cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response to comment on "IgH chain class switch recombination: mechanism and regulation".

We agree with the points of Saintamand et al. regarding our article “IgH Chain Class Switch Recombination: Mechanism and Regulation” and are glad they had an opportunity to mention this interesting topic
Detection of the scrapie agent in tissues of normal mice with special reference to the possibility of accidental laboratory contamination.

SUMMARY In 12 of 24 experiments carried out over a period of 26 months, crude deoxy-rihonucleoprotein (DNP) extracted from brains of normal mice, or from spoutaeous mammary adenocarcinomas of tumour-bearing but otherwise normal mice, produced scrapie irregularly and in low incidence when inoculated intracerebrally into mice. During the same period, titration inoculations of mice were carried out with scrapie mouse brain, and comparison of incubation periods for the occurrence of clinical scrapie (that are closely related to the amount of scrapie in an inoculum) showed that if the disease produced by DNP from normal mice was caused by contamination with scrapie during preparation of inocula, it must in every case have been at a level equivalent to an inoculation of scrapie brain diluted to 10−8. Scrapie produced in mice by deliberate contamination of apparatus used for the preparation of DNP was also compared with scrapie produced by DNP made from normal mice, and it was found that the incubation periods for the occurrence of scrapie in the ‘contamination’ experiments were significantly different from those for scrapie produced by DNP from normal mice. These results arc discussed and the conclusion is reached that scrapie produced by inoculating DNP made from normal mice was likely to be different in incubation period from scrapie produced either by dilutions of known scrapie tissue, or by contamination of normal tissue with scrapie tissue. It was Jurther concluded that, in confirmation of earlier work, scrapie may exist in an inhibited form in the tissues of normal mice, but that its detection may depend on an optional combination of technical procedures as yet unrecognized.
Results of rehabilitation in a residential unit for young adults with epilepsy and mild intellectual disabilities

OBJECTIVE A residential rehabilitation program of the Bethel Institute in Germany for approximately 3 years is addressed to young adults with epilepsy and mild intellectual disabilities. This study aimed to document results of the program and to analyze relations between baseline data and results of rehabilitation as well as relations between different outcome measures with a focus on epilepsy. METHODS Data of 85 clients with 2 measurements (T1=4 weeks after admission, T2=dis-charge) were available. The following variables were analyzed: seizure frequency, carer-ratings on epilepsy, on daily-life independence and on occupational and psychological status of their clients, assistance needs following the program (residential care vs. supported housing), and client-ratings on satisfaction with the program. RESULTS Seizure frequency was significantly (p<0.05) reduced, more than half of the clients were assigned for supported housing. Proportions of clients with improvements according to carer-ratings varied between 44.7% with regard to epilepsy and 67.1% with regard to occupational status. Approximately 66% of the clients were satisfied with the program. T1-data only scarcely influenced later assistance needs. Outcome measures correlated moderately with each other. CONCLUSION Depending on the outcome measure, at best two thirds of the clients are rehabilitation responders. Considering variance of seizure frequency at T1 and only moderate correlations between outcome measures, reductions of seizure frequency during the program are desirable but not always necessary for improvements of other outcome measures.
Effect of stress on spontaneously hypertension rats and mechanism of its action

Social-psychological stress was closely related to psychosomatic diseases. Why could it cause the psychosomatic diseases and worsen some other diseases? No satisfied answer got yet. The blood pressure of SHR before and after laboratory stress were compared in this article and preliminarily studied the mechanisms of its action. It was found that stress state could expedite the onset of hypertension in SHR and worsened it continuously. After stress, the NE, E, and TC/HDL-C, TG all increased obviously. It indicated that social-psychological stress was closely related to essential hypertension.
Choice Responding in Pigeons Exposed to Sequences of Fixed-Ratio Schedules: Effects of Multiple Components

The present study used a discrete-trials procedure to examine choice in pigeons presented with two- to five-component sequences of fixed-ratio schedules of food delivery. During Phase 1, the initial fixed ratio of one alternative was always 5 and subsequent fixed ratios were 45, whereas all fixed ratios of the other alternative were 25. Results indicated that the majority of choice responses were allocated to the alternative containing the shorter initial fixed ratio regardless of the number of components arranged. These findings are consistent with previous findings indicating that the value of the first fixed ratio, not overall response requirement, is the primary determinant of choice under this procedure. Subsequent manipulations demonstrated, however, that under some conditions fixed ratios other than the first lawfully, although weakly, influenced choice.
Analytical Performance of a Genome-Phenome Analyzer for Use in a Clinical Laboratory (P5.133)

