cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Are incentives for earnings management reflected in the ERC: Large sample evidence

Abstract In this study, I examine the effect of exposure to earnings management (EM) incentives on the earnings response coefficient (ERC). Drawing from several anecdotes and normative arguments about the implications of managers' incentives for investor perception, I predict and test that exposure to EM incentives is negatively associated with the ERC. I find that ERC is reliably lower for firms with elevated exposure to EM incentives, holding constant the effects of actual EM and other factors that affect the returns–earnings relation. Furthermore, the effect of the incentive exposure on cash flows as well as on total accruals is reliably negative. These results are robust across alternative price– and returns–earnings specifications, and are insensitive to the inclusion of other measures of earnings quality. Additional analysis shows that the effect of such incentives on the ERC is more pronounced at higher levels of institutional stock ownership. However, a certain class of institutional owners – transient institutions – are less sensitive to the implications of such incentives for earnings quality.
High-throughput GLGI procedure for converting a large number of serial analysis of gene expression tag sequences into 3' complementary DNAs.

Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) is a powerful technique for genome-wide analysis of gene expression. However, two-thirds of SAGE tags cannot be used directly for gene identification for two reasons. First, many SAGE tags match several known expressed sequences, owing to the short length of SAGE tag sequences. Second, many SAGE tags do not match any known expressed sequences, presumably because the sequences corresponding to these SAGE tags have not been identified. These two problems can be solved by extension of the SAGE tags into 3′ complementary DNAs (cDNAs) by use of the GLGI technique (generation of longer cDNA fragments from SAGE tags for gene identification). We have improved the original GLGI technique into a high-throughput procedure for simultaneous conversion of a large number of SAGE tags into corresponding 3′ cDNAs. The whole process is simple, rapid, low-cost, and highly efficient, as shown by our use of this procedure for analyzing hundreds of SAGE tags. In addition to identifying the correct gene for SAGE tags with multiple matches, GLGI can be used for large-scale identification of novel genes by converting novel SAGE tags into 3′ cDNAs. Applying this high-throughput procedure should accelerate the rate of gene identification significantly in the human and other eukaryotic genomes. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Abstract 3833: A novel 3D remodelable hydrogel for bioengineering tumor .

The need for new tools and technologies to decrease the cost of drug discovery and reduce animal testing has long been recognized. Three-dimensional (3-D) cell cultures have great potential for reducing costly late-stage drug failures by providing an in vivo-like early stage evaluation of efficacy and toxicity. We have developed a novel 3D culture system, which will serve as a simple and rapid method to examine cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and tissue formation in a physiologically relevant 3-D environment, similar to the in vivo setting, than standard 2-D arrays. This transglutaminase crosslinked gelatin (T-gel) system provides a native ECM scaffold for cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction; its transparency property enables routine observation with ease; the proteolysis sensitivity scaffold supports cell migration and invasion; the controllable rigidity mimics physiological and pathological environments. Importantly, 3D gel models have great potential as drug evaluation tools as they exhibit in vivo-like cell-cell and cell-ECM interaction, possess metabolic, proliferative and diffusion gradients. It is simple to use on a large scale. Compare to Matrigel, Tgel is with well defined ingredients, wide range of handling properties, easy to prepare at room temperature, and little batch to batch variation. It supports both anchorage dependent and independent cell growth due to hydrogel and natural ECM network properties. We make 3D cultures more relevant by including two or more cell types in different configurations co-cultures. Cells can be tracked on their formation of aggregates, migration (individual or collective), invasion direction (random or directional), speed, and responses to hypoxic and nutritional gradients. At the end of test, viable cells can be easily removed from the 3D T-gel for further experimentation. T-gel can also be used as a carrier for xenograft tumor formation in nude mice models. Other applications include cell growth and differentiation studies, metabolism/toxicology Studies, in vitro/vivo angiogenesis assay, hESC and iPSC culture and Differentiation. Citation Format: Bo Han, Josephine Fang, Zhi Yang, Marcel Nimni, Charisse Tayag. A novel 3D remodelable hydrogel for bioengineering tumor . [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3833. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3833
227 road accidents to children.

In a 9-month period, 227 children attended the Accident and Emergency Dept. of the Children's Hospital, Sheffield, after accidents on the road--about 12% of all new attendances. 169 were accidents to pedestrians, 31 to cyclists and 27 to passengers. Of the 169 pedestrian accidents, 157 were hit by moving vehicles, 72 (45.9%) suffering serious injury, with two dead. 45% of the pedestrians, 22.6% of the cyclists and 11.1% of the passengers were admitted. 29.6% of the 227 had severe head injury (concussion with or without a fractured skull). 22% of the 227 had a fracture or fractures. 55 children had had previous accidents. Compared with 225 previously described skateboard injuries and 200 playground equipment injuries, those injured on the roads were much more serious, though with fewer fractures. 37% of the road accidents were serious, compared with 10.7% of those injured on skateboards and 7.5% of the play equipment cases; 40.9% of the skateboard injuries but only 22.0% of the road accidents involved fractures, but 29.6% of the latter, 6.0% of the play equipment injuries and 0.9% of the skateboard injuries involved serious head injury. 4.0% of the skateboard injuries, 10.0% of the play equipment injuries, but 45.0% of the pedestrian road accident cases necessitated admission. Language: en
Approximating Unreliable Queueing Networks Under the Assumption of Exponentiality

