cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uruguay in Transition: From Civilian to Military Rule

Until the early 1970s Uruguay held a worldwide reputation as a democratic island in Latin Amer-ica, maintaining a collective exec-utive system that acquired for it the nickname of the "Switzerland of South America." The constitu-tional tradition was emphasized by a nonpersonalist and non-authoritarian executive, political stability, a high standard of living, and an advanced educational and cultural level. The military has shattered this established tradition. Over a two-year period its growing involve-ment in politics ended with abso-lute control over the executive. The aim of this work is to ana-lyze this transformation and con-sider the major variables that have affected political developments in Uruguay. Internal factors are the respective influences wielded by the United States plus Uruguay's two most powerful neighbors, Ar-gentina and Brazil, as well as polit-ical trends in the Latin American subsystem. Among the external in-fluences are competing elites (the traditional political parties and the left-wing front), interest groups (universities, trade unions, the church, dominant economic sec-tors, and the mass media), and the urban guerrilla movement (the Tupamaros).Kaufman analyzes these factors within the context of the Uruguay-an economic and political struc-ture, and shows their significance through their effects on the per-ception of the military elite. In addition, he attempts to de-termine whether the army's deci-sion to assume absolute power was strategic or a cumulative result of tactical decisions. Finally, he utilizes the accumulated data to test various hypotheses related to military intervention as an inde-pendent variable.
A Tale of Two Counties: Childhood Lead Poisoning, Industrialization, and Abatement in New England*

: We examine spatial variation in childhood lead poisoning within two industrial counties in New England: Worcester County, Massachusetts, and Providence County, Rhode Island. The findings suggest that lead exposure is linked to the differential patterns of urbanization and industrial activity and that a history of abatement can reduce lead exposure. Lead exposure in census tracts with minority neighborhoods varies in complex ways between the counties. We conclude that attention to local context forms an essential component of understanding how public health interventions will continue to affect the geography of childhood lead poisoning.
Management of cervical nodal metastasis detected on I-131 scintigraphy after initial surgery of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma whose posttherapy imaging demonstrated I-131 uptake in cervical lymph nodes. Methods In this prospective cohort study, 95 patients who underwent surgery for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma had evidence of persistent cervical lymph node metastasis on posttherapy I-131 scintigraphy. These patients were evaluated by subsequent I-131 scintigraphy, and treated with additional I-131 therapy or surgical excision of cervical lymph nodes as clinically indicated. Patients were followed for a mean of 6.8 years. Results Patients received a total of one to three I-131 administrations (median dosage, 235 mCi). Surveillance I-131 scintigraphy was performed to evaluate disease activity. I-131 uptake was eliminated from the thyroid bed in all patients. Persistent disease was detected in cervical lymph nodes in 9 (9%) of 95 patients, and these 9 patients underwent lymph node excision (1 patient later had recurrent disease and was treated with additional I-131 therapy). All patients subsequently had negative I-131 imaging and undetectable serum thyroglobulin. Of the 95 patients in the study, 9 (9%) developed recurrent disease in cervical lymph nodes. Of these 9 patients, 2 also had distant metastases; 6 of these patients underwent surgical excision of cervical adenopathy, and 3 received additional I-131 therapy. There were no grade >3 toxicities attributable to I-131. At last follow-up, 93 (98%) of the 95 patients were free of disease. Conclusion Most patients (82%) in the study with cervical lymph node metastases detected on initial posttherapy I-131 scintigraphy were rendered free of disease with I-131 therapy. Surgical reintervention was required in 15% of patients (15/95). The use and timing of additional I-131 therapy versus surgical intervention in this group of patients needs to be further evaluated.
Results from a Numerical Model for Simulating Circulation Patterns and Chlorinity Distributions in Saginaw Bay

Circulation and advection-diffusion of chlorine in Saginaw Bay are simulated in a detailed manner over real time periods as great as one month by using an alternating-direction-implicit (ADI) integration procedure. External forcing is based on interpolated time histories of wind records and on open boundary data inferred from spectral analyses of water level records. Average simulated circulation under prevailing southwesterly winds is compared with yearly-averaged observational data at five sites in the bay. Excellent agreement between the directions of observed and computed currents is found, except near the open boundary adjoining Lake Huron. Reasons for the disparity are discussed. The response of the chlorinity distribution to the time-dependent wind is also compared to the response to the mean wind over the same period.
A comparison of screening batteries in the detection of neurocognitive impairment in HIV-infected Spanish speakers

