cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Weight loss and diabetes are new risk factors for the development of invasive aspergillosis infection in non-immunocompromized humans.

Well-established risk factors for aspergillosis include HIV, cancer, recent corticosteroid (prednisone) therapy, chemotherapy, or thoracic surgery. Non-established risk factors may include weight loss and a history of diabetes. Twenty-three patients without the classical risk factors for IA were identified retrospectively at Harbor UCLA Medical Center by discharge diagnosis over a 15 year period (1992-2006). None of the well-known risk factors are for Invasive Apergillious (IA). A history of weight loss was seen in 66% of the patients with IA (15 of 23). The weight loss ranged from 3.3 lbs to 43 lbs. In patients with weight loss the average loss was 22+3 lbs (mean+SEM). In this small group of patients with IA, diabetes was seen in 8 of the 23 (34%), which is significantly higher than the 19% incidence of diabetes seen in 100 patients with severe sepsis (p<0.05). Likewise, the 34% incidence of diabetes was higher than the 21% incidence reported in immunocompromised patients with invasive aspergillus (IA) infection (p<0.05). A reduced serum albumin concentration was seen in 33% of the study patients, which was less common than the 87% incidence seen in patients with severe sepsis or candidaemia (54%). Seventeen of the 23 patients had pulmonary involvement. While no one had a well-established risk factor for aspergillious, four patients had alcoholism as a potential risk factor. Eleven of the 23 (48%) died during the hospital stay despite antifungal therapy. Immunocompromised patients are known to have a mortality rate of approximately 45% for pulmonary or disseminated disease. Conclusion: The incidence of diabetes was greater than seen in immunocompromised patients and may be considered an additional risk factor for the development of aspergillois infection. In addition, a history of weight loss should increase the suspicion for the diagnosis of IA in otherwise a non-immunocompromised patient. Early recognition and treatment of aspergillosis in the non-immunocompromised patient may improve outcome. Weight loss and diabetes should be added to the list of well-known risk factors for invasive aspergillosis and its high mortality rate.
Run-to-run variability on Xeon Phi based cray XC systems

The increasing complexity of HPC systems has introduced new sources of variability, which can contribute to significant differences in run-to-run performance of applications. With components at various levels of the system contributing variability, application developers and system users are now faced with the difficult task of running and tuning their applications in an environment where run-to-run performance measurements can vary by as much as a factor of two to three. In this study, we classify, quantify, and present ways to mitigate the sources of run-to-run variability on Cray XC systems with Intel Xeon Phi processors and a dragonfly interconnect. We further demonstrate that the code-tuning performance observed in a variability-mitigating environment correlates with the performance observed in production running conditions.
Examining the Chemical and Structural Properties that Influence the Sensitivity of Energetic Nitrate Esters

The sensitivity of explosives is controlled by factors that span from intrinsic chemical reactivity and chemical intramolecular effects to mesoscale structure and defects, and has been a topic of extensive study for over 50 years. Due to these complex competing chemical and physical elements, a unifying relationship between molecular framework, crystal structure, and sensitivity has yet to be developed. In order to move towards this goal, ideally experimental studies should be performed on systems with small, systematic structural modifications, with modeling utilized to interpret experimental results. Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is a common nitrate ester explosive that has been widely studied due to its use in military and commercial explosives. We have synthesized PETN derivatives with modified sensitivity characteristics by substituting one –CCH2ONO2 moiety with other substituents, including –CH, –CNH2, –CNH3X, –CCH3, and –PO. We relate the handling sensitivity properties of each PETN derivative to its structural properties, and discuss the potential roles of thermodynamic properties such as heat capacity and heat of formation, thermal stability, crystal structure, compressibility, and inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding on impact sensitivity. Reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the C/H/N/O-based PETN-derivatives have been performed under cook-off conditions that mimic those accessed in impact tests. These simulations infer how changes in chemistry affect the subsequent decomposition pathways.
Dynamic Power Distribution System Management With a Locally Connected Communication Network

Coordinated optimization and control of distribution-level assets enables a reliable and optimal integration of massive amount of distributed energy resources (DERs) and facilitates distribution system management (DSM). Accordingly, the objective is to coordinate the power injection at the DERs to maintain certain quantities across the network, e.g., voltage magnitude, line flows, and line losses, to be close to a desired profile. By and large, the performance of the DSM algorithms has been challenged by two factors: 1) the possibly nonstrongly connected communication network over DERs that hinders the coordination; and 2) the dynamics of the real system caused by the DERs with heterogeneous capabilities, time-varying operating conditions, and real-time measurement mismatches. In this paper, we investigate the modeling and algorithm design and analysis with the consideration of these two factors. In particular, a game-theoretic characterization is first proposed to account for a locally connected communication network over DERs, along with the analysis of the existence and uniqueness of the Nash equilibrium therein. To achieve the equilibrium in a distributed fashion, a projected-gradient -based asynchronous DSM algorithm is then advocated. The algorithm performance, including the convergence speed and the tracking error, is analytically guaranteed under the dynamic setting. Extensive numerical tests on both synthetic and realistic cases corroborate the analytical results derived.
An RF-driven lightweight implantable insulin pump

