cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Composition Effects in Platforms with Population Heterogeneity

I develop a duopoly model of competition between platforms, incorporating users with heterogeneous preferences over both the platforms' characteristics and the presence of other users. Hence platforms are concerned with both the number and composition of users. The model yields novel representations of heterogeneity, size effects, and composition effects. I use these representations to decompose the relationship between the price and the size and composition of a platform. Prices need not be monotonic in the size of the installed base and profitability can similarly vary inversely. I identify conditions under which prices are increasing, decreasing, or unchanging in platform size. Given that users care about composition, nonpricing strategies to cultivate platform composition emerge when platforms cannot sufficiently leverage price discrimination. Composition effects and cultivation reframe the dominant-firm fringe-firm paradigm and explain the presence of multiproduct firms in platform markets, such as online dating.
Donor-derived Cell-free DNA in Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Case Series.

Background Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a noninvasive plasma biomarker to evaluate for transplant allograft rejection. The relationship between infectious complications in kidney allografts and dd-cfDNA has received cursory attention in prior publications. Methods Retrospective review of all renal transplant recipients who underwent dd-cfDNA testing between November 2017 and August 2019. Results We report on 7 cases in whom infections affecting the transplanted kidney were associated with elevation in dd-cfDNA without concomitant rejection or elevation in serum creatinine. Five patients had BK viremia, and 2 patients had urinary tract infection associated with elevated dd-cfDNA levels. Conclusions These observations suggest that elevations in dd-cfDNA are not specific to kidney allograft rejection and can be associated with infections affecting the transplanted kidney. This biomarker may be valuable in evaluating infectious complications of kidney allografts.
Effect of ozone treatments on the removal of pesticide residues and postharvest quality in green pepper

The use of ozone as a tool in the storage of some horticultural produces is recommended for all steps from harvest to consumption. However, little is known about its effects on the removal of pesticides and postharvest physiology of fresh peppers. In the present study, the effects of ozone treatment on the removal of pesticides, storage life and quality of green peppers were investigated. Malathion, emamectin benzoate and acetamiprid were applied to pepper plants before harvest. Residue contents of peppers were measured at harvest time and after all treatments to determine the effect of ozone on the removal of pesticide residues. Peppers were subjected to four treatments: immersion in ozonated water (2 ppm) and only tap water (control) for 10 min, exposure to 2 ppm ozone gas in air and only air (control) for 45 min. Treated peppers were stored at 20 °C and 60 ± 5% relative humidity for 8 days, and some quality analyses were performed during storage. Ozonated water decreased, remarkable, pesticide residues in peppers compared to harvest time, but there was no meaningful changes in the samples treated with ozone in air. Ozone treatments suppressed clearly respiration rates and decreased weight losses of peppers compared to control groups. Ozonated water also maintained green color of peppers, with minimum change in h° values. Additionally, sensory quality of peppers was retarded by ozone application during storage. These findings revealed that ozone could be an alternative treatment to extend storage life of green peppers and remove pesticide residues.
A post-truth pandemic?

As the coronavirus pandemic continues apace in the United States, the dizzying amount of data being generated, analyzed and consumed about the virus has led to calls to proclaim this the first ‘dat...
The Impact of Substance Use Disorder on COVID-19 Outcomes.

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine the impact of substance use disorder on the risk of hospitalization, complications, and mortality among adult patients diagnosed as having COVID-19....
Examining the Role of Management Control Systems in the Creation of an Innovative Culture

This paper examines the association between a differentiation strategy and the emergence of innovation using a package of management control systems (MCS) tools at the operational level. We empirically test theory developed by Simons [(2005). Levers of Organizational Design. Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA (2010). Accountability and control as catalysts for strategic exploration and exploitation: Field study results. Harvard Working Paper 10-051.] and Chenhall et al. [(2011). Journal of Management Accounting Research, 23: 99–128.] to examine organic innovation culture, formal controls, and an entrepreneurial gap job design (EG), as a package of MCS tools at the operational level. There is evidence that all three MCS tools are both selected or are effective in enhancing innovation. However, internally, staff activities, and line activities show significant variation in their use of MCS tools. Formal controls and EG are effective for staff activities but not for line activities. For line activities organic culture is effective but formal controls are detrimental.
The efficacy and tolerability of auto-stimulation-VNS in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Abstract Objective Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) of childhood. The Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) is established as a safe and effective treatment for DRE. This study assesses efficacy and tolerability of the auto-stimulation VNS models in pediatric patients with LGS. Methods This is a retrospective chart review of a cohort of pediatric patients (Age 1–18 years old) with LGS implanted with an auto-stimulation VNS model at a single level four pediatric epilepsy center. Patient responder’s rate was measured as seizure reduction over baseline and improvements in five quality-of-life measures as reported by the patients and families. Efficacy and tolerability were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months compared to baseline. Results This cohort includes 71 consecutive children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome who underwent implantation with one of two models of the auto-stimulation VNS. The average age of the children at implantation was 20.82 months. Of those patients, 55 % of patients achieved greater than 50 % seizure reduction at six months, 67.7 % at 12 months, and 65 % at 24 months. At 12 months 11 % of the patients were completely seizure free and at 24 months 17 % were seizure free. By 24 months post implantation most of the patient families reported at least a 50 % improvement rate in one or more of the quality-of-life measures. The most commonly reported adverse events were dysphonia, paresthesia, and shortness of breath, all of which were tolerated and subsided by 24 months. Significance This study provides evidence that VNS models with the auto-stimulation paradigm based on detection of tachycardia are well tolerated and effective in a pediatric population with LGS. Furthermore, this study shows that for this population, the auto-stimulation models of the VNS may provide additional benefits over the earlier VNS versions.
Personal Finance Education Mandates and Student Loan Repayment

