cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrophilic-coated radial sheaths: a leap forward, but watch where you land.

Radial artery spasm is one of the impediments to transradial cardiac catheterization. Although the incidence of spasm as a reason for procedural failure appears to markedly decrease with operator experience, it never completely disappears. In addition to preventing the completion of the procedure,
Male behaviour predicts trait divergence and the evolution of reproductive isolation in darters (Percidae: Etheostoma)

The diversity of secondary sexual signals across animals has led evolutionary biologists to hypothesize an important role for sexual selection in the process of speciation. Testing this hypothesis typically focuses on male–female mating interactions and divergence in female mate preferences between populations, leading to behavioural reproductive isolation. While informative, these tests rarely account for the potential contributions of male–male competitive interactions and male mate preferences to speciation. By incorporating male and female behavioural data across a genus of colourful freshwater fishes (Percidae: Etheostoma), our results suggest coevolution between male signals and aggressive responses and a potential role for male mating biases alongside female mating biases in the evolution of behavioural isolation between allopatric species. These surprising results imply an important function for male behaviours in trait divergence and the evolution of reproductive isolation, suggesting that a broader view of sexual selection is vital to addressing its role in speciation.
Disseminated neuroblastoma in an adult presenting the picture of thrombocytopenic purpura.

A case of neuroblastoma in an adult with extensive metastatic lesions is presented. The initial symptoms and findings suggested idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The blood picture and changes in the clinical picture later led to a diagnosis of acute leukemia. Autopsy disclosed the correct diagnosis, which would have been possible antemortem had the implication of pseudorosette arrangement of immature cells in the bone marrow and the possible occurrence of neuroblastoma in an adult been fully appreciated.
Constructing an interactive natural language interface for relational databases

Natural language has been the holy grail of query interface designers, but has generally been considered too hard to work with, except in limited specific circumstances. In this paper, we describe the architecture of an interactive natural language query interface for relational databases. Through a carefully limited interaction with the user, we are able to correctly interpret complex natural language queries, in a generic manner across a range of domains. By these means, a logically complex English language sentence is correctly translated into a SQL query, which may include aggregation, nesting, and various types of joins, among other things, and can be evaluated against an RDBMS. We have constructed a system, NaLIR (Natural Language Interface for Relational databases), embodying these ideas. Our experimental assessment, through user studies, demonstrates that NaLIR is good enough to be usable in practice: even naive users are able to specify quite complex ad-hoc queries.
Early Adherence Targeted Therapy (EATT) for Postbariatric Maladaptive Eating Behaviors

Current bariatric literature on postoperative interventions that prevent or remediate suboptimal weight loss outcomes is limited. In response, Early Adherence Targeted Therapy (EATT), an efficient early postoperative intervention to target patients at high risk for suboptimal postoperative weight loss outcomes was developed. The rationale for and a detailed description of EATT is provided, including sample session transcripts. Preliminary findings from a pilot designed to explore EATT’s feasibility and acceptability are reported. EATT is a principle driven, skills-based intervention that addresses psychological skill deficits that underlie poor dietary adherence and maladaptive eating behaviors associated with suboptimal weight loss outcomes. Of 22 postoperative patients who consented to participate, 13 screened positive for poor dietary adherence and thus received EATT (77% female, 69% White, 23% Hispanic; mean age = 42.9 years; mean BMI = 45.4 ± 12.8 kg/m2). The majority had undergone gastric bypass surgery (54%) and 76.9% had a psychiatric diagnosis, with 61% on psychotropic medications. Patient retention was high, with 11/13 (85%) completing treatment. Treatment was delivered efficiently, with an average of only 4.5 sessions (out of a possible 12) required to significantly increase dietary adherence (p < .001). At 12 months postoperative, 62% (8/13) of this at-risk group experienced successful weight losses, with a mean %EWL = 70.9% ± 17.9. Acceptability of delivery formats was high, with 92% preferring telephone or video conferencing. EATT, a new intervention for postoperative patients at risk of poor weight loss outcomes, targets poor dietary adherence and associated maladaptive eating behaviors in a flexible format. EATT shows preliminary positive outcomes but longer-term efficacy needs to be examined in a longer, larger-scale randomized controlled trial.
Multimedia databases

Multimedia databases (MMDBs) must cope with the increased usage of huge amounts of multimedia data in several diverse applications. These include: digital libraries, manufacturing and retailing, art and entertainment, journalism and so forth. Some inherent qualities of multimedia data have direct and indirect impacts on the design and development of a multimedia database. MMDBs need to have all the functionalities of traditional databases. In addition, they must have new and enhanced functionalities and features. Broadly, MMDBs are required to provide unified frameworks for storing, processing, retrieving, transmitting, and presenting a variety of media data types in a wide variety of formats. At the same time, they must adhere to numerous constraints that are absent in traditional databases. The article considers the issues involved in the design of a multimedia database system are numerous and quite complex.
A Slow Intelligence System Test Bed Enhanced with Super-Components

The slow intelligence system (SIS) technology is a novel technology for the design of a complex information system that is aware of the environment through multiple sensors and capable of improving its performance over time. In this paper we describe a practical slow intelligence system test bed where super-components can be specified to describe interactions among components. These super-components are automatically transformed into time controllers for components so they can be managed by the SIS test bed. We illustrate the application of this methodology to personal healthcare system design.
A spectrophotometric method for determination of elastase and serum elastase inhibitor.

