cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
294) Central Pain Syndrome after Particulated Juvenile Articular Cartilage Allograft Transplantation Effectively Treated with Ketamine

Particulated juvenile articular cartilage allograft transplantation (PJACAT) is a rare procedure for treating osteochondral talar lesions. Central pain syndrome (CPS) develops after CNS insult or after central sensitization of a peripheral nerve injury or an inflammatory process. We present a case of CPS after PJACAT that was treated with ketamine after failing multiple analgesics. Patient informed consent was obtained and IRB committee approval was waived. Ketamine to treat CPS is an off-label use. A 56-year-old male with a history of bilateral osteochondral talar lesions status-post bilateral debridement and PJACAT presented to the pain clinic with left ankle pain that was not controlled with an extensive analgesic regimen. The pain was described as pins and needles and was associated with posterior calf tightness. Physical exam revealed purple discoloration of the left foot, toes, and ankle, decreased capillary refill, and mild edema. Vascular and cardiac workup were negative. A lumbar sympathetic block led to only 15% reported pain improvement. The patient received ketamine intravenous infusions of 20-80 mg, over four years, with greater than 50% improvement lasting greater than three weeks, on average, after each infusion. The patient's opioid regimen was consolidated to methadone, gabapentin, and duloxetine. Ketamine's antagonistic properties inhibit the increased nociceptive signaling to the CNS in patients with CPS. Ketamine's effectiveness has been equivocal in treating pain syndromes. Few studies have examined its long-term use and only one study examined its use in CPS, in which a seven-day ketamine course led to a decrease in the patient's analgesic regimen which included opioids. This case report supports the previous literature suggesting that repeat ketamine infusions are needed to sustain analgesia. Though promising, more studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of ketamine's long-term use in treating chronic pain.
The efficacy of cheap talk in collective action problems

Incomplete information exacerbates the problems inherent in collective action. Participants cannot efficiently coordinate their actions if they do not know each other’s preferences. I investigate w...
The Clinical Course after Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Admission among Older Medicare Beneficiaries.

Objectives Long-term acute care (LTAC) hospitals provide extended complex post-acute care to more than 120 000 Medicare beneficiaries annually, with the goal of helping patients to regain independence and recover. Because little is known about patients' long-term outcomes, we sought to examine the clinical course after LTAC admission. Design Nationally representative 5-year cohort study using 5% Medicare data from 2009 to 2013. Setting LTAC hospitals. Participants Hospitalized Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries 65 years of age or older who were transferred to an LTAC hospital. Measurements Mortality, recovery (defined as achieving 60 consecutive days alive without inpatient care), time spent in an inpatient facility following LTAC hospital admission, receipt of an artificial life-prolonging procedure (feeding tube, tracheostomy, hemodialysis), and palliative care physician consultation. Results Of 14 072 hospitalized older adults transferred to an LTAC hospital, median survival was 8.3 months, and 1- and 5-year survival rates were 45% and 18%, respectively. Following LTAC admission, 53% never achieved a 60-day recovery. The median time of their remaining life a patient spent as an inpatient after LTAC admission was 65.6% (interquartile range = 21.4%-100%). More than one-third (36.9%) died in an inpatient setting, never returning home after the LTAC admission. During the preceding hospitalization and index LTAC admission, 30.9% received an artificial life-prolonging procedure, and 1% had a palliative care physician consultation. Conclusion Hospitalized older adults transferred to LTAC hospitals have poor survival, spend most of their remaining life as an inpatient, and frequently undergo life-prolonging procedures. This prognostic understanding is essential to inform goals of care discussions and prioritize healthcare needs for hospitalized older adults admitted to LTAC hospitals. Given the exceedingly low rates of palliative care consultations, future research is needed to examine unmet palliative care needs in this population. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2282-2288, 2019.
A non-oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and the pitfalls of HPV testing: A case report

Abstract Background High-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) is a driver of the development of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), while its role in other head and neck subsites, including the oral cavity, is debated. HPV detection in tissue is assayed directly and indirectly using various methods, including p16 surrogate immunohistochemistry (IHC), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and in-situ hybridization (ISH). Methods Case of a 76-year-old man presenting with a right retromolar trigone well-differentiated keratinizing SCC, which was resected with a free flap reconstruction and HPV/p16 testing. Results Synchronous p16 IHC and HPV PCR testing of the primary tumor were negative and positive, respectively, whereas testing of a lymph node metastasis by both assays was negative. RNA ISH was negative in the primary tumor and in the lymph node metastasis. Conclusions HPV assessment of oropharyngeal SCCs, but not those of other subsites, should be performed by surrogate p16 IHC, with any additional HPV confirmational testing done at institutional discretion. Detection of transcriptionally active HPV E6/E7 RNA by ISH may represent a new gold standard.
The lives of things on Pulau Ujir; Aru’s engagement with commercial expansion

In places with limited access to manufactured goods, people must develop creative strategies to make the most of available materials, both those produced by humans and those taken from the natural world. Although Pulau Ujir, in the Aru Islands, has a long history of engagement with global trade networks, until recently the community’s access to manufactured goods was limited and infrequent. As a result, in the past objects there tended to take on new lives, and still do today: they are modified, re-purposed, and recycled in ingenious ways. This article explores the relationship between people and things in Ujir from the perspectives of object biography and Actor Network Theory. I argue that the complex “life stories” of material things in such conditions of scarcity deserve special attention, because they may explain not only puzzling archaeological phenomena, but also aspects of the social lives of the people who used andreused them. Two modified and repurposed fragments, one of porcelain and one of glass, serve as examples.
In utero congenital chylothorax treatment with fetal thoracoamniotic shunt: Case report.

