cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A case study: A leader's commitment to transparency and accountability through a serious reportable event

Analysis reveals that most preventable adverse events result from systemic causes, not human error. The senior patient care executive at a leading hospital recounts the unnecessary death of a patient and the investigation that followed. Citing the critical importance of a “just culture,” this case study offers a blueprint for managing a serious reportable event.
THE EFFECT OF A SALT WATER REGIMEN ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SALT GLANDS OF DOMESTIC DUCKLINGS.

Abstract Commencing on the fourth day after hatching and continuing for 2 weeks, 84 experimental ducklings were given drinking water containing 1 or 1.2% sodium chloride for 12 hours daily and fresh tap water for the remainder of each day; 39 control birds drank only tap water. During the third day of the experiment, salt gland effluent, high in sodium content, appeared at the external nares of the ducklings. After 5 days of the salt water treatment the salt glands of experimental birds weighed significantly more than those of the control birds, while the body weights of the experimental ducklings increased more slowly than those of the controls. The salt water regimen evoked a rapid increase in the size of the secretory cells, an apparent increase in the number of secretory cells, an elongation of the secretory tubules, and an increase in the size of the secretory lobules, with concomitant dilution of the connective tissue. Histochemical differences between the salt glands of experimental and control birds, evident by the end of the third day, were intensified during the remainder of the experiment. In addition to their rich complement of phospholipid, the large secretory cells in the salt glands of the experimental birds contained abundant succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase activity. Smaller but similar cells in the glands of control birds of the same age bore little phospholipid and were only slightly reactive for these enzymes. In addition, the secretory cells of the experimental birds gave moderate reactions for nonspecific esterase, monoamine oxidase, and acid phosphatase. The onset of the secretory competence of the salt gland coincided with the appearance of abundant phospholipid and strong oxidative enzyme activity in the secretory cells. In the secretory lobules of both experimental and control birds, two distinct cell types could be distinguished by their enzyme content. The principal secretory cells were acidophilic; they contained no alkaline phosphatase, but abounded in succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase. The terminal or peripheral cells at the blind ends of the secretory tubules were basophilic; they reacted for alkaline phosphatase, but contained little succinic dehydrogenase or cytochrome oxidase. The position, as well as the relatively undifferentiated state of the peripheral cells, suggests that they have a generative function. The pattern of innervation, revealed by the cholinesterase technique, was more elaborate in the salt glands of experimental birds than in the controls. This observation, when correlated with available physiological data, suggested that the salt water regimen might not directly influence the growth and differentiation of the salt gland but that the effect might be mediated by the nervous system.
Is seminal vesicle implantation with permanent sources possible? A dose-volume histogram analysis in patients undergoing combined 103Pd implantation and external beam radiation for T3c prostate cancer.

Abstract Purpose Combined brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) of the prostate and seminal vesicles (SVs) is evolving as a successful treatment option for high-risk prostate cancer. Dose–volume histogram (DVH) analysis of the SV was performed in patients with biopsy-positive SV who received implantation of the SV and prostate. Methods and materials Fifteen consecutive patients with high-risk features (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] ≥ 10 ng/mL, Gleason score ≥7, or clinical stage ≥T2b) and a positive SV biopsy were treated with a 103Pd implant of the prostate and SV followed by 45 Gy of EBRT. DVHs were generated for the prostate and total SV volume (SVT). In addition, the SV was divided into 3-mm-thick volumes identified as SV1, SV2, SV3, SV4, SV5, and SV6 starting from the junction of the prostate and SV and extending distally. Delivered dose was defined as the D90 (dose delivered to 90% of the organ on DVH). Results The median number of seeds implanted into the prostate and the SVT was 59 (41–94) and 9 (4–21), respectively. The median D90 values for the prostate, SVT, SV1, SV2, SV3, SV4, SV5, and SV6 were 103.2 (87.4–137.1), 46.2 (4.0–69.4), 76.0 (31.2–147), 63.4 (25.1–145.9), 49.7 (15.3–118), 27.4 (9.3–135.1), 14.2 (2.3–100.3), and 3.9 (0–61.5) Gy, respectively. Conclusions Implantation of the SV using a real-time intraoperative approach is technically feasible and results in higher doses to the SV than has been reported with implantation of the prostate alone. Although dose distribution in the SV can be variable and unpredictable, these doses, in combination with 45 Gy of EBRT, may be adequate to control disease spread in these organs.
Insulator-to-metal transition in polyaniline

Abstract A study of the magnetic susceptibility of the emeraldine form of polyaniline shows the presence of a Pauli susceptibility approximately linearly proportional to the degree of protonation in agreement with phase segregation into metallic and nonmetallic phases. A model based upon the transition upon protonation from isolated doubly charged protonated diimine groups to a polaronic metal is suggested, together with the role of localization of polarons at the surface of and within the disordered small metal particles formed.
Expression of MOR1C-Like μ-Opioid Receptor mRNA in Rats

