cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioural Economics: A Virginia Political Economy Perspective

Behavioural economics offers a critique of modern neoclassical economics by providing empirical evidence that the model of rational choice does not accurately describe human decision-making processes. The existence of cognitive biases, what we might term ‘agent failure’, becomes reason to doubt the efficacy of unhampered markets, and is seen by some as a sufficient condition for government intervention. This article offers a critique of this argument from an Austrian and public choice theory comparative institutions perspective. Agent failure arguments are analogous to market failure arguments of the mid-twentieth century and the same kinds of responses made against the latter are applied to the former. Behavioural economics arguments for intervention ignore the cognitive biases of political actors, neglect the comparative perspective that results from such biases, and do not examine the ways in which markets are superior to politics in providing the information and incentives actors need to become aware of their errors and correct them. The existence of imperfectly rational agents, like the existence of imperfect markets, is therefore not a sufficient condition for government intervention into the market.
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR MILK FOR MANUFACTURING AND ITS PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION BY STATE REGULATORY AGENCIES

Summary Slightly more than 35 billion pounds of manufacturing grade milk was delivered to plants and dealers in 1965. This was about 31% of the volume of milk delivered. Manufactured dairy products continue to be an important segment of the dairy industry. However, the adoption by state regulatory agencies of recommended uniform minimum standards for milk for manufacturing purposes and its production and processing has been slow. Reasons are given for a joint effort by industry and state agencies to aggressively deal with the problem of variable quality of milk used in manufactured dairy products. The program suggests: (a) a realistic standard, (b) adequate and efficient enforcement, and (c) industry cooperation.
Studying Anonymous Health Issues and Substance Use on College Campuses with Yik Yak

This study investigates the public health intelligence utility of Yik Yak, a social media platform that allows users to anonymously post and view messages within precise geographic locations. Our dataset contains 122,179 “yaks” collected from 120 college campuses across the United States during 2015. We first present an exploratory analysis of the topics commonly discussed in Yik Yak, clarifying the health issues for which this may serve as a source of information. We then present an in-depth content analysis of data describing substance use, an important public health issue that is not often discussed in public social media, but commonly discussed on Yik Yak under the cloak of anonymity.
In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging for Longitudinal Monitoring of Inflammation in Animal Models of Uveitis

Purpose We develop a quantitative bioluminescence assay for in vivo longitudinal monitoring of inflammation in animal models of uveitis. Methods Three models of experimental uveitis were induced in C57BL/6 albino mice: primed mycobacterial uveitis (PMU), endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU), and experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Intraperitoneal injection of luminol sodium salt, which emits light when oxidized, provided the bioluminescence substrate. Bioluminescence images were captured by a PerkinElmer In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS) Spectrum and total bioluminescence was analyzed using Living Image software. Bioluminescence on day zero was compared to bioluminescence on the day of peak inflammation for each model. Longitudinal bioluminescence imaging was performed in EIU and EAU. Results In the presence of luminol, intraocular inflammation generates detectable bioluminescence in three mouse models of uveitis. Peak bioluminescence in inflamed PMU eyes (1.46 × 105 photons/second [p/s]) was significantly increased over baseline (1.47 × 104 p/s, P = 0.01). Peak bioluminescence in inflamed EIU eyes (3.18 × 104 p/s) also was significantly increased over baseline (1.09 × 104 p/s, P = 0.04), and returned to near baseline levels by 48 hours. In EAU, there was a nonsignificant increase in bioluminescence at peak inflammation. Conclusions In vivo bioluminescence may be used as a noninvasive, quantitative measure of intraocular inflammation in animal models of uveitis. Primed mycobacterial uveitis and EIU are both acute models with robust anterior inflammation and demonstrated significant changes in bioluminescence corresponding with peak inflammation. Experimental autoimmune uveitis is a more indolent posterior uveitis and generated a more modest bioluminescent signal. In vivo imaging system bioluminescence is a nonlethal, quantifiable assay that can be used for monitoring inflammation in animal models of uveitis.
Probing for and Quantifying Agonist Hydrogen Bonds in α6β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.

Designing subtype-selective agonists for neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors is a challenging and significant goal aided by intricate knowledge of each subtype’s binding patterns. We previously reported that in α6β2 receptors, acetylcholine makes a functional cation−π interaction with Trp149, but nicotine and TC299423 do not, suggesting a distinctive binding site. This work explores hydrogen binding at the backbone carbonyl associated with α6β2 Trp149. Substituting residue i + 1, Thr150, with its α-hydroxy analogue (Tah) attenuates the carbonyl’s hydrogen bond accepting ability. At α6(T150Tah)β2, nicotine shows a 24-fold loss of function, TC299423 shows a modest loss, and acetylcholine shows no effect. Nicotine was further analyzed via a double-mutant cycle analysis utilizing N′-methylnicotinium, which indicated a hydrogen bond in α6β2 with a ΔΔG of 2.6 kcal/mol. Thus, even though nicotine does not make the conserved cation−π interaction with Trp149, it still makes a functional hydrogen bond to its...
Addressing the Social Needs of Hypertensive Patients: The Role of Patient-Provider Communication as a Predictor of Medication Adherence.

