cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Techniques for Flow Cytometer Alignment

This unit provides essential knowledge for correctly using any flow cytometer to ensure that data collected are accurate and reliable. Two levels of system alignment are described: routine alignment checks and complete alignment, both of which can be applied to a variety of instrument configurations.
Prenatal findings of branchio-oculo-facial syndrome.

Branchio-oculo-facial syndrome is a disorder characterized by mental retardation, growth deficiency (prenatal and postnatal), ocular defects (including lacrimal duct obstruction and microphthalmia or anophthalmia), abnormal upper lip (including pseudocleft and various degrees of cleft lip), micrognathia, low-set ears, hearing loss, and premature aging.1–6 This syndrome has been described only postnatally. We describe a case in which an ultrasonogram at 15.5 weeks was normal (at the time of amniocentesis), whereas facial malformations showing typical features of this disorder were first detected at 27 weeks.
Major characteristics of constructed products and resulting limitations of construction technology

The products of construction differ in many important ways from those of manufacturing. This paper describes five major characteristics of constructed products: immobility, complexity, durability, costliness, and high degree of social responsibility. These characteristics result in many limitations for construction technology: this paper analyses two of these limitations: the consequences of site operations and specialization. These characteristics suggest both insights regarding directions in developing construction technology and practical applications.
Redesigning Case Retrieval to Reduce Information Acquisition Costs

Retrieval of a set of cases similar to a new case is a problem common to a number of machine learning approaches such as nearest neighbor algorithms, conceptual clustering, and case based reasoning. A limitation of most case retrieval algorithms is their lack of attention to information acquisition costs. When information acquisition costs are considered, cost reduction is hampered by the practice of separating concept formation and retrieval strategy formation. To demonstrate the above claim, we examine two approaches. The first approach separates concept formation and retrieval strategy formation. To form a retrieval strategy in this approach, we develop the CRlc case retrieval loss criterion algorithm that selects attributes in ascending order of expected loss. The second approach jointly optimizes concept formation and retrieval strategy formation using a cost based variant of the ID3 algorithm ID3c. ID3c builds a decision tree wherein attributes are selected using entropy reduction per unit information acquisition cost. Experiments with four data sets are described in which algorithm, attribute cost coefficient of variation, and matching threshold are factors. The experimental results demonstrate that i jointly optimizing concept formation and retrieval strategy formation has substantial benefits, and ii using cost considerations can significantly reduce information acquisition costs, even if concept formation and retrieval strategy formation are separated.
Where's the water? Hydrotropism in plants

Plants are constantly bombarded with sensory inputs and receive numerous biotic and abiotic signals from their environment. Abiotic signals include gravity, light, water, temperature, oxygen, and carbon dioxide as well as other gases. One way in which plants deal with these inputs is by tropistic growth (or tropism), which is directed growth in response to a stimulus. A tropism is generally termed “positive” if growth is toward the signal and “negative” if it is away from the signal. For example, stems usually exhibit positive phototropism, because they grow toward light. One of the lesser-known tropisms is hydrotropism, directed growth in response to water or moisture gradients. Even though hydrotropism had been studied in plant roots by 19th century German botanists (reviewed in refs. 1 and 2) and by the Darwins (3), the existence of this tropism has been questioned until recent years. The paper by Kobayashi et al. (4) in this issue of PNAS uses an interesting system to study hydrotropism and identifies a novel gene in the hydrotropism pathway in roots.
Direct Association between Mouse PERIOD and CKIε Is Critical for a Functioning Circadian Clock

The mPER1 and mPER2 proteins have important roles in the circadian clock mechanism, whereas mPER3 is expendable. Here we examine the posttranslational regulation of mPER3 in vivo in mouse liver and compare it to the other mPER proteins to define the salient features required for clock function. Like mPER1 and mPER2, mPER3 is phosphorylated, changes cellular location, and interacts with other clock proteins in a time-dependent manner. Consistent with behavioral data from mPer2/3 and mPer1/3 double-mutant mice, either mPER1 or mPER2 alone can sustain rhythmic posttranslational events. However, mPER3 is unable to sustain molecular rhythmicity in mPer1/2 double-mutant mice. Indeed, mPER3 is always cytoplasmic and is not phosphorylated in the livers of mPer1-deficient mice, suggesting that mPER3 is regulated by mPER1 at a posttranslational level. In vitro studies with chimeric proteins suggest that the inability of mPER3 to support circadian clock function results in part from lack of direct and stable interaction with casein kinase Iepsilon (CKIepsilon). We thus propose that the CKIepsilon-binding domain is critical not only for mPER phosphorylation but also for a functioning circadian clock.
Equivalence classes of ideals in the nilradical of a Borel subalgebra

