cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Small-Variance Asymptotics for Hidden Markov Models

Small-variance asymptotics provide an emerging technique for obtaining scalable combinatorial algorithms from rich probabilistic models. We present a small-variance asymptotic analysis of the Hidden Markov Model and its infinite-state Bayesian nonparametric extension. Starting with the standard HMM, we first derive a "hard" inference algorithm analogous to k-means that arises when particular variances in the model tend to zero. This analysis is then extended to the Bayesian nonparametric case, yielding a simple, scalable, and flexible algorithm for discrete-state sequence data with a non-fixed number of states. We also derive the corresponding combinatorial objective functions arising from our analysis, which involve a k-means-like term along with penalties based on state transitions and the number of states. A key property of such algorithms is that— particularly in the nonparametric setting—standard probabilistic inference algorithms lack scalability and are heavily dependent on good initialization. A number of results on synthetic and real data sets demonstrate the advantages of the proposed framework.
Factors Relating to Oxidative Stability of Cooked Broiler Breast Patties Treated with Sodium Tripolyphosphate

Broiler breast meat patties were prepared with 0, 0.2, and 0.5% sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) at 3 pH values and 3 ionic strengths (IOS). The concentrations of STPP and IOS were important factors in retardation of oxidation during cooking and storage after cooking as evaluated by the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS) test. The effect of STPP at 0.5% was enhanced (P< 0.06) by raising its pH to 7.5 or 9. Increasing IOS by 0.6 raised TBA-RS values in raw meat and during cooking, but it had a reverse effect on cooked-stored patties, which was probably due to the lower nonheme iron content of cooked patties as the IOS increased.
Leaf and root extracts of the invasive shrub, Lonicera maackii, inhibit seed germination of three herbs with no autotoxic effects

In addition to effects mediated by resource competition, some invasive plants may impact surrounding vegetation by secreting compounds that are directly inhibitory to growth. Lonicera maackii, an invasive Asian shrub of forests and open areas in eastern and midwestern North America, has devastating effects on understory vegetation, some of which persist even after this shrub is removed. In this study, we explored the potential of aqueous extracts of the leaves and roots of this plant to inhibit seed germination of Impatiens capensis, Alliaria petiolata, Arabidopsis thaliana, and L. maackii in Petri dish bioassays. Both L. maackii root and leaf extracts significantly decreased germination in the three herb species. This inhibitory effect generally increased with increasing extract concentration and was more pronounced with application of leaf extract than root extract. However, when the same extracts were applied to seeds of L. maackii itself, germination was delayed in some cases, but was not significantly reduced by the end of the experiment. Germination of L. maackii seeds even reached significantly higher levels in some extract treatments than in no-extract controls. This implies that L. maackii can successfully inhibit the germination of other plants with few autotoxic effects and may even promote the germination of its own seeds.
Obregón y Carranza: personalidad en el desenlace de la revolución mexicana

Confrontacion de las personalidades de dos dirigentes revolucionarios. Enfoque historico-psicologico poco frecuente
Ideology and information in policymaking

We consider how the incentives for politicians to pander to public opinion depend on preference heterogeneity and information. As there is greater opportunity for voters to update their beliefs about the politician’s type on a more divisive issue, politicians are more likely to pander on divisive issues than on issues with only a small minority. As pandering involves ignoring socially valuable information which goes against the ex-ante preferred policy of the majority, increasing the size of the minority can then lead to policy outcomes more biased towards the action ex-ante preferred by the majority. In addition, because the updating about the politician’s type is dampened when the voters are uncertain about the state of the world, politicians are more likely to pander when voters are more informed about which action is in their interest. It is then possible that increasing the information available to the voters, by increasing the likelihood of pandering by politicians, can make all voters worse o.
On the surface tension of liquid drops

Curvature corrections to the surface tension of spherical fluid-vapour interfaces are studied. A continuum Landau-Ginzburg free energy functional is used to derive a closed-form expression for δ, the first curvature correction to the surface tension of a liquid drop. In this model, capillary wave-like fluctuations produce the only non-zero contribution to δ. It is found that δ is positive and diverges as the correlation length near a critical point.
The Effects of Computer-Based Attribution Retraining on the Attributions, Persistence, and Mathematics Computation of Students with Learning Disabilities

The purpose of the present study was to examine the impact of attribution retraining, embedded within a mathematics computer-assisted instructional (CAI) program, on students' attributions, persistence, and mathematics computation. Twenty-nine school-identified students with learning disabilities from five urban schools participated in the study. The sample's mean age was 13.3 years. After blocking on initial attributional patterns, students were randomly assigned to a mathematics CAI program that provided either attribution retraining or neutral feedback. Students used their assigned program for eight 30-minute sessions. Results did not support the contention that attribution retraining would have a significant impact on students' attributions. However, students who participated in the attribution retraining condition completed significantly more levels of the program than their counterparts who received neutral feedback. Attribution retraining students also obtained significantly higher scores on a test...
Recombineering Using RecTE from Pseudomonas syringae

