cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crimes, disorders, and the demand for handguns: An empirical analysis

In a recent paper, Bordua and Lizotte (1979) analyze determinants of firearm ownership using cross-sectional data for Illinois counties. Noting that firearms may be purchased for the purpose of sport, self-protection, or crime, they present clear evidence of sporting demand and limited evidence of defensive motives in the pattern of gun ownership. Crime rates are significant only in the equation explaining gun ownership by women (1979: 161). The purpose of the present article is to supplement the findings of Bordua and Lizotte and earlier empirical studies by focusing on the demand for handguns alone. In particular, the article analyzes the role of crime rates and fear of violence in motivating citizens to buy and keep handguns. For this purpose, aggregate time-series and cross-sectional data on handgun sales were collected and analyzed. Because handguns are durable pieces of equipment, it is necessary to use a model that distinguishes the stock of handguns at any one time from the rate of handgun purchases. Language: en
Novel Immunoreactive Glycoprotein Orthologs of Ehrlichia spp.

We previously identified a strongly immunoreactive 43 kDa protein (p43) of Ehrlichia canis. As an immunodiagnostic antigen, the p43 had a 96% accuracy as compared with IFA and provided species-specific diagnosis of E. canis infections. Further investigation has revealed that the E. canis p43 represents the N-terminal portion of the largest immunoreactive protein described in Ehrlichia spp. with a predicted molecular mass of 153 kDa. Analysis of the recombinant N-terminal region (p43) of the p153 by protein gel electrophoresis demonstrated a larger than predicted molecular mass (approximately 30%), and presence of carbohydrate glycans, indicating that the p153 is a glycoprotein. A BLASTn search was performed on the E. chaffeensis genome sequence (95%), and the gene encoding the p153 ortholog was identified in E. chaffeensis. The E. canis p153 (4,263 bp) and E. chaffeensis p156 (4,389 bp) genes had similar chromosomal locations, downstream of the homologous (approximately 87%) deoxyguanosine-triphosphate triphosphohydrolase genes, and homologous (approximately 90%) intergenic sequences preceding the open reading frames. Nucleic acid sequence homology (52%) observed between the glycoprotein genes supported previous findings with regard to genetic divergence of the p43 gene fragment, and the p153 and p156 proteins had amino acid similarity of 32%. A native E. canis protein with a molecular mass of 200 kDa reacted with antisera produced against the N-terminal region (p43) of the p153, suggesting that the native protein was posttranslationally modified. Similarly, recombinant constructs of E. chaffeensis p156 migrated larger than predicted (approximately 200 kDa), and carbohydrate was detected on the recombinant proteins. The chromosomal location, amino acid homology, and biophysical properties support the conclusion that the p153 and p156 glycoproteins (designated gp200s) are species-specific immunoreactive orthologs.
On-Chip Continuous Blood Cell Subtype Separation by Deterministic Lateral Displacement

This paper presents a microfluidic device for continuous human blood cell subtype separation using the deterministic lateral displacement principle. Based on their significant size and shape differences, three major cell types of human whole blood - platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells -were demonstrated to be directly separated using a two-stage separation strategy. Even though all white blood cells are spherical and have diameters within a narrow range (8-20mum), the initial limitation for using this principle to separate white blood cell subtypes was conquered by attaching larger polystyrene microbeads to one of the subtypes to amplify the size differences. Specifically, continuous separation of human CD4+ T helper lymphocytes from other white blood cell subtypes was achieved with high purity and recovery due to the underlying high affinity and high specificity of the antigen-antibody interaction used to attach the microbeads to the lymphocytes. With our novel approach, the pure population of one blood cell subtype can be effectively isolated by exploring the deterministic lateral displacement principle, which has the advantages of the simplicity, high speed and high resolution. Because many cells express unique surface markers, this method can theoretically be applied to separate any target cell type from a heterogeneous mixture for downstream analysis.
Surviving repeated waves of organizational downsizing: The recency, duration, and order effects associated with different forms of layoff contact.

Abstract In this paper we examine: (1) recency and duration effects of layoff contact; and (2) the order effects associated with different types of layoff contact experiences. Workers employed by a large company engaged in repeated waves of downsizing completed questionnaires in 1997, 1999, and 2003. Using data only from workers who experienced indirect or direct layoff contact at each time period (N=460), we found some evidence that recent direct experiences were associated with significant group differences for intent to quit and depression. There was also some evidence to suggest that a single direct layoff experience still affected workers’ levels of job security, even when this experience occurred some 6 years prior to the Time 3 measurement. The largest within-group changes in scores over time were typically found among workers experiencing an indirect experience followed by a direct experience, suggesting that the order of events impacted worker job security, intent to quit, and depression. For wor...
Cln3-Associated Kinase Activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Is Regulated by the Mating Factor Pathway

