cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trajectory of Growth of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants in Houston, Texas, January through May 2021, Based on 12,476 Genome Sequences.

Certain genetic variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are of substantial concern because they may be more transmissible or detrimentally alter the pandemic course and disease features in individual patients. SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from 12,476 patients in the Houston Methodist health care system diagnosed from January 1 through May 31, 2021 are reported here. Prevalence of the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant increased rapidly and caused 63% to 90% of new cases in the latter half of May. Eleven B.1.1.7 genomes had an E484K replacement in spike protein, a change also identified in other SARS-CoV-2 lineages. Compared with non-B.1.1.7-infected patients, individuals with B.1.1.7 had a significantly lower cycle threshold (a proxy for higher virus load) and significantly higher hospitalization rate. Other variants [eg, B.1.429 and B.1.427 (Epsilon), P.1 (Gamma), P.2 (Zeta), and R.1] also increased rapidly, although the magnitude was less than that in B.1.1.7. Twenty-two patients infected with B.1.617.1 (Kappa) or B.1.617.2 (Delta) variants had a high rate of hospitalization. Breakthrough cases (n = 207) in fully vaccinated patients were caused by a heterogeneous array of virus genotypes, including many not currently designated variants of interest or concern. In the aggregate, this study delineates the trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in a major metropolitan area, documents B.1.1.7 as the major cause of new cases in Houston, TX, and heralds the arrival of B.1.617 variants in the metroplex.
Using Entropy Measures for Evaluating the Quality of Entity Resolution

This research describes some of the results from an unsupervised ER process using cluster entropy as a way to self-regulate linking. The experiments were performed using synthetic person references of varying quality. The process was able to obtain a linking accuracy of 93% for samples with moderate to high data quality. While results for low-quality references were much lower, there are many possible avenues of research that could further improve the results from this process. The purpose of this research is to allow ER processes to self-regulate linking based on cluster entropy. The results are very promising for entity references of relatively high quality; using this process for low-quality data needs further improvement. The best overall result obtained from the sample was just over 50% linking accuracy.
The isolation of RNA from mammalian cells.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the major approaches to the isolation of RNA. The basic initial step in nucleic acid isolation consists of subjecting aqueous cell extracts to agents that will denature proteins and dissociate the nucleic acids from nucleoprotein complexes. In most cases, the denatured proteins are either precipitated or extracted in an organic phase. The nucleic acids remain in the aqueous solution, together with other water-soluble components. It is essential to carry out this initial step with great care and rapidity, as the RNA in the cell extracts is exposed to the action of cellular nucleases until these are inactivated and removed along with the rest of the proteins. For the preparation of defined RNA species, as opposed to total cellular RNA, it is usually necessary to isolate the appropriate subcellular structure. The problem of degradation by ribonucleases can be particularly serious in this case, since the RNA-containing structures remain exposed to these enzymes during the isolation steps.
Micro-Offsets and Macro-Transformation

We have been asked to examine climate change justice by discussing the methods of allocating the costs of addressing climate change among nations. Our analysis suggests that climate and justice goals cannot be achieved by better allocating the emissions reduction burdens of current carbon mitigation proposals — there may be no allocation of burdens using current approaches that achieves both climate and justice goals. Instead, achieving just the climate goal without exacerbating justice concerns, much less improving global justice, will require focusing on increasing well-being and inducing fundamental changes in development patterns to generate greater levels of well-being with reduced levels of material throughput. We identify several core characteristics of the public and private policy architectures and initiatives necessary to accomplish this task. We also propose examples of short- and long-term initiatives. Our near-term approach recognizes that a focus on public law remedies and nation-states is necessary but not sufficient. We suggest a feasible new mechanism, equity micro-offsets, that could reduce emissions while improving well-being among the poor. Equity micro-offsets can harness altruistic preferences, market mechanisms, and private oversight to reduce emissions and increase well-being in poor countries. Equity micro-offsets also suggest the nature of the long-term political, social, and economic macro-transformation that may be necessary. From household cook stove initiatives to policy architectures that include forestry, agriculture, and other overlooked sectors, achieving climate and justice goals will require transformative approaches, not just improved cost allocations.
Police at School: A Brief History and Current Status of School Resource Officers

The school resource officer (SRO) program began in the United States in the early to mid-1950s, however, the program did not gain prominence until the 1990s in response to various school shootings. According to national data, SROs can be found in 35 percent of school across America, regardless of level (elementary, middle, or high school), urbanicity (rural, town, suburban, or city), or enrollment size. However, there is currently a dearth of meaningful research addressing the role and effectiveness of SROs. This article reviews what is known concerning SROs in an effort to establish a foundation for future research centered on the effectiveness of SROs in ensuring students attend safe learning environments.
Neonatal and pediatric critical care: A call for collaboration

Abstract Neonatal and pediatric critical care units are growing in size and complexity. Each unit is staffed by a highly specialized group of nurses. Although the units share many commonalities, the relationship between nurses in the neonatal and pediatric critical care units often is characterized by rivalry and antagonism rather than by cooperation. The purpose of this report is to identify similarities and differences between the two units and to describe the benefits of collaboration between units.
Parathyroid hormone and mitochondrial metabolism. Specificity, sensitivity, and physiological correlates.

