cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tissue-engineered colon exhibits function in vivo

Background. Postcolectomy morbidities include important changes in enterohepatic circulation, stool microbiology, and absorption. The surgical substitution of an ileal pouch for the absent colon also has a number of serious complications. We report in vivo colon replacement by tissue-engineered colon (TEC) in lieu of an ileal pouch. Methods. End-ileostomies were created in 22 male Lewis rats. In 11 animals, side-to-side ileum‐TEC anastomosis was performed 1 cm from the stoma. This group was compared with end-ileostomy alone. Serial weights were measured, and animals were harvested sequentially for assessment of histologic signs of pouchitis. Transit times, stool dry and wet weights, and serum and stool colon function markers were collected. Results. Animals survived 41 days. Weight loss was more than 1.5 times greater in the end-ileostomy alone group compared with the ileum-TEC group. Transit times were significantly longer in the ileumTEC group than the end-ileostomy alone group, with lower stool moisture content and higher total serum bile acids. Animals without TEC had statistically significant hyponatremia, elevated serum urea nitrogen, and lower stool short chain fatty acids (13.5 µmol/kg vs 84.2) with an abnormal distribution. Conclusions. TEC successfully recapitulates some major physiologic functions of native large intestine in vivo. (Surgery 2002;132:200-4.)
Comparative genomics of xylose-fermenting fungi for enhanced biofuel production

Cellulosic biomass is an abundant and underused substrate for biofuel production. The inability of many microbes to metabolize the pentose sugars abundant within hemicellulose creates specific challenges for microbial biofuel production from cellulosic material. Although engineered strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae can use the pentose xylose, the fermentative capacity pales in comparison with glucose, limiting the economic feasibility of industrial fermentations. To better understand xylose utilization for subsequent microbial engineering, we sequenced the genomes of two xylose-fermenting, beetle-associated fungi, Spathaspora passalidarum and Candida tenuis. To identify genes involved in xylose metabolism, we applied a comparative genomic approach across 14 Ascomycete genomes, mapping phenotypes and genotypes onto the fungal phylogeny, and measured genomic expression across five Hemiascomycete species with different xylose-consumption phenotypes. This approach implicated many genes and processes involved in xylose assimilation. Several of these genes significantly improved xylose utilization when engineered into S. cerevisiae, demonstrating the power of comparative methods in rapidly identifying genes for biomass conversion while reflecting on fungal ecology.
Fan Substitution and the 2004-05 NHL Lockout:

This study estimates fan substitution in sports using the 2004-05 National Hockey League (NHL) season-long lockout as a natural experiment. The authors find that NHL fans substitute minor league an...
A general model for tectonic control of magmatism: Examples from Long Valley Caldera (USA) and El Chichón (México)

The relationship of volcanoes to regional tectonic setting and earthquake dynamics is intimate. We know that eruptions are often triggered by earthquakes, and that volcanoes generally lie along or near major faults or within faulted provinces. It has been generally found that bimodal basaltic-rhyolitic volcanism is associated with extensional settings, presumably because of the creation of accommodating space. For intermediate arc volcanoes, tectonic settings are generally compressional or transpressional. The spatial pattern of faulting indicates that Long Valley was focussed by a releasing bend in the transtensional, Sierran range-front fault system. The temporal pattern of offset rates suggests that the zone of greatest activity has migrated to the NW through time, and is now focussed at the Mono-Inyo Craters. The southern Mexican volcanic arc presents an example of the coexistence of regional compressional and transpressional structures with volcanoes. On an event basis, slip on regional structures creates opportunities for magma movement and eruption, in a type of dynamic fault pumping of fluids. Both kinematically and dynamically, volcanic activity may be completely dependent on tectonic factors for accumulation, storage and eruption of magma.
Structure of the VHS domain of human Tom1 (target of myb 1): insights into interactions with proteins and membranes.

VHS domains are found at the N-termini of select proteins involved in intracellular membrane trafficking. We have determined the crystal structure of the VHS domain of the human Tom1 (target of myb 1) protein to 1.5 A resolution. The domain consists of eight helices arranged in a superhelix. The surface of the domain has two main features: (1) a basic patch on one side due to several conserved positively charged residues on helix 3 and (2) a negatively charged ridge on the opposite side, formed by residues on helix 2. We compare our structure to the recently obtained structure of tandem VHS−FYVE domains from Hrs [Mao, Y., Nickitenko, A., Duan, X., Lloyd, T. E., Wu, M. N., Bellen, H., and Quiocho, F. A. (2000) Cell 100, 447−456]. Key features of the interaction surface between the FYVE and VHS domains of Hrs, involving helices 2 and 4 of the VHS domain, are conserved in the VHS domain of Tom1, even though Tom1 does not have a FYVE domain. We also compare the structures of the VHS domains of Tom1 and Hrs t...
Autism-Associated Neuroligin-3 Mutations Commonly Disrupt Tonic Endocannabinoid Signaling

