cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What (Not) to Expect When Surveying Executives A Meta-Analysis of Top Manager Response Rates and Techniques Over Time

The authors developed hypotheses about the effectiveness of response rate techniques for organizational researchers surveying executives. Using meta-analytic procedures to test those hypotheses, the authors analyzed response rate data from 231 studies that surveyed executives and appeared in top management journals from 1992 to 2003. They found mean response rates to be declining over the period, yielding an overall 32% rate. Of the various methods suggested to increase response rates in other populations, none were found to be effective for executives. However, topical salience and sponsorship by an organization or person in the executive’s social networks did bring about response rate increases. The authors provide recommendations about what (not) to do when trying to collect original data from members of a firm’s upper echelons.
FlexFetch: A History-Aware Scheme for I/O Energy Saving in Mobile Computing

Extension of battery lifetime has always been a major issue for mobile computing. While more and more data are involved in mobile computing, energy consumption caused by I/O operations becomes increasingly large. In a pervasive computing environment, the requested data can be stored both on the local disk of a mobile computer by using the hoarding technique, and on the remote server, where data are accessible via wireless communication. Based on the current operational states of local disk (active or standby), the amount of data to be requested (small or large), and currently available wireless bandwidth (strong or weak reception), data access source can be adaptively selected to achieve maximum energy reduction. To this end, we propose a profile-based I/O management scheme, FlexFetch, that is aware of access history and adaptive to current access environment. Our simulation experiments driven by real-life traces demonstrate that the scheme can significantly reduce energy consumption in a mobile computer compared with existing representative schemes.
Safety concerns with meperidine.

MEPERIDINE, AN OPIOID analgesic that has been used clinically for over 60 years, is metabolized in the liver to meperidinic acid and normeperidine. Normeperidine has a long halflife (14 to 21 hours) that can increase to more than 30 hours in patients with renal failure or elderly patients with renal insufficiency, thereby increasing the risk for cerebral irritation. Central nervous system (CNS) excitation associated with normeperidine can range from agitation to tonic-clonic seizures. Five factors are thought to predispose patients to normeperidine-induced seizures: (1) renal failure, (2) alkaline urine, (3) coadministration of hepatic enzyme-inducing drugs, (4) coadministration of phenothiazines, and (5) doses greater than 100 mg every 2 hours for longer than 24 hours. The presence of any of the first 3 risk factors can result in higher plasma normeperidine levels, which could produce CNS excitation. The administration of phenothiazines lowers the seizure threshold, potentially increasing the risk for normeperidine-induced seizures. Finally, high doses of meperidine for greater than 24 hours result in high levels of both meperidine and normeperidine. An elevated ratio of normeperidine to meperidine concentration may result in a patient exhibiting CNS excitation, even if the patient does not have any of these 5 risk factors. With the exception of tramadol, no other opioid agonist has the potential to cause seizures.
Source routing in the internet with reinforcement learning and genetic algorithms

Source routing of packets in the Internet requires that a path be selected in advance and stored at the source nodes. Path selection is typically based on Quality of Service (QoS) criteria like packet delay, delay jitter, and loss. A new protocol called the "Cognitive Packet Network" (CPN) [18, 19, 20, 21] has been proposed which is capable of dynamically choosing paths through a store and forward packet switching network like the Internet so as to provide best effort QoS to peer-to-peer connections. A CPN-enabled network uses smart packets to discover routes based on QoS requirements; acknowledgement (ACK) packets to deliver the routes back to source nodes; dumb packets to carry user-payload; and reinforcement learning to conduct path selection. We extended the path discovery process in CPN by introducing a genetic algorithm (GA) that can help discover new paths that may not have been discovered by smart packets [28]. In this paper, we further extend CPN with GA by prioritizing paths discovered based on their ages, adopting a progressive fitness evaluation system, and introducing a new genetic operator - mutation. The simulation topology has also been upgraded from a 10 by 10 grid to an arbitrarily connected network. We detail the design of the algorithms and their implementations, and finally report on resulting QoS measurements.
Performance of rhesus monkeys on two-cue problems with cues separated

Relative performance on color and form dimensions during acquisition of two-cue problems by learning-set-sophisticated rhesus monkeys was evaluated with differential reinforcement. Six animals received 24 two-choice problems, each generated from three planometric stimuli, a reference stimulus, an alternate stimulus identical in color but differing in form, and one identical in form but differing in color. The reference stimulus appeared on every trial of a problem and was paired with one or the other alternate on a given trial On half of the problems, the reference stimulus was positive and on the remainder was negative. Acquisition was nearly equivalent on both cue dimensions with positive reference stimuli, but only one dimension was learned with negative reference stimuli. Results were interpreted as unfavorable to attention theory.
Perimenopause: An Opportunity for Health Promotion

