cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A learning digital computer

The concept of learning digital hardware is presented here. A proof of concept of a circuit that can arbitrarily control the current, and thus the switching speed and power consumption, of a digital circuit is given. This control of current is directly tuned by the feedback from the digital circuit itself, thus a learning digital computer. An argument for a completely new paradigm in digital computing follows whereby an entire system of learning digital circuits is proposed.
Evidence of Extensive DNA Transfer between Bacteroidales Species within the Human Gut

ABSTRACT The genome sequences of intestinal Bacteroidales strains reveal evidence of extensive horizontal gene transfer. In vitro studies of Bacteroides and other bacteria have addressed mechanisms of conjugative transfer and some phenotypic outcomes of these DNA acquisitions in the recipient, such as the acquisition of antibiotic resistance. However, few studies have addressed the horizontal transfer of genetic elements between bacterial species coresident in natural microbial communities, especially microbial ecosystems of humans. Here, we examine the genomes of Bacteroidales species from two human adults to identify genetic elements that were likely transferred among these Bacteroidales while they were coresident in the intestine. Using seven coresident Bacteroidales species from one individual and eight from another, we identified five large chromosomal regions, each present in a minimum of three of the coresident strains at near 100% DNA identity. These five regions are not found in any other sequenced Bacteroidetes genome at this level of identity and are likely all integrative conjugative elements (ICEs). Such highly similar and unique regions occur in only 0.4% of phylogenetically representative mock communities, providing strong evidence that these five regions were transferred between coresident strains in these subjects. In addition to the requisite proteins necessary for transfer, these elements encode proteins predicted to increase fitness, including orphan DNA methylases that may alter gene expression, fimbriae synthesis proteins that may facilitate attachment and the utilization of new substrates, putative secreted antimicrobial molecules, and a predicted type VI secretion system (T6SS), which may confer a competitive ecological advantage to these strains in their complex microbial ecosystem. IMPORTANCE By analyzing Bacteroidales strains coresident in the gut microbiota of two human adults, we provide strong evidence for extensive interspecies and interfamily transfer of integrative conjugative elements within the intestinal microbiota of individual humans. In the recipient strain, we show that the conjugative elements themselves can be modified by the transposition of insertion sequences and retroelements from the recipient’s genome, with subsequent transfer of these modified elements to other members of the microbiota. These data suggest that the genomes of our gut bacteria are substantially modified by other, coresident members of the ecosystem, resulting in highly personalized Bacteroidales strains likely unique to that individual. The genetic content of these ICEs suggests that their transfer from successful adapted members of an ecosystem confers beneficial properties to the recipient, increasing its fitness and allowing it to better compete within its particular personalized gut microbial ecosystem.
Floral CO(2) emission may indicate food abundance to nectar-feeding moths

As part of a study of the roles of the sensory subsystem devoted to CO(2) in the nectar-feeding moth Manduca sexta, we investigated CO(2) release and nectar secretion by flowers of Datura wrightii, a preferred hostplant of Manduca. Datura flowers open at dusk and wilt by the following noon. During the first hours after dusk, when Manduca feeds, the flowers produce considerable amounts of nectar and emit levels of CO(2) that should be detectable by moths nearby. By midnight, however, both nectar secretion and CO(2) release decrease significantly. Because nectar production requires high metabolic activity, high floral CO(2) emission may indicate food abundance to the moths. We suggest that hovering moths could use the florally emitted CO(2) to help them assess the nectar content before attempting to feed in order to improve their foraging efficiency.
Plakoglobin regulates cell motility through Rho- and fibronectin-dependent Src signaling.

We previously showed that the cell–cell junction protein plakoglobin (PG) not only suppresses motility of keratinocytes in contact with each other, but also, unexpectedly, of single cells. Here we show that PG deficiency results in extracellular matrix (ECM)-dependent disruption of mature focal adhesions and cortical actin organization. Plating PG−/− cells onto ECM deposited by PG+/− cells partially restored normal cell morphology and inhibited PG−/− cell motility. In over 70 adhesion molecules whose expression we previously showed to be altered in PG−/− cells, a substantial decrease in fibronectin (FN) in PG−/− cells stood out. Re-introduction of PG into PG−/− cells restored FN expression, and keratinocyte motility was reversed by plating PG−/− cells onto FN. Somewhat surprisingly, based on previously reported roles for PG in regulating gene transcription, PG-null cells exhibited an increase, not a decrease, in FN promoter activity. Instead, PG was required for maintenance of FN mRNA stability. PG−/− cells exhibited an increase in activated Src, one of the kinases controlled by FN, a phenotype reversed by plating PG−/− cells on ECM deposited by PG+/− keratinocytes. PG−/− cells also exhibited Src-independent activation of the small GTPases Rac1 and RhoA. Both Src and RhoA inhibition attenuated PG−/− keratinocyte motility. We propose a novel role for PG in regulating cell motility through distinct ECM–Src and RhoGTPase-dependent pathways, influenced in part by PG-dependent regulation of FN mRNA stability.
Ultra-long distance wavelength-division-multiplexed soliton transmission using inhomogeneously broadened fiber amplifiers