SummaryA spectrophotometric method for determination of elastase and elastase-inhibitory activity has been presented, incorporating Sachar's method of enzymatic digestion of an elastin-orcein substrate with subsequent extraction of the orcein dye from solution with n-butyl alcohol. The inhibitory activity of 15 samples of normal female serum and 2 samples of serum obtained from patients with metastatic pelvic carcinoma was assayed.
Post-traumatic anosmia in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): A systematic and illustrated review.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is a disorder associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is prevalent in up to 20% of patients suffering from TBI. Nevertheless, most studies focusing on the relationship between OD and TBIs do not differentiate between the different types of TBI (mild, medium, and severe). In this paper, we conducted a comprehensive and systematic review of the existing literature for the association between mild TBI (mTBI) and OD in order to examine their relationship, focusing on its neurosurgical management and the radiographic characteristics.
Understanding Educational Success Among Latino/a English Language Learners: Factors Associated with High School Completion and Postsecondary School Attendance

As of 2014, 24 states require students to pass exit exams to graduate from high school. In California, all high school students are required to pass the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) to earn a diploma. Failure to pass the CAHSEE is linked with school dropout, which is associated with many deleterious outcomes and disproportionately affects Latino/a youths. Among first generation Latino students, English language learners (ELL) may be especially at risk. The current study explored potential protective influences (e.g., academic expectations, school connectedness) on educational outcomes among 115 Latino/a ELL students at high academic risk. Logistic regressions and discriminant analyses were conducted, and results revealed that only socioeconomic status was significantly associated with school completion and that self-expectation was the only variable significantly associated with postsecondary school attendance. Implications of these results and future directions are discussed.
Disturbance and productivity interactions mediate stability of forest composition and structure

Fire is returning to many conifer-dominated forests where species composition and structure have been altered by fire exclusion. Ecological effects of these fires are influenced strongly by the degree of forest change during the fire-free period. Response of fire-adapted species assemblages to extended fire-free intervals is highly variable, even in communities with similar historical fire regimes. This variability in plant community response to fire exclusion is not well understood; however, ecological mechanisms such as individual species’ adaptations to disturbance or competition and underlying site characteristics that facilitate or impede establishment and growth have been proposed as potential drivers of assemblage response. We used spatially explicit dendrochronological reconstruction of tree population dynamics and fire regimes to examine the influence of historical disturbance frequency (a proxy for adaptation to disturbance or competition), and potential site productivity (a proxy for underlying site characteristics) on the stability of forest composition and structure along a continuous ecological gradient of pine, dry mixed-conifer, mesic mixed-conifer, and spruce-fir forests following fire exclusion. While average structural density increased in all forests, species composition was relatively stable in the lowest productivity pine-dominated and highest productivity spruce- fir-dominated sites immediately following fire exclusion and for the next 100 years, suggesting site productivity as a primary control on species composition and structure in forests with very different historical fire regimes. Species composition was least stable on intermediate productivity sites dominated by mixed-conifer forests, shifting from primarily fire-adapted species to competition-adapted, fire-sensitive species within 20 years of fire exclusion. Rapid changes to species composition and stand densities have been interpreted by some as evidence of high-severity fire. We demonstrate that the very different ecological process of fire exclusion can produce similar changes by shifting selective pressures from disturbance-mediated to productivity-mediated controls. Restoring disturbance-adapted species composition and structure to intermediate productivity forests may help to buffer them against projected increasing temperatures, lengthening fire seasons, and more frequent and prolonged moisture stress. Fewer management options are available to promote adaptation in forest assemblages historically constrained by underlying site productivity.
Preventing and De-escalating Aggressive Behavior Among Adult Psychiatric Patients: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Objective:The project goal was to compare the effectiveness of strategies to prevent and de-escalate aggressive behaviors among psychiatric patients in acute care settings, including interventions for reducing use of seclusion and restraint.Methods:Relevant databases were systematically reviewed for comparative studies of violence prevention and de-escalation strategies involving adult psychiatric patients in acute care settings. Studies (trials and cohort studies) were required to report on aggression or seclusion or restraint outcomes. Both risk of bias, an indicator of quality of individual studies, and strength of evidence (SOE) for each outcome were independently assessed by two study personnel.Results:Seventeen primary studies met inclusion criteria. Evidence was limited for benefits and harms; information about characteristics that might modify the interventions’ effectiveness, such as race or ethnicity, was especially limited. All but one study had a medium or high risk of bias and thus presented ...
A qualitative investigation among men who have sex with men on the acceptability of performing a self- or partner anal exam to screen for anal cancer

