cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HAPLORE: a program for haplotype reconstruction in general pedigrees without recombination

Motivation: Haplotype reconstruction is an essential step in genetic linkage and association studies. Although many methods have been developed to estimate haplotype frequencies and reconstruct haplotypes for a sample of unrelated individuals, haplotype reconstruction in large pedigrees with a large number of genetic markers remains a challenging problem. Methods: We have developed an efficient computer program, HAPLORE (HAPLOtype REconstruction), to identify all haplotype sets that are compatible with the observed genotypes in a pedigree for tightly linked genetic markers. HAPLORE consists of three steps that can serve different needs in applications. In the first step, a set of logic rules is used to reduce the number of compatible haplotypes of each individual in the pedigree as much as possible. After this step, the haplotypes of all individuals in the pedigree can be completely or partially determined. These logic rules are applicable to completely linked markers and they can be used to impute missing data and check genotyping errors. In the second step, a haplotype-elimination algorithm similar to the genotype-elimination algorithms used in linkage analysis is applied to delete incompatible haplotypes derived from the first step. All superfluous haplotypes of the pedigree members will be excluded after this step. In the third step, the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm combined with the partition and ligation technique is used to estimate haplotype frequencies based on the inferred haplotype configurations through the first two steps. Only compatible haplotype configurations with haplotypes having frequencies greater than a threshold are retained. Results: We test the effectiveness and the efficiency of HAPLORE using both simulated and real datasets. Our results show that, the rule-based algorithm is very efficient for completely genotyped pedigree. In this case, almost all of the families have one unique haplotype configuration. In the presence of missing data, the number of compatible haplotypes can be substantially reduced by HAPLORE, and the program will provide all possible haplotype configurations of a pedigree under different circumstances, if such multiple configurations exist. These inferred haplotype configurations, as well as the haplotype frequencies estimated by the EM algorithm, can be used in genetic linkage and association studies. Availability: The program can be downloaded from http://bioinformatics.med.yale.edu Contact: hongyu.zhao@yale.edu
Building patterns and landscape fragmentation in northern Wisconsin, USA

Housing growth is prevalent in rural areas in the United States and landscape fragmentation is one of its many effects. Since the 1930s, rural sprawl has been increasing in areas rich in recreational amenities. The question is how housing growth has affected landscape fragmentation. We thus tested three hypotheses relating land cover and land ownership to density and spatial pattern of buildings, and examined whether building density or spatial pattern of buildings was a better predictor for landscape fragmentation. Housing locations were mapped from 117 1:24,000-scale USGS topographic maps across northern Wisconsin. Patch-level landscape metrics were calculated on the terrestrial area remaining after applying 50, 100 and 250 m disturbance zones around each building. Our results showed that building density and the spatial pattern of buildings were affected mostly by lake area, public land ownership, and the abundance of coniferous forest, agricultural land, and grassland. A full 40% of the houses were within 100 m of lakeshores. The clustering of buildings within 100 m of lakeshores limited fragmentation farther away. In contrast, agricultural and grassland areas were correlated with higher building density, higher fragmentation, and more dispersed building pattern possible legacies of agricultural settlement patterns. Understanding which factors influence building density and fragmentation is useful for landscape level planning and ecosystem management in northern Wisconsin and areas that share similar social and environmental constraints.
Agricultural adjuvants: Acute mortality and effects on population growth rate of Daphnia pulex after chronic exposure

Acute and chronic toxicity of eight agricultural adjuvants (Bond®, Kinetic®, Plyac®, R-l 1®, Silwet L-77®, Sylgard 309®, X-77®, and WaterMaxx®) to Daphnia pulex were evaluated with 48-h acute lethal concentration estimates (LC50) and a 10-d population growth-rate measurement, the instantaneous rate of increase (ri). Based on LC50, the order of toxicity was R-11 > X-77 = Sylgard 309 = Silwet L-77 > Kinetic > Bond > Plyac > WaterMaxx; all LC50 estimates were higher than the expected environmental concentration (EEC) of 0.79 mg/L, indicating that none of these adjuvants should cause high levels of mortality in wild D. pulex populations. Extinction, defined as negative population growth rate, occurred after exposure to 0.9 mg/L R-11, 13 mg/L X-77, 25 mg/L Kinetic, 28 mg/L Silwet, 18 mg/L Sylgard, 450 mg/L Bond, 610 mg/L Plyac, and 1,600 mg/L WaterMaxx. Concentrations that caused extinction were substantially below the acute LC50 for R-11, Kinetic, Plyac, X-77, and Bond. The no-observable-effects concentration (NOEC) and lowest-observable-effects concentration (LOEC) for the number of offspring per surviving female after exposure to R-11 were 0.5 and 0.75 mg/L, respectively. The NOEC and LOEC for population size after exposure to R-11 were 0.25 and 0.5 mg/L, respectively. Both of these values were lower than the EEC, indicating that R-11 does have the potential to cause damage to D. pulex populations after application at recommended field rates. The wide range of concentrations causing extinction makes it difficult to generalize about the potential impacts that agricultural adjuvants might have on aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, additional studies that examine effects on other nontarget organisms and determine residues in aquatic ecosystems may be warranted.
60GHz CMOS power amplifier with 20-dB-gain and 12dBm Psat

