cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Medical Practices.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a medical intervention requires valid measurements of both its benefits and risks as compared to those of alternative forms of management. The requisite measurements are more difficult to make than this simple description suggests, and the accumulation of information is further inhibited by certain characteristics of our pattern of health care. These features include, for example, discontinuous care by a variety of unrelated providers, inadequate records, the autonomy of physicians as decision-makers, financial disincentives, ambiguities in what we mean by "experimental" and "accepted" forms of therapy, and failure to see continuing evaluation as a necessary component of the cost of providing good medical care. Although no single change will solve all the problems of evaluation, several offer promise of improving our ability to choose from among medical interventions those most likely to be useful.
Is bowel preparation before colonoscopy a risky business for the kidney

Acute phosphate nephropathy after bowel preparation with oral sodium phosphate (OSP) for colonoscopy has emerged as an important clinical entity. In 2004, five cases of nephrocalcinosis and irreversible renal failure after bowel preparation with OSP were reported. More recently, several retrospective studies have shown that the incidence of acute kidney injury after OSP use is in the range of 1-4%, similar to the incidence of contrast nephropathy in the general population. The degree of renal failure is not generally as severe as in the first reported cases, but irreversible damage can still occur. Millions of people worldwide undergo screening colonoscopies for colon and rectal cancer after the age of 50, so careful patient selection and monitoring for possible complications is essential when OSP is used. In addition to educating patients about the possibility of renal damage, physicians should routinely watch for considerable weight loss during bowel preparation and correct the fluid deficit as needed. Carrying out a renal function panel, which includes serum phosphorus level, is prudent after colonoscopy. Alternative bowel cleansing agents are needed because calcium phosphate precipitation is inevitable after OSP use even in the normal kidney.
MO-E-105-01: How To Be A Journal Referee

Being a referee for a journal article is an important yet daunting task. It is especially worrisome for someone who has little reviewing experience. It is important to remember is that it is an honor and perhaps a duty, but not a burden. Someone considers you to be an expert in the subject and it is with that mindset that you should approach the task. Each part of the review process has its own difficulties:• Grammar and Language: How much of this do you need to do? Does poor grasp of the English language warrant rejection. Is it effective or excessively verbose?• Science: Is this project novel? How do you determine that? How similar can it be to other previously published manuscripts?• References: Are the proper studies referenced? How much does this affect the review?• Methods: How do you determine if the methods are sound? How much can you suggest without trying to be a collaborator?• Results: Are graphs and tables being utilized wisely? Are there an excessive number of them?All of these issues are important part of the review process and need to be considered. But how do you weight them in your final recommendation and communicate them to the authors and editors? This panel of senor medical physics, which has extensive experience in refereeing, will help guide the audience through the entire review process. These experts will share their experiences and methods to help new referees best prepare for the opportunity of reviewing manuscripts. Learning Objectives: 1. Learn the role of the referee and what is expected of them. 2. Learn how to perform a review. 3. Learn how to communicate a review with authors and editors.
Square-Shaped RNA Particles From Different RNA Folds

The structural information encoding specific conformations of natural RNAs can be implemented within artificial RNA sequences to control both three-dimensional (3D) shape and self-assembling interfaces for nanotechnology and synthetic biology applications. We have identified three natural RNA motifs known to direct helical topology into approximately 90° bends: a five-way tRNA junction, a three-way junction, and a two-helix bend. These three motifs, embedded within rationally designed RNAs (tectoRNA), were chosen for generating square-shaped tetrameric RNA nanoparticles. The ability of each motif to direct the formation of supramolecular assemblies was compared by both native gel assays and atomic force microscopy. While there are multiple structural solutions for building square-shaped RNA particles, differences in the thermodynamics and molecular dynamics of the 90° motif can lead to different biophysical behaviors for the resulting supramolecular complexes. We demonstrate via structural assembly progra...
Effect of Being a Fallen Angel on Bond Ratings and Yields

This article investigates whether bond ratings serve as a basis for market prices of bonds. Unlike most previous work, which focused on rating changes, the author uses a new sample to consider bond ratings at issue. The author compares the yield spread of general high-yield bonds and high-yield bonds issued by fallen angels (firms that no longer carry an investment-grade rating). If investors totally depend on ratings, equally rated bonds should have the same yield spreads. This study finds, however, that bonds of identical ratings have different yield spreads. Specifically, for the BB/Ba rating category, yields of high-yield bonds issued by fallen angels are higher than the yields of similarly rated bonds issued by firms that have a speculative rate from the beginning. These findings suggest that bond ratings do not perfectly capture information related to bond characteristics in general. Results also suggest that rating agencies are too optimistic when rating high-yield bonds issued by fallen angels.
Association between BVAB1 and high Nugent scores among women with bacterial vaginosis

As part of a larger study using 454 pyrosequencing to investigate the vaginal microbiota of women with bacterial vaginosis (BV), we found an association between a novel BV-associated bacterium (BVAB1) and high Nugent scores and propose that BVAB1 is the curved Gram-negative rod traditionally identified as Mobiluncus spp. in vaginal Gram stains.
Distortions in laser flash photolysis absorption measurements. The overlap problem.

