cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Force Exerted on the Sternum During a Sneeze Versus During Low-, Moderate-, and High-Intensity Bench Press Resistance Exercise With and Without the Valsalva Maneuver in Healthy Volunteers

Sternal precautions are intended to prevent complications after median sternotomy, but little data exist to support the consensus recommendations. To better characterize the forces on the sternum that can occur during everyday events, we conducted a prospective nonrandomized study of 41 healthy volunteers that evaluated the force exerted during bench press resistance exercise and while sneezing. A balloon-tipped esophageal catheter, inserted through the subject's nose and advanced into the thoracic cavity, was used to measure the intrathoracic pressure differential during the study activities. After the 1 repetition maximum (1-RM) was assessed, the subject performed the bench press at the following intensities, first with controlled breathing and then with the Valsalva maneuver: 40% of 1-RM (low), 70% of 1-RM (moderate), and 1-RM (high). Next, various nasal irritants were used to induce a sneeze. The forces on the sternum were calculated according to a cylindrical model, and a 2-tailed paired t test was used to compare the mean force exerted during a sneeze with the mean force exerted during each of the 6 bench press exercises. No statistically significant difference was found between the mean force from a sneeze (41.0 kg) and the mean total force exerted during moderate-intensity bench press exercise with breathing (41.4 kg). In conclusion, current guidelines and recommendations limit patient activity after a median sternotomy. Because these patients can repeatedly withstand a sneeze, our study indicates that they can withstand the forces from more strenuous activities than are currently allowed.
Genome-wide approaches in pharmacogenomics: heritability estimation and pharmacoethnicity as primary challenges.

The ultimate aim of pharmacogenomics is the identification of genetic variants that underlie interindividual variation in drug response. The furious pace of technological advances [1], such as DNA sequencing and genotyping technologies [2], has begun to enhance our understanding of human diversity in pharmacologic traits. Meanwhile, methodological advances, such as the genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach, have facilitated the discovery of genetic variation with considerable clinical relevance [3]. The sine qua non of the rapidly developing field of pharmacogenomics is the translation of genomic information from these convergent developments into individualized patient care. Exciting promises of the new science abound, including the possibilities of optimized drug therapy, adverse-effect risk prediction, and improved drug discovery and development. The purpose of this article is to explore two of the major challenges to pharmacogenomic progress despite the substantial advances in genome-wide approaches that have already been made.
Ovarian Responses to Perphenazine-lnduced Prolactin Secretion in the Rat: Effect of Ovulation, Stress, and Steroids

A single injection of 2.5 mg perphenazine (PH)/kg body wt to rats on the day of estrus (day 0) did not result in increased serum progesterone 24 hr later. Continued daily injections, however, resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in serum progesterone between days 1 and 3 and a 1.6-fold increase between days 3 and 5 to a final concentration of 58 plus or minus 4 ng/ml on day 5 in serially anesthetized and bled rats. Neither daily administration of 5.0 nor 10.0 mg PH/kg body wt to rats subjected to the stressful conditions of this regimen resulted in further increases in serum progesterone, but the 5.0 mg dose of PH in unstressed rats bled only on day 5 resulted in a highly significant increase in serum progesterone to 110 plus or minus 7 ng/ml. In unstressed rats the increase in serum progesterone over control values after five daily injections of 2.5 mg PH/kg body wt could be attributed to decreased 20alpha-reduction of progesterone, but when the dose of PH was increased to 5.0 mg/kg, a highly significant increase in both progesterone and total progestins occurred indicating that prolactin can increase steroidogenesis as well as reduce 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. After inhibition of ovulation, the 5.0 mg daily dose of PH resulted in serum progesterone of only 25 plus or minus 8 ng/ml on day 5 in unstressed rats. Thus, serum progesterone in ovulating rats treated with PH originated primarily in the corpora lutea. Perphenazine, 5.0 mg/kg, administered only on estrus and the first day of diestrus was sufficient to induce pseudopregnancy of 14.5 plus or minus 1.6 days. No evidence for gonadotropin stimulation of the ovaries of any rats was observed. The effect of stress on the progesterone response was not mimicked by administration of cortisol acetate and is assumed to be medicated by suppression of prolactin secretion.
Gila monster bite.

