cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selecting cost-effective plant mixes to support pollinators

Abstract Growing concern about wild and managed pollinator populations has led to efforts to create floral habitat to promote bees and other pollinators, especially in agricultural lands where they make important contributions to crop pollination. These actions all require practitioners to determine what mixture of plant species to select to best support diverse and functionally important pollinators. Like in the selection of areas for nature reserves, plant choices must balance function against differences in cost. To date, plant mixes have been compiled using expert opinion based on the performance of individual species, but researchers and practitioners have called for a systematic approach to optimize mixtures. We applied a decision analytic approach to select best flowering mixes to meet two specified objectives at the least cost: maximizing total bee richness or maximizing crop-pollinating bees. The model identified best plant mixes for each objective across a range of budgets. Accounting for the variation in costs among plant species allowed for substantially more cost effective mixes with little loss in achieving the target objective. Including multiple objectives simultaneously revealed the power of the approach to meet complex goals. The resulting mix supported over 96% of the bee species for both goals at no difference in cost. This gain in efficiency could dramatically increase the extent of habitat implemented and remove financial barriers to adoption by stakeholders and conservation practitioners.
Towards electrically injected parity-time-symmetric microring lasers

We present an electrically pumped parity-time-symmetric coupled microring laser. Using the interplay between gain and loss, single mode operation is demonstrated with no penalty in terms of output power or threshold pump intensity.
Can Displaced Labor Be Retrained? Evidence from Quasi-Random Assignment to Trade Adjustment Assistance

The extent to which workers adjust to labor market disruptions in light of increasing pressure from trade and automation commands widespread concern. However, surprisingly little is known about efforts that deliberately target the adjustment process. This project studies 20 years of worker-level earnings and re-employment responses to Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) — the United States’ largest and longest standing public incentive program for retraining. I estimate causal effects from the quasi-random assignment of TAA cases to investigators of varying approval leniencies. Using employer-employee matched Census data on 300,000 displaced workers, I find large initial returns to TAA. Ten years out, TAA-trained workers have $50,000 higher cumulative earnings, driven by both higher incomes and greater labor force participation. Yet annual returns fully depreciate after ten years. TAA appears to have no effect on formal education, and decaying returns are concentrated in states with lower training durations. Combined with evidence that effects are driven by training rather than unemployment insurance transfers, TAA appears to augment transient rather than permanent components of human capital. Returns are further concentrated in the most disrupted regions, where workers are more likely to switch industries and move to labor markets with better opportunities in response to training — consistent with adjustment frictions.
Evaluation of second step on early elementary students’ academic outcomes: A randomized controlled trial.

Research has consistently linked social-emotional learning to important educational and life outcomes. Early elementary represents an opportune developmental period to proactively support children to acquire social-emotional skills that enable academic success. Using data from a large scale randomized controlled trial, the purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the 4th edition of Second Step on early elementary students' academic-related outcomes. Participants were Kindergarten to 2nd grade students in 61 schools (310 teachers; 7,419 students) across six school districts in Washington State and Arizona. Multilevel models (Time × Condition) indicated the program had no positive main effect impact on academic outcomes. However, moderator analyses revealed that quality of implementation, specifically a measure of student engagement and dosage, was found to be associated with significant, albeit small, reading and classroom behavior outcomes. Findings from this study provide support for Second Step when implemented in the context of high engagement and higher dosage to have small but potentially meaningful collateral impact on early academic-related outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
Flap Reconstruction of the Elbow and Forearm: A Case-Based Approach

Elbow and forearm wounds range from those caused by congenital anomalies, contracture release, tumor excision, and burns, to autoimmune disease, trauma, infection, and exposed prostheses (1). Regardless of the cause, wounds about the elbow and forearm have potentially disabling effects (2), influencing both the ability to work and quality of life. An appreciation for the etiology and socioeconomic implications of upper extremity wounds is imperative for a successful outcome. Elbow and forearm wounds require a stable and durable solution. Important differences remain, however, regarding the reconstructive demands intrinsic to each anatomic area. Forearm wounds can often be closed directly or covered with skin grafts. Only large wounds or those with exposed neurovascular structures, tendon, or bone typically require flap closure. Conversely, elbow wounds have limited simple solutions for coverage as underlying structures and prostheses are easily exposed (3). Elbow wounds also have the unique requirement of a pliable, yet well-padded reconstruction. These characteristics promote early mobilization to prevent contracture and stiffness (4). As local tissues are frequently involved in the zone of injury or lack characteristics necessary to achieve an optimal outcome, the surgeon often must choose from the myriad of available flap options.
Have Hemiarch Replacements and Adhesives Improved Outcomes in Acute Type A Dissection

