cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beyond Wires and Seeds: Reflector-guided Breast Lesion Localization and Excision

Purpose To evaluate outcomes of Savi Scout (Cianna Medical, Aliso Viejo, Calif) reflector-guided localization and excision of breast lesions by analyzing reflector placement, localization, and removal, along with target excision and rates of repeat excision (referred to as re-excision). Materials and Methods A single-institution retrospective review of 100 women who underwent breast lesion localization and excision by using the Savi Scout surgical guidance system from June 2015 to May 2016 was performed. By using image guidance 0-8 days before surgery, 123 nonradioactive, infrared-activated, electromagnetic wave reflectors were percutaneously inserted adjacent to or within 111 breast targets. Twenty patients had two or three reflectors placed for bracketing or for localizing multiple lesions, and when ipsilateral, they were placed as close as 2.6 cm apart. Target and reflector were localized intraoperatively by one of two breast surgeons who used a handpiece that emitted infrared light and electromagnetic waves. Radiographs of the specimen and pathologic analysis helped verify target and reflector removal. Target to reflector distance was measured on the mammogram and radiograph of the specimen, and reflector depth was measured on the mammogram. Pathologic analysis was reviewed. Re-excision rates and complications were recorded. By using statistics software, descriptive statistics were generated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated. Results By using sonographic (40 of 123; 32.5%; 95% CI: 24.9%, 41.2%) or mammographic (83 of 123; 67.5%; 95% CI: 58.8% 75.1%) guidance, 123 (100%; 95% CI: 96.4%, 100%) reflectors were placed. Mean mammographic target to reflector distance was 0.3 cm. All 123 (100%; 95% CI: 96.4%, 100%) targets and reflectors were excised. Pathologic analysis yielded 54 of 110 malignancies (49.1%; 95% CI: 39.9%, 58.3%; average, 1.0 cm; range, 0.1-5 cm), 32 high-risk lesions (29.1%; 95% CI: 21.4%, 38.2%), and 24 benign lesions (21.8%; 95% CI: 115.1%, 30.4%). Four of 54 malignant cases (7.4%; 95% CI: 2.4%, 18.1%) demonstrated margins positive for cancer that required re-excision. Five of 110 radiographs of the specimen (4.5%; 95% CI: 1.7%, 10.4%) demonstrated increased distance between the target and reflector distance of greater than 1.0 cm (range, 1.1-2.6 cm) compared with postprocedure mammogram the day of placement, three of five were associated with hematomas, two of five migrated without identifiable cause. No related postoperative complications were identified. Conclusion Savi Scout is an accurate, reliable method to localize and excise breast lesions with acceptable margin positivity and re-excision rates. Bracketing is possible with reflectors as close as 2.6 cm. Savi Scout overcomes many limitations of other localization methods, which warrants further study. © RSNA, 2017.
Efficient, ultra-high-affinity chromatography in a one-step purification of complex proteins.

Protein purification is an essential primary step in numerous biological studies. It is particularly significant for the rapidly emerging high-throughput fields, such as proteomics, interactomics, and drug discovery. Moreover, purifications for structural and industrial applications should meet the requirement of high yield, high purity, and high activity (HHH). It is, therefore, highly desirable to have an efficient purification system with a potential to meet the HHH benchmark in a single step. Here, we report a chromatographic technology based on the ultra-high-affinity (Kd ∼ 10−14–10−17 M) complex between the Colicin E7 DNase (CE7) and its inhibitor, Immunity protein 7 (Im7). For this application, we mutated CE7 to create a CL7 tag, which retained the full binding affinity to Im7 but was inactivated as a DNase. To achieve high capacity, we developed a protocol for a large-scale production and highly specific immobilization of Im7 to a solid support. We demonstrated its utility with one-step HHH purification of a wide range of traditionally challenging biological molecules, including eukaryotic, membrane, toxic, and multisubunit DNA/RNA-binding proteins. The system is simple, reusable, and also applicable to pulldown and kinetic activity/binding assays.
Religious Organizations, Refuge for Undocumented Immigrants, and Tax Exemption

The Trump Administration plans for aggressive enforcement of immigration laws have caused many houses of worship and other religious organizations to consider whether their beliefs call upon them to grant refuge or so-called sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. This brief essay considers whether these organizations would risk their tax-exempt status were they to do so. It reviews relevant judicial and IRS guidance. It concludes that IRS action to revoke exemption is unlikely, but that any house of worship or other religious organization deciding to act in this way should know that such a decision is not without some risk.
Postmortem evaluation of mandibular implant-supported fixed complete denture after 30 years of service

A postmortem evaluation of a 5-implant-supported mandibular fixed complete denture that had successfully opposed a maxillary conventional complete denture for 30 years was undertaken. Before embalming, radiographs, implant stability measurements, push-in failure load tests, and histomorphometric analyses were performed on the implants and the mandible. Evaluation of this cadaver suggests that an edentulous mandible restored with an implant-supported fixed prosthesis can function successfully for over 30 years with few complications.
Understanding Ageing. An evaluation of research designs for assessing the interdependence of ageing-related changes.