BACKGROUND Fetal pleural effusions are a rare fetal anomaly that may result from congenital chylothorax. Severe cases lead to chest compression with resulting pulmonary hypoplasia and possible neonatal demise. Fetal thoracoamiontic shunt (TAS) placement may decrease the amount of pleural effusion and improve lung expansion. CASE A 30-year-old primigravida at 29 2/7 weeks' gestation presented with fetal bilateral pleural effusions with no identifiable genetic or structural abnormalities. TAS placement accomplished decompression of the left fetal chest. The neonate was delivered at 33 3/7 weeks and required minimal respiratory support with no apparent long term complications at discharge. CONCLUSION This case demonstrated that fetal intervention with TAS placement can improve neonatal outcomes. Referral to an MFM specialist capable of TAS should be considered for isolated fetal bilateral pleural effusion.
International Students’ Acculturation and Attitudes towards Americans as a Function of Communication and Relational Solidarity with Their Most Frequent American Contact

Guided by frameworks of intergroup contact and the Common Ingroup Identity Model, this study examined international students’ (N = 233) communication with their most frequent U.S. contact and attit...
Is My World Getting Smaller? the Challenges of Living with Vision Loss

IntroductionVision loss influences both basic and instrumental activities of daily living. There is limited information, however, on the relationship between vision loss and leisure activities. The...
Investigating the Impact of Mixed Precision on Correctness for a Large Climate Code

Earth system models (ESMs) are computationally expensive and represent many complex processes on a wide range of scales from molecular to global. Certain ESM computations require high precision while others, such as atmospheric microphysics (e.g., precipitation) which are approximated by bulk properties, should not. As such, atmospheric microphysics models are prime candidates for conversion to single precision, which afford distinct computational and memory advantages over typical double precision numbers. However, care must be taken as indiscriminate type casting to single precision can result in numerical instability and divergent output when applied naively. In this work we relate our experiences attempting to improve the performance of the Morrison-Gettelman microphysics package (MG2) in a popular ESM by modifying it to compute in single precision without sacrificing correctness. We find that modification of the entire MG2 package to compute with single precision floats achieves a respectable performance increase but does not appear to be correct in terms of maintaining consistency with double-precision MG2. On the other hand, narrowing the scope of our conversion to a couple expensive subprograms yields more satisfying results in terms of correctness but with negligible overall performance improvement. We evaluate correctness with both an objective statistical tool and traditional approaches more familiar to climate scientists. While we are still working toward our ultimate goal of improving the performance of MG2 without negatively affecting model output, we believe that our experiences may be helpful to other groups pursuing similar goals.
Peroral endoscopic myotomy

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) incorporates concepts of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery and achieves endoscopic myotomy by utilizing a submucosal tunnel as an operating space. Although intended for the palliation of symptoms of achalasia, there is mounting data to suggest it is also efficacious in the management of spastic esophageal disorders. The technique requires an understanding of the pathophysiology of esophageal motility disorders as well as knowledge of surgical anatomy of the foregut. POEM achieves short term response in 82% to 100% of patients with minimal risk of adverse events. In addition, it appears to be effective and safe even at the extremes of age and regardless of prior therapy undertaken. Although infrequent, the ability of the endoscopist to manage an intraprocedural adverse event is critical as failure to do so could result in significant morbidity. The major late adverse event is gastroesophageal reflux which appears to occur in 20% to 46% of patients. Research is being conducted to clarify the optimal technique for POEM and a personalized approach by measuring intraprocedural esophagogastric junction distensibility appears promising. In addition to esophageal disorders, POEM is being studied in the management of gastroparesis (gastric pyloromyotomy) with initial reports demonstrating technical feasibility. Although POEM represents a paradigm shift the management of esophageal motility disorders, the results of prospective randomized controlled trials with long-term follow up are eagerly awaited.
Invasion of mammalian and protozoan cells by Legionella pneumophila

The ability of Legionella pneumophila to cause disease is dependent on its intracellular replication within alveolar cells. In the environment, the bacterium is a parasite of protozoa, which are central to the ecology and pathogenesis of L. pneumophila . This review examines invasion of mammalian and protozoan cells by this bacterium.
Higher Education in the Era of Trump: Considering the Ambiguous Future of Tertiary Higher Education in a “New American Moment”

