cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism in a Discharged Patient With Resolved COVID-19 Pneumonia

Thromboembolic events with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, such as pulmonary embolism, have been described in recent literature as a manifestation in patients during their hospital admission. Our case report describes a delayed manifestation of bilateral pulmonary embolism in a patient who was discharged home. The patient is a 40-year-old COVID-19 positive male that presented to the emergency department eight days after his discharge with shortness of breath and diaphoresis. On triage, the patient was hypoxic and tachycardic, prompting a high index of suspicion for pulmonary embolism. Computed tomographic angiography of the chest was performed confirming the presence of a bilateral pulmonary embolism. Subsequently, the patient was started on heparin and transferred to a tertiary facility for thrombectomy. Pulmonary embolism is a manifestation of acute COVID-19 infection. It is important for clinicians to have an increased suspicion for pulmonary embolism in patients presenting with worsening dyspnea and hypoxia who were recently admitted for acute COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients that were hospitalized for acute presentation of COVID-19 infection should reasonably be considered for extended anticoagulant therapy after discharge.
Oncometabolism Drives Autophagy Activation in Skeletal Muscle

SUMMARY Metabolic rewiring is a well-established feature of muscle cells and a hallmark of cancer. In isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 mutant tumors, increased production of the oncometabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D2-HG) is associated with myopathy. The connection between metabolic changes and proteomic remodeling in skeletal muscle remains poorly understood. We demonstrate that D2-HG impairs NAD+ redox homeostasis in myocytes, causing activation of autophagy via de-acetylation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II (LC3-II) by the nuclear deacetylase Sirt1. We integrated multi-omics data from mice treated with D2-HG and demonstrate that autophagy activation leads to skeletal muscle atrophy and sex-dependent metabolic and proteomic remodeling. We also characterized protein and metabolite interactions linking energy-substrate metabolism with chromatin organization and autophagy regulation. Collectively, our multi-omics approach exposes mechanisms by which the oncometabolite D2-HG induces metabolic and proteomic remodeling in skeletal muscle, and provides a conceptual framework for identifying potential therapeutic targets in cachexia.
Estimating Consequences of 3-Body Forces

Classifying the strengthes of three-body forces 3BFs with the condition that observables must be cut-off independent, i.e. renormalised at each order, leads to surprising results with relevance for example for thermal neutron capture on the deuteron. Details and a better bibliography in Ref. [1].
Hellín García, María José y Corbalán Vélez, Ana (eds.) (2019): Todos a movilizarse: Protesta y activismo social en la España del siglo XXI. Barcelona: Anthropos Editorial

En esta resena se analiza pormenorizadamente los doce capitulos que componen el libro Todos a movilizarse: Protesta y activismo social en la Espana del siglo XXI.
Salty and Sweet: The Role of Chickpeas at the Festival (Mulid) of Ahmad al-Badawi in the Egyptian Delta 1850s to 1890s

Every October since the death of Moroccan born mystic Ahmad al-Badawi (c.1199), devotees travel from all over Afro-Eurasia seeking blessings from the saint during the grandmulid (fair). His body re...
Iatrogenic Third Window After Retrosigmoid Approach to a Vestibular Schwannoma Managed with Cochlear Implantation.

Objective To present a case of an iatrogenic inner ear third window after vestibular schwannoma microsurgery. Patients A 42-year-old male presented 9-months after left-sided retrosigmoid approach for an intracanalicular vestibular schwannoma with hearing-preservation attempt performed elsewhere. Immediately postoperatively, he developed the following disabling and persistent symptoms on the ipsilateral side: autophony, pulsatile tinnitus, high-pitched ringing tinnitus, and hearing his footsteps. He denied vertigo. Otoscopy was normal. Tuning fork (512-Hz) lateralized to the left and Rinne was negative on the left. Audiogram demonstrated a severe mixed hearing loss and 10% aided word-recognition score. High-resolution CT demonstrated violation of the common crus and dehiscence of bone along the medial vestibule suggestive of an iatrogenic inner ear third window. Interventions Labyrinthectomy and concurrent cochlear implantation. Main outcome measures Resolution of third window symptoms, open-set speech recognition, tinnitus suppression. Results Patient reported immediate resolution of third window symptoms after labyrinthectomy and cochlear implantation. He demonstrates open-set word recognition of 64% at 1-year postoperatively and tinnitus suppression with his cochlear implant on. Conclusions Iatrogenic third window symptoms can occur after hearing-preservation vestibular schwannoma microsurgery. Patients with sufficient hearing preservation who are disabled by third window symptoms yet lack sound clarity and useful hearing may be considered for labyrinthectomy and concurrent cochlear implantation. This intervention effectively extinguishes third window symptoms by destroying residual auditory function and simultaneously provides an opportunity to restore useful hearing and suppress tinnitus, thereby enhancing overall quality of life.
Model for Lateral Swelling Pressure in Unsaturated Expansive Soils

AbstractUnsaturated expansive soils annually cause major economic losses and structural damages to foundations and earthen structures, primarily due to exhibiting large amounts of swelling and shri...
TRIPS Flexibilities on Patent Enforcement: Lessons from Some Developed Countries Relating to Pharmaceutical Patent Protection

