cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do genes motivate substance use

This brief introductory chapter outlines the critical role of motivation in both the casual use of substances and substance use disorders. I argue that while most of the research in addiction genetics is not explicitly focused on motivational constructs per se, the work increases knowledge of the biological pathways that influence risk for addiction, at least some of which involve aspects of substance use motivation. So, such work has the potential to increase our understanding of individual differences in basic motivational constructs and is therefore likely to have an impact that is broader than the field of addiction. Additionally, research to characterize the influence of genetic variation on addiction risk, which is mediated by motivational constructs, shows promise in the development of addiction treatments.
Numerical Simulation of a Strongly Heated Gas Flowing Upward in a Vertical Tube Using a k–ε Model

A two-layer k-e model is used to model a strongly heated, low-Mach number gas flowing upward in a vertical tube. Heating causes significant property variation and thickening of the viscous sublayer, consequently a fully developed flow does not evolve. Two-equation turbulence models generally perform poorly under such conditions. However, in the present work, a two-layer k-e model is shown to accurately predict this flow through adjustment of a model constant related to the viscous sublayer thickness.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Hedonics Act in Unison with the Homeostatic System to Unconsciously Control Body Weight

With the global obesity crisis continuing to take its toll, the demand for solutions has increased. The discussion about nature vs. nurture and biology vs. psychology has culminated in declaring obesity as a disease by some medical organizations. Environmental factors and genetic predisposition, rather than personal responsibility are to blame, as for any other disease. This view implies that the biological processes regulating body weight are essentially operating at the unconscious realm. Although this has long been accepted for the so-called homeostatic regulation of energy balance, it is less clear for the hedonic controls. Here, we critically evaluate the important question how rodent models can help understand the contribution of hedonic neural processes to body weight regulation. When looking at the concepts of reward, reinforcement, motivation, pleasure addiction, and their neural mechanisms, in the context of eating and exercise, the new view emerges that homeostatic and hedonic controls are closely interrelated and often act in unison at the unconscious level to achieve biologically adaptive responses. Although the discussion of a body weight set point has been neglected in recent years, this topic becomes more pressing as an important aspect for effective treatment of obesity.
Vitamin K Deficiency in the Hospitalized Patient-- Are we Underestimating the Prevalence?

Vitamin K is necessary for synthesis of coagulation factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX and X in the liver. In the absence of vitamin K, the liver will synthesize inactive precursor proteins known as proteins induced by the absence of vitamin K (PIVKA's). Because vitamin K is fat-soluble, it can only be absorbed from the intestine in the presence of bile salts. The body's capacity to store vitamin K is very low and the half-life of the vitamin Kdependent coagulation factors is short [1]. Because of this, deficiency can occur quickly if the intake is not sufficient.
Off Ship Measurement of Ship Air Wakes Using Instrumented Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

This paper details an innovative method for measuring and investigating off ship air wakes that develop during the operation of naval vessels in common underway wind conditions. Wind currents, both naturally occurring and those resulting from ship motion, can create ship air wakes that make operation of rotary wing aircraft in the vicinity of the ship particularly challenging. Currently extensive underway flight testing is required to determine safe wind over deck launch and recovery envelopes for rotary wing aircraft. This underway flight testing can be difficult to schedule and is very expensive since it involves multiple flights of manned helicopters. Small unmanned TREX 600 radio controlled (RC) helicopters have been equipped with a custom data package that includes an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and transmitter. The instrumented TREX 600 helicopter is flown back and forth through the ship air wake from YP676, which is a dedicated 108 ft long US Naval Academy research vessel, and detects the impact of the associated ship air wake on the 4.3 ft rotor diameter helicopter. IMU and GPS data are transmitted in real time to another data package mounted on the ship. The ship data package also records pilot control inputs to the helicopter. Through the use of a MATLAB script the TREX 600 helicopter position relative to the ship is determined in real time. Received IMU data from the helicopter is also filtered through a trained neural network which removes IMU oscillations due to pilot flight control inputs. Air wake data Aω is then determined which measures the intensity of the air wake on the TREX 600 helicopter. Comparison of the air wake data Aω show good correlation to regions of significant air wake intensity predicted by advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.
Effects of schematic organization on job task ratings

Job analysis techniques rely upon the recall of job knowledge from memory, yet little is known about how job information is organized. Five models (four schematically derived and one statistically based) were developed and examined for their effects on the ratings of time spent. Analyses indicate any of the strategies for organizing statements about the task increases the quality of responses compared to a random ordering
Boceprevir and Calcineurin inhibitors - Is there a role for treating Hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation?

Cirrhosis from Hepatitis C (HCV) remains the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States with recurrent disease leading to cirrhosis in 42% of patients by 5 years post-transplant. Aspegylated interferon (PIF) and ribavirin (RBV) are only effective in approximately 30% of patients with recurrent HCV genotype 1, this has led to recurrent HCV emerging as an important but controversial indication for retransplantation. On the other hand, the approval of protease inhibitors (PI’s) for the treatment of pre-transplant patients with HCV genotype 1 in 2011 has rapidly transformed our management of this ubiquitous disease.
Demonstration of a Toxic Factor(s) in Thermal Death.

