cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PRP38 encodes a yeast protein required for pre-mRNA splicing and maintenance of stable U6 small nuclear RNA levels.

An essential pre-mRNA splicing factor, the product of the PRP38 gene, has been genetically identified in a screen of temperature-sensitive mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Shifting temperature-sensitive prp38 cultures from 23 to 37 degrees C prevents the first cleavage-ligation event in the excision of introns from mRNA precursors. In vitro splicing inactivation and complementation studies suggest that the PRP38-encoded factor functions, at least in part, after stable splicing complex formation. The PRP38 locus contains a 726-bp open reading frame coding for an acidic 28-kDa polypeptide (PRP38). While PRP38 lacks obvious structural similarity to previously defined splicing factors, heat inactivation of PRP38, PRP19, or any of the known U6 (or U4/U6) small nuclear ribonucleoprotein-associating proteins (i.e., PRP3, PRP4, PRP6, and PRP24) leads to a common, unexpected consequence: intracellular U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) levels decrease as splicing activity is lost. Curiously, U4 snRNA, normally extensively base paired with U6 snRNA, persists in the virtual absence of U6 snRNA.
Analysis of stress conditions in the Upper Spraberry in Western Texas

Upper Spraberry cores were studied to learn whether fractures were open in the formation or only incipient. Release of fluid pressures in a pressure vessel into which core samples had been placed produced longitudinal axial fractures in previously unfractured cores, showing that some of the fractures must be incipient. A statistical study showed that the core diameters across fractures were slightly less than along fractures. The difference in core diameters may have been the result of a small difference in the magnitude of the two principal horizontal stresses, which difference was computed from a knowledge of Young's modulus under formation conditions. The Mohr diagram was used to analyze the stresses in three dimensions, while the Mohr envelope indicating rupture conditions was constructed with data obtained from tension and compression tests on core samples. The tensile stress required to cause fracture under formation conditions as determined with the Mohr diagram compares favorably with the Hydrafrac pressure required for the ‘formation break.’ The average horizontal stress appears to be about half the vertical stress due to overburden, and this may be due in part to the low Poisson ratio of the rock.
Structure of a Blm10 Complex Reveals Common Mechanisms for Proteasome Binding and Gate Opening

Summary The proteasome is an abundant protease that is critically important for numerous cellular pathways. Proteasomes are activated in vitro by three known classes of proteins/complexes, including Blm10/PA200. Here, we report a 3.4 A resolution crystal structure of a proteasome-Blm10 complex, which reveals that Blm10 surrounds the proteasome entry pore in the 1.2 MDa complex to form a largely closed dome that is expected to restrict access of potential substrates. This architecture and the observation that Blm10 induces a disordered proteasome gate structure challenge the assumption that Blm10 functions as an activator of proteolysis in vivo. The Blm10 C terminus binds in the same manner as seen for 11S activators and inferred for 19S/PAN activators and indicates a unified model for gate opening. We also demonstrate that Blm10 acts to maintain mitochondrial function. Consistent with the structural data, the C-terminal residues of Blm10 are needed for this activity.
Reevaluating the role of dilation and curettage in the diagnosis of pregnancy of unknown location

Objective To evaluate the clinical utility of dilation and curettage (D&C) in diagnosing ectopic pregnancy (EP). Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting University hospital. Patient(s) Clinically stable women (n = 321) who underwent a diagnostic D&C with no visible intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) on transvaginal ultrasound or those with an abnormal hCG trend. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) EP or IUP made by final pathologic review. Result(s) Overall, 73.2% of the patients were ultimately diagnosed with EP and 26.8% were found to have a nonviable IUP. Those with EPs had significantly lower initial hCGs than those with nonviable IUPs and were more likely to have had a history of an EP. On ultrasound, the overall impression, the presence of free fluid, and the endometrial echo complex correlated well with the final diagnoses but did not have 100% predictive value. Conclusion(s) D&C remains valuable to differentiate EP from nonviable IUP and to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary exposure to methotrexate. Low initial hCG values and ultrasound findings such as a thin endometrial echo complex and the presence of free fluid are associated with but are not diagnostic of an ectopic pregnancy.
Characterization of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines for expression of MHC, co-stimulatory molecules and tumor-associated antigens

