket: Here's How

Carol Doran Klein and Lisa Askenazy Felix, both of Deloitte & Touche, Washington, discuss recently issued Notice 2003-5, which provides guidance on applying the limitation on foreign tax credits under section 904 to dividends paid by 10/50 corporations (and certain other foreign corporations) in post-2002 tax years.
Familial Vertebral Hypoplasia and Kyphosis

A family with autosomal dominant inheritance of anterior hypoplasia of the upper lumbar vertebrae and other minor skeletal aberations has been described. The value of diagnosis lies principally in its genetic implications, its relatively good prognosis, and the possibility that early bracing may prevent deformity. The minimum deformity and fortuitous diagnosis in this family suggests that family histories and roentgenographic evaluation would be advisable in relatives of similarly affected persons.
Constructing Justice: Theories of the Subject in Law and Literature

Critics of the legal system have long observed its tendency to distort pr ignore connections between its human subjects and the empirical world of their experience. Disregard for the subject's non-theoretical experience also appears in the attempts of certain literary critics to redefine or even remove the concept of the subject from literary theory. In opposition to law's antisubjective tendencies and perhaps in response to literary critics' questioning of the subject, several legal theorists who would not otherwise be aligned argue separately that the legal system needs to admit more subjective concerns to legal discourse and to recognize more the humanity of the subject in law. This range of legal scholars includes scientific legal realists andmembers of the loosely structured congerie of critical legal scholars, all of whom share a concern that the voice of the legalsubject be heard in law.
Predicting Mesoscale Microstructural Evolution in Electron Beam Welding

Using the kinetic Monte Carlo simulator, Stochastic Parallel PARticle Kinetic Simulator, from Sandia National Laboratories, a user routine has been developed to simulate mesoscale predictions of a grain structure near a moving heat source. Here, we demonstrate the use of this user routine to produce voxelized, synthetic, three-dimensional microstructures for electron-beam welding by comparing them with experimentally produced microstructures. When simulation input parameters are matched to experimental process parameters, qualitative and quantitative agreement for both grain size and grain morphology are achieved. The method is capable of simulating both single- and multipass welds. The simulations provide an opportunity for not only accelerated design but also the integration of simulation and experiments in design such that simulations can receive parameter bounds from experiments and, in turn, provide predictions of a resultant microstructure.
The social costs and benefits of too-big-to-fail banks: A “bounding” exercise

While the policy of too-big-to-fail has received wide attention in the literature, there is little agreement regarding economies of scale for financial firms. We take the stand that systemic risk increases when the larger players in the financial sector have a larger share of output. Calculations indicate that the cost to the macro-economy due to increased systemic risk is always much larger than the potential benefit due to scale economies. When distributional and intergenerational issues are considered, the potential benefits to economies of scale are unlikely to ever exceed the potential costs due to increased risk of a banking crisis.
Performance of at-risk students in dynamics following a statics class with additional recitation time:

Comparisons are made between the final exam and final course grades of at-risk students in dynamics who took one of two versions of the same statics course. A standard version of the statics course met 3 hours per week over the course of a 15-week semester, while a second version met 4 hours per week. During the 11-year timeframe covered by this study, the 4-hour statics course was populated by students identified as ‘at risk’ using an informal screening procedure. For comparison with this group, using the same enrollment data, a second group of at-risk students was identified from the 3-hour statics class using a more formal screening procedure, based on logistic regression. A performance comparison of the two groups shows that the extra contact hour had a minor, statistically insignificant effect on student final exam and final course grades in dynamics. As a result of this study and a related study examining the effect of additional class time on statics performance, the 4-hour statics class is no long...
Salmonella infection and carriage in reptiles in a zoological collection

