cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infectious properties of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 mutants with distinct affinities for the CD4 receptor

Recent evidence suggests that primary patient isolates of T-cell-tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1 ) have lower affinities for CD4 than their laboratory-adapted derivatives, that this may partly result from tighter gp120-gp41 bonds that constrain the CD4 binding sites of the primary viruses, and that selection for increased CD4 affinity may be the principal factor in laboratory adaptation of HIV-1 (S. L. Kozak, E. J. Platt, N. Madani, F. E. Ferro, Jr., K. Peden, and D. Kabat, J. Virol. 71:873-882, 1997). These conclusions were based on studies with a panel of HeLa-CD4 cell clones that differ in CD4 levels over a broad range, with laboratory-adapted viruses infecting all clones with equal efficiencies and primary T-cell-tropic viruses infecting the clones in proportion to cellular CD4 levels. Additionally, all of the primary and laboratory-adapted T-cell-tropic viruses efficiently used CXCR-4 (fusin) as a coreceptor. To test these conclusions by an independent approach, we studied mutations in the laboratory-adapted virus LAV/IIIB that alter the CD)4 binding region of gp120 and specifically reduce CD4 affinities of free gp 120 by 85 to 98% (U. Olshevsky et al., J. Virol. 64:5701-5707, 1990). These mutations reduced virus titers to widely varying extents that ranged from severalfold to several orders of magnitude and converted infectivities on the HeLa-CD4 panel from CD4 independency to a high degree of CD4 dependency that resembled the behavior of primary patient viruses. The relative infectivities of the mutants correlated closely with their sensitivities to inactivation by soluble CD4 but did not correlate with the relative CD4 affinities of their free gp120s. Most of the mutations did not substantially alter envelope glycoprotein synthesis, processing, expression on cell surfaces, incorporation into virions, or rates of gp120 shedding from virions. However, one mutation (D457R) caused a decrease in gp160 processing by approximately 80%. The fact that several mutations increased rates of spontaneous viral inactivation (especially D368P) suggests that HIV-1 life spans may be determined by structural stabilities of viral envelope glycoproteins. All of the wild-type and mutant viruses were only slowly and inefficiently adsorbed onto cultured CD4-positive cells at 37 degrees C, and the gradual declines in viral titers in the media were caused almost exclusively by spontaneous inactivation rather than by adsorption. The extreme inefficiency with which infectious HIV-1 is able to infect cultured susceptible CD4-positive cells in standard assay conditions casts doubt on previous inferences that the vast majority of retrovirions produced in cultures are noninfectious. Apparent infectivity of T-cell-tropic HIV-1 in culture is limited by productive associations with CD4 and is influenced in an interdependent manner by CD4 affinities of viral gp120-gp41 complexes and quantities of cell surface CD4.
A robust and adaptive rate control algorithm for object-based video coding

This paper proposes a rate control algorithm for single and multiple objects video coding. The algorithm exploits prediction and feedback control to achieve accurate bit rate while maximizing the picture quality and simultaneously effectively handling buffer fullness. The algorithm estimates the bit budget of a frame based on its global coding complexity, and dynamically distributes the target bits for each object within a frame according to the object's coding complexity. Exploiting a novel buffer controller based on the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) technique used in automatic control systems, the algorithm effectively reduces the deviation between the current buffer fullness and the target buffer fullness, and minimizes the buffer overflow or underflow. The algorithm dynamically adjusts several parameters to further improve the system performance. A scene-change handling method is used to deal with scene changes. The combination of prediction and feedback control improves the adaptability of the rate controller under complicated environments; it also decreases the effect of random disturbance and the deviation caused by the variance between the real system and its statistical model. Overall, the proposed algorithm successfully achieves accurate target bit rate, provides promising coding quality, decreases buffer overflow/underflow and lowers the impact of a scene change.
Heat and water transport across the airway wall

The thermal profiles in the airways of healthy human volunteers and patients with asthma differ following the cessation of hyperpnea. The asthmatics appear to have a greater ability to rewarm their airways. A model is developed that describes the radial transport of heat and water across the trachea which included a time-varying blood supply. Simulation results indicate that changes in tissue perfusion coupled with changes in mucosal thickness could account for the difference between the two groups. >
Medium-Range Prediction of an Extratropical Oceanic Cyclone: Impact of Initial State

Abstract Significant progress has been made in the short-range (1–2 days) prediction of east coast cyclogenesis over the past decade. This is the result of improved model resolution, physical parameterization, and good analysis of the upstream conditions often well sampled by the high-density North America observing network. The prediction of cyclogenesis over the eastern Pacific Ocean, or a longer-range forecast of east coast cyclones, does not share the same degree of success, largely due to the fact that the upstream conditions fall over the data-void regions of the Pacific Ocean. In this paper, the authors study the prediction of the ERICA IOP-4 storm using a 120-km hemispheric version of the Penn State/NCAR Mesoscale Model MM5, with forecast duration ranging from 36 to 120 h. Specifically, the impact of uncertainties in the initial conditions on the 5-day forecastof this cyclogenesis event was examined. Initial perturbations were then introduced to the original analysis at initial time based on the 1...
Safe Haven, Adoption and Birth Record Laws: Where are the Daddies?

