cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Leveraged and Inverse ETFs on Underlying Stock Returns

Leveraged and inverse ETFs (LETFs) were introduced in 2006 and their popularity surged starting in 2008. As of the first quarter of 2012 there were over 200 such ETFs with over $30 billion in assets under management (AUM). By late 2008 there was concern about their late-day impact on stock prices and by 2009 they were accused of causing market-wide volatility. A vocal set of market participants insist that LETF-related trading causes excess volatility and manipulates prices while others insist that the AUM is too small to impact the market. The pitch of the rhetoric reached sufficient levels to motivate a Senate Banking Committee hearing in October 2011. We examine six such LETFs and their impact on the trading of 63 real estate sector stocks. We find that late-day LETF rebalancing activity significantly moves the price of component stocks, increases their volatility, and that some of this impact is reversed in the first hour of the next day. The impact is the greatest for smaller, less actively traded, more volatile stocks. Our evidence is also consistent with predatory trading by strategic investors exploiting the predictable late-day order flow.
Loss of the flagellum happened only once in the fungal lineage: phylogenetic structure of Kingdom Fungi inferred from RNA polymerase II subunit genes

At present, there is not a widely accepted consensus view regarding the phylogenetic structure of kingdom Fungi although two major phyla, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, are clearly delineated. Regarding the lower fungi, Zygomycota and Chytridiomycota, a variety of proposals have been advanced. Microsporidia may or may not be fungi; the Glomales (vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) may or may not constitute a fifth fungal phylum, and the loss of the flagellum may have occurred either once or multiple times during fungal evolution. All of these issues are capable of being resolved by a molecular phylogenetic analysis which achieves strong statistical support for major branches. To date, no fungal phylogeny based upon molecular characters has satisfied this criterion. Using the translated amino acid sequences of the RPB1 and RPB2 genes, we have inferred a fungal phylogeny that consists largely of well-supported monophyletic phyla. Our major results, each with significant statistical support, are: (1) Microsporidia are sister to kingdom Fungi and are not members of Zygomycota; that is, Microsporidia and fungi originated from a common ancestor. (2) Chytridiomycota, the only fungal phylum having a developmental stage with a flagellum, is paraphyletic and is the basal lineage. (3) Zygomycota is monophyletic based upon sampling of Trichomycetes, Zygomycetes, and Glomales. (4) Zygomycota, Basidiomycota, and Ascomycota form a monophyletic group separate from Chytridiomycota. (5) Basidiomycota and Ascomycota are monophyletic sister groups. In general, this paper highlights the evolutionary position and significance of the lower fungi (Zygomycota and Chytridiomycota). Our results suggest that loss of the flagellum happened only once during early stages of fungal evolution; consequently, the majority of fungi, unlike plants and animals, are nonflagellated. The phylogeny we infer from gene sequences is the first one that is congruent with the widely accepted morphology-based classification of Fungi. We find that, contrary to what has been published elsewhere, the four morphologically defined phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Zygomycota and Chytridiomycota) do not overlap with one another. Microsporidia are not included within kingdom Fungi; rather they are a sister-group to the Fungi. Our study demonstrates the applicability of protein sequences from large, slowly-evolving genes to the derivation of well-resolved and highly supported phylogenies across long evolutionary distances.
Unit Cell Hypothesis for Streptococcus faecalis

Abstract The mass doubling times of exponential-phase cultures of Streptococcus faecalis were varied from 30 to 110 min by omitting glutamine from a defined growth medium and providing different concentrations of glutamate (ranging from 300 to 14 μg/ml). After Formalin fixation, cells were dried by the critical point method, and carbon-platinum replicas were prepared. The surface area and volume of cell poles seen in these replicas were estimated by a computer-assisted, three-dimensional reconstruction technique. It was found that the amount of surface area and volume of poles seen in these replicas were independent of the growth rate of culture from which the samples were taken. These observations were consistent with the unit cell model hypothesis of Donachie and Begg, in which a small number of surface sites would produce a constant amount of new cell surface regardless of the mass doubling time of the culture. However, measurements of the thickness of the cell wall taken from thin sections of the same cells showed that the cell wall increased in thickness as a function of the increase in cellular peptidoglycan content which occurs when the growth rate of this organism is slowed down by a decrease in glutamate concentration. Thus, it would seem that although the size of polar shells made by S. faecalis is invariant with growth rate, the amount of wall precursors used to construct these shells is not.
Fish passage facilities

A fish passage facility provides fish with a watered route around or through a barrier to migration in a fluvial system. Fish passage facilities have been designed for both natural and artificial barriers. Some passage facilities allow fish to propel themselves past the barrier, while others physically transport fish past the barrier. Fish passage facilities must provide passage during periods dictated by migratory requirements without injuring or unduly stressing fish. Fish passage facilities have been designed and constructed in North American, Europe, Russia, Latin American, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Japan. Depending on the region and type of application, fish passage facilities are also referred to as fishways, fish ladders, fish passes, fish bypasses, fish locks, and fish elevators. Keywords: fish passage facility; fishway; fish ladder; fish pass; fish bypass; fish lock; fish lift
Effect of polybasic amines on the immunogenicity of mycobacterial ribonucleic acid.