OBJECTIVE To identify important subspecies and serovars of Salmonella enterica in a captive reptile population and clinically relevant risk factors for and signs of illness in Salmonella-positive reptiles. DESIGN Retrospective cross-sectional study. ANIMALS 11 crocodilians (4 samples), 78 snakes (91 samples), 59 lizards (57 samples), and 34 chelonians (23 samples) at the Bronx Zoo from 2000 through 2012. PROCEDURES Data pertaining to various types of biological samples obtained from reptiles with positive Salmonella culture results and the reptiles themselves were analyzed to determine period prevalence of and risk factors for various Salmonella-related outcomes. RESULTS Serovar distribution differences were identified for sample type, reptile phylogenetic family, and reptile origin and health. Salmonella enterica subsp enterica was the most common subspecies in Salmonella cultures (78/175 [45%]), identified across all reptilian taxa. Salmonella enterica subsp diarizonae was also common (42/175 [24%]) and was recovered almost exclusively from snakes (n = 33), many of which had been clinically ill (17). Clinically ill reptiles provided 37% (64) of Salmonella cultures. Factors associated with an increased risk of illness in reptiles with a positive culture result were carnivorous diet and prior confiscation. Snakes had a higher risk of illness than other reptile groups, whereas lizards had a lower risk. Bony changes, dermatitis, and anorexia were the most common clinical signs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study provided new information on Salmonella infection or carriage and associated clinical disease in reptiles. Associations identified between serovars or subspecies and reptile groups or clinical disease can guide management of Salmonella-positive captive reptiles.
Characterization of a hyperpolarization-activated cation current in rat pituitary cells.

Whole cell patch-clamp techniques were used on clonal pituitary cells (GH3) and primary cultures of somatotrophs and lactotrophs to study currents that would be active at or below voltages for the ...
Hinging the Urethral Plate in Hypospadias Meatoplasty

AbstractA technique is described for creation of a cosmetically normal, vertical slit-like urethral meatus in conjunction with common hypospadias reconstructions that preserve the urethral plate. The distal portion of the urethral plate is incised longitudinally in the midline. This incision allows the flat and rigid urethral plate to be folded or hinged during glans plasty, molding it into an anatomically correct vertical slit configuration. This modification has been applied successfully to a variety of meatal-based flap and onlay island flap urethroplasties with no increased morbidity and a significant improvement in meatal cosmetic results.
Trends in peptic ulcer surgery. A population-based study in Rochester, Minnesota, 1956-1985.

Abstract We evaluated trends in peptic ulcer surgery among residents of Rochester, Minnesota, where medical care delivered to the population by all providers is well documented. The incidence of elective operations on previously unoperated patients declined dramatically during the 30-yr study period, from 49/100,000 population per year in 1956–1960 to 6/100,000 per year in 1981–1985. The decline was greatest for men with duodenal ulcer, less for men and women with gastric ulcer, and least for women with duodenal ulcer. These trends were established long before the introduction of H 2 -receptor drug therapy in 1977. In contrast to elective operations, the incidence of emergent operations remained at about 10/100,000 population per year. Perhaps because of an increasing proportion of emergency operations, overall survival appeared to worsen from the first decade of study to the last; but, after adjustment for age at operation and sex, no difference in survival over time was detected.
Parallelized convex optimization for joint time/space inverse electrocardiography

In previous work the authors have proposed an admissible solution formulation of the inverse problem of electrocardiography to be able to include a wide variety of prior constraints. One disadvantage is increased computational complexity, as solution methods are iterative. The computation problem is a bottleneck if both spatial and temporal constraints are used. In this work the authors discuss parallelization of the optimization problem to include temporal constraints.
A Two-Layer Framework for Quantifying Demand Response Flexibility at Bulk Supply Points

Demand response (DR) currently plays a significant role in the operation of the electric grid. As a result, quantification of DR flexibility is an important aspect in the utilization of various DR resources. Generally, the evaluation of DR flexibility at bulk supply points (BSPs) is a challenging problem, especially without the monitoring of downstream customers’ load profiles in some areas. To solve this problem, we develop a two-layer DR flexibility estimation framework. In the top layer, a top-down optimization approach is proposed to disaggregate the BSP load into different building categories based on a suite of prototype building (PB) load profiles. In the bottom layer, simplified DR estimation models are deployed to quantify the theoretical DR flexibility of each PB type. Key advantages of this framework include: 1) quantifying DR flexibility at BSPs without relying on smart meter data or detailed customer surveys and 2) providing day-ahead, hour-ahead, and near real-time prediction of DR resources based on weather forecasts and other data. Case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of load disaggregation and DR flexibility quantification at a BSP. The prediction is compared with detailed physical models, and the mean relative errors for upper/lower DR capacity at the BSP are 1.5% and 3.1%, respectively.
A pilot safety and feasibility trial of a reduced carbohydrate diet in patients with advanced cancer

