cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Smooth Affine PI Algebras

We wish to discuss a certain class of algebras, finitely generated as algebras over an algebraically closed field k, and satisfying the identities of n by n matrices. The free algebra on m generators satisfying these identities we denote by k it is usually called the algebra of generic matrices. It has many good properties which distinguish it from one of its random homomorphic images. Of course it has the freeness property. Another property is that all points of its Spec are accessible from Spec n by curves. In the commutative case, for n equal to 1, a homomorphic image is called smooth if locally it spectrum looks like k 8 , that is to say like the Spec of the polynomial ring in 5 variables. More precisely, upon completion at a point it should become power series in 8 variables. In the noncommutative case for n = 2, the dimension of the 2X2 algebra of generic matrices is 5. Thus it is impossible to say that a noncommutative homomorphic image of say dimension 1 or 2 should look like the Spec of the ‘polynomials’ in 1 or 2 variables.
Interplay of intrinsic and network heterogeneity in strongly recurrent spiking networks

Heterogeneity has recently gained a lot of attention and it is becoming more apparent that it is a crucial feature in neural processing [1-5]. Despite its importance, this realistic physiological feature has traditionally been neglected in theoretical studies of cortical neural networks. A common reason is that mean-field descriptions of noisy cortical networks are high dimensional and generally intractable. Although heterogeneous spiking neural networks have recently been studied theoretically [5-8], there is still a lot unknown. In particular, combining network heterogeneity [9] and intrinsic heterogeneity [10] have yet to be considered simultaneously despite the fact that both are known to exist and likely have significant roles in neural network dynamics. To this end, we study a recurrently coupled spiking network of leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neurons consisting of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The intrinsic heterogeneity is modeled by varying the voltage threshold for spiking [5], and the network heterogeneity is modeled by different conductance strengths (partially motivated by recent results [11], both excitatory and inhibitory conductances are scaled so each neuron has a different level of balanced input). Unsurprisingly, we find that when either intrinsic or network heterogeneity is increased, the response heterogeneity also increases (i.e., the range of the average firing rate of the excitatory neurons also increases). However, for a fixed level of both forms of heterogeneity, the network robustly exhibits a wide range of response heterogeneity that strongly depends on the relationship between intrinsic and network heterogeneity. This coupled network is difficult to analyze because it is stochastic, heterogeneous, and high dimensional with alpha function synapses and colored external noisy input. With combination of Monte Carlo simulations and augmented mean-field theory based partially on methods in [12-15], we provide analytic explanations to account for the observed phenomena. Our work gives insight for how these two forms of heterogeneity interact in a generic recurrent spiking network that may be applicable to many areas of the cortex.
Influence of Biophysical Parameters on Maintaining the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Phenotype

The maintenance of the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) phenotype in vivo is influenced by the precise orchestration of biochemical and biophysical signals in the stem cell “niche”. However, when MSCs are removed from the body and expanded in vitro, there is a loss of multipotency. Here, we employ micropatterned hydrogels to explore how biophysical cues influence the retention of MSC multipotency marker expression. At the single-cell level, soft substrates and patterns that restrict spreading and cytoskeletal tension help maintain the expression of MSC markers. When MSCs are patterned in multicellular geometries, both high cell density and regions of low tension within the pattern are shown to assist the maintenance of multipotency. Combining experiment and simulation along with cytoskeleton disrupting agents reveals spatial patterns of cytoskeletal tension in multicellular architectures that guides the expression of markers associated with MSC multipotency. These findings uncover a relationship between multip...
Marginal or Mainstream: Two Studies of Contemporary Chiropractic

Abstract Since an initial flurry of sociological interest in chiropractors in the 1950's, there have been few additional studies published. The first studies established a theme for the sociology of chiropractic –- marginal occupation –- which has been carried through most of the subsequent years. A recent rediscovery of chiropractic by sociologists has opened the area up for new investigations. The studies reported in this paper seek to answer two questions: (1) what are some contemporary attributes of chiropractic as a profession and chiropractors as health care providers? (2) how accurate is it to continue describing chiropractic as marginal medicine? The evidence marshalled here questions the merits of continuing to see chiropractic as marginal in the same ways as it was in the 1950's. However, chiropractic lacks some attributes which would permit its acceptance as a mainstream health care system.
EOR Potential from CO2 Captured from Coal-Fired Power Plants in the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Woodbine Group, East Texas Basin, and Southeastern Texas Gulf Coast, USA

