cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Causal Inference for a Population of Causally Connected Units

Suppose that we observe a population of causally connected units. On each unit at each time-point on a grid we observe a set of other units the unit is potentially connected with, and a unit-specific longitudinal data structure consisting of baseline and time-dependent covariates, a time-dependent treatment, and a final outcome of interest. The target quantity of interest is defined as the mean outcome for this group of units if the exposures of the units would be probabilistically assigned according to a known specified mechanism, where the latter is called a stochastic intervention. Causal effects of interest are defined as contrasts of the mean of the unit-specific outcomes under different stochastic interventions one wishes to evaluate. This covers a large range of estimation problems from independent units, independent clusters of units, and a single cluster of units in which each unit has a limited number of connections to other units. The allowed dependence includes treatment allocation in response to data on multiple units and so called causal interference as special cases. We present a few motivating classes of examples, propose a structural causal model, define the desired causal quantities, address the identification of these quantities from the observed data, and define maximum likelihood based estimators based on cross-validation. In particular, we present maximum likelihood based super-learning for this network data. Nonetheless, such smoothed/regularized maximum likelihood estimators are not targeted and will thereby be overly bias w.r.t. the target parameter, and, as a consequence, generally not result in asymptotically normally distributed estimators of the statistical target parameter. To formally develop estimation theory, we focus on the simpler case in which the longitudinal data structure is a point-treatment data structure. We formulate a novel targeted maximum likelihood estimator of this estimand and show that the double robustness of the efficient influence curve implies that the bias of the targeted minimum loss-based estimation (TMLE) will be a second-order term involving squared differences of two nuisance parameters. In particular, the TMLE will be consistent if either one of these nuisance parameters is consistently estimated. Due to the causal dependencies between units, the data set may correspond with the realization of a single experiment, so that establishing a (e.g. normal) limit distribution for the targeted maximum likelihood estimators, and corresponding statistical inference, is a challenging topic. We prove two formal theorems establishing the asymptotic normality using advances in weak-convergence theory. We conclude with a discussion and refer to an accompanying technical report for extensions to general longitudinal data structures.
Bioenergy harvesting impacts on ecologically important stand structure and habitat characteristics.

Demand for forest bioenergy fuel is increasing in the northern forest region of eastern North America and beyond, but ecological impacts, particularly on habitat, of bioenergy harvesting remain poorly explored in the peer-reviewed literature. Here, we evaluated the impacts of bioenergy harvests on stand structure, including several characteristics considered important for biodiversity and habitat functions. We collected stand structure data from 35 recent harvests in northern hardwood-conifer forests, pairing harvested areas with unharvested reference areas. Biometrics generated from field data were analyzed using a multi-tiered nonparametric uni- and multivariate statistical approach. In analyses comparing harvested to reference areas, sites that had been whole-tree harvested demonstrated significant differences (relative negative contrasts, P , 0.05) in snag density, large live-tree density, well-decayed downed coarse woody debris volume, and structural diversity index (H ) values, while sites that had not been whole-tree harvested did not exhibit significant differences. Classification and regression tree (CART) analyses suggested that the strongest predictors of structural retention, as indicated by downed woody debris volumes and H index, were silvicultural treatment and equipment type rather than the percentage of harvested volume allocated to bioenergy uses. In general, bioenergy harvesting impacts were highly variable across the study sites, suggesting a need for harvesting guidelines aimed at encouraging retention of ecologically important structural attributes.
Comparison of Respirable Samplers to Direct-Reading Real-Time Aerosol Monitors for Measuring Coal Dust

Three types of respirable dust samplers were positioned side-by-side as area samplers within three coal-fired electric power generating facilities. Respirable dust readings were taken using two direct-reading aerosol monitors (MIE PDM-3 Miniram and the TSI Model 8520 DustTrak) and the results compared to side-by-side respirable coal dust concentrations. Both direct-reading instruments use optical sensors for detecting dust concentrations, and in this study the air was passed through a 10-mm cyclone prior to detection. Respirable samples were collected using a 10-mm cyclone with a 5-µm PVC filter connected to a constant flow pump calibrated at 1.7 L/min. The samples were collected for fifteen 8-hr shifts over a one-month period. Respirable dust concentrations ranged from 0.23 to 10.83 mg/m3. The responses of each of the direct-reading instruments were compared to the respirable values. Neither of the two direct-reading instruments provided values that were identical to each other or the respirable samplers...
Jewels of Ceren

The discovery at Joya de Ceren of the remains of a prehistoric village has presented archaeologists with an unprecedented view of pre-Columbian southern Mesoamerican earthen architecture. Twelve of the 17 known structures at the site have been partially or completely excavated to date. They include domestic dwellings, storehouses, and kitchens, as well as public and ritual buildings. These structures shared many architectural characteristics, yet each was unique. This paper draws upon the Ceren literature and personal field experience in order to present, in words and drawings, a comparison of form and function for these remarkably well-preserved structures, and suggests directions for further inquiry at Ceren.
Identification of urocortin 3 afferent projection to the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus in rat brain

