cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust Social Norms in Bargains and Markets

We consider the social norms of repeated matching games in the presence of nite probability trembles and show that such norms must be subgame perfect along the equilibrium path but need not be subgame perfect o the equilibrium path. This is consistent with the well known experimental results by Roth et. al. (1991) in which subjects play subgame perfect equilibria in the market game but play nonsubgame perfect equilibria in the ultimatum game, providing a simple and intuitive explanation for this behavior in terms of societal norms, where societal norms are simply the dominant play induced by the sequential equilibria arising in societal games. Our analysis provides a fully rational explanation of behavior that has been typically analyzed as arising from boundedly rational play. It also emphasizes the importance of studying the eects of nite tremble probabilities and population sizes directly, for example both limits, very large, and very small populations yield misleading predictions for the intermediate case.
Testosterone Making an Entry Into the Cardiometabolic World

Testosterone, the predominant sex hormone in men, is produced by the testes under stimulation by the gonadotrophs in the pituitary, which in turn are controlled by gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the hypothalamus. A young adult man generally produces 3 to 10 mg of testosterone daily, which translates into serum values of 300 to 1000 ng/dL. The consequences of classical male hypogonadism (primary or secondary) have been long known to physicians and patients alike and include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, reduced sexual hair, and changes in body habitus. Recently, we have come to appreciate that reductions in serum testosterone resulting from aging or chronic disease have signs and symptoms similar to those seen in classical male hypogonadism, along with increased fat mass, decreased lean body mass, decreased muscle strength, and diminished quality of life.1 During the past decade, reports have been trickling in, mainly from laboratory and epidemiological studies (and a few clinical studies), linking differences in serum testosterone levels to various cardiovascular risk factors and also directly to cardiovascular disease and death. The article by Khaw et al2 in this issue of Circulation is another link to this growing chain. Article p 2694 Thirteen years ago, Phillips et al3 reported that low total and free testosterone levels were inversely linked to coronary artery disease, even after adjusting for age and adiposity. This observation still holds true, as was recently supported by a study showing that men with angiographically proven coronary artery disease had lower levels of testosterone than those of controls.4 Furthermore, testosterone levels were negatively correlated to the degree of coronary involvement. A few population-based studies have been published that relate low serum testosterone level with risk of death. A study of male veterans showed that low testosterone was associated with increased risk of …
Beef and soy-based food supplements differentially affect serum lipoprotein-lipid profiles because of changes in carbohydrate intake and novel nutrient intake ratios in older men who resistive-train

Abstract Objective We examined if the predominant source of dietary protein influenced the lipoprotein-lipid profile in older men who performed resistive exercise training (RT). Design This is a 14-week, randomized, repeated-measures study with a 12-week period of RT with supplementation of different sources of dietary protein (beef and soy). Setting Nutrition, Metabolism, and Exercise Laboratory, Central Arkansas Veteran's Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Ark. Subjects Twenty-six healthy men were recruited, and 21 men (age 65 ± 5 years, body mass index 28.2 ± 2.6 kg/m 2 ) completed the study. Interventions For 14 weeks, all men were counseled to self-select a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet. For 2 weeks (baseline), all men also consumed 0.6 g-protein/kg per day from portioned quantities of soy-based texturized vegetable protein foods. For the next 12 weeks, 11 men were randomized to continue with texturized vegetable protein foods (VEG group), whereas 10 men were randomized to receive 0.6 g-protein/kg per day from portioned quantities of beef (BEEF group) and continue their otherwise lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet. All men participated in RT 3 d/wk during this 12-week period. Assessments of upper and lower body muscle strength and power, serum lipoprotein-lipid profile, and dietary nutrient intakes were made at baseline and week 12 of RT (POST). Results The BEEF and VEG groups increased ( P P = .025; HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P = .027; LDL-C), and total cholesterol ( P = .015: CHOL), with no changes ( P > .05) in triacylglycerol (TG), the CHOL/HDL-C ratio, or the TG/HDL-C ratio. The VEG group did not experience within-group changes ( P > .05) in any lipoprotein-lipid parameter. At POST, the concentrations of HDL-C, LDL-C, and CHOL were greater in the BEEF group compared with the VEG group. There were significant interaction effects for HDL-C ( P = .004) and the TG/HDL-C ratio ( P = .022). Multiple regression analysis determined that, regardless of intervention, change in the saturated fat/fiber ratio (SF/fiber) predicted CHOL (adjusted R 2 = 0.34); the SF/fiber ratio predicted LDL-C (adjusted R 2 = 0.36); the cholesterol/fiber intake ratio predicted HDL-C (adjusted R 2 = 0.26), and the change in carbohydrate intake predicted the CHOL/HDL-C ratio (adjusted R 2 = 0.37) and TG (adjusted R 2 = 0.44). Conclusions These results suggest that the lipoprotein-lipid profile in these older men was differentially affected by supplementation with beef versus soy-based foods during RT. Regardless of group, the lipoprotein-lipid changes were predicted by differences in the SF/fiber ratio and cholesterol/fiber ratio and increases in carbohydrate intake over time.
Lack of semantic activation from unattended text during passage reading

