cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Double-Entry Intraclass Correlation as an Index of Profile Similarity: Meaning, Limitations, and Alternatives

As applied to many psychological phenomena, analysis of profile similarity has an intuitive appeal that masks complex statistical issues. Psychologists have long debated the methods of indexing similarity between 2 psychological profiles, but the double-entry intraclass correlation may be emerging as a preferred approach. Unfortunately, the double-entry intraclass correlation has not been articulated clearly in terms of fundamental facets of profiles—elevation, scatter, and shape—which prevents full understanding of its meaning. In this article, I (a) articulate these effects, (b) discuss potential limitations and confusions arising from these effects, (c) present a failure to replicate previous empirical findings regarding the double-entry intraclass correlation, and (d) present alternative recommendations for analysis of profile similarity. The conceptual, mathematical, and empirical points may enhance the insights emerging from analyses of profiles and profile similarity.
Calcium ions regulate cyclic AMP and beating in cultured heart cells.

ALTHOUGH the transport of Ca2+ is known to be involved in the control of beating by cultured heart cells, little is known about the regulation of this process. There is evidence that catecholamines affect heart cells through their influence on cyclic AMP1–4. In this way they might affect Ca2+ transport and, as a result, contractility. Our experiments with beating heart cells now suggest that both noradrenaline and Ca2+ control the concentration of cyclic AMP in the cells which, in turn, regulates the utilisation of Ca2+. Addition of noradrenaline or depletion of Ca2+ in the external medium results in cells which beat in a lower concentration of external Ca2+ compared with controls.
Seismic wave attenuation: Energy dissipation in viscoelastic crystalline solids

Seismic imaging as a tool to understand the structure and, perhaps, the dynamics of the planet at depth involves the spatially resolved, combined study of wave velocities and velocity dispersion, wave birefringence and wave attenuation (mechanical absorption). When integrated with insights from petrology, plus-or-minus input from magneto-tellurics, specific hypotheses concerning structure at depth can be formulated (cf. Karato 1993; Karato and Karki 2001). The recent advances in tomography have allowed significant improvements in spatial resolution which also have allowed ever more exacting hypotheses of structure to be articulated. Nevertheless, as is nicely illustrated by the relatively recent seismic analyses of an accreting plate margin (the East Pacific Rise —e.g., Toomey et al. 1998; Webb and Forsyth 1998), the structures inferred at depth can vary significantly: clearly, the interpretation of seismic data is limited specifically by a lack of understanding of the physical processes by which low-frequency wave absorption occurs, particularly in the cases (a) where melt is present and/or (b) where the material is being actively plastically deformed. This chapter emphasizes the mineral physics/materials science of mechanical absorption, specifically in dense materials at elevated temperature; the interest, then, is in employing the physical study of mechanical absorption to understand natural phenomena such as those mentioned above. Beyond questions of the basic mineral physics of absorption, the guiding interest the community of scholars pursuing the ideas is in isolating actual absorption mechanisms operative in the geological setting thereby allowing for a greater discrimination in the interpretation of seismic data. At the outset, I note that this contribution does not seek to be a comprehensive review of the ideas and work involved in the physics of mechanical absorption. There are marvelous reviews in the literature that are both authoritative and current; I refer to these frequently in contemplating my own …
Coordination of Peroxisomal β-Oxidation and Fatty Acid Elongation in HepG2 Cells

A major product of mitochondrial and peroxisomal beta-oxidation is acetyl-CoA, which is essential for multiple cellular processes. The relative role of peroxisomal beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acids and the fate of its oxidation products are poorly understood and are the subjects of our research. In this report we describe a study of beta-oxidation of palmitate and stearate using HepG2 cells cultured in the presence of multiple concentrations of [U-(13)C(18)]stearate or [U-(13)C(16)] palmitate. Using mass isotopomer analysis we determined the enrichments of acetyl-CoA used in de novo lipogenesis (cytosolic pool), in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (glutamate pool), and in chain elongation of stearate (peroxisomal pool). Cells treated with 0.1 mm [U-(13)C(18)]stearate had markedly disparate acetyl-CoA enrichments (1.1% cytosolic, 1.1% glutamate, 10.7% peroxisomal) with increased absolute levels of C20:0, C22:0, and C24:0. However, cells treated with 0.1 mm [U-(13)C(16)]palmitate had a lower peroxisomal enrichment (1.8% cytosolic, 1.6% glutamate, and 1.1% peroxisomal). At higher fatty acid concentrations, acetyl-CoA enrichments in these compartments were proportionally increased. Chain shortening and elongation was determined using spectral analysis. Chain shortening of stearate in peroxisomes generates acetyl-CoA, which is subsequently used in the chain elongation of a second stearate molecule to form very long chain fatty acids. Chain elongation of palmitate to stearate appeared to occur in a different compartment. Our results suggest that 1) chain elongation activity is a useful and novel probe for peroxisomal beta-oxidation and 2) chain shortening contributes a substantial fraction of the acetyl-CoA used for fatty acid elongation in HepG2 cells.
Angiotensin II Increases Host Resistance to Peritonitis