Background A substantial number of Spanish-speaking individuals from Mexico and Central America are now living in the United States. These individuals are at heightened risk for HIV infection and, due to late diagnosis and limited resources, for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Early detection is key, yet adequate methods for detecting HAND in Spanish speakers, especially in resource-poor areas, remains problematic. Therefore, it is necessary to identify accurate yet efficient neurocognitive screening tools that are appropriate for use in resource-limited AIDS clinics serving Spanish-speaking patients. Methods Twenty-one Spanish-speaking, HIV-positive adults who migrated from Mexico or Central America underwent neuromedical and neurocognitive evaluation in Spanish. The concordance of three neurocognitive screening measures (the HIV Dementia Scale [HDS], the Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE], and the NEUROPSI) with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery was examined. In addition, accuracy in detecting neurocognitive impairment using standard and alternative cutoff scores was examined. Results The HDS and the NEUROPSI showed high correlation with the comprehensive neuropsychological battery. The HDS and the NEUROPSI also had the highest sensitivity (67% and 75%, respectively) and specificity (50% and 38%, respectively). Both measures also showed greater sensitivity than the MMSE to very mild forms of HAND. Conclusion In this small sample of HIV-positive Spanish speakers from Mexico and Central America living in the United States, the HDS and the NEUROPSI demonstrated reasonable accuracy in detecting neurocognitive impairment, while the MMSE demonstrated very poor accuracy. The HDS and the NEUROPSI were equally sensitive in detecting mild HAND. Continued test development is required to capture this disorder, especially in resource-limited settings.
A Comparative Study of Ethical Beliefs of Master of Business Administration Students in the United States With Those In Hong Kong

In this article, the authors investigated personal beliefs and values and opportunism variables that might contribute to the academic dishonesty of American and Hong Kong master of business administration (MBA) students. They also compared American and Hong Kong MBA students with respect to their personal beliefs and values, opportunism, and academic dishonesty variables. Results showed that American MBA students who were idealistic, theistic, intolerant, and not opportunistic were likely to behave ethically. Hong Kong MBA students who were idealistic, intolerant, positive, and not opportunistic tended to act morally. Hong Kong students tended to be less theistic, more tolerant, more detached, more negatively oriented, more relativistic, less achievement-oriented, and more humanistic-oriented than were their American counterparts.
VARIATIONS IN ENZYME ACTIVITIES DURING THE GROWTH OF MAMMALIAN CELLS IN VITRO: LACTATE AND GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASES.

1. 1. During the course of a single growth cycle of cells cultured in vitro, the specific activities of the lactate dehydrogenase (l-lactate: NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (d-glucose-6-phosphate: NADP oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.49) vary in a predictable fashion. After an initial increase, a characteristic decrease in lactate dehydrogenase activity was observed. On the other hand, there was a continued increase in the specific activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. 2. 2. These variations in enzyme activity persisted during successive transfer and subculture. They were unaffected during growth in the presence of insulin, dinitrophenol, and salicylate, and the changes could not be correlated with rates of glucose utilization or lactate accumulation. 3. 3. The characteristic decrease in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase could not be attributed to leakage of the enzyme from the cell or to the accumulation of an intracellular inhibitor. Cells grown in the presence of methylene blue showed no decrease in the activity of this enzyme.
Cellular distribution of the renal bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter BSC-1 in the inner stripe of the outer medulla during the development of hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

SUMMARY 1 The renal bumetanide-sensitive Na–K–2Cl cotransporter (BSC-1) is expressed only in the thick ascending limb and selectively traffics from intracellular vesicles (IVs) to apical plasma membranes (PMs), where BSC-1 regulates sodium reabsorption. We showed previously that in kidneys from adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; model of essential hypertension) total protein expression of BSC-1 was higher compared with kidneys from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. However, whether this change is associated with an increased trafficking of BSC-1 from IVs to PMs is unknown. The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the increase in total renal BSC-1 protein expression in SHR is accompanied by an augmented distribution of BSC-1 from IVs to PMs. 2 To test the hypothesis, we obtained renal tissue from the inner stripe of the outer medulla (ISOM; enriched in thick ascending limbs) and isolated IVs and PMs from this tissue by differential centrifugation. Total BSC-1 protein expression in ISOM and BSC-1 protein expression in ISOM IVs and PMs were measured by semiquantitative western blotting in SHR and aged-matched WKY rats at different ages and stages of hypertension. 3 At 5 weeks of age, SHR were prehypertensive (mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) 97 mmHg). At this age, both the total abundance and cellular distribution of BSC-1 were similar in ISOM from SHR and WKY rats. 4 As SHR aged, their hypertension progressed (MABP 137 and 195 mmHg at 8 and 14 weeks of age, respectively). Associated with the increase in MABP was an increase in both steady state protein levels of ISOM BSC-1 and the distribution of ISOM BSC-1 to PMs (four- and sixfold increases at 8 and 14 weeks of age, respectively, compared with age-matched WKY rats; P < 0.001). 5 Using semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, BSC-1 mRNA was measured and was found not to differ between SHR and WKY rat ISOM at any age or level of MABP. 6 We conclude that as SHR transition from prehypertensive to established hypertension, there is a marked increase in the total expression of BSC-1 in ISOM that is not related to increases in steady state levels of BSC-1 mRNA and therefore unlikely to be due to changes in either the rate of BSC-1 gene transcription or the stability of BSC-1 mRNA. This suggests changes in either translational efficiency or BSC-1 protein stability in SHR. 7 We also conclude that the age/hypertension-related increase in BSC-1 protein levels in ISOM is accompanied by an equally marked increased trafficking of BSC-1 to PMs in SHR ISOM.
Compensatory increase in fatty acid synthesis in adipose tissue of mice with conditional deficiency of SCAP in liver.