The five polybasic amines, methylated bovine serum albumin (MBSA), protamine sulfate, neomycin sulfate, streptomycin sulfate, and diethylaminoethyl-dextran (DEAE-dextran), were examined to determine their effects on the immunogenic activity of mycobacterial ribonucleic acid (RNA) preparations, and whether they could substitute for Freund incomplete adjuvant (FIA) by protecting the mycobacterial RNA in vivo. These compounds were either emulsified in FIA or not emulsified in FIA. Different results were obtained when these compounds, complexed with mycobacterial RNA, were emulsified in FIA. MBSA, in ratios of mycobacterial RNA-MBSA of 1:0.2 to 1:0.4, had no effect on immunogenic activity. However, when the ratio was increased to 1:1, 1:2, or to 1:4, marked inhibition of the immunogenic activity occurred. Protamine sulfate and neomycin sulfate also inhibited the immunogenic activity of mycobacterial RNA; however, neither streptomycin sulfate nor DEAE-dextran had any effect on immunogenic activity. Without being emulsified in FIA, these five polybasic amines, with the exception of DEAE-dextran, acted only as weak adjuvants for mycobacterial RNA and, therefore, could not be used as substitutes for FIA for the protection of mycobacterial RNA from host nucleases. DEAE-dextran, although not as effective as FIA, afforded some protection for the mycobacterial RNA. DEAE-dextran alone also produced a low degree of nonspecific immunity against tuberculosis. Since MBSA, protamine sulfate, and neomycin sulfate reduce the biological activity of mycobacterial RNA after complexing with it, it is probable that these compounds “mask” the immunogenic sites on the mycobacterial RNA structure.
Evaluation of a new absorbable lactomer® subcuticular staple

The most recent advance in skin stapling is the Auto Suture® SQS®-20 disposable stapler. It approximates and everts wound edges, placing one synthetic absorbable pin in the dermis each time the instrument handle is activated. Staple wound closure was accomplished four times faster than sutural closure of the dermis. Wounds with staple pin closure exhibit superior resistance to infection than wounds approximated by dermal sutures. Although sutures provide more immediate wound security, as measured by wound breaking strength, than dermal pins, the breaking strength of wounds subjected to either dermal pins or dermal sutures were not significantly different 14 days after wounding. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of S-nitrosation of hemoglobin on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and nitric oxide flux.

Free hemoglobin (Hb) augments hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), ostensibly by scavenging nitric oxide (NO). However, recent evidence suggests that Hb that is S-nitrosated may act as an NO donor and vasodilator. We studied the effects of oxyHb, Hb that is chemically modified to prevent heme binding or oxidation of NO (cyanometHb), and Hb that is S-nitrosated (SNO-Hb and SNO-cyanometHb) on HPV, expired NO (eNO), and perfusate S-nitrosothiol (SNO) concentration in isolated, perfused rabbit lungs. Perfusate containing either 4 μ M oxyHb or SNO-Hb increased normoxic pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa), augmented HPV dramatically, and resulted in an 80% fall in eNO in comparison to perfusion with buffer, whereas 4 μ M cyanometHb or SNO-cynanometHb had no effect on these variables. Excess glutathione (GSH) added to perfusate containing SNO-Hb resulted in a 20 to 40% fall in the perfusate SNO concentration, with a concomitant increase in metHb content, without affecting Ppa, HPV, or eNO. In conclusion, free H...
Alterations in heart rate variability in patients undergoing dobutamine stress echocardiography, including patients with neurocardiogenic hypotension.

Abstract Frequency-domain analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) appears to distinguish sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation of heart rate. The effects of acute reflex, as opposed to tonically augmented, cardiac vagal tone on HRV are not clearly defined. Power spectral components of HRV were measured in 36 patients undergoing dobutamine stress echocardiography including during episodes of neurocardiogenically mediated hypotension. The low-frequency (LF; 0.04 to 0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (HF; 0.15 to 0.40 Hz) components of HRV decreased with increasing dose of dobutamine (5 to 40 μg/kg/min) in patients whose systolic blood pressure, compared with baseline, remained within 20 mm Hg (normotensive) or increased >20 mm Hg (hypertensive). The ratio of LFHF became 20 mm Hg from baseline), LF and HF measures became significantly higher than those in the patients without hypotension, whereas the LFHF ratio was unchanged. These findings suggest that the HF component of HRV is a reliable measure of reflex-augmented cardiac vagal activity and lend further support to the importance of parasympathetic modulation of the LF component of HRV.
Figural Displacement with Quasi-Circular Stimuli