Objectives: To evaluate the analytical performance of a genome-phenome analyzer software program that uses Bayesian pattern matching and rank orders candidate genes based on their variant pathogenicity scores and pertinence to clinical findings. Background: Neurogenetic diseases affect 6[percnt] to 10[percnt] of the population and are the most common indication for exome sequencing in children. The burden of integrating genome and phenome data is placed on a limited number of individuals with experience in genomic medicine. Decision support software may broaden the capability to interpret such data. Methods: Exome sequencing was performed on de-identified genomic DNA representing different neurogenetic disorders (n=19) and polycystic kidney disease (n=1) with known pathogenic variants identified by Sanger sequencing. Clinical information for the 20 cases was entered independently into the genome-phenome analyzer by 4 board-certified genetic counselors and 4 geneticists (Total = 160 entries). The software input consisted of patient summaries and exome .vcf files that included fields for standard prediction tools and publicly available datasets. The software output was used to compare raters and calculate performance characteristics. Results: The genome-phenome analyzer had a sensitivity of 93[percnt] and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 83[percnt] (n=160). The majority were true positive results (78[percnt]; n=125) with low false positive (16[percnt]; n=26) and false negative (6[percnt]; n=9) rates. Concordance between raters ranged from 75[percnt] to 85[percnt], with 3 cases missed by all raters (15[percnt]). A correct result was predicted in 80[percnt] of cases when 2 or more raters agreed. Conclusions: The evaluated genome-phenome analyzer has high sensitivity for ranking genes pertinent to the diagnosis and may aid clinical laboratories in the interpretation of exome sequencing results. Clinical judgment remains important in determining the significance of the software output, especially in patients with a negative genetic test result who do not have a neurogenetic disease. Disclosure: Dr. Higgins has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Wang has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics as an employee. Dr. Jaremko has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics as an employee. Dr. Batish has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics as an employee. Dr. York has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics as an employee.
Infinite Barriers and Symmetries for a Few Trapped Particles in One Dimension

This article investigates the properties of a few interacting particles trapped in a few wells and how these properties change under adiabatic tuning of interaction strength and interwell tunneling. While some system properties are dependent on the specific shapes of the traps and the interactions, this article applies symmetry analysis to identify generic features in the spectrum of stationary states of few-particle, few-well systems. Extended attention is given to a simple but flexible three-parameter model of two particles in two wells in one dimension. A key insight is that two limiting cases, hard-core repulsion and no interwell tunneling, can both be treated as emergent symmetries of the few-particle Hamiltonian. These symmetries are the mathematical consequences of infinite barriers in configuration space. They are necessary to explain the pattern of degeneracies in the energy spectrum, to understand how degeneracies are broken for models away from limiting cases, and to explain separability and integrability. These symmetry methods are extendable to more complicated models and the results have practical consequences for stable state control in few-particle, few-well systems with ultracold atoms in optical traps.
Understanding the Pluralistic Objectives of Conflict Resolution Interventions in Northern Ireland

Once we get past global objectives such as bringing an end to the overt conflict or reaching a constitutional agreement between groups, the specific goals of ethnic conflict management involves articulating many details concerning day to day relations. In this chapter and in the two that follow, we see that interveners must pay attention to people’s daily lives. There is no doubt that the people directing the small-scale projects described in this book believe they are contributing to the settlement of the larger conflict. However, it is especially important to recognize that the main focus of their attention is not on when such an overall political agreement can be reached or what it will contain. Rather, they focus on the difference they can make in their local communities or with the small groups of people with whom they are working.
Acute exacerbation of irritable bowel syndrome prevented by prn oral triptan

We report a case of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea subtype, characterized by daily ‘morning rush’ and episodic acute exacerbations brought on by common IBS trigger foods including insoluble fiber, red wine and large/rich meals. The patient also had a history of migraine headaches, and a family history suggesting a common diathesis for both disorders. Given hypothesized contributions to IBS from dysregulation of the enteric serotonergic system, a trial of low-dose triptan medication was implemented in the context of the patient’s known IBS triggers, with highly satisfactory results.
The hemodynamic effects of alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade

1 he availability of pharmacologic agents capable of abrogating sympathetic influences on the heart and peripheral blood vessels has prompted their use in the clinical investigation of a variety of conditions ranging from shock to angina pectoris. Recent studies in experimental shock support the view that, after alpha-adrenergic blockade with Dibenzyline, the peripheral resistance falls to a greater degree in less important vascular beds, such as muscle and skin.’ Under these conditions were the cardiac output to remain steady or to fall, flow would be diverted from essential tissues. Accordingly, if improvement in the perfusion of vital structures is to be obtained, cardiac output must rise. The specific aim of this study is to determine the influence of alphaand beta-adrenergic blockade on myocardial capability.
Digital Storytelling in Adult Basic Education and Literacy Programming.