In this report, we describe the identification of functions that promote genomic recombination of linear DNA introduced into Pseudomonas cells by electroporation. The genes encoding these functions were identified in Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a based on similarity to the lambda Red Exo/Beta and RecET proteins encoded by the lambda and Rac bacteriophages of Escherichia coli. The ability of the pseudomonad-encoded proteins to promote recombination was tested in P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 using a quantitative assay based on recombination frequency. The results show that the Pseudomonas RecT homolog is sufficient to promote recombination of single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides and that efficient recombination of double-stranded DNA requires the expression of both the RecT and RecE homologs. Additionally, we illustrate the utility of this recombineering system to make targeted gene disruptions in the P. syringae chromosome.
Altimetry in the Gulf of Mexico: an examination of ERS-1 and TOPEX/POSEIDON

Over the past year, sea surface height anomaly data from both ERS-1 and Topex/Poseidon altimeters have been posted on a science bulletin board in a unique program to rapidly disseminate data among workers in the Gulf of Mexico. Other contributions to this board from a variety of data sources such as Argos tracked drifters and frontal analysis from AVHRR have enabled good comparisons. Operational time scale submission to the bulletin board imposes a difficult set of requirements, especially with respect to the altimetric reference surface. The authors have investigated the use of a single "flat" track as a reference. Comparisons are made for the Loop Current and its rings and for altimetry in near coastal areas. >
Cholangiocytes exhibit dynamic, actin-dependent apical membrane turnover

The present studies of cholangiocytes used complementary histological, biochemical, and electrophysiological methods to identify a dense population of subapical vesicles, quantify the rates of vesi...
A hypochlorite solution for removing bacteria from CPR manikins

To study the effectiveness of a dilute hypochlorite solution in removing bacteria from cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) manikins, cultures from several areas of manikins disinfected with hypochlorite were compared with those from manikins disinfected with another protocol, and bacteria which grew were counted and identified. The use of dilute hypochlorite resulted in significant reduction of bacterial numbers (P
FDTd modeling of scattering from distant buried objects

The purpose of this work is to study the propagation of the lateral wave over long distances in the earth and see what the scattering signal is at the radar system. This study is done through simulations with the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method [K.S. Yee, 1966; A. Taflove, 1995].
Variation in Reptilian Brains and Cognition

The class Reptilia is monophyletic, if all synapsid tetrapods are excluded and birds are included. The phylogenetic position of turtles within the reptilian clade is still problematic, but recent microRNA data suggest that turtles are the sister group to lepidosaurians. Brain-body data for approximately 60 reptilian taxa indicate that the relative brain size for a given body weight varies some six-fold among reptiles, with some turtles and lizards having relatively large brains and other turtles and lizards having relatively small brains. Snakes appear to be characterized by relatively small brains, and crocodilians appear to possess the largest brains among living reptiles, with the exception of birds. Data on the relative size of major brain divisions among tetrapods are limited, but the telencephalic and cerebellar hemispheres account for much of the variation. Telencephalic hemispheres in reptiles are approximately twice as large as those in amphibians, and the relative size of the telencephalic hemispheres in monitor lizards and crocodilians approaches that in basal birds and mammals. New data on the relative volumes of telencephalic pallial divisions in tetrapods reveal that the dorsal ventricular ridge, a ventral pallial derivative, accounts for much of the increase in pallial size that characterizes reptiles. Studies of spatial and visual cognition in nonavian reptiles reveal that they learn mazes and make visual discriminations as rapidly as most birds and mammals. Studies of social cognition and novel behavior, including play, reveal levels of complexity not previously believed to exist among nonavian reptiles. Given this level of neural and cognitive complexity, it is possible that consciousness has evolved numerous times, independently, among reptiles.
Patch Testing for Metal Allergy With Manufacturer-Supplied Materials Before Nuss Bar Insertion.

Introduction The increasing use of metal implantable devices has raised awareness of nickel allergy. Preoperative patch testing for patients with pectus excavatum (PE) with a known metal allergy or history of atopy is an accepted practice before the Nuss procedure. The Nuss bar manufacturer offers a metal disc for preoperative testing for metal sensitivities. However, the efficacy of this disc is not well understood. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity of the metal disc in detecting nickel allergy compared with that of standard patch testing. Methods Two PE patients were referred for preoperative patch testing with the metal disc to screen for metal allergy before the Nuss procedure. Based on our initial findings, 7 patients without PE scheduled for patch testing for the evaluation of chronic dermatitis were additionally tested with the metal disc if they were found to have risk factors for nickel allergy. All patch testing was performed according to set standards. Conclusions The metal disc may not be adequately sensitive to determine nickel allergy before the Nuss procedure. Patch testing alone with standard formulations of nickel sulfate in petrolatum may be more sensitive in diagnosing nickel allergy.
Meek mothers with powerful daughters: effects of novel host environments and small trait differences on parasitoid competition

