cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Landslide Importance in Hillslope Erosion Within the Panama Canal Watershed

This paper presents an approach for assessing the regional importance of landslides based on conventional daily-discharge and daily-sediment data from sub-basins within the Panama Canal Watershed. In many wet mountainous regions, sediment yields are controlled by both surficial erosion and deep, landslide erosion. Landslides require that rainfall (and by inference runoff) exceed a threshold. Runoff can be used to derive a parameter termed ‘landslide days’, with a suitable correction factor, to account for evapotranspiration, infiltration, and rainfall patchiness. The approach developed then uses runoff as the driver for a simple surficial-erosion model and landslide days as the driver for a landslide model. In a case study of the Panama Canal Watershed, this model describes spatial and temporal patterns of annual yields with a high degree of efficacy, demonstrating that simple daily data can be used to determine whether a river basin, such as the upper Rio Charges basin, might be undergoing substantial landslide-related erosion.
An anonymized authentication framework for smart metering data privacy

Emergence of the smart grid necessitates data collection from various entities connected to the power grid. By collecting fine-grained smart metering data from consumer household, smart grid is envisioned to offer innovative features, such as load-demand balance, dynamic pricing and demand-response. However, the advent of sophisticated data analysis tools makes it possible to extract detailed electricity usage patterns, which can reveal personal information of consumer household. The privacy concern is one of the reasons jeopardizing general deployment of smart meters, despite their effectiveness in cost savings for both electricity suppliers and consumers. Anonymous transmission of smart metering data is a potential solution but it requires mechanisms to authenticate anonymous data. Moreover, enabling the service provider's access to consumer information for grid functionality while preserving consumer privacy, is a challenging task. The proposed anonymized authentication framework consists of an authentication scheme to protect data from unauthorized entities and an anonymization scheme to achieve privacy against authorized entities. The framework is designed to prevent service providers from correlating different types of data from a smart meter and avoid single point of failure.
Hard Palate Graft for Lower Eyelid Retraction Repair

Lower eyelid retraction secondary to thyroid eye disease or prior lower eyelid blepharoplasty can be addressed by disinserting the lower eyelid retractors and employing a spacer graft between the tarsus and lower eyelid retractors (Colour Atlas of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Boston, 2008). Graft materials include hard palate, ear cartilage, sclera, or alloplastic materials. When using ear cartilage or sclera, the graft must be covered with conjunctival epithelium (Colour Atlas of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Boston, 2008). Hard palate has the benefit of combining the structural rigidity of tarsus with the mucous membrane epithelium similar to that of the conjunctiva. The biggest disadvantage of hard palate grafting is donor site morbidity. Preoperative fitting of a palate protector and postoperative oral viscous lidocaine (2 %) gel can be used to improve patient discomfort. Anesthesia during hard palate grafting can be obtained with a greater palatine nerve block (Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 8:183–195, 1992) and direct infiltration of the hard palate. Local anesthesia is injected by the greater palatine foramen, medial to the alveolar process by the third molar. The hard palate is composed of epithelium, lamina propria, and submucosa. Hard palate harvesting is done in the submucosal plane and the submucosa is removed from the graft before implantation. The area of the alveolar process and midline raphe are devoid of submucosa and should therefore be avoided (Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 8:183–195, 1992). After harvesting the graft, the graft is rinsed in a 10 % betadine solution, a second set of sterile surgical instruments are opened, and the surgeon’s gloves are changed in order to prevent contamination of the eye socket with oral bacteria.
Assessment Methods and Background Information

This chapter discusses how to present the assessment methods and background sections. Specific examples and a detailed discussion are offered.
Efficient and Fair Heart Allocation Policies for Transplantation

Background: The optimal allocation of limited donated hearts to patients on the waiting list is one of the top priorities in heart transplantation management. We developed a simulation model of the US waiting list for heart transplantation to investigate the potential impacts of allocation policies on several outcomes such as pre- and posttransplant mortality. Methods: We used data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipient (SRTR) to simulate the heart allocation system. The model is validated by comparing the outcomes of the simulation with historical data. We also adapted fairness schemes studied in welfare economics to provide a framework to assess the fairness of allocation policies for transplantation. We considered three allocation policies, each a modification to the current UNOS allocation policy, and analyzed their performance via simulation. The first policy broadens the geographical allocation zones, the second modifies the health status order for receiving hearts, and the third prioritizes patients according to their waiting time. Results: Our results showed that the allocation policy similar to the current UNOS practice except that it aggregates the three immediate geographical allocation zones, improves the health outcomes, and is "closer" to an optimal fair policy compared to all other policies considered in this study. Specifically, this policy could have saved 319 total deaths (out of 3738 deaths) during the 2006 to 2014 time horizon, in average. This policy slightly differs from the current UNOS allocation policy and allows for easy implementation. Conclusion: We developed a model to compare the outcomes of heart allocation policies. Combining the three immediate geographical zones in the current allocation algorithm could potentially reduce mortality rate and is closer to an optimal fair policy.
Incidental discovery of a large complicated arteriovenous haemangioma