AbstractA 29-year-old man was bitten on the forearm by a wild Gila monster. Radiographs demonstrated subcutaneous air. During a period of observation, erythema and edema progressed from the forearm to the axilla and he developed a significant leukocytosis. No purulence was found upon surgical evaluation. We hypothesize that air was introduced into the wound by the “pulsing,” chewing-like action that the Gila monster made while it was attached to the man's forearm.
Structural characterization of novel cobalt corrinoids synthesized by enzymes of the vitamin B12 anaerobic pathway

Abstract Investigation on the use of the oxidized form (factor 3 (3a)) of the trimethylated intermediate (precorrin 3 (2)) as a substrate for the enzymes of the anaerobic pathway to vitamin B12 led to the synthesis of three pairs of novel cobalt corrinoids. The products were made with the aid of the Salmonella typhimurium enzymes CbiH, CbiF, CbiG, and CbiT, were synthesized in several 13C labeled versions, and were isolated as methylesters after esterification. Structures were determined by detailed NMR and MS analyses. Each set of products was obtained in the decarboxylated (R Me) and non-decarboxylated (R CH2COOCH3) forms (at the C-12 position of the porphyrinoid).
The Ius in Re Model to Analyze Users Rights Within Complex Property Regimes: Two Ex Post Applications in South America

This article proposes the application of the Ius in Re model of “power over things” from the ancient Roman law to analyze property rights and identify users' powers within complex property regimes. We specifically propose that people's independent powers over natural resources should be dissected and independently examined to identify actors and uses inhibiting sustainable management regardless of the prevailing property regime. We employed this model to analyze two cases ex post, in Peru and Ecuador, that evolved from resource degradation to more sustainable management scenarios. Analysis under the light of the Ius in Re model suggests that such outcomes were achieved after users' powers inhibiting sustainable management were identified and adjusted. Both case studies exemplify the practical utility of the Ius in Re analytical model, showing its suitability to identify who had what powers as a critical first step toward sustainable natural resource management.
Effect of solvent composition and ketone content on dewaxing distillate and residual raffinates from sour crudes

1. The effect of ketone content of the solvent in dewaxing the more viscous feedstocks is analogous to that observed in dewaxing low-viscosity raffinates. 2. The limits of ketone content of the dewaxing solvent have been determined approximately. Ketone contents above the limit give much lower oil yields. 3. Under optimum dewaxing conditions, the replacement of acetone by methyl ethyl ketone can improve the filtration rate by 10–36% and the TED by 2–7°C; here there is observed a 3–10°C increase in filtration temperature.
Detection and plant monitoring programs: lessons from an intensive survey of Asclepias meadii with five observers.

Monitoring programs, where numbers of individuals are followed through time, are central to conservation. Although incomplete detection is expected with wildlife surveys, this topic is rarely considered with plants. However, if plants are missed in surveys, raw count data can lead to biased estimates of population abundance and vital rates. To illustrate, we had five independent observers survey patches of the rare plant Asclepias meadii at two prairie sites. We analyzed data with two mark-recapture approaches. Using the program CAPTURE, the estimated number of patches equaled the detected number for a burned site, but exceeded detected numbers by 28% for an unburned site. Analyses of detected patches using Huggins models revealed important effects of observer, patch state (flowering/nonflowering), and patch size (number of stems) on probabilities of detection. Although some results were expected (i.e. greater detection of flowering than nonflowering patches), the importance of our approach is the ability to quantify the magnitude of detection problems. We also evaluated the degree to which increased observer numbers improved detection: smaller groups (3–4 observers) generally found 90 – 99% of the patches found by all five people, but pairs of observers or single observers had high error and detection depended on which individuals were involved. We conclude that an intensive study at the start of a long-term monitoring study provides essential information about probabilities of detection and what factors cause plants to be missed. This information can guide development of monitoring programs.
Warfarin dose reduction vs watchful waiting for mild elevations in the international normalized ratio.

Background: Whether clinicians should decrease the warfarin dose in response to a mild, asymptomatic elevation in the international normalized ratio (INR) is unknown. Objectives: The study objectives were as follows: (1) to evaluate the safety of an anticoagulation service (ACS) policy advocating that the warfarin dose not be changed for isolated, asymptomatic INRs of ≤ 3.4; (2) to compare the dosing strategies of an ACS and primary care providers (PCPs); and (3) to quantify the relationship between reduction of the warfarin dose and the subsequent fall in the INR. Design and setting: Randomized controlled study of health maintenance organization outpatients who were receiving warfarin. Patients: We identified 231 patients with a target INR of 2.5 and an isolated, asymptomatic INR between 3.2 and 3.4. Our ACS monitored 103 of the patients; PCPs monitored the remaining 128 patients. Measurements: From all 231 patients, we obtained INRs and warfarin dosing history. From the 103 ACS enrollees, we also recorded adverse events. Results: One ACS patient had epistaxis in the 30 days after the elevated INR. Twenty-three percent of ACS enrollees and 47% of PCP patients reduced their warfarin dose (p Conclusions: These findings support maintaining the same warfarin dose in asymptomatic patients with an INR of ≤ 3.3, and reducing the dose for patients who have a greater INR or an increased risk of hemorrhage. Warfarin dose reductions > 20% should be avoided for mildly elevated INRs.
The DC factor? Advocacy groups in the news

