cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural limits of specificity of methylcholanthrene-repressible nitrosamine N-dealkylases. Inhibition by analog substrates.

The dealkylation of dsimethyl-, diethyl- and dipropylnitrosamine by hepatic microsomes of Sprague-Dawley rats is repressed by pretreatment of the animals with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC), and this repression progressively decreases with the increase of alkyl chain length. In contrast to its effect on the demethylation of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), in vivo phenobarbital induces rather than represses the deethylation of diethylnitrosamine. The rates of demethylation of the DMN analog substrates (dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethylpropionamide, and dimethylbutyramide), although low as compared to DMN, increase with the acyl chain length. These analogs are potent in vitro inhibitors of DMN demethylation when used in combination with DMN as substrates, and the inhibition decreases with the length of the acyl chain. Dimethylaminoacetone, which corresponds to the insertion of a CH2 group between the N atom and the carbonyl group in dimethylacetamide, is not an in vitro inhibitor of DMN demethylation; the demethylation rates are additive when this compound is used as substrate in combination with DMN. The rate of demethylation of dimethylaminoacetone is substantially higher than the rates of the dimethylacylamides, and is significantly repressed by MC-pretreatment. The rate of demethylation of methylphenylnitrosamine is not influenced by MC-pretreatment; the compound is, however, a potent inhibitor of demethylation when used as substrate in combination with DMN. The demethylation rates of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (the reduction product of DMN) and dimethylaniline are not influenced by MC-pretreatment; neither do they affect the overall rate of demethylation when used as substrate in combination with DMN.
Logistic Growth with Random Density Independent Disasters

Abstract A stochastic differential equation for a discontinuous Markov process is employed to model the magnitude of a population which grows logistically between disasters which are proportional to the current population size (density independent disasters). The expected persistence or extinction time satisfies a singular differential-difference equation. When the number of disasters, in the absence of recovery, between carrying capacity and extinction is two, analytical expressions are found for the mean persistence time. A comparison is made with the previously studied case of decrements of constant magnitude. When the two problems are suitably normalized, the mean survival times are quite different for the two models, especially in a critical range of initial population sizes near extinction. The expected survival time of a colonizing species is discussed quantitatively in terms of the parameters of the model. Insight into the nature of the probability density of the survival time is obtained by means of computer simulations. The densities resemble gamma densities and long tails appear when the disasters are density independent, implying a small change of long term survival. When the number of consecutive disasters which take the population from carrying capacity to extinction is large, a singular decomposition is employed to solve the differential-difference equation for the mean persistence time. The results are discussed in terms of population strategies in hazardous environments.
The Children, Youth, and Family Consortium: A University of Minnesota/Community Partnership 1

In a time of careful scrutiny of public spending, public universities—which absorb a large portion of state educational resources—are challenged more than ever before to be accountable. Often driven by a land-grant mission, universities are under the microscope to demonstrate efficient deployment of resources in addressing educational needs and applying research to practice for the benefit of their constituents. The ivory tower is tilting under a vigorous press to eliminate program redundancy, pursue new target audiences, widen the scope of extension teaching and adult education, retool professionals for the changing job market, and promote outreach activities that address community needs (Weinberg, Fishhaut, Moore & Plaisance, 1990).
Recovery of function after brain damage: Differential effects of blocking calcium uptake during the recovery of a learned behavior and the performance of the recovered behavior following neocortical brain injury

The recovery of a learned behavior following brain damage is typically considered to have occurred when the brain-injured individual reattains the performance criterion that defined original preoperative learning. While this is obviously correct from an operational point of view, it does not necessarily mean that the consequences of the brain injury have been reversed, particularly with regard to the sustained performance of the supposedly recovered behavior. The present research attempted a more comprehensive evaluation of the behavioral effects of localized neocortical injury by investigating how a calcium channel blocker would effect (a) the original preoperative acquisition, (b) the initial postoperative recovery, and (c) the subsequent long-term performance of a brightness discrimination learned by rats subjected to injuries of their visual neocortex. The results demonstrated that notwithstanding the brain-injured rat's ability to reattain the performance criterion used to define preoperative learning, its long-term performance of this recovered behavior was significantly inferior to that of a normal rat. More importantly, the present data suggest that there are important differences between the initial postoperative recovery of a behavior and its long-term performance since the same drug that will facilitate initial recovery has just the opposite effect with respect to the animals long-term postoperative performance of the behavior.
Freedom through self-sufficiency: A qualitative examination of the impact of domestic violence on the working lives of women in shelter