Women throughout the world experience menopause, yet the effects of estrogen deficiency, which are more extensive than the commonly reported symptoms of hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, and osteoporosis, are rarely discussed. Using an empathetic approach can enable nurses to teach women more effectively about the multisystem effects of perimenopause and counsel them to implement and maintain the life-style changes necessary for promoting health during this time of life.
Thin high-impedance metamaterial substrate and its use in low profile antennas suitable for system integration

We present a metamaterial substrate designed to act as a high impedance thin slab that can be used to integrated low-profile (subwavelength thickness) antennas in components or packages. A transverse equivalent network (TEN) model accurately describing the reflection properties of the impedance substrate is also provided to facilitate its design. Then, we develop a low profile planar antenna consisting of a printed dipole located on top of the parallel metamaterial substrate. The high impedance of the substrate permits to locate the metallic dipole very close to the substrate itself without inhibition of the dipole radiation. The substrate prevents radiation from traveling across the substrate, resulting in a low profile antenna with high efficiency, even though the antenna system is integrated on top of a lossy structure. Two possible feed structures for the dipole over the impedance surface are considered, and simulation data are presented to illustrate their respective performance.
Sirolimus Based Immunosuppression Results in Lower Incidence of Post-Transplantation Lymphoproliferative Disorders in Heart Transplant Recipients

max. 2880 mg/day or MMF max. 3g/day) and steroids (≤ 0.3 mg/kg). The primary objective is to assess whether a CNI-free regimen with Everolimus and MPA is associated with a better renal outcome (eGFR, MDRD) 12 months after randomization as compared to the CNI regimen. Key secondary objectives include: non-inferior efficacy (composite endpoint of BPAR of ISHLT 1990 grade ≥ 3A / ISHLT 2004 grade ≥ 2R, acute rejection, episodes of hemodynamic compromise, graft loss / re-transplant, death or loss to follow-up) and assessment of safety parameters as infections, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Results: As of September 2014, 144 patients have been randomized at 9 German heart transplant centers into the MANDELA study. Continuation of the study was well supported by a neutral data safety monitoring board. Conclusion: The MANDELA study might help to evaluate benefit on renal function of an EVR-based CNI-free regimen in HTxR after early conversion.
105 Surfactant Chaperone P188 Seals Electroporated Muscle Membranes

Introduction: Electric fields of the magnitude likely to occur in electrical injury can result in skeletal muscle electroporation. It has been reported that Poloxamer 188 (P188) is able to seal damaged cell membranes. Using a previously described rat hind limb model of electrical injury, in this study we employ MRI to demonstrate that intravenously administered P188 arrests muscle tissue edema caused by electrical shock. Methods: Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rat hindlimbs were subjected to 12 electrical shock pulses of 2 kV and ∼2A amplitude with duration of 4 ms. There was a 10-second separation period between shocks to allow thermal relaxation. Animals received either P188 or Lactated Ringer’s Injection (control) intravenously at 60 minutes after shock. Proton MRI were recorded using a 4.7-Tesla Bruker scanner (200 MHz). A Multi-Slice Multi-Echo (MSME) spin echo sequence was used to obtain T2-weighted images. Ten slices over the entire midthigh region were taken. For each slice, images from 10 echos in the TE range of 10 ms–100 ms and TR = 2000 ms were collected. Imaging began at 60 minutes and continued until 3 hours postshock. The signal intensities at different TE times were used to fit an exponential decay and measure the T2 value in each voxel. Voxels with T2 values > 80 ms were considered injured. Results: There were noticeable increases of injured area with time for electrically injured limbs due to development of edema. Control-treated rats averaged a 58.0%(±6.59% SD) increase in total area of injury. The total area of injury for P188-treated rats increased by 46.6%(±2.96% SD) In nonelectroporation limbs, no change in T2 occurred. Discussion: Disruption of the plasma membrane due to electrical current leads to edema. We treated the injured muscles with P188 and observed that it helped to arrest edema. MRI proved effective not only in characterizing the degree of injury resulting from electrical shock but also in monitoring therapeutic efficacy. [Supported by the National Institutes of Health (GM61101)]
An exploratory analysis of the attitudinal impact of awarding athletic scholarships to women.

Abstract The impact on women athletes of receiving or not receiving scholarships was investigated in this study. The subjects were 61 women participating in 10 intercollegiate sports. Attitudes were assessed by administering a questionnaire prior to, and after, scholarships had been awarded. The questionnaire items were grouped into three subsets which reflected different attitudes about the “impact” of awarding athletic scholarships. A 4 × 2 × 2 repeated measures design was used to test for significant statistical interaction between the three independent variables: (a) wanting a scholarship, (b) receiving a scholarship, and (c) reacting to the awarding of scholarships.
Expanding the Alternating Propagation–Chain Transfer-Based Polymerization Toolkit: The Iodo–Ene Reaction