An equivalence relation is defined and studied on the set of B-stable ideals in the nilradical of the Lie algebra of a Borel subgroup B. Techniques are developed to compute the equivalence relation and these are carried out in the exceptional groups. There is a natural partial order on equivalence classes coming from inclusion of one ideal in another. A main theorem is that this partial order is a refinement of the closure ordering on nilpotent orbits.
β‐globin matrix attachment region improves stable genomic expression of the Sleeping beauty transposon

The liver is an attractive target for gene therapy due to its extensive capability for protein production and the numerous diseases resulting from a loss of gene function it normally provides. The Sleeping Beauty Transposon (SB-Tn)(1) system is a non-viral vector capable of delivering and mediating therapeutic transgene(s) insertion into the host genome for long-term expression. A current challenge for this system is the low efficiency of integration of the transgene. In this study we use a human hepatoma cell line (HuH-7) and primary human blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) to test vectors containing DNA elements to enhance transposition without integrating themselves. We employed the human β-globin matrix attachment region (MAR) and the Simian virus 40 (SV40) nuclear translocation signal to increase the percent of HuH-7 cells persistently expressing a GFP::Zeo reporter construct by ∼50% for each element; while combining both did not show an additive effect. Interestingly, both elements together displayed an additive effect on the number of insertion sites, and in BOECs the SV40 alone appeared to have an inhibitory effect on transposition. In long-term cultures the loss of plasmid DNA, transposase expression and mapping of insertion sites demonstrated bona fide transposition without episomal expression. These results show that addition of the β-globin MAR and potentially other elements to the backbone of SB-Tn system can enhance transposition and expression of therapeutic transgenes. These findings may have a significant influence on the use of SB transgene delivery to liver for the treatment of a wide variety of disorders.
Displaying Economic Value

AbstractThe distinction between forecast quality and economic value in a cost–loss formulation is well known. Also well known is their complex relationship, even with some instances of a reversal between the two, where higher quality is associated with lower economic value, and vice versa. It is reasonable to expect such counterintuitive results when forecast quality and economic value—both, multifaceted quantities—are summarized by single scalar measures. Diagrams are often used to display forecast quality in order to better represent the multidimensional nature of forecast quality. Here, it is proposed that economic value be displayed as a region on a plot of hit rate versus false-alarm rate. Such a display obviates any need to summarize economic value by a scalar measure. The choice of the axes is motivated by the relative operating characteristic (ROC) diagram, and, so, this manner of displaying economic value is useful for deterministic as well as probabilistic forecasts.
The Dielectric Bolometer, A New Type of Thermal Radiation Detector

Thermal detectors for the infrared, such as thermocouples and bolometers, are limited in their ultimate sensitivity predominantly by Johnson noise rather than temperature noise. Low noise figures are hard to achieve since Johnson noise preponderates temperature noise, which is the only essential noise for thermal detectors. The dielectric constants of some materials are sufficiently temperature dependent to make a new type of bolometer feasible. The basic theory of a dielectric bolometer, as shown here, promises noise figures below 3 decibels even at chopper frequencies well above the 1/tau value of the detector. Ferroelectrics such as barium-strontium titanate and others seem to be well suited for radiation-cooled dielectric bolometers.
Identification of genes involved in cytochrome c biogenesis in Shewanella oneidensis, using a modified mariner transposon

A modified mariner transposon, miniHimar RB1, was generated to mutagenize cells of the metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis. The use of this transposon led to the isolation of stable mutants and allowed rapid identification of disrupted genes. Fifty-eight mutants, including BG104 and BG148 with transposon insertions in the cytochrome c maturation genes ccmC and ccmF1, respectively, were analyzed. Both mutants were deficient in anaerobic respiration and cytochrome c production.
Intrinsic growth and microzooplankton grazing on toxigenic Pseudo-nitzschia spp. diatoms from the coastal northeast Pacific

We investigated the population ecology of toxigenic diatoms within the genus Pseudo-nitzschia on the Pacific Northwest coast during 2003, 2004, and 2005. Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were widespread and abundant across the region, and the maximum density reached at our experimental stations was ,7 3 106 cells L21. Pseudo-nitzschia spp. biomass did not correlate with total phytoplankton biomass, indicating that the growth response and/or mortality rate of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were dissimilar to other phytoplankton. In dilution experiments across wide-ranging ocean conditions, Pseudo-nitzschia spp. intrinsic growth rates were moderate to high (x ¯ 5 0.97 d21, range 0.24 d21 to 2.30 d21, n 5 36), and they were consistently higher than the corresponding growth rates of the aggregate ,5-mm and .5-mm chlorophyll a (Chl a) communities. Pseudo-nitzschia spp. growth was predicted by irradiance and temperature but not ambient nitrate concentration, whereas both Chl a size fractions showed dependence upon nitrate for growth. Microzooplankton grazing rates on Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were moderate (x ¯ 5 0.32 d 21 , range 0.00 d 21 to 1.70 d 21 , n 5 36); they were nearly always lower than corresponding Pseudonitzschia spp. intrinsic growth, significantly lower than the grazing rates on the ,5-mm Chl a size fraction, and comparable to grazing rates on the .5-mm Chl a size fraction. Our results show that the strong competitive fitness of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. results more from expression of characteristics that enable sustained high growth during variable and unfavorable conditions than from intrinsic adaptations that reduce grazing mortality.
The rate of permafrost carbon release under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and its potential effects on climate

