cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
P250 Reporting potential donor specific antibodies (DSAS) to aid clinicians’ choice of recipients for deceased donor kidney transplant

Aim A virtual crossmatch determines which recipients are eligible for a deceased donor kidney based on UNET unacceptable antigens. The MFI threshold for unacceptable antigens is often higher than what most labs consider to be positive (e.g. 1000 MFI). Clinicians are interested in knowing whether DSAs below the threshold are present so immunosuppression protocols can be altered or, if several are present, they should rule out a patient for transplant. What is the mechanism for reporting to clinicians the presence of potential DSAs during deceased donor kidney allocation?. Methods The Laboratory of Immunogenetics & Transplant (LIT) serves three kidney transplant centers and the local organ procurement organization. Waitlist patients are screened yearly by One Lambda Single Antigen I/II beads. Unacceptable antigen (UA) cutoffs are 3000-5000MFI, while single antigen beads >1000 MFI are assigned as positive with a few exceptions. During deceased donor evaluation, LIT technologists complete HLA-specific data entry into DonorNet and perform the matchrun. Using LIT-specific Histotrac programming, LIT runs exclusion algorithms for local protocols, choses the top candidates to crossmatch, and creates a Virtual XM report. Two centers use a protocol to avoid unacceptable antigens with additive MFIs >3000. We reviewed matchruns, virtual crossmatch exclusions, and transplants from March 2015 to Febuary 2017. Results In two years of cases, 332 kidney matchruns were evaluated: 286 local matchruns were performed while 46 import donors were evaluated. Consequently, 2288 patient-donor pairs were reviewed by virtual crossmatch. Patients were ruled out due to additive DSAs in 17 (0.7%) patient-donor pairs. Two-thirds of patients who were transplanted with a deceased donor kidney had a 0% cPRA while 5% had cPRA 98–100%. Positive virtual crossmatches prompted additional review of UA and antibody history. Conclusions The laboratory staff is responsible for completing deceased donor matchruns and generating a virtual crossmatch report, thus providing a streamlined approach to deceased donor evaluations. The virtual crossmatch report is essential for clinicians’ center-specific algorithms, induction protocols, and assessing risk for kidney candidates in the presence of potential DSA.
Bijou (Wakefield Poole, 1972)

ABSTRACTThis article considers how the 1972 film Bijou works as a gay art porn film. It argues that the film draws from conventions of both hardcore cinema and postwar underground cinema, bringing the denotative qualities of hardcore into play with the connotative qualities of what P. Adams Sitney called the ‘trance film’. Through an exploration of Linda Williams’ concept ‘hard-core eroticism’, this article examines how Bijou expands on the common trance film trope of the male-desiring wanderer, and how it modulates the connotative focus and sustains the aestheticism of the trance film in order to draw attention to more polymorphously perverse ways of thinking about socio-sexual activity.
Managing Service-Specific and Open-Posting Block Sizes when Allocating Operating Room Time

The perioperative services (periop) manager establishes policies to manage the operating room (OR) resources that affect both patient and surgeon satisfaction with the hospital's service. Both the ...
Visible-telecom photon pair generation with silicon nitride nanophotonics

We demonstrate a silicon nanophotonic chip that generates high-quality, narrow-linewidth photon pairs that link the visible and telecommunications bands. This device has potential for use in communication and entanglement of remote quantum systems.
Clinical Use of Cardiac Assist Devices

Considerable experience has been gained in the clinical use of cardiac assist devices at Baylor. Since 1971, close to 2000 intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) have been used. The roller pump was used primarily for post-cardiotomy ventricular support in 94 patients. The DeBakey ventricular assist device was used back in the 1960s in six patients, with two long-term survivors. Symbion/Jarvik total artificial hearts were used as a bridge to heart transplantation in four patients. The period of pumping varied from 3 to 105 days. The Novacor electric ventricular assist device was implanted in a total of 15 patients with ages ranging from 16 to 66 years; the pumping duration was from 1 to 155 days. Six of these patients required a BioMedicus right heart support. Of the 15 patients, 4 died on the device. There were 11 transplants; of these 11 patients, eight survived (73%). The time to transplant varied from 5 to 108 days. BioMedicus pumps were used in 148 patients aged from 15 to 84 years. The reasons for the assist were: postcardiotomy in 89, acute myocardial infarction (MI) in 9, cardiac graft failure in 21, bridge to transplant in 14, post percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in 2, and other in 12. Overall, 50% of the patients died on the device, and 50% were weaned. Fifty percent died after weaning from the device, and overall discharge was 23%. These experiences indicate that circulatory assistance is feasible and effective. Mortality and complications are considerable, depending upon the stage of the patient at the time of the implant. These experiences indicate that earlier application of these devices are recommended for satisfactory outcome.
Validation of Computational Fluid Dynamics Models for Evaluating Loose-Fitting Powered Air-Purifying Respirators

Loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) are used in healthcare settings to reduce exposure to high-risk respiratory pathogens. Innovative computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models were developed for evaluating loose-fitting PAPR performance. However, the computational results of the CFD models have not been validated using actual experimental data.
Topology Optimization of Solid Rocket Fuel

This paper investigates possible improvements in the combustion properties of multicomponent solid propellants through the application of topology optimization methods to representative volume elem...
The Intersection of Task-Based Interaction, Task Complexity, and Working Memory: L2 Question Development through Recasts in a Laboratory Setting.