Lightweight wireless implantable insulin pumps are highly desired by Type 1 Diabetes patients. This study reports the development of a polypyrrole-electroactuated micropump equipped with a non-fouling catheter tip. It can generate a consistent volumetric output of 16 μL at an RF power of 1.2 mW, supplied by an integrated wireless harvester. This motor-and-battery-free design significantly improves the pump's adoptability and biocompatibility.
Predicting Successful Inquiry Learning in a Virtual Performance Assessment for Science

In recent years, models of student inquiry skill have been developed for relatively tightly-scaffolded science simulations. However, there is an increased interest in researching how video games and virtual environments can be used for both learning and assessment of science inquiry skills and practices. Such environments allow students to explore scientific content in a more open-ended context that is designed around actions and choices. In such an environment, students move an avatar around a world, speak to in-game characters, obtain objects, and take those objects to laboratories to run specific tests. While these environments allow for more autonomy and choice, assessing skills in these environments is a more difficult challenge than in closed environments or simulations. In this paper, we present models that can infer two aspects of middle-school students’ inquiry skill, from their interactive behaviors within an assessment in a virtual environment called a “virtual performance assessment” or VPA: 1) whether the student successfully demonstrates the skill of designing controlled experiments within the VPA, and 2) whether a middle-school student can successfully use their inquiry skill to determine the answer to a scientific question with a non-intuitive in-game answer.
Building a dynamic reputation system for DNS

The Domain Name System (DNS) is an essential protocol used by both legitimate Internet applications and cyber attacks. For example, botnets rely on DNS to support agile command and control infrastructures. An effective way to disrupt these attacks is to place malicious domains on a "blocklist" (or "blacklist") or to add a filtering rule in a firewall or network intrusion detection system. To evade such security countermeasures, attackers have used DNS agility, e.g., by using new domains daily to evade static blacklists and firewalls. In this paper we propose Notos, a dynamic reputation system for DNS. The premise of this system is that malicious, agile use of DNS has unique characteristics and can be distinguished from legitimate, professionally provisioned DNS services. Notos uses passive DNS query data and analyzes the network and zone features of domains. It builds models of known legitimate domains and malicious domains, and uses these models to compute a reputation score for a new domain indicative of whether the domain is malicious or legitimate. We have evaluated Notos in a large ISP's network with DNS traffic from 1.4 million users. Our results show that Notos can identify malicious domains with high accuracy (true positive rate of 96.8%) and low false positive rate (0.38%), and can identify these domains weeks or even months before they appear in public blacklists.
Solving Hard Mixed-Integer Programs for Electricity Generation

In this chapter, we describe the most recent advances in the solution of mixed-integer programming problems. The last ten years have seen enormous improvements in the solution of the most difficult mixed-integer programs. The trend towards integration of modeling and optimization now makes it possible to solve the hardest optimization problems arising from electricity generation, such as the unit commitment problem. We report results with a leading software package that was used successfully to solve unit commitment problems in two European utility companies.
Programmplanung und Produktvorentwicklung

Die Programmplanung ist das Produkt eines fortwahrenden geschaftsstrategischen Prozesses. Der Start eines Fahrzeugprogramms basiert auf der Analyse der Kundenanforderungen, des Wettbewerbs, der Umweltrichtlinien/-gesetzgebung und der firmeneigenen Geschaftsplanung. Das Zusammenspiel dieser Faktoren fuhrt zu einem neuen Fahrzeugprogramm. Auch der Kundenwunsch nach mehr passiver Sicherheit kann zu umfangreichen Fahrzeuganderungen fuhren, z. B. zur Umkonstruktion des Fahrzeugvorderteils inklusive einer geanderten Motorlage zur weiteren Optimierung des Crashverhaltens. Ein weiterer Grund kann sein, das der Wettbewerb eine bestimmte neue Fahrzeugklasse, z. B. ein Stadtauto mit einer Grose unterhalb der heutigen Kleinwagen, mit extrem niedrigem Verbrauch entwickelt. Es kann eine zukunftige Verscharfung der Abgasemissionsgesetzgebung sein, die umfangreiche Motor- und Abgasnachbehandlungs-Anderungen verlangt.
Prevalence of biotin supplement usage in outpatients and plasma biotin concentrations in patients presenting to the emergency department.

