cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linking resilience and sustainability in Ohio township planning

This study connects resilience and sustainability through comprehensive planning. We argue that communities with a comprehensive plan which promotes sustainable development exhibit resilience. We analyze 46 township plans in Central Ohio, in the Midwestern Region of the United States, to examine plan sustainability. The findings show that the township plans do not provide balanced support of sustainability principles and so are not adequately prepared to withstand and adapt to exogenous shocks.
Who Needs What? A Case Study of Post‐disaster Damage and Needs Assessment (DANA) in Vietnam

Disaster damages and losses cannot be wholly eliminated, and it is essential that communities develop strategies to effectively respond when disaster strikes. Accurate accounting of damage and needs following a disaster can help responders to match existing needs with available resources and assets. The goal of this study was to determine the accuracy and completeness of existing damage and needs assessment (DANA) procedures in Vietnam. Evaluations were made based on a review of available DANA records at the central and provincial government levels, as well as on information collected through semi-structured interviews with provincial representatives. Provincial level data were collected in five study provinces: Danang, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue. Results indicate inconsistent DANA templates, procedures, and application. Recommendations include 1) development of a consistent DANA policy; 2) adoption of a standardized methodology for DANA data collection and reporting; and 3) development and implementation of standardized DANA training.
Measured lamination spaces on surfaces and geometric intersection numbers

Abstract In this paper, we produce an elementary approach to Thurston's theory of measured laminations on compact surfaces with non-empty boundary. We show that the theory can be derived from a simple inequality for geometric intersection numbers between arcs inside an octagon.
Attenuation of drinking sweetened water following calcium channel blockade

Abstract Recent reports cite results that both cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and activity stimulation are attenuated by pretreatment with the calcium channel blocker isradipine (ISR) in rats. By blocking voltage-dependent L-type calcium channels, ISR may regulate neural dopamine release that, in turn, decreases the putative rewarding effects mediated by dopaminergic mechanisms. It is known that nonfluid deprived rats avidly consume sweetened fluids; this suggests that the sweet taste is rewarding. Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of ISR on drinking sweetened and nonflavored water. Experiment 1 was designed to test whether ISR would attenuate the intake of a palatable solution in a dose-dependent manner. To this end, ISR was administered both peripherally (3.0–30 mg/kg) and centrally (0.3–30 μg/rat) prior to a solution of saccharin and d-glucose (S + G) being made available to rats (15 min/day) and intake was recorded. ISR produced dose-dependent decreases (38%–81%) in S + G intake dependent on the route of administration. In Experiment 2, water intake was measured in 18 h water-deprived rats following ISR (10 mg/kg) administration as well as comparing S + G drinking. The effect of two ISR vehicles, dimethyl sulfoxide and Tween 80, upon fluid intake was also determined. ISR injection did not attenuate water intake in 18 h water-deprived rats and the choice of vehicle did not affect the ISR-induced attenuation of S + G drinking. In Experiment 3, a single dose (30 μg) of ICV administered ISR, that attenuated S + G intake by approximately 44%, did not attenuate water intake in 18 h water-deprived rats. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that ISR attenuates palatability-induced drinking that is believed to be regulated by neural dopaminergic systems. These findings suggest that calcium channel blockers may modulate brain reward mechanisms.
MAXIMAL CONTRACTION LESSENS IMPACT RESPONSE IN A MUSCLE CONTUSION MODEL

The effect of muscle contraction on a contusion injury model was studied in the gastrocnemius muscle of anesthetized rats. Both limbs of 18 rats received a contusion injury with a blunt non-penetrating impact. One hind limb was relaxed during impact and the other was electrically stimulated to tetanic contraction. The impact was produced using a drop-mass technique (mass = 171 g, height = 101 cm, spherical radius of impactor tip = 6.4 mm). The impact response was determined by sampling (10 kHz) the transmitted impact force and the displacement of the impactor. In a subgroup of nine rats, the severity of the contusion injury was measured by recording contractile tension in twitch and tetanus within two hours of injury. We found that the peak impact force was significantly less (p < 0.01), while the peak impact displacement was significantly greater (p < 0.01) in the contracted limb. Correspondingly, the impact stiffness of the contracted limb was significantly less (p < 0.01) than the impact stiffness in the relaxed limb. Both impacts produced significant injuries relative to an uninjured control group. The tetanic tension (31 +/- 4 N) generated by the muscles that were contracted during impact was significantly (p < 0.03) greater than that generated by the muscles that were relaxed during impact (27 +/- 4 N). The findings from this specific model indicate that the impact response of the limbs with relaxed muscle was dominated by the underlying bone, while maximally contracted muscle decreased the influence of the bone and lessened the impact response. Maximally contracted muscle was not more susceptible to injury and may act as protective mechanism against some impacts.
The effects of photic stimulation upon the variability of the interspike intervals in goldfish ganglion cells

