cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biomarker Enhanced Risk Prediction for Adverse Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients Receiving RRT

Background and objectives Higher plasma concentrations of inflammatory and apoptosis markers in critically ill patients receiving RRT are associated with RRT dependence and death. This study objective was to examine whether plasma inflammatory (IL-6, -8, -10, and -18; macrophage migration inhibitory factor) and apoptosis (death receptor-5, tumor necrosis factor receptor I and II) biomarkers augment risk prediction of renal recovery and mortality compared with clinical models. Design, setting, participants, & measurements The Biologic Markers of Recovery for the Kidney study ( n =817) was a prospective, nested, observational cohort study conducted as an ancillary to the Veterans Affairs/National Institutes of Health Acute renal failure Trial Network study, a randomized trial of intensive versus less intensive RRT in critically ill patients with AKI conducted between November 2003 and July 2007 at 27 Veterans Affairs– and university-affiliated centers. Primary outcomes of interest were renal recovery and mortality at day 60. Results A parsimonious clinical model consisting of only four variables (age, mean arterial pressure, mechanical ventilation, and bilirubin) predicted renal recovery (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve [AUROC], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.68 to 0.78) and mortality (AUROC, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.78). By contrast, individual biomarkers were only modestly predictive of renal recovery (AUROC range, 0.55–0.63) and mortality (AUROC range, 0.54–0.68). Adding plasma IL-8 to a parsimonious model augmented prediction of recovery (AUROC, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.81; P =0.04) and mortality (AUROC, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.82; P Conclusions This study suggests that a simple four-variable clinical model with plasma IL-8 had predictive value for renal recovery and mortality. These findings require external validation but could easily be used by clinicians.
Lamenting Lochner's Loss: Randy Barnett's Case for a Libertarian Constitution

This review essay discusses Randy Barnett's new book, Restoring the Lost Constitution: The Presumption of Liberty. In general terms, the book argues that current constitutional doctrine grants too much power to federal and state legislatures, and provides too little protection to individual liberty. To remedy the problem, Professor Barnett proposes abandoning the presumption of constitutionality that courts typically accord to state and federal laws, and adopting in its place a presumption of liberty that, he contends, is more consistent with the Constitution's original meaning. In this review, I discuss four points on which Restoring the Lost Constitution gives me pause. First, the book proceeds from an extra-textual political theory that is difficult to square with the actual framing of the Constitution, a dilemma that is particularly acute for Professor Barnett since he defends a form of originalism as the appropriate mode of constitutional interpretation. Second, Professor Barnett's defense of an original meaning approach to constitutional interpretation features a rather strained attempt to analogize constitutions to contracts, and, in the process, slights competing accounts of constitutional interpretation. Third, especially in his discussion of the state police power, Professor Barnett operationalizes his presumption of liberty by injecting into the Constitution a number of remarkably unstable conceptual distinctions. Fourth and finally, Professor Barnett's argument for a generalized jurisprudence of liberty neglects the extent to which particular articulations of liberty in our constitutional system may be linked to another core constitutional value: equality. Greater attention to a liberty-equality link could yield a significantly different, and better grounded, understanding of the appropriate constitutional balance between government power and individual freedom. The Cornell Law Review will publish a reply from Professor Barnett in the same issue as this review.
Progesterone and modulation of endothelium-dependent responses in canine coronary arteries

Chronic treatment with estrogens enhances some endothelium-dependent relaxations. Whether or not progesterone would exert a similar effect is unknown. Experiments were designed to determine the effect of chronic treatment with progesterone on endothelium-dependent responses. Adult female dogs were ovariectomized and pellets containing carrier substance, estrogen, progesterone, or estrogen plus progesterone were implanted subcutaneously. After 14-21 days coronary arteries were removed, cut into rings, and suspended for the measurement of isometric force in organ chambers in the presence of indomethacin. Endothelium-dependent relaxations to ADP, bradykinin, or the calcium ionophore did not differ among groups. However, relaxations to acetylcholine and to the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist BHT-920 were greater in the estrogen-treated group than in the estrogen plus progesterone-treated group. In rings without endothelium, relaxations to nitric oxide and isoproterenol did not differ among groups. However, relaxations of the smooth muscle to ADP were greater in the progesterone-treated group than in the progesterone plus estrogen group. These results suggest that progesterone alone minimally affects endothelium-dependent responses. However, progesterone seems to antagonize the stimulatory effects of estrogen on two endothelium-dependent responses that are associated with pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins and the production of nitric oxide. These studies suggest that a specific receptor/second messenger system can be modulated by female reproductive steroid hormones.
Critical HRD—A Mithridate?