This study examines dynamics among organized interests’ characteristics, the organizations’ strategic activities, and news coverage of organizations’ activities by incorporating theoretical perspec...
Compatible real-time rates of mineral dissolution by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Abstract The Fluid Cell attachment to the Atomic Force Microscope can be used to emulate batch and flow-through reactors to observe the progression of mineral-water interaction processes on individual surfaces. Recent applications of this method include the in-situ measurement of mineral dissolution or growth rates by comparing time-sequenced images. Because AFM images are collected as lines of information by the physical rastering of a lever over a mineral surface, there are inherent limitations to the range of reaction rates compatible with in-situ AFM methods. This investigation examines the AFM-compatible range of monolayer formation or removal rates on individual mineral surfaces. We estimate that AFM can be used to observe dissolution or growth processes occurring at rates in the range of 10 −10 − 10 −6 mol m −2 s −1 . This calculated estimate of the reaction rate range was compared with estimates of dissolution rates from time-sequenced in-situ observations of dissolution on specific cleavage faces of calcite, barite and celestite. Our AFM observations show a dissolution rate trend which follow the order calcite (at near-zero P CO 2 ) > celestite > barite in deionized water at 30°C. These observations of relative differences in dissolution rates are consistent with studies of bulk dissolution rates using geochemical reactors. Yet, the absolute rates estimated from time-sequenced images are considerably slower than bulk reaction rates in all cases. This is probably because our experiments: (1) use relatively smooth areas which are less reactive than roughened areas with large step, defect or pit densities; and (2) cannot simultaneously observe the reactivity of other, possibly more reactive, mineral surfaces. Our findings demonstrate the sensitivity of Fluid Cell AFM as a probe of small differences in the reactivity of individual steps and surfaces. They also suggest that AFM cannot be used to observe reactions on individual surfaces which have dissolution rates outside of the estimated compatible rate boundaries of 10 −10 to 10 −6 mol m −2 s −1 . Mineral surfaces with reactivities outside of this span of rates may be adjusted into the AFM-compatible range by controlling chemical affinity through saturation state or solution pH. These observations offer guidelines for designing new in-situ AFM studies of mineral-water interactions.
Distributed simulation for formation flying applications

High fidelity engineering simulation plays a key role in the rapidly developing field of space-based formation flying. This paper describes the design and implementation of the Formation Algorithms and Simulation Testbed (FAST).
DIRECT OBLIQUE-INCIDENCE METHOD FOR REFLECTION PHOTOELASTICITY

The method presented in this paper has a good practical application, which may be used in all cases of oblique-incidence measurements in reflection photoelasticity. The calculation of separate values of stresses from two measurements is also quite straightforward and well known.
The “Liked” Department: Using Facebook Analytics for Strategic Communication

The rapid diffusion of online social networking sites is changing the very nature of organizational communication. This is particularly true in higher education, where Facebook is increasingly being used as a means to engage with students, faculty, and alumni. Unfortunately, academic departments seeking to adopt such technologies often fail to understand the unique opportunities and challenges that accompany the adoption of social media. This article illuminates recent changes in organizational communication and describes the adoption of Facebook by a political science department at a midwestern state university. The authors develop a typology of Facebook posts to determine which types of information generate the most audience activity. They explain how this information can assist academic departments as they seek to bolster recruitment and retention of students, as well as ongoing investment from faculty and alumni.
Troponin T and N-Terminal Pro–B-Type Natriuretic Peptide: A Biomarker Approach to Predict Heart Failure Risk—The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

BACKGROUND: Among the various cardiovascular diseases, heart failure (HF) is projected to have the largest increases in incidence over the coming decades; therefore, improving HF prediction is of significant value. We evaluated whether cardiac troponin T (cTnT) measured with a high-sensitivity assay and N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), biomarkers strongly associated with incident HF, improve HF risk prediction in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. METHODS: Using sex-specific models, we added cTnT and NT-proBNP to age and race (“laboratory report” model) and to the ARIC HF model (includes age, race, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication use, current/former smoking, diabetes, body mass index, prevalent coronary heart disease, and heart rate) in 9868 participants without prevalent HF; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), integrated discrimination improvement, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and model fit were described. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up of 10.4 years, 970 participants developed incident HF. Adding cTnT and NT-proBNP to the ARIC HF model significantly improved all statistical parameters (AUCs increased by 0.040 and 0.057; the continuous NRIs were 50.7% and 54.7% in women and men, respectively). Interestingly, the simpler laboratory report model was statistically no different than the ARIC HF model. CONCLUSIONS: cTnT and NT-proBNP have significant value in HF risk prediction. A simple sex-specific model that includes age, race, cTnT, and NT-proBNP (which can be incorporated in a laboratory report) provides a good model, whereas adding cTnT and NT-proBNP to clinical characteristics results in an excellent HF prediction model.
Aharonov-Bohm electron interferometer in the integer quantum Hall regime