Urocortin 3 (Ucn 3) is a corticotrophin-releasing factor related neuropeptide with potent anorectic effects in the brain. Ucn 3 nerve fibers heavily innervate the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMH) and injection of Ucn 3 into the VMH suppresses feeding. Currently, the origin of the Ucn 3 afferent input into the VMH is unknown. In the present study, anatomical tracing shows the major Ucn 3 afferent input to the VMH resides in the anterior parvicellular part of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVHap) and the adjacent posterior part of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (pBNST). VMH also receives moderate Ucn 3 input from the medial amygdala. Interestingly, Ucn 3 neurons located immediately caudal to the PVHap/pBNST in the rostral perifornical hypothalamic area (rPFH) provide only minimal input. The paucity of rPFH-VMH Ucn 3 projection is consistent with the finding that only Ucn 3 neurons in the rPFH co-expressed Enkephalin (Enk) and Ucn 3/Enk double-labeled nerve fibers and terminals were observed predominately in the lateral septum (LS) while only a few double-labeled fibers were found in other brain areas including the VMH. Furthermore, retrograde tracing demonstrates that Ucn 3 neurons in the rPFH project to the LS. In conclusion, the present study determines the major Ucn 3 afferent into the VMH originates from the PVHap/pBNST. In addition, anatomical heterogeneity is observed in the major hypothalamic Ucn 3 neuron population as the rostral part (PVHap/pBNST) of the cell group projects to the VMH and the caudal part (rPFH) colocalizes with Enk and provides major afferent input to the LS.
Survival and cell cycle control in early hematopoiesis: role of bcl-2, and the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors P27 and P21.

Homeostasis of the hematopoietic system is maintained by proliferation and differentiation of a small number of long-term surviving, self-renewing stem cells, which give rise to the fully mature elements. The fine interplay between differentiation, proliferation and death by apoptosis determines the equilibrium of this system. Thus, genes involved in the control of these processes are very important in the regulation and development of hematopoietic cells especially in the initial stages. The interactions among cyclins, their specific cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and, a number of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) such as p27 and p21, exert a direct control on the cell cycle but can also produce other independent effects on hematopoietic differentiation. Proteins of the Bcl-2 family are also crucial in regulating the balance between entry into apoptosis and survival capacity and their roles change in the course of differentiation. In addition, a number of autocrine and paracrine soluble factors...
The LEF-4 subunit of baculovirus RNA polymerase has RNA 5'-triphosphatase and ATPase activities

The baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus encodes a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase that is required for transcription of viral late genes. This polymerase is composed of four equimolar subunits, LEF-8, LEF-4, LEF-9, and p47. The LEF-4 subunit has guanylyltransferase activity, suggesting that baculoviruses may encode a full complement of capping enzymes. Here we show that LEF-4 is a bifunctional enzyme that hydrolyzes the gamma phosphates of triphosphate-terminated RNA and also hydrolyzes ATP and GTP to the respective diphosphate forms. Alanine substitution of five residues previously shown to be essential for vaccinia virus RNA triphosphatase activity inactivated the triphosphatase component of LEF-4 but not the guanylyltransferase domain. Conversely, mutation of the invariant lysine in the guanylyltransferase domain abolished the guanylyltransferase activity without affecting triphosphatase function. We also investigated the effects of substituting phenylalanine for leucine at position 105, a mutation that results in a virus that is temperature sensitive for late gene expression. We found that this mutation had no significant effect on the ATPase or guanylyltransferase activity of LEF-4 but resulted in a modest decrease in RNA triphosphatase activity.
The Great Escape: Microbiotal LPS Takes a Toll on the Liver

The interaction between the intestinal microbiota and host is much more complex than previously appreciated, and we are now learning that it can have an impact on extraintestinal human diseases. In this issue of the journal (beginning on page 1090), Lin and colleagues present important data linking the microbiota, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and toll-like receptor (TLR)4 with hepatitis in a mouse model. These provocative results and those from other recent studies highlight the microbiota as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in several liver diseases. Cancer Prev Res; 5(9); 1078–80. ©2012 AACR . Perspective on Lin et al., [p. 1090][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/5/1090?iss=9
MASS LAW EFFECTS OF ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE ON NA, K, MG AND CA BINDING BY RAT LIVER MICROSOMES.

