cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of variceal bleeding in the 1990s

BACKGROUND Variceal bleeding is a common and serious problem. OBJECTIVE To review the current management of patients with variceal bleeding. SUMMARY Therapeutic options now include pharmacologic reduction of portal hypertension, endoscopic obliteration of varices, placement of decompressive shunts (both surgical and percutaneous), and liver transplantation. Each of these options may be required in different settings. A nonselective beta blocker can prophylactically reduce the risk of an initial bleed. Acute variceal bleeding is best managed by endoscopic sclerosis. Selection of therapy to prevent recurrent bleeding should be based on a full evaluation of the risk of bleeding and of liver failure. CONCLUSIONS Successful management requires a multidisciplinary team, full patient evaluation, and selection of appropriate therapy.
Expression of CD27 and its ligand, CD70, on chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells

Crosslinking the CD27 antigen on T cells provides a costimulatory signal that, in concert with T-cell receptor crosslinking, can induce T-cell proliferation and cellular immune activation. We find that chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells from most patients coexpress both membrane-bound and soluble CD27, along with its newly identified ligand, CD70. The expression of soluble CD27 may preclude leukemic B cells from stimulating T cells via CD70, thereby potentially impairing their ability to function as effective antigen-presenting cells. We find that leukemic B-cell expression of soluble and membrane-bound CD27 can be downmodulated through a CD40-dependent signal. This signal also induces enhanced expression of CD70 on both normal and leukemic B cells. We find that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, or the Th1 cytokine interferon (IFN)-gamma, also can induce downmodulation of CD27, whereas Th2-associated cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) or IL-10 can enhance leukemic B-cell expression of this accessory molecule. The modulation of CD27 induced by these conditions is accompanied by reciprocal changes in the expression levels of CD70, suggesting that these accessory molecules may be engaged in reciprocal receptor-ligand downmodulation. Consistent with this, we observe that co-culture of CLL B cells with transfected murine plasmacytoma cells that express human CD70 affects downmodulation of CD27 and enhanced expression of CD70 on leukemic B cells, but does not affect expression of CD27 mRNA. However, we find that CD40-crosslinking, in addition to reducing the level of CD27 protein, also reduces leukemic B-cell expression of CD27 mRNA. This argues that the changes in the expression levels of CD27 following CD40-signaling are not simply due to induced increases in the expression levels of CD70. Finally, we demonstrate that reciprocal changes in expression of CD27 and CD70 may contribute to the enhanced antigen-presenting capacity of CLL B cells after CD40-dependent leukemic B-cell activation. These findings expand the understanding of the regulation of costimulatory molecules important in antigen presentation and also have implications for the immunobiology of and therapy for CLL.
Peru earthquake of May 31, 1970; engineering geology observations

abstract At 3:23 p.m. local time, on May 31, 1970, an earthquake of magnitude 7 ¾; occurred approximately 15 miles off the coast of Peru, west of Chimbote. It is estimated that the earthquake took the lives of 70,000 people, caused 50,000 injuries, destroyed roughly 200,000 homes and buildings, and left approximately 800,000 people homeless. Within the affected region, roughly 40,000 square miles, many villages were almost totally destroyed and several were swept away. The single, most devastating event was the large debris avalanche that originated from the north peak of Huascaran, falling 12,000 ft and traveling 7 miles at an average speed of roughly 200 miles per hour to destroy the villages of Yungay and Ranrahirca. Field evidence strongly suggests that the area near Yungay and Ranrahirca will continue to be overridden by future debris avalanches. Damage resulting from vibrational effects was severe. The most intense vibrational damage occurred along the coast at Chimbote and Casma where most houses and buildings of adobe construction were destroyed or severely damage. Severe vibrational damage also occurred in cities and villages located in the Santa Valley at epicentral distances ranging from 60 to 100 miles inland. The single, most important factor contributing to the massive damage from ground motion was the poor adobe construction. The influence of the underlying geological and soil conditions was an important secondary factor.
Gate length scaling and threshold voltage control of double-gate MOSFETs

