cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The phylogeny of amphibian metamorphosis.

Summary Frogs have one of the most extreme metamorphoses among vertebrates. How did this metamorphosis evolve? By combining the methods previously proposed by Mabee and Humphries (1993) and Velhagen (1997), I develop a phylogenetic method suited for rigorous analysis of this question. In a preliminary analysis using 12 transformation sequence characters and 36 associated event sequence characters, all drawn from the osteology of the skull, the evolution of metamorphosis is traced on an assumed phylogeny. This phylogeny has lissamphibians (frogs, salamanders, and caecilians) monophyletic, with frogs the sister group of salamanders. Successive outgroups used are temnospondyls and discosauriscids, both of which are fossil groups for which ontogenetic data are available. In the reconstruction of character evolution, an unambiguous change (synapomorphy) along the branch leading to lissamphibians is a delay in the lengthening of the maxilla until metamorphosis, in accordance with my previous suggestion (Reiss, 1996). However, widening of the interpterygoid vacuity does not appear as a synapomophy of lissamphibians, due to variation in the character states in the outgroups. From a more theoretical perspective, the reconstructed evolution of amphibian metamorphosis involves examples of heterochrony, through the shift of ancestral premetamorphic events to the metamorphic period, caenogenesis, through the origin of new larval features, and terminal addition, through the origin of new adult features. Other changes don't readily fit these categories. This preliminary study provides evidence that metamorphic changes in frogs arose as further modifications of changes unique to lissamphibians, as well as a new method by which such questions can be examined.
Transcripts from the adenovirus-2 major late promoter yield a single early family of 3′ coterminal mRNAs and five late families

Abstract The major late promoter of adenovirus-2 is located at coordinate 16.45 and initiates synthesis of nuclear precursors that are processed into mRNAs which fall into five 3′ co-terminal families, L1–L5. These mRNAs all share a common tripartite 5′ leader with a capped terminus encoded at the RNA initiation site. We show that the coordinate 16.45 RNA initiation site is also an early promoter, and yields transcripts detectable as early as 1 hr postinfection, prior to DNA replication and the early-late switch at 6–8 hr. Polyadenylated cytoplasmic RNA from the first 3′ co-terminal family, L1, is also produced from the earliest stages of infection. L1 mRNA accumulates in the cytoplasm in the presence of cycloheximide, which blocks DNA replication and the onset of the late phase. Early nuclear RNA contains the same capped 5′ terminal RNAase T-1 undecanucleotide and promoter proximal oligonucleotides present in late transcripts. This implies that precisely the same transcription start site is utilized for early L1 mRNA synthesis as is used during the late stage for L1–L5 late mRNA synthesis. In contrast to the early appearance of L1 mRNA, neither L2 nor L3 mRNAs are detected until 5–6 hr post infection. We conclude that a major event in the Ad-2 early-late switch is a novel form of control which activates L2–L5 mRNA production.
On the characteristics of subtropical fronts in the North Atlantic

[1] The characteristics of surface temperature (SST) fronts in the subtropical frontal zone (STCZ) in the North Atlantic were investigated using a time series of front data produced by an edge-detection algorithm applied to 18 years of 9.3 km resolution NOAA/NASA AVHRR Pathfinder SST imagery. Front probability, averaged over subregions of the STCZ, varies seasonally with highest probability in early spring in the western part of the region. In the eastern part of the region, maximum probability occurs in late spring to early summer, and the annual cycle in front probability is far less robust, being nearly absent prior to 1991. The location and strength of the fronts across the entire STCZ varies strongly with season, moving southward (northward) and strengthening (weakening) in winter/spring (summer). From estimates of the cross-frontal SST step and gradient, the cross-frontal scale of SST variability at fronts is estimated to be approximately 30 km. The monthly mean total meridional SST step across the STCZ is partitioned into a component due to frontal pixels and a component due to the background SST gradient at nonfrontal pixels, with approximately 30% of the total step attributable to the SST step across fronts. While the total meridional step is largest in winter due to the meridional gradient in surface heat flux, the frontal contribution lags the total step by 2 months or more in the western part of the STCZ. This suggests a frontogenesis mechanism requiring the presence of a background meridional SST gradient rather than one arising from surface heat flux gradients alone.
RESIDUAL STRESSES IN ULTRA-HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE LOADED CYCLICALLY BY A RIGID MOVING INDENTER IN NONCONFORMING GEOMETRIES

