cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comment on Peter of Spain, Jim Mackenzie, and begging the question

Jim Mackenzie, in (1984a), offers an account of question-begging arguments that is an elaboration of a conjecture made by Peter of Spain: that begging the question is necessary and sufficient for an argument which is inferentially valid to fail to be probative. Mackenzie's analysis is set in the context of systems of formal dialogue. While sympathetic to this approach to the fallacy of begging the question, I will show that Mackenzie's account is susceptibile to counterexamples. In the first part of this note I will briefly describe Mackenzie's account of question-begging; in the second part I will present several different kinds of counterexamples which show that the condition he proposes as necessary and sufficient for the fallacy is not necessary.
The relationship between spontaneous facial expressions of emotion and voluntary control of facial muscles.

The goal of this study was to examine whether individual differences in the intensity of facial expressions of emotion are associated with individual differences in the voluntary control of facial muscles. Fifty college students completed a facial mimicry task, and were judged on the accuracy and intensity of their facial movements. Self-reported emotional experience was measured after subjects viewed positive and negative affect-eliciting filmclips, and intensity of facial expressiveness was measured from videotapes recorded while the subjects viewed the filmclips. There were significant sex differences in both facial mimicry task performance and responses to the filmclips. Accuracy and intensity scores on the mimicry task, which were not significantly correlated with one another, were both positively correlated with the intensity of facial expressiveness in response to the filmclips, but were not associated with reported experiences.
Aspects of “one dimensional disorder” in silicon carbide

Abstract The microstructure of ‘one dimensionally disordered’ SiC consists of a largely random arrangement of very thin lamellae (10 ~ 100 A thick). The crystal structures of the lamellae, determined by lattice image dimensions and quantitative electron diffraction pattern analysis are the β-phase (3C) and the commonly observed short period polytypes of the α-phase (4H, 15R, 6H and 21R). Selected area electron diffraction pattern (SAD) analyses of extremely long period polytypes (e.g. 261 layers, c = 652.5 A , as well as mixtures of lamellae of short period α polytypes, indicate that a necessary condition for an apparent “one dimensionally disordered” structure in SiC is the intergrowth of faulted β-phase lamellae among thin lamellae of assorted α-phase polytypes.
The Effect of Relocation after a Natural Disaster

Twenty-five women remaining in a city devastated by an earthquake were compared with 24 relocated survivors and 25 comparison women. The women were administered a structured PTSD interview, the Hamilton Depression Scale, and SCL-90-R. The women in both exposed groups showed significantly more symptoms of avoidance, arousal, and total PTSD than the comparison group. The women in the relocated city had significantly higher depression scores than the women in the earthquake city. On the SCL-90-R, relocated women were most symptomatic and comparison group women were least symptomatic. Relocation after a disaster appears to be associated more with risk for depression than with PTSD in situations where recovery is delayed following the trauma.
Reductive amination of N-linked oligosaccharides using organic acid catalysts

Abstract The reductive amination of oligosaccharides with 8-aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate in several organic acids of varying strength was examined by capillary electrophoresis using laser-induced fluorescence detection. The relationship between the derivatization yield and the pKa of the catalyst (organic acids) is in agreement with the general acid catalysis of the hemiacetal ring opening and the Shiff base formation, one of which is considered to be the rate-determining step of the reductive amination reaction. Derivatization in the presence of organic acids having higher acidity than acetic acid, the most commonly used catalyst, resulted in significantly higher derivatization yield and the highest yield was attained with the use of citric or malic acid as catalysts. This effect was even more prominent for oligosaccharides having N-acetylglucosamine at the reducing end compared to the similar size linear glucose oligomers. Sialylated oligosaccharides were derivatized at 37°C for 16 h with only less than 10% loss of the sialic acid residues. The derivatization procedures were tested on the N-linked oligosaccharides released enzymatically (peptide-N-glycanase F) from bovine fetuin and ribonuclease B.
Incomplete viral synthesis in friend leukemia virusinduced reticulum cell sarcomas

Tissue-culture-passaged, Friend leukemia virus (FV)-induced reticulum cell sarcomas from BALB/c mice (FVTCT-BALB) did not produce infectious FV, although retrieval of infectious FV occurred when these cells were co-cultivated with cell lines replicating non-defective murine leukemia viruses (MLVs). The level of FV expression in the FVTCT-BALB cell line was studied to understand better the process of FV retrieval. 3H-uridine labelling techniques and reverse transcriptase assays showed that FVTCT-BALB cells did not release C-type virus particles. Nucleic acid hybridization techniques demonstrated that the level of viral RNA synthesis in the FVTCT-BALB non-producer cell line was indistinguishable from that in cell lines productively infected with MLVs. These data suggest that in the FVTCT-BALB cell line the synthesis of FV is blocked in some late stage of virus assembly.
Effect of acid extraction and alcohol precipitation conditions on the yield and purity of soy hull pectin