In the nanoscale regime, the double-gate MOSFET can provide superior short-channel behavior. For this structure, device scaling issues are explored. Gate length scaling will be limited by the ability to control off-state leakage current due to quantum tunneling and thermionic emission between the source and drain as well as band-to-band tunneling between the body and drain. Lateral S/D doping abruptness requirements for gate length scaling are examined. V/sub T/ control will be challenging as a single gate material for both NMOS and PMOS devices cannot provide low yet symmetrical V/sub T/'s. CMOS integration will thus require dual gate workfunction tuning, channel doping, or asymmetrical double-gates to adjust V/sub T/. Advantages of using alternative channel materials to facilitate scaling are investigated.
Efficacy and safety of EUS-guided biliary drainage in comparison with percutaneous biliary drainage when ERCP fails: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and Aims EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is increasingly used as an alternate therapeutic modality to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for biliary obstruction in patients who fail ERCP. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of these 2 procedures. Methods We searched several databases from inception to September 4, 2016 to identify comparative studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of EUS-BD and PTBD. Primary outcomes of interest were the differences in technical success and postprocedure adverse events. Secondary outcomes of interest included clinical success, rate of reintervention, length of hospital stay, and cost comparison for these 2 procedures. Odds ratios (ORs) and standard mean difference were calculated for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. These were analyzed using random effects model of meta-analysis. Results Nine studies with 483 patients were included in the final analysis. There was no difference in technical success between 2 procedures (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, .69-4.59; I 2 = 22%) but EUS-BD was associated with better clinical success (OR, .45; 95% CI, .23-.89; I 2 = 0%), fewer postprocedure adverse events (OR, .23; 95% CI, .12-.47; I 2 = 57%), and lower rate of reintervention (OR, .13; 95% CI, .07-.24; I 2 = 0%). There was no difference in length of hospital stay after the procedures, with a pooled standard mean difference of –.48 (95% CI, –1.13 to .16), but EUS-BD was more cost-effective, with a pooled standard mean difference of –.63 (95% CI, –1.06 to –.20). However, the latter 2 analyses were limited by considerable heterogeneity. Conclusions When ERCP fails to achieve biliary drainage, EUS-guided interventions may be preferred over PTBD if adequate advanced endoscopy expertise and logistics are available. EUS-BD is associated with significantly better clinical success, lower rate of postprocedure adverse events, and fewer reinterventions.
National brand's local advertising and wholesale-price incentive under prior versus no prior information

Abstract We study the context of one private label (PL) competing against one national brand (NB) through a unique retailer. We propose a novel utility-demand function that includes the consumer's brand valuation, the retail prices, and the brands' qualities. We investigate the effect of the NB local advertising strategy on supply chain players' profits when either one of the players supports the advertising. Also, we explore the role of prior information about the manufacturer's incentive function on supply chain players' behaviors. We show that although the support for advertising from either the manufacturer or the retailer is Pareto improving, the manufacturer prefers to incite the retailer to invest in local NB advertising through profit sharing instead of using its money to counter the threat of the PL. Furthermore, we also show that the wholesale price incentive motivating the retailer to invest further in advertising is not preferred as expected, and all supply chain players are better off without prior information about the manufacturer's behavior in the context of branding competition and advertising-level dependent incentive.
A research agenda for disaster entrepreneurship

This paper addresses questions raised by Storr, Haeffele-Balch and Grube in their book Community Revival in the Wake of Disaster: Lessons in Local Entrepreneurship (2015). I review the reasons why the book is timely, especially the rising number and costs of disasters globally and the shifting norms on the role of government in disaster management. Social capital serves as a critical engine for resilience to crisis, and I move to demonstrate its importance in the mitigation and recovery stages. Then, I raise a research agenda based on their writings, focusing on building quantitative evidence to match the qualitative data already gathered by the authors. Specifically, I focus on testing claims about the definition and density of entrepreneurs, the role of polycentricity, and the public policy pools that would build entrepreneurial talent in vulnerable communities.
Fabrication of fillable microparticles and other complex 3D microstructures

Three-dimensional (3D) microstructures created by microfabrication and additive manufacturing have demonstrated value across a number of fields, ranging from biomedicine to microelectronics. However, the techniques used to create these devices each have their own characteristic set of advantages and limitations with regards to resolution, material compatibility, and geometrical constraints that determine the types of microstructures that can be formed. We describe a microfabrication method, termed StampEd Assembly of polymer Layers (SEAL), and create injectable pulsatile drug-delivery microparticles, pH sensors, and 3D microfluidic devices that we could not produce using traditional 3D printing. SEAL allows us to generate microstructures with complex geometry at high resolution, produce fully enclosed internal cavities containing a solid or liquid, and use potentially any thermoplastic material without processing additives.
1-Butyl-3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene Borane: A Readily Available, Liquid N-Heterocyclic Carbene Borane Reagent

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene borane has been synthesized directly from two inexpensive commercial reagents: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide and sodium borohydride. This NHC-borane reagent is a stable, free-flowing liquid that shows promise for use in radical, ionic, and metal-catalyzed reactions.
Cooperative Transportation Using Small Quadrotors Using Monocular Vision and Inertial Sensing