Outcomes of competition may depend both on subtle differences in traits relevant to fitness and on how those traits are expressed in the context of the environment. Environmental effects on traits impacting population dynamics are often overlooked in studies of parasitic wasp (parasitoid) competition. Lineages of the parasitoid Diachasma alloeum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) differ in relative ovipositor length (a trait affecting the proportion of hosts available for parasitism). Since the size of natal hosts affects the overall body size of many adult parasitoids, outcomes of competition between D. alloeum lineages should be influenced by both their natal host's size and their inherited ovipositor:body size ratios. Previous genetic work showed the unexpected result that the apparently inferior competitor (the lineage with smaller ovipositors in its ancestral environment) has successfully colonized a new host. We present body size measurements and a phenomological model of competition showing that relative ovipositor sizes of the two lineages predict success of the apparently inferior wasp lineage in the new host. We present several variants of the model, including simulations: 1) wherein competitors have either ancestral trait values or trait values acquired in the novel environment; 2) that allow varying rates of constant immigration from the inferior competitor's source population; and 3) with stochastic immigration from both lineages' source populations. We show that ancestral trait differences and changes in environmentally mediated traits interact to affect outcomes of competition. Apparently inferior female parasitoids (‘meek mothers’) attacking a host in a novel environment can produce highly successful daughters if those daughters inherit large ovipositor:body size ratios and grow to a larger size in the new environment. Predictive models of parasitoid competition that consider effects of environmentally mediated trait changes may be particularly important for biocontrol programs wherein parasitoids are introduced into new environments or used to control novel hosts.
Relationship of a Mandated 1-Hour Evacuation Policy and Outcomes for Combat Casualties.

Important principles of trauma care have been derived from the provision of care for a large number of military personnel severely injured in combat.1 The last decade-plus of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have been no exception to this rule, resulting in more published literature than any previous conflict. Battlefield trauma research has resulted in important findings regarding casualty care techniques, technologies, and practices.
Can Black Africa afford to be Green Africa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use a neoclassical factor pricing approach to carbon emissions, and consider whether the productivity of carbon emissions differs in Sub-Saharan Africa relative to the rest of the world. Design/methodology/approach – Allowing for possible cross-country dependency and correlation in the effects of the factors of production on the level of gross domestic product per capita, the authors estimate the parameters of a cross-country net production function with carbon emissions as an input. Findings – While there is a “Sub-Saharan Africa effect” whereby carbon emissions are less productive as an input relative to the rest of the world; practically it is equally productive relative to all other countries suggesting a unfavorable distributional impact if Sub-Saharan Africa were to implement carbon emissions reductions consistent with the Kyoto Protocol. Research limitations/implications – If global warming is not anthropogenic or caused by carbon emissions, the parameter e...
Duplication of Hypothenar Muscles Simulating Soft-Tissue Tumor of the Hand

An unusual muscle anomaly is reported which simulated a soft-tissue neoplasm in the hand. It was considered to be a duplication of the hypothenar muscles. No identical case could be found in the literature. The function and appearance of the hand are reported to be excellent almost three years after excision of the anomalous three-headed muscle and the major portion of a very large palmaris brevis muscle. Section of the proximal pulley of the distal fibrous flexor tendon sheath of the little finger, because of a trigger finger, was also performed.
Comparison of UV and chlorine inactivation of particle and non-particle associated coliform

Bacteria associated with particles may be sheltered from chlorine and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. The objective of this study was to compare the disinfection effectiveness of UV irradiation and free chlorine for naturally occurring particle-associated coliform (PAC) and non-particle associated coliform (NPAC) in wastewater using a single wastewater source, under identical laboratory protocols. Samples containing NPAC were obtained using three different methods: EGTA extraction, filtration, and blending followed by filtration. Unaltered wastewater was used for samples containing PAC. Wastewater samples were inactivated with UV irradiation at doses between 0-100 mJ/cm 2 , and with chlorine at CT values between 0-525 mg min/L. The dose-survival relationships and inactivation rates between PAC, NPAC, and chlorine and UV irradiation were then compared. As expected, both UV and chlorine were effective for inactivation of NPAC. However, under prolonged contact times, chlorine appears to be more effective for inactivation of PAC than UV irradiation. Contact time appears to be the most important factor in determining the effectiveness of chlorine disinfection of PAC, and chlorine CT alone was not a good indicator of disinfection effectiveness in wastewater. PAC was found to survive at UV and chlorine disinfection doses typically applied in a wastewater treatment plant.
Evaluation of pediatric oncology objectives developed by the American association for cancer education

