cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tweet Sentiments and Crowd-Sourced Earnings Estimates as Valuable Sources of Information Around Earnings Releases

In this work we examine the confluence of two important financial social media databases -- Estimize and iSentium. Both data capture “crowdsourced” information that has begun to appear increasingly more important for financial market research. In particular we investigate the event of the earnings announcement. First, we confirm that crowdsourced/Estimize’s consensus earnings have more accuracy ( 60%) than Wall Street’s consensus earnings and this has been robust over the past two years 2013-2014. Second, we document that the objectivity of the crowd has been one reason why it is more accurate. Wall Street’s consensus is biased due to the “lowballing” phenomenon pervasive in the industry. Wall Street’s consensus are ~70% lower than the actual reported earnings versus ~56-57% lower from the crowd’s consensus. Third, we find economically and statistically significant evidence that tweet sentiment contains distinct information that is not contained in the traditional pre-announcement variables such as Forecasts Error, Earnings Surprise, Bias, Coverage, Track Record, and Earnings Volatility. Fourth, we show that Tweet sentiment prior to the earnings announcement date can actually predict post-announcement risk-adjusted excess returns over the short-term (few days). This predictive relationship holds even in the presence of the Earnings Surprise variable. Fascinatingly enough the market quickly incorporates this information and after only a few days the statistical significance of this relationship wanes. We estimate that gross of costs, the “alpha” from tweet sentiments post-earnings announcement may be as high as ~10-20% per year.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest During Sex in Patients with Either Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia or Long-QT Syndrome: A Rare But Shocking Experience

Sudden Cardiac Arrest During Sex in Cardiac ChannelopathiesBackground Patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and long-QT syndrome (LQTS) are susceptible to cardiac events during sympathetic nervous system activation. Herein, we sought to determine the risk of cardiac events associated with sex in CPVT and LQTS patients. Methods and Results We reviewed the electronic medical record of patients seen in the Genetic Heart Rhythm Clinic. There were 445 patients ≥18 years diagnosed with LQTS (N = 402, age at diagnosis 30 ± 16 years) or CPVT (N = 43, age at diagnosis 25 ± 15 years). No sex-induced cardiac events occurred in the LQTS population, and 2 occurred in the CPVT population. Sex-induced events were more likely in CPVT (2/43, 4.7%) than LQTS (0/402, 0%, P = 0.008). One case involved a 22-year-old CPVT1 female with prior cardiac arrest, who experienced several appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks during intercourse while taking β-blockers. The second case was a 52-year-old CPVT1 male with history of recurrent exercise-triggered syncope, who had syncope during sex in the setting of β-blocker noncompliance. Extrapolating from published estimates of intercourse frequency by age, the overall event rate was only 0.0004%, and 0.005% among the CPVT cohort. Conclusions Potentially life-threatening cardiac events during sex in patients with CPVT are rare and even rarer in LQTS. Overall, the cardiac event per intercourse rate is extremely low. Patients and their partners should be reassured that sex is a low-risk activity from a cardiac standpoint.
Gender, race, and electrophysiologic characteristics of the branched recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Objectives/Hypothesis The extralaryngeal branching of recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN) conveys an increased risk of nerve injury during thyroid surgery. We hypothesized that racial and gender variations in prevalence of branched RLN exist. Study Design A retrospective review of all patients who underwent thyroid surgery in a 4-year period in a single surgeon practice. Methods The RLN was routinely identified during thyroid surgery. Presence of RLN branching, its distance from the laryngeal nerve entry point (NEP), and functionality of the branches were ascertained. Patient demographics, rates of neural branching, and distance of bifurcation from the NEP were evaluated using statistical analysis. Results We identified 719 RLNs at risk in 491 patients who underwent central neck surgery. Four hundred and five (82.5%) patients were female and 86 (17.5%) patients were male. There were 218 (44.4%) African American patients and 251 (51.1 %) Caucasian patients. In African American patients, 42.1% RLNs bifurcated compared to 33.2% RLNs in Caucasian (P = 0.017) patients. The RLNs of African American and Caucasian patients bifurcated at comparable distances (P = 0.30). In male patients, 39.1% RLNs bifurcated; whereas in female patients 36.2% RLNs bifurcated (P = 0.53). On average, RLN bifurcation in female patients was at a longer distance from NEP compared to that of male patients (P = 0.012). Electrophysiologic testing found motor fibers in all anterior branches and three posterior extralaryngeal RLN branches. Conclusion African American patients have a higher rate of RLN bifurcation compared to Caucasian patients but no statistically significant difference in distance from NEP. Female patients tend to have longer branching variants of bifid RLNs. RLN motor fibers reside primarily in the anterior branch but may occur in the posterior branch. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope 124:2433–2437, 2014
Development of the pulmonary arteries after the Norwood procedure: comparison between Blalock-Taussig shunt and right ventricular-pulmonary artery conduit.

