cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genome trees constructed using five different approaches suggest new major bacterial clades

The availability of multiple complete genome sequences from diverse taxa prompts the development of new phylogenetic approaches, which attempt to incorporate information derived from comparative analysis of complete gene sets or large subsets thereof. Such attempts are particularly relevant because of the major role of horizontal gene transfer and lineage-specific gene loss, at least in the evolution of prokaryotes. Five largely independent approaches were employed to construct trees for completely sequenced bacterial and archaeal genomes: i) presence-absence of genomes in clusters of orthologous genes; ii) conservation of local gene order (gene pairs) among prokaryotic genomes; iii) parameters of identity distribution for probable orthologs; iv) analysis of concatenated alignments of ribosomal proteins; v) comparison of trees constructed for multiple protein families. All constructed trees support the separation of the two primary prokaryotic domains, bacteria and archaea, as well as some terminal bifurcations within the bacterial and archaeal domains. Beyond these obvious groupings, the trees made with different methods appeared to differ substantially in terms of the relative contributions of phylogenetic relationships and similarities in gene repertoires caused by similar life styles and horizontal gene transfer to the tree topology. The trees based on presence-absence of genomes in orthologous clusters and the trees based on conserved gene pairs appear to be strongly affected by gene loss and horizontal gene transfer. The trees based on identity distributions for orthologs and particularly the tree made of concatenated ribosomal protein sequences seemed to carry a stronger phylogenetic signal. The latter tree supported three potential high-level bacterial clades,: i) Chlamydia-Spirochetes, ii) Thermotogales-Aquificales (bacterial hyperthermophiles), and ii) Actinomycetes-Deinococcales-Cyanobacteria. The latter group also appeared to join the low-GC Gram-positive bacteria at a deeper tree node. These new groupings of bacteria were supported by the analysis of alternative topologies in the concatenated ribosomal protein tree using the Kishino-Hasegawa test and by a census of the topologies of 132 individual groups of orthologous proteins. Additionally, the results of this analysis put into question the sister-group relationship between the two major archaeal groups, Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota,and suggest instead that Euryarchaeota might be a paraphyletic group with respect to Crenarchaeota. We conclude that, the extensive horizontal gene flow and lineage-specific gene loss notwithstanding, extension of phylogenetic analysis to the genome scale has the potential of uncovering deep evolutionary relationships between prokaryotic lineages.
Improved Elemental Recoveries in Soils with Heating Boric Acid Following Microwave Total Digestion

Abstract Microwave digestion of soils for elemental analysis commonly uses hydrofluoric acid (HF) because of insolubility of aluminosilicate minerals in other acids. Boric acid is added following digestion to complex F in solution. Low recoveries of calcium (Ca), aluminum (Al), and magnesium (Mg) of soil reference materials led to this investigation of a secondary heating of the boric acid with digested soil. The objectives were to evaluate boric acid (H3BO3) concentrations needed to complex F from 4 mL HF and to evaluate soil characteristics that may contribute to the formation of metal‐fluoride complexes that decrease recovery following digestion. Four standard soil reference materials and a variety of soil samples (n=75) were evaluated. Heating 20 mL 2.5% H3BO3 with a digested standard reference soil produced recoveries of 94, 98, and 99% for Al, Ca, and Mg, respectively, compared to 46% for Al and Mg and 37% recovery for Ca in extracts where H3BO3 was added but not heated. Two other concentrations of ...
Reconstruction of mandibular defects with autologous tissue-engineered bone.

Abstract Purpose Maxillofacial reconstructive procedures often require bone graft harvesting, which results in donor site morbidity; the use of tissue-engineered bone would eliminate this problem. In this study, a novel scaffold design and new fabrication protocol were used to produce autologous tissue-engineered constructs (scaffolds seeded with cells) to reconstruct segmental mandibular defects in a minipig model. Materials and methods Porcine mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the ilium. They were expanded in culture and seeded onto poly- dl -lactic-coglycolic acid scaffolds. The constructs were placed in a bioreactor and incubated for 10 days in medium and osteogenic supplements. Four full-thickness bony defects (2 × 2 cm) were created in the same pig’s mandible. The constructs (n = 2) were placed into 2 of the defects as autologous grafts. One unseeded scaffold and 1 empty defect served as controls. At 6 weeks postimplantation, the pig was sacrificed, the mandible was harvested, and the grafted sites were evaluated by clinical, radiographic, and histologic methods. Results The construct-implanted defects appeared to be filled with hard tissue resembling bone, whereas controls were filled with fibrous tissue. Radiographically, the tissue-engineered constructs were uniformly radiodense with bone distributed throughout. The interface between native bone and constructs was indistinct. Complete bone ingrowth was not observed in control defects. Osteoblasts, osteocytes, bone trabeculae, and blood vessels were identified throughout the defects implanted with constructs. Conclusion This “proof-of-principle” study indicates that porcine mandibular defects can be successfully reconstructed by in vitro cultured autologous porcine mesenchymal stem cells on a biodegradable polymer scaffold with penetration of bone and blood vessels.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: A systematic review of litigation in the face of new technology

