cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preoperative endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration does not impair survival of patients with resected pancreatic cancer

Objective Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) allows preoperative tissue confirmation of malignancy, but fear of tumour cell dissemination along the needle track has limited its use. We hypothesised that if tumour cell dissemination occurs with EUS-FNA, survival after complete resection would be impaired. We aimed to evaluate the association of preoperative EUS-FNA with long-term outcomes of patients with resected pancreatic cancer. Design Using the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)–Medicare data, we identified patients with locoregional pancreatic cancer who underwent curative intent surgery from 1998 to 2009. The patients who received EUS-FNA within the peridiagnostic period were included in the EUS-FNA group. Patients who did not receive EUS evaluation or who underwent EUS without FNA were included in the non-EUS-FNA group. Overall survival and pancreatic cancer-specific survival were compared after controlling for relevant covariates. Results A total of 2034 patients with pancreatic cancer were included (90% pancreatic adenocarcinoma). Of these, 498 (24%) patients were in EUS-FNA group. Patients with multiple comorbidities and more recent diagnosis were more likely to receive EUS-FNA. In multivariate analysis, after controlling for age, race, gender, tumour histology, tumour stage, tumour grade, tumour location, SEER site, year of diagnosis, undergoing percutaneous aspiration/biopsy, Charlson Comorbidity Index, radiation and chemotherapy, EUS-FNA was marginally associated with improved overall survival (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.99), but did not affect cancer-specific survival (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.03). Conclusions Preoperative EUS-FNA was not associated with increased risk of mortality. These data suggest that EUS-FNA can be safely performed for the work-up of suspicious pancreatic lesions.
In Situ Measurements of the Thermal Conductivity of Ash Deposits Formed in a Pilot-Scale Combustor

The results described in this paper demonstrate the capability to measure in situ the thermal conductivity of ash deposits formed in the MFC. The measurement technique does not disturb the natural physical structure of the deposit. This capability is significant because the structure is thought to largely determine the thermal conductivity of the deposit.
ASP, Art and Science of Practice: Educating Military Operations Research Practitioners

The 2013 UPS George D. Smith Prize was awarded to the Naval Postgraduate School's NPS Operations Research OR department for "effective and innovative preparation of students to be good practitioners of operations research, management science, or analytics." In the spirit of the prize, this paper shares details about our degree program. The program is closely linked to its military sponsor, the United States Department of Defense, in a unique relationship that ensures NPS students and faculty are focused on critical and important problems facing the military. Our students bring firsthand knowledge of the challenges our organization faces, and leave our academic program as OR practitioners prepared to immediately meet those challenges.
Imaging of the post-treatment larynx

The treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract includes surgery, radiation therapy (RT), chemotherapy or a combination of various modalities. Familiarization with the expected imaging changes following therapy allow accurate evaluation of imaging studies and may prevent misinterpretation of post-treatment changes as recurrent disease. The intent of this manuscript will be to review the post-treatment appearance of the larynx following RT and various types of laryngectomy.
A METHODOLOGY FOR TRACKING SOLUTE DISTRIBUTION IN A MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF THE KIDNEY

The goal of this study is to develop a methodology for tracking the distribution of filtered solute in mathematical models of the urine concentrating mechanism. Investigation of intrarenal solute distribution, and its cycling by way of countercurrent exchange and preferential tubular interactions, may yield new insights into fundamental principles of concentrating mechanism function. Our method is implemented in a dynamic formulation of a central core model that represents renal tubules in both the cortex and the medulla. Axial solute diffusion is represented in intratubular flows and in the central core. By representing the fate of solute originally belonging to a marked bolus, we obtain the distribution of that solute as a function of time. In addition, we characterize the residence time of that solute by computing the portion of that solute remaining in the model system as a function of time. Because precise mass conservation is of particular importance in solute tracking, our numerical approach is based on the second-order Godunov method, which, by construction, is mass-conserving and accurately represents steep gradients and discontinuities in solute concentrations and tubular properties.
Inhibition of allograft inflammatory factor-1 expression reduces development of neointimal hyperplasia and p38 kinase activity

