cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Packet audio playout delay adjustment: performance bounds and algorithms

In packet audio applications, packets are buffered at a receiving site and their playout delayed in order to com- pensate for variable network delays. In this paper, we con- sider the problem of adaptively adjusting the playout delay in order to keep this delay as small as possible, while at the same time avoiding excessive "loss" due to the arrival of packets at the receiver after their playout time has al- ready passed. The contributions of this paper are twofold. First, given a trace of packet audio receptions at a receiver, we present efficient algorithms for computing a bound on the achievable performance of any playout delay adjustment algorithm. More precisely, we compute upper and lower bounds (which are shown to be tight for the range of loss and delay values of interest) on the optimum (minimum) average playout delay for a given number of packet losses (due to late arrivals) at the receiver for that trace. Second, we present a new adaptive delay adjustment algorithm that tracks the network delay of recently received packets and efficiently maintains delay percentile information. This in- formation, together with a "delay spike" detection algorithm based on (but extending) our earlier work, is used to dy- namically adjust talkspurt playout delay. We show that this algorithm outperforms existing delay adjustment algorithms over a number of measured audio delay traces and performs close to the theoretical optimum over a range of parameter values of interest.
Antenatal diagnosis and treatment of a dyshormonogenetic fetal goiter.

Received June 18, 2008, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of MaternalFetal Medicine (K.A.M.-L., A.C.C., D.R.), and Department of Pediatric Endocrinology (H.J.R., J.H.S.), University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida USA. Revision requested July 14, 2008. Revised manuscript accepted for publication August 4, 2008. Address correspondence to Kathleen A. MayorLynn, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1600 SW Archer Rd, Box 100294, Gainesville, FL 32610-0294 USA. E-mail: mayorlyn@obgyn.ufl.edu Abbreviations TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone Case Report
From class to culture

This article contends that class politics has receded in advanced capitalist societies during the last century, while cultural politics has increased, and it focuses on social and political institutions, rather than on occupational structure, to explain the shift. Participation in solidary groups has consequences for the social bases of politics, and the political salience of such groups is affected by social institutions that are independent of occupational structure. The first such institution is direct rule. Whereas indirect rule tends to promote class politics, direct rule favors cultural politics. Rapid expansion of direct rule since the 1960s has muted class politics and increased cultural politics. This relationship is not deterministic, however; other institutions can mitigate the effects of direct rule on the social bases of politics.
Transforming ras proteins accelerate hormone-induced maturation and stimulate cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract Transforming Harvey (Ha) ras oncogene products accelerated the time course of Xenopus oocyte maturation induced by insulin, insulinlike growth factor 1, or progesterone. The transforming constructs, [Val-12]Ha p21 and [Val-12, Thr-59]Ha p21, displayed equal potency and efficacy in their abilities to accelerate the growth peptide-induced response. Normal Ha p21 was only 60% as powerful and one-fifth as potent as the mutants containing valine in the 12 position. In contrast, two nontransforming constructs, [Val-12, Ala-35, Leu-36, Thr-59]Ha p21 and [Val-12, Thr-59]Ha(term-174) p21, had no effect on the time course of hormone-induced maturation. Effects of the transforming ras proteins on hormone-induced maturation correlated with their abilities to stimulate in vivo phosphodiesterase activity measured after microinjection of 200 microM cyclic [3H] AMP. When p21 injection followed 90 min of insulin treatment, there was no increase in phosphodiesterase activity over that measured after hormone treatment or p21 injection alone, but additive effects of p21 and insulin on enzyme activity were observed during the first 90 min of insulin treatment. Even though normal Ha p21 and transforming [Val-12, Thr-59]Ha p21 stimulated oocyte phosphodiesterase to equal levels when coinjected with substrate at the initiation of the in vivo assay, the transforming protein elicited a more sustained stimulation of enzyme activity. These results suggest that stimulation of a cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity associated with insulin-induced maturation is involved in the growth-promoting actions of ras oncogene products in Xenopus oocytes.
Programming finite-difference time-domain for graphics processor units using compute unified device architecture

Recently graphic processing units (GPU's) have become the hardware platforms to perform high performance scientific computing them. The unavailability of high level languages to program graphics cards had prevented the widespread use of GPUs. Relatively recently Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) development environment has been introduced by NVIDIA and made GPU programming much easier. This contribution presents an implementation of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method using CUDA. A thread-to-cell mapping algorithm is presented and performance of this algorithm is provided.
Hypothetical and Real Incentives in the Ultimatum Game and Andreoni's Public Goods Game: An Experimental Study

In economics experiments, the use of hypothetical incentives is generally restricted to classroom examples; however hypothetical incentives have a clear cost-saving appeal. Although some published experiments have been conducted under the assumption that people act in the same manner with hypothetical incentives as with real ones, it is generally assumed that only real incentives generate economic behavior. Comparing hypothetical to real incentives, we find that in the Ultimatum Game hypothetical incentives do not consistently provide the same results as real incentives; in Andreoni’s Public Goods Game hypothetical incentives produce results that are statistically indistinguishable from those seen with real incentives.
The early scientific history of Galapagos iguanas

