cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What a Difference Thirty Years Make: A Comparison of the Tax Reforms of 1986, 2014 and 2017

This paper compares the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, as passed by the House (TRA17H) and under consideration by the Senate (TRA17S) with two major previous efforts at comprehensive tax reform: The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA86) and the draft tax reform proposed by former Ways and Means Chair David Camp (R-MI) (TRA14). It shows that TRA14 was quite similar to TRA86, but that TRA17 is very different than both. Congress should abandon TRA17 and go back to considering TRA14 on a bipartisan basis.
Local expert forest of score fusion for video event classification

We address the problem of complicated event categorization from a large dataset of videos "in the wild", where multiple classifiers are applied independently to evaluate each video with a 'likelihood' score. The core contribution of this paper is a local expert forest model for meta-level score fusion for event detection under heavily imbalanced class distributions. Our motivation is to adapt to performance variations of the classifiers in different regions of the score space, using a divide-and-conquer technique. We propose a novel method to partition the likelihood-space, being sensitive to local label distributions in imbalanced data, and train a pair of locally optimized experts each time. Multiple pairs of experts based on different partitions ('trees') form a 'forest', balancing local adaptivity and over-fitting of the model. As a result, our model disregards classifiers in regions of the score space where their performance is bad, achieving both local source selection and fusion. We experiment with the TRECVID Multimedia Event Detection (MED) dataset, detecting 15 complicated events from around 34k video clips comprising more than 1000 hours, and demonstrate superior performance compared to other score-level fusion methods.
Painted Pottery from Al-Hiba: Godin Tepe III Chronology and Interactions between Ancient Lagash and Elam

Our understanding of cultural and political developments in western Iran during the third millennium BC relies on the chronological correlation with other regions. The Early Bronze Age in the weste...
Case-Matched Comparison of Long-Term Functional and Quality of Life Outcomes Following Laparoscopic Versus Open Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis.

Laparoscopic ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) is associated with recovery benefits when compared with open IPAA. There is limited data on long-term quality of life and functional outcomes, which this study aimed to assess. An IRB-approved, prospectively maintained database was queried to identify patients undergoing laparoscopic IPAA (L), case-matched with open IPAA (O) based on age ± 5 years, gender, body mass index (BMI) ± 5 kg/m2, diagnosis, date of surgery ± 3 years, stapled/handsewn anastomosis, omission of diverting loop ileostomy and length of follow-up ± 3 years. We assessed functional results, dietary, social, work, sexual restrictions and the Cleveland Clinic global quality of life score (CGQoL) at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 years postoperatively. Functional outcomes were assessed based on number of stools (day/night) and seepage protection use (day/night). Variables were evaluated with Kaplan–Meier survival curves, uni- and multivariable analyses. Out of 4595 IPAAs, 529 patients underwent L, of whom 404 patients were well matched 1:1 to an equivalent number of O based on all criteria. Median follow-ups were 2 (0.5–17.8) versus 2.4 (0.5–22.2) years in L versus O, respectively (p = 0.18). L was associated with significantly decreased number of stools at night and less frequent pad usage at 1 year, both during the day and at night. Functional outcomes became similar during further follow-up. L was also associated with improved overall CGQoL, and energy scores at 1 year postoperatively, and decreased social restrictions for 1–2 years. There were no significant differences in quality of health, dietary, work or sexual restrictions. Laparoscopy was not associated with increased risk of pouch failure (p = 0.07) or significantly different causes of pouch failure when compared to O. Laparoscopic and open IPAA are associated with equivalent long-term functional outcomes, quality of life and pouch survival rates. Laparoscopic technique is associated with temporary benefits lasting 1 or 2 years.
Home Video Tape Recording

Three aspects of video recording by the general public have vast possibilities, which have already been fulfilled in recent years: 1. Recording of broadcast television. Programs are recorded automatically when someone is not at home or if watching something else. A person can collect entertainment or educational programs to be viewed whenever and as often as desired. 2. Prerecorded cassettes. Records can be purchased or rented with programs that are not available “off the air.” The analogy to sound recordings is evident, but there is an important difference. Most people do not tire of hearing the same good music, occasionally or frequently, year in year out, but few would care to watch the same televised program dozens of times; hence the rental option. Educational and “how to do it” are analogous fields with interesting potential. 3. Home movies. With portable equipment and color camera, amateurs can make sound movies and watch them on any television receiver, immediately, without processing. They can erase what they do not like and re-record it. They can add or change narration and background music.
Ten Problems of Consciousness: A Representational Theory of the Phenomenal Mind