SUMMARY Neuroligins are postsynaptic cell-adhesion molecules that interact with presynaptic neurexins. Rare mutations in neuroligins and neurexins predispose to autism, including a neuroligin-3 amino acid substitution (R451C) and a neuroligin-3 deletion. Previous analyses showed that neuroligin-3 R451C-knockin mice exhibit robust synaptic phenotypes but failed to uncover major changes in neuroligin-3 knockout mice, questioning the notion that a common synaptic mechanism mediates autism pathogenesis in patients with these mutations. Here, we used paired recordings in mice carrying these mutations to measure synaptic transmission at GABAergic synapses formed by hippocampal parvalbumin- and cholecystokinin-expressing basket cells onto pyramidal neurons. We demonstrate that in addition to unique gain-of-function effects produced by the neuroligin3 R451C-knockin but not the neuroligin-3 knockout mutation, both mutations dramatically impairedtonic but not phasic endocannabinoid signaling. Our data thus suggest that neuroligin-3 is specifically required for tonic endocannabinoid signaling, raising the possibility that alterations in endocannabinoid signaling may contribute to autism pathophysiology.
Implementation of COMA type ArF Resist for Sub-100nm Patterning

To accomplish sub-100nm minimum feature size to sub 100nm, new light sources for photolithography are emerging, such as ArF(λ=193nm), F2(λ=157nm), EPL(E-beam Project Lithography) and EUV(Extremely Ultraviolet, 13nm). Among these lithography technologies, ArF lithography will be used for sub 100nm lithography at first. For a few years, ArF resist development has been the key issue for the success of ArF lithography. For this ArF lithography, we have developed COMA (cyclo-olefin/maleic anhydride) type ArF resists in which the base resin consists of cycloolefin and maleic anhydride. Now, this COMA type resist is strong candidate for primary ArF resist. From the patterning results, we can say that the ArF resist is enough to start real device production except contact hole patterning. For the sub 100nm contact hole patterning, more intensive research must be performed in the field of RFP (Resist Flow Process) or RELACS (Resolution Enhancement Lithography Assisted by Chemical Shrink). From the etch resistance point of view, COMA type ArF resists have some problems under oxide etch condition. To solve this oxide etch problem, additional E-beam curing is required. For the more fundamental solution for the oxide etch, new etch equipment or hard mask must be developed for implementation of ArF process. E-beam curing also solves the line slimming due to E-beam attack during SEM measurement.
Theorizing Cross-Border Mobility: Surveillance, Security and Identity

This article explores the effects of post-9/11 security programs on mobility into and within the United States. Specific programs such as retinal scanning and vehicle preclearance are analyzed according to the differential effects they generate in terms of risk, rights and speed of movement. These differentiations suggest that individuals and groups will be identified in unequal ways, and that they will in turn experience their mobility differently. In the end, the analysis provided here adds complexity to current theorizations about citizenship and identity: it shows that while individuals make claims to new and different kinds of citizenship, state power also makes claims on individuals that do not always depend on citizenship. In view of the manifest inequalities resulting from the mobility control practices currently in use, rethinking of those practices is warranted, and an emphasis on shared burdens would be more productive.
Blood pressure control and cognitive performance: something to think about with aging

Along with declining memory performance, elevation of systolic blood pressure and an increased prevalence of hypertension are expected consequences of advancing age. It is not surprising, therefore, to expect that the two processes may be related. In 1987, Inzitari et al1 first identified brain injury and subtle cognitive impairment associated with elevated levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP). In 1995, Launer et al2 found that elevations in middlelife blood pressure were associated with reduced cognitive function in later life. Many studies subsequently confirmed and extended research related to the relationships among middle-life blood pressure, brain injury, and cognitive function among community-living individuals, suggesting that the inverse relationship between middle-life blood pressure and reduced cognitive ability is nearly universal. Using a twin study design, Swan et al3 also confirmed the association betweenmiddle-life patterns of SBP and cognition and identified that the cognitive differences were likely mediated by brain injury related to the level of middlelife blood pressure. JAMANEUROLOGY
Evolution of selenium hyperaccumulation in Stanleya (Brassicaceae) as inferred from phylogeny, physiology and X-ray microprobe analysis.