The extent to which individual differences in cognitive abilities affect the relationship among task complexity, attention to form, and second language development has been addressed only minimally in the cognition hypothesis literature. The present study explores how reasoning demands in tasks and working memory (WM) capacity predict learners’ ability to notice English question structures provided in the form of recasts and how this contributes to subsequent development of English question formation. Eighty-one nonnative speakers of English completed three interactive tasks with a native speaker interlocutor, one WM task, and three oral production tests. Prior to the first interactive task, participants were randomly assigned to a task group (simple or complex). During task performance, all learners were provided with recasts targeting errors in question formation. The results showed that learners’ cognitive processes during tasks were in line with the cognitive demands of the tasks, at two complexity levels. The findings suggest that WM was the only significant predictor of the amount of noticing of recasts as well as of learners’ question development. With regard to interaction effects between WM and task complexity, high WM learners who carried out a complex version of the tasks benefitted the most from task-based interaction.
An atlas of notochord and somite morphogenesis in several anuran and urodelean amphibians

SUMMARY A scanning electron microscopic, comparative survey of notochord and somite formation including some details of change in cell morphology and arrangement, was made of selected stages of two species of anuran amphibians {Xenopus laevis and Rana pipiens) and two speciesof urodeles (Ambystoma mexicanum and Pleurodeles wait Hi). The ectoderm or neural plate was removed from fixed embryos and the dorsal aspect of the developing notochord and somite mesoderm was photographed. Micrographs of comparable stages of all species were arranged together to form an atlas of notochord and somite formation. Similar morphogenetic events occur in the same sequence in the four species. Notochordal cells become distinguishable from paraxial mesodermal cells by shape, closeness of packing, and arrangement. Notochordal elongation is accompanied by a decrease in cross-sectional area and by cell rearrangement. Somitic mesoderm becomes distinguished from lateral mesoderm by a change in cell shape and orientation, followed by segmentation of somites. The schedule of somite formation was compared and related to the staging series for each species. The urodeles differ from the anurans in that the notochordal region in the early neurula stages is triangular, with the broadest part in the posterior region of the embryo. In anurans it is uniform in width. This difference may reflect differences in gastrulation and in the mechanism of elongation of the posterior part of the embryo in the neurula.
Chapter 12 – Error Correction Coding

Publisher Summary This chapter throws light on the topics of correction coding and decoding. It is a complex domain which has its own mathematics set. The knowledge of probability and statistics theory helps in coding of quantifying performance. The issue of coding and decoding also leads us to discover the ways to correct errors, and the reason whys and hows of its occurrence. Noise is an unavoidable error factor which is present in all the systems. The chapter therefore undertakes issues on different types of encoding and decoding, used in different transmission mediums for transmitting information. Better performance being the goal, the measurement of it is carried out by dividing total signal power by rate of information carrying bits. Sailing through different theories of encoding and decoding is observed each of which is built upon the advantages of the other. At the later stages, the chapter looks at Cyclic redundancy check, Shannon capacity and limit theorems which enlighten readers on the issues of channel bandwidth, data rate, and signal to noise ratios.
Associations Between Dietary Patterns and Subclinical Cardiac Injury: An Observational Analysis From the DASH Trial.

This analysis of data from an 8-week dietary feeding trial examines whether diets rich in fruits and vegetables affect biomarkers indicative of subclinical cardiac damage in adults without preexist...
Care quality and outcomes among US veterans with chronic hepatitis B in the hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral era.

Adherence to guideline-recommended hepatitis B virus (HBV) care is suboptimal. We hypothesized that national hepatitis C eradication efforts during the era from 2015 to 2017 would improve the quality of care for cHBV given increased recognition and specialty referrals for liver disease. The study described herein is a retrospective cohort study of veterans with at least one positive HBsAg (HBsAg+) result from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2017 using the VA Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) analysed by era (2003-2004, 2005-2009, 2010-2014, 2015-2017). Relevant covariates such as HCV co-infection, demographics, cirrhosis and baseline laboratory testing were obtained through previously validated approaches. We evaluated completion of process measures within 2 years of the index HBsAg + result: specialty care referral; testing of ALT, HBV-DNA, HBeAg and anti-HBe; testing for co-infection and/or vaccination for HAV, HCV, HDV and HIV; and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance among those meeting criteria. We also measured use of antiviral therapy in appropriate candidates (ALT ≥ 2 × ULN, HBV-DNA ≥ 2000 IU/mL). Of the 16 673 individuals with HBsAg + test results, 9,521 were confirmed as chronic HBV. Era-related (Era 3:2010-2014 vs Era 4:2015-2017) increases in guideline-recommended process measures included the following: outpatient visits with GI/ID specialists (78%-89%), HBV-DNA testing (73%-79%), HDV testing (27%-35%), appropriate HBV antiviral utilization (55%-70%) and HCC surveillance (40%-43%); all P < .0001. In the subset of HBV/HCV-co-infected patients, HCV DAA therapy was associated with a trend towards improved overall survival. In conclusion, the overall quality of care for HBV has significantly improved in the era of widespread HCV DAA therapy in an integrated health system possibly due to increased recognition and referral for liver disease.
The Telehealth Ten: A Guide for a Patient-Assisted Virtual Physical Examination.

