cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interobserver Agreement as a Function of the Number of Behaviors Recorded Simultaneously

Interobserver agreement scores were analyzed using the Interval-by-Interval and Occurrence-Agreement methods to determine the number of different behaviors an observer may reliably record at a time. Observer pairs recorded 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, and 14 different behaviors at a time from videotape recordings of a classroom. The results suggest that at least 14 behaviors may be recorded simultaneously by experienced, well-trained observers without a decrement in inter observer agreement.
P2x1 Receptor Blockade Inhibits Pressure-Induced Afferent Arteriolar Autoregulatory Behavior.

26 P2X 1 receptors are heavily expressed along the preglomerular vasculature but not on efferent arterioles. P2 receptor activation has been implicated in mediating afferent arteriolar (AA) autoregulatory behavior; however, the receptor subtype responsible remains unknown. This study was performed to test the hypothesis that selective blockade of P2X 1 receptors with the novel P2X 1 receptor antagonist, NF-279, will inhibit pressure-mediated AA autoregulatory responses. Kidneys from enalaprilat treated (2mg, iv), anesthetized rats were prepared for videomicroscopy experiments using the in vitro blood perfused juxtamedullary nephron technique. Autoregulatory behavior was assessed in response to step increases in perfusion pressure (PP) from 100mmHg to 130 and 160mmHg while AA diameter was continuously monitored. Autoregulatory responses were measured under control (Con) conditions and during P2X 1 receptor blockade with NF-279. Time controls have verified that duplicate autoregulatory maneuvers yield similar decreases in AA diameter. During the control period, AA diameter decreased significantly from 20.8 ± 0.8 to 17.3 ± 0.5 (83% of Con) and 14.7 ± 0.7μm (71% of Con) at PP of 100, 130 and 160mmHg, respectively (P 1 agonist, α, β-methylene ATP (1μM; P 1 receptor agonist, cyclopentyl adenosine (1nM; n=6) or to 1nM Ang II (n=4). These data support our previous observations implicating ATP-induced P2 receptor activation in mediating AA autoregulatory behavior. More importantly, these data provide new and compelling evidence identifying the P2X 1 receptor as the specific receptor subtype responsible for AA autoregulatory behavior.
Environmental vibrios represent a source of antagonistic compounds that inhibit pathogenic Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains

With the overuse of antibiotics, many pathogens including Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus have evolved multidrug resistance making treatment more difficult. While understanding the mechanisms that underlie pathogenesis is crucial, knowledge of bacterial interactions of V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus could provide insight to their susceptibility outside of the human host. Based on previous work showing competition among environmental strains, we predict that marine-derived bacteria should inhibit Vibrio pathogens and may be a source of unique antibiotic compounds. We tested a collection of 3,456 environmental Vibrio isolates from diverse habitats against a panel of V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus, and identified 102 strains that inhibited the growth of these pathogens. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 40 pathogen-inhibiting strains were unique at the hsp60 gene sequence while 62 of the isolates were identical suggesting clonal groups. Genomic comparisons of ten strains revealed diversity even between clonal isolates and were identified as being closely related to known Vibrio crassostreae, Vibrio splendidus, and Vibrio tasmaniensis strains. Further analysis revealed multiple biosynthetic gene clusters within all sequenced genomes that encoded secondary metabolites with potential antagonistic activity. Thus, environmental vibrios represent a source of compounds that inhibit Vibrio pathogens.
Design of zero-voltage-ripple buck dc-dc converter

This paper presents the design of a zero-voltage-ripple (ZVR) buck dc-dc converter. The circuit uses an autotransformer for ripple cancellation in the output voltage. The principle of operation is discussed in brief. The relationship between the currents through the magnetizing inductance and the auto-transformer windings is developed. The auxiliary inductance for ripple cancellation in series with the secondary winding is determined. The expression for the auxiliary inductance is derived. A laboratory prototype of a buck converter with supply voltage 12 V, output voltage voltage 5 V, switching frequency 500 kHz, and output power 10 W was built. Simulation and experimental results are provided validating the theoretical predictions.
Chemokine Receptors and Lymphocyte Trafficking

The ordered movement of lymphocytes through and positioning within lymphoid organs and peripheral sites is controlled by adhesion molecules together with chemokines and their receptors. Chemokine-mediated lymphocyte migration is critical for establishing the architecture of lymphoid organs and many aspects of lymphocyte function, including lymphocyte development, activation, and effector activity. Of the 19 chemokine receptors described in humans, all have been reported to be expressed on lymphocytes, and the expression pattern of chemokine receptors can itself be used to define and characterize lymphocyte subsets. For example, by using chemokine receptors, memory T cells can be split into distinct populations, such as central and effector memory T cells; and T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells exhibit distinguishable patterns of chemokine receptor expression, which can be used to study Th1/Th2 differentiation. Beyond their physiologic roles, chemokine receptors on lymphocytes are exploited by pathogens, such as in the use of CCR5 and CXCR4 by HIV-1 as coreceptors for viral entry. In this chapter, we will focus on the roles of chemokine receptors in lymphocyte trafficking in lymphoid organs and peripheral tissues and how understanding the chemokine system has shed light on larger issues in lymphocyte biology. We will discuss the roles of chemokines and chemokine receptors during the life cycles of lymphocytes—from early development through the acquisition of memory and effector functions.
Clinical Management of Women with Monogenic Diabetes During Pregnancy.

