cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resident perspectives on professionalism lack common consensus.

Study objective We sought to characterize and understand the residents' perspective on how professionalism develops through pediatric emergency medicine experiences. Methods Qualitative methods (freelisting—listing words associated with professionalism—and semistructured interviews) were conducted with senior emergency medicine and pediatric residents about their experiences rotating in the emergency department of a large, urban, tertiary care, freestanding children's hospital. All senior residents were eligible, with purposive sampling to maximize demographic variability. Saliency (importance) of words was analyzed with Smith S scores and consensus analysis. Interviews were conducted until content saturation was achieved; transcripts were coded by independent investigators to reach thematic consensus. Results Twenty-five interviews (36% emergency, 64% pediatrics) were conducted. Common words associated with professionalism were "respect," "compassion," "empathy," and "integrity"; however, residents did not share a common consensus. The framework for how residents described the development of their professionalism includes observations, interactions, and environment. Examples include resident observation of role models; interactions with patients, families, and coworkers; self-reflection; and the unique environment of the ED. Residents believed that role modeling was the most influential factor. Few reported receiving sufficient observation by attending physicians during their interactions with patients and most reported receiving little direct feedback on their professionalism. Residents' descriptions of professionalism crossed multiple Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies. Conclusion Residents displayed high variability in their understanding of professionalism, which was frequently at variance with the corresponding ACGME competency definition. The resident perspective and understanding of professionalism may usefully inform refinements in ACGME milestones and entrustable professional activities.
Synthesis and solution properties of poly(2-methylproline)

The resolution of 2-methylproline and the assignment of absolute configuration to the stereoisomer has been carried out. The L-enantiomer was obtained from the fractional crystallization of the quinine salt of (−)-N-carbobenzoxy-2-methylproline and the D-enantiomer from the collected filtrates. The (−)-2-methylproline was assigned the L-configuration by means of the Clough-Lutz-Jirgensons method. Polymers were obtained in bulk from the N-carboxyanhydrides. Although polymers obtained from different solvents exhibited different solubility properties, subsequent spectral studies indicated that this effect was not due to a large conformational change as in the polyproline case. Spectral evidence suggests that poly(2-methylproline) (P2MP) exists as a polyproline type II helix.
Automatic Replenishment Programs and Level of Involvement: Performance Implications

In Today's increasingly complex business environment, many firms are working more closely and sharing greater information with trading partners. The utilization of automatic replenishment programs (ARPs) for inventory management represents an example of how firms are cooperating to improve overall efficiency and service. However, ARP is still a relatively new phenomenon, and ARP‐related benefits cannot be realized without changes to working practices that require considerable time and financial commitment. Whether such commitments are warranted has yet to be established. Little empirical work is available detailing ARP performance to date. This research examines the implementation of ARP components, firms' effectiveness at achieving ARP‐related goals and associations between firms' level of involvement with ARP and ARP‐related performance. Findings suggest that more extensive involvement with ARP is beneficial. Firms that handle a larger proportion of their sales volume with ARPs reported greater success in terms of profitability and trading partner relationships.
Effect of concentration on apparent viscosity of a globular protein solution

The viscosity of a globular protein solution as a function of concentration was studied with a cone and plate viscometef (Ferranti-Shirley Viscometer System) using, β-lactoglobulin as a model. An aqueous buffer solution (pH 7, ionic strength 0.04) containing up to 40 percent protein was subjected to rates of shear between 800 and 17,000 sec−1. Specific viscosity of β-lactoglobulin up to 10 weight percent was proportional to the weight concentration of protein in solution such that: ηs = η0 [ 1+0.8 (weight percent concentration)] where η0 and ηs are viscosity coefficients for the pure solvent and the solution, respectively. For 3-40 weight percent, a linear relation of shear rate and shear stress was observed at high shear rates. Linearity began at 3500, 4300, 6800, and 7000 see−1 for 10, 20, 30 and 40 weight percent concentrations respectively. The apparent viscosity was lower below these critical shear rates.
Are biosynthetic reactions in plant cells thermodynamically coupled to glycolysis and the tonoplast proton motive force

The traditional model for anabolic processes, in which biosynthetic reactions are thought to be driven forward by the free energy of hydrolysis of pyrophosphate by soluble pyrophosphatases, is re-evaluated in the light of recent studies on pyrophosphate levels and pyrophosphate-dependent enzymes in plants. It is concluded that the evidence now favors the view that pyrophosphate is metabolized by two major energy-conserving reactions: a PPi-phosphofructokinase and a proton-pumping tonoplast pyrophosphatase. The implications for coupling between anabolic, catabolic and transport processes are discussed.
Depressive symptomology management and falls among middle aged and older adults

