cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early cancellation:an active NIC optimization for time-warp

Parallel Discrete Event Simulation (PDES) on a cluster of workstations is a fine grained application where the communication performance can dictate the effiency of the simulation. The high performance Local/System Area Networks used in high-end clusters are capable of delivering data with high bandwidth and low latency. Unfortunately, the communication rate far out-paces the capabilities of workstation nodes to handle it (I/0 bus, memory bus, CPU resources). For this reason, many vendors are offering a programmable processor on the NIC to allow application specific optimization of the communication path. This invites a new implementation model for distributed applications where: (i) application specific communication optimizations can be implemented on the NIC; (ii) portions of the application that are most heavily communicating can be migrated to the NIC; (iii) some messages can be filtered out at the NIC without burdening the primary processor resources; and (iv) critical events are detected and handled early. The aim of our research is to investigate the utility of this model for PDES and to gain initial experiences in the implementation challenges and potential performance improvement. In this paper, we present our experiences with Early Cancellation --- an optimization for Time-Warp that cancels messages in place upon early discovery of a rollback. We believe that there is a large scope for additional optimizations using this model.
Metabolic regulation of type III secretion gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Type III secretion-mediated cytotoxicity is one of the key virulence mechanisms of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Prior data from several laboratories have established that metabolism is a key factor in the regulation of type III secretion gene expression in P. aeruginosa. Here we use a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS)-based approach to investigate expression of type III secretion genes at a single-cell level. The data demonstrate that the metabolic state regulates the percentage of cells that are able to induce type III secretion gene expression under inducing conditions. We also present evidence that this regulation is the result of an effect of the growth conditions on the ability of P. aeruginosa to assemble a functional type III secretion apparatus. Preliminary data suggest that the metabolite that controls type III secretion gene expression is derived from acetyl-CoA and that this regulation may, in part, be mediated by changes in the intracellular concentration of cyclic-AMP.
A new and efficient partitioning algorithm: genetic partitioning

A novel and efficient partitioning algorithm, called genetic partitioning, utilizing genetic algorithms is presented. Genetic partitioning has the capability of (1) climbing uphill with respect to the best solution and (2) implicit parallel processing due to population inherent in genetic algorithms. Two circuits are examined. The results of the first circuit are optimal in 85% of the cases when compared with those obtained using the exhaustive search approach. Genetic partitioning is competitive with simulated annealing in speed, as verified by the second circuit. >
The Gene Silencing Transcription Factor REST Represses miR-132 Expression in Hippocampal Neurons Destined to Die

The gene silencing transcription factor REST [repressor element 1 silencing transcription factor]/NRSF (neuron-restrictive silencer factor) actively represses a large array of coding and noncoding neuron-specific genes important to synaptic plasticity including miR-132. miR-132 is a neuron-specific microRNA and plays a pivotal role in synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity and structural remodeling. However, a role for miR-132 in neuronal death is not, as yet, well-delineated. Here we show that ischemic insults promote REST binding and epigenetic remodeling at the miR-132 promoter and silencing of miR-132 expression in selectively vulnerable hippocampal CA1 neurons. REST occupancy was not altered at the miR-9 or miR-124a promoters despite the presence of repressor element 1 sites, indicating REST target specificity. Ischemia induced a substantial decrease in two marks of active gene transcription, dimethylation of lysine 4 on core histone 3 (H3K4me2) and acetylation of lysine 9 on H3 (H3K9ac) at the miR-132 promoter. RNAi-mediated depletion of REST in vivo blocked ischemia-induced loss of miR-132 in insulted hippocampal neurons, consistent with a causal relation between activation of REST and silencing of miR-132. Overexpression of miR-132 in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons or delivered directly into the CA1 of living rats by means of the lentiviral expression system prior to induction of ischemia afforded robust protection against ischemia-induced neuronal death. These findings document a previously unappreciated role for REST-dependent repression of miR-132 in the neuronal death associated with global ischemia and identify a novel therapeutic target for amelioration of the neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits associated with ischemic stroke.
Comparative shotgun proteomics using spectral count data and quasi-likelihood modeling.

Shotgun proteomics provides the most powerful analytical platform for global inventory of complex proteomes using liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (LC−MS/MS) and allows a global analysis of protein changes. Nevertheless, sampling of complex proteomes by current shotgun proteomics platforms is incomplete, and this contributes to variability in assessment of peptide and protein inventories by spectral counting approaches. Thus, shotgun proteomics data pose challenges in comparing proteomes from different biological states. We developed an analysis strategy using quasi-likelihood Generalized Linear Modeling (GLM), included in a graphical interface software package (QuasiTel) that reads standard output from protein assemblies created by IDPicker, an HTML-based user interface to query shotgun proteomic data sets. This approach was compared to four other statistical analysis strategies: Student t test, Wilcoxon rank test, Fisher’s Exact test, and Poisson-based GLM. We analyzed the performance of t...
Animal models for muscular dystrophy: valuable tools for the development of therapies