Part 1 The ten problems - phenomenal consciousness introduced, the problem of ownership, the problem of perspectival subjectivity, the problem of mechanism, the problem of phenomenal causation, the problem of super blindsight, the problem of duplicates, the problem of the inverted spectrum, the problem of transparency, the problem of felt location and phenomenal vocabulary, the problem of the alien limb why the problem run so deep - must the physical be objective? perspectival subjectivity and the explanatory gap, physicalism and phenomenal causation, on the denial of perspectival subjectivity, the paradox of phenomenal consciousness, the available strategies, the way ahead. Part 2 Can anyone else feel my pains? - the repudiation of phenomenal objects, publicising the phenomenal: split brains, phenomenal objects as events, a closer look at events the intentionality of feelings and experiences - intentional states and intentional content, how perceptual sensations represent, afterimages, the problem of ownership revisited, pains, other bodily sensations, the format of sensory representations, background feelings, emotions, moods what what it's like is really like - why be an intentionalist? phenomenal content: the PANIC theory, colours and other 'secondary qualities', can duplicate brains differ phenomenally? some putative counterexamples the tale of Mary and mechanism - a theory of perspectival subjectivity - the real nature of the phenomenal, perspectival subjectivity and the paradox, Mary's room, some of Mary's philosophical relatives, the explanatory gap can you really imagine what you think you can? - the status of the PANIC theory, imaginability of perceptions - a parallel, troublesome possibilities? zombie replicas and other duplicates, inverted experiences, inverted Earth. Appendices: blindsight - three sorts of visual agnosia an empirical proposal.
Core Needle Biopsies

Percutaneous core needle biopsies comprise the most common type of breast specimens in current practice. The indications for such biopsies include palpable and nonpalpable breast lesions. The majority of these biopsies are performed with the aid of imaging modalities, such as mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI (Figs. 5.1 and 5.2). The operator is usually a breast radiologist or a surgeon. Neither sample adequacy check nor diagnostic evaluation is requested on such samples. However, documentation of certain pertinent information at the time of gross examination is critical for the reasons provided below. It is therefore important that the handling of this sample is discussed separately in this book.
Cell biology of Tetrahymena thermophila.

Publisher Summary Tetrahymena is a large and complex cell yet a rather small and simple ciliate. Its normal dimensions are about 50 μm in length and 20 μm in maximum width. Tetrahymena thermophila (T. thermophila) possesses a diploid micronucleus (Mi) possessing two complete haploid genome sets and capable of both mitosis and meiosis, plus a macronucleus (Ma) that is made up of multiple copies of a rearranged subset of the complete (micronuclear) genome. The micronucleus is mostly inert transcriptionally, whereas the macronucleus is transcriptionally very active. These two nuclei exemplify an intracellular separation of germ (micronucleus) and soma (macronucleus). Tetrahymena thermophila can grow very well in a variety of axenic media, with generation times typically in the 2–3 hr range and optimally 1.4 hr. When fed with bacteria or grown on peptone-based media, single T. thermophila cells can be cloned with extremely high efficiency. However, even in otherwise optimal fully defined media, a minimal inoculum density typically is required to initiate exponential culture growth; at densities below this minimum, the cells die.
Making Implicit Methods Explicit: Trade Press Analysis in the Political Economy of Communication

The political economy of communication (PEC) situates media systems and practices in their structural and historical contexts; however, PEC scholars rarely articulate or justify their research methods. To address this oversight, this article explains how PEC scholars use trade publications to study media industries, practices, policy making, and discourses thereof. Following a critical realist approach, PEC researchers “burrow down” in trade press advertisements and reports and “listen in” to the frank, insider discussions therein. This article evaluates the trade press against Scott’s four “quality control criteria” for documentary sources—authenticity, credibility, representativeness, and meaning. Trade publications employ daunting industry jargon, and they can be cozy with the industries they cover. Still, the trade press provide otherwise unobtainable insights into the structure and organization of media industries, how they are regulated, and the practices and worldviews of media executives and professionals. This article argues that by approaching the trade press ethnographically, PEC researchers can reap their benefits while avoiding pitfalls.
Does Investing in Rail Transit Benefit the Poor? A Comparative Study of Rail and Bus Travel by Low-Income Households in the California Household Travel Survey:

This paper addresses academic discourse that critiques urban rail transit projects for their regressive impacts on the poor and proposes bus funding as a more equitable investment for urban transit...
Increased Surgical Complications in Smokers Undergoing Radical Cystectomy.