Educational objectives in pediatric oncology for medical students developed at the Fall, 1981 meeting of the American Association for Cancer Education (AACE) were reviewed. These six terminal (general) and 40 enabling (specific) objectives were converted into 130 statements which were ranked from essential (rank 5) to not required (rank 0). The 58 pediatric oncology respondents gave broad support to the AACE pediatric oncology objectives. Primary importance was given to medical students knowing to refer pediatric malignancies. Principles of therapy, psychosocial management, management of infection, and complications during long term surveillance ranked high. Objectives were not ranked differently when related to number of new pediatric patients seen, type of hospital, or whether the institution had a core undergraduate pediatric training site. The list of terminal, enabling and supplemental pediatric oncology objectives developed by AACE appears valid for inclusion in the core curriculum of medical students.
Validity of students' retrospective perceptions of school climate

Researchers and evaluators have long lamented the lack of sensitivity of the pre-posttest design to detect validly the effectiveness of an intervention. One of the major problems is a phenomenon called "response-shift bias" wherein change that occurred during the treatment is not detected by contrasting pre- and posttest measures (Howard & Dady, 1979). One method suggested by Campbell and Stanley (1966, p. 66) to overcome several Jes~gn flaws of the preposttest method is retrospective pretesting. Such pretesting involves gathering data after a treatment with either (a) two measures, one of which is an actual posttest and the other a retrospective pretest, or (b) a retrospectively oriented posttest. The latter method was investigated in a study of the effects of a continuous-progress nongraded project with students in Grades 1, 2, and 3. Students' data were contrasted with data from teachers to assess vahdity of the technique. It was assumed that convergence of responses would reflect positively on the technique. The experimental measure used was a researcher-developed 16-item instrument (Feelings About School) containing statements related to dimensions of the school experience such as fighting, help from teachers, peer relationships, and parental support. The 63 students and teachers of four classrooms responded to each item using the format Better This Year, Better Last Year, and No Difference. Each teacher responded to each item for each of her students. The scale had internal consistency of .71. Analysis indicated that 13 of 16 items showed a significant (p< ,011 value of chi squared between students' and teachers' responses. The values ranged from 7.97 to 46.19, with a median of 14 73. The over-& exact agreement in response-category match was 67%, with a range from 55% to 76.6%. The average product-moment correlation between the teachers' and students' responses (after Fisher's Z transformation) was .31. These data are interpreted as supporting the utility of the retrospective method for data coUection in assessing the effectiveness and effects of an intervention.
Physiological mechanisms regulating rate of urinary flow in renal disease.

Summary and Conclusions1. A linear relationship was observed between the urinary osmotic load (mOsm/min.) and the rate of urinary flow (ml/min.) in 7 patients suffering from renal disease. This suggests that osmotic diuresis is the major physiological mechanism regulating the rate of urinary flow in these patients with renal disease. 2. In these patients with renal disease there appears to be a “critical” level of the glomerular filtration I rate, approximately 10 ml/min., at which: a) CK/CCr exceeds 100%; b) V/CCr exceeds 15%; c) the antidiuretic response to single intravenous injections of pitressin in physiological dosage (0.57 mU/Kg) is markedly diminished; d) there is an alteration in the relationship between V/CCr and the urinary concentrations of sodium, potassium and total solute.
ID: 48: VEILLONELLA BACTEREMIA IN AN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PATIENT

Veillonella species are anaerobic gram-negative cocci that are commensal flora of the mouth, intestinal tract, skin, and genital tract. Bacteremia with this organism is rarely reported. We report a case of Veillonella bacteremia in an immunocompromised patient. The patient was a 58 year old male with a history of refractory mantle cell lymphoma, receiving ibrutinib. He presented with high fevers and neutropenia. The patient had no indwelling catheters. Physical examination was negative, except for evidence of gingivitis. Veillonella was isolated from patient9s blood cultures. The patient was successfully treated with meropenem. It was suspected that the source of the infection was the oral cavity. This case illustrates the significance of normal commensal flora as possible causes of serious infections in the immunocompromised patient. The case also illustrates the need to conduct a thorough physical examination when an unexpected pathogen is identified.
Education, Church, and State: Timothy Cutler and the Yale Apostasy of 1722

iVfter Commencement in September 1719, the trustees of Yale College in New Haven, Connecticut, felt a great sense of relief. Six of the eleven trustees had helped to found the school nearly two decades before and they had watched it through vicissitudes and difficulties which had threatened to destroy it altogether. The trustees were the Revs. Samuel Mather, Windsor; Samuel Andrew, Milford; Timothy Woodbridge, Hartford; Samuel Russell, Branford; Joseph Webb, Fairfield; Moses Noyes, Lyme; Thomas Ruggles, Guilford; John Davenport, Stamford; Thomas Buckingham, Hart ford; Stephen Buckingham, Norwalk; and Eliphalet Adams, New London. All were Harvard graduates. Five, Mather, Andrew, Wood bridge, Russell, and Webb, were original trustees (1701); Noyes became a trustee in 1703. Only two, Stephen Buckingham and Adams, were under fifty; and two, Noyes and Mather, were over seventy. Adams, the youngest, had graduated from Harvard nearly thirty years before.1
Plant Resistance to Insect Attack in Commercial Cabbage Varieties

