cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sometimes effective Thue-Siegel-Roth-Schmidt-Nevanlinna bounds, or better

Abstract This paper will do the following: (1) Establish a (better than) Thue-Siegel-Roth-Schmidt theorem bounding the approximation of solutions of linear differential equations over valued differential fields; (2) establish an effective better than Thue-Siegel-Roth-Schmidt theorem bounding the approximation of irrational algebraic functions (of one variable over a constant field of characteristic zero) by rational functions; (3) extend Nevanlinna's Three Small Function Theorem to an n small function theorem (for each positve integer n), by removing Chuang's dependence of the bound upon the relative “number” of poles and zeros of an auxiliary function; (4) extend this n Small Function Theorem to the case in which the n small functions are algebroid (a case which has applications in functional equations); (5) solidly connect Thue-Siegel-Roth-Schmidt approximation theory for functions with many of the Nevanlinna theories. The method of proof is (ultimately) based upon using a Thue-Siegel-Roth-Schmidt type auxiliary polynomial to construct an auxiliary differential polynomial.
The data supercell

The Data SuperCell (DSC) is a new, disk-based data archive deployed and in production at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC). It specifically deals with the archival demands of large data processing in an economic way. DSC incorporates PSCs SLASH2, layered filesystem technology, with commodity hardware and open software, to provide superior functionality, flexibility, manageability, reliability, performance and cost. Below, we describe DSC functionality goals; SLASH2 architecture, capabilities and suitability for archival applications; ZFS as an underlying file system; DSC architecture, structure and capabilities; followed by discussion of our experience with DSC, some performance measurements and plans for further development.
Comparison of chemical binding to recombinant fathead minnow and human estrogen receptors alpha in whole cell and cell‐free binding assays

Mammalian receptors and assay systems are generally used for in vitro screening of endocrine-disrupting chemicals with the assumption that minor differences in amino acid sequences among species do not translate into significant differences in receptor function. Objectives of the present study were to evaluate the performance of two different in vitro assay systems (a whole cell and a cell-free competitive binding assay) in assessing whether binding of chemicals differs significantly between full-length recombinant estrogen receptors from fathead minnows (fhERalpha) and those from humans (hERalpha). It was confirmed that 17beta-estradiol displays a reduction in binding to fhERalpha at an elevated temperature (37 degrees C), as has been reported with other piscine estrogen receptors. Several of the chemicals (17beta-estradiol, ethinylestradiol, alpha-zearalanol, fulvestrant, dibutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, and cadmium chloride) displayed higher affinity for fhERalpha than for hERalpha in the whole cell assay, while only dibutyl phthalate had a higher affinity for fhERalpha than for hERalpha in the cell-free assay. Both assays were effective in identifying strong binders, weak binders, and nonbinders to the two receptors. However, the cell-free assay provided a less complicated and more efficient binding platform and is, therefore, recommended over the whole cell binding assay. In conclusion, no strong evidence showed species-specific binding among the chemicals tested.
Prescribed fires as ecological surrogates for wildfires: A stream and riparian perspective

Abstract Forest managers use prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risk and to provide resource benefits, yet little information is available on whether prescribed fires can function as ecological surrogates for wildfire in fire-prone landscapes. Information on impacts and benefits of this management tool on stream and riparian ecosystems is particularly lacking. We used a beyond-BACI (Before, After, Control, Impact) design to investigate the effects of a prescribed fire on a stream ecosystem and compared these findings to similar data collected after wildfire. For 3 years after prescribed fire treatment, we found no detectable changes in periphyton, macroinvertebrates, amphibians, fish, and riparian and stream habitats compared to data collected over the same time period in four unburned reference streams. Based on changes in fuels, plant and litter cover, and tree scorching, this prescribed fire was typical of those being implemented in ponderosa pine forests throughout the western U.S. However, we found that the extent and severity of riparian vegetation burned was substantially lower after prescribed fire compared to nearby wildfires. The early-season prescribed fire did not mimic the riparian or in-stream ecological effects observed following a nearby wildfire, even in catchments with burn extents similar to the prescribed fire. Little information exists on the effects of long-term fire exclusion from riparian forests, but a “prescribed fire regime” of repeatedly burning upland forests while excluding fire in adjacent riparian forests may eliminate an important natural disturbance from riparian and stream habitats.
Susceptibility to glaucoma: Differential comparison of the astrocyte transcriptome from glaucomatous African American and Caucasian American donors