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle is arrested in G1 phase by the mating factor pathway. Genetic evidence has suggested that the G1 cyclins Cln1, Cln2, and Cln3 are targets of this pathway whose inhibition results in G1 arrest. Inhibition of Cln1- and Cln2-associated kinase activity by the mating factor pathway acting through Far1 has been described. Here we report that Cln3-associated kinase activity is inhibited by mating factor treatment, with dose response and timing consistent with involvement in cell cycle arrest. No regulation of Cln3-associated kinase was observed in a fus3 kss1 strain deficient in mating factor pathway mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Inhibition occurs mainly at the level of specific activity of Cln3-Cdc28 complexes. Inhibition of the C-terminally truncated Cln3-1-associated kinase is not observed; such truncations were previously identified genetically as causing resistance to mating factor-induced cell cycle arrest. Regulation of Cln3-associated kinase specific activity by mating factor treatment requires Far1. Overexpression of Far1 restores inhibition of C-terminally truncated Cln3-1-associated kinase activity. G2/M-arrested cells are unable to regulate Cln3-associated kinase, possibly because of cell cycle regulation of Far1 abundance. Inhibition of Cln3-associated kinase activity by the mating factor pathway may allow this pathway to block the earliest step in normal cell cycle initiation, since Cln3 functions as the most upstream G1-acting cyclin, activating transcription of the G1 cyclins CLN1 and CLN2 as well as of the S-phase cyclins CLB5 and CLB6.
Aerobic Biotransformation of n-Tetradecylbenzyldimethylammonium Chloride by an Enriched Pseudomonas spp. Community

The biotransformation of n-tetradecylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride (C(14)BDMA-Cl), a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), under aerobic conditions by an enriched microbial community growing on benzalkonium chlorides (BACs) was investigated. Biotransformation of C(14)BDMA-Cl commenced with cleavage of the C(alkyl)-N bond and formation of benzyldimethylamine (BDMA). BDMA was further degraded, but in contrast to a previously reported BAC biotransformation pathway, neither benzylmethylamine (BMA) nor benzylamine (BA) was detected as a BDMA biotransformation product. Kinetic assays further confirmed that BMA and BA were not intermediates of C(14)BDMA-Cl transformation by the enriched community. Thus, BDMA is thought to be transformed to dimethylamine and benzoic acid via debenzylation. The biomass-normalized rate of C(14)BDMA-Cl biotransformation was 0.09 μmol/[mg of volatile suspended solids (VSS)·h]. The Microtox acute toxicity EC(50) value of BDMA was 500 times higher than that of C(14)BDMA-Cl. Thus, the aerobic biotransformation of C(14)BDMA-Cl to BDMA results in substantial toxicity reduction. Phylogenetic analysis of Bacteria diversity indicated that the majority of the sequenced clones (98% of the clone library) belonged to the genus Pseudomonas.
THE POSTCRANIAL SKELETON OF EARLY EOCENE PAKICETID CETACEANS

A comparative analysis of the postcranial skeletal morphology of three species of pakicetid cetaceans provides new insights into their locomotor behavior. In gross morphology, they are similar to their smaller early artiodactyl relatives, lacking obvious signs of their transition to an aquatic niche. Features linking them are related to a cursorial adaptation centered in the reduction of joint mobility to the parasagittal plane, evident in both the elbow and the ankle. In addition to cursorial features of the limbs, the earliest whales and early artiodactyls both possess a long, stable lumbus and robust tails. The three pakicetid genera can be distinguished by size, proportion, and details of articular morphology. However, all pakicetid postcrania bear microstructural specializations commensurate with aquatic locomotion, and incompatible with cursoriality. The most striking modification is the presence of systemic increased bone density, likely used as skeletal ballast. When both postcranial morphology and microstructure are considered, it can be concluded that pakicetid cetaceans were highly adapted for an aquatic niche. As in several extant semiaquatic taxa, the pakicetid tail undoubtedly contributed to its locomotor repertoire, whether in propulsion or stabilization.
Definition of normalcy in whole-day ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

In this study we have performed 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitorings in age-matched normotensive and hypertensive male subjects. The data have been analyzed in an attempt to define standards for the clinical use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in the diagnosis of hypertension. The data were analyzed with respect to possible differences in the averages of the whole-day, daytime and nighttime blood pressures, and differences in the prevalence of abnormal blood pressures between the two groups. A considerable overlap was found between the two groups with respect to the various blood pressure averages. The overlap in blood pressures occurred in fewer patients for diastolic than for systolic blood pressure, and less often when nighttime pressures were considered. Hypertensive men showed on average a greater incidence of abnormal blood pressures than normotensive subjects. However, nine of the normotensive control subjects showed more than 25 percent of abnormal readings of systolic or diastoli...
Business Games as a Marketing Extension Tool