Abstract Background Several cases of biotin interference with laboratory testing have been reported in the literature. However, there are no publications discussing the extent of biotin use or plasma concentrations observed among the patient population. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of biotin consumption using two distinct methods: surveying the outpatient population using a questionnaire and quantifying biotin in plasma samples collected from patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). Methods Survey questionnaires (n = 4000) were distributed to Mayo Clinic outpatients over one week (July 10–14, 2017). Biotin was quantified in residual waste plasma samples collected for physician-ordered electrolyte panels from patients presenting to the ED (March 6–12, 2017 and March 26–April 4, 2017, n = 1442 unique patient samples). Results 1944 patients (972 female, 963 male, 9 no answer) with a median (interquartile range) age of 62 (49–72) years returned completed questionnaires (48.6%). From the completed surveys, 7.7% (95% CI, 6.6–8.9%) indicated biotin use. Quantitation of biotin in plasma samples from ED patients (n = 1442) revealed that 7.4% (95% CI, 6.2–8.9%) had concentrations at or above the lowest known threshold (10 ng/mL) for biotin interference in Roche Diagnostics immunoassay tests. Conclusions According to our survey results, reported use of biotin was common. The range of biotin concentrations in ED patient samples highlights the magnitude of the biotin interference problem and identifies a population at risk for potential harm. These findings should guide laboratorians and clinicians in developing effective strategies to mitigate safety risks and in assessing biotin usage trends within their own patient populations.
Incentives in a public addiction treatment system: Effects on waiting time and selection.

Abstract Program-level financial incentives are used by some payers as a tool to improve quality of substance use treatment. However, evidence of effectiveness is mixed and performance contracts may have unintended consequences such as creating barriers for more challenging clients who are less likely to meet benchmarks. This study investigates the impact of a performance contract on waiting time for substance use treatment and client selection. Admission and discharge data from publicly funded Maine outpatient (OP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) substance use treatment programs (N = 38,932 clients) were used. In a quasi-experimental pre-post design, pre-period (FY 2005–2007) admission data from incentivized (IC) and non-incentivized (non-IC) programs were compared to post-period (FY 2008–2012) using propensity score matching and multivariate difference-in-difference regression. Dependent variables were waiting time (incentivized) and client selection (severity: history of mental disorders and substance use severity, not incentivized). Despite financial incentives designed to reduce waiting time for substance use treatment among state-funded outpatient programs, average waiting time for treatment increased in the post period for both IC and non-IC groups, as did client severity. There were no significant differences in waiting time between IC and non-IC groups over time. Increases in client severity over time, with no group differences, indicate that programs did not restrict access for more challenging clients. Adequate funding and other approaches to improve quality may be beneficial.
Time course of memory formation for an appetitive, one-trial, water-reward task in day-old chicks

Researchers studying learning and memory in the day-old chick have developed a one-trial taste avoidance learning task, in which a chick pecks a bead coated with an aversive-tasting liquid such as methylanthranilate. The current study examined, in two experiments, whether chicks could demonstrate learning of an appetitive version of the one-trial task, and how long this memory might last. The results demonstrate that chicks show significantly decreased latencies to peck a test bead similar to that pecked at training coated with water, and that this memory lasted for at least 6 h after training. These results demonstrate that this appetitive task produces significant learning.
Research that Resonates: A Perspective on Durable and Portable Approaches to Scholarship in Technical Communication and Rhetoric of Science