The characterization of stress and deformation fields that incorporate moving cyclic loads and nonlinear material response in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene components for total knee replacements is required to quantify mechanisms of surface damage. A simulation of stresses in polyethylene components for total knee replacement subjected to cyclic moving loads was performed with use of nonlinear finite element analysis. Convergence to a steady-state cycle of stress and deformation was observed within five cycles of loading. Differential plastic deformation under the surface of the polyethylene led to horizontal residual stresses that were tensile at the surface and compressive in the subsurface. The magnitudes of the residual stresses indicate their importance in surface failure mechanisms. Horizontal residual tensile stresses at the surface are consistent with the initiation and propagation of surface cracks that could cause pitting in polyethylene. Horizontal residual compressive stresses under the surface could cause such cracks to arrest or turn and thus limit damage to a region just beneath the surface. The results emphasize the importance of incorporating nonlinear effects to simulate long-term stress fields associated with surface damage in polyethylene.
Carcinoembryonic antigen measurements in the management of esophageal cancer: An indicator of subclinical recurrence

Abstract Background : Detection of subclinical recurence after surgical resection of esophageal cancer would allow earlier treatment of recurrent disease and potentially offer a better outcome for rescue therapy. Methods : The utility of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) assay was evaluated in the management of patients with esophageal cancer. Results : Serum carcinoembryonic antigen was measured preoperatively in 74 patients. Elevation of the CEA level (>5 ng/mL) was present in 14 patients (19%). There was no relationship between preoperative CEA elevation and the stage of the tumor or the patients' survival. Eighty-three patients had CEA assay at regular follow-up intervals after resection. Objective evidence of recurrent disease was determined at similar intervals by chest radiography and abdominal and thoracic computed tomography scans. During follow-up, 53 of 83 patients developed recurrence. Postoperative elevation of CEA levels occurred in 32 patients, resulting in a sensitivity of 55% for detecting recurrent disease. Twenty-nine of the 32 patients who developed CEA elevation had objective evidence of metastatic disease. In 13 patients, the rise in CEA levels predated objective evidence of recurrence by a median of 4 months (range 3 to 35), and in 16 patients, it occurred concomitantly. The specificity with which an elevated postoperative CEA level indicated recurrence was high, 90%, with a positive predictive value of 91%. Conclusions : Postoperative CEA elevation is highly predictive of recurrent disease. In 16% of patients, elevation of CEA was the earliest objective sign of recurrence; such elevation should prompt consideration of adjuvant therapy.
Interest Rate Sensitivity, Asymmetry, and the Stock Returns of Financial Institutions

This paper attempts to reconcile the conflicting results reported in prior interest rate sensitivity studies that utilized the stock returns of financial institutions. By analyzing the interest rate elasticities during different interest rate cycles and adjusting for different monetary policy regimes, this paper suggests that sample period effects rather than methodological differences account for the conflicts presented in previous studies. More specifically, the empirical results indicate some asymmetrical interest rate sensitivities during various interest rate cycles. For example, the stock returns of savings and loan institutions were found to be more sensitive to falling interest rates. On the other hand, the stock returns of banks appeared to be more responsive to rising interest rates. Consequently, any attempt to employ models utilizing aggregated data either for policy making or to construct portfolio strategies will result in time aggregation bias and misguided decision making.
Resilience Training and Physician Well-Being

Authors Reply: —We appreciate and agree with the observations made by Drs. Poses and Smith. We, however, respectfully disagree with their conclusion. Distress among physicians is multi-factorial. Loss of control, workload, specialty choice, experience with suffering, college loans, poor self-care, maladaptive coping strategies and stressful life events all contribute to physician distress.1–4 The reasons for stress in our study related to both personal and professional issues across all these domains. While we fully agree with improving health care system and addressing institutional leadership issues, we recognize that those are among the many other factors that need to be addressed to prevent and address burnout. The interventions related to institutional leadership and health care systems would be among the mid-long range solutions to the issue at hand. Resilience is one’s ability to withstand and bounce back from adversity.5 Enhancing resilience doesn’t mean becoming more accepting of what should not be acceptable. It connotes a better ability to focus on the core issues and addressing them to find productive solutions, instead of catastrophizing. Resilience also helps with better ability to compartmentalize so an individual can maintain an acceptable quality of personal life while addressing the non-acceptable issues at work. Resiliency training and addressing the underlying issues are complementary not conflicting approaches. A multi-pronged approach to physician burnout, including resiliency training and examination of systems and leadership issues is called for.
Antibodies against autologous brain in rats with allergic encephalomyelitis.