GROWTH in size of agricultural marketing firms has caused some concern among extension specialists as to the future educational programs for their changing clientele. As the extension specialist searches for teaching methods to fit the needs of his clientele, the use of business games should be considered. These games are now used in the training programs of many of the larger industrial concerns and are commonly used to teach management principles to undergraduate and graduate business students. A large number of different types of gaming devices have been developed by universities, computer manufacturers and industrial firms and are readily available to potential users.The purpose of this article is to acquaint the extension specialist with business games and to relate our experiences in using them for extension teaching. Most of the observations made apply equally to the use of games in collegiate teaching. Business gaming represents an extension of case study methods of teaching where teams compete with each other in satisfying specified objectives. Participants normally make a sequence of decisions where changing market conditions, competitors' behavior or other factors must be considered while case study methods normally involve static considerations. Decisions made by one team normally influence the position of all other teams.
Courts and Conflict Resolution: Problems in the Mobilization of Adjudication

This article attempts to assess the role of courts and other adjudicative institutions in the definition, interpretation, and management of conflict. Understanding the function of courts requires an understanding of a society's entire range of conflict management mechanisms. Particular emphasis is placed on those variables most likely to determine where and how conflicts will be solved. Adjudicative institutions can be effectively differentiated by a typology which measures the level of formality in procedures and the degree of “publicness.” The structure of a dispute-resolving institution will have an important effect on which disputes are presented to it and how they are decided. The nature of the dispute, goals of the disputants, social context, and political culture are also important variables. Government has an important stake in the manner in which disputes arise and are resolved. It may promote or require the resolution of some disputes in the courts while allowing others to be resolved in less public and formal arenas. Formal litigation may provide a model for private dispute resolution. It may also absorb and deflect grievances before they escalate into more organized and intense demands on the political system. Finally, litigation may have an important effect on system stability by promoting support for regime values.
Phonon scattering in strained transition layers for GaN heteroepitaxy

Strained transition layers, which are common for heteroepitaxial growth of functional semiconductors on foreign substrates, include high defect densities that impair heat conduction. Here, we measure the thermal resistances of AlN transition layers for GaN on Si and SiC substrates in the temperature range $300lTl550$ K using time-domain thermoreflectance. We propose a model for the effective resistance of such transition films, which accounts for the coupled effects of phonon scattering on defects and the two interfaces. The data are consistent with this model using point defects at concentrations near 10${}^{20}$ cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and transmission coefficients based on the diffuse mismatch model. The data can be also described using lower transmission coefficients and eliminating the defects in the AlN. The data and modeling support the hypothesis that point defect scattering in the AlN film dominates the resistance, but may also be consistent with a high presence of near-interfacial defects in the bounding films.
The Toxicity of Young Cells of Salmonella Paratyphi A and B when Lysed by Bacteriophage

At least four theories have been advanced concerning the formation of toxic substances by the Salmonella group: (1) the toxic substance is an amine formed by the bacteria from the protein of the culture medium; (2) the poisonous substance is a true exotoxin; (3) the toxic material is a preformed substance present in the young cell and liberated when the cell dies and is autolyzed; (4) the toxic substance is a product of the decomposition of the bacterial cell.
Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Tongling county of Anhui province during 2008～2009 years

Aim To know the epidemiological characters of Hand-foot-mouth Disease(HFMD) for 468 cases during 2008～2009 years,and provide the scientific evidence for HFMD control and prevention in the future.Method Analyze the 468 HFMD cases from the National Disease Surveillance Report System in Tongling county.Results There are 468 cases reported during 2008～2009,the peak epidemic period is from April to June.61.75% is children who live in home,children who are less than 5 years old is 95.09%,the rate male to female is 1.56∶1.Conclusion The susceptive population of HFMD is children who live in home and less than 5 years old,during the HFMD control and prevention,health education for the parents who live in the rural should be paid a close attention,the kindergartens are the important sites.
Amphetamine exposure during adolescence alters anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and prefrontal cortex dopamine receptor expression in adulthood

Aims: We have previously demonstrated in male rats that repeated exposure to amphetamine (AMPH) from earlyto midadolescence [postnatal day (P) 27 to 45] persistently alters the function of dopamine D1 receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Here, we determined if this functional change was associated with altered D1 expression in the mPFC and nucleus accumbens (NAc), whether the timing of drug exposure (earlyvs. late-adolescence) influenced drug-induced plasticity, and whether adolescent AMPH exposure altered anxietyand depression-like behavior. Methods: Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=78) were treatedwith salineor3mg/kgAMPH(i.p.) everyotherday (10 injections total) during early (P27 to 45) or late adolescence (P37 to 55). Sucrose preference (SP) tests were then performed after 1, 7, and 21 days of withdrawal. For each test, the consumption of water and 1% sucrose was measured for 48h. Before the last SP test, anxietylike behavior was assessed by measuring activity in an open-field arena and an elevated plus maze (EPM). Rats were sacrificed after finishing the last SP test, the mPFC and NAc were collected, and D1 protein levels were measured using Western blot analysis. Results: AMPH exposure induced a decrease of SP during the first test. In the EPM, early, but not late, AMPH treatment increased time spent in open arms. Lastly, we found decreased D1 levels in the mPFC following early AMPH exposure. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest that adolescent AMPH exposure induces lasting changes in mPFC D1 expression, which may play a role in the anhedonia and “risk taking” behavior we observed. Importantly, these drug-induced changes are more robust following earlycompared to late-adolescent exposure, suggesting a heightened vulnerability to AMPH in early adolescence. Financial support: This study is supported byNIH (DA 029815).
Transureteroureterostomy: Experience with 75 Cases