Surgical treatment strategies for acute type A aortic dissection continue to evolve. Proximal reconstruction typically involves aortic valve resuspension with preservation of the aortic root, unless the tear site extends into the aortic root. Although there is strong consensus on proximal aortic reconstruction strategy, open distal aortic reconstruction as a transverse hemiarch replacement under circulatory arrest is still not adopted by many groups, even though evidence supports for this distal reconstructive strategy. In addition to proximal and distal aortic stabilization, one of the essential aspects of repair remains reapposition of the dissection flap in the aortic root and the ascending aorta. To this effect, there is literature supporting for many techniques, including placement of adhesives into the dissection flap and/or placement of felt material in the dissection flap to reappose the intima, media and the adventia of the dissected aorta. But overall, there is no clear consensus on the ideal technique for apposition of the dissection flap.
Harvard and Wiener’s University Training, 1906–1913

Leo Wiener decided not to send his son to Harvard College in order to spare him the strain of taking the Harvard entrance examinations and of the subsequent embarrassment of being “an eleven-year-old at Harvard”. But Harvard University was the center of Norbert’s educational gyrations, and the dominant factor in his advanced training.
The Treatment of Lupus: General Principles

Effective patient care entails the development of a trusting relationship and workable treatment plan between patient and physician. Clear mutual goals should be set whose basic aims are to alleviate symptoms, prevent exacerbations, treat relapses, prevent permanent organ dysfunction, and prevent damage from treatment.
Impact of military type footwear and load carrying workload on postural stability

Postural stability has been shown to be impacted by footwear and task performed. This study analysed the impact of two military footwear, standard boot (STB) and minimalist boot (MTB) on postural s...
Retinal Ganglion Cell Replacement: Current Status and Challenges Ahead

The neurons of the retina can be affected by a wide variety of inherited or environmental degenerations that can lead to vision loss and even blindness. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration is the hallmark of glaucoma and other optic neuropathies that affect millions of people worldwide. Numerous strategies are being trialed to replace lost neurons in different degeneration models, and in recent years, stem cell technologies have opened promising avenues to obtain donor cells for retinal repair. Stem cell-based transplantation has been most frequently used for the replacement of rod photoreceptors, but the same tools could potentially be used for other retinal cell types, including RGCs. However, RGCs are not abundant in stem cell-derived cultures, and in contrast to the short-distance wiring of photoreceptors, RGC axons take a long and intricate journey to connect with numerous brain nuclei. Hence, a number of challenges still remain, such as the ability to scale up the production of RGCs and a reliable and functional integration into the adult diseased retina upon transplantation. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in the development of replacement therapies for RGC degenerations and the challenges that we need to overcome before these technologies can be applied to the clinic. Developmental Dynamics 248:118-128, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gesicle-Mediated Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein Complex for Inactivating the HIV Provirus

Investigators have utilized the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system to specifically target well-conserved regions of HIV, leading to decreased infectivity and pathogenesis in vitro and ex vivo. We utilized a specialized extracellular vesicle termed a “gesicle” to efficiently, yet transiently, deliver Cas9 in a ribonucleoprotein form targeting the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR). Gesicles are produced through expression of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein and package protein as their cargo, thus bypassing the need for transgene delivery, and allowing finer control of Cas9 expression. Using both NanoSight particle and western blot analysis, we verified production of Cas9-containing gesicles by HEK293FT cells. Application of gesicles to CHME-5 microglia resulted in rapid but transient transfer of Cas9 by western blot, which is present at 1 hr, but is undetectable by 24 hr post-treatment. Gesicle delivery of Cas9 protein preloaded with guide RNA targeting the HIV LTR to HIV-NanoLuc CHME-5 cells generated mutations within the LTR region and copy number loss. Finally, we demonstrated that this treatment resulted in reduced proviral activity under basal conditions and after stimulation with pro-inflammatory factors lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). These data suggest that gesicles are a viable alternative approach to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
A Model Predictive Control Strategy for LCC-HVDC System to Participate in Long-term Voltage Stability Control

LCC-HVDC DC transmission technology has significant advantages in long-distance and large capacity transmission. At present, the power grid becomes a system with deep coupling of AC and DC. Because of the need to consume a lot of reactive power, the DC system brings serious challenge to the voltage safety control of the system. Due to the large capacity of LCC- HVDC and the flexibility of converter control, a model predictive control (MPC) method for LCC-HVDC system to participate in long-term voltage stability control is presented in this paper. Firstly, the self recovery model of load is considered, and the quasi steady state model of voltage stability in AC and DC system is established. Based on this model, the sensitivity of the LCC-HVDC control variable to the system voltage locus is determined by using the trajectory sensitivity technique. Based on the voltage trajectory sensitivity, the LCC- HVDC system model predictive control method is proposed to improve the voltage stability of the system. The transmission power of the LCC- HVDC system is adjusted by on-line rolling, the voltage trajectory changes in response to the system, and the voltage stability is improved. The simulation results show that LCC- HVDC has great potential to participate in voltage stability control, and the proposed LCC-HVDC model predictive control method can effectively enhance the long-term voltage stability of the system.
Social isolation uncovers a brain-wide circuit underlying context-dependent territory-covering micturition behavior