Background Not only is smoking a risk factor for the development of bladder cancer, it has also been implicated in increasing surgical morbidity and mortality. In general, the demographic and clinical characteristics of smokers are different to non-smokers which can bias the results of the impact of smoking. Objective To evaluate the impact of smoking on radical cystectomy outcomes. Methods Radical cystectomy cases were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2007-2015. Smokers were matched with non-smokers using propensity scores in a 1:1 ratio. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate the overall incidence of Clavien III-V complications. Secondary analysis was performed for the incidence of each complication recorded in NSQIP. Results A total of 850 smokers undergoing radical cystectomy were matched to 850 non-smokers. The matching process improved the balance of covariates between smokers and non-smokers. The overall incidence of Clavien III-V complications was higher in smokers (13.1% vs 7.4%, p < 0.001). This corresponded to an adjusted odds ratio of 1.9 [95% CI 1.4-2.6, p = 0.028]. Other comorbid conditions worsened post-operative complications amongst smokers. When evaluating each complication recorded in the database, smokers had a higher incidence of wound dehiscence, pneumonia and myocardial infarction. Conclusion Current smokers have a greater risk of morbidity following radical cystectomy. This should be considered when evaluating safety of surgery and patients should be counselled accordingly. Furthermore, even a short period of pre-operative smoking cessation can improve surgical outcomes.
Phenotypic Reprogramming of Striatal Neurons into Dopaminergic Neuron-like Cells in the Adult Mouse Brain.

Summary Neuronal subtype is largely fixed in the adult mammalian brain. Here, however, we unexpectedly reveal that adult mouse striatal neurons can be reprogrammed into dopaminergic neuron-like cells (iDALs). This in vivo phenotypic reprogramming can be promoted by a stem cell factor (SOX2), three dopaminergic neuron-enriched transcription regulators (NURR1, LMX1A, and FOXA2), and a chemical compound (valproic acid). Although the site of action of the reprogramming factors remains to be determined, immunohistochemistry and genetic lineage mappings confirm striatal neurons as the cell origin for iDALs. iDALs exhibit electrophysiological properties stereotypical to endogenous dopaminergic rather than striatal neurons. Together, these results indicate that neuronal phenotype can be reengineered even in the adult brain, implicating a therapeutic strategy for neurological diseases.
Creen: A Carbon Footprint Calculator Designed for Calculation in Context

Concerns regarding the environment and the impact humans constantly have on the environment has been a growing concern for decades, but there is still a substantial lack of environmental literacy and action among most of the population in what they can do to reduce the damage they may be indirectly causing. Given that many people express an interest in helping the environment, this paper presents a prototype of a carbon footprint calculator which interprets a carbon footprint estimate into a form that can be more accessible to people so that they may be empowered to make more informed decisions with greater awareness of their own impact.
Preference and Performance of Black Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Poa Species

Abstract Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel) is a destructive pest of golf course turf. Previous work suggests that Poa pratensis ‘Midnight’ is resistant to black cutworm, but it is not known if resistance also exists among other Poa species and cultivars. This study compared preference and performance of black cutworm on Poa species and cultivars to a susceptible host plant, creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L. ‘Penncross’) in laboratory choice feeding assays and rearing experiments. Seven-and 14-day-old larvae were used in performance feeding tests. Larvae reared on all Poa spp. exhibited significantly lower developmental and survival rates than larvae fed creeping bentgrass. Young (7 days old) larvae did not survive to pupation. Although older (14 days old) larvae pupated and eclosed on Poa, larval weight gain was significantly lower than those reared on creeping bentgrass. In choice feeding bioassays, regardless of larval stage, black cutworm preferred creeping bentgrass over all Poa speci...
Designing Slow-Light Waveguides

With a paradigm waveguide system analyzed here we assert that the widespread figure of merit for slow-light waveguides, the normalized delay-bandwidth product, is not a good measure in the ultra-slow light regime.
The medium of truth: media studies in the post-truth era

ABSTRACTOne of the fundamental concerns regarding communication media is accuracy or truth. This essay takes up and investigates this issue, which has, in the wake of the recent U.S. presidential e...
Phase I study of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus in combination with the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat in patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Background Preclinical studies suggested synergistic anti-tumor activity when pairing mTOR inhibitors with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. We completed a phase I, dose-finding trial for the mTOR inhibitor everolimus combined with the HDAC inhibitor panobinostat in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients. We additionally investigated expression of microRNA 605 (miR-605) in serum samples obtained from trial participants. Patients and Methods Twenty-one patients completed our single institution, non-randomized, open-label, dose-escalation phase 1 trial. miR-605 levels were measured at cycle 1/day 1 (C1D1) and C2D1. Delta Ct method was utilized to evaluate miR-605 expression using U6B as an endogenous control. Results There were 3 dosing-limiting toxicities (DLTs): grade 4 thrombocytopenia (n = 1), grade 3 thrombocytopenia (n = 1), and grade 3 neutropenia (n = 1). Everolimus 5 mg PO daily and panobinostat 10 mg PO 3 times weekly (weeks 1 and 2) given in 21-day cycles was the recommended phase II dosing based on their maximum tolerated dose. The 6-month progression-free survival was 31% with a median of 4.1 months (95% confidence internal; 2.0–7.1). There was higher baseline expression of miR-605 in patients with progressive disease (PD) vs those with stable disease (SD) (p = 0.0112). PD patients’ miR-605 levels decreased after the 1st cycle (p = 0.0245), whereas SD patients’ miR-605 levels increased (p = 0.0179). Conclusion A safe and tolerable dosing regimen was established for combination everolimus/panobinostat therapy with myelosuppression as the major DLT. This therapeutic pairing did not appear to improve clinical outcomes in our group of patients with advanced ccRCC. There was differential expression of miR-605 that correlated with treatment response. Clinical trial information: NCT01582009.
Resolving the Abortion Controversy

