cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Theory of Internal Migration Differentials

The differential characteristics of streams of migration are regarded as consequences of social and cultural constraints upon the head of a household. These constraints are expressed in terms of occupation of head of household. Environmental and structural factors will be mediated by the degree of future orientation and the degree of local orientation characterizing various occupations. Deductions for several characteristics of streams are made and supporting data are included. T HE problem for this paper-how can we predict the differentials in the various streams of migration?-stems from the research literature on internal migration differentials. Dorothy Swaine Thomas summarized the findings for each characteristic of the streams.' Bogue and Hagood cross classified the characteristics of streams in order to determine the joint effect, or interaction, of several characteristics considered simultaneously.2 We have tried to develop a general conceptual scheme from which the results of these monographs can be deduced.3 We have then tested the scheme further with the 1935-40 and 1949-50 data on streams of internal migration in Indiana. We shall first introduce our conceptualization and then present some of our data. Consider a person faced with the prospect of migration. We will assume that the move is to an entirely new locale, and is not merely a shifting of residences within the locale.4 Up until the time when the head of the house retires, the move will have some sort of economic significance for members of the household; that is, if they are not members of the leisure class. Let us assume, therefore that the move is largely determined by economic factors affecting the head of the household-usually his employment-and that the other members of the family must move with the head. We no longer have a group decision but rather a single decision
Freedom and moral diversity: the moral failures of health care in the welfare state.

In his 1993 health-care reform proposal, Bill Clinton offered health care as a civil right. If his proposal had been accepted, all Americans would have been guaranteed a basic package of health care. At the same time, they would have been forbidden to provide or purchase better basic health care, as a cost of participating in a national system to which they were compelled to contribute. A welfare entitlement would have been created and an egalitarian ethos enforced. This essay will address why such egalitarian proposals are morally unjustifiable, both in terms of the establishment of a uniform health-care welfare right, and in terms of the egalitarian constraints these proposals impose against the use of private resources in the purchase of better-quality basic health care, not to mention luxury care.
Higher Gene Duplicabilities for Metabolic Proteins Than for Nonmetabolic Proteins in Yeast and E. coli

Although the evolutionary significance of gene duplication has long been appreciated, it remains unclear what factors determine gene duplicability. In this study we investigated whether metabolism is an important determinant of gene duplicability because cellular metabolism is crucial for the survival and reproduction of an organism. Using genomic data and metabolic pathway data from the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and Escherichia coli, we found that metabolic proteins indeed tend to have higher gene duplicability than nonmetabolic proteins. Moreover, a detailed analysis of metabolic pathways in these two organisms revealed that genes in the central metabolic pathways and the catabolic pathways have, on average, higher gene duplicability than do other genes and that most genes in anabolic pathways are single-copy genes.
Essential Role of the Candida albicans Transglutaminase Substrate, Hyphal Wall Protein 1, in Lethal Oroesophageal Candidiasis in Immunodeficient Mice

Oroesophageal candidiasis is caused by the combined action of fungal virulence factors and host inflammatory responses when protective immunity is absent. Hyphal wall protein 1 (Hwp1) on germ tubes and true hyphae of Candida albicans forms covalent cross-links to buccal epithelial cells in vitro by functioning as a substrate for mammalian transglutaminases. In this study, beige-athymic (bg/bg-nu/nu) or transgenic epsilon 26 mice that have combined natural killer and T cell defects did not succumb to candidiasis after oral administration of C. albicans strains with inactivated HWP1 genes, whereas mice given isogenic strains of C. albicans that had a single copy of HWP1 survived only 2-3 weeks. Illness correlated with extensive alterations of the lingual and esophageal mucosa that were absent in mice given the hwp1/hwp1 mutant. HWP1 is a promising target for development of antifungal drugs for treatment of oroesophageal candidiasis.
Patterns, causes, and consequences of marine larval dispersal

Quantifying the probability of larval exchange among marine populations is key to predicting local population dynamics and optimizing networks of marine protected areas. The pattern of connectivity among populations can be described by the measurement of a dispersal kernel. However, a statistically robust, empirical dispersal kernel has been lacking for any marine species. Here, we use genetic parentage analysis to quantify a dispersal kernel for the reef fish Elacatinus lori, demonstrating that dispersal declines exponentially with distance. The spatial scale of dispersal is an order of magnitude less than previous estimates-the median dispersal distance is just 1.7 km and no dispersal events exceed 16.4 km despite intensive sampling out to 30 km from source. Overlaid on this strong pattern is subtle spatial variation, but neither pelagic larval duration nor direction is associated with the probability of successful dispersal. Given the strong relationship between distance and dispersal, we show that distance-driven logistic models have strong power to predict dispersal probabilities. Moreover, connectivity matrices generated from these models are congruent with empirical estimates of spatial genetic structure, suggesting that the pattern of dispersal we uncovered reflects long-term patterns of gene flow. These results challenge assumptions regarding the spatial scale and presumed predictors of marine population connectivity. We conclude that if marine reserve networks aim to connect whole communities of fishes and conserve biodiversity broadly, then reserves that are close in space (<10 km) will accommodate those members of the community that are short-distance dispersers.
Measurement Of Polarization Components Using a Four Detector Polarimeter