Koehler and Wallach (4) were unable to decide whether an outline circle should appear to expand, contract, or remain constant in size during prolonged fixation. Although satiation should be more intense inside the circle, the satiated area outside the circle is larger. They reported that some of their Ss saw the circle as slightly smaller after prolonged inspection, but others perceived no size change. In more recent research it has been reported that an outline circle shows various shape distortions under prolonged fixation ( 6 ) , and Japanese investigators ( 5 ) have repeatedly found that test circles which are presented in the same area of the visual field as that previously occupied by an inspection circle, are judged smaller than inspection circles of identical diameter. However, in all of the Japanese studies the usual figural aftereffect procedure has been employed, i.e., an inspection circle is presented on one side of the cenual fixation point, after which two test circles, one on each side of the fixation point, are presented. Thus, in this procedure not all of the contour of the inspection circle is equidistant from the fovea, as is the case if the inspection circle is fixated directly by fixating its cencer. I t is this latter case, size judgments during direcc fixation of a circle by fixating its center, which is of interest here. If Koehler and Wallach are correct in assuming that satiation is more incense inside the outine of a circle than outside, after the center of the circle has been fixated for a time, it should follow that the circle should appear to expand (increase in apparent diameter), since contours usually recede from more to less intensely satiated areas. Although apparent expansion may not actually occur, because of other factors, in a circle with a complete, unbroken contour, it should nevertheless follow that apparent expansion (which basically amounts to displacement of concour away from a central fixation point) would be perceived under some conditions. There are several possibilities. The one used in the present experiment consists of describing a circle with a minimum of contour, uiz., by a dot that rotates around the cenual fixation point. If the doc rotates slowly enough and is close enough to the fixation point co be perceived clearly as a segregated figure at all times, it should develop satiation and the satiation should spread to nearby areas. Since the dot's path describes an outline circle, continuous rotation, combined with continued fixation of the
Convergence of quantum electrodynamics in a curved modification of Minkowski space.

Abstract The interaction and total hamiltonians for quantum electrodynamics, in the interaction representation, are entirely regular self-adjoint operators in Hilbert space, in the universal covering manifold M of the conformal compactification of Minkowski space Mo. (M is conformally equivalent to the Einstein universe E, in which Mo may be canonically imbedded.) In a fixed Lorentz frame this may be expressed as convergence in a spherical space with suitable periodic boundary conditions in time. The traditional relativistic theory is the formal limit of the present variant as the space curvature vanishes.
Pigments in anomalous trichromats

Abstract Protanomalous and deuteranomalous subjects must have an abnormal cone pigment to account for their rejection of the normal Rayleigh equation (red + green = yellow). The technique of Exchange Thresholds was used to discover what it is. With the protanomalous, the red intensity was set so that a protanope could not detect the change from red to green. Thus detection by the protanomalous must be by action of his other kind of cone—the anomalous cone. The exchange lights were presented upon a steady background of either red or green light, and the red intensity was adjusted to raise the exchange threshold as much as the green did. Then anomalous cones absorb light equally from these two backgrounds. We set our Analytical Anomaloscope with this red/green ratio, and made Rayleigh matches with lights of various wave lengths. With this setting, the energy Eλ of each matching light is inversely as the spectral sensitivity of the anomalous pigment at λ. The protanomalous pigment curve has the shape expected of a visual pigment with peak at about 550 nm. The deuteranomalous pigment has its peak at about 555 nm.
Histone H1t: A tissue‐specific model used to study transcriptional control and nuclear function during cellular differentiation

One of the most prominent and best studied family of genes is the histone gene family. In recent years, histone gene regulation during the cell cycle of somatic cells has been studied extensively. This paper is intended to highlight and emphasize recent data concerning the tissue-specific expression of histone H1t using spermatogenesis as a model system. In this article we describe a unique DNA element within the proximal promoter of the histone H1t gene. This element has been shown to bind exclusively to nuclear proteins from pachytene spermatocytes and early spermatids. Thus, there is a strong temporal correlation between the appearance of the testis-specific DNA-binding protein and the onset of transcription of the testis-specific histone H1t gene.
Self-Reported Sleep Duration in Relation to Incident Stroke Symptoms: Nuances by Body Mass and Race from the REGARDS Study

Background To determine, among employed persons with low risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), if sleep duration is associated with incident stroke symptoms, independent of body mass index (BMI), and if sleep duration mediates racial differences in stroke symptoms. Methods In 2008, 5666 employed participants (US blacks and whites, ≥45 years) from the longitudinal and nationally representative Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke study self-reported their average sleep duration. Participants had no history of stroke, transient ischemic attack, or stroke symptoms and were at low risk for OSA. After the sleep assessment, self-reported stroke symptoms were collected at 6-month intervals, up to 3 years (M = 751 days). Interval-censored, parametric survival models were conducted to estimate hazard ratios predicting time from sleep duration measurement ( Results During follow-up, 224 participants reported 1 or more stroke symptoms. In the unadjusted model, short sleep ( Conclusions Among middle-aged to older employed individuals of normal weight and low risk of OSA, self-reported short sleep duration is prospectively associated with increased risk of stroke symptoms.
Parallelization of a Dynamic Monte Carlo Algorithm

