cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case files of the Harvard medical toxicology fellowship: valacyclovir neurotoxicity and unintentional overdose.

A 24-year-old female with idiopathic end-stage renal disease (ESRD) for the past 8 months, currently on home peritoneal dialysis, presented to an outside hospital with progressive confusion, tremulousness, clumsiness and a sensation of being “outside her own body.” The patient had been in her usual state of health until 2 days prior, around the time she concomitantly began to have a breakout of her genital herpes. The patient was previously prescribed valacyclovir, dosed at 1000 mg twice daily × 3 days, to be taken during outbreaks. This was the first outbreak of her genital herpes since the development of her renal disease. Since starting the valacyclovir, her neurologic symptoms had gradually worsened, to the point that on the evening prior to admission, she was too confused to even complete her scheduled peritoneal dialysis. She was seen that night at an outside hospital (OSH A) where she regularly receives her care. There, she was noted to be hypertensive but otherwise had a reassuring exam. She was given labetalol orally and instructed to follow up closely with her primary care practitioner. Due to her worsening symptoms, the patient’s family called EMS the following morning, with a plan to bring the patient to OSH A. Unfortunately, en route to that hospital, the patient experienced a tonic-clonic seizure. EMS, therefore, diverted to a different hospital (OSH B), where she was found to be in status epilepticus resistant to both lorazepam and phenytoin. The patient was subsequently intubated with rapid sequence induction and further sedated with propofol, which terminated her seizure activity. Initial labs performed at OSH B showed a creatinine of 17 mg/dL (1503 μmol/L) although otherwise normal electrolytes, a negative urine and serum toxicology screen, a lumbar puncture with normal results, and a noncontrast head CTwhich was negative for acute bleed.
China: Converging to What?

Rather than looking at the entire East Asian region, this article studies one of its major economies--that of China--and questions where it is heading. After outlining the history of the Chinese economy over the past two decades, during which it moved toward an increasingly market-based economy, Perkins contends that the Chinese system is still not close enough to the Anglo-American model to comply with international standards as exemplified by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) or the International Monetary Fund (IMF). China is instead closer to the South Korean and Japanese models, where the state plays a greater role in the economy. Yet even this similarity is limited, making China's economy unique among all others in the current international order. While China must continue to move toward an economy in accordance with international norms, the current situation requires an international organisation that will recognise China's advances rather than demand immediate compliance.
A simplified approach to the subcutaneous placement of epidural catheters for long-term administration of morphine

Abstract The use of intraspinal narcotics to relieve pain of malignant origin represents a great advance in cancer pain management. For patients with a relatively short life expectancy, the delivery of intraspinal narcotics may be carried out using an as needed single-shot approach or via a simple percutaneous catheter. For patients with a longer life expectancy, implantation of subcutaneous delivery systems has been advocated to avoid complications including infection and catheter breakage. A simplified approach to placement of subcutaneous epidural catheters utilizing the Groshong silastic catheter and tunneling device is described.
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

A number of striking changes have occurred recently in the presentation and course of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who are receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Before the use of HAART, CMV retinitis was the most common intraocular infection in patients with AIDS, occurring in up to 40% of patients, typically when CD4+ cell counts have decreased to less than 0.10 × 109/L. By studying CMV retinitis, clinicians can investigate whether the rejuvenated immune system that results from HAART can effectively control opportunistic infections in patients with AIDS. In some patients, retinitis has not progressed when specific anti-CMV therapy was discontinued, but a number of patients have developed substantial intraocular inflammation, which has resulted in decreased visual acuity. Anterior uveitis, cataract, vitritis, cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membrane, and disc edema may occur in patients with CMV retinitis who have experienced HAART-associated elevation in CD4+ cell counts. Since immune recovery uveitis does not occur in eyes without CMV retinitis, the ocular inflammation appears to be related to the CMV infection. Anti-CMV maintenance therapy likely can be safely discontinued in some patients with CMV retinitis if CD4+ cell counts are stable or increasing and have been higher than 0.10 × 109/L for at least 3 months. Immune recovery in patients receiving HAART has been effective in controlling opportunistic infections, but it may also result in intraocular inflammation, which can have adverse effects on the eye.
Market Theories Evolve, And so Do Markets

Responding to Mirowski's target article, this paper discusses some intellectual currents of the 1970s to 1990s and offers suggestions on measuring market performance, on including automated agents as market participants, on evolving new market formats, and on dealing with highly differentiated goods. Acknowledgments. I am grateful to Associate Editor Rosser for inviting me to participate in this symposium and to Philip Mirowski for writing a timely and engaging target article. Some of the material comes from a recent NSF proposal co-written with James C. Cox. The paper mentions many other intellectual debts. Of course, I retain sole responsibility for lapses of style and substance.
Lethal effect of visible light on a mutant strain of haploid yeast. I. General dependencies.