The Four Detector Polarimeter (F DP) has been described previously by Azzam 1-3. The purpose of this instrument is to provide a fast and accurate means for simultaneously measuring all four Stokes parameters of an arbitrary input polarization state of light. We have designed, built and tested an instrument based on these principles. The instrument is computer controlled and incor-porates special algorithms for calibration and determination of the instrument matrix. This paper will present results obtained for measuring the complete Stokes parameters for light at wavelengths of 633 and 830 nm. We will discuss the calibration considerations in detail and present results for the accuracy of determination of polarization angle, a, and ellipticity, P. In addition we will present results for polarization components such as quarter wave plates, half wave plates and polarizing beam splitters measured using the 1P.
The Passive Permeability of the Red Blood Cell to Cations

The efflux of salt from human red blood cells suspended in isotonic sucrose plus low concentrations of salt, was measured under steady-state conditions. The relationship between the efflux and the log of the salt concentration can be fitted by two straight lines with a sharp inflection point, the steeper slope occurring at concentrations below 0.2 mM NaCl. The determining factor in the rate of efflux is the ionic strength rather than the specific monovalent cations or anions and the effects are completely reversible. With an increase in temperature, the effects of reduced ionic strength are more pronounced and the inflection point is shifted toward higher salt concentrations. An increase in pH leads to an increased efflux at a given ionic strength, but the size of the pH effect is small at low ionic strength. At a given pH, the data can be fitted by a simplified form of the Goldman equation suggesting that with reduction in ionic strength, the permeability remains constant until the inflection point is reached. At that ionic strength, a sharp reversible transition to a new permeability state occurs. The permeability increases with an increase in the external but not the internal pH.
Static SIMS study of miscible blends of polystyrene and poly(vinyl methyl ether)

Static secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SSIMS) is applied to study the surface of the miscible polystyrene (PS)/poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) blend. The blend surface is enriched with PVME and the enrichment is shown to depend on the composition and molecular weight of the blend constituents. A semi-quantitative analysis of SSIMS intensities to obtain surface compositions gives good qualitative agreement with previous x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results.
Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis and toxic epidermal necrolysis induced by hydroxychloroquine

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are both severe cutaneous adverse reactions, mostly to drugs. Although predominantly involving skin, they differ significantly in presentations, prognosis, pathology, immunogenesis, and treatment. They have very rarely been described to occur simultaneously in a patient, manifesting as AGEP-TEN overlap. We describe a 67-year-old Chinese lady with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with features of AGEP but evolved to AGEP-TEN overlap as an adverse reaction to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment. This case is the first reported case of AGEP-TEN overlap secondary to HCQ and highlights the need for constant surveillance for rare adverse events that may manifest even after decades of use of the drug worldwide.
Quantitative analysis of the acute response to haemorrhage of the renin-angiotensin-vasoconstrictor feedback loop in areflexic dogs

The importance of the renin-angiotensin-vasoconstrictor system during haemorrhagic hypotension was quantitated in 44 areflexic dogs by determining the ability of the arterial pressure to recover following haemorrhage to 8.8 kPa (66 mm Hg). In 30 animals with intact kidneys, the arterial pressure following haemorrhage rose to a new steady-state level averaging 11.7 kPa (88 mm Hg), which represented 65.3 +/- 1.8 (SE) % compensation. In 18 nephrectomized animals only 24.4 +/- 1.5% compensation occurred. The system exhibited a relatively rapid time course for pressure compensation with the new steady state occurring 19.2 +/- 2.0 min after haemorrhage. Following reinfusion of blood the pressure returned to the pre-haemorrhage in 19.2 +/- 3.0 min. Arterial renin activity was significantly elevated following haemorrhage in the intact kidney group and unchanged in the anephric group. The arterial pressure compensation of two animals with intact kidneys was significantly reduced when the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (SQ 20881) was infused before the haemorrhage. The results are consistent with a renin-angiotensin-vasoconstrictor mechanism of arterial pressure compensation and indicate that this mechanism possesses sufficient gain and time response characteristics to play a homeostatically significatn role during haemorrhagic hypotension.
Thermocapillary flows in a rotating float zone under microgravity

A Galerkin finite-element method is used to study the rotating, thermocapillary fluid flow in the cylindrical float zone configuration for crystal growth. Results are presented for a fluid of Prandtl number 1.0 in a zone of unit aspect ratio under microgravity conditions. In the absence of rotation, the thermocapillary flow is responsible for large radial non-uniformities in the heat transfer, especially at the cold boundary. A sufficiently strong uniform corotation of the end rods leads to a rigid rotation of the fluid in the interior of the zone; in this case, the thermocapillary flows are considerably attenuated and confined to a region near the free surface of the zone. This provides a more uniform thermal environment over the bulk of the crystal-melt boundary, which is a very desirable processing condition. When the end rods are counterrotated, inertially driven meridional flow cells appear in the zone. The interaction of the rotational forced convection with the thermocapillary flow causes the region of the local heat transfer minimum at the cold boundary to gradually shift away from the axis of the zone toward the meniscus.
Optimal damping of multi-stage EMI filters