We experiment with a massively parallel implementation of an algorithm for simulating the dynamics of metastable decay in kinetic Ising models. The parallel scheme is directly applicable to a wide range of stochastic cellular automata where the discrete events (updates) are Poisson arrivals. For high performance, we utilize a continuous-time, asynchronous parallel version of the n-fold way rejection-free algorithm. Each processing element carries an l×l block of spins, and we employ fast one-sided communication routines on a distributed-memory parallel architecture. Different processing elements have different local simulated times. To ensure causality, the algorithm handles the asynchrony in a conservative fashion. Despite relatively low utilization and an intricate relationship between the average time increment and the size of the spin blocks, we find that the algorithm is scalable and for sufficiently large l it outperforms its corresponding parallel Metropolis (non-rejection-free) counterpart. As a sample application, we present results for metastable decay in a model ferromagnetic or ferroelectric film, observed with a probe of area smaller than the total system.
Heterojunction bipolar transistors implemented with GaInNAs materials

Use of GaInNAs in the base of heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) on GaAs substrates allows a reduction of the turn-on voltage, Vbe,on, of the devices, facilitating their use in applications with low power supply voltage (particularly battery operated power amplifiers for mobile communications). Using GaInNAs with N content below 2% and In content of 1–20%, HBTs have been demonstrated with Vbe,on values lower by 25–400 mV than those of conventional GaAs-based HBTs. The GaInNAs base regions exhibit lower diffusion length than conventional GaAs bases, which reduces current gain and detracts from high-frequency performance, as well as higher base sheet resistance. These adverse effects can be mitigated by proper design tradeoffs of base thickness and nitrogen composition, as well as by compositional grading in the base to provide a built-in quasi-electric field to assist electron transport.
Calcium and Electric Potential across the Clam Mantle

An excised clam mantle develops a potential difference, shell side positive, when both surfaces are bathed by tap water or physiological saline solution. The magnitude and sign of the potential are sensitive to the calcium concentration in the bath solution. Bubbling carbon dioxide through the solution bathing the shell side increased the potential.
Ammonia, postsynaptic inhibition and CNS-energy state

Ammonia intoxication decreases the hyperpolarizing action of postsynaptic inhibition. This study examines the metabolic state of the spinal cord during this effect of ammonia intoxication on spinal motoneurons. ATP, ADP, AMP, the adenylate energy charge, glucose, PCr, pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate and glutamate were unchanged during the effect of ammonia on the hyperpolarizing action of postsynaptic inhibition. NH4+, glutamine and lactate were increased. Ammonia intoxication affected postsynaptic inhibition without changes of the resting membrane potential, the neuron input resistance, the action potential and EPSPs. The encephalopathy caused by ammonia intoxication is known to occur without an alteration of the tissue energy state. The effect of ammonia intoxication on postsynaptic inhibition can be considered as a cause of the encephalophaty because postsynaptic inhibition is altered without a change of the tissue energy state, the resting membrane potential, the whole neuron resistance, the action potential and EPSPs.
Direct solid phase radioimmunoassay for chicken lipoprotein lipase.

Abstract A direct, noncompetitive immunoassay for chicken lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was developed. Antibodies to LPL were purified by immunoadsorption chromatography of goat antisera on an LPL-Sepharose column. Purified anti-LPL immunoglobulins were coupled covalently to hydrophilic polyacrylamide beads by a carbodiimide reagent. An excess amount of these beads was incubated with the sample or the standard to be assayed. The amount of LPL immobilized by the beads was then detected by an excess amount of 125I-labeled anti-LPL immunoglobulin. A linear relationship was obtained between the radioactivity bound and the amount of highly purified LPL used as a standard. The range of the assay was from 0.1-1.1 ng LPL. The assay was specific for chicken LPL and showed no cross-reactivity with liver lipase. It does not distinguish heat-inactivated from catalytically active enzyme species. This assay should be useful in studies of lipoprotein lipase where both catalytic activity and enzyme mass need to be quantitated.
A symmetrical, planar SOFC design for NASA's high specific power density requirements

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems for aircraft applications require an order of magnitude increase in specific power density (1.0 kW/kg) and long life. While significant research is underway to develop anode supported cells which operate at temperatures in the range of 650-800 C, concerns about Cr-contamination from the metal interconnect may drive the operating temperature down further, to 750 C and lower. Higher temperatures, 900-1000 C, are more favorable for SOFC stacks to achieve specific power densities of 1.0 kW/kg. Since metal interconnects are not practical at these high temperatures and can account for up to 75% of the weight of the stack, NASA is pursuing a design that uses a thin, LaCrO3-based ceramic interconnect that incorporates gas channels into the electrodes. The bi-electrode supported cell (BSC) uses porous YSZ scaffolds, on either side of a 10-20 microns electrolyte. The porous support regions are fabricated with graded porosity using the freeze-tape casting process which can be tailored for fuel and air flow. Removing gas channels from the interconnect simplifies the stack design and allows the ceramic interconnect to be kept thin, on the order of 50 -100 microns. The YSZ electrode scaffolds are infiltrated with active electrode materials following the high temperature sintering step. The NASA-BSC is symmetrical and CTE matched, providing balanced stresses and favorable mechanical properties for vibration and thermal cycling.
Constraint algebra of open string field theory in midpoint coordinates

