cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental sensitivity as a trigger of erythema nodosum and perimenopausal symptoms

A 45-year-old woman presented to the University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Clinic for advice on managing recurrent erythema nodosum (EN), along with recent onset perimenopausal symptoms. Her painful EN flares had occurred two to six times per year over the past 14 years, yet had attenuated over the past 5 years until recently, and she presented with bilateral EN lesions on the shins. An environmental exposure history revealed that a new plastic-containing water pot had been introduced at her office just prior to her latest EN flare. She was told to eliminate environmental exposure to plastics, including this new coffee pot. She eliminated exposures to heated plastics, and replaced her coffee pot with a stainless steel one. Within weeks of removing these potential environmental triggers, her EN lesions cleared completely, and her menses normalised. An unintentional re-exposure to plastics 2 months later resulted in an EN recurrence within 2 hours.
Sex, Lies, or Kittens? Investigating the Use of Snapchat’s Self-Destructing Messages

The privacy-related Snapchat smartphone application allows users to share time-limited photos or videos, which “disappear” after a specified number of seconds once opened. This paper describes the results of a user survey designed to help us understand how and why people use the Snapchat application. We surveyed 127 adult Snapchat users, finding that security is not a major concern for the majority of these respondents. We learn that most do not use Snapchat to send sensitive content (although up to 25 % may do so experimentally), that taking screenshots is not generally a violation of the sender’s trust but instead common and expected, that most respondents understand that messages can be recovered, and that security and privacy concerns are overshadowed by other influences on how and why respondents choose to use or not use Snapchat. Nevertheless, we find that a non-negligible fraction (though not a majority) of respondents have adapted or would adapt their behavior in response to understanding Snapchat’s (lack of) security properties, suggesting that there remains an opportunity for a more secure messaging application. We reflect on the implications of our findings for Snapchat and on the design of secure messaging applications.
Caring about Power Analyses

Everyone should care deeply about statistical power and effect size given that the current estimates of wasted nonreproducible and exaggerated research findings range from 50 to 85%, combined with the mandates from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that proposal reviewers focus on scientific rigor and investigators consider sex as a biological variable. In this Viewpoint, we provide recommendations and resources regarding power analyses aimed at enhancing rigor, and hence decreasing waste, when designing experiments. As part of this effort, we also make recommendations for reporting key statistics that will aid others in estimating sample size based on published research.
Safety and tolerability of the anti-IGF-I receptor antibody CP-751,871 in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with advanced solid tumors

LB-343 Background: The paradigm of using therapeutic antibodies to target growth factor receptors is now well established in Oncology; a key example is targeting the HER2 receptor with trastuzumab. Experimental data provide a strong rationale for targeting the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR). Preclinical models involving genetic approaches to attenuate IGF-IR signaling suggest that this pathway is a key activator of the AKT pathway in many tumor types, and that ablation of IGF-IR signaling can induce apoptoisis and/or chemosensitize certain cancer cells to a degree similar to or greater than that achieved by targeting other tyrosine kinase receptors. CP-751,871 is a fully human, IgG2 monoclonal antibody that induces a rapid and selective downregulation of the insulin like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR). Pre-clinical studies provide evidence that this antibody reduces neoplastic growth and sensitizes cancer cells to cytotoxic agents. We report clinical trial results concerning the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CP-751,871 in combination with paclitaxel (T), carboplatin (C) in patients with advanced solid tumors. Methods: Patients received T (200 mg/m2), C (AUC of 6) and escalating doses of CP-751,871 (0.05-10 mg/kg) every 3 weeks for up to 6 cycles; patients with response or stable disease could receive extended CP-751,871 therapy. Results: Seven cohorts with a total of 30 patients, including 23 NSCLC patients, were enrolled. No dose limiting toxicities were identified and the maximal feasible dose cohort of 10 mg/kg was extended to 12 patients. One case of grade 3 GGT elevation attributed to CP-751,871 was reported. Grade 2 adverse events attributed to CP-751,871 were: muscle pain (reported in 2 patients), diarrhea (2 patients), anemia (2 patients), asthenia (1 patient) and orthostatic hypotension (1 patient). The most common grade 1 toxicities were fatigue (4 patients), anorexia (2 patients), headache (2 patients) and diarrhea (2 patients). CP-751,871 exposure parameters increased with dose, and preliminary pharmacokinetic data are consistent with target-mediated disposition and show that IGF-I and IGF-IR levels were modulated in a dose-dependent manner, with elevations in IGF-I levels and reduction in IGF-IR levels consistent with active in vivo IGF-IR targeting. Responses were seen in this phase I study, and one NSCLC patient continues on study at cycle 30. Conclusions: CP-751,871 is well tolerated in combination with chemotherapy. Phase II studies are justified, and their design will be described.
Response of carbon isotope discrimination and oxygen isotope composition to mild drought in slow- and fast-wilting soybean genotypes