An earlier version of this paper was presented by Professor Parness at the Third Annual Wells Conference on Adoption Law under the title, "Safe Haven Laws: Where Are the Daddies?", at Capital University Law School on February 15, 2007. The paper explores the difficulties in American state safe haven, adoption and birth record laws, crystalized in the question: "Where are the daddies?" After briefly reviewing safe haven laws, the paper demonstrates how paternity interests are unreasonably, if not unconstitutionally, foreclosed when children are abandoned by their mothers. Comparable paternity losses due to maternal acts are then shown under adoption and birth record laws. Lost daddies are unwarranted because maternal privacy rights and interests should not easily foreclose chances for responsible fatherhood, especially where births result from consensual sex between unwed partners. There should be differences in law between abortion decisions and maternal decisions about children in safe haven, adoption, and birth record settings. These differences should reflect the differing societal interests, maternal interests, and paternal interests in protecting potential human life and in protecting born alive human life. Neither maternal decisional privacy nor maternal informational privacy foreclose expanded protections for legal paternity opportunities and rights. The paper concludes with suggested paternity law reforms.
CHARACTERIZING FABRIC END-USE BY FABRIC PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

This paper introduces a statistical approach to predicting fabric end-use based on Kawabata kes-fb data determining fabric physical properties. The classification theory zbasis of discriminant analysis is discussed, and a way to establish classification criteria to characterize fabrics for clothing uses is demonstrated. The mathematical prediction model is described by a quadratic discriminant function that successfully classifies fabrics appropriate for suiting, blouses, and shirts.
Investigation of systematic CD distribution error on intrafield

As feature size shrinks, better critical dimension uniformity (CDU) is highly demanded in aspects of device characteristics. Intra field CDU is one of main contributor in total CD variation budget. Especially systematic CD distribution in shot, bank and MAT boundary should be strongly considered to minimize repeated error to guarantee high yield even though it is not prominent in overall CDU value. In this paper, we investigated the several factors to affect systematic CD distribution error on intra field. First of all, localized mask CD variation caused by electron-beam scattering over local region, development loading and etch loading effect directly printed in wafer. Appropriate mask fabrication suppress CD variation at boundary region. Secondly, chemical flare effect is expected to make CD gradient at boundary region. Photo acid concentration change by sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) can reduce the CD gradient. We demonstrated SRAF size dependency in positive tone develop (PTD) and negative tone develop (NTD) case. Thirdly, out-of-field stray light (OOFSL) due to adjacent exposed field causes CD gradient at field boundary. Exposure dose reduction is expected as a solution in this case. Even though we perfectly control CDU at boundary region after mask patterning, other process issues such as etch and CMP loading effect also make worse the CD distribution at boundary region. Through the consideration of above factors, we optimized systematic CD distribution error at boundary region before etch. Furthermore we compared several techniques to compensate post-etch systematic CD distribution.
In-Situ TEM in Complex Environments: Photocatalysis

Recent efforts by a number of researchers extend in-situ environmental transmission electron microscopy to a variety of complex applications, such as electrochemistry, photocatalysis, chemical reactions, oxidation, chemical vapor deposition, biological systems, etc. The development of environmental TEMs and commercial environmental cells has paved the way for significant advances in the field. This work highlights recent preliminary work on in-situ photocatalysis.
The new analgesic combination tramadol/acetaminophen.

Background Combinations of analgesic drugs provide the opportunity for better efficacy with less overall morbidity than provided by single analgesic agents. This article discusses the rationale, efficacy and safety for a novel analgesic combination: tramadol and acetaminophen (paracetamol). Methods Data supporting the rationale of combining tramadol and acetaminophen to provide pain relief will be reviewed in addition to clinical data demonstrating the efficacy and safety of this combination in acute and chronic pain states. Results Tramadol and acetaminophen are a rational combination product in that their mechanisms of action do not overlap and that in preclinical studies this combination acts synergistically. Also, this combination would be expected to provide more rapid pain relief than tramadol alone, and more persistent pain relief than acetaminophen alone. Moreover, each compound is broken down along separate metabolic pathways. Acute dental pain studies showed that pain relief and improvements in pain intensity associated with tramadol 75 mg plus acetaminophen 650 mg are superior to placebo, or tramadol or acetaminophen alone. This combination provided a rapid onset of action, identical to that achieved with acetaminophen alone, but the pain relief was also sustained, as for tramadol alone. Tramadol/acetaminophen also had the same adverse event profile as tramadol monotherapy. A chronic low back/osteoarthritic pain study showed that the drug combination can also be used similarly to codeine/acetaminophen combinations in treating benign chronic pain. The safety profile of the tramadol/ acetaminophen combination is at least as favourable as that of codeine/acetaminophen, and is well tolerated with long-term use. Conclusions Tramadol/acetaminophen combination is a new preparation that is effective in acute or chronic moderate-to-moderately severe pain. It benefits from the complementary actions of the constituent analgesics, having the rapid onset of acetaminophen and the sustained effect of tramadol. The analgesic efficacy of this combination is comparable to that of positive controls, and its adverse event profile is in line with that of its single components.
Authorship Concerns and Who Truly Owns a Research Idea