Abstract The effects of parathyroid hormone upon substrate decarboxylation and ion uptake and release in isolated mitochondria in terms of specificity, sensitivity, and the correlation between action in vivo and in vitro were studied. Parathyroid hormone added to isolated liver or kidney mitochondria in vitro stimulated the decarboxylation of a variety of Krebs' cycle intermediates. This decarboxylation required specific ion environments and in particular was not seen if chloride was the only anion present. In contrast, polylysine, histone, dinitrophenol, Zn++, and a basic nonhormonal peptide from the parathyroid glands all stimulated decarboxylation in a chloride medium. The effects of these basic polypeptides were inhibited completely by polyglutamic acid which did not greatly alter the effect of parathyroid hormone. The actions of these basic polypeptides were partially blocked by bovine serum albumin or by serum from parathyroidectomized animals, both of which enhanced the effect of parathyroid hormone. Specificity was also examined by comparing the effect of four different chemical modifications of the parathyroid hormone molecule upon succinate decarboxylation in vitro with their effects in a standard rat assay in vivo. There was a comparable loss of potency in the two assays with each derivative examined. Under optimum conditions in vitro, 2 x 10-8 m hormone produced a 2-fold increase in rate of succinate decarboxylation. This is well above the concentration found in normal plasma, but approaches that found in the plasma of patients with chronic secondary hyperparathyroidism. Conditions were defined under which the addition of parathyroid hormone to rat kidney mitochondria in vitro led to either enhanced or decreased uptake of calcium. The factor determining which of these effects was produced appeared to be the ionic composition of the medium. These data led to the following conclusions: (a) the effect of parathyroid hormone upon mitochondrial metabolism is highly specific; (b) concentrations of hormone which approach those seen in vivo are effective; and (c) there is a significant correlation between the effects that the hormone produces in vivo and those that it induces in vitro.
"It's Like Being In Church and Being On a Field Trip:" The Date Versus Party Situation In College Students' Accounts of Hooking Up

This article examines the importance of setting as a factor shaping college students' dating and sexual behavior using a Goffmanian framework to explore how U.S. students interpret a vignette describing a casual heterosexual encounter at a party followed by a sexless dinner date. Rather than simply follow generalized cultural scripts, students indicate that college heterosexual encounters are guided by standardized patterns of behaviors based on the distinct settings and roles associated with each situation. Students view sexual behavior as appropriate to being a partygoer but unsuitable to being on a date. As such, hooking up with a stranger at a party can be more appropriate than having sex with the same person on a first date.
Abstract 17743: Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy is Characterized by Increased Arteriolar Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling

Background: Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA), also known as calciphylaxis, is a subcutaneous vasculopathy associated with calcification of the medial layer of arterioles leading to thrombosis and skin necrosis. CUA is almost exclusively seen in patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease and is usually fatal. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling plays an important role in the calcification of large- and mid-sized arteries. We hypothesized that BMP signaling is increased in the subcutaneous arterioles of patients with CUA. Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, skin biopsies were obtained from ten patients with CUA and four patients without the disease. Vascular calcification was assessed using Von Kossa histochemical staining. To detect evidence for activation of BMP signaling, tissue sections were stained with antibodies directed against phosphorylated SMADs 1 and 5 (p-SMAD1/5). Results: Von Kossa staining detected calcification in the medial layer of arterioles in the skin tissue specimens from all patients with CUA. Robust p-SMAD1/5 staining was detected adjacent to the arteriolar calcification in all 10 CUA patients. Neither calcification nor p-SMAD1/5 immunoreactivity was detected in arterioles in control samples (see Figure). Conclusions: The results of this study provide evidence that increased BMP signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of CUA. Inhibition of BMP signaling is a promising approach to the treatment of this life-threatening disease. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Do Common Features Exist Among Countries That Locally Adopt IFRS

Although International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) have clearly emerged as the preferred global accounting standard, previous studies of IFRS have mainly focused on post-adoption outcomes. The few IFRS adoption-focused studies are either limited in scope or are based on outdated versions of IFRS. This paper fills these holes in the literature by offering a comprehensive analysis of IFRS adoption: first, through an expanded classification system which includes local adoption as a distinct form of IFRS adoption and then through ANOVA, discriminant analyses and regression analyses. Several variables were identified as significant drivers of adoption status, one being the Asian region which consistently emerged as a powerful driver of adoption type suggesting previous analysis of IFRS diffusion is incomplete, missing this key region variable. This expanded typology suggests that the system of country classification of required/not required currently used is inadequate in capturing how IFRS is adopted in practice.
Enhancing Learning Using 3D Printing: An Alternative to Traditional Student Project Methods.

