cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmaceutical services in hospices

Hospices were surveyed to identify the types of pharmaceutical services provided. The directors of 75 hospice organizations were sent questionnaires regarding: (1) the type and scope of pharmaceutical services and (2) their conception of the future of the hospice movement. Of the 48 usable responses, 37 reported pharmacist affiliation. Of the 11 organizations that did not have a pharmacist affiliated, 10 reported they anticipated using a pharmacist's services in the future. Most (68%) pharmacists who worked in hospices were consultants. Pharmaceutical services included the development of policies and procedures regarding drug storage and handling, inservice education, drug information, and patient education. Of the organizations without a pharmacist, 91% provided only outpatient care; of hospices with pharmacists, 51% provided outpatient, 14% inpatient, and 36% outpatient and inpatient care. Forty-six percent of the hospice directors considered the pharmacist affiliated with their organization to be a member of the interdisciplinary team; 55% of such pharmacists worked full-time with the hospice. Hospice directors expressed a need for greater pharmacist involvement in inservice education, staff consultation, and research on pain.
The events in the hemolytic crisis of hereditary spherocytosis, with particular reference to the reticulocytopenia, pancytopenia and an abnormal splenic mechanism.

The course of hereditary spherocytosis (congenital or familial hemolytic anemia) is subject to major or minor exacerbations or crises. Pancytopenia, reticulocytopenia, and extreme spherocytosis characterize the major crises, during which hypersplenic effects appear to play a major role. These are characterized by the combination of (1) an unusual degree of hemolysis with (2) inhibitory effects upon maturation and delivery of bone marrow cells. At the height of the crisis, an extreme degree of maturation arrest in erythropoiesis is present. Splenectomy, which is often urgently necessary, results in a very rapid increase in all the cellular elements of the blood, confirming the phagocytic and inhibitory effects of the abnormal spleen. Following splenectomy, no further crises occur. The presence of successive cases in the same family suggest the possible role of infection as a precipitating or trigger agent in initiating an abnormal splenic mechanism leading to crisis. The cause of the hereditary spherocytosis is commented upon and evidence bearing upon an autopsecific mechanism is discussed.
A family like ours: demographic variations in information seeking behavior and community participation among parents of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

We surveyed 906 parents of individuals with Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) about their information seeking experiences and preferred information sources. Our findings suggest that the most popular information sources are local doctors, therapists, national organization websites and local parent networks.
Propagation Effects: Ionized Media

Three distinct ionized media, or plasmas, affect the propagation of radio signals passing through them: the Earth’s ionosphere; the interplanetary medium, also known as the solar wind; and the interstellar medium of our Galaxy. The effects of scattering in other galaxies or in the media between galaxies are not usually important. There are several essential differences between neutral and ionized media with regard to propagation. For neutral media, the index of refraction is greater than unity and is unaffected by magnetic fields. In ionized media, the index of refraction is less than unity and is strongly affected by magnetic fields. Most plasma phenomena scale as ν−2, and their effects can be avoided or mitigated, if desired, by observations at high frequency. Absorption plays an important role in neutral media but very little in ionized media since most radio astronomical observations occur at frequencies far above the plasma frequency. Descriptions of scattering phenomena in both types of media are based on Kolmogorov theory. However, the situation in the neutral troposphere is greatly simplified because the turbulent layer lies close to the observer, and only phase fluctuations develop. The ionized media lie far from the observer, and both phase and amplitude fluctuations are often present in the wavefront when it reaches the observer.
3D point cloud object detection with multi-view convolutional neural network

Efficient detection of three dimensional (3D) objects in point clouds is a challenging problem. Performing 3D descriptor matching or 3D scanning-window search with detector are both time-consuming due to the 3-dimensional complexity. One solution is to project 3D point cloud into 2D images and thus transform the 3D detection problem into 2D space, but projection at multiple viewpoints and rotations produce a large amount of 2D detection tasks, which limit the performance and complexity of the 2D detection algorithm choice. We propose to use convolutional neural network (CNN) for the 2D detection task, because it can handle all viewpoints and rotations for the same class of object together, as well as predicting multiple classes of objects with the same network, without the need for individual detector for each object class. We further improve the detection efficiency by concatenating two extra levels of early rejection networks with binary outputs before the multi-class detection network. Experiments show that our method has competitive overall performance with at least one-order of magnitude speed-up comparing with latest 3D point cloud detection methods.
Scalable Multigram Syntheses of Antimalarial 4(1H)-Quinolones ELQ-300 and P4Q-391

Antimalarial compounds ELQ-300 and P4Q-391 are highly potent against the blood and the liver stages of the Plasmodium parasite and also possess potent transmission-blocking activity. Gram amounts of these two compounds were required for extensive assessment of in vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety. Several deficiencies existed in the original synthetic routes of ELQ-300 and P4Q-391 including reliance on toxic heavy-metal reagents, harsh reaction conditions, and several low-yielding steps. Herein, we report the development of two alternative syntheses, which are reliable, high yielding, scalable, and have the potential to become a route of choice at process scale.
Human serine racemase structure/activity relationship studies provide mechanistic insight and point to position 84 as a hot spot for β-elimination function

