cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low Temperature, Selective Atomic Layer Deposition of Nickel Metal Thin Films.

We report the growth of nickel metal films by atomic layer deposition (ALD) employing bis(1,4-di- tert-butyl-1,3-diazadienyl)nickel and tert-butylamine as the precursors. A range of metal and insulating substrates were explored. An initial deposition study was carried out on platinum substrates. Deposition temperatures ranged from 160 to 220 °C. Saturation plots demonstrated self-limited growth for both precursors, with a growth rate of 0.60 A/cycle. A plot of growth rate versus substrate temperature showed an ALD window from 180 to 195 °C. Crystalline nickel metal was observed by X-ray diffraction for a 60 nm thick film deposited at 180 °C. Films with thicknesses of 18 and 60 nm grown at 180 °C showed low root mean square roughnesses ( 97%, with low levels of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. Films deposited on ruthenium substrates displayed lower growth rates than those observed on platinum substrates. On copper substrates, discontinuous island growth was observed at ≤1000 cycles. Film growth was not observed on insulating substrates under any conditions. The new nickel metal ALD procedure gives inherently selective deposition on ruthenium and platinum from 160 to 220 °C.
Lack of transformation zone in cervical Pap tests, should it be a concern? A quality assurance initiative.

BACKGROUND Bethesda guidelines do not require presence of transformation zone (TZ) for a cervical Pap test to be deemed adequate. However, clinicians are concerned with specimens that are reported to lack TZ. METHODS We analyzed 566 ThinPrep cases reported as negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) with no cervical abnormality detected in previous 4 years (2007-2011). These cases were divided into two cohorts; those with TZ (ETZ) and those without TZ (NTZ). Patients' age, HPV status, time of sample collection (>14 days after last menstrual period), subsequent management, interval of subsequent Pap test ( 3 years), and result of subsequent examination were compared over a 5-year period. RESULTS The rate of abnormal Pap test on 5 year follow-up was not statistically significant (P < .9520) between cohorts. Our data demonstrates lack of statistical significance between the variables studied. Five year follow-up of all abnormal Pap smears were analyzed (93% ETZ and 7% NTZ). Of the ETZ group, 25% ASCUS remained as ASCUS and 75% were reported as NILM in subsequent Pap smears. Additionally, 75% of the LSIL were subsequently reported as NILM and 25% reported as ASCUS. One patient reported as HSIL underwent hysterectomy. Two Pap smears performed two years after surgery were negative. Within the NTZ group, one case of ASCUS was NILM upon follow-up. CONCLUSION Pap smears with NTZ were not at a higher risk for subsequent detection of cervical abnormalities, making earlier repeat testing unnecessary. Rescreening cases without TZ is neither cost effective nor necessary.
A common approach to toxin specificity.

Genetic integration of a humanized chemotaxis receptor unexpectedly reveals that a widely expressed immune protein is targeted by Staphylococcus aureus Panton–Valentine leukocidin in a novel way, changing our fundamental understanding of toxin–receptor biology and host–pathogen interaction.
Bone Marrow Transplantation for Aplastic Anemia

The increased survival of aplastic anemia patients treated by human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-identical marrow transplants is due in part to a decrease in the incidence of graft rejection. The decrease in rejection, in turn, results from the more judicious use of transfusions before transplant, the removal of sensitizing white blood cells from transfusion products, and improvements in the immunosuppressive conditioning programs used to prepare patients for transplant. In regards to the latter, radiation-based programs have been effective, although a cyclophosphamide/antithymocyte globulin program begins to look impressive with only one rejection among 33 patients transplanted. In regards to transfusions before transplant, in vitro radiation of all blood products may further reduce the risk of sensitization to minor histocompatibility antigens in the future. The incidence and severity of acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) have declined with the use of the methotrexate/cyclosporine regimen, and this has also contributed to improved survival. Chronic GvHD is difficult to treat and future emphasis should be on prevention rather than on treatment. Whether an extended course of cyclosporine beyond 6 mo after transplant will reduce the risk of chronic GvHD is under study. As more and more patients become long-term survivors, problems from long-term sequelae from the conditioning programs and from postgrafting immunosuppression must be considered, in particular secondary malignancies. Perhaps less toxic conditioning programs can be designed. Because of the higher likelihood of causing secondary cancer, possible deleterious effects on growth and development for pediatric patients, and the problem of sterility, radiation-based regimens should not be used in HLA-identical recipients.
The Querist’s Hope And Failure

The Querist is an ingenious text with a conception of money that was to prove prescient when viewed from the monetary reality of the twenty-first century. But Berkeley did not write this text as an abstract analysis of economic categories, whatever his visionary pretensions. He, his intellectual circle, and his Church were confronting an emer-gency and his proposals were seriously put before the Dublin (and London) political Establishment as a response to a concrete prob-lematic. Berkeley clearly had a hope that his plan for a National Bank and Mint would be given a chance to prove their power in practice. Although that hope was denied by the political reality of Irealand and Britain in the 1730s, as we shall see in the next section, what was the basis of his hone?
CHARACTERIZATION OF A REVERSIBLY FORMED ENZYME COMPLEX IN THE REACTION OF CHYMOTRYPSIN WITH DIISOPROPYL FLUOROPHOSPHATE.