Two-line passages were read while eye movements were measured. The first line contained a primary target; directly below the primary target, the second line contained the secondary target. The semantic relatedness of primary and secondary targets was varied. The results showed no reliable effects of semantic relatedness when viewing time on the primary target was examined but some effects of relatedness when viewing time on the secondary target was examined. The results suggest that readers do not obtain semantic information from unattended lines of text during reading.
Scattering of four-dimensional black holes

The moduli space metric for an arbitrary number of extremal black holes in four dimensions with arbitrary relatively supersymmetric charges is found.
Patient-Physician Communication About Complementary and Alternative Medicine in a Radiation Oncology Setting

Purpose Despite the extensive use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients, patient-physician communication regarding CAM therapies remains limited. This study quantified the extent of patient-physician communication about CAM and identified factors associated with its discussion in radiation therapy (RT) settings. Methods and Materials We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 305 RT patients at an urban academic cancer center. Patients with different cancer types were recruited in their last week of RT. Participants self-reported their demographic characteristics, health status, CAM use, patient-physician communication regarding CAM, and rationale for/against discussing CAM therapies with physicians. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify relationships between demographic/clinical variables and patients’ discussion of CAM with radiation oncologists. Results Among the 305 participants, 133 (43.6%) reported using CAM, and only 37 (12.1%) reported discussing CAM therapies with their radiation oncologists. In multivariate analyses, female patients (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21-0.98) and patients with full-time employment (AOR 0.32, 95% CI 0.12-0.81) were less likely to discuss CAM with their radiation oncologists. CAM users (AOR 4.28, 95% CI 1.93-9.53) were more likely to discuss CAM with their radiation oncologists than were non-CAM users. Conclusions Despite the common use of CAM among oncology patients, discussions regarding these treatments occur rarely in the RT setting, particularly among female and full-time employed patients. Clinicians and patients should incorporate discussions of CAM to guide its appropriate use and to maximize possible benefit while minimizing potential harm.
People Want To Speak Foreign Languages

Author's Summary.— People naturally like to speak languages, but they do not care to analyze them grammatically. Enrollment figures in evening school classes and educational language courses given over the radio show the popularity of such courses when the aural-oral approach is used. High school and college courses may regain some of their lost ground if language teachers exploit this natural desire to speak languages.
Value Change and Democratic Reform in Japan and Korea

This study explores the underlying causes of the processes of democratic reform in Japan and Korea over the past decade. In both nations, elite-challenging pressures from below have been the stimulus forcing reforms on the governing elites. For this reason, changes in mass attitudes and values become a crucial explanatory variable in accounting for recent political reforms. The authors discuss the pattern of political development in these two nations and their theory of how and why values are changing from an authoritarian to libertarian set of attitudinal orientations. This pattern of value change has been eroding the traditional tolerance of the mass publics in these two nations for authoritarian and corrupt practices. The authors empirically demonstrate how and why values have been changing and how these changes are related to increasing levels of elite-challenging protest potential and leftist reform-oriented attitudes.
Channel efficiency in digital cellular communication systems

The formula for cellular radio capacity is modified to explicitly include channel efficiency. The effect of a varying carrier-to-interference ratio is considered. Higher carrier power can lead to higher bit-rates per hertz of bandwidth for individual channels, but it reduces the frequency reuse. The tradeoff between these two effects is made explicit. It is seen that there is a point of diminishing returns beyond which the advantage of higher channel efficiency is outweighed by reduced frequency reuse. There should be an optimum carrier-to-interference ratio that maximizes the capacity as measured in number of channels per cell. >
A theoretical analysis of channeling in bins and hoppers

Abstract The kinematic approach of limit analysis suggested by Drescher [7] is adopted to derive a criterion for channeling in cylindrical bins and conical hoppers. The bulk material is modeled as a perfectly plastic solid with the flow rule associated or non-associated with the Mohr—Coulomb yield condition, which is modified by a tension cut-off. The channeling criterion is derived by examining the stability of bulk material surrounding an empty channel. Partial failure mechanisms are considered, and the influence of the material/wall interface on the stability is discussed.
Current practice in airway management: A descriptive evaluation.