Lack of overlap between the laser beam and the analyzed volume in laser flash photolysis experiments may lead to significant error in the analysis of transient absorbances. A simple theoretical treatment is given to calculate the error for a given overlap. The consequences of bad overlap is discussed for a number of standard experiments and finally a method to determine the quality of the overlap in an experimental setup is given.
The effect of trypsin and heat treatment on oxidative phosphorylation in Mycobacterium phlei.

The electron transport particles from Mycobacterium phlei contain particle-bound coupling factors and require the addition of soluble coupling factors for restoration of phosphorylation. However, exposure of the particles to heat (50°) or treatment with trypsin increased the P/O ratio with succinate or with NAD+-linked substrates. In addition, the heat treated particles no longer required the soluble coupling factors for phosphorylation, but the trypsin-treated particles required this addition for maximal levels of phosphorylation. A combination of treatment with trypsin and heat resulted in higher levels of phosphorylation than either treatment alone. The phosphorylation observed in both cases was sensitive to uncoupling agents.
Direct α-hydroxylation of ketones using iodosobenzene

Abstract Ketones are converted smoothly into the corresponding acyloin with a high degree of selectivity upon treatment with iodosobenzene or phenyliodosodiacetate in methanolic sodium hydroxide.
Uterine problems discovered after presumed hysterectomy: the Manchester operation revisited.

Background : The Manchester operation consists of amputation of the cervix, leading some patients to believe that they have undergone a hysterectomy. Cases : A 69-year-old woman with vaginal discharge proved to have a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma in the retained uterine corpus. Another 69-year-old woman with a central fluid-filled pelvic mass proved to have a retained blood-filled corpus with an early-stage fallopian tube cancer. The third patient was a 90-year-old woman with symptoms of constipation and urinary frequency, who was found to have a large fluid-filled central mass. At surgery, the retained corpus was distended and filled with mucoid material. Conclusion : Patients who have undergone a Manchester operation may develop disease in the retained uterine corpus, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a pelvic mass.
6.3.1 Secure Adaptive Response Potential (SARP): A System Security Metric

System design, development and operational activities are monitored and evaluated to facilitate proper system security management in all phases of the system life-cycle. Effective system security metrics must address all phases of the system life-cycle as well as the associated organizational elements that interact during the system life-cycle to produce and operate the system of interest. A single system security metric, built from multiple components, is presented here as a fundamental system management security metric. This single technical security metric is used to support and evaluate the allocation of corporate and program resources, including time and budget. Introduction. The current state of the international information technology (IT) infrastructure is an artifact of over twenty five years of explosive system and infrastructure growth. This phenomenal growth was based, in the beginning, on a few architectural and operational principles relating to open systems interconnection and open network interfaces. As the systems developed, the original system architectural principles were augmented with commercial and business decisions aimed at market dominance, "first-mover" status and system ease-of-use features. These factors, taken as a collective whole, created an IT infrastructure of physical components, software products and computing services that are not naturally secure (Schneier 2007). The value added by network-enabled capabilities must now be evaluated and balanced against the expected value loss from the existing, insecure, IT infrastructure. The daily challenge facing current system and organizational managers is the balancing of the great value gained from network-centric and network-enabled systems with the increasing security threats associated with network components that are fundamentally insecure. Assisting and guiding IT and corporate managers in the journey from high-value, high-threat IT networks to a future of high-value, highly secure IT networks is the primary purpose of the secure adaptive response potential (SARP) system security metric.
Evaluation of the Timeliness of Psychiatric Consultations

Background: Emergency department (ED) delays have multiple causes and create frustration for patients and staff alike. Methods: New adult psychiatric ED consultations were studied. Elapsed time between workflow stages was tested as a predictor of total time from triage to disposition. To expedite interviews a one-page form was provided for interested patients to complete before psychiatric evaluation. Results: Total ED time best correlated with time from rooming to consultation request. Total time was not predicted by time to rooming, or from consultation request to arrival of the psychiatric team. Conclusions: The intervention appeared to significantly reduce interview times. Variation among physicians regarding protocol for psychiatric consultation requests underscored the importance of standardization in quality improvement efforts. J Clin Med Res. 2014;6(4):242-244 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jocmr1809w
Molecular evolution and population genetic analysis of candidate female reproductive genes in Drosophila.