Since the identification of dystrophin as the causative factor in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an increasing amount of information on the molecular basis of muscular dystrophies has facilitated the division of these heterogeneous disorders into distinct groups. As more light is being shed on the genes and proteins involved in muscular dystrophy, diagnosis of patients has improved enormously. In addition to naturally occurring animal models, a number of genetically engineered murine models for muscular dystrophy have been generated. These animal models have provided valuable clues to the understanding of the pathogenesis of these disorders. Furthermore, as therapeutic approaches are being developed, mutant animals represent good models in which they can be tested. The present review focuses on the recent advancements of gene transfer-based strategies, with a special emphasis on animal models for Duchenne and limb-girdle muscular dystrophies.
Polymerization-based signal amplification under ambient conditions with thirty-five second reaction times

Although polymerization-based amplification (PBA) has demonstrated promise as an inexpensive technique for use in molecular diagnostics, oxygen inhibition of radical photopolymerization has hindered its implementation in point-of-care devices. The addition of 0.3–0.7 μM eosin to an aqueous acrylate monomer solution containing a tertiary amine allows an interfacial polymerization reaction to proceed in air only near regions of a test surface where additional eosin initiators coupled to proteins have been localized as a function of molecular recognition events. The dose of light required for the reaction is inversely related to eosin concentration. This system achieves sensitivities comparable to those reported for inert gas-purged systems and requires significantly shorter reaction times. We provide several comparisons of this system with other implementations of polymerization-based amplification.
Managing Mayhem: Conflict, Environment, and Subsistence in the Andean Late Intermediate Period, Puno, Peru

Warfare profoundly shaped the trajectory of life in the Lake Titicaca Basin, Peru, during the Late Intermediate Period (1100–1450 C.E.). A long drought and new social tensions amplified subsistence stresses for LIP peoples. Recent archaeological research at Ayawiri, one of the largest fortresses in the western Titicaca Basin, has allowed us to investigate different strategies for mitigating risk prioritized during the LIP. Integrating paleoethnobotanical data, spatial analysis, and other archaeological findings, we elicit risk management strategies employed by agropastoral residents of Ayawiri during the Late Intermediate Period. Our preliminary results indicate that the threat of attack was an overriding concern to the people of Ayawiri, influencing their decisions to prioritize safety at the expense of increasing environmental risks and local social stress. Finally, we offer general insight into the context of trade-offs people made between social and environmental risks in their production and consumption of food.
Local causal discovery of direct causes and effects

We focus on the discovery and identification of direct causes and effects of a target variable in a causal network. State-of-the-art causal learning algorithms generally need to find the global causal structures in the form of complete partial directed acyclic graphs (CPDAG) in order to identify direct causes and effects of a target variable. While these algorithms are effective, it is often unnecessary and wasteful to find the global structures when we are only interested in the local structure of one target variable (such as class labels). We propose a new local causal discovery algorithm, called Causal Markov Blanket (CMB), to identify the direct causes and effects of a target variable based on Markov Blanket Discovery. CMB is designed to conduct causal discovery among multiple variables, but focuses only on finding causal relationships between a specific target variable and other variables. Under standard assumptions, we show both theoretically and experimentally that the proposed local causal discovery algorithm can obtain the comparable identification accuracy as global methods but significantly improve their efficiency, often by more than one order of magnitude.
Managerial Risk Incentives and Strategic Risk-Taking in IT

This study examines how the risk-taking motives of top managers drives risk-taking in IT implementations. We use the risk incentives provided in managerial compensation to capture top managers’ risk-taking motives, and develop measures of aggressive IT implementation to capture strategic risk-taking in IT. Our analysis provides empirical evidence that managerial risk incentives drive aggressive IT implementations. We also consider how firm diversification may influence the relationship between managerial risk incentives and aggressive IT implementations. Our findings suggest that the relationship between managerial risk incentives and aggressive IT implementations is stronger in focal firms’ secondary business areas than in their primary business areas. The implication is that diversification provides risk-seeking managers more opportunities for IT risk-taking and allows them to reallocate their risk-taking initiatives in the business areas that are less familiar to them.
MAE and MAI: Lightweight Annotation and Adjudication Tools

MAE and MAI are lightweight annotation and adjudication tools for corpus creation. DTDs are used to define the annotation tags and attributes, including extent tags, link tags, and non-consuming tags. Both programs are written in Java and use a stand-alone SQLite database for storage and retrieval of annotation data. Output is in stand-off XML.
Current and Future Perspectives on the Development, Evaluation, and Application of in Silico Approaches for Predicting Toxicity.