This chapter discusses how digital storytelling (DST) can be used with adult learners in adult basic education and literacy programming.
Abstract 226: Impact of Reporting Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Examination Duration on the Total Scan Time: A Tertiary Academic Health Care Hospital Experience

Background: The core components of a quality improvement (QI) program focus on consistent, high-quality service delivery. We report our experience with a QI program focused on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) examination duration reduction. Methods: Department policy for the scan time allotment for a clinical CMR examination was reviewed. Medical records of all patients who underwent CMR examination from January 2010 to December 2010 were reviewed. Scan duration from time of the initial to the final image acquisition was recorded. An intervention was implemented from January 2011 to September 2011 to report the scan durations weekly to all CMR physicians. Monthly comparisons were performed between the 2010 and 2011 exams. No changes were made in department protocols. Results: The allotted time for a CMR examination was 90 minutes. From January to September 2010, the mean (±SD) scan duration for CMR examinations was 105 (± 32) minutes, as compared with a mean of 87 (±21) minutes for the same months in 2011. Comparison between the 2010 and 2011 scan durations using a Wilcoxon test indicated a significant difference between the two samples (p<0.05; Figure 1). The percentage of all scans exceeding 120 minutes in duration decreased from 27.4% (n=529) in 2010 to 5.3% (n=451) in 2011. The indications for CMR examinations were found to be similar between 2011 and 2010 (p<0.05). All exams were reported to be of diagnostic quality. Conclusions: The simple step of publicly reporting weekly scan durations to house staff and attending physicians resulted in significant reduction in CMR scan durations, with preserved diagnostic quality. We propose that increased awareness led to higher efficiency. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Mammography Among Women With Severe Mental Illness: Exploring Disparities Through a Large Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective:This study examined mammogram screening rates among women with severe mental illness by using a socioecological framework. Because it has been shown that people with severe mental illness receive less preventive health care overall, the analysis included psychosocial predictors of mammogram screening rates in a cohort of women with severe mental illness.Methods:This retrospective cohort study (N=14,651) used existing statewide data for women ages 48–67 in California with Medicaid insurance who received treatment in the specialty mental health care system. The primary outcome of interest was evidence of breast cancer screening via mammogram. The associations of each predictor of interest with mammogram screening were evaluated by using Poisson models with robust standard errors.Results:Across all demographic and diagnostic categories, rates of breast cancer screening in this cohort of women with severe mental illness fell below the national average. Only 26.3% (3,859/14,651) of women in the cohor...
Botnet Traffic Analysis Using Flow Graphs

The botnet which is a group of interconnected computers communicating autonomously for malicious purposes. These networked computers communicate and coordinate with similar machines and are controlled by Command and Control (C2). The use of botnet is on rise, growing day by day and a huge number of bot-masters are switching to HTTP-based C2 infrastructure, which allow them to blend in with benign web traffic. Fast-flux DNS is another way to make it tough to track down the control servers, because it may hop from DNS domain to DNS domain using domain generation algorithms. Botnets are becoming more serious problem on the internet due to its rapid evaluation and adoption of new strategies in their structure, protocols and attacks. In this paper, the method proposed is a graph based analysis mechanism in order to detect bots activities and capture sequence of events. The proposed approach has been tested on CTU dataset and evaluated its effectiveness.
Neurotransmitter Microchemistry of the Cochlear Nucleus and Superior Olivary Complex

The complex function of the nervous system is made possible by its underlying chemistry. One aspect of this chemistry involves the primary mechanism by which neurons communicate with each other, chemical neurotransmission. It is likely that the neurons of the auditory system are organized chemically as well as structurally and functionally. We may therefore look for populations of neurons employing particular neurotransmitters. These neuronal populations may serve specific functions in the auditory system, just as specific functions are served by cholinergic spinal motoneurons or dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons.
PolScope based imaging and quantification of fibrillar collagen organization (Conference Presentation)

Collagen organization plays an integral role in many diseases including cancer. Here we introduce a low-cost, open-access collagen imaging and image analysis platform for quantifying fibrillar collagen organization. LC-PolScope was used as the imaging modality that incorporates a precision universal compensator made of two computer controlled liquid crystal variable retarders. This imaging system can be easily implemented on standard microscopes as a cost-effective alternative to second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging and staining on a wide range of available pathology slide formats, including the most commonly used HE 2) Use an iterative intensity-based image registration algorithm to find the affine transform that registers the collagen extracted image to the SHG image at different resolutions. Then, the registered bright field H&E image was used as a guide to evaluate collagen organization near any biological structure such as blood vessels, tumors etc. These algorithms have been implemented in our open source collagen analysis software tool “CurveAlign” package that has been widely used for collagen feature extraction, including detection of tumor associated collagen signatures. As a proof of concept, we are now using this platform to investigate collagen organization in metastatic pancreatic cancer vs non-metastatic pancreatic cancer.
The Kienböck’s Dilemma — How to Cope