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and its filtering are important considerations in switching power converter design. It has been recognized that an EMI filter must be sufficiently damped in order to avoid undesirable interactions with the converter or the source, which otherwise may lead to instability and degraded control performance. Optimal damping of singlestage LC filters that achieves maximal damping effects with minimal additional components and power losses has been reported. Multi-stage EMI filters, which are preferred over single-stage designs when high attenuation is required, can be damped in different ways, making their design optimization very complicated. This paper presents an optimal damper design method for multi-stage EMI filters that separates the optimization of the blocking capacitors or inductors from that of damping resistors. Several design examples are presented to demonstrate the design process and effects of optimization. Experimental results are also presented to demonstrate the importance of damping and the benefits of the proposed design method.
The Political Economy of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD); Taking Individual and Community Ownership in the Prevention and Control of EVD

The outbreak of an emerging infectious disease of zoonotic origin has exposed the weaknesses in the health systems of the nations affected. The purpose of this paper was to explore the political economy of the existing outcome of the management strategies. In addition, it proposed a new strategy in the management of the current Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak. This paper admits that the current management strategy which is a top to bottom approach has not worked in reducing the spread of the disease. Instead of waiting for the disease before treatment is commenced, this paper suggests aggressively preventing infection from the EVD. It presents a bottom to top approach where there is individual ownership and community ownership in the prevention and control of the EVD outbreak. In addition, the paper presents the socio-economic situation of the three most affected countries including the ecology and stigmatization of EVD. It highlights the need for cross border surveillance across the West African nations to prevent importation of the disease as occurred in Nigeria and Senegal. It points out the need for aggressive international cooperation, an aggressive prevention and a sustainable control strategy.
Induction of Metamorphosis Causes Differences in Sex-Specific Allocation Patterns in Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) that Have Different Growth Histories.

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that salamanders growing at different rates would have allocation patterns that differ among male and female metamorphic and larval salamanders.We raised individual axolotls, Ambystoma mexicanum, on four food regimes: constant high growth (throughout the experiment), constant low growth (restricted throughout the experiment), high growth switched to low growth (ad libitum switched after 140 d to restricted), and low growth switched to high growth (restricted switched after 140 d to ad libitum). Because axolotls are obligate paedomorphs, we exposed half of the salamanders to thyroid hormone to induce metamorphosis. We assayed growth and dissected and weighed gonads and fat bodies. Salamanders that were switched from restricted to ad libitum food regime delayed metamorphosis. In all treatment groups, females had larger gonads than males and males had larger fat bodies than females. The association between storage and reproduction differed between larvae and metamorphs and d...
Dynamic analysis of the Green Bank Telescope structure and servo system

The Green Bank Telescope is a 100-m aperture single-dish radio telescope. For high-frequency observations (above 100 GHz), it needs a tracking error below 1.5 arc sec rms. The present system has a tracking error of 1 arc sec rms for very low wind speeds of ≤1 m/s, which increases well above 1.5 arc sec for wind speeds above 4 m/s. Hence, improvements in the servo control system are needed to achieve pointing accuracy goals for high-frequency observations. As a first step toward this goal, it is necessary to evaluate the dynamic response of the present servo system and the telescope, which forms a large flexible structure. We derive the model of the telescope dynamics using finite element analysis data. This model is further tuned and validated using system identification experiments performed on the telescope. A reduced model is developed for controller design by using modes with the highest Hankel singular value for frequencies up to 2 Hz. We quantify the uncertainty in azimuth axis dynamics with a change in elevation angle by varying the zeros of the model. We discuss the effects of transient response, wind disturbances, and azimuth track joint disturbances on telescope tracking performance.
Heterogenität und Struktur der Immunglobuline und Antikörper

Schon fruhere Kapitel hatten die Heterogenitat der Antikorper wiederholt zum Thema. Wir werden nun die Gesamtstruktur der Immunglobuline betrachten, um das Bauprinzip dieser Serumproteine zu verstehen. Eine genaue Lokalisation des Bindungsbereiches am Antikorper ist bei den verschiedenen Immunglobulinen bis jetzt noch nicht moglich. Wir werden zuerst die Heterogenitat der Immunglobuline betrachten und dann versuchen, sie anhand von Kettenstruktur (S. 164) und Aminosauresequenz zu verstehen.
INTEREST RATES, INVESTMENT DECISIONS, AND EXTERNAL FINANCING