Drought restrains soybean (Glycine max L. [Merr.]) growth and production, but few tools are available to evaluate differences in drought tolerance among soybean genotypes. Carbon isotope discrimina...
Understanding Large-Strain Softening of Aluminum in Shear at Elevated Temperatures

Aluminum in pure shear to large strains at elevated temperature shows pronounced softening which has been attributed to a variety of phenomena. The most widely accepted early explanations involve the development of a texture leading to a decrease in the average Taylor factor. That is, there is a decrease in Schmid factors in the deformed grains. Very recent work suggests that the texture leads to softening through an increase in the dislocation climb stress. This appears to be particularly reasonable as dislocation climb is widely regarded the rate-controlling mechanism for high temperature plasticity.
A GPS tracking study of recreationists in an Alaskan protected area

Abstract Understanding human movement and behavior in parks and protected areas is an integral part of managing social-ecological systems. In particular, spatial travel patterns of recreationists and their impacts on ecosystems have been studied in many protected area contexts. However, there is limited knowledge of recreation behavior in areas with little to no infrastructure or without formal trail systems. Drawing from Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking data, we identified travel patterns of recreationists in a nearly trail-less backcountry setting in Alaska. Specifically, we investigated the spatial and temporal dynamics of recreation use in relation to resource conditions experienced in Denali National Park and Preserve during the high-use season of 2016. We observed that recreationists' travel routes were heavily concentrated along the Denali Park Road and exhibited different spatial patterns for day and overnight backcountry use. Also, informal campsite locations, delineated using multi-day GPS tracking data, showed uneven distributions within the park. This study provides recommendations for public land management agencies in the US and highlights the need for more systematic evaluations of concentrated use in parks and protected areas.
Monoclonal Antibodies as Probes for the Molecular Structure and Biological Function of Melanoma-Associated Antigens

A considerable amount of data that accumulated during the last two decades suggested that antigenic changes on the cell surface often accompany neoplastic transformation. This information has led to attempts by a large number of investigators to identify and characterize antigens associated with human tumor cells to gain a more basic understanding of malignant transformation and to develop new immunologic approaches to the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of cancer.
Radiology: Its Diagnostic Usefulness in Rhinosinusitis

This chapter addresses imaging modalities available to assess disease processes of the sinonasal cavity and provides some direction on when and how to use them. To understand the pathogenesis and imaging appearances of rhinosinusitis and other pathological processes that may affect the paranasal sinuses, a brief review of sinus development and anatomy as it pertains to mucociliary clearance is essential. Subsequently, focused imaging assessment of disease processes, including rhinosinusitis and neoplasms, is covered.
Form Over Substance in Fifth Circuit Tax Cases

This article studies and critiques cases interpreting the Internal Revenue Code issued by the Fifth Circuit between June 1, 2001 and May 31, 2002. It's thesis is that in these cases the Fifth Circuit showed a distressing tendency to prefer form over substance and pretty much mangled economic concepts. Leading cases reviewed include: (1) the Compaq case, which involved a misapplication of the economic substance doctrine; (2) the Cheshire case, a leading case in the development of doctrines of judicial review over agency administrative decisions (here, involving innocent spouse relief); (3) the Jameson case, which involved a misapplication of estate valuation methodologies; and (4) the Hathcock case, an employee leasing case that demonstrates how employers in the Fifth Circuit can avoid tax obligations by changing formal structures of employment.
Optimal control and replacement with state-dependent failure rate

A class of stochastic control problems where the payoff depends on the running maximum of a diffusion process is described. The controller must make two kinds of decision: first, he must choose a work rate (this decision determines the rate of profit as well as the proximity of failure), and second, he must decide when to replace a deteriorated system with a new one. Preventive replacement is a realistic option if the cost for replacement after failure is larger than the cost of a preventive replacement.
Total and Regional Body Composition of NCAA Division i Collegiate Basketball Athletes

This study aimed to examine body composition using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in male and female NCAA Division I collegiate basketball athletes. Two-hundred ten (male [M]/female [F]=88/122) basketball athletes’ total and regional fat mass, lean mass, bone mineral density, and visceral adipose tissue were measured. Athletes were classified as: point guards (M/F=27/34), shooting guards (M/F=18/27), small forwards (M/F=13/18), power forwards (M/F=21/27), and centers (M/F=9/16). ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD assessed positional differences by sex. In males, centers and power forwards had greater total fat mass (p<0.025), lean mass (p≤0.001), and visceral adipose tissue (p<0.001) than other positions. Male centers had greater arm and leg fat mass and lean mass than point guards, shooting guards, and small forwards (p≤0.049), and greater arm bone mineral density than point guards (p=0.015). In females, centers had greater total fat mass (p<0.001) vs. other positions and greater total lean mass, arm fat and lean masses, arm and leg bone mineral density, and visceral adipose tissue vs. point guards and shooting guards (p≤0.005). Female point guards had lower total bone mineral density than power forwards (p=0.008). In conclusion, these sex- and position-specific total and regional body composition measurements in collegiate basketball players provide population-specific normative data.
A Case of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Anesthetic Management of Patients on Mechanical Circulatory Support and Status Post Heart Transplantation