A 60 GHz power amplifier with 20dB small signal gain is designed and fabricated using standard 1P7M 90nm CMOS process technology. An excellent correlation between the simulation and measurement is demonstrated. The 3-dB bandwidth exceeding 57 to 65 GHz is achieved. This power amplifier delivers +8.2dBm output P1dB with a linear gain of 20dB and a saturated output power of +12.0dBm with maximum PAE of 9.0% at 1.2V operation. When it is operated at 1.5V it achieves 22dB small signal gain, 10.0dBm output P1dB and 12.4dBm saturated output power. This is the highest gain along with high output power and high max PAE CMOS power amplifier operating in the 60 GHz unlicensed band reported till date. A temperature dependent scalable CMOS device model has been developed for the first time, implementing in the design of the power amplifier and the measured output power characteristics of this 60GHz CMOS power amplifier shows very stable operation over the entire temperature range between −10°C and +80°C.
The Shared Health Research Information Network (SHRINE): A Prototype Federated Query Tool for Clinical Data Repositories

The authors developed a prototype Shared Health Research Information Network (SHRINE) to identify the technical, regulatory, and political challenges of creating a federated query tool for clinical data repositories. Separate Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) at Harvard's three largest affiliated health centers approved use of their data, and the Harvard Medical School IRB approved building a Query Aggregator Interface that can simultaneously send queries to each hospital and display aggregate counts of the number of matching patients. Our experience creating three local repositories using the open source Informatics for Integrating Biology and the Bedside (i2b2) platform can be used as a road map for other institutions. The authors are actively working with the IRBs and regulatory groups to develop procedures that will ultimately allow investigators to obtain identified patient data and biomaterials through SHRINE. This will guide us in creating a future technical architecture that is scalable to a national level, compliant with ethical guidelines, and protective of the interests of the participating hospitals.
Size-dependency of nanoparticle-mediated gene transfection: studies with fractionated nanoparticles.

Abstract Nanoparticles formulated from biodegradable polymers such as poly (lactic acid) and poly ( d , l -lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) are being extensively investigated as non-viral gene delivery systems due to their sustained release characteristics and biocompatibility. PLGA nanoparticles for DNA delivery are mainly formulated using an emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. However, this formulation procedure results in the formation of particles with heterogeneous size distribution. The objective of the present study was to determine the relative transfectivity of the smaller- and the larger-sized fractions of nanoparticles in cell culture. PLGA nanoparticles containing a plasmid DNA encoding luciferase protein as a marker were formulated by a multiple emulsion-solvent evaporation method (mean particle diameter=97±3 nm) and were fractionated using a membrane (pore size: 100 nm) filtration technique. The particles that passed through the membrane were designated as the smaller-sized nanoparticles (mean diameter=70±2 nm) and the fraction that was retained on the membrane as the larger-sized nanoparticles (mean diameter=202±9 nm). The smaller-sized nanoparticles showed a 27-fold higher transfection than the larger-sized nanoparticles in COS-7 cell line and a 4-fold higher transfection in HEK-293 cell line. The surface charge (zeta potential), cellular uptake, and the DNA release were almost similar for the two fractions of nanoparticles, suggesting that some other yet unknown factor(s) is responsible for the observed differences in the transfection levels. The results suggest that the particle size is an important factor, and that the smaller-sized fraction of the nanoparticle formulation predominantly contributes towards their transfection.
Participant Characteristics Associated with Symptomatic Improvement from Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain.

Context: Studies suggest that yoga is effective for moderate to severe chronic low back pain (cLBP) in diverse predominantly lower socioeconomic status populations. However, little is known about factors associated with benefit from the yoga intervention. Objective: Identify factors at baseline independently associated with greater efficacy among participants in a study of yoga for cLBP. Design: From September-December 2011, a 12-week randomized dosing trial was conducted comparing weekly vs. twice-weekly 75-minute hatha yoga classes for 95 predominantly low-income minority adults with nonspecific cLBP. Participant characteristics collected at baseline were used to determine factors beyond treatment assignment (reported in the initial study) that predicted outcome. We used bivariate testing to identify baseline characteristics associated with improvement in function and pain, and included select factors in a multivariate linear regression. Setting: Recruitment and classes occurred in an academic safety-net hospital and five affiliated community health centers in Boston, Massachusetts. Participants: Ninety-five adults with nonspecific cLBP, ages ranging from 20-64 (mean 48) years; 72 women and 23 men. Outcome measures: Primary outcomes were changes in back-related function (modified Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, RMDQ; 0-23) and mean low back pain intensity (0-10) in the previous week, from baseline to week 12. Results: Adjusting for group assignment, baseline RMDQ, age, and gender, foreign nationality and lower baseline SF36 physical component score (PCS) were independently associated with improvement in RMDQ. Greater than high school education level, cLBP less than 1 year, and lower baseline SF36 PCS were independently associated with improvement in pain intensity. Other demographics including race, income, gender, BMI, and use of pain medications were not associated with either outcome. Conclusions: Poor physical health at baseline is associated with greater improvement from yoga in backrelated function and pain. Race, income, and body mass index do not affect the potential for a person with low back pain to experience benefit from yoga.
The Prevalence of Emotional and Behavior Problems in Pediatric Primary Care Serving Rural Children

