cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implications of Recombinant Erythropoietin Therapy for Renal Transplantation

We previously reported on the efficiency by which endogenous erythropoietin production corrects anemia after successful renal transplantation. Recent clinical experience with recombinant human erythropoietin in renal failure has demonstrated major benefit in correcting anemia with few adverse consequences. This article reviews our experience to date with recombinant human erythropoietin use in transplant recipients and explores the impact of therapy for the dialysis population awaiting transplantation. The issues of ongoing need for pretransplant blood transfusion, presensitization, organ transplant demand, therapeutic use of human recombinant erythropoietin for chronic rejection, and impact of an expanding, high-quality transplant recipient pool are discussed in the context of the recombinant erythropoietin era.
For Whom The Bird Sings: Context-Dependent Gene Expression

Abstract Male zebra finches display two song behaviors: directed and undirected singing. The two differ little in the vocalizations produced but greatly in how song is delivered. "Directed" song is usually accompanied by a courtship dance and is addressed almost exclusively to females. "Undirected" song is not accompanied by the dance and is produced when the male is in the presence of other males, alone, or outside a nest occupied by its mate. Here, we show that the anterior forebrain vocal pathway contains medial and lateral "cortical–basal ganglia" subdivisions that have differential ZENK gene activation depending on whether the bird sings female-directed or undirected song. Differences also occur in the vocal output nucleus, RA. Thus, although these two vocal behaviors are very similar, their brain activation patterns are dramatically different.
Functional dissection of the ie2 gene product of the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus

Abstract The Pst I-N genomic fragment of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) encodes an immediate-early protein, IE2, that functions as a promiscuous transactivator of other early viral promoters and heterologous promoters both in vivo and in vitro . IE2 contains several sequence motifs that are common to transcriptional activators. We have employed site-directed mutagenesis coupled with transient-expression assays to identify the amino acid sequences of IE2 that are essential for transactivation. Sequential deletion of amino-terminal sequences of IE2 gradually decreased the activity of the protein. Carboxy-terminal truncations of IE2 resulted in a dramatic loss of transactivation activities. Analysis of IE2 internaldeletion mutants demonstrated that the acidic amino acid-rich region between amino acids 198 and 206 possessed significant transactivation potential for all target promoters tested. In addition, squelching phenomena exhibited by wild-type IE2 and IE2 deletions containing the acidic amino acid-rich region indirectly demonstrated that this region may be involved in interactions with factors of the basic transcription machinery.
Learning in rhesus monkeys after amygdalectomy in infancy or adulthood

Abstract This study examined the learning abilities of mature rhesus monkeys that had been subjected to bilateral amygdalectomy either during infancy or adulthood. At 4 1 2 years of age, 6 female monkeys that had been amygdalectomized in infancy and 12 neurologically intact controls were trained on a barpress avoidance problem. At 6 years, half the controls were amygdalectomized. At 7 1 2 years, the infant-operated, adult-operated and control monkeys were trained on shock-motivated problems, including a panelpress avoidance and 15 position reversals, and food-motivated problems, including delayed alternation and 15 position reversals. Infant-amygdalectomized monkeys required significantly more sessions than controls to meet the barpress avoidance criterion at 4 1 2 years, and they also took longer to extinguish the response. At 7 1 2 years, neither the infant- nor the adult-operated monkeys exhibited any difficulty with the shock-motivated problems. On the food-motivated problems, however, both amygdalectomy groups made more perseverative errors than the controls. The cumulative results from this study and from previous studies with these animals suggest that amygdalectomy in infancy produces no long-term sparing of function in monkeys. When infant- and adult-operated monkeys are tested at the same age, their deficits are indistinguishable.
Defending the Possibility of Knowledge

In this paper, I propose a solution to Fitch’s paradox that draws on ideas from Edgington (Mind 94:557–568, 1985), Rabinowicz and Segerberg (1994) and Kvanvig (Nous 29:481–500, 1995). After examining the solution strategies of these authors, I will defend the view, initially proposed by Kvanvig, according to which the derivation of the paradox violates a crucial constraint on quantifier instantiation. The constraint states that non-rigid expressions cannot be substituted into modal positions. We will introduce a slightly modified syntax and semantics that will help underline this point. Furthermore, we will prove results about the consistency of verificationism and the principle of non-omniscience by model-theoretical means. Namely, we prove there exists a model of these principles, and delineate certain constraints they pose on a structure in which they are true.
The robustness of an efficient probabilistic data-based tool for simulating the non-stationary response of non-linear systems

Abstract The stochastic response of dynamic systems has been an area of considerable interest for some time in the analysis of risk and structural reliability. The authors, in previous work, have developed a method which can analyze the response of linear multi-degree-of-freedom systems to completely general data-based non-stationary excitations in a highly efficient and analytical form. The authors extended this work to non-linear system response by using equivalent linearization techniques. This paper explores the range of application of the extension to the analysis of non-linear systems through the use of real and simulated data-sets. In particular, sensitivity issues of non-Gaussianity of the excitation data, and the degree of response non-linearity of the dynamic system, are investigated for their effect on the estimated response using this equivalent linearization-based approach.
Defects in DNA degradation revealed in crystal structures of TREX1 exonuclease mutations linked to autoimmune disease.

