cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring disease activity

Abstract Clinical trials for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) currently depend on outcome measures that were originally developed for epidemiological or outcomes research and never optimized to discriminate treatment effects. Because these systems were devised to encompass simultaneous assessment of multiple organs, their interpretation can be complicated, requiring specialized training. Not surprisingly, there has been minimal adaptation of these disease activity scales in clinical practice, leaving clinicians without practical or reproducible methods for tracking progress, justifying treatment approvals, or documenting quality assurance. This chapter focuses on two of the most widely used SLE measures, the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index. Definitions and scoring rules for these instruments were originally conceived through expert consensus, followed by formal validation studies to test reliability of their use over time and between clinicians. Both the SLEDAI and BILAG have demonstrated reliability, relevance, and sensitivity to change in disease severity, but when these mature, well-validated instruments began to be applied in registrational trials of investigational treatments, significant pitfalls were recognized. Subsequent accommodations in how the instruments are applied to study endpoints has led to more interpretable results in some recent trials, but continue to illuminate ongoing obstacles to successful treatment development, and to the ability, in clinic, to accurately track progress in a complex patient population. The solution may lie in the development of a measure that is not first keyed to established algorithms, then later tested for validity, but is originally scaled to live patient outcomes in the clinic to discriminate real world, clinically significant disease changes from minor fluctuations.
Point Defect Formation and Diffusion

The first step in understanding the effects of irradiation on materials is to understand, on the atomic level, the nature of radiation damage. In the previous chapters, we developed a quantitative description of the process of displacing an atom from its lattice site by the transfer of kinetic energy from a high-energy particle. The recoiling lattice atom travels through the crystal, colliding with its neighbors and displacing these also from their sites.
Programming Colloidal Crystal Habit with Anisotropic Nanoparticle Building Blocks and DNA Bonds

Colloidal crystallization can be programmed using building blocks consisting of a nanoparticle core and DNA bonds to form materials with controlled crystal symmetry, lattice parameters, stoichiometry, and dimensionality. Despite this diversity of colloidal crystal structures, only spherical nanoparticles crystallized with BCC symmetry experimentally yield single crystals with well-defined crystal habits. Here, we use low-symmetry, anisotropic nanoparticles to overcome this limitation and to access single crystals with different equilibrium Wulff shapes: a cubic habit from cube-shaped nanoparticles, a rhombic dodecahedron habit from octahedron-shaped nanoparticles, and an octahedron habit from rhombic dodecahedron-shaped nanoparticles. The observation that one can control the microscopic shape of single crystals based upon control of particle building block and crystal symmetry has important fundamental and technological implications for this novel class of colloidal matter.
Idiographic Microgenesis: Re-Visiting the Experimental Tradition of Aktualgenese

This chapter tries to shed light on how people think in a ‘here-and-now’ context by taking a historic approach that revisits the microgenetic traditions from the standpoint of the early 20th century Leipzig circle of psychologists – thus, in the form of Aktualgenese (or actual genesis). Wilhelm Wundt’s work in regard to the later emerging Aktualgenese studies is considered, as well as the methodological impact of the Wurzburg school of psychology. Furthermore, a recount of the first studies for both visual (Wohlfahrt) and auditory (Werner) Aktualgenese is provided. Finally, in an effort to expand on the previous studies, the second half of this chapter outlines the psychological components involved during a microgenetic event. These components are examined in detail via narratives from the perspective of synthesis transformations.
Bcl-2 modulates ER/SR calcium uptake by interaction with SERCA and heat shock proteins

Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein, which is involved in the interaction with multiple proteins at various cellular locations, including mitochondria and the ER. We show here, that Bcl-2 interacts efficiently with various isoforms of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA), including SERCA1, SERCA2 and SERCA3, which leads to SERCA inactivation, conformational changes, and translocation of SERCA between specific membrane microdomains. These functional effects of Bcl-2 are demonstrated both in vitro, and in cells overexpressing Bcl-2 and SERCA. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments confirm the interaction of Bcl-2 and SERCA in vitro and in cell culture. Amino acids critical for the functional interaction of Bcl-2 with SERCA have been identified ny mutagenesis. One example is the mutation of Gly145 to Glu145, which reduces the ability of Bcl-2 to inactivate SERCA. This mutation had previously been shown by others to lower the anti-apoptotic activity of Bcl-2, providing an interesting parallel between the anti-apoptotic activity of Bcl-2 and its potency to inactivate SERCA. Heat shock proteins prevent the Bcl-2-induced inactivation of SERCA, even when heat shock proteins carry oxidative post-translational modifications such 3-nitrotyrosine and/or 4-hydroxynonenal adducts (i.e., modifications accumulated under conditions of oxidative stress).
Defense Industry Legacies and Conversion in the Post-Soviet Realm