Background The Norwood-Sano procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) has been associated with improved postoperative hemodynamics and outcome. This study compared the effect of a Blalock-Taussig shunt with right ventricular-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit before bidirectional Glenn on the development of the PAs. Methods Between January 2000 and June 2007, 42 patients with HLHS underwent bidirectional Glenn: 19 (mean age, 7 ± 1.5 months) had a Blalock-Taussig shunt (3.5 mm in 15; and 4 mm in 4); 23 patients (mean age, 5 ± 1 month) had RV-PA conduit (5-mm tube). Patients underwent postoperative cardiac catheterization and echocardiograms. Results Total PA (Nakata) index was 192 ± 10 mm 2 /m 2 in the Blalock-Taussig group and 238 ± 18 mm 2 /m 2 in the RV-PA conduit group ( p = 0.03). In the RV-PA conduit patients, the left and right PAs had comparable diameters. In the Blalock-Taussig group, the left PA was smaller than the right ( p = 0.02). The mean PA pressure at the end of the operation was 14 ± 2 mm Hg in the Blalock-Taussig group and 11 ±1 mm Hg in the RV-PA conduit group ( p = 0.06). Persistent pleural effusion occurred in 4 Blalock-Taussig patients (21%) and in 1 (4%) with RV-PA conduit ( p p Conclusions The Norwood procedure with RV-PA conduit may have favorable effects on the development of the PA due to even distribution of pulmonary blood flow.
CHOICE BEHAVIOR OF NONPATHOLOGICAL WOMEN PLAYING CONCURRENTLY AVAILABLE SLOT MACHINES: EFFECT OF CHANGES IN PAYBACK PERCENTAGES

In a simulated casino environment, 6 nonpathological women played concurrently available commercial slot machines programmed to pay out at different rates. Participants did not always demonstrate preferences for the higher paying machine. The data suggest that factors other than programmed or obtained rate of reinforcement may control gambling behavior, which should encourage behavior analysts to look beyond direct, contingency-driven explanations of gambling.
Counseling Dying Clients.

This paper reviews approaches to individual counseling with adult dying clients. Potential strengths and weaknesses highlight brief descriptions of the approaches. The different counseling treatments are integrated within the framework of matching treatments with clients. Clients are categorized in terms of Kastenbaum and Aisenberg's four major ways of responding to one's death: overcoming, participating, fearing, and sorrowing. The assumption is made that upon entry to counseling the dying client's reaction to death is likely to reflect largely one of these fours ways of responding to dying. Additionally, controversial issues in the literature are discussed and related to counseling approaches. Finally, directions are suggested for research on counseling dying clients.
Total Synthesis of Dimethyl Sulfomycinamate

Dimethyl sulfomycinamate (1), a methanolysis product from the natural antibiotic sulfomycin I, is synthesized in 11 steps (Scheme 19). The chemistry of various pyridine, thiazole, and oxazole heterocycles and their coupling reactions under palladium catalysis are examined. The key transformations in the synthesis are the selective palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions on doubly activated pyridine 62 and the condensation reaction between bromo ketone 69 and amide 28 to form the oxazole moiety 76. The first preparation of oxazole triflates is described, as are some of their chemical properties.
Conformational changes of magnetic dipolar chains at a one-dimensional interface

We visualize the conformational changes of paramagnetic particle chains at a one-dimensional interface. By tuning the strength of the external magnetic field, we changed the stiffness of the particle chains and their conformations at the interface. It is found that in the absence of an external magnetic field the particle chains easily undergo conformational changes, while in stronger fields they tend to keep their chain shape. In fields of intermediate strength, adsorption at the interface transforms the chains into stable pyramids.
A checking method of wiring

This paper presents a failure mode analysis, including multiple failures, for transmission line wiring on back planes or multilayer printed circuit boards. A checking method sufficient to locate these failures by means of automatic test equipment is discussed.
Pekin duckling and broiler chicken Pectoralis muscle structure and composition

Abstract A series of experiments was conducted to determine muscle fiber type, area, and distribution, and muscle total collagen, color, proximate composition, total fatty acid profile, calories, and cholesterol content for Pekin duckling and broiler chicken Pectoralis muscle. Duckling Pectoralis contained approximately 16% white fibers and 84% red fibers compared with 100% white fibers in the chicken Pectoralis. Duckling white fibers were significantly (P
The value of intercultural competence for performance of multicultural teams

Managers working in multinational companies carry out their organizational goals through multicultural teams. Performance of multicultural teams can be examined from an intercultural communication perspective. Executives, managers, management consultants, and educators interested in improving multicultural team performance need to know about intercultural competence and how it affects team performance. This article provides a working definition of high‐performance multicultural teams and outlines the challenges multicultural teams face. These definitions along with extensive interview data and detailed self‐reports of American and Russian managers working in multicultural teams emphasize the high importance of intercultural competence in improving the performance of these teams. This article also serves to highlight the characteristics of high‐performance multicultural teams, the common challenges of multicultural teams, and the sources of these challenges.
Evidence for Gradual External Reconnection Before Explosive Eruption of a Solar Filament

