cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1272 Survival and Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Preterm Infants with a Gestational Age of 22 to 26 Weeks in a Regional Centre

Background and Aims Counselling parents of extremely preterm infants requires knowledge on results of large population-based cohorts and contemporaneous local data. Methods We assessed the outcome of all live-born infants 2006 to 2009 with a gestational of 22 to 26 weeks (outborns admitted to neonatal care and all inborns). At a corrected age of 24 months infants underwent Bayley Scales of Infant and Development II testing, clinical and neurological examinations. Results There were 105 infants 84 in 44 (59%), 84–70 in 20 (27%), and 84 in 53 (72%), 84–70 in 12 (16%), and Conclusions The rates of overall survival (76%) and normal neurological development among survivors (61%) were similar to contemporaneous data from for Sweden (70%) and the Stockholm area (65%), respectively.
John Harrington and Maria Stuttaford (eds). Global Health and Human Rights: Legal and Philosophical PerspectivesJohn Tobin. The Right to Health in International Law

Two recent publications present a defence of the right to health as it is articulated in international law and also provide insights into the array of impediments to realizing the health right. Despite a perceived conceptual lack of coherence and a limited appreciation of its relevance among health care professionals identified in these two books, the right to health has nevertheless succeeded in capturing greater attention in global policy circles. Local health care system reform initiatives around the globe increasingly make reference to the right to health. Both books are particularly helpful additions to the literature in light of recent advances in the development of the health right. Yet, each offers a very different assessment of its present status and prognosis for its future development. John Harrington and Maria Stuttaford's edited volume brings together a variety of internationally renowned scholars of law, philosophy, and health policy to offer an interdisciplinary exploration of the "development of rights-based approaches to health" (at i). John Tobin's book also draws from a range of different disciplines and offers a truly outstanding and comprehensive examination of the health right. From the history of its inclusion in the corpus of international law, to its conceptual foundations and substantive content, to measures required to secure it, Tobin's text on the right to health could well be the most helpful to date. It provides an accessible overview to readers interested in understanding obligations arising from the right to health under international law and impediments to implementation. A central organizing claim of the Harrington and Stuttaford volume is that the right to health, previously relegated to a secondary status in the hierarchy of human rights, now enjoys an elevated status as policy makers and health practioners increasingly realize that approaching problems in health care delivery systems and public �
Effects of Fatty Acids on the Interaction of 1-Anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate with Human Plasma Albumin

The fluorescence of 1-anilinio-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) bound to human plasma albumin was enhanced when up to 2 moles of palmitate were added. Larger amounts of palmitate produced a progressive reduction in ANS fluorescene. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids containing 14-18 carbon atoms produced similar biphasic effects on ANS fluorescence with human albumin. Fatty acids containing 10-12 carbon atoms produced only a reduction in ANS fluorescence, and those containing 2-8 carbon atoms had no effect. Similar results were obtained with canine albumin, whereas with bovine and rabbit albumins, fatty acids in all concentrations reduced ANS fluorescence. The tryptophan fluorescence of human albumin was decreased markedly by ANS, but not by palmitate. However, palmitate partially protected the tyrptophan fluorescence against quenching by potassium iodide. Equilibrium dialysis measurements indicated that ANS binding to human albumin was reduced when 3 or more moles of long-chain fatty acid were added per mole of albumin, suggesting that the decrease in ANA fluorescence produced by high concentrations of fatty acid was due to displacement of ANS from albumin. ANS binding was essentially unchanged when 1 or 2 moles of fatty acid were present. Therefore the enhancement in ANS fluorescence produced by low concentrations of fatty acid appears to result from a change in the interaction of ANS with albumin rather than from an increase in the amount of ANS that is bound The data obtained with this fluorescent model compound suggest that the binding of some drugs to albumin may be influenced by changes in the plasma free fatty acid concentration. Small increases, such as those which occur under ordinary physiological conditions, are likely to alter the molecular interactions between albumin and the drug without appreciably affecting the strength of drug binding. When the molar ratio of fatty acid to albumin approaches 3, however, a decrease in drug binding is likely to occur.
Arms and their Social and Economic Effect

The 1960s were the great era of hope for Africa as most of the colonial territories of the continent gained independence. Horizons appeared unlimited, though some countries were much better prepared for independence than others. Build-up of military forces in the Horn took place against a background of slower economic growth than Africa as a whole enjoyed during this comparatively euphoric decade, as Table 4.1 demonstrates.
Regularization and derivatives of multipole potentials