Analogous to the thiol–ene and phosphane–ene polymerizations, radical-mediated iodo–ene reactions are described here that proceed via alternating propagation and chain transfer (i.e., APT) reactions between perfluoroiodide- and vinyl-bearing monomers. The thermal polymerization of a diiodo/tetraene formulation yielded a cross-linked, homogeneous polymer that was approximately seven times as radiopaque as aluminum owing to its high iodine content. Visible-light photopolymerizations of model iodo–ene monomers were monitored using mid-IR spectroscopy, revealing that the perfluoroiodide functional group consumption exceeded that of the vinyl, a discrepancy that decreased with increasing irradiation intensities and hence polymerization rates. The functional group conversions in resin formulations with a large initial perfluoroiodide excess exacerbated secondary side reactions that led to off-stoichiometric functional group consumption; nevertheless, photopolymerization of resin formulations with excess vinyl s...
A phase II trial of lenalidomide for patients with AL amyloidosis

7524 Introduction: A phase II trial was designed to evaluate the toxicity and response rate of lenalidomide (Revlimid, CC-5013), alone and in combination with dexamethasone in patients with AL amyl...
Search for CP Violation in the Time Distribution of K(Neutral)-->π + π - π 0

We have studied the time distribution of 50 unambiguous $K(\mathrm{neutral})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$. Defining $x+iy=\frac{\mathrm{amp}({K}_{S}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0})}{\mathrm{amp}({K}_{L}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0})}$, we obtain $x={{2.75}_{\ensuremath{-}0.60}}^{+0.65}$, $y={{0.50}_{\ensuremath{-}0.55}}^{+0.70}$ by the maximum-likelihood technique; our results are roughly consistent with $\mathrm{CP}$ conservation. The kaons were produced by ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ charge exchange at 400 $\frac{\mathrm{MeV}}{c}$ in the 30-in. BNL hydrogen bubble chamber.
Effect of Short-Day or Low-Intensity Light Treatments on Reproduction of Fall-Hatched Turkeys in Two Environments

Abstract THE favorable effect of light restriction during the late growing period on subsequent reproduction of female turkeys hatched in the months of October through February was demonstrated by Harper and Parker (1957, 1960, 1962) and McCartney et al. (1961). Leighton and Shoffner (1961) and Marr et al. (1956) reported that turkey hens hatched in March were benefited by light preconditioning only slightly while those hatched in May and September showed no beneficial effect according to the latter authors. The methods of light restriction used in the various experiments consisted of exposing the turkeys to short days of 3 to 10 hours each over periods of 1 to 14 weeks starting at 14 to 27 weeks and prior to the application of stimulatory light. Wilson et al. (1962) found daily continuous photoperiods of 6 or 8 hours superior to those of 3, 4, or 10 hours and the longer restriction periods…
Standardized Construction Scheme for Aerial Ropeway of Electric Transmission Line Engineering

Aerial ropeway is a temporary and convenient delivery system applied in power transmission projects to maintain the requirement of engineering under complicated terrain conditions. Because of its temporary, convenient and fast disassembly features, the aerial ropeway is distinctive in design and erection. Based on extensive investigation, and summarizing experiences on research, manufacture and construction of the aerial ropeway, seven standardized construction schemes for aerial ropeway haulage in electric transmission line engineering were concluded.
Analysis on Raven's intelligence test and related factors of rural children aged from 9 to 12

Objective In order to evaluate the intelligence quotient(IQ)and analyze related factors of rural children aged from 9to 12in the national health research project.Methods The epidemic questionnaires were used to collect the target information;combined Raven's test Chinese version 2was employed to evaluate the intelligence quotient of participants,and the Chinese Raven test norms for rural children(version 1997)was used to transform the primary Raven test scores to standard intelligence quotient scores.Results The average primary score of Raven test was 49.84.The primary scores increased with age,however,with no significant difference(P=0.18).After transforming primary scores into standard IQ scores,the average IQ was 108.84.The IQ score decreased with age.Especially,the 9year-old group showed significant higher IQ scores than other groups in this study(P0.01).Parents'education,cesarean delivery and living with mother were positive factors of IQ.Conclusion The Chinese Raven norms for 9~12years old children needs further modification.
A cost effectiveness analysis of treatment options for methotrexate-naive rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: New treatment options for patients with methotrexate (MTX)-naive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have become available. Given wide variability in efficacy and cost among different treatment options, we sought to determine their relative cost effectiveness to help guide policy in different cost constrained settings. METHODS: We performed a cost effectiveness analysis comparing 5 monotherapy options for patients with MTX-naive RA: (1) etanercept, (2) leflunomide, (3) MTX (up to 15 mg weekly), (4) sulfasalazine (SSZ), and (5) no second line agent. A decision analysis model was used with a time horizon of 6 months. We employed 2 measures of effectiveness based on published clinical trial data: American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20% response proportion (ACR 20) and a weighted average of proportions achieving ACR 70, ACR 50, and ACR 20 (ACR 70 weighted response, ACR 70WR). Incremental cost effectiveness ratios were calculated as additional cost per patient achieving either outcome, compared with the next most expensive option. RESULTS: In both base case analyses employing ACR 20 and ACR 70WR as effectiveness measures, MTX and SSZ both cost less and were more effective (i.e., cost saving) than no second line agent. Leflunomide cost more and was less efficacious than SSZ (dominated) in analyses using either outcome. The most efficacious option, etanercept, cost US $41,900 per ACR 20 and $40,800 per ACR 70 WR compared with SSZ and MTX, respectively. When we included only direct costs in analyses, the least expensive non-dominated option was SSZ with incremental cost effectiveness ratios of US $900 per ACR 20 and $1500 per ACR 70WR compared with no second line agent. Overall, relative cost effectiveness between MTX and SSZ was sensitive to variation in relevant variables in sensitivity analyses. Otherwise, our extensive sensitivity analyses did not substantially affect the base case results. CONCLUSION: MTX is cost effective (cost saving vs the no second line agent option) for MTX-naive RA in achieving ACR 20 or ACR 70WR over a 6 month period. Based on available data, the relative cost effectiveness between SSZ and MTX cannot be determined with reasonable certainty and SSZ therapy appears to be as cost effective as MTX (cost saving) in achieving ACR outcomes over a 6 month period. The most efficacious option, etanercept, incurs much higher incremental costs per ACR 20 or ACR 70WR than other options analyzed. Whether etanercept compared with MTX is cost effective depends on whether > $40,000 per ACR 20 or ACR 70WR over a 6 month period is considered acceptable.
Factors Affecting Industrial Marketing Performance