Abstract The coefficient of variation ( C ) of the interspike intervals in ganglion cells presented with repetitive stimulation was analyzed by the use of correlation matrices and autocorrelation functions. In contrast to a similar analysis of total numbers of spikes, no consistent differences were found between ON and OFF responses. C also was unaffected by either spontaneous or stimulus-induced changes in firing rate. It is concluded that the noise responsible for variability of interspike intervals cannot add linearly to the factors determining firing rate; a multiplicative process must be invoked.
Synthesis of Benzyl Diisopropyl 5-Phosphonopentanoate and 5-Phosphonopentanoic Acid: An Analog of Succinyl Phosphate

Benzyl 5-(diisopropoxyphosphoryl)pentanoate (benzyl diisopropyl 5-phosphonopentanoate) was synthesized from 5-bromopentanoic acid in three steps. The first step esterified 5-bromopentanoic acid with benzyl alcohol, the second step was a Finkelstein halogen exchange with sodium iodide, and the third step was a Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction. This compound was characterized by NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry. This compound was hydrolyzed to produce 5-phosphonopentanoic acid, which is an analog of succinyl phosphate and a possible enzyme inhibitor.
Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies for Space Flight Applications: Issues and Remedies

The following is the first in a series of white papers which will be issued as a result of a task to define and qualify space grade fiber optic cable assemblies. Though to qualify and use a fiber optic cable in space requires treatment of the cable assembly as a system, it is very important to understand the design and behavior of its parts. These papers will address that need, providing information and "lessons learned" that are being collected in the process of procuring, testing and specifying the final assemblies. This installment covers information on optical fiber, coatings, cable components, design guidelines and limitations, radiation and reliability.
Selectivity estimation for fuzzy string predicates in large data sets

Many database applications have the emerging need to support fuzzy queries that ask for strings that are similar to a given string, such as "name similar to smith" and "telephone number similar to 412-0964." Query optimization needs the selectivity of such a fuzzy predicate, i.e., the fraction of records in the database that satisfy the condition. In this paper, we study the problem of estimating selectivities of fuzzy string predicates. We develop a novel technique, called SEPIA, to solve the problem. It groups strings into clusters, builds a histogram structure for each cluster, and constructs a global histogram for the database. It is based on the following intuition: given a query string q, a preselected string p in a cluster, and a string s in the cluster, based on the proximity between q and p, and the proximity between p and s, we can obtain a probability distribution from a global histogram about the similarity between q and s. We give a full specification of the technique using the edit distance function. We study challenges in adopting this technique, including how to construct the histogram structures, how to use them to do selectivity estimation, and how to alleviate the effect of non-uniform errors in the estimation. We discuss how to extend the techniques to other similarity functions. Our extensive experiments on real data sets show that this technique can accurately estimate selectivities of fuzzy string predicates.
Transthyretin exon 1: To screen or not to screen? A simple solution

When a patient in a kindred without a known TTR variant is diagnosed with TTR amyloidosis, studies to determine whether the patient has a TTR variant are often undertaken, but whether TTR exon I should be included in this process is not standardized. A simple screening method for exon 1 coding mutations, utilizing a single polymerase chain reaction followed by two restriction digestions and agarose gel electrophoresis, is presented. This method, much simpler than single strand conformation polymorphism or sequencing, makes exon I mutation screening simple and practical on a routine basis.
Generating hypotheses from the web

Hypothesis generation is a crucial initial step for making scientific discoveries. This paper addresses the problem of automatically discovering interesting hypotheses from the web. Given a query containing one or two entities of interest, our algorithm automatically generates a semantic profile describing the specified entity or provides the potential connections between two entities of interest. We implemented a prototype on top of the Google search engine and the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithms.
From Scientific Discovery to Cures: Bright Stars within a Galaxy

We propose that data mining and network analysis utilizing public databases can identify and quantify relationships between scientific discoveries and major advances in medicine (cures). Further development of such approaches could help to increase public understanding and governmental support for life science research and could enhance decision making in the quest for cures.
The RNA Worlds in Context

There are two RNA worlds. The first is the primordial RNA world, a hypothetical era when RNA served as both information and function, both genotype and phenotype. The second RNA world is that of today's biological systems, where RNA plays active roles in catalyzing biochemical reactions, in translating mRNA into proteins, in regulating gene expression, and in the constant battle between infectious agents trying to subvert host defense systems and host cells protecting themselves from infection. This second RNA world is not at all hypothetical, and although we do not have all the answers about how it works, we have the tools to continue our interrogation of this world and refine our understanding. The fun comes when we try to use our secure knowledge of the modern RNA world to infer what the primordial RNA world might have looked like.
EFFECT OF RANDOM GEOMETRIC UNCERTAINTY ON THE COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN OF A 3-D FLEXIBLE WING