We present the case of a 28-year-old woman who was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy in the weeks following a normal vaginal delivery. This patient required support with a TandemHeart percutaneous ventricular assist device for refractory cardiogenic shock, followed by a durable ventricular assist device, and ultimately a heart transplant. We use this patient’s case to discuss the physiologic changes in the cardiovascular system during pregnancy and also the effect of pregnancy on preexisting cardiac conditions. We discuss the distinguishing characteristics of peripartum cardiomyopathy and suggest workup and both medical and mechanical therapeutic strategies (including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, intra-aortic balloon pump, and ventricular assist devices). Finally, we review anesthetic implications for patients with ventricular assist device or who are status post heart transplant who undergo noncardiac surgery.
The consequences of mass mortality events for the structure and dynamics of biological communities

Mass mortality events (MMEs) are rapidly occurring, substantial population losses that transpire within a short time interval relative to the generation time of the affected organism. Previous work has established that MMEs appear to be increasing in frequency and magnitude; however, currently, there is little understanding of the consequences of MMEs for biological communities. Here, we use theory and empirical data from observed MMEs to understand how MMEs impact the structure and dynamics of communities. To do so, we build upon existing resource pulse and trophic cascade theory to show that MMEs both share similarities and diverge from these ecological phenomena, producing distinct short‐ and long‐term impacts by jointly altering the effects of species interactions across trophic levels and providing an influx of resources from decaying biomass. Second, we investigate how the magnitude of MMEs, trophic level of the impacted species, overall food web structure and ecosystem type may mediate the resulting ecological response. Third, we compare the understanding gained by our models to existing observational data on MMEs. Our synthesis, offers an empirical path forward for understanding MMEs through experimentation and improved observational data collection. While complex, resolving the consequences of MMEs should be a high research priority due to their role in determining how ecological systems respond to environmental change driven by rare events.
Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Older Men Effective and Safe

The number of older adults over 65 years of age is expected to increase to almost 100 million in the US by 2050, more than double the current figure of 46 million. Advanced age is associated with increased frailty among older Americans and often leads to increased disability, hospitalization, institutionalization, and, eventually, mortality. In search of means to improve age-related risks for adverse health outcomes, the question of restoring diminishing sex hormones has gathered much interest and has led to the practice of sex hormone replacement therapies in older men. Recent data suggest that androgen prescription rates in the US for men older than 60 years of age quadrupled from the years 2001 to 2011. While prescription sales of testosterone have increased from $150 million in 2000 to $1.8 billion in 2011, a significant portion of men prescribed testosterone replacement therapy did not meet the laboratory criteria for hypogonadism. While some clinical trials reported an association between testosterone insufficiency in older men and increased risk of death, the exact effects and consequences of testosterone replacement therapy, specifically in older men, remain unclear. This review is aimed at discussing the possible benefits and complications of testosterone replacement therapy in older men over 60 years of age.
Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Isolated or Combined Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State: A Retrospective, Hospital-Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE Many patients with hyperglycemic crises present with combined features of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS). The implications of concomitant acidosis and hyperosmolality are not well known. We investigated hospital outcomes in patients with isolated or combined hyperglycemic crises. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We analyzed admissions data listing DKA or HHS at two academic hospitals. We determined 1) the frequency distributions of HHS, DKA, and combined DKA-HHS (DKA criteria plus elevated effective osmolality); 2) the relationship between markers of severity of illness and clinical comorbidities on 30-day all-cause mortality; and 3) the relationship of hospital complications associated with insulin therapy (hypoglycemia and hypokalemia) on mortality. RESULTS There were 1,211 patients who had a first admission with confirmed hyperglycemic crises criteria, 465 (38%) had isolated DKA, 421 (35%) had isolated HHS, and 325 (27%) had combined features of DKA-HHS. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, race, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score, subjects with combined DKA-HHS had higher in-hospital mortality compared with subjects with isolated hyperglycemic crises (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.7; 95% CI 1.4, 4.9; P = 0.0019). In all groups, hypoglycemia ( CONCLUSIONS Combined DKA-HHS is associated with higher mortality compared with isolated DKA or HHS. Severe hypokalemia and severe hypoglycemia are associated with higher hospital mortality in patients with hyperglycemic crises.
Study on Atom Packing and Electrical Properties of Tin (n=2-10) Clusters with GA&DFTB Calculations