Mutations within the human TREX1 3' exonuclease are associated with Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome (AGS) and familial chilblain lupus (FCL). Both AGS and FCL are autoimmune diseases that result in increased levels of interferon alpha and circulating antibodies to DNA. TREX1 is a member of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated SET complex and participates in granzyme A-mediated cell death to degrade nicked genomic DNA. The loss of TREX1 activity may result in the accumulation of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) degradation intermediates that trigger autoimmune activation. The X-ray crystal structures of the TREX1 wt apoprotein, the dominant D200H, D200N and D18N homodimer mutants derived from AGS and FCL patients, as well as the recessive V201D homodimer mutant have been determined. The structures of the D200H and D200N mutant proteins reveal the enzyme has lost coordination of one of the active site metals, and the catalytic histidine (H195) is trapped in a conformation pointing away from the active site. The TREX1 D18N and V201D mutants are able to bind both metals in the active site, but with inter-metal distances that are larger than optimal for catalysis. Additionally, all of the mutant structures reveal a reduced mobility in the catalytic histidine, providing further explanation for the loss of catalytic activity. The structures of the mutant TREX1 proteins provide insight into the dysfunction relating to human disease. Additionally, the TREX1 apoprotein structure together with the previously determined wild type substrate and product structures allow us to propose a distinct mechanism for the TREX1 exonuclease.
Radiologists: The Unsuspecting Subject Matter Experts

The social and political climates are changing rapidly in the United States and the world at large. The threat of a chemical, biologic, radiologic, and/or nuclear event is a rising concern to many. The current Ebola crisis has shed light on health care providers' preparedness for such an event. Radiologists, including radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine specialists, and all radiology subspecialists are considered "subject matter experts" in this area and are likely to be called upon in response to a radiation incident. Although others, such as radiation safety officers, provide important expertise, the clinical leadership will be the responsibility of physicians and other health care providers. However, many radiologists are unaware that they are considered subject matter experts who may be called on to assist, should their local hospital's emergency department need to take care of casualties from a radiation incident. A mass-casualty situation with hundreds of patients would require the immediate assistance of all available medical providers. Radiologists are primed and positioned to take the lead in ensuring preparedness of their local hospital and community, through emergency planning for a radiologic incident, given their combined medical and radiation physics knowledge. Therefore, increasing the skills of radiologists first is the more prudent approach in such planning. This preparation can be done through understanding of the critical components of such scenarios: the threat, types of radiation incidents, contamination, detection, decontamination, and acute radiation syndrome and its treatment. Once the necessary knowledge supplementation has been completed, radiologists can participate in educating their fellow medical colleagues and health care staff, and assist in the radiation-related aspects of an "all hazards" emergency department response, decreasing "radiophobia" in the process.
Acquiring monographic series by approval plan: Is the standing order obsolescent?

During a period of transition to a consolidated approval plan, the Eisenhower Library at Johns Hopkins University studied the effectiveness of many of its standing orders. The study compared the effectiveness of the approval plan with the effectiveness of series subscriptions in terms of cost and timeliness of receipt. The study found that the library's approval vendor was able to provide nearly all titles in monographic series at a substantial discount. Although titles published both in Europe and the United States arrived much later from the approval vendor, little difference existed between the ability of the approval vendor and the ability of the standing order vendors to supply domestic titles quickly. The results led the library to reduce its reliance on standing orders for acquisition of titles in series from both domestic and transatlantic publishers.
Infrared and Raman spectra of the boron trifluoride-dimethyl ether complex

Abstract The infrared spectra of liquid B10F3·(CH32O, B11F3·(CH3)2O, B10F3·(CD3)2O, and B11 F3·(CD3)2O have been observed in the region 300 cm−1 to 4000 cm−1. The Raman spectra of these compounds have also been examined. Assignment of the observed bands has been made which is consistent with the structure of the molecule and the isotopic data.
In situ leaching of uranium using dilute sulfuric acid and molecular oxygen

The technical feasibility of in situ uranium leaching using dilute sulfuric acid and molecular oxygen has been assessed and the important process parameters examined by use of laboratory high pressure leaching columns. The dilute H2SO4/O2 lixiviant was effective in leaching uranium from the ore samples tested. The leaching process was chemical reaction rate limited and can be represented using pseudo first-order kinetics. The leaching rate constant is proportional to the proton concentration of the lixiviant. Much of the uranium was leached from the ore before decomposition of carbonate minerals by the acid was complete. Acid consumption per pound of U3O8 increased sharply as the uranium recovery level exceeded 70%. There appears to be a minimum oxygen pressure for effective uranium leaching. A pressure of 2758 KPa was adequate for the ore samples tested
Head-mounted display efficacy study to aid first responder indoor navigation