Etiology, blood supply, early diagnosis, staging, and treatment in Kienbock’s disease are the subjects of numerous manuscripts in the literature. We present an insight into Kienbock’s disease as we understand it and a rationale for approaching the Kienbock’s dilemma. Kienbock’s disease is an isolated disorder of the lunate manifested by radiodensity changes and often accompanied by fracture lines, fragmentation, and progressive collapse. Ultimately, its etiology is vascular insufficiency, but contributing factors that put the lunate at risk include negative ulnar variance, limited extraosseous blood supply, limited intraosseous blood supply and repeated “microtrauma.” Though there are numerous treatment modalities, we recommend several methods based on staging and ulnar variance. For Stage I, immobilization is helpful to establish the diagnosis with certainty and theoretically may allow the lunate to revascularize. In patients with Stage II or IIIA and ulnar negative variance, radial shortening is recommended. If there is positive ulnar variance, a revascularization procedure is preferred (DML) but radial shortening (AHA) also has been successful. In Stage HIB, there being fixed deformity of the lunate and carpus, scapho-trapezio-trapezoid fusion or scaphocapitate fusion is utilized. If there is significant synovitis, then the lunate is excised as well. In Stage IV (pan-carpal arthrosis), proximal row carpectomy or wrist arthrodesis is indicated.
Passion: a narrative journey to family and consumer sciences education

The goal of this study was to examine the development of passion for the profession of family and consumer sciences (FCS) in three undergraduate students majoring in FCS education. To examine the development of passion, three purposes were stated in hierarchal order. The first purpose was to ascertain an understanding of undergraduate students’ identification with FCS education and their decisions to declare it as a major. The second purpose was to examine the participants’ knowledge of the content with an understanding of the integrative nature of the FCS profession. The third purpose was to identify the participants’ motivation and passion for being FCS educators. Narrative inquiry was used to investigate the participants’ lived experiences of identifying the FCS education major and declaring it as their program of study, developing their knowledge base in FCS, defining passion and expressing their feelings, emotions, and commitment to FCS education. Multiple methods were used to collect data for the study including participant autobiographical writings, individual interviews, a written response to a scenario, and a group interview. Through the use of inductive analysis, themes emerged from the stories the young women shared of their identification of FCS education, their increasing knowledge base, and their developing passion. Themes included: pivotal moments in the journey to FCS education, first exposure to FCS, undergraduate advising and academic experiences in FCS, family background and influences, God’s plan for selecting FCS education, participants’ interpretations of the mission of the FCS profession, their development of personal missions, benefits of being FCS educators, passion for FCS, and commitment to FCS education.
Comparative Effects of Coenzyme Q10 or n -3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Retinal Angiogenesis in a Rat Model of Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy.

Neonatal intermittent hypoxia (IH) or apnea afflicts 70% to 90% of all preterm infants <28 weeks gestation, and is associated with severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We tested the hypotheses that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) supplementation during neonatal IH reduces the severity of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Newborn rats were exposed to two IH paradigms: (1) 50% O2 with brief hypoxia (12% O2); or (2) 21% O2 with brief hypoxia, until postnatal day 14 (P14), during which they received daily oral CoQ10 in olive oil, n-3 PUFAs in fish oil, or olive oil only and compared to room air (RA) treated groups. Pups were examined at P14, or placed in RA until P21. Retinal angiogenesis, histopathology, and morphometry were determined. Both IH paradigms produced severe OIR, but these were worsened with 50/12% O2 IH. CoQ10 and n-3 PUFAs reduced the severity of OIR, as well as ocular growth factors in both IH paradigms, but CoQ10 was more effective in 50/12% O2 IH. Supplementation with either CoQ10 or n-3 PUFAs targeting IH-induced retinal injury is individually effective for ameliorating specific characteristics consistent with ROP. Given the complexity of ROP, further studies are needed to determine whether combined CoQ10 and n-3 PUFAs supplementation would optimize their efficacy and result in a better outcome.
Association of hand-foot syndrome (HFS), treatment dose reductions (TDRs), and outcomes in patients (pts) with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

4580 Background: HFS is a common toxicity of VEGF TKIs, often requiring TDRs. Correlation between HFS, in the context of TDRs, with survival outcomes has not been reported in mRCC. Methods: From a ...
Responding to religious patients: why physicians have no business doing theology

A survey of the recent literature suggests that physicians should engage religious patients on religious grounds when the patient cites religious considerations for a medical decision. We offer two arguments that physicians ought to avoid engaging patients in this manner. The first is the Public Reason Argument. We explain why physicians are relevantly akin to public officials. This suggests that it is not the physician's proper role to engage in religious deliberation. This is because the public character of a physician's role binds him/her to public reason, which precludes the use of religious considerations. The second argument is the Fiduciary Argument. We show that the patient-physician relationship is a fiduciary relationship, which suggests that the patient has the clinical expectation that physicians limit themselves to medical considerations. Since engaging in religious deliberations lies outside this set of considerations, such engagement undermines trust and therefore damages the patient-physician relationship.
Preserving bidder privacy in assignment auctions: Design and measurement

