cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design Space Exploration of Microring Resonators in Silicon Photonic Interconnects: Impact of the Ring Curvature

A detailed analysis of fundamental tradeoffs between ring radius and coupling gap size is presented to draw realistic borders of the possible design space for microring resonators (MRRs). The coupling coefficient for the ring-waveguide structure is estimated based on an integration of the nonuniform gap between the ring and the waveguide. Combined with the supermode analysis of two coupled waveguides, this approach is further expanded into a closed-form equation that describes the coupling strength. This equation permits to evaluate how the distance separating a waveguide from a ring resonator, and the ring radius, affect coupling. The effect of ring radius on the bending loss of the ring is furthermore modeled based on the measurements for silicon MRRs with different radii. These compact models for coupling and loss are subsequently used to derive the main optical properties of MRRs, such as 3-dB optical bandwidth, extinction ratio of resonance, and insertion loss, hence identifying the design space. Our results indicate that the design space for add-drop filters in a wavelength division multiplexed link is currently limited to 5–10 $\mu$ m in radius and gap sizes ranging from 120 to 210 nm. The good agreement between the results from the proposed compact model for coupling and the numerical FDTD and experimental measurements indicate the application of our approach in realizing fast and efficient design space exploration of MRRs in silicon photonic interconnects.
Mechanical spectroscopy and imaging of skin components in vivo: Assignment of the observed moduli

Background The need to quantitatively identify the composition and organization of the macromolecular components of skin, skin lesions, scars, tumors, extracellular matrices (ECMs), and wound tissue has been a goal of researchers for many decades. A variety of studies have been recently reported applying optical coherence tomography (OCT) to image skin and cutaneous lesions. Materials and methods This article describes the use of vibrational OCT to image and noninvasively characterize the macromolecular components of the ECM of skin. Results We report that the major macromolecular components of skin and scar can be identified noninvasively by their characteristic moduli calculated from measurements of the resonant frequency and tissue thickness. Moduli for fat (0.03 MPa), elastic tissue (0.8 MPa), skin (2 MPa), and scar (7 MPa) can be differentiated using images and measurements of the resonant frequency and the sample thickness obtained from OCT. Conclusions Using vibrational OCT, it is possible to identify and map the location of the macromolecular components in skin and skin lesions.
THE EFFECT OF SURFACE CONDITION ON THE INTERFACE MECHANICS AND BONE GROWTH ONTO LTI CARBON

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a mechanical and histological comparison of implants manufactured as-deposited in final shape with implants made by machining low-temperature isotropic (LTI) carbon followed by various surface treatments. Five different types of carbon implants have been investigated, including as-deposited, ground, fine grit-blasted, and coarse grit-blasted surfaces. In addition a plasma oxygenated fine grit-blasted surface was also investigated. Attachment strength for each type was evaluated by determining ultimate interface shear strength in a mechanical push-out test. The interface stiffness and the histological response of each type of implant were also determined. The response of the implants was compared following implantation periods of 12 and 24 weeks. The chapter presents the results from the specimens mechanically tested at 12 weeks and at 24 weeks. All results were compared statistically by using the student's t-test for the means of two samples, assuming equal sample variances and using the one-sided form of the alternative hypothesis.
Practical Imaging Strategies for Acute Appendicitis in Children

OBJECTIVE. Diagnosing pediatric appendicitis is difficult because clinical findings are nonspecific. Improved accuracy can be obtained with ultrasound (US), CT, or MRI, despite considerable variati...
Early Interactive Acoustic Experience with Non-speech Generalizes to Speech and Confers a Syllabic Processing Advantage at 9 Months

During early development, the infant brain is highly plastic and sensory experiences modulate emerging cortical maps, enhancing processing efficiency as infants set up key linguistic precursors. Early interactive acoustic experience (IAE) with spectrotemporally-modulated non-speech has been shown to facilitate optimal acoustic processing and generalizes to novel non-speech sounds at 7-months-of-age. Here we demonstrate that effects of non-speech IAE endure well beyond the immediate training period and robustly generalize to speech processing. Infants who received non-speech IAE differed at 9-months-of-age from both naive controls and those with only passive acoustic exposure, demonstrating broad modulation of oscillatory dynamics. For the standard syllable, increased high-gamma (>70 Hz) power within auditory cortices indicates that IAE fosters native speech processing, facilitating establishment of phonemic representations. The higher left beta power seen may reflect increased linking of sensory information and corresponding articulatory patterns, while bilateral decreases in theta power suggest more mature automatized speech processing, as less neuronal resources were allocated to process syllabic information. For the deviant syllable, left-lateralized gamma (<70 Hz) enhancement suggests IAE promotes phonemic-related discrimination abilities. Theta power increases in right auditory cortex, known for favoring slow-rate decoding, implies IAE facilitates the more demanding processing of the sporadic deviant syllable.
Directional tuning during reach planning in the supramarginal gyrus using local field potentials.