Exploiting non-testing approaches to predict toxicity early in the drug discovery development cycle is a helpful component in minimizing expensive drug failures due to toxicity being identified in late development or even during clinical trials. Changes in regulations in the industrial chemicals and cosmetics sectors in recent years have prompted a significant number of advances in the development, application, and assessment of non-testing approaches, such as (Q)SARs. Many efforts have also been undertaken to establish guiding principles for performing read-across within category and analogue approaches. This review offers a perspective, as taken from these sectors, of the current status of non-testing approaches, their evolution in light of the advances in high-throughput approaches and constructs such as adverse outcome pathways, and their potential relevance for drug discovery. It also proposes a workflow for how non-testing approaches could be practically integrated within testing and assessment stra...
Federal Tax Reform and Its Potential Effects on Saving

In this report, Esenwein examines the potential effects on U.S. saving rates of the two tax reform plans proposed by the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform.
Observations of bubbles in natural seep flares at MC 118 and GC 600 using in situ quantitative imaging

This paper reports the results of quantitative imaging using a stereoscopic, high-speed camera system at two natural gas seep sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico during the Gulf Integrated Spill Research G07 cruise in July 2014. The cruise was conducted on the E/V Nautilus using the ROV Hercules for in situ observation of the seeps as surrogates for the behavior of hydrocarbon bubbles in subsea blowouts. The seeps originated between 890 and 1190 m depth in Mississippi Canyon block 118 and Green Canyon block 600. The imaging system provided qualitative assessment of bubble behavior (e.g., breakup and coalescence) and verified the formation of clathrate hydrate skins on all bubbles above 1.3 m altitude. Quantitative image analysis yielded the bubble size distributions, rise velocity, total gas flux, and void fraction, with most measurements conducted from the seafloor to an altitude of 200 m. Bubble size distributions fit well to lognormal distributions, with median bubble sizes between 3 and 4.5 mm. Measurements of rise velocity fluctuated between two ranges: fast-rising bubbles following helical-type trajectories and bubbles rising about 40% slower following a zig-zag pattern. Rise speed was uncorrelated with hydrate formation, and bubbles following both speeds were observed at both sites. Ship-mounted multibeam sonar provided the flare rise heights, which corresponded closely with the boundary of the hydrate stability zone for the measured gas compositions. The evolution of bubble size with height agreed well with mass transfer rates predicted by equations for dirty bubbles.
MULTICENTER EVALUATION OF CHARGES, LENGTH OF STAY AND MORTALITY DURING HOSPITALIZATION AFTER PEDIATRIC OPEN-HEART SURGERY ATTRIBUTABLE TO ADVERSE PATIENT-CARE EVENTS

We sought to determine charges, lengths of stay (LOS) and mortality attributable to adverse patient-care events (APC) during hospitalization after pediatric open-heart surgery. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality pediatric-specific quality indicators (PQI: 8 events) were used to identify
Transformation Plasticity and Transformation Toughening in Mg-PSZ and Ce-TZP

The constitutive behavior of transformation plasticity in single phase fine grain Ce-TZP and polyphase coarse grain Mg-PSZ was studied. A material independent pressure sensitivity and a microstructure dependent strain rate sensitivity and temperature sensitivity were found to be associated with the transformation yield stress. Autocatalysis of various extent operates in all cases, forming broad macroscopic shear bands in TZP and fine crystallographic slip bands which terminate at grain boundaries in PSZ. Transformation plasticity is apparently athermal near the M b temperature in TZP, but not in PSZ except in brittle fracture. A strong crystallographic texture of the transformed phase develops during deformation. These results are analyzed in terms of a shear-dilatant yield criterion and a rate equation which account for stress assistance in martensitic transformation. An elastic-plastic fracture mechanical model is developed to estimate both the shear and dilatation contributions to the transformation plastic work in the crack tip plastic zone. On the basis of approximately equal shear and dilatation contributions to transformation plasticity, the model predicts a transformation zone height which is four times that of the previous model, and a toughness increment which is two times that of the previous model. These predictions are found in good agreement with the reported toughness-zone size relationship. The effect of temperature and chemical stability on toughness is also rationalized.
Synergism of insecticides in tests with resistant soybean looper larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the laboratory and field

The F1 generation of several field-collected strains of soybean looper larvae, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), were tested for synergism of permethrin by piperonyl butoxide (PB) and S, S, S tributylphosphorotrithioate (DEF) in 1992. The synergism of permethrin and methomyl by PB was tested in 1993. Permethrin was completely synergized by 10 µg PB per larva in strains from Louisiana; these strains were 2.7-14.1-fold resistant. Permethrin toxicity was increased 8.6-fold by 10 µg PB per larva in a strain from Texas, which was 14.8-fold resistant. Toxicity was increased only 4.6- and 7.5-fold by 10 and 20 g µPB per larva, respectively, in a Puerto Rico strain; this strain had the highest reported level of permethrin resistance (426.6-fold). We observed no significant synergism of permethrin in any of the strains tested with DEF. Methomyl was synergized to a lesser degree than permethrin by PB in a strain from Louisiana. Field trials were conducted in 1992 and 1993 in soybean in Louisiana with 0.11 kg AI/ha permethrin and several rates of PB. Soybean looper control with permethrin + 1.12 kg Al/ha PB was comparable to that achieved with the current recommended standard insecticide, thiodicarb, at 0.50 kg(AI)/ha, and significantly greater than that achieved with permethrin alone.
Computational Aeroacoustics Prediction of Acoustic Transmission Through a Realistic 2D Stator

The NASA Glenn Research Center Broadband Aeroacoustic Stator Simulation (BASS) code is extended for use in the prediction of acoustic transmission through realistic 2D stators. The NASA/GE Source Diagnostics Test (SDT) baseline fan configuration is used. A simple harmonic acoustic plane wave is imposed at the inflow boundary and is transmitted through the loaded stator. Parametric results are shown for the eects of loading and stator geometry.
SSB taxes and diet quality in US preschoolers: estimated changes in the 2010 Healthy Eating Index.