Abstract We study the canonical structure of string field theory in midpoint coordinates. We find the constraint algebra, which consists of second class constraints, together with dependent first class constraints. Exploiting properties of the relevant operators, we show that the constraint algebra is the same in the interacting theory as in the free theory, at least on Fock-space states. We discuss the gauge transformations generated by the first class constraints, and show that they can be used to gauge away unphysical fields.
Sophokles’ Lucky Day: Antigone

This article distinguishes five, and then three, mostly political issues raised in Sophokles’ Antigone. (1) Can a traitor to his community be honorably buried? (2) Can a family member be valued ahead of the community? (3) Do underworld gods of the family come before public safety concerns? (4) Can civil authorities rightly be challenged by individual citizens? (5) Can «unwritten ordinances» of the gods supercede the city’s laws? Antigone answers yes to these questions, chiefly because in the 440s Athens’ democratic polity was strengthening at the expense of aristocratic families, but Sophokles was aristocratic, no friend of Perikles, and here sometimes candidly hostile to the masses. (6) What is the significance of Kreon’s degeneration into tyrannical behavior? Sophokles always worried about too powerful magistrates. (7) Haimon’s better behavior reflects Athens’ «generation gap», contrasting older democrats with the more conservative young. Finally, (8) what is the proper public role of women? While Antigone herself is personally offensive, she proves to be right. As elsewhere, Sophokles rejects Kreon’s and democratic Athens’ harsh treatment of women. The play was successful because Athens’ democratic society itself was changing, especially as regards the status of women.
Effects of taurine on calcium ion uptake and protein phosphorylation in rat retinal membrane preparations.

: The effects of taurine on ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake and protein phosphorylation of rat retinal membrane preparations were investigated. Taurine (20 mM) stimulates ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake by twofold in crude retinal homogenates. In contrast, it inhibits the phosphorylation of specific membrane proteins as shown by acrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. The close structural analogue of taurine, 2-aminoethylhydrogen sulfate, demonstrates similar effects in both systems, i.e., stimulation of ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake and inhibition of protein phosphorylation, whereas isethionic acid and guanidinoethanesulfonate have no effect on either system. A P1 subcellular fraction of the retinal membrane preparation that contains photoreceptor cell synaptosomes has a higher specific activity for the uptake of calcium ions. Phosphorylation of specific proteins in the P1 fraction is also inhibited by the addition of 20 mM taurine. Taurine has no effect on retinal ATPase activities or on phosphatase activity, thus suggesting that it directly affects a kinase system.
Endovascular brachytherapy for renal artery in-stent restenosis.

Objective Renal artery in-stent restenosis (RAISR) is not an infrequent occurrence and may be in part responsible for the failure of renal stents to improve clinical outcome. A variety of treatments have been used to restore patency, with mixed results. These include repeated percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA), repeated PTRA with bare-metal stents, and repeated PTRA with drug-eluting stents or covered stents. Endovascular brachytherapy (EVBT) has been proven effective in preventing recurrent neointimal hyperplasia in coronary bare-metal stents. This prompted our group to study the effect of EVBT on RAISR. Methods From 2004 to 2012, 21 patients (23 renal arteries) developed RAISR ≤30 months after the initial procedure and were subsequently treated with EVBT. Five patients had at least one prior PTRA for recurrent restenosis. Renal artery duplex scanning was performed as a baseline study within a few days of the EVBT and then every 6 months. All patients who had EVBT were concurrently treated by PTRA and EVBT on the basis of existing protocols. Patency of the treated stents was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Results The average onset of the original RAISR was 11 ± 9 months (range, 2-30 months; median, 8 months). The initial technical success of combined PTRA and EVBT was 100%. Mean follow-up was 44 ± 18 months (range, 14-84 months). Of five patients who had PTRA before EVBT, four were available for long-term follow-up. These four patients had a combined total number of five PTRAs before EVBT, with recurrent stenosis developing on average by 12 months. After EVBT, three stents were patent at 39, 48, and 65 months, and one stent restenosed at 42 months. This was the only patient in the entire series to develop restenosis after EVBT. Conclusions This retrospective experience with a relatively small number of patients undergoing concurrent EVBT/PTRA for recurrent stenosis in stents placed to treat atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis suggests that EVBT is safe and provides long-term freedom from recurrent stenosis.
Benign biliary strictures: repair and outcome with a contemporary approach.