Arteriovenous haemangiomas within the chest are rare and uncommonly documented. After a 60-year-old woman with a history of smoking underwent a routine chest X-ray revealing a right apical mass, further investigations led to the discovery of a large extrapulmonary arteriovenous haemangioma in the superior mediastinum. Additionally, this case became complicated when the hemangioma was found to not only be compressing adjacent major arteries and veins, but also invading into the spinal canal and displacing the spinal cord. With multidisciplinary planning, the arteriovenous haemangioma was embolised and successfully resected. Thus, we present a case of an arteriovenous haemangioma in the superior mediastinum and discuss the importance of the case.
Medialization Laryngoplasty After Injection Augmentation.

Summary Objectives This study aims to assess the effect of vocal fold injection augmentation (IA) on subsequent medialization laryngoplasty (ML). Study Design A retrospective cohort study with follow-up telephone survey was carried out. Methods Clinical records of patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis or paresis (VFP) who underwent ML between April 2006 and March 2015 were reviewed. Patients who underwent IA before ML were compared with patients who did not, with respect to demographic information, symptoms, Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), etiology of VFP, and revision rate. Among patients undergoing IA, the effects of injection material and of interval from IA to ML on revision rate were assessed. Follow-up telephone surveys were conducted to evaluate long-term outcomes using VHI-10 and a condition-specific questionnaire. Results One hundred thirty-five patients (70 male:65 female) with vocal fold paralysis (125) or paresis (10) underwent ML (96 left:39 right). Sixty-six (48.9%) patients underwent concurrent arytenoid adduction. Fourteen (10.4%) patients required revision. Fifty-six (41.5%) patients had prior IA; five (8.9%) patients underwent revision. Seventy-nine (58.5%) patients did not have IA; nine (11.4%) patients required revision ( P = 0.78). Neither augmentation material nor length of interval between last IA and ML affected the revision rate ( P = 1.00; P ≥ 0.11 for all tested intervals, respectively). No difference in follow-up VHI-10 score was found between patients who had IA before ML and patients who had not ( P = 0.73). Conclusions IA does not appear to affect the revision rate or long-term outcome of subsequent ML.
Florida Current Salinity and Salinity Transport: Mean and Decadal Changes

The Florida Current (FC) contributes to Atlantic circulation by carrying the western boundary flow of the subtropical gyre and the upper branch of meridional overturning circulation. Repeated FC hydrographic (velocity, salinity, and temperature) sections during 1982-1987 and 2001-2015 characterize its water mass structure and associated transport variability. On average, FC volume transport comes from subtropical North Atlantic water (NAW, 44%), Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW, 14%), surface water (SW, 27%), and an indistinct source (Rem 15%), while salinity transport relative to the average salinity along 26°N comes from NAW (55%), AAIW (0.2%), SW (30%), and Rem (15%). From 1982-1987 to 2001-2015, NAW, AAIW, and Rem salinified by 0.03-0.16 g kg-1 and increased the salinity anomaly transport by 3%. These patterns imply that advective salt transport by the FC (1): is sensitive to subtropical North Atlantic variability; and (2) is partially decoupled from the volumetric pathway of the upper overturning branch.
Effects of banks consolidation on economic growth in Nigeria (2004-2015)

This study examined the effect of bank consolidation on economic growth in Nigeria. The consolidation agenda introduced by CBN could be seen as an attempt to promote banking system stability and make the industry to operate more efficiently so as to enable the banks performs catalytic role of financial intermediation that will enhance the stability and growth of Nigeria economy. The main objective of this study is to examine what has changed after the consolidation exercise in relation to economic growth in Nigeria between 2004 and 2015. The study made use of secondary data sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin and the National Bureau of Statistics between 2004 and 2015. The model for the study has as its dependent variable the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its explanatory variables were commercial bank deposits and the commercial bank assets. Using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) multiple regression techniques; the study revealed that both commercial bank deposits and assets have a positive and statistically significant relationships with the gross domestic product (GDP). The study, therefore recommended that policies that would sustain the viability of banks especially that which will guarantee availability of funds for investment purposes like the consolidation exercise should be greatly encouraged.
Intestinal absorption of glucose in mice as determined by positron emission tomography.