AbstractA custom head-mounted display (HMD) integrated into a firefighter's facemask was evaluated for its ability to aid in navigating through large buildings in low-visibility conditions. The HMD was a monocular occluded design with a colour 640×480 pixel LCD mounted low in one's field of view. It showed the subject their real-time location on a floor plan. Subject location was found with an 802.15.4 wireless sensor network by using the received signal strength indicator localization method. The study consisted of two different courses of similar difficulty in different buildings in the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. There were 21 subjects, of which eight of them were firefighters and five of them were female. The subjects completed the courses in the same order, but alternated in treatment condition. Subjects with the HMD returned on average a 38 per cent faster course completion time, a 44 per cent shorter distance travelled, 60 per cent fewer navigation errors, and 60 per cent more...
Commensal ecology, urban landscapes, and their influence on the genetic characteristics of city‐dwelling Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Movement of individuals promotes colonization of new areas, gene flow among local populations, and has implications for the spread of infectious agents and the control of pest species. Wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are common in highly urbanized areas but surprisingly little is known of their population structure. We sampled individuals from 11 locations within Baltimore, Maryland, to characterize the genetic structure and extent of gene flow between areas within the city. Clustering methods and a neighbour-joining tree based on pairwise genetic distances supported an east–west division in the inner city, and a third cluster comprised of historically more recent sites. Most individuals (~95%) were assigned to their area of capture, indicating strong site fidelity. Moreover, the axial dispersal distance of rats (62 m) fell within typical alley length. Several rats were assigned to areas 2–11.5 km away, indicating some, albeit infrequent, long-distance movement within the city. Although individual movement appears to be limited (30–150 m), locations up to 1.7 km are comprised of relatives. Moderate FST, differentiation between identified clusters, and high allelic diversity indicate that regular gene flow, either via recruitment or migration, has prevented isolation. Therefore, ecology of commensal rodents in urban areas and life-history characteristics of Norway rats likely counteract many expected effects of isolation or founder events. An understanding of levels of connectivity of rat populations inhabiting urban areas provides information about the spatial scale at which populations of rats may spread disease, invade new areas, or be eradicated from an existing area without reinvasion.
Effects of fenofibrate on plasma lipoproteins in hypercholesterolemia and combined hyperlipidemia

To investigate the lipoprotein effect of fenofibrate in hypercholesterolemia or combined hyperlipidemia (types II A and II B hyperlipidemias, respectively), 240 patients were recruited and 227 randomized to a double-blind randomized trial lasting 24 weeks and 192 patients continued to participate in an open-label phase for another 24 weeks. A 100-mg dose of fenofibrate or a matching placebo was given three times daily. Fenofibrate side effects in excess of placebo affected 6 percent of fenofibrate users and were confined almost entirely to skin rashes. In 180 hypercholesterolemic patients randomly assigned to receive fenofibrate versus placebo, triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased 38 percent, total cholesterol levels decreased 17.5 percent, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased 20.3 percent with fenofibrate treatment. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased 11.1 percent with a decrease in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio of 27 percent. All differences were statistically significant (p less than 0.01). In combined hyperlipidemic (type II B) patients, triglyceride levels decreased by 45 percent, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased 52.7 percent, total cholesterol levels decreased 16 percent, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased 6 percent, and high-density lipoprotein levels increased 15.3 percent for a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio decrease of 13 percent. All differences were again statistically significant (p less than 0.01). In both groups of patients, the onset of the drug effect was generally rapid, with maximal total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level lowering achieved within four weeks in hypercholesterolemic patients and maximal triglyceride and cholesterol level lowering in hypertriglyceridemic patients achieved in two weeks. Maximum high-density lipoprotein increases occurred after four weeks in type II A patients and 12 to 16 weeks in type II B patients. Fenofibrate is a well-tolerated drug in the fibric acid series and has putatively beneficial effects on triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in both type II A and type II B hyperlipidemic patients. If the lipid hypothesis of atherosclerosis applies to the lipoprotein changes induced by fenofibrate, reductions in cardiovascular disease risk in both type II A and II B hyperlipidemic patients should result from fenofibrate treatment.
Morphological alterations in the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala in unsuccessful psychopaths.