Molecular analyses in several taxa have consistently shown that genes involved in reproduction are rapidly evolving and subjected to positive selection. The mechanism behind this evolution is not clear, but several proposed hypotheses involve the coevolution between males and females. In Drosophila, several male reproductive proteins (Acps) involved in male–male and male–female interactions show evidence of rapid adaptive evolution. What has been missing from the Drosophila literature is the identification and analysis of female reproductive genes. Recently, an evolutionary expressed sequence tag analysis of Drosophila female reproductive tract genes identified 169 candidate female reproductive genes. Many of these candidate genes still await further molecular analysis and independent verification of positive selection. Our goal was to expand our understanding of the molecular evolution of Drosophila female reproductive genes with a detailed polymorphism and divergence study on seven additional candidate female reproductive genes and a reanalysis of two genes from the above study. We demonstrate that 6 candidate female genes of the 9 genes surveyed show evidence of positive selection using both polymorphism and divergence data. One of these proteins (CG17012) is modeled to reveal that the sites under selection fall around and within the active site of this protease, suggesting potential differences between species. We discuss our results in light of potential function as well as interaction with male reproductive proteins.
The Allen Telescope Array

The Allen Telescope Array, a joint project between the SETI Institute and the Radio Astronomy Laboratory at the University of California Berkeley, is currently under development and construction at the Hat Creek Radio Observatory in northern California. It will consist of 350 6.1-m offset Gregorian antennas in a fairly densely packed configuration, with minimum baselines of less than 10 m and a maximum baseline of about 900 m. The dual-polarization frequency range spans from about 500 MHz to 11 GHz, both polarizations of which are transported back from each antenna. The first generation processor will provide 32 synthesized beams of 104 MHz bandwidth, eight at each of four tunings, as well as outputs for a full-polarization correlator at two of the tunings at the same bandwidth. This paper provides a general description of the Allen Telescope Array.
Inclusion of fatigue effects in human reliability analysis

Abstract The effect of fatigue on human performance has been observed to be an important factor in many industrial accidents. However, defining and measuring fatigue is not easily accomplished. This creates difficulties in including fatigue effects in probabilistic risk assessments (PRA) of complex engineering systems that seek to include human reliability analysis (HRA). Thus the objectives of this paper are to discuss (1) the importance of the effects of fatigue on performance, (2) the difficulties associated with defining and measuring fatigue, (3) the current status of inclusion of fatigue in HRA methods, and (4) the future directions and challenges for the inclusion of fatigue, specifically sleep deprivation, in HRA.
Measuring Ideological Polarization on the United States Supreme Court

The study of ideological polarization is an important topic in research ranging from behavioral-level to institutional studies of politics. Polarization, however, has received little attention in the context of the Supreme Court, even while popular press and legal commentary suggest ideological heterogeneity on the Court is consequential for the Court’s policy outputs. In this article, I apply an axiomatic measure of polarization developed by Esteban and Ray (1994) to study ideological heterogeneity on the Court to develop a “polarization statistic.” I compare this method with other common polarization measures and provide evidence for the reliability of the measure.
Identification of intrinsic order and disorder in the DNA repair protein XPA

The DNA-repair protein XPA is required to recognize a wide variety of bulky lesions during nucleotide excision repair. Independent NMR solution structures of a human XPA fragment comprising approximately 40% of the full-length protein, the minimal DNA-binding domain, revealed that one-third of this molecule was disordered. To better characterize structural features of full-length XPA, we performed time-resolved trypsin proteolysis on active recombinant Xenopus XPA (xXPA). The resulting proteolytic fragments were analyzed by electrospray ionization interface coupled to a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight of the full-length xXPA determined by mass spectrometry (30922.02 daltons) was consistent with that calculated from the sequence (30922.45 daltons). Moreover, the mass spectrometric data allowed the assignment of multiple xXPA fragments not resolvable by SDS-PAGE. The neural network program Predictor of Natural Disordered Regions (PONDR) applied to xXPA predicted extended disordered N- and C-terminal regions with an ordered internal core. This prediction agreed with our partial proteolysis results, thereby indicating that disorder in XPA shares sequence features with other well-characterized intrinsically unstructured proteins. Trypsin cleavages at 30 of the possible 48 sites were detected and no cleavage was observed in an internal region (Q85-I179) despite 14 possible cut sites. For the full-length xXPA, there was strong agreement among PONDR, partial proteolysis data, and the NMR structure for the corresponding XPA fragment.
Antisense RNA Downregulation of Coenzyme A Transferase Combined with Alcohol-Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Overexpression Leads to Predominantly Alcohologenic Clostridium acetobutylicum Fermentations