Abstract Given the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to keep vulnerable people at home to decrease risk of virus transmission, there has been a rapid rise in use of virtual, or telehealth, visits. A new reliance on telehealth requires many clinicians to develop skills to obtain objective information from these types of visits. We propose the “Telehealth Ten”, which is a patient-assisted clinical examination to help guide clinicians through this new territory. Adapting to this new reality takes time and requires future investigation.
EZLDA: Efficient and Scalable LDA on GPUs.

LDA is a statistical approach for topic modeling with a wide range of applications. However, there exist very few attempts to accelerate LDA on GPUs which come with exceptional computing and memory throughput capabilities. To this end, we introduce EZLDA which achieves efficient and scalable LDA training on GPUs with the following three contributions: First, EZLDA introduces three-branch sampling method which takes advantage of the convergence heterogeneity of various tokens to reduce the redundant sampling task. Second, to enable sparsity-aware format for both D and W on GPUs with fast sampling and updating, we introduce hybrid format for W along with corresponding token partition to T and inverted index designs. Third, we design a hierarchical workload balancing solution to address the extremely skewed workload imbalance problem on GPU and scaleEZLDA across multiple GPUs. Taken together, EZLDA achieves superior performance over the state-of-the-art attempts with lower memory consumption.
Eros and the Woman Writer: Conversing with the Spirits of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Charlotte Brontë, and E. Nesbit

In this chapter, Renk argues that Polly Teale’s Bronte, Michele Roberts’s The Mistressclass, and Byatt’s Possession and The Children’s Book talk back to the spirits of Barrett Browning, Charlotte Bronte, and E. Nesbit. Neo-Victorian works focus on the obstacles that women writers confronted as they created their art. Such obstacles include the extent to which a woman can be a writer and a dutiful woman, the ways in which women writers had to acknowledge, address, and overcome male influence while endeavoring to discover a literary realm of their own, as well as the ways they needed to confront the perception of the woman writer as an unfeminine “monster.” Neo-Victorian writers also underscore a type of philia, a female bond that resembles Adrienne Rich’s lesbian continuum.
Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a process that encompasses extensive transcriptional reprogramming of activated endothelial cells leading to a shift toward mesenchymal cellular phe...
Dyspnea, Acute Respiratory Failure, Psychological Trauma, and Post-ICU Mental Health: A caution and a call for research.

Dyspnea is an uncomfortable sensation with the potential to cause psychological trauma. Patients presenting with acute respiratory failure, particularly when tidal volume is restricted during mechanical ventilation, may experience the most distressing form of dyspnea known as air hunger. Air hunger activates brain pathways known to be involved in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. These conditions are considered part of the post-intensive care syndrome. These sequelae may be even more prevalent among patients with ARDS. Low tidal volume, a mainstay of modern therapy for ARDS, is difficult to avoid and is likely to cause air hunger despite sedation. Adjunctive neuromuscular blockade does not prevent or relieve air hunger, but it does prevent the patient from communicating discomfort to caregivers. Consequently, paralysis may also contribute to the development of PTSD. Although research has identified post-ARDS PTSD as a cause for concern, and investigators have taken steps to quantify the burden of disease, there is little information to guide mechanical ventilation strategies designed to reduce its occurrence. We suggest such efforts will be more successful if they are directed at the known mechanisms of air hunger. Investigation of the antidyspnea effects of sedative and analgesic drugs commonly used in the ICU and their impact on post-ARDS PTSD symptoms is a logical next step. Although in practice we often accept negative consequences of life-saving therapies as unavoidable, we must understand the negative sequelae of our therapies and work to minimize them under our primary directive to "first, do no harm" to patients.
Implementation of a Grid-Tied Secure Reconfigurable Power Converter

In power converter designs embedding security is essential to protect the device from physical and network attacks, and to provide secure communication between Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and power system operators. The communication-based cyber-attacks such as physical access to a network and remote networked attacks compromise the signals, reverse engineer and inject faults. The resource-constrained terminal devices such as smart meters, power converters as well as third party appliances open additional opportunities for malicious actors. In this work, we present a low overhead secure communication framework that incorporates processors, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for communication in a grid-tied system. We propose a novel reconfigurable design of a power converter controller to establish secure communication for a grid-tied converter. An open-source Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platform is used to develop the library functions necessary to perform power electronic controls. The FPGA works in conjunction with the integrated TPM to exchange command and feedback signals. Preliminary results of the operation of the controller with a 3-phase inverter feeding power to a resistive load are also presented.
Epistaxis After Orthognathic Surgery: Literature Review and Three Case Studies:

Study Design:This is a literature review with 3 case studies.Objective:Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding are the most common complications of orthognathic surgery and have the potential to ...
Finite Element Analysis to Predict Performance of Flexure Bearing for Space Application

Finite Element Analysis of a flexure bearing used in a cryocooler for space application is a very critical component in determining the working life of cryocoolers. The present study analyzes various significant parameters using the finite element analysis to achieve finite-fatigue life. The infinite fatigue life is necessary to ensure that cryocooler does not fail during the mission life of the satellite. Flexure bearing serves two purposes—(a) maintaining a mean position of a free-piston in linear compressor by providing desired stiffness and (b) avoiding radial deflection of the piston leading to wear and tear. The flexure bearing also ensures oil-less operation of linear compressor since the use of oil in cryocooler may lead to severe damage to the heat exchanger by freezing at cryogenic temperature. This paper considers various essential parameters optimized to achieve—(a) high stiffness (b) load stresses and (c) infinite fatigue life necessary for space application.
Estimation of Singlet Oxygen Quantum Yield Using Novel Green-Absorbing Baird-type Aromatic Photosensitizers†.

We report two new organic green-absorbing singlet oxygen (1 O2 ) photosensitizers: Quinoidal naphthyl thioamide (QDM) and bis-iodol-dipyrrolonaphthyridine-dione (I2 -DPND), with triplet energies of 40.8 and 47.5 kcal mol-1 (at 77 K in a glassy matrix) , respectively. The UV-vis absorption and emission characteristics of QDM and I2 -DPND are similar to other commercially available organic 1 O2 photosensitizers such as Rose Bengal, which was used as standard/reference to estimate the 1 O2 quantum yield (Φ∆ ) of the chromophores under study. Using 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) as an 1 O2 quencher, we estimated the Φ∆ ≈ 67-85% for QDM and Φ∆ ≈ 25-32% for I2 -DPND. The discrepancy in the Φ∆ values could be explained by the apparent photo-decomposition of the later dye. Nevertheless, the high Φ∆ value for QDM is unprecedented, as this chromophore exhibits relatively low structural complexity and could further be derivatized to create novel photodynamic agents.
The Law of Interest versus the Interest of Law, or on Lending to Law Firms

This is a qualitative study of the specialty financing catering to a peculiar niche clientele: American litigation law firms. Although the rise of third-party financing of litigants and lawyers has captured the spotlight in legal practice, academia, and among regulators, what gets the attention is the funding litigants – consumers with personal-injury cases or corporations embroiled in high-stakes disputes. Lending to law firms turns few heads. Misconceived as just another form of plain-vanilla commercial credit, one that gives little reason for either excitement or concern, recourse loans to lawyers might be easy to dismiss. In fact, however, it is an essential part of the United States market for third-party investments in legal claims, and there is more to it than meets the eye. Relying on never-before published empirical data, this paper offers the first in-depth overview of the “ugly duckling” of legal finance. Since the market is still fairly young and not well understood, the focus here is on exploration and thick description of the practice and its standards. The paper examines the role of the financier as an asset manager, showing how he systematically selects, evaluates, prices, and monitors “law-firm assets.” Together with their inventories of pending cases, funded firms become building blocks in a lender’s investment portfolio of indirect legal stakes. The descriptive findings culminate in a more general claim: that law-firm lenders become market insiders, able to build information bridges between in-network lawyers, and that such ability puts the funder in a privileged position. The paper ends by signaling that law-firm funders likely have significantly more influence over funded law practices than previously believed. Scholars and regulators must consider ethical implications of such potential influence, adequately balancing an attorney’s duties to her clients with the justified need for capital.
The long-period semi-detached giant binary system 5 Ceti

The binary system 5 Ceti consists of a K3 III star at or near its Roche lobe and a small hot companion best studied in the satellite ultraviolet. The hot radiation source at the secondary star is immersed in the chromosphere of the K giant, and the slight enhancements of a few UV absorption lines at secondary minimum are used to estimate chromospheric column densities. The variability and flatness of the spectrum is evidence for considering the object a main-sequence star accreting mass by way of Roche-lobe overflow at the rate of 5 X 10 to the minus 7 solar masses/yr. Thus 5 Ceti may represent the elusive rapid stage of mass transfer in which matter is lost from the shrinking Roche lobe of the more massive star. The Fe II UV spectrum in interacting binaries is also discussed.
Effects of Sports Fitness Camp Experience on Locus of Control Orientation in Children, Ages 6 to 14

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine if children, ages 6 to 14, would experience greater internal locus of control as a result of participation in an eight-week sports fitness summer camp program. Locus of control is the belief in one's own capacity to control reinforcements. An internally controlled person perceives himself as being in control of what happens, while an externally controlled individual feels that luck, fate, chance, or powerful forces too complex to understand determine what happens to him. Subjects were 74 boys and 35 girls enrolled in the Emory University Sports Fitness Camp in the summer of 1975. During the first week of the camp, the Children's Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Control Scale (CNS-IE) and a battery of physical fitness tests were administered to the campers. The procedure was repeated at the conclusion of the eight-week program. Results indicated that there were significant changes from an external to an internal locus of control as well as significant...
Hardness of approximating /spl Sigma//sub 2//sup p/ minimization problems