Persistent infection with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of anal cancer, a disease that disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM); however, there is no uniform screening protocol to detect anal cancer. This qualitative study explores whether a self-anal exam (SAE) or partner anal exam (PAE), that includes self-palpation or palpation of a partner’s anal canal, is an acceptable and self-efficacious screening test, which will cue appropriate follow-up care in MSM. Twenty-four MSM living in Houston took part in four focus group sessions eliciting their responses to a study teaching them to perform an SAE or PAE (SAE/PAE). Participants were asked about the acceptability and feasibility of executing an SAE/PAE routinely. Thematic analysis of session transcripts was used to identify common patterns in participant responses. Results: Overall, participants expressed self-efficacy for performing an SAE/PAE and voiced a preference for being taught the procedure by a clinician. Participants agreed that they would consult with a clinician if they ever discovered an abnormality while performing an SAE/PAE. A lack of knowledge about anal cancer among MSM may present a barrier to adopting SAE/PAE. In discussing their experience of the exams, some participants suggested that it could become a routine practice for them. Our findings suggest that SAE and PAE, as a screen for anal cancer, are acceptable and feasible to MSM. Future research should explore attitudes and beliefs of MSM, with the aim of improving anal cancer education and understanding of pathologic findings.
Case 3: Hypertension in an 11-year-old Boy

1. Judy-April Oparaji, MD, RD* 2. Gregory Gorman, MD, MHS, FAAP* 3. Steve Ferrara, MD, FSIR* 1. *Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD An 11-year-old healthy boy is referred to pediatric nephrology for the incidental finding of persistently elevated blood pressure (BP) (146-161/80-110 mm Hg) initially discovered during a routine health supervision visit. He denies any medication, caffeine, or illicit drug use; headaches; edema; hematuria; or difficulty urinating. He has no history of recurrent urinary tract infections. His weight is 89.7 lb (40.7 kg) (BMI, 17), height is 62 in (158 cm), heart rate is 73 beats/min, and BP is 153/101 mm Hg. He has normal physical examination findings, including normal cardiovascular, fundoscopic, and neurologic results. Renal bruit is not appreciated. His serum creatinine, serum electrolyte, thyrotropin, serum metanephrine, and salivary cortisol levels are normal, as are findings from urinalysis, echocardiography, and renal ultrasonography with Doppler interrogation of the renal arteries. Over the course of the month, he has received amlodipine and valsartan at near maximum adult doses without a significant decrease in BP. Ambulatory BP monitoring shows a continued significant BP load of 40% to 50% without nocturnal dipping. A renal angiogram showed stenosis of a main branch of the right renal artery with a web and narrowing (Figs 1 and 2) indicative of fibromuscular dysplasia. The superior and posterior segments of the right kidney had poor perfusion, as shown in Fig 1. The artery was ballooned, and normal flow was restored. Immediately after the procedure, …
Manipulatable wireless key establishment

Due to the broadcast nature of the wireless medium, private communications are easily eavesdropped. This has spurred extensive research into secret key establishment using physical layer characteristics of wireless channels. In all these schemes, the shared secret keys directly originate from the physical features of the real wireless channel, which is highly dependent on the communication environment nearby. Also, previous schemes require performing information reconciliation, which increases both the costs of key establishment and the risk of key leakage over the not yet secured channel. In this paper, we exhibit a novel wireless key establishment method allowing the transmitter to specify arbitrary content as the secret key and cause the receiver to obtain the same key by using a channel manipulation technique. At the same time, eavesdroppers are prevented from deriving the secret key. We furthermore exploit the transmitter's ability to specify any content as the key by enabling the transmitter to apply error-correction code to the key. This means the receiver can automatically detect and correct any mismatched bits without sending key-related information back to the transmitter over the public channel. Experimental results demonstrate that the our key establishment method reaches a success rate as high as 91.0% for establishing a 168-bit key between the transmitter and the receiver, and meanwhile the chance that the eavesdropper can infer the key in meter-order range of the receiver is subdued into the range of 0∼0.10%.
“Jim, I Have a Question for You”: My Travels with Lotfi Zadeh

This will not be a technical article in any sense of that word. Lotfi Zadeh has always been a visionary and this article shares some of my interaction with a few of those visions and of Lotfi’s influence on me and in fact many people in our community. I’ve always thought of myself as a newcomer to fuzzy sets. I never had a course in fuzzy set theory nor had any mentor during my formal education who told about the subject. However, after receiving the Fuzzy Systems Pioneer Award from the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society, I guess I now qualify as an old-timer. After I got my PhD in Math and joined an Electrical Engineering Department, I stumbled on fuzzy sets by reading a few (actually quite bad) engineering papers that claimed to be based on fuzzy sets.
Quantification of isomerically summed hydrocarbon contributions to crude oil by carbon number, double bond equivalent, and aromaticity using gas chromatography with tunable vacuum ultraviolet ionization

