cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Systems Analysis Approach to Office Automation

This article defines a systems analysis procedure for office automation. The step-by-step procedure is stated in general terms for broad application and provides a basis for maximizing productivity by automating selected tasks. The organizational communication requirements were identified by use of a systematic task analysis and attitude survey. Man/machine trade studies were utilized to further define candidate tasks with potential for productivity improvement. A concept of operation documents the proposed usability of the system and provides a cost-effective mechanism for resolving design/user incompatibilities. Also discussed are the use of the system specification, hardware/software trade studies, and several implementation issues. This procedure is recommended to ensure that expensive office automation efforts are functionally responsive to the organizational needs and provide a usable man/machine system.
The majority of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complexes in adult rat cerebral cortex contain at least three different subunits (NR1/NR2A/NR2B).

A monoclonal antibody (R1JHL) against the NR1 subunit of theN-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor has been developed that recognizes an epitope in the region of the amino-terminal amino acids 341–561 (a region common to all splice variants of NR1). This monoclonal antibody identifies a broad band at 115 kDa in immunoblots using membranes from NR1-transfected cells and from rat brain tissue. No cross-reactivity with any NR2 subunit is seen. With the goal to determine quantitatively the subunit composition of cortical NMDA receptors, we used the monoclonal antibody to NR1 and polyclonal antibodies against the NR2A and NR2B subunits to perform immunoprecipitations of receptor subunits from solubilized adult rat cortical membranes. Solubilization of the receptor subunits was accomplished under both nondenaturing (native) conditions, under which the subunits seem to remain associated with one another, and denaturing conditions, under which the subunits are dissociated from each other. Although each of these antibodies selectively immunoprecipitates only its corresponding (cognate) subunit when the subunits have been solubilized under denaturing conditions, each of the antibodies immunoprecipitates a sizable fraction of the other two NMDA receptor subunits when membranes are solubilized under nondenaturing conditions, indicating an interaction in situ. Using quantitative immunoblot analysis of the three subunits in both the pellets and supernatants from the immunoprecipitations, we found 1) the dominant NMDA receptor complex in adult rat cortex contains at least three subunits, NR1/NR2A/NR2B; 2) a smaller fraction of NMDA receptors are composed of only two subunits, NR1/NR2B or NR1/NR2A; 3) there are no complexes that contain NR2A/NR2B that do not contain NR1; 4) only a small fraction of each subunit is not associated with any other NMDA receptor subunit; 5) no coimmunoprecipitation of noncognate subunits occurs unless the subunits are assembled with each other in situ; and 6) there is no physical interaction between these NMDA receptor subunits and the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor GluR2 or GluR3 subunits. These results suggest that functional studies with recombinant receptors composed of at least three subunits may be the most physiologically meaningful.
PQDIF Based Power Quality Document Generation Method and Its Applications

PQDIF established by IEEE 1159 is a kind of universal power quality data interchange format. PQDIF with a good compatibility is easy to realize data sharing between different monitoring systems. To popularize the applications of the PQDIF, this paper presents a method to convert power quality data documents in non PQDIF to PQDIF based documents. Application of the method to transform power quality data documents of on-line monitoring devices in a certain wind farm to PQDIF based ones shows that the method is feasible.
Understanding the hydrologic impacts of wastewater treatment plant discharge to shallow groundwater: before and after plant shutdown

Effluent-impacted surface water has the potential to transport not only water, but wastewater-derived contaminants to shallow groundwater systems. To better understand the effects of effluent discharge on in-stream and near-stream hydrologic conditions in wastewater-impacted systems, water-level changes were monitored in hyporheic-zone and shallow-groundwater piezometers in a reach of Fourmile Creek adjacent to and downstream of the Ankeny (Iowa, USA) wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Water-level changes were monitored from approximately 1.5 months before to 0.5 months after WWTP closure. Diurnal patterns in WWTP discharge were closely mirrored in stream and shallow-groundwater levels immediately upstream and up to 3 km downstream of the outfall, indicating that such discharge was the primary control on water levels before shutdown. The hydrologic response to WWTP shutdown was immediately observed throughout the study reach, verifying the far-reaching hydraulic connectivity and associated contaminant transport risk. The movement of WWTP effluent into alluvial aquifers has implications for potential WWTP-derived contamination of shallow groundwater far removed from the WWTP outfall.
Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α-Amino Ester Probed by FTIR Spectroscopy