We show that a number of natural optimization problems in the second level of the Polynomial Hierarchy are /spl Sigma//sub 2//sup p/-hard to approximate to within n/sup /spl epsiv// factors, for specific /spl epsiv/>0. The main technical tool is the use of explicit dispersers to achieve strong, direct inapproximability results. The problems we consider include Succinct Set Cover, Minimum Equivalent DNF, and other problems relating to DNF minimization. Under a slightly stronger complexity assumption, our method gives optimal n/sup 1-/spl epsiv// inapproximability results for some of these problems. We also prove inapproximability of a variant of an NP optimization problem, Monotone Minimum Satisfying Assignment, to within an n/sup /spl epsiv// factor using the same technique.
In vivo VL-targeted activation-induced apoptotic supraclonal deletion by a microbial B cell toxin.

To interfere with host immune responses, some microbial pathogens produce proteins with the properties of superantigens, which can interact via conserved V region framework subdomains of the Ag receptors of lymphocytes rather than the complementarity-determining region involved in the binding of conventional Ags. In recent studies, we have elucidated how a model B cell superantigen affects the host immune system by targeting a conserved V H site on the Ag receptors of B lymphocytes. To determine whether these findings represent a general paradigm, we investigated the in vivo immunobiologic properties of protein L of Peptostreptococcus magnus (PpL), a microbial Ig-binding protein specific for a V region site on Ig L chains. Our studies confirmed that PpL binding is restricted to a subset of murine Vκ-expressing B cells, and found that B cells with stronger PpL-binding activity are associated with certain B cell subsets: splenic marginal zone (CD21 high CD23 low ), splenic CD1 + , peritoneal B-1a (IgD low CD5 + ), and CD21 high CD24 high B cells in peripheral lymph nodes, mesenteric lymph nodes, and Peyer’s patches. Infusion of PpL triggered a sequence of events in B cell receptor (BCR)-targeted B cells, with rapid down-regulation of BCR, the induction of an activation phenotype, and limited rounds of proliferation. Apoptosis followed through a process heralded by the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, the induction of the caspase pathway, DNA fragmentation, and the deposition of B cell apoptotic bodies. These studies define a common pathway by which microbial toxins that target V region-associated BCR sites induce programmed cell death.
A HUMAN POPULATION STUDY OF THE GENETIC CONTROL OF X-INACTIVATION

Many X-linked disorders have been reported to manifest to some degree in females. This is due to preferential inactivation of the X-chromosome carrying the normal allele and subsequent expression of the mutant allele in the majority of cells. The determination of which X-chromosome becomes inactivated is believed to be a random event, with each parental X-chromosome having an equal probability of becoming inactivated. However, alleles have been identified in inbred mouse strains that control X chromosome inactivation patterns resulting in varying degrees of skewed X-inactivation ratios. These alleles, termed X-inactivation controlling element (Xce) alleles map to the X-inactivation center (XIC), have only been identified in mice, and effect X-inactivation ratios when they are heterozygous in the mouse. To determine if similar Xce alleles exist in humans, we have identified markers in the X-inactivation center (XIC) and tested these variants with observed X-inactivation ratios. I have sequenced 30 kb of the XIC in 15 unrelated X-chromosomes, identifying 18 single nucleotide changes, and 5 insertion/deletion changes. Interestingly, 11 of the 23 variant sites were only found on two independent chromosomes identifying a distinct haplotype that extends more than 50 kb within the XIC. Further phylogenetic analysis has revealed that all of these variant sites are present in chimpanzee samples revealing an ancient ancestral haplotype. All but one these SNPs are in strong disequilibrium across the XIC.Eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with calculated allele frequencies of between 5% -45%, were genotyped in 560 newborn females. To determine if any of these SNPs identify alleles within the XIC that control X-chromosome inactivation choice I applied the mouse Xce model. This model compares heterozygous genotypes to homozygous genotypes to determine if there is a heterozygous affect on the X-inactivation distribution. Each of the genotyped SNPs were tested and two of the SNPs revealed a significant difference between the XCI distribution variances (pamp;lt; 0.05) with the heterozygous sample distribution exhibiting a greater degree of skewing.
Nuclear transcription factors that bind to elements of the IL-2 promoter. Induction requirements in primary human T cells.