Objectives: This study aims to examine the relationship between middle-aged and older adults’ depressive symptomology and anti-depressant use and the frequency of falls within the previous 12 months, controlling for sociodemographic variables, health indicators, and health behaviors.Method: From the 2010 National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, 2338 cases were examined. Falls were categorized into a binary variable, comparing zero falls with one or more falls. An unadjusted model was run to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Potential covariates were added into the model, and backward elimination was used among independent variables with a univariate P < 0.05 to identify the covariates with the strongest association with falls. This final adjusted binary logistic regression model was then used to examine the relationship between falls and the independent variables.Results: In the adjusted model, anti-depressant use was positively associated with falls (P = 0.001)...
Chronic toxicity of cubé

Abstract The effects of feeding cube powder to rats for two years at dietary levels of 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 ppm, and to dogs for 28 months at levels of 50, 150, and 400 ppm have been presented. Cube at all levels, except 50 ppm, inhibited growth of rats. No histopathologic change attributable to cube ingestion was noted at any level. The incidence of gross mammary tumors, nephritis, and pituitary lesions at the higher levels was less than in the controls. One dog at the 150 ppm level died after 20 months with hepatic pathology not attributed to cube toxicity. No clinical or hematologic effects were noted in the remaining dogs.
Blogging privacy rule orientations, privacy management, and content deletion practices: The variability of online privacy management activity at different stages of social media use

The purpose of this study was to examine social media users' blogging privacy rule orientations, privacy management regulation, and content deletion practices as distinct types of activity occurring at different stages of the blogging process (before, during, and after blogging) that may aid in understanding the functioning of blogging disclosure activity overall. The study was guided by a complementary application of both the uses and gratifications perspective and communication privacy management (CPM) theory. A central tenet of both theories suggests that people are variably active in their communication behavior. We identified five discrete blogger privacy rule orientations explaining different online choice-making practices: the self-centric, the utilitarian, the planner, the protector, and the unworried orientations toward blogging. We also identified six different motives for deleting previously-posted information: conflict management, protection of personal identity/safety, fear of retribution, employment security, impression management, emotional regulation, and relational cleansing. Path analysis revealed several direct and indirect paths among bloggers' motives for deleting previously posted material and their level of disinhibition, blogging privacy rule orientations, amount of time blogging, and privacy management practices. As use of social media increases, exploring variations in privacy management regulation practices is critical.
Prospects for Nuclear Electric Propulsion Using Closed-Cycle Magnetohydrodynamic Energy Conversion

Nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) has long been recognized as a major enabling technology for scientific and human exploration of the solar system, and it may conceivably form the basis of a cost-effective space transportation system suitable for space commerce. The chief technical obstacles to realizing this vision are the development of efficient, high-power (megawatt-class) electric thrusters and the development of low specific mass (less than 1 kg/kWe) power plants. Furthermore, comprehensive system analyses of multimegawatt class NEP systems are needed in order to critically assess mission capability and cost attributes. This Technical Publication addresses some of these concerns through a systematic examination of multimegawatt space power installations in which a gas-cooled nuclear reactor is used to drive a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator in a closed-loop Brayton cycle. The primary motivation for considering MHD energy conversion is the ability to transfer energy out of a gas that is simply too hot for contact with any solid material. This has several intrinsic advantages including the ability to achieve high thermal efficiency and power density and the ability to reject heat at elevated temperatures. These attributes lead to a reduction in system specific mass below that obtainable with turbine-based systems, which have definite solid temperature limits for reliable operation. Here, the results of a thermodynamic cycle analysis are placed in context with a preliminary system analysis in order to converge on a design space that optimizes performance while remaining clearly within established bounds of engineering feasibility. MHD technology issues are discussed including the conceptual design of a nonequilibrium disk generator and opportunities for exploiting neutron-induced ionization mechanisms as a means of increasing electrical conductivity and enhancing performance and reliability. The results are then used to make a cursory examination of piloted Mars missions during the 2018 opportunity.
Adjoint Method and Predictive Control for 1-D Flow in NASA Ames 11-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel

This paper describes a modeling method and a new optimal control approach to investigate a Mach number control problem for the NASA Ames 11-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel. The flow in the wind tunnel is modeled by the 1-D unsteady Euler equations whose boundary conditions prescribe a controlling action by a compressor. The boundary control inputs to the compressor are in turn controlled by a drive motor system and an inlet guide vane system whose dynamics are modeled by ordinary differential equations. The resulting Euler equations are thus coupled to the ordinary differential equations via the boundary conditions. Optimality conditions are established by an adjoint method and are used to develop a model predictive linear-quadratic optimal control for regulating the Mach number due to a test model disturbance during a continuous pitch
Superconductivity of rare earth-iron silicides

Abstract A series of RE2Fe3Si5 ternary compounds is formed with scandium, yttrium and the rare earth elements samarium through lutetium except europium. The lutetium, scandium and yttrium members are superconducting, lutetium and scandium exhibiting the highest critical temperatures yet observed for iron compounds.
An order release mechanism for a flexible flow system