Epidemiological and genetic studies indicate that ethnic/genetic background plays an important role in susceptibility to primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). POAG is more prevalent among the African-descent population compared to the Caucasian population. Damage in POAG occurs at the level of the optic nerve head (ONH) and is mediated by astrocytes. Here we investigated differences in gene expression in primary cultures of ONH astrocytes obtained from age-matched normal and glaucomatous donors of Caucasian American (CA) and African American (AA) populations using oligonucleotide microarrays. Gene expression data were obtained from cultured astrocytes representing 12 normal CA and 12 normal AA eyes, 6 AA eyes with POAG and 8 CA eyes with POAG. Data were normalized and significant differential gene expression levels detected by using empirical Bayesian shrinkage moderated t-statistics. Gene Ontology analysis and networks of interacting proteins were constructed using the BioGRID database. Network maps included regulation of myosin, actin, and protein trafficking. Real-time RT-PCR, western blots, ELISA, and functional assays validated genes in the networks. Cultured AA and CA glaucomatous astrocytes retain differential expression of genes that promote cell motility and migration, regulate cell adhesion, and are associated with structural tissue changes that collectively contribute to neural degeneration. Key upregulated genes include those encoding myosin light chain kinase (MYLK), transforming growth factor-β receptor 2 (TGFBR2), rho-family GTPase-2 (RAC2), and versican (VCAN). These genes along with other differentially expressed components of integrated networks may reflect functional susceptibility to chronic elevated intraocular pressure that is enhanced in the optic nerve head of African Americans.
Opportunities and integration challenges for CMOS-compatible silicon photonic and optoelectronic devices

Silicon photonics, especially that based upon silicon on insulator (SOI), has recently attracted a great deal of attention since it offers an opportunity for low cost optoelectronic solutions for applications ranging from telecommunications down to chip-to-chip interconnects. The presentation will give an overview of these opportunities as well as discuss some practical issues and challenges with processing silicon photonic devices in a high volume CMOS manufacturing environment.
A fault-tolerant multiprocess controller for magnetic bearings

A fault-tolerant microprocessor system designed to provide digital control for an active magnetic bearing is described. This particular control problem demands significant processing power, is easily divided into relatively independent parallel tasks, and cannot tolerate controller failures. The overall system requirements and architecture are described, as is the design of the digital control module and the analog I/O board. The fault tolerance of the system is evaluated. Extensive computer simulations of system reliability models verified that the design satisfies all of the reliability requirements. Although the system was designed for a specific problem, much effort was expended to make it general enough for applications to a wide range of real-time applications. >
Trajectories of Internalizing Symptoms Across Childhood: The Roles of Biological Self-Regulation and Maternal Psychopathology

Whether internalizing symptoms increase or remain at similar levels throughout childhood is currently not well understood. Moreover, the association between vagal regulation of cardiac activity and internalizing symptoms across childhood needs to be clarified. We used a multilevel conceptual framework to examine how children's vagal regulation of cardiac activity and mothers' internalizing symptoms were jointly associated with children's developmental trajectories of internalizing symptoms from ages 4 to 10 years old. Data came from 384 children who participated in an ongoing longitudinal study. Children and their mothers came to the research laboratory at ages 4, 5, 7, and 10. Mothers reported their children's and their own internalizing symptoms. Children's vagal regulation of cardiac activity was assessed during quiet baseline tasks and during challenge tasks. Multilevel models revealed that child internalizing symptoms increased from ages 4 to 10 years old, but only in females, and especially between ages 7 and 10. More vagal withdrawal in response to challenge was associated with more internalizing symptoms, particularly with more somatic symptoms. Associations between children's physiological regulation and internalizing symptoms differed by children's age, sex, and presence of maternal internalizing symptoms. Understanding associations between vagal regulation of cardiac activity and internalizing symptoms during childhood calls for fine-grained developmental analyses that take into account the heterogeneity of internalizing symptoms, as well as developmental phase, context, and gender.
Reconstruction of Educational Research

If there are some subjects on which the results obtained have finally received the unanimous assent of all who have attended to the proof, and others which .. .have never succeeded in establishing any considerable body of truths, so as to be beyond denial or doubt; it is by generalizing the methods successfully followed in the former enquiries, and adapting them to the latter, that we may hope to remove this blot on the face of science.
Human UP1 as a model for understanding purine recognition in the family of proteins containing the RNA recognition motif (RRM).

Heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) is a prototype for the family of eukaryotic RNA processing proteins containing the common RNA recognition motif (RRM). The region consisting of residues 1–195 of hnRNP A1 is referred to as UP1. This region has two RRMs and has a high affinity for both single-stranded RNA and the human telomeric repeat sequence d(TTAGGG)n. We have used UP1’s novel DNA binding to investigate how RRMs bind nucleic acid bases through their highly conserved RNP consensus sequences. Nine complexes of UP1 bound to modified telomeric repeats were investigated using equilibrium fluorescence binding and X-ray crystallography. In two of the complexes, alteration of a guanine to either 2-aminopurine or nebularine resulted in an increase in Kd from 88 nM to 209 nM and 316 nM, respectively. The loss of these orienting interactions between UP1 and the substituted base allows it to flip between syn and anti conformations. Substitution of the same base with 7-deaza-guanine preserves the O6/N1 contacts but still increases the Kd to 296 nM and suggests that it is not simply the loss of affinity that gives rise to the base mobility, but also the stereochemistry of the specific contact to O6. Although these studies provide details of UP1 interactions to nucleic acids, three general observations about RRMs are also evident: (1) as suggested by informatic studies, main-chain to base hydrogen bonding makes up an important aspect of ligand recognition (2) steric clashes generated by modification of a hydrogen bond donor–acceptor pair to a donor–donor pair are poorly tolerated and (3) a conserved lysine position proximal to RNP-2 (K106-IFVGGI) orients the purine to allow stereochemical discrimination between adenine and guanine based on the 6-position. This single interaction is well-conserved in known RRM structures and appears to be a broad indicator for purine preference in the larger family of RRM proteins.
"RISC" industrial robotics: recent results and open problems