The East Texas Basin and southeastern Texas Gulf Coast contain a variety of co-located CO2 sources and sinks that may facilitate development of new clean-coal facilities. These facilities can be linked to mature oil fields with potential for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) from miscible CO2 floods. Twenty-three reservoirs in the East Texas Basin and southeastern Texas Gulf Coast, assuming a 15% recovery factor of original oil in place (OOIP), have a CO2-EOR potential for recovery of ~9,697,000 m3 [~62.2 million stock tank barrels] of oil. A network of new CO2 pipelines can link these fields to existing power plants near lignite mine mouths in east and southeast Texas. Representative oil fields in the Woodbine Group illustrate fluvial and deltaic facies variability and different sandstone-body architectures with varying controls on potential CO2 capacity. Reservoir heterogeneity, fluid flow, hydrocarbon production, and potential CO2 capacity in the Woodbine Group in the structurally simple East Texas field are mainly a function of facies architecture. The Woodbine Group in East Texas field contains a lower section of narrow and lenticular sandstone bodies in a fluvially dominated deltaic system. Pressure and production data indicate that additional oil recovery in the lower Woodbine deltaic section in East Texas field is low in muddy, low-permeability prodelta, and distal-delta-front facies. In contrast, oil recovery is greater in sandy distributary-channel sandstones. Core-plug data show that distributary-channel and channel-mouth-bar sandstones in the field have high median-permeability values, and therefore a greater potential for CO2 capacity. These deltaic deposits are overlain disconformably by an upper section of continuous, coarse-grained fluvial deposits that favor high CO2 capacity owing to Darcy-class permeability and extensive vertical and lateral reservoir continuity. In contrast, Woodbine fields in southeast Texas represent distal-deltaic facies. CO2 capacity and EOR potential in these fields are limited by thin distributary-channel and crevasse-splay deposits that contain abundant mudstone beds that may serve to segregate-injected CO2 into small reservoir compartments.
Parasitons of non-target tephritid flies in hawaii: Implications for biological control of fruit fly pests

We surveyed the parasitoid complex associated with four non-pest tephritid flies in Hawaii,Procecidochares alani Steyskal (on the Island of Hawaii), andEutreta xanthochaeta Aldrich,Phaeogramma lortnocoibon Asquith, andTrupanea dubautiae (Byran) (on the island of Kauai). The former two tephritids are deliberatelyintroduced biological control agents of weeds; and the latter two are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Ten species of hymenopterous parasitoids in six families were recovered from these four non-pest tephritids. Among these species of parasitoids, six were inadvertently introduced to Hawaii, includingEurytoma tephritidis Fullaway (Eurytomidae),Bracon terryi (Bridwell) (Braconidae),Habrocytus elevatus (Walker) (Pteromalidae),Euderus metallicus (Ashmead) (Eulophidae),Torymus advenus (Osten Sacken) (Torymidae), andEupelmus allynii (French) (Eupelmidae); and three were purposely introduced to Hawaii for classical biological control of economically important pests, includingEupelmus cushmani (Crawford),Diachasmimorpha tryoni (Cameron), (Braconidae), andDiachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead). The relative abundance of parasitoid species and percent parasitism varied with the tephritid hosts. Our findings indicate that future development and implementation of biological control programs against frugivorous tephritids or other pests should consider the potential impact of some of the parasitoids on deliberately-introduced weed control agents. Before we can fully assess the potential impacts of some of the purposely-introduced parasitoids on non-target tephritids, however, effects of the many vagrant parasitoids associated with the non-targets should be thoroughly investigated
Aperture scanning Fourier ptychographic microscopy

Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM) is implemented through aperture scanning by an LCOS spatial light modulator at the back focal plane of the objective lens. This FPM configuration enables the capturing of the complex scattered field for a 3D sample both in the transmissive mode and the reflective mode. We further show that by combining with the compressive sensing theory, the reconstructed 2D complex scattered field can be used to recover the 3D sample scattering density. This implementation expands the scope of application for FPM and can be beneficial for areas such as tissue imaging and wafer inspection.
Paddle, R. 2002. The Last Tasmanian Tiger: The History and Extinction of the Thylacine. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 273 pp. ISBN 521-78219-8, ISBN 0-521-53154-3, price (paper), $21.00

R. Paddle. 2002. The Last Tasmanian Tiger: The History and Extinction of the Thylacine. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 273 pp. ISBN 521-78219-8, ISBN 0-521-53154-3, price (paper), $21.00. In recent years, the extinction and hypothetical survival of the Tasmanian tiger or thylacine ( Thylacinus cynocephalus ) has attracted considerable attention. If anything, interest will only increase with the progress of the Australian Museum's project to clone a thylacine. Surprisingly few books about thylacines are available. The 1st major effort was Eric Guiler (1985) Thylacine: The Tragedy of the Tasmanian Tiger . Another book, Colonel Bailey (2001) Tiger Tales: Stories of the Tasmanian Tiger was, in contrast, a collection of firsthand thylacine anecdotes. The Last Tasmanian Tiger is based on Robert Paddle's (1997) Ph.D. dissertation (University of Melbourne). His purpose is 2-fold: to inform, and to convince. Paddle presents a number of his own theories, arguments, and analyses of …
Fast clock scheduling and an application to clock tree synthesis

Clock networks are required to be constructed with adequate safety margins in the skew constraints to operate correctly even under the influence of variations. In this work, a scalable clock scheduler is developed to drive a synthesis framework that constructs useful skew clock trees with large safety margins that are tailored to the tree topology. Sequential elements are clustered early in the topology, if it is impossible provide adequate robustness to variations using only safety margins. Compared to earlier studies, the proposed framework performs the clock scheduling one to two orders of magnitude faster and improves yield and capacitive cost on several synthesized circuits.
Off-diagonal expansion quantum Monte Carlo.