Abstract The only harmonic homogeneous functions defined in R n ∖ { 0 } are the harmonic polynomials and the so-called multipole potentials, namely functions of the type P ( x ) = p ( x ) / | x | 2 k + n − 2 for some harmonic polynomial p of degree k. The first aim of this article is to study the distributional regularization of multipole potentials. We show that even though the Hadamard regularization P f ( p ( x ) / | x | 2 k + n − 2 ) exists for any homogeneous polynomial of degree k, the principal value p . v . ( p ( x ) / | x | 2 k + n − 2 ) exists if and only if p is harmonic; this means that if p is harmonic then for any test function ϕ the divergent integral ∫ R n p ( x ) ϕ ( x ) / | x | 2 k + n − 2 d x can be computed by employing polar coordinates and performing the angular integral first. We also find the first and second order distributional derivatives of these regularizations and, more generally, of the regularizations of functions of the form P l ( x ) = p ( x ) / | x | k + l . We find many interesting formulas that hold precisely when p is a harmonic polynomial of degree k. In particular, we prove that Δ ‾ p . v . ( p ( x ) r 2 k + n − 2 ) = ( − 1 ) k + 1 π n / 2 2 k − 2 Γ ( n 2 + k − 1 ) p ( ∇ ) δ ( x ) , generalizing the well known relation Δ ‾ ( r 2 − n ) = ( 2 − n ) C δ ( x ) , where C is the area of a sphere of radius 1. Actually formulas like this one hold for a homogeneous polynomial p of degree k if and only if p is harmonic.
Deep Venous Thrombosis Prophylaxis After Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Study on the Safety of Aspirin

Abstract Background Although venous thromboembolism is one of the leading causes of morbidity after knee arthroplasty, little data exist on the risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods We prospectively enrolled 112 patients undergoing UKA to determine the incidence of DVT utilizing aspirin 325 mg twice a day (BID) for 4 weeks postoperatively as DVT prophylaxis. The data were compared with a recent randomized controlled trial of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty utilizing aspirin and Lovenox in conjunction with pneumatic compression devices. Results One patient (0.9%) had an asymptomatic DVT, and none developed clinical symptoms of either DVT or pulmonary embolus. The incidence of asymptomatic and symptomatic DVT was 0.9% and 0%, respectively. Conclusion Our data suggest that 325 mg of aspirin BID for 4 weeks results in a very low risk of DVT for patients undergoing UKA.
A comparison of ALK gene rearrangement and ALK protein expression in primary lung carcinoma and matched metastasis.

Aims The 2013 College of American Pathologists, the Association for Molecular Pathology and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer guideline for EGFR and ALK testing in lung carcinoma indicates that either the primary tumour or the metastasis is suitable for testing. The heterogeneity of gene mutations has been studied extensively, while similar reports on gene rearrangements are limited. The aim of this study was to determine if ALK status between primary tumour and matched metastasis differs. Methods and results Fifteen ALK fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) rearranged and 19 non-ALK FISH rearranged adenocarcinomas were collected retrospectively based on availability of tissue from a matched metastatic site. Sixty-eight samples were tested by ALK FISH (Vysis ALK break-apart FISH kit) and ALK immunohistochemistry (IHC) (Ventana ALK D5F3 CDx assay). Overall agreement of FISH and IHC was 88%, with IHC showing 100% specificity and 71% sensitivity. Concordance between primary site and metastasis by ALK FISH was seen in 30 cases (88%), and in 32 cases (94%) by ALK IHC. Five discordant cases were found (15%). Three ALK FISH discordant cases had low percentage of ALK FISH-positive tumour cells (average 23%, range: 18-31%) and all were negative by ALK IHC. One IHC discordant case had a high percentage of ALK FISH-positive tumour cells (67%), and was ALK IHC-negative. One FISH discordant case showed ALK FISH- and ALK IHC-positive primary tumour, but ALK FISH- and ALK IHC-negative metastasis. Conclusions ALK FISH results show more frequent discordances between primary tumour and matched metastases than ALK IHC, due probably to technical challenges and sample quality. This observation indicates that the quality of sample and technical expertise of the laboratory should guide the decision about ALK testing in clinical practice.
Radiation therapy and cardiotoxicity

Radiotherapy is an integral part of achieving long-term cure in a number of intrathoracic malignancies. This chapter will provide an overview of the epidemiology of heart disease after radiotherapy, with specific focus on clinical data from Hodgkin lymphoma and breast cancer survivors. As clinical manifestation of heart disease can take years, if not decades, to manifest, animal models can assist in our understanding of the pathogenesis as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced heart disease, elucidating opportunities for intervention and prevention. Finally, recommendations for monitoring patients after radiotherapy and management of cardiac disease in patients with prior thoracic/breast neoplasms will be discussed.
Dracunculus medinensis (Linnaeus 1758)

Dracunculus medinensis, commonly known as the fiery serpent, causes infection throughout Central Africa, Yemen, India, Pakistan, and to a lesser extent Latin America. Estimates of prevalence suggest that the number of infected individuals is nearly 50 million,1 with more than 7 million in Nigeria alone. This parasite affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues and often results in serious infection. Because of secondary bacterial infections of the skin lesions and the high prevalence of this nematode, D. medinensis ranks as one of the most important infections in the developing world. Although a number of reservoir hosts, including cats, dogs, monkeys, horses, cattle, raccoons, and foxes, have been implicated in the transmission of D. medinensis, there are several species in nature that can be confused with it, and so the epidemiologic importance of these hosts is unknown.
Dressed to Cross: Narratives of Resistance and Integration in Sei Shônagon's The Pillow Book and Yone Noguchi's The American Diary of a Japanese Girl