The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to clone a cDNA fragment of a putative G-protein–coupled receptor from rat brain total RNA. Nucleotide sequencing of this cDNA fragment showed it to be homologous to that of the μ-opioid receptor splice variant MOR1C from mice. We used the cDNA to make an RNA probe for a ribonuclease protection assay (RPA). The results from the RPA showed a protected fragment of the size expected for MOR1C mRNA, as well as other RNase-protected fragments that may indicate the existence of other MOR1 transcripts. We then used the RNA probe for in situ hybridization (ISH) experiments. We detected strong autoradiographic labeling over much of the rat telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, cerebellum, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia. These findings suggest that MOR1C, and possibly other MOR1 splice variants, are important components of the system by which the actions of opioids are transduced. J. Comp. Neurol. 473:213–232, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Characteristics of meta-analyses related to acceptance for publication in a medical journal

Abstract Editors of medical journals select manuscripts for publication based, in part, on the perceived quality of the manuscript submitted. The objective of this study was to describe associations between acceptance for publication and quality-related methodologic characteristics of meta-analyses. This was a prospective observational study. The setting was editorial offices of JAMA and offices of external reviewers. The manuscripts reviewed were 112 consecutive meta-analyses submitted to JAMA during 1996 and 1997 whose authors agreed to participate. The main outcome measures were ratings of 16 methodologic characteristics reflecting quality of the meta-analysis and acceptance for publication. A "high" rating for one methodologic characteristic, whether the report of the meta-analysis provided sufficient detail to enable replication, was related significantly to publication (RR = 2.79, 95% CI=1.13–6.89). This relationship persisted when other variables were controlled for in the model. Generally, rejected manuscripts had fewer factors rated "high," but differences were not significant. We found that inclusion of sufficient detail to allow a reader to replicate meta-analytic methods was the only characteristic related to acceptance for publication.
Effects of a baffle on separated convection flow adjacent to backward-facing step

Abstract Numerical simulations of three-dimensional laminar forced convection flow adjacent to backward-facing step in rectangular duct are presented to examine effects of the baffle on flow and heat transfer distributions. The step height is maintained as constant. A baffle is mounted onto the upper wall and its distance from the backward-facing step is varied. The inlet flow is hydrodynamically steady and fully developed with uniform temperature. The Reynolds number based on the double height of the duct upstream of the step is equal to 343. The bottom wall is heated with constant heat flux, while other walls are maintained as being thermally adiabatic. Velocity, temperature, Nusselt number, and friction coefficient distributions are presented. A baffle mounted onto the upper wall increases the magnitude of maximum Nusselt number at the stepped wall. One segment of the x u -line developing close to the backward-facing step becomes shorter with decrease of the distance of the baffle from the backward-facing step. It becomes more relatively uniform in the spanwise direction as the distance of the baffle from the backward-facing step decreases. The other segment developing adjacent to the sidewall moves further downstream as the baffle moves in the streamwise direction away from the backward-facing step. The maximum Nusselt number on the stepped wall develops near the sidewall, and it moves further downstream as the location of the baffle moves in the streamwise direction. The friction coefficient at the stepped wall decreases as the distance of the baffle from the inlet increases.
The Dynamics of Tariff Retaliation Between the United States and Canada: Theory and Evidence

This paper presents theory and empirical evidence showing a retaliatory pattern in US–Canadian tariff interactions in the period 1868–1970, whereby the changes in the tariff level of each country are Granger-caused by the other. In the long run, the USA maintains the tariff changes that it initiates while the Canadian policy tends to back away from changes that it initiates. Furthermore, Canadian policy demonstrates a permanent change following US innovations, while in the long run the US tariff returns to its own internal equilibrium unaffected by innovations in the Canadian tariff.
Molecular evolution of the HSP70 multigene family

Eukaryotic genomes encode multiple 70-kDa heat-shock proteins (HSP70s). The Saccharomyces cerevisiae HSP70 family is comprised of eight members. Here we present the nucleotide sequence of the SSA3 and SSB2 genes, completing the nucleotide sequence data for the yeast HSP70 family. We have analyzed these yeast sequences as well as 29 HSP70s from 24 additional eukaryotic and prokaryotic species. Comparison of the sequences demonstrates the extreme conservation of HSP70s; proteins from the most distantly related species share at least 45% identity and more than one-sixth of the amino acids are identical in the aligned region (567 amino acids) among all proteins analyzed. Phylogenetic trees constructed by two independent methods indicate that ancient molecular and cellular events have given rise to at least four monophyletic groups of eukaryotic HSP70 proteins. Each group of evolutionarily similar HSP70s shares a common intracellular localization and is presumed to be comprised of functional homologues; these include heat-shock proteins of the cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and chloroplasts. HSP70s localized in mitochondria and plastids are most similar to the DnaK HSP70 homologues in purple bacteria and cyanobacteria, respectively, which is consistent with the proposed prokaryotic origin of these organelles. The analyses indicate that the major eukaryotic HSP70 groups arose prior to the divergence of the earliest eukaryotes, roughly 2 billion years ago. In some cases, as exemplified by the SSA genes encoding the cytoplasmic HSP70s of S. cerevisiae, more recent duplication events have given rise to subfamilies within the major groups. The S. cerevisiae SSB proteins comprise a unique subfamily not identified in other species to date. This subfamily appears to have resulted from an ancient gene duplication that occurred at approximately the same time as the origin of the major eukaryotic HSP70 groups.
The effect of maternal pravastatin therapy on adverse sensorimotor outcomes of the offspring in a murine model of preeclampsia