Considerable evidence that the interaction of cr-chymotrypsin with substrates or inhibitors results in conformational changes in the enzyme has been reported (l-6). This evidence was provided in part by experiments with covalently bound enzymesubstrate complexes which indicated that the optical rotatory dispersion parameters (l-3) and the thermodynamic parameters of reversible, temperature-induced phase transitions (4) differ from those of the free enzyme and depend on the nature of the substrate. Other evidence was provided by measurements of difference spectra between enzyme and covalently bound enzymesubstrate complexes (5, 7). The difference spectrum (see, for example, Fig. 3b), with a major peak at 290 rnp, was observed to be the same whether the group attached to the enzyme was diisopropylphosphoryl, acetyl, trimethylacetyl, or cinnamoyl. Recent data on x-ray diffraction from crystals of native y-chymotrypsin and of a covalently bonded inhibitor-enzyme complex also suggest that some deformation of the protein structure accompanies the formation of the enzyme-inhibitor complex (8). In order to understand the interrelationships of the steps which are associated with the spectral changes, the changes in specific rotation of the enzyme, and the catalytic reaction, we have undertaken a kinetic study of the reaction of cY-chymotrypsin with diisopropyl fluorophosphate in the pH range of 2.0 to 10.0 (9). This reaction yields covalcntly bonded diisopropylphosphoryl-oc-chymotrypsin and HF in stoichiometric amounts (10). In this paper we are reporting equilibrium and kinetic studies of this reaction at pH 2.0, including data on the spectral changes, the change in optical rotation, and the phosphorylation and inhibition of the enzyme. We are also reporting on the chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis at pH 2.0 of a specific substrate, N-acetyl-n-phenylalanine ethyl ester, and on the spectral changes of the enzyme which accompany this reaction.
A Survey of Observers for Nonlinear Dynamical Systems

The Kalman filter, invented initially for control systems, has been widely used in science and engineering including data assimilation. For the last several decades, the estimation theory for dynamical systems has been actively developed in control theory. In this paper, we survey several observers, including Kalman filters, for nonlinear systems. We also review some fundamental concepts on the observability of systems defined by either differential equations or a numerical model. The hope is that some of these ideas will inspire research that can benefit the area of data assimilation.
Coupled Compressive Sensing : Sequential Reinforcement Approach

We consider multiple Compressive Sensing (CS) problems wherein the supports of signal vectors of CS problems are restricted to satisfy a collection of joint logical constraints, which we refer to as coupling constraints. We consider a case where the coupling constraints are encoded in a graph and present a sequential reinforcement approach to solve the multiple CS problems efficiently. In the sequential reinforcement approach, we iteratively select and solve one CS problem that we can solve with the highest confidence level and use the recovered signal supports to reinforce the correct support recovery of remaining CS problems. The efficacy of the proposed approach is validated using the experiments with a synthetic problem and power network topology identification of IEEE 14 bus network.
An Untrustworthy Presumption: Replacing the Moench Presumption with a Sound Standard for Stock-Drop Litigation

On December 13, 2013, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in Fifth Third Bancorp v. Dudenhoeffer to determine the fate of the Moench presumption. The Moench presumption, which establishes a broad presumption of prudence for fiduciaries plans designed to invest in company stock, was adopted by the Third Circuit in 1995. The six circuits to subsequently consider the issue have also adopted the presumption.Under the Moench presumption, judicial review of fiduciaries’ decisions to purchase, hold, or sell company stock is subject to an abuse of discretion standard. To overcome the Moench presumption, plaintiffs must show the existence of a “dire situation” that threatens a company’s viability or renders the stock essentially worthless. Plaintiffs have experienced great difficulty in meeting this standard, which has effectively insulated fiduciaries from liability in all but the most extreme circumstances.This Note argues that the Moench presumption is unsound in both theory and practice because it is unsupported by the common law of trusts, ERISA, and public policy. This Note draws heavily from the common law of trusts and ERISA's prudent person standard to articulate and apply a doctrinally sound alternative standard that protects both plan participants and fiduciaries.
Delayed cord clamping is associated with improved dynamic cerebral autoregulation and decreased incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants.

The neuroprotective mechanism of delayed cord clamping in premature infants is unclear. Delayed cord clamping was associated with improved cerebral autoregulatory function and a marked decrease in ...
Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in ankylosing spondylitis identifies HLA-B*27 dependent and independent DNA methylation changes in whole blood.