Plasmid pAADB1 for the overexpression of the alcohol-aldehyde dehydrogenase (aad) gene and downregulation of the coenzyme A transferase (CoAT) using antisense RNA (asRNA) against ctfB (the second CoAT gene on the polycistronic aad-ctfA-ctfB message) was used in order to increase the butanol/acetone ratio of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 fermentations. Acetone and butanol levels were drastically reduced in 824(pCTFB1AS) (expresses only an asRNA against ctfB) compared to 824(pSOS95del) (plasmid control). Compared to strain 824(pCTFB1AS), 824(pAADB1) fermentations exhibited two profound differences. First, butanol levels were ca. 2.8-fold higher in 824(pAADB1) and restored back to plasmid control levels, thus supporting the hypothesis that asRNA downregulation of ctfB leads to degradation of the whole aad-ctfA-ctfB transcript. Second, ethanol titers in 824(pAADB1) were ca. 23-fold higher and the highest (ca. 200 mM) ever reported in C. acetobutylicum. Western blot analysis confirmed that CoAT was downregulated in 824(pAADB1) at nearly the same levels as in strain 824(pCTFB1AS). Butyrate depletion in 824(pAADB1) fermentations suggested that butyryl-CoA was limiting butanol production in 824(pAADB1). This was confirmed by exogenously adding butyric acid to 824(pAADB1) fermentations to increase the butanol/ethanol ratio. DNA microarray analysis showed that aad overexpression profoundly affects the large-scale transcriptional program of the cells. Several classes of genes were differentially expressed [strain 824(pAADB1) versus strain 824(pCTFB1AS)], including genes of the stress response, sporulation, and chemotaxis. The expression patterns of the CoAT genes (ctfA and ctfB) and aad were consistent with the overexpression of aad and asRNA downregulation of ctfB.
Computer-Based Modeling Environments

This paper gives the author's views on the kind of computer-based modeling environment needed to properly support management science/operations research work, and on the design challenges that need to be met in order to bring such modeling environments into being. It is a written version of the main ideas of two addresses: a plenary at IFORS 87 in Buenos Aires (August, 1987), and the keynote at the 1988 Canadian Operations Research Society Meeting in Montreal (May, 1988).
Linear circuit models of PWM flyback and buck/boost converters

A method for modeling PWM converters operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM) is introduced. First, static voltage and current transfer functions of the idealized switching part of the converters are found. Second, the linearization of these transfer functions at the operating point is carried out, and the idealized switching part is replaced by dependent current and voltage sources. Third, the equivalent average resistance of parasitic resistances and equivalent average voltage of offset voltage sources of switches are determined using the principle of energy conservation. The method leads to linear DC and small-signal circuit models of a PWM converter. To illustrate the method, the analysis of the PWM flyback converter is given. Design equations for DC voltage transfer function, efficiency, and small-signal characteristics are derived. >
Field_SWAT: A tool for mapping SWAT output to field boundaries

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrological/water quality model divides a watershed into hydrological response units (HRUs) based on unique land cover, soil type, and slope. HRUs are a set of discontinuous land masses that are spatially located in the watershed but their responses are not tied to any particular field. Field_SWAT, a simple graphical user interface (GUI)-driven tool, was developed to map SWAT simulations from the HRU layer to a user-defined field boundaries layer. This stand-alone tool ingests spatial and nonspatial SWAT outputs and helps in visualizing them at the field scale using four different aggregation methods. The tool was applied for mapping the SWAT model's annual runoff and sediment outputs from 218 HRUs to 89 individual field boundaries in an agriculturally dominated watershed in Northeast Arkansas. The area-weighted spatial aggregation method resulted in a most suitable mapping between HRU and field outputs. This research demonstrates that Field_SWAT could potentially be a useful tool for field-scale targeting of conservation practices and communicating model outputs to watershed managers and interested stakeholders.
Mammalian nest predators respond to greenway width, landscape context and habitat structure

Birds of conservation concern breed in suburban greenways, yet abundant populations of mammals that depredate bird nests might reduce nest success. We evaluated how three factors influenced the abundance of mammalian nest predators in thirty-four 300-m long forested greenway segments in Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina, USA: (1) the width of the forested corridor containing the greenway, (2) the land-use adjacent to the forested corridor, and (3) the habitat structure within the greenway. Forest corridor width and adjacent land-use were measured using aerial photographs. Attributes of adjacent land use included categorical measures of development intensity (low-density residential, high-density residential, office/institutional), and the proportions of forest canopy, grass, buildings, and pavement. Several measures of habitat structure within the greenway were collected in the field, including trail width and surface type, and percentage of mature forest. We measured the relative abundance of mammalian nest predators with scent-station transects, operated for five nights during the 2002 breeding bird season. Total abundance of mammalian nest predators increased significantly as forest corridor width decreased. We found no relationship between categorical measures of land-use and total abundance of mammalian nest predators. Specific attributes of the landscape adjacent to the greenway, however, did have an effect. Greenways adjacent to landscapes with fewer buildings had a higher abundance of mammalian nest predators. The abundance of individual species varied with the amount of canopy, lawn, and pavement in the adjacent landscape. Some measures of habitat structure of greenways also were correlated with the abundance of mammalian nest predators. Greenway segments with wider trails had a higher abundance of mammalian nest predators, as did segments with a higher percentage of mature forest. No habitat structure variables were significant for all species. To reduce the overall risk of avian nest predation by mammals, forested greenways should be designed with wider forest corridors and narrower, unpaved trails. Some greenway characteristics that favor high-nest predator populations also favor birds of conservation concern. Similarly, some characteristics correlated with lower predator occurrence are also correlated with lower abundance of birds of conservation concern. Thus, management of greenways and the surrounding landscape must balance reduction of predator communities with the promotion of desired bird communities and other conservation goals. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Performance Analysis of Parallel Visualization Applications and Scientific Applications on an Optical Grid

