cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bone marrow plasma cells 20% or greater discriminate presentation, response, and survival in AL amyloidosis

We explored the association between bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) and disease presentation and outcome among 1574 AL patients. Three BMPC groups were formulated: <5% (n = 231, 15% of study population), 5–19% (n = 1045, 66%), and ≥20% (n = 298, 19%). Heart and renal involvement were more and less prevalent, respectively, with increasing BMPCs. Patients with ≥20% BMPCs had higher likelihood for classic myeloma phenotype with less skewed lambda restriction, a higher rate of intact immunoglobulin secretion, a lower hemoglobin and higher rates of hypercalcemia and bone lytic lesions. High-risk cytogenetic abnormalities were more common in ≥20% BMPCs. Complete hematological response was less frequent with rising BMPCs. The median survival was inversely associated with the BMPC groups (81, 33, 12 months for <5%, 5–19%, and ≥20% BMPCs, respectively; P < 0.001). Survival discrimination was maintained at 1-year landmark and in those who achieved a complete response. Multivariate analysis accounting for known prognostic markers yielded an independent prognostic role for ≥20% BMPCs, but not for the other BMPC groups. AL patients with 20% or greater BMPCs have poorer outcome independent of their cardiac risk category and stem cell transplant eligibility. Distinct interventions in these patients should be explored to improve outcome.
Different forms of fear extinction are supported by distinct cortical substrates

Understanding how learned fear can be reduced is at the heart of treatments for anxiety disorders. Tremendous progress has been made in this regard through extinction training in which the aversive outcome is omitted. However, current progress almost entirely rests on this single paradigm, resulting in a very specialized knowledgebase at the behavioural and neural level of analysis. Here, we used a paradigm-independent approach to show that different methods that lead to reduction in learned fear are dissociated in the cortex. We report that the infralimbic cortex has a very specific role in fear reduction that depends on the omission of aversive events but not on overexpectation. The orbitofrontal cortex, a structure generally overlooked in fear, is critical for downregulating fear when fear is inflated or overexpected, but not when an aversive event is omitted.
Aligning Library Assessment with Institutional Priorities: A Study of Student Academic Performance and Use of Five Library Services.

This large-scale study was conducted for the purposes of determining how representative library users are compared to the whole student population, to explore how library services contribute to student success, and to position the library to be included in the institution’s learning analytics landscape. To that end, data were collected as students at University of Central Florida (n = 25,336) interacted with five library service points over four semesters. Analysis revealed a positive association between students who used one or more library services and higher end-of-semester GPAs. The article emphasizes how results were disseminated and ongoing work to build an interactive learning analytics library dashboard that complements existing institutional dashboards.
Is Preimplantation Genetic Testing Associated with Increased Risk of Abnormal Placentation After Frozen Embryo Transfer

Objective This study aimed to assess the association of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) with abnormal placentation among a cohort of pregnancies conceived after frozen embryo transfer (FET). Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of women who conceived via FET at the University of California, San Francisco from 2012 to 2016 with resultant delivery at the same institution. The primary outcome was abnormal placentation, including placenta accreta, retained placenta, abruption, placenta previa, vasa previa, marginal or velamentous cord insertion, circumvallate placenta, circummarginate placenta, placenta membranacea, bipartite placenta, and placenta succenturiata. Diagnosis was confirmed by reviewing imaging, delivery, and pathology reports. Our secondary outcome was hypertensive disease of pregnancy. Results A total of 311 pregnancies were included in analysis; 158 (50.8%) underwent PGT. Baseline demographic characteristics were similar between groups except for age at conception and infertility diagnosis. Women with PGT were more likely to undergo single embryo transfer (82.3 vs. 64.1%, p Conclusion Among pregnancies conceived after FET, PGT is not associated with a statistically significant increased risk of abnormal placentation or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Key Points
Recent advances of greener pretreatment technologies of lignocellulose

Abstract The successful conversion of lignocellulose into value-added products depends on overcoming the recalcitrance of its structure towards enzymatic digestion. The highly crosslinked structure of lignin, crystallinity of cellulose, and low digestibility of hemicellulose create the recalcitrance. Many studies have proved that an appropriate pretreatment method could enhance the digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass by weakening the strong network of its chemical bonds among the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. There are several conventional ways to separate the components from each other, but the requirements of high temperature and pressure, use of strong acids and bases, and expensive instrumentation make the pretreatment methods difficult to use. Greener solvents, e.g. supercritical fluid, ionic liquid, and deep eutectic solvent (DES)-based pretreatment techniques can overcome the difficulties. Although a lot of pilot scale and rigorous studies are required to launch the greener technologies commercially, they have already shown a lot of promise in the field of biomass pretreatments. Among the greener solvents, DESs are cheaper, easily recyclable, environmentally benign, and the efficiency of the DES-based pretreatment can be enhanced manifold by applying microwave and ultrasound. Therefore, DES-based pretreatment could be one of the most popular techniques in the future.
A point mutation in HIV-1 integrase redirects proviral integration into centromeric repeats