A panel of 31 long-term non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines was examined for the expression of protein and/or mRNA transcripts for 11 distinct immune response related molecules or tumor associated antigens (TAA). To assess whether cytokine stimulation might up-regulate expression of the genes of interest, cells were cultured in 500 U/ml of gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) for 48-72 h prior to analysis. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I antigens were detected by indirect immunofluorescence and were constitutively expressed on all of the cell lines. The average of the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) measured 222+/-22. gamma-IFN stimulation produced a significant increase to 482+/-36. For MHC Class II only 7/31 cell lines (23%) exhibited constitutive expression, while gamma-IFN treatment had a dramatic effect and yielded 18/31 (58%) positive cell lines. The co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 were examined by direct immunofluorescence for cell surface expression and RT-PCR amplification for mRNA. CD80 protein was not detected at all, while an insignificant percentage of cells were positive (mean 2%) for CD86 in all cell lines tested. gamma-IFN had no apparent effect on CD80 or CD86 protein expression. Constitutive CD80 or CD86 mRNA levels were observed in 45 and 61% of the NSCLC lines, respectively. These percentages increased to 77% and 90% with gamma-IFN. Cell surface phenotypic analysis for TAA revealed positive populations in 28/31 cell lines (90%) for Her-2/neu, 18/31 (58%) for CEA and 8/31 (26%) for GD-2, with gamma-IFN having no effect. After gamma-IFN stimulation, RT-PCR amplification for Mage-1, -2, -3 and WT-1 detected mRNA in 33%, 33%, 44% and 70% of the cell lines, respectively. Overall, gamma-IFN stimulation led to the up-regulation of MHC Class I molecules and class II molecules as well as CD80 and CD86 mRNA transcripts. This survey represents the first comprehensive analysis of NSCLC cell lines for a variety of molecules that could play an important role in the generation of an NSCLC anti-tumor CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response.
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty component center of rotation affects muscle function

Background Medialization of the glenohumeral center of rotation alters the moment arm of the deltoid, can affect muscle function, and increases the risk for scapular notching due to impingement. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of position of the glenosphere on deltoid efficiency and the range of glenohumeral adduction. Methods Scapulohumeral bone models were reconstructed from computed tomography scans and virtually implanted with primary or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty implants. The placement of the glenosphere was varied to simulate differing degrees of “medialization” and inferior placement relative to the glenoid. Muscle and joint forces were computed during shoulder abduction in OpenSim musculoskeletal modeling software. Results The average glenohumeral joint reaction forces for the primary total shoulder arthroplasty were within 5% of those previously reported in vivo. Superior placement or full lateralization of the glenosphere increased glenohumeral joint reaction forces by 10% and 18%, respectively, relative to the recommended reverse total shoulder arthroplasty position. The moment arm of the deltoid muscle was the highest at the recommended baseline surgical position. The baseline glenosphere position resulted in a glenohumeral adduction deficit averaging more than 10° that increased to more than 25° when the glenosphere was placed superiorly. Only with full lateralization was glenohumeral adduction unaffected by superoinferior placement. Discussion/Conclusion Selecting optimum placement of the glenosphere involves tradeoffs in bending moment at the implant-bone interface, risk for impingement, and deltoid efficiency. A viable option is partially medializing the glenosphere, which retains most of the benefits of deltoid efficiency and reduces the risk for scapular notching.
Research Diversity from the Perspective of the Science of Unitary Human Beings

This column presents an overview of Rogerian nursing science-based research. In Rogers' own words, she fostered the development of nursing science with a diversity of methods. She encouraged both qualitative and quantitative approaches and the development of new research methods and tools. Her only caveat was that theoretical conceptualization and research method must match.
Analysis of imperfections in a micromachined tunable-cavity interferometer

An alternative to a classical wavelength interferometer (an array of hand-assembled etalons consisting of two semi-transparent mirrors separated by a fixed-cavity) is the implementation of wide band tunable filter using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology. This approach will allow a single tunable device to replace an array of fixed-cavity filters reducing cost and parts. MEMS technology offers many advantages, including scalability for wide tuning range, sensitivity for precision sensing, and batch fabrication capability for cost reduction While at the same time, MEMS technology introduces many new challenges, which include fabrication yield, device reproducibility, and fabrication imperfections - all are factors seriously limiting performance of MEMS interferometers. Without defects, reflectance must be greater than 99.69% in order to achieve finesse of 1000 to be useful for DWDM applications. Though, the presence of defects limits performance and becomes more pronounced at higher reflectance values. For example, component misregistration while fabricating MEMS interferometer with 95% and 98% reflectance values, result in the reduction of effective finesse of 10% and 42%, respectively. This paper discusses several models for analyzing imperfections in MEMS tunable-cavity interferometers. Based on thermal expansion and component misregistration analysis, we conclude that a passive MEMS-based filter cannot achieve performance required for DWDM applications.
Recurrent Vomiting and Persistent Gastroesophageal Reflux Caused by Unrecognized Constipation

Over a 2-year period, 34 children were referred to the division of pediatric gastroenterology at the University of Virginia with chronic upper gastrointestinal symptoms whose symptoms rapidly and completely resolved when their unrecognized constipation was treated. The average age at presentation was 8.24 (SD 0.78) years and average duration of upper intestinal symptoms was 15.6 (SD 3.5) months. Twenty-six of 34 had experienced recurrent vomiting, 6 complained of chronic nausea, 17 had chronic symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, and 20 complained of chronic or recurrent abdominal pain, most often in the epigastric region. Smaller numbers had experienced early satiety, choking, gagging, dysphagia, or intermittent diarrhea. Given the prevalence of constipation in childhood, it seems likely that many children who experience chronic upper intestinal symptoms may be suffering from chronic unrecognized constipation as the cause of their upper intestinal symptoms.
Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of Dendroctonus frontalis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to volatiles isolated from conspecifics.

