cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Indian Gaming and Tribal Revenue Allocation Plans: Socio-Economic Determinants of Policy Adoption

Abstract As the Indian gaming industry has experienced unprecedented growth over the past two decades, tribes have pursued different paths regarding the utilization of gaming revenues within parameters established by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Since 1993, more than 100 tribes have received approval through the Department of the Interior to distribute revenues directly to tribal members through per capita payments governed by a Tribal Revenue Allocation Plan (RAP). This paper improves our understanding of nations with payment plans by exploring whether socio-economic tribal features are associated with the successful adoption of a RAP. We find that tribes who gained approval of a RAP in the 1990s have higher per capita incomes, while also having smaller populations and lower levels of educational attainment. Population is the strongest predictor of RAP adoptions in both the 1990s and 2000s, with the impact of other tribal features being less meaningful in explaining adoption in the second decade.
It Didn't Happen Here: Why Socialism Failed in the United States. By Seymour Martin Lipset and Gary Marks. New York: W. W. Norton, 2000. 379p. $26.95 cloth, $14.95 paper.

Although It Didn't Happen Here addresses a rather familiar question—Why is there no socialism in the United States?—this is an exciting book. Its central chapters discuss the major explanations for American “exceptionalism” that have been proposed over the past century—namely, the distinctive character of U.S. political institutions, the ethnic heterogeneity of the nation's population, the divisions between labor unions and the socialist party, the sectarianism of American socialists, the repression that radicals encountered, etc. Political scientists will find the topics of many of these chapters familiar too.
Improvements in HMM Adaptation for Handwriting Recognition Using Writer Identification and Duration Adaptation

This paper presents two techniques for improving adaptation of hidden Markov models (HMMs) for offline handwriting recognition. The first technique uses a novel writer identification algorithm to select training data for adapting writer-dependent models. This helps us get enough annotated samples for adaptation when the writers of test samples are known to have written some manuscripts in the training set. The second technique adapts the transition probabilities of the HMM using estimated mean of model durations from the initial decoding. Experimental results show significant improvements over the standard unsupervised parameter adaptation in our handwriting recognition system.
A Ganglioside-Specific Sialyltransferase Localizes to Axons and Non-Golgi Structures in Neurons

To investigate the tissue distribution and subcellular localization of ST3GalV (CMP-NeuAc:lactosylceramide alpha2,3 sialyltransferase/GM3 synthase) in the adult mouse, we generated two antisera against mouse ST3GalV that were designated CS2 (directed against amino acids K227-I272) and CS14 (directed against amino acids D308-H359). We previously reported that CS2 antiserum stains medial and trans-Golgi cisternae in all cell types investigated. In neural tissue, however, CS14 antiserum reveals a subpopulation of ST3GalV with a subcellular distribution complementary to CS2 antiserum. CS14 antiserum strongly stains axons in cortical, cerebellar, brainstem, and spinal cord tissue sections. The subcellular localization of neuronal ST3GalV is maintained in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons and in PC12 cells. In PC12 cells, ST3GalV localization evolves during NGF-induced differentiation such that a pool of enzyme leaves the Golgi for a distal compartment in conjunction with neurite outgrowth. In PC12 cells transfected with an epitope-tagged form of ST3GalV, staining for the epitope tag coincides with expression of endogenous enzyme. The non-Golgi pool of ST3GalV does not colocalize with markers for the trans-Golgi network, endosome, or synaptic vesicles, nor is it detected on the cell surface. Distinct subpopulations of ST3GalV imply that ganglioside synthesis can occur outside of the Golgi or, alternatively, that a portion of the total ST3GalV pool subserves a nonenzymatic function. Significantly fewer transfected cells were found in PC12 cultures treated with plasmid encoding ST3GalV than in cultures treated with control plasmid, indicating that the expression of ST3GalV in excess of endogenous levels results in either cell death or a decreased rate of cell division.
Fluoroquinolones and Anaerobes

The usefulness of fluoroquinolones for the treatment of mixed aerobic and anaerobic infections has been investigated since these agents started being used in clinical practice. Newer compounds have increased in vitro activity against anaerobes, but clinically relevant susceptibility breakpoints for these bacteria have not been established. Pharmacodynamic analyses and corroboration by new data from clinical trials have enhanced our knowledge concerning the use of fluoroquinolones to treat selective anaerobic pathogens. These studies suggest that newer agents could be useful in the treatment of several types of mixed aerobic and anaerobic infections, including skin and soft-tissue, intra-abdominal, and respiratory infections. The major concerns with expanding the use of fluoroquinolones to treat anaerobic infections have been reports of increasing resistance in Bacteroides group isolates and the impact of these antibiotics on the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated disease.
Self‐image bias and the perception of other persons' skills