Authority for national judiciaries to issue permanent and preliminary injunctions is required by the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), Articles 44 and 50. But the TRIPS Agreement does not require the issuance of injunctions in any particular circumstances, and does not harmonize the laws on which national jurisdictions derive their injunctive relief authorities. Thus, countries remain free to refuse prohibitory injunctive relief for adjudicated or likely patent infringement, particularly if “reasonable compensation” is offered in the form of an “ongoing royalty” or an “interim royalty” payment, which acts similarly to a compulsory license. This paper explains the existing legal standards for permanent and preliminary injunctions in the United States and Canada and discusses trends regarding the issuance or denial of injunctions for pharmaceutical patents in those jurisdictions (with occasional reference to other common-law jurisdictions). Although judges in these jurisdictions more routinely deny preliminary prohibitory injunctions, legislation linking generic pharmaceutical regulatory approvals to the patent system and imposing stays of such approvals normally avoid the need for such preliminary injunctions. Consistent with the TRIPS Agreement, developing country judges may make different choices, based on the ability to provide reasonable compensation for harms or based on a different weighing of the importance of assuring affordable access to medicines relative to providing innovation incentives.
Hyperspectral Image Segmentation based on Graph Processing over Multilayer Networks

Hyperspectral imaging is an important sensing technology with broad applications and impact in areas including environmental science, weather, and geo/space exploration. One important task of hyperspectral image (HSI) processing is the extraction of spectral-spatial features. Leveraging on the recent-developed graph signal processing over multilayer networks (M-GSP), this work proposes several approaches to HSI segmentation based on M-GSP feature extraction. To capture joint spectral-spatial information, we first customize a tensor-based multilayer network (MLN) model for HSI, and define a MLN singular space for feature extraction. We then develop an unsupervised HSI segmentation method by utilizing MLN spectral clustering. Regrouping HSI pixels via MLN-based clustering, we further propose a semi-supervised HSI classification based on multi-resolution fusions of superpixels. Our experimental results demonstrate the strength of M-GSP in HSI processing and spectral-spatial information extraction.
Growth and characterization of crystalline Ge[subscript 1-x] C[subscript x] thin films and devices

vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Purpose of Research 1 1.2 Germanium Carbide Literature Review 2 1.3 Scope of Project 8 CHAPTER 2. SAMPLE PREPARATION 11 2.1 Substrate Cleaning 11 2.2 ECRPECVD Processing 11 2.3 Description of Reactor 18 CHAPTERS: CHARACTERIZATION TECHINQUES 20 3.1 Plasma Characterization 20 3.2 Materials Characterization 23 CHAPTER 4: DATA AND ERROR ANALYSIS 43 4.1 Experimental Design 43 4.2 Data Analysis 46 4.3 Process Optimization 47 4.4 Error Analysis by Residuals 49 CHAPTER 5: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 51 5.1 Ge Films on Si Substrates 51 5.2 Ge Films on Ge Substrates 61 5.3 Gei-xCx Films on SI Substrates 61 5.4 Gei-xCx Films on Ge Substrates 88 5.5 Stacked GenC* Layer Structures on Si Substrates 89 5.6 Gei-xC* Diodes 93 CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSIONS 97 APPENDIX: ELECTRON MOTION IN A STATIC MAGNETIC FIELD 100 REFERENCES CITED 102
Sustaining Online Collaborative Problem Solving with Math Proposals

Learning takes place over long periods of time that are hard to study directly. Even the learning experience involved in solving a challenging math problem in a collaborative online setting can be spread across hundreds of utterances during an hour or more. Such long-term interactions are constructed out of utterance-level interactions, such as the strategic proposing of a next step. This paper identifies a pattern of exchange of utterances that it terms math proposal adjacency pair, and describes its characteristics. Drawing on the methodology of conversation analysis, the paper adapts this approach to mathematical problem-solving communication and to the computer-mediated circumstances of online chat. In particular, a failed proposal is contrasted with successful proposals in the log of an actual chat. Math proposal adjacency pairs constitute the collaborative group as a working group, give direction to their problem solving and help to sustain their interaction.
Scalable Certification for Typed Assembly Language

A type-based certifying compiler maps source code to machine code and target-level type annotations. The target-level annotations make it possible to prove easily that the machine code is type-safe, independent of the source code or compiler. To be useful across a range of source languages and compilers, the target-language type system should provide powerful type constructors for encoding higher-level invariants. Unfortunately, it is difficult to engineer such type systems so that annotation sizes are small and verification times are fast.In this paper, we describe our experience writing a certifying compiler that targets Typed Assembly Language (TALx86) and discuss some general techniques we have used to keep annotation sizes small and verification times fast. We quantify the effiectiveness of these techniques by measuring their effiects on a sizeable application -- the certifying compiler itself. Using these techniques, which include common-subexpression elimination of types, higher-order type abbreviations, and selective reverification, can dramatically change certificate size and verification time.
Simulating Particulate Organic Advection along Bottom Slopes to Improve Simulation of Estuarine Hypoxia and Anoxia

