cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract C73: A drug-modifier whole-genome shRNA screen identifies novel synthetic lethal interactions with PI3K inhibition in breast cancer

The PI3K pathway is frequently activated in tumors, and was previously shown to be essential for tumorigenesis and tumor cell survival. Never the less, the main response to PI3K inhibition is cytostatic, therefore retaining a significant reservoir of tumor cells with a capability to re-grow and acquire resistance. Our goal is to identify genes that exhibit a synthetic lethal interaction with PI3K inhibition, namely, converting the response to PI3K inhibition from cytostatic to cytotoxic. To this end, we conducted a positive-selection whole-genome shRNA screen in a breast cancer cell line bearing a PI3K activating mutation, also exhibiting a robust cytostatic response to PI3K inhibition. Cells were infected with a pooled shRNA library consisting of 98K shRNAs, targeting ∼17K genes. Following selection, cells were either left untreated, or treated with a PI3K inhibitor (GDC0941) for 2-5 days. Based on cleaved-PARP staining, apoptotic cells were sorted by flow cytometry, and sequenced to identify the shRNAs in the sorted population. We ranked shRNAs according to the significance of their relative occurrence between non-treated and treated samples, thereby identifying shRNAs that induce cell death only upon PI3K inhibition. We validated potential hit genes using an arrayed viability assay, in which we included multiple shRNAs targeting each of the genes. Using seed-control shRNAs and rescue experiments, we confirmed on-target effects of the identified shRNAs, collectively targeting 5 genes. We further confirmed the relevance of the identified genes by testing the shRNAs in additional PI3K-activated breast cancer cell-lines, and in combination with additional PI3K-pathway inhibitors. Interestingly, the effect of the identified genes was specific to inhibition of the PI3K pathway, and was not observed upon unrelated growth inhibition. All together, we identified five genes that exhibit robust synthetic lethal interaction with PI3K inhibition in breast cancer, of which 2 genes are protein kinases, PIM2 and ZAK, thus are potential co-targets with PI3K. Citation Format: Yaara Zwang, Casandra Chen, The Broad Institute Genomic Perturbation Platform, William C. Hahn. A drug-modifier whole-genome shRNA screen identifies novel synthetic lethal interactions with PI3K inhibition in breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr C73.
Malik Ambar (1548–1626): the rise and fall of military slavery

An Ethiopian slave known to history as 'Malik Ambar' was already seventeen years old in 1565, the year of the Battle of Talikota. Born in 1548, Chapu as a youth had fallen into the hands of slave dealers operating between the Ethiopian highlands and the coasts of eastern Africa. Clearly, Indian textiles were reaching the Ethiopian highlands in exchange for Ethiopian exports, which included gold and ivory in addition to slaves. Although military slavery is often identified as an 'Islamic' institution, it never occurred throughout the Muslim world. Habshi ex-slaves generally allied themselves both culturally and politically with the Deccani class. The emergence of a distinct Deccani regional identity, already visible in the mid-fourteenth century as both cause and consequence of the Bahmanis' successful revolution against north Indian Tughluq rule, gained force in the sixteenth century. It was during the tumultuous period 1595-1600 that the Ethiopian slave born as 'Chapu', and later renowned as 'Malik Ambar', rose to prominence.
Use of Sesquiterpanes, Steranes, and Terpanes for Forensic Fingerprinting of Chemically Dispersed Oil

Biomarkers, as complex hydrocarbons in oil from formally living organisms, have been widely used for offshore oil spill fingerprinting. The application of oil dispersants may affect the suitability of existing biomarkers in oil fingerprinting during physicochemical weathering. The existence and concentrations of some biomarkers in chemically dispersed oil (CDO) may differ from those in crude oil and weathered oil. Such differences could affect the diagnostic ratios among different biomarkers and cause difficulties in oil spill fingerprinting. This study thus examined the stability and suitability of three groups of biomarkers, i.e., sesquiterpanes, steranes, and terpanes, for CDO characterization in seawater after application of a representative chemical dispersant (Corexit 9500A). The results indicated that the suitability of sesquiterpanes as biomarkers for CDO identification was affected due to less number of stable diagnostic ratios and overlapped ranges of diagnostic ratios compared to other reference oils. On the contrary, most of the steranes and terpanes could still be applied as biomarkers for CDO characterization. All the selected diagnostic ratios of terpanes were suitable for identification of oil sources. By considering both the stability and suitability, the recommended ranking of biomarkers for CDO was terpanes > steranes > sesquiterpanes. The findings would help improve offshore oil spill fingerprinting methods particularly after application of chemical dispersants.
Autophagy and tumorigenesis