The oldest known specimen of Galapagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), now in the University Museum, Oxford, was originally thought to have come from Mexico. A plausible history of its origin with sealers in the Galapagos Islands about 1824 and transportation to and across Mexico is advanced. The naturalists David Douglas and John Scouler, on James (Santiago) Island in January 1825, encountered and attempted unsuccessfully to preserve specimens of the land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) but only a Scouler specimen of marine iguana made it back to England, and it has since disappeared. Published and previously unpublished journal entries from the voyage of HMS Blonde, which had shore parties at Albemarle (Isabela) and Narborough (Fernandina) islands in March 1825, establish that the specimens on which the original description of Amblyrhynchus (later Conolophus) subcristatus J. E. Gray, 1831, was based originated in the voyage of the Blonde. Banks Bay, Albemarle Island, is here designated as the ...
Voter-Identification Requirements and the Learning Curve

Debates over whether to require voters to provide proof of identity at the polls, and just how that can be accomplished, are taking place in legislative chambers and courtrooms across the nation. At the heart of these debates is the balancing act of ballot security versus access to voting. Opponents of voter-identification requirements argue that they place a disproportionate burden on ethnic and racial minorities, the poor, the less educated, the very young, and the very old. Supporters of identification requirements argue the standards are no higher than those required for boarding a plane or cashing a check, and the requirements are needed to prevent voter fraud.
“Sheer Spine”: Evoking Past and Present in the Southern Highlands

This narrative sounding contains the musical, social, and contextual findings extrapolated from an assortment of observations and interviews conducted with Appalachian folk musicians in the mountains of North Carolina. Participants’ stories focus on the benefits and motivations surrounding mountain music traditions, the perceptions of how musicians view their own learning, and the means by which mountain music culture and customs are preserved and disseminated in a modern world. Issues of identity, self-concept, spiritual connectedness, the survival and endurance of Appalachian folk music, and the marked sense of dignity in carrying on a living history told through music are chronicled through the participants’ voices. Implications for incorporating informal modes of music-making in conventional classroom settings are also discussed, as folk music traditions may be an interesting model to consider as music education endeavours to broaden the perspectives of music teaching and learning.
Pulmonary Hypertension-Induced GATA4 Activation in the Right Ventricle

The major cause of death among pulmonary hypertension patients is right heart failure, but the biology of right heart is not well understood. Previous studies showed that mechanisms of the activation of GATA4, a major regulator of cardiac hypertrophy, in response to pressure overload are different between left and right ventricles. In the left ventricle, aortic constriction triggers GATA4 activation via posttranslational modifications without influencing GATA4 expression, while pulmonary artery banding enhances GATA4 expression in the right ventricle. We found that GATA4 expression can also be increased in the right ventricle of rats treated with chronic hypoxia to induce pulmonary hypertension and investigated the mechanism of increased GATA4 expression. Examination of Gata4 promoter revealed that CCAAT box plays an important role in gene activation, and hypoxic pulmonary hypertension promoted the binding of CCAAT-binding factor/nuclear factor-Y (CBF/NF-Y) to CCAAT box in the right ventricle. We found that CBF/NF-Y forms a complex with annexin A1, which inhibits DNA binding activity. In response to hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, annexin A1 gets degraded, resulting in CBF/NF-Y-dependent activation of Gata4 gene transcription. The right ventricle contains a higher level of CBF/NF-Y compared to the left ventricle, and this may allow for efficient activation in response to annexin A1 degradation. Signaling via iron-catalyzed protein oxidation mediates hypoxic pulmonary hypertension-induced annexin A1 degradation, Gata4 gene transcription, and right ventricular hypertrophy. These results establish a right heart-specific signaling mechanism in response to pressure overload, which involves metal-catalyzed carbonylation and degradation of annexin A1 that liberates CBF/NF-Y to activate Gata4 gene transcription.
Rigor and Relevance in Organization Studies: Idea Migration and Academic Journal Evolution

This paper addresses the issues of rigor and relevance in organizational studies in the context of idea migration and journal evolution. The paper argues that creeping parochialism can happen to any journal, which reflects the evolving narrowness within boundaries of academic sub-communities. Evidence suggests that ideas do migrate across academic sub-communities, although the underlying process is not well understood and the idea flow is not symmetrical. Two kinds of knowledge relevance are discussed - the value for end users such as managers in organizations, and the value for one's own or other academic sub-communities. Evidence about the journal article review process is also analyzed along with the amount of time required to recognize the significance of a published article. Implications of these points for a journal such as Organization Science are discussed.
Diagnosis and classification of cerebral palsy

Figure 1 Main motor areas affected in cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is the commonest cause of severe neurological disability in children. The general prevalence is 2}3 per 1000 live births and has slightly increased in recent years. This is due to the decreased mortality of low birth weight infants together with an increased rate of cerebral palsy in the survivors. Moreover, Swedish studies have recently shown a greater proportion of more severely affected children and this trend is also apparent in the UK. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a general term given to a variety of conditions with different aetiologies. They all lead to non-progressive damage to the developing brain (under 4 years of age), which affects the motor system. While the cerebral lesion is static, manifestations change as the condition evolves in each individual. There are often associated problems of vision, hearing, sensation and intelligence.
Testing the length of time theory of recall decay: examining substance use report stability with 10 years of national longitudinal survey of youth data.