Author(s): Sala-Rabanal, Monica; Ghezzi, Chiara; Hirayama, Bruce A; Kepe, Vladimir; Liu, Jie; Barrio, Jorge R; Wright, Ernest M | Abstract: KEY POINTS:The goal was to determine the importance of the sodium-glucose cotransporter SGLT1 and the glucose uniporter GLUT2 in intestinal glucose absorption during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) in mice. Glucose absorption was determined in mice using positron emission tomography and three non-metabolizable glucose probes: one specific for SGLTs, one specific for GLUTs, and one a substrate for both SGLTs and GLUTs. Absorption was determined in wild-type, Sglt1-/- and Glut2-/- mice. Gastric emptying was a rate-limiting step in absorption. SGLT1, but not GLUT2, was important in fast glucose absorption. In the absence of SGLT1 or GLUT2, the oral glucose load delivered to the small intestine was slowly absorbed. Oral phlorizin only inhibited the fast component of glucose absorption, but it contributed to decreasing blood glucose levels by inhibiting renal reabsorption. ABSTRACT:The current model of intestinal absorption is that SGLT1 is responsible for transport of glucose from the lumen into enterocytes across the brush border membrane, and GLUT2 for the downhill transport from the epithelium into blood across the basolateral membrane. Nevertheless, questions remain about the importance of these transporters in vivo. To address these questions, we have developed a non-invasive imaging method, positron emission tomography (PET), to monitor intestinal absorption of three non-metabolized glucose tracers during standard oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) in mice. One tracer is specific for SGLTs (α-methyl-4-[18 F]fluoro-4-deoxy-d-glucopyranoside; Me-4FDG), one is specific for GLUTs (2-deoxy-2-[18 F]fluoro-d-glucose; 2-FDG), and one is a substrate for both SGLTs and GLUTs (4-deoxy-4-[18 F]fluoro-d-glucose; 4-FDG). OGTTs were conducted on adult wild-type, Sglt1-/- and Glut2-/- mice. In conscious mice, OGTTs resulted in the predictable increase in blood glucose that was blocked by phlorizin in both wild-type and Glut2-/- animals. The blood activity of both Me-4FDG and 4-FDG, but not 2-FDG, accompanied the changes in glucose concentration. PET imaging during OGTTs further shows that: (i) intestinal absorption of the glucose load depends on gastric emptying; (ii) SGLT1 is important for the fast absorption; (iii) GLUT2 is not important in absorption; and (iv) oral phlorizin reduces absorption by SGLT1, but is absorbed and blocks glucose reabsorption in the kidney. We conclude that in standard OGTTs in mice, SGLT1 is essential in fast absorption, GLUT2 does not play a significant role, and in the absence of SGLT1 the total load of glucose is slowly absorbed.
Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Craniofacial Development

Introduction F acial malformations comprise a significant proportion of the anomalies observed in children born with birth defects. Although congenital facial disfigurements are relatively common and have been exhaustively categorized, science is just now beginning to unravel the genetic and environmental etiologies as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying the clinical manifestations. The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway is one important signaling pathway involved in craniofacial development. The aim of this chapter is to provide a concise review of craniofacial development within the context of recent advances in our knowledge regarding SHH signaling in facial morphogenesis. We will discuss what is known about the functions of SHH in normal and abnormal craniofacial development in humans and how nonhuman model systems are being used to build a foundation in which to understand the mechanisms underlying craniofacial malformations in humans.
BRIDGE DESIGN CONSIDERING SCOUR AND RISK

The conclusion of a simple economic analysis is the construction of a foundation for a bridge that would be designed so the bridge is safe from the scour, which would occur in the maximum probable flood. Cases of pier scour alone and abutment scour alone are analyzed assuming reasonable costs of bridge and foundation piles, flood magnitude-frequency relations plotting as straight lines of log-normal paper, the risk of loss during the life of the bridge, and scour prediction relations somewhat verified in the field.
'Housing First' for the Chronically Homeless: Challenges of a New Service Model

Increasingly in recent years, policymakers have focused their efforts on ending chronic homelessness and, in particular, on individuals grappling with mental illness, substance abuse, and similar challenges. Central to this effort has been the rise of a new model of service provision called Housing First. Housing First reverses the long-standing practice of conditioning housing on compliance with treatment plans or other service requirements, instead providing immediate independent living for chronically homeless individuals with dual or multiple diagnoses and only then making intensive services available. This Commentary reviews this important policy shift and explores some conceptual and practical challenges in moving to a Housing First model.
Histochemical Distribution of Carbonic Anhydrase in Rat and Rabbit Lacrimal Gland

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the histochemical distribution of carbonic anhydrase (CA) in lacrimal glands from rats and rabbits; and to determine if age- and/or sex-related differences exist in the amount and distribution of CA in the rat lacrimal gland. Methods. Lacrimal glands from young (3-12 wk) and aged (2-2.5 yr), male and female F344 rats and male rabbits were fixed in 1% paraformaldehyde and embedded in glycolmethacrylate. CA histochemistry was performed on 2-Mm sections. The distribution of CA activity was determined by morphometric analysis. Results. In rat lacrimal gland, CA activity was distributed in a discontinuous, mosaic fashion among the acinar cells. In tissue from young males and females as well as from aged females, about 10% of the acinar tissue displayed CA activity. Significantly more activity was present in tissue from aged male rats. CA was present in the ductal lumina, suggesting that it is a secretory product of the acinar cells. In rabbits, CA activity was associated with the basolateral membranes of the terminal acinar cells only. Conclusions. In rat, the presence of CA activity in certain acinar cells and in ductal lumina suggests that CA is actively secreted by the lacrimal gland. An age-related increase in the amount of CA activity in the male glands exists that may be under gender-specific hormonal influences. In the rabbit lacrimal gland, the membrane-associated CA found uniquely with the terminal acinar cells suggests that these cells have special transport functions associated with the primary secretion of lacrimal fluid. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1 993;34:339-348.
Stochastic Manifestations of Chaos