One major challenge for grid environments is how to efficiently utilize geographically distributed resources given large communication latency introduced by wide area networks interconnecting different grid sites. In this paper, we use optical networks to connect four clusters from three different sites: Texas A&M University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and University of California at San Diego to form an optical grid as an OptIPuter testbed, and execute parallel visualization applications and scientific applications to analyze the performance of these applications on the optical grid. Our experiments indicate that on-demand scheduling for resource allocation on different grid sites ensures to run MPI programs on the grid successfully. We explore the dedicated optical grid for different purpose of usage with on-demand scheduling to address how the optical grid impacts the performance of parallel programs. To avoid the large across-site communication latency, the ideal applications for the optical grid are embarrassingly parallel.
Exercise, quality of life, and symptoms in men and women five to six years after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Background Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is commonly performed to treat symptoms of heart disease and improve function and quality of life (QL). Health-related behavior including exercise after surgery may promote optimal recovery; however, relationships among exercise behavior, functional status, symptoms, and QL 5 to 6 years after CABG have not been examined in a representative patient sample. Methods Telephone interviews and postal surveys were used to examine long-term (5-6 year) recovery after CABG of 163 men and women of the Minnesota participants enrolled in the Post-CABG Biobehavioral Study. Results Regular exercise and better functional status were related to reports of less shortness of breath and fatigue and better subjective health perception, satisfaction, and QL. Recommendations Positive relationships between regular exercise and more favorable QL and symptom relief 5 to 6 years after CABG in this observational cohort study warrant prospective study trials to determine the potential long-term benefits of regular exercise after CABG.
Osmotic tolerance limits and properties of murine spermatozoa.

Osmotic tolerance of spermatozoa is a critical determinant of functional survival after cryopreservation. This study first tested the hypothesis that mouse spermatozoa behave as linear osmometers, using an electronic particle counter to measure the change in sperm volume in response to anisosmotic solutions. The resulting Boyle-van't Hoff plot was linear (r 2 = 0.99) from 75 to 1200 mOsmolal and indicates that 60.7% of the total cell volume is osmotically inactive. Next, mouse sperm tolerance to osmotic stress was determined by assessment of plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial viability, and motility. Each functional endpoint was measured after exposure to anisosmotic solutions and again after return to isosmolality. The dual fluorescent stains-carboxyfluorescein diacetate with propidium iodide and Rhodamine 123 with propidium iodide-were used to determine membrane integrity and functional mitochondria, respectively. Motility was measured by video microscopy in the range of 1-2400 mOsmolal and was further analyzed from 140 to 600 mOsmolal using computer-assisted semen analysis. The data indicate that motility is substantially more sensitive to osmotic stress than either mitochondrial viability or membrane integrity and that mouse spermatozoa should be maintained within 76-124% of their isosmotic volume during cryopreservation in order to maintain > 80% of pretreatment motility.
The Effect of Payoff Feedback and Information Pooling on Reasoning Errors: Evidence from Experimental Markets

Avast literature shows that individuals frequently violate normative principles in reasoning. In this paper, we report the results of four studies designed to determine if information dissemination in competitive auctions can reduce, or even eliminate, logical errors in the Wason selection task. Our results show that payoff feedback and exposure to the information flow drive the aggregate behavior toward the normative solution. We also found evidence of spillover effects from informed to uninformed traders in one-sided combinatorial auctions, as well as positive transfer effects from competitive to individual settings.
Communications Networks, Movements and the Neoliberal City: The Media Mobilizing Project in Philadelphia

Using the Philadelphia-based organization Media Mobilizing Project as a case study, this article argues for a more sophisticated understanding of social movement networks. We argue that the fragmentation of the neoliberal city has increased the saliency of networked-based organizing. Contrary to much of the existing scholarly literature, however, we argue that such networks combine horizontal and vertical forms of organization, as well as online and offline media. Networks are not purely horizontal, nor are new media necessarily the best or most natural apparatus for developing networked social movements. Instead, we argue, radio and video may be better suited to connecting poor people in today's cities. We also shift the locus of analysis away from transnational networks to local ones. While the fragmentation of communities and isolation of the poor can be found across a range of deindustrialized cities in the United States and globally, the effect of deindustrialization and neoliberalism is asymmetrical. This difference gives the specifics of particular locations greater saliency in scholarly analysis. The local network reveals a three-dimensional political and organizational response that joins the contemporary urban landscape with the contemporary media landscape.
Delivery of protein antigen to the major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted antigen presentation pathway.