Order release is where orders are released to the shop floor for processing. An Order Release Mechanism (ORM) can control order release, such that orders are selectively released so as to improve shop management and performance. This paper reports on the development of an ORM for a specific Flexible Flow System (FFS), where the primary criterion in running the system is flow time. The ORM determines what order to release when, and makes the routeing decisions for each order. Using a simulation model, the performance of the FFS with the ORM was compared to present practice without an ORM and an ‘off-the-shelf’ ORM from the literature, namely CONWIP. It is found that the ORM not only improves the mean time that orders spend in the shop under all load conditions, but also reduces the variance of this measure. It would be expected that the total time that orders spend in the system increases with the ORM, at least compared to immediate release, but at high load levels it is found that this measure also decrea...
A brief review of hardware for catheter tracking in magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has traditionally been used exclusively in a role for patient diagnosis. However, it is unlikely that this role is sufficient for its continued prominence in medical imaging. Instead, the more ambitious role in diagnosis and also therapy intervention will occur as demand for minimally invasive procedures increases. Fortunately, with recent improvement in technical specifications and creative pulse sequence design, MRI systems can now provide high quality near-real-time images that facilitate a variety of image-guided procedures, many based around delivery via catheters. While X-ray opacity is not available as a means for detecting the progression of the catheter in MRI systems today, a variety of novel hardware devices have been designed and used for MRI catheter tracking. This report provides a brief review of some fundamental methods for catheter tracking in MRI.
A pediatric screening instrument to detect problematic infant–parent interactions: Initial reliability and validity in a sample of high‐ and low‐risk infants

The purpose of this study was to determine the initial reliability and validity of a screening instrument developed to detect problematic interactions between infants and parents as part of a pediatric well-baby exam. Participants included 117 infant–mother dyads (57 preterms and 60 full terms) assessed when infants were 6 to 9 months old. Mothers and infants were observed playing an interactional game such as peek-a-boo during the course of the pediatric exam. The game was scored for degree of interactional reciprocity using the Pediatric Infant Parent Exam (PIPE). Acceptable levels of interrater reliability were achieved. As predicted, higher risk infants and their mothers exhibited more problematic interactions than lower risk infants and their mothers. Results indicated that the PIPE was a reliable means of screening for interactional difficulties, that was sensitive to, but not synonymous with, neonatal health indices. ©2001 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.
1,25-(OH2)D3 Alters the Transforming Growth Factor β Signaling Pathway in Renal Tissue

Abstract Background. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 ) plays an important role in regulating immune responses, in addition to its effects on bone metabolism. The cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) regulates diverse biological processes, including cellular proliferation and differentiation, immune modulation, and modulation of extracellular matrix deposition. 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 interacts in vitro with Smad proteins, important regulators of TGF-β signal transduction. We hypothesized that exogenous 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 would alter levels of TGF-β 1 and TGF-β 1 signaling proteins in renal tissue. Methods. C57BL6 mice and Lewis rats were placed on diets with or without 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 for 14 days. Renal lysates were examined for TGF-β 1 , vitamin D receptor (VDR), and Smad3 protein levels using a cell proliferation assay and Western blot analysis. Coimmunoprecipitation was used to determine if any interaction between VDR and Smad3 proteins occurs in vivo . Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for all of these molecules. Results. Vitamin D supplementation decreased VDR and Smad3 protein levels. Coimmunoprecipitation of VDR and Smad3 revealed a Smad3–VDR interaction in vivo . Vitamin D–treated rats had a significant ( P = 0.001) reduction in bioactive renal TGF-β 1 . RT-PCR demonstrated no difference in mRNA expression for either VDR or TGF-β 1 . Conclusion. Our results suggest that vitamin D has a significant effect in regulating levels of bioactive TGF-β 1 and appears to affect aspects of the TGF-β 1 signaling system. These effects, in combination with the immunomodulatory actions of vitamin D, may alter the evolution of chronic rejection in renal transplants.
Postoperative Morbidity Index: A Quantitative Measure of Severity of Postoperative Complications