In a coupled hydrodynamic and water quality model, the hydrodynamic model provides forces for movement of simulated particles in the water quality model. A proper simulation of organic solid movement from shallow to deep waters is important to simulate summer hypoxia in the deepwater. It is necessary to have a full blown particle transport model that focuses organic particulates' resuspension and transport. This paper presents an approach to move volatile solids from the shoals to the channel by simulating movement of particulate organics due to slopes based on an example in the Chesapeake Bay eutrophication model. Implementations for the simulation of this behavior in computer parallel processing are discussed.
A Note on Kasanze and the Portuguese

(1972). A Note on Kasanze and the Portuguese. Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue canadienne des etudes africaines: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 43-56.
The Electrochemical Impedance of Porous Nickel Electrodes in Alkaline Media II . Nonuniform Transmission Line Analysis

Nonuniform transmission line models have been developed to provide an accurate account of the impedance characteristics of sintered porous nickel electrodes when charging and discharging under stress and low earth orbit cycling regimes. This model represents a single pore in a porous electrode by a nonuniform transmission line involving both the charged (NiOOH) and discharged [Ni(OH) 2 ] phases. The most accurate description of the impedance characteristics was obtained by assuming a conical geometry and a χ 2 distribution for the penetration depth of Ni(OH) 2 down the pore on discharge
Open Questions in Stellar Helium Burning Addressed With Real Photons

The outcome of helium burning is the formation of the two elements, carbon and oxygen. The ratio of carbon to oxygen at the end of helium burning is crucial for understanding the final fate of a progenitor star and the nucleosynthesis of heavy elements in Type II supernova, with oxygen rich star predicted to collapse to a black hole, and a carbon rich star to a neutron star. Type Ia supernovae (SNeIa) are used as standard candles for measuring cosmological distances with the use of an empirical light curve-luminosity stretching factor. It is essential to understand helium burning that yields the carbon/oxygen white dwarf and thus the initial stage of SNeIa. Since the triple alpha-particle capture reaction, $^{8}Be(\alpha,\gamma)^{12}C$, the first burning stage in helium burning, is well understood, one must extract the cross section of the $^{12}C(\alpha,\gamma)^{16}O$ reaction at the Gamow window (300 keV) with high accuracy of approximately 10% or better. This goal has not been achieved despite repeated strong statements that appeared in the literature. In particular constraint from the beta-delayed alpha-particle emission of $^{16}N$ were shown to not sufficiently restrict the p-wave cross section factor; e.g. a low value of $S_{E1}(300)$ can not be ruled out. Measurements at low energies, are thus mandatory for determining the elusive cross section factor for the $^{12}C(\alpha,\gamma)^{16}O$ reaction. We are constructing a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) for use with high intensity photon beams extracted from the HI$\gamma$S/TUNL facility at Duke University to study the $^{16}O(\gamma,\alpha)^{12}C$ reaction, and thus the direct reaction at energies as low as 0.7 MeV. This work is in progress.
Pharmacokinetic Properties of Netilmicin in Newborn Infants

Netilmicin and gentamicin susceptibilities of 258 gram-negative organisms and 25 strains of Staphylococcus aureus were nearly identical. The pharmacokinetic properties of netilmicin were evaluated in 101 newborn infants and related to birth weight, gestational age, chronological age, and route of administration. Mean peak serum concentrations of 5.6 to 6.9 and 7.8 to 8.4 mug/ml were observed 30 min after 3- and 4-mg/kg doses, respectively, were given intramuscularly. The peak concentrations were directly related to gestational age. The average serum half-life values varied from 3.4 to 4.7 h and in general were inversely related to birth weight, gestational age, and postnatal age. The pharmacokinetics of netilmicin in 10 infants were similar after intramuscular and intravenous administration. A comparative study of netilmicin and gentamicin in seven neonates revealed greater variability in serum concentrations of gentamicin and a shorter half-life for netilmicin. There was evidence of accumulation of netilmicin in 12 low-birth weight, premature infants who received 4-mg/kg doses for an average of 6.4 days. Serum and urine levels of netilmicin were measured up to 11 days after discontinuation of the drug. These data are well characterized by a two-compartment model. Additional studies of efficacy and long-term toxicity of netilmicin in neonates are necessary.
Acute toxicity of interstitial and particle-bound cadmium to a marine infaunal amphipod☆

Abstract The relative acute toxicity of particle-bound and dissolved interstitial cadmium was investigated using a new bioassay procedure. Interstitial concentration of Cd was controlled by means of peristaltic pumps, allowing separate manipulation of interstitial and particle properties. Addition of small quantities of organic-rich fine particles to sandy sediment resulted in greatly differing particle-bound Cd concentrations in sediment with similar interstitial Cd concentrations. Analysis of variance indicated no significant difference in the survival or ability to rebury in sediment of the phoxocephalid amphipod Rhepoxynius abronius (Barnard), when exposed to sediment with different total Cd concentrations but nearly equal interstitial Cd concentrations; in one case LC50 data indicated slightly increased mortality in sediment with higher total Cd concentration. At least 70·2–87·9% of mortality could be predicted from past data on mortality based on dissolved Cd concentrations. The acute toxicity of Cd to this infaunal amphipod appears to be due principally to Cd dissolved in interstitial water. Our results indicate that static and flow-through bioassay tests of this organism produce comparable results with regard to mortality and survival, while the flow-through system provides a greater capacity to manipulate experimental conditions.
Characterization of the 2′,3′ cyclic phosphodiesterase activities of Clostridium thermocellum polynucleotide kinase-phosphatase and bacteriophage λ phosphatase