Abstract Soy hull pectin was prepared by hydrochloride acid extraction, followed by alcohol precipitation, and the effect of extracting acid concentration and the pH of precipitating solvent on the yield and purity of pectin were investigated. Strength of acid used for extracting pectin from soy hull and the pH of precipitation had significant effects on the pectin yield. Highest yields of 26 and 28% were obtained when the acid strength was 0.05 and 0.1 N, respectively, and the pH of the precipitating solution was 3.5. Extraction of pectin with 0.2 and 0.3 N acid, or precipitation of pectin at pH 2.0, reduced pectin yield. Strength of acid used for extraction or pH of the solution during precipitation did not significantly affect the purity or degree of esterification of the product. Galacturonic acid content and degree of esterification of the products varied from 68–72% and 56–60%, respectively.
In Situ Degradation of Polyhalogenated Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Electrochemically Generated Superoxide Ions

This paper reports on the reduction of dioxygen in aprotic media which yields superoxide ions which react with polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons by nucleophilic substitution. The degradation of hexachlorobenzene to bicarbonates and chlorides using in situ generated superoxide ions was carried out at room temperature in a flow cell system equipped with a gas fed, porous electrode. The effects of current, electrolyte flow, and aprotic media on the extent of the degradation of hexachlorobenzene are presented.
Computing Technology and Survivable Journalism

Ironically, the very technology that the media pundits suggest might get journalism out of the hole might actually be making the hole deeper.
Spatial and Temporal Variation in the Diet of Coyotes in the Chicago Metropolitan Area

ABSTRACT Coyotes (Canis latrans) are an opportunistic predator that have adapted to many human-modified environments. Conflicts between coyotes and humans are an increasing concern for managers in urban areas. We examined the spatial and temporal utilization and availability of natural and human-associated food for coyotes in the Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois, USA. We collected 1429 coyote scats from May 2000 to December 2002, and conducted prey surveys in 2002, in 4 sites that varied in their degree of urban development. Dominant food items included small rodents, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), fruit, eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) and birds. Their availability and occurrence in scats varied among sites and seasons. The occurrence of human-associated food items, which was only found in significant amounts in the most developed site, varied seasonally (2–25%). Because coyotes in less-developed areas had lower dietary diversity, these coyotes may have to venture into develope...
Role of p-d hybridization in the Tc-variation of Y(Rh1-xRux)4B4 superconductors

Abstract Auger and photoemission studies for Y(Rh1−xRux)4B4 superconductors elucidate the mechanism for the abrupt drop in Tc near x=0.5. The B p -states admix more strongly with Ru than Rh d -states, thereby yielding low-Tc values for Ru-rich compounds due to broadening of the d -band feutures. These effects underlie a previous suggestion that the preservation of Rh4 tetrahedral units is essential for high-Tc values in ternary boride compounds.
Matching the Environment to Patients with Delirium: Lessons Learned from the Delirium Room, a Restraint-Free Environment for Older Hospitalized Adults with Delirium

Delirium is associated with several negative outcomes and is not always preventable. Current practices for the management of older hospitalized adults with delirium, such as one-on-one sitters, antipsychotic medications, and physical restraints, have limited effectiveness or potential health risks. An alternative management model, called the Delirium Room (DR), is a four-bed patient room (within an Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit) that provides 24-hour nursing care, emphasizes nonpharmacological approaches, and is completely free of physical restraints. This article is based on 13 years of experience at two hospitals. The authors have found that a restraint-free environment can be achieved; "tolerate, anticipate, and don't agitate" (the T-A-DA method) are the core principles of the nonpharmacological approach that go beyond the traditional strategies of management (such as reorientation); based on observational data, it appears that negative outcomes associated with delirium, such as loss of function, longer hospital stay, and greater mortality, can be decreased to levels seen in individuals without delirium; and based on limited data, it appears that the rate of falls is at least not higher in the DR than in the ACE unit overall. The limitations of the DR model include lack of randomized controlled trials and the inability to determine which component of the model provides its benefits.
Structure-based superhydrophobicity for serum droplets

We report that superhydrophobic (SHPo) surfaces based purely on surface structuring shows a robust super-repellency under a prolonged contact with serum droplet as an example of protein-rich biological fluids. In contrast, normal SHPo surfaces, which are based on surface chemistry and surface structuring, lose repellency and eventually get wetted in the same tests. This is the first report of a SHPo surface maintaining super-repellency to a biological fluid.
Dipalladium(I) Terphenyl Diphosphine Complexes as Models for Two-Site Adsorption and Activation of Organic Molecules