Summary Background Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been proposed as a strategy to combat child obesity. Yet it is unclear how a tax on SSBs might influence the overall quality of diet in preschool children. Thus, we use simulated price increases and the 2010 Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) to explore the relationship between SSB taxes and diet quality in preschool children. Methods Price and purchase data from the 2009–2012 Nielsen Homescan Panel and a two-part marginal effects model were used to estimate relative changes in purchases with a 20% increase in the price of SSBs. Demand elasticities were applied to dietary intake data for children ages 2–5 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009–2010 and 2011–2012) to estimate the impact of a 20% SSB tax on dietary intake and quality (HEI-2010). Results A 20% increase in the price of SSBs was associated with lower total caloric intake (−28 kcal d−1, p < 0.01), caloric intake from juice drinks (−20 kcal d−1, p < 0.01), added sugars (−4.1 servings d−1, p = 0.03), refined grains (−0.63 servings d−1, p < 0.01) and total meat (−0.56 servings d−1, p < 0.01). Beneficial decreases in empty calories and refined grains were offset by unfavourable changes in fatty acid profile, total protein, vegetables and fruit, such that total HEI scores (0–100 range) were not meaningfully changed with a 20% increase in SSB price (difference: −0.85, p < 0.01). Conclusions A 20% tax on SSBs could decrease caloric intake, and intakes of added sugars and SSBs, but may not improve diet quality as an isolated intervention among US preschool children. Abbreviations CPG, consumer-packaged goods; D, day; FPI, Food Price Index; FPL, federal poverty level; G, grams; HEI, Healthy Eating Index; kcal, kilocalories; RTE, ready-to-eat; SSBs, sugar-sweetened beverages; Y, year.
On How to Improve Student's Ability of Learning and Using Laws During the Law-Teaching Process

During the law-teaching process,teachers ought to permeat modern teaching theories and typical cases through teaching process so that they can train student's lawful attainment,improve student's ability to take an active part in practice,to analyze and solve problems,and to learn and use laws.By all of students can realize the transtormation from theory to practice and become excellent law talents.
GICA capture assay Mycoplasma pneumoniae in human serum IgM antibody

Using colloidal gold-labeled mouse anti-human IgM μ chain antibody,Mycoplasma pneumoniae P1 protein antigen for coating,immuno-gold preparation conditions were optimized to prepare colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip. The test strip kit was contrasted with that in market,total coincidence rate was 99. 17%. The results showed that the test strip had high sensitivity,specificity,low price. It was more suitable for MP infection in early clinical screening,and was easy and quick to operate.
Growth, Development and Body Composition in Three Genetic Stocks of Swine

Differences in growth, chemical body composition and visceral organ development were evaluated in three genetic stocks: Beltsville Highfat (HF) and Lowfat (LF) Duroc-Yorkshire composites and a Hampshire X Large White cross (CX). Ten sets of littermate barrows were used from each stock. One pig from each set was slaughtered at 10, 17 and 24 wk of age. After slaughter, each pig was dissected into three fractions: carcass, head and feet, viscera and blood. Backfat was measured at three locations and visceral organs were weighed separately. Each fraction was frozen, ground, sampled and analyzed in duplicate for protein, fat, water and ash. The CX pigs were heaviest at all ages and contained the most fat-free mass (FFM). The HF pigs were smallest and contained the most fat, while LF pigs tended to be intermediate. The LF pigs deposited a greater proportion of weight in head and feet and a greater proportion of total FFM in the carcass than HF and CX pigs. Estimated allometric growth coefficients for non-fat chemical components relative to empty body weight (EBWT) were lower for HF than LF and CX, which were similar. Coefficients for fat were similar among stocks yet intercepts differed widely. Relative to total FFM, water increased at a faster rate and ash a slower rate in CX pigs compared to HF and LF. Growth coefficients were calculated for internal organs relative to EBWT. Coefficients for organs of the digestive tract were not different among stocks. However, significant differences among stocks were found for heart, lung, spleen and liver that were not explained by differences in body composition.
Maximalism and Moral Harmony