BACKGROUND Ventilator-associated pneumonia, a common complication of mechanical ventilation, could be reduced if health care workers implemented evidence-based practices that decrease the risk for this complication. OBJECTIVES To determine current practice and differences in practices between registered nurses and respiratory therapists in managing patients receiving mechanical ventilation. METHODS A descriptive comparative design was used. A convenience sample of 41 registered nurses and 25 respiratory therapists who manage critical care patients treated with mechanical ventilation at Sharp Grossmont Hospital, La Mesa, California, completed a survey on suctioning techniques and airway management practices. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS Significant differences existed between nurses and respiratory therapists for hyperoxygenation before suctioning (P =.03). In the 2 groups, nurses used the ventilator for hyper-oxygenation more often, and respiratory therapists used a bag-valve device more often (P =.03). Respiratory therapists instilled saline (P <.001) and rinsed the closed system with saline after suctioning (P =.003) more often than nurses did. Nurses suctioned oral secretions (P <.001) and the nose of orally intubated patients (P =.01), brushed patients' teeth with a toothbrush (P<.001), and used oral swabs to clean the mouth (P <.001) more frequently than respiratory therapists did. CONCLUSION Nurses and respiratory therapists differed significantly in the management of patients receiving mechanical ventilation. To reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia, both nurses and respiratory therapists must be consistent in using best practices when managing patients treated with mechanical ventilation.
A day in the life: one family, the beautiful people, and the end of the sixties

by Robert Greenfield, Da Capo Press/Perseus Books, 2009, 338 pp., $ 24.95 (hardcover), ISBN 9780306816222 Of all the whimsical characters that populate Beatles songs, from the fiercely hip androgyn...
Loss of Bmp7 and Fgf8 signaling in Hoxa13-mutant mice causes hypospadia.

In humans and mice, mutations in Hoxa13 cause malformation of limb and genitourinary (GU) regions. In males, one of the most common GU malformations associated with loss of Hoxa13 function is hypospadia, a condition defined by the poor growth and closure of the urethra and glans penis. By examining early signaling in the developing mouse genital tubercle, we show that Hoxa13 is essential for normal expression of Fgf8 and Bmp7 in the urethral plate epithelium. In Hoxa13 GFP -mutant mice, hypospadias occur as a result of the combined loss of Fgf8 and Bmp7 expression in the urethral plate epithelium, as well as the ectopic expression of noggin ( Nog ) in the flanking mesenchyme. In vitro supplementation with Fgf8 restored proliferation in homozygous mutants to wild-type levels, suggesting that Fgf8 is sufficient to direct early proliferation of the developing genital tubercle. However, the closure defects of the distal urethra and glans can be attributed to a loss of apoptosis in the urethra, which is consistent with reduced Bmp7 expression in this region. Mice mutant for Hoxa13 also exhibit changes in androgen receptor expression, providing a developmental link between Hoxa13 -associated hypospadias and those produced by antagonists to androgen signaling. Finally, a novel role for Hoxa13 in the vascularization of the glans penis is also identified.
Effect of maximum power supply voltage on envelope tracking power amplifiers using GaN HEMTs

This work discusses wideband high efficiency envelope tracking (ET) power amplifiers using GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) to achieve high gain and high efficiency with good linearity. The performances of two ET amplifiers using the same GaN RF device and envelope voltages of 30-V peak and 45-V peak are compared experimentally. With the higher dynamic voltage swing (45-V case), a considerably higher PAE was obtained, as well as a higher gain. For a WCDMA signal with 7.7 dB peak-to-average ratio (PAR) and 3.84 MHz bandwidth, the 45-V peak envelope tracking amplifier shows an overall drain efficiency above 50 % at an average output power above 30 W and a gain of 13.7 dB. The result was achieved with a normalized RMS power error below 3 % and an ACPR1 of −45.2 dBc using memory-less digital predistortion. By comparison, the PAE achieved with the 30-V peak envelope tracking amplifier was 45 %, and the gain was 10.8 dB, with a similar linearity performance. The improved results can be understood on the basis of loss minimization from device on-resistance.
The Poggendorff illusion affects manual pointing as well as perceptual judgements

Pointing movements made to a target defined by the imaginary intersection of a pointer with a distant landing line were examined in healthy human observers in order to determine whether such motor responses are susceptible to the Poggendorff effect. In this well-known geometric illusion observers make systematic extrapolation errors when the pointer abuts a second line (the inducer). The kinematics of extrapolation movements, in which no explicit target was present, where similar to those made in response to a rapid-onset (explicit) dot target. The results unambiguously demonstrate that motor (pointing) responses are susceptible to the illusion. In fact, raw motor biases were greater than for perceptual responses: in the absence of an inducer (and hence also the acute angle of the Poggendorff stimulus) perceptual responses were near-veridical, whilst motor responses retained a bias. Therefore, the full Poggendorff stimulus contained two biases: one mediated by the acute angle formed between the oblique pointer and the inducing line (the classic Poggendorff effect), which affected both motor and perceptual responses equally, and another bias, which was independent of the inducer and primarily affected motor responses. We conjecture that this additional motor bias is associated with an undershoot in the unknown direction of movement and provide evidence to justify this claim. In conclusion, both manual pointing and perceptual judgements are susceptible to the well-known Poggendorff effect, supporting the notion of a unitary representation of space for action and perception or else an early locus for the effect, prior to the divergence of processing streams.
Nasopharyngeal amyloidosis: a case report