An economist and senior economic geographer assess severe, uneven spatial impacts of demilitarization of economic activity in the former USSR. Drawing upon a large body of recent classified, unpublished information, the authors sketch in the geography of a “hidden” sector, consisting of the defense industry and gold and diamond mining. Analysis of the resulting spatial patterns reveals nodes of highly concentrated hidden-sector activity that are vulnerable to economic adversities caused by reduced military orders and severed production linkages. Particular attention is devoted to Russia and Ukraine, two republics inheriting the bulk of the former Union's hidden-sector infrastructure. 1 table, 16 references.
A National Study of Veterans Treatment Court Participants: Who Benefits and Who Recidivates

Although there are now over 400 veterans treatment courts (VTCs) in the country, there have been few studies on participant outcomes in functional domains. Using national data on 7931 veterans in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Justice Outreach program across 115 VA sites who entered a VTC from 2011 to 2015, we examined the housing, employment, income, and criminal justice outcomes of VTC participants; and identified veteran characteristics predictive of outcomes. VTC participants spent an average of nearly a year in the program and 14% experienced a new incarceration. From program admission to exit, 10% more participants were in their own housing, 12% more were receiving VA benefits, but only 1% more were employed. Controlling for background characteristics, a history of incarceration predicted poor criminal justice, housing, and employment outcomes. Participants with property offenses or probation/parole violations and those with substance use disorders were more likely to experience a new incarceration. Participants with more mental health problems were more likely to be receiving VA benefits and less likely to be employed at program exit. Together, these findings highlight the importance of proper substance abuse treatment as well as employment services for VTC participants so that they can benefit from the diversion process.
The Return of the Repressed: Millennial, Charismatic, and Renewal Movements

In this chapter, we have examples of religions that are reclaiming ecstasy in various ways. We have the millennial movements, who believe that the end of the world is coming. They will see Christ, or the Messiah, or the Mahdi, come to earth while they are still alive, and they will be raptured and levitated. There is the charismatic movement, with the Holy Spirit giving ecstatic speech, healing and revelation to believers in various outpourings and blessings. There are also Renewal Movements, such as Jewish renewal with its havurahs and Torah yoga, and Muslim renewal in the Dances of Universal Peace. All are responses to the lack of ecstatic dimension in the mainstream religions.
Evaluating presence in low-cost Virtual Reality display systems for undergraduate education

Virtual reality (VR) is an exciting field that receives little attention in most undergraduate Computer Science programs. Historically, one of the barriers to teaching VR has been the cost of appropriate equipment; however, a number of economically priced systems have been proposed recently for undergraduate training and research projects in VR. In this paper, we discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of these low-cost stereo display systems and then describe a study designed to assess the subjective ratings of presence that each system provides. Presence, a characteristic of many VR applications, is the feeling of being in a virtual world when you are physically located somewhere else. In our study, the factor that seemed to have the greatest impact on presence was the field of view provided by the system. However, we found that all the systems provided subjective presence levels significantly higher than a standard computer monitor, suggesting that all the systems could form the basis of an undergraduate VR laboratory.
Grain Boundary Kinetics in Oxide Ceramics with the Cubic Fluorite Crystal Structure and its Derivatives

Kinetics of grain boundaries in oxides with the cubic fluorite structure and its derivatives has been investigated using fine grain ceramics that are fully dense. Grain growth measurements in these materials have provided information on grain boundary diffusivity over a diffusion distance of the order of the initial grain size. With the addition of solute cations, grain boundary mobility can be varied over many orders of magnitude, often with very different activation energies. This is caused by the variation of defect population and the defect-solute association. Definitive evidence for solute drag has also been observed in some cases, but solute drag can not be confirmed as a general mechanism in solid solutions. Lastly, while grain boundary at low temperature may continue to serve as a fast diffusion path, it may not be able to migrate because of additional pinning mechanisms such as those exerted by grain boundary nodal points or lines. This means that sintering without grain growth is possible, opening up an avenue for obtaining ultrafine ceramics by pressureless sintering.
History of Soviet Psychology: Recent Sources of Information in English (1965–1975)

This “bibliography with comment” is a complement of an extensive review of Russian works on the history of psychology published in the 1960s (Brožek, 1972, 1973, 1973a, 1974, 1974a). A separate report on the current Soviet historiography of physiology and psychology covered the activities in institutes of history of science and medicine, research institutes of physiology and psychology, and university departments (Brožek, 1971). Reference was made also to the relevant museums and archives. For a bibliography of older historical writings by both Western and Soviet authors see Brožek (1968).
Evaluation of Mathematics Education Programs

