cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Propagation of planetary‐scale disturbances from the lower into the upper atmosphere

The possibility that a significant part of the energy of the planetary-wave disturbances of the troposphere may propagate into the upper atmosphere is investigated. The propagation is analogous to the transmission of electromagnetic radiation in heterogeneous media. It is found that the effective index of refraction for the planetary waves depends primarily on the distribution of the mean zonal wind with height. Energy is trapped (reflected) in regions where the zonal winds are easterly or are large and westerly. As a consequence, the summer circumpolar anticyclone and the winter circumpolar cyclone in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere are little influenced by lower atmosphere motions. Energy may escape into the mesosphere near the equinoxes, when the upper-atmosphere zonal flow reverses. At these times tunneling of the energy through a reflecting barrier is also possible. Most of the time, however, there appears to be little mechanical coupling on a planetary scale between the upper and lower atmospheres.
Molecular diagnostics of hepatitis C virus infection: a systematic review.

ContextHepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common blood-borne pathogen that relies heavily on nucleic acid testing for confirmation of infection. Nucleic acid tests are invaluable for the diagnosis of HCV infection and provide critical prognostic information for guiding treatment and measuring the response to antiviral therapy.ObjectiveTo review the currently available molecular diagnostic tests for HCV, their clinical applications, and how these tests shed light on the natural history of HCV.Evidence AcquisitionSearch of MEDLINE (1966 to July 2006), article reference lists, and national meeting abstracts for the diagnosis and applications of molecular diagnostic tests for HCV. Studies were selected on the basis of clinical relevance.Evidence SynthesisQualitative nucleic acid tests have low limits of detection (<50 IU HCV RNA/mL) and are used for confirmation of HCV infection and for screening blood donations. Hepatitis C virus genotype test results provide important prognostic information related to therapeutic response and are routinely used for selecting treatment regimens. Quantitative HCV RNA testing provides prognostic information regarding likelihood of treatment response and plays an important role in monitoring the antiviral response to treatment. Sustained virological response is defined as testing negative for HCV RNA 6 months after cessation of therapy. Recent studies suggest that the rate of response to therapy is also important. For example, conversion to an HCV RNA negative test result after 4 weeks of therapy constitutes a rapidvirological response and is a strong predictor of treatment success. Patients who have not had an earlyvirological response, defined as at least a 2-log decline in HCV RNA after 12 weeks of therapy, are unlikely to respond with an additional 36 weeks of therapy, and should stop therapy.ConclusionsA sensitive nucleic acid test should be used to confirm all cases of acute or chronic HCV infection. A genotype test and quantitative HCV RNA test should be performed on all patients prior to therapy to best assess probability of response and to aid in selection of appropriate therapeutic regimen. Monitoring HCV RNA during treatment provides important information on likelihood of sustained virological response. The same type of quantitative HCV RNA test should be used throughout a patient's treatment course.
Alfred T. Brauer as a mathematician and teacher

Born on April 9, 1894, in Berlin, Alfred Theodore Brauer has enjoyed a truly storied career as an educator and leading researcher in, not one, but two distinct areas of mathematics, namely number theory and matrix theory. The first author, as son-in-law of this incredibly dynamic and thoroughly remarkable man, is honored to trace briefly the personal history of Professor Brauer and, in Section 2 to sketch a few of his remarkably creative accomplishments in number theory. In Section 3 the second author, as a long-time devoted student and friend of Alfred Brauer, will similarly sketch some of his many important contributions to matrix theory. A complete list of Professor Brauer’s Ph.D. students and a list of his publications is given in Section 4. As voluminous, varied, and significant as are the scholarly accomplishments of Alfred Brauer, he is best known to all who knew him as one of the great teachers of mathematics. Consequently, we include remarks about Alfred Brauer in his role as a teacher which ended less than 10 years ago at Wake Forest University where Professor Brauer taught from 1964-1974.
Modification of Surfaces to Meet Bioadhesive Design Goals: A Review

Abstract The modern range of medical devices presents contrasting requirements for adhesion in biological environments. Strong bioadhesion is desired in many circumstances to assure device retention and immobility. Minimal adhesion is absolutely essential in others, where thrombosis or bacterial adhesion would destroy the utility of the implants. A brief review is given of some analytical approaches, based in adhesion science, most useful in addressing these needs. Familiar correlating parameters, such as the critical surface tension, are surprisingly good in predicting bioadhesive outcomes such as tissue integration. The example of dental implants is given to illustrate this correlation. In every case, primary attention must be given to the qualities of the first interfacial conditioning films of bio-macromolecules deposited from the living systems. For instance, fibrinogen deposits from blood may assume different configurations on surfaces of different initial energies, and thus trigger different physio...
Stream ecosystem function in urbanizing landscapes

