cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clustering of Adverse Drug Events: Analysis of Risk Factors for Cerebellar Toxicity With High-Dose Cytarabine

Background Cerebellar toxicity is a severe, therapy-limiting adverse reaction of cytarabine given in high doses. The Food and Drug Administration received a report of an increased frequency of cerebellar toxicity at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics after a switch from the product (Cytosar-U) manufactured by The Upjohn Co., Kalamazoo, Mich., to the generic form made by Quad Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind. Purpose To compare the incidence of cerebellar toxicity in Quad-treated patients with Upjohn-treated patients, a record-based cohort study was conducted at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics between January 1986 and August 1989. Methods The incidence of cerebellar toxicity was studied in 63 leukemia patients according to the manufacturer of the product received (34 Upjohn only, 25 Quad only, and four both manufacturers). The relative risk of cerebellar toxicity was adjusted for other known risk factors. Results Patients in the manufacturer-defined treatment groups did not differ significantly with respect to age, sex, type of leukemia, disease stage, calculated creatinine clearance, presence of abnormal liver function tests, or total dose received. The crude relative risk of cerebellar toxicity comparing the Quad product with the Upjohn product was 5.0 (95% confidence interval = 1.8-13.7). Adjustment for potential confounders did not alter the association. Other risk factors for cerebellar toxicity, independent of manufacturer, were age greater than 50 years, type of leukemia, disease stage, total dose greater than or equal to 20 g/m2, abnormal pretreatment liver function, and reduced creatinine clearance. Conclusion This study found a significantly higher incidence of cerebellar toxicity with high-dose cytarabine manufactured by Quad Pharmaceuticals when compared with the incidence of cerebellar toxicity with the Upjohn product. Further research at independent institutions would be necessary to allow generalization of this finding. In addition, our findings suggest that a dose reduction in high-dose cytarabine therapy may be indicated for patients with reduced glomerular filtration rates.
The Zone Diet Phenomenon: A Closer Look at the Science behind the Claims

The purported health benefits of low-carbohydrate diets have been advocated intermittently over the last century and have enjoyed increasing popularity over the last decade. Although most revolve around the emphatic theme that carbohydrates are to blame for many chronic diseases, their specific ideologies are more variable and in some cases quite sophisticated. The Zone Diet phenomenon represents a new generation of modern low carbohydrate food fad with sales placing it among the most popular diet books in recent history. The Zone is a 40% carbohydrate, 30% protein and 30% fat eating plan that advocates only sparing use of grains and starches. The precise 0.75 protein to carbohydrate ratio required with each meal is promoted to reduce the insulin to glucagon ratio, which purportedly affects eicosanoid metabolism and ultimately produces a cascade of biological events leading to a reduction in chronic disease risk, enhanced immunity, maximal physical and mental performance, increased longevity and permanent weight loss. There is presently little scientific support for the connections made between diet, endocrinology and eicosanoid metabolism. In fact, a review of the literature suggests that there are scientific contradictions in the Zone Diet hypothesis that cast unquestionable doubt on its potential efficacy. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the scientific merit of the Zone Diet and its health claims in an effort to help delineate what is and what is not sound nutrition science.
Diffusion in the System K2O‐SrO‐SiO2: III, Interdiffusion Coefficients

The matrix of interdiffusion coefficients, [D], was determined by measuring spatial composition distribution in couples with compositions (in wt fractions) near 0.21K2O-0.17SrO-0.62SiO2 after they were heat-treated for various times at 630° to 810°C. The results are consistent with the Onsager hypothesis in that [D] at a given temperature is independent of diffusion time and the direction (in composition space) of the diffusion couple. The eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the [D] matrix were determined; the diffusion paths in composition space are thus easily understood. As is consistent with intuition, the “fast” eigenvector nearly parallels the direction of constant SiO2 concentration.
Preying on the Misfortune of Others: When Do States Exploit Their Opponents’ Domestic Troubles?

Scholarly work on diversionary war is ubiquitous as is the observation that findings in the literature are mixed. One reason for these mixed results may be that potential targets strategically avoid conflict. Another theoretical possibility is that some types of domestic trouble restrain state leaders’ foreign policy behavior rather than giving them an incentive to use force. These domestic conditions could provide their international opponents with an opportunity to exploit the state’s weakness. If a state interprets its opponent’s domestic context as an opportunity to take advantage of a weakness, then we should anticipate greater aggressiveness rather than the passive avoidance behavior much work on strategic interaction and the use of force suggests. Our heteroskedastic model provides evidence that where some domestic conditions create threats for foreign opponents, others provide opportunities.
Review: The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction

Jacobs, Alan. The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction . New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. 162 pp. ISBN: 9780199747498. $19.95 Softcover.
Elevated serum amyloid A levels in cases of aborted equine fetuses due to fetal and placental infections