Studies by other laboratories have shown that angiotensin II (AII) can affect the function of cells which comprise the immune system. In the present study, the effect of AII on the function of peritoneal macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes was assessed. In vitro exposure (4 h prior to assay) of peritoneal macrophages from mice and rats to AII increased the percentage of cells that phagocytosed opsonized yeast and the number of yeast per macrophage. Furthermore, AII increased the respiratory burst capacity of peritoneal macrophages from mice and rats and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from humans. Because of these observations, the effect of AII on host resistance to bacterial infection was assessed. Intraperitoneal administration of AII was shown to increase host resistance (reduced abscess formation) in an animal model of bacterial peritonitis. Studies were then conducted to assess whether parenteral administration of AII, a clinically relevant route, could affect peritoneal host resistance in a manner similar to that observed after peritoneal administration. These studies showed that subcutaneous administration of AII throughout the postinfection interval increased the level of host resistance to bacterial peritonitis. Furthermore, in a study which compared AII and Neupogen, an agent approved for use for the reduction of febrile neutropenia after myeloablative therapy, daily subcutaneous administration of AII reduced abscess size and incidence, whereas Neupogen did not have any therapeutic benefit in this model. These data suggest that AII may be of therapeutic benefit as an immunomodulatory agent.
The physiology of follicle selection

During the follicular phase of the primate menstrual cycle, a single follicle usually matures to the preovulatory stage and releases its oocyte for fertilization and the potential establishment of pregnancy. In assisted reproductive technology procedures, it is desirable to override the natural process of follicle selection to produce many oocytes that are capable of being fertilized and undergoing normal embryo development. The goal of this chapter is to summarize the current views regarding the natural process of follicle selection in primates and to discuss how this process may be amplified to produce a greater number of oocytes.
Some Cases of Severe Normal Tissue Toxicity Can Be Anticipated With Ablated Fractionated Radiation With Appropriate Long-term Follow-up

As new technologies have allowed physicians to both better image and characterize malignant disease as well as deliver radiation dose with high precision and accuracy, there has been a resurgence in interest in hypofractionated or even single-fraction radiation therapy schemas. Late-reacting tissues have a low α/β ratio (compared with early reacting tissues) and are therefore more sensitive to increments in fraction size. When we hypofractionate, we may lose some of the biological advantages associated with fractionation while we may simultaneously increase our risk of damaging late-responding normal tissues. The ideal 4 R's for tumor cells are exactly opposite those 4 R's ideally desired for normal tissues, and this represents the major dilemma to the practicing radiation oncologist. The long-term safety profile for modern hypofractionated radiation schemes will depend on the area and volume treated, the total dose delivered, and the level of baseline function observed before initiating radiation therapy. These issues are raised in the context of hypofractionation for central nervous system malignancies, lung cancers, pelvic malignancies, head and neck cancers, and breast cancers. If we are careful when choosing the site (and most importantly the volume), it is likely that hypofractionation may benefit our patients. However, history has taught us to be very careful when using hypofractionation to large volumes or when incorporating critical structures. With appropriate long-term follow-up, some cases of severe normal tissue toxicity can be anticipated. Hypofractionation should continue to be studied in randomized clinical trials, with a particular focus on careful follow-up.
Decrease in the formation of adrenocorticotropin following administration of epinephrine.