AbstractMajor histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted antigen presentation normally requires a protein antigen to be synthesized in the cytosol of the antigen presenting cell (APC). Exogenous protein antigen could gain access to the class I presentation pathway if the protein is introduced into the cytosolic compartment of the APC. Approaches which release the protein antigen from endocytic vesicles have been employed to deliver protein antigen for the recognition by class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). These include osmotic shock, electroporation, cationic and pH-sensitive liposomes. An alternative approach is to deliver a gene that encodes the protein antigen. In this case, the APC is transfected with a gene which synthesizes the “exogenous protein” in the cytosol. Delivery of protein antigen targeted for CTL induction in vivo follows a different strategy and generally requires an antigen carrier of lipidic/membranous nature, such as liposomes, immunostimulating complexes, and/o...
Weierstrass points on the Drinfeld modular curve X 0 ( p ) $\boldsymbol {X_{0}(\mathfrak {p})}$

Consider the Drinfeld modular curve \(X_{0}(\mathfrak {p})\) for Open image in new window a prime ideal of \(\mathbb {F}_{q}[T]\). It was previously known that if j is the j-invariant of a Weierstrass point of \(X_{0}(\mathfrak {p})\), then the reduction of j modulo Open image in new window is a supersingular j-invariant. In this paper, we show the converse: Every supersingular j-invariant is the reduction modulo Open image in new window of the j-invariant of a Weierstrass point of \(X_{0}(\mathfrak {p})\).
Probing Sub-Cycle Excitation Dynamics with Isolated Attosecond Pulses

The dynamics of Stark shift and Autoionization in atoms are probed in a transient absorption scheme using isolated attosecond pulses generated with the Generalized Double Optical Gating. Both processes were controlled by intense laser pulses.
Health Disparities in Critical Illness

The factors that lead to health disparities in critical illness are similar to those found in the general population, but the sequelae are magnified. The combined effects of diminished access to high-quality care, less preventive services, and a higher burden of chronic disease among the disadvantaged create a perfect storm that necessitates the highest level of acute care. To complicate matters further, high-quality critical care is expensive and scarce. It is no surprise, therefore, that in the United States of America, uninsured critically ill patients have a higher mortality rate compared to insured patients of similar severity of illness. Studies have begun to untangle the complex mechanisms at work in creating health disparities among the critically ill. Future studies will need to develop and evaluate the effect of targeted interventions on reducing health disparities in this population. It is quite possible that eliminating health disparities may have a significant effect on improving the quality and duration of life for those affected while reducing health expenditures for society as a whole.
Comparative effectiveness and safety of infliximab and adalimumab in patients with ulcerative colitis

SummaryBackground Real-world comparative benefits and risks of infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADA) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are unclear. Aim To evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of IFX and ADA in patients with UC who were new users of anti-TNF agents. Methods Using an administrative claims database (Optum Labs Data Warehouse), we identified patients who received first anti-TNF (IFX, ADA) prescription after a 12-month period without any anti-TNF treatment (baseline), and with a minimum 6-month follow-up after anti-TNF initiation. Primary outcome measures were: all-cause and UC-related hospitalisation, abdominal surgery, corticosteroid use >60 days after starting anti-TNF, and serious infections. We performed 2:1 propensity-score matched Cox proportional hazard analysis, and inverse probability-of-treatment weight (IPTW) analysis, accounting for healthcare utilisation, comorbidities and use of UC-related medication. Results We included 1400 new users of anti-TNF agents (age, 43 ± 15 years; 52% males), from 2006 to 2014. On propensity-score matched analysis, there was no significant difference in the risk of UC-related hospitalisation [IFX vs. ADA; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71–1.51], corticosteroid use (aHR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.68–1.06) and serious infections (aHR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.29–1.34) between IFX- and ADA-treated patients; the number of surgical events was very small. On IPTW analysis, risk of corticosteroid use was significantly lower in IFX – as compared to ADA – treated patients (aHR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68–0.99). Results were stable on multiple sensitivity analyses. Conclusions In a large retrospective cohort of patients with UC who were new users of anti-TNF agents, IFX-treated patients may have lower corticosteroid use than ADA-treated patients, but risk of hospitalisation and serious infections were comparable.
Canine X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. A model for investigating the requirement for the common gamma chain (gamma c) in human lymphocyte development and function.