The effect of ATP on the binding of Na, K, Mg and Ca ions by rat liver microsomes was investigated. Addition of increasing amounts of ATP to a suspension of microsomes in an ionic medium containing these cations caused a marked decrease in divalent cation binding and a concomitant increase in monovalent cation binding by the microsomes. The strong nonbiological complexing agent EDTA produced qualitatively similar but quantitatively greater changes in binding. Although ATP-dependent binding of monovalent cations has been interpreted by other investigators in terms of an ATPase system and the formation of a hypothetical monovalent cation binding intermediate, the present data demonstrate that the role of ATP may also be reasonably explained in terms of mass law interactions of the various known solute species and fixed membrane binding sites involved.
Asymmetric magneto-optic response in epitaxial Fe(110)/Mo(110) thin films

We have observed asymmetric hysteresis loops that are inherent in the magneto-optic response of an epitaxial Fe(110)/Mo(110) thin film. We trace the origin of the asymmetry to a second order term in the magneto-optic response that is proportional to the transverse times of the longitudinal component of the magnetization. We determine the first order term of the magneto-optic response experimentally and fit the second order term to the data.
Obsolete Factors in the International Economy

For over half a century, economic theory has neglected to analyze the growing international disparities in labor, land and capital productiv? ity. Its excuse has been Heckscher and Ohlin's factor endowment theory, which attributed international cost advantage only to differing relative proportions of labor, capital and land, not do differences in relative factor productivity as in Ricardian trade theory. The factor endowment theory rested upon four unrealistic assump? tions. First of all, labor, capital and soil productivity among nations were presumed identical, so that one country's labor, capital and soil resources were each as productive as those of any other country on a per unit basis. No country's capital investment could displace that of another country because of superior technological productivity, but only because of its greater relative abundance which directly resulted in its receiving lower profit rates relative to wage and rent levels. Furthermore, no cross competition existed among the various factors of production: increased capital investment in one country could not displace, say, another country's labor. Labor, capital and soil each provided a unique service of production which other factors could not provide, and each category of commodity production was characterized by some optimum labor/ capital or labor/land ratio. There was no international factor mobility, no international investment or emigration, or even trade in intermediate goods such as food, fuels or machinery. Finally, all factors in each country were presumed fully employed, except for temporary disloca? tions which prevented the optimum use of resources. It was also presumed that international demand conditions were such that no single category of goods produced by some specific mix of labor and capital was in chronic oversupply. On the basis of these assumptions, international ad? vantage was held to be relative, not absolute. Every country had some advantage in producing some class of commodities. Demand for these various classes of commodities was presumed roughly proportional to their supply, so that countries tended to maximize their earning power by specializing in the production of commodity classes in which they had a comparative advantage. The vast amount of theorizing that has been built upon these assump 112
Is It Time to Refine? An Exploration and Simulation of Optimal Antibiotic Timing in General Surgery

Background Postoperative infections increase morbidity, resource use, and costs. Our objective was to examine whether within guideline recommendations an optimal time exists for an initial dose of antibiotic to reduce postoperative infections in general surgery, and to simulate the magnitude of a reduction in infections should an optimal time be implemented. Study Design The population consisted of 6,731 patients who underwent 7,095 general surgery procedures between January 5, 2006 and June 25, 2012. Patients with pre-existing infections, such as pneumonia and sepsis, and patients with no recorded use of antibiotics were excluded, as were patients on vancomycin and surgical procedures longer than 4 hours in duration. The final analysis dataset included 4,453 patients. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was used for perioperative variables and outcomes. The end point was a composite of wound disruption; superficial, deep, organ space, surgical site infections; and sepsis. Semi-parametric logistic regression was used to study the association between antibiotic timing and infection. Results There were 444 (10%) patients with a primary end point of infectious complication. A nonlinear "bowl-shaped" relationship between duration of interval from antibiotic administration and surgical incision and infection was observed; lowest risk corresponding to administration time close to incision was 4 minutes before incision (95% one-sided CI, 0–18 minutes). The model suggested optimal timing would result in an 11.3% reduction in the primary infection end point. Conclusions Risk of infectious complications decreased as antibiotic administration moved closer to incision time. These data suggest an opportunity to reduce infections by 11.3% by targeting initial antibiotic administration closer to incision.
An Exponential Damage Model for Strength of Fibrous Composite Materials

When modeling experimental data observed from carefully performed tensile strength tests, statistical distributions are typically used to describe the strength of composite specimens. Recently, cumulative damage models derived for predicting tensile strength have been shown to be superior to other models when used to fit composite strength data. Here, an alternative model is developed which is based on an exponential cumulative damage approach. The model is shown to exhibit a similar structural form to the other models in the literature so that previous theory for cumulative damage models can be utilized to find parameter estimates.
Hormonal and Reproductive Factors and the Risk of Bladder Cancer in Women