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of parent-reported emotional and behavior problems in pediatric primary care clinics serving rural Appalachia using methods commensurate with studies of broader samples. METHODS: Parents presenting to pediatric primary care clinics completed a rating scale (Pediatric Symptom Checklist) of psychosocial problems for their child. RESULTS: Approximately 21% of all rating scales were in the clinically significant range. Across all parents, 63% identified the child's physician as their most common source of help. In contrast, mental health professionals had been sought out by only 24% of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: These data replicate previous findings showing high rates of parent-rated psychosocial problems in pediatric primary care. Given the prevalence of these problems in primary care and parents' frequent help seeking in this setting, more research is needed on innovative approaches to integrated care in rural settings. Language: en
The impact of abstraction concerns on modern programming languages

The major issues of modern software are its size and complexity, and its major problems involve finding effective techniques and tools for organization and maintenance. This paper traces the important ideas of modern programming languages to their roots in the problems and languages of the past decade and shows how these modern languages respond to contemporary problems in software development. Modern programming's key concept for controlling complexity is abstraction-that is, selective emphasis on detail; new developments in programming languages provide ways to support and exploit abstraction techniques.
The emerging importance of ribosomal dysfunction in the pathogenesis of hematologic disorders

More than a decade has passed since the initial identification of ribosomal protein gene mutations in patients with Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), a hematologic disorder that became the founding member of a class of diseases known as ribosomopathies. In these diseases, genetic abnormalities that result in defective ribosome biogenesis cause strikingly tissue-specific phenotypes in patients, specifically bone marrow failure, craniofacial abnormalities and skeletal defects. Several animal models and numerous in vitro studies have demonstrated that the p53 pathway is central to the ribosomopathy phenotype. Additionally, there is mounting evidence of a link between the dysregulation of components of the translational machinery and the pathology of various malignancies. The importance of the role of ribosomal dysfunction in the pathogenesis of hematologic disorders is becoming clearer, and elucidation of the underlying mechanisms could have broad implications for both basic cellular biology and clinical intervention strategies.
Children’s Early Understanding of Writing and Language: The Impact of Characters and Alphabetic Orthographies

Children develop a conscious understanding of aspects of their native language along the way to developing literacy. To the extent that these concepts are based on specific orthographic experience rather than reflecting general developmental processes, the developmental course of metalinguistic awareness should differ as a function of the specific writing systems children are learning. Chinese characters and the English alphabetic writing system differ in a variety of ways that might lead to differences in the development of metalinguistic awareness, among them the comparative prevalence of homophones, the regularity of the relation between spoken and written language, and between length of utterance and length of written representation, and differences in overt marking of word boundaries. Differences in the developmental course of metalinguistic awareness in children are reported that correspond to predictions based on differences in the orthographies children are learning. Thus, orthographic structure appears to be a major source of the conscious understanding of language that children develop in the course of learning to read and write their native language
Intermittent Marijuana Use Is Associated with Improved Retention in Naltrexone Treatment for Opiate-Dependence

Naltrexone is a theoretically promising alternative to agonist substitution treatment for opioid dependence, but its effectiveness has been severely limited by poor adherence. This study examined, in an independent sample, a previously observed association between moderate cannabis use and improved retention in naltrexone treatment. Opioid dependent patients (N = 63), admitted for inpatient detoxification and induction onto oral naltrexone, and randomized into a six-month trial of intensive behavioral therapy (Behavioral Naltrexone Therapy) versus a control behavioral therapy (Compliance Enhancement), were classified into three levels of cannabis use during treatment based on biweekly urine toxicology: abstinent (0% cannabis positive urine samples); intermittent use (1% to 79% cannabis positive samples); and consistent use (80% or greater cannabis positive samples). Intermittent cannabis users showed superior retention in naltrexone treatment (median days retained = 133; mean = 112.8, SE = 17.5), compared to abstinent (median = 35; mean = 47.3, SE = 9.2) or consistent users (median = 35; mean = 68.3, SE = 14.1) (log rank = 12.2, df = 2, p = .002). The effect remained significant in a Cox model after adjustment for baseline level of heroin use and during treatment level of cocaine use. Intermittent cannabis use was also associated with greater adherence to naltrexone pill-taking. Treatment interacted with cannabis use level, such that intensive behavioral therapy appeared to moderate the adverse prognosis in the consistent cannabis use group. The association between moderate cannabis use and improved retention on naltrexone treatment was replicated. Experimental studies are needed to directly test the hypothesis that cannabinoid agonists exert a beneficial pharmacological effect on naltrexone maintenance and to understand the mechanism.
Systematic review: the value of the periodic health evaluation.