Abstract Background and objective Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by inflammation of the sacroiliac joints and the spine that can lead to significant pain, immobility, and disability. The etiology and pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis are incompletely understood, though most patients carry the HLA-B*27 allele. The objective of this study was to evaluate DNA methylation changes in ankylosing spondylitis with the goal of revealing novel mechanistic insights into this disease. Methods Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was performed in whole blood DNA samples using the Infinium MethylationEPIC array in patients with ankylosing spondylitis compared to age, sex, and race matched patients with osteoarthritis as a non-inflammatory disease control. We studied 24 patients with ankylosing spondylitis, including 12 patients who carry HLA-B*27 and 12 patients who are HLA-B*27 negative. DNA methylation analysis was performed with adjustment for blood cell composition in each sample. Results We identified a total of 67 differentially methylated sites between ankylosing spondylitis patients and osteoarthritis controls. Hypermethylated genes found included GTPase-related genes, while hypomethylated genes included HCP5, which encodes a lncRNA within the MHC region, previously associated with genetic risk for psoriasis and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Carrying HLA-B*27 was associated with robust hypomethylation of HCP5, tubulin folding cofactor A (TBCA) and phospholipase D Family Member 6 (PLD6) in ankylosing spondylitis patients. Hypomethylation within HCP5 involves a CpG site that contains a single nucleotide polymorphism in linkage disequilibrium with HLA-B*27 and that controls DNA methylation at this locus in an allele-specific manner. Conclusions A genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in ankylosing spondylitis identified DNA methylation patterns that could provide potential novel insights into this disease. Our findings suggest that HLA-B*27 might play a role in ankylosing spondylitis in part through inducing epigenetic dysregulation.
Re-assessing effects of bromide and granular activated carbon on disinfection byproduct formation

While granular active carbon (GAC) can effectively remove disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursors, its use has raised concerns over increased formation of some brominated DBP species in treated water following postchlorination, especially for waters with high bromide concentrations. The Information Collection Rule Treatment Study Database contains results of the most extensive GAC studies ever conducted nationwide. Data were analyzed to assess the extent of DBP speciation changes and overall reduction of brominated DBPs by GAC to gain new insights of the bromide effect. Results showed that formation of three brominated trihalomethanes (collectively, Br-THM3) varied greatly depending on TOC removal and bromide concentrations. Low TOC concentrations in GAC effluents resulted in greatly reduced Br-THM3 formation, except for a few cases where Br-THM3 formation increased. GAC followed by chloramination were likely to better control Br-THM3 formation for waters with high TOC and high bromide. Lastly, the chlorine demand reduction by GAC was quantified.
Using Dramatization to Teach Starling Forces in the Microcirculation to First-Year Medical Students.

Introduction The clinical importance, prevalence, and multiple etiologies of tissue edema make it a critical part of medical education. Given the multiple physiological parameters that must be simu...
Memoria ficcional/ficcionalizada como Historia en Infancia clandestina (2011): una perspectiva ignorada recupera el pasado argentino

En la pelicula argentina Infancia clandestina (2011), un nino, Ernesto (alias Juan) sirve de metonimia por la tragedia humana de los miles de desaparecidos argentinos y otras victimas de la ‘guerra sucia.’ La infancia de Ernesto es clandestina no solo porque el y su familia tienen que esconderse sino tambien porque la perspectiva del nino de los eventos historico-sociales frecuentemente se calla, se ignora. El director Benjamin Avila, nino durante el “proceso”, emplea una variedad de tecnicas, algunas propias de otros tipos de discurso [por ejemplo, los comics], para construir un dialogo filmico por medio del cual se comunica aquella perspectiva ignorada, creando al mismo tiempo un testimonio de los efectos duraderos de aquellos eventos traumaticos. Estableciendo relaciones intermediales, esta pelicula dialoga tanto con otros medios y generos como con importantes antecedentes del archivo del cine hispanico. A traves del tejido de subjetividad e historicidad rememora un episodio en la historia argentina para que el pueblo pueda comprender el mundo en el que sobrevive.
Racial and ethnic differences in response to treatment for Marfan syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether racial/ethnic differences exist for the treatment of Marfan syndrome aortopathy. The 2014 Pediatric Heart Network randomised trial of losartan versus atenolol in Marfan syndrome paediatric and young adult patients showed no treatment differences in the rate of aortic root growth over 3 years; however, they did not examine racial/ethnic differences, and recent data suggest that angiotensin receptor blockers may have different pharmacologic effects in different racial/ethnic populations. METHODS We performed a secondary analysis of public-use data from the Pediatric Heart Network randomised trial comparing the differences by race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic patients) amongst the treatment groups for the primary outcome of rate of aortic root enlargement by z score and secondary outcome of rate of change of absolute diameter of aortic root, z score and absolute diameter of ascending aorta, and blood pressure changes. RESULTS For aortic root enlargement by z score amongst on-Hispanic White patients, patients on losartan exhibited an annual z score change of -0.090 ± 0.016, compared to -0.146 ± 0.015 for those on atenolol (p = 0.01), favouring atenolol. For Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black patients, there was no difference in primary or secondary outcomes between treatment groups. CONCLUSION Non-Hispanic White patients had a small, but statistically significantly greater decrease in aortic root z score favouring atenolol over losartan. There were no significant differences amongst Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black patients, which may be due to relatively small size numbers. These findings may have important implications for medication selection by race/ethnicity in Marfan syndrome patients, which has not previously been evaluated in studies.
Long-read sequencing reveals rapid evolution of immunity- and cancer-related genes in bats