The effect of geometric uncertainty due to statistically independent, random, normally distributed shape parameters is demonstrated in the computational design of a 3-D flexible wing. A first-order second-moment statistical approximation method is used to propagate the assumed input uncertainty through coupled Euler CFD aerodynamic / finite element structural codes for both analysis and sensitivity analysis. First-order sensitivity derivatives obtained by automatic differentiation are used in the input uncertainty propagation. These propagated uncertainties are then used to perform a robust design of a simple 3-D flexible wing at supercritical flow conditions. The effect of the random input uncertainties is shown by comparison with conventional deterministic design results. Sample results are shown for wing planform, airfoil section, and structural sizing variables.
Thermal performance of specific heat receiver concepts for advanced solar dynamic applications

The thermal performance of three concepts for thermal energy storage as applied to solar dynamic applications is described. It is recognized that designs providing large thermal gradients or large temperature swings during orbit are susceptible to early mechanical failure. Concepts incorporating heat pipe technology may encounter operational limitations over sufficiently large ranges. The thermal performance of basic designs is reviewed and their relative merits compared. The effect of thermal enhancement and metal utilization as applied to each design is examined, providing a partial characterization of the performance improvements to be achieved by developing these technologies. >
Origins of the cognitive (r)evolution

The well documented cognitive "revolution" was, to a large extent, an evolving return to attitudes and trends that were present prior to the advent of behaviorism and that were alive and well outside of the United States, where behaviorism had not developed any coherent support. The behaviorism of the 1920 to 1950 period was replaced because it was unable to address central issues in human psychology, a failure that was inherent in part in J. B. Watson's founding manifesto with its insistence on the seamless continuity of human and nonhuman animal behavior. The "revolution" was often slow and piecemeal, as illustrated by four conferences held between 1955 and 1966 in the field of memory. With the realization that different approaches and concepts were needed to address a psychology of the human, developments in German, British, and Francophone psychology provided some of the fuel of the "revolution."
Islamic Prayer Groups in Indonesia: Local forums and gendered responses

■ Islamic renewal in Southeast Asia has invited scholars to examine forums in which Muslims express devotion, including prayer groups known as pengajian in Indonesia. Because Indonesian women rarely lecture publically and often comprise the audiences of pengajian, it is assumed that these forums serve the state-sponsored project of domestication of married women into housewives. Based on fieldwork in central Java in the 1980s, this essay cites several urban women's reading group practices, especially their vernacular commentary on Qur'anic verse, as examples of 'resistant reading' and an ethnographic critique of these claims.
Cyclic nucleotides in glutamate chemosensory signal transduction of Paramecium

Glutamate is an attractant stimulus to Paramecium tetraurelia. It causes a hyperpolarization of the cell and smooth, relatively fast swimming that is characteristic of hyperpolarizing stimuli. We show here that by 1-30 seconds of stimulation, glutamate increases intracellular cAMP. Interestingly, other attractant stimuli, such as acetate and NH 4Cl, that similarly hyperpolarize the cell do not induce an increase in cyclic AMP observable at 30 seconds. In order to determine whether the changes in cyclic AMP could be rapid enough to participate in stimulation as compared to slower processes such as adaptation, rapid kinetic measurements of cyclic AMP were made on whole cells by quenched-flow. We found that, in cells stimulated with glutamate, intracellular cyclic AMP increases by 30 mseconds and peaks at about sevenfold over basal levels by 200 mseconds. Cyclic GMP does not change relative to basal levels over rapid or slower time courses of glutamate stimulation. An antagonist of glutamate, IMP, depolarizes the cells and decreases intracellular cyclic AMP by approx. 50% and slightly increases cyclic GMP. Results of behavioral tests of cells treated with protein kinase inhibitors also suggest that cyclic AMP is part of the signal transduction pathway for glutamate, but not for other attractant stimuli. These studies are the first demonstration of a possible role for cyclic nucleotide second messengers in an attractant chemosensory transduction pathway in Paramecium. SUMMARY
Mitochondria in energy-limited states: mechanisms that blunt the signaling of cell death

Cellular conditions experienced during energy-limited states--elevated calcium, shifts in cellular adenylate status, compromised mitochondrial membrane potential--are precisely those that trigger, at least in mammals, the mitochondrion to initiate opening of the permeability transition pore, to assemble additional protein release channels, and to release pro-apoptotic factors. These pro-apototic factors in turn activate initiator and executer caspases. How is activation of mitochondria-based pathways for the signaling of apoptotic and necrotic cell death avoided under conditions of hypoxia, anoxia, diapause, estivation and anhydrobiosis? Functional trade-offs in environmental tolerance may have occurred in parallel with the evolution of diversified pathways for the signaling of cell death in eukaryotic organisms. Embryos of the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana, survive extended periods of anoxia and diapause, and evidence indicates that opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and release of cytochrome c (cyt-c) do not occur. Further, caspase activation in this crustacean is not dependent on cyt-c. Its caspases display regulation by nucleotides that is consistent with ;applying the brakes' to cell death during energy limitation. Unraveling the mechanisms by which organisms in extreme environments avoid cell death may suggest possible interventions during disease states and biostabilization of mammalian cells.
Trunk posture and spinal stability.