SummaryIn a study of heat death, it has been shown that the marine annelid, Phascolo-soma gouldii, releases a heat stable, non-dialyzable toxic factor, capable of causing death when injected into normal worms. This toxic substance, originated from the cells of the coelomic fluid, has been partially isolated by saturation with ammonium sulfate. A semi-microbiological assay has been described.
Effect of Chronic Administration of Oxytocin on Corpus Luteum Function in Cycling Mares.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if intramuscular administration of 60 units of oxytocin once daily for 29 days, regardless of when treatment was initiated during the estrous cycle (i.e., without monitoring estrous behavior and/or detecting ovulation), would induce prolonged corpus luteum (CL) function in cycling mares. Mares were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) saline-treated control (n = 7) and (2) oxytocin-treated (n = 9) subjects. Control mares received 3 cc of saline, and oxytocin-treated mares received 60 units (3 cc) of oxytocin intramuscularly for 29 consecutive days. Treatment was initiated in all mares on the same day (day 1), independent of the day of the cycle. Jugular blood samples for determination of progesterone concentration were collected three times weekly (M, W, and F) for 21 days before treatment was initiated to confirm that all mares had a luteal phase of normal duration immediately before treatment. Beginning on the first day of treatment, blood samples were collected daily for eight days and then three times weekly through day 80. Mares were considered to have prolonged CL function if serum progesterone remained >1.0 ng/mL continuously for at least 25 days after the end of the treatment period. The proportion of mares with prolonged CL function was higher in the oxytocin-treated group than in the saline-treated group (7/9 vs. 1/7, respectively; P 1.0 ng/mL throughout the treatment period and into the post-treatment period. All mares with prolonged CL function maintained elevated progesterone concentrations through at least day 55 of the study. In conclusion, intramuscular administration of 60 units of oxytocin for 29 consecutive days effectively prolonged CL function in mares, regardless of when treatment was initiated during the estrous cycle. Importantly, this represents a protocol for using oxytocin treatment to prolong CL function that does not require detection of estrous behavior or day of ovulation.
Construction and Application of Multiple PCR Rapid Detection for 5 Pathogenic Bacteria in Food

Objective A multiple PCR method for rapid and sensitive detection was constructed,which can detcet salmonella,Escherichia coli O157∶H7,Staphylococcus aureus,Listeriosis monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus simultaneously. Method This multiple PCR method was used for primers design,and PCR amplification and electrophoresis,which was aimed at salmonella invasion gene invA,Escherichia coli O157∶H7 intestine hemolysin gene A HlyA,Staphylococcus aureus thermostable nuclease gene nuc,Listeriosis monocytogenes hemolysin O gene hlyA and Bacillus cereus enterotoxin FM gene entFM. Besides,this method can optimize the reaction system and detect the specificity and sensitivity.Results The results indicated that with the convenient,rapid and sensitive method,the detection of the five pathogenic bacteria can be performed together in 30 h. Besides,the sensitivity can reach 10~2 CFU/ml. Conclusion The approach improves the traditional detecting methods,provides ideal means for the rapid and high-throughput detection of foodborn pathogenic bacteria,and has favourable application perspective.
Preparation and Properties of Hard Anodic Oxide Coating on 2A12 Aluminium Alloy

Objective To study the properties of hard anodic oxide coatings on 2A12 aluminum alloy prepared in electrolyte of hybrid acids. Methods Hard anodic oxide coatings were prepared on 2A12 aluminum alloy surface in electrolyte of hybrid acids dominated by sulfuric acid. The effects of hybrid acids were analyzed and characterized. Results The results showed that the phenomenon of ablation could be avoided by the acts of H2SO4,organic acids and additive agents. The surface hardness of coating prepared in electrolyte of hybrid acids was above 400HV0. 05. Additive agent WX could increase the corrosion resistance of hard anodic oxide coatings on 2A12 aluminum alloy surface. Only 5% corrosion area of hard anodic oxide coating on 2A12 aluminum alloy surface was observed after 168 h of neutral salt spray test. Hard anodic oxide coatings on 7A04 aluminum alloy surface showed better corrosion resistance compared with the coatings on 2A12 aluminum alloy surface. Conclusion Aluminum alloys with lower Cu content are suggested for preparing hard anodic oxide coatings with better corrosion resistance.
Hemans and her American Heirs

Although Felicia Hemans never fulfilled her dying desire to compose a ‘noble and complete work … which might permanently take its place as the work of a British poetess’,1 no fully satisfying account of nineteenth-century poetry’s contributions to the construction of English national identity, and particularly feminine identity, can afford to ignore her work. This essay will argue that the same may well be true for poetic constructions of national identity in the United States. For paradoxically, England’s most famous female patriotic poet was also a beloved writer of American patriotic verse. Indeed, her works helped to inspire and authorize an explicitly, even vehemently public and political strain of nineteenth-century American women’s poetry.
Sphingolipids, ORMDL3 and asthma: what is the evidence?