221 Objectives Many aggressive cancers share a glycolytic phenotype associated with increased 18F-2-fluoro, 2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) uptake. Carbohydrate restricted (CR) diets, by inhibiting insulin secretion, enlist plausible but unproven mechanisms to limit cancer growth. Our goal was to examine CR feasibility in patients with advanced FDG-avid cancers and to compare exit vs. baseline PET scan changes as surrogate measures for tumor response. Methods Eligible patients, either faculty or self-referred, had failed or refused > two standard chemotherapy courses and demonstrated FDG-positive scans. Exclusions included end-organ disease, hypoglycemic medications, difficult compliance, or BMI Results Ten subjects with diverse cancers completed > 26 days of RECHARGE without associated adverse effects. Mean caloric intake decreased (35 + 6) % vs. predicted requirements, mean weight loss (3.8 + 1.4) % was not judged a health risk. One patient had indolent but advanced disease. Among nine with pre-trial progressive disease (PD), stabilization (SD or PR) on PET was uncorrelated with reduced calorie intake (p=0.65); but correlated with three-fold higher dietary ketosis (n=5) vs. those with continued progression (n=4), (p=0.02) and ketosis correlated with insulin inhibition (r=0.62, p Conclusions Preliminary study suggests disease stabilization correlated with metabolic ketosis and insulin inhibition, not caloric restriction. Results in small sample size support further VLC study for adjunctive role with metabolic or cytotoxic therapies. Research Support State University New York Research Foundation The Robert and Veronica Atkins Foundatio
Integrating climate change into hazard mitigation planning: Opportunities and examples in practice

Abstract Over the last several decades, natural disasters in the United States have become more numerous and costly. Climate change threatens to further exacerbate this trend by increasing both the severity and duration of many natural hazards, ultimately leading to even greater costs in both human life and monetary resources. To prepare for these changes, a handful of local communities have integrated climate change into their Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved hazard mitigation plans. This paper analyzes 30 U.S. local hazard mitigation plans against a conceptual framework for how climate change could be integrated into the requirements specified in the FEMA Plan Review Crosswalk, a checklist used by FEMA to evaluate and approve local hazard mitigation plans. Results show that the majority (23/35) of communities are openly discussing how climate change could affect or already is affecting the occurrence of natural hazards. Additionally, over half also include hazard mitigation actions that are designed to be viable in a climate-altered future. These actions, however, represent only a small portion of the total actions proposed in the plans and are generally focused on researching, planning, and capacity building. In addition, few communities include a formal commitment to adapting to climate change or include clear mechanisms for integrating new climate information as it become available into plan revisions. In general, results from this analysis show that there is little consistency in how communities are integrating climate change into hazard planning. These findings point to both the nascence of this practice and the opportunity to develop more formalized guidance that can steer communities towards holistic integration of climate change into hazards planning.
Science, Politics, and Reproductive Rights Introduction, Health Matrix: Journal of Law-Medicine - Introduction

Introduction to the Symposium: Science, Politics, and Reproductive Rights, Cleveland, Ohio.
Plenary speaker 2

The 5G standard promises a revolution in wireless data transfer with Gbps links over kilometers at millimeter-wave frequencies. This is possible using high-gain antenna arrays resulting in “directive communications” between the base-station and the user, either in a phased-array or in a MIMO configuration. A key challenge is the construction of low-cost phased-arrays and wideband transceivers at 20–60 GHz. Prof. Rebeiz will present the progression of phased-array systems from defense-oriented applications to becoming the cornerstone of commercial 5G systems, and the role of silicon RFICs and advanced packaging to making this happen.
How Do We Treat Small Cell Anal Cancer

Background We report the rare case of a small cell cancer of the anal canal Case report The patient presented with a locally advanced small cell anal cancer and was treated following the guidelines of locally advanced small cell cancer of the lung While she achieved radiologic complete response for months her local symptoms were predictive of local recurrence Conclusion Small cell cancer of the anal canal is an extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma There are currently no level evidence guidelines for treatment of these rare tumors Further characterization of the molecular profile and treatment options is sorely needed
Cost-benefit analysis of native warm season grasses for transmission line right-of way revegetation