Abstract Objective. The influence of trunk posture on musculoskeletal stability of the spine was investigated. Design. A biomechanical model was developed to evaluate the influence of posture on spinal stability. Model performance was assessed by comparing predicted muscle recruitment patterns with measured EMG activity from the trunk muscles during static lifting exertions. Method. An inverted double-pendulum model of the spine controlled by 12 muscle equivalents of the trunk was implemented to determine spinal load and stability. Model input included trunk posture and lifted mass, output included muscle recruitment patterns necessary to achieve stability of the spine and spinal load. EMG activity recorded from the trunk muscles of 10 subjects were recorded during static exertions in various trunk flexion and asymmetric postures to compare with model output. Stable spinal load was examined as a function of trunk flexion and asymmetry during the lifting exertions. Results. Antagonsitic co-contraction was necessary to achieve spinal stability, particularly in upright postures. Stable spinal load was increased in asymmetric postures as a result of antagonistic muscle recruitment, suggesting greater neuromuscular control is necessary to maintain stability in asymmetric lifting postures. As trunk flexion angle increased, stability improved but spinal load was greater. Conclusions. Results illustrate that muscle recruitment patterns are more accurately explained by stability than by equilibrium alone. Spinal stability is influenced by posture. Specifically, control of spinal stability is reduced in asymmetric postures associated with low-back disorder risk. Relevance Traditional assessment of low-back disorder risk have focussed on spinal loading. Results illustrate that postural risk factors for low-back pain may be partially attributable to stability considerations.
Ascertaining causes of neonatal deaths using verbal autopsy: current methods and challenges.

Ascertaining causes of neonatal deaths using verbal autopsy: current methods and challenges
Analysis of isolation and expression analysis of ItCYP79B2 during rust infection of dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria) by Puccinia thlaspeos

Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria) has been shown to have unusually high quantities of indole glucosinolates. It is known that production of glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products is part of a plant's defense response to pathogens and insects. In Arabidopsis thaliana, which, like dyer's woad, is in the family Brassicaceae, the gene sequences encoding CYP79B2 and CYP79B3 catalyze the conversion of tryptophan to indole-3-acetaldoxime during the biosynthesis of indole glucosinolates. In this study, a sequence encoding CYP79B2 was isolated from dyer's woad. ItCYP79B2 from I. tinctoria shows 97% sequence identity with CYP79B2 and 89% sequence identity with CYP79B3 from A. thaliana. Thus, it can be inferred that the I. tinctoria sequence, like that of A. thaliana, is involved in the biosynthesis of indole glucosinolates. The kinetics and amplitude of ItCYP79B2 expression during the first 72 h after infection by the pathogenic rust fungus Puccinia thlaspeos were also studied. There was a significant down-regul...
Small lymphocytic lymphoma obscuring microscopic tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma: an unknown occurrence with a known primary.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often presents with cervical lymph node metastases and at times the primary tumor cannot be identified despite extensive workup. Lymphoma is the second most common neoplasm in the head and neck region but is seldom synchronous with HNSCC and rarely involves regional mucosal sites. We report herein a rare occurrence of tonsillar involvement by small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) incidentally detected during the workup for a cervical lymph node SCC metastasis of a 52-year-old non-smoker male. The microscopic human papillomavirus-positive SCC involving the tonsillar surface and crypts was obscured by SLL leading to the initial designation of ‘unknown primary’. The occult HNSCC are likely explained by small tumor size, quality and quantity of sampling, thoroughness of endoscopic, radiological and pathological assessment or a combination of the above. The coexistence of another tumor such as lymphoma has not yet been reported as a confounding factor in the workup for cervical SCC metastasis. Since oropharyngeal SCC can be very small and Waldeyer’s ring is a common site for lymphoma involvement, identification of such rare collision tumors requires pathologists’ awareness, extensive sampling and occasionally ancillary studies for the accurate diagnosis and staging essential for the correct management.
Structure/property relationships for molecular second-order nonlinear optics

Using a two-state model, it was recently shown that there is an optimal combination of donor and acceptor strengths for a given bridge that will maximize the first molecular electronic hyperpolarizability ((beta) ). To date, molecules with sufficiently strong donors and acceptors have not been synthesized to reach this ideal point. Here we outline synthetic strategies that lead to molecules where (beta) is optimized by tuning the degree of bond alternation in the (pi) -electron system between the donor and acceptor. Implementation of this strategy relies on the realization that molecules with strongly aromatic end groups will not have the correct balance of two limiting charge transfer resonance forms in the ground state to achieve the degree of bond alternation required to optimize the molecular hyperpolarizability. Electric field induced second harmonic generation studies on organic molecules with various bridge structures support our hypothesis.
Trends in the Consumption of Tobacco Products, United States, 1900–1950