IT is known that rats and other animals injected with nervous tissue emulsified in Freund's adjuvant may develop allergic encephalomyelitis within 2–3 weeks1–3. Many of the injected animals, irrespective of whether they develop encephalomyelopathy, produce complement-fixing antibodies which specifically react in vitro with homologous or heterologous brain extracts4–8. The role of these complement-fixing anti-brain antibodies, however, in the pathogenesis of allergic encephalomyelitis remains unknown.
Subgenomic Reporter RNA System for Detection of Alphavirus Infection in Mosquitoes

Current methods for detecting real-time alphavirus (Family Togaviridae) infection in mosquitoes require the use of recombinant viruses engineered to express a visibly detectable reporter protein. These altered viruses expressing fluorescent proteins, usually from a duplicated viral subgenomic reporter, are effective at marking infection but tend to be attenuated due to the modification of the genome. Additionally, field strains of viruses cannot be visualized using this approach unless infectious clones can be developed to insert a reporter protein. To circumvent these issues, we have developed an insect cell-based system for detecting wild-type sindbis virus infection that uses a virus inducible promoter to express a fluorescent reporter gene only upon active virus infection. We have developed an insect expression system that produces sindbis virus minigenomes containing a subgenomic promoter sequence, which produces a translatable RNA species only when infectious virus is present and providing viral replication proteins. This subgenomic reporter RNA system is able to detect wild-type Sindbis infection in cultured mosquito cells. The detection system is relatively species specific and only detects closely related viruses, but can detect low levels of alphavirus specific replication early during infection. A chikungunya virus detection system was also developed that specifically detects chikungunya virus infection. Transgenic Aedes aegypti mosquito families were established that constitutively express the sindbis virus reporter RNA and were found to only express fluorescent proteins during virus infection. This virus inducible reporter system demonstrates a novel approach for detecting non-recombinant virus infection in mosquito cell culture and in live transgenic mosquitoes.
On finding poorly translated codons based on their usage frequency.

Long stretches of “rare” codons are known to severely inhibit the efficiency of translation. Understanding the distribution of such rare codons is of critical importance in improving the efficiency of heterologous gene expression systems. Accurate estimates of codon usage take the abundance of each protein into consideration. In this paper, we analyze the correlation between approximate measures of codon usage and the availability of tRNA at various growth rates in E coli. We show that the computationally derived estimates of tRNA isoacceptor concentration enable the finding of poorly translated codons.
The Significance of the Educational Philosophies of Walter Gropius for Interior Design Curricula

The faculty of the much maligned Bauhaus produced a manifesto filled with timeless, applicable directives for an all-encompassing design curriculum. The powerful principles and objectives were carefully laid out by Walter Gropius during and after his tenure as director of the Bauhaus. His philosophies can be applied directly to interior design curricular development. A separation of Gropius' writings from the design work of Bauhaus associates, an easier task now than in the past, unlocks a realm of deep and thoughtful statements that pertain to and can have a powerful influence on the future of interior design education. The original manifesto of the Bauhaus and twelve of Gropius' more profound edicts are examined for their potential application in course and program methodology in interior design education.
Radiology residents' on-call interpretation of chest radiographs for congestive heart failure.

Rationale and Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the performance of radiology residents in interpreting emergency department (ED) chest radiographs for congestive heart failure and to characterize the factors associated with a subsequent amended interpretation by an attending radiologist. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed all amended reports for ED chest radiographs between January 2004 and July 2005 and identified those with discrepant interpretations regarding the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. A total of 1.9% (476 of 24,600) of chest radiographs were amended over the study period. Forty-eight patients (75% female, mean age 66 years) whose chest radiograph was amended for the diagnosis of congestive heart failure and were available for review formed the study population. A control group of 35 patients (69% female, mean age 67 years) were individually matched to a convenience subset of patients by age, gender, clinical indication, and radiographic projection. Chest radiographs were in the anteroposterior projection in 62% (30 of 48) of study patients and 60% (21 of 35) of controls. A blinded expert panel of three board-certified cardiothoracic radiologists jointly reviewed each chest radiograph for the presence or absence of congestive heart failure and its specific radiographic findings. Results The expert panel diagnosed congestive heart failure in 19% (9 of 48) of study patients and in 23% (8 of 35) of controls (P = .65). When present, congestive heart failure was mild to moderate in severity in both the study and control groups (P = 1.00). There was a significant difference in the expert panel agreement between the attending versus the resident interpretation (65% versus 35%, P = .008), for the study group. This resulted in fair agreement (κ = 0.29) between the expert panel and the attending interpretation and no agreement (κ = −0.29) between the expert panel and the resident interpretation. In contrast, the expert panel agreed with the joint resident/attending interpretation in 83% (29 of 35) of controls, yielding substantial agreement (κ = 0.72). Conclusion Interpretation of chest radiographs for congestive heart failure by radiology residents has a low error rate. The majority of chest radiographs with discrepant resident and attending interpretations were portable films of female patients with subtle radiographic findings of congestive heart failure, and were inherently difficult to interpret.
Evidence for nonclassical alpha adrenoceptor blockade by prazosin in isolated rabbit blood vessels.