The use of inhomogeneously broadened amplifiers for wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) optical soliton transmission is proposed. Dynamic gain equalization can be achieved through saturation, by adjustment of the time-averaged intensity of control lasers tuned between the WDM channels. The authors investigate numerically an example in which seven WDM channels at 2 Gb/s each are equalized using parameter values reasonable for germanosilicate core erbium-doped fibers. >
Design and implementation of a supercomputer frame buffer system

A 512-by-512-pixel by 8-bits-per-pixel frame buffer has been designed, constructed, and installed on a 48-Mb/s I/O channel of a Cray X-MP 4/16 supercomputer. This project was undertaken to test whether such a system would be useful and, if so, how it would be used. Supporting software provides the ability to convert vector graphics description files into raster format, to show raster movies interactively, and to show vector files by real-time conversion from vector to raster formats. It has been shown that real-time animations in an interactive supercomputer environment is feasible and useful with this system. >
MODULUS OF ELASTICITY OF GLASS IN RELATION TO TEMPERATURE

The modulus of elasticity of a glass was determined at various temperatures by measuring the elongation of a glass fiber under load. The rate of decrease of modulus with temperature showed an abrupt change between 250°C and 300°C. It was considered that this phenomenon was connected with the increased rate of expansion which occurs in glasses near these temperatures. A description is given of an interferometric method of measuring the deflection of compressed specimens at temperatures up to the softening point of the glass.
OAKESHOTT ON THE CHARACTER OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE: NEED THERE BE A CONFLICT BETWEEN SCIENCE AND RELIGION?

. Michael Oakeshott reflected on the character of religious experience in various writings throughout his life. In Experience and Its Modes (1933) he analyzed science as a distinctive “mode,” or account of experience as a whole, identifying those assumptions necessary for science to achieve its coherent account of experience in contrast to other modes of experience whose quests for coherence depend on different assumptions. Religious experience, he thought, was integral to the practical mode. The latter experiences the world as interminable tension between what is and what ought to be. The question, Is there a conflict between science and religion? is, in Oakeshott's approach, the question, Is there a conflict between the scientific mode of experience and the practical mode? Insofar as we tend to treat every question as a practical one, these questions seem to make sense. But Oakeshott's analysis leads to the view that scientific experience and religious experience are categorically different accounts of experience abstracted from the whole of experience. They are voices of experience that may speak to each other, but they are not ordered hierarchically. Nor can either absorb the other without insoluble contradictions.
Antithymocyyte Serum Treatment of Hamstres Inoculated with a Measles Virus Isolated from a Patient with Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Antithymocyte erum (ATS) treatment of hamsters inoculated with a strain of measles virus (Lec) isolated from a child with subecute sclerosing panencepbalitis resulted in acute neurologic abnormalities in intracranially inoculated, weanling hamsters normally refractory to diseaee caused by the virus. me incubation period uas 8–12 days. Virus could be isolated from the brains of the sick animals. Neutralizing antibody was present in lower titers in the sera of the ATS-treated hameters than in the sera of untreated virus control hamsters. At the time Am-treated hameters were ill, antibody cytotoxic for Lec virus-infected cells was found mainly in the sera of virus control hamsters having neutralizing antibody.Newborn hamsters inoculated intraperitoneally with virus did not show neurologic symptom unless treated with ATS. In these treated animals the incubation period was 3–6 weeks. The brain, spleen and lung of sow of the sick hamsters contained virus. No detectable neutralizing antibody uas present at the t...
Dislocation of the Hip in Myelomeningocele. The McKay Hip Stabilization

We reviewed the clinical and radiographic results of varus osteotomy of the proximal aspect of the femur and transfer of the adductor and external oblique muscles (the McKay procedure) in thirty-four children (sixty-six hips) who had an unstable hip secondary to a myelomeningocele at the middle or caudad lumbar level. the average age at the time of the operation was twenty months (range, seven to forty-two months). The average duration of follow-up was 10.9 years (range, 0.7 to 20.0 years). An open reduction was performed in ten hips. None of the children had had any previous operative treatment. The index operation helped to maintain the stability of thirty-seven of the fifty-one hips twenty-six children who remained neurologically stable: seventeen of nineteen hips that were at risk, two of three hips with acetabular dysplasia, fifteen of sixteen subluxated hips, one of three dislocated hips that had been previously reduced with a Pavlik harness, one of two dislocatable hips, and one of seven previously untreated dislocated hips. The index operation was not successful for one dislocated hip that had been treated with closed reduction and application of a spica cast. The operation was a success for eight of the fifteen hips in eight children who had a progressive loss of neurological function: three of five hips that were at risk, one hip with acetabular dysplasia, two of four subluxated hips, one of two that had been previously reduced with a Pavlik harness, and one dislocatable hip. Two dislocated hips redislocated. Initially the index operation was performed on all children who had a myelomeningocele at the third or fourth lumbar level. Recent data have shown that the hips in these children are not all at risk, and we now perform the operation only if there is documented instability of the hip.
Trademarks and Domain Names: Property Rights and Institutional Evolution in Cyberspace