Abstract 1. 1. The ability to develop a photolethal sensitivity to visible light has been demonstrated for a respiration-deficient mutant of a haploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae . This ability is present in rapidly dividing cells as opposed to resting cells of the same strain or respiring diploid S. cerevisiae . 2. 2. The rate of light-sensitivity development in a non-nutrient buffer is dependent on the conditions of storage. The rate increases markedly with temperature and pH, and decreases with the molarity of the buffer. Incubation with dextrose prior to storage markedly reduces the subsequent development of light sensitivity. 3. 3. Photodynamic action is indicated by a strong dependence of photolethality on oxygen tension. 4. 4. Although the correlation is not 1:1, the lethality produced by light strongly affects CO 2 production compared to the affects on cell metabolism of other types of radiation. 5. 5. The sigmoid shape of the light-survival curve compared to the exponential x-ray survival curve, as well as other considerations, indicate that the sites of the photo effect is probably non-genetic.
Time-correlated luminescence from MeV projectile impacts

Previous work by Tuszynski et al. [Nucl. Instr. and Meth. B 107 (1996) 160] has shown that the photon yield from the impact of 252Cf fission fragments on several organic samples was affected by the potential applied to the sample. An investigation of this effect in our laboratory demonstrates that a significant component of this enhancement is from cathodoluminescence.
Nature of polymerization and properties of silicate melts and glasses at high pressure

Abstract The structures of sodium silicate and aluminosilicate glasses quenched from melts at high pressure (6–10 GPa) with varying degrees of polymerization (fractions of nonbridging oxygen) were explored using solid-state NMR [17O and 27Al triple-quantum magic-angle spinning (3QMAS) NMR]. The bond connectivity in melts among four and highly coordinated network polyhedra, such as [4]Al, [5,6]Al, [4]Si, and [5,6]Si, at high pressure is shown to be significantly different from that at ambient pressure. In particular, in the silicate and aluminosilicate melts, the proportion of nonbridging oxygen (NBO) generally decreases with increasing pressure, leading to the formation of new oxygen clusters that include 5- and 6-coordinated Si and Al in addition to 4-coordinated Al and Si, such as [4]Si-O-[5,6]Si, [4]Si-O-[5,6]Al and Na-O-[5,6]Si. While the fractions of [5,6]Al increase with pressure, the magnitude of this increase diminishes with increasing degrees of ambient-pressure polymerization under isobaric conditions. Incorporating the above structural information into models of melt properties reproduces the anomalous pressure-dependence of O2− diffusivity and viscosity often observed in silicate melts.
Infusion of Pregnant Rats with Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP)8-37, a CGRP Receptor Antagonist, Increases Blood Pressure and Fetal Mortality and Decreases Fetal Growth

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is the most potent endogenous vasodilatory peptide, and is involved in the regulation of blood flow to vital organs. We have previously shown that CGRP may be involved in vascular adaptations that occur during pregnancy, and that steroid hormones may be involved in these mechanisms. We hypothesized that endogenous CGRP is required for maintaining blood pressure and fetoplacental growth in pregnant rats, and that progesterone will enhance CGRP effects. The vasodilatory effects of CGRP are known to be inhibited by a competitive CGRP receptor antagonist, the C-terminal fragment CGRP(8-37). In the present study, we investigated whether continuous s.c. infusion of CGRP(8-37) to pregnant rats will reduce fetoplacental growth and increase systolic blood pressure. We also assessed whether progesterone will alter the effects of CGRP(8-37) on blood pressure during postpartum. Groups of five pregnant rats were s.c. infused with varying doses of CGRP(8-37) from Day 17 of pregnancy. Daily systolic blood pressures, pup weight, mortality at term delivery, and fetoplacental weights on Day 20 of gestation were measured. CGRP(8-37) at a dose of 0.083 mg day(-1) kg(-1) body weight (BW) showed no effects; however, doses of 0.33 and 1.33 mg day(-1) kg(-1) BW increased (P < 0.05) blood pressure during pregnancy, and these elevated blood pressures persisted during postpartum with the highest dose used. Progesterone (2 mg per injection, twice a day; s.c.) treatment significantly elevated blood pressure in rats infused with CGRP(8-37) during postpartum, suggesting that progesterone regulates CGRP-induced vascular effects. CGRP(8-37) infusion caused significant reductions in pup weight with an increase in mortality rate, and these effects were dose-dependent. Placental and fetal weights were also decreased prior to term on Day 20 of gestation, 72 h after CGRP(8-37) infusion, indicating effects on uteroplacental tissues. Therefore, we suggest that endogenous CGRP plays an important role in maintaining normal fetoplacental development, fetal survival, and vascular adaptations during pregnancy.
Serum lysosomal hydrolases in cystic fibrosis.