The dynamics of a large class of stochastic systems is governed by Hamiltonians that can be obtained from the stochastic dynamical equations of these systems via an appropriate transformation, [Risken 1984], [Graham and Tel 1984], [Reichl 1998]. When the Hamiltonian system exhibits a transition to chaos, the decay rates of the stochastic equations show level repulsion. In the sections below, we demonstrate this correspondence between stochastic systems and deterministic Hamiltonian systems, for three different types of stochastic processes. We first consider Brownian motion in two space dimensions, then a random walk in two space dimensions, and finally a Brownian motion in one space dimension, driven by a time-periodic force.
Identification of Moonlighting Proteins in Genomes Using Text Mining Techniques

Moonlighting proteins is an emerging concept for considering protein functions, which indicate proteins with two or more independent and distinct functions. An increasing number of moonlighting proteins have been reported in the past years; however, a systematic study of the topic has been hindered because the secondary functions of proteins are usually found serendipitously by experiments. Toward systematic identification and study of moonlighting proteins, computational methods for identifying moonlighting proteins from several different information sources, database entries, literature, and large-scale omics data have been developed. In this study, an overview for finding moonlighting proteins is discussed. Then, the literature-mining method, DextMP, is applied to find new moonlighting proteins in three genomes, Arabidopsis thaliana, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Drosophila melanogaster. Potential moonlighting proteins identified by DextMP are further examined by a two-step manual literature checking procedure, which finally yielded 13 new moonlighting proteins. Identified moonlighting proteins are categorized into two classes based on the clarity of the distinctness of two functions of the proteins. A few cases of the identified moonlighting proteins are described in detail. Further direction for improving the DextMP algorithm is also discussed.
Antecedents of Soft Drusen, the Specific Deposits of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, in the Biology of Human Macula.

AMD pathobiology was irreversibly changed by the recent discovery of extracellular cholesterol-containing deposits in the subretinal space, between the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), called subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs). SDDs strikingly mirror the topography of rod photoreceptors in human macula, raising the question of whether an equivalent process results in a deposition related to foveal cones. Herein we propose that AMD's pathognomonic lesion-soft drusen and basal linear deposit (BLinD, same material, diffusely distributed)-is the leading candidate. Epidemiologic, clinical, and histologic data suggest that these deposits are most abundant in the central macula, under the fovea. Strong evidence presented in a companion article supports the idea that the dominant ultrastructural component is large apolipoprotein B,E-containing lipoproteins, constitutively secreted by RPE. Lipoprotein fatty acids are dominated by linoleate (implicating diet) rather than docosahexaenoate (implicating photoreceptors); we seek within the retina cellular relationships and dietary drivers to explain soft druse topography. The delivery of xanthophyll pigments to highly evolved and numerous Muller cells in the human fovea, through RPE, is one strong candidate, because Muller cells are the main reservoir of these pigments, which replenish from diet. We propose that the evolution of neuroglial relations and xanthophyll delivery that underlie exquisite human foveal vision came with a price, that is, soft drusen and sequela, long after our reproductive years.
The genus Mycena (Basidiomycota, Agaricales, Mycenaceae) and allied genera from Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, West Africa

Limited research has been published on the mushroom-forming basidiomycetous fungi of the oceanic islands Sao Tome and Principe, West Africa. Based on field work in April 2006 and 2008, which generated 24 specimens of mycenoid fungi, we recognize 14 species of Mycena , and 5 species belonging to the allied genera Clitocybula , Filoboletus , Hydropus and “ Trogia ”. Of these, 9 species are recognized herein as new to science, viz., Mycena antennae, M. brunneoviolacea, M. longinqua, M. oboensis, M. phaeonox, M. solis, Clitocybula intervenosa, Hydropus globosporus, and H. murinus ; an additional 10 species are new distribution reports for Sao Tome and Principe. Species delimitations are based on comprehensive morphological descriptions and molecular sequence (nLSU, ITS) data. Line drawings of salient micromorphological features, colour photographs of basidiomata, comparisons with allied taxa, a key to aid in identification, and phylogenetic inferences are provided.
Association between rituximab use and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy among non-HIV, non-Hodgkin lymphoma Veteran’s Administration patients.