Student engagement during the development of a three-dimensional visual aid or teaching model can vary for a number of reasons. Some students report that they are not “creative” or “good at art,” often as an excuse to justify less professional outcomes. Student engagement can be low when using traditional methods to produce a model, but 3D printing gives both the teacher and the student new ways of experiencing classroom activities. The simple (and free) software offers students valuable skills, “professional” modeling results, a stronger understanding of the topic at hand, and new confidence.
Relation of Tubal Infertility to History of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

We studied the history of sexually transmitted diseases in 283 nulliparous women diagnosed with infertility due to tubal adhesions or occlusion and 3,833 women admitted for delivery at seven collaborating hospitals. The adjusted risks of tubal infertility associated with the history of each sexually transmitted disease were estimated by the odds ratios obtained by multiple logistic regression. Women who reported prior infection with gonorrhea were at a significantly increased risk of tubal infertility (relative odds = 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.3-4.4). In addition, the risk of tubal infertility was almost twice as high in women who recalled previous trichomoniasis compared with women with no such infection (relative odds = 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.3-2.8). Furthermore, there was a trend of increasing risk with an increasing number of episodes of gonorrhea or trichomoniasis.
Oxidation of plasma proteins is not increased after supplementation with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids

Background: It is generally thought that as the intake of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids increases, so should that of α-tocopherol, to protect the polyunsaturated fatty acids from increased in vivo peroxidation. However, there are little quantitative data about the concentration of α-tocopherol that is necessary when eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are consumed. Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure changes produced in 2 indexes of lipid oxidation after supplementation with EPA and DHA from fish oil and 3 doses of RRR-α-tocopheryl acetate in postmenopausal women. Design: Daily supplements of fish oil providing 2.5 g EPA and 1.8 g DHA and 0. 100, 200, or 400 mg α-tocopheryl acetate were given to 46 postmenopausal women in a 4-treatment, 4-period crossover design. Results: The supplements increased plasma concentrations of EPA, DHA, and α-tocopherol. The fish-oil supplement increased the plasma concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) (P = 0.0001) but not that of oxidatively modified protein, as indicated by the carbonyl content. The α-tocopheryl acetate and fish-oil supplements had no significant effect on plasma concentrations of TBARS or oxidized protein. Conclusions: Although these data show a small but statistically significant increase in oxidative stress on the basis of plasma TBARS concentrations after the consumption of EPA and DHA, the clinical relevance of this change is questionable. In addition, as supplements of a-tocopheryl acetate were added to the diet, neither the plasma TBARS concentration nor the protein oxidation changed. Consequently, the results of this study indicate that there is no basis for vitamin E supplementation after consumption of EPA and DHA.
Doing More with Less: Student Modeling and Performance Prediction with Reduced Content Models

When modeling student knowledge and predicting student performance, adaptive educational systems frequently rely on content models that connect learning content (i.e., problems) with its underlying domain knowledge (i.e., knowledge components, KCs) required to complete it. In some domains, such as programming, the number of KCs associated with advanced learning contents is quite large. It complicates modeling due to increasing noise and decreases efficiency. We argue that the efficiency of modeling and prediction in such domains could be improved without the loss of quality by reducing problems content models to a subset of most important KCs. To prove this hypothesis, we evaluate several KC reduction methods varying reduction size by assessing the prediction performance of Knowledge Tracing and Performance Factor Analysis. The results show that the predictive performance using reduced content models can be significantly better than using original one, with extra benefits of reducing time and space.
Comparison of kinetics of X-ray-induced cell killing in normal, ataxia telangiectasia and hereditary retinoblastoma fibroblasts.

Abstract Survival, cumulative labeling indices and chromosomal aberrations were studied in normal, ataxia telangiectasia (AT) and hereditary retinoblastoma fibroblasts after X-irradiation during density-inhibition of growth and immediate release by subculture to low density. The D 0 of the survival curves were: normal strains, 150–160 rad; Retinoblastoma strains AG 1880, 95 rad; AG 1978, 40–50 rad (sensitive fraction); AT5BI, 45 rad. Mainly chromosome-type Aberrations were induced in normal and retinoblastoma cells. The frequency of X-ray-induced chromosomal aberrations was much higher in AT5BI cells, and 33–45% were of the chromatid type. Normal and retinoblastoma cells showed a measurable X-ray induced G 1 delay before entering S. In addition, a fraction of the cells showed an apparently irreversible G 1 block; these cells did not initiate DNA synthesis up to 120 h post-irradiation and subculture. The G 1 was much more marked in retinoblastoma cells; after 400 rad about 70% of retinoblastoma cells did not enter S as compared with only 20% of normal cells. Neither a G 1 delay nor a G 1 block was observed in AT cells irradiated with up to 400 rad despite their hypersensitivity to cell killing by X-rays and evidence of severe chromosome damage. These results suggest different mechanisms for the X-ray hypersensitivity of AT and retinoblastoma cells.
Keeping a group psychotherapy program alive and well within a psychiatric residency