Monogenic diabetes accounts for 1–2% of all diabetes cases, but is frequently misdiagnosed as type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes. Accurate genetic diagnosis directs management, such as no pharmacologic treatment for GCK-MODY, low-dose sulfonylureas for HNF1A-MODY and HNF4A-MODY, and high-dose sulfonylureas for KATP channel-related diabetes. While diabetes treatment is defined for the most common causes of monogenic diabetes, pregnancy poses a challenge to management. Here, we discuss the key issues in pregnancy affected by monogenic diabetes. General recommendations for pregnancy affected by GCK-MODY determine need for maternal insulin treatment based on fetal mutation status. However, a recent study suggests macrosomia and miscarriage rates may be increased with this strategy. Recent demonstration of transplacental transfer of sulfonylureas also raises questions as to when insulin should be initiated in sulfonylurea-responsive forms of monogenic diabetes. Pregnancy represents a challenge in management of monogenic diabetes, where factors of maternal glycemic control, fetal mutation status, and transplacental transfer of medication must all be taken into consideration. Guidelines for pregnancy affected by monogenic diabetes will benefit from large, prospective studies to better define the need for and timing of initiation of insulin treatment.
KlassroomSwing: a GUI package for Java

There is a tension between students' expectations and the reality of many programming courses. The students live in a world where media and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are commonplace, but many courses, textbooks, and ancillary materials focus on text-based interfaces. Considering the pervasiveness of GUIs, it seems appropriate to introduce them early in the curriculum. Unfortunately, working with Java's Swing package is a daunting task for beginning programmers. According to the ACM Java Task Force, "The standard interactor classes provided by the Java Swing Library are often difficult for novices to use." A common alternative is to have students use a toolkit, or GUI package, to create user interfaces in the early courses, and switch to Swing in later courses. The ACM Java Task Force has identified KlassroomSwing as one of three substantial packages designed to address this specific problem. The purpose of this tutorial is to introduce the participants to the features and capabilities of KlassroomSwing.
Engineering Challenges on the Way to Resilient Structures and Communities

Safety of occupants is of paramount importance in the design of any structure or system. However, in the aftermath of recent major earthquakes, worldwide attention has increasingly focused on the need for resilient structures and lifelines that are able to return to service quickly following a major earthquake. In this paper, engineering aspects of resilient communities are discussed, focusing on increasing the post-earthquake operability of those structures and lifelines critical to a community’s needs in the aftermath of a major earthquake and the ability of occupants to “shelter-in-place” during repairs
Management of Complications Following Embolization for Intractable Epistaxis

Epistaxis affects an estimated 60% of people during their lifetime [1, 2]. It is found to occur most often from an anterior source rather than a posterior source [3]. The underlying etiology for epistaxis can vary from a systemic disease with an associated coagulopathy [4], to physical assault with trauma to the mucosa, nasal bone or septum, anticoagulant use, an underlying arteriovenous malformation, illicit drug use, hypertension, and/or an underlying malignancy [1, 5].
Fracture Risk After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass vs Adjustable Gastric Banding Among Medicare Beneficiaries.

Importance Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is associated with significant bone loss and may increase fracture risk, whereas substantial bone loss and increased fracture risk have not been reported after adjustable gastric banding (AGB). Previous studies have had little representation of patients aged 65 years or older, and it is currently unknown how age modifies fracture risk. Objective To compare fracture risk after RYGB and AGB procedures in a large, nationally representative cohort enriched for older adults. Design, Setting, and Participants This population-based retrospective cohort analysis used Medicare claims data from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2014, from 42 345 severely obese adults, of whom 29 624 received RYGB and 12 721 received AGB. Data analysis was performed from April 2017 to November 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was incident nonvertebral (ie, wrist, humerus, pelvis, and hip) fractures after RYGB and AGB surgery defined using a combination ofInternational Classification of Diseases, Ninth EditionandCurrent Procedural Terminology 4codes. Results Of 42 345 participants, 33 254 (78.5%) were women. With a mean (SD) age of 51 (12) years, recipients of RYGB were younger than AGB recipients (55 [12] years). Both groups had similar comorbidities, medication use, and health care utilization in the 365 days before surgery. Over a mean (SD) follow-up of 3.5 (2.1) years, 658 nonvertebral fractures were documented. The fracture incidence rate was 6.6 (95% CI, 6.0-7.2) after RYGB and 4.6 (95% CI, 3.9-5.3) after AGB, which translated to a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.73 (95% CI, 1.45-2.08) after multivariable adjustment. Site-specific analyses demonstrated an increased fracture risk at the hip (HR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.82-4.49), wrist (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.33-2.14), and pelvis (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.08-2.07) among RYGB recipients. No significant interactions of fracture risk with age, sex, diabetes status, or race were found. In particular, adults 65 years and older showed similar patterns of fracture risk to younger adults. Sensitivity analyses using propensity score matching showed similar results (nonvertebral fracture: HR 1.75; 95% CI, 1.22-2.52). Conclusions and Relevance This study of a large, US population–based cohort including a substantial population of older adults found a 73% increased risk of nonvertebral fracture after RYGB compared with AGB, including increased risk of hip, wrist, and pelvis fractures. Fracture risk was consistently increased among RYGB patients vs AGB across different subgroups, and to a similar degree among older and younger adults. Increased fracture risk appears to be an important unintended consequence of RYGB.
Cubic negative stiffness lattice structure for energy absorption: Numerical and experimental studies