We report experiments on a quantum electron interferometer fabricated from high mobility, low density $\mathrm{Al}\mathrm{Ga}\mathrm{As}∕\mathrm{Ga}\mathrm{As}$ heterostructure material. In this device, a nearly circular electron island is defined by four front gates deposited in etched trenches. The island is separated from the two-dimensional (2D) electron bulk by two nearly open constrictions. In the quantum Hall regime, two counterpropagating edge channels are coupled by tunneling in the constrictions, thus forming a closed electron interference path. For several fixed front gate voltages, we observe periodic Aharonov-Bohm interference oscillations in four-terminal resistance as a function of the enclosed flux. The oscillation period $\ensuremath{\Delta}B$ gives the area of the interference path $S$ via the quantization condition $S=h∕e\ensuremath{\Delta}B$. We experimentally determine the dependence of $S$ on the front gate voltage, and find that the Aharonov-Bohm quantization condition does not require significant corrections due to the confining potential. These results can be interpreted as a constant integrated compressibility of the island with respect to the front gates. We also analyze experimental results using two classical electrostatics models: one modeling the 2D electron density due to depletion from an etch trench, and another modeling the gate voltage dependence of the electron density profile in the island.
Strategies in Immunosuppression After Heart Transplantation Is Less Better

In this issue of Circulation: Heart Failure , Baran and colleagues1 report on 150 de novo adult heart transplant patients randomized to tacrolimus monotherapy or tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil therapy (dual therapy). Corticosteroids were weaned and discontinued in all patients by 8 weeks posttransplantation. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was performed at baseline and at follow-up. The authors find that the primary end point of a composite biopsy score at 6 months was similar for both study groups. They also report no significant difference between groups in 3-year survival and the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) by coronary angiography and IVUS. No patient required reinstitution of corticosteroids or a switch to another immunosuppressive drug during the follow-up period. The authors conclude that early corticosteroid weaning, tacrolimus monotherapy, or dual therapy are potential viable options for heart transplant patients. Article see p 129 For many cardiac transplant physicians, there is a pervasive unease that we have been overimmunosuppressing our patients. To this end, the authors are to be congratulated for pursuing an aggressive reduced immunosuppression regimen early after heart transplantation in the form of tacrolimus monotherapy and dual therapy with mycophenolate mofetil. However, although the basic idea of the study was well conceived, there are several concerns. The most important of these is that the study was underpowered to demonstrate true differences in the primary and secondary end points. Rejection rates were low at 5%, which is consistent with what many centers are now reporting; thus, the number of patients needed to power this study was underestimated. The primary end point of 6-month composite biopsy score is another concern. The authors used the older 1990 International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation biopsy grading scale. This grading scale is not linear, and the biopsy grading score, although used in other publications, …
The intestinal fatty acid propionate inhibits Salmonella invasion through the post‐translational control of HilD

Summary To cause disease, Salmonella must invade the intestinal epithelium employing genes encoded within Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 (SPI1). We show here that propionate, a fatty acid abundant in the intestine of animals, repressed SPI1 at physiologically relevant concentration and pH, reducing expression of SPI1 transcriptional regulators and consequently decreasing expression and secretion of effector proteins, leading to reduced bacterial penetration of cultured epithelial cells. Essential to repression was hilD, which occupies the apex of the regulatory cascade within SPI1, as loss of only this gene among those of the regulon prevented repression of SPI1 transcription by propionate. Regulation through hilD, however, was achieved through the control of neither transcription nor translation. Instead, growth of Salmonella in propionate significantly reduced the stability of HilD. Extending protein half-life using a Lon protease mutant demonstrated that protein stability itself did not dictate the effects of propionate and suggested modification of HilD with subsequent degradation as the means of action. Furthermore, repression was significantly lessened in a mutant unable to produce propionyl-CoA, while further metabolism of propionyl-CoA appeared not to be required. These results suggest a mechanism of control of Salmonella virulence in which HilD is post-translationally modified using the high-energy intermediate propionyl-CoA.
End-user programming in the wild: A field study of CoScripter scripts

Although a new class of languages has emerged to enable end users to create their own Web applications, little is known about how end-user programmers actually use such languages in the real world. In this paper, we report a field study on over 1400 scripts collected from the Internet which were created by early adopters of CoScripter, a Web macro programming-by-demonstration language. We contrast these Internet scripts with those written by users inside IBM, and describe script usage and re-usage patterns, features used, and users' clever workarounds for features not present in the language. The results show how users grapple with such programming notions as repetition, generalization, and reuse, sometimes inventing their own devices for these. Finally, we discuss the many scripts we found with social implications, whose purposes were to circumvent intended rules, regulations, and usage norm assumptions of a number of Web sites.
Tax Misreporting and Avoidance by Nonprofit Organizations

Using nonprofit income tax returns, we find that 19 percent of our pooled sample misreported their taxable income by overstating their taxable expenses by an average of 30 percent. Using this measure of tax misreporting as well as various measures of tax avoidance we find that nonprofit tax misreporting and avoidance are increasing in tax rates, tax return complexity, and accounting system flexibility, and decreasing in detection risk. The economic magnitudes of our results suggest that relatively modest changes in these variables can result in large changes in nonprofit tax avoidance behavior.
Parameter space analysis and design of an adaptive system