A mandatory year of outpatient group therapy training is an accepted part of residency training in psychiatry. Residents need stable groups to lead in order to have a satisfactory training experience. A solid group program is integrated and cohesive. A group therapy coordinator has to consider the following factors in developing and maintaining the optimum program: sanction from the department of psychiatry; integration of the program into the system; transfer of groups from one class to another; personal screening and followup of all referrals; availability to professionals in the community; coordinator participation in relevant group therapy classes; a vehicle for supervisors to collaborate with each other and administrator; and a format for all members of the group program community to interact.
Test-retest nasalance score variability in hypernasal speakers.

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate test-retest nasalance score variability in subjects with hypernasal resonance. Design: Two groups of subjects with hypernasal speech recited both the Turtle Passage and the Mouse Passage two times each. For one group, the Nasometer headgear was not changed between repetitions of each stimulus (NCHG; n = 17); and for the other group, the headgear was changed between repetitions (CHG; n = 18). Three subjects in the CHG group would not recite the Mouse Passage two times. Participants: The subjects were 35 patients with hypernasal speech followed by a cleft palate team. Main Outcome Measures: The outcome measures were the four nasalance scores obtained for each subject. Results: There was no significant difference between first and second repetitions for either stimulus in either the NCHG group or in the CHG group. Cumulative frequency tables showed that for the Turtle Passage-NCHG condition, 15 of the 17 (88%) repeated nasalance scores were with...
Life cycle of Uncinaria lucasi Stiles, 1901 (Nematoda: Ancylostomatidae) of fur seals, callorhinus ursinus Linn., on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the life cycle of Uncinaria lucasi in fur seals, which consists of three basic parts: (1) the free-living phase with eggs and free-living third-stage larvae in the soil, (2) the tissue phase wherein parasitic third-stage larvae occur in all age groups of seals, and (3) the intestinal phase consisting of fourth-stage larvae, adolescent, and adult worms occurring in the intestine of young pups. Infection of all seals with the tissue phase is primarily by the percutaneous route but may occur per os, entry being mainly through the flippers. Infection of young pups with the intestinal phase is through the parasitic third-stage larvae, which are passed postpartum in the milk for only a short time. Almost all young fur seal pups born on the Pribilof Islands become infected with adult hookworms in the ileo-caecal region of the intestine by the time they are two weeks old. This life cycle is unique among those known for the helminthes in that adult worms occur in the intestine of only very young pups, and the infective stage that develops to adulthood is transmitted in the milk during the first few days postpartum only.
Overhead-aware compositional analysis of real-time systems

Over the past decade, interface-based compositional schedulability analysis has emerged as an effective method for guaranteeing real-time properties in complex systems. Several interfaces and interface computation methods have been developed, and they offer a range of tradeoffs between the complexity and the accuracy of the analysis. However, none of the existing methods consider platform overheads in the component interfaces. As a result, although the analysis results are sound in theory, the systems may violate their timing constraints when running on realistic platforms. This is due to various overheads, such as task release delays, interrupts, cache effects, and context switches. Simple solutions, such as increasing the interface budget or the tasks' worst-case execution times by a fixed amount, are either unsafe (because of the overhead accumulation problem) or they waste a lot of resources. In this paper, we present an overhead-aware compositional analysis technique that can account for platform overheads in the representation and computation of component interfaces. Our technique extends previous overhead accounting methods, but it additionally addresses the new challenges that are specific to the compositional scheduling setting. To demonstrate that our technique is practical, we report results from an extensive evaluation on a realistic platform.
Evaluation of older Adults with obesity for bariatric surgery: Geriatricians' perspective

Abstract The prevalence of obesity in the general population is increasing worldwide, and those surviving are at an increased risk for developing comorbidity and physical limitations. With aging, obesity places this high-risk population at an increased risk for future morbidity, institutionalization, and functional decline. Traditional weight loss programs lead to inconsistent improvements in comorbidity, function, and quality of life. Bariatric surgery may offer a reasonable alternative in selected patients to achieve improvements in these outcomes. We present our approach in assessing the physiologic age of older candidates for bariatric surgery from a geriatrician's perspective that may be useful for general internists, bariatricians, and general surgeons alike. We present how a focus on function and physiological parameters of aging provides more predictive power than that on chronological age alone.
Evaluation of an Alternative Technique for Attaching External Transmitters to Blue Catfish