Determination of fetal serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations in aborted fetuses can provide valuable information regarding the infectious and/or inflammatory process of abortion in horses. To investigate the relationship between fetal SAA levels and the infectious/inflammatory disease process in feto-placental tissues, a SAA ELISA was used to test heart serum samples of 89 equine fetuses that were necropsied and diagnosed in the following groups: a multiorgan disease process diagnosed with an identified microorganism (14 cases, group 1); only placentitis diagnosed with an identified microorganism (nine cases, group 2); only placentitis diagnosed with no microorganism identified (six cases, group 3); and no infectious or inflammatory disease process diagnosed (60 cases, group 4). Serum amyloid A concentrations in equine fetuses were elevated from 10.5 to ≥40 mg/L in 10 of 14 cases in group 1; and from less than 2.5 mg/L to greater than 40 mg/L in seven of nine cases in group 2. In group 3, SAA concentrations were found to be less than 2.5 mg/L in five of six cases. In group 4, SAA concentrations were less than 2.5 mg/L in 55 cases, whereas in five cases SAA concentrations were elevated. Statistical significant differences were found between the concentrations of SAA in fetal horse blood and the presence of infectious and/or inflammatory disease process in the feto-placental tissues when a causative microorganism was identified. These results suggest that testing SAA concentrations in fetal heart blood may aid in further understanding the causes of abortions in horses.
Yelp Reviews Of Hospital Care Can Supplement And Inform Traditional Surveys Of The Patient Experience Of Care

Little is known about how real-time online rating platforms such as Yelp may complement the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey, which is the US standar...
Establishment of the Cinnabar Moth, Tyria jacobaeae, on Tansy Ragwort in the Western United States

The cinnabar moth, Tyria jacobaeae (L.), was first released in the United States for control of tansy ragwort, Senecio jacobaea L., in 1959 in northwestern California. Additional releases were made in 1960 in western Oregon and in western Washington and in 1961 and 1962 in California. Establishment resulted from most liberations of younger larvae, older larvae, or adults. The cinnabar moth now appears to be established in most of the areas where it has been released in Oregon and California, since significant numbers of next-generation larvae were found in these sites the year after their release. Releases in Washington apparently did not result in successful establishment.
Plumage Changes in the Golden Eagle

THE appearance of the note by Spofford (1946) entitled 'Observations on two Golden Eagles' has been the stimulus for the presentation of this material which will attempt to answer his questions and indicate points needing further study. Spofford was struck by the difference in his two specimens and said: "Inasmuch as the two eagles examined were as unlike as would seem possible within the limits of variation based on age and sex, it seems worth-while to append a brief description of each." He then proceeded to describe typical juvenal and adult plumages of the Golden Eagle (with the exception of the white epaulettes of the latter). This plumage variability has puzzled taxonomists more, perhaps, than that of any other species of bird and, although we now associate the juvenal and adult birds as members of the same species and know that the plumage of the species is highly variable with age and individual, there is still need for an analysis of these variations. Such an analysis has been impossible because of lack of information regarding the manner of molt. This paper is but a preliminary report in which I will describe as fully as possible, with the materials at hand, the process of molting as it occurs in this species and the individual and age variations which have made the study of this form so difficult.
Activity Patterns and Social Behavior of Non-Breeding Adélie Penguins

This paper completes a three-part study of non-breeding individuals in the nesting population of the Ad6lie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) at Cape Crozier, Ross Island, Antarctica, where many banded, known-age individuals are present. LeResche and Sladen (1970) and LeResche (1971), who also worked with these birds, found that they first visit the breeding rookery as two-year-olds and first breed when three (female) or four (male). Moreover, many do not breed until five to seven years old. These findings suggest that the rates and processes of physiological, morphological, and behavioral maturation related to reproduction may account for non-breeding individuals. Initially, I compared degree of maturity of the reproductive systems of penguins of various ages. I found that males and most females less than four years old are physiologically or morphologically incapable of breeding (Ainley 1974a). This discovery made it even more intriguing that so many fourand five-yearolds, particularly males, failed to breed. I therefore turned my attention to these birds. A preliminary analysis showed their reproductive behavior to be immature in several re-
Thermal Treatment Effects Upon the Degradation Characteristics of PLLA Coiled Stents

Stents are a medical device used to restore blood flow in stenosed vessels. During the process of stent expansion, the balloon and stent could damage the endothelial lining of the vascular wall and alter the mechanical stress states of various tissue components. The evolution of stents has progressed from bare metal stents to drug eluting stents or stents coated with drugs such as Sirolimus. Drug eluting stents are currently used to address the restenosis event that occurs after implantation. These stents have been effective but late stent thrombosis has been an emerging issue with drug eluting stents. Bioresorbable stents have emerged as a potential candidate for drug eluting stents. Su 03 has shown drug-loading PLLA with curcumin can be used as an anti-inflammatory agent. We have developed an internally coiled, furled helical PLLA fiber stent at our institution [Su 03, Zilberman 02, 04, 05]. We have previously shown the effect of 62°C thermal annealing on the expansive characteristics of this stent [Welch 08].Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Towering Over Babel: Distributed Recombinant Innovation through Cross Boundary Problem Formulation

