cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular and morphological phylogenetics of weevils (coleoptera, curculionoidea): do niche shifts accompany diversification?

The main goals of this study were to provide a robust phylogeny for the families of the superfamilyCurculionoidea,todiscoverrelationshipsandmajornaturalgroupswithinthefamilyCur- culionidae,andtoclarifytheevolutionoflarvalhabitsandhost-plantassociationsinweevilstoanalyze their role in weevil diversiecation. Phylogenetic relationships among the weevils (Curculionoidea) were inferred from analysis of nucleotide sequences of 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA; »2,000 bases) and 115 morphological characters of larval and adult stages. A worldwide sample of 100 species was compiled to maximize representation of weevil morphological and ecological diversity. All families and the main subfamilies of Curculionoidea were represented. The family Curculionidae sensu lato was represented by about 80 species in 30 "subfamilies" of traditional classiecations. Phylogenetic reconstruction was accomplished by parsimony analysis of separate and combined molecular and morphological data matrices and Bayesian analysis of the molecular data; tree topology support was evaluated. Resultsof the combined analysis of 18S rDNA and morphologicaldataindicate that mono- phyly of and relationships among each of the weevil families are well supported with the topology ((Nemonychidae, Anthribidae) (Belidae (Attelabidae (Caridae (Brentidae, Curculionidae))))). Within the clade Curculionidae sensu lato, the basal positions are occupied by mostly monocot-associated taxa with the primitive type of male genitalia followed by the Curculionidae sensu stricto, which is made up of groups with the derived type of male genitalia. High support values were found for the monophyly of some distinct curculionid groups such as Dryophthorinae (several tribes repre- sented) and Platypodinae (Tesserocerini plus Platypodini), among others. However, the subfamilial relationshipsinCurculionidaeareunresolvedor weakly supported.Thephylogeny estimatebasedon combined 18S rDNA and morphological data suggests that diversiecation in weevils was accompa- nied by niche shifts in host-plant associations and larval habits. Pronounced conservatism is evident inlarvalfeeding habits, particularlyinthehosttissueconsumed. Multipleshiftstouseofangiosperms in Curculionoidea were identieed, each time associated with increases in weevil diversity and sub- sequent shifts back to gymnosperms, particularly in the Curculionidae. (18S rDNA; diversiecation; host associations; larval habits; morphology; phylogenetics; weevils.)
Stable transcription complexes of Xenopus 5S RNA genes: A means to maintain the differentiated state

Abstract Cloned 5S RNA genes added to a Xenopus oocyte nuclear extract assemble into stable active transcription complexes that persist for many rounds of 5S RNA synthesis. This stability of the complex has been demonstrated by its resistance to dilution and to competitor DNA. A stable complex is formed within minutes and lasts for at least 40 rounds of transcription per template over several hours. Stable, transcriptionally inactive complexes can be formed by incubation of cloned 5S RNA genes in an oocyte nuclear extract depleted of a 5S-specific transcription factor and supplemented with histones. The stable, transcriptionally active and inactive states of 5S RNA gene complexes that can be formed in vitro are analogous to the states of the somatic and oocyte 5S RNA genes as they exist in somatic cell chromatin. Oocyte 5S RNA genes remain repressed in chromatin isolated from somatic cells, but can be activated by washing chromatin with high salt. Maintenance of the differentiated state of a cell requires that selected genes remain stably active while others are stably repressed for long periods of time. We proposed that stable transcription complexes may play an important role in the maintenance of the differentiated state in eucaryotic cells.
Challenges and opportunities for fractured rock imaging using 3D cross-borehole electrical resistivity

ABSTRACTThere is an increasing need to characterize discrete fractures away from boreholes to better define fracture distributions and monitor solute transport. We performed a 3D evaluation of static and time-lapse cross-borehole electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) data sets from a limestone quarry in which flow and transport are controlled by a bedding-plane feature. Ten boreholes were discretized using an unstructured tetrahedral mesh, and 2D panel measurements were inverted for a 3D distribution of conductivity. We evaluated the benefits of 3D versus 2.5D inversion of ERT data in fractured rock while including the use of borehole regularization disconnects (BRDs) and borehole conductivity constraints. High-conductivity halos (inversion artifacts) surrounding boreholes were removed in static images when BRDs and borehole conductivity constraints were implemented. Furthermore, applying these constraints focused transient changes in conductivity resulting from solute transport on the bedding plane, pr...
Virtual People: Fictional Characters through the Frames of Reality

A great actress once expressed her appreciation to Henrik Ibsen for writing such stimulating roles for women. Ibsen, however, took exception to the premise of the compliment. "I have never created roles," the playwright angrily replied. "I have written of human beings and human destinies."1 Ibsen's pointed response is both revealing and provocative. Revealing, because it tells us how one narrative artist conceived the intentional content
Smoked medicinal cannabis for neuropathic pain in HIV: a randomized, crossover clinical trial.