Researchers often face dilemmas about authorship. When the researchers are graduate students, fellows, or junior faculty, the dilemmas might involve discussions about fair criteria for more senior faculty to be acknowledged as key contributors or authors on manuscripts. This “Ethics Rounds” presents a case in which a fellow faced such a dilemma. We review current journal guidelines for authorship and some ethical considerations that should help make this process more streamlined.
Epigenetic remodeling regulates transcriptional changes between ovarian cancer and benign precursors

Regulation of lineage-restricted transcription factors has been shown to influence malignant transformation in several types of cancer. Whether similar mechanisms are involved in ovarian cancer pathogenesis is unknown. PAX8 is a nuclear transcription factor that controls the embryologic development of the Mullerian system, including the fallopian tubes. Recent studies have shown that fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells (FTSECs) give rise to the most common form of ovarian cancer, high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSOCs). We designed the present study in order to understand whether changes in gene expression between FTSECs and HGSOCs relate to alterations in PAX8 binding to chromatin. Using whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing (RNA-Seq) after PAX8 knockdown and ChIP-Seq, we show that FTSECs and HGSOCs are distinguished by marked reprogramming of the PAX8 cistrome. Genes that are significantly altered between FTSECs and HGSOCs are enriched near PAX8 binding sites. These sites are also near TEAD binding sites, and these transcriptional changes may be related to PAX8 interactions with the TEAD/YAP1 signaling pathway. These data suggest that transcriptional changes after transformation in ovarian cancer are closely related to epigenetic remodeling in lineage-specific transcription factors.
Bildungssysteme, soziale Ungleichheit und subjektive Schichteinstufung. Die institutionelle Basis von Individualisierungsprozessen im internationalen Vergleich

Der Beitrag befasst sich mit dem Einfluss von Bildungssystemen auf die Kollektivierung beziehungsweise Individualisierung sozialen Handelns. Die zentrale These lautet, dass in Gesellschaften mit standardisierten, stratifizierten und differenzierten Bildungssystemen intragenerationale Mobilitat durch credentialistische Allokationsprozesse eingeschrankt wird, so dass strukturell privilegierte (beziehungsweise benachteiligte), homogene und stabile soziale Klassen entstehen konnen. Diese suchen ihre Interessen durch kollektives soziales Handeln zu verwirklichen. In Gesellschaften mit unstandardisierten, unstratifizierten und undifferenzierten Bildungssystemen hingegen machen instabile und heterogene soziale Lagen die Entstehung kollektiven sozialen Handelns unwahrscheinlich. Die These wird durch einen internationalen Vergleich der Strukturierung der subjektiven Schichteinstufung anhand von Daten des International Social Justice Project (1991,1996) gepruft. Es zeigt sich, dass erwartungsgemas die subjektive Wahrnehmung sozialer Ungleichheit in credentialistischen Landern starker durch Bildungstitel und Klassenlage strukturiert wird als in nicht credentialistischen. Trotz aller sonst stark betonten Individualisierungstendenzen ist besonders in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland eine ausgepragte Strukturierung der subjektiven Schichteinstufung festzustellen.
Novel oral anticoagulants for acute coronary syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a cardiovascular condition with a multifactorial pathophysiology that includes atherosclerotic plaques, platelet activation and thrombin production, among others. T...
Paroxysmal pulmonary edema consequent to stimulation of cardiovascular receptors; mechanical and neurogenic elements.

Abstract The part played by mechanical and neurogenic factors in pulmonary edema experimentally produced in dogs by the use of a standard technique has been investigated. The basis of this standard technique is the rapid, interrupted infusion of saline solution into the carotid arteries toward the brain. 1. 1. The quantity of injected fluid may be considered as submaximal, in the sense that, while the fluid favors the development of edema by distending the pulmonary vessels, the amount of fluid administered is insufficient of itself to produce edema. 2. 2. The importance of specific receptors of the cardiovascular apparatus has been demonstrated. Their stimulation causes a reflex leading to increased permeability of the pulmonary capillaries, and favors the development of edema if these vessels are already distended. The problem of whether the reflex causes first a dilatation of the vessels, or whether its effect is the result of a direct increase of permeability needs further study. The most important among these reflexes is the carotido-pulmonary reflex whose afferent pathway to the central nervous system is through the glossopharyngeal nerve, and whose efferent pathway to the lungs is through fibers which are anatomically part of the sympathetic system. Another important reflex is that elicited by distention of the heart chambers. A third reflex, whose importance cannot yet be measured, is the pulmonary artery-pulmonary vessels reflex. All these reflexes are able to cause pulmonary edema when a submaximal quantity of fluid, in itself insufficient to produce edema, is injected into the circulation. 3. 3. Deeper understanding of the mechanism can be obtained only by using drugs either to enhance or to inhibit the edema, and by studying by means of biologic assay the properties of both the blood and the edema fluid. 4. 4. Electrical stimulation of either the cardiac end of the cut vagi or the intact nerves favors pulmonary edema by causing extreme bradycardia. This factor, however, does not play any role in the experiments of infusion with standard technique.
Smooth Muscle Ion Channels and Regulation of Vascular Tone in Resistance Arteries and Arterioles.

