cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A combined pattern separability and two-tiered classification approach for identification of binary mixtures of VOCs

Several classification techniques have been developed with varying degrees of success for automated identification of VOCs, however, the problem becomes considerably more challenging when more than one VOC is present. The reason is two-fold: first, the response of the sensors to certain VOCs may be too strong and mask the response of the sensors to other VOCs in the environment; and second the responses of the sensors to VOCs may not have enough separability information if the specificity of the sensors is not adequate. We propose the following procedures for these two issues in identification of binary mixtures of VOCs: a nonlinear cluster transformation technique or nonparametric discriminant analysis to increase pattern separability, followed by a two-tier classification to aid in identification of dominant and secondary VOCs separately. Results demonstrate the feasibility of the combined approach.
Police Professionalism and Cynicism An Empirical Assessment

This article examines the impact of police commitment to major tenets of a professional ideology on cynicism. Based on data collected from questionnaire responses of 260 police officers from three medium-size police departments, the analysis reveals that two professionalism dimensions—sense of calling to the field and belief in autonomy—exert the greatest effect in reducing or minimizing feelings of cynicism. The findings further suggest that the police have a narrow view of professionalism which may serve to reinforce the insular nature of police subcultures.
Two-level iterative queuing modeling of software contention

Being able to model contention for software resources (e.g., a critical section or database lock) is paramount to building performance models that capture all aspects of the delay encountered by a process as it executes. Several methods have been offered for dealing with software contention and with message blocking in client-server systems. This paper presents a general, straightforward, easy to understand and implement, approach to modeling software contention using queuing networks. The approach, called SQN-HQN, consists of a two-level iterative process. Two queuing networks are considered: one represents software resources (SQN) and the other hardware resources (HQN). Multiclass models are allowed and any solution technique exact or approximate - can be used at any of the levels. This technique falls in the general category of fixed-point approximate models and is similar in nature to other approaches. The main difference lies in its simplicity. The process converges very fast in the examples examined. The results were validated against global balance equation solutions and are very accurate.
Glutathione S-transferase Gene Polymorphisms and Risk and Survival of Pancreatic Cancer

It is estimated that, in 2006, approximately 33,730 Americans will develop pancreatic cancer, and 32,300 will die from this disease.1 The mortality rate of pancreatic cancer (10.5 per 100,000 population) is almost equal to its incidence rate (11.0 per 100,000 population) for both sexes and all ethnic groups.2 Cigarette smoking is the only established environmental risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Very little is known about how genetic and environmental factors interact to foster the development of this malignancy.3 Clinically, treatment of pancreatic cancer remains a challenge, and there is great heterogeneity in the way patients respond to chemotherapy. Therefore, it is important to understand how genetic factors contribute to both predisposition to and clinical outcome of this disease. The cytosolic glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) (Enzyme Commission no. 2.5.1.18) are a family of phase II isoenzymes that are important parts of the cell defense against numerous harmful chemicals that are produced endogenously and exogenously. GSTs catalyze the addition of reduced glutathione (GSH) to a variety of electrophilic compounds, including tobacco carcinogens4-6 and anticancer agents.7 Eight families of soluble GSTs in humans have been identified,8 and they have overlapping substrate specificities. GST-μ,GST-Θ, and GST-π are encoded by the GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes, respectively; and these 3 genes have been examined extensively in association with genetic susceptibility9,10 and clinical outcomes of several types of human cancer.11-15 Homozygous deletion of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes (null genotype) has been associated with the loss or lack of enzyme activity and increased vulnerability to cytogenetic damage.16,17 It has been shown that the exon 5 A1404G, which encodes an isoleucine (Ile)→valine (Val) exchange at codon 105 (Ile105Val) (reference single nucleotide polymorphism [rs] no. 947894), and exon 6 C2294T, which encodes an Ala→Val exchange at codon 114 (Ala114Val) (rs no. 1799811) of the GSTP1 gene, confer lower levels of metabolizing activity toward a variety of carcinogens and anticancer agents.18-20 GST-μ,GST-Θ,and GST-π all are expressed in the human gastrointestinal tract.21 In particular, GST-π appears to be one of the constitutive elements of the human pancreas.22 In the current study, we investigated the association between GST gene polymorphisms and the risk of pancreatic cancer as well as the clinical outcome of patients with cancer. We hypothesized that these polymorphisms influence the detoxification of carcinogens, reactive oxygen species, and anticancer drugs, thereby influencing susceptibility to pancreatic cancer as well as the clinical outcome of patients.23
Transformation Type Specificity of H. influenzae.