This paper is an empirical study of trademark-based challenges to Internet domain name registrations. It gathered facts about 121 known cases of domain name-trademark conflicts and concludes that domain name registry policies and court decisions had, as of mid-1998, combined to give trademark owners stronger rights over domain names than they had under traditional trademark law. The 121 cases were categorized according to the type of conflict and the kind of settlement or decision that resulted. Types of conflict were broken down into "string" conflicts, "speculation," "infringement," and "parody." The data show that only about 12% of the cases exhibited the kind of consumer confusion, intent to pass off, or dilution that would normally be considered infringement. In all of the cases of passing off, trademark owners won decisive victories in court. The largest number of domain name-trademark cases (49%) arose from "string" conflicts, involving common names (such as "prince" or "columbia") that legally may be used concurrently by multiple organizations or businesses. In many of these cases, courts or the NSI registry have allowed trademark owners to take away names from other Internet users. The bias toward trademark owners has been exacerbated by dispute resolution procedures used by domain name registries, which privilege trademark rights over all other claims to the right to use a name. The paper concludes that trademark interests are expanding the scope of their property rights in cyberspace at the expense of smaller Internet users. The paper concludes by proposing changes in law and registry policies that would rectify these injustices.
Building Better Bridges: Understanding Academic Text Readiness at One Community College

ABSTRACTThe multipronged study described in this manuscript was designed to determine the implicit definition of college-text ready at one community college. The impetus for this study is a need to fully understand what it means to be college-text ready based on the literacy demands, practices, and expectations in introductory-level (or entry-level) general-education courses. Only with this deeper understanding of college-text readiness can college reading professionals begin to design effective literacy interventions to help students who may not be considered college-text ready. Thus, another major goal of this study is to provide information on whether, how, and to what extent, current developmental reading courses are adequately preparing students for the reading expectations of the introductory-level courses that follow. Three component investigations were conducted: one on the text practices and expectations as observed, one on the faculty perspectives, and one on the student perspectives. Data sourc...
Evaluation of reconstruction after mastectomy for carcinoma: a general surgeon's point of view.

While not compromising his surgical standards in the primary treatment of breast cancer, the general surgeon should, nonetheless, give thoughtful consideration to the prospect of post-mastectomy reconstruction for his patient. Indeed, he should assume an active role in the development of this modality, especially in the areas of patient selection and timing of surgical intervention.
Screening Behaviors and Long-Term Compliance With Mammography Guidelines in a Breast Cancer Screening Program

Introduction Screening for breast cancer is generally underused. In an effort to remove common barriers to screening, a free breast cancer screening and education program was created for the employees of a large hospital, incorporating mammography, clinical breast examination (CBE), and breast self-examination (BSE). Methods The present study was conducted to evaluate the screening behaviors and long-term compliance of asymptomatic women over age 50 who participated in the program. Data were obtained from questionnaires administered at the time of enrollment (time 1) and annual reenrollment, as well as from radiology records. (Time 2 represents the most recent data.) Long-term compliance with mammography guidelines was measured by calculating a compliance quotient (CQ) for each participant. Results From time 1 to time 2, subjects significantly increased their use of mammography, CBE, and BSE. At time 2, 89.5% of women had ever received a mammogram, 42.7% had gotten one in the last year, nearly all women (94.6%) had received at least one CBE, 58.0% reported annual CBE, and 44.6% of women practiced monthly BSE. CQ was higher among women who remained in the program longer, were still active in the program at the time of the study, and used screening prior to enrollment. It was also higher in Caucasians and women with a family history of breast cancer. Conclusions These results show that a worksite program that eliminates common barriers to screening can significantly increase use of early detection practices. It also demonstrates one method of quantifying long-term compliance with mammography guidelines.
VIPLE: Visual IoT/Robotics Programming Language Environment for Computer Science Education