Retroviruses utilize the viral integrase (IN) protein to integrate a DNA copy of their genome into the host chromosomal DNA. HIV-1 integration sites are highly biased towards actively transcribed genes, likely mediated by binding of the IN protein to specific host factors, particularly LEDGF, located at these gene regions. We here report a dramatic redirection of integration site distribution induced by a single point mutation in HIV-1 IN. Viruses carrying the K258R IN mutation exhibit more than a 25-fold increase in integrations into centromeric alpha satellite repeat sequences, as assessed by both deep sequencing and qPCR assays. Immunoprecipitation studies identified host factors that uniquely bind to the mutant IN protein and thus may account for the novel bias for integration into centromeres. Centromeric integration events are known to be enriched in the latent reservoir of infected memory T cells, as well as in patients who control viral replication without intervention (so-called elite controllers). The K258R point mutation in HIV-1 IN reported in this study has also been found in databases of latent proviruses found in patients. The altered integration site preference induced by this mutation has uncovered a hidden feature of the establishment of viral latency and control of viral replication.
Effectiveness of a noninvasive digital infrared thermal imaging system in the detection of breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) has resurfaced in this era of modernized computer technology. Its role in the detection of breast cancer is evaluated. METHODS: In this prospective clinical trial, 92 patients for whom a breast biopsy was recommended based on prior mammogram or ultrasound underwent DITI. Three scores were generated: an overall risk score in the screening mode, a clinical score based on patient information, and a third assessment by artificial neural network. RESULTS: Sixty of 94 biopsies were malignant and 34 were benign. DITI identified 58 of 60 malignancies, with 97% sensitivity, 44% specificity, and 82% negative predictive value depending on the mode used. Compared to an overall risk score of 0, a score of 3 or greater was significantly more likely to be associated with malignancy (30% vs 90%, P .03). CONCLUSION: DITI is a valuable adjunct to mammography and ultrasound, especially in women with dense breast parenchyma.
Is there more to metamemory? An argument for two specialized monitoring abilities.

Metamemory is the process of monitoring and controlling one’s beliefs, knowledge, and mental processes of memory. One fundamental question is whether the monitoring component of this theory should be considered as only one ability or an umbrella of more specialized abilities. In the current study, we aimed to understand the structure of metamemory monitoring by testing unitary versus specialized measurement models of metamemory. Monitoring accuracy and mean ratings from four common monitoring judgments across different stimulus presentation pairs were calculated to create latent factors for each judgment using structural equation modeling. Our results suggest that although each of the monitoring judgments was correlated with one another, monitoring may be composed of two distinct abilities: one occurring during initial presentation and one occurring at retrieval. These results can help explain prior behavioral and brain dissociations between predictions at encoding and retrieval in terms of experimental and material manipulations. We caution against the conceptualization and use of metamemory monitoring as a unitary construct.
Genome analysis identifies differences in the transcriptional targets of duodenal versus pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

Objective Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs) encompass a diverse group of neoplasms that vary in their secretory products and in their location within the gastrointestinal tract. Their prevalence in the USA is increasing among all adult age groups. Aim To identify the possible derivation of GEP-NETs using genome-wide analyses to distinguish small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours, specifically duodenal gastrinomas (DGASTs), from pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. Design Whole exome sequencing and RNA-sequencing were performed on surgically resected GEP-NETs (discovery cohort). RNA transcript profiles available in the Gene Expression Omnibus were analysed using R integrated software (validation cohort). Digital spatial profiling (DSP) was used to analyse paraffin-embedded GEP-NETs. Human duodenal organoids were treated with 5 or 10 ng/mL of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) prior to qPCR and western blot analysis of neuroendocrine cell specification genes. Results Both the discovery and validation cohorts of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours induced expression of mesenchymal and calcium signalling pathways coincident with a decrease in intestine-specific genes. In particular, calcium-related, smooth muscle and cytoskeletal genes increased in DGASTs, but did not correlate with MEN1 mutation status. Interleukin 17 (IL-17) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) signalling pathways were elevated in the DGAST RNA-sequencing. However, DSP analysis confirmed a paucity of immune cells in DGASTs compared with the adjacent tumour-associated Brunner's glands. Immunofluorescent analysis showed production of these proinflammatory cytokines and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) by the tumours and stroma. Human duodenal organoids treated with TNFα induced neuroendocrine tumour genes, SYP, CHGA and NKX6.3. Conclusions Stromal-epithelial interactions induce proinflammatory cytokines that promote Brunner's gland reprogramming.
Nonideal effects of reconstruction filter and I/Q imbalance in digital predistortion