Abstract Previous work in directional tuning for brain machine interfaces has primarily relied on algorithm sorted neuronal action potentials in primary motor cortex. However, local field potential has been utilized to show directional tuning in macaque studies, and inferior parietal cortex has shown increased neuronal activity in reaching tasks that relied on MRI imaging. In this study we utilized local field potential recordings from a human subject performing a delayed reach task and show that high frequency band (76–100 Hz) spectral power is directionally tuned to different reaching target locations during an active reach. We also show that during the delay phase of the task, directional tuning is present in areas of the inferior parietal cortex, in particular, the supramarginal gyrus.
Safety Findings from the Phase 3 Studies (SAMURAI, SPARTAN) of Lasmiditan for Acute Treatment of Migraine (P1.10-009)

Objective: To assess the safety profile of lasmiditan based on findings from the Phase 3 studies, SPARTAN and SAMURAI. Background: Lasmiditan is a 5-HT1F receptor agonist without vasoconstrictive activity being developed as an acute therapy for migraine. SPARTAN and SAMURAI were double-blind studies of patients with migraine, randomized to oral lasmiditan 50mg (SPARTAN only), 100mg, 200mg, or placebo to be taken within 4 hours of onset of a migraine attack. If needed for rescue/recurrence, a second randomized dose could be taken. Design/Methods: Safety data from SPARTAN and SAMURAI were integrated. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (occurred within 48 hours of first dose, regardless of whether second dose taken) were considered in the analyses. Results: The safety population comprised 1262 participants assigned placebo, and 654, 1265, and 1258 assigned lasmiditan 50mg, 100mg, and 200mg, respectively. There were no deaths; serious adverse events were reported for 7 participants (placebo, n=2 [0.2%]; lasmiditan 50mg, n=1 [0.2%]; lasmiditan 100mg, n=1 [0.2%]; lasmiditan 200mg, n=3 [0.2%]). Participants reporting ≥1 TEAE were - Placebo, n=174 (13.5%); lasmiditan 50mg, n=166 (25.4%); lasmiditan 100mg, n=458 (36.2%); and lasmiditan 200mg, n=510 (40.3%). TEAEs were generally mild or moderate in severity. TEAEs in ≥2% of any lasmiditan dose group and more frequent with lasmiditan than placebo (p Conclusions: As a centrally-penetrant drug, lasmiditan use was associated with neurologic TEAEs most mild or moderate, of quick onset and self-limiting. Trial registration at clinicaltrials.gov: SAMURAI (NCT02439320) and SPARTAN (NCT02605174) Disclosure: Dr. Krege has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Krege has received compensation for serving on the Board of Directors of Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Krege holds stock and/or stock options in Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Liffick has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Doty has received personal compensation for consulting and serving on a scientific advisory board with Eli Lilly and Company, and has received personal compensation for speaking with the Allergan Botox Speakers Bureau, Amgen Speakers Bureau, and Teva Speakers Bureau. Dr. Doty holds stock and/or stock options in Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Dowsett has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Wang has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Eli Lilly and Company. Dr. Buchanan has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Eli Lilly and Co.
Fatigue crack growth in aluminum alloy 5083-0 thick plate and welds for liquefied natural gas tanks

Data are presented on fatigue crack growth rates in thick plate of aluminum alloy 5083-0 for spherical liquefied natural gas cargo tanks. The investigation included: (1) determination of fatigue crack growth rates at roomtemperature and -320°F; (2) comparison of fatigue crack growth in welds with that in parent material; (3) establishment of the rate and direction of growth of surface flaws under tension and combined tension and bending; and (4) comparison of the rate of growth of surface flaws in plates under spectrum loading with calculated rates based on data from constant amplitude loading of compact tension specimens.
Learning Empire: Globalization and the German Quest for World Status, 1875–1919

The First World War marked the end point of a process of German globalization that began in the 1870s, well before Germany acquired a colonial empire or extensive overseas commercial interests. Structured around the figures of five influential economists who shaped the German political landscape, Learning Empire explores how their overseas experiences shaped public perceptions of the world and Germany's place in it. These men helped define a German liberal imperialism that came to influence the 'world policy' (Weltpolitik) of Kaiser Wilhelm, Chancellor Bulow, and Admiral Tirpitz. They devised naval propaganda, reshaped Reichstag politics, were involved in colonial and financial reforms, and helped define the debate over war aims in the First World War. Looking closely at German worldwide entanglements, Learning Empire recasts how we interpret German imperialism, the origins of the First World War, and the rise of Nazism, inviting reflection on the challenges of globalization in the current century.
Comparing food desert residents with non-food desert residents on grocery shopping behaviours, diet and BMI: results from a propensity score analysis.