ON THE basis of the results reported by McDermott et al. (1950) and Gershberg et al. (1950) one of the mechanisms controlling the release of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) from the pituitary is due to an activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Through the release of epinephrine from the adrenal medulla the anterior pituitary is activated. Epinephrine is then supposed to act directly on the pituitary cells. However Sayers et al. (1948) suggested that epinephrine has no direct effect on pituitary activation of ACTH but acts like other nonspecific stresses by changing the levels of cortical steroids in the circulation. They have demonstrated that the drop in adrenal ascorbic acid, which takes place one hour after the injection of epinephrine can be prevented by pretreatment with cortical steroids. Also Gelhorn et al. (1948) have shown that the lymphocytopenic action of epinephrine is inhibited by pretreatment with cortical steroids. Furthermore Nickerson et al. (1947) have reported that dibenamine, an adre...
Effects of parasitic infection on mate sampling by female wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo): should infected females be more or less choosy?

Investigations of parasite-mediated sexual selection have concentrated on the effects of parasites on males. Differences in female susceptibility to parasitic infection may also cause variation in reproductive behavior. I propose two alternative hypotheses to explain how infected females may alter their mate sampling behavior. In the first hypothesis, infected females sample fewer prospective mates because chronic parasitic infection imposes energetic costs that limit the time and calories that a female can expend in mate searching. A novel alternative hypothesis is that females recognize their own susceptibility to infection and thus invest more time searching for a male phenotype that indicates he offers genes complementary to her genome. In recombination, these good genes would allow her offspring to better resist parasites despite their mother's susceptibility. I examined the mate sampling behavior of experimentally infected wild turkey hens when presented with an array of males, and compared them to control hens. Infected females did not invest more time assessing individuals, did not wait longer to choose a male, nor were they less likely to solicit during the trial. They did differ from control females in that they visited more males before soliciting copulation and exhibited different preference functions for snood length. These results suggest that females are not so energetically restricted by latent coccidia infection that they must hurry to find a mate. Instead, it appears that infected females assess a larger set of males as prospective mates, perhaps to increase the opportunity to obtain complementary genes for parasite resistance. Copyright 2004.
Depositional Environment of Paleozoic Glacial Rocks in the Central Transantarctic Mountains

Permian glacial sediments of the Pagoda Formation in the central Transantarctic Mountains range from 126 to 395 m in thickness. Grooved sandstone lenses within the tillite beds indicate that they were deposited during retreat phases from active temperate ice which flowed to the southeast. Several interbeds and sedimentary breaks within the formation suggest possibly as many as 13 minor advances and retreats of the ice front. Grooved surfaces and clast fabrics indicate that the ice moved across the area in a direction of 148° ± 19°. The paleo-ice flow directions vary randomly about the mean from bed to bed, probably in response to local conditions. Between ice advances, streams, some of them quite large, flowed across a subdued topography and were locally diverted or dammed by the retreating ice front. The extent and continuity of the Paleozoic glacial deposits and the consistency in paleo-ice flow direction in Antarctica suggest an ice sheet of continental dimensions centered on southern Victoria Land. Dark shales conformably overlying the tillites over much of their known extent appear to have been deposited as the ice retreated prior to isostatic rebound of the depressed subglacial surface.
Comment on the study 'Long-term efficacy of stereotactic bilateral anterior cingulotomy and bilateral anterior capsulotomy as a treatment for refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder' by Zhang et al.