Despite management with opioids and other pain modifying therapies, neuropathic pain continues to reduce the quality of life and daily functioning in HIV-infected individuals. Cannabinoid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems have been shown to modulate pain perception. We conducted a clinical trial to assess the impact of smoked cannabis on neuropathic pain in HIV. This was a phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of analgesia with smoked cannabis in HIV-associated distal sensory predominant polyneuropathy (DSPN). Eligible subjects had neuropathic pain refractory to at least two previous analgesic classes; they continued on their prestudy analgesic regimens throughout the trial. Regulatory considerations dictated that subjects smoke under direct observation in a hospital setting. Treatments were placebo and active cannabis ranging in potency between 1 and 8% D-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, four times daily for 5 consecutive days during each of 2 treatment weeks, separated by a 2-week washout. The primary outcome was change in pain intensity as measured by the Descriptor Differential Scale (DDS) from a pretreatment baseline to the end of each treatment week. Secondary measures included assessments of mood and daily functioning. Of 127 volunteers screened, 34 eligible subjects enrolled and 28 completed both cannabis and placebo treatments. Among the completers, pain relief was greater with cannabis than placebo (median difference in DDS pain intensity change, 3.3 points, effect size ¼ 0.60; p ¼ 0.016). The proportions of subjects achieving at least 30% pain relief with cannabis versus placebo were 0.46 (95%CI 0.28, 0.65) and 0.18 (0.03, 0.32). Mood and daily functioning improved to a similar extent during both treatment periods. Although most side effects were mild and self-limited, two subjects experienced treatment-limiting toxicities. Smoked cannabis was generally well tolerated and effective when added to concomitant analgesic therapy in patients with medically refractory pain due to HIV DSPN. Neuropsychopharmacology advance online publication, 6 August 2008; doi:10.1038/npp.2008.120
Characterization of Nitrotyrosine-Modified Proteins in Cerebrospinal Fluid

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) has been associated with the up-regulation of various oxidative stress pathways. Previous studies have linked the neuronal damage observed in individuals diagnosed with HAND to increased nitrotyrosine modification of neuronal proteins. Tyrosine nitration alters protein structure and function, affects biological half-life, and potentially prevents the phosphorylation of key tyrosine residues involved in signal transduction pathways. Therefore, in this study we employed proteomics-based experimental approaches to investigate nitrotyrosine-modified proteins in pooled cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of individuals diagnosed with HAND. To identify specific nitrotyrosine-modified proteins in the CSF of individuals diagnosed with HAND, affinity purification and high-performance tandem mass spectrometry are utilized in a “bottom-up” proteomics approach. From tandem mass spectrometric analysis, we identified major proteins that underwent nitration as a result of nitro-oxidative stress in the CSF of individuals diagnosed with HAND. We also utilized analytical and biochemical techniques to characterize the expression and modification site of in vivo nitrated lipocalin-type prostaglandin-D synthase in HAND CSF.
Imaging characteristics of lesser tuberosity osteotomy after total shoulder replacement: a study of 220 patients.

Background The lesser tuberosity osteotomy (LTO) has been gaining popularity as a method of exposing the glenohumeral joint during total shoulder replacement, whereby a small fragment of bone is removed from the lesser tuberosity, thus preserving the subscapularis tendon. To date, no large, randomized studies have reported evaluations of LTO healing and healing rates. Methods We reviewed the radiographs and available computed tomography images of 362 patients who underwent a total shoulder arthroplasty by the same surgeon between 2006 and 2012. The integrity of the LTO site was graded as not seen, bony union, nondisplaced nonunion, and displaced nonunion. The smoking status of patients was also assessed. Results Of 362 patients investigated, 220 had a minimum of 6 months of radiographic follow-up. The LTO site was not seen in 37 patients; of the remaining 183, 159 patients (86.89%) demonstrated bony union, 8.80% of whom were smokers; 16 patients (8.74%) demonstrated nondisplaced nonunion, 6.3% of whom were smokers; and 8 patients (4.3%) demonstrated displaced nonunion, 25.0% of whom were smokers. Overall, 19 of the 24 nonunions were in male patients (79.1%) and 5 were in female patients (20.8%). Conclusions This is the first large-scale study to report the healing rate of LTOs. LTO healing is best assessed on radiographs; if nondisplaced or displaced nonunions are suspected, computed tomography can be a helpful additional examination. The number of radiographs where there is a lack of adequate visualization of the LTO site raises important questions about definitive radiographic evaluation using current techniques.
Through the Blockade: The Profitability and Extent of Cotton Smuggling, 1861–1865

Although cotton smuggling through the North's blockade of the South during the American Civil War has often been viewed as a highly profitable activity, only a small percentage of blockade-running ships made more than one run. New figures for capture rates reconcile these observations by showing that the risks of blockade running were substantial. Estimates are also provided for the amount of cotton smuggled through the blockade and of its disposition between the North and Europe.
Rayleigh Taylor turbulence: self-similar analysis and direct numerical simulations