Previous research on the Self-image bias' has demonstrated a defensive tendency to overestimate the importance of positive general self-attributes (e.g. warm, patient) when forming impressions of other people. The current research replicates and extends the self-image bias findings in an area of theoretical as well as applied relevance: The evaluation of other peoples specific skills, and resulting social preferences.
Tropical plant pathology : At home and abroad

I first describe my introduction to plant pathology and early experiences with employment, the environment, diseases, pests, and various plant pathologists. Then I recount a decade of stimulating studies at the University of Minnesota and the route I followed to a career in international agriculture with the Rockefeller Foundation in Colombia and later at Cornell University. My appreciation for and knowledge of traditional farmers and sustainable agriculture occurred as a slow awakening. Comments are made regarding problems, principles, and satisfactions associated with the improvement of efforts to aid food production in developing countries. My curious love affair with root and tuber crops, especially cassava, is explained and readily defended. My favorite pathogens, Phytophthora infestans and Ralstonia solanacearum, among others, are considered. The pleasures and satisfactions of teaching, writing, and sabbatical leaves are related. Finally, thoughts on the balance between basic and applied research in plant pathology are offered with significant nervousness about the future of our discipline.
NaCl Taste Thresholds in 13 Inbred Mouse Strains

Molecular mechanisms of salty taste in mammals are not completely understood. We use genetic approaches to study these mechanisms. Previously, we developed a high-throughput procedure to measure NaCl taste thresholds, which involves conditioning mice to avoid LiCl and then examining avoidance of NaCl solutions presented in 48-h 2-bottle preference tests. Using this procedure, we measured NaCl taste thresholds of mice from 13 genealogically divergent inbred stains: 129P3/J, A/J, BALB/cByJ, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6ByJ, C57BL/6J, CBA/J, CE/J, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, NZB/BlNJ, PWK/PhJ, and SJL/J. We found substantial strain variation in NaCl taste thresholds: mice from the A/J and 129P3/J strains had high thresholds (were less sensitive), whereas mice from the BALB/cByJ, C57BL/6J, C57BL/6ByJ, CE/J, DBA/2J, NZB/BINJ, and SJL/J had low thresholds (were more sensitive). NaCl taste thresholds measured in this study did not significantly correlate with NaCl preferences or amiloride sensitivity of chorda tympani nerve responses to NaCl determined in the same strains in other studies. To examine whether strain differences in NaCl taste thresholds could have been affected by variation in learning ability or sensitivity to toxic effects of LiCl, we used the same method to measure citric acid taste thresholds in 4 inbred strains with large differences in NaCl taste thresholds but similar acid sensitivity in preference tests (129P3/J, A/J, C57BL/6J, and DBA/2J). Citric acid taste thresholds were similar in these 4 strains. This suggests that our technique measures taste quality–specific thresholds that are likely to represent differences in peripheral taste responsiveness. The strain differences in NaCl taste sensitivity found in this study provide a basis for genetic analysis of this phenotype.
Experimental Methyl Mercury Neurotoxicity: Locus of Mercurial Inhibition of Brain Protein Synthesis In Vivo and In Vitro

: Brain cell-free protein synthesis is inhibited by methyl mercury chloride (MeHg) following in vivo or in vitro administration. In this report, we have identified the locus of mercurial inhibition of translation. Intraperitoneal injection of MeHg (40 nmol/g body wt) induced variable inhibition of amino acid incorporation into the postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS) harvested from the brain of young (10-20-day-old) rats. No mercurial-induced disaggregation of brain polyribosomes nor change in the proportion of 80S monoribosomes was detected on sucrose density gradients. No difference in total RNA was found in the PMS. Initiation complex formation was stimulated by MeHg, as detected by radiolabelled methionine binding to 80S monoribosomes following continuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation. After micrococcal nuclease digestion of endogenous mRNA, both in vivo and in vitro MeHg inhibited polyuridylic acid-directed incorporation of [3H]phenylalanine. However, the in vivo inhibition was no longer observed when [3H]phenylalanyl-tRNAPhe replaced free [3H]phenylalanine in the incorporation assay. The formation of peptidyl[3H]puromycin revealed no difference from controls. There was significant mercurial inhibition of phenylalanyl-tRNAPhe synthetase activity in pH 5 enzyme fractions derived from brain PMS of MeHg-poisoned rats. These experiments revealed that the apparent MeHg inhibition of brain translation in vivo and in vitro is due primarily to perturbation in the aminoacylation of tRNA and is not associated with defective initiation, elongation, or ribosomal function.
Prevention of radiocontrast nephropathy with N-acetylcysteine in patients with chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials

Abstract Background: Radiocontrast nephropathy (RCN) is a common cause of hospital-acquired acute renal failure. Results of several studies using N -acetylcysteine (NAC) for the prevention of RCN have yielded conflicting results. We performed a meta-analysis of group data extracted from previously published studies to assess the effect of NAC on the prevention of RCN in patients with pre-existing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Ovid's multidatabase search for MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and HealthSTAR were used to identify candidate articles. Abstracts from proceedings of scientific meetings also were screened. We selected blinded and unblinded randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed in humans 18 years and older with pre-existing CKD, defined by a mean baseline serum creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL or greater (≥106.1 μmol/L) or creatinine clearance less than 70 mL/min ( P = 0.007). In a sensitivity analysis that included 4 additional RCTs published in abstract form, RR remained significant at 0.55 (95% CI, 0.34 to 0.91; P = 0.020). Conclusion: NAC reduces the risk for RCN in patients with CKD.
Statistics of random walks on trapped lattices

Abstract The theory of the long-time statistical behavior of random walkers on a lattice with randomly placed traps is reviewed. The moments [φNk], [φNk (0)] of the survival and origin return probabilities are obtained from the instanton induced branch cut in the 2k-point correlation function of a field theory. The asymptotic behaviors of these moments are Nζ(k)exp(−const · Nd/(d + 2) and NΔ(k)exp(− const · Nd + 2)). The new value of ζ(k) and Δ (k) correct previously published values.
German Folklore: A Handbook

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: James R. Dow Year: 2006 Pages: 288 Publisher: Greenwood Publishing Group ISBN: 0-313-33375-0 (hard cover). Prices: $55.00 USD(hard cover).
The evaluation and treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections.

Background: Skin and skin structure infections are frequently encountered in clinical practice. Fortunately, these infections usually produce only mild to moderate symptoms and signs. Some, however...
Persuasive Features in a Web-Based System for Weight-Loss Team Competition

Millions of Americans struggle to lose weight, and various online instruments have been developed to support them. Behavioral persuasion is an integral trait of online tools for weight loss. The goal of this study was to examine the effectiveness of persuasive features of the interaction design in a particular web-based system for weight-loss support using the Persuasive System Design (PSD) framework. In 2012, 1170 individuals competed in a web-based weight-loss challenge in a Midwestern city. Upon completion, 644 participants completed the survey to provide feedback about their experience in the competition. The survey data was analyzed to determine desired features of persuasive interaction design for weight-loss support in a web-based system. The findings of the study suggested that support in the primary task of losing weight, system feedback, and social interaction were the most preferred persuasive features that needed to be incorporated in online weight loss support systems.
Application of pre-participation cardiovascular screening guidelines to novice older runners and endurance athletes

Objectives:Despite robust growth in participation in marathons and endurance sports among older individuals, guidance regarding pre-participation cardiovascular evaluation of these athletes is lack...
Overview Of The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center Database

AbstractObjective: An evaluation of the history, design, and status of the database of the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) was undertaken to identify its continued relevance.Research Design: A systematic review was conducted of goals, content, and quality control procedures, as well as its suitability and public availability for conducting future epidemiologic and health services research.Results: The NSCISC database contains information on approximately 29,000 persons injured since 1973 and treated at any regional model spinal cord injury system within 1year of injury. The NSCISC database is structured longitudinally with data collected at discharge, 1year after injury, 5 years after injury, and every 5 years thereafter. The database includes information on demographics, injury seventy, medical complications, surgical procedures, types and amounts of therapy, length of stay, charges, and both short-term and long-term treatment outcomes. Strengths include large sample size, use of ...
Flame synthesis of high purity, nanosized crystalline silicon carbide powder

Self-propagating flames in pure silane-acetylene mixtures produce silicon carbide (SiC) powder and hydrogen as main products. Through precise control of the stoichiometry of the reactant gas mixture, it has been possible to produce white SiC at high yields. Characterization of such powders by TEM has shown that the nascent powder consists of polycrystalline hexagonal plates with a narrow size distribution (40 {+-} 7 nm diameter). Infrared spectroscopy of powders indicate microcrystalline SiC and little bound hydrogen. Chemical analysis by the ANSI method showed the powder to be >96 wt% SiC with an impurity of silica (3.9 weight%) due to air exposure of the powder. Traces (0.1 to 0.2 weight%) of both free carbon and free silicon were found. Metal impurities detected by SIMS were typically low: less than 10 ppba for aluminum, sodium, titanium and vanadium. Boron was observed at 10 ppma. Like the oxygen, the boron impurities are probably associated with exposure of the powders to the atmosphere.
Synthesis of High Molecular Weight Polymethylene via C1 Polymerization. The Role of Oxygenated Impurities and Their Influence on Polydispersity