The ability to structurally characterize and isomerically quantify crude oil hydrocarbons relevant to refined fuels such as motor oil, diesel, and gasoline represents an extreme challenge for chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques. This work incorporates two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to a tunable vacuum ultraviolet soft photoionization source, the Chemical Dynamics Beamline 9.0.2 of the Advanced Light Source at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC × GC-VUV-TOF) to directly characterize and isomerically sum the contributions of aromatic and aliphatic species to hydrocarbon classes of four crude oils. When the VUV beam is tuned to 10.5 ± 0.2 eV, both aromatic and aliphatic crude oil hydrocarbons are ionized to reveal the complete chemical abundance of C9–C30 hydrocarbons. When the VUV beam is tuned to 9.0 ± 0.2 eV only aromatic hydrocarbons are ionized, allowing separation of the aliphatic and aromatic fractions of the crude oil hydrocarbon chemical classes in an efficient manner while maintaining isomeric quantification. This technique provides an effective tool to determine the isomerically summed aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon compositions of crude oil, providing information that goes beyond typical GC × GC separations of the most dominant hydrocarbon isomers.
Quantitative light microscopy of dense suspensions: Colloid science at the next decimal place

Abstract Since the days of Perrin (1908) [ 1 ], microscopy methods have played an important role in the study of colloidal suspensions. Along with the continued development of new imaging techniques, colloid scientists have also implemented a sophisticated range of computational analyses. These analysis techniques are often the unsung heroes that hold the promise of unlocking scientific mysteries at the next decimal place of colloid science. They now enable precision measurements of particle location and size (Bierbaum et al., 2017; Kurita et al., 2012) as well as measurements of local stresses and forces (Lin et al., 2016). Here, we spotlight these exciting advances focusing on the analysis of simple brightfield and confocal microscope images of dense colloidal suspensions as well as the scientific mysteries they may unravel.
Metal Clusters 22 The Polynuclear Rhodium Hydride Set {HRhL2}n

Metal clusters present an exciting challenge in structure, bonding, theory, chemistry and reaction mechanism. One intriguing possibility in clusters is their emulation, on a localized basis, of metal surfaces with chemisorbed species.3,4 some instances, these metal clusters may be better models of surfaces with chemical sorbed species than mononuclear metal complexes.3–5 D We describe here the results of an extensive literature 5,6 analysis of the cluster-surface analogy and experimental studies of polynuclear rhodium hydrides which present a simple model of catalytic hydrogenation of olefins on a metal surface.
Coordination-Driven Supramolecular Macromolecules via the Directional Bonding Approach

Coordination-driven self-assembly is a process that generates supramolecular architectures from molecular precursors by exploiting the favorable properties of metal–ligand bonding. The discrete supramolecular coordination complexes (SCCs) thus obtained have enjoyed multiple decades of development, focused initially on the design and reactivity of rigid building blocks with specific directionalities and angularities, thereby populating a molecular library of complementary donor and acceptor subunits. More recently, efforts have broadened to encompass pre- and post-self-assembly modifications, which have lead to new routes for obtaining functionalized metallacages and metallacycles, multicomponent assemblies incorporating multiple types of ligands in a single scaffold, and supramolecular transformations that quantitatively alter the structure of a given SCC, furnishing an entirely new architecture.
Negotiating community in the interregnum: zombies and others in Robert Kirkman’s the walking dead

Robert Kirkman’s comic series, The Walking Dead, depicts the odyssey of Rick Grimes and his fellow survivors as they seek to flee the living dead and find fraternity. As others have noted, the fear...
A Model for Teaching Multiplication of Fractional Numbers.

Most young children, on the other hand, require relatively clear associations between abstract terms and physical reality. Making these associations is the role of pedagogical models. The word model has many meanings in mathematics and elsewhere, but it is used here simply to mean an assignment of meaning to an abstraction, in familiar frequently physical terms. The child's model, then, is somewhat analogous to the mathematician's definition.
Report for America, Report about Communities: Local News Capacity and Community Trust

ABSTRACTThis study looks at Report for America’s (RFA) efforts to strengthen the capacity of local news and increase trust from the perspective of two communities: a neighborhood on Chicago’s West ...
Kinetic modeling of countercurrent saccharification