Autophagy, or cellular self-digestion, is activated in cancer cells in response to multiple stresses and has been demonstrated to promote tumor cell survival and drug resistance. Nonetheless, genetic evidence supports that autophagy functions as a tumor suppressor mechanism. Hence, the precise role of autophagy during cancer progression and treatment is both tissue and context dependent. Here, we discuss our current understanding of the biological functions of autophagy during cancer development, overview how autophagy is regulated by cancer-associated signaling pathways, and review how autophagy inhibition is being exploited to improve clinical outcomes.
Development and application of on-line wind power risk assessment system

Because of the large-scale integration of wind power, dynamic characteristics of power system emerge a lot of uncertain influence. Only considering the most serious and credible accidents, traditional on-line security assessment system which is based on deterministic analysis methods can not quantitatively estimate the actual operating conditions of power system. Therefore, Risk theory is introduced into on-line security assessment, and on-line risk assessment system for wind power is designed and implemented by combining the dynamic security assessment system. In this paper, based on multiple data integration, wind power disturbances probability is available and security assessment of power grid is carried out to obtain security indices in different aspects. The operating risk index is an expectation of severity, computed by summing over all possible outcomes the product of the outcome probability and its severity. The results of analysis are reported to the dispatchers under on-line environment, while the comprehensive weak links are automatically provided to power dispatching center. Putting this risk assessment system into operation could effectively verify the reasonableness of this system.
Differences in health-related quality of life among persons living with HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACTWe sought to identify differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among a sample of HIV positive individuals receiving case management services in northern Florida. Our study consisted of 97 individuals receiving HIV case management that included 56 males (57.7%) and 81 African Americans (83.5%) who were 47.05 years old (SD = 9.33). HRQoL was measured using the HIV/AIDS Targeted-Quality of Life scale (HAT-QOL). Results show significant group differences in HRQoL by race, income, tobacco use, alcohol use, drug use, and CD4 cell count, despite only 43% of this sample being able to recall their most recent CD4 count. Translating these findings to inform practice, HIV care providers need to provide continuing education to patients about their disease status, knowledge, and treatment as it relates to self-care. Also, HIV care providers should be especially cognizant of the impact that tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use has on HRQoL for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) by working to ass...
Purulent pericarditis as a complication of bacteraemic Enterococcus faecalis urinary tract infection.

Purulent pericarditis is a rare clinical entity in the modern antibiotic era. The most common portal of entry is thought to be direct extension from a primary lung source and is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae. We report the case of a man aged 69 years who presented with purulent pericarditis due to Enterococcus faecalis likely caused by haematogenous spread from a urinary tract source. Urgent pericardiocentesis was vital and restored his haemodynamic stability. He was treated for a total duration of 4 weeks with susceptible antibiotics. Echocardiography 3 weeks later showed persistent resolution of the pericardial effusion. This case shows that prompt diagnosis and drainage of the pericardial effusion are vital to achieve a positive outcome in purulent pericarditis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of purulent pericarditis caused by E. faecalis from a urinary tract source.
Cosmopragmatics and Petabytes

How do people represent everything all at once, in a single space? A cosmogram is any object that tries to do just that. The first uses of the term were in religious studies, but cosmograms also appear within the sciences. I will first offer a handful of examples to flesh out the idea of cosmopragmatics or cosmograms in use. I’ll then consider examples from the nineteenth century, an age of utopias and media revolutions. Finally, I will raise some current questions concerning cloud computing and big data, and their “cosmopragmatic” potentials, asking whether these new modes of accessing the world, these new digital windows, create sturdy arks for navigating the sea of information.
A Review of Empirical Analyses of Disinvestment Initiatives

Abstract Background Disinvesting in low-value health care services provides opportunities for investment in higher value care and thus an increase in health care efficiency. Objectives To identify international experience with disinvestment initiatives and to review empirical analyses of disinvestment initiatives. Methods We performed a literature search using the PubMed database to identify international experience with disinvestment initiatives. We also reviewed empirical analyses of disinvestment initiatives. Results We identified 26 unique disinvestment initiatives implemented across 11 countries. Nineteen addressed multiple intervention types, six addressed only drugs, and one addressed only devices. We reviewed 18 empirical analyses of disinvestment initiatives: 7 reported that the initiative was successful, 8 reported that the initiative was unsuccessful, and 3 reported that findings were mixed; that is, the study considered multiple services and reported a decrease in the use of some but not others. Thirty-seven low-value services were evaluated across the 18 empirical analyses, for 14 (38%) of which the disinvestment initiative led to a decline in use. Six of the seven studies that reported the disinvestment initiative to be successful included an attempt to promote the disinvestment initiative among participating clinicians. Conclusions The success of disinvestment initiatives has been mixed, with fewer than half the identified empirical studies reporting that use of the low-value service was reduced. Our findings suggest that promotion of the disinvestment initiative among clinicians is a key component to the success of the disinvestment initiative.
Heart rate and VO2 responses to treadmill running with body weight support using the GlideTrak