Abstract Bats are exceptional among mammals for their powered flight, extended lifespans, and robust immune systems. To investigate the genomic underpinnings of unique bat adaptations, we sequenced the genomes of the Jamaican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) and the Mesoamerican mustached bat (Pteronotus mesoamericanus) and compared them to a diverse collection of 13 additional bat species together with other mammals. We used the Oxford Nanopore Technologies long-read platform to generate highly complete assemblies (N50: 28-29Mb) and facilitate analysis of complex genomic regions containing duplicated genes. Using gene family size analysis, we found that the type I interferon locus was contracted by eight genes in the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of bats, shifting the proportion of interferon-ω to interferon-ɑ and making interferon-ω the most common type I interferon in bats. Antiviral genes stimulated by type I interferons were also rapidly evolving, with interferon-induced transmembrane genes experiencing a lineage-specific duplication and strong positive selection in the gene IFIT2. Moreover, the lineage of phyllostomid bats showed an unprecedented expansion of PRDM9, a recombination-related gene also involved in infection responses, raising the possibility that this gene contributes to bat antiviral defenses. These modifications in the bat innate immune system may be important adaptations allowing them to harbor viruses asymptomatically. We additionally found evidence of positive selection on the branch leading to the MRCA of bats acting on 33 tumor suppressors and six DNA repair genes, which may contribute to the low cancer rates and longevity observed across bats. These new genomic resources enable insights into the extraordinary adaptations of bats, with implications for mammalian evolutionary studies and public health.
SECONDARY METABOLITES OF MARINE ORGANISMS

This paper describes several novel compounds which have been isolated from the blood plasma and tissue extracts of marine animals. Structures of these compounds are also presented.
Prostanoids from tumor cells induce Arginase I in tumor associated suppressor myeloid cells, that block T cell function

5305 Alterations in the immune response of patients with cancer have been described for several decades. Tumor associated suppressor myeloid cells (TAMC) produce high amounts of arginase I, which depletes L-Arginine in the microenvironment, inhibits CD3ζ expression and blocks T cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms of arginase induction I in TAMC are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the mechanisms of induction of arginase I in 3LL tumors. The results show that arginase I induction in the TAMC is independent of cytokine produced by T cells, as shown by a similar arginase I expression in tumor bearing SCID mice and wild type C57BL/6. In contrast, TAMC co-cultured with 3LL cells or 3LL supernatants maintained the expression of arginase I. 3LL cells constitutively express COX-1 and COX-2 and produce high levels of PGE2, which can induce arginase I in macrophages. Blocking of PGE2 partially prevented arginase I induction. Furthermore, inhibition of COX-2, but not COX-1, using pharmacological agents or siRNA probes completely blocked arginase I induction by 3LL cells both in vitro and in tumor bearing mice. Use of PGE2 analogs suggested that signaling through EP4 receptor plays an important role on the arginase I induction. Altogether the data suggest that the production of prostanoids, including PGE2, by tumor cells are important in the arginase I induction in tumors.
Can We Trust GRB High Energy Correlations

We show that several GRB correlations have common features indicative of an origin in selection effects. We focus on the possible origin of the Epk‐Eiso correlation in Swift data due to detector threshold truncation. The existence of faint Swift events calls into question inferences based on pre‐Swift surveys which must be subject to complicated incompleteness effects. Also, we show that the Epk‐Eγ (“Ghirlanda”) correlation is effectively independent of the GRB redshifts z, which suggests it contains little intrinsic physics.
The changing impact of pulmonary thromboembolism in obstetrics. Value of the isotopic perfusion scan.

Abstract The experience with pulmonary thromboembolism at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, comprising 90 patients in the period 1935 to 1965 has been reviewed. The over-all incidence for this period was 1:1,208, but in the past decade the figure has been less than 1:3,000. The patient's age was a highly significant predisposing factor, while parity exclusive of age had no effect. Traumatic obstetrics, endometritis, and abdominal delivery in particular were frequent precursors to pulmonary emboli, as were anemia and thrombophlebitis. The maternal mortality in this series was 4.4 per cent with no deaths in the last 24 years. Initial experience with the radioisotopic lung scan and other diagnostic refinements has led to an apparent increase in the incidence of puerperal pulmonary thromboembolic disease.
Microinjection of TRH analogue into the dorsal vagal complex stimulates pancreatic secretion in rats.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulates pancreatic exocrine secretion through the vagus nerve when injected into rat cerebrospinal fluid. However, little is known about the exact site of act...
Online Complaint Behavior

This paper examines the consumer online behavior through a survey of 340 Internet users. There has been considerable research on the consumer complaint and non-complaint behavior. However, since the online complaint sites and consumer use of these sites are fairly new, there has been very little research on the use of the Internet for complaining. Our findings indicate some interesting differences between online complainers and non-complainers.
The amino acid sequence of human plasma prealbumin.