Microsoft released its Robotics Developer Studio (MSRDS) and Visual Programming Language (VPL) in 2006. Microsoft VPL is service-oriented, uses workflow-based visual programming, and has strong support for parallel computing. It is a milestone and flagship in software engineering and in computer science education. Many universities and high schools have adopted VPL as a tool for teaching computing and engineering concepts and for programming robots. Unfortunately, as part of Microsoft's restructuring plan, the robotics division of Microsoft Research was suspended on September 22, 2014, leaving the Microsoft VPL community without updates and support. Arizona State University (ASU) is among the schools that adopted VPL since its first release in 2006. We started to find a solution to our VPL-based curriculum in 2014. This paper presents our research and development of a new visual programming language and its development environment: ASU VIPLE (Visual IoT/Robotics Programming Language Environment). ASU VIPLE extends the discontinued Microsoft VPL to sustain our curriculum and to help the community with their VPL projects. ASU VIPLE supports LEGO EV3 and all IoT devices based on an open architecture. ASU VIPLE integrates engineering design process, workflow, fundamental programming concepts, control flow, parallel computing, event-driven programming seamlessly into the curriculum. It has been pilot tested at Arizona State University in summer 2015 and in spring 2016, as well as in several other universities. ASU VIPLE software and documents can be freely downloaded at: http://venus.eas.asu.edu/WSRepository/VIPLE/.
Differential metathesis reactions of 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline complexes of cobalt(II) and nickel(II): cocrystallization of ionization isomers {[ cis -Ni(phen) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ][ cis -Ni(phen) 2 (H 2 O)Cl]} (PF 6 ) 3 ⋅4.5H 2 O, and a synthetic route to asymmetric tris -substituted complexes

Addition of ammonium hexafluorophosphate to aqueous solutions of M(chelate)Cl2 [chelate = 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline, M = Co(II) and Ni(II)] produce different metathesis products. Tris-substituted chelate complexes are produced in the case of bipyridine; however {[cis-M(phen)2Cl(H2O)][ cis-M(phen)2(H2O)2]}(PF6)3⋅4.5H2O, a unique example of cocrystallized ionization isomers, is produced with phenanthroline. Extended hydrogen bonding interactions connect [M(phen)2Cl(H2O)]+ and [M(phen)2(H2O)2]2+ cations in the crystal lattice. Because metathesis reactions using phenanthroline produce disubstituted complexes, the convenient synthesis of symmetric [Ni(phen)3]2+ and asymmetric [Ni(phen)2(5-nitrophenanthroline)]2+ is described.
Superintendent–Business Executive Collaboration in Intermediary Organizations: Moral Agency and Democratic Functioning:

This case study describes collaboration between business executives and superintendents to influence local/regional K–12 educational change. Specifically, we examine participant like-mindedness abo...
Tractability of Function Approximation with Product Kernels

This article studies the problem of approximating functions belonging to a Hilbert space \({\mathscr {H}}_d\) with a reproducing kernel of the form $${\widetilde{K}}_d({\varvec{x}},{\varvec{t}}):=\prod _{\ell =1}^d \left( 1-\alpha _\ell ^2+\alpha _\ell ^2K_{\gamma _\ell }(x_\ell ,t_\ell )\right) \ \ \ \text{ for } \text{ all } \ \ \ {\varvec{x}},{\varvec{t}}\in {\mathbb {R}}^d.$$ The \(\alpha _\ell \in [0,1]\) are scale parameters, and the \(\gamma _\ell >0\) are sometimes called shape parameters. The reproducing kernel \(K_{\gamma }\) corresponds to some Hilbert space of functions defined on \({\mathbb {R}}\). The kernel \({\widetilde{K}}_d\) generalizes the anisotropic Gaussian reproducing kernel, whose tractability properties have been established in the literature. We present sufficient conditions on \(\{\alpha _\ell \gamma _\ell \}_{\ell =1}^{\infty }\) under which function approximation problems on \({\mathscr {H}}_d\) are polynomially tractable. The exponent of strong polynomial tractability arises from bounds on the eigenvalues of positive definite linear operators.
Analog front end design for tags in backscatter-based tag-to-tag communication networks

Backscatter-based tag-to-tag communication (BBTT) is a paradigm wherein radio-less devices communicate with each other by using purely passive backscatter modulation. This allows for highly inexpensive and low power devices. Traditional backscattering devices like RFID tags are designed to communicate directly with an active reader leading to a centralized framework centered on the reader. Under a BBTT network, the tags talk to each other using backscattering in the presence of an external excitation signal, which can come from multiple sources (e.g., dedicated exciters, WiFi access points, TV towers, or cell phone towers). The two main components that determine the range and robustness of a passive tag-to-tag link are the power harvesting and demodulation circuit blocks in the analog front end (AFE). In this paper, we investigate the design constraints, optimization goals, and tradeoffs in the design of the AFE for BBTT tags. We first analyze the BBTT link theoretically and then verify the predicted optimal AFE parameters by simulations.
The Jaina Rhetoric of Nonviolence and the Culture of Online Shaming

This chapter explores the ethics of online shaming or crowd-sourced condemnation. Instead of relying upon standard accounts of ethics from western sources, I engage the Indian religious-philosophical system of Jainism in an effort to highlight what might be problematic about the practice of rallying others to shame offending or offensive individuals. Exploring the practice of shaming as it is practiced on the popular blog "Racists Getting Fired," one can see that Jainism gives us a radically new way to diagnose what is wrong with so much of the revenge-seeking online discourse we find ourselves either hating or loving.
Predictors of significant emotional distress in cervical cancer patients.