President Trump’s campaign to “Make America Great Again” does not engage the potential of higher education to support the goal of reinventing an undefined period of American superiority. Rather, Trump confuses the purpose of institution types and proposes that learning should be separated into elite, Ivy League education, and working-class apprenticeships. The fault lines between social classes and tertiary higher education are most evident in the current historical context. This positions higher education to either falter with Trump’s misguided agenda or take initiative to reinvent the way higher education can serve the public.
Abstract 223: Association Between Covid-19 Pandemic Related Anxiety and Advanced Care Planning Desire in Cardiac Arrest Survivors

Introduction: Patients with cardiovascular disease conditions are at high risk for direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 on morbidity and mortality. In light of this, we aimed to assess the exten...
Comparison of Multicast Flow Control Algorithms over Combined Wireless/Wired Networks

A multipoint flow control framework for data traffic traversing both a wired and wireless network is proposed in this paper. Markov Modulated Fluid (MMF) on-off models are used for the receivers to capture the dynamics of the wireless communication links. Three ad hoc flow control strategies have been compared using simulation. These include a Listen to Slowest Request (LSQ) algorithm, a Source Estimation (SE) algorithm, and an Open Loop control algorithm. The algorithms are evaluated based on the delay-throughput characteristics. Trade-offs among the performance, buffer requirement and feedback overhead have been investigated.
Pattern of antiepileptic drug-induced cell death in limbic regions of the neonatal rat brain.

Phenobarbital and phenytoin, two drugs commonly used for the treatment of neonatal seizures, have been well-documented to induce neuronal apoptosis throughout many regions of the developing rat brain. However, several limbic regions have not been included in previous analyses. Because drug-induced damage to limbic brain regions in infancy could contribute to emotional and psychiatric sequelae, it is critical to determine the extent to which these regions are vulnerable to developmental neurotoxicity. To evaluate the impact of AED exposure on limbic nuclei, we treated postnatal day 7 rat pups with phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, or vehicle, and examined nucleus accumbens, septum, amygdala, piriform cortex and frontal cortex for cell death. Histological sections were processed using the TUNEL assay to label apoptotic cells. Nucleus accumbens displayed the highest level of baseline cell death (vehicle group), as well as the greatest net increase in cell death following phenobarbital or phenytoin. Phenobarbital exposure resulted in a significant increase in cell death in all brain regions, while phenytoin exposure increased cell death only in the nucleus accumbens. Carbamazepine was without effect on cell death in any brain region analyzed, suggesting that the neurotoxicity observed is not an inherent feature of AED action. Our findings demonstrate pronounced cell death in several important regions of the rat limbic system following neonatal administration of phenobarbital, the first-line treatment for neonatal seizures in humans. These findings raise the possibility that AED exposure in infancy may contribute to adverse neuropsychiatric outcomes later in life.
Nine Justices in Search of a Doctrine

times, presented the United States Supreme Court with a hopelessly unsupportable piece of state legislation and an unusual variety of possible doctrinal solutions. The Court's response to this situation, and the implications of its choice of doctrine for the future of individual rights in America, make an intriguing study of the judicial process. The Connecticut law, as a matter of social policy, had little or nothing to be said for it. It was enacted in 1879 and remained as a relic of a Comstockian philosophy which had long since ceased to be widely held, if it ever had been. The statute was at war with all accepted standards of medical practice. It invaded the sacred realm of marital privacy, and for all practical purposes denied to married couples the right of deciding whether or when to have children. Under certain not infrequent circumstances, it imposed upon individuals the cruel choice between sexual abstinence on the one hand and ill health, death, or deformed children on the other. Not generally enforced, indeed unenforceable in most instances, it hung like a cloud over the medical profession. More important, its enforcement only against birth control clinics resulted in patent discrimination against persons who were too poor or too uneducated to seek private medical advice. Its basic purpose was fantastically in conflict with the clearly perceived need to deal with the world's second most critical problem-the population explosion. Even its staunchest supporter, the Roman Catholic Church, was ready to concede that the use of contraceptives by married couples involved a religious principle rather than a public policy to be imposed on all faiths by government sanction. Yet the legislature failed to repeal the statute.2 To the ordinary layman, Griswold v. Connecticut seemed easy. But to the lawyer it was somewhat more difficult. The lawyer's problem with the case was that the issues did not readily fit into
Structural genomics of minimal organisms: pipeline and results.