A para-terphenyl diphosphine was employed to support a dipalladium(I) moiety. Unlike previously reported dipalladium(I) species, the present system provides a single molecular hemisphere for binding of ligands across two metal centers, enabling the characterization and comparison of the binding of a wide variety of saturated and unsaturated organic molecules. The dipalladium(I) terphenyl diphosphine toluene-capped complex was synthesized from a dipalladium(I) hexaacetonitrile precursor in the presence of toluene. The palladium centers display interactions with the π-systems of the central ring of the terphenyl unit and that of the toluene. Exchange of toluene for anisole, 1,3-butadiene, 1,3-cyclohexadiene, thiophenes, pyrroles, or furans resulted in well-defined π-bound complexes which were studied by crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and density functional theory. Structural characterization shows that the interactions of the dipalladium unit with the central arene of the di...
1,500-year cycle in the Arctic Oscillation identified in Holocene Arctic sea-ice drift

Decadal- to centennial-scale variability has been identified in the Arctic Oscillation, but less is known about variations on the millennial scale. A record of sea-ice drift from off the Alaskan coast shows a 1,500-year cycle in the phase of the Arctic Oscillation.
TIMI Frame Count and Adverse Events in Women with No Obstructive Coronary Disease: A Pilot Study from the NHLBI-Sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE)

Background: TIMI frame count (TFC) predicts outcomes in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD); it remains unclear whether TFC predicts outcomes in patients without obstructive CAD. Methods: TFC was determined in a sample of women with no obstructive CAD enrolled in the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study. Because TFC is known to be higher in the left anterior descending artery (LAD), TFC determined in the LAD was divided by 1.7 to provide a corrected TFC (cTFC). Results: A total of 298 women, with angiograms suitable for TFC analysis and long-term (6–10 year) follow up data, were included in this sub-study. Their age was 55611 years, most were white (86%), half had a history of smoking, and half had a history of hypertension. Higher resting cTFC was associated with a higher rate of hospitalization for angina (34% in women with a cTFC .35, 15% in women with a cTFC #35, P,0.001). cTFC provided independent prediction of hospitalization for angina after adjusting for many baseline characteristics. In this cohort, resting cTFC was not predictive of major events (myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, or all-cause death), cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, or cardiovascular mortality. Conclusions: In women with signs and symptoms of ischemia but no obstructive CAD, resting cTFC provides independent prediction of hospitalization for angina. Larger studies are required to determine if resting TFC is predictive of major events in patients without obstructive coronary artery disease.
Asset Distribution, Inequality, and Growth

With the recent resurgence of interest in equity, inequality, and growth, the possibility of a negative relationship between inequality and economic growth, has received renewed interest in the literature. Faced with the prospect that high levels of inequality may persist, and give rise to poverty traps, policymakers are paying more attention to the distributional implications of macroeconomic policies. Because high levels of inequality may hurt overall growth, policymakers are exploring measures to promote growth and equity at the same time. How the consequences of inequality are analyzed, along with the possible cures, depends partly on how inequality is measured. The authors use assets (land) rather than income - and a GMM estimator - to examine the robustness of the relationship between inequality and growth that has been observed in the cross-sectional literature, but has been drawn into question by recent studies using panel techniques. They find evidence that asset inequality - but not income inequality - has a relatively large negative impact on growth. They also find that a highly unequal distribution of assets reduces the effectiveness of educational interventions. This means that policymakers should be more concerned about households' access to assets, and to the opportunities associated with them, than about the distribution of income. Long-term growth might be improved by measures to prevent large jumps in asset inequality - possibly irreversible asset loss because of exogenous shocks - and by policies to facilitate asset accumulation by the poor.
Force-generating capacity and contractile protein content of arterial smooth muscle.

After correction for extracellular space (40%) determined from electron micrographs, the maximum isometric force developed by strips prepared from the media of the hog carotid artery (2.2 x 106 dyn/cm2) can be extrapolated to give a value of 3.7 x 106 dyn/cm2 for the smooth muscle component of the strip. Three independent estimates of the myosin content of the smooth muscle cells were made based on (a) exhaustive extraction and purification with estimates of preparative losses, (b) the myosin catalyzed ATPase activity of media homogenates, and (c) quantitative densitometry of the peaks containing myosin, actin, and tropomyosin after disk electrophoresis of sodium dodecyl sulfate-treated media homogenates. The results were consistent and gave a myosin content of 5–10 mg/g media, or 8–17 mg/g cell. Method (c) gave myosin:actin:tropomyosin weight ratios of 1:3.2:0.8. Although measured force developed by the smooth muscle cell exceeds that of mammalian striated muscle, the myosin content in smooth muscle is about five times lower. The actin content of smooth muscle is relatively high. The actin and myosin contents are consistent with thick and thin filament ratios observed in electron micrographs of vascular smooth muscle.
Hybrid Neural Model of the Sea Bottom Surface

Paper presents method of construction neural model of the sea bottom. Constructed model consisted of set of smaller models (local approximators). For model approximation was used set of RBF networks with various kernels, what enabled approximation of the entire model by networks with different structure. Experimental results show that in this way we can obtain better results than applying neural model based on local approximators with the same structure.
Salvage of poorly developed arteriovenous fistulae with percutaneous ligation of accessory veins.