There is currently great interest in human serine racemase, the enzyme responsible for producing the NMDA co-agonist d-serine. Reported correlation of d-serine levels with disorders including Alzheimer's disease, ALS, and ischemic brain damage (elevated d-serine) and schizophrenia (reduced d-serine) has further piqued this interest. Reported here is a structure/activity relationship study of position Ser84, the putative re-face base. In the most extreme case of functional reprogramming, the S84D mutant displays a dramatic reversal of β-elimination substrate specificity in favor of l-serine over the normally preferred l-serine-O-sulfate (∼1200-fold change in kcat/Km ratios) and l (l-THA; ∼5000-fold change in kcat/Km ratios) alternative substrates. On the other hand, the S84T (which performs l-Ser racemization activity), S84A (good kcat but high Km for l-THA elimination), and S84N mutants (nearly WT efficiency for l-Ser elimination) displayed intermediate activity, all showing a preference for the anionic substrates, but generally attenuated compared with the native enzyme. Inhibition studies with l-erythro-β-hydroxyaspartate follow this trend, with both WT serine racemase and the S84N mutant being competitively inhibited, with Ki = 31 ± 1.5 μm and 1.5 ± 0.1 mm, respectively, and the S84D being inert to inhibition. Computational modeling pointed to a key role for residue Arg-135 in binding and properly positioning the l-THA and l-serine-O-sulfate substrates and the l-erythro-β-hydroxyaspartate inhibitor. Examination of available sequence data suggests that Arg-135 may have originated for l-THA-like β-elimination function in earlier evolutionary variants, and examination of available structural data suggests that a Ser84-H2O-Lys114 hydrogen-bonding network in human serine racemase lowers the pKa of the Ser84 re-face base.
Temperature and humidity stress failure on copper pillar (CuP) flip chip package device

The combined benefits of reduced package footprint, higher input/output capability, better power and ground distribution and reduced signal inductance has made the flip chip package technology a primary packaging solution for portable consumer electronics as well as commercial/industrial applications. The technology qualification step ensures the highest quality and reliability performance on devices shipped out to the customers. In this paper, we present the detection of extrinsic failure modes due to wafer saw workmanship issues resulting to lateral crack from the edge towards the active layer of the device as well as damage to the die seal under severe temperature, humidity and bias conditions during reliability testing. Electrical fault isolation and copper pillar flip chip package-designed physical failure analysis are also presented. Assembly process controls addressing the root cause are also outlined to eliminate the contribution of the manufacturing process to the intrinsic failure mechanisms that the reliability testing aims to exacerbate.
Arthur C. Clarke at 100

Arthur C. Clarke is best remembered as Stanley Kubrick9s partner in the creation of 2001: A Space Odyssey, a cinematic landmark in visual and technocultural storytelling. However, his most enduring legacy lives in his six-decade career as a science fiction and popular science writer. The centenary of his birth on 16 December is a good time to re­flect on this great writer and his impact on modern culture
The Linked Lives Principle in Life Course Studies: Classic Approaches and Contemporary Advances

Social relationships are essential to our emotional, social, physical, and economic well-being at every stage of the life course (House et al. 1988). National surveys consistently show that more than 95 percent of persons in the United States rate their families as “very” or “extremely” important to them, and more than three-quarters rate their friendships as such (Moore 2003). Yet even our most personal and intimate relationships are powerfully shaped by social structures, including historical and cultural contexts, and the social institutions in which we are embedded. That social contexts shape human relationships is a core theme of sociological perspectives on the life course (Elder 1994, 2000). This framework rests on four foundational concepts: historical context; personal timing; agency versus structure; and social relationships (i.e., linked lives). The latter theme is essential to the study of contemporary research on social networks, which uses state of the art methods to understand the complex role that social ties play in shaping attitudes, behaviors, health, and well-being over the life course.
Reaction Mechanism and Kinetics for Ammonia Synthesis on the Fe(111) Surface.