The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon, Empress Sadako9s lady in waiting from about 993-1000, offers rich detail about the meaning and power of dress during the Heian period [794-1185]. Throughout Yone Noguchi9s novel The American Diary of a Japanese Girl (1902), Morning Glory, a newly arrived Japanese immigrant to the U.S., experiments with a multitude of different identities through clothes. Both narratives appropriate (cross-) dressing as a means of overcoming gender, cultural, and class borders. Shonagon and Noguchi engage in “authorial crossdressing” to inhabit a social, cultural, and national space onto which they only have a precarious hold. It is especially the portrayal of what Marjorie Garber has delineated as a “category crisis” that links Japanese medieval writing and early fictional accounts by Japanese American authors. This article demonstrates that cross-dressing originates in moments of personal crisis and that its practice is sustained by the anxiety of cultural dislocation. The parallel identified between The Pillow Book and The American Diary—both texts largely ignored by academia—promises to clarify further early Japanese immigrants9 experimentation with their bodies, citizenship, and other markers of identity to create a Japanese American subjectivity.
Highly-Textured Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O Polycrystalline Superconducting Films on Ag Substrates

Thick (8 to 10 µm) Ba-Ca-Cu-O films have been rf magnetron sputtered onto Ag alloy (Consil 995) substrates. The films were given a post-deposition anneal in an over pressure of Ti in order to form the superconducting phases. Annealing protocols were done which result in predominantly the 1212 and 2212 phases. The substrate orientation was varied to determine its effect on film orientation. Material properties of the films were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), ion beam backscattering spectroscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrical characterization of the films was done using dynamic impedance (DI) at 10 kHz and rf surface resistance (Rs) at 18 GHz in a TE011 fundamental mode cavity.
LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a glycoprotein secreted by the pituitary gland and, in concert with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), plays a central role in reproduction. LH acts directly on the gonads of each sex, binding to its receptor on the surface of the target cells and initiating a cascade of molecular events beginning with the activation of specific signaling pathways and ending with the expression of gene products. In the ovary, LH stimulates (1) the outer layer of the primary follicle, the thecal cells, to produce androgens during folliculogenesis; (2) ovulation; and (3) the formation of the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone. These structures and their products prepare the female reproductive tract for fertilization, implantation, and pregnancy. In the testis, this gonadotropin stimulates the synthesis of androgens by the Leydig cells. The androgens are required for fetal development of the male phenotype, for sexual maturation of the male mammal, and for spermatogenesis in the adult testis. In both sexes, the gonadal products of LH stimulation that enter the circulation regulate the secretion of this gonadotropin by modifying the release of the hypothalamic secretagogue, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), or acting directly on the pituitary gland (Fig. 1) Figure 1. This schematic is a general introduction to the concept of the regulation of LH secretion and action. The hypothalamus secretes GnRH, which acts on the pituitary gland (Pit) to stimulate (+) the secretion of LH. LH stimulates (+) the gonad to secrete steroids that act on the hypothalamus (right-hand side of figure), pituitary gland (left-hand side of figure), or both to inhibit (−) the secretion of LH. Figure options Download full-size image Download as PowerPoint slide .
A Political Sociology of adult Learning Education in the Twenty First Century

This chapter offers a political sociology of adult learning education taken to a very holistic and practical analytical level. The arguments are deeply theoretical but also provide a historical-structural analysis. It is written with the belief that it is possible to link the normative principles which UNESCO’s GRALE report advocates with the concrete changes in the model of globalization we are experimenting and the responses to the global changes after the financial meltdown of September-October 2008. In doing so, we may be able to move towards new principles of understanding, and taking advantage of the state of the art of specialized knowledge and research, we may be able to offer a useful analytical, normative and pragmatic agenda.
Management of Acute Diaphragmatic Rupture: Thoracotomy Versus Laparotomy

Acute traumatic diaphragmatic rupture is diagnosed in 0.8% to 7% of patients following blunt trauma and in as many as 15% of patients following penetrating trauma. However, unrecognized diaphragmatic injuries following laparotomy have also been documented; therefore the actual incidence may be higher than previously reported. Whether to use an abdominal or thoracic exposure to repair the diaphragmatic injury has been debated for years with preference usually for the body cavity containing the most severely injured associated organs. This chapter will review the current literature on the various techniques to diagnose diaphragmatic injuries as well as the optimal choice of exposure for repair.
Transformation Electromagnetics for Cloaking, Lensing, and Radiation Applications

The transformation electromagnetics technique provides a powerful tool to electromagnetic and optical designers by offering a blueprint for creating novel devices that feature a variety of unconventional wave-material interaction properties. Combined with the recent advances in metamaterials technology, the coordinate transformation-based design methodology paves the way to realizing devices that perform entirely new functions or traditional functions in different geometrical configurations that are advantageous in practical applications. Here, transformation electromagnetics techniques are applied to the design of invisibility cloaks, lenses, beam controllers, and antennas. Each device design is illustrated with an example, including the associated specifications and performance expectations. For the two-dimensional embedded antenna application, a microwave metamaterial design is also presented.
Classification of Serotonergic Receptors: An Example of a Novel 5-HT1-Like Binding Site in the Rabbit Caudate Nucleus