AbstractSince 1969 transureteroureterostomy has been done on 75 patients, mostly children. In the majority of cases the procedure was used simultaneously with reimplantation of the opposite ureter. The patients had been referred with previous failed ureteral reimplantation or for undiversion. The complication rate was low. Many of the cases could not have been reconstructed except by use of transureteroureterostomy or transureteropyelostomy. Transureteroureterostomy is a useful procedure that should be considered in a wide variety of urologic cases. By following certain general principles of avoiding tension, angulation and devascularization it can be done with a high success rate and few complications.
Trace Element Variations in Deccan Basalts: Roles of Mantle Melting, Fractional Crystallization and Crustal Assimilation

The variation in incompatible trace element contents of lower basaltic dykes and flows from different parts of the Deccan province was assessed through modelling of partial melting of primitive mantle and fractional crystallization of the parental melts coupled with crustal assimilation (AFC). Variations in Ba/Zr, Rb/Y and Nb/Y can be attributed to different degrees of partial melting of mantle. Variations in Zr, rare earth elements and Rb/Nb indicate fractional crystallization and significant coupled crustal assimilation away from the Deccan plume center. The Zr variation near the plume center can be explained through only fractional crystallization without the involvement of crust. AFC modelling of available Sr-Nd isotope data requires very high and unreasonable amounts of crustal assimilant implying that the parental magmas may have acquired their isotopic characteristics before AFC occurred in crustal magma chambers. The occurrence of AFC away from the plume center in the Narmada-Tapti rift region may be related to longer and greater magma-Wall rock interaction in shallow crustal magma chambers due to crustal extension-Related enlargement of the magma chambers, recharge with fresh, hot magma and convective mixing.
The Impact of WIC on Infant Immunizations and Healthcare Utilization in the First Year of Life

We investigate how prenatal participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) impacts health care utilization and immunizations within the first year of an infant’s life. We utilize unique, comprehensive South Carolina Medicaid claims data in conjunction with birth certificates data for births from 2004-2012. We employ two methods to account for potentially non-random WIC participation: maternal fixed effects and propensity score matching. Both sets of estimates suggest that WIC participation broadly increases future preventive health care usage, as measured by well child visits and vaccinations, and the use of care in an emergency room. While the propensity score matching estimates suggest that WIC participation increases the probability of an infant requiring inpatient care, both sets of estimates show that WIC participation decreases the average number of days an infant spends in the hospital within their first year of life which may be associated with substantial reductions in health care expenditures.
Strong Concepts for Designing Non-verbal Interactions in Mixed Reality Narratives

As next-generation augmented reality (AR) devices, referred to by companies like Microsoft as mixed reality (MR) headsets, enter the market non-verbal interaction paradigms for storytelling should be designed to take advantage of the new technical affordances. By ascertaining strong concepts, a model used in the HCI community to describe intermediate knowledge that sits between theory and practice for generating new interaction designs, a foundation for future work in MR, based on the existing technical affordances and interaction behaviors of AR and virtual reality (VR), can be developed. Strong concepts free interaction designers to explore potential interaction gestalts based on current behaviors and technologies. The framework is useful for speculating on effective non-verbal interactions in MR narratives as the platform is still being established. Interaction designers can use these foundational strong concepts as a starting point to develop a toolset for non-verbal interactions in future MR interactive digital stories.
A needs assessment of education research topics among surgical educators in the United States

Abstract Background There are currently no courses that focus specifically on surgical education research. A needs assessment of surgical educators is required to best design these courses. Methods A cross-sectional survey-based study on all faculty members of the Association for Surgical Education was done to determine their education research needs. Results The overall response rate was 15% and the majority of the 78 respondents were physicians (63%) in their mid- to late career stage (65%). Participants thought research topics should be taught at an advanced level in a workshop format. Senior educators were less interested than junior educators in learning to create conceptual frameworks (p = 0.038) and presenting their research at national meetings (p = 0.014). Conclusions Surgical educators desire more training in education research techniques that are taught in a workshop format at a national surgical education meeting. These workshops may lay the groundwork for a nationally recognized certificate in surgical education research.
Immunomodulatory Effects of the Triterpenoid CDDO after Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation in Mice: Reduction of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease Lethality.