We have long believed that the way a problem is formulated is crucial to the way it is solved, and that innovative solutions often steam from reframing the problem. However, since problem formulation and problem solving are two intertwined phases that have been all but impossible to tease apart, our knowledge of problem formulation proper has hardly advanced in the last few decades. Recently, a new setting, namely open and distributed innovation, has allowed us to shed light on the problem formulation process and its impact on problem solving. This new model, in a clear juxtaposition to the standard one, suggests a distribution of the innovation process by decoupling the problem formulation process from the problem solving one. Little is known of these processes and how they are different from the traditional coupled problem formulation and solving process. This paper explores the process that strategic R&D problems at NASA went through in both the coupled standard innovation process and the decoupled distributed one. I find a new process of “cross boundary problem formulation” that emerged in the decoupled model when R&D organizational members aimed to broaden the solution space outside their usual knowledge boundaries, to other disciplines and professions. Problems that went through cross boundary problem formulation had more successful solutions. Furthermore R&D members described the new process as the most important capability developed from their experiment with open and distributed innovation. This paper suggests a theoretical model of the cross boundary problem formulation process and its implications on innovation.
Effect of Protease Digestion and Dephosphorylation on High Emulsifying Properties of Hen Egg Yolk Phosvitin

The emulsifying properties, particularly the emulsion stability of phosvitin was found to be higher than those ofother food proteins. The emulsifying activity and emulsion stability were greatly decreased by protease and phosphatasetreatment. The protease digestion of phosvitin resulted in the peptide cleavage of large fragment (a highly phosphorylated coreregion, 50 to 210 peptide) and small fragments (N-terminal 1 to 49 and C-terminal 211 to 217 peptides). The large fragmentlacking the small fragments did not show the excellent emulsifying properties, suggesting that small fragments of protein moietyplay an important role in emulsifying , properties. On the other hand, the effect of phosphatase treatment showed that electrostaticrepulsive force of phosphate in phosvitin has a significant affect on its emulsifying properties and that the protein moiety withabundant phosphorylated residues is also considered to be essential for the high emulsifying properties.
Translocation of surface-inoculated Escherichia coli O157:H7 into beef subprimals following blade tenderization.

In phase I, beef subprimals were inoculated on the lean side with ca. 0.5 to 3.5 log CFU/g of a rifampin-resistant (rif r ) cocktail of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 and passed once, lean side up, through a mechanical blade tenderizer. Inoculated subprimals that were not tenderized served as controls. Ten core samples were removed from each subprimal and cut into six consecutive segments: segments 1 to 4 comprised the top 4 cm and segments 5 and 6 the deepest 4 cm. Levels of E. coli 0157:H7 recovered from segment 1 of control subprimals when inoculated with ca. 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, or 3.5 log CFU/g were 0.6, 1.46, 2.5, and 3.19 log CFU/g, respectively. Following tenderization, pathogen levels recovered from segment 1 inoculated with 0.5 to 3.5 log CFU/g were 0.22, 1.06, 2.04, and 2.7 log CFU/g, respectively. Levels recovered in segment 2 were 7- to 34-fold lower than levels recovered from segment 1. Next, in phase II, the translocation of ca. 4 log CFU of the pathogen per g was assessed for lean-side-inoculated subprimals passed either once (LS) or twice (LD) through the tenderizer and for fatside-inoculated subprimals passed either once (FS) or twice (FD) through the tenderizer. Levels in segment 1 for LS, LD, FS, and FD tenderized subprimals were 3.63, 3.52, 2.85, and 3.55 log CFU/g, respectively. The levels recovered in segment 2 were 14- to 50-fold lower than levels recovered in segment 1 for LS, LD, FS, and FD subprimals. Thus, blade tenderization transfers E. coli 0157:H7 primarily into the topmost 1 cm, but also into the deeper tissues of beef subprimals.
Policy Discussion: Outlining Policy Options and Solutions

In response to the question—to what extent do you think that data guides policy?—the Minister of Education indicated during the interview that “we are moving from research into development programmes. You need a lot of data to be able to plan development—on all fronts. […] So, it is a necessary factor that research must guide”. Direct policy dialogue participation in 2010 revealed that this view is in line with those of other senior government officials in Ghana, such as the Deputy Minister of Education, who highlights the necessity for “research findings to have policy relevance for service delivery”. Addressing this issue is the central aim of this chapter, while it shows that many of the current policies and programmes are not driven by data analysis.
Placebo response in the treatment of panic disorder