Background—Poor medication adherence is a pervasive problem in patients with hypertension. Despite research documenting an association between patient–provider communication and medication adherenc...
A Microstructural Approach Toward the Quantification of Anomaly Bond Coat Surface Geometry Change in NiCoCrAlY Plasma-Sprayed Bond Coat

Three-dimensional behavior of NiCoCrAlY bond coat surface geometry change (known as rumpling) was characterized during 120 h of thermal cycling. The proposed scanning electron microscope (SEM)-based 3D imaging method allows for recording the change in both height and width at the same location during the heat treatment. Statistical analysis using both profile information [two dimensions (2D)] and surface information [three dimensions (3D)] demonstrated a typical nature of rumpling as increase in height and decrease in width. However, it also revealed an anomaly of height reduction between 40 and 80 cycles. Such behavior was further investigated by analyzing the bearing area ratio curve of the surface and attributed to filling of voids and valleys by the growth of thermally grown oxide.
More than a drink: A rare anaphylactic reaction to sparkling water

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life threatening, type I hypersensitivity reaction which can occur within seconds to minutes after exposure to an allergen. Sulfites have been implicated in causing such reactions with symptoms ranging from mild to potentially life threatening. Here we present a patient who had an anaphylactic reaction secondary to exposure to sulfites found in sparkling water.
Random Gauge Field Scattering in Monolayer Graphene

Strain-induced lattice deformation affects electron hopping between the atoms. This effectively gives rise to a gauge field which impacts on the charge transport. In graphene, such gauge field is associated with a vector potential which mimics that of a magnetic field. Understanding the impact of the gauge field on charge transport is of essential importance for emerging topics including straintronics and valleytronics in two-dimensional materials. While extensive theoretical works have been carried out over the past decade, experimental progress has been largely limited to local probe and optical studies. Experimental charge transport study has been baffled by the challenge in creating an effective and independent tuning knob of strain without compromising the quality of graphene. Here we studied high quality suspended graphene field effect transistors fabricated on flexible Polyimide substrates. Applying uniaxial strain by bending the substrate, we observed a strain-induced resistivity with power-law ca...
Sequential Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in a Single Year Caused by Norovirus Genotypes GII.2 and GII.6 in an Institutional Setting

Background Norovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Improved diagnostic capability has been instrumental in the characterization of archival norovirus strains associated with gastroenteritis outbreaks that were investigated decades ago. One such investigation was that of 2 sequential gastroenteritis outbreaks that occurred in 1971 at the former Henryton State Hospital in Maryland. Approximately 40% of the resident population experienced clinical symptoms in both outbreaks, which occurred 11 months apart. Methods Stored stools and paired sera were re-analyzed to investigate the etiology of the 2 outbreaks. Results Different norovirus genotypes were identified as the etiological agents responsible for the illnesses, with GII.2 associated with the first outbreak and GII.6 with the second. The viruses were antigenically distinct as determined by analyses of hyperimmune sera raised against the corresponding virus-like particles in animals, as well as paired sera from infected individuals. Conclusions The observed antigenic differences were consistent with the failure of the GII.2 strain to provide cross-protective immunity to the GII.6 strain a few months later. An understanding of antigenic diversity among norovirus genotypes will be important in the design of norovirus vaccines.
Viscosity of compressed CO2-saturated n-alkanes: CO2/n-hexane, CO2/n-decane, and CO2/n-tetradecane

Abstract Many industrial processes utilize a liquid phase with large amounts of dissolved gases at elevated pressures; e.g. CO2 capture; enhanced oil recovery; CO2-expanded Liquids; etc. In order to understand the transport properties, the experimental dynamic viscosity and calculated kinematic viscosity are reported for binary systems of CO2-saturated n-alkanes, n-hexane, n-decane, or n-tetradecane, at 25°, 40°, and 55 °C and pressures up to 107 bar. The global phase behavior was investigated and transitions from vapor-liquid equilibrium were confirmed. Equation of state modeling of literature vapor-liquid equilibrium data was used to determine the compositions at the conditions of interest. Increasing composition of CO2 (pressure) results in significant decrease in the viscosity of the binary mixtures. Measured viscosities decrease in a relatively manner at low to moderate compositions of CO2 in liquid phase. “Excess viscosities” were calculated to help understand the phenomena. These properties have implications for fluid transport, heat transfer, and mass transfer.
China’s global energy finance: Poised to lead

Abstract This short essay quantifies the level of Chinese overseas development finance in the global energy sector, denotes the financing model deployed by the Chinese in these transactions, and evaluates China’s potential for financing a transition toward a clean energy future. We find that China’s two development banks – the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China provide more development finance than the World Bank and its counterparts, and have a more flexible business model for financing cleaner energy. That said, the current mix of Chinese energy finance is in carbon intensive projects. China’s model holds out hope, and makes China poised to lead.
Resignifying Alan Kurdi: news photographs, memes, and the ethics of embodied vulnerability