We propose a Monte Carlo algorithm designed to simulate quantum as well as classical systems at equilibrium, bridging the algorithmic gap between quantum and classical thermal simulation algorithms. The method is based on a decomposition of the quantum partition function that can be viewed as a series expansion about its classical part. We argue that the algorithm not only provides a theoretical advancement in the field of quantum Monte Carlo simulations, but is optimally suited to tackle quantum many-body systems that exhibit a range of behaviors from ``fully quantum'' to ``fully classical,'' in contrast to many existing methods. We demonstrate the advantages, sometimes by orders of magnitude, of the technique by comparing it against existing state-of-the-art schemes such as path integral quantum Monte Carlo and stochastic series expansion. We also illustrate how our method allows for the unification of quantum and classical thermal parallel tempering techniques into a single algorithm and discuss its practical significance.
Impact of concurrent medications use on outcome of pancreatic cancer: SEER Medicare analysis.

e15729Background: Preclinical studies have suggested concurrent non-antineoplastic medication use may impact pancreatic cancer. We performed an analysis to test this effect on pancreatic cancer out...
Predictors of mortality in the elderly after open repair for perforated peptic ulcer disease

Abstract Background As the U.S. population ages and the number of emergent surgical repairs for perforated peptic ulcer disease (PUD) rise, contemporary national data evaluating operative outcomes for open surgical repair for perforated PUD among the elderly are lacking. Materials and methods The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2007-2014) was queried for patients ≥65 y who underwent open surgical repair for perforated PUD. The primary outcome was 30-d mortality. Secondary outcomes included 30-d postoperative complications. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed. Results Overall, 2131 patients underwent open surgical repair for perforated PUD. Among those who died, more used steroids preoperatively (15% versus 9%, P = 0.001) and fewer were independent preoperatively (55% versus 83%, P versus 75-84 y 18% versus >85 y 24%, P versus 65-74 y) (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8, 1.7), dependent functional status preoperatively ([OR], 0.2; 95% CI, 0.2, 0.3), and American Society of Anesthesiologist classification ≥4 (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 2.4, 4.3). Conclusions At U.S. hospitals, open surgical repair, the accepted treatment of perforated PUD, among the elderly is associated with significant 30-d morbidity and mortality rates that are unacceptably high in our contemporary era. Furthermore, mortality rates are associated with older age. Therefore, as the elderly population continues to increase in the United States, preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative measures must be taken to reduce this high morbidity and mortality rates.
Fiber sources of femtosecond pulses in the mid-infrared (Conference Presentation)

There is currently broad interest in sources of ultrashort pulses at mid-infrared (3-5 micron) and even long-wave infrared wavelengths. Fiber-based sources of ultrashort pulses potentially offer some performance advantages along with major practical advantages, but also face major challenges. The development of optical fibers that transmit in the mid- and long-wave-infrared enables the design of short-pulse sources at these wavelengths. This talk will focus on sources of coherent femtosecond pulses. The first fiber lasers that directly emit ultrashort pulses around 3 micron wavelength will be reviewed, along with an approach to tunable femtosecond pulses in the 3-6 micron region based on Raman frequency shifting. Thoughts on how to extend the performance to higher energies, broader wavelength coverage, and greater integration will be offered.
A Review of μ for Case Studies in Robust Control

Abstract This paper reviews the μ -based methods for analyzing the performance and robustness properties ot feedback systems that will be used in the companion case-study papers. The particular approach taken here from Doyle [1982-1985]. A brief review of μ -synthesis will also be given.
P012 Structure directed identification of human metabolite binding in the P4 pocket of MHC class-II DRB1∗15:01 and DRB1∗15:03 and implications for multiple sclerosis risk