Recent observations suggest that permafrost thaw may create two completely different soil environments: aerobic in relatively well-drained uplands and anaerobic in poorly drained wetlands. The soil oxygen availability will dictate the rate of permafrost carbon release as carbon dioxide (CO2) and as methane (CH4), and the overall effects of these emitted greenhouse gases on climate. The objective of this study was to quantify CO2 and CH4 release over a 500-day period from permafrost soil under aerobic and anaerobic conditions in the laboratory and to compare the potential effects of these emissions on future climate by estimating their relative climate forcing. We used permafrost soils collected from Alaska and Siberia with varying organic matter characteristics and simultaneously incubated them under aerobic and anaerobic conditions to determine rates of CO2 and CH4 production. Over 500 days of soil incubation at 15 °C, we observed that carbon released under aerobic conditions was 3.9–10.0 times greater than anaerobic conditions. When scaled by greenhouse warming potential to account for differences between CO2 and CH4, relative climate forcing ranged between 1.5 and 7.1. Carbon release in organic soils was nearly 20 times greater than mineral soils on a per gram soil basis, but when compared on a per gram carbon basis, deep permafrost mineral soils showed carbon release rates similar to organic soils for some soil types. This suggests that permafrost carbon may be very labile, but that there are significant differences across soil types depending on the processes that controlled initial permafrost carbon accumulation within a particular landscape. Overall, our study showed that, independent of soil type, permafrost carbon in a relatively aerobic upland ecosystems may have a greater effect on climate when compared with a similar amount of permafrost carbon thawing in an anaerobic environment, despite the release of CH4 that occurs in anaerobic conditions.
BioMaPS: A Roadmap for Success.

The manuscript outlines the impact that our National Science Foundation Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biological and Mathematical Sciences program, BioMaPS, has had on the students and faculty at Murray State University. This interdisciplinary program teams mathematics and biology undergraduate students with mathematics and biology faculty and has produced research insights and curriculum developments at the intersection of these two disciplines. The goals, structure, achievements, and curriculum initiatives are described in relation to the effects they have had to enhance the study of biomathematics.
THE RECUSAL ALTERNATIVE TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM

Typical campaign finance proposals focus on limiting the amount of money that can be contributed to candidates and the amount of money that candidates can spend. This article suggests an alternative proposal that places no restrictions on contributions or spending, but rather targets the corrupting influence of contributions. Under the proposals, legislators would be required to recuse themselves from voting on issues directly affecting contributors. I contend that this proposal would prevent corruption and the appearance of corruption while remedying the first amendment objections to the regulation of money in campaigns.
Changes in the pharyngeal and esophageal musculature in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. Report of 2 cases.

Two patients with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, in whom the pharynx and esophagus were examined at necropsy, are presented. It is postulated that the dysphagia in both resulted from the histologic changes of muscular dystrophy which affected the striated musculature of the pharynx and upper esophagus.
Selective Proteolytic Degradation of Guest-Host Assembled, Injectable Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels.

There have been significant advances in the past decades toward the engineering of materials with biomimetic properties. In particular, hydrogels covalently cross-linked with protease degradable peptides have demonstrated the importance of protease mediated degradation for targeted therapeutic cargo delivery and controlling cell-material interactions. However, the incorporation of such degradation mechanisms into synthetic shear-thinning hydrogels has yet to be accomplished. Herein, we utilize supramolecular self-assembly mediated by the guest–host interaction of hyaluronic acid (HA) separately modified by adamantane (Ad) or cyclodextrin (CD) to form shear-thinning and self-healing hydrogels. In this design, Ad is bound to HA via a proteolytically degradable peptide tether (attached via Michael-addition of a cysteine residue in an Ad-terminated peptide with maleimide modified HA), enabling subsequent proteolytic degradation of the assembly. Upon mixing of the Ad-peptide modified HA and the CD modified HA,...
Dynamic Analysis on Legal Infectious Diseases in Muping District of Yantai City during 2004-2009