I RECENTLY, a number of statistical studies have shown that investment spending is negatively related to interest rates as suggested by capital budgeting theory and the credit availability doctrine.2 These results, however, are at variance with the many survey-interviews conducted over the period 1938 to 1956 where it was discovered that either interest rates were not considered at all by business men in the formulation of their capital budgets, or, if considered, were not assigned an important role.3 This conflict of evidence probably has had a divisive effect in the formulation and execution of government financial policy. Thus it would be desirable, if possible, to conduct an independent check on either the survey-interviews or the econometric studies in order to shed more light on this important question and hopefully arrive at some definite conclusions. In this paper we offer for consideration a rough check on the econometric studies. However, before we conduct our test it will be useful first to present the statistical results of a study that does indicate an inverse relationship between interest rates and investment spending.
Variable Temperature Infrared Spectroscopy Investigation of Benzoic Acid Interactions with Montmorillonite Clay Interlayer Water

Molecular interactions between benzoic acid and cations and water contained in montmorillonite clay interlayer spaces are characterized by using variable temperature diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (VT-DRIFTS). Using sample perturbation and difference spectroscopy, infrared spectral changes resulting from removal of interlayer water and associated changes in local benzoic acid environments are identified. Difference spectra features can be correlated with changes in specific molecular vibrations that are characteristic of benzoic acid molecular orientation. Results suggest that the carboxylic acid functionality of benzoic acid interacts with interlayer cations through a bridging water molecule and that this interaction is affected by the nature of the cation present in the clay interlayer space.
Relationship Selling: A Synopsis of Recent Research

This abstract provides an overview of some of the recent research on relationship selling. The objective of this overview is to provide a model that incorporates many of the aspects of relationship selling.
Phenology of Size-Partitioned Phytoplankton Carbon-Biomass from Ocean Color Remote Sensing and CMIP5 Models

We use a novel satellite time series of size-partitioned phytoplankton biomass to construct and analyze classical and novel seasonality metrics. Biomass is computed from SeaWiFS ocean color data using retrievals of the particle size distribution with the KSM09 algorithm and existing allometric relationships to convert volume to carbon. The phenological metrics include the peak blooming date, bloom strength, shape of the seasonal cycle, and reproducibility of the seasonal cycle. We compare the seasonal cycle of total biomass with that of three classical size classes (pico-, nano-, and micro-phytoplankton), which are correlated with phytoplankton functional types (PFTs). The spatial distribution of phenological metrics based on the new biomass and PFT data is qualitatively realistic, and is strongly correlated with bottom-up drivers such as sea surface temperature, mixed layer depth, winds, and photosynthetic available radiation. We find that low-biomass regions and non-blooming seasons are dominated by small phytoplankton sizes while high-biomass regions and blooming seasons are dominated by large phytoplankton. The biomass peak date doesn't change much across PFTs, but the blooming period is more prominent for large PFTs. Small PFTs act as a more constant biomass background, with smoother (less pronounced) seasonal cycles. We find significant differences between seasonality metrics in the SeaWiFS data and the latest generation of IPCC AR5 Earth System models (CMIP5). Models in the CMIP5 archive do not capture the pronounced mid-latitude and frontal PFT patterns found in the satellite data. In models, phytoplankton biomass peaks later at high latitudes and earlier at low latitudes. The models exhibit a higher reproducibility of the biomass seasonal cycle and larger phenological differences between PFTs than observed. Models fail to capture secondary peaks at mid and high latitudes. Continuous improvement of satellite algorithms that retrieve phytoplankton groups is necessary to advance the modelization of phytoplankton in Earth System Models.
Endocrine responses in mares and geldings with high body condition scores grouped by high vs. low resting leptin concentrations.

Previous observations from this laboratory indicated that horses with high BCS could have resting plasma leptin concentrations ranging from low (1 to 5 ng/mL) to very high (10 to 50 ng/mL). To study the possible interactions of leptin secretion with other endocrine systems, BCS and plasma leptin concentrations were measured on 36 mares and 18 geldings. From mares and geldings that had a mean BCS of at least 7.5, five with the lowest (low leptin) and five with the highest (high leptin) leptin concentrations were selected. Jugular blood samples were collected twice daily for 3 d from the 20 selected horses to determine average resting hormone concentrations. Over the next 12 d, glucose infusion, injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), exercise, and dexamethasone treatment were used to perturb various hormonal systems. By design, horses selected for high leptin had greater (P 0.10) in concentrations of IGF-1, prolactin, or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Horses selected for high leptin had a greater (P = 0.0365) insulin response to i.v. glucose infusion than horses selected for low leptin. Mares had a greater (P = 0.0006) TSH response and tended (P = 0.088) to have a greater prolactin response to TRH than geldings; the T3 response was greater (P = 0.047) in horses selected for high leptin. The leptin (P = 0.0057), insulin (P < 0.0001), and glucose (P = 0.0063) responses to dexamethasone were greater in horses selected for high leptin than in those selected for low leptin. In addition, mares had a greater (P < 0.0001) glucose response to dexamethasone than geldings. Cortisol concentrations were decreased (P = 0.029) by dexamethasone equally in all groups. In conclusion, differences in insulin, T3, and GH associated with high vs. low leptin concentrations indicate a likely interaction of these systems with leptin secretion in horses and serve as a starting point for future study of the cause-and-effect nature of the interactions.
Contamination of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Zhejiang Province and its risk assessment in shellfish