Aims Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a calcium-binding, scaffold-signalling protein expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in response to injury. The effects of AIF-1 attenuation on development of intimal hyperplasia are unknown, and the molecular mechanisms of these effects remain uncharacterized. The goals of the present study were to determine whether AIF-1 knockdown reduced VSMC proliferation, migration, and intimal hyperplasia, and determine AIF-1 effects on signal transduction in VSMCs. Methods and results Balloon angioplasty-injured rat carotid arteries transduced with adenovirus to overexpress AIF-1 (AdAIF-1) significantly increased, and adenovirus to knock down AIF-1 (AdsiRNA) expression significantly decreased neointimal formation compared with green fluorescent protein (AdGFP) and Adscrambled controls (P , 0.05 and P , 0.01, n ¼ 6). Primary rat VSMCs transduced with AdAIF-1 displayed a significant increase in proliferation, and AdsiRNA-transduced VSMCs proliferated significantly more slowly than controls (P , 0.05). VSMCs transduced with AdAIF-1 show increased migration when compared with control VSMCs (P , 0.01). Rat VSMCs transduced with AdAIF-1 showed constitutive and prolonged activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38, whereas AdsiRNAtreated VSMCs showed decreased p38 activation compared with AdGFP (P , 0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis of AdAIF-1-transduced carotid arteries showed increased staining with a phospho-specific p38 antibody compared with AdGFP-transduced arteries. A specific p38 inhibitor abrogated AIF-1induced VSMC proliferation, but not AIF-1-induced migration. Conclusion Taken together, AIF-1 expression plays a key role in the development of neointimal hyperplasia. AIF-1 expression enhances the activation of p38 MAP kinase. AIF-1-enhanced proliferation is p38 kinase dependent, but AIF-1-enhanced VSMC migration is p38 independent.
Elders' Nonadherence: Its Assessment and Medication Reminding by Voice Mail

This study investigates four questions related to the problem of medication nonadherence among elders. First, does memory failure play a significant role in nonadherence? Second, can memory-related nonadherence be predicted by simple tests of cognitive performance? Third, can the new portable bar code scanner technology be used to unobtrusively monitor nonadherence? Most importantly, can inexpensive telephone voice mail technology be used to improve medication adherence? The results show that: elders have substantial levels of forgetting; nonadherence decreases with higher cognitive test scores; portable bar code scanners are useful for monitoring adherence; and voice mail reduces tardiness and complete forgetting.
Validity of the executive function theory of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analytic review.

One of the most prominent neuropsychologic theories of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suggests that its symptoms arise from a primary deficit in executive functions (EF), defined as neurocognitive processes that maintain an appropriate problem-solving set to attain a later goal. To examine the validity of the EF theory, we conducted a meta-analysis of 83 studies that administered EF measures to groups with ADHD (total N = 3734) and without ADHD ( N = 2969). Groups with ADHD exhibited significant impairment on all EF tasks. Effect sizes for all measures fell in the medium range (.46–.69), but the strongest and most consistent effects were obtained on measures of response inhibition, vigilance, working memory, and planning. Weaknesses in EF were significant in both clinic-referred and community samples and were not explained by group differences in intelligence, academic achievement, or symptoms of other disorders. ADHD is associated with significant weaknesses in several key EF domains. However, moderate effect sizes and lack of universality of EF deficits among individuals with ADHD suggest that EF weaknesses are neither necessary nor sufficient to cause all cases of ADHD. Difficulties with EF appear to be one important component of the complex neuropsychology of ADHD.
MYOSIN V ASSOCIATES WITH MELANOSOMES IN MOUSE MELANOCYTES: EVIDENCE THAT MYOSIN V IS AN ORGANELLE MOTOR

Mice with mutations at the dilute locus exhibit a ‘washed out’ or ‘diluted’ coat color. The pigments that are responsible for the coloration of mammalian hair are produced by melanocytes within a specialized organelle, the melanosome. Each melanocyte is responsible for delivering melanosomes via its extensive dendritic arbor to numerous keratinocytes, which go on to form the pigmented hair shaft. In this study, we show by light immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy that the myosin V isoform encoded by the dilute locus associates with melanosomes. This association, which was seen in all mouse melanocyte cell lines examined and with two independent myosin V antibodies, was evident not only within completely melanized cells, but also within cells undergoing the process of melanosome biogenesis, where coordinate changes in the distributions of a melanosome marker and myosin V were seen. To determine where myosin V, a known actin-based motor, might play a role in melanosome transport, we also examined the cellular distribution of F-actin. The only region where myosin V and F-actin were both concentrated was in dendrites and dendritic tips, which represent the sole destination for melanosomes and where they accumulate in cultured melanocytes. These results support the idea that myosin V serves as the motor for the outward movement of melanosomes within dendritic extensions, and, together with the available information regarding the phenotype of mutant melanocytes in vitro, argue that coat color dilution is caused by the absense of this myosin V-dependent melanosome transport system.
FINITE ELEMENT MODELING OF STRESSES INDUCED BY HIGH SPEED MACHINING WITH ROUND EDGE CUTTING TOOLS

ABSTRACT High speed machining (HSM) produces parts with substantially higher fatigue strength; increased subsurface micro-hardness and plastic deformation, mostly due to the ploughing of the cutting tool associated with residual stresses, and can have far more superior surface properties than surfaces generated by grinding and polishing. In this paper, a dynamics explicit Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) based Finite Element Method (FEM) modeling is employed. FEM techniques such as adaptive meshing, explicit dynamics and fully coupled thermal-stress analysis are combined to realistically simulate high speed machining with an orthogonal cutting model. The Johnson-Cook model is used to describe the work material behavior. A detailed friction modeling at the too-chip and tool l-work interfaces is also carried. Work material flow around the round edge-cutting tool is successfully simulated without implementing a chip separation criterion and without the use of a remeshing scheme. Finite Element modeling of stresses and resultant surface properties induced by round edge cutting tools is performed as case studies for high speed machining of AISI 1045 and AISI 4340 steels, and Ti6Al4V titanium alloy.
Tip levels and service: An update, extension, and reconciliation