Purpose of reviewGenome-wide association studies identified ORMDL3, a protein of the endoplasmic reticulum, as a significant asthma risk factor. ORMDL3 is one of three ORMDL proteins that integrate multiple signals to maintain sphingolipid homeostasis. Studies that investigated potential mechanisms
How Do FOMC Projections Affect Policy Uncertainty

In January 2012, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) began publicly releasing its participants’ projections for the future value of the federal funds rate. The former FOMC Chair Ben Bernanke stated that these releases help the public form policy expectations. However, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President John C. Williams noted that the range of the funds rate forecast conveyed disagreement and uncertainty. These projections may be conflicting in nature, and thus may not lower public uncertainty. Bundick and Herriford seek to answer the question: do these projections decrease or increase uncertainty about future policy? To answer this question, the authors measure how uncertainty about future interest rates changed after the FOMC began releasing its participants’ projections for the appropriate federal funds rate. The authors found that the overall uncertainty about future interest rates decreased after FOMC began releasing its participants’ interest rate projections. However, the authors found that public uncertainty is correlated with disagreement across participants’ projections. In sum, the findings provide empirical support for the claims of Bernanke and Williams.
Higher Donor Apheresis Blood Volumes Are Associated with Reduced Relapse Risk and Improved Survival in Reduced-Intensity Allogeneic Transplantations with Unrelated Donors

Abstract Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) offers a curative option for patients with hematologic malignancies who are unable to undergo myeloablative conditioning, but its success is limited by high rates of relapse. Several studies have suggested a role for T cell doses in peripheral blood stem cell grafts in RIC HSCT. Because T cell dose is typically not known until after the collection, and apheresis blood volume is easily modifiable, we hypothesized that higher donor apheresis blood volumes would improve transplantation outcomes through an effect on graft composition. Thus, we analyzed the relationships between apheresis volume, graft composition, and transplantation outcomes in 142 consecutive patients undergoing unrelated donor allogeneic RIC HSCT. We found that apheresis volume ≥15 L was associated with a significantly decreased risk of relapse (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], .48; 95% confidence interval [CI], .28 to .84]; P = .01) and improved relapse-free survival (aHR, .56; 95% CI, .35 to .89; P = .02) and overall survival (aHR, .55; 95% CI, .34 to .91; P = .02). A high apheresis volume was not associated with increased rates of acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease. These results demonstrate that an apheresis volume of at least 15 L is independently predictive of improved transplantation outcomes after RIC allogeneic HSCT.
Intensive Hemodialysis Fails to Reduce Plasma Levels of Uremic Solutes.

In this issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology , Kalim et al. ([1][1]) report that extending the duration of in-center hemodialysis had little effect on the plasma levels of small solutes. They used mass spectrometry to compare solute levels over 1 year in 20 patients
Fractal Transitions on Geological Surfaces

In recent years, many papers have demonstrated that a wide variety of geological objects are fractal; examples are coastlines (Mandelbrot, 1967), seafloor topography (Fox and Hayes, 1985; Malinverno and Gilbert, 1989), mountain topography (Gilbert, 1989), and joints and bedding planes (Brown and Scholz, 1985). In reporting these findings, the emphasis has usually been on the success of fractal geometry in describing these forms. However Burrough (1981), who noted the similarity of the fractal description to earlier geostatistical measures, such as the variogram, also pointed out that many objects may exhibit self-similarity over only a limited range of scales and different characteristics at widely separated scales. It is this latter theme that I take up here.
The reliability of acceptability judgments across languages

The reliability of acceptability judgments made by individual linguists has often been called into question. Recent large-scale replication studies conducted in response to this criticism have shown that the majority of published English acceptability judgments are robust. We make two observations about these replication studies. First, we raise the concern that English acceptability judgments may be more reliable than judgments in other languages. Second, we argue that it is unnecessary to replicate judgments that illustrate uncontroversial descriptive facts; rather, candidates for replication can emerge during formal or informal peer review. We present two experiments motivated by these arguments. Published Hebrew and Japanese acceptability contrasts considered questionable by the authors of the present paper were rated for acceptability by a large sample of naive participants. Approximately half of the contrasts did not replicate. We suggest that the reliability of acceptability judgments, especially in languages other than English, can be improved using a simple open review system, and that formal experiments are only necessary in controversial cases.
America’s Role in the Yemen Crisis