AbstractEcologists have described an urban stream syndrome with attributes such as elevated nutrients and contaminants, increased hydrologic flashiness, and altered biotic assemblages. Ecosystem function probably also varies with extent of urbanization, although there are few stream networks in which this prediction has been studied. We examined functional characteristics of 6 tributaries of the Chattahoochee River near Atlanta, Georgia, USA, whose catchments differed in degree of urbanization. We conducted short-term NH4- and PO4-addition experiments to measure nutrient uptake velocity, which is the rate at which a nutrient moves through the water column toward the benthos. Both NH4 and soluble reactive P uptake velocities decreased as indicators of urbanization (i.e., % of catchment covered by high-intensity urban development) increased. The amount of fine benthic organic matter (FBOM) also decreased with increasing urbanization, and uptake velocities were directly related to FBOM. Uptake velocities wer...
The Ascent of Tokyo as an International Financial Center

This research traces, from 1900 to 1975, the rise of Tokyo to prominence as an international financial center in Asia by examining the evolution and development of seventeen Asian international financial centers. Cluster analysis is used to show the hierarchical structure of the international centers, over time. Stepwise multiple discriminant analysis is then used to verify the cluster analysis groupings, determine what factors caused the particular groupings, and rank the centers. The findings show clearly that Tokyo became Asia's preeminent “banking” center in 1960 and the preeminent “financial” center in 1965, but these results are at odds with the commonly held view that Singapore and Hong Kong are the region's top centers; in fact, Asia's second most prominent center is Osaka. The future implication and significance of Tokyo's (and Osaka's) financial leadership in Asia is discussed.
Surgical management of posterior epistaxis: A changing paradigm

Objective: To demonstrate that surgery, as the initial treatment option for posterior epistaxis, can provide comparable success and complication rates to nonsurgical management with fewer associated costs. Study Design: A retrospective chart review and cost analysis. Methods: Two hundred three consecutive charts were reviewed for patient outcome, complications, and hospitalization time. Average costs were calculated from hospital department and physician fee schedules. Results: Average success rate of all surgical procedures performed for posterior epistaxis was 90%, anterior-posterior packing success was 62%, and embolization success was 75%. The packing-only group had a significantly greater mean hospitalization time (5.29 d) than patients who were treated either surgically (2.1 d) or with embolization (2.6 d). The average per-patient admission charges were, for successful posterior packing, $5136 per patient; for surgical treatment, $3851 per patient; and for embolization, $5697 per patient. Surgery offered a cost savings of $1846 per patient over traditional packing. There was no significant difference in complication rates between the groups. Conclusion: The review suggests that a better success rate, a comparable complication rate, and a cost savings can be achieved with surgical intervention as the first-line treatment for intractable epistaxis when compared with traditional anterior-posterior packing and embolization.
The collisional dynamics of particulate disks

It is shown that the use of the Krook equation greatly simplifies the discussion of the collisional dynamics of particulate disks. Collisions are assumed to be inelastic from the outset. A simple heuristic argument is used to compute the effective collision rate in a disk of spherical particles with a power-law distribution of sizes. For Saturn's rings, the effective collision rate for momentum transport is substantially lower than that conventionally estimated on the basis of an observed optical depth at visual wavelengths. The closure of the vertically integrated set of moment equations without discarding the third-order moments at the outset is discussed, allowing for the possibility of a bent disk. In the limit that the collision frequency is much larger than the orbit frequency, the usual Navier-Stokes equations of viscous hydrodynamics for a thin disk are recovered with an explicit expression for the shear viscosity. The method is generalized to include the effects of gravitational scattering.
Passive transfer of an appetite suppressant factor.

SummaryHyperphagia and subsequent obesity were induced in mice by gold thioglucose, and pooled serum was injected into other mice (Group I). Control mice were injected with normal mouse serum (Group II) or saline (Group III). The injections were administered during an initial 2-week period, followed by 5 weeks of no treatment, a second 2-week injection period, and a final 3-week period off treatment. After the first period, Group I lost significantly more than Groups II and III (P < 0.01). Weight gains of equal magnitude were observed in all groups during the second period (off treatment). During the last period of injections, Group I lost weight, while Groups II and III gained, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. A similar study was undertaken using serum from a human subject with documented hypothalamic obesity. At the end of 2 weeks, injected mice lost significantly more weight than controls (P < 0.02). These results suggest the presence of a humoral substance in the serum of hyp...
Evaluation of asthma websites for patient and parent education

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of websites on asthma for patient and parent education. Seventy websites were evaluated based on the Health Information Technology Institute (HITI) criteria; eight core content criteria from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines; and readability. The ten best websites for asthma education were identified for patient teaching and educating parents about asthma.
Suppression of Salvinia molesta Mitchell in Texas and Louisiana by Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands

Abstract Release and evaluation studies of the Brazil population of Cyrtobagous salviniae on Salvinia molesta were conducted originally at 18 sites in Texas and Louisiana from 1999 through 2005. However, overall project results could only be continually evaluated at two release and two control sites because the remainder were eventually destroyed or corrupted by floods, droughts, or herbicides. Mean fresh weight biomass of S. molesta ranged from 15.5 kg FW m −2 during the summer to as low as 2.1 kg FW m −2 during the winter prior to the release of C. salviniae . Insect populations established within a year of release and initially spread slowly. Damage to S. molesta increased with increasing C. salviniae detections while S. molesta biomass and surface coverage declined at both release sites by more than 99% while remaining unchanged at the control sites. Water in release sites registered higher levels of dissolved oxygen, higher temperatures, and higher pH than water in control sites. This study provides another example of the effectiveness of C. salviniae against S. molesta even in more temperate climates.
Patient Education: This Practitioner's Ignorance of Diet, Nutrition, and Exercise: A Call to Education:

The delivery of preventive health care services in the wellness visits of children and adolescents fails to adequately identify the child and adolescent overweight and at risk for obesity and its subsequent comorbidities. There are multiple competing issues and barriers addressed in this article. However, a brief inventory of exercise and dietary and nutritional guidance is presented for the primary care clinician. Included are the appropriate history, physical exam, and laboratory evaluation that should encompass any child or adolescent at risk for obesity.
Family preservation and family support programs: child maltreatment outcomes across client risk levels and program types

Abstract Objectives: This study evaluated client-level outcomes among an entire statewide group of Family Preservation and Family Support (FPFS) programs funded under PL 103-66. Method: A total of 1601 clients (primarily low income, moderate to high risk with no current involvement in the child protection system) were assessed and followed over time for future child maltreatment events reported to Child Protective Services. The study compared program completers with program dropouts, compared recipients of more lengthy full-service programs with recipients of one-time services, and examined the effects of program duration, intensity, service site (center-based vs. home based) and service model/content. Effects were modeled using survival analysis and variable-exposure Poisson hierarchical models, controlling for initial client risk levels and removing failure events because of surveillance bias. Changes in lifestyle, economic and risk factors were also examined. Results: A total of 198 (12.2%) participants had at least one defined failure event over a median follow-up period of 1.6 years. Controlling for risk and receipt of outside services, program completers did not differ from program dropouts or from recipients of one-time services, and there was no relationship between program intensity or duration and outcomes. Program types designed to help families meet basic concrete needs and programs using mentoring approaches were found to be more effective than parenting and child development oriented programming, and center-based services were found to be more effective than home-based services, especially among higher risk parents. Conclusions: The findings did not support the effectiveness of these services in preventing future maltreatment cases, and raised questions about a number of common family support assumptions regarding the superiority of home-visiting based and parent training services. A number of possible reasons for this are explored.
Rate Augmentation and Atrial Arrhythmias in DDDR Pacing

SPENCER, W.H., ET AL.: Rate Augmentation and Atrial Arrhythmias in DDDR Pacing. Dual chamber, rate-modulated pacemakers provide the capability of augmenting the heart rate of patients with chronotropic incompetence but also may cause atrial arrhythmias because of high rate, competitive atrial pacing. We studied ten patients with two consecutive 24-hour Holter monitors during which they were alternately programmed to either DDD or DDDR pacing in random order. Maximum heart rates (max HR) were measured at every 15-minute interval during each 24-hour period. DDDR pacing showed rate augmentation, 80 ± 7 average max HR when compared with DDD pacing, average max HR 76 ± 5. These results were even more striking when waking hours (7 am to 10 pm) were compared: average max HR 86 ± 7 DDDR versus 78 ± 4 average max HR DDD. Several patients showed marked rate augmentation. Seven of ten patients preferred DDDR pacing over DDD pacing. In the entire population, DDDR pacing did not result in an increased number of atrial arrhythmias (1.25 atrial events 124 hour) when compared to DDD pacing (1.75 atrial events/ 24 hour). We conclude that DDDR pacing provides heart rate augmentation during daily life in a clinical population while not resulting in a significant increase in atrial arrhythmias. (PACE, Vol. 13, December, Part 11, 1990)
Structure of the human methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT) locus

The MUT locus encoding the enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase is defective in mut forms of methylmalonic acidemia. This locus has been mapped to chromosome 6p12-21.1. We report cloning and characterization of this locus which comprises 13 exons spanning greater than 35 kb of the genome. The MUT locus exhibits consensus sequences for transcription, splicing, and polyadenylation. The putative promoter region was localized in a CG island 5' to exon I and was shown to direct expression of a beta-galactosidase reporter gene in cultured cells. Of interest is the observation that the first intron occurs within the 5' untranslated region, and no introns separate the mitochondrial targeting sequences and the mature apoenzyme. An informative HindIII polymorphism was localized within the coding sequence and can be assayed using the polymerase chain reaction. These studies describe the structure of the MUTlocus and provide a foundation for characterization of mutations in mut methylmalonic acidemia.
Optimization of supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fibers for pulse compression