Many states require students to complete personal finance education to graduate from high school. I study whether these requirements improve federal student loan outcomes after college. I propose a novel identification strategy to estimate the causal effect of state-by-cohort level policy changes on university-level outcomes. This strategy marks an improvement in identification from previous studies which do not directly observe the state in which borrowers attended high school. Additionally, this strategy allows for separate identification of the effect on borrowing from the effect on repayment. I find that only higher income students adjust student loan borrowing. On the other hand, first generation and low income borrowers who were bound by mandates did not significantly adjust borrowing but were nonetheless more likely to pay down balances. The evidence suggests that the improvements in repayment may be due to a better understanding of the terms governing federal student loans.
A Module-Linking Graph Assisted Hybrid Optimization Framework for Custom Analog and Mixed-Signal Circuit Parameter Synthesis

Analog and mixed-signal (AMS) computer-aided design tools are of increasing interest owing to demand for the wide range of AMS circuit specifications in the modern system on a chip and faster time ...
Clinical outcome assessments in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy: past, present and future

Scores and scales used in pediatric motor development for neuromuscular disorders have evolved greatly since the beginning of their development. In this review we provide a brief history of scales used in pediatric patients with neuromuscular disorders and an update regarding the advancement of the scales commonly used in patients with spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We focus on the collaborative effort that has led to the development of outcomes and speak to the possible future of Clinical Outcome Assessments.
Development and Validation of Subject-Specific 3D Human Head Models Based on a Nonlinear Visco-Hyperelastic Constitutive Framework

Computational models of the human head are promising tools for the study and prediction of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Most available head models are developed using inputs (i.e., head geometry, material properties, and boundary conditions) derived from ex-vivo experiments on cadavers or animals and employ linear viscoelasticity (LVE)-based constitutive models, which leads to high uncertainty and poor accuracy in capturing the nonlinear response of brain tissue under impulsive loading conditions. To resolve these issues, a framework for the development of fully subject-specific 3D human head models is proposed, in which model inputs are derived from the same living human subject using a comprehensive in-vivo brain imaging protocol, and the viscous dissipation-based visco-hyperelastic constitutive modeling framework is employed. Specifically, brain tissue material properties are derived from in-vivo magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), and full-field strain-response of brain under rapid rotational acceleration is obtained from tagged MRI, which is used for model validation. The constitutive model comprises the Ogden hyperelastic strain energy density and the Upadhyay-Subhash-Spearot viscous dissipation potential. The simulated strain-response is compared with experimental data and with predictions from subject-specific models employing two commonly used LVE-based constitutive models, using a rigorous validation procedure that evaluates agreement in spatial strain distribution, temporal strain evolution, and differences in maximum values of peak and average strain. Results show that the head model developed in this work reasonably captures 3D brain dynamics, and when compared to LVE-based models, provides improvements in the prediction of peak strains and temporal strain evolution.
Isolation and characterization of new Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants perturbed in nuclear pore complex assembly

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are essential for facilitated, directional nuclear transport; however, the mechanism by which ~30 different nucleoporins (nups) are assembled into NPCs is unknown. We combined a genetic strategy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) technology to identify mutants in NPC structure, assembly, and localization. To identify such mutants, a bank of temperature sensitive strains was generated and examined by fluorescence microscopy for mislocalization of GFP-tagged nups at the non-permissive temperature. A total of 121 mutant strains were isolated, with most showing GFP-Nic96 and Nup170-GFP mislocalized to discrete, cytoplasmic foci. By electron microscopy, several mutants also displayed an expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Complementation analysis identified several mutant groups with defects in components required for ER/Golgi trafficking (sec13, sec23, sec27, and bet3). By directed testing, we found that mutant alleles of all COPII components resulted in altered GFP-Nup localization. Finally, at least nine unknown complementation groups were identified that lack secretion defects. The isolation of sec mutants in the screen could reflect a direct role for vesicle fusion or the COPII coat during NPC assembly; however, only those sec mutants that altered ER structure affected Nup localization. This suggests that the GFP-Nup mislocalization phenotypes observed in these mutants were the indirect result of overproliferation of the ER and connected outer nuclear envelope. The identification of potentially novel mutants with no secretory defects suggests the distinct GFP-Nup localization defects in other mutants in the collection will provide insights into NPC structure and assembly.
Cell lineage of zebrafish blastomeres: II. Formation of the yolk syncytial layer