SummaryThe data provide another example of the control of the genetic constitution of microorganisms by specifically oriented desoxyribonucleic acids. An R strain, Rbl, derived from type b H. influenzae was endowed with properties of type b under the influence of a desoxyribonucleic acid isolated from type b H. influenzae. This same R strain, Rbl, was transformed to type c H. influenzae when grown in an appropriate environment in the presence of an unpurified transforming principle isolated from type c H. influenzae.Rbl has also been transformed to Sa and Sd. The transforming activity of desoxyribonucleic acid has been shown to be destroyed by a crystalline desoxyribonuclease supplied by Dr. Maclyn McCarty.
Interethnic Differences (or Similarities?) in the Relative Individuation of Women and Men

What roles do ethnicity, gender, and attitudes play in determining whether a person will be perceived as a unique individual versus a homogenized group member? Attitudes toward women’s roles have been found to predict Whites’ relative individuation of women and men; however, African Americans were found to individuate women and men equally, regardless of attitude (Stewart et al. 2000). Using a name–trait matching paradigm, the present research found that when targets were identified as African American, African American participants’ (18 male and 35 female college students) attitudes toward women’s roles predicted their individuation of men and women. These results suggest that an ethnic out-group homogeneity effect, rather than gender-egalitarian attitudes, contributed to the previous finding of equivalent individuation.
Clinical Outcomes Associated with Brand-to-Generic Phenytoin Interchange

Background:Concerns that antiepileptic brand-to-generic interchange results in disruption of seizure control are widespread. However, little within-patient evidence exists examining such interchanges.Objective:To compare within-patient seizure control before and after the interchange of a branded to a single-source generic Phenytoin among patients with seizures in a managed care organization.Methods:This was a pre-post, self-controlled, retrospective study. Adults with a history of seizure who used Dilantin Kapseals 100 mg extended Phenytoin sodium, USP, capsules and whose therapy was interchanged to Taro Pharmaceuticals’ AB-rated generic extended phenytoin sodium capsules, USP, 100 mg between July 2007 and May 2008 were included. Study outcomes included the comparisons of the proportions of patients with at least emergency department (ED) visit/inpatient hospitalization and medical office visit/nonoffice consultation for acute seizure in the 6 months before and after interchange. Outcomes were confirmed ...
Exchange rate regimes and national price levels

This paper explores the role of exchange rate regimes in explaining deviations from the classic theory of purchasing power parity. Examining a broad panel of countries, I find that developing countries with fixed exchange rate regimes have national price levels that are 20 percent higher than those with flexible regimes. For industrial countries, the relation between regimes and price levels is qualitatively similar but weaker. I investigate several explanations for this pattern, and find that exchange-rate overshooting in floats, inflation inertia in pegs and expansionary policies can explain only 5 percentage points of the observed differences. I also show that even though the observed pattern could be the outcome of a class of open economy models pioneered by Obstfeld and Rogoff, the data provides limited empirical support for the predictions of this model.
Role of endovascular stenting in radiation-induced stenosis of lower extremity veins

Radiation-induced venous stenosis is rare with a few isolated cases reported in the medical literature involving the lower limb. Management options in such cases are thus not streamlined. We describe an unusual case of iliac vein stenosis in a patient with rectal carcinoma after combined chemoradiation therapy, managed with endovascular stenting. The possible mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of venous stricture and their treatment options have been reviewed.
Next-generation community genetics for low- and middle-income countries

A recent report by the World Health Organization calls for implementation of community genetics programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Their focus is prevention of congenital disorders and genetic diseases at the population level, in addition to providing genetics services, including diagnosis and counseling. The proposed strategies include both newborn screening and population screening for carrier detection, in addition to lowering the incidence of congenital disorders and genetic diseases through the removal of environmental factors. In this article, we consider the potential impact of such testing on global health and highlight the near-term relevance of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic approaches to their implementation. Key attributes of NGS for community genetics programs are homogeneous approach, high multiplexing of diseases and samples, as well as rapidly falling costs of new technologies. In the near future, we estimate that appropriate use of population-specific test panels could cost as little as $10 for 10 Mendelian disorders and could have a major impact on diseases that currently affect 2% of children worldwide. However, the successful deployment of this technological innovation in LMICs will require high value for human life, thoughtful implementation, and autonomy of individual decisions, supported by appropriate genetic counseling and community education.
Investigating the Impact of Housing First on ACT Fidelity

This study examined the extent to which an ACT team employed within a Housing First program conforms to the fidelity standards of the ACT model. The aim was to specifically identify the extent to which accommodations have been made to suit the context and priorities of Housing First. Results indicate that some deviations from the ACT model could be attributed to the consumer choice approach inherent to Housing First. Other deviations may result from serving individuals that are more disconnected from social supports than other individuals with mental illness, with longer street histories, and greater involvement with substance use.
Non-collageneous proteins influence bone crystal size and morphology: A SAXS study

Bone is a complex hierarchical natural composite. Its ability to accumulate damage and avert catastrophic failure is determined in part by its quality that is dependent on factors like bone material quality, bone micro-architecture and bone turnover. The hierarchy of bone, which ranges six orders of magnitude, also contributes significantly to toughening its matrix. Recently, non-collageneous proteins (NCP) have come to light as structural elements in bone's extracellular matrix. Apart from their structural role, it has been well studied that NCPs including osteocalcin (OC) and osteopontin (OPN) regulate the process of mineralization and crystal growth. Their deletion form the matrix is likely to alter crystal formation and growth processes and hence modify mineral organization at the ultrastructural level. Using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), this study aims at identifying how NCPs alter bone crystal structure and organization.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO WOMEN’S VENTURE SUCCESS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: AN EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS

Although the body of literature on female entrepreneurs is relatively small when compared to that of men; the majority of articles that have focused on female entrepreneurs and issues surrounding them center on women in developed countries. Few studies place emphasis on female entrepreneurs in developing countries. Guided by the resource-based view of human and social capital, the article explores the relationship among individual and entrepreneurial factors, institutional factors and women’s venture success in developing countries. Hypotheses are tested with a sample of 350 female entrepreneurs using individual and country level data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) database and the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom. Female entrepreneurs were chosen from six developing countries: Argentina, Brazil, Hungary, India, Mexico and South Africa. Results indicate certain factors (i.e. household income, knowing an entrepreneur, and country of origin) play a role in venture success for female entrepreneurs in developing countries. Secondary analyses demonstrated that the developing country’s economic freedom, cultural norms, financial support and government supportiveness may also impact women’s venture success.
Recent Developments in the Control of Some Arthropods of Public Health and Veterinary Importance: Cockroaches

Man's best efforts and ingenuity have not yet succeeded in conquering his long-time competitor, the cockroach. Perhaps this is at least partly due to the remarkable ability of the cockroach to adjust to changing environmental conditions, as evidenced by its survival through many geological periods and in spite of the widespread use of modern chemicals and other devices employed for its control.
Protein Molecules as Natural Nano Bio Devices: Mobility Analysis

Proteins are nature’s nano-robots in the form of functional molecular components of living cells. The function of these natural nano-robots often requires conformational transitions between two or more native conformations that are made possible by the intrinsic mobility of the proteins. Understanding these transitions is essential to the understanding of how proteins function, as well as to the ability to design and manipulate protein-based nano-mechanical systems [1]. Modeling protein molecules as kinematic chains provides the foundation for developing powerful approaches to the design, manipulation and fabrication of peptide based molecules and devices. Nevertheless, these models possess a high number of degrees of freedom (DOF) with considerable computational implications. On the other hand, real protein molecules appear to exhibits a much lower mobility during the folding process than what is suggested by existing kinematic models. The key contributor to the lower mobility of real proteins is the formation of Hydrogen bonds during the folding process.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Role of the earthworm, Eisenia foetida, in affecting organic matter decomposition in microcosms of sludge-amended soil.

(1) Organic matter decomposition was monitored for 49 days at 15 0C by measuring CO2 fluxes from microcosms in the form of soil cores. Some microcosms were amended with activated sewage sludge and/or Eisenia foetida (Oligochaeta). The biomass of E. foetida increased only when sludge was added. (2) The redox potential (Eh > 390 mV) indicated oxidizing conditions and no methane was produced. Those microcosms amended with sludge had an exponential decline in carbon mineralization without E. foetida. Decreased rates of sludge decomposition were arrested by E.foetida. (3) Labile constituents of sludge were converted to earthworm biomass and respiration. The increase in biomass accelerated sludge stabilization which reduces odours and pathogens. (4) Earthworm activity dispersed the sludge within the soil.
Comparison of bias analysis strategies applied to a large data set.

Background:Epidemiologic data sets continue to grow larger. Probabilistic-bias analyses, which simulate hundreds of thousands of replications of the original data set, may challenge desktop computational resources.Methods:We implemented a probabilistic-bias analysis to evaluate the direction, magnit
IMAGE GUIDED RNA-SEQ REVEALS SUBTYPE-SPECIFIC PATTERNS AT THE INFILTRATIVE MARGINS OF GLIOBLASTOMA