The Haber-Bosch industrial process for synthesis of ammonia (NH3) from hydrogen and nitrogen produces the millions of tons of ammonia gas annually needed to produce nitrates for fertilizers required to feed the earth’s growing populations. This process has been optimized extensively, but it still uses enormous amounts of energy (2% of the world’s supply), making it essential to dramatically improve its efficiency. To provide guidelines to accelerate this improvement, we used quantum mechanics to predict reaction mechanisms and kinetics for NH3 synthesis on Fe(111)—the best Fe single crystal surface for NH3 synthesis. We predicted the free energies of all reaction barriers for all steps in the mechanism and built these results into a kinetic Monte Carlo model for predicting steady state catalytic rates to compare with single-crystal experiments at 673 K and 20 atm. We find excellent agreement with a predicted turnover frequency (TOF) of 17.7 s–1 per 2 × 2 site (5.3 × 10–9 mol/cm2/sec) compared to TOF = 10 ...
Revisiting Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act: Using Legislative History to Understand and Evaluate the Evolution of Social Networks

An important dimension of historical approaches to communications networks is the history of policies that have affected their evolution. This has become increasingly clear in recent months, as widespread public concerns about the spread of propaganda and “fake news” over social media and search engines, have resulted in increased attention to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which was passed as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Today, policymakers are beginning to consider whether Section 230, known as the “limited liability” provision of the Communications Decency Act, needs to be revised. This provision carved out immunity for “interactive computer services” (commonly referred to as platforms) for any obscene or problematic content posted by users. The act also gave unlimited power to platforms to police this content on their own – the “Good Samaritan” provision – regardless of whether the content was constitutionally protected. In light of recent developments and debates, it is necessary to revisit the claims made by Congress and advocates in the run-up to the ratification of the Telecommunications Act, and Section 230. Toward this end, we will be using critical discourse analysis to review the legislative and committee hearings that took place between 1991 and 1996, when the Act was ratified, to examine the arguments that were being put forth in favor of Internet exceptionalism. This work will put these arguments into context with the current reality, in which platforms are behaving more like media companies, and a handful of digital media companies increasingly control the world’s information flows. Our analysis will assess whether these realities were understood by those arguing for Section 230 in the early 1990s; and whether the operation of contemporary social media platforms reflects the intentions and objectives originally embedded in this legislation.
Introduction to Mathematical aspects of computer vision

The goal of the minisymposium Mathematical Aspects of Computer Vision was to introduce the audience of MTNS98 to areas of research and open problems in computer vision that are mathematical, or, more generally, theoretical in nature. A further goal was to promote cross-fertilization between system and control and vision researchers.
How Does Economic Policy Uncertainty in Europe Affect the U.S. Stock Market

Motivated by the current financial and economic situation in Europe, this paper seeks to establish how the changes in economic policy uncertainty in Europe affect the stock market performance in the United States. Analyzing monthly index of economic policy uncertainty in Europe and monthly returns on CRSP value-weighted index from 1993 to 2011, this study shows that the changes in economic policy uncertainty in Europe negatively (b = -.0004567; t = -4.90) affect the returns on CRSP value-weighed index. The findings provide empirical evidence of the effect of economic policy uncertainty in Europe on the stock market performance in the United States. The findings suggest that stock market performance in the US is linked to the economic policy conditions in Europe. This study provides an important implication for investment and risk management in the financial markets.
African American Adults' Perceptions of the Effects of Parental Loss During Adolescence

The purpose of this study was to examine twenty African American adults' perceptions of the effects of parental loss during their adolescence, examine their grief reactions at the time, and identify how they were assisted through the grieving process. The study results indicated that males experienced significantly more delinquent behavior than females following the loss of the parent. Respondents who had grief reactions for more than a year experienced multiple problem and behavioral reactions. The study found that most participants did not receive professional help but relied on informal help for their grief. Implications of the results are discussed.
Ganglioneuroma of the fallopian tube. A heretofore unreported finding.

Report of a case of ganlioneuroma of the Fallopian tube which was an asymptomatic incidental finding in a multiparous female.
Diagnosis switching and outcomes in a cohort of patients with potential epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures.