Summary The escort protein SCAP transports SREBPs from ER to Golgi where the active domains are released to activate genes for fatty acid (FA) and cholesterol synthesis. Mice with conditional SCAP deficiency in liver ( L-Scap − ) manifest marked reductions in hepatic lipid synthesis. Here, we show that the decreased FA synthesis in liver is balanced by an equal increase in nonhepatic tissues, primarily adipose tissue. Extrahepatic synthesis of FAs preserves adipose mass, even when L-Scap − mice consume a fat-free diet. This compensatory response disappears upon fasting, implicating a role for insulin, the major hormonal activator of FA synthesis. This response is mediated by an insulin-dependent increase in adipocyte SREBP-1c and its target mRNAs. In epididymal fat of L-Scap − mice, phosphorylated Akt, Glut-4 mRNA, and glucose uptake are also increased, indicating insulin hypersensitivity. Plasma VLDL triglycerides are dramatically reduced in L-Scap − mice, underscoring the benefits of synthesizing FAs in fat rather than liver.
Anaerobic thermophilic fermentation for carboxylic acid production from in-storage air-lime-treated sugarcane bagasse

Wet storage and in situ lime pretreatment (50 °C, 1-atm air, 56 days, excess lime loading of 0.3 g Ca(OH)2/g dry biomass) of sugarcane bagasse (4,000 g dry weight) was performed in a bench-scale pile pretreatment system. Under thermophilic conditions (55 °C, NH4HCO3 buffer, methane inhibitors), air-lime-treated bagasse (80 wt.%) and chicken manure (20 wt.%) were anaerobically co-digested in 1-L rotary fermentors by a mixed culture of marine microorganisms (Galveston, TX). During four-stage countercurrent fermentation, the resulting carboxylic acids consisted of primarily acetate (average 87.7 wt.%) and butyrate (average 9.0 wt.%). The experimental fermentation trains had the highest yield (0.47 g total acids/g volatile solids (VS) fed) and highest selectivity (0.79 g total acids/g VS digested) at a total acid concentration of 28.3 g/L, which is equivalent to an ethanol yield of 105.2 gal/(tonne VS fed). Both high total acid concentrations (>44.7 g/L) and high substrate conversions (>77.5%) are predicted for countercurrent fermentations of bagasse at commercial scale, allowing for an efficient conversion of air-lime-treated biomass to liquid transportation fuels and chemicals via the carboxylate platform.
Efficient morphological shape representation without searching

This paper proposes a new morphological shape representation algorithm that does not require searching. A theoretical analysis as well as experimental results are presented to compare the algorithm with two leading morphological shape representation schemes: the morphological skeleton transform (MST) and the morphological shape decomposition (MSD). Our algorithm combines the advantages of the MST and MSD. In our scheme, a binary shape is decomposed into a union of disks of different sizes. The number of disks used is close to that by the MST and the reconstruction cost is close to that by the MSD.
Control of suckling and feeding by methysergide in weaning albino rats: a determination of Y-maze preferences.

To assess the effects of serotonergic receptor blockade on the weaning process, 20-, 25-, and 30-day-old albino rat pups were injected with methysergide and were permitted to choose between suckling and feeding in a Y maze. At every age, progressively larger doses of methysergide (1) enhanced pup preferences for the suckling goal, (2) increased the frequency of suckling when in the suckling goal, and (3) decreased the frequency of feeding when in the feeding goal. These results, with the support of other findings, suggest that the weaning process may be, in part, the result of emerging or changing serotonergic neurological mechanisms.
Towards a new view of sustainable development: human well-being and environmental stress

Understanding the relationship between human well-being and the stress economic activity places on the environment is a central challenge of sustainability research. Lamb et al (2014 Environ. Res. Lett. 9 014011) provide two important results that will influence future analyses. First, they show that the drivers of consumption that induce anthropogenic carbon emissions are similar to but not the same as the drivers of place-based (i.e., production driven) carbon emissions. Second, they show that a diverse set of countries are able to achieve high levels of human well-being while placing relatively little stress on the environment. Since the desire of low emission countries to increase emissions in pursuit of development is a major blockage point in international climate negotiations, the finding that emissions are decoupled from increased well-being is not only of scientific interest, it could also inform policy discussions.
Electromechanical properties in human articular cartilage.