Gender and cigarette smoking are among the most consistent predictors of bladder cancer risk. After adjustment for known risk factors, an excess risk remains for males, suggesting that other factors may be responsible for the gender differences. Given limited data on hormonal or reproductive factors and bladder cancer risk, the authors examined these factors among women in the US Nurses' Health Study cohort. During 26 years of follow-up (1976-2002), 336 incident cases of bladder cancer were diagnosed. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate incidence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals between hormonal and reproductive factors and bladder cancer risk. Postmenopausal women, compared with premenopausal women, were at increased risk (incidence rate ratio = 1.93, 95% confidence interval: 0.99, 3.78). For postmenopausal women, early age at menopause ( /=50 years) was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of bladder cancer (incidence rate ratio = 1.63, 95% confidence interval: 1.20, 2.23). The association between age at menopause and bladder cancer risk was modified by cigarette smoking status (p for interaction = 0.01). The authors observed no significant associations of age at menarche, parity, age at first birth, and exogenous hormone use with bladder cancer risk. Findings suggest that menopausal status and age at menopause may play a role in modifying bladder cancer risk among women.
Rapid Population Growth and Environmental Degradation: Ultimate versus Proximate Factors

This philosophical review of 2 arguments about responsibility for and solutions to environmental degradation concludes that both sides are correct: the ultimate and the proximal causes. Ultimate causes of pollution are defined as the technology responsible for a given type of pollution such as burning fossil fuel; proximate causes are defined as situation-specific factors confounding the problem such as population density or rate of growth. Commoner and others argue that developed countries with low or negative population growth rates are responsible for 80% of world pollution primarily in polluting technologies such as automobiles power generation plastics pesticides toxic wastes garbage warfaring and nuclear weapons wastes. Distortionary policies also contribute; examples are agricultural trade protection land mismanagement urban bias in expenditures and institutional rigidity. Poor nations are responsible for very little pollution because poverty allows little waste or expenditures for polluting synthetic technologies. The proximal causes of pollution include numbers and rate of growth of populations responsible for the pollution. Since change in the ultimate cause of pollution remains out of reach altering the numbers of polluters can make a difference. Predictions are made for proportions of the worlds total waste production assuming current 1.6 tons/capita for developed countries and 0.17 tons/capita for developing countries. If developing countries grow at current rates and become more wealthy they will be emitting half the worlds waste by 2025. ON the other hand unsustainable population growth goes along with inadequate investment in human capital: education health employment infrastructure. The solution is to improve farming technologies in the 117 non-self-sufficient countries fund development in the most unsustainable enclaves of growing countries break institutionalized socio-political rigidity in these enclaves and focus on educating and empowering women in these enclaves. Women are in charge of birth spacing and all aspects of management of energy food water and the local environment more so than men in most countries.
Postnatal Expression of Aquaporins in Epithelial Cells of the Rat Epididymis

The mammalian aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of 13 transmembrane channel proteins that are involved in the transport of water in numerous organs. In the male excurrent duct, the movement of fluid and solutes across the epithelium is essential for establishing the proper luminal environment in which sperm mature and are stored. AQP9 is abundantly expressed in the efferent ducts, the epididymis, and the vas deferens, where it could represent an important apical pathway for transmembrane water and solute movement. However, other organs in which water transport is critical, including the kidney, the lung, or the eye, express several different AQPs with a cell-specific pattern. To undertake a systematic analysis of the expression of known AQPs in the postnatal and adult rat epididymis, we examined the expression of their respective mRNAs in epithelial cells isolated by laser capture microdissection (LCM), and we determined their corresponding protein expression pattern by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Our data show that, whereas AQP9 is the main AQP of the epididymis, the mRNA specific for Aqp2, 5, 7, and 11 are also expressed in epididymal epithelial cells. AQP5 protein colocalizes with AQP9 in the apical membrane of a subpopulation of principal cells in the corpus and cauda regions. Aqp2 mRNA was detected in epithelial cells after the second postnatal week and the amount significantly increased up to adulthood. However, AQP2 protein was detected only in the distal cauda of young rats (between the second and fourth postnatal week). No AQP2 protein was detected in the adult epididymis, indicating that posttranscriptional mechanisms are involved in the regulation of AQP2 expression. In addition, epididymal epithelial cells express significant amounts of the mRNAs coding for AQP7 and 11. No mRNA or protein for AQPs 0, 4, 6, and 8 were detectable in epithelial cells, and Aqp1 was detected in whole epididymal samples, but not in epithelial cells. Thanks to the recent development of microdissection technologies, our observations suggest that epididymal epithelial cells express several members of the AQP family with a region-specific pattern. AQPs may be involved not only in the transepithelial transport of water in the epididymis but also in the postnatal development of this organ, as suggested by the differential expression of AQP2.
Barbiturates, Cerebral Blood Flow and Intracranial Hypertension