Aim: This article examines whether the proportion of recanters increases (or decreases) as a function of time o test length of time theory. Sample: 2,221 US respondents in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth child data. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were used. Results: Among recanters, 50% of cigarette and alcohol users recanted use by 4 years, and 50% of marijuana users recanted by 3 years. Predictors of recanting was being Black or Hispanic and younger age. The theory was not supported. Further research is needed to identify potential reasons why adolescents recant their use is such a short time span. The study's limitations are noted.
Full-field transient vibrometry of the human tympanic membrane by local phase correlation and high-speed holography

Understanding the human hearing process would be helped by quantification of the transient mechanical response of the human ear, including the human tympanic membrane (TM or eardrum). We propose a new hybrid high-speed holographic system (HHS) for acquisition and quantification of the full-field nanometer transient (i.e., >10 kHz) displacement of the human TM. We have optimized and implemented a 2+1 frame local correlation (LC) based phase sampling method in combination with a high-speed (i.e., >40 K fps) camera acquisition system. To our knowledge, there is currently no existing system that provides such capabilities for the study of the human TM. The LC sampling method has a displacement difference of 40 kHz) and spatial (i.e., >100 k data points) resolution of our HHS enables parallel measurements of all points on the surface of the TM, which allows quantification of spatially dependent motion parameters, such as modal frequencies and acoustic delays. Such capabilities could allow inferring local material properties across the surface of the TM.
Biophysical Constraints on the Biological Effects of Radio-Frequency and Microwave Radiation

Electromagnetic fields interact with matter only through forces generated on charges; indeed, those forces define the fields. Hence, the vector force F on a charge q, is described by the Lorentz force law, $$F = q(E + v + B)$$ (1) where the electric field E, the magnetic field B, the velocity of the charge v, and the charge q, are all expressed in SI units. In less artificial units, υ → υ/c emphasizing that the magnetic field is a relativistic correction to the electric field; in a universe such that c →∞, there would be no magnetic fields. (Parenthetically, we note that B is the fundamental magnetic field quantity while H is a subsidiary quantity such as D.)
Should Breast Self-Examination Be Included in a Mammographic Screening Program?

Some of the advantages of including breast self-examination (BSE) in a screening program should be obvious. It is simple, self-generated, repeatable at monthly intervals and inexpensive. There is only a small cost for a formal educational program to learn BSE technique and virtually no cost for performing it thereafter. BSE should promote self-awareness of breast problems and lead to earlier detection than does accidental discovery. Women who regularly perform BSE may be more likely to comply with other breast cancer screening guidelines. BSE might detect some tumors which are missed by mammography and physical examination or which grow rapidly between annual screenings. Even in a program such as the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project (BCDDP), in which women were screened every year with high quality mammography and physical examination, 13% of cancers surfaced between these studies (Seidman et al. 1987). Another potential advantage is that a positive BSE finding might increase the sensitivity of mammography and physical examination by directing the physician’s attention to a specific area of the breast.
Light and laser therapies for the treatment of sebaceous gland hyperplasia a review of the literature.

Sebaceous gland hyperplasia (SGH) is a benign cutaneous condition that presents primarily on the face and increases with UVB exposure and ageing. These lesions are a common cosmetic concern but are difficult to treat, as the entire sebaceous gland needs to be destroyed to prevent recurrence. Traditional methods of treatment include: cryosurgery, electrodessication, curettage, shave excision and topical trichloroacetic acid. These methods have an increased risk of skin discoloration and scarring to the area of treatment that may lead to inferior cosmetic outcomes. Alternatively, oral isotretinoin can treat SGH, but is a known teratogen in pregnancy and has high relapse rates with discontinuation. A systematic review of the literature was performed to look at photodynamic therapy (PDT) and laser treatment for SGH. According to the results of this study, PDT, lasers and combinations of the two treatments were found to offer alternatives to the more conventional techniques with better outcomes. In particular, the use of wavelength-specific laser for the sebaceous gland of 1720 nm were found to have better outcomes and provide minimal damage to surrounding tissues. Additionally, combination PDT with aminolevulinic acid and pre-treatment with carbon dioxide laser ablation or pulse-dyed laser offered higher cure rates over stand-alone laser or PDT treatments in a shorter number of sessions with similar transient side-effects. However, further large-scale prospective studies with adequate follow-up are required to confirm these findings and those for sebaceous gland-specific lasers.
A 7-YEAR EXPERIENCE OF GENETIC MALES WITH SEVERE PHALLIC INADEQUACY ASSIGNED FEMALE