At the intersection of robotics, computational geometry, and manufacturing engineering, we have identified collection of research problems with near-term industrial applications. The common thread is robot systems with reduced intricacy in sensing and control (RISC), such as light beam sensors and parallel-jaw grippers. We conjecture that such systems, coupled with appropriate algorithms, are capable of recognizing and orienting a broad class of industrial parts. When compared with general-purpose robots, the resulting systems could be: (1) lower in cost, (2) more reliable, and (3) easier to reconfigure. The proposed hardware bears a close resemblance to existing "hard" automation; what is new is the application of computational methods for robust design and control of these systems, and more extensive use of simple sensors. By focusing on a small vocabulary of simple hardware, planning become computationally tractable and we can in some cases make guarantees about the existence of solutions. We borrowed the RISC acronym from computer architecture to acknowledge a common theme: identifying a minimal set of hardware primitives and matching these primitives with highly efficient software. In this paper, we review recent algorithms for locating, feeding, inserting and fixturing industrial parts. We discuss related work and propose a set of open problems for future research. >
Auditors' Relationship with Their Accounting Firm and Its Effect on Burnout, Turnover Intention, and Post-Employment Citizenship

SUMMARY: This summary discusses two related papers (one focusing on auditors currently employed by their firm and the other on firm alumni) that examine the relationship between auditors and their firm; both papers address auditors' commitment to their firm and how it affects important organizational outcomes including burnout, turnover intention, and post-employment citizenship. Herda and Lavelle's (2012) paper, “The Auditor-Audit Firm Relationship and Its Effect on Burnout and Turnover Intention,” suggests that stronger relationships between auditors and their firms can reduce burnout and turnover intention. Herda and Lavelle's (2011) paper, “The Effects of Organizational Fairness and Commitment on the Extent of Benefits Big Four Alumni Provide Their Former Firm,” investigates how these relationships continue to provide benefits to the firm after the auditor's employment with the firm has ended. The results of both papers underscore the importance of fair treatment in building high-quality relationship...
Adaptive caching for continuous queries

We address the problem of executing continuous multiway join queries in unpredictable and volatile environments. Our query class captures windowed join queries in data stream systems as well as conventional maintenance of materialized join views. Our adaptive approach handles streams of updates whose rates and data characteristics may change over time, as well as changes in system conditions such as memory availability. In this paper we focus specifically on the problem of adaptive placement and removal of caches to optimize join performance. Our approach automatically considers conventional tree-shaped join plans with materialized subresults at every intermediate node, sub result-free MJoins, and the entire spectrum between them. We provide algorithms for selecting caches, monitoring their cost and benefits in current conditions, allocating memory to caches, and adapting as conditions change. All of our algorithms are implemented in the STREAM prototype data stream management system and a thorough experimental evaluation is included.
Developmental Regulation of the cm2 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Gene: Selective Induction by a Secreted Factor Produced by Embryonic Chick Retinal Cells

The expression of the cm2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor gene increases dramatically in chick retina during embryonic development in vivo. A similar developmental increase in cm2 expression occurs in embryonic chick retinal cells in culture. Conditioned medium from mature, but not young, retinal cultures contains a secreted factor that causes a selective increase in expression of cm2, but not cm3 or cm4, receptors. The secreted factor has been partially purified from serum-free medium, is protease-sensitive, and has a molecular weight >10 kDa. The cm2-inducing factor stimulates expression of a cm2 promoter/luciferase reporter gene, demonstrating that the increase in cm2 expression is attributable to increased gene transcription. Incubation of retinal cells with 14 identified neurotrophic and growth factors did not increase cm2 expression, suggesting that a novel developmentally regulated secreted factor mediates the subtype-specific induction of the cm2 receptor gene in retina.
Cathode-Ray Control of Television Light Valves

When a light valve is employed for the reproduction of television pictures, it is desirable to make use of a cathode-ray beam to control the light valve in order to preserve the all-electronic character of the television system. A number of procedures of cathode-ray control are described, the majority of which are applicable particularly to the control of the suspension light valve. The general method employed is shown to be the production of an electric field through the light valve by bombarding one side of the valve with electrons of very high velocity, causing the valve areas to be charged in a negative direction toward the limiting potential of the bombarded surface. Removal of the electric field is then accomplished by charging these areas back toward their original potential by the use of electrons of substantially reduced velocity. The most elementary procedure described is one in which a single beam of electrons of constant velocity is employed, discharge being accomplished by secondary electrons generated by the action of the beam of primary electrons. The effects of polarization of the light valve, resulting from the comparatively low resistivity of the suspension, are described and explained. It is shown that a suspension of such low resistivity as to be uncontrollable by the other procedures may be made operative when the valve is used in combination with a spatially modulated electron spray and when, in addition, the potential of one wall of the valve is increased and decreased at a moderate frequency.
The Bead Game: Response Strategies in Free Assortment