The use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in cancer treatment is seriously hampered by the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and cancer relapse. During acute GVHD, inflammatory cytokines play a pivotal role in the amplification of GVHD. Therefore, assessment of agents with known anti-neoplastic activity that also reduce cytokine production may be useful in both the prevention of GVHD and cancer relapse. The synthetic triterpenoid, CDDO (2-cyano-3, 12-dioxooleana-1, 9-dien-28-oic acid) is multifunctional molecule which has shown potent anti-cancer activities both in vitro and in vivo through the induction of apoptosis. We first examined the effects of CDDO on both human and murine T cell mitogen responses in vitro. CDDO significantly inhibited mitogen responsiveness of both human and murine T cells in vitro with evidence of cell cycle arrest of the human T cells. We then proceeded to examine the effects of CDDO on acute GVHD induction and progression. In these studies, lethally irradiated C57BL/6 mice received 10 million bone marrow cells (BMC) and 40 million spleen cells from fully MHC-mismatched BALB/c donors. All of the control mice succumbed rapidly due to acute GVHD. In contrast, the mice that received CDDO (120 ug/BID) given from days 0-3 following BMT exhibited significant improvement in survival (P < 0.001). Body weights from the treated mice also were significantly increased compared to untreated controls. We found that the timing of CDDO administration was a critical factor for protection from GVHD as protection only occurred when CDDO was administered early after BMT. Importantly, donor myeloid reconstitution was not adversely affected by CDDO treatment as determined by peripheral blood cell count and donor chimerism assessment on day +14 post-transplant. No adverse toxicities or effects on reconstitution were observed in the mice receiving BMC alone with CDDO being administered continuously. Given the reported direct anti-tumor effects of CDDO, it will be of particular interest in examining the effects of CDDO and allogeneic BMT in tumor-bearing recipients. Our findings suggest that CDDO can enhance the efficacy of allogeneic BMT by decreasing acute GVHD in mice.
Nigeria: The Giant of Africa

This chapter provides a short introduction to the history of Nigeria and its culture. It defines what Islamic law is, why it has different shades of meaning and how it developed from its origin in the 1800s until today. It concludes by pointing out that the application of Islamic law is not new and that Nigeria operates three legal systems: common law, Islamic law and native law.
Children with 5'-end NF1 gene mutations are more likely to have glioma.

Objective To ascertain the relationship between the germline NF1 gene mutation and glioma development in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Methods The relationship between the type and location of the germline NF1 mutation and the presence of a glioma was analyzed in 37 participants with NF1 from one institution (Washington University School of Medicine [WUSM]) with a clinical diagnosis of NF1. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using both unadjusted and weighted analyses of this data set in combination with 4 previously published data sets. Results While no statistical significance was observed between the location and type of the NF1 mutation and glioma in the WUSM cohort, power calculations revealed that a sample size of 307 participants would be required to determine the predictive value of the position or type of the NF1 gene mutation. Combining our data set with 4 previously published data sets (n = 310), children with glioma were found to be more likely to harbor 5'-end gene mutations (OR = 2; p = 0.006). Moreover, while not clinically predictive due to insufficient sensitivity and specificity, this association with glioma was stronger for participants with 5'-end truncating (OR = 2.32; p = 0.005) or 5'-end nonsense (OR = 3.93; p = 0.005) mutations relative to those without glioma. Conclusions Individuals with NF1 and glioma are more likely to harbor nonsense mutations in the 5' end of the NF1 gene, suggesting that the NF1 mutation may be one predictive factor for glioma in this at-risk population.
On the Problem of Affective Nihilism

In this chapter, I offer a comprehensive account of affective nihilism in Nietzsche’s thought. Most basically, affective nihilism is a psychophysiological condition in which a preponderance of affects that interrupt or obstruct one’s end-directedness function to weaken one’s will and vitality. This condition manifests in prolonged will-weakness and involves a (conscious or unconscious) negative evaluation of life and this-worldly existence: in short, it results in the formation of a life-denying perspective. This (implicitly or explicitly) life-denying perspective inhabited by the affective nihilist is, in turn, perpetuated by the nihilist’s continued experience of harmful affects. In the final section of this chapter, I indicate the significance of recognizing the transpersonal dynamics that occur in certain cases of affective nihilism.
What matters most: protocol for a randomized controlled trial of breast cancer surgery encounter decision aids across socioeconomic strata.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women. Mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery (BCS) have equivalent survival for early stage breast cancer. However, each surgery has different benefits and harms that women may value differently. Women of lower socioeconomic status (SES) diagnosed with early stage breast cancer are more likely to experience poorer doctor-patient communication, lower satisfaction with surgery and decision-making, and higher decision regret compared to women of higher SES. They often play a more passive role in decision-making and are less likely to undergo BCS. Our aim is to understand how best to support women of lower SES in making decisions about early stage breast cancer treatments and to reduce disparities in decision quality across socioeconomic strata. We will conduct a three-arm, multi-site randomized controlled superiority trial with stratification by SES and clinician-level randomization. At four large cancer centers in the United States, 1100 patients (half higher SES and half lower SES) will be randomized to: (1) Option Grid, (2) Picture Option Grid, or (3) usual care. Interviews, field-notes, and observations will be used to explore strategies that promote the interventions’ sustained use and dissemination. Community-Based Participatory Research will be used throughout. We will include women aged at least 18 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of early stage breast cancer (I to IIIA) from both higher and lower SES, provided they speak English, Spanish, or Mandarin Chinese. Our primary outcome measure is the 16-item validated Decision Quality Instrument. We will use a regression framework, mediation analyses, and multiple informants analysis. Heterogeneity of treatment effects analyses for SES, age, ethnicity, race, literacy, language, and study site will be performed. Currently, women of lower SES are more likely to make treatment decisions based on incomplete or uninformed preferences, potentially leading to poorer decision quality, quality of life, and decision regret. This study hopes to identify solutions that effectively improve patient-centered care across socioeconomic strata and reduce disparities in decision and care quality. NCT03136367 at ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol version: Manuscript based on study protocol version 2.2, 7 November 2017.
Reduction of suicidality during clozapine treatment of neuroleptic-resistant schizophrenia: impact on risk-benefit assessment.

