cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth and Acute Temperature Tolerance of June Sucker Juveniles Fed Varying Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels With and Without Supplemental Dicalcium Phosphate

Abstract Reports from hatcheries have demonstrated that commercially available diets are inadequate for June Suckers Chasmistes liorus and suggest that fish quality can be improved through species-specific diet optimization. To determine dietary protein and lipid levels for juvenile June Suckers, practical-type diets were formulated with 35, 40, or 45% protein and 8, 12, or 16% lipid and tested in a 3 × 3 factorial design. Two additional diets (45% protein and 16% lipid [45:16] without dicalcium phosphate supplementation and 45:16 with 2× dicalcium phosphate) were formulated to test the necessity of dicalcium phosphate supplementation. Each diet was fed to three replicate tanks (average initial fish weight ± SD = 4.48 ± 0.24 g) of fish per treatment (85 fish/tank); only duplicate tanks were used for the nondicalcium phosphate-supplemented treatment. Fish were reared in 80-L tanks supplied with 4 L/min of 22°C spring water and fed 6–4% body weight (BW)/d by automated belt feeders, 6 d/week. At the end of 1...
The Experience of Being Mechanically Ventilated

The purpose of this study was to examine the experience of patients who required mechanical ventilation. A qualitative method of inquiry was used to generate rich descriptive data. Twelve informants were recruited. All of the informants were adults (18 years of age and over) and had used a mechanical ventilator for a minimum of 18 hours. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Themes were extracted from the transcriptions and organized into clusters. Fifteen clusters were identified. Fourteen clusters track the experience of mechanical ventilation from intubation to extubation. The fifteenth cluster offers recommendations from patients. This study concluded that health care providers, especially nurses, control the type of experience that mechanically ventilated patients have.
The Political Economy of War and Peace in Afghanistan

Abstract The 20-year old Afghan conflict has created an open war economy, affecting Afghanistan and surrounding areas. Not only has Afghanistan become the world’s largest opium producer and a center for arms dealing, but it supports a multibillion dollar trade in goods smuggled from Dubai to Pakistan. This criminalized economy funds both the Taliban and their adversaries. It has transformed social relations and weakened states and legal economies throughout the region. Sustainable peace will require not just an end to fighting and a political agreement but a regional economic transformation that provides alternative forms of livelihood and promotes accountability.
Bilateral Tibial Tubercle Sleeve Fractures in a Skeletally Immature Patient

Tibial tubercle sleeve fracture is a rare injury. In concept, it is similar to the patellar sleeve fracture in a skeletally immature patient. We describe a unique case of simultaneous bilateral tibial tubercle sleeve fractures in a 12-year-old boy. Radiographs and MRI confirmed the injury. The patient underwent open surgical repair of bilateral sleeve fractures with suture anchor fixation. At the final followup, 3 years after his initial injury, the patient demonstrated full knee function bilaterally without radiographic evidence of growth disturbances.
A comparison of balanced truncation methods for closed loop systems

Real-time control of a physical system necessitates controllers that are low order. In this paper, we compare two balanced truncation methods as a means of designing low order compensators for partial differential equation (PDE) systems. The first method is the application of balanced truncation to the compensator dynamics, rather than the state dynamics, as was done in [1]. The second method, LQG balanced truncation, applies the balancing technique to the Riccati operators obtained from a specific LQG design. We discuss snapshot-based algorithms for constructing the reduced order compensators and present numerical results for a two dimensional convection diffusion PDE system.
Nonrheumatoid closed rupture of extensor carpi ulnaris tendon

Abstract Closed rupture of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon in a patient who does not have rheumatoid arthritis has not been previously reported to our knowledge. This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ulnar-sided wrist pain. We report two patients with favorable response to surgical reconstruction after failure of nonperative management.
CRP polymorphisms and progression of chronic kidney disease in African Americans

Background and objectives: Chronic inflammation may play a role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. CRP gene polymorphisms are associated with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. It is unknown if CRP polymorphisms are associated with CKD progression or modify the effectiveness of anti-hypertensive therapy in delaying CKD progression. Design, setting, participants, & measurements: We genotyped 642 participants with CKD from the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK), selecting five tag polymorphisms: rs2808630, rs1205, rs3093066, rs1417938, and rs3093058. We compared the minor allele frequencies (MAF) of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in AASK to MAFs of African Americans from NHANES III. Among AASK participants, we evaluated the association of SNPs with CRP levels and prospectively with a composite: halving the GFR, ESRD, or death. Results: The MAF was higher for the rs2808630_G allele (P = 0.03) and lower for the rs1205_A allele (P = 0.03) in the AASK compared with NHANES III. Among AASK participants, the rs3093058_T allele predicted higher CRP concentrations (P < 0.0001) but not CKD progression. The rs2808630_GG genotype was associated with higher risk of the composite endpoint compared with the AA genotype (P = 0.002). Participants with the rs2808630_GG genotype on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) versus β blockers had increased risk of progression (P = 0.03). Conclusion: CRP SNPs that were associated with higher levels of CRP did not predict CKD progression. The rs2808630_GG genotype was associated with higher risk of CKD progression, and in patients with this genotype, ACEIs did not slow progression.
Estimation of time-varying frequency-selective channels using a matching pursuit technique