The ProblemCurrent crises such as the global financial meltdown, disparate distribution of income, growing economic inequalities, business and government complicity in favoring an economic elite, w...
A corpus-based functional study of shi…de constructions

Existing research on shi…de constructions has often referred to its purported “emphasis” or “focus” functions. This paper reexamines shi…de by analyzing 787 examples of shi…de extracted from a spoken corpus. Positive evidence was found for several earlier proposals that rely on intuitively-generated data. Meanwhile, additional features of the construction can be observed. Results indicate that the preferred form of shi…de takes stative predicates, and some examples occur in such high frequencies that they form formulaic expressions. The construction always achieves stative predication, is often associated with subjectivity, and expresses the speaker’s certainty in stancetaking. To explain all the data, a unified “emphasis” function is proposed to integrate the traditional analyses of “constructive focus” and “affirmation.” Also, the overlap between the copula and the emphasis/focus function of shi in shi…de suggests that the construction is a form grammaticalized from shi + nominalization. This paper thus shows that corpus data can enable us to tackle an old issue with new evidence by making all subtypes of the construction available for quantitative and qualitative analysis, which in turn helps us redefine and reconceptualize otherwise ambiguous notions.
Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) change on repeated diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging during radiochemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer: A pilot study.

Abstract Objectives Serial diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) during radiochemotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is analyzed to investigate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) as a potential biomarker for tumor response. Methods Ten patients underwent DW-MRI prior to and at three and six weeks during radiochemotherapy. Three methods of contouring primary tumors (PT) were performed to evaluate the impact of tumor heterogeneity on ADC values: PT T : whole tumor volume; PT T-N : PT T -necrosis; PT L : small volume of presumed active tumor with low ADC value. Pretreatment and during-treatment absolute ADC values and ADC value changes were analyzed for PT and involved lymph nodes (LN). Results ADC values for PT T , PT T-N , PT L and LN increased by 8–14% (PT) and 15% (LN) at three weeks, and 19–26% and 23% at 6 weeks post initial treatment ( p = 0.04–0.002). Average percent ADC value increase was smaller than tumor volume regression ( p = 0.06–0.0005). Patients with overall survival T ). Conclusions Significant ADC value increases during radiochemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer were observed. ADC value change during treatment appears to be an independent marker of patient outcome and warrants further investigation.
Secondary Calcium Phosphate Prevents and Cures Rickets Without Vitamin D. 3. Solubility Studies

ConclusionsFrom the standpoint of solubility in hydrochloric acid solutions of the concentration and at the temperature of gastric juice, unrefined dicalcium phosphate is greatly superior to bone meal. The calcium and phosphorus of unrefined dicalcium phosphate are also more available than these elements in the form of tricalcium phosphate. Refined dicalcium phosphate bears a similar relation to these salts as unrefined dicalcium phosphate does, although the solubility figures for the latter are slightly higher.
Structure–Property Characteristics of Pyrolytic Lignins Derived from Fast Pyrolysis of a Lignin Rich Biomass Extract

In this work, pyrolytic lignins isolated from the liquid product of the fast pyrolysis of Etek lignin were characterized using various analytical techniques. This is necessary to evaluate their potential usefulness as an aromatic chemical feedstock in a biomass pyrolysis scheme. Pyrolytic lignins were separated into various fractions by their solubility in water and dichloromethane. Results revealed that the thermal pyrolysis yielded lignin fractions of higher oxygen and lower carbon and hydrogen contents, leading to a decrease in their heating values. Pyrolytic lignin fractions were decarboxylated, had a higher concentration of aryl and alkyl hydroxyl moieties, and were lower molecular weight than the starting lignin. TGA analysis indicates that the pyrolytic lignins begin to thermally degrade at 120 °C. Overall the characterization data suggests that pyrolytic lignins obtained from the fast pyrolysis of Etek lignin are potentially useful feedstocks for sustainable production of renewable aromatic chemicals.
Direct Writing Using Laser Chemical Vapor Deposition

Metal, dielectric and semiconductor films have been deposited by laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) using both pulsed and cw laser sources on a variety of substrates. For LCVD on substrates such as quartz, the deposition was monitored optically in both transmission and reflection using a collinear visible laser and the depositing CO2 laser. Deposition initiation and rate were correlated with irradiation conditions, the laser generated surface temperature, and the changing optical properties of the filmμsubstrate during deposition. Single crystallites of W greater than 100 pm tall were deposited using a Kr laser on Si substrates.
Subacute or Chronic Infectious Avian Laryngotracheitis

Since 1923 the acute type of avian laryngotracheitis has been recognized in Illinois as a highly fatal disease of chickens, characterized by an acute dyspnea or a progressive toxemic syndrome. At necropsy, gross pathologic lesions of a mucous, hemorrhagic, croupous or fibrinous exudative laryngitis and tracheitis may be found in varying degrees of severity. The gross pathologic lesions for the most part are confined to the larynx and upper part of the trachea, while the pharynx, bronchi and lungs are infrequently involved. Occasionally the lesions in the respiratory tract may be marked by bloody extravasations, although ulceration or focal necrosis of the inflamed mucosa of the respiratory tract rarely occurs. In the toxemic form of acute avian laryngotracheitis, the lesions in the respiratory tract may be insignificant. The purpose of this paper is to report the occurrence of a mild form of laryngotracheitis, which for purposes of description is designated as the subacute or chronic form of the disease, as well as the presence of a pleomorphic microorganism in the larynx of such infected fowls. In a previous publication 1 a similar pleomorphic micro-organism in the respiratory tract of fowls suffering from acute laryngotracheitis was described.
Multiple sclerosis in US minority populations: Clinical practice insights