Aim Robust models of HLA mediated drug hypersensitivity demonstrate that binding of small molecules in the peptide-binding groove may result in changes in conformation or register shift of bound peptide, leading to an altered immune response. We performed virtual screening of the complete Human Metabolite Database (HMDB) for docking to the multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptible DRB1 ∗ 15:01 allele and compared the results to the closely related yet non-susceptible DRB1 ∗ 15:03 allele; and assessed the potential impact on binding of human myelin basic peptide (MBP). Methods The crystal structure of DRB1∗15:01 was obtained from the protein data bank under accession number 1BX2. An in silico DRB1 ∗ 15:03 structure was generated from the known structure of DRB1 ∗ 15:01 by mutating residue Tyr 30 > His 30 . The target proteins ( DRB1 ∗ 15:01 and DRB1 ∗ 15:03 ) were prepared with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (NAG) for docking with human metabolites using UCSF Chimera (v1.11.2). We conducted independent screenings to probe each pocket of the peptide binding groove for both proteins using HMDB library v3.6, which consists of 41993 human metabolites. Results We observed higher energy scores for metabolite binding to DRB1 ∗ 15:01 than DRB1 ∗ 15:03. We found that 78 and 82 metabolites bind strictly to DRB1 ∗ 15:01 or DRB1 ∗ 15:03 respectively, while 79 metabolites bind to both structures. Structural comparison of docked metabolites with DRB1 ∗ 15:01 and DRB1 ∗ 15:03 complexed with MBP revealed that Phenylalanine MBP 92 allows binding of metabolites in the P4 pocket of DRB1 ∗ 15:01 but Valine MBP 89 abrogates metabolite binding in the P1 pocket. We observed differences in the energy score for the binding of the same metabolites in the P4 pockets of DRB1 ∗ 15:01 and DRB1 ∗ 15:03 or different metabolites in the P4 pockets of DRB1 ∗ 15:01 and DRB1 ∗ 15:03 suggesting stronger binding to DRB1 ∗ 15:01. Further, several of these metabolites have been previously associated with MS. Conclusions Our study confirmed that specific, disease-associated human metabolites bind effectively with the most polymorphic P4 pockets of DRB1 ∗ 15:01, the primary MS susceptible allele in most populations. Our results suggest that endogenous human metabolites bound in specific pockets of HLA may be immunomodulatory and implicated in autoimmune disease.
Analytical abilities and the performance of HR professionals

Recent years have shown an increased focus on workforce analytics and the importance of workforce analytics in helping HR professionals to be more useful business partners. This suggests that HR professionals may need to become more and more data savvy and develop better analytical abilities if they hope to perform well and contribute meaningfully in the future. Despite this emphasis, there has been no research explicitly connecting the individual level analytical abilities of HR professionals to their job performance. Using a proprietary sample of 360 feedback surveys from 1,117 HR professionals in 449 unique organizations we test this general relationship. We also test whether the relationship varies by industry-, company-, and job-level factors. We find support for our main hypotheses that HR professionals with higher analytical abilities will also have higher perceived job performance. We also find that the strength of this relationship varies by some job roles. We explore and discuss these empirical results.
Chapter 1: Feedstock Engineering and Biomass Pretreatments: New Views for a Greener Biofuels Process

In the future, three crucial factors will determine the likelihood of success for the direct microbial conversion of biomass to advanced biofuels: the properties of the lignocellulosic biomass feedstock, the pretreatment process, and the specific microbial processing strategy selected. Each step accounts for a substantial portion of total process cost. Here, we extend the technical umbrella for advanced biofuels to technologies including and beyond the scope of the book, such as (1) upstream—new concepts for feedstocks, (2) midstream—specialized pretreatments and cotreatments, and (3) downstream—processing of biomass sugars. The aim of this chapter is not to provide a review of specialized fields, but to highlight new concepts and approaches related to biomass processing. We emphasize the important new trends in “green production” of feedstocks, technologies for “green pretreatment” of biomass, and propose new concepts for tailored chemoprocessing—databases/libraries customized for specific microorganisms applied to specific processes.
How to Get More Accurate Estimates

In most real-life situations, we have all types of uncertainty: probabilistic, interval, fuzzy, and the model inaccuracy. There are methods for processing each of these types of uncertainty.
A Comparison of Special Category Light-Sport and Corresponding Type-Certificated Aircraft Safety

Abstract Introduction The special category light sport airplane (light sport) sector of general aviation has grown 10-fold in as many years with solo operations requiring only a sports pilot's certificate. With little research on light sport airplane safety, the study objective was to compare light sport and type-certificated airplane accident rates. Method Accidents were identified from the National Transportation Safety Board database. Statistics employed Poisson distribution/proportion analyses/Mann–Whitney U-tests. Results For the 2009–2015 period, the light sport airplane accident rate (fatal/non-fatal combined) was > 15-fold higher than comparable type-certificated aircraft, undiminished over time. The excessive light sport airplane accident rate was associated with inferior airman experience (time-in-type, certification). Mishaps were most frequent during landing (40%) and, of these, nearly half were due to a deficiency in the flare. There were a dis-proportionate number of trainees involved in landing accidents compared with mishaps for other phases of operations. Conclusion Towards improving safety, additional light sport training with emphasis on landings and a focus on the flare and directional control is warranted. Practical application In the confines of the present study considering that landing mishaps, the most common accident cause, are often related to deficiencies in the flare and loss-of-directional control, instructors should ensure that airmen have mastered these aspects of landing and, for trainees, acquired the appropriate visual monocular cues.
Immunochemical detection of drug-protein adducts in acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.