Abstract We present a new type of a truly three-dimensional cubic negative stiffness lattice structure that can achieve energy absorption and recover its original configuration under cyclic loading in excess of a strain of approximately 20%. This structure was composed of multiple unit cells exploiting negative stiffness from controlled elastic buckling. Structural properties were designed to be tuned by adjusting geometry. The effective Poisson’s ratio was equal to zero regardless of the constituent material. Geometric parameters that can lead to the desired energy absorption without yielding the structure were determined by finite element analysis. We then fabricated samples representing the lattice structure with different sizes through additive manufacturing and performed cyclic loading experiments to capture stress-strain hysteresis loops. Results clearly showed that the designed structure was capable of absorbing mechanical energy effectively with a full recovery of geometry in three principal directions and that the amount of energy absorbed during cyclic loading increases with its size.
Data Commons to Support University-Wide Cross Discipline Research

The Translational Data Analytics Institute (TDAI) at the Ohio State University (OSU) aims to promote cross discipline work in order to improve data science and analytics in many areas of university-wide research for use in solving real world problems including areas such as smart city, smart agriculture, and biomedical research. As a result of their interest in promoting transdisciplinary work, TDAI decided that they needed to grapple with the problems of where do researchers get their data and where do they store it for the long term. In particular they were interested in improving the discoverability of and access to data sets that have already been produced by other researchers [1]. To support their mission TDAI envisioned the Data Commons as a website where researchers upload research data sets, curators link data sets together, and researchers visualize and analyze data sets in a data processing environment. Development of this data portal has gone through several phases: requirements gathering, a "ground up" implementation by a local contractor, transfer to the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) for additional development and hosting, and an initial release. Requirements gathering for version 2 is in progress.
Design and development of mobility equipment for persons with disabilities in low-resource and tropical settings: bamboo wheelchairs.

Purpose: For persons with disabilities in low-resource and tropical settings, barriers to mobility and physical activity are steep. The aim of this study was to develop and test two low-cost, durab...
High speed short wavelength infrared heterojunction phototransistors based on type II superlattices

A two terminal short wavelength infrared heterojunction phototransistors based on type-II InAs/AlSb/GaSb on GaSb substrate are designed fabricated and presented. With the base thickness of 40 nm, the device exhibited 100% cut-off wavelengths of ~2.3 μm at 300K. The saturated peak responsivity value is of 325.5 A/W at 300K, under front-side illumination without any anti-reflection coating. A saturated optical gain at 300K was 215 a saturated dark current shot noise limited specific detectivity of 4.9×1011 cm·Hz1/2/W at 300 K was measured. Similar heterojunction phototransistor structure was grown and fabricated with different method of processing for high speed testing. For 80μm diameter circular diode size under 20 V applied reverse bias, a -3 dB cut-off frequency of 1.0 GHz was achieved, which showed the potential of type-II superlattice based heterojunction phototransistors to be used for high speed detection.
A framework for implementing socially just climate adaptation

The previous two decades of scholarship devoted to the role of social justice in climate change adaptation have established an important theoretical basis to evaluate the concept of just adaptation, or, in other words, how the implementation of climate adaptation policy affects socially vulnerable groups. This paper synthesizes insights from relevant literature on urban climate change governance, climate adaptation, urban planning, social justice theory, and policy implementation to develop three propositions concerning the conditions that must occur to implement just adaptation. First, just adaptation requires the inclusion of socially vulnerable populations as full participants with agency to shape the decisions that affect them. Second, just adaptation requires that adaptation framings explicitly recognize the causes of systemic injustice. Third, just adaptation requires a focus on incremental evaluations of implementation to avoid timeframes inconsistent with advancing justice. We then integrate the advocacy coalition framework (ACF) with the just adaptation literature to develop a framework to evaluate the implementation of climate adaptation. We present two novel modifications to the ACF aimed at fostering policy analysis of the previously presented three propositions for implementation of just adaptation.
Chapter 14 – Time Series: Understanding Changes Over Time