In 2011 the US government strongly supported the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) diplomatic initiative in Yemen. Afterward President Barack Obama became an outspoken champion of the country’s political transition plan. Between 2012 and 2014, he and his staff often referred to Yemen’s version of the “Arab Spring” as an ideal model because it stood in sharp contrast to simultaneous events in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, and Syria. The GCC initiative was a major reason why Obama eagerly embraced the Yemen model. It suited his foreign policy preference of encouraging foreign allies to play more active roles, “leading from behind” as he once stated in a poor choice of words. This was especially true of his orientation toward allies in regional organizations like the GCC. Once Yemen’s transition collapsed in early 2015, and Saudi Arabia led a coalition to war, President Obama found himself in the awkward position of participating in a foreign agenda he neither chose nor supported. After President Trump entered the White House in January 2017, US policy became far more supportive of the coalition’s war effort. Trump accelerated the process of approving arms sales to the GCC coalition, including authorization of some weapon systems that Obama previously blocked.
Abstract A72: IFNAR1 signaling regulates PMN-MDSCs immune suppressive activity in cancer

Polymorphnuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) are a subset of MDSCs that are expanded and accumulated in several cancers. The main role of PMN-MDSCs in cancer is the suppression of antitumor immune responses, which leads to tumor progression, angiogenesis and metastasis. PMN-MDSCs within the tumor microenvironment (TME) have potent immune-suppressive effects compared to PMN-MDSCs in peripheral organs. However, the mechanism regulating the immune-suppressive activity of PMN-MDSCs within the TME remain poorly understood. Recently, it was shown that PMN-MDSCs from spleen of tumor-bearing mice treated with type 1 interferon (IFN1) have a decrease in their immune-suppressive activity. It has been established that tumor-associated PMN-MDSCs are more suppressive than those residing in the spleen; however, their response to IFN1 remains unclear. Therefore, our goal is to understand the role of IFN1 in the regulation of PMN-MDSCs’ function within the TME. We found that IFN1 receptor, IFNAR1, is downregulated in tumor-associated PMN-MDSCs compared to their counterparts in the spleen. In cancer patients IFNAR1 on PMN-MDSC was substantially lower than on neutrophils from healthy donors. IFNAR1 downregulation in PMN-MDSCs correlated with their immune-suppressive activity. To understand the importance of IFNAR1 signaling in PMN-MDSC biology, we utilized a knock-in mouse expressing a mutant form of IFNAR1 (Ifnar1SA) that is resistant to downregulation upon stimuli and stress. PMN-MDSCs from Ifnar1SA mice were defective in their immune-suppressive activity whereas PMN-MDSCs from Ifnar1-/- mice are as immunosuppressive as PMN-MDSCs from WT mice. In this study, we described the possible role of IFN1 in negative regulation of PMN-MDSCs function in cancer. Citation Format: Serge Fuchs, Kevin M. Alicea-Torres, Dmitry I. Gabrilovich. IFNAR1 signaling regulates PMN-MDSCs immune suppressive activity in cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2018 Nov 27-30; Miami Beach, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2020;8(4 Suppl):Abstract nr A72.
The Stability of Influenza Vaccination Behavior Over Time: A Longitudinal Analysis of Individuals Across 8 Years.

Background Seasonal influenza vaccination is an important behavior with significant individual and public health consequences, yet fewer than half of individuals in the USA are vaccinated annually. To promote vaccination adherence, it is important to understand the factors that affect vaccination behavior. Purpose In this research, we focused on one such factor, an individual's vaccination history. We gathered longitudinal data to track and understand the relationship between an individual's vaccination history and their current behaviors. Methods U.S. adults completed multiple surveys over an 8 year period, which asked about whether they had received the influenza vaccination during the previous flu season. We analyzed the data to determine the strength of the relationship between vaccination decisions across single-year and multiyear intervals. Additionally, we fitted two mathematical models to the data to determine whether individuals were better characterized as having a stable propensity to vaccinate or a stable propensity to repeat their previous decisions. Results Individuals exhibited highly consistent behavior across adjacent years, yet, across the complete extent of the longitudinal study, they were far more likely to repeat the earlier decision to vaccinate. Surprisingly, the results of the mathematical model suggest that individuals are better characterized as having a stable propensity to repeat their previous decisions rather than a stable propensity to vaccinate per se. Although most individuals had an extremely strong tendency to repeat the previous decision, some had a far weaker propensity to do so. Conclusions This suggests that interventions intended to increase vaccination uptake might be most impactful for those individuals with only a weak tendency to vaccinate or not to vaccinate.
Bacterial Lawn Avoidance and Bacterial Two Choice Preference Assays in Caenorhabditis elegans

Physical avoidance of pathogens is a crucial defense strategy used by the host to reduce pathogen infection. Hosts display the use of multiple strategies to sense and avoid pathogens, ranging from olfaction to sensing of damage caused by pathogen infection. Understanding various mechanisms of pathogen avoidance has the potential to uncover conserved host defense responses that are important against pathogen infections. Here, we describe protocols for studying pathogen lawn avoidance behavior as well as a change of bacterial preferences in the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Besides, we describe the protocol for measuring preferences for pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria after training of the animals on pathogenic bacteria. These assays can be implemented in discovering various mechanisms of host learning that result in the avoidance of pathogens.
Section 5. Individual Plants