Objective To study legal cases against IVF facilities pertaining to preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) misdiagnosis. Design Systematic case law review. Setting University medical center using US legal databases. Patient(s) The IVF recipients using PGD services. Intervention(s) Lawsuits pertaining to PGD against IVF facilities. Main Outcome Measure(s) Lawsuits, court rulings, damage awards, and settlements pertaining to PGD after the birth of a child with a genetic defect. Result(s) Causes of action pertaining to PGD arise from negligence in performing the procedure as well as failure to properly inform patients of key information, such as inherent errors associated with the PGD process, a facility's minimal experience in performing PGD, and the option of obtaining PGD. Courts have sympathized with the financial burden involved in caring for children with disabilities. Monetary damage awards are based on the costs of caring for children with debilitating defects, including lifetime medical and custodial care. Conclusion(s) Facilities offering PGD services expose themselves to a new realm of liability in which damage awards can easily exceed the limits of a facility's insurance policy. Competent laboratory personnel and proper informed consent—with particular care to inform patients of the inherent inaccuracies of PGD—are crucial in helping deter liability.
The Sequence Stratigraphic and Environmental Context of Primitive Vertebrates: Harding Sandstone, Upper Ordovician, Colorado, USA

The depositional environment of the Upper Ordovician Harding Sandstone of central Colorado has been debated since Charles Walcott first described its pteraspidomorph agnathans. Although most previous workers have favored a marine setting for the Harding based on the presence of marine invertebrates and burrows, some have argued for a fluvial or estuarine habitat for these primitive vertebrates. This study presented here is the first regional, comprehensive analysis of the depositional environments and sequence stratigraphy of the Harding Sandstone. The Harding contains deposits from an array of coastal environments, including transition zone, shoreface, bay/lagoon, washover fan, and bayhead delta. Features of these environments suggest that the Harding was deposited on a microtidal coast with low wave energy. Within the study area, two depositional sequences are developed, and each apparently lacks a lowstand systems tract. The Harding contains numerous flooding surfaces, which preclude any attempt to interpret the Harding as a single depositional environment. Flooding surfaces commonly display evidence of stratigraphic condensation, including burrowed firmgrounds, concentrations of pteraspidomorph plates, and dolomitic cementation. Pteraspidomorph remains are associated most commonly with shoreface facies, are uncommon in bay/lagoon facies, and are absent from bayhead-delta facies. Collectively, these occurrences argue for a shallow-marine habitat for these primitive vertebrates.
Evaluation of Squirrels (Rodentia: Sciuridae) as Ecologically Significant Hosts for Anaplasma phagocytophilum in California

Granulocytic anaplasmosis (GA), caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, is a potentially fatal, emerging rickettsial disease of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sciurids from multiple areas of northern California were infested with ticks or exposed to or infected with A. phagocytophilum using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and indirect-fluorescent antibody (IFA) serology. Sciurids of nine different tree- and ground-dwelling species were assessed: arboreal squirrels (western and eastern gray squirrels, Sciurus griseus and S. carolinensis, and Douglas squirrels, Tamiasciurus douglasii) but not northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) had greater evidence of exposure and current infection than did semiarboreal or ground dwelling sciurids (California ground squirrels, Spermophilus beecheyi, and chipmunks, Tamias spp.). Western gray squirrels had the most extensive exposure (70.7% seroprevalence and 12.1% PCR prevalence). Positive squirrels were identified in all regions where squirrels were collected. A logistic regression identified being a western gray squirrel (OR = 20.5, P = 2.95 X 10(-8)) and from the north coastal region of California (OR = 9.052, P = 1.41 X 10(-6)) as having the highest risk of exposure to A. phagocytophilum. Five of nine sciurid species had evidence of infestation with Ixodes pacificus or I. spinipalpis that could vector A. phagocytophilum. Extensive exposure from multiple areas suggests sciurids may be important in the maintenance of GA in California and indicates that studies of reservoir competence of these species are warranted.
Identifying the Species of Bats Roosting in Redwood Basal Hollows using Genetic Methods