The living C1 polymerization of sulfoxide ylides initiated by organoborane is one of the few methods for controlling the molecular weight, polydispersity, and topology of simple hydrocarbon polymers. However, the synthesis of linear hydrocarbon polymers (polymethylene) with molecular weights >50 kDa via this method often results in some erosion of polymer polydispersity (PDI 1.3–2.0). In the absence of known chain transfer or termination steps, the origin of the PDI erosion remained a mystery. Here, we report that the PDI erosion can be attributed to small quantities of a borinic ester (R2BOR) impurity that arises from the oxidation of the trialkylborane initiator/catalyst (R3B) by trace oxygen. The propagation rate of R2BOR is substantially lower than that of R3B. Since the oxidized initiator/catalyst would produce very little polymer during the course of polymerization, the low reactivity of R2BOR alone could not account for the increased PDI. However, we have found that during the course of the polymer...
Association of an Index of Healthy Aging With Incident Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in a Community-Based Sample of Older Adults

Background The healthy aging index (HAI) was developed as a marker of health in multiple systems that can identify individuals who age most successfully. Methods We calculated an HAI in 934 Framingham Offspring Study participants aged 60 or older at baseline. Heart rate and C-reactive protein (CRP) were added in modified versions of the HAI. Cox proportional hazard models were used to quantify the association of the HAI with mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer. We used fully conditional specification to multiply impute missing values for HAI components, increasing the sample size by 44%. Results Over 10 years of follow-up, there were 138 deaths, 103 incident cases of CVD, and 138 incident cases of cancer. In models adjusted for age, sex, and behavioral risk factors, the HAI was associated with mortality (hazard ratio [HR] per unit of HAI 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.36) and with CVD (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13-1.42), but not with cancer (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.91-1.11) in observed (non-missing) data. In multivariable models further adjusting for prevalent diseases, results were slightly attenuated. When including heart rate and CRP, a modified HAI gave stronger associations. Results with imputed data are similar to results from complete case analyses. Conclusions In our large community-based sample, the HAI is a strong predictor of mortality and CVD. Other factors that are strongly associated with mortality, such as heart rate and CRP can improve the ability of the HAI to identify the healthiest older adults.
Examining Treatment Climate Across Prison-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Groups

ABSTRACTBackground: With notable exceptions, few studies have looked critically at the role and effects of factors other than individual or programmatic differences that contribute to the climate within substance abuse treatment programs. De Leon's work on the therapeutic community, however, indicates that factors beyond the individual and program can contribute to the overall functioning of similarly situated communities. Objectives: In this study, we introduce and examine the concept of the “treatment group,” the level of aggregation between the individual who participates in treatment and the organization that provides it. The treatment group refers to the social context and dynamics that operate among treatment participants, and we sought to study differences in treatment climate across 12 prison-based treatment groups within a single prison. Methods: Using data from 604 participants who were assigned at random to one of the 12 groups, we analyzed differences on seven treatment climate indicators from...
Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia and Thrombocytopenia in Patients With Cancer

The unexpected occurrence of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, in a patient with cancer requires urgent diagnosis and appropriate management. TMA is a term used to describe multiple syndromes caused by microvascular thrombosis, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), Shiga toxin-mediated hemolytic uremic syndrome, and complement-mediated TMA. In patients with cancer, systemic microvascular metastases and bone marrow involvement can cause microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. This occurs most often in patients with known metastatic cancer, but microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia may occur unexpectedly in patients without known metastatic disease or be the presenting features of undiagnosed cancer. TMA may also be caused by commonly used chemotherapy agents, either through dose-dependent toxicity or an acute immune-mediated reaction. These causes of TMA must be distinguished from TTP, which results from a severe deficiency of ADAMTS13 and is the most common cause of TMA among adults without cancer. The importance of this distinction is to avoid inappropriate use of plasma exchange, which is associated with major complications. Plasma exchange is the essential treatment for TTP, but it has no known benefit for patients with cancer-induced or drug-induced TMA. We will describe cancer-induced and drug-induced TMA using the experience of the Oklahoma TTP-Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Registry and data from a systematic review of all published reports of drug-induced TMA. We will illustrate the principles of evaluation and management of these disorders with patients' stories.
In vitro production of angiotensin II by isolated glomeruli

The glomerulus has several components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of glomeruli isolated from adult Wistar-Kyoto rats to produce angiotensin II (ANG II). When isolated glomeruli were incubated in Krebs buffer, the peak concentration of immunoreactive angiotensin (ANG) in the incubation medium, representing simultaneous production and degradation, occurred after 15 min of incubation (3.98 +/- 0.34 pg.mg protein-1.15 min-1, of which 18% was ANG II. When 125I-labeled ANG II was incubated with isolated glomeruli, the half-life of ANG II was 6.06 min. Hence, we estimated ANG II production at 3.77 +/- 0.21 pg.mg protein-1.15 min-1. When angiotensinogen-rich serum was added to the incubation medium, ANG concentration at 15 min increased by 500-fold (1,978 +/- 44 pg.mg protein-1.15 min-1, P < 0.001). ANG concentration in the glomerular incubate responded to perturbations known to alter systemic RAS. Enalaprilat, chymostatin, propranolol, and renin an...
Community Engagement Scholarship, Research Universities, and the Scholarship of Integration