Digital predistortion linearization results are often degraded by nonideal factors in the transmitter chain. Among them, the gain ripple and phase delay of the analog reconstruction filter and the gain and phase imbalance of quadrature modulator are the major sources of linearizer performance degradation. The paper studies these effects and presents general guidelines for filter selection and imbalance compensation to maximize the predistortion performance.
Signal functions in delayed discriminative stimulus control by reinforcement sources

The discriminative functions of the response-reinforcer relation may contribute to the changes in response rates that occur when reinforcement is delayed. These properties were investigated in three experiments with pigeons using a discrete-trials conditional discrimination procedure. A concurrent variable-interval schedule was arranged on two side keys during a sample component. The key peck that ended the schedule (the sample response) initiated a delay with either a stimulus present throughout the delay interval (full signal), a stimulus present only during the first second of the interval (partial signal), or no stimulus present (unsignaled delay). The delay was followed by a choice component where one alternative was reinforced if the left sample response produced the choice component and the other if the right sample response produced the choice component. Accuracy was high with a full signal; slightly lower with a partial signal; and lowest without a signal. The results parallel the effects of similar delays programmed in conventional reinforcement schedules. This in turn suggests a possible discriminative effect of the response-reinforcer relation in the control of behavior by (delayed) reinforcement.
Endothelial PINK1 Mediates the Protective Effects of NLRP3 Deficiency during Lethal Oxidant Injury

High levels of inspired oxygen, hyperoxia, are frequently used in patients with acute respiratory failure. Hyperoxia can exacerbate acute respiratory failure, which has high mortality and no specific therapies. We identified novel roles for PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), a mitochondrial protein, and the cytosolic innate immune protein NLRP3 in the lung and endothelium. We generated double knockouts (PINK1(-/-)/NLRP3(-/-)), as well as cell-targeted PINK1 silencing and lung-targeted overexpression constructs, to specifically show that PINK1 mediates cytoprotection in wild-type and NLRP3(-/-) mice. The ability to resist hyperoxia is proportional to PINK1 expression. PINK1(-/-) mice were the most susceptible; wild-type mice, which induced PINK1 after hyperoxia, had intermediate susceptibility; and NLRP3(-/-) mice, which had high basal and hyperoxia-induced PINK1, were the least susceptible. Genetic deletion of PINK1 or PINK1 silencing in the lung endothelium increased susceptibility to hyperoxia via alterations in autophagy/mitophagy, proteasome activation, apoptosis, and oxidant generation.
An automatic algorithm for text skew estimation in document images using recursive morphological transforms

The text skew estimation algorithm utilizes recursive morphological transforms. With hand tuned parameters the algorithm produces estimated text skew angles which are within 0.1/spl deg/ of the true text skew angles 99% of the time. We also developed methodology to allow the algorithm to determine the optimal algorithm parameter settings on the fly without any human interaction. Under this automatic mode, our experimental results indicate that the algorithm generates estimated text skew angles which are within 0.5/spl deg/ of the true text skew angles 99% of the time. To process a 3300/spl times/2550 document image, the algorithm takes about 10 seconds on SUN Sparc 10 machines if discounting the document image file reading time. >
Active epsilon-near-zero infrared metamaterials

Metal-insulator-metal based epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterials are shown to support optical modes localized in the vicinity of a polarizable defect. ENZ-based infrared absorbers are fabricated using SiC and electrically controlled quantum wells structures.
Isopycnal mixing by mesoscale eddies significantly impacts oceanic anthropogenic carbon uptake

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide uptake varies across Earth System Models for reasons that have remained obscure. When varied within a single model, the lateral eddy mixing coefficient ARedi produces a range of uptake similar to the modeled range. The highest uptake, resulting from a simulation with a constant ARedi of 2400 m2/s, simulates 15% more historical carbon uptake than a model with ARedi = 400 m2/s. A sudden doubling in carbon dioxide produces a 21% range in carbon uptake across the models. Two spatially dependent representations of ARedi produce uptake that lies in the middle of the range of constant values despite predicting very large values in the subtropical gyres. One-dimensional diffusive models of the type used for integrated assessments can be fit to the simulations, with ARedi accounting for a substantial fraction of the effective vertical diffusion. Such models, however, mask significant regional changes in stratification and biological carbon storage.
Derivation of optimal stand density over time--a discrete stage, continuous state dynamic programming solution.