The current U.S. political climate has catalyzed intense public conversations about our relationship with facts and the truth. Declarations we have entered a Post-Truth Era vie with demands for ren...
Human COQ10A and COQ10B are distinct lipid-binding START domain proteins required for coenzyme Q function.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ or ubiquinone) serves as an essential redox-active lipid in respiratory electron and proton transport during cellular energy metabolism. CoQ also functions as a membrane-localized antioxidant protecting cells against lipid peroxidation. CoQ deficiency is associated with multiple human diseases; CoQ10 supplementation in particular has noted cardioprotective benefits. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Coq10, a putative START domain protein, is believed to chaperone CoQ to sites where it functions. Yeast coq10 deletion mutants (coq10Δ) synthesize CoQ inefficiently during log phase growth and are respiratory defective and sensitive to oxidative stress. Humans have two orthologs of yeast COQ10, COQ10A and COQ10B. Here, we tested the human co-orthologs for their ability to rescue the yeast mutant. We showed that expression of either human ortholog, COQ10A or COQ10B, rescues yeast coq10Δ mutant phenotypes, restoring the function of respiratory-dependent growth on a nonfermentable carbon source and sensitivity to oxidative stress induced by treatment with PUFAs. These effects indicate a strong functional conservation of Coq10 across different organisms. However, neither COQ10A nor COQ10B restored CoQ biosynthesis when expressed in the yeast coq10Δ mutant. The involvement of yeast Coq10 in CoQ biosynthesis may rely on its interactions with another protein, possibly Coq11, which is not found in humans. Coexpression analyses of yeast COQ10 and human COQ10A and COQ10B provide additional insights to functions of these START domain proteins and their potential roles in other biologic pathways.
Abstract CT087: Concentration-dependent early anti-vascular and anti-tumor effects of itraconazole in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Introduction: Itraconazole has been repurposed as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent for multiple malignancies, including prostate cancer, and basal cell carcinoma, and lung cancer. In preclinical models, itraconazole has antiangiogenic properties and reduces Hedgehog (Hh) pathway activity. We performed a window-of-opportunity trial to determine the biologic effects of itraconazole in human patients. Methods: Patients who had NSCLC planned for surgical resection were administered 10-14 days of itraconazole 300 mg orally twice daily. Prior to and at the end of therapy, patients underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and plasma collection for pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic analyses. Tissue from pre-treatment biopsy, surgical resection, and skin biopsies were analyzed for itraconazole and hydroxyl-itraconazole concentration, as well as vascular and Hh pathway biomarkers. Results: A total of 13 patients were enrolled, of whom 8 completed the course of itraconazole and all biomarker studies. Itraconazole was generally well tolerated. Steady state plasma concentrations of itraconazole and hydroxyl-itraconazole demonstrated low intra-patient variability, but there was a six-fold difference in AUC (area under contrast curve) between patients. Itraconazole treatment did not alter transcription of GLI1 (P=0.20) and PTCH1 (P=0.34) mRNA in skin biopsies. There was a significant association between itraconazole PK and (a) tumor volume reduction (Spearman rank correlation -0.71; P=0.05), and (b) tumor perfusion (Ktrans) (correlation -0.71; P=0.01). Changes in IL-1b, G-CSF, and GM-CSF concentrations were significantly correlated with tumor volume reduction. Conclusions: Itraconazole demonstrates exposure-dependent early anti-vascular and anti-tumor effects in patients with NSCLC. However, it appears to have little activity against the Hh pathway. As interest in vascular-directed therapies re-emerges in this disease, itraconazole may offer a relatively inexpensive, convenient, and well-tolerated option. Funding: Department of Defense (DOD) W81XWH-13-LCRP-CEA Lung Cancer Research Program Clinical Exploration Award Citation Format: David E. Gerber, Farjana J. Fattah, Rolf A. Brekken, Rachael Skelton, Jessica Saltarski, Chul Ahn, Kemp H. Kernstine, Chyndhri Padmanabhan, Vaidehi Chemburkar, Sahba Kasiri, Rajareddy Kallem, Indhumathy Subramaniyan, Qing Yuan, Quyen N. Do, Yin Xi, Ivan Pedrosa, William C. Putnam, James Kim. Concentration-dependent early anti-vascular and anti-tumor effects of itraconazole in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT087.
Predictive capacity of miRNA-375 in identifying teratoma in post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND).

416Background: Traditional tumor markers for testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), have limited sensi...
Abstract TMP43: Differential Cortical Effect Modulated by Anodal, Cathodal and Bihemispheric Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Patients With Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: The differential brain modulatory effects across hemispheres from different montages in stroke patients is not well established. We aimed to investigate the cortical excitability on l...
Chapter 6 – Mechanical Properties

The thermal cycle during the welding determines the microstructural evolution which in turn controls the mechanical property variation across the weld zones. This chapter provides a summary of the mechanical properties of the friction stir welds, such as hardness evolution, tensile and fatigue properties. Effects of FSW process parameters, thermal boundary conditions during FSW, and post-weld heat treatment on the mechanical properties are discussed in detail. A comprehensive list of joint efficiency values is provided at the end of the chapter.
Design, Synthesis, and Biophysical Evaluation of Mechanism-Based Probes for Condensation Domains of Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases.

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are remarkable modular enzymes that synthesize peptide natural products. The condensation (C) domain catalyzes the key amide bond-forming reaction, but stru...
Sinonichnus gen. n. for Scydmoraphes yunnanensis Jałoszyński, and description of Sinonichnus leiodicornutus sp. n. (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae).

Scydmoraphes yunnanensis Jaloszynski shows several unusual characters as for a member of this broadly distributed Palaearctic genus. Discovery of this species in a new locality and several newly available specimens allowed for detailed morphological study. As a result, a new genus, Sinonichnus gen. n., is established to accommodate Sinonichnus yunnanensis comb. n., and another species, showing unusual modifications of the male antennae, Sinonichnus leiodicornutus sp. n. Both species are known to occur in Yunnan, China. Sinonichnus is the first known Stenichnini genus that combines the presence of the pre-tentorial gular sutures with the prosternum laterally fused with inner regions of hypomera; all remaining world genera that show the gular sutures between posterior tentorial pits and the posteromesal margins of cardines have the prosterna demarcated laterally by notosternal sutures. An updated identification key to Eurasian Stenichnini genera whose adults have the pre-tentorial gular sutures is given.
A Case Report of Recurrent Longitudinally Extensive Holocord Transverse Myelitis After Combination Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy with Nivolumab and Ipilimumab (815)