In the present study non-5-HT1A/non-5-HT1B binding sites in the rabbit caudate nucleus (CN) were examined to determine if they might be identical to the recently discovered 5-HT1D sites in the bovine CN. The characterizations were carried out measuring high-affinity [3H]5-HT binding under conditions where 5-HT1A and 5-HT1C sites were pharmacologically masked in both tissues. Comparison of the pharmacologic profiles of the bovine 5-HT1D and rabbit non-5-HT1A /non-5-HT1B sites revealed similarities, but showed distinct differences. For example, spiperone gave a Ki value of 2.8 μM in the rabbit CN, while concentrations of up to 100 μM did not produce even 50% inhibition of [3H]5-HT binding in the bovine CN. [3H]5-HT binding in the bovine CN was significantly more sensitive to inhibition by GTP than in the rabbit CN, and this effect was differentially sensitive to calcium in the two tissues. It was concluded that the non-5-HT1A /non-5-HT1B [3H]5-HT binding sites in rabbit CN are distinct from those in the bovine CN, and we propose that they be tentatively identified as 5-HT1R to distinguish them from the 5-HT1D site.
Nuclear-Driven Solid-State Lasers for Inertial Confinement Fusion

A new class of visible excimers are potential pumping sources for solid-state lasers such as Nd:Glass, GGG, GSGG, Alexandrite, and Emerald. These fluorescence sources are based on alkali excimers. The alkali metals have very low ionization potential and the excimer lines are in the visible. Hence, the alkali excimers have high intrinsic efficiencies (i.e., νint = hv/W*). Calculations of potential laser efficiencies indicate that nuclear-driven alkali excimer flashlamps are competitive with semiconductor laser pump sources. Some experimental evidence for remotely pumping solid-state lasers will be presented to support the concepts described in this paper.
CEO retirement compensation: Is inside debt excess compensation or a risk management tool?

Abstract CEOs face constant scrutiny over their compensation packages. This scrutiny has only intensified amid discussions of CEO-to-employee pay ratios and income inequality nationwide. CEO retirement packages are criticized as camouflage compensation used to award excessive compensation to CEOs and were, prior to 2006, less transparent than they are now. Thanks to the transparent disclosures now required by the SEC, we have a better understanding of the types and amounts of compensation owed to CEOs after they depart or retire, termed inside debt. I investigate whether all CEO inside debt components share similar incentive effects and offers some thoughts on how companies might structure these packages to be most effective. I discuss the structure and incentive effects of the two primary components of inside debt: deferred compensation and supplemental executive retirement plans (SERPs). I explain why inside debt, particularly CEO SERPs, may actually help companies manage firm risk. Finally, I outline the best ways to structure inside debt so that it functions as a resource to manage firm risk and foster a long-term perspective rather than mirroring the incentive effect of equity, increasing risk, and encouraging a myopic focus.
The social construction of emotion: a view from ancient Greece

Although relatively new, the study of the social construction of emotions in ancient Greece has developed into a dynamic and diverse research field. Exploiting a large variety of sources (texts and images), applying theoretical models (emotional regime, emotional script, emotional community), using different approaches (study of metaphors and emotional language), and investigating different areas of Greek life—politics, law, religion, social rituals—this research field has highlighted the importance of emotions such as fear, disgust, homoerotic desire, and gratitude for the survival of political institutions and the shaping of the relations among the citizens of Greek city-states.
Hierarchical process using Brier Score Metrics for lower leg injury risk curves in vertical impact.

Introduction Parametric survival models are used to develop injury risk curves (IRCs) from impact tests using postmortem human surrogates (PMHS). Through the consideration of different output variables, input parameters and censoring, different IRCs could be created. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of the Brier Score Metric (BSM) to determine the optimal IRCs and derive them from lower leg impact tests. Methods Two series of tests of axial impacts to PMHS foot–ankle complex were used in the study. The first series used the metrics of force, time and rate, and covariates of age, posture, stature, device and presence of a boot. Also demonstrated were different censoring schemes: right and exact/uncensored (RC-UC) or right and uncensored/left (RC-UC-LC). The second series involved only one metric, force, and covariates age, sex and weight. It contained interval censored (IC) data demonstrating different censoring schemes: RC-IC-UC, RC-IC-LC and RC-IC-UC-LC. Results For each test set combination, optimal IRCs were chosen based on metric–covariate combination that had the lowest BSM value. These optimal IRCs are shown along with 95% CIs and other measures of interval quality. Forces were greater for UC than LC data sets, at the same risk levels (10% used in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)). All data and IRCs are presented. Conclusions This study demonstrates a novel approach to examining which metrics and covariates create the best parametric survival analysis-based IRCs to describe human tolerance, the first step in describing lower leg injury criteria under axial loading to the plantar surface of the foot.
Pantolactams as Androgen Receptor Antagonists for the Topical Suppression of Sebum Production.