Background. The Hepp-Couinaud technique is an innovative approach for repair of proximal biliary strictures. We have used this method selectively for bile duct reconstruction since 1982. Our aim was to analyze our experience with the surgical repair of benign biliary strictures in the decade since the Hepp-Couinaud technique has become an integral component of our surgical management strategy. Methods. Seventy-two patients undergoing surgical repair of benign biliary stricture between 1983 and 1992 were reviewed retrospectively. A grading system on clinical symptoms, results of liver function studies, and need for reintervention was used to assess outcome. Results. For the 27 patients with noniatrogenic strictures, followed up a mean of 3.9 years, excellent or good results (grade A or B) were obtained in 88.9%. For the 45 patients with iatrogenic strictures, followed up a mean of 4.6 years, 86.7% were categorized as grade A or B. The cumulative probability of anastomotic failure was significantly less for the 21 patients in whom the Hepp-Couinaud method was used when compared with the 24 patients in whom it was not (p = 0.032). Outcome was not influenced by age, time delay from injury to reconstruction, preoperative stenting, the number of previous repairs, or the duration of postoperative stenting. Conclusions. Surgical reconstruction affords excellent or good results for the vast majority of patients with benign biliary strictures. For proximal iatrogenic strictures superior anastomotic durability is achieved with the Hepp-Couinaud technique. (SURGERY 1995 ;118 :582-91.)
Safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic overview of low-dose daily administration of tadalafil.

ABSTRACT Introduction Several phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are commercially available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Development of the first once-daily alternative dosing regimen with a PDE5 inhibitor was motivated by the behavioral complexities associated with sexual intimacy. Aim To provide an alternative dosing option for certain men who may benefit from the removal of the temporal linkage between administration of an ED therapy and sexual intimacy or for men and their partners who anticipate at least twice-weekly sexual activity. Methods Pharmacokinetic predictions of tadalafil plasma concentrations were generated based upon empirical data following 20-mg, single-dose administration coupled with tadalafil usage patterns from as-needed clinical trials. To support the pharmacokinetic simulations and pharmacodynamic assumptions, clinical trials were conducted to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of once-daily, low-dose tadalafil 2.5 and 5 mg. Main Outcome Measures Simulated tadalafil plasma concentrations and comparison with safety and efficacy measures from clinical trials. Results Based upon pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data, once-daily doses of tadalafil 5 mg were predicted to provide therapeutic concentrations that would be maintained throughout the 24-hour dosing interval. Additionally, for a subgroup of men who anticipate at least twice-weekly sexual activity and are currently taking tadalafil 20 mg, a reduction in daily tadalafil exposure was predicted. To support the hypothesis that low-dose, once-daily tadalafil may be a safe and effective treatment alternative, clinical trials were conducted to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of once-daily tadalafil 2.5 and 5 mg. These results were similar to those of historical as-needed studies evaluating tadalafil 10 and 20 mg. Conclusions Consistent with pharmacokinetic predictions, data from clinical trials indicate that once-daily use of low-dose tadalafil is a safe and effective treatment for men with ED. Wrishko R, Sorsaburu S, Wong D, Strawbridge A, and McGill J. Safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic overview of low-dose daily administration of tadalafil. J Sex Med 2009;6:2039–2048.
Steamboats on the Rocks: The North Western Union Packet Company, 1866–1873

This study narrates the history of the largest steamboat line on the western rivers during the decade following the Civil War and assesses causes and responsibilities for its failure.
Effect of Variations in Coil Pitch on Burnout

Much has been learned about the characteristics of burnout of straight wires; however, the author decided to again consider lamp burnout by coil defects rather than by wire defects. His approach is to equate the coil defect to the straight wire diameter defect. The results suggest that much care is required in the maintenance of the intended original coil geometry.
Dual-mixed HIV-1 coreceptor tropism and HIV-associated neurocognitive deficits

HIV coreceptor usage of CXCR4 (X4) is associated with decreased CD4+ T-cell counts and accelerated disease progression, but the role of X4 tropism in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) has not previously been described. This longitudinal study evaluated data on 197 visits from 72 recently HIV-infected persons who had undergone up to four sequential neurocognitive assessments over a median of 160 days (IQR, 138–192). Phenotypic tropism testing (Trofile ES, Monogram, Biosciences) was performed on stored blood samples. Multivariable mixed model repeated measures regression was used to determine the association between HAND and dual-mixed (DM) viral tropism, estimated duration of infection (EDI), HIV RNA, CD4 count, and problematic methamphetamine use. Six subjects (8.3 %) had DM at their first neurocognitive assessment and four converted to DM in subsequent sampling (for total of 10 DM) at a median EDI of 10.1 months (IQR, 7.2–12.2). There were 44 (61.1 %) subjects who demonstrated HAND on at least one study visit. HAND was associated with DM tropism (odds ratio, 4.4; 95 % CI, 0.9–20.5) and shorter EDI (odds ratio 1.1 per month earlier; 95 % CI, 1.0–1.2). This study found that recency of HIV-1 infection and the development of DM tropism may be associated with HAND in the relatively early stage of infection. Together, these data suggest that viral interaction with cellular receptors may play an important role in the early manifestation of HAND.
Correction to "On the Optimality of Beamforming with Quantized Feedback"

This correspondence corrects an error in our paper titled, "On the Optimality of Beamforming with Quantized Feedback", published in the IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 55, no. 12, pp. 2288-2302, Dec. 2007.
HCI Issues in Visual Programming