Abstract The controlled and volitional release of urine, or micturition, serves a fundamental physiological function and, in many species, is critical for social communication. In mice, the decision to release urine is modulated by external and internal factors such as environmental stimuli and social history and is transmitted to the spinal cord via the pontine micturition center (PMC). The neural pathways by which social experience and sensory stimuli interact to control PMC activity and regulate micturition are unclear. Here we establish a behavioral paradigm in which mice, depending on their strain, social experience, and immediate sensory context, display either high or low territory-covering micturition (TCM). We demonstrate that social context is represented by coordinated global activity changes in the urination network upstream of the PMC, whereas sensory context is represented by the activation of discrete nodes in the network. Furthermore, we show that the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), which is directly upstream of PMC, is a key node that can switch micturition behavior between high and low TCM modes.
3D-Printed electrodes for membraneless water electrolysis

Additive manufacturing encompasses an emerging class of techniques that are increasingly finding applications in the field of electrochemistry. While most of these demonstrations have involved the use of 3D-printing to fabricate structural components of electrochemical devices, this manuscript describes the design, manufacture and performance of 3D-printed porous flow-through electrodes employed in an electrolyzer that is itself made almost entirely by 3D-printing. These electrodes were 3D-printed using fused deposition modeling (FDM) from a composite of conductive carbon and polylactic acid (PLA), followed by electrodeposition of nickel (Ni) electrocatalyst. The stability and performance of these Ni-PLA electrodes were evaluated for water electrolysis in 1.0 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH). After characterizing the performance of a single electrode pair for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), three pairs of electrodes were incorporated into a simple and scalable 3D-printed membraneless electrolyzer by “clicking” them into a monolithic lid containing manifolding for collection of the O2 and H2 product gases. The device utilizes a membraneless architecture capable of operating in a stagnant electrolyte through buoyancy-driven separation of product gases, and allowing for easy regeneration of electrodes by electrodeposition. Device operation was evaluated through a combination of electroanalytical measurements, in situ high-speed video imaging, and finite element modeling. Although the efficiency and cross-over rates of these membraneless electrolyzers fall below what is required for commercial applications, additive manufacturing of electrodes offers an exciting new design space to improve performance and enable robust operation for applications where membrane-based electrolyzers are inherently unstable.
Benefits of an early mobility program for hospitalized cancer patients: A pilot study.

7008Background: Cancer patients are often hospitalized with complications from cancer and cancer treatment. Many experience a decline in physical functioning which likely contributes to increased l...
Abstract IA23: PI3K inhibitors as a backbone for combination treatments for breast and ovarian cancer

PI3K inhibitors reduce glucose uptake and utilization by tumors. Yet in solid tumor clinical trials the efficacy of PI3K -inhibitors as single agents has been limited. Therefore, we have focused on harnessing the antimetabolic efficacy of PI3K inhibitors to augment the efficacy of antineoplastic treatments. A recently completed clinical trial (NCT01623349) examined the combination of PI3Ki BYL719 and the PARPi olaparib in ovarian cancer (EOC). Of the 28 EOC patients, 10 (35.7%) had partial response (PR), 14 (50%) had stable disease (SD), 3 (10.7%) had progressive disease (PD), and 1 (3.6%) patient was unevaluable. ORR was 33.3% and 31.3% in platinum resistant/refractory gBRCAmut and gBRCAwt patients, respectively. These data show that combining BYL719 and olaparib is feasible with no unexpected toxicities and that the activity of olaparib/BYL719 in gBRCAwt platinum-resistant EOC appears significantly higher than expected compared to either olaparib or BYL719 monotherapies. Next-generation sequencing did not identify markers of responsiveness to this combination. To assess responsiveness to this combination functionally, we have developed novel methods to monitor the antimetabolic activity of PI3K inhibitors in vivo using functional MRI of tumors based on the interconversion of 13C-pyruvate to 13C-lactate as well as NMR spectroscopy of tumoral ATP stores. Citation Format: Gerburg Wulf, Panos Konstantinopoulos, William Barry, Olmo Sonzongi, Julia Eismann, Bose Kucherlapati, Ursula Matulonis. PI3K inhibitors as a backbone for combination treatments for breast and ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting PI3K/mTOR Signaling; 2018 Nov 30-Dec 8; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(10_Suppl):Abstract nr IA23.
Diagnosing colorectal abnormalities using scattering coefficient maps acquired from optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has shown potential in differentiating normal colonic mucosa from neoplasia. In this study of 33 fresh human colon specimens, we report the first use of texture features and computer vision-based imaging features acquired from en face scattering coefficient maps to characterize colorectal tissue. En face scattering coefficient maps were generated automatically using a new fast integral imaging algorithm. From these maps, a gray-level cooccurrence matrix algorithm was used to extract texture features, and a scale-invariant feature transform algorithm was used to derive novel computer vision-based features. In total, 25 features were obtained, and the importance of each feature in diagnosis was evaluated using a random forest model. Two classifiers were assessed on two different classification tasks. A support vector machine model was found to be optimal for distinguishing normal from abnormal tissue, with 94.7% sensitivity and 94.0% specificity, while a random forest model performed optimally in further differentiating abnormal tissues (i.e., cancerous tissue and adenomatous polyp) with 86.9% sensitivity and 85.0% specificity. These results demonstrated the potential of using OCT to aid the diagnosis of human colorectal disease.
Process Flexibility for Multiperiod Production Systems