This report describes the electromechanical potentials measured from within the matrix of human articular cartilage. The potential is increased with increasing load, increasing load rate, and increasing strain concentration. Cartilage is heterogeneous; numerous artefacts are present and must be carefully excluded. The origin of the potential is complex but probably includes such effects as streaming potentials, Donnan equilibrium, dipole orientation of collagen fibers, and alteration in spatial distribution of hydrogen bonds.
Comparison of Serum and Salivary Cotinine Measurements by a Sensitive High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method as an Indicator of Exposure to Tobacco Smoke Among Smokers and Nonsmokers

Exposure to tobacco smoke, both from active smoking and from passive exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, can be monitored by measuring cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, in a variety of biological sources including blood, urine, and saliva. Previously, a sensitive atmospheric-pressure ionization, tandem mass spectrometric (LC-API-MS-MS) method for cotinine measurements in serum was developed in support of a large, recurrent national epidemiologic investigation. The current study examined the application of this LC-API-MS-MS method to both serum and saliva cotinine measurements in a group of 200 healthy adults, including both smokers and nonsmokers. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum and saliva cotinine concentrations to facilitate the linking of results from epidemiologic studies using salivary cotinine measurements to existing national data based on serum cotinine analyses. The results indicate that a simple, linear relationship can be developed to describe serum and saliva cotinine concentrations in an individual, and the expression describing this relationship can be used to estimate with reasonable accuracy (approximately +/- 10%) the serum cotinine concentration in an individual given his or her salivary cotinine result. It was further confirmed that saliva cotinine samples are generally quite stable during storage after collection, even at ambient temperatures, and this sample matrix appears to be well-suited to the requirements of many epidemiologic investigations.
The impact of CEO and CFO equity incentives on audit scope and perceived risks as revealed through audit fees

SUMMARY: In 2013, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) proposed an amendment to Auditing Standard No. 12 (PCAOB 2010) that would require auditors to consider executive compensation in audit planning because of potential fraud risk associated with equity incentives. We use the association between audit fees and CEO and CFO equity incentives to infer whether auditors increase audit scope and perceive greater risk as equity incentives increase. Equity incentives are defined as the sensitivity of the value of executives' equity portfolios to changes in share price (delta incentive) and to changes in return volatility (vega incentive). We find a positive association between audit fees and vega, but not delta. However, when we interact vega with proxies for residual auditor business risk, we find that the fee premiums for risk decrease as vega increases. Our results suggest that auditors do consider executive compensation in audit planning.
Immigration Reform: A Long Road To Citizenship And Insurance Coverage

The 2012 elections reinvigorated the drive for overhauling US immigration laws, but citizenship and health coverage for millions of unauthorized immigrants could still be a decade or more away.
The Type Structure of CAT

Computer science educators have long lamented the fact that so many students show a lack of basic understanding of the fundamental mathematical principles underlying the field. Small wonder, when they are taught that "the integers" end at maxint, that fractions are to be rounded off to the nearest decimal, and that recursion is something connected with the notion of "pointers." We may think that we are doing an admirable job with our elementary discrete mathematics course; we may be encouraging any number of students to enroll in substantive courses in logic, algebra, and the like. But so long as we persist in the use of programming languages that are counter to the most fundamental mathematical precepts, obscuring their very nature, we cannot hope that the situation will improve. In this paper, we introduce the type structure of a new programming language, CAT, based in the mathematical theory of categories. Among its many novel features, the language offers an exact arithmetic, a blend of applicative and imperative programming methodologies, strong and consistent typing, a functorial semantics, a proof technique, functions as "first class" objects, and recursive structures without pointers. It is felt that a strong pedagogical basis can be achieved by the early introduction to such a language -provided of course, that the more esoteric categorical properties are kept "at a distance." The CAT language, even as seen at an informal level (as is our treatment here), nevertheless introduces a number of important constructive notions, in particular that of "provable recursiveness," one that seems to have been overlooked in the literature. In the context developed here, it is seen to form the basis for a whole new programming philosophy.
Nanoemulsion formulations for anti-cancer agent piplartine--Characterization, toxicological, pharmacokinetics and efficacy studies