Restaurant managers correctly believe that good tips discourage server turnover, but managers might not know the best ways to boost tips—because improving service quality doesn't necessarily do it.
The conceptualization of an Albanian nation

Abstract The communist era of the mid‐twentieth century was a pivotal period for the coalescence of many national identities. Often Communism provided the first modern, stable, state governments and infrastructures upon which overarching ideas of identity, such as nationalism, could readily grow. The communist era was certainly a crucial one for Albanian national ideology and thus it is important to reevaluate Albanian nationalism in the light of the recent ebb of communist hegemony in Eastern Europe. Placing the current issues confronting Albanian ideas of self in perspective by tracing their historical background, we find that the situation of Albanian‐identifying communities, divided among three or more states and caught between Eastern and Western influences, is forcing upon Albanian ideas of self an extreme change from a decidedly introverted to an extroverted ideal. Such forces are counterpoised by prior ideology regarding Albanian nationalism and the history of the Albanian people, as well as by th...
Comparative Distribution of Volatile Aliphatic Disulfides Derived from Fresh and Dehydrated Onions

SUMMARY— Gas chromatographic determination of the volatiles from fresh “Sunspice” onions revealed that the principal disulfide present is di-St-propyl, followed in descending, order of concentration by n-propyl allyl, methyl-n-propyl, methyl allyl, dimethyl, and diallyl. In dehydrated onions this order is markedly altered. Methyl-n-propyl is the principal disulfide, followed by dimethyl, methyl allyl, di-n-propyl, n-propyl allyl, and diallyl. Quantitative estimates of the disulfide content of 53 lots of fresh onions were made and compared with analyses of dehydrated onions from comparable lot numbers. Loss of measured volatiles averaged 98%, while loss of disulfides was greater than 89%. The relationship of disulfides to onion flavor and a pungency ranking system based on these analyses are discussed.
High-Frequency Trading: Implications for Market Efficiency and Fairness

High-frequency trading (HFT) has become more commonplace in the last few years, and more importantly, it has become more noticeable by the general investing public as well as the policy-makers. The growing use of HFT raises some important questions and this chapter will address the following three: (1) provide an introduction to the nature of HFT and its progression in terms of use in execution of financial investment order flow, (2) implication of HFT for market efficiency specifically in relation to the “efficient market hypothesis,” and (3) implications for “fairness” in the financial markets.
City Fiscal Conditions in 2004

The author reports that city fiscal directors are still pessimistic about fiscal conditions. Until or unless municipalities' tax rates and tax bases improve dramatically, the fiscal position of cities for next year will not be significantly improved, the author writes.
Remodeling of the interphase chromatin domain structures in embryonic stem cells by targeted placement of human-specific regulatory loci

Thousands of candidate human-specific genomic regulatory loci (HSGRL) have been identified, supporting the idea that unique to human phenotypes result from human-specific changes to genomic regulatory networks (GRNs). A notable common feature of HSGRL is a predominant location within non-protein coding sequences. A significant void is the lack of a genome-wide view on diverse families of HSGRL within the context of the principal regulatory structures of the interphase chromatin, namely topologically-associating domains (TADs) and specific sub-TAD structures termed super-enhancer domains (SEDs). Genome-wide proximity placement analysis of 10,598 HSGRL revealed that 0.8%-10.3% of TADs contain more than half of HSGRL. Of the 3,127 TADs in the hESC genome, 24 (0.8%); 53 (1.7%); 259 (8.3%); and 322 (10.3%) harbor 1,110 (52.4%); 1,936 (50.9%); 1,151 (59.6%); and 1,601 (58.3%) HSGRL sequences from four distinct families, respectively. TADs that are enriched for HSGRL and termed rapidly-evolving in humans TADs (revTADs) manifest distinct correlation patterns between HSGRL placements and recombination rates. There are significant enrichment within revTAD boundaries of hESC-enhancers, primate-specific CTCF-binding sites, human-specific RNAPII-binding sites, hCONDELs, and H3K4me3 peaks with human-specific enrichment at TSS in prefrontal cortex neurons (p < 0.0001 in all instances). In hESC genome, 331 of 504 (66%) of SE-harboring TADs contain HSGRL and 68% of SEs co-localize with HSGRL, suggesting that HSGRL rewired SE-driven GRNs within revTADs by inserting novel and/or erasing existing regulatory sequences. Consequently, markedly distinct features of chromatin structures evolved in hESC compared to mouse: the SE quantity is 3-fold higher and the median SE size is significantly larger; concomitantly, the TAD number is increased by 42% while the median TAD size is decreased (p=9.11E-37). Present analyses revealed a global role for HSGRL in increasing both quantity and size of SEs and increasing the number and size reduction of TADs, which may facilitate a convergence of TAD and SED architectures of interphase chromatin and define a trend of increasing regulatory complexity during evolution of GRNs.
Thermodynamic and Spectroscopic Studies of Trivalent f-element Complexation with Ethylenediamine-N,N′-di(acetylglycine)-N,N′-diacetic Acid