Micro aerial vehicles have the potential to assist humans in tasks such as manipulation and transportation for construction and humanitarian missions, beyond simply acquiring data and building maps. In this letter, we address the state estimation, control, and trajectory planning in cooperative transportation of structures, which are either too heavy or too big to be carried by small microvehicles. Specifically, we consider small quadrotors, each equipped only with a single camera and inertial measurement unit as a sensor. The key contributions are 1) a new approach to coordinated control, which allows independent control of each vehicle while guaranteeing the system's stability and 2) a new cooperative localization scheme that allows each vehicle to benefit from measurements acquired by other vehicles. The latter relies on the vehicles exploiting the inherent rigid structure information to infer additional constraints between the vehicles’ poses allowing us to formulate the pose estimation problem as an optimization problem on the Lie group $\mathbf {SE(3)}$ . The proposed approach is validated through experimental results with multiple quadrotors grasping and transporting a rigid structure.
Combining Gene-Based Methods and Reproductive Technologies to Enhance Genetic Improvement of Livestock in Developing Countries

Selection based on DNA markers is most useful for traits that are hard to measure and have low heritability. It allows earlier and more accurate selection, increasing short- and medium-term selection response, and may aid in targeting genotypes for specific production environments or markets. The use of genotypic information in breeding programmes for within-breed selection will generally have limited extra benefit, unless selection based on phenotype is difficult or advanced reproductive technologies are used. Novel reproductive technologies boost reproductive rates of breeding animals and may allow reproduction at juvenile ages. The benefit arises from increased selection intensity, as well as from increased selection accuracy due to larger families and decreased generation interval, as higher reproductive rates result in lower optimal ages for breeding animals. Increased reproductive rates and early selection rely more on between-family selection and potentially decrease effective population size, therefore increasing inbreeding. Selection needs to be optimized with respect to inbreeding and merit. Extra benefit from scenarios with unlimited use of reproductive technologies is restricted by the need to maintain genetic diversity. Benefits from marker assisted selection are higher in breeding programmes that use reproductive technologies, as the value of providing information about genotype is more beneficial for selection of young animals before they have a phenotype. Moreover, genotype information exploits variation within families, which is beneficial in breeding programmes where loss of genetic diversity is to be controlled. In developing countries, use of genotype information is likely to be most useful in marker assisted introgression programmes, where valuable genes are introgressed from one breed into another. A large variety of genetic resources in developing countries exists across breeds and populations, and utilization and management of this variation might greatly benefit from gene technologies.
Leadership of Creativity: Entity-Based, Relational, and Complexity Perspectives

Publisher Summary A large body of research examines creativity as an act performed by individual persons; hence, they are called entity-based approaches. These approaches focus on the attributes of individuals acting independently or while engaged in-group activities, and on the conditions that foster creativity. The conditions that foster individual creativity include contexts (such as autonomy or heterogeneity) and appropriate leadership behaviors. Creative people possess a high degree of achievement motivation, and they have an adaptive style of relating to problems in their environment. Collective creativity emerges from an environment in which ideas can flow and interact. Creativity is fostered by interaction, interdependency, heterogeneity, pressure, task-related conflict, and adaptive rules. Leaders who champion creative ideas, foster sense making in self and others, and who provide psychologically safe environments enable it. Complexity dynamics allow ideas to converge and diverge; to conflict and elaborate; to spontaneously emerge when people try to reconcile differences, when they discover opportunities to merge various ideas into a uniquely different idea, or when ideas complement the usefulness of one another. Complexity isn't just a one-on-one environment, it is a networked environment in which different ideas influence and re-influence each other, in which ideas affect one another at a distance through indirect pathways of relationships, and in which higher-order ideas influence the development of lower level ideas.
The depalmitoylase APT1 directs the asymmetric partitioning of Notch and Wnt signaling during cell division.

Asymmetric cell division results in two distinctly fated daughter cells. A molecular hallmark of asymmetric division is the unequal partitioning of cell fate determinants. We have previously established that growth factor signaling promotes protein depalmitoylation to foster polarized protein localization, which, in turn, drives migration and metastasis. We report protein palmitoylation as a key mechanism for the asymmetric partitioning of the cell fate determinants Numb and β-catenin through the activity of the depalmitoylating enzyme APT1. Using point mutations, we showed that specific palmitoylated residues on Numb were required for its asymmetric localization. By live-cell imaging, we showed that reciprocal interactions between APT1 and the Rho family GTPase CDC42 promoted the asymmetric localization of Numb and β-catenin to the plasma membrane. This, in turn, restricted Notch- or Wnt-responsive transcriptional activity to one daughter cell. Moreover, we showed that altering APT1 abundance changed the transcriptional signatures of MDA-MB-231 triple receptor–negative breast cancer cells, similar to changes in Notch and β-catenin–mediated Wnt signaling. We also showed that loss of APT1 depleted a specific subpopulation of tumorigenic cells in colony formation assays. Together, our findings suggest that APT1-mediated depalmitoylation is a major mechanism of asymmetric cell division that maintains Notch- and Wnt-associated protein dynamics, gene expression, and cellular functions.
The Unsolved Mysteries of Causation and Responsibility