Abstract Background/Objective The heart rate (HR) and metabolic (VO2) responses to treadmill running using the GlideTrak™ body weight support system have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to compare the submaximal and maximal HR and VO2 responses to normal-weight treadmill running (TMR) to treadmill running with body weight support provided by the GlideTrak™ (GTR). Methods Twenty participants (11 males; 9 females) 18 to 26 years of age voluntarily participated in this study. Each participant completed two exercise tests in each mode of running: a maximal graded exercise test to compare maximal HR and VO2 values and a submaximal exercise test to compare the HR-VO2 relationship. Results Maximal HR and VO2 values were significantly (p Conclusion Exercising with the GlideTrak™ body weight support system may not provide the same cardiorespiratory training stimulus as normal-weight treadmill running.
Exploring Predictors of Social Actions by General Education Students towards Peers with Disabilities

This study deepens the field’s understanding about factors that contribute to positive social engagement between students without disabilities and their peers with mild disabilities in general education classrooms. A sample of 68 seventh grade students with and without disabilities was drawn from general education classrooms in a suburban, Midwest district in the United States. Direct observation of students’ social behavior, as well as student surveys and context measures, were used to explore associations among student attitudes, their perceived norms, feelings of efficacy, stated intentions and their actions towards peers with disabilities. Results revealed that students without disabilities strong intentions to interact with peers with disabilities were unrelated to their actual behavior. However, students’ attitudes, norms, and feelings of efficacy were predictive of their intentions. Interpretations and implications for understanding the interplay of predisposing factors, intentions to socialize, and actual socializing behavior are discussed.
Does Andrews facial analysis predict esthetic sagittal maxillary position

Objective Cephalometric analyses have limited utility in planning maxillary sagittal position for orthognathic surgery. In Six Elements of Orofacial Harmony, Andrews quantified maxillary position relative to forehead projection and angulation and proposed an ideal relationship. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of this technique to predict esthetic sagittal maxillary position. Study Design Survey study including a male and female with straight facial profiles, normal maxillary incisor angulations, and Angle's Class I. Maxillary position was modified on lateral photographs to create 5 images for each participant with incisor–goal anterior limit line (GALL) distances of −4, −2, 0, +2, and +4 mm. A series of health care professionals and laypeople were asked to rate each photo in order of attractiveness. Results A total of 100 complete responses were received. Incisor-GALL distances of +4 mm (41%) and +2 mm (40%) were most commonly considered “most esthetic” for the female volunteer (P Conclusion Respondents considered maxillary incisor position 2 to 4 mm anterior to GALL most attractive in a woman and 0 to 4 mm posterior to GALL most esthetic in a man. Using these modified target distances, this analysis may be useful for orthognathic surgery planning.
MR Imaging of the Fetal Face: Comprehensive Review.

This article provides a “one-stop shop” review of fetal facial anomalies—from basic understanding of the embryology to applying the knowledge in clinical practice, helping the interprofessional team and the patients alike.
Integrated optimization of offshore wind farm layout design and turbine opportunistic condition-based maintenance

Abstract A two-stage optimization model has been developed for an offshore wind farm that integrates layout design and turbine maintenance policy-making. In Stage 1, first, the optimal development of the offshore wind resource aims to maximize the wind energy production by seeking the optimal turbine layout under uncertainty of wind conditions, in which the optimal number of turbines N and their productive placement are determined. Then, the locations of N turbines are further optimized for maximal energy production. Due to the unique maintenance challenges for offshore wind farm, in Stage 2, we develop computational tools for a novel opportunistic condition-based maintenance policy, in which the periodic inspection intervals are chosen to ensure the reliable energy production with limited maintenance costs. In this study, probabilistic models are built for stochastic wind speeds and directions. We apply Monte Carlo simulation for sampling wind data from the wind probabilistic models considering multiple seasonal scenarios. The algorithm efficiency of the two-stage optimization framework is demonstrated based on the results of a case of wind farm development along the New Jersey coast.
Gestational diabetes, type II diabetes, and mammographic breast density in a U.S. racially diverse population screened for breast cancer.