[Objective]To investigate the distribution,epidemic trends and characteristics of legal infectious diseases in Muping District of Yantai City,and provide scientific evidence for developing control measures.[Methods]Descriptive epidemiology was adopted to perform classification statistical analysis on legal infectious diseases data of resident population in Muping District during 2004-2009.[Results]Totally 17 kinds of legal infectious diseases were reported in recent 6 years,with 4160 cases.The annual incidence was max in 2004(157.23/ 100 000) and mini in 2005(121.89/ 100 000),the average annual incidence was 134.2/ 100 000.Of all cases reported in the past 6 years,the incidence of hematogenic infectious disease and sexual infectious disease were at the top of the list,with cases up to 1795,taking up 43.15%of the total cases;followed by respiratory infectious disease,with 1317 cases(31.66%);the 3rd was intestinal infectious disease,with 773 cases(18.58%).The main infectious diseases were viral hepatitis,tuberculosis and dysentery.[Conclusion]Strengthening the control of hematogenic infectious disease,sexual infectious disease,and respiratory infectious disease are the focus of infectious disease prevention and control in Muping District.Meanwhile,the control and surveillance of intestinal infectious disease should be strengthened continuously to consolidate its control effect.
Employing Resistance and Resilience in Pursuing K-12 Schooling and Higher Education Lived Experiences of Successful Female First-Generation Students of Color

Drawing upon standpoint theory and phenomenology, this study chronicles the lived experiences of 16 successful female first-generation students of color as they pursued K-12 schooling and accessed ...
Indel Group in Genomes (IGG) Molecular Genetic Markers

Genetic markers are essential when developing or working with genetically variable populations. Indel Group in Genomes (IGG) markers are primer pairs that amplify single-locus sequences that differ in size for two or more alleles. They are attractive for their ease of use for rapid genotyping and their codominant nature. Here, we describe a heuristic algorithm that uses a k-mer-based approach to search two or more genome sequences to locate polymorphic regions suitable for designing candidate IGG marker primers. As input to the IGG pipeline software, the user provides genome sequences and the desired amplicon sizes and size differences. Primer sequences flanking polymorphic insertions/deletions are produced as output. IGG marker files for three sets of genomes, Solanum lycopersicum/Solanum pennellii, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) Columbia-0/Landsberg erecta-0 accessions, and S. lycopersicum/S. pennellii/Solanum tuberosum (three-way polymorphic) are included.
Managing stormwater for urban sustainability: an evaluation of local comprehensive plans in the Chesapeake Bay watershed region

This study uses a developed plan coding protocol in evaluating the quality of 76 comprehensive plans to examine whether local comprehensive plans have adequately integrated the concepts of sustaina...
Timing of Coping Instruction Presentation for Real-Time Acute Stress Management: Long-Term Implications for Improved Surgical Performance

The purpose of this project was to inform the presentation timing of coping strategies during an acutely stressful task, to be integrated into a visual real-time biofeedback display for stress management. We gathered skin temperature, electrocardiography, and electroencephalography data, and presented a coping instruction on various time schedules while participants played a first-person shooter computer game. Heart rate variability (HRV) preceding and following significantly elevated peaks of stress at times when a message was presented was compared to times of comparable stress when a message was not presented. In general, around times of significantly elevated heart rate (HR), presenting a coping instruction resulted in an increase in HRV. At analogous times of elevated HR when a message was not presented, the downstream results indicated a decrease in HRV in most cases. These results support that HRV over relatively short time windows before and after a peak of elevated stress can be a sensitive indicator of acute stress. We can confirm that the presence of a message at a physiologically-relevant time reduced physiological stress within the subset of peaks analyzed. The findings imply that presenting coping instructions at the time of an acute stress response restores downstream physiological indicators representative of stress, and that not doing so can be detrimental.
Norms and monetary fines as deterrents, and distributive effects

Both social norms and monetary fines can deter acts that are privately beneficial but socially undesirable. The number and the identities of those who commit the acts differ between with norms and with fines. Fines are more likely to make higher-income individuals better off than norms. As a society becomes more affluent, fines are more likely to increase the number of those who commit than norms, and norms become the better system of deterring socially undesirable acts.
Public health framing and attribution: Analysis of the first lady’s remarks and news coverage on childhood obesity

AbstractFirst Lady Michelle Obama’s public health promotion “Let’s Move” seeks to place children on a path to better health by giving families access to health education and fostering healthier environments. We examined the use of public health framing and attribution of responsibility in the First Lady’s remarks and newspaper articles reporting on childhood obesity. We coded the Whitehouse.gov website for remarks made by the First Lady regarding the childhood obesity prevention program “Let’s Move.” Of the 103 remarks coded, 35% of the remarks used public health framing. The First Lady’s remarks attributed responsibility and solutions for the childhood obesity crisis in terms of environmental factors, rather than individual factors. Using the same themes, we coded a sample of 260 articles that reported on “Let’s Move” specifically or childhood obesity generally, published during the same time period as the First Lady’s remarks. Approximately 20% of the articles used public health framing and similarly at...
Evaluation of radiolabeled instant solid meal products for gastric emptying studies