A theoretical study of supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fiber and its application to pulse compression is presented. The evolution of the spectrum can be divided into three stages: initial broadening below a certain threshold propagation distance, dramatic broadening to a supercontinuum at a threshold distance, and, finally, saturation of the spectral width on propagation. It is found that the group delay and group-delay dispersion of the supercontinum are sensitive to the input pulse peak power after further propagation at the third stage. Fluctuations from the input pulse are amplified and translated into fluctuations and time shift of the compressed pulses. There exists an optimum compressed distance at which compressed pulses with negligible fluctuation and time shift can be obtained.
VT-Mininet: Virtual-time-enabled Mininet for Scalable and Accurate Software-Define Network Emulation

The advancement of software-defined networking (SDN) technology is highly dependent on the successful transformations from in-house research ideas to real-life products. To enable such transformations, a testbed offering scalable and high fidelity networking environment for testing and evaluating new/existing designs is extremely valuable. Mininet, the most popular SDN emulator by far, is designed to achieve both accuracy and scalability by running unmodified code of network applications in lightweight Linux Containers. However, Mininet cannot guarantee performance fidelity under high workloads, in particular when the number of concurrent active events is more than the number of parallel cores. In this project, we develop a lightweight virtual time system in Linux container and integrate the system with Mininet, so that all the containers have their own virtual clocks rather than using the physical system clock which reflects the serialized execution of multiple containers. With the notion of virtual time, all the containers perceive virtual time as if they run independently and concurrently. As a result, interactions between the containers and the physical system are artificially scaled, making a network appear to be ten times faster from the viewpoint of applications within the containers than it actually is. We also design an adaptive virtual time scheduling subsystem in Mininet, which is responsible to balance the experiment speed and fidelity. Experimental results demonstrate that embedding virtual time into Mininet significantly enhances its performance fidelity, and therefore, results in a useful platform for the SDN community to conduct scalable experiments with high fidelity.
Serious complications in experiments in which UV doses are effected by using different lamp heights.

Abstract Many experiments examining plant responses to enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation (280–315 nm) simply compare an enhanced UV-B treatment with ambient UV-B (or no UV-B radiation in most greenhouse and controlled-environment studies). Some more detailed experiments utilize multiple levels of UV-B radiation. A number of different techniques have been used to adjust the UV dose. One common technique is to place racks of fluorescent UV-emitting lamps at different heights above the plant canopy. However, the lamps and associated support structure cast shadows on the plant bed below. We calculated one example of the sequence of shade intervals for two common heights of lamp racks and show the patterns and duration of shade which the plants receive is distributed differently over the course of the day for different heights of the lamp racks. We also conducted a greenhouse experiment with plants (canola, sunflower and maize) grown under unenergized lamp racks suspended at the same two heights above the canopy. Growth characteristics differed in unpredictable ways between plants grown under the two heights of lamp racks. These differences could enhance or obscure potential UV-B effects. Also, differences in leaf mass per unit foliage area, which were observed in this experiment, could contribute to differences in plant UV-B sensitivity. We recommend the use of other techniques for achieving multiple doses of UV-B radiation. These range from simple and inexpensive approaches (e.g., wrapping individual fluorescent tubes in layers of a neutral-density filter such as cheese cloth) to more technical and expensive alternatives (e.g., electronically modulated lamp control systems). These choices should be determined according to the goals of the particular experiment.
Uptake and metabolism of α-monopalmitin by rat lung in vitro

CO2 production from and uptake of α-glyceryl mono (palmitate-1-14C) were studied in an in vitro system using minced rat lung. Monoglyceride radioactivity was readily incorporated into lung tissue lipids. In a time course of 5–120 min, ca. 2.9–21.9% of the initial medium14C-radioactivity was recovered in tissue lipids, including free fatty acid and monoglyceride, per one g of tissue. From 93 to 72% of the initial radioactivity remained in the medium during the same incubation periods. The ratio of tissue neutral lipid to phospholipid radioactivity decreased from 2∶1 at 5 min to ca. 1∶2.1 at 120 min. Most of the phospholipid-14C was in phosphatidyl choline, and this accounted for 80% of phospholipid-14C. Analysis of the tissue lipid radioactivity pattern revealed that during early periods of incubation (5–15 min) there was a rapid accumulation of14C in monoglycerides and free fatty acids, which decreased with increasing incubation time concomitant with increase in radioactivity of tissue phospholipids and triglycerides. During the same time course, 6.5–85.3% of medium-14C was in free fatty acid, indicating the presence of an active α-monopalmitin-hydrolyzing system. After 2 hr of incubation, only 1.8% of the initial medium-14C had been oxidized to CO2. Under the same experimental conditions,14C-α-monopalmitin and palmitate-1-14C were almost equally utilized and the patterns of lipid incorporated from both substrates were similar. It is suggested that rat lungs can utilize α-monopalmitin in a similar manner as palmitate after the former is hydrolyzed.
Commentary: Can Circulating HER‐2 Extracellular Domain Predict Response to Trastuzumab in HER‐2–Negative Breast Cancer?