Countercurrent saccharification is a promising way to minimize enzyme loading while obtaining high conversions and product concentrations. However, in countercurrent saccharification experiments, 3–4 months are usually required to acquire a single steady-state data point. To save labor and time, simulation of this process is necessary to test various reaction conditions and determine the optimal operating point. Previously, a suitable kinetic model for countercurrent saccharification has never been reported. The Continuum Particle Distribution Modeling (CPDM) satisfactorily predicts countercurrent fermentation using mixed microbial cultures that digest various feedstocks. Here, CPDM is applied to countercurrent enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulose. CPDM was used to simulate multi-stage countercurrent saccharifications of a lignocellulose model compound (α-cellulose). The modified HCH-1 model, which accurately predicts long-term batch saccharification, was used as the governing equation in the CPDM model. When validated against experimental countercurrent saccharification data, it predicts experimental glucose concentrations and conversions with the average errors of 3.5% and 4.7%, respectively. CPDM predicts conversion and product concentration with varying enzyme-addition location, total stage number, enzyme loading, liquid residence time (LRT), and solids loading rate (SLR). In addition, countercurrent saccharification was compared to batch saccharification at the same conversion, product concentration, and reactor volume. Results show that countercurrent saccharification is particularly beneficial when the product concentration is low. The CPDM model was used to simulate multi-stage countercurrent saccharification of α-cellulose. The model predictions agreed well with the experimental glucose concentrations and conversions. CPDM prediction results showed that the enzyme-addition location, enzyme loading, LRT, and SLR significantly affected the glucose concentration and conversion. Compared to batch saccharification at the same conversion, product concentration, and reactor volume, countercurrent saccharification is particularly beneficial when the product concentration is low.
Anticoagulation with Warfarin versus Novel Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation in Amyloid Transthyretin Amyloidosis Cardiomyopathy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction Transthyretin amyloid (TTR) cardiomyopathy arises from deposits of amyloid fibrils in the myocardium. Due to disarray of the fibrils, incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increased in patients with TTR amyloidosis. The backbone of therapy for AF includes anticoagulation with warfarin or novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs). Hypothesis Treatment with NOACs will have superior outcomes of thrombotic events and major bleeding when compared to warfarin. Methods We conducted a chart review of 290 patients with TTR cardiac amyloid. Of 290 patients, 159 presented with AF at diagnosis and 64 developed AF during follow-up. Of 223 total patients with AF, 79 received warfarin, two received enoxaparin, 119 received NOACs, four switched from warfarin to NOACs, and 21 stopped or did not receive anticoagulation. We defined thrombotic events as stroke or TIA, while major bleed included hemorrhage requiring admission to the hospital or transfusion. We defined labile INR as values outside of therapeutic range of 2-3 forty percent of the time. To examine outcomes, we calculated relative risk and fisher's exact test for incident cases. Results In TTR patients, 14 patients had a thrombotic event with 100% of those patients having or developing AF. For thrombotic events, there was no statistical difference between NOACs and warfarin (1.23/100 person-years CI: 0.35- 4.42). For major bleeds, there was no statistical difference between NOACs and warfarin (0.87/100 person-years CI: 0.33-2.26). For patients treated with warfarin, 50% had labile INRs, and of the patients on warfarin with an event and major bleed, 100% had labile INRs. Conclusion TTR amyloid patients with AF are at increased risk for stroke compared to TTR patients without AF. There was no statistical difference for events and major bleed comparing patients who received warfarin to NOACs. Patients receiving warfarin were at risk for labile INRs, and all patients with major bleeds and events in the warfarin group had labile INRs.
Impact of Neonatal Hypoglycemia Screening in the Well Baby Nursery and Trends in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admissions

Background: Blood glucose (BG) measurements are commonly used to screen for neonatal hypoglycemia (NH) among infants admitted to Well Baby Nurseries (WBN). The impact of hypoglycemia screening on WBN care has not been well characterized. Objective: To determine the proportion of initially well-appearing newborns screened for hypoglycemia and describe the indications and outcome of screening over 2.5 years at a single center. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of infants born from 1/1/2013-7/31/2015 at a large maternity center. Study focused on infants who otherwise would receive routine care: birth at ≥36 weeks gestational age (GA); birth weight (BW) ≥2 kg; admitted from delivery …
More Than Craft and Criteria: The Necessity of Ars Spirituality in (Black Women’s) Poetic Inquiry and Research Poetry:

The author introduces ars spirituality as a reflexive practice in poetic inquiry. She examines Faulkner’s ars poetica and ars criteria and contends their focus on the craft, aesthetics, and evaluat...
Visual Representations of Feminine Beauty in the Black Press: 1915-1950

Utilizing advertisements and some pictures from The Chicago Defender, The Crusader, The Crisis, The New York Amsterdam and Ebony this paper explores the extent to which the Black press supported the use of chemicals to bleach the skin of African American women between 1915 and 1950. Advertisements in the Black press point to a noticeable value system, evidenced by the frequency of skin bleach ads, that suggests that the African Americans press, influenced by white supremacy, class and patriarchal ideals, gave light skin and other features associated with whiteness a higher value than dark skin and features associated with Blackness. This paper suggests that the Black press in reacting to demeaning representations of Black women such as the Mammy, inadvertently supported the use of skin bleach in an attempt to deconstruct negative images of Black femininity.
Macroeconomic disasters and the equity premium puzzle: Are emerging countries riskier?