In this article, we advocate a liberty and private property rights approach to the issue of abortion. While some contend that the famous cases of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey settles for evermore the question of whether a woman had a legal right to an abortion, a great deal of controversy still lingers. This is so because abortion has become all too commonplace. About 35% of all American women will obtain an abortion during their childbearing years. This easy availability fuels the ire of and represents the equivalent of a holocaust to anti-abortion advocates. Some believe that 39 million lives have been snuffed out by abortion since Roe was decided. President George W. Bush is critical of the easy availability of abortions.
THE BUDDY PROGRAM: IMPACT ON PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Psychosocial interventions have the potential to offer substantial benefit to people with dementia and their family caregivers. The Buddy Program is an experiential learning program that pairs students with persons with dementia for activities and relationship-building. Previous studies have demonstrated the program’s positive impact on student knowledge and attitudes. New York University’s (NYU) Alzheimer’s Family Support Program began replicating the Buddy Program in 2017 and has enrolled 80 students. Northwestern University’s (NU) Buddy Program, in its 22nd year, has enrolled 260. This presentation describes the impact of the program on the mentors (NU) and the caregivers (NYU). Post program focus groups with mentors and student journals describing interactions with the caregiver were thematically analyzed. Mentors describe feelings of pride in the mentorship role, enjoyment being with student, and the opportunity to develop a new friendship. Caregivers enjoyed the respite provided by the buddies, knowing that their relatives with dementia were enjoying themselves and seeing their relatives with dementia in the role of valued companion. Qualitative data from caregivers and mentors participating in the buddy programs at NU and NYU underscore the possibility that people with dementia can still make contributions to society. The buddy program has a positive impact on quality of life for persons living with dementia and their family members, while providing a valuable educational experience for students. Further research on the buddy program’s benefits is warranted.
Breaking the Stereotype: Interventions Aimed at Changing Medical Student Misperceptions of Radiology and Increasing the Female Match Rate.

Background Although nearly half of medical students are female there is still a significant discrepancy in the number of women specializing in radiology. In 2013, 26.9% of US diagnostic radiology residents were female, a 1% increase in 20 years from 25.5% in 1990. Purpose The purpose of this project is to determine the effectiveness of the interventions implemented at a single medical school at decreasing negative attitudes about radiology held by medical students of all genders and whether those same interventions will increase the number of female medical students matching into radiology. Methods The interventions were implemented between 2012 and 2016 and included incorporation of radiology into preclinical curriculum, electives in radiology for 3rd year students, a “Women in Radiology Panel,” and increase in female radiology faculty visibility. First year medical student participants of all genders used a free text box to write their attitudes about radiology, which were categorized into the “six most common attitudes about radiology.” Fourth year medical student participants used a free text box to write the reasons why they did not choose radiology as a specialty, and those answers were then placed into the same six categories. We then analyzed the data using Fisher's Exact Test to determine whether there was a decrease in the negative misperceptions after exposure to the interventions. We also then determined whether there was an increase in the number of women matching into radiology using Chi-Square analysis. Results There was a decrease in the negative misperceptions between 1st and 4th years, with the most notable decrease from 51% of 1st years to 0% of 4th years listing radiologists as being antisocial (p Conclusion Exposure to 4 years of the interventions demonstrated a significant increase in the female match rate into the specialty when compared to female medical students who experienced three or fewer years of intervention. Additionally, it appears that these same interventions decreased the number of students of all genders having some of the common negative misperceptions about the field of radiology.
Quantitative 1H NMR analysis of a difficult drug substance and its exo-isomer as hydrochloride salts using alkaline deuterated methanol.

Abstract Quantitative NMR is extremely useful for rapid determination of sample purity. Occasionally however, certain ionic compounds (prepared as a salt with a counter ion) may be difficult to accurately quantitate, due to aggregation, solubility, and/or signal drift. Here we describe an example of utilizing alkaline deuterated methanol for quantitative NMR of a problematic endo drug substance and its exo-isomer, as hydrochloride salts, with precision comparable to HPLC. This method allows for in situ neutralization of the HCl salt and subsequent solubilization of the organic free-base for analysis, providing a one-step quantitative sample preparation procedure. The selection of solvent, alkaline concentration, internal standard, instrumental parameters, and assessment of method accuracy are discussed. Overall, the method is simple, cost-effective, and analytically reliable.
Association of Naturalistic Administration of Cannabis Flower and Concentrates With Intoxication and Impairment.