The classical process flexibility literature has mostly focused on single-period models as finding the optimal multiperiod policy is difficult because of the curse of dimensionality. In “Process Fl...
Characterizing Social TV Activity Around Televised Events: A Joint Topic Model Approach

Viewers often use social media platforms like Twitter to express their views about televised programs and events like the presidential debate, the Oscars, and the State of the Union speech. Althoug...
Reflections on Providing Virtual Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy in the Wake of COVID-19: Survival Through Adaptation

The spread of COVID-19 has led to many public health challenges including detrimental mental and physical health outcomes. For an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-certified therapist who primarily treats a population with an underlying diagnosis of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), this social phenomenon has presented many ethical and clinical challenges. The continued advancements in technology have promoted a rise in the development and utilization of mobile health applications such as those using EMDR techniques to facilitate the therapeutic process. However, research measuring the efficacy and safety of these applications is limited, particularly for clients who present with complex posttraumatic conditions and associated comorbidities. In this time of collective trauma, virtual EMDR has progressed from an emerging trend to a necessary clinical adaptation. This composite case study illustrates a personal reflection of the adaptation of EMDR to teletherapy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evaluation of the Effects of Nanomaterials on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Responses: Underlining the Benefits of Nanotechnology for Agricultural Applications

The application of nanotechnology in the field of agriculture as nanofertilizers or nanopesticides is receiving increased attention from regulatory agencies and research institutions worldwide. Soi...
High food insecurity in Latinx families and associated COVID-19 infection in the Greater Bay Area, California

Food insecurity impacts nearly one-in-four Latinx households in the United States and has been exacerbated by the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the impact of COVID-19 on household and child food security in three preexisting, longitudinal, Latinx urban cohorts in the San Francisco Bay Area (N = 375 households, 1875 individuals). Households were initially recruited during pregnancy and postpartum at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) and UCSF Benioff prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. For this COVID-19 sub-study, participants responded to a 15-min telephonic interview. Participants answered 18 questions from the US Food Security Food Module (US HFSSM) and questions on types of food consumption, housing and employment status, and history of COVID-19 infection as per community or hospital-based testing. Food security and insecurity levels were compared with prior year metrics. We found low levels of household food security in Latinx families (by cohort: 29.2%; 34.2%; 60.0%) and child food security (56.9%, 54.1%, 78.0%) with differences between cohorts explained by self-reported levels of education and employment status. Food security levels were much lower than those reported previously in two cohorts where data had been recorded from prior years. Reported history of COVID-19 infection in households was 4.8% (95% Confidence Interval (CI); 1.5–14.3%); 7.2% (95%CI, 3.6–13.9%) and 3.5% (95%CI, 1.7–7.2%) by cohort and was associated with food insecurity in the two larger cohorts (p = 0.03; p = 0.01 respectively). Latinx families in the Bay Area with children are experiencing a sharp rise in food insecurity levels during the COVID-19 epidemic. Food insecurity, similar to other indices of poverty, is associated with increased risk for COVID-19 infection. Comprehensive interventions are needed to address food insecurity in Latinx populations and further studies are needed to better assess independent associations between household food insecurity, poor nutritional health and risk of COVID-19 infection.
Incipient Fault Identification in Power Distribution Systems based on Siamese Temporal Graph

In this paper, a method called Siamese Temporal Graph, which captures the temporal-spatial relationship between sampling points in waveform, is proposed for incipient fault detection. The procedure is explained as follows: The original waveform is re-structured into a temporal graph form and mapped by the defined Temporal Graph Convolution. An optimal mapping function is determined by minimizing the intra-class distance and maximizing the inter-class distance. Due to the transfer learning ability, this model trained with simulation data can be used to detect field data. Experiments show that it is much better than other classifiers, bringing a new insight for the incipient fault detection task in power distribution systems.
Moire Deflectometry, Multi-Chord Spectroscopy, and Radiation Imaging of a Spark Gap Plasma