Although their efficacy in improving outcome from severe head injury is difficult to prove (Ward et al. 1985; Schwartz et al. 1984; Miller 1979), it has conclusively shown that in certain patients barbiturates can reduce intracranial hypertension (ICH) refractory to conventional measures (Marshall et al. 1979; Rockoff et al. 1979; Rea and Rockswold 1983; Eisenberg et al. 1988). The mechanism of this effect remains unclear. It has been demonstrated that under normal physiological conditions, barbiturates in anesthetic doses, decrease cerebral blood flow (CBF) (Michenfelder and Milde 1975) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) (Michenfelder and Milde 1975) and lactate (CMRL) (Carlsson et al. 1975). This prospective study was undertaken to ascertain the effects of barbiturates on these parameters in patients with ICH with the aim of deriving mechanistic insights and possibly identifying features that would characterize patients responsive to barbiturates (responders).
Biculturalism, Team Performance, and Cultural-faultline Bridges ☆

Abstract This conceptual paper focuses on the relationship between biculturalism and team performance. Building on Transactive Memory Theory, I argue that bicultural team members have a latent potential to enhance the transactive memory systems and performance of their teams. However, I propose that this potential is only fully realized when the characteristics of the individual and team are synchronized. More specifically, I argue that biculturals may have a different impact on culturally homogenous teams, culturally diverse teams, and teams characterized by a deep cultural faultline, depending on whether the biculturals share neither, one, or both of their cultures with other members of the team. In order to integrate these ideas, I develop a dynamic, multi-level theoretical model that delineates the relationships in question.
Health Disparities as They Relate to Medication Adherence

Nonadherence to medical treatment recommendations is associated with poor health outcomes in chronic respiratory diseases. Chapter 6 reviews reported rates of medication nonadherence in respiratory disease, disparities in adherence in vulnerable populations that may contribute to their relatively worse respiratory disease outcomes, and potential causes of nonadherence, including characteristics of the health care system, patient–physician relationship/communication, the disease, and the treatment regimen. Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the effectiveness of interventions to improve adherence and outcomes report positive but inconsistent evidence of their effectiveness, including in vulnerable populations. Despite their design strengths, studies selected for such reviews typically have not confirmed the disease diagnosis, not targeted the appropriate population (those with poor disease control and poor adherence), and/or not ensured that participants’ treatment regimens were appropriate. This suggests a need to address these issues more appropriately in future intervention research, especially in vulnerable populations.
Eternalism, Temporalism, Neutralism

AbstractIn her Transient Truths (New York: Oxford University Press, 2012), Berit Brogaard defends temporalism about proposition content from the more traditional eternalist views. I argue that both temporalism and eternalism are equally capable of accommodating all the data, and thus suggest that we should adopt a neutralism that holds there is no serious or resolvable dispute. Contra Brogaard, I argue that neither disagreement patterns nor belief dynamics favor temporalism over eternalism. I also suggest that Brogaard's defense of operator over quantificational semantics for tense is unnecessary, because quantificational tense semantics can be given a temporalist reading, and operator tense semantics can be given an eternalist reading.
Imágenes Americanistas en el San Ignacio de Loxola, fundador de la compañía de jesús, poema Heroico (1666) de Hernando Domínguez Camargo

La lirica barroca colonial es un discurso poetico mestizo en el cual se dan citas otros em­ blemas de la realidad americana y donde son tambien otras las unidades ideologico-cultura­les que contnbuyen al proceso de significacion de los textos ("lo otro" en tanto en cuanto se aleja de los modelos europeos). Las imagenes americanistas se construyen con elementos propios de la cultura hispanoamericana en ciemes. El San Ignacio de Loyola, Fundador de Ia Compania de Jesus, Poema heroico de Hernando Dominguez Camargo denota una preocupacion del hablante lirico por la geografia y el paisaje americanos como una expresion de lo indiano versus los canones del poema barroco europeo. La mencion insistente de America y su efecto obsesivo en el discurso es el foco de analisis de este ensayo. Se trata de indagar acerca de su significacion en la serie de octavas reales que es el Poema heroico para atisbar la intencion del hablante lirico de dignificar el espacio americano como espacio no de calcos sino de originales. Dicho de otro modo: en este estudio se intenta dilucidar la tarea de los poetas coloniales de iniciar una distancia entre Europa y America, entre lo europeo y lo americano, como diferencias conciliatorias, pero diferencias en si.
Abstract 5106: Autophagy in malignant melanoma and breast carcinoma