Abstract The activities of a number of lysosomal hydrolases were determined in sera from 100 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), age 2–35 yr, and age-matched controls: β-hexosaminidase activity was significantly elevated ( p 13 yr). The following enzyme activities were not altered in CF serum: α-fucosidase, β-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase. The abnormal patterns of serum α-mannosidase and β-hexosaminidase in CF cannot be explained by pancreatic disease or undernutrition, since serum values of these hydrolases in patients with anorexia nervosa or acute pancreatitis were not altered. However, the altered activities of the α-mannosidase and β-hexosaminidase were proportional to the degree of pulmonary insufficiency in the CF group, indicating that these changes are probably a secondary consequence of the primary disease process. Except for β-hexosaminidase, because differences in the serum hydrolases in CF do not become apparent until the second decade of life, determinations of lysosomal enzyme activities in serum will probably be of little diagnostic value.
Metal-Ligand Directed Assembly of Layered Cluster-Based Coordination Polymer and Its Solvent-Mediated Structural Transformations

A two-dimensional (2D) cluster-based coordination polymer with 4,4-net framework was assembled from solution using the metal–ligand directed assembly methodology. The 2D framework undergoes solvent-mediated structural transformations leading to formation of either a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded framework when using MeOH solution of (Et4N)+ or one-dimensional coordination polymer in the presence of MeOH solution of 4,4′-dipyridyl N,N′-dioxide (dpyo).
Does innate immune privilege exist

Immune privilege in the eye is believed to originate from the eye's need to avoid the sight-destroying consequences of inflammation. Over the past 25 years, many of the anatomical, cellular, and molecular mechanisms by which the eye avoids inflammation secondary to adaptive immune responses have been elucidated. In the recent past, it has become increasingly clear that innate immune responses play a critical role in activating the adaptive immune response. Moreover, innate immunity itself carries a heavy burden of inflammation, thereby posing a threat to vision if it should occur intraocularly. Ocular immunologists have now begun to inquire into the extent to which the eye regulates the expression of innate immunity in oculi. Evidence is presented which indicates that factors found in normal aqueous humor (1) prevent NK cells from lysing their targets, (2) inhibit neutrophil activation by CD95 ligand, (3) suppress nitric oxide production by activated macrophages, and (4) interfere with complement activation via the alternative pathway. These factors include transforming growth factor-beta2, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and migration inhibitory factor. The ability of the eye to prevent intraocular activation of innate immune effectors spares the corneal endothelium (which expresses CD95 ligand constitutively, but low levels of MHC class I molecules) from destruction by NK cells and neutrophils, and protects the visual axis from distortion by macrophage and complement-mediated inflammation. Thus, privilege exists in the eye for both adaptive and innate immunity.
Design and control of a ultracapacitor boosted hybrid fuel cell vehicle

In this paper, an ultracapacitor boosted hybrid fuel cell vehicle drive train has been introduced, in which, fuel cell provides basic power and ultracapacitor provides peaking power to meet load demand. A unidirectional boost DC/DC converter couples the fuel cell to the DC bus, and a bidirectional buck/boost converter couples the ultracapacitor to the DC bus. The system parameters have been designed, which includes, traction motor power rating, fuel cell power and ultracapacitor energy capacity. A control strategy has been developed for controlling the fuel cell to operate in its high efficiency region and the ultracapacitor to deliver peaking power to meet the load demand. Simulation has been performed to verify drive train performance for full load acceleration and speed varying driving pattern.
Insecticide metabolism and mode of action

Abstract The metabolism, both in vitro and in vivo , of the chiral isomers of the phosphonodithioate insecticide fonofos was examined. The absolute configurations of the fonofos isomers and relevant oxidation products were established by x-ray diffraction analysis and chemical correlation. Oxidation of fonofos to the corresponding oxon in the presence of mouse liver mixed-function oxidase occurred predominantly with retention of configuration. The difference in toxicities of the fonofos enantiomers to insects and mammals is rationalized in terms of stereoselectivity in target site inhibition by the oxon, stereoselectivity in fonofos to fonofos oxon conversion and detoxication by other enzymes.
Continuous Profiling of Runway and Taxiway Pavements with Rolling Dynamic Deflectometer at Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport:

The rolling dynamic deflectometer (RDD) is powerful tool for use in managing airport pavements. With the RDD, continuous deflection profiles of runways and taxiways can be efficiently and effectively measured. These continuous profiles, both in the longitudinal and transverse directions, provide valuable information about the condition of the pavement system. The profiles are especially valuable because the entire pavement is tested and characterized rather than approximating the system with a limited number of discrete measurements to represent the entire pavement. The capabilities of the RDD were demonstrated by testing pavements at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. One existing runway, one existing taxiway, and a newly constructed (but not yet opened) runway were tested. The conditions of the different intact pavement sections and the various pavement joints are readily shown in the measured deflection profiles. In most cases, heavily trafficked pavement sections showed higher deflections than c...
Robust representations for out-of-domain emotions using Emotion Profiles

The proper representation of emotion is of vital importance for human-machine interaction. A correct understanding of emotion would allow interactive technology to appropriately respond and adapt to users. In human-machine interaction scenarios it is likely that over the course of an interaction, the human interaction partner will express an emotion not seen during the training of the machine's emotion models. It is therefore crucial to prepare for such eventualities by developing robust representations of emotion that can distinctly represent emotions regardless of whether the data were seen during training of the representation. This novel work demonstrates that an Emotion Profile (EP) representation introduced in [1], a representation composed of the confidences of four binary emotion-specific classifiers, can distinctly represent emotions unseen during training. The classification accuracy increases by only 0.35% over the full dataset when the data excluded from the EP training is included. The results demonstrate that EPs are a robust method for emotion representation.
The erythroid/myeloid lineage fate paradigm takes a new player