A review of key placebo-controlled studies of benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) over the past decade challenges the widespread view that placebo response rates resulting from clinical trials of pharmacotherapy for panic disorder are excessively high. Statistically and clinically significant drug-placebo differences have been demonstrated in large-scale trials. Further research is needed on the impact of pharmacological treatments on the medium- and long-term course of the disorder.
Reassessing Orientalism: Interlocking Orientologies during the Cold War

Building on the insights developed in the seminal 2012 volume he edited, The Heritage of Soviet Oriental Studies, Michael Kemper joins Artemy Kalinovsky to present a new collection devoted to ‘Inte...
In Vivo Synthesis of Tissues and Organs

Abstract With increasing fetal development, the mechanism of mammalian wound healing transitions from regeneration to a repair process characterized by organized wound contraction and scar synthesis. Recently, a variety of tissue-engineering constructs have been developed to block the contraction and scar formation mechanisms of repair, and to induce regeneration following injury with similar mechanisms of action observed for both the skin and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Such constructs, mostly scaffolds that are analogs of extracellular matrix and possess specific biological activity, have become the basis of studies of in vivo synthesis of tissues and organs. In this article, we provide an overview of mammalian wound healing processes following severe injury as well as a description of the tissue triad and the regenerative capacity of the three distinct tissue types that comprise the triad. We also discuss the critical structural elements of an active extracellular matrix analog that induces regeneration, and describe the use of standardized wound models for study of in vivo regeneration processes. We conclude this review describing recent data from studies utilizing active extracellular matrix analogs (scaffolds) that have shown regenerative activity.
Amazon Pays to Quit

Amazon.com, Inc, is an online retail company that was established in 1994 by Jeff Bezos. Amazon is one of the most successful companies in e-commerce. In recent times, the company has been facing heavy criticisms for its poor working conditions at its large warehouses. To overcome criticism, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos came out with a “pay to quit” program where the employees at the fulfillment centers are offered USD 2000 to USD 5000 to quit. The case discusses the pros and cons of this program and whether Amazon will benefit from such a policy in the long term. This implicates a reflection on the nature of work values and why they are of critical importance in organizations. A distinction between involvement and engagement and their implications for understanding motivation should be made.
Structure and mechanism of human PrimPol, a DNA polymerase with primase activity.

PrimPol is a novel human enzyme that contains both DNA primase and DNA polymerase activities. We present the first structure of human PrimPol in ternary complex with a DNA template-primer and an incoming deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP). The ability of PrimPol to function as a DNA primase stems from a simple but remarkable feature—almost complete lack of contacts to the DNA primer strand. This, in turn, allows two dNTPs to bind initiation and elongation sites on the enzyme for the formation of the first dinucleotide. PrimPol shows the ability to synthesize DNA opposite ultraviolet (UV) lesions; however, unexpectedly, the active-site cleft of the enzyme is constrained, which precludes the bypass of UV-induced DNA lesions by conventional translesion synthesis. Together, the structure addresses long-standing questions about how DNA primases actually initiate synthesis and how primase and polymerase activities combine in a single enzyme to carry out DNA synthesis.
State of Research on Palliative Care in Heart Failure as Evidenced by Published Literature, Conference Proceedings, and NIH Funding

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is the most common diagnosis in hospitalized patients older than 65 years of age. Although these patients often need specialist-directed palliative care, Methods Using key terms, we identified items about palliative care and HF in the following sources: (1) the tables of contents of nine leading cardiology journals, (2) abstracts of conference proceedings from four cardiology societies, and (3) all NIH grants from 2009 to 2013. Results Of the journals reviewed, fewer than 1% of their publications related to palliative care. Less than 2% of HF-related sessions in conference proceedings mentioned palliative care. Of the NIH's $45 billion directed to HF research, only $14 million (0.03%) was spent on palliative care research. Conclusions Despite calls for improving palliative care for patients with advanced HF, a lack of sufficient attention persists in research abstracts, concurrent sessions at national meetings, and NIH funding to increase the evidence base. Without these improvements, the ability to deliver high-quality specialist palliative care to patients with HF and their families will remain severely limited.
Geomorphometric Controls on Mountain Glacier Changes Since the Little Ice Age in the Eastern Tien Shan, Central Asia

The linkage between glacier change and climate has garnered significant attention in recent decades, but little is known about the role of local geomorphometric factors on glacier changes since the...
Observed Parenting in Families Exposed to Homelessness: Child and Parent Characteristics as Predictors of Response to the Early Risers Intervention