Our laboratory has identified and characterized an X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID) in dogs that is due to mutations in the common gamma (γc) subunit of the interleukin-2 (IL2), IL4, IL7, IL9, and IL 15 receptors. Canine XSCID, unlike genetically engineered γc-deficient mice, has a clinical and immunologic phenotype virtually identical to human XSCID. It appears that speciesspecific differences exist in the role of the γc and its associated cytokines in mice compared to their role in humans and dogs, suggesting γc-deficient dogs may be a more relevant model for studing the role of the γc in humans. We are utilizing this model for a variety of studies to address:
Reproductive Ecology of the Concho Water Snake, Nerodia harteri paucimaculata

The reproductive biology of the Concho water snake (Nerodia harteri paucimaculata) was studied from 1988 to 1992 in central Texas. Minimum snout-vent lengths (SVL) at maturity were 380 mm in males and 460 mm in females. Mating occurred primarily in late April and early May, although we observed some evidence of fall mating. Gestation was approximately three months. Parturition occurred predominantly in mid-August, ranging from 29 July to 22 September. Approximately 85% (range 79.5-88.8) of adult females were gravid each year with the proportion of reproductive females varying as a function of body size. Litter size averaged 11.1 (range 4-29) and varied both among and within study sites. Maternal SVL was correlated with litter size and mass but not offspring SVL or mass with litter size held constant. Litter size had no effect on offspring SVL or mass when female SVL was held constant. Relative clutch mass averaged 0.46 and was independent of female size. Mean offspring length and mass were 175 mm SVL and 3.8 g, respectively, showing no overall sexual differences. However, mean SVL was typically greater for females within litters.
Use of Discriminant Function in Taxonomic Determination of Canids from Missouri

Skulls of 30 dogs ( Canis familiaris ), 29 coyotes ( Canis latrans ), 18 gray wolves ( Canis lupus ), 27 red wolves ( Canis rufus ), and 20 canids of doubtful taxonomic position were measured in 14 dimensions. Multivariate analysis showed complete separation of coyote, dog, gray wolf, and red wolf. Several unknowns fell within the parameters; others fell between and indicate hybridization. Apparent infusion of red wolf genes into the coyote population was occurring in the 1940's and 1950's as the red wolf was being exterminated in Missouri. Five of seven animals with red wolf genes were either black or associated with black animals.
Trends in Atomic Adsorption on Pt3M(111) Transition Metal Bimetallic Surface Overlayers

The general trends in adsorption behaviors of atomic H, N, O, and S on pure transition metal and bimetallic Pt–transition metal overlayers on Pt(111) are investigated from first principles. Consistent with d-band theory, the adsorbate binding energy on pure transition metal overlayers increases monotonically when the group number of the transition metal decreases. In contrast, bimetallic overlayers show a qualitatively different behavior for trends in adsorption. Using model Pt3M(111) bimetallic surface overlayers, we find the binding of atomic N, O, and S to the Pt3M overlayers increases first and then decreases when moving left in the periodic table. We correlate the different binding energy trends in terms of the change in adsorption geometry resulting from the competition between the adsorbate–metal interactions and formation of Pt3M surface alloys. Charge transfer between the surface atoms and the adsorbates is much larger for early transition metals, leading to the different trends in adsorbate bind...
Using the Asymmetry of Item Characteristic Curves (ICCs) to Learn About Underlying Item Response Processes

In this chapter, we examine how the nature and number of underlying response subprocesses for a dichotomously scored item may manifest in the form of asymmetric item characteristic curves. In a simulation study, binary item response datasets based on four different item types were generated. The item types vary according to the nature (conjunctively versus disjunctively interacting) and number (1–5) of subprocesses. Molenaar’s (2014) heteroscedastic latent trait model for dichotomously scored items was fit to the data. A separate set of simulation analyses considers also items generated with non-zero lower asymptotes. The simulation results illustrate that form of asymmetry has a meaningful relationship with the item response subprocesses. The relationship demonstrates how asymmetric models may provide a tool for learning more about the underlying response processes of test items. online at www.SpringerLink.com.
The neurobiology of language: Relevance to linguistics

The study of language is shared by a number of fields, including linguistics, psy­chol­ogy, and neurobiology. While the methods employed by these domains may over­lap, they differ in the focus of their scientific inquiry, and the unique perspective of each may inform investigation within the others. We conceptualize this re­lation­ship in the context of David Marr’s information processing theory, with neurobiology as the im­plementational level of language, and discuss the history of the neurobiology of lan­guage from early localizationist models to the present day. Decades of electrophysiological and anatomical studies of the macaque monkey support the existence of dual streams for the processing of auditory information. More recent neuroimaging studies suggest that these streams are also present in humans, subserving speech perception and language comprehension. The de­velop­ment of high resolution brain imaging methods and brain stimulation has advanced our ability to study, in vivo, the structures and processes underlying the language net­work. For those linguists interested in studying language with consideration of the system that implements it, theories and concepts may now be meaningfully informed by neurobiology.
Lymphopenia in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Delayed-Release Dimethyl Fumarate: Analysis of Two United States Electronic Health Record Databases (P2.098)

