cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convectively Generated Internal Gravity Waves in the Lower Atmosphere of Venus. Part II: Mean Wind Shear and Wave–Mean Flow Interaction

Abstract This paper is the second of a two-part study that numerically investigates internal gravity wave generation by convection in the lower atmosphere of Venus. Part I of this study considers gravity wave generation and propagation in the absence of mean wind shear. In Part II, the Venus westward superrotation is included, and wave–mean flow interaction is assessed. Both lower-atmosphere convection and cloud-level convection play active roles in the dynamics of the stable layer from 31- to 47-km altitude when mean wind shear is present. This result contrasts with the simulation without mean wind shear presented in Part I where cloud-level convection was primarily responsible for gravity wave generation in the stable layer. In the presence of mean wind shear, upward entrainment from lower-atmosphere convection and downward penetration from cloud-level convection are comparable in magnitude. Convectively generated internal gravity waves have horizontal wavelengths (∼25–30 km) comparable to horizontal sc...
Higher education residential life peer-education programs: facilitating more inclusive perspectives

The focus of sustainability in residential living areas at many US institutions of higher education is to reduce energy and water consumption and increase gross recyclables. Peer-education programs have emerged as a viable tool to prompt student behaviour changes to meet campus sustainability goals. This qualitative case study addresses outcomes in a sustainability-focused peer-education program, Sustainable Peers Reaching OUT, that engages students in discourse, critical reflection and outreach. Analysis of interviews and discussion observation indicates higher education co-curricular programs may realise increased peer educator impact by incorporating opportunities for discourse and critical reflection into program design.
Grouped Model Averaging for Finite Sample Size

This paper studies grouped model averaging methods for finite sample size situation. Sufficient conditions under which the grouped model averaging estimator dominates the ordinary least squares estimator are provided. A class of grouped model averaging estimators, g-class, is introduced, and its dominance condition over the ordinary least squares is established. All theoretical findings are verified by simulation examples. We also apply the methods to the analysis of the grain output data of China.
Abstract 363: Chest Pain Observation Unit: Does Post-Discharge Stress Testing Influence Physician Management Decisions?

Background: Chest pain (CP) accounts for approximately 6 million emergency visits per year in the United States. There is growing interest in strategies to effectively risk stratify pts for coronary artery disease (CAD) related events in a cost-effective manner. The use of chest pain observation units followed by early stress testing is frequently employed in these pts. However the utility of stress testing in this population is not well defined, and the effect of stress test results on subsequent management decisions is a topic of controversy. In the present study we examined the relationship of stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) results to physician decisions regarding ccath in a single community teaching hospital. Methods: Retrospective study of 426 pts undergoing a chest pain observation strategy over a 24 month period. Pt eligible for the program had CP deemed possibly related to CAD but no diagnostic ECG changes and negative TnI measurements x2. All pts underwent outpt. stress MPI within 72 hours of discharge. Pts saw a cardiologist the day of stress MPI who reviewed the CP history, MPI results, and made decisions regarding further risk stratification. Demographic and medical history was collected from the pts chest pain observation unit record. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine significant independent variables related to physician decisions regarding further risk stratification. Results: Of 426 pts who underwent outpt stress MPI, 71(16.7%) were positive for ischemia, and 16 (22.5% of +MPI) underwent cath with reperfusion performed in 8 (5PCI, 3 CABG, 11.3% of +MPI). Of the 355 pts with negative stress MPI, 5(1.4% of -MPI) underwent cath with reperfusion performed in 2 (2PCI, 0 CABG, 0.5% of -MPI). A MLR model suggested only stress MPI results were independently predictive of the use of ccath for risk stratification. Conclusion: Stress MPI was an important factor in physician decision-making regarding the need for ccath in pts managed in a chest pain observation unit. The rate of +MPI and subsequent use of ccath in our institution supports MPI as an appropriate step in risk stratification of low to moderate risk CP pts triaged through a CP observation unit. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Abstract B50: Promoter methylation of the BRCA1 gene in young breast cancer patients with no significant family history

Background: Premenopausal breast cancer represents Methods: 28 patients with a history of breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who tested negative for a deleterious mutation in the BRCA1 gene were enrolled in the study. Median age was 36.5 (range 28–47). Twenty‐two (78.6%) of the patients had a positive family history of breast and or ovarian cancer, other patients were tested for BRCA mutations on the basis of their young age. Three (10.71%) had DCIS, 2 (7.14%) had stage I, 14 (50%) had stage II, 7 (25%) stage III, and 2 (7.14%) stage IV breast cancer. The estrogen receptor (ER) was positive in 21 (75%) of the samples, progesterone receptor (PR) in 15 (53.56%) and Her‐2/neu was positive (based on IHC scores of 2 or 3 +, or FISH +) in 15 (53.56%) of the patients. Four (14.29%) of the tumors were ER, PR, and Her‐2/neu (triple) negative. At the time of sample collection, 7 patients (25%) were chemotherapy naive and 21 patients (75%) had received chemotherapy. DNA was extracted from PBC then subjected to bisulfite conversion (Invitrogen, MethylCode Bisulfite Conversion kit) and the promoter region was examined using methylation‐specific PCR techniques (−157 to +57, +1 serving as transcription start site). Results: We observed that 3 out of 28 PBCs displayed BRCA1 promoter methylation. Promoter methylation did not correlate with any certain subgroups; however, the numbers of subjects are too small at this point. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that 10.7% of sporadic breast cancers have a somatic promoter methylation in the BRCA1 gene. This finding might be important for the development of this test in the assessment of breast cancer risk of women who have no deleterious BRCA1 mutations. Further studies are ongoing to evaluate these promoter methylations in women who are at increased risk for breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B50.
Correlates of Length of Stay and Boarding in Florida Emergency Departments for Patients With Psychiatric Diagnoses.