Abstract Many arteriovenous (AV) fistulae fail to achieve an adequate blood flow or size for successful cannulation because of accessory veins. We describe a simple technique to ligate accessory veins that does not require a surgical incision. In this retrospective study, 17 end-stage renal disease patients underwent ligation of accessory veins of poorly developed AV fistulae. There were 14 men and 3 women, and their average age was 50 ± 13 years. There were 14 radiocephalic and 3 brachiocephalic fistulae. After identifying accessory veins with a fistulogram, two nonabsorbable 2-0 polypropylene (Prolene) sutures were placed percutaneously around each accessory vein in proximity to the AV fistula. Successful ligation was confirmed with a repeat fistulogram. This procedure was undertaken after 4 ± 3 months following surgical placement. Successful maturation was defined as adequate blood flow to support effective hemodialysis and adequate caliber to allow for repeated cannulation with a 15G or 16G needle. Of 17 AV fistulae, 15 (88%) successfully matured 1.7 ± 1 month (range, 0.3 to 6 months) after the procedure. The average number of accessory veins ligated was 1.7 ± 0.8 (range, 1 to 3). All AV fistulae that matured after ligation of accessory veins were functioning at 44.5 ± 12 weeks after first use. A technique for salvaging nonmaturing AV fistulae not requiring surgical cutdown for ligation of accessory veins is described. AV fistulae mature quickly after ligation of accessory veins. This is a rapid and safe procedure that can increase the prevalence of AV fistulae. © 2002 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
Investigating the efficiency of integrator-based capacitor array testing techniques

This paper presents techniques to model the impact of parametric faults on the performance of programmable capacitor arrays (PCAs). Closed-form equations are derived for estimating ranges of parametric faults that can be detected by integrator-based PCA testing circuits. Methods to improve PCA testing efficiency are discussed and experimental results are reported.
Adult stroke risk after growth hormone treatment in childhood: first do no harm.

Childhood precursors of adult diseases are increasingly identified by studies that span the period from birth to senescence. This is particularly relevant for cerebrovascular disease, for which links have been discovered with childhood obesity and adolescent-onset hypertension.1 In this issue of Neurology ®, Poidvin et al.2 report an increased risk of stroke in adults treated with growth hormone (GH) during childhood. This report has been much anticipated by the endocrinology community because it extends and clarifies findings in a 2012 study showing increased mortality in adults treated in childhood with GH from the prospective European cohort study—the Safety and Appropriateness of Growth Hormone Treatments in Europe (SAGhE).3
Effects of darkness on multi-excitation in vivo fluorescence and survival in a marine diatom

Surveys of the California Current System in 1993 revealed high concentrations of photosynthetic pigment biomass at -200-m depth, well below the euphotic zone. The deep fluorescence feature contained an estimated 2.2 X 10J metric tons of carbon and contained -2.5 times the amount of chloroph,yll observed in surface waters directly above it. Deep phytoplankton assemblages may be a signature of water mass subduction, suggesting the possibility of using phytoplankton as water mass tracers. These field observations led to a laboratory study of the fluorescence characteristics of autotrophic cells as possible indices of acclimation to extended periods of darkness. In vivo multiexcitation Chl a fluorescence of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii was mlsnitored for 2 months of total darkness. Numbers of living and dead cells were determined using the vital stain flucarescein diacetate (FDA). By the end of the dark incubation period, in vivo Chl a fluorescence and fluorescence per cell had leveled off to -45% and 65% of initial values, respectively. The contribution of accessory pigments to Chl a fluorescence, expressed as multiexcitation fluorescence ratios, was higher in the dark than prior to transfer to darkness but showed no significant changes during 2 months of darkness. The FDA assay indicated that -85% of the cells were alive for at least the first 3 weeks during the first dark experiment and for the entire 2 months of 1 second dark incubation. Cell numbers decreased to 65% of initial values and then grew exponentially upon reexplsure to a light: dark photoperiod. Our results for T. weissjlogii suggest that extended light limitation of photosynthesis does not preclude the survival of subducted phytoplankton assemblages and the consequent accumulation of Chl a at depths below the euphotic zone. If these results extend to natural assemblages, it is not possible to estimate advective time scales based on a maximum persistence time of pigment fluorescence below the euphotic zone. Nevertheless, the deep phytoplankton assemblage we observed provides evidence for water mass subduction and suggests that large, intermittent pulses of phytoplankton carbon are a part of cross-shelf exchange and vertical flux from surface waters to depth in this region.
Considerations of Persistence and Security in Choices, an Object-Oriented Operating System