Bats frequently use basal hollows in trees to gain access to interior roost sites but it has been challenging to verify which species do so because it is difficult to capture bats or identify bats using acoustic methods at these locations. We employed noninvasive genetic sampling of guano to identify the species of bats that use basal hollows in redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) trees in coastal northern California. Guano was collected using screen traps suspended within the hollows of trees in the northern and central range of the redwood, in Del Norte and Mendocino County, California, respectively. A representative sample of 231 guano pellets from 104 trees was selected for analysis; 149 pellets from 63 trees amplified sufficiently for genetic sequencing. Species identification is possible for 8 of the 11 species that were assumed to occur in the study area, based on previous studies using two 190 bp regions of the 16S ribosomal subunit gene. Seven distinct species, subspecies or species groups were identified; all 7 were represented from samples in the northern study area whereas only 5 of these occurred within the central study area. The long-legged bat (Myotis volans) was the most frequent taxa identified. Genetic sampling to identify the species using roosts will be an important contribution to the conservation of bats. This method is noninvasive and appears more efficient than other methods, such as following radio-marked bats to basal hollows or attempting to capture bats as they enter or leave a hollow. New laboratory developments in this field, such as microarrays, when combined with sequencing, will open up domains of research on individual species and species composition at various temporal and geographic scales.
Building intellectual bridges: from African studies and African American studies to Africana studies in the United States

The study of Africa and its peoples in the United States has a complex history. It has involved the study of both an external and internal other, of social realities in Africa and the condition of people of African descent in the United States. This paper traces and examines the complex intellectual, institutional, and ideological histories and intersections of African studies and African American studies. It argues that the two fields were founded by African American scholar activists as part of a Pan-African project before their divergence in the historically white universities after World War II in the maelstrom of decolonization in Africa and civil rights struggles in the United States. However, from the late 1980s and 1990s, the two elds began to converge, a process captured in the development of what has been called Africana studies. The factors behind this are attributed to both demographic shifts in American society and the academy including increased African migrations in general and of African academics in particular fleeing structural adjustment programs that devastated African universities, as well as the emergence of new scholarly paradigms especially the field of diaspora studies. The paper concludes with an examination of the likely impact of the Obama era on Africana studies. Key words: African studies, African American studies, African diaspora studies, Africana studies
Abstract 1587: AMPK-mTOR axis as key target for chemoprevention of UV-induced skin cancer by the bioflavonoid apigenin

Over two million new cases of UV-induced non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed yearly in the USA, making it the most common form of cancer in this country. Apigenin, a nonmutagenic, naturally occurring flavonoid found in a variety of fruits and leafy vegetables, inhibits UV-induced skin cancer in mice. Our laboratory and others have shown that apigenin treatment of cells results in a wide variety of antitumorigenic and chemopreventive actions, including suppression of COX-2 expression, enhancement of p53 expression, and induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, the primary target(s) responsible for apigenin9s chemopreventive function remains elusive. For the first time, we have demonstrated that apigenin activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in keratinocytes (mouse and human keratinocyte cell lines, primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) and mouse epidermis in vivo). The activation of AMPK resulted in inhibition of mTOR signaling, which relieved the block to the autophagy pathway, further inducing autophagy in human keratinocytes. At early stages of tumorigenesis, autophagy acts as a tumor suppressor by removing damaged organelles, proteins, reducing chromosome instability, and inducing type II programmed cell death. Therefore, pharmacological induction of autophagy provides a new strategy for cancer chemoprevention. We have further demonstrated that UV radiation also induced moderate AMPK activation, suggesting that there is a protective cellular response after UV radiation alone, providing limited protection through modest AMPK activation. More intriguingly, pretreatment of keratinocytes or skin with apigenin prior to UV radiation induced AMPK activation dramatically (both in vitro and in vivo). In addition, UV markedly increased mTOR phosphorylation in SKH-1 mice epidermis, and apigenin completely inhibited UV-mediated mTOR activation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the AMPK/mTOR axis is involved in chemoprevention of UV-induced skin cancer by apigenin, and mechanistically the activation of AMPK further induces autophagy to suppress UV-induced tumorigenesis. Identifying AMPK-mTOR axis as a key target of apigenin and targeting the autophagy pathway for cancer chemoprevention would provide a new target and strategy for the development of better treatment and prevention of skin cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1587. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1587
DEMOGRAPHIC AND GENETIC RESPONSES OF TWO STRAINS OF TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM TO A NOVEL ENVIRONMENT.