In overdose the over-the-counter analgesic acetaminophen may produce a centrilobular hepatic necrosis (1,2). In addition this toxicity may be accompanied by nephrotoxicity (1,3). The mechanism of hepatotoxicity has been studied extensively in experimental animals. It was shown that inhibition of the drug metabolizing enzymes resulted in a diminution of the toxicity, whereas induction of the drug metabolizing enzymes resulted in an increase in the toxicity (4). These data indicated that metabolism of acetaminophen was critical in the development of the toxicity. Moreover, administration of radiolabeled acetaminophen resulted in covalent binding of radiolabel to protein in the necrotic hepatocytes (5). In vitro experiments revealed that the metabolism was by a cytochrome P-450 dependent mechanism (6). It was postulated that covalent binding of this metabolite to critical proteins was the mechanism of the hepatotoxicity.
Teachers’ Collective Efforts to Resist the Policy Environment: The Case of Educators Advocating for Students (EAS)

Around the time we were completing the OCR studies reported on in Chapters 2 and 3, one of the authors of this volume (Pease-Alvarez) started meeting on a regular basis with a group of teachers working in a district on the Central California coast. The teachers were concerned about the educational policies they were facing in their district and wanted to discuss and act on their concerns. This grass roots group, Educators Advocating for Students (EAS), has been meeting for four years. From its inception, group members have focused on ways to mitigate and even openly resist required policies that they found problematic (e.g., district assessment and testing policies and district hiring policies). Through the work with this group, our research interests have expanded to include the nature of teacher resistance to policy mandates and its role in and potential for bringing about change in the learning opportunities available to ELs.
The Emerging Paradigm in the United States

In contrast to most countries in Europe, which have organized their health care financing into publicly-funded universal systems, the United States relies on a heterogeneous mix of arrangements to finance health insurance. Employer-based insurance covers 63% of the non-elderly. Medicare provides nearly universal coverage for the elderly, financed largely by the federal government. Federal and state funding supports Medicaid, the program for low-income and disabled persons. A variety of state and federal programs pays for medical care for persons with specific diseases (e.g. HIV/AIDS). There are a number of U.S. examples of multi-level internal markets for insurance that resemble the "emerging paradigm" employed by many European countries. In the first internal market, the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan offers federal employees a choice of 350 plans. The federal government makes a defined contribution and employees pay the marginal premium cost for the plan they choose. Adopting an "emerging paradigm" model to structure the entire U.S. health care system would provide several advantages because it would: 1) eliminate overlaps and gaps in coverage, which would end the cost-shifting across programs and help to reduce administrative costs (currently 24% of health spending); 2) fit with American values of private provision of care and choice among health plans and providers; 3) free employers from the costs of arranging health care; 4) allow markets to convey information about consumer preferences; 5) provide a mechanism to rebalance spending on medical care and public/population health. Adopting a variant of the "emerging paradigm" that would allow integration of medical and public/population health would capitalize on new knowledge on the importance of social/behavioral determinants of health and help the U.S. to address the cost pressures building as a result of the expected increase in the elderly and the introduction of costly new technologies.
Nitric oxide physiology and pharmacology.

◆ The pharmacology of NO includes drugs that can reduce nitric oxide synthesis (serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors), enhance nitric oxide synthesis (dopamine agonists such as apomorphine), and reduce cGMP destruction (sildenafil) BRAINSTORMS is a monthly section of The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry aimed at providing updates of novel concepts emerging from the neurosciences that have relevance to the practicing psychiatrist. From the Clinical Neuroscience Research Center in San Diego and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego. Reprint requests to: Stephen M. Stahl, M.D., Ph.D., Editor, BRAINSTORMS, 8899 University Center Lane, Suite 130, San Diego, CA 92122. During neurotransmission in the brain, some postsynaptic elements form nitric oxide gas (NO) in response to nerve stimulation. The enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) synthesizes NO by converting the amino acid arginine into both NO and the byproduct citrulline. This free NO is then able to diffuse (“talk back”) to the presynaptic neuron, which could be how 2-way communication between presynaptic and postsynaptic elements occurs in some CNS synapses. Figure 1
Geometric Methods in Engineering Applications

In this work, we introduce two sets of algorithms inspired by the ideas from modern geometry. One is computational conformal geometry method, including harmonic maps, holomorphic 1-forms and Ricci flow. The other one is optimization method using affine normals.
Silver Spoons and Golden Genes