Efforts to support positive parenting among homeless families are critical for promoting the mental health and developmental needs of children exposed to homelessness. Psychosocial preventive interventions seeking to improve parenting practices and child outcomes can make an important contribution in this regard, yet further research is needed to investigate the effects of such programs. In particular, little is known about which subgroups are most likely to benefit from intervention programming. The purpose of this study was to identify which child and parent characteristics predict differential responses to the Early Risers intervention among formerly homeless families residing in supportive housing. Data were derived from a cluster-randomized effectiveness trial in which supportive housing sites were randomized to the Early Risers intervention condition or treatment as usual. Child behavior problems, parental depression, parenting self-efficacy, and parent–child attachment were each examined as moderators influencing change in observed ineffective discipline practices across four waves of longitudinal data. Multilevel latent growth modeling revealed significant interaction effects for both child behavior problems and parental depression. For parents in the intervention condition, those reporting more child behavior problems at baseline showed greater reductions in ineffective discipline over the course of the study than parents reporting less child behavior problems. Similarly, parents with higher initial levels of depression showed greater parenting improvements in response to the intervention condition than did less depressed parents. These findings could have important implications for targeting families most likely to benefit from intervention participation.
Pregnancy and Fertility in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects women during their reproductive years. Patients and physicians frequently have questions regarding the effect of IBD and the medications used to treat it on conception, the ability to carry a pregnancy safely to term, and pregnancy outcomes. Women with IBD have the same rates of fertility as women without IBD unless they have had prior surgery in the pelvis or active disease. However, women with IBD do have higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach should focus on preconception planning and disease optimization prior to pregnancy. The greatest risk to the pregnancy is active disease, which can be precipitated by discontinuation of effective maintenance medications. Most IBD medications can be continued safely during pregnancy and lactation. Preconception counseling includes education regarding the low risk of most IBD medications during pregnancy and lactation, and the high risk of a disease flare during pregnancy. This chapter outlines important considerations for practitioners caring for women with IBD before and during pregnancy, and in the postpartum period.
Oxidation kinetics for conversion of U3O8 to ε-UO3 with NO2

Abstract The oxidation kinetics of U3O8 powder to e-UO3 in an NO2 environment was measured by in situ x-ray diffraction (XRD). Experiments were performed at temperatures of 195, 210, 235, and 250 °C using a custom designed and fabricated sample isolation stage. Data were refined to quantify phase fractions using a newly proposed structure for the e-UO3 polymorph. The kinetics data were modeled using a shrinking core approach. A proposed two-step reaction process is presented based on the developed models.
Terrestrial cosmogenic surface exposure dating of moraines at Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada of California and slip rate estimate for the West Tahoe Fault

Abstract Two sets of Pleistocene moraines (Tioga and Tahoe) are preserved at Cascade Lake along the west side of Lake Tahoe. The 10 Be terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure ages for two younger Tioga moraines yield an average age of 22.3 ± 1.2 ka, coincident with the global Last Glacial Maximum. The ages suggest that the Tioga glaciation may have reached its maximum several thousand years earlier in the Lake Tahoe basin than to the south along the east flank of the Sierra Nevada. The oldest 10 Be age (120 ± 8 ka) determined for an additional suite of 10 boulders exhibiting significant scatter in 10 Be ages is interpreted to be the minimum age of formation for older Tahoe moraines in the Tahoe basin, suggesting they were deposited during marine oxygen isotope stage 6. The moraines at Cascade Lake are displaced by the West Tahoe Fault that strikes northward for 45 km along the western edge of the Lake Tahoe basin. Vertical displacements of the crests of the Tahoe and Tioga moraines are 59 ± 10 and 32 ± 12 m respectively. Averaged over the time since the formation of the Tahoe and Tioga moraines, the average vertical separation rates are
Visual feedback control of tensegrity robotic systems

Feedback control problems pertaining to the control of tensegrity robotic systems are detailed in this paper. The unique problems that arise due to the positivity of the string tensions required to maintain the static stability and desirable stiffness of the structural system are shown to bring about interesting opportunities to optimize for the redundancy in the actuation process. The static stability consideration, coupled with the nonlinear dynamics and the sensor models introduce additional algebraic constraints in implementation of both kinematic and model based dynamic controllers for tensegrity systems. Approaches to develop kinematic and dynamic control techniques are detailed in this paper. A bench top experimental setup consisting of a simple tensegrity system is utilized to demonstrate the efficacy of the output feedback control approach developed in the paper. Near real time image measurements are utilized to drive the output error used in the control scheme.
Fiber type composition of epaxial muscles is geared toward facilitating rapid spinal extension in the leaper Galago senegalensis.