We observe a slowly-evolving quiet region solar eruption of 1999 April 18, using EUV images from the EUV Imaging Telescope (EIT) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), and soft X-ray images from the Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) on Yohkoh. Using difference images, where an early image is subtracted from later images, we examine dimmings and brightenings in the region for evidence of the eruption mechanism. A filament rose slowly at about 1 kilometer per second for six hours before being rapidly ejected at about 16 kilometers per second, leaving flare brightenings and post-flare loops in its wake. Magnetograms from the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) on SOHO show that the eruption occurred in a large quadrupo1ar magnetic region, with the filament located on the neutral line of the quadrupole's central inner lobe, between the inner two of the four polarity domains. In step with the slow rise, subtle EIT dimmings commence and gradually increase over the two polarity domains on one side of the filament, i.e. in some of the loops of one of the two side lobes of the quadrupole. Concurrently, soft X-ray brightenings gradually increase in both side lobes. Both of these effects suggest heating in the side-lobe magnetic arcades, which gradually increase over several hours before the fast eruption. Also during the slow pre-eruption phase, SXT dimmings gradually increase in the feet and legs of the central lobe, indicating expansion of the central-lobe magnetic arcade enveloping the filament. During the rapid ejection, these dimmings rapidly grow in darkness and in area, especially in the ends of the sigmoid field that erupts with the filament, and flare brightenings begin underneath the fast-moving but still low-altitude filament. We consider two models for explaining the eruption: "breakout," which says that reconnection occurs high above the filament prior to eruption, and tether cutting, which says that the eruption is unleashed by reconnection beneath the filament. The pre-eruption evolution is consistent with gradual breakout that led to (and perhaps caused) the fast eruption. Tether-cutting reconnection below the filament begins early in the rapid ejection, but our data are not complete enough to determine whether this reconnection began early enough to be the cause of the fast-phase onset. Thus, our observations are consistent with gradual breakout reconnection causing the long slow rise of the filament, but allow the cause of the sudden onset of the explosive fast phase to be either a jump in the breakout reconnection rate or the onset of runaway tether-cutting reconnection, or both.
Maternal modulation of infantile ovarian development and available ovarian luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) receptors via milk LHRH.

In the rat, ovarian LHRH receptor content, measured by the binding of [125I]D-Ala6-Pro9-LHRH ([125I]ALHRH) to ovarian membranes, declines during the days preceding the first preovulatory LH surge. The present results show that LHRH receptor content is low during neonatal-infantile days (days 5–15) and increases markedly thereafter to a maximum by day 25. When ovarian membranes from 10-day-old rats were pretreated with MgCl2 to dissociate endogenously bound hormone, LHRH-binding capacity increased to levels similar to those in untreated ovaries from 25-day-old rats. No significant increase was observed in ovaries from the latter group after MgCl2 exposure. Equilibrium association constants were similar (6–8 × 109 M–1) in MgCl2-treated and control ovaries, indicating that the increase in binding was not due to a change in receptor affinity. Pups prevented from suckling for various time intervals (1–24 h) exhibited an increase in available ovarian LHRHbinding sites which was maximal by 4 h. When pups were al...
Thin Layer Chromatographic Analysis of Neutral Lipids in Snail Conditioned Water and Feces of Biomphalaria glabrata Infected with Echinostoma caproni

Abstract Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to determine neutral lipids in snail conditioned water (SCW) and feces from Biomphalaria glabrata snails infected with Echinostoma caproni. Samples were extracted in chloroform–methanol (2:1), and the neutral lipids were separated on silica‐gel plates with a mobile phase consisting of petroleum ether–diethyl ether–glacial acetic acid (80:20:1). Zones were detected with phosphomolybdic acid reagent and quantified by densitometry. Qualitative analysis of SCW samples showed the presence of free sterols, free fatty acids, and triacylglycerols; qualitative analysis of fecal samples showed free sterols, free fatty acids, and unidentified pigments. Quantitative analysis of SCW with feces (SCW‐WF) from infected snails showed 7.35 ± 2.3 µg 2−1 mL−1 free fatty acids compared with uninfected controls, which had 8.05 ± 0.54 µg 2−1 mL−1. Quantitative analysis of SCW without feces (SCW‐WOF) showed that infected snails contained 4.76 ± 0.64 µg 2−1 mL−1 of free fatty acid...
Why Do Bowling and Singing Matter? Group Characteristics, Membership, and Generalized Trust

Although membership in voluntary associations has been presumed to be a central element in the building of social capital, micro-level knowledge about whether and how voluntary associations make their members more trusting and cooperative has been lacking. The link between trust and involvement in associations in Germany and Sweden was explored by means of a questionnaire concerning traits of individuals and of the associational groups to which they belong. The analysis of the resulting data set considered the extent to which various group characteristics (such as demographic diversity, in-group trust, and engagement level) are related to the generalized trust of the members. The results indicate that more diverse, more engaged voluntary associations, and those with weak ties, indeed accommodate more trusting people. In particular, time spent in groups with foreigners, or in groups with weaker ties, affectsthe generalized trust levels of the members.
Genetics of control of the arginine pathway in Escherichia coli B and K