HE writer has been fortunate enough to have worked on several occasions during the past decade with confidential data descriptive of the consumption of tobacco products. This paper serves as a vehicle to present some of this descriptive material within the framework of a brief analysis of the principal developments of the usage of tobacco products in the United States during the last 50 years. The organization is such that Part I contains a short graphic summary of these developments and Part II considers them analytically. A statistical note at the end contains tabulations of the new additions to tobacco statistics.'
Preclinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Mouse Cancer Models

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in humans and animal models has been rapidly growing. MRI provides high spatial resolution, excellent tissue contrast, and outstanding definition of the anatomical structure of normal organs and tumors. Because MRI does not require genetically encoded reporters, it can be used for tumor surveillance and the assessment of treatment effects in a variety of mouse cancer models. MRI systems for preclinical imaging typically operate at higher magnetic field strength, ranging from 4.7 to 15 T, as opposed to clinical MRI scanners, which range from 1.5 to 3 T. The higher field strength of dedicated preclinical systems provides higher spatial resolution and higher signal-to-noise ratios. MRI of mouse cancer models requires optimization of numerous parameters, including pulse sequences and radio frequency coils. Here, we describe a protocol covering the general procedures for MRI.
Optimism for new business survival in rural communities: an institutional perspective

This study uses institutional theory to examine the relationship between rural community norms and optimism for new firm survival. A survey of 1161 residents and business owners in 32 rural US communities explored community-wide attitudes toward change and norms related to community and local business sector symbolic and performative actions and their influence on local residents’ optimism about prospects for success of new businesses. Multiple regression analysis revealed that institutional norms supporting change and reflecting positive attitudes regarding residents’ and business owners’ actions in the task environments are positively related to community optimism about new firm survival. Evidence also supports differential effects of population size on norms related to openness to change and retailer performative actions. Findings suggest that the rural community institutional environment may have an influence on efforts to attract and retain new businesses in rural communities.
A Fetish for Gallium Arsenide

An overview of the development of a new dielectric material, cubic-GaS, from the synthesis of new organometallic compounds to the fabrication of a new class of gallium arsenide based transistor is presented as a representative example of the possibility that inorganic chemistry can directly effect the development of new semiconductor devices. The gallium sulfido compound [(tBu)GaS]4, readily prepared from tri-tert-butyl gallium, may be used as a precursor for the growth of GaS thin films by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Photoluminescence and electronic measurements indicate that this material provides a passivation coating for GaAs. Furthermore, the insulating properties of cubic-GaS make it suitable as a the insulating gate layer in a new class of GaAs transistor: a field effect transistor with a sulfide heterojunction (FETISH).
TIF-for-Tax: Leveraging Future Funds for Public and Private Returns on Development – Proposed Changes to Uphold TIF's Purpose and Protect Wisconsin Taxpayers

With shrinking state aid and growing needs, local governments are constantly searching for ways to increase their tax base. One significant tool in the toolbox of local governments in Wisconsin is Tax Incremental Financing (TIF). Through TIF, municipalities aim to attract private development through incentives which leverage future property tax growth to pay for certain aspects of private and public infrastructure supporting the development. Originally aimed at addressing urban blight, legislative enactments over the past few decades have significantly broadened TIF’s applicability and, consequently, diluted its intended purpose. Along the way, the statute’s subjective definitions and limited conditions have not provided an adequate check on the tool’s misuse. Subsequently, absent meaningful reform, TIF’s strategic and influential muscle to address urban blight will continue to diminish. Past calls for reforming TIF have typically supported tinkering changes around the edges, often advocating for even more extended flexibilities and expanded applications. This Comment challenges the notion that piecemeal, reactionary legislative changes are enough to realign TIF with its original purpose and responsibly protect taxpayers. Instead, legislators should support comprehensive reforms that improve clarity and predictability, increase measured objectiveness, and decrease financial risks. Through analyzing historic and contemporary uses and misuses as well as risks and rewards of TIF in Wisconsin, this Comment proposes specific statutory changes to uphold TIF’s original purpose and better protect taxpayers.
Detection of Gene Mutation in Patients with Wilson's disease by Amplified FragmentLength Polymorphism Analysis

Objective:To detect the gene mutation in patients with Wilson's disease(WD)by amplified fragment length polymorphism(Amp-FLP)analysis.Methods:The genotypes of 3 STRsites were detected by Amp-FLP in 4 children with WD and their families.Results:The 4 probands were of homozygote.their families(n=14)were patients with WD(n=1),WD gene-carriers(n=10),normal persons(n=2)and predicted WD gene-carriers(n=1).Conclusion:In order to identify the relative genotype,the detection of STRsite by Amp-FLP is a simple,accurate and feasible method.
The Strategic Adjustment of Chinese Agricultural Advancement