Abstract Introduction There is overlap in the electroclinical features of many childhood epilepsy syndromes, especially those presenting with multiple seizure types, such as epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures (EMAS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). This study aimed to determine the frequency of diagnosis switching and the factors influencing epilepsy syndrome diagnosis in a cohort of children with possible EMAS, as well as to explore the relationship between epilepsy syndrome diagnoses, key electroclinical features, and clinically relevant outcomes. Methods This is a cross-sectional retrospective chart review of children treated at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado with a potential diagnosis of EMAS. Results There were 77 patients that met eligibility criteria, including 39% (n = 30) with an initial diagnosis of EMAS and 74% (n = 57) with a final diagnosis of EMAS. On average, for the 65% of patients who received more than one epilepsy diagnosis, the first, second, and third diagnoses were received within one year, three years, and ten years after epilepsy onset, respectively. Final diagnosis was significantly related to obtaining at least a six-month period of seizure freedom, p = 0.03. Classic LGS traits, including paroxysmal fast activity, slow spike-and-wave, and tonic seizures were present in 50% of the overall cohort, although a minority of these patients had a final diagnosis of LGS. However, the presence of more LGS traits was associated with a higher likelihood of ongoing seizures. Adjusted for age of epilepsy onset, seizure freedom was half as likely for every additional LGS trait observed (0.49[0.31, 0.77], p = 0.002). Conclusion Current epilepsy syndrome classification has reduced applicability due to overlapping features. This results in diagnosis switching and limited prognostic value for patients with an overlapping clinical phenotype. Future studies should attempt to stratify patients based not only on epilepsy syndrome diagnosis, but also on the presence of various electroclinical traits to more accurately predict outcome.
A protocol for quantifying cardiogenic oscillations in dynamic 129Xe gas exchange spectroscopy: The effects of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The spectral parameters of hyperpolarized 129 Xe exchanging between airspaces, interstitial barrier, and red blood cells (RBCs) are sensitive to pulmonary pathophysiology. This study sought to evaluate whether the dynamics of 129 Xe spectroscopy provide additional insight, with particular focus on quantifying cardiogenic oscillations in the RBC resonance. 129 Xe spectra were dynamically acquired in eight healthy volunteers and nine subjects with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). 129 Xe FIDs were collected every 20 ms (TE = 0.932 ms, 512 points, dwell time = 32 μs, flip angle ≈ 20°) during a 16 s breathing maneuver. The FIDs were pre-processed using the spectral improvement by Fourier thresholding technique (SIFT) and fit in the time domain to determine the airspace, interstitial barrier, and RBC spectral parameters. The RBC and gas resonances were fit to a Lorentzian lineshape, while the barrier was fit to a Voigt lineshape to account for its greater structural heterogeneity. For each complex resonance the amplitude, chemical shift, linewidth(s), and phase were calculated. The time-averaged spectra confirmed that the RBC to barrier amplitude ratio (RBC:barrier ratio) and RBC chemical shift are both reduced in IPF subjects. Their temporal dynamics showed that all three 129 Xe resonances are affected by the breathing maneuver. Most notably, several RBC spectral parameters exhibited prominent oscillations at the cardiac frequency, and their peak-to-peak variation differed between IPF subjects and healthy volunteers. In the IPF cohort, oscillations were more prominent in the RBC amplitude (16.8 ± 5.2 versus 9.7 ± 2.9%; P = 0.008), chemical shift (0.43 ± 0.33 versus 0.083 ± 0.05 ppm; P < 0.001), and phase (7.7 ± 5.6 versus 1.4 ± 0.8°; P < 0.001). Dynamic 129 Xe spectroscopy is a simple and sensitive tool that probes the temporal variability of gas exchange and may prove useful in discerning the underlying causes of its impairment.
Resting‐state connectivity within and across neural circuits in anorexia nervosa

Introduction Obsessional thoughts and ritualized eating behaviors are characteristic of Anorexia Nervosa (AN), leading to the common suggestion that the illness shares neurobiology with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Resting-state functional connectivity MRI (rs-fcMRI) is a measure of functional neural architecture. This longitudinal study examined functional connectivity in AN within the limbic cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) loop, as well as in the salience network, the default mode network, and the executive control network (components of the triple network model of psychopathology). Methods Resting-state functional connectivity MRI scans were collected in unmedicated female inpatients with AN (n = 25) and healthy controls (HC; n = 24). Individuals with AN were scanned before and after weight restoration and followed for one month after hospital discharge. HC were scanned twice over the same timeframe. Results Using a seed-based correlation approach, individuals with AN had increased connectivity within the limbic CSTC loop when underweight, only. There was no significant association between limbic CSTC connectivity and obsessive-compulsive symptoms or prognosis. Exploratory analyses of functional network connectivity within the triple network model showed reduced connectivity between the salience network and left executive control network among AN relative to HC. These abnormalities persisted following weight restoration. Conclusions The CSTC findings suggest that the neural underpinnings of obsessive-compulsive symptoms may differ from those of OCD. The inter-network abnormalities warrant examination in relation to illness-specific behaviors, namely abnormal eating behavior. This longitudinal study highlights the complexity of the neural underpinnings of AN.
Neuropsychological and Psychiatric Comorbidities of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract The assessment and treatment of neuropsychological and psychiatric symptoms in patients with histories of traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents several challenges, including: (1) proper classification at the mild end of the injury spectrum, which comprises at least 80% of all patients; (2) the nature of postconcussive symptoms, their longitudinal course, and relationship to structural brain injury versus other consequences of brain injury events; (3) lack of comprehensive, evidence-based interventions for early and late post-TBI symptoms; and (4) uncertainty about possible relationships between TBI and later neurodegenerative disorders. This chapter will review each of these problems in turn with emphasis on mild TBI, where these controversies are most unsettled. A practical approach is suggested that emphasizes identification of structural, functional, and psychological conditions and consideration of each patient’s social context without falling into unresolvable diagnostic dilemmas, followed by interventions that emphasize recovery, supplemented by cognitive rehabilitation and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Predicting Unbound Phenytoin Concentrations: Effects of Albumin Concentration and Kidney Dysfunction.