Direct numerical simulations and a self-similar analysis of the single-fluid Boussinesq Rayleigh-Taylor instability and transition to turbulence are used to investigate Rayleigh-Taylor turbulence. The Schmidt, Atwood and bulk Reynolds numbers are Sc = 1, A = 0.01, Re ≤ 3000. High-Reynolds-number moment self-similarity, consistent with the the energy cascade interpretation of dissipation, is used to analyse the DNS results
Digitalis-induced longitudinal dissociation in canine cardiac purkinje fibers

Longitudinal dissociation of conduction in the Purkinje system may be an important cause of ventricular extrasystoles. This paper reports the occurrence of longitudinal dissociation in unbranched canine false tendons exposed to toxic concentrations of acetylstrophanthidin (6 × 10 −9 or 1 × 10 −8 g/ml). Two microelectrodes were impaled into false tendons at sites proximal and distal to a stimulating electrode located at the base of the Purkinje bundle. Activation time, maximal rising velocity of phase 0, take-off potential and action potential configuration were recorded before and during superfusion of acetylstrophanthidin. Longitudinal dissociation occurred in 6 of 25 false tendons and was characterized by the development of either simultaneous activation of the proximal and distal cells or by a reversal of the control activation sequence, with activation of the distal cell preceding that of the proximal cell.
Fair Dynamic Routing in Large-Scale Heterogeneous-Server Systems

In a call center, there is a natural trade-off between minimizing customer wait time and fairly dividing the workload among agents of different skill levels. The relevant control is the routing policy, that is, the decision concerning which agent should handle an arriving call when more than one agent is available. We formulate an optimization problem for a call center with heterogeneous agent pools, in which each pool is distinguished by the speed at which agents in that pool handle calls. The objective is to minimize steady-state expected customer wait time subject to a “fairness” constraint on the workload division. We first solve the optimization problem by formulating it as a Markov decision process (MDP), and solving a related linear program. We note that this approach does not in general lead to an optimal policy that has a simple structure. Fortunately, the optimal policy does appear to have a simple structure as the system size grows large, in the Halfin-Whitt many-server heavy-traffic limit regime. Therefore, we solve the diffusion control problem that arises in this regime and interpret its solution as a policy for the original system. The resulting routing policy is a threshold policy that determines server pool priorities based on the total number of customers in the system. We prove that a continuous modification of our proposed threshold routing policy is asymptotically optimal in the Halfin-Whitt limit regime. We furthermore present simulation results to illustrate that our proposed threshold routing policy outperforms a common routing policy used in call centers (that routes to the agent that has been idle the longest).
Optimal receiver design for convolutional codes and channels with memory via control theoretical concepts

The optimum maximum likelihood receiver for estimating the information sequence that passes through a convolutional encoder and a channel with a known finite memory part followed by a noisy memoryless part is derived using control theoretic concepts. The problem is modeled as a regulator control problem in which the plant under consideration is a finite state machine with the information symbols as inputs. It is in a form in which dynamic programming can be applied to obtain a general solution. The case of sending pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) signals over a linear channel with additive white Gaussian noise is analyzed in detail and upper and lower bounds are derived for the performance criterion, the probability of an information sequence error. Applying the coding concept of concatenation, a suboptimum solution for overcoming the ''curse of dimensionality'' is discussed.
Lifting the goliath grouper harvest ban: Angler perspectives and willingness to pay

Despite uncertainties surrounding the protected Atlantic goliath grouper's stock size and resilience, fishery managers are under pressure to end the harvest moratorium in place since 1990. The present study sought to measure the proportion of anglers interested in reopening the goliath grouper fishery and to identify key reasons for this interest. We also present an estimate of the amount that anglers would be willing to pay for a goliath grouper harvest tag (the right sold to an angler to harvest one goliath grouper). A survey was mailed to a random sample of Florida (USA) residents with a recreational fishing license. Approximately half of the respondents agreed that the goliath grouper should now be open to recreational take. A probit analysis indicated that the best predictor for the opinion the fishery should be open is the belief that there are “too many goliath grouper.” Also, more anglers agreed than disagreed that goliath grouper are eating “all the fish on the reef,” a belief that was related to anglers personally viewing goliath grouper depredation. The mean willingness to pay for a goliath grouper harvest tag was estimated to be between $34 and $79. This information can be used to estimate the potential revenues available from a hypothetical tag system and can be compared with the economic value of goliath grouper in non-consumptive uses such as recreational diving.
AppCaulk: Data Leak Prevention by Injecting Targeted Taint Tracking into Android Apps