Pantolactam androgen receptor antagonists are identified by using an iterative library design.
Lana Del Rey’s American Grotesque

Lana Del Rey's success and popularity provoke questions about her authenticity. The cultural heteroglossia she presents in her work often includes striking contrasts in how she satirizes religion, ...
Curriculum to Introduce Critical Care Nurses to Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND Despite the growing use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in intensive care units (ICUs), no standardized ECMO training pathways are available for ECMO-naive critical care nurses. OBJECTIVES To evaluate a critical care nurse ECMO curriculum that may be reproducible across institutions. METHODS An ECMO curriculum consisting of a basic safety course and an advanced user course was designed for critical care nurses. Courses incorporated didactic and simulation components, written knowledge examinations, and electronic modules. Differences in examination scores before and after each course for the overall cohort and for participants from each ICU type were analyzed with t tests or nonparametric equality-of-medians tests. Differences in postcourse scores across ICU types were examined with multiple linear regression. RESULTS Critical care nurses new to ECMO (n = 301) from various ICU types participated in the basic safety course; 107 nurses also participated in the advanced user course. Examination scores improved after completion of both courses for overall cohorts (P < .001 in all analyses). Median (interquartile range) individual score improvements were 23.1% (15.4%-38.5%) for the basic safety course and 8.4% (0%-16.7%) for the advanced user course. Postcourse written examination scores stratified by ICU type, compared with the medical ICU/cardiovascular ICU group (reference group), differed only in the neurovascular ICU group for the basic safety course (percent score difference, -3.0; 95% CI, -5.3 to -0.8; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of an ECMO curriculum for a high volume of critical care nurses is feasible and effective.
Interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) is required for myeloid cell homeostasis and reconstitution by hematopoietic stem cells

Abstract Respiratory diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide, with highly varied vulnerability to disease between individuals. The underlying reasons of disease susceptibility are unknown, but often include a variable immune response in lungs. Recently, we identified a surprising novel role of the interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R), a primarily lymphoid-associated regulator, in fetal-specified, lung-resident macrophage development. Here, we report that traditional, hematopoietic stem cell-derived myeloid cells in the adult lung, peripheral blood, and bone marrow also depend on IL7R expression. Using single and double germline knockout models, we found that eosinophil numbers were reduced upon deletion of IL7Rα. We then employed two Cre recombinase models in lineage tracing experiments to test whether these cells developed through an IL7Rα+ pathway. Despite the impact of IL7Rα deletion, IL7R-Cre labeled only a minimal fraction of eosinophils. We therefore examined the intrinsic versus extrinsic requirement for IL7R in the production of eosinophils using reciprocal hematopoietic stem cell transplantation assays. These assays revealed that extrinsic, but not eosinophil-intrinsic, IL7R is required for eosinophil reconstitution by HSCs in the adult lung. To determine which external factors may be influencing eosinophil development and survival, we performed a cytokine array analysis between wild-type and IL7Rα-deficient mice and found several differentially regulated proteins. These findings expand upon our previous publication that IL7R is required not only for proper lymphoid cell development and homeostasis, but also for myeloid cell homeostasis in tissues. Highlights Loss of IL7Rα resulted in significantly fewer eosinophils in adult mice IL7R-Cre lineage tracing revealed minimal labeling of eosinophils IL7Rα-deficient HSCs robustly reconstituted eosinophils in a WT host WT HSCs failed to fully reconstitute eosinophils in IL7Rα-/- hosts Several cytokines are differentially expressed in WT and IL7Rα-deficient mice
Ni‐Doped MoS 2 Dry Film Lubricant Life

Author(s): Vellore, Azhar; Garcia, Sergio Romero; Walters, Nicholas; Johnson, Duval A; Kennett, Andrew; Heverly, Matthew; Martini, Ashlie
Exceptional response to neoadjuvant capecitabine and temozolomide in TSC2-mutant pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor

Abstract Tuberous Sclerosis 1/2 (TSC1/2) functions as a negative regulator of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, one of the key oncogenic pathways described in neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) carcinogenesis. While loss-of-function mutations in TSC1/2 lead to disinhibition of mTOR and uncontrolled cellular growth and proliferation, they concomitantly result in p53 sensitivity which manifests functionally as sensitivity to DNA damage. Here we report a case of a 57-year old male patient with a well-differentiated pancreatic NEN (PanNEN) who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine and temozolomide and achieved a near-complete pathologic response. The unusual response prompted further tumor characterization with next-generation sequencing which demonstrated a previously uncharacterized mutation in TSC2. We hypothesize that the TSC2 mutation may have contributed towards the exceptional response to the DNA damaging alkylating agent-based chemotherapy regimen. Furthermore, this case warrants the evaluation of alkylating agent-based chemotherapy regimens in NENs harboring mutations in mTOR pathway negative regulators such as TSC1/2.
Essential Role for FtsL in Activation of Septal Peptidoglycan Synthesis.