Study objective Several methods are available to predict unbound (free) phenytoin concentrations in patients with hypoalbuminemia; however, predictive methods have not been evaluated in patients with concurrent hypoalbuminemia and kidney dysfunction or in patients with mild to moderate (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 30-90 ml/min/1.73 m2 ) kidney dysfunction alone. Thus the objective was to evaluate the accuracy and precision of predictive methods to estimate free phenytoin concentrations in patients with varying albumin concentrations and/or kidney dysfunction. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Large academic medical center. Patients A total of 344 patients with free and total phenytoin, albumin, and serum creatinine concentrations obtained between November 2012 and May 2017. Measurements and main results Free phenytoin concentrations were estimated in patients without kidney dysfunction using the Winter-Tozer, Anderson, Kane, and Cheng equations. For the analysis in patients with eGFR lower than 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 , free phenytoin concentrations were estimated using the Shiner-Tozer derivation with adjusted affinity coefficients (C = 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30). For both analyses, accuracy of predictive methods was evaluated by P20, the proportion of estimations within 20% of the measured free phenytoin concentration. In 158 patients with normal kidney function/normal albumin concentrations, 73 with normal kidney function/hypoalbuminemia, or 47 with mild kidney dysfunction/normal albumin concentrations, the Anderson method had the highest accuracy (86%, 82%, and 92%, respectively) and highest precision compared with the other methods. In 47 patients with normal albumin concentrations and mild kidney dysfunction or 13 with moderate kidney dysfunction, the free fraction was unchanged, and total phenytoin concentrations accurately reflected free concentrations. In 17 patients with hypoalbuminemia and mild or 17 with moderate kidney dysfunction, the Winter-Tozer (67% and 50%, respectively) and the Anderson (56% and 67%, respectively) methods had the highest accuracy compared with other methods with significantly lower accuracy compared with patients with normal kidney function. In the 14 patients with severe kidney dysfunction and hypoalbuminemia, none of the coefficients had a P20 accuracy greater than 45%. Conclusion In patients with normal albumin concentrations, with or without mild or moderate kidney dysfunction and not receiving a protein-binding displacer, the free fraction of phenytoin is unchanged, and it is not necessary to measure a free phenytoin concentration. Free phenytoin concentrations should be measured directly in patients with hypoalbuminemia and kidney dysfunction.
Not all surveillance data are created equal—A multi‐method dynamic occupancy approach to determine rabies elimination from wildlife

A necessary component of elimination programmes for wildlife disease is effective surveillance. The ability to distinguish between disease freedom and non‐detection can mean the difference between a successful elimination campaign and new epizootics. Understanding the contribution of different surveillance methods helps to optimize and better allocate effort and develop more effective surveillance programmes. We evaluated the probability of rabies virus elimination (disease freedom) in an enzootic area with active management using dynamic occupancy modelling of 10 years of raccoon rabies virus (RABV) surveillance data (2006–2015) collected from three states in the eastern United States. We estimated detection probability of RABV cases for each surveillance method (e.g. strange acting reports, roadkill, surveillance‐trapped animals, nuisance animals and public health samples) used by the USDA National Rabies Management Program. Strange acting, found dead and public health animals were the most likely to detect RABV when it was present, and generally detectability was higher in fall–winter compared to spring–summer. Found dead animals in fall–winter had the highest detection at 0.33 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.48). Nuisance animals had the lowest detection probabilities (~0.02). Areas with oral rabies vaccination (ORV) management had reduced occurrence probability compared to enzootic areas without ORV management. RABV occurrence was positively associated with deciduous and mixed forests and medium to high developed areas, which are also areas with higher raccoon (Procyon lotor) densities. By combining occupancy and detection estimates we can create a probability of elimination surface that can be updated seasonally to provide guidance on areas managed for wildlife disease. Synthesis and applications. Wildlife disease surveillance is often comprised of a combination of targeted and convenience‐based methods. Using a multi‐method analytical approach allows us to compare the relative strengths of these methods, providing guidance on resource allocation for surveillance actions. Applying this multi‐method approach in conjunction with dynamic occupancy analyses better informs management decisions by understanding ecological drivers of disease occurrence.
Community noise exposure and annoyance: A multilevel description

An overview is provided of multilevel modeling of community noise annoyance. By multilevel, it is meant that noise exposure and noise tolerance vary on the community level, and among individuals within the communities. Although these assumptions are rather simple, they lead to a rigorous statistical model with characteristics consistent with noise survey data. Regression analyses with a multilevel, generalized linear model (GLM) enable the model parameters and their variations at the community and individual levels to be distinguished and quantified. Based on a meta-analysis of transportation noise, the community-level and individual-level noise tolerance variances are both evident, although the individual-level variance is stronger. The significance of community-level variance is consistent with the recently introduced concept of community tolerance level (CTL). Although the multilevel model describes and quantifies the community-level variations, it does not by itself explain why communities differ, or how to account for these differences in regulations. Future research should address the relationships between community tolerance variations and factors such as soundscape disturbance and attitude toward the most prominent noise sources.An overview is provided of multilevel modeling of community noise annoyance. By multilevel, it is meant that noise exposure and noise tolerance vary on the community level, and among individuals within the communities. Although these assumptions are rather simple, they lead to a rigorous statistical model with characteristics consistent with noise survey data. Regression analyses with a multilevel, generalized linear model (GLM) enable the model parameters and their variations at the community and individual levels to be distinguished and quantified. Based on a meta-analysis of transportation noise, the community-level and individual-level noise tolerance variances are both evident, although the individual-level variance is stronger. The significance of community-level variance is consistent with the recently introduced concept of community tolerance level (CTL). Although the multilevel model describes and quantifies the community-level variations, it does not by itself explain why communities differ, or ...
Gemcitabine pharmacogenetics: Cytidine deaminase and deoxycytidylate deaminase genotype-to-phenotype studies