ABSTRACTThe Turkish photojournalist Nilufer Demir’s photograph of the drowned refugee child Alan Kurdi attained worldwide recognition as a media spectacle, initially prompting humanitarian responses and political action, but later morphing into online memes and inciting public backlash as “war porn.” The author argues here that the ethical motivations of photojournalism and memes are oppositional with regard to their representations of embodied vulnerability. While photojournalistic depictions of vulnerable bodies are motivated by an ethics of care intended to generate empathy and progressive social change, memes disrupt those affective connotations through processes of mimicry and replication. By means of a comparative semiological analysis, this paper examines the way the sign system of Demir’s photograph was mutated into memes, radically changing the ethical connotations of the former. The differing ethical affordances of news photos versus memes, and their relationship, explain the reversal of the cos...
An Integrated Assessment of Economy- Energy and Climate. The Model WIAGEM- reply to Comment by Roson and Tol

This paper replies to the comments by Roberto Roson and Richard S.J. Tol (2003). Roson and Tol discusses in a very profound way the model results by Kemfert (2003) and illustrate very comprehensively the differences of modelling approaches. Roson and Tol (2003) provide a extensive discussion and comparison about model methodologies and compare important results of the model. This paper explains the model findings and discusses which model specifications play a major role to determine the observed results. Furthermore, this study shows some general model explanations and reactions to the major critiques.
PAPR Analysis for Dual-Polarization FBMC

In a recent work we proposed a new radio access technique based on filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC) modulation using two orthogonal polarizations: dual-polarization FBMC (DP-FBMC). We showed that with good cross-polarization discrimination (XPD), DP-FBMC solves the intrinsic imaginary interference shortcoming of FBMC without extra processing. DP-FBMC also has other interesting advantages over cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) and FBMC such as more robustness in dispersive channels, and it is also more robust to receiver carrier frequency offset (CFO) and timing offset (TO). In this paper we analyze the peak to average power ratio (PAPR) of DP-FBMC and compare PAPR simulation results with that of conventional FBMC, for different prototype filters and overlapping factors. According to the analysis and results, with a proper choice of prototype filter, DP-FBMC has comparable PAPR to FBMC.
The trypanosome-specific protein CIF3 cooperates with the CIF1 protein to promote cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei

Cytokinesis, the terminal step in cell division, in the protist human pathogen Trypanosoma brucei occurs along the longitudinal axis from the anterior tip of the new flagellum attachment zone (FAZ) toward the posterior cell tip. This process is regulated by a signaling cascade composed of the Polo-like kinase homolog TbPLK, the Aurora B kinase homolog TbAUK1, and the trypanosome-specific CIF1-CIF2 protein complex. However, the regulatory mechanism and the signaling pathway for this unusual mode of cytokinesis remain poorly understood. Here, we report another trypanosome-specific protein assembly, the CIF1-CIF3 complex, and its essential role in cytokinesis initiation. Through biochemical and genetic approaches, we demonstrate that CIF3 interacts with CIF1 in a TbPLK-dependent manner and maintains CIF1 localization at the new FAZ tip. Conversely, CIF1 maintains CIF3 stability at the new FAZ tip. We further show that TbPLK is required for CIF3 localization and that CIF3 is necessary for targeting TbAUK1 to the new FAZ tip during anaphase. These results suggest that two trypanosome-specific CIF1-containing protein complexes cooperate with the evolutionarily conserved Polo-like kinase and Aurora B kinase to promote cytokinesis in T. brucei.
Preliminary evaluation of a micro-force sensing handheld robot for vitreoretinal surgery

Highly accurate positioning is fundamental to the performance of vitreoretinal microsurgery. Of vitreoretinal procedures, membrane peeling is among the most prone to complications since extremely delicate manipulation of retinal tissue is required. Associated tool-to-tissue interaction forces are usually below the threshold of human perception, and the surgical tools are moved very slowly, within the 0.1–0.5 mm/s range. During the procedure, unintentional tool motion and excessive forces can easily give rise to vision loss or irreversible damage to the retina. A successful surgery includes two key features: controlled tremor-free tool motion and control of applied force. In this study, we present the potential benefits of a micro-force sensing robot in vitreoretinal surgery. Our main contribution is implementing fiber Bragg grating based force sensing in an active tremor canceling handheld micromanipulator, known as Micron, to measure tool-to-tissue interaction forces in real time. Implemented auditory sensory substitution assists in reducing and limiting forces. In order to test the functionality and performance, the force sensing Micron was evaluated in peeling experiments with adhesive bandages and with the inner shell membrane from chicken eggs. Our findings show that the combination of active tremor canceling together with auditory sensory substitution is the most promising aid that keeps peeling forces below 7 mN with a significant reduction in 2–20 Hz oscillations.
Estimating Primordial Cell Numbers in Drosophila Imaginal Discs and Histoblasts