Summary Past studies have identified herbivory as a likely selection pressure for the evolution of hyperaccumulation, but few have tested the origin(s) of hyperaccumulation in a phylogenetic context. We focused on the evolutionary history of selenium (Se) hyperaccumulation in Stanleya (Brassicaceae). Multiple accessions were collected for all Stanleya taxa and two outgroup species. We sequenced four nuclear gene regions and performed a phylogenetic analysis. Ancestral reconstruction was used to predict the states for Se-related traits in a parsimony framework. Furthermore, we tested the taxa for Se localization and speciation using X-ray microprobe analyses. True hyperaccumulation was found in three taxa within the S. pinnata/bipinnata clade. Tolerance to hyperaccumulator Se concentrations was found in several taxa across the phylogeny, including the hyperaccumulators. X-ray analysis revealed two distinct patterns of leaf Se localization across the genus: marginal and vascular. All taxa accumulated predominantly (65–96%) organic Se with the C–Se–C configuration. These results give insight into the evolution of Se hyperaccumulation in Stanleya and suggest that Se tolerance and the capacity to produce organic Se are likely prerequisites for Se hyperaccumulation in Stanleya.
Ground truth-based variability analysis of atmospheric inversion in the presence of clouds

A data collection experiment was held on 10 May 2006 in which various types of ground truth were collected. During analysis of the data, it became apparent that a good deal of temporal and spatial variability existed both between the two collection sites and between each of the flight lines. The variability was primarily manifested in the total sky radiance spectra collected during each flight line. These effects were believed to be due to a rapidly changing sky environment populated by sparse clouds that grew thicker as the collection continued. After discussing the theoretical considerations of remotely sensing in the presence of clouds and other objects, the results of our analysis are presented. It was observed that temporal variability resulted in approximately 2-15% error in sky radiance across the visible wavelengths, and that spatial variability in sky radiance could be shown to be responsible for up to 5% error in retrieved reflectance. Additional theoretical work in modeling the expected radiance contributions of a cloudy sky and the impacts of cloud-induced variability is on-going and will be supported by these results.
Detection of a stellar halo in NGC 4244

We present the preliminary detection of a stellar halo in the nearby, edge-on galaxy, NGC 4244. Using data from the Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys (HST/ACS), we have examined number counts of red giant branch (RGB) stars along the minor axis of the galaxy out to 10 kpc, with a limiting surface brightness of μR ∼ 31 mag/arcsec2. At distances more than 2.5 kpc above the disk, a second stellar component is clearly visible. This component is well fit by either an exponential or a power law. The best-fit exponential scale height is similar to the scale length of the galaxy disk, suggesting that we are indeed detecting a halo component. Furthermore, the color of the RGB stars above 2.5 kpc are significantly bluer than those in the disk, suggesting a more metal-poor population. Outside the local group, this finding represents one of the first detections of a resolved stellar halo in a spiral galaxy.
Comparative technoeconomic analysis of a softwood ethanol process featuring posthydrolysis sugars concentration operations and continuous fermentation with cell recycle

Economical production of second generation ethanol from Ponderosa pine is of interest due to widespread mountain pine beetle infestation in the western United States and Canada. The conversion process is limited by low glucose and high inhibitor concentrations resulting from conventional low-solids dilute acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. Inhibited fermentations require larger fermentors (due to reduced volumetric productivity) and low sugars lead to low ethanol titers, increasing distillation costs. In this work, multiple effect evaporation (MEE) and nanofiltration (NF) were evaluated to concentrate the hydrolysate from 30 g/l to 100, 150, or 200 g/l glucose. To ferment this high gravity, inhibitor containing stream, traditional batch fermentation was compared with continuous stirred tank fermentation (CSTF) and continuous fermentation with cell recycle (CSTF-CR). Equivalent annual operating cost (EAOC = amortized capital + yearly operating expenses) was used to compare these potential improvements for a local-scale 5 MGY ethanol production facility. Hydrolysate concentration via evaporation increased EAOC over the base process due to the capital and energy intensive nature of evaporating a very dilute sugar stream; however, concentration via NF decreased EAOC for several of the cases (by 2 to 15%). NF concentration to 100 g/l glucose with a CSTF-CR was the most economical option, reducing EAOC by $0.15 per gallon ethanol produced. Sensitivity analyses on NF options showed that EAOC improvement over the base case could still be realized for even higher solids removal requirements (up to two times higher centrifuge requirement for the best case) or decreased NF performance. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:946–956, 2015
Living carbocationic polymerization. IV. Living polymerization of isobutylene

Truly living polymerization of isobutylene (IB) has been achieved for the first time by the use of new initiating systems comprising organic acetate-BCl3 complexes under conventional laboratory conditions in various solvents from −10 to −50°C. The overall rates of polymerization are very high, which necessitated the development of the incremental monomer addition (IMA) technique to demonstrate living systems. The living nature of the polymerizations was demonstrated by linear Mn versus grams polyisobutylene (PIB) formed plots starting at the origin and horizontal number of polymer molecules formed versus amount of polymer formed plots. DPn obeys [IB]/[CH3COORt · BCl3]. Molecular weight distributions (MWD) are very narrow in homogeneous systems (Mw/Mn = 1.2–1.3) whereas somewhat broader values are obtained when the polymer precipitates out of solution (Mw/Mn = 1.4–3.0). The MWDs tend to narrow with increasing molecular weights, i.e., with the accumulation of precipitated polymer in the reactor. Traces of moisture do not affect the outcome of living polymerizations. In the presence of monomer both first and second order chain transfer to monomer are avoided even at −10°C. The diagnosis of first and second order chain transfer has been accomplished, and the first order process seems to dominate. Forced termination can be effected either by thermally decomposing the propagating complexes or by nucleophiles. In either case the end groups will be tertiary chlorides. The living polymerization of isobutylene initiated by ester. BCl3 complexes most likely proceeds by a two-component group transfer polymerization.
Reduce latency: The key to successful interactive remote rendering systems