4745 Gemcitabine (gem) is a nucleoside analog of deoxycytidine that has anticancer activity against solid tumors. After transport into cells, gem can undergo metabolic activation by kinases to form a cytotoxic trinucleotide. Metabolic inactivation of gem by deamination is catalyzed by cytidine deaminase (CDA) or –after phosphorylation –by deoxycytidylate deaminase (DCTD). We set out to study the pharmacogenetics of the gem metabolic enzymes CDA and DCTD by resequencing the exons, splice junctions and 5’-flanking regions of these 2 genes using 60 DNA samples from African-American (AA) and 60 DNA samples from Caucasian-American (CA) subjects that were obtained from the Coriell Institute. Expression constructs were created for all nonsynonymous coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNPs) observed, and those constructs were expressed in COS-1 cells. Comparison of the CDA resequencing data with the consensus sequence (Genbank accession number NT_004610) revealed 16 SNPs in the 240 alleles resequenced. One nonsynonymous cSNP, A79C (Lys27Gln), with allele frequencies of 10.8% and 29.8% in AA and CA subjects, respectively, was observed. After expression in COS-1 cells and correction for transfection efficiency, the Gln27 variant had 66% ± 5.1 (mean ± SEM, N=6) of the activity for gem observed after transfection with wild type (WT) CDA. The apparent Km value of the Gln27 allozyme (397 + 40 μM) was slightly higher than that for the WT allozyme (289 + 20 μM). Western analysis, also corrected for transfection efficiency, failed to demonstrate statistically significant differences in protein quantity between WT and Gln27 allozymes. DCTD resequencing (consensus sequence accession number NT_022792) revealed 24 SNPs in the 240 alleles resequenced. One nonsynonymous cSNP, A172G (Asn58Asp), was observed in CA subjects, with an allele frequency of 0.8%. Preliminary functional genomic studies performed with a pooled sample for each allozyme after the transfection of COS-1 cells indicated that the Asp58 variant allozyme appeared to have little if any activity with gem monophosphate as a substrate relative to WT DCTD. Western analysis of recombinant allozyme protein concentration in the same pooled samples revealed no differences in protein levels of the Asp58 allozyme relative to WT DCTD. These results raise the possibility that pharmacogenetic variation in the deamination of gem monophosphate might be one factor contributing to variation in response to treatment with this antineoplastic agent. (Supported by a grant from Eli Lilly.)
Mining for Prospects

It’s no secret that focusing on customer needs is the key to success in building any business. As entrepreneurship has become an increasingly important part of the U.S. educational curriculum, this aspect has become a mainstay of the courses students take, and the federal government even awards grants for business students/budding entrepreneurs to go out and talk to customers. Sometimes the advice goes a bit overboard. “Make one hundred phone calls to prospective customers and find that crucial need and then fill it!”
Management of Travel-Related Infectious Diseases in the Emergency Department.

Emergency physicians generally have limited exposure to internationally acquired illnesses. However, travelers can present quite ill, and delays in recognition and treatment can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. This paper aims to summarize typical presentations of common international diseases and provide the emergency physician with a practical approach based on current guidelines. In the treatment of traveler’s diarrhea, azithromycin has become the treatment of choice due to the growing antibiotic resistance. Intravenous artesunate was approved in 2019 under investigational new drug protocol for the treatment of severe malaria, and artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have become the first-line treatment for most cases of uncomplicated malaria. Since the 2015 outbreak, Zika has become a concern to many travelers, but the current treatment is supportive. Clinicians should be aware of a few noteworthy updates in the treatment of internationally acquired illnesses, but more importantly, they must recognize warning signs of severe illness and treat promptly. Future research on workup and disposition could help emergency physicians identify which patients need admission in well-appearing febrile travelers.
A Note on the General Solution to Completing Partially Specified Correlation Matrices

Partially specified correlation matrices (not to be confused with matrices with missing data or EM-correlation matrices) can appear in research settings such as integrative data analyses, quantitat...
Knight Moves: Russifying Quantitative Literary Studies