This paper develops a conceptual definition of industrial marketing performance. Controllable and uncontrollable variables are related to marketing performance via regression analysis using the PIMS data base.
Activity Systems Analysis and Its Value

The goal of this chapter is to highlight the benefits that activity systems analysis brings to studies involving complex learning environments. In this chapter, I will address these questions: What is activity systems analysis? What is the added value that activity systems analysis brings to qualitative research? Who studies complex learning environments with activity systems analysis? By the end of the chapter, readers will be able to identify the benefits activity systems analysis could bring to their future work.
Quantification of Oxidized 5-Methylcytosine Bases and TET Enzyme Activity

In eukaryotic DNA, cytosine can be enzymatically modified to yield up to four epigenetic base variants. DNA methyltransferases convert cytosine to 5-methylcytosine (mC), which plays critical roles in gene regulation during development. Ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes can sequentially oxidize mC to three products: 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (hmC), 5-formylcytosine (fC), and 5-carboxylcytosine (caC). These oxidized bases have been found in numerous mammalian cell types, where they potentially carry out independent epigenetic functions and aid in DNA demethylation. To gain insight into the mechanisms and functions of TET family enzymes, rigorous approaches are needed to quantify genomic cytosine modifications in cells and track TET enzyme activity in vitro. Here, we present tools developed by our lab and others to report on each of the five forms of cytosine (unmodified, mC, hmC, fC, and caC) with high specificity and sensitivity. We provide detailed protocols for qualitative and quantitative analysis of cytosine modifications in genomic DNA by dot blotting and LC-MS/MS. We then describe methods for generating synthetic oligonucleotide substrates for biochemical studies, provide optimized reaction conditions, and introduce several chemoenzymatic assays, as well as HPLC, mass spectrometry, and scintillation counting methods to quantify cytosine modifications in vitro. These approaches enable mechanistic studies of TET activity, which are key to understanding the role of these enzymes in epigenetic regulation.
A Policy Agenda for the Twenty-first Century: Transparency and Beyond

Competition for investment using investment incentives is a genuine strategic interaction, not a figment of policymakers’ imagination. Whether analyzed with Prisoners’ Dilemma or more complex games, the studies have found that optimal regulation of incentives improves overall efficiency and welfare. The European Union has shown what the broad parameters of ‘optimal’ regulation look like: banning investment incentives in rich regions, and holding them as low as possible in poorer regions. With rules that explicitly address incentives (rather than all subsidies) in place since 1997, the EU has managed to effect a reduction in the size of location subsidy packages, as we saw in Chapter 6.
Quantum Memories: Quantum Dot Spin Qubits

The quantum bits used in the remainder of this work, are individual electron (Chaps. 3–5 and 7) or hole spins (Chap. 6) in self-assembled quantum dots [1, 2]. Spins, either as direct spin-1/2 particles or as pseudospin-submanifolds of larger systems, are generally considered as good candidate-qubits due to their relatively limited interaction with the environment [3]. In addition, and as we shall show below, the confinement of the spin to quantum dots provides an additional protection of the spin degree of freedom.
To Plan or Not to Plan, That Is the Question.