Background Postoperative complications are key outcomes of surgical procedures, but currently there is no uniform quantitative measure of complication severity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and establish feasibility of quantitative morbidity scores for several common abdominal surgical procedures. Study Design Using American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data, complications were identified in 5 common abdominal procedures for one institution in 2005-2008, including inguinal hernia, appendectomy, laparoscopic colectomy, hepatectomy, and pancreaticoduodenectomy. Complications were graded by the 6-level "expanded" Accordion Severity Grading System. Quantification was performed using severity scores described previously. Results Six hundred and seventy-six procedures were identified, including 88 patients (13.84%) who had complications and 5 patients (0.79%) who died. After severity weighting, the postoperative morbidity index (PMI) for each procedure was derived. An index of 0 would indicate no complication in any patient and an index of 1.000 would indicate that all operated patients died. PMIs were hernia repair 0.005; appendectomy 0.031; laparoscopic colectomy 0.082; hepatectomy 0.145; and pancreaticoduodenectomy 0.150. PMI of hepatectomy was greatly affected by the presence of a second procedure, ie, 0.070 without a second procedure and 0.427 with a second procedure. Weighted severity spectragrams were developed, portraying the impact of each grade of complication on overall morbidity. Conclusions Quantification of severity of postoperative complications is possible using American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program methods and the Accordion Severity Grading System. Procedural PMI can be useful in assessing surgical outcomes. Certain limitations, particularly the need for risk adjustment, still need to be addressed.
Successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in a patient with dextrocardia

A 49-year-old woman with dextrocardia and situs inversus underwent catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. A contrast injection into the left atrium revealed that the left atrial appendage (LAA) was adjacent to the right-sided (anatomic left) superior pulmonary vein (PV). After successful isolation of that PV, LAA potentials were recorded from several electrode pairs of a circular PV mapping catheter. LAA may cause similar difficulties during PVI of the right-sided superior PV in a dextrocardia patient, as during PVI of the left superior PV in a normal heart.
Acousto-optic tunable filter based visible- to near-infrared spectropolarimetric imager

A compact, lightweight, robust, and field-portable spectropo- larimetric imager is developed to acquire spectropolarimetric images both in the laboratory and outdoors. This imager uses a tellurium dioxide (TeO2) acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) as an agile spectral selection element and a nematic liquid-crystal variable retardation (LCVR) plate as a tunable polarization selection device with an off-the-shelf charge- coupled device (CCD) camera and optics. The spectral range of opera- tion is from 400 to 800 nm with a 10-nm spectral resolution at 600 nm. Each spectral image is acquired with two retardation values correspond- ing to the horizontal and vertical incident polarizations. The operation of the imager and image acquisition is computer controlled. We describe the instrument and its operation and present results of our measure- ments. © 2002 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
The Assembly Pathway of an Icosahedral Single-Stranded RNA Virus Depends on the Strength of Inter-Subunit Attractions

The strength of attraction between capsid proteins (CPs) of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) is controlled by the solution pH. Additionally, the strength of attraction between CP and the single-stranded RNA viral genome is controlled by ionic strength. By exploiting these properties, we are able to control and monitor the in vitro co-assembly of CCMV CP and single-stranded RNA as a function of the strength of CP–CP and CP–RNA attractions. Using the techniques of velocity sedimentation and electron microscopy, we find that the successful assembly of nuclease-resistant virus-like particles (VLPs) depends delicately on the strength of CP–CP attraction relative to CP–RNA attraction. If the attractions are too weak, the capsid cannot form; if they are too strong, the assembly suffers from kinetic traps. Separating the process into two steps—by first turning on CP–RNA attraction and then turning on CP–CP attraction—allows for the assembly of well-formed VLPs under a wide range of attraction strengths. These observations establish a protocol for the efficient in vitro assembly of CCMV VLPs and suggest potential strategies that the virus may employ in vivo.
From continuous to Multiple-valued data

In modern science, significant advances are typically made at cross-roads of disciplines. Thus, many optimization problems in Multiple-valued Logic Design have been successfully approached using ideas and techniques from Artificial Intelligence. In particular, improvements in multiple-valued logic design have been made by utilizing information/uncertainty measures. In this respect, the paper addresses the problem known as discretization and introduces a method of finding an optimal representation of continuous data in the multiple-valued domain. The paper introduces new information density measures and an optimization criterion. We propose an algorithm that incorporates new measures and is applied to both unsupervised and supervised discretization. The experimental results on continuous-valued benchmarks are given to demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the algorithm.
Recursive Power Allocation in Gaussian Layered Broadcast Coding with Successive Refinement

A transmitter without channel state information wishes to send a delay-limited Gaussian source over a slowly fading channel that has a finite number of discrete fading states. The source is coded in layers, with each layer successively refining the description in the previous one. These coded source layers are then superimposed and simultaneously transmitted to the receiver. The receiver decodes the layers that are supported by the realization of the channel, and combines the descriptions in the decoded layers to reconstruct the source up to a distortion. The expected distortion is minimized by optimally allocating the transmit power among the given number of source layers. For two layers, the allocation is optimal when power is first assigned to the higher layer up to a power ceiling that depends only on the channel fading distribution; all remaining power, if any, is allocated to the lower layer. For multiple layers, the overall expected distortion can be written as a set of recurrence relations, and the minimum expected distortion is found by recursively applying the two-layer optimization procedure at each recurrence step.
Boron and Boron Carbide Materials: Nanostructures and Crystalline Solids