Abstract The arginine pathway in Escherichia coli strain K is repressed by the end-product whereas in strain B repression is exerted by an unknown mechanism and arginine instead of repressing has a slight inductive effect. In each strain a regulatory gene argR is defined by mutation to de-repression. In strain B mutation can also produce repressibility by arginine. The wild type and mutant regulatory characters of both strains are cotransducible at a frequency of 2% with the neighboring argE structural gene, suggesting the existence of a single argR regulatory gene. A K transductant receiving the argR locus from B has B-type regulation including low level induction by arginine, while a B recipient of the argR locus from K becomes arginine repressible. In contrast, high-level arginine induction, found in certain hybrids of K crossed with B, is specific for a single enzyme in the pathway, ornithine transcarbamylase, and is not transduced with the argR locus.
Fibronectin binds to Staphylococcus aureus.

MANY important activities have been ascribed to fibronectin, which is found in soluble form in many biological fluids and in insoluble form on the surface of fibroblasts1–3. Fibronectin mediates the attachment of fibroblasts and hepatocytes to culture dishes4–6 and, when solubilised from the fibroblast surface, it binds to the surface of cultured transformed fibroblasts, restoring their morphology to normal7,8. I now report that the affinity of fibronectin to cell surfaces extends to the prokaryotic cell Staphylococcus aureus.
Haemoglobin properties and polymerization in the marine teleost Lophius americanus (Goosefish)

1. 1. The red cells of the marine teleost Lophius americanus (goosefish) contain a haemoglobin which is easily auto-oxidized at neutral pH, has a large number of sulphydryl groups (16 per tetramer) and polymerizes in vitro by intermolecular disulphide bond formation. 2. 2. The protein is considerably less resistant to urea denaturation than ocean pout or human. The urea denaturation mid-point for goosefish Hb of 4.3 M compares with 5.8–6.0 for ocean pout and human. 3. 3. Structurally, goosefish haemoglobin is a heterotetramer with two dissimilar sub-units and appears to have the form α2β2.
Control of surface morphology and strain relaxation in InGaAs grown on GaAs using a step-graded buffer

The surface morphology and degree of strain relaxation in compositionally graded InxGa1-xAs epilayers grown on GaAs substrates can be controlled by the growth conditions. InxGa1-xAs epilayers grown as compositionally step-graded buffers on (001) GaAs by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy at a constant substrate temperature and GaAs growth rate (>= 500 degree(s)C, 0.9 micrometers /hr) undergo a transition from two to three dimensional morphology as the indium concentration is increased from x equals 0.3 to x equals 0.4. The strain relaxation is asymmetric in the in- plane directions and severe roughening with the formation of cusps occurs preferentially in the (110) direction. When the substrate growth temperature is lowered successively for each InGaAs composition and the Ga beam flux lowered for the growth of the x equals 0.4 layer, the surface morphology becomes two-dimensional and the strain relaxation symmetric and greater than 90% in the two directions.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
G-band patterns, chromosomal homologies, and evolutionary relationships among wild sheep, goats, and aoudads (Mammalia, Artiodactyla).

Хромосмы и Г-полосы диких баранов, Африканских гривистых баранов, и безоаровых козлов изучалы.Capra aegagrus из Ирана показало 2n=60, и кариотип содержит 29 пары акроцентических аутосом. Шесть из этих аутосомов одинаковый с трёх пар двеплечных аутосом у диких баранов и домашых овец (2n=54).Ammotragus lervia иOvis vignei (2n=58) имели кариотнпы и Г-полосы пар две-плыечных аутосом неразличимый.
Leukocyte endogenous mediator alters protein dynamics in rats

Leukocyte endogenous mediator (LEM), a low-molecular-weight peptide synthesized by monocytic cells during phagocytosis, has been implicated as the host's initiator of the protein metabolic response to infection and inflammation. To determine whether administration of LEM would alter protein kinetics, appearance and oxidation of plasma tyrosine as well as the rates of protein synthesis in liver and skeletal muscle were determined in fasted rats that received a 30-hour continuous infusion of either physiologic saline, LEM, or heat-inactivated LEM. The LEM was obtained from rabbit peritoneal exudate and the treatment solutions supplied 2.8 × 108, cell equivalents100 g of body weight (BW) per day. Endogenous tyrosine oxidation increased from 4.0 ± 0.4 μmol100 g, BW/h to 5.4 ± 0.7 μmol100 g, BW/h in animals infused with heat-inactivated LEM and to 7.5 ± 1.5 μmol100 g, BW/h in rats receiving LEM (P < 0.01). Nonsecretory protein synthesis in the liver was greatest in rats administered LEM (2239 ± 325 mg/d) when compared with control groups receiving physiologic saline (1122 ± 195 mg/d) or heat-inactivated LEM (1374 ± 62 mg/d; P < 0.01), whereas skeletal protein synthetic rates were unchanged. Rates of muscle and collagen protein breakdown were estimated from the urinary excretion rate of Nt-methylhistidine and hydroxyproline, respectively, and their excretion rose by 30% (P < 0.05) and 42% (P < 0.05) with LEM administration. These results suggest that administration of LEM stimulates a mobilization of amino acids from peripheral tissues to support increased visceral protein anabolism while whole body amino acid oxidation is also enhanced. Since similar effects follow fever and infection, these results suggest that LEM may play an underlying role in the protein metabolic response to infection and inflammation.
Non-immunogenic regions of oxidized ribonuclease