Abstract In isolated rabbit ear artery, prazosin shifted the concentration-response curve for norepinephrine (NE) to the right and increased the slope of the curve in the ED 50 region. Prazosin caused a smaller shift to the right of the concentration-response curve for NE in rabbit small saphenous vein and had no effect on the slope in the ED 50 region. The prazosin-induced increase in the slope of the NE concentration-response curve did not occur in the ear artery when neuronal and extraneuronal uptake were inhibited by desipramine (DMI) and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA). Prazosin concentration ratios were significantly larger in the ear artery than in the small saphenous vein at all prazosin concentrations in the presence or absence of DMI and DOCA. Significant differences were found between prazosin dissociation constants (K B ) determined at three concentrations of prazosin in ear artery. No such differences were found between phentolamine dissociation constants determined in this vessel. Prazosin dissociation constants determined in small saphenous vein were higher than those determined in ear artery. These findings suggest that prazosin behaves as a noncompetitive antagonist in ear artery and that there are differences between the alpha adrenoceptors of the ear artery and those of the small saphenous vein.
Assessment of Airborne Total Volatile Organic Compounds of Niagara Falls Residences as Compared to Resident Lifestyle

An indoor air study was conducted during the summers of 2007 and 2008 to determine the effect(s) of resident lifestyle on the concentrations and distributions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in residences of the city of Niagara Falls, New York. A GrayWolf Sensing Solutions Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) detector was used to measure TVOC concentrations and generic air readings of five predetermined locations within each of 58 residences. Factors including smoking, asthma, furnace filter condition, pest infestations and air conditioning and their effect(s) on TVOC concentrations were evaluated. The general distributions of TVOC within each residence were determined. Examining the latter three variables revealed no significant differences. However, TVOC concentrations increased as high as 20% in smoking households. Asthmatic households exhibited TVOC levels elevated as high as 33%. Additionally, TVOC levels from smoking households and asthmatic households gave a linear relationship (R2 =0.96).
Investing in Foreign-Language Writing: A Study of Two Multicultural Learners

Through interpretive case studies, I report how, in an advanced Japanese literacy course, two Canadian university students from different enthnolinguistic backgrounds engaged in composing in Japanese quite different ways. The multiple sources of data, including the viewpoints they expressed in interviews and questionnaires, were examined qualitatively to create a comprehensive profile of each student. Using a theoretical and interpretive framework that builds on the constructs of community of practice, identity, and investment (Lave & Wenger, 1991; Norton, 2000; Wenger, 1998), I argue the following: (a) that learning a foreign language, including writing in a foreign language, is inextricably intertwined with students' life histories with respect to the target language, their changing identities, and their agency; and (b) that, in the more transient community of the classroom, students' differential modes of task engagement can be explained in terms of their movement between communities of practice, past ...
Overexpectation in appetitive Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning

In three experiments that used appetitive preparations with rats, we examined the effects of reinforcing a compound consisting of two previously reinforced stimuli on subsequent responding to those stimuli. Experiment 1 showed that a Pavlovian conditioned stimulus given this treatment evoked fewer magazine entries when presented alone than did a reinforced stimulus that did not receive the compound treatment. Experiment 2 examined inhibition of delay and generalization decrement accounts for the results of Experiment 1. Experiment 3 extended this finding to an instrumental learning paradigm.
Anything but Simple: A Phosphorylation-Driven Toggle within Brd4 Triggers Gene-Specific Transcriptional Activation

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Wu et al. (2013) report their extraordinary findings on the molecular mechanism that controls gene-specific targeting by Brd4, a universal epigenetic reader.
Design Aid for Water Quality Detention Basins

This paper presents a set of pollutant removal efficiency charts that can be used as an aid for quick evaluation of existing, retrofitted or trial-designed dry detention basins. They can also be employed for preliminary sizing of new extended dry detention basins as well as their water quality outlets. These charts are developed using the predetermined numerical solutions to the flow routing and the suspended solids routing equations. The flow routing is based on the hydrologic storage equation, and the pollutant routing procedure is based on the complete-mixing concept and settling of suspended solids under turbulent conditions. A finite difference scheme is used to solve these equations. The basic mathematical model is verified by using a set of published experimental data. The equations are then written and solved numerically in terms of a set of dimensionless variables. The solutions thus obtained are generalized using the principle of hydraulic similarity and presented in chart form. Dry detention ba...
Advanced integrated wastewater pond systems for nitrogen removal