Subjects were presented with a collection of spherical beads of four different colors and were instructed to sort them as fast and as accurately as possible. The sequence in which the beads were sorted was recorded, along with the time intervals between successive beads. Subjects were observed to sort in nonrandom sequences, producing runs in which a given bead type was taken exclusively. The speed and accuracy of the sorting process was positively correlated with the degree of nonrandomness of the sorting sequence. This relationship appeared to be primarily attributable to perceptual factors involved in the initiation of a run and secondarily attributable to facilitation of sorting movements within runs. The effect of sorting sequence was enhanced with bead colors that were harder to discriminate. The results are interpreted in the light of known effects of presentation sequence and stimulus discriminability on stimulus processing.
Long-Wavelength Fluorescent Reporters for Monitoring Protein Kinase Activity

In vivo optical imaging must contend with the limitations imposed by the optical window of tissue (600–1000 nm). Although a wide array of fluorophores are available that are visualized in the red and near-IR region of the spectrum, with the exception of proteases, there are few long wavelength probes for enzymes. This situation poses a particular challenge for studying the intracellular biochemistry of erythrocytes, the high hemoglobin content of which optically obscures subcellular monitoring at wavelengths less than 600 nm. To address this, tunable fluorescent reporters for protein kinase activity were developed. The probing wavelength is preprogrammed by using readily available fluorophores, thereby enabling detection within the optical window of tissue, specifically in the far-red and near-IR region. These agents were used to monitor endogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in erythrocyte lysates and in intact erythrocytes when using a light-activatable reporter.
Google as Teacher: Everything Your Students Know They Learned from Searching Google

Le moteur de recherche Google modele la facon dont les etudiants cherchent l'information en ligne et concoivent cette recherche : ils ont appris a se limiter aux mots cles, a ne visualiser que les premiers resultats et ont du mal a elargir leur requete. Ces strategies sont beaucoup moins efficaces appliquees aux bases de donnees des bibliotheques academiques. Les bibliothecaires doivent etre conscients de l'influence de Google pour mieux assister les etudiants dans leur recherche et comprendre leurs frustrations avec les systemes de bibliotheque.
Effect of fenoterol (Th1165a) infusion on uterine and umbilical blood flow in pregnant sheep.

Abstract The effect of fenoterol (Th1165a) upon uterine artery blood flow (UtBF) and umbilical vein blood flow (UmBF) was investigated in near-term, nonlaboring chronic sheep preparations. During intravenous fenoterol infusions to the ewe in either incremental doses from 0.025 to 0.200 μg per kilogram per minute or constant infusions of 0.025 or 0.200 μg per kilogram per minute for 120 minutes, UtBF and UmBF did not change significantly. Dose-related maternal tachycardia, hyperglycemia, and relative acidemia occurred, but there were no significant changes in mean maternal and fetal arterial pressures or fetal heart rate. The simultaneous infusion of propranolol (2 μg per kilogram per minute) with fenoterol (0.200 μg per kilogram per minute) blocked the maternal tachycardia but resulted in a significant decrease in UmBF and a significant increase in UtBF. In all of the maternal infusions, UtBF significantly rose and plateaued up to 14 per cent above the control level during the 120 minute recovery period after infusion. A non-β-adrenergic effect of fenoterol is suggested as the cause of this UtBF increase.
SPECIES-SPECIFIC RESPONSES OF AQUATIC MACROPHYTES TO FISH EXCLUSION IN A PRAIRIE MARSH: A MANIPULATIVE EXPERIMENT

An exclosure experiment was carried out at two sites in Delta Marsh, Manitoba, Canada to investigate the role of fish in limiting the growth of submersed macrophytes. The experiment consisted of three treatments: (1) fine-mesh exclosures designed to exclude both planktivorous fish and carp, (2) coarsemesh exclosures designed to exclude adult carp but admit smaller fish, and (3) reference plots marked with corner stakes but without sides. Treatments were established in mid-May, and macrophyte biomass was sampled from within the exclosures in late August to assess treatment effects. Exclosure treatments had strong effects on the macroalgae Chara, with biomass 11.9-fold greater in full-exclosure plots than in reference plots, and 3-fold greater in carp exclosures than in reference plots. Exclosure treatments had no effect on above-ground or below-ground biomass of Stuckenia pectinata, the most widespread and abundant macrophyte in Delta Marsh. Thus, fish appear to limit macrophyte growth in Delta Marsh, but the effect of fish exclusion was dependent on species composition of the macrophyte assemblage.
The Nature of Secrecy