This paper deals with the approximate analysis and application of an unreliable closed queueing network to model the performance of a flexible manufacturing system. The service stations in the network are subject to breakdown and repair when active. An exact equivalent network is represented with two-stage Coxian service stations. We approximate the equivalent network by assuming exponentiality for the service completion time, which has a two-stage Coxian distribution. We validate the approximation for a wide range of model parameters and demonstrate the robustness of queueing network formulae to the assumption of exponentiality.
Oxygen Therapy Titrated to Raise Mixed Venous Oxygen Content in COPD

Supplemental oxygen therapy delivered at concentrations which increase PaO2 greater than 60 mm Hg often has minimal effects on either pulmonary hemodynamics or the oxygen tension of mixed venous blood (PvO2). Since mixed venous hypoxemia has been shown to contribute to pulmonary vasoconstriction in experimental conditions and is a determinant of survival in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we evaluated the hemodynamic effects of oxygen therapy titrated to raise PvO2 in 12 COPD patients who underwent right heart catheterization. After room air measurements of mean pulmonary artery pressure, cardia output, and pulmonary vascular resistance, they were randomized to either supplemental oxygen therapy given to raise PaO2 greater than or equal to 60 mm Hg (group 1, n = 6) or to raise PvO2 greater than or equal to 36 mm Hg (group 2, n = 6). An oxygen-conserving nasal cannula and oxygen concentrator were used. Baseline PaO2, PvO2, and hemodynamics were identical in each group and hemodynamics after four hours and 48 hours of continuous oxygen therapy were unchanged. Ten patients were catheterized after four months of continuous oxygen therapy (group 1, n = 4; group 2, n = 6). Although PvO2 in group 2 had been raised to normal levels (39.2 +/- 1.2 mm Hg), there was no significant improvement in pulmonary hemodynamics. Our preliminary study suggests that oxygen titrated to raise PvO2 to the normal range has no greater hemodynamic effect than oxygen therapy as it is currently prescribed.
Scientific workflow design for mere mortals

Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in research and development of scientific workflow systems. These systems promise to make scientists more productive by automating data-driven and compute-intensive analyses. Despite many early achievements, the long-term success of scientific workflow technology critically depends on making these systems useable by ''mere mortals'', i.e., scientists who have a very good idea of the analysis methods they wish to assemble, but who are neither software developers nor scripting-language experts. With these users in mind, we identify a set of desiderata for scientific workflow systems crucial for enabling scientists to model and design the workflows they wish to automate themselves. As a first step towards meeting these requirements, we also show how the collection-oriented modeling and design (comad) approach for scientific workflows, implemented within the Kepler system, can help provide these critical, design-oriented capabilities to scientists.
What Engineers Should Know about US Security and Privacy Law

As new technology challenges our assumptions about security and privacy, lawmakers respond by attempting to curb and avoid the most egregious risks to the public. In this article, the authors examine how emerging US security and privacy laws create new requirements that constrain software development affecting business owners and developers who want to design security and privacy into IT systems.
MHC molecules in health and disease: At the cusp of a paradigm shift

Half a century after the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) was discovered, its functional roles in health and disease remain poorly understood. Many hallmarks of the MHC, including its unusual evolution, structurefunction properties of its gene products and allele-specific associations with dozens of diseases and health traits cannot be convincingly explained by the tenets of existing paradigms. It is therefore becoming increasingly apparent that in order to better understand MHC-health/disease association-a phenomenon that impacts the health of millions-heterodox ideas are critically needed. Here we propose a testable, novel theory concerning the functional role of MHC molecules in health and disease. At the focus of this theory is an evolutionarily-conserved, tri-dimensional cusp-like prominence ('kink'), found in the midst of one of the two α helices that form the perimeter of the groove of all MHC molecules. Based on structural, functional and evolutionary considerations, as well as our recent experimental data, it is proposed here that the MHC cusp region is enriched in allele-specific signal transduction ligands that interact with non-MHC cell surface receptors and trigger signaling events. Aberrations in these pathways could lead to disease development, or affect the severity of such diseases.
A Bayesian analysis of published pharmacokinetic data ‐ a ketoconazole example