A primary question in developmental biology is: What is the genetic basis by which groups of cells adopt different developmental fates? In Drosophila, cleavage nuclei prior to blastula stage are held together in a syncytial mass; both indirect (fate maps) and direct experiments (nuclear transplantation) show cleavage nuclei to be without developmental specificity. The suggestion has been made that earliest determination occurs at the blastula stage (Chan and Gehring, 1971); during gastrulation differentiation of cells in the amnioserosal layer and of other tissues necessary for embryonic life is clearly visible (cf. Turner and Mahowald, 1977). Other cells have been identified that are apparently set aside and only later give rise to the tissues of the adult. These sets of cells, called imaginal discs and histoblasts, are named for the structures which they will form. Thus, the mesothoracic leg, for example, is formed from the second leg imaginal disc and the prothoracic leg by the prothoracic leg disc. The critical observation for us is that adult structures, populated wholly by imaginal disc descendants, can be genetically mosaic (Sturtevant, 1929). This has been interpreted as an indication that these structures are formed from groups of cells, that the adult structures they will give rise to are polyclonal (Crick and Lawrence, 1975) in origin. Likewise, transdetermination (Hadorn, 1965) appears to be a change in the developmental fate shared by a small group of cells (Gehring, 1967).
Yield of Low-Dose Computerized Tomography Screening for Lung Cancer in High-Risk Workers: The Case of 7189 US Nuclear Weapons Workers

Objectives. To determine the lung cancer screening yield and stages in a union-sponsored low-dose computerized tomography scan program for nuclear weapons workers with diverse ages, smoking histories, and occupations.Methods. We implemented a low-dose computerized tomography program among 7189 nuclear weapons workers in 9 nonmetropolitan US communities during 2000 to 2013. Eligibility criteria included age, smoking, occupation, radiographic asbestos-related fibrosis, and a positive beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test.Results. The proportion with screen-detected lung cancer among smokers aged 50 years or older was 0.83% at baseline and 0.51% on annual scan. Of 80 lung cancers, 59% (n = 47) were stage I, and 10% (n = 8) were stage II. Screening yields of study subpopulations who met the National Lung Screening Trial or the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Group 2 eligibility criteria were similar to those found in the National Lung Screening Trial.Conclusions. Computerized tomography screening for ...
Ruthenium(II)-Polypyridyl Compounds with π-Extended Nitrogen Donor Ligands Induce Apoptosis in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma (A549) Cells by Triggering Caspase-3/7 Pathway.

Ru(II)-polypyridyl complexes exhibit antitumor properties that can be systematically tailored by means of adjusting the ligand environment. In this work, the effect of incorporating π-extended moieties into anionic N∧O– based chelating ligands on the cytotoxic properties of Ru compounds is explored. Four new Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(bpy)2(dphol)][PF6] (1; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, dphol = dibenzo[a,c]phenazin-10-olate), [Ru(phen)2(dphol)][PF6] (2; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [Ru(bpy)2(hbtz)][PF6] (3; hbtz = 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)phenolate), and [Ru(phen)2(hbtz)][PF6] (4) were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. In vitro cytotoxicity was investigated in human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells, which revealed that 4 is the most cytotoxic compound (IC50 = 0.8 μM) in the series including a control compound [Ru(bpy)2(quo)][PF6] (5; quo = 8-hydroxyquinolinate) and is nearly 8-fold more cytotoxic than cisplatin. An investigation of the mechanism of cell death led to the finding that compounds 1–4 disrupt the m...
An Analysis of Potential Sensitive Plant Species For Long-Term Monitoring in Glacier National Park

To date, we have accomplished several objectives. First, we met with Kim Keating at Glacier National Park last October to work out specific guidelines for submission of the data on plant species that we were gathering from the literature. Although no firm format for the database was decided upon, we did decide what kinds of information to begin collecting. This information included: name, common name and taxonomic status of the species, geographic range and origin, preferred habitat, life cycle, reproduction mode, etc.
Arterial stiffness and hypertension

Measures of the functional and structural properties of blood vessels can be used to assess preclinical stage of vascular disorders. Recent experimental and population studies show that arterial stiffening precedes development of high blood pressure, and can be used to predict future cardiovascular events. Arterial stiffness was also shown to be reversible in several experimental models of various conditions. Since reversing arterial stiffness could prevent development of hypertension and other clinical conditions, understanding the biological mechanisms of arterial stiffening and investigating potential therapeutic interventions to modulate arterial stiffness are important research topics. For research and application in general clinical settings, it is an important step to develop reliable devices and a standardized arterial stiffness measurement protocol.
SPATIAL CHANNEL COVARIANCE ESTIMATION FOR THE HYBRID ARCHITECTURE AT A BASE STATION: A TENSOR-DECOMPOSITION-BASED APPROACH