Objectives We hypothesized that the vertical leaper Galago senegalensis will have epaxial extensor muscles with a fast fiber phenotype to facilitate rapid spinal extension during leaping in comparison to the slow-moving quadruped Nycticebus coucang. To test this, we determined the percentage of fiber cross-sectional area (%CSA) devoted to Type 2 fibers in epaxial muscles of G. senegalensis compared to those of N. coucang. Materials and methods Immunohistochemistry was used to identify Type 1, Type 2, and hybrid fibers in iliocostalis, longissimus, and multifidus muscles of G. senegalensis (n = 3) and N. coucang (n = 3). Serial muscle sections were used to estimate and compare proportions, cross-sectional areas (CSAs), and %CSAs of Type 1, Type 2, and hybrid fibers between species. Results Epaxial muscles of G. senegalensis were comprised predominantly of Type 2 fibers with large CSAs (%CSA range ≈ 83-94%; range of mean CSA = 1,218-1,586 μm2 ). N. coucang epaxial muscles were comprised predominantly Type 1 fibers with large CSAs (%CSA range ≈ 69-77%; range of mean CSA = 983-1,220 μm2 ). Discussion The predominance of Type 2 fibers in G. senegalensis epaxial muscles facilitates rapid muscle excursion and spinal extension during leaping, and is consistent with their relatively long muscle fibers. The predominance of Type 1 fibers in N. coucang epaxial muscles may aid in maintaining stable postures during bridging and cantilevering behaviors characteristic of slow-climbing. These histochemical characteristics highlight the major divergent locomotor repertoires of G. senegalensis and N. coucang.
Association Between Receptivity to Tobacco Advertising and Progression to Tobacco Use in Youth and Young Adults in the PATH Study.

Importance Cigarette marketing contributes to initiation of cigarette smoking among young people, which has led to restrictions on use of cigarette advertising. However, little is known about other tobacco advertising and progression to tobacco use in youth and young adults. Objective To investigate whether receptivity to tobacco advertising among youth and young adults is associated with progression (being a susceptible never user or ever user) to use of the product advertised, as well as conventional cigarette smoking. Design, Setting, and Participants The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study at wave 1 (2013-2014) and 1-year follow-up at wave 2 (2014-2015) was conducted in a US population-based sample of never tobacco users aged 12 to 24 years from wave 1 of the PATH Study (N = 10 989). Household interviews using audio computer-assisted self-interviews were conducted. Exposures Advertising for conventional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), cigars, and smokeless tobacco products at wave 1. Main Outcomes and Measures Progression to susceptibility or ever tobacco use at 1-year follow-up in wave 2. Results Of the 10 989 participants (5410 male [weighted percentage, 48.3%]; 5579 female [weighted percentage, 51.7%]), receptivity to any tobacco advertising at wave 1 was high for those aged 12 to 14 years (44.0%; 95% confidence limit [CL], 42.6%-45.4%) but highest for those aged 18 to 21 years (68.7%; 95% CL, 64.9%-72.2%). e-Cigarette advertising had the highest receptivity among all age groups. For those aged 12 to 17 years, susceptibility to use a product at wave 1 was significantly associated with product use at wave 2 for conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco products. Among committed never users aged 12 to 17 years at wave 1, any receptivity was associated with progression toward use of the product at wave 2 (conventional cigarettes: adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.43; 95% CL, 1.23-1.65; e-cigarettes: AOR, 1.62; 95% CL, 1.41-1.85; cigars: AOR, 2.01; 95% CL, 1.62-2.49; and smokeless [males only]: AOR, 1.42; 95% CL, 1.07-1.89) and with use of the product (conventional cigarettes: AOR, 1.54; 95% CL, 1.03-2.32; e-cigarettes: AOR, 1.45; 95% CL, 1.19-1.75; cigars: AOR, 2.07; 95% CL, 1.26-3.40). Compared with those not receptive to any product advertising, receptivity to e-cigarette advertising, but not to cigarette advertising, was independently associated with those aged 12 to 21 years having used a cigarette at wave 2 (AOR, 1.60; 95% CL, 1.08-2.38). Conclusions and Relevance Receptivity to tobacco advertising was significantly associated with progression toward use in adolescents. Receptivity was highest for e-cigarette advertising and was associated with trying a cigarette.
Electrical gain in interband cascade infrared photodetectors