This chapter begins with an overview of time-series methods, along with exploratory data examples of the most important types of structure we find in business time series. Next, the trend-seasonal method is presented in detail, providing an intuitive way of capturing the seasonality that is present in many areas of business. Another set of methods comes next: the Box-Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving-average (ARIMA) processes, which use probability models (including regression) to do a better job with the wanderings up and down of the business cycle and their forecasts. As you learn about the technical advances available in this area, and how well they can work in some cases, please do not forget that forecasting is very difficult and the future can bring forth unanticipated surprises that even the best analysis would have missed.
Utilizing CBPR Charrette in Community-Academic Research Partnerships – What Stakeholders Should Know

The purpose of this article is to describe how researchers and community stakeholders can use Charrette processes to effectively build partnerships and stimulate successful community-based participatory research (CBPR). The term “Charrette” originated in the architectural design field. Kotval et al. (2014) described the Charrette as “a process of collaboration, intense dialogue and deliberation among participants to promote understanding and facilitate planning activity” (p. 494). The use of Charrette in CBPR is still an emerging concept in the literature, however, a few key studies have demonstrated that Charrette is a promising tool for CBPR researchers and stakeholders. Kennedy’s (2017) eight Charrette characteristics serve as an evaluative framework for examining the use of the Charrette in the two CBPR projects described in this paper. These cases illustrate how the CBPR Charrette was tailored to fit the needs of the project stakeholders. Recommendations for utilizing the CBPR Charrette are discussed, and important considerations are highlighted for community and academic groups who engage patients and community stakeholders in the research process.
Insulator foci distance correlates with cellular and nuclear morphology in early Drosophila embryos

Abstract The three-dimensional (3D) organization of the genome is highly dynamic, changing during development and varying across different tissues and cell types. Recent studies indicate that these changes alter regulatory interactions, leading to changes in gene expression. Despite its importance, the mechanisms that influence genomic organization remain poorly understood. We have previously identified a network of chromatin boundary elements, or insulators, in the Drosophila Antennapedia homeotic complex (ANT-C). These genomic elements interact with one another to tether chromatin loops that could block or promote enhancer-promoter interactions. To understand the function of these insulators, we assessed their interactions by measuring their 3D nuclear distance in developing animal tissues. Our data suggest that the ANT-C Hox complex might be in a folded or looped configuration rather than in a random or extended form. The architecture of the ANT-C complex, as read out by the pair-wise distance between insulators, undergoes a strong compression during late embryogenesis, coinciding with the reduction of cell and nuclear diameters due to continued cell divisions in post-cleavage cells. Our results suggest that genomic architecture and gene regulation may be influenced by cellular morphology and movement during development.
Automated Vehicle Behavior Design for Pedestrian Interactions at Unsignalized Crosswalks

A significant challenge for real-world deployment of automated vehicles (AVs) is their safe interaction with other road users, particularly pedestrians, whose behavior can change almost instantaneously. To ensure safety, AVs are expected to drive cautiously around pedestrians. However, conservative AV behavior can encourage pedestrians to be careless. Additionally, riders inside the AV expect a comfortable ride and to reach their destinations without excessive delay (AV performance). These objectives of safety, performance, and comfort are opposing in nature and thus have to be balanced in a way that is accepted by both the riders and the pedestrians. For example, in the case of pedestrian crossing at an unsignalized crosswalk, the AV might want to prioritize comfort normally and gradually slow down to stop, but at a school zone might want to prioritize safety and have a stronger deceleration. Existing approach of fixing the weights of the objectives can be constrictive as in reality, the objectives can vary depending on the situation. To overcome this limitation, we incorporated a hybrid systems pedestrian model that is interactive and depends on the vehicle behavior (distance and speed). Our findings suggest the possibility of characterizing driving behaviors by varying the weights of the driving objectives. We believe that by understanding the objective performance of the different driving behaviors with an interactive pedestrian model, the AV-decision making can be expressed by varying the weights of the objective function. The primary contribution of this research is the objective evaluation of a spectrum of driving behaviors represented by the different weight combinations of the three AV driving objectives – safety, performance, and comfort.
Why are People Energy Poor? Evidence from Ethnic Fractionalization

Abstract This article evaluates the impact of ethnic fractionalization on different indicators of energy poverty in Nepal. The empirical approach in this study exploits a plausibly exogenous variation in historical migration shocks to instrument for ethnic fractionalization. Regression results show that ethnic fractionalization leads to an increase in energy poverty among Nepalese households. In particular, energy poverty induced by ethnic fractionalization is severe among low-caste individuals, suggesting prospects of energy injustice in a caste-based hierarchical society. Among different channels, income appears to mediate the effect of ethnic fractionalization on energy poverty in the context of Nepal. A back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests that a significant drop in energy poverty from a change in income induced by ethnic fractionalization results in a national economic gain of approximately $3.2 million. Results indicate that policies aimed at enhancing local income can be effective in eradicating energy poverty in a developing country setting.
Research on improving the fault simulation accuracy of Modular Multilevel Converters