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has consistently been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but the association of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with breast cancer is less clear. T2DM and GDM may influence breast cancer risk through mammographic breast density, a strong risk factor for breast cancer. We examined whether T2DM and GDM are associated with higher mammographic breast density in a largely racial/ethnic minority sample. We collected digital mammograms, anthropometric measures, and interview data from 511 racially diverse women recruited during screening mammography appointments between 2012 and 2016 (mean age 51 years; 70% Hispanic). We examined the associations of self-reported GDM, T2DM, and medication use (metformin and insulin) with mammographic breast density, measured as percent and area of dense tissue using Cumulus software. In multivariable linear regression models, history of T2DM and/or GDM and length of time since diagnosis were not associated with percent density or dense breast area, either before or after adjustment for current BMI. Use of metformin in diabetic women was associated with lower percent density (β = − 5.73, 95% CI − 10.27, − 1.19), only before adjusting for BMI. These associations were not modified by menopausal status. Our results do not support associations between T2DM and/or GDM and higher amount of mammographically dense breast tissue, suggesting that the mechanism linking diabetes with breast cancer risk may not include mammographic breast density in midlife.
Algorithms and architectures for network search processors

The continuous growth in the Internet's size, the amount of data traffic, and the complexity of processing this traffic gives rise to new challenges in building high-performance network devices. One of the most fundamental tasks performed by these devices is searching the network data for predefined keys. Address lookup, packet classification, and deep packet inspection are some of the operations which involve table lookups and searching. These operations are typically part of the packet forwarding mechanism, and can create a performance bottleneck. Therefore, fast and resource efficient algorithms are required. One of the most commonly used techniques for such searching operations is the Ternary Content Addressable Memory (TCAM). While TCAM can offer very fast search speeds, it is costly and consumes a large amount of power. Hence, designing cost-effective, power-efficient, and high-speed search techniques has received a great deal of attention in the research and industrial community. In this thesis, we propose a generic search technique based on Bloom filters. A Bloom filter is a randomized data structure used to represent a set of bit-strings compactly and support set membership queries. We demonstrate techniques to convert the search process into table lookups. The resulting table data structures are kept in the off-chip memory and their Bloom filter representations are kept in the on-chip memory. An item needs to be looked up in the off-chip table only when it is found in the on-chip Bloom filters. By filtering the off-chip memory accesses in this fashion, the search operations can be significantly accelerated. Our approach involves a unique combination of algorithmic and architectural techniques that outperform some of the current techniques in terms of cost-effectiveness, speed, and power-efficiency.
Spermatic Cord Preservation in Kidney Transplantation

AbstractAn alternate procedure for spermatic cord preservation is described. The procedure is useful when simple medial retraction of the spermatic cord interferes with surgical exposure. There were no scrotal complications in 6 men undergoing kidney transplantation.
Using Argument Diagrams to Improve Critical Thinking Skills in 80-100 What Philosophy Is

After determining one set of skills that we hoped our students were learning in the introductory philosophy class at Carnegie Mellon University, we designed an experiment, performed twice over the course of two semesters, to test whether they were actually learning these skills. In addition, there were four different lectures of this course in the Spring of 2004, and five in the Fall of 2004; and the students of Lecturer I (in both semesters) were taught the material using argument diagrams as a tool to aid understanding and critical evaluation, while the other students were taught using more traditional methods. We were interested in whether this tool would help the students develop the skills we hoped they would master in this course. In each lecture, the students were given a pre-test at the beginning of the semester, and a structurally identical post-test at the end. We determined that the students did develop the skills in which we were interested over the course of the semester. We also determined that the students who were able to construct argument diagrams gained significantly more than the other students. We conclude that learning how to construct argument diagrams improves a student's ability to analyze, comprehend, and evaluate arguments.
Development of a Tissue Dielectric Properties Model Based on Maxwell-Fricke Mixture Theory

We propose a dielectric tissue property model dependent on both water and air content covering the microwave frequency range. Water is the largest constituent of biological tissues and its effect on dielectric properties of biological tissue has been studied. However, dehydration effects due to thermal heating on dielectric properties has not been fully characterized in liver. We combined Maxwell-Fricke mixture theory with a four-pole Cole-Cole model to include water and air content dependency. The proposed model was able to predict the permittivity (e’) and conductivity (a) of bovine liver and swine lung tissues at different hydration states from 1–15 GHz with less than 10% mean percentage error. Such a model would be useful in the development of microwave imaging and thermal ablation technologies.
Where is Supersymmetry Broken

Supersymmetry is a wonderful toy, with which many theorists have enjoyed playing for the last six or seven years. It’s a toy of whose purpose we are so far unsure, and the question what supersymmetry is good for is clouded over by the fact that, whatever this toy is good for, it is certainly broken. We would very much like to know where it is broken and what broke it. In particular, is it broken at the 300 GeV scale where the electroweak gauge symmetry is broken (surely not at a scale much lower than this, else we would already be seeing supermultiplets), or is it broken at a very high energy scale of 1019 GeV cr 1015 GeV associated with gravity or the breakdown of a grand unified symmetry, or as is increasingly popular to suppose, is it broken somewhere in between? We don’t know. We also don’t know whether supersymmetry is broken spontaneously, or broken intrinsically by “soft” terms in the Lagrangian, but for the most part in this talk I will just assume what seems to me the most attractive case, that it is only spontaneously broken. But where?
Influence of Oral Antibiotics Following Discharge on Organ Space Infections in Children With Complicated Appendicitis.