Field studies on the relative resistance of various commercial cabbage varieties to attack by the cabbage maggot, Hylemya brassicae (Bouche); the imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae (L.); the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner); and the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), were conducted at Kenosha, Wisconsin, between 1958 and 1962. Significant differences were found in the relative resistance of the various cabbage varieties to all insect species studied. The most susceptible varieties were 2 to 10 times as severely infested as the most resistant varieties depending on the insect species and life stage considered. The factor or factors which determine host selection by the various insect species apparently operated independently since a cabbage variety relatively resistant to one insect species might be quite susceptible to another. Nonpreference was the primary mechanism of resistance to both the imported cabbageworm and the cabbage looper. Larval populations of both species closely reflected the ovipositional preferences of the adult. Varietal differences in host suitability were of greater significance than host selection in determining the relative resistance to both the cabbage maggot and the cabbage aphid. The red cabbage varieties proved decidedly less susceptible to imported cabbageworm oviposition than the green varieties. Color or a color-related factor appeared to be of primary significance in determining host preferences for this species. Seasonal shifts in the relative susceptibility of the various varieties were observed for the imported cabbageworm and the cabbage aphid. The data suggests that the red varieties favor establishment and survival of the impoted cabbageworm and increase of the cabbage aphid.
Vibration-Assisted Tapping with Piezoelectric Actuation

In a tapping process,as tap engagement increases,tapping torque increases accordingly, which may cause breakage to the tap. To solve this problem, a unique tapping device is designed that can actuate the tap in screw-type vibration during tapping. The device consists of a flexural frame and a piezoelectric actuator. The frame converts the linear motion of the actuator into screw-type motion of the tap to mimic the hand-tapping operation-forward/backward motions. The tapping device is used on a vertical milling machine for tapping experiments. Meanwhile, theoretical analysis is carried out to predict tapping torque for the tapping process assisted with screw-type actuation. A discussion is provided on how the tapping process parameters affect tapping torques. The results show that with the unique tapping device, tapping torque reduction is significant. The device can potentially be applied to other operations, such as drilling and milling, for machining force reduction and productivity enhancement.
Comparing VA and Non-VA Quality of Care: A Systematic Review

Background The Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system aims to provide high-quality medical care to veterans in the USA, but the quality of VA care has recently drawn the concern of Congress. The objective of this study was to systematically review published evidence examining the quality of care provided at VA health care facilities compared to quality of care in other facilities and systems.
Neonatal Hospital Course and Outcomes of Live-born Infants with Trisomy 18 at Two Tertiary Care Centers in the United States

Objectives Trisomy 18 is presumed to be a lethal chromosomal abnormality; medical management of infants with this aneuploidy is controversial. Our objective was to describe our approach and experience with trisomy 18 infants. Study Design We reviewed the initial hospital course, management, and factors predicting discharge from the hospital from two large tertiary care neonatal intensive care units in the southern United States over 26 years. Results Of the 29 infants with trisomy 18, 21 (72%) died in the hospital and 8 (28%) were discharged home. 19 (66%) infants received mechanical ventilation and 10 (34%) received inotropic medications. Eight infants had critical congenital heart defects; only one survived to discharge. Three infants underwent major surgeries; one cardiac surgery, one tracheoesophageal fistula repair, and one myelomeningocele repair. Median length of hospital stay was 14 days (range, 0–78) for all the infants and 31 days (range, 18–66) for those that were discharged home. Factors associated with discharge from the hospital were female sex, higher gestational age, and absence of critical congenital heart defects. Median survival time was 13 days and was significantly longer for females compared with males. Our 1-month and 1-year survival rates were 31% and 3.9% respectively. Conclusion A significant proportion of infants with trisomy 18 were discharged home. These data are helpful in counseling parents of infants with trisomy 18.
Human Eye Infections

The eye contains a variety of cell and tissue types. Conjunctivitis due to respiratory RNA viruses represents by far the most common viral eye disorder. However, any ocular tissue can sustain infection by human viruses, including those viruses with predilection for neural sites. As elsewhere in the body, ocular pathologic changes induced by viruses tend to follow stereotypical patterns. Classical viral mechanisms of infection, including latency, reactivation, and carcinogenesis, can all be demonstrated in the eye. The eye's tissues also demonstrate a wide variety of immune responses, including those of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and immune privilege. The ocular complications of AIDS, including viral retinitis and ocular surface squamous carcinoma, remain significant causes of morbidity throughout the world.
Gene Networks in Neuropsychiatric Disease