Background: Cross-sectional studies of samples varying widely in age have found moderate to high levels of shared age-related variance among measures of cognitive and physiological capabilities, leading researchers to posit common factors or common causal influences for diverse age-related phenomenon. Objective: The influence of population average changes with age on cross-sectional estimates of association has not been widely appreciated in developmental and ageing research. Covariances among age-related variables in cross-sectional studies are highly confounded in regards to inferences about associations among rates of change within individuals since covariances can result from a number of sources including average population age-related differences (fixed age effects) in addition to initial individual differences and individual differences in rates of ageing (random age effects). Analysis of narrow age-cohort samples may provide a superior analytical basis for testing hypotheses regarding associations between rates of change in cross-sectional studies. Conclusions: The use of age-heterogeneous cross-sectional designs for evaluating interdependence of ageing-related processes is discouraged since associations will not necessarily reflect individual-level correlated rates of change. Typical cross-sectional studies do not provide sufficient evidence for the interdependence of ageing-related changes and should not serve as the basis for theories and hypotheses of ageing. Reanalyzing existing cross-sectional studies using a sequential narrow-age cohort approach provides a useful alternative for evaluating associations between ageing-related changes. Longitudinal designs, however, provide a much stronger basis for inference regarding associations between rates of ageing within individuals.
Epistemic Logic, Monotonicity, and the Halbach–Welch Rapprochement Strategy

Predicate approaches to modality have been a topic of increased interest in recent intensional logic. Halbach and Welch (Mind 118(469):71–100, 2009) have proposed a new formal technique to reduce the necessity predicate to an operator, demonstrating that predicate and operator methods are ultimately compatible. This article concerns the question of whether Halbach and Welch’s approach can provide a uniform formal treatment for intensionality. I show that the monotonicity constraint in Halbach and Welch’s proof for necessity fails for almost all possible-worlds theories of knowledge. The nonmonotonicity results demonstrate that the most obvious way of emulating Halbach and Welch’s rapprochement of the predicate and operator fails in the epistemic setting.
Learning Algorithm Portfolios for Parallel Execution

Portfolio-based solvers are both effective and robust, but their promise for parallel execution with constraint satisfaction solvers has received relatively little attention. This paper proposes an approach that constructs algorithm portfolios intended for parallel execution based on a combination of case-based reasoning, a greedy algorithm, and three heuristics. Empirical results show that this method is efficient, and can significantly improve performance with only a few additional processors. On problems from solver competitions, the resultant algorithm portfolios perform nearly as well as an oracle.
IL-11-stimulated Encephalitogenic CD4+ Cells Induce Aggressive RREAE, Mediated via Th17, CD8+, CD19+ Cells and Neutrophils’ Migration to CNS in Passive Transfer RREAE (P2.407)

Objective: To determine the effector mechanisms of IL-11-induced encephalitogenic CD4 + cells in mediating passive transfer Relapsing Remitting Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (RREAE). Background: Our previous studies showed patients with Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS have increased CSF and serum IL-11 levels. Our human in vitro studies identified that IL-11 induces Th17 cell differentiation and expansion in CIS patients, but not in HCs. Our in vivo RREAE studies confirmed the causative role of IL-11 in worsening disease severity and increasing the number of IL-17 + CD4 + cells within the PBMC, spleen and spinal cord inflammatory infiltrate. Design/Methods: SJL mice were immunized with PLP 139–151 and LN cells harvested on day 11 restimulated with 1) PLP, 2) PLP+IL-11, and 3) PLP+IL-23 for 7 days. Recipient mice received isolated CD4 + cells and sacrificed on day 14, the peak of the first relapse. Results: In vitro antigen recall assay showed IL-11 induced an increase in the number of IL-17 + CD4 + cells in LN and spleen (p + CD4 + cells in spleen (p + IL-17 + CD4 + cells in LN and spleen (p + cells. In passive transfer RREAE induction, injection of IL-11-stimulated CD4 + cells induced severe RREAE, similar to IL-23-stimulated CD4 + cells. Recipient mice of IL-11-stimulated CD4 + cells had higher percentages of IL-17 + CD4 + cells in LNs and CNS infiltrates (both p + cells. Furthermore, IL-11-stimulated CD4 + cells induced higher percentages of CD8 + cells in LN and CNS, as well as neutrophils and CD19 + B cells in the CNS infiltration, indicating the additional effector function of passively transferred IL-11-stimulated CD4 + cells. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that IL-11 not only induces encephalitogenic Th17 cells, which migrate to the CNS but also induces the migration of neutrophils, CD8 + and B cells to CNS, which may contribute to the chronic CNS inflammatory disease. Study Supported by: The study was supported by R03 AI111592-01 grant from NIH/NINDS. Disclosure: Dr. Kiapour has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kapoor has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zhang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Markovic Plese has received research support from Genzyme.
Impact of prebiopsy magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate on cancer detection and treatment patterns.