The complete amino acid sequence of plasma prealbumin has been determined. Prealbumin forms a stable complex with plasma retinol-binding protein and plays an important role in vitamin A transport. Prealbumin also binds thyroxine, and is involved in transport of thyroid hormone. The prealbumin molecule is a stable tetramer, composed of 4 identical subunits, with over-all molecular weight of 54,980. Each prealbumin subunit contains 127 amino acids, including 1 cysteine (position 10), 1 methionine (position 13), 4 arginine, and 8 lysine residues. Thirteen tryptic peptides were aligned after studies which included the tryptic digestion of maleylated, reduced, and carboxymethylated prealbumin (to yield 5 peptides), and subsequent tryptic digestion of these peptides after removal of the maleyl groups. The sequence of each subunit is: NH2-Gly-Pro-Thr-Gly-Thr-Gly-Glu-Ser-Lys-Cys-Pro-Leu-Met-Val-Lys-Val-Leu-Asp-Ala-Val-Arg-Gly-Ser-Pro-Ala-Ile-Asn-Val-Ala-Val-His-Val-Phe-Arg-Lys-Ala-Ala-Asp-Asp-Thr-Trp-Glu-Pro-Phe-Ala-Ser-Gly-Lys-Thr-Ser-Glu-Ser-Gly-Glu-Leu-His-Gly-Leu-Thr-Thr-Glx-Glx-Gln-Phe-Val-Glu-Gly-Ile-Tyr-Lys-Val-Glu-Ile-Asp-Thr-Lys-Ser-Tyr-Trp-Lys-Ala-Leu-Gly-Ile-Ser-Pro-Phe-His-Glu-His-Ala-Glu-Val-Val-Phe-Thr-Ala-Asn-Asp-Ser-Gly-Pro-Arg-Arg-Tyr-Thr-Ile-Ala-Ala-Leu-Leu-Ser-Pro-Tyr-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Thr-Thr-Ala-Val-Val-Thr-Asn-Pro-Lys-Glu-COOH.
Computer forensics laboratory and tools

The pervasiveness and the convenience of information technology tend to make most of society deeply dependent on the availability computers and network systems. As our reliance on such systems grows, so does our exposure to its vulnerabilities. Day after day, computers are being attacked and compromised. These attacks are made to steal personal identities, to bring down an entire network segment, to disable the online presence of businesses, or to completely obliterate sensitive information that is critical for personal or business purposes. It is the responsibility of every organization to establish a reasonably secure system to protect its own interests as well as those of its customers. And as computer crime steadily grows, so does the need for computer security professionals trained in understanding computer crimes, in gathering digital forensic evidence, in applying the necessary security tools, and in collaborating with law enforcement agencies. This paper presents the design and implementation of an experimental Computer Security and Forensic Analysis (CSFA) laboratory and the tools associated with it. The laboratory is envisioned to be a training facility for future computer security professionals.
The Impact of Chronic Disease on Response to Infection

Most patients with sepsis have underlying co-morbidities. Co-existing disease is typically thought to influence the pathophysiology and outcome of sepsis by reducing physiological reserve. Certainly this is true: A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will tolerate pneumonia less well than a patient with previously healthy lungs. Additionally, many chronic disease states (or their treatments) alter the pre-existing inflammatory and immune milieu. This effect ranges from the obvious (as in the case of patients taking immunosuppressant therapy) to the under-appreciated (as in the inflammatory dysregulation associated with obesity). In seeking explanations for differences in the host response to infection, much has been made of the possible effects of genetic variability. However, subtle variations in the underlying state of the immune and inflammatory systems have received little attention.
Bone-Retinaculum-Bone Autografts for Scapholunate Interosseous Ligament Reconstruction

Carpal instability arising from an injury to the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) is commonly seen and treated by hand surgeons. No technique to this date has proved to provide optimal results for primary repair of acute SLIL tear and the treatment of chronic tears of the SLIL. Recently, attention has shifted toward replacement of the dorsal aspect of the SLIL, which is the most structurally and functionally important aspect of the SLIL. This article describes the indications, surgical technique, postoperative treatment and expected results of the use of a bone-retinaculum-bone autograft procedure in the treatment of scapholunate instability.
A role for regulatory focus in explaining and combating clinical inertia

Rationale, aims and objectives It is well established that clinical inertia generates suboptimal care in patients with chronic diseases, and policies and interventions have yet to satisfactorily address the problem. Methods This paper integrates the relevant literatures on clinical inertia and Regulatory Focus Theory (RFT) from psychology to identify an actionable explanatory mechanism. Results We review RFT and show that it provides a mechanism that may explain key provider contributions to clinical inertia. We then identify two general intervention strategies based on RFT: one that changes individual sensitivity to positive/negative outcomes and another that maintains the sensitivity to positive/negative outcome but frames how information is provided to match the sensitivity. Conclusions We conclude that RFT is a plausible explanation to guide the development of policies and interventions for mitigating clinical inertia.
Treatment decision-making and the form of risk communication: results of a factorial survey.