Importance The rapidly growing legal cannabis market includes new and highly potent products, the effects of which, to our knowledge, have not previously been examined in biobehavioral research studies because of federal restrictions on cannabis research. Objective To use federally compatible, observational methods to study high-∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) legal market forms of cannabis. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cohort study with a between-groups design that was conducted in a community and university setting, cannabis flower users and concentrate users were randomly assigned to higher- vs lower-THC products within user groups. Participants completed a baseline and an experimental mobile laboratory assessment that included 3 points: before, immediately after, and 1 hour after ad libitum legal market flower and concentrate use. Of the 133 individuals enrolled and assessed, 55 regular flower cannabis users (41.4%) and 66 regular concentrate cannabis users (49.6%) complied with the study’s cannabis use instructions and had complete data across primary outcomes. Exposures Flower users were randomly assigned to use either 16% or 24% THC flower and concentrate users were randomly assigned to use either 70% or 90% THC concentrate that they purchased from a dispensary. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcome measures included plasma cannabinoids, subjective drug intoxication, and neurobehavioral tasks testing attention, memory, inhibitory control, and balance. Results A total of 121 participants completed the study for analysis: 55 flower users (mean [SD] age, 28.8 [8.1] years; 25 women [46%]) and 66 concentrate users (mean [SD] age, 28.3 [10.4] years; 30 women [45%]). Concentrate users compared with flower users exhibited higher plasma THC levels and 11-hydroxyΔ9-THC (THC’s active metabolite) across all points. After ad libitum cannabis administration, mean plasma THC levels were 1016 (SE = 1380) μg/mL in concentrate users (to convert to millimoles per liter, multiply by 3.18) and 455 (SE = 503) μg/mL in flower users. Most neurobehavioral measures were not altered by short-term cannabis consumption. However, delayed verbal memory (F1,203 = 32.31;P Conclusions and Relevance This study provides information about the association of pharmacological and neurobehavioral outcomes with legal market cannabis. Short-term use of concentrates was associated with higher levels of THC exposure. Across forms of cannabis and potencies, users’ domains of verbal memory and proprioception-focused postural stability were primarily associated with THC administration.
Quantitative evaluation of mixing using a refined Shannon entropy

Abstract A method to quantify the dispersion level of fillers in a polymer composite using optical microscopy and image processing is demonstrated. Optical microscope images of a graphene suspension were taken throughout an ultrasonication procedure. A mixing index was calculated for each image using a modified Shannon entropy analysis, demonstrating that the index can be used to optimize procedures for dispersing fillers in polymers. The flexibility of the Shannon entropy index is achieved through two user-defined variables based on physically meaningful features, allowing the analysis to be applicable to a wide range of filler size distributions. Calculating a mixing index allows for characterization beyond the typical categories of ‘highly’ and ‘poorly’ dispersed systems. An index can be calculated at various stages of composite processing allowing for robust statistical analysis of the dispersion level, using only a small sample volume. The adoption of this method would lead to quantitative characterization of dispersion level in polymer composites, deepening the understanding of how processing impacts composite properties, and aiding in the design of new composite materials.
Pension Funds and Private Equity Real Estate: History, Performance, Pathologies, Risks

I study the history and performance of commercial real estate (CRE) in the pension fund portfolio, showing how many plan sponsors fundamentally changed their approach to CRE investment once underfunding gaps began to emerge in the early and middle 2000s Several new empirical facts are presented, including pension fund share ownership estimates of private equity real estate (PERE) in excess of 50%, reconfirmation of underperformance of Value-add and Opportunity PERE funds, and the apparent existence of an illiquidity price premium paid by pension funds for the “volatility veil” that PERE fund investment provides Three types of concentration risks are identified, including high geographical ownership concentrations The risks that pension funds and their investment in PERE funds pose to economic and financial stability have been exacerbated by the negative aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic
A preliminary examination of substance use risk among metropolitan and non-metropolitan girls involved in the juvenile justice system.

Research is limited on geographic differences in substance use risk factors among juvenile justice-involved girls. This secondary data analysis from one state juvenile justice system, collected as ...
Nonexhibition of Bragg phenomenon by chevronic sculptured thin films: experiment and theory

The unit cell of a chevronic sculptured thin film (ChevSTF) comprises two identical columnar thin films (CTFs) except that the nanocolumns of the first are oriented at an angle χ and nanocolumns of the second are oriented at an angle π−χ with respect to the interface of the two CTFs. A ChevSTF containing 10 unit cells was fabricated using resistive-heating physical vapor deposition of zinc selenide. Planewave reflectance and transmittance spectrums of this ChevSTF were measured for a wide variety of incidence conditions over the 500- to 900-nm range of the free-space wavelength. Despite its structural periodicity, the ChevSTF did not exhibit the Bragg phenomenon. Theoretical calculations with the CTFs modeled as biaxial dielectric materials indicated that the Bragg phenomenon would not be manifested for normal and near-normal incidence, but vestigial manifestation was possible for sufficiently oblique incidence. Thus, structural periodicity does not always lead to electromagnetic periodicity that underlies the exhibition of the Bragg phenomenon.
National outcomes of bridge to multiorgan cardiac transplantation using mechanical circulatory support.