The digital real-time simulation-based function and dynamic performance tests of the modular multi-level converter (MMC) control and protection systems have become an important method to ensure the safety and reliability of the MMC-HVDC projects, of which the real-time simulation model of the MMC is one of the key factors affecting the test effect. Currently, the MMC models are generally implemented in the central processing unit (CPU) and field programmable gates array (FPGA) with multi-rate time steps (large-small time step simulation). In case of fault simulations, the loss of accuracy caused by communication delay between CPU and FPGA can be significant. In order to further improve the test performance, the FPGA based small time step model of MMC has been studied. Comparative simulation has been carried out under AC and DC fault conditions to verify the proposed method. The results show that the real-time simulation accuracy of the MMC can be effectively improved with the new method.
Canonical Equation K25 for Random G-Matrices. Strong V-Law

We present a survey of some recent results established for non-Hermitian random matrices and propose a new theory of these matrices based on the V-transform of the normalized spectral functions (n.s.f.) v n (x, y) of the eigenvalues of a nonsymmetric matrix Ξ via the n.s.f. µ n (x, t, s) of the eigenvalues of the Hermitian matrix (Ξ n -τI)(Ξ n -τI)*, τ = t + is. We determine the general form of possible limit normalized spectral functions of the matrix Ξ n , i.e., prove the so-called V-law. We have now a great deal of evidence that the V-law has many applications, especially in physics.
Poem for Chandravadan Mehta

Old man, scholar and endearing rogue, what strange star led you to London Where I met you, face ecUpsed, diminutive in a suit from Savile Row As grey and full of propriety as was the city itself on that bright August day. A couple of months later, half the globe and a whole world away, I watched you grow The cotton fal?ng off you in folds, white and finely-spun as the chameH flowers past which we walked, Petals of which you took, crushed and the essence showered Upon my intellect, then made for me a garland I cannot now discard Although I am back in London. My mind has been deflowered.
Expression of GLUT1 in tumors promotes cancer cell survival

2264 The glucose transporter GLUT1 is highly expressed in cancers through hypoxia-inducible factor 1 apha. The up-regulation of GLUT1 in cancer cells facilitates high glucose uptake in cancers, which may serve as a survival mechanism by increasing glycolysis in cancer cells under hypoxic condition. The purpose of this research is to determine the up-regulation of GLUT1 in cancer tissues in hypoxic condition and to study the role of GLUT1 in escaping hypoxia-induced apoptosis. GLUT1 expression was detected in cancer tissues and cancer cell lines (NCI 60 cancer cells) with immunostaining, Western blotting, real-time PCR, and DNA microarray. GLUT1 down-regulation was achieved through siRNA transfection. Early stage apoptosis was monitored with Annexin V-FITC staining. Glucose uptake was measured in GLUT1 siRNA knockdown and control cells with 3H-2-deoxy-glucose. Immunostaining experiments show that GLUT1 expression was significantly increased in hypoxic areas of colon and breast cancer tissues. GLUT1 mRNA was also highly expressed in cancer tissues and cancer cells. Cancer cells taken from the NCI-60 panel expressed various levels of GLUT1, with the highest expression in colon cancer cells SW620 (3.7-fold higher than pooled control cells). Four siRNA sequences were designed to knockdown GLUT1 expression in SW620 cells. Two siRNA sequences reduced GLUT1 expression by more than 65% mRNA and 75% protein at 36 hours after GLUT1 siRNA transfection, compared to control siRNA transfected cells. siRNA knockdown of GLUT1 alone induced significant apoptosis in SW620 cells, which was determined by annexin V staining. Yet, overall glucose uptake was not significantly altered in GLUT1 siRNA transfected cells, because of abundant expression of other glucose transporters. These results suggest that GLUT1 expression is up-regulated in cancers, especially in the hypoxic areas. In addition to permitting a high-rate glycolysis, GLUT1 expressions may provide a survival mechanism for cancer cells by escaping hypoxia-induced apoptosis. However, the mechanisms underlying GLUT1-mediated prevention of apoptosis and GLUT1 translocation between cell surface and intracellular vesicles need to be further investigated.
Soil carbon dioxide emissions from the Mojave desert: Isotopic evidence for a carbonate source

Arid soils represent a substantial carbonate pool, and may participate in surface-atmosphere CO2 exchange via a diel cycle of carbonate dissolution and exsolution. We used a Keeling plot approach to determine the substrate δ13C of CO2 emitted from carbonate-dominated soils in the Mojave Desert, and found evidence for a non-respiratory source that increased with surface temperature. In dry soils at 25-30 °C, the CO2 substrate had δ13C values of -19.4 ± 4.2‰, indicative of respiration of organic material (soil organic matter = -23.1 ± 0.8‰). CO2 flux increased with temperature; maximum fluxes occurred above 60 °C, where δ13CO2-substrate (-7.2‰ ± 2.8‰) approached soil carbonate values (0.2 ± 0.2 ‰). In wet soils, CO2 emissions were not temperature dependent, and δ13CO2-substrate was lower in vegetated soils with higher flux rates, higher organic C content and potential root respiration. These data provide the first direct evidence of CO2 emissions from alkaline desert soils derived from an abiotic source, and that diurnal emissions patterns are strongly driven by surface temperature.
Formulation and physiologic factors affecting the pharmacology of carrier-mediated anticancer agents