The definition of community engagement scholarship spans the range of research, teaching, and public service and is expressed across the spectrum of disciplines comprising the modern research university. Much of the literature on community-university engagement focuses on benefits that accrue to the community (Fitzgerald HE, Allen A, Roberts P (2010) Campus-community partnerships: perspectives on engaged research. In Fitzgerald HE, Burack C, Siefer S (eds) Handbook on engaged scholarship: Contemporary landscapes, future directions. Community-campus partnerships, vol. 2. Michigan State University Press, East Lansing, pp 5-28, 2010). In fact, engagement scholarship generates enormous benefits for higher education as well. In this chapter, we focus on engagement research and teaching and document how each exemplifies the university’s mission, while simultaneously enhancing opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to embrace the scholarship of integration. Specifically, we document how community-based research and teaching are grounded in engagement scholarship, enrich students’ educational experience, deepen the authenticity of faculty research, create sustainable research opportunities through partnerships, fuel innovations in trans-disciplinary research, and strengthen institutional stewardship. We provide examples of each of these benefits drawing on our experiences at a major public research university.
Fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone: ten new cases demonstrating the spectrum of otologic sequelae.

Fibrous dysplasia involving the temporal bone is unusual. The most common initial findings are stenosis of the external auditory canal and conductive hearing loss. The frequency of sensorineural hearing loss and facial paresis as complications of fibrous dysplasia have been poorly documented in the past. Forty-three cases of fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone previously published in the otolaryngologic literature are reviewed, and 10 new cases are reported. In addition to age, sex, and frequency of various presenting complaints, the audiometric, radiographic, and surgical data are evaluated in both groups to better describe the manifestations of disease, degree and type of hearing loss, and success of surgical intervention. In nearly 70% of cases in this study, fibrous dysplasia was monostotic. Although most patients had a conductive hearing loss, 17% of patients demonstrated profound sensorineural hearing loss ascribable to the lesion, and facial nerve sequelae were noted in nearly 10% of cases. Cholesteatoma complicated almost 40% of cases, usually in the form of a canal cholesteatoma. Ten new cases of temporal bone fibrous dysplasia are described not only to further clarify the spectrum of otologic sequelae but also to help illustrate available treatment options. In addition, this report documents, in three new cases, the previously undescribed progression of conductive hearing loss to profound sensorineural deafness secondary to fibrous dysplasia.
Wall Street’s Management of Risk: Why It Failed

A little-discussed aspect of the 2007–2008 global financial crisis has been the failure of risk management systems in a variety of large financial companies. Preceding this global crisis an extraordinary amount of money was spent on ‘risk management’ and an equally extraordinary amount of verbiage was said to shareholders and regulators about management’s focus on risks. As formal risk management systems are largely a creation of the last two decades, institutions did not have the benefit of the foresight they could provide prior to previous crashes. In addition, since 2008, two risk management system failures produced a massive bankruptcy in the case of MFGlobal and an embarrassing large loss for JPMorgan Chase’s previously successful risk management system.
Catalytic pyrolysis of pinewood using metal oxide catalysts in an integrated reactor system

ABSTRACTCatalytic fast pyrolysis is a technology that has been widely explored in the past decade for direct conversion of solid biomass to partially upgraded bio-oil containing hydrocarbons. Zeolites, both unpromoted and promoted with metal ions, have been the most widely studied catalysts. As the yield and composition of the bio-oils from catalytic pyrolysis are a function of the catalyst employed, exploring catalyst compositions other than zeolites is necessary. Our study explored metal oxide catalysts, including sulfated zirconia, tungstated zirconia, zirconia-titania and titania (anatase and rutile), for catalyzing pinewood pyrolysis vapors; pyrolysis was carried out at 450 °C, while the catalysis was performed at 425 °C, at a weight hourly space velocity of 14 h−1. The liquid, solid (char) and gas yields varied from 36.3 to 45.2%, 15.6 to 17% and 44.3 to 37.7%, respectively. The characterization of the catalyzed bio-oils showed that the most effective, among the tested catalysts, for catalyzing the ...
The Western diet's negative impact on the health of the Pacific Islands.