Purpose In drug-drug interaction research, an inhibitor/inducer's pharmacokinetic model is usually neither directly available from clinical studies nor published literature, and sometimes published results were inconsistent. A well known CYP3A inhibitor, ketoconazole, was reported to follow either a one- or two-compartment model. In order to establish its optimal PK model from published data, an innovative Bayesian meta-analysis was proposed. Methods Published sample mean ketoconazole plasma concentrations with standard errors from five papers were described by a three-level Bayesian model: study-specific sample mean concentration profiles were modeled at level-1; study-specific PK parameters were defined at level-2; and PK parameter priors were specified at level-3. Monte Carlo Markov chain (MCMC) estimation procedure was implemented. Optimal PK model was selected through the Bayesian factor (BF). Both data analysis and simulation study were performed. Results Bayesian factor analysis choose a two- over a one-compartment model for ketoconazole(BF= 45.1); PK parameters are Vsys=24±0.7, Vperi=7.3±1.5, CL12=1.2±0.3, ka(solution)=1.8±0.2, Vmax=53.5±4.0, and Km=2.8±0.4. Their relative biases were between 0.3% and 6.5%, and their 90% CI coverage rates were between 81% and 89%. Conclusions This general Bayesian method efficiently summarized an optimal PK model from published literature. Its PK parameter estimates had low biases. (see Table) Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P87–P87; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.227 Table 1. PK Parameter Estimates Parameter Estimate SE Relative Bias 90% CI Coverage Vsys 24.0 0.7 0.3% 89% Vperi 7.3 1.5 6.5% 81% CL12 1.2 0.3 0.6% 87% ka (solution) 1.8 0.2 1.2% 85% Vmax 53.5 4.0 2.2% 85% Km 2.8 0.4 4.5% 82%
Involvement of calcium channels in the sexual dimorphism of cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity.

Cadmium toxicity has been evaluated in a number of in vivo and in vitro toxicological studies. In vivo Cd toxicity exhibits sexual dimorphism with females being more susceptible to Cd uptake, accumulation, and toxicity in the liver. Research to date does not explain why females are more sensitive to Cd-induced hepatotoxicity. Recent studies demonstrate that progesterone sensitizes female F344 rats and TRL-1215 cells to Cd toxicity, however the mode of action is still unclear. Approximately one half of the Cd entering the cytoplasm does so through receptor operated Ca2+ channels. Progesterone treatment of human spermatozoa and Xenopus laevis oocytes causes a rapid influx of Ca2+ suggesting a possible mechanism. Since hepatocytes have progesterone receptors on their cellular membrane and Ca2+ influx into the cytoplasm occurs following progesterone treatment we evaluated the hypothesis that progesterone facilitates the uptake and accumulation of Cd via Ca2+ channels, leading to enhanced toxicity. Primary isolated rat hepatocytes were treated with Cd, progesterone, and/or verapamil for 4 h and cytolethality was measured. Pretreatment with the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil increased the Cd concentration producing 50% lethality (LC50) by 2-fold, thus decreasing Cd cytolethality. In contrast, pretreatment with progesterone decreased the Cd LC50 by 2-fold resulting in enhanced Cd cytolethality. Verapamil treatment reversed the progesterone enhanced Cd cytolethality. Verapamil and/or progesterone in the absence of Cd did not affect hepatocyte viability. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that inhibition of progesterone-induced Ca2+ influx with the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil, decreases Cd cytolethality in primary isolated rat hepatocytes. These findings indicate that progesterone activation of receptor-mediated Ca2+ channels is involved in the sexually dimorphic hepatotoxicity seen following acute Cd exposure.
The Role of Perceived Parental Knowledge on Emerging Adults’ Risk Behaviors

The purpose of this study was to gain a clearer understanding of the relation between parents’ knowledge of their emerging-adult children and emerging adults’ risk behaviors. Participants included 200 undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 25 (121 women, 78 men; M age = 19.59, SD = 1.62) and both of their parents. Results revealed that knowledge of the emerging-adult child’s activities varied as a function of parent- and child-reports, and that child outcomes associated with parental knowledge were generally positive, including less drinking, drug use, and risky sexual behavior (although this varied as a function of reporter). The links between maternal knowledge and lower drug and alcohol use were particularly strong in the presence of maternal closeness. Implications for understanding the parent–child relationship during the transition to adulthood were discussed.
Ergonomic comparison of three modes of load carriage.

The purpose of this study was to examine the cardiorespiratory responses to carrying external loads on the head and by yoke. Ten physically fit male students carried three different external loads (11.6, 16.1 and 20.6 kg) on a level motor-driven treadmill at varying speeds (0.89, 1.23 and 1.57 m . s-1), using three different modes of load carriage systems, i.e., headpack (HP), transverse yoke (TY), and frontal yoke (FY). Physiological measurements were obtained for: heart rate (HR), pulmonary ventilation (VE), oxygen consumption (VO2), ventilation equivalent (VE) and oxygen pulse (OP). The analysis of variance showed significant main effects (mode, load and speed) and three interaction effects in the HR, VE and VO2 responses. Only the speed main effect was significant (P less than 0.05) for VE. For the OP variable, significant F ratios were found for the mode (P less than 0.05), load and speed (P less than 0.01) main effects, but not for the interaction between mode, load and speed (P greater than 0.05). Scheffe's simple cell mean contrasts indicated that the cardiorespiratory (HR, VE and VO2) responses for the TY and HP modes were lower (P less than 0.05) than the FY while transporting heavy (16.1 and 20.6 kg) loads at fast (1.23 and 1.57 m . s-1) walking speeds. Irrespective of the walking speed, the cardiorespiratory responses while transporting loads with the TY and HP modes were not statistically different (P greater than 0.05). The findings suggest that load transportation by the frontal yoke is ergonomically inadvisable.
Mystagogy and Mission: The Challenge of Nonbelief and the Task of Theology