Background Prospective users of preventive therapies often must evaluate complex information about therapeutic risks and benefits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of relative and absolute risk information on patient decision-making in scenarios typical of health information for patients.
A test of the teaching-learning style mesh hypothesis in a Chinese MBA

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine if “fit” and “non-fit” between authoritarian versus demonstrator teaching and visual versus verbal learning preferences differ in impact on Chinese MBA student academic performance in a large local urban Chinese university setting. In addition, the role of Chinese cultural behavioral tendencies in dictating specific teaching and learning style preferences among Chinese MBA students is also examined. Design/methodology/approach – Subjects were 135 Chinese MBA students that indicated their learning style preference (verbal or visual) and predominant teaching style encountered (authoritarian or demonstrator). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) main effects were used to identify the best teaching style and best learning style. ANOVA interaction effects were used to test the meshing hypothesis (i.e. teaching-learning style “fit” versus “non-fit” conditions). Findings – The results provided support for the mesh hypothesis – teaching style – learning style fit does m...
Integrative network modeling approaches to personalized cancer medicine

The ability to collect millions of molecular measurements from patients is a now a reality for clinical medicine. This reality has created the challenge of how to integrate these vast amounts of data into models that accurately predict complex pathophysiology and can translate this complexity into clinically actionable outputs. Integrative informatics and data-driven approaches provide a framework for analyzing large-scale datasets and combining them into multiscale models that can be used to determine the key drivers of disease and identify optimal therapies for treating tumors. In this perspective we discuss how an integrative modeling approach is being used to inform individual treatment decisions, highlighting a recent case report that illustrates the challenges and opportunities for personalized oncology.
Where and When Do Somatic mtDNA Mutations Occur

It is generally assumed that somatic mtDNA mutations are originally created in the cells where these mutations are currently found. Accumulating data indicate, however, that cells with a particular mtDNA mutation tend to "cluster," that is, occur repeatedly within a given sample, but not in the others. Clusters likely are clonal, which implies that mtDNA mutations do not originate in the cells that currently carry them, but rather in those cells' progenitors, such as stem or satellite cells, or even earlier in the development. Importantly, a majority of mtDNA mutations appear to belong to such clusters, and thus mutational events in progenitor cells may be one of the major sources of mtDNA mutations in healthy aging tissue. More research including the analysis of multiple samples per individual is needed to confirm the existence of clustering and to distinguish between the possible clustering mechanisms.
Regeneration-based bootstrap for Markov chains

We consider a bootstrap method for Markov chains where the original chain is broken into a (random) number of cycles based on an atom (regeneration point) and the bootstrap scheme resamples from these cycles. We investigate the asymptotic accuracy of this method for the case of a sum (or a sample mean) related to the Markov chain. Under some standard moment conditions, the method is shown to be at least as good as the normal approximation, and better (second-order accurate) in the case of nonlattice summands. We give three examples to illustrate the applicability of our results. Dans cet article nous considerons une methode de type bootstrap pour des chaǐnes de Markov ou la chaǐne originelle est decomposee en un certain nombre (aleatoire) de cycles fondes sur un atome (point de regeneration) et le procede bootstrap reechantillonne a partir de ces cycles. Nous examinons la justesse asymptotique de cette methode dans le cas d'une somme (ou moyenne d'echantillon) reliee a la chaǐne de Markov. Sous certaines conditions habituelles concernant les moments, il est demontre que la methode est au moins aussi bonne que l'approximation normale et meilleure (precision de second ordre) pour des termes a ajouter non-lattice. Nous presentons trois exemples pour illustrer l'applicabilite de nos resultats.
Temporal changes of strain parameters in the progress of chronic ischemia: with comparison to transmural infarction

The aim of this study was to reveal the temporal and spatial changes of strain parameters during the progression of chronic coronary ischemia. Fourteen pigs received occluder implantation to create gradual ischemia (CI), while six pigs underwent a sham surgery (Control). Six pigs after myocardial infarction were also studied (MI). Strain analysis was performed using a speckle-tracking algorithm. Eleven of the 14 animals with occluder implantation had total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery with collaterals at 1 month (early occlusion group), whereas three pigs had occlusion at 3 months (late occlusion group). Both radial strain (RS) and circumferential strain (CS) of ischemic area deteriorated at 1 month in the early occlusion group and remained at the same level throughout the remaining 2 months of the experiment. In the late occlusion group, RS gradually declined, while CS took the same course as Control until the 2 month time point. Thereafter, both metrics reached the same level as the early occlusion group at the time of occlusion. Interestingly, RS in the remote area decreased moderately, whereas CS remained normal in CI pigs. The comparison between CI and MI revealed preserved CS at the ischemic area in CI pigs. Both RS and CS deteriorate by the time total coronary occlusion was established and remain at the same level thereafter. Altered RS in the remote area may be an indicator of remodeling in the non-ischemic area, whereas CS may be useful for distinguishing between transmural and non-transmural scar.
Using Internal and External Evaluation to Shape Teacher Preparation Curriculum: A Model for Continuous Program Improvement