Using consensual qualitative research (C. Hill, B. Thompson, & E. Williams, 1997), the purpose of this study was to explore the impact of domestic violence on the working lives of women currently in shelter. Several emergent categories suggested that domestic violence has a profound effect on women's working lives, including their ability to maintain work and their ability to concentrate on the job. Contextual factors such as children, external barriers, and community resources also facilitated (or impeded) battered women's ability to obtain or maintain meaningful employment. The relationship between domains suggested a model in which physical and psychological violence act as moderating influences on a woman's vocational self-concept and actual ability to work. Implications for practitioners and researchers are discussed.
Validation of 13c nmr measurement of human skeletal muscle glycogen by direct biochemical assay of needle biopsy samples

Recent developments in 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy have permitted noninvasive assessment of glycogen concentration in human skeletal muscle. Before these indirect measurements could be accepted as accurate, it was essential that validation should be carried out by comparing the widely used method of muscle biopsy and direct biochemical assay for glycogen concentration with measurement by NMR. Eight normal subjects underwent six NMR scans of gastrocnemius and three biopsies of the same muscle on the same day. The overall mean for muscle glycogen concentration was 87.4 mM by NMR and 88.3 mM by biopsy. There was a close correlation between the pairs of observations on each subject (R = 0.95; P less than 0.0001). The mean coefficient of variation for NMR measurement was 4.3 +/- 2.1% and that for biopsy was 9.3 +/- 5.9%. The performance of the muscle biopsies was accompanied by a small but significant rise in plasma-free fatty acids (529 +/- 157 to 667 +/- 250; P less than 0.01), epinephrine (17 +/- 6 to 25 +/- 8 pg/ml; P less than 0.02), and norepinephrine (318 +/- 119 to 400 +/- 140 pg/ml; P less than 0.02) but no change in plasma glucose, plasma insulin, nor muscle glycogen concentration assessed by NMR. The study demonstrates that in vivo 13C NMR measurement of human muscle glycogen can be regarded as accurate, and the technique is associated with a higher precision that biopsy with direct biochemical assessment.
High repetition rate charging a Marx type generator

Summary form only given, as follows. Resistive ladder networks are commonly used as the charging and isolation means for Marx-type high voltage generators. The resistive charging network, however, suffers from several serious limitations. Namely, the efficiency is limited to 50% and the long charge time limits the PRR (pulse repetition rate). The efficiency can be considerably improved by replacing the resistive ladder with inductor elements; however, the PRR is only slightly improved. In this paper it is shown that by introducing mutual coupling, k, between the two parallel inductors in each stage of the, ladder network, the effective inductance during the charging mode is decreased by a factor of (1-k)/(1+k). Since it is feasible to achieve a coupling, k, on the order of 0.99, this speeds up the charging time by about an order of magnitude compared to resistive or conventional inductive charging. During the erected or discharge mode, the inductors provide isolation between stages and must not excessively rob energy from the energy store. The addition of mutual coupling is beneficial because during the discharge cycle, the effective inductances of the ladder elements are actually increased by a factor (1+k). The Marx switches cause a re-arrangement of the coupled inductors from parallel during the charging to series during the discharge modes. This results in a much faster charging time, by reducing the effective inductance by (1-k)/(1+k); while providing an effective isolation inductance that is (1+k) greater than the uncoupled value. The practical design of the coupled inductors for high voltage applications is discussed and modeled simulations of the performance are included.
Portrayal of Nurses in Advertisements in Medical and Nursing Journals

This investigation examined the content of advertisements in medical and nursing journals to determine if the images of nurses reflect the roles nurses play in health care. The method used was content analysis. Thirty-five nursing journals and 48 medical journals yielded 313 different advertisements picturing nurses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, correlation coefficients, and interpreted for overall impressions of the portrayals. Nurses are portrayed as sex objects, ornaments and as handmaidens to physicians. The findings demonstrate a freezing of the image of nurses in the print media.
Arrays of InP-based Avalanche Photodiodes for Photon Counting

Arrays of InP-based avalanche photodiodes (APDs) with InGaAsP absorber regions have been fabricated and characterized in the Geiger mode for photon-counting applications. Measurements of APDs with InGaAsP absorbers optimized for 1.06 mum wavelength show dark count rates (DCRs) <20 kHz for room-temperature operation with photon detection efficiency (PDE) up to 50% and a reset or dead time of 1s. APDs with InGaAs absorbers optimized for 1.55 μm wavelength and 240 K temperature have DCRs <20 kHz, PDE up to 45%, and a reset time of ~6 mus. Arrays for both wavelengths have been fabricated and packaged with GaP microlenses (of 100 and 50 μm pitch) and CMOS readout integrated circuits (ROICs). Comparisons are made between ROICs that operate in the framed-readout mode as well as those that operate in continuous-readout mode.
Characterization of adrenoceptor subtypes in cat cutaneous vasculature.