OBJECTIVE: Suicide has been reported to occur in 9%-13% of schizophrenic patients. It has been suggested that neuroleptic-resistant or neuroleptic-intolerant schizophrenic patients are at higher risk for suicide than neuroleptic-responsive patients. Clozapine is the treatment of choice for neuroleptic-resistant patients, but its use has been greatly limited because of its ability to cause potentially fatal agranulocytosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the suicidality of neuroleptic-resistant and neuroleptic-responsive patients and to determine if clozapine treatment decreased suicidality in the former group. METHOD: Prior episodes of suicidality were assessed in a total of 237 neuroleptic-responsive and 184 neuroleptic-resistant patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Eighty-eight of the neuroleptic-resistant patients were treated with clozapine and prospectively evaluated for suicidality for periods of 6 months to 7 years. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in prior suicidal episodes between neuroleptic-responsive and neuroleptic-resistant patients. Clozapine treatment of the neuroleptic-resistant patients during the follow-up period resulted in markedly less suicidality. The number of suicide attempts with a high-probability of success decreased from five to zero. This decrease in suicidality was associated with improvement in depression and hopelessness. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a basis for reevaluation of the risk-benefit assessment of clozapine, i.e., that the overall morbidity and mortality of patients with neuroleptic-resistant schizophrenia are less with clozapine treatment than with typical neuroleptic drugs because of less suicidality. This conclusion also has implications for increasing the use of clozapine with neuroleptic-responsive patients. Language: en
PATTERNS OF ABUNDANCE ACROSS AN URBAN-RURAL GRADIENT FOR COMMONLY FOUND INDIGENOUS ARTHROPODS

Proof of concept for a continuous environmental sampling methodology that employs common terrestrial arthropods as environmental samplers was tested by analyzing pitfall, malaise and black light captures over a six month period over a replicated urban-suburbanrural gradient in Central Virginia. All arthropods captured at the nine sites were identified and assigned to aquatic, vegetation, or soil groups based on their association with these microhabitats. To offset variability in arthropod life history patterns and species abundance within habitat types, arthropod categories based on presence/absence data over the six month period were constructed to provide for sampling reliability within each microhabitat type. Arthropod categories ranged from single abundant species and families to synthetic groupings based on microhabitat associations (e.g., “soil beetles”), all of which could be easily identified. Mean weekly captures of individuals in each resulting category were compared within and among the nine sites using GLM or ranks analyses. Overall and weekly mean capture rates in the aquatic (two categories), soil (seven categories) and vegetation (11 categories) microhabitats were similar within each habitat type. With the exception of the two aquatic category members (midges and caddisflies), overall, monthly and weekly mean capture rates of all arthropod categories were highest in suburban and lowest in urban habitats. Results demonstrate reliability of the arthropod categories constructed and provide ground truthing for a continuously deployable and user-friendly arthropod-based system for monitoring environmental agents.
Canonical Operators on Graphs

This paper studies canonical operators on finite graphs, with the aim of characterizing the toolbox of linear feedback laws available to control networked dynamical systems.
Bounding the resource availability of activities with linear resource impact

We introduce the Linear Resource Temporal Network (LRTN), which consists of activities that consume or produce a resource, subject to absolute and relative metric temporal constraints; production and consumption is restricted to linear functions of activity duration. We show how to construct tight bounds for resource availability as a function of time in LRTNs; for a broad class of problems, the complexity is polynomial time in the time horizon h and the number of activities n. Our approach extends a maximum flow formulation previously used to construct tight bounds for networks of events with instantaneous resource impact. We construct the bounds in two parts: we make direct use of maximum flows to find local maxima of the upper bound (and symmetrically local minima of the lower bound), and we solve a related linear programming problem to find local minima of the upper bound (and symmetrically local maxima of the lower bound).
Current Trends in Breast Augmentation: Analysis of 2011-2015 Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Tracer Data.