Clostridium thermocellum polynucleotide kinase-phosphatase (CthPnkp) catalyzes 5' and 3' end-healing reactions that prepare broken RNA termini for sealing by RNA ligase. The central phosphatase domain of CthPnkp belongs to the dinuclear metallophosphoesterase superfamily exemplified by bacteriophage lambda phosphatase (lambda-Pase). CthPnkp is a Ni(2+)/Mn(2+)-dependent phosphodiesterase-monoesterase, active on nucleotide and non-nucleotide substrates, that can be transformed toward narrower metal and substrate specificities via mutations of the active site. Here we characterize the Mn(2+)-dependent 2',3' cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity of CthPnkp, the reaction most relevant to RNA repair pathways. We find that CthPnkp prefers a 2',3' cyclic phosphate to a 3',5' cyclic phosphate. A single H189D mutation imposes strict specificity for a 2',3' cyclic phosphate, which is cleaved to form a single 2'-NMP product. Analysis of the cyclic phosphodiesterase activities of mutated CthPnkp enzymes illuminates the active site and the structural features that affect substrate affinity and k(cat). We also characterize a previously unrecognized phosphodiesterase activity of lambda-Pase, which catalyzes hydrolysis of bis-p-nitrophenyl phosphate. lambda-Pase also has cyclic phosphodiesterase activity with nucleoside 2',3' cyclic phosphates, which it hydrolyzes to yield a mixture of 2'-NMP and 3'-NMP products. We discuss our results in light of available structural and functional data for other phosphodiesterase members of the binuclear metallophosphoesterase family and draw inferences about how differences in active site composition influence catalytic repertoire.
Challenges associated with the management of gouty arthritis in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review.

Objective As many as half of all patients with gouty arthritis have some degree of renal impairment. The goal of this systematic review is to provide physicians with a comprehensive examination of available data on the risks and benefits of gouty arthritis treatment options when used in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods We conducted a systematic literature review to determine what information is available to guide treatment decisions in this patient population. PubMed was searched for English-language articles indexed through July 2011 containing the terms "gout" or "hyperuricemia" and synonyms for renal impairment in combination with drug names. Publications were deemed relevant if they reported results from clinical studies, case reports, or prescribing practices of the drug of interest in patients with gouty arthritis and CKD. Results Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine are oftentimes not considered appropriate in patients with CKD. Corticosteroids may be an effective alternative in this population; however, their efficacy has not been confirmed in randomized controlled trials and these agents can cause serious side effects. Allopurinol can be used for the prophylactic management of chronic hyperuricemia in patients with CKD, but the recommended decreased dosage may limit efficacy and serious hypersensitivity reactions may preclude its use. Febuxostat and pegloticase are new treatment options for chronic urate-lowering prophylaxis; however, the safety of these drugs in patients with advanced CKD has not yet been reported. Conclusions There is currently an unmet need for additional treatment options for the management of gouty arthritis in patients with CKD.
A Recommended formula for scoring probabilistic multiple-choice tests

Abstract This paper addresses the issue of how best to score test responses obtained when using Probabilistically Answered Examinations (PAE). After discussing the PAE methodology, the paper identifies and explores the attributes of a simple, intuitively appealing scoring rule. The results of this analysis suggest that, in many classroom situations, this simple scoring rule produces indices of test effectiveness that are at least as good as those produced by more complicated and costly scoring rules. These tentative findings are drawn upon in support of the use of this simple scoring rule with PAE.
The diminishment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) therapy

The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) plays an important role in immune privilege by its suppression of inflammation, and its induction of regulatory T cells. This finding led us to test the possibility that we can use α-MSH to suppress autoimmune diseases, and promote re-establishment of immune tolerance to autoantigens. To test this possibility, SJL mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) were injected with α-MSH at the first signs of paralysis. The α-MSH-treated mice in comparison with untreated EAE mice had a profound diminishment in the severity and tempo of EAE. The spleen cells in α-MSH-treated EAE produced TGF-β in response to PLP-antigen stimulation in contrast to untreated mice spleen cells that produced IFN-γ. When the α-MSH-treated EAE mice were reimmunized there was a delay of a week before the second episode of EAE. Although this delay maybe because of the induction of TGF-β-producing spleen cells by the α-MSH-treatment, it was not adequate to suppress IFN-γ-production by PLP-antigen stimulated spleen cells from untreated mice, nor able to suppress the eventual second episode of EAE. Therefore, the injection of α-MSH at the onset of paralysis is extremely effective in diminishing the severity and tempo of EAE, and the subsequent induction of potential PLP-specific Treg cells suggests that an α-MSH therapy could be attempted as part of a therapeutic regiment to impose immunoregulation and immunosuppression on an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system.
BCL-2 functions as an activator of the AKT signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer

BCL-2 is the prototypic anti-apoptotic protein involved in the regulation of apoptosis. Overexpression of BCL-2 is common in pancreatic cancer and confers resistance to the apoptotic effect of chemo- and radiotherapy. Although these cellular effects of BCL-2 are traditionally related to pathways involving the mitochondrial membrane, we sought to investigate whether BCL-2 is involved in other signaling pathways regulating cell survival and focused on AKT. We examined the effect of overexpression of BCL-2 in the MIA-PaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cell line on the function and subcellular location of AKT. We observed that the stable subclones of MIA-PaCa-2 overexpressing BCL-2 demonstrated increased activity of AKT as well as IKK (a downstream target of AKT), increasing the transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB. Using immunoprecipitation techniques, we observed co-immunoprecipitation of AKT and BCL-2. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated co-localization of BCL-2 and AKT, which was abrogated by treatment with HA14-1, a small molecule inhibitor of BH-3-mediated protein interaction by BCL-2. Furthermore, treatment with HA14-1 decreased phosphorylation of AKT and increased sensitivity to the apoptotic effect of the chemotherapeutic agent, paclitaxel. These results demonstrate an additional mechanism of regulation of cell survival mediated by BCL-2, namely through AKT activation, in the MIA-PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cell line. Therefore, directed inhibition of BCL-2 may alter diverse pathways controlling cell survival and overcome the apoptotic resistance that is the hallmark of pancreatic cancer.
Conductance of mesoscopic systems with magnetic impurities

We investigate the combined effects of magnetic impurities and applied magnetic field on the interference contribution to the conductance of disordered metals. We show that in a metal with weak spin-orbit interaction, the polarization of impurity spins reduces the rate of electron phase relaxation, thus enhancing the weak-localization correction to conductivity. Magnetic field also suppresses thermal fluctuations of magnetic impurities, leading to a recovery of the conductance fluctuations. This recovery occurs regardless of the strength of the spin-orbit interaction. We calculate the magnitudes of the weak-localization correction and of the mesoscopic conductance fluctuations at an arbitrary level of the spin polarization induced by a magnetic field. Our analytical results for the $\mathrm{``}h/e\mathrm{''}$ Aharonov-Bohm conductance oscillations in metal rings can be used to extract the spin and gyromagnetic factor of magnetic impurities from existing experimental data.
Convergence of nonhomogeneous stochastic chains with countable states

Abstract The work started by V. M. Maksimov [1970 , Theory Probab. Appl. 15 , 604–618], and continued by A. Mukherjea [1980 , Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 263 , 505–520], is extended, and completed with respect to certain aspects. Infinite-dimensional stochastic chains are considered in the framework of Mukherjea [ loc. cit. ]; backward products of stochastic matrices and their convergence are also considered. The main theme centers around understanding how the convergence of products (backward and forward, finite and infinite dimensional) takes place and what it means in terms of various types of asymptotic behavior of the individual stochastic matrices in the chain. The study is based on establishing the existence of a basis for convergent chains. The basis then makes it possible to describe properly various aspects of convergence. All results are new; they are also complete at least in the sense they have been presented and suitable examples (or counter-examples) are presented to justify the assumptions involved.
Prevention of post-asphyxial hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is the neurologic sequela of severe birth asphyxia. This review focuses upon the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatment, and potential preventability of this problem. The clinician must be aware of the underlying asphyxial conditions and anticipate the likely neurologic complications in order to improve the outcome of affected infants.
Mitochondrial gene variation in Mercenaria clam sibling species reveals a relict secondary contact zone in the western Gulf of Mexico

We investigated phylogeographic relationships among American Mercenaria taxa by assessing variation in a 444 nucleotide fragment of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal gene in clams sampled from four representative sites in January to November 1994. Three of these sites were in the Gulf of Mexico, one was on the Atlantic coast in South Carolina. Direct sequencing of this amplified gene fragment in 85 individuals revealed 21 haplotypes. Phylogenetic analyses consistently resolved this variation into three well supported clades, and within-clade genetic divergence levels were markedly lower than among-clade values. One of the clades, A, was taxon-specific, in that it solely and exclusively contained specimens of M. mercenaria (Linnaeus, 1758) sampled in South Carolina. The other two clades, B and C, were the most divergent and both encompassed specimens of M. campechiensis (Gmelin, 1791) and of M. campechiensis texana (Dall, 1902), sampled from the three Gulf of Mexico sites. Clade B was found at high frequencies at all three Gulf sites, whereas Clade C occurred at low frequencies at two western Gulf sites. We interpret this pattern as resulting from the secondary contact and introgression of two allopatrically differentiated Mercenaria taxa in the western Gulf of Mexico. Clade C haplotypes may represent relict mitochondrial lineages from original Gulf Mercenaria spp. populations that predate massive mitochondrial introgression by M. campechiensis. We further propose that the M. campechiensis texana nuclear genome is a mosaic, heavily weighted toward M. campechiensis, but containing some relict alleles inherited from the precontact population, especially those governing shell characteristics, which may be adaptive in cohesive sediments of bays and estuaries in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico.
Trends in infant mortality among racial and ethnic groups in California.

