cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bronchial Reactivity Increases Soon after the Immediate Response in Dual-Responding Asthmatic Subjects

To determine whether bronchial reactivity is augmented soon after an allergen-induced immediate asthmatic response, we compared reactivity to histamine before and immediately upon resolution of the immediate asthmatic response in seven subjects with mild asthma who were known to develop dual asthmatic responses after inhalation of Kentucky bluegrass allergen. Using a body plethysmograph and quiet breathing technique, specific airway resistance (SRaw) and reactivity to aerosol histamine were assessed on two days prior to allergenic challenge. The dose of histamine that doubled SRaw (PC 200 His) was determined by interpolation from histamine dose-reponse curves. On the day of allergenic challenge, each subject inhaled a concentration that was sufficient to induce a dual asthmatic response. Upon resolution of the immediate asthmatic response (45 to 105 minutes) after allergen, the PC 200 His in all cases had decreased more than 50 percent of its original value (PC 200 His for the group was 0.29 ±1.42 mg/ml [mean ± SE], compared to 0.84 ±1.23 mg/ml initially). Seven or more days after the allergen, each subject had a PC 200 His comparable to original values. Our data indicate that airway reactivity in dual-responding asthmatic subjects markedly increases soon after the immediate asthmatic response and much before the late asthmatic response manifests clinically. Whether this early increase in bronchial reactivity is a putative requirement for, or shares common characteristics with the late asthmatic response requires further study.
Assessment of gastrointestinal function and response to megesterol acetate in subjects with gastrointestinal cancers and weight loss

Cancer-associated anorexia/cachexia syndrome (CACS) is common in advanced gastrointestinal malignancies and felt to be due primarily to cytokine-induced appetite suppression. Therapy with an appetite stimulant (megesterol acetate) is commonly employed, but results are sometimes disappointing. We hypothesize that CACS not only suppresses appetite but also interferes with gastrointestinal function. We conducted a prospective study in which 21 subjects with advanced gastrointestinal cancer and weight loss had digestive function. Patients were assessed using an indirect stable isotope method, and nutritional parameters were determined following which patients were treated with megesterol acetate for 4 weeks. Nutritional parameters were then reassessed, weight change determined, and the results were correlated with digestive function results obtained at the initiation of the study. Abnormal gastrointestinal function based on the stable isotope test was common (86% of patients). The majority of the abnormal function appeared to be due to abnormal pancreatic function testing, in which 17/21 subjects recorded low results. Initial albumin, prealbumin, and carotene values were also frequently abnormal (55–65% of patients). Megesterol acetate therapy resulted in a weight gain in most (75%) patients, although serum albumin fell modestly in the group (average decrease of 0.2 mg/dl). However, prealbumin levels rose in 70% and carotene levels rose in 55%. The degree of weight gain was negatively correlated with previous self-reported weight loss (r=−0.53, p<0.05), and positively correlated (p<0.05) with pretherapy carotene (r=0.58), prealbumin (r=0.61) and the pancreatic function (digestive) phase of the digestive function test (r=0.41). These data suggest that abnormal digestive function is commonly seen in subjects with CACS and advanced gastrointestinal cancer, and that both pretherapy digestive function and nutritional status can predict or possibly influence the outcome of hormonal appetite stimulation therapy.
The Structural Basis for Peptidomimetic Inhibition of Eukaryotic Ribonucleotide Reductase: A Conformationally Flexible Pharmacophore

Eukaryotic ribonucleotide reductase (RR) catalyzes nucleoside diphosphate conversion to deoxynucleoside diphosphate. Crucial for rapidly dividing cells, RR is a target for cancer therapy. RR activity requires formation of a complex between subunits R1 and R2 in which the R2 C-terminal peptide binds to R1. Here we report crystal structures of heterocomplexes containing mammalian R2 C-terminal heptapeptide, P7 (Ac−1FTLDADF7) and its peptidomimetic P6 (1Fmoc(Me)PhgLDChaDF7) bound to Saccharomyces cerevisiae R1 (ScR1). P7 and P6, both of which inhibit ScRR, each bind at two contiguous sites containing residues that are highly conserved among eukaryotes. Such binding is quite distinct from that reported for prokaryotes. The Fmoc group in P6 peptide makes several hydrophobic interactions that contribute to its enhanced potency in binding to ScR1. Combining all of our results, we observe three distinct conformations for peptide binding to ScR1. These structures provide pharmacophores for designing highly potent ...
Polarization-maintaining fiber Fabry-Perot tunable filters.

We report what are to our knowledge the first high-performance polarization-maintaining single-mode fiber Fabry-Perot tunable filters. These filters simultaneously exhibited a loss of 30 dB. A unique fabrication technique is developed that utilizes the tunability and the polarization resonance splitting inside the filter to align the birefringent axes at a pigtail-cavity joint. A general criterion is established for aligning polarization-maintaining fibers with elliptical inputs.
Detection and identification of polyphenoloxidase substrates in apple and pear skins.