This article discusses the evaluation of mathematics education programs at three levels (intended, implemented, and attained curriculum) for both formative and summative purposes. Both methodological and practical issues for conducting evaluation at each level have been addressed. While evaluating mathematics education programs can be discussed and conducted at three levels, the evaluation process at each level should reflect the ultimate goal for improving and maximizing students’ learning. In addition, the evaluation of mathematics education programs should provide information to foster equal access for all students.
The Effect of Radial Shaft Dorsal Screw Prominence in Volar Locking Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether prominent radial shaft screws in volar locked plating of distal radius fractures increase the risk of tendon irritation, tendon rupture, or hardware removal. Methods: Patients who underwent volar locked plating of distal radius fractures from April 2002 to March 2016 with at least 6 months of follow-up were evaluated. Variables examined included demographics, extensor tendon irritation, extensor tendon rupture, and hardware removal. The most prominent cortical screws on postoperative lateral radiographs were identified and measured from the dorsal cortex of the radial shaft to the tip of the screw. Results: In all, 261 distal radius fractures in 255 patients were identified. Thirty-nine patients (14.9%) underwent subsequent hardware removal at a mean 15.8 ± 18.6 months. Nine patients (3.45%) were found to have clinically significant extensor tendon irritation including one patient (0.38%) with extensor tendon rupture. The average screw was 1.48 mm proud of the dorsal radial cortex. In all, 22.6% of screws were greater than 2 mm proud. Comparing patients who underwent hardware removal with those who did not, there was no statistically significant difference in mean screw prominence or proportion of patients with screws greater than 2 mm. There was no statistically significant difference between shaft screw prominence and extensor tendon irritation. Conclusions: The effect of dorsal screw prominence of radial shaft screws is not significant. This study does not support the downsizing of prominent screws 2 mm or less.
Review: World War One in Southeast Asia: Colonialism and Anticolonialism in an Era of Global Conflict - By Heather Streets-Salter

Review: World War One in Southeast Asia: Colonialism and Anticolonialism in an Era of Global Conflict By Heather Streets-Salter, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017, Pp. 246, Paperback £ 23.99, ISBN: 978-1316501092
Inner Work, Public Acts: Making a Case for Public Pedagogy and Spatial Justice Within Latinx Communities

This article explores the role of the podcast, Block Chronicles, in contributing to Latinx education issues via its a role as a form of public pedagogy. The authors situate their work in experiences within urban spaces such as Los Angeles, CA and the south Bronx, NY, while also making links to rural/semi-rural towns in the New Latinx south. Testimonio scholarship is used as a methodological tool that informs theorization and the data collection/interview process. Implications are made related to how frameworks around public pedagogy informs the development of podcasts and how they can positively impact the experiences of Latinx students. Further, this work extends bounded notions of urban education by articulating a more hybrid take on the historical experience of Latinx communities. As such, we take into account the historical role of migration and settlement across urban-rural contexts and seek to explore how these multiple cultural worlds convene and redefine place, history, and schooling.
GIP: A Gene network-based integrative approach for Inferring disease-associated signaling Pathways

Abstract Dysregulation or crosstalk of signal transduction pathways contributes to disease development. Despite the initial success of identifying causal links between source and target proteins in simple or well-studied biological systems, it remains challenging to investigate alternative pathways specifically associated with a disease. We develop a Gene network-based integrative approach for Inferring disease-associated signaling Pathways (GIP). Specifically, we identify alternative pathways given source and target proteins. GIP was applied to human breast cancer data. Experimental results showed that GIP identified biologically meaningful pathway modules associated with antiestrogen resistance.
Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype-Specific Inverted Terminal Repeat Sequence Role in Vector Transgene Expression

Adeno-associated viral vectors have been successfully used in laboratory and clinical settings for efficient gene delivery. In these vectors, 96% of the adeno-associated virus (AAV) genome is repla...
A Model-Based Monitoring Method for Offline Accelerated Testing of DC-Link Capacitor in Three-Phase Inverter Systems

This letter proposes a model-based monitoring method for the dc-link capacitors in three-phase inverter systems without the need for extra high-performance hardware and intensive computation. By injecting an ac voltage into the dc link and applying the appropriate theoretical analysis, a mathematical model of C can be developed. As the proposed method only requires estimating the parameters from the input voltage and current, there is no need to modify the hardware and control scheme inside the inverter, and the amount of data to be monitored and processed is reduced. Thus, the proposed method is easy to implement for accelerated tests of commercial inverters. Additionally, simulations and experiments are carried out to verify the analysis and effectiveness of the proposed solution.
Building Complexity and Achieving Selectivity through Catalysis – Case Studies from the Pharmaceutical Pipeline

The last decade of small-molecule process development has witnessed a trend of increasing molecular complexity for clinical candidates. The continued advance of novel catalytic methods and subsequent translation to efficient and scalable processes has enabled process chemists to overcome the challenges associated with increasing complexity. This Account highlights several examples from the process chemistry laboratories at Amgen. 1 Introduction 2 The Evolution of Molecular Complexity 3 Catalysis as a Lever to Build Complexity 4 Ru(II)-Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Enabling the Manufacture of AMG 232 5 Application of Enzymatic Desymmetrization toward Scale-Up of the MCL-1 Inhibitor AMG 176 6 Synthesis of Fucostatin 1: Catalytic Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation 7 Manganese-Catalyzed Asymmetric Epoxidation To Prepare a Carfilzomib Intermediate 8 Asymmetric Reduction Strategies: Novel Apelin Receptor Agonists and AMG 986 9 Conclusions
Major Themes in the Literature of Cybersecurity and Public–Private Partnerships; A Focus on Financial Institutions