Maximalism is the view that an agent is permitted to perform a certain type of action (say, baking) if and only if she is permitted to perform some instance of this type (say, baking a pie), where φ-ing is an instance of ψ-ing if and only if φ-ing entails ψ-ing but not vice versa. Now, the aim of this paper is not to defend maximalism, but to defend a certain account of our options that when combined with maximalism results in a theory that accommodates the idea that a moral theory ought to be morally harmonious—that is, ought to be such that the agents who satisfy the theory, whoever and however numerous they may be, are guaranteed to produce the morally best world that they have the option of producing. I argue that, for something to count as an option for an agent, it must, in the relevant sense, be under her control. And I argue that the relevant sort of control is the sort that we exercise over our reasons-responsive attitudes (e.g., our beliefs, desires, and intentions) by being both receptive and reactive to reasons. I call this sort of control rational control, and I call the view that φ-ing is an option for a subject if and only if she has rational control over whether she φs rationalism. When we combine this view with maximalism, we get rationalist maximalism, which I argue is a promising moral theory.
Status of inertial confinement fusion: perspectives from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences

A preliminary report on the status and future prospects of the ICF Program, as viewed by the NAS committee, is given. Current status and outstanding technical issues to be resolved are reviewed. The prospects of ICF for both military and energy use are discussed.
Interrogating heterobimetallic co-catalytic responses for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 using supramolecular assembly

The use of hydrogen-bonding interactions to direct the non-covalent assembly of a heterobimetallic supramolecular system with Re and Mn bipyridine-based electrocatalysts is reported. Under catalytic conditions, the formation of hydrogen bonds generates a catalyst system which passes ∼10% more current than the individual current responses of the respective Re and Mn complexes for the reduction of CO2 to CO and H2O. Infrared spectroelectrochemical studies indicate that the Re and Mn metal centers interact during the reduction mechanism, even forming heterobimetallic bonds under reducing conditions in the absence of substrate. These findings demonstrate that non-covalent assembly is a powerful method for generating new co-catalyst systems with greater reactivity and efficiency for transformations of interest.
Social Justice and Student Empowerment: Developing Social Justice Awareness and Empowerment Through Novel Studies

This chapter provides a short review of social justice curriculum and multicultural education, particularly as they relate to middle level students from linguistically and racially marginalized populations. A framework for Middle Level Student Empowerment through Curriculum is also presented in this chapter. Throughout this chapter, the potential of teaching novel studies to make interdisciplinary connections and provide access to appropriately challenging grade-level curriculum to linguistically diverse students is detailed. Connections among the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, the use of narrative and informational texts to engage students, and various academic disciplines are also explored. Examples from a novel study based on Sharon Draper’s Fire from the Rock are provided as well as resources for curriculum and lesson design, specifically as they relate to students from disenfranchised populations.
Nanoparticles for Targeted and Temporally Controlled Drug Delivery

With advances in nanotechnology, it is now possible to develop highly specific and effective treatments for a myriad of important human diseases including cancer and cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. One important obstacle in the development of safer and more effective therapeutics has been the challenge of delivering drugs to the site of action at an optimal exposure and rate. The design and development of biocompatible, targeted nanoparticles that control the release of drugs at the site of interest has the potential to revolutionize drug development and enable entirely new therapeutic approaches such as RNA interference (RNAi). This chapter gives an insight into the development of nanoparticle platforms for the targeted and temporally controlled delivery of drugs with minimal off target effects and reviews the available classes of ligands for targeting applications.
Ultra-low loss fiber for practicable trans-oceanic high capacity transmission

Latest pure silica core fiber exhibits ultra-low loss of 0.152 dB/km in commercial product, as well as large effective area, low bending and splice losses, so that it would contribute to practicable trans-oceanic high capacity transmission. The pure silica technology is also applicable to next generation SDM fiber.
Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Patients with Richter’s Syndrome Treated with Chemotherapy and/or Immunotherapy with or without Stem Cell Transplantation.

Introduction: Richter’s syndrome (RS) is a rare complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL). The clinical outcome is generally poor. The purpose of this study was to assess the presenting characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors in patients with RS. Methods: An electronic database search of patients with CLL/SLL or RS who presented at U. T. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1/75 and 6/05 was performed. Results: Among 3,986 patients with CLL/SLL, 204 patients (5.1%) had possible RS and 148 patients (3.7%) had biopsy- or fine-needle aspiration-proven RS. The median age was 61 years (range, 29–83 years); and 70% were men. Among 148 patients with RS, 53% were ≥ 60 years, 79% had Zubrod performance status 0–1, 47% had lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels ≥ 1.5 x the upper limit of normal, 57% had platelets ≥ 100 x 109/L, 57% had β 2-microglobulin ≥ 6 mg/dL (3 x the upper limit of normal), and 45% had tumor size >5 cm. Treatment included chemoimmunotherapy, such as rituximab with fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone (R-hyper-CVAD) or cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP), and chemotherapy. A total of 135 patients were treated and 130 patients were evaluable. The overall response rate was 39% (chemoimmunotherapy, 47%; chemotherapy, 34%, p=0.2). In multivariate analysis (MVA), factors predicting response were platelet counts ≥ 100,000 (p=0.02), hemoglobin levels ≥ 11g/dL (p=0.036), performance status (PS) 0 or 1 (p=0.037), and β 2-microglobulin Conclusions: Our results suggest that chemoimmunotherapy, such as R-Hyper-CVAD or R-CHOP, followed by allogeneic SCT results in longer survival compared to other therapies. Until curative therapies are developed, patients with available donors should be considered for allogeneic SCT as postremission therapy.
Judgment Writing in Kenya and the Common-Law World