Objective: We present a unique case of a 61-year-old female with metastatic uveal melanoma with recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis affecting the entire spinal cord after treatment with combination ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4) and nivolumab (anti-PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors. She developed subacute ascending lower extremity parasthesias up to her knees, lower extremity weakness, and ataxia with exam notable for mild diffuse weakness, diminished sensation to all modalities in the lower extremities with a mid-thoracic sensory level, diffuse hyperreflexia, dysmetria, and a wide based ataxic gait. Background: NA Design/Methods: NA Results: MRI neuro-axis revealed diffuse enhancement and T2 hyperintense signal extending from the cervicomedullary junction down to the conus medullaris. Serum inflammatory, autoimmune, and infectious workup were unremarkable. CSF studies revealed lymphocytic predominant pleocytosis WBC 75 (91 lymphocytes, 9 monocytes), glucose 42, and elevated protein of 125. CSF infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic workup was negative. She received intravenous methylprednisolone 1000mg daily for 5 days followed by an oral prednisone starting at 60mg (1mg/kg) with a 10mg/week taper. Her symptoms fully resolved with follow-up MRI showing complete resolution. Several weeks after finishing the prednisone taper, she presented with ataxia with repeat radiographic, serum and CSF showing similar findings as before. She was again treated with IV methylprednisolone 1000mg for 5 days followed by longer oral prednisone taper over 4 months. Repeat lumbar puncture prior to discontinuing steroids showed no pleocytosis. Since weaning off steroids, she has had no further neurologic issues. Conclusions: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are increasingly being used and studied in many cancer types. Neurologists must be aware of the diverse neurologic toxicities related to checkpoint inhibitors including inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, peripheral neuropathies, meningo-radiculoneuritis, encephalitis, myositis and myasthenia gravis. Here we describe a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis affecting the entire spinal cord after exposure to ipilimumab and nivolumab with excellent and durable response to corticosteroids. Disclosure: Dr. Brahmbhatt has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dixit has nothing to disclose.
Experience with an Established and on-going IRM Program in the Midwest

A major effort in Integrated Reproductive Management (IRM) began at the University of Nebraska under the Cooperative Extension Service and the Agricultural Research Division in 1983. Research in cow/calf systems modeling and reproductive management was developed and continues. Extension developed a five year demonstration herd project. A steering committee composed of beef producers, University extension specialists and researchers, and researchers from USDA (MARC) assembled to help guide the project. In February of 1984, the steering committee selected 9 cow/calf producers to cooperate as demonstration herds from 80 nominated by agricultural agents and veterinarians across Nebraska. Selected herds had resources "typical" of their respective areas. An IRM team was developed for each cooperator composed of the local agricultural extension agent, an extension beef specialist, the veterinarian used by the cooperator, other university and non-university personnel (producer, industry representative) and the technical coordinator. The IRM team analyzed the cow/calf enterprise and recommended alternative management practices for the producer to consider that would optimize use of the available resources and increase reproductive efficiency. Production information on the cow/calf enterprise was collected beginning in 1984 and ended in 1988. Financial inputs and feed used by the cow/calf enterprise were collected in 1987 and 1988 for enterprise evaluation. This information was used to monitor changes in the cow/calf enterprise of cooperating herds. On average, percent calves weaned of females exposed increased 11.5 percentage points between 1984 and 1988. Actual and adjusted weaning weights increased 93 and 100 pounds, respectively, over the 5 years. Pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed increased 139 pounds between 1984 and 1988. Net cost per calf weaned in 1987 and 1988 was $.73 and $.74, respectively, for low cost producers and $.99 and $.92 for high cost producers. Eight field days were held to discuss IRM concepts and profitable management practices. Numerous news articles, radio tapes, proceedings, extension publications, and educational meetings were developed using information collected in the IRM demonstration herd project. A cow/calf record-keeping program (PC-COWCARD) for microcomputer was develop~d and made available commercially to producers. Cooperators "integrated" recommendations made by agents, specialists, veterinarians, nutritionists, lenders, ..... into a working management practice for their resources.
Critique of the “Black Pharaohs” Theme: Racist Perspectives of Egyptian and Kushite/Nubian Interactions in Popular Media

Two recent documentaries promote a “Black Pharaohs” theme in which Kushite rulers overthrew the superior Egyptians and ruled Egypt (Twenty-Fifth Dynasty), but the Egyptians later erased their reign from history. This narrative undergirds The Rise of the Black Pharaohs produced by National Geographic and “Lost Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs” by the Science Channel. This article argues that these documentaries employ the use of presentism—the imposition of current perspectives and attitudes to depict and interpret past events. The two documentaries highlight fascinating archaeological finds in the Nile valley while also resurrecting now-discredited views on race and Egyptian–Kushite interactions arising in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The earliest Egyptologists (e.g., Petrie, Smith, Reisner) advanced the theory that dynastic Egypt emerged from the migration of a white race into the Nile valley, bringing in the elements of civilization superior to that of the indigenous blacks. While these documentaries condemn Reisner’s racist views on Kush, they largely accept this theory on Egypt’s origins and transfer this thinking onto the ancient Egyptians. These documentaries ignore the archaeological evidence showing that Egypt and Kush have shared origins and that ancient Egyptian civilization arose from a Pastoral Neolithic cattle-based culture encompassing Northern Sudan and much of ancient Northeast Africa. Craniometric studies and non-metrical studies of cranial and dental traits demonstrate a close relationship between ancient Upper Egyptian and Lower Nubian populations. They also demonstrate population continuity in Egypt from predynastic phases into the dynastic era. Presentism in the documentaries uses current racial constructs to interpret Egyptian–Kushite interactions. For example, the oppressive relationship between the colonizer and colonized that characterized European colonialism was assumed to apply to ancient Egypt during its colonization of Kush. This review article highlights archaeological findings that challenge these views of Egyptian–Kushite relationships. Examples of Kushite influences on Egyptian cosmology are presented to demonstrate millennia of cultural exchange between the two. The ancient Egyptians did not think of “race,” as presented in these documentaries. Pharaohs from earlier dynasties shared phenotypic features with Kushites, considered “Black” by current criteria.
Sharp Bounds on Eigenvalues via Spectral Embedding Based on Signless Laplacians