We investigate the so-called ?-modification scheme which has been proposed for the design of model reference adaptive control systems in the presence of unmodeled dynamics and of disturbances. Limiting attention to first order plants with a single unknown pole and an external disturbance, we verify analytically some of the bifurcations that an example adaptive system has been shown to exhibit via computer simulations. We also construct the parameter space, or bifurcation, diagram which summarizes all possible behaviors of the systems under consideration. Finally, we demonstrate the use of the parameter space as a design tool for the proper implementation of the scheme.
Impact of new telecommunications technologies on international technology transfer

The rapid improvements in global telecommunication technologies have changed the process of international technology transfer between firms. This paper explores the impact of these new telecommunication technologies on various aspects and phases of international technology transfer and the specific activities that are benefiting from the new telecommunication technologies.
Platelet-activating factor increases endothelial [Ca2+]i and NO production in individually perfused intact microvessels.

We have demonstrated that inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) in endothelial cells by either the NOS inhibitor Nω-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA) or the internalization of caveolin-1 scaffolding domain ...
Inhibition of Uterine Receptor Binding of Estradiol by Anti-estrogens (Clomiphene and CL-868)

ABSTRACT The binding of radioactive estradiol to specific receptor protein in soluble fractions of uterine homogenates from rabbits is concentration dependent and is inhibited by the anti-estrogenic compounds, clomiphene and CL-868. The inhibition of estradiol binding is proportional to the concentration of these anti-estrogens. Clomiphene inhibits the binding of radioactive estradiol by slices of human myometrium and of rabbit uteri and prevents the transfer of the steroid from the receptors in the soluble fractions into the nuclear-myofibrillar extracts. Such systems may provide a means for the in vitro testing of some biochemical properties of anti-estrogenic compounds.
Independent, additive effects of five dietary variables on ad libitum energy intake in a residential study.

Objective To examine the relationship between dietary characteristics of self-selected foods and energy balance in a cafeteria-style dining hall. Methods Ad libitum dietary intake from a self-selection menu was measured over two days in 151 adults (70% female, mean age 41 years, mean BMI 24.9 kg/m2). The associations of dietary variables with energy balance (calculated as measured energy intake/predicted energy requirements, pER) were assessed. Results Measured energy intake was significantly correlated with pER (R2=0.83, P < 0.001). In mixed multiple regression models, percent energy from protein was negatively associated with energy balance (R2=0.04, P = 0.02), and percent energy from liquid sources (R2 = 0.02, P = 0.05), total dietary variety in females (R2 = 0.39, P < 0.001), and energy density (R2 = 0.57, P < 0.001) were positively associated with energy balance. In addition, glycemic index was inversely associated with energy balance in normal-weight individuals (R2 = 0.14, P < 0.001) but not in overweight or obese individuals. Conclusions There are independent associations of dietary protein, liquid calories, energy density, dietary variety, and glycemic index with energy balance, indicating additive effects of these dietary factors on energy intake and energy balance. Intervention studies are needed to determine whether dietary prescriptions combining these dietary factors facilitate long-term prevention of weight gain.
BETA-NORMAL DISTRIBUTION AND ITS APPLICATIONS

This paper introduces a general class of distributions generated from the logit of the beta random variable. A special case of this family is the beta-normal distribution. The shape properties of the beta-normal distribution are discussed. Estimation of parameters of the beta-normal distribution by the maximum likelihood method is also discussed. The beta-normal distribution provides great flexibility in modeling not only symmetric heavy-tailed distributions, but also skewed and bimodal distributions. The flexibility of this distribution is illustrated by applying it to two empirical data sets and comparing the results to previously used methods.
Scattering matrix elements of fractal-like soot agglomerates

The possibility of measuring scattering-matrix (Mueller matrix) elements of soot agglomerates with laser diagnostic techniques is explored. To show this, we calculated the scattering-matrix elements of arbitrary-shaped soot agglomerates. The sensitivity of scattering-matrix elements to optical and morphological characteristics of fractal-like soot agglomerates is discussed. Finally, possible measurement techniques are suggested to identify soot structures from scattering-matrix elements.
Validation of half-reaction amplification using Promega PowerPlex 16.