Although deficits in several cortical and subcortical structures have been found in psychopaths, it remains unclear whether the neuropathology differs between subgroups of psychopaths (i.e., unsuccessful and successful). Using both traditional and novel image analyses methods, this study aims to reveal gross and subtle morphological changes in the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala in unsuccessful and successful psychopaths. Volumetric segmentation, cortical pattern matching, and surface-based mesh modeling methods were used to examine prefrontal and amygdala structures in 16 unsuccessful psychopaths, 10 successful psychopaths, and 27 controls. Significant reduced gray matter volume and cortical thickness/ surface shape in the middle frontal, orbitofrontal cortex and the amygdala were found in unsuccessful psychopaths but not successful psychopaths, compared with controls. This study provides the first evidence of greater prefrontal and amygdala structural deficits in unsuccessful psychopaths, which may predispose them to poor behavioral control and impaired decision-making, thus making them more prone to convictions.
A BiCMOS circuit family for a 0.45 mu m CMOS/BiCMOS sea of gates

A BiCMOS standard cell circuit library is mixed in an existing 300 K-CMOS ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) sea of gates featuring 0.45- mu m L/sub eff/ FETs. The 3.6-V BiCMOS circuits with a 15-GHz NPN are compatible in voltage levels with the CMOS. Various terminator/level shifter BiCMOS circuits permit performance from 180 ps to 220 ps. A Booth/Wallace tree 16*16 multiplier and an array of 2700 AND-ORs for a noise experiment have been implemented on a 86 K, 6.7-mm chip. >
Evolution of D0 and non-D0 Light Induced Defect States in a-Si:H Materials and Their Respective Contribution to Carrier Recombination

A study has been carried out on the evolution of light induced defects in protocrystalline (diluted) a-Si:H films under 1 sun illumination. A room temperature reversal is observed in the photocurrents at 25 °C, which is consistent with the relaxation in the recombination currents on corresponding p-i-n solar cells. It is also consistent with the pressure of “fast” states such as have been observed after high intensity illumination. Even with the limitations imposed by the relaxation in the light induced changes on the subgap absorption measurements, the evolution of distinctly different gap states centered around 0.9 and 1.15eV from the conduction band was identified. The kinetics of the electron occupied states, kN(E), at these two energies is compared with that of the neutral dangling bond (D0) densities as measured with electron spin resonance. Because of the similarity between the preliminary results of these kinetics it has not been possible to identify which states correspond to the D0 nor to draw any reliable conclusions about the nature of the different states.
Operating systems specialization (invited talk) (abstract only): experiences, opportunities and challenges

This talk will present a systems-centric view of the opportunities, effectiveness, and challenges of applying specialization techniques to operating systems. The first part of the talk will focus on our experiences using manual and then tool-assisted specialization in the systematic optimization of legacy operating systems software. These experiences were gained in the Synthetix project which explored the use of static, dynamic and incremental optimistic specialization in a variety of operating system contexts, including file system calls in HP-UX, Linux signal delivery, Berkeley packet filter processing, and Sun RPC. The second part of the talk will focus on the lessons learned in Synthetix, the implications for systems, and the key opportunities and challenges for future research.Jonathan Walpole is a Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department at Oregon Graduate Institute. His research interests are in the area of adaptive systems software and its application in distributed, mobile, multimedia computing environments. His work has focused on quality of service specification, adaptive resource management and dynamic specialization for enhanced performance, survivability and evolvability of large software systems.
Corneal Topography: A review, new ANSI standards and problems to solve

This review of corneal topography has three sections: 1. a brief introduction to how corneal topography instruments work. A quantitative comparison of the relative accuracy of slope based and position based instruments is presented. 2. a summary of and commentary on the newly issued ANSI standards for corneal topography. 3. an examination of problems still facing corneal topography.
Mothers influence offspring body size through post-oviposition maternal effects in the redbacked salamander, Plethodon cinereus

In the terrestrial salamander (Plethodon cinereus), previous work has shown that mother’s body size is positively correlated to offspring size at the time of hatching even after controlling for the effects of egg size. This study was designed to determine whether maternal body size affects offspring size via pre-oviposition factors (e.g., yolk quality, jelly coat composition, or maternal genes) or post-oviposition factors (e.g., parental care behaviors, parental modification of environment). Gravid females were captured and induced to lay eggs in experimental chambers in which the environment was standardized. Fifteen clutches were exchanged, or cross-fostered, between female pairs differing in body size. Ten females whose eggs were taken away and then returned served as controls for the crossing treatment. Foster mothers did not significantly differ from control mothers in the time spent with eggs, body position, or number of egg movements during brooding. Average egg mass measured midway through development was not significantly correlated to the body size of either the genetic or foster mother, but was correlated to pre-oviposition oocyte size. At hatching, offspring body length was positively correlated to egg size and the foster mother’s body size. This correlation suggests that in P. cinereus post-oviposition maternal effects have a greater impact on offspring size than other maternal factors incorporated into the egg prior to oviposition. While our study showed that larger mothers moved their eggs less often and tended to spend more time in contact with their eggs, further work needs to be done to identify the specific mechanisms through which larger mothers influence the body size of their offspring. This is the first experimental demonstration of post-oviposition maternal effects for any amphibian with parental care.
The story of why we stay: A review of job embeddedness.