″I once killed for love.″ It was this late-night confession in August 1996, to two of her college roommates at the Naval Academy, that led Diane Zamora to a sentence of life in prison with no possibility for parole for at least 40 years. Zamora and her ex-fiance, David Graham, were convicted of bludgeoning and shooting Adrianne Jones to death in 1995 (when all three were in high school together). The two had lured Jones to a remote area in Texas to kill her after Graham told Zamora he had slept with Jones. Zamora later confessed to the police that when Graham admitted to having had sex with Jones, Zamora had flown into hysterics, screaming, ″Kill her, kill her!″ (People Magazine, March 4, 1998, p. 67).
Evaluation Of The Febrile Young Infant: An Update

The febrile young infant is commonly encountered in the emergency department, and the incidence of serious bacterial infection in these patients is as high as 15%. Undiagnosed bacterial infections such as meningitis and bacteremia can lead to overwhelming sepsis and death or neurologic sequelae. Undetected urinary tract infection can lead to pyelonephritis and renal scarring. These outcomes necessitate the evaluation for a bacterial source of fever; therefore, performance of a full sepsis workup is recommended to rule out bacteremia, urinary tract infection, and bacterial meningitis in addition to other invasive bacterial diseases including pneumonia, bacterial enteritis, cellulitis, and osteomyelitis. Parents and emergency clinicians often question the necessity of this approach in the well-appearing febrile young infant, and it is important to understand and communicate the evidence that guides the approach to these patients. Recent studies examining the risk of serious bacterial infection in young infants with bronchiolitis and the role of viral testing in the febrile young infant will also be discussed in this review.
Application of ant colony algorithm in the simulation-based approach to improve airport surface operations

In this paper, we apply the ant colony algorithm in the optimiser for the simulation-based optimisation approach to improve airport surface operations. The major components of the system architecture and detailed descriptions of the implementations of the ant colony algorithm are introduced. The proposed ant colony algorithm and the simulation-based optimisation approach are applied to the case studies of the east side of the Dallas-Fort Worth airport (DFW). The initial results have demonstrated the success and benefit of applying the ant colony algorithm in the simulation-based approach for improving airport surface operations. The results have also implied that applying the combined genetic algorithm and ant colony algorithm in the optimiser can derive better results than using any one of the two algorithms solely.
Methylation-Dependent and Lrp-Dependent Fimbrial Gene Regulation in Escherichia coli

The majority of bacterial pathogens and opportunists colonize the mucosal surfaces of their hosts by expressing specific adhesins that bind to host target receptors. Many Escherichia coli urinary tract isolates, in particular those that cause kidney infections, contain multiple pyelonephritis-associated pili (pap) operons, each of which is capable of expressing and assembling cell surface fimbriae. Lrp is a regulatory protein that exerts global control over as many as 50 genes in E. coli. In some cases, such as ilvIH, fim switching, and pap pilin transcription, Lrp is a positive regulator. In other cases, such as sdaA, livJ, and livKHMGF, Lrp acts negatively. Analysis of mutations within pap regulatory DNA that allow transcription of pap in the absence of Papl indicates that Papl does not interact with pap DNA. The regulation of pap gene expression is complex and involves a variety of factors including Lrp, Dam, CRP, Papl, PapB, and possibly H-NS. In addition, RimJ, the N-terminal acetylase of ribosomal protein S5, may play a role in thermoregulation. As a member of the Lrp regulon, Pap fimbrial regulation is tied to cellular metabolism, although it is not leucine responsive. Under the CRP regulon, Pap fimbrial expression is shut down when rich carbon sources such as glucose are present.
Significant Activity Of The mTOR Inhibitor Sirolimus and HDAC Inhibitor Vorinostat In Heavily Pretreated Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients

Background Preclinical models have suggested that HDAC and mTOR inhibitors have synergistic antineoplastic activity in Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers by reducing the activity of AKT, mTOR and HDAC. Methods We designed a phase I study to determine the safety of the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus (1mg-5mg PO daily q 28 days) and HDAC inhibitor vorinostat (100mg-400mg PO daily q 28 days) in advanced cancers with an expansion cohort at the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of sirolimus 4mg and vorinostat 300mg for patients with refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma. The expansion cohort included optional pre- and post-treatment tumor biopsies, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), plasma/serum collections for pharmacodynamic (PD) and pharmacokinetic (PK) endpoints. Results A total of 16 patients (men, n=8; women, n=8), median age 33 years, median of 6.5 prior therapies (including autologous SCT [n=15], autologous and allogeneic SCT [n=4]) were enrolled in dose escalation (n=1) or RP2D (n=15) cohorts. At the median follow-up of 3.2 months, 15 (94%) patients demonstrated decreased FDG uptake including 2 CRs (13%) and 5 PRs (31%) using CHESON criteria, with a total CR+PR rate of 44%. The median reduction of tumor was -27% (-100% to +20%, [Figure][1]). The estimated median time-to-treatment failure has not been reached and 63% of the patients continued on therapy with further improvement in their level of disease response. Major grade 3-4 treatment-related toxicities included grade 3 thrombocytopenia (4 patients, 25%), grade 4 thrombocytopenia (6, 38%), grade 3 anemia (1, 6%), febrile neutropenia (1, 6%) and led to treatment interruptions and/or dose modifications in 10 (63%) patients. Five (31%) patients had archival tissue available for targeted next-generation sequencing and one patient had a loss of TSC2 , an abnormality that putatively activates mTOR. This patient has had a continuing response to therapy (-56%) for 8.4+ months. PD studies in pre- and post-treatment tumor biopsies, PBMCs and plasma as well as PK analysis continue. Conclusion The combination of sirolimus and vorinostat is well tolerated with encouraging activity in very heavily pretreated patients with Hodgkin lymphoma refractory to standard therapies. Enrollment continues. ![Figure][2] Disclosures: Off Label Use: sirolimus - mTOR inhibitor vorinostat - HDAC inhibitor. [1]: #F1 [2]: pending:yes
An Investigation of the Creep of Ni3Al(B, Hf) Single Crystals at Intermediate Temperatures

This study was undertaken to characterize the intermediate temperature creep properties of Ni3Al. Itfocuses on the mechanisms controlling creep deformation and their relationship to the anomalous yielding behavior of this alloy. Constant stress creep tests were conducted for temperatures between 713–973 K, and the following observations were made. The creep curves exhibited two distinct regions. Primary creep was followed by inverse creep. Specimens cooled under constant stress strained an additional 20% during cooling. Temperature drop experiments indicate that Ni3Al is weakened by the addition of creep deformation. Glide on the primary octahedral plane appears to be exhausted during primary creep. Slip trace and TEM studies indicate that inverse creep is controlled by slip on the cube cross slip plane and a secondary octahedral plane. Primary octahedral slip is observed in the specimens that are cooled and deformed under constant stress.
A collagenase in extracts of the invertebrate Bipalium kewense.

The localization, isolation and partial characterization of a collagenolytic enzyme from the land planarian Bipalium kewense is described. This enzyme can be obtained by direct extraction of the organism, and can be separated from non-collagenous proteolytic activity by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and Sephadex-gel chromatography. Its mode of attack on collagen and sensitivity to a variety of inhibitors indicate that this enzyme differs from vertebrate collagenases and a previously described invertebrate collagenase.
Turkeys on the fringe: Variable husbandry in “marginal” areas of the prehistoric American Southwest

Previous research reporting stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values of prehistoric turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) remains from the American Southwest indicates that these birds were husbanded in consistent ways: the majority of samples suggest a diet dominated by maize, a domesticate that uses the C4 photosynthetic pathway. However, most of these studies have focused on turkey remains from locations where maize would likely have been readily available. Here we present isotope and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype data from turkey remains from the relatively high-elevation site of Tijeras Pueblo (LA 581), a location where maize production may have been marginal. The Tijeras Pueblo turkeys display a unique carbon isotope pattern in both bone collagen and bone apatite, with half the samples indicating a predominately C3 diet (a signature characteristic of modern wild turkeys) and the other half predominately C4, even though the majority of samples belong to the Southwestern domestic turkey mtDNA lineage identified by Speller et al. (2010). Comparative collagen samples from the Albuquerque Basin and the Gallina region do not follow this pattern. Apatite-collagen δ13C spacing in the Tijeras turkeys suggests these birds were acquiring carbohydrates and protein from a mixture of C3- and C4-based resources. We propose that the C3 Tijeras turkeys were free-ranged, and that the presence of two distinct turkey husbandry regimes at Tijeras Pueblo may reflect Tijeras' geographic location on a cultural boundary between the Plains and Pueblo regions.
Factors Affecting Emergency Department Use by a Chronically Homeless Population

Objective:Homeless adults make extensive use of emergency department (ED) services. This study examined factors associated with moderate and high ED use in a cohort of chronically homeless individuals.Methods:A cross-sectional analysis identified factors related to ED use in a cohort of 755 individuals at 11 sites at entry into the Collaborative Initiative to Help End Chronic Homelessness (CICH). Bivariate analyses identified sociodemographic, housing status, health status, and service-related factors associated with moderate and high ED use. Independent risk factors were then identified by using a multivariate multinomial model. Hierarchical regression was used to compare the strengths of association between ED use and blocks of factors composed of sociodemographic, housing, health, and service-related characteristics.Results:In a three-month period, 30% of participants visited the ED one or two times (moderate ED use) and 12% visited three or more times (high-ED use). ED use was most strongly associated...
Entropy and Entropy Production: Discussion Paper

I conceive my role to be that of a trigger for what, I hope, will turn out to be a lively discussion.
Pathobiology of the Outer Retina: Genetic and Nongenetic Causes of Disease