The coordination behavior and thermodynamic features of complexation of trivalent lanthanides and americium by ethylenediamine-N,N′-di(acetylglycine)-N,N′-diacetic acid (EDDAG-DA) (bisamide-substituted-EDTA) were investigated by potentiometric and spectroscopic techniques. Acid dissociation constants (Ka) and complexation constants (β) of lanthanides (except Pm) were determined by potentiometric analysis. Absorption spectroscopy was used to determine stability constants for the binding of trivalent americium and neodymium by EDDAG-DA under similar conditions. The potentiometry revealed 5 discernible protonation constants and 3 distinct metal–ligand complexes (identified as ML–, MHL, and MH2L+). Time-resolved fluorescence studies of Eu-(EDDAG-DA) solutions (at varying pH) identified a constant inner-sphere hydration number of 3, suggesting that glycine functionalities contained in the amide pendant arms are not involved in metal complexation and are protonated under more acidic conditions. The thermodynami...
The impact of mesh reinforcement with components separation for abdominal wall reconstruction

RESULTS: Of the patients who underwent excision, 103 (63.6%) were female, and the mean age was 45.6 15.7. Eighty-one (50%) were White and 63 (38.9%) were Black or African American. When BMI was calculated, 89 (54.9%) patients were obese and 45 (27.8%) were overweight. Diabetic patients comprised 13.6% (n1⁄422) of the sample and smokers comprised 35.8% (n1⁄458). The most common site of disease was perianal/ perineal/umbilical (30.2%), followed by axillary (27.8%) and inguinal (18.5%). The rates of superficial, deep, and organ/space surgical site infection were 3.1%, 0.6% and 2.5%, respectively. The incidences of postoperative pneumonia, UTI, sepsis, and DVT were all low (<2%). Seventeen patients (10.5%) returned to the OR within 30 days. There were 5 unplanned reoperations, 3 for HS excision. The mean length of stay was 3.25 ( 5.24) days.
THE EVOLUTIONARY DYNAMICS OF THE DESERT WOODRAT, NEOTOMA LEPIDA.

Neotomla lepida shows a great amount of intraspecific phenotypic variation. Hall and Kelson (1959) list 30 subspecies. There is, furthermore, a great deal of variation within each subspecies, and in particular the subspecies investigated here, N. lepida lepida. As these animals construct permanent dwellings, some of which may have been inhabited intermittently for thousands of years (XVells and Berger, 1967), it is assumed that under most circumstances the distance they wander is limited, causing the "fine-scaled structure of partial isolation, without marked environmental differences" which Wright (1951) mentions. The woodrats used in this study were collected at Pisgah and Nemo Lava Flows in Lavic Valley, California, in ecotonal areas of black lava and white sand. The distribution and selection of coat color phenotypes due to geographical and historical events as well as stochastic processes and immigration is the subject of this paper. Another function of this paper is to present a new combination of techniques for use in the analysis and interpretation of coat color characteristics. Formerly analyses of mammalian coat color characteristics have been performed with respect to both the genetic peculiarities of coat color (Searle, 1968) and the distribution of coat color phenotypes (Benson, 1933; Blair, 1947; Stodart, 1965); however, quantitative measurements of coat color have been lacking. The perfection of continuously scanning spectrophotometers capable of measuring coat reflectance has made possible the detailed analysis here of the microgeographic distribution of small mammals in terms of coat pigment.
Failure to Demonstrate an Interrelationship Between Inositol and p-Aminobenzoic Acid in the Rat

SummaryNo adverse effects were noted from the incorporation of inositol or p-aminobenzoic acid in a purified ration containing 6 B complex factors (thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, calcium pantothenate, nicotinic acid and choline chloride).
Optimal PMU placement considering contingency-constraints for power system observability and measurement redundancy