Abstract Background Little is known regarding the profile of patients with multiorgan failure listed for simultaneous cardiac transplantation and secondary organ. In addition, few studies have reported how these patients are bridged with mechanical circulatory support (MCS). In this study, we examined national data of patients listed for multiorgan transplantation and their outcomes after bridging with or without MCS. Methods United Network for Organ Sharing data were reviewed for adult multiorgan transplantations from 1986 to 2019. Post-transplant patients and total waitlist listings were examined and stratified according to MCS status. Survival was assessed via Cox regression in the post-transplant cohort and Fine–Gray competing risk regression with transplantation as a competing risk in the waitlist cohort. Results There were 4534 waitlist patients for multiorgan transplant during the study period, of whom 2117 received multiorgan transplants. There was no significant difference in post-transplant survival between the MCS types and those without MCS in the whole cohort and heart-kidney subgroup. Fine–Gray competing risk regression showed that patients bridged with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation had significantly greater waitlist mortality compared with those without MCS when controlling for preoperative characteristics (subdistribution hazard ratio, 2.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.48-3.47; P Conclusions MCS, as currently applied, does not appear to compromise the survival of multiorgan heart transplant patients. Waitlist data show that extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients have profoundly worse survival irrespective of preoperative factors including organ type listed. Survival on the waitlist for multiorgan transplant has improved across device eras.
Differential oxidative and pro-apoptotic response of cancer and normal cells to an anti-inflammatory agent CLEFMA

Selective killing of cancer cells by chemotherapy has been an age old challenge, but certain unique features of cancer cells allow discriminatory response between cancer and normal cells. The objectives of this study was to investigate pro-oxidant and apoptotic effects of CLEFMA, an anti-inflammatory compound with anticancer activity, in lung cancer cells versus normal lung fibroblasts and to establish its maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in mice. We found that CLEFMA preferentially induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis in H441, H1650 and H226 cancer cells, but spared normal CCL151 and MRC9 fibroblasts. Immunoblotting studies revealed that CLEFMA-induced apoptosis is associated with p53 phosphorylation in cancer cells which was not observed in CLEFMA treated normal fibroblasts. CLEFMA showed no effect on NF-{kappa}B p-65 expression in the normal lung fibroblasts, whereas its translocation to nucleus was inhibited in cancer cells. Furthermore, CLEFMA treatment also inhibited the DNA-binding activity of NF-{kappa}B p65 in H441cancer cells, but not in normal CCL151 cells. Preclinical toxicology studies in CD31 mice showed that CLEFMA was not toxic when injected daily for 7 days or injected weekly for 4 weeks. Based on survival data, MTD of CLEFMA was estimated as 30 mg/kg bodyweight. We conclude that CLEFMA exploits the biochemical differences in cancer and normal cells and selectively induces ROS in cancer cells. Secondly, CLEFMA can be safely administered in vivo because its known dose necessary for in vivo efficacy as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent (0.4 mg/kg) is 75 times lower than its MTD.
Psychometric properties of infant electroencephalography: Developmental stability, reliability, and construct validity of frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling.

Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) provides developmental neuroscientists a noninvasive view into the neural underpinnings of cognition and emotion. Recently, the psychometric properties of two widely used neural measures in early childhood-frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling-have come under scrutiny. Despite their growing use, additional work examining how the psychometric properties of these neural signatures may change across infancy is needed. The current study examined the developmental stability, split-half reliability, and construct validity of infant frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling. Infants provided resting-state EEG data at 8, 12, and 18 months of age (N = 213). Frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling showed significant developmental change from 8 to 18 months. Reliability for alpha asymmetry, and alpha, delta, and beta power, individually, was generally good. In contrast, the reliability of delta-beta coupling scores was poor. Associations between frontal alpha asymmetry and approach tendencies generally emerged, whereas stronger (over-coupled) delta-beta coupling scores were associated with profiles of dysregulation and low inhibition. However, the individual associations varied across time and specific measures of interest. We discuss these findings with a developmental lens, highlighting the importance of repeated measures to better understand links between neural signatures and typical and atypical development.
Untitled Incarnations of Art