The outer retina is composed primarily of rod and cone photoreceptor (PR) cells and retina pigment epithelial cells. These cells serve as the main cells of the retina and initiate the process of phototransduction whereby light is converted and transmitted to the visual cortex of the brain to generate an image. The majority of the diseases of the outer retina are genetic (over 97%) and result from mutations in genes associated with photoreceptor development, phototransduction, and maintenance of normal photoreceptor function. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) functions to nourish the PR cells and provides a mechanism to recycle photoreceptor outer segments that are spent during phototransduction. Thus, mutations in RPE genes also cause outer retinal degeneration. Further, a small percentage of outer retinal diseases result from trauma or injury to the retina. This article provides an overview of the pathobiology of outer retinal diseases. While each case is unique, the biological processes that are disrupted are common and thus a common pathology primarily of rod and cone degeneration leads to debilitating vision loss.
Identification of Risk Factors Associated With Clostridium difficile Infection in Liver Transplantation Recipients: A Single-Center Analysis

Abstract Clostridium difficile remains the leading cause of health care–associated infectious diarrhea, and its incidence and severity are increasing in liver transplant recipients. Several known risk factors for C difficile infection (CDI) are inherently associated with liver transplantation, such as severe underlying illness, immunosuppression, abdominal surgery, and broad-spectrum antibiotic use. We conducted a single-center retrospective case control study to characterize risk factors for CDI among patients who received a liver transplant from January 2008 to December 2012. We also examined the associations of post-transplantation CDI with transplant outcomes. Cases were defined as having diarrhea with a positive test for C difficile by either toxin A/B enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or glutamate dehydrogenase EIA and polymerase chain reaction within 1 year after transplantation. Sixty-five consecutive patients were evaluated, of which 15 (23%) developed CDI. The median time from transplantation to CDI diagnosis was 65 days (interquartile range [IQR] 13–208) and more than one-half (53%) had severe infection. Risk factors that were associated with CDI among liver transplant recipients included: (1) previous history of CDI (20% vs 0%; P = .001); (2) exposure to proton-pump inhibitor therapy (93% vs 60%; P = .015); (3) antimicrobial therapy before transplantation (47% vs 18%; P = .039); (4) a prolonged length of stay before transplantation (1 day [IQR, 1–19] vs 1 day [IQR, 0–1]; P = .028); and (5) chronic kidney disease (53% vs 20%; P = .011). There was no significant differences in patient survivals at 6 months (93% vs 96%; P = .67) and 12 months (87% vs 94%; P = .35) among CDI case and control subjects, respectively.
High Molecular Mobility and Viscoelasticity of Microphase-Separated Bottlebrush Diblock Copolymer Melts

We investigate the linear viscoelastic behavior of poly(styrene)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) AB diblock brush copolymer materials over a range of volume fractions and with side-chain lengths below entanglement molecular weight (PS Mn ∼ 3.5 kg/mol and PEO Mn ∼ 5 kg/mol). The high chain mobility of the brush architecture results in rapid microphase segregation of the brush copolymer segments, which occurred after mild thermal annealing. Master curves of the dynamic moduli were obtained by time–temperature superposition (tTS). The reduced degree of chain entanglements leads to a unique liquid-like rheology similar to that of bottlebrush (BB) homopolymers, even in the microphase-segregated state. The microphase-segregated domains were found to align at exceptionally low strain amplitudes (γ = 0.01) and mild processing temperatures as confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Domain/grain orientation occurred readily at strains within the linear viscoelastic regime (LVR) without noticeable ef...
Structured to Fail?: Regulatory Performance under Competing Mandates

In the search for explanations for three of the most pressing crises of the early twenty-first century (the housing meltdown and financial crisis, the Gulf oil spill, and the nuclear disaster at Fukushima), commentators pointed to the structure of the regulatory agencies charged with overseeing the associated industries, noting that the need to balance competing regulatory and non-regulatory missions undermined each agency's ability to be an effective regulator. Christopher Carrigan challenges this critique by employing a diverse set of research methods, including a statistical analysis, an in-depth case study of US regulatory oversight of offshore oil and gas development leading up to the Gulf oil spill, and a formal theoretical discussion, to systematically evaluate the benefits and concerns associated with either combining or separating regulatory and non-regulatory missions. His analysis demonstrates for policymakers and scholars why assigning competing non-regulatory missions to regulatory agencies can still be better than separating them in some cases.
Biosynthesis: Methylating mushrooms.

The genome of the poisonous mushroom Omphalotus olearius provides a potent new biocatalytic strategy for installing backbone N-methyl amides on ribosomally synthesized peptides. This discovery could yield new biotechnologies for drug development from peptide macrocycles.
Treatment of the ventral intermediate nucleus for medically refractory tremor: A cost-analysis of stereotactic radiosurgery versus deep brain stimulation.