Advances in reproductive control over offspring DNA invite us to ask whether there is reason preserve a measure of genetic randomness in human reproduction. This Article defends one moral good of the natural lottery: genetic luck shores up the moral bonds on which social solidarity depends. The development of therapies to repair debilitating conditions before birth would be unequivocal cause for celebration. But we should be troubled, I suggest, by prenatal intervention into healthy traits like strength, memory, and intelligence. Exploiting insights from behavioral economics, I argue that the present fact of genetic contingency, by attuning us to the influence of luck in our lives, provides a powerful reason for the privileged to share their fates with those who have less. But transferring the reins of genetic control from chance to choice would, by inflating our sense of entitlement for how our lives turn out, make it far more difficult than it already is today, I predict, to convince the successful that they should adopt a generous moral posture toward those who are less fortunate. I conclude that enhancement is worth resisting to the extent that it would recast biological inequality from a matter that we address collectively to one that we expect either parents to prevent or children to manage on their own.
Acrostichus palmarum n. sp., a cryptic species separated from A. rhynchophori by molecular sequences and hybridisation tests

A new Acrostichus species is described based upon molecular sequence profiles and hybridisation testing. The new species, A. palmarum n. sp., had been previously described as local isolates (strains) of A. rhynchophori , i.e. , an isolate recovered from Rhynchophorus cruentatus from South Florida (culture code RGD193) was designated as the type strain of A. rhynchophori , and other Central and South American strains (RGD194-196), recovered from R. palmarum were considered as conspecific regional isolates. However, additional sequencing of ribosomal DNA loci (near full-length of small subunit, full length of internal transcribed spacer and D2-D3 expansion segments of large subunit) and partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene and hybridisation testing suggested the independent species status of RGD194-196. Furthermore, two strains of A. palmarum n. sp., RGD194 and RGD195, showed partial reproductive isolation from each other, i.e. , the fecundity of F1 progeny was obviously low, suggesting that geographical isolation within a widely-distributed species is occurring.
Neighborhood bystander intervention in intimate partner abuse: The role of social cohesion.

This study examines the relationships among individual beliefs about intimate partner abuse (IPA), attitudes about IPA reporting, social cohesion, and the intention of intervening in neighborhood IPA. Data for this study come from a larger cross-sectional, community-based study in which participants (N = 1,626) were surveyed face to face using stratified random sampling in targeted communities in a Mountain West state (i.e., drop-off, pick-up method) and online using social media outreach in targeted communities. Linear regression results indicated that participants were less likely to intervene in IPA situations in their neighborhood if they held beliefs about the private nature of IPA or feared retaliation. Additionally, social cohesion was positively associated with participants' intention of intervening in IPA situations in their neighborhood. Our findings suggest potential avenues for community intervention that attempt to build communitywide beliefs that IPA is a community-level concern and one that demands attention from the entire community.
Functional interdependence of hematopoietic stem cells and their niche in oncogene promotion of myeloproliferative neoplasms: the 159th biomedical version of “it takes two to tango”

The role of stem cells in normal and neoplastic hematopoiesis is well established. However, neither normal nor neoplastic hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) develop in isolation and accumulating evidence indicates that a critical developmental role is played by the perivascular "niche." The cellular, humoral, and cell surface contacts that provide the proper environment for HSC survival, proliferation, and differentiation are becoming increasingly better understood. A number of studies have established that endothelial cells (ECs), several types of perivascular stromal cells, and megakaryocytes (MKs) provide several cell surface and secreted molecules required for HSC development. Accumulating evidence also indicates that the normal stem cell niche is altered in patients with hematological neoplasms and that the "neoplastic niche" plays an important role in promoting malignant and suppressing normal blood cell development in such patients. To explore this concept in the myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), we employed a murine model to determine the effects of Jak2V617F, an oncogene found in a majority of such patients, in marrow ECs and MKs and their effect on promoting neoplastic and suppressing normal hematopoiesis. We found that Jak2V617F has profound effects on both cell types, which together are critical for the growth advantage and radioresistance shown by Jak2V617F-bearing HSCs. Such findings should provide new approaches to the treatment of patients with MPNs.
Chronic Opioid Prescribing in Primary Care: Factors and Perspectives

BACKGROUND Primary care clinicians write 45% of all opioid prescriptions in the United States, but little is known about the characteristics of patients who receive them and the clinicians who prescribe opioids in primary care settings. Our study aimed to describe the patient and clinician characteristics and clinicians’ perspectives of chronic opioid prescribing in primary care. METHODS Using a mixed methods approach, we completed an analysis of 2016 electronic health records from 21 primary care practices to identify patients who had received chronic opioids, which we defined as in receipt of an opioid prescription for at least 3 consecutive months. We compared those receiving chronic opioids with those not in terms of their demographics, prescribing clinician characteristics, and risk factors for opioid-related harms, as identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline on Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain. We then interviewed 16 primary care clinicians about their perspectives on chronic opioid prescribing. RESULTS Of 84,029 patients, 1.1% (902/84,929) received chronic opioid prescriptions. Characteristics associated with being prescribed chronic opioids include being female, being of black or African American race, and having risks for opioid-related harms, such as mental health diagnoses, substance use disorder, and concurrent benzodiazepine use. Clinicians report multiple difficulties in weaning patients from chronic opioids, including medical contraindications of nonopioid alternatives and difficulty justifying weaning by stable long-term patients. CONCLUSION Although patients prescribed opioids in primary care have higher risks of opioid-related harms, clinicians report multiple barriers in deprescribing chronic opioids. Future studies should examine strategies to mitigate these harms and engage patients in shared decision making about their chronic opioid use.
Weighing in on asthma: Insights on BMI, magnesium, and hospitalizations from the Ohio Pediatric Asthma Repository.