In an already challenging environment, the Western diet has introduced noncommunicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease to the Pacific Islands (PIC). Without modern medicine, many of these regions, including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia are ill equipped to handle the long-term effects of these noncommunicable diseases. A high percentage of the Pacific Island population is obese and overweight; and the Islands are struggling to combat the epidemic. Many programs and proposals have been implemented, such as changes in trade policy, local activism, and government modifications, but there has been no evidence of a decline in noncommunicable diseases. There is still a significant amount to be done. I argue that culturally relevant approaches in the Pacific Islands, modeled after a Native American program, could prove to be an effective solution to positive dietary changes. Introduction: Europeans colonized the Pacific Islands first, followed by the Japanese; after World War II the United States occupied the islands. Today, only American Samoa is a U.S. territory. Many islands are now independent, and some, such as, American Samoa and the French Polynesia Islands, are still territories of foreign countries. Due to foreign occupation, there has been significant change in the Pacific Island's diet over the last fifty years. As the islands modernized and started developing urban areas, the diet of the people shifted. Instead of eating traditional foods, the islanders turned to cheap imported, processed foods that were high in fats and carbohydrates. The link between
Effect of Calcaneus Fracture Gap Without Step-Off on Stress Distribution Across the Subtalar Joint.

Background:Subtalar arthritis is a common consequence following calcaneal fracture, and its development is related to the severity of the fracture. Previous calcaneal fracture models have demonstra...
The Soil Regions of Wisconsin

Several efforts have been made to stratify the soils of Wisconsin into general regions based on location (northern, eastern, central, southwestern, southeastern, western) and on broad vegetation cover (forested, prairie) and texture of the soil parent materials (sandy, loamy, silty, silty over rock, etc.). In this chapter, we follow this approach, but in subsequent chapters, our approach examines the distribution of soil taxa (orders, suborders, great groups , subgroups, families, and series) and establishes soil regions based on great groups. Here, we will follow the soil regions from Hole (1976) and modified by Madison and Gundlach (1993) shown in Fig. 2.6.
Phase II trial of bortezomib in KRAS G12D mutant lung cancers.

e19002 Background: KRAS mutations are the most common oncogenic drivers in lung cancers without any approved targeted therapy. Preclinical evidence suggests that KRAS mutations are highly dependent...
Robotic proctectomy for rectal cancer: analysis of 71 patients from a single institution

Background Despite increasing use of robotic surgery for rectal cancer, few series have been published from the practice of generalizable US surgeons. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed for 71 consecutive patients who underwent robotic low anterior resection (LAR) or abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal adenocarcinoma between 2010 and 2014. Results 46 LARs (65%) and 25 APRs (35%) were identified. Median procedure time was 219 minutes (IQR 184–275) and mean blood loss 164.9 cc (SD 155.9 cc). Radial margin was negative in 70/71 (99%) patients. Total mesorectal excision integrity was complete/near complete in 38/39 (97%) of graded specimens. A mean of 16.8 (SD+/− 8.9) lymph nodes were retrieved. At median follow-up of 21.9 months, there were no local recurrences. Conclusions Robotic proctectomy for rectal cancer was introduced into typical colorectal surgery practice by a single surgeon, with a low conversion rate, low complication rate, and satisfactory oncologic outcomes.
Disentangling User Samples: A Supervised Machine Learning Approach to Proxy-population Mismatch in Twitter Research

This study addresses the issue of sampling biases in social media data-driven communication research. The authors demonstrate how supervised machine learning could reduce Twitter sampling bias indu...
Design and implementation of DeepDSL: A DSL for deep learning

Abstract Deep Learning (DL) has found great success in well-diversified areas such as machine vision, speech recognition, and multimedia understanding. However, the state-of-the-art tools (e.g. Caffe, TensorFlow, and CNTK), are programming libraries with many dependencies and implemented in languages such as C++ that need to be compiled to a specific runtime environment and require users to install the entire tool libraries for training or inference, which limits the portability of DL applications. In this work, we introduce DeepDSL, a domain specific language (DSL) embedded in Scala, that compiles DL networks encoded with DeepDSL to efficient, compact, and portable Java source programs for DL training and inference. DeepDSL represents DL networks as abstract tensor functions, performs symbolic gradient derivations to generate Intermediate Representation (IR), optimizes the IR expressions, and translates the optimized IR expressions to Java code that runs on GPU without additional dependencies other than the necessary GPU libraries and the related invocation interfaces: a small set of JNI (Java Native Interface) wrappers. Our experiments show DeepDSL outperforms existing tools in several benchmark programs adopted from the current mainstream Deep Neural Networks (DNNs).
Seguridad y sueños en la epistemología de Sosa

In this note I examine the role of the notion of safety in Sosa's epistemology, as well as his answers to dream-based skepticism.
A study of student notetaking and software design implications

Students in higher education are now expected to gather and assimilate information from a wide variety of electronic sources-most prominently the World Wide Web-to accomplish many of their academic tasks. These tasks include downloading and annotating lecture notes, reviewing class Web pages, retrieving and posting assignments, conducting research, looking up articles and publications, etc. Unfortunately, these processes are currently not well supported by existing software applications. The research presented in this paper details our efforts towards developing a better theoretical understanding of the process of student notetaking and how it is changing in the digital age. We summarize other notable research in this area before reporting the results of initial user studies we have conducted with nine University students. We discuss the implications of these preliminary results on the future design of a Web-based electronic notebook that will help students with their evolving academic tasks, and then outline our plans for continued work in this promising and crucial research area.
How Accountants Can Creatively Push Back Against Socially-Disruptive Activist-Investors