Abstract Several researchers and advocacy groups have suggested that the black-white difference in level of infant mortality in the United States gradually diminished from the mid-1960s to about 1980, but that the racial trends stopped converging in 1982 and possibly started diverging, due to recession and federal budget cuts. This paper examines racial and ethnic trends in infant mortality in California from 1966 to 1982, using log-linear analysis to control for changes in composition and trends associated with other variables correlated with race, such as maternal age and marital status. Trends in infant mortality among Hispanics and white anglos are quite similar in California. The percentage decline in infant mortality from 1966–1967 to 1979–1980 was less for blacks than for whites, so in relative terms the racial trends diverged slightly. The racial divergence was most notable in the neonatal period and among low-birthweight babies. In a close examination of recent years (1978–1982), no significant racial differences in trends in infant mortality, nor any changes in trends, were detected.
Context Influences Preschool Children's Decisions to Include a Peer with a Physical Disability in Play

Understanding children's decisions to include a child with a disability in activities is an important component of the social environment of children with disabilities. We examined preschool children's understanding of the motor and social competence of hypothetical children with a physical disability, children's decisions to include or exclude a peer with a physical disability in play activities, and children's justifications of their inclusion/exclusion decisions. Children understood that a peer with a physical disability would have more difficulty with activities requiring motor skills than social skills and were more likely to include a peer with a physical disability when the activities required minimal motor skills. The role of typically developing children's understanding of social contexts in peer relationships is discussed.
Dose-response association of uncontrolled blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk factors with hyperuricemia and gout.

Background First-line therapy of hypertension includes diuretics, known to exert a multiplicative increase on the risk of gout. Detailed insight into the underlying prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in persons with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) and common comorbidities is informative to practitioners initiating antihypertensive agents. We quantify the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in persons with uncontrolled BP and additional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Methods and Findings We performed a cross-sectional study of non-institutionalized US adults, 18 years and older, using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys in 1988–1994 and 1999–2010. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid >6.0 mg/dL in women; >7.0 mg/dL in men. Gout was ascertained by self-report of physician-diagnosed gout. Uncontrolled BP was based on measured systolic BP≥140 mmHg and diastolic BP≥90 mmHg. Additional CVD risk factors included obesity, reduced glomerular filtration rate, and dyslipidemia. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 6–8% among healthy US adults, 10–15% among adults with uncontrolled BP, 22–25% with uncontrolled BP and one additional CVD risk factor, and 34–37% with uncontrolled BP and two additional CVD risk factors. Similarly, the prevalence of gout was successively greater, at 1–2%, 4–5%, 6–8%, and 8–12%, respectively, across these same health status categories. In 2007–2010, those with uncontrolled BP and 2 additional CVD risk factors compared to those without CVD risk factors had prevalence ratios of 4.5 (95% CI 3.5–5.6) and 4.5 (95% CI: 3.1–6.3) for hyperuricemia and gout respectively (P<0.01). Conclusions Health care providers should be cognizant of the incrementally higher prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout among patients with uncontrolled BP and additional CVD risk factors. With one in three people affected by hyperuricemia among those with several CVD risk factors, physicians should consider their anti-hypertensive regimens carefully and potentially screen for hyperuricemia or gout.
Four generations, the electroweak phase transition, and supersymmetry

We calculate the strength of the electroweak phase transition in a supersymmetric model with four chiral generations. The additional chiral fermions (and scalar partners) lower the critical temperature and thus strengthen the first-order phase transition. The scalar partners stabilize the potential, leading to an effective theory that is bounded from below. We identify the ensemble of parameters where ${\ensuremath{\phi}}_{c}/{T}_{c}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}1$ simultaneous with obtaining a large enough Higgs mass. Our calculations focus on a subset of the full four generational supersymmetric parameter space: We take the pseudoscalar heavy, $\mathrm{tan}﻿\ensuremath{\beta}=1$, and neglect all subleading contributions to the effective potential. We find that the region of parameter space with a strong first-order phase transition requires ${m}_{{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{q}}^{\ensuremath{'}}}/{m}_{{q}^{\ensuremath{'}}}\ensuremath{\lesssim}1.1$ while the constraint on the lightest Higgs mass requires ${m}_{{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{q}}^{\ensuremath{'}}}/{m}_{{q}^{\ensuremath{'}}}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}1$ with ${m}_{{q}^{\ensuremath{'}}}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}300\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$. We are led to an intriguing prediction of quarks and squarks just beyond the current Tevatron direct search limits that are poised to be discovered quickly at the LHC.
A Theory for the Articulation of Planar Robots: Part II—Motion Planning Procedure for Interference Avoidance

Etude theorique du mouvement articule du mecanisme plan d'un robot. Calcul des trajectoires de facon a eviter les collisions
Integration of Supply and Demand Models in Transportation and Location: Problem Formulations and Research Questions