Abstract A paper chromatographic technique for the detection and identification of substances susceptible to darkening with polyphenoloxidase is described. Color formation occurs with the susceptible substances on the paper after it is sprayed with a polyphenoloxidase enzyme from apples. The principal browning substrate on chromatograms of the skin extract from Grimes Golden and Golden Delicious apple and Bartlett pear was l -epicatechin. Bartlett pear contained also smaller amounts of d -catechin, another browning substrate.
Cooperative formation of higher order peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and retinoid X receptor complexes on the peroxisome proliferator responsive element of the rat hydratase-dehydrogenase gene

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) forms a heterodimer with retinoid X receptor (RXR) that binds to the peroxisome proliferator responsive element (PPRE) to regulate the expression of target genes. PPRE of the rat enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HD) gene has previously been shown to consist of three imperfect TGACCT half-sites and form two distinct complexes (C1 and C2) with the nuclear extracts from H4IIEC3 cells. The present study identifies another imperfect TGACCT motif involved in the PPAR/RXR-mediated trans-activation process and demonstrates that these four imperfect TGACCT motifs constitute an unique binding site consisting of two DR1 elements overlapping a DR2 element. PPAR and RXR cooperatively bind the two DR1 elements to form C1 complex or bind DR2 element to form C2 complex with a 1:1 ratio. Saturation of the HD PPRE probes with receptor proteins cannot convert the heterodimeric C2 complex to the higher order C1 complex, suggesting that they are formed independently. Transfection analyses indicate that mutation of any one of these TGACCT motifs or truncation of the entire HD PPRE into a separate DR1 and DR2 element significantly reduced the transcriptional response of HD PPRE to peroxisome proliferators. The rat HD PPRE differentially binds with one or two PPAR/RXR heterodimers providing the peroxisome proliferator signaling pathway with two levels of response.
Industry Social Analysis: Examining the Beer Industry

Scholars and practitioners have wondered and debated over the participation of business organizations in the corporate social environment as well as argued over the successes or limitations of such participation. The authors examined six firms' corporate social responsibility activities within the beer industry in an effort to identify and compare these firms' stakeholder relations. The results have implications in our understanding and assessment of corporate social responsibility practices both within and across business industry groups.
Analysis of X-ray diffraction data from nitrogen implanted polycrystalline Mo and Nb films: Single defects

Previously published X-ray diffraction data obtained from nitrogen implanted molybdenum and niobium films were reanalyzed for the predominant defect structures. When molybdenum is implanted at liquid nitrogen temperature, changes in the lattice parameter and intensity data may be explained by single interstitial defects located at the octahedral sites. X-ray data from samples implanted at room temperature cannot be explained in terms of single defects. Instead, a more complicated model involving clusters or loops must be considered.
Discriminants of Twentieth-Century Changes in Earth Surface Temperatures

An approach to identifying climate changes is presented that does not hinge on simulations of natural climate variations or anthropogenic changes. Observed interdecadal climate variations are decomposed into several discriminants, mutually uncorrelated spatiotemporal components with a maximal ratio of interdecadal-to-intradecadal variance. The dominant discriminants of twentieth-century variations in surface temperature exhibit large-scale warming in which, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere summer months, localized cooling is embedded. The structure of the large-scale warming is consistent with expected effects of increases in greenhouse gas concentrations. The localized cooling, with maxima on scales of 1000‐2000 km over East Asia, eastern Europe, and North America, is suggestive of radiative effects of anthropogenic sulfate aerosols.
Pentafluorosulfur Peroxides: Synthesis, Properties and Vibrational Spectra of SF5OOH, SF5OOF, SF5OOCl and Evidence for the Trioxide, SF5OOOSF5

The synthesis and properties of the novel pentafluorosulfur peroxides, SF5OOH, SF5OOF and SF5OOCl are described. The hydroperoxide obtained by the hydrolysis of SF5OOC(O)F is the parent compound of this series and the halogen derivatives are obtained by reactions with fluorine and chlorine monofluoride. The preparation of SF5OOF results in the formation of another unstable compound, believed to be SF5OOOSF5. The vibrational spectra of SF5OOX and the related SF5OX (X = H,Cl,F) are analyzed in a consistent manner by assigning the most intense Raman band to the symmetric SF4 square stretching mode. Previous assignments for pentafluorosulfur peroxides had assigned the most intense band to the O-O stretch.
Divine Foreknowledge and Freedom of the Will: Contemporary Work Revisits Calvinism

Books reviewed: Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski, ‘Recent Work on Divine Foreknowledge and Free Will’ in Robert Kane (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Free Will Millard J. Erickson, What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?
Performance Evaluation of Desktop Search Engines