Throughout the existing literature on information sharing between public and private partnerships (PPPs), many contemporary authors define the basic premise of what specifically constitutes a public and private partnership. These partnerships exist as there is a common need among organizations to share information to prevent a wide variety of criminal activities. Specific information sharing between organizations may focus on attackers, victims, incidents, or vulnerabilities. To better understand why public–private partnerships are essential, it is imperative to assess the cyber-threat environment both public and private organization have to deal with on a daily basis. This chapter offers a current literature and contemporary sources published within the last five years on public–private partnerships in cybersecurity. The intent of this literature review was to offer both academics as well as practitioners an overview of the current state of public–private partnerships against an evolving cyber-threat environment. This chapter contains eight sections-themes found within the literature; (1) Critical infrastructure protection, (2) Legal and organizational barriers to information sharing, (3) Public Safety’s role in cybercrime and cybersecurity incidents, (4) Public sector and government roles and responsibilities, (5) International public and private initiatives, (6) Private sector, (7) The corporate and private security domain, (8) The importance of technology.
Treatment of relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia after venetoclax.

The BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax has shown deep and durable responses in treating CLL, including in traditionally high-risk patients such as those with del(17p) or complex karyotype.1-7 On the basis of the results of the CLL14 and the MURANO trials, venetoclax in combination with an anti-CD20 antibody is now a standard-of-care treatment option in both the first-line and relapsed/refractory (R/R) settings.2,3 Given its increasing use in clinical practice, it is expected that more patients will eventually require a subsequent therapy after discontinuing a venetoclax-based regimen given in earlier lines of therapy. Herein, we discuss reasons for progression on venetoclax, review the existing literature on clinical outcomes of treatment after progression on venetoclax, and highlight patient-specific considerations for selecting the next therapy.
Optimal Control With Maximum Cost Performance Measure

Optimal control of discrete-time systems with a less common performance measure is investigated, in which the cost function to be minimized is the maximum, instead of the sum, of a cost per stage over the control time. Three control scenarios are studied under a finite-horizon, a discounted infinite-horizon, and an undiscounted infinite-horizon performance measure. For each case, the Bellman equation is derived by direct use of dynamic programming, and the necessary and sufficient conditions for an optimal control are established around this equation. A motivating example on optimal control of dc-dc buck power converters is presented.
Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block for Postoperative Pain in Abdominoplasty: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND Postoperative pain after abdominoplasty can delay postoperative ambulation, leading to life-threatening complications. Previous reports have shown the utility of quadratus lumborum block in providing adequate pain relief and avoiding side effects after numerous abdominal operations. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to demonstrate the efficacy of the quadratus lumborum block in abdominoplasty. METHODS Patients were randomly allocated to receive a bilateral quadratus lumborum block with either ropivacaine or normal saline. Postoperative cumulative analgesic medication consumption, pain severity at rest and on movement, and quality of recovery were evaluated and compared in both groups. RESULTS Twenty patients were allocated to each group. Total morphine dose received in the postanesthesia care unit was lower in the ropivacaine group than in the control group, with a mean of 3.4 mg and 6.6 mg, respectively. Cumulative tramadol consumption per patient in the first 48 hours postoperatively was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group compared with the control group (42.5 mg versus 190 mg; p = 0.0031). The Numeric Rating Scale both at rest and with effort was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group compared with the control group. The median quality of recovery for the ropivacaine group was 133 compared with 112 for the control group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Quadratus lumborum block in abdominoplasty reduces postoperative pain and opioid consumption and improves the quality of recovery. Further studies are needed to compare the quadratus lumborum block to more traditional blocks. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, II.
Cerebrovascular Reactivity Measures Are Associated With Post-traumatic Headache Severity in Chronic TBI; A Retrospective Analysis.