Objective To determine whether residence in a US Department of Agriculture-designated food desert is associated with perceived access to healthy foods, grocery shopping behaviours, diet and BMI among a national sample of primary food shoppers. Design Data for the present study came from a self-administered cross-sectional survey administered in 2015. Residential addresses of respondents were geocoded to determine whether their census tract of residence was a designated food desert or not. Inverse probability of treatment-weighted regression was used to assess whether residence in a food desert was associated with dependent variables of interest. Setting USA. Participants Of 4942 adult survey respondents, residential addresses of 75·0 % (n 3705) primary food shoppers were included in the analysis. Results Residence in a food desert (11·1 %, n 411) was not significantly associated with perceived access to healthy foods, most grocery shopping behaviours or dietary behaviour, but was significantly associated with primarily shopping at a superstore or supercentre v. a large grocery store (OR = 1·32; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·71; P = 0·03) and higher BMI (b = 1·14; 95 % CI 0·36, 1·93; P = 0·004). Conclusions Results suggest that food desert residents shop at different food stores and have higher BMI than non-food desert residents.
Antifibrotic Effects of the Thiazolidinediones in Eosinophilic Esophagitis Pathologic Remodeling: A Preclinical Evaluation.

Introduction Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a T-helper 2 (Th2), eosinophilic disease associated with pathologic tissue remodeling that leads to end-organ dysfunction. During early-stage disease, inflammation and subepithelial fibrosis are coupled and reversible, but in late-stage or therapy-resistant disease, there can be uncoupling of these features with progressive esophageal rigidity and strictures contributing to clinical dysphagia and food impactions. No current pharmacotherapeutic interventions directly target esophageal fibrosis. Based on the ability of the thiazolidinediones (TZD) to regulate intestinal and hepatic fibrosis, we tested the antifibrotic effects of the TZDs, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, in preclinical studies using primary human esophageal fibroblasts. Methods Primary fibroblasts isolated from normal or EoE esophagi were treated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in the absence or presence of TZDs and, in some experiments, without or with budesonide and analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting. Immunohistochemical analysis of human esophageal biopsies was performed. Results EoE esophageal biopsies and esophageal fibroblasts expressed higher levels of the TZD receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), than normal controls. PPAR-γ was inducible by the Th2 cytokine, interleukin 4 (IL-4). TZD significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast and fibrotic gene and protein expression preferentially in EoE, but not normal esophageal fibroblasts. In esophageal fibroblasts, TGF-β1 increased phosphorylated Smad2/3 and p38, but TZDs preferentially inhibited p38 phosphorylation, suggesting signaling pathway-specific effects. The TZDs were more potent than budesonide at decreasing collagen-1α1 expression. Discussion The TZDs preferentially exert antifibrotic effects in TGF-β1-activated EoE fibroblasts and provide a preclinical foundation for further investigation of the potential of the TZDs in EoE pathologic remodeling.
Chapter 3 – Crime Scene Photography

Photographs can become critical items of evidence in court. As such, they must be able to withstand challenges from the defense. The careful documentation of each photograph is the best way to ensure that a photograph may survive some potential challenges. This chapter explains the three primary ways in which the photographs should be documented. These three types of crime/accident scene photographs include overalls, midranges, and close-ups. The overall photographs document the general conditions of the scene, with both exterior and interior views, and how the specific crime scene relates to the surrounding area. When taking overall photographs, the photographer temporarily ignores the specific items of evidence within the scene and concentrates on documenting the general scene conditions. The purpose of midrange photographs is to show a relationship between an individual item of evidence and a fixed feature of the scene previously photographed in one of the overalls. “Fixed features” are truly fixed at the scene. Midrange photographs are designed to include both an item of evidence and a fixed feature of the scene in the same photograph. It is critical to have both of these elements properly composed, exposed, and in focus. A close-up photograph is an attempt to fill the frame with the evidence, with the film plane parallel to the evidence. Diagonal viewpoints are to be avoided. Examination quality photographs will be comparable to a known item of evidence only if the film plane was parallel to the evidence when the close-up photograph was taken. The photograph should also indicate to the viewer that the photographer carefully chose the viewpoint, and diagonal viewpoints do not show this level of care. The photographic documentation of wounds requires additional considerations not always relevant to other types of evidence.
Doppler Velocity Bias Mitigation Through Sidelobe Whitening for Multistatic Weather Radar

Multistatic radar is a promising option for the low-cost collection of multiple-Doppler weather observations. However, due to the use of low-directivity antennas at the receivers in these systems, they typically suffer from extremely high two-way sidelobe levels compared to monostatic radars. Doppler velocity estimation biases induced by sidelobe contamination have proved to be a significant obstacle to more widespread adoption of this technology. It has been noted in the existing literature that the technique of sidelobe whitening, first developed for use in monostatic systems, has the potential to mitigate this issue. However, the existing sidelobe whitening algorithm is not suitable for use in this application, as it is only capable of achieving whitening in the two-way antenna pattern, whereas an algorithm to be used in the multistatic case must be able to achieve this result in the transmit pattern alone. This article proposes an alternate sidelobe whitening technique based on the method of alternating projections which allows for effective whitening in the one-way antenna pattern. A multistatic weather radar time-series simulator is used in conjunction with numerical weather prediction data to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method in mitigating multiple-Doppler measurement biases.
Morphological Correlates of the Protection Afforded By Varma Mixture In Rat Cornea Exposed to Half Mustard (Cees).