Dye coupling and cell lineages of blastomeres that participate in the formation of the yolk syncytial layer (YSL) in the zebrafish Brachydanio rerio have been examined. The YSL is a multinucleate layer of nonyolky cytoplasm underlying the cellular blastoderm at one pole of the giant yolk cell. It forms at the time of the 10th (sometimes 9th) cleavage by a collapse of a set of blastomeres, termed marginal blastomeres, into the yolk cell. Marginal blastomeres possess cytoplasmic bridges to the yolk cell before the YSL forms, and injections of fluorescein-dextran into the cells revealed that bridges between the yolk cell and blastoderm do not persist after this time. Injections of Lucifer yellow revealed that shortly after the YSL forms the yolk cell and blastoderm are dye coupled, presumably by gap junctions, and that this coupling disappears gradually during early gastrulation. Lineage analyses revealed that not all of the progeny of early marginal blastomeres participate in YSL formation. Although some descendants of marginal blastomeres remained on the margin during successive cleavages, neither "compartment" nor "strict lineage" models are sufficient to explain the origin of the YSL. It is proposed that the position of a cell on the blastoderm margin, and not the cell's lineage, determines YSL cell fate.
Modeling Optimal Beam Treatment with Weighted Regions for Bio-medical Applications

In bio-medicine optimal beam placement for radiation treatment requires consideration of different tissue areas which may have different properties that can be modelled using weighted regions. Solving a minimum separation problem in this domain corresponds to an optimal orientation for the beam. Such minimum separation problems can be solved efficiently by a software package called LinkSolver, that we describe in this chapter, which takes advantage of the underlying geometric properties of the minimum separation problem to find approximate solutions within a user specified tolerance of optimality.
Solution to the one-dimensional telegrapher's equation subject to a backreaction boundary condition

AbstractWe discuss solutions of the one-dimensional telegrapher’s equationin the presence of boundary conditions. We revisit the case of a radi-ation boundary condition and obtain an alternative expression for thealready known Green’s function. Furthermore, we formulate a backre-action boundary condition, which has been widely used in the contextof di usion-controlled reversible reactions, for a one-dimensional tele-grapher’s equation and derive the corresponding Green’s function. 1 Introduction Although the di usion equation [6, 4]@p(x;t)@t= D@ 2 p(x;t)@x 2 (1.1)can be successfully applied to a broad range of di erent phenomena,it su ers from a pathological defect: The implied signal propagationspeed is in nite in the sense that any perturbation p(x;t) localized atone point in space instantaneously inuences p(x;t) at any other point.Still, the di usion equation provides an excellent approximation, as Email: prustelt@niaid.nih.gov, mms@niaid.nih.gov 1 arXiv:1301.7139v1 [math-ph] 30 Jan 2013
Agency discretion under judicial review

This paper analyzes the extent of agency discretion under different assumptions concerning judicial review: a) discrete judicial decision making; b) multi-member courts; c) decision costs at the Courts; d) multi-layer judiciary. The main results of this paper are: a) discrete judicial decision making and decision making costs at the Court generate agency discretion; b) Agency discretion is reduced, however, by introducing further levels of judicial review; c) Multi-member Courts do not seem to generate important implications for agency discretion.
The impact of technology on cooperative work groups.

The impact of technology on group process and performance operates in dynamic interdependence with key features of the group composition, task, and situation. Today it is possible to merge an understanding of technology with an understanding of group dynamics. This can be the basis for a new way of conducting business, where information and time are focal points of business strategy.
Electron microscope studies on the origin and maturation of yolk in oocytes of the tunicate, Ciona intestinalis.

The origin of proteinaceous yolk in oocytes of Ciona, intestinalis appears to involve the activity of two kinds of vesicles derived from the Golgi complex. One kind of vesicle contains a granular product of considerable density while the contents of the other type of vesicle are of low density. Both types of vesicles become widely dispersed in the ooplasm during vitellogenesis. The high-density vesicle exhibits greater size variation than the lowdensity vesicle. The growing yolk globules possess an external often folded membrane enclosing both granular and vesicular elements. The granular-vesicular bodies are observed in wide size ranges and they appear to arise and increase in size by fusion or incorporation of numerous high-density vesicles, low-density vesicles, and smaller granular-vesicular bodies. The relationship of the developing yolk globules to ribosomes, pinocytotic vesicles, and vesicular endoplasmic reticulum is illustrated.
APPLICATION OF THE GRUBBS RING-CLOSING METATHESIS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MACROCYCLIC ANSA-BRIDGE. SYNTHESIS OF THE TRICYCLIC CORE OF ROSEOPHILIN