Animal and human studies show that in-utero exposure to preeclampsia alters fetal programming and results in long-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the offspring. Human epidemiologic data also suggest that offspring born to preeclamptic mothers are also at risk of adverse long term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Pravastatin, a hydrophilic lipid-lowering drug with pleiotropic properties, was found to prevent the altered cardiovascular phenotype of preeclampsia and restore fetal growth in animal models, providing biological plausibility for its use as a preventive agent for preeclampsia. In this study, we used a murine model of preeclampsia based on adenovirus over-expression of the anti-angiogenic factor soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, and demonstrated that adult offspring born to preeclamptic dams perform poorly on assays testing vestibular function, balance, and coordination, and that prenatal pravastatin treatment prevents impairment of fetal programming.
Doubly Troubling Narratives Writing 'The Oppression of Possibility' in Puerto Rico and Cuba

Since the 'boom' of US ethnic writing, a number of writers have published novels dealing with the colonial-era Hispanic Caribbean. US-authored novels such as The Aguero Sisters (Cristina Garcia, 1998) have received little critical attention in the USA. Similarly, English language novels written by Hispanic Caribbean authors such as The House on the Lagoon (Rosario Ferre, 1996) have received even less, if not hostile, critical attention from Caribbean scholars. Both novels locate the origins of Caribbean modernity in the violent movement from Iberian colonialism to US neo-colonialism. By comparing these novels' narrative concerns about writing, history and race, the complex relationship between 'possibility' and 'violence' they depict is delineated. Such texts reflect a growing corpus of historical fiction about the Hispanic Caribbean and complicate the flawed and persistent schism between US Latina and Latin American literary traditions.
Abnormal fetal cerebral and umbilical doppler measurements in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction predicts the severity of perinatal morbidity

Purpose This prospective study was performed to determine if the ratio of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) S/D ratio (ratio of peak systolic blood flow velocity to diastolic velocity) to the umbilical artery (UA) S/D ratio (MCA/UA S/D ratio) predicts the degree of neonatal morbidity in fetuses suspected of having intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Methods Sixty-one fetuses were identified prospectively by sonography as having an estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age. The 61 fetuses underwent Doppler sonography in the third trimester and then were stratified into 3 groups based on the MCA/UA S/D ratio: group A, MCA/UA S/D ratio > 1.0 (controls; n = 37); group B, MCA/UA S/D ratio ≤ 1.0 (intracerebral blood flow redistribution; n = 16); and group C, reversed or absent UA diastolic flow (n = 8). Outcome variables assessed included gestational age at delivery, birth weight, UA pH, mode of delivery, respiratory distress syndrome requiring intubation, and intracranial hemorrhage. Results The mean MCA/UA S/D ratios in groups A and B were 1.69 ± 0.61 and 0.59 ± 0.24, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean gestational ages at delivery for groups A, B, and C were 34.7, 33.2, and 29.0 weeks, respectively. The mean birth weights were below the fifth percentile for age for groups B and C and significantly related to the severity of abnormal Doppler findings (p < 0.01) after correction for age. Mean UA pHs were 7.25 ± 0.01, 7.19 ± 0.01, and 7.14 ± 0.13 for groups A, B, and C, respectively, with significant differences between groups A and B (p < 0.05) and groups A and C (p < 0.05). Respiratory distress syndrome and intracranial hemorrhage were not associated with abnormal Doppler findings after correction for gestational age. The interval between the abnormal Doppler examination and delivery (p < 0.001) and the occurrence of fetal distress requiring cesarean section (p < 0.001) were significantly related to the severity of Doppler findings. Conclusions In fetuses with suspected IUGR, abnormal MCA/UA S/D ratios are strongly associated with low gestational age at delivery, low birth weight, and low UA pH. Abnormal MCA/UA S/D ratios are also significantly associated with shorter interval to delivery and the need for emergent delivery. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 29:146–151, 2001.
"Revision/Re-Vision": A Feminist Writing Class

(1991). “Revision/re‐vision”: A feminist writing class. Rhetoric Review: Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 258-273.
A Developmental Perspective of Marriage and Family Therapist's Ethical Principles: Support for the Practitioner–Ethics Relationship Model