Agriculture is China's strategic industry. To speed up the development of China's agriculture, it is necessary for the government to adjust the strategies of agricultural development, take more direct and more powerful measures, protect agriculture, strengthen agriculture, and support agriculture. The essential way out for China's agricultural development lies in the realization of the industrialization of agriculture. Dependence on the advancement of technology is an important supporting power for the industrialization of agriculture, and the support provided by the government is an important guarantee for the development of agriculture. Based on the condition of our country, the government's policies of supporting agriculture mainly includes: strengthening the construction of water power, subsidizing the production of grain, and establishing a credit system supporting the development of agriculture.
A clinical practice agreement between pharmacists and surgeons streamlines medication management.

Article-at-a-Glance Background Collaborative practice agreements (CPAs), which have been widely used in ambulatory care, were applied to hospital surgical teams in a postsurgical colorectal surgery unit at Mayo Clinic Rochester (Minnesota). Methods The CPA allowed pharmacists the decision rights to initiate, modify, or discontinue medications in accordance with the surgical teams' practice standards, evidence-based medicine, and/or institutional policies without specific request and response from the surgeon/provider. Interventions for CPA and non-CPA groups were captured from a prospectively maintained database. Admission medication reconciliation (patient medication list compared with hospital orders) was compared between CPA patients and non-CPA patients. Time-to-decision and surgical service interruptions were measured by an audit of 50 CPA interventions versus 50 non-CPA interventions. Results For the 135 CPA–eligible colorectal and general surgery patients in January–March 2011, there were 417 pharmacist interventions (3.1 per patient episode), compared with 537 for 305 non-CPA patients on a comparable surgical unit (1.8 per patient episode) (p ≤ .0200). Admission medication reconciliation was completed for 135/135 (100%) of CPA patients versus 220/305 (72%) of non-CPA patients (p ≤ .001). Rules-based interventions with CPA totaled 21/417 (5%) versus 221/537 (41%) without CPA (p ≤ .0001). The time-to-decision (CPA versus non-CPA) was within 1minute versus 0 to 4,320minutes (mean, 314.2minutes; median, 138minutes), respectively (p = .0063). Conclusion The CPA increased pharmacist interventions and increased both accuracy and efficiency in resolving medication-related problems. The CPA streamlined and improved medication management of hospitalized surgical patients.
Civil Society and the Governance of Urban Food Systems in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Rapid urbanization of the planet has placed pressure on humanity to build sustainable, healthy, and socially just cities. In particular, key challenges associated with food access threaten the livability of the urban environment. For this reason, research on urban food systems has increased significantly, as scholars have studied the production, distribution, acquisition, consumption, and waste of food. However, key research gaps persist, as it remains unclear how urban food systems are governed and the roles that different institutions play to ensure that cities are livable. In particular, while food civil society organizations (FCSOs) have emerged as important players in urban food systems in lower-income regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, FCSOs are poorly understood. This has resulted in an inadequate theorization of their institutional roles, governance structures, and potential impacts. To fill this critical research gap, this paper analyzes the roles of FCSOs, including the range of food non-governmental organizations (FNGOs), food community-based organizations (FCBOs), and food social movements (FSMs) in Sub-Saharan Africa. While this paper highlights the range of scholarship devoted to urban food systems, key empirical and theoretical gaps remain unanswered by scholars. Importantly, the size, structure, and spatiality of urban food systems are not well understood. In addition, it remains unclear how FCSOs intersect with broader political, economic, and social processes of inequality. Moreover, given the range of informal livelihood strategies that urban residents utilize to access food, more scholarship is needed to understand the innovative ways that FSCOs are integrated into the daily lives of people residing in Sub-Saharan Africa.
3D region segmentation using topological persistence

A ‘region’ is an important concept in interpreting 3D point cloud data since regions may correspond to objects in a scene. To correctly interpret 3D point cloud data, we need to partition the dataset into regions that correspond to objects or parts of an object. In this paper, we present a region growing approach that combines global (topological) and local (color, surface normal) information to segment 3D point cloud data. Using ideas from persistent homology theory, our algorithm grows a simplicial complex representation of the point cloud dataset. At each step in the growth process we compute the zeroth homology group of the complex, which corresponds to the number of connected components, and use color and surface normal statistics to build regions. Lastly, we extract out the segmented regions of the dataset. We show that this method provides a stable segmentation of point cloud data in the presence of noise and poorly sampled data, thus providing advantages over contemporary region-based segmentation techniques.
The Individual Sources of Discrimination and Prejudice