2416 Objectives The standard for gastric emptying studies is radiolabeled eggs. An alternative for patients allergic to eggs includes oatmeal or corn products. The research objective was to establish an effective method to evaluate radiolabeling and to determine the labeling efficiency of various solid meal products. Methods In order to evaluate an effective labeling method, Tc-99m SC (1.1 mCi) was added to a conical vial containing 50ml saline. After agitation, the vial was centrifuged at low speed for 2 minutes and activity distribution performed. Three specific solid meal products were evaluated: instant oatmeal; gluten-free instant oatmeal, and polenta. Each solid meal product was prepared by adding boiling water (150ml) followed by Tc-99m SC (1mCi). After mixing for 5 minutes, three aliquots from each meal were placed in conical vials and water added. All samples were centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 2 minutes to separate bound from unbound solid meal. The activity of each labeled meal and supernatant was measured using a dose calibrator and percent radiolabeling efficiency calculated. Results Following centrifugation of Tc-99m SC in a conical vial (50ml), equal distribution of Tc-99m SC was observed from activity distribution data, indicating that a distinct separation of unbound Tc-99m SC and Tc-99m labeled solid meal was possible. The radiolabeling efficiency of instant oatmeal, gluten-free oatmeal, and polenta was 61%, 70%, and 79%, respectively. Conclusions An effective method to evaluate radiolabeling of solid meal products with Tc-99m SC was demonstrated. All solid meal products evaluated were effectively radiolabeled withTc-99m SC. Higher radiolabeling efficiency was demonstrated for Tc-99m gluten-free instant oatmeal and polenta
The Effects of Feminist Mobilization and Women's Status on Universities' Reporting of Rape.

ABSTRACTWhen establishing the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, President Obama reminded universities of their obligation to report accurate rape statistics to the Department of Education. Research has not determined, on a national scale, what factors explain variation in (under)reporting. Using data from 413 top universities’ websites and institutional and archival data, we examine how state- and university-level factors shape universities’ rape reporting. Universities with a greater feminist presence and antiviolence activism, and those located in states where women have higher socioeconomic status and more American Association of University Women partnerships, report more rapes. We examine underreporting as an institutional rather than an individual-level phenomenon, connect campus reporting to the larger reporting literature, and provide practical policy and program implications.
MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR KIMIA SISWA KELAS X PERSIAPAN GRAFIKA 3 MELALUI PENERAPAN STRATEGI PETA KONSEP SETTING KOOPERATIF TIPE STAD DI SMK NEGERI 1 PALLANGGA KABUPATEN GOWA

Masalah yang dikaji dalam penelitian ini adalah bagaimana menerapkan langkah-langkah pembelajaran strategi peta konsep tipe STAD untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar kimia siswa kelas X Persiapan Grafika 3 SMK Negeri I Pallangga Kabupaten Gowa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menemukan langkah-langkah pembelajaran strategi peta konsep tipe STAD untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar kimia siswa kelas X Persiapan Grafika 3 SMK Negeri I Pallangga Kabupaten Gowa Hipotesis dalam penelitian ini yaitu jika langkah-langkah pembelajaran strategi peta konsep setting tipe STAD diterapkan dalam proses pembelajaran kimia pada materi pokok tatanama senyawa kimia dan persamaan reaksi ,hukum-hukum dasar dan perhitungan kimia ,maka hasil belajar kimia siswa kelas X Persiapan Grafika 3 SMK Negeri 1 Pallangga akan meningkat. Pendekatan yang digunakan yaitu dengan metode penelitian tindakan kelas. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui teknik pengamatan, tes, angket, dan dokumentasi, kemudian dianalisis secara induktif. Hasil penggunaan pembelajaran strategi peta konsep setting tipe STAD yaitu dapat mempermudah siswa dalam memahami materi tatanama senyawa kimia dan persamaan reaksi ,hukum-hukum dasar dan perhitungan kimia dan dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar kimia siswa kelas X Persiapan Grafika 3 SMK Negeri 1 Pallangga. Pada hasil tes tindakan siklus I 21 siswa yang tuntas (52,50 %) . Pada tindakan siklus II hasil belajar siswa meningkat, di mana 36 siswa ( 90 %) yang memperoleh nilai ketuntasan di atas 75 dan nilai tertinggi dicapai 87 dengan nilai rata-rata 78,25 %. Kata Kunci: hasil belajar, strategi peta konsep, tipe STAD
Static Single Country Hedging Models