Asymmetric hydrogenation reaction of dehydro-α-amino acid (i.e., α-amino ester) over cinchonidine (CD) modified Pd catalyst has been studied by an array of in situ infrared spectroscopic methods, including transmission, diffuse reflectance (DR), and attenuated total reflectance (ATR). Transmission FTIR spectra probed the hydrogenation reaction process, revealed OH–O and NH–N hydrogen bonding interactions between the adsorbed CD and during the reaction. DR and ATR spectra of the hydrogenation reaction under different conditions, which are consistent with but slightly different from the transmission spectra, evidenced the successful hydrogenation of the compound. The incorporation of DR and microfluidics flow-through design allowed us to investigate the adsorption of CD on the Pd surface efficiently. The results revealed that the N-bonded CD on Pd surface in a tilted configuration had increased abundance on the Pd surface with high coverage. These valuable insights provided an image of the reaction pathway ...
A Review of "Sex Made Easy: Your awkward questions answered for better, smarter, amazing sex"

Approachable and well-written, Dr. Debby Herbenick's Sex Made Easy is a reminder that nearly everyone has concerns about sex and sexuality at some point in their lives and, for many individuals, th...
Oxidation of columbium (niobium) and coated columbium alloys

Abstract Oxidation of columbium alloys FS-85, SU-31, and a complex disilicide coating SU-31 and FS-85 alloy systems has been studied in the temperature range 1400–2700°F (760–1482°C) at 1 atm and 50 cm/s flow rate of air. For studies of the uncoated alloys, the flow rate and pressure dependence of the alloys was also investigated. The experimental methods included thermogravimetric measurements of oxidation rates and studies on reacted specimens by means of X-ray diffraction, metallographic techniques, and electron-microprobe analysis. Two anomalies in the temperature dependence of the oxidation rate were observed for both alloys and were related to the oxides formed. The SU-31 alloy has the best oxidation resistance. The oxidation mechanism of the alloys is discussed along with the mechanism of protection afforded by the complex disilicide coating system. The coating did not fail after 1000 hours of oxidation.
Testis specific Y-like 5: gene expression, methylation and implications for drug sensitivity in prostate carcinoma

TSPYL5, a putative tumor suppressor gene, belongs to the nucleosome assembly protein family. The chromosomal location of the TSPYL5 gene is 8Q22.1, and its exact role in prostate cancer etiology remains unclear. Further TSPYL5 gene and protein expression in prostate carcinoma cells and diseased tissues including its susceptibility for epigenetic silencing is unknown. Also, not known is the variation in TSPYL5 protein expression with regards to progression of prostatic carcinoma and its possible role in drug sensitivity. TSPYL5, DNMT-1 and DNMT-B gene expression in DU145, LNCaP and RWPE-1 cells and prostate tumor tissues was analyzed by qRT-PCR and RT-PCR. Demethylation experiments were done by treating DU145 and LNCaP cells with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine in vitro. Methylation analysis of TSPYL5 gene was performed by methylation specific PCR and pyrosequencing. TSPYL5 protein expression in benign and diseased prostate tumor tissues was performed by immunohistochemistry and in the cells by Western blotting. TSPYL5 was differentially expressed in non-tumorigenic prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1), androgen independent (DU145), dependent (LNCaP) prostate carcinoma cells and tissues. Methylation-specific PCR and pyrosequencing analysis identified an inverse relationship between DNA methylation and expression leading to the silencing of TSPYL5 gene. Treatment of prostate carcinoma cells in which TSPYL5 was absent or low (DU145 and LNCaP) with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine upregulated its expression in these cells. Immunohistochemical studies clearly identified TSPYL5 protein in benign tissue and in tumors with Gleason score (GS) of 6 and 7. TSPYL5 protein levels were very low in tumors of GS ≥ 8. TSPYL5 overexpression in LNCaP cells increased the cell sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs such as docetaxel and paclitaxel, as measured by the cellular viability. Furthermore, the cells also exhibited reduced CDKN1A expression with only marginal reduction in pAKT. Decrease in TSPYL5 protein in advanced tumors might possibly function as an indicator of prostate tumor progression. Its absence due to methylation-induced silencing can lead to reduced drug sensitivity in prostate carcinoma.
Groundwater Storage Monitoring From Space