With the rapid increase in computer hard drive capacity, the amount of information stored on personal computers as digital photos, text files, and multimedia has increased significantly. It has become time consuming to search for a particular file in the sea of files on hard drives. This has led to the development of several desktop search engines that help locate files on a desktop effectively. In this paper, the performance of five desktop search engines, Yahoo, Copernic, Archivarius, Google, and Windows are evaluated. An established dataset, TREC 2004 Robust track, and a set of files representing a typical desktop have been used to perform comprehension experiments. A standard set of evaluation measures including recall-precision averages, document level precision and recall, and exact precision and recall over retrieved set are used. The evaluations performed by a standard evaluation program provide an exhaustive performance comparison of the desktop search engines by representative information retrieval measures.
Regulation of cell proliferation by the guanosine–adenosine mechanism: role of adenosine receptors

A recent study (American Journal of Physiology – Cell Physiology 304:C406–C421, 2013) suggests that extracellular guanosine increases extracellular adenosine by modifying the disposition of extracellular adenosine (“guanosine–adenosine mechanism”) and that the guanosine–adenosine mechanism is not mediated by classical adenosine transport systems (SLC28 and SLC29 families) nor by classical adenosine-metabolizing enzymes. The present investigation had two aims (1) to test the hypothesis that the “guanosine–adenosine mechanism” affects cell proliferation; and (2) to determine whether the transporters SLC19A1, SLC19A2, SLC19A3, or SLC22A2 (known to carrier guanosine analogs) might be responsible for the guanosine–adenosine mechanism. In the absence of added adenosine, guanosine had little effect on the proliferation of coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells (vascular conduit cells) or preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells (vascular resistance cells). However, in the presence of added adenosine (3 or 10 lmol/L), guanosine (10–100 lmol/L) decreased proliferation of both cell types, thus resulting in a highly significant (P < 0.000001) interaction between guanosine and adenosine on cell proliferation. The guanosine–adenosine interaction on cell proliferation was abolished by 1,3-dipropyl-8-(p-sulfophenyl)xanthine (adenosine receptor antagonist). Guanosine (30 lmol/L) increased extracellular levels of adenosine when adenosine (3 lmol/L) was added to the medium. This effect was not reproduced by high concentrations of methotrexate (100 lmol/L), thiamine (1000 lmol/L), chloroquine (1000 lmol/L), or acyclovir (10,000 lmol/L), archetypal substrates for SLC19A1, SLC19A2, SLC19A3, and SLC22A2, respectively; and guanosine still increased adenosine levels in the presence of these compounds. In conclusion, the guanosine–adenosine mechanism affects cell proliferation and is not mediated by SLC19A1, SLC19A2, SLC19A3, or SLC22A2.
Expression of the chemokine receptor CCR1 in human renal allografts

Background. Chemokines are involved in the recruitment of leukocytes to vascularized allografts. CCR1 is a receptor for various proinflammatory chemokines and CCR1 blockade reduces renal allograft injury in rabbits. The purpose of the study was to characterize CCR1-positive cells in human renal allografts. Methods. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded allograft nephrectomies (n ¼ 9) and non-involved parts of tumour nephrectomies (n ¼ 10) were studied. Immunohistochemistry for CCR1, CD3 and CD68 was performed on consecutive sections. Double immunofluorescence for CCR1 and CD3, CD20, CD68, DC-SIGN and S100 was used on selected cases. Expression of CCR1 mRNA and the ligands CCL3 and CCL5 was studied in renal allograft biopsies with acute rejection (n ¼ 10), with chronic allograft nephropathy (n ¼ 8) and controls (n ¼ 8). Results. CCR1 protein was expressed by circulating cells in glomerular and peritubular capillaries, colocalizing with CD68. In renal allografts CCR1-positive cells were present within glomerular tufts, but only scattered CCR1-positive cells were found in tubulointerstitial infiltrates. CCR1 did not colocalize with the majority of CD68-positive cells in the interstitium. The small number of CCR1-positive interstitial cells were identified as CD20- or DC-SIGN-positive by double immunofluorescence. CCR1 mRNA was significantly increased in renal biopsies with acute allograft rejection (P < 0.001), and with chronic allograft nephropathy (P < 0.05), it correlated with the expression of CCL3 and CCL5, and with serum-creatinine. Conclusions. CCR1 mRNA expression was associated with renal function in allografts. CCR1 protein expression was restricted to monocytes, CD20-positive B cells and DC-SIGN-positive dendritic cells. Thus most interstitial macrophages were CCR1 negative, which may relate to down-regulation after migration into the interstitium in human renal allografts.
African Americans and Boys : Understanding the Literacy Gap, Tracing Academic Trajectories, and Evaluating the Role of Learning-Related Skills.

In this study, the authors examined the racial and gender gap in the academic development of African American and White children from kindergarten to 5th grade. Their main goal was to determine the extent to which social and behavioral factors, including learning-related skills, problem behaviors, and interpersonal skills, explain these gaps and shed light on the academic difficulties specifically experienced by African American boys. The authors utilized the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K) sample and applied growth curve modeling. Learning-related skills explained the literacy development of African American boys over and above the effects of problem behaviors, socioeconomic status, and home literacy environment. Results suggest that emphasis placed on the behavior problems and the social risk factors associated with African American boys needs to be refocused and should be accompanied by increased efforts to improve learning-related skills in the classroom context and beyond.
Detecting Fetal Distress

Fetal distress represents fetal asphyxia or lack of oxygen. Fetal distress during labor can be detected by fetal monitoring. Electrodes are applied on the mother’s abdomen and will detect fetal distress as slowing of the fetal heart rate.
Challenging circumstances moderate the links between mothers' personality traits and their parenting in low-income families with young children.