e19540 Background: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare, fatal disease that results from activation of a highly prevalent, dormant JC virus during immunosuppressed states. Rit...
The Impact of Firm-Level Political Risk on Creditor Control

This article examines the impact of firm-level political risk on the value of creditor control, which is measured as the premium difference in the bond price and an equivalent synthetic bond without control rights. The synthetic bond is constructed from the credit default swap (CDS) contract. We find empirically that the value of creditor control increases as the firm-level political risk increases, especially among firms with investment-grade ratings, large size, low leverage, or low equity volatility. This effect appears to be more pronounced among firms experiencing financial constraints or industry shocks. During periods of great partisan conflicts, the impact of firm-level political risk on the value of creditor control decreases. TOPICS: Fixed income and structured finance, credit default swaps, credit risk management, information providers/credit ratings
TCPA v3.0: An Integrative Platform to Explore the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Functional Proteomic Data *

Reverse-phase protein arrays represent a powerful functional proteomics approach to characterizing cell signaling pathways and understanding their effects on cancer development. Using this platform, we have characterized ∼8,000 patient samples of 32 cancer types through The Cancer Genome Atlas and built a widely used, open-access bioinformatic resource, The Cancer Proteome Atlas (TCPA). To maximize the utility of TCPA, we have developed a new module called "TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis," which provides comprehensive protein-centric analyses that integrate protein expression data and other TCGA data across cancer types. We further demonstrate the value of this module by examining the correlations of RPPA proteins with significantly mutated genes, assessing the predictive power of somatic copy-number alterations, DNA methylation, and mRNA on protein expression, inferring the regulatory effects of miRNAs on protein expression, constructing a co-expression network of proteins and pathways, and identifying clinically relevant protein markers. This upgraded TCPA (v3.0) will provide the cancer research community with a more powerful tool for studying functional proteomics and making translational impacts.
Prospective Randomized Study of Prophylactic Ciprofloxacin Versus Levofloxacin in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients: An Interim Report

Infection is a serious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). However, the optimum oral agent for antibacterial prophylaxis in SCT recipients remains uncertain. Different antibiotics might affect incidence of blood stream infections, resistance, Clostridium difficile, gut microbiome, GVHD and relapse. To explore this we started this first clinical trial of levofloxacin (Levo) versus ciprofloxacin (Cipro) at our center. Methods: This is a single center prospective randomized study. Patients who meet the SCT program criteria to undergo autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are eligible. Results: We present interim results. 111 consecutive patients were randomized since June 2018. At the time of the present report 102 of these patients have follow up for 60 days or more. There were 62 males and 40 females. Median age at time of SCT was 61. Fifty received Cipro and 52 received Levo. Fifty-six patients had autologous (27 Cipro and 29 Levo) while 46 patients had allogeneic SCT (23 Cipro and 23 Levo). For allogeneic SCT, 12 patients in each group had ATG. Time to engraftment and length of stay were similar in both groups. In the Cipro group 6 patients (12%) had bacteremia while in the Levo group 7 (13%) had bacteremia. Of patients with bacteremia, in the Cipro group none had Gram negative bacteremia while in the Levo group 4 had gram negative bacteremia (OR 9.37, p = 0.137). In the Cipro group 6 patients had gram positive bacteremia while in the Levo group 3 patients had gram positive bacteremia (OR 2.22, p = 0.277). In the Cipro group, 6 (12%) had clostridium difficile while in the Levo group only 1 (1.9%) had Clostridium difficile (OR 6.95, p = 0.078). Acute GVHD of all grades accrued in 17 patients (34%) in Cipro group and in 16 patients (30.7%) in the Levo group. Grade III-IV aGVHD occurred in 6 patients (12%) in Cipro group and in 3 patients (5.8%) in the Levo group (OR 2.23, p = 0.277). The hazard ratio for progression free survival was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.27, 1.67), p=0.395 for Levo vs. Cipro. The hazard ratio for overall survival, adjusted for auto/allo and age at transplant was 0.29 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.95), p = 0.041, for Levo vs. Cipro. However, 3 of deaths in the Cipro group were not related to type of antibacterial prophylaxis (listeriosis from contaminated food, fungal pneumonia in a wooden-house builder and stroke from intraventricular thrombus). So, unadjusted hazard ratio for overall survival (Levo vs. Cipro): 0.41 (95% CI: 0.13, 1.34), p = 0.142. Hazard ratio for overall survival (Levo vs. Cipro), adjusting for allo/auto and age at transplant: 0.39 (95% CI: 0.11, 1.33), p = 0.132. Conclusion: At this point, in this interim analysis, there seems to be a trend for Cipro to protect patients from gram negative bacteremia compared to levo. As a trade-off, there is higher trend for Clostridium difficile in the Cipro group compared to Levo group, but none is statistically significant so far.
Willingness of patients with pancreatic cancer to participate in clinical trials.