The same high stakes accountability measures that have shaped the K-12 educational context over the past decade have become part of the university teacher preparation landscape. National accrediting organizations have created more rigorous, outcomes-based accountability measures for teacher preparation programs. Educational stakeholders offer mixed reviews about the value and impact of these accreditation efforts. In this article, however, we argue that such external evaluation measures when paired with our own internal evaluation processes have generated meaningful changes to our elementary teacher preparation program.
Selective vs, Nonselective Media and Direct Plating vs. Enrichment Technique in Isolation of Vibrio cholerae: Recommendations for Clinical Laboratories

The occurrence of human cholera along the Gulf of Mexico and the isolation of Vibrio cholerae 01 from the Gulf and Chesapeake Bay make it imperative that microbiology laboratories along estuaries develop the capabilities to culture for these pathogens. In attempts to devise a simplified but efficient culture procedure, a selective medium, thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar, was compared with a nonselective medium, gelatin agar (GA), and the utility of enrichment was examined. TCBS agar detected 99% of the stools found to be positive by all techniques combined, whereas GA identified only 8007o. Of acute diarrheal stools, 96% were positive on direct plating, whereas only 66% of formed stools containing V. cholerae were detected by direct plating. Stools from patients with acute diarrhea can be plated directly onto TCBS agar alone; stools from persons shedding low numbers of organisms (such as contacts, carriers, or patients receiving antibiotics) should be incubated first in an enrichment broth and then plated on TCBS agar. Since the early 1960s, Vibrio cholerae biotype El Tor has been spreading throughout the world. Cholera has become endemic in areas previously free of the disease such as East and West Africa, and outbreaks have occurred in several indus
Chronic Renal Disease Progression: Treatment Strategies and Potassium Intake

Disordered potassium homeostasis is a common complication of chronic kidney disease and traditional management focuses on restricting potassium intake to avoid hyperkalemia. Permissive potassium intake carries the risk of hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia, and possibly may contribute to the development of uremic neuropathy. Excessive potassium restriction and removal by dialysis carries the risk of worsened chronic hypertension, intradialytic hypotension, renal fibrosis and cyst formation, and ventricular arrhythmias. Cohort studies have associated both hypokalemia and hyperkalemia with increased mortality in CKD. A single study of potassium intake in hemodialysis patients found increased intake associated with increased mortality despite adjustment for serum potassium concentration. We recommend avoiding mandatory potassium restriction in early chronic kidney disease. We endorse routine potassium restriction in advanced chronic kidney disease requiring hemodialysis and close monitoring of serum potassium concentration in any patients receiving renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers.
Adsorption of quinonediimines on aluminum(1 0 0): A computational and FT-IR study

Abstract Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on a series of symmetrically substituted quinonediimines, both free and adsorbed on a 42 atom aluminum(1 0 0) lattice. Enthalpies of adsorption for quinonediimines in the emeraldine base oxidation state were calculated to vary from −4.07 to −8.47 kcal mol−1, with the emeraldine salt value at −78.00 kcal mol−1. The enthalpy of absorption for the pernigraniline is calculated to be 30 kcal mol−1. Adsorption onto the aluminum surface caused a change in hybridization of the central imine nitrogen from sp2 to sp3, with concomitant formation of a coordinate covalent bond to two electron deficient aluminum atoms of the surface. Experimental IR studies of three quinonediimines show shifts in absorption bands consistent with strong interaction with the aluminum surface, and consistent with frequencies calculations using DFT.
Concept learning as a function of form of internal structure

Summary A concept-attainment experiment was run, using 16 stimuli formed from 4 dichotomous variables, and in which S s were required to learn a concept (subset of stimuli) of 8 of the 16. Two kinds of subsets of stimuli were used, one with a favorable form of internal structure involving a simple contingency between variables, and one with an interaction between variables. Three methods of presenting stimuli were used: the positive instances alone, both positive and negative instances with each kind grouped together, and both positive and negative instances intermixed. The results showed that the good form of internal structure strongly facilitated concept attainment except when the stimuli were intermixed. This result is interpreted to mean that the intermixing prevents perception of the characteristics of the subsets of stimuli. We have further argued that a primary function of presentation of negative instances in concept learning is to define the larger set of stimuli from which the particular subset is selected; and that if the subset itself defines the larger set, then negative instances can do no good and may make the problem more difficult.
Functional analysis in behavior therapy

Abstract The functional analysis occupies a central role in behavioral construct systems and in behavior therapy. However, examination of the literature suggests that it is a conceptually amorphous term with multiple definitions. Such imprecision has resulted in inconsistency and restricted applications in clinical case conceptualizations and clinical decision-making. In order to clarify the nature of the functional analysis, this paper examines its epistemological bases and important dimensions of functional relationships. A definition of functional analysis is proposed that integrates the important characteristics of functional relationships with the tenets of behavioral construct systems. This definition can accommodate complex causal models which more accurately depict the behavioral interrelationships presented by most clients. Methods for deriving the functional analysis are then examined. A review of the literature suggests that pretreatment functional analyses are infrequently conducted. The construction of functional analytic causal models is proposed as a method of systematizing and organizing the functional analysis and facilitating its clinical impact.
Lateral-shearing, delay-dithering Mach-Zehnder interferometer for spatial coherence measurement.