Whole body exposure to the chemical warfare agent, mustard gas, bis-(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, or its laboratory model compound, half mustard, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), induces cutaneous, respiratory and ocular impairments. Of these, ocular damage causes the most immediate incapacitation with initial symptoms evident within minutes. This incapacitation is a result of irritation and edema of eyelids, conjunctiva and especially cornea. Development of corneal epithelial lesions and edema leads to deterioration of corneal transmissive and refractive properties with untoward effects on visual acuity. Heretofore, there has been no specific pretreatment, or antidotal therapy for mustard gas-induced ocular impairment. In the present study, we describe morphological correlates of the apparent attenuation of such damage by a mixture compound developed by Varma et al. Varma mixture (VM) consists of compounds known to provide bio-energetic support, prevent oxidative stress, modulate membrane permeability and support tissue metabolism. The mustard agent used in this study was CEES.
Rendering Latinas Invisible: The Underrepresentation of Latinas in K-12 History

There is a lack of research on the prevalence of Latinas in K-12 history textbooks. This research offers a content analysis of the unique gendered contributions of Latinas in history to fulfill this gap in educational research. Twelve middle and high school textbooks were examined using content analysis to assess the extent of Latina inclusion in history as well as how Latinas were characterized when discussed in books. The author confirms that there is an underrepresentation of Latinas in history textbooks. Latinas only represent .0063 of the individuals mentioned in historical content with few pictures of these successful Latinas. If young Latinas do not see Latina role models who are doctors, scientists, inventors, or entrepreneurs, they may be less apt to pursue those occupations. The author contends that it is imperative for all students, including Latinas, to see culturally relevant role models represented in textbooks to create a more inclusive and engaging classroom experience
Reduced COVID-19 Hospitalizations among New York City Residents Following Age-Based SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Eligibility: Evidence from a Regression Discontinuity Design

Abstract Background In clinical trials, several SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were shown to reduce risk of severe COVID-19 illness. Local, population-level, real-world evidence of vaccine effectiveness is accumulating. We assessed vaccine effectiveness for community-dwelling New York City (NYC) residents using a quasi-experimental, regression discontinuity design, leveraging a period (January 12–March 9, 2021) when ≥65-year-olds were vaccine-eligible but younger persons, excluding essential workers, were not. Methods We constructed segmented, negative binomial regression models of age-specific COVID-19 hospitalization rates among 45–84-year-old NYC residents during a post-vaccination program implementation period (February 21–April 17, 2021), with a discontinuity at age 65 years. The relationship between age and hospitalization rates in an unvaccinated population was incorporated using a pre-implementation period (December 20, 2020–February 13, 2021). We calculated the rate ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the interaction between implementation period (pre or post) and age-based eligibility (45–64 or 65–84 years). Analyses were stratified by race/ethnicity and borough of residence. Similar analyses were conducted for COVID-19 deaths. Results Hospitalization rates among 65–84-year-olds decreased from pre- to post-implementation periods (RR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74–0.97), controlling for trends among 45–64-year-olds. Accordingly, an estimated 721 (95% CI: 126–1,241) hospitalizations were averted. Residents just above the eligibility threshold (65–66-year-olds) had lower hospitalization rates than those below (63–64-year-olds). Racial/ethnic groups and boroughs with higher vaccine coverage generally experienced greater reductions in RR point estimates. Uncertainty was greater for the decrease in COVID-19 death rates (RR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.66–1.10). Conclusion The vaccination program in NYC reduced COVID-19 hospitalizations among the initially age-eligible ≥65-year-old population by approximately 15%. The real-world evidence of vaccine effectiveness makes it more imperative to improve vaccine access and uptake to reduce inequities in COVID-19 outcomes.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency and Other Immunodeficiency Syndromes in Bronchiectasis

Immunodeficiency represents a vast number of diseases and syndromes. Both primary and secondary forms of immunodeficiency are important contributors to the development of bronchiectasis. Primary immune deficiencies, in particular, are increasingly identified and defined as contributors. Specific immune deficiencies that are closely associated with bronchiectasis and as discussed in this article are common variable immunodeficiency, specific antibody deficiency, immunodeficiencies involving immunoglobulin E, DOCK8 immunodeficiency, phosphoglucomutase 3 deficiency, activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome, and X-linked agammaglobulinemia. Each of these primary immune deficiencies has unique nuances. Vigilance for these unique signs and symptoms is likely to improve recognition of specific immunodeficiency in the idiopathic bronchiectasis patient. Secondary forms of immunodeficiency occur as a result of a separate disease process. Graft versus host disease, malignancy, and human immunodeficiency virus are three classic examples discussed in this article. An awareness of the potential for these disease settings to lead to bronchiectasis is necessary to optimize patient care. With understanding and mindfulness toward the intricate relationship between bronchiectasis and immunodeficiency, there is an opportunity to elucidate pathophysiologic underpinnings between these two syndromes.
Thromboelastography profiles for controlled circulatory death donors: Validating the role of heparin.

Controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) liver transplants are associated with increased ischemic-type biliary complications. Microvascular thrombosis secondary to decreased donor fibrinolysis may contribute to bile duct injury. We hypothesized cDCD donors are hypercoagulable with impaired fibrinolysis and aim to use thromboelastography to characterize cDCD coagulation profiles. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
An Industrial Geography of Cocaine

1. Through the Lens of Economic Geography: Cocaine in Space and Place 2. Globalization and Competitive Advantage in the International Drug Trade 3. Drug Trafficking Organizations: Strategy and Organization 4. Production Chain of Cocaine HCl 5. Case Study: Columbia 6. Case Study: Bolivia 7. International Trans-shipment of Cocaine 8. Case Study: Mexico 9. Marketing Cocaine in the U.S. 10. Policy Implications 11. Conclusions: Through a Glass, Darkly. References
Post-Modern Software Development

The history of software development includes elements of art, science, engineering, and fashion(though very little manufacturing). In all domains, old ideas give way or evolve to new ones: in the fine arts, the baroque gave way to rococo, romanticism, modernism, postmodernism, and so forth. What is the postmodern programming equivalent? That is, what comes after object orientation?
Human liver nicotinamide N-methyltransferase. cDNA cloning, expression, and biochemical characterization.

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) catalyzes the N-methylation of nicotinamide and other pyridines. Human liver NNMT activity has a bimodal frequency distribution, an observation which raises the possibility that this enzyme activity might be regulated by a genetic polymorphism, a polymorphism that could have functional implications for individual differences in drug and xenobiotic toxicity. As a first step toward testing that hypothesis, we set out to clone and express a cDNA for human liver NNMT. Human liver NNMT was partially purified, photoaffinity-labeled, subjected to limited proteolysis, and partial amino acid sequence information was obtained. The polymerase chain reaction was then used to amplify a 550-nucleotide sequence with human liver cDNA as template and primers designed on the basis of the NNMT amino acid sequence. The 5‘- and 3‘-ends of a human liver NNMT cDNA were obtained by use of the rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The combined use of these approaches resulted in the isolation of a human liver NNMT cDNA that was 969 nucleotides in length, with a 792-nucleotide open reading frame that encoded a 264-amino acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 29.6 kDa. The human liver NNMT cDNA was transcribed in vitro and translated with a reticulocyte lysate system to yield a protein with a molecular mass of approximately 29 kDa that comigrated during SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with photoaffinity-labeled human liver NNMT. The NNMT cDNA was also subcloned into the eukaryotic expression vector p91023(B). COS-1 cells transfected with this construct expressed a high level of NNMT enzymatic activity, and the biochemical properties of this activity were similar to those of human liver NNMT. Human liver NNMT and transfected COS-1 cell NNMT had apparent Km values for the two cosubstrates for the reaction, nicotinamide and S-adenosyl-L-methionine, of 0.43 and 0.38 mM and of 1.8 and 2.2 microM, respectively. IC50 values for the inhibition of NNMT by N1-methylnicotinamide were 60 and 30 microns for human liver and COS-1 cell-expressed NNMT, respectively. Cloning of a cDNA for human liver NNMT will help make it possible to test the hypothesis that inheritance may play a role in the regulation of individual differences in human liver NNMT activity.
Algebraic and Geometric Methods in Enumerative Combinatorics

Enumerative combinatorics is about counting. The typical question is to find the number of objects with a given set of properties. However, enumerative combinatorics is not just about counting. In “real life”, when we talk about counting, we imagine lining up a set of objects and counting them off: 1, 2, 3, . . .. However, families of combinatorial objects do not come to us in a natural linear order. To give a very simple example: we do not count the squares in an m × n rectangular grid linearly. Instead, we use the rectangular structure to understand that the number of squares is m ·n. Similarly, to count a more complicated combinatorial set, we usually spend most of our efforts understanding the underlying structure of the individual objects, or of the set itself. Many combinatorial objects of interest have a rich and interesting algebraic or geometric structure, which often becomes a very powerful tool towards their enumeration. In fact, there are many families of objects which we only know how to count using these tools. Our goal in this chapter is to highlight some key aspects of the rich interplay between algebra, discrete geometry, and combinatorics, with an eye towards enumeration.
Cholinergic neurotransmission in human corpus cavernosum. II. Acetylcholine synthesis