As Android is entering the business domain, leaks of business-critical and personal information through apps become major threats. Due to the context-insensitive nature of the Android permission model, information flow policies cannot be enforced by on-board mechanisms. We therefore propose AppCaulk, an approach to harden any existing Android app by injecting a targeted dynamic taint analysis, which tracks and blocks unwanted information flows at runtime. Critical data flows are first discovered using a static taint analysis and the relevant data propagation paths are instrumented by a taint tracking code at register level. At runtime the dynamic taint analysis woven into the app detects and blocks data leaks as they are about to occur. In contrast to existing taint analysis approaches like Taint droid, AppCaulk does not require modification of the Android middleware and can thus be applied to any stock Android installation. In this paper, we explain the design of AppCaulk, describe the evaluation of its prototype, and compare its effectiveness with Taint droid.
Custodianship as an Ethical Framework for Biospecimen-Based Research

Human biological specimens (biospecimens) are increasingly important for research that aims to advance human health. Yet, despite significant proliferation in specimen-based research and discoveries during the past decade, research remains challenged by the inequitable access to high-quality biospecimens that are collected under rigorous ethical standards. This is primarily caused by the complex level of control and ownership exerted by the myriad of stakeholders involved in the biospecimen research process. This article discusses the ethical model of custodianship as a framework for biospecimen-based research to promote fair research access and resolve issues of control and potential conflicts between biobanks, investigators, human research participants (human subjects), and sponsors. Custodianship is the caretaking obligation for biospecimens from initial collection to final dissemination of research findings. It endorses key practices and operating principles for responsible oversight of biospecimens collected for research. Embracing the custodial model would ensure transparency in research, fairness to human research participants, and shared accountability among all stakeholders involved in biospecimen-based research.
Carapichea guianensis: the correct name for Psychotria carapichea (Rubiaceae), with a correction on the authority of P. carapichea, and a new combination in Carapichea

Abstract Carapichea guianensis: the correct name for Psychotria carapichea (Rubiaceae), with a correction on the authority of P. carapichea, and a new combination in Carapichea. Brittonia 55: 88–89. 2003.—The correct name for Psychotria carapichea is Carapichea guianensis. Also, the authority of Psychotria carapichea was previously incorrectly cited, because of an oversight of the illegitimacy of Tapogomea carapichea Poir. The complex taxonomic history of this species is analyzed, and the authority of the binomial is correctly cited. In addition, P. ligularis, which was treated as closely related to C. guianensis in previous publications, is transferred to Carapichea and it is now known as Carapichea ligularis.
The deformation of decentered subjects: foucault and postmodern public administration

In Postmodern Public Administration: Toward Discourse (1995), Fox and Miller call for a postmodern discourse that can radicalize the reformist tendencies in public administration theory. This first edition neglects a powerful ally that can deepen this view of the decentered subject and illuminate some roadblocks to postmodern discourse theory, Michel Foucault. This paper challenges Fox and Millerʼs phenomenological notion of the self and offers Foucaultʼs characterization of the subject as an alternative that addresses how selves are created in and through discourse. This paper argues that the redemption of authentic discourse that Fox and Miller desire is not possible precisely because of the nature of the subject as already constituted. However, this does not mean that rich discourse ceases. Political ethics are still possible for deformed and decentered subjects.
A New Spectroscopy of Carrier Scattering

Carrier transport properties of metal and semiconductor materials have been of central importance both in fundamental problems in Condensed matter physics and in device technology. The early history of carrier transport theory had its origins in the Drude model for electron relaxation,1 developed directly af ter the disco very of the electron at the end of the last century. The experimental investigation of carrier transport was initially limited to conductivity measurements which probe carrier transport at the Fermi energy. More recently internal photoemission2 and ballistic carrier3–6 spectroscopies have provided methods for extracting detailed transport parameters for a wide range of Systems. However, many of the most fundamental questions regarding the nature of carrier transport and scattering are still unanswered. In particular, the relative contributions of elastic and inelastic processes in scattering have not been directly probed. Further, experimental investigations have historically lacked an energy-resolved probe of scattering. Progress in this area is of increasing importance due to rapid advances in device technology based on ballistic carrier transport for transistor amplifiers and novel radiation detectors. This paper describes a new experimental spectroscopy which directly measures the energy-dependence of carrier scattering and detects the products of carrier scattering events.7
Editing the Genome of the Human Germline: May Cool Heads Prevail

Concerns over the prospect of germline modification of the human genome have recently been rekindled by critical advances in genome editing paradigms and by a highly publicized effort to edit the g...
Abstract P6-16-05: New graded prognostic assessment (GPA) in breast cancer brain metastases in a contemporary cohort