Objective: Little is known about weight status and its effects on clinical course during hospitalization for asthma exacerbation. We sought to evaluate associations between weight status, specifica...
Golgi Structure and Function in Health, Stress, and Diseases

The Golgi apparatus is a central intracellular membrane-bound organelle with key functions in trafficking, processing, and sorting of newly synthesized membrane and secretory proteins and lipids. To best perform these functions, Golgi membranes form a unique stacked structure. The Golgi structure is dynamic but tightly regulated; it undergoes rapid disassembly and reassembly during the cell cycle of mammalian cells and is disrupted under certain stress and pathological conditions. In the past decade, significant amount of effort has been made to reveal the molecular mechanisms that regulate the Golgi membrane architecture and function. Here we review the major discoveries in the mechanisms of Golgi structure formation, regulation, and alteration in relation to its functions in physiological and pathological conditions to further our understanding of Golgi structure and function in health and diseases.
Nigeria: Nigerian Veterans: Nationalists or Villains?

Oluwaseyi Oshigbo and Olaoluwatomi Oshigbo highlight a starkly complex political context in which Nigerian veterans’ transition is enmeshed. The authors provide an overview of the political evolution of the country from British colonialism through Nigeria as a modern state. While Nigerian soldiers fought side by side with Europeans in the First and Second World Wars, they returned home often problematically as ‘accelerators of change’. Finally gaining independence from the British Empire in 1960, Nigeria experienced periods of military rule (1966–1979 and 1983–1998), which according to the authors still impacts on the transitional context in which Nigerian veterans are involved, which is marked by these deep and historical divisions. In contemporary Nigeria, Armed Forces Day is held in January to coincide with the end of the Biafra Civil War, while discharged veterans access resettlement services at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre in Lagos. While Nigeria has many ex-service men and women who enter the political and business sectors, many more face prolonged unemployment. Recently specific health issues have been raised as problematic within the Nigerian veteran population, particularly PTSD and HIV/AIDS, as this cohort experiences diagnosis rates significantly higher than the general population. Periodic verification processes and long waiting times also continue to prove significant barriers to veterans claiming their pension rights.
Detecting noncredible performance with the neuropsychological assessment battery, screening module: A simulation study

AbstractObjective: While the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery, Screening Module (S-NAB) is a commonly used cognitive screening measure, no composite embedded performance validity test (PVT) fo...
Recycling carbon and glass fiber polymer matrix composite waste into cementitious materials

Abstract Recycling options for fiber polymer matrix composites (FPMCs) are limited since they typically cannot be re-used or re-processed. One source of FPMCs is the utility industry, which is increasingly using hybrid carbon and glass FPMC core high voltage (HV) conductors for energy transmission. As there are currently no recycling methods for these composite cores, we investigated if hybrid carbon and glass FPMC waste could be recycled as an admixture for cementitious materials in order to improve their properties for seawater applications. We assessed the compression strength of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with 6% wt of various FPMC admixtures before and after accelerated salt-water aging. The experimental part of this research was strongly supported by molecular dynamics simulations (MD) to examine the effect of FPMC admixtures on moisture diffusion in OPC. It was established that recycled finely ground FPMC admixtures can provide a benefit to cementitious materials by decreasing void content and slowing the diffusivity of corrosive compounds such as salt water.
Brake Data-Based Location Tracking in Usage-Based Automotive Insurance Programs

Many usage-based automotive insurance programs do not directly use any GPS-based location tracking devices. Instead, CAN-bus data, such as brake signal data, can be collected by these programs to evaluate drivers’ driving habits and vehicle usage policies. In this paper, we demonstrate that by using a temporal sequence of applied brake signals collected from a vehicle, attackers can still possibly infer the vehicle’s route over the period, even though brake signal data does not reveal any specific location information. Our route inference is basically composed of three steps: At first, we categorize brake signal subsequences into four different driving maneuvers (i.e., stopping from a certain speed, reducing speed to adjust with the traffic flow, and taking left and right turns). Second, we estimate the number of intersections traversed by the vehicle using the applied brake signals and their corresponding maneuvers. Particularly, we also estimate the overall speed profile based on the magnitude and interval of different brake signals. From the estimated speed profile, we infer the distances, traveling time, and traffic signs corresponding to the candidate edges. Finally, we design a graph-based route-selection algorithm to find a list of (paths) routes from the regional map using the predicted driving maneuvers and the speed profile. We use a score function based on three factors (i.e., distance, traveling time, and traffic signs) to identify a candidate edge. We evaluate our approach using over 450km of transportation data, which has been collected from 24 individuals. The experimental results demonstrate that, by resorting to our solution, 89% of the original drivers’ trajectory can be successfully recovered from their brake data regardless of driver and vehicle models.
TP53 mutations and CDKN2A mutations/deletions are highly recurrent molecular alterations in the malignant progression of sinonasal papillomas