Wastewater treatment lagoons are well known for their effectiveness in removing biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, and pathogens of sewage origin. Their performance in removing fixed nitrogen is somewhat less recognized and documented. Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond Systems (AIWPSs), developed at the University of California, Berkeley's Engineering Field Station and constructed at several locations in California and elsewhere, do permanently remove significant amounts of nitrogen from wastewater streams. A major part of this removal can be attributed to the unique design of AIWPSs. Because the unique characteristics of AIWPSs are not yet widely known and understood in the wastewater treatment field a somewhat detailed description of AIWPSs is in order. First, the basis for the name Advanced Integrated Wastewater Pond Systems will be explained. The term advanced is used because the design of AIWPSs represents an advancement over that of conventional waste stabilization ponds. The term integrated is used because these systems involve a number of well known and lesser known unit processes brought together in optimal sequence. The term pond is used because the individual bioreactors of an AIWPS are primarily constructed of earthwork. The term systems is used because the ponds are sequentially arranged and hydraulically controlled to optimize their multiple unit processes. The term wastewater is included to distinguish the function of these ponds from other types of water impoundments.
Combined Open Rhinoplasty With Spreader Grafts and Laser-Assisted Uvuloplasty for Sleep-Disordered Breathing: Long-Term Subjective Outcomes

Purpose To subjectively assess the long-term outcomes of combined functional open rhinoplasty with spreader grafts and laser-assisted uvuloplasty (LAUP) for polysomnogram (PSG)-confirmed sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Methods Postoperative Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaires were given to 30 patients and compared with preoperative ESS. Patients were also asked questions concerning postoperative improvement in upper airway breathing, nasal appearance, and snoring. Statistical analysis used 2-tailed parametric and nonparametric tests. Results Thirty patients (average age 55 years) with an average (± standard deviation) preoperative apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 37 ± 27 and mean follow-up times of 21 months were evaluated. A statistically significant 50% (P 30) and very severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (AHI > 60) also had statistically significant (61% and 66%, respectively, P Conclusion Subjective assessment at long-term follow-up for combined open rhinoplasty with spreader grafts and LAUP for PSG-confirmed SDB produced a statistically significant decrease in excessive daytime sleepiness, even in patients with very high AHI, with high patient satisfaction.
Engineering fluorescent protein substrates for the AAA+ Lon protease

AAA+ proteases, such as Escherichia coli Lon, recognize protein substrates by binding to specific peptide degrons and then unfold and translocate the protein into an internal degradation chamber for proteolysis. For some AAA+ proteases, attaching specific degrons to the N- or C-terminus of green fluorescent protein (GFP) generates useful substrates, whose unfolding and degradation can be monitored by loss of fluorescence, but Lon fails to degrade appropriately tagged GFP variants at a significant rate. Here, we demonstrate that Lon catalyzes robust unfolding and degradation of circularly permuted variants of GFP with a β20 degron appended to the N terminus or a sul20 degron appended to the C terminus. Lon degradation of non-permuted GFP-sul20 is very slow, in part because the enzyme cannot efficiently extract the degron-proximal C-terminal β-strand to initiate denaturation. The circularly permuted GFP substrates described here allow convenient high-throughput assays of the kinetics of Lon degradation in vitro and also permit assays of Lon proteolysis in vivo.
The Attitudes of Females in Drug Court Toward Additional Safeguards in HIV Prevention Research

This article examines the attitudes of 97 women from the St. Louis City Drug Court who previously participated in an HIV prevention study. Data from the previous study indicated that the women met multiple criteria for vulnerability in research. Federal regulations require that such participants be provided with “additional safeguards.” The survey explored the following questions: (1) What are participants’ attitudes toward commonly proposed additional safeguards for vulnerable participants in research, and (2) Are attitudes toward safeguards related to participants’ previous compliance with an HIV prevention protocol? Preferences regarding safeguards in research were not significantly related to participants’ compliance in the previous study. Most participants wanted researchers to take extra measures not only to provide consent information, but to ensure that they are not high on drugs, that they understand relevant information, and that they retain consent information at each visit. Most participants wanted researchers themselves, and not a third party, to assume this responsibility.
Heterotopic calcification in severe head injury: a preventive programme

Heterotopic calcification can delay the rehabilitation process of the patient with severe head injury. This ectopic bone can cause limitation in range of motion and even ankylosis. The incidence of heterotopic calcification following severe head injury varies from 11 to 76%, and in 20-35% of patients with neurological impairment it may become a disability. The existence of this problem has long been recognized; its prevention has not been emphasized enough.
The cadherin superfamily and dendrite development

Dendrite morphogenesis is a highly dynamic process that involves constant extension and retraction of branches, and stabilization of these dynamics has pivotal roles in determining the number and length of branches. The classic cadherin N-cadherin is involved in stabilization of dendritic spines and branches. Recent work in mammals by Shima et al., and earlier work in Drosophila by Gao et al. and Sweeney et al. have determined the presence of a non-classic, seven-pass transmembrane cadherin in this process.
Strategy for Exploration of the Buried Continental Crust