Christian engagement with nonbelievers is problematic when believing itself proves difficult even for people of faith. A recovery of the original unity of the fides quae (the “content” of faith hel...
Effect of Sildenafil on Subjective and Physiologic Parameters of the Female Sexual Response in Women with Sexual Arousal Disorder

Sexual dysfunction is a complaint of 30-50% of American women. Aside from hormone replacement therapy, there are no current FDA-approved medical treatments for female sexual complaints. The goal of this pilot study was to determine safety and efficacy of sildenafil for use in women with sexual arousal disorder (SAD). Evaluations were completed on 48 women with complaints of SAD. Physiologic measurements, including genital blood flow, vaginal lubrication, intravaginal pressure-volume changes, and genital sensation were recorded pre- and postsexual stimulation at baseline and following 100 mg sildenafil. Subjective sexual function was assessed using a validated sexual function inventory at baseline and following 6 weeks of home use of sildenafil. At termination of the study patients also completed an intervention efficacy index (FIEI). Following sildenafil, poststimulation physiologic measurements improved significantly compared to baseline. Baseline subjective sexual function complaints, including low arousal, low desire, low sexual satisfaction, difficulty achieving orgasm, decreased vaginal lubrication, and dyspareunia also improved significantly following 6 weeks home use of sildenafil. Sildenafil appears to significantly improve both subjective and physiologic parameters of the female sexual response. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are currently in progress to further determine efficacy of this medication for treatment of female sexual dysfunction complaints in different populations of women.
Effect of pH on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) formation of linolenic acid biohydrogenation by ruminal microorganisms

Conventional beliefs surrounding the linolenic acid (LNA; cis-9 cis-12 cis-15 C18:3) biohydrogenation (BH) pathway propose that it converts to stearic acid (SA) without the formation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as intermediate isomers. However, an advanced study (Lee and Jenkins, 2011) verified that LNA BH yields multiple CLAs. This study utilized the stable isotope tracer to investigate the BH intermediates of 13C-LNA with different pH conditions (5.5 and 6.5). The 13C enrichment was calculated as a 13C/12C ratio of labeled minus unlabeled. After 24 h, eight CLA isomers were significantly enriched on both pH treatment, this result verifies that these CLAs originated from 13C-LNA BH which supports the results of Lee and Jenkins (2011). The enrichment of cis-cis double bond CLAs (cis-9 cis-11 and cis-10 cis-12 CLA) were significantly higher at low pH conditions. Furthermore, the concentration of cis-10 cis-12 CLA at low pH was four times higher than at high pH conditions after a 3 h incubation. These differences support the LNA BH pathways partial switch under different pH conditions, with a strong influence on the cis-cis CLA at low pH. Several mono-, di-, and tri-enoic fatty acid isomers were enriched during 24 h of incubation, but the enrichment was decreased or restricted at low pH treatment. Based on these results, it is proposed that low pH conditions may cause a changed or limited capacity of the isomerization and reduction steps in BH.
Bounded-diameter tree scatternets for Bluetooth WPANs

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INFLUENCE OF A SLIGHT MODIFICATION OF THE COLLODION MEMBRANE ON THE SIGN OF THE ELECTRIFICATION OF WATER.