The article by Khan et al.1 rightly points out that there are various reasons for underrepresentation of minorities in clinical trials for multiple sclerosis (MS). I had pointed out in my recent JAMA viewpoint article2 that the enrollment of African Americans (AAs) has dropped from about 9%–10% in 1993 to a lowly 2% in …
Penetration of Sodium and Electrolyte into Vibratory Compaction TiB_2 Cathode

The penetration of sodium and electrolyte into the vibratory compaction TiB2 material and graphite material used as cathode of aluminum electrolysis was studied in this work.After 5 h electrolysis,the XRD analysis showed that NaF and Na3AlF6 existed in the graphite cathode,but NaF and Na3AlF6 were not found in the graphite of vibratory compaction TiB2 cathode.The SEM analysis showed that Na,F and Al penetrated slightly into the vibratory compaction TiB2 cathode,much less than that penetrated into the graphite cathode.Vibratory compaction TiB2 cathode can decrease sodium penetration effectively,but can not hinder sodium penetration thoroughly.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: long-term results following vaginal reconstruction.

Forty-two women with virilizing congenital adrenal hyperplasia who had attempted coitus were studied retrospectively a mean of 23.6 years after vaginal repair. Satisfactory intercourse, as defined by the patient, was observed in 62% of the subjects. The functional success rate was higher if repeat operations were performed after the age of 16 years (61% versus 12%, P
Anatomical site-specific contributions of pneumococcal virulence determinants

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen globally associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is capable of causing a wide range of diseases including sinusitis, conjunctivitis, otitis media, pneumonia, bacteraemia, sepsis, and meningitis. While its capsular polysaccharide is indispensible for invasive disease, and opsonising antibodies against the capsule are the basis for the current vaccines, a long history of biomedical research indicates that other components of this Gram-positive bacterium are also critical for virulence. Herein we review the contribution of pneumococcal virulence determinants to survival and persistence in the context of distinct anatomical sites. We discuss how these determinants allow the pneumococcus to evade mucociliary clearance during colonisation, establish lower respiratory tract infection, resist complement deposition and opsonophagocytosis in the bloodstream, and invade secondary tissues such as the central nervous system leading to meningitis. We do so in a manner that highlights both the critical role of the capsular polysaccharide and the accompanying and necessary protein determinants. Understanding the complex interplay between host and pathogen is necessary to find new ways to prevent pneumococcal infection. This review is an attempt to do so with consideration for the latest research findings.
Subjective Versus Time Series Forecasts and their Combination

Forecasts of monthly product sales by a time series model are compared with subjective predictions made by marketing managers of a particular firm. For the two products considered, management’s subjective forecasts are significantly more accurate, a finding not in keeping with the findings of the great majority of previous comparable studies.
Transcutaneous Immunization with a Band-Aid Prevents Experimental Otitis Media in a Polymicrobial Model.

Otitis media (OM) is a common pediatric disease and nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is the predominant pathogen in chronic OM, recurrent OM and OM associated with treatment failure. OM is also a polymicrobial disease, wherein an upper respiratory tract viral infection predisposes to ascension of NTHI from the nasopharynx, the site of colonization, to the normally sterile middle ear, resulting in disease. Using a clinically relevant viral-bacterial co-infection model of NTHI-induced OM, we performed transcutaneous immunization (TCI) via a bandaid delivery system to administer each of three promising NTHI vaccine candidates derived from bacterial adhesive proteins and biofilm mediators: rsPilA, chimV4 and integration host factor. Each immunogen was admixed with the adjuvant LT(R192G/L211A) and assessed for relative ability to prevent the onset of experimental OM. For each cohort, the presence of circulating immunogen-specific antibody-secreting cells and serum antibody was confirmed prior to intranasal NTHI challenge. After bacterial challenge, blinded video otoscopy and tympanometry revealed a significant reduction in the proportion of animals with signs of OM, compared to receipt of adjuvant only, with an overall vaccine efficacy of 64-77%. These data are the first to demonstrate the efficacy afforded by TCI with a bandaid vaccine delivery system in a clinically relevant polymicrobial model of OM. The simplicity of TCI with a bandaid and the significant efficacy observed herein holds great promise to reduce the global burden of OM in the pediatric population.
Recent Developments in C-H Activation for Materials Science in the Center for Selective C-H Activation.