BACKGROUND: The primary treatment of GBM is surgical resection of the contrast enhancing mass, while regions of non-enhancing tumor are left behind, and inevitably gives rise to recurrence. Thus, there is therapeutic significance to understanding the cellular and molecular features of the non-enhancing margins of GBM. Advances in comparative genetic and molecular analyses have uncovered patterns of gene expression and genetic alterations in GBM, and led to the recognition of clinically significant tumor subtypes. However, most previous studies have been based on analysis of tissue that was removed during surgery without documenting the radiographic location. This has precluded the systematic study of intra-tumoral heterogeneity, and its correlation with radiographic regions. We propose a method of sequential image guided biopsies, allowing for specimen localization, intra-tumoral comparative analysis, and the systematic study of infiltrated tissue beyond the borders of contrast enhancement. METHODS: In 77 patients with GBM, multiple stereotactic-guided biopsies were obtained from radiographically distinct regions prior to resection. The radiographic localization of each biopsy was mapped using the 3D intraoperative neuro-navigation system (BrainLab). Sampled regions included areas of contrast enhancement (CE) and adjacent non-enhancing FLAIR+ (NEF+). Samples from each region were divided into pieces processed for RNA-seq and histological analyses. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the cellular density and cellular composition between the CE and NEF+ samples. The CE samples had higher cellularity than NEF+ samples, and were more likely to contain the histological hallmarks of GBM, including vascular proliferation and pseudopalisading necrosis. In contrast, the NEF+ regions showed the histological features of diffusely infiltrating glioma with neoplastic glial cells intermingled with non-neoplastic and reactive cells. RNA-seq showed that the CE and NEF+ regions also had markedly different expression patterns. Comparisons between our image guided biopsies and the TCGA data set showed that the CE regions were enriched for genes associated with the mesenchymal, classical and proneural subtypes while the NEF+ region were enriched for genes of the neural subtype. Further analysis revealed that region-specific and subtype-specific differences in expression patterns were predominantly due to differences in the cellular composition. CONCLUSIONS: Cellular composition is a major determinant of the expression patterns seen at the non-enhancing margins of GBM. The different GBM subtypes show distinct expression patterns that relate the contrast enhancing centers to the non-enhancing margins of the tumors. Understanding these patterns provides a means to infer the molecular and cellular features of glioma tissue left behind after surgery. SECONDARY CATEGORY: Tumor Biology.
Importance of residual primary cancer after induction therapy for esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Objectives To (1) assess the continuous distribution of the percentage of residual primary cancer in resection specimens after induction therapy for locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma, (2) determine the effects of residual primary cancer on survival after esophagectomy, (3) ascertain interplay between residual primary cancer and classical classifications of response to induction therapy (ypTNM), and (4) identify predictors of residual primary cancer. Methods From January 2006 to November 2012, 188 patients (78%) underwent accelerated chemoradiotherapy, and 52 patients (22%) underwent chemotherapy alone followed by esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma. Mean age was 61 ± 9.2 years, and 89% were male. Residual primary cancer, assessed as the percentage of residual primary cancer cells in resection specimens, was quantified histologically by a gastrointestinal pathologist. Random Forest technology was used for data analysis. Results Twenty-five specimens (10%) had no residual primary cancer (ypT0), 79 (33%) had 1% to 25% residual cancer, 91 (38%) had 26% to 75%, and 45 (19%) had >75%. Survival was worse with increasing residual primary cancer, plateauing at 75%. Greater residual primary cancer was associated with worse survival across the spectrum of higher ypTN. Higher ypT, larger number of positive nodes, and use of induction chemotherapy rather than induction chemoradiotherapy were associated with greater residual primary cancer. Conclusions Less residual primary cancer in response to preoperative therapy is associated with a linear increase in survival after esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma; however, survival is poorer than for resected early-stage cancers. Therefore, for patients with poor prognostic indicators, including higher percentage of residual primary cancer, the role of adjuvant therapy needs to be further examined in an attempt to improve survival.
The next generation very large array

The North American astronomical community is considering a future large area radio array optimized to perform imaging of thermal emission down to milliarcsecond scales. This `Next Generation Very Large Array' would entail ten times the effective collecting area of the Jansky Very Large Array, operate from 1GHz to 115GHz, with ten times longer baselines (300km) providing milliarcsecond resolution, and include a dense core on kilometer scales for high surface brightness imaging. The preliminary design, capabilities, and some of the priority science goals of the instrument are summarized.
Petty Envy When Assigning Objects

Envy of another person's assignment is ``justified'' if you ``deserve'' the object and it is possible to assign you to the object. Currently, the literature only considers whether or not the agent deserves the object and ignores whether or not assigning her to it is possible. This paper defines a fair set of assignments in terms of what is possible. We prove that a fair set of assignments has the same properties as the set of stable matches: the Lattice Theorem, Decomposition Lemma, and Rural Hospital Theorem all hold. Moreover, there is a unique, student-optimal fair assignment: the assignment made by Kesten's Efficiency Adjusted Deferred Acceptance mechanism when all students consent.
A Review on Recent Development of Finite Element Models for Head Injury Simulations

This paper presents an overview of the published major finite element (FE) models for simulating injuries of human brains, based on our recent comprehensive literature study on the published works since early 2000 to date. Our focus is on studies of the so-called mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) that have always been a major concern with respect to various contact sports, including boxing and football. In addition, papers on the investigations of various types of accidents as major cause of MTBI have also reviewed. Because concussion is known as one of the main reasons for a MTBI, and addressing it has been a pressing need in recent times. FE models have been frequently used to study the mechanism of concussions, and different types of models with various considerations have been included in this review study. This paper aims to summarize all these published efforts, models, data, finings, and understandings of concussion mechanisms reported in the open literature. We hope this can serve a useful source for initial studies for researchers planning to invest their time and energy in the investigations in the related areas.
TRANSLATION WITHOUT BORDERS: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON CHANGING PRACTICES IN TRANSLATION THEORY AND PEDAGOGY