About 40 per cent of the antibodies ot oxidized ribonuclease are directed toward known determinants. The structures related to the remaining antibodies are unknown. Five peptides, comprised of residues 1–20, 11–31, 67–85, 86–98 and 99–104, correspond to a mojority of the non-reactive portion of the molecule. These were isolated, radiolabeled and tested against immunoglobulins from a hyper-immune goat by equilibrium dialysis. No binding was observed under conditions where 0·6 per cent of the antibody would have been detected. Antibodies to one of the peptides, peptide 11–31, were prepared by coupling this peptide to poly-l-lysine. These antibodies were demonstrated by equilibrium dialysis, precipitation with radiolabeled derivatives and by immunoabsorption. Oxidized ribonuclease reacts with these antibodies. This indicates conformational similarity of the 11–13 region in the peptide and in oxidiezed ribonuclease. Thus, conformational differences are probably not responsible for the failure of peptide 11–13 to react with antibody to oxidized ribonuclease. Data from the equilibrium dialysis experiments with peptide 11–13 were computer analyzed to give a heterogneity index of 0·73, an association constant of 4·58 × 107 and a total antibody concentration of 4·48 × 10−8 M. The experiments described have failed to elucidate the structures to which a majority of the antibody to oxidized ribonuclease is directed. One of the peptides which is not immunogenic in the complete antigen does elicit antibody when coupled to a carrier.
The promotional effect of testosterone on induction of prostate-cancer in MNU-sensitized L-W rats.

Abstract Large metastasizing prostate adenocarcinomas (PAs) were induced in L-W rats by a single intravenous (i.v.) inoculation of methylnitrosourea (MNU) and then single subcutaneous implants of testosterone propionate (TP) at intervals of 2 months. This procedure induced PAs in ∼90% of rats in an average of 11 months. PAs did not develop spontaneously in L-W rats under age 20 months. With this model system, it was demonstrated that within a 14-month observation period, significant numbers of PAs were elicited by TP implants in L-W rats after intervals of 1 week, 1 month and 2 months following the inoculation of MNU. A direct relationship was also demonstrated between amount of TP administered to L-W rats and the resulting incidence of PAs. TP is characterized as a prostate-directed promoter of PA, following a single inoculation of MNU which served as the tumor initiator.
SU‐E‐T‐133: The Accuracy of Dose Calculations for the Brainlab Imaging Couch Top with the Eclipse Treatment Planning System

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of the Brainlab imaging couch top model within the Eclipse treatment planning system for dose calculations. Methods: A 25cm3 polystyrene phantom was irradiated at 6MV with an ion chamber (IC) approximately 12cm deep. A second setup was constructed for film collection of depth dose data to the surface of the phantom. Irradiations were performed with and without the couch in the beam path and compared to the calculated dose using Eclipse version 10 and AAA (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). Dose and water equivalent depth (WED) were calculated using the standard Brainlab couch model (−1000HU interior, −300HU surface) and a modified model (−890HU interior, +700HU surface) taken from the iPlan treatment planning system. A comparison was performed using triple channel dosimetry in FilmQA Pro (Ashland, Wayne, NJ) with a gamma metric using 2%/2mm as a tolerance. Results: The mean HU values on CBCT were −925HU in the interior and −425HU on the surface of the couch. WED through the couch at the couch‐phantom surface was 0.47cm without the adjusted HU values and 1.4cm with the modified values. This agreed better with the Brainlab published WED of 1.2cm. IC agreement to the treatment plan was 1.58% for the AP field and −1.78% for the PA field with the default HU and 1.16% with the adjusted HU values. Film depth dose measurements showed a decrease in gamma from 99.8% to 94.4% points passing with the default values. Dose at the couch ‐ phantom interface was approximately 20% different on film for the default values and 1% for the adjusted HU values. Conclusion: The default couch HU values were found to be similar to what was observed on CT. However, for our configuration they proved to be insufficient in accurately calculating dose, especially dose to the phantom surface.
Neuropsychopharmacology: are we ready for a paradigm shift?