Experiments were undertaken to characterize the relative contribution of adrenoceptor subtypes in mediating vasoconstriction to exogenous agonists in the digital cutaneous vascular bed of the anesthetized cat using laser-Doppler flowmetry. Intra-arterial administration of (-)-epinephrine and (-)-norepinephrine into the brachial artery caused a dose-related vasoconstriction (decreased flow) with ED50 values of 7 and 21 ng, respectively. Blockade of beta adrenoceptors with propranolol did not alter the response to (-)-epinephrine nor did i.a. isoproterenol produce a significant vasodilation. Vasoconstrictor responses elicited by (-)-epinephrine and (-)-norepinephrine were antagonized by treatment with phentolamine (2.5 mg/kg i.v.) and by yohimbine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) but were only marginally blocked by prazosin (0.1 mg/kg i.v.). A dose-related depression of cutaneous blood flow was also caused by clonidine at doses virtually identical to those of (-)-norepinephrine. Clonidine-induced vasoconstriction was antagonized by rauwolscine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) but not by prazosin (0.1 mg/kg i.v.). Dose-response curves to a variety of additional adrenoceptor stimulants were constructed with the potency rank order for all agonists being: (-)-epinephrine greater than B-HT 920 = (-)-norepinephrine = clonidine much greater than (-)-phenylephrine much greater than B-HT 933 greater than methoxamine. Treatment with prazosin (0.1 mg/kg i.v.) antagonized methoxamine induced cutaneous vasoconstriction but not the decreased blood flow caused by B-HT 933. In contrast, rauwolscine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) blocked the responses to B-HT 933 but not methoxamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Trajectories of Depressed Mood from Early Adolescence to Young Adulthood: The Effects of Pubertal Timing and Adolescent Dating.

The effects of pubertal timing and adolescent dating on trajectories of depressed mood from early adolescence to young adulthood were examined among youths who participated in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Results showed that for both boys and girls, the trajectories of depressed mood between the ages of 12 and 23 took an inverse U‐shape with its peak in mid‐adolescence. Furthermore, pubertal timing was a significant predictor of depressed mood at age 12. The pubertal timing effect was nonlinear, suggesting that at age 12, early and late maturing youths were at risk of experiencing elevated levels of depressed mood. The adverse effect of off‐time maturation gradually dissipated over time. Moreover, in early adolescence, teenagers, particularly girls, were adversely affected by dating, and off‐time physical maturation exacerbated the negative effects of dating. However, the interactive effect of dating and pubertal timing gradually decreased with age. Our findings underscore the importance of examining junctures of biological and social challenges in adolescence to gain better understandings of young people's emotional experiences over time.
METONYMY; REASSESSMENT, SURVEY OF ACCEPTABILITY, AND ITS TREATMENT IN A MACHINE TRANSLATION SYSTEM

In this article we outline a basic approach to treating metonymy properly in a multilingual machine translation system. This is the first attempt at treating metonymy in an machine translation environment. The approach is guided by the differences of acceptability of metonymy which were obtained by our comparative survey among three languages, English, Chinese, and Japanese. The characteristics of the approach are as follows:(1)Influences of the context, individuals, and familiality with metonymy are not used.(2) An actual acceptability of each metonymic expression is not realized directly.(3) Grouping metonymic examples into patterns is determined by the acceptability judgement of the speakers surveyed as well as the analysts' intuition.(4) The analysis and generation components treat metonymy differently using the patterns.(5) The analysis component accepts a wider range of metonymy than the actual results of the survey, and the generation component treats metonymy more strictly than the actual results.We think that the approach is a starting point for more sophisticated approaches to translation in a multilingual machine translation environment.
Is There a Price to Pay for Short-Term Savings in the Clinical Development of New Pharmaceutical Products?

Clinical development of new pharmaceutical compounds has historically been geared toward meeting the information demands of regulatory agencies while minimizing the cost and duration of the drug development process. One strategy for meeting these objectives has been the globalization of the clinical research enterprise. However, the data collected in multinational clinical trials may be suboptimal for entities that make health care reimbursement decisions. As reimbursement authorities begin to demand high-quality data, the design of efficient clinical development programs will become more complex. In this article, we use a model of net present value to explore relationships between the cost and duration of clinical trials and sales for a hypothetical drug in three markets defined by size, price sensitivity, and the relationship between the probability of reimbursement and the quality of the information. We demonstrate how designing clinical trials to meet short-term objectives of minimizing cost and duration can have negative long-term financial consequences in environments where reimbursement decisions are sensitive to the quality of the data produced. To the extent that reimbursement authorities discount evidence collected in multinational clinical trials, those designing clinical trials will need to look beyond globalization as a strategy to minimize trial costs to designs that balance increased trial costs with the ability to provide reimbursement bodies with generalizable data for decision making.
Molecular design strategies for biomaterials that heal

Biomaterials are widely used in medical devices with good success. However, the surface chemistries of our present generation of biomaterials are not specifically recognized by living organisms. Thus, biological reactions to biomaterials in use today are primarily influenced by non-specific interactions occurring at their surfaces. This paper develops a hypothesis for the development of a future generation of biomaterials. A discussion of the meaning of biocompatibility is followed by a strategy for developing biomaterials that actively induce healing and reconstruction by tuming on specific biologic pathways. Materials strategies for encouraging specific reactions and inhibiting non-specific bioreaction are presented.
Thin Film Transistors based on Microcrystalline Silicon on Polyimiide Substrates