Motivated by bidders’ interests in concealing their private information in auctions, we propose an ascending clock auction for unit-demand assignment problems that economizes on bidder information ...
Precautions and Monitoring of Patients Taking Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors Who are at Risk of Increased Intraocular Pressure

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) may increase intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing blood flow to the ciliary body. Although clinical studies of changes in IOP after single and multiple doses of PDE5Is show variable results, most are limited by small sample sizes, absence of control groups and blinding, and use of normal patient volunteers who have no risk factors for glaucoma. However, multiple case reports of glaucoma have been published, and one epidemiologic analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database of US respondents suggested a significant association of prolonged sildenafil use and self-reported glaucoma. With the widespread use of PDE5Is for treatment of erectile dysfunction in males with risk factors for glaucoma, and the potential of PDE5Is to worsen optic nerve damage in patients with glaucoma, we recommend a vision screening exam prior to the initiation of the PDE5I and careful follow-up thereafter, particularly if the patient is taking tadalafil, a long-acting PDE5I, if the patient is taking high doses of a PDE5I daily and persistently, and if the patient has risk factors for glaucoma or if the patient is at risk of worsening glaucoma.
Adam Smith and Rousseau: Ethics, Politics, Economics, by Maria Pia Paganelli, Dennis C. Rasmussen and Craig Smith (Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2018), pp. x + 331.

I Adam Smith and Rousseau i is an interdisciplinary exercise devoted to tracing the intellectual cross-fertilisation between Adam Smith (1723-90) and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78). The latter, whom Smith manifestly wished to refute, and any number of other Enlightenment figures could have influenced both Smith and Rousseau rather than the two feeding off each other. Rousseau is thereby given a less grand role as one of many both reacting to the same prompts as Smith and influencing Smith in a circuitous manner. [Extracted from the article] email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
The Four Musketeers of Arbitral Duty (Les Devoirs De L’Arbitre: Ni Un Pour Tous, Ni Tous Pour Un)

Fans of the Alexandre Dumas novel Three Musketeers will remember that the adventure includes a fourth young man, d'Artagnan, who hopes to become one of the King’s guards, along with his friends Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, living by the motto “All for one, one for all”. Likewise, an arbitrator’s generally include four key obligation: accuracy, fairness, and efficiency, as well as vigilance in promoting an enforceable award. Prevailing litigants normally hope that the arbitral process will lead to something more than a piece of paper. To this end, they expect arbitrators to avoid giving reasons for annulment or non-recognition to any authority called to review the award. Two judicial decisions, one in France and the other in the United States, highlight the complex interactions among these duties. In both instances, arbitral awards were vacated for failure to balance competing duties in the manner desired by the reviewing judges.
Comparing FE human body model rib geometry to population data

Finite element human body models (HBMs) are used to assess injury risk in a variety of impact scenarios. The ribs are a key structural component within the chest, so their accuracy within HBMs is vitally important for modeling human biomechanics. We assessed the geometric correspondence between the ribs defined within five widely used HBMs and measures drawn from population-wide studies of rib geometry, focusing on (1) rib global shape, (2) rib cross-sectional size and shape, and (3) rib cortical bone thickness. A parametric global shape model fitted to all HBM ribs was compared to expected rib parameters calculated for each HBM’s subject demographic using population reference data. The GHBMC M50 and THUMS M50 male HBMs showed 24% and 50% of their fitted rib shape parameters (6 parameters per each 12 ribs) falling outside 1SD from population expected values, respectively. For female models the GHBMC F05, THUMS F05, and VIVA F50 models had 21%, 26%, and 19% of their rib shape parameters falling outside 1SD, respectively. Cross-sectional areas and inertial moments obtained along the HBM ribs were compared to average ± 1SD corridors for male and female ribs drawn from reference population data. The GHBMC M50, THUMS M50, and VIVA F50 model ribs were all larger in overall cross-sectional area than their targeted average population values by 0.9SDs (average across the rib’s full length), 1.7SDs, and 1.3SDs, respectfully. When considering cortical bone cross-sectional area, the THUMS and VIVA models—which each define a constant bone thickness value across the entire rib—overestimated bone content on average by 1.1SDs and 1.2SDs, respectively. HBMs have traditionally performed poorly when predicting rib fracture onset or fracture site, and in all HBMs in this study the rib regions with the most extreme cortical bone thickness and cross-sectional area discrepancies (compared to average reference data) corresponded to regions toward the sternal end of the ribs where rib fractures most frequently occur. Results from this study highlight geometrical components of current HBM ribs that differ from the rib geometry that would be expected from within those models’ target demographics, and help researchers prioritize improvements to their biofidelity.
Decomposing the Effect of SNAP