Abstract Olfactory sensitivity of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, to compounds isolated from the mid/hindguts of newly emerged conspecific adults was assayed with coupled gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection. All previously reported pheromones for D. frontalis plus eight additional compounds (fenchyl alcohol, myrtenal, cis-verbenol, trans-pinocarveol, acetophenone, trans-myrtanol, cis-myrtanol, and 2-phenylethanol) consistently elicited antennal responses from at least one sex. The eight additional compounds were assayed individually at three release rates (0.4–0.8, 3–9, and 25–100 mg/d) for the ability to alter D. frontalis responses to traps baited with D. frontalis attractant (4 mg/d frontalin and 17 mg/d α-pinene). At the high release rate, cis-verbenol enhanced attraction of D. frontalis females, whereas the other seven compounds significantly reduced attraction of one or both sexes. Acetophenone significantly reduced attraction of male D. frontalis at the l...
Clinical Reasoning and Risk in the Intensive Care Unit

Clinical reasoning in medicine describes the process whereby a clinician gathers, assimilates, and assesses information about a person and their illness to assign a diagnosis and institute therapy. Care of patients in the intensive care unit involves managing a substantial quantity of incomplete, novel, and rapidly changing data. A modified nine-step bayesian approach to clinical reasoning comports well with this complex environment and is useful for assisting and educating novice learners to apply clinical reasoning accurately and consistently. When combined with a sophisticated approach to risk-benefit analysis to modify the treatment threshold, it becomes a useful and insightful tool for clinicians and those working in medical education.
The Use of Δ Osmolality to Predict Serum Isopropanol and Acetone Concentrations

We investigated whether serum delta osmolality will predict the total serum concentration of isopropanol and acetone metabolite. Three isopropanol ingestions were monitored by delta osmolality determinations followed by quantification of serum isopropanol and acetone concentrations. The delta osmolality was established by routine chemical analysis and standard freezing point depression osmometry. Serum isopropanol and acetone levels were quantified by gas chromatography-head space analysis (GC-HS). Patients were initially suspected of having isopropanol intoxication secondary to an elevated delta osmolality discrepancy (measured - calculated > 10 mOsm). Serum concentrations versus delta osmolality were analyzed by linear regression (correlation coefficient r = 0.713; p < 0.05). The delta osmolality paralleled and decreased relative to the total low molecular weight of volatile concentration in each case. In emergencies, delta osmolality may be a screening test to identify rapidly patients at risk for complications associated with isopropanol ingestion when GC-HS is not available.
Application Of The Domestic Production Activities Tax Deduction (Relating To A Wide Range Of Industries)

Internal Revenue Code Section 199 is the domestic production activities deduction, which was enacted under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. This new deduction was to help compensate the repeal of the exterritorial income exclusion. Section 199 was intended to lower the tax burden on domestic manufacturers as well as to attract new investments in domestic manufacturing facilities. The deduction would yield tax breaks for certain types of businesses ranging large to small that predominately manufacture, produce, grow, or extract tangible personal property entirely or partially within the United States. The types of businesses, specifically, that will have an impact from Section 199 would be those in the film and sound recordings industries, companies in the construction business, and those in the field of architectural and engineering. In addition, those that qualified as doing business in any of the specific industries falling under Section 199 must be located and providing services in the United States. The Section 199 tax break will also benefit those in the business of producing electricity, natural gas, and water in the United States. The deduction is allowed to be taken for taxable years beginning after 2004, which creates many challenges. First, Section 199 establishes detailed tax concepts conditions, de minimis rules, exceptions, and safe harbors. Second, the deduction forces many businesses to implement new accounting systems to classify between qualifying and non-qualifying activities. All in all, this report explains how Section 199 works as well as benefits specific industries. However, important production eligibility issues remain in determining the production deduction for tangible property, which are the central items focused throughout this article. Furthermore, the research contain within, covers the guidance in Notice 2005-14, along with the proposed and final regulations to the rules under Section 199. An understanding of these rules will provide additional opportunities to qualify property and take advantage of tax breaks, yielding a better financial result to the taxpayer.
The left ventricular apex opening and closing a new port into the human heart.