The need for research on potential moderators of personality–parenting links has been repeatedly emphasized, yet few studies have examined how varying stressful or challenging circumstances may influence such links. We studied 186 diverse, low-income mother–toddler dyads. Mothers described themselves in terms of Big Five traits, were observed in lengthy interactions with their children, and provided parenting reports. Ecological adversity, assessed as a cumulative index of known risk factors, and the child’s difficulty observed as negative affect and defiance in interactions with mothers were posited as sources of parenting challenge. Mothers high in Neuroticism reported more power assertion. Some personality–parenting relations emerged only under challenging conditions. For mothers raising difficult children, higher Extraversion was linked to increased observed power assertion, but higher Conscientiousness was linked to decreased reported power assertion. There were no such relations for mothers of easy children. By contrast, some relations emerged only in the absence of challenge. Agreeableness was associated with more positive parenting for mothers who lived under conditions of low ecological adversity, and with less reported power for those who had easy children, and Openness was linked to more positive parenting for mothers of easy children. Those traits were unrelated to parenting under challenging conditions.
Expression of the c-ret proto-oncogene during mouse embryogenesis

The c-ret proto-oncogene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase whose normal function has yet to be determined. To begin to investigate the potential role of this gene in vertebrate development, we have isolated cDNA clones representing the murine c-ret gene, and have analyzed the pattern of expression during mouse embryogenesis, using northern blotting, in situ hybridization to histological sections and whole-mount hybridization histochemistry. c-ret transcripts were detected beginning at day 8.5 of embryogenesis, and were observed in a number of cell lineages in the developing peripheral and central nervous systems, as well as in the excretory system. In the cranial region at day 8.5-9.5, c-ret mRNA was restricted to a population of neural crest cells migrating from rhombomere 4 and forming the anlage of the facioacoustic ganglion, as well as to a closely associated domain of surface ectoderm and pharyngeal endoderm. At later stages (10.5-14.5 days), c-ret mRNA was observed in all cranial ganglia. In the peripheral nervous system of the trunk, c-ret was expressed in the autonomic ganglia and in subsets of cells in the dorsal root ganglia. In the enteric nervous system, c-ret was expressed in the presumptive enteric neuroblasts of the vagal crest (day 9.0-11.5), and in the myenteric ganglia of the gut (day 13.5-14.5). c-ret mRNA was observed in several regions of the central nervous system, including the undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells of the ventral neural tube (8.5 days), the motor neurons in the spinal cord and the hindbrain (10.5-14.5 days), the embryonic neuroretina (day 13.5) and the layers of the postnatal retina containing ganglion, amacrine and horizontal cells. Outside the nervous system, c-ret was expressed in the nephric (Wolffian) duct at day 8.5-10.5, the ureteric bud epithelium (but not the surrounding metanephric mesenchyme) at day 11.0-11.5, and the growing tips of the renal collecting ducts (but not the previously formed, subcortical portions of the collecting ducts, or the mesenchyme-derived renal vesicles) at day 13.5-17.5. Our results suggest that the c-ret gene may encode the receptor for a factor involved in the proliferation, migration, differentiation or survival of a variety of neuronal cell lineages, as well as in inductive interactions during organogenesis of the kidney.
The Dynamic Effect of Discounting on Sales: Empirical Analysis and Normative Pricing Implications

Baseline sales measure what retail sales would be in the absence of a promotion (Abraham and Lodish 1993), and models that measure baseline sales are widely used by managers to assess the profitability of promotions (Bucklin and Gupta 1999-this issue). Estimates of baseline sales and promotional response are typically independent of past promotional activity, even though there is evidence to suggest that increased discounting reduces off-promotion sales and increases the percentage of purchases made on deal (e.g., Krishna 1994). As a result, models that do not consider dynamic promotional effects can mislead managers to overpromote. Given the widespread use of "static" models to evaluate the efficacy of promotions, it is particularly desirable to calibrate a dynamic brand sales model and use it to establish an optimal course of action. Accordingly, we develop a descriptive dynamic brand sales model and use it to determine normative price promotion strategies. Our descriptive approach consists of estimating a varying-parameter sales response model. Letting model parameters vary with past discounting activity accommodates the possibility that market response changes with firms' discounting policies. In the normative model, we use the estimates obtained in the descriptive model to determine optimal retailer and manufacturer prices over time. The results of the descriptive model indicate that promotions have positive contemporaneous effects on sales accompanied by negative future effects on baseline sales. The results of the normative model suggest that the higher-share brands in our data tend to overpromote while the lower-share brands do not promote frequently enough. We project that the use of our model could improve manufacturers' profits by as much as 7% to 31%. More generally, the normative results indicate that i) if deals become more effective in the current period, i.e., if consumers are more price sensitive, promotions should be used more frequently; and ii) as the negative dynamic effect of discounts on sales increases, the optimal level of discounting should go down. Without our approach, it would be difficult to make this trade-off exact. Finally, we demonstrate that these dynamic effects provide another perspective to the marketing literature regarding the existence of promotions.
Photoacoustically-guided photothermal killing of mosquitoes targeted by nanoparticles