I analyze the impact of an increase in SNAP benefits (the supplemental nutrition assistance program, formerly called food stamps) on shopping behavior, consumption choice, and prices. Using consumer scanner data, I show that the increase in benefits due to ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) (1) reduces shopping effort (the number of shopping trips as well as use of specials and coupons), (2) raises the price for the same barcode, and (3) results in substitution into high price products. With these empirical findings in mind, I construct a structural model with costly shopping which allows me to construct a theory-based CES price index that incorporates preference shocks and allows me to estimate the extent of these different margins of adjustment. The increase in SNAP benefits is associated with a 4.6% increase in the price index. Of this, 15% comes from the pure price increase, 10% comes from a change in consumption variety both within and across product groups, 74.2% comes from a change in preference shocks, and 0.3% comes from a change in the number of shopping trips. As a counter-factual exercise, I analyze the impact of an upcoming pilot policy, which allows SNAP recipients to use SNAP benefits to buy from online retailers. By saving time for shopping trips, the pilot policy raises SNAP recipients’ welfare by at least $15 a quarter purely through easier access to retail stores. The gains can be as high as $250-$327 a quarter if they allocate the saved shopping time into labor supply.
Editorial for the Special Issue on Micro-Electro Discharge Machining: Principles, Recent Advancements and Applications.

Micro Electrical Discharge Machining (micro-EDM) is a thermo-electric and contactless process most suited for micro-manufacturing and high-precision machining, especially when difficult-to-cut materials, such as super alloys, composites, and electro conductive ceramics, are processed [...]
Magnetic Interference on Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices From Apple iPhone MagSafe Technology.

Background Magnet wireless charging is being utilized increasingly in current generation smartphones. Apple's MagSafe is a proprietary wireless charging technology with an array of magnets that has...
Beyond Bitcoin: The Economics of Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain Technologies (Chapter 6: Smart Contracts and Blockchain)

In this chapter we discuss smart contracts and functionalities they afford, especially in combination with blockchain. 6.1. The rise of Ethereum. 6.1.1. History. 6.1.2. Ethereum is “different”. 6.2. Smart contracts. 6.2.1. Smart contracts on Ethereum. 6.2.2. What do smart contracts need a blockchain for? 6.3. Tokens. 6.3.1. What are tokens? 6.3.2. Use of tokens. 6.4. Initial coin offering. 6.5 Non-fungible tokens. 6.5.1 NFTs and Smart contracts do not solve digital art ownership problems. 6.5.2. New markets enabled by NFTs. 6.6. DAPPS. 6.7 Blockchain governance, DAPPS and smart contracts. For Chapter 1 (Introduction), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135021. For Chapter 2 (Means of Exchange: Ever-present Competition), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135028. For Chapter 3 (Platform-based Currencies), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135030. For Chapter 4 (Bitcoin and Emergence of Cryptocurrencies), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135043. For Chapter 5 (The Rich Land of Crypto), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3135057. For Chapter 6 (Smart Contracts and Blockchain), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3894110. For Chapter 7 (Enterprise Blockchains), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3894117. For Chapter 8 (Conclusions: Future Full of Possibilities), see https://ssrn.com/abstract=3894118.
Effect of a 2-amino group on receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition and antiangiogenic activity of 4-anilinosubstituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 243 Several tumors have dysfunctional receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) that are often over expressed and promote inappropriate signaling that has implications in tumor growth and metastsis. Thus inhibition of RTKs has provided a new paradigm for cancer therapy. Many of the RTK inhibitors which are marketed or in clinical trials were designed to compete with ATP at the ATP binding site of kinases. Gangjee et al . published a series of 2-amino-4-anilino substituted pyrrolo[2,3- d ]pyrimidines as RTK inhibitors. The 2-amino group was designed to provide an additional hydrogen binding site with the hinge region of the binding pocket and to increase potency. Most of the initially published RTK inhibitors (such as 4-anilinoquinazolines, 4-anilinopyridopyrimidines) did not have such an additional binding site. In order to determine the validity of our hypothesis, a series of pyrrolo[2,3- d ]pyrimidines were synthesized without the 2-amino group and evaluated against tyrosine kinases. This report will discuss the synthesis and biological activities of this new 2-desamino series along with the previously reported analogs.
Adult population estimate of Toxorhynchites brevipalpis.