In this chapter we develop extensions of the models in Chapter 6 by allowing the inclusion of hedged financial instruments in addition to the unhedged instruments. We recall that hedging refers to any type of strategy whose primary goal is to offset any investment risk. A perfect hedge reflects the elimination of the possibility of any gains or losses. Obviously, it is difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish perfect hedging.
Risk of Cancer Recurrence Among Individuals Exposed to Antitumor Necrosis Factor Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Background Patients with immune-mediated disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis are increasingly treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. The safety of anti-TNF therapy in patients with a history of cancer requires further evaluation. We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis of observational studies including patients with a history of cancer exposed to anti-TNF therapy assessing for a risk of new cancer or cancer recurrence. Materials and methods A computerized literature search of MEDLINE, Google scholar, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was performed through September 1, 2015. Study characteristics, quality, and risk of bias were assessed. Random-effects model meta-analyses were used to estimate the risk of new cancer development or cancer recurrence. Results Nine English-language observational studies including patients with a history of cancer and exposed to anti-TNF therapy were idenitifed. The pooled incidence rate ratio of new or recurrent cancer among individuals with a history of cancer exposed to anti-TNF therapy was not significantly different compared with control therapies (incidence rate ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-1.37). Subgroup analyses were performed according to disease type, underlying cancer diagnosis, time to initiation of anti-TNF therapy and study quality. Heterogeneity of study populations, heterogeneity of the included cancer subtypes and utilization of observational studies limits the study quality. Conclusions The risk of new cancer or cancer recurrence among patients with a history of cancer and use of anti-TNF therapy is similar to the risk with nonbiological disease modifying therapies. These results support the use of anti-TNF medications in select populations despite prior diagnosis of cancer.
A Failed Challenge to Validity Generalization: Addressing a Fundamental Misunderstanding of the Nature of VG

The lengthy and complex focal article by Tett, Hundley, and Christiansen (2017) is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of validity generalization (VG): It is based on the assumption that what is generalized in VG is the estimated value of mean rho ( ). This erroneous assumption is stated repeatedly throughout the article. A conclusion of validity generalization does not imply that is identical across all situations. If VG is present, most, if not all, validities in the validity distribution are positive and useful even if there is some variation in that distribution. What is generalized is the entire distribution of rho ( ), not just the estimated or any other specific value of validity included in the distribution. This distribution is described by its mean ( ) and standard deviation (SDρ ). A helpful concept based on these parameters (assuming ρ is normally distributed) is the credibility interval, which reflects the range where most of the values of ρ can be found. The lower end of the 80% credibility interval (the 90% credibility value, CV = – 1.28 × SDρ) is used to facilitate understanding of this distribution by indicating the statistical “worst case” for validity, for practitioners using VG. Validity has an estimated 90% chance of lying above this value. This concept has long been recognized in the literature (see Hunter & Hunter, 1984, for an example; see also Schmidt, Law, Hunter, Rothstein, Pearlman, & McDaniel, 1993, and hundreds of VG articles that have appeared in the literature over the past 40 years since the invention of psychometric meta-analysis as a means of examining VG [Schmidt & Hunter, 1977]). The is the value in the distribution with the highest likelihood of occurring (although often by only a small amount), but it is the whole distribution that is generalized. Tett et al. (2017) state that some meta-analysis articles claim that they are generalizing only . If true, this is inappropriate. Because has the highest likelihood in the ρ distribution, discussion often focuses on that value as a matter of convenience, but is not what is generalized in VG. What is generalized is the conclusion that there is validity throughout the credibility interval. The false assumption that it is and not the ρ distribution as a whole that is generalized in VG is the basis for the Tett et al. article and is its Achilles heel. In this commentary, we examine the target article's basic arguments and point out errors and omissions that led Tett et al. to falsely conclude that VG is a “myth.”
Distribution of Herbicide-Resistant Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) in Indiana and Characterization of Distinct Glyphosate-Resistant Biotypes

Giant ragweed is a highly competitive weed that continually threatens crop production systems due to evolved resistance to acetolactate synthase—inhibiting herbicides (ALS-R) and glyphosate (GR). Two biotypes of GR giant ragweed exist and are differentiated by their response to glyphosate, termed here as rapid response (RR) and non—rapid response (NRR). A comparison of data from surveys of Indiana crop fields done in 2006 and 2014 showed that GR giant ragweed has spread from 15% to 39% of Indiana counties and the NRR biotype is the most prevalent. A TaqMan® single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay was developed to identify ALS-R populations and revealed 47% of GR populations to be ALS-R as well. The magnitude of glyphosate resistance for NRR populations was 4.6 and 5.9 based on GR50 and LD50 estimates, respectively. For RR populations, these values were 7.8 to 9.2 for GR50 estimates and 19.3 to 22.3 for LD50 estimates. A novel use of the Imaging-PAM fluorometer was developed to discriminate RR plants by assessing photosystem II quantum yield across the entire leaf surface. H2O2 generation in leaves of glyphosate-treated plants was also measured by 3,3′-diaminobenzidine staining and quantified using imagery analysis software. Results show photo-oxidative stress of mature leaves is far greater and occurs more rapidly following glyphosate treatment in RR plants compared with NRR and glyphosate-susceptible plants and is positively associated with glyphosate dose. These results suggest that under continued glyphosate selection pressure, the RR biotype may surpass the NRR biotype as the predominant form of GR giant ragweed in Indiana due to a higher level of glyphosate resistance. Moreover, the differential photo-oxidative stress patterns in response to glyphosate provide evidence of different mechanisms of resistance present in RR and NRR biotypes.Nomenclature: Glyphosate; giant ragweed, Ambrosia trifida L. AMBTR.
A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial of armodafinil for fatigue in patients with gliomas undergoing radiotherapy.