The initial objective of the Berkeley Structural Genomics Center was to obtain a near complete three-dimensional (3D) structural information of all soluble proteins of two minimal organisms, closely related pathogens Mycoplasma genitalium and M. pneumoniae. The former has fewer than 500 genes and the latter has fewer than 700 genes. A semiautomated structural genomics pipeline was set up from target selection, cloning, expression, purification, and ultimately structural determination. At the time of this writing, structural information of more than 93percent of all soluble proteins of M. genitalium is avail able. This chapter summarizes the approaches taken by the authors' center.
Effects of Injected Iron and Siderophores on Infections in Normal and Immune Mice

The fate of virulent and avirulent strains of Salmonella typhimurium in untreated and iron-injected mice and in transferrin-containing media demonstrated a direct relationship between bacterial virulence and the ability of bacteria to acquire transferrin-bound iron. Effects of injected iron on the development of infections with virulent and avirulent bacterial strains were determined in normal and immune mice by determinations of bacterial numbers in tissue homogenates and the mortality of infected animals. Results showed that infected and iron-injected mice died much more rapidly and frequently from overwhelming infections than infected and saline-injected mice. The infection-promoting effect of iron varied with the degree of bacterial virulence; the more virulent the bacteria, the more helpful was iron for the development of lethal infections. Siderophores promoted lethal infections in mice infected with virulent but not with avirulent bacteria. Experiments with vaccinated animals showed that iron exerted a deleterious effect on acquired immunity. Immune mice infected with virulent bacteria and injected with iron developed lethal infections as rapidly and nearly as frequently as similarly treated normal mice. Siderophores did not promote the development of lethal infections in immune mice. The effectiveness of iron, but not of siderophores, to promote bacterial infections in vaccinated mice revealed that acquired immunity is dependent upon the activity of an iron-neutralizable antibacterial system.
Acute Recurrent, Persistent Hypoglycemia-Induced Chorea/Ballism In A Diabetic Patient On Hemodialysis (P4.059)

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of acute, recurrent, persistent hypoglycemia-induced generalized chorea/ballism in a diabetic patient on hemodialysis. BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis can cause metabolic derangements such as hypo/hypernatremia, and hypo/hyperglycemia that pre-dispose to basal ganglia injury. Diabetic dialysis patients are particularly prone to hypoglycemia. It is likely that advanced microvascular disease in basal ganglia makes it more susceptible to hypoglycemia and metabolic changes. Diabetic uremic patients with abnormal bilateral basal ganglia changes on imaging have been described mostly in Asians. This case contributes to the evidence for the risk of basal ganglia injury in hemodialysis patients especially with hypoglycemia. DESIGN/METHODS: A 39 year old diabetic African American man with renal failure on hemodialysis presented with acute onset choreiform movements of the limbs for a week following an increased frequency of hemodialysis (from three to four times a week) and an episode of hypoglycemia (glucose 60 mg/dl). There was no prior personal or family history of chorea. Examination revealed intermittent choreiform/ballistic movements of the limbs, hyporeflexia and unsteady, uncoordinated gait but full strength and sensation. Work up revealed elevated creatinine with normal serum osmolarity and ketones. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed bilateral putaminal T2 hyper-intensities, without restricted diffusion. He was treated with oral tetrabenazine with cessation of chorea. Three months after the first episode, another hypoglycemic episode (glucose 70 mg/dl) triggered acute chorea and ballism. Imaging showed worsening of T2 hyperintensities of bilateral putamina and caudate head with restricted diffusion. Chorea/ballism has been severe and persistent despite treatment with tetrabenazine. RESULTS: NA CONCLUSIONS: Transient basal ganglia dysfunction in hemodialysis patients post hypoglycemia is rare, with only a handful of cases being reported. We present an adult on hemodialysis with recurrent, persistent acute onset chorea secondary to hypoglycemia that has been resistant to treatment. Further research is needed to help elucidate the underlying pathophysiology and treatment options for management of other patients with this disease. Study Supported by: NA Disclosure: Dr. Comella has received personal compensation for activities with Ipsen, Merz, Allergan, Inc., Medtronic, Inc., Teva Neuroscience, US World Meds, and Impax. Dr. Comella has received research support from Ipsen, Merz, Allergan, Inc., NIH, Dystonia Coalition, and Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. Dr. Shannon has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for "The Neurologist."
2-Methoxyestradiol alters cell motility, migration, and adhesion

The effect of 2-methoxyestradiol, 2ME2, an endogenous metabolite of 17β-estradiol (E2), on cell growth and cytoskeletal functions in a BCR-ABL—transformed cell line model was investigated. We determined the interaction of 2ME2 with STI571 (Gleevec, imatinib mesylate) in STI571 drug-sensitive and -resistant cell lines. In cells expressing BCR-ABL, STI571 cooperated with 2ME2 in reducing cell growth, and STI571-resistant cells were sensitive to 2ME2 treatment. 2ME2 also inhibited growth of several cancer cell lines by a mechanism independent of BCR-ABL. BCR-ABL transformation leads to altered motility, increased adhesion, and spontaneous migration in different in vitro model systems. 2ME2 was found to specifically inhibit the spontaneous motility of BCRABL—transformed Ba/F3 cells and to change the morphology and volume of treated cells. Cells attached to fibronectin-coated surfaces showed a reduced number of filipodia and lamellipodia. In addition, 2ME2 significantly reduced BCRABL—mediated adhesion to fibronectin. The spontaneous migration of BCR-ABL—transformed cells through a transwell membrane also was found to be significantly decreased by 2ME2. Cytoskeletal changes were accompanied by alteration of tubulin formation, distinct from paclitaxel treatment. These results demonstrate that 2ME2 treatment of transformed cells strongly reduces cytoskeletal functions and may also be useful for the treatment of cancers with high metastatic potential. Combination of 2ME2 with other anticancer drugs may be beneficial to treatment of drug-resistant cancers. (Blood. 2003;102:289-296)
Assembly and molecular order of two-dimensional peptoid nanosheets through the oil–water interface