BACKGROUND:Breast augmentation is the most common aesthetic surgery performed in the United States. Despite its popularity, there is no consensus on many aspects of the procedure. OBJECTIVES:The authors assessed current trends and changes in breast augmentation from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015. METHODS:A retrospective cross-sectional study of 11,756 women who underwent breast augmentation based on the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) Maintenance of Certification Tracer Database was performed. RESULTS:There were clearly dominant trends in how ABPS-certified plastic surgeons performed breast augmentations. Most surgeries were performed in freestanding outpatient (47.3%) or office operating room (33.7%). The inframammary fold incision was most popular (75.1%), followed by periareolar (17.8%) and transaxillary approaches (4.1%). Implants were more commonly placed in a submuscular pocket (30.6%) compared with dual plane (26.7%) or subglandular (6.7%). Silicone implants (66.8%) were favored over saline (25.1%), with a statistically significant increase in silicone prostheses from 2011 to 2015. Data were "not applicable" or "other" in the remainder of cases. Administration of both preoperative antibiotics (3.8% in 2011, 98.7% in 2015, P < 0.05) and deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) prophylaxis (3.8% in 2011, 90.6% in 2015, P < 0.05) dramatically increased during the study period. Overall adverse events (7.4%) and reoperation rates (2.2%) were low. CONCLUSIONS:Changes in standard of care for breast augmentation are reflected by the evolving practice patterns of plastic surgeons. This is best evidenced by the dramatic increase in use of antibiotic and DVT prophylaxis from 2011 to 2015. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4:
Distributed Consensus of Euler-Lagrange Systems Under Switching Directed Graphs

The consensus problem of Euler-Lagrange networks with parametric uncertainties is addressed in this paper. In particular, we present an adaptive distributed control algorithm that solves the leaderless consensus problem without conservative assumptions on the directed and switching interaction between agents. The proposed algorithm is based on an additional dynamical system that ensures the control objective without the need of relative velocity signals. We further show that the proposed protocol can be extended to take into account the discontinuity of the input torque that results from the switching interaction between agents. Simulation results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control schemes.
Corrigendum to “Some constructions of biharmonic maps and Chen’s conjecture on biharmonic hypersurfaces” [J. Geom. Phys. 62 (2012) 751–762]

Abstract We give a correction to a mistake in Proposition 2.1 in the title mentioned paper, examine and correct or point out the consequences that are affected by the mistake.
Outer Membrane Translocon Communicates with Inner Membrane ATPase To Stop Lipopolysaccharide Transport

The survival of Gram-negative bacteria depends on assembly of the asymmetric outer membrane, which creates a barrier that prevents entry of toxic molecules including antibiotics. The outer leaflet of the outer membrane is composed of lipopolysaccharide, which is made at the inner membrane and pushed across a protein bridge that spans the inner and outer membranes. We have developed a fluorescent assay to follow lipopolysaccharide (LPS) transport across a bridge linking proteoliposomes that mimic the inner and outer membranes. We show that LPS is delivered to the leaflet of the outer membrane proteoliposome that corresponds to the outer leaflet of the membrane in a cell. Transport stops long before substrates at the inner membrane are exhausted. Using mutants of the transport machinery, we find that the final amount of LPS delivered into the membrane depends on the affinity of the outer membrane translocon for LPS. Furthermore, ATP hydrolysis depends on delivery of LPS into the outer membrane. Therefore, t...
Reframing conversations about teacher quality: school and district administrators’ perceptions of the validity, reliability, and justifiability of a new teacher evaluation system

In changing accountability contexts, policymakers are engaging in international dialogue and collaborative efforts with new opportunities to reframe conversations about how to measure teacher quality and to (re) design and implement evaluation systems accordingly to ensure that they are fair, useable, feasible, and accurate. This study examined the lived experiences of school and district administrators in a large, fast-growth, suburban district in the USA regarding their districts’ new teacher evaluation system to better understand their perceptions of the system’s validity and reliability such that justifiable conclusions may be drawn about teachers’ effectiveness. Given concerns regarding validity and reliability, administrators generally discouraged external, high-stakes uses of evaluation results but valued the evaluation process and the data it provides for supporting teacher growth. As part of a larger study including teachers, findings can inform policymakers seeking to reform teacher evaluation frameworks to emphasize professional growth over high-stakes consequences.
Abstract TP233: Sex Differences in30-DayReadmission Rates After Ischemic Stroke - A Nationwide Study

Introduction: As far as we are aware, there are no published studies that have examined the influence of sex on U.S. national short-term readmission rates after hospitalization for an index ischemi...
Making Music American: 1917 and the Transformation of Culture, by E. Douglas Bomberger