The formulation of integrated supply and demand models of transportation and location problems as bilevel programming problems is considered. The status of solution algorithms is summarized and the prospects for future research are examined.
Conformal spinor current anomalies

Abstract An anomalous divergence of the conformal spinor current is obtained for some massless supersymmetric theories. The corresponding modified Ward identities are discussed for a simple model without gauge fields.
Immunomodulatory changes in patients with colorectal cancer

Background and aims: Solid tumors are frequently accompanied by a depressed cellular and humoral immunity. This study analyzed changes these factors in colorectal cancer patients. Patients and methods: We compared cellular (leukocytes, lymphocytes, HLA-DR expression on monocytes) and humoral immune parameters (interleukin-6, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor α) in 40 patients with colorectal cancer and in 18 healthy controls. Results: Leukocytes were in the normal range in patients and controls. However, tumor patients showed significant lymphopenia in comparison to controls. HLA-DR antigen expression on CD14+ monocytes was reduced in the cancer patients while IL-6 and IL-10 plasma levels were increased. Patients with UICC stage III had IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations were significantly increased as well. Conclusions: These findings suggest that colorectal tumor establishment and progression results in a malfunction of the immune system, and underline the importance of elucidating in detail the mechanisms of immune modulation in cancer patients.
Segmenting nonsense: an event-related potential index of perceived onsets in continuous speech

Speech segmentation, determining where one word ends and the next begins in continuous speech, is necessary for auditory language processing. However, because there are few direct indices of this fast, automatic process, it has been difficult to study. We recorded event-related brain potentials (ERPs) while adult humans listened to six pronounceable nonwords presented as continuous speech and compared the responses to nonword onsets before and after participants learned the nonsense words. In subjects showing the greatest behavioral evidence of word learning, word onsets elicited a larger N100 after than before training. Thus N100 amplitude indexes speech segmentation even for recently learned words without any acoustic segmentation cues. The timing and distribution of these results suggest specific processes that may be central to speech segmentation.
In vivo modulation of hypoxia-inducible signaling by topographical helix mimetics

Development of small-molecule inhibitors of protein–protein interactions is a fundamental challenge at the interface of chemistry and cancer biology. Successful methods for design of protein–protein interaction inhibitors include computational and experimental high-throughput and fragment-based screening strategies to locate small-molecule fragments that bind protein surfaces. An alternative rational design approach seeks to mimic the orientation and disposition of critical binding residues at protein interfaces. We describe the design, synthesis, biochemical, and in vivo evaluation of a small-molecule scaffold that captures the topography of α-helices. We designed mimics of a key α-helical domain at the interface of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and p300 to develop inhibitors of hypoxia-inducible signaling. The hypoxia-inducible factor/p300 interaction regulates the transcription of key genes, whose expression contributes to angiogenesis, metastasis, and altered energy metabolism in cancer. The designed compounds target the desired protein with high affinity and in a predetermined manner, with the optimal ligand providing effective reduction of tumor burden in experimental animal models.
Relative dose efficiencies of antiscatter grids and air gaps in pediatric radiography

The relative dose efficiencies (RDE) of various antiscatter grids and air gaps were determined for conditions simulating those found in pediatric radiography, using phantoms representing a newborn child, a 5-yr-old and a 10-yr-old child. Our data indicate than an air gap is best for the newborn, due to the low levels of scatter. The 8:1 fiber grid or 15.2-cm air gap without a grid can improve dose efficiency (DE) for the 5-yr-old child by 20%-25% relative to the 3.3-cm air gap and no-grid technique, while for the 10-yr-old child, DE can be improved by 40% with an 8:1 fiber grid.
Factors Governing Crossover in Liquid Crystal Orientation on Photoalignment Films

A new interpretation of liquid crystal orientation on photoalignment films was presented in terms of monomer conversion in the context of a kinetic model, thereby permitting an assessment of key factors governing the crossover behavior.
Excited state properties of 9-amino acridine surface adsorbed onto αZr-phosphate particles

In this report the photo-physical properties of 9-amino acridine (9AA) associated with αZr-phosphate particles (αZrP) is examined. In ethanol solution 9AA exhibits absorption maxima at 425 nm, 402 nm and 383 nm as well as emission bands centered at 455 nm and 483 nm (using 423 nm excitation). The corresponding emission decay is monophasic with a lifetime of 16.5 ns. When αZrP is sonicated in the presence of an ethanol solution of 1 mM 9AA the resulting material exhibits a broad absorption band centered at ∼400 nm with shoulders at ∼425 nm and ∼385 nm and emission bands at 462 nm and 485nm (using 423 nm excitation). Interestingly, the emission decay is biphasic with lifetimes of 1.6 ns and 9.8 ns constituting 57% and 43% of the total emission intensity, respectively. The absence of any shifts in the low angle XRD data suggests that 9AA associates via adsorption onto the exterior surfaces of the αZrP particles. Overall, these results are consistent with different modes of 9AA association to αZrP reflecting different degrees of H-bonding which significantly influences the extent of non-radiative decay from the lowest excited singlet state of 9AA.
Why we buy what we buy: A theory of consumption values