Abstract Computational approaches to literary studies have tended to fetishize Russian Formalism. The evolving canon of Digital Humanities scholarship shows persistent leanings on Formalism and the theoretical movements that emerged in its wake, including Prague School structuralism, discourse analysis, and semiotics. Twenty-first-century scholars relive the evolutions, embattled stances, and fraught histories of modern literary theory and its founding figures, whom they claim as their predecessors – from historical poetics to the social turn of discourse analysis. As scholars working in Digital Humanities and Russian literary studies, we attempt to examine the suggestive continuities between Russian literary theory and computational literary analysis. Focusing on the posited link between discourse analysis and topic modelling, we offer a case study of topic modeling using the full run of the academic journal Slavic Review. We briefly review the process of topic modeling for literary analysis, consider some insights from topic modeling Slavic Review and, for comparison, briefly consider two other prominent journals in the field – Slavic and East European Journal and Russian Review.
Conformational dynamics of auto-inhibition in the ER calcium sensor STIM1.

The dimeric ER Ca2+ sensor STIM1 controls store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) through the regulated binding of its CRAC activation domain (CAD) to Orai channels in the plasma membrane. In resting cells, the STIM1 CC1 domain interacts with CAD to suppress SOCE, but the structural basis of this interaction is unclear. Using single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and protein crosslinking approaches, we show that CC1 interacts dynamically with CAD in a domain-swapped configuration with an orientation predicted to sequester its Orai-binding region adjacent to the ER membrane. Following ER Ca2+ depletion and release from CAD, cysteine crosslinking indicates that the two CC1 domains become closely paired along their entire length in the active Orai-bound state. These findings provide a structural basis for the dual roles of CC1: sequestering CAD to suppress SOCE in resting cells and propelling it towards the plasma membrane to activate Orai and SOCE after store depletion.
Recommendations for Malaria Control Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Billions of dollars each year are dedicated to malaria control policy at great cost to the donating agencies and countries. This paper outlines the primary sources of that funding and the methods by which it is used. The Web sites for these funding agencies: The Global Fund, The President’s Malaria Initiative and Malaria No More provide much of the data for this study. Information from the United States Center for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and several books on the history of the malaria parasite provide this investigation’s epidemiological foundation. This paper offers alternatives to the current funding practices, such as moving production of malaria control supplies to Africa and increasing collaboration between funding agencies. These suggestions will reduce the number of malaria cases while stimulating the economies of the affected Sub-Saharan nations.
Lignin Degradation by Streptomyces viridosporus: Isolation and Characterization of a New Polymeric Lignin Degradation Intermediate.

A new, quantitatively significant intermediate formed during lignin degradation by Streptomyces viridosporus T7A was isolated and characterized. In Streptomyces-inoculated cultures, the intermediate, an acid-precipitable, polyphenolic, polymeric lignin (APPL), accumulated in the growth medium. The APPL was a water-soluble polymer probably consisting of a heterogeneous mixture of molecular weight components of ≥20,000. APPLs were precipitable from culture filtrates after they had been acidified to pH
Law School Rankings, Faculty Scholarship, and Associate Deans for Faculty Research

The authors contend that a boom in law school rankings has encouraged many U.S. law schools to take new measures to encourage and publicize faculty scholarship. The establishment of associate deans for faculty research is one such measure. The authors conducted a study to determine the number of law schools that have these dean-level positions. They argue that many law schools have established these positions as part of their efforts to improve their standing in the increasingly important rankings. The authors begin with a historical overview of the original law school model and discuss how that model evolved over time. They focus on how those changes led to a competitive law school market that helped lay the groundwork for U.S. News & World Report and other law school rankings. They then explore numerous alternative ranking methodologies and conclude with a study of ABA-accredited law schools that have appointed associate deans for faculty research.
Net Neutrality: A Further Take on the Debate

The case for regulating the Internet has not been made. Proposed rules mandating network neutrality are not in response to evidence of market failure or widespread consumer harm, could deter investment in broadband deployment, and raise First Amendment concerns. Regulatory advocates' assertions that the Internet has always been a “neutral” network and “we now suddenly cannot trust broadband network operators to discriminate in the handling of Internet traffic in socially beneficial ways, so we must outlaw their ability to do so at all” is flawed and there has always been prioritization of traffic. By requiring operators to request permission before changing the way they managed network traffic, such rules would freeze in place today's Internet operations and business models, and interfere with the organic change that has characterized the Internet ecosystem.A 2007 Federal Trade Commission report found no evidence of failure in the broadband market and neither the FCC nor proponents of network neutrality regulation point to any significant changes in either market structure or provider behavior in the interim to support the conclusion that we are now at risk of the loss of Internet freedoms enjoyed by users. Moreover, if broadband markets are not sufficiently competitive to adequately protect consumers, steps should be taken to improve competitiveness as opposed to regulating network management practices. Additionally, financial analysts have warned that imposing regulatory constraints on ISPs would inhibit broadband investment.Regarding “free speech” concerns, it highly unlikely that companies would monitor and censor individual communications on a widespread basis given the sheer volume of traffic on these networks and scant documented cases. Furthermore, protection against censorship by a private entity is does not fall under First Amendment protection. In fact, network neutrality rules will constitute unacceptable interference with the protected speech and press rights of broadband ISPs.
Analysis of dynamic voltage drop with PVT variation in FinFET designs