We show here for the first time that autophagy is a remarkably common characteristic of malignant melanomas and breast carcinomas and is highly associated with metastasis and poor patient outcome. Autophagy is a cytoplasmic degradative process that in cancer can provide an energy source in times of nutrient deprivation. Interest in autophagy and cancer progression has increased markedly in recent years with reports that autophagy can be both a positive and negative survival factor for cancer cells. PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of autophagy in melanoma and breast carcinoma, cancers from tissues of dissimilar lineages and functions. METHODS. Standard biopsies and tumor tissue microarrays containing core samples of melanoma (n = 342 cases) or breast carcinoma (n = 611 cases) were stained by immunohistochemistry for the autophagosome marker LC3B (microtuble-associated protein light chain 3B, detected with anti-LC3B polyclonal antibody ab48394, Abcam, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA). Autophagy was verified by the LC3B granular staining pattern and, in melanoma, by electron microscopy. RESULTS. In standard biopsies of melanoma, autophagic tumor cells emerged sporadically within the in situ tumor and were apparently the source of invasive cells in the dermis. For melanoma microarrays, 82% (107/130) of primary invasive melanomas and 90% (189/212) of lymph node metastases showed nearly uniform expression of autophagy with metastases showing increased LC3B staining intensity compared to primary tumors (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5106.
Measuring verbal recall: A formula for chance estimation in serial position scoring

A formula for the expected value of chance scores in serial position scoring, EM (ai) = n/N, where n = the number of correctly recalled items and N = the number of serial positions to be filled, was presented and proven.
Effective connectivity of ascending and descending frontalthalamic pathways during sustained attention: Complex brain network interactions in adolescence

Frontal-thalamic interactions are crucial for bottom-up gating and top-down control, yet have not been well studied from brain network perspectives. We applied network modeling of fMRI signals [dynamic causal modeling (DCM)] to investigate frontal-thalamic interactions during an attention task with parametrically varying levels of demand. fMRI was collected while subjects participated in a sustained continuous performance task with low and high attention demands. 162 competing model architectures were employed in DCM to evaluate hypotheses on bilateral frontal-thalamic connections and their modulation by attention demand, selected at a second level using Bayesian model selection. The model architecture evinced significant contextual modulation by attention of ascending (thalamus → dPFC) and descending (dPFC → thalamus) pathways. However, modulation of these pathways was asymmetric: while positive modulation of the ascending pathway was comparable across attention demand, modulation of the descending pathway was significantly greater when attention demands were increased. Increased modulation of the (dPFC → thalamus) pathway in response to increased attention demand constitutes novel evidence of attention-related gain in the connectivity of the descending attention pathway. By comparison demand-independent modulation of the ascending (thalamus → dPFC) pathway suggests unbiased thalamic inputs to the cortex in the context of the paradigm. Hum Brain Mapp 37:2557-2570, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of PV integration on safety and stability of Yushu Grid and control strategy

According to the actual operational conditions of Yushu Grid,an electromechanical transient simulation model with PV station is built based on BPA software,with which,the transient characteristics of Yushu Grid isolated from Qinghai main grid is researched. It is found that the frequency stability is the main problem of isolated Yushu Grid. The key section fault simulation technology is applied to analyze the impact of the output power and access location of PV station on the strategy of safety and stability control,based on which,a control strategy is proposed for isolated Yushu Grid. It is suggested that,the unit protection,instead of the high-frequency tripping scheme,should be adopted to solve the high-frequency problem under its typical operation mode and the low-frequency load shedding scheme should be adopted to solve the frequency stability problem. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is verified by simulation.
MECHANISM(S) OF ACTION OF HUMAN TRANSFER FACTOR: INSIGHTS OBTAINED FROM STUDYING “ANTIGEN-LIBERATED TRANSFER FACTCR” SPECIFIC FOR TUBERCULIN

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the form(s) of transfer factor (TF) that are released by viable leukocytes from tuberculin responsive human donors when their leukocytes are incubated with PPD in vitro . Data obtained from studying this antigen-liberated (or released) has provided further insight into the roles of TF–H5, TF–H7, and dephosphorylated TF–H5 in the induction of antigen specific responsiveness. The chapter concludes that when immune lymphocytes are incubated with specific antigen they release only dephosphorylated TF–H5. Dephosphorylated TP–H5 is apparently derived from the cell surface (or secreted after it is derived from TF–H5) and also is apparently released nonspecifically by lymphocytes incubated for prolonged periods at 37°C as part of a normal turnover process of cellular membrane constituents. It is speculated, however, that cell-free supernatants derived from lymphocytes merely incubated at 37°C for 4 h without specific antigen added would contain a family of TFs representing the range of antigen sensitivities found in the donor.
Predicting Yield Losses in Rice Mixed-Weed Species Infestations in California