The “paradigm shift” in the title of this article refers to molecular biology. The real challenge to molecular biologists interested in applying their methods to an understanding of psychiatric disorders involves the development of models that account for gene/environment/development interaction. Because of the existence of homologous animal models of addictive disorders, as well as a rich body of clinical observations and clinical and behavioral research, and recent data suggesting that chronic exposure to addictive drugs results in changes in gene expression in neurons from behaviorally relevant brain regions, addictive disorders offer a serendipitous model (to molecular biologists) that may have relevance to subsequent application in other areas of psychiatry and psychology.
Conference Scene: Is personalized medicine ready for prime time?

This article provides a meeting report from the Duke Center for Personalized Medicine 2012 Symposium, which took place in Durham, NC, USA, on 29 March 2012. The event titled ‘At the Interface of Clinical Research and Clinical Medicine’, focused on many of the issues that arise as personalized medicine becomes integrated into clinical care. In particular, we summarize presentations on various topics: the future of genomic medicine, opportunities in pharmacogenomics and genetic testing; challenges in the clinical implementation of personalized medicine; systems medicine and biomedical informatics; the policy and education strategies for adopting personalized medicine; the common bond between comparative effectiveness and personalized medicine; and the value of personalized medicine.
Microbial biofilms in the food processing industry—Should they be a concern?

Biofilm formation will occur on solid surfaces in contact with a liquid. Organic and inorganic material in the liquid sediment onto the solid material. Subsequently, biologically active microorganisms will be attracted to this conditioned surface and adhere to it. The microbial cells will initiate growth, form an attachment matrix and develop into a complex community forming a microbial biofilm. Such microbial biofilms are common on solid surfaces in contact with many different kinds of liquids, fresh water, sea water, oil, milk and so on. These biofilms may be of benefit or be detrimental to the environment where they form. The goal of this review has been to summarize the literature on the development of microbial biofilms in these different environments with particular emphasis on what occurs in the environment of a food processing plant. Methods to control adherent microorganisms and subsequent biofilms in the food processing plant are discussed. It is apparent from the data that has been reviewed that the potential for the development of microbial biofilms in the environment of the food processing plant exists. However, the cleaning and sanitizing practices carried out in the food industry have been shown to control biofilm formation on food contact surfaces. Microbial attachment has been shown to occur on non-food contact surfaces and these attached microbes, if left undisturbed, will form biofilms. The potential for contamination of food with undesirable spoilage and pathogenic bacteria from attached microbes and biofilms exists in these food processing systems. Biofilm formation on non-food contact surfaces needs to be studied further and methods developed to prevent and control these biofilms.
Estimating Race-Specific Offending Rates: An Intercity Comparison of Arrest Data and Victim Reports

Abstract Despite their importance for the evaluation of criminological theories, little attention has been given to measuring race-specific rates of criminal offending for an appreciable number of macrosocial units. For a sample of 25 citics, this paper computes and compares race-specific offending rates for robbery and assault from two alternative data sources: victims’ reports of offender's race, as recorded in the National Crime Survey's Citics Sample, and official arrest data, as compiled by the FBI. In support of Sellin's argument that each step in the disposition of a crime introduces selective biases, the convergence between the total crime rates computed from these two sources is slightly weaker than that previously reported for the NCS crime rates and crime rates based on the UCR “offenses known to the police.” The observed correlations arc stronger for blacks than for whites, especially for the offense of robbery. Finally, two structural characteristics of citics, incomc inequality and populatio...
Type-safe observable sharing in Haskell

Haskell is a great language for writing and supporting embedded Domain Specific Languages (DSLs). Some form of observable sharing is often a critical capability for allowing so-called deep DSLs to be compiled and processed. In this paper, we describe and explore uses of an IO function for reification which allows direct observation of sharing.
An Evaluation of Incentive Inspirometers for Following Pulmonary Function by Self-Measurement in the Home

Measurements of inspired vital capacity made with two commercially available, inexpensive incentive inspirometers (Voldyne, Volurex) have been compared to standard expired forced vital capacity (FVC) measured by spirometry in the pulmonary function laboratory. Reliability of self-measurement made at home with these devices was also studied. There were 119 subjects in this study with an average age of 14.1 years, (4-44 years). Home and clinic Voldyne measurements were highly correlated (r = 0.96). There were no statistically significant differences between paired measurements. Although differences between inspired vital capacity using either device and FVC were significant (p 0.001), inspired vital capacity was strongly correlated with FVC (r = 0.83 for Voldyne, r = 0.90 for Volurex). Subjects can make reliable measurements of lung capacity at home with inexpensive devices. These measurements are linearly related to standard FVC and can thus provide trend information on lung function over long time periods from an ambulatory setting. Such measurements have been used for tracking lung function in cystic fibrosis, and may be applicable in other chronic pulmonary diseases.
On the formulation of constitutive equations

Abstract For arbitrary constitutive functions, invariance under proper orthogonal transformations of the spatial variables leads to a system of linear or quasi-linear first order partial differential equations. The methods of systems of partial differential equations are then used to show the existence of nontrivial solutions, obtain these solutions, determine the number of functionally independent ones and find relations among those that are dependent.
Metabolic and behavioral responses of American kestrels to food deprivation