Physiological and histochemical evidence indicates that cholinergic nerves may participate in mediating penile erection. Acetylcholine synthesis and release was studied in isolated human corporal tissue. Human corpus cavernosum incubated with [3H )choline accumulated [3H]choline and synthesized [3H]acetylcholine in a concentration-dependent manner. [3H]Acetylcholine accumulation by the tissue was inhibited by hemicholinium-3, a specific antagonist of the high-affinity choline transport in cholinergic nerves. Transmural electrical field stimulation caused release of [3H]acetylcholine which was significantly diminished by inhibiting neurotransmission with calcium-free physiological salt solution or tetrodotoxin. These observations provide biochemical and physiological evidence for the existence of cholinergic innervation in human corpus cavernosum.
Design and Development of Artificial Zinc Finger Transcription Factors and Zinc Finger Nucleases to the hTERT Locus

The ability to direct human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression through either genetic control or tunable regulatory factors would advance not only our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of this gene, but also potentially produce new strategies for addressing telomerase-associated disease. In this work, we describe the engineering of artificial zinc finger transcription factors (ZFTFs) and ZF nucleases (ZFNs) to target sequences within the hTERT promoter and exon-1. We were able to identify several active ZFTFs that demonstrate a broadly tunable response when screened by a cell-based transcriptional reporter assay. Using the same DNA-binding domains, we generated ZFNs that were screened in combinatorial pairs in cell-based extrachromosomal single-strand annealing (SSA) assays and in gene-targeting assays using stably integrated constructs. Selected ZFN pairs were tested for the ability to induce sequence changes in a Cel1 assay and we observed frequencies of genomic modification up to 18.7% at the endogenous hTERT locus. These screening strategies have pinpointed several ZFN pairs that may be useful in gene editing of the hTERT locus. Our work provides a foundation for using engineered ZF proteins (ZFPs) for modulation of the hTERT locus.
The determinants of fixed investment over the business cycle: Some time series evidence

Abstract This paper employs a nine-variable vector autoregressive model to explain fluctuations in nonresidential fixed investment over the postwar business cycle. The results of Granger causality tests and Sims' innovations accounting do not support the Keynesian view that nonresidential fixed investment contains a large autonomous component. We, however, find that nonresidential structure is relatively more exogenous than producers durable equipment, and the latter drives investment in the former. The results further indicate relative prices; interest rates and the accelerator are among the important predictors of both producers durable equipment and nonresidential structure. Changes in the money supply are found to have a significant influence on investment while the effects of fiscal expenditures and government debt are weak.
Beta2-Microglobulin Predicts Survival in Primary Systemic Amyloidosis

Measurement of the serum s2-microglobulin (s2-M) is useful in predicting survival in patients with multiple myeloma. Primary systemic amyloidosis (AL) shares many features in common with multiple myeloma. We measured s2-M levels in 131 patients with newly diagnosed AL. of those patients, 124 have died, the remaining 7 patients have been followed a minimum of eight years. The median survival of patients with an elevated s2-M level (>2.7 mcg/ml) was 10.8 months compared to those with a normal s2-M level of 32.9 months (p > 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that only the presence of congestive heart failure has a greater impact on survival. Even factoring in congestive heart failure, s2-M remains a significant predictor of survival. When patients with normal creatinine only are included, the median survival of those with an elevated s2-M was 9 months versus 39.4 months for those with a normal s2-M level (p > 0.001). Serum s2-M levels should be measured in all patients with AL since it is a highly significant predictor of survival.
Improvement of internal color of oranges stored in oxygen-enriched atmospheres.

Abstract ‘Hamlin’, ‘Parson Brown’ and ‘Pineapple’ oranges were stored for 4 weeks at 15°C in a continuous flow of (1) air, (2) 20 mg 1 −1 ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) in air, (3) 40% O 2 + 60% N 2 , or (4) 80% O 2 + 20% N 2 , followed by 2 additional weeks in air. Fruits stored in the C 2 H 4 atmosphere lost rind chlorophyll faster, and the rind turned orange quicker, than fruits in the other atmospheres. However, most of the fruits stored in the C 2 H 4 atmosphere had paler endocarp and juice than fruits stored in the other atmospheres. Fruits stored in 80% O 2 had the palest rind, but their endocarp and juice color were the deepest orange. Color change was detectable after 2–3 weeks and continued to develop until the end of the experiments. In 40% O 2 fruit, response was intermediate. The respiration rate of ‘Pineapple’ oranges during 4 weeks of storage in the test atmospheres was highest in the fruits stored in C 2 H 4 , almost as high in fruits stored in 80% O 2 , and lowest in fruits kept in 40% O 2 or in air. Fruits stored in the different atmospheres did not differ significantly in total soluble solids content, total acidity, or pH of the juice, and the atmospheres did not adversely affect the flavor of the juice.
Laryngotracheal reconstruction with posterior costal cartilage grafts: outcomes at a single institution.