Remote rendering is considered as a general and effective approach to collaborate mobile devices and cloud computing services and deliver computation or network bandwidth intensive media content (e.g., 3D games, 3D video) to mobile devices. In this abstract, I propose my doctoral thesis research on interaction latency reduction for remote rendering systems. My work mainly focuses on how image based rendering techniques can be appropriately applied to reduce the interaction latency which is originally caused by network delay.
Algorithm for the management of ERCP-related perforations.

Background and Aims Perforation is a rare but serious adverse event of ERCP. There is no consensus to guide the clinician on the management of ERCP-related perforations, with particular controversy surrounding the immediate surgical management of postprocedurally detected duodenal perforation because of overextension of a sphincterotomy. Our aim was to assess patient outcomes using a predetermined algorithm based on managing ERCP-related duodenal perforations according to the mechanism of injury. Methods A retrospective single-center study of all consecutive patients with Stapfer type I and II perforations between 2000 and 2014 were included. Our institutional algorithm since 2000 dictated that Stapfer type I perforations (duodenal wall perforation, endoscope related) should be managed surgically unless prohibited by underlying comorbidities and Stapfer type II perforations (periampullary, sphincterotomy related) managed nonsurgically unless a deterioration in clinical status necessitated surgery. Results Sixty-one patients (mean age, 51 years; 80% women) were analyzed with Stapfer type I perforations diagnosed in 7 (11%) and type II in 54 (89%). A postprocedural diagnosis of perforation was made in 55 patients (90%). Four patients (7%) had Stapfer type II perforations that failed medical management and required surgery. The mean length of stay (LOS) in the entire cohort was 9.6 days with a low mortality rate of 3%. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome was observed in 18 patients (33%) with Stapfer type II perforations and was not associated with the need for surgery. Concurrent post-ERCP pancreatitis was diagnosed in 26 patients (43%) and was associated with an increased LOS. Conclusions Stapfer type II perforations have excellent outcomes when managed medically. We validate an algorithm for the management of ERCP-related perforations and propose that it should function as a guide.
Organization and Expression of Gonadotropin Genes

Lutropin (LH) and follitropin (FSH) are gonadotropins produced and secreted by the mammalian anterior pituitary gland. They serve to regulate gonadal function by stimulating the production of sex steroid hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) and gametogenesis. The gonadotropins are the effectors of well-regulated gonadal development and function orchestrated in a finely tuned manner by factors from the hypothalamus. Hence, LH and FSH play critical roles in sexual development and maturation as well as normal reproductive function (Kalra and Kalra, 1985).
The Terrorism, Ideology, and Transformations of Al-Qaeda

Bill Ardolino. Fallujah Awakens: Marines, Sheikhs, and the Battle Against Al-Qaeda. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2013. 320 pp., $36.95 hardcover. ISBN: 978-1612511283.Ian Cram. Terror and ...
A Qualitative Exploration of a Clinical Ethicist’s Role and Contributions During Family Meetings

Despite the interpersonal nature of family meetings and the frequency in which they occur, the clinical ethics literature is devoid of any rich descriptions of what clinical ethicists should actually be doing during family meetings. Here, we propose a framework for describing and understanding "transitioning" facilitation skills based on a retrospective review of our internal documentation of 100 consecutive cases (June 01, 2013-December 31, 2014) wherein a clinical ethicist facilitated at least one family meeting. The internal documents were analyzed using qualitative methodologies, i.e., "codes", to identify emergent themes. We identified four different transitioning strategies clinical ethicists use to reach a meaningful resolution. These transitioning strategies serve as a jumping-off point for additional analyses, future research, evaluating clinical ethics consultation, and overall performance improvement of a consultation service.
Trimethoprim Alone for Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection

Studies of the use of trimethoprim (TMP) alone compared with the use of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole in combination (TMP-SMZ) have shown that TMP alone is as effective as TMP-SMZ in the treatment of urinary tract infections. With the exception of one study in which use of TMP singly for 28 days for treatment of recurrent urinary tract infections selected resistant nonfermenting bacteria, the use of TMP singly for treatment of urinary tract infections has not resulted in selection of resistant Enterobacteriaceae. However, use of both TMP and TMP-SMZ for prevention of traveler's diarrhea has resulted in plasmid mediated resistance in Escherichia coli.
On q-advanced spherical Bessel functions of the first kind and perturbations of the Haar wavelet