Objective To compare postdischarge rates of organ space infections (OSI) in children with complicated appendicitis between those receiving and not receiving oral antibiotics (OA) following discharge. Summary background data Existing data regarding the clinical utility of extending antibiotic treatment following discharge in children with complicated appendicitis are limited. Methods Retrospective cohort study of children ages 3 to 18 years undergoing appendectomy for complicated appendicitis from January 2013 to June 2015 across 17 hospitals participating in the NSQIP-Pediatric Appendectomy Pilot Collaborative (n = 711). Multivariable mixed-effects regression was used to compare postdischarge OSI rates between patients discharged with and without OA after propensity matching on demographic characteristics and disease severity. A subgroup analysis was performed for high-severity patients (multiple intraoperative findings of complicated disease or length of stay≥6 d). Results The overall rates of OA utilization and OSI following discharge were 57.0% (hospital range: 3-100%) and 5.2% (range: 0-16.7%), respectively. In the propensity-matched analysis of the entire cohort, use of OA was associated with a 38% reduction in the odds of OSI following discharge compared with children not discharged on OA (4.2% vs. 6.6%, OR 0.62 [0.29, 1.31], P = 0.21). In the high-severity matched cohort (n = 324, 46%), use of OA was associated with a 61% reduction in the odds of OSI following discharge (4.3% vs 10.5%; OR 0.39 [0.15, 0.96], P = 0.04). Conclusions Use of oral antibiotics following discharge may decrease organ space infections in children with complicated appendicitis, and those presenting with high-severity disease may be most likely to benefit.
Facile fully automated radiosynthesis and quality control of O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosine ([18F]FET) for human brain tumor imaging.

Abstract O-(2-[18F]Fluoroethyl)- l -tyrosine ([18F]FET) has become one of the most successful amino acid tracers for human brain tumor imaging with positron emission tomography (PET). Facile fully automated radiosynthesis and quality control (QC) of [18F]FET using our home-built automated multi-purpose 18F-radiosynthesis module are described. [18F]FET was produced in 75–80 min overall synthesis time with 20–25% radiochemical yield decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB), based on H[18F]F. The radiochemical and enantiomeric purities were >99%, and the molar activity (Am) was 189–411 GBq/μmol at EOB. The [18F]FET dose meets all QC criteria for clinical use, and is suitable for clinical PET study of brain tumor.
Genomic foundation for medical and oral disease translation to clinical assessment

Abstract We describe the chemical and genetic contributors for genomic expression as a product of complex molecular and gene expression, translation to produce functional development of proteins. We also discuss specific genes, factors, and molecular assistants to produce genomic expression in oral disorders. Genomic expression in the head and neck cells and tissues bears a high degree of similarity to distant tissues from the oral cavity. For example, products of genomic expression regulate physiology and cell biology to release factors of immune and endocrine function, regulate growth, neural, metabolic activity, and cell vesicle structures (e.g., exosome, multilamellar vesicle). Understanding the genomic relationships between oral microbiome and oral mucosa is critical to produce novel methods to detect disorders early, improve diagnosis, and enhance therapy effectiveness. Further expected is improvements of specificity and sensitivity of genomic profile change during pathogenesis of oral diseases will accelerate development of personalized oral medicine and dentistry.
The effects of valbenazine on tardive dyskinesia in older and younger patients.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of once-daily valbenazine (40 or 80 mg/d) in older and younger adults with tardive dyskinesia (TD). METHODS Data were pooled from three 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled (DBPC) studies (KINECT [NCT01688037], KINECT 2 [NCT01733121], and KINECT 3 [NCT02274558]) and two long-term studies (KINECT 3 extension and KINECT 4 [NCT02405091]). Outcomes analyzed in older and younger participants (55 years or older and younger than 55 years, respectively) included Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) response (threshold of greater than or equal to 50% improvement from baseline in total score [items 1 to 7]) and Clinical Global Impression of Change-Tardive Dyskinesia (CGI-TD) response (score 2 or less ["very much improved" or "much improved"]). Safety assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). RESULTS At week 6 (end of DBPC treatment), the percentage of participants who met the AIMS response threshold was higher with valbenazine versus placebo in both subgroups: 55 years or older (80 mg/d, 39.7% [P .05]; placebo, 10.8%). The percentage of participants with CGI-TD response was also higher with valbenazine versus placebo: 55 years or older (80 mg/d, 41.3% [P .05]; placebo, 19.4%); younger than 55 years (80 mg/d, 39.5% [P < .05]; 40 mg/d, 35.3% [P < .05]; placebo, 18.5%). Responses at week 48 (end of long-term treatment, combined doses) were as follows: 55 years or older (AIMS, 70.7%; CGI-TD, 82.8%); younger than 55 years (AIMS, 58.7%; CGI-TD, 72.3%). No significant differences between older and younger subgroups were found for AIMS or CGI-TD response. No new safety signals or TEAEs of clinical concern were found in older participants who received long-term treatment. CONCLUSIONS Valbenazine improved TD and was generally well tolerated in older and younger adults.
Recommendations and Conclusions