Objective:Length of stay (LOS) and boarding in the emergency department (ED) for psychiatric patients have been the subject of concern, given the problems with crowding and excessive wait times in EDs. This investigation examined correlates of LOS and boarding in Florida EDs for patients presenting with psychiatric complaints from 2010 to 2013.Methods:Utilizing the Florida ED discharge database, the authors examined the association of LOS and boarding with hospital and encounter factors for adult patients presenting with a primary psychiatric diagnosis (N=597,541).Results:The mean LOS was 7.77 hours. Anxiety disorders were the most frequent psychiatric complaint and were associated with the lowest mean LOS compared with other diagnoses (p<.05). Patient encounters resulting in a presentation of intentional self-harm and suicidality or schizophrenia were associated with significantly longer stays compared with other psychiatric diagnoses. Commercial insurance was associated with the shortest average LOS. Af...
Forecasting and Modeling of Harmful Algal Blooms in the Coastal Zone: A Prospectus

Applications of numerical models to predict and eventually manage the onset, duration, and consequences of toxic phytoplankton events of coastal ecosystems require knowledge of both the ecophysiological properties of the specific organisms and the biophysical processes, which allow them to accumulate large biomass, despite the presence of other competitors. Harmful algal blooms are not always just local events. Furthermore, independent in situ plankton data sets from the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and Mediterranean Sea over six decades, together with adjunct satellite color data, other nitrogen isotope signals of plankton and sediments, extant circulation models, and phytoplankton biomarkers within sediment cores of this similar ecosystem, all confirm the complex western GOM eutrophied sequence of phytoplankton succession.
CDF resampling for dataset expansion in Gaussian mixture models density estimation

This work presents a study on the short dataset performance of the goodness-of-fit density estimator previously presented by the authors. In case of complex densities, when the dataset does not contain enough samples for an accurate estimation of the underlying probability density function of the data, resampling techniques are used to expand the original sample set. In a novel approach that employs a goodness-of-fit measure to estimate the correct model order, the quality of the estimated mixture depends on the complexity of the true density and the length of the sample set. The poor performance experienced when estimating densities from short datasets can be corrected using a simple resampling of the empirical cumulative distribution, used to generate additional samples. When this technique is employed, the estimation quality is clearly improved and the resulting mixture better approximates the true density of the data.
Continuous versus single shot brachial plexus block and their relationship to discharge barriers and length of stay.

Background Brachial plexus block has been associated with improved pain control and decreased length of stay in patients undergoing upper extremity arthroplasty. Continuous delivery is associated with a shorter length of stay; however, comparisons to single-shot delivery in this setting are scarce. As the paradigm shifts to outpatient arthroplasty in the era of bundled payments, there exists a strong impetus to identify the most effective mode of analgesia associated with the least risk to patients. Methods This is a retrospective review of 697 patients undergoing upper extremity arthroplasty comparing the rate of complications and incidence of potential barriers to discharge and length of stay of patients receiving continuous vs. single-shot perineural brachial plexus block. Results No difference was observed in the complication rate between indwelling (n = 63 [12%]) and single-shot groups (n = 30 [17%]; P = .137). The majority of complications were pulmonary, 72% attributable to oxygen desaturation. The indwelling catheter group had 1.61 times higher odds (95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.42; P = .023) of exhibiting any potential barrier to discharge and exhibited a longer length of stay ( P = .002). Conclusion There was no demonstrated disparity in the rate of complications associated with single-shot vs. continuous brachial plexus block. However, the continuous indwelling catheter was associated with an increased incidence of potential barriers to discharge and an increased length of stay compared with patients receiving single-shot regional anesthesia.
Life goals and gender differences among chronically homeless individuals entering permanent supportive housing