In earth science, we are currently in the era of exploration of the third dimension of continental geology ╌ from the surface of the earth to the very base of the crust at depths of some 40 km. This part of the earth is a prime frontier of modern earth science for many reasons, including the following: (1) The continental crust holds the only record of most of earth history. (2) The nature and complexity of rocks at and near the surface show unambiguously that the continental crust has had a rich and varied history. (3) Understanding of the geology of the continents has practical implications of enormous importance to society. (4) The great success of earth science in developing the concept of plate tectonics through study of the previously poorly-known ocean basins suggests that improved understanding of the entire continental crust will provide yet another major advance in earth science. (5) Powerful and proven methods and tools for exploring the continental crust exist yet must still be applied comprehensively. We need to observe and study the entire earth, not just some supposedly “typical” parts of it. (6) From the history of earth science and the history of human exploration of the earth it seems obvious that the continental crust is next in line as the leading frontier of earth exploration.
Ideals of Competition and Today’s Marketplace

The ethics of competition is a much neglected topic. In a highly aggressive marketplace, temptations to exceed the bounds of fair competition are great. Indeed, there is a temptation to relax, or even abandon, the very notions of fair play and ethical limits on competition and to adopt the position that “anything goes” in the struggle for competitive advantage. The object of this chapter is to describe an ideal of competition that I believe is reflected in traditional law governing business competition and in our common consciousness about fair competition in many competitive enterprises. Thoughts about the principles constituting this ideal are based on my own reflections on competitive activities and on my readings in the law of unfair competition.2
Reducing Infection Transmission in Solid Organ Transplantation Through Donor Nucleic Acid Testing: A Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis

For solid organ transplant (SOT) donors, nucleic acid-amplification testing (NAT) may reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission over antibody (Ab) testing given its shorter detection window period. We compared SOT donor NAT + Ab versus Ab alone using decision models to estimate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs; cost per quality-adjusted life year [QALY] gained) from the societal perspective across a range of HIV/HCV prevalence values and NAT costs. The cost per QALY gained was calculated for two scenarios: (1) favorable: low cost ($150/donor)/high prevalence (HIV: 1.5%; HCV: 18.2%) and (2) unfavorable: high cost ($500/donor)/low prevalence (HIV: 0.1%; HCV: 1.5%). In the favorable scenario, adding NAT screening cost $161 013 per QALY gained for HIV was less costly) for HCV, and cost $86 653 per QALY gained for HIV/HCV combined. For the unfavorable scenario, the costs were $15 568 484, $221 006 and $10 077 599 per QALY gained, respectively. Universal HCV NAT + Ab for donors appears cost-effective to reduce infection transmission from SOT donors, while HIV NAT + Ab is not, except where HIV NAT is ≤$150/donor and prevalence is ≥1.5%. Our analyses provide important data to facilitate the decision to implement HIV and HCV NAT for deceased SOT donors and shape national policy regarding how to reduce infection transmission in SOT.
Testing the relationship of locus of control to different performance dimensions

Using a sample of 146 bank tellers, this study tested the usefulness of locus of control for explaining initiative versus compliant performance. Based upon Spector's (1982) conceptual work, locus of control showed a negative relationship to initiative performance and a positive relationship to compliant performance. However, these results were only found using Spector's (1988) work locus of control measure and not with the Rotter (1966) measure. Spector's work locus of control measure also explained significant performance variance beyond controlled for individual and situational variables. Limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Aortic impedance in little mice

The Little dwarf mouse lives 30% longer than its age-matched wild-type (WT) mouse. We determined aortic input impedance in 21 (8 Little, 13 WT) 4 month-old mice. Modulus of impedance was calculated from the Fourier transformed aortic pressure (P) and average luminal flow velocity (V avg ) as |Z i | = |P|/|V avg |. Characteristic impedance was estimated by averaging the 2nd–10th harmonic of the impedance moduli. We found the impedance modulus |Z i | to be similar in the 2 groups (WT vs. Little; mean±SE) - peripheral resistance (10597±654 vs. 12932±1433 dyne-s/cm3), modulus at first harmonic (Z 1 : 740±56 vs. 902±105 dyne-s/cm3), and characteristic impedance (Z c : 441±34 vs. 470±60 dyne-s/cm3). Also, mean aortic velocity (20.1±1.1 vs. 16.5±1.8 cm/s) and mean aortic blood pressure (81.1±3.9 vs. 75.9±5.9 mmHg) were similar between the two groups. Impedance at low frequencies was slightly higher in the dwarf mice which may be due to the diminished systolic function as indicated by significant reduction in peak aortic velocity (84.0±3.2 vs. 70.1±1.2 cm/s, p<0.01). Although modestly higher, the overall impedance in Little mice was similar to that in WT mice. This indicates that left ventricular (LV) afterload may not significantly be altered in Little mice.
CMOS compatible nanoscale nonvolatile resistance switching memory.