1. 1. The effect of short-term (79 hr) food deprivation at 27°C on body mass, locomotor activity, body temperature (Tb), and resting oxygen consumption was determined in eleven American kestrels (Falco sparverius). 2. 2. The change in body mass during resting followed the relation, % mass remaining = 99 e0.07(days fasting). There was no significant difference in the rate of relative mass loss between males and females. 3. 3. Locomotor activity, measured as perch hopping, was highly variable in both control and fasted birds and showed no correlation with stage of the fast, basal metabolic rate (BMR), or rate of mass loss during food deprivation. 4. 4. Body temperatures of fasted birds declined continuously by 0.2–0.4°C per day from 39.3 to 38.3°C. 5. 5. Both males and females responded to food deprivation with a decrease in metabolism. By the third night of fasting, BMR had declined 23.4% from 0.845 W (bird day)−1 to 0.647 W (bird day)−1. The observed reduction in BMR is 2.4 times that expected from a 1°C decline in Tb (assuming Q10 = 2.5) indicating active suppression of metabolism.
Adrenergic control of lipolysis in swine adipose tissue.

1. 1. Most potential adrenergic compounds did not stimulate lipolysis in swine adipose tissue slices. Most of the sympatholytic agents antagonized lipolysis. 2. 2. Most β1- and β2-adrenergic agonists were not active but many were active with rat adipose tissue. 3. 3. Catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine and isoproterenol), the resorcinol containing β2-agonists (terbutaline, metaproterenol and fenoterol) and the β1-agonist, dobutamine were active. The β1-antagonists were generally more potent and efficacious than the β2-antagonists. 4. 4. The swine adipose tissue adrenoceptor was not readily classified as either β1- or β2-specific.
Ultrastructural localization of GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 glucose transporters in rat brain

Precise localization of glucose transport proteins in the brain has proved difficult, especially at the ultrastructural level. This has limited further insights into their cellular specificity, subcellular distribution, and function. In the present study, preembedding ultrastructural immunocytochemistry was used to localize the major brain glucose transporters, GLUTs 1 and 3, in vibratome sections of rat brain. Our results support the view that, besides being present in endothelial cells of central nervous system (CNS) blood vessels, GLUT 1 is present in astrocytes. GLUT 1 was detected in astrocytic end feet around blood vessels, and in astrocytic cell bodies and processes in both gray and white matter. GLUT 3, the neuronal glucose transporter, was located primarily in pre- and postsynaptic nerve endings and in small neuronal processes. This study: (1) affirms that GLUT 3 is neuron-specific, (2) shows that GLUT 1 is not normally expressed in detectable quantities by neurons, (3) suggests that glucose is readily available for synaptic energy metabolism based on the high concentration of GLUT 3 in membranes of synaptic terminals, and (4) demonstrates significant intracellular and mitochondrial localization of glucose transport proteins.
Topological Persistence for Medium Access Control

The primary function of the medium access control (MAC) protocol is managing access to the shared communication channel. From the viewpoint of the transmitters, the MAC protocol determines each transmitter's channel occupancy, the fraction of time that it spends transmitting over the channel. In this paper, we define a set of topological persistences that conform to both network topology and traffic load. We employ these persistences as target occupancies for the MAC layer protocol. A centralized algorithm is developed for calculating topological persistences and its correctness is established. A distributed algorithm and implementation are developed that can operate within scheduled and contention-based MAC protocols. In the distributed algorithm, network resources are allocated through auctions at each receiver in which transmitters participate as bidders to converge on the topological allocation. Very low overhead is achieved by piggybacking auction and bidder communication on existing data packets. The practicality of the distributed algorithm is demonstrated in a wireless network via simulation using the ns-2 network simulator. Simulation results show fast convergence to the topological solution and, once operating with topological persistences, improved performance compared to IEEE 802.11 in delay, throughput, and drop rate.
Relationships between scores on Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence-revised and Stanford-Binet IV

The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence--Revised and the Stanford Binet-Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition were given to 51 preschool, kindergarten, first, and second grade students. Twelve of 15 Pearson correlations between Wechsler IQs and composite and area scores of the Stanford-Binet IV were statistically significant. It is apparent that the two tests measure similar, but not identical, concepts.
Developing multiple-agent systems is more than top-down vs. bottom-up

While "top-down" and "bottom-up" have traditionally been useful terms for characterizing the systems development process, that process is changing. Today, organizations are increasingly developing multiple-agent systems, which require a development process that goes well beyond top-down and bottom-up. They now need choices between "inside-out" and "outside-in" modes of development. Indeed, a system's success today will very likely depend on where on the inside-out/outside-in spectrum its development falls.
Scattering off of an instanton