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) is one of four members of the type I family of tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors. Other members of this family include the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, HER1), HER-3, and HER-4. These proteins are localized to the cell membrane. Their structure includes an intracellular cytoplasmic domain that exhibits tyrosine kinase activity (except HER-3), a transmembrane domain, and an extracellular domain (ECD). The ECDs of EGFR, HER-3, and HER-4 contain binding sites for multiple ligands. No ligand has been identified for HER-2. Phosphorylation of HER proteins results in activation of critical signal transduction pathways involved in mammalian cell growth. In cancer cells, amplification or otherwise overexpression of HER-2 has been associated with unregulated cell proliferation, invasion, and metastases. The HER-2 gene is amplified in 20%–25% of invasive breast cancers. Survival rates are worse in patients whose tumors carry the HER-2 gene amplification than in patients whose tumors express normal levels of HER-2. Expression of the truncated form of HER-2 has been associated with yet a worse prognosis compared with expression of the whole HER-2 protein. The HER-2 gene copy number can be determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). For FISH assays using chromosome 17 (CEP17) as a control, a HER-2/ CEP17 ratio 2.2 is considered positive. For FISH assays that do not include CEP17 as a control, at least six copies of the HER-2 gene should be identified for a tumor to be considered HER-2 positive. A tumor is considered HER-2 positive using immunohistochemistry (IHC) if at least 30% of the cells exhibit complete membrane staining. All patients with breast cancer should have their tumors tested for HER-2 expression by either IHC or FISH/CISH to determine eligibility for HER-2–directed therapy [1]. The initial clinical trials of trastuzumab monoclonal antibody therapy (Herceptin ; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) relied on IHC testing of HER-2 expression in breast cancer tissue using the antibodies 4D5 and CB11. Based on retrospective analyses of archived tissue from patients treated with trastuzumab in clinical trials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved several IHC and FISH assays for selecting breast cancer patients for HER2–targeted therapy. Although FISH is highly accurate and more reproducible than IHC, both assays are commonly used in the clinic. All laboratories offering HER-2 testing for patient care should follow the guidelines published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the College of American Pathologists [1]. It is hoped that these guidelines will improve the accuracy of HER-2 testing in breast cancer and allow proper patient selection for HER-2–targeted therapy.
Postcards as representation of a destination image: The case of Berlin

The study adopted a qualitative approach to assess the role of postcards in representing a destination image. Twenty-five postcard racks were sampled in a variety of retail outlets in Berlin, using an observation and photography of the postcards. The 150 postcards sampled were analyzed and sorted according to the pictorial content and other iconic symbols featured on the postcards using certain photographic typologies employed in previous research. The findings revealed that unlike many other large metropolitan cities, Berlin was distinctively represented in its postcards. The analysis concluded that the postcards lacked human portrayal and featured a limited sample of its cultural and heritage attractions. Instead, the majority of the postcards featured Cold War themes, as well as generic icons and legendary mascots of the city. The lack of a focus representation of contemporary Berlin in tourists’ postcards may be explained by Berlin’s historical, economic, political, and social background. Recommendati...
Genome-wide interplay between chromatin and the transcription machinery

With the advent of high throughput and high resolution genome-wide protein-DNA detection assays, the inter-relationships between chromatin and the transcription machinery are now becoming clearer. Here I will discuss our recent findings using MNase ChIP-seq to map nucleosome positions, and an ultra-high resolution mapping technique called ChIP-exo that we recently developed (Rhee and Pugh, Cell 2011 14:1408). What is apparent from these studies is the following: 1) transcription factors bind to many more locations in the genome than previously appreciated. 2) transcription complexes form at the interface between nucleosomes and nucleosome-free promoter regions. 3) Chromatin remodeling complexes target specific nucleosome positions, working in concert to organize nucleosomes at the beginning and end of genes. Many remodeler subunits interact asymmetrically with the nucleosome core across the genome, which may be important for the directional passage of RNA polymerase II.
Fate of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance genes in simulated swine manure storage.