In this article, we examine the history and development of job embeddedness, beginning with the story of the idea’s conception, theoretical foundation, and original empirical structure as a major predictor of employee voluntary turnover. We then consider more recent expansions in the theoretical structure and empirical measurement of job embeddedness, exploring job embeddedness as a causal indicator model versus a reflective model. Next, we review some promising expansions of embeddedness to new domains (e.g., family embeddedness) as well as important contingency factors that enhance or diminish its impact. Finally, we describe how job embeddedness affects important organizational outcomes beyond turnover, including job performance, organizational citizenship behavior, innovation, and the development of social and human capital. Throughout the article, we provide our opinions on how the theory and research on embeddedness have progressed as well as ideas on how it can be improved.
An economic history of Colombia 1845-1930

1. Introduction Part I. The Economic Setting: 2. Bourbon and republican policies, 1763-1845 3. Continuities in agrarian social policy, 1760-1845 Part II. The Liberal Period: 4. The politics and economics of colonial reform, 1845-85 5. Trade expansion under the Liberal reforms, 1845-85 6. Liberalism and agrarian change, 1845-90 7. The anatomy of economic decline in nineteenth-century Colombia Part III. The Expansion of Coffee: 8. Antioqueno colonisation and the expansion of coffee 9. Agriculture, exports and economic development: a Colombian counterpoint 10. The development of transportation 11. A theory of the transition.
The cytochrome bc1 complex: function in the context of structure.

▪ Abstract The bc 1 complexes are intrinsic membrane proteins that catalyze the oxidation of ubihydroquinone and the reduction of cytochrome c in mitochondrial respiratory chains and bacterial photosynthetic and respiratory chains. The bc 1 complex operates through a Q-cycle mechanism that couples electron transfer to generation of the proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis. Genetic defects leading to mutations in proteins of the respiratory chain, including the subunits of the bc 1 complex, result in mitochondrial myopathies, many of which are a direct result of dysfunction at catalytic sites. Some myopathies, especially those in the cytochrome b subunit, exacerbate free-radical damage by enhancing superoxide production at the ubihydroquinone oxidation site. This bypass reaction appears to be an unavoidable feature of the reaction mechanism. Cellular aging is largely attributable to damage to DNA and proteins from the reactive oxygen species arising from superoxide and is a major contributing factor i...
Increased heat loss affects hibernation in golden-mantled ground squirrels

During hibernation at ambient temperatures (Ta) above 0°C, rodents typically maintain body temperature (Tb) ∼1°C above Ta, reduce metabolic rate, and suspend or substantially reduce many physiologi...
Utilization of the Nursing Process to Foster Clinical Reasoning During a Simulation Experience

Nursing practice includes complex reasoning and multifaceted decision making with minimal standardized guidance in how to evaluate this phenomenon among nursing students. Learning outcomes related ...
Abstract B2-49: Coupled cellular decision-making of EMT and stemness: A bottom-up regulatory model

Epithelial cells undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) have often been shown to behave as cancer stem cells (CSCs) but the precise molecular connection remains elusive. At the genetic level, stemness is governed by LIN28/let-7 double inhibition switch, whereas EMT/MET is controlled by miR-200/ZEB double inhibition circuit. The two switches are coupled by LIN28 being inhibited by miR-200, and ZEB being inhibited by let-7. Here, we devise a specific theoretical framework to investigate the dynamics of the LIN28/let-7 system, and show that it can operate as a three-way switch (between low, high and intermediate LIN28 levels termed the D, U and the hybrid D/U states) similar to the three-way operation of the miR-200/ZEB circuit that allows for the existence of a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) or partial EMT phenotype, in addition to epithelial and mesenchymal ones. We find significant correspondence between the existence of the three states of the two circuits: E-D; M-U; E/M-D/U. Incorporating the activation of OCT4 by LIN28, we find that the hybrid E/M phenotype has high likelihood (as compared to either the pure E or M states) to gain stemness. Combining the LIN28/let-7 regulation by NF-kB and c-MYC, we find that NF-kB, but not c-MYC, elevates the likelihood of E/M to gain stemness. Our results are consistent with emerging concept that cells undergoing partial EMT can gain stemness. Citation Format: Mohit Kumar Jolly, Bin Huang, Mingyang Lu, Sendurai A Mani, Herbert Levine, Eshel Ben-Jacob. Coupled cellular decision-making of EMT and stemness: A bottom-up regulatory model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Computational and Systems Biology of Cancer; Feb 8-11 2015; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(22 Suppl 2):Abstract nr B2-49.
Neighborhood conditions, religious coping, and uncontrolled hypertension.