ABSTRACT Spatiotemporal regulation of septal peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis is achieved by coupling assembly and activation of the synthetic enzymes (FtsWI) to the Z ring, a cytoskeletal element that is required for division in most bacteria. In Escherichia coli, the recruitment of the FtsWI complex is dependent upon the cytoplasmic domain of FtsL, a component of the conserved FtsQLB complex. Once assembled, FtsWI is activated by the arrival of FtsN, which acts through FtsQLB and FtsA, which are also essential for their recruitment. However, the mechanism of activation of FtsWI by FtsN is not clear. Here, we identify a region of FtsL that plays a key role in the activation of FtsWI which we designate AWI (activation of FtsWI) and present evidence that FtsL acts through FtsI. Our results suggest that FtsN switches FtsQLB from a recruitment complex to an activator with FtsL interacting with FtsI to activate FtsW. Since FtsQLB and FtsWI are widely conserved in bacteria, this mechanism is likely to be also widely conserved. IMPORTANCE A critical step in bacterial cytokinesis is the activation of septal peptidoglycan synthesis at the Z ring. Although FtsN is the trigger and acts through FtsQLB and FtsA to activate FtsWI the mechanism is unclear. Here, we find an essential role for FtsL in activating septal peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis and find that it acts on FtsI. Our results suggest a model where FtsWI is recruited in an inactive form by FtsQLB, and upon the arrival of FtsN, FtsQLB undergoes a conformational change so that a region of FtsL, which we designate the AWI domain, becomes available to interact with FtsI and activate the FtsWI complex. This mechanism for activation of the divisome has similarities to the activation of the elongasome and is likely to be widely conserved in bacteria.
Proposed Electoral College Amendment

This paper presents a proposed constitutional amendment reforming the Electoral College. This draft proposal was originally included in an earlier form in my proposed "Bipartisan Constitutional Reform Amendments" previously posted on SSRN. My sincere hope is that all these proposals may garner broad, consensus, bipartisan support, and help provide a partial path forward in the nation's deeply polarized current political climate. This proposed amendment would reform and modify the Electoral College system of electing the President and Vice President, while preserving its basic constitutional structure. It balances the need to more closely reflect the popular vote (guaranteeing that this would be the basis for selection of electors), while also preserving the slight advantage given to small states in the longstanding constitutional structure. The paper includes an introduction (pp. 1-14), explaining the text of the proposal (pp. 15-19).
Inexperienced or anti-establishment? Voter preferences for outsider congressional candidates:

Do US voters prefer inexperienced candidates? Candidates who have never held elected office before have had greater success in recent presidential and congressional elections. However, it could be ...
Consolidative Radiotherapy Remains a Key Player in the Salvage Management of Hodgkin Lymphoma.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) The role of radiotherapy following high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has not been addressed in a prospective randomized trial. While the benefit of consolidative radiotherapy has been demonstrated in other clinical settings for HL, concern of late radiotherapy associated toxicity and uncertain treatment efficacy remain as deterrents in the peritransplant setting. MATERIALS/METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients with relapsed or refractory HL who underwent high dose chemotherapy and an ASCT from 2000-2019 at our institution. The association of clinicopathologic factors with the delivery of consolidative radiotherapy was assessed by Chi squared analysis. Kaplan Meier and a cox regression analysis were used to estimate factors independently associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS From 2000-2019, 179 consecutive patients underwent salvage chemotherapy (most commonly ICE: ifofsamide, carboplatin, and etoposide) followed by high dose chemotherapy (most commonly BEAM: BCNU, Etoposide, Ara-C and Melphalan) and an autologous stem cell transplant for relapsed (63.4%) or refractory (36.6%) HL with a median follow up of 59.4 months. Post-transplant consolidative radiotherapy was delivered to a median dose of 3600 cGy in 20 fractions to 72 patients (40.2%). Consolidative radiotherapy was associated with younger age (median age 32 vs. 42 years, P < 0.001), stage I-II disease at the time of salvage chemotherapy (76.4% vs 52.3%, P = 0.001), and no prior radiotherapy (76.4% vs 45.8%, P < 0.001). On univariate analysis, consolidative radiotherapy was associated with an improved two-year PFS (84.1% vs 64.1%, P = 0.005) and OS rates (95.7% vs 80.8%, P = 0.017). In the Cox regression analysis, consolidative radiotherapy was significantly associated with improved PFS (HR: 0.492, 95% CI: 0.288-0.84, P = 0.009) along with ECOG performance status < 2 (HR: 0.188, 95% CI: 0.045-0.79, P = 0.022), achieving a complete response to salvage chemotherapy (HR: 0.463, 95% CI: 0.233-0.92, P = 0.028), and stage I-II disease (HR: 0.546, 95% CI: 0.325-0.918, P = 0.022). Similarly, consolidative radiotherapy was associated with significantly improved OS (HR: 0.398, 95% CI: 0.205-0.771, P = 0.006) along with ECOG performance status < 2 (HR: 0.073, 95% CI: 0.016-0.333, P = 0.001). Following transplantation, grade ≥2 pneumonitis was identified in 10 patients (5.6%) of which only 7 patients underwent consolidative radiotherapy which was delivered to mediastinal (50.0%), supraclavicular (10.0%), or abdominal (10.0%) fields. No patient deaths were associated with pneumonitis. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that consolidative radiotherapy in the salvage management of HL is associated with improved PFS and OS with low rates of treatment associated complications. Further investigation in the role of consolidative radiotherapy in this setting is warranted.
Effect of Mississippi River discharge and local hydrological variables on salinity of nearby estuaries using a machine learning algorithm