One additional concept raised by the investigators’ observations is that multiple lesions along the limbic circuit may provide better response rates than single albeit bilateral lesions. This concept was first proposed by Sir Desmond Kelley when he devised the limbic leukotomy consisting of combined anterior cingulate and subcaudate tractotomy lesions. Whether multiple lesions offer significantly better success rates clinically remains unanswered. Nonetheless, one of the most important considerations of any ablative surgery for psychiatric disorders is the ability to impart clinical benefit with minimal or few side effects. In my experience, anterior cingulotomy is a very safe procedure with few if any neuropsychological consequences. Anterior capsulotomy is also very safe but carries a slightly higher risk of neurocognitive and behavioral side effects. One might expect that by combining these two lesion procedures, the side effects might be more than simply additive, but this was not the case in this series. Unfortunately, the authors did not apply a modern or comprehensive assessment of significant adverse effects along with their outcome data. This would require a semi-structured SAFTEE and detailed neuropsychological testing at defined follow-up visits which is very costly and labor intensive and is almost never accomplished in standard clinical series. Nevertheless, with this publication, the authors have provided another piece of evidence that relatively small stereotactic lesions within the limbic system circuitry can impart significant improvement in selected patients with severe and intractable OCD. The article by Zhang et al. [1] describes a limited experience of combined bilateral anterior cingulotomy and anterior capsulotomy in the treatment of 7 patients with severe, treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Their results at 1 year suggest that 5/7 were clear-cut responders (>35% improvement in the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale) with few or minimal side effects. This is consistent with recent reports of cingulotomy/ limbic leukotomy, anterior capsulotomy and deep brain stimulation in similar patient populations. It has been my experience along with other practitioners, however, that the benefits of ablative surgery for OCD often improve over time periods even greater than 1 year. The results of these investigators suggest that the benefits of multiple lesions within the limbic system may provide an enhanced benefit at an earlier time point than is typically seen. It would, therefore, be of great inter est to have the results of their surgical intervention at 2 years of follow-up. Published online: May 7, 2013
A Restricted Poincar&#233; Map for Determining Exponentially Stable Periodic Orbits in Systems with Impulse Effects: Application to Bipedal Robots

Systems with impulse effects form a special class of hybrid systems that consist of an ordinary, time-invariant differential equation (ODE), a co-dimension one switching surface, and a re-initialization rule. The exponential stability of a periodic orbit in a C1-nonlinear systems with impulse effects can be studied by linearizing the Poincare return map around a fixed point and evaluating its eigenvalues. However, in feedback design-where one may be employing an iterative technique to shape the periodic orbit subject to it being exponentially stable—recomputing and re-linearizing the Poincare return map at each iteration can be very cumbersome. For a non- linear system with impulse effects that possesses an invariant hybrid subsystem and the transversal dynamics is sufficiently exponentially fast, it is shown that exponential stability of a periodic orbit can be determined on the basis of the restricted Poincare map, that is, the Poincare return map associated with the invariant subsystem. The result is illustrated on a walking gait for an underactuated planar bipedal robot.
Wundheilung: Wer den Sinn sucht, geht meist zu weit! Denn das Beste ist nie gut genug, weil das Gute besser ist …

Das Betaartige darf nicht so uberhand nehmen! Wir mussen wieder mehr Alphaethik einfuhren, sonst bewaltigen, arbeiten, streben und hetzen wir uns zu Tode – durchschnittlich geworden in ermudenden Warteschleifen. Den Weg in diese Richtung beginne ich nun zu beschreiben.
Reducing Crosspoint Buffers for Performance Guaranteed Asynchronous Crossbar Scheduling

Buffered crossbar switches are special crossbar switches with an exclusive buffer at each crosspoint. They demonstrate unique advantages over traditional unbuffered crossbar switches, such as asynchronous scheduling and variable length packet handling. However, since crosspoint buffers are expensive on-chip memories, it is desired that each crosspoint has only a small buffer. In this paper, we propose a scheduling algorithm called Fair Asynchronous Segment Scheduling (FASS) for buffered crossbar switches, which reduces the crosspoint buffer size by dividing packets into shorter segments before transmission. FASS also provides tight constant performance guarantees by emulating the ideal Generalized Processor Sharing (GPS) model. Furthermore, FASS requires no speedup for the crossbar, lowering the hardware cost and improving the switch capacity. By theoretical analysis, we prove that FASS is strongly stable and therefore achieves 100% throughput. We also calculate the size bound for the crosspoint buffers. Moreover, we show that FASS provides bounded delay guarantees. Finally, we present simulation data to verify the analytical results.
Lactobacillus brevis responds to flavonoids through KaeR, a LysR-type of transcriptional regulator