Introduction: Major advances in carrier-mediated agents (CMAs), which include nanoparticles and conjugates, have revolutionized drug delivery capabilities over the past decade. While providing numerous advantages such as increased exposure duration, greater solubility and delivery to tumor sites over their small molecule counterparts, there is substantial variability in how individual CMA formulations affect the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (efficacy and toxicity) of these agents.Areas covered: CMA formulations are complex in nature compared to their small molecule counterparts and consist of multiple components and variables that can affect the pharmacological profile. This review provides an overview of factors that affect the pharmacologic profiles observed in CMA-formulated chemotherapy, primarily in liposomal formulations, that are currently in preclinical or early clinical development.Expert opinion: Despite the numerous advantages that CMA formulations provide, their clinical...
Biphenotypic (mixed myeloid/T-cell) extramedullary myeloid cell tumor.

A 32-year-old male with a 4-year history of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in chronic phase for 4 years, then myeloid blast crisis for 7 months, developed diffuse bulky lymphaden-opathy in association with a white blood count (WBC) of 17,100/mm3 with 70% blasts. Biopsy of a cervical lymph node revealed a blastic extramedullary myeloid cell tumor, which showed a biphenotypic (mixed myeloid/T-cell) immunophenotype. Chromosomal analysis revealed karyotypic features of both myeloid and lymphoid lineages. Although extramedullary myeloid cell tumor (EMT, granulocytic sarcoma, chloroma) is well known to occur in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), to our knowledge this is the first description of evolution of CML into a biphenotypic EMT.
The NOMAD system: expectation-based detection and correction of errors during understanding of syntactically and semantically ill-formed text

Most large text-understanding systems have been designed under the assumption that the input text will be in reasonably "neat" form (for example, newspaper stories and other edited texts). However, a great deal of natural language text (for example, memos, messages, rough drafts, conversation transcripts, etc.) have features that differ significantly from "neat" texts, posing special problems for readers, such as misspelled words, missing words, poor syntactic construction, unclear or ambiguous interpretation, missing crucial punctuation, etc. Our solution to these problems is to make use of expectations, based both on knowledge of surface English and on world knowledge of the situation being described. These syntactic and semantic expectations can be used to figure out unknown words from context, constrain the possible word senses of words with multiple meanings (ambiguity), fill in missing words (ellipsis), and resolve referents (anaphora). This method of using expectations to aid the understanding of "scruffy" texts has been incorporated into a working computer program called NOMAD, which understands scruffy texts in the domain of Navy ship-to-shore messages.
Improving graft survival for patients undergoing liver transplantation.

Dickson RC, Pungpapong S, Keaveny AP, Taner BC, Ghabril M, Aranda-Michel J, Satyanarayana R, Bonatti H, Kramer DJ, Nguyen JH. Improving graft survival for patients undergoing liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E345–E355. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Liver transplant (LT) outcomes are reported to be improving in non-HCV recipients but not for those infected with HCV. Our aim was to evaluate graft survival and predictors of outcome in HCV and non-HCV patients before and after 2003. Patients with primary LT between February 1, 1998, and December 31, 2005, were included. Patients were divided into Era 1 (1998–2002) and Era 2 (2003–2005) with follow-up through May 31, 2009. Graft survival was compared for HCV, non-HCV, and all patients. There was significant improvement in graft survival in Era 2 for HCV patients. Graft survival in Era 2 of HCV patients was equivalent to non-HCV patients. The most significant improvement between eras was in outcomes of grafts from donors ≥60 yr with three-yr graft survival 58.6 (51.3–65.9) vs. 75.4 (68.9–81.9), p = 0.002. The use of donors ≥60 did not change between eras: 31% vs. 34%; however, utilization in HCV recipients decreased from 36% to 3% (p < 0.001). In conclusion, graft survival of HCV patients has improved significantly since 2003 and was comparable to non-HCV patients up to three yr. The change in management of donor organs into HCV and non-HCV patients likely contributed to this outcome.
Drug-related hospital admissions

The association between hospital admissions and drug-related problems was studied in 216 patients. All patients admitted to a general 100-bed ward in a large teaching hospital over a two-month period were interviewed by the pharmacist to determine (1) prescription and nonprescription drugs regularly administered by the patient, (2) method of administration, (3) patients' compliance with prescribed therapy, and (4) signs and symptoms of adverse drug reactions. Fifty-nine (27.3%) patients were found to have a drug-related problem associated with their hospital admission. Twenty-four patients (11.1%) had an adverse drug reaction associated with their hospital admission; in only 17 (7.9%) of the patients did the adverse reaction cause the hospital admission. Adverse drug reactions and noncompliance (10.5%) appeared to be the principal factors in hospital admission. To a lesser extent, inadequate therapy, improper or erroneous drug use and drug overdose were found to be associated with hospital admissions. As to mechanism of drug reaction, a drug side effect was involved in most cases. While hospital pharmacists have traditionally concentrated on improving inpatient distribution services, this study indicates a need for the improvement of drug monitoring and education services available to patients in outpatient settings.
Evolution of market mechanism through a continuous space of auction-types