ABSTRACTPurpose: We examine the hypotheses underlying the clinical decision to assign female gender at birth in male neonates with severe phallic inadequacy.Materials and Methods: A total of 18 genetic males with severe phallic inadequacy were assessed longitudinally for physical, social, psychological and sexual identity development. Diagnoses included cloacal (11) and classic (1) exstrophy, partial androgen resistance (3), mixed gonadal dysgenesis (2) and penile agenesis (1). Neonatal sex assignment was female in 15 and male in 3 patients.Results: All patients demonstrated marked male typical behaviors and interests. Of the 15 female assigned patients 1 died, 1 refused to declare sexual identity or orientation, 1 converted to male before initial evaluation, 1 was reassigned male by the parents and 5 others declared male sexual identity. Thus, of 17 living patients 10 live as males and 6 as females. Of patients 17 years or older only those living as male lived independently. The 4 oldest patients living ...
Theophylline metabolism in premature infants

The theophylline metabolite pattern in premature infants was studied with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The identities of metabolites were established by retention time indices and mass chromatograms. In the steady state of a multiple-dose regimen, the urinary metabolites of theophylline identified and quantified were caffeine (9.6 plus or minus 4.8%), theophylline (50.4 plus or minus 6.7%), 3-methylxanthine (1.3 plus or minus 0.7%), 1,3-dimethyluric acid (27.7% plus or minus 8.8%), and 1-methyluric acid (9.3 plus or minus 5.4%). Those in plasma were caffeine (21.4 plus or minus 6.1%), theophylline (73.6 plus or minus 6.5%), 3-methylxanthine (0.7 plus or minus 0.4%), 1,3-dimethyluric acid (2.6 plus or minus 1.2%), and 1-methyluric acid (0.6 plus or minus 0.3%). Occasionally, theobromine, the metabolic breakdown product of caffeine, was found in urine and plasma in small quantities. The demethylation pathway occurring predominantly in adults was substituted by N-methylation to caffeine in premature infants; the other major metabolic pathway of theophylline in adults, C-8 oxidation to 1,3-dimethyluric acid, was slightly diminished. We concluded that the enzyme systems responsible for the C-8 oxidation of theophylline are relatively active in premature infants and that the development of the enzyme systems responsible for oxidative demethylation of theophylline lags behind. The oxidation and demethylation pathways of theophylline in premature infants are significant.
A dispersive effective equation for wave propagation through spatio-temporal laminates

We consider the problem of wave propagation through one-dimensional spatio-temporal or dynamic laminates when the wavelength of the disturbance is large relative to the scale of the microstructure. Dynamic materials are heterogeneous formations assembled from materials which are distributed on a microscale in space and in time. Using the techniques of Floquet analysis and asymptotic expansions, we reveal the dispersive nature of the effective medium. The effects are supported by direct numerical simulation of the heterogeneous problem. These results are compared with the exact solution of the effective equation.
Re)Learning Ukrainian

Particular understandings of the “nation” are increasingly unlikely to be produced and sustained without a state educational system institutionalizing the nation’s central narratives, delineating its boundaries, and acculturating individuals to its attendant values and notions of collective identity (Apple, 1990; Gellner, 2006; Wanner, 1998). School textbooks, since they are both perceived as and are designed to constitute “official knowledge,” are vessels ripe for the embodiment and transmission of such state-envisioned histories, memories, and discourses of nation(hood) (Apple, 1992; Apple & Christian-Smith, 1991; Schissler & Soysal, 2005).
A new look at fact-finding at the ICTR: advances in judicial acknowledgement

This piece expands on the author’s earlier research regarding fact-finding impediments faced by international criminal tribunals. With a specific focus on the ICTR, the article argues that some problematic features with witness testimony remain in the current practice of the Tribunal. These include inconsistencies and contradictions in witnesses’ accounts. However, there is reason to believe that the ICTR Trial Chambers have begun to take these issues more seriously. In particular, it may be that Trial Chambers are more open to acknowledging inconsistencies in witness testimony, thereby increasing the transparency of trial processes in international criminal law. The article concludes with a blueprint for the future research on the subject that the author will carry out.
Teaching Students with Behavioral or Emotional Problems

Teaching students with behavioral or emotional problems is a challenging and thoughtful process requiring commitment and knowledge on the part of the teacher. It is important to recognize some of the general differences when educating students with behavior disorders compared with their non-labeled peers. Morse (1985) noted several considerations when educating “socioemotionally impaired” students. First, the individual differences in students are magnified. These pupils typically have greater variations than do their normal peers in what they know and what they can do. Second, these children learn more slowly than their normal peers. Third, learning socially appropriate behaviors becomes a more direct, overt process. Motivating students and creating an atmosphere free of threat and conducive to learning becomes extremely important. Failure must be kept at a minimum, and the teacher must be prepared to offer help and support in ways and environments that extend beyond the regular classroom. The interactions of students as group members become an extremely sensitive issue, since many of these students have personal or social adjustment problems.
Affinity-aware work-stealing for integrated CPU-GPU processors