This article is part of a symposium on Michael Moore's Causation and Responsibility. In Causation and Responsibility, Moore adopts a scalar approach to factual causation, with counterfactual dependency serving as an independent desert basis. Moore’s theory of causation does not include proximate causation. The problem with Moore's argument is that the problems with which proximate causation dealt - how and when to limit cause in fact - remain unresolved. In this paper, I focus on two sets of problems. The first set is the “fit” or categorization problems within the criminal law. I focus on three matches: (1) the fit between what the defendant intended and what the law forbids; (2) the fit between the result the defendant intended and the harm actually caused; and (3) the fit between the way the defendant foresaw the causal mechanism working and the actual route that occurred. Although the first question was always a culpability question, Moore shifts the latter two inquiries from causation to culpability. I will argue that relocating the questions does not resolve them and that to the extent Moore offers some preliminary answers, they are insufficient. The second part of this paper turns to the role that counterfactual dependence plays. Moore argues that counterfactual dependence is not a form of causation but is its own independent desert basis, a basis that plays an important role in omission liability. Here, too, because Moore shifts the question outside of causation, he does not fully resolve the very problems he identifies. Hence, even if these questions have found their proper homes, they have not found answers.
Confirmatory factor analysis of the parental feeding style questionnaire with a preschool sample

Despite being widely used, there has not yet been a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the English version of the Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire (PFSQ). Preschool is a critical time to assess parental feeding styles, and the PFSQ is one of the few measures that can be used with young children. As such, the current study conducted the first CFA on the PFSQ in an English-speaking sample in the United States to establish preliminary evidence of its factor structure. Parents of preschoolers aged 3–5 years (N = 297; M = 33.47 years; 85.2% mothers) presenting to a pediatric dentistry office in the Midwest of the United States were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Parents completed the PFSQ in the waiting room of the dental office. Robust maximum likelihood factor analyses were conducted on the PFSQ. The original four-factor model was not confirmed, but rather, results provided preliminary support for a five-factor solution: Control over Eating, Instrumental Feeding, Emotional Feeding, Encouragement of Variety, and Prompting of Eating, CFI = 0.91, SRMR = 0.06, RMSEA = 0.05. The PFSQ is a widely used measure for assessing parental feeding styles in young children. However, the CFA indicated that the originally proposed four-factor structure did not fit well. Certain modifications to the measure were necessary to improve model fit. A five-factor model fit better, and six items were removed, reducing the original 27-item scale to 21 items. Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
A new diapriid (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) from termite nests from South Africa

Specimens of a very interesting species of Diapriidae have recently been received for identification from South Africa. They were submitted by Mr D. P. Annecke, Pretoria, who stated that they had been obtained from the fungus comb of Odontotermes latericius (Haviland) at two different localities a few miles from Pretoria. In all probability the species develops as a parasite of the termitoxeniid, Syntermitoxenia pseudonanna (Schmitz) (det. E. M. Beyer) which was present in both nests. I have been unable to place the diapriid as a descriptionbed species and have accordingly prepared the following descriptionption of it. A new generic name seems also to be required.
El islam del Raval: sus oratorios y organizaciones

Dada la larga y controvertida relacion entre Espana y Marruecos, la in- vestigacion sobre islam en Espana ha abordado de manera abundante y notable la presencia de mezquitas controladas por marroquies en todo el pais. Por consiguiente, espacios similares controlados por paquistanies y bangladeshies, dos comunidades que en las ultimas decadas han crecido rapidamente en varios puntos del pais, han que- dado poco explorados. Con ello, el modo en que esos espacios sirven a organizaciones islamicas de origen paquistani y bangladeshi para hacer proselitismo (dawah) entre musulmanes de esos origenes ha quedado por explorar tambien. Partiendo de Catalu- na y, concretamente, de Barcelona y el barrio de El Raval, donde en los ultimos anos dichos espacios, organizaciones y comunidades han proliferado mas y de forma mas rapida, este articulo quiere contribuir a ese (relativamente) nuevo terreno de investi- gacion. Por supuesto, en paises como el Reino Unido, donde, por motivos historicos y politicos obvios, dichos espacios, organizaciones y comunidades tienen un largo recorri- do, muchos han desarrollado dicho terreno de investigacion. No obstante, el hecho de que en Espana, Cataluna, Barcelona y El Raval tal recorrido se halle todavia en sus primeros pasos nos permite observar y analizar de manera privilegiada, precisamente, el modo en que se establece el vinculo entre determinados espacios, organizaciones y comunidades. Asi pues, partiendo de una etnografia en el barrio de El Raval, tratando de evitar generalizaciones para introducir matices, este articulo quiere contribuir tam- bien a comprender la naturaleza de dicho vinculo, por supuesto, sin darla por sentada.
Underutilization of guideline-recommended supportive care among older adults with multiple myeloma in the United States.