This issue of The EMBO Journal features a new paradigm for cell lineage commitment. By studying early haematopoiesis in zebrafish, Roger Patient and colleagues characterize the Tif1 gamma-ligase as a context-specific regulator of Gata1/PU1-driven fate decisions.
Finding All Real Points of a Complex Curve

An algorithm is given to compute the real points of the irreducible one-dimensional complex components of the solution sets of systems of polynomials with real coe‐cients. The algorithm is based on homotopy continuation and the numerical irreducible decomposition. An extended application is made to Gri‐s-Dufiy platforms, a class of Stewart-Gough platform robots. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classiflcation. Primary 65H10; Secondary 65H20, 14Q99.
The Triptych FPGA architecture

Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are an important implementation medium for digital logic. Unfortunately, they currently suffer from poor silicon area utilization due to routing constraints. In this paper we present Triptych, an FPGA architecture designed to achieve improved logic density with competitive performance. This is done by allowing a per-mapping tradeoff between logic and routing resources, and with a routing scheme designed to match the structure of typical circuits. We show that, using manual placement, this architecture yields a logic density improvement of up to a factor of 3.5 over commercial FPGAs, with comparable performance. We also describe Montage, the first FPGA architecture to fully support asynchronous and synchronous interface circuits.
Subduction of the Kula Ridge at the Aleutian Trench

A simple model of the probable topographic and thermal consequences of subducting an oceanic spreading center at an island arc predicts three geologic effects: shoaling and subaerial emergence of the crest of the arc; decrease or cessation of subduction-related magmatism; and regional low-grade thermal metamorphism (..delta..T approximately equal to 100 to 300/sup 0/C) of the arc rocks. All three of these phenomena are recorded in the geology of the Aleutian Islands, and the following sequence of events is indicated: (1) diminution of magmatism on approach of the Kula Ridge in middle Eocene times (approximately equal to 45 m.y. ago), marked by a conformable transition from volcanic-rich to volcanic-poor early-series rocks; (2) shoaling and emergence of the crest of the Aleutian arc in late Eocene to Oligocene time, marked by a deep- to shallow-marine transition in sedimentation and then an arc-wide unconformity above the early series and its probable ''submarine equivalent,'' the now-dissected Aleutian crestal platform; (3) subduction of the Kula Ridge and greenschist metamorphism of the early-series rocks at about 30 to 35 m.y. ago, inferred from K-Ar ages; (4) subsidence of the arc down the south flank of the Kula Ridge in middle Oligocene to Miocene time, as themore » Pacific plate was subducted; and (5) abrupt resumption of arc magmatism 15 m.y. ago. This history of events is consistent with the timing of plate motions in the North Pacific and suggests that there has been essentially continuous underthrusting at the Aleutian Trench since at least 45 to 50 m.y. ago, with subduction of 900 to 1,000 km of ocean floor since 30 to 35 m.y. ago.« less
Comparison of estrogen and progesterone receptor, Ki-67, and p53 immunoreactivity in uterine endometrioid carcinoma and endometrioid carcinoma with squamous, mucinous, secretory, and ciliated cell differentiation

An analysis of 77 uterine endometrioid carcinomas was performed to compare pure endometrioid carcinomas and endometrioid carcinomas with various types of cellular differentiation for the expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors, p53, and Ki-67 and to correlate these findings with clinicopathologic features. Forty-three pure endometrioid carcinomas and 34 endometrioid carcinomas displaying additional types of cellular differentiation in at least 10% of the tumor (16 squamous, 11 mucinous, four ciliated cell, and three secretory) were analyzed. In 8 of the 16 tumors with squamous differentiation, the squamous component was histologically benign (low grade), and in eight tumors it was histologically malignant (high grade). In tumors showing various types of cellular differentiation except those with a high-grade squamous component, comparison of the endometrioid glandular component with the squamous, mucinous, secretory, and ciliated cell components showed that ER/PR, Ki-67, and p53 expression were generally higher in the glandular component compared with the various differentiated components. These findings parallel the changes that occur in the endometrium in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and, therefore, suggest that the differentiated components have undergone terminal differentiation. In contrast, in endometrioid carcinomas with a high-grade squamous component, Ki-67 and p53 expression were the same in the glandular and squamous components suggesting that squamous epithelium in these tumors represented another pathway of cellular differentiation but not one that was terminally differentiated. Endometrioid carcinomas with a high-grade squamous component had significantly higher grade (P = .002), stage (P < .001), cellular proliferation index (P = .0005), and worse outcome (P = .0009) compared with tumors with the other types of cellular differentiation, including those with a low-grade squamous component and pure low-grade endometrioid carcinomas. In addition, carcinomas with a high-grade squamous component occurred in older women and were more frequently associated with atrophic endometrium and less replacement hormone therapy, but the differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, endometrioid carcinomas with various types of cellular differentiation can be broadly divided into two groups. Tumors with mucinous, secretory, and ciliated cell differentiation and those with a low-grade squamous component are similar to pure low-grade endometrioid carcinomas in that most have high ER and PR expression, low cellular proliferation indices, low p53 immunoreactivity, and good prognosis. In contrast, endometrioid carcinomas with a high-grade squamous component lack expression of ER and PR, have high cellular proliferation indices, often express p53, and have a prognosis similar to poorly differentiated endometrioid carcinomas.
STUDIES IN CONVERGENCE OF STOCHASTIC MODELS IN ROUGH-SURFACE HYDRODYNAMIC LUBRICATION THEORY