The ability of transcription factors to respond to flavonoids as signal molecules was investigated in Lactobacillus brevis. Through in vitro screening of a small library of flavonoids, LVIS1989 (KaeR), a LysR-type transcriptional regulator (LTTR), was identified as responsive to kaempferol. The modulation of KaeR activity by flavonoids was characterized in vivo and in vitro. DNase I footprint assays identified the binding of KaeR at two distinctive sites, one in the intergenic region between LVIS1988 and kaeR (-39 to +2) and another within LVIS1988 (-314 to -353, from kaeR translational start point). EMSA assays revealed that both binding sites are required for KaeR binding in vitro. Furthermore, KaeR-DNA interactions were stabilized by the addition of kaempferol (20 µM). In vivo qRT-PCR experiments performed in L. brevis confirmed that the divergently transcribed genes LVIS1988, LVIS1987 and LVIS1986 and kaeR are upregulated in the presence of kaempferol, indicating the role of KaeR as a transcriptional activator. Transcriptional lacZ fusions using Bacillus subtilis as a surrogate host showed that expression of kaeR and LVIS1988 were induced by the presence of the flavonoid. These results indicate that KaeR belongs to a small and poorly understood group of LTTRs that are positively autoregulated in the presence of a ligand.
erbB2 Overexpression in Uterine Serous Cancer: A Molecular Target for Trastuzumab Therapy

Endometrial cancer is the most common female genital tract malignancy in the United States. Type I endometrial cancer is usually diagnosed at an early stage, and has a good prognosis. Type II is very aggressive, and is responsible for most uterine cancer relapses and deaths. Uterine serous adenocarcinomas (USC) constitute the majority of Type II variants. They have a higher propensity for lymph node and distant metastases. They are frequently aneuploid and associated with p53 mutations. erbB2 overexpression in USC has been described. The incidence, which is higher in African Americans, ranges from 18–80%. erbB2 overexpression was found to be associated with higher stage, chemoresistance, and worse survival. Trastuzumab a humanized mAb was approved by the FDA for treatment of breast cancers that overexpress erbB2 in combination with standard chemotherapy. Evidence of trastuzumab activity in USC has been reported in vitro, as well as in case reports of advanced and recurrent cases. Promising results were obtained in these heavily pretreated patients either with trastuzumab alone or in combination with chemotherapy. This supports the hypothesis that trastuzumab may very well be an attractive and viable treatment option for advanced stage USC tumors that overexpress the erbB2, and is worthy of further study.
At-Risk Students' Perceptions of Traditional Schools and a Solution-Focused Public Alternative School.

Recent trends in education have drawn attention to students at risk of school failure and dropout in the United States. Alternative schools are one method for preventing the severe and long-lasting consequences of underachievement and dropout. Few research studies have sought the opinions and perceptions of the at-risk students who attend alternative schools through qualitative research methods. This study used qualitative interviews to explore at-risk students’ perspectives about their current alternative school and their former traditional schools. Results indicate that traditional schools are lacking the personal relationships with teachers, schoolwide focus on maturity and responsibility, understanding about social issues, and positive peer relationships that alternative schools often provide. This article offers guidelines to help schools and educators to better support at-risk students.
Was Schumpeter a Marxist

This article explores the degree to which Joseph Schumpeter may be regarded as a follower of Karl Marx. It argues that Schumpeter and Marx shared a common vision, including agreement on the growth in the size of the firm and in industrial concentration, the inherent instability of capitalism and the inevitability of "crises", and the eventual destruction of capitalist institutions and the arrival of a socialist form of economic organization as a result of the working out of the internal logic of capitalist evolution. Schumpeter's main qualification is his insistence upon the importance of temporal lags, i.e., social forms that persist after they have lost their economic rationale, and he suggests that the essence of capitalism lies in the inevitable tendency of that system to depart from equilibrium. The article emphasizes the continuing importance of economic history for economics. Copyright 2011 The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Associazione ICC. All rights reserved., Oxford University Press.
Analysis of near-source contributions to early P-wave coda for underground explosions. II. Frequency dependence