Abstract Vascular tone of resistance arteries and arterioles determines peripheral vascular resistance, contributing to the regulation of blood pressure and blood flow to, and within the body's tissues and organs. Ion channels in the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in these blood vessels importantly contribute to the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, the primary determinant of SMC contractile activity and vascular tone. Ion channels provide the main source of activator Ca2+ that determines vascular tone, and strongly contribute to setting and regulating membrane potential, which, in turn, regulates the open-state-probability of voltage gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs), the primary source of Ca2+ in resistance artery and arteriolar SMCs. Ion channel function is also modulated by vasoconstrictors and vasodilators, contributing to all aspects of the regulation of vascular tone. This review will focus on the physiology of VGCCs, voltage-gated K+ (KV) channels, large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels, strong-inward-rectifier K+ (KIR) channels, ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, ryanodine receptors (RyRs), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), and a variety of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels that contribute to pressure-induced myogenic tone in resistance arteries and arterioles, the modulation of the function of these ion channels by vasoconstrictors and vasodilators, their role in the functional regulation of tissue blood flow and their dysfunction in diseases such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. © 2017 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 7:485-581, 2017.
A nonparametric hypothesis test for heteroscedasticity in multiple regression

This article presents a new method to test for heteroscedasticity in a general multiple nonparametric regression model. The test statistic is based on a high-dimensional one-way ANOVA constructed with the absolute value of the residuals, and its asymptotic distribution is derived under the null hypothesis of homoscedasticity and local alternative. The properties of the proposed test statistic are preserved when a correctly specified parametric mean function is used to obtain the residuals. Unlike most methods in the literature no parametric form is required for the multivariate variance function. Extensive simulations suggest that the proposed test detects heteroscedasticity in all models considered while classical methods fail in some cases. Two real data applications are examined. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 45: 425–441; 2017 © 2017 Statistical Society of Canada
The ratio of output to input factors

In the previous chapters, we provided transparent steps to learn the foundation of DEA to estimate the performance of a set of homogenous firms. In this chapter, we demonstrate mathematical properties to describe the natural relationships between the DEA frontier and the ratio of output to input factors.
Physics of picosecond pulse laser ablation

This study investigates the physical processes involved in picosecond pulse (20-28 ps FWHM) laser ablation of Al 6061, 316L stainless steel, and undoped crystalline Si (〈100〉) over a range of laser wavelength (355 nm and 1064 nm) and fluence (0.1-40 J/cm2). Experimental measurements of material ablation rate show enhanced removal at the 355 nm wavelength, primarily due to laser-plasma interaction (LPI) within the ablative plume that approaches an order of magnitude increase over the measured removal at 1064 nm. A transition in the ablation rate at 355 nm is identified around ∼10 J/cm2 above which the removal efficiency increases by a factor of two to three. Multi-physics radiation hydrodynamic simulations, considering LPI effects and utilizing a novel mixed-phase equation of state model, show that the transition in ablation efficiency is due to the onset of melt ejection through cavitation, where laser-driven shock heating sets the depth of melt penetration and the ensuing release wave from the ablation surface drives cavitation through the imposition of tensile strain within the melt. High-speed pump-probe imaging of the ejecta and ejecta collection studies, as well as scanning electron microscopy of the ablation craters, support the proposed cavitation mechanism in the higher fluence range. The ablation process is critically influenced by LPI effects and the thermophysical properties of the material.
Clinical Value of Predicting Individual Treatment Effects for Intensive Blood Pressure Therapy.