Abstract The acronym ‘HCI’ stands for ‘Human-Computer Interaction’, the way in which people interact with computers and use them to help accomplish tasks. It can also stand for ‘Human-Computer Interface’, the software technology intended to allow users to interact with a system. The four papers in this special issue ably illustrate the impact of both interpretations of HCI on visual programming.
Application of 36/40Ar Versus 39Ar/40Ar Correlation diagrams to the 40Ar/39Ar spectra of phlogopites from Southern African kimberlites

40Ar/39Ar incremental heating analyses were performed on phlogopite mica from the DK-7 kimberlite pipe in southern Botswana. No age plateau was obtained, as the spectrum yielded a step-wise increase in age with increasing temperature. The ages appear to be anomalously high, suggesting the presence of excess radiogenic argon components that have been partially released by diffusion during cooling of the kimberlite. The pattern of data points on an 39Ar/40Ar vs. 39Ar/40Ar correlation plot, however, delineates two types of excess argon, one which is radiogenic-rich, and one with a 40Ar/36Ar ratio of 366. The latter component may reflect the contamination of the kimberlite xenocrysts by fluid originating from an undegassed mantle source.
Spectral-spatial depth sectioning of biological samples using silicon oxide nano-particles doped PQ-PMMA

We use silicon oxide nanoparticles in PQ-PMMA to enhance the diffraction efficiency of angle multiplexed in-plane reference beam holograms. We experimentally demonstrate this technique in use for holographic spatial-spectral imaging filters and present experimental results.
Cognitive communication competence within public relations practitioners: Examining gender differences between technicians and managers

Abstract This study examines gender differences within public relations practitioners. Of specific interest was the role that cognitive communication competence played within public relations managers and public relations technicians. Public relations practitioners completed a questionnaire that included the Duran and Spitzberg's [Duran, R. L., & Spitzberg, B. H. (1995). Toward the development and validation of a measure of cognitive communication competence. Communication Quarterly, 43(3), 259–275] Cognitive Communication Competence Scale. Participants self-identified whether they were a technician or a manager. Results showed that male public relations managers had significantly higher cognitive communication competence than male public relations technicians. However, the hypothesis that female public relations managers would have higher cognitive communication competence than female public relations technicians was not supported. Also, this study found no significant gender differences with levels of cognitive communication competence. However, female technicians have significantly higher cognitive communication competence than male technicians.
EFFECTS OF CONCURRENT MOTOR ACTIVITY ON THE UNCONDITIONED SALIVARY REFLEX

This study tested the hypothesis that the relative amount of swallowing and mouth movement affects the amplitude, latency, and temporal course of the salivary unconditioned reflex (UR). Twenty-four subjects were given three identical stimuli, which consisted of 3 cc of 0.5% citric acid, delivered to the left lateral margin of the posterior half of the tongue. The stimuli were administered under three different conditions for each subject: (1) swallowing and mouth movements permitted for the first 30 sec and prohibited for the second 30 sec following stimulation, (2) swallowing and mouth movements prohibited for the first 30 sec and permitted for the second 30 sec following stimulation, and (3) swallowing and mouth movements permitted for 60 sec following stimulation. Saliva was collected by a parotid capsule and measured by a sensitive, liquid displacement sialometer. Motor activity was monitored by electromyogram. There was a significantly greater (P < 0.01) amount of saliva secreted during periods of motor activity, regardless of time since stimulation. Voluntary inhibition of swallowing immediately after acid stimulation resulted in significantly longer and more variable UR latencies. Implications of these findings for studies on salivary conditioning are discussed.
Population pharmacokinetic data and parameter estimation based on their first two statistical moments.

AbstractA statistical model is set forth that can be taken as a very general description of most data sets that arise from population pharmacokinetic studies. A (nontraditional) method for estimating the parameters of the model—called the NONMEM method in previously published papers—is described. This method involves a linearization of the model. An investigation of the effect of this linearization is reported. This investigation is an empirical one, based on the simulation of data from special cases of the model and the application of a few different estimation methods to these data. From the limited evidence in this investigation it appears that the linearization per se does not significantly adversely affect the estimates.
Adults With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Translocation (1;19) Abnormality Have a Favorable Outcome With Hyperfractionated Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, and Dexamethasone Alternating With Methotrexate and High-Dose Cytarabine Chemotherapy