This study reports on the fabrication of inverted gate TFT devices and circuits using a low temperature microcrystalline silicon deposition process compatible with polyimide substrates. Results from the electrical and material characterization of μ-Si:H based TFT's are presented. Device performance is compared with that of α-Si:H based TFT's constructed on polyimide. Results indicate that the anticipated improvement in device performance due to an increase in the α-Si:H Hall mobility (~10 cm 2 /V-sec) over that of α-Si:H (~1 cm 2 /V-sec) is not realized. Properties of μ-Si:H films are related to deposition parameters.
Urinary incontinence and risk of death among community-living elderly people: results from the National Survey on Self-Care and Aging.

Objectives:The authors explored whether urinary incontinence (UI) is associated with higher mortality and, if so, whether adjustment for demographics, health, and functional status diminishes the a...
The development of a power engineering concentration

In response to current and future demands upon the Navy for technical expertise in the power and power electronics fields, the Electrical Engineering Department at the United States Naval Academy has launched an initiative to develop a power engineering concentration within the EE major. To formulate and develop this concentration, priorities for student learning have been established within a twofold mission statement: to develop and equip future Naval officers and to produce competent and qualified future civilian engineers. From this perspective, course content, sequencing, laboratory experiments, classroom demonstrations, and student research and design projects have been proposed. Along the way, attention was given to structuring the class material within the framework of learning objectives and outcome assessments necessary for meeting ABET accreditation. This paper presents a detailed discussion on this process highlighting the selections made, emphasizing the goals and objectives for student learning, and presenting a status update on the implementation of this effort.
Regulation of color morphic patterns in the giant kelpfish, Heterostichus rostratus Girard: genetic versus environmental factors

Color choice experiments tested preferences of red, green, and brown color morphs of giant kelp&h, Heterostichus rostratus Girard, for matching versus non-matching colored backgrounds. Kelptish were determined to prefer matching colors, these results being most pronounced with live plant backgrounds and progressively less significant with backgrounds of artificial plants and flat plastic panels, respectively. Adult kelpfish demonstrated a stronger preference for matching back~ounds than did juveniIes. Kelpfish larvae whose parents colors were known were reared on red, green, or brown colored backgrounds. They developed brown or green juvenile color morphic patterns, apparently independently of parent color. These rearing experiments indicated that development of juvenile color is determined by plant background. Long-term color change abilities of juvenile and adult kelplish color morphs on colored habitats were tested in laboratory and in situ experiments. It was found that juveniles readily changed on both artificial and live plant backgrounds from green to brown, and vice versa. Changes in color of adults were less pronounced and slower, particularly in laboratory experiments, and largely con&red to females. In situ experiments yielded the greatest ma~itudes of color change, some adult females changing between red, brown and green. Male and juvenile kelptish were incapable of becoming red, corresponding to color morph frequency collection data. Adult males also apparently lost the capability to change to true green. These differences indicate that color change ability and assumption ofred color may be governed by sex hormones.
Topographic feature type vocabularies for ontology patterns

Controlled vocabularies for topographic features on the geospatial semantic web are incomplete. A vocabulary for raster-based data is missing. The U.S. Geological Survey is developing controlled vocabularies for topographic data and environmental modeling, including raster data.
Sex Differences in Injury Patterns Among Workers in Heavy Manufacturing

The objective of the study was to determine if female workers in a heavy manufacturing environment have a higher risk of injury compared with males when performing the same job and to evaluate sex differences in type or severity of injury. By use of human resources and incident surveillance data for the hourly population at 6 US aluminum smelters, injuries that occurred from January 1, 1996, through December 21, 2005, were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for job, tenure, and age category, was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for female versus male injury risk for all injuries, recordable injuries, and lost work time injuries. The analysis was repeated for acute injuries and musculoskeletal disorder-related injuries separately. Female workers in this industry have a greater risk for sustaining all forms of injury after adjustment for age, tenure, and standardized job category (odds ratio = 1.365, 95% confidence interval: 1.290, 1.445). This excess risk for female workers persisted when injuries were dichotomized into acute injuries (odds ratio = 1.2) and musculoskeletal disorder-related injuries (odds ratio = 1.1). This study provides evidence of a sex disparity in occupational injury with female workers at higher risk compared with their male counterparts in a heavy manufacturing environment.
Genetic control of growth.