The purpose of this study is to see whether God-mediated control beliefs moderate the relationship between living in rundown neighborhoods and uncontrolled hypertension. God-mediated control refers to the belief that God will help people handle the stressors that arise in life. Data are provided by a nationwide survey of adults (N = 1919). Three ways of assessing uncontrolled hypertension are examined: a binary format contrasting people with and without uncontrolled hypertension, systolic and diastolic blood pressure scored continuously, and a four ordinal category scheme recommended by the American Heart Association. The data suggest that stronger God-mediated control beliefs moderate the relationship between neighborhood conditions and uncontrolled blood pressure when blood pressure is scored continuously and when the American Heart Association scheme are used as outcomes.
Electronic Crosstalk in Aqua MODIS Long-Wave Infrared Photovoltaic Bands

Recent investigations have discovered that Terra MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) long-wave infrared (LWIR) photovoltaic (PV) bands, bands 27–30, have strong crosstalk among themselves. The linear model developed to test the electronic crosstalk effect was instrumental in the first discovery of the effect in Terra MODIS band 27, and through subsequent investigations the model and the correction algorithm were tested further and established to be correct. It was shown that the correction algorithm successfully mitigated the anomalous features in the calibration coefficients as well as the severe striping and the long-term drift in the Earth view (EV) retrievals for the affected Terra bands. Here, the examination into Aqua MODIS using the established methodology confirms the existence of significant crosstalk contamination in its four LWIR PV, although the finding shows the overall effect to be of lesser degree. The crosstalk effect is characterized and the crosstalk correction coefficients are derived for all four Aqua LWIR PV bands via analysis of signal contamination in the lunar imagery. Sudden changes in the crosstalk contamination are clearly seen, as also in the Terra counterparts in previous investigations. These sudden changes are consistent with the sudden jumps observed in the linear calibration coefficients for many years, thus this latest finding provides an explanation to the long-standing but unexplained anomalies in the calibration coefficients of the four Aqua LWIR bands. It is also shown that the crosstalk contamination for these bands are of similar level for the two MODIS instruments in the early mission that can lead to as much as 2 K increase in brightness temperature for the affected bands, thus demonstrating significant impact on the science results already started at the early going. As Aqua MODIS is a legacy sensor, the crosstalk correction to its LWIR PV bands will be important to remove the impact of the crosstalk contamination from its calibration results and the associated science products.
Growth inhibition of Nannochloropsis species by Bacillus pumilus

Abstract Consistent cultivation of robust algae cultures is a major challenge at large scales due to pests that can severely detract from algae productivity. To optimize algae productivity, understanding algae culture ecology will need significant advancement of pest management practices. To date, there is limited knowledge about bacterial pests that affect commercially relevant algal strains. In this study, bacteria were isolated from a poorly performing Nannochloropsis salina culture in a 200-L industrial algae growth system. To determine whether growth-inhibiting bacteria were present, isolated bacteria were re-inoculated into laboratory-scale Nannochloropsis sp. cultures. One isolate, characterized as Bacillus pumilus , inhibited algal growth. Inhibition of algal growth by this isolate was dependent on bacterial growth conditions. It was determined that B . pumilus culture filtrate was capable of inhibiting Nannochloropsis sp., suggesting that an active molecule is released into the culture. Furthermore, B . pumilus did not affect the growth of the weedy algal species, Chlorella vulgaris and Tetraselmis striata . As a result, B . pumilus significantly altered the algal species composition within bialgal cultures, allowing the weedy algae to dominate the culture. This is the first report of a bacterium with a significant negative impact on cultivations of the commercially important genus Nannochloropsis .
Embodied Humanism: Performative Argument for Natural Rights in “the Solitude of Self”

This essay argues that Stanton's 7892 masterwork, “The Solitude of Self.” is a performative argument for embodied humanism. It grounds rights in the material paradox of chance life events and the c...
Hippocampi, Caudate Tail, and Ependymal Variants

Hippocampal cysts are considered incidental, normal variations that occur to varying degrees, and they are particularly dependent on patient age. They are seen in less than 15 % of patients under the age of 30 years but can be found in a majority of those over 70 years of age. Traditionally, such hippocampal cysts are thought to be related to incomplete involution of the hippocampal sulcus.
National Survey on Pediatric Acute Agitation and Behavioral Escalation in Academic Inpatient Pediatric Care Settings