In biomedical applications, nanoparticles have demonstrated the potential to eradicate abnormal cells in small localized pathological zones associated with cancer or infections. Here, we introduce a method for nanotechnology-based photothermal (PT) killing of whole organisms considered harmful to humans or the environment. We demonstrate that laser-induced thermal, and accompanying nano- and microbubble phenomena, can injure or kill C. elegans and mosquitoes fed carbon nanotubes, gold nanospheres, gold nanoshells, or magnetic nanoparticles at laser energies that are safe for humans. In addition, a photoacoustic (PA) effect was used to control nanoparticle delivery. Through the integration of this technique with molecular targeting, nanoparticle clustering, magnetic capturing and spectral sharpening of PA and PT plasmonic resonances, our laser-based PA-PT nano-theranostic platform can be applied to detection and the physical destruction of small organisms and carriers of pathogens, such as malaria vectors, spiders, bed bugs, fleas, ants, locusts, grasshoppers, phytophagous mites, or other arthropod pests, irrespective of their resistance to conventional treatments. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An enhanced Java graph applet interface for visualizing interactomes

Summary: We have developed several new navigation features for a Java graph applet previously released for visualizing protein--protein interactions. This graph viewer can be used to navigate any molecular interactome dataset. We have successfully implemented this tool for exploring protein networks stored in the Bioverse interaction database. Availability: http://bioverse.compbio.washington.edu/viewer Contact: ram@compbio.washington.edu
Result of biventricular repair for double-outlet right ventricle.

The choice of optimal repair for many patients with double-outlet right ventricle continues to challenge the heart surgeon. We present the results of a 10-year surgical experience with the biventricular repair for double-outlet right ventricle with situs solitus and atrioventricular concordance. Preoperative anatomic findings within this population of 73 patients are detailed. These morphologic features are correlated with type of anatomic repair and clinical outcome. Patients were classified by ventricular septal defect location. Normal coronary anatomy was found in the majority of patients with subaortic and doubly-committed ventricular septal defects. Patients with subpulmonary and noncommitted ventricular septal defects had a wide variety of coronary anatomy. Patients with subpulmonary and noncommitted ventricular septal defects also had a considerably higher prevalence of aortic arch obstruction. A tricuspid-to-pulmonary annular distance equal to or greater than the diameter of the aortic anulus was found to indicate the possibility of achieving a conventional ventricular septal defect-to-aorta intraventricular tunnel repair. Tricuspid-to-pulmonary annular distance sufficient for intraventricular tunnel repair predominates in those patients with a right posterior or right side-by-side aorta. Five types of repair were used during the study period: intraventricular tunnel repair, arterial switch with ventricular septal defect-to-pulmonary artery baffle, Rastelli-type extracardiac conduit repair, Damus-Kaye-Stansel repair, and atrial inversion with ventricular septal defect-to-pulmonary artery baffle. Overall actuarial survival estimate at 8 years is 81 %. The presence of multiple ventricular septal defects and patient weight lower than the median were nearly significant risk factors for early mortality (p
MATTERING AND MECHANISM: MUST A MECHANISTIC UNIVERSE BE DEPRESSING?

There is an intuition to the effect that, if human actions are explicable in scientific terms – that is, if mechanism holds – then our lives and actions do not matter. “Mattering” depends on successful intentional explanations of human actions. The intuition springs from an intuitive analogy between manipulation and mechanism: just as a manipulated agent's actions are not successfully explained in intentional terms, neither are the actions of a mechanistic agent. I explore ways to avoid the conclusion of this argument. Some of these ways are more promising than others, but all have non-trivial philosophical consequences.
The value of disk replacement

Abstract The high costs associated with spine surgery underlie the increasing importance to evaluate new treatments such as disc replacement. In order to prove their value as a surgical modality in spine surgery, both clinical efficacy and cost-analysis data must be examined closely. Efficacy data shows promising short-term results for both cervical and lumbar disc replacement. However, cost data remains scarce for both treatments. In this review of the literature, there were seven studies evaluating cost, three of which calculated quality-adjusted life-years (QALY), and only one that calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER). The short-term data suggests that both cervical and lumbar disc replacement are less costly than fusion for single-level disease. Further long-term cost data is necessary to better elucidate the true value of disc replacement and whether it should be accepted as a standard alternative to fusion.
Exchange rates and fundamentals under adaptive learning