Estimation of fast fading channels with large possible delay spread is considered. The time-varying fading channel taps are explicitly modeled by polynomial basis functions, and the basis coefficients are obtained via a matching pursuit (MP) algorithm. It is shown that, in the case of sparse channels, this approach outperforms the conventional least squares (LS) estimation with polynomial basis functions as well as the conventional adaptive matching pursuit, while still providing significant savings in complexity. Moreover, the MP is used to identify the appropriate polynomial model orders for channel taps that vary at different rates. A new least squares algorithm using matching pursuit (LSMP) is proposed. It is shown that the LSMP performs well for both sparse and non-sparse time-varying channels.
Liquid-liquid diffusion crystallization improves the X-ray diffraction of EndoS, an endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Streptococcus pyogenes with activity on human IgG.

Endoglycosidase S (EndoS) is an enzyme secreted by Streptococcus pyogenes that specifically hydrolyzes the β-1,4-di-N-acetylchitobiose core glycan on immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. One of the most common human pathogens and the cause of group A streptococcal infections, S. pyogenes secretes EndoS in order to evade the host immune system by rendering IgG effector mechanisms dysfunctional. On account of its specificity for IgG, EndoS has also been used extensively for chemoenzymatic synthesis of homogeneous IgG glycoprotein preparations and is being developed as a novel therapeutic for a wide range of autoimmune diseases. The structural basis of its enzymatic activity and substrate specificity, however, remains unknown. Here, the purification and crystallization of EndoS are reported. Using traditional hanging-drop and sitting-drop vapor-diffusion crystallization, crystals of EndoS were grown that diffracted to a maximum of 3.5 A resolution but suffered from severe anisotropy, the data from which could only be reasonably processed to 7.5 A resolution. When EndoS was crystallized by liquid–liquid diffusion, it was possible to grow crystals with a different space group to those obtained by vapor diffusion. Crystals of wild-type endoglycosidase and glycosynthase constructs of EndoS grown by liquid–liquid diffusion diffracted to 2.6 and 1.9 A resolution, respectively, with a greatly diminished anisotropy. Despite extensive efforts, the failure to reproduce these liquid–liquid diffusion-grown crystals by vapor diffusion suggests that these crystallization methods each sample a distinct crystallization space.
DNA lesions and repair in immunoglobulin class switch recombination and somatic hypermutation

Immunoglobulin (Ig) gene somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch DNA recombination (CSR) are critical for the maturation of the antibody response. These processes endow antibodies with increased antigen-binding affinity and acquisition of new biological effector functions, thereby underlying the generation of memory B cells and plasma cells. They are dependent on the generation of specific DNA lesions and the intervention of activation-induced cytidine deaminase as well as newly identified translesion DNA polymerases, which are expressed in germinal center B cells. DNA lesions include mismatches, abasic sites, nicks, single-strand breaks, and double-strand breaks (DSBs). DSBs in the switch (S) region DNA are critical for CSR, but they also occur in V(D)J regions and possibly contribute to the events that lead to SHM. The nature of the DSBs in the Ig locus, their generation, and the repair processes that they trigger and that are responsible for their regulation remain poorly understood. Aberrant regulation of these events can result in chromosomal breaks and translocations, which are significant steps in B-cell neoplastic transformation.
An extravascular hydraulic system to control blood pressure by a feedback regulation of the venous return.

Since increases in blood pressure may be effectively controlled by hydraulic feedback by reducing the venous return through the inferior vena cava in proportion to the blood pressure this principle was applied using a totally implantable extravascular system consisting of a periaortic blood pressure sensor and a pericaval cuff around the inferior vena cava. The two cuffs were supported externally by hard skeletons, filled with water, and connected directly to each other. The two devices were tested separately and together in 10 anaesthetised mongrel dogs with normal and high blood pressure induced by a metaraminol infusion. With the periaortic sensor an increase in blood pressure of 100 mmHg caused a mean(SD) isotonic volume displacement of 0.41(0.11) ml, and an increase in the pericaval balloon energy content of 100 ml·mmHg−1 caused a fall in blood pressure of 37.8(18.3)%. The whole system prevented an excessive rise in blood pressure when metaraminol was infused, with a feedback gain of about 2.8. It is concluded that blood pressure can be maintained at acceptable levels despite strong hypertensive stimuli, by this system, without additional treatment with drugs or an external energy source. The system is totally implantable and is applied extravascularly so that no anticoagulation is needed.
Nitric oxide-mediated inhibition of DNA repair potentiates oxidative DNA damage in cholangiocytes.