A continuous space of auction mechanisms is explored via a genetic algorithm, with ZIP artificial trading agents ope rating in the evolved markets. The space of possible auction-types includes the Continuous Double Auction and also two purely one-sided mechanisms, yet hybrids of these auction types are regularly found to give the most desirable market dynamics.
Patient perceptions of physical health and bipolar symptoms: The intersection of mental and physical health

Abstract Background Affective symptoms and medical comorbidities have a negative impact on the course of bipolar disorder. The aim of this analysis was to examine how the perceptions of physical health and functioning in individuals with bipolar disorder relate to their mood symptoms. Methods We analyzed longitudinal data from the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD) on the physical subscales of the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, bodily pain, and general health). Results Participants’ perception of their overall physical health predicted severity of mania/hypomania, depression, and life satisfaction at concurrent and future visits. Perceptions of role limitations due to physical health problems predicted depressive symptoms and poor life satisfaction. Worse bodily pain predicted symptoms of mania/hypomania. Reports of specific or concrete physical limitations in daily life showed no associations with psychiatric symptoms at concurrent assessments, but did predict worse course of illness one year later. SF-36 scores showed significant, but small associations with the presence of medical comorbidities. Limitations: Perceptions of physical health and quality of life were self-report, potentially lending themselves to transient negative biases, particularly among depressed participants. Additionally, the SF-36 was selected as a generic, widely used measure; as a result, it was not specific to the illness burden of bipolar disorder. Conclusion Overall, broad perceptions of poor physical health were associated with worse course of illness over the 24 months of the study. Though further research is warranted, changes in subjective physical health related quality of life, even independent of objective health changes, may offer important insight into global wellbeing and be targets of psychotherapy treatment.
Effects of cerivastatin on vascular function of human radial and left internal thoracic arteries.

Abstract Background . Statins may enhance vascular function independently of effects on cholesterol. This study investigated the ability of statins to modulate the vascular recovery of arteries used as coronary bypass grafts. Methods . Specimens of radial artery and left internal thoracic artery were obtained during coronary artery bypass grafting. The specimens were divided into vascular rings, which were incubated in the absence or presence of cerivastatin (10 −6 mol/L) for either 2 or 24 hours. Using an organ bath technique, endothelial function was examined using acetylcholine (10 −9 to 10 −5 mol/L) after contraction by 3×10 −8 mol/L of endothelin-1. Results . Time-related endothelial dysfunction was shown in the control group of radial artery but not in the cerivastatin group: maximal endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the control and cerivastatin groups were 56.8% ± 10.2% and 65.9% ± 10.1% at 2 hours and 39.4% ± 4.7% and 68.4% ± 5.0% ( p Conclusions . In radial artery, cerivastatin significantly preserved endothelium-dependent vasodilation, which diminished with time in the control group. This could have very important implications in the clinical practice of coronary artery bypass grafting.
On the number of odd values of the Klein j-function and the cubic partition function

Using entirely algebraic or elementary methods, partly inspired by recent ideas of P. Monsky on quadratic representations, we determine a new asymptotic lower bound for the number of odd values of a fundamental modular function in number theory, the Klein j-function. Namely, the number of n≤x such that the Klein j-function — or equivalently, the cubic partition function — is odd has order at least xlog⁡log⁡xlog⁡x, for x→∞. This improves recent results of Berndt, Yee and Zaharescu and Chen and Lin, approaching significantly the best bound currently known for p(n), obtained using modular forms. Then, in the final section, we show how to employ modular forms to slightly refine our bound. In fact, our brief argument, combining a recent result of Nicolas–Serre with a classical theorem of Serre on level 1 modular forms, more generally provides a lower bound for the odd values of any positive power of the generating function of p(n).
Science and citizenship: a new synergy

The relationship of science and citizenship is actively under discussion today in processes of social identity-making, including the identity of the citizen as producer and consumer of knowledge; the merger of consumption and citizenship through the use of market transactions to advance particular ways of knowing the world; and the work of politically relevant knowledge production, with citizens supplementing the role of experts. The papers in this special issue explore how, in each context, powerful institutions such as states and corporations are struggling to define principles by which to determine which citizens should be included, and on what terms, in relevant decisions and debates. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
Adolescents, advergames and snack foods: Effects of positive affect and experience on memory and choice