Abstract: DNA amplification is a fundamental yet costly process used in DNA analysis. This study evaluated half-reaction amplification (12.5, 12, and 13 uL) using the Promega Powerplex® 16 Kit with the hope of reducing sample analysis costs by half. A sensitivity study was completed, along with the testing of various blood stain samples including those with low ( 3.0 ng), peak height imbalances, and allelic drop-out. Also, 467 samples submitted to the MUFSC laboratory for testing were analyzed. Results indicate that half-reaction amplification produced higher quality profiles than full-reactions. Average peak heights increased by 85%, peak height imbalances improved, and drop-out was eliminated in 75.8% of samples. Only eight of 467 case samples required re-amplification, a success rate of 94% was observed, and the repeat rate decreased significantly. Finally, a DNA input of 0.25–1.0 ng is ideal for half-reaction amplification.
On the factor-of-two bound for Gaussian multiple access channels with feedback

Pombra and Cover (see IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory, vol.40, p.885-92, May 1994) and Thomas (see IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory, vol.33, p.711-16, Sept. 1987) showed that the maximum achievable throughput (sum of rates of all users) of a Gaussian multiple access channel with feedback is at most twice that achievable without feedback. We prove a stronger result which establishes the factor-of-two bound not only for the total throughput but for the entire capacity region as well. Specifically, we show that the capacity region of a Gaussian multiple access channel with feedback is contained within twice the capacity region without feedback.
Technology choice and timing with positive network effects

Abstract When two competing and incompatible products coexist in a market, potential users face a choice between the two products and the alternative of deferring the decision. This paper examines the choice between the two substitutes, where each one is subject to a positive network effect. That is, a user of one of the products experiences an increase in the value for each additional person using the same product. We examine this buy or wait problem, either for an individual or a manager making the investment on behalf of a firm, by formulating and analyzing a decision-theoretic model. To model the stochastic evolution of market share, we build on the generalized Polya urn of Arthur et al. [Arthur, W.B., Ermoliev, Y.M., Kaniovski, Y.M., 1987. Path-dependent processes and the emergence of macro-structure. European Journal Of Operational Research 30 (3), 294–303], allowing for composition of the market to affect not just the relative market shares but also the absolute growth rate of the market. We show that the optimal strategy is defined by a pair of market penetration thresholds that depend on the market composition. Looking at the effect of the network effects on the optimal strategy, we find that more pronounced network effects can either raise or lower the penetration thresholds.
Expression of Transfected Genes

The stable introduction of cloned genes into mammalian cells has proven to be a widely used method to study the DNA sequences responsible for the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. An implicit assumption of this approach is that transfected genes are capable of expression in the foreign cell and that transcription occurs at levels high enough to detect. There are now abundant examples of tissue-specific genes introduced into mammalian cells that are transcribed at measurable levels. This chapter will review examples of cell-specific genes and developmentally regulated genes that are expressed in foreign cellular environments and examine the parameters that govern the expression of these genes in mammalian cells. A generality that emerges from these examples is that cloned genes that are introduced into cells are frequently expressed even though the endogenous counterpart genes are not. Furthermore, several genes expressed normally in a tissue-specific manner can be regulated appropriately even when they are present in a foreign cellular environment.
Shared risk factors for mood-, eating-, and weight-related health outcomes.

Objective Given the overlap among depressive symptoms, disordered eating, and overweight, identifying shared risk factors for these conditions may inform public health interventions. This study aimed to examine cross-sectional and prospective relationships among these 3 conditions, and identify potential shared eating-related and psychosocial variable risk factors (i.e., body dissatisfaction, dieting, teasing experiences). Method A population-based sample (n = 1,902) self-reported depressive symptoms, disordered eating (binge eating, extreme weight control behaviors), weight status, and several putative risk factors (body satisfaction, dieting frequency, weight-related teasing) at 5-year intervals spanning early/middle adolescence, middle adolescence/early young adulthood, and early/middle young adulthood. Results There was moderate overlap among depressive symptoms, disordered eating, and overweight at each time point, and moderate stability in each condition over time. Body dissatisfaction and dieting were the most potent shared risk factors for later depressive symptoms, disordered eating, and overweight among males and females (ps Conclusions Depressive symptoms, disordered eating, and overweight share several risk factors, including dieting and body dissatisfaction, which may be effective targets for interventions aiming to simultaneously prevent these 3 conditions.
The Evolution of Mammalian Sperm Motility in the Male and Female Reproductive Tracts

Spermatozoa recovered from the mammalian male and female reproductive tracts are seen to exhibit a variety of movements. These different types of movement appear related to a number of factors intrinsic and extrinsic to the spermatozoa. For example, sperm maturation in the male and capacitation in the female are associated with changes in the patterns of flagellar bending. Our current knowledge of sperm transport in the female suggests that the different types of sperm motility observed may be directly related to the mechanisms of transport. Indeed, the notion has developed that the female tract modulates sperm motility so as to insure the presence of viable fertile gametes at the site and time of fertilization.
Déjà Image-Captions: A Corpus of Expressive Descriptions in Repetition