The authors did a systematic review of studies comparing receipt of preventive services, clinical outcomes, and costs among patients receiving the periodic health evaluation (PHE) or receiving usua...
Label Embedding Trees for Large Multi-Class Tasks

Multi-class classification becomes challenging at test time when the number of classes is very large and testing against every possible class can become computationally infeasible. This problem can be alleviated by imposing (or learning) a structure over the set of classes. We propose an algorithm for learning a tree-structure of classifiers which, by optimizing the overall tree loss, provides superior accuracy to existing tree labeling methods. We also propose a method that learns to embed labels in a low dimensional space that is faster than non-embedding approaches and has superior accuracy to existing embedding approaches. Finally we combine the two ideas resulting in the label embedding tree that outperforms alternative methods including One-vs-Rest while being orders of magnitude faster.
Shear of a Prismatic Bar

In this chapter, we shall consider the problem in which a prismatic bar occupying the region z>0 is loaded by transverse forces Fx, Fy in the negative x- and y-directions respectively on the end z =0, the sides of the bar being unloaded. Equilibrium considerations then show that there will be shear forces $$V_x = \int {\int_\Omega {\sigma _{zx} dxdy} } = F_x ;{\rm }V_y = \int {\int_\Omega {\sigma _{zy} dxdy} } = F_y$$ (17.1) and bending moments $$M_x = \int {\int_\Omega {\sigma _{zz} ydxdy} } = zF_x ;{\rm }M_y \equiv - \int {\int_\Omega {\sigma _{zz} xdxdy} } = - zF_x $$ (17.2) at any given cross-section Ω of the bar. In other words, the bar transmits constant shear forces, but the bending moments increase linearly with distance from the loaded end.
Synthesis and Characterization of Quantum Dots: A Case Study Using PbS

A research project for senior undergraduates of chemistry has been developed to introduce syntheses of a series of monodispersed semiconductor PbS quantum dots (QDs) and their characterization methodologies. In this paper, we report the preparation of monodispersed semiconductor PbS QDs with sizes smaller than the exciton Bohr radius using a simple, one-step process, and the characterization of the QDs using a range of instruments, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Our synthesis approach involves dissolving powdered sulfur (as the S precursor) in 1-tetradecene and adding PbCl2 as the Pb precursor to the suspension as well as oleylamine as a capping ligand. The PbS QD project represents, we believe, an almost ideal opportunity to provide exposure of undergraduate students to nanotechnology research via syntheses and characterization of semiconductor nanoparticles.
Towards a Field of Transnational Studies and a Sociological Transnationalism Research Program

Each day, the news vividly depicts how social phenomena and dynamics cross, underly, transcend, alter and even transform borders and boundaries (and the structures, dynamics and actors ostensibly contained within them). The destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, one of the most potent symbols of western capitalism, by members of the also Al Qaeda terrorist network is perhaps the most powerful recent examples of the "transnational" nature of the world. Ostensibly novel transnational phenomena and dynamics have clear historical analogues and antecedents. Indeed, human social formations, processes and activities have always been transborder and transboundary to a significant degree. Even contemporary nation-states and the nation-state system have been transnationally constituted and shaped over time and space in powerful ways. These forms and processes of transnationality are the focus of a burgeoning yet fragmented body of scholarship across sub-fields of sociology and closely related social science disciplines. But scholars who produce this work generally treat their efforts as unconnected to each other or work on them isolation. There is thus both tremendous value in and potential for explicating and further consolidating an emergent interdisciplinary field of Transnational Studies. In this paper, we identify five intellectual foundations for this field that offer a heuristically rich and compelling set of empirical, methodological, theoretical, philosophical, and practical ideas and options. We further propose a specific Sociological Transnationalism research program within the field that prioritizes these intellectual foundations in a unique and generative way. We argue that this research program and the field more broadly is likely to cast new light on a range of core sociological and social scientific concerns including power, production, inequality, culture, identity, citizenship, organization and governance among many others.
New or Noteworthy Rusts on Carduaceae

In connection with a study of the species of Puccinia occurring on Carduaceae, which the writer has been making while preparing the manuscript of this group for the rust portion (Vol. 7) of the North American Flora, a number of undescribed species have come to light and certain interesting situations encountered. The original plan to include such material in a series of papers dealing with the species on Carduaceae from all parts of the world2 has not been abandoned, but owing to the difficulty of obtaining material of all the extra-limital species, and the prospect of early publication of the remaining numbers of the rust portion of the North American Flora, it has seemed best to record the following species and notes at this time.
Some Observations Upon the Biology and Control of the Potato Leafhopper(Empoasca FabaeHarris