Recent integrated CPU-GPU processors like Intel's Broadwell and AMD's Kaveri support hardware CPU-GPU shared virtual memory, atomic operations, and memory coherency. This enables fine-grained CPU-GPU work-stealing, but architectural differences between the CPU and GPU hurt the performance of traditionally-implemented work-stealing on such processors. These architectural differences include different clock frequencies, atomic operation costs, and cache and shared memory latencies. This paper describes a preliminary implementation of our work-stealing scheduler, Libra, which includes techniques to deal with these architectural differences in integrated CPU-GPU processors. Libra's affinity-aware techniques achieve significant performance gains over classically-implemented work-stealing. We show preliminary results using a diverse set of nine regular and irregular workloads running on an Intel Broadwell Core-M processor. Libra currently achieves up to a 2× performance improvement over classical work-stealing, with a 20% average improvement.
Abstract 165: Premature Clopidogrel Discontinuation after Drug-Eluting Stent Placement

Background: Clopidogrel non-adherence is a strong predictor of stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and death after drug-eluting stent (DES) placement. Previous studies on the prevalence of premature clopidogrel discontinuation are based on self-report and have short follow-up. Methods: All patients who underwent DES placement between January 2007 and December 2011 at Parkland Memorial Hospital were considered for inclusion; those with < 1 year follow-up were excluded. We retrospectively collected one-year refill data from a large, closed (county hospital subsidized care) pharmacy system. Our primary outcome was time to failure to obtain a clopidogrel refill, allowing a 5-day grace period. Results: Of 452 patients (61% male, 38% Hispanic, 29% White, 24% African American) meeting entry criteria English was preferred by 71% of study patients, while 27% preferred Spanish. Median time to failure to obtain a clopidogrel refill was 91 days (Figure). By 6 months 58% of patients and by 12 months 85% of patients had failed to obtain a refill allowing a 5-day grace period. At follow-up 26% of patients had failed to obtain their first refill within 5-days after first prescription ending. By one year follow-up, 21% of patients had 100% proportion of days covered (PDC), 60% had PDC ≥ 80%, and 40% had PDC < 80%. Conclusions: We identified a high prevalence of clopidogrel non-adherence in a multi-ethnic urban poor patient population, despite the facts that clopidogrel was provided on discharge and at nominal cost ($5 per month) thereafter, that patients were identified by treating physicians as likely to adhere to treatment, and that intensive patient education on the importance of clopidogrel adherence post-DES was routinely provided. These data call into question the implicit assumptions made about clopidogrel adherence in routine clinical practice. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Chronic uninephrectomy in a large animal is characterized by preservation of cardiovascular homeostasis but with cardiorenal activation of the cGMP system together with atrial fibrosis

Purpose: While renal donation is safe and widely employed for the treatment of endstage chronic kidney disease, recent experimental and human studies suggest complex cardiovascular adaptation that may impact long-term cardiovascular homeostasis. Indeed, in a large animal model of acute uninephrectomy (UNX) we observed reduced CO and increased SVR. Here we define chronic cardiovascular, renal and humoral adaptation in a large animal model 12 weeks after UNX with the goal of understanding integrative adaptations so as to advance possible cardiorenal protective strategies in the setting of mild renal insufficiency and UNX commonly associated with renal donation. Methods: Dogs were assigned to UNX (n=6) or sham operation (n=6). Echocardiography was performed at baseline and after 12 weeks. At 12 weeks cardiovascular, renal and humoral functions were assessed invasively. Fibrosis was assessed by Picrosirius red staining, and microarray analyses were performed on tissue from the left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV). Data are presented as mean±SD, * indicates p<0.05. Results: UNX dogs had compensatory increased left kidney (LK) weight at 12 weeks (80±10 vs. 59±5g, *) as well as increased LK GFR (59±11 vs. 41±6 mL/min, *). The groups were equal regarding MAP, PAP, PCWP, CO and SVR, and diastolic and systolic functions were unaltered in both groups 12 weeks after surgery. Plasma ANP, BNP and aldosterone were not different after 12 weeks, however plasma cGMP was higher in the UNX dogs (6.2±1.2 vs. 4.6±1.0 pmol/mL, *). LK urinary cGMP excretion was increased in the UNX dogs (1132±325 vs. 667±121 pmol/min, *) and there was a trend for increased renal generation of cGMP (UNX 777±345 vs. sham 475±112 pmol/min, p=0.07). Left atrial fibrosis was higher in the UNX group (13.7±5.1 vs. 7.7±2.3%, *). The UNX group had > 2 fold significant changes in the expression of 10 genes in the LA and 7 genes in the LV, associated with cardiac remodeling. Conclusion: UNX in a large animal is characterized by compensatory renal hypertrophy and preserved cardiovascular homeostasis after 12 weeks. Importantly however, the cardiorenal protective cGMP system is activated which may reflect triggering of endogenous vasodilating pathways mediating the preserved cardiovascular and renal function. Furthermore, our model is characterized by subclinical atrial fibrosis and altered remodeling-related gene expressions in the LA and LV. These studies provide insights into the complex responses to UNX and possible cGMP therapeutic strategies for cardioprotection in the setting of reduced renal mass.
Financial Market Effects of Synthetic Collateralized Debt Obligations