Abstract Metalation/alkylation of the pyrrole-fused 10π anion 15 regiospecifically yields the β-alkylated ketones 16, 17 . Conversion of 17 to diene 24 followed by Grubbs ring-closing metathesis provides 29 which is transformed to the roseophilin tricyclic core structure 5 .
Algorithms for response adaptive sampling designs

An experimental design is a formula or algorithm that specifies how resources are to be utilized throughout a study. The design is considered to be good or even optimal if it allows for sufficiently precise and accurate data analysis with the least output of resources such as time, money and experimental units. Most experimental designs use fixed sampling procedures in which the sample sizes and order of allocations to different study groups are known in advance.  2009 John
A Method for Identification of Bearing Force Coefficients and Its Application to a Squeeze Film Damper with a Bubbly Lubricant

A general formulation of the instrumental variable filter (IVF) method for parameter identification of a n-DOF (Degrees Of Freedom) mechanical linear system is presented. The IVF is a frequency domain method and an iterative variation of the least-squares approximation to the system flexibilities. Weight functions constructed with the estimated flexibilities are introduced to reduce the effect of noise in the measurements, thus improving the estimation of dynamic force coefficients. The IVF method is applied in conjunction to impact force excitations to estimate the mass, stiffness, and damping coefficients of a test rotor supported on a squeeze film damper (SFD) operating with a bubbly lubricant. The amount of air in the lubricant is varied from nil to 100 percent to simulate increasing degrees of severity of air entrainment into the damper film lands. The experimental results and parameter estimation technique show that the SFD damping force coefficients increase as the air volume fraction in the mixtur...
A key role for the phosphorylation of Ser440 by the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in regulating the activity of the Src homology 2 domain-containing Inositol 5'-phosphatase (SHIP1).

The Src homology 2 domain-containing inositol 5′-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) dephosphorylates phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate to phophatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate in hematopoietic cells to regulate multiple cell signaling pathways. SHIP1 can be phosphorylated by the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), resulting in an increase in SHIP1 activity (Zhang, J., Walk, S. F., Ravichandran, K. S., and Garrison, J. C. (2009) J. Biol. Chem. 284, 20070–20078). Using a combination of approaches, we identified the serine residue regulating SHIP1 activity. After mass spectrometric identification of 17 serine and threonine residues on SHIP1 as being phosphorylated by PKA in vitro, studies with truncation mutants of SHIP1 narrowed the phosphorylation site to the catalytic region between residues 400 and 866. Of the two candidate phosphorylation sites located in this region (Ser440 and Ser774), only mutation of Ser440 to Ala abolished the ability of PKA to phosphorylate the purified, catalytic domain of SHIP1 (residues 401–866). Mutation of Ser440 to Ala in full-length SHIP1 abrogated the ability of PKA to increase the activity of SHIP1 in mammalian cells. Using flow cytometry, we found that the PKA activator, Sp-adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate triethylammonium salt hydrate (Sp-cAMPS) blunted the phosphorylation of Akt downstream of B cell antigen receptor engagement in SHIP1-null DT40 B lymphocytes expressing native mouse SHIP1. The inhibitory effect of Sp-cAMPS was absent in cells expressing the S440A mutant of SHIP1. These results suggest that activation of SHIP1 by PKA via phosphorylation on Ser440 is an important regulatory event in hematopoietic cells.
Enhancement in the crystalline quality of palladium silicide films: multiple versus single deposition

Abstract Alternate deposition and anneal cycles involving the deposition of 100 A of Pd metal and annealing at 350°C are used to grow thick Pd 2 Si films on Si(1 1 1). The surface ordering and bulk crystal properties are compared to films grown by using a single deposition of 200–600 A Pd metal followed by annealing at 350°C to give the same nominal Pd 2 Si film thickness. We observe that the surface of the multiple deposition samples remains well ordered after total depositions of 200, 400 and 600 A Pd. For the single deposition method, the onset of degradation in surface ordering is observed even at the 200 A Pd metal deposition indicating that there are Pd 2 Si grains (
How to Split Concepts: A Reply to Piccinini and Scott*

In “Concepts Are Not a Natural Kind” (2005), I argued that the notion of concept in psychology and in neuropsychology fails to pick out a natural kind. Piccinini and Scott (2006, in this issue) have criticized the argument I used to support this conclusion. They also proposed two alternative arguments for a similar conclusion. In this reply, I rebut Piccinini and Scott’s main objection against the argument proposed in “Concepts Are Not a Natural Kind.” Moreover, I show that the two alternative arguments developed by Piccinini and Scott are not promising for supporting the conclusion that concepts are not a natural kind.
Forecasting plant disease in a changing climate : a question of scale