In Chapter 3 we examined discrimination and prejudice from a macrosocial perspective. Attention was focused primarily on economic and political interests and the institutions through which those interests were expressed. Although some reference to individual tendencies was necessary, they were mainly treated as background for the play of structural forces. We bring them now into the foreground. In this chapter we will be examining the degree to which hostility and discrimination can be accounted for by the study of individual needs, values, and attitudes. Some authors see individual tendencies and microsocial encounters as the major source of discrimination. Others downplay them or even regard the study of them as hindrances to understanding majority-minority relations. We see the structural and individual forces as parts of a single system.
Cogitations on Invariant Measurement

The purpose of this chapter is to trace the evolution of the concept of invariant measurement as it appears in the work of Guttman and Rasch. The first section of the paper describes the concept of invariance. This section includes a detailed description of the perspectives of Guttman and Rasch on invariant measurement. The next section presents a re-analysis of the Stouffer-Toby data set using Guttman scaling and Rasch measurement theory. Finally, the implications for research, theory and practice of measurement are discussed. An earlier version of this research was presented at the Ben Wright Conference in Chicago (April 2003). I dedicate this chapter to Ben because it represents a continuation of my memos to him on the foundational ideas of measurement.
Renal anatomy for endourologic stone removal.

Abstract A transparent kidney model that shows the position of the calices in relation to the surface can be fabricated easily and is invaluable in planning percutaneous nephrostolithotomies and other endourological procedures.
Multiple target site resistance to glyphosate in junglerice (Echinochloa colona) lines from California orchards

Author(s): Morran, Sarah; Moretti, Marcelo L; Brunharo, Caio A; Fischer, Albert J; Hanson, Bradley D | Abstract: BACKGROUND:In California specialty cropping systems such as vineyards and orchards, Echinochloa colona is present as a summer annual weed. It is able to germinate throughout the growing season whenever favorable conditions are present, and management relies heavily on glyphosate applications. Glyphosate-resistant (GR) E. colona biotypes are present in the state, but the levels of resistance observed suggest that there may be differences in mechanisms of resistance among populations. RESULTS:Echinochloa colona lines collected from different regions of California's Central Valley presented resistance levels ranging from 1.4 to 4.3-fold compared to susceptible lines. No differences in the absorption and translocation of [14 C]-glyphosate were observed among lines. Resistant lines accumulated eight-fold less shikimic acid after treatment with 435 and 870 g a.e. ha-1 glyphosate compared to the most susceptible line. Sequencing of a region of the EPSPS gene revealed three single nucleotide changes leading to amino acid substitutions at Proline 106, including Pro106Leu, Pro106Thr and Pro106Ser. CONCLUSION:These results indicate that an altered target site in EPSPS is contributing to resistance in these lines and resistance has evolved independently, multiple times in the Central Valley of California. Additional research is needed to further understand the genomic contributions of resistance loci in this polyploid weed species. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
Postoperative Obstruction of the Pulmonary Veins in Mixed Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a rare form of congenital heart disease in which the pulmonary veins drain by various pathways to the right atrium instead of the left atrium. Postoperative obstruction of the pulmonary veins is a known complication. Identifying risk factors for morbidity and mortality is important for counseling and monitoring. We describe a pattern of postoperative obstruction in a specific arrangement of mixed TAPVC. Five patients with a type of mixed TAPVC, namely, three pulmonary veins connecting to the coronary sinus and the left upper pulmonary vein (LUPV) connecting to the innominate vein, were identified over an 11-year period at our institution. Two additional patients with this TAPVC arrangement were cared for at our institution after having surgery at other institutions. Of these, one patient received only comfort care at birth due to other clinical issues. The six other patients underwent surgical unroofing of the coronary sinus. The anomalous LUPV was not addressed during the initial surgery in any of these cases. Following repair, one patient died from non-cardiac reasons. The remaining five patients all developed obstruction of the repaired pulmonary veins with decompression through the unrepaired LUPV, requiring surgical revision. Three patients underwent a second reoperation as well. Three of the six repaired patients also developed refractory atrial arrhythmias. This cohort suggests that this mixed TAPVC pattern predisposes patients to obstruction after surgical repair. Further investigation may aid pediatric cardiologists in risk-stratifying and counseling these patients. Alternative surgical approaches may need to be considered.
Formal and parental sex education differences among Hispanic young women by nativity status

This study sought to investigate the association between nativity status and Hispanic young women’s formal sex education and parental sex education in the USA. We used data from a cross-sectional s...
A comparison of the test-negative and traditional case-control study designs with respect to the bias of estimates of rotavirus vaccine effectiveness