Abstract The stochastic Reynolds equation for hydrodynamic lubrication with random homogeneous roughness of the lubricated surface is studied using series expansions. In the case in which the roughness function δ ϵ C 0 ( \ gW) , we show convergence of the series for pressure and its expectation in the Sobolev space H 1 (Ω) , whereas in the case in which δ ϵ C 1 ( \ gW) , the series converge in C 2 (Ω) provided ▽δ is uniformly bounded.
Efficient Evaluation Functions for Multi-Rover Systems

Evolutionary computation can successfully create control policies for single-agent continuous control problems. This paper extends single-agent evolutionary computation to multi-agent systems, where a large collection of agents strives to maximize a global fitness evaluation function that rates the performance of the entire system. This problem is solved in a distributed manner, where each agent evolves its own population of neural networks that are used as the control policies for the agent. Each agent evolves its population using its own agent-specific fitness evaluation function. We propose to create these agent-specific evaluation functions using the theory of collectives to avoid the coordination problem where each agent evolves neural networks that maximize its own fitness function, yet the system as a whole achieves low values of the global fitness function. Instead we will ensure that each fitness evaluation function is both “aligned” with the global evaluation function and is “learnable,” i.e., the agents can readily see how their behavior affects their evaluation function. We then show how these agent-specific evaluation functions outperform global evaluation methods by up to 600% in a domain where a collection of rovers attempts to maximize the amount of information observed while navigating through a simulated environment.
W3Bcrypt: encryption as a stylesheet

While web-based communications (e.g., webmail or web chatrooms) are increasingly protected by transport-layer cryptographic mechanisms, such as the SSL/TLS protocol, there are many situations where even the web server (or its operator) cannot be trusted. The end-to-end (E2E) encryption of data becomes increasingly important in these trust models to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the data against snooping and modification. We introduce W3Bcrypt, an extension to the Mozilla Firefox platform that enables application-level cryptographic protection for web content. In effect, we view cryptographic operations as a type of style to be applied to web content, similar to and along with layout and coloring operations. Among the main benefits of using encryption as a stylesheet are (a) reduced workload on the web server, (b) targeted content publication, and (c) greatly increased privacy. This paper discusses our implementation for Firefox, although the core ideas are applicable to most current browsers.
A constructive proof of Scherk's theorem on the representation of primes

All of the known proofs of Scherk's theorem are existence proofs which are non-constructive, and don't provide a procedure for choosing the signs in Scherk's representation of primes. This paper presents a constructive proof of Scherk's theorem based on an explicit algorithm for choosing the signs in time 0(n).
A retrospective analysis of fentanyl and sufentanil for cardiac transplantation.

Drug requirements, hemodynamic responses, and fluid balance were retrospectively studied in 65 male patients undergoing cardiac transplantation. Twenty patients received fentanyl-oxygen (88 ± 7 μ g/kg), and 45 patients received sufentanil-oxygen (20 ± 1 μ g/kg) as the primary anesthetic technique. The left ventricular ejection fraction averaged 15% and 18%, respectively. Hemodynamic stability was maintained during induction, bypass, and postbypass periods with both drugs. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was terminated with isoproterenol support for all patients. Additional inotropic support was required for 65% of fentanyl- and 56% of sufentanil-treated patients. Pacemaker support was required less frequently for sufentanil- than fentanyl-treated patients ( P
Contrasting Real Estate with Comparable Investments, 1978 to 2008

The authors study the annual returns of U.S. real estate over the 31-year period starting in 1978. With aggregate private real estate worth over $30 trillion and representing 60% of U.S. acreage, residential real estate—consisting primarily of single-owner-occupied houses—has by far the largest dollar value of any category of real estate. For the study period, business (commercial) real estate was the best-performing sector with a 9.99% average annual return. In comparison, farm real estate and residential real estate had average annual returns of 8.76% and 5.68%, respectively. All real estate sectors, as well as stock, bond, and commodity markets outperformed the average annual inflation rate of 4.01% over the period. Because physical real estate is not liquid and valuations are often based on appraisals rather than trades, its annual return can be hard to measure precisely and may be difficult to achieve. All physical real estate sectors are correlated with inflation, but equity REITs are more correlated with stock markets. Equity REITs substantially outperformed physical real estate over the sample period, and mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs suffered badly from the subprime mortgage crisis. All categories of real estate performed well during the two periods 1978–1979 and 2000–2005, but after enjoying decades of subsidized returns, residential real estate crashed during the subprime mortgage crisis, opening the door to the eventual fall of the commercial (business) real estate market.
HD 97048's CIRCUMSTELLAR ENVIRONMENT AS REVEALED BY A HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE ACS CORONAGRAPHIC STUDY OF DISK CANDIDATE STARS