A set of optimal stand densities over one rotation of an even-aged stand is derived mathematically using a discrete time, continuous state dynamic programming model. The use of the calculus approach to search for optimal solutions stage by stage is new for forestry. The criterion for optimization used is the maximum physical harvest over one rotation. When the stand growth model has the biologically reasonable form suggested here, it is easy to determine the optimal stand density over any number of growth periods. This, in turn, makes it easy to determine the optimal rotation age by sensitivity analysis of total return on the number of stages in the decision process.
Maternal phenylketonuria. The composition of cerebral lipids in an affected offspring.

The chemical composition of cerebral lipids and the fatty acid pattern of the major white matter and myelin glycolipids were examined in a severely retarded heterozygote offspring of a phenylketonuric mother. The lipid abnormalitis seen were comparable with those previously found in patients with phenylketonuria. They included a slight reduction in cholesterol, cerebrosides, and sulfatides. As was observed in 3 phenylketonuric patients, the relative amounts of nonhydroxylated sulfatides were reduced. A loss in sulfatide cerebronic acid (24h:0), usually accompanied by an increase in alpha-hydroxy nervonic acid (24h:1), was seen in all 3 specimens analyzed in this patient and was also present in all 3 phenylketonuric brains previously studied by us. The presence of large amounts of esterified kerasin cerebrosides was documented. While they may represent an artifact, it is more likely that they were formed in vivo as a consequence of esterification of long-chain extra-myelin cerebrosides. The similarity of the biochemical abnormalities to those seen in the brain of the homozygous phenylketonuric patient provides evidence that exposure of the fetus to a deranged amino acid environment produces irreversible neurochemical alterations.
The Stock as a Portfolio of Durations: Solving Black’s Dividend Puzzle Using Black’s Criteria

This article addresses the dividend puzzle in the corporate finance literature. It extends existing literature that shows that dividends aren’t merely puzzling—they matter for the stock’s duration. Treating stocks as a portfolio of dividends and terminal cash flows, the author shows that the durations of dividends and terminal values are not perfectly negatively correlated, but their values are. The stock’s value is a perfectly hedged portfolio; the stock’s duration is not. Dividend policy matters, and stocks with higher dividends have smaller durations and risks.
Application of receptor modeling to atmospheric constituents at Potsdam and Stockton, NY

Abstract A measurement program in this study has been undertaken to measure the concentrations of particles and Hg0 in rural areas of New York State during the summer of 2000 and 2001. Sampling was performed at sites in southwestern (Stockton, NY) and northern New York (Potsdam, NY) where these materials may be transported into the New York from the central United States and from Canada. The data from these measurements were used in paired receptor models to assess the origins of the measured concentrations. Factor analysis in the form of positive matrix factorization (PMF) was used to obtain information about possible sources of the aerosol. Six and seven sources were resolved from Stockton and Potsdam sites, respectively. Six of the sources are common to the two sites in these two summers. They are secondary sulfate, secondary nitrate, soil, wood smoke, zinc smelter and copper smelter. A nickel smelter source is also resolved at Potsdam. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis which combines the aerosol data with the air parcel backward trajectories was applied to identify possible source areas and pathways from these sources at the two sites. The combination of the two receptor modeling methods, PMF and PSCF, provides an effective way in identifying atmospheric aerosol sources and their likely locations. Emissions from different anthropogenic activities as well as secondary aerosol production are the main source measured in Potsdam and Stockton.
Is perinatal depression familial

Abstract Background While major depressive disorder (MDD) is familial, it is not clear whether distinct familial-genetic factors influence vulnerability to depression during or after pregnancy. Here we examine familial aggregation of perinatal major depression (PND, any episode during pregnancy or the month after childbirth) and the subset of post-partum depression (PPD) in families with multiple cases of recurrent, early-onset MDD from the Genetics of Recurrent Early-Onset Depression dataset. Methods The dataset included 691 childbearing women who could be classified as PND (27.6%) or non-PND (NPND), of whom 328 were members of 148 sibships with two or more PND or NPND women. PND and NPND subjects were compared for differences in putative predictors. Prediction of sibling PND or PPD by the proband's history was examined using logistic regression and general estimating equation methods. Results PND was associated with fewer episodes and younger current age. Odds ratios for prediction of sibling status were significant for PND (2.28) and PPD (3.96), particularly when current age was under 46 (2.87 and 4.39, respectively). ORs for PPD were not significantly different from those for PND. The OR for PPD (3.52), but not for PND, remained significant after current age was introduced as a covariate, but not when both current age and number of episodes were included in the model. Limitations Because detailed data were not collected for all pregnancies, we cannot determine whether current age and number of episodes mediated the observed effects due to recall bias or other factors (cohort effect, number of episodes). Conclusions A familial component to PND, and particularly PPD, is suggested by the results. However more systematic study is needed to confirm this result. A greater understanding of both genetic and non-genetic familial factors could lead to improved prevention and clinical management.
Subependymal veins and ventricular tumors.