Background With improving survival for patients with multiple myeloma (MM), supportive care that is focused on optimizing quality of life and minimizing treatment-related toxicities is increasingly important. The extent to which patients with MM are receiving recommended supportive care is unknown. Methods This study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database to identify older adults (age ≥66 years) diagnosed with MM in 2008-2013 who had received active treatment and survived 1 year or longer after their diagnosis. Outcomes of interest included guideline-recommended supportive care, which was defined as 1) bone-modifying drugs (BMDs) within the 12 months after the diagnosis, 2) influenza vaccination in the first season after the diagnosis, and 3) concomitant use of prophylactic antivirals with proteasome inhibitors. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between patient/facility-level characteristics and supportive care use. Results Among 1996 patients receiving MM-directed therapy, 64%, 52%, and 49% received BMDs, an influenza vaccination, and antiviral prophylaxis, respectively. Non-Hispanic black patients (odds ratio [OR] vs white patients, 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-0.88) and patients with baseline renal impairment (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.34-0.54) had lower odds of BMDs. Non-Hispanic blacks (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.37-0.73) and those with dual Medicaid enrollment (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58-0.99) had lower odds of influenza vaccination. Treatment in a community-based setting was associated with reduced odds of antiviral prophylaxis (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.46-0.72). Conclusions Substantial underutilization of guideline-recommended supportive care was observed among older adults with MM in the United States, and this was associated with both patient and facility characteristics. Targeted interventions are needed to improve supportive care for patients with MM.
The Effects of Absorber Thickness on Reverse-Bias Damage in Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 Solar Cells

We studied a variety of absorber thicknesses in Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 devices to examine the ability of the cell to withstand reverse current flow without damage. Absorbers were varied from 2.5 µm to 0.4 µm, with the expectation that larger reverse current would be allowed to flow at lower voltages as absorbers were made thinner. Our initial experiments showed promise. However, as the efficiency of thin devices was improved, the reverse current allowed at a given voltage decreased. Here we present our negative results on the ability of thin devices to allow higher reverse currents at lower voltages. We also give details on our procedures for reverse-bias testing small-area solar cells. We hope this information will be useful for those who want to study reverse-bias at the cell level.
Hyperspectral imaging and characterization of allergic contact dermatitis in the short-wave infrared.

Short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging is applied to diagnose and monitor a case of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) due to poison ivy exposure in one subject. This approach directly demonstrates increased tissue fluid content in ACD lesional skin with a spectral signature that matches the spectral signature of intradermally injected normal saline. The best contrast between the affected and unaffected skin is achieved through a selection of specific wavelengths at 1070, 1340 and 1605 nm and combining them in a pseudo-red-green-blue color space. An image derived from these wavelengths normalized to unaffected skin defines a "tissue fluid index" that may aid in the quantitative diagnosis and monitoring of ACD. Further clinical testing of this promising approach towards disease detection and monitoring with tissue fluid content quantification is warranted.
The Political Misuse of Antitrust

The increased importance of antitrust as a campaign issue and a political conversation raises long-standing troubling issues of whether antitrust enforcement (or non-enforcement) can, and is, being used for partisan political purposes. First, there were long standing rumors of White House direction to challenge the ATT-Time Warner merger. Second, the President and other key officials have alleged that social media and tech giants have exhibited a political bias against conservative messages and that antitrust was one way to deal with such alleged abuses. Third, there have been press reports that the head of the Antitrust Division lobbied members of Congress in connection with the settlement of the Sprint-T–Mobile merger investigation and personally sought to broker the divestiture that was accepted to allow the transaction to move forward. Most recently, Congress also has heard recent testimony from a whistle-blower that the Attorney General directed burdensome second requests, over the objection of career staff, to mergers posing few competitive risks in the cannabis industry out of a personal dislike for the industry. These second requests represented 29% of the total second requests during the fiscal year in question. The whistle-blower also raised concerns about the Division’s now-closed investigation — also over the objections of career staff — of car companies lobbying the state of California to maintain state emissions control at a level in excess of what the administration sought to impose at the federal level. This essay begins a long overdue conversation about how the legal system should deal with issues of personal animus or political favoritism in the enforcement of the antitrust laws. We take no position on the merits of any of the current controversies, but instead focus on the broader issue of how animus and bias in the broadest sense should be dealt with, both when cases with some potential merit are brought against perceived enemies and when cases with some potential merit are declined to protect perceived allies. We begin with distinguishing these situations of bias and animus from those of outright corruption and when antitrust considerations are set aside in favor of broader foreign policy and national interests. We then look at the limited tools within antitrust law to deal with issues of bias and political favoritism and survey related areas of the law which have been dealing with these issues more directly throughout their history.
NaCl cotransporter activity and Mg2+handling by the distal convoluted tubule