We report studies on a nanoscale resistance switching memory structure based on planar silicon that is fully compatible with CMOS technology in terms of both materials and processing techniques employed. These two-terminal resistance switching devices show excellent scaling potential well beyond 10 Gb/cm2 and exhibit high yield (99%), fast programming speed (5 ns), high on/off ratio (103), long endurance (106), retention time (5 months), and multibit capability. These key performance metrics compare favorably with other emerging nonvolatile memory techniques. Furthermore, both diode-like (rectifying) and resistor-like (nonrectifying) behaviors can be obtained in the device switching characteristics in a controlled fashion. These results suggest that the CMOS compatible, nanoscale Si-based resistance switching devices may be well suited for ultrahigh-density memory applications.
Participation in Online and Offline HIV Prevention Among Men who have Sex with Men who use the Internet to Meet Sex Partners in New York City

This report presents data on participation in online or offline prevention activities among a sample of New York City men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited online between April–August of 2007 who use the Internet to meet sex partners. The analysis focuses on the 1,124 men who reported sex with a main or casual partner in the past 12 months. Over half (53%) of the MSM reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the past year. Data from our multivariate analysis indicate that MSM who participate in online or offline prevention activities were less likely to engage in UAI.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia in a 66-Year-Old Male with Concurrent Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma

Patient: A 66-year-old Caucasian male. Chief Complaint: The patient felt tired and was eating less than usual. Previously, the patient could ride his bike for 3 miles, but now can barely complete 1 mile. Medical History: Significant for persistent lymphocytosis for the past 10 years and recently diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) by flow cytometry on peripheral blood. He also has a history of hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. Social History: The patient does not smoke or use illicit drugs. He uses alcohol occasionally. The patient is married and is retired from an automobile supply company. Family History: Noncontributory. None of his family members have a history of blood disorders. Physical Examination: Significant for the following: alert; oriented to time, place, and person; neck: no palpable lymphadenopathy; heart and lung: unremarkable; abdomen: obese and soft, no palpable hepatosplenomegaly. Vital signs: Blood pressure: 137/58 mmHg; pulse: 68/minute; respiratory rate: 12/minute; temperature: 37°C. Principal Laboratory Findings: Laboratory test results are in Table 1. Additional Testing: The molecular diagnostic test Janus kinase 2 ( JAK2 ) V617F mutation was ordered. A peripheral blood smear at the hematologist’s office was abnormal 3 months later. Subsequently, on the peripheral blood specimen the molecular test assessing presence of BCR/ABL1 mRNA transcript producing the 210-kDa protein (p210) was ordered and a bone marrow biopsy with aspirate was performed. The bone marrow aspirate was also submitted for morphologic, cytogenetic, and flow cytometric evaluations (Images 1 and 2). 1. What are the most significant clinical and laboratory findings in this patient? 2. What are the differential diagnoses and the most likely diagnosis? 3. What is the clinical presentation of this entity? 4. How is the disease diagnosed with the aid of clinical laboratory tests, a peripheral blood smear, and bone marrow exam? 5. How is the entity managed and …
Looking against the light: how perception of translucency depends on lighting direction.

Translucency is an important aspect of material appearance. To some extent, humans are able to estimate translucency in a consistent way across different shapes and lighting conditions, i.e., to exhibit translucency constancy. However, Fleming and Bulthoff (2005) have shown that that there can be large failures of constancy, with lighting direction playing an important role. In this paper, we explore the interaction of shape, illumination, and degree of translucency constancy more deeply by including in our analysis the variations in translucent appearance that are induced by the shape of the scattering phase function. This is an aspect of translucency that has been largely neglected. We used appearance matching to measure how perceived translucency depends on both lighting and phase function. The stimuli were rendered scenes that contained a figurine and the lighting direction was represented by spherical harmonic basis function. Observers adjusted the density of a figurine under one lighting condition to match the material property of a target figurine under another lighting condition. Across the trials, we varied both the lighting direction and the phase function of the target. The phase functions were sampled from a 2D space proposed by Gkioulekas et al. (2013) to span an important range of translucent appearance. We find the degree of translucency constancy depends strongly on the phase function's location in the same 2D space, suggesting that the space captures useful information about different types of translucency. We also find that the geometry of an object is important. We compare the case of a torus, which has a simple smooth shape, with that of the figurine, which has more complex geometric features. The complex shape shows a greater range of apparent translucencies and a higher degree of constancy failure. In summary, humans show significant failures of translucency constancy across changes in lighting direction, but the effect depends both on the shape complexity and the translucency phase function.
Aprepitant Reduces Chemotherapy-Induced Vomiting in Children and Young Adults With Brain Tumors

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting are common and distressing side effects in patients with brain tumors and may be associated with radiation and the administration of highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). Pediatric antiemetic guidelines recommend administration of a 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 (5HT3) receptor antagonists and the addition of aprepitant, a neurokinin 1 (NK1) antagonist with corticosteroids for the treatment of HEC. However, challenges persist in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with brain tumors as corticosteroids are contraindicated due to potential impairment of the blood–brain barrier permeability. The objective was to determine whether a 5HT3 receptor antagonist and the addition of aprepitant, an NK1 antagonist without a corticosteroid, were effective in reducing HEC vomiting in pediatric brain tumor patients. Method: A retrospective review found that 18 patients with a history of high-grade vomiting during radiation were prescribed a 5HT3 receptor...
THE EFFECT OF THE CONCENTRATION OF ENZYME ON THE RATE OF DIGESTION OF PROTEINS BY PEPSIN.