The researches of atom packing and electronic properties of titanium clusters are of great significance in producing highly pure Ti particles. The geometrical structures as well as electronic properties of Tin(n=2-10) clusters were obtained by using density functional tight binding (DFTB) simulations being combined with genetic algorithms (GA). The binding energy, the second differences in energy, HOMO-LUMO gap, and Mulliken populations were calculated and discussed. The results show that these Ti clusters containing three or less atoms have planar structures or a linear form, while those containing more than four atoms present three-dimensional geometries. There exist different packing structures including tetrahedron, octahedron, and decahedron. As the atom number increases in these clusters, the configures are formed by capping the atoms on the (111) facets of these clusters with octahedron and decahedron geometries. The binding for the electrons is stronger in the icosahedral cluster than that in those clusters having the other configurations. Mulliken populations present significant differences as the atom packing changes in these clusters.
The use of social media during disasters: The development of the literature, its current topography, and future challenges

Scholarly efforts to understand the use of social media during disasters have grown over the past decade, thanks to widely available data and powerful analytical tools. These efforts occurred in several academic fields, including disaster management, public administration, computer science, communications, and medicine. While such efforts have created a rich tapestry of perspectives, the ever-growing body of literature has become difficult to navigate. This article tackles this issue by painting a broad picture of the past, present, and future of the literature by analyzing metadata of 1,414 articles published on this subject. The results identify five important points. First, the literature on the use of social media during disasters has grown very rapidly in the past decade, but it is approaching a maturation point. Second, the literature is interdisciplinary in nature, and with the exception of medical journals, journals from different disciplines frequently cite each other. Third, the interdisciplinary nature of the literature comes from its intel-lectual roots. Fourth, the topography of the literature consists of a small number of core journals that publish a signifi-cant number of articles and a large number of journals in the periphery that occasionally publish relevant articles. Fi-nally, the article discusses the challenges facing the future of the literature and makes suggestions.
SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE: A PRIMER

Social intelligence refers to the ability to build relationships successfully and navigates social environments. It is about figuring out the best way to get along with others. It is the ability to adequately understand and evaluate one’s own behavior and the behavior of others. It is the ability to get along well with others and win their cooperation. It is the key to life and career success. This paper provides a primer to social intelligence.
Prevalence of femoro-acetabular impingement in non-arthritic patients with hip pain: a meta-analysis.

As the prevalence of femoro-acetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) in symptomatic patients who lack evidence of hip osteoarthritis (OA) remains to be described, the purpose of this study was to calculate the prevalence of FAIS in this patient population. Libraries of PubMed, Embase, and Ovid were systematically reviewed for all studies between 2009 and 2019, investigating femoro-acetabular impingement and hip pain. Level I–IV studies delineating patients with hip pain who do not have OA (Tonnis or Outerbridge grades < three) were included. Demographics, outcomes, radiographic parameters, and criteria were entered into a meta-analysis to calculate the incidence of FAIS in non-arthritic symptomatic hips. In total, 2264 patients (2758 hips) were included in the pooled analysis. Weighted mean age was 31 years. The incidence of FAIS in patients with no evidence of osteoarthritis but who complain of hip pain is 61% (47.3–74.4%). In total, 1483 hips were diagnosed with FAIS. Of the studies that described the rates of all three of the various subtypes of FAIS in their reports, 37% had a combined-type, 38% had a cam-type, and 25% had a pincer-type FAIS. Femoroacetabular impingement should be suspected in 47 to 74% of patients with hip pain and without arthritis. Physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for FAIS in young patients presenting with hip pain, as FAIS is a common and treatable condition that, if left alone, may lead to hip degeneration.
Entomological photonic sensors: Estimating insect population density, its uncertainty and temporal resolution from transit data

Abstract New methodologies based on photonic sensors to survey flying insect populations in their natural habitat have gained traction over the last decade. Instruments such as entomological lidars, radars, or standoff sensors using active or passive light sources can observe large numbers of insects transiting through their field of view. While counting transits can inform on the relative change in insect population, it does not inform on the absolute population size, nor allows data from different instruments to be compared with one another. We propose a methodology to convert transit counts into an absolute insect population density, expressed in number of flying insects per meter cube. The latter benefits from being independent from the instrument and experiment characteristics, making it an ideal metric to compare data originating from different sources. Due to the stochastic nature of the process, the uncertainty of the retrieved population density varies with its temporal resolution, the volume of air probed by the instrument and the population density itself. To study these complex relationships, a numerical model simulating the interactions of insects with a photonic sensor is presented. Finally, we offer an empirical solution to describe the relationship between the population density temporal resolution and its uncertainty.
Quantifying the ecosystem services values of electricity generation in the US Chihuahuan Desert: A life cycle perspective