The subtle changes in climate attributed to climate change can affect plant-disease development. These changes are not easily determined, and consequently, the ability to forecast how disease changes under altered growth conditions is not simple. One method is the use of forecast climate change derived from global-change models that are analogous to general-circulation models used for weather forecasts. However, these models predict conditions on such a gross scale that they are unacceptable for most disease forecasting. Downscaling provides a method whereby weather and climate conditions estimated at a very large scale can be transferred to a fine resolution (∼200-m grid points). This process is explained, in particular, in the context of disease forecasting. An example is presented of how estimates of extreme low temperature at a local scale have been derived from a mesoscale (mid-range) weather forecast model, which in turn was derived from a general-circulation model. Similarly, the derivation of fore...
Atmospheric sciences at NYU

Many AGU members recall with regret the closing of the New York University (NYU) department of meteorology in 1972. That department had been one of the world's best, growing to prominence under the chairmanship of Athelstan Spilhaus (1938–1946) and continuing under the leadership of Bernhard Haurwitz. It was one of only five meteorology departments in the United States at the time of its founding. Now the phoenix has risen from its own ashes, although in a somewhat different guise.
Photoelectron spectroscopy of transition-metal clusters: Correlation of valence electronic structure to reactivity

The photoelectron spectra and the reactivity of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ with Fe, Co, and Ni clusters have been studied as a function of cluster size for clusters ranging from 5 to 26 atoms in size. It is shown that the variation of the reactivity correlates with the variation of the difference between the ionization potential and the electron affinity of the clusters. This finding is rationalized by using a simple model in which the probability of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ chemisorption on the cluster is proportional to the magnitude of an entrance channel barrier caused by Pauli repulsion between ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and the cluster. It is argued that the magnitude of this barrier is proportional to the promotion energy of an electron from the frontier orbital of the cluster to the lowest unoccupied d state of the cluster.
Imaging and In Vivo Quantitation of β-Amyloid: An Exemplary Biomarker for Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized pathologically by the presence of β-amyloid plaques in the brain. A substantial body of research indicates that the presence of increased β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) is neurotoxic and may initiate the further pathology observed in AD, including neurofibrillary tangles, synaptic loss and dysfunction, and neurodegeneration. The use of brain imaging in patients with or at risk for AD has increased our understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease and may potentially aid in diagnosis. The development of new therapeutics that reduce Aβ in the brain has also indicated a potential use for amyloid imaging in monitoring response to treatment. This review explores the utility of amyloid as a biomarker and the use of positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of AD.
Model study for the incorporation of the (syn,anti)-2-amino-1,3-diol functionality in carbocycles

(syn,anti)-2-Aminocyclopentan-1,3-diol was prepared by a one-pot trichloroacetimidate formation/ cyclic sulfate ring opening reaction followed by acid hydrolysis.
Dysplasia-like epithelial atypia in ischemic bowel disease

Inflammatory and reactive conditions are known to mimic dysplasia or malignancy in the gastrointestinal tract. Epithelial atypia that closely mimics low-grade dysplasia (LGD) or high-grade dysplasia (HGD) can sometimes be seen in ischemic bowel. To study this phenomenon, we evaluated surgical resections for ischemic enteritis (n = 65) and ischemic colitis (n = 99) that included sections of viable epithelium adjacent to necrosis. Viable epithelium was classified as normal, obviously reactive, LGD-like atypia or high-grade dysplasia (HGD)-like atypia. Cases with available paraffin blocks were characterized immunohistochemically with antibodies to p16, p53, and MIB-1. Fourteen dysplastic lesions in chronic ulcerative colitis served as controls. Dysplasia-like atypia was found in 13 small bowel resections (20%) and 15 colectomies (15%), most common near re-epithelializing erosions. Two colectomies had extensive dysplasia-like atypia, whereas the other 26 demonstrated focal or several foci of atypia. Nine cases contained HGD-like atypia, 15 contained LGD-like atypia, and 4 showed both HGD- and LGD-like atypia. Features indicating subacute-to-chronic ischemia were more frequent in LGD-like atypia (13/15, 87%) than HGD-like atypia (2/9, 22%; P = .003). Dysplasia-like atypia showed overexpression of p16 (73%), p53 (50%), and MIB-1 (92%), but these markers did not reliably distinguish dysplasia-like atypia from true dysplasia in chronic ulcerative colitis (P = .45 for p16, P = .51 for p53, P = .08 for MIB-1). These results underscore the frequency of dysplasia-like atypia in ischemic bowel, which can occasionally be an extensive and worrisome finding. Distinction from true dysplasia requires recognizing the context of the epithelial atypia because cell cycle markers were not helpful in classifying individual cases.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer: how many nodes are enough?