Abstract Purpose Though superior in clinical trial settings, outcomes following magnetic resonance image (MRI)-guided prostate biopsies have not been reported broadly. We compared prostate cancer detection rates for men who did and did not undergo prebiopsy MRI and evaluated treatment patterns based on biopsy approach, year of biopsy, and proximity to early adopters. Methods Using private insurance claims (2009–2015), we identified men who underwent prostate biopsy using appropriate procedure codes. Exposure was receipt of prebiopsy MRI within 3 months prior to biopsy. Outcomes included new prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment with prostatectomy/radiation, and receipt of adjunct procedures typically used for higher-risk disease (i.e., lymphadenectomy with prostatectomy, androgen deprivation therapy with radiation). Hierarchical mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression predicted probabilities of each outcome. Results We identified 77,350 men (mean age 57.5 ± 5.4 years) who underwent biopsy with 12% having had a prior negative biopsy. Use of prebiopsy MRI was more common among men biopsied from 2014 to 2015 (4.4% vs. 1.3% 2012–2013), in metropolitan statistical areas (2.6% vs. 1.1% not), residing close to early adopters (5.5% vs. 1.5% far), and with prior negative biopsy (7.3% vs. 1.7% biopsy-naive; all P Conclusions Among privately insured men in the United States, use of prostate MRI prior to prostate biopsy was associated with increased cancer detection among those with prior negative biopsies, but we did not observe significant changes with downstream treatment patterns.
III-nitride vertical resonant cavity light-emitting diodes with hybrid air-gap/AlGaN-dielectric distributed Bragg reflectors

We report III-N surface-emitting resonant-cavity light-emitting diodes (RCLEDs) at λ = 375 nm using a novel hybridmirror approach. The hybrid mirrors consist of 5 pairs of air-gap/AlGaN distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) at the bottom side of the vertical cavity and HfO2/SiO2 dielectric DBR (DDBR) on the top to facilitate the formation of a resonant cavity for nitride-based surface light emitting diodes. The air-gap/AlGaN DBR replaces the conventional thick stack of semiconductor DBR to achieve high reflectivity. Hybrid-mirror III-N RCLEDs with airgap/AlGaN DBR mirror were fabricated and the results showed that the III-N RCLEDs achieved high current density operation up to 40 kA/cm2 with a peak emission wavelength atλ = 375 nm and a full-width-half-maximum (FWHM) of 9.3 nm at room temperature.
Cardiac CT Assessment of Right and Left Ventricular and Valvular Function

The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent technical and scientific advancements in cardiac computed tomography (CT) assessment of ventricular function and valvular heart disease. With improvement in scanner technology and protocols, cardiac CT can be used to assess cardiac function and chamber volumes with excellent accuracy and interobserver reproducibility. CT is a reliable adjunct modality to assess most valvular heart diseases when other modalities are not adequate or provide discrepant data. CT is now the standard of care in planning transcatheter valve interventions. Cardiac CT can be reliably used to assess right and left ventricular function albeit with radiation exposure. CT is also helpful as a tiebreaker in complex valvular heart disease when other modalities are discrepant or limited. Further improvement in temporal resolution and reduction of radiation dose will increase utilization of cardiac CT with the goal of comprehensive cardiac assessment.
Erratum to: Modeling Study of Foehn Wind Events in Antarctic Peninsula with WRF Forced by CCSM

This erratum is to report a figure error in Zhang and Zhang (2018) entitled “Modeling Study of Foehn Wind Events in Antarctic Peninsula with WRF Forced by CCSM”. In Zhang and Zhang (2018), Figs. 7c, e (left panels below) should be replaced by Figs. 7*c, e (right panels below) here.
In-situ ATR-IR study of surface reaction during aqueous phase reforming of glycerol, sorbitol and glucose over Pt/γ-Al2O3

Abstract Surface reactions involved in aqueous phase reforming of glycerol, sorbitol and glucose over Pt/γ-Al2O3 are studied by in-situ attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy. In these experiments aqueous solutions of the reactants are flowed over a catalyst layer that is coated on the internal reflection element of the spectroscopic cell. Linearly bound CO (COL) and bridging CO (COB) are readily formed on the Pt particles at 24–72 °C. The relative abundance of CO in different environments and the rates of formation and conversion of these species provide insight into the reaction path of different oxygenates. Even at 24 °C, COB can be converted by the water-gas shift reaction. During the conversion of sorbitol and glucose, the formation and conversion of adsorbed CO is affected by the presence of co-adsorbed reactants or by-products. In addition to CO, surface bound alkoxy species are observed during the conversion of sorbitol and glucose.
Performance Analysis of Circle-Constellation-Based M-DCSK Modulation for Broadcasting Application with Enhanced Reliability by LDPC