Using spectral embedding based on the signless Laplacian, we obtain bounds on the spectrum of transition matrices on graphs. As a consequence, we bound return probabilities and the uniform mixing time of simple random walk on graphs. In addition, spectral embedding is used in this article to bound the spectrum of graph adjacency matrices. Our method is adapted from [Lyons and Oveis Gahran, 2018].
Characterization of video conferencing traffic in ATM networks

In order to effectively transport digital compressed video in evolving high speed communication networks such as ATM-based broadband integrated services digital networks (B-ISDNs), it is essential to understand the characteristics of the video traffic. The nature of the video traffic depends primarily on the video source, the contents of the video, and the coding algorithm that removes the redundancies for efficient transmission over networks. In this paper, we study and characterize the video information in a video conference environment. The video information is encoded by using a subband coding scheme.
Polynomial Time Approximation Scheme for the Rectilinear Steiner Arborescence Problem

Given a set N of n terminals in the first quadrant of the Euclidean plane E 2, find a minimum length directed tree rooted at the origin o, connecting to all terminals in N, and consisting of only horizontal and vertical arcs oriented from left to right or from bottom to top. This problem is called rectilinear Steiner arborescence problem, which has been proved to be NP-complete recently (Shi and Su, 11th ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms (SODA), January 2000, to appear). In this paper, we present a polynomial time approximation scheme for this problem.
Pharmacodynamics of Multi-Dose Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Healthy Horses

Objectives To compare the pharmacodynamics of once daily and twice daily administration of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) administration in horses. Study Design Randomized cross over study. Animals Adult mixed breed healthy mares (n = 6). Methods LMWH (dalteparin) was administered (50 U/kg subcutaneously) either every 12 or 24 hours for 3 consecutive days. Anti-factor Xa activity was measured before and at select time points after LMWH administration. Packed cell volume (PCV), platelet count, partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and anti-thrombin (AT) activity were monitored throughout the study. Results No changes in PCV, platelet count, or AT activity were detected with either frequency of daily LMWH administration. Values for PTT increased throughout the study but never exceeded the normal reference interval. Anti-factor Xa activity was maintained within or above the suggested thromboprophylactic range (0.1–0.2 U/mL) when LMWH was administered twice daily, but fell below this range ∼16 hours after administration when given once daily. For both once and twice daily LMWH administration, the area under the curve was significantly greater after the last dose of LMWH when compared to the first dose. Conclusions Administration of LMWH once or twice daily for 3 consecutive days appears to be safe in healthy adult horses. Anti-factor Xa activity was maintained within or above the suggested thromboprophylactic range for 24 hours with twice daily LMWH administration but not with once daily administration.
Special Computer Interfaces for the Visually Handicapped: F.O.B. The Manufacturer

Many techniques have been suggested, and some even brought to market, to allow the visually handicapped person to more easily interact with modern computing equipment Most of the work to date has focused on providing special purpose hardware and software to accomplish this task. In the current work, we describe an approach that would allow all computer manufacturers to ship systems based on today's popular graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that will also serve the needs of the visually handicapped user. By building the user interface into the GUI normally supplied by the manufacturer, the cost of such interfaces should go down, while the availability should go up.
Socioeconomic and Psychological Determinants of Welfare Policy Attitudes: Path Models

An examination of attitudes toward welfare policy is necessary in order to understand the politics of welfare reform. Although much of the social science literature in this area is only descriptive, three studies provide inferential evidence of the basis of attitudes toward welfare. Unfortunately, these studies are limited by the lack of general psychological variables and by the exclusive use of bivariate analysis. The data base for this paper is a stratified random sampleof persons living in Ostego County, New York. The path analysis indicates that education, liberalism, attitude toward human nature, and work ethic are the predictors of welfare policy views. Work ethic is clearly the most important predictor. Further, the socioeconomic variables play only a small and, generally, indirect influence on welfare policy attitudes.
The Material Culture of Steamboat Passengers: Archaeological Evidence from the Missouri River