Objective To characterize the relationship between persistent post-traumatic headache (pPTH) and traumatic cerebrovascular injury (TCVI) in chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI). Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), a measure of the cerebral microvasculature and endothelial cell function, is altered both in individuals with chronic TBI and migraine headache disorder (Amyot et al., 2017; Lee et al., 2019b). The pathophysiologies of pPTH and migraine are believed to be associated with chronic microvascular dysfunction. We therefore hypothesize that TCVI may contribute to the underlying migraine-like mechanism(s) of pPTH. Materials and methods 22 moderate/severe TBI participants in the chronic stage (>6 months) underwent anatomic and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning with hypercapnia gas challenge to measure CVR as well as the change in CVR (ΔCVR) after single-dose treatment of a specific phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, sildenafil, which potentiates vasodilation in response to hypercapnia in impaired endothelium, as part of a Phase2a RCT of sildenafil in chronic TBI (NCT01762475). CVR and ΔCVR measures of each participant were compared with the individual's pPTH severity measured by the headache impact test-6 (HIT-6) survey. Results There was a moderate correlation between HIT-6 and both CVR and ΔCVR scores [Spearman's correlation = -0.50 (p = 0.018) and = 0.46 (p = 0.03), respectively], indicating that a higher headache burden is associated with decreased endothelial function in our chronic TBI population. Conclusion There is a correlation between PTH and CVR in chronic moderate-severe TBI. This relationship suggests that chronic TCVI may underlie the pathobiology of pPTH. Further, our results suggest that novel treatment strategies that target endothelial function and vascular health may be beneficial in refractory pPTH.
Hegel’s Philosophy of Freedom in Nineteenth-Century Russia

This chapter investigates Hegel’s impact on nineteenth-century German thought by reference to the question of freedom that so preoccupied nineteenth-century Russian thinkers. The investigation is articulated into three parts, each dealing with a different kind of freedom and a Russian thinker who addressed that kind of freedom extensively by engaging with Hegel’s thought. Thus it deals with Mikhail Bakunin’s attempts to define freedom in the political sphere, Alexander Herzen’s concern with human freedom in relation to nature and Vladimir Soloviev’s broad notion of human emancipation as a process of deification.
Public Theology as Religious Practice: Anglican Mission and Interreligious Encounter:

The concept of a public theology must balance emphasis on Christianity's theological grounding with recognition of religious pluralism. Where Christians are in the minority, interreligious encounte...
Objective-Aligned Regression for Two-Stage Linear Programs

We study an approach to regression that we call objective-aligned fitting, which is applicable when the regression model is used to predict uncertain parameters of some objective problem. Rather than minimizing a typical loss function, such as squared error, we approximately minimize the objective value of the resulting solutions to the nominal optimization problem. While previous work on objective-aligned fitting has tended to focus on uncertainty in the objective function, we consider the case in which the nominal optimization problem is a two-stage linear program with uncertainty in the right-hand side. We define the objective-aligned loss function for the problem and prove structural properties concerning this loss function. Since the objective-aligned loss function is generally non-convex, we develop a convex approximation. We propose a method for fitting a linear regression model to the convex approximation of the objective-aligned loss. Computational results indicate that this procedure can lead to higher-quality solutions than existing regression procedures.
Spectra of Plasmons in Superconducting Cuprates

Plasmons may provide a promising mechanism for superconductivity providing that certain restrictive conditions on the electronic structure are satisfied. However, these favorable situations were presumed to be quite rare until recently, when the exciting discoveries of high temperature superconducting oxides rejuvenated interest in novel mechanisms of superconductivity.
Saltgrass, a potential future landscaping plant and a suitable species for desert regions: a review.

Continuous desertification of arable lands mandates use of low quality/ saline water for irrigation, especially in regions experiencing water shortage. Using low quality/ saline water for irrigation imposes more stress on plants that are already under stress in these regions. Thus, a logical solution will be to find a salt/ drought-tolerant plant species that will survive/sustain under such stressful conditions. As the native plants are already growing under such conditions and are adapted to these stresses, they are most suitable for use under these harsh arid environmental conditions. If stress-tolerant species/ genotypes of these native plants are identified, there will be substantial savings in inputs (i.e., water, fertilizers, and agrochemicals) in using them under these stressful conditions. My research studies at the University of Arizona on various native grasses indicate that saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) has a great potential to be used under harsh environmental desert conditions, to combat the desertification processes. The objectives of this review article are to introduce saltgrass, a halophytic plant species, which through my investigations on various salinity and drought-tolerant halophytic plant species has proven to be the most tolerant plant species for recommendation as the potential species for use in arid regions and in areas with saline soils and limited water supply or drought conditions, for sustainable agriculture and for combating desertification. In my various investigations, different saltgrass clones/accessions/genotypes were studied in a greenhouse, to evaluate their growth responses under salinity or drought stress conditions. The grasses were grown vegetatively either hydroponically in culture solution for salt tolerance or in galvanized cans that contained fritted clay for drought tolerance. For salt tolerance, the grasses were grown under four treatments (EC = 6 (control), 20, 34, and 48 dSm-1 salinity stress) with three replications in a randomized complete block (RCB) design experiment. During this period, the shoots were clipped bi-weekly for fresh and dry matter (DM) weight determination. At the last harvest, the roots were also harvested and the DM weights determined. For drought tolerance, the growth responses of the grasses were evaluated under a progressive drought condition for four months in a split plot design experiment with three replications. Shoots were harvested bi-weekly for DM determination. Although growth responses reduced at high salinity levels or as the drought period progressed, all the grasses showed a high degree of salinity/drought tolerance. However, there was a wide range of variations observed in salinity/ drought tolerance among the various clones/accessions/genotypes. The superior salinity/ drought-tolerant plants were identified, which could be recommended for sustainable production under arid regions and combating desertification.
Sources of Variability in the Measurement of Fungal Spore Yields