Organic electronics is a rapidly growing field driven in large part by the synthesis of π-conjugated molecules and polymers. Traditional aryl cross-coupling reactions such as the Stille and Suzuki have been used extensively in the synthesis of π-conjugated molecules and polymers, but the synthesis of intermediates necessary for traditional cross-couplings can include multiple steps with toxic and hazardous reagents. Direct arylation through C–H bond activation has the potential to reduce the number of steps and hazards while being more atom-economical. Within the Center for Selective C–H Functionalization (CCHF), we have been developing C–H activation methodology for the synthesis of π-conjugated materials of interest, including direct arylation of difficult-to-functionalize electron acceptor intermediates and living polymerization of π-conjugated polymers through C–H activation.
Genetic and environmental parameters for ovulation rate, twinning rate, and weight traits in a cattle population selected for twinning.

A project was implemented in 1981 with the objective of increasing twinning rate in cattle. Daughters of foundation sires had twin calves at a frequency of from 8 to 13%, and foundation females had twin calves at an average frequency of 50%. Data were analyzed on twinning rate, ovulation rate, and weight traits. The h2 of ovulation rate increased from .11 to .38 for a single estrous cycle to the mean of eight estrous cycles. From all data, h2 for single observation of ovulation rate and twinning rate were .10 and .09, respectively. The r(g) between them was .75. The h2 of weight traits ranged from .42 to .54 when weight traits were analyzed pair-wise with ovulation rate and with twinning rate. The r(g) between weight traits with ovulation rate ranged from .15 to .30 and with twinning rate ranged from .24 to .39. Phenotypic mean twinning rate increased from 1.07 to 1.29 calves per parturition for females born 1981 through 1993, and adjusted mean predicted breeding value (PBV) increased from 1.07 to 1.33 calves per parturition. Phenotypic mean ovulation rate for fall of 1984 through fall 1994 birth groups increased from 1.11 to 1.26 per estrous cycle, and adjusted mean PBV for ovulation rate increased from 1.11 to 1.29 per estrous cycle. Because of the high r(g) (i.e., .75) between ovulation rate and twinning rate, and because of a h2 of .35 for ovulation rate for the mean of six estrous cycles, repeated records of ovulation rate in puberal heifers is an effective indirect selection criterion for twinning rate. The positive r(g) between growth traits and ovulation and twinning rate suggest the need for some compromise when the selection goal is increased twinning rate with no increase in growth and size.
Comparison of Shear Stress, Residence Time and Lagrangian Estimates of Hemolysis in Different Ventricular Assist Devices

Millions of people are diagnosed with heart failure each year and thousands would benefit from a heart transplant if there were enough donor hearts. Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) are blood pumps which augment the failing heart’s pumping capacity. They are already in clinical use as bridge-to-transplant but could benefit more patients as end-stage therapy. While current devices are more biocompatible than their forerunners they still have problems; device-induced blood damage, including hemolysis, platelet activation, thrombosis and embolization, may still cause serious clinical events such as strokes and renal damage. Reliable computational methods for predicting blood damage, including hemolysis, are desirable since they will aid in selecting devices to be used and the design of new devices. Flow-induced hemolysis is a function of the shear stress on the erythrocytes and the exposure to this shear stress. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to analyze the flow field in a range of VADs, for a range of operating conditions, and calculate shear stress and residence time parameters. These parameters may give some indication of the hemolysis potential for these devices, however since hemolysis is a function of shear stress and exposure time a model is required. Lagrangian models of hemolysis use flow streamlines as an indication of the paths taken through the device by erythrocytes. The hemolysis at the outlet is then calculated as an incremental function of the shear stress and exposure time along these lines. Various Lagrangian models were used to compute hemolysis indices for the VADs and the results were compared with experimental measurements. Best agreement was found with a model that integrates the temporal derivative of the power law equation along the streamlines. In a centrifugal VAD with a rotational speed of 4000 rpm and flow rate of 5 l/min, the model predicted the HI was 5.0x10− 4 % as compared with the experimental result 5.4x10− 4 %.
Human papillomavirus E6 proteins bind p53 in vivo and abrogate p53-mediated repression of transcription.

Abstract The transforming proteins of DNA tumor viruses SV40, adenovirus and human papillomaviruses (HPV) bind the retinoblastoma and p53 cell cycle regulatory proteins. While the binding of SV40 large T antigen and the adenovirus E1B 55 kDa protein results in the stabilization of the p53 protein, the binding of HPV16 and 18 E6 results in enhanced degradation in vitro. To explore the effect of viral proteins on p53 stability in vivo, we have examined cell lines immortalized in tissue culture by HPV18 E6 and E7 or SV40 large T antigen, as well as cell lines derived from cervical neoplasias. The half-life of the p53 protein in non-transformed human foreskin keratinocytes in culture was found to be approximately 3 h while in cell lines immortalized by E6 and E7, p53 protein half-lives ranged from 2.8 h to less than 1 h. Since equivalent levels of E6 were found in these cells, the range in p53 levels observed was not a result of variability in amounts of E6. In keratinocyte lines immortalized by E7 alone, the p53 half-life was found to be similar to that in non-transformed cells; however, it decreased to approximately 1 h following supertransfection of an E6 gene. These observations are consistent with an interaction of E6 and p53 in vivo resulting in reductions in the stability of p53 ranging between 2- and 4-fold. We also observed that the expression of various TATA containing promoters was repressed in transient assays by co-transfection with plasmids expressing the wild-type p53 gene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Anomalous Strontium in the Red Sea Brines