The potato leafhopper, Empoasca Fabae , under natural conditions in the field is able to complete its life cycle upon a number of wild and cultivated host plants. The type of injury is specific for different plants. In Ohio the bush bean seems to bc the early prefcrred cultivated host. Eggs are laid in the field as early as May 20 on beans. The adults do not migrate to potato until about one month later. Four distinct seasonal broods have been reared during 1926 and 1927. Preoviposition period for 90 pairs in two seasons gave an average of slightly over six days. The average incubation period was 9.9 days. One mating is sufficient for the life of the normal female. Control on bean was most easily accomplished by oleo resin of pyrethrum extract, Japanese beetle formula, but this may be diluted to a 1 to 300 strength and still give economic control.
Establishment of A Molecular Typing Method of Vibrio parahaemolyticus for Testing of Food Poisoning

Objective To develop a genotyping method of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which is one of the most frequent pathogenic bacterium in food poisoning in Guangzhou, for quick and accurate testing of food poisoning agent. Methods The electrophoresis pattern and nucleotide sequence of 16S-23S rDNA IGS were analyzed. The suitable target DNA segment for genotyping of Vibrio parahaemolyticus was selected. The molecular typing procedure was established based on the target sequence. Results A 16S-23S rDNA IGS fragment was successfully cloned and sequenced. Molecular typing method of Vibrio parahaemolyticus was successfully developed based on the molecular marker of 16S-23S rDNA IGS. Conclusion The genotyping of Vibrio parahaemolyticus based on the 16S-23S rDNA IGS was not only a quick but also a sensitive method, which offered a new method for testing food poisoning based on genotyping. And this may play an important role on understanding the pathogenesis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and its molecular epidemiology.
INTERWELL COMMUNICATION IN DISSOLVED FRACTURE-CAVITY TYPE CARBONATE RESERVOIR AT BLOCK 4 IN THE TAHE OIL FIELDS

The strong heterogeneity of carbonate reservoir brings huge problem to the allocation and modification of development well. It's effective means for improvement of hits percentage of the development well and rational adjustment to make clear interwell communication. The paper gives the study methods to interwell communication by using reservoir pressure system and pseudo-interfered well test aiming at the complicated connectivity relationship of the carbonate fracture-cavity type reservoir.
A Study on Algorithm for Adaptive Narrowband Interference Suppression Based on DFT in DSSS Communication

A method for adaptive narrow-band interference suppression based on DFT is proposed.In the frequency domain,using N-∑ adaptive algorithm to determine interference rejection threshold is an effective way to remove the effect of narrow-band interference on broadband modem communication system performance.This algorithm is used to suppress the strong and narrowband interference in DSSS transmission,which is very fit to be implemented by digital hardware.The algorithm is easy to use and the effectiveness of the algorithm has been verified by test results.
Treatment of Advanced Bladder Cancer with Cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum (II NSC 119875): A Pilot Study

A pilot study was done using 19 patients with bladder cancer to test the efficacy of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum as a single agent to treat transitional cell carcinoma. Fourteen patients had stage D lesions, 3 patients had stage C and 2 patients had stage B tumors. The patients received 1 mg./kg. cis-diamminedichloroplatinum mixed with 2,000 cc dextrose 5 per cent in one-third normal saline solution, 37.5 gm. mannitol and 40 mEq. potassium chloride. The mixture was given in a slow infusion lasting 6 to 8 hours every week for the first 6 weeks and every 3 weeks thereafter. In the patients with stage D disease 1 complete clinical remission, 7 partial clinical remissions, 1 minimal objective response and 1 subjective response were observed. Four patients did not respond to the treatment. In the 3 stage C patients no response to the drug was observed. In the stage B patients 1 partial remission and 1 minimal objective response were seen. A total objective response (complete remission and partial remission) was seen in 9 of the 19 patients (47 per cent). The duration of the responses varied from 2 to 10 months, with an average of 4.8 months. These promising results seem to indicate the high degree of effectiveness of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum against transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
Mutual Support for Recovery from Addiction

We have chosen five articles for this issue that demonstrate the importance of mutual support for recovery from addiction, including the impact of addiction of the family and children of the practi...
Psychosocial Research and Care in Diabetes: Altering Lives by Understanding Attitudes