Abstract Background & Aims: Chronic inflammation, a risk factor for the development of bile duct cancer, induces inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) with nitric oxide (NO) generation, which promotes oxidative damage of DNA, a process that probably is important in the initiation and progression of malignancies. Because inhibition of DNA repair is required for accumulation of oxidative DNA lesions, our aim was to determine if NO also inhibits repair of oxidative DNA damage. Methods: A cholangiocarcinoma cell line and a cholangiocyte cell line were transfected with iNOS. Results: Extracts from transfected but not untransfected cells were unable to repair 8-oxodeoxyguanine (8-oxodG); this effect was irreversible because addition of dithiothreitol to cell extracts had no effect. NO inhibition of 8-oxodG repair was blocked by NO scavengers but not by peroxynitrite scavengers or inhibitors of the soluble guanylyl cyclase/protein kinase G pathway. NO also potentiated hydrogen peroxide–induced DNA damage. Finally, immunohistochemistry in human liver samples uniformly demonstrated de novo expression of iNOS and the presence of 3-nitrotyrosine and 8-oxodG formation in the biliary epithelia of 30 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (a premalignant disease of the biliary tract) compared with controls. Conclusions: Collectively, these data implicate NO-mediated inhibition of 8-oxodG base excision DNA repair processes as a mechanism potentiating DNA damage in human inflammatory diseases involving the biliary tract. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2001;120:190-199
Computation of Eddy Current Signals and Quantitative Inversion with Realistic Probe Models

We have performed experiments to test both the physical correctness of the theory presented in an earlier paper (Muennemann et al., 1983), referred to below as MAFP, and the usefulness which it and its extension (Auld et al., 1984a) can achieve in practice. This paper describes the experiments performed and modifications to the earlier inversion procedure. These modifications were motivated by our “hands-on” experience applying the principles presented in the papers referred to above, particularly the extension to nonuniform fields.
Learning Myopia: An Adaptive Recency Effect in Category Learning

Recency effects (REs) have been well established in memory and probability learning paradigms but have received little attention in category learning research. Extant categorization models predict REs to be unaffected by learning, whereas a functional interpretation of REs, suggested by results in other domains, predicts that people are able to learn sequential dependencies and incorporate this information into their responses. These contrasting predictions were tested in 2 experiments involving a classification task in which outcome sequences were autocorrelated. Experiment 1 showed that reliance on recent outcomes adapts to the structure of the task, in contrast to models’ predictions. Experiment 2 provided constraints on how sequential information is learned and suggested possible extensions to current models to account for this learning. Recency effects (REs) are a robust phenomenon in cognitive psychology. REs are said to occur whenever more recent experiences are better remembered or are more influential in judgments about present situations. For example, in research on verbal working memory, REs are arguably among the most fundamental established phenomena, most commonly seen as increased performance on the final positions in free- or serial-recall tasks (e.g., Crowder, 1972; Murdock, 1962). Similar results have since been observed in visuo-spatial working memory (Broadbent & Broadbent, 1981), as well as in animals (Thompson & Herman, 1977; Wright, Santiago, Sands, Kendrick, & Cook, 1985). REs in working memory have often been attributed to spontaneous decay of stored information (Baddeley, 1986; Burgess & Hitch, 1999); however, this simple interpretation has been called into question by recent results showing that the rate of information loss can change, adaptively, in response to temporal statistics of the task (R. B. Anderson, Tweney, Rivardo, & Duncan, 1997). This flexibility is more consistent with a functional account of working memory (J. R. Anderson & Schooler, 1991, 2000; Schacter, 1999) and suggests that there is more underlying the phenomenon than simple architectural constraints. Another area in which REs commonly arise is animal conditioning experiments. Common learning phenomena that depend on trial order, such as extinction, counterconditioning, and discrimination-reversal learning, all fall into the category of REs because they are characterized by behavior at the conclusion of learning being based primarily on the most recent (second) phase of training, rather than an average of both phases. However, the existence and magnitude of such trial order effects depend crucially on the relationship of physical and temporal contexts among
Full-Stroke Static and Dynamic Analysis of High-Power Piezoelectric Actuators:

A method for characterizing smart materials actuators in full-stroke static and low frequency dynamic regimes is presented. At first, static and dynamic linear models of the piezoelectric actuator response under electro-mechanical excitation are discussed. Then, a thorough static and dynamic experimentalcharacterization on a typicall arge-stroke piezoelectric actuator is performed. The measurements indicated a strong dependence of the actuator stiffness and piezoelectric properties on the electromechanical loading. The comparison of the modelwith the measured behavior is performed and the material coefficients are tuned to locally match the observed nonlinear behavior. The comparison also allows the identification of key parameters of the induced-strain actuator model. These parameters are necessary for design optimization towards maximum mechanicalenergy output and minimum electrical power input. The paper provides useful basic data for the design of actuation systems incorporating active materials actuators.
Utilization of distinct antigen-presenting cells for induction of CD4+ T cell-dependent humoral immunity in response to an intact bacterium versus soluble conjugate vaccine (APP3P.105)