This article, published in the the Kenya Law Review, discusses judgment writing in Kenya and common-law jurisdictions other than the United States. This paper is based on a lecture the author presented to their Lordships of the High Court and the Court of Appeals of Kenya in August 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Mining standardized neurological signs and symptoms data for concussion identification

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions occur in sports and recreational activities annually. Studies have shown that concussions increase the risk of future injuries and mild cognitive disorders. Despite extensive research on sports related concussion risk factors, the factors which are most predictive of concussion outcome and recovery time course remain unknown. In order to overcome the issue of physician bias and to identify the factors which can best predict concussion diagnosis, we propose a multi-variate logistic regression based analysis. We demonstrate our results on a dataset with 126 subjects (ages 12–31). Our results indicate that among 322 features, our model selected 27–29 features which included a history of playing sports, history of a previous concussion, drowsiness, nausea, trouble focusing as measured by a common symptom list, and oculomotor function. The features picked using our model were found to be highly predictive of concussions and gave a prediction performance accuracy greater than 90%, Matthews correlation coefficient greater than 0.8 and the area under the curve greater than 0.95.
Associating cellular epigenetic models with human phenotypes

Epigenetic association studies have been carried out to test the hypothesis that environmental perturbations trigger cellular reprogramming, with downstream effects on cellular function and phenotypes. There have now been numerous studies of the potential molecular mediators of epigenetic changes by epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS). However, a challenge for the field is the interpretation of the results obtained. We describe a second-generation EWAS approach, which focuses on the possible cellular models of epigenetic perturbations, studied by rigorous analysis and interpretation of genomic data. Thus refocused, epigenetics research aligns with the field of functional genomics to provide insights into environmental and genetic influences on phenotypic variation in humans.
Construct redundancy in leader behaviors: A review and agenda for the future

Abstract Leadership remains a popular and heavily researched area in the social sciences. Such popularity has led to a proliferation of new constructs within the leadership domain. Here, we argue that such construct proliferation without pruning is unhealthy and violates the principle of parsimony. Our purpose was to examine construct redundancy via a comprehensive review of task-oriented, relational, passive, and inspirational leader behaviors as well as values-based and moral leadership behaviors. Our findings, as indexed via meta-analytic correlations, reveal that construct redundancy remains problematic for the leadership literature. In addition, many of the values-based and moral behavior models correlated heavily with constructs traditionally examined as outcome variables (e.g., trust, LMX, justice). Implications for future research are discussed in regards to construct redundancy and how to avoid endogeneity bias in primary studies in the leadership literature.
Human engineering fcr applied natural language processing

Human engineering features for enhancing the usability of practical natural language systems are described. Such features include spelling correction, processing of incomplete (elliptical) input?, of the underlying language definition through English queries, and their ability for casual users to extend the language accepted by the system through the use of synonyms and peraphrases. All of the features described are incorporated in LJFER, -"applications-oriented system for creating natural language interfaces between computer programs and casual USERS LJFER's methods for the mroe complex human engineering features presented.
Predictors of response to droxidopa in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (P5.318)

Objective: To define which factors predict the pressor response to droxidopa in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH). Background: Droxidopa, a synthetic norepinephrine precursor, was recently approved to treat symptomatic nOH. The dosage required to elicit a pressor response is variable. It is unknown which factors predict the magnitude of the pressor response to droxidopa. Design/Methods: We prospectively evaluated the BP response to increasing doses of droxidopa in patients with nOH. BP supine and after 3-min standing was measured before and 1-hour after 100 mg of droxidopa orally. Dosage was progressively increased until i) complete relief of symptoms, ii) supine systolic BP >180 mmHg, iii) occurrence of side effects, or iv) a dose of 600mg was reached. Results: Sixteen subjects with nOH (6 with Parkinson disease, 5 with pure autonomic failure -PAF-, 3 with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy -AAG-, and 2 with multiple system atrophy) were included. Mean BP was 126±28/72±11 mmHg supine and 89±19/53±15 mmHg after 3-min standing (fall of 37/18 mmHg). Mean plasma norepinephrine supine was 192±216 pg/ml. Maximum droxidopa dose was 212±102 mg (range: 100–400 mg). Droxidopa increased BP to 148±53/90±13 mmHg supine and 135±38/66±16 mmHg after 3-min standing (p 2 =0.42; p=0.023). Four patients (3 with AAG, 1 with PAF) with very low plasma norepinephrine levels ( Conclusions: Lower plasma norepinephrine levels are associated with a greater pressor response to droxidopa in nOH. This response is probably related to the degree of denervation supersensitivity. Norepinephrine levels may be useful to predict appropriate dosing of droxidopa in the clinical setting. Study Supported by: Dysautonomia Foundation, Inc. Disclosure: Dr. Palma has received personal compensation for activities with Lunbeck as a speaker and advisor. Dr. Martinez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Perez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaufmann received personal compensation from Lundbeck and Astra Zeneca for his membership on Scientific Advisory Board.. Dr. Kaufmann received personal compensation from Springer for serving as editor in Chief of Clinical Autonomic Research.. Dr. Kaufmann received support for conducting clinical trials of Droxidopa for Chelsea Therapeutics..
Extracellular Polymers (EPS) and Calcification within Modern Marine Stromatolites