Choices is an object-oriented operating system written in an object-oriented language and runs on bare hardware. It supports distributed, parallel applications on a network of multiprocessors. The kernel is implemented as a dynamic collection of objects that have been instantiated from classes. The classes are represented as objects at run-time. Choices has a paged virtual memory organized around memory objects. Each memory object can have its own separate backing store, page placement, and page replacement algorithms. It can be shared, both within a shared memory multiprocessor and between networked computers using a distributed virtual memory protocol.
Conveying Tactile Feedback in Sensorized Hand Neuroprostheses Using a Biofidelic Model of Mechanotransduction

One approach to conveying tactile feedback from sensorized neural prostheses is to characterize the neural signals that would normally be produced in an intact limb and reproduce them through electrical stimulation of the residual peripheral nerves. Toward this end, we have developed a model that accurately replicates the neural activity evoked by any dynamic stimulus in the three types of mechanoreceptive afferents that innervate the glabrous skin of the hand. The model takes as input the position of the stimulus as a function of time, along with its first (velocity), second (acceleration), and third (jerk) derivatives. This input is filtered and passed through an integrate-and-fire mechanism to generate a train of spikes as output. The major conclusion of this study is that the timing of individual spikes evoked in mechanoreceptive fibers innervating the hand can be accurately predicted by this model. We discuss how this model can be integrated in a sensorized prosthesis and show that the activity in a population of simulated afferents conveys information about the location, timing, and magnitude of contact between the hand and an object.
Lead Users and Early Adopters on the Web: The Role of New Technology Product Blogs*

Lead users and early adopters are often blogging or reading and commenting on blogs. Blogs, which are characterized by postings, links, and readers' comments, create a virtual “community” of blogger and readers. Members self-select, and then the community gels around a theme or idea, product, industry, hobby, or any other subject. While community creation is one chief function of blogs, the information-sharing, entertainment, or self- or value-expressive functions are also important. Thus, new product development (NPD) managers can glean a great deal of information about what these audiences are thinking. The significance of blogging to NPD managers also lies in the shift of focus from being separate from to being immersed in these communities. Immersion enhances the potential of close relationships, sharing experiences, and co-creating value with blogging communities through innovation. The focus of the study is on the roles of blogs in new product development, and an exploratory content analysis of new technology product blog postings is described. The goal was to examine what blogs actually say (and don't say) and to classify content based on the core elements of the marketing mix: product (including attributes and service aspects); price (including price comparisons); channel; and promotion. The bulk of the content was in the product category: for example, features (mentioned by 87.14%); overall evaluations (52.86%); performance (28.57%); compatibility (27.14%); ease of use (20%); and style (17.14%). About half discussed price, and about half discussed some channel aspect. The content is analyzed in detail, and implications for NPD mangers are discussed. People voluntarily join new product blogging communities, and if the manager of that product is not “present” (at least as an observer of this “straw poll”) an entire new product marketing agenda can be set by the community. Implicitly or explicitly, blogs can position the value proposition of the product in a prime target audience's mind. Such positioning could be advantageous or catastrophic as far as the NPD manager is concerned.
Self-Care among U.S. Elderly Recent Developments

The self-care movement is discussed, with emphasis on programs for senior citizens. Self-care is defined and several conceptual classifications of self-care activities are reviewed. Among the aspects of the contemporary self-care movement reviewed are commercialism, professional dominance, potential of self-care groups as political interest groups, and program impact evaluation issues. From an inventory containing over 2000 programs and being constructed as part of a national study of self-care activities, 25 programs with a major focus on self-care training or self-help activities for the elderly were identified. From preliminary information available on these programs, a description is provided of the range within which self-care programs for the elderly vary with respect to five characteristics: (1) program sponsorship and setting, (2) target groups, (3) methods of program implementation, (4) type and size of staff, and (5) program goals and activities. Future directions for program development and res...
Ethics And Culture: Is There A Relationship?

With the dramatic increase in international business, companies are faced with increased differences in business rules and behaviors between locations. Location to location differences in business norms and practices leads to the question if there is a relationship between ethics and culture? The emergence of Asian countries as economic forces and larger trading partners to the West has heightened the cultural differences. This paper looks at the ethical attitudes of U.S. students relative to the ethical attitudes of students in India. This paper found that Indian students and U.S. students exhibited very similar attitudes toward ethics and unethical acts, despite perceived ethical differences between the cultures.
COMPRESSION OF THE COMMON PERONEAL NERVE BY GANGLION CYSTS: REPORT OF NINE CASES.