Abstract Not necessarily. I provide evidence that advanced countries’ equity premium and consumption growth differ significantly from those of emerging countries. I then estimate distinct disaster risk parameters for these two country groups. My Bayesian analysis demonstrates that in some aspects advanced countries are more exposed to disaster risk, while in others their exposure is smaller. Disasters are estimated to be more severe and uncertain in advanced countries, but are on average less persistent. Advanced countries are also more likely to experience a global disaster, whereas disasters in emerging countries tend to be more idiosyncratic. I show that country-group heterogeneity in disaster length and magnitude has the largest impact on equity premium.
Can Novices to Geospatial Technology Compromise Spatial Confidentiality

This article evaluates the degree to which reverse address-matching (i.e., geospatial techniques that include scanning, geo-rectifying, and digitizing) would allow to recover personal data attached to the location of somebody’s residence from a map. Preliminary research results demonstrate that only after a few hours of instruction, novices to geospatial technology possess sufficient knowledge to perform successful reverse address-matching. A second finding is that the probability of somebody’s confidentiality being revealed through reverse address-matching varies across space and changes from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Atretic Coronary Artery Ostia in a Full-Term Infant with Early Postnatal Demise

Congenital coronary artery anomalies are extremely rare causes of early cardiac failure. Several cardiac lesions are associated with coronary anomalies such as pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. Isolated coronary ostial atresia is extremely rare and described in only a few published case reports. To our knowledge, there were two reports of bilateral coronary ostial atresia in which the entire coronary arterial system originated from the right ventricle without other intracardiac defects. We present a case of a full-term infant who presented with severely depressed biventricular function secondary to bilateral coronary ostial atresia.
Monte Carlo Analysis of Finite-Size Effects in the Three-Dimensional Three-State Potts Model

A Monte Carlo study of the three-state Potts model in three dimensions is carried out. By using a histogram method recently proposed by Ferrenberg and Swendsen [Phys. Rev. Lett 61, 2635 (1988)], the finite-size dependence for the maximum of the specific heat is found to scale with the volume of the system, indicating that the phase transition is of first order. The value of the latent heat per spin and the correlation length at the transition are estimated.
Comprehensive enhancer-target gene assignments improve gene set level interpretation of genome-wide regulatory data

Revealing the gene targets of distal regulatory elements is challenging yet critical for interpreting regulome data. Experiment-derived enhancer-gene links are restricted to a small set of enhancers and/or cell types, while the accuracy of genome-wide approaches remains elusive due to the lack of a systematic evaluation. We combined multiple spatial and in silico approaches for defining enhancer locations and linking them to their target genes aggregated across >500 cell types, generating 1,860 human genome-wide distal Enhancer to Target gene Definitions (EnTDefs). To evaluate performance, we used gene set enrichment testing on 87 independent ENCODE ChIP-seq datasets of 34 transcription factors (TFs) and assessed concordance of results with known TF Gene Ontology (GO) annotations., assuming that greater concordance with TF-GO annotation signifies better enrichment results and thus more accurate enhancer-to-gene assignments. Notably, the top ranked 741 (40%) EnTDefs significantly outperformed the common, na&iumlve approach of linking distal regions to the nearest genes (FDR
2001 – HUSHING LINE-1 RETROTRANSPOSITION IS AN EPIGENETIC LIABILITY OF MYELOID LEUKEMIAS

Hijacked epigenetic machinery is a hallmark of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), whereas dysregulated epigenetics also creates selective and targetable dependencies. The identification of leukemia-selective dependencies provides new knowledge in AML pathogenesis, resulting in therapeutic strategies targeting several epigenetic regulators. These strategies rely mainly on interfering with the activity of chromatin-interacting domains, highlighting the importance of understanding protein domains in cancer pathobiology. However, a comprehensive survey of epigenetic dependencies of human leukemias by a domain-based functional interrogation has been lacking. We developed a CRISPR screen system using domain-based sgRNAs targeting human chromatin regulators, and identified MPHOSPH8 (or MPP8), a methyl-H3K9-binding component of the HUSH complex, as a selective epigenetic dependency of AML cells. HUSH mediates the epigenetic silencing of LINE-1 (or L1) retrotransposons, the only autonomously mobile DNA elements in humans. While dispensable for normal hematopoiesis, MPP8 KO inhibits AML initiation and maintenance by reactivating L1 retrotransposons. Activation of endogenous or ectopic L1s phenocopied MPP8 loss, whereas blocking L1 retrotransposition abrogated MPP8-deficiency-induced phenotypes. Reactivated L1 retrotransposition increased DNA damage, activated cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, and induced AML differentiation. Furthermore, expression of AML oncogenes led to suppression of L1s in human and mouse HSPCs. Enhanced L1 suppression in human AML cells is associated with therapy resistance and poor prognosis. Hence, while retrotransposons are historically recognized as sources of genetic instability and somatic mutations to promote cancer development, we uncover an unexpected tumor-suppressive role for L1 retrotransposons as an epigenetic liability in myeloid leukemias.
The Srs2 helicase dampens DNA damage checkpoint by recycling RPA from chromatin