Despite increasing attention, the quantification of ecosystem services values in life cycle assessment (LCA) remains nascent relative to other impact categories. In this analysis, we develop and implement a novel approach for quantifying both land requirements and ecosystem services values based on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity framework. Our case study focuses on energy infrastructure in the US portion of the Chihuahuan Desert, a location that has high resource potential for multiple types of energy. The analysis focuses on the land requirements of three types of power plants from a life cycle perspective: natural gas, solar, and wind. The mean land‐use intensity for natural gas, solar, and wind electricity is estimated to be 0.27, 0.68, and 0.064 meters squared per Megawatt‐hour (m2/MWh), respectively. When considering cumulative land use of the upstream natural gas supply chain, solar breaks even with gas within 10 years. Mean ecosystem services costs are $0.54, $1.39, and $0.12 USD/MWh for electricity generated from natural gas, solar, and wind, respectively. Ecosystem services costs for developments in this region are low relative to levelized costs of electricity (
Treating Eating Disorders During COVID-19: Clinician Resiliency Amid Uncharted Shared Trauma

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the realities of shared trauma, an event that creates primary and secondary traumatic effects for clinicians, are immeasurable. Clinicians have been tasked with discovering new and alternative routes for treating their ailing clientele. A particularly vulnerable population is that of the eating disorder demographic as the shift in therapeutic methods such as tele-therapy presses on. While present social norms and attitudes include gaining weight, using food to control one’s anxieties or for comfort, clinicians must navigate their own experience of pandemic life while providing known and novel resources, tools, and interventions to their eating disorder clients. Preliminary risk factors for increased eating disorder symptom-use have emerged and will be discussed. This chapter will also serve as a reflection on clinical innovation and the significance of clinician resiliency in treating eating disorders during this unprecedented time in history.
Using Cluster Analysis to Explore Associations between Cardiovascular Risk and Lifestyle Factors in a Workplace Wellness Program

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in the United States with risk factors including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, age, genetics, and unhealthy diets. A university-based workplace wellness program (WWP) consisting of an annual biometric screening assessment with targeted, individualized health coaching was implemented in an effort to reduce these risk factors while encouraging and nurturing ideal cardiovascular health. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine and describe the prevalence of single and combined, or multiple, CVD risk factors within a workplace wellness dataset. Methods: Cluster analysis was used to determine CVD risk factors within biometric screening data (BMI, waist circumference, LDL, total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, blood glucose age, ethnicity, and gender) collected during WWP interventions. Results: The cluster analysis provided visualizations of the distributions of participants having specific CVD risk factors. Of the 8,802 participants, 1,967 (22.4%) had no CVD risk factor, 1,497 (17%) had a single risk factor, and 5,529 (60.5%) had two or more risk factors. The majority of sample members are described as having more than one CVD risk factor with 78% having multiple. Conclusion: Cluster analysis demonstrated utility and efficacy in categorizing participant data based on their CVD risk factors. A baseline analysis of data was captured and provided understanding and awareness into employee health and CVD risk. This process and analysis facilitated WWP planning to target and focus on education to promote ideal cardiovascular health.
Defining Relationships Among Computers, People, and Information

This chapter describes how computer developers used existing documents, such as operation manuals and design proposals, to share information about innovations in computer design in the years immediately after World War II, before there were textbooks or formal curricula in a professional field of computer science. This documentary approach to information sharing was especially important for people working in the computer field that was being established in southern California to support the aircraft industry and guided missile development. Foundational documents are detailed: a 1945 report on relay computers written by George Stibitz for the US Army, John von Neumann’s 1946 “First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC,” Claude Shannon’s 1948 Bell Labs report entitled “A Mathematical Theory of Communication” and Warren Weaver’s 1949 elaboration on this work, and Edmund Berkeley’s 1949 Giant Brains or Machines that Think, which is often considered to be the first book on computers for popular audiences.
Growth factors

Growth factors are polypeptides that interact with specific cellular receptors leading to many different biological responses. There are various families of growth factors that have similar biochemical structures. Although many growth factors stimulate, cell proliferation, a few have primarily inhibitory functions, such as transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). Growth factors regulate various modes of action of endocrine tissues, including autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine functions. Recent studies have shown that growth factors also regulate various proteins in the cell cycle, and may have a direct or indirect effect on cell proliferation. For example, TGFβ regulates various inhibitory cell-cycle proteins, including p27kipl and p15INK4B. Molecular analyses of growth factors, including the cloning and sequencing of specific growth factor receptors, have contributed greatly to our understanding of the role these factors play in cellular homeostasis and neoplastic development.
Non-Asymptotic Convergence Analysis of the Multiplicative Gradient Algorithm for the Log-Optimal Investment Problems

We analyze the non-asymptotic convergence rate of the multiplicative gradient (MG) algorithm for the log-optimal investment problems, and show that it exhibits $O(1/t)$ convergence rates, in both ergodic and non-ergodic senses.
Estimating quarterly employment in charitable nonprofit organizations from tax records and business registers

Timely estimates of employment in nonprofit organizations can be created by matching information collected directly from the sector to other databases. Coverage of employment reported by nonprofit entities is established for 2003 by matching IRS Forms 990/990-EZ and a Registry of nonprofits to the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages(QCEW). The match reveals nonresponse and match errors that are overcome by imputation, editing, and modeling. Estimates of employment in nonprofit charitable organizations are substantially larger than prior reports. As many nonprofits and some nonprofit employees are excluded from the QCEW universe, an alternative approach to estimating employment would match the Form 990/990-EZ and the Registry to IRS Forms 941 and W-2. This alternative became available in 2005 and may be more timely and complete than the QCEW match.
Abstract 19258: Cytoprotective Effect of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Agonists in Cardiac Stem Cells