Variability in the production of fungal spores and in the measurement of spore yields was investigated in four species of fungi: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum coccodes, Colletotrichum phomoides, and Acremonium strictum. When the fungi were grown on solid medium in microplates and spore yields were measured by counting the subsamples with a hemacytometer, the variability among hemacytometer squares was always the largest source of variation, accounting for 51 to 91% of the total variation. Variability among replicate cultures and results of repeat experiments were generally also significant. The effect of square-to-square variability on the precision of spore yield measurement was minimized by counting a moderate number (ca. 30) of squares per culture. Culture-to-culture variability limited the practical precision of spore production measurements to a 95% confidence interval of approximately the mean ± 25%. We provide guidelines for determining the number of replicate cultures required to attain this or other degrees of precision. Particle counter-derived spore counts and counts based on spore weights were much less variable than were hemacytometer counts, but they did not improve spore production estimates very much because of culture-to-culture variability. Results obtained by both of these methods differed from those obtained with a hemacytometer; particle counter measurements required a correction for spore pairs, while the relationship between spore weights and spore counts changed as the cultures aged.
Hybrid simulation of the interaction of solar wind protons with a concentrated lunar magnetic anomaly

This work was partially supported by NASA under grant NNX11AO64G. All results presented in this paper are from a numerical simulation.
Workload Distribution Within An Extensive Case Pedagogy: A Competitive Bidding Strategy

This paper presents a bidding strategy that may be incorporated into case-intensive courses. The purpose of the bidding process is to equitably distribute credit when students are assigned cases of differing degrees of difficulty. The paper also collects data to help answer a basic research question regarding this device: Is there evidence of bounded rationality among students in executing their bidding strategies? While there does appear to be evidence of some bounded rationality, the bidding mechanism appears to distribute workload and credit rationally.
Neuroprotective Effects of Increased Extracellular Ca2+ During Aglycemia in White Matter

We investigated the effects of extracellular [Ca(2+)] ([Ca(2+)](o)) on aglycemia-induced dysfunction and injury in adult rat optic nerves. Compound action potentials (CAPs) from adult rat optic nerve were recorded in vitro, and the area under the CAP was used to monitor nerve function before and after 1 h periods of aglycemia. In control artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) containing 2 mM Ca(2+), CAP function fell after 29.9 +/- 1.5 (SE) min and recovered to 48.8 +/- 3.9% following aglycemia. Reducing bath [Ca(2+)] during aglycemia progressively improved recovery. For example, in Ca(2+)-free ACSF, the CAP recovered to 99.1 +/- 3.8%. Paradoxically, increasing bath [Ca(2+)] also improved recovery from aglycemia. In 5 or 10 mM bath [Ca(2+)], CAP recovered to 78.8 +/- 9.2 or 91.6 +/- 5.2%, respectively. The latency to CAP failure during aglycemia increased as a function of bath [Ca(2+)] from 0 to 10 mM. Increasing bath [Mg(2+)] from 2 to 5 or 10 mM, with bath [Ca(2+)] held at 2 mM, increased latency to CAP failure with aglycemia and improved recovery from this insult. [Ca(2+)](o) recorded with calcium-sensitive microelectrodes in control ACSF, dropped reversibly during aglycemia from 1.54 +/- 0.03 to 0.45 +/- 0.04 mM. In the presence of higher ambient levels of bath [Ca(2+)] (i.e., 5 or 10 mM), the aglycemia-induced decrease in [Ca(2+)](o) declined, indicating that less Ca(2+) left the extracellular space to enter an intracellular compartment. These results indicate that the role of [Ca(2+)], and divalent cations in general, during aglycemia is complex. While extracellular Ca(2+) was required for irreversible aglycemic injury to occur, higher levels of [Ca(2+)] or [Mg(2+)] increased the latency to CAP failure and improved the extent of recovery, apparently by limiting Ca(2+) influx. These effects are theorized to be mediated by divalent cation screening.
(1R,2S)‐N‐Pyrrolidinylnorephedrine