We present the results of a coronagraphic scattered-light imaging survey of six young disk candidate stars using the Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys. The observations made use of the 1.8" occulting spot through the F606W (broad V) filter. Circumstellar material was imaged around HD 97048, a Herbig Ae/Be star located in the Chamaeleon I dark cloud at a distance of 180 pc. The material is seen between ~2" (360 AU) and ~4" (720 AU) from the star in all directions. A V-band azimuthally averaged radial surface brightness profile peaks at r = 2" with a value of 19.6 ± 0.2 mag arcsec^(-2) and smoothly decreases with projected distance from the star as I ∝ r^(-3.3±0.5). An integrated flux of 16.8 ± 0.1 mag is measured between 2" and 4", corresponding to a scattered-light fractional luminosity lower limit of L_(sca)/L_* > 8.4 × 10^(-4). Filamentary structure resembling spiral arms similar to that seen in Herbig Ae/Be disks is observed. Such structure has been attributed to the influence of orbiting planets or stellar encounters. Average surface brightness upper limits are determined for the five nondetections: HD 34282, HD 139450, HD 158643, HD 159492, and HD 195627. Possible reasons for the nondetections are disks that are too faint or disks hidden by the occulter.
Conducted dilations initiated by purines in arterioles are endothelium dependent and require endothelial Ca2

The signaling pathways underlying the regulation of vascular resistance by purines in intact microvessels and particularly in communication of remote vasomotor responses are unclear. One process by...
Provably good routing tree construction with multi-port terminals

Previous literature on VLSI routing and wiring estimation typically assumes a one-to-one correspondence between terminals and ports. In practice, however (say, in a gridded routing regime), each \terminal" consists of a large collection of electrically equivalent ports, a fact that is not accounted for in layout steps such as wiring estimation. The presence of multiple ports for a given terminal gives rise to the group Steiner minimal tree problem. In this paper, we address the general problem of minimum-cost routing tree construction in the presence of multi-port terminals. Our main result is the rst known heuristic with a sub-linear performance bound. In particular, for a net with k multi-port terminals, previous heuristics have a performance bound of (k 1) OPT , while our construction o ers an improved performance bound of (1 + ln k 2 ) pk OPT . Our Java implementation is available on the World Wide Web.
Variations on a theme? Polyp and medusa development in Podocoryna carnea

The life cycles of many cnidarian species are notable for including two stages with very different morphologies – sessile polyp and swimming medusa. Cnidarians thus provide an opportunity to study the developmental bases of differences in body organization without the need to compare organisms of different taxa. Information about the two life cycle stages suggests the following questions about differences in their development. (1) Are the mouth and tentacle-bearing region (bell margin) specified using any of the same molecular mechanisms as in the polyp? (2) Has the oral-aboral axis of the medusa been truncated relative to that of the polyp by elimination of molecular processes specifying aboral tissue identity? (3) Is the elongated region between the hydrozoan medusa mouth and tentacle ring (the manubrium) patterned using processes that pattern the entire oral-aboral axis in the polyp? We describe how data on their expression of FoxA, NK-2, and Emx genes during polyp and medusa development, together with reagents targeting specific signaling pathways, could be used to address these questions. We have isolated portions of a FoxA2 homologue, an NK-2 gene, and two Emx genes from Podocoryna carnea Sars, an experimentally tractable hydrozoan with both polyp and medusa stages. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the two P. carnea Emx genes are the result of a gene duplication.
A longitudinal social network analysis of the editorial boards of medical informatics and bioinformatics journals.

Objective: The goal of this research is to learn how the editorial staffs of bioinformatics and medical informatics journals provide support for cross-community exposure. Models such as co-citation and co-author analysis measure the relationships between researchers; but they do not capture how environments that support knowledge transfer across communities are organized. Methods: In this paper, we propose a social network analysis model to study how editorial boards integrate researchers from disparate communities. We evaluate our model by building relational networks based on the editorial boards of approximately 40 journals that serve as research outlets in medical informatics and bioinformatics. We track the evolution of editorial relationships through a longitudinal investigation over the years 2000 through 2005. Results: Our findings suggest that there are research journals that support the collocation of editorial board members from the bioinformatics and medical informatics communities. Network centrality metrics indicate that editorial board members are located in the intersection of the communities and that the number of individuals in the intersection is growing with time. Conclusions: Social network analysis methods provide insight into the relationships between the medical informatics and bioinformatics communities. The number of editorial board members facilitating the publication intersection of the communities has grown, but the intersection remains dependent on a small group of individuals and fragile.
Conservation and Social Structure of Stephens' Kangaroo Rat: Implications from Burrow-Use Behavior