6632 Background: Cervical cancer patients experience serious quality of life (QOL) disruptions, which may include persistent emotional distress. Predictors of persistent or significant depression a...
A Novel Strategy to Co-target Estrogen Receptor and Nuclear Factor κB Pathways with Hybrid Drugs for Breast Cancer Therapy

Nearly 75% of breast tumors express estrogen receptor (ER), and will be treated with endocrine therapy, such as selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), tamoxifen, or aromatase inhibitors. Despite their proven success, as many as 40-50% of ER+ tumors fail to respond to endocrine therapy and eventually recur as aggressive, metastatic cancers. Therefore, preventing and/or overcoming endocrine resistance in ER+ tumors remains a major clinical challenge. Deregulation or activation of the nuclear factor κB (NFκB) pathway has been implicated in endocrine resistance and poor patient outcome in ER+ tumors. As a consequence, one option to improve on existing anti-cancer treatment regimens may be to introduce additional anti-NFκB activity to endocrine therapy drugs. Our approach was to design and test SERM-fumarate co-targeting hybrid drugs capable of simultaneously inhibiting both ER, via the SERM, raloxifene, and the NFκB pathway, via fumarate, in breast cancer cells. We find that the hybrid drugs display improved anti-NFκB pathway inhibition compared to either raloxifene or fumarate. Despite some loss in potency against the ER pathway, these hybrid drugs maintain anti-proliferative activity in ER+ breast cancer cells. Furthermore, these drugs prevent clonogenic growth and mammosphere formation of ER+ breast cancer cells. As a proof-of-principle, the simultaneous inhibition of ER and NFκB via a single bifunctional hybrid drug may represent a viable approach to improve the anti-inflammatory activity and prevent therapy resistance of ER-targeted anti-cancer drugs.
Complexity and Biosemiotics in Evolutionary Ecology of Zoonotic Infectious Agents

More is not automatically better. Generation and accumulation of information reflecting the complexity of zoonotic diseases as ecological systems do not necessarily lead to improved interpretation of the obtained information and understanding of theses complex systems. The traditional conceptual framework for analysis of diseases ecology is neither designed for, nor adaptable enough, to absorb the mass of diverse sources of relevant information. The multi-directional and multi-dimensional approaches to analyses form an inevitable part in defining a role of zoonotic pathogens and animal hosts considering the complexity of their inter-relations. And the more data we have, the more involved the interpretation needs to be. The keyword for defining the roles of microbes as pathogens, animals as hosts, and environmental parameters as infection drivers is ‘functional importance’. Microbes can act as pathogens toward their host only if/when they recognize the animal organism as the target. The same is true when the host recognizes the microbe as a pathogen rather than harmless symbiont based on the context of its occurrence in that host. Here we propose conceptual tools developed in the realm of the interdisciplinary sciences of complexity and biosemiotics for extending beyond the currently dominant mindset in ecology and evolution of infectious diseases. We also consider four distinct hierarchical levels of perception guiding how investigators can approach zoonotic agents, as a subject of their research, representing differences in emphasizing particular elements and their relations versus more unified systemic approaches. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A parametric approach for exploring grating coupler design space

A high-level design method using Fresnel reflections, waveguide mode theory, and wave interference principles was used to develop a parametric model of the grating coupler, and this model is tested and analyzed using a rigorous coupled mode analysis engine contained within the FIMMWAVE software package.
Ontology Development Through Concept Map and Text Analytics: The Case of Automotive Safety Ontology

Ontology development is an expensive and time-consuming process. The development of real-world organizational ontology-based knowledge management systems is still in early stages. Some existing ontologies with simple tuples and properties are not designed for domain specific requirement, or does not utilize existing knowledge from organizational database or documents. Here we propose our concept map approach to first semi-automatically create a detailed level entities/concepts as a keyword list by applying natural language processing, including word dependency and POS tagging. Then this list can be used to extract entities/concepts for the same domain. This approach is applied to automotive safety domain. The results are further mapped to existing ontology and aggregated to form a concept map. We implement our approach in KNIME with Stanford NLP parser and generate a concept map from automotive safety complaint dataset. The final results expand the existing ontology, and also bridge the gap between ontology and real-world organization ontology-based knowledge management systems.
Validation of Three Body Composition Techniques with a Comparison of Ultrasound Abdominal Fat Depths against an Octopolar Bioelectrical Impedance Device