Prior studies have identified several elements that contribute to the activity of the IL-2 promoter in the stimulated T cell line, Jurkat. The sites and their corresponding nuclear binding factors include: NF-kappa B, AP-1, AP-3, OCT-1, and NF-AT. The latter "nuclear factor for activated T cells" likely contributes to the tissue specificity of IL-2 gene expression. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we have studied these transcription factors in primary T cells from human blood to verify their presence in a physiologic setting and to identify the signals that stimulate factor activity. All factors are induced in the nuclei of T cells upon activation with mitogens but not with exogenous IL-2 growth factor. However, the signaling requirements and sensitivity to protein synthesis inhibitors differ considerably. Only the activities for NF-AT and AP-1 sites require two signals for optimal induction, i.e., PMA plus either lectin or antibody to the CD3 or CD28 surface molecules. Other factors are induced by lectin, antibody, and/or PMA alone. After appropriate stimulation, both NF-AT and AP-1 are peculiarly sensitive to the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin. Our data correlate the activity of NF-AT and AP-1 in gel shift assays with the two signals requirements for IL-2 gene expression.
Moral incentives : experimental evidence from repayments of an Islamic credit card

This paper studies the role of morality in the decision to repay debts. Using a field experiment with a large Islamic bank in Indonesia, the paper finds that moral appeals strongly increase credit card repayments. In this setting, all of the bank's late-paying credit card customers receive a basic reminder to repay their debt one day after they miss the payment due date. In addition, two days before the end of a ten-day grace period, clients in a treatment group also receive a text message that cites an Islamic religious text and states that “non-repayment of debts by someone who is able to repay is an injustice.” This message increases the share of customers meeting their minimum payments by nearly 20 percent. By contrast, sending either a simple reminder or an Islamic quote that is unrelated to debt repayment has no effect on the share of customers making the minimum payment. Clients also respond more strongly to this moral appeal than to substantial financial incentives: receiving the religious message increases repayments by more than offering a cash rebate equivalent to 50 percent of the minimum repayment. Finally, the paper finds that removing religious aspects from the quote does not change its effectiveness, suggesting that the moral appeal of the message does not necessarily rely on its religious connotation.
MAX r AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR ALPHA: REVIEW AND UPDATE

Research is cited which points out the shortcomings of coefficient alpha as a measure of internal consistency under certain conditions. Following a review of the recent literature, a new statistical procedure, the max r, is suggested as a suitable alternative.
Measurement of residual glomerular filtration rate in the patient receiving repetitive hemodialysis.

Measurement of residual glomerular filtration rate in the patient receiving repetitive hemodialysis. The objective of the current study was to determine the best index of residual glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by comparing simultaneously measured clearances of inulin, 125 I-iothalamate, endogenous creatinine, urea and 169 ytterbium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid ( 169 YB-DTPA) in patients receiving repetitive hemodialysis. In patients with GFR 10ml/min, 125 I-iothalamate clearance showed the best correlation with inulin clearance. However, creatinine clearance correlated better with inulin clearance than urea clearance and as well as urea + creatinine/2. In the patients with measured GFR 125 I-iothalamate, creatinine, urea and urea + creatinine/two clearances with inulin clearance was satisfactory. Similarly, satisfactory correlations were obtained when the relationships were examined across the entire range of measured clearances Mesure de la filtration glomerulaire residuelle chez les malades en hemodialyse chronique. L'objectif de ce travail est de determiner le meilleur indicateur de filtration glomerulaire (GFR) par la comparaison des clearances simultanees de l'inuline, du 125 I-iothalamate, de la creatinine endogene, dede l'uree, et de l'acide diethylenetriaminepentaacetique marque par l'ytterbium 169 ( 169 YB-DTPA) chez les malades en hemodialyse chronique. Pour les GFR compris entre 1 et 50ml/min, la clearance de 125 l-iothalamate est la mieux correlee avec celle de l'inuline. La clearance de la creatinine est mieux correlee avec celle de l'inuline que ne l'est la clearance de l'uree ou la moitie de la somme des clearances de l'uree et de la creatinine. Pour les GFR inferieurs a 10ml/min la correlation des clearances de 125 I-iothalamate, creatinine, uree, et uree + creatinine/deux avec celle de l'inuline est satisfaisante. De la meme facon, une correlation satisfaisante est obtenue quand la relation est etudiee pour l'ensemble des valeurs inferieures a 50ml/min. Une methode simple et pratique de mesure precise et repetitive de GFR chez les malades en hemodialyse chronique est decrite.
The free energy, enthalpy and entropy of native and of partially denatured closed circular DNA

We have used gel electrophoresis to measure the progress of local denaturation in closed circular pBR322 DNA as a function of temperature and linking deficiency, delta Lk. Local denaturation is closely coupled to supercoiling in closed DNA, requiring statistical mechanical methods for analysis. We have applied these methods to the experimental data to evaluate the free energies for three associated molecular processes. These processes are changes in the residual linking deficiency, delta Lkr, initiation of local denaturation, and twisting of denatured strands about one another. Our results confirm the quadratic dependence of the supercoiling free energy upon delta Lk, with a free energy coefficient of 740/N kcal/mol at 37 degrees C, where N is the number of base-pairs. The free energy of initiation of denaturation is 10.2(+/- 0.7) kcal/mol. The free energy of interstrand twisting of denatured regions varies with the square of the twist density, with proportionality coefficient C tau = 1.62 (+/- 0.11) kcal/rad2 at 37 degrees C. We have also calculated the entropy and enthalpy of these three processes, using the temperature dependence of the respective free energies. We find that both the entropy and the enthalpy of supercoiling are positive and vary quadratically with delta Lk. The free energy of initiation of denaturation is independent of temperature, hence arises primarily from a change in enthalpy. The entropy and enthalpy of interstrand twisting of denatured regions are both positive, and the twisting force constant decreases with temperature. These results differ considerably from expectations based solely upon considerations of chain configuration in vacuo, indicating the importance of solvent-dependent factors in determining the structure of closed circular DNA.
Design of Optimal Perpetual Pavement Structure