We hypothesized that CD4+ T cell-dependent polysaccharide (PS)- and protein-specific IgG responses to intact bacteria versus soluble PS-protein conjugates involve utilization of distinct APC. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that intact Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pn) co-localized within splenic mouse monocytic CD11b+CD11c- cells following i.p. immunization, whereas a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine co-localized within splenic CD11c+ cells. To explore the functional implications of this dichotomy we used clodronate liposomes (CL), to selectively deplete phagocytic cells, including monocytic CD11b+ cells, marginal zone macrophages and marginal metallophilic macrophages but not CD11c+ cells. CL injection prior to i.p. immunization with OVA peptide-expressing Pn resulted in marked inhibition of OVA-specific CD4+ T cell proliferation, whereas it had no effect on OVA-specific CD4+ T cell proliferation in response to an OVA-polysaccharide conjugate or OVA protein alone. Of interest, CL markedly reduced primary and secondary protein-specific IgG responses to Pn, as well as conjugate vaccine or protein alone. CL only modestly reduced PS-specific IgG responses to intact Pn and conjugate vaccine. These data suggest that CL-sensitive cells critically mediate early CD4+ T cell proliferation in response to an intact bacterium, but that they are also required for downstream events in response to a soluble antigen.
Pressure-less AgNP Sintering for High-power MCM Assembly for Extreme Environment Applications

Silver nano-particle (AgNP) sintering has been a promising bonding material for high-temperature applications. There is an increasing demand for designs implemented as multi-chip module (MCM) in the high-temperature markets, like the oil and gas industry, primarily because of MCM's smaller size, higher-performance capability, and higher overall reliability when compared to traditional high Tg printed circuit boards. In this work, pressure-less AgNP sintering paste was used in the assembly of multi-chip modules. The assemblies included die-mounted on aluminum nitride and alumina substrates that were metallized with various thin and thick films. Sintered silver nano-particle attachments were also attempted for surface-mounted technology (SMT) chip components. Different assembly parameters such as bonding line thickness and sintering profiles were evaluated to discover the optimal assembly process window that would yield acceptable reliability for 250°C and higher ambient temperature applications. The assemb...
Phylogeny of Solanum series Piurana and related species in Solanum section Petota based on five conserved ortholog sequences.

Taxonomic complexity in wild potatoes (Solanum L. sect. Pelota Dumort.) has led to widely conflicting treatments. Solanum ser. Piurana Hawkes is one of 21 series recognized in S. sect. Petota in the latest comprehensive taxonomic treatment by Hawkes in 1990. They are distributed from southern Colombia south through Ecuador to central Peru. The taxonomic limits of the series and validity of its constituent species were not resolved with previous studies. In the present study, a set of five conserved orthologous DNA markers (cos II) with 5342 bp of aligned length were used to infer the phylogeny of putative members of Solanum ser. Piurana and outgroups. The results agreed with a three-clade topology shown by previous studies within S. sect. Petota. Solanum ser. Piurana is expanded to include some species formerly included in S. sers. Conicibaccata, Cuneoalata, Ingaefolia, Olmosiana, Simplicissima, Tuberosa and Yungasensa. This expanded group is supported morphologically by the presence of moniliform tubers and coriaceous leaves in most species.
Coadsorbed Species Explain the Mechanism of Methanol Temperature-Programmed Desorption on CeO2(111)

We have used density functional theory calculations to investigate the temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of methanol from CeO2(111). For the first time, low-temperature water formation and high-temperature methanol desorption are explained by our calculations. High coverages of methanol, which correspond to experimental conditions, are required to properly describe these features of the TPD spectrum. We identify a mechanism for the low-temperature formation of water involving the dissociation of two methanol molecules on the same surface O atom and filling of the resulting surface vacancy with one of the methoxy products. After water desorption, methoxy groups are stabilized on the surface and react at higher temperatures to form methanol and formaldehyde by a disproportionation mechanism. Alternatively, the stabilized methoxy groups undergo sequential C–H scission reactions to produce formaldehyde. Calculated energy requirements and methanol/formaldehyde selectivity agree with the experimental data.
Dipole moments of trans- and cis-(4-methylcyclohexyl)methanol (4-MCHM): obtaining the right conformer for the right reason

Accurate computational estimates of fundamental physical properties can be used as inputs in the myriad of extant models employed to predict toxicity, transport, and fate of contaminants. However, as molecular complexity of contaminants increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine the magnitude of the errors introduced by ignoring the 3D conformational space averaging within group-additivity and semi-empirical approaches. The importance of considering 3D molecular structure is exemplified for the dipole moments of cis and trans isomers of (4-methylcyclohexyl)methanol (4-MCHM). When 10 000 gallons of 4-MCHM was spilled into the Elk River in January 2014, a lack of toxicological data and environmental partitioning coefficients hindered the immediate protection of human health and the local water supply in West Virginia, USA. Post-spill analysis of the contaminants suggested that the cis and trans isomers had observably different partitioning coefficients and solubility, and thus differing environmental fates. Obtaining high-quality dipole moments using ab initio quantum chemical methods for the isomeric pair was crucial in validating their experimental differences in solubility [Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett., 2015, 2, 127]. The use of first principles electronic structure theory is further explored here to obtain accurate conformer relative energies and dipole moments of cis- and trans-4-MCHM. Overall, the MP2 aug-cc-pVDZ level of theory affords the best balance between accuracy and computational cost.
Phase Shift Keying (PSK)