The Material Culture of Steamboat Passengers: Archaeological Evidence from the Missouri River. Annalies Corbin. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2000. 237 pp.
Abstract 187: Ethics of Codes: Provider Perspectives on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Duration

Background: Code success can be influenced by many factors such as location of arrest, length of code, patient comorbidities, but also bias. Current recommendations for code duration range from ten to thirty minutes. Recent data suggests that longer resuscitation efforts may result in favorable outcomes. We sought to examine provider attitudes toward code duration and appropriateness. Methods: Email invitations were sent to residents in internal medicine and emergency medicine, nurses, midlevel providers, rapid response team members, and attending physicians in emergency medicine and cardiology at a single academic institution. The survey evaluated experience with codes as well as knowledge of recommendations and literature concerning code duration and outcomes. Email invitations were sent to 605 providers in 2 waves; 162 (26.8%) completed the survey. Results: Of respondents, 82 (51%) were female. A majority (n=59, 36%) were age 26-30 and were Caucasian (n=117, 75%). The sample included 47 (29%) attendings, 44 (28%) residents, 37 (23%) nurses, 19 (12%) fellows, 11 (7%) interns, and 2 (1%) physician assistants/nurse practitioners. Only 34% of respondents indicated they were familiar or very familiar with literature on code duration and outcomes (range: 56% of attendings, 21% of residents). A substantial minority, 32%, believed a “slow code” to be appropriate or very appropriate, when the team believes resuscitation is futile and the patient/family disagrees, including 35% of nurses and 50% of interns, 28% of women and 34% of men. On the 5 point scale, respondents rated the importance of each of the following factors in deciding when to stop CPR: code duration (average score=4.11), patient comorbidities (3.95), patient’s age (3.68), initial rhythm (3.55), end tidal CO2 measurement (2.94), and location of arrest (2.75). Every respondent over age 50 (100%) agreed or strongly agreed that comorbid conditions were important when deciding to end a code vs. 70% under age 50 (p=0.003). Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that a variety of factors may influence decisions about code termination which may not be in line with emerging evidence. A substantial minority of respondents considered slow codes to be appropriate in the setting of futility. Future research is needed to determine the knowledge base and decision-making processes of providers who participate in decisions about CPR duration.
Application of frequency variable filters to surface-wave amplitude analysis

Abstract The problem of spectral biasing due to frequency domain filtering of surface-wave seismograms is investigated, and the method of frequency variable filters (FVF) is developed to compensate for this bias. As a result, the FVF can significantly improve signal to noise in the filtering process, except at points which require increased frequency domain resolution due to biasing. A detailed comparison of some currently accepted surface-wave filters is made in order to clarify the development of the FVF algorithm. Three long-period, surface-wave seismograms are tested with FVF and compared to two other methods, the multiple filter technique and the phase-matched filter (PMF). Emphasis is placed on finding limitations in all the methods, not on routine processing. Results of the tests show that the FVF and PMF are an improvement over multiple filter technique, in that the results of processing can be diagnosed in both the time and frequency domains. In addition, the FVF is more successful than PMF in removing higher mode contamination from fundamental mode Rayleigh waves. Another conclusion is that care must be taken in defining the limits of frequency domain resolution for the FVF. Some bias due to convolutional smoothing must be accepted, or the FVF becomes a simple all-pass filter. Multiple filter technique and PMF have a similar problem, which is due fundamentally to the uncertainty principle between time and frequency.
Gynodioecy in Lobelia Siphilitica and L. Spicata (Lobeliaceae) from Western Massachusetts1

Abstract Gynodioecy is a dimorphic breeding system in which male-sterile individuals (i.e., females) coexist with hermaphroditic individuals in populations. Previous studies of two species of Lobelia in North America have documented gynodioecy in parts of their ranges and here, we document gynodioecy for a single population of L. siphilitica and in two populations of L. spicata from western Massachusetts. Our objectives were to (1) determine sex ratios in natural populations of these species, (2) use controlled pollinations to investigate the capacity and extent of self fertilization in hermaphrodites and (3) compare the relative fertility and magnitude of sexual dimorphism in floral morphology between females and hermaphrodites. The frequency of females was only 3% in L. siphilitica, whereas both populations of L. spicata contained 12% females. Hermaphrodites in both species were self-compatible and estimates of mating system parameters confirmed mixed mating in L. spicata. Females of L. spicata had high...
Protein Production in Pichia pastoris

Originally published in: Production of Recombinant Proteins. Edited by Gerd Gellissen. Copyright © 2005 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA Weinheim. Print ISBN: 3-527-31036-4 The sections in this article are Introduction Construction of Expression Strains Expression Vector Components Alternative Promoters Selectable Markers Host Strains Methanol Utilization Phenotype Protease-deficient Host Strains Construction of Expression Strains Multicopy Strains Growth in Fermentor Cultures Post-translational Modification of Secreted Proteins Secretion Signals O-linked Glycosylation N-linked Glycosylation “Humanization” of N-linked Carbohydrate Conclusions Acknowledgments Appendix Keywords: production of recombinant proteins; novel microbial and eucaryotic expression systems; Pichia pastoris; construction of expression strains; post-translational modification of secreted proteins
‘Spontaneous’ occurrence of Yaba tumor in a monkey colony