Estimation of the effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines via the test-negative control study design has gained popularity over the past few years. In this study design, children with severe diarrhea who test positive for rotavirus infection are considered as cases, while children who test negative serve as controls. We use a simple probability model to evaluate and compare the test-negative control and the traditional case-control designs with respect to the bias of resulting estimates of rotavirus vaccine effectiveness (VE). Comparisons are performed under two scenarios, corresponding to studies performed in high-income and low-income countries. We consider two potential sources of bias: (a) misclassification bias resulting from imperfect sensitivity and specificity of the test used to diagnose rotavirus infection, and (b) selection bias associated with possible effect of rotavirus vaccination on the probability of contracting severe non-rotavirus diarrhea. Our results suggest that both sources of bias may produce VE estimates with substantial bias. Particularly, lack of perfect specificity is associated with severe negative bias. For example, if the specificity of the diagnostic test is 90% then VE estimates from both types of case-control studies may under-estimate the true VE by more than 20%. If the vaccine protects children against non-rotavirus diarrhea then VE estimates from test-negative control studies may be close to zero even though the true VE is 50%. However, the sensitivity and specificity of the enzyme immunoassay test currently used to diagnose rotavirus infections are both over 99%, and there is no solid evidence that the existing rotavirus vaccines affect the rates of non-rotavirus diarrhea. We therefore conclude that the test-negative control study design is a convenient and reliable alternative for estimation of rotavirus VE.
Interstitial cystitis: Bladder mucosa lymphocyte immunophenotyping and peripheral blood flow cytometry analysis

AbstractInterstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder disorder of unknown etiology that primarily afflicts women and is characterized by urgency and pain. Although immune mechanisms have been implicated in the disease process, little is known about the local or peripheral blood immune responses. Cryostat sections of snap-frozen bladder biopsies obtained by transurethral resection from 43 patients (24 with classical and 9 with nonulcerative or early interstitial cystitis, and 10 controls) were analyzed using a panel of monoclonal antibodies with an avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique to characterize the local immune response of bladder mucosa. Simultaneously obtained heparinized peripheral blood (10 cc) was analyzed by flow cytometry in 24 patients (9 with classical and 5 with nonulcerative early interstitial cystitis, and 10 controls) using the same panel of antibodies. The control group biopsies (median age 44 years, range 27 to 52 years) had no ulcers, few lymphoid cells (predominately T-helper cells)...
Reality and Truth in the Politically Correct Organization: The Case of the Dan Rather Memo Debacle at CBS News

Political correctness may be considered to represent control over discourse. If that were all it were, it would be a matter of little concern to organizations. However, organizational decisions involve positions that are proposed and defended through discourse. Hence political correctness must imply control over organizational decision-making, and hence over every aspect of the organization. The implication of this is that the psychological dynamics that underlie political correctness come to be the underlying dynamics of the organization as a whole. I illustrate this through a psychoanalytic investigation of the Dan Rather memo debacle at CBS News.
Differential Drivers of Antimicrobial Resistance across the World

ConspectusAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats faced by humankind. The development of resistance in clinical and hospital settings has been well documented ever since the initial discovery of penicillin and the subsequent introduction of sulfonamides as clinical antibiotics. In contrast, the environmental (i.e., community-acquired) dimensions of resistance dissemination have been only more recently delineated. The global spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) between air, water, soil, and food is now well documented, while the factors that affect ARB and ARG dissemination (e.g., water and air quality, antibiotic fluxes, urbanization, sanitation practices) in these and other environmental matrices are just now beginning to be more fully appreciated.In this Account, we discuss how the global perpetuation of resistance is dictated by highly interconnected socioeconomic risk factors and illustrate that development status should be more ful...
The ‘totality-of-the-evidence’ approach in the development of PF-06438179/GP1111, an infliximab biosimilar, and in support of its use in all indications of the reference product

The 'totality-of-the-evidence' biosimilarity concept requires that sufficient structural, functional, nonclinical, and clinical data are acquired in a stepwise manner, to demonstrate that no clinically meaningful differences in quality, safety, or efficacy are observed compared with the reference product. We describe the totality of the evidence for PF-06438179/GP1111 (PF-SZ-IFX; IXIFI™ [infliximab-qbtx]/Zessly®) that supported its approval as an infliximab (IFX) biosimilar for all eligible indications of reference IFX (ref-IFX; Remicade®) in Europe and in the US. Analytical similarity involving in vitro assays capable of distinguishing structural or functional differences between PF-SZ-IFX and ref-IFX formed a foundation for the biosimilarity exercise. Differences identified in N-glycosylation and charge heterogeneity were found not to impact the results in in vitro biological assays reflective of the pharmacology underlying the mechanisms of action (tumor necrosis factor binding, reverse signaling, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity) of IFX across disease indications. Similarity was assessed in a comparative clinical pharmacokinetic study and in a clinical efficacy and safety study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, where therapeutic equivalence between PF-SZ-IFX and ref-IFX provided confirmatory evidence of biosimilarity, and, when coupled with the analytical similarity already established, supported extrapolation to all eligible disease indications of ref-IFX.