Peptoid nanosheets are a recently discovered class of 2D nanomaterial that form from the self-assembly of a sequence-specific peptoid polymer at an air–water interface. Nanosheet formation occurs first through the assembly of a peptoid monolayer and subsequent compression into a bilayer structure. These bilayer materials span hundreds of micrometers in lateral dimensions and have the potential to be used in a variety of applications, such as in molecular sensors, artificial membranes, and as catalysts. This paper reports that the oil–water interface provides another opportunity for growth of these unique and highly ordered peptoid sheets. The monolayers formed at this interface are found through surface spectroscopic measurements to be highly ordered and electrostatic interactions between the charged moieties, namely carboxylate and ammonium residues, of the peptoid are essential in the ability of these peptoids to form ordered nanosheets at the oil–water interface. Expanding the mechanism of peptoid nanosheet formation to the oil–water interface and understanding the crucial role of electrostatic interactions between peptoid residues in nanosheet formation is essential for increasing the complexity and functionality of these nanomaterials.
Paternity exclusion in a community of wild chimpanzees using hypervariable simple sequence repeats

We report the use of hypervariable simple sequence repeat (SSR) nuclear loci to study paternity in a community of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. All 43 living members of a habituated community were sampled and 35 were genotyped at 8 SSR loci using DNA amplified from hair. Paternity exclusions were performed for 25 chimpanzees including 10 for whom the mother was also genotyped. In each case 12–20 males were potential fathers based on their age and/ or direct observation of sexual behaviour. 179 tests involving potential father/offspring combinations were performed. In four cases the data permit the probable identification of the previously undetermined father; these are the first such determinations for free-ranging chimpanzees, and the first based on non-invasive sampling. In another four cases we were able to exclude all but two to five potential fathers, and in the remaining cases we were able to exclude all living males. For molecular ecologists SSR genotype databases offer important advantages over currently popular minisatellite DNA fingerprinting: they can be analysed unequivocally using traditional population genetics techniques and they can be expanded through time and space by other researchers.
Association of Nociceptive Responsivity With Clinical Pain and the Moderating Effect of Depression

Abstract The role of central sensitization (CS) in clinical pain reported by FMS patients is unclear. In this report, we sought to establish evidence of a prospective association between clinical pain and an objective measure of spinal nociception (nociceptive flexion reflex [NFR] threshold) and explore whether depression moderates this relationship. We collected measures that included the NFR threshold (in the range of 0–60 milliamperes (mA); a lower threshold represents greater nociceptive responsivity) and clinical variables (ie, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)-total, FIQ-pain, depression and current pain intensity) at 3 time points (baseline, weeks 6 and 12). Using linear mixed effects models, clinical variables were treated as time-varying covariates. Across time, current pain intensity [estimate –1.79 mA (.8), P = .03] and the presence of depression [estimate –6.30 mA (3.2), P = .059] were significantly associated with NFR threshold. The interaction of current pain intensity and depression was also significantly associated with NFR threshold. Specifically, the relationship between current pain intensity and NFR threshold was present in the nondepressed group but not in the depressed group (estimate –3.9 versus .07, P = .01). Both FIQ-total and FIQ-pain were not associated with NFR threshold. In conclusion, higher level of clinical pain intensity correlated with greater nociceptive responsivity, and that depression moderated this association. Perspective Given that clinical pain correlated with nociceptive responsiveness, our findings support the mechanistic role of CS in fibromyalgia. If replicated in larger studies, NFR threshold may serve as a biomarker of clinical pain in nondepressed fibromyalgia patients. Also, our results may have future implication for treatment of FMS with and without comorbid depression.
Information-Theoretic Incompleteness

We propose an improved definition of the complexity of a formal axiomatic system: this is now taken to be the minimum size of a self-delimiting program for enumerating the set of theorems of the formal system. Using this new definition, we show (a) that no formal system of complexity n can exhibit a specific object with complexity greater than n+c, and (b) that a formal system of complexity n can determine, at most, n + c scattered bits of the halting probability @w. We also present a short, self-contained proof of (b).
THEORETICAL STUDIES OF DIAMAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF THE HYDROGEN MOLECULE ION. II. EFFECT OF VARYING INTERNUCLEAR SEPARATION.