Bead Vine, Black Eyed Susan, Coral Bead Plant, Crab’s Eyes, Graines d’Eglise, Indian Licorice, Kolales Halomtano, Jequirity/Jequirty Bean, Jumbee Beads, Jumbi Beeds, Jumbo Beads, Licorice Vine, Liane a Reglisse, Love Bead, Love Pea, Ojo de Pajaro, Ojo de Cangrejo, Peonia, Precatory Bean, Prayer Beads, Pukiawe Lei, Red Bead Vine, Reglisse, Rosary Pea, Semilla de Culebra, Seminole Bead, Weather Plant, WeatherVine, Wild Licorice
SF3B1-targeted Splicing Inhibition Triggers Global Alterations in Transcriptional Dynamics and R-Loop Metabolism

Efficient co-transcriptional splicing is thought to suppress the formation of genome-destabilizing R-loops upon interaction between nascent RNA and the DNA template. Inhibition of the SF3B splicing complex using Pladienolide B (PladB) in human K562 cells caused widespread intron retention and nearly 2,000 instances of R-loops gains. However, only minimal overlap existed between these events, arguing that unspliced introns do not cause excessive R-loops. R-loop gains were instead driven by readthrough transcription resulting from loss of transcription termination over a subset of stress-response genes, defining a new class of aberrant "downstream of genes" (DoG) R-loops. Such DoG R-loops were temporally and spatially uncoupled from loci experiencing DNA damage. Unexpectedly, the predominant response to splicing inhibition was a global R-loop loss resulting from accumulation of promoter-proximal paused RNA polymerases and defective elongation. Thus, SF3B1-targeted splicing inhibition triggered profound alterations in transcriptional dynamics, leading to unexpected disruptions in the global R-loop landscape. HIGHLIGHTSO_LIIntron retention caused by SF3B1 inhibition does not lead to excessive R-loops C_LIO_LIA subset of genes shows readthrough transcription and accompanying R-loop gains C_LIO_LISF3B1 inhibition causes broad reduction in nascent transcription and R-loop loss C_LIO_LIR-loop gains and DNA damage are temporally and spatially uncoupled C_LI
Zero Tolerance for Genital Mutilation: a Review of Moral Justifications

To summarize and critically evaluate the moral principles invoked in support of zero tolerance laws and policies for medically unnecessary female genital cutting (FGC). Most of the moral reasons that are typically invoked to justify such laws and policies appear to lead to a dilemma. Either these reasons entail that several common Western practices that are widely regarded to be morally permissible and are currently treated as legal—such as intersex “normalization” surgery, female genital “cosmetic” surgery performed on adolescent girls, or infant male circumcision—are in fact morally impermissible and should be discouraged if not legally forbidden; or the reasons are being applied in a biased and prejudicial manner that is itself unethical, as well as inconsistent with Western constitutional requirements of equal treatment of individuals before the law. In the recent literature, only one principle has been defended that appears capable of justifying a zero tolerance stance toward medically unnecessary FGC without relying on, exhibiting, or perpetuating unjust cultural or moral double standards. This principle holds that, in countries whose ethicolegal traditions are shaped by a foundational concern for individual rights, respect for bodily integrity, and personal autonomy over sexual boundaries, all non-consenting persons have an inviolable moral right against any medically unnecessary (or medically deferrable) interference with their genitals or other private anatomy. In such countries, therefore, all non-consenting persons, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, parental religion, assigned sex, gender identity, or other individual or group-based features, should be protected from medically unnecessary genital cutting, regardless of the severity of the cutting or the expected level of benefit or harm.
Associations between COVID-19 perceptions, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among adults living in the United States.

Abstract Background Associations among illness perceptions of viruses, anxiety and depression symptoms, and self-management decisions, such as mask-wearing, are critical to informing public health practices to mitigate the short- and long-term consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 viral pandemic. Purpose Guided by the common-sense model of self-regulation, this observational study examined associations among illness perceptions of COVID-19, anxiety, and depression symptoms among community-dwelling adults. Method Data were collected from 1380 adults living in the United States early in the pandemic (03-23-2020 to 06-02-2020). Participants completed online surveys. Analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics and correlations. Findings While increased anxiety symptoms were associated with less perceived personal control, greater concern, and higher emotional responsiveness, increased depression symptoms were related to lower concern as well as greater emotional responsiveness and perceived consequences of the pandemic. Discussion Associations among illness perceptions, anxiety, and depression symptoms may impact viral spread mitigation behavior adoption.
Average Period, User Cost, and Implications for Value, Interest, and Term Structure

This study weds the user cost of capital with average period in a modern analytical relationship and offers three implications. One, a real capital stock’s fundamental value as a proportion of its current replacement cost depends on a ratio of average periods. Two, the effect on fundamental value of an increasing discount rate may be positive or negative and it too depends on a ratio of average periods. Three, an increase in average period of debt maturity allows an increase in the flow of interest from capital and, consequently, the yield curve is upward sloped irrespective of all else.
Case 10: Always Check Your Facts