Abstract Genomic studies have revealed that thousands of alterations in genetic loci will contribute to neuropsychiatric disease. However, genetic variation increases risk by altering multiple levels of transcript and protein expression through diverse levels of regulation. Molecular changes, in turn, alter the function of brain cells and circuits that lead to changes in cognition and behavior. A major challenge is to understand systematically how alterations in many risk genes involving diverse functional pathways manifest in neuronal phenotypes that mediate increases in disease risk. Here we discuss how gene networks offer a robust framework for understanding neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disease, focusing on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ). We highlight how network analysis has connected genetics to functional genomics to identify developmental epochs, neuronal cell types, and circuits related to ASD and SCZ. Gene networks aid in prioritizing neurobiological pathways for experimental validation and make predictions about how future risk factors might affect disease.
A non-dissociative open-flask hydroboration with ammonia borane: ready synthesis of ammonia–trialkylboranes and aminodialkylboranes

Under open-flask conditions, ammonia borane hydroborates olefins in refluxing tetrahydrofuran. Unlike conventional hydroboration, the Lewis base (ammonia) is not dissociated from the boron center. Terminal alkenes selectively provide ammonia–trialkylborane complexes. On the other hand, internal alkenes afford aminodialkylboranes via a metal-free hydroboration–dehydrogenation sequence. Alkaline hydrogen peroxide oxidation of the products provides the corresponding alcohols in high yields.
8-watt high efficiency X-band power amplifier using AlGaAs/GaAs HFET technology

A two-stage single-chip X-band power amplifier having an average of 8-W of pulsed output power at 33% duty cycle with 35% power-added efficiency over a 24% bandwidth has been demonstrated. The design achieves increased power and efficiency through the use of a newly developed AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction FET pulse-doped material structure and incorporation of an off-chip matching network topology that reduces losses. >
Administration of Rituximab Is Feasible and Does Not Affect Engraftment of Allograft Recipients with Advanced CD20+ Malignancies.

Rituximab is a chimeric murine/human IgG1 kappa anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that has revolutionized treatment of patients with CD20+ malignancies because of its non-cross resistance with chemotherapy and favorable toxicity profile. There is limited data evaluating the feasibility of combining rituximab with conditioning chemotherapy (or chemo-radiotherapy) for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) for advanced CD20+ expressing malignancies. Twelve patients (M= 7; F=5), with a median age of 54.5 (41–66) years, underwent allo-HCT for the following diagnoses (disease status at time of transplantation) [chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)= 7 (CR 2 =2; PR 2 = 3; ≥PR 3 =2); mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)= 3 (CR 1 =1; ≥PR 2 = 2); follicular NHL=1 (CR 3 =1), diffuse large B-cell (DLBC)=1 (>PR 3 =1)]. Donors were as follows: matched-related donors (MRD) = 7; matched-unrelated donors (MUD) =3; mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD)= 2. Fludarabine-based conditioning regimens comprised fludarabine plus targeted doses of intravenous busulfan (FLU-BU=8), or total-body irradiation (FLU-TBI=3), or cyclophosphamide (FLU-CY=1). Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) was administered in two cases of MMUDs. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of tacrolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil= 8, or methotrexate = 4. Nine (75%) of 12 patients received rituximab 375 mg/m 2 on day +1 (±3 days) and all (100%) patients received rituximab 375 mg/m 2 on day +8 (± 3 days) without serious infusion reactions. All patients engrafted. Median time to neutrophil engraftment for the entire cohort was 15.5 (12–27) days. Median time to platelet engraftment in nine patients was 14.5 (10–17) days. Three patients never dropped their platelet counts below 20,000/uL. Median donor chimerism at day +90 (±10 days) for unsorted BM, CD3 and CD33 by PCR/STR method were 94% (70–100%), 86% (59–100%) and 100%, respectively. At a median follow up of 5 (0.6–30.3) months, the 100-day non-relapse mortality (NRM) in 11 evaluable patients was 10%. Acute GVHD, grades II, III, and IV, developed in 50%, 8.3% and 8.3%, respectively, at a median time of 27 (16–77) days. These findings demonstrate that administration of rituximab as part of conditioning chemotherapy is feasible and does not affect timely hematopoietic engraftment of allograft recipients with advanced CD20+ malignancies.
Dilemmas of desert survival in an age of imperialism: Mizabi merchants in Algeria from 1830 to 1850

ABSTRACTAlgiers under Ottoman rule contained an elaborate system of barrani (literally ‘foreigner’) corporations whose members were united by occupational specialisation and ethnic or racial identity. These corporations managed their affairs semi-autonomously under the leadership of one or several of their members while remaining vulnerable to political authorities who could threaten to withdraw occupational concessions. By the early nineteenth century, the Mizabi corporation was among the most prominent at Algiers, enjoying a quasi-monopoly over commercial enterprises such as flour mills, butcher shops, and public baths. The 1830 French conquest of Algiers confronted Mizabi merchants with an excruciating dilemma. The stakes were enormous for these Muslim sectarians who (1) played a central role in the survival of their Saharan home community, (2) served as key links in Algerian communication networks, and (3) made vital economic contributions to coastal cities. The Saharan community’s political submissio...
The Structure of the Synaptic Vesicle-Plasma Membrane Interface Constrains SNARE Models of Rapid, Synchronous Exocytosis at Nerve Terminals.