Abstract Attaching telemetry transmitters to catfishes (family Ictaluridae) has historically been problematic. Current attachment techniques produce low retention rates or high mortality, or cause altered physiological or behavioral effects. We investigated an alternative attachment technique during three experiments in which external transmitters were fastened to the supraoccipital bone of Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus. We hypothesized that attaching a transmitter to the skeletal structure would improve retention rates and minimize negative health effects. In a 2-month pilot study, retention was 100% (N = 20; TL range = 435–638 mm) and fish appeared to be in excellent condition. However, in a subsequent laboratory experiment, retention was poor (41.7% at 2 months and 0% at 6 months; N = 24, TL range = 600–995 mm), which may be attributed to excessive handling during the experiment. The attachment technique was also field tested as part of a larger telemetry study. Fifty Blue Catfish (TL range = 600–995...
Influence of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass on atrial natriuretic factor levels.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a peptide released from the heart in response to atrial distension. This peptide causes diuresis, vasodilatation, decreased blood pressure, and antagonizes the renin-aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone neuraxes. The influence of cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac surgery on the circulation and release of ANF is unknown. Plasma ANF concentrations were therefore determined in patients undergoing coronary artery revascularization (CABG) and mitral valve replacement (MVR). Peptide levels were unchanged following anaesthetic induction. Plasma ANF concentrations decreased significantly during hypothermic (≤ 28° C) cardiopulmonary bypass in both patient groups. After 60 minutes of cardiac bypass, ANF declined from (mean ± SEM)512 ± 132 to 20± 6 pg · ml− (P < 0.05) during MVR, and from 178 ± 41 to 110 ± 48 pg·ml− during CABG (P < 0.05). Rewarming during bypass was associated with an increase in ANF concentration in both groups. Heparin anticoagulation and protamine reversal had no effect on immunoreactive ANF levels. In patients undergoing CABG, there was a linear relationship between plasma ANF concentration (pg · ml−1) and right atrial pressure (mmHg) prior to cardiopulmonary bypass (r = 0.86, P < 0.005). However, one and three hours after cardiopulmonary bypass there was no significant relationship between right atrial pressure and ANF plasma levels. These results suggest that reduction in plasma ANF concentration occurs during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Furthermore, the proportional relationship between atrial distension and circulating ANF concentration was altered following cardiac surgery.
Effect of layout variations on noise figure in a digital GaAs MESFET technology

Digital GaAs FET technology, with its high level of integration, can be employed in high-speed optical systems for optical detector amplifiers as well as for baseband processing. However, the WSi gate of the digital GaAs FETs results in high gate resistance, which increases the noise figure as compared to the Ti/Pt/Au `T' shaped gates used in microwave FETs. In high-speed optical receiver applications, the noise in the FET based amplifier dominates the entire system noise. In this work, we use the 1st and 2nd layer metal to reduce the gate resistance in order to improve the minimum noise figure through layout variations compatible with production digital technology.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Note: Perfect matchings in pruned grid graphs

We determine conditions sufficient to guarantee the existence of a perfect matching when vertices are removed from finite and infinite grid graphs. The conditions impose a minimum distance between the vertices that are removed. While the distances are likely not best possible, they are best possible with respect to asymptotic growth rate.
A History of the Developments in Virtual Reference Services at the College of Charleston Library

This article provides an overview of the evolution of virtual reference services at the College of Charleston. E-mail reference has been in use since the mid-1990s. Chat using QuestionPoint began in 2003, and the college joined the 24/7 Chat Reference Academic Cooperative in 2005. Instant messaging reference started the following year, and text messaging reference commenced in 2007. In 2008, the library decided to end participation in the 24/7 Chat Reference Academic Cooperative and to cease using QuestionPoint's e-mail function. Emerging technologies will impact the ways and means of providing virtual reference in the future. This article will examine the rationale driving each development and the library's experiences providing service with the various platforms in the context of the greater world of virtual reference services.
Alcohol consumption and rates of alcoholism in Greece

Abstract It appears that the incidence of alcoholism is relatively low in Greece, in spite of high consumption of alcohol and absence of restrictive measures for its use. This may be related to the traditional integration of alcohol use in the social ritualistic structures and to family and social support of susceptible individuals in the small Greek communities. The differences between urban and rural areas support these assumptions but should perhaps be taken as a danger signal. In order to establish effective measures of prevention, epidemiological studies are needed to confirm the trends and identify the risk factors.
Sandgren EP, Palmiter RD, Heckel JL, Daugherty CC, Brinster RL, Degen JL. Complete hepatic regeneration after somatic deletion of an albumin–plasminogen activator transgene [Cell 1991;66:245–256]

We previously demonstrated that expression of an albumin-urokinase-type plasminogen activator (AIb-uPA) fusion construct in tragenic mice resulted in elevated plasma uPA concentration, hypofibrinogenemia, and neonatal hemorrhaging. Two lines of Alb-uPA mice were established in which only one half of the transgenic pups died at birth; surprisingly, plasma uPA concentrations in survivors gradually returned to normal by 2 months of age. The basis for this phenomenon is DNA rearrangement within hepatocytes that affects the transgene tandem array and abolishes transgene expression. Transgene-deficient cells selectively proliferate relative to surrounding liver, and this process culminates in replacement of the entire liver by clonal hepatic nodules derived from transgene-deficient progenitor cells. In some cases as few as two nodules can reconstitute over 90 % of liver mass, highlighting the remarkable regenerative capacity of individual liver cells.
"Squishy capacitor" model for electrical double layers and the stability of charged interfaces.