Abstract As a major component of the global water cycle, groundwater (underground water) includes water present beneath Earth’s surface within pore spaces in soil and deeper sediments and in fractured formations in the saturated zone. Groundwater plays a key role in connections between the global hydrological cycle and climate change and is a vital resource in many parts of the world. Groundwater storage (GWS) change is mainly controlled by a balance between discharge (including extraction by pumping for agricultural and domestic consumption) and recharge through infiltration from soil or seepage from surface reservoirs. GWS change can be monitored by water level measurements in wells in combination with geological information describing the ability of the saturated zone to store and release water. However lack of adequate in situ observations has prevented accurate estimates of GWS change in most regions of the world. Only a few well-developed countries have both networks of measured wells, and sufficient knowledge of soil and rock material properties. Satellite gravity measurements from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites provide an alternative method for estimating GWS change. Since its launch in March 2002, GRACE has measured changes in Earth’s gravity on a monthly basis for over 13 years with an accuracy sufficient to detect a centimeter of water equivalent water storage change at a spatial resolution of a few 100 km. This accuracy is comparable to or better than estimates from well level measurements, so GRACE provides a complementary spatial average when both measurement types are available. GRACE estimates of storage change require that other causes of gravity change be removed, usually via hydrologic and similar geophysical models. GRACE gravity measurements have been successfully used in studies that span the globe, including Northwest India, California’s Central Valley, the High Plains Aquifer in the United States, the North China Plain, various regions in the Middle East, and Australia’s southern Murray–Darling Basin. This chapter starts with an overall introduction of global groundwater storage changes, observations and challenges (11.1), followed by a brief introduction to groundwater and its role in the global water cycle (11.2), and in situ groundwater observations and limitations (11.3). Detailed descriptions of groundwater monitoring by satellite gravimetry and related data processing methods are described in 11.4, followed by in-depth discussions of major error sources and issues in GRACE-based groundwater storage estimation and how people should address them in 11.5. 11.6 provides a comprehensive review of the progress in groundwater monitoring by GRACE satellite gravimetry using some case studies of regional long-term groundwater storage changes over the world. A summary is provided at the end in 11.7.
An Antisense β1-Reducer: Repeated Administration Reduces Hypertension and Cardiac Hypertrophy Persistently Without Toxicity or Immune Response

72 In order to overcome the adverse effects associated with conventional β-blockers in treating hypertension, we have developed a novel β1-reducer by specifically targeting β1-adrenoceptor mRNA with an antisense oligonucleotide (β1-AS-ODN). A single intravenous injection of β1-AS-ODN deliverd with cationic liposomes caused a profound (25-35 mmHg) and prolonged (20-30 days) reduction in blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) without central effects. To be clinically useful the β1-AS-ODN would have to be effective with repeated injections and non-toxic. In this study, we have examined the effects of repeated administration of β1-AS-ODN on blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy. Toxicity and immune response were assessed. Injections of 1mg/kg β1-AS-ODN (n=9) i.v. at 15, 20 and 26 days maintained systolic blood pressure of SHR at 20-30 mmHg lower than controls for more than 2 months (P
Low Temperature H2O and NO2 Coadsorption on θ-Al2O3/NiAl(100) Ultrathin Films

The coadsorption of H2O and NO2 molecules on a well-ordered, ultrathin θ-Al2O3/NiAl(100) film surface was studied using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For H2O and NO2 monolayers adsorbed separately on the θ-Al2O3/NiAl(100) surface, adsorption energies were estimated to be 44.8 and 36.6 kJ/mol, respectively. Coadsorption systems prepared by sequential deposition of NO2 and H2O revealed the existence of coverage and temperature-dependent adsorption regimes where H2O molecules and the surface NOx species (NO2/N2O4/NO2-,NO3-) form segregated and/or mixed domains. Influence of the changes in the crystallinity of solid water (amorphous vs crystalline) on the coadsorption properties of the NO2/H2O/θ-Al2O3/NiAl(100) system is also discussed.
Comparison of Various Reliable Transport Architectures for Long-Haul Networks

The advent of Flex-grid enabled Elastic Optical Networks brings a new dimension of flexibility for transport network architectures at the optical layer. This is aided in part by the capability to support multiple modulation formats as well as the ability to switch at different granularities in the optical layer. At the digital layer, network cost and efficiency are still heavily influenced by the types of digital node architectures and switching capabilities that are deployed in the network to carry services. We look into three network architectures capable of varying levels of switching in the optical and digital layers. These architectures are namely Muxponder, OTN Switching, and Hybrid. We study network efficiency metrics of each architecture in the context of Elastic Optical Networks using flexible grid ROADMs and Sliceable Bandwidth Variable Transponders (SBVTs). We propose methods for reliable network designs when SBVTs are deployed. We compare them by quantifying the benefits of optical and digital switching. We observe that a hybrid architecture consisting of a judicious mix of switching at both the digital and optical layers provides the best overall network efficiency.
JAK2, CALR, MPL and ASXL1 mutational status correlates with distinct histological features in Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) [essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF)] vary in morphological features, disease presentation, and, most importantly, clinical outcome.[1][1] The World Health Organization (WHO)
Psychology as its History

The article by H.V. Rappard raises challenges and questions too numerous and deep to be addressed within a brief essay. He has chosen the daunting task of defining the very character of Psychology and locating its proper ‘systematology’, and doing so for a discipline which, “... hasn’t yet developed a history at all”. What seems to be at the foundation of the concerns expressed by Rappard and by many whose works he cites is Psychology’s historic immunity to theoretical integration. As it will not be unified, Rappard would liberate its energies and then find its essential nature in variation itself. If this approach is followed, then Psychology must be just its history, for variation expresses itself and becomes discernible only within historical contexts.
Validity of assessing child feeding with virtual reality