This paper proposes a two-step optimization approach for optimal placement of phasor measurement unit (PMU) to obtain complete observability of power system in the case of preinstalled PMUs. The complete observability of the system in the case of normal operation and pre-installed PMUs is formulated and then, different contingency conditions in the system are considered, i.e. single line outage and single bus outage. At the first step of the proposed two-step optimization approach, a minimization model is applied to convex programing (cvx) to achieve the minimum number of PMUs which guarantees the complete observability of the system. At the second step, simulated annealing (SA) is applied to maximize the measurement redundancy. Additionally, to further reduce the number of required PMUs the zero-injection bus effect is considered. At last, the proposed approach is tested on several IEEE standard systems, i.e. IEEE 14-bus, 30-bus, 39-bus, IEEE 16-machine 68-bus and 118-bus, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Calculation of short-circuit power of medium voltage winding for three-winding transformer

Aiming at the calculation of short-circuit current for exit short circuit of 220 kV/180 MVA three-winding transformer,this paper establishes the calculation model of medium voltage winding short-circuit power when short circuit occurs in medium voltage winding by Magnetic Potential Balance Principle,and calculates its 2D transient leakage field by "field-circuit coupling" finite element method,from which obtains force distribution and transient curve of medium voltage winding and checks the axial stability of the area influenced most by axial short-circuit power.Calculation result shows that the calculation of short-circuit power of medium voltage winding for three-winding transformer by finite element software ANSYS,which saves the complicated calculation process and assumption of traditional calculation of electromotive power and enhances accuracy,enables enough the axial mechanical strength for medium voltage winding of transformer and provides reference for transformer design and operation crew.
Grape powder attenuates the negative effects of GLP-1 receptor antagonism by exendin-3 (9–39) in a normoglycemic mouse model

Prediabetes is a condition affecting 35% of US adults and about 50% of US adults age 65+. Foods rich in polyphenols, including flavanols and other flavonoids, have been studied for their putative beneficial effects on many different health conditions including type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes. Studies have shown that some flavanols increase glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion. GLP-1 is a feeding hormone that increases insulin secretion after carbohydrate consumption, and increased GLP-1 secretion may be responsible for some of the beneficial effects on glycemic control after flavanol consumption. The present study explored the effects of grape powder consumption on metrics of glycemic health in normoglycemic and prediabetic C57BL/6J mice; additionally, the mechanism of action of grape powder polyphenols was investigated. Grape powder significantly reduced (p < 0.01) blood glucose levels following oral glucose gavage after GLP-1 receptor antagonism by exendin-3 (9–39) compared to sugar-matched control, indicating that it was able to attenuate the hyperglycemic effects of GLP-1 receptor antagonism. Grape powder was employed in acute (1.6 g grape powder per kg bodyweight) and long-term high fat diet (grape powder incorporated into treatment diets at 5% w/w) feeding studies in normoglycemic and prediabetic (diet-induced obesity) mice; grape powder did not impove glycemic control in these studies versus sugar-matched control. The mechanisms by which grape powder ameliorates the deleterious effects of GLP-1 receptor antagonism warrant further study.
High Pressure, High Temperature Transformations from Laboratory to Industry

The invention of apparatus and processes for synthesizing diamond, cubic boron nitride, and sintered abrasives is an out-standing technical triumph. But the plaudits for such an achievement are short-lived unless economically viable products that meet the real needs of society are produced commercially. The glamour of the original discovery has, however, obscured some-what the significance of a whole series of sequential developments that were necessary for commercial success and service to the market. The intent here is to redress the balance, and examine the requirements for a successful transformation.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin with Thiotepa, Mitomycin C, Poly I:C/Poly-L-Lysine and Cis Platinum in Murine Bladder Cancer

AbstractThe efficacy of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin for the treatment of the mouse bladder tumor MBT-2 was compared with that of thiotepa, mitomycin C, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II and poly I:C/poly-L-lysine. MBT-2 cells were instilled into the bladder immediately after electro-cauterization. Drug instillations were initiated 24 hours later and continued on a weekly basis for 4 weeks. Both Bacillus Calmette-Guerin and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II significantly (p <.0004) inhibited MBT-2 tumor implantation when compared to diluent-treated controls. Neither mitomycin C, thiotepa nor poly I:C/poly-L-lysine significantly inhibited tumor implantation. Mean tumor weights also were significantly (p <.05) reduced in Bacillus Calmette-Guerin and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II-treated mice, while tumor mean weights in mice treated with thiotepa, mitomycin C or poly hC/poly-L-lysine were not significantly different than controls. These results suggest that the efficacy of intravesical Bacillus Calme...
Omnidirectional locomotion control of a pendulum driven spherical robot

This paper proposes a method for omnidirectional locomotion control of a pendulum driven spherical robot. Two continuous rotation actuators control the orientation of a pendulum within the spherical shell. The control system generates desired actuator angles to move the pendulum in the direction of the desired motion in reference to an assumed inertial frame. Additionally, partial feedback linearizion of the under-actuated nonlinear system aids in driving the actuator angles to the desired angles. The dynamics of the robot were derived using the Euler-Lagrange formulation and simulated to verify the functionality of the controller. The simulations show the proposed control method is capable of performing directional and set-point control of the robot.
A genealogy of conservation in Botswana