4055 Background: Recruitment of oncology patients into clinical trials continues to be a challenge as <5% of patients are accrued. Low accrual rates may be due to reduced awareness of trial availab...
A modern-day early childhood teacher education initiative on Tajikistan’s historic silk road: Dushanbe to the roof of the world

This article is on early childhood teacher education in Tajikistan. It is contextualized by the collapse of the Soviet Union and Tajikistan’s rebirth in 1992, followed by Tajikistan’s immediate spi...
Education As Property

School districts and district attorneys across the country have pursued criminal or civil penalties against parents for enrolling their children in a school district in which neither the child nor parent resides, for "stealing education." The concept that education can be stolen by outsiders brings together multiple strains of law—criminal, education, local government, and property—to allow private parties to think of public, geographically bound resources as their private property that deserves law enforcement protection. In this Article, I engage not with the fact that parents are illegally enrolling their children in school districts in which they do not reside, but with the notion that accusing a family engaged in this behavior of “stealing” allows the accusers to claim education as private. The end result is a regime of surveillance, discipline, and punishment that reproduces race and class stratification.
Programmable human histone phosphorylation and gene activation using a CRISPR/Cas9-based chromatin kinase.

Histone phosphorylation is a ubiquitous post-translational modification that allows eukaryotic cells to rapidly respond to environmental stimuli. Despite correlative evidence linking histone phosphorylation to changes in gene expression, establishing the causal role of this key epigenomic modification at diverse loci within native chromatin has been hampered by a lack of technologies enabling robust, locus-specific deposition of endogenous histone phosphorylation. To address this technological gap, here we build a programmable chromatin kinase, called dCas9-dMSK1, by directly fusing nuclease-null CRISPR/Cas9 to a hyperactive, truncated variant of the human MSK1 histone kinase. Targeting dCas9-dMSK1 to human promoters results in increased target histone phosphorylation and gene activation and demonstrates that hyperphosphorylation of histone H3 serine 28 (H3S28ph) in particular plays a causal role in the transactivation of human promoters. In addition, we uncover mediators of resistance to the BRAF V600E inhibitor PLX-4720 in human melanoma cells using genome-scale screening with dCas9-dMSK1. Collectively, our findings enable a facile way to reshape human chromatin using CRISPR/Cas9-based epigenome editing and further define the causal link between histone phosphorylation and human gene activation. Histone phosphorylation is a ubiquitous post-translational modification. Here the authors present a programmable chromatin kinase, dCas9-dMSK1, that enables controlled histone phosphorylation and specific gene activation.
Hybrid Cash Balance and Pension Equity Plans: Origins and Development:

It is widely recognized that there has been a massive shift from defined-benefit (DB) to defined-contribution pension plans. However, the full extent of that shift from fully functioning DB plans i...
Patient-centered behavioral services for women veterans with mental health conditions

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is undergoing a transformational shift from disease-focused care to a Whole Health model that emphasizes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being. As this shift is occurring, women veterans using VHA services face challenges navigating a system that has historically served a primarily male demographic, without consistent consensus on which services require specialization by gender. A quality improvement project was conducted to solicit feedback on VHA behavioral and wellness programs from women veterans enrolled in VHA mental healthcare services. A multi-disciplinary work group of clinical researchers and healthcare providers developed a needs assessment survey to assess patient needs and preferences for behavioral health services. A convenience sample of female veterans using VHA mental healthcare services within a comprehensive Women's Health Clinic were invited to complete this anonymous survey. 107 women Veterans 18-65+ years old (65.3% African American; 5.9% LatinX; 54.2% aged under 55) completed the survey. Over 50% of patients endorsed relationships, physical activity, sleep/nightmares, pain management, anger, or spiritual/moral pain as top wellness priorities. Programatic preferences included location (located at the main VA Hospital) and gender composition (female only group formats). Schedule conflicts were the most frequently cited barriers. Results from this quality improvement project highlight considerations for tailoring the content and delivery of behavioral services for women veterans with mental health conditions.
Transformative Design Pedagogy: Teaching Biophilic Design Through Experiential Learning:

Background: Biophilia is becoming an important theme in contemporary design practice. Research in this area has demonstrated measurable improvements in human health and wellbeing when built environ...
Dysregulation of Astrocyte–Neuronal Communication in Alzheimer’s Disease

Recent studies implicate astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, their role in pathogenesis is poorly understood. Astrocytes have well-established functions in supportive functions such as extracellular ionic homeostasis, structural support, and neurovascular coupling. However, emerging research on astrocytic function in the healthy brain also indicates their role in regulating synaptic plasticity and neuronal excitability via the release of neuroactive substances named gliotransmitters. Here, we review how this “active” role of astrocytes at synapses could contribute to synaptic and neuronal network dysfunction and cognitive impairment in AD.
The Iterative Design Process in Research and Development: A Work Experience Paper