Introduction and hypothesis: Our group has previously shown that agonists of growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) improve cardiac performance in heart failure models and reverse remodeling. This effect was associated with an increase in the number of c-kit+ cardiac stem cells (CSC), suggesting that this agonist might have an effect on these cells. Methods and Results: We investigated the expression of GHRHR in CSC of different species by flow cytometry analysis. GHRH-R is expressed in 96-98% of CSC isolated from mouse, rat and pig. Results were compared to GHRHR expression in HeLa (positive control) and MCF7 and T47D cell lines (negative control). To determine if GHRHR activation can improve CSC self-renewal, we tested the effect of GHRH agonists on porcine CSC proliferation. The rate of cell division was increased 2-fold with JI38 (GHRHR agonist) treatment (3.4 ± 0.7) vs. vehicle control (1.7 ± 0.2) (p Conclusion: These findings show for the first time the expression of GHRHR in CSC. GHRHR agonists promote CSC proliferation and enhance survival. GHRHR-A effects on CSC proliferation are mediated through activation of ERK, PI3K and AKT pathways. Activation of GHRHR signaling pathways represents a novel therapeutic approach to protect and stimulate endogenous CSC population thus promoting cardiac repair.
Right ventricular function in adult atrial septal defect: Preoperative and postoperative assessment and clinical implications☆

Abstract Right ventricular function was assessed with gated cardiac blood pool scanning in 20 adult patients with an atrlal septal defect. All patients had scans both before and 6 or more months after surgical repair of the defect. Clinical findings, pre- and postoperative course and cardiac catheterization data were correlated with scan findings. In all 20 patients, the right ventricle was dilated preoperatively. In nine patients (aged 18 to 42 years, mean 25), right ventricular wall motion was normal preoperatively. All nine were asymptomatic and had normal sinus rhythm. Their pulmonary to systemic flow ratio ranged between 2:1 and 5:1, pulmonary arterial systolic pressure between 18 and 30 mm Hg and right ventricular end-diastolic pressure between 0 and 8 mm Hg. After repair of the atrlal septal defect, all nine remained asymptomatic, right ventricular size decreased dramatically and wall motion was normal. In the remaining 11 patients (aged 36 to 63 years, mean 52), there was moderate to severe preoperatlve right ventricular hypokinesia. All had preoperatlve symptoms (functional class II and III, New York Heart Association); six had atrial fibrillation and five had normal sinus rhythm; seven had clinical heart failure. Pulmonary to systemic flow ratio ranged between 1.7:1 and 5.0:1, pulmonary arterial pressure between 26 and 70 mm Hg and right ventricular end-diastolic pressure between 4 and 16 mm Hg. Symptoms were lessened and right ventricular size and function improved postoperatively in these 11 patients. Unlike those with normal preoperatlve right ventricular wall motion, however, only 1 of the 11 had normal postoperative right ventricular function and became asymptomatic.
On the numerical approximation of a frictional contact problem with normal compliance

In this paper, we consider a frictional contact problem with normal compliance. The problem is formulated as a variational inequality, and is shown to possess a unique solution. The finite element approximation is analyzed, with a Ceelike inequality proved. A major difficulty in actually solving the problem is caused by the presence of a non—differentiable functional in the formulation of the problem. Here we discuss the regularization method to overcome the difficulty. A posteriori error estimates are derived
Mesostructured silica films with crystalline domains and structural features on multiple length scales

Abstract The cooperative self-organization of surfactant molecules with reactive silicate species is a key factor in the synthesis of mesoporous materials. Mesostructured films can be produced by exploiting similar self-assembly phenomena at the surface of a solid substrate in contact with a liquid solution; however, in this approach, the properties of the resulting film are strongly influenced by chemical and physical properties of the solid. Alternately, films can be synthesized at vapor/liquid or liquid/liquid interfaces and then transferred to solid substrates. Confinement of the reaction environment to a fluid/ fluid interface provides an additional level of control over the structural evolution that occurs during the reaction, while avoiding undesired influences from a solid phase. This paper presents two examples of mesostructured silica films synthesized at fluid/liquid interfaces: 1) ultrathin films, produced at a gas/liquid interface, having highly regular stripes on two discrete length scales; 2) relatively thick mesoporous silica/collagen composite films, synthesized at a liquid/liquid interface, that are partially crystalline.
Electromigration improvements with titanium underlay and overlay in Al(Cu) metallurgy