The genetic disease Gitelman syndrome, knockout mice, and pharmacological blockade with thiazide diuretics have revealed that reduced activity of the NaCl cotransporter (NCC) promotes renal Mg2+ wasting. NCC is expressed along the distal convoluted tubule (DCT), and its activity determines Mg2+ entry into DCT cells through transient receptor potential channel subfamily M member 6 (TRPM6). Several other genetic forms of hypomagnesemia lower the drive for Mg2+ entry by inhibiting activity of basolateral Na+-K+-ATPase, and reduced NCC activity may do the same. Lower intracellular Mg2+ may promote further Mg2+ loss by directly decreasing activity of Na+-K+-ATPase. Lower intracellular Mg2+ may also lower Na+-K+-ATPase indirectly by downregulating NCC. Lower NCC activity also induces atrophy of DCT cells, decreasing the available number of TRPM6 channels. Conversely, a mouse model with increased NCC activity was recently shown to display normal Mg2+ handling. Moreover, recent studies have identified calcineurin and uromodulin (UMOD) as regulators of both NCC and Mg2+ handling by the DCT. Calcineurin inhibitors paradoxically cause hypomagnesemia in a state of NCC activation, but this may be related to direct effects on TRPM6 gene expression. In Umod-/- mice, the cause of hypomagnesemia may be partly due to both decreased NCC expression and lower TRPM6 expression on the cell surface. This mini-review discusses these new findings and the possible role of altered Na+ flux through NCC and ultimately Na+-K+-ATPase in Mg2+ reabsorption by the DCT.
Optimizing the corticosteroid dose in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome

The use of corticosteroids in the treatment of steroid-sensitive nephrotic (SSNS) syndrome in children has evolved surprisingly slowly since the ISKDC consensus over 50 years ago. From a move towards longer courses of corticosteroid to treat the first episode in the 1990s and 2000s, more recent large, well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have unequivocally shown no benefit from an extended course, although doubt remains whether this applies across all age groups. With regard to prevention of relapses, daily ultra-low-dose prednisolone has recently been shown to be more effective than low-dose alternate-day prednisolone. Daily low-dose prednisolone for a week at the time of acute viral infection seems to be effective in the prevention of relapses but the results of a larger RCT are awaited. Recently, corticosteroid dosing to treat relapses has been questioned, with data suggesting lower doses may be as effective. The need for large RCTs to address the question of whether corticosteroid doses can be reduced was the conclusion of the authors of the recent corticosteroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome in children Cochrane update. This review summarizes development in thinking on corticosteroid use in SSNS and makes suggestions for areas that merit further scrutiny.
You Are What You Repeatedly Do: Links Between Personality and Habit.

Abstract Several socio-cognitive theories of personality describe habit development as an integral process of personality development. Yet, no empirical research has rigorously examined linkages between personality traits and habits. In the present study, participants (N = 459) reported perceived automaticity, intrinsic rewards, and extrinsic rewards for several of 25 total behaviors; they also self-reported two important traits: conscientiousness and neuroticism. Conditional multilevel mediation analyses were used to assess the effect of each conscientiousness and neuroticism on automaticity through intrinsic and extrinsic rewards for each behavior. Across behaviors, conscientiousness was negatively associated with behavioral automaticity, and neuroticism positively predicted it. Specifically, conscientiousness appeared to protect against automaticity for health risk behaviors but did not promote automaticity for behaviors performed frequently by those high in conscientiousness; conversely, neuroticism positively predicted automaticity even for behaviors not performed more frequently by those high on the trait. Perceived intrinsic and extrinsic rewards mediated the link between traits and automaticity for some behaviors (e.g., sugary drink consumption), but these effects were not consistent across all behaviors. These findings offer some of the first empirical insights into the links between personality and habits.
Is Data Mining Ever a Search Under Justice Stevens's Fourth Amendment?

On a daily basis, we convey to third parties detailed information about the most mundane to the most intimate aspects of our lives. When we place a call, we transmit the number we dialed and the time and length of our call to the phone company.1 When we carry around a mobile phone, we also broadcast our physical location to the wireless provider.2 When we get online, we transmit to our Internet service provider (“ISP”) the websites we visit, the time and length of our visits, the email addresses we correspond with, and the bandwidth we consume.3 When we visit a website, we
Minimum information management and price-abundance relationships in a fishery