Piplartine (PL) is an alkaloid found in black-pepper and known for its anticancer activity, however, due to poor solubility and lack of proper formulation, its use for oral administration is a challenge. The objective of this study was to formulate PL into nanoemulsion drug delivery system for oral delivery and thereafter evaluate toxicity, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy. Optimized nanoemulsions were formulated by self-emulsification as well as by homogenization-sonication method. Two nanoemulsions enhanced the solubility of PL with low polydispersity index and high stability. Both PL loaded nanoemulsions exhibited enhanced dissolution, cellular permeability and cytotoxic effects as compared to pure PL. Formulation of PL into nanoemulsions did not obstruct its cellular uptake in cancer cells. Blank or PL loaded nanoemulsions did not exhibited toxicity in mice upon daily oral administration for 60 days. Pharmacokinetics of PL followed a two-compartment model after intravenous administration. PL loaded nanoemulsions showed 1.5-fold increase in oral bioavailability as compared to free PL. Finally, PL loaded nanoemulsions showed marked anti-tumor activity at a dose of 10mg/kg in melanoma tumor bearing mice. In conclusion, for the first time we have developed a stable nanoemulsion delivery system for oral administration of PL, which enhanced its solubility, oral bioavailability and anti-tumor efficacy.
Parity doubling in Th 219 and the onset of collectivity above N = 126

Excited states in {sup 219}Th have been observed for the first time in an experiment using the {sup 26}Mg+{sup 198}Pt reaction and evaporation-residue-gated {gamma}-ray spectroscopy. Two structures of interlinked alternating-parity levels with simplex quantum numbers s={+-}i are observed, reminiscent of similar sequences in heavier odd-mass isotopes, but only three mass units away from the N=126 neutron closed shell. The emergence of quadrupole-octupole collectivity in this mass region and the trend for parity-doublet bands are discussed.
OPTION TRADING AND THE INFORMATION CONTENT OF SECURITY PRICES WITH RESPECT TO ACCOUNTING EARNINGS

Prior studies show that option listing and subsequent trading improve a firm's information environment and that the price-earnings relation is influenced by characteristics of the information environment. Motivated by these research findings, we examine whether option trading is associated with changes in the information content of security prices with respect to future accounting earnings. We find that before the listing of a firm's options, the firm's security returns from the previous fiscal year convey little information regarding the current year's earnings changes. In contrast, the returns from the previous fiscal year are a significant variable in explaining the current year's earnings changes after option listing. Our findings are robust after potential confounding factors, such as firm size, financial press coverage, and institutional concentration, are controlled. Overall, the evidence is consistent with the claim that option trading enhances the informativeness of security prices with respect to future accounting earnings. I. INTRODUCTION Considerable research has focused on the relation between security returns and accounting earnings. Earlier work by Ball and Brown [2] and Beaver et al. [3] documents the information content of accounting earnings. They show that both the sign and magnitude of annual unexpected earnings are significantly associated with annual abnormal returns. Recognizing that accounting earnings are just one source of information that has impact on the valuation of security prices, Beaver et al. [4] invert the traditional price-earnings relation and test for the information content of security prices with respect to accounting earnings. Their results indicate that stock prices are useful in forecasting accounting earnings. Collins et al. [10] further suggest that the lead-lag relation between price changes and earnings changes is positively related to firm size, which is a proxy for differences in information environment. Their evidence indicates that security prices of large firms are more likely to lead accounting earnings than security prices of small firms. The purpose of this paper is to examine the information content of security prices with respect to accounting earnings before and after a firm's stock is listed on option exchanges. Previous studies suggest that option trading may be an important conditioning variable in testing the information content of security prices with respect to accounting earnings. Option trading may affect the price
Surgical measures to increase sugar tolerance.

Es wird uber Experimente berichtet, die alle den gemeinsamen Zweck hatten, die Zuckertoleranz des normalen Tieres zu heben. Die Unterbindung des Pankreagschwanzes fuhrte zu einer Hyperregeneration des Pankreas, die auch beim jugendlichen Diabetes hervortritt. Diese Operation fuhrt aber kaum zu einem dampfenden Einflus der Zuckermobilisation, den Insulin temporar herbeifuhrt. Die Entnervung der Leber hatte keinen Einflus auf die Toleranz. Die Entfernung des Ganglion coeliacum und in demselben Mase die Entnervung der Nebennieren fuhrte zu einer permanenten Hebung der Toleranz und zu einer erhohten Insulinempfindlichkeit. In gewissen, sorgfaltig ausgewahlten Fallen von menschlichem Diabetes ware die letztgenannte Operation zu versuchen.
Mechanisms of neuronal homeostasis: Autophagy in the axon