Chromosomal abnormalities in acute leukemia determine the disease pathophysiology and patient prognosis. Treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) results in high cure rates of 70% to 90%. Adults with ALL achieve high complete remission rates of 80% to 90%; however, cure rates are only 30% to 40%.1 A major difference between childhood and adult ALL is the frequency of various cytogenetic subcategories. A hyperdiploid karyotype, which is favorable, is observed in 30% of children compared with 2% to 5% of adults. Another favorable category is a translocation involving chromosomes 12 and 21, t(12;21), which results in the TEL-AML1 fusion gene.2 The latter is the most common molecular lesion in childhood ALL but is uncommon in adult ALL (range, 3%–4%).3,4 The t(9;22), or the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) (an unfavorable cytogenetic subset), is common in adult ALL (25%) but is rare in childhood ALL (<5%).5,6 One difficulty with elucidating the prognostic influence of certain cytogenetic abnormalities in ALL has been the rarity of the disease7 coupled with the low frequency of specific abnormalities. One recurring translocation in both children and adults is t(1;19)(q23;p13). It results in a fusion of the transcription factor 3 gene TCF3 (E2A) at 19p13 with the pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox gene PBX1 at 1q23, creating a TCF3-PBX1 fusion gene that encodes a protein with transforming properties. The E2A gene encodes 2 transcription factors, E12 and E47, which, in turn, bind to enhancer elements in the immunoglobulin κ or IGK gene and regulatory elements of other genes. PBX1 is a homeobox gene (HOX) on chromosome 1. E2A/PBX1 fusion messenger RNAs are formed and code for chimeric proteins that consist of the transcriptional activating domain of E12/E47 and DNA-binding domains of PBX1.8,9 The E2a/Pbx1 fusion protein may promote leukemogenesis by the transactivation of several genes normally not expressed in lymphoid tissues.10 The t(1;19) occurs in 2 forms: 1) a reciprocal translocation t(1;19)(q23;p13) or, more often, 2) an unbalanced form characterized by 2 normal chromosomes 1 and 19 and a rearranged chromosome 19, der(19)t(1,19)(q23;p13). In some studies, patients with the reciprocal translocation had a worse outcome.11 Children with t(1;19) who were treated on conventional antimetabolite-based therapy protocols had poor outcomes.12 Newer intensified regimens have improved prognosis, but patients with a balanced t(1;19) translocation still have an adverse prognosis.13 In the current study, we reviewed the outcome of adults with ALL and t(1;19) who received the hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), and dexamethasone alternating with methotrexate and high-dose cytarabine (hyper-CVAD) regimen.14
The dynamics of recycled acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction in vivo

At the peripheral neuromuscular junction (NMJ), a significant number of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) recycle back into the postsynaptic membrane after internalization to intermingle with not-yet-internalized ;pre-existing' AChRs. However, the way in which these receptor pools are maintained and regulated at the NMJ in living animals remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that recycled receptors in functional synapses are removed approximately four times faster than pre-existing receptors, and that most removed recycled receptors are replaced by new recycled ones. In denervated NMJs, the recycling of AChRs is significantly depressed and their removal rate increased, whereas direct muscle stimulation prevents their loss. Furthermore, we show that protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors cause the selective accumulation of recycled AChRs in the peri-synaptic membrane without affecting the pre-existing AChR pool. The inhibition of serine/threonine phosphatases, however, has no effect on AChR recycling. These data show that recycled receptors are remarkably dynamic, and suggest a potential role for tyrosine dephosphorylation in the insertion and maintenance of recycled AChRs at the postsynaptic membrane. These findings may provide insights into long-term recycling processes at less accessible synapses in the central nervous system in vivo.
Disruption of Pdia3 gene results in bone abnormality and affects 1α,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3-induced rapid activation of PKC

1,25-Dihydroxy-vitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3] is a critical regulator of bone development. Protein disulfide isomerase A3 (Pdia3) is a multifunctional protein that has been associated with rapid membrane-initiated signalling by 1α,25(OH)2D3 in several cell types. To identify the physiological roles of Pdia3 in skeletal development, we generated Pdia3-deficient mice. No homozygous mice were observed at birth, indicating that the targeted disruption of the Pdia3 gene resulted in embryonic lethality. Pdia3 deficiency also resulted in skeletal manifestations as revealed by μCT analysis of femurs from 15-week-old heterozygous mice. The Pdia3+/− mice had increased metaphyseal bone volume and trabeculae compared to Pdia3+/+ mice. In contrast, the area and thickness of cortical bone at the femoral mid-diaphysis of Pdia3+/+ mice significantly exceeded that of Pdia3+/− mice. In vitro studies in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells showed that silencing of Pdia3 abolished 1α,25(OH)2D3-induced rapid activation of protein kinase C (PKC) while overexpression of Pdia3 resulted in augmentation of PKC activity by 1α,25(OH)2D3. Taken together, these data indicated that Pdia3 plays a crucial role in 1α,25(OH)2D3-regulated bone formation and the Pdia3-PKC signalling pathway might be involved in this process.
Weighted orthogonalization of atomic orbitals: A stable alternative to the Carlson–Keller method

Abstract In quantum chemistry, molecular orbitals are frequently orthogonalized. Often, some orbitals should change less than other orbitals during the orthogonalization. Such an outcome calls for a weighted orthogonalization. One instance for this task occurs for the construction of quasi-atomic orbitals. At the present time, the algorithm of Carlson and Keller is the only method that accomplishes this objective. A numerical weakness of the Carlson–Keller weighted orthogonalization method is identified: the method breaks down when the spread in the weights becomes too large. An alternative algorithm is presented that accomplishes the same weighted orthogonalization and eliminates these numerical problems. The benefits of the new algorithm over the Carlson–Keller method are exemplified by constructing ordered correlating quasi-atomic orbitals for HNO and CO using large basis sets.