Background: The absolute risk reduction (ARR) in cardiovascular events from therapy is generally assumed to be proportional to baseline risk—such that high-risk patients benefit most. Yet newer ana...
The principal problem with principal components regression

Principal components regression (PCR) reduces a large number of explanatory variables in a regression model down to a small number of principal components. PCR is thought to be more useful, the mor...
Design considerations of the AXIOS stent and electrocautery enhanced delivery system

Abstract Whether plastic or metal, tubular stents designed to relieve obstruction have significant limitations when applied to translumenal applications. Importantly, they do not impart lumen-to-lumen apposition, which may result in perforation and leakage of contents if there is physical separation of the lumens. The shortcomings of tubular stents when applied “off label” for EUS-guided transluminal applications inspired the author to develop the lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS). The AXIOS stent and delivery system was developed for dedicated applications of translumenal drainage and to enable easy and safe passage of an endoscope into the target lumen, thus extending the reach of interventional endoscopy to organs and structures outside the gastrointestinal tract. This chapter outlines the design history and components of the AXIOS LAMS system.
Chronic Pain and Postherpetic Neuralgia

Herpes zoster is a well-known ubiquitous, painful rash which presents in a dermatomal distribution often among aging and/or immunosuppressed populations. One of the most common but devastating sequela of varicella zoster infection, or shingles, is chronic pain at the infected site known as postherpetic neuralgia. Early diagnosis is critical to initiate timely antiviral and neuropathic pain medications to support the individuals’ ability to maintain functional status and quality of life. Fortunately, since 2017, a new FDA-approved vaccine is available in an effort to improve efficacy and sustainability of immunological response. This chapter reviews the diagnosis, pathophysiology, medical and interventional treatments, immunization recommendations, and future directions for further investigation of varicella zoster virus and treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.
Minimally invasive management of the ureterocele

Abstract In order to best plan endoscopic surgery for a child with ureterocele, the pediatric urologist must weigh the age of the child, any associated comorbidities and specific anesthetic risks with the anatomic nuances of the anatomy of the ureterocele and the severity of the changes to the kidney and bladder. The presence of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), the degree of bladder outlet obstruction and, in the older child, the presence of dysfunctional voiding, are important. Is the ureterocele draining the upper pole of a duplex system? Is there associated vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)? Is the renal function of the ipsilateral and contralateral kidney normal or abnormal? All of these, as well as the thickness of the ureterocele, the amount of displacement of the bladder outlet and whether the ureterocele is orthotopic (within the bladder) at a relatively normal position on the trigone or ectopic (passing through the bladder neck) all influence the plan.
‘Each Word is Powerful’: Writing and the Ethics of Representation

This chapter amplifies the methods and theories of campesino social leaders in Montes de Maria, Colombia, to reflect on the ethics of writing and representation for scholars engaged in peace and conflict fieldwork. The birthplace of participatory action research, campesinos in Montes de Maria offer key insights into the possibilities and challenges for writing peace and conflict otherwise. The first section provides a critical retrieval of the origins of PAR and traces the state’s criminalization of campesino knowledge production in Colombia, which normalized violence against grassroots educators and social leaders. Situating knowledge production as both a site of violence and resistance raises critical questions about the ethical contours of research, writing, and representation. Throughout the chapter, I reflect on my own moments of failure to examine how common research methodologies and writing practices render the theoretical contributions of campesino intellectuals (in)visible. In dialogue with campesino colleagues in Montes de Maria, I highlight the generative points of tension and alternative possibilities that emerge through collaborative research praxis.
Polymorphisms in the 3 ′ UTR Region of ESR2 and CYP19A1 Genes and Its Influence on Allele-Specific Gene Expression in Endometriosis

Objectives. Endometriosis is supported by hormonal, immunological, and environmental factors. No specific marker for endometriosis has yet been identified. ESR2 and CYP19A1 genes play a major role in the hormonal control of endometriosis women, the development of which largely depends on steroid hormones. Aim. An analysis of ESR2 and CYP19A1 allele-specific gene expressions in the context of the risk for endometriosis occurrence. Methods. The study material included paraffin-embedded tissue specimens, collected from patients ( ) with endometriosis. Blood samples from age-matched, endometriosis-free women ( ) served as a control. the RT-PCR technique was performed to observe the expression of ESR2 and CYP19A1 genes. Moreover, Sanger’s sequencing method was applied for polymorphism analysis. Results. A set of 4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was determined; all of them most significantly associated with endometriosis: rs4986938 (G>A)(chromosome 14), rs928554 (A>G) (chromosome 14), rs10046 (C>T) (chromosome 15), and rs4646 (C>A) (chromosome 15). There were no differences in the distribution of genotypes and alleles in the studied groups, taking into account ESR2 and CYP19A1 gene expressions. Conclusion. The ESR2 and CYP19A1 polymorphisms may not be correlated with endometriosis susceptibility. Further analysis is needed to specify the role of these polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
The impact of depression on heart transplant outcomes: A retrospective single-center cohort study

Background Depression is prevalent in patients with heart failure and after heart transplant. We identified the prevalence of pre- and post-transplant depression and its association with clinical characteristics and post-transplant outcomes. Methods We reviewed 114 adults transplanted 1/1/2015 to 12/31/2015 and identified patients with pre- and post-transplant depression. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared. Results Of 114 patients, 35.1% had pre-transplant depression and 26.3% had post-transplant depression. Patients with post-transplant depression within the first year were significantly more likely to have acute rejection (10% vs 0%), longer intensive care unit (11.7 days vs 7.8 days) and hospital stay (31.7 days vs 16.3 days), and discharge to inpatient rehabilitation (26.7% vs 8.3%). Patients with post-transplant depression within the first year had significantly higher 5-year mortality (30% vs 9.5%, p = .009). However, after adjustment for total artificial heart/biventricular assist device, acute rejection, intensive care unit, and hospital length of stay, this relationship was no longer significant (HR 2.11; 95% CI 0.18-25.27; p = .556). Conclusions Depression is common among heart transplant candidates and recipients. While pre-transplant depression did not impact outcomes, patients with post-transplant depression were more likely to have had a complicated course, suggesting the need for increased vigilance regarding depression in such patients.
Double reduction estimation and equilibrium tests in natural autopolyploid populations