Os Estudos da Traducao consistem em uma disciplina nova, a principio as margens dos departamentos academicos tradicionais, que foi nao apenas expandida como reposicionada no centro das humanidades. Nos ultimos cinquenta anos a area se tornou uma interdisciplina dinâmica que tem transformado a pesquisa e o ensino em variados campos, a citar estudos da linguagem, linguistica, estudos culturais e ciencias sociais. Este artigo examina o estado presente da area e estuda as tendencias das distintas pesquisas desenvolvidas e de suas implicacoes para a pedagogia da traducao.
Hard Decision Error Correcting Scheme Based on LDPC Codes over Impulse Noise Channels

We investigate hard decision based low- density parity-check (LDPC) codes over an impulse noise channel, which is modeled as the concatenation of a binary erasure channel (BEC) and a binary symmetric channel (BSC). We propose a decoding algorithm based on three-state quantization of the traditional sum-product algorithm, where the three states correspond to "1", "0", and "E" (Erasure). As such, the proposed algorithm dramatically reduces the implementation complexity, while still keeps satisfactory decoding performance as shown by simulation results.
Fracture in DISH/AS

Management of the spine trauma patient requires thorough neurologic and radiographic evaluation. While a majority of spine traumatic conditions can be managed non-operatively, high index of suspicion must be maintained to avoid missing critical injuries that could lead to immediate or delayed neurologic deterioration.
Stability of polyvinyl alcohol-coated biochar nanoparticles in brine

This paper reports on the dispersion stability of 150 nm polyvinyl alcohol coated biochar nanoparticles in brine water. Biochar is a renewable, carbon based material that is of significant interest for enhanced oil recovery operations primarily due to its wide ranging surface properties, low cost of synthesis, and low environmental toxicity. Nanoparticles used as stabilizing agents for foams (and emulsions) or in nanofluids have emerged as potential alternatives to surfactants for subsurface applications due to their improved stability at reservoir conditions. If, however, the particles are not properly designed, they are susceptible to aggregation because of the high salinity brines typical of oil and gas reservoirs. Attachment of polymers to the nanoparticle surface, through covalent bonds, provides steric stabilization, and is a necessary step. Our results show that as the graft density of polyvinyl alcohol increases, so too does the stability of nanoparticles in brine solutions. A maximum of 34 wt% of 50,000 Da polyvinyl alcohol was grafted to the particle surface, and the size of the particles was reduced from ~3500 nm (no coating) to 350 nm in brine. After 24 h, the particles had a size of ~500 nm, and after 48 h completely aggregated. 100,000 Da PVA coated at 24 wt% on the biochar particles were stable in brine for over 1 month with no change in mean particle size of ~330 nm.
Challenges to realizing deep-UV AlGaN-based lasers

Optical sources that emit in the deep-UV spectral regime have applications that include chemical/biochemical detection, water purification, surface decontamination, medical diagnostics and treatment, non-line-of-sight communication, and materials curing. A particularly challenging application is for a deep-UV laser source to enable point-of-need identification of bio-chemicals by Raman spectroscopy, which requires select wavelengths (<240nm), high power, and high beam quality in a compact, rugged system. The AlGaN semiconductor material system offers a promising path to realizing such a system, with direct access to the emission wavelengths of interest and demonstrated growth of multi-quantum-well heterostructures of high crystalline quality.
Globe Axial Length Growth at Age 5 Years in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study.

Purpose To report the longitudinal change in axial length (AL) from the time of unilateral cataract surgery at age 1 to 7 months to age 5 years, and to compare AL growth of operated eyes with that of fellow unoperated eyes. Design Comparative case series. Participants Infants enrolled in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS). Methods The AL at baseline and age 5 years and change in AL were analyzed relative to treated versus fellow eye, visual outcome, and treatment modality (contact lens [CL] vs. intraocular lens [IOL]). Eyes with glaucoma or glaucoma suspect were excluded from primary analysis but reported separately. Main Outcome Measures The AL growth from preoperative to age 5 years. Results Seventy patients were eligible; however, AL data for both eyes were available for 64 patients at baseline and 69 patients at age 5 years. The AL was significantly different between treated and fellow eyes preoperatively (18.1 vs. 18.7 mm, P P = 0.0004). The difference in AL growth between treated and fellow eyes was not significant (3.3 vs. 3.5 mm, P = 0.31). The change in AL in eyes was similar with both treatments (CL 3.2 mm and IOL 3.4 mm, P = 0.53) and did not correlate with visual outcomes ( P = 0.85). Eyes receiving additional surgery to clear the visual axis opacification grew significantly more compared with eyes not receiving surgery to clear the visual axis (3.8 vs. 2.7 mm, P = 0.013). Patients with glaucoma showed significantly more eye growth (5.7 mm) than those without glaucoma (3.3 mm) and glaucoma suspects (4.3 mm). Conclusions Eyes treated for monocular cataract in infancy have axial growth similar to that of fellow eyes, despite having a shorter AL at the time of surgery. The change in AL in eyes was similar with both treatments (CL and IOL), did not correlate with visual outcomes, and was higher in eyes receiving additional surgery to clear the visual axis or eyes diagnosed with glaucoma.
Neuronal hyperexcitability in a mouse model of SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy.