The diamagnetic susceptibility χ and magnetic shielding σ for H are investigated in the range of internuclear separations R = 1.6 a.u. to R = 2.4 a.u. according to a previously reported technique. From this data values of 〈χ〉 and 〈σ〉, for which nuclear motion due to zero-point vibration and centrifugal stretching is taken into account, are calculated at 300°K. These averages are 〈χ〉 = −0.3902 α2a and 〈σ〉 = 1.096 × 10−5 c.g.s. units which are approximately 3.1% and 1.4% respectively, smaller than the equilibrium values.
Humbled in Taiwan.

Taiwan’s highly efficient system of national health insurance should humble and inspire the United States
Optimized Petrov-Galerkin model for advective-dispersive transport

Petrov-Galerkin finite element models (PGFEMs) appear to be the preferred choice for simulating advective-dispersive transport of chemicals in the natural environment for their ability to provide oscillation-free results. The PGFEM, however, provides oscillation-free results at the expense of introducing significant artificial dispersion. Introduction of artificial dispersion may lead to erroneous prediction of faster movement of the chemical and underestimation of the peak concentration. The objective of this paper is to develop an optimized PGFEM (OPGFEM). The OPGFEM developed is found to predict advective-dispersive transport of chemicals more accurately than the PGFEM.
Acute coronary syndromes: BNP measurement predicts AMI risk in the elderly.

With the aging of the population, the frequency of acute myocardial infarction is rising most rapidly among the elderly, a subgroup at high risk of a fatal outcome. Lorgis et al. observe that N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, combined with a simple clinical risk score, provides an accurate estimate of prognosis.
Can we beat the mouse with MAGIC

MAGIC pointing techniques combine eye tracking with manual input. Since the mouse performs exceptionally well in a desktop setting, previous research on MAGIC pointing either resulted in minor improvements, or the techniques were applied to alternative devices or environments. We design Animated MAGIC, a novel, target-agnostic MAGIC pointing technique, for the specific goal of beating the mouse in a desktop setting. To improve the eye-tracking accuracy, we develop a dynamic local calibration method that uses each selection as a local calibration point. We compare Animated MAGIC to mouse-only and Conservative MAGIC, one of the two original MAGIC pointing methods, in a Fitts' Law experiment. We conduct a user questionnaire to evaluate the usability of the interaction methods. Results suggest that Dynamic Local Calibration improves eye-tracking accuracy and, consequently, MAGIC pointing performance. Powered with Dynamic Local Calibration, Animated MAGIC outperformed mouse-only by 8% in terms of throughput. Both MAGIC pointing methods reduced the amount of hand movement by more than half.
Nonparametric inference procedures for multistate life table analysis.

Recent generalizations of the classical single state life table procedures to the multistate case provide the means to analyze simultaneously the mobility and mortality experience of one or more cohorts. Within this multidimensional demographic literature, however, little attention has been paid thus far to problems of statistical inference. In this paper, an inferential and hypothesis testing strategy is proposed based on fairly general nonpara‐metric matrix permutation procedures. Several examples are presented to illustrate this matrix combinatorial approach to hypothesis testing.
Effects of toluene inhalation on carbon dioxide production and locomotor activity in mice

Rapid and noninvasive tests of locomotor activity (LA) and carbon dioxide production (minute volume expired CO2, or VECO2) in mice were sensitive to the effects of inhaled toluene. Compared to sham exposures, toluene at 100 ppm had no effect on LA or VECO2; at 1000 and 3000 ppm, LA increased during exposure, while VECO2 was suppressed for 6 to 24 min at the beginning of exposure. In a nominal 10,000-ppm exposure, toluene levels were increased from 1000 to 10,500 ppm in 60 min. At these levels, toluene abolished LA at concentrations above 8000 ppm, and suppressed VECO2 throughout exposure. During recovery from toluene-induced narcosis, both LA and VECO2 were elevated above control. In other studies, groups of mice inhaled toluene daily at 0, 100, 1000, or 3000 ppm, 5 hr/day for 8 or 90 days, and were tested individually 30 to 90 min after termination of exposure. Under these conditions, toluene decreased postexposure VECO2 for 1–2 weeks, altered the weekly pattern of change in VECO2, and did not affect LA. No effects of repeated, daily exposure to toluene were observed on body weight. These results demonstrate the utility of the present method to detect changes in LA and metabolic rate resulting from toluene inhalation, and suggest that different mechanisms are involved in the behavioral and metabolic responses to toluene inhalation.
Factors associated with proportions and miles of bicycling for transportation and recreation in six small US cities

The majority of bicycling in the US is for recreation rather than transportation purposes but few studies have examined the question of bicycling purpose. We use data from an online survey conducted in 2006 in six small cities in the western US to examine factors affecting bicycling for transportation compared to bicycling for recreation. The results indicate that individual, social-environment, and physical-environment factors have important influences on the balance between transportation and recreational bicycling and on miles of bicycling for each purpose. Bicycling comfort and an aversion to driving are associated with more transportation bicycling. A culture of utilitarian bicycling and short distances to destinations are also key factors for transportation bicycling. Bicycle infrastructure appears to play an indirect role through its effect on perceived bicycling safety and through the self-selection effect, by attracting bicycling-inclined people to bicycling-supportive communities.
Single-RNA counting reveals alternative modes of gene expression in yeast.