Abstract For q > 1 , the nth order q-advanced spherical Bessel functions of the first kind, j n ( q ; t ) , are introduced. Smooth perturbations, H q ( ω ) , of the Haar wavelet are derived. The inverse Fourier transforms F − 1 [ j n ( q ; t ) ] ( ω ) are expressed in terms of the Jacobi theta function and are shown to give genesis to the q-advanced Legendre polynomials P ˜ n ( q ; ω ) . The wavelet F − 1 [ sin ⁡ ( t ) j 0 ( q ; t ) ] ( ω ) is studied and shown to generate H q ( ω ) . For each n ≥ 1 , F − 1 [ j n ( q ; t ) ] ( ω ) is shown to be a Schwartz wavelet with vanishing jth moments for 0 ≤ j ≤ n − 1 and non-vanishing nth moment. Wavelet frame properties are developed. The family { 2 j / 2 H q ( 2 j ω − k ) | j , k ∈ Z } is seen to be a nearly orthonormal frame for L 2 ( R ) and a perturbation of the Haar basis. The corresponding multiplicatively advanced differential equations (MADEs) satisfied by these new functions are presented. As the parameter q → 1 + , convergence of the q-advanced functions to their classical counterparts is shown. A q-Wallis formula is given. Symmetry of the Jacobi theta function is shown to preclude Gibb's type phenomena. A Schwartz function with lower moments vanishing is shown to be a mother wavelet for a frame generating L 2 ( R ) .
Statistical Knowledge and the Over-Interpretation of Student Evaluations of Teaching.

AbstractResearch shows that teachers interpret small differences in student evaluations of teaching as meaningful even when available statistical information indicates that the differences are not reliable. The current research explored the effect of statistical training on college teachers’ tendency to over-interpret student evaluation differences. A sample of 225 English, mathematics and psychology teachers evaluated statistical reports of student evaluation data corresponding to a fictional teacher’s courses. Teachers from the three disciplines varied significantly in their statistics training, but there were no differences in their tendency to rate small, non-significant differences in student evaluations as indicative of the need to make improvements in a course. These results illustrate that statistical knowledge alone does not prevent the over-interpretation of student evaluation means.
263. A Novel Peptide-Grafted AAV Capsid Exhibits Enhanced CNS Transduction in Both Adult Mice and Cat, as Well as SOD1 Knockdown in Adult hSOD1 ALS Mice

Effective gene transfer to CNS is key for development of new therapies for neurological diseases. Relatively few natural AAV capsids cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) upon systemic infusion and even then, transduction in adult brain after systemic delivery is limited to mainly glia and endothelium. Here we report the CNS tropism of a new AAV vector generated by genetic grafting of a small peptide into the capsid of AAV9.47, a liver-detargeted AAV9 mutant. The peptide insertion was tolerated well with no loss of packaging efficiency compared to AAV9.47 or AAV9. The scAAV-CBA-GFP vectors were infused via the tail vein in 6-8 week-old C57BL/6 mice at 5E11 vg. The new AAV vector transduced cortical and striatal neurons in the brain at high efficiency, as well as motor neurons and interneurons in the spinal cord. Significantly more vector genomes were found in the cerebrum (15-fold) and spinal cord (6-fold) compared to AAV9, while in peripheral tissues there were no significant differences. Western blot analysis of GFP expression levels confirmed the vector biodistribution results. Binding studies in parental and sialic acid-deficient CHO cells showed the interaction of the new AAV vector with terminal galactose to be unchanged compared to AAV9. The CNS tropism of the new AAV vector was evaluated in a 4 week-old cat infused with 1.26E13 vg via the carotid artery. Similar to the results in adult mice, the new AAV vector transduced cortical and striatal neurons in feline brain, and motor neurons in the feline spinal cord. These results suggest the remarkable CNS transduction properties of the new AAV may translate to higher organisms. Finally, we used the new AAV vector to knock down expression of human SOD1 in SOD1G93A mouse model of familial ALS. For these studies we used a self-complementary AAV vector encoding an artificial microRNA against human SOD1 in the 3’UTR of a CBA-GFP expression cassette. The scAAV-CBA-GFP-miR vector was infused via the tail vein in 55-day old SOD1G93A mice at 5E11 vg. At 4 weeks post-injection, there was 20% reduction in hSOD1 mRNA in the thoracic spinal cord of mice infused with the new AAV vector. The enhanced CNS targeting properties of the new AAV vector make it a promising candidate for gene therapy of neurodegenerative disorders.
Optimum Conditions for Laccase Production by Local Isolate of Bacillus Cereus B5

In this study, fifty five soil samples were collected from different places in Baghdad. Many Gram positive and negative isolates were obtained; of which 39 isolates were identified as Bacillus spp. when subjected to morphological and microscopical tests. Laccase enzyme activity was determined by quantitative methods using syringaldazine as substrate for these isolates, results indicated that 17 isolates of them are laccase producer with different specific activity ranged between (98-600) U/mg and the isolate Bacillus cereus B5 was the most efficient in the production of laccase with specific activity of 600 U/mg protein therefore, it was chosen to determine the optimum conditions for laccase production. Maximum laccase production was achieved after supplementation of the minimal salt medium (pH7) with 0.5% dextrose, 0.5% yeast extract and incubated at 35 o C in shaker incubator (200 rpm) for 24h. Under these conditions, the specific activity of laccase produced in culture supernatant was sharply increased to 7000 U/mg protein.
Lung cancer incidence trends in California by race/ethnicity, histology, sex, and neighborhood socioeconomic status: An analysis spanning 28 years.