Patients with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE) experience severe seizures and cognitive impairment and are at increased risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). EIEE13 [Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) # 614558] is caused by de novo missense mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene SCN8A Here, we investigated the neuronal phenotype of a mouse model expressing the gain-of-function SCN8A patient mutation, p.Asn1768Asp (Nav1.6-N1768D). Our results revealed regional and neuronal subtype specificity in the effects of the N1768D mutation. Acutely dissociated hippocampal neurons from Scn8aN1768D/+ mice showed increases in persistent sodium current (INa) density in CA1 pyramidal but not bipolar neurons. In CA3, INa,P was increased in both bipolar and pyramidal neurons. Measurement of action potential (AP) firing in Scn8aN1768D/+ pyramidal neurons in brain slices revealed early afterdepolarization (EAD)-like AP waveforms in CA1 but not in CA3 hippocampal or layer II/III neocortical neurons. The maximum spike frequency evoked by depolarizing current injections in Scn8aN1768D/+ CA1, but not CA3 or neocortical, pyramidal cells was significantly reduced compared with WT. Spontaneous firing was observed in subsets of neurons in CA1 and CA3, but not in the neocortex. The EAD-like waveforms of Scn8aN1768D/+ CA1 hippocampal neurons were blocked by tetrodotoxin, riluzole, and SN-6, implicating elevated persistent INa and reverse mode Na/Ca exchange in the mechanism of hyperexcitability. Our results demonstrate that Scn8a plays a vital role in neuronal excitability and provide insight into the mechanism and future treatment of epileptogenesis in EIEE13.
Thriving at school and succeeding at work? A demands-resources view of spillover processes in working students

Abstract Despite the fact that at least forty percent of students enrolled in college full-time also hold part-time employment, this sector of the workforce has been severely understudied in organizational research. Although there have been efforts to explore how work demands and resources spillover to influence academic outcomes, particularly little attention has been paid to the extent to which school experiences affect work outcomes. Accordingly, little is known about how demands and resources within the work- and school-domains individually and jointly predict work-related well-being and performance. In light of this gap in our understanding, we build from the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R; Bakker & Demerouti, 2007) and Work-Home Resources (WH-R; ten Brummelhuis & Bakker, 2012) models to develop and test hypotheses regarding within- and cross-domain relations among demands, resources, and their interaction in the prediction of work outcomes in a sample of part-time working students (N = 188). Utilizing a longitudinal research design with evaluations of both student well-being and supervisor ratings of work performance, we observed a larger role for within-domain (i.e., work) demands and resources in the prediction of work outcomes. As such, our work adds insight into the experiences of students who are working part-time.
Sorting as a Streaming Application Executing on Chip Multiprocessors

Expressing concurrency in applications has always been a difficult and error-prone endeavor, yet effective utilization of multi-core processors requires that the concurrency in applications be understood. One approach to the expression of concurrency is streaming, which has shown real promise as a safe and effective method for many application classes. Here, we express a classic problem, sorting, in the streaming paradigm and explore the implications of various algorithm and architectural design parameters on the performance of the application. Type of Report: Other Department of Computer Science & Engineering Washington University in St. Louis Campus Box 1045 St. Louis, MO 63130 ph: (314) 935-6160 Sorting as a Streaming Application Executing on Chip Multiprocessors Roger D. Chamberlain*†, Greg A. Galloway†, and Mark A. Franklin*† *Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering †Dept. of Electrical and Systems Engineering Washington University in St. Louis {roger,ggalloway,jbf}@wustl.edu
Overbounding Risk for Quadratic Monitors With Arbitrary Noise Distributions

This paper derives equations to bound missed-detection and false-alarm probabilities for a quadratic monitor subject to vector noise with an uncertain, non-Gaussian probability density function (PDF). The bounding equation offers utility for the verification of safety-of-life navigation systems, in terms of both robustness and computational efficiency. Robustness is achieved in that the noise PDF need not be known precisely, so long as the PDF can be appropriately bracketed. Computational efficiency is achieved by transforming non-Gaussian PDFs into a Gaussian form that contributes to fast, repeated evaluations across a great many fault scenarios.
Business Students' Learning with Online Discussion Forums: The Case of a Virtual Classroom Community.