Strategic planning is a process utilized by numerous organizations, including K-12 school boards, intent on improvement and reform. A thoughtful strategic planning process can help develop a board’...
Expert system–based support for advanced technology manufacturing equipment

In response to the worldwide competition that they face today, multinational manufacturers are employing more and more advanced technology in their manufacturing operations. To successfully apply this advanced technology, manufacturers must provide adequate support for the equipment - support built around a well–trained workforce. The types of training required to prepare today's workforce for tomorrow's technology will require approaches to training that are new and innovative. This paper discusses the problems related to supporting this advanced technology and proposes an alternative approach to training and equipping the workforce with the kind of innovation that is needed. An approach using artificial intelligence–based expert systems to train personnel in the support of the new technology and then to provide them with a tool to assist them in their support efforts.
Refillable and reconfigurable dye-doped ring lasers

We present refillable, ultralow-thresholds, and wavelength reconfigurable ring lasers on a fused-silica chip. These devices will enable various photonic and biochemical sensing applications that require sustainable, configurable, and low-threshold coherent light sources on a chip.
Pharmacologic management of spasticity in adults with brain injury

Spasticity is one of the most devastating musculoskeletal sequelae of brain injury because it leads to functional impairments that augment disability. In spite of recent therapeutic advances, spasticity remains one of the most challenging impairments encountered by physiatrists. When treating brain-injured patients, drug side effects become a crucial consideration in determining appro-priate treatment because many of the individuals cannot afford the known sedative and adverse cognitive effects of many spasmolytic medications. For this and several other reasons, spasticity management in brain injury is complex and requires certain considerations to increase the likelihood of therapeutic success.
Beyond the plane-parallel approximation for redshift surveys

Author(s): Castorina, E; White, M | Abstract: Redshift -space distortions privilege the location of the observer in cosmological redshift surveys, breaking the translational symmetry of the underlying theory. This violation of statistical homogeneity has consequences for the modelling of clustering observables, leading to what are frequently called 'wide-angle effects'.We study these effects analytically, computing their signature in the clustering of the multipoles in configuration and Fourier space. We take into account both physical wide-angle contributions as well as the terms generated by the galaxy selection function. Similar considerations also affect the way power spectrum estimators are constructed. We quantify in an analytical way the biases that enter and clarify the relation between what we measure and the underlying theoretical modelling. The presence of an angular window function is also discussed. Motivated by this analysis, we present new estimators for the three dimensional Cartesian power spectrum and bispectrum multipoles written in terms of spherical Fourier-Bessel coefficients.We show how the latter have several interesting properties, allowing in particular a clear separation between angular and radial modes.
Fatness and Fluctuating Body Weight: Effect on Central Vasculature

Weight Cycling (WC) is a prevalent behavior associated with adverse cardiovascular (CV) health. However, a 2010 review on the effects of WC and blood pressure (BP) determined that there was not enough evidence to draw definitive conclusions. Central BP is the principal predictor of CV risk compared to peripheral BP. The influence that WC may have specifically on central BP is unknown. Cross-sectional observation of self-reported history of WC on measures of CV health was undertaken. Seventy-five women completed a Weight and Lifestyle Inventory questionnaire, which is considered a reliable index of WC (r = 0.87, p < 0.001). Measures of visceral fat, BP, arterial stiffness, and VO2peak were taken. Regression equations were used to assess primary predictors of these outcomes. Seventy-five middle aged (39 ± 11 years), obese (32 ± 7 kg/m2), and relatively unfit (24 ± 8 ml·kg-1 min-1) women completed the study. Visceral fat was the strongest predictor of brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP; r2 = 0.283), brachial diastolic blood pressure (DBP; r2 = 0.176), central SBP (r2 = 0.375), and augmentation index (AIx; r2 = 0.535, all p < 0.001). VO2peak was the strongest predictor of central DBP (r2 = 0.062, p = 0.036) and augmentation pressure (AP; r2 = 0.491, p < 0.001). Weight cycling index was associated with visceral fat (r = 0.521, p < 0.001). Visceral fat was a mediator between WC and central SBP (confidence interval [CI] = 0.0053-0.0602), AP (CI = 0.0507-0.4915), AIx (CI = 0.0025-0.0699), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CI = 0.0115-0.1227; all p < 0.05). WC may increase visceral fat accumulation, which was associated with increased central SBP and measures of arterial stiffness.
9.8 Bedload Kinematics and Fluxes

Sediment dynamics, channel adjustment, and landscape evolution are partly controlled by bedload transport. This chapter focuses on bedload kinematics and fluxes, with an emphasis on channels with mixed-size sediment. Within the moving layer of bedload, grain motion occurs in the three regimes of rolling, saltation, and sheetflow. The three-dimensional dispersion process occurs as grains are transported and mixed with bed sediment, driven by the interactions between the flow, bed, and transport fields. Describing the statistical properties of grain kinematics and underlying physical principles have advanced the modeling of dispersion. The nature and magnitude of bedload fluxes are broadly set by flow and sediment supply characteristics. The latter exerts major influence over bed material, which, in turn, influences transport rates. Kinematic, morphological, and Eulerian approaches are used to estimate flux, and new insights from their wider application have advanced the understanding of bedload transport and river behavior more generally. Four areas for future research are outlined.
Important Potato Cultivars