In this paper we have analyzed vectorless dynamic voltage (IR) drops and characterized the impact of transistor-level PVT (process-voltage-temperature) variation and metal-level RC (resistance-capacitance) corner variation in FinFET SoC (system-on-a-chip) designs. The impact of systematic process variations on signal interconnects is also considered for analyzing the worst case voltage drop in our design. Then, we discuss factors that can affect the design closure metrics for power and voltage integrity.
Plato's Greatest Accusation against Poetry

(1983). Plato's Greatest Accusation against Poetry. Canadian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 13, Supplementary Volume 9: New Essays on Plato, pp. 39-62.
Geometric and Probabilistic Aspects of Boson Lattice Models

This review describes quantum systems of bosonic particles moving on a lattice. These models are relevant in statistical physics, and have natural ties with probability theory. The general setting is recalled and the main questions about phase transitions are addressed. A lattice model with Lennard-Jones potential is studied as an example of a system where first-order phase transitions occur.
What Have Religious Groups Done After 3.11? Part 1: A Brief Survey of Religious Mobilization after the Great East Japan Earthquake Disasters

This article serves two principal purposes: 1) to survey the many rescue, relief, and reconstruction initiatives undertaken by Buddhist, Shinto, Christian, and New Religious organizations in the two years since the March 2011 disasters that devastated northeast Japan, and 2) to introduce electronic and print resources to readers interested in learning more about specific religious disaster response campaigns. The pragmatic aid efforts carried out by religions contrast with moralistic interpretations offered by public figures, and they indicate that many religious groups regard their disaster aid not as temporary relief but instead as opportunities to begin positive new engagements with the Japanese public.
Bayesian Deduction for Redundancy Detection in Groundwater Quality Monitoring Networks

[1] A new methodology for designing a network for monitoring ambient, long-term groundwater quality is presented in this paper. The methodology is based on a sparse Bayesian learning approach known as a relevance vector machine (RVM) which produces probabilistic predictions that quantify the uncertainty in both the data and the model parameters. A reliable and parsimonious network configuration that is pertinent to the physics of the case study, revealed through understanding of the information content of the available data, is sought through application of the RVM. The methodology has been employed to reduce redundancy in the network for monitoring nitrate (NO3−) in the West Bank Palestinian National Authority aquifers to illustrate the potential for use of RVMs in optimal groundwater monitoring and to explore possible trade-offs between different monitoring objectives, e.g., monitoring cost versus uncertainty in groundwater. A sparse monitoring network configuration produced by the RVM-based model indicates that only 32% of the existing monitoring sites in the aquifer are sufficient to characterize the nitrate state. Proof of correctness and accuracy using rigorous statistical tests is presented.
NaOH-treated PLGA scaffolds allow for greater articular chondrocyte functions

Previous studies have shown that NaOH-treated two-dimensional PLGA films enhanced chondrocyte functions. In this in vitro study, a three-dimensional PLGA scaffold was fabricated and treated with NaOH. Articular chondrocyte function was then examined. Results show, for the first time, greater cell numbers and enhanced subsequent cellular functions (such as select intracellular protein synthesis) on NaOH-treated scaffolds. Underlying material properties that may have enhanced chondrocyte functions include a more hydrophilic surface (due to hydrolytic degradation of PLGA by NaOH), increased surface area, altered porosity, and a greater degree of nanometer roughness. For these reasons, this study adds a novel tissue-engineering scaffold to the cartilage biomaterial community: NaOH-treated PLGA. Clearly, such surface and chemical modifications of PLGA may ultimately enhance the efficacy of tissue-engineering scaffolds for articular cartilage repair.
Alteration of rare-earth-metal cluster iodides R(R6I12Z) through cation substitution

Abstract Four examples of (AxR1−x)R6I12Z phases further illustrate the flexibility of the rhombohedral R7X12Z structure to substitution of heterocations for the isolated RIII atoms without destruction of the structure. The examples with R=La, Pr, Z=Fe, Co, Ir, and stoichiometric amounts of A=Na or Ca were prepared by traditional high temperature techniques and characterized by single crystal and Guinier powder X-ray diffraction techniques. Product compositions refined in the parent space group R 3 from reactions of stoichiometry AR6I12Z were (Na0.90Pr0.10)Pr6I12Ir, (Na0.954La0.046)La6I12Fe, and (Ca0.801La0.199)La6I12Co. More general characteristics of and trends in the family of R7X12Z structures are also considered, including distortions of the ideal motif as a function of extremes in the components.