This study examined what learning is and how learning was facilitated in a virtual classroom community using online discussion forums. Results demonstrated that learning in such a community was the active participation by the members of the community in the process of meaning construction. The construction of meaning in such a community was supported and sustained through members’ experience-sharing, peer-mediation and information-seeking. Knowledge was made available by members, who linked the community learning with their social surroundings, such as work places, families and the society. Thus learning in a virtual classroom community facilitates an environment in which learners could not only learn, but also learn to learn.
Inclusive Science Education

The desire to make science instruction more inclusive has come from various quarters including from advocates for special education students, those who have noticed the underrepresentation of women, minorities, those from a lower socioeconomic background and others in science education and science careers.
The anomalous hydrolytic behavior of 1-phenylvinyl phosphate

The kinetics of hydrolysis of 1-phenylvinyl phosphate, 1, were studied over a pH range of 1 to 8.3 and over a pD range of 1 to 5.6 at 25°C and µ = 0.5 M with sodium chloride. The hydrolytic behavior of 1 was found to differ, in many respects, from that of alkyl and aryl phosphomonoesters. First, the rates of hydrolysis of 1 were extremely rapid and, in the hydronium ion-catalyzed region, gave a solvent deuterium isotope effect (kH/kD) of 3.20. Also, the 1H-NMR spectrum of acetophenone formed upon complete hydrolysis of 1 in D2O (pD 1.2) revealed that only one deuterium atom was incorporated into the methyl group. Hence, the evidence was consistent with a rate-limiting and nonreversible proton transfer from the solvent to 1. In addition, using an H218O labeling study in conjunction with 31P-NMR analysis, the hydrolytic mechanism appeared to involve nucleophilic attack by water at both the α-carbon and the phosphorus atom with concurrent C–O and P–O bond fission. Second, in the pH region where the monoanionic species of 1 predominated, buffers had a pronounced catalytic effect on the hydrolysis rate; there appeared to be a normal solvent deuterium isotope effect; and the rate constant, k′o, showed a positive deviation from the established Bronsted relationship. The dissimilarities between 1 and alkyl and aryl phosphomonoesters supported the involvement of an alternate dephosphorylation pathway. One potential mechanism for the hydrolysis of 1, consistent with the experimental findings, might be rate-limiting and nonreversible protonation of the β-carbon of the olefmic bond, resulting in the formation of a rapidly hydrated carbonium ion intermediate, a mechanism similar to that proposed for the more acidic pH region. Alternatively, a concerted mechanism involving proton transfer with expulsion of a monomeric metaphos-phate anion might be operating.
AB0457 Clinical equivalence in efficacy between abp 501 and adalimumab in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis: a tipping point sensitivity analysis

Background ABP 501 is the first approved biosimilar to adalimumab. Patient withdrawals from clinical trials can result in missing data, which may lead to loss of statistical power and bias of the treatment difference estimate. Therefore, it is critical to examine the potential effects of missing data and analyse the sensitivity of the results under various assumptions on the mechanism of missing data. Objectives To examine and confirm the robustness of the clinical similarity conclusion between ABP 501 and adalimumab reference product (RP) through tipping point sensitivity analyses on ACR20 at week 24, the primary endpoint of the phase 3 study in patients with rheumatic arthritis. Methods The primary analysis for this trial has been previously published. The proportions of patients achieving ACR20/50/70 responses with last observation carried forward imputation at weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24, were similar between ABP 501 and the RP over time. Tipping point sensitivity analyses were used to estimate the difference between ABP 501 and the RP with varying assumptions on the outcomes in patients who withdrew from the study early and those who completed the study. Results The table 1 displays the results of tipping point analyses on the primary endpoint of ACR20 at week 24. There were no scenarios in which the 90% confidence interval (CI) failed to rule out a 12% loss/increase in the ACR20 response. Conclusions The tipping point sensitivity analyses support the findings of the key efficacy analyses in the phase 3 RA study and confirm that the effects of missing data would not change the conclusion of clinical similarity between ABP 501 and the RP. Disclosure of Interest N. Zhang Shareholder of: Amgen Inc., Employee of: Amgen Inc., H. Wang Shareholder of: Amgen Inc., Employee of: Amgen Inc., E. Krishnan Shareholder of: Amgen Inc., Employee of: Amgen Inc.
Connecting noncommutative geometry to f(R) modified gravity

It is shown in this note that a noncommutative-geometry background determines the modified-gravity function $f(R)$ for modeling dark matter.
Abstract WP271: A Comparison of Bedside Echocardiography with Point of Care Ultrasound to Standard Transthoracic Echocardiography in the Setting of Acute Stroke and TIA

Background: Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) is routinely performed in the setting of acute stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) to evaluate for a cardiac source of emboli. Although stand...
X + Y Scheduling in Pediatric Residency: Continuity, Handoffs, and Trainee Experience