We consider the scattering of a classical colored particle off an instanton. That is, we investigate Wong's equations (or equivalently, the Kaluza-Klein geodesic equations) for a colorSU(2) particle under the influence of a Euclidean instanton. We solve the equations in the limit in which the instanton becomes singular. Our main result is that particles with head-on trajectories scatter off the instanton with a scattering angle of π/3. This angle is independent of the magnitude of the color charge and velocity of the particle as long as both are nonzero. The plane in which the scattering takes place is determined by the particle's initial position and color charge. We also solve for the geodesics for the corresponding (singular) Kaluza-Klein metric onS7.
Molecularly imprinted ion exchange resin for purification, preconcentration and determination of UO22+by spectrophotometry and plasma spectrometry

A new ion exchange resin based on a UO22+ imprinted polymer was used for the removal and concentration of UO22+ from aqueous solution prior to spectroscopic determination. The imprinted resin performance is compared with results obtained using Chelex-100 ion exchange resin. The UO22+ ion imprinted resin, being more selective towards UO22+ ion, provides a fast and virtually interference-free preconcentration procedure. The separation provides for the elimination of interferences in photometry and plasma spectroscopy, improves accuracy and lowers limits of detection. The performance of the imprinted resin allows for the development of a field test kit for the determination of UO22+ in environmental samples based on colorimetric analysis. A mini-column permitted large enrichment factors to be attained, provided rapid processing of large volumes and quantitative recovery of UO22+ with an eluent suitable for photometric analysis.
Sizing up the individual market for health insurance: a comparison of survey and administrative data sources.

Provisions within the Affordable Care Act, including the introduction of subsidized, Exchange-based coverage for lower income Americans lacking access to employer coverage, are expected to greatly expand the size and importance of the individual market. Using multiple federal surveys and administrative data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, we generate national-, regional-, and state-level estimates of the individual market. In 2009, the number of nonelderly persons with individual coverage ranged from 9.55 million in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to 25.3 million in the American Community Survey. Notable differences also exist between survey estimates and National Association of Insurance Commissioners administrative counts, an outcome likely driven by variation in the type and measurement of individual coverage considered by surveys relative to administrative data. Future research evaluating the impact of the Affordable Care Act coverage provisions must be mindful of differ...
Unraveling transcription factor interactions with heterochromatin protein 1 using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

The epigenetic control of heterochromatin deposition is achieved through a network of protein interactions mediated by the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1). In earlier studies, we showed that the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), a transcription factor that controls cell differentiation, localizes to heterochromatin, and interacts with HP1α. Here, deletion and mutagenesis are combined with live-cell imaging approaches to characterize these protein interactions. The results demonstrate that the basic region and leucine zipper (BZip) domain of C/EBPα is sufficient for the interaction with HP1α in regions of heterochromatin. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and cross-correlation (FCS and FCCS) revealed very different diffusion profiles for HP1α and the BZip protein, and co-expression studies indicated that the mobile fractions of these nuclear proteins diffuse independently of one another. The steady-state interactions of these proteins in regions of heterochromatin were monitored using Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). A point mutation in HP1α, W174A, which disrupts the interactions with proteins containing the common PxVxL motif did not affect the interaction with the BZip protein. In contrast, the HP1α W41A mutation, which prevents binding to methylated histones, exhibited greatly reduced FRET efficiency when compared to the wild type HP1α or HP1αW174A. The functional significance of these interactions is discussed.
Atrial Fibrillation: Update on Ablation Strategies and Technology

Catheter ablation has become an important and widely used treatment modality for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. The superior efficacy of catheter ablation over antiarrhythmic therapy has been well established. The understanding of the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation has led to the development of catheter-based ablation techniques. The development of techniques for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation has rapidly progressed over the last 15 years. As our knowledge of this arrhythmia expands the strategies for ablation treatment continue to evolve. New technologies aim to improve the safety, efficacy, and speed of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
A House Divided: Slavery and Emancipation in Delaware, 1638-1865

Delaware stood outside the primary streams of New World emancipation. Despite slavery's virtual demise in that state during the antebellum years and Delaware's staunch Unionism during the Civil War itself, the state failed to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment, which prohibits slavery, until 1901. Patience Essah here examines the introduction, evolution, demise, and final abolition of slavery in Delaware. In deomnstrating the persistence of slavery in Delaware, she raises important questions about postslavery race relations.
Using generalizability theory to examine the accuracy and validity of large-scale ESL writing assessment

Abstract Using generalizability (G-) theory, this study examined the accuracy and validity of the writing scores assigned to secondary school ESL students in the provincial English examinations in Canada. The major research question that guided this study was: Are there any differences between the accuracy and construct validity of the analytic scores assigned to ESL students and to NE students for the provincial English writing examination across three years? A series of G-studies and decision (D-) studies for three years were conducted to examine accuracy and validity issues. Results showed that differences in score accuracy did exist between ESL and NE students when initial (pre-adjudication) scores were used. The observed G-coefficients for ESL students were significantly lower than those for NE students in all three years, indicating that there were less accuracy and increased errors associated with the writing scores assigned to ESL students. Further, there were significantly less convergent validity in one year and less discriminant validity in all three years of the writing scores assigned to ESL students than to NE students. These findings raise a potential question about the presence of bias in the assessment of ESL students’ writing if initial scores were used.