The human heart has been variously regarded as the seat of the soul, the mind, emotions, and morals. The heart is gradually giving up its secrets under the onslaught of scientific and technologic advances. For interventional cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons interested in novel therapeutic
Changing Paradigms in Cancer Clinical Trials

The advances made in cancer biology and the genetics of cancer have rapidly provided us with a better fundamental understanding of cancer; but progress in translating such knowledge into medical practice is relatively slow. Indeed, important examples of translational approaches may already be found in the areas of drug discovery and development, disease diagnosis and classification, and the selection of therapeutic regimens that are specific to the individual. These new developments require novel approaches to incorporate the quantity and diversity of information for evaluating therapies and potential diagnostic and prognostic markers. For the translation of knowledge into practice to be effective requires the conduct of studies with appropriate design and analyses based on sound statistical principles. Research is under way to find new ways of exploring the use of biomarkers in cancer detection and treatment that will in turn require a new generation of clinical trials that modernize the processes and methods used to examine the safety and efficacy of novel, gene-based therapies without sacrificing high standards. This chapter revisits some of the basic components of clinical trial design within the context of timely areas of vaccine trials, cancer stem cell trials, and trials of epigenetic targeted therapies. We highlight the molecular and cancer biology influences on trial design in each area to illustrate the outstanding need for new and improved cancer clinical trial design and analyses.
Application of Sub-Element Technique for Improving the Interior Displacement and Stress Calculations by Using the Boundary Element Method

An accurate calculation of the displacements and stresses near the surface of the body is difficult by the regular boundary element method. The reason is that the fundamental solutions in the integral formula contain singular factors of 1/r and 1/r 2 . As the distance r between the internal point and boundary element becomes small, the singular factor will negatively influence the numerical integration result. This effect is sometimes referred as the boundary-layer type of behavior and is always present in the numerical evaluation of the interior displacements and stresses near the boundary. A special treatment of this effect using an element subdivision or sub-element technique has been investigated. This technique requires a subdivision of the original boundary segment into a number of sub-element and then applies a small number of Gaussian integration points on each sub-element. Good accuracy has been obtained and several examples are illustrated.
Flipping to Teach the Conceptual Foundations of Successful Workplace Writing

Flipping originated in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, where didactic transmission of conceptual knowledge has been the standard pedagogy. Flipping has resulted in additional focus on procedural knowledge within class meetings. This article argues that business and professional writing pedagogy, which already focuses largely on procedural knowledge within class meetings, would benefit from flipping because it could create an additional focus on conceptual knowledge outside of the classroom. The article explains why we need to teach conceptual foundations, why video is a good choice for that teaching, and what challenges we face in creating those instructional videos.
A Hybrid Approach for Full Numerical Simulation of Heat Exchangers

Understanding the details of flow and temperature fields is important in improving the performance of the heat exchangers. The full numerical solution of heat exchangers are computationally prohibitive because the flow and temperature fields must be simultaneously determined in at least two fluids and the solid surfaces separating the two fluids, making full simulation of heat exchangers practically nonexistent. As complicated as the flow is, there are certain characteristics of heat exchangers that if taken advantage of, make the numerical simulation of the heat exchangers more practical. In this paper, the idea of a hybrid approach is proposed, in which the nonlinear momentum equations for one or two channels are solved by using commercially available CFD codes. The velocity field is then inputted into a user-developed code for solving the linear energy equation for the entire heat exchanger. This is an efficient approach which has been successfully used to fully simulate a parallel flow heat exchanger.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
White-Tailed Kite Predation on a Fluctuating Vole Population

White-tailed Kites (Elanus leucurus) are obligate predators of diurnal small mammals (Waian and Stendell, Calif. Fish & Game 56:188, 1970). Brown and Amadon (Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of the World, vol. 1, Hamlyn House, Feltham, 414 p. 1968) indicate that movement and nesting of kites are governed to a considerable extent by concentrations of mice, usually voles. Throughout much of the kite's range in California, the vole (Microtus californicus) is the major prey species. Hawbecker (Condor 42:106, 1940) noted a correlation between the nesting of White-Tailed Kites and vole density and suggested that a high population of voles is necessary for successful nesting of kites. This note compares annual changes in food habits of WhiteTailed Kites with measured changes in the density of California voles in fields over which the kites were hunting. At Hastings Natural History Reservation in Monterey County, California, populations of small mammals have been censused during the summers of 1969, 1970, and 1971, by means of mark and recapture techniques. The Reservation is a mosaic of grassland, oak woodland, and chaparral. Microtus predominately utilize the grassland areas. Estimated vole densities are shown in table 1. Although only one field was censused accurately, search for runways and occasional trapping in all other suitable fields within a 2-mile radius of the kite roosting site indicated vole densities similar to those of the censused field. TABLE 2. Species composition (%) of prey in kite pellets, 1969-71.
Drug Therapy, Medical Management, and Interventional Strategies

In this issue, we begin a series designed to guide the clinician through the bewildering array of treatment options.
Cautery dissection in levator surgery

This report describes a new technique that facilitates dissection of tissue planes and essentially eliminates intraoperative bleeding, two of the most frequently encountered problems during levator surgery. The described technique has been used in more than 450 consecutive eyelids with congenital and acquired ptosis requiring levator surgery. Disinsertion or dehiscence of the aponeurosis was found in less than 5% of the cases of involutional ptosis.
Serum cholesterol responses to hypothalamic stimulation and fatty acid administration in the rat.