In phase shift keying (PSK), the phase of the carrier changes in discrete levels in accordance with the input digital signal, while the amplitude of the carrier remains the same. In this chapter, the PSK modulation will be presented, along with the respective spectrum and bandwidth. These materials have been augmented by diagrams and associated waveforms to make them easier for readers to grasp.
Abstract 30: The Frailty Index: A Novel Predictor Of Stroke Outcomes

Background: There is little research that examines the impact of frailty on stroke outcomes. The objective of our study was to develop a frailty index (FI) and analyze its relationship to stroke ou...
Abstract 192: Targeting the protein kinase Hunk in HER2+ resistant breast cancer

Despite the initial success of common HER2 inhibitors used in the clinic, including trastuzumab and lapatinib, HER2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer cells often acquire resistance through mechanisms that continue to remain poorly understood. A number of signaling molecules, which act downstream of HER2, including PI3K, Akt, JNK, and Hormonally-Upregulated Neu-associated Kinase (Hunk), are thought to contribute to resistance. Our recent studies indicate that targeting Hunk via shRNA in HER2+breast cancer cells that are sensitive to HER2 inhibitors (BT474) and cells that are resistant (JIMT) leads to increased caspase-3 activity in vitro and impaired tumor growth in vivo. In addition, we find that targeting Hunk not only sensitizes HER2+ cells to apoptosis, but also impairs autophagy, as indicated by decreased LC3BII expression, the lipidated form of LC3B which signifies active autophagy. Because elevated Hunk protein expression correlates with poorer prognosis, and since Hunk knockdown impairs autophagy, it is possible that Hunk acts to upregulate autophagy thereby contributing to the development of resistance. We have also found that the kinase JNK plays a role in resistance in HER2+ breast cancer cells, and demonstrate that JNK inhibition via a pan-JNK inhibitor impairs tumor growth of JIMT cells. We further show that co-targeting of JNK and HUNK results in greater cell death and significantly reduced tumor growth than either individual treatment in the JIMT-1, HER2+ resistant cell line, as well as a HER2+ line that was engineered to be lapatinib resistant, BT474-LR. Overall, our results indicate that targeting Hunk in HER2+ breast cancer not only alters autophagy and impairs tumor growth, but that co-targeting Hunk and JNK shows greater therapeutic effects on reducing tumor growth and inducing cell death. Citation Format: Joelle Zambrano, Kendall Phelps-Polirer, Melissa Abt, Elizabeth Yeh. Targeting the protein kinase Hunk in HER2+ resistant breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 192.
Claiming Creative Space: Bridging the Divide between Art Practice and Art Education

Reflecting on his joint appointment in visual art and education, Stanford Professor Eliot Eisner commented that he felt less welcome in the art department than in the education department (2003). Exploring a job option at one university, I was told that as arts education faculty, neither I, nor my students, would be permitted in the school’s impressive ceramics facility. How are we to encourage developing educators to incorporate the arts into their pedagogy if they lack access to first-hand arts experiences? In response to this query, this chapter addresses the structure, content, and effect of a set of Exploring the Arts courses designed to bridge the education/studio gap with interdisciplinary arts offerings for visual artists and arts educators, as well as classroom teachers and artists across domains.
Neuroendocrine and Small Cell Carcinomas of the Prostate: Sentinels of Lethal Evolution

Neuroendocrine carcinomas and small cell carcinomas [NE/SCCs] encompass a broad range of neoplasms that arise from pulmonary and extra-pulmonary sites. Although pulmonary small cell carcinomas in smokers and the functional carcinoid tumors of the foregut associated with paraneoplastic endocrine syndromes are perhaps the best recognized of these diverse tumors, various organs can generate well-differentiated and poorly differentiated tumors from different cells of origin and with different genetic associations. In the prostate gland specifically, histopathological features distinguish high-grade poorly differentiated NE/SCCs from adenocarcinomas with Paneth cell differentiation and truly rare large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas and well-differentiated carcinoid tumors from other histological variants of prostatic neoplasms. For the diagnostic pathologist, immunohistochemical stains for neuroendocrine markers including chromogranin, neuron-specific enolase, CD56, and synaptophysin are useful and important adjuncts to light microscopic findings but are not strictly required for the diagnosis. For the clinician, the essential consideration is the awareness of the unique behavior and lethal potential of this entity which has major implications for management strategies. For the translational research scientist, the clonal origins and genetic traits associated with this tumor provide an essential window into the evolutionary biology of the disease through which integrated strategies toward prevention and therapy may be conceived.
On the Interpretation of Chipping Debris Concentrations in the Archaeological Record