Sinonasal papillomas are benign epithelial tumors of the sinonasal tract that are associated with a synchronous or metachronous sinonasal carcinoma in a subset of cases. Our group recently identified mutually exclusive EGFR mutations and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in inverted sinonasal papillomas and frequent KRAS mutations in oncocytic sinonasal papillomas. We also demonstrated concordant mutational and HPV infection status in sinonasal papilloma-associated sinonasal carcinomas, confirming a clonal relationship between these tumors. Despite our emerging understanding of the oncogenic mechanisms driving formation of sinonasal papillomas, little is currently known about the molecular mechanisms of malignant progression to sinonasal carcinoma. In the present study, we utilized targeted next-generation DNA sequencing to characterize the molecular landscape of a large cohort of sinonasal papilloma-associated sinonasal carcinomas. As expected, EGFR or KRAS mutations were present in the vast majority of tumors. In addition, highly recurrent TP53 mutations, CDKN2A mutations, and/or CDKN2A copy-number losses were detected; overall, nearly all tumors (n = 28/29; 96.6%) harbored at least one TP53 or CDKN2A alteration. TERT copy-number gains also occurred frequently (27.6%); however, no TERT promoter mutations were identified. Other recurrent molecular alterations included NFE2L2 and PIK3CA mutations and SOX2, CCND1, MYC, FGFR1, and EGFR copy-number gains. Importantly, TP53 mutations and CDKN2A alterations were not detected in matched sinonasal papillomas, suggesting that these molecular events are associated with malignant transformation. Compared to aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinomas from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project, sinonasal papilloma-associated sinonasal carcinomas have a distinct molecular phenotype, including more frequent EGFR, KRAS, and CDKN2A mutations, TERT copy-number gains, and low-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms of malignant progression of sinonasal papillomas and may have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications for patients with advanced sinonasal cancer.
The COMPLETE Nature of the Warm Dust Shell in Perseus

The Perseus molecular cloud complex is a &30pc long chain of molecular clouds most well-known for the two star-forming clusters NGC1333 and IC348 and the well-studied outflow source in B5. However, when studied at mid- to far-infrared wavelengths the region is dominated by a ∼10pc diameter shell of warm dust, likely generated by an Hii region caused by the early B-star HD278942. Using a revised calibration technique the COMPLETE team has produced high-sensitivity temperature and column-density maps of the Perseus region from IRAS Sky Survey Atlas (ISSA) 60 and 100µm data. In this paper, we combine the ISSA based dust-emission maps with other observations collected
Astro-biological Exploration of Ocean Worlds, Enabled by an RPS Inside a Pressure Vessel

Exploring Ocean and Ice Worlds could help us to understand the origin and evolution of life in the universe. In our solar system we have identified six Ocean and Ice Worlds, namely Earth, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, Enceladus, and Titan. Other potential targets include Dione, Triton, and Pluto. As documented in the Planetary Decadal Survey [1] and the NASA Roadmap to Ocean Worlds [2], these worlds are compelling science destinations, with oceans situated below their tens of kilometers thick ice shells. To reach them we need a new exploration paradigm with novel technological solutions. Key technological challenges revolve around the power for the probe and for melting, as well as protecting the payload against the extreme environments, including high pressure, low temperature, corrosion, and radiation. Far away from the Sun, and melted into the ice, we may only rely on long-lived internal power generation. Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) with either static or dynamic conversion, utilizing the heat of decaying Plutonium-238, could be good candidates. We need suitable payloads that are protected and could survive the extreme environments, as well as enabling power and thermal systems for melting through the ice shield and to swim in the ocean below the ice. RPS could support the probe's instruments and sub-systems, as well as provide a heat source for melting the ice while keeping the components at operating temperatures. Mitigating the external pressure while immersing inside the ice shell, and in the ocean, would require a new RPS design that operates inside a Pressure Vessel. In our paper, we will discuss general mission architecture trades and the sizing of a next generation RPS housed in a pressure vessel, broadly applicable to any of the Ocean Worlds satellites of interest. Through a technology focused approach, we address interconnected design and mission architecture aspects, including considerations for: the RPS and the Pressure Vessel; extreme environmental constraints; g-load tolerance; power and thermal systems sizing for science measurements; spacecraft operations through all mission phases; subsurface mobility; and planetary protection. The findings will inform the science community on instrument accommodation possibilities; the mission planning community on possible mission concepts; and the RPS development community on the science driven technology considerations.