Abstract Introduction Medically refractory tremor treatment has evolved over the past half-century from intraoperative thalamotomy to deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM). Within the past 15 years, unilateral radiosurgical VIM thalamotomy has emerged as a comparably efficacious treatment modality. Methods An extensive literature search of VIM DBS series was performed; the total cost of VIM DBS was calculated from hospitals geographically representative of the entire United States using current procedural terminology and work relative value unit (RVU) codes. The 2016 Medicare Ambulatory Payment Classification for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) was added to the work RVU to determine the total cost of VIM SRS for both Gamma Knife and linear accelerator SRS. Cost estimates assumed that VIM DBS was performed without intraoperative microelectrode recording. Result The mean unilateral VIM DBS cost was $17,932.41 per patient. For SRS VIM, the total costs for Gamma Knife ($10,811.77) and linear accelerator ($10,726.40) were 40% less expensive than for unilateral VIM DBS. Conclusion Radiosurgery of the VIM is 40% less expensive than unilateral VIM DBS in treatment of medically refractory tremor, regardless of radiosurgical modality. This finding argues for increased radiation oncology involvement in the management of medically refractory tremor patients.
Bladder exstrophy closure in the newborn period with external pelvic fixation performed without osteotomy: A preliminary report.

Summary Background Successful primary bladder closure is the most crucial element for urinary continence in patients with classic bladder exstrophy (CBE). In the newborn period, bladder closure can be performed in the first 48 h without pelvic osteotomy or external fixation, but requires postoperative lower extremity immobilization (i.e., spica cast, Bryant's or Buck's traction). Objective To present a novel surgical approach for primary bladder closure for CBE using two-pin external fixation without pelvic osteotomy, and without postoperative lower extremity immobilization. Study design A retrospective chart review of patients with CBE was performed at the current institution from 2000 to 2016, including all primary bladder closures with external fixation and without osteotomy or lower extremity immobilization. Patients were discharged with the external fixator in place, which was later removed in clinic. Baseline clinical and demographic variables, and follow-up data were recorded. Results Thirteen patients were analyzed; eight (61.5%) were male. Pre-operative intersymphysial distance was 3.68 ± 1.0 cm (2.0–5.0). Mean follow-up was 56.8 ± 40.3 months (10–131). One patient had a partial bladder neck dehiscence, due to pin displacement on postoperative day 1: he had the lowest gestational age of 34 weeks ( Summary table ). Discussion This approach used external fixation to bring the pubic bones together intra-operatively, and to decrease the tension in closing the pelvic ring and abdominal wall without osteotomy. External fixation with osteotomy and long-term immobilization, or using a spica cast without osteotomy offered the added advantage of improved wound care, due to lack of lower limb immobilization, less patient discomfort, and facilitation of mother/caregiver and newborn bonding. Conclusion The two-pin external fixator without osteotomy as an adjunct to primary bladder closure in CBE patients was technically feasible. At the current institution this approach had an equivalent success rate to previous reports in the literature for primary bladder closure, decreased the length of hospital stay, and precluded the need for lower extremity immobilization. Early data for bladder capacity were encouraging. Summary table . Baseline characteristics and follow-up outcomes of the participants. Clinical variables Mean ± SD (minimum–maximum) Gestational age (months) 38.6 ± 1.9 (34–41.2) Age at surgery (days) 2.6 ± 1.5 (1–5) Hospitalization length (days) 30 ± 15.5 (13–65) Expected bladder capacity for age (%) 55.5 ± 32.4 (11.51–108.47) Successful primary closure (%) 12 (92.3) SD, standard deviation.
Gender and Race Differences in Faculty Assessment of Tenure Clarity: The Influence of Departmental Relationships and Practices:

The authors look at how the intersection of gender and race influences pretenure faculty members’ perceptions of the clarity of tenure expectations. The authors also seek to identify potential predictors (assessment of mentoring, relationships with peers, feedback on progress toward tenure, and of fairness in tenure decision making and evaluation) of perceptions of tenure clarity for four intersectionally defined groups, including historically underrepresented minority women (URMW). The authors use an intersectional perspective and the gendered and racialized organizations’ theoretical lens to interpret the results. The data set comes from the Harvard University Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education survey of tenure-track faculty job satisfaction (2011 and 2012). Bivariate results reveal no significant differences in URMW’s perceptions of tenure clarity compared with all other faculty members. However, findings show that compared with white men (WM), URMW are less satisfied with the relati...
Development of a Healthy and Sustainable Food Availability Inventory (HSFAI): an assessment of Washington, DC, grocery stores

The objective of this study was to expand an existing food environment measurement tool to also evaluate the availability and price of sustainably produced indicator foods (SPIF) in grocery stores in the District of Columbia. A Healthy Sustainable Food Availability Inventory was developed to assess the availability of organically produced and plant-based protein foods as SPIF, and was piloted in 46 grocery stores. Availability and price of SPIF items did not vary significantly by ward. Organic foods were more expensive than their conventional counterparts. This pilot project demonstrates the feasibility of assessing access to SPIF items in the marketplace, although further development and testing of the instrument in other food retail categories is needed.