Spatial channel covariance information can replace instantaneous full channel state information for designing hybrid analog/digital precoders. Estimating the spatial channel covariance is challenging due to the inherent limitation of the hybrid architecture, i.e., much fewer radio frequency (RF) chains than antennas. In this paper, we propose a spatial channel covariance estimation method for spatially sparse time-varying frequency-selective channels. The proposed method leverages the fact that the channel can be represented as a low-rank higher-order tensor. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves higher estimation accuracy in comparison with existing covariance estimation methods.
Automated aircraft tracking for park and landscape planning

Abstract Visitors to parks and protected areas appreciate and expect the opportunity to experience natural sounds, and are bothered by human-caused noises that reduce this opportunity. One of the most pervasive sources of noise in parks is aircraft. In 2017, there were over 150,000 reported air tours over U.S. National Park Service (NPS) units, excluding all units in the state of Alaska. There are also international protected areas impacted by the noise from air tours. In most cases, managers do not know the exact routes and altitudes of air tours, making planning efforts difficult. However, many countries are beginning to require all aircraft entering designated airspace to be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out avionics. ADS-B Out broadcasts an un-encrypted and publicly accessible signal that relays real-time information including latitude, longitude, altitude, and unique identification code. In the U.S., this unique code can be cross-referenced to a Federal Aviation Administration database that provides aircraft tail number, model, and owner. This new technology presents opportunities for managers and regional/community planners to understand the types of aircraft, routes, and altitudes of flights that occur in the airspace above parks and adjacent communities, improving planning efforts for parks working to manage air tours. This study explores the feasibility of collecting ADS-B data by testing loggers at three U.S. NPS units. The findings of this study suggest that ADS-B data can be efficiently collected and processed; inform planners about the routes, altitudes, types of aircraft, and operators of overflights; and inform air tour management.
Considerations for Post-Mastectomy Radiation Therapy in the Setting of Breast Reconstruction

In patients with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy, reconstruction, and postmastectomy radiation therapy, reconstruction outcome is impacted by multiple factors related to patient comorbidities, surgical technique, and radiation planning. In this chapter, each of these factors is discussed in light of the available data and potential for reconstruction failure.
Effects of age and obesity on trunk kinetics and kinematics during dominant side one-handed carrying.

Abstract The proportions of older and obese people are increasing in both the general and working populations worldwide. Older and obese individuals are more susceptible to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in comparison with healthy, younger individuals. Manual material handling (MMH) is associated with the development of work-related MSDs. Although previous research has suggested that one-handed carrying is a particularly undesirable method of MMH, the effects of one-handed carrying on trunk kinetics and kinematics among older and/or obese people have not been adequately studied. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of age and obesity on trunk angles and moments during dominant side one-handed carrying of various load magnitudes. Twenty (20) participants divided into four groups with respect to age (young and older) and obesity (obese and non-obese) carried different loads (No-load [0 kg], Light [5.67 kg], and Heavy [10.21 kg]) in their dominant hand for approximately 6 m. Three-dimensional (3D) trunk angles and moments approximately about the L4/L5 vertebral segment were calculated using Visual3D. The findings indicated that while carrying a load in the dominant hand plays an important role in changing trunk kinematics and kinetics, the results were not dependent on age and/or obesity category. Absolute moments were greatest among participants in the obese groups; however, these moments were mitigated when normalized to body weight and height (%BW * Ht). Age did not exacerbate the effects of load magnitude on trunk kinetics and kinematics.
Surgical Treatment of Tethered Cord Syndrome in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective In the healthy spine, the spinal cord moves unimpeded with spinal fluid pulsation in the rostral and caudal directions. When a portion of the spinal cord becomes attached to lesions within the spinal column, excess strain can cause signs and symptoms such as pain, motor deficits, sensory deficits, bladder dysfunction, and bowel dysfunction. This condition is termed tethered cord syndrome. There are no clear guidelines for offering surgical intervention, although there is a general consensus that worsening signs and symptoms increase the likelihood that patients will need surgery. Methods In this article, we conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis for all available literature within the Ovid (MEDLINE), PubMed, and Google Scholar databases to evaluate common symptoms among patients with tethered cord and to examine how surgery affects symptoms. Results Within the cohort of 730 patients, 708 (97%) were treated surgically by a detethering procedure. The most common preoperative sign or symptom was pain (81%), followed by motor deficits (63%), sensory deficits (61%), bladder dysfunction (56%), and bowel dysfunction (15%). One percent of patients had no deficit or symptom. Pain was the symptom that was most responsive to surgery, with 81% of patients reporting that their pain improved after detethering. Conclusions Tethered cord syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with back or leg pain, somatosensory symptoms of the lower extremities, muscular weakness, urodynamic dysfunction, or bowel dysfunction. After a definitive diagnosis is made, patients should be counseled about surgical detethering as an option
Resistance to First-Line Osimertinib in EGFR-mutant NSCLC: Tissue is the Issue