For investigating the contamination of Vibrio parahaemolyticus(V.parahaemolyticus) in Zhejiang Province and assessing the risk of it in shellfish,2 215 foods in market were collected to isolate V.parahaemolyticus with CHROMagar Vibrio agar and identify with the API 20E system.The risk assessment for V.parahaemolyticus was performed by Risk Ranger and the tdh and trh genes were detected by PCR.Results showed that the rate of V.parahaemolyticus infection was 43.06%,32.52%,22.22%,13.52%,11.44%,3.44%,2.98%,2.10%,and 2.08% in fresh sea products,raw/rare seafood,freshwater fisheries,raw meat,raw poultry,cooked meat sold in bulk,Chinese style saled,raw vegetables,and cream cake,respectively.The detection rate of V.parahaemolyticus from samples collected from August to October was much higher than that from April to June(P0.01,χ2=46.445) and the detection rate from samples collected from agricultural fairs was much higher than that from supermarkets(P0.01,χ2=10.252).The carrying rate of tdh gene reached 3.66% while no trh gene was found.The risk factors for V.parahaemolyticus infection caused by eating raw and rare shellfish were 50 and 48,respectively,and the annual infection population was 4.42×104 and 2.21×104,respectively.The risk factor would decrease to zero if food could be cooked thoroughly.These findings suggest that V.parahaemolyticus contamination of various food products in Zhejiang Province is serious.Preventing food cross-contamination,avoiding eating raw or rare seafood,and heat treatment before eating are all effective methods to decrease V.parahaemolyticus infection.
Challenging U.S. Security Assessments of Africa

ABSTRACTFor decades, Africa lay at the periphery of US security policy. Attention to the continent intensified after the 9/11 terrorist attacks amid claims that East Africa and the Sahel had become hubs of terrorist activity. Despite this shift, US analysts and policymakers continue to frame security threats in Africa using a traditional, Cold War-influenced paradigm. Commonly used indicators are based on mainstream security studies, which provides a narrow view of security. Using Critical Security Studies, this article provides a broader and more inclusive assessment of security threats in Africa.
Nondestructive Measurement of the Evolution of Layer-Specific Mechanical Properties in Sub-10 nm Bilayer Films

We use short wavelength extreme ultraviolet light to independently measure the mechanical properties of disparate layers within a bilayer film for the first time, with single-monolayer sensitivity. We show that in Ni/Ta nanostructured systems, while their density ratio is not meaningfully changed from that expected in bulk, their elastic properties are significantly modified, where nickel softens while tantalum stiffens, relative to their bulk counterparts. In particular, the presence or absence of the Ta capping layer influences the mechanical properties of the Ni film. This nondestructive nanomechanical measurement technique represents the first approach to date able to distinguish the properties of composite materials well below 100 nm in thickness. This capability is critical for understanding and optimizing the strength, flexibility and reliability of materials in a host of nanostructured electronic, photovoltaic, and thermoelectric devices.
Booze, Beliefs, and Behavior: Cognitive Processes in Alcohol use and Abuse

The study of alcohol use and abuse has for the most part been steeped in the biomedical model that emphasizes the overriding importance of the pharmacological properties and physiological consequences of alcohol. Of course, alcohol is a potent drug and biomedical analyses are vital to our fuller understanding of its effects. However, the inappropriate overextension of the biomedical model to psychological phenomena that cannot be reduced to the physical effects of alcohol has retarded the development of effective means for the assessment and treatment of alcohol abuse. It is for this reason that perhaps the most important feature of the behavioral approach lies in the alternative conceptual model it provides for understanding and modifying patterns of alcohol use and abuse. The details of the behavioral model are discussed elsewhere (Bandura, 1969). Suffice it to state here that this model entails a rejection of the quasi-disease or psychodynamic model of psychopathology and regards abnormal behavior that is not a function of specific brain disturbance or biochemical disorder as governed by the same principles that regulate normal behavior. Examples of alcohol-related phenomena that are customarily ascribed to the alleged physiological or psychodynamic effects of alcohol but which are more accurately explained in terms of a cognitive-behavioral analysis are discussed below.
Chronic total hip arthroplasty instability—Causes and cures

Abstract Chronic instability following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a complex problem and is the most common reason for revision THA. Understanding the etiology of instability is paramount to choosing the appropriate treatment. In general, component malposition should always be addressed. Abductor deficiency, being seen more often with metal on metal THA failures, is a difficult problem to address that typically requires the use of a constrained liner. The use of dual mobility articulations have recently become popular and have demonstrated good early results for preventing re-revision in patients at high risk for instability.
Confirmation Wars, Legislative Time, and Collateral Damage The Impact of Supreme Court Nominations on Presidential Success in the U.S. Senate