In order to achieve improved understanding and gain insights into the device operation of interband cascade infrared photodetectors (ICIPs) and ultimately to optimize the design, we present a comparative study of five long-wavelength (LW) ICIPs based on a type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice. This study shows how the device responsivity is affected by the individual absorber thicknesses and the number of cascade stages, through the impact of light attenuation. Additionally, this study further validates that the electrical gain universally exists in non-current-matched ICIPs. With multiple cascade stages to suppress noise, these LW ICIPs achieved superior device performance at high temperatures, in terms of Johnson-noise limited detectivities, compared to commercial MCT detectors. Furthermore, a theory is developed to quantitatively describe the electrical gain in ICIPs and our calculations are in good agreement with the experimental results. Based on the theory, the optimal number of stages for maximizing the device detectivity D* is identified with inclusion of the electrical gain. Our calculation shows that this optimal number of stages is relatively large in the presence of the gain and the maximized D* has a relatively weak dependence on the absorber thickness when it is sufficiently thin.In order to achieve improved understanding and gain insights into the device operation of interband cascade infrared photodetectors (ICIPs) and ultimately to optimize the design, we present a comparative study of five long-wavelength (LW) ICIPs based on a type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice. This study shows how the device responsivity is affected by the individual absorber thicknesses and the number of cascade stages, through the impact of light attenuation. Additionally, this study further validates that the electrical gain universally exists in non-current-matched ICIPs. With multiple cascade stages to suppress noise, these LW ICIPs achieved superior device performance at high temperatures, in terms of Johnson-noise limited detectivities, compared to commercial MCT detectors. Furthermore, a theory is developed to quantitatively describe the electrical gain in ICIPs and our calculations are in good agreement with the experimental results. Based on the theory, the optimal number of stages for maximizing the d...
Postreplication Repair Gap Filling in an Escherichia coli Strain Deficient in dnaB Gene Product

Gaps in daughter-strand DNA synthesized after exposure of Escherichia coli E279 to ultraviolet light are filled during reincubation at 30°C for 20 min. Escherichia coli E279 is phenotypically DnaB− when incubated at 43°C. Cells incubated at 43°C were tested for their ability to complete postreplication repair gap filling. It is concluded that the dnaB gene product is essential for postreplication repair gap filling and that the inhibition seen is not initially the result of degradation.
The Cognitively Impaired Elderly: Differential Diagnosis

The dramatic changes in the age structure of the U.S. population and the rest of the world over the past 150 years have profound significance for mankind. The aged, who have become one of the fastest growing components of the population, are at an increasing risk for medical and psychiatric diseases. Comprising as they do 10% of the population, the aged account for 30% of the health care costs in the United States. They account for 14% of the outpatient visits to health care facilities and they are admitted to general hospitals 2.5 times the rate of young adults. Older persons occupy 90% of the approximately 1.2 million long term care facility beds, and there are estimates of millions more in the community who could benefit from appropriate care.
Evaluation of the gene encoding the gamma subunit of rod phosphodiesterase in retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE To determine whether defects in the gene encoding the gamma subunit of rod cyclic guanosine monophosphate-phosphodiesterase (PDE-g) cause some form of hereditary retinal degeneration or dysfunction. METHODS A restriction map, an intron/exon map, and a partial sequence of the human genomic locus corresponding to this gene were ascertained. Based on this information, the single-strand conformation polymorphism technique (SSCP) was used to screen the coding region as well as most splice donor and acceptor sites for mutations in a total of 704 unrelated patients with retinitis pigmentosa, Usher's syndrome type I or type II, Leber's congenital amaurosis, the Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome, or other hereditary retinal disease. RESULTS Two frequent polymorphisms were found, as well as three rare sequence variations, none of which correlated with any phenotype examined. CONCLUSIONS In view of these negative results and those of a previously published negative Southern blot analysis of an overlapping set of patients, it is unlikely that mutations in the PDE-g gene are a common cause of any of the forms of retinal degeneration or dysfunction so far examined.
Embodiment and Ethics: A Latter-Day Saint Perspective

This essay will examine the perspectives of the Latter-day Saint (LDS) tradition on issues in biomedical ethics through the organizing theme of embodiment. This is a necessary feature for understanding the relationship of religious convictions and ethical values in this faith community because the tradition offers a distinctive interpretation of the existential and ethical significance of the human body. The tradition has rejected the philosophical and religious gnosticism of the body as a prison or tomb of the soul, the Cartesian dualism of mind and body, and the organic reductionism of modern science. The LDS theology of the body instead invokes themes of the body as temple or tabernacle, as teacher, and as gift. These theological perspectives are expressed in various ethical positions and moral practices relevant to health and medicine.
Approximate svBRDF estimation from mobile phone video

We describe a new technique for obtaining a spatially varying BRDF (svBRDF) of a flat object using printed fiducial markers and a cell phone capable of continuous flash video. Our homography-based video frame alignment method does not require the fiducial markers to be visible in every frame, thereby enabling us to capture larger areas at a closer distance and higher resolution than in previous work. Pixels in the resulting panorama are fit with a BRDF based on a recursive subdivision algorithm, utilizing all the light and view positions obtained from the video. We show the versatility of our method by capturing a variety of materials with both one and two camera input streams and rendering our results on 3D objects under complex illumination.
Spring migration patterns of birds in montane habitats of the Southwestern United States