Abstract Estuarine water salinity is important to coastal ecosystems and the economy. To examine the potential effect of the Mississippi River freshwater discharge on water salinity of other estuaries, we used the machine learning Cubist algorithm to model salinity of three estuaries (Apalachicola Bay, Weeks Bay, and Grand Bay) of the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM). The models were trained — both with and without the Mississippi River discharge as input — to examine its effect on the salinity of other estuaries along with other variables including wind, discharge, and water depth. By including the Mississippi discharge, the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of the model training sets decreased by 0.81, 1.06 and 1.73 for the Apalachicola Bay, Weeks Bay, and Grand Bay, respectively, while the decrease of the model testing sets was 0.20, 0.64, and 0.84, respectively, using the practical salinity scale. The rank of predictor importance of the Mississippi discharge increased as the modeled estuary proximity increased to the Mississippi outlet. The results showed that the Mississippi River discharge can affect the water quality of other estuaries along the northern GoM, although the variation of the salinity explained by this flow was smaller than that explained by local river flow (except for the Grand Bay where there is no local river flow) and local wind.
Sodium requiring and avidin sensitive oxalacetate decarboxylase in glucose grown Treponema (Borrelia) strain B25.

Abstract Glucose grown Treponema strain B25 has been shown to contain a sodium activated and avidin sensitive oxalacetate decarboxylase, which is unique for the bacteria grown on glucose.
Cardiac troponin C (TnC) and a site I skeletal TnC mutant alter Ca2+versus crossbridge contribution to force in rabbit skeletal fibres

We studied the relative contributions of Ca(2+) binding to troponin C (TnC) and myosin binding to actin in activating thin filaments of rabbit psoas fibres. The ability of Ca(2+) to activate thin filaments was reduced by replacing native TnC with cardiac TnC (cTnC) or a site I-inactive skeletal TnC mutant (xsTnC). Acto-myosin (crossbridge) interaction was either inhibited using N-benzyl-p-toluene sulphonamide (BTS) or enhanced by lowering [ATP] from 5.0 to 0.5 mm. Reconstitution with cTnC reduced maximal force (F(max)) by approximately 1/3 and the Ca(2+) sensitivity of force (pCa(50)) by 0.17 unit (P < 0.001), while reconstitution with xsTnC reduced F(max) by approximately 2/3 and pCa(50) by 0.19 unit (P < 0.001). In both cases the apparent cooperativity of activation (n(H)) was greatly decreased. In control fibres 3 mum BTS inhibited force to 57% of F(max) while in fibres reconstituted with cTnC or xsTnC, reconstituted maximal force (rF(max)) was inhibited to 8.8% and 14.3%, respectively. Under control conditions 3 mum BTS significantly decreased the pCa(50), but this effect was considerably reduced in cTnC reconstituted fibres, and eliminated in xsTnC reconstituted fibres. In contrast, when crossbridge cycle kinetics were slowed by lowering [ATP] from 5 to 0.5 mm in xsTnC reconstituted fibres, pCa(50) and n(H) were increased towards control values. Combined, our results demonstrate that when the ability of Ca(2+) binding to activate thin filaments is compromised, the relative contribution of strong crossbridges to maintain thin filament activation is increased. Furthermore, the data suggest that at low levels of Ca(2+), the level of thin filament activation is determined primarily by the direct effects of Ca(2+) on tropomyosin mobility, while at higher levels of Ca(2+) the final level of thin filament activation is primarily determined by strong cycling crossbridges.
Google Print and the Fair Use Doctrine

Last December, Google announced its plan to scan millions of books from libraries around the world. Searchers enter words or phrases and the Google search engine finds books that match the search terms. Google presents the results by showing the search terms with an additional sentence or so of text in order to show the context, along with bibliographic information and links to booksellers or libraries. Google does not show full pages unless given specific permission by the publisher.Google has long had arrangements with several publishers to scan books into the Google Print database. However, in scanning books owned by libraries Google is not receiving copyright permission from the author or publisher. Not surprisingly, the Authors Guild and several individual authors recently filed a federal lawsuit against Google claiming that Google is “engaging in massive copyright infringement”.
Hierarchical explanation of inference in Bayesian networks that represent a population of independent agents

This paper describes a novel method for explaining Bayesian network (BN) inference when the network is modeling a population of conditionally independent agents, each of which is modeled as a subnetwork. For example, consider disease-outbreak detection, in which the agents are patients who are modeled as independent, conditioned on the factors that cause disease spread. Given evidence about these patients, such as their symptoms, suppose that the BN system infers that a respiratory anthrax outbreak is highly likely. A public-health official who received such a report would generally want to know why anthrax is being given a high posterior probability. This paper describes the design of a system that explains such inferences. The explanation approach is applicable in general to inference in BNs that model conditionally independent agents; it complements previous approaches for explaining inference on BNs that model a single agent (e.g., explaining the diagnostic inference for a single patient using a BN that models just that patient).
Professional Journals as a Source of Information about Teaching Nature of Science (NOS): An Examination of Articles Published in JCST, 1996-2012