This paper examines the causal effect of index creation on security prices in related markets. Using a novel identification strategy, I document persistent treatment effects attributable to index inclusion. Variation in the difference between bond and credit default swap (CDS) spreads, known as the basis, is caused by variation in measures of index inclusion. Using proprietary data on the voting outcomes of the Markit CDX index formation process, I identify a persistent effect that contrasts with the predictions of existing theoretical models of the basis. Also, I document evidence of equity market contagion for firms included in a high number of credit indices.
Methods for Studying Acute and Chronic Effects of Marijuana on Human Associative Processes and Memory

This chapter summarizes the methods and results of studies in which the author examined the acute or chronic effects of marijuana on human associative processes and memory. Eleven tests used to assess marijuana's effects on associative processes, semantic memory, and episodic memory are described.
Expression of bcl-2, p53, and p21 in benign and malignant prostatic tissue before and after radiation therapy.

Abnormalities in genes of the apoptotic pathway might contribute to survival in prostatic cancer (PCa) cells after radiation therapy (RT). We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of the products of the p53, p21WAF1, and bcl-2 genes in pre-RT and post-RT biopsy specimens from 38 patients with locally advanced PCa. All of the 38 patients underwent a uniform protocol of RT with or without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. Immunohistochemical staining for expression of the products of the p53, p21WAF1, and bcl-2 genes was performed on material from pre-RT and post-RT specimens. Sufficient tissue for analysis was available from 25 of the pre-RT and 38 of the post-RT biopsy specimens. In benign prostatic epithelium, RT resulted in expression of p53 (2 [8%] of 25 pre-RT specimens vs. 15 [71%] of 21 post-RT specimens; P < .001) and increased expression of bcl-2 (1 [5%] of 18 pre-RT vs. 18 [86%] of 21 post-RT; P < .001). There was no change in the expression of p21WAF1 (1 [4.5%] of 22 pre-RT vs. 4 [17%] of 23 post-RT; P = NS). Post-RT specimens were positive for PCa in 24 (63%) of 38 cases. In the PCa tissue, p53 expression was seen in 10 (42%) of 24 pre-RT and 12 (63%) of 19 post-RT samples (P = NS). A significant upregulation of p53 was seen in the subgroup of patients who did not receive neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (9 [82%] of 11 vs. 3 [38%] of 8; P = .05). No significant change in p21WAF1 (5 [21%] of 24 vs. 5 [33%] of 15; P = NS), or bcl-2 (4 [18%] of 22 vs. 3 [21%] of 14; P = NS) expression was detected. There was no significant correlation between immunohistochemical expression of apoptosis-related markers and treatment failure. We concluded that RT induced upregulation of the bcl-2 and p53 gene products in benign prostatic tissue and that this likely reflected a protective mechanism in genetically unaltered epithelium. Increased p53 expression in PCa was only seen in patients without neoadjuvant hormonal treatment, indicating that the cancer cells with abnormal p53 were at least partially protected from RT-induced cell death.
Developing a Process Model of Intrapreneurial Systems: A Cognitive Mapping Approach:

This paper uses a cognitive mapping approach to build a model of corporate entrepreneurship from an organizational perspective. This approach analyzes corporate entrepreneuring from a systems viewpoint and facilitates an understanding of the process through which entrepreneurial firms generate innovation. Additionally, the application of Maruyama's (1963) concept of “morphogenetic” systems provides a possible explanation for the nonlinear changes that are characteristic of intrapreneurship.
Statistical characterization of ensembles of symmetric virus particles: 3-D stochastic signal reconstruction from electron microscope images

Stochastic models of nano-biomachines have been studied by 3-D reconstruction from cryo electron microscopy images in recent years. The image data is the projection of many heterogeneous instances of the object under study (e.g., a virus). Initial reconstruction algorithms require different instances of the object, while still heterogeneous, to have the same symmetry. This paper presents a maximum likelihood reconstruction approach which allows each object to lack symmetry while constraining the statistics of the ensemble of objects to have symmetry. This algorithm is demonstrated on bacteriophage HK97 and is contrasted with the former algorithm. Reconstruction results show that the proposed algorithm provides estimates that make more biological sense.
Ultrasound Responsive Macrophase-Segregated Microcomposite Films for in Vivo Biosensing.