The hot brines of the Atlantis II and Discovery Deeps of the Red Sea contain strontium of very similar isotopic composition, characterized by an average Sr87/Sr86 ratio of 0.7080 ± 0.0002. This strontium differs significantly in its isotopic composition from that of normal Red Sea water which was found to have a Sr87/Sr86 ratio of 0.7097 ± 0.0004. The strontium in the brines is, in that sense, anomalous.
Insights into the rejection of barium and strontium by nanofiltration membrane from experimental and modeling analysis

Abstract A polyamide nanofiltration membrane (NF90) was systematically investigated for the rejection of barium and strontium ions from single salt solutions at a wide range of pH (2–10), pressure (5–30 bar) and composition (0.36–36.4 mM) to elucidate the underlying rejection mechanisms. Similar zeta potentials measured with both ions were explained by their similar diffusion coefficients. Point of zero charge for NF90 was always in the vicinity of 4. Modulus of volume charge density increased with increasing feed concentration and could be explained by Freundlich adsorption isotherm with competitive adsorption of barium or strontium vs. chloride on the membrane hydrophobic functional groups as the dominant factor as opposed to counter–ion binding to dissociated hydrophilic groups. Rejection of both ions decreased with pH increase and surface charge effects were dominant in determining rejection characteristics. Rejection of both ions increased with an increase in feed concentration, which is explained by the Donnan electrostatic exclusion mechanism. Spiegler–Kedem model fitted very well with the experimental data and the model parameters indicated that both ions are equally rejected at all conditions. NF90 membrane exhibited exceptional performance with 92–99.5% rejection of both ions while achieving permeability close to that with deionized water.
Verruciform and Condyloma-like Squamous Proliferations in the Anogenital Region

Context.— Histologic distinction between condyloma acuminatum and various benign and malignant condyloma-like lesions in the anogenital area poses a common diagnostic challenge to pathologists acro...
The relationship of corruption to economic activity in the OECD

This study extends earlier research regarding the relationship of corruption to economic activity. Corruption negatively affects all members of society but research indicates a gender bias, specifically, that women are more vulnerable and suffer to a greater extent than men. In the current study, three measures of economic activity are examined: gross domestic product (GDP), foreign direct investment (FDI), and unemployment rate. A fourth factor, Economic Freedom, is also analysed to assess the relationship between corruption and level of government involvement in a country's economy. Findings indicate that increases in gross domestic product per capita are significantly higher in low-corruption countries. Further, nations with lower levels of corruption experience noticeably lower unemployment rates compared to nations with higher levels of corruption. Additionally, findings show that low-corruption countries tend to have more economically open and free societies. Economic data for the study was collected from the organisation of economic cooperation and development (OECD), from the World Bank, and from the Heritage Foundation's index of economic freedom database. Corruption level data was obtained from Transparency International, which annually publishes a ranking of countries based on perceived corruption. Corruption activities include but are not limited to: corporate fraud, bribery, and cartels.
Biological Response of and Blood Plasma Protein Adsorption on Silver-Doped Hydroxyapatite.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is an extensively used orthopedic biomaterial because of its high biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Implant-related infection is a major cause of orthopedic device failur...
Domains of similarity and attraction in three types of relationships

For decades, social scientists have observed that people greatly desire a partner who is similar to themselves. Less is known, however, about whether particular similarity domains (e.g., music preferences) may uniquely influence relationship formation. We address this gap by examining people’s preferences for 18 similarity domains in three types of relationships: friendships, casual/short-term, and long-term. The most important similarity domains, across the three relationship types, were political views, career goals, food preferences, travel desires, and music preferences. General similarity was most important in long-term rather than in friendships and casual/short-term relationships, with the latter two relationship types not differing from one another. This pattern emerged for all similarity domains with four exceptions: preferences for books, video games, computer brands, and cell phone brands. No sex differences emerged in similarity domains except in preferences in video games and brands of cell phones and computers. Men rated these domains to be more important than did women. All three of these differences were of relatively small effect size. We tie this work into the larger body of research on similarity and preferences for partner traits.
The Labyrinths of De Quincey’s Confessions of an English Opium-Eater

This chapter begins by considering the echoes of Thomas De Quincey found in detective fiction. Colman argues that De Quincey, whose work on opium was foundational for modern understandings of drug addiction, specifically links addiction to repetitive investigation. De Quincey’s understanding of consumption habit, Colman shows, was influenced by the Brunonian medicine that had previously influenced Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and De Quincey shared but intensified the Brunonian sense of addictive habit as a corollary to exploratory, literary habit. Colman in particular closely reads one scene in De Quincey’s Confessions of an English Opium-Eater—the description of a labyrinth in the work of Piranesi—to illustrate how De Quincey forged a new, addictive sense of literary worlds, worlds in which one might repeatedly, desirously pursue possibility.
Theory of hopping magnetoresistance induced by Zeeman splitting