Background: Breast cancer is the second most common cause of brain metastases (BCBM). We evaluated prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in contemporary cohort of BCBM patients treated at a tertiary care institution. Methods: With IRB approval, Cleveland Clinic’s database was used to identify BCBM patients treated between 2000 and 2013. OS from the diagnosis of BCBM was the primary end point. Cox proportional hazards models with stepwise variable selection were used for data analysis. Results: 562 female patients were included for this analysis. Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) was 90-100 in 204 patients (41%), 70-80 in 223 (44%) and de-novo, KPS, age at diagnosis of BCBM, and subtype were again identified as prognostic, although the scoring was different. Additional independent predictors were the number of sites of extra- cranial metastases, leptomeningeal disease, control of primary cancer and location of BCBM were found to be independently prognostic for survival. A new GPA was formulated by assigning "points" (weights) to the levels within each of these seven factors that are proportional to the regression coefficient estimates in the final model and then adding the total number of points present. The new GPA consists of four groups: unfavorable, intermediate 1, intermediate 2 and favorable with OS of 2.7, 9.1, 18.5 and 29.5 months respectively. Conclusions: A new GPA for BCBM is proposed. Citation Format: Manmeet S Ahluwalia, Ming Chi, Vyshak Alva Venur, Thomas Budd, Lilyana Angelov, Samuel Chao, Paul Elson, Gene H Barnett, Jame Abraham. New graded prognostic assessment (GPA) in breast cancer brain metastases in a contemporary cohort [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-16-05.
Submission to Senate Committee on Finance International Corporate Tax Reform – Taxation of Accumulated Deferred Foreign Income

The Baucus Discussion Draft on international tax reform includes a mechanism for taxing the accumulated foreign earnings of controlled foreign corporations as of the effective date that a new system for taxing foreign earnings is effective. This letter suggests changes to make this aspect of the proposed tax reform both fairer for all taxpayers and more effective. As presently structured, new Code §965 applies a proposed 20% rate to those U.S.-based multinational corporations (MNCs) that have worked hard and aggressively to shift profits into zero and low-tax countries. We cannot be rewarding such behavior. We need new Code §965 to identify such MNCs and to apply to them the full 35% tax rate plus appropriate interest charges, allowing the lower favorable 20% rate to apply only to corporate taxpayers that have not been profit-shifters. The provisions of new Code §965, now applicable only to certain corporate shareholders, should also be extended to certain individual shareholders. This is Submission 2 of 7 Comment Letters Provided to the Committee.
Heterogeneous Electron-Transfer Dynamics through Dipole-Bridge Groups.

Heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) between photoexcited molecules and colloidal TiO2 has been investigated for a set of zinc porphyrin chromophores attached to the semiconductor by linkers that allow the level alignment to be changed by 200 meV through reorientation of the dipole moment. These unique dye molecules were studied by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in solution and adsorbed on a TiO2 colloidal film in a vacuum. In solution, energy transfer from the excited chromophore to the dipole group was identified as a slow relaxation pathway competing with S2–S1 internal conversion. On the film, heterogeneous electron transfer was found to occur in 80 fs, much faster than all intramolecular pathways. Despite a difference of 200 meV in level alignment of the excited state with respect to the semiconductor conduction band, identical electron-transfer times were measured for different linkers. The measurements were compared to a quantum-mechanical model that accounts for electronic–vibronic...
Blue light does not impair wound healing in vitro

Irradiation with red or near infrared light promotes tissue repair, while treatment with blue light is known to be antimicrobial. Consequently, it is thought that infected wounds could benefit more from combined blue and red/infrared light therapy; but there is a concern that blue light may slow healing. We investigated the effect of blue 470nm light on wound healing, in terms of wound closure, total protein and collagen synthesis, growth factor and cytokines expression, in an in vitro scratch wound model. Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured for 48h until confluent. Then a linear scratch wound was created and irradiated with 3, 5, 10 or 55J/cm(2). Control plates were not irradiated. Following 24h of incubation, cells were fixed and stained for migration and fluorescence analyses and the supernatant collected for quantification of total protein, hydroxyproline, bFGF, IL-6 and IL-10. The results showed that wound closure was similar for groups treated with 3, 5 and 10J/cm(2), with a slight improvement with the 5J/cm(2) dose, and slower closure with 55J/cm(2) p<0.001). Total protein concentration increased after irradiation with 3, 5 and 10J/cm(2), reaching statistical significance at 5J/cm(2) compared to control (p<0.0001). However, hydroxyproline levels did not differ between groups. Similarly, bFGF and IL-10 concentrations did not differ between groups, but IL-6 concentration decreased progressively as fluence increased (p<0.0001). Fluorescence analysis showed viable cells regardless of irradiation fluence. We conclude that irradiation with blue light at low fluence does not impair in vitro wound healing. The significant decrease in IL-6 suggests that 470nm light is anti-inflammatory.
A Hybrid, OPCPA-Nd:Glass Petawatt Laser

The 200 J, 150 fs Texas Petawatt Laser is based on optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA) for large, broadband gain followed by a mixed glass high energy booster stage.
Remarks on “Unsolvable” Problems

(1936). Remarks on “Unsolvable” Problems. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 43, No. 8, pp. 467-473.
Does A Professional Self-Conception Make One More Unethical?