Owing to the rapid developments related to the novel B x C y N z ternary structures, the pedagogical review chapter has several antecedents as new results have emerged. Specifically, we will focus on the B x C y (with x, y ;= ;0–1) hybrid material where the qualitative trend, in general, can be described by the ratio of its constituents. There is, however, a significant asymmetric popularity between the boron and carbon in the scientific literature. Carbon-based structures are well studied compared with boron-based structures. Consequently, understanding of the role played by boron in the formation of the B x C y hybrid structures remains somewhat incomplete. We, therefore, devote a substantial part of discussion on the boron-related structures with an aim to achieve the goal of a complete understanding of the physics and chemistry of the hybrid B x C y material.
Topical 5-fluorouracil is ineffective in the treatment of extensive alopecia areata

We report the results of a pilot study of topical 5% 5-fluorouracil (FU) cream for the treatment of alopecia areata, an immunologically modulated disorder of hair growth. Patients with extensive (>50% scalp surface area involvement) alopecia areata that was refractory to previous treatments applied 5-FU to one side of their scalp twice daily for 3 to 6 months. In all, 9 patients enrolled, and 8 completed the study. No patient experienced measurable hair growth on the treated side. Only mild irritation was observed in a subset of patients with application of 5-FU to the nonphotodamaged scalp skin. Based on these results, we cannot recommend the use of topical 5-FU for treatment of alopecia areata without further evidence of therapeutic benefit.
Early-life exposure to high-fat diet may predispose rats to gender-specific hepatic fat accumulation by programming Pepck expression

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) produces phosphoenolpyruvate during glyceroneogenesis. We previously demonstrated that a high-fat diet during pregnancy induced Pepck mRNA expression in neonatal rat pups, which is characterized by histone modifications in specific regions of the gene (Strakovsky RS, Zhang X, Zhou D, Pan YX. Gestational high fat diet programs hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expression and histone modification in neonatal offspring rats. The Journal of Physiology 2011;589:2707–17). In the present study, we investigated whether these alterations persistent in adult offspring. Dams were fed either control or high-fat diet throughout gestation and lactation. Offspring were placed on control diet after weaning, generating C/C and HF/C groups. Liver was collected at 12 weeks of age. Hepatic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced) (NADH) level was increased in both genders, but fat accumulation occurred only in liver of female offspring in HF/C group. This was accompanied by a significant increase of Pepck and fatty acid synthase (Fasn) mRNA expression in only female liver. The induction of Pepck gene expression in females was associated with increased dimethylated histone H3 lysine 4 level in multiple regions of the gene. Meanwhile, acetylated histone H3 and trimethylated histone H3 lysine 4 were induced at a specific coding region in HF/C, accompanied by decreased trimethylated histone H3 lysine 9 level at the promoter of female offspring. In conclusion, maternal high-fat diet programs Pepck expression through histone modifications in adult female offspring. Persistent Pepck induction in females may contribute to increased triglyceride synthesis, together with induced Fasn expression and NADH levels, which may lead to increased fat deposition in a gender-specific manner.
Biopsy-confirmed CNS Lyme disease: MR appearance at 1.5 T.

A healthy 41-year-old wife of a deer hunter initially complained of a red ulcerat ed anterior chest wall lesion. The lesion was dissected and yielded a ti ck, with subsequent re solution of the lesion . Approx­ imately 3 months later she noted flulike symptoms and an un steady gait. These symptoms resolved after a 2-week course of meclizine and a tetracycline-derivative antibiotic. A 6-month symptom-free in­ terval was then followed by recurrent unsteady gait and left hemibody seizures. MR imaging of the brain demonstrated multiple parenchymal lesions suggesting a demyelinating or inflammatory process. The pati ent's neurologic statu s continued to decline despite a second course of oral tetracyclin e, and she was referred to our institution for further evaluation. Serum Lyme indirect immunofluorescence assay (I FA) was positive with an lgG titer of 1 :256 , and Lyme en zyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELI SA) was elevated at 1.23 (normal range < 0.9) . A rapid plasma reag in and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay were nonreactiv e. Serial CSF examinations were unrevealing except for the presence of oligoclonal band s. The pati ent was ataxic and was oriented only to person at the time of our initial high-field (1 .5-T) MR examin ati on (G.E . Medical Systems, Milwaukee). This demonstrated multiple lesions (high sign al on long TR /TE (3500/ 30 ,90/ 2 TR /TE/
Targeting the insulin-like growth factor receptor pathway in lung cancer: problems and pitfalls:

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway is a complex pathway involving interactions between membrane-bound receptors, ligands, binding proteins, downstream effectors, and other receptor tyrosine kinase signaling cascades. The IGF pathway has been identified as a potential therapeutic target in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on the following provocative factors. Preclinical observations in NSCLC have shown that this pathway is involved in tumor cell proliferation, survival, and invasiveness. In addition, IGF-1R protein expression is found in a significant number of non-small cell tumor specimens. Initial therapeutic efforts involved the development of monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors that target IGF-1R, a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase. Enthusiasm for targeting this pathway increased when a randomized phase II study showed that combining an anti-IGF-1R monoclonal antibody (figitumumab) with a platinum doublet resulted in a higher response rate and trends for superior progression-free survival and overall survival. Subsequently, a phase III study failed to confirm the promising results observed in the phase II trial. Currently, investigators are studying different monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinases targeting IGF-1R. In unselected patients, results presented thus far do not suggest efficacy of this agent. However, retrospective subgroup analyses suggest that circulating IGF-1 levels might identify patients who could benefit from treatment with an IGF-1R monoclonal antibody and may warrant further exploratory studies for predictive molecular markers. The purpose of this paper is to briefly discuss the IGF pathway and its relationship with other signaling pathways in lung cancer and to review the ongoing IGF clinical trials and efforts to identify predictive molecular markers.
Inflammation and Triglycerides Partially Mediate the Effect of Prepregnancy Body Mass Index on the Risk of Preeclampsia

The objective of this study was to quantify the mediating role of inflammation and triglycerides in the association between prepregnancy body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2) and preeclampsia. The authors conducted a nested case-control study of 55 preeclamptic women and 165 pregnant controls from the Pregnancy Exposures and Preeclampsia Prevention Study (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1997-2001). Serum samples collected at < or = 20 weeks' gestation were analyzed for levels of C-reactive protein and triglycerides. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) from a multivariable conditional logistic regression model assessing the total effect of body mass index on preeclampsia risk was compared with the AOR from the same model after results were controlled for C-reactive protein, triglycerides, and confounding factors (direct-effects model). The percentage of the total effect that was mediated through inflammation and triglycerides was calculated as 100 - [ln(direct-effects AOR)/ln(total-effects AOR)]. In the total-effects model, 4- and 8-unit increases in body mass index were associated with 1.7-fold (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3, 2.3) and 2.9-fold (95% CI: 1.6, 5.2) increases in preeclampsia risk, whereas in the direct-effects model, these AORs were 1.4 (95% CI: 1.0, 1.9) and 2.0 (95% CI: 1.0, 3.8), respectively. Inflammation was a more important mediator than triglycerides. These findings suggest that approximately one third of the total effect of body mass index on preeclampsia risk is mediated through inflammation and triglyceride levels.
Problems in interspecies comparisons.

In discussing the risk of cancer, we are concerned with the risk to man. But we rarely have data on man — and hope to get little more, because to have data implies that exposure has been excessive. Accordingly we must use data on animals, and it is then necessary to find out how to use these data to predict human cancers.
Life Testing of Tungsten Filament Triodes

It is first pointed out that triodes are life tested primarily as an aid to the manufacturers in proving their performance and useful length of service rather than to obtain any average life figure. The apparatus employed and its method of operation, together with the procedure in handling the data, is next described. Some actual results obtained are then given to illustrate the methods employed and results obtained. These results are given in the form of tables and curves. One point emphasized thruout the paper is that triode life is just as much a variable as other factors such as electron emission or impedance.
Police Training and Management Impact Sexual Assault Conviction Rates in Boston

This study attempts to explain low sexual assault conviction rates in Boston. Patrol officers are generally first-responders to emergency 911 call-ins and their task is to secure the crime scene. But often sexual assault goes unreported and first-responders can be misguided by victims as to the extent of their victimisation. However, when sex offenders are apprehended, the case is generally dismissed because of a lack of evidence or a credible witness. Do law enforcement officers intentionally overlook evidence that could lead to detection and conviction of sex offenders? The hypothesis tested was that sexual assault training and supervision styles affect the likelihood of first-responder attempts to identify and secure sexual assault evidence. To test this theory, 319 Boston officers were surveyed and eight were interviewed. The hypothesis was supported. One implication arising from the findings is that training and supervision styles affect sex offender detection and conviction rates. It is recommended ...
Site-specific binding of a PPR protein defines and stabilizes 5′ and 3′ mRNA termini in chloroplasts