Abstract Assessment of parents' child feeding behavior is challenging, and there is need for additional methodological approaches. Virtual reality technology allows for the creation of behavioral measures, and its implementation overcomes several limitations of existing methods. This report evaluates the validity and usability of the Virtual Reality (VR) Buffet among a sample of 52 parents of children aged 3–7. Participants served a meal of pasta and apple juice in both a virtual setting and real-world setting (counterbalanced and separated by a distractor task). They then created another meal for their child, this time choosing from the full set of food options in the VR Buffet. Finally, participants completed a food estimation task followed by a questionnaire, which assessed their perceptions of the VR Buffet. Results revealed that the amount of virtual pasta served by parents correlated significantly with the amount of real pasta they served, rs = 0.613, p
Predictors of Insulin Initiation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: An Analysis of the Look AHEAD Randomized Trial.

The decision to initiate insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes is a challenging escalation of care that requires an individualized approach. However, the sociodemographic and clinical factors affecting insulin initiation are not well understood. We sought to identify patient factors that were independent predictors of insulin initiation among participants in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) clinical trial. Retrospective analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Beginning in 2001, Look AHEAD enrolled ambulatory U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes who were overweight or obese and had a primary healthcare provider. Participants were randomized (1:1) to an intensive lifestyle intervention, or diabetes support and education. This study examined 3913 participants across the two trial arms who were not using insulin at baseline. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the association between participant characteristics and time to insulin initiation. We performed time-varying adjustment for HbA1c measured eight times over the 10-year study period, as well as for multiple clinical and socioeconomic factors. A total of 1087 participants (27.8%) initiated insulin during a median follow-up of 8.0 years. Age was inversely associated with insulin initiation (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.88 per 10 years, P = 0.025). The risk of insulin initiation was greater with a higher number of diabetes complications (P < 0.001 for trend); chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease were independently associated with insulin initiation. There was a lower risk of insulin initiation in black (aHR 0.77, P = 0.008) and Hispanic participants (aHR 0.66, P < 0.001) relative to white participants. Socioeconomic factors were not associated with insulin initiation. Patient age, race/ethnicity, and diabetes complications may influence insulin initiation in type 2 diabetes, independent of glycemic control. Future work is needed to understand the drivers of racial differences in antihyperglycemic treatment, and to identify patients who benefit most from insulin.
Nonmarket strategy effectiveness in complex rule environments: The role of regulatory capabilities

A firm’s ability to wield nonmarket strategy – capturing value through managing and manipulating its political and regulatory environment – depends on its possession of regulatory capability. Regulatory capability consists of those behaviors that enables a firm to (1) perceive and comply with, (2) interact with, and (3) manipulate its regulatory environment. Regulatory capability is important to firm performance because it enables firms to access opportunities that are marked “off limits” by regulations. Accessing new opportunities, in turn, enables firms to introduce new products and services to new markets profitably. In a political age where regulations are introduced at a much more rapid rate and in which regulations themselves are more complex, firms’ possession of regulatory capability may help them obtain sustainable competitive advantage. Therefore, in the theoretical model we develop, we also account for the moderating role of regulatory environment complexity. This theoretical model is then test...
Aerosol optical depth and direct-to-diffuse solar irradiance relationships in the northeastern United States

Publisher Summary This chapter determines aerosol optical depths and direct-to-diffuse solar irradiance ratios over a four-year period from late 1991 through late 1995 at nine sites in the Northeastern United States from observations made with a multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer (MFRSR). The MFRSR measures total and diffuse irradiance on a horizontal surface in six narrowband wavelength intervals between 400 and 1000 nm. From these measurements, one can calculate the direct normal irradiance values, from which one derives the aerosol optical depth using the Beer–Lambert–Bougeur law and applying corrections for ozone absorption and Rayleigh scattering. Direct-to-diffuse ratios can also be calculated. A radiative transfer model based on the adjoint method provides a means to calculate aerosol optical depth and surface albedo using the observed irradiance ratios. By using this model, the sensitivity of the results with respect to aerosol absorption index, aerosol phase function, or asymmetry parameter and size distribution can be examined. From the observations alone, it is noticed that the aerosol patterns at each site are consistent with an annual cycle superimposed on a decaying stratospheric aerosol loading from the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. The wavelength dependence of the aerosol optical depth shows changes in the aerosol size distribution.
Hyaluronic Acid: Incorporating the Bio into the Material.