The application of the powerful tool molecular biology has made it possible to ask questions not only about hormone production and action but also to characterize many of the receptor molecules that initiate responses to the hormones. We are beginning to understand how cells may regulate the expression of genes and how hormones intervene in regulatory processes to adjust the expression of individual genes. In addition, great strides have been made in understanding how individual cells talk to each other through locally released factors to coordinate growth, differentiation, secretion, and other responses within a tissue. In this review I (1) focus on developmental aspects of the pituitary gland, (2) focus on the different components of the growth hormone axis and (3) examine the different altered genes and their related growth factors and/or regulatory systems that play an important physiological and pathophysiological role in growth. Further, as we have already entered the ‘post-genomic’ area, in which not only a defect at the molecular level becomes important but also its functional impact at the cellular level, I concentrate in the last part on some of the most important aspects of cell biology and secretion.
Ocean surface pressure fields from satellite-sensed winds

The University of Washington's planetary boundary layer model is inverted to use remotely sensed satellite scatterometer-derived surface winds as input to calculate maritime surface pressure fields. The analysis of three different synoptic storm situations is performed using the model and is then compared to conventional National Weather Service analyses. Agreement is good. Isolation of the PBL secondary flow, stratification and thermal wind effects in the model revealed that each may be significant under certain conditions. However, the model shows sensitivity to the thermodynamic features only in a general sense and even a neutral stratification solution gives a good approximation. The high density of the scatterometer data produces mesoscale (hundreds of kilometers) dynamic details, which cannot be confirmed by conventional data at this stage.
Does Sexual Humor Work on Mars, but Not on Venus? Exploring Consumer Acceptance of Sexually Humorous Advertising by Gendered Brands

In this paper, two studies demonstrate that the efficacy of sexual humor in advertising is more complicated than the conventional wisdom of “works for males, but not for females.” The findings suggest that males and females tend not to exhibit significant differences in sexual humor evaluation (how funny is this?) but that advertising utilizing sexual humor is more likely (less likely) to generate positive attitudes (do I like this advertisement/brand?) when a masculine (feminine) brand is communicating with male (female) consumers. However, brand gender differences and the resultant consumer attitudinal differences can be eliminated through the use of gender-atypical brand personality. Taken together, the results show that the mere presence of sexual humor does not drive gender-based differences in advertising response; rather, it appears to be the fit of such humor with brand personality.
Abstract T P322: In-hospital Outcomes of Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Pediatric Population

Objective: To determine trends in tPA utilization, treatment outcomes and predictors of mortality for pediatric patients with acute ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2001-2010, pediatric patients (age < 18 years) with the primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke were identified. We studied time trends of utilization of intravenous rtPA and outcomes after thrombolysis. We also analyzed the associations of demographic factors, comorbidities, and complications of acute ischemic stroke with in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 7,379 patients were included in this study. In-hospital mortality was 4.5%. The co-morbidities associated with the highest rates of in-hospital mortality were mitochondrial disorders (19.5%, P<0.0001) and hypercoagulable states (10.9%, p<0.0001). The main complications associated with increased mortality were intracranial hemorrhage (19.9%, p<0.0001), sepsis (13.2%, p<0.0001) and pneumonia (9.3%, p=0.0007). tPA utilization rate was 1.3% (99 patients). tPA utilization increased from 0.9% of patients in 2001-2005 to 1.9% of patients in 2006-2010 (P<0.0001). While patients who received tPA did not have higher mortality rates than non-tPA patients (0.0% versus 5.5%, P=0.06), there was an increased discharge-to-long-term-facilities rate in the tPA group (50.8% versus 12.1%, P<0.0001). Conclusion: Acute ischemic stroke in the pediatric population is associated with a higher mortality rate when related to mitochondriopathies or hypercoagulability. Patients suffering complications such as intracranial hemorrhage, sepsis and pneumonia have higher mortality. rtPA utilization is increasing in pediatric patients with acute ischemic stroke. Pediatric patients receiving tPA have a low risk of fatal hemorrhage. Although patients receiving rtPA have higher rates of morbidity, this may be related to worse stroke severity in these cases.
High Power Electric Propulsion Discharge Characteristics : Vacuum Facility Ground Test ing

Far field plasma characteristics for a twenty kilowatt microwav e High Power Electric Propulsion (HiPEP) rectangular forty one centimeter by ninety one centimeter ion engine were measured at the Glenn Research Center’s (GRC) Electric Propulsion Laboratory (EPL). All measurements were conducted in the large EPL Vacuum Facility (VF -6) chamber with 7.6 m diameter and 21 m length. Detector arrays were located downstream from the exit port of the ion thruster at the distances of 6-12 m . Three banks of detector arrays included fourteen Langmuir probes, two flat plate probes , and a Faraday Cup. Langmuir probe diagnostics yielded electron temperatures of 0.26 -0.36eV and low energy ion temperatures of 0.05 -0.08 eV . Faraday cup measurements provided just rough estimate for low e nergy ion current . Estimate d ion velocit ies varied within the range of 4.17 -5.5 km/s . Electron number densities were determined as (28 -40 )10 6 cm -3 , and the measured plasma potential s ranged between 1.76 V and 2.35 V. Additional diagnostics included two quartz crystal microbalances for measuring plasma cont amination due to the erosion of thruster electrodes , a quadrupole mass spectrometer , and an optical spectrometer.
Is Cystectomy a Safe Procedure in Elderly Patients with Carcinoma of the Bladder