Abstract The rapid reestablishment of vegetation in newly constructed electric transmission line rights-of-way (ROWs) is important for the control of soil erosion and compliance with associated regulations. Following establishment, routine maintenance must be performed to suppress the encroachment of woody vegetation in ROWs to provide for continuous and safe operation of electric transmission lines. Although non-native seed mixes conventionally are used for this purpose in North America, modeling ROW revegetation on locally adapted native communities could reduce longer-term management needs and provide ecological, environmental, and social benefits associated with native systems. We conducted a cost-benefit analysis to determine if ROW revegetation with a seed mix comprised primarily of native herbaceous species could be cost-effective relative to revegetation with a conventional seed mix comprised primarily of exotic herbaceous species. Our analysis synthesized data collected from a feasibility study of ROWs planted with a native seed mix and information obtained from the Tennessee Valley Authority regarding ROW revegetation and maintenance costs. Overall, the cost of revegetation with native species was ∼5% more expensive per unit area than the cost of revegetation exotic species. The degree of reduced long-term maintenance costs to make revegetation with native species a worthwhile longer-term investment would be 10–17% using a break-even analysis. Despite the initial greater expense of revegetation with native species, we suggest that associated potential maintenance cost savings and ecological, environmental, and social benefits could favor their use.
Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Fendlera (Hydrangeaceae)

Abstract: Fendlera is treated as having five closely related species, four of which have been recognized by previous authors, and F. tamaulipana B. L. Turner, sp. nov., a newly described taxon from northeastern Mexico. Except for the latter, the species are all to some extent sympatric but their populations are relatively uniform and their diagnostic characters do not suggest that intergradation in a populational sense occurs. The taxa do not normally occur together, although they may occur in close proximity and probably do occasionally hybridize, this perhaps confounding taxonomic interpretations of the genus by previous workers. The five species recognized are: F. rupicola, so far as known, confined to three small populations in central Texas; F. falcata, occurring in northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States; F. wrightii, having a distribution similar to that of the foregoing; F. linearis (including F. rigida), occurring mostly in northeastern Mexico and closely adjacent Trans-Pecos, Texa...
Disposing Individuals to Solidarity in the Theory and Practice of Global Justice

This paper argues that meeting the obligations which arise from international injustices requires individuals to dispose themselves to solidarity. When unjust institutions to which I am subject cross state borders, I should regard others who are subject to those institutions as potential partners in efforts to reform or replace those institutions. Seeing them as partners means that I should be alert to appeals to act from those I rely on, open to hearing out claims that I have misperceived their political status, and ready to understand the robustness of my freedom as partly dependent upon theirs. In support of this argument, the paper critiques some alternative approaches to global justice for providing inadequate orientations to international politics and defends the importance of dispositions to political obligation more generally.
Protein and DNA synthesis demonstrated in cell-free Ehrlichia chaffeensis organisms in axenic medium

Ehrlichia chaffeensis, a tick-transmitted rickettsial bacterium, is the causative agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis. Biochemical characterization of this and other related Rickettsiales remains a major challenge, as they require a host cell for their replication. We investigated the use of an axenic medium for E. chaffeensis growth, assessed by protein and DNA synthesis, in the absence of a host cell. E. chaffeensis organisms harvested from in vitro cultures grown in a vertebrate cell line were fractionated into infectious dense-core cells (DC) and the non-infectious replicating form, known as reticulate cells (RC) by renografin density gradient centrifugation and incubated in the axenic medium containing amino acids, nucleotides, and different energy sources. Bacterial protein and DNA synthesis were observed in RCs in response to glucose-6-phosphate, although adenosine triphosphate, alpha-ketoglutarate or sodium acetate supported protein synthesis. The biosynthetic activity could not be detected in DCs in the axenic medium. While the data demonstrate de novo protein and DNA synthesis under axenic conditions for E. chaffeensis RCs, additional modifications are required in order to establish conditions that support bacterial replication, and transition to DCs.
Teaching Social Entrepreneurship in Public Affairs Programs: A Review of Social Entrepreneurship Courses in the Top 30 U. S. Public Administration and Affairs Programs