In the last few decades, hyaluronic acid (HA) has become increasingly employed as a biomaterial in both clinical and research applications. The abundance of HA in many tissues, together with its amenability to chemical modification, has made HA an attractive material platform for a wide range of applications including regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and scaffolds for cell culture. HA has traditionally been appreciated to modulate tissue mechanics and remodeling through its distinctive biophysical properties and ability to organize other matrix proteins. However, HA can influence cell behavior in much more direct and specific ways by engaging cellular HA receptors, which can trigger signals that influence cell survival, proliferation, adhesion, and migration. In turn, cells modify HA by regulating synthesis and degradation through a dedicated arsenal of enzymes. Optimal design of HA-based biomaterials demands full consideration of these diverse modes of regulation. This review summarizes how HA-based...
Do Stock Prices of Property Casualty Insurers Fully Reflect Information about Earnings, Accruals, Cash Flows, and Development?

This paper examines whether the stock prices of property and casualty (P&C) insurers fully reflect information contained in earnings, cash flows and accruals, and one particular accrual—development of loss reserves. The reserve for policy losses is a major accrual for P&C firms, requires substantial judgment and is the subject of unique disclosures that reveal the ex post error in management estimates. We find that investors underestimate the persistence of cash flows and overestimate the persistence of accruals for P&C insurers, but our evidence suggests the market does not underestimate the persistence of the development accrual.
Disturbance, but not the right kind: Exurban development does not create habitat for shrubland birds

Exurban development (i.e., low-density residential housing) comprises at least 25% of the contiguous United States and disturbs the natural landscape, typically impairing habitat for forest interior songbirds and creating habitat for urban-adapted species. However, it is poorly known how exurban development affects shrubland birds, which require disturbance to create habitat (i.e., early successional vegetation). Therefore, our objective was to explore landscape patterns associated with shrubland bird occupancy in a forested region undergoing extensive exurban development. To address this objective, we conducted point counts across a natural–exurban gradient in Macon County, North Carolina, USA, and measured 8 land-cover covariates within 200 m and 1,000 m of survey sites. The covariates were percent canopy cover (CANOPY), contagion (CONTAG), percent of the landscape (PLAND) that was developed (DEV), elevation (ELEV), PLAND forest (FOREST), forest edge density (ED_DF), Simpson's landscape diversity index (SIDI), and PLAND shrub (SHRUB). We modeled occupancy for 12 shrubland species using a hierarchical occupancy model that accounts for falsepositive detections. We fit a global model that incorporated all non-collinear covariates and used stochastic search variable selection to determine which covariates showed a relationship with occupancy. The most frequently selected covariate was CANOPY (8 species), followed by ELEV (5 species), DEV (4 species), SIDI (3 species), and CONTAG (2 species). CANOPY and DEV were negatively associated with occupancy. SIDI and CONTAG are both metrics of landscape heterogeneity; heterogeneity was positively associated with occupancy. Additionally, of the study species, generalists showed the highest occupancy rates, while specialists showed the lowest occupancy rates. We suggest that the associations between occupancy and canopy cover and landscape heterogeneity are logical because natural disturbance, in addition to creating early successional habitat, decreases canopy cover and increases landscape heterogeneity. Furthermore, we suggest that exurban development can drive these patterns, but, given the negative (or neutral) relationship between DEV and shrubland bird occupancy, we hypothesize that exurban development as a form of disturbance does not generate early successional habitat. We conclude that exurban development will benefit only a small subset of urban-adapted shrubland species without creating habitat for most shrubland birds, despite exerting considerable disturbance to forested landscapes.
Systemic Injection of Furosemide Alters the Mechanical Response to Sound of the Basilar Membrane

A widely-held view of mammalian cochlear function is that the basilar membrane and the outer hair cells sustain a bidirectional (feedback) relationship, such that basilar membrane vibrations induce receptor potentials in outer hair cells which, in turn, boost the mechanical response of the basilar membrane at low sound levels in a frequency-selective manner [e.g., Kemp, 1978; Kim et al., 1980; Weiss, 1982; Davis, 1983; for recent review, see Dallos, 1988]. Most evidence for this hypothesis is not based on recordings of basilar membrane responses, but rather on the study of the effects of cochlear manipulations, including stimulation of the efferent system and destruction of hair cells, upon the responses to sound of cochlear afferents [e.g., Kim et al., 1980; Wiederhold and Kiang, 1970; Dallos and Harris, 1978; Liberman and Dodds, 1984; Kiang et al., 1986] and inner hair cells [Brown et al., 1983], and upon otoacoustic emissions [Anderson and Kemp, 1979; Mountain, 1980; Siegel and Kim, 1982; Hubbard and Mountain, 1983; Guinan, 1986; Mountain and Hubbard, 1989]. The discovery of ill vitro motility of isolated outer hair cells provides additional circumstantial evidence [e.g., Brownell et al., 1985; Ashmore, 1987]. The only direct support for the hypothesis (i.e., involving measurements of basilar membrane responses) has come from the observations that surgical manipulations that are necessary for recording basilar membrane vibrations frequently lead to cochlear dysfunction [Khanna and Leonard, 1982] and that, when such manipulations leave the cochlea initially relatively intact, deterioration of mechanical responses can be induced by acoustic trauma [Patuzzi et al., 1984] and also occurs with the passage of time and/or death [Rhode, 1973; Sellick et al., 1982; Robles et al., 1986]. However, while consistent with the view that the state of the organ of Corti influences the mechanical behavior of the basilar membrane, these observations fail to identify the relevant cellular elements because they are based on cochlear insults that are nonspecific and irreversible.
Creating Reform that is Sustainable for Investors

Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to speak at Hofstra Law School’s first Investment Management Conference. As I am sure you are aware, and as is customary for us to say at the outset, these remarks express my own opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of the Commission, the other Commissioners, or members of the staff. Right now there are many voices clamoring to be heard regarding financial reform. This clamor is composed of some recommendations that are intuitive and others that are not. There are those calling for reforms that are limited to the factors that contributed to the crisis and others who see the possibility of broader legislative and administrative action as an opportunity. Some see it as an opportunity to advance their existing commercial interests, and others, like me, see it as an opportunity to reestablish a comprehensive, but flexible, capital markets regulatory framework that can better react to current and future events. I think it is important to step back and think through the principles that should motivate any proposed reforms. As a regulator standing on the precipice of legislative and administrative action, I think it is important to focus on how things should be rather than how they are. Rahm Emmanuel’s oft-quoted remark that we should not waste a good crisis is absolutely right. I firmly hope that the opportunity will not be wasted. Unfortunately, it is clear that some transformational changes are no longer on the table — such as a merger of the SEC and CFTC. In addition, there are robust efforts underway to scale back the Obama Administration’s effort to regulate the multi-trillion dollar over-the-counter derivatives industry. My goal for today’s remarks is to discuss an appropriate construct for financial reform and to consider examples from the current debate that exemplify these principles.
Mitochondrial Functioning and Its Relation to Higher-Order Cognitive Processes.

One of the most replicated findings in psychology is the positive manifold between cognitive ability measures (Jensen 1998; Spearman 1904) [...]
Pharmacovigilance Assessment of Cardiac Implications of Nicotine Replacement Therapy Among Smokers.

Purpose The purpose of this quantitative comparative study was to examine the possible relationship between nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and cardiac disorder risk by comparing the rates of cardiac disorder risk of NRT with cardiac disorder risk of non-replacement drugs among smokers seeking smoking cessation. Methods The study used retrospective quantitative design, which involved the collection of secondary data from the adverse event reporting system (FAERS) database of the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Rates of cardiac disorder were compared between the NRT group and non- NRT (varenicline and bupropion) group. Statistical analyses involved using a 2x2 contingency table and logistic regression to calculate odds ratio (reporting odds ratio (ROR)). Results and discussion Unadjusted ROR was 0.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28, 0.70). With age and sex as confounding factors, the smokers in the NRT group still had lower odds of having cardiac disorder risk than the non-NRT group (adjusted ROR=0.44, 95% CI 0.28, 0.70). Conclusion Our study findings showed lower cardiac disorder risk with the NRT group compared to the non-NRT (varenicline and bupropion) group. While the study did not aim to undermine either using NRT or non-NRT for smoking cessation therapy to prevent smoking illness, the study results offer informed findings that could potentially improve current smoking cessation management using NRT intervention among smokers and enhance smokers' health outcome. Despite the negative signal detection of cardiac disorder risk with NRT as compared to non-NRT in final findings, we still recommend further research on the causal relationship between NRT and non-NRT and cardiac disorder risk.
Update on Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Infection Treatment and Management in the Adult and Adolescent Population

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a prevalent global health care problem. Incidence rates are rising yearly. STI incidence is highest for adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 24, who are diagnosed with half of all new STIs. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea are common STIs caused by bacteria. Treatment guidelines change frequently as a result of antimicrobial resistance and public health trends. It is important for primary care providers to remain up to date with new guidelines. This article provides updates on pharmacologic treatment as well as patient education and follow-up specific to the primary care setting.
Altered between-network connectivity in individuals prone to obesity.