Twenty-five years ago, anthropologist Leonard Plotnicov proposed that medium-sized cities in Mexico, because of their pleasant climate, charming historic buildings, relative peacefulness, recreational opportunities, and low cost of living, could improve their economies by becoming retirement destinations for older persons from the United States and Canada (Plotnicov 1994). Since then, retirement has become a multi-trillion-dollar industry (McGrath 2018), and retiree-related spending has become an increasingly large component of the economies of many countries, including the United States (Levanon et al. 2018). As we noted in Chap. 1, the actual size of international migration is difficult to judge, but at minimum is in the millions. Still, as of now, Plotnicov’s vision is but a partial reality, as immigrant retirees are a minor economic force in Latin America and only in a modest number of its communities.
Muslim Women’s Purchasing Behaviors Toward Modest Activewear in the United States:

This study examines Muslim women’s purchasing behaviors toward modest activewear in the United States and tests the underlying mechanism of intent to purchase activewear, based on the theory of pla...
A general exact optimal sample allocation algorithm: With bounded cost and bounded sample sizes

Abstract With a bound on cost and bounds on stratum sample sizes, a cost weighted objective function is decomposed to reveal a general simple exact optimal sample allocation algorithm for minimizing sampling variances. Some known allocation methods are special cases.
Consuming Identity: The Role of Food in Redefining the South: by Ashli Quesinberry Stokes & Wendy Atkins-Sayre, Jackson, University Press of Mississippi, 2016 231 pp. $65.00 (hardback)

In Consuming Identity: The Role of Food in Redefining the South, Ashli Quesinberry Stokes and Wendy Atkins-Sayre demonstrate the rhetorical possibilities of Southern food and foodways. The authors ...
A Causal Lens for Peeking into Black Box Predictive Models: Predictive Model Interpretation via Causal Attribution.

With the increasing adoption of predictive models trained using machine learning across a wide range of high-stakes applications, e.g., health care, security, criminal justice, finance, and education, there is a growing need for effective techniques for explaining such models and their predictions. We aim to address this problem in settings where the predictive model is a black box; That is, we can only observe the response of the model to various inputs, but have no knowledge about the internal structure of the predictive model, its parameters, the objective function, and the algorithm used to optimize the model. We reduce the problem of interpreting a black box predictive model to that of estimating the causal effects of each of the model inputs on the model output, from observations of the model inputs and the corresponding outputs. We estimate the causal effects of model inputs on model output using variants of the Rubin Neyman potential outcomes framework for estimating causal effects from observational data. We show how the resulting causal attribution of responsibility for model output to the different model inputs can be used to interpret the predictive model and to explain its predictions. We present results of experiments that demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach to the interpretation of black box predictive models via causal attribution in the case of deep neural network models trained on one synthetic data set (where the input variables that impact the output variable are known by design) and two real-world data sets: Handwritten digit classification, and Parkinson's disease severity prediction. Because our approach does not require knowledge about the predictive model algorithm and is free of assumptions regarding the black box predictive model except that its input-output responses be observable, it can be applied, in principle, to any black box predictive model.
Assessment of Pain and Analgesic Use in Children Following Otologic Surgery.

ObjectiveTo compare postoperative pain and analgesic use in children following transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) vs non–transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (non-TEES).Study DesignProspective c...
Intermarriage and the Labor-Force Participation of Immigrants: Differences by Gender

Studies of the impact of intermarriage on labor market outcomes of immigrants focus on labor force participants. However, intermarriage itself can change participation options and heterogeneously so for men and women. Using data from the 2010 American Community Survey, we find that the raw impact of intermarriage is to reduce labor-force participation for men, and increase it for women. However, upon controlling for observable and unobservable selection into intermarriage, the gains from intermarriage for women are reversed. Birthplace fixed effects account for gender differences in labor force participation among intermarried immigrants.
Central venoarterial extracorporeal life support in pediatric refractory septic shock: a single center experience.

Objective:Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is recognized as a potential support therapy for pediatric patients with refractory septic shock (RSS). This review aims to repo...
Cervical erector spinae versus retrolaminar plane block as an alternative to classical interscalene block.