The aims of this study were to cross-validate three clinical-grade measures of body composition, using an octopolar Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA), an ultrasound analyzer (US) and Air-Displacement Plethysmography (ADP) and second to compare the US scans of total abdominal, subcutaneous and visceral fat depths (mm) against the trunk percent fat (%BF) from the octopolar BIA. Twenty-six college-aged (22.9 ± 1.35 years) men (n = 18) and women (n = 8) volunteered to participate in this study. Body composition was assessed using BIA (total and by segments), ADP and US. In addition, total abdominal, subcutaneous and visceral fat layers were measured using the US. All measurements were done in accordance with manufacturers' guidelines. The %BF comparing the three clinical grade machines were all significantly correlated and no significant differences were found using a 1-way ANOVA. All three fat depths were significantly correlated to the trunk fat % via BIA, while significant differences were found for the 1-way ANOVA. A Tukey post-hoc test showed significant differences between the BIA trunk %BF and both subcutaneous and visceral US fat depths. Having valid ways to measure body composition and visceral fat that is accessible in terms of being transportable, cost effective, and simple to use, should become a part of preventive medicine.
Equus grevyi (Grevy’s zebra)

Skin biopsies of two males and one female were kindly supplied by Drs. H. Heck, Catskill Game Farm, Catskill, New York, USA, and C. Gray, National Zoological Park, Washington, D. C., USA. They gave identical karyological characteristics. The findings are also compatible with the karyotypes of various hybrids published.
The New World of Quantum Mechanics

The study of possible chaos in quantum mechanics is less than two decades old, and the results so far are not nearly as clearcut and systematic as in classical mechanics. The interesting examples have all been quite simple, however, and the essence of quantum mechanics is not in question. The reader is assumed to be familiar with most of the general precepts as well as the standard methods of wave mechanics. They will be reviewed briefly in this chapter with special emphasis on the later applications.
Revenue Management: A Strategy for Increasing Sales Revenue in Small Businesses

Revenue management is a strategy used by companies in many industries to match products and services to customers in order to increase sales revenues. Although revenue management is well suited to meet some of the challenges of small businesses, there has been no prior research on its use in a small business setting. This paper presents the results from a survey of 76 small businesses on the use and effect of revenue management. The results demonstrate that revenue management is employed by small businesses and that it has a significant and positive effect on sales revenue. The results also reveal practices most commonly engaged in and the extent to which the strategy is applied by small businesses.
An Overview of Economic Evaluation Methodologies and Selected Issues in Methods Standardization

Economic evaluations are becoming increasingly important tools for assisting in health services decision making. Program managers and other decision makers often need to compare different programs and set priorities for resource allocation. Economic evaluations can be helpful by providing information about the costs and benefits of various alternatives. For evaluations to be comparable, however, they must be conducted by similar methods. Economic evaluation for AIDS prevention and prevention generally is a relatively new concept, and therefore methods for conducting such studies are still being developed.
Monitoring of blood coagulation with non-contact drop oscillation rheometry.

Background Thromboelastography is widely used as a tool to assess the coagulation status of critical-care patients. It allows observation of changes in the material properties of whole blood brought about by clot formation and clot lysis. However, contact activation of the coagulation cascade at surfaces of thromboelastographic systems leads to inherent variability and unreliability in predicting bleeding or thrombosis risks, while also requiring large sample volumes. Objectives To develop a non-contact drop oscillation rheometry (DOR) method to measure the viscoelastic properties of blood clots and to compare the results with current laboratory standard measurements. Methods Drops of human blood and plasma (5-10 μL) were acoustically levitated. Acoustic field modulation induced drop shape oscillations, and the viscoelastic properties of the sample were calculated by measuring the resonance frequency and damping ratio. Results DOR showed sensitivity to coagulation parameters. An increase in platelet count resulted in an increase in the maximum clot stiffness. An increase in the calcium ion level enhanced the coagulation rate prior to saturation. An increase in hematocrit resulted in a higher rate of clot formation and increased clot stiffness. Comparison of the results with those obtained with thromboelastography showed that coagulation started sooner with DOR, but with a lower rate and lower maximum stiffness. Conclusions DOR can be used as a monitoring tool to assess blood coagulation status. The advantages of small sample size, the lack of contact and small strain (linear viscoelasticity) makes this technique unique for real-time monitoring of blood coagulation.
Aesthetic evolution drives birth of minimally invasive surgery subgroup

Background Facial and neck skin tightening, and rejuvenation began decades ago with maximally invasive incisional face-lift surgery. Aesthetic trends, patient demands, and innovative technology brought about minimally invasive and noninvasive interventions-such as radiofrequency, ultrasound, laser and intense pulsed light as well as dermal fillers and other injectables-to address facial and neck skin laxity. These procedures reduce facial and neck skin laxity with less risk and less downtime than maximally invasive face-lift or face-lift plus liposuction; however, these interventions are often deemed to offer reduced results. Aims To evaluate the safety and efficacy-as well as patient satisfaction-of Rotational Fractional Resection (RFR) in subjects with mild-to-moderate submental fat and mild-to-moderate submental skin laxity. Materials Rotational fractional resection with the Nuvellus (Recros, Inc) platform, which uses 1.5 mm in diameter rotating scalpels-termed scalpets-to resect lax skin followed by a rotating cannulas to perform focal lipectomy through resected access ports. Methods Thirtyone patients were evaluated 30 days after RFR, in an ongoing prospective, multi-center, nonrandomized study. Results The majority of subjects had a ≥1-grade improvement in investigator-evaluated skin laxity and lipodystrophy; 84% of subjects were satisfied with their neck and jawline appearance and 97% of subjects they would likely recommend the procedure. Minimal procedural and post-procedural pain, minimal scarring in 94% of subjects, and no severe skin-related adverse effects. Discussion Rotational fractional resection is essentially a new concept that has a risk and side effect profile that is comparable or better than-surgical skin tightening, with measurable permanent results approaching that of surgical skin tightening. This investigational procedure advances the evolution of facial and neck aesthetic procedures with results approaching those of surgery in a single treatment. Conclusion Early RFR results are promising but, yet to be conclusive. However current outcome reports identify a procedure that meet patient demands for a minimally invasive office- based procedure to look better with limited downtime.
ALTICA, COAPEXCO, AND THE ROLE OF MIDDLEMEN IN FORMATIVE OBSIDIAN EXCHANGE