In this paper, a circle-constellation-based M-ary differential chaos shift keying (M=8;8-DCSK) is proposed for broadcasting application, such as digital video broadcasting (DVB), rather than coherent amplitude phase shift keying (APSK) which implementation is much complex because of the necessity of synchronous demodulation at the receiver. In addition, low density parity check (LDPC) which can denote the effective reduction of bit error rate (BER) by an iteration decoding algorithm is also deployed in the proposed system to overcome the degradation of BER performance which results from the channels nonlinearity and the effect of natural or man-made noises, such as additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) or partial band noise jamming (PBNJ). From the computer simulation results, the proposed regular and irregular LDPC-coded 8-DCSK requires merely $-27\mathrm{d}\mathrm{B}$ power to retain the BER in the range of $10^{-1}\sim 10^{-3}$ under AWGN and PBNJ with $\rho=0.5$.
Assessing a method and reference material for quantification of vitamin D binding protein during pregnancy

Vitamin D plays a vital role in successful pregnancy outcomes for both the mother and fetus. Vitamin D is bound to vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) in blood and is carried to the liver, kidneys and other target tissues. Accurate measurements of the clinically measured metabolite of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], depend on complete removal from the binding protein. It has been found that VDBP concentrations increase in maternal serum during pregnancy, obfuscating the accuracy of 25(OH)D concentration measurements in pregnant women. Additionally, measurements of VDBP concentrations during pregnancy have been performed using immunoassays, which suffer from variations due to differences in antibody epitopes, making clinical comparisons difficult. Quantification of VDBP is also of interest because changes in VDBP expression levels may indicate negative outcomes during pregnancy, such as preterm delivery and restricted fetal growth. To address the need for accurate measurement of VDBP during pregnancy, a method using liquid chromatography-isotope dilution mass spectrometry (LC-IDMS) was developed to quantify VDBP using isotopically labeled peptides as internal standards. This method was used to quantify VDBP in Standard Reference Material® (SRM) 1949 Frozen Human Prenatal Serum, which was prepared from separate serum pools of women who were not pregnant and women during each trimester of pregnancy. VDBP concentrations were found to be lowest in the serum pool from non-pregnant women and increased in each trimester. These data had good repeatability and were found to be suitable for reference value assignment of VDBP in SRM 1949.
THE INCIDENTAL UNMASKING OF BRUGADA SYNDROME

Brugada Syndrome (BrS) is an inherited disorder associated with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and sustained ventricular arrhythmia (VA). Risk stratification remains challenging and is based on EKG findings and symptoms. 46 year old male presented with fever, jaundice and abdominal pain was found to
Critical Elements of Community Engagement to Address Disparities and Related Social Determinants of Health: The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention Community Approaches to Reducing Sexually Transmitted Disease Initiative

Background Community Approaches to Reducing Sexually Transmitted Disease (CARS), a unique initiative of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, promotes the use of community engagement to increase sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention, screening, and treatment and to address locally prioritized STD-related social determinants of health within communities experiencing STD disparities, including youth, persons of color, and sexual and gender minorities. We sought to identify elements of community engagement as applied within CARS. Methods and materials Between 2011 and 2018, we collected and analyzed archival and in-depth interview data to identify and explore community engagement across 8 CARS sites. Five to 13 interview participants (mean, 7) at each site were interviewed annually. Participants included project staff and leadership, community members, and representatives from local community organizations (e.g., health departments; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-serving organizations; faith organizations; businesses; and HIV-service organizations) and universities. Data were analyzed using constant comparison, an approach to grounded theory development. Results Twelve critical elements of community engagement emerged, including commitment to engagement, partner flexibility, talented and trusted leadership, participation of diverse sectors, establishment of vision and mission, open communication, reducing power differentials, working through conflict, identifying and leveraging resources, and building a shared history. Conclusions This study expands the community engagement literature within STD prevention, screening, and treatment by elucidating some of the critical elements of the approach and provides guidance for practitioners, researchers, and their partners as they develop, implement, and evaluate strategies to reduce STD disparities.
Conversational greeting detection using captioning on head worn displays versus smartphones

People who are deaf and hard of hearing often have difficulty realizing when someone is attempting to get their attention, especially when mobile. Speech recognition coupled with a head-worn display (HWD) may aid in awareness of when someone calls the user's name. As our intended users are often oversubscribed with experiments, we chose to test non-deaf and hard of hearing subjects while refining our procedures. Preliminary findings from three hearing participants wearing sound masking headphones and performing a mobile task suggest that a HWD display may be faster than, and preferred to, a smartphone for displaying captions for attending to one's name being called.
REGULATION OF ERGOT ALKALOID FORMATION: INFLUENCE OF TRYPTOPHAN AND ITS ANALOGS AND OF THE ENDPRODUCT ELYMOCLAVINE