ABSTRACTThis research seeks to understand goals and the gender differences in goals among men and women who are transitioning into permanent supportive housing. Men and women experience homelessness differently. Data collected for this study come from a longitudinal investigation of HIV risk behavior and social networks among women and men transitioning from homelessness to permanent supportive housing. As part of this study, 421 baseline interviews were conducted in English with homeless adults scheduled to move into permanent supportive housing; participants were recruited between September 2014 and October 2015. This paper uses goals data from the 418 male-or female-identified respondents in this study. Results identified goal differences in education and general health between men and women that should be taken into account when service providers, policy makers, and advocates are addressing the needs of homeless women.
Epigenomic annotation of noncoding mutations identifies mutated pathways in primary liver cancer

Evidence that noncoding mutation can result in cancer driver events is mounting. However, it is more difficult to assign molecular biological consequences to noncoding mutations than to coding mutations, and a typical cancer genome contains many more noncoding mutations than protein-coding mutations. Accordingly, parsing functional noncoding mutation signal from noise remains an important challenge. Here we use an empirical approach to identify putatively functional noncoding somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) from liver cancer genomes. Annotation of candidate variants by publicly available epigenome datasets finds that 40.5% of SNVs fall in regulatory elements. When assigned to specific regulatory elements, we find that the distribution of regulatory element mutation mirrors that of nonsynonymous coding mutation, where few regulatory elements are recurrently mutated in a patient population but many are singly mutated. We find potential gain-of-binding site events among candidate SNVs, suggesting a mechanism of action for these variants. When aggregating noncoding somatic mutation in promoters, we find that genes in the ERBB signaling and MAPK signaling pathways are significantly enriched for promoter mutations. Altogether, our results suggest that functional somatic SNVs in cancer are sporadic, but occasionally occur in regulatory elements and may affect phenotype by creating binding sites for transcriptional regulators. Accordingly, we propose that noncoding mutation should be formally accounted for when determining gene- and pathway-mutation burden in cancer.
Post-marketing Drug Safety Evaluation using Data Mining Based on FAERS

Healthcare is going through a big data revolution. The amount of data generated by healthcare is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. Therefore, efficient and effective data processing methods are required to transform data into information. In addition, applying statistical analysis can transform the information into useful knowledge. We developed a data mining method that can uncover new knowledge in this enormous field for clinical decision making while generating scientific methods and hypotheses. The proposed pipeline can be generally applied to a variety of data mining tasks in medical informatics. For this study, we applied the proposed pipeline for post-marketing surveillance on drug safety using FAERS, the data warehouse created by FDA. We used 14 kinds of neurology drugs to illustrate our methods. Our result indicated that this approach can successfully reveal insight for further drug safety evaluation.
The Effects of Social Class on Parental Values and Practices

My thesis is straightforward and relatively simple: that there are substantial differences in how parents of differing social-class position raise their children; that these differences in parental practices result chiefly from class differences in parents’ values for their children; and that such class differences in parental values result in large measure from differences in the conditions of life experienced by parents at different social-class levels. This essay attempts to spell out this thesis more concretely and explicitly.1 Without getting into technical aspects of methodology, it also attempts to give some idea of the type of empirical evidence on which the generalizations are based.
Cardiac troponin: the next tool for cardiovascular disease prevention in ambulatory patients?

Cardiac troponin plays an essential role in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). High-sensitivity assays for cardiac troponin, which are now in widespread clinical use, improve the accuracy of MI diagnosis, particularly for patients who present soon after the onset of symptoms. These high-sensitivity assays can detect cardiac troponin concentrations in stable, ambulatory patients. Circulating concentrations of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn), even when they are well within the putative normal range, have been found to associate closely with the risk of major cardiovascular events in a wide array of cohorts. A number of these strong, consistent associations from a sampling of prospective cohort studies are outlined in table 1.1–7 These results, and others, raise the possibility that high-sensitivity assays for cardiac troponin could provide clinical utility for the prediction and prevention of cardiovascular events in stable, ambulatory patients. View this table: Table 1 Proportion of patients with a detectable cardiac troponin in a sampling of cohorts with and without established coronary heart disease, and the association of cardiac troponin with cardiovascular endpoints in those studies What criteria should we use to determine whether hs-cTn has clinical utility in stable patients? Morrow and de Lemos outlined a number of benchmarks to use as a means of assessing the ability of a novel biomarker to improve clinical care.8 Those benchmarks, summarised here, are worth reviewing as we consider whether hs-cTn might have a role in managing ambulatory patients: (1) Can we measure cardiac troponin easily and reliably? (2) Is there a consistent, independent association between cardiac troponin and major cardiovascular events? (3) Does using cardiac troponin allow us to improve upon existing means of risk prediction or risk stratification? (4) Does using cardiac troponin allow us to identify a specific group of patients who would derive benefit from a specific …
Will You Be My Mentor?—Four Archetypes to Help Mentees Succeed in Academic Medicine