Understanding the roots of human-wildlife conflict in Botswana requires an examination of the historical processes through which such conflict emerged. In this article, I trace the genealogy of conservation policies in Botswana, beginning in the colonial period, and argue that current struggles over resources in the northern wildlife areas of Botswana were the product of specific historical decisions regarding policies over land use. Specifically, I show how concern with game preservation in the colonial era was subsumed by fear of land degradation in the newly independent nation state. The primary policy designed to mitigate land degradation, the Tribal Grazing Land Policy, was then appropriated by a new round of wildlife conservationists, who used its “reserve land” designation to further the expansion of wildlife management areas in the 1980s. The result has been the zoning of land for wildlife utilization in areas beyond those solely occupied by Remote Area Dwellers. This has led to a high degree of human-wildlife conflict in the country, because instead of zoning for wildlife utilization in areas occupied by non-cattle owning populations (i.e. the Basarwa), as was envisioned under the TGLP, wildlife management areas have been established in areas inhabited by those who rely on cattle for their livelihoods
Notes on the use of randomised controlled trials to evaluate complex interventions: Community treatment orders as an illustrative case.

Over the past seven decades, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have revolutionised clinical research and achieved a gold standard status. However, extending their use to evaluate complex interventions is problematic. In this paper we will demonstrate that complex intervention RCTs violate the necessary premises that govern the RCTs logic and underpin their rigour. The lack of blinding, heterogeneity of participants, as well as poor treatment standardisation and difficulty of controlling for confounders, which characterise complex intervention RCTs, can potentially be profoundly detrimental to their integrity. Proponents of this approach argue that matching “real world” circumstances, while maintaining the randomised design, enhances external validity. We counter this argument by pointing out that an inverted U relation exists between internal and external validity, and thus relaxing the experimental conditions beyond a certain threshold can potentially paradoxically render the RCT externally invalid, i.e. its results cannot be used anywhere. We shall illustrate the inappropriate use of RCTs to evaluate community treatment orders and propose an alternative epistemic model that is based on mechanistic reasoning and Cartwright's capacity concept.
Using Multimedia with Firmware 2.0 Systems

During 2016, ROBOTIS released two new tools for users who would be interested in using multimedia tools such as graphics, video and audio beyond the simple musical scales and melodies offered by the microphone/speaker system built-in the current CM and OpenCM controllers: In April 2016, “R+SCRATCH” was released as an MS Windows helper application to allow the user to interface ROBOTIS robots with the off-line SCRATCH 2 IDE tool from MIT, but only for the CM-50 and OpenCM-7.00 at that time. The R+SCRATCH tool allowed users to apply all the multimedia and event programming tools of SCRATCH 2 to work with ROBOTIS hardware. In December 2016, “R+m.PLAY700” was released as a mobile app (Android and iOS versions) to accompany the newly minted OLLO PLAY700 kit (i.e. CM-50), but it turned out that this mobile app was applicable to all Firmware 2.0 systems (CM-50/150/200 and OpenCM-7.00/9.04), which was a boon to ROBOTIS users (NOTE: CM-150 required a special procedure to be described in Sect. 11.3). This mobile app allowed a TASK program to access various tools on the typical mobile device such as cameras, graphical/audio/video systems and sensors such as the touchscreen, gesture and tilt sensor (see Sect. 5.6.3). Furthermore, the OpenCM-IDE tool for embedded C with the OpenCM-9.04C (see Sect. 9.2) was also found to be compatible with the R+m.PLAY700 app.
Models as autonomous adaptive mediators and cognitive instruments for systems science

Although model development is an incremental and iterative process, it often prematurely convergences to a single authoritative model. On the other hand, the scientific method demands coupling of the generation of hypotheses with their evaluation via various cognitive strategies to facilitate competition among plausible explanations. This process results in a theory, which is represented by a cluster of models that jointly produce robust solutions. The multiplicity of models is imposed not only by the complexity of systems, but also by the need to constrain abstractions to a limited number of variables. Motivated by these observations, we propose a methodological foundation that views systems science from the lens of cognitive models of scientific discovery, allowing the management of ensemble of models while supporting autonomous mediation of theory with data.
Nodal decompositions of graphs

Abstract A nodal domain of a function is a maximally connected subset of the domain for which the function does not change sign. Courant's nodal domain theorem gives a bound on the number of nodal domains of eigenfunctions of elliptic operators. In particular, the k-th eigenfunction contains no more than k nodal domains. We prove a generalization of Courant's theorem to discrete graphs. Namely, we show that for the k-th eigenvalue of a generalized Laplacian of a discrete graph, there exists a set of corresponding eigenvectors such that each eigenvector can be decomposed into at most k nodal domains. In addition, we show this set to be of co-dimension zero with respect to the entire eigenspace.
Optimal power flow in distribution networks with high penetration of photovoltaic units