The results and findings in nine cases of ganglion cyst involving the common peroneal nerve indicate that this condition should be kept in mind whenever a patient complains of pain, paresis, or sensory changes in the distribution of the common peroneal nerve or whenever a mass is noted posterolaterally to the head of the fibula. Only two of the nine patients in our series had poor recovery of motor function. Both had noted onset of foot drop at least one year before surgical exploration. The other seven patients with good or excellent recovery of motor function had undergone surgical exploration less than one year after onset of foot drop. At present, there is no substitute for early exploration and excision of the cyst from the nerve.
Data Analytics for Production Optimization in Unconventional Reservoirs

Considerable amounts of data are being generated during the development and operation of unconventional reservoirs. Statistical methods that can provide data-driven insights into production performance are gaining in popularity. Unfortunately, the application of advanced statistical algorithms remains somewhat of a mystery to petroleum engineers and geoscientists. The objective of this paper is to provide some clarity to this issue, focusing on: (a) how to build robust predictive models, and (b) how to develop decision rules that help identify factors separating good wells from poor performers. The data for this study come from wells completed in the Wolfcamp shale formation in the Permian Basin. Data categories used in the study included well location and assorted metrics capturing various aspects of well architecture, well completion, stimulation, and production. Predictive models for the production metric of interest are built using simple regression and other advanced methods such Random Forests, Support Vector Regression, Gradient Boosting Machine and Multidimensional Kriging. The data fitting process involves splitting the data into a training set and a test set, building a regression model on the training set and validating it with the test set. Repeated application of a “cross-validation” procedure yields valuable information regarding the robustness of each regression modeling approach. Furthermore, decision rules that can identify extreme behavior in production wells (i.e., top x% of the wells versus bottom x% as ranked by the production metric) are generated using the classification and regression tree algorithm. The resulting decision tree provides useful insights as to what variables (or combinations of variables) can drive production performance into such extreme categories. The main contributions of this paper are to provide guidelines on how to build robust predictive models, and to demonstrate the utility of decision trees for identifying factors responsible for good versus poor wells.
Global accountability communities: NGO self-regulation in the humanitarian sector

How do humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) define and institutionalise global accountability standards? This article process-traces the case of the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership-International (HAP-I), a voluntary, self-regulatory collective accountability initiative, to investigate the processes through which NGOs define collective rules, standards, and practices for accountability. This article shows the limitations of traditional representative and principal-agent models of NGO accountability when applied to the global inter-organisational realm and argues that mutual accountability better conceptualises these relationships. In this important case, the article finds that transnational coordination of NGO accountability practices results from social learning that generates a global accountability community (GAC) constituted by mutual engagement, joint enterprise, and a shared repertoire of practices. Data from the process tracing shows a collaborative not hierarchical or coercive relationship between NGOs and states, where salient donors changed their understandings and practices of accountability during the process of developing the HAP-I benchmarks. Thus, GACs both regulate the behaviour of members and constitute their social identities, interests, and practices.
Late Sequelae of Inflicted Brain Injury in Infants

Twenty five children with inflicted traumatic brain injury (TBI) seen in Scotland between 1980 and 1999 were followed prospectively with neurologic and cognitive examinations performed at the Department of Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
NBS Frequency-Time Broadcast Station WWV, Fort Collins, Colo

This report describes the design and construction of the National Bureau of Standards frequency-time broadcast station, WWV, located at Fort Collins, Colo. The principal function of the station, located 11.25 km (7 mi) north of Fort Collins, is to broadcast basic standards of frequency and time signals on frequencies of 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 MHz. These high-frequency transmissions, which can be received on the simplest of equipment, provide the necessary accuracy required to fill some of the needs of industry, Government and the public. The technical and administrative supervision of the station is under the Time and Frequency Division, Frequency-Time Broadcast Services Section, National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, CO 80302.
Systemic and In Situ Natural Killer Activity in C57BL/6N and CBA/N Mice Bearing Murine Sarcoma Virus-Induced Regressor Tumors

Both systemic and in situ natural killer (NK) activity was assessed in young and old C57BL/6N and CBA/N mice bearing primary murine sarcoma virus-induced tumors. Splenic NK activity was depressed in tumor-bearing mice relative to normal age-matched controls. In situ NK activity was detected in young mice, and the level paralleled that found in the spleens of the same mice. In older mice, in situ NK activity was not detected. Furthermore, the depressed levels of activity in the spleens of tumor-bearing mice seemed to reflect systemic effects rather than migration of NK cells from the spleen to the tumor site.
Tocopherol Content of Soybean Lines with Reduced Linolenate in the Seed Oil

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] oil is an important source of the tocopherols (vitamin E) used as a dietary supplement and as an antioxidant in foods. Previous research studies have indicated that genotypes with lower linolenate than that of conventional soybean genotypes have less tocopherols and that the relative amounts of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol may change as linolenate content is reduced by genetic modification. Those studies have utilized a limited number of genotypes with diverse genetic backgrounds and with greater linolenate content than that of currently available genotypes. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the tocopherol content of 20 lines with reduced linolenate of about 10 g kg(-1) and 20 lines with normal linolenate of about 70 g kg(-1) derived from each of three single-cross populations segregating for the trait. The lines were grown in replicated tests at Isabela, PR, and at two locations near Ames, IA, during 2002. The mean total tocopherol content of the lines with reduced linolenate was 6.0% less than for the normal-linolenate lines averaged across populations and environments. There was significant variation for total tocopherol among the lines of each type in each population, and some reduced-linolenate lines were not significantly different from normal-linolenate lines for the trait. Lower total tocopherol in reduced-linolenate lines was due to a proportionate decrease in alpha, gamma, and delta tocopherol, and the mean percentages of the three tocopherols in the total tocopherol were not significantly different in the reduced- and normal-linolenate lines. It should be possible to develop cultivars with about 10 g kg(-1) linolenate that have an acceptable content of total tocopherol and with the same proportions of alpha, gamma, and delta tocopherol as conventional soybean cultivars.
Refinement of the androgen response element based on ChIP-Seq in androgen-insensitive and androgen-responsive prostate cancer cell lines