The origins of mentoring date back to Odysseus, who entrusted care of his son to Mentor when he set off to fight the Trojan wars. Mentor became a trusted advisor, teacher, and friend to Telemachus, epitomizing the attributes that we look for even today when discussing a mentor. Many textbooks and articles in multiple disciplines have been written about the art of mentorship.1 For example, in medical education, advising programs and professional development during clerkships provide mentoring.2 In a collaboration of mentee and mentor, Straus and Sackett,3 a pioneer in evidence-based medicine, highlighted the following evidence-based reasons why academic clinicians benefit from mentoring: they publish more papers, get more grants, are promoted faster, and are more likely to stay at their academic institutions with greater career satisfaction and self-reliance. More recently, an effort to distill what the best mentors do has also emerged as a question of particular interest in the fast-paced world of management.
Indicators of exemplary programs in instructional design and technology: faculty and student perspectives

This exploratory study investigated what faculty and current students in Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) programs perceive as indicators of an exemplary program. We surveyed a sample of the faculty and students and asked them to identify the most important indicators of an exemplary program and rank their own programs according to those indicators. We contacted programs from 11 different countries, though the majority of contacted programs were from the United States of America. We coded and analyzed the respondents’ 941 indicator statements and created 35 thematic indicators. The frequency and percentage of occurrence of these themes across the programs for both faculty and students were analyzed. Their mean rating of their programs for each theme was also calculated. The paper presents the results of this analysis and examines the differences across students/faculty and program types. The findings of this survey, albeit limited due to the low response rate, could benefit IDT programs in terms of performance improvement and assist students by offering criteria by which they can select a graduate program.
Mathematical Programming Techniques for Optimization under Uncertainty and Their Application in Process Systems Engineering

In this paper we give an overview of some of the advances that have taken place to address challenges in the area of optimization under uncertainty. We first describe the incorporation of recourse in robust optimization to reduce the conservative results obtained with this approach, and illustrate it with interruptible load in demand side management. Second, we describe computational strategies for effectively solving two stage programming problems, which is illustrated with supply chains under the risk of disruption. Third, we consider the use of historical data in stochastic programming to generate the probabilities and outcomes, and illustrate it with an application to process networks. Finally, we briefly describe multistage stochastic programming with both exogenous and endogenous uncertainties, which is applied to the design of oilfield infrastructures.
Limits to the pursuit of reproducibility: Emergent data-scarce domains of science

Recommendations and interventions to promote reproducibility in science have so far largely been formulated in the context of well-established domains characterized by data- and computationally-intensive methods. However, much promising research occurs in little data domains that are emergent and experience data scarcity. This paper presents a longitudinal study of such a domain, deep subseafloor biosphere research. Two important challenges this domain faces in establishing itself are increasing production and circulation of data, and strengthening relationships between domain researchers. Some potential interventions to promote reproducibility may also help the domain to establish itself. However, other potential interventions could profoundly damage the domain’s long-term prospects of maturation by impeding production of new data and undermining critical relationships between researchers. This paper challenges the dominant framing of the pursuit of reproducible science as identifying, and overcoming, barriers to reproducibility. Instead, those interested in pursuing reproducibility in a domain should take into account multiple aspects of that domain’s epistemic culture to avoid negative unintended consequences. Further, pursuing reproducibility is premature for emergent, data-scarce domains: scarce resources should instead be invested to help these domains to mature, for instance by addressing data scarcity.
Racial differences in patients referred for right heart catheterization and risk of pulmonary hypertension.

African Americans (AA) have a higher incidence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) risk factors. Few studies have examined the racial differences in the prevalence and etiology of PH and direct comparis...
Information Systems Control: A Review and Synthesis of the Literature

The control of information systems (IS) activities has an extensive research history, ranging from early views on the management of systems development projects to more recent examinations of technology outsourcing. Using a structured methodology, 48 control-related articles from a range of IS journals are examined and individually coded. Based on patterns emerging from the literature, a comprehensive framework of IS control research is presented. The study’s findings reveal opportunities for future research, including the use of a wider range of research methodologies and epistemologies, an expanded focus beyond project level controls, and the creation of innovative conceptualizations of IS control that better reflect the realities of technology in today’s organizations.
Microstructures and Mechanical Performance of Induction-Hardened Medium-Carbon Steels

Induction hardening is an efficient method of surface or through hardening components without changing the composition. As with other alloys and processes, it is critical to understand induction processing–microstructure–mechanical behavior relationships. This chapter, which focuses on surface hardening, first presents important and practical information on the effect of induction-processing parameters on surface hardening. Then, microstructural evolution during induction processing is discussed in light of the rapid heating rates and short hold times and compared to furnace heat treatments. The resulting microstructures and residual stresses after induction hardening are presented, and finally, the induction-hardened case depth, microstructure, and residual stresses are related to strength and fatigue properties.
Vascular Cell Responses to Fluid Shear Stress

The development of several vascular diseases is linked to both blood flowproperties and cellular behavior in the arterial and venous systems. For instance, atherosclerosis development is dependent on the blood flow profile, shear stress rate, and resulting cellular responses in the arteries. Specifically, in regions of disturbed flow behavior, cells demonstrate both altered morphology and phenotype. Based on this clinical knowledge, in vitro fluid flow studies have been performed on vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells to understand the process of disease initiation and development. Ultimately, results of such studies will provide knowledge regarding key pathways involved in disease progression. Moreover, this information will be critical when designing effective drug therapies in the clinical setting.
Plans that Disrupt Development: Equity Policies and Social Vulnerability in Six Coastal Cities:

Urban plans often ignore the uneven impacts of hazards on socially vulnerable populations. We evaluate the degree to which equity policies in local networks of plans support risk reduction for soci...
Clinical and neuroimaging characteristics of clinically unclassifiable primary progressive aphasia

Abstract Many patients who meet core/root criteria for Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) are not classifiable as a recognized variant and are often excluded from neuroimaging studies. Here, we detail neurological, neuropsychological, speech and language assessments, and anatomic and molecular neuroimaging (MRI, PiB-PET, and FDG-PET) for fifteen (8 female) clinically unclassifiable PPA patients. Median age of onset was 64 years old with median 3 years disease duration at exam. Three patients were amyloid positive on PiB-PET. 14/15 patients had abnormal FDG-PETs with left predominant hypometabolism, affecting frontal, temporal, parietal, and even occipital lobes. Patients had mild to severe clinical presentations. Visualization of the FDG-PETs principal component analysis revealed patterns of hypometabolism similar to those seen in the PPA variants and suggests the brain regions affected in unclassifiable PPA patients are no different from those who are more easily classifiable. These findings may inform future modifications to the diagnostic criteria to improve diagnostic classification.
Solving Homicides: The Influence of Neighborhood Characteristics and Investigator Caseload:

The primary theoretical perspectives through which homicide clearance is analyzed do not give explicit attention to the neighborhood context in which people are victimized. Indeed, few clearance st...
Second illness due to subsequent Cytauxzoon felis infection in a domestic cat

Case summaryA castrated male domestic shorthair cat from a wooded area in Missouri had recovered from typical severe cytauxzoonosis at 4 years of age, after intensive in-hospital supportive care an...
Subthreshold post-traumatic stress disorder as a risk factor for post-traumatic stress disorder: results from a sample of USA veterans

Subthreshold post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more prevalent than PTSD, yet its role as a potential risk factor for PTSD is unknown. To address this gap, we analysed data from a 7-year, prospective national cohort of USA veterans. Of veterans with subthreshold PTSD at wave 1, 34.3% developed PTSD compared with 7.6% of trauma-exposed veterans without subthreshold PTSD (relative risk ratio 6.4). Among veterans with subthreshold PTSD, specific PTSD symptoms, greater age, cognitive difficulties, lower dispositional optimism and new-onset traumas predicted incident PTSD. Results suggest that preventive interventions targeting subthreshold PTSD and associated factors may help mitigate risk for PTSD in USA veterans.
Evaluation of State Cannabis Laws and Rates of Self-harm and Assault.

Importance: State cannabis laws are changing rapidly. Research is inconclusive about their association with rates of self-harm and assault. Existing studies have not considered variations in cannabis commercialization across states over time. Objective: To evaluate the association of state medical and recreational cannabis laws with self-harm and assault, overall and by age and sex, while considering varying degrees of commercialization. Design, Setting, and Participants: Using a cohort design with panel fixed-effects analysis, within-state changes in claims for self-harm and assault injuries before and after changes in cannabis laws were quantified in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. Comprehensive claims data on commercial and Medicare Advantage health plan beneficiaries from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2017, grouped by state and month, were evaluated. Data analysis was conducted from January 31, 2020, to January 21, 2021. Exposures: Categorical variable that indexed the degree of cannabis legalization in each state and month based on law type (medical or recreational) and operational status of dispensaries (commercialization). Main Outcomes and Measures: Claims for self-harm and assault injuries based on International Classification of Diseases codes. Results: The analysis included 75 395 344 beneficiaries (mean [SD] age, 47 [22] years; 50% female; and median follow-up, 17 months [interquartile range, 8-36 months]). During the study period, 29 states permitted use of medical cannabis and 11 permitted recreational cannabis. Point estimates for populationwide rates of self-harm and assault injuries were higher in states legalizing recreational cannabis compared with states with no cannabis laws, but these results were not statistically significant (adjusted rate ratio [aRR] assault, recreational dispensaries: 1.27; 95% CI, 0.79-2.03;self-harm, recreational dispensaries aRR: 1.15; 95% CI, 0.89-1.50). Results varied by age and sex with no associations found except for states with recreational policies and self-harm among males younger than 40 years (aRR <21 years, recreational without dispensaries: 1.70; 95% CI, 1.11-2.61; aRR aged 21-39 years, recreational dispensaries: 1.46; 95% CI, 1.01-2.12). Medical cannabis was generally not associated with self-harm or assault injuries populationwide or among age and sex subgroups. Conclusions and Relevance: Recreational cannabis legalization appears to be associated with relative increases in rates of claims for self-harm among male health plan beneficiaries younger than 40 years. There was no association between cannabis legalization and self-harm or assault, for any other age and sex group or for medical cannabis. States that legalize but still constrain commercialization may be better positioned to protect younger male populations from unintended harms.
Video: Standard Errors in Panel Data: Advice and Reflections for Researchers and Referees