Objective To describe our outcomes after laryngotracheal reconstruction that required posterior costal cartilage grafting focused on decannulation rates and complications. Study Design Case series with chart review. Subjects and Methods Charts were reviewed on 58 patients. Operation specific and overall decannulation rates were determined. Complications were reviewed and correlated with technique of graft placement. Available voice outcomes were reviewed. Results Forty-eight patients were included. There was no statistically significant correlation between degree of stenosis and rate of decannulation. The overall decannulation rate, regardless of number of surgeries performed, was 96 percent. The relative risk for complications was higher among children who had a sutured versus a sutureless flanged posterior graft (RR = 2.5, P Conclusions Operation-specific decannulation rates are not significantly different with increasing disease severity, although the power to detect small differences in this study is low. Sutureless graft placement is associated with a lower complication rate. Supraglottic compression is a common postoperative compensatory vocal behavior and may correlate with disease severity.
Activation of the human IGFBP-1 gene promoter by progestin and relaxin in primary culture of human endometrial stromal cells

We have studied the activity for the insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) gene promoter in human endometrial stromal cells by transient transfection. The promoter activity derived from p3.6CAT or p3.6Luc (3400 bp IGFBP-1 promoter 5' to the reporter gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase or luciferase) was minimal in unstimulated cells. A time study over 13 days of culture showed that the promoter activity increased exponentially to > 10(4) fold in cells treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and relaxin (RLX). Induction of the IGFBP-1 gene promoter activity by hormones was similar to the secretion pattern of IGFBP-1 in endometrial stromal cells. MPA alone caused a moderate induction, 3-40-fold increase over the control. Deletion analysis showed that two regions in the IGFBP-1 gene promoter were responsible for the activation of the IGFBP-1 gene. The basal promoter region, termed bp1-A (+68 bp to -1.205 kb), contains multiple sections of regulatory sequence including a cis-element CCAAT (-72 bp). A DNase I protection assay in the bp-1A region revealed four distinct binding regions, one of which contained the CCAAT box region. Another promoter region, termed bp1-B (-2.6 to -3.4 kb), mediated 95% of the total promoter activity in endometrial stromal cells. The bp1-B region also contains multiple regulatory sequences. Mutation and DNase I protection assay suggest that Sp1-like binding site at -2.63 kb was a regulatory site responsible for the activation of IGFBP-1 gene promoter.
Evaluation of Linear Site-Response Methods for Estimating Higher-Frequency (> 2 Hz) Ground Motions in the Lower Wabash River Valley of the Central United States

The horizontal-to-vertical ratio of ambient noise ( H/V * N ) and the time-averaged S -wave velocity of the upper 30 m of soils and rock at a site ( V S 30 ) were evaluated for their suitability as techniques for estimating site effects in the lower Wabash River Valley area of southern Indiana and Illinois. We also calculated the horizontal-to-vertical ratio of the S wave ( H/V * S ) for the southwestern Indiana earthquake of 18 June 2002 and evaluated its effectiveness for estimating site effects. The database for the study consisted of new SH -wave seismic refraction/reflection profiles and ambient noise recordings at several blast monitor sites that recorded the M 4.5, 18 June 2002 earthquake, as well as the S -wave arrivals recorded by the blast monitors during the earthquake. Our results are limited to ground motions > 2 Hz because of the low-cut frequency of the velocity transducers used in the blast monitor systems. The shallow seismic refraction/reflection profiles allowed us to determine the S -wave velocities and soil-bedrock contact geometry, as well as the depth to bedrock, characteristic frequency, and V S 30 . These methods were compared with linear one-dimensional site amplification approximations. The results of the study are not encouraging. There is only a weak correlation between the linear 1-D amplification curves and the site effects predicted by the two horizontal-to-vertical ratios or the V S 30 classification of the site. Likewise, there is poor correlation between the two horizontal-to-vertical techniques or between V S 30 and the Modified Mercalli intensities reported for the 18 June 2002 earthquake. The results show that site effects in southern Indiana and southern Illinois are too complex for single-parameter characterization; consequently, a better evaluation likely requires a minimum of site-specific in situ seismic-velocity measurements, geotechnical index tests, and one-dimensional approximation.
Adherence to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and the effects of exposure misclassification on the risk of hospital admission.

Objective To describe the effect of different exposure classification strategies for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on drug-outcome associations. Methods We studied the association between DMARD initiation and all-cause hospitalizations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 1995–2005. Initiators of DMARDs and oral glucocorticoids were followed for ≤180 days. We compared 2 strategies for exposure classification: a persistent exposure required (PER) approach, in which followup stopped when the regimen changed; and a persistent exposure ignored (PEI) approach, in which followup continued despite regimen changes. For PEI, adherence was assessed using the medication possession ratio. All-cause hospitalization risk was compared among RA regimen initiators using Cox models and methotrexate as the reference. Results We identified 28,906 episodes of medication initiation. In PER analyses, tumor necrosis factor α antagonists did not increase hospitalization risk compared with methotrexate, whereas leflunomide did (hazard ratio [HR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.1–1.67). Glucocorticoids increased hospitalization risk (HR 1.29, 1.54, and 2.03 for low, medium, and high doses, respectively). PEI results were similar to PER except that infliximab initiation increased the risk of hospitalization compared with methotrexate (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.19–1.8), and most other effects were closer to the null. In PEI, adherence ranged from 73% for etanercept to 6% for glucocorticoids and adherence to methotrexate was 59%. Conclusion Compared with methotrexate initiation, leflunomide or glucocorticoid initiation consistently increased all-cause hospitalizations in the first 180 days of use. Most PER and PEI estimates were similar; observed differences in risk between these methods were likely due to differences in adherence.
HIV infection in women: social inequalities as determinants of risk