Abstract Objectives Lung cancer incidence trends by histology, sex, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) have not been previously reported. We conducted a population-based study of lung cancer incidence over three peri -censal periods: 1988–1992, 1998–2002, and 2008–2012. Materials and methods We abstracted lung cancer cases from the California Cancer Registry and used US Census and American Community Survey data to develop multidimensional nSES indices for each census period. We calculated nSES tertile-specific incidence rates and rate ratios for each peri -censal period and used incidence rate ratios (IRR) to assess changes in rates from 1988 to 1992 to 1998–2002 and 2008–2012. Results There were a total of 231,205 lung cancer cases. Males: Among males, incidence rates of lung cancer decreased over time, all race/ethnicities, and all nSES tertiles, with larger declines among males in higher nSES areas. Rates either declined or were stable for adenocarcinoma, with larger declines for other histologic subtypes. Females: Among females, declines in incidence rates of lung cancer were more pronounced for females in higher nSES areas, but diverged more so than for males, with variations by histology and race/ethnicity. Incidence rates of adenocarcinoma increased over time among all females, with greater increase among females in low nSES areas. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate differences in incidence trends over three decades by histology, gender, race/ethnicity, and nSES. While incidence rates consistently declined over time for males, there were greater declines in incidence for high nSES populations. In contrast, among females, there was evidence of increases in lung cancer incidence among low SES API females, and for adenocarcinoma.
Adherence to antihypertensive medications and associations with blood pressure among African Americans with hypertension in the Jackson Heart Study

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the association between a self-report measure of 24-hour adherence to antihypertensive medication and blood pressure (BP) among African Americans. The primary analysis included 3558 Jackson Heart Study participants taking antihypertensive medication who had adherence data for at least one study examination. Nonadherence was defined by self-report of not taking one or more prescribed antihypertensive medications, identified during pill bottle review, in the past 24 hours. Nonadherence and clinic BP were assessed at Exam 1 (2000–2004), Exam 2 (2005–2008), and Exam 3 (2009–2013). Associations of nonadherence with clinic BP and uncontrolled BP (systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg) were evaluated using unadjusted and adjusted linear and Poisson repeated measures regression models. The prevalence of nonadherence to antihypertensive medications was 25.4% at Exam 1, 28.7% at Exam 2, and 28.5% at Exam 3. Nonadherence was associated with higher systolic BP (3.38 mm Hg) and diastolic BP (1.47 mm Hg) in fully adjusted repeated measures analysis. Nonadherence was also associated with uncontrolled BP (prevalence ratio = 1.26; 95% confidence interval = 1.16–1.37). This new self-report measure may be useful for identifying nonadherence to antihypertensive medication in future epidemiologic studies.
Flow optimization in one-dimensional and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

Abstract Theoretical considerations of optimal flow in a GC column under different conditions are outlined from a single perspective, and numerical recommendations are provided. The optimal flow rate in a temperature programmed column is about 30% lower than its isothermal counterpart in the same column with the same carrier gas. A simplified calculation of recommended optimal or near optimal flow rate in a single column under different conditions is summarized in a single equation. In GC × GC, the primary column operates under temperature-programmed conditions while each secondary run is essentially isothermal. As a result, their flow optimization requirements are different. The complementary IDs (internal diameters) corresponding to equal optimal flow rates in both GC × GC columns should relate as 2d = 0.7 ·1d. Typical complementary ID pairs are tabulated. If choosing the complementary IDs is not an option, several ways to reconcile the difference in their optimal flow rates are considered. The most typical cases of the column mismatch are identified and their boundary conditions are formulated. The effect of the flow reconciliation in these column pairs on the performance of GC × GC analysis is evaluated.
Agroforestry for the Northeastern United States: Research, Practice, and Possibilities