An image-shearing interferometer of Mach–Zehnder type with corner cubes is introduced for the purpose of measuring spatial coherence at the output of inhomogeneous optical sources, such as multimode fibers (MMFs). One arm of the interferometer is modulated in optical delay to produce dynamic interference fringes. Fringe visibility and the two individual intensities are measured nearly simultaneously to allow direct calculation of the modulus of the complex degree of coherence as a function of the lateral shear between the two interferometer arms. Spatial degree of coherence is measured for a step-index MMF pumped with monochromatic and broadband optical sources.
Purchase-Frequency Bias in Random-Coefficients Brand-Choice Models

Conventional random-coefficients models of conditional brand choice using panel data ignore the dependence of the random-coefficients distribution on the purchase frequencies. We show that this leads to biased estimates and propose a conditional likelihood approach to obtain unbiased estimates. Unlike alternative approaches that require observation of “no-purchase” occasions, our proposed method relies only on purchase data. Furthermore, our approach does not require that the researcher specify the distribution of purchase frequencies. As a result, estimates of the brand-choice model are unaffected by misspecification of the model of purchase frequencies. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach in simulated data and in scanner data. We find that results differ substantively from the conventional latent-class model in terms of segment membership probabilities, segment characteristics, and price elasticities.
Optimum Study and Engineering Application of Mixing Ratio for C50 Concrete

The influence of fly ash content, water-cement ratio, sand ratio and polycarboxylic acid type water-reducer dosage on the early-strength and performance of C50 concrete is investigated combined with engineering application. The concrete mixture ratio is optimized by the orthogonal experimental design. Concrete strength, slump and slump loss are verified by experiments. Application results show the designed concrete mixture ratio reaches the expected requirements
Thermally stable imide oligomers from acridine yellow

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of three new imide oligomers from acridine yellow, using pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BTDA) and 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA), is reported in this paper. Due to the poor reactivity of acridine yellow, a two-step synthesis technique at lower temperature produced little or no product. The one-step, elevated temperature, solution imidization technique was deemed to be more efficient and was used to synthesize polyimides. Optimized reaction conditions were determined for all these polymers. Intrinsic viscosity values of poly(acridine yellow-co-PMDA) (AYPMDA), AYBTDA and AY6FDA polyimides were 0.11 in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) and 0.10 and 0.13 dimethylformamide (DMF), respectively. The newly synthesized imide oligomers were thermally stable up to 400°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. AYBTDA and AY6FDA polyimides were soluble in DMF and dimethyl sulfoxide. AYPMDA polyimide was soluble in NMP.
Innovations in pharmacotherapy for stress urinary incontinence

The purpose of this review article is to highlight new pharmacotherapies on the horizon for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Although behavioral and surgical therapies are currently the mainstay of treating SUI, we believe that medications will take center stage and possibly become first-line therapy. Currently, there are no FDA medications indicated for SUI. However, results are becoming available about an oral medication, duloxetine, which appears to be clinically safe and efficacious for the treatment of SUI. In addition to discussing medications currently under development, we will also discuss exciting pharmacological targets that could be suitable to treat SUI.
Agricultural chemical movement through a field-size watershed in Iowa: surface hydrology and nitrate losses in discharge

Nonpoint source pollution of surface water by nitrate from agricultural activities is a national problem. An agricultural watershed in the Iowa Loess Hills with a 23-year history of annual corn production with average N fertilization is studied. Headcut seepage is transported through a natural riparian zone and observed as weir baseflow; surface runoff is measured separately. Nitrate runoff graphs illustrate the importance of high-frequency sampling of each event to permit quantitative estimation of chemical loss. The concentration of nitrate carried from the field in basin drainage steadily increased from 20 mg L-1 in 1991. The rate of cumulative increase in the amount of applied N is greater than the rate of removal by the crop. Over the 23-year record, 23% of the mean annual application of N remains stored and available for leaching or chemical conversion by soil microbes. Nitrate removal during early spring snowmelt surface runoff shows a diurnal pattern that corresponds to the d...
The resident retreat for future academicians

The first Resident Retreat for Future Academicians was held in 2001 with the goal of recruiting and encouraging talented residents interested in careers in academia. In this issue of the JID, Hill et al. present findings to suggest that the retreat has indeed fulfilled its goal. It is our hope that the retreat, which is now in its tenth year, will continue to enlist the future leaders of our specialty.