The philosophers of antiquity and others through the ages recognized the connection of human emotion and thought with physiological processes and behavior (1). The relatively recent increases in the human life span and the prevalence of significant chronic illnesses have generated a greater appreciation of the relationship between human emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioral processes and health and wellness. However, understanding human behavior remains challenging, and in the presence of a significant chronic illness such as diabetes, that challenge becomes even more daunting. Specifically, the interaction of individual differences in emotional responses, attitudes, thought processes, preferences, beliefs, and social situations appear amplified with the increased complexities of new diabetes treatments. With the realization that other factors such as quality of life are equally important as physiological outcomes, the necessity of understanding behavioral and psychosocial processes is evident (2,3). Thus, the era of simply outlining a broad plan and sending it home for the patient to implement, if that era ever existed, is over. The era of placing the person with diabetes and family in the center of health care decisions and understanding their individual challenges and barriers has begun. Given the emerging concepts in the psychosocial aspects of diabetes, the editorial committee of Diabetes Care wanted to highlight this area in this issue. This special issue of Diabetes Care presents nine articles that represent a broad spectrum of behavioral and psychosocial issues that can influence treatment success and quality of life for those living with diabetes. Central to this topic and serving as the cornerstone of the special issue is the publication of the first Position Statement from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for the psychosocial care of people with diabetes (4). This is followed by the presentation of a collection of articles that represent important aspects of …
The NIA interventions testing program announces the 2016 solicitation of proposals

THE NIA INTERVENTIONS TESTING PROGRAM ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION BY THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY THOUGH ITS ANNUAL CALL-FOR-PROPOSALS. THIS SHORT TAKE SERVES AS A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAM AND ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE NEXT PROPOSAL RECEIPT DATE.
Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide and ATG Based, Reduced Intensity Conditioning for HLA-Match Sibling Donor Transplant in Severe Aplasic Anemia (SAA) - Case Report.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from an HLA-identical sibling is a curative form of therapy for patients with acquired severe aplastic anemia. Survival has significantly improved over the past 3 decades. The actuarial risk of rejection has been reduced to about 7%. Improved results with survival in excess of 90% have been reported. Current preparative therapies are associated with early and late sequelae such as acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD or chGvHD, respectively) and secondary tumors. Two patients (6 years and 11 years old) with SAA, who had an HLA-identical sibling donor could not proceed with myeloablative therapy at the time of transplant due to delay in results of chromosome stability and fragility in one patient and abnormal pulmonary function in the second. Both received reduced intensity preparative regimen with Fludarabine (30 mg/m2×4 doses) Cyclophosphamide (5 mg/kg×4 doses) and rabbit ATG (1.5 mg/kg×4 doses) followed by an unmanipulated allogeneic BMT from their HLA-identical sibling donors. Graft versus host disease prophylaxis consisted of Cyclosporine from day -1 and Methotrexate 15 mg/m2 on day +1 and 10 mg/m2 on days +3, +6, +11 after transplant. Myeloid engraftment occurred on day +15 and day +28. The time to a platelet count >20,000 unsupported was +11 days and +29 days. No transplant-related toxicities, including mucositis or alopecia, were recorded. There were no signs for aGvHD or chGvHD. The patients continue with full donor chimerism 27 months and 130 days post transplant, respectively. This data suggests that a non-myeloablative, immunosuppressive regimen is sufficient to provide a stable engraftment in the patients with SAA. This approach may be associated with decreased transplant-related short- and long-term toxicities. A larger study is needed to fully evaluate the outcome and the toxicity associated with this conditioning.
Economies of diversification in the US credit union sector

Summary Significant scale economies have been recently cited to rationalize a dramatic growth in the US retail credit union sector over the past few decades. In this paper, we explore another plausible supply-side explanation for the growth of the industry, namely economies of diversification. We focus on the fact that credit unions differ among themselves in the range of financial services they offer to their members. Since larger credit unions tend to offer a more diversified financial service menu than credit unions of a smaller size, the incentive to grow in size may be fueled not only by present scale economies but also by economies of diversification. This paper provides the first robust estimates of such economies of diversification for the credit union sector. We estimate a flexible semiparametric smooth coefficient quantile panel data model with correlated effects that is capable of accommodating a four-way heterogeneity among credit unions. Our results indicate the presence of non-negligible economies of diversification in the industry. We find that as many as 27–91% (depending on the type and the cost quantile) of diversified credit unions enjoy substantial economies of diversification; the cost of most remaining credit unions is invariant to the scope of services. We also find overwhelming evidence of increasing returns to scale in the industry.
Treatment trends, determinants, and survival of partial and radical nephrectomy for stage I renal cell carcinoma: results from the National Cancer Data Base, 2004-2013.