This is a study of the demographic and genetic consequences of long term exposure to a novel husbandry regime in laboratory populations of two strains of the flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. An alteration of the husbandry represents an environmental change, and a resulting shift in the demographic characteristics of populations exposed to this new environment for long periods of time could be attributed to an evolutionary response if the shift can be shown to be genetic. Certainly the demographic traits of populations have a genetic basis and are subject to natural selection. The effect of selection on demography has not been studied extensively though there have been some theoretical and empirical considerations. Some of these conclude that the intrinsic rate of natural increase r should be maximized either by an increase in fecundity or a decrease in developmental time (Dobzhansky, 1968; Stern, 1970). Other authors believe selection should maximize population size or biomass (Carson, 1957, 1961; Fisher, 1958; and Ayala, 1966). The empirical results presented here are contrary to these predictions and indicate some of the problems associated with making predictions at the population level based on the outcome of selection on individuals. This work has its antecedents in studies documented by Sokal and Sonleitner (1968) and Sokal and Fujii (1973). To follow changes in the frequency of the mutant allele black (b) subsequent to its introduction to wild type populations of the normally long-lived beetles, the above authors designed a scheme in which discrete generations were imposed on the experimental populations. Since laboratory stocks are maintained under conditions permitting overlapping generations, this novel regime radically altered the ecology of the experimental cultures. Competition among like life history stages was intensified and the reproductive period shortened by the process which will be described fully below. In their experiments, Sokal and his coworkers established many replicate populations with discrete generations for the pure wild type and pure bb (the Chicago Black strain marked by bb) as controls to their selection experiments. Experimental populations of both strains followed characteristic patterns of rapid increase in adult population size followed by a leveling off period. The pure bb populations then underwent a severe long term decline in adult numbers while the wild type populations declined only slightly, maintaining levels near their earlier peak. The time period involved is in excess of 40 generations. It is postulated that the altered population sizes have a genetic basis and are a result of adaptation to the novel environment. Differential responses in the Chicago Black and wild type strains result from genetic differences inherent in the two strains. 1 Current address: Department of Biology, University of Chicago, 1103 East 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637. 2 Contribution Number 193 from the Program in Ecology and Evolution, State University of New York at Stony Brook.
Ependymoma of the spinal cord and cauda equina: a review.

Ependymoma of the spinal cord and cauda equina is an uncommon tumor. Because it is rare, studies include few patients, who generally represent a selected group, depending on the referral pattern and specialty of the physician. The relative roles of surgery and radiotherapy are controversial. The authors review the literature to analyze patterns of treatment failure and to outline the natural history of the disease with a view to defining the roles of radiotherapy and surgery in the management of this tumor.
Research on subchronic toxicity of Peony flowers

Objective To study the subchronic toxicity of Peony flowers by 90-day feeding test in rats,and evaluate the safety of Peony flowers.Methods Rats were divided into 3 experimental groups and 1 negative control group.Rats in experimental groups were given concentrated solution of Peony flowers by daily gavage for 90 d,with each rat in single cage.The general manifestations,the status of poisoning and death of the rats were recorded daily,while the once body weight and twice food intake dose were recorded weekly to calculate the weekly and total food utility rates.The serological test and pathological examination were carried out on these rats after 90-day feeding test.Results The 90-day feeding test showed that there was no significant difference between experimental groups and control group in clinical examination,hematology indexes,biochemical indexes,weight of viscera.The histopathological examination results showed that the Peony flowers related histopathological changes were not found in liver,kidney,stomach,intestines,spleen,spermary,ovary of rats in high dose group and control group.Conclusion The toxicity effect of Peony flowers was not found in male rats and female rats through observation on multiple indexes.
Close Aerial Target Recognition Based on Data Fusion of Radar and Infrared Sensor

In order to improve the performance of target recognition system and the precision of target recognition,a model based on radar and infrared sensor was proposed. For radar,an algorithm based on parameter learning Bayesian network was proposed. The EM algorithm was employed for parameter optimization,and the target was classified according to its attribute information. For infrared sensor,the algorithm based on wavelet moment features was adopted. The wavelet moment features were extracted and selected,and the target image was recognized through BP neural network. Finally,D-S theory was adopted to combine the recognition results of radar and infrared sensor,thus the close target recognition based on radar and infrared imaging sensor was realized. Simulation results indicate that: Compared with a single sensor,the proposed model has a higher precision for target recognition.
Endocrine, blood metabolite, and meat quality changes in goats as influenced by short-term, preslaughter stress