Abstract Many bioinformatics pipelines include tests for equilibrium. Tests for diploids are well studied and widely available, but extending these approaches to autopolyploids is hampered by the presence of double reduction, the co-migration of sister chromatid segments into the same gamete during meiosis. Though a hindrance for equilibrium tests, double reduction rates are quantities of interest in their own right, as they provide insights about the meiotic behavior of autopolyploid organisms. Here, we develop procedures to (i) test for equilibrium while accounting for double reduction, and (ii) estimate double reduction given equilibrium. To do so, we take two approaches: a likelihood approach, and a novel U-statistic minimization approach that we show generalizes the classical equilibrium χ2 test in diploids. For small sample sizes and uncertain genotypes, we further develop a bootstrap procedure based on our U-statistic to test for equilibrium. Finally, we highlight the difficulty in distinguishing between random mating and equilibrium in tetraploids at biallelic loci. Our methods are implemented in the hwep R package on GitHub https://github.com/dcgerard/hwep.
Who Donates to Revolutionaries? Evidence from Post-1916 Ireland

Abstract This paper analyzes the determinants of providing financial support to revolutionaries, using a hand-compiled dataset of 17,000 donations to the Irish National Aid Association after the Easter Rising of 1916. Financial support is best predicted by literacy, marital status, religious affiliation, and relatively high socio-economic status. In this sense, donations to revolutionaries share some characteristics of a luxury good. I find evidence that long-run historical grievances (the Great Famine) also predict support.
Surgical Outcomes for Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at Facilities with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Programs.

ABSTRACT Background Patients undergoing surgery for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may be at high risk for post-operative mortality. Access to stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) may facilitate more appropriate patient selection for surgery. Research Question Is post-operative mortality for early-stage NSCLC lower at facilities with higher utilization of SBRT? Study Design and Methods Patients with early-stage NSCLC reported to the National Cancer Database between 2004-2015 were included. Utilization of SBRT was defined by each facility’s SBRT Experience (years) and SBRT-to-Surgery Volume Ratios. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test for the associations between SBRT utilization and post-operative mortality. Results The study cohort consisted of 202,542 patients who underwent surgical resection of cT1-T2N0M0 NSCLC. The 90-day post-operative mortality rate declined during the study period from 4.6% to 2.6% (p Interpretation Patients who underwent resection for early-stage NSCLC at facilities with higher SBRT utilization had lower rates of post-operative mortality. These findings suggest that the availability and utilization of SBRT may improve the selection of patients for surgery who are predicted to be at a high-risk for post-operative mortality.
The kidney as a target for biological reactive metabolites: Linking metabolism to toxicity

The conjugation of potentially toxic electrophiles with glutathione (GSH), the process of thioether formation, is usually associated with detoxication and excretion (Sies and Ketterer, 1988). Compounds that are conjugated with GSH are usually excreted in urine as their corresponding mercapturic acids, S-conjugates of N-acetylcysteine. The kidney is susceptible to chemical induced injury, and GSH conjugation seems to play a major role in the bioactivation of many of renal toxicants. Halogenated alkanes and alkenes are targeted to the kidney via GSH conjugation, and subsequent bioactivation of the corresponding cysteine conjugate by cysteine conjugate β-lyase (Dekant et al., 1994). Polyphenols also seem to be targeted to the kidney via extra-renal conjugation with GSH (Monks and Lau 1994a) and tissue selectivity in this instance appears to be conferred by the high activity of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase on the brush border membrane of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Thus, in contrast to the generally accepted role of GSH conjugation serving as a detoxication mechanism conjugation of quinones with GSH results in the formation of potent, and selective, nephrotoxicants (Monks et al., 1985, 1988; Lau et al., 1988, 1990; Mertens et al., 1991), and evidence has accumulated suggesting that GSH conjugation of quinones may be a common mechanism of bioactivation (Monks and Lau, 1992).
Keck Interferometer V2 science

We summarize the status of the Keck Interferometer in V 2 mode, and science results recently obtained.
Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia by Extracorporeal Irradiation

Six patients with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia were treated with extracorporeal irradiation and followed for one to three years. There was a marked reduction in the circulating white cells in all patients, but in four cases the white cell counts returned to high levels in 3-7 months. Two patients are in good partial remission 37 and 22 months after the initial course of ECI. Clinical and hematological events in these cases are detailed. It was concluded that ECI is effective in lowering leukocyte levels without systemic toxicity and is beneficial in some cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Column Base Plates with Axial Loads and Moments