This study explored therapists' professional ethics by assessing therapist “at-risk” behaviors as they relate to ethical proficiency in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. A survey assessing practice behaviors was distributed among marriage and family therapists (MFTs) of varying levels of experience. Data gathered were analyzed using factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and multiple regression. Results indicate a positive relationship between the latent variables of risk and justification, as well as a significant relationship between these variables and years of clinical experience. Findings provide evidence to support the practitioner–ethics relationship model proposed by the authors. Implications of these findings, as well as future directions for research and policy are suggested.
A jump-detecting procedure based on spline estimation

In a random-design nonparametric regression model, procedures for detecting jumps in the regression function via constant and linear spline estimation method are proposed based on the maximal differences of the spline estimators among neighbouring knots, the limiting distributions of which are obtained when the regression function is smooth. Simulation experiments provide strong evidence that corroborates with the asymptotic theory, while the computing is extremely fast. The detecting procedure is illustrated by analysing the thickness of pennies data set.
A small-molecule screen yields idiotype-specific blockers of neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G binding to aquaporin-4

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system caused by binding of anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) autoantibodies (NMO-IgG) to AQP4 on astrocytes. A screen was developed to identify inhibitors of NMO-IgG-dependent, complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Screening of 50,000 synthetic small molecules was done using CHO cells expressing human AQP4 and a human NMO recombinant monoclonal antibody (rAb-53). The screen yielded pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles that blocked rAb-53 binding to AQP4 and prevented cytotoxicity in cell culture and spinal cord slice models of NMO. Structure-activity analysis of 82 analogs yielded a blocker with IC(50) ∼ 6 μm. Analysis of the blocker mechanism indicated idiotype specificity, as (i) pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles did not prevent AQP4 binding or cytotoxicity of other NMO-IgGs, and (ii) surface plasmon resonance showed specific rAb-53 binding. Antibody structure modeling and docking suggested a putative binding site near the complementarity-determining regions. Small molecules with idiotype-specific antibody targeting may be useful as research tools and therapeutics.
THE EFFECT OF HYPERGLYCEMIA ON INSULIN SECRETION AS DETERMINED WITH THE ISOLATED RAT PANCREAS IN A PERFUSION APPARATUS1

VARIOUS techniques have been devised in an effort to study the factors which directly influence insulin secretion. Zunz and La Barre (1927) joined two dogs by a pancreatic-jugular anastomosis and observed the effect of pancreatic blood of the donor animal upon the blood sugar of the recipient animal. Gayet and Guillaumie (1933) and Foglia and Fernandez (1935) transplanted the pancreas from one dog into the neck of another dog which had been previously depancreatized and observed the blood sugar changes in the latter animal. London and Kotschneff (1937) placed an angiostomy cannula in the pancreato-duodenal vein and determined the glucose and insulin content of blood from the pancreas after a glucose meal.
Block copolymer/ionic liquid films: The effect of ionic liquid composition on morphology and ion conduction

Abstract The effect of morphology on ion transport in ionic liquid-based solid-state films was investigated. In this study, mixtures of a block copolymer, poly(styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) (SbMMA), and an ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMIm-TFSI), were prepared as clear solid-state films at various IL compositions (0–50 wt%) by solution casting from a volatile co-solvent. The IL was preferentially miscible with the MMA block as evidenced by visual inspection and differential scanning calorimetry. Both equilibrium and non-equilibrium morphologies were identified with X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy and the morphology varied with MMA/IL volume fraction. The morphology and microdomain orientation had a significant impact on ionic conductivity. Higher through-plane conductivities were observed in morphologies with a three-dimensionally continuous conducting path (e.g., non-conducting S cylinders) compared to morphologies with a non-continuous conducting path (e.g., lamellae). When the lamellae were oriented in the plane, the through-plane conductivity was significantly lower than the in-plane conductivity, while the conductivity was direction-independent when the morphologies have a continuous conductive path. Also, a significant increase in conductivity was observed with increasing IL content at the glass transition of the conductive (MMA/IL) microdomain. Finally, significantly higher ionic conductivities can be achieved in a block copolymer/IL solid-state film compared to a homopolymer/IL film at the same IL content (wt%), because the non-conductive microdomain excludes IL, which produces a higher local IL concentration in the conductive phase.
Recent Developments in the Theory of π-Conjugated Polymers

Abstract We present a brief overview of several recent developments in the theoretical modeling of “conducting polymers” (more accurately, “π-conjugated polymers”), focusing on two general issues: (1) the respective effects of electron-electron (e-e) and electron-phonon (e-p) interactions and (2) the role of “dimensionality” in nearly crystalline samples of π-conjugated polymers. In the first area we describe progress in the understanding of how to model e-e interactions, the consistency of interaction parameters in going from oligomers to polymers, and the nature of optical absorption in strongly correlated, quasione dimensional systems. In the second area, we discuss (in the specific context of trans-polyacetylene (trans-(CH) x )) the possibility that some of the interesting nonlinear excitations predicted in purely one-dimensional theories may be rendered unstable by three-dimensional coupling in (idealized) perfect crystalline samples.
Two‐dimensional hybrid simulations of superdiffusion at the magnetopause driven by Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability

Two-dimensional hybrid (kinetic ions, massless fluid electrons) simulations of the Kelvin Helmholtz Instability (KHI) for a magnetopause configuration with a magnetic shear across the boundary are carried out to examine how the transport of magnetosheath plasma into the magnetosphere is affected by the shear field. Low magnetic shear conditions where the magnetosheath magnetic field is within 30{sup o} of northward is included in the simulations because KHI is thought to be important for plasma transport only for northward or near-northward interplanetary magnetic field orientations. The simulations show that coherent vortices can grow for these near-northward angles, and that they are sometimes more coherent than for pure northward conditions because the turbulence which breaks-down these vortices is reduced when there are magnetic tension forces. With increasing magnetic shear angle, the growth rate is reduced, and the vortices do not grow to as large of size which reduces the plasma transport. By tracking the individual particle motions diffusion coefficients can be obtained for the system, where the diffusion is not classical in nature but instead has a time dependence resulting from both the increasingly large-scale vortex motion and the small-scale turbulence generated in the break-down of the instabilities. Results indicate that diffusionmore » on the order of 10{sup 9} m{sup 2}/s could possibly be generated by KHI on the flanks of the magnetosphere.« less
Ultrafast optical processes in mercuric iodide

Subpicosecond time-resolved transient grating and transient absorption experiments were performed in mercuric iodide, a wide bandgap semiconductor. Sub-bandgap excitation in the Urbach tail induces an index grating which forms in about 2 ps and which exhibits biexponential decay with time constants 60 ps and 1 .5ns. We ascribe this change in the index of refraction to the formation of defect states. In addition, coherent Raman excitation of the 1 14 cm1 Aig lattice mode was observed.
Use of cryoprotectant to maintain long-term peptide immunoreactivity and tissue morphology

Abstract Use of an ethylene glycol based cryoprotectant solution has been found to be effective for the long-term storage of brain tissue either in block form or as freely floating sections prior to immunocytochemical processing. Storage of tissue in the solution at −20°C or 4°C for up to 3 months produced no adverse effects upon tissue morphology, nor was LHRH immunoreactivity diminished or accompanied by elevated non-specific staining. Furthermore, ultrastructural analysis of cryoprotected tissue revealed excellent preservation of cellular morphology. It is anticipated that this method can find use when it is necessary or desirable for the investigator to retain tissue for later immunocytochemical or electron microscopic processing.
Conditions for l ∞ and l 2 system robustness for spatially invariant systems

We consider spatiotemporal systems and study their linfin and I2 robustness properties in the presence of spatiotemporal perturbations. In particular, we consider spatially invariant nominal models and provide necessary and sufficient conditions for system robustness when the underlying perturbations are linear time and spatially varying, unstructured and structured. It turns out that these conditions are analogous to the scaled small gain condition (which is equivalent to a spectral radius condition and an LMI for the linfin and I2 case respectively) derived for standard linear time invariant models subject to linear time varying perturbations.
Numerical investigation of a liquid droplet transported by a gas stream impinging on a heated surface: single-phase regime

Gas-assisted sprays, in which a gas stream propels droplets to a target surface, have been demonstrated to be more efficient in heat removal than sprays generated solely by liquid droplets. In this paper a numerical model, using the volume of fluid (VOF) method and an adaptive grid technique, is developed to investigate the droplet spreading dynamics and heat transfer due to a single drop that is transported by a gas stream onto a heated surface. The results show a significant deviation from the behavior of a free falling droplet that is generated at the same height due to the pronounced effects that the carrier gas stream has on the spreading rate, liquid film thickness and surface temperature distribution. The gas stream transports the liquid droplets to the surface imposing pressure and shear stress over its surface, which accelerates the droplet, increases the maximum spreading diameter, and decreases the liquid film thickness at the moment of maximum spreading. This contributes to an increase in the wetted area where heat transfer takes place. Furthermore, advection within the droplet during the early stage of impact deviates the temperature distribution inside the liquid droplet from a pure conduction problem. The numerical computations, which have been undertaken assuming laminar behavior, reveal that the gas flow in the vicinity of the droplet is quite complex. Surprisingly, the laminar computations agree well with experiments even when the impinging gas stream is known to be turbulent.
Treatment of Opioid Dependence and Coinfection with HIV and Hepatitis C Virus in Opioid- Dependent Patients: The Importance of Drug Interactions between Opioids and Antiretroviral Agents

The occurrence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and hepatitis C is common in injection drug users, most of whom are opioid dependent. Methadone pharmacotherapy has been the most widely used treatment for opioid addiction in this population. Methadone has significant, adverse drug-drug interactions with many antiretroviral therapeutic agents that can contribute to nonadherence and poor clinical outcomes in this high-risk population. The present article summarizes current knowledge about interactions between methadone and antiretroviral medications. Buprenorphine is the newest agent available for the treatment of opioid dependence and may have fewer adverse interactions with antiretroviral agents. Buprenorphine has a significant pharmacokinetic interaction with efavirenz but no pharmacodynamic interaction; therefore, simultaneous administration of these drugs is not associated with opioid withdrawal, as has been observed with methadone. This promising finding may simplify the treatment of opioid-dependent patients with HIV disease and should also improve clinical outcomes for persons coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus.
The Landscape of Family Business Outcomes: A Summary and Numerical Taxonomy of Dependent Variables