Abnormal subependymal veins may be utilized in the localization of tumors arising from or involving the ventricular system. Such neoplasms produce an abnormal subependymal venous pattern characterized by enlargement, multiplicity and loss of normal configuration. Ten illustrative cases are presented.
Identification of cultured cells expressing ligand-gated cationic channels

Abstract We have identified cultured cells that express ligandgated cation channels using a simple method which may also be applied to the screening of chemical agents for their use as agonists or antagonists. This assay is based upon the observation that many ligand-gated cation channels are permeable to lithium and agonists induce the flux of lithium into the cells which contain them. Since the accumulation of intracellular lithium can alter the cell cycle, the measurement of [3H]thymidine ([3H]thy) incorporation should reflect this occurrence. This expectation was realized using the PC 12 cell line which expresses neuronal-like nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). When cholinergic agonists are applied to PC12 cells in the presence of lithium-containing buffer and cells are subsequently pulsed with [3H]-thy, the radiolabel incorporation into these cells relative to controls is reduced. If cholinergic antagonists are included or if the concentration of agonist either rapidly desensitizes receptors or is insufficient to induce channel opening, the reduction in [3H]thy incorporation is not observed. This method also provides a rapid way to screen cultured cell lines for those that express ligand-gated cation channels. This assay offers the potential to be automated for the low cost screening of drugs which act upon ligand-gated ion channels.
Acute and environmental toxicity studies with hexazinone

The acute toxicity of hexazinone, a herbicide intended for general noncropland areas and selected crop uses (alfalfa and sugarcane), has been evaluated to establish proper handling guidelines and to measure its potential impact on the environment. The material is slightly to moderately toxic when given as a single oral dose; its LD50 in male rats is 1690 mg/kg, in male guinea pigs 860 mg/kg, and in male dogs greater than 3400 mg/kg although in the dog emesis prevented accurate quantitation. When the material is administered intraperitoneally, the LD50 in rats is 530 mg/kg. Repeated doses (five oral doses per week for 2 weeks) of 300 mg/kg to rats produced slight weight loss in one of two replicate experiments. In both studies, no gross or histologic alterations were apparent. Hexazinone is a moderate to severe eye irritant in the rabbit and produced only mild erythema in rabbit skin at 5278 mg/kg, a dose which did not produce lethality or other clinical signs. Subchronic dermal exposures (10 consecutive doses) to rabbits produced increases in serum alkaline phosphatase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase at the highest levels tested (680 and 770 mg/kg in two separate experiments) with no effects seen at 150 mg/kg. There were no alterations in livers from treated rabbits examined by light microscopy. No dermal sensitization was produced when concentrations of up to 50% were tested in guinea pigs. One-hour inhalation exposure of up to 7.48 mg/liter did not produce mortality in rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Topical Review Article: Medulloblastoma: II. A Pathobiologic Overview

The pathobiology of medulloblastoma is reviewed in light of emerging data regarding its immunocytochemical and cytobiologic, as well as molecular biologic, characteristics. The nature of the lesion, particularly its nosologic relation to primitive neuroectodermal tumor, is discussed, as is its place in the World Health Organization classification of tumors of the central nervous system.
Participation in deterministic contests

Abstract This paper considers participation in deterministic contests for m ≥ 1 identical prizes, which employ an auction-like rule to determine the winners. In most papers that investigate such models, participation by precisely m + 1 players is associated with players having complete information about their opponents’ characteristics, and participation by more than m + 1 players is associated with players having incomplete information about their opponents’ characteristics. I show that incomplete information is in fact neither sufficient nor necessary for participation by more than m + 1 players.
Double Resonance and Nuclear Cooling in an Antiferromagnet

The Mn/sup 55/ nuclear resonance in KMnF/sub 3/ was observed by a double resonance technique. Also, by observing the nuclear spin temperature as a function of power absorbed by the electronic antiferromagnetic resonance, an apparent cooling of the nuclei via their interactions with the electron system was discovered. (L.N.N.)
Econmics of desalination in water resource management - a comparison of alternative water resources for arid/semi arid zones in developing countries

Abstract Industrialization of arid and semi arid zones is very essential for a developing country like India where population density is nearly 12 times that of USA. Comparison of economics of various alternatives such as desalination through Multi Stage Flash/ Reverse Osmosis, long distance pipe line and tanker transport to meet water requirement for such industrialization is presented in this paper for the prevailing local conditions.
Evolution of Senescence and Specific Longevity

COMFORT'S recent article1 prompts us to comment on an aspect of the evolution of senescence: particularly on the question why, given equally good environments, organisms differ very greatly in longevity. We agree with Comfort2 in defining senescence as the total effect of all changes which occur in an organism as it ages and which render it more vulnerable or less viable. We define specific longevity as the time from birth to 99 per cent mortality in a cohort.
Determination of post-yield hardening response in a ZrB2 ceramic