We explore the information content of dockside prices and fishing costs in the estimation of stock abundance. Our approach is two‐pronged: we first examine whether the implied biomass, that is, the biomass that is consistent with a simple microeconomic model calibrated with observed prices and costs, offers an approximation of actual stock assessments—both agree over the first 20 years of observation, but diverge over the last five. In a second approach, we use annual data in Vector Autoregressive (VAR), Bayesian VAR (B‐VAR), and Vector Error Correction (VEC) frameworks and add monthly data in a mixed‐frequency data analysis including Mixed‐Frequency Bayesian VAR (MF‐BVAR) and Mixed‐Data Sampling (MIDAS) frameworks for log‐differenced time series. Parameter uncertainties are addressed through Bayesian regression and forecasting methods. We find a statistically significant correlation between biometric estimates and changes in a price‐based indicator that is robust to the inclusion of confounding factors. We conclude that the combination of price data and per‐trip landings, when interpreted with care, can serve as a complementary, but comparatively affordable and timely, source of information for stock assessments. Nous etudions le contenu informationnel des prix du poisson a la criee et des couts d'exploitation dans le but d'estimer l'abondance des stocks. Notre approche comporte deux volets: dans un premier temps, nous calculons la biomasse implicite, c'est a dire la biomasse qui, compte tenu des prix et des quantites debarquees, est en accord avec un simple modele d'optimisation des profits. La biomasse implicite et l'estimation biometrique des stocks sont en concordance sur une periode de 20 ans, puis divergent sur les cinq dernieres annees. Dans un deuxieme temps, nous utilisons les donnees annuelles dans le cadre du modele autoregressif vectoriel (VAR), du VAR bayesien (B‐VAR), et du modele vectoriel a correction d'erreur (VEC). Nous incorporons ensuite les donnees mensuelles pour une analyse a frequences mixtes des series chronologiques en difference logarithmique, y compris le VAR bayesien a frequences mixtes (MF‐BVAR) et le modele de donnees echantillonnales a frequences mixtes (MIDAS). Les incertitudes relatives aux parametres sont adressees par le biais de regressions et previsions bayesiennes. Nous trouvons une correlation statistiquement significative entre la mesure d'abondance biometrique et un indice base sur les prix, correlation robuste malgre la consideration d'une variete de facteurs confondants. Nous concluons qu'une interpretation judicieuse des prix et des quantites debarquees peut produire un complement d'information rapide et peu dispendieux.
Stiffness Estimation in Single Degree of Freedom Mechanisms using Regression

This paper leverages machine learning principles in combination with an exploratory procedure to estimate the unknown stiffness of a grasped object in a single degree of freedom gripper mechanism. The object stiffness is estimated using regression; sensor measurements of actuator position and actuator current are the regressor inputs, and object stiffness is the regressor output. The proposed approach reduces overall system complexity and cost compared to systems that use tactile sensors to estimate object stiffness. Several datasets are generated using a physics-based simulation model of the system. Regressors are trained on data produced by the simulation model, and their performance is analyzed under variations on simulation model parameters including stick-slip friction parameters; the influence of the actuation command signal used to direct the exploratory procedure is also considered. These regressors are then experimentally evaluated on a representative single degree of freedom mechanism, demonstrating worst-case stiffness estimation errors (based on datasheet spring stiffness values) of 3.4%.
Friction as a Function of Velocity (Negative Viscous Friction Revealed)

The control engineer often assumes a viscous friction model. To describe dry rubbing the tribologist rarely includes any velocity dependence at all, and when he does it is as likely to be negative as positive. Based on the experimental work presented here, the kinetic plus viscous friction model seems very accurate at velocities above a minimum velocity. Below the this velocity, decreasing friction with increasing velocity, or negative viscous friction, is observed.
Molecular and morphological changes in the cat lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex induced by visual deprivation are revealed by monoclonal antibodies Cat-304 and Cat-301.

Monoclonal antibody Cat-301 recognizes a surface-associated proteoglycan on subsets of neurons in the mammalian CNS (Hockfield and McKay, 1983). The expression of Cat-301 immunoreactivity on Y cells in the cat LGN is sharply reduced by early visual deprivation (Sur et al., 1988). We employed an immunosuppression strategy (Hockfield, 1987) to further study alterations in the expression of experience-dependent molecules. Newborn BALB/c mice were injected with LGN from dark-reared cats to induce a suppression of the immune response to antigens expressed in visually deprived animals. These mice were then immunized with LGN from normal cats to elicit an immune response to antigens with an expression dependent on normal early visual experience. This strategy permitted the generation of monoclonal antibody Cat-304, which recognizes a surface-associated antigen on neuronal cell bodies and proximal dendrites, and which appears histologically identical to Cat- 301. Further analyses show that Cat-304 and Cat-301 recognize different epitopes on the same 680-kDa chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. We examined the effects of early visual deprivation on Cat-304 immunoreactivity in the LGN and visual cortex of cats. In LGN from normal cats, Cat-304 labels neurons in layers A, A1, and C, in interlaminar zones, and in the medial interlaminar nucleus. In LGN from dark-reared cats, the number of antibody-positive neurons is markedly reduced, and the cross-sectional area of the remaining positive neurons is smaller than normal. In cortical area 17 of normally reared cats, Cat 304-positive neurons are densely distributed in 2 bands, in layers IV and V/VI. Labeled neurons are also present in layers II and III. In area 17 of dark-reared cats, the number of antibody-positive neurons is reduced. The reduction in the number of labeled neurons is most pronounced in layers II/III and V/VI. Antibody-positive neurons are smaller in all cortical layers of dark-reared cats. The changes in the expression of Cat-301 immunoreactivity in dark-reared visual cortex and LGN are identical to those of Cat-304. The laminar differences in the effect of dark rearing on Cat-301 and Cat-304 expression in the visual cortex provides support for the suggestion that layer IV of cortical area 17 may be less susceptible to prolongation of plasticity by dark rearing than layers II/III and V/VI. Further, the biochemical and histological studies reported provide evidence that early visual experience regulates protein expression in the cat LGN and visual cortex.
Primers for amplifying the hypervariable, male-transmitted COII-COI junction region in amblemine freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoidea: Ambleminae)