This project started with a visit to a local art museum where students viewed a textile exhibit and a contemporary art exhibit about the human body. Our assignment was to select a piece within either exhibit that would inspire the design of our final project. Out of all of the art pieces the main piece that I drew inspiration from was an untitled piece by Amanda Guest, a British artist born in 1964. Amanda Guest often works in the textile medium. The minimalist piece used thread embedded in linen paper for a book-like feel. One side of the work is a slightly wrinkled piece of linen and the other side has vertical threads that were embedded in the linen in a way that they seemed to be pulled. The simplicity of this piece really spoke to me. I drew inspiration from its simple light design and its asymmetrical composition.
13C metabolic flux analysis of the extremely thermophilic, fast growing, xylose-utilizing Geobacillus strain LC300

Thermophiles are increasingly used as versatile hosts in the biotechnology industry. One of the key advantages of thermophiles is the potential to achieve high rates of feedstock conversion at elevated temperatures. The recently isolated Geobacillus strain LC300 grows extremely fast on xylose, with a doubling time of less than 30 min. In the accompanying paper, the genome of Geobacillus LC300 was sequenced and annotated. In this work, we have experimentally validated the metabolic network model using parallel (13)C-labeling experiments and applied (13)C-metabolic flux analysis to quantify precise metabolic fluxes. Specifically, the complete set of singly labeled xylose tracers, [1-(13)C], [2-(13)C], [3-(13)C], [4-(13)C], and [5-(13)C]xylose, was used for the first time. Isotopic labeling of biomass amino acids was measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Isotopic labeling of carbon dioxide in the off-gas was also measured by an on-line mass spectrometer. The (13)C-labeling data was then rigorously integrated for flux elucidation using the COMPLETE-MFA approach. The results provided important new insights into the metabolism of Geobacillus LC300, its efficient xylose utilization pathways, and the balance between carbon, redox and energy fluxes. The pentose phosphate pathway, glycolysis and TCA cycle were found to be highly active in Geobacillus LC300. The oxidative pentose phosphate pathway was also active and contributed significantly to NADPH production. No transhydrogenase activity was detected. Results from this work provide a solid foundation for future studies of this strain and its metabolic engineering and biotechnological applications.
The Interpretation of Thermal Emission from the Moon

After many years of neglect by astronomers, the moon is becoming an object of intensive study. To see the trend one has only to note the increasing number of papers related to lunar physics appearing in journals, and to count the monographs in publishers’ lists. Space research has provided much impetus to these studies, but the multiplicity of new observational and theoretical approaches coupled with current emphasis on physical knowledge rather than mere description have also strongly influenced this redirection of interest. In the older literature one finds largely descriptions and maps of craters, maria, and mountains, or detailed mathematical discussions of the dynamics of the earth — moon system. Now one finds discussions of the nature of the lunar surface material, its thermal and electrical properties, radioactivity and the flow of heat through the surface, the effects of bombardment of the lunar surface by solar corpuscular radiation, surface luminescence, and the like. In this discussion we shall deal with infrared and radio observations of the moon — that is, with electromagnetic radiation emitted by the moon itself.
Pore‐scale modeling of surface erosion in a particle bed

SUMMARY A fully coupled transient two-dimensional model was employed to study fundamentals of flood-induced surface erosion in a particle bed. The interaction of the liquid and solid phases is the key mechanism related to surface erosion. The solid phase was idealized at a particle scale by using the discrete element method. The fluid phase was modeled at a mesoscale level and solved using the lattice Boltzmann method. The fluid forces applied on the particles were calculated on the basis of the momentum the fluid exchanges with the particle. The proposed approach was used to model both single particles and particle beds subjected to Couette flow conditions. The behavior of both the single particle and the particle bed depended on particle diameter and surface shear fluid velocity. The conducted simulations show that the fluid flow profile penetrates the bed for a small distance. This penetration initiates sheet-flow and surface erosion as the fluid interacts with particles. The effect of suppressing particle rotation on the fluid-induced forces on the particle was also examined. Suppressing particle spinning may lead to underestimated erosion rate. Results of fluid and particle velocities were compared against experimental results and appeared to agree with the observed trends.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Enhanced Disclosure on Open Market Stock Repurchases

Publicly traded companies distribute cash to shareholders primarily in two ways - either through dividends or through anonymous repurchases of the companies' own stock on the open market. Companies must announce a repurchase authorization, but do not actually have to repurchase any stock, and until recently did not have to disclose whether or not they were in fact repurchasing any stock. Scholars and regulators noticed that companies frequently announced repurchases but then appeared not to complete them. Scholars and regulators became concerned that such announcements might be used by insiders to exploit public investors. To increase transparency and reduce opportunities for exploitive behavior, the SEC required that companies disclose their repurchase activity for the past quarter in their 10-Q and 10-K filings beginning in January 2004. This paper tracks the 365 repurchase programs announced in 2004 and finds that since the SEC disclosure requirement went into effect, companies are more likely to complete their announced repurchases and do so within a shorter time period after the repurchase announcement.
Hall conductivity near the z=2 Superconductor-Insulator transition in two dimensions