This paper explores the role of professional self-conceptions on ethical behavior. Relying on recent literature on moral licensing and consequences of the amoral, rationalistic approach to ethical decision-making, contrary to conventional wisdom, I suggest that professional self-conceptions lead individuals to engage in unethical behaviors. The results of Study 1 demonstrated that individuals perceiving themselves as a professional were more likely to act unethically. Study 2 tested for differential effect of accessibility of professional self- conceptions versus concept of professionalism and showed that seeing oneself as a professional, and not the accessibility of the concept of professionalism per se, is needed to increase unethical acts. Study 3, a field study, showed that membership in occupations traditionally associated with professions compared to other occupations led to higher unethical behaviors and professional self-conceptions mediated the effect of occupational membership on unethical behav...
Right subclavian steal associated with aberrant right subclavian artery.

Un syndrome d'hemodetournement isole de la sous-claviere droite est inhabituel. La demonstration d'une artere sous-claviere droite aberrante comme condition associee ou facteur contribuant peut etre difficile si la partie proximale de l'artere est totalement obliteree. Toutefois la tomodensitometrie renforcee par produit de contraste peut demontrer le trajet aberrant de la sous-claviere droite obliteree
Conditional Cash Transfers and Broad Political Participation

What is the relationship between conditional cash transfer programs (CCTs) and broad political participation? If CCTs contribute to increased political participation, how do CCTs lead to more activity? Using data from a randomized field experiment as well as observational survey data from Mexico, I analyze the effects of CCTs on voter turnout in non-national elections and on non-electoral political participation. The evidence demonstrates that CCTs lead to broad electoral and non-electoral political participation. Several causal mechanisms are also considered. I argue that non-material resource mechanisms and interpretive mechanisms represent the most promising pathways to increased political participation.
Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis: The clinical concern of SGLT2 inhibitors

Abstract Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis is a post market warning in patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes treated with SGLT-2 inhibitors. We report a case of a 39-year-old obese female with presumed type 2 diabetes for seven years who presented to the emergency department with three days of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Due to previous total non-adherence with a prescribed insulin regimen, she was recently started on canagliflozin and liraglutide. The diagnosis of euDKA was missed in the initial evaluation as the blood glucose level was only 167 mg/dL. Further work up showed severe metabolic acidosis with an anion gap of 25 and positive ketones in the urine. She was treated successfully with dextrose water 5%/half normal saline and an insulin drip. As part of the work up, she tested positive for glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies. Given the increasing utilization of SGLT-2 inhibitors and the fact that patients can present with near-normal glycemia, the diagnosis can be missed. Vigilance with the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors is necessary to decrease morbidity and potentially mortality particularly in patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes associated with marked β-cell insufficiency, type 1 diabetes mellitus, or latent autoimmune diabetes of adult onset.
Tackling the unknowns of short-course rifapentine-based treatment for active tuberculosis: a decision analysis.

BACKGROUND Shorter treatment regimens for tuberculosis (TB) are deemed vital for advancing TB control. Murine studies have suggested potential new regimens; however, Phase II human studies of these drug combinations have not shown clear improvement in 2-month culture conversion over current therapy. Nevertheless, drugs such as rifapentine (RPT) may have additional sterilizing effects after 2 months that are difficult to measure in current Phase II studies. OBJECTIVES To model potential bactericidal effects of RPT in a Phase III trial of a 4-month anti-tuberculosis regimen. METHODS We developed a Markov model of anti-tuberculosis treatment to compare two regimens for treating TB: a 6-month standard (rifampin-based) treatment and a 4-month regimen using high-dose RPT. The primary outcome was the number of relapses. RESULTS In the base-case scenario, standard therapy resulted in fewer relapses; improvement in 2-month culture conversion rates in the RPT arm did not change this result. However, while RPT has better sterilizing ability during months 3 and 4 (as observed in the mouse model), the 4-month regimen results in fewer relapses. CONCLUSIONS Higher 2-month culture conversion rates are neither sufficient nor necessary for making a theoretical 4-month anti-tuberculosis treatment regimen advantageous.
Economic politics: Models of Accountability and Opportunism: The Electoral Cycle

This is the first of two chapters that review the two most prominent models or theories of politics in macroeconomic policymaking: the electoral-cycle theory and the partisanship theory. These theories each capture special features of democratic politics and help us to understand democratic dynamics. In doing so, they abstract from the institutional details through which economic policy is made. Each leaves a great deal about macroeconomic politics unexamined and unexplained. The electoral-cycle model focuses on periodic elections as the democratic institution of interest, and the partisanship model focuses on dual alternatives in these elections. Both types of models connect these features of focal interest to macroeconomic outcomes: unemployment, income growth, and sometimes inflation. In the real world, the impacts of elections and party differences are mediated through complex institutional structures of fiscal and monetary policies. For example, most of the contemporary models to be considered in these two chapters presume that governments influence macroeconomic performance through monetary policy, that is, through government control of the money supply and interest rates. Monetary policy is controlled by central banks, such as the U.S. Federal Reserve System (“the Fed”). Electoral-cycle and partisanship models often assume that the Fed obediently follows the preferences of politically motivated public officials. In fact, the Fed is considered to be one of the most politically independent of the central banks in the industrialized nations.
Percutaneous Minimally Invasive Techniques in the Treatment of Spinal Metastases.