The extent of dislocation-based plasticity in ceramics is limited and often accompanied by microcracking. This limitation has precluded the investigation of post-yield plastic response in ceramics. Using low-load nanoindentations and by tracking the hardness of selected grains before and after plastic deformation, the influence of microcracking and variability in microhardness due to grain orientation were minimized and the post-yield response of polycrystalline ZrB 2 ceramic was determined. The observed increase in nanoindentation hardness after plastically deforming isolated ZrB 2 grains indicates conclusively the existence of post-yield strain hardening.
Evaluation of family history as a risk factor and screening tool for detecting undiagnosed diabetes in a nationally representative survey population.

Purpose: We examined the utility of a three-level familial risk stratification system as a screening tool for diabetes in a nationally representative sample of the U.S. adult population. Methods: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data were used to assess the prevalence and distribution of familial risk for diabetes, the association between three levels of familial risk and undiagnosed diabetes, and the use of familial risk as a screening tool for diabetes, alone and in combination with body mass index and age. Results: The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was 3% and increased with increasing familial risk (average = 2%, moderate = 4%, high = 10%). High familial risk was significantly associated with undiagnosed diabetes (adjusted odds ratio = 4.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.9–11.3). The use of a three-tiered familial risk stratification for diabetes screening yielded higher specificity (94%) and positive predictive value (9.9%) for high familial risk than body mass index ≥25 (specificity = 38%, positive predictive value = 4.2%). High familial risk and body mass index ≥25 combined had higher specificity (97%) and positive predictive value (13.4%); the addition of age ≥45 years further improved positive predictive value (21.0%) without reducing specificity. Conclusions: There was a strong and proportional association between familial risk and undiagnosed diabetes, suggesting that a three-tiered assessment of familial diabetes risk may increase the effectiveness of diabetes screening.
Heat transport by acoustic streaming within a cylindrical resonator

Abstract Several experiments on heat transport within a cylindrical resonance tube, mediated by acoustic streaming, are described. The amplitude dependence of the heat transfer coefficient, h, from a hot object located inside the tube depends on the size of the object. For an object short compared to the acoustic displacement amplitude, h is proportional to the square root of amplitude; for a long object, h is linear in amplitude. For an empty resonator with a heated wall segment, the radial heat flux varies with position in a manner consistent with the global streaming pattern within the tube. The magnitude of heat transport from the heated wall segment is increased by inserting an object into the tube because the localized streaming velocity induced by the object is larger than the global streaming velocity in the empty tube. These effects could find application in the cooling of hot objects like electronic components or in thermoacoustic engines.
Brd4-Independent Transcriptional Repression Function of the Papillomavirus E2 Proteins

The papillomavirus E2 protein is a critical viral regulatory protein with transcription, DNA replication, and genome maintenance functions. We have previously identified the cellular bromodomain protein Brd4 as a major E2-interacting protein and established that it participates in tethering bovine papillomavirus type 1 E2 and viral genomes to host cell mitotic chromosomes. We have also shown that Brd4 mediates E2-dependent transcriptional activation, which is strongly inhibited by the disruption of E2/Brd4 binding as well as by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of Brd4 expression levels. Since several mutants harboring single amino acid substitutions within the E2 transactivation domain that are defective for both transcriptional transactivation and Brd4 binding are also defective for transcriptional repression, we examined the role of Brd4 in E2 repression of the human papillomavirus E6/E7 promoter. Surprisingly, in a variety of in vivo assays, including transcription reporter assays, HeLa cell proliferation and colony reduction assays, and Northern blot analyses, neither blocking of the binding of E2 to Brd4 nor shRNA knockdown of Brd4 affected the E2 repression function. Our study provides evidence for a Brd4-independent mechanism of E2-mediated repression and suggests that different cellular factors must be involved in E2-mediated transcriptional activation and repression functions.
Emerging Models of Psychological Treatment: The Path to Prescriptive Authority

The delivery of psychological services has become more differentiated and more specialized over the last three decades. The newest, and perhaps potentially most significant, direction for psychology is the drive toward prescriptive authority for appropriately trained licensed psychologists. This direction is more an outcome of the overall changes in the role of psychology in health care than a particular usurpation of medical turf. The authors present a retrospective review of the trajectories for psychiatry and psychology that have focused psychology on prescriptive authority. A prospective indication of the emerging models of practice is described, illustrated by the limited anecdotal data currently in the literature and professional presentation venues.
Inheritance of Factors Affecting Floral Primordia Initiation in Cestrum; Hybrids of C. elegans and C. nocturnum