In 1996, I spent some time in a large hospital in Asia. The hospital was very proud of the fact that they had piped oxygen to all of the hospital operating rooms and ICU. The anesthesia machines and equipment were rudimentary at best. The reuse of disposable equipment, after being autoclaved, was commonplace. I thought it would be interesting to see the oxygen source for the piped oxygen. However, my hospital hosts were obviously not interested in showing me. I was told that it would be of little interest.
Abstract 18006: Safety of Novel Oral Anticoagulants Compared with Uninterrupted Warfarin for Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the frequency of hemorrhagic and thrombotic events as well as peri-procedural management strategies associated with the use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs: dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban) compared to warfarin as anticoagulation therapy for AF ablation. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study from a prospective AF ablation registry maintained at a large, academic medical center. All patients undergoing AF ablation between 1/31/2012 and 12/31/13 with pre- and post-procedure anticoagulation were included. RESULTS: The cohort included 374 patients (mean age 62 +/- 10 years, 74% male). Warfarin was used for 173 cases, dabigatran for 123 cases, rivaroxaban for 61 cases, and apixaban for 17 cases. The overall hemorrhagic/thrombotic complication rate was 14.2 % (major hemorrhage 2.7%, minor hemorrhage 11%, thrombotic stroke 0.5%). There was no significant difference in the frequency of major hemorrhage or thrombotic events associated with the ...
Peculiarity and Reported Childhood Maltreatment

This study examined whether reported childhood maltreatment is associated with elevated levels of peculiar perceptions and beliefs. Participants were an unselected sample of 458 college students. Peculiarity was measured using the Perceptual Aberration and Magical Ideation scales. Childhood maltreatment was measured using the Physical Punishment scale from the Assessing Environments III, the Sexual Abuse Scale, and the Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. Higher levels of peculiarity were associated with reported childhood maltreatment among both males and females. These associations could not be accounted for by shared variance with negative affect or by scores on the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Individuals who reported a history of childhood maltreatment were 10.5 times more likely than individuals who did not report such a history to have deviantly high Perceptual Aberration scores. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that childhood maltreatment can contribute to elevated levels of peculiarity, and they raise the possibility that at least some of the unusual perceptions and beliefs exhibited by individuals with psychiatric disorders such as personality disorders and major depressive disorder can be traced, at least in part, to a history of childhood maltreatment.
Induction and Catabolite Repression of Glucosidases in Pseudomonas maltophilia.

Intracellular α-and β-glucosidases were induced in cell suspensions of Pseu-domonas maltophilia by maltose or cellobiose, and the synthesis of these enzymes was sensitive to apparent catabolite repression by α-ketoglutarate.
Relationship of APP mRNA transcripts and levels of NGF and low-affinity NGF receptors to behavioral measures of age-related cognitive dysfunction.

This study was designed to examine the relationship between cognitive function and endogenous levels of NGF, low-affinity NGF receptor (LNGFR), and amyloid precursor protein (APP) mRNAs. Using 3 month (n = 5), 18 month (n = 40), and 29 month (n = 17) Fischer-344 male rats, cognitive function was assessed with the Morris water maze, reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction were used to quantify APP mRNAs, and NGF and LNGFR levels were determined with an ELISA. Cognitive function declined progressively with age from 3 months to 18 months, and from 18 months to 29 months, but only RNA content in the tissue declined significantly from 3 months to 18 months. Between 18 month and 29 month rats were small but statistically significant decreases only for Kunitz protease inhibitor (KPI)-inclusive mRNAs and cortical NGF levels. There was a small but statistically significant correlation between cognitive function and %KPI (the amount of KPI APP mRNAs relative to the total amount of APP mRNA), with lower %KPI related to more impaired spatial learning. No other statistically significant correlation or linear relationship could be detected between cognitive function and any of the other neurological measures or any combination of these measures (i.e., hippocampal levels of APP 695 mRNA, cortical and hippocampal levels of NGF, and cortical, hippocampal, and basal forebrain levels of LNGFR).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Inhibition of Bacterial Conjugation by Ribonucleic Acid and Deoxyribonucleic Acid Male-Specific Bacteriophages

Abstract Both deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) male-specific phages, with an F-specific host range, inhibited the bacterial mating process of Escherichia coli. DNA phages prevented the formation of mating pairs but had no effect on mating pairs once they were formed. A step in RNA phage infection, prior to RNA penetration, prevented the formation of mating pairs and, in addition, prevented a fraction of existing mating pairs from completing the mating process. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that donor cells have a single surface structure involved in both conjugation and male-phage adsorption and that this element is the F pilus.
Edmund C. Stoner and the Discovery of the Maximum Mass of White Dwarfs