Im Laboratorium einer Affenkolonie vonMacaca mulatta, M. irus undM. speciosa, in welchem Experimente mit Yaba-Virus durchgefuhrt wurden, sind 13 Falle von spontan auftretenden Tumoren beobachtet worden. Yaba-Virus ist ein Krankheitserreger, der in empfanglichen Primaten Histiozytome hervorruft. Es besteht kein Anhaltspunkt fur eine Direktubertragung des Virus durch Kontakte. Anzeichen sind aber vorhanden, dass der Virus moglicherweise durch Insekten ubertragen worden sein konnte.
Failure of Monoaxial Pedicle Screws at the Distal End of Scoliosis Constructs: A Case Series.

Abstract Background The goals of instrumented fusion for scoliosis are to correct deformities, stabilize the spine, and achieve arthrodesis. Monoaxial pedicle screws are often used in scoliosis constructs and have shown superiority over other types of pedicle screws in their ability to correct vertebral rotation and lumbar lordosis. However, because of the fixed-angle nature of the monoaxial pedicle screw head, any malalignment at the rod–screw interface could result in less than optimum stability. Results This series exhibits 3 cases of set screw loosening with the use of monoaxial pedicle screws at the distal end of long spinal fusion constructs for the management of patients with scoliosis; these complications all occurred within 6 months of the index procedures. The results of a detailed microscopic analysis of the failed components from 1 of the cases are also presented. Conclusions From this evidence, the authors of the current study recommend that surgeons exercise caution when using monoaxial pedicle screws at the distal end of long spinal fusion constructs, especially after compression has been achieved on the convex portion of the curve.
Estimating Work Zone Road User Cost for Alternative Contracting Methods in Highway Construction Projects

Highway construction often causes an additional road user cost (RUC) to motorists due to traffic flow interruption and congestion in work zones. Consequently, facility owners, such as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), are often interested in using alternative contracting methods such as A+B contracting to expedite construction. Although many of these contracting methods rely on the RUC to determine incentives or disincentives, no standard method for RUC calculation is available to FDOT district engineers. In addition, existing methods are neither practical nor user-friendly for determining incentives or disincentives. This study intends to develop a RUC calculation procedure for the FDOT that focuses on using data that are easily accessible to FDOT district engineers, such as drawings and maintenance of traffic plans. The procedure is developed based on traffic analysis methods published in the Highway Capacity Manual, previous studies on user benefit analysis and work zones, and empirical ...
Asymptotic properties of the heat kernel on conic manifolds

We derive asymptotic properties for the heat kernel of elliptic cone (or Fuchs type) differential operators on compact manifolds with boundary. Applications include asymptotic formulas for the heat trace, counting function, spectral function, and zeta function of cone operators.
Forward rate biases and inconsistencies with tax-modified fisher conditions

Abstract The perfect mobility and perfect substitutability models of international finance derive the uncovered interest arbitrage (international Fisher) condition under the assumption of no taxes. This model also implies that the forward rate is an unbiased predictor of the future spot rate. Tax wedges have two effects. One is that the forward rate is not the market forecast of future spot rates if tax codes treat capital gains differently from interest income. The second is that differences in tax codes across nations will lead to an inconsistency in regards the international Fisher condition.
Three-alpha force and the 3-α model of12C

We postulate a Gaussian three-body potential amongα particles and adjust its parameters so that, when it is added to the Ali-Bodmerα-α potential, a good fit to experimental energies of low-lying 0+ and 2+ states of12C is achieved. With these potentials we made a linear variational calculation in a basis of harmonic oscillator functions which are translationally invariant, completely symmetric, and have a definite orbital angular momentum. We study the influence of this three-body potential on elastic and inelastic form factors, transition widths, Coulomb energy and charge radius of the 3-α system. The 3-α potential improved results found with the Ali-Bodmer potential alone. We find the 0 2 + state to be a (non-rigid) linear chain and the ground state to be a triangle ofα particles.
CELLULAR AND VIRAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO MAINTENANCE OF THE SV40-TRANSFORMED STATE

1. A complex type of intercellular contact, requiring cluster formation among three cells or more, is a prerequisite to growth control for a large number of established fibroblast lines. 2. This form of contact occurs at lowest cell densities among cells that synthesize a specific protein that blocks intercellular WGA agglutination. 3. High saturation density cells, lacking this protein, are rapidly agglutinated by WGA. 4. Low saturation density cells, including a line containing SV40 T antigen and the SV40 genome, make this protein, and consequently are agglutinated poorly. 5. The presence of the SV40 genome and SV40 T antigen are not sufficient to guarantee that a cell lines will have a high saturation density or that it will respond well to the WGA agglutinin.