Spinal metastases are a common and morbid condition in America. Of the 1.6 million new cases of cancer estimated to be diagnosed in the USA in 2015, approximately 5–10 % will develop spinal metastases. This number is expected to increase as the life expectancy of cancer patients increases. Patients with osteolytic spinal metastases experience severe and often debilitating pain, which significantly reduces quality of life. Due to the morbidity of open surgery, particularly in oncologic patients, the treatment paradigm has shifted towards minimally invasive therapy. The advent and evolution of percutaneous treatments of spinal metastases has shown progressive success in reducing pain, improving function, and providing mechanical stability. There are various currently available interventions including vertebroplasty, vertebral augmentation, and coblation and radiofrequency ablation systems. For more complex spinal metastases, combined treatments including vertebral augmentation in conjunction with radiofrequency ablation, external beam radiation, and the novel treatment of intraoperative radiotherapy are also available. Ultimately, the goal of treatment in this patient population is palliative with the intention of improving the remaining quality of life. There is no established algorithm or specific technique that has proved best for the many variations of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), so treatment tends to be dependent on the operator and/or based on institution preference or bias. Each technique provides its own unique value in the various types of metastatic VCFs encountered, and understanding the uses, advantages, and safety profile of each specific treatment is imperative in providing the best patient care. Percutaneous treatment of metastatic spinal disease is an excellent alternative to medical and surgical management in carefully selected patients. We believe that a multidisciplinary approach and combination therapy allows for optimal pain reduction and improvement of function.
Controllable curvature from planar polymer sheets in response to light

The ability to change shape and control curvature in 3D structures starting from planar sheets can aid in assembly and add functionality to an object. Herein, we convert planar sheets of shape memory polymers (SMPs) into 3D objects with controllable curvature by dictating where the sheets shrink. Ink patterned on the surface of the sheet absorbs infrared (IR) light, resulting in localized heating, and the material shrinks locally wherever the temperature exceeds the activation temperature, Ta. We introduce two different mechanisms for controlling curvature within SMP sheets. The ‘direct’ mechanism uses localized shrinkage to induce curvature only in regions patterned with ink. The ‘indirect’ mechanism uses localized shrinkage in regions patterned with ink to induce curvature in neighboring regions without ink through a balance of internal stresses. Finite element analysis predicts the final shape of the polymer sheets with excellent qualitative agreement with experimental studies. Results from this study show that curvature can be controlled by the distribution and darkness of the ink pattern on the polymer sheet. Additionally, we utilize the direct and indirect curvature mechanisms to demonstrate the formation and actuation of gripper devices, which represent the potential utility of this approach.
Overview of Immunosuppressive Therapies in Renal Transplantation

The primary focus of the transplant practitioner is the optimal management of renal transplant recipients in order to achieve long-term patient and allograft. Short-term outcomes of transplantation have improved considerably in the recent years. This success is due in large part to a better understanding of the immune system and improvements in surgical techniques, organ procurement, immunosuppression and post-transplant care. Despite the success in improving short-term outcomes, late graft loss and the morbidity associated with long-term immunosuppression remain major concerns. In order to improve outcomes in renal transplantation, it is critical that the knowledge base of transplant practitioners be expanded beyond understanding the basics of immunosuppressive therapies. It is imperative that clinicians are aware of the specific advantages and disadvantages of the available immunosuppressants, as well as the potential for adverse drug reactions and drug–drug interactions commonly seen with these agents. This chapter will review the currently available immunosuppressive agents used for induction and maintenance therapy and focus on their pharmacology, dosing, adverse event profile and clinical efficacy.
Evolving the electric utility distribution substation into a microgrid

There is a lot of conversation about microgrids and how they are the future. This seems to be a truth based upon the ever-increasing deployment of DER worldwide. And when the microgrids are described they are typically shown as a self-healing network with a topography that creates a loop of some kind. This might be a great design for new feeder installations, but it would probably mean a lot of additional construction for the existing infrastructure of substations and feeders. In this paper, we review the concept of a microgrid and examine how the existing operational feeders should be completed based upon actual load measurement data. This includes an investigation on how photovoltaic-specific resources would support the feeder for eventual transformation of the feeder into a sustainable microgrid. The simulations show how appropriate deployment of distributed energy resources (DER) will actually harden feeders and substations. However, it should be noticed that the current DER policies of many US States reduce the microgrid potentials to become fully exploited. The result of this paper offers additional directions how to deploy DER on existing infrastructure in a thoughtful and practical manner.
On the origin of superoxide dismutase: An evolutionary perspective of superoxide-mediated redox signaling