To the Editor We thank Hochberg and their colleagues[1][1] for their comments in our recent cadaveric study[2][2] in exploring the spread pattern of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) injectates in the cervical region. While we commend their thoughtful consideration in suggesting medial injection of
Agave flower visitation by pallid bats, Antrozous pallidus, in the Chihuahuan Desert

Pallid bats, Antrozous pallidus, despite being primarily insectivorous gleaning predators, consume nectar of the cardon cactus, Pachycereus pringlei, in the Sonoran Desert. It is unknown whether nectar feeding occurs in the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas, where pallid bats covered in pollen have been captured. We collected pollen samples from 67 pallid bats in Brewster County, Texas, United States, between April and August 2018. Pollen-covered pallid bats were captured in every month sampled. Pollen densities were three times higher on wings than on the head or ventral body. In all samples collected, the pollen was homogeneous and identified as Agave pollen. Although two species of Agave, A. havardiana and A. lechuguilla, occur in this region of Texas, linear discriminant analysis classified 701 of 723 (97%) of pollen grains analyzed as A. lechuguilla. Additional evidence from infrared video footage collected in August 2018 indicated that pallid bats became covered in A. lechuguilla pollen while consuming nectar. Pallid bats might be engaging in facultative nectarivory across their range and could be important nocturnal pollinators.
Cubic planar bipartite graphs are dispersable

A graph is called dispersable if it has a book embedding in which each page has maximum degree 1 and the number of pages is the maximum degree. Bernhart and Kainen conjectured every k-regular bipartite graph is dispersable. Forty years later, Alam, Bekos, Gronemann, Kaufmann, and Pupyrev have disproved this conjecture, identifying nonplanar 3- and 4-regular bipartite graphs that are not dispersable. They also proved all cubic planar bipartite 3-connected graphs are dispersable and conjectured that the connectivity condition could be relaxed. We prove that every cubic planar bipartite multigraph is dispersable. A postscript is added which includes new references.
Repeated interactions versus social ties: quantifying the economic value of trust, forgiveness, and reputation using a field experiment

The growing importance of online social networks provides fertile ground for researchers seeking to gain a deeper understanding of fundamental constructs of human behavior, such as trust and forgiveness, and their linkage to social ties. Through a field experiment that uses data from the Facebook API to measure social ties that connect our subjects, we separate forward-looking instrumental trust from static intrinsic trust and show that the level of instrumental trust and forgiveness, and the effect of forgiveness on deterring future defections, crucially depend on the strength of social ties. We find that the level of trust under social repeated play is greater than the level of trust under anonymous repeated play, which in turn is greater than the level of trust under anonymous one shot games. We also uncover forgiveness as a key mechanism that facilitates the cooperative equilibrium being more stable in the presence of social ties: If the trading partners are socially connected, the equilibrium is more likely to return to the original cooperative one after small disturbances.
I’m still standing

The ’80s are back. And not only because Elton John’s upbeat 1983 single “I’m Still Standing” has been a frequent background to my train of thoughts lately: “I’m still standing better than I ever didLooking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid,”
Antigua Guatemala, from History of Disasters to Resilient Future

Disasters have marked the history of Antigua Guatemala since its foundation. Actually, the current location was the third establishment of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala: the cultural, economic, religious, political and educational centre for the entire region during almost three centuries. The capital lasted until the Santa Marta earthquakes in 1773, when it was transferred again and for good to current Guatemala City. However, despite the destruction and partial abandonment of the city in ruins, some inhabitants remained, rebuilt it and started to refer to it as Antigua (Ancient) Guatemala. The regulations on reconstruction preserved the ruins and the city’s sixteenth-century Renaissance grid pattern as signs of identity of Antigua, being included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979. Meanwhile, the action of natural hazards didn’t end in historic times, and the city kept suffering several earthquakes, hurricanes and mudslides. Nowadays, the area is even more vulnerable due to urban growth and tourism development. A new call for attention was launched due to the Volcan de Fuego eruption on 3 June 2018. Tonnes of ash reached Antigua Guatemala, gathering over the historic cobblestoned streets, squares and buildings. The authorities realised the need to integrate cultural heritage into the recovery plan. The Executive Secretariat of the National Coordinating Office for Disaster Reduction (SE-CONRED) (Secretaria Ejecutiva de la Coordinadora Nacional para la Reduccion de Desastres) launched an initiative with the support of the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), to work together with the Ministry of Culture on developing a strategy to integrate disaster risk management (DRM) for cultural heritage. From the international perspective, while there has been significant progress on both disciplines in recent years, in most countries DRM and cultural heritage are not connected, and there is a lack of communication between specialists. This chapter analyses the benefits of integrating cultural heritage into DRM strategies, and vice-versa, developing DRM plans for heritage sites, and the role of international institutions to support this, through the example of Antigua Guatemala in connextion with other international initiatives.
Performance analysis and optimization of decision tree classifiers on embedded devices: work-in-progress