Recently, the integration of distributed generation (DG) into distribution networks has grown significantly. As a result of this integration, optimal power flow (OPF) can be applied to the distribution network as an effective tool in order to enhance the control, operation and planning in the distribution grid. The nonlinearity of OPF problem in distribution networks requires the application of nonlinear optimization methods. This paper investigates how high penetration photovoltaic (PV) units impact the voltage regulation and power flow in active distribution networks. A multi-objective function is used to define the nonlinear power flow problem and Cuckoo Search (CS) algorithm is applied to solve the OPF problem. The proposed method was tested by using IEEE 123 nodes test case. Comparing the results of the PV unit with the traditional operation methods shows that locating PV units in the unbalanced distribution system would lead to better performance.
The Normative Nature of Aggressive Intrusive Thinking Among an Underserved Incarcerated Population Compared With a Student Sample

Aggressive intrusive thoughts (AITs) are unwanted and repetitive thoughts, impulses, or desires that enter into consciousness involuntarily. The current study compared the frequency of and distress from AITs in a sample of inmates jailed for violent crimes ( n = 78) versus college students ( n = 103; that is, participant status). The relationship between psychopathic traits and AITs was also explored. Results indicated that, although there were no differences between students and inmates, AIT frequency was positively associated with Primary Psychopathy. However, there was no significant interaction between participant status (i.e., inmate vs. student) and psychopathy. Finally, there were no significant main or interactions effects in the model predicting AIT distress. These findings demonstrate that AIT frequency is a normative cognitive experience that occurs in both nonviolent and violent individuals, and provides further evidence for an association between psychopathic traits and unwanted aggressive cognition.
Leveraging a New Understanding of how Belowground Food Webs Stabilize Soil Organic Matter to Promote Ecological Intensification of Agriculture

Abstract Conventional approaches to sustainable agriculture largely rely on increasing efficient use of external nutrient sources. Research has shown that even in the presence of sufficient macronutrients, crop production and soil fertility may be deficient, emphasizing the need to understand broader ecological dynamics in soil to ecologically intensify agriculture. In this chapter, we highlight connections between new concepts in soil food web dynamics and soil organic matter stabilization to inform sustainable agriculture. We draw on emerging ideas in soil food web science to demonstrate that broad biotic interactions can play an essential role in governing stocks and cycling of soil organic matter. These new concepts lend support to agricultural management approaches that promote continued input of labile organic substrates as a means to build soil organic matter for fertility and environmental goals, such as carbon sequestration.
Statistical Analyses of Next Generation Sequencing Data: An Overview

Next generation sequencing (NGS) is a significant technological advance in biomedical sciences. The sequencing platforms have advanced rapidly to the point that several genomes can now be sequenced simultaneously in a single instrument run in under two weeks. Its applications range from detecting transcription factor binding sites and quantifying gene expression to discovering methylation patterns and comparing genomes. We discuss and review some of the major NGS platforms that are currently in use. Some of these platforms like Illumina represent the fastest evolving genomic technologies in terms of cost, throughput and speed. However, despite overcoming the limitations of first generation platforms and microarray based studies, the generated data is not free of noise. The sources of noise are diverse and complex depending on the generating platform and sequencing chemistry. For example, errors can creep in from any intermediate sequencing steps like ligand adaption, fragmentation, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification and nucleotide removal. In methods like Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing (ChIP-Seq), non-specific binding is a major source of noise. All of this raises novel statistical and computational challenges, e.g., in basecalling and differential profiling. In this chapter, we point out the critical challenges that arise in NGS data analysis and provide an objective overview of the existing literature. As we shall see, NGS is not only transforming genomics but driving new methodological development in several branches of quantitative science.
Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

All patients undergo face-to-face preoperative counseling preferably including partners, for discussion of the general nature of the procedure, potential complications including incontinence, impotence, and the potential need for transfusion, and the postoperative routine Specific emphasis is placed on the use of epidural anesthesia whether or not lymphadenectomy is to be performed whether or not a nerve-sparing procedure is contemplated and planned hospital length of stay. Patients donate one or two units of autologous blood at their option. A preoperative urinalysis should demonstrate no active infection. The diet is restricted to clear liquids on the day prior to surgery, and no bowel preparation is used. Patients are admitted to the operating room (OR) on the day of surgery A second-generation cephalosporin is given intravenously on call to the OR and for two doses postoperatively. Intermittent compression stockings are used for prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis
Leukocyte Function in Human Allergic Disease

Human allergic disease is mediated by antigen-specific IgE which fixes to a high-affinity receptor on the surfaces of mast cells and basophils. Antigen bridging of adjacent IgE molecules results in the release of mediators of Type I hypersensitivity. These include histamine, neutrophil chemotactic factors, eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis (ECF-A), and platelet-activating factor (PAF) (Plaut and Lichtenstein, 1978). In turn, these substances affect various other leukocytes.
The Management of Early-Stage and Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Review