Abstract This article presents a theory developed to explain why consumers make the choices they do. The theory identifies five consumption values influencing consumer choice behavior. Three representative applications of the theory are illustrated pertaining to choices involving cigarette smoking. The illustrations examined include the choice to buy or not buy (or to use or not use) cigarettes, the choice of one type of cigarette over another, and the choice of one cigarette brand over another. Results of the operationalization of the theory suggest that it may be used to predict consumption behavior, as well as to describe and explain it.
A 3D endoscopic transtubular transcallosal approach to the third ventricle

OBJECT Surgical approaches to deep-seated brain pathologies, specifically lesions of the third ventricle, have always been a challenge for neurosurgeons. In certain cases, the transcallosal approach remains the most suitable option for targeting lesions of the third ventricle, although retraction of the fornices and wall of the third ventricle have been associated with neuropsychological and hypothalamic deficits. The authors investigated the feasibility of an interhemispheric 3D endoscopic transcallosal approach through a minimally invasive tubular retractor system for the management of third ventricular lesions. METHODS Three-dimensional endoscopic transtubular transcallosal approaches were performed on 5 preserved cadaveric heads (10 sides). A parasagittal bur hole was placed using neuronavigation, and a tubular retractor was inserted under direct endoscopic visualization. Following observation of the vascular structures, fenestration of the corpus callosum was performed and the retractor was advanced ...
Background reflectance effects in Landsat data.

A regression analysis was performed on Landsat MSS data to investigate the dependence of object radiance on the radiance of adjacent areas. The object radiance is increased by a path radiance component attributed to forward scattering in the atmosphere after reflection of solar radiation from the object background. Inclusion of average radiance of a few concentric rings with object reflectance in the regression model for satellite-measured radiance improves the least-squares fit at all sites tested. Multiple regression analysis indicates that radiance of an object is significantly affected by reflectance of background objects up to 500 m away.
Sepiapterin decreases acute rejection and apoptosis in cardiac transplants independently of changes in nitric oxide and inducible nitric-oxide synthase dimerization.

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a cofactor of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS), is an important post-translational regulator of NO bioactivity. We examined whether treatment of cardiac allograft recipients with sepiapterin [S-(-)-2-amino-7,8-dihydro-6-(2-hydroxy-1-oxopropyl)-4-(1H)-pteridinone], a precursor of BH4, inhibited acute rejection and apoptosis in cardiac transplants. Heterotopic cardiac transplantation was performed in Wistar-Furth donor to Lewis recipient strain rats. Recipients were treated daily after transplantation with 10 mg/kg sepiapterin. Grafts were harvested on post-transplant day 6 for analysis of BH4 (high-performance liquid chromatography), expression of inflammatory cytokines (reverse transcription- and real-time polymerase chain reaction), iNOS (Western blots), and NO (Griess reaction and NO analyzer). Histological rejection grade was scored, and graft function was determined by echocardiography. Apoptosis, protein nitration, and oxidative stress were determined by immunohistochemistry. Treatment of allografts with sepiapterin increased cardiac BH4 levels by 3-fold without changing protein levels of GTP cyclohydrolase, the enzyme that regulates de novo BH4 synthesis. Sepiapterin decreased inflammatory cell infiltrate and significantly inhibited histological rejection scores and apoptosis similar in magnitude to cyclosporine. Sepiapterin also decreased nitrative and oxidative stress. Sepiapterin caused a smaller increase in left ventricular mass versus untreated allografts but without improving fractional shortening. Sepiapterin did not alter tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ expression, whereas it decreased interleukin (IL)-2 expression. Sepiapterin did not change total iNOS protein or monomer levels, or plasma and tissue NO metabolites levels. It is concluded that the mechanism(s) of antirejection are due in part to decreased apoptosis, protein nitration, and oxidation of cardiomyocytes, which seems to be mediated at the immune level by limiting inflammatory cell infiltration via decreased IL-2-mediated T-lymphocyte expansion.
OM Forum---Operations Management Challenges for Some “Cleantech” Firms

A “cleantech” firm is one with an innovative technology and/or business model for serving an existing market with dramatically reduced environmental impact. This paper describes operations management OM challenges faced by five cleantech companies, and a few questions that these raise for OM and multidisciplinary research. It aims to fuel readers' motivation to identify and pursue others. The OM community has fundamental roles to play in the creation of an environmentally sustainable economy.
Pulsus paradoxus in cardiac tamponade: A pathophysiologic continuum

Pulsus paradoxus has interested physicians for more than a century. Since McGregor's comprehensive New England Journal of Medicine article in 1979, there have been no updated reviews; accordingly, we review pulsus paradoxus based on the clinical and physiologic literature and personal experience.
Phthalate Exposure and Reproductive Hormone Concentrations in Pregnancy

Background Some phthalate chemicals can affect hormone physiology in utero resulting in adverse reproductive health outcomes in animal models. It is unknown whether these exposures are related to circulating maternal hormone concentrations during pregnancy.