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of short-term, preslaughter stress on physiological responses and meat quality in goats of different age groups. The goats (n = 28) were classified into young (6 to 12 mo of age) and old (24 to 30 mo of age) groups, feed deprived overnight, and slaughtered at three different times (replicates). On each slaughter day, goats were either subjected to a 2-h transportation stressor (TS) or remained unstressed in holding pens (NS) before slaughter. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture from TS and NS goats at 2, 1, and 0 h before slaughter. Muscle glycogen and pH were measured on samples from longissimus muscle (LM) collected at 15 min and 24 h postmortem, and instrumental measures of meat color were obtained on the LM after a 24-h chilling period at 4 degrees C. The TS goats had higher plasma cortisol (P 0.05) influenced by stressor treatment. Water-holding capacity of meat was not (P > 0.05) influenced by stressor treatment. Older goats had lower (P < 0.01) L* values and greater (P < 0.01) a* and chroma values than the younger goats. The a* and chroma values of loin cuts from young goat carcasses were lower in the TS than NS treatment groups, but this effect was absent in the old goat carcasses (stressor treatment x age, P < 0.05). Cooking loss percentages and shear force values for loin chops aged for 7 d were not (P < 0.05) affected by stressor treatment; however, old goats produced tougher (P < 0.01) loin chops than young goats. These results indicate that short-term preslaughter transport can cause noticeable changes in stress responses and muscle metabolism in goats.
Effects of chronic run training on Na+-dependent Ca2+ efflux from rat left ventricular myocytes.

The effects of endurance run training on Na+-dependent Ca2+ regulation in rat left ventricular myocytes were examined. Myocytes were isolated from sedentary and trained rats and loaded with fura 2....
Keeping the human touch.

According to the author, "trust is the glue that binds patient to physician." To strengthen that trust, he offers 10 guidelines physicians begin using immediately to achieve a more positive relationship with their patients.
Unchanneling cardiac iron in humans

In this issue of Blood , [Fernandes et al][1] show that treatment of thalassemia patients with the calcium channel blocker amlodipine significantly reduces cardiac iron loading compared with placebo ( P < .02).[1][2] ![Figure][3] Iron transport through calcium channels in the heart. FPN,
Treating Juvenile Offenders: Best Practices and Emerging Critical Issues

According to the most recent report available from the US Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), in 2008 juveniles accounted for about 16% of all arrests for violent crime and 26% of all arrests for property crime (Puzzanchera 2009). Although these rates represent an overall decline of 3% in juvenile arrests from the year prior, and a decline of 16% from 10 years prior, the absolute number of juvenile arrests is still daunting. In 2008, there were an estimated 2.11 million arrests of juveniles, and about 96,000 (5%) of those were for the index violent crimes of murder/nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault (Puzzanchera 2009).
A Nonparametric Estimator for Local Quantile Treatment Effects in the Regression Discontinuity Design

I introduce a procedure to nonparametrically estimate local quantile treatment effects in a regression discontinuity (RD) design with a binary treatment. Analogously to Hahn, Todd, and van der Klaauw's (2001) estimator for average treatment effects using local linear regression, the estimator developed here uses local linear quantile regression to estimate the marginal distributions of potential outcomes to infer the quantile treatment effects for the subgroup of "RD compliers". I describe the estimation procedure, derive the asymptotic distribution, and provide Monte Carlo results. I apply the procedure to Gormley, et al's (2005) study of the effects of universal pre-K programs, and find that while evidence for an effect on the upper end of the distribution is weaker, participation in a pre-K program significantly raises the lower end and middle of the distribution of test scores, with the greatest gains in the middle of the distribution.
Bias Reduction in Outlier Ensembles: The Guessing Game

Bias reduction is a difficult problem in unsupervised problem like outlier detection. The main reason is that bias-reduction algorithms often require a quantification of error in intermediate steps of the algorithm. An example of such a bias reduction algorithm from classification is referred to as “boosting”. In boosting, the outputs of highly biased detectors are used to learn portions of the decision space in which the bias performance affects the algorithm in a negative way.
Principles and Procedures of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Diagnosis

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the etiologic agent of AIDS. The clinical manifestations of AIDS were first recognized in 1981 (1). Search for the cause of this severe cellular immune dysfunction led to isolation of lymphadenopathy-associated virus in 1983 (2). The following year, additional researchers isolated cytopathic retroviruses from persons with AIDS, which they termed human T-lymphotrophic virus type III (3, 4). These viruses were soon confirmed to be identical, and in 1986 the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the virus causative of AIDS HIV (5). Genetic sequences of HIV have been identified retrospectively in human plasma specimens from as early as 1959 (6). It is estimated that approximately 75 million people worldwide have become infected with HIV. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1.1 million persons are living with HIV.
Chemotherapy and Other Systemic Approaches to Adult Sarcomas

Prior to the 1970s, surgery and radiation therapy was considered the “gold standard” for the primary treatment of most extremity bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. It was understood, however, that surgery alone was associated with a high incidence of local recurrence and that approximately half of patients with soft-tissue sarcomas and most patients with bone sarcomas would develop distant metastases and die from disease. Systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy was slowly introduced and subsequently shown to be an effective sarcoma treatment. Standard multi-drug chemotherapy protocols have been developed and used successfully in both the neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting, allowing limb-sparing surgery for most patients and improved long-term survival.More recently,great interest in other therapies, specifically in the areas of checkpoint-inhibitor based immunotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors,anddriver targets and inhibitors has led to new treatment options for sarcomas.
Trends in Financial Access to Prescription Drugs Among Cancer Survivors