Nasopharygeal amyloidosis is a rare entity described in the otolaryngology literature. It is usually isolated and does not represent a manifestation of systemic disease. Herein we discuss the first reported case of incidentally discovered nasopharyngeal amyloidosis leading to the diagnosis of systemic disease. A patient presented to the otolaryngology clinic with complaints of otalgia and eustachian tube dysfunction. He was noted to have a unilateral middle ear effusion and subsequent nasolaryngoscopy demonstrated a right nasopharyngeal mass at the eustachian tube orifice--this was biopsied and shown to be nasopharyngeal amyloidosis. Amyloidis is a condition which entails the abnormal deposition of proteins in tissue (local) and organs (systemic) throughout the body secondary to an alteration in the secondary structure of the protein into an insoluble form, termed amyloid. Amyloidosis in the head and neck most often presents in the larynx (60%), followed by the trachea (9%), orbit (4%), and nasopharynx (3%). The vast majority of these lesions represent isolated amyloidosis, which is not associated with a shortened lifespan or the sequelae associated with systemic disease. Treatment of local disease is typically excision followed by routine surveillance for recurrence. Treatment of systemic disease is complex, and should be managed by a Hematologist/Oncologist. Amyloidosis can be associated with malignancy, thus proper workup is important even when isolated lesions are discovered.
A weighted difference barrier method in landscape genetics

Identifying barriers of species and characterize their effects on spatial distribution provide essential information to research in landscape genetics. We propose a weighted difference barrier (WDB) method as an alternative to maximum difference barriers (MDB), and to initiate and integrate more spatial modeling and methods into the problem solving process. Overall, WDB provides quick and straightforward improvements to the drawbacks of MDB. WDB integrates more sample location relationships into the barrier construction and reveals potential barriers that would otherwise go undetected. WDB incorporates both within group and between group genetic information, and delineates the barriers as a more complex pattern.
Popular Constitutional Interpretation

This Essay evaluates the theory of popular constitutionalism by exploring the concept of constitutional fidelity and the practical requirements it imposes on the exercise of interpretive authority within constitutional democracies. Popular constitutionalists argue that the people ought to play a greater role in the process of constitutional interpretation, and advocate for reforms that would make this command a reality. Popular constitutionalism’s opponents reject such reforms on the ground that final interpretive authority over the Constitution lies properly with the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. Neither side of the debate has devoted much effort to uncovering what the people know about interpreting the Constitution or the implications their level of knowledge has for the theory of popular constitutionalism. This Essay’s inquiry into constitutional fidelity reveals two important reasons why they should: (1) all who exercise interpretive authority, including the people, must faithfully exercise that authority; and (2) the ability of any interpreter to faithfully interpret the Constitution depends upon her acquisition of particular knowledge and reasoning-based competencies. The Essay identifies the essential content of these competencies, and then considers the extent to which the people and the justices possess them. The empirical evaluation conducted suggests that the people lack these competencies and the justices possess them. The Essay concludes by explaining why this finding justifies rejecting popular constitutionalist proposals to delegate interpretive authority to the people.
Changes and clinical significance of parameters of implanted ventricular unipolar leads in patients with cardiac pacemakers replacement

Objective:To investigate the changes and clinical significance of the parameters of implanted ventricular unipolar leads in the patients with cardiac pacemakers replacement.Methods:A total of 82 patients with cardiac pacemakers were replacedbecause of battery exhaust.The direct lead parameters of implanted ventricular leadswere measured in replacement using a pacing system analyzer.The functions of the new pacemakers were observed.Results:The implanted ventricular unipolar leads had been implanted for64~172(109.2±26.4)months.Thechronic pacing threshold of leads during pulse generator replacement were higher than the initial pacing threshold[(0.64±0.32V)vs.(1.55±0.62V),P0.05].The old lead impedances were(756.5±156.8)Ω during pulse generator replacement.Postoperatively,79 old leads were continued to perform the pacing function and were followed up for 1~151(68.3±30.6)months.Leads malfunction occurred in 3 patients in17~46 months after replacement operation,including lead fracture and insulation defect.Conclusion:Most direct parameters of implanted ventricularunipolar leads are in normal ranges after9 years,and can be considered to continue performing pacing function.Follow up should be taken regularly for those patients.
The early and delayed phases of gastric acid secretion in response to insulin hypoglycemia. II. The hypoglycemic secretory responses in duodenal ulcer patients after vagotomy-pyloroplasty.

In a previous communication 1 we reported that duodenal ulcer patients were invariably characterized by sustained gastric acid secretion over a period of 4 hour or longer following insulin stimulation. This response involves an immediate phase (vagal phase) and a delayed phase (pituitary-adrenal phase). In non-ulcer subjects we found two types of responses: one, the sustained response similar to that of duodenal uleer patients, and the other an unsustained response which involved mainly the vagal phase. In this study, we were interested in determining the types of gastrie acid seeretory responses which would follow insulin stimulation in duodenal ulcer patients who had undergone vagotomy with pyloroplasty. The evaluation of methods was similar to that of part I of this artiele. Two sets of data are represented. A set of complete data is represented in terms of an analysis of the pH eurve. Where the exading aspiration teehnique was used, a seeond set of data is represented in terms of milliequivalents of hydrochlorie aeid secretion. As in part I the secretory response is divided into 2 hr. phases, eonsisting of basal seeretion, early phase seeretion and delayed phase secretion. It should be stated that had we not had a large group of patients with vagotomy and pyloroplasty, this study would have been impossible. In our experience, patients having gastroenterostomy or gastrie reseetion give unreliable studies with respect to volumes and pH of gastric secretion, due to the admixture of duodenal and jejunal contents with the gastric aspirates.
Antiphospholipid Antibodies Stimulate Release Of Endothelial Cell Microparticles Enriched In IL-1β