[127641-25-2] C13H19NO (MW 205.30) InChI = 1S/C13H19NO/c1-11(14-9-5-6-10-14)13(15)12-7-3-2-4-8-12/h2-4,7-8,11,13,15H,5-6,9-10H2,1H3/t11-,13+/m1/s1 InChIKey = FZVHJGJBJLFWEX-YPMHNXCESA-N (chiral ligand for the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, alkynes to aromatic aldehydes, and lithium acetylides to an aromatic ketone) Alternate Name: (1R,2S)-1-phenyl-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-propanol, [R-(R*,S*)]-β-methyl-α-phenyl-1-pyrrolidine ethanol. Physical Data: mp 45–46 °C, [α]D25 + 15 (c 2, CHCl3). Solubility: soluble in heptane and toluene. Form Supplied in: off-white crystalline solid. Analysis of Reagent Purity: H-NMR, C-NMR, elemental analysis. Preparative Methods: the title reagent is prepared1 by the treatment of (1R, 2S)-(−)-norephedrine with 1,4-dibromobutane and NaHCO3 in toluene. This approach can be modified to form a wide variety of cyclic and acyclic tertiary amine derivatives. The enantiomeric reagent has also been formed from ( + )-norephedrine. Purification: the hydrochloride salt can be precipitated from toluene solution, and the free base is dissolved in heptane upon treatment with NaOH. Concentration and cooling of the cold heptane solution affords the crystalline solid. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: no particular precautions are recommended for this relatively safe compound.
Abstract P4-06-06: Growth hormone induction of oncogenic signaling promotes survival of endocrine resistant breast cancer cells

Targeting endocrine resistant breast cancer cells has been successfully accomplished by the use of mTORC1 inhibitors in combination with either aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen. While there was preclinical data suggesting that targeting of the type I IGF receptor (IGF1R) might also be a target for endocrine resistant cells, clinical trials using IGF1R monoclonal antibodies showed no advantage and even suggested potential harm for the combination. IGF1R inhibition results in the disruption of an endocrine feedback loop and results in elevation of the pituitary growth factor growth hormone (GH). GH is involved in normal human growth, development, metabolism, and longevity. Growth hormone released from the pituitary stimulates production of IGF-I from the liver. The GH/IGF-1 axis is known to promote mammary gland hyperplasia and breast cancer carcinogenesis. Previous studies have shown that GH promotes carcinogenesis independently of insulin-like growth factor. The role of GH in specific subtypes of breast carcinoma remains to be defined. Our laboratory has found that estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cell lines up regulated oncogenic STAT5, Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways in response to GH. Tamoxifen resistant (TamR) and long-term estrogen deprived (LTED) breast cancer cell lines derived from MCF-7 and T47D cells demonstrated increased oncogenic signaling in response to GH compared to the corresponding parental cell lines from which they were derived. In contrast, GH stimulation of a triple negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) failed to induce signaling via these oncogenic pathways. Although GH treatment of parental, TamR, and LTED breast cancer cells had minimal effect on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, or migration; GH signaling protected cells from cytotoxic chemotherapy induced apoptosis. This data shows that GH signaling is found in endocrine sensitive and resistant cells. Furthermore, GH may function in protecting cells from cell death induced by either endocrine or cytotoxic drugs. GH receptor blockade may be a valid treatment option for endocrine resistant breast cancer. Citation Format: Heather C Beckwith, Douglas Yee. Growth hormone induction of oncogenic signaling promotes survival of endocrine resistant breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-06-06.
Comparative efficacy of albendazole against Fasciola hepatica in sheep and calves: Relationship to serum drug metabolites levels

Calves were given albendazole (ABZ) daily in feed at levels of 0,3 or 5 mg kg-1 day-1. None of the ABZ treatment levels was significantly effective in reducing Fasciola hepatica burdens. A dose rate of 5 mg kd-1 day-1 did significantly reduce the fecal egg count. Measurements of serum drug levels from calves following a single dose of ABZ showed ABZ levels to be low, but sulfoxide and sulfone metabolites of ABZ were present in (significant) larger quantities. The total available sulfoxide present in calves, however, was much lower than in sheep receiving the same dose of ABZ. Measurements of serum metabolite levels from sheep and calves which were given daily low-level doses of ABZ also indicated that the serum sulfoxide levels of calves were much lower than those of sheep receiving the same ABZ dose. These results indicated that ABZ is not an effective prophylactic treatment for bovine fascioliasis and the differences in efficacy between sheep and cattle correlated with the differences in serum metabolite levels.
Breeding for lipid composition in corn

Large genetic diversity is available in corn (Zea mays L.) for alteration of its lipid composition. Mass selection has produced strains ranging from 0.4–17% oil with genetic variability still existing in the high oil version. High oil hybrids (7–8% oil) with yields equal to those of commercial hybrids (4% oil) have recently been developed. In feeding trials at the University of Minnesota, pigs made more efficient gains on high oil corn. Oleic and linoleic acids usually make up 80–90% of the fatty acids of corn oil. Screening of corn lines has revealed a range for linoleic acid of 25–71% and for oleic acid of 20–60%. Although the genetics of fattya cid synthesis have not been completely elucidated, breeding of corn with selected unsaturation should be possible. Fatty acid placement within the triglyceride molecule also may be subject to genetic modification in corn.
Social Justice Approaches to African American Language and Literacy Practices: Guest Editors' Introduction