Matched pre-/posttreatment tissue biopsies from patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer demonstrate that histologic transformations, including both small-cell carcinoma and squamous transformation, are unexpectedly common among patients progressing on first-line osimertinib. The study highlights the key role of tissue testing and underscores the need for innovative therapeutic approaches to prevent, rather than treat, resistance.See related article by Schoenfeld et al., p. 2654.
The Gender Wage Gap in Research Libraries

The gender wage gap impacts millions of women throughout the US and world, with women in the US making on average 82 percent of men’s salaries (US Census Bureau, 2018). In research libraries, a field dominated by women, this has historically been true as well, with men rising to top positions at a higher rate and making more money than women in the same positions. Over the decades following the implementation of Affirmative Action, the number of women in administrative positions in research libraries has increased dramatically. This article explores the issue of women’s salaries in research libraries in five job tiers. The five job tiers group library positions based on power dynamic, with the first tier including positions that run academic libraries, through the fifth tier, which includes front-line positions. An analysis of data from the Association of Research Libraries from 1976 through 2016 demonstrates that, though women have made progress in obtaining higher-level positions, salary disparities continue to exist between men and women at all levels.
A Single-Inductor 4-Output SoC with Dynamic Droop Allocation and Adaptive Clocking for Enhanced Performance and Energy Efficiency in 65nm CMOS

Single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) converters present a promising technology for enabling fine-grained supply-voltage $\left(V_{\mathrm{dd}}\right)$ domains in SoCs. With efficiencies approaching those of buck converters, SIMO converters allow multiple domains to share a single inductor, thus reducing the use of bulky passive components [1–5]. However, SIMO converters suffer from a poor transient response and significant ripple, requiring extensive $V_{ {dd }}$ margining. Operation at an elevated $V_{ {dd }}$ -and, therefore, the load-current $\left(I_{ {load }}\right)$ - inflates power draw and further reduces system efficiency $\left(\eta_{ {system }}\right)$, i.e. the ratio of the useful (margin-free) output power to input power draw.
The future of hardware development: a perspective from systems researchers

At HotOS 2011, Mogul et al. published a paper calling for "Reconnecting Architecture and OS Research" [9]. Ten years have passed. We now live in a post-x86 world where servers are no longer homogeneous. Accelerators like GPU and FPGA are dominating important workloads like machine learning and search in data centers [3, 4]. Many data centers have launched large scales of customized ASICs (e.g., Google TPU [8], AWS Nitro [1]). At the same time, HBM and NVM are promised to change the landscape of memory and storage; various programmable networking devices like SmartNIC and programmable switches are making their ways into data centers. These exciting new hardware trends have driven systems researchers to innovate on software to fit new hardware technologies. What about the hardware?
Diplomatic Theory of International Relations: Using the international society idea

Diplomacy is conventionally regarded as an aspect of an international system, society, or community, or as an institution necessary to their effective functioning. Within the diplomatic tradition, in contrast, international systems, societies and communities are seen as different ways in which the terrain is organized upon which relations of separateness are to be conducted. Before exploring some of the implications of this insight, however, I want to take another look at the international society idea and some of the arguments that lie behind it. This is useful for a number of reasons. First, doing so provides an opportunity to map out the terms in which international societies vary from one another and change within themselves. Secondly, such a mapping illuminates the shifting character of the terrain upon which diplomats operate and helps us identify the extent to which diplomacy is a trans-historical and ubiquitous practice. Last, but not least, re-visiting the international society idea will allow me to make a case for jettisoning the clumsy triumvirate of system, society and community, and for referring to all as international societies from there on. International systems, societies and communities The general distinctions between systems, societies and communities elaborated above apply in principle to their international equivalents. We can imagine international systems characterized only by frequent and regular contacts between their members but little else. We can see international societies whose members are bound by shared understandings of the rules about what is and ought to be going on.
Prime Isols and the Theorems of Fermat and Wilson

Let pr denote the principal function of the set of prime numbers, and let prΛ. denote its extension to the isols of A. Nerode. Because pr is an increasing recursive function, then prΛ will map regressive isols into regressive isols. It is a well-known property that if A is a regressive isol, then prΛ(A) is a prime isol. In our paper we study these primes and show that there are very general analogues in the isols to both Fermat’s Theorem and Wilson’s Theorem.
Use of Buffering and Other Means to Improve Results of Problematic Pesticides in a Fast and Easy Method for Residue Analysis of Fruits and Vegetables