Presidents often see a Supreme Court nomination as an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on policy. Recent studies speculate that focusing on Supreme Court nominees affects presidential success beyond the confirmation process, but this has not been established systematically. We develop and test a hypothesis stating that presidents who get into a battle to promote a controversial Supreme Court nominee will see delays and failures in their efforts to promote their legislative agenda in the Senate and fill lower level judicial vacancies. We test our theory using data on presidential policy agenda items from 1967 to 2010 and lower level judicial nominations from 1977 to 2010. We find that increased efforts in promoting confirmation reduce the likelihood of timely Senate approval of important policy proposals and nominees to federal district courts.
Terahertz astronomy from the coldest place on earth

Many atoms and molecules have emission lines that occur at THz frequencies. These emission lines can be used to probe the conditions in giant molecular clouds (GMCs) throughout our galaxy. From studying the star formation process in GMCs we will gain a better understanding of the origin of planetary systems like our own. The high Antarctic plateau offers unique opportunities for observatories optimized for this important wavelength regime.
Benefit of Anti-Infectious Prophylaxis in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia or High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome Receiving Frontline “Targeted Therapy”.

Abstract Background Patients with high risk (HR) myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have significant toxicities such as mucositis, protracted neutropenia and severe infections when treated with standard chemotherapy. This had led to the development of ‘less intense' chemotherapy (targeted therapy, TT). These treatments are expected to produce less toxicities, especially less immunosuppression. Antibiotic and antifungal prophylaxis are routinely given to patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy. It is not clear if the same strategy should be used for patients receiving less intensive chemotherapy. The objective of this study is to evaluate the outcome of patients receiving TT according to the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with AML and HR MDS that received TT as induction therapy from January 2000 to July 2007 at our institution. Baseline characteristics and antibiotic usage was recorded. All courses of TT received from start of therapy until outcome (response or failure) was assessed were evaluated, and infections or death occurring during any of these courses constituted an event. Results 225 patients received TT [decitabine or azacitidine n = 137 (61%); miscellaneous (tipifarnib, PKC412, imatinib, SAHA, and others) n=88 (39%)] for a total of 583 courses (median course per patient = 2). Median age was 72 years (range 13–89), 60% were male, 95% had Zubroad performance status ≤ 2 and 28% were neutropenic at the start of TT. None of the patients were placed in HEPA-filtered rooms (‘protected environment') at any time. Each course of therapy was grouped into 1 of 4 groups based on the strategy use for infectious prophylaxis (table 1). Clinically documented infections and FUO were the most frequent type of infection reported in all the groups, followed by bacterial infections. Fungal infections were infrequent (total 5; group 1 = 1; group 2 = 2, group 3 = 2). There was no significant difference in the number of infectious episodes per course between the groups that received both antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis vs. those who received no prophylaxis (p= 0.984). However, mortality was significantly higher during courses of TT administered without prophylaxis (p= 0.005). Conclusions As opposed to standard chemotherapy, fungal infections are infrequent in the patients treated with TT. Mortality is significantly higher in patients who did not receive any anti-microbial prophylaxis. The use of antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis should be considered in patients receiving TT. Table 1: . Groups based on antimicrobial strategy Strategy Strategy No. of courses No. of infectious episodes (%) No. of death (%) No prophylaxis 202 45 (22%) * 12 (5.94%) # Both bacterial and fungal prophylaxis 171 38 (18%) * 1 (0.58%) # Only bacterial prophylaxis 206 31 (15%) 6 (2.91%) Only fungal prophylaxis 4 0 (0%) 0 (0%) * p=0.984; # p=0.005
Abstract A16: Overexpression and ubiquitination of kinase suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1) in human colon tumor cells