The white potato became established in Europe and North America as an important crop during a 200 year period beginning in the mid 16th Century. The potato was first introduced to Europe from South America, either from the northern Andes as Solanum tuberosum gp. andigena (short day adapted), or from southern Chile as Solanum tuberosum gp. tuberosum (long day adapted) and the earliest descriptions are of what appear to be mixed genotypes (Salaman, 1949). From about 1550 to 1750, the potato was selected and adapted to the long day conditions of summer in the higher latitudes of Europe. By the late 1700s, distinct cultivars were recognized, and attempts were being made to improve the crop through cultivar selection. Problems with Potato leafroll virus genus Polerovirus, (PLRV) and Potato virus Y genus Potyvirus, (PVY) infection called “curl” induced the early breeders to select new clones with less symptoms and higher yields. Even though they did not really understand the cause of curl, they were quite adept at applied breeding, growing small populations from botanical seed, and then selecting the best seedlings. Cultivars, like White Kidney, Manly, and Lumper, to name a few from Great Britain and Ireland, came to be grown on a large scale, and there was less cultivar diversity than is present in more recent years in Europe (Salaman, 1949).
Pets: Behavior and Welfare Assessment

The current comprehensive view is that the welfare of pets can be accessed on the basis of three distinct but overlapping domains: health and physiological functioning (body), affective state (mind), and social functioning including normal development, behavior, and temperament (nature). Behavioral assessment is used to assess each of these domains. Behavior provides information about pets’ health, needs, preferences, and internal states and reflects how they interact with their environment. Several types of behavioral assessments may be used to make management or treatment decisions in order to enhance the welfare of pets.
Deforming Galois Representations

Given a continuous homomorphism $${G_{Q,S}}G{L_2}\left( {{Z_p}} \right)$$ where Gℚ,S is the Galois group of the maximal algebraic extension of ℚ unramified outside the finite set S of primes of ℚ, the motivating problem of this paper is to study, in a systematic way, the possible liftings of ρ to p-adic representations, $${G_{Q,S}}\mathop \to \limits^{{\rho _o}} G{L_2}\left( {{Z_p}} \right).$$ .
An Evaluation of Reported Follicle-stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Estradiol, and Prolactin Reference Ranges in the United States

Abstract Objective To characterize US clinical laboratory reference range reporting and testing methods of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and prolactin. Methods One hundred and seventeen US laboratories were surveyed. Outcomes measured were variation in lower and upper limits of normal male reference ranges for serum FSH, LH, estradiol, and prolactin, method of analysis and source of reference range Results The upper limit of normal reference ranges for FSH, LH, estradiol, and prolactin varied substantially across laboratories compared to the lower limits. The range of upper limits of FSH, LH, estradiol, and prolactin respectively are 7.9-20.0, 4.9-86.5, 37.7-77.0, and 7.4-25.0. Ninety-four percent of laboratories performed measurements on in-house high throughput analyzer utilizing immunoassays. Seventy percent of reported reference ranges for each hormone were based on validation studies of the analyzer's package insert values. Ten percent of laboratories derived their own reference ranges. Both the validation studies and derivations were based on a limited number of patient samples, ranging from 20 to 200. Conclusion Current reference ranges are based on small population studies of men with unknown medical histories, sexual or reproductive function. Influence of race and age has not been evaluated and could potentially be important in normal variation. The absence of standard information has yielded a spectrum of upper and lower normal values, which could delay an appropriate male infertility evaluation. Our findings highlight the need for a large population study of males with known normal sexual and reproductive function to formulate more accurate clinical reference ranges.
LL-02 Depression in patients with chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus: prevalence and associated factors in a predominantly african american cohort from the southeast U.S