AbstractOften total cystectomy is not advocated in elderly patients for the treatment of carcinoma of the bladder. A group of 25 patients more than 70 years old were reviewed to determine if cystectomy is a reasonable therapeutic alternative in elderly individuals. Since there was satisfactory survival and no immediate operative mortalities elderly patients should not be denied this form of therapy on the basis of age alone. A higher incidence of postoperative complications was noted in the patients treated previously with radiation therapy.
Pigmentary disorders and inflammatory lesions of the external genitalia

Many cutaneous processes can involve the external genitalia as a part of the general involvement of the skin. Other processes may affect only the genitalia, such as several pigmentary disorders and inflammations. As a result, these conditions may be mistaken for sexually transmitted diseases. It is important to include these conditions in the differential diagnosis.
The mechanics of intersecting echelon veins and pressure solution seams in limestone

Abstract Many studies that describe the formation of echelon vein arrays relate the causative stresses implicitly to the deformation, reliant on simple shear kinematics, such that the vein-to-array angle and the array width are the primary physical quantities. In contrast, we identify twelve physical quantities to describe echelon veins in two dimensions, including coeval, vein-intersecting, pressure solution seams. A finite element method is used to reproduce vein shapes in linear elastic and elastic-perfectly plastic model limestone. Model vein geometries are designed using values within the range of geometries measured from echelon veins at Raplee Anticline and Comb Monocline, Utah. Four physical quantities are significant for describing echelon vein shapes: vein spacing, vein-array angle, limestone elastic stiffness, and closing of orthogonal pressure solution seams. Pressure solution seam closing influences the mechanical interaction between adjacent veins, and for a range of conditions, causes a nearly linear vein opening distribution (triangular shapes) and encourages straight vein propagation, both of which approximate field measurements. Model results show that small spacing of veins with seams and large vein-array angles promote straight vein traces in limestone with stiffness typical of laboratory measurements, given the physical geologic conditions inferred from the burial history of the limestone strata.
Middle Mediastinal Mass

Abstract Middle mediastinal masses are usually recognized by alteration of normal mediastinal contours that may be closely related to the trachea, esophagus, great vessels, and lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy is a common cause of a middle mediastinal mass and may be the first manifestation of lymphoma, metastases, or inflammatory diseases such as tuberculosis, fungal infections, or sarcoidosis.
Asymmetry in the unificationist theory of causal explanation

The unificationist theory of causal explanation offers a theory of causation and explanation with no causal primitives. Kitcher proposed that it offered an account of explanatory asymmetry, but his proposal has been criticized for being too dependent on contingent facts and surreptitiously supposing causal realism. In addition, critics have argued that unificationism cannot account for asymmetry in a world with symmetric laws of physics (such as ours) and is lead to accept backwards explanation in certain epistemic situations. Unificationism has been defended from some of these objections. We critique those defenses, rejecting some and developing others, as well as adding new ones. In doing so, we argue that objectors are wrong to treat explanatory asymmetry as an a priori matter and that unificationism is appropriately sensitive to the right sort of empirical facts.
Rate heterogeneity across Squamata, misleading ancestral state reconstruction and the importance of proper null model specification.

The binary-state speciation and extinction (BiSSE) model has been used in many instances to identify state-dependent diversification and reconstruct ancestral states. However, recent studies have shown that the standard procedure of comparing the fit of the BiSSE model to constant-rate birth-death models often inappropriately favors the BiSSE model when diversification rates vary in a state-independent fashion. The newly-developed HiSSE model enables researchers to identify state-dependent diversification rates while accounting for state-independent diversification at the same time. The HiSSE model also allows researchers to test state-dependent models against appropriate state-independent null models that have the same number of parameters as the state-dependent models being tested. We reanalyze two datasets that originally used BiSSE to reconstruct ancestral states within squamate reptiles and reached surprising conclusions regarding the evolution of toepads within Gekkota and viviparity across Squamata. We used this new method to demonstrate that there are many shifts in diversification rates across squamates. We then fit various HiSSE submodels and null models to the state and phylogenetic data and reconstructed states under these models. We found that there is no single, consistent signal for state-dependent diversification associated with toepads in gekkotans or viviparity across all squamates. Our reconstructions show limited support for the recently proposed hypotheses that toepads evolved multiple times independently in Gekkota and that transitions from viviparity to oviparity are common in Squamata. Our results highlight the importance of considering an adequate pool of models and null models when estimating diversification rate parameters and reconstructing ancestral states. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
"So it's got three meanings dil dil:" Seductive ideophony and the sounds of Navajo poetry