1. It is shown that collodion membranes which have received one treatment with a 1 per cent gelatin solution show for a long time (if not permanently) afterwards a different osmotic behavior from collodion membranes not treated with gelatin. This difference shows itself only towards solutions of those electrolytes which have a tendency to induce a negative electrification of the water particles diffusing through the membrane, namely solutions of acids, acid salts, and of salts with trivalent and tetravalent cations; while the osmotic behavior of the two types of membranes towards solutions of salts and alkalies, which induce a positive electrification of the water particles diffusing through the membrane, is the same. 2. When we separate solutions of salts with trivalent cation, e.g. LaCl(3) or AlCl(3), from pure water by a collodion membrane treated with gelatin, water diffuses rapidly into the solution; while no water diffuses into the solution when the collodion membrane has received no gelatin treatment. 3. When we separate solutions of acid from pure water by a membrane previously treated with gelatin, negative osmosis occurs; i.e., practically no water can diffuse into the solution, while the molecules of solution and some water diffuse out. When we separate solutions of acid from pure water by collodion membranes not treated with gelatin, positive osmosis will occur; i.e., water will diffuse rapidly into the solution and the more rapidly the higher the valency of the anion. 4. These differences occur only in that range of concentrations of electrolytes inside of which the forces determining the rate of diffusion of water through the membrane are predominantly electrical; i.e., in concentrations from 0 to about M/16. For higher concentrations of the same electrolytes, where the forces determining the rate of diffusion are molecular, the osmotic behavior of the two types of membranes is essentially the same. 5. The differences in the osmotic behavior of the two types of membranes are not due to differences in the permeability of the membranes for solutes since it is shown that acids diffuse with the same rate through both kinds of membranes. 6. It is shown that the differences in the osmotic behavior of the two types of collodion membranes towards solutions of acids and of salts with trivalent cation are due to the fact that in the presence of these electrolytes water diffuses in the form of negatively charged particles through the membranes previously treated with gelatin, and in the form of positively charged particles through collodion membranes not treated with gelatin. 7. A treatment of the collodion membranes with casein, egg albumin, blood albumin, or edestin affects the behavior of the membrane towards salts with trivalent or tetravalent cations and towards acids in the same way as does a treatment with gelatin; while a treatment of the membranes with peptone prepared from egg albumin, with alanine, or with starch has no such effect.
Optical Fiber Ring Resonators As Fast Energy Impulse Sensors

The use of optical fiber ring resonators to detect energy impulses is explored. These structures have limitations to their frequency response set by their dimensions and the speed of sound. For energy impulses which are slowly varying with respect to this intrinsic response time, the ring resonator generates a string of optical pulses. The frequency of this optical pulse train is a measure of the energy deposition rate and the total number of pulses is a measure of the total energy deposited. However, for energy impulses short compared to this intrinsic response time, the ring resonator behaves as a shock excited mechanical oscillator. Under these conditions the amplitude of oscillation is proportional to the total energy contained in the impulse. The sensitivity to various forms of energy can be optimized by a suitable choice of coating.
The effect of S− duration upon generalization along angularity and wavelength dimensions

Pigeons were given discrimination training to a white vertical line on a green surround (S+) and a white vertical line on a red surround (S−). The duration of each presentation of the S− was 15, 55, or 165 sec for three separate groups; the duration of each S+ presentation was 55 sec. Following training, a generalization test along either the (relevant) wavelength or the (irrelevant) angularity dimension was given. Wavelength generalization gradients increased in slope with increases in S− duration. Angularity gradient slopes increased only from 15 to 55 sec.
Information resources and democracy: understanding the paradox

Americans have long cherished the notion that democratic political participation requires an informed citizenry, and that to be informed we must have ready access to the information we need. Does discourse really exist in the current information environment? Does access to information sources and communication media equal dialogue? What is the relation between information resources and democracy? The six articles collected in this special issue of JASIS consider these questions to be problematic and of central importance to information and communication studies.
Intrapericardial control of the inferior vena cava from the abdominal cavity

Vascular isolation of the liver is a useful technique in major hepatic surgery that involves hepatic veins and the inferior vena cava. In some patients, exposure of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava is suboptimal from the abdominal cavity, and extension into the chest is required. This report details technical considerations of the control of the inferior vena cava within the pericardium from the abdominal cavity, through a vertical incision in the diaphragm, and without the need for a thoracic incision. We review the clinical situations when a transdiaphragmatic, intrapericardial access of the inferior vena cava should be considered.
Second degree His-Purkinje block during his bundle pacing

Abstract This report presents, for the first time, clear evidence supporting the occurrence of Wenckebach and 2:1 H-V block during His bundle pacing. The simultaneous recording of various intracardiac electrograms, as well as the comparison of the effects produced by selective His bundle pacing and high right atrial pacing at the same rates, permitted the identification of conduction disturbances located distal to the paced His bundle site. This could be done although one criterion usually required to diagnose selective His bundle pacing (namely, stimulus-V intervals of constant duration) was not present
Strategic Placement of Bedside Ventriculostomies Using Ultrasound Image Guidance: Report of three Cases

The blind free-hand technique for external ventricular drain (EVD) placement sometimes requires multiple attempts, and catheter location is often less than ideal. Our institution has adapted an intraoperative ultrasound-guided ventriculostomy technique for the placement of EVDs at the bedside. Our experience with ultrasound at the bedside has proven to be invaluable in certain circumstances. We present three cases of strategic EVD catheter trajectories that were made possible at the bedside with the use of ultrasound. Illustrative cases were chosen from a larger prospective study investigating the ultrasound-guided EVD technique. A portable ultrasound with a “burr hole” probe was used with modification of the standard surgical technique for placement of EVDs at the bedside. Case 1 describes an unexpected re-hemorrhage that was first realized by the ultrasound image obtained during the bedside EVD placement procedure. The catheter was purposefully directed across midline to the more prominent ventricle on the contralateral side based on this real-time finding. Case 2 describes how ultrasound was used to salvage the failed free-hand procedure and cannulate an extremely small ventricular space at the bedside. Case 3 describes an unconventionally placed burr hole that provided a customized trajectory in which the EVD catheter was placed just laterally and inferior to a large frontal hematoma. Ultrasound-guided bedside EVD placement allows EVD trajectories to be customized based on real-time information to accommodate for distorted and dynamic anatomy of the brain and its ventricles.
Real-time line-scanning reflectance confocal endoscope to enhance sectioning and reduce speckle for intraoral imaging