Background Pediatric acute agitation and behavioral escalation (PAABE) is common and disruptive to pediatric inpatient health care. There is a paucity of literature on PAABE in noncritical care inpatient pediatric care settings with little consensus on its evaluation and management. Methods In January 2016, a 34-question survey was e-mailed to pediatric hospitalists and consultation-liaison psychiatrists through their respective professional listservs. Excluded responses included incomplete surveys, and surveys from providers in community care settings. The survey consisted of multiple-choice questions, rating scales, and free-text responses relating to the identification, education, and evaluation and management of PAABE at the respondent's respective hospital. Results Responses were obtained from 38 North American academic children's hospitals. Of the respondents, 69.3% were pediatric hospitalists and 30.7% were pediatric psychiatry consultants. Most respondents practice in urban areas (84.2%), and in hospitals with ≥100 beds (89.4%). Overall, 84.2% of the respondents encountered PAABE at least once a month and as frequently as every week. Most respondents (70.0%) rated PAABE as an 8 or higher on a 10-point Likert scale. Despite being highly important and common, 53.9% of respondents do not screen for risk factors for PAABE, 63.6% reported no formal process to facilitate caregiver involvement in managing PAABE, and 59.7% indicated no physician training in PAABE evaluation and management. Conclusion Many pediatric hospitals identify PAABE as a great concern, yet there is little training, screening, or standardization of care in PAABE. There is a need to consolidate existing knowledge regarding PAABE, while developing enhanced collaboration, training, and standardized practice in inpatient PAABE.
Towards Verification and Validation for Increased Autonomy

This presentation goes over the work we have performed over the last few years on verification and validation of the next generation onboard collision avoidance system, ACAS X, for commercial aircraft. It describes our work on probabilistic verification and synthesis of the model that ACAS X is based on, and goes on to the validation of that model with respect to actual simulation and flight data. The presentation then moves on to identify the characteristics of ACAS X that are related to autonomy and to discuss the challenges that autonomy pauses on VV. All work presented has already been published.
Clues to Discordance and Dissimilarity Between Coronary Stenosis and Lesion-Specific Ischemia.

Traditional diagnostic accuracy statistics have defined discordance between a stenosis and preserved coronary blood flow as a false-positive finding. With expanded use of invasive and noninvasive fractional flow reserve (FFR), as well as positron emission tomography measures of coronary flow reserve, our knowledge base has grown substantially, providing greater insight into the underlying rationale for discordant findings. We now understand that the presence of an obstructive stenosis is but one parameter which may elicit reductions in blood flow and prompt ischemic symptoms. Vessel size, collateral flow, and the length of the diseased segment are a few of the factors influencing coronary blood flow.1 Thus, for any given patient with an obstructive stenosis, reductions in coronary blood flow may or may not be present. Throughout the prior reported series,2,3 limited evidence is available with regards to coronary stenosis severity and location, as well as clinical patient subgroups, where the disconnect between stenosis severity and lesion-specific ischemia with FFR may …
The 2008 tax rebate and US household debt

Starting in May 2008, the US government disbursed over $100 billion to households in the form of tax rebates. Embedded in the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, the rollout was aimed at limiting, or po...
Asymptotic Analysis of Option Pricing Functions

This chapter introduces call and put pricing functions in general asset price models. The chapter first takes up the question of what are the conditions under which a function of two variables (strike price and maturity) is a call pricing function. The answer to this question is given in the form of a characterization theorem for general call pricing functions. The best known call pricing function is without doubt the pricing function in the Black-Scholes model. This celebrated model is discussed in the present chapter and an analytical proof of the Black-Scholes formula is given. Moreover, sharp asymptotic formulas are obtained for call pricing functions in the Hull-White, Stein-Stein, and Heston models.
New Insights into Aging and Renal Osteodystrophy

As the population of the United States, Europe and Pacific Rim Asia ages, the people with chronic renal failure needing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) replacement therapy also are aging. As a result, an increasing number of individuals with the skeletal disorders of the aged are developing chronic renal failure (CRF). Attendant to CRF, renal osteodystrophy (ROD) of varying degrees of severity is almost uniformly present. In the past we have not adequately considered the effects of superimposing ROD on the skeleton of patients with the osteoporosis of aging. This brief pathophysiologic discussion considers some surprising analogies that arise when the two bone disorders are considered together.
Structure and Function of Cell Associated and Pericellular Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans

Publisher Summary Heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans represent a large family of both cell surface and pericellular macromolecules. Proteoglycans are proteins that contain carbohydrates called glycosaminoglycans, which are covalently attached to a central core protein. The proteoglycan central core protein varies in size from approximately 40,000 to greater than 350,000 daltons. The glycosaminoglycans are the polymers of disaccharide repeats that are highly sulfated and therefore negative in charge. HS biosynthesis requires a central core protein that will be modified by the addition of a linkage region to serine residues that are followed by a glycine. HS can interact with a variety of ligands and thus regulate their bioactivities. The identified binding ligands include extracellular matrix components, cell–cell adhesion molecules, growth factors, lipases, lipoproteins, and many other proteins. HS proteoglycans are located both at the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix, pericellular, and surrounding many types of cells in vertebrates as well as invertebrates. Members of cell surface HS proteoglycans include transmembrane syndecans, betaglycan, CD 44, and glycosylphosphoinositol (GPI)-linked glypicans.
Magnetic Resonance Essentials for Correlative Imaging of the Brain with PET and SPECT