Decision trees (DTs) offer a popular implementation choice for machine learning classifiers since they are highly interpretable and easy to use. Resource management decision overheads must be minimal in embedded systems to meet latency targets and deadline constraints. While the literature has preferred hardware architectures for DTs to meet latency targets, they are not suitable for ultra-low latency applications due to their data movement overheads despite the parallelism they offer. Therefore, we propose software optimization techniques for decision trees. The proposed DTs achieve lower than 50 ns latencies for depth 12, making them highly suitable for classification in embedded resource management.
Robotic Planetary Surface Exploration

Abstract This is a brief text of speech given by the author as the opening plenary talk at the 3rd IFAC Symposium on Intelligent Autonomous Vehicles. Mter a brief introduction about JPL's past, present, and future missions, it presents Sojourner rover and its accomplishments as well as JPL's research on Long Range Science Rovers. References 1, 2, and 3 provide additional information.
An Assessment of the Significance of Impulse Purchasing for Convenience Store Retailers

A study of 1014 consumers at four convenience food stores was conducted to identify the characteristics of impulse purchasing behavior and develop a method­ologyeally Hatmd proeeJure for Htudying such behavior. The stwly found that impulse purchasing behavior is significant, varies by product line, and is not necessarily effected by In-store merchandising programs. It was also found that a pre-purchase/post-purchase study procedure can be an appropriate methodology if it is supplemented by an after-purchase interview.
Predicting the Properties of Semiconductor Clusters

The electronic and structural properties of semiconductor clusters are examined using pseudopotentials and a real space method. Examples of this method are applied to predict the photoemission spectra, the vibrational modes, and the polarizabilities of Si and Ge clusters.
Crinitol, an acyclic diterpene diol from marine algae

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on crinitol, which is a diterpene diol whose properties can in some ways be taken as a representative of the current challenges in studying and finding uses for secondary plant metabolites. Crinitol was first isolated from one of the most studied marine brown algae, Cystoseira crinita Bory (Cystoseiraceae), and its structure was established as 3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadeca-2,6,10,14-tetraene-l,9-diol; it was later found in the closely related species, Cystoseira baleahca . Crinitol's natural role in seaweeds remains unclear, but it can be classified as a nonionic surfactant judging from its chemical structure. Its biological activity suggests that it may possibly exert a chemically protective function. The binding of nonionic surfactants can only involve relatively weak head-group interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, so that the predominant interactions will be hydrophobic. A wider range of bioassays may be appropriate for judging possibly useful bioactivity; related substances, for example, have shown cytotoxicity in sea urchin egg development and physiological effects on intestinal contractions.
Reversible inhibition of GABAA receptors by α7-containing nicotinic receptors on the vertebrate postsynaptic neurons

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed throughout the central nervous system and influence a variety of higher order functions including learning and memory. While the effects of presynaptic nAChRs on transmitter release have been well documented, little is known about possible postsynaptic actions. A major species of neuronal nAChRs contains the α7 gene product and has a high relative permeability to calcium. Both on rodent hippocampal interneurons and on chick ciliary ganglion neurons these α7-nAChRs are often closely juxtaposed to GABAA receptors. We show here that in both cases activation of α7-nAChRs on the postsynaptic neuron acutely down-regulates GABA-induced currents. Nicotine application to dissociated ciliary ganglion neurons diminished subsequent GABAA receptor responses to GABA. The effect was blocked by α7-nAChR antagonists, by chelation of intracellular Ca2+ with BAPTA, and by inhibition of both Ca2+–calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and mitogen-activated protein kinase. A similar outcome was obtained in the hippocampus where electrical stimulation to activate cholinergic fibres reduced the amplitude of subsequent GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents. The reduction showed the same calcium and kinase dependence seen in ciliary ganglion neurons and was absent in hippocampal slices from α7-nAChR knockout mice. Moreover, α7-nAChR blockade in hippocampal slices reduced rundown of GABAA receptor-mediated whole-cell responses, indicating ongoing endogenous modulation. The results demonstrate regulation of GABAA receptors by α7-nAChRs on the postsynaptic neuron and identify a new mechanism by which nicotinic cholinergic signalling influences nervous system function.
Lifecycle Multihazard Framework for Assessing Flood Scour and Earthquake Effects on Bridge Failure

AbstractA lifecycle multihazard framework is proposed to assess the system failure of bridge structures subjected to the combined hazards of flood-induced scour and earthquakes. The framework consists of three major components, including the conjunct use of probabilistic seismic and flood-induced scour analysis, nonlinear model pushover-based soil-foundation-bridge simulation, and multihazard failure analysis. Based on a case study for a simple bridge system considering a design life of 75 years, the results show that scour effects are varying with time. During the first 45 service years of the bridge, scour has insignificant effect on modifying the seismic vulnerability of the bridge in terms of two levels of system failures (i.e., extensive system damage or system collapse). After 65 years, scour dominates the cause to system failure, and between 45 and 65 years, bridge scour and earthquakes jointly contribute to system failure. This result implies that a time-sensitive assessment approach is necessary ...