Agroforestry has been proposed as a set of techniques that can produce food, conserve biodiversity, provide ecosystem services, and help people adapt to climate change. Research on alley cropping, silvopasture, windbreaks, riparian buffers, forest farming, and multistrata homegardens is happening all over the world; there is growing momentum to adapt these techniques to cool temperate climates. This chapter details how agroforestry might expand in the Northeastern United States. Lessons from the intensive silvopastures of South and Central America can be applied to black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and mulberry (Morus spp.) fodder systems. Silvopasture establishment, especially by thinning existing second-growth woodlands, offers an opportunity to improve timber stands and livestock enterprises’ viability. Windbreaks and riparian buffers can protect crops and water quality and may also be adapted to include beneficial wildlife habitat and non-timber forest products like elderberries (Sambucus spp.) and ramps ( Allium tricoccum ). The region’s abundant forestland provides an ideal setting and substrate to cultivate gourmet mushrooms. Harvesting small-diameter wood on which to grow mushrooms could improve forest managers’ ability to make forest practices financially worthwhile. Each practice can be adapted to conditions in the Northeastern United States, but widespread adoption will require collaboration between farmers, policymakers and enforcers, consumers, and conservation organizations. Building on existing networks of innovation and information sharing—and expanding the resources available to agroforestry ventures—are two strategies that can accelerate this process.
Abstract 308: Cardiac Cycle Affects Ultrasound Measurements of Ascending Aortic Diameter in a Marfan Mouse Model

Objective: Ultrasound measurements of aortic diameter are a common endpoint in preclinical studies. However, there is a lack of standardization in both image capture and analysis. For our study, we developed a standardized protocol for measuring ascending aortic diameter and examined effects of cardiac cycle in wild type and fibrillin-1 hypomorphic (FBN mgR/mgR ) mice. Methods and Results: Twelve week old male and female FBN mgR/mgR mice were anesthetized and maintained at a heart rate of 450-550 beats per minute. Ultrasound images were captured using a Vevo 2100 system with a 40MHz tranducer. Images captured were standardized according to two anatomical landmarks: the innominate artery branchpoint and aortic valves. The largest luminal ascending aortic diameter between the sinotubular junction and the innominate artery were measured in mid-systole and end-diastole by two blinded, independent observers. Aortic diameters were significantly different (p mgR/mgR mice (4% expansion in both; p Conclusion: As expected, there is a difference in aortic diameters between wild-type and FBN mgR/mgR mice. Luminal aortic diameters in FBN mgR/mgR vs wild-type mice of both genders are affected by cardiac cycle. Mid-systolic aortic expansion in wild-type vs FBN mgR/mgR mice were different. Error introduced by interobserver variability impacts ascending aortic measurements. Altogether, these phenomena may confound analyses of aortic dilation in FBN mgR/mgR mice, especially when studying interventions with modest effect sizes.
Three papers on strategic decision making in digitally mediated markets

Technological developments have been reshaping existing markets and giving rise to new ones. In my dissertation, I address several questions that emerged as a result of these changes. In the first two chapters, I study strategies in two different markets: a simultaneous ascending auction (SAA) and an information-good market. The challenge in both cases is analytical intractability of the problem of finding equilibrium strategies. I therefore apply heuristic methods and computer simulation to incrementally search for improvements relative to known leading strategies. For SAAs with complementary goods, in which bidders often face an exposure risk, the result of this search procedure is a price-predicting strategy with self-confirming predictions. If the goods are substitutes, the results suggest that a simple demand-reduction strategy yields the highest expected surplus. In chapter two, I apply similar methods to study bundling strategies in an information-good market. I restrict my attention to three bundling schemes: pure unbundling , pure bundling, and mixed bundling, where the latter is a choice between the two pure schemes. I find that when consumers' tastes are highly diverse, the relative profitability of the schemes is defined by the consumer preference distribution, even when the marginal costs are zero. This holds for a duopoly as well as a monopoly. Under duopoly, restricting firms to pure schemes may result in higher equilibrium profits relative to mixed bundling. I also provide comparison of the market efficiency, profits and consumer welfare under a monopoly and a duopoly. In chapter three, I take the perspective of a market designer and conduct a human-subject experiment to study learning of Bayesian Nash equilibrium. The study is motivated by the increasing need to test game-theoretic predictions in the relatively new online environment. I focus on three treatment variables: available information, existence of a potential, and supermodularity of the game. The findings are largely consistent with the theory of supermodular and potential games. In addition, the evidence suggests that there is a strong interaction effect between supermodularity and information, which I attribute to differences in the nature of irrationality that prevails under the different information conditions.
Evaluation of microregional variations in tumor hypoxia following the administration of endostatin.

Endostatin, a fragment of collagen XVIII, has been shown to potently inhibit both angiogenesis and the growth of experimental tumors, primarily through inhibition of endothelial cell migration and proliferation with minimal direct effects on tumor cells. Recent studies have also demonstrated that endostatin can enhance the antitumor effects of ionizing radiation, when administered before and during radiotherapy’. In order to optimize such combination therapies, an understanding of the accompanying changes in tumor pathophysiology, i.e., oxygenation and blood flow, is clearly of prime importance. The primary aim of the current work was to implement an improved method for determination of the effects of endostatin on the microregional relationship between tumor perfusion and hypoxic marker uptake. By combining information from multiple images taken from the same frozen sections, additional pathophysiological information could be deduced that was unobtainable from the individual images.
Plasmonic Nanobubbles for Cancer Theranostics