Introduction Microparticles are submicron vesicles released by activated or apoptotic cells. Previous studies from our laboratory and others have demonstrated elevated levels of endothelial cell (EC)-derived microparticles in the plasma of patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA), which are associated with thrombosis and recurrent fetal loss. The majority of pathologic APLA are directed against β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI), an abundant plasma phospholipid binding protein. APLA/anti-β2GPI antibodies activate endothelial cells in a β2GPI-dependent manner and stimulate the release of EC microparticles. Here, we demonstrate that these microparticles are enriched in active interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and may directly stimulate EC activation. Methods EC were treated with β2GPI and anti-β2GPI antibodies and microparticles were isolated by ultra-centrifugation. The treated EC, released microparticles and microparticle-free supernatant were analyzed for interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression by western blot. In addition, we assessed the ability of microparticles derived from EC exposed to control IgG or anti-β2GPI antibodies, or microparticle-free supernatant that had been adsorbed with immobilized β2GPI to remove residual anti-β2GPI antibodies, to activate EC. Activation was defined by increased expression of cell surface E-selectin and phosphorylation of IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4). Results Incubation of EC with β2GPI and anti-β2GPI antibodies stimulated the expression of pro-IL-1β. Interestingly, while EC contained exclusively pro-IL-1β, microparticles derived from these treated cells contained only the active, cleaved form of IL-1β. Moreover, extracellular IL-1β was found exclusively in microparticles, and was absent from microparticle-free conditioned medium Finally, IL-1β-containing microparticles derived from anti-β2GPI antibody-treated EC, but not microparticles released from EC exposed to only control IgG activated additional EC. Conditioned medium from anti-β2GPI antibody-treated EC that had been pre-adsorbed with immobilized β2GPI to remove residual anti-β2GPI antibodies also failed to stimulate EC activation. Conclusions EC exposed to β2GPI and anti-β2GPI antibodies stimulate the expression pro-IL-1β, which undergoes cleavage to an active form and is packaged in microparticles. These microparticles may directly induce activation of EC or synergize with anti-β2GPI antibodies to activate EC. We hypothesize that delivery of IL-1β and perhaps other inflammatory cytokines by microparticles derived from anti-β2GPI-exposed EC or monocytes may induce a systemic vascular inflammatory state in which anti-β2GPI antibodies may more readily stimulate thrombotic events. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Erythroid Lineage-Restricted Expression of Jak2V617F Is Sufficient to Induce a Myeloproliferative Disease in Mice,

Abstract 3861 A somatic point mutation (V617F) in the JAK2 tyrosine kinase was found in most cases of Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including ∼95% patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and 50–60% patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). To investigate the contribution of JAK2V617F in MPNs, we generated a conditional Jak2V617F knock-in mouse (Akada et al., Blood 2010; 115: 3589–3597). Expression of Jak2V617F in all hematopoietic compartments including the hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) resulted in a PV-like disease associated with a marked expansion of erythroid progenitors in the bone marrow and spleen. Since Jak2 is essential for normal erythropoiesis and expression of Jak2V617F mutant enhances erythropoiesis, so we asked if erythroid progenitors are actual target cells for Jak2V617F mutation. To address this question, we have specifically expressed Jak2V617F in erythroid progenitors using the EpoR-Cre mice. Expression of heterozygous Jak2V617F in erythroid progenitors resulted in a polycythemia-like phenotype characterized by increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin, increased red blood cells, Epo-independent erythroid colonies, and splenomegaly. Erythroid lineage-specific expression of homozygous Jak2V617F resulted in significantly greater increase in hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cells, Epo-independent erythroid colonies, and splenomegaly compared to heterozygous Jak2V617F expression. These results suggest that erythroid lineage-restricted expression of Jak2V617F is sufficient to induce a polycythemia-like disease in a gene-dose dependent manner. However, transplantation of Jak2V617F-expressing erythroid progenitors (c-kit high Ter119 low CD71 high or c-kit low Ter119 high CD71 high ) from the diseased mice into lethally irradiated recipients could not transfer the disease suggesting that Jak2V617F mutation does not confer self-renewal capacity to erythroid progenitors. We also observed that only Jak2V617F-expressing HSC has the unique capacity to serially transplant the myeloproliferative disease in mice. Taken together, our results suggest that HSCs are the disease-initiating cancer stem cells and erythroid progenitors are the target cells in Jak2V617F-evoked MPN. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
An NLRP3 Mutation Causes Arthropathy and Osteoporosis in Humanized Mice