To provide updated treatment trends, determinants, and survival of partial nephrectomy (PN) and radical nephrectomy (RN) across the USA. Secondary data from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) participant user file from 2004 to 2013. The NCDB captures approximately 70% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases each year. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for RN overall. Kaplan–Meier, multivariable Cox regression, and log-rank test were used to characterize patient survival. Patients diagnosed with clinical stage I RCC who received either RN or PN as the primary surgical treatment were included. The study consisted of 121,386 cases (PN = 57,016; RN = 64,370). The overall use of PN for stage I RCC increased by 24.2% over 9 years. An overall 5- and 10-year survival advantage was estimated following PN compared to RN; estimated overall risk of death was higher with RN. The use of PN for stage I RCC has continued to increase and is associated with an overall survival advantage. Multivariable analysis showed that disparities exist among sociodemographic groups that are also associated with treatment type and survival.
Homoeologous chromosome pairing across the eukaryote phylogeny

Abstract During the past quarter century, molecular phylogenetic inferences have significantly resolved evolutionary relationships spanning the eukaryotic tree of life. With improved phylogenies in hand, the focus of systematics will continue to expand from estimating species relationships toward examining the evolution of specific, fundamental traits across the eukaryotic tree. Undoubtedly, this will expose knowledge gaps in the evolution of key traits, particularly with respect to non-model lineages. Here, we examine one such trait across eukaryotes—the regulation of homologous chromosome pairing during meiosis—as an illustrative example. Specifically, we present an overview of the breakdown of homologous chromosome pairing in model eukaryotes and provide a discussion of various meiotic aberrations that result in the failure of homolog recognition, with a particular focus on lineages with a history of hybridization and polyploidization, across major eukaryotic clades. We then explore what is known about these processes in natural and non-model eukaryotic taxa, thereby exposing disparities in our understanding of this key trait among non-model groups.
Hydrothermal Interaction of Simulated Nuclear Waste Glass in the Presence of Basalts

One of the leading candidate waste forms for disposal of commercial high level nuclear waste is glass. This waste form has received a great deal of attention over the past twenty years of development. Alteration of this waste form in the presence of mild hydrothermal solutions, which might be anticipated during the first several hundred years after emplacement of the waste into a geological repository, was shown (1) to be extensive at 300°C. These stability experiments, however, were conducted in a closed static hydrothermal system with the waste form and deionized water alone.
Kant on Perception, Experience and Judgements Thereof

It is commonly thought that the distinction between subjectively valid judgements of perception and objectively valid judgements of experience in the Prolegomena is not consistent with the account of judgement Kant offers in the B Deduction, according to which a judgement is ‘nothing other than the way to bring given cognitions to the objective unity of apperception’. Contrary to this view, I argue that the Prolegomena distinction maps closely onto that drawn between the mathematical and dynamical principles in the System of Principles: Kant’s account of the Prolegomena distinction strongly suggests that it is the Analogies of Experience that make it possible for judgements of perception to give rise to judgements of experience. This means that judgements of perception are objectively valid with regard to the quantity and quality of objects, and subjectively valid with regard to the relation they posit between objects. If that is the case, then the notion of a judgement of perception is consistent with the B Deduction account of judgement.
Performing Identity in Public

In this chapter, Lorick-Wilmot examines the MSGCIs’ identity negotiations and assertions in public spaces. These public spaces include the neighborhoods they live in, their places of employment as “the singular black” and the black “community” they serve (locally, globally and symbolically). She points to the specific cultural capital performances and activities the MSGCIs engage in and their responses to the factors of oppression and liberation they experience in their daily lives as second generation Caribbean immigrants.
Cloaca reconstruction: a new algorithm which considers the role of urethral length in determining surgical planning.

Abstract Background Cloacal malformations represent a uniquely complex challenge for surgeons. The surgical approach to date has been based on the common channel (CC) length with two patient groups considered: less than or greater than 3cm, which we believe is an oversimplification. We reviewed 19 patients, referred after surgery done elsewhere. Eight had postoperative urinary complications, 3 had constant urinary leakage and had been left after surgery with a urethra Methods We prospectively collected data on 31 consecutive cloaca patients referred to our team (2014 to 2016) and managed according to this new protocol. The CC length, urethral length, surgical technique employed, and initial outcomes were recorded. Results Of 31 primary cases, CC length was 1 to 3cm in 20, 3 to 5cm in 9, and greater than 5cm in 2. In the 1 to 3cm and the 3 to 5cm groups, a urethra less than 1.5cm led us to perform an urogenital separation. We only performed a TUM if the urethra was greater than 1.5cm. Using this protocol, we performed a urogenital separation in 1 of 20 in the 1 to 3cm CC group, 6 of 9 in the 3 to 5cm CC group, and 2 of 2 in the greater than 5cm CC group. Seven patients underwent separation, who with the previous approach, would have had a TUM. Thus far, no urinary leakage or urethral loss has occurred in any patient, but follow-up is less than 3years. Conclusion Urethral length appears to be a vitally important component in cloacal reconstruction. A short urethra left after repair can lead to urinary leakage. A TUM done under the wrong circumstances can lead to urethral loss. We describe a new technical approach to cloacal repair which considers urethral length but recognize that long term urological outcomes will need to be carefully documented. Type of study Clinical cohort study with no comparative group. Level of evidence Level 4.
Peer Mediation Interventions to Improve Social and Communication Skills for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This chapter is designed to present literature reviews and exemplary studies with a focus on peer training and peer mediation interventions (PMIs) to address social deficits presenting in autism spectrum disorders and to build social competence with peers. Studies including literature reviews were identified through a search of peer-reviewed journals using key search words: autism, social skills, peers, or peer mediation with selected dates from 2003 to 2016. The literature described is not inclusive of all 203 studies yielded from the search, but rather a representative sample of the findings. The chapter sections include (a) defining peer mediation interventions, (b) models of peer mediation interventions, (c) evidence-based practices and exemplary studies of peer mediation interventions, (d) summary of social skills intervention reviews, (e) summary of peer mediation intervention literature reviews, (f) key findings, and (g) conclusions and future research. Evidence from the review suggest that PMIs are effective for improving social and communication outcomes for children and youth with ASD across multiple settings and change agents.
Motivation and requirements for quasi-static time series (QSTS) for distribution system analysis