The field of free radical biology originated with the discovery of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in 1969. Over the last 5 decades, a plethora of research has been performed in species ranging from bacteria to mammals that has elucidated the molecular reaction, subcellular location, and specific isoforms of SOD. However, while humans have only begun to study this class of enzymes over the past 50 years, it has been estimated that these enzymes have existed for billions of years, and may be some of the original enzymes found in primitive life. As life evolved over this expanse of time, these enzymes have taken on new and different functional roles potentially in contrast to how they were originally derived. Herein, examination of the evolutionary history of these enzymes provides both an explanation and further inquiries into the modern-day role of SOD in physiology and disease.
When the State Meets the Street: Public Service and Moral Agency: By Bernardo Zacka, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press (Belknap Press), 2017.

Bernardo Zacka seeks to offer a fresh look at the well-traveled path of street level bureaucracy from the vantage point of an administrator behind the reception desk of an antipoverty social servic...
Transgenic Animal Models

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC/D) is a paradigm shifting disorder that primarily affects the right ventricular (RV) myocardium early in the course of disease with later-onset left ventricular (LV) disease [1]. Clinically, the disease is classically characterized by ventricular arrhythmias of RV origin, as noted by ventricular tachycardia (VT) with a left bundle branch block (LBBB) morphology, commonly associated with syncope or sudden cardiac death (SCD) [2]. In addition, affected individuals may develop right heart failure and ultimately biventricular failure. In most cases, age of onset occurs in the teenage years or beyond, more often in males than females [3]. In the Veneto region of Italy, the disorder has been described as the most common cause of SCD in young, healthy, and athletic individuals, in contradistinction to that title given to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in the United States (US) [2, 4, 5]. In the US, ARVC/D is believed to be responsible for approximately 5% of unexplained cases of SCD in young athletic individuals while this number rises to 25%-30% in Italy [5].
Clinical Diagnosis of Vascular Parkinsonism and Nondegenerative Atypical Parkinsonian Disorders

Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common cause of parkinsonism, accounting for about 75% of all cases. Other causes of parkinsonism include multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and a variety of other neurodegenerative disorders in which rest tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and other parkinsonian features are present. Since these disorders are often associated with other neurological deficits, such as dysautonomia (in MSA), vertical ophthalmoparesis (in PSP), and apraxia (in CBD), they are referred to as “parkinsonism plus syndromes.” Whereas the above disorders are degenerative in nature, there are other forms of parkinsonism, which are secondary to a variety of etiologic factors including vascular parkinsonism (VP), hemiatrophy hemiparkinsonism, and toxic and metabolic causes.
Biosynthetic Pathways of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

The type and amount of any unsaturated fatty acid found in lipids must be regulated by integrated control mechanisms directed both towards unsaturated fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis. The types and amounts of unsaturated fatty acids produced must be determined both by the number of enzymes involved in this process and the substrate specificity of these enzymes. In addition those factors which influence enzyme activity must also regulate the rate at which unsaturated fatty acids are produced. The results presented below summarize the studies carried out in our laboratory in an attempt to further determine what regulates unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis.
Optimal Omeprazole Dosing and Symptom Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial (OSCAR Trial).

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are potent inhibitors of acid secretion and are the mainstay of therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Initially designed to be taken 30 min before the first daily meal, these agents are commonly used suboptimally, which adversely affects symptom relief. No study to date has assessed whether correcting dosing regimens would improve symptom control. The objective of this study was to determine whether patients with persistent GERD symptoms on suboptimal omeprazole dosing experience symptomatic improvement when randomized to commonly recommended dosing regimen and to evaluate the economic impact of suboptimal PPI dosing in GERD patients. Patients with persistent heartburn symptoms ≥ 3 times per week treated with omeprazole 20 mg daily were enrolled and randomized to commonly recommended dosing or continued suboptimal dosing of omeprazole. The primary outcomes were changes in symptom, frequency, and severity, as determined using the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS) 4 weeks after the intervention was administered. In secondary analysis, an alternative measure of symptom load was used to infer potential costs. Sixty-four patients were enrolled. GSAS symptom, frequency, and severity scores were significantly better when dosing was optimized for overall and heartburn-specific symptoms (P < 0.01 for all parameters). Cost savings resulting from reduced medical care and workplace absenteeism were estimated to be $159.60 per treated patient, with cost savings potentially exceeding $4 billion annually in the USA. Low-cost efforts to promote commonly recommended PPI dosing can dramatically reduce GERD symptoms and related economic costs. ClinicalTrials.gov, number: NCT02623816.