SummaryResponses of serum cholesterol concentration to electric stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus were determined in fasted rats given stearic, oleic or linoleic acid by direct duodenal instillation. Greatest percentage increase occurred in the saturated, with intermediate and zero responses in the mono- and diunsaturated fatty acid groups respectively, suggesting that the double bond number of the carbon chain influenced the response.
Probiotics in treatment of childhood eczema: An observation on clinical efficacy

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of eczema in children.Methods Selected 1 months after birth to 18 months who had eczema children completely randomly divided into two groups. The Group A was given probiotic food and combined with external treatment,while Group B was only given external treatment. The treatment time of two groups were observed and the clinical curative effect. Results The rates of effectiveness in Group A and B were 91. 3% and 75. 0% respectively( χ2= 8. 0,P 0. 05). And in Group A,the treatment time was shorter than Group B( P 0. 01). Conclusion For children with eczema treatment of oral probiotics in external use basis,which can help shorten the treatment period and have no side effects.And can relieve pain,shorten the course of treatment,worthy of clinical application.
Verapamil Enhancement of Chemotherapeutic Efficacy in Human Bladder Cancer Cells

The calcium influx blocker verapamil has been used to overcome drug resistance in several tumor systems. The possible in vitro enhancement of drug efficacy was assessed in bladder cancer cell line T24. Combination of thiotepa and doxorubicin hydrochloride with verapamil significantly reduced the survival and growth of T24 cells after as little as 1 hour of drug exposure. An increase in doxorubicin hydrochloride-induced inhibition of [3H]thymidine uptake resulted when verapamil was administered. However, this trend was not demonstrated when combined with thiotepa. It appears that verapamil enhances thiotepa-induced cytotoxicity while it potentiates the antimitotic nature of doxorubicin hydrochloride. The data presented is consistent with the postulate that verapamil alters active efflux of drug from malignant cells and suggests that verapamil has a role in the clinical management of bladder cancer.
Isolated lung transplantation for patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome.

Background. Eisenmenger's syndrome remains one of the greatest challenges in lung transplantation. Methods and Results. Since October 1990, seven such patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome received isolated pulmonary grafts (six double lungs and one single lung). Mean patient age was 32±6 years (two men and five women). The preoperative mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 90.7±31.2 mm Hg, and the ventriculoscintigram showed markedly enlarged right ventricle and normal left ventricular function with ejection fraction of 0.660±0.115. Three atrial septal defects and four patent ducti arteriosus were repaired concomitantly. Excised lung histology showed plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy with Heath-Edwards' grade 4 through 6
Ultrathin AAO Membrane as a Generic Template for Sub-100 nm Nanostructure Fabrication

Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are emerging as a platform for simple, cost-effective, high-throughput top-down nanofabrication of regular arrays of nanostructures. Thus far, however, AAO pattern transfer has largely been restricted to smooth and chemically inert surfaces, mostly Silicon substrates. Here, we present a more generalizable strategy for preparing free-standing through-hole ultrathin alumina membranes (UTAMs) and transferring them to both smooth and rough substrates, thereby enabling the fabrication of centimeter-scale arrays of nanostructures with sub-100 nm feature diameters on almost arbitrary substrates. To validate the utility of our procedures, we transferred UTAMs to surfaces relevant for photocatalytic applications and prepared plasmonic photocathodes consisting of dense arrays of size-controlled sub-100 nm Au and Ni nanodots on top of chemically noninert NiOx thin films. To demonstrate the functionality of the fabricated structures, we used a plasmonic photocathode consisting of...
Micellar Effects on Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Aqueous Solutions Revisited: Dramatic Enhancement of Cage Escape Yields in Surfactant Ru(II) Diimine Complex/[Ru(NH3)6](2+) Systems.

The effect of cationic micelle incorporation on light induced electron transfer, charge separation and back electron transfer between an aqueous electron donor, [Ru(NH3)6]2+, and a series of Ru(II) diimine complex chromophores/acceptors, is presented. The chromophores have the general formula [(bpy)2Ru(LL)]2+ (LL = bpy; 4-R-4′-methyl-2,2′-bpy, R = pentyl (MC5), terdecyl (MC13), heptadecyl (MC17); 4,4′-di(heptadecyl)-2,2′-bpy (DC17)). Of the five chromophores, the MC13, MC17, and DC17 complexes associate with the added micelle forming surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Quenching of the luminescence of the bpy and MC5 complexes by [Ru(NH3)6]2+ is unaffected by addition of surfactant, while rate constants for quenching of the MC13 and MC17 complexes are decreased. Cage escape yields following photoinduced electron transfer to generate [(bpy)2Ru(LL)]+ and [Ru(NH3)6]3+ are approximately 0.1 for all the water-soluble chromophores (excluding DC17) in the absence of added CTAB. In the presence of ...
Do Credit Ratings Incorporate Business Linkages Along the Supply Chain