The results are presented for an experimental and analytical study of steel column base plates subject to axial loads and moments. A total of 16 tests were made in which the variables were the anchor bolt size, the base plate thickness, and the ratio of moment to axial load. The results of these tests were used to review the two methods of design presently used, one based on the behavior at working load, and one based on the failure load. Both generally produced reasonable predictions of the capacity for the range of variables in this study. The investigation has demonstrated the need for limits of applicability for the two design methods.
Uncertainty Propagation in Model-Based Recognition

Robust recognition systems require a careful understanding of the effects of error in sensed features. In model-based recognition, matches between model features and sensed image features typically are used to compute a model pose and then project the unmatched model features into the image. The error in the image features results in uncertainty in the projected model features. We first show how error propagates when poses are based on three pairs of 3D model and 2D image points. In particular, we show how to simply and efficiently compute the distributed region in the image where an unmatched model point might appear, for both Gaussian and bounded error in the detection of image points, and for both scaled-orthographic and perspective projection models. Next, we provide geometric and experimental analyses to indicate when this linear approximation will succeed and when it will fail. Then, based on the linear approximation, we show how we can utilize Linear Programming to compute bounded propagated error regions for any number of initial matches. Finally, we use these results to extend, from two-dimensional to three-dimensional objects, robust implementations of alignment, interpretation-tree search, and transformation clustering.
A Model-Theoretic View of Some Special Ultrafilters

Publisher Summary Combinatorial definitions of special sorts of ultrafilters can be formulated neatly in terms of the associated ultrapowers and some of the combinatorial lemmas used in the study of such ultrafilters have simpler and more natural formulations as assertions about ultrapowers. This chapter surveys a number of such formulations and indicates ways in which they can be used to prove combinatorial results. The chapter reviews the results of Puritz that characterize the most popular special ultrafilters in terms of ultrapowers and presents a fairly typical example of a model-theoretic presentation of a combinatorial argument. The concept of conservative extensions is used to generalize a theorem of Puritz. This generalization is used to give simplified proofs of a result and a related unpublished result of Galvin. treat Daguenet's range and affable ultrafilters and Baumgartner and Taylor's arrow ultrafilters in terms of amalgamation of ultrapowers. In addition, situations where an amalgamation of two models are nearly unique—these are related to square bracket partition relations—are discussed.
Disruption of nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of cyclin D1 and topoisomerase II by sanguinarine

The quaternary isoquinoline alkaloid sanguinarine is receiving increasing attention as a potential chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of cancer. Previous studies have shown that this DNA-binding phytochemical can arrest a number of different types of transformed cells in G0/G1, and upregulate the CKIs p21 and p27 while downregulating multiple cyclins and CDKs. To more closely examine the responses of some of these cell cycle regulatory molecules to sanguinarine, we used immunocytochemical methods to visualize cyclin D1 and topoisomerase II behavior in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. 5 – 10 μM sanguinarine effectively inhibits MCF-7 proliferation after a single application of drug. This growth inhibition is accompanied by a striking relocalization of cyclin D1 and topoisomerase II from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and this effect persists for at least three days after drug addition. DNA synthesis is transiently inhibited by sanguinarine, but cells recover their ability to synthesize DNA within 24 hours. Taking advantage of the fluorescence characteristics of sanguinarine to follow its uptake and distribution suggests that these effects arise from a window of activity of a few hours immediately after drug addition, when sanguinarine is concentrated in the nucleus. These effects occur in morphologically healthy-looking cells, and thus do not simply represent part of an apoptotic response. It appears that sub-apoptotic concentrations of sanguinarine can suppress breast cancer cell proliferation for extended lengths of time, and that this effect results from a relatively brief period of activity when the drug is concentrated in the nucleus. Sanguinarine transiently inhibits DNA synthesis, but a novel mechanism of action appears to involve disrupting the trafficking of a number of molecules involved in cell cycle regulation and progression. The ability of sub-apoptotic concentrations of sanguinarine to inhibit cell growth may be a useful feature for potential chemotherapeutic applications; however, a narrow effective range for these effects may exist.
Effects of arm‐splint rigidity on self‐injury and adaptive behavior

The current study replicated and extended previous research on the use of a rapid assessment to identify effective arm-splint rigidity with 2 participants who had been diagnosed with autism and who engaged in self-injurious behavior (SIB). We varied rigidity levels within a multielement design across several adaptive tasks and identified the most effective rigidity level in terms of reductions in SIB and levels of compliance.
Plants as environmental biosensors.