The line-scanning confocal microscope is simpler than a point-scanning confocal microscope and allows for a smaller and lower cost footprint, making it attractive for endoscopic clinical use. The optical configuration affects image fidelity. Here, we present a benchtop version of an endoscopic line-scanning confocal microscope for intraoral imaging, with a divided pupil and optimal detection configuration (magnification, pixel-to-resolution ratio) to enhance image fidelity. Improved sectioning performance and reduction of "speckle" noise are demonstrated. A topology for use of a deformable MEMs mirror-based optical axial focus control for imaging in depth is presented. Preliminary images of human oral mucosa in vivo demonstrate feasibility for clinical application.
Online CKD education for medical students, residents, and fellows: training in a new era

CKD and its complications are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Studies have highlighted significant deficiencies in resident knowledge and awareness of CKD and its complications. There is a need to improve CKD education through medical school and residency. There is also a need to provide alternatives to traditional teaching methods to meet the challenges of learning in the context of work-hour restrictions and increasing workload among residents and fellows. Internet-based learning resources offer various educational tools, including websites, kidney blogs, online modules, and smartphone applications, which could potentially and efficiently advance CKD knowledge among medical trainees. In this review, we describe several online resources for CKD education that could be useful for medical students, residents, and fellows. Increased awareness of these tools and their utilization may significantly influence and hopefully improve the recognition and management of patients with CKD. Future studies may help evaluate the effectiveness of these online learning methods and their effect on CKD patient outcomes. In addition, in light of increased concern about nephrology workforce issues, the potential for these online tools to augment interest in nephrology careers should be investigated.
Metabolic pathogenesis of cardiorenal disease

Recent clinical data have established microalbuminuria/proteinuria as an independent risk factor for renal disease and for progression of renal disease in patients with diabetes and in those with essential hypertension. Moreover, changes in kidney function, even with modest as reductions in estimated creatinine clearance to approximately 60 ml/min/1.73m2 or a serum creatinine of > 1.4, is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors has been shown in clinical trials to delay or stabilize the rate of progression of renal disease. In addition, reduction in cardiovascular events such as stroke and myocardial infarctions, has been demonstrated in these high-risk individuals. These effects are both dependent and independent of blood pressure control suggesting a non-hemodynamic effect of blockade of the renin angiotensin system. In conjunction with other therapeutic interventions such as dietary modification and control of serum lipids, it appears that for at least a sub-group of patients it is possible to delay or prevent progression of kidney failure. There is frequently a clustering of risk factors in these individuals that includes insulin resistance, salt sensitivity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The mechanism of the relationship between albuminuria and cardiovascular disease is unclear but may be related to endothelial cell dysfunction. Nonetheless, the presence of this marker for cardiovascular disease has important implications for the identification and treatment of individuals at risk.
The Role of Gender Stereotypes in U.S. Senate Campaigns

In this article, we rely on data from the 2006 Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES) to examine the impact of gender for U.S. senators running for reelection. We propose a theoretical explanation for why an incumbent's gender may influence how citizens evaluate senators, and we present empirical evidence showing that people develop distinct impressions of men and women senators during campaigns. In the 2006 election cycle, women senators were viewed more positively than their male counterparts. Some of the advantages women senators enjoyed were consistent with established gender stereotypes. In particular, women senators were viewed as more honest and more caring than male senators. Moreover, women senators were viewed as more competent at dealing with health-care issues. However, we did not find evidence for gender stereotypes that traditionally produce more positive views of male senators. For example, we did not find that male senators were viewed as stronger leaders or more experienced than women senators. People did not view male senators as better able to deal with economic issues.
Role of TRIB3 in Diabetic and Overnutrition-Induced Atherosclerosis

Obesity caused by excess feeding (overnutrition) has become a problem of epidemic proportions and is the underlying cause in metabolic disorders and chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Overnutrition is associated with systemic and tissue-related insulin resistance, an abnormality that promotes vascular disease as well as the development of diabetes (1,2). Thus, there is considerable interest in factors that link overnutrition, insulin resistance, and hyperglycemia with vascular disease. There is emerging evidence that the expression of the Tribbles homolog 3 of Drosophila ( TRIB3 ) gene is increased in patients and animals with type 2 diabetes (3). The TRIB3 gene is located on the 20p13 region of the human chromosome. Its full-length translated mRNA is 1,074 base pairs, and its protein product is made up of 358 amino acids. Studies have shown that TRIB3 inhibits insulin metabolic signaling in liver (4–6), skeletal muscle (7), and vascular tissue (8). Further, these studies suggest that TRIB3 expression in skeletal muscle and liver tissue is increased with excessive nutrient intake as well as by hyperglycemia (3–7). Endoplasmic reticulum stress has also been shown to increase TRIB3 gene expression, and TRIB3 promotes cell death in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress (9) (Fig. 1). Several studies have shown that TRIB3 impairs insulin …
Etoposide-loaded immunoliposomes as active targeting agents for GD2-positive malignancies