article The behavior of three antibiotics (bacitracin, chlortetracycline, and tylosin) and two classes of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), tet and erm, were monitored in swine manure slurry under anaerobic conditions. First-orderdecayrateswere determinedforeach antibioticwith half-livesrangingfrom1 day(chlortetracycline) to 10 days (tylosin). ARGs were monitored in the swine manure slurry, and losses of approximately 1 to 3 orders of magnitude in relative abundance were observed during the 40 day storage period. First-order degradation profiles were observed for chlortetracycline and its corresponding resistance genes, tet(X) and tet(Q). Tylosin was degraded to approximately 10% of the starting concentration by day 40; however, the relative abundance oferm(B) remained at 50-60% of theinitial relative abundancewhile therelativeabundance of erm(F) decreased by 80-90%, consistent with tylosin. These results indicate that tet resistance genes respond primarily to chlortet-
Reasons Why Eligible Candidates Decline Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement.

Abstract Background A greater understanding of how beliefs and perceptions inform LVAD placement refusals can help ensure that standards for informed decision making are met. We report on the factors that influence refusal and what accounts for changes in decliners' decision-making process when, and if, that occurs. Method and Results We identified candidates (8 bridge to transplant; 6 destination therapy, 7 without designation) who declined LVAD placement (n = 21), 11 of whom were identified prospectively from February 2014 to March 2015, and 10 of whom were identified retrospectively with the use of our program database. Of these 21 decliners, 11 candidates persistently declined LVAD placement, with a median time of 175 days elapsing between time of LVAD offer and March 4, 2015. Ten candidates declined for an average of 224 days before agreeing to LVAD placement. From March 2014 to March 2015, we conducted structured interviews with LVAD decliners. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed quantitatively with the use of Atlas.ti. The findings reflect that refusal can evolve over time. Decliners report that their initial refusals were made reflexively, but the 10 decliners who ultimately opted for LVAD placement changed their decisions as symptoms worsened. Decliners have concerns about the impacts of LVAD treatment on mobility, and they distrust LVAD technology. Some decliners believe LVAD placement would affect their ability to receive a transplant. Finally, decliners believe that they are not sick enough for LVAD placement when they are stabilized with medical management. Conclusions Decliners' perspectives are integral for improving informed consent and refusal processes. Our analysis revealed decliners' decision-making processes and factors influencing their decisions. We provide several clinically based practical recommendations based on our findings.
Fifty Years of Clinical Chemistry

This issue marks the start of this Journal’s 50th year of continuous publication. A look back at our first volumes shows how much has changed over the past five decades and reveals interests that have stayed the same. In 1955, Clinical Chemistry was published bimonthly and comprised just over 400 pages. In the early years, articles describing new methods or new investigations were less common than now, with reviews and meeting reports filling many of the pages. Many of the papers, however, were devoted to general topics still very much of interest to current readers—lipids, endocrinology, protein markers, and advances in methodology. As with any scientific journal, the contents of Clinical Chemistry mirror activities in the field and play an important role in defining the scope of the field. Readers comparing the contents of the current issue with those of the first volume will readily grasp the evolution of clinical chemistry into new areas. Papers on molecular diagnostics, genomics, and proteomics now fill a major portion of our pages. In this post-genomic age, it is easy to forget that the structure of DNA was elucidated just a few months before the founding of this Journal. Although clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine have a foundation dating back centuries, they are relatively young as disciplines. Only through biomedical research occurring at the time of this Journal’s founding were modern clinical laboratories established (1). This Journal has grown with those laboratories, and it has expanded the definition of “clinical chemistry”. Today’s medical decisions have a greater reliance on laboratory measurements than they did just a decade ago, much less …
Using Gall Wasps on Oaks to Test Broad Ecological Concepts

Planning conservation of insect herbivores requires knowing what needs to be conserved and developing a set of predictor variables that aid management. We conducted a state-wide survey to examine the species richness of gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) on six oak species dominant in the threatened scrub-oak vegetation in peninsular Florida. Eighty-eight cynipid species were recorded; 23 were new species to Florida (a 35% increase), including 17 species new to science and 6 species newly recorded in the state. Th ec ynipid species represented 68% of cynipids of Florida, on only 24% of oak species sampled. This fauna represents a hotspot of richness, justifying conservation initiatives in scrub-oak habitat and throughout the state. We derived predictor variables from general ecological concepts: (1) the theory of island biogeography that insect species richness increases as host plant geographic area increases and as local abundance increases, (2) the plant-architecture hypothesis that insect species richness increases with increased plant size, and (3) phytochemical patterns in leaves, including nutrients and digestibility reducers predicting suitability for insect herbivores. Concepts 1 and 2, developed for large scales and species numbers, were tested at smaller scales relevant to much conservation research and management. A stepwise multiple regression including all predictor variables accounted for 99% of the variance in cynipid species richness with three variables: foliar hemicellulose concentration (81%), host geographic area (16%), and tree height (2%). The trends were negative, however, and opposite to those predicted by concepts 1 and 2. Ecological theory was not applicable to discovery of predictors of cynipid species richness on six oak species. Thus, we promote caution in applying ecological theory to a narrow set of species without specific testing of how patterns conform to theoretical predictions.
Radar cross-section reduction via route planning and intelligent control