Understanding patterns of burrow-use behavior can provide insights into social structure and may have important implications for management of threatened or endangered species. Most kangaroo rat species are assumed to be solitary, but some populations of the endangered Stephens’ kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi) exhibit aggregated burrow associations. Observation of burrow-use patterns over a period of 2 years allowed us to assess the extent of burrow sharing, providing insights into the degree of sociality in this species. Understanding burrow-use patterns also is critical for conservation because the most widely used technique for population estimation for this species relies on a linear relation between burrow density and population size. Although the density of burrow entrances is known to correlate positively with population density, very little is known about how robust this correlation is in the face of changing demographic and environmental variables. Over 14 threenight sessions, burrow entrance sharing occurred between 26% of individuals, with up to 4 individuals sharing a single burrow entrance. The predominant burrow sharing combination (42%) was adult males with adult females. The number of burrow entrances used varied by location and by age of inhabitant. The relationship between density of burrow entrances and that of D. stephensi varied significantly by location but not by date, and individuals in high-density populations used fewer burrow entrances than individuals in low-density populations. Consequently, variation in location, population density, and ratio of juveniles to adults should all be considered when using the method of counting burrow entrances to estimate population size. When these factors vary, the relationship of burrow entrance count to D. stephensi density may need to be recalibrated to predict density accurately. We recommend this method be employed cautiously and that results obtained be interpreted as conservative estimates of population size.
Abstract 61: Hypertension in a Rat Model of Postmenopausal Hyperandrogenemia (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): Roles of the Renin-Angiotensin and Sympathetic Nervous Systems

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive disorder in premenopausal women. PCOS is characterized by hyperandrogenemia that does not abate after menopause. Hyperandrogenemic postmenopausal women (HA-PMW) are hypertensive, but the mechanisms responsible have not been elucidated. Hypertension in PMW is less well controlled than in age-matched men. We have developed a model, the hyperandrogenemic postcycling female (PMHAF) rat, aged 13-14 mos, that exhibits many of the characteristics found in HA-PMW. In the present studies we tested the hypothesis that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) contribute to hypertension in PMHAF rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with dihydrotestosterone (7.5mg/90d) or placebo pellets beginning at 4 wks of age, and pellets were changed every 85 d. At 12-13 mos of age, PMHAF rats were obese compared to placebo controls, and CT scans showed that both total adipose (TAF) and visceral adipose (VAF) were increased in PMHAF vs placebo controls (n=4/grp) (TAF: 7.9±0.5 vs 5.46±1.00 AU/g BW, p 1 -β 1,2 -Adrenergic blockade reduced MAP by 13% in PMHAF rats, the same level as in placebo controls, and had no effect in placebo controls (110±12 vs 102±5 mmHg, p
A Selenophene Containing Benzodithiophene-alt-thienothiophene Polymer for Additive-Free High Performance Solar Cell

A selenophene-modified PTB7, PBDTSe-TT, is reported. The structure adjustment carried out by alkylselenophene substitution on the BDT building block is shown to slightly affect the polymer’s electronic property, and an enlarged VOC of the resulting photovoltaic device is observed. More importantly, the PBDTSe-TT:PC71BM bulk-heterojunction thin film morphology can be optimized through this modification. As a result, an efficient PCE of 8.8% is achieved without using any solvent additive or special interfacial layer. In addition, the PBDTSe-TT-based device is relatively stable under thermal stress, making it a good candidate for fabricating stacking cells. Finally, a ∼10% PCE tandem device is demonstrated by using identical PBDTSe-TT:PC71BM subcells.
Trap-Lure Combinations for Surveys of Mediterranean Fruit Flies in Hawaii

When the effectiveness of trap-lure combinations in capturing Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) was compared in Hawaii, the Steiner plastic trap baited with trimedlure proved to be the most sensitive. The McPhail invaginated glass trap baited with a solution of Protein Insecticide Bait no. 7 plus borax occasionally performed as well or better but was erratic. The Nadel trap baited with trimedlure caught fewer flies but should be considered because it is economical and easily serviced.
And-Or Parallel Implementation of Prolog

Most models that have been proposed (or implemented) so far for exploiting both or-parallelism and independent and-parallelism have only considered pure logic programs (pure Prolog). We present an abstract model, called the Composition-tree, for representing and-or parallelism in full Prolog. The Binding Array scheme is extended for and-or parallel execution based on the Composition-tree. We also show how extra-logical predicates, such as cuts and side-effects, can be supported in this model.
Anion Binding Exosites as a Target to Understand the Activation of Thrombin