The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a critical role in host defense by facilitating caspase I activation and maturation of IL-1β and IL-18, whereas dysregulation of inflammasome activity results in autoinflammatory disease. Factors regulating human NLRP3 activity that contribute to the phenotypic heterogeneity of NLRP3-related diseases have largely been inferred from the study of Nlrp3 mutant mice. By generating a mouse line in which the NLRP3 locus is humanized by syntenic replacement, we show the functioning of the human NLRP3 proteins in vivo, demonstrating the ability of the human inflammasome to orchestrate immune reactions in response to innate stimuli. Humanized mice expressing disease-associated mutations develop normally but display acute sensitivity to endotoxin and develop progressive and debilitating arthritis characterized by granulocytic infiltrates, elevated cytokines, erosion of bones, and osteoporosis. This NLRP3-dependent arthritis model provides a platform for testing therapeutic reagents targeting the human inflammasome.
For Better or for Worse? Gender Ideology, Religious Commitment, and Relationship Quality

Few studies have considered how religion moderates the ways gender ideology influences heterosexual relationship outcomes. Drawing on a national random sample of American adults who report being married or living as married, we focus on the extent to which religious commitment moderates the link between gender ideology and reported relationship satisfaction, and whether this moderating effect varies across gender. We find that gender traditionalism is negatively associated with relationship satisfaction; however, interaction effects reveal that religious commitment moderates the effects of gender ideology such that the negative effects of gender traditionalism on relationship satisfaction only apply to people who are less religious. Gender traditionalism, by contrast, is not negatively related to relationship satisfaction for the highly religious. Splitting the sample by gender reveals that this moderating relationship is significant for women only. Thus, while gender traditionalism is negatively related to relationship satisfaction in the main, this effect is contingent on both gender and religious commitment. Religious commitment appears to mitigate negative effects of gender traditionalism on relationship outcomes, particularly for American women.
Convergent evolution of a modified, acetate-driven TCA cycle in bacteria

The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is central to energy production and biosynthetic precursor synthesis in aerobic organisms. There are few known variations of a complete TCA cycle, with the common notion being that the enzymes involved have already evolved towards optimal performance. Here, we present evidence that an alternative TCA cycle, in which acetate:succinate CoA-transferase (ASCT) replaces the enzymatic step typically performed by succinyl-CoA synthetase (SCS), has arisen in diverse bacterial groups, including microbial symbionts of animals such as humans and insects.
Lower-Limb Dominance, Performance, and Fiber Type in Resistance-trained Men.

Introduction Large imbalances between limbs are common and potentially dangerous, yet few studies have simultaneously examined performance and physiological asymmetries. The current study examined the associations between lower-limb dominance, drop-jumping kinematics, maximal strength, and myosin heavy-chain (MHC) fiber type in the vastus lateralis. Methods Thirteen resistance-trained men (age, 24.3 ± 2.7 yr; height, 181.4 ± 6.6 cm; mass, 87.7 ± 11.3 kg) identified their dominant (DOM) and nondominant (ND) limb, performed drop jumps (30 cm) and maximal knee extensions (1-repetition maximum, or 1RM), and provided biopsies from both vastus lateralis muscles for single-fiber (109 ± 36 per limb per person) MHC fiber-type identification (FT%). Results All participants selected "right" as the "preferred kicking limb" (DOM). DOM displayed a trend for a greater eccentric knee angular velocity (EKV; P = 0.083) and a significantly greater concentric knee angular velocity (CKVl P = 0.002) during drop jump. DOM also tended to be stronger than ND (64.3 ± 11.3 vs 61.0 ± 8.8 kg, P = 0.063). Slow-twitch (MHC I) fibers were more prevalent in DOM (P 5% were present in 6 of 12 participants for EKV, 2 of 12 for CKV, 6 of 13 for 1RM, 12 of 13 for MHC I, and 11 of 13 for MHC IIa. However, only a single participant expressed asymmetries of >5% in all dependent variables (EKV, CKV, 1RM, MHC I, and MHC IIa). Conclusions Several statistically and clinically relevant asymmetries were identified. The FT% differences between lower limbs were large and common. The findings also seem to conclude that DOM was stronger, moved faster, and contained more MHC I. However, only 23% of participants actually displayed that result. This highlights the need to analyze and report both group and individual data, particularly when interpreting findings across multiple related, but not necessarily causal, measurements.
Numerical Simulation of the Head/Disk Interface for Patterned Media