Imaging of the brain has become an increasingly complex but also more complete undertaking that lies at the crossroads of many medical specialities. Indeed, anatomical, physiological, and pathological information can be obtained by the combination of multiple imaging parameters that will provide the essential details needed for tissue characterization. Thus, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine are two specialties that can be viewed not as concurrent entities but as mutually beneficial ones, as technology has made giant leaps in both these areas in the last decades. Thus, increasingly, these specialties have cooperated in the work-up of patients with neurological diseases.
Kinetics of Reactive Metabolites and Covalent Binding in Vivo and in Vitro

It has become increasingly evident that many chemically inert foreign compounds are converted in the body to chemically reactive metabolites that react with a number of substances in tissues and thereby cause changes which result in various toxicites including cancer, mutagenesis, cellular necrosis, immunological reactions, blood dyscrasias, and fetal damage (1–11). Because of the seriousness of these toxicities, my laboratory has been engaged in developing a general approach by which we can determine whether a given toxicity is mediated by chemically reactive metabolites.
Biochemical characterization and positional cloning of the var2 variegation mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana

Chloroplasts differentiation and development are highly coordinated with their host cells. To better elucidate the mechanisms involved in nuclear-chloroplast interactions, we characterized a nuclear encoded leaf variegation mutation called var2. While cotyledons appear normal, true leaves of var2 emerge as yellow, then turn into green-white sectors. The green sectors contain cells with normal chloroplasts, whereas the white sectors contain cells with abnormal plastid lacking of internal membrane structures. The phenotypes suggested that VAR2 might be involved in thylakoid biogenesis in early chloroplast differentiation. We cloned the VAR2 gene by a map-based method. Five original and two potential alleles were sequenced. Deduced amino acid sequence of VAR2 revealed that it belonged to a gene super family called AAA-ATPase and especially shared high homology with a subfamily of AAAATPases called FtsH-like metallopeptidase. VAR2 protein contains three domains including two transmembrane segments on the N-terminus, an AAA-ATPase cassette, and a Zinc binding site for metallopeptidase. Chloroplast import experiments using in vitro translated VAR2 protein indicated that VAR2 is localized on the thylakoid membrane with its Cterminus facing the stroma. Northern and Western blots suggested that VAR2 was only expressed in photosynthetic tissues. Both genetic and biochemical analyses suggested that VAR2 forms homo-multimeric complex. The var2 variegation mechanism is discussed.
Halide Photoredox Chemistry.

Halide photoredox chemistry is of both practical and fundamental interest. Practical applications have largely focused on solar energy conversion with hydrogen gas, through HX splitting, and electr...
Experimental considerations for the proximate standoff detection of highly scattering hazardous materials using infrared techniques

Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful laboratory technique for detection of and discrimination between hazardous chemical threats, such as explosive materials, and non-hazardous background chemicals. Transitioning this method to the field however has significant challenges, especially when being deployed as a standoff, or proximate standoff technique. The main issue for proximate standoff detection lies in the ability of a system to collect enough reflected light from a source illuminating a surface to provide chemical information for the target material. This issue is further exacerbated when trying to detect highly scattering materials on surfaces, such as particulates or powders, which are typical forms for explosive materials. While diffuse reflectance from such materials provides good chemical vibrational absorption band information, when being collected at some distance away from the sample, this scattering provides a significant detection challenge. We present detection results for highly scattering inkjet printed explosive standards, collected at proximate standoff distances (~ 0.5 m) in a laboratory environment. Discrimination between these standards using both conventional infrared spectroscopy, as well as NRL’s unique optical filter based biomimetic sensing approach are discussed. This work is meant to inform the rational development of portable infrared optical sensors for detection of explosives at proximate distances in operational environments.
Good Questions 7: How Should Human Milk Banks be Regulated?

The term “human milk” refers to breastmilk used for purposes other than feeding a mother’s own infant, usually to directly meet the needs of other women’s infants especially those who are critically ill. Historically, milk sharing has been done primarily through wet nursing, but human milk banking has been growing rapidly since the beginning of the twentieth century. There are concerns because some banks operate in ways that are exploitative, unsanitary, or provide milk to people who use it for questionable purposes. There is a clear need for regulation of milk banking, not only to limit undesired practices but also to facilitate good practices. This essay suggests a framework for legislation that supports milk banks in achieving their goals while also ensuring that the public’s interests are served.
Unemployment Risk and Accounting Conservatism

We examine the effect of labor unemployment risk on corporate accounting conservatism by exploring the relationship between unemployment insurance benefits and conservatism. We find that lower perceived unemployment risk (i.e. higher unemployment insurance benefits) is associated with lower conditional conservatism. The effect is more pronounced when employees are more exposed to unemployment risk and when the firms face higher bankruptcy or litigation risk.