2004 Background: Fatigue is a common symptom among glioma patients and affects quality of life. Armodafinil, a wakefulness-promoting medication, benefits patients with fatigue of various causes. This study evaluates the effects of armodafinil on fatigue in glioma patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). Methods: Eligibility criteria included age ≥ 18; Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥ 60; grade 2-4 glioma undergoing RT to a total dose of 50-60 Gy with or without chemotherapy. Patients were randomized 1:1 to armodafinil (A) or placebo (P). Fatigue assessments were made at baseline, Day 22, Day 43, and Day 56 with the FACIT-F Fatigue Scale, Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), and Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS). The primary aim is to detect a difference in the 42-day change in FACIT-F fatigue subscale scores between the two groups using a 2-sample Wilcoxon statistic. Secondary outcomes include a 42-day change in CFS and BFI. Results: Data is available for 77 of the 80 patients (40 in A and 37 in P). In the armo...
3D conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration

Abstract This chapter provides an overview of current state-of-the-art research on the design and production of 3D conduits produced via electrofluidodynamic technologies for peripheral nerve regeneration. After a brief introduction of nerve pathophysiology and current clinical treatments for nerve injuries, it focuses on the description of different approaches to produce mono-, multicomponent, or multilayered electrospun conduits with random or aligned structures, describing their fabrication, advantages, and in vivo outcomes. The possibility of functionalizing electrospun tubes with biomolecules, such as trophic factors, drugs, or proteins, will be explored, as well as the potential of combining different electrofluidodynamic techniques (spinning and spraying) and micro- and nanotechnologies in order to produce more advanced and biomimetic architectures. The chapter concludes with future perspectives and challenges for the design, fabrication, and clinical applications of electrospun nerve conduits.
Does Drug Trafficking Impact Terrorism? Afghan Opioids and Terrorist Violence in Central Asia

ABSTRACTThe relationship between drug trafficking and terrorism remains a contentious issue. While some assert that drug trafficking is a strong predictor of terrorism, others contest this observat...
Sound propagation effects of near-seabed internal waves in shallow water

Computational modeling is used to examine effects of near-seabed nonlinear internal waves. Waves of this type have been observed many times on the South New-England Shelf and elsewhere. The waves appear to be common when the dominant vertical density gradient zone is near the seabed. Many observations have been with profilers that alias the waves, or with instruments fixed to the seafloor that provide snapshots of passing waves. We have recently observed these features in greater detail using acoustic remote sensing from a ship, and we are now in a position to model their effects on sound propagation. Results are presented for many frequencies and many source/receiver/wave geometries. An important question remains about along-crest coherence of the waves, which would govern ducting and other anisotropic propagation effects. These waves are not as well studied as waves linked to a near-surface pycnocline, which can be studied remotely with EM via surface signature. The strong density gradients found in man...
HIV-1 Matrix Protein Interactions with tRNA: Implications for Membrane Targeting

The N-terminally myristoylated matrix (MA) domain of the HIV-1 Gag polyprotein promotes virus assembly by targeting Gag to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Recent studies indicate that, prior to membrane binding, MA associates with cytoplasmic tRNAs (including tRNALys3), and in vitro studies of tRNA-dependent MA interactions with model membranes have led to proposals that competitive tRNA interactions contribute to membrane discrimination. We have characterized interactions between native, mutant, and unmyristylated (myr-) MA proteins and recombinant tRNALys3 by NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. NMR experiments confirm that tRNALys3 interacts with a patch of basic residues that are also important for binding to the plasma membrane marker, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2]. Unexpectedly, the affinity of MA for tRNALys3 (Kd = 0.63 ± 0.03 μM) is approximately 1 order of magnitude greater than its affinity for PI(4,5)P2-enriched liposomes (Kd(apparent) = 10.2 ± 2.1 μM), and NMR studies indicate that tRNALys3 binding blocks MA association with liposomes, including those enriched with PI(4,5)P2, phosphatidylserine, and cholesterol. However, the affinity of MA for tRNALys3 is diminished by mutations or sample conditions that promote myristate exposure. Since Gag-Gag interactions are known to promote myristate exposure, our findings support virus assembly models in which membrane targeting and genome binding are mechanistically coupled.
Continuous Subcutaneous Delivery of a Glucagon Analog, ICA6150349, to Rats and Nonhuman Primates Demonstrates Safety and Tolerability in a 14-Day Toxicity Study