Altica's location in the Patlachique Range, 10 km away from the Otumba obsidian source, suggests its potential role in the distribution of Otumba obsidian. Altica may have been an important Formative middleman and processing site for obsidian exchange within the Basin of Mexico. To the south, Coapexco's position along a natural, restricted inlet to the Basin of Mexico may have enabled it to function as a node for pooling and distributing material into the Basin. This paper combines geochemical sourcing and technological data drawn from several Early and Middle Formative obsidian assemblages to reconstruct the movement of obsidian in this period to identify obsidian sources and consumption sites. In doing so, the paper assesses the role that intermediary sites like Altica and Coapexco could have played in the processing and distribution of obsidian into more distant consumption sites.
Overnight loss of pigmented hair in autoimmune autonomic neuropathy treated with IVIg.

Autoimmune autonomic neuropathy is an immune-mediated disease, which can be associated with high titers of pathogenic antibodies to the nicotinic ganglionic acetylcholine receptor (gAChR).1–3 IV immunoglobulin (IVIg) is a commonly used treatment in autoimmune autonomic neuropathy associated with gAChR antibodies. Herein, we report a patient with an autonomic neuropathy associated with high-titer gAChR antibodies who developed selective pigmented hair loss while being treated with IVIg.
Hormones of Programmed Cell Death

Abstract Apoptosis is a form of noninflammatory, programmed cell death (PCD) that occurs in embryonic development and during involution of organs and is characterized by distinct biochemical and morphologic changes brought about through the action of caspases. PCD is essential for elimination of aberrant cells and for proper maintenance of the healthy organism and adaptation to environmental changes. Hormones are known to induce or enhance apoptotic processes under physiologic or pathologic conditions and can act generally and/or in a tissue-specific manner to prevent the onset of PCD. Steroid hormones, such as glucocorticoids, and death-inducing ligands of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily are among the best studied examples of hormone-regulated cell death. Understanding how hormones regulate apoptosis in responsive tissues is critical to designing strategies to prevent and treat diseases that affect these tissues, such as cancer, autoimmune, and degenerative disorders.
Washington's privatization of liquor: effects on household alcohol purchases from Initiative 1183.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Washington Initiative 1183 (I-1183), a 2012 law that privatized liquor retail sales and distribution in Washington State, USA, has had two opposing effects on liquor purchases: it has increased access to liquor and imposed new fees on retailers and distributors. This study aimed to estimate the effect of I-1183 on monthly alcohol purchases during the post-I-1183 period (June 2012-December 2014) compared with the pre-I-1183 period (January 2010-May 2012). DESIGN DIFFERENCES-IN-DIFFERENCES STUDY: Setting and participants The study included households participating in the Nielsen Consumer Panel Dataset living in metropolitan and surrounding areas in Washington State and 10 control states. Measurements Outcomes were alcohol purchases by type (ounces of liquor, wine, beer and total alcohol or ethanol). Findings I-1183 was associated with a 6.34-ounce (P < 0.001) and a 2.01-ounce (P < 0.001) increase in monthly liquor and ethanol purchases, respectively, per household in the post-policy period spanning 31 months compared with monthly purchases in control states. In a longitudinal subgroup analysis, low and moderate alcohol purchasers increased monthly purchases of ethanol and high purchasers decreased purchases of ethanol. Conclusions Enacting 'Washington Initiative 1183', a law that privatized sale and distribution of liquor and imposed new fees on retailers and distributors, appears to have been associated with an approximate 82% increase in monthly liquor purchases and 26% increase in monthly ethanol purchases by households in metropolitan and surrounding areas in Washington State, USA.
Paying a price for information: Non-optimal decision making and preference for information over expected value outcomes:

The information purchase bias describes a tendency to opt for information that reduces uncertainty, even when the cost of information is associated with a substantial net reduction in expected valu...
Enhanced recovery after caesarean delivery versus standard care studies: a systematic review of interventions and outcomes.