Introduction: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy using blue dye and radioisotope often results in the removal of multiple SLNs. We sought to determinewhether there is a point where the surgeon can terminate the procedure without sacrificing accuracy. Methods: One thousand one hundred ninety-seven patients from University of Michigan and the Mayo Clinic undergoing SLN biopsy formed the study population. Surgeons removed all SLNs until counts within the axilla were less than 10% of the highest node ex vivo and recorded the order in which they were removed. Results: The mean number of SLNs removed per patient was 2.5 (range 1‐9). Approximately 42% of patients had three or more lymph nodes removed, while 19% had four or more lymph nodes removed. Eighteen percent of patients (132/725) at University of Michigan and 22% (103/472) at Mayo Clinic had a positive SLN. Ninety-eight percent (231/235) of patients with lymph node metastases were identified by the 3rd SLN while 100% were identified by the 4th SLN. Conclusion: Among patients undergoing SLN biopsy for breast cancer, the only positive SLN is rarely identified in the 4th or higher node. Terminating the procedure at the 4th node may lower the cost of the procedure and reduce morbidity. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96:554–559. 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
How Meaning Is Given to Rating Scales: The Effects of Response Language on Category Activation

Drawing from the categorical model of rating scale responses, a typology of rating scale formats based on scale response language is presented and the effects of the rating scale language on patterns of category activation and usage are examined using exemplar generation methodology. Bipolar rating scales which explicitly label two categories appear to activate both labeled categories. Respondents used each to correspond to approximately half of the provided rating scale intervals. In addition, an ad hoc category of exemplars irrelevant to either of the categories was created to provide meaning for the midpoint label. Unipolar scales, which explicitly only label one category, activated that explicitly labeled category. Respondents used this category to correspond to two-thirds of the scale intervals and a contrast category which was not explicitly labeled to correspond to the other third. Implications for rating scale selection and use are discussed.
Host and Bacteriophage Specific Messenger RNA Degradation in T7-Infected Escherichia coli

The messenger RNA transcribed from the Escherichia coli tryptophan operon is degraded normally in bacteria infected with T7 phage.
Control of cuticular tanning in the cockroach: Bursicon release by nervous stimulation

Abstract Severing the central nerve chord of Periplaneta americana stops the release of the tanning hormone (bursicon) from the terminal abdominal ganglion. Disrupting the stomatogastric nervous system fails to alter the tanning response. In vivo stimulation of the nerve chord induces the terminal ganglion to release the hormone. The strength and/or duration of the stimulus have no apparent effect on the extent of secretion.
Calvin as an Ecumenical Churchman

Many years ago, almost on my first acquaintance with Calvin, I was impressed by a phrase in that last brief letter of his to his old companion in labor and battle, William Farel:Live mindful of our union which, as it has been useful to the Church of God, so its fruits await us in heaven.We may begin here, though it is where Calvin's work ended. His friendships, labors, struggles, and studies had as their aim to be “useful to the Church of God.” It was in Geneva that they had been fellow-laborers, but it is not merely to the Church of Geneva that he thinks their labor to have been useful. It was a contribution to a far wider community, the Church of God, that has no boundaries narrower than the communion of believers, the divine society extending over all the world and throughout all the ages of mankind's history. The Holy Catholic Church was for him a universal reality, however hidden from men's eyes through the prevailing abuses and the proud assumptions of those who claimed to rule and speak for the Church.
Neutron diffraction investigation of Zr3Y4O12

Abstract Ordering of Zr3Y4O12 has been investigated by x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques. Ordering is very sluggish as shown by the presence of both disordered cubic and ordered rhombohedral phases after annealing for three months at 1100°C. Refinement of neutron data for ordered Zr3Y4O12 by the Rietveld profile technique confirms the structure reported by Scott.
Short-term high-intensity interval training improves phosphocreatine recovery kinetics following moderate-intensity exercise in humans

Previous studies have shown that high-intensity training improves biochemical markers of oxidative potential in skeletal muscle within a 2-week period. The purpose of this study was to examine the ...
Viviparous1 Alters Global Gene Expression Patterns through Regulation of Abscisic Acid Signaling

Maize ( Zea mays ) Viviparous1 (VP1) and Arabidopsis ABI3 are orthologous transcription factors that regulate key aspects of plant seed development and ABA signaling. To understand VP1-regulated gene expression on a global scale, we have performed oligomicroarray analysis of transgenic Arabidopsis carrying 35S :: VP1 in an abi3 null mutant background. We have identified 353 VP1/ABA-regulated genes by GeneChip analysis. Seventy-three percent of the genes were affected by both VP1 and ABA in vegetative tissues, indicating a tight coupling between ABA signaling and VP1 function. A large number of seed-specific genes were ectopically expressed in vegetative tissue of 35S::VP1 plants consistent with evidence that VP1 and ABI3 are key determinants of seed-specific expression. ABI5 , a positive regulator of ABA signaling, was activated by VP1, indicating conservation of the feed-forward pathway mediated by ABI3. ABA induction of ABI1 and ABI2 , negative regulators of ABA signaling, was strongly inhibited by VP1, revealing a second pathway of feed-forward regulation. These results indicate that VP1 strongly modifies ABA signaling through feed-forward regulation of ABI1/ABI5-related genes. Of the 32 bZIP transcription factors represented on the GeneChip, genes in the ABI5 clade were specifically coregulated by ABA and VP1. Statistical analysis of 5′ upstream sequences of the VP1/ABA-regulated genes identified consensus abscisic responsive elements as an enriched element, indicating that many of the genes could be direct targets of the ABI5-related bZIPs. The Sph element is an enriched sequence motif in promoters of genes co-activated by ABA and VP1 but not in promoters of genes activated by ABA alone. This analysis reveals that distinct combinatorial patterns of promoter elements distinguish subclasses of VP1/ABA coregulated genes.
Efficacy of polyglycolic acid (Dexon) microsutures in peripheral nerve anastomoses in the rat: 2. Perineural suture