Contemporary models of neurotransmitter release invoke direct or indirect interactions between the Ca2+ sensor, synaptotagmin, and the incompletely zippered SNARE (soluble, N-ethyl-maleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) complex. However, recent electron microscopic investigations have raised pragmatic issues concerning the mechanism by which SNAREs trigger membrane fusion at nerve terminals. The first issue is related to the finding that the area of contact between a “fully primed” synaptic vesicle and the plasma membrane can exceed 600 square nm. ~4,000 lipid molecules can inhabit this contact zone. Thus, renewed efforts will be needed to explain how the zippering of as few as two SNARE complexes mobilizes these lipids to achieve membrane fusion. The second issue emerges from the finding that “docking filaments” are sandwiched within the area of vesicle-plasma membrane contact. It is challenging to reconcile the location of these filaments with SNARE models of exocytosis. Instead, this commentary outlines how these data are more compatible with a model in which a cluster of synaptotagmins catalyzes exocytotic membrane fusion.
Literary Theory for Gamers

Crowley presents a rationale for investigating videogames as literature. Attending to Thomas Piketty’s arguments on the roles of wealth in literature, Crowley draws attention to an intersection of Piketty’s claims with literary critic Northrup Frye’s commentary on fairy tales and sentimental romance. As well as addressing a rationale for valuing videogames as literature, Crowley posits that the videogame form itself has special meaning for what Frye identifies as fundamental themes in sentimental romance: the themes of ascent and descent. “Literary Theory for Gamers” concludes with an application of the chapter’s central propositions to one of the earliest videogames, Spacewar!.
The Power of Empathy

Empathy is a powerful conflict resource that has a positive ripple effect on the neutrals, advocates and participants. For advocates, arbitrators and mediators who strive to ethically achieve the ofttimes elusive goal of objectivity, even-handed empathy toward both parties is an effective de-biasing tool. As a de-biasing tool, empathy helps us make better deals because we can then garner quality information less shackled by cognitive biases. For participants in dispute resolution process, empathy enhances their perception of the legitimacy of the process and their esteem for our legal system as a whole. Empathy as a conflict resolution resource should be included in our work, our trainings and our professional education.
Henrich, Joseph. 2015. The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter.

Henrich, Joseph. 2015. The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. xv, 445 pages. Hardcover $29.95.
Abstract 5265: Breast cancer stem cell inhibition by benzyl isothiocyanate is hampered by induction of Kruppel-like factor 4

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States. Over the last decade, breast cancer stem cells (bCSC) have been identified and characterized as a key player in breast cancer progression and recurrence. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) is a highly promising cancer chemopreventive constituent of edible cruciferous vegetables such as garden cress. We have shown previously that BITC inhibits bCSC in cultured breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and SUM159 cells) and in spontaneous tumors of mouse mammary tumor virus-neu (MMTV-neu) mice in vivo. Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a zinc finger transcription factor, is known as both oncogene and tumor suppressor in various types of human cancers and plays an important role in reprogramming differentiated somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells. The present study demonstrates that KLF4 impedes bCSC inhibition by BITC. Exposure of breast cancer cells (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and SUM159) to pharmacological concentrations of BITC (2.5 and 5 µM) resulted in induction of KLF4 protein, which was accompanied by increase of its transcription. In addition, BITC treatment increased nuclear level of KLF4 in breast cancer cells. KLF4 protein expression was also higher in tumors form BITC-treated MMTV-neu mice compared with the control group. Ectopic expression of KLF4 in MCF-7 cells conferred marked protection against BITC-mediated inhibition of bCSC as evidenced by aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) activity. Consistent with these observations, BITC-mediated inhibition of bCSC in MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and SUM159 cells was significantly augmented by RNA interference of KLF4 as evidenced by ALDH1 activity and frequency of mammospheres. KLF4 overexpression also increased cell migration capacity of MCF-7 cells. Furthermore knockdown of KLF4 augmented BITC-mediated inhibition of cell migration in SUM159 cells. These results suggest that anticancer activity of BITC may be enhanced by KLF4 inhibition or knockdown in breast cancer cells. This study was supported by the grant RO1 CA129347-09 awarded by the National Cancer Institute. Citation Format: Su-Hyeong Kim, Yong Wan, Shivendra V. Singh. Breast cancer stem cell inhibition by benzyl isothiocyanate is hampered by induction of Kruppel-like factor 4 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5265. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5265
Data on strains of fungi cultured from baldcypress leaves and gall tissue