Ultrasound imaging is a safe, low-cost, and in situ method for detecting in vivo medical devices. A poly(methyl-2-cyanoacrylate) film containing 2 μm boron-doped, calcined, porous silica microshells was developed as an ultrasound imaging marker for multiple medical devices. A macrophase separation drove the gas-filled porous silica microshells to the top surface of the polymer film by controlled curing of the cyanoacrylate glue and the amount of microshell loading. A thin film of polymer blocked the wall pores of the microshells to seal air in their hollow core, which served as an ultrasound contrast agent. The ultrasound activity disappeared when curing conditions were modified to prevent the macrophase segregation. Phase segregated films were attached to multiple surgical tools and needles and gave strong color Doppler signals in vitro and in vivo with the use of a clinical ultrasound imaging instrument. Postprocessing of the simultaneous color Doppler and B-mode images can be used for autonomous identi...
Comparative Analysis of the Physical and Chemical Properties of Different Biomass Ashes Produced from Various Combustion Conditions

The ash yield, composition, mineral phases, and other physical and chemical properties of various biomass ashes are dependent on ashing temperature. To fully understand the impacts of biomass species and ashing temperature on the characterization of biomass ashes, three kinds of biomass fuels were treated at different ashing temperatures to produce biomass ashes. Their properties were analyzed by a series of qualitative and quantitative methods, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), thermal gravimetric, and differential thermal analyzer (TG-DTA). The experimental results indicated that as the ashing temperature was raised, the ash slagging tendency could be enhanced. The fused layer on the surface of ash particles was coated with potassium chloride, which was the key reason for the development of severe agglomeration and slagging. Due to the high carbon content and large number of pores in the lower temperature ashes, a low-cost adsorbent could be developed effectively from these carbon materials. The thermal decomposition of all ashes showed a stepwise mechanism. The total weight loss of the same biomass ash decreased with increased ashing temperature, which corresponded well with the phase transitions and thermal reaction sequences.
Relationship between the omega-3 index and specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators in patients with peripheral arterial disease taking fish oil supplements

Abstract Background Oral supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) increases the omega-3 index, a biomarker of red blood cell eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, and plasma levels of biosynthesis pathway markers and potent lipid mediators involved in the resolution of inflammation among patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Objective We aimed to quantify the association between an upstream change in the omega-3 index and downstream changes in lipid mediator production. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the OMEGA-PAD I Trial, a randomized, placebo controlled trial investigating high-dose n-3 PUFA oral supplementation in PAD patients. Eighty subjects were randomized to either 4.4 g of fish oil or placebo for 1 month. Regression analyses using generalized estimating equation techniques were used to investigate the relationship between changes in the omega-3 index and changes in lipid mediators, pre- and post-intervention. Results In the fish oil group, there was a significant increase in the omega-3 index (5 ± 1% to 9 ± 2%, P P P = .03), 1.9-fold in 5-HEPE ( P = .04), and 3.6-fold in 4-hydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid ( P Conclusion Among subjects with symptomatic PAD who took oral fish oil supplements for 1 month, observed changes in the omega-3 index were strongly associated with increases in downstream mediators in the biochemical pathways of resolution.
Intrathecal Medication Withdrawal

An intrathecal pump is a particularly complicated pain therapy because of the invasiveness of the implantation and the potential for adverse effects related to the pump and associated drugs. One such complication is the underdosing or overdosing of infused medications. Errors may occur in medication mixing, filling of the pump reservoir, or while programming an intrathecal pump. Pumps may also experience mechanical failure such as a pump stall leading to withdrawal symptoms. One of the more common complications, which may lead to withdrawal, is a catheter fracture or dislodgment. These issues can be assessed by interrogating the pump’s computer, aspirating the pump side port, contrast dye studies, or via CT myelogram. Finally, any of these intrathecal pump complications can lead to potentially life-threatening withdrawal syndromes. Intrathecal opioid withdrawal is generally uncomfortable and distressing to the patient yet rarely dangerous. Conversely, withdrawal from intrathecal baclofen or clonidine can be life-threatening and requires swift diagnosis and treatment, potentially within an inpatient setting.
Psychology Versus Rationality Theories: Explanation of Managers’ Fraud

The financial statement fraud (management fraud) occurred in three different ways: lack of awareness of acting fraudulently (by error), awareness of acting fraudulently coupled with rationalization to avoid negative affect or emotion (individual’s intuition support committing a fraud), or awareness of acting fraudulently coupled with reasoning through cost-benefit analysis (individual’s intuition unclear). The management fraud can be viewed as a decisional, behavioral, cognitive, societal, emotional, or ethical phenomenon. In summary, the management fraud, as a human behavior, is an intentional, complex, multidimensional act that results from multiple interactive factors. In other words, the management fraud is the outcome of management decision-making, which is influenced by managers’ personal values, personal beliefs, organizational factor, and social factors. It can be viewed as a decisional, behavioral, cognitive, societal, emotional, or ethical phenomenon. Multiple theories explained the management fraud behavior based on different perspectives including agency theory, a fraud triangle theory, a theory of planned behavior, a rational choice theory, a prospect theory, a differential association theory, a general stain theory, and business ethics theory.
Dilated Convolutions for Brain Tumor Segmentation in MRI Scans

We present a novel method to detect and segment brain tumors in Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans using a novel network based on the Dilated Residual Network. Dilated convolutions provide efficient multi-scale analysis for dense prediction tasks without losing resolution by downsampling the input. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first to evaluate a dilated residual network for brain tumor segmentation in magnetic resonance imaging scans. We train and evaluate our method on the Brain Tumor Segmentation (BraTS) 2017 challenge dataset. To address the severe label imbalance in the data, we adopt a balanced, patch-based sampling approach for training. An ablation study establishes the importance of residual connections in the performance of our network.
Injuries to Cyclists due to a Dog-Bicycle Interaction.