We present a study of hopping conductivity for a system of sites that can be occupied by more than one electron. At a moderate on-site Coulomb repulsion, the coexistence of sites with occupation numbers 0, 1, and 2 results in an exponential dependence of the Mott conductivity upon Zeeman splitting ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{\mathit{B}}$H. We show that the conductivity behaves as ln\ensuremath{\sigma}=(T/${\mathit{T}}_{0}$${)}^{1/4}$F(x), where F is a universal scaling function of x=${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{\mathit{B}}$H/T(${\mathit{T}}_{0}$/T${)}^{1/4}$. We find F(x) analytically at weak fields, x\ensuremath{\ll}1, using a perturbative approach. Above some threshold ${\mathit{x}}_{\mathrm{th}}$, the function F(x) attains a constant value, which is also found analytically. The full shape of the scaling function is determined numerically, from a simulation of the corresponding ``two-color'' dimensionless percolation problem. In addition, we develop an approximate method which enables us to solve this percolation problem analytically at any magnetic field. This method gives a satisfactory extrapolation of the function F(x) between its two limiting forms.
ARC: DVFS-aware asymmetric-retention STT-RAM caches for energy-efficient multicore processors

Relaxed retention (or volatile) spin-transfer torque RAM (STT-RAM) has been widely studied as a way to reduce STT-RAM's write energy and latency overheads. Given a relaxed retention time STT-RAM level one (L1) cache, we analyze the impacts of dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS)---a common optimization in modern processors---on STT-RAM L1 cache design. Our analysis reveals that, apart from the fact that different applications may require different retention times, the clock frequency, which is typically ignored in most STT-RAM studies, may also significantly impact applications' retention time needs. Based on our findings, we propose an asymmetric-retention core (ARC) design for multicore architectures. ARC features retention time heterogeneity to specialize STT-RAM retention times to applications' needs. We also propose a runtime prediction model to determine the best core on which to run an application, based on the applications' characteristics, their retention time requirements, and available DVFS settings. Results reveal that the proposed approach can reduce the average cache energy by 20.19% and overall processor energy by 7.66%, compared to a homogeneous STT-RAM cache design.
A Critical Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Patients with HTLV-1 Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma: A Multicenter Clinicopathologic Experience and New Prognostic Score.

Purpose : Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare aggressive Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type-I (HTLV-I) associated peripheral T-cell neoplasm with 4 recognized clinicopathologic subtypes: acute, lymphomatous, chronic, and smoldering. Since the initial description of these variants, several studies have sought to identify additional prognostic factors. We assessed prognostic models already in use for aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas to develop a novel risk stratification scheme. Methods: Data regarding patients with ATLL were collected from 3 medical centers between 8/92 and 5/07. Descriptive statistics were used to assess categorical and continuous variables. Overall survival (OS) was defined as time from diagnosis to death. Survival curves for OS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate associations between individual clinical factors and OS were evaluated using the log-rank test for categorical variables and the Cox model for continuous variables. Maximum logrank analysis was used to select the optimal cut-off for calcium. In order to develop a simple risk model and allow for interactions of factors independently associated with OS, we used recursive partitioning analysis. Results: 89 patients with ATLL were identified; 37 males (41.6%) and 52 females (58.4%) and median age 50 years (range 22 to 82). The acute subtype of ATLL predominated (68.5%), followed by lymphomatous (20.2%), chronic (6.8%) and smoldering (4.5%). Median OS for all sub-types was 24 weeks (range 0.9 to 315). According to the International Prognostic Index (IPI), 8 patients (9.1%) were classified as low risk, 11 patients (12.5 %) as low intermediate risk, 13 patients (14.8 %) as high intermediate risk, and 56 patients (63.6 %) as high risk, 1 patient could not be evaluated due to missing data. Median OS by IPI risk group was 271, 65, 31 and 16 weeks, respectively (p those with Stage III–IV disease with an ECOG performance status those with an ECOG performance status ≥ 2 with calcium ≤ 11 mg/dL and age ≤ 60; and the high risk group (also comprising 2 sets of patients): those with a performance status ≥ 2 with calcium ≤ 11 mg/dL and age > 60 or those with a performance status ≥ 2 and calcium > 11 mg/dL. There were 10 patients (11.2%) in the low risk (median survival= 156.6 weeks), 31 (34.8%) in the intermediate risk (median survival = 45.4 weeks), and 48 (53.9%) in the high risk (median survival= 13 weeks) categories (p Conclusion: This retrospective series confirms a poor outcome for North American patients with HTLV-1 related ATLL. Although the IPI and PIT identified subsets of patients, these models had liabilities. We propose a new prognostic model based on recursive partitioning analysis that successfully identifies three prognostic categories based on performance status, stage, age and calcium level at diagnosis in a more robust and distinct fashion. Table 1. Comparison of Prognostic Scores and Kaplan Meier Survival Estimates (%) of patients with ATLL
Phase 2 study of LY3023414 in patients with advanced endometrial cancer harboring activating mutations in the PI3K pathway