The case of the socially disruptive breakup of the century-old Timken provides an example of how accountants could have exercised creative leadership to push back against self-interested constituencies who manipulated accounting data. Accountants can exercise creativity in educating decision makers about the uncertainty inherent in accounting estimates. Accountants can present information in a nuanced manner that will pierce the illusion that there is a single rational choice. By presenting information in a creative and nuanced manner, accountants can empower decision makers to make courageous, reasonable choices that balance financial realities with the public interest.
The Development of Social Exclusion Detection in Early Childhood: Awareness of Social Exclusion Does Not Always Align with Social Preferences

ABSTRACTStarting in the preschool years, children show socially exclusive behaviors, such as intentionally leaving out another child from a ball game. Prior research investigating social exclusion ...
Prevalence and effects of polypharmacy on overall survival in acute myeloid leukemia.

Polypharmacy, usually defined as taking ≥5 prescribed medications, increases chances of drug–drug interactions and toxicities, and may harm cancer patients who need multiple chemotherapeutic agents...
The influence of values on hard issue attitudes

In light of extensive findings that Americans lack ideological structure to their attitudes, political scientists have turned to values as a source of attitudinal constraint in the mass public. How...
Pregnancy and birth outcomes: A role for environment-epigenome interactions

Abstract The etiology of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes is multifactorial. While genetic factors play a role, exposure to environmental contaminants has also been shown to have a profound influence in some cases with support for mechanisms via the epigenome. Epigenetic mechanisms, defined as processes affecting gene expression independent of DNA sequence, are believed to link environmental contaminant exposures to various phenotypes. In this chapter, we will summarize the current evidence for organic and inorganic exposures in relation to epigenetic modifications underlying selected pathologies. The role of other environmental factors such as psychosocial stressors will also be considered as maternal exposures can strongly affect the fetal environment. Supporting data will be drawn from animal and human studies and will emphasize developmental windows of susceptibility.
Espinoza, Lady of Guadalupe, and Little Sisters of the Poor on Religious Liberty

Three major cases this year address the emerging redefinition of the religion clauses of the First Amendment and the constitutional meaning of the separation of church and state. In a string of recent rulings on the interplay of the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses, the Court has ruled that religious organizations cannot be excluded from funding awarded to similar secular groups (Trinity Lutheran in 2017); that states cannot show hostility toward religious citizens (Masterpiece Cakeshop in 2018); and that historical religious monuments do not violate the Establishment Clause (American Legion in 2019). Espinoza, Lady of Guadalupe, and Little Sisters of the Poor ask whether religious liberty will be expanded further or whether states can exclude religious schools from scholarship programs offered to secular private schools, regulate employment decisions of religious schools, or mandate contraceptive coverage in health plans for religious institutions.
Sustainability evaluation for early design (SEED) framework for energy use, embodied carbon, cost, and daylighting assessment

Given climate change and rapid global development, buildings must meet increasingly stringent environmental performance goals. Although numerous building simulation software assess energy performan...
Active Incoherent Millimeter-Wave Imaging of Dielectric Objects

Active incoherent millimeter-wave (AIM) imaging is a recently developed technique that utilizes the transmission of noise waveforms and a sparse receiving array to form imagery. By cross-correlating the received signal pairwise, the receiving array samples the scene in the spatial frequency domain. Thus, the image can be reconstructed using an inverse Fourier transform from a sufficient set of spatial frequency samples. This technique enables the use of incoherent signals that are unlikely to interfere with other systems and a sparse receiving array, minimizing millimeter-wave hardware compared to phased arrays and focal-plane imagers. In this paper we demonstrate the first measurements of dielectric objects using AIM imaging. Using three 37 GHz noise transmitters and a Y-shaped 16-element receiving array, we demonstrate two-dimensional image reconstruction of two dielectric objects in a laboratory environment.
Interpersonal Synchrony Protocol for Cooperative Team Dynamics During Competitive E-Gaming

The performance of a team is tightly connected to how well its members communicate and collaborate while working towards shared objectives, a process known as group cognition. In competitive team sports, strategic and efficient coordination between team members often makes the difference between success and failure. Professional e-sport gaming, in particular, requires competitors to engage in quick decision making, strategic thinking, and fast reaction times in order to outmaneuver the opposing team. Interpersonal neural synchrony (INS) is one proposed mechanism by which team members may achieve mutual understanding necessary for successful teaming. However, it is unknown how such measures relate to team performance and how they are affected by gaming environments (in-person vs. remote gameplay). Here, we describe a study protocol aiming to investigate the relationship between inter-individual neurophysiological measures and successful teamwork of two-player teams in Overwatch, a competitive team-based first-person shooter (FPS). The objective of this study design is to relate behavioral and subjective measures of team performance with underlying neural and physiological activity during both in-person and remote sessions of cooperative gameplay.
Real-time TWOS spectroscopy with sub-GHz resolution and high sensitivity