The efficacy of polyglycolic acid (Dexon) microsuture in peripheral nerve repair was studied using 84 and 28 reanastomoses of freshly severed rat sciatic nerve employing Dexon and nylon 9-0 interrupted epineural suture technique. Animals were sacrificed and sutured portions of the nerves were histologically examined. There were almost identical suture reactions by day 7, except that the intensity of polymorphonuclear (PMN) and macrophage infiltrate in the nylon-sutured nerves was far greater than in the Dexon-sutured group. Although the intensity of the nylon-suture reaction subsided considerably after day 21, the lymphocytes, macrophages, and plasma cells surrounded the suture as long as the sutures remained in the nerves up to 12 months postoperatively. The Dexon-sutured nerve segments showed disappearance of the inflammatory cells as soon as the sutures were completely absorbed. The Dexon sutures were still detectable at months 1 and 2 but not after month 3.
The Theoretical Implications and Experimental and Clinical Results of Radiolabeled Antiferritin

Ferritin is produced in malignant and normal tissues. It acts both as an immunosuppressant and as an iron storage protein. As a tumor associated protein, it is related to virally induced tumors, and selective tumor targeting by radiolabeled antiferritin antibodies has led to its use in clinical trials. In patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease who have failed conventional therapy, 131I antiferritin produced partial remissions, while 90Y antiferritin led to complete remissions and a demonstrable dose-response relationship. Combining the variable low-dose radiation patterns produced by radiolabeled antibody therapy with chemotherapy in the treatment of hepatocellular cancer has led to enhanced tumor cytotoxicity and, in some cases, the conversion of non-resectable hepatoma to resectable. Further, the potential for clinical and laboratory investigation of radiolabeled antibody therapy is discussed in light of new findings.
Overexpression of Urokinase by Macrophages or Deficiency of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type 1 Causes Cardiac Fibrosis in Mice

Several studies implicate elevated matrix metalloproteinase activity as a cause of cardiac fibrosis. However, it is unknown whether other proteases can also initiate cardiac fibrosis. Because absence of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) prevents development of cardiac fibrosis after experimental myocardial infarction in mice, we hypothesized that elevated activity of uPA or deficiency of the uPA inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) might cause cardiac fibrosis. We used mice with scavenger-receptor (SR)-directed, macrophage-targeted uPA overexpression (SR-uPA+/0 mice) and PAI-1 null mice to test these hypotheses. Our studies revealed that SR-uPA+/0 mice developed cardiac fibrosis beginning between 5 and 10 weeks of age. Fibrosis was preceded by cardiac macrophage accumulation, implicating uPA-secreting macrophages as important contributors to development of fibrosis. A key role for uPA-secreting macrophages in development of cardiac fibrosis was supported by experiments in which recipients of bone marrow transplants from SR-uPA+/0 donors but not nontransgenic donors developed cardiac macrophage accumulation and fibrosis. SR-uPA+/0 mice and recipients of SR-uPA+/0 bone marrow had neither macrophage accumulation nor fibrosis in other major organs despite the presence of higher levels of uPA in these organs than in hearts. PAI-1 null mice but not congenic, age-matched controls also developed macrophage accumulation and fibrosis in hearts but not in other organs. We conclude: (1) either elevated macrophage uPA expression or PAI-1 deficiency is sufficient to cause cardiac macrophage accumulation and fibrosis; (2) macrophages are important contributors to the development of cardiac fibrosis; and (3) the heart is particularly sensitive to the effects of excess uPA activity.
Taurolithocholate-induced increase in the intrabiliary pressure generated during retrograde intrabiliary infusion of saline in rats: Antagonism by taurocholate and glycocholate

Abstract Taurolithocholate (TLC) is known to produce cholestasis and certain bile acids antagonize this effect. This antagonistic relationship was studied by measuring intrabiliary pressure (IBP) and bile flow changes in pentobarbital-anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 329 ± 7 (SE) g. The IBP reflects the peak pressure generated during the retrograde intrabiliary infusion of saline at 2.3 μl/sec. When TLC was infused into the femoral vein at 0.46 μmol/min over a 35-min period, the IBP rose and the bile flow decreased. Upon stopping the infusion, IBP returned to control values in 30 min but the cholestasis persisted. Simultaneous infusion of taurocholate or glycocholate at 0.61 μmol/min with the TLC prevented the TLC-induced rise in IBP and the cholestasis. Infusion of 0.61 μmol dehydrocholate/min with the TLC did not antagonize the rise in IBP or the cholestasis. Because dehydrocholate was a more potent choleretic agent than taurocholate or glycocholate and it had no antagonistic effect on TLC-induced effects, it was evident that the antagonistic action of taurocholate and glycocholate was not due to their choleretic effect. In another experiment, an iv bolus injection of 100 μmol/kg, taurocholate and glycocholate alone produced a fall in IBP which lasted about 1 hr. Even though this latter kind of fall in IBP might have been consistent with an increase in biliary tree permeability, such an effect did not appear to play a role in the antagonistic effect of these bile salts against the taurolithocholate-induced change. The changes in IBP were likely the result rather than the cause of more fundamental alterations.
About Creativity, Giftedness, and Teaching the Creatively Gifted in the Classroom.