Biologically-induced calcification within marine systems is by no means a singular nor unique process. The wide range of organisms and systems in which it occurs suggest a diversity of mechanisms. These have been summarized in reviews (Pentecost 1991; Kempe and Kazmierszak 1994; McConnaughey and Whelan 1997; Simkiss and Wilbur 1989). This work will focus on the role of extracellular polymers (EPS) in calcification within the bacterial biofilms of modern marine stromatolites.
Grammatical relations as the basis for natural language parsing and text understanding

The KING KONG parser described by this paper attempts to apply the principles of relational grammar to the parsing of English in older to overcome the problems encountered by syntactic and semantic parsers. Specifically, this-parser uses relational categories such as subject, direct object, and instrument to map syntactic constituents onto semantic roles with in CD-like structures. Thus, the parser makes use of both syntactic and semantic information to guide its parse.
Liquid chromatographic determination of N-methyl carbamate pesticide residues at low parts-per-billion levels in eggs.

A reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (LC) method is presented for the analysis of N-methyl carbamate pesticide residues and piperonyl butoxide in eggs at levels as low as 2 g/kg (ppb). The study was undertaken to provide data for dietary exposure estimates used in risk analysis. The method uses an acetonitrile extraction followed by liquid–liquid partitioning and normal-phase aminopropyl solid-phase extraction column cleanup. Determination of residues is by reversed-phase LC with an inline postcolumn reaction followed by fluorescence detection. The average recoveries of 21 fortified (most at 2.0 and 20.0 ppb) N-methyl carbamate pesticide residues and the carbamate metabolite 1-naphthol from eggs ranged from 70 to 107%. Recoveries of the pesticide synergist piperonyl butoxide ranged from 63 to 106%. Single-comb White Leghorn hens were treated with the carbamate carbaryl, and the eggs subsequently produced were analyzed for carbaryl and 1-naphthol residues.
Causal Inference with Networked Treatment Diffusion

Treatment interference (i.e., one unit’s potential outcomes depend on other units’ treatment) is prevalent in social settings. Ignoring treatment interference can lead to biased estimates of treatm...
Modeling, cross-validation, and optimization of a shipboard integrated energy system cooling network

Abstract This work presents the modeling, cross-validation, and thermodynamic optimization of a shipboard integrated energy system (IES) cooling network to assess (1) the practicality of a dimensionless graph-based model for scalability; (2) the reliability of different statistical metrics in cross-validation; and (3) the effects of design and operational parameters on the system thermal performance. The IES comprised two 2.5 MW induction motors representing a ship propulsion system which operated at various torques over time resulting in different heat generation profiles. A dimensionless first-law graph-based model was formulated with the lumped capacitance approach, and the unknown physical parameters were estimated using the ant colony optimizer with three different calibration metrics. The validated model was used to distribute the total heat exchanger inventory N optimally across the IES by minimizing the peak system temperature. Subsequently, the study demonstrated the robustness of the optimal heat exchanger area allocation against N and the 20× reduction in N with a tenfold increase in the motor cooling power.
20 MHz Integrated Current Sensing for WBG Systems with EMI Suppression

Giant magnetoresistive (GMR) field-based sensing has been integrated in silicon systems to yield galvanically isolated current sensing up to hundreds of kilohertz. The bandwidth requirement for current sensing increases with wide bandgap (WBG) systems. This paper introduces methodologies for extending the bandwidth of GMR based sensing to a higher frequency that is sufficient for WBG applications. Two aspects are studied: High frequency field properties and electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression. A modified flat-bandwidth (FBW) criteria is used to quantify a frequency invariant property of magnetic fields at MHz levels in components such as inductors. To reject the near-field EMI without losing the magnetic field signals for sensing, the sensing system and shielding are designed to achieve EMI suppression and magnetic field penetration at the same time. Experiments are carried out in GaN systems with an achieved sensing bandwidth of 20 MHz, which is expected to be sufficient for most WBG applications.
Mir363-3p attenuates post-stroke depressive-like behaviors in middle-aged female rats.