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the regulation of ergot alkaloid formation, and the influence of tryptophan and its analogs and of the end product elymoclavine. The induction of alkaloid synthesis by tryptophan is a complex process. The exposure to tryptophan must occur early during the growth phase when no alkaloid is formed. Time-course studies show that full induction requires addition of tryptophan during the first 24 h of the fermentation and that a 12 h exposure period is sufficient. It seems likely that the gene expression programmed in some way by tryptophan is still suppressed during the growth phase, for example, by some form of catabolite repression. The inorganic phosphate present in the medium may exert such a repression, as it is known that in the presence of increased levels of phosphate the alkaloid synthesis is almost completely abolished.
Robust flow reconstruction from limited measurements via sparse representation

Estimating the structure of a flow field from limited and uncertain measurement data is made challenging by the richness of structures in a complex flow. An investigation of sparse representation in a library of examples shows that this can provide robust, accurate reconstructions.
In-Hospital Mortality and Prediction in an Urban U.S. Population With COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has touched every aspect of society, and as the pandemic continues around the globe, many of the clinical factors that influence the disease course remain unclear. A useful clinical decision-making tool is a risk stratification model to determine in-hospital mortality as defined in this study. The study was performed at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Data was extracted from our electronic medical records on 44 variables that included demographic, clinical, laboratory tests, treatments, and mortality information. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression with corrected Akaike's information criterion to identify a subset of variables that yielded the smallest estimated prediction error for the risk of in-hospital mortality. During the study period, 808 COVID-19 patients were admitted to RWJUH. The sample size was limited to patients with at least one confirmed in-house positive nasopharyngeal swab COVID-19 test. Pregnant patients or those who were transferred to our facility were excluded. Patients who were in observation and were discharged from the emergency room were also excluded. A total of 403 patients had complete values for all variables and were eligible for the study. We identified significant clinical, laboratory, and radiologic variables determining severe outcomes and mortality. An in-hospital mortality risk calculator was created after the identification of significant factors for the specific cohort, which were abnormal CT scan or chest X-ray, chronic kidney disease, age, white blood cell count, platelet count, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate transaminase with a sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of 82%, 72%, and 93%, respectively. While numerous reports from around the globe have helped outline the pandemic, demographic factors vary widely. This study is more applicable to an urban, highly diverse population in the United States.
Health over the Life Course and Human-Animal Interaction

Research on the relationship between human animal interaction (HAI) and health and well-being over the life course typically focuses on specific age groups. This is particularly the case in the United States where HAI measures have not historically been included in longitudinal studies. We present a brief overview of the role of companion animals in healthy development and aging over the life course and evidence of how HAI may affect those processes. Limitations of research on HAI and health to date are discussed with a focus on the need to include measures of pet ownership and attachment in population representative samples to facilitate secondary analysis. Several population-representative data resources that can be used to study HAI across the life course in the United States are described: the Panel Study of Income Dynamics Child Development Supplement, the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Cohort, the General Social Survey, and the Health and Retirement Study. Opportunities for researchers to contribute to the growing multidisciplinary field of HAI research are discussed.
Supplier Opportunism in Buyer-Supplier New Product Development: A China-US Study of Antecedents, Consequences and Cultural/Institutional Contexts

Collaborating with a supplier in a buying firm’s new product development (NPD) project is commonly advocated and adopted, but does not always improve project performance. Some preexisting collaboration contexts, such as buyer-supplier NPD projects, are especially exposed to supplier opportunism due to the uncertain nature of the collaboration process. Adopting agency theory and transaction cost theory (TCT) perspectives, we examine (i) contextual antecedents and project consequences of supplier opportunism, and (ii) if these causal influences vary in different cultural and institutional contexts. Using a survey sample of 214 United States (U.S.) and 212 Chinese buying firms’ responses about buyer-supplier NPD projects, we find that supplier opportunism is significantly influenced by the task and relational contexts. We also show that supplier opportunism damages both design quality and efficiency, two aspects of project performance. When comparing U.S. to China, we find that task and relational contexts have a greater impact on supplier opportunism in the U.S., but design efficiency is less hurt by supplier opportunism there. Finally, we show challenges of preventing supplier opportunism in certain NPD collaboration contexts, and offer solutions for overcoming these challenges
Altruists on the Campaign Trail? Civil Society Work as a Path to Political Office

As the number of civil society organizations (CSOs) operating in the global South has expanded over time, CSO workers have increasingly become candidates for political office. This phenomenon is puzzling, since political office holders traditionally come from the legal, business, and education professions. What is motivating CSO workers to enter politics? How are they able to leverage (alternative) resources and connections in order to appeal to political parties and voters? Are candidates with CSO backgrounds as competitive as candidates with other employment histories? Are some types of CSO workers more likely to win office than others, and are some types of office holders more likely to have a CSO background? Looking at the case of Kenya, this article draws on qualitative interviews with Kenyan members of parliament who come from civil society backgrounds, as well as on an original phone survey of national- and county-level candidates contesting Kenya's 2017 general election. The analysis shows that CSO work is often viewed strategically as a springboard to political office, because a civil society background builds relationships and good will on which aspiring politicians can trade. This is especially true for individuals for whom more traditional paths to political office are less available.
Structural Cointegration Analysis of Private and Public Investment