Abstract An estimate of the numbers of adults of the predacious mosquito Toxorhynchites brevipalpis was made in a 1-ha biotope in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where the population of its larval prey Aedes aegypti was high, by means of the mark—release—recapture method. Two months after the end of the rainy season, the number of adults was estimated to be 3 500—about 6 times the number of adult A. aegypti in the biotope.
¿Trasplantes incaicos o etnogénesis poscolonial? El origen de los salasacas de la Sierra ecuatoriana

Los salasacas son un grupo indigena con una historia de origen controversial. Muchos escritos declaran que descienden de una poblacion trasplantada por los incas desde la actual Bolivia hasta su ubicacion en lo que hoy es Ecuador. El articulo presenta una narrativa alternativa que identifica tres migraciones a Salasaca, de diferentes grupos indigenas, en el siglo XVI. Se demuestra que la nacionalidad moderna de Salasaca surgio a traves de transformaciones coloniales y poscoloniales. Se argumenta que la distincion etnica de los salasacas se debe a que optaron por unificarse como un solo grupo etnico para permanecer como enclave indigena en una region que experimento el blanqueamiento cultural o mestizaje. The salasacas are an indigenous group with a controversial history of origen. Many manuscripts state that they descend from an uprooted Inca population that traveled north from present Bolivia to their new settlement that is now Ecuador. The article presents an alternative narrative that identifies three separate migrations to Salasaca, by different indigenas groups, in the Sixteenth Century. It shows that the modern Salasacan nationality emerged during colonial and postcolonial transformations. It contends that the ethnic distinction of the salasacas is due to the fact that they opted to collectively unite as one solid ethnic group in order to remain as an Indigenas enclave in a region that was experiencing whitening or widespread emergence of half castes.
Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War. By Robert M. Gates. Alfred A. Knopf, 2014. 618 pp.

Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War. By Robert M. Gates. Alfred A. Knopf, 2014. 618 pp. Memoirs from public officials typically are most instructive in presenting one person's perspective on key events during the time of service and less helpful in appreciating preexisting policy constraints as well as the restrictions of the electoral cycle. Because he served two consecutive presidents as secretary of defense, and is the only defense secretary to serve two commanders in chief from different political parties, Robert M. Gates has an unusual opportunity to present that broader perspective. His insightful assessment of defense policy making under George W. Bush and Barack Obama informs scholarly understanding of key national security debates and policy choices in the twenty-first century. The book title, Duty, captures the overarching theme well: Gates was not keen to serve as defense secretary or to stay in the office for four-and-a-half years (late 2006 to mid-2011), but he did so because he wanted to work for the troops who sacrifice so much for the United States. The pressures of the job often became overwhelming, especially in Washington--Gates writes that he "did not enjoy being secretary of defense (p. 465), and he refers to his tenure as a "deployment to the Washington combat zone" (p. 468). During his daily, predawn run, each time Gates would pass the Lincoln Memorial, he would ask, "How did you do it?" (p. 220). For Gates, "the only thing that kept [him] going was getting out of the Pentagon and being around the troops" (p. 465). With the United States at war throughout his tenure, Gates was an integral advisor to key decisions about sending increased troops to Iraq for Bush and to Afghanistan for Obama. Under Bush, Gates participated in and implemented key decisions about the 2007 troop "surge" in Iraq, conflicts with Russia, Syria, and Iran, increasing support from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies in Afghanistan, and managing Pentagon battles over hardware, intelligence, support for wounded soldiers, and more. Gates worked well with the president professionally, but he writes that they "were not close personally" (p. 95), perhaps in part because of Gates's close ties with former President George H. W. Bush, whom he had served as director of Central Intelligence. Gates describes the second President Bush as "intellectually curious" (p. 94) and "a man of character, a man of convictions, and a man of action" (p. 96). In the Bush White House, he is critical mostly of the communications staff, who he says focused on tactical, often partisan, public relations, but says he was able to rebuff requests and make decisions with the president's support. Given the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, rumors that Gates might be asked to continue in a new administration, whether Republican or Democrat, started in early 2008. Consistent with the theme of his memoir, Gates writes that he did not seek to stay but believed he had a responsibility to do so, if asked. …
Intraoral blue nevus: Report of a case

Abstract An interesting case of an extremely rare lesion, the intraoral blue nevus, has been described. A few generalizations based upon the twelve reported cases have been presented.
Lantibiotics: Biosynthesis and Modes of Action

Lantibiotics are a unique class of antimicrobial peptides produced by Gram-positive bacteria. They are synthesized ribosomally as precursor peptides and undergo extensive posttranslational modification to attain their biologically active structures. These modifications include dehydration of serine and threonine residues that produce dehydroalanines and dehydrobutyrines, followed by intramolecular addition of cysteine thiols to the unsaturated amino acids. The lantibiotic biosynthetic machinery displays low substrate specificity both in vivo and in vitro, which allows for the engineering of novel lantibiotics. The polycyclic peptides exert their biological activity through several modes of action including the sequestration of the cell wall precursor lipid II and pore formation in bacterial membranes. Because of their high potency, several commercial applications of lantibiotics are being developed.
Wnt5a Signaling in Atherosclerosis, its Effect on OxLDL Uptake and Foam Cell Differentiation