The reliability advantages of Ti-Al(Cu)-Ti are introduced in this work. Outstanding tolerance to electromigration damage is measured both single level interconnections and two-level interconnections with tungsten via-studs. A greater than 100* improvement in the median time to failure (t/sub 50/) is measured for Ti-Al(Cu)-Ti interconnections over simple Al(Cu). An integrated, four-level metallization has been realized. >
Global and regional alterations of hippocampal anatomy in long‐term meditation practitioners

Studies linking meditation and brain structure are still relatively sparse, but the hippocampus is consistently implicated as one of the structures altered in meditation practitioners. To explore hippocampal features in the framework of meditation, we analyzed high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging data from 30 long-term meditators and 30 controls, closely matched for sex, age, and handedness. Hippocampal formations were manually traced following established protocols. In addition to calculating left and right hippocampal volumes (global measures), regional variations in surface morphology were determined by measuring radial distances from the hippocampal core to spatially matched surface points (local measures). Left and right hippocampal volumes were larger in meditators than in controls, significantly so for the left hippocampus. The presence and direction of this global effect was confirmed locally by mapping the exact spatial locations of the group differences. Altogether, radial distances were larger in meditators compared to controls, with up to 15% difference. These local effects were observed in several hippocampal regions in the left and right hemisphere though achieved significance primarily in the left hippocampal head. Larger hippocampal dimensions in long-term meditators may constitute part of the underlying neurological substrate for cognitive skills, mental capacities, and/or personal traits associated with the practice of meditation. Alternatively, given that meditation positively affects autonomic regulation and immune activity, altered hippocampal dimensions may be one result of meditation-induced stress reduction. However, given the cross-sectional design, the lack of individual stress measures, and the limited resolution of brain data, the exact underlying neuronal mechanisms remain to be established.
Cooperative Binding of the Cytoplasm to Vacuole Targeting Pathway Proteins, Cvt13 and Cvt20, to Phosphatidylinositol 3-Phosphate at the Pre-autophagosomal Structure Is Required for Selective Autophagy *

Autophagy is a catabolic membrane-trafficking mechanism involved in cell maintenance and development. Most components of autophagy also function in the cytoplasm to vacuole targeting (Cvt) pathway, a constitutive biosynthetic pathway required for the transport of aminopeptidase I (Ape1). The protein components of autophagy and the Cvt pathway include a putative complex composed of Apg1 kinase and several interacting proteins that are specific for either the Cvt pathway or autophagy. A second required complex includes a phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-kinase and associated proteins that are involved in its activation and localization. The majority of proteins required for the Cvt and autophagy pathways localize to a perivacuolar pre-autophagosomal structure. We show that the Cvt13 and Cvt20 proteins are required for transport of precursor Ape1 through the Cvt pathway. Both proteins contain phox homology domains that bind PtdIns(3)P and are necessary for membrane localization to the pre-autophagosomal structure. Functional phox homology domains are required for Cvt pathway function. Cvt13 and Cvt20 interact with each other and with an autophagy-specific protein, Apg17, that interacts with Apg1 kinase. These results provide the first functional connection between the Apg1 and PtdIns 3-kinase complexes. The data suggest a role for PtdIns(3)P in the Cvt pathway and demonstrate that this lipid is required at the pre-autophagosomal structure.
The Engineer and The Newborns 218

Alexander Lion, son of an inventor who invented cufflinks in Marseilles(France), designed and registered an incubator for eggs in the same town on October 28,1889. The patent of June 26, 1890 was valid for 15 years. The device was equipped with battery operated heat alarms and automatic gas heating adjustment. In the same document, Lion mentionned and illustrated an adaption he applied in his home successfully to preserve “maternal heat” of an infant born at six months gestation who needed regular, constant and uniform heat to survive. He said other (Tarnier/Auvard)“automatic” types of incubators were rudimentatry glass and wood boxes with unstable heat sources exposing the infants to the risks of burns and hypothermia.
Turning randomness into meaning at the molecular level using Muller's morphs

While evolutionary theory follows from observable facts and logical inferences (Mayr, 1985), historically, the origin of novel inheritable variations was a major obstacle to acceptance of natural selection (Bowler, 1992; Bowler, 2005). While molecular mechanisms address this issue (Jablonka and Lamb, 2005), analysis of responses to the Biological Concept Inventory (BCI) (Klymkowsky et al., 2010), revealed that molecular biology majors rarely use molecular level ideas in their discourse, implying that they do not have an accessible framework within which to place evolutionary variation. We developed a "Socratic tutorial" focused on Muller's categorization of mutations' phenotypic effects (Muller, 1932). Using a novel vector-based method to analyzed students' essay responses, we found that a single interaction with this tutorial led to significant changes in thinking toward a clearer articulation of the effects of mutational change. We suggest that Muller's morphs provides an effective framework for facilitating student learning about mutational effects and evolutionary mechanisms.
Sex differences in nitric oxide-mediated attenuation of vascular reactivity to vasopressin are abolished by gonadectomy.