Photoperiod patterns of hybrids of Cestrum elegans (Brongn.) Schlect., a day neutral plant, and C. nocturnum L., a long-short day and long day plant, were investigated. Plants of the F(1) generation, F(2) generation, and backcrosses to each parent were tested on short day, long day, continuous light, long-short day and short-long day for floral primordia initiation. The data recorded suggest 2 independent genes or gene groups controlling floral primordia initiation in C. nocturnum, a single dominant gene that is activated by long-short day treatment and a recessive gene or genes responding to long day treatment. Further, these data suggest that the day neutral condition in C. elegans is the result of the series of independent genes or gene groups that respond to various photoperiods, the combination of these genes resulting in floral primordia initiation on all photoperiods.
TAX-TIMING OPTIONS AND THE PRICING OF GOVERNMENT BONDS

Internal Revenue Code provisions affect trading strategies for long-term, fixed-payment securities when investment income is subject to taxation and can create tax-timing options of varying nontrivial values for specific bonds at specific times. In this paper, an estimate of the tax bracket of the marginal investor is used to measure the relative impact of changing tax-timing option values on government bond prices. Results support the argument that tax-timing options help to explain an apparent discrepancy between theoretical arguments regarding the tax bracket of the marginal investor and observed market relationships.
Characterization of copper complexation with natural dissolved organic matter (DOM)--link to acidic moieties of DOM and competition by Ca and Mg.

Abstract We investigated Cu complexation by three dissolved organic matters (DOMs) collected by reverse osmosis (RO). Alkalimetric titration, pH-stat Cu and Ca titrations, pH edges of Cu–DOM complexation, and Ca/Mg–Cu exchange experiments were investigated at I=10−2 M for DOM samples of 10 mg C/L. The proton and Cu binding characteristics indicated similarity for all three DOMs. All Cu titrations employed ion selective electrode measurement and indicated the presence of relatively small amounts of strong Cu-binding sites. Four distinct classes of Cu binding sites are required for FITEQL 4.0 to provide good fits to the entire curves. The estimated total Cu binding site density is 4.55 mmol/g C, much less than the total acidity but very close to the phenolic site content. Cu–DOM complexation increases approximately 10-fold per pH unit, even at relatively high pH (>8). We suggest that sites characterized as phenolic based on alkalimetric titration, not carboxyl sites, account for the majority of Cu complexation under natural water conditions, and Cu–DOM complexation is principally through the replacement of H+ by Cu2+ at the phenolic binding sites. The Cu–H exchange ratio is 1:1 for the first three sites and about 1:2 for the 4th site. This 4-site model describes well the pH dependency of Cu–DOM complexation and provides good estimates of free Cu concentrations throughout wide total copper (CuT) and pH ranges. Comparison between Ca–DOM and Cu–DOM complexation demonstrated that (i) Ca–DOM complexation increases much less than an order of magnitude per pH unit and decreases at higher Ca concentration, different from that of Cu–DOM complexation; and (ii) Cu–DOM complexation is highly non-linear, in contrast to the much reduced extent of non-linearity of Ca–DOM complexation. Ca/Mg–Cu exchange experiments showed small competition effect, less than expected by a simple competition model, and the competition tended to reduce with increasing Ca or Mg concentrations. The extent of the competition by Mg and Ca are essentially comparable. Put all together, it suggests that Ca and Mg are preferably bound by carboxyl sites, especially at relatively high concentrations, resulting in a weakened apparent competition effect.
Therapeutic Synergism: Optimal Pharmacotherapy and Psychiatric Rehabilitation to Enhance Functional Outcome in Schizophrenia

Abstract Despite recent advances in the pharmacologic treatment and psychiatric rehabilitation of people with chronic schizophrenia, there exist serious impediments to the maximal utilization of these techniques. Standard antipsychotic treatment is effective in controlling acute exacerbations of schizophrenia, reducing positive psychotic symptoms, and reducing the frequency of relapse. In contrast, psychiatric rehabilitation is effective in ameliorating some of the negative symptoms, behavioral dysfunction, and cognitive dysfunction in even the most severely affected patients with this disorder. Given the lack of relationship between these clusters of symptoms, it is imperative that these approaches be optimized in the delivery of care to people with schizophrenia.
State Medicaid Policy and Health Reform

In July 2012, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The Court thus ended one phase in the political and legal battle over health reform. Yet in doing so, it opened a new front. In a notable departure from post– New Deal commerce clause jurisprudence, the Court ruled that the federal government could not require states that receive federal funds under the Medicaid program to participate in the PPACA’s Medicaid expansion. In effect, the Court made states’ participation in the PPACA’s Medicaid expansion voluntary — a possibility that neither the act’s supporters nor its opponents seriously entertained during the long legislative battle of 2009 and 2010. The full implications of these changes in federalstate relations remain to be seen. For states, the ruling brings both new flexibility and new accountability. Conservative legislators who have traditionally railed against Medicaid while accepting large subsidies will now have to actively accept or reject billions of dollars in federal resources made possible through this program. For the federal government, the ruling brings new uncertainties and complication, as states decide whether and when to participate in the PPACA’s Medicaid expansion. For millions of citizens, this decision likely delays the path to nearuniversal coverage envisioned under the new law. This issue’s PointCounterpoint essays underscore the difference in perspective among informed participants regarding what may be the most complex and contested measure in the history of American social policy.
Managing the complexity of lookahead for LU factorization with pivoting