This paper presents temperature and density measurements from spark gap derived plasmas obtained by a Moire deflectometer, axial multi -chord spectroscopy, and a pinhole camera. Relative line intensities will be used to extract spatially resolved temperature from spectroscopic measurements. A moire deflectometer with a 532 nm laser is utilized as a single pass diagnostic to give 2-D maps of density. A pin-hole camera is used for a spatially resolved map of x-ray radiation produced by free-free transitions in the plasma. Preliminary data will be presented for pressures ranging from 1 to 760 torr, He, Ar, and N2 and voltages between 10 to 20 kV.
Intravascular Papillary Endothelial Hyperplasia (Masson's Tumor) Found as an Adrenal Incidentaloma

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (Masson’s tumor) is a rare, benign, neoplastic lesion which arises from endothelial proliferation around an existing thrombus. This condition is most commonly found in the head, neck, or extremities. Only four cases of Masson’s tumor in the adrenal gland have been reported to date, making this an extremely rare location. When occurring in the adrenal gland, confusion of this neoplasm with highly malignant conditions is common; therefore, Masson’s tumor is a diagnosis of exclusion. A case of adrenal intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia discovered as an incidental finding on abdominal CT is examined. J Med Cases. 2015;6(7):318-319 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc2127w
Climate Change Policy

Having risen from relative obscurity as few as ten years ago, climate change now looms large among environmental policy issues. Its scope is global; the potential environmental and economic impacts are ubiquitous; the potential restrictions on human choices touch the most basic goals of people in all nations; and the sheer scope of the potential response ? a significant shift away from using fossil fuels as the primary energy source in the modern economy ? is daunting. In this paper, we explore the economics of climate change policy. We examine the risks that climate change poses for society, the benefits of protection against the effects of climate change, and the costs of alternative protection policies. We organize our discussion around three broad themes: why costs and benefits matter in assessing climate change policies, as does the uncertainty surrounding them; why well-designed, cost-effective climate policies are essential in addressing the threat of climate change; and why a coherent architecture of international agreements is key to successful policy implementation. We conclude the paper with a summary of key policy lessons and gaps in knowledge.
A New AFM-Based Lithography Method: Thermochemical Nanolithography

In the last decade, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of techniques for patterning materials on the nanoscale (10-100nm), driven by numerous potential applications, for example, in sensing[1], data storage [2], optoelectronic [3], display [4], nanofluidic [5], and biomimetic [6] devices. An ideal nanolithography technique would be able to: (1) write with nm resolution; (2) write with speeds of multiple centimeters per second (while preserving nanometer scale registry) for wafer-scale lithography; (2) impart different chemical functionality and/or physical properties (with or without topographical changes) as desired; (4) function in different laboratory environments (for example, under ambient pressure or in solution); (5) be capable of massive parallelization for both writing and metrology; and (6) write on a variety of materials deposited on a variety of substrates. Specific applications will require one or more of the attributes described earlier, but the most versatile technique would encompass as many as possible. To our knowledge, no technique currently in practice can simultaneously attain all of these features.
A Switched Capacitor Approach to Field-Programmable Analog Array (FPAA) Design

We present a voltage mode switched-capacitor Field Programmable Analog Array (FPAA) to be used to implement various analog circuits. The FPAA consists of uniform configurable analog blocks (CABs) allowing implementation of different functions. Each CAB consists of two back-to-back connected inverting and non-inverting strays-insensitive switched-capacitor integrators. The interconnection between CABs is implemented by switched and unswitched capacitor networks. The internal structure of CABs and the interconnection between different CABs are configured by user-programmable digital control signals. The functionality of the FPAA is demonstrated through embedding of different types of filters, programmable amplifiers, biquads, modulators and signal generators along with simulation results.
Building a Stronger Safety Net: Local Organizations and the Challenges of Serving Immigrants in the Suburbs

Just as more poor people in America now live in suburbs than in primary cities, immigrants are more likely to live in suburbs than in the urban core. This study examines the nonprofit safety net in select Chicago suburban municipalities to assess the capacity and accessibility of these service providers relative to the location and need of low-income immigrants. We identify differences between immigrant service providers and mainstream organizations, particularly their willingness and ability to reach out to and serve immigrants and to analyze their role as mediating institutions.
High-risk percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with reverse left ventricular remodeling and improved outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease and reduced ejection fraction