Biomedical functions of plasmonic nanoparticles are usually determined by physical properties which are preset during their chemical synthesis. These properties are assumed to stay constant during continuous or pulsed optical excitation of plasmonic nanoparticles. We show that nonstationary excitation with short laser pulse creates entirely new transient photothermal and spectral properties of plasmonic nanoparticles that do not fit into the above stationary paradigm. Our novel nonstationary approach allowed, for example, to shift the spectral peak of standard gold colloids from visible to the near-infrared region, to narrow its width from hundreds to 1–2 nm, and to increase the photothermal efficacy. Replacing chemical engineering of sophisticated nanoparticles with the dynamic tuning of transient properties of standard and clinically proved nanoparticles opens principally new opportunities for nanomedicine including diagnosis, therapy, and theranostics. Furthermore, a nonstationary mechanism allowed to replace the photothermal therapy that cannot provide single cell selectivity and suffers from high optical and nanoparticle doses and their nonspecific uptake, by the cell-specific mechanical treatment that can rapidly and selectively destroy only pathological cells, deliver drugs and genetic cargo and unite diagnosis and treatment in one rapid theranostic procedure.
Background, Writings, and Influence

In this chapter, I offer an overview of Wang Chong’s life, his philosophical background, and the textual history of the Lunheng. The picture I offer here is very general and meant to situate Wang Chong’s work in its historical and philosophical context. This is a book about philosophy and by a philosopher, but I encourage my philosophical audience to read this chapter as well, as it helps explain why Wang wrote and argued as he did, and gives us glimpses into the background that led to the development of his thought. Sinologists will likely find my account here quick and too historically superficial. This is because the nature of my project is philosophical, and although historical issues are certainly important, my aim here is not to engage in historical analysis, but rather to present a clear picture of Wang’s life and intellectual milieu. This may give us insight into his philosophical views.
Using a natural experiment to estimate the electoral consequences of terrorist attacks.

This study investigates the consequences of terrorist attacks for political behavior by leveraging a natural experiment in Spain. We study eight attacks against civilians, members of the military, and police officers perpetrated between 1989 and 1997 by Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA), a Basque terrorist organization that was active between 1958 and 2011. We use nationally and regionally representative surveys that were being fielded when the attacks occurred to estimate the causal effect of terrorist violence on individuals’ intent to participate in democratic elections as well as on professed support for the incumbent party. We find that both lethal and nonlethal terrorist attacks significantly increase individuals’ intent to participate in a future democratic election. The magnitude of this impact is larger when attacks are directed against civilians than when directed against members of the military or the police. We find no evidence that the attacks change support for the incumbent party. These results suggest that terrorist attacks enhance political engagement of citizens.
Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Imaging of Head: Virtual High-Energy Monochromatic (190 keV) Images Are More Reliable Than Standard 120 kV Images for Detecting Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhages.

Abstract High-energy monochromatic (190 keV) images may be more reliable than standard 120 kV Images for detecting intracranial hemorrhages. We aimed to retrospectively compare virtual high monochr...
Electoral incentives, policy compromise, and coalition durability: Japan's LDP–Komeito Government in a mixed electoral system

Political parties’ behavior in coalition formation is commonly explained by their policy-, vote-, and office-seeking incentives. From these perspectives, the 20-year partnership of Japan's ruling conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its pacifistic Komeito junior coalition partner is an anomalous case. The longevity, closeness, and nature of their unlikely partnership challenges core assumptions in existing theories of coalition politics. LDP–Komeito cooperation has sustained for two decades despite vastly different support bases and ideological differences on fundamental policy issues. LDP leaders also show no signs of abandoning the much smaller Komeito despite enjoying a single-party majority. We argue that the remarkable durability of this puzzling partnership results primarily from the two parties’ electoral incentives and what has effectively become codependence under Japan's mixed electoral system. Our analysis also demonstrates that being in a coalition can induce significant policy compromises, even from a much larger senior partner. Beyond theoretical implications, these phenomena yield important real-world consequences for Japanese politics: especially, a far less dominant LDP than the party's Diet seat total suggests, and Komeito's remarkable ability to punch significantly above its weight and constrain its far larger senior partner, even on the latter's major national security policy priorities.
Social Simulation: Computational Models

The article compares computational and mathematical models and reviews three phases in social simulation - dynamical systems, microsimulation, and agent-based modeling. The latter can be used to identify possible micro-level mechanisms that might account for puzzling empirical patterns and to identify population-level implications of a set of behavioral and structural assumptions about individual interaction. Classic examples include Schelling's model of residential segregation and Axelrod's model of the evolution of cooperation. The article concludes with an assessment of important criticisms.
Understanding High-Speed Rail Passengers in China: A Segmentation Approach

China has established the world’s largest high-speed rail (HSR) system, which has fundamentally changed the way people travel in the domestic market. As China aims to double its HSR capacity in the...