This paper investigates whether credit ratings incorporate business linkages along the supply chain. We first document that a supplier’s bankruptcy risk is significantly associated with its major customer’s bankruptcy risk, thereby leading to a positive association between the credit ratings of the supplier and its major customer. However, the association between a supplier’s and its major customer’s credit rating changes is asymmetric. A supplier’s credit rating change is only positively associated with its major customer’s credit rating change when the customer has experienced a credit rating downgrade, but not when the customer has undergone an upgrade. This asymmetric effect is stronger when the customer-supplier relation lasts for a long time and when the customer is the largest customer of the supplier. We attribute this effect to the asymmetric payoff functions of the creditors, who focus on protecting downside risk rather than generating upside returns. Overall, our paper provides evidence that the customer’s credit worthiness influences the supplier’s credit ratings, suggesting that the debt market can be affected by the product market through the customer-supplier relations.
Pharmacy use by dual-eligible non-elderly veterans with private healthcare insurance

Utilization of private sector healthcare services among dual enrolled veterans with private healthcare insurance plans (PHIP) has not been well-characterized. Concurrent use of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and non-VHA pharmacies may increase risk for adverse outcomes. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the extent to which dual VHA-PHIP enrollees obtain medications through VHA and non-VHA pharmacies and to characterize medications obtained through non-VHA pharmacies. This observational study used merged administrative data from VHA and a predominant regional PHIP to select veterans < 65 years of age, residing in two Midwestern US states, and simultaneously enrolled in both VHA and the PHIP during fiscal years (FY) 2001–2010. Primary outcome measures included counts of prescriptions dispensed from VHA and non-VHA pharmacies, and frequencies of medications dispensed by non-VHA pharmacies based on PHIP claims. Of 5783 veterans who filled ≥ 1 prescription in FY10, 2935 (50.8 %) used non-VHA pharmacies exclusively, 1165 (20.2 %) used VHA pharmacies exclusively and 1683 (29.1 %) were dual users. Health services utilization was higher for dual users compared to exclusive users of either VHA or non-VHA pharmacies across multiple measures, including total prescriptions, outpatient encounters, and inpatient admissions. The most common medications dispensed by non-VHA pharmacies, by proportion of veterans treated, were hydrocodone (20.9 %), amoxicillin (18.5 %), simvastatin (17.5 %), azithromycin (17.4 %), and lisinopril (15.1 %). Antidepressants comprised 3 of 10 most common medications dispensed by VHA, but none of the most common medications dispensed to exclusive non-VHA pharmacy users. Our findings align with VHA-Medicare dual enrolled veterans where only a minority of veterans used VHA services exclusively. Younger veterans relied disproportionately on VHA for mental health medications.
Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio can predict mortality in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

AIM To determine if the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) could be helpful in predicting survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the VA North Texas Healthcare System from January 2005 to December 2010. The LMR was calculated from peripheral blood cell counts obtained at the time of diagnosis of pancreatic cancer by dividing the absolute lymphocyte count by the absolute monocyte count. A Univariable Cox regression analysis was performed using these data, and hazard ratios (HR) and 95%CI were calculated. The median LMR (2.05) was used to dichotomize patients into high-LMR and low-LMR groups and the log rank test was used to compare survival between the two groups. RESULTS We identified 97 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (all men, 66% white, 30% African-American). The mean age and weight at diagnosis were 66.0 ± 0.9 (SEM) years and 80.4 ± 1.7 kg respectively. Mean absolute lymphocyte and monocyte values were 1.50 ± 0.07 K/μL and 0.74 ± 0.03 K/μL respectively. Mean, median and range of LMR was 2.36, 2.05 and 0.4-12 respectively. In the univariable Cox regression analysis, we found that an increased LMR was a significant indicator of improved overall survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (HR = 0.83; 95%CI: 0.70-0.98; P = 0.027). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed an overall median survival of 128 d (95%CI: 80-162 d). The median survival of patients in the high-LMR (> 2.05) group was significantly greater than the low-LMR group (≤ 2.05) (194 d vs 93 d; P = 0.03), validating a significant survival advantage in patients with a high LMR. CONCLUSION The LMR at diagnosis is a significant predictor for survival and can provide useful prognostic information in the management of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
The moderating effect of perceived spatial crowding on the relationship between perceived service encounter pace and customer satisfaction