To promote theoretical development in family business research, this research identified 327 dependent/outcome variables used in 257 empirical family business studies in 1998-2009. In four studies, the authors categorized outcome variables, developed a numerical taxonomy with seven clusters (performance, strategy, social and economic impact, governance, succession, family business roles, and family dynamics) plotted along two dimensions (business–family and short-term–long-term), validated their research, and identified missing outcome variables and variables that deserve more attention. Experts agree that family business roles, succession, and family dynamics make the family business domain unique and that noneconomic performance and family-specific topics deserve more attention.
Measuring microscopic viscosity with optical tweezers as a confocal probe.

We demonstrate, what is to the best of our knowledge, a new method for studying the motion of a particle trapped by optical tweezers; in this method the trapping beam itself is used as a confocal probe. By studying the response of the particle to periodic motion of the tweezers, we obtain information about the medium viscosity, particle properties, and trap stiffness. We develop the mathematical model, demonstrate experimentally its validity for our system, and discuss advantages of using this method as a new form of scanning photonic force microscopy for applications in which a high spatial and temporal resolution of the medium viscosity is desired.
Electroless Ni-P/Ni-W-P thin-film resistors for MCM-L based technologies

A novel technique of fabricating MCM-L compatible integrated resistors on large area substrates is presented. Electroless plated Ni-P/Ni-W-P alloys are used to achieve resistivity values in the range of 5-50 ohm/square and absolute temperature coefficient of resistivity below 50 ppm//spl deg/C, which is sufficient to satisfy many resistor application needs. Fine line structures (<50 /spl mu/m linewidth) are achieved by a three step process: electroless plating a thin (100-200 /spl Aring/) seed layer on patterned photoresist; lift-off of regions of the seed layer by dissolution of the photoresist; and electroless plating of the resultant structures in the seed layer to the desired thickness to achieve a specific sheet resistance. Improvements in seeding uniformity of the initial blanket seed layer were achieved by use of an organosilane-based surface treatment prior to deposition, as well as tight control of temperature across the substrate during plating. A test vehicle consisting of various resistor structures to evaluate electrical and mechanical properties, processing conditions, and reliability was designed and fabricated. Electrical properties, (including scattering parameters (S-parameters) of the resistor structures up to 20 GHz), temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR), and power handling capabilities of the resistor structures on different substrates are presented.
Revisiting Financial Conflicts of Interest in FDA Advisory Committees

Context: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Safety and Innovation Act has recently relaxed conflict-of-interest rules for FDA advisory committee members, but concerns remain about the influence of members’ financial relationships on the FDA’s drug approval process. Using a large newly available data set, this study carefully examined the relationship between the financial interests of FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) advisory committee members and whether members voted in a way favorable to these interests. Methods: The study used a data set of voting behavior and reported financial interests of 1,379 FDA advisory committee members who voted in CDER committee meetings that were convened during the 15-year period of 1997– 2011. Data on 1,168 questions and 15,739 question-votes from 379 meetings were used in the analyses. Multivariable logit models were used to estimate the relationship between committee members’ financial interests and their voting behavior. Findings: Individuals with financial interests solely in the sponsoring firm were more likely to vote in favor of the sponsor than members with no financial
Bayesian Image Recovery for Dendritic Structures Under Low Signal-to-Noise Conditions

Experimental research seeking to quantify neuronal structure constantly contends with restrictions on image resolution and variability. In particular, experimentalists often need to analyze images with very low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In many experiments, dye toxicity scales with the light intensity; this leads experimentalists to reduce image SNR in order to preserve the viability of the specimen. In this paper, we present a Bayesian approach for estimating the neuronal shape given low-SNR observations. This Bayesian framework has two major advantages. First, the method effectively incorporates known facts about 1) the image formation process, including blur and the Poisson nature of image noise at low intensities, and 2) dendritic shape, including the fact that dendrites are simply-connected geometric structures with smooth boundaries. Second, we may employ standard Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques for quantifying the posterior uncertainty in our estimate of the dendritic shape. We describe an efficient computational implementation of these methods and demonstrate the algorithm's performance on simulated noisy two-photon laser-scanning microscopy images.
Electromagnetic Modeling and Simulation of a Directly Modulated Patch Antenna

The direct modulation of an L -band microstrip patch antenna with integrated fast-switching p-i-n diodes is explored over a range of modulation frequencies well beyond the resonant bandwidth of the antenna. Electromagnetic simulation of one embodiment of a directly modulated antenna, including an equivalent circuit model for the p-i-n diode as a function of bias voltage, provides insight into the mechanisms behind the modulation effect and serves as a design tool to optimize and predict the modulation of the antenna radiation pattern.
How “scientific” is science education research?