Distribution system analysis with ever increasing numbers of distributed energy resources (DER) requires quasistatic time-series (QSTS) analysis to capture the time-varying and time-dependent aspects of the system. Previous literature has demonstrated the benefits of QSTS, but there is limited information available for the requirements and standards for performing QSTS simulations. This paper provides a novel analysis of the QSTS requirements for the input data timeresolution, the simulation time-step resolution, and the length of the simulation. Detailed simulations quantify the specific errors introduced by not performing yearlong high-resolution QSTS simulations.
A Combination of Flow and Batch Mode Processes for the Efficient Preparation of mGlu2/3 Receptor Negative Allosteric Modulators (NAMs).

Abstract Benzodiazepinones are privileged scaffolds with activity against multiple therapeutically relevant biological targets. In support of our ongoing studies around allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlus) we required the multigram synthesis of a β-ketoester key intermediate. We report the continuous flow synthesis of tert-butyl 3-(2-cyanopyridin-4-yl)-3-oxopropanoate and its transformation to potent mGlu2/3 negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) in batch mode.
VAGINITIS IN ADULT WOMEN

Often trivialized by the medical profession, vaginitis in adult women is not only extremely common but is the source of considerable distress. Vaginitis is a major symptom, not just a nuisance; severe cases often result in marked suffering. Epidemiologic studies described in this article indicate the high incidence of vaginitis, attributable to a large number of causes. Although most cases are due to BV, VVC, or trichomoniasis, many other syndromes exist. Given the correct diagnosis, there is a wealth of excellent drugs for treating vaginitis. Hence, clinicians must abandon any tendency to resort to empiric therapy.
Subtleties in Gynecological Ultrasound

Although the inguinal region may be defined anatomically by vertical transverse and longitudinal planes, the structures within this area may not be. The range of pathology in gynecological diagnostic ultrasound requires for definition an expanded technique.
Semantics of Logic Programs and Representation of Smyth Powerdomain

This paper provides a representation of the Smyth powerdomain in order to base the semantics of logic programs on Scott’s information systems. A new notion of ideal elements, called disjunctive states, is introduced. Disjunctive states are built from clauses over the token set of the underlying information system to capture disjunctive information. They are closed under Robinson’s hyperresolution rule. We establish an order-isomorphism between disjunctive states and compact, saturated sets, for which injectivity and surjectivity correspond to the soundness and completeness of hyperresolution. A key step for the order-isomorphism is the Hoffman-Mislove Theorem in light of a lemma by Keimel and Paseka. As an application, we provide a couple of specific Smyth powerdomain examples suitable for logic programming. In general, the notion of disjunctive state is applicable to sequent structures, or nondeterministic information systems. We show that the hyperresolution rule is sound and complete for sequent structures as well, making it possible to interpret a disjunctive logic program directly as a sequent structure.
HAM56 antibody: a tool in the differential diagnosis between colorectal and gynecological malignancy

HAM56, a monoclonal antibody first used to identify macrophages and endothelial cells, also stains many carcinomas (except those arising in the digestive tract). This property is useful in the differentiation between primary ovarian and metastatic colonic carcinomas in the ovary, or between gynecological (ovarian and endometrial) and colonic implants and lymph node metastases. This distinction is important as the prognoses of colorectal and gynecological malignancies differ significantly. Sixteen primary ovarian carcinomas (10 with peritoneal implants and 3 with lymph node metastases), eight cases of primary colonic carcinomas (four metastatic to ovary, four with peritoneal implants, and four with lymph node metastases), and three primary endometrial carcinomas, all with metastases to the ovary, were immunostained with the HAM56 antibody using the ABC immunoperoxidase technique. Linear membranous immunostaining was considered positive, whereas staining of mucin and debris was regarded as negative. Using these parameters, 15/16 ovarian primaries, 9/10 ovarian implants, 3/3 ovarian lymph node metastases, and 3/3 endometrial primaries and their ovarian metastases were positive. Colonic primaries, their ovarian metastases, peritoneal implants, and lymph node metastases were all negative. It is concluded that the HAM56 antibody is a useful tool in the distinction between colorectal and ovarian malignancies in those cases where the routine histological appearance may be ambiguous.