The use of patterned media is a new approach proposed to extend the recording densities of hard disk drives beyond 1 Tb/in.2. Bit-patterned media (BPM) overcome the thermal stability problems of conventional media by using single-domain islands for each bit of recorded information, thereby eliminating the magnetic transition noise (Albrecht et al., Magnetic Recording on Patterned Media, 2003). Considering steady state conditions, we have transferred the pattern from the disk surface onto the slider surface and have investigated the pressure generation due to the bit pattern. To reduce the numerical complexity, we have generated the bit pattern only in the areas of the slider near the trailing edge, where the spacing is small. Cylindrical protrusions were modeled using very small mesh size on the order of nanometers to obtain the flying characteristics for the entire slider air bearing surface (ABS) using the “CMRR” finite element Reynolds equation simulator (Duwensee et al., Microsyst Technol, 2006; Wahl et al., STLE Tribol Trans, 39(1), 1996). The effect of pattern height, pattern diameter, slider skew angle, and slider pitch angle on flying height of a typical slider is investigated. Numerical results show that the flying height decreases for a patterned slider and the change in flying height is a function of the pattern height and ratio of the pattern diameter to the pattern pitch. In comparison to discrete track media, the flying height loss is larger for a patterned slider disk interface for the same recessed area of pattern.
Power grid state estimation after a cyber-physical attack under the AC power flow model

In this paper, we present an algorithm for estimating the state of the power grid following a cyber-physical attack. We assume that an adversary attacks an area by: (i) disconnecting some lines within that area (failed lines), and (ii) obstructing the information from within the area to reach the control center. Given the phase angles of the buses outside the attacked area under the AC power flow model (before and after the attack), the algorithm estimates the phase angles of the buses and detects the failed lines inside the attacked area. The novelty of our approach is the transformation of the line failures detection problem, which is combinatorial in nature, to a convex optimization problem. As a result, our algorithm can detect any number of line failures in a running time that is independent of the number of failures and is solely dependent on the size of the network. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first convex relaxation for the problem of line failures detection using phase angle measurements under the AC power flow model. We evaluate the performance of our algorithm in the IEEE 118- and 300-bus systems, and show that it estimates the phase angles of the buses with less that 1% error, and can detect the line failures with 80% accuracy for single, double, and triple line failures.
INTERLEUKIN-1 BLOCKADE REDUCES NT-PROBNP SERUM LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH STABLE HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION

Systemic inflammation may contribute to the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) by impairing cardiac systolic and diastolic function. In the Diastolic Heart failure Anakinra Response Trial-2 (DHART2) study we treated patients with stable symptomatic HFpEF with
Cross-Cultural Counseling in Theological Context:

Cross-cultural counseling is a specialty concerned with improving therapeutic effectiveness when the counselor and client represent different cultural or ethnic backgrounds. Unfortunately, consider...
Analysis of Ritonavir for the Treatment of HIV Disease in Children

Background:Ritonavir, a potent antiretroviral protease inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of adults and children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In a phase I/II study, we assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of the oral solution of ritonavir in HIV-infected children and studied the preliminary antiviral and clinical effects.Methods:HIV-infected children between 6 months and 18 years of age were eligible. Four dose levels of ritonavir oral solution (250, 300, 350, and 400 mg/m2 given every 12 hours) were evaluated in two age groups (≤2 years, >2 years). Ritonavir was administered alone for the first 12 weeks and then in combination with zidovudine and/or didanosine. Clinical and laboratory parameters were monitored every 2 to 4 weeks.Results:A total of 48 children (median age, 7.7 years; range, 0.5 to 14.4 years) were included in this analysis. Dose-related nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain were the most common toxicities and resulted in discontinuation of ritonavir in 7 children. Ritonavir was well absorbed at all dose levels, and plasma concentrations reached a peak 2 to 4 hours after a dose. CD4 cell counts increased by a median of 79 cells/mm3 after 4 weeks of monotherapy and were maintained throughout the study. Plasma HIV RNA decreased by 1 to 2 log10 copies/mL within 4 to 8 weeks of ritonavir monotherapy, and this level was sustained in patients enrolled at the highest dose level of 400 mg/m2 for the 24-week period.Conclusions:The oral solution of ritonavir has potent antiretroviral activity as a single agent and is relatively well tolerated by children when administered alone or in combination with zidovudine or didanosine.
Lower Limits of Normal for Spirometric Reference Values

Since spirometry was introduced by Hutchinson in 18461, numerous studies of asymptomatic volunteers have been published to provide equations that predict reference values. Most prediction equations are linear regressions using age and height as the independent variables2–6. Non-linear prediction equations have also been proposed7–8,9. There are presently five studies of lifetime smokers that should provide reasonable estimates of reference values for Caucasian patients 3–6,7. There is less certainty about other ethnic groups. Despite the plethora of studies allowing the prediction of average reference values there is considerable uncertainty about how these values can be used to establish if the measured value in a patient is normal or abnormal. Published reference studies do not consistently address the issue of establishing the “normal” limits of their prediction equations and the clinician is, therefore, frequently left to select a method for defining “abnormal”. Additional uncertainty exists because there is little information available that defines the ranges of spirometric values for healthy subjects and for different pulmonary disease states. Ideally one needs information about the distribution of test values for both reference and abnormal categories to use the test to separate the two groups10,11. For most obstructive lung diseases, there is no currently accepted non-spirometric method of defining the disease, especially in the early stages, making it unlikely that the distribution of spirometric values for abnormal categories will be available in the near future. We are left with predicting reference values, establishing some type of lower limit of normal and calling patients with measured values outside the limits “abnormal”. If limits are set using 95th percentile or 95% confidence limits, we arbitrarily choose to classify 5% of healthy people as abnormal (alpha error)12. In the absence of information about the distribution of spirometric values in disease states, we can say little about the number of abnormal subjects classified as normal (beta error)12.
Skeletal Scintigraphy: General Considerations