The research articles published in the Journal of Research in Science Teaching in 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995, and in 2005 were surveyed to discover the extent to which they were theory driven. Carey and Smith's theory of the development of science epistemologies was used to frame the study. Specifically their theory posits that science epistemologies develop through three developmental levels. Persons at Level 1 view science as an inductive and descriptive enterprise. Persons at Level 2 view science in terms of hypothesis generation and test. Persons at Level 3 see science as theory driven. That is, theories are generated and their postulates are tested via planned tests with predicted consequences and theories are used to generate specific hypotheses, which in turn are tested in a similar manner. Three computer-generated surveys were conducted on each article identifying articles that contained the words theory, hypothesis, and prediction. The surveys assumed that if the reported research was guided by Level 3 epistemology, then these key terms would be likely to appear somewhere in the article. The term theory was found in only 18.0% of the 1965 articles. Percentages increased in subsequent decades, that is, to 36.5% in 1975, to 44.3% in 1985, to 58.3% in 1995, and then to 86.7% in 2005. Similar, though less dramatic, increases were also found for the terms hypothesis and prediction. Relatively few articles contained two or all three of the terms. Nevertheless, analysis of all 45 research articles appearing in 2005 revealed that most authors were generating and testing hypotheses and/or theories (presumably guided by Levels 2 or 3 epistemology) albeit in a largely implicit and sometimes inconsistent way. Suggestions for improving the quality of research and its reporting are made. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 47:257–275, 2010
Residency Training: Quality improvement projects in neurology residency and fellowship: applying DMAIC methodology.

Objective: Teaching quality improvement (QI) is a priority for residency and fellowship training programs. However, many medical trainees have had little exposure to QI methods. The purpose of this study is to review a rigorous and simple QI methodology (define, measure, analyze, improve, and control [DMAIC]) and demonstrate its use in a fellow-driven QI project aimed at reducing the number of delayed and canceled muscle biopsies at our institution. Methods: DMAIC was utilized. The project aim was to reduce the number of delayed muscle biopsies to 10% or less within 24 months. Baseline data were collected for 12 months. These data were analyzed to identify root causes for muscle biopsy delays and cancellations. Interventions were developed to address the most common root causes. Performance was then remeasured for 9 months. Results: Baseline data were collected on 97 of 120 muscle biopsies during 2013. Twenty biopsies (20.6%) were delayed. The most common causes were scheduling too many tests on the same day and lack of fasting. Interventions aimed at patient education and biopsy scheduling were implemented. The effect was to reduce the number of delayed biopsies to 6.6% (6/91) over the next 9 months. Conclusions: Familiarity with QI methodologies such as DMAIC is helpful to ensure valid results and conclusions. Utilizing DMAIC, we were able to implement simple changes and significantly reduce the number of delayed muscle biopsies at our institution.
Changes in Aβ biomarkers and associations with APOE genotype in 2 longitudinal cohorts

Abstract Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype influences onset age of Alzheimer's disease but effects on disease progression are less clear. We investigated amyloid-β (Aβ) levels and change in relationship to APOE genotype, using 2 different measures of Aβ in 2 different longitudinal cohorts. Aβ accumulation was measured using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and 11C-Pittsburgh compound-B (PiB) in 113 Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging participants (mean age 77.3 years; 107 normal, 6 cognitively impaired) and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) Aβ1-42 assays in 207 BIOCARD study participants (mean age 62 years; 195 normal, 12 cognitively impaired). Participants in both cohorts had up to 7 serial assessments (mean 2.3–2.4). PET-PiB retention increased and CSF Aβ1-42 declined longitudinally. APOE e4 was significantly associated with higher PET-PiB retention and lower CSF Aβ1-42, independent of age and sex, but APOE genotype did not significantly affect Aβ change over time. APOE e4 carriers may be further along in the disease process, consistent with earlier brain Aβ deposition and providing a biological basis for APOE genotype effects on onset age of Alzheimer's disease.
Platelet Serotonin Levels in Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Mental Retardation: Diagnostic Group Differences, Within-Group Distribution, and Behavioral Correlates

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate group differences, the within-group distributions, and the clinical correlates of platelet serotonin (5-HT) levels in pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Method Platelet 5-HT levels were measured in Dutch children and young adults, recruited from 2001 through 2003, with PDD (autism, Asperger's, and PDD-not otherwise specified [PDD-NOS]; n = 81) or with mental retardation (MR; n = 54) but without PDD, and in normal controls ( n = 60). The distribution of platelet 5-HT levels was assessed using mixture-modeling analyses. Relationships between platelet 5-HT levels and a full range of demographic, clinical, and behavioral variables were examined. Results Group mean (± SD) platelet 5-HT levels (nmol/10 9 platelets) were significantly higher in the autistic (4.51 ± 1.61, n = 33) and PDD-NOS (4.90 ± 1.54, n = 43) groups compared to the MR (3.48 ± 1.33, n = 54) or the normal control (3.58 ± 1.08, n = 60) groups ( F 4,190 = 9.35, p Conclusions The platelet hyperserotonemia of autism was replicated in Dutch subjects. Platelet 5-HT levels were also increased in PDD-NOS, while no elevation was seen in MR. Platelet 5-HT levels appeared to be bimodally distributed in the PDD group, with an apparent hyperserotonemic subgroup.
Elevated CO2 increases root exudation from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) seedlings as an N-mediated response.