In blood coagulation, thrombin is expressed as the 72 kDa zymogen Prothrombin (ProT) that is composed of Fragment 1 (1-155), Fragment 2 (156-271), and a protease domain (272-579). ProT is physiologically activated by the Prothrombinase Complex (FXa, cofactor FVa, phospholipid, and calcium) following cleavages at R320 and R271. The resultant protease thrombin utilizes its anion binding exosites (ABE I and II) to regulate substrate specificity. Little is known about how these exosites mature as ProT is converted to thrombin. In the current project, NMR methods were used to characterize the binding of protease activator receptor (PAR) peptides to (pro)-ABE I. 1D proton line broadening and 2D transferred-NOESY studies revealed that PAR3 (43-56) and PAR1 (49-63) each bound in an extended conformation to immature pro-ABE I on ProT. Binding interactions increased in the presence of thrombin containing a mature ABE I. Unlike previous crystallography work, NMR could evaluate binding of the PAR1 acidic tail sequence (58DEEKN62) to (pro)-ABE I. 15N- HSQC NMR titration experiments were used to map the binding roles of individual PAR3 residues. With PAR3G51 (43-56), 15N-labeled F47 and 15N-labeled D54 both reported on interactions with pro-ABE I on ProT versus ABE I on thrombin. 15N-labeled D54 exhibited major line broadening during the titration with thrombin consistent with enhanced ligand affinity toward mature ABE I. By contrast, the large changes in chemical shift observed during the titration of 15N-labeled F47 with thrombin reflected a significant change in exosite environment for PAR3G51 F47 without altering the binding affinity. Results are consistent with D54 playing an electrostatic role in anchoring PAR3G51 to (pro)-ABE I followed by a supporting hydrophobic role for F47. Greater knowledge on exosite maturation will lead to new strategies for controlling procogulation and anticoagulation.
Embracing the Apocalypse

Visions of the apocalypse where somehow humans survive to witness the event. Religious apocalypticism and “the rapture.” Global warming and the end of the Earth. In defense of a depeopled planet. Prophecies of the end times. Eco-tainment, and the world restored to its natural state. The extinction of mankind as a desired outcome. The imagination of disaster. “Speciesism,” or the supposed supremacy of humankind. Communication in animals. The films Red Desert and Safe as ecological narratives. The films Martyrs and La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc; torture and the reality of faith.
Correcting Faulty General Person-Schemas with Things Fall Apart, “The Old Chief Mshlanga,” and Candide

In addition to faulty prototypes of specific groups, literary study can also correct faulty general person-schemas that blind us to the Other’s need, blamelessness, and common humanity by obscuring four key truths about human existence: (1) that human behavior and life outcomes are often determined more by external circumstances than by the person; (2) that a person’s character is determined largely by formative experiences and environments outside the person’s control; (3) that all humans possess both good and bad traits—no one is all good or totally bad; and (4) that all humans are interconnected with each other by their common humanity, their mutual interdependence, and innate emotional attunement. Pedagogical practices for correcting the faulty schemas are discussed.
Differentiating incidental lung nodules due to lung cancer from those due to coccidioidomycosis

Introduction: Lung nodules are commonly detected on CT scans, and correctly identifying those due to lung cancer is challenging especially in endemic areas for certain fungi. This difficulty can lead to unnecessary invasive procedures. Aims and Objectives: Using a database created from patients seen in an organized lung nodule clinic in an area endemic for Coccidioidomycosis (Cocci), we tested existing decision support tools for identifying nodules likely due to lung cancer. We subsequently reviewed clinical and radiographic characteristics among our patients and developed and tested a decision support tool targeted to our patient population. Methods: We entered patient specific information from 110 patients with Cocci and 192 patients with lung cancer into three existing on-line clinical calculators. The calculators performed well in patients with lung cancer (2% false negatives for lung cancer) but performed very poorly in patients with Cocci (84-95% false positives for lung cancer). Using clinical and radiographic criteria in our 302 patients, we identified differences between the two groups and calculated odds ratios for each of these elements. We then used the odds ratios to develop a scoring system with pre-determined cut points based on the 95% CI in the training group. We then applied the scoring system to an additional 61 patients (28 with Cocci and 33 with lung cancer). The new calculator had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 97% for the patients with Cocci. Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of adapting national and international guidelines for managing lung nodules to local conditions. This will help prevent unnecessary risk and cost.
Public health messages about perinatal marijuana use in an evolving policy context.

ABSTRACTBackground: Marijuana is a commonly used substance in pregnancy in the United States. It is unknown what public health messages about perinatal marijuana use are being disseminated in the changing policy landscape. Methods: The authors systematically searched 51 state and 5 federal public health agencies' Web sites in February 2016 for information about perinatal marijuana use. Of these, 1 federal agency and 10 state agencies had published information about perinatal marijuana use. Content analysis was performed by 2 investigators, with excellent interrater reliability (mean κ = 0.87). Results: Most content was targeted to the public, although 3 agencies had content targeted to health care providers. Common messages about health effects included adverse outcomes in infants and children exposed in utero and that marijuana can be passed via breast milk to infants. Eight sites mentioned health effects of marijuana use during breastfeeding, 5 included resources to stop using marijuana, 5 mentioned imp...