Skeletal scintigraphy provides a functional image of bone. It is a highly sensitive method that depicts early changes in bone flow and turnover. Because of this high sensitivity, skeletal scintigraphy allows early diagnosis of disease often days or weeks before disease can be visualized on anatomic imaging. Therefore, skeletal scintigraphy assists in establishing early treatment and hopefully achieving better patient outcomes. However, as with other nuclear medicine imaging procedures, this high sensitivity is generally accompanied by a low level of specificity. Information about early changes in blood flow and bone turnover cannot be obtained, or not easily obtained, by other imaging methods. Although the spatial resolution of bone scintigraphy is relatively low compared to anatomic imaging, one can say that its functional resolution is very high. Skeletal development and remodeling are integral parts of the physiology of bone. As the patient grows and develops, bone undergoes constant remodeling. Immature bone (woven bone) is replaced by mature lamellar bone. A skeletal scintigram can be considered not just as a static image but also as a “snapshot” of an ongoing dynamic process. As such, the bone scan can be thought of as a “slow dynamic” study. Approximately 10 % of the entire adult skeleton is replaced every year. Remodeling is a functional adaptation of bone to the forces or stresses of daily life. When interpreting pediatric skeletal scintigraphy, it is important to keep in mind the characteristic patterns of pediatric skeletal growth and development and learn to recognize these patterns so they can be distinguished from actual lesions. The distribution of bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals varies with age and with the activity of growth centers.
An Overview of the Psychodynamic Approach

Human beings like to congratulate themselves for their capacity to use reason and to behave logically. Reason, we like to tell ourselves, is what separates us from animals. We regard our behavior as the product of the application of logic in our daily lives, and see our minds as not merely guided by reason but dominated by it. As a result we are superior to other animals precisely because our intellect is firmly grounded in the rules of logic and our behavior is based on the application of those rules.
The Mathematical Definition of a Molecule and Molecular Structure

This paper is dedicated to Professor Raymond Daudel as a recognition of his outstanding contribution as a research scientist in the field of molecular quantum theory, as a scientific leader in the establishment of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Sciences, the European Academy of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, the World Association of Theoretical Organic Chemists, etc., and as an excellent writer of textbooks in Quantum Chemistry.
Nanotechnology for Orthopedic Applications: From Manufacturing Processes to Clinical Applications

This chapter covers the integration of artificial materials into natural tissues of the human body, particularly bone, and what can be achieved through a couple of key nano-manufacturing techniques (such as shot peening and electrophoretic deposition). To achieve proper mechanical anchorage and integration, orthopedic implanted materials should resemble the tissues they are replacing as much as possible. Thus, provided here is an overview of the structure and function of bone tissues, as well as a review of the concepts and methods used by other researchers attempting to regenerate orthopedic tissues, with a focus on nanotechnology.
21 – Special Senses: Eye

The mammalian eye is similar between rodents and humans, with most gross and histological differences due to relative sizing. Fixation of the eye and the retina in particular can be challenging due to poor penetration of fixatives through the sclera. In addition, routine formalin fixation can impart numerous artifacts, including separation of the retinal pigment epithelium from the outer segment of the retina. Davidson’s fixative provides excellent preservation of the retina but is not commonly used by most investigators. Therefore, except where noted, the mouse tissues in this chapter were fixed with 10% neutral buffered formalin.
E-cadherin and p120ctn Protein Expression Are Lost in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Lesions

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease affecting the pilosebaceous units in the axilla, groin and buttocks. While the pathogenesis of HS is not clear, mechanical stress exacerbates HS. In this study, we aimed to determine whether intracellular adhesive junctions may be aberrant in HS patient skin. Strikingly, we observed loss of E-cadherin and p120ctn protein expression, two key adherens junction proteins, in ~85% of HS severe skin lesions. Moreover, loss of protein expression was apparent in non-lesional skin from HS patients and the degree of loss positively correlated with HS Hurley Stage of disease. E-cadherin expression was unaltered in other inflammatory skin conditions including chronic wound epithelium, atopic dermatitis, and acne vulgaris compared with healthy skin suggesting that its loss may be uniquely relevant to HS pathogenesis. A complete loss of α-catenin, β-catenin and ZO-1 was not observed; however, some cytoplasmic staining of the catenins was noted in HS epithelium. We also demonstrated diminished desmosome size in HS lesional skin. Overall, our data suggested that loss of adherens junction proteins and diminished desmosome size in HS skin contributes to the skin's inability to withstand mechanical stress and provides rationale as to why mechanical stress exacerbates HS symptoms.