On the afternoon of September 12, 1917, American federal agents conducted an unannounced investigation of Karl Muck’s summer residence in Seal Harbor, Maine. Given his proclaimed German allegiances...
Perceived Utility of the Internet-Based Safety Plan in a Sample of Internet Users Screening Positive for Suicidality

Background: The Internet may offer resources for individuals who struggle with suicidality but have no access to other resources or fail to use them. Aims: To develop an automated, self-guided Internet-based safety plan (IBSP), and to evaluate its use and perceived utility among individuals who report suicidality online. Method: Participants (N = 150) were recruited from a depression/suicide screening website. Participants developed personalized safety plans and reported their perceived utility. Results: Participants reported moderate utility of the IBSP. Participants' demographic and clinical characteristics were not related to any metrics reflecting the perceived utility of the IBSP, suggesting that the ISBP does not appeal more or less to any particular group. Similarly, participant characteristics were largely unrelated to IBSP completion rates. The sole exception was gender, with males completing fewer steps (p < .001). Interestingly, participants were more likely to believe that IBSP could be helpful for others than for themselves (p < .001). Limitations: Quality and use of IBSPs were not assessed; poststudy assessments were limited to those completing the study; participants uninterested in reducing suicidality are not represented. Conclusion: The IBSP may eventually be an acceptable tool for Internet users at risk for suicide.
PinT: Polynomial in Temperature Decode Weights in a Neuromorphic Architecture

We present Polynomial in Temperature (PinT) decode weights, a novel approach to approximating functions with an ensemble of silicon neurons that increases thermal robustness. In mixed-signal neuromorphics, computing accurately across a wide range of temperatures is challenging because of individual silicon neurons’ thermal sensitivity. To compensate for the resulting changes in the neuron’s tuning-curves in the PinT framework, weights change continuously as a polynomial function of temperature. We validate PinT across a 38°C range by applying it to tuning curves measured for ensembles of 64 to 1936 neurons on Braindrop, a mixed-signal neuromorphic chip fabricated in 28-nm FDSOI CMOS. LinT, the Linear in Temperature version of PinT, reduces error by a small margin on test data, relative to an ensemble with temperature-independent weights. LinT and higher-order models show much greater promise on training data, suggesting that performance can be further improved. When implemented on-chip, LinT’s performance is very similar to the performance with temperature-independent decode weights. SpLinT and SpLSAT, the Sparse variants of LinT and LSAT, are promising avenues for efficiently reducing error. In the SpLSAT model, up to 90% of neurons on chip can be deactivated while maintaining the same function-approximation error.
Follow up after sample size re-estimation in a breast cancer randomized trial for disease-free survival

While the clinical trials and statistical methodology literature on sample size re-estimation (SSRE) is robust, evaluation of SSRE procedures following the completion of a clinical trial has been sparsely reported. In blinded sample size re-estimation, only nuisance parameters are re-estimated, and the blinding of the current trial treatment effect is preserved. Blinded re-estimation procedures are well-accepted by regulatory agencies and funders. We review our experience of sample size re-estimation in a large international, National Institutes of Health funded clinical trial for adjuvant breast cancer treatment, and evaluate our blinded sample size re-estimation procedure for this time-to-event trial. We evaluated the SSRE procedure by examining assumptions made during the re-estimation process, estimates resulting from re-estimation, and the impact on final trial results with and without the addition of participants, following sample size re-estimation. We compared the control group failure probabilities estimated at the time of SSRE to estimates used in the original planning, to the final un-blinded control group failure probability estimates for those included in the SSRE procedure (SSRE cohort), and to the final total control group failure probability estimates. The impact of re-estimation on the final comparison between randomized treatment groups is evaluated for those in the originally planned cohort (n = 340) and for the combination of those recruited in the originally planned cohort and those added after re-estimation (n = 509). Very little difference is observed between the originally planned cohort and all randomized patients in the control group failure probabilities over time or in the overall hazard ratio estimating treatment effect (originally planned cohort HR 1.25 (0.86, 1.79); all randomized cohort HR 1.24 95% CI (0.91, 1.68)). At the time of blinded SSRE, the estimated control group failure probabilities at 3 years (0.24) and 5 years (0.40) were similar to those for the SSRE cohort once un-blinded (3 years, 0.22 (0.16, 0.30); 5 years, 0.33 (0.26, 0.41)). We found that our re-estimation procedure performed reasonably well in estimating the control group failure probabilities at the time of re-estimation. Particularly for time-to-event outcomes, pre-planned blinded SSRE procedures may be the best option to aid in maintaining power. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00201851 . Registered on 9 September 2005. Retrospectively registered.
Why democracies flounder and fail: remedying mass society politics

The topic of why democracy is in trouble has been discussed extensively in the journal Democratization. However, the newest book by Michael Haas still could contribute to this study. By introducing...