The DNA damage checkpoint induces many cellular changes to cope with genotoxic stress. However, persistent checkpoint signaling can be detrimental to growth partly due to blockage of cell cycle resumption. Checkpoint dampening is essential to counter such harmful effects, but its mechanisms remain to be understood. Here, we show that the DNA helicase Srs2 removes a key checkpoint sensor complex, RPA, from chromatin to down-regulate checkpoint signaling in budding yeast. The Srs2 and RPA antagonism is supported by their numerous suppressive genetic interactions. Importantly, moderate reduction of RPA binding to single-strand DNA (ssDNA) rescues hypercheckpoint signaling caused by the loss of Srs2 or its helicase activity. This rescue correlates with a reduction in the accumulated RPA and the associated checkpoint kinase on chromatin in srs2 mutants. Moreover, our data suggest that Srs2 regulation of RPA is separable from its roles in recombinational repair and critically contributes to genotoxin resistance. We conclude that dampening checkpoint by Srs2-mediated RPA recycling from chromatin aids cellular survival of genotoxic stress and has potential implications in other types of DNA transactions.
Laser-assisted charge exchange as an atomic yardstick for proton beam energy measurement and phase probe calibration

Laser-assisted charge exchange (LACE) is a novel scheme for injecting ${H}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ions into proton rings. Lorentz stripping of ${H}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ions into bare protons in magnetic dipoles is enabled by laser excitation that reduces the electron binding energy. We show that such atomic transitions impose very precise requirements on ion and laser parameters which can be utilized to measure the ion velocity. At the LACE experimental station at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), proton beam energy has been measured via LACE to a precision of $l1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}$ for a $\ensuremath{\approx}1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ beam. To verify the results against the existing energy measurement method at the SNS which calculates revolution frequency in the accumulator ring, we discuss how knowledge of the beam energy can be employed to synchronize phase probes. Such beam-based calibration using energy measurements via both LACE and the SNS ring show that the two methods produce consistent results.
Epigenome – A mediator for host-microbiome crosstalk

The interaction between the gut and its eventual trillions of microbe inhabitants during microbial colonization, represents a critical time period for establishing the overall health and wellbeing of an individual. The gut microbiome represents a diverse community of microbes that are critical for many physiological roles of the host including host metabolism. These processes are controlled by a fine-tuned chemical cross talk between the host and microbiota. Although the exact mechanisms behind this cross talk remains elusive, microbiota induced epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation and histone modifications may be key. This review presents our perspective on the epigenome as a mediator for host-microbiota cross talk, as well as methodology to study epigenetics, the role of dysbiosis in disease, and how the gut microbiome-host axis may be used in personal medicine.
Quantitative DAV Analysis Methods

A number of quantitative techniques can be used to support design added value analysis. These techniques can be used in isolation or together based on the design context. In this chapter, we review a number of example techniques for quantitatively supporting DAV analysis including scaling ordinal values, risk analysis, Bayesian probability, sensitivity analysis, and optimization. We demonstrate the application of these techniques using seminal buildings as examples such as Fallingwater and the Citicorp Building.
Leaving "Drug Abuse" behind: A Theoretical and Methodological Heuristic to Selecting "Problem Drug Use" or "Drug Misuse" as Alternative Terms.

Background: Historically, drug abuse described the negative consequences of drug use as a proxy measure of maladaptive behavior that manifests within the addiction process. Negative consequences ca...
Albert Bandura, the man and his ideas--a dialogue

Foreword by Ernest R. Hilgard Preface: Perspective on the Dialogue Style and Content Personal Background and Early Contributions Aggression and Violence Moral Development and Moral Disengagement Self-Efficacy Reactions to Criticism, A Recent Book Bibliography: Works of Albert Bandura Index
A Study of Factors Influencing the Hatch Rate of Penaeus vannamei Eggs. I. Effects of Size, Shape and Volume of the Spawning Tank

The hatch rate of Penaeus v a n m i eggs spawned by individual females in square and round tanks andindifferentvolumesof seawater wasdetermined. Themeanhatchratesrangedfrom 17.3% to 64.9% andwere not significantly different for volumes of 50,100 and 200 L nor for square or round tanks of equal water volumes. Hatch rate was significantly affected by the size of the spawning tank. I
Atrial Septal Defect Device Closure in the Pediatric Population: A Current Review

Atrial septal defects are the most common congenital cardiac defects. The natural history of an uncorrected atrial septal defect causes a shortened life expectancy due to right ventricular volume overload and associated congestive heart failure, atrial arrhythmias, and/or pulmonary vascular disease. Surgical closure of the atrial septal defect is a procedure with a long-standing history, and the maturing field of percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects by device implantation has established itself to be a feasible, minimally invasive, and safe procedure. Inherent limitations in device designs have resulted in rare, but serious complications, through subsequent changes in the technical aspects of transcatheter atrial septal defect closure that have minimized the number of patients with an adverse event. Recent Food and Drug Administration re-evaluation of the safety of atrial septal defect closure by device has brought to light some of the acute and long-term issues related to device occlusion. This paper summarizes the history of atrial septal defects, surgical and transcatheter device closure, and the most current outcomes of percutaneous atrial septal defect device occlusion in the pediatric population.
Management and integration of power plant operations