A modification that entails the use of buffering during extraction was made to further improve results for certain problematic pesticides (e.g., folpet, dichlofluanid, chlorothalonil, and pymetrozine) in a simple, fast, and inexpensive method for the determination of pesticides in produce. The method, known as the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method for pesticide residues in foods, now involves the extraction of the sample with acetonitrile (MeCN) containing 1% acetic acid (HAc) and simultaneous liquid-liquid partitioning formed by adding anhydrous MgSO4 plus sodium acetate (NaAc). The extraction method is carried out by shaking a centrifuge tube which contains 1 mL of 1% HAc in MeCN plus 0.4 g anhydrous MgSO4 and 0.1 g anhydrous NaAc per g sample. The tube is then centrifuged, and a portion of the extract is transferred to a tube containing 50 mg primary secondary amine sorbent plus 150 mg anhydrous MgSO4/mL of extract. After a mixing and centrifugation step, the extract is transferred to autosampler vials for concurrent analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Independent of the original sample pH, the use of buffering during the extraction yields pH 5 in the water phase, which increases recoveries of both acid- and base-sensitive pesticides. The method was evaluated for 32 diverse pesticides in different matrixes, and typical percent recoveries were 95 +/- 10, even for some problematic pesticides. Optional solvent exchange to toluene prior to GC/MS analysis was also evaluated, showing equally good results with the benefit of lower detection limits, but at the cost of more time, material, labor, and expense.
Optimizing a Standardized Electrofishing Sampling Protocol for Warmwater Resident Sportfish in the Tallapoosa River, Alabama, USA

A two-year electrofishing study was initiated in the Tallapoosa River, Alabama, to identify an optimal standardized sampling program for three principal resident sportfish: Alabama bass Micropterus henshalli, redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus, and redeye bass Micropterus coosae. Samples were conducted in spring (May), summer (July), and fall (October) in 2010 and 2011 from seven 1-h transects. Spring samples of Alabama bass had lower catch per effort (CPE) and were more skewed towards fish between 200 and 300 mm total length (TL) than samples in other seasons; whereas, fall samples collected more redeye bass >200 mm TL but CPE was similar among seasons. Fewer, but larger, redbreast sunfish were sampled during fall compared with other seasons. Mean CPE of all three species was independent of transect duration. The total time spent electrofishing and processing fish in order to estimate a mean CPE with a specified precision was a function of transect duration and CPE. More effort was needed as CPE decreased for most species, but the relations between transect duration and total effort were parabolic. A precision of within 10% of the mean CPE was unattainable for most species as a result of logistic considerations. Based on the results of this study, it appears that fall is the optimal sampling time for these species in the Tallapoosa River and the optimal transect duration is likely 10 min. At a precision level of 20% of the mean, the number of 10-min transects required ranged from 5 to 40, with a total sample time for each individual species of 0.82–7.16 h. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Soy Phytochemicals and Tea Bioactive Components Synergistically Inhibit Androgen-Sensitive Human Prostate Tumors in Mice

Although high doses of single bioactive agents may have potent anticancer effects, the chemopreventive properties of the Asian diet may result from interactions among several components that potentiate the activities of any single constituent. In Asia, where intake of soy products and tea consumption are very high, aggressive prostate cancer is significantly less prevalent in Asian men. The objective of the present study was to identify possible synergistic effects between soy and tea components on prostate tumor progression in a mouse model of orthotopic androgen-sensitive human prostate cancer. Soy phytochemical concentrate (SPC), black tea and green tea were compared with respect to tumorigenicity rate, primary tumor growth, tumor proliferation index and microvessel density, serum androgen level and metastases to lymph nodes. SPC, black tea and green tea significantly reduced tumorigenicity. SPC and black tea also significantly reduced final tumor weights. Green tea did not reduce final tumor weight, although it tended to elevate (P = 0.14) the serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentration. The combination of SPC and black tea synergistically inhibited prostate tumorigenicity, final tumor weight and metastases to lymph nodes in vivo. The combination of SPC and green tea synergistically inhibited final tumor weight and metastasis and significantly reduced serum concentrations of both testosterone and DHT in vivo. Inhibition of tumor progression was associated with reduced tumor cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. This study suggests that further research is warranted to study the role of soy and tea combination as effective nutritional regimens in prostate cancer prevention.
Gli proteins encode context-dependent positive and negative functions: implications for development and disease

Several lines of evidence implicate zinc finger proteins of the Gli family in the final steps of Hedgehog signaling in normal development and disease. C-terminally truncated mutant GLI3 proteins are also associated with human syndromes, but it is not clear whether these C-terminally truncated Gli proteins fulfil the same function as full-length ones. Here, structure-function analyses of Gli proteins have been performed using floor plate and neuronal induction assays in frog embryos, as well as induction of alkaline phosphatase (AP) in SHH-responsive mouse C3H10T1/2 (10T1/2) cells. These assays show that C-terminal sequences are required for positive inducing activity and cytoplasmic localization, whereas N-terminal sequences determine dominant negative function and nuclear localization. Analyses of nuclear targeted Gli1 and Gli2 proteins suggest that both activator and dominant negative proteins are modified forms. In embryos and COS cells, tagged Gli cDNAs yield C-terminally deleted forms similar to that of Ci. These results thus provide a molecular basis for the human Polydactyly type A and Pallister-Hall Syndrome phenotypes, derived from the deregulated production of C-terminally truncated GLI3 proteins. Analyses of full-length Gli function in 10T1/2 cells suggest that nuclear localization of activating forms is a regulated event and show that only Gli1 mimics SHH in inducing AP activity. Moreover, full-length Gli3 and all C-terminally truncated forms act antagonistically whereas Gli2 is inactive in this assay. In 10T1/2 cells, protein kinase A (PKA), a known inhibitor of Hh signaling, promotes Gli3 repressor formation and inhibits Gli1 function. Together, these findings suggest a context-dependent functional divergence of Gli protein function, in which a cell represses Gli3 and activates Gli1/2 prevents the formation of repressor Gli forms to respond to Shh. Interpretation of Hh signals by Gli proteins therefore appears to involve a fine balance of divergent functions within each and among different Gli proteins, the misregulation of which has profound biological consequences.
A mathematical method for estimating paired testes weight from in situ testicular measurements in three species of hamster