Negative capacitance (NC), predicted by various electrical double layer (EDL) theories, is critically reviewed. Physically possible for individual components of the EDL, the compact or diffuse layer, it is strictly prohibited for the whole EDL or for an electrochemical cell with two electrodes. However, NC is allowed for the artificial conditions of $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ control, where an EDL is described by the equilibrium electric response of electrolyte to a field of fixed, and typically uniform, surface charge-density distributions, $\ensuremath{\sigma}$. The contradiction is only apparent; in fact local $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ cannot be set independently, but is established by the equilibrium response to physically controllable variables, i.e., applied voltage $\ensuremath{\phi}$ ($\ensuremath{\phi}$ control) or total surface charge $q$ ($q$ control). NC predictions in studies based on $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ control signify potential instabilities and phase transitions for physically realizable conditions. Building on our previous study of $\ensuremath{\phi}$ control [M. B. Partenskii and P. C. Jordan, Phys. Rev. E 77, 061117 (2008)], here we analyze critical behavior under $q$ control, clarifying the basic picture using an exactly solvable ``squishy capacitor'' toy model. We find that $\ensuremath{\phi}$ can change discontinuously in the presence of a lateral transition, specify stability conditions for an electrochemical cell, analyze the origin of the EDL's critical point in terms of compact and diffuse serial contributions, and discuss perspectives and challenges for theoretical studies not limited by $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ control.
National trends in utilization and postprocedure outcomes for carotid artery revascularization 2005 to 2007.

Objective This study compared, at a national level, trends in utilization, mortality, and stroke after carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) from 2005 to 2007. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for patient discharges with International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes for CAS and CEA. The primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, stroke, hospital charges, and discharge disposition. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate these outcomes by neurologic presentation using χ 2 and multivariable logistic regression. Results Of the 404,256 discharges for carotid revascularization, CAS utilization was 66% higher in 2006 than in 2005 (9.3% vs 14%, P = .0004). Crude mortality, stroke, and median charges remained higher for CAS than for CEA; discharge to home was more common after CEA. Results improved from 2005 to 2007. By logistic regression of the total cohort from 2005 to 2006, CAS was independently predictive of mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-2.00; P P P P = .0003). Among symptomatic patients, CAS increased the odds of in-hospital death (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.7-5.1, P P = .0569). Conclusion Utilization of CAS has increased from the years 2005 to 2007 with some improvements in the outcome. Despite improvements in outcome, resource utilization remains significantly higher for CAS than CEA.
Determination of the rate constant for the reaction of hydroxyl and oxide radicals with cysteine in aqueous solution

The techniques of pulse radiolysis and absorption spectroscopy has been used to determine absolute rate constants for the reaction of hydroxyl and oxide radicals with cysteine (CysS) species in aqueous solution. Using measured equilibrium constants for radical disulfide anion formation, over the pH range 6.0-13.0, observed reaction rate constants were resolved into their constituent reactions ${}^{\bullet}{\rm OH}+{\rm CysSH}\rightarrow {\rm H}_{2}{\rm O}+{\rm CysS}^{\bullet}$ and ${}^{\bullet}{\rm O}{}^{-}+{\rm CysS}^{-}(+{\rm H}_{2}{\rm O})\rightarrow {\rm CysS}^{\bullet}+20{\rm H}^{-}$ with calculated limiting rat constants of $(5.35\pm 0.82)\times 10^{9}$ and $(3.28\pm 0.49)\times 10^{8}\ {\rm dm}^{3}\ {\rm mol}^{-1}\ {\rm s}^{-1}$ , respectively. The rate constant for hydroxyl radical reaction with ${\rm CysS}^{-}$ was found to be the same as that for CysSH.
Effects of a Vancomycin-Rifampin Combination on Enterococci

By the time-kill curve method, a vancomycin-rifampin combination showed neither synergism nor antagonism against 43 of 48 strains of enterococci. Antagonism was demonstrated against five strains.
Electrophysiological characterization of murine myocardial ischemia and infarction.