Little is known about the competing effects of increasing prescription drug costs and expansions in insurance coverage on prescription drug access and whether trends vary for adults with and without a cancer history. Using the 2010-2015 National Health Interview Survey, we examined trends in limited prescription drug access, operationalized as forgoing needed prescription drugs because of cost. The percentages of adults age 18 to 64 years with limited prescription drug access decreased over time: predicted margins from multivariable logistic regression models were 13.8% in 2010 vs 8.6% in 2015 for cancer survivors and 11.0% vs 6.8% for adults without a cancer history (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for trend = 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.88 to 0.90). Access changed little for adults age 65 years and older. Among adults age 18 to 64 years, cancer survivors were more likely than those without a cancer history to report limited access to any prescription drug in all years (aOR from multivariable logistic regression model = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.31 to 1.61). However, trends did not differ by cancer history. Our findings suggest that expansions in health insurance coverage mitigated the effects of growing prescription drug costs to some extent for many individuals with and without a history of cancer.
GROWTH OF GEOCORIS PUNCTIPES (HEMIPTERA: LYGAEIDAE) ON ATTACHED AND DETACHED LEAVES OF PEST-RESISTANT SOYBEANS

A field experiment using attached soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, leaves showed that fresh weight gain of Geocoris punctipes (Say) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) nymphs between days 14 and 21 was greate...
Carotid Artery Remodeling Is Segment Specific: An In Vivo Study by Vessel Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective— Early atherosclerosis is often undetected due in part to compensatory enlargement of the outer wall, termed positive remodeling. Variations in hemodynamic conditions and clinical factors influence the patterns of remodeling. The carotid artery provides an opportunity to examine these variations because of the unique geometry of the carotid bulb. This study aimed to determine differences in remodeling of the common, internal, and bifurcation segments of the carotid using magnetic resonance imaging. Approach and Results— Carotid arteries of 525 subjects without history of cardiovascular disease were imaged by magnetic resonance imaging. The carotid artery was divided into 3 segments: common carotid artery; bifurcation; and internal carotid artery. Remodeling patterns were characterized using linear regression analysis of lumen and total vessel areas (dependent variables) compared with maximum wall thickness (independent variable) for each segment, adjusted for age, sex, and height. The common carotid artery demonstrated a pattern consistent with positive remodeling, whereas the bifurcation demonstrated negative remodeling. The internal carotid artery demonstrated a mixed pattern of outer wall expansion and lumen constriction. Females and subjects with diabetes mellitus showed more positive remodeling, hypertension was associated with attenuated positive remodeling, and those with hypercholesterolemia showed more negative remodeling. Conclusions— In this cohort of 55- to 80-year-old individuals without history of cardiovascular disease, the pattern of early carotid artery remodeling was segment specific and appeared to be associated with sex and clinical characteristics. These findings provide the groundwork for longitudinal studies to define local and systemic factors such as hemodynamic and clinical conditions on carotid artery remodeling.
Raynaud's Syndrome

Raynaud's syndrome is a relatively common conditions that is seen principally in young women. Although previously thought to be idiopathic in most patients, it has recently been estimated that an underlying disease is present in 50 to 100 per cent. Presented is the latest information on the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of this increasingly common vascular disorder.
Nitric oxide activation facilitated by cooperative multimetallic electron transfer within an iron-functionalized polyoxovanadate–alkoxide cluster

A series of NO-bound, iron-functionalized polyoxovanadate-alkoxide (FePOV-alkoxide) clusters have been synthesized, providing insight into the role of multimetallic constructs in the coordination and activation of a substrate. Upon exposure of the heterometallic cluster to NO, the vanadium-oxide metalloligand is oxidized by a single electron, shuttling the reducing equivalent to the {FeNO} subunit to form a {FeNO}7 species. Four NO-bound clusters with electronic distributions ranging from [VV3VIV2]{FeNO}7 to [VIV5]{FeNO}7 have been synthesized, and characterized via 1H NMR, infrared, and electronic absorption spectroscopies. The ability of the FePOV-alkoxide cluster to store reducing equivalents in the metalloligand for substrate coordination and activation highlights the ultility of the metal-oxide scaffold as a redox reservoir.
Discriminant and Conductor

The calculation of the discriminant is at the very core of techniques of algebraic number theory. It is involved in basis problems (Chapter 9), ramified primes (Chapter 10), and, now, in the computation of the conductor \( \tilde f \) associated with an abelian extension K/k. Two of the most startling yet simple techniques of algebraic number theory can be motivated by their use in facilitating the computation of discriminants, namely the theory of forms (associated with Kronecker) and local number theory (associated with Hensel).
A Idéia de Igualdade e as Ações Afirmativas (The Idea of Equality and the Affirmative Actions)