This article engages questions about translation, phonological iconicity, and seductive ideophony. I begin by discussing the work of Paul Friedrich as it relates to questions of linguistic relativity and poetics and the qualities of music and myth that constitute poetry. I then present a poem written in Navajo by Rex Lee Jim and four translations of the poem. Three are from Navajo consultants and one of those translations will be, from a certain perspective, rather surprising. Namely, why does one consultant translate this poem as if it is composed of ideophones? The fourth translation is mine. I then work through the morphology of the poem in Navajo, saying something more about the translators and the process of translation. I then provide a transcript of a conversation I had with Blackhorse Mitchell about this poem. I use this to take up questions of phonological iconicity (punning) and the seductive quality of ideophony (the pole of music). I also place this poem within a context of the stick game in Navajo philosophy (the pole of myth). This leads, in the conclusion, to reflections about linguistic relativity, misunderstandings, sound, and poetics. Resume: Cet article souleve des questions sur la traduction, sur l’iconicite phonologique et sur la seduction de l’ideophonie. Je discute d’abord du travail de Paul Friedrich (1979, 1986 sur les questions de relativite linguistique et de poetique, et les qualites de la musique et du mythe qui constituent la poesie. Je presente ensuite un poeme ecrit en Navajo par Rex Lee Jim, et quatre traductions du poeme, dont trois faites par des consultants navajo. L’une de ces trois sera, d’un certain point de vue, assez surprenante : pourquoi le consultant a-t-il traduit le poeme comme s’il etait compose d’ideophones? La quatrieme traduction est de moi. J’analyse la morphologie du poeme en Navajo, avec des commentaires au sujet des traducteurs et du processus de traduction. Je fournis ensuite la transcription d’une conversation que j’ai eue au sujet de ce poeme avec Blackhorse Mitchell. Cette conversation me permet d’aborder des questions d’iconicite phonologique (calembours) et de la seduction qu’exerce l’ideophonie (le pole de la musique). Je situe le poeme dans le contexte du jeu de bâton dans la philosophie navajo (le pole du mythe). Cela mene, en conclusion, a des reflexions sur la relativite linguistique, les malentendus, le son et la poetique.
Dopamine changes in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Recent case reports suggest that dopamine (DA) replacement may reduce behavioral deficits resulting from hemorrhages along the nigrostriatal tract. In the rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), behavioral deficits are first evident on day 1, with return to near control levels by day 28. The current study was conducted to determine if striatal dopamine alterations are correlated with behavioral deficits. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were measured to determine selectivity. Striatal DA, DA metabolites, and GABA were determined at days 1, 3, 7, and 28 after ICH by highpressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. ICH resulted in significant increases above control in DA contralateral to the lesion (177 to 361% above control, days 1 to 28). There were also significant, but much less marked changes in GABA. In the ipsilateral striatum, significant DA increases also occurred (∼200% at day 3 and ∼275% day 28), while GABA alterations were not significant. These results indicate that the striatal DA system is selectively altered after ICH. Further studies will be needed to determine if regional dopamine alterations occur relative to the location of the hematoma.
Hedge Fund Liquidity Management

We find that asset illiquidity in hedge funds is typically lower than combined liabilities and equity illiquidity, i.e., hedge funds tend to exhibit negative liquidity mismatch. Using hedge fund regulatory filings of Form PF over 2013-2015, we find that negative liquidity mismatches are more pronounced among larger funds, funds with lower leverage, funds in which managers have a greater personal stake, and when market volatility is lower. We also find support for existing theories of liquidity management: Funds holding more illiquid assets are associated with longer committed periods of investor financing, and the absence of long-term commitments from investors and lenders predicts greater cash holdings and unused borrowing capacity, respectively. Finally, quarterly changes in cash holdings and unused borrowing are negatively related to current and future investor flows and fund returns, suggesting that managers increase liquidity buffers in response to investor outflows, negative performance and ahead of financial distress. Our findings of a negative relation between cash buffer changes and outflows contrast sharply with recent mutual funds studies. We find that hedge funds’ right to enact so-called “discretionary” liquidity restrictions plays an important role in explaining this difference.
Pretenders and Contenders: Inflammation, C-Reactive Protein, and Interleukin-6.