A structural cointegration approach is used to investigate the relationship between public and private investment, based on dataseries which include software in the definitions of in- vestment. Empirical evidence for equipment suggests crowding out. However structures shows crowding in, supporting the infrastructure hypothesis.
Cataloging Virtual Reality Artworks: Challenges and Future Prospects

In 2019, Pepperdine Libraries acquired two virtual reality artworks by filmmaker and artist Paisley Smith: Homestay and Unceded Territories. To bring awareness to these pieces, Pepperdine Libraries...
Promise Me She’ll Survive: Navigating Emotion and Uncertainty in Pediatric Chronic Disease With Low Mortality Rates

A 15-year-old patient and her mother are seen in clinic. She has had rapid weight gain for a few months that acutely worsened in the past week. On examination she is edematous and uncomfortable. Her laboratory studies are consistent with nephrotic syndrome. As part of the visit education, the clinician discussed the presentation, pathophysiology, evaluation, treatments, and complications of the nephrotic syndrome.
A 2-D Scalar Riemann Problem

Our study of the Burgers equation has helped us in studying the 1-D Euler systems. We hope that the study of 2-D scalar Riemann problems will be similarly useful. As we will see, 2-D Riemann problems are a lot more complicated than the 1-D problems, with a difficulty level being roughly equal to, if not exceeding, that of theinteraction of solutionsof the 1-D Riemann problem.
Faculty Technology Mentoring Programs

AbstractThis paper provides a review of the literature that documents technology mentoring models used in higher education and K–12 schools. Various mentoring models from teacher education programs and K–12 schools are described. After summarizing the mentoring models, a description of commonalties found among these mentoring programs is shared. Despite the variety of technology mentoring models, effective programs include common elements. These elements include providing visions for technology use, individualizing technology support, breaking down hierarchical structure, establishing learning communities, and providing mutual benefits for mentors and mentees.
Two-dimensional long pulse calculations of electron layer formation in cross microwave beams in low pressure air

Laboratory chamber experiments in low-pressure (0.1-10 torr) air with long-pulse (100-600-ns), 2.856-GHz crossed microwave beams formed by reflection of a single beam from an inclined metal plate have shown that multiple, luminous electron density layers form sequentially in time toward the source of the incident beam. To model this experiment, a two-dimensional, long-pulse electron fluid computer code has been developed. Initially, the electron evolution in the rectangular, x-y space transverse to the driving E/sub z/ microwave field is described by a convective continuity equation. The convection is approximated by electric drift and thermal diffusion terms in the x and y directions. After the peak electron density has increased to a few percent of the critical density (10/sup 17/ m/sup -3/ at 2.856 GHz), the initial electrostatic equations are replaced by a new set. This features a nonconvective continuity equation, in which drift and diffusion are ignored but ionization is retained, and a harmonic, slowly varying envelope approximation to the wave equation for the driving field. This wave equation appears as two coupled diffusion equations for the real and imaginary parts of the driving field. Calculations have been carried out at 1-torr pressure with a linearly ramped pulse, which reaches a plateau value of 0.159 MV/m at 80 ns. >
Theoretical calculation of the cross-section for pair production in a proton-proton collision

The differential cross-section for electron-pair production in a proton-proton collision is calculated. Standard perturbation methods with retarded interactions are used throughout the calculation. A typical result is of the order of a tenth of a microbarn.
Sanctioning Modernism: Architecture and the Making of Postwar Identities

The essays in Sanctioning Modernism usher the reader through the messy edges of modern architecture – the ‘variegated and politically charged modernisms’ that fail to fall neatly into existing cano...
Differences in regulatory sequences of naturally occurring JC virus variants

The regulatory region was sequenced for DNAs representative of seven independent isolates of JC virus, the probable agent of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The isolates included an oncogenic variant (MAD-4), an antigenic variant (MAD-11), and two different isolates derived from the urine (MAD-7) and from the brain (MAD-8) of the same patient. The representative DNAs were molecularly cloned directly from diseased brain tissue and from human fetal glial cells infected with the corresponding isolated viruses. The regulatory sequences of these DNAs were compared with those of the prototype isolate, MAD-1, sequenced previously (R. J. Frisque, J. Virol. 46:170-176, 1983). We found that the regulatory region of JC viral DNA is highly variable due to complex alterations of the previously described 98-base-pair repeat of MAD-1 DNA. On the basis of these alterations, there are two general types of JC virus. There were no consistent alterations in regulatory sequences which could distinguish brain tissue DNAs from tissue culture DNAs. Furthermore, for each isolate except MAD-1 (R. J. Frisque, J. Virol. 46:170-176, 1983), the regulatory regions of brain tissue and tissue culture DNAs were not identical. The arrangement, sequence, or both of potential regulatory elements (TATA sequence, GGGXGGPuPu, tandem repeats) of JC viral DNAs are sufficiently different from those in other viral and eucaryotic systems that they may effect the unique properties of this slow virus.
Defects in the cytochrome bc1 complex in mitochondrial diseases.