The article starts out from a concise reconstruction of the republican and the democratic ideals in the context of the modern expansion of emancipatory ideals and programs so as to produce an understanding of the principle of equality in light of them. It then seeks to develop the rudiments of a constitutional theory of equality consistent with the emancipatory ideals from which it derives its most robust meaning. In its last part, the article examines the question of "affirmative action" in the access to higher education within the scope of the proposed basis for a theory of equality.
Can We Estimate Bacterial Growth Rates from Ribosomal RNA Content

Several studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between the quantity of RNA in bacterial cells and their growth rate under laboratory conditions. It may be possible to use this relationship to provide information on the activity of natural bacterial communities, and in particular on growth rate. However, if this approach is to provide reliably interpretable information, the relationship between RNA content and growth rate must be well-understood. In particular, a requisite of such applications is that the relationship must be universal among bacteria, or alternately that the relationship can be determined and measured for specific bacterial taxa.
Making new products go viral and succeed

Abstract Why are some new product introductions more viral and successful than others? This research integrates theories of interpersonal communication and consumer learning to explore this question. Analyzing a unique data set of millions of consumer word-of-mouth transmissions (eWOM) on social media regarding 345 new automobile products introduced during 2008–2015, we find that more innovative products generate more eWOM volume but surprisingly less positive sentiment. These effects vary in magnitude across eWOM channels. However, the use of rich-content communication, pre-announcement, and cobranding strengthens (weakens) the positive (negative) effect of product innovativeness on eWOM volume (sentiment). The results further indicate that eWOM sentiment is a stronger predictor of new product success than eWOM volume. Experimental results reveal more insights into how product innovativeness influences eWOM metrics in several product categories and shed light on the role of excitement and perceived risk as mechanisms underlying these effects. The research offers useful implications for firms to design effective viral marketing campaigns to enhance new product success.
A mid-treatment break and reassessment maintains tumor control and reduces toxicity in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Abstract Background and purpose Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) commonly have underlying liver dysfunction with variable tolerance to liver stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). We hypothesized that insertion of a 1-month mid-treatment break would allow us to adapt treatment to the individual patient response, thereby reducing toxicity without compromising local control (LC). Materials and methods We analyzed HCC patients receiving 3–5 fraction SBRT at our institution from 2005 to 2017. Over this time, patients were offered enrollment on prospective trials assessing individualized adaptive SBRT. Based on normal tissue complication probability and modeling of changes in liver function following a 1-month treatment break between fractions 3 and 4, patients could receive a total of 3 or 5 fractions. Patients not on trial received 3 or 5 fractions without a break. Toxicity was defined as a ≥2 point rise in Child–Pugh (CP) score within 6 months of SBRT. Results 178 patients were treated with SBRT to 263 HCCs. Median follow-up was 23 months. 86 treatments had a 1-month break. 1-Year LC was 95.4%; this was not different between patients treated with or without a break (p = 0.14). Controlling for tumor size and dose a break was not associated with inferior LC (HR: 0.58, 95%CI: 0.1–3.34, p = 0.54). 54 patients experienced a ≥2 point rise in CP score. Controlling for the number of prior liver directed therapies and mean liver dose, a treatment break reduced the odds of toxicity (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.17–1.03, p = 0.06). Conclusion A one-month mid-treatment break and reassessment may reduce the odds of treatment related toxicity without compromising LC.
Induced degradation of protein kinases by bifunctional small molecules: a next-generation strategy

Introduction: Protein kinases are a major target for small-molecule drug development. However, relatively few compounds are free of off-target toxicity and reach the clinic. Because the 500-plus ki...
SUNDIALS Multiphysics+MPIManyVector Performance Testing

In this report we document performance test results on a SUNDIALS-based multiphysics demonstration application. We aim to assess the large-scale parallel performance of new capabilities that have been added to the SUNDIALS suite of time integrators and nonlinear solvers in recent years under funding from both the Exascale Computing Project (ECP) and the Scientific Discovery through Advanced Scientific (SciDAC) program, specifically: (a) SUNDIALS' new MPIManyVector module, that allows extreme flexibility in how a solution "vector" is staged on computational resources, (b) ARKode's new multirate integration module, MRIStep, allowing high-order accurate calculations that subcycle "fast" processes within "slow" ones, (c) SUNDIALS' new flexible linear solver interfaces, that allow streamlined specification of problem-specific linear solvers, and (d) SUNDIALS' new N_Vector additions of "fused" vector operations (to increase arithmetic intensity) and separation of reduction operations into "local" and "global" versions (to reduce latency by combining multiple reductions into a single MPI_Allreduce call). We anticipate that subsequent reports will extend this work to investigate a variety of other new features, including SUNDIALS' generic SUNNonlinearSolver interface and accelerator-enabled N_Vector modules, and upcoming MRIStep extensions to support custom "fast" integrators (that leverage problem structure) and IMEX integration of the "slow" time scale (to add diffusion).
Migration and political polarization in the U.S.: An analysis of the county-level migration network.