A real-time spectroscopic technique called time-wavelength optical sampling (TWOS) is investigated. TWOS combines the concepts of time-stretch spectroscopy (TSS) and ultrafast optical sampling to address some of the challenges facing the conventional TSS, such as its overreliance on detector speed and the inherent tradeoff between spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Using optical sampling by laser cavity tuning (OSCAT), a spectral resolution of 710 MHz has been achieved in the 1.5 µm wavelength range. A 15-dB improvement in low-power tolerance and a frame rate as high as 2 kHz for real-time measurement are also demonstrated. This work sets the benchmark performance for TWOS spectroscopy and thereby lays out a path towards practical applications of this new technique.
Curved Empty Space-Time As the Building Material of the Physical World: An Assessment

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the basic ideas of geometrodynamics and its recent developments. It appraises the geometrical picture of nature considering for the first time as to the nature of electricity. The geometrodynamical kind of electricity is a property of curved empty space, not a mystical magical jelly immersed in space. In addition, the geometrodynamical kind of electric charge can take on any value, whereas the electrical charges in nature are quantized to multiples of the electronic charge. This concept of a geometrodynamical universe is almost a century old, and the equations that Einstein has discovered to describe such a universe are more than half a century old. Therefore, it might seem reasonable to have arrived at a definite verdict for or against this description of nature. However, the past few years have seen an extraordinary spurt of new development in “general relativity” or “geometrodynamics” and an entirely new assessment of the present position is required.
MOSAiCS-HMM: A Model-Based Approach for Detecting Regions of Histone Modifications from ChIP-Seq Data

Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) experiments are routinely utilized for studying epigenomics of transcriptional regulation. We review some of the important statistical issues in the analysis of these experiments and extend our previous model for the analysis of ChIP-seq data of transcription factors, named MOSAiCS, with a hidden Markov model architecture (MOSAiCS-HMM). MOSAiCS-HMM provides a model-based approach for modeling read counts in histone modification ChIP-seq experiments and accounts for the spatial dependence in their ChIP-seq profiles. In addition, its R package implementation provides many functionality for summarizing these data and generating files that can be directly uploaded to the UCSC genome browser.
TRIzol and Alu qPCR-based quantification of metastatic seeding within the skeleton

Current methods for detecting disseminated tumor cells in the skeleton are limited by expense and technical complexity. We describe a simple and inexpensive method to quantify, with single cell sensitivity, human metastatic cancer in the mouse skeleton, concurrently with host gene expression, using TRIzol-based DNA/RNA extraction and Alu sequence qPCR amplification. This approach enables precise quantification of tumor cells and corresponding host gene expression during metastatic colonization in xenograft models.
Effects of Climate Variability and Change on Mountain Water Resources in the Western U.S.

The western U.S. derives its water resources predominantly from cold season precipitation and storage in snowpack along the narrow Cascades and Sierra ranges, and the Rocky Mountains. Hydroclimate is modulated by the diverse orographic features across the region. Precipitation and runoff generally peak during winter and spring respectively, whereas water demand is highest during the summer. Such phase differences between water supply and demand create a necessity for water management, which is reflected by major developments of reservoirs and dams that regulate irrigation, hydropower production, and flood control during the past 50 years. Because water resources have been essential to the economic development and environmental well being of the western states, it raises concerns when recent studies suggest that global warming may exert significant impacts on snowpack and streamflow, which may seriously affect water resources in the western U.S. in the 21st century (e.g. Leung and Ghan 1999; Leung and Wigmosta 1999; Mile et al. 2000; Leung et al. 2003a; Miller and Kim 2000).
The Proliferation of Courts and Tribunals: Piecing Together the Puzzle

Questions have arisen concerning whether the coherence of international law is threatened by the increasing number of third party forums that decide disputes in accordance with international law. Many believe that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and its predecessor, the Permanent Court of International Justice have functioned as the supreme court of international law. This is inaccurate but those judgments and opinions are highly influential even beyond the specific cases before the International Court. Some question whether the current trend in international relations to establish additional third party dispute settlement forums might prejudice the coherence of international law. A large number of such forums may create a cacophony of views that would damage the prestige of the ICJ and undermine efforts to promote the effectiveness of international law. Additional forums may not necessarily have a deleterious effect on the international legal system. Rather, they could help to expand the application of international law to disputes not likely to come before the ICJ and may provide additional opportunities to develop the law without undermining its legitimacy.