We describe parallel implementations of LU factorization with pivoting for multicore architectures. Implementations that differ in two different dimensions are discussed: (1) using classical partial pivoting versus recently proposed incremental pivoting and (2) extracting parallelism only within the Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms versus building and scheduling a directed acyclic graph of tasks. Performance comparisons are given on two different systems.
Lead isotopic ratios and geologic time

The consistency of recent data with Nier's data and with the Nier-Holmes hypothesis for the isotopic abundance of common lead ores is examined. It can be shown that, although individual samples deviate markedly from expectation according to age alone, the data taken together are in agreement with the basic hypothesis. The deviations tend to be non-random. Possible causes of these deviations are discussed. One consequence of the Nier-Holmes hypothesis is that the lead ores should have been derived from the granitic rocks of the Earth's crust rather than from a deep-seated source. The study of lead isotopic ratios may be applied to geologic problems other than that of geologic time.
Investigation of a DNA nucleobase as a gate dielectric for potential application in a graphene-based field effect transistor

In this study, we investigated the effect of substrates on the electrical properties of transferred graphene. A wide range of substrates such as silicon carbide (SiC), glass, kapton, photo-print paper, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Willow glass were selected based on their surface properties, flexibility and lattice match. Four monolayers of graphene were transferred onto each of these substrates. A comparative study of the electrical characteristics of the transferred graphene film only and graphene/guanine film on the different substrates was undertaken.
Immune regulation: a critical link between NK cells and CTLs

Abstract An immune response to pathogen typically involves progression from, innate immunity to adaptive immunity. The questions of whether and how innate immunity influences adaptive immunity and vice versa are still largely unexplored. Here, Ferdynand Kos and Edgar Engleman propose that natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocyies (CTLs) regulate the functions of each other, thereby controlling the outcome of an immune response.
Flow of Abyssal Water into the Samoa Passage

On the TEW Expedition a hydrographic section was made in June 1987 across the Samoa Passage; in addition, south of the Passage, a section was made through the Penrhyn and Samoa Basins and the Tonga Trench. In this paper the flow of the deep water with North Atlantic Deep Water and Antarctic characteristics below 3500 m is discussed. Temperature-salinity-oxygen relationships show a similarity of properties between the Tonga Trench and western boundary of the Samoa Basin. The salinity and silicate data show distinct signatures of North Atlantic Deep Water and Antarctic Bottom Water flowing into the Samoa Passage. Salinity and silicate data in the Samoa Basin and Passage are similar to those measured on the STYX Expedition (1968). Oxygen data show that the water along the Samoa Basin's western boundary is oxygen-rich relative to water in the eastern Basin, but with no oxygen maximum in deep water, as was observed on STYX. Geostrophic flow, based on a reference surface determined from T-S. O2 curves, shows strong northward components (> 10 cm s−1) in the Samoa Passage. On the west side of the Passage the flow was southward (<1 cm s−1) below 4600 m. This flow reversal was associated with a reversal of the sign of the horizontal potential temperature gradient and also with lower values of oxygen, salinity and silicate next to the boundary. The northward transport of Lower Circumpolar Water between the Manihiki Plateau and the Tonga Trench was 12.3 ± 3.6 × 106 m3 s−1; the flow into the Samoa Passage was 6.0 ± 1.1 × 106 m3 s−1. Assuming that only flow above 4800 m can exit the northern Samoa Basin because of topographic restrictions, the total northward transport into the north Tokelau Basin was 9.6 ± 1.8 × 106 m3 s−1.
When three is not always two against one: Coalitions in experimental three-person cooperative games

Abstract Four models of coalition formation are tested in a computer-controlled experiment in which three players negotiated to form coalitions in order to gain rewards for themselves. Formation of the grand coalition of all three players as well as any of the three possible 2-person coalitions is permitted. The results indicate that the grand coalition is the most likely to form, followed by the coalition between the two strongest players. The individually rational bargaining set model of coalition formation is supported over an egalitarian model, the Shapley value, and the coalitionally rational bargaining set model. Various measures of the progress of negotiations are introduced, examined, and discussed in an effort to provide an increased data base for the establishment of a behavioral theory of bargaining and coalition formation.