Background Genetically altered mice will provide important insights into a wide variety of processes in cardiovascular physiology underlying myocardial infarction (MI). Comprehensive and accurate analyses of cardiac function in murine models require implementation of the most appropriate techniques and experimental protocols. Objective In this study we present in vivo, whole-animal techniques and experimental protocols for detailed electrophysiological characterization in a mouse model of myocardial ischemia and infarction. Methods FVB mice underwent open-chest surgery for ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery or sham-operation. By means of echocardiographic imaging, electrocardiography, intracardiac electrophysiology study, and conscious telemetric ECG recording for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, we evaluated ischemic and post-infarct cardiovascular morphology and function in mice. Results Coronary artery ligation resulted in antero-apical infarction of the left ventricular wall. MI mice showed decreased cardiac function by echocardiography, infarct-typical pattern on ECG, and increased arrhythmia vulnerability during electrophysiological study. Electrophysiological properties were determined comprehensively, but were not altered significantly as a consequence of MI. Autonomic nervous system function, measured by indices of HRV, did not appear altered in mice during ischemia or infarction. Conclusions Cardiac conduction, refractoriness, and heart rate variability appear to remain preserved in a murine model of myocardial ischemia and infarction. Myocardial infarction may increase vulnerability to inducible ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation, similarly to EPS findings in humans. These data may be of value as a reference for comparison with mutant murine models necessitating ischemia or scar to elicit an identifiable phenotype. The limitations of directly extrapolating murine cardiac electrophysiology data to conditions in humans need to be considered.
ETHICO‐ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PROFIT‐LOSS CONTRACT SYSTEM FOR ECONOMIC STABILITY

The onset of interest‐free capital markets in the last two decades has aroused worries about the ability of the new system to mobilize sufficient supply of loanable funds and maintain a sustainable, stable economic growth.
Street and traffic simulation: traffic flow simulation using CORSIM

This paper presents an overview of the concept and features of the CORSIM traffic simulation program and the TSIS package that provides an integrated, user-friendly interface and environment for executing CORSIM. The new functions and feature of CORSIM and TSIS in the most recent release are highlighted. Several successful TSIS/CORSIM applications are used to demonstrate that CORSIM is a very effective tool to perform traffic operations analysis and to evaluate new ITS technologies.
Optical Stern-Gerlach effect

A simple theory of the splitting of an atomic beam by monochromatic light is presented. It is argued that the components of an atomic beam split by the optical Stern-Gerlach effect do not correspond to the dressed states of the atom-field system.
Persistence of Non-Standard Dialect in School-Age Children

This study investigated the persistence of non-standard dialect production among 114 African American and White children in grades 3,5, and 7. A dialect shift premise suggests that a large and unif...
Technical Advancements in MR Neurography

MR neurography (MRN) has evolved to become a clinically useful imaging modality for evaluating nerve pathologies. Anatomically, nerves are often surrounded by fat and blood vessels, which appear bright on MR images impeding the conspicuity of nerve visualization. Additionally, nerves are tortuous and would be preferable to visualize in three dimensions for proper diagnosis. Various technical advancements in the field of MR imaging in general have led to volumetric acquisitions with uniform fat and blood suppression. These advancements enabled optimized imaging protocols for better visualization of the nerves. This review article discusses some of these technical advancements that enabled current MRN protocols in routine clinical imaging and certain research techniques that may facilitate nerve disorder characterization following interventions.
Estimating regional deformation from a combination of space and terrestrial geodetic data

We discuss an approach for efficiently combining different types of geodetic data to estimate time-dependent motions of stations in a region of active deformation. The primary observations are analyzed separately to produce loosely constrained estimates of station positions and coordinate system parameters which are then combined with appropriate constraints to estimate velocities and coseismic displacements. We define noninteger degrees of freedom to handle the case of finite constraints and stochastic perturbation of parameters and develop statistical tests for determining compatibility between different data sets. With these developments, we show an example of combining space and terrestrial geodetic data to obtain the deformation field in southern California.
Hormonal modulation of herpes simplex virus replication in a mouse neuroblastoma cell line.

In this study, the effect of the synthetic glucocorticoid hormone dexamethasone (DXM) on HSV replication was studied in a DXM receptor-positive mouse neuroblastoma (NB) cell line. In cells treated with 10−7M DXM and then infected with HSV, there was a statistically significant 9–18-fold increase in the amount of virus produced in these cells compared to untreated controls. Adsorption kinetic studies with HSV were performed in DXM-treated NB cells and untreated controls. It was found that there was a significant increase in the adsorption rate of HSV in the DXM-treated cells as compared with the controls. During the course of these studies, a strain of NB cells was noted to have lost its ability to stimulate HSV replication following DXM treatment. Receptor binding assays were performed on cytosols prepared from NB cells that responded with an increase in HSV titers to DXM treatment and the new strain of NB cells that was DXM refractile. These latter cells were found to have lost their DXM receptors. These results indicate that the modulation of HSV replication of DXM treated cells was regulated by the presence of DXM receptors in these cells. Once lost, the cells do not respond to DXM treatment with increased HSV replication. These observations may lead to a clinical assay to determine patients with high glucocorticoid levels who may be at risk of recurrent herpes infections. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Equilibrium and cross-sectional stability of tidal inlets: application to the Frisian Inlet before and after basin reduction