Abstract Objective Investigating intrinsic brain functional connectivity may help identify the neurobiology underlying cognitive patterns and biases contributing to obesity propensity. To address this, the current study used a novel whole-brain, data-driven approach to examine functional connectivity differences in large-scale network interactions between obesity-prone (OP) and obesity-resistant (OR) individuals. Methods OR (N = 24) and OP (N = 25) adults completed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during rest. Large-scale brain networks were identified using independent component analysis (ICA). Voxel-specific between-network connectivity analysis assessed correlations between ICA component time series’ and individual voxel time series, identifying regions strongly connected to many networks, i.e., “hubs”. Results Significant group differences in between-network connectivity (OP vs. OR; FDR-corrected) were observed in bilateral basal ganglia (left: q = 0.009; right: q = 0.010) and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC; q = 0.026), with OP>OR. Basal ganglia differences were largely driven by a more strongly negative correlation with a lateral sensorimotor network in OP, with dlPFC differences driven by a more strongly negative correlation with an inferior visual network in OP. Conclusions Greater between-network connectivity was observed in the basal ganglia and dlPFC in OP, driven by stronger associations with lateral sensorimotor and inferior visual networks, respectively. This may reflect a disrupted balance between goal-directed and habitual control systems and between internal/external monitoring processes.
Comparison of Clinical Outcomes 1 and 5 Years Post-Injury Following Combat Concussion.

Objective To compare 1-year and 5-year clinical outcomes in 2 groups of combat-deployed service members without brain injury to those of 2 groups with combat-related concussion to better understand long-term clinical outcome trajectories. Methods This prospective, observational, longitudinal multicohort study examined 4 combat-deployed groups: controls without head injury with or without blast exposure and patients with combat concussion arising from blast or blunt trauma. One-year and 5-year clinical evaluations included identical batteries for neurobehavioral, psychiatric, and cognitive outcomes. A total of 347 participants completed both time points of evaluation. Cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons were assessed. Overall group effect was modeled as a 4-category variable with rank regression adjusting for demographic factors using a 2-sided significance threshold of 0.05, with post hoc Tukey p values calculated for the pairwise comparisons. Results Significant group differences in both combat concussion groups were identified cross-sectionally at 5-year follow-up compared to controls in neurobehavioral (Neurobehavioral Rating Scale–Revised [NRS]; Cohen d, −1.10 to −1.40, confidence intervals [CIs] [−0.82, −1.32] to [−0.97, −1.83] by group) and psychiatric domains (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-IV [CAPS]; Cohen d, −0.91 to −1.19, CIs [−0.63, −1.19] to [−0.76, −1.62] by group) symptoms with minimal differences in cognitive performance. Both combat concussion groups also showed clinically significant decline from 1- to 5-year evaluation (66%–76% neurobehavioral NRS; 41%–54% psychiatric CAPS by group). Both control groups fared better but a subset also had clinically significant decline (37%–50% neurobehavioral NRS; 9%–25% psychiatric CAPS by group). Conclusions There was an evolution, not resolution, of symptoms from 1- to 5-year evaluation, challenging the assumption that chronic stages of concussive injury are relatively stable. Even some of the combat-deployed controls worsened. The evidence supports new considerations for chronic trajectories of concussion outcome in combat-deployed service members.
Mitotic R-loops direct Aurora b kinase to maintain centromeric cohesion

Abstract Recent work has shown that R-loops exist at mitotic centromeres, but the function of these R-loops is not well understood. Here, we report that mitotic R-loops arise in distinct locations from those formed during interphase. They accumulate on chromosome arms in prophase, where they are quickly resolved and continue to be produced at repetitive sequences including centromeres during a mitotic stall. Aurora B kinase activity is required to resolve R-loops during prophase and R-loops promote the localization of the Chromosome Passenger Complex (CPC) to the inner centromere. CPC purified from mitotic chromosomes interacts with thirty-two proteins involved with R-loop biology. One of these, the RNA regulator RBMX, controls Aurora B localization and activity in vivo. Perturbations in R-loop homeostasis or RBMX cause defects in the maintenance of centromeric cohesion due to the mislocalization of the CPC. We conclude that R-loops are generated by mitotic processes in repetitive DNA sequences, they play important roles in mitotic fidelity, and we have identified a set of mitotic R-loop regulators including the CPC and RBMX that will enable future studies of mitotic R-loops.
Implementation of a Knowledge-Based Treatment Planning Model for Cardiac-Sparing Lung Radiation Therapy.

Purpose High radiation doses to the heart have been correlated with poor overall survival in patients receiving radiation therapy for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We built a knowledge-based planning (KBP) tool to limit the dose to the heart during creation of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment plans for patients being treated to 60 Gy in 30 fractions for stage III NSCLC. Methods and Materials A previous study at our institution retrospectively delineated intracardiac volumes and optimized VMAT treatment plans to reduce dose to these substructures and to the whole heart. Two RapidPlan (RP) KBP models were built from this cohort, 1 model using the clinical plans and a separate model using the cardiac-optimized plans. Using target volumes and 6 organs at risk (OARs), models were trained to generate treatment plans in a semiautomated process. The cardiac-sparing KBP model was tested in the same cohort used for training, and both models were tested on an external validation cohort of 30 patients. Results Both RP models produced clinically acceptable plans in terms of target coverage, dose uniformity, and dose to OARs. Compared with the previously created cardiac-optimized plans, cardiac-sparing RPs showed significant reductions in the mean dose to the esophagus and lungs while performing similarly or better in all evaluated heart dose metrics. When comparing the 2 models, the cardiac-sparing RP showed reduced (P < .05) heart mean and maximum doses as well as volumes receiving 60 Gy, 50 Gy, and 30 Gy. Conclusions By using a set of cardiac-optimized treatment plans for training, the proposed KBP model provided a means to reduce the dose to the heart and its substructures without the need to explicitly delineate cardiac substructures. This tool may offer reduced planning time and improved plan quality and might be used to improve patient outcomes.
GIS-Aided Modeling of Nonpoint Source Pollution Impacts on Surface and Ground Waters