Linear regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between testicular volume (calculated from measurements of length and width) and weights of paired testes. Line equations that can be used to predict weights of paired testes from the volume of one or both testes are given for three species of hamster (Mesocricetus auratus, Mesocricetus brandti, and Phodopus sungorus sungorus). Because these parameters are highly correlated (r greater than or equal to 0.97), the line equations provide a highly reliable means of estimating weights of paired testes from in situ surgical measurements. Weights of testes predicted in this manner are highly correlated with actual weights of paired testes (r greater than or equal to 0.96). The surgical method for measurement of the gonads is also described. This technique for estimating paired testicular weight allows considerable reduction in the number of animals required for long-term experiments and also permits longitudinal studies of individual animals.
Inhalant use among urban American Indian youth.

Aims. To assess the prevalence of inhalant use among urban American Indian youth and to examine differences between inhalant users and non-users. Design. Baseline (T1) self-report questionnaires completed in 5th-6th grade and at seven annual follow-up assessments (T2-T8). Settings. Seattle metropolitan area. Participants. Two hundred and twenty-four Indian youth. Measurements. Youth-completed measures of substance use, ethnic self-identity, involvement in traditional Indian activities, family conflict, family history of alcoholism, peer and sibling deviance, self-esteem, delinquency, aggression, anxiety, depression, sensation seeking, conduct disorder and alcohol dependence. Findings. Lifetime inhalant use was reported by 12.3% of adolescents. At T1, inhalant users had significantly lower perceived self-worth and average annual household incomes and significantly greater density of familial alcoholism and expression of aggressive and delinquent conduct than non-users. Aggressive behavior was the most important T1 predictor of inhalant use. Lifetime conduct and alcohol dependence disorders were 3.3 and 2.6 times more prevalent among inhalant users than non-users at T5. Inhalant users had more extensive deviant peer networks, were more sensation-seeking, and evidenced lower perceived self-worth than non-users at T8. Conclusions. Inhalant use was less prevalent in this particular sample of urban Indian adolescents than in most studies of reservation Indian youth. As with other studies of inhalant abuse, aggressive and delinquent males of low SES and low-perceived self-worth with family histories of alcohol dependence, were at highest risk for inhalant use.
Contact factors are responsible for the thrombogenicity of prothrombin complex

Abstract In order to determine the factors responsible for the thrombogenicity of prothrombin complex (PC), preparations of PC were prepared from normal plasma and from plasmas deficient in Factor XII, Factor XI, prekallikrein and high molecular weight kininogen. PC isolated from normal or Factor XI deficient plasma was thrombogenic unless the plasma was treated with kaolin prior to the isolation procedure. PC isolated from plasmas deficient in Factor XII, prekallikrein, or high molecular weight kininogen were not thrombogenic even when the kaolin adsorption step was omitted. These results indicate that Factor XIIa activation of prekallikrein is the initial reaction responsible for the thrombogenicity of PC.
Quantitation of changes in P0 mRNA by polymerase chain reaction in primary cultured Schwann cells stimulated by axolemma-enriched fraction.

Abstract A requirement for large numbers of primary culture cells has frequently restricted investigations of gene expression in glial cells. We have developed a non-radioactive method based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to accurately assess small changes in the expression of the myelin specific gene P0 in Schwann cells. Using axolemma-enriched fraction (AEF) as an inducing agent, we demonstrate that RT-PCR can be used to detect 4–8-fold increases in P0 mRNA levels occurring in a time and dose dependent manner, utilizing only 250 000 cells per assay. Initial experiments used an in vitro transcribed RNA for P0 constructed with a 300 bp deletion for quantitation by competitive RT-PCR. Relative quantitation by co-amplification of the housekeeping gene glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase was established and provided similar results. Product evaluation was enhanced 50–100-fold by the incorporation of primers labelled with biotin at the 5′ end, allowing for the sensitive detection of PCR product by enhanced chemiluminescence and autoradiography. This technique provides sensitivity to detect and evaluate picogram amounts of DNA. Our results validate the assay for P0 gene expression and indicate that the technique should facilitate the study of multiple genes of interest in glial cell systems.