Abstract Background This systematic review aimed to determine whether enhanced recovery after caesarean delivery (ERAC) protocols should be adopted. Methods We searched four databases and abstracts from meetings for studies comparing ERAC to standard care. We report interventions, outcomes, qualitative impact of ERAC implementation and use GRADE scoring to determine quality of evidence and make recommendations regarding ERAC adoption, based on key outcomes (length of stay, financial savings, satisfaction, re-admission, opioid usage, breastfeeding success and maternal-neonatal bonding). Results Eleven published studies and 36 abstracts evaluating ERAC were included. Forty-two study interventions (40 in published studies) and 90 outcome measures (60 in published studies) were used. Most studies showed a reduction in hospital stay (6/7 studies) and reduced costs (2/2 studies) with ERAC compared with standard care. Satisfaction was inconsistently reported. Re-admission rates were similar between groups. Two studies showed a reduction and two showed no difference in opioid consumption with ERAC. One study showed improvement and another showed no change in outpatient breastfeeding rates with ERAC. One study showed better inpatient maternal-neonatal bonding. The GRADE level of evidence was low or very low for all outcomes. Conclusions Studies evaluating ERAC used heterogeneous interventions and outcomes. Although there is currently low- or very low-level evidence supporting all outcomes evaluated, the majority of studies showed some benefits and none reported harm. On balance, we recommend the use of ERAC. Future studies are needed to strengthen ERAC recommendations by standardising interventions and reported outcomes.
Ventricular Tachycardia Associated with Left Ventricular Assist Device

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are used in patients with severe Class IIIB and IV CHF as a bridge to transplantation or destination therapy. These devices have extended the life of severely ill patients with more than 2,500 implants annually in the USA and a 1-year survival of about 80%. Almost all patients who receive a LVAD have an implantable defibrillator (ICD) or a biventricular ICD for resynchronization therapy. In this chapter, the author discusses the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and their mechanisms and outcome in LVAD patients, the impact of ICD and CRT-D in LVAD patients, and the medical and catheter ablation of VT in patients with LVADs.
Abstract 16798: Evidence of Abnormal T1 Mapping in Arrhythmic Mitral Valve Prolapse Without Significant Mitral Regurgitation

Background: Prior cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) studies have reported abnormal T1 mapping, reflective of diffuse myocardial fibrosis, in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and ventricular...
Testing the credit-market-timing hypothesis using counterfactual issuing dates

Abstract Do bond issuers successfully time the market? To answer this question, we compare market conditions on an issue day with conditions on days in a window around the issue day. We find that compared with windows of 21 days around issue days, bond issuers time the risk-free rate better than pure chance, with an average gain of 8 basis points; bond issuers also time the CDS spread better than pure chance, with an average gain of 12 basis points. Issuers who issue bonds more frequently do better than less frequent issuers do. Both risk-free rates and CDS spreads are lower on days when shelf-registered bonds are issued than they are on the days surrounding the issue days. Only CDS spreads are lower on days when privately placed bonds are issued.
Atypical presentation of Ataxia telangiectasia masquerading as Parkinson’s Disease (2641)

Objective: NA Background: Parkinson’s disease comprises of rest tremor, bradykinesia as well as difficulty with gait and abnormal posture. Certain neurological disorders may mimic parkinsonism while having other etiologies. We present a case of such abnormal movements that had previously been diagnosed as Parkinson’s Disease but was later revealed to be adult onset ataxia telengiectasia. Design/Methods: An 84 year old gentleman presented for evaluation of abnormal movements he has had for 40 years. He reported tremor in his hands, legs as well as head; worsening of his gait over the last few years; intermittent curling of his toes bilaterally; orthostatic symptoms as well as urinary urgency. He had worsened cognitive functioning as well. Previously he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome. Levodopa trial did not provide with significant improvement of his symptoms. He reported three of his siblings (2 sisters and 1 brother) had similar abnormal movements. On physical exam, he had multidirectional head tremor, bilateral hand rest, action and postural tremor. He had symmetric bradykinesia bilaterally on finger tapping, cogwheel rigidity in all extremities and had involuntary chewing and lip smacking orobuccal movements. He had stooped posture with short strides and walked with a walker. Peripheral blood smear revealed presence of acanthocytes. Dopamine transporter reuptake–SPECT (DAT) scan was normal. MRI brain did not reveal intracranial issues. Genetic workup revealed homozygous ATM gene mutation (pV2716A variant) which was consistent with adult onset Ataxia Telangiectasia. Patient was tried on Amantadine but did not report significant improvement with motor symptoms. Results: NA Conclusions: Our patient had longstanding history of atypical parkinsonism in addition to choreiform orobuccal movements, in the setting of normal DAT scan and acanthocytes on the peripheral smear. This is an unusual presentation of adult onset ataxia-telangiectasia and warrants appropriate workup and subsequent genetic testing and counseling for the patient and their family. Disclosure: Dr. Casinelli has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tripathi has nothing to disclose.