1. In certain cases the rate of digestion of proteins by pepsin is not proportional to the total concentration of pepsin. 2. It is suggested that this is due to the fact that the enzyme in solution is in equilibrium with another substance (called peptone for convenience) and that the equilibrium is quantitatively expressed by the law of mass action, according to the following equation. See PDF for Equation It is assumed that only the uncombined pepsin affects the hydrolysis of the protein. 3. The hypothesis has been put in the form of a differential equation and found to agree quantitatively with the experimental results when the concentration of pepsin, peptone, or both is varied. 4. Pepsin inactivated with alkali enters the equilibrium to the same extent as active pepsin. 5. Under certain conditions (concentration of peptone large with respect to pepsin, and concentration of substrate relatively constant) the relative change in the amount of active pepsin is inversely proportional to the concentration of peptone and the equation simplifies to Schutz's rule. 6. An integral equation is obtained which holds for the entire course of the digestion (except for the first few minutes) with varying enzyme concentration. This equation is identical in form with the one derived by Arrhenius for the action of ammonia on ethyl acetate. 7. It is pointed out that there are many analogies between the action of pepsin on albumin solutions and the action of toxins on an organism.
THE FREEZING POINT OF WATER IN POROUS GLASS

IT WAS EXPECTED THAT CAPILLARY THEORY WAS APPLICABLE TO WATER CONTAINED IN CONSOLIDATED POROUS MATERIALS AND THAT WATER IN BUILDING MATERIALS FROZE OVER A RANGE OF TEMPERATURES DETERMINED BY THEIR POROUS STRUCTURE AND BY THERMODYNAMICS. LOWERING OF THE FREEZING POINT OF WATER IN POROUS GLASS WAS STUDIED BY A DTA TECHNIQUE. THE SAMPLES CONAINED A SPECTRUM OF AVERAGE PORE SIZES. THE FREEZING-POINT LOWERINGS MEASURED FROM MELTING AND FREEZNG CURVES CORRELATED, AS PREDICTED BY SIMPLE CAPILLARY THEORY, WITH THE AVERAGE PORE SIZE OF THE SAMPLE. THIS RESULT IS DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF CAPILLARY-CONDENSATION THEORY AND THEORIES OF FROST DAMAGE IN POROUS MATERIALS. /AUTHOR/
Molecular Isotopic Distribution Analysis (MIDAs) with Adjustable Mass Accuracy

In this paper, we present Molecular Isotopic Distribution Analysis (MIDAs), a new software tool designed to compute molecular isotopic distributions with adjustable accuracies. MIDAs offers two algorithms, one polynomial-based and one Fourier-transform-based, both of which compute molecular isotopic distributions accurately and efficiently. The polynomial-based algorithm contains few novel aspects, whereas the Fourier-transform-based algorithm consists mainly of improvements to other existing Fourier-transform-based algorithms. We have benchmarked the performance of the two algorithms implemented in MIDAs with that of eight software packages (BRAIN, Emass, Mercury, Mercury5, NeutronCluster, Qmass, JFC, IC) using a consensus set of benchmark molecules. Under the proposed evaluation criteria, MIDAs’s algorithms, JFC, and Emass compute with comparable accuracy the coarse-grained (low-resolution) isotopic distributions and are more accurate than the other software packages. For fine-grained isotopic distributions, we compared IC, MIDAs’s polynomial algorithm, and MIDAs’s Fourier transform algorithm. Among the three, IC and MIDAs’s polynomial algorithm compute isotopic distributions that better resemble their corresponding exact fine-grained (high-resolution) isotopic distributions. MIDAs can be accessed freely through a user-friendly web-interface at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/CBBresearch/Yu/midas/index.html
Role of neutrophils in systemic autoimmune diseases

Neutrophils have emerged as important regulators of innate and adaptive immune responses. Recent evidence indicates that neutrophils display marked abnormalities in phenotype and function in various systemic autoimmune diseases, and may play a central role in initiation and perpetuation of aberrant immune responses and organ damage in these conditions. This review discusses the putative roles that neutrophils and aberrant neutrophil cell death play in the pathogenesis of various systemic autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, small vessel vasculitis and rheumatoid arthritis.