Kinase Suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1) is required for oncogenic Ras-induced transformation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and human colon tumor cells, but is dispensable for normal cellular development. It is also overexpressed in a variety of human tumors, including human colon tumor cells. Seven human colon tumor cell lines with mutated and activated Ras (GEO, CBS, FET, SW480, HCT15, DLD1, and HCT116), one with wild type Ras (CaCo2), and non-transformed human colonic epithelial cells (HCECs) were assessed for KSR1 by western blot. Compared to HCECs, all eight tumor cell lines showed a marked decrease in electrophoretic motility. Seven of eight cell lines had a clear increase in KSR1 expression regardless of Ras mutation status. The purpose of the study is to examine the mechanism by which KSR1 is up-regulated in cancer cells. Previous studies indicate that KSR proteins interact with multiple E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes including members homologous to the E6AP carboxyl terminus (HECT) domain family and the really interesting new gene (RING) family, including Cullin (Cul) 1, Cul4A, Cul4B, Cul7, damage-specific DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1), and DDB1-Cullin associating factor 1 (DCAF1), and ubiquitin protein ligase E3 component N-recognin 5 (UBR5/EDD1). Using tagged expression vectors and immunoprecipitation techniques, we investigated whether KSR1 is a substrate or a component of E3 ligase complexes. Both FLAG-tagged and endogenous KSR1 are ubiquitinated in the human colon tumor cell line, HCT-116. In HEK 293T cells, truncated KSR1 constructs were used to determine that KSR1 ubiquitination is dependent on the presence of the putative kinase domain in the C-terminal region. Furthermore, the kinase domain is sufficient for KSR1 ubiquitination by Cul4A/4B RING ligases (CRLs); however, silencing of Cul4A/4B by RNAi does not inhibit KSR1 ubiquitination. These data indicate that multiple Cullin family members may function to ubiquitinate KSR1. Additionally, KSR1 does not exclusively bind to Cullins, but also interacts with other components of the multi-subunit CRLs, including DDB1 and DCAF1. Therefore, KSR1 may not only be a direct substrate but also a member of the large complex helping to modulate activity of the CRL. Overall, these data suggest that Cul4A/4B-dependent ubiquitination of the KSR1 putative kinase may function to modulate KSR1-dependent signaling. Citation Format: Jamie L. McCall, Ken Kono, Kurt W. Fisher, Manabu Furukawa, Robert E. Lewis. Overexpression and ubiquitination of kinase suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1) in human colon tumor cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on RAS Oncogenes: From Biology to Therapy; Feb 24-27, 2014; Lake Buena Vista, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2014;12(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A16. doi: 10.1158/1557-3125.RASONC14-A16
Reinnervation of denervated muscle by implantation of nerve-muscle-endplate band graft to the native motor zone of the target muscle

Introduction Motor endplate reinnervation is critical for restoring motor function of the denervated muscle. We developed a novel surgical technique called nerve-muscle-endplate band grafting (NMEG) for muscle reinnervation. Methods Experimentally denervated sternomastoid muscle in the rat was reinnervated by transferring a NMEG from the ipsilateral sternohyoid muscle to the native motor zone (NMZ) of the target muscle. A NMEG pedicle contained a block of muscle (~ 6 × 6 × 3 mm), a nerve branch with axon terminals, and a motor endplate band with numerous neuromuscular junctions. At 3 months after surgery, maximal tetanic muscle force measurement, muscle mass and myofiber morphology, motoneurons, regenerated axons, and axon-endplate connections of the muscles were analyzed. Results The mean force of the reinnervated muscles was 82% of the contralateral controls. The average weight of the treated muscles was 89% of the controls. The reinnervated muscles exhibited extensive axonal regeneration. Specifically, the mean count of the regenerated axons in the reinnervated muscles reached up to 76.8% of the controls. The majority (80%) of the denervated endplates in the target muscle regained motor innervation. Conclusions The NMZ of the denervated muscle is an ideal site for NMEG implantation and for the development of new microsurgical and therapeutic strategies to achieve sufficient axonal regeneration, rapid endplate reinnervation, and optimal functional recovery. NMEG-NMZ technique may become a useful tool in the treatment of muscle paralysis caused by peripheral nerve injuries in certain clinical situations.
Ground-based antenna array phasing issues and mitigation for satellite communications

Communications with satellites in deep space require large antenna aperture systems on the ground in order to receive and transmit data at the power levels necessary to establish a link. However, these large antenna structures are costly to build and maintain and represent single point failure systems which can result in potential loss of mission critical data. An alternative to this approach, presently being investigated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), is the use of several smaller aperture antennas combined in an array to create a much larger effective aperture system. The additional difficulty introduced by this approach is the more pronounced impact of atmospheric turbulence which induce phase scintillation errors across the effective aperture of the array. Effective mitigation of this problem is needed, especially at higher frequency operations, like Ka-band (26–40 GHz). In this paper, the impact of atmospheric-induced phase scintillation on ground based antenna arrays is defined and techniques to mitigate phase scintillation for next generation communications arrays are introduced. A particular focus is made on a novel passive phase scintillation sensing technique utilizing a blind source separation (BSS) approach.
Baron de Vastey and the Twentieth-Century Theater of Haitian Independence

By paying more attention to performances rather than readings of Vastey, in this chapter the author asks what understandings of Haitian independence, Haitian sovereignty, and the Black Atlantic humanism that both buttressed, we might glean by thinking about how Vastey, an intellectual, became a central figure in dramatic representations of Haitian revolutionaries by twentieth-century writers? Daut probes this question by first exploring in the twentieth-century theater of Haitian independence the meaning and consequences of isolating and blaming Haiti for the troubles with black sovereignty (in Sect. 1). This thread is then pursued more specifically by examining how Haiti has been isolated from modern Black Atlantic thought, as demonstrated by theatrical representations of Vastey produced by Derek Walcott (in Sect. 2), Aime Cesaire (in Sect. 3), and May Miller, Selden Rodman, and Dan Hammerman (in Sect. 4). Daut argues that what we derive from these six performances of Vastey on stage is a pointed critique of Haitian leadership and ultimately, Haitian sovereignty; one that tends to isolate rather than include Haiti in a history of the Americas marked by both neo-colonialism and global capitalism. In their own ways the authors of these plays use Vastey to produce a performance of the troubles with sovereignty after colonialism.
Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging Provides Limited Incremental Value Over the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Preradical Prostatectomy Nomogram.