In the rat thoracic aorta, contractile responses to vasopressin are two-fold higher in females than in males, primarily because nitric oxide-mediated attenuation of contraction is greater in males than in females. To determine the role of the gonadal steroids in this phenomenon, the effects of gonadectomy on nitric oxide and vascular reactivity to vasopressin were examined in thoracic aortae of age-matched intact and gonadectomized male and female rats. Maximal response to vasopressin was markedly higher in gonadectomized-male than in intact-male aortae (2729 +/- 421 vs. 1375 +/- 222 mg/mg ring weight; P 0.05). Sensitivity of male aortae to vasopressin was unaffected by gonadectomy or L-NMMA. Maximal contraction to vasopressin did not differ between gonadectomized-female and intact-female aortae (4003 +/- 180 vs. 4645 +/- 212 mg/mg ring weight; P > 0.05). L-NMMA increased the sensitivity but not the maximal response to vasopressin in intact-female and gonadectomized-female aortae. In contrast, maximal response to phenylephrine was similar in gonadectomized-male and intact-male aortae (3843 +/- 175 vs. 4234 +/- 206 mg/mg ring weight; P > 0.05); L-NMMA enhanced maximal tension more in gonadectomized-male than in intact male aortae (4645 +/- 206 vs. 4612 +/- 176 mg/mg ring weight). Maximal contraction to phenylephrine was substantially higher in gonadectomized-female than in intact-female aortae (4303 +/- 104 vs. 3341 +/- 155 mg/mg ring weight; P < 0.001); L-NMMA enhanced maximal tension more in intact-female than in gonadectomized-female aortae (5073 +/- 158 vs. 4788 +/- 140 mg/mg ring weight). These results strongly suggest that the gonadal steroids exert important regulatory effects on nitric oxide release in the rat aorta, which are vasoconstrictor-specific and appear to involve basal and/or agonist-stimulated nitric oxide release.
Are evolutionary rates really variable

Langley and Fitch (1974, 1976) have shown that the pattern of nucleotide substitutions in proteins is inconsistent with a Poisson process with constant rate. From this they conclude that the rate is temporally heterogeneous. It is pointed out in this note that a process which is temporally homogeneous but not a Poisson process is compatible with the data if the coefficient of variation of the time between substitutions is around 1.63. Furthermore, theoretical analysis of samples from neutral phylogenies shows that these samples should not appear to be samples from a Poisson process, but should deviate from a Poisson process in the same direction, though perhaps not to the same extent, as do the data.
Hydrogen Line Study of Stellar Associations and Clusters

This paper describes the results of recent investigations at Harvard College Observatory on the interstellar structure around a number of stellar associations and clusters. The results were obtained from analyses of the 21-cm profiles of neutral hydrogen in these systems using the 24-foot and 60-foot radio telescopes at the Agassiz Station of Harvard College Observatory. Investigations of the associations Orion I and Orion II showed expansion of neutral hydrogen around these associations. Preliminary results of studies of other associations Lacerta, Cygnus II, Cygnus VI, NGC 2244, and NGC 2264 are described. Observations of hydrogen content of some galactic clusters were found to show a strong age effect. The significance of the above results for studies of stellar evolution is discussed.
Catalytic conversion of hemicellulosic biomass to lactic acid in pH neutral aqueous phase media

Abstract The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added chemicals using non-toxic heterogeneous catalysts and water as solvent is an attractive green process. Biomass-derived lactic acid is an important renewable chemical building block for synthesizing commodity chemicals, e.g. biodegradable plastics. This paper reports that hemicellulosic biomass, xylan and xylose, can be converted to lactic acid over a ZrO 2 catalyst starting from pH neutral aqueous solutions. The effects of reaction conditions, including temperature, oxygen partial pressure, biomass loading, and catalyst loading, etc., on the conversions of hemicellulosic biomass and the corresponding yields of lactic acid have been investigated. Molar yields of lactic acid, up to 42% and 30% were produced from xylose and xylan, respectively, under the investigated reaction conditions and with the ZrO 2 catalyst. The key intermediates such as glyceraldehyde, glycolaldehyde and pyruvaldehyde were used as the reactants to probe the reaction mechanism. The role of the ZrO 2 catalyst in the retro-aldol condensation of xylose, as well as the catalyst stability, has been discussed.
Future directions for vaccine-related onchocerciasis research

Although the general perception has been that Onchocerca volvulus infection is well on its way towards extinction, it is becoming increasingly clear that without an additional therapeutic or preventative modality (separate from ivermectin distribution or vector control), elimination of onchocercal infection will remain an unfulfilled goal. Vaccination aimed at preventing infection (directed toward infective-stage or adult worms), transmission and/or pathology (directed toward skin microfilariae) could provide the necessary 'final punch' to knockout human infection with O. volvulus altogether. Thus, efforts toward the development of a useful vaccine need to be redoubled rather than shelved, and, to this end, major gaps in our knowledge need to be filled.