We characterized the distribution of migrating birds in high-elevation forested habitat in north-central New Mexico during spring migration. In contrast to many other stopover studies in the American southwest, we focused on a range of forested upland habitats rather than lowland riparian corridors. We censused birds in pinon-juniper woodland, ponderosa pine forest, and spruce-fir forest to ascertain the effects of mountain range and habitat on abundance and richness of Nearctic-Neotropical migrants. We detected 28 migratory species and found that migrants were associated with the two southern ranges (Manzano and Sandia mountains) significantly more than with the northernmost Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and Nearctic-Neotropical migrants were more abundant and species-rich in pinon-juniper and ponderosa pine habitats. The nonrandom distribution of migrating birds in this study, and the potential for climate-driven habitat change and anthropogenic use of forested habitat to affect migrating birds, indicates that upland forest in the southwestern United States deserves more research during the migratory period.
Recent trends in North American pediatric neurosurgical fellowship training.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to evaluate trends in pediatric neurosurgical fellowship training in North America. METHODS From a database maintained by the Accreditation Council for Pediatric Neurosurgery Fellowships (ACPNF), all graduates of ACPNF-accredited pediatric neurosurgery fellowships were identified, and an Internet search was conducted to determine sex, undergraduate and graduate degrees, location and dates of residency and fellowship training, current practice/employment environment, American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) or Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons certification status, American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery (ABPNS) certification status, and extent of current pediatric-focused practice. The graduates were further studied to determine whether they had completed a neurosurgical residency at a program with an affiliated ACPNF-accredited pediatric neurosurgery fellowship program, and their residency training programs were further classified by whether the program was ranked in the top 50 by NIH funding awards. Each fellowship graduate’s current practice was also ranked in a similar fashion. RESULTS There were 391 graduates of ACPNF-accredited pediatric neurosurgery fellowship programs from 1993 to 2018. The number of graduates per year has grown steadily over time, as has the percentage of women, now over 40% compared to zero in the first 3 years of fellowship accreditation in the mid-1990s. Approximately 71% of graduating fellows have a pediatric-focused practice, but only 63% went on to attain ABPNS certification. Of all graduates practicing in the United States, 68% practice in academic settings. Ninety-five percent of graduating fellows who were ABNS board eligible were ABNS certified. CONCLUSIONS A study of the graduates of accredited pediatric neurosurgical fellowships from 1993 to 2018 has revealed a growth in the number of graduates from ACPNF-accredited fellowship programs over time. A substantial portion of graduates will practice at least some adult neurosurgery and not go on to obtain ABPNS board certification.
Review of alternatives to root cause analysis: developing a robust system for incident report analysis

Medical errors and other system failures lead to patient injury and significant costs—estimates of potential societal costs range from $393 to $958 billion.1 2 To improve safety, the healthcare system has looked to industries with impressive safety records in high-risk contexts, often referred to as high reliability organisations (HRO), for ideas.3 In the 1990’s the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) adopted root cause analysis (RCA) from HROs to learn from the most serious incident reports (IRs).4 Over the ensuing decades, other healthcare organisations followed developing distinct, yet similar approaches.5–12 Systematic learning from IRs is a central component of reliable healthcare delivery systems. Methods to learn from IRs work best when they highlight areas of risk, which can lead to improved performance.12–19 Investigating IRs with RCA is consistent with the core characteristics of HROs. The structured feedback process on a defect in care provides the environment for organisational mindfulness. RCA ‘enables simultaneous adaptive learning and reliable performance’20 and promotes mindfulness by acting as ‘a window on the system’.21 However, it is neither feasible nor desirable to complete an RCA following every IR. For example, one 600-bed private hospital generates 15 000 IRs annually—an impossible number to investigate with RCA given that the process takes more than 20 person-hours and over $8000 to complete.22–24 Therefore, the RCA process is typically reserved for medical errors that lead to the greatest harm. Unfortunately, in the remainder of the cases, incident reporting alone does not improve safety.13 21 Thus, healthcare organisations need additional strategies to learn from no-harm and low-harm IRs that are rarely the subject of RCA.25 26 One example of a harmful IR that would lead to an RCA is a medication error that contributed to a patient death. On the other hand, if a nurse …
MeCP2 Represses Enhancers through Chromosome Topology-Associated DNA Methylation

The genomes of mammalian neurons contain uniquely high levels of non-CG DNA methylation that can be bound by the Rett syndrome protein, MeCP2, to regulate gene expression. How patterns of non-CG methylation are established in neurons and the mechanism by which this methylation works with MeCP2 to control gene expression is unclear. Here, we find that genes repressed by MeCP2 are often located within megabase-scale regions of high non-CG methylation that correspond with topologically associating domains of chromatin folding. MeCP2 represses enhancers found in these domains that are enriched for non-CG and CG methylation, with the strongest repression occurring for enhancers located within MeCP2-repressed genes. These alterations in enhancer activity provide a mechanism for how MeCP2 disruption in disease can lead to widespread changes in gene expression. Hence, we find that DNA topology can shape non-CG DNA methylation across the genome to dictate MeCP2-mediated enhancer regulation in the brain.