Drawing from his paper, Estimating Standard Errors in Finance Panel Data Sets: Comparing Approaches, Review of Financial Studies, Review of Financial Studies, January, 2009, Volume 22, pp 435-480, Mitchell Petersen discusses how different methods used to adjust for standard errors when using panel data in corporate finance and asset pricing empirical work. This presentation offers intuition as to why the different approaches sometimes give different answers and will offer researchers guidance in using the different approaches.
Comparison of Pregnancy Diagnosis by Transrectal Ultrasonography at 28-34 Days after AI and Rectal Palpation at 35-41 Days after AI on Pregnancy Retention at 61-67 Days after AI

Dairy farm revenue is dependent upon reproductive efficiency, which can be improved by early identification and intervention of cattle that have been bred and are not pregnant. Pregnancy diagnosis by rectal palpation is the most common method used by veterinarians. The use of ultrasound allows for earlier pregnancy diagnosis. The objective of this study was to compare two systematic programs for detecting open cows on a large commercial dairy. In the first program cows were checked earlier for pregnancy using transrectal ultra-sonograpy and in the second cows were checked later using manual rectal palpation. The proportion of cows that retained the pregnancy at 60 to 66 days after AI was compared between programs.
VALPARAÍSO, O LA LOCA GEOGRAFÍA DEL DESEO: INFANCIA QUEER Y CRUISING HOMOSEXUAL EN QUINCE POEMAS DIRECTOS (1936) DE BENJAMÍN SUBERCASEAUX

Resumen: En este articulo se analiza Quince poemas directos (1936) de Benjamin Subercaseaux, acaso el primer poemario homoerotico de la poesia chilena. En particular, se propone que el poeta incorpora dos figuras clave en el imaginario queer local: el cruisser -hermano errado del flâneur- y el nino homosexual. Dado lo anterior, se indaga en como estas figuraciones polemizan directamente con el imaginario heteropatriarcal del Frente Popular en tanto promotor de una masculinidad hegemonica y una politica reproductiva de la nacion que excluyen a las subjetividades sexo-disidentes. Abstract: This article analyzes Quince poemas directos (1936) by Benjamin Subercaseaux, perhaps the first homoerotic collection of poetry in Chilean poetry. In particular, it is proposed that the poet incorporates two key figures in the local queer imaginary: the cruisser - flâneur’s wrong brother- and the homosexual child. Given the above, it is investigated how these figurations directly polemicize with the heteropatriarchal imaginary of the Frente Ppopular as promoter of a hegemonic masculinity and a reproductive policy of the nation that exclude sex-dissident subjectivities.
Assessment of a new 150 W single-antenna microwave ablation system in the treatment of malignant liver tumors: The first worldwide experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Data in literature regarding liver microwave ablation pertain to systems delivering 100 W of maximum power. Our aim is to assess a new 150 W microwave system for liver tumor ablation. METHODS This was an institutional review board-approved study of patients undergoing ablation of malignant liver tumors using a 150 W microwave system. Feasibility, safety, ablation algorithm, perioperative outcomes, and efficacy were analyzed. Comparison was made to historical patients undergoing ablation using a 100 W microwave system. RESULTS There were 33 patients with 76 malignant liver lesions who underwent ablation with the 150 W system. Using a step-wise algorithm, ablations without intraoperative complications were performed for tumors ranging in size from 0.3 to 6.7 cm. Ninety-day morbidity was 5%, with no mortality. Compared to the 100 W system, the 150 W system shortened ablation time and created larger ablation zones with a single stick. CONCLUSION This first worldwide experience showed that surgical ablations could be safely created at 150 W using a step-wise algorithm with complete tumor destruction achieved at short-term follow-up. Advantages versus 100 W systems include reduction in ablation time and creation of larger ablation zones with a single stick.
Earthquake Stresses in Spherical Domes and in Cones

Formulas for primary or membrane stresses in spherical domes and cones due to earthquake loading; earthquake forces are assumed to act in horizontal direction and in magnitude are equal to fraction of dead weight of structure itself; ordinary flexure formula may be used directly in determining meridional membrane stresses.
Assessment of genetic diversity and population structure of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae with a repetitive DNA element.