Background Therapies that reverse pathologic left ventricular (LV) remodeling are often associated with improved outcomes. The incidence and impact of reverse LV remodeling after high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are unknown. Methods The PROTECT II study was a multicenter trial in patients with complex, multivessel coronary artery disease and reduced ejection fraction (EF) that revealed an increase in visual EF after high-risk PCI. Among patients with quantitative echocardiography (LV volumes and biplane EF), we assessed the extent and predictors of reverse LV remodeling, defined as improved systolic function with an absolute increase in EF ≥5% and correlated these findings with clinical events. Results Quantitative echocardiography was performed in 184 patients at baseline and longest follow-up. Mean EF at baseline was 27.1%. Ninety-three patients (51%) demonstrated reverse LV remodeling with an absolute increase in EF of 13.2% ( P P = .002). No significant change in EF or end-systolic volume was seen among non-remodelers. Reverse LV remodeling occurred more frequently in patients with more extensive revascularization (odds ratio, 7.52; 95% CI [1.31-43.25]) and was associated with significantly fewer major adverse events (composite of death/myocardial infarction/stroke/transient ischemic attack): 9.7% versus 24.2% ( P = .009). There was also a greater reduction in New York Heart Association class III/IV heart failure among reverse LV remodelers (66.7% to 24.0%) than non-remodelers (56.3% to 34.4%), P = .045. Conclusions Reverse LV remodeling can occur after high-risk PCI in patients with complex coronary artery disease and reduced EF and is associated with improved clinical outcomes.
Reducing Risk and Improving Incentives in Funding Entrepreneurs

This article suggests backer financing mechanisms that encourage an entrepreneur to launch a start-up that has unacceptable risk although positive expected payout. It uses decision analysis and certainty equivalents to compare these mechanisms from both the entrepreneur’s and the backer’s points of view. Backers may be local and national governments interested in technology, job creation, and growing the tax base; foundations; charities; nongovernmental organizations; and even corporations or individuals interested in a new product or technology. Alternative mechanisms include (a) the equity participation model predominant in start-up financing, (b) outright incentive gifts, (c) insurance against downside loss, and two new ideas: (d) swap hedge and (e) revenue contract. We develop risk analysis models of the alternative mechanisms, from which we calculate the comparative risk-adjusted attractiveness of each mechanism to the entrepreneur for a similar level of expected cost to the backer. The best alternat...
Characterization of anti-Toxoplasma activity of SDZ 215-918, a cyclosporin derivative lacking immunosuppressive and peptidyl-prolyl-isomerase-inhibiting activity: possible role of a P glycoprotein in Toxoplasma physiology.

The immunosuppressive agent cyclosporin A (CsA) also possesses broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Previous investigators have reported that the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is sensitive to CsA. We have measured the sensitivity of Toxoplasma to 26 CsA derivatives that maintain only a subset of the parent compound's activity. We identified one compound, SDZ 215-918, that is a particularly potent inhibitor of parasite invasion and replication, with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 0.45 microg/ml, which is 10-fold lower than that of CsA. Kinetic studies demonstrate that activity has a rapid onset (half-life, 24 h) to 5 microg/ml is lethal; in contrast, this concentration had no effect on host cell protein synthesis or cell division. SDZ 215-918 acts directly on the parasite, as demonstrated by inhibition of macromolecular synthesis in host-free extracellular parasites. Inhibition of invasion is due to a reduction in parasite motility. SDZ 215-918 does not bind to cyclophilins, the ubiquitous cyclosporin-binding proteins, but is a potent inhibitor of the mammalian P glycoprotein, a member of the ATP binding cassette transporter superfamily and the pump responsible for multidrug resistance in cancer and parasite cell lines. SDZ 215-918 blocks the efflux of rhodamine 123 from extracellular parasites, consistent with inhibition of a P glycoprotein-like pump. We suggest that a P glycoprotein or a related transporter plays a crucial role in the biology of Toxoplasma and may be a novel target for antiparasitic compounds. Preliminary studies with animals indicate that SDZ 215-918 inhibits parasite growth in vivo; its relationship to CsA may make it suitable for clinical development.
Relation between intracellular sodium and active sodium transport in rabbit colon: current-voltage relations of the apical sodium entry mechanism in the presence of varying luminal sodium concentrations.

The current-voltage relations of the amiloride-sensitive Na entry pathway across the apical membrane of rabbit descending colon, exposed to a high K serosal solution, were determined in the presence of varying mucosal Na activities, (Na) m , ranging from 6.2 to 99.4mm. These relations could be closely fit to the “constant field” flux equation yielding estimates of the permeability of the apical membrane to Na,P Na , and the intracellular Na activity, (Na) c . The following empirical relations emerged: (i) (Na) c increased hyperbolically with increasing (Na) m ; (ii)P Na decreased hyperbolically with increasing (Na) m and linearly with increasing (Na) c ; (iii) spontaneous variations in Na entry rate at constant (Na) m could be attributed entirely to parallel, spontaneous variations inP Na ; (iv) the rate of Na entry increased hyperbolically with increasing (Na) m obeying simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics; (v) the relation between (Na) c and “pump rate,” however, was sharply sigmoidal and could be fit by the Hill equation assuming strong cooperative interactions between Na and multiple sites on the pump; the Hill coefficient was 2–3 and the value of (Na) c at which the pump-rate is half-maximal was 24mm. The results provide an internally consistent set of relations among Na entry across the apical membrane, the intracellular Na activity and basolateral pump rate that is also consistent with data previously reported for this and other Na-absorbing epithelia.
Heat transfer by condensation of low pressure metal vapors.