Although many pests constrain rice production, weeds are considered to be the major barrier to achieving optimal yields. A predictive model based on naturally occurring mixed-species infestations in the field would enable growers to target the specific weed group that is the greatest contributor to yield loss, but as of now no such models are available. In 2013 and 2014, two empirical hyperbolic models were tested using the relative cover at canopy closure of groups of weed species as independent variables: grasses, sedges, broadleaves, grasses and sedges combined, grasses and broadleaves combined, and all weed species combined. Models were calibrated using data from experiments conducted at the California Rice Experiment Station, in Biggs, CA, and validated across four sites over 2 years, for a total of 7 site-year combinations. Of the three major weed groups, grasses, sedges, and broadleaves, the only groups positively related to yield loss in the multispecies infestation were grasses. At the model cali...
Towards Agile and Smooth Video Adaptation in HTTP Adaptive Streaming

HTTP Adaptive Streaming (HAS) is widely deployed on the Internet for live and on-demand video streaming services. Video adaptation algorithms in the existing HAS systems are either too sluggish to respond to congestion level shifts or too sensitive to short-term network bandwidth variations. Both degrade user video experience. In this paper, we formally study the tradeoff between responsiveness and smoothness in HAS through analysis and experiments. We show that client-side buffered video time is a good feedback signal to guide video adaptation. We then propose novel video rate control algorithms that balance the needs for video rate smoothness and high bandwidth utilization. We show that a small video rate margin can lead to much improved smoothness in video rate and buffer size. We also propose HAS designs that can work with multiple servers and wireless connections. We develop a fully functional HAS system and evaluate its performance through extensive experiments on a network testbed and the Internet. We demonstrate that our HAS designs are highly efficient and robust in realistic network environment.
The road less traveled: transarterial embolization of dural arteriovenous fistulas via the ascending pharyngeal artery

Background With the introduction of Onyx, transarterial embolization has become the most common endovascular approach to treating dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs), often via the middle meningeal or occipital arteries. The ascending pharyngeal artery (APA) is a less frequently explored transarterial route because of its small caliber, potential anastomoses to the internal carotid and vertebral arteries, and vital supply to lower cranial nerves. Objective To review our institutional experience and highlight the prevalence of APA supply to dAVFs and cases where it is a safe and effective pedicle for embolization. Methods We reviewed our endovascular database (January 1, 1996 to March 1, 2016) for cranial dAVFs, evaluating dAVF characteristics and embolization results for those treated transarterially via the APA. Results Of 267 endovascularly treated dAVFs, 68 had APA supply (25%). Of these 68 dAVFs, embolization was carried out via this pedicle in 8 (12%) and 7 were ultimately occluded. No complications, including post-treatment cranial neuropathies or radiographic evidence of non-target embolization, were found. For 5 dAVFs, the APA was selected as the initial pedicle for embolization (two marginal sinus, one distal sigmoid, one cavernous, one tentorial). In four of these five cases, dAVF occlusion was achieved via the initial APA feeding artery pedicle. In one case, near-complete, stagnant occlusion was achieved after APA embolization; complete occlusion was achieved after adjunctive embolization of a single additional middle meningeal artery pedicle. In three other cases of complex transverse/sigmoid dAVFs, the APA was used after multiple attempts via middle meningeal and occipital artery pedicles. Occlusion was not achieved transarterially; two of these three dAVFs were ultimately occluded transvenously. Conclusions In rare, select cases, the APA is an excellent route for transarterial embolization of cranial dAVFs.
Crystal structure of Aquifex aeolicus σN bound to promoter DNA and the structure of σN-holoenzyme.

The bacterial σ factors confer promoter specificity to the RNA polymerase (RNAP). One alternative σ factor, σ N , is unique in its structure and functional mechanism, forming transcriptionally inactive promoter complexes that require activation by specialized AAA + ATPases. We report a 3.4-A resolution X-ray crystal structure of a σ N fragment in complex with its cognate promoter DNA, revealing the molecular details of promoter recognition by σ N . The structure allowed us to build and refine an improved σ N -holoenzyme model based on previously published 3.8-A resolution X-ray data. The improved σ N -holoenzyme model reveals a conserved interdomain interface within σ N that, when disrupted by mutations, leads to transcription activity without activator intervention (so-called bypass mutants). Thus, the structure and stability of this interdomain interface are crucial for the role of σ N in blocking transcription activity and in maintaining the activator sensitivity of σ N .
The Challenge of Mentorship.