Sequence motifs are short, recurring patterns in DNA that can mediate sequence-specific binding for proteins such as transcription factors or DNA modifying enzymes. The androgen response element (ARE) is a palindromic, dihexameric motif present in promoters or enhancers of genes targeted by the androgen receptor (AR). Using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) we refined AR-binding and AREs at a genome-scale in androgen-insensitive and androgen-responsive prostate cancer cell lines. Model-based searches identified more than 120,000 ChIP-Seq motifs allowing for expansion and refinement of the ARE. We classified AREs according to their degeneracy and their transcriptional involvement. Additionally, we quantified ARE utilization in response to somatic copy number amplifications, AR splice-variants, and steroid treatment. Although imperfect AREs make up 99.9% of the motifs, the degree of degeneracy correlates negatively with validated transcriptional outcome. Weaker AREs, particularly ARE half sites, benefit from neighboring motifs or cooperating transcription factors in regulating gene expression. Taken together, ARE full sites generate a reliable transcriptional outcome in AR positive cells, despite their low genome-wide abundance. In contrast, the transcriptional influence of ARE half sites can be modulated by cooperating factors.
Discussion of “The relation between dilatancy, effective stress and dispersive pressure in granular avalanches” by P. Bartelt and O. Buser (DOI: 10.1007/s11440-016-0463-7)

A paper recently published by Bartelt and Buser (hereafter identified as “the authors”) aims to clarify relationships between granular dilatancy and dispersive pressure and to question the effective stress principle and its application to shallow granular avalanches (Bartelt and Buser in Act Geotech 11:549–557, 2). The paper also criticizes our own recent work, which utilizes the concepts of evolving dilatancy and effective stress to model the initiation and dynamics of water-saturated landslides and debris flows. Here we first explain why we largely agree with the authors’ views of dilatancy and dispersive pressure as they apply to depth-integrated granular avalanche models, and why we disagree with their views of effective stress and pore-fluid pressure. We conclude by explaining why the authors’ characterization of our recently developed D-Claw model is inaccurate.
Phase I Study of a Liposomal Carrier (CPX-351) Containing an Optimized, Synergistic, Fixed Molar Ratio of Cytarabine (Ara-C) and Daunorubicin (DNR) in Advanced Leukemias and Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS).

Abstract Background: The molar ratio of Ara-C and DNR profoundly affects the antitumor activity of this doublet in vitro. CPX-351 is a liposomal formulation of Ara-C and DNR which fixes the 5:1 molar ratio found to produce optimal synergy and efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo preclinical leukemia models, superior to that observed with conventionally dosed, non-encapsulated drugs. CPX-351 overcomes the individual pharmacokinetics of each drug maintaining the 5:1 molar ratio for extended periods of time after IV administration and delivers this ratio to bone marrow. We initiated an escalating-dose phase 1 trial of CPX-351 in patients with advanced acute leukemias or MDS. Objectives: 1) to determine safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of a 3 day schedule (day 1, 3, 5) of CPX-351 in advanced leukemia and MDS, and 2) to seek preliminary evidence of antitumor activity. Methods: Patients with relapsed or refractory AML, ALL, or high-risk MDS were eligible for the study. 90 min. IV infusions of CPX-351 were administered on Days 1, 3, and 5 of each induction course. A second induction course was permitted if there was evidence of antileukemic effect and persistent leukemia in a day 14 bone marrow. Dose escalation began at 3 units/m2 (1 u = 1 mg Ara-C and 0.44 mg DNR) with single patient cohorts and doubling of doses with each cohort until evidence of antileukemic activity was observed. Thereafter, 3 patient cohorts and 33% dose increments were to be continued until DLTs signaled the end of further dose escalation. PK samples were collected after each dose. Results: Twenty-two subjects have received 31 courses of CPX-351: M/F = 15/7, median age = 62.5 years (range 24–78); 19 patients had AML and 3 patients had ALL; median number of prior regimens = 2 (1–7). At 24 u/m2 antileukemic effects were observed and future cohort size and escalation rate were adjusted (3 subjects/cohort, 33% dose increments). Non-hematologic toxicities observed to date have included transient grade 1–2 mucositis (5 patients), grade 2 skin rash (2 patients), grade 3 GI bleed (1 patient), and RSV pneumonia which resulted in death (1 patient). In addition, 6 subjects recovered from neutropenic fevers (5 grade 3) that were not considered study drug related. Except for a single patient treated at 24 u/m2, hair loss has not been observed. No DLT has been observed at doses up to 57 u/m2 (57 mg/m2 Ara-C/25 mg/m2 DNR). Clinical responses were observed beginning at 32 u/m2. At 32 u/m2 bone marrow aplasia occurred in 2 of 3 subjects with AML resulting in 1 CRp and 1 PR. At 43 u/m2 2 of 3 subjects achieved CR (1 AML, 1 ALL). Conclusions: CPX-351 administered on a 3x/week schedule in advanced leukemia appears to be well-tolerated, with preliminary and promising signs of clinical activity as measured by CR and decreases in bone marrow blasts. Accrual to this trial is ongoing, and updated clinical data will be presented.
Endothelin receptor-specific control of endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in the kidney