Background Both dogs and bicycles are common in our society and thus a dog–bicycle interaction resulting in an injury to a cyclist is possible. It was the purpose of this study to investigate such injuries. Methods The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) data for the 10-year period from 2006 through 2015 associated with bicycles were accessed. Injuries involving dogs were identified and the mechanism of injury determined. Due to the stratified and weighted nature of the NEISS data, statistical analyses were performed with SUDAAN 10 software (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States). A p Results There were 5,184,057 emergency department visits for bicycle-associated injuries; dogs were involved in 35,254 (0.67%) cases. The average age for those involved with a dog was 33.2 years and it was 25.5 years for those in which dogs were not involved. There were more females in the dog group (34.1 vs. 27.6%). Dog involvement increased from ages 0 to 14 years, then decreased until the age of 20 years and then progressively increased. Dog-associated injuries most frequently occurred away from home, involved the knee and distal lower extremity, 49.1% sustaining dog bites. Dog bites were more common in younger individuals. Four injury mechanisms (chased by a dog, hit/collided with a dog, swerved/tried to avoid a dog or riding with a dog) accounted for 97.5% of the injuries. Those chased by a dog were younger, more commonly released from the emergency department, had an injury involving the lower extremity and frequently sustained a bite. The most severe injuries were in those who swerved/tried to avoid a dog or hit a dog. Conclusions Approximately 1% of injuries to bicyclists are associated with dogs; one-half sustained a bite. Potential/proposed prevention strategies could be educational materials regarding bicycles and dogs to owners, dog restraint, student/parent education and educational materials in waiting rooms of veterinarians, paediatricians, family practice physicians and emergency rooms.
Treatment of genital condylomata with topical 5-fluorouracil.

Use of topical 5-fluorouracil is indicated for therapy-resistant condylomata and for extensive untreated vulvar condylomata. It may be the treament of choice for extensive or therapy-resistant vaginal condylomata. Applications of 5-FU once weekly to the vagina and twice weekly to the vulva for 10 weeks appear to be as effective as continued regimens but are better tolerated. Perhaps the greatest value of 5-FU lies in periodic application for prevention of recurrences of condylomata removed by surgical methods.
Controversies in the Early Reporting of a Clinical Trial in Early Breast Cancer

The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer has been the subject of intense research activity in recent years. It is now generally accepted that some types of adjuvant therapy have a positive effect on disease-free and overall survival, but the effect size appears to be modest and the optimal type of adjuvant therapy for different groups of patients remains unclear. One major study of adjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients that generated considerable interest and controversy was an intergroup trial of the value of increasing the dose of doxorubicin or adding paclitaxel (Taxol®) to standard chemotherapy. The design was a 3 x 2 factorial design (three different doses of doxorubicin with and without paclitaxel). Based on the results of the first planned interim analysis suggesting improved disease-free and overall survival in patients receiving paclitaxel, the DSMB released the results to the study team. The events and considerations leading to the decision to release the results and some of the subsequent controversies that arose in the medical community because of this decision are discussed in this paper.
Tumor to Cerebellar Peduncle T2-Weighted Imaging Intensity Ratio Fails to Predict Pituitary Adenoma Consistency.

Object The consistency of pituitary macroadenomas affects the complexity of surgical resection. On T2-weighted (T2W) imaging, the intensity ratio of the tumor to the cerebellar peduncle (tumor to cerebellar peduncle T2-weighted imaging intensity [TCTI] ratio) correlates with meningioma consistency. We aimed to determine the correlation of this radiographic finding with pituitary macroadenoma consistency and to determine whether it can be used for preoperative planning. Methods We performed a retrospective evaluation of 196 patients with macroadenomas who underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal resection from January 2012 to June 2017. Macroadenoma consistency was determined by one senior neurosurgeon at the time of surgery. Axial and coronal T2W magnetic resonance imaging images were evaluated retrospectively, and adenoma size, Knosp grade, suprasellar extension and TCTI were calculated. Results The mean TCTI ratio was 1.70 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.65–1.75). Intraoperatively, 140 (71.4%) adenomas were classified as soft and 48 (24.5%) as fibrous. Gross total resection was achieved in 66.7% of fibrous adenomas and in 86.4% of soft adenomas ( p = 0.007). The mean ratio was 1.68 (95% CI: 1.62–1.74) for soft tumors and 1.76 (95%CI: 1.67–1.84) for fibrous tumors. There was no difference in the mean TCTI ratio between groups. Lactotroph and somatotroph adenomas had a lower mean TCTI ratio compared with other functioning and nonfunctioning adenomas with a mean TCTI of 1.52 compared with 1.77. Conclusions In this retrospective cohort study, we found that the TCTI ratio does not correlate with tumor consistency. We also noted that the TCTI ratio is increased in prolactin and growth hormone-secreting adenomas.