We analyze here the behavior of the Hall conductivity σ x v near a z=2 insulator-superconductor quantum critical point in a perpendicular magnetic field. We show that the form of the conductivity is sensitive to the presence of dissipation η, and depends nonmonotonically on H once η is weak enough. σ x y passes through a maximum at H∼ηT in the quantum critical regime, suggesting that the limits H→0 and η→0 do not commute.
A Foot in Both Worlds: Transnationalism and Media Use Among Venezuelan Immigrants in South Florida

The Venezuelan population in the United States has grown over 90% in the past decade. Many of these arrivals have settled in South Florida, already home to a number of Venezuelan enclaves and a center for Spanish-language media. The context of departure and arrival of these immigrants presents an opportunity to investigate the role of the media in the ability of immigrants to live transnational lives. This study employs a series of semi-structured interviews with members of this community; the results are analyzed in order to draw out, describe, and explore the themes that emerge. The goal is a better understanding of the role of the media as these immigrants adjust to life in their new country while remaining attached to that which was left behind.
Attenuation of cocaine‐induced locomotor activity in male and female mice by active immunization

Background and Objectives Immunotherapy for drug addiction is being investigated in several laboratories but most studies are conducted in animals of one sex. Yet, women show heightened immune responses and are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases than men. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an active anti-cocaine vaccine, succinyl-norcocaine conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, for its ability to elicit antibodies and alter cocaine-induced ambulatory activity in male versus female mice. Methods Male and female BALB/c mice were vaccinated (n = 44) or served as non-vaccinated controls (n = 34). Three weeks after initial vaccination, a booster was given. Ambulatory activity induced by cocaine (20 mg/kg) was assessed at 7 weeks and plasma obtained at 8 weeks to assess antibody levels. Results High antibody titers were produced in mice of both sexes. The vaccine reduced ambulatory activity cocaine-induced but this effect was greater in female compared to male mice. Discussion and Conclusions The efficacy of this anti-cocaine vaccine is demonstrated in mice of both sexes but its functional consequences are greater in females than males. Scientific Significance Results point to the importance of testing animals of both sexes in studies of immunotherapies for addiction. (Am J Addict 2014;23:604–607)
Rethinking rancher decision-making: a grounded theory of ranching approaches to drought and succession management

In this study, we examine the subjective decision-making experiences of cattle ranchers in the western United States. Using a constructivist grounded-theory framework, we analyse semi-structured interviews with 38 ranchers (in three states) whose operations rely upon native rangeland forage. We compare ranchers’ drought management and succession planning processes across interviews. We find that ranchers construct decision-making processes through non-linear and complex consideration of multiple ranch dynamics, through engagement with multiple ways of knowing and across different timescales. We describe four patterns in drought management decision-making processes that can inform needs-based outreach to help spread drought risk across space, time, asset class, households, the market and epistemic frameworks. Ranchers’ succession planning processes are regulated by economic and social uncertainties. However, ranching communities emphasise technical and cultural knowledge transfer and are comprised of producers who took diverse routes to ranching. The study suggests that future programs, outreach, partnerships and research involving ranchers in the western United States are likely to achieve greater success when designed with consideration for the diverse ways of knowing and complex decision-making experiences of ranchers.
Contrast Enhancement and Distributed Encoding by Bipolar Cells in the Retina

Burkhardt, Dwight A. and Patrick K. Fahey. Contrast enhancement and distributed encoding by bipolar cells in the retina. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 1070–1081, 1998. Responses of bipolar cells, cone photo...
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is an effective way of managing elderly women with advanced stage ovarian cancer (FIGO Stage IIIC and IV).

Background To compare outcomes in women ≥ age 70 who receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) followed by cytoreductive surgery with those undergoing upfront cytoreductive surgery followed by the same chemotherapy. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed for women ≥ age 70 with Stage IIIC or Stage IV EOC from 1996 to 2009. Results Sixty-two patients who underwent upfront cytoreductive surgery and 42 patients who received NACT were eligible for analysis. Patients receiving NACT were significantly more likely to have Stage IV disease (P = 0.004). Cytoreduction to no macroscopic disease was achieved in 71.4% of women who received NACT and 28.1% of women undergoing upfront surgery (P < 0.001). NACT patients had significantly less blood loss at surgery (P = 0.01), required fewer small bowel resections (P = 0.009), had shorter ICU stays (P = 0.02) and fewer hospital days (P = 0.04). NACT patients experienced a trend toward an improved progression-free survival (P = 0.078); however, no statistically significant differences were found in either the progression-free or overall survival analyses. Conclusion NACT is associated with reduced perioperative morbidity in elderly patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:195–200. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.