The iterative design process is one of many strategies used in new product development. Top-down development strategies, like waterfall development, place a heavy emphasis on planning and simulation. The iterative process, on the other hand, is better suited to the management of small to medium scale projects. Over the past four months, I have worked with engineers at Johnson Space Center on a multitude of electronics projects. By describing the work I have done these last few months, analyzing the factors that have driven design decisions, and examining the testing and verification process, I will demonstrate that iterative design is the obvious choice for research and development projects.
Gene Transfer Mediated by Site-Specific Recombination Systems

Stable genetic transformation depends on DNA recombination, a process defined as a physical exchange of genetic information between interacting DNA molecules. DNA recombination reactions are conveniently divided into three categories: homologous recombination, site-specific recombination, and all others pejoratively described as illegitimate recombination. Current plant transformation techniques primarily rely on the least understood mechanisms, that is, illegitimate recombination. As a result, genetic transformations are unpredictable with respect to the efficiency of transformation and reliability of transgene expression. The use of homologous recombination in DNA integration processes (described as gene targeting) is still a very inefficient process despite substantial ongoing research efforts to develop such techniques both for animal and plant applications [1, 2], Site-specific recombination may bridge the gap between random, unpredictable illegitimate integration and future fully controllable genomic DNA manipulations based on homologous recombination or other mechanisms. There is already available evidence that site-specific recombination can increase the efficiency of genetic transformation, improve its reliability, and reduce the extent of modifications imposed on genomic DNA during the transformation process.
A simplified laser treatment planning system: proof of concept.

Introduction The physician using a laser in medicine should have treatment planning software available that will help him or her to better understand the full effects of the laser radiation on the patient, similar to that of a radiation oncologist. Combining this software with imaging scans from the patient, treatments can be optimized for individual patients. Methods Using off-the-shelf computers and software, we put together a simple system that is able to calculate thermal profiles from laser irradiation using an algorithm that runs in real time on a laptop computer with commercial software. The tissues used in these studies are simulated. We use realistic parameters and add some random blood vessels to the simulated tissue. Results We demonstrate in the simulations the temperature profile in tissue after laser irradiation. We can see build up of temperature in tissue irradiated with multiple pulses at 2 Hz repetition rate. The simulations show how the volume of the tissue is important in calculating thermal relaxation times. We also show how temperature relaxes away from small volumes in a short time and longer durations are needed for larger volumes of tissue. Discussion The importance of understanding how a laser interacts fully with the tissue will allow the surgeon to better determine when a laser is appropriate and which laser is optimal for a patient. The results show how these calculations can be made in a simplified fashion. Ultimately, it would be convenient to combine such software with imaging systems for careful laser treatment planning. Lasers Surg. Med. 45:679–685, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Ultraviolet Spectrum of RX Puppis

The UV spectrum of the peculiar star RX Puppis has afforded symbiotic star investigators a wealth of information for unraveling its mysteries. RX Pup and R Aqr, both being of the D-type variety, are now better understood as result of an extended coverage of observations at different wavelengths including radio observations using the VLA. These stars present challenges to our understanding of the symbiotic phenomenon and clues to other astrophysical phenomena like jets. Resolution of the question whether RX Pup has a jet system and an associated system of rings/extended disk or, alternatively, a colliding winds region will be resolved by high resolution radio observations or future observations using the Hubble Space Telescope.
Identification and characterization of protein kinase CKII isoforms in HeLa cells. Isoform-specific differences in rates of assembly from catalytic and regulatory subunits

Protein kinase CKII (formerly casein kinase II) can be isolated as a heterotetramer, containing two catalytic (alpha or alpha') and two regulatory (beta) subunits. We have characterized the forms of CKII in HeLa cells using antibodies specific for the alpha or alpha' subunits. Following metabolic labeling with [35S]methionine, whole cell soluble extracts were analyzed by immunoprecipitation and gel electrophoresis. Both alpha and alpha' coprecipitate with beta and with each other. However, when extracts are depleted of alpha, a pool of CKII containing only alpha' and beta is identified. Similarly, depletion of alpha' revealed a pool exclusively of alpha and beta. Therefore, we propose that there are three distinct isoforms of CKII within HeLa cells with different catalytic subunit stoichiometries (alpha 2 beta 2, alpha alpha' beta 2, and alpha' 2 beta 2). With our immunodepletion procedure we have characterized the isoforms by activity analysis, turnover of pulse-labeled subunits, and by localization in subcellular fractions obtained from labeled cells. We have also analyzed complex formation between the catalytic and regulatory subunits by examining the differences in the rate of signal incorporation into subunits in immunoprecipitates obtained from continuously labeled and pulse-labeled cells. We have found that the alpha 2 beta 2 and alpha alpha' beta 2 isoforms assemble relatively slowly (12-16 h), whereas complex formation of the alpha' 2 beta 2 isoform occurs more rapidly (2-4 h). Analysis of isoform complex formation in subcellular fractions from pulse-labeled cells revealed that the majority of nuclear CKII is assembled in the nucleus from free catalytic and regulatory subunit polypeptides.
Predictions about indifference curves inside the unit triangle: A test of variants of expected utility theory