Background Chronic dermatologic diseases in general and cutaneous involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in particular have been linked to increased depression. However, little is known about the burden of depression and its risk factors in patients with primary chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), the most common type of cutaneous lupus. Additionally, previous studies examining CCLE have included predominantly white patients, despite recent findings indicating that black individuals have higher susceptibility for this condition and experience earlier damage in the disease course. We aimed to examine the prevalence of depression in patients with primary CCLE in the Southeast U.?S and explore sociodemographic, healthcare, and disease-related factors that can impact the risk of depression in this cohort. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in a predominantly African American cohort of patients with primary CCLE from the Southeast U.S. Participants were assessed about depression, skin-related quality of life, sociodemographic and healthcare factors using validated self-reported tools. Depression was assessed using the PROMIS depression short form 8a. We conducted Student-T test and ANOVA to examine the severity of depression symptoms across sociodemographic subgroups, and we further explored factors associated with depression using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Among 106 patients with a documented diagnosis of primary CCLE, 28 (26.4%) had moderate to severe depression. The univariate analysis showed that being employed and insured, reporting higher social support, visiting a primary care physician in the last year, and reporting better physician-patient communication protected against depression. Patient’s perceptions of staff disrespect and greater burden of the skin condition on patient’s quality of life corresponded with higher risk. In the multivariate analysis, staff disrespect and emotional support were the only factors that increased and reduced the odds of depression, respectively (Staff disrespect: OR 2.35 [95% CI 1.06 to 5.17] per 1-unit score increase; emotional support: OR 0.48 0.35–0.66] per 5-unit score increase). Conclusions Patients with isolated CCLE experience higher rates of depression than the general population. This population may uniquely benefit from routine mental health care such as depression screening and management. Moreover, office staff can undergo educational sessions to ensure fair treatment of all patients, and clinical tools may be implemented to assess patients’ emotional support and initiate referral to care-coordinators, support groups, primary care and psychotherapy or psychiatric care as needed. Acknowledgements This study is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Grant 1U01DP005119. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the CDC.
‘So nobly struggling for their manhood’: masculinity and violence among steelworkers in the wheeling district, 1880–1910

ABSTRACTBetween 1880 and 1910, new technologies and managerial schemes undermined skilled steelworkers’ ability to control production and demand high wages, which also threatened their sense of man...
Complex Cardiac Surgery Without Blood Transfusions: Lessons Learned from Managing Jehovah Witness Patients

Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) are well recognized for their refusal of blood products as part of their faith. Cardiac surgery is associated with relatively high demand for blood transfusion making it challenging to perform cardiac surgery in JW patients. The first case of cardiac surgery in a JW patient was reported in 1964. Since then, blood management strategies have evolved including preoperative optimization of hemoglobin level, new pharmacological agents, and improved cardiopulmonary bypass systems. Currently, cardiac surgery in JW patients including even high-risk complex cases can be safely performed with those blood management strategies. Recently clinical outcomes in cardiac surgery in JW patients have become comparable to those of non-JW patients in a selected patient group. There are many positive effects by avoiding blood transfusion such as risks of blood-transmitted infection. Therefore, the blood management strategies developed for JW patients would be beneficial to any cardiac surgery patients. In this chapter, current blood management strategies in cardiac surgery of JW patients will be discussed.
Not Just Hocus POCUS: Implementation of a Point of Care Ultrasound Curriculum for Internal Medicine Trainees at a Large Residency Program.

Introduction In 2018, the American College of Physicians formally acknowledged the importance of Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) to the practice of internal medicine (IM). For the military internist, POCUS training is critical for care of the trauma patient in austere environments, mass casualty events and natural disasters. While emergency medicine and critical care training programs have adopted POCUS education, few IM programs have integrated POCUS into their core curricula. We designed and implemented an iterative POCUS curriculum for trainees at a large military IM residency program over a two-year period. Methods In collaboration with our critical care and simulation departments, we developed a pilot curriculum consisting of five, 60-minute courses offered on a voluntary basis at monthly intervals throughout 2017. Based on the pilot's success we incorporated a POCUS curriculum into the core academics received by all IM trainees during the 2017-2018 academic year. Trainees attended seven, 3-hour sessions during their scheduled academic time taught by subspecialists with POCUS expertise in an on-site simulation center. Baseline surveys and knowledge assessment examinations were administered during orientation and repeated at the end of the academic year. Comparison of results before and after the POCUS curriculum was the primary outcome evaluated. Results Intervention #1: Pilot, 2016-2017 Academic Year45 trainees attended at least one course with an average of 1.8 sessions per trainee. Baseline survey data showed 91% of trainees believe POCUS is quite or extremely beneficial for their patients, but 73% feel slightly or not at all confident in POCUS knowledge. The pre-test mean and median scores were 71% and 77% respectively, which both increased to a post-test mean and median of 81%. Post-test mean percentage correct for trainees attending 1, 2, or 3 courses was 74%, 82%, and 91% respectively. Intervention #2: Incorporation of POCUS into Core Academics, 2017-2018 Academic YearAll 75 trainees participated in training with an average of 3.77 sessions attended per trainee. Survey analysis revealed significant improvement in confidence of performing ultrasound-guided procedures (p = 0.0139), and a 37% absolute increase in respondents who anticipate using ultrasound in their clinical practice (p = 0.0003). The mean pre-test score was 67.8% with median of 63.6% while mean and median post-test scores were 82.1% and 81.8%, with an absolute improvement of 14.3% and 18.2% respectively (p = 0.0004). Conclusion A structured POCUS curriculum was successfully incorporated at a large multiservice military IM residency program, with demonstrated retention of knowledge, improved confidence in performance of ultrasound guided invasive procedures, and increased interest in the use of POCUS in future clinical practice. Similar programs should be implemented across all IM programs in military graduate medical education to enhance operational readiness and battlefield care.
Abstract 3768: Single-cell characterization and lineage tracking of recurrent pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma

A critical challenge for the effective treatment of pediatric solid tumors is tumor recurrence. In pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), 70% of patients with metastatic disease will experience relapse despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery. Those patients with relapse have particularly dismal outcomes with less than 20% survival over 5 years. These poor outcomes underscore the need for a better understanding of RMS, particularly the biologic processes responsible for recurrence and progression. Currently, a major obstacle towards improving RMS treatment has been that we, as a field, do not know which cells within RMS tumors evade treatment toxicity, and how these cells are selected for in the presence of chemotherapy. We have previously developed a panel of orthotopic patient-derived xenografts (O-PDXs) that encompass the clinical and molecular diversity of RMS. In this study, we have leveraged single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of our O-PDX system to characterize the intratumoral heterogeneity within this panel. Analysis of single-cell transcriptomic data demonstrate that fusion-negative RMS O-PDXs bear two distinct subpopulations: (1) a major subpopulation encompassing approximately 99% of the tumor cells, and (2) a minor population that are non-cycling and express genes from a variety of mesenchymal lineages. This two-population intratumoral structure is stable within O-PDXs during passaging of xenografts. To extend these findings, we have developed a workflow using lentiviral transduction of O-PDX cells with a high complexity barcode library. This library integrates a unique 18-mer oligonucleotide barcode into each transduced cell within the 3’-untranslated region of blue fluorescent protein. Thus, all cells within an O-PDX with the same barcode are progeny of the same ancestral cell. We have validated longitudinal tracking of barcode diversity using genomic DNA and within the libraries generated during scRNA-seq. Mice bearing barcoded O-PDXs have undergone chemotherapy dosed to pharmacokinetically mimic pediatric therapy regimens; O-PDXs regress during treatment and ultimately recur following completion of therapy, akin to the clinical experience with RMS. Recurrent O-PDXs bear divergent barcodes, indicating that chemotherapy selects for tumor cells independent of the originating lineage of those cells. Further studies to evaluate the changes that occur in recurrent O-PDXs cells are underway. Citation Format: Anand G. Patel, Elizabeth Stewart, Michael Clay, Xiang Chen, Michael Dyer. Single-cell characterization and lineage tracking of recurrent pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3768.
Use of microbial forensics data in scientific, legal, and policy contexts

Abstract Microbial forensics is an important part of the policymaking and legal adjudication process regarding an alleged or suspected biological incident. In practical terms, microbial forensic analysis and findings can be used in conjunction with other forms of direct and/or circumstantial evidence to draw conclusions about the cause of a given biological incident. Microbial forensics is useful in the context of an investigation, prosecution, or attribution and can be used to help identify malicious actors and exonerate a wrongfully accused individual, group, or nation. However, to be useful in a policymaking or legal adjudication process, microbial forensic evidence will be evaluated through several nonscientific constructs and lenses to include religion, medicine, law, and culture.
Costs for Colon Cancer Treatment Comparing Benefit Types and Care Sources in the US Military Health System

Introduction Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the USA, contributing largely to US healthcare spending. Provision of services (direct or purchased) and insurance benefit type may impact cost for cancer care. As a common cause of cancer in both men and women, we aim to compare colon cancer treatment costs between insurance benefit types and care sources in the US Military Health System (MHS) to better understand whether and to what extent these system factors impact cancer care costs. Materials and methods Department of Defense Central Cancer Registry records and MHS Data Repository administrative claims were used to identify MHS beneficiaries aged 18-64 who were diagnosed with primary colon adenocarcinoma and received treatment between 2003 and 2008. The data linkage was approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the Defense Health Agency, and the National Institutes of Health. Costs to the MHS for each claim related to cancer treatment were extracted from the linked data and adjusted to 2008 USD. We used quantile regression models to compare median cancer treatment costs between benefit types and care sources (direct, purchased, or both), adjusted for demographic, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Results The median per capita (n = 801) costs for colon cancer care were $60,321 (interquartile range $24,625, $159,729) over a median follow-up of 1.7 years. The model-estimated treatment costs were similar between benefit types. Patients using direct care had significantly lower estimated median costs [$34,145 (standard error $4,326)] than patients using purchased care [$106,395 ($10,559)] or both care sources [$82,439 ($13,330)], controlled for patient demographic, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Differences in cost by care source were noted for patients with later stage tumors and by treatment type. Relative costs were 2-3 times higher for purchased care compared to direct care for patients with late-stage tumors and for patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Conclusions In the MHS, median cost for colon cancer treatment was lower in direct care compared to purchased care or patients using a combination of direct and purchased care. The variation in cancer treatment costs between care sources may be due to differences in treatment incentives or capabilities. Additional studies on cost differences between direct and purchased services are needed to understand how provision of care affects cancer treatment costs and to identify possible targets for cost reduction.