Abstract Women are more likely to develop Post Stroke Depression (PSD) than men and generally do not respond well to anti-depressants with age. This study investigated the effect of microRNA mir363-3p treatment on PSD using a physiologically-relevant animal model. Our previous work showed that mir363-3p treatment, delivered post-stroke, effectively reduces infarct volume in the acute phase of stroke in middle-aged females but not males. Middle-aged female Sprague Dawley rats were tested for baseline sensory motor function and depressive-like behaviors, and then subjected to ischemic stroke via middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) or sham surgery. Animals received either control oligos (MCAo+scrambled, Sham+scrambled) or mir363-3p (MCAo+mir363-3p, Sham+mir363-3p) treatment 4 h later. Sensory motor function and depressive-like behaviors were reassessed up to 100 d after stroke, and circulating levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) were quantified at regular intervals. Prior to termination, Fluorogold was injected into the striatum to assess meso-striatal projections. MCAo+scrambled animals had impaired sensorimotor performance in the acute phase (5 days) of stroke and developed anhedonia, decreased sociability and increased helplessness in the chronic phase. MCAo+mir363-3p animals showed significantly less sensory motor impairment and fewer depressive-like behaviors. IL-6 and TNF-alpha were elevated transiently at 4 weeks after MCAo in both groups. BDNF levels decreased progressively after stroke in the MCAo+scrambled group, and this was attenuated in the mir363-3p group. The number of retrogradely-labeled SNc and VTA cells was reduced in the ischemic hemisphere of the MCAo+scrambled group. In contrast, there was no interhemispheric difference in the number of retrogradely-labeled SNc and VTA cells of MCAo+mir363-3p treated animals. Our results support a therapeutic role for mir363-3p for long-term stroke disability.
Reinterpreting the enemy: Geopolitical beliefs and the attribution of blame in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Abstract How do geopolitical beliefs affect the attribution of blame for violent conflict? It is usually assumed that citizens in post-conflict societies come to adopt official nationalist discourses that fixate on the other side. Yet scholars of critical geopolitics recognize the importance of affect and localized interactions in shaping beliefs about the political world. This paper analyzes how geopolitical imagination shapes Azerbaijanis' attribution of blame for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, using data from a quasi-experimental study in Azerbaijan. Despite official narratives that demonize Armenia, the beliefs of Azeris in the study diverge in important ways from the official line. In particular, a disproportionate number of subjects “scaled up” culpability for the conflict and assigned a significant amount of blame to Russia. Subjects were prone to perceive Armenia as a Soviet-Russian proxy and to view Armenian behavior as subordinate to Russian interests rather than intrinsically derived. I argue that this causal accounting for the conflict reflects commonsense beliefs about how power is exercised, which were shaped by Azerbaijan's structural position vis-a-vis Russia and historical tropes that emphasize subversion, duplicitousness, and hidden agendas. The findings focus attention on how geopolitical imaginations can shape the ways contemporary events, including conflict, are interpreted. They also demonstrate the need to dig beneath the official discourse to reveal the sometimes surprising ways it is contested or subverted.
An Analysis of Risk Factors in Unilateral Versus Bilateral Hearing Loss

A retrospective review of children with confirmed hearing loss identified through universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) in Virginia from 2010 to 2014 was conducted in order to compare the incidence of Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) risk factors in children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) to bilateral hearing loss (BHL). Over the 5-year study period, 1004 children (0.20% of all births) developed a confirmed hearing loss, with 544 (51%) children having at least one JCIH risk factor. Overall, 18% of children with confirmed hearing loss initially passed UNHS. Of all children with risk factors, 226 (42%) demonstrated UHL and 318 (58%) had BHL. The most common risk factors for UHL were neonatal indicators (69%), craniofacial anomalies (30%), stigmata of HL syndromes (14%), and family history (14%). The most common risk factors in BHL were neonatal indicators (49%), family history (27%), stigmata of HL syndromes (19%), and craniofacial anomalies (16%). Children with the risk factor for positive family history were more likely to have BHL, while those with craniofacial anomalies were more likely to have UHL (P < .001). Neonatal indicators were the most commonly identified risk factor in both UHL and BHL populations. Children with UHL were significantly more likely to have craniofacial anomalies, while children with BHL were more likely to have a family history of hearing loss. Further studies assessing the etiology underlying the hearing loss and risk factor associations are warranted.
Detection of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Variants by Mass Spectrometry: Results from a Clinical Reference Laboratory.

To the Editor: In 2011, Bystrom et al. developed a top-down liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)1 assay for insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) quantification (1). Using a similar method, Hines et al. subsequently reported a polymorphic IGF-1 variant, which they confirmed by DNA sequencing as A70T (2). Reports of other IGF-1 variants have involved isolated cases of patients in whom IGF-1 sequencing was performed because of a growth disorder. Known pathogenic IGF-1variants include V44M (3), R36Q (4), and R50W (5). We report here a DNA single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) database-guided LC-HRMS approach to detect IGF-1 variants during routine clinical analysis. Intact wild-type (WT) IGF-1 and its variants were detected in 7 charged cysteine reduced …