The existence of a mass limit for white dwarfs is usually attributed solely to the late astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1910–95), and this limit is named after him. But as is often the case, the history of this discovery is more nuanced. In this paper I will show that the existence of a maximum mass was first established by Edmund C. Stoner (1899–1968), a physicist who began experimental research under the supervision of Rutherford at the Cavendish in Cambridge, but later switched to theoretical work. Rutherford recommended Stoner to a position at the Physics department of the University of Leeds where he spent his entire career. According to G. Cantor, he was “probably the leading Cavendish-trained theoretical physicist of the 1920’s”, although he learned theory mostly on his own, and became known for his work on magnetism. Unfortunately, Stoner suffered from diabetes and poor health which restricted his travels, and this may account for the fact that he did not receive wider recognition for his achievements. In 1924 Stoner wrote a paper on the distribution of electrons among atomic levels. In the preface of the fourth edition of his classic book, Atomic structure and spectral lines, Arnold Sommerfeld gave special mention to “einen grossen Fortschritt [a great advancement]” brought about by Stoner’s analysis, which then came to the attention of Wolfgang Pauli, and played an important role in his formulation of the exclusion principle in quantum physics. Therefore, it is not surprising that Stoner’s interest in white dwarfs was aroused by Ralph H. Fowler’s suggestion that the exclusion principle could be applied to solve a major puzzle, the origin of the extreme high density of white dwarfs, which could not be explained by classical physics. Arthur Eddington expressed this puzzle as follows: “I do not see how a star which has once got into this compressed state is ever going to go out of it.... The star will need energy in order to cool.... It would seem that the star will be in an awkward predicament when its supply of subatomic energy fails. Imagine a body continually losing heat but with insufficient energy to grow cold!” At the time, the conventional wisdom was that the source of internal pressure which maintained all stars in equilibrium against gravitational collapse was the internal pressure of the matter composing the star which had been heated into a gas presumably, according to Eddington, by “subatomic energy”. But when this supply of energy is exhausted and the star cools, Fowler proposed that a new equilibrium would ensue, even at zero temperature, due to the “degeneracy” pressure of the electrons caused by the exclusion principle in quantum mechanics. Fowler, however, did not attempt to determine the equilibrium properties of such a star which he regarded as “strictly JHA, xxxix (2008)
Formation of Planetesimals and Accretion of the Terrestrial Planets

Planetesimals formed in the solar nebula by collisional coagulation. Dust aggregates settled toward the central plane, the larger ones growing by sweeping up smaller ones. A thin, dense layer of particles formed; shear-generated turbulence and differential motions induced by gas drag inhibited gravitational instability. Growth proceeded by collisions, producing planetesimals on a timescale of a few thousand years in the terrestrial zone. For bodies smaller than about a kilometer, motions were dominated by gas drag, and impact velocities decreased with size. At larger sizes gravitational interactions became significant, and velocities increased due to mutual perturbations. Larger bodies then grew more rapidly, this “runaway” led to formation of tens to hundreds of lunar-to Mars-sized planetary embryos in the zone of terrestrial planets. The final accretion of these bodies into a few planets involved large impacts, and occurred on a timescale of 107 to 108 years. This scenario gives a reasonably consistent picture of the origin of the terrestrial planets, but does not account for the anomalously low eccentricities of the Earth and Venus.
Hydrophobic nature and effects of culture conditions on biofilm formation by the cellulolytic actinomycete Thermobifida fusca

Thermobifida fusca produces a firmly attached biofilm on nutritive and non-nutritive surfaces, such as cellulose, glass, plastic, metal and Teflon ® . The ability to bind to surfaces has been suggested as a competitive advantage for microbes in soil environments. Results of previous investigations indicated that a Gram-positive cellulolytic soil bacteria, Cellulomonas uda , a facultative aerobe, specifically adhered to nutritive surfaces forming biofilms, but cells did not colonize non-nutritive surfaces. Cell surface hydrophobicity has been implicated in the interactions between bacteria and the adhesion to surfaces. It was recently described that the cellulolytic actinomycete T. fusca cells hydrophobicity was measured and compared to the cellulolytic soil bacteria C. uda. Also, T. fusca biofilm formation on non-nutritive surface, such as polyvinyl chloride, was examined by testing various culture ingredients to determine a possible trigger mechanism for biofilm formation. Experimental results showed that partitioning of bacterial cells to various hydrocarbons was higher in T. fusca cells than in C. uda . The results of this study suggest that the attachment to multiple surfaces by T. fusca could depend on nutrient availability, pH, salt concentrations, and the higher hydrophobic nature of bacterial cells. Possibly, these characteristics may confer T. fusca a selective advantage to compete and survive among the many environments it thrives.
TO GRIEVE OR NOT TO GRIEVE: FACTORS RELATED TO VOICING DISCONTENT IN AN ORGANIZATIONAL SIMULATION

This paper examines the relation between several attitudinal and performance measures and the decision to file a grievance in an organizational simulation. Results were consistent with predictions derived from previous research. Employees who valued their compensation and were satisfied with their performance were likely to file a grievance against their manager. Conversely, employees who were highly satisfied with their job and judged the selection process and performance evaluation systems to be fair were not likely to file a grievance. Implications of these results for future research are discussed.
Influence of Substrate Temperature and Directness of Approach on the Escape Responses of Juvenile Collared Lizards