It is hard to pinpoint a particular event or experience that prompted me to get into science in the first place, probably because science has always been an interest and part of my life. I am continually fascinated by the complexity and adaptability of nature and the process of scientific inquiry. It all began with catching bugs, making plant concoctions in my playhouse, and dyeing part of my mom’s new carpet blue with my first chemistry set. Fortunately, I had parents who recognized and fostered this passion from an early age. They allowed a constant stream of insects, reptiles, and amphibians to be caught and observed in my terrarium and each mentored a junior high Science Fair project all the way to the state competition at the University of Illinois. This acceptance and support bolstered my passion for a life of scientific discovery. My career in science officially began during my undergraduate years at Indiana Wesleyan University. As a student in a small liberal arts college with a strong science department, I had opportunities one might not have at a larger state or private school. I had the privilege all 4 years to serve as a laboratory technician and undergraduate student instructor. Initially, this work involved organizing stocks and preparing laboratory supplies. As I progressed in my studies and began my independent research with Dr Burton Webb, my responsibilities …
A simplified power control approach with reliable axis decoupling capability for three-phase current source inverter

This paper discusses the integration of a three-phase Distributed generation (DG) into a grid-tied Photovoltaic (PV) system. A single-stage power conversion system comprising a Current Source Inverter (CSI) capable of dc voltage boost is proposed for this PV MIC system, to control which, a multivariable-proportional-integral (PI) regulator-based power control strategy is designed. It will control the proposed CSI-based MIC system through structural simplicity and fast dynamic response. When contrasted with the conventional PI methods, the proposed control scheme grants a fully decoupled axes in terms of step jumps and falls in the active and reactive power commands. By controlling the modulation index and the angle introduced by the Phasor PWM (PPWM) switching patterns, the active and reactive powers are demonstrated to be obtained and exchanged between the PV MIC and the grid. An experimental verification is provided to justify the performance of the proposed control method through a 300-VA laboratory prototype, and the results are compared with that of the conventional PI regulation approaches.
Quantum information or entanglement transfer between subsystems

The size of quantum information---or entanglement---transfer rates between subsystems is a generic question in problems ranging from decoherence in quantum computation and sensing, to quantum underpinnings of thermodynamics, to the behavior of quantum black holes. We investigate such rates for given couplings between subsystems, for sufficiently random subsystem evolution, and find evidence of a conjectured relation of these rates to the size of the couplings. This provides a direct connection between entanglement transfer and the microphysical couplings in the Hamiltonian that are responsible for it.
The extended economic zone, the coastal state, and economic development

The recently created exclusive economic zones constitute windfall gains for some coastal states. However, windfall gains, such as the New World's gold for Spain and oil for OPEC, are notoriously difficult to transform into permanent wealth and income streams. These difficulties are discussed in this paper. In addition, a case study of the asset values of fisheries in areas of the NW and W Central Pacific Ocean is presented in detail. For nine countries, the changes in catch, both quantity and value, which resulted from establishment of the EEZ are used as estimators of the windfall gains.
Who provides gynecologic care

To determine who provides gynecologic care for women who see internists, we interviewed 474 women who had return appointments at an academic primary care internal medicine center (PCC). Interview data indicated that 241 patients (51 percent) received gynecologic care in the PCC, 145 patients (31 percent) received gynecologic care from a non-PCC source, 48 patients (10 percent) did not receive needed care, and 40 patients (8 percent) did not require gynecologic care. Among the 145 patients who received gynecologic care from a non-PCC source, 121 (83 percent) received routine services that were readily available in the PCC. After completion of the interview, 28 (23 percent) of these 121 patients indicated that they did not plan to return to their non-PCC gynecologic provider. An economic analysis revealed that the savings to the patients and their insurers that could be realized by providing gynecologic care in the PCC for patients who were willing to switch from a non-PCC source would nearly offset the cost of providing routine gynecologic care to those patients who are in need of such care but are not now receiving it. Because internists are being trained to provide most routine gynecologic services, they often should be able to save their patients the cost and inconvenience of an extra visit to another physician.
Systemic Solutions in Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Purpose To describe a framework for screening and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using telemedicine screening with laser and/or vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor treatment strategies. Design Literature review and perspective. Methods Review of the literature and the author's experience. Results Undetermined. Conclusions Telemedicine can be deployed on a national basis to provide quaternary-level screening for ROP. At-risk patients for treatment could then be directed to receive either laser photocoagulation or vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor intravitreal injections followed at a later time by examination under anesthesia, fluorescein angiography, and diode laser photocoagulation as indicated.
Challenges in RNase P Substrate Recognition: Considering the Biological Context

Despite important advances in our understanding of the structure and function of RNase P, it can be argued that we still lack a comprehensive understanding of how the functional and biophysical properties of the enzyme are integrated into its biological function. In this Chapter, we consider recent progress in understanding the in vitro kinetics and thermodynamic properties of the enzyme in the context of its specific role in tRNA biosynthesis. In the process, we highlight several studies that point the way toward gaining an integrated perspective on RNase P substrate recognition in vitro and in vivo. Both explorations point out the potential gaps in our understanding of RNase P reaction kinetics and the substrate binding specificity that may serve as points of departure for achieving a comprehensive understanding of the function of this essential enzyme in biology.