We present a new approach to harvesting a large-scale, high quality image-caption corpus that makes a better use of already existing web data with no additional human efforts. The key idea is to focus on Deja Image-Captions: naturally existing image descriptions that are repeated almost verbatim – by more than one individual for different images. The resulting corpus provides association structure between 4 million images with 180K unique captions, capturing a rich spectrum of everyday narratives including figurative and pragmatic language. Exploring the use of the new corpus, we also present new conceptual tasks of visually situated paraphrasing, creative image captioning, and creative visual paraphrasing.
KONY 2012: Branding the Enemy—Activism Imagery in the Age of Social Media and the Political Brand

ABSTRACTThe KONY 2012 campaign, released by Invisible Children in early March 2012, is a carefully strategized program of destruction through promotion (aimed at destroying Joseph Kony’s image while making him famous). It is composed of a series of branded visual identity images, logos, text, and videos that are currently rewriting contemporary strategies for generating activism through social media. This article investigates the visual imagery and media of the KONY 2012 campaign and considers how the campaign team purposefully creates a subversive brandspace where individuals interact with the preformulated anti-Kony imagery that aids in the construction, communication, and maintenance of an antipathetic political brand identity. It also considers the implications of the iconoclastic visual rhetoric used by campaign designers to encourage the symbolic destruction of Kony’s image by making him notoriously iconic. Finally, it investigates the religious undertones of the campaign and its selective recruitme...
COST COMPARISON ACROSS HEART FAILURE PATIENTS WITH REDUCED AND PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTIONS: ANALYSES OF INPATIENT DECOMPENSATED HEART FAILURE ADMISSIONS

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of inpatient admissions in the United States for adults aged ≥65 years and accounts for more than $17 billion in Medicare expenditures annually. This study aimed to investigate total hospital costs for index HF hospitalization, and to identify patient
A Phenomenological Investigation of Leader Development and Mindfulness Meditation

Regardless of the gap between the demands of the global work environment and the maturity of leaders, minimal research exists on the trend of the practice of mindfulness meditation and the developmental experiences of leaders. Consequently, scholars have little understanding of how an increasing number of leaders experience mindfulness meditation. The purpose of this study was to understand the perceived impact mindfulness meditation had on leader development for 20 manager-leaders who had a regular (at least 3 days a week) mindfulness meditation practice. The primary recruitment strategy included outreach to potential participants affiliated with professionally oriented mindfulness groups on LinkedIn. The main conceptual framework was Day’s conceptualization of leader development. The central research question addressed leaders’ perceptions and experiences of the impact of mindfulness meditation on their development as leaders. A modified Stevick–Colaizzi–Keen data analysis procedure was used in this study. Key results included the identification of 10 core themes and the associated conclusion that leaders who want to contribute solutions to global challenges will have to access more of their potential, which may require engaging in contemplative practices such as mindfulness meditation. The principal recommendation includes the serious consideration of mindfulness meditation by leaders and organizational decision makers of development investments. This study has implications for positive social change, in that a better understanding of how leaders experience mindfulness meditation may provide direction for leaders and organizations about developmental practices that support leadership effectiveness.
Installation Enhancements to Common Inlet Protection Practices Using Large-Scale Testing Techniques

Inlet protection practices (IPPs) are temporary erosion and sediment controls commonly used in active construction sites to help reduce off-site transport of sediment. The overall in-field performance of these practices is commonly misunderstood. This study researched common failure modes of IPPs with the use of large-scale, channelized flow experiments. Testing evaluated the performance of standard IPP design details and provided installation enhancements to four typical practices commonly used in the erosion and sediment control industry (aggregate, sandbag, silt fence, and wattle barriers). Installation enhancements focused on providing effective structural improvements with typical installation materials while also considering reduced installation efforts and material costs. Enhancements increased IPP’s impoundments while maintaining efficient dewatering times. Variations of practices from state agency design guides and comparisons of developed installation enhancements were presented. A performance a...
A tyrosine-reactive irreversible inhibitor for glutathione S-transferase Pi (GSTP1)

Glutathione S-transferase Pi (GSTP1) mediates cellular defense against reactive electrophiles. Here, we report LAS17, a dichlorotriazine-containing compound that irreversibly inhibits GSTP1 and is selective for GSTP1 within cellular proteomes. Mass spectrometry and mutational studies identified Y108 as the site of modification, providing a unique mode of GSTP1 inhibition.
Low-loss photonic device in Ge-Sb-S chalcogenide glass.