As we begin a new century, the electricity generating business is transitioning from a cost-plus, monopoly environment with an obligation to serve, to a competitive environment for the sale of its product. Ownership of generation assets is being decoupled from the ownership of transmission and distribution assets. Focus has switched from achieving maximum performance of all generating plants to obtaining the maximum possible return on plant investments. In this new business environment, the electricity produced from any individual plant may be sold to Independent System Operators (ISOs), power brokers, marketers, direct wholesale customers, distribution companies, retail companies and others. These sales may be a result of a daily auction to obtain the lowest-priced electricity or the result of short-term or long-term contracts with an intermediate party or the ultimate end-user. Spot prices can change daily as electricity demand and availability fluctuate. At such times the availability of fast-start peaking power is an opportunity to generate profits over a period of a few hours or a few days. Conversely, it is an inopportune time for units to be out of service, whether the outage is planned or unplanned. Generating companies seek to maximise on-line generation at such times.
Identification and characterization of novel AML1-ETO fusion transcripts in pediatric t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia

4326 t(8;21)(q22;q22) is a balanced translocation between chromosomes 8 and 21, resulting in the fusion of the 5’ end of the AML1 gene normally located on chromosome 21q22 with the 3’ end of the ETO on chromosome 8q22. t(8;21) is one of the most common cytogenetic abnormalities in childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML), present in ∼12% of cases and has been considered a favorable prognostic factor in several studies. Transcription of the AML1 gene is regulated by two independent promoters (P1 and P2) and alternative splicing. Thus, three transcript isoforms of AML1, designated AML1a, AML1b (both transcribed from promoter P2), and AML1c (transcribed from promoter P1) have been identified. It is conceivable that the AML1-ETO gene is also regulated by these two promoters. By amplification and sequencing of cDNAs derived from RNAs prepared from 8 primary AML specimens with t(8;21), we found that: (i) both AML1b-ETO (A1bE) and AML1c-ETO (A1cE) fusion transcript forms were detected; (ii) both AML1b and AML1c sequences were in-frame with ETO (Table 1); and (iii) out-of-frame A1bE and A1cE transcripts were also identified in these specimens at high frequencies. The out of frame fusion transcripts were likely due to alternative splicing and/or internal deletions in either the AML1 or ETO portions of the fusion transcripts, and encoded truncated or forms otherwise unrecognizable as AML1-ETO protein. While out-of-frame forms of AML1-ETO have been described, our results are the first to suggest that these may represent the major forms of fusion transcript in t(8;21) myeloblasts. In contrast, no such gene alterations were found in the native AML1 gene, suggesting that the heterogeneity of the AML1-ETO fusion transcripts is AML1-ETO fusion gene specific. Cotransfection of the AML1-ETO fusion transcript constructs with a CD36 promoter (a known AML1 targeted promoter) reporter gene construct, demonstrated AML1b repressor function of the fusion proteins. Further experiments are needed to determine the functional roles of these fusion proteins in relation to chemotherapy sensitivity in t(8;21) AMLs and the possible heterogeneity in treatment response of t(8;21) AML. Table 1. Summary of in-frame forms of A1bE and A1cE
Cardiovascular risk beyond LDL-C levels. Other lipids are performers in cholesterol story.

PREVIEWHigh levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are an obvious culprit in coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the search for lipid factors that influence cardiovascular health does not end there. In this article, Dr Nash presents the various lipid factors involved, for better or worse, in CAD. He emphasizes that although studies have expanded the understanding of this disease, the knowledge needs to be put to use more consistently in clinical practice in order to provide optimal patient care.
FLOOD-FREQUENCY ANALYSIS FOR THE SANTA YNEZ RIVER AND ADJACENT REGION, CALIFORNIA

A regional flood-frequency curve is presented for the Santa Ynez River and adjacent areas in southern California. This curve was developed to improve estimates of return periods for very extreme floods on the Santa Ynez River and to evaluate the likelihood that Bradbury Dam, with its present spillway capacity of 4500 cms, would be overtopped. Peak-flow data from 31 gaging stations in the region were used in the analysis. The flood-frequency curve was fit using an index flood method and the assumption that floods in this region follow the log-Pearson Type III distribution. Estimates of the parameters for this distribution were found to be independent of basin size. The resulting flood-frequency curve for the Santa Ynez River region is relatively steep: the discharge from the 100-yr flood is about 10 times that of the mean annual flood, and of the 1000-yr flood, about 20 times that of the mean annual flood. The discharges of the 100-yr and 1000-yr floods on the Santa Ynez River are 1150 cms and 2300 cms, re...