The clinical and biochemical findings of 14 patients with an isolated defect of thebc 1 complex have been summarized. The heterogeneity of this group of disorders reflects the severity and tissue specific expression of the defect and the complexity of this multisubunit protein with components that are coded on both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. The data on several patients with a combined defect of cytochrome oxidase and thebc 1 complex or with multiple respiratory chain defects have also been presented and discussed in relation to our knowledge of the biosynthesis and assembly of the respiratory chain complexes. The severity of the defectin vivo is illustrated in one patient with isolated complex III deficiency by measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 production following exercise, or by31P-NMR. The latter also provides a means by which response to therapy can be followed.
Towards automation of colour/weave selection in Jacquard designs: model verification through visual assessment

A geometric model combined with a colour model to predict the colour contribution of each pre-coloured yarn in terms of colour attributes of each area of a Jacquard pattern was developed. To validate the predicted calculations (colorimetric data), a visual assessment experiment was conducted to evaluate the difference between predicted and the actual colour appearance of the woven pattern. The results from the psychophysical evaluation of the woven samples and their predicted colour values showed high correlation between the predicted and experimental data. Therefore, the model has potential to eliminate subjective evaluations and reduce prototype sample production by automating the process of weave/colour simulation.
The Nutrition of Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acarina: Macrochelidae) in Relation to Its Predatory Action on the House Fly Egg

The effects of substrates, livestock feed additives, pH, temperature, and relative humidity were studied as factors having possible influence on the reproduction of Macrocheles museaedomesticae (Scopoli). When fresh steer manure was air-dried and ground, and used as a substrate, together with 10% soybean oil meal and frozen house fly eggs as food, at 80° F. and 55 to 60% relative humidity, this species produced 4 to 5 progeny per female mite per day. Individually reared fertilized females produced up to 25 eggs per day. Used fly larval media appeared promising as a substrate for the mites. This species was found capable of ingesting semisolids. House fly eggs were soaked in an isotonic solution of carnitine; certain levels of carnitine improved mite reproduction. Biological control tests in the laboratory showed that the amount of predation varied with the type of substrate and periods between feedings. Female mites starved for periods greater than 3o hours did not generally effect a greater predation than those starved for 24 to 36 hours. A mean of 19.8 eggs per mite was destroyed when eggs and mites were in contact for 24 hours on filter paper. Conditioned CSMA fly larval media and used fly larval media effected similar predation. When the substrate was ground steer manure, predation dropped to 8.5 eggs per mite. When fresh steer manure was used under semi-field conditions, predation was approximately 5 to 6 eggs per mite.
Dynamics of embryonic pancreas development using real-time imaging.

Current knowledge about developmental processes in complex organisms has relied almost exclusively on analyses of fixed specimens. However, organ growth is highly dynamic, and visualization of such dynamic processes, e.g. real-time tracking of cell movement and tissue morphogenesis, is becoming increasingly important. Here, we use live imaging to investigate expansion of the embryonic pancreatic epithelium in mouse. Using time-lapse imaging of tissue explants in culture, fluorescently labeled pancreatic epithelium was found to undergo significant expansion accompanied by branching. Quantification of the real-time imaging data revealed lateral branching as the predominant mode of morphogenesis during epithelial expansion. Live imaging also allowed documentation of dynamic s-cell formation and migration. During in vitro growth, appearance of newly formed s-cells was visualized using pancreatic explants from MIP-GFP transgenic animals. Migration and clustering of s-cells were recorded for the first time using live imaging. Total s-cell mass and concordant aggregation increased during the time of imaging, demonstrating that cells were clustering to form “pre-islets”. Finally, inhibition of Hedgehog signaling in explant cultures led to a dramatic increase in total s-cell mass, demonstrating application of the system in investigating roles of critical embryonic signaling pathways in pancreas development including s-cell expansion. Thus, pancreas growth in vitro can be documented by live imaging, allowing visualization of the developing pancreas in real-time.
Time-dependent land uplift and subsidence in the Santa Clara valley, California, from a large interferometric synthetic aperture radar data set