Plants are continuously exposed to a wide variety of perturbations including variation of temperature and/or light, mechanical forces, gravity, air and soil pollution, drought, deficiency or surplus of nutrients, attacks by insects and pathogens, etc., and hence, it is essential for all plants to have survival sensory mechanisms against such perturbations. Consequently, plants generate various types of intracellular and intercellular electrical signals mostly in the form of action and variation potentials in response to these environmental changes. However, over a long period, only certain plants with rapid and highly noticeable responses for environmental stresses have received much attention from plant scientists. Of particular interest to our recent studies on ultra fast action potential measurements in green plants, we discuss in this review the evidence supporting the foundation for utilizing green plants as fast biosensors for molecular recognition of the direction of light, monitoring the environme...
Method forin vivo calibration of intracranial pressure transducers

This device permits an in situ mechanical calibration of differential pressure transducers when the differential pressures do not exceed about 5% of ambient pressure. A gastight 3-way valve is attached to the schnorkel tube of the transducer by means of metal tubing. A precision micrometer syringe is attached to the valve. The valve is closed to the ambient air only during calibration. The total air volume is approximately 1 ml. A small, measured volume decrease, achieved by adjustment of the syringe, represents a calculable pressure increase. A stop that has been adjusted against the face of the transducer during the initial calibration serves as a repeatable end point at, or close to, zero differential pressure. Adjustment of the stop is achieved by use of a differential screw mechanism. Normally the micrometer syringe and valve are located immediately adjacent to the surgical dressings about the head of the patient.
Classical complexity and quantum entanglement

Generalizing a decision problem for bipartite perfect matching, Edmonds (J. Res. Natl. Bur. Standards 718(4) (1967) 242) introduced the problem (now known as the Edmonds Problem) of deciding if a given linear subspace of M(N) contains a non-singular matrix, where M(N) stands for the linear space of complex N × N matrices. This problem led to many fundamental developments in matroid theory, etc.Classical matching theory can be defined in terms of matrices with non-negative entries. The notion of Positive operator, central in Quantum Theory, is a natural generalization of matrices with non-negative entries. (Here operator refers to maps from matrices to matrices.) First, we reformulate the Edmonds Problem in terms of completely positive operators, or equivalently, in terms of bipartite density matrices. It turns out that one of the most important cases when Edmonds' problem can be solved in polynomial deterministic time, i.e. an intersection of two geometric matroids, corresponds to unentangled (aka separable) bipartite density matrices. We introduce a very general class (or promise) of linear subspaces of M(N) on which there exists a polynomial deterministic time algorithm to solve Edmonds' problem. The algorithm is a thoroughgoing generalization of algorithms in Linial, Samorodnitsky and Wigderson, Proceedings of the 30th ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing, ACM, New York, 1998; Gurvits and Yianilos, and its analysis benefits from an operator analog of permanents, so-called Quantum Permanents.Finally, we prove that the weak membership problem for the convex set of separable normalized bipartite density matrices is NP-HARD.
The relationship between IQ and climatic variables in African and Eurasian countries

Abstract The purpose of the present research was to determine the relationship of IQ to precipitation and other climatic variables in 128 countries of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Lower precipitation, temperature, and nasal index were associated with higher IQ. Temperature range and humidity were positively associated with IQ as predicted by evolutionary theory. Additionally, discriminant function analyses showed that the variables that best discriminated between the groups of countries were IQ, temperature, precipitation, humidity, and nasal index. The discriminant functions correctly classified over 90% of the cases. Precipitation, temperature, and nasal index were contributors to multiple regression with IQ as the dependent variable.
Chromatographic/Chromatographic Spectroscopic Combination Methods for the Analysis of Botanical Drugs

Bioactive plant secondary metabolites tend to occur in complex mixtures in botanical drugs (phytopharmaceuticals), and the design of procedures for the analysis of such compounds requires a thorough understanding of the phytochemistry involved and considerable ingenuity on the part of the analyst. Several published chromatographic and chromatographic/spectroscopic analytical methods for three botanical products of commercial importance are reviewed, namely, those from Gingko biloba, Croton tiglium, and Stevia rebaudiana.
Hydrodechlorination of carbon tetrachloride

The reaction of CCl4 with H2 over peripherally deposited Pt on η-Al2O3 catalyst proceeds as two parallel reactions, producing CHCl3 and CH4 at constant mole ratio, independent of process variables. CCl4 + H2 → CHCl3 + HCl. CCl4 + 4H2 → CH4+ 4HCl. The intermediates CH2Cl2 and CH3Cl were present only in trace quantities. Relative production rates were CHCl3 = 4.00, CH2Cl2 = 0.024, CH3Cl = 0.0009, CH4 = 1. Separate experimentation showed that CHCl3, CH2Cl2, and CH3Cl were effectively unreactive, rather than being highly reactive intermediates. The anomalous behavior was rationalized on the basis that formation of CCl3 radical is the initiating step. Single step addition of hydrogen to CCl3· accounts for CHCl3. Concerted, rather than sequential, hydrogen addition to adsorbed CCl3·, with no important desorption of intermediates, accounts for CH4. The study demonstrates that polysubstituted compounds may not react consecutively and that homologous series need not exhibit analogous behavior.