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved lysosomal degradation pathway that removes damaged organelles and protein aggregates from the cytoplasm. Being post-mitotic, neurons are particularly vulnerable to the accumulation of proteotoxins and are thus heavily dependent on autophagy to maintain homeostasis. In fact, CNS-specific and neuron-specific loss of autophagy is sufficient to cause neurodegeneration in mice. Further, mutations in genes that encode PINK1 and Parkin, proteins that selectively remove damaged mitochondria, cause Parkinson's disease, linking defective autophagy with neurodegenerative disease in humans. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms of autophagy in the axon and the role of neuronal autophagy in axonal homeostasis and degeneration. The pathway for autophagosome biogenesis and maturation along the axon will be discussed as well as several key insights revealing the diverse functions of axonal autophagy. Evidence linking altered autophagy with axonal degeneration and neuronal death will be presented. Appropriate manipulation of autophagy may lead to promising therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:Autophagy.
Pit nucleation in compound semiconductor thin films

Pit nucleation has been observed in a variety of semiconductor thin films. We present a model in which pit nucleation is considered to arise from a near-equilibrium nucleation process in which the adatom concentration plays an important role. Although pits relieve elastic energy more efficiently than islands, pit nucleation is prevented if the adatom concentration is too high. Inhomogeneities in the adatom density on the surface due to three-dimensional islands enhance pit nucleation. Thermodynamic considerations predict several different growth regimes in which pits may nucleate at different stages of growth depending on the materials system and growth conditions. However kinetics must be taken into account to make direct comparisons to experimental observations. These comparisons show good agreement given the uncertainties in quantifying experimental parameters such as the surface energy.
Population dynamics under selection and mutation: Long-time behavior for differential equations in measure spaces

Abstract We study the long-time behavior of solutions to a measure-valued selection–mutation model that we formulated in [14] . We establish permanence results for the full model, and we study the limiting behavior even when there is more than one strategy of a given fitness; a case that arises in applications. We show that for the pure selection case the solution of the dynamical system converges to a Dirac measure centered at the fittest strategy class provided that the support of the initial measure contains a fittest strategy; thus we term this Dirac measure an Asymptotically Stable Strategy. We also show that when the strategy space is discrete, the selection–mutation model with small mutation has a locally asymptotically stable equilibrium that attracts all initial conditions that are positive at the fittest strategy.
Library disasters: A learning experience

Les degâts des eaux a la bibliotheque de l'universite Dartmund. Indication des mesures preventives possibles
Interfaith Leadership: A Primer

Eboo Patel identifies the civic interfaith landscape as the various spaces where people who orient around religion differently interact with varying degrees of understanding and where their faith i...
Botnet detection using graph-based feature clustering

Detecting botnets in a network is crucial because bots impact numerous areas such as cyber security, finance, health care, law enforcement, and more. Botnets are becoming more sophisticated and dangerous day-by-day, and most of the existing rule based and flow based detection methods may not be capable of detecting bot activities in an efficient and effective manner. Hence, designing a robust and fast botnet detection method is of high significance. In this study, we propose a novel botnet detection methodology based on topological features of nodes within a graph: in degree, out degree, in degree weight, out degree weight, clustering coefficient, node betweenness, and eigenvector centrality. A self-organizing map clustering method is applied to establish clusters of nodes in the network based on these features. Our method is capable of isolating bots in clusters of small sizes while containing the majority of normal nodes in the same big cluster. Thus, bots can be detected by searching a limited number of nodes. A filtering procedure is also developed to further enhance the algorithm efficiency by removing inactive nodes from consideration. The methodology is verified using the CTU-13 datasets, and benchmarked against a classification-based detection method. The results show that our proposed method can efficiently detect the bots despite their varying behaviors.
Case 53: Postoperative Median Nerve Injury

You get a call from your orthopedic surgical colleague to say that the patient that you anesthetized, for an 11-h spine surgery operation yesterday, has developed a left median nerve conduction block. The diagnosis has been confirmed by a neurologist who is at a loss to find any reason for this. There is no evidence of infection, hematoma, or vascular insufficiency of the hand. The patient has no other problems and is otherwise happy with her surgery. You tell your colleague that you will get back to him. In reviewing your anesthetic record, you see that the anesthetic was uneventful with stable vital signs throughout. Your IV access included two large bore IVs in the right forearm and back of the right hand, respectively. A right subclavian triple lumen catheter had also been inserted. In addition, she had a left radial intra-artery catheter. The arms were both placed forward alongside the head. The elbows were bent <90°.
3D-printing porosity: A new approach to creating elevated porosity materials and structures.