AbstractIn a recent article in this journal, Behm (1983) provided a simple quantitative method based upon mass analysis for distinguishing between in situ flintworking areas ("primary concentrations") and redeposited dumps ("secondary concentrations") of archaeological chipping debris. The criteria proposed for this identification are questioned in light of their implication for the interpretation of a lithic concentration from Death Valley National Monument.
Design and Implementation of a Communication-Optimal Classifier for Distributed Kernel Support Vector Machines

We consider the problem of how to design and implement communication-efficient versions of parallel kernel support vector machines, a widely used classifier in statistical machine learning, for distributed memory clusters and supercomputers. The main computational bottleneck is the training phase, in which a statistical model is built from an input data set. Prior to our study, the parallel isoefficiency of a state-of-the-art implementation scaled as $W=\Omega (P^3)$ , where $W$ is the problem size and $P$ the number of processors; this scaling is worse than even a one-dimensional block row dense matrix vector multiplication, which has $W=\Omega (P^2)$ . This study considers a series of algorithmic refinements, leading ultimately to a Communication-Avoiding SVM method that improves the isoefficiency to nearly $W=\Omega (P)$ . We evaluate these methods on 96 to 1,536 processors, and show average speedups of $3-16\times$ ( $7\times$ on average) over Dis-SMO, and a 95 percent weak-scaling efficiency on six real-world datasets, with only modest losses in overall classification accuracy. The source code can be downloaded at [1] .
Moving social work norms via theater for senior farmers.

Abstract Problem Senior farmers have a 2.6-fold risk of fatal injury compared to their younger counterparts. Usual educational interventions have resulted in limited success in reducing injury. Method An innovative strategy, didactic readers theater, was piloted. Farmers' stories provided the foundation for the scripts. The approach incorporated adult learning strategies based on Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior. The intervention was marketed as a “dinner theater” to farm couples. Three short socio-novels (plays) were presented by local farmers who served as actors. Following each play participants completed a reaction form and participated in a short discussion about the play's content. One week later a phone survey was completed that tapped further reaction to the content and behavior changes. Results Thirty-three farm household individuals (including 16 couples) participated. Participants expressed favorable reaction to the intervention. Within one week post intervention, 42% had made safety changes and 67% were “thinking about/intending” to make changes. Discussion The use of real stories contributed to the success of this intervention. Farmers identified with the stories and began to think and talk about the impact that aging exerts on their health and safety. Interaction among the group identified work modifications which empowered the farmers to make positive changes in their own work behavior. Summary Educational interventions with farmers have met with limited success in reducing farm-related injuries. Moreover, few interventions have utilized the family unit. This novel program, incorporating local organizations and using limited financial resources, resulted in swift behavior changes. Practical applications Total Worker Health includes not only the worker, but also the family. Interventions that include family units should be considered when possible. This format is effective, easily adapted to local issues, can be delivered using existing infrastructure, and is acceptable to the farm community. It is currently being tested on a larger scale.
Recent advances in understanding clonal haematopoiesis in aplastic anaemia

Acquired aplastic anaemia (AA) is an immune-mediated bone marrow failure disorder inextricably linked to clonal haematopoiesis. The majority of AA patients have somatic mutations and/or structural chromosomal abnormalities detected as early as at diagnosis. In contrast to other conditions linked to clonal haematopoiesis, the clonal signature of AA reflects its immune pathophysiology. The most common alterations are clonal expansions of cells lacking glycophosphotidylinositol-anchored proteins, loss of human leucocyte antigen alleles, and mutations in BCOR/BCORL1, ASXL1 and DNMT3A. Here, we present the current knowledge of clonal haematopoiesis in AA as it relates to aging, inherited bone marrow failure, and the grey-zone overlap of AA and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We conclude by discussing the significance of clonal haematopoiesis both for improved diagnosis of AA, as well as for a more precise, personalized approach to prognostication of outcomes and therapy choices.
Topography of Prostate Cancer Recurrence After Radiation Therapy: A Detailed Mapping Study of Salvage Radical Prostatectomy Specimens.

Abstract In men who do not respond to initial radiation therapy, accurate knowledge of the site of cancer recurrence or persistence is necessary to understand treatment failure. We evaluated the pathologic characteristics of recurrent/persistent prostate cancer with tumor maps from the whole-mount slides of salvage radical prostatectomies performed between 2000 and 2014. Of 216 consecutive patients, detailed tumor maps were available for 77. Sixty-nine patients (90%) were found to have tumor in the apex, of which 46% occurred in the most apical 3mm. Fifty-three patients (69%) had tumors at a distance of ≤5mm from the urethra. Five patients had tumor directly involving the urethra, all of whom had urethral invasion at the apex. Seminal vesicle involvement was seen in 32 patients (42%), two of whom had tumor only in the seminal vesicles. Sixty-two patients (81%) had tumors in the distal apex, periurethral area, or seminal vesicles, that is, areas that are not routinely biopsied. Targeting these areas could improve the accuracy of biopsy when cancer recurrence is suspected. Patient summary When recurrence is suspected, clinicians should include biopsy of the distal apex, areas surrounding the urethra, and seminal vesicles. This information will help tailor successful salvage treatments.
Combination of Intra-Hematomal Hypodensity on CT and BRAIN Scoring Improves Prediction of Hemorrhage Expansion in ICH.