Systemic chemotherapeutics remain the standard of care for most malignancies even though they frequently suffer from narrow therapeutic index, poor serum solubility, and off-target effects. In this study, we have encapsulated etoposide, a topoisomerase inhibitor effective against a wide range of cancers, in surface-modified liposomes decorated with anti-GD2 antibodies. We characterized the properties of the liposomes using a variety of methods including dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. We examined whether these immunoliposomes were able to target cell lines expressing varying levels of surface GD2 and affect cellular proliferation. Anti-GD2 liposomes were generally targeted in a manner that correlated with GD2 expression and inhibited proliferation in cell lines to which they were efficiently targeted. The mechanism by which the immunoliposomes entered targeted cells appeared to be via clathrin-dependent uptake as demonstrated using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. These studies suggest that anti-GD2-targeted, etoposide-loaded liposomes represent a potential strategy for more effective delivery of anti-cancer drugs that could be used for GD2 positive tumors.
System Reliability Allocation and a Computational Algorithm

The detailed allocation method of system reliability discussed in this paper is designed to select the optimal solution in the context of the trade-off analysis. It is noted that the problem may be structured as an n-stage sequential decision problem. A computational algorithm is developed using dynamic programming.
RECENT INSIGHTS INTO THE REGULATION OF CEREBRAL CIRCULATION

1. Mechanisms that regulate the cerebral circulation have been intensively investigated in recent years. The role of several vasodilator mechanisms has been examined in the cerebral circulation, including nitric oxide (NO), trigeminal peptides and potassium channels, as well as the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin. These mediators appear to play a role in physiological and pathophysiological responses of the cerebral circulation. In the present review, we will focus on some recent developments in each of these areas. 2. Nitric oxide is an important regulator of cerebral vascular tone. Tonic production of NO maintains the cerebral vasculature in a dilated state. NO appears to be an important vasodilator during activation of neurons by excitatory amino acids, somatosensory stimulation and cortical spreading depression. Tonic production of NO appears to be critical in vasodilatation during hypercapnia, although NO may not directly mediate vasodilatation. NO produced by immunological NO-synthase appears to be important in dilatation following exposure to bacterial endotoxin. 3. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), released from trigeminal perivascular sensory nerves in the brain, is an extremely potent dilator of brain vessels. CGRP may limit noradrenaline-induced constriction of cerebral vessels and contribute to dilatation during hypotension (autoregulation), reactive hyperaemia, seizures and cortical spreading depression. 4. Activation of potassium channels leads to hyperpolarization of cerebral vascular smooth muscle and appears to be a major mechanism for dilatation of cerebral arteries. Agents that increase the intracellular concentration of cyclic 3' 5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) produce vasodilatation in part by activation of large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BKCa) and ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP). Activation of both KATP and BKCa channels also appears to contribute to vasodilatation during hypoxia. In contrast to KATP channels, BKCa channels appears to be active under basal conditions, contributing to tonic dilatation of cerebral blood vessels. 5. Endothelin is produced in the brain, but its role in the physiological regulation of cerebral blood flow is not known. Endothelin may contribute to the spasm of cerebral arteries following subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Revisiting an Old Issue: The Discrepancy Between Tissue Ratio–Derived Binding Parameters and Kinetic Modeling–Derived Parameters After a Bolus of the Serotonin Transporter Radioligand 123I-ADAM

In vivo neuroreceptor imaging research based on radiolabeled probes has been performed in 2 imaging modalities—PET and SPECT. It is generally agreed that PET is the more quantitatively precise of the two ( [1][1] ) for a variety of reasons, such as the ease with which accurate attenuation
Active Noise Control in a Mach 1.3 Ideally-Expanded Jet with Plasma Actuators

Our earlier work in noise mitigation using localized arc filament plasma actuators in a Mach 0.9 axisymmetric jet was extended in this paper to an ideally expanded Mach 1.3 axisymmetric jet. Far-field noise was measured at 30˚ and 90˚ locations relative to the jet axis to investigate the effects of azimuthal mode and forcing Strouhal number on the far-field noise. At both measuring locations, the OASPL increased over the baseline level at low forcing Strouhal numbers. At 30˚ location, a more reduction was found at higher order azimuthal modes. The maximum reductions in OASPL were 2.2 and 2.7 dB for m = 3 and ±4, respectively. The maximum reduction was observed near StDF = 1.0. At the sideline location (90˚), the OASPL was increased as at 30˚ location. The relative OASPL slowly decreased with increasing StDF and reached maximum reduction near StDF = 3.4. At this location, the maximum reduction in OASPL was about 1.0 dB for all modes. All these trends are similar to those observed in the Mach 0.9 jet, but the noise reduction levels were larger for Mach 1.3 jet than those obtained in the Mach 0.9 jet at both 30° and 90° locations.
THE TOXOPLASMA GONDII OOCYST FROM CAT FECES