The initiation of atherosclerosis and its progression to an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are intricate processes with many factors, but one central factor is inflammation. Interleukin‐6 is a proinflammatory cytokine that may have a role in the initiation, progression, and vulnerability of
Distributed Optimal Output Feedback Control of Heterogeneous Multi-agent Systems under a Directed Graph

Abstract In this paper, we consider distributed optimal feedback control design problem for a network of heterogeneous systems. The agents are coupled through their linear quadratic cost function and their interaction (communication) topology is given by a strongly connected directed graph. The goal is to design a distributed optimal feedback control which minimizes the total cost function in a distributed manner by only relying on the neighboring information of each agent. Moreover, the design of the optimal feedback control gain is also performed in a distributed manner by only relying on the neighboring information of each agent. To this end, firstly the necessary conditions are derived for the noninferior solution to the overall performance index. Then, by utilizing the idea of finite-time consensus algorithm, it is shown that the optimal feedback gain can also be computed in a distributed manner by the agents. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control law via a simulation on a group of heterogeneous dynamical systems.
The IKK‐related kinase TBK1 activates mTORC1 directly in response to growth factors and innate immune agonists

The innate immune kinase TBK1 initiates inflammatory responses to combat infectious pathogens by driving production of type I interferons. TBK1 also controls metabolic processes and promotes oncogene-induced cell proliferation and survival. Here, we demonstrate that TBK1 activates mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) directly. In cultured cells, TBK1 associates with and activates mTORC1 through site-specific mTOR phosphorylation (on S2159) in response to certain growth factor receptors (i.e., EGF-receptor but not insulin receptor) and pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) (i.e., TLR3; TLR4), revealing a stimulus-selective role for TBK1 in mTORC1 regulation. By studying cultured macrophages and those isolated from genome edited mTOR S2159A knock-in mice, we show that mTOR S2159 phosphorylation promotes mTORC1 signaling, IRF3 nuclear translocation, and IFN-β production. These data demonstrate a direct mechanistic link between TBK1 and mTORC1 function as well as physiologic significance of the TBK1-mTORC1 axis in control of innate immune function. These data unveil TBK1 as a direct mTORC1 activator and suggest unanticipated roles for mTORC1 downstream of TBK1 in control of innate immunity, tumorigenesis, and disorders linked to chronic inflammation.
Is Left Ventricular Noncompaction a Trait, Phenotype, or Disease? The Evidence Points to Phenotype.

The question is is left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) a trait, phenotype, or disease? By trait, we refer to a discrete and measurable characteristic like eye color. The term phenotype expands this definition to include multiple observable traits derived from diverse genetic factors (genotype) and to recognize additional roles for the environment in shaping visible expression of a genetically defined trait. Pathological phenotypes, with their myriad signs, symptoms, diagnoses, and prognoses, are recognized as diseases and are most often associated with adverse clinical manifestations or need for medical or surgical intervention. See Article by Miller et al So where in this conceptual framework do we place LVNC? This is a well-debated topic1,2 and one that has been recently systematically and expertly reviewed in much greater depth than afforded by this editorial.1–4 Although LVNC has increasingly been recognized as a cardiomyopathy5—itself a term with clear disease connotations—mounting evidence now points to reclassification of LVNC as a distinct but not necessarily pathological phenotype. More specifically, the degree of compacted to noncompacted (NC) myocardium, by itself alone, does not seem to cause disease. Why phenotype rather than trait? Traits are considered to be genetically driven and not malleable by the environment. As defined above, genetics interacting with environment are best labeled as phenotype. Left ventricular (LV) morphology is not fixed for certain characteristics, including LV wall thickness or LV size. The former is well known to increase with severe hypertension or aortic stenosis, and the latter increases with volume overload from aortic insufficiency. With medical or surgical therapy, both conditions will regress. A similar paradigm has been observed with dilated cardiomyopathy—a disease phenotype associated with heart failure and arrhythmia for which the dilated or remodeled left ventricle will reverse remodel with appropriate medical therapy. Characteristics such …
Impact of Obesity on Readmission in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Background Hospital readmissions have an adverse effect on the quality of life in patients with end-stage heart failure. We examined the temporal pattern, predictors, and outcomes of readmission in continuous flow left ventricular assist device–supported patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed inpatient data of 350 consecutive patients who received a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device at our center between May 2004 and December 2014. A total time–restricted model was used to estimate hazard ratios for readmission, and the Nelson nonparametric method was used to estimate mean cumulative function for each cause of readmission. Results The mean age was 57 ± 13 years, 82.6% received a HeartMate II (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL), and 26.3% were destination therapy. The 30-day readmission rate was 21.7%, and 264 readmissions (41.1%) occurred within the first 6 months of support. The leading cause of readmission was bleeding (0.74 mean cumulative events per person), followed by infection (0.7), device failure (0.52), arrhythmia (0.3), and right heart failure (0.28) at 3 years. The number of readmissions did not have an adverse effect on survival (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.92 to 1.17; p = 0.58). Increase in each body mass index unit was associated with 1.029 times the rate of overall readmission ( p = 0.041). Patients with a body mass index of 30 kg/m 2 or higher had increased readmissions for device failure ( p = 0.008) and right heart failure ( p = 0.03). Conclusions Readmission burden is highest during the first few months of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device support, but survival is not affected. Patients with an elevated body mass index are at increased risk for readmissions for device failure and right heart failure.