Recent efforts to reform science education have strongly emphasized understanding of the nature of science (NOS) as important to achieving broader scientific literacy. Despite the realization that students’ understanding of NOS is important, there is a gap between research and practice. In order to teach NOS effectively in pre-college or college classrooms, teachers need appropriate activities, examples, and models of instruction which can contribute towards the development of their pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for teaching NOS. One widespread and readily-available source teachers may consult to find appropriate models of teaching practice and example activities is professional journals. The present study investigates articles published in Journal of College Science Teaching in the year 1996-2012 (total n=47). We explored the extent to which these provide appropriate models for teaching NOS at the college level, and the degree to which the information included can serve to inform readers’ PCK for teaching NOS. The findings reveal that there was not a diverse representation of examples for teaching specific aspects of NOS outlined in the reforms. Furthermore, we found a discrepancy between recommendations for effective teaching of NOS in the research literature and the approaches advocated in the articles. Few of the articles included the kinds of robust information that could inform college instructors’ PCK for NOS, particularly in regard to assessment. The study identifies gaps in the literature for further research.
Byzantine Firing Squad Using a Faulty External Source

Burns and Lynch have given a general algorithm for initial synchronization of clocks in a computer network, running synchronously, where a limited number of processors are allowed to have byzantine faults, that is, fail arbitrarily. They effectively run a byzantine agreement algorithm for each process in the network. Here we show that only one byzantine agreement algorithm is necessary, if we treat the outside signal source as an additional potentially faulty process.
On behavioral schema evolution in object-oriented databases

This paper describes the effect of schema evolution operations on the implementation of methods. The effect of these operations is captured as temporary inconsistencies. Extensions for handling these temporary inconsistencies in our Graphical Object-Oriented Schema Environment prototype, called GOOSE are described. In GOOSE, the schema information is maintained as a set of system objects of system defined classes. In order to maintain these temporary inconsistencies, the system classes have been augmented with two classes, namely Uses and Stubs, as specialization of the system class Class. Furthermore, schema evolution operations for explicitly resolving these inconsistencies are defined.
VacSIM™ - a new delivery method increases influenza vaccine efficacy (VAC2P.928)

Influenza is a global health issue causing considerable economic burden. Seasonal epidemics of this acute viral infection spread rapidly with unpredictable morbidity. Regular vaccination remains the most effective prevention and as such, there is tremendous need for new technologies focused on improving immunogenicity and efficacy of seasonal flu vaccines. VacSIM™, which stands for Vaccine Self-assembling Immune Matrix, represents a new method of vaccine delivery incorporating an inert biopolymer with unique biophysical properties. It can be stored at 4-22°C, as a viscous-liquid and is flexible enough to incorporate various antigens, adjuvants or organisms for vaccine delivery. Post-injection VacSIM™ undergoes a phase shift to a semi-solid gel, forming a temporary depot of concentrated vaccine components. This gel-matrix depot may slow clearance of the vaccine, simultaneously enabling time-released delivery of the vaccine. We believe the latter increases activation of antigen presenting cells. Mice vaccinated with whole inactivated influenza (A/Puerto Rico/08/34) or with recombinant nucleoprotein via VacSIM™, had an increased humoral response, greater protection from lethal influenza challenge and improved viral clearance from lungs. Studies with other candidate vaccine antigens suggest VacSIM™ is capable of enhancing the immunogenicity and efficacy of a wide variety of vaccines.
Platelet-Driven Leukotriene C4–Mediated Airway Inflammation in Mice Is Aspirin-Sensitive and Depends on T Prostanoid Receptors

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) are bronchoconstricting lipid mediators that amplify eosinophilic airway inflammation by incompletely understood mechanisms. We recently found that LTC4, the parent cysLT, potently activates platelets in vitro and induces airway eosinophilia in allergen-sensitized and -challenged mice by a platelet- and type 2 cysLT receptor-dependent pathway. We now demonstrate that this pathway requires production of thromboxane A2 and signaling through both hematopoietic and lung tissue-associated T prostanoid (TP) receptors. Intranasal administration of LTC4 to OVA-sensitized C57BL/6 mice markedly increased the numbers of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, while simultaneously decreasing the percentages of eosinophils in the blood by a TP receptor-dependent mechanism. LTC4 upregulated the expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in an aspirin-sensitive and TP receptor-dependent manner. Both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic TP receptors were essential for LTC4 to induce eosinophil recruitment. Thus, the autocrine and paracrine functions of thromboxane A2 act downstream of LTC4/type 2 cysLT receptor signaling on platelets to markedly amplify eosinophil recruitment through pulmonary vascular adhesion pathways. The findings suggest applications for TP receptor antagonists in cases of asthma with high levels of cysLT production.