Hematoma expansion (HE) occurs in 1/3 of ICH patients and is associated with poor outcome. Intra-hematomal hypodensity (IHH) on CT has been reported to predict HE, as has the “BRAIN” score. We sought to assess the predictive value of these markers alone and in combination. We performed a retrospective single-center study of ICH patients with CT 6 ml and > 6 ml or > 33%. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between IHH and HE. Predictive value of the BRAIN score alone and integrated with IHH was assessed. In 122 included patients, median ICH volume was 13 ml, median time to CT 2.0 h; HE > 6 ml occurred in 31% and > 6 ml/> 33% in 43% of subjects. IHH were identified in 61% of patients with moderate inter-rater agreement (κ = 0.59). In multivariable analysis, IHH was associated with HE using > 6 ml definition (OR 8.3, 95% CI, 2.6–32.8, P 6 ml/> 33% definition (OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.84–4.3, P = 0.12). Rate of HE (> 6 ml) increased across increasing BRAIN score quartiles (Q1:11%, Q2:23%, Q3:43%, Q4:57%, P for trend 6 ml in patients with BRAIN score ≥ 10 and IHH was 55%, with either alone was 33%, and with neither was 3%. Combining IHH on non-contrast CT and a simple clinical BRAIN score is a potentially powerful way to predict those patients at very high and very low risk of HE.
DESIGN AND RELATIVE STABILITY OF MULTICOMPONENT NANOWIRES

The stability of free standing hexagonal Sc silicide wires is discussed based on ab-initio calculations. It is shown that Sc presence dramatically increases stability.
Interactions in Colloidal Suspensions

These lecture notes address some recent advances in our understanding of macroionic interactions inspired in part by the evolution of new techniques for studying macroions’ dynamics.
Elements of the Theory of Superconductivity

The purpose of this series of lectures is to present an introduction to the modern theory of superconductivity in as straightforward and physical a fashion as possible.1
Can Politicians Exploit Ethnic Grievances? An Experimental Study of Land Appeals in Kenya

Studies of conflict-prone settings claim that political leaders can increase electoral support by appealing to perceived ethnic grievances. Yet there is little empirical research on how appeals to group-based grievances work and the types of voters most likely to respond to such appeals. To explore the political effects of ethnic grievance appeals, we conduct a survey experiment in Kenya’s Rift Valley, a region where a long history of conflict over land has sharpened ethnic tensions. We find that appeals to grievances have surprisingly little effect among most voters. We observe a positive effect only among ethnic “insiders” who feel land insecure, a small share of the sample population. Further, though imprecisely estimated, we show that exposure to prior violence may condition how some individuals respond to the appeals, decreasing support for candidates who employ divisive rhetoric. Finally, the results show that appeals to an ethnic-based land grievance are no more effective than a generic land appeal, indicating that group injustice frames have little effect. From a normative perspective these results are encouraging: they suggest that voters in conflict-prone settings may be less easily swayed by divisive ethnic rhetoric than much of the literature presumes.
Robust bulk preparation and characterization of sulfamethazine and saccharine salt and cocrystal polymorphs

The complex between sulfamethazine and saccharine (SMT–SAC) can exist in two polymorphs, one is a cocrystal and the other is a salt. It is important to fully characterize the two polymorphs for a better understanding of the rare polymorphism between a salt and a cocrystal. However, this effort was hindered by the difficulty in reproducibly preparing a large quantity of phase pure cocrystal polymorph (form II). Here, we developed a method for preparing phase pure cocrystal polymorph robustly by controlling the crystallization medium. Using bulk powders, we determined their free energy diagram, by using intrinsic dissolution rates at 5–37 °C and thermal data near melting temperature. We have shown that the two forms are monotropically related, with the cocrystal form II being more thermodynamically stable up to the melting temperature. We further probed their ionization states based on analyses of the position of protons, bond length, and molecular vibrational motions of pertinent functional groups. Finally, the cocrystal form II exhibited notable differences in moisture sorption and compaction properties, which may influence the choice of solid forms for further development of tablet products.
Incorporating surface polarization effects into large-scale coarse-grained Molecular Dynamics simulation

Abstract We implement and extend three methods for incorporating surface polarization effects into coarse-grained Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations for LAMMPS: the boundary element method using the generalized minimum residual (GMRES) solver for solving the Poisson equation , the induced charge computation method using the successive over relaxations scheme, and the direct optimization of an energy functional of induced charge density. Our implementations are validated against the analytical results for several cases and against published results on electrolyte and polyelectrolyte adsorption on charged interfaces. We have also employed the mentioned methods to examine the effects of surface polarization due to dielectric mismatch on the conformational behavior and relaxation times of the Rouse modes of a highly charged polyelectrolyte with explicit multivalent counterions in a spherical droplet surrounded by a low dielectric medium. We have found that dielectric mismatch coupled with spatial confinement results in noticeable changes in the radius of gyration of the collapsed conformation as well as the work required to compress and stretch the chain. Dielectric confinement is therefore believed to play an important role in the packaging of polyelectrolytes, which was generally overlooked in previous studies. Finally, the parallel performance of the implemented methods for practical simulations is characterized for a model electrolyte system. For polarizable interfaces composed of more than 1000 mesh points, the induced charge computation method is found to be the most efficient.
Modern Realisms and Anti-Realisms (Late 1800s to Early 1900s)