The film condensation of low pressure metal vapors on isothermal vertical flat plates or tubes is considered. The liquid film is treated as a thin layer in which the acceleration and pressure forces are negligible and across which the temperature distribution is linear. The average behavior of the vapor is found from the linearized one-dimensional vapor flow equations. In order to calculate the rate of condensation, a consistent distribution function for the vapor particles at the liquid-vapor interface is necessary and is determined. The result of the analysis is a set of algebraic equations from which one can predict the condensation rate of low pressure metal vapors. A large but continuous temperature decrease in the vapor is predicted and calculated.
The philosophy of medicine: Development of a discipline

This paper is a criticalexamination of the development of thephilosophy of medicine as a discipline. Ithighlights two major themes in the contemporarydebate about the philosophy of medicine: thescope of the discipline and the relation of thediscipline to its cognate disciplines. A broadview of the philosophy of medicine is defendedand the philosophy of medicine is seen as aphilosophical sub-discipline. These viewsdepend in important ways on three factors: ageneral metaphysical world view, particularunderstandings of the cognate disciplines, andthe perspective from which one asks thequestions about the nature of the discipline. It is proposed that the future of thephilosophy of medicine may follow thephilosophy of science in that philosophical,sociological and historical studies may combinein a mutually enriching way to form ‘‘medicinestudies.’‘
Doubly Excited Autoionizing Rydberg States of Sr

We report the observation of doubly excited autoionizing Rydberg states of Sr, belonging to the configuration $5{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, $\mathrm{nl}$. Our procedure involves a three-step optical excitation process which incorporates Stark switching to reach higher $l$ states not normally accessible because of dipole selection rules. Quantum defects are reported for several $5{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, $\mathrm{ns}$ and $5{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, $\mathrm{nd}$ states. The lifetimes of the $5{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, $\mathrm{ns}$ states are shown to scale as ${({n}^{*})}^{3}$, and the lifetimes of the $5{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, $16l$ states are shown to increase dramatically with increasing $l$.
Clinical characteristics and diagnostic imaging of epidermoid tumors

Epidermoid tumors are rare, benign congenital lesions which typically present between the third and fifth decades of life. They are thought to originate from ectodermal cells misplaced during neural tube formation and separation. While epidermoids may present anywhere in the cranial vault, they are characteristically located intradurally and in a paramedian position within the cerebellopontine angle and parasellar regions. Although imaging results may vary depending upon cystic content, CT scanning generally reveals a well-circumscribed, nonenhancing, lobulated, hypodense mass. They are hypointense on T1-weighted MRI, and hyperintense on T2-weighted MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences. The use of appropriate neuroimaging should be utilized to differentiate epidermoids from other intracranial lesions. While gross total resection of these tumors is the definitive treatment to prevent recurrence and aseptic meningitis, a subtotal resection may be necessary to preserve neurological function.
The Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein-interacting Protein (WIP) Binds to the Adaptor Protein Nck

Nck is a ubiquitous adaptor molecule composed of three Src homology 3 (SH3) domains followed by a single SH2 domain. Nck links, via its SH2 domain, tyrosine-phosphorylated receptors to effector proteins that contain SH3-binding proline-rich sequences. In this report, we demonstrate that recombinant Nck precipitates endogenous WIP, a novel proline-rich protein that interacts with the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP), from BJAB cell lysates. Nck binds through its second SH3 domain to WIP, and Nck binds to WIP at a site (amino acids 321–415) that differs from the WASP-binding site (amino acids 416–488). WIP has been shown to associate with the actin polymerization regulatory protein profilin and to induce actin polymerization and cytoskeletal reorganization in lymphoid cells. We demonstrate the presence of profilin in Nck precipitates suggesting that Nck may couple extracellular signals to the cytoskeleton via its interaction with WIP and profilin.
A new species of Picramnia (Simaroubaceae) from Amazonian Peru

A new and rare species,Picramnia bullata, is described, illustrated, and compared to its closest relatives It is unique in its hirsute pubescence, numerous, elongate, bullate leaflets, and long, pendent, unbranched inflorescences.
Host targeting of virulence determinants and phosphoinositides in blood stage malaria parasites