Establishes a methodology for minimizing the peak and/or aggregate radar cross sections (RCSs) of autonomous precision guided munitions (APGMs) as they ingress to a selected target through a radar threat environment. This research demonstrates how route planning may be combined with the simultaneous specification of aerodynamically feasible yaw and bank angles to significantly reduce APGM observability. The approach described in the paper has the potential to considerably enhance APGM effectiveness against enemy defense systems.
Erratum to ‘Which extramural scientists were funded by the US National Institutes of Health from its ARRA funds?’

The US National Institutes of Health distributed US$10 billion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) research funds among principal investigators (PIs) in 2009–10. We studied how well the program created and retained jobs. To analyze the distribution of ARRA funding among PIs, we categorized them on the basis of their history of research funding, and the type of funding (ARRA and non-ARRA), each received in 2009 and 2010. These classifications provide insights into who received ARRA funding and how many research PI jobs were created or retained. We found that most recipients of ARRA awards already had grants and that new and retained PIs received relatively small shares of ARRA funds. Of 13,000 PIs, only 3,000 were created or retained, while the other 10,000 received additional funding. The ARRA was more efficient in creating PIs than the comparable budget doubling period. But, the PI job effect did not last.
Less isn't always more.

A favorite experiment of RNA scientists is the “cutdown” or “boundary” experiment where an RNA of interest is truncated from its 5′ or 3′ end and the function of the smaller molecules evaluated. Such experiments often reveal that only a small part of a large RNA molecule is needed for the function of interest. In addition, by reducing the number of alternative conformational states that can plague RNA preparations, truncated RNAs that emerge from boundary experiments are often more active than the original molecule. A common complication in the interpretation of boundary experiments arises from the general way in which RNAs fold into their active structures. As we all know, RNA secondary structure elements often form between two or more parts of the molecule that are quite distant on the primary sequence. A boundary experiment performed on an RNA containing a critical long-range secondary structure element will identify as essential all of the RNA between the 3′-most and 5′-most parts of the element, even if much of the internal sequence is not important for function. This complication can be resolved by comparing several active sequences, deducing a consensus secondary structure, and preparing an appropriate internal deletion. This classic combination of cutdowns and internal deletions has been used to define the minimal RNA binding sequences of many different proteins and small molecules, establish RNA regulatory regions and define catalytic RNA motifs.
The immediacy of the artist's mark in shape computation

This paper contributes to the area of computation in the production of artistic form. The author-artist describes a computational system in the form of a curvilinear, parametric shape grammar. Based on an analysis of over 3,000 entries in her traditionally hand-drawn sketchbooks, she describes the grammar that synthesizes drawings in the design language of her evolving style and serves as a tool for self-understanding of her artistic process.
Structural and dynamics characterization of norovirus protease.

Norovirus protease is an essential enzyme for proteolytic maturation of norovirus nonstructural proteins and has been implicated as a potential target for antiviral drug development. Although X-ray structural studies of the protease give us wealth of structural information including interactions of the protease with its substrate and dimeric overall structure, the role of protein dynamics in the substrate recognition and the biological relevance of the protease dimer remain unclear. Here we determined the solution NMR structure of the 3C-like protease from Norwalk virus (NV 3CLpro), a prototype strain of norovirus, and analyzed its backbone dynamics and hydrodynamic behavior in solution. 15N spin relaxation and analytical ultracentrifugation analyses demonstrate that NV 3CLpro is predominantly a monomer in solution. Solution structure of NV 3CLpro shows significant structural variation in C-terminal domain compared with crystal structures and among lower energy structure ensembles. Also, 15N spin relaxation and Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG)-based relaxation dispersion analyses reveal the dynamic properties of residues in the C-terminal domain over a wide range of timescales. In particular, the long loop spanning residues T123–G133 show fast motion (ps-ns), and the residues in the bII–cII region forming the large hydrophobic pocket (S2 site) undergo conformational exchanges on slower timescales (μs–ms), suggesting their important role in substrate recognition.
The design of low noise amplifier based on BSIM3v3 model

A BSIM3 CMOS RF model is presented for RF circuit design. The high-frequency CMOS model is based on BSIM3v3, by adding some lumped passive components to describe the microwave behaviors. A low noise amplifier has been were designed based on this model and implemented in a 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS Process. The results show the accuracy of the model to measured data on both device and circuit level.
Range shifts and species diversity in marine ecosystem engineers: patterns and predictions for European sedimentary habitats