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF) using data from two US electronic health record (EHR) databases. BACKGROUND: In clinical trials, DMF was associated with severe (Grade 3) lymphopenia (ALC <500 cells/uL) in 6[percnt] of patients. More robust data on a large cross-center cohort is needed to understand DMF effects on ALCs in the real-world setting. DESIGN/METHODS: Using two US EHR databases (Geisinger Health System and Humedica), we identified patients with a diagnosis of MS (ICD-9: 340). Patients included in the analyses received ≥1 prescriptions for DMF and had ALC values available at baseline (BL; within 6 months prior to DMF initiation) and at one or more times during DMF treatment. ALC ≥1000 cells/uL was considered normal. RESULTS: A total of 1014 patients (201 Geisinger and 813 Humedica) met the inclusion criteria; demographic characteristics of patients were similar (71[percnt] and 77[percnt] female, respectively; mean age: 44 and 47 years, respectively). Among patients who had both BL and 12-month ALC values, mean ALCs decreased from 1881 to 1272 cells/uL (32[percnt] decrease) in Geisinger and from 1858 to 1339 cells/uL (28[percnt] decrease) in Humedica. Among patients who had a normal ALC at BL, 6[percnt] (Geisinger) and 5[percnt] (Humedica) developed severe lymphopenia (≥1 ALC <500 cells/µL) during DMF treatment. Mean time from DMF initiation to severe lymphopenia was approximately 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: ALC profiles in DMF-treated patients were generally stable throughout time in the real-world setting. Findings in terms of percentage reduction in ALCs at 12 months, proportion of patients who developed severe lymphopenia, and time to severe lymphopenia were similar to observations in clinical trials. Results indicate that the overall benefit-risk profile remains favorable. Additional analyses are being conducted to examine ALC recovery in severely lymphopenic patients. Study Supported by: Biogen Disclosure: Dr. Wenten holds stock and/or stock options in Biogen Idec. Dr. Soman holds stock and/or stock options in Biogen Idec. Ms. Lally has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen as an employee. Dr. Juneja has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen as an employee. Dr. Eaton has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen as an employee. Dr. Eaton holds stock and/or stock options in Biogen. Dr. Prada has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dilley has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen as an employee. Dr. Dilley holds stock in Biogen.
Establishing the Influence of Owner Practices on Construction Safety in an Operational Excellence Model

AbstractOften, construction contractors usually consider safety as the sole responsibility of the contractor. Under this prevailing assumption, owners are often excluded and exempted from construct...
Drag Gender: Experiences of Gender for Gay and Queer Men who Perform Drag

The present study explored the experience and understanding of gender for gay and queer men who perform drag. It is part of a 20-year program of research focused on how LGBTQ gender identities arise, why they coalesce, and how they are enacted within their social contexts. Interviewers on this topic involving 18 participants were subjected to a grounded theory analysis. Drag genders were tied to common experiences of overcoming social messages that maligned femininity within men, an appreciation of performance arts, and a desire to use social power to confront issues of sexism, genderism, and/or heterosexism. At the same time, participants reported differences in experiencing gender as binary or fluid and in whether they experienced their gender as shifting when engaged in performance. The study contributes to the program of research on LGBTQ genders by examining how drag gender is both essential and constructed, and how it resist sets of oppressive values and is eroticized. It examines how gendered communication functions when performed for audiences and how the social position of these men is both elevated and stigmatized within LGBTQ community. Drag gender’s multiple meanings are credited to its position between gay and transgender politics within this socially transformative moment in time.
Sector-specific analysis of non-performing loans in the US banking system and their macroeconomic impact

Abstract Although a growing literature has analyzed the determinants of non-performing loans (henceforth NPLs), very few studies have explored the issue at the disaggregate level. Such an analysis unmasks important differences in the inter-relationships between macroeconomic and balance sheet conditions and different categories of NPLs. The present study examines sector-specific NPLs in the US using data for the 100 largest commercial banks over the period 1992q4-2016q1. While total NPLs remain sensitive to different balance sheet and US macroeconomic conditions, this is most accentuated for real estate loans and its different constituent categories, and commercial & industrial loans. The paper further explores the impact of NPLs on sector-specific product and labor markets. Total NPLs have the most pronounced effect on US housing prices, real GDP growth and housing starts. At the disaggregate level, non-performing construction & land development and C&I loans have the most persistent pernicious impact on corresponding sector-specific employment growth.