In this study, combinations of layer, stiffness, and thickness that produce an optimal perpetual pavement are determined for implementation on New Mexico State highways. Using a number of trial des...
Achievable throughput in duty-cycled wireless networks

Capacity studies for wireless networks typically focus on scheduling of transmissions but rarely on scheduling of radio sleep-wakeup. We show that in a multi-hop network setting the duty-cycling of radios results in a per-node throughput capacity of Θ(W ψ√log n/√n) as opposed to Θ(W ψ/√ n log n) where ψ is the fraction of time each node radio is active. Likewise, in a single-hop clique network the duty-cycling of radios results in a per-node throughput capacity of Θ (Wψ), as opposed to Θ(Wψ/n). These capacity gains of Θ(log n) and Θ(n) respectively result from spreading interference over time. They emphasizes the importance of efficient co-scheduling of transmissions and sleep-wakeup, which is normally a function of the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. We also examine how well canonical classes of duty-cycled MAC protocols achieve throughput capacity. In particular, we abstract four schedulers, each of which represents several well-used MAC schedulers, namely sender-centric synchronous (e.g. S-MAC, T-MAC, SCP-MAC), receiver-centric synchronous (e.g. O-MAC), sender-centric asynchronous (e.g. B-MAC, X-MAC, BoX-MAC), and receiver-centric asynchronous (e.g. RI-MAC). We compare the achievable throughput of these schedulers analytically; extensive experiments are then performed to corroborate our MAC analysis. The findings strongly suggest that out of the four classes receiver-centric synchronous scheme yields the smallest gap between existing MACs and the optimal scheduler.
A High Performance Ti-Indiffused Lithium-Niobate Multi-Function Integrated-Optic Chip For Gyro Applications

In this way a significant reduction of size over gyros employ-ing all discrete components is realized. Additionally, volume produc-tion compatible chip fabrication should provide considerable costreductions.To be practically useful, an MFIOC should incorporate a 3 -dB powersplitter, a polarizer and electrodes for phase modulation. Of thevarious designs proposed to achieve this [1 -3,6], that typified byBristow [1] and Lefevre [6] offers, simultaneously, the highest polar-ization extinction ratio and single spatial mode filtering. In addi-tion, their use of Y- junction implemented beam division most nearlyguarantees 50 -50 power splitting.In this paper we report on a variation of the Y- junction design fabri-cated on x -cut lithium -niobate for use at 1300 nm. Design goals arediscussed and a detailed description of the fabricated device isgiven. Test results are presented and device performance is comparedto the design objectives.2. DESIGN GOALSTo achieve optimum gyro operation the MFIOC, shown located within aminimum reciprocal configuration gyro in figure 1, must satisfy sev-eral performance specifications. These may be grouped into four cate-gories: waveguide characteristics, modulator performance, polarizationproperties, and fiber interconnect performance. Design goals for agyro currently being investigated at Honeywell will serve as an
INSIGHT: understanding unexpected behaviours in agent-based simulations

Unexpected behaviours in simulations require explanation, so that decision-makers and subject matter experts can separate valid behaviours from design or coding errors. Validation of unexpected behaviours requires accumulation of insight into the behaviour and the conditions under which it arises. Agent-based simulations are known for unexpected behaviours that emerge as the simulation executes. To facilitate user exploration, analysis, understanding and insight of unexpected behaviours, we have developed a novel semi-automated methodology, INSIGHT. INSIGHT provides: (1) semi-automatic hypothesis testing for exploring an unexpected behaviour, and (2) automatic identification of statements in an agent-based simulation's source code which have the strongest influence on an unexpected behaviour. INSIGHT is applicable to both deterministic and stochastic agent-based simulations and extends the state of the art in agent-based simulation analysis.
Identification of volatile iron species generated by UV photolysis

Abstract The volatile products of photochemical generation (PVG) of iron from solutions of formic and acetic acids were examined by GC-MS. Iron pentacarbonyl was the sole analytical species detected in both cases, as confirmed by comparison of the results with a NIST reference spectrum. Silylation of the interior surfaces of the quartz tubing comprising the photochemical reactor essentially eliminated memory effects such that signal duration was determined simply by the residence time of the sample solution.
Pocket pathologist: A mobile application for rapid diagnostic surgical pathology consultation