[1] We invert 115 differential interferograms derived from 47 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) scenes for a time-dependent deformation signal in the Santa Clara valley, California. The time-dependent deformation is calculated by performing a linear inversion that solves for the incremental range change between SAR scene acquisitions. A nonlinear range change signal is extracted from the ERS InSAR data without imposing a model of the expected deformation. In the Santa Clara valley, cumulative land uplift is observed during the period from 1992 to 2000 with a maximum uplift of 41 ± 18 mm centered north of Sunnyvale. Uplift is also observed east of San Jose. Seasonal uplift and subsidence dominate west of the Silver Creek fault near San Jose with a maximum peak-to-trough amplitude of ∼35 mm. The pattern of seasonal versus long-term uplift provides constraints on the spatial and temporal characteristics of water-bearing units within the aquifer. The Silver Creek fault partitions the uplift behavior of the basin, suggesting that it acts as a hydrologic barrier to groundwater flow. While no tectonic creep is observed along the fault, the development of a low-permeability barrier that bisects the alluvium suggests that the fault has been active since the deposition of Quaternary units.
Using word processor macros for computer-assisted qualitative analysis

Keyboard macros used with microcomputer word processors can assist in some of the routine and repetitive aspects of recording and analyzing qualitative materials. Keyboard macros are recorded sequences of computer instructions that can be repeated on command. Defining and using these macros do not require programming knowledge when using the macro facilities of many applications programs such as word processors and special macro processing programs. Macros can assist qualitative researchers both in recording their fieldnotes and in managing and analyzing them.
Density-dependent processes influencing the evolutionary dynamics of dispersal: a functional analysis of seed dispersal in Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae)

We conducted a functional analysis of seed dispersal and its plasticity in response to density in Arabidopsis thaliana by growing morphologically diverse ecotypes under high and low density and measuring seed dispersion patterns under controlled conditions. Maternal plant architectural traits such as height and branching, and fruit traits such as dehiscence and silique length influenced various measures of seed dispersion patterns, including the average dispersal distance, kurtosis of the seed dispersion pattern, and post-dispersal seed density. The density at which plants grew determined which traits influenced dispersal. A change in density would therefore change which maternal characters would be subjected to natural selection through selection on dispersal. Density-mediated maternal effects on dispersal contributed to a negative correlation between parents and offspring for sibling density after dispersal, which could impede the response to selection on post-dispersal sibling density. Plant traits that influenced dispersal also influenced maternal fitness- sometimes opposing selection on dispersal and sometimes augmenting it-and the direction of the relationship sometimes depended on density. These density-dependent relationships between plant traits, dispersal, and maternal fitness can increase or reduce evolutionary constraints on dispersal, depending on the trait and depending on post-dispersal density itself.
An estimate of the equilibrium dissociation constant for calcium as an antagonist of evoked acetylcholine release: implications for excitation-secretion coupling.

The equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) for Ca(2+) as an antagonist of evoked acetylcholine (ACh) release was determined in the hope of distinguishing whether divalent cations control excitation-secretion coupling selectively (by binding with high affinity to an external membrane site) or non-selectively (by screening fixed negative charges on the external surface of the nerve terminal). ACh release was detected electrophysiologically by means of conventional intracellular recording techniques at frog motor endplates. Ba(2+) was used as the agonist to support the asynchronous release of ACh by repetitive motor nerve impulses. Despite its dispersed nature, release mediated by Ba(2+) occurs through the same conductance pathway as synchronous release mediated by Ca(2+). Ca(2+) was found to be a potent antagonist of Ba(2+)-dependent release with a K(d)=0.12+/-0.02 mM (mean+/-s.e. mean, n=5). This value is 30-50 times lower than the K(d) for Mg(2+) as an antagonist of the same release process. It is suggested that antagonism of release by Ca(2+) is likely to be exerted at the same external site that binds other divalent cation antagonists, a site that appears essential for the agonist behaviour of Ca(2+). The high affinity (low K(d)) of Ca(2+) as an antagonist of ACh release suggests that a selective, binding model appears to be the most appropriate single description of the action of divalent cations at the external surface of the motor nerve ending.
Modeling non‐Gaussian reflectivities: Generalizing Wiener‐Levinson deconvolution

Non‐Gaussian modeling is used to generalize Wiener—Levinson (WL) deconvolution and to obtain a procedure that is more robust to nonstationarities in the reflectivity and to correlated noise. This generalization can lead to up to a 60% reduction in the dynamic range of the residual wavelet’s amplitude response and in the rms error of phase estimates. In addition, it reduces to WL deconvolution when the reflectivity is Gaussian or when noise masks the nonstationary features of the reflectivity.
Instructional practices related to prospective elementary school teachers’ motivation for fractions

This study was undertaken in order to better understand prospective elementary school teachers’ motivations for working with fractions before and after taking a course designed to deepen their understanding of mathematics, as well as what instructional practices might be related to any changes detected in their motivations. Eighty-five education students were given a motivation questionnaire at the beginning and end of the semester, and observations were made of the 9 days when fractions were taught. Three levels of teacher data were collected to understand instructional practices. Students’ ratings of the importance and usefulness of fractions (value), self-concept of ability, and anxiety were near the center of the scale at pre-test, with only value in the desired direction. At posttest, value and self-concept of ability increased while anxiety decreased, but these changes differed somewhat by instructor. In particular, reform-oriented practices, such as engaging students in high-level discourse, seemed to be associated with lowered anxiety.