Coccidian oocysts resembling those of Isospora bigemina were excreted by cats fed Toxoplasma. In order to identify these oocysts with Toxoplasma infectivity a number of critical comparisons were made. The appearance of oocysts and Toxoplasma infectivity was simultaneous in the feces of 23 of 24 adult cats, 3-5 days after feeding of Toxoplasma cysts; in the feces of 4 out of 9 cats, 7-10 days after feeding of trophozoites; and in 8 out of 17 cats, 20-24 days after feeding of cat feces containing oocysts. Oocysts and infectivity were present in similar numbers, and they disappeared simultaneously from the feces of cats. Oocysts and infectivity were also observed simultaneously in the feces of 9 kittens, 1-2 days old, fed Toxoplasma cysts. Oocysts could not be separated from infectivity by filtration, by continuous particle electrophoresis, or by density gradient centrifugation. Excystation of oocysts was followed by an increase in titer of Toxoplasma infectivity. Unsporulated oocysts in fresh cat feces were noninfectious to mice, but oocyst sporulation was associated quantitatively with the development of infectivity at different temperatures and conditions of oxygenation. Maximum oocyst sporulation at 48 hr correlated with the development of maximum Toxoplasma infectivity. 1 and 2% sulfuric acid, and 2.5% potassium dichromate were found to be the best preservatives for sporulation of oocysts and for the development of Toxoplasma infectivity. Low sporulation rates in 0.1% formalin, 20% ethanol, and in water were associated with low infectivity in these reagents. Neither Toxoplasma infectivity nor oocysts developed in 0.3% formalin, 1% ammonium hydroxide, or 1% iodine in 20% ethanol. Oocysts, sporocysts, and sporozoites were stained specifically with Toxoplasma antibody in the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Typical coccidian stages, schizonts, and male and female gametocytes were found in the epithelium of the small intestine of kittens fed Toxoplasma cysts. The classification of T. gondii is discussed in relation to that of other isosporan coccidia of cats and dogs. The term "Toxoplasma oocyst" is introduced and Toxoplasma is classified in the family Toxoplasmidae of the suborder Eimeriina. The species Isospora bigemina is restricted to dogs, and I. cati to cats. I. felis and so-called I. rivolta from cats were noninfectious to dogs, and did not confer immunity to subsequent infection with I. canis and I. rivolta from dogs.
Autoreactive B Cells Discriminate CpG-Rich and CpG-Poor DNA and This Response Is Modulated by IFN-α

Autoreactive B cells are activated by DNA, chromatin, or chromatin-containing immune complexes (ICs)6 through a mechanism dependent on dual engagement of the BCR and TLR9. We examined the contribution of endogenous DNA sequence elements to this process. DNA sequence can determine both recognition by the BCR and by TLR9. DNA fragments containing CpG islands, a natural source of unmethylated CpG dinucleotides, promote the activation of DNA-reactive B cells derived from BCR transgenic mice as well as DNA-reactive B cells present in the normal repertoire. ICs containing these CpG island fragments are potent ligands for AM14 IgG2a reactive B cells. By contrast, ICs containing total mammalian DNA, or DNA fragments lacking immunostimulatory motifs, fail to induce B cell proliferation, indicating that BCR-crosslinking alone is insufficient to activate low affinity autoreactive B cells. Importantly, priming B cells with IFN-α lowers the BCR activation threshold and relaxes the selectivity for CpG-containing DNA. Together, our findings underscore the importance of endogenous CpG-containing DNAs in the TLR9-dependent activation of autoreactive B cells and further identify an important mechanism through which IFN-α can contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
EFFECT OF LIGHT ON COLOR OF GLASS

This study was restricted to soda-lime-silica glasses which contain various agents used as decolorizers in glass, such as manganese, arsenic, antimony, cerium, and neodymium oxides and metallic selenium. The prepared glass samples were exposed to the radiation from a quartz-mercury lamp, to sunlight, or to X radiation. Vistlal observation was supplemented by quantitative measurements of the color changes, using a General Electric automatic recording photoelectric spectrophotometer. Glasses which contain antimony discolor less readily than similar arsenic-bearing glasses, and cerium, lead, and iron oxides in sufficient amounts minimize the discoloration due to light. Samples exposed to X radiation are usually discolored to a yellowish brown, except in the case of some cerium and iron-bearing glasses which were practically unaffected by the same treatment. A discussion of the results and those of other investigators is given.