Social entrepreneurship uses a radically innovative way to address social problems, with sustainable financing and a scale that can be expanded for broader social impact. Social entrepreneurship courses have a growing presence in U. S. public affairs programs, but the content of these courses has not yet been mapped. For this paper, we reviewed 16 syllabi from courses taught in U. S. schools of public affairs and administration, largely from schools ranked in the top 30 nationwide in 2012 by U. S. News & World Report. We identified patterns in program approaches, course content, and evaluation methods in order to offer information to others who may be teaching these classes now or in the near future. We conclude that the confluence of values, skills, and knowledge offered by public affairs programs is highly relevant to students who endeavor to be social entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs at any level of government or nonprofit organization.
Of Fallacies and Errors, New and Repeated: A Rejoinder to Butcher et al. (2018).

Butcher, Hass, Greene, Nelson, Nichols, and Williams (2018) responded to my (Ben-Porath, 2018) critique of Butcher, Hass, Greene, and Nelson’s (2015) analysis of Ted Kaczynski’s MMPI–2–RF, purporti...
Systemic Sclerosis Mimics

Scleroderma-like or pseudo-scleroderma disorders are a wide group of diseases with various etiologies that lead to skin fibrosis therefore mimicking systemic sclerosis. Although they all have skin thickening in common, the distribution, pattern, and character of the involvement as well as systemic manifestations vary between them. The importance of recognizing these mimics resides in their different prognoses and treatment options. A complete clinical history, detailed physical exam as well as laboratory studies and skin biopsy can help differentiate them.
eNOS deletion impairs mitochondrial quality control and exacerbates Western diet-induced NASH

Dysregulated mitochondrial quality control leads to mitochondrial functional impairments that are central to the development and progression of hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NA...
Rediscovering Deep Neural Networks Through Finite-State Distributions

We propose a new way of thinking about deep neural networks, in which the linear and non-linear components of the network are naturally derived and justified in terms of principles in probability theory. In particular, the models constructed in our framework assign probabilities to uncertain realizations, leading to Kullback-Leibler Divergence (KLD) as the linear layer. In our model construction, we also arrive at a structure similar to ReLU activation supported with Bayes' theorem. The non-linearities in our framework are normalization layers with ReLU and Sigmoid as element-wise approximations. Additionally, the pooling function is derived as a marginalization of spatial random variables according to the mechanics of the framework. As such, Max Pooling is an approximation to the aforementioned marginalization process. Since our models are comprised of finite state distributions (FSD) as variables and parameters, exact computation of information-theoretic quantities such as entropy and KLD is possible, thereby providing more objective measures to analyze networks. Unlike existing designs that rely on heuristics, the proposed framework restricts subjective interpretations of CNNs and sheds light on the functionality of neural networks from a completely new perspective.
Wrapping culture plates with Parafilm M® increases Caenorhabditis elegans growth.

Parafilm M® is a moisture-resistant thermoplastic commonly used to seal Nematode Growth Media (NGM) agar plates on which the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is cultured. This practice reduces media dehydration and microbial contamination. However, the effects on C. elegans individuals of placing this barrier between the external environment and the interior of the NGM plate are currently unknown. Our research aims to determine if this common practice engenders developmental changes, such as growth, that could subsequently and unintentionally alter experimental data. We compared the larval growth over 48 h of animals cultured on Parafilm-wrapped and unwrapped control NGM plates. Wrapping culture plates with Parafilm significantly accelerated and increased larval growth, with a 0.87 μm/h increase in growth rate (~ 6%) and a 37.90 μm increase in the change in growth (Δgrowth; ~ 5%) over 48 h. Therefore, C. elegans investigators should be aware that wrapping their experimental cultures with Parafilm may result in statistically detectable changes in worm growth and possibly other developmental processes.
Assessing the chemical compositions and disinfection byproduct formation of biofilms: Application of fluorescence excitation-emission spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis

Abstract There are increased concerns over the contributions of biofilms to disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation in engineered water systems (EWS). However, monitoring the biomolecular characteristics of biofilms to understand their impacts on DBP formation has been a great challenge as it requires complex analytical techniques. This study aimed to examine the applicability of fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) coupled with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) to assess the chemical compositions and DBP formation of biofilms. Biofilms were collected from reactors grown on R2A media, as well as two drinking water-related organic substrates such as humic substances and algal organic matter. The chemical composition and formation of carbonaceous and nitrogenous DBPs of biofilms were continuously monitored every 21 days for 168 days and correlated with the derived EEM-PARAFAC components. Results indicated that all biofilm samples comprised mostly of protein-like components (∼90%), and to a lesser extent, humic-like components (∼10%). Strong correlations were generally found between tryptophan-like substances and the studied DBP formation (R2min ≥ 0.76, P
Permutation-based methods for mediation analysis in studies with small sample sizes.

Background Mediation analysis can be used to evaluate the effect of an exposure on an outcome acting through an intermediate variable or mediator. For studies with small sample sizes, permutation testing may be useful in evaluating the indirect effect (i.e., the effect of exposure on the outcome through the mediator) while maintaining the appropriate type I error rate. For mediation analysis in studies with small sample sizes, existing permutation testing methods permute the residuals under the full or alternative model, but have not been evaluated under situations where covariates are included. In this article, we consider and evaluate two additional permutation approaches for testing the indirect effect in mediation analysis based on permutating the residuals under the reduced or null model which allows for the inclusion of covariates. Methods Simulation studies were used to empirically evaluate the behavior of these two additional approaches: (1) the permutation test of the Indirect Effect under Reduced Models (IERM) and (2) the Permutation Supremum test under Reduced Models (PSRM). The performance of these methods was compared to the standard permutation approach for mediation analysis, the permutation test of the Indirect Effect under Full Models (IEFM). We evaluated the type 1 error rates and power of these methods in the presence of covariates since mediation analysis assumes no unmeasured confounders of the exposure-mediator-outcome relationships. Results The proposed PSRM approach maintained type I error rates below nominal levels under all conditions, while the proposed IERM approach exhibited grossly inflated type I rates in many conditions and the standard IEFM exhibited inflated type I error rates under a small number of conditions. Power did not differ substantially between the proposed PSRM approach and the standard IEFM approach. Conclusions The proposed PSRM approach is recommended over the existing IEFM approach for mediation analysis in studies with small sample sizes.
Subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy for chronically dislocated, painful spastic hips. Surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: Many treatments have been proposed for a painful chronically dislocated hip in a child with spasticity who is unable to walk. The valgus subtrochanteric femoral osteotomy was originally described as a treatment for a missed congenital hip dislocation in a young adult who was able to walk. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of a modified Hass subtrochanteric valgus osteotomy for the treatment of symptomatic chronic hip dislocations in patients with spasticity due to neuromuscular disorders. METHODS: Patients were identified by surgical codes. Medical records were reviewed for surgical indications, complications, and results. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were assessed. Caregivers were contacted and asked to complete a brief survey detailing the pain that the patient experienced with daily activities before and after surgery as well as other information. RESULTS: Thirty-one Hass osteotomies in twenty-four consecutive patients were performed by one surgeon between 1995 and 2005. Although fifteen patients (63%) had at least one complication (including urinary tract infection, pneumonia, hardware failure, and heterotopic bone formation), the majority of the patients were doing well at an average of forty-four months postoperatively. The duration for which the patient could sit, ease of transfers, and ease of diaper changes had all improved according to the caregivers. Fourteen of fifteen caregivers who replied to the question stated that they were satisfied with the operative results and would have the procedure done again if they had the decision to make. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Hass osteotomy provides children who have symptomatic hip dislocations due to neuromuscular disorders with reproducible pain relief and improves ease of positioning by their caregivers. The complication rate, although high, was comparable with that of similar surgical procedures in this patient population. Concurrent femoral head resection at the time of the proximal femoral osteotomy was not necessary in this group of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. ORIGINAL ABSTRACT CITATION: “Subtrochanteric Valgus Osteotomy for Chronically Dislocated, Painful Spastic Hips” (2006;88:2624-31).