Abstract This paper studies a monetary model that is standard in all respects except that market participants have incomplete knowledge about the economic structure and employ adaptive learning rules to learn about the economic environment. Market participants also must contend with unannounced regime shifts. Simulation results suggest that the models under adaptive learning, especially constant-gain learning combined with a structural change, dominate the alternative specifications of expectations in their ability to account for why fundamentals predict exchange-rate returns over long horizons but not over short horizons, and for generating excessively volatile returns and persistent deviations of the exchange rate from the monetary fundamentals.
Scalable dissemination: what's hot and what's not

A major problem in web database applications and on the Internet in general is the scalable delivery of data. One proposed solution for this problem is a hybrid system that uses multicast push to scalably deliver the most popular data, and reserves traditional unicast pull for delivery of less popular data. However, such a hybrid scheme introduces a variety of data management problems at the server. In this paper we examine three of these problems: the push popularity problem, the document classification problem, and the bandwidth division problem. The push popularity problem is to estimate the popularity of the documents in the web site. The document classification problem is to determine which documents should be pushed and which documents must be pulled. The band-width division problem is to determine how much of the server bandwidth to devote to pushed documents and how much of the server bandwidth should be reserved for pulled documents. We propose simple and elegant solutions for these problems. We report on experiments with our system that validate our algorithms.
Upper Airway Complications of Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa

Objective To assess the incidence of upper airway pathology in patients with junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB). Study design We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients with JEB who came to an interdisciplinary epidermolysis bullosa center at a tertiary care institution between 2004 and 2010. Results Twenty-five patients with JEB were identified, and 12 patients were seen in the otolaryngology clinic (age range, 2 months-15 years; 8 male, 4 female). Of the 12 patients, 8 underwent rigid laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy for upper respiratory tract symptoms; 7 of these patients displayed laryngeal pathology, and 5 of them underwent surgical intervention with successful resolution of symptoms. Furthermore, none of these patients had any short- or long-term complications from their surgery. A strict protocol and a precise problem-focused cold surgical technique were used in these cases to protect skin and mucus membranes. Conclusion With appropriate precautions, endoscopic laryngeal surgery can be safe and effective in patients with JEB and larygnotracheal disease. Endoscopic laryngeal surgery is feasible when indicated for these patients.
Sarcopenia of male aging.

Sarcopenia is a common consequence of aging with onset as early as the fourth decade. At the cellular level, this loss of muscle function is associated with declines in muscle protein synthesis and mitochondrial capacity. Resistance and aerobic exercise enhance mixed muscle protein synthesis, although resistance training has a more profound stimulatory effect. Although increased age and declining muscle function are associated with decreased testosterone levels in men, the role of testosterone supplementation remains controversial. Strong evidence exists for testosterone increasing muscle mass and muscle protein synthesis, yet a clear increase of muscle strength in elderly people by testosterone has not been observed, an observation vulnerable to confounding factors and experimental design.
The Nonlinear Effects of Transient and Stationary Eddies an the Winter Mean Circulation. Part I: Diagnostic Analysis

Abstract The nonlinear effects due to transient eddies and stationary eddies are analysed for the large-scale winter mean circulation, based on the potential vorticity equation for the zonally asymmetric time-averaged quasi-geostrophic motions. Using the geopotential height for January 1963, the individual terms of the potential vorticity equation are evaluated. Throughout the troposphere the linear advections dominate the nonlinear which, however, are by no means negligible. At the mid-tropospheric level the transient eddy term is large north of 40°N. The distribution appears to be correlated negatively with the time-mean asymmetric potential vorticity, suggesting its dissipative role. On the other hand, the non-linear advection by stationary eddies has no clear correlation with the time-mean potential vorticity. In order to estimate the role of these nonlinear terms in maintaining the stationary geopotential field, the potential vorticity equation is solved by regarding these nonlinear terms as empirica...
Proactive spraying against boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) reduces insecticide applications and increases cotton yield and economic return.

The current standard practice of two to three preemptive insecticide applications at the start of pinhead (1–2-mm-diameter) squaring followed by threshold-triggered (whenever 10% of randomly selected squares have oviposition punctures) insecticide applications for boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, control does not provide a reliably positive impact on cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., yields in subtropical conditions. This study showed that four fewer spray applications in a “proactive” approach, where spraying began at the start of large (5.5–8-mm-diameter) square formation and continued at 7- to 8-d intervals while large squares were abundant, resulted in fewer infested squares and 46–56% more yield than the standard treatment at two locations during 2004. The combination of fewer sprays and increased yield made the proactive approach 115–130% more profitable than the standard. The proactive approach entails protection only at the crop’s most vulnerable stage (large squares) that, as a source of food, accelerates boll weevil reproduction. In contrast, the standard approach protects early season small squares and later season bolls, both of which contribute less to boll weevil reproduction than large squares. Proaction is an in-season crop protection approach that can be used to increase yield in individual fields during the same season and that could be incorporated into boll weevil eradication strategy that involves later diapause sprays. Because proaction is based on an important relationship between the cotton plant and boll weevil reproduction, the tactic will probably be effective regardless of climate or region.
The nature, patterns, clinical outcomes, and financial impact of intraoperative adverse events in emergency surgery.