Abstract We introduce a new process that enables the ability to 3D-print high porosity materials and structures by combining the newly introduced 3D-Painting process with traditional salt-leaching. The synthesis and resulting properties of three 3D-printable inks comprised of varying volume ratios (25:75, 50:50, 70:30) of CuSO4 salt and polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA), as well as their as-printed and salt-leached counterparts, are discussed. The resulting materials are comprised entirely of PLGA (F-PLGA), but exhibit porosities proportional to the original CuSO4 content. The three distinct F-PLGA materials exhibit average porosities of 66.6–94.4%, elastic moduli of 112.6-2.7 MPa, and absorbency of 195.7–742.2%. Studies with adult human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) demonstrated that elevated porosity substantially promotes cell adhesion, viability, and proliferation. F-PLGA can also act as carriers for weak, naturally or synthetically-derived hydrogels. Finally, we show that this process can be extended to other materials including graphene, metals, and ceramics. Statement of Significance Porosity plays an essential role in the performance and function of biomaterials, tissue engineering, and clinical medicine. For the same material chemistry, the level of porosity can dictate if it is cell, tissue, or organ friendly; with low porosity materials being far less favorable than high porosity materials. Despite its importance, it has been difficult to create three-dimensionally printed structures that are comprised of materials that have extremely high levels of internal porosity yet are surgically friendly (able to handle and utilize during surgical operations). In this work, we extend a new materials-centric approach to 3D-printing, 3D-Painting, to 3D-printing structures made almost entirely out of water-soluble salt. The structures are then washed in a specific way that not only extracts the salt but causes the structures to increase in size. With the salt removed, the resulting medical polymer structures are almost entirely porous and contain very little solid material, but the maintain their 3D-printed form and are highly compatible with adult human stem cells, are mechanically robust enough to use in surgical manipulations, and can be filled with and act as carriers for biologically active liquids and gels. We can also extend this process to three-dimensionally printing other porous materials, such as graphene, metals, and even ceramics.
Status of Eastern Woodrats in Isolated Remnant Populations Following Genetic Augmentation and Habitat Disturbance

In Illinois, Neotoma floridana (Eastern Woodrat) experienced range reductions and population bottlenecking over the past century. During the period 2004–2005, the isolated remnant populations along the Mississippi bluffs in southwestern Illinois were genetically augmented with 47 Eastern Woodrats from Arkansas and Missouri, resulting in 40% admixture within the largest population. In 2009, a strong windstorm created canopy gaps and woody debris throughout this area, potentially improving habitat for Eastern Woodrats. We investigated the status of Eastern Woodrat populations in southwestern Illinois by livetrapping remnant populations and conducting sign surveys from 2011 to 2015. We captured 263 Eastern Woodrats; mean trapping success was 62.5% higher than trapping during the 1990s, and the number of individuals captured per trap-night was 3–6 times higher than trapping events during the previous 18 years (all P <0.001). We also located sign of Eastern Woodrat 8.9 km east of the remnant populations. We recommend further genetic monitoring to evaluate whether population increases are coupled with increased admixture and recommend forest-management actions that create habitat disturbance and resultant piles of woody debris that increase woodrat habitat quality.
The Biochemistry Of the Particulate Methane Monooxygenase

The particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) found in the intracytoplasmic membranes of methanotrophs has been known to be very difficult to study. Recent progress in our laboratory indicates that the pMMO is a novel copper-containing enzyme [1]. Metal/protein ratio data analysis clearly suggests that the pMMO is a multiple copper- containing enzyme. The pMMO-associated copper ions appear to be organized into trinuclear cluster units with rather defined-magnetic and redox properties. These copper clusters has been shown to be involved in dioxygen activation. The as-isolated pMMO enriched-membranes often contain a mixture of Cu(I) and Cu(II) ions in various proportions, depending on the history of the samples. The functional form of the enzyme has been found to be the reduced or partially reduced form.
The Labor Market Returns to a Community College Education for Noncompleting Students

In this study, I used data from California to estimate the returns to a community college education that does not result in a postsecondary credential. I found strong, positive returns to completed...
Intergrain Diffusion of Carbon Radical for Wafer-Scale, Direct Growth of Graphene on Silicon-Based Dielectrics

Graphene intrinsically hosts charge-carriers with ultrahigh mobility and possesses a high quantum capacitance, which are attractive attributes for nanoelectronic applications requiring graphene-on-substrate base architecture. Most of the current techniques for graphene production rely on the growth on metal catalyst surfaces, followed by a contamination-prone transfer process to put graphene on a desired dielectric substrate. Therefore, a direct graphene deposition process on dielectric surfaces is crucial to avoid polymer-adsorption-related contamination from the transfer process. Here, we present a chemical-diffusion mechanism of a process for transfer-free growth of graphene on silicon-based gate-dielectric substrates via low-pressure chemical vapor deposition. The process relies on the diffusion of catalytically produced carbon radicals through polycrystalline copper (Cu) grain boundaries and their crystallization at the interface of Cu and underneath silicon-based gate-dielectric substrates. The grap...
Statins Effective for LDL 190 mg per dL or Higher, Regardless of Risk Level.