If the history of a language speaks volumes, the history of African American English is deafening. —Morgan, 2002, p. 13 This special themed issue focuses on African American Language and African Am...
Aggregating disparate judgments using a coherence penalty

In this paper, practical algorithms for solving the probabilistic judgment aggregation problem are given. First, the scalable Coherent Approximation Principle (CAP) algorithm proposed by Predd, et al., and its computational savings gained through Successive Orthogonal Projection are explained. Implications of de Finetti's theorem in this situation are also discussed. Then a coherence penalty is defined and the Coherence Penalty Weighted Principle (CPWP) is proposed to take advantage of the data structure alongside the coherence approximation. Justification is given for the guideline that more coherent judges should be given larger weights. Simulation results with Brier Scores on both a collected database and simulated data are given for comparison. In addition to the CPWP, a recursive online variant with weight updates is presented to accommodate real-time aggregation problems.
CRIME RATES AND PUBLIC EXPENDITURES FOR POLICE PROTECTION: A REPLY

Gary Becker's suggestive work on crime leads to the prediction that increased police protection results in decreased crime rates by increasing the cost of crime to the perpetrator. However, certain recent studies that have attempted to explain crime rates using cross-sectional data for the United States have arrived at the unanticipated result that increased police protection results in increased measured crime rates. One pro? posed explanation for this observed tendency is that simultaneity bias is inherent in the coefficient of the police protection variable in a crime-rate equation because localities with high crime rates tend to allocate more resources to police protection. In our original paper we have actually specified a simultaneous-equations model that accounts for such hypoth? esized feedbacks, and still our results indicate that increased police pro? tection results in increased measured crime. Our explanation for this finding is that police perform two primary functions, crime detection and crime prevention. Moreover, we have formulated a simple numerical example to demonstrate the notion that if the efficiency of a marginal policeman is greater in crime detection than in crime prevention, mea? sured crime could rise with increases in police inputs. In their recent comment on our paper Zipin, Mabry, and Dyer (ZMD) make three important points. First, they argue that we have re? versed the causal direction of the typically specified relationship between police and crime. Second, they suggest that for the types of crimes we have analyzed police perform no detection function. Finally, they assert that the positive causal relationship we find between police and crime rates is the result of our using inappropriate, 1962 expenditures data to explain 1960 crime rates. In our reply we respond in order to each of these points. By no means do we reverse the causal direction of the typically specified (inverse) relationship between police and crime. As a matter 81
A SUPERCONVERGENT LDG-HYBRIDIZABLE GALERKIN METHOD FOR SECOND-ORDER ELLIPTIC PROBLEMS

We identify and study an LDG-hybridizable Galerkin method, which is not an LDG method, for second-order elliptic problems in several space dimensions with remarkable convergence properties. Unlike all other known discontinuous Galerkin methods using polynomials of degree k ≥ 0 for both the potential as well as the flux, the order of convergence in L 2 of both unknowns is k + 1. Moreover, both the approximate potential as well as its numerical trace superconverge in L 2 -like norms, to suitably chosen projections of the potential, with order k + 2. This allows the application of element-by-element postprocessing of the approximate solution which provides an approximation of the potential converging with order k+2 in L 2 . The method can be thought to be in between the hybridized version of the Raviart-Thomas and that of the Brezzi-Douglas-Marini mixed methods.
Novel Method to Control Pathogenic Bacteria on Human Mucous Membranes

Nearly all infections begin at a mucous membrane site. Also, the human mucous membranes are a reservoir for many pathogenic bacteria found in the environment (that is, pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci), some of which are resistant to antibiotics. Clearly, if this human reservoir can be reduced or eliminated, the incidence of disease will be markedly reduced. However, compounds designed to eliminate this reservoir are not available. Towards this goal, we have exploited the highly lethal effects of bacteriophage lytic enzymes (lysins) to specifically destroy disease bacteria on mucous membranes. Such lysins are used by the phage to release their progeny at the end of their replicative cycle. We have identified and purified these enzymes and found that when applied externally to gram-positive bacteria, they are killed seconds after contact. For example, 10(7) S. pyogenes are reduced to undetectable levels 10 s after enzyme addition. A feature of these enzymes is their high specificity; that is, streptococcal lysins kill streptococci and pneumococcal lysins kill pneumococci without effects on the normal flora organisms. In vivo, an oral colonization model for S. pyogenes and a nasal colonization model for S. pneumoniae were developed to test the capacity of the lysins to kill organisms on these surfaces. In both cases, when the animals were pre-colonized with their respective bacteria then treated with a small amount of lysin, specific for the colonizing organism, all the animals were found to be free of colonizing bacteria shortly after lysin treatment. Thus, lysins may be added to our armamentarium to control antibiotic-resistant bacteria.