This chapter maps various realistic and anti-realistic styles, providing a chart of the latter. It relates challenges to traditional views of self, society, and cosmos, from Darwin, Marx, Nietzsche, and Einstein, to psychological realism’s use of the well-made play and naturalism’s study of the human animal. It considers Stanislavski’s acting method, with ties to American artists, plus the propaganda aspects of socialist realism and Nazi marches. It investigates neo-Romantic symbolism, parodied by Jarry. It explores dada as anti-war protest, expressionism as showing social pressures through scenographic distortion, African-American stars emerging through that style, futurism glorifying war and technology, and surrealism drawing on classical myths, personal dreams, and “automatic” writings. It concludes with minimalist and eclectic directors, meta-theatrical playwrights, early book musicals, and improvisational therapies.
Modulation of signaling preference of NK cells by different forms of NKG2D ligands and its implications

The significance of ligand-induced activation of NK cell activating receptor NKG2D has been well established in controlling tumor growth in various experimental animal models. Amongst different types of NKG2D ligands, MHC I chain related molecule MICA/B is expressed most prevalently in various human cancers. In particular, proteolytically shed form of MICA/B (sMIC) has been shown to suppress the immune system and found to correlate with advanced disease stages in cancer patients. Previous studies in our lab using two humanized bi-transgenic mice, one expressing native ligand (TRAMP/MICB) and the other expressing the shedding-resistant mutant (TRAMP/MICB.A2) revealed opposite roles of these ligands in regulating tumor immunity. MICB expressing mice exhibited increased tumor progression, whereas MICB.A2 expressing mice had tumor free survival. These findings raised the intriguing question of why do these structurally similar forms of MIC have vastly different effects on tumor immunity. To address this question, we investigated the signaling events and functional outcomes in NK cells upon stimulation by the two forms of ligands. In vitro co-culture studies of NK cells with tumor cell lines expressing sMICB and MICB.A2 revealed elevated pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive cytokine production by NK cells upon stimulation with sMICB. In contrast, NK cells stimulated with MICB.A2 displayed enhanced expression of cytotoxicity mediators and signaling molecules of cytotoxicity pathway. This suggests that signaling through sMICB may polarize the NKG2D signaling pathways with preferential activation of inflammatory cytokine pathways. Our data has uncovered a new potential mechanism whereby sMIC promotes tumor progression.
Continuous Mechanism Design

Despite the accumulating literature on mechanism design over the last decades, the equilibrium outcome of most mechanisms described to date fails to be robust to small changes in the specifications and parameters of the model. Lacking such robustness, the designer may fail to implement his desired outcome. Thus, here we argue that new mechanisms should be more resistant to physical, modeling and behavioral misspecifications.
The Impact of Economic Coercion on Public Opinion: The Case of US–China Currency Relations

In recent years, the United States has increasingly tried to change other governments’ economic policies by threatening to punish those countries if they do not change course. To better understand ...
A Propensity-Matched Analysis of Endovascular Intervention versus Open Nonautologous Bypass as Initial Therapy in Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

Objectives Endovascular therapies are increasingly used in patients with complex multilevel disease and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Infrageniculate bypass with autologous vein conduit is considered the gold standard in these patients. However, many patients often lack optimal saphenous vein, leading to the use of nonautologous prosthetic conduit. We compared limb salvage and survival rates for patients with CLTI undergoing first time revascularization with either open nonautologous conduit or endovascular intervention. Methods We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients undergoing first time endovascular or open surgical revascularization at our institution between 2009 and 2016. Patients were divided into endovascular intervention or open bypass with nonautologous conduit (NAC) cohorts. Primary endpoints were amputation-free survival (AFS), freedom from reintervention, primary patency, and overall survival. Propensity scoring was used to construct matched cohorts. Outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox Proportional Hazards models. Results A total of 125 revascularizations were identified. There were 65 endovascular interventions and 60 NAC bypasses. In unmatched analysis, there was an elevated risk of perioperative MI (7% vs. 0%, P = 0.05) and amputation (10% vs. 2%, P = 0.04) for the NAC groups compared to the endovascular group. In matched analysis, endovascular patients had a lower incidence of 30-day amputation (1.5% vs. 10% P = 0.04) and length of stay (median days, 1 vs. 9, P Conclusions An “endovascular first” approach offers favorable perioperative outcomes and comparable AFS compared to NAC and may be preferable when autologous conduit is unavailable.