Escape theory is a well-known conceptual framework proposed to predict adaptive behavior patterns of free-ranging prey animals with respect to predator avoidance. Escape-theory models are based on the premise that prey should adopt behavior that balances predation risk incurred by remaining in a chosen location against the cumulative fitness costs resulting from fleeing such locations. Ectotherms are expected to be more vulnerable when their locomotory abilities are diminished at lower ambient temperatures, and risk to prey is expected to increase with the intensity of threat posed by potential predators. We conducted field experiments involving approach by a simulated predator (a human observer) to test both the influence of substrate temperature and the intensity of threat on escape behavior in free-ranging juvenile collared lizards, Crotaphytus collaris. As predicted by theory, flight initiation distance was negatively correlated with substrate temperature. Our results also supported the prediction that the intensity of juvenile responses should increase with perceived threat intensity. Juveniles fled or hid in more trials when they were approached directly; direct approach resulted in subjects responding when the predator stimulus was farther away, and for trials in which hatchlings fled, they moved farther when approached directly. Taken together, our results indicate that juvenile collared lizards alter their behavior with respect to increased risk in a manner that is consistent with the predictions of contemporary escape theory.
SU‐GG‐T‐242: The Use of a Commercial Multi‐Detector Device for Daily QA of Linear Accelerators

Purpose: With the increasing number of complex treatments there is a pressing need for QA tools that can help improve QA efficiency and comprehensiveness. The clinical use of a commercial multi‐detector device for daily QA of linear accelerators is presented. Method and Materials: The DailyQA 3™ (Sun Nuclear, Melbourne, FL) device consists of 25 detectors: 5 ionization chambers for flatness, symmetry, and output check; 4 curved ionization chambers for photon energy check by studying beam flatness; 4 circular chambers with inherent attenuators for electron energy verification; 4 sets of three diodes with 5 mm spacing for light‐radiation coincidence check. During morning output check, the open 20×20 cm2 field is formed by MLC in order to check the SMLC positioning. For DMLC delivery check, a slit with 2 cm gap is programmed to move across the detector array.Results: With one exposure for each modality, we can verify that the output is within 3%, the symmetry (both axial ant transverse) and flatness are within 3%, light‐radiation coincidence is within 3 mm, and electron energy is within 3%. The flatness is an extremely sensitive indicator to the change of X‐ray energy. Our data showed that a 10% tolerance for X‐ray energy was clinical acceptable, which translates to 1MV for 6MV and 2 MV for 18 MV. This meets 2% tolerance in PDD as recommended by AAPM protocol. The QA device is able to detect 1 mm SMLC error on a daily basis. The DMLC output typically is within 3%, which approximately translates to 0.6 mm leaf positioning/motion consistency. Combined with monthly picket‐fence QA, it provides confidence in MLC positioning. Conclusion: The clinical use of this multi‐detector device has improved the efficiency and thoroughness of linear accelerator daily QA. Reasonable action level has been established by considering dosimetric relevance and clinic flow.
Update: Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in the Emergency Department

Study objective Contrast-induced nephropathy is the third leading cause of hospital-acquired acute renal failure. Expanded use of contrast-enhanced imaging exposes an ever-widening number of patients to this renal toxin. We perform an evidence-based emergency medicine review comparing different therapies to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy. We limit our review to prophylactic therapies that are practical for an emergency department setting. Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for randomized trials comparing a wide range of medications to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy. We defined contrast-induced nephropathy by a commonly used surrogate measure of renal failure: a 25% or 0.5 mg/dL absolute increase in serum creatinine level from baseline 48 to 72 hours postcontrast. We limited our review to only trials for patients with baseline renal insufficiency, who are most at risk for contrast-induced nephropathy. We excluded prophylactic protocols requiring more than 2 hours precontrast to initiate and any trials of experimental medications or those that required invasive monitoring. We used standard criteria to appraise the quality of published trials. Results We found 7 randomized trials; 3 using N -acetylcysteine, 2 using theophylline, and 1 each using bicarbonate and ascorbic acid. Although many of these trials showed statistically significant reductions in the risk for contrast-induced nephropathy, none were sufficiently powered to detect reductions in mortality rate or the need for dialytic therapy. Conclusion Evidence from randomized trials shows that these interventions (theophylline, bicarbonate, and ascorbic acid) under review were appropriate to an ED setting and decreased the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy. The case for the effectiveness ( N -acetylcysteine) was less certain.
Bread Formulation Designed for the Elderly Using Response Surface Methodology

The effects of five levels of acid whey, a Torula yeast product and low fat processed American cheese on the flavor of bread were evaluated by an experienced sensory panel. From these data, response surface contour plots were drawn, and a formula was indentified which resulted in a bread with characteristics that were liked by 50 individuals 65 years of age or older. This formula. increased the calcium, thiamin and riboflavin content by 1.2, 2.0 and 1.2 times, respectively, over that of the best-liked commercial bread.