Abstract The focus of this paper is on the adaptation of the inlet cross-sectional area after basin reduction. To calculate the new equilibrium and degree of stability, use is made of a method first proposed by Escoffier. As part of this study his largely empirical approach is expanded and given a physical basis. The inlet channel is divided in an entrance and interior section. Sand enters the entrance section on the flood and is removed by the ebb tidal current. On annually average basis, the volume of sand entering the inlet is assumed to be a constant fraction of the littoral drift. A theoretical expression for the ebb tidal sand transport as a function of the tidal velocity amplitude and a length dimension of the cross-section is derived. An important ingredient in the stability analysis is the empirical cross-sectional area versus tidal prism relationship for inlets in equilibrium and the related equilibrium velocity. A physical justification for this relationship is presented. As a measure for cross-sectional stability, a stability index, S , is introduced. For S ≥1, the inlet is very stable. Stability increases with increasing values of S . For inlets that are very stable, the value of S can be related to P / V , i.e. the ratio of tidal prism and volume of littoral drift. A method to determine the time scale for the entrance section to return to a new equilibrium after a change in basin surface area is presented. To illustrate its practical use, the Escoffier method is applied to the Frisian Inlet before and after basin reduction. In 1969, the basin area and tidal prism were reduced by approximately 30%. Based on the Escoffier method, the original equilibrium cross-sectional area of 22,000 m 2 is expected to reduce to 15,500 m 2 . The adaptation time scale is estimated to be 30 years. Even after basin reduction, the inlet remains very stable with S =31 and P / V =585.
Multiple Market Entry, Cost Signalling and Entry Deterrence

A low-cost incumbent may limit price to informatively signal her cost to an uncertain potential entrant, and therefore deter entry. We enrich this model by investigating the strategic pricing behavior of the incumbent when she operates in multiple markets. We demonstrate that the low-cost incumbent's ability to separate from a ghost high-cost type is enhanced when she combines her signalling effort across markets, instead of independent signalling in each market. We show that, in the combined least-cost signalling, the low-cost incumbent limit prices in each market. In an attempt to minimize dissipative but informative signalling costs, the low-cost incumbent may enter unprofitable markets, but exit after credible separation.
Personal identification using periocular skin texture

In this paper, we propose the use of periocular skin texture as a biometric modality. Salient skin texture features are extracted and represented using Local Binary Patterns (LBPs). Matching is performed using CityBlock distance as a measure of similarity. We investigate the use of each periocular region separately in addition to their use in conjunction. Verification and identification experiments involving over 400 subjects were performed using a datasets constructed from the FRGC and FERET datasets. Reported recognition rates of nearly 90%, demonstrate the effectiveness of this novel technique.
Geophysical Methods in Geology

This updated version follows the intent of the earlier edition by introducing techniques in geophysical exploration to undergraduate students in either geology or geophysics. The emphasis is on crustal geophysics, as it is this aspect that most strongly interfaces with geology. The list of topics covered is very broad, including seismic, gravity, magnetic, paleomagnetic, electrical, electromagnetic, radiometric, and geothermal methods. Sharma has done a credible job in bringing the material up to date, with at least 10% of the references corresponding to publication dates in the 1980s. The lingering out-of-fashion concepts are confined to subjects beyond Sharma's principal areas of expertise (e.g., marine geophysics, on p.114: “The crust is thinnest beneath the deepest oceans and tends to thicken beneath the midocean ridges…”).
Local piezoelectric and ferroelectric responses in nanotube-patterned thin films of BaTiO3 synthesized hydrothermally at 200 °C

Piezoresponse atomic-force microscopy (PFM) has been used to characterize the local piezoelectric properties of a novel, nanotube-patterned (“honeycomb”) thin film of BaTiO3 on Ti substrate synthesized hydrothermally at 200 °C. PFM amplitude and phase images, prior to the application of any direct current (dc) field, show ring-shaped piezoelectric regions that correspond to the nanostructure of this film. These results show clearly that the as-synthesized nanotube-patterned BaTiO3 thin film is piezoelectric, with a net spontaneous polarization perpendicular to the film-substrate interface. In addition, polarization switching and hysteresis were observed as a function of applied dc field, confirming that this novel fabrication procedure results in unique configurations of BaTiO3 film that are also ferroelectric.
Structured-illumination quantitative phase microscopy

We propose a quantitative phase microscope that is essentially a bright field transmission microscope with two simple modifications: an amplitude mask is introduced in the field diaphragm and a post processing algorithm retrieves the phase.