An application of GIS-aided modeling is done at an area in South Florida. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is interfaced with a nonpoint source pollution model to facilitate data storage, management and display; derivation of model input parameters; and effective presentation of results. parameters, and to visually present results in maps. Results for current conditions and practices show that sediments, nutrients and pesticides are present in surface runoff and ground water. Two alternatives to minimize pollution levels are evaluated, i.e., reduction of fertilizer application to the minimum required for effective agricultural growth and replacement of fertilizers with sewage sludge. In addition, the impact of urbanization of the agricultural area to the pollutant levels is tested. Both alternatives and the urbanization result in overall reduction of pollution.
Preliminary crystallographic data for a new crystalline form of abrin.

Abstract A new crystalline form of abrin has been obtained from the most toxic constituent of the seed extract of Abrus precatorius. An x-ray diffraction study shows that the toxin crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell of probable symmetry P21 and parameters a = 113 A, b = 72 A, c = 71 A, and β = 103°. The asymmetric unit contains 2 protein molecules of molecular weight 63,800 and has a solvent content of approximately 45% by volume.
Crossed path resolution protocol (COPTER) in wireless ATM

This paper proposes a solution to the problem of crossed path, which may occur when both ends of the connection are mobile hosts (MHs) for wireless ATM networks. Previous studies cover the case when only one MH makes a handoff. To minimize circuit setup cost, most of these studies propose the crossover switch (CX) solution so that parts of the original path can be retained in the new path. This study deals with the case when both MHs make handoffs. In such a case, CX found by one end may not lie on the new path determined by the other end, and a crossed path situation occurs. This paper proposes a protocol to resolve the crossed path problem so that a new path can satisfy the QoS requirement of the virtual connection (VC) when a QoS guaranteed path exists. In addition, this paper solves the "moveback" problem that also exists in a single handoff. The proposed protocol has the best performance with CDMA because of its soft handoff feature. Simulation results reveal the scalability, flexibility and robustness of the protocol. Performance analysis of the protocol is also provided.
Implementing a tamper-evident database system

Data integrity is an assurance that data has not been modified in an unknown or unauthorized manner. The goal of this paper is to allow a user to leverage a small amount of trusted client-side computation to achieve guarantees of integrity when interacting with a vulnerable or untrusted database server. To achieve this goal we describe a novel relational hash tree, designed for efficient database processing, and evaluate the performance penalty for integrity guarantees. We show that strong cryptographic guarantees of integrity can be provided in a relational database with modest overhead.
Medical Board Regulation of Physician Licensure: Is Excessive Malpractice Sanctioned?

This paper considers the deterrent effect that self-regulation has on a patient‘s propensity to sue under malpractice law. A model of tort-driven self regulation is developed and its implications are examined using data on the disciplinary actions of the Florida Medical Board and data on closed malpractice claims. Doctors who in 1987-1991 generated abnormal rates of malpractice claims had a higher rate of disciplinary actions in the following period 1992-1995. Significantly, the evidence suggests that the Board may also be more likely to discipline older physicians and non-certified practitioners, perhaps in response to special interests of industry members.
Theory based health education: Application of health belief model for Iranian patients with myocardial infarction.

I read the paper by Abbaszadeh et al with great curiosity because of my interest in any study with a health behavior as the “outcome”.1 In the setting of myocardial infarction (MI), this controlled study documents a decrease in barriers and an increase in knowledge and perceived benefits of controlling diet and physical activity following the use of video-CD (VCD). Using a conceptual model based on the Health Belief Model (HBM), they measured outcomes at baseline and 45 days after. The advantages of the study include applying theory-based intervention, controlled design, randomization, and attempts to increase the validity of the questionnaire. Generally, such reports in a new special clinical setting are welcomed. However, I have a few points of criticism, related to the methodology, statistical analysis, and presentation of results. After talking about my critical points, I will discuss health behaviors, HBM, and some of the current challenges in the field. Lastly, as the study has used media for health education, I discuss the possibility of tailoring within media based health education.