Aim Ecosystem engineering polychaetes in the genus Diopatra are undergoing range shifts in western Europe. Here we: (1) assess the species diversity underlying these shifts; (2) link biogeographic patterns to sea surface temperature patterns; and (3) predict possible ecosystem-level outcomes of Diopatra's northward expansion. Location Western Europe. Methods We use molecular phylogenetic and morphological evidence to assess species diversity and biogeographic ranges. Using regression tree analyses, we assess thermal limits for two Diopatra species. We compare biogeographic patterns with historical sea surface temperature patterns to draw links between range shifts and climate change. Finally, we review published data to predict potential ecological changes as Diopatra invades new habitats. Results The native Diopatra neapolitana range has contracted 130 km to the south. A cryptogenic species, Diopatra sp. A, has extended the northern limit of the genus 350 km to the southern Brittany Peninsula. Both shifts can be explained by historical sea surface temperature anomalies. The Diopatra sp. A expansion is predicted to continue into the English Channel and the North Sea, introducing large tube structures to sheltered sedimentary habitats that currently lack such structures. Main conclusions As climate change intensifies, the sediment-stabilizing Diopatra sp. A will invade habitats dominated by the bioturbating lugworm Arenicola marina. The resulting interaction between functionally different ecosystem engineers will probably cause ecological changes in northern European coastal waters. Existing data for Diopatra species and arenicolids suggest that the diversity and biomass of macroalgae, vascular plants, infauna and epibenthic fauna may increase, while microbial activity may decrease. Net changes in productivity will depend on the relative rates of these changes.
Lecture Notes on CMB Theory: From Nucleosynthesis to Recombination

These lecture notes comprise an informal but pedagogical introduction to the well established physics and phenomenology of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) between big bang nucleosynthesis and recombination. The dominant properties of the spectrum, temperature anisotropy and polarization anisotropy of the CMB all arise from this period. We review the physical processes involved and show how they are related to the observed phenomenology.
All-fiber-optic quantum random number generator

We built an all-fiber random number generator based on polarization-entangled photons that generates high-quality cryptographic random numbers. This setup allows active monitoring of the randomness and independent physics-based testing.
Using Trusted Email to Prevent Credit Card Frauds in Multimedia Products

This paper focuses on credit card fraud in Multimedia Products, which are soft-products. By soft-products, we mean intangible products that can be used and consumed without having them shipped physically, such as software, music and calling cards (calling time). The demand for soft-products, mainly Multimedia Products, on the Internet has grown in the last few years and is rapidly increasing. Credit card fraudulent transactions on such products are very easy to conduct, while very difficult to recover, compared to the fraud cases in hard-products transactions. This paper classifies the types of products sold on the Internet, and the usual fraud occurred in each type. It summarizes some of the existing best practices to prevent credit card fraud. Finally, it introduces the use of a Trusted Email as a way to authenticate the customer and to simulate his/her physical address (since on these products no actual shipping will happen).
Working at the Base of the Pyramid

Despite efforts to the contrary, global poverty is still an issue, because almost two billion people still live in abject poverty, and another two billion live on the economic margins of survivability, even by local standards. This chapter describes three efforts to change these statistics: the work of Hindustan Lever in India to provide affordable products and jobs to the poorest villages, the well-known work of Mohammed Yunus in Bangladesh to take over six million families there out of-poverty, and E-Choupal, an ongoing effort to improve communication facilities between farmers in remote villages, allowing them to sell their products where they are needed rather than creating surpluses or shortages in various area.
Non-human Primate Lymphocryptoviruses: Past, Present, and Future

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) orthologues from non-human primates (NHPs) have been studied for nearly as long as EBV itself. Cross-reactive sera and DNA hybridization studies provided the first glimpses of the closely related herpesviruses that belonged to the same gamma-1 herpesvirus, or lymphocryptovirus, genus, as EBV. Over the years, detailed molecular and sequence analyses of LCVs that infect humans and other NHPs revealed similar colinear genome structures and homologous viral proteins expressed during latent and lytic infection. Despite these similarities, experimental infection of NHPs with EBV did not result in acute symptoms or persistent infection as observed in humans, suggesting some degree of host species restriction. Genome sequencing and a molecular clone of an LCV isolate from naturally infected rhesus macaques combined with domestic colonies of LCV-naive rhesus macaques have opened the door to a unique experimental animal model that accurately reproduces the normal transmission, acute viremia, lifelong persistence, and immune responses found in EBV-infected humans. This chapter will summarize the advances made over the last 50 years in our understanding of LCVs that naturally infect both Old and New World NHPs, the recent, groundbreaking developments in the use of rhesus macaques as an animal model for EBV infection, and how NHP LCVs and the rhLCV animal model can advance future EBV research and the development of an EBV vaccine.