Chloroplast mRNA populations are characterized by overlapping transcripts derived by processing from polycistronic precursors. The mechanisms and functional significance of these processing events are poorly understood. We describe a pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein, PPR10, whose binding defines mRNA segments derived from two transcription units in maize chloroplasts. PPR10 interacts in vivo and in vitro with two intergenic RNA regions of similar sequence. The processed 5 0 and 3 0 RNA termini in these regions overlap by approximately 25 nucleotides. The PPR10-binding sites map precisely to these overlapping sequences, and PPR10 is required specifically for the accumulation of RNAs with these termini. These findings show that PPR10 serves as a barrier to RNA decay from either the 5 0 or 3 0 direction and that a bound protein provides an alternative to an RNA hairpin as a barrier to 3 0 exonucleases. The results imply that protein ‘caps’ at both 5 0 and 3 0 ends can define the termini of chloroplast mRNA segments. These results, together with recent insights into bacterial RNA decay, suggest a unifying model for the biogenesis of chloroplast transcript populations and for the determinants of chlo
Analysis of ozone in the San Joaquin Valley of California

Abstract The dynamics of ozone in the San Joaquin Valley of central California are studied by systematic diagnostic runs of the three-dimensional SARMAP Air Quality Model. Air quality in the San Joaquin Valley is the result of a complex combination of local and transported emissions. Simulations show that relatively brisk winds at points of inflow to the Valley produce a strong dependence of ozone in the Valley on upwind conditions. Furthermore, NOx influx from boundaries and local emissions has significantly greater impact on ozone production than ROG influx and emissions.
Fast low-angle dual spin-echo (FLADE): a new robust pulse sequence for structural imaging of trabecular bone.

Mechanical strength and fracture resistance of trabecular bone (TB) are largely determined by the structural arrangement of individual trabeculae. Fast 3D spin-echo approaches are preferable to gradient echoes in that they are less sensitive to local induced gradients at the bone/marrow interface caused by magnetic susceptibility difference between the two tissues. FLASE is a 3D pulse sequence that serves this purpose. Here, we present a new pulse sequence dubbed FLADE (fast low-angle dual spin-echo) that overcomes some of the limitations inherent to FLASE, such as sensitivity to artifactual stimulated echoes. The double-echo sequence features a flip angle <90 degrees allowing for TR ≪ T1. The second phase-reversal pulse has the dual function of creating a second echo and restoring inverted longitudinal magnetization. The prolonged TR, made possible by sampling only half of kz-space, is used to collect navigator echoes in adjacent slabs for sensing subpixel translational displacements. FLADE is shown to provide SNR comparable to FLASE while having narrower point-spread function and being more robust to imperfections in the nonselective 180 degree pulses. Structural parameters derived from the in vivo images with the two pulse sequences are highly correlated, therefore suggesting that clinical data obtained with either pulse sequence can be merged. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Price of Rights: Regulating International Labor Migration

Labour migration policy is full of thorny moral questions, complex tradeoffs and political minefields. In The Price of Rights: Regulating International Labor Migration, Martin Ruhs addresses one of the grittiest ethical questions that governments, international organisations and sending countries must face: Is it better for more people to have opportunities to move and improve their lives, even if they do so at a disadvantage relative to natives?
Systematically evolving configuration parameters for computational intelligence methods

The configuration of a computational intelligence (CI) method is responsible for its intelligence (e.g. tolerance, flexibility) as well as its accuracy. In this paper, we investigate how to automatically improve the performance of a CI method by finding alternate configuration parameter values that produce more accurate results. We explore this by using a genetic algorithm (GA) to find suitable configurations for the CI methods in an integrated CI system, given several different input data sets. This paper describes the implementation and validation of our approach in the domain of software testing, but ultimately we believe it can be applied in many situations where a CI method must produce accurate results for a wide variety of problems.
Selective Attention Supports Working Memory Maintenance by Modulating Perceptual Processing of Distractors

Selective attention has been shown to bias sensory processing in favor of relevant stimuli and against irrelevant or distracting stimuli in perceptual tasks. Increasing evidence suggests that selective attention plays an important role during working memory maintenance, possibly by biasing sensory processing in favor of to-be-remembered items. In the current study, we investigated whether selective attention may also support working memory by biasing processing against irrelevant and potentially distracting information. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded while subjects (n = 22) performed a delayed-recognition task for faces and shoes. The delay period was filled with face or shoe distractors. Behavioral performance was impaired when distractors were congruent with the working memory domain (e.g., face distractor during working memory for faces) relative to when distractors were incongruent with the working memory domain (e.g., face distractor during shoe working memory). If attentional biasing against distractor processing is indeed functionally relevant in supporting working memory maintenance, perceptual processing of distractors is predicted to be attenuated when distractors are more behaviorally intrusive relative to when they are nonintrusive. As such, we predicted that perceptual processing of distracting faces, as measured by the face-sensitive N170 ERP component, would be reduced in the context of congruent (face) working memory relative to incongruent (shoe) working memory. The N170 elicited by distracting faces demonstrated reduced amplitude during congruent versus incongruent working memory. These results suggest that perceptual processing of distracting faces may be attenuated due to attentional biasing against sensory processing of distractors that are most behaviorally intrusive during working memory maintenance.
Geographic spread of exotic species: Ecological lessons and opportunities from the invasion of the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha

The spatial and temporal dynamics of the recent invasion of North American fresh waters by the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha are reviewed in terms of the mechanistic bases behind the dispersal and colonization processes. The planktonic phase of the life cycle (the veliger), the ability of the benthic stage to attach to sub- merged objects, and the prominence of human activities as vectors for dispersal has promoted rapid spread of this aquatic pest to 18 states in the USA and two provinces in Canada within the first seven years of its introduction into the Laurentian Great Lakes. So far, the majority of range expansion has occurred within commercially navi- gable waters, and thus commercial shipping appears to be the most important vector of spread within connected bodies of water, especially to areas upstream of estab- lished populations. In contrast, overland spread to iso- lated inland waters appears to occur more slowly, and by early 1994 adult mussels had only been found in eight inland lakes. Although there are many potential vectors of overland spread, transient recreational boating activity is suspected of being the primary means of overland disper- sal and several mechanisms associated with boating have been shown to be capable of transporting mussels in large numbers. Studies on waterfowl indicate that although ducks are capable of transporting zebra mussels, the rate of transport is quite small relative to boating activity. Other methods of inferring the relative importance of dis- persal vectors are outlined, and an example of predicting the spread on the basis of regional patterns of recre- ational boating traffic is given. Finally, studies on the demographic conditions necessary for the establishment of new populations are suggested as a rewarding area of further research. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Limited
A fault model with variable slip duration for the 1989 Loma Prieta, California, earthquake determined from strong-ground-motion data

Abstract A finite-fault model with variable slip duration is inferred from strong-ground-motion data for the Loma Prieta earthquake. Unlike previous models, slip duration is found to be consistent with fault width scaling. Slip duration varies between 1 and 6 sec at points along the fault surface with values between 3 and 6 sec, where slip amplitudes obtain or exceed the average slip of 98 cm. Modest high-frequency modifications of the slip function shape greatly enhance the data fit without significantly changing the inferred static offset or rupture characteristics. This model exhibits bilateral rupture with the propagation rate of the main energy release of 3 km/sec or less. The moment is 2.3 × 10 26 dyne-cm, and the largest slip amplitudes occur northwest of the hypocenter. The rake varies with position along the fault from dominantly strike slip in the southeast to dominantly reverse slip in the northwest.
Differences between mature ovarian and oviductal oocytes: a study using the golden hamster

To investigate whether mature ovarian oocytes are physiologically identical with recently ovulated oocytes, hamster oocytes collected from ovaries approximately 1 h before ovulation were compared with the oocytes which had been in the oviduct for 3-4 h. Although these two groups of oocytes were at the metaphase of the second meiosis, there were quantitative differences between the two with respect to (i) sensitivity of cumulus matrix to hyaluronidase and spermatozoa (oviductal greater than ovarian), (ii) size of the perivitelline space (oviductal greater than ovarian), (iii) viscosity of the ooplasm (ovarian greater than oviductal), (iv) responsiveness to Ca2+-ionophore (oviductal greater than ovarian), and (v) time needed in completing meiosis (ovarian greater than oviductal). The most prominent difference was found in the zona pellucida. The zona of the oviductal oocyte was 'heterogeneous' in its optical density and had a stronger acrosome-reaction-inducing ability than that of the ovarian oocyte. When cultured in artificial media (e.g. F-10 medium with serum) for 4 h, the ooplasm of ovarian oocytes became like that of oviductal oocytes. However, their zonae remained unchanged. Zonae of ovarian oocytes became like those of oviductal oocytes only when they were exposed to ampullary and/or isthmic fluids. The zona-altering factors in the oviductal fluid (oviductal glycoproteins), which are apparently integrated into the native zona, may act to enhance the various functions of the zona.
MCMM clock tree optimization based on slack redistribution using a reduced slack graph

Modern clock networks are required to operate in multiple corners and in multiple modes (MCMM). An initially constructed clock tree may contain different timing violations in different mode and corner combinations. Clock tree optimization (CTO) is employed to remove these timing violations. We propose a CTO framework based on slack redistribution using a reduced slack graph. The main idea is to reduce the MCMM problem to an equivalent single-corner single-mode (SCSM) problem using delay adjustment linearization. Using the equivalent SCSM problem, a linear program is solved to determine a set of delay adjustments to remove the timing violations. Next, the delay adjustments are realized using feasible delay adjustment ranges. The experimental results show that the proposed framework obtains average reductions of 84% and 83% in the total negative slack and the worst negative slack, respectively, at the expense of a 4% capacitive overhead.
Improving Depth of Field and Reducing Volume in Annular Folded Imagers

We present an arc-section eight-fold imager with depth of field increased 4x and volume reduced 5x compared to its symmetric counterpart. We also present the design of a pupil-phase encoded four-fold imager.