Freshwater bivalves in the superfamily Unionoidea possess distinct male (M)- and female (F)-transmitted mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The former evolves independently of and at a significantly faster rate than the latter. Thus, population genetic and phylogenetic analyses of M sequences facilitate the generation of independent estimates of genetic variation and evolutionary relationships which are often more robust than those provided by analyses of F sequences alone. However, M mtDNA's rapid substitution rate often renders polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification difficult with ‘universal’ primers. Herein, we report on three pairs of PCR primers that consistently amplify the hypervariable M COII-COI gene junction region in 25 bivalve genera (Unionoidea: Ambleminae).
Diamond Thin-Film Electrodes for Monitoring Heavy Metal Ions in Water Supplies Using Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Conductive diamond is a new electrode material that functions well in anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV); a technique used for the determination of heavy metal ions in aqueous media. Work to adapt a previously developed ground-based method for targeted use on-board the International Space Station (ISS) is the subject of this paper. It is demonstrated that increasing the solution pH from 4.5 to 5.2 (a value near that acceptable for on-board use) did not cause significant alteration in the detection figures of merit for five priority metal ions (Ag(I), Cu(ll), Pb(ll), Cd(ll) and Zn(ll)). It is also shown that the addition of Ca(ll) and Mg(II) salts at concentrations identical to those presently used in the potable water caused less than a 4% change in the signal obtained for most of the priority metal ions tested. Finally, elimination of the deoxygenation step (nitrogen purge) did not affect the signals for Ag(I) and Cd(II), but did cause a decrease in the signals for Pb(ll) and Cu(ll). Even with the decreased signals, though, a linear calibration curve was still obtained for Pb(ll) with a detection limit of 50 ppb. The long-term electrode response stability for Cd(ll) is also reported on. The signal remained constant (RSD -5%) over a period of several weeks. The method was applied to the analysis of Ag(I) in simulated potable and technical water samples. Analysis of Ag(I) in the potable water sample yielded a result of 430 ± 2 ppb, which is within 2% of the expected value of 422 ppb. Analysis of Ag(I) in the technical water sample yielded a result of 530 ± 16 ppb, which is 9% higher than the expected value of 480 ppb.
Transport of Donor Deoxyribonucleic Acid into the Cell Interior of Thymine-starved Bacillus subtilis with Chromosomes Arrested at the Terminus

The chromosomes of a tryptophan−, thymine− double auxotroph of Bacillus subtilis were uniformly aligned at the chromosome terminus by an amino acid starvation treatment. By subsequent incubations, the starved culture was rendered competent, while its state of synchronous chromosome arrest was maintained by thymine starvation. The competent, chromosome-arrested cells were transformed for three unlinked markers, located in two different chromosome regions. Shortly after addition of deoxyribonucleic acid, the cell walls were removed with lysozyme in a medium containing deoxyribonuclease and no thymine, and the protoplasted culture was assayed for single and double transformants. It was found that markers both near and distant from the terminus entered freely into the cell interior. There was no important difference in the relative frequency of entry of different markers between synchronously arrested cells and nonsynchronized control cultures. It is concluded that entry of a given marker into the cell interior can occur even if the replication site of the chromosome is stationary at a location distant from the locus of the resident homolog of the entering marker. A mechanism of donor deoxyribonucleic acid entry involving homology at the replication fork is excluded.
Cognition meets le corbusier: cognitive principles of architectural design

Research on human spatial memory and navigational ability has recently shown the strong influence of reference systems in spatial memory on the ways spatial information is accessed in navigation and other spatially oriented tasks. One of the main findings can be characterized as a large cognitive cost, both in terms of speed and accuracy that occurs whenever the reference system used to encode spatial information in memory is not aligned with the reference system required by a particular task. In this paper, the role of aligned and misaligned reference systems is discussed in the context of the built environment and modern architecture. The role of architectural design on the perception and mental representation of space by humans is investigated. The navigability and usability of built space is systematically analysed in the light of cognitive theories of spatial and navigational abilities of humans. It is concluded that a building's navigability and related wayfinding issues can benefit from architectural design that takes into account basic results of spatial cognition research.