Our study examined factors affecting Mexican adolescents' brand recognition and choice of snack products contained in advergames. Recognition tests and snack choice procedures were conducted where three issues were examined: (1) the effect of product and electronic media experience on adolescents' memory; (2) the effect of positive affect (liking) of both product and advergames on adolescents' memory; and (3) exploration of the effect of positive affect, experience and enhanced memory on adolescents' product choice. Multivariate analyses revealed that adolescents who exhibited positive affect toward both advergames and featured food products demonstrated elevated recognition performance. The positive effect of product experience on memory was confirmed. Interestingly, familiarity with videogame consoles enhanced adolescents' brand recognition scores as compared to television watching or computer usage. Among the participants, more than 65% selected snacks promoted on advergames over other snacks. The diff...
Intratumor heterogeneity of DNA ploidy and correlations with clinical stage and histologic grade in prostate cancer

Paraffin blocks from 60 patients with prostate cancer were used to study the DNA ploidy patterns by flow cytometry. Nineteen patients had stage A disease, 11 had stage B, 9 had stage C, 20 had stage D, and 1 was of unknown stage. Histologically, 32 of the cancers were well differentiated, 21 were moderately differentiated, and 7 were poorly differentiated. Eighteen patients had an aneuploid or tetraploid (A/T) pattern and 42 had a diploid pattern. Seventy-one percent (5/7) of patients with poorly differentiated, 48% (10/21) with moderately differentiated, and 9% (3/32) with well-differentiated histology had A/T patterns (P < 0.01). Forty-five percent (9/20) of patients with stage D, 44% (4/9) with stage C, 27% (3/11) with stage B, and 5% (1/19) with stage A had A/T patterns (P < 0.05). Nine patients with an A/T pattern also had DNA ploidy studies done on the "benign" part of the specimen. These specimens showed diploid patterns although three of these patients had well-differentiated tumor in the "benign" designated part of the specimen. One patient with mixed histology had an aneuploid pattern on the poorly differentiated section and a diploid pattern on the well-differentiated section of the "malignant" designated part of the same specimen. We conclude that prostate cancer patients with non-diploid tumors have more advanced disease and less differentiated tumors than patients with diploid tumors and that considerable histological and ploidy heterogeneity may be present in different parts of the same paraffin-embedded specimen.
Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for F Ratios in the L × J × K Factorial Design with Two Repeated Factors

Abstract Assuming multivariate normality, a necessary and sufficient condition is derived for the validity of each F ratio in an L × J × K factorial design with repeated measurements on the last two factors. The condition is: C'Σ1C = C'Σ2C =…= C'Σ L C = σ2I, where C is the contrast matrix representing the comparison of interest, and Σ i , i = 1, 2, …, L, is a (JK) × (JK) population dispersion matrix.
Experimental investigation of a.c. losses in cabled superconductors

Abstract A.c. losses in multifilamentary composite superconducting strands and cables have been measured in adiabatic conditions for transverse field sweep rates up to 50 T s −1 . Measurements were performed on NbTi and Nb 3 Sn conductors of several configurations and surface preparations: single strands, soldered strands and cables of varying degrees of compaction composed of bare strands, strands with CuNi barriers and strands with chrome plating. The experimental data agree well with existing loss models. Loss data are characterized in terms of effective coupling current time constants. It has been determined that chrome plating on strands can reduce the coupling loss in highly compacted cables to as little as 20% of the coupling loss in similar cables composed of bare strands. In loosely compacted cables (down to ≈ 50% void) the strand-to-strand coupling loss was less than the filament coupling loss. As compaction is increased below 50% void the strand coupling quickly increases and becomes the dominant loss mechanism. The data suggest that the total cable loss grows as ≈ 1/(void) 3 below void fractions of 40%. This observed cable loss dependence on void fraction does not agree well with a previously proposed model.
Stability Estimates for Coefficients of Magnetic Schrödinger Equation from Full and Partial Boundary Measurements

In this paper we establish a log log-type estimate which shows that in dimension n ≥ 3 the magnetic field and the electric potential of the magnetic Schrodinger equation depends stably on the Diric...
Use of Monsel solution to treat obstetrical hemorrhage: a review and comparison to other topical hemostatic agents

Peripartum hemorrhage accounts for 8% of maternal deaths in the United States, and nearly 27% worldwide. A growing need exists for tactics to spare morbidity given a rise of abnormal placentation that contributes to excessive blood loss at the time of delivery. Approaches such as compression sutures, balloon tamponade, and pelvic artery embolization are not without side effects and potential implications for future fertility. The use of topical hemostatic agents has become widespread in gynecologic and obstetric surgery despite a paucity of distinct studies in the field, and may allow providers to increasingly avoid cesarean hysterectomy. A variety of topical hemostatic agents exist along a wide cost continuum, each characterized by specific efficacy, advantages, drawbacks, and often gaps in long-term data to support safety and impact on future fertility. Herein, we comprehensively review these agents and illustrate a nontraditional use of Monsel solution applied directly to the placental bed in a case of focal placenta accreta. This ultimately contributed to successful uterine preservation with no known adverse sequelae. Monsel solution may have a role in establishing hemostasis in the setting of abnormal placentation, and may be a particularly attractive alternative in resource-poor nations.