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), defined as lacking expression of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2, comprises approximately 15% of incident breast cancers and is over-represented among those with metastatic disease. There are several biologically distinct subtypes within TNBC. Although the incidence of BRCA mutations across all subsets of breast cancer is low, BRCA mutations are more common among those with TNBC and may have therapeutic implications. The general principles guiding the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy do not differ dramatically between early-stage TNBC and non-TNBC.
Effects of Statins on HDL Metabolism

Statins, inhibitors of the key enzyme in the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, or HMG-CoA reductase) have been proven to be very effective in lowering plasma LDL-C levels and significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Statins also modestly increase plasma levels of HDL-C. The mechanism of the effect of statins on apo A-I metabolism has been studied by several groups. The current literature shows no significant effects of atorvastatin on plasma apo A-I concentrations and apo A-I kinetics, but a significant reduction of both production and clearance of apo A-I with rosuvastatin, without significant changes in plasma apo A-I concentrations. It is thought that the reduction in HDL clearance with rosuvastatin is due to the statin-associated reduction in plasma TG-rich lipoproteins levels, which leads to a reduction in the substrate for cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), and therefore to a reduction in the TG content and increase in cholesterol content of HDL. These results contrast with findings of increased apo A-I expression and production by statins in vitro.
TGF-beta/AURKA pharmacologic targeting to halt stemness and TNBC progression.

e13127Background: TGF-b signaling promotes an invasive TNBC phenotype through activation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) reprogramming. Breast cancer cells that undergo EMT acquire a ...
An invaluable transgenic blueberry for studying chilling-induced flowering in woody plants

Many deciduous woody crops require a minimum level of chilling to break dormancy and allow the seasonal growth of vegetative and floral buds. In this study, we report the discovery of an invaluable transgenic event of the blueberry cultivar ‘Legacy’ (hereafter, Mu-Legacy) for studying chilling-induced flowering in woody plants. Mu-legacy and its progeny provide a unique material to study the unknown mechanism of chilling-mediated flowering in woody plants. Unlike nontransgenic ‘Legacy’ and plants of 48 other transgenic events, Mu-Legacy plants were able to flower under nonchilling conditions and had early flower bud formation, reduced plant size, and reduced chilling requirement for normal flowering. These characteristics were heritable and also observed in self-pollinated, transgenic T1 progenies of Mu-Legacy. A 47-Kbp genomic sequence surrounding the transgene insertion position was identified. RNA-sequencing data showed increased expression of a RESPONSE REGULATOR 2-like gene (VcRR2), located adjacent to the insertion position in Mu-Legacy and likely driven by the CaMV 35S promoter of the transgene. The Mu-Legacy showed 209 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in nonchilled flower buds (compared to nontransgenic ‘Legacy’), of which only four DEGs were in the flowering pathway. This suggests altered expression of these few genes, VcRR2 and four flowering DEGs, is sufficient to significantly change flowering behavior in Mu-Legacy. The significance of VcRR2 in Mu-Legacy suggests that the VcRR2-involved cytokinin pathway likely contributes to the major differences in chilling-mediated flowering between woody and herbaceous plants. More importantly, Mu-Legacy shows increased yield potential, a decreased chilling requirement, and better winter hardiness than many low-chilling cultivars growing in southern warm winter conditions.
Learning to Drive a Wheelchair in Virtual Reality

This research project studied the effect that a technology-based training program, WheelchairNet, could contribute to the education of children with physical disabilities by providing a chance to practice driving virtual motorized wheelchairs safely within a computer-generated world. Programmers created three virtual worlds for training. Scenarios 1 and 2 promoted independent exploration, discovery, cause and effect relationships, and visual memory (skills prerequisite to independent mobility that orthopedically impaired children often lack due to lack of experience. Scenario 3 provided a more structured environment to establish appropriate street-crossing skills on a crosswalk with a traffic light. The project evaluated the children's progress in actual reality. Results from a multivariate repeated measures design suggest all four skills improved as a function of training time. Examination of individual data suggests that children spent most of their time in the first or second worlds in the early stages...
Solving Large Dynamical Systems by Constraint Sampling.

The ability to conduct fast and reliable simulations of dynamic systems is of special interest to many fields of operations. Such simulations can be very complex and, to be thorough, involve millions of variables, making it prohibitive in CPU time to run repeatedly for many different configurations. Reduced-Order Modeling (ROM) provides a concrete way to handle such complex simulations using a realistic amount of resources. However, when the original dynamical system is very large, the resulting reduced-order model, although much “thinner”, is still as tall as the original system, i.e., it has the same number of equations. In some extreme cases, the number of equations is prohibitive and cannot be loaded in memory. In this work, we combine traditional interval constraint solving techniques with a strategy to reduce the number of equations to consider. We describe our approach and report preliminary promising results.