Abstract Background Little is known about intraoperative adverse events (iAEs) in emergency surgery (ES). We sought to describe iAEs in ES and to investigate their clinical and financial impact. Methods The 2007 to 2012 administrative and American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program databases at our tertiary academic center were: (1) linked, (2) queried for all ES procedures, and then (3) screened for iAEs using the ICD-9-CM–based Patient Safety Indicator "accidental puncture/laceration". Flagged cases were systematically reviewed to: (1) confirm or exclude the occurrence of iAEs (defined as inadvertent injuries during the operation) and (2) extract additional variables such as procedure type, approach, complexity (measured by relative value units), need for adhesiolysis, and extent of repair. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the independent impact of iAEs on 30-day morbidity, mortality, and hospital charges. Results Of a total of 9,288 patients, 1,284 (13.8%) patients underwent ES, of which 23 had iAEs (1.8%); 18 of 23 (78.3%) of the iAEs involved the small bowel or spleen, 10 of 23 (43.5%) required suture repair, and 8 of 23 (34.8%) required tissue or organ resection. Compared with those without iAEs, patients with iAEs were older (median age 62 vs 50; P = .04); their procedures were more complex (total relative value unit 46.7, interquartile range [27.5 to 52.6] vs 14.5 [.5 to 30.2]; P 3 hours: 52% vs 8%; P P = .001). Patients with iAEs had increased total charges ($31,080 vs $11,330, P P P P = .03) and prolonged postoperative length of stay (LOS; LOS >7 days; odds ratio, 5.60 [1.54 to 20.35]; P = .01]. A trend toward increased mortality did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions In ES, iAEs are independently associated with significantly higher postoperative morbidity and prolonged LOS.
Intramedullary Recurrence of a Thoracic Meningioma—Presentation of an Unusual Case and Review of the Literature

Background Spinal meningiomas are typically extra-axial, slow-growing, benign tumors that arise from the arachnoid cap cells. Intramedullary spinal meningiomas are exceedingly rare with few cases reported in the literature. Case Description A 64-year-old man with a history of grade I thoracic meningioma at the T4 level resected initially in 1989 and who required reoperation in 2013 for intradural, extramedullary recurrence of tumor presented again in 2015 with gait difficulty. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a soft tissue mass at the T3 to T4 levels on the left side of the canal that was mildly enhancing on T1 contrasted sequences. The patient was taken to the operating room, where a purely intramedullary recurrence was discovered without extramedullary extension or a dural-based attachment. The intramedullary tumor was completely resected, and postoperatively the patient recovered well and was at his neurologic baseline. The patient ultimately underwent proton beam radiotherapy because this tumor, although benign, had recurred twice. Conclusions Intramedullary spinal meningiomas, particularly intramedullary low-grade recurrence of a previously extramedullary tumor, are rare phenomena. Although the pathogenic mechanisms are not well understood, intramedullary recurrence as described in this patient may reflect extrinsic factors related to prior surgical resections in addition to histologic progression. When operating on recurrent extramedullary lesions, aggressive arachnoid dissection may predispose patients to unusual patterns of recurrence.
Beta Blockade as Treatment for Intracranial Infantile Hemangioma: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract Background Intracranial infantile hemangiomas are extremely rare, with only 36 patients reported in literature. Treatment for intracranial infantile hemangiomas has been mostly limited to surgery, steroids, and interferon therapy. Propranolol, which is often used to treat cutaneous infantile hemangiomas, is not currently standard treatment for intracranial infantile hemangiomas. Patient Description We present a one-month old boy with an intracranial infantile hemangioma treated with propranolol. Results This boy was being treated with oral propranolol for a supraclavicular infantile hemangioma. Subsequent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed evidence of an associated intracranial infantile hemangioma in the right cerebellopontine angle. Repeat brain MRI scan after two months of propranolol treatment demonstrated a significant reduction in the size of the intracranial infantile hemangioma. Conclusions This is the first report of successful therapy of an intracranial infantile hemangioma with propranolol.
Reassessing Risk Factors for High Defibrillation Threshold: the EF‐SAGA Risk Score and Implications for Device Testing

Objectives To reevaluate risk factors for high defibrillation threshold (DFT) and propose a risk assessment tool. Background Controversy exists over routine DFT testing during implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placement. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 1,642 consecutive patients who received an ICD and underwent DFT testing. Results The incidence of high DFT requiring addition of a subcutaneous array was 2.3%. Five significant independent variables predictive of high DFT were identified, including younger age, male gender (hazard ratio 1.99), left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, secondary prevention (hazard ratio 2.33), and amiodarone use (hazard ratio 2.39). Each 10-year increase in age was indicative of a 0.35-times lower chance of high DFT. Each 10% increase of LV ejection fraction (EF) was indicative of a 0.52-times lower chance of high DFT. These five variables form the EF-SAGA risk score (LVEF 20% had a negative predictive value for high DFT of 99.3%. Conclusion We identified five independent predictors of high DFT. We propose the EF-SAGA risk score to help decision making. Primary prevention patients with an LVEF > 20% had an exceedingly low incidence of high DFT suggesting that testing could be avoided in these patients. Careful assessment of the risk-benefit ratio of testing is important in high-risk patients.
Abstract LB-87: Association between global DNA hypomethylation in leukocytes and risk of ovarian cancer