Blood stage malaria parasites target a 'secretome' of hundreds of proteins including virulence determinants containing a host (cell) targeting (HT) signal, to human erythrocytes. Recent studies reveal that the export mechanism is due to the HT signal binding to the lipid phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate [PI(3)P] in the parasite endoplasmic reticulum (ER). An aspartic protease plasmepsin V which cleaves a specialized form of the HT signal was previously thought to be the export mechanism, but is now recognized as a dedicated peptidase that cleaves the signal anchor subsequent to PI(3)P binding. We discuss a model of PI(3)P-dependent targeting and PI(3)P biology of a major human pathogen.
Mechanisms of Immune Tolerance to Food Antigens in Humans

Immune responses and the mechanisms of tolerance to the common dietary antigens bovine gamma globulin (BGG), ovalbumin (OVA), and soybean protein were evaluated in normal human volunteers. Humoral and T cell proliferative responses to these antigens were measurable but low, consistent with immune tolerance. There were limited correlations between responses in the systemic and mucosal compartments, and in general the responses to one dietary antigen could not predict the response to another. T cell proliferation to dietary antigens increased significantly by addition of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhuIL-2). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with BGG or OVA expressed IL-2Ralpha chain but not IL-2 mRNA, consistent with T cell anergy. Incubation with exogenous IL-2 alone did not restore T cell proliferation to BGG or OVA. In some individuals T cell proliferation to an unrelated vaccine antigen was suppressed by addition of BGG or OVA, but could be reversed with low doses of rhuIL-2. We conclude that in humans anergy is the major mechanism of tolerance to chronic antigen feeding, and we propose that such anergic, antigen-specific T cells actively contribute to maintenance of homeostasis in the intestine in the face of massive antigen challenge.
The Origins of Wittgenstein's Imaginary Scenarios: Something Old, Something New

The imaginary scenarios that appear in nearly every work of the later Wittgenstein – ones involving laughing cattle, disembodied eyes that see, and the like – are decidedly absent from the Tractatus. What necessitated this change in methodology? A comparison of the Tractatus with the Philosophical Remarks, Wittgenstein's first major work after his return to philosophy, reveals that these devices are the product of something old and something new. The rationale for these devices is already present in the notion of a “propositional variable,” but Wittgenstein had little use for them until he rejected the phenomenological language and laconic style of the Tractatus.
Vibrational Echo Studies Of Protein Dynamics

C. W. Rella,1 Alfred Kwok,2 Kirk Rector,2 Jeffrey R. Hill,3 H. A. Schwettman,1 Dana D. Dlott,3,* and M. D. Fayer 2,* 1Stanford Free Electron Laser Center, Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-4085 2Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 3School of Chemical Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801 (Received 10 April 1996)
A remark on the hydrostatic approximation

For an autobarotropic atmosphere the exact linearized equations of motion can be solved for the pressure oscillation when σ=0 and σ=2 Ω (σ=frequency of oscillation, Ω=angular velocity of the earth's rotation). The pressure computed in this way is shown to be in close agreement to the pressure computed by using the hydrostatic approximation.
The effect of intracellular antioxidant delivery (catalase) on hydrogen peroxide and proinflammatory cytokine synthesis: a new therapeutic horizon

Reactive oxygen species synthesized by endothelial cells may be responsible for cell damage and altered physiologic function. After endotoxin stimulation, free radicals including H2O2 are produced. We have developed a method of intracellular drug delivery using albumin microcapsules. Catalase would be an excellent compound to alter H2O2 production. However, the large molecular size of catalase limits cellular penetration. Endothelial cells have been previously shown to readily phagocytoze albumin microcapsules.Methods: Catalase was added to an albumin solution to form a 10% solution of catalase. Microspheres from 2 to 7 μm in size were formed using a Bucchi spray dryer. Human endothelial cells were incubated with varying concentrations of microencapsulated catalase. The cells were then exposed to Escherichia coli endotoxin to determine if increased intracellular penetration of catalase would inhibit H2O2, nitrate, and cytokine synthesis.Results: There was a 7.2-fold increase in endothelial intracellular c...
Chemical structures of fuel-rich and fuel-lean flames of CCl4/CH4 mixtures

Abstract Temperature and species mole fraction profiles were obtained for atmospheric-pressure, premixed, laminar, flat flames of CCl 4 /CH 4 mixtures under both fuel-lean and fuel-rich conditions. Mole fraction profiles were determined using microprobe sampling coupled to on-line gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the reactants and for CO, CO 2 , HCl, H 2 O, COCl 2 , CH 3 Cl, CH 2 Cl 2 , CHCl 3 , CCl 4 , C 2 H 3 Cl, 1,1-C 2 H 2 Cl 2 , 1,2-C 2 H 2 Cl 2 , C 2 HCl 3 , 1,1,1,2-C 2 H 2 Cl 4 , C 2 Cl 4 , C 2 Cl 6 , C 2 H 2 , C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 6 , C 4 H 4 , C 4 H 2 , C 6 H 6 , and C 6 H 5 Cl. The role of these species, in view of our current understanding of the mechanism of combustion of CCl 4 and CH 4 , was discussed.