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease involving plaque buildup in the arteries and can lead to heart attack and stroke. A key step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is oxLDL uptake...
Dynamic Hsp83 RNA localization during Drosophila oogenesis and embryogenesis

Hsp83 is the Drosophila homolog of the mammalian Hsp90 family of regulatory molecular chaperones. We show that maternally synthesized Hsp83 transcripts are localized to the posterior pole of the early Drosophila embryo by a novel mechanism involving a combination of generalized RNA degradation and local protection at the posterior. This protection of Hsp83 RNA occurs in wild-type embryos and embryos produced by females carrying the maternal effect mutations nanos and pumilio, which eliminate components of the posterior polar plasm without disrupting polar granule integrity. In contrast, Hsp83 RNA is not protected at the posterior pole of embryos produced by females carrying maternal mutations that disrupt the posterior polar plasm and the polar granules--cappuccino, oskar, spire, staufen, tudor, valois, and vasa. Mislocalization of oskar RNA to the anterior pole, which has been shown to result in induction of germ cells at the anterior, leads to anterior protection of maternal Hsp83 RNA. These results suggest that Hsp83 RNA is a component of the posterior polar plasm that might be associated with polar granules. In addition, we show that zygotic expression of Hsp83 commences in the anterior third of the embryo at the syncytial blastoderm stage and is regulated by the anterior morphogen, bicoid. We consider the possible developmental significance of this complex control of Hsp83 transcript distribution.
A solid state 13C NMR, crystallographic, and quantum chemical investigation of chemical shifts and hydrogen bonding in histidine dipeptides

We report the first solid-state NMR, crystallographic, and quantum chemical investigation of the origins of the 13C NMR chemical shifts of the imidazole group in histidine-containing dipeptides. The chemical shift ranges for Cgamma and Cdelta2 seen in eight crystalline dipeptides were very large (12.7-13.8 ppm); the shifts were highly correlated (R2= 0.90) and were dominated by ring tautomer effects and intermolecular interactions. A similar correlation was found in proteins, but only for buried residues. The imidazole 13C NMR chemical shifts were predicted with an overall rms error of 1.6-1.9 ppm over a 26 ppm range, by using quantum chemical methods. Incorporation of hydrogen bond partner molecules was found to be essential in order to reproduce the chemical shifts seen experimentally. Using AIM (atoms in molecules) theory we found that essentially all interactions were of a closed shell nature and the hydrogen bond critical point properties were highly correlated with the N...H...O (average R2= 0.93) and Nepsilon2...H...N (average R2= 0.98) hydrogen bond lengths. For Cepsilon1, the 13C chemical shifts were also highly correlated with each of these properties (at the Nepsilon2 site), indicating the dominance of intermolecular interactions for Cepsilon1. These results open up the way to analyzing 13C NMR chemical shifts, tautomer states (from Cdelta2, Cepsilon1 shifts), and hydrogen bond properties (from Cepsilon1 shifts) of histidine residue in proteins and should be applicable to imidazole-containing drug molecules bound to proteins, as well.
Microglial activation occurs in the absence of anxiety-like behavior following microembolic stroke in female, but not male, rats

The incidence of depression and anxiety disorders is twice as high in women than men; however, females exhibit less neuronal damage following an equivalent ischemic event. Microembolic stroke increases anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in male rats but the behavioral repercussions in females are unknown. Given the relative neuronal protection from stroke in ovary-intact females, female rats exposed to microembolic stroke may be behaviorally protected as compared to males. The data presented demonstrate that anxiety-like behavior is increased in males despite a comparable increase in microglial activation following microembolic stroke in both males and females. These data suggest that males may be more behaviorally susceptible to the effects of microembolic stroke and further illustrate a dissociation between neuroinflammation and behavior in females.
Heterozygosity for Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases in non-Jewish Americans with ancestry from Ireland, Great Britain, or Italy.

Previous reports have found that non-Jewish Americans with ancestry from Ireland have an increased frequency of heterozygosity for Tay-Sachs disease (TSD), although frequency estimates are substantially different. Our goal in this study was to determine the frequency of heterozygosity for TSD and Sandhoff diseases (SD) among Irish Americans, as well as in persons of English, Scottish, and/or Welsh ancestry and in individuals with Italian heritage, who were referred for determination of their heterozygosity status and who had no known family history of TSD or SD or of heterozygosity for these conditions. Of 610 nonpregnant subjects with Irish background, 24 TSD heterozygotes were identified by biochemical testing, corresponding to a heterozygote frequency of 1 in 25 (4%; 95% CI, 1/39–1/17). In comparison, of 322 nonpregnant individuals with ancestry from England, Scotland, or Wales, two TSD heterozygotes were identified (1 in 161 or 0.62%; 95% CI, 1/328–1/45), and three TSD heterozygotes were ascertained f...