DNA hypomethylation was the first recognized epigenetic defect in human cancer. Most human cancers display global DNA hypomethylation, which is typically manifested by reduced 5-methyl-2′-deoxycytidine (5mdC) levels and/or reduced methylation of repetitive DNA elements, including LINE-1 sequences. DNA hypomethylation may contribute to oncogenesis by promoting genomic instability and oncogene activation. Little is currently known about global DNA methylation status in normal tissues from cancer patients, or in individuals at elevated cancer risk. Recently, we reported that leukocytes from breast cancer patients show a significant reduction in global DNA methylation as compared to controls (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-87.
Flooding cranberry beds to control blackheaded fireworm (Lepidoptera : Tortricidae)

Survival of larvae of blackheaded fireworm, Rhopobota naevana (Hubner), was determined in two experiments where insects were submerged in water of different temperatures or dissolved oxygen content. Water temperature at high (8.2-13.1 ppm) dissolved oxygen did not affect survival significantly; 47% survived at 2°C and 41% at 10°C after 9 d. Dissolved oxygen affected survival significantly; only 7% survived in water oflow dissolved oxygen (5.1-7.1 ppm) at 10°C for 3 d compared with 91% at high dissolved oxygen (8.8-9.8 ppm). Flooding to control fireworm larvae was evaluated on three commercial cranberry marshes. A 25-50-h spring flood while vines were dormant resulted in a significant reduction of larvae. Data show that flooding may be useful to manage blackheaded fireworm.
An unusual malformation of the vermiform appendix simulating endometriosis: A case report with discussion of differential diagnosis

A 48-year-old nulliparous woman with a long history of pelvic endometriosis underwent a gynecologic operation, and a swollen and indurated appendix was removed because of suspected endometriosis. Pathologic examination revealed no endometriosis, but examination of the distal appendix showed structural disorganization of its entire wall, with lack of proper differentiation of its normal coats and irregular overgrowth of fibroadipose, fibromuscular, and neural elements. Differential diagnoses, including endometriosis, carcinoid tumor and neurofibromatosis, are discussed.
Ultrasound Mediated Enhancement of Nanoparticle Uptake in PC-3 Cancer Cells

Ultrasound in the presence of microbubbles brings in transient increase in cell membrane permeability, which allows the entry of foreign molecules into cells. This platform has been applied in in vitro and in vivo gene delivery studies in recent years[1–2]. The frequently used microbubbles are air or inert gas encapsulated in a protein, lipid or polymer which is commonly used as FDA approved contrast agents in diagnostic ultrasound. On exposure to ultrasound the microbubbles lead to formation of small pores on the cell membrane. This work concentrates on application of this platform to enhance cellular uptake of nanoparticles and thereby achieve enhanced drug delivery. Nanoparticles can be manipulated at the nano level and have been applied in the realm of cancer detection and treatment for imaging, targeting tumors, and drug delivery purposes [2].© 2013 ASME
Statistical mechanics of Henon-Heiles oscillators

It is shown that the laws of equilibrium statistical mechanics modified for finite number of degrees of freedom are approximately valid for chaotic vibrations of the H\'enon-Heiles oscillators.
Strain-enhanced stress relaxation impacts nonlinear elasticity in collagen gels

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex assembly of structural proteins that provides physical support and biochemical signaling to cells in tissues. The mechanical properties of the ECM have been found to play a key role in regulating cell behaviors such as differentiation and malignancy. Gels formed from ECM protein biopolymers such as collagen or fibrin are commonly used for 3D cell culture models of tissue. One of the most striking features of these gels is that they exhibit nonlinear elasticity, undergoing strain stiffening. However, these gels are also viscoelastic and exhibit stress relaxation, with the resistance of the gel to a deformation relaxing over time. Recent studies have suggested that cells sense and respond to both nonlinear elasticity and viscoelasticity of ECM, yet little is known about the connection between nonlinear elasticity and viscoelasticity. Here, we report that, as strain is increased, not only do biopolymer gels stiffen but they also exhibit faster stress relaxation, reducing the timescale over which elastic energy is dissipated. This effect is not universal to all biological gels and is mediated through weak cross-links. Mechanistically, computational modeling and atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicate that strain-enhanced stress relaxation of collagen gels arises from force-dependent unbinding of weak bonds between collagen fibers. The broader effect of strain-enhanced stress relaxation is to rapidly diminish strain stiffening over time. These results reveal the interplay between nonlinear elasticity and viscoelasticity in collagen gels, and highlight the complexity of the ECM mechanics that are likely sensed through cellular mechanotransduction.