A repetitive DNA element cloned from Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae was used to assess the population structure and genetic diversity of 98 strains of X. oryzae pv. oryzae collected between 1972 and 1988 from the Philippine Islands. Genomic DNA from X. oryzae pv. oryzae was digested with EcoRI and analyzed for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) with repetitive DNA element as a probe. Twenty-seven RFLP types were identified; there was no overlap of RFLP types among the six races from the Philippines. Most variability (20 RFLP types) was found in strains of races 1, 2, and 3, which were isolated from tropical lowland areas. Four RFLP types (all race 5) were found among strains isolated from cultivars grown in the temperate highlands. The genetic diversity of the total population of X. oryzae pv. oryzae was 0.93, of which 42% was due to genetic differentiation between races. The genetic diversities of strains collected in 1972 to 1976, 1977 to 1981, and 1982 to 1986, were 0.89, 0.90, and 0.92, respectively, suggesting a consistently high level of variability in the pathogen population over the past 15 years. Cluster analysis based on RFLP banding patterns showed five groupings at 85% similarity. The majority of strains from a given race were contained within one cluster, except for race 3 strains, which were distributed in three of the five clusters. Images
Mental Health and Wellness Supports in Youth with IDD

Mental Health and Wellness Supports in Youth with IDD (Baker & Blumberg, 2013) is a recent publication from the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed that covers a variety of topics as they...
Sonographic evaluation of femoral trochlear cartilage in patients with knee pain.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate whether routine clinical sonographic evaluation of femoral trochlear cartilage can identify abnormalities in patients with knee pain. Methods Short-axis sonograms of the femoral trochlear cartilage were obtained from 20 symptomatic knees in 20 consecutive patients (16 women and 4 men; mean age, 54 years; range, 35-75 years) and 20 knees in 10 asymptomatic control participants (7 women and 3 men; mean age, 52 years; range, 31-74 years). Articular cartilage thickness was measured at 3 locations in each knee, and thickness at each site was compared between patients and controls. Subsequently, images from patients and controls were randomly assorted and evaluated by 3 blinded musculoskeletal radiologists, who independently evaluated the femoral trochlear cartilage in each sonogram for cartilage clarity, grade, and presence or absence of cartilage calcifications, osteophytes, and subchondral bony irregularity. The radiologists were instructed to rate the most severe lesion in each evaluated region (medial trochlea, trochlear notch, and lateral trochlea). Cartilage clarity was defined as how well the cartilage borders could be distinguished from the overlying intra-articular soft tissues, and grade was defined as the severity of focal cartilaginous lesions. Results Using the Student t test, there was no significant difference (P > .05) between cartilage thickness in patients and controls for any location measured. However, using repeated measures analysis of variance, there were significant differences (P = .02) for both decreased cartilage clarity (df = 1/28; F = 5.76) and increased grade (df = 1/28; F = 5.77) in patients. There was also a nonsignificant (P > .05) trend toward more frequent calcifications, osteophytes, and bony irregularity in patients. Conclusions Routine clinical sonography can identify femoral trochlear cartilage abnormalities in patients with knee pain and therefore can be a useful adjunct to other imaging tests for identifying arthritic changes in the knee.
Embryonic mesodermal defects in alpha 5 integrin-deficient mice

A loss of function mutation of the murine alpha 5 integrin gene generated by gene targeting in embryonic stem cells is a recessive embryonic lethal. The mutant embryos start to show observable defects by day 9 of gestation and die around day 10–11. The alpha 5-null embryos have pronounced defects in posterior trunk and yolk sac mesodermal structures, suggesting a role for alpha 5 beta 1 integrin in mesoderm formation, movement or function. However, the embryos progress significantly further than embryos null for fibronectin, for which alpha 5 beta 1 integrin is a receptor, suggesting the involvement of other fibronectin receptors. In vitro studies on cells derived from the alpha 5-null embryos confirm that the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin is not expressed on mutant cells and show that the mutant cells are able to assemble fibronectin matrix, form focal contacts, and migrate on fibronectin despite the complete absence of the alpha 5 beta 1 fibronectin receptor integrin. All these functions have previously been thought to involve or require alpha 5 beta 1. The results presented show that these cellular functions involving fibronectin can proceed using other receptors.
Subsets of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Tumor-Bearing Mice

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous group of cells that play a critical role in tumor associated immune suppression. In an attempt to identify a specific subset of MDSC primarily responsible for immunosuppressive features of these cells, 10 different tumor models were investigated. All models showed variable but significant increase in the population of MDSC. Variability of MDSC expansion in vivo matched closely the effect of tumor cell condition medium in vitro. MDSC consists of two major subsets of Ly6G+Ly6Clow granulocytic and Ly6G−Ly6Chigh monocytic cells. Granulocytic MDSC have increased level of reactive oxygen species and undetectable level of NO whereas monocytic MDSC had increased level of NO but undetectable levels of reactive oxygen species. However, their suppressive activity per cell basis was comparable. Almost all tumor models demonstrated a preferential expansion of granulocytic subset of MDSC. We performed a phenotypical and functional analysis of several surface molecules previously suggested to be involved in MDSC-mediated suppression of T cells: CD115, CD124, CD80, PD-L1, and PD-L2. Although substantial proportion of MDSC expressed those molecules no differences in the level of their expression or the proportion, positive cells were found between MDSC and cells from tumor-free mice that lack immune suppressive activity. The level of MDSC-mediated T cell suppression did not depend on the expression of these molecules. These data indicate that suppressive features of MDSC is caused not by expansion of a specific subset but more likely represent a functional state of these cells.
Differential regulation of hepatic cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The present investigation was carried out to study the expression of major cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetes with concomitant insulin therapy. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to untreated control, streptozotocin-induced diabetic, insulin-treated groups and monitored for 4 weeks. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia in the early phase of diabetes resulted in differential regulation of cytochrome P450 isozymes. CYP1B1, CYP1A2, heme oxygenase (HO)-2 proteins and CYP1A2-dependent 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity were upregulated in the hepatic microsomes of diabetic rats. Insulin therapy ameliorated EROD activity and the expression of CYP1A2, CYP1B1 and HO-2 proteins. In addition, CYP2B1 and 2E1 proteins were markedly induced in the diabetic group. Insulin therapy resulted in complete amelioration of CYP2E1 whereas CYP2B1 protein was partially ameliorated. By contrast, CYP2C11 protein was decreased over 99% in the diabetic group and was partially ameliorated by insulin therapy. These results demonstrate widespread alterations in the expression of CYP isozymes in diabetic rats that are ameliorated by insulin therapy.
Determination of Atmospheric Concentrations of Stable Iodine