Understanding the kinetics of gene expression involves accurate quantitation of gene expression. This is now undertaken by quantifying nascent-RNA levels and relating this indication of transcriptional activity to mRNA abundance in single yeast cells. Combining these measurements with computational modeling indicates that the tested yeast housekeeping genes are probably expressed through single initiation events, whereas a SAGA-transcribed gene shows behavior consistent with transcriptional bursting. Proper execution of transcriptional programs is a key requirement of gene expression regulation, demanding accurate control of timing and amplitude. How precisely the transcription machinery fulfills this task is not known. Using an in situ hybridization approach that detects single mRNA molecules, we measured mRNA abundance and transcriptional activity within single Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. We found that expression levels for particular genes are higher than initially reported and can vary substantially among cells. However, variability for most constitutively expressed genes is unexpectedly small. Combining single-transcript measurements with computational modeling indicates that low expression variation is achieved by transcribing genes using single transcription-initiation events that are clearly separated in time, rather than by transcriptional bursts. In contrast, PDR5, a gene regulated by the transcription coactivator complex SAGA, is expressed using transcription bursts, resulting in larger variation. These data directly demonstrate the existence of multiple expression modes used to modulate the transcriptome.
Measuring entrepreneurship and knowledge capital: Metropolitan economic efficiency in the USA1

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is employed in an analysis of the US metropolitan areas in an effort to use the information about the inputs to diagnose economic development problems of specific urban regions. The results are presented for the aggregate of all MSAs and also for partial analyses by MSA size (small, medium, and large). Example analyses at the individual MSA level are provided to illustrate how the DEA approach may provide useful carefully targeted policy and management guidance for regions.
Cationic polymerization by aromatic initiating systems. IV. Synthesis and characterization of α‐ω‐diphenylpolyisobutylene

The polymerization of isobutylene using o3Al coinitiator and the tertiary chlorides tert.-butyl chloride (t-BuCl) and 2,6-dichloro-2,6-dimethylheptane (Clt-R-Clt) initiators has been studied. Polymerization rates with the t-BuCl/o3Al and Clt-R-Clt/o3Al initiating systems were high in the −20 to −70°C range. Yields and molecular weights increased with decreasing temperature. As predicted by model experiments the extent of phenylation increases with decreasing temperatures. According to spectroscopic evidence the polyisobutylenes carry phenyl end groups.
Simple measures of channel habitat complexity predict transient hydraulic storage in streams

Stream thalweg depth profiles (along path of greatest channel depth) and woody debris tallies have recently become components of routine field procedures for quantifying physical habitat in national stream monitoring efforts. Mean residual depth, standard deviation of thalweg depth, and large woody debris (LWD) volumes are potential metrics of habitat complexity calculated from these survey data. We used 42 intensive dye-transit studies to demonstrate the relevance of these easily measured channel habitat complexity metrics to transient hydraulic (“dead zone”) storage, a channel process important for biotic habitat as well as retention and “spiraling” of dissolved and particulate nutrients. We examined transient storage and channel morphology in small gravel and cobble-bedded upland streams (wetted width 2–5 m; slopes 2.6–8.3%) representing a wide range of flow stages, LWD loading, and channel complexity, including measurements before and after LWD was added to enhance fish habitat. While transient storage volume fraction decreased as flow stage increased in simple channels, those with complex morphology and well-developed riparian vegetation maintained high transient storage fractions even during storm flows. LWD additions increased transient storage and channel complexity over the 2 years of post-treatment measurements. We predict with considerable precision two different formulations of transient hydraulic storage fraction using single-variable linear regressions on residual depth (R 2 = 0.61–0.89), thalweg depth variance (R 2 = 0.64–0.91), or large woody debris volume (R 2 = 0.48–0.74). Demonstration of these likely causal associations contributes to understanding the process of transient storage and redefines the use of thalweg profile metrics as a new approach to quantifying morphologic and hydraulic complexity in streams.
Comparison of Seasonal Potential Predictability of Precipitation

AbstractThree methods for estimating potential seasonal predictability of precipitation from a single realization of daily data are assessed. The estimation methods include a first-order Markov chain model proposed by Katz (KZ), and an analysis of covariance (ANOCOVA) method and a bootstrap method proposed by the authors. The assessment is based on Monte Carlo experiments, ensemble atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) simulations, and observation-based data. For AGCM time series, ANOCOVA produces the most accurate estimates of weather noise variance, despite the fact that it makes the most unrealistic assumptions about precipitation (in particular, it assumes precipitation is generated by a Gaussian autoregressive model). The KZ method significantly underestimates noise variance unless the autocorrelation of precipitation amounts on consecutive wet days is taken into account. Both AGCM and observation-based data reveal that the fraction of potentially predictable variance is greatest in the tropic...
Epilepsy as an Example of Neural Plasticity