Objective To examine the incremental value of prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when used in combination with the currently available preoperative risk stratification tool, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) preradical prostatectomy nomogram. Materials and Methods We reviewed our institutional database of prostate MRI performed before radical prostatectomy between December 2014 and March 2016 (n = 236). We generated a logistic regression model based on observed final pathology results and the MSKCC nomogram predictions for organ-confined disease, extracapsular extension (ECE), seminal vesicle invasion, and lymph node involvement (LNI) (“MSKCC only”). We then generated a combined regression model incorporating both the MSKCC nomogram prediction with the degree of prostate MRI suspicion (“MSKCC + MRI”). Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated, and the area under the curves (AUCs) were compared. Results When independently examining the MSKCC nomogram predicted risk and the degree of prostate MRI suspicion, MRI was a predictor for ECE (odds ratio 2.8, P Conclusion A combined model with prostate MRI and the MSKCC nomogram provides no additional risk discrimination over the MSKCC nomogram-based model alone. Evaluation of prostate MRI as a predictive tool should be performed in combination with, not independent of, these clinical risk stratification models.
Williams Syndrome and Anesthesia for Non-cardiac Surgery: High Risk Can Be Mitigated with Appropriate Planning.

Patients with Williams syndrome are considered at high risk for anesthesia-related adverse events. At our institution, all William syndrome patients undergoing cardiac surgical, cardiac catheterization/interventional procedures, and cardiac imaging studies are cared for by cardiac anesthesiologists. All William syndrome patients undergoing non-cardiac surgical, interventional, or imaging studies are cared for by main operating room pediatric anesthesiologists with consultative input from a cardiac anesthesiologist. We reviewed our experience with 75 patients undergoing 202 separate anesthetics for 95 non-cardiac procedures and 107 cardiac procedures from 2012 to 2016. The mean age was 7.5 ± 7.0 years and the mean weight was 22.3 ± 17.0 kg. One hundred and eighty-seven patients had a general anesthetic (92.6%). Medications used included etomidate in 26.2%, propofol in 37.6%, isoflurane in 47.5%, and sevoflurane in 68.3%. Vasopressors and inotropes were required including calcium (22.8%), dopamine (10.4%), norepinephrine (17.3%), phenylephrine (35.1%), vasopressin (0.5%), and ephedrine (5.4%). The median length of stay after anesthesia was 2.8 days (range 0–32). No adverse events occurred in 89.6% of anesthetics. There were two cases of cardiac arrest, one of which required extracorporeal life support for resuscitation. Of the non-cardiac surgical procedures, 95.7% did not have a cardiovascular adverse event. Patients with Williams syndrome are at high risk for anesthesia, especially when undergoing cardiac procedures. The risk can be mitigated with appropriate planning and adherence to the hemodynamic goals for non-cardiac surgical procedures.
Earth Microbiome Project and Global Systems Biology

The views expressed in this Editorial do not necessarily reflect the views of this journal or of ASM. Recently, we published the first large-scale analysis of data from the Earth Microbiome Project (EMP) ([1][1], [2][2]), a truly multidisciplinary research program involving more than 500
Experience Using Spherical Harmonic Expansions to Evaluate Molecular Integrals

It is clear from the presentations made at this conference by Harris, Silverstone, Sharma, Jones, Michels, Rashid, Steinborn, Weatherford, Antolovic, and Silver, using quantities variously labeled α, β, B, C, v, ζ, that there is continuing interest in evaluating multicenter Slater (exponential) orbital molecular integrals by the spherical harmonic expansion method, or by equivalent methods which give the same form to the final result. The equivalence of various formalisms of this type is easily recognized for 3-center integrals involving all is orbitals. If the final formula depends on the geometrical parameters of the three centers (2 inter-nuclear distances and one angle) in terms of an infinite series of Legendre polynomials of the cosine of the angle, then the formula is equivalent to the one obtained by using spherical harmonic expansions about one nucleus.
The Effects of Virtual Groups on Learning Outcomes in an ITV Delivered International Business Course

Recently, faculty at a small public, liberal arts University delivered two sections of an international business course, one by the face-to-face method—instructor and students in the same room—and one partially by interactive television (ITV)—instructor and some students in the same room and some students remotely located. The delivery of the course included in-class and out-of-class group assignments. Groups were formed at the beginning of the semester and remained the same throughout the semester. Each group in the ITV section included one student from the remote location. These virtual groups had access to university supplied webcams to augment the commonly used communication technologies (e-mail, text messaging, cell phones, etc.). Student learning was assessed using a final exam, peer evaluations, and an end-of-semester survey. The perceptions of learning for the students in the ITV section were lower than the face-to-face section; however, the direct assessments showed no significant difference in learning outcomes between the sections. A more detailed description of the results and ideas for further research are presented.