Abstract Social inequalities lie at the heart of risk of HIV infection among women living in poor countries and among poor women living in wealthy countries. As of December 1996, UNAIDS estimated that 12.1 million women have developed AIDS-defining diagnoses. These women have been disproportionately poor, and in the US, African-American and Latina. Their neighborhoods and villages have been burdened by poverty, civil unrest, structural adjustment, racism, drugs and violence. To explain which women are at risk and why, this article reviews the epidemiology of HIV and AIDS among women in light of four conceptual frameworks linking health and social justice: feminism, social production of disease/political economy of health, ecosocial, and human rights. The article applies these alternative theories to describe sociopolitical contexts for AIDS' emergence and spread in the US, and reviews evidence linking inequalities of class, race/ethnicity, gender and sexuality, as well as strategies of resistance to these...
Nonlinear hydro-magnetic convection at a permeable cylinder in a porous medium

We consider the longitudinal steady nonlinear hydromagnetic convection flow over a permeable vertical cylinder in a porous medium. We assume that both the mainstream velocity at the outer edge of the boundary layer and the surface temperature of the cylinder vary linearly with axial distance from the leading edge, and extend the existing literature by including the nonlinear density temperature variation, magnetic field, and heat source/sink.
MRM screening/biomarker discovery with linear ion trap MS: a library of human cancer-specific peptides.

The discovery of novel protein biomarkers is essential in the clinical setting to enable early disease diagnosis and increase survivability rates. To facilitate differential expression analysis and biomarker discovery, a variety of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)-based protein profiling techniques have been developed. For achieving sensitive detection and accurate quantitation, targeted MS screening approaches, such as multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), have been implemented. MCF-7 breast cancer protein cellular extracts were analyzed by 2D-strong cation exchange (SCX)/reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) separations interfaced to linear ion trap MS detection. MS data were interpreted with the Sequest-based Bioworks software (Thermo Electron). In-house developed Perl-scripts were used to calculate the spectral counts and the representative fragment ions for each peptide. In this work, we report on the generation of a library of 9,677 peptides (p < 0.001), representing ~1,572 proteins from human breast cancer cells, that can be used for MRM/MS-based biomarker screening studies. For each protein, the library provides the number and sequence of detectable peptides, the charge state, the spectral count, the molecular weight, the parameters that characterize the quality of the tandem mass spectrum (p-value, DeltaM, Xcorr, DeltaCn, Sp, no. of matching a, b, yions in the spectrum), the retention time, and the top 10 most intense product ions that correspond to a given peptide. Only proteins identified by at least two spectral counts are listed. The experimental distribution of protein frequencies, as a function of molecular weight, closely matched the theoretical distribution of proteins in the human proteome, as provided in the SwissProt database. The amino acid sequence coverage of the identified proteins ranged from 0.04% to 98.3%. The highest-abundance proteins in the cellular extract had a molecular weight (MW)<50,000. Preliminary experiments have demonstrated that putative biomarkers, that are not detectable by conventional data dependent MS acquisition methods in complex un-fractionated samples, can be reliable identified with the information provided in this library. Based on the spectral count, the quality of a tandem mass spectrum and the m/z values for a parent peptide and its most abundant daughter ions, MRM conditions can be selected to enable the detection of target peptides and proteins.
The solidus and liquidus lines in the AuNi phase diagram

Determination des lignes de solidus et liquidus par analyse microstructurale de neuf alliages Au-9,33 a 89,77%at. Ni obtenus par fusion sous arc
Dependence of Panum’s fusional area on local retinal stimulation

The range of fusion in the human binocular vision system has been shown by many research groups to be capable of extension. Although each of these research groups tested the extension of fusion under different conditions, the majority agreed that an extension of fusion is possible, and most have noted a variety of variables that contribute to the phenomenon. The extension of fusion may be interpreted in at least two ways. The first is that the range over which fusion is possible is enlarged, and the second is that the range is shifted. Therefore a study of human binocular fusional ranges was performed to clarify the nature of the extension of Panum’s fusional area. The following results were obtained: (1) A shift of the fusional area occurs when one of a pair of fused retinally stabilized images is moved into disparate locations on the retinas. Results for one observer demonstrate a corresponding small enlargement of the fusional area. Thus the extension of the fusional area not only involves the recruitment of retinal locations into the fusional area that are not normally in the area but also involves the loss from the fusional area of certain retinal locations that are normally within it. (2) A continually present stimulus fuses over a wider range with a flashed stimulus than with another continually present stimulus.