The importance of specific activity methods in the evaluation of radiological hazards due to the atmospheric release of 129I and 131I has prompted the development of analytical methods for determining atmospheric stable iodine concentrations. An analytical procedure based on neutron activation analysis for iodine trapped on filter paper and activated charcoal was developed. This procedure was used to measure the airborne stable iodine concentrations in several areas around Atlanta, Georgia and Barnwell, South Carolina. Airborne stable iodine concentrations determined in this study are in the range 10-9 - 10-8grams/m3. These concentrations are consistent with others reported in the United States but fall below those reported in the United Kingdom by a factor of 100. The collection and retention of iodine on charcoal appears to depend on the following factors: air flow rate, chemical form, presence of oxides of nitrogen, and relative humidity. The influence of these factors on iodine collection and retention on charcoal are in need of further study as related to airborne iodine measurements.
Use of increasing doses of a degradable Deslorelin implant to enhance uterine involution in postpartum lactating dairy cows

Abstract Holstein cows received, subcutaneously 1 (1DESL, n = 15) or 2 (2DESL, n = 12) degradable implant containing 2.1 mg of the GnRH agonist Deslorelin or no implant (CON, n = 18) within 1.5 days postpartum (dpp). Previous pregnant (PPH) and non-pregnant (PNPH) uterine horns were determined by palpation per rectum. Cows were examined by ultrasonography at 8 dpp, 15 dpp, 22 dpp, 29 dpp, and 36 dpp (S.E. = 1 day) to record ovarian structures, cervical diameter, uterine horns cross-section and lumen diameters, myometrial and endometrial widths. Uterine tone was recorded before ultrasonography. Vaginoscopy was conducted just after ultrasonography for cervical discharge score. At 44 dpp cows were inserted with a CIDR followed 7 days later by its removal and injection of PGF 2α 8 h later, followed by the Ovsynch 10 days after for timed artificial insemination (TAI). Plasma was analyzed for PGFM daily from parturition to 14 dpp and for P 4 trice weekly until 44 dpp. Additionally, strategic blood samples were collected during the synchronization protocol to determine whether estrous cyclicity was occurring and ovulation status before and after TAI, respectively. Cows in 1DESL and 2DESL groups had more class 1 follicles ( P P P 4 , indicative of ovulation, occurred in CON (55.5%) cows at 28 dpp (S.E. = 9 days) and in 1DESL (13.3%) treated cows at 43 dpp (S.E. = 3). Plasma concentrations of P 4 were suppressed completely in all 2DESL-treated cows before initiation of estrous synchronization. Diameters of PPH ( P P P P = 0.07). Frequency distribution of cervical discharge categories did not differ among groups. Proportion of cows with estrous cycles and having ovulations was less ( P P
Dimethylation of H3K4 by Set1 Recruits the Set3 Histone Deacetylase Complex to 5′ Transcribed Regions

Cotranscriptional histone methylations by Set1 and Set2 have been shown to affect histone acetylation at promoters and 3' regions of genes, respectively. While histone H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) is thought to promote nucleosome acetylation and remodeling near promoters, we show here that H3K4 dimethylation (H3K4me2) by Set1 leads to reduced histone acetylation levels near 5' ends of genes. H3K4me2 recruits the Set3 complex via the Set3 PHD finger, localizing the Hos2 and Hst1 subunits to deacetylate histones in 5' transcribed regions. Cells lacking the Set1-Set3 complex pathway are sensitive to mycophenolic acid and have reduced polymerase levels at a Set3 target gene, suggesting a positive role in transcription. We propose that Set1 establishes two distinct chromatin zones on genes: H3K4me3 leads to high levels of acetylation and low nucleosome density at promoters, while H3K4me2 just downstream recruits the Set3 complex to suppress nucleosome acetylation and remodeling.