Abstract Expected utility unit triangle indifference curves are parallel straight lines; new theories account for violations of expected utility, but have indifference curves with different shapes. Previous tests of generalized utility theories had subjects revealing indifference curve shapes with choices over lotteries on the triangle boundary. Subjects' choices over lotteries inside the triangle reported here reveal indifference curves with different properties. In choices over hyopothetical lotteries, such as the Allais paradox, systematic violations of expected utility disappear when lotteries are nudged inside the triangle. In choices over real money lotteries several theories have consistent choice patterns which subjects systematically choose, but only rank-dependent expected utility with convex indifference curves comes close to having inconsistent choice patterns which subjects choose randomly.
Stoichiometric Inhibition of Reduced Xanthine Oxidase by Hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines

Abstract The inhibition of reduced bovine milk xanthine oxidase by 4-hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (4-HPP) and 4,6-dihydroxypyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (4,6-diHPP) is "stoichiometric" or "titrating" in type, i.e. the inhibition is virtually complete (g90%) at concentrations of inhibitor equimolar with that of the enzyme. The dissociation constant of the reduced enzyme-4,6-diHPP complex, determined by the method of Easson and Stedman (Proc. Roy. Soc. Ser. B Biol. Sci., 121, 142 (1936)), is 5.4 x 10-10 m. No decrease in the fractional inhibition is detectable on increasing the substrate concentration from 0.04 to 0.33 mm, or on 10-fold dilution of the enzyme-inhibitor complex. The inhibitory properties of 4-HPP are virtually identical with those of 4,6-diHPP; this identity in behavior is the result of the conversion of 4-HPP to 4,6-diHPP by the enzyme. The rate of development of 4,6-diHPP inhibition is markedly temperature-dependent, more than 2 hours being required to reach maximal inhibition at 2°, but less than 1 min at 40°. The time required to reach maximal inhibition is not decreased by increasing the 4,6-diHPP level 100-fold, from 28 mµm to 2.8 µm; the inhibition appears, therefore, to be caused, not by the enzyme-inhibitor complex initially formed, but to a subsequent internal rearrangement of the latter to a less readily dissociable form.
Double coset density in classical algebraic groups

We classify all pairs of reductive maximal connected subgroups of a classical algebraic group G that have a dense double coset in G. Using this, we show that for an arbitrary pair (H,K) of reductive subgroups of a reductive group G satisfying a certain mild technical condition, there is a dense H,K-double coset in G precisely when G = HK is a factorization.
Trauma of the Colon and Rectum

Optimal management of colon injuries continues to be an evolving and controversial topic. Despite the dramatic reduction of colon-related mortality from about 60% during World War I to about 40% during World War II to about 10% during the Vietnam War and to lower than 3% in the last few decades, the colon-related morbidity remains high. The abdominal sepsis rate has remained significant at about 20% in a large prospective study in 2001 (Table 26-1).1–6 No other organ injury is associated with a higher septic complication rate than colon injury. In the subgroups of patients with colon injuries with a Penetrating Abdominal Trauma Index (PATI) ≥25 or with multiple blood transfusions, the incidence of intraabdominal sepsis has been reported to be as high as 27%.7 In patients with destructive colon injuries requiring resection, the reported incidence of abdominal complications is about 24%.6 Many studies have attempted to identify risk factors for complications and create an ­optimal management strategy.
Backward K − p elastic scattering and 0° Σ − π + production

In this paper we report measurements of the backward ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ differential cross section at 49 momenta covering the momentum range 476-1084 MeV/c. The statistical precision achieved, typically 2.5%, is an order of magnitude better than previous measurements. The systematic errors for this reaction are about 1%. The differential cross section for the reaction ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ where the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ emerges at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} has also been measured at 32 momenta with comparable improvement in precision over previous experiments. A partial-wave analysis of the $\overline{K}N$ channels including the new ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ backward elastic data is presented.
Pyridoxine chemistry: XXI. Thin-layer chromatography and thin-layer electrophoresis of compounds in the vitamin B6 group

Abstract Thin-layer chromatographic and thin-layer electrophoretic methods are described for the separation of compounds in the vitamin B 6 group and some common metabolites. Several solvent systems and silica gel or cellulose were used, giving compact spots and permitting reliable determination of these compounds. Enhanced separation can be achieved through the application of boric acid in certain situations. The preparation and use of various spray reagents is discussed with respect to their specificity and sensitivity. The ready photodecomposition of pyridoxal phosphate introduces complications. The two main photolysis products have been identified. Multiple spots can be readily avoided by excluding light during chromatography.