Introduction: Telepathology allows the digital transmission of images for rapid access to pathology experts. Recent technologic advances in smartphones have allowed them to be used to acquire and transmit digital images of the glass slide, representing cost savings and efficiency gains over traditional forms of telepathology. We report our experience with developing an iPhone application (App - Pocket Pathologist) to facilitate rapid diagnostic pathology teleconsultation utilizing a smartphone. Materials and Methods: A secure, web-based portal ( http://pathconsult.upmc.com/ ) was created to facilitate remote transmission of digital images for teleconsultation. The App augments functionality of the web-based portal and allows the user to quickly and easily upload digital images for teleconsultation. Image quality of smartphone cameras was evaluated by capturing images using different adapters that directly attach phones to a microscope ocular lens. Results: The App was launched in August 2013. The App facilitated easy submission of cases for teleconsultation by limiting the number of data entry fields for users and enabling uploading of images from their smartphone's gallery wirelessly. Smartphone cameras properly attached to a microscope create static digital images of similar quality to a commercial digital microscope camera. Conclusion: Smartphones have great potential to support telepathology because they are portable, provide ubiquitous internet connectivity, contain excellent digital cameras, and can be easily attached to a microscope. The Pocket Pathologist App represents a significant reduction in the cost of creating digital images and submitting them for teleconsultation. The iPhone App provides an easy solution for global users to submit digital pathology images to pathology experts for consultation.
COLORADO'S SUNSET REVIEW 1976-1981: AN EXPERIMENT IN STATE REGULATORY REFORM

Sunset review seeks to determine whether governmental agencies meet a genuine public need, and to terminate those that do not. Some form of sunset review has been adopted by two-thirds of the states. March reviews the last five years of sunset review in Colorado and characterizes it as a trial and error process punctuated with some mistakes, but a process which eventually became cost-effective. The article narrates the history of different review processes, successes, and evaluation criterion. Evaluation methodologies were developed over time and altered occasionally as the criteria in the initial legislation was seen as unsatisfactory. In Colorado the process proved to be vulnerable to special interest groups.
Cardiopulmonary bypass temperature, hematocrit, and cerebral oxygen delivery in humans

Background. The neurologic effects of warm heart operations is a subject of popular interest. The purpose of this study was to examine the adequacy of cerebral oxygenation during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and better define the relationship between hematocrit, temperature, and brain oxygen delivery. Methods. Cerebral blood flow, metabolic rate, and oxygen delivery were measured in 60 patients randomized to normothermic (37°C) or hypothermic (27°C) cardiopulmonary bypass. The nitrous oxide saturation technique of Kety and Schmidt was used for cerebral blood flow determinations. Both temperature groups underwent moderate (31%) hemodilution. Results. During normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass, cerebral blood flow increased secondary to hemodilution and decreased cerebral vascular resistance; a normal matching of oxygen demand and delivery was maintained. During hypothermic bypass, hemodilution and hypothermia had essentially equal, opposing effects on cerebral vascular resistance and blood flow. With hypothermia, brain oxygen demand and delivery were both reduced but not closely coupled. Conclusions. From the standpoint of global cerebral perfusion and oxygenation, our data support the practice of "warm" heart operations. It clarifies the marked influence of hematocrit on cerebral blood flow and delineates the interaction of temperature and hematocrit on cerebral oxygen delivery. It also suggests that additional investigation to better define "temperature-appropriate" hemodilution during cardiopulmonary bypass is indicated.
Neutron Stars. I. Properties at Absolute Zero Temperature

The properties of a neutron star at absolute zero temperature are discussed. The problem of determining the ground state of a neutron star is formulated in a general way and the conditions are described under which one might reasonably hope that an individual-particle model (which we adopt) is valid. The effects of the strong interactions on the number densities and production thresholds of the various hadrons are illustrated with several examples. The modification of the energy spectrum of neutrons and protons in a neutron star is calculated using an effective-mass approximation adapted from the theory of nuclear matter. Crude estimates are made of the contributions of hadrons other than nucleons to the equation of state and specific heat.
Ureteral reconstruction in renal transplantation.

Abstract The complications associated with ureteral reconstruction in renal transplantation produce significant morbidity and mortality rates. We have evolved a combined intravesical-extravesical nonstented ureteroneocystostomy and have used it in 100 consecutive transplants, 50 of which were in high-risk diabetic recipients. No instances of urinary extravasation, fistula formation, disruption of the ureterovesical anastomosis, ureteral sloughing, or ureterovesical obstruction have occurred in this series. The lack of urologic complications utilizing this technique offers reduced morbidity and mortality to transplant recipients.
Electronic data interchange for health care

This article reviews current standardization activities in North America and Europe that aim to allow electronic data interchange among health care applications. It analyzes the requirements communication subsystems must meet to allow for such standard-based communication between heterogeneous health care applications. To illustrate such a system the authors present the architecture of the HL7/EDIFACT Communication Subsystem (HECS). The HECS provides communication agents that interface with existing applications, as well as translation and routing functions based on a reliable underlying delivery mechanism.
Microscopic interpretation of the dependence of the contact angle on roughness.

The macroscopic contact angle θm of a liquid drop on a rough solid surface in the presence of a gas is calculated microscopically on the basis of a variational minimization of the total potential e...