Epilepsy is a devastating disease affecting more than 1% of the population. Yet, if one considers the neurobiological substrates of this disease, what is revealed is an array of phenomenon that exemplify the remarkable capacity for the brain to change its basic structure and function, that is, neural plasticity. Some of these alterations are transient and merely impressive for their extent, or for their robust nature across animal models and human epilepsy. Others are notable for their persistence, often enduring for months or years. As an example, the dentate gyrus, and specifically the principal cell of the dentate gyrus, the granule cell, is highlighted. This area of the brain and this particular cell type, for reasons that are currently unclear, hold an uncanny capacity to change after seizures. For those interested in plasticity, it is suggested that perhaps the best examples for studying plasticity lie in the field of epilepsy.
Co-existent renal eosinophilic granuloma and renal adenocarcinoma

Localized renal eosinophilic granuloma has not been previously reported. In this patient there was osseous eosinophilic granuloma and a 1 cm hypervascular renal lesion which pathologically proved to be coexistent renal adenocarcinoma and eosinophilic granuloma.
Self-reported computer criminal behavior: A psychological analysis

The current research study replicated a study by Rogers et al. (Rogers M, Smoak ND, Liu J. Self-reported criminal computer behavior: a big-5, moral choice and manipulative exploitive behavior analysis. Deviant Behavior 2006;27:1-24) and examined the psychological characteristics, moral choice, and exploitive manipulative behaviors of self-reported computer criminals and non-computer criminals. Seventy-seven students enrolled in an information technology program participated in the web-based study. The results of the study indicated that the only significant variable for predicting criminal/deviant computer behavior was extraversion. Those individuals self-reporting criminal computer behavior were significantly more introverted than those reporting no criminal/deviant computer behavior. This finding is contrary to the findings of the previous study. The current study confirmed that the four psychometric instruments were reliable for conducting research in the field of criminal/deviant computer behavior. The impact of the findings on the field of digital forensic investigations is discussed as well as possible reasons for the apparent contradiction between the two studies.
Compatibility testing using patterns-based trace comparison

When composing a system from components, we need to ensure that the components are compatible. This is commonly achieved by components interacting only via published and well-defined interfaces. Even so, it is possible for client components to learn about and depend on unpublished yet observable behaviors of components. To identify and support these situations, compatibility testing should uncover such observable behaviors.As a solution, we propose a patterns-based approach to test compatibility between programs in terms of their observable behaviors. The approach compares traces of behaviors observed at identical published interfaces of programs and detects incompatibilities stemming from both the presence of previously unobserved behaviors and the absence of previously observed behaviors. The traces are compared by transforming them into sets of structural and binary linear temporal patterns.During Windows 8 development cycle, we applied this approach to test compatibility between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 bus drivers. Upon testing 14 USB 2.0 devices that were functioning without errors with both USB bus drivers, we uncovered 25 previously unknown incompatibilities between the bus drivers.
Basal-lateral transport and transcellular flux of methyl α-D-glucoside across LLC, PK1 renal epithelial cells

Abstract The characteristics of methyl α- d -glucoside transport by the LLC-PK1 cell line are extended by a study of the interaction of this glucose analog with the basal-lateral membrane of these cells: (1) 1 mM methyl α- d -glucoside enters LLC-PK1 cells across the basal-lateral membrane 10-times more slowly than when entering across the apical membrane; (2) neither 10 mM glucose nor 10 mM methyl α- d -glucoside affect the rate of methyl glucoside uptake at the basal lateral membrane; (3) 0.1 mM phlorizin in the apical hemichamber significantly decreases the rate at which methyl glucoside enter the cell when methyl glucoside is present in the basal-lateral hemichamber; (4) the methyl glucoside transcellular flux ratio, J a J b (apical to basal vs. basal to apical) is 15, whereas J a J b for d -mannitol equals 1; and (5) basal-lateral to apical fluxes (Jb) of mannitol consistently exceed those of methyl glucoside. These results demonstrate that methyl glucoside, unlike glucose, is accumulated within these cells to a high degree because of the limited ability of methyl glucoside to exit the cells by a carrier-mediated pathway. They also raise the important caveat for any studies with glucose (and other low-molecular-weight substrates) by showing that a monosaccharide presented to one surface of these cells will traverse the cell sheet (in part) by the intercellular route and will enter the cell at the unintended cell surface. The ability of the tight junctions of this intercellular route to discriminate between open-chain molecules, such as mannitol, vs. closed ring structures, like methyl glucoside, is also described.
Multiphoton Microscopy Characterization of Plasmonic Enhanced Nanodevices

We apply our custom-designed multiphoton-microscope to investigate the plasmonic E-field-enhancement of planar and textured gold and silver layers on detected signals. Compact laser sources at 1560nm and 1040nm are used to perform the microscopy.