Low-loss waveguides constitute an important building block for integrated photonic systems. In this work, we investigated low-loss photonic device fabrication in Ge23Sb7S70 chalcogenide glass using electron beam lithography followed by plasma dry etching. High-index-contrast waveguides with a low propagation loss of 0.5 dB/cm and microdisk resonators with an intrinsic quality factor (Q-factor) of 1.2×106 were demonstrated. Both figures represent, to the best of our knowledge, the best low-loss results reported thus far in submicrometer single-mode chalcogenide glass devices.
Caffeine's Effects on Performance and Mood are Independent of Age and Gender

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were age or gender specific effects of caffeine, as measured by cognitive tasks and mood assessments known to be sensitive to caffeine. The subjects were healthy, non-smoking volunteers between the ages of 18 and 30 (6 male and 6 female), and over the age of 60 (6 male and 6 female). Only low and moderate consumers of caffeine (daily intake < 400 mg) were enrolled in the double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover design. The order of caffeine dosing (placebo, 64, 128, and 256 mg) was counterbalanced by use of a complex Latin Square sequence of administration. Analysis of the data from all measures indicated that the effects of caffeine were no different in either males or females, or in the young or elderly volunteers. A significant dose-dependent improvement in performance of all subjects was observed in a modified version of the Wilkinson Auditory Vigilance Test. Additionally, significant dose-dependent improvements in mood state were observed in all subjects as assessed by the Profile of Mood States, Multiple Affect Adjective Check List, and The Caffeine Analog Scales. The results of this study suggest that the performance and mood enhancing effects of caffeine are neither age nor gender specific.
NOMINATE And American Political Development: A Primer

Steady political polarization since the late 1970s ranks among the most consequential transformations of American politics—one with far-reaching consequences for governance, congressional performance, the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, and citizen perceptions of the stakes of party conflict and elections. Our understanding of this polarization critically depends on measuring it. Its measurement in turn began with the invention of the NOMINATE algorithm and the widespread adoption of its estimates of the ideal points of members of Congress. Although the NOMINATE project has not been immune from technical and conceptual critique, its impact on how we think about contemporary politics and its discontents has been extraordinary and has helped to stimulate the creation of several similar scores. In order to deepen appreciation of this broadly important intellectual phenomenon, we offer an intuitively accessible treatment of the mathematics and conceptual assumptions of NOMINATE. We also stress that NOMINATE scores are a major resource for understanding other eras in American political development (APD) besides the current great polarization. To illustrate this point, we introduce readers to Voteview, which provides two-dimensional snapshots of congressional roll calls, among other data that it generates. We conclude by sketching how APD scholarship might contribute to the contemporary polarization discussion. Placing polarization and depolarization in historical perspective may powerfully illuminate whether, how, and why our current polarization might recede.
Evaluating the Impacts of an Enhanced Family Self-Sufficiency Program

AbstractWe conduct an impact analysis of the Denver, Colorado, Housing Authority’s Home Ownership Program (HOP) employing quasi experimental methodologies (i.e., nearest-neighbor matching, inverse probability weighting with regression adjustment) that permit causal inferences of program impacts with substantial confidence. HOP is an unusual, enhanced variant of the Family Self-Sufficiency program that incentivizes and assists participants’ purchase of a home. We analyze whether, compared with the control group, HOP participants exhibited significantly greater earnings growth during the program, enhanced economic security, and rates of home buying. We find that participants with a high intensity of treatment showed significant improvement in all outcomes. Results are robust to model specification and insensitive to omitted variable bias typically found in the social sciences. We conclude that a well-conceived and well-executed public housing authority program aimed at building the financial, human and soci...
Detection of Chromosomal Translocation in Hematologic Malignancies by a Novel DNA-Based Looped Ligation Assay (LOLA)

BACKGROUND: Disease-defining chromosomal translocations are seen in various neoplasms, especially in lymphomas and leukemias. Translocation detection at the DNA level is often complicated by chromosomal breakpoints that are distributed over very large regions. We have developed a ligation-based assay [the looped ligation assay (LOLA)] to detect translocations from diseases with multiple widely spaced breakpoint hot spots. METHODS: Oligonucleotide sets that probe breakpoints of IGH-BCL2 (immunoglobulin heavy–apoptosis regulator) in follicular lymphoma (FL), MYC-IGH (MYC proto-oncogene, bHLH transcription factor–immunoglobulin heavy) in Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and BCR-ABL1 (RhoGEF and GTPase activating protein–ABL proto-oncogene 1, non-receptor tyrosine kinase) in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) were designed. DNA from cell lines with these translocations was mixed with oligonucleotides in a single-step ligation reaction followed by PCR amplification. Detection was by capillary electrophoresis. We also tested peripheral blood from 16 CML patients and frozen tissue from 17 FL cases, and the results were compared to reverse transcription (RT)-PCR (CML) or fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and δ-PCR (FL). RESULTS: LOLA produced signals of the expected sizes for the cell lines. Normal control DNA yielded no signals. A dilution series yielded translocation-specific peaks at dilutions as low as 1%. Signal intensity was log linear to the DNA concentration (R2 = 0.94). Furthermore, we were able to detect a LOLA peak in DNA from 53.3% of FL patients and 87.5% of CML patients. The concordance between LOLA, FISH, and δ-PCR in FL was also excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that LOLA is a simple method that is useful for DNA-based detection of translocations in challenging situations, particularly where the breakpoints are not tightly clustered. The assay also has the added benefit of permitting rapid mapping of the breakpoints.