In this case study the author explored a teacher's beliefs about creativity and gifted‐ness and investigated the classroom practices of this teacher of gifted students for 20 years. Seven semi‐structured and 2 open observations were carried out in her classroom, and 2 prefigured interviews were conducted with her. She believed that creative children are those who are “free thinkers” and have “imaginative intelligence.” The thin line between an academically gifted child and a creatively gifted child is built by “imagination,” “emotional intensity,” and “curiosity.” In creative writing, she tried to implement activities such as learning to write poetry, personal narratives, research reports and essays posing solutions to real world problems, and mystery stories decorated with similes, metaphors and imaginative expressions. In reading, students analyzed characters, problems, places and times in stories and novels, and then rewrote stories.
Persistent infections in salmonid fish cells with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV)

. Two cell lines that are persistently infected with IPN virus have been established. Viral persistence in the cultures was demonstrated by the detection of infectious virus (102-105,5 TCID/ml50) in the culture fluids, by specific immunofluorescence, and by their resistance to superinfection by homologous virus. The growth, rate of these cells was indistinguishable from normal, uninfected cells. Virus stocks harvested from persistently infected cultures contained a greater proportion of defective, interfering particles than those from lytically infected cells which suggests that these particles may be responsible for the maintenance of these carrier cultures.
General theory of radiative transfer across the random atmosphere-ocean interface

Abstract The general problem of radiative transfer across a random air-water interface is formulated and several important cases are solved. In particular the reflected sky radiance from a rough sea with given wave height and wave slope statistics is determined by solving a novel class of stochastic integral equations. This class of equations allows for all orders of multiple scattering of radiant energy between the atmosphere and the sea, and the air-sea interface, including radiometric self-interactions of the interface. The general formulation is carried out using as a representation of the air-sea interface a general (non stationary) random function. The bases for practical numerical solutions of the problems are given in terms of the mean square heights and mean square slopes of the ocean surface. The model contains implicitly an hierarchy of successively simpler interface models for use in practice, the choice of a model being a function of available data. The extension of the present theory to cover the case of polarized radiant flux is indicated.
Phosphorylation of the p220 subunit of eIF-4F by cAMP dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C in vitro

Summary Changes in the extent of phosphorylation of the 25 kDa subunit of eIF-4F occur during several major biological events including mitosis and heat shock in mammalian cells and shortly after fertilization of sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus) eggs. In vitro phosphorylation studies using highly purified protein kinases demonstrated that the 220 kDa subunit of eIF-4F was phosphorylated by cAMP dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C and probably to a lesser extent by cGMP dependent protein kinase. In addition, eIF-4A was readily phosphorylated by cAMP and cGMP dependent protein kinases whereas p48 of eIF-4F was not. The effect of these phosphorylation events on eIF-4F function, its assembly or disassembly, susceptibility to viral initiated proteolysis or the ability of p25 to be phosphorylated at serine-53 remain to be investigated.
Invariant distributions on then-fold metaplectic covers ofGL(r, F), F p-adic

We describe the unitary and tempered dual of the n-fold metaplectic covers of SL(2, F), where F is a p-adic field with p not dividing 2n. We show that any tempered distribution on the n-fold metaplectic covers of SL(2, F) or of GL(r, F) (satisfying the assumptions of Section 1.1 below) may be expressed as a distributional integral over the tempered dual. We also show that any invariant distribution on the n-fold metaplectic covers of SL(2, F) or of GL(r, F) is supported on the tempered dual.
Experimental characterization of surface film softening in iron: Effects of prestraining, temperature and orientation

Abstract Surface film softening was studied in nickel-plated iron single crystals by varying the amount of prestraining at room temperature, the test temperature and the tensile axis orientation. The combination of nickel plating and prestraining reduced the yield stress to as much as 40% of that for the control specimen and increased the uniform elongation by a factor of 2. The softening effect was largest at 4.2 K, decreased with temperature and disappeared at room temperature. The softening effect was most prominent in the specimens oriented in the [110] direction and was not found in the specimens oriented near [100]. In view of these experimental results the mechanism for surface film softening is examined. The annihilation of screw dislocations by cross-slipping which sustains the massive generation of edge dislocations after the initiation of cracks in the nickel films appears to determine the yield stress of the nickel-plated iron specimens.