ICA6150349, a 38-amino-acid peptide, is a glucagon analog that is highly selective for the human glucagon receptor. In a 14-day toxicity study, rats and cynomolgus monkeys received ICA6150349 at doses of 0, 0.875, 8.75, 87.5 mcg/day and 0, 17.92, 179.2, 3584 mcg/day, respectively. Animals were evaluated for reversibility of findings for an additional 14 days. The TK characteristics of ICA6150349 were also determined. In rats, there was a pharmacologically expected dose-dependent decrease in body weight (BW) gains and food consumption, which demonstrated a recovery trend. Clinical pathology and anatomic pathological changes, largely restricted to the exaggerated pharmacological effect of glucagon at high exposures, had mostly recovered during the dose-free period. ICA6150349 exposures (AUC0-24) increased dose-proportionally in male and female rats on D2. On D14, exposure was 40-60% lower than on D2 in the 0.875 and 8.75 mcg/day dose groups and similar to D2 in the 87.5 mcg/day dose group after adjustment for changes in BW. ADAs were observed in rats from all dose groups, but did not impact the TK of ICA6150349. In cynomolgus monkeys, the effects of ICA6150349 were limited to minimally decreased RBC mass (hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and hematocrit) at 3584 mcg/day with recovery. ICA6150349 exposure (AUC0-24) increased dose-proportionally on D2. On Day 14, exposures were 14-65% lower than on D2 in all groups except the 3584 mcg/day females. ADA were observed in 46.7% of treated monkeys; however, ADA status only affected TK at the 3584 mcg/day dose level. Overall, ICA6150349 was well tolerated. Nonclinical safety studies identified no adverse effects (based on the minimal magnitude of change, severity grading and reversibility) at any dose level tested with a NOAEL of 87.5 mcg/day in rats and 3584 mcg/day in monkeys. All observed effects have been non-adverse, reversible, and consistent with known actions of glucagon. Disclosure D. Zane: None. R. Singh: None. J. Shelton: None. S. Roller: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. M. Paulik: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. J. Way: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. W.C. Blackwell: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. V. Srivastava: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. R. Hodge: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. P.L. Feldman: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. T.R. Alessi: Employee; Self; Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc..
Sports-Related Crime: A Game Theory Approach

Sports-related crime is a variant of white-collar crime, one of the modern day versions of this can be seen in the phenomenon of match-fixing. This chapter uses the Game Theory approach to analyze the problem of sports-related crime. Game theory is applied to gain insight regarding the conflict between thoughtful and deceitful adversaries and is employed to analyze the interactions between law enforcement and defendants who commit sports-related crimes. The Prisoner’s Dilemma will be employed to gain further insight into the dynamics that ensue amongst the various players – law enforcement, prosecutor, and players. After examining the levels of sports-related crime, formulating a cognitive valence map along with its approximations, and estimating its legal parameters and implications, the author suggests some preventive legal strategies. It concludes by highlighting the crucial need for more data at a global level that could assist researchers, law enforcement, and academics to get a better insight into this problem. It further calls for the creation of a Global Database on Sports-Related Crime.
Studies of controlled reperfusion after ischemia. XXI. Reperfusate composition: superiority of blood cardioplegia over crystalloid cardioplegia in limiting reperfusion damage--importance of endogenous oxygen free radical scavengers in red blood cells.

Postischemic damage is caused partially by oxygen free radical-mediated injury. This study will show that (1) crystalloid cardioplegia with room air oxygen is deleterious because it is devoid of free radical scavengers and (2) blood cardioplegia limits damage because it contains endogenous free radical scavengers in red blood cells. Methods: Thirty-two dogs underwent 2 hours of ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 20 minutes of regional blood cardioplegic reperfusion on bypass. Ten dogs received only the blood cardioplegic solution (containing its endogenous free radical scavengers); five received initial blood cardioplegia (5 minutes) with endogenous free radical scavengers (catalase and glutathione peroxidase) blocked by aminotriazole and N-ethylmaleimide, respectively; 12 received initial crystalloid cardioplegic solution oxygenated by room air (oxygen tension = 150 mm Hg); seven without and five with exogenous free radical scavengers (superoxide dismutase, catalase, coenzyme Q10); five received initial deoxygenated crystalloid cardioplegic solution (oxygen tension = 6 mm Hg); and five received deoxygenated crystalloid cardioplegic solution. Results: Blood cardioplegia with endogenous free radical scavengers produced the best recovery of systolic shortening (69% systolic shortening) and resulted in the least histochemical damage (11% triphenyltetrazolium chloride nonstaining). The worst recovery and most damage occurred if blood cardioplegia was preceded by oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia (3% systolic shortening, 48% triphenyltetrazolium chloride nonstaining; p
Re-Evaluation Based on Social Comparison

As described in the two previous chapters, one can re-evaluate oneself in ways to increase positive affect (or decrease negative affect) in a particular life domain. In the previous two chapters we focused on using this strategy by manipulating expectancies based on one’s personal history and self-concept. In this chapter I will describe a similar strategy, however the focus here will be on manipulating expectancies based on social comparisons. I will describe how this strategy works and explain how people experience subjective well being guided by three motives, namely self-enhancement, self-improvement, and self-identification. Then I will describe an offshoot principle of social comparison dealing with fictitious occurrences.