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) promotes renal damage during cardiovascular disease; yet, the molecular mechanisms involved remain unknown. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, triggered by unfolded protein accumulation in the ER, contributes to apoptosis and organ injury. These studies aimed to determine whether the ET-1 system promotes renal ER stress development in response to tunicamycin. ETB deficient (ETB def) or transgenic control (TG-con) rats were used in the presence or absence of ETA receptor antagonism. Tunicamycin treatment similarly increased cortical ER stress markers in both rat genotypes; however, only ETB def rats showed a 14-24 fold increase from baseline for medullary GRP78, sXBP-1, and CHOP. Pre-treatment of TG-con rats with the ETA blocker ABT-627 for 1 week prior to tunicamycin injection significantly reduced the ER stress response in cortex and medulla, and also inhibited renal apoptosis. Pre-treatment with ABT-627 failed to decrease renal ER stress and apoptosis in ETB def rats. In conclusion, the ET-1 system is important for the development of tunicamycin-induced renal ER stress and apoptosis. ETA receptor activation induces renal ER stress genes and apoptosis, while functional activation of the ETB receptor has protective effects. These results highlight targeting the ETA receptor as a therapeutic approach against ER stress-induced kidney injury.
Corals, Canyons, and Conservation: Science Based Fisheries Management Decisions in the Eastern Bering Sea

When making science matter for conservation, marine conservation practitioners and managers must be prepared to make the appropriate decision based on the results of the best available science used to inform it. For nearly a decade, many stakeholders encouraged the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to enact protections for deep-sea corals in several canyons in the Eastern Bering Sea slope. In 2014, at the request of the Council, the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center conducted a strip-transect survey along the Eastern Bering Sea slope to validate the results of a model predicting the occurrence of deep-sea coral habitat. More than 250,000 photos were analyzed to estimate coral, sponge, and sea whip abundance, distribution, height and vulnerability to anthropogenic damage. The results of the survey confirmed that coral habitat and occurrence was concentrated around Pribilof Canyon and the adjacent slope. The results also confirmed that the densities of corals in the Eastern Bering Sea were low, even where they occurred. After reviewing the best available scientific information, the Council concluded that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that deep-sea corals in the Eastern Bering Sea slope or canyons are at risk from commercial fisheries under the current management structure, and that special protections for deep-sea corals were not warranted.
Long-Time Asymptotics for Integrable Nonlinear Wave Equations

We recall the remarkable discovery of Gardner, Green, Kruskal and Miura [9]. Consider the solution of the Korteweg de Vries (KdV) equation $${{q}_{t}} - 6q{{q}_{x}} + {{q}_{{xxx}}} = 0$$ (0.1) with initial data $$q(x,0) = {{q}_{0}}(x) \in \mathcal{S}(R).$$ (0.2)
Which Is More Dangerous--the Dark Web or the Deep State?

Much has been made of the dark web's dangers, but democracy has more to fear from Citizens United and the global surveillance industry than Silk Road or Tor.
When one brain needs to learn from another: the case of observational facilitation of list learning in macaques

Given a neural system that equips an agent to attempt to carry out some learning task based on its own interaction with the “non-social” world, what extra neural machinery is required to enable lea...
Understanding conflict and the role of community development: Is building a peaceful society within our reach?

Abstract The nature of human conflict and causal factors that are associated with extreme violence, hate crimes and terrorism (both domestic and global) have remained perplexing problems given their increasing prevalence despite recent international efforts to address these crimes (Al Ramiah & Hewstone, 2013). The current article summarizes Staub's (2013) essay: Building Peaceful Society and provides a community-based preventative approach that examines the psychological, cultural and sociological factors that contribute to modern extremism and hate crimes. Preventative methods involving interdependent community participation, community-based and prevention oriented (P&EI), “green” sustainable community service activities and civic engagement programs are offered as viable methods to reduce ethnic conflict, hate crimes and to help build a more peaceful society. Suggestions for future research are offered.