Summary The degree to which forest ecosystems provide a long-term sink for increasing atmospheric CO2 depends upon the capacity of trees to increase the availability of growth-limiting resources. It has been widely speculated that trees exposed to CO2 enrichment may increase the release of root exudates to soil as a mechanism to stimulate microbes to enhance nutrient availability. As a first test to examine how the atmospheric CO2 and nitrogen availability affect the rates of root exudation, we performed two experiments in which the exudates were collected from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings that were grown in controlled growth chambers under low and high CO2 and at low and high rates of N supply. Despite the differences in experimental design between the two studies, plants grown at high CO2 were larger, and thus whole plant exudation rates were higher under elevated CO2 (P = 0.019), but the magnitude of this response depended on the N level in both studies. Seedlings increased mass-specific exudation rates in response to elevated CO2 in both experiments, but only at low N supply. Moreover, N supply had a greater impact on the exudation rates than did CO2, with mass-specific exudation rates significantly greater (98% and 69% in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively) in the seedlings grown at low N supply relative to high N supply. These results provide preliminary evidence that loblolly pines alter exudation rates in response to both CO2 concentration and N supply, and support the hypothesis that increased C allocation to root exudates may be a mechanism by which trees could delay progressive N limitation in forested ecosystems.
Evaluation of theories for diffusion in polymer–solvent systems

A method is proposed for examining differences in the predictive capabilities of three versions of the free-volume theory of polymer—solvent diffusion using only a small amount of diffusivity data. The utility of the method is illustrated using a limited diffusivity data set for the methanol-poly(vinyl acetate) system.
Semi-Implicit Level Set Methods for Curvature and Surface Diffusion Motion

In this paper we introduce semi-implicit methods for evolving interfaces by mean curvature flow and surface diffusion using level set methods.
Ethnic Differences in College Students' Perceptions of Barriers to Career Development.

Undergraduates (N = 375) representing various ethnic groups indicated perceived barriers to their past and future career development. Significant ethnic differences were revealed (p < .05).
Perspectives on the fusion of image and non-image data

Increasingly, multi-sensor systems are being developed to collect, process, and disseminate image and non-image data. Applications include homeland security, monitoring of facilities, and military situation assessment. Fusion of image and non-image data has traditionally been performed with extensive human-in-the-loop involvement. Typically the image data are used as the "fundamental" data source with non-image data simply overlaid on the image data, or conversely the non-image data are treated as fundamental, and the image data are used to confirm the identity of observed entities. This paper discusses the problem of multi-sensor fusion and argues that new techniques are emerging that allows fusion of image and non-image data at multiple levels of inference from the "raw" data level, to the feature level, decision-level, and knowledge level.
Reproductive Function in Protein Kinase Inhibitor-Deficient Mice

The protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) family includes three genes encoding small, heat-stable inhibitors of the cyclic AMP-dependent kinase PKA. Each PKI isoform contains a PKA inhibitory domain and a nuclear export domain, enabling PKI to both inhibit PKA and remove it from the nucleus. The PKIβ isoform, also known as testis PKI, is highly expressed in germ cells of the testis and is found at more modest levels in other tissues. In order to investigate its physiological role, we have generated PKIβ knockout mice by gene targeting. These mice exhibit a partial loss of PKI activity in testis but remain fertile with normal testis development and function. PKIβ knockout females also reproduce normally. The PKIβ mutants were crossed with our previously derived PKIα mutants to obtain double-knockout mice. Remarkably, these mice are also viable and fertile with no obvious physiological defects in either males or females.
The Refractive Index Spectra within Clouds from Forward-Scatter Radar Observations

Abstract When long-wavelength radars are used to observe the atmosphere, there are occasions when radar return from a volume of cloud is unexpectedly large relative to that predicted by the classical incoherent scatter from individual cloud droplets. The assumption of incoherence predicts the scattered power to be proportional to the inverse fourth power of the wavelength. The observed weaker wavelength dependence could result from Bragg-coherent scatter from the ensemble of droplets or it could result from an enhancement by the cloud of inhomogeneities in the dielectric constant of the gaseous medium within the cloud. Both mechanisms are discussed and compared with data acquired in a forward-scatter mode by two 3 cm wavelength radars of NOAA's Wave Propagation Laboratory. Observed differences between the in-cloud and out-of-cloud refractive index spectra are discussed and conclusions are suggested.