Research question From gridlock in lawmaking to shortened holiday family dinners, partisan polarization pervades social and political life in the United States. We study the degree to which the dynamics of partisan polarization can be observed in patterns of county-to-county migration in the U.S. Specifically, we ask whether migration follows patterns that would lead individuals to homogeneous or heterogeneous partisan exposure, using annual county-to-county migration networks from 2002 to 2015. Adjusting for a host of factors, including geographic distance, population, and economic variables, we test the degree to which migration flows connect counties with similar political preferences. Findings Our central finding is that over the period studied, county-to-county migration flows connect counties with similar partisan voting profiles. Moreover, partisan sorting is most pronounced among the most politically extreme counties. The implication of this finding in the context of partisanship is that U.S. migration patterns reinforce partisan sorting, limiting the degree to which individuals will experience cross-the-aisle local social contacts through spatial interaction. This finding builds on existing research that has documented (1) that individuals prefer to move to and live in locations inhabited by co-partisans, and (2) that local geographic areas have become more polarized in recent decades. Our results indicate that large scale patterns of polarized migration flows serve as a potential mechanism that contributes to geographic partisan polarization.
Determining the optimal learning rate in gradient-based electromagnetic optimization using the Shanks transformation in the Lippmann-Schwinger formalism.

In gradient-based optimization of photonic devices, within the overall design parameter space, one iteratively performs a line search in a one-dimensional subspace as spanned by the search direction. While the search direction can be efficiently determined with the adjoint variable method, there has not been an efficient algorithm that determines the optimal learning rate that controls the distance one moves along the search direction. Here we introduce an efficient algorithm of determining the optimal learning rate, using the Shanks transformation in the Lippmann–Schwinger formalism. Our approach can determine very accurately the optimal learning rates at each epoch, with only a modest increase of computational cost. We show that this approach can significantly improve the figure of merits of the final structure, as compared to conventional methods for estimating the learning rate.
Efficacy of somatostatin analog (SSA) monotherapy for well-differentiated grade 3 (G3) gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

617Background: Currently, there is no published data on the efficacy of SSAs for well-differentiated G3 NETs. Randomized trials have demonstrated a progression-free survival (PFS) benefit and limit...
A controlled release bupivacaine-alginate construct: Effect on chondrocyte hypertrophy conversion

Abstract Objective Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joint, affecting over 30 million people in the US1. A key characteristic of OA is chondrocyte hypertrophy, characterized by chondrocyte changes to a more rounded and osteoblastic phenotype, characterized by increased IL-6 and IL-8 secretion2. While there are no cures for OA, treatments focus on mitigating pain and inflammation, the two main symptoms of OA. However, the analgesics, NSAIDS and corticosteroids commonly used, do not target regeneration and have negative side effects. Local anesthetics (LA) can be used as a pain management alternative but are usually short lasting and therefore, not suited for chronic conditions such as OA. Our engineered sustained release local anesthetic construct successfully delivers bupivacaine for an extended period of time3-5. This study is designed to evaluate the effect of the LA system on chondrocytes in an inflammatory OA-like environment. Design Chondrocytes were cultured with bolus, liposomal, or construct LA and either untreated or treated with TNF-α and IL-1α for 24 hrs, 48 hrs, or 96 hrs. Chondrocyte viability, interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), collagenase activity and proteoglycan deposition were assessed. Results In the presence of the engineered construct, the chondrocytes retained viability and regenerative function. Moreover, the construct allowed for higher initial doses to be used, which promoted more regeneration and decreased inflammation without compromising cellular viability. Conclusions The construct promotes a less hypertrophic chondrocyte environment while promoting a more anti-inflammatory environment. These two factors are consistent with a less OA progressive environment when using the engineered construct, compared to bolus LA.
Fake News, Information Herds, Cascades and Economic Knowledge

The paper addresses the issue of “fake news” through a well-known and widely studied experiment that illustrates possible uses of economics and game theory for understanding the phenomenon. Public news is viewed as an aggregation of decentralized pieces of valuable information about complex events. Success of news systems rests on accumulated investment in trust in news sources. By contrast, fake news involves cases in which news source reliability is not known. The experiment demonstrates how fake news can destroy both the investment in trust and also the benefits that successful news systems provide.