Abstract Background Many internal medicine residency programs have transitioned to an X + Y clinic schedule, in which weekly continuity clinics are removed and clinic experience is instead condensed into 2-week blocks interspersed throughout the year, but few pediatric training programs have adopted this approach. We initiated X + Y scheduling in the 2015 academic year, with the hypothesis that outpatient continuity could be maintained or improved while inpatient handoffs would be reduced. We also hypothesized that learner experience with X + Y scheduling would be positive. Methods Continuity and handoffs were compared over a 7-month period in 2013 to 2014 and 2015 to 2016. Outpatient continuity was calculated as the proportion of visits in which the patient was seen by the designated primary care provider (PCP). Handoffs were calculated through analysis of the online resident schedule with comparison of weekly totals for all inpatient teams. Resident perceptions were obtained in an online survey of residents who experienced both systems. Results With X + Y scheduling, overall outpatient continuity improved from 2914 of 9882 (29.5%) of visits seen by a patient's PCP to 3066 of 9769 (31.4%) (P = .004), but preventive visit continuity decreased from 2170 of 4687 (46.2%) to 2025 of 4709 (43%) (P = .001). Inpatient handoffs decreased with X + Y scheduling from 30 to 20 weekly handoffs (P Conclusions An X + Y scheduling approach in pediatrics is a viable alternative to weekly clinics, resulting in improved learner experience, reductions in inpatient handoffs, and small mixed effects on outpatient continuity.
Occurrence of horizontal transmission in layer chickens after administration of an in ovo strain F Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccine

In ovo vaccination is currently being considered as a means of delivery for live Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) vaccines. This study was performed to determine the transmissibility of strain F MG (FMG) from in ovo-vaccinated chicks to non-vaccinated pen mates. Eggs from an MG clean flock were incubated together for 18 D, at which point all live embryonated eggs were either not injected or administered a dilution of an FMG vaccine at 106 CFU per dose, 1 × 104 CFU per dose, 1 × 102 CFU per dose, or 1 CFU per dose. Non-injected eggs were hatched in a separate incubator. Ten non-injected, sentinel birds, and 1 in ovo-vaccinated FMG chick were placed in each of 32 isolation units located in 2 replicate rooms (8 replicates per dose). At 6 wk of age, surviving birds that had been vaccinated in ovo were removed, swabbed for FMG detection by PCR, and bled for serum plate agglutination (SPA) and ELISA testing for the presence of antibodies against MG (1, 2, 6, and all 8 in ovo-vaccinated chicks in the 106, 104, 102, and 1 CFU dosages). At 12 wk of age, the remaining sentinel birds were likewise sampled. No sentinel birds died. The in ovo-vaccinated birds that survived to 6 wk were serologically positive except for 5 birds in the 1 CFU treatment. The percentages of MG-positive sentinel birds and sentinel birds with antibody production against MG at 12 wk from each unit were not different between all MG dosages (P = 0.48, PCR; P = 0.77, SPA; P = 0.85, ELISA). Body weights of the in ovo-vaccinated chicks at 6 wk of age (P = 0.43) and the sentinel birds at 12 wk of age (P = 0.95) were each not affected by FMG treatment. These findings indicate that layer chickens in ovo vaccinated with a live-attenuated FMG vaccine were capable of transmitting FMG to other chicks with which they were in direct contact.
Crayfish populations genetically fragmented in streams impounded for 36–104 years

Dams and their associated impoundments may restrict dispersal and gene flow among populations of numerous freshwater species within stream networks, leading to genetic isolation. This can reduce effective population sizes and genetic diversity, increasing the risk of local extinction. We studied crayfishes from multiple up‐ and downstream sites in three impounded and two unimpounded streams in the Bear Creek and Cahaba River drainages, Alabama, U.S.A. Using mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene) sequence data generated from population‐level sampling of two abundant native crayfishes, Faxonius validus and Faxonius erichsonianus (Decapoda: Cambaridae), we assessed species’ spatial genetic structure and genetic diversity, estimated the magnitude and directionality of gene flow, and compared results between the species. For both species, levels of genetic diversity (number of haplotypes, and haplotypic and nucleotide diversity) were the same or higher in impounded compared to unimpounded streams. Conversely, crayfish populations in up‐ and downstream sections of unimpounded streams displayed high genetic similarity and bidirectional gene flow, whereas in impounded streams, crayfish populations typically had greater up‐ and downstream genetic differentiation and predominantly unidirectional, downstream gene flow. Although impoundments were associated with lower connectivity between up‐ and downstream sections for F. validus and F. erichsonianus, the magnitude of genetic effects was species‐specific, with greater differentiation between F. validus populations up‐ and downstream of impoundments. In an ecologically short timeframe, impoundments appear to have fragmented stream crayfish populations, and even species with relatively high abundances and large ranges had lower gene flow among populations in impounded streams compared to unimpounded streams. In addition, feedbacks between genetic and demographic effects on fragmented populations may decrease the probability of long‐term persistence.
Plants as active participants in urban landscapes

Abstract Bottom-up, immigrants, bad neighbors: these are not just topics you might discuss during Happy Hour with friends. These are terms relevant to a discussion about plants in urban landscapes. Plants are the most conspicuous biological components of urban/suburban landscapes. In Chapter 1 , we learned that plants, as the primary food and habitat source for insects, are important shapers of insect communities. Plants harvest the energy from the sun and translate that energy into a biomass that delivers mainly nitrogen and carbon to herbivorous animals. In this chapter, you will learn some basic concepts of plant-insect interactions, plant diversity, esthetics, and the functions of plants in urban landscapes. These concepts are useful in understanding the role of plants in pest outbreaks and the rationale behind the native plant movement.