These results confirm that the use of statins for men with an LDL cholesterol level of at least 190 mg per dL, regardless of calculated risk, is associated with a clinically and statistically significant reduction in cardiovascular events and probably cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.
Environmental Federalism in a Dark Time

The principle of federalism has become something of a rallying cry in recent efforts by the Trump Administration and its allies to scale back environmental regulation. For example, during his short and troubled tenure, former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt argued that the federal government has become too intrusive and that states should be returned to a position of “regulatory primacy” on environmental matters. Some states have responded to the impeding federal retreat by forging ahead. For example, California has continued to take aggressive steps to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and has even taken steps to project its influence internationally. However, despite these hopeful signs of resistance, the net effect of the Trump Administration’s efforts to scale back federal environmental policy is likely to undermine rather than energize state environmental policymaking, especially in Republican-dominated and swing states, where the climate policy vacuum is most acute.
Impact of Cannabinoids on Symptoms of Refractory Gastroparesis: A Single-center Experience

Background and aims Cannabinoids are increasingly used for medicinal purposes, including neuropathy. Gastroparesis is a neuromuscular disorder and neuropathy plays a large role in its pathogenesis. It is thus reasonable that cannabinoids can serve a beneficial role in the management of gastroparesis. Our study evaluates the effect of cannabinoids on gastroparesis symptoms. Methods Twenty-four (n=24) patients with gastroparesis and refractory symptoms were selected from a single gastroenterology practice associated with a tertiary care medical center. The ‘Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index' (GCSI) and an analog scale rating abdominal pain were applied to prospectively assess the effect of cannabinoids, in the form of dronabinol and medical cannabis, on refractory gastroparesis symptoms. Patients completed a GCSI form and rated their abdominal pain, before and after treatment. There was a minimum of 60 days of cannabinoid use between reporting intervals. Total composite GCSI symptom scores, GCSI symptom subset scores, and abdominal pain scores were calculated before and after treatment. Results A significant improvement in the GCSI total symptom composite score was seen with either cannabinoid treatment (mean score difference of 12.8, 95% confidence interval 10.4-15.2; p-value < 0. 001). Patients prescribed marijuana experienced a statistically significant improvement in every GCSI symptom subgroup. Significant improvement in abdominal pain score was also seen with either cannabinoid treatment (mean score difference of 1.6; p-value <0.001). Conclusions Cannabinoids dramatically improve the symptoms of gastroparesis. Furthermore, an improvement in abdominal pain with cannabinoids represents a breakthrough for gastroparesis-associated abdominal pain treatment, for which there are currently no validated therapies.
Successful Anti-CD 19 CAR-T Cell Therapy in Jehovah Witness Patient with Relapsed Refractory B-ALL

Topic Significance & Study Purpose/Background/Rationale Jehovah Witness is a minority Christian denomination whose members do not accept blood products. The population of Jehovah witness is approximately 1 million in the USA and 8 million worldwide. They are likely to be excluded from most clinical trials, including trials evaluating chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‐cell therapies for relapsed/refractory hematological malignancies. Methods, Intervention, & Analysis We hereby report a case of 20-year-old female, Jehovah Witness patient, with relapsed refractory B Cell Acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (B-ALL) who was successfully treated with anti‐CD19 CAR T‐cell product Tisagenlecleucel. The patient was initially diagnosed at age 13 in 2012 with B-ALL. She received treatment on a pediatric protocol and stayed in remission until 9/20/2018 when she presented with fatigue and Bone marrow biopsy with relapsed disease (85% B-ALL). Cytogenetics were 46XY and FISH negative for BCR/ABL. NGS was negative for a pathogenic variant, and Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was negative for B-ALL The patient was refractory to Inotuzumab and became eligible for Tisagenlecleucel. She underwent T-cell apheresis, lymphodepletion and CAR-T cell infusion per protocol Findings & Interpretation She had no cytokine release syndrome or Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome She developed pancytopenia and received supportive care with Epoetin alfa, Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Ferrous sulfate, vitamin and Provera daily to suppress menses. We also minimize blood loss by using pediatric size collection tubes. She is currently at 6 months and remains in complete remission with count recovery. Discussion & Implications We present a case of a Jehovah witness patient with relapsed B-ALL successfully treated Tisagenlecleucel. Per a report from Maude et' al, CAR-T therapy has induced 90% complete remission rates among 30 children with relapsed refractory B-ALL, of whom 15 did not receive additional treatment. This is especially pertinent for our patient who could not have tolerated allogeneic stem cell transplant without transfusion support.
POSTOPERATIVE TROPONIN ELEVATION IN NON-CARDIAC SURGERY PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RE-STRATIFY PREOPERATIVELY LOW-RISK PATIENTS TOWARD ACTIONABLE PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Prior studies have shown an association between postoperative myocardial injury (MINS) and all-cause mortality in non-cardiac surgery patients. Currently post-op troponin screening in low-risk patients is not recommended. We hypothesize that compared to the general population, patients classified as