Abstract This study examines the moderating effect of perceived spatial crowding on the perceived service encounter pace-customer satisfaction relationship in a restaurant context. Findings indicate a curvilinear relationship between perceived pace and customer satisfaction when spatial crowding is perceived as low. As perceived spatial crowding increases, the curvilinear nature of the relationship between perceived pace and satisfaction begins to flatten out, with no evidence of curvilinearity at relatively high levels of perceived spatial crowding. This suggests that an opportunity exists to increase pace without engendering a negative impact on customer satisfaction. The implications for theory and revenue management practice are discussed.
A model of symbolic processing in Raven’s progressive matrices

Abstract Raven’s progressive matrices probe the capacity to discover a common rule in a 3 by 3 matrix of stimuli by requiring the correct selection of a probe stimulus for one stimulus location intentionally left blank. This task is purely visual and excludes verbal cues. We propose a model of the performance of this task that classifies a variety of visual stimuli, either as rotated, scaled, or with elements added or subtracted or otherwise altered within each of the 3 by 3 matrix’s fields. In our model, Q-learning uses a state space based on the transitions between fields of the 3 by 3 matrix of stimuli. Actions are modeled as alterations of visual stimuli between these matrix’s fields. Using Q-learning our model successfully selects the correct probe stimulus from eight choices offered in the task.
Advanced MRI Techniques of the Shoulder Joint: Current Applications in Clinical Practice

OBJECTIVE. We are fortunate to live in a time when real advances in medicine are happening at an increasingly rapid pace. This is especially true in the field of radiology, and keeping abreast of these advances is one of the main challenges of clinical practice. Traditionally, cutting edge techniques in our field have been researched and validated at major academic medical centers before slowly making their way into the armamentarium of routine clinical practice. However, the improved ability to communicate and disseminate information in our modern age has facilitated more rapid implementation of new techniques to allow us to better serve our patients. CONCLUSION. As such, this article aims to review the current standards for MRI of the shoulder used in routine practice. Furthermore, we will discuss some of the most recent advances in shoulder MRI, with particular emphasis on the applicability of an additional axial 3D T1-weighted FLASH sequence with Dixon-based water-fat separation in routine clinical pr...
Torta: Generating Mixed-Media GUI and Command-Line App Tutorials Using Operating-System-Wide Activity Tracing

Tutorials are vital for helping people perform complex software-based tasks in domains such as programming, data science, system administration, and computational research. However, it is tedious to create detailed step-by-step tutorials for tasks that span multiple interrelated GUI and command-line applications. To address this challenge, we created Torta, an end-to-end system that automatically generates step-by-step GUI and command-line app tutorials by demonstration, provides an editor to trim, organize, and add validation criteria to these tutorials, and provides a web-based viewer that can validate step-level progress and automatically run certain steps. The core technical insight that underpins Torta is that combining operating-system-wide activity tracing and screencast recording makes it easier to generate mixed-media (text+video) tutorials that span multiple GUI and command-line apps. An exploratory study on 10 computer science teaching assistants (TAs) found that they all preferred the experience and results of using Torta to record programming and sysadmin tutorials relevant to classes they teach rather than manually writing tutorials. A follow-up study on 6 students found that they all preferred following the Torta tutorials created by those TAs over the manually-written versions.
Bone morphogenetic protein 4 antagonizes hair cell regeneration in the avian auditory epithelium.

Abstract Permanent hearing loss is often a result of damage to cochlear hair cells, which mammals are unable to regenerate. Non-mammalian vertebrates such as birds replace damaged hair cells and restore hearing function, but mechanisms controlling regeneration are not understood. The secreted protein bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) regulates inner ear morphogenesis and hair cell development. To investigate mechanisms controlling hair cell regeneration in birds, we examined expression and function of BMP4 in the auditory epithelia (basilar papillae) of chickens of either sex after hair cell destruction by ototoxic antibiotics. In mature basilar papillae, BMP4 mRNA is highly expressed in hair cells, but not in hair cell progenitors (supporting cells). Supporting cells transcribe genes encoding receptors for BMP4 (BMPR1A, BMPR1B, and BMPR2) and effectors of BMP4 signaling (ID transcription factors). Following hair cell destruction, BMP4 transcripts are lost from the sensory epithelium. Using organotypic cultures, we demonstrate that treatments with BMP4 during hair cell destruction prevent supporting cells from upregulating expression of the pro-hair cell transcription factor ATOH1, entering the cell cycle, and fully transdifferentiating into hair cells, but they do not induce cell death. By contrast, noggin, a BMP4 inhibitor, increases numbers of regenerated hair cells. These findings demonstrate that BMP4 antagonizes hair cell regeneration in the chicken basilar papilla, at least in part by preventing accumulation of ATOH1 in hair cell precursors.
Is Esophagectomy for Benign Conditions Benign