Background PI3K pathway activation is common in endometrial cancer. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, LY3023414, in patients with advanced endometrial cancer harboring activating mutations in the PI3K pathway. Methods We conducted a single-arm phase 2 study of monotherapy LY3023414. Eligible patients had advanced endometrial cancer of any grade, prior management with 1-4 cytotoxic lines, and PI3K pathway activation prospectively defined as a loss-of-function PTEN alteration or activating alteration in PIK3CA, AKT1, PIK3R1, PIK3R2, or MTOR. The primary objective was best overall response rate (ORR) per RECIST 1.1. Results Twenty-eight patients were treated; histologies included endometroid (39%), carcinosarcoma (25%), serous (21%), and mixed (14%). Patients were heavily pretreated, with a median of 2 prior cytotoxic lines (range, 1-3). The most common alterations involved PIK3CA (68%), PTEN (43%), and PIK3R1 (32%). In the 25 efficacy-evaluable patients, the ORR was 16% (90% CI, 7%-100%), and the clinical benefit rate was 28% (90% CI, 16%-100%). Four patients had a confirmed partial response, and 2 responses lasted for >9 months. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 2.5 months (95% CI, 1.2-3.0) and 9.2 months (95% CI, 5.0-15.9), respectively. The most common all-grade treatment-related adverse events were anemia (71%), hyperglycemia (71%), hypoalbuminemia (68%), and hypophosphatemia (61%). No correlation between molecular alterations and response was observed. Conclusion In patients with heavily pretreated advanced endometrial cancer prospectively selected for tumors with activating PI3K pathway mutations, LY3023414 demonstrated modest single-agent activity and a manageable safety profile.
SOC — The IBM Microelectronics Approach

System-on-a-chip (SoC) designs represent a rapidly growing segment of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and application-specific standard products (ASSP) designs. The Worldwide Design Center (WWDC) in IBM Microelectronics’ ASIC organization has been designing SoCs for both internal and external customers since the mid-1990s. The experience gained over the past several years has led to methodology refinements that greatly reduced time-to-market for designs of increasing complexity. The key factors to reducing SoC time to market include standard interconnects, verification methods, the development of reusable platforms, and the enabling of concurrent software development. These factors — and the impact of the methodology on development cycles and resource requirements — will be discussed. Remaining challenges are highlighted in the conclusion.
Method for Studying the Asymptotic Properties of Solutions to a System of Second-Order Linear Differential Equations on the Half-Line

A special method is proposed for reducing an $$n $$-dimensional system of second-order ordinary differential equations to a $$2n$$-dimensional system of first-order ones. Using matrix weight functions (which can be chosen arbitrarily when applying the method), we establish sufficient conditions for the boundedness and power-law absolute integrability on the half-line of the components of all solutions to a linear system of second-order differential equations and their first derivatives as well as for their decay (in particular, exponential or power-law) as the independent variable tends to infinity. An illustrative example is provided.
Evaluation on the quarantine of Schistosomiasis-Malaria-Filariasis in migrating population in Luwan District of Shanghai

Objective To evaluate the Three-Disease(Schistosomiasis-Malaria-Filariasis)-Quarantine in migrating population,to make it more effective.Methods The data evaluated were collected from history data,questionnaires and interviews.Results All the communities in Luwan District and 9.93% migrating population were covered with the quarantine during 1995-2008.The number of people with positive antibody was 557 and the positive rate was 1.50%.Nine out of 557 people exhibiting antibody titer as 1:10 were involved in pathogen-tracing,and 7 of the 9 people received treatment.The total cost of Three-Disease-Quarantine during 14 years was RMB 533 497.The result of questionnaires and interviews showed,as people generally considered,the Three-Disease-Quarantine achieved great effects.Most people thought that the Quarantine is basically feasible but quite difficult;financial cost was high but the overall effect was relatively limited.There was a common opinion that the cause of limited effect was due to lack of government s attention,financial support and publicity.Those who come from endemic area should be selected as the key targets of the quarantine.The migrating population knew little about the transmission and prevention of the three diseases but were willing to have the quarantine for free.Conclusion In order to make the Three-Disease-Quarantine more effective,amendments of some regulations are recommended. Key words: Schistosomiasis; Malaria; Filariasis; Quarantine; Evaluation; Migrating population
40. CHAMILY CHALLENGE: THE IMPACT AND EFFICACY OF TEAM-BASED GAMIFICATION ON PEDIATRIC RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT

Background Gamification is the application of game design elements to non-game environments. It has been successfully utilized in the business community to enhance employee motivation and improve productivity. Residents’ conflicting pressures lead to high rates of burnout and studies show that increasing engagement combats burnout. We aimed to integrate a game model into our residency to improve engagement in education, resident wellness and community-building, essential components of residency education per the ACGME. Methods A task-based game was created [Table 1]. Residents (N=85) were randomized into 4 teams, earning points through education, community and wellness activities. Participation occurred over 4 months; prizes were awarded throughout (funded by a grant from APPD NY/NJ Region). Resident wellness was measured with the validated Stanford House Staff Wellness Survey. Other collected data included lecture attendance, participation in board review and advocacy events and nominations for outstanding hospital staff. Statistical analysis utilized chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests and unpaired 2-tailed t-tests. Results All residents earned points from at least one activity. Residents meeting the attendance requirement increased 130% compared to the year prior (46% vs 20%, p Conclusion Gamification is one method to improve resident engagement. In our program, it resulted in substantially more residents meeting lecture attendance benchmarks, increased participation in board review, and promoted greater peer recognition. Though there was no improvement in burnout indicators, they did remain stable, a change from prior years.
Surface Contamination Generated by "One-Pot" Methamphetamine Production

Methamphetamine production is the most common form of illicit drug manufacture in the United States. The "one-pot" method is the most prevalent methamphetamine synthesis method and is a modified Birch reduction, reducing pseudoephedrine with lithium and ammonia gas generated in situ. This research examined the amount of methamphetamine surface contamination generated by one-pot syntheses or "cooks", as well as the effectiveness of hosing with water as a simplified decontamination technique, to assess associated public health and environmental consequences. Concentrations of methamphetamine contamination were examined prior to production, after production, and after decontamination with water. Contamination was qualitatively field screened using lateral flow immunoassays and quantitatively assessed using a fluorescence covalent microbead immunosorbent assay. Following screening, 0 of 23 pre-cook samples, 29 of 41 post-cook samples, and 5 of 27 post-decontamination samples were positive. Quantitatively, one pre-cook sample had a methamphetamine concentration of 1.36 ng/100 cm2. Post-cook and post-decontamination samples had average methamphetamine concentrations of 26.50 ± 63.83 and 6.22 ± 12.17 ng/100 cm2, respectively. While all one-pot methamphetamine laboratories generate different amounts of waste, depending on the amount of precursors used and whether the reaction vessel remained uncompromised, this study examined the surface contamination generated by a popular one-pot method known to law enforcement. By understanding the amount of surface contamination generated by common methods of one-pot methamphetamine production and the effectiveness of decontamination techniques used to remediate them, health risks associated with these production sites can be better understood and environmental contamination can be mitigated.
Latissimus Dorsi and Teres Major Injuries

Latissimus dorsi and teres major tendon injuries are an uncommon, but under-recognized source of shoulder pain and weakness in baseball players, specifically pitchers. These injuries can be difficult to diagnose on history and physical examination, but are typically accompanied by pain and weakness to resisted adduction, extension, and internal rotation with the shoulder in the abducted and externally rotated position. Imaging is also challenging as the typical shoulder magnetic resonance imaging protocol does not have a wide enough field of view to include the insertions of the latissimus dorsi or teres major, nor their anatomic courses along the posteroinferior scapula. Treatment for latissimus/teres injuries is often based on tear severity and can include operative and nonoperative measures. Nonoperative management involves a period of shutdown from throwing with or without the use of biologic augmentation followed by a return to throwing protocol. Operative treatment involves repair of the torn latissimus and/or teres to their humeral insertion followed by an extensive rehabilitation program and progression to throwing. Return to play following successful treatment of latissimus/teres injuries is encouraging with many players returning to the same level as before their injury.
The Legacy of President Barack Obama in the U.S. Supreme Court

We examine President Obama’s legacy in the Supreme Court from the perspective of presidential dominance theory. We argue that Obama’s presidency produced a mixed record. He experienced both successes and challenges in attempting to shape the Court in his own image, but he largely succeeded in using the Supreme Court to secure some of his biggest policy victories as president. Obama’s biggest and perhaps insufficiently acknowledged success was in slowing down the aggressive rightward shift of the Court with his appointment of two progressive female justices. These appointees, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, became effective counterweights to the Court’s conservative majority. Based on our comparative analysis of the voting record of Justices Kagan and Sotomayor with that of Justices David Souter and John Paul Stevens whom they replaced on the Court, we find that Obama's two appointees, have not moved the Court dramatically to the left. Analysis of Obama’s judicial legacy would be incomplete without examining his appointments to the lower federal courts. We tackle this aspect of his legacy by documenting both Obama’s difficulties in filling these lower federal court vacancies and his remarkable success in improving descriptive representation on the federal bench. President Obama appointed a higher proportion of minority and women judges than any other president in U.S. history. Ultimately, the legacy of the Obama presidency in the U.S. Supreme Court will continue to be shaped by the justices he appointed, and by the administration’s failure to seat Merrick Garland due to a blockade by Senate Republicans. In the last section of the chapter, we analyze some of the big cases and monumental legal issues of the Obama Era, focusing on healthcare, marriage equality, and immigration.