Abstract We show the distribution of fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) cultured from leaves and galls of baldcypress ( Taxodium distichum ) trees (Washburn and Van Bael, 2017) [1]. We include putative names when possible, guided by the nearest match in the NCBI databank. This data table shows only one representative of each OTU group and it's nearest match in the NCBI databank, along with information about coverage and percent match of the reads. In total there were 144 fungal cultures sequenced, and all sequences were deposited in the NCBI database under accession numbers KY765150 – KY765293 (Washburn and Van Bael, 2017) [1].
Cardiac Palliative Medicine

Heart failure is an illness with high morbidity and mortality that affects 5.7 million Americans. As advanced heart therapies become more prevalent care for patients and families is becoming more complex. The American Heart Association has released a policy statement recommending continuous, high-quality access to palliative care for all patients with heart failure, and the Center for Medicare Services requires palliative care involvement in mechanical circulatory support teams. The National Quality Forum developed eight domains of palliative care that are required for high-quality delivery of comprehensive palliative care. This article assesses each domain and how it pertains to evolving care of patients with advanced heart failure. Leadership from heart failure teams should review the domains of palliative care to ensure they are improving primary palliative care skills as well as identifying areas needed to improve funding so that patients have access to comprehensive specialty level palliative care.
Two concurrent appendiceal neoplasms in an elderly patient: A case report.

Abstract Introduction Acute appendicitis, one of the commonest surgical diagnoses, is rare and more complex presentation in the elderly. Physicians must consider atypical causes appendicitis in this population, which could affect the management of the patient. Presentation of case An elderly female presented with a two-day history of lower abdominal pain, associated with low-grade fevers and chills. Studies showed leukocytosis and computed tomography (CT) findings consistent with appendicitis. She underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Intra-operatively, the Appendix had an unusual appearance, so a frozen-section was obtained, suggestive of a mucinous neoplasm with grossly clear margins. Despite the possibility that she may require a more extensive cancer operation pending the final Pathology results, the decision was made to complete the operation at this stage, and return at a later date if needed, after completing the patient's work-up with a colonoscopy to rule out any synchronous colonic lesions that could alter her surgical management. Final Pathology revealed both a low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm, as well as a tip carcinoid tumor, both of which were adequately treated with appendectomy alone. Discussion Physicians treating elderly patients with appendicitis should suspect an atypical etiology, such as appendiceal cancer. Early identification and appropriate pre-operative counseling may alter the surgical management. Conclusion The role and timing of right hemicolectomy in treating appendiceal cancers remain controversial, and should be evaluated on a case by case basis.
Theory to Innovation to Practice

Classroom practitioners are often asked to adopt continually changing standards, to be collaborators and reflective practitioners, and to make new and evolving technologies an integral part of their practice. Understanding Problems of Practice: A Case Study in Design Research describes a process for thinking about and reflecting on innovative practice – the design research process. Each of the five phases of the design research process is exemplified by a discussion of how the authors as classroom practitioners used this process to create a technology education course for perspective secondary educators. In Chap. 1, the authors describe the role of design research in the process of solving classroom problems of practice and explain design research and design practice. They conclude with challenges using the design research process for classroom practice and reframe the process to focus on strategies and language that capture the realities and needs of the classroom practitioner. They introduce five design research phases: understanding the problem of practice, creating a design solution, assessing the design solution, evaluating learning outcomes, and capturing lessons for practice.
Like-Mindedness: Plato’s Solution to the Problem of Faction

Plato recognizes faction as a serious threat to any political community (e.g., at Rep. 462a9-b2). The Republic’s proposed solution to faction relies on bringing citizens into a relation of ὁμόνοια. On the dominant line of interpretation, ὁμόνοια is understood along the lines of “explicit agreement” or “consensus.” Commentators have consequently thought that the καλλίπολις becomes resistant to faction when all or most of its members explicitly agree with one another about certain fundamentals of their political association—for example, they agree regarding who should govern in the καλλίπολις.
Adoption of a Closed-Loop Communication Tool to Establish and Execute a Collaborative Follow-Up Plan for Incidental Pulmonary Nodules.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to assess radiologists' adoption of a closed-loop communication and tracking system, Result Alert and Development of Automated Resolution (RADAR), for incide...
Rapid adaptation to Coriolis force perturbations of voluntary body sway

This paper describes adaptation to Coriolis force perturbations of voluntary sway in a rotating environment. During counterclockwise rotation, sway paths are deviated clockwise, but full restoratio...