Background Outcomes data on esophagectomy performed for benign conditions is scarce. Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we sought to analyze outcomes of esophagectomy performed for benign conditions. Methods The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for all esophagectomies performed from 2005 to 2015. Outcomes for benign conditions were analyzed and compared with outcomes for malignant conditions. Results Esophagectomy was performed in 7,477 patients during the study period. Of those, 6,762 underwent esophagectomy for malignant conditions and 715 for benign conditions. For patients with benign conditions, reconstruction was performed using gastric conduit in 631 and colon/intestine in 84. The anastomosis was intrathoracic in 420 and cervical in 295. Benign esophagectomies were more likely to be emergent (10.1% vs 0.4%, p Conclusions Benign esophagectomies are associated with significant morbidity. Although the site of the anastomosis does not alter outcomes, use of colon/intestine conduit should be pursued with caution.
Channeling Competition in the Global Securities Market

Global capital markets are becoming more integrated. With the free flow of capital has come increased competition between different financial centers. For those in favor of increased regulatory competition, the growing integration of world financial markets is generally viewed as a positive occurrence. Nevertheless, this essay casts some doubt as to the value of regulatory competition along dimensions other than the supply of investor protection. Regulators may compete not over the types and quality of investor protection but rather over jurisdictional boundaries and the extraterritorial application of law. This, of course, does not mean that regulatory competition lacks merit. Indeed, those that take the view that regulatory competition will lead to a race to the bottom must contend with the reality that a degree of competition is already with us. The essay concludes that investor welfare may be improved if we move more to a fully competitive system under which regulators could only compete along one dimension -- the provision of investor protection.
Chapter 13 Inventories

Abstract We review and interpret recent work on inventories, emphasizing empirical and business cycle aspects. We begin by documenting two empirical regularities about inventories. The first is the well-known one that inventories move procyclically. The second is that inventory movements are quite persistent, even conditional on sales. To consider explanations for the two facts, we present a linear-quadratic model. The model can rationalize the two facts in a number of ways, but two stylized explanations have the virtue of relative simplicity and support from a number of papers. Both assume that there are persistent shocks to demand for the good in question, and that marginal production cost slopes up. The first explanation assumes as well that there are highly persistent shocks to the cost of production. The second assumes that there are strong costs of adjusting production and a strong accelerator motive. Research to date, however, has not reached a consensus on whether one of these two, or some third, alternative provides a satisfactory explanation of inventory behavior. We suggest several directions for future research that promise to improve our understanding of inventory behavior and thus of business cycles.
Cryptococcus neoformans, Unlike Candida albicans, Forms Aneuploid Clones Directly from Uninucleated Cells under Fluconazole Stress

Heteroresistance to fluconazole (FLC) in Cryptococcus is a transient adaptive resistance which is lost upon release from the drug pressure. It is known that clones heteroresistant to FLC invariably contain disomic chromosomes, but how disomy is formed remains unclear. Previous reports suggested that the aneuploid heteroresistant colonies in Cryptococcus emerge from multinucleated cells, resembling the case in Candida albicans Although a small number of cells containing multiple nuclei appear in a short time after FLC treatment, we provide evidence that the heteroresistant colonies in the presence of FLC arise from uninucleate cells without involving multinuclear/multimeric stages. We found that fidelity of chromosome segregation in mitosis plays an important role in regulation of FLC heteroresistance frequency in C. neoformans Although FLC-resistant colonies occurred at a very low frequency, we were able to modulate the frequency of heteroresistance by overexpressing SMC1, which encodes a protein containing an SMC domain in chromosome segregation. Using time-lapse microscopy, we captured the entire process of colony formation from a single cell in the presence of FLC. All the multinucleated cells formed within a few hours of FLC exposure failed to multiply after a few cell divisions, and the cells able to proliferate to form colonies were all uninucleate without exception. Furthermore, no nuclear fusion event or asymmetric survival between mother and daughter cells, a hallmark of chromosome nondisjunction in haploid organisms, was observed. Therefore, the mechanisms of aneuploidy formation in C. neoformans appear different from most common categories of aneuploid formation known for yeasts.IMPORTANCE The gold standard of cryptococcosis treatment consists of induction therapy with amphotericin B followed by lifelong maintenance therapy with fluconazole (FLC). However, prolonged exposure to FLC induces the emergence of clones heteroresistant to azoles. All the heteroresistant clones thus far analyzed have been shown to be aneuploids, but how the aneuploid is formed remains unclear. Aneuploidy in fungi and other eukaryotic cells is known to result most commonly from chromosome missegregation during cell division due to defects in any one of the multiple components and processes that are required for the formation of two genetically identical daughter cells. Although formation of multinucleated cells has been observed in cells exposed to FLC, evidence for the emergence of drug-resistant aneuploid populations directly from such cells has been lacking. We show the evidence that the aneuploid in fluconazole-heteroresistant clones of Cryptococcus neoformans is derived neither from multinucleated cells nor from chromosome missegregation.