An analysis of dispersion in more than 1600 teleseismic short-period P waves from 46 underground explosions has established that near-source effects are responsible for systematic frequency-dependent variations observed in the first 15 sec of the P signals. Explosions from the Nevada, Amchitka, and Novaya Zemlya test sites exhibit a common magnitude dependence of the dispersive behavior, with smaller events having relatively enriched low-frequency (0.4 to 0.8 Hz) energy in the coda. For the Nevada and Amchitka sites, the larger events have relatively enhanced high-frequency (0.8 to 1.1 Hz) energy in the coda as well, which may actually be a consequence of diminished high-frequency content of the direct arrivals. The dispersive behavior also correlates well with known source depths for the Nevada Test Site and Amchitka events, and with estimated pP delay times for the Novaya Zemlya events, indicating that burial depth and/or explosion size are important factors. Pahute Mesa tests show a secondary dependence on position in the site, with centrally located events having stronger dispersion, as well as more pronounced slowly varying azimuthal patterns in the frequency dependence. Stations at azimuths to the north-northeast from the Mesa have particularly strong dispersion for centrally located events. The spatial and azimuthal variations for Pahute Mesa events do not appear to be the result of aftershock radiation, as suggested by Douglas (1984), but instead are associated with frequency-dependent defocusing and scattering from a high-velocity structure beneath the test site. Some of the dispersion from Novaya Zemlya events appears to result from deep path properties; however, the strong magnitude/depth dependence for all of the test sites indicates that very near-source conditions have the strongest influence on the frequency dependence. A likely explanation for the dispersive behavior is a combination of relatively enhanced surface wave excitation and scattering for shallower events, and frequencydependent defocusing for sites overlying anomalous high-velocity structures, as is the case for both Pahute Mesa and Amchitka.
Employing Considerations of Criticality in Product Design

With no agreed-on definition of critical materials, product and process designers have been unable to systematically address the critical materials issue. Using a comprehensive methodology, we have determined the criticality of 62 metals and metalloids—approximately two-thirds of the periodic table. We illustrate how the analyses were performed, provide an overview of criticality at the global level for all elements, and then present examples of how the criticality information could be used in making material-related choices in product and process design.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF CELL DIVISION

Different domains of the SV40 A gene have different functions, such as viral DNA replication, cell DNA replication, and stimulation of cellular RNA synthesis. The sequences in the SV40 A gene that are critical for the induction of cell DNA synthesis lie on the map between nucleotide 4360 and nucleotide 4001, a stretch of 360 nucleotides coding for 120 of the 708 amino acids of the large T antigen. The sequences critical for stimulation of rRNA synthesis lie on the map further downstream, between nucleotides 3827 and 3506, thus indicating that the signals for growth in size and for cell DNA replication can be dissociated. Methylation of the SV40 A gene at multiple ECoRI* sites has no effect on its expression. However, methylation of the HSV-TK gene at one single ECoRI site 70 base pairs upstream from the cap site inhibits its expression. The results indicate that methylation of genes affects their expression, but only when methylation occurs at specific sites.
A low-complexity reduced-reference print identification algorithm

In a print production system, the ability to match a printed document with its original electronic form enables services that improve robustness of the production process, such as content tracking mechanisms, or highly targeted quality assurance checks. One approach to this problem is to use overt markings that are later removed. This work, however, adopts a method that uses no markings, relying instead on fast image matching criteria. Though general image matching can be a difficult problem, constraints associated with the production environment allow construction of a simple, efficient solution to the matching problem. A reduced-reference quality assessment algorithm is presented that is used to match every document in a collection of printed and scanned documents with its original electronic form, based on down-sampling, equalization, quantization and per-pixel comparison. Using a 1085 image test set, a 100% matching rate is achievable by representing each image with only 5 bits-per-pixel at 8 dots-per-inch. The proposed method also compares favorably with other current reduced-reference quality assessment algorithms in terms of speed, storage and achieved matching rate.
Variation in WNT genes is associated with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate

Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCLP) is a common birth defect. Genetic and environmental factors have been causally implicated and studies have begun to delineate genetic contributions. The Wnt genes are involved in regulating mid-face development and upper lip fusion and are therefore strong candidates for an etiological role in NSCLP. Furthermore, the clf1 region in A/WyN clefting susceptible mice contains the Wnt3 and Wnt9B genes. To assess the role of the Wnt family of genes in NSCLP, we interrogated seven Wnt genes (Wnt3, Wnt3A, Wnt5A, Wnt7A, Wnt8A, Wnt9B and Wnt11) in our well-defined NSCLP dataset. Thirty-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped in 132 multiplex NSCLP families and 354 simplex parent–child trios. In the entire dataset, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in three genes, Wnt3A (P = 0.006), Wnt 5A (P = 0.002) and Wnt11 (P = 0.0001) were significantly associated with NSCLP after correction for multiple testing. When stratified by ethnicity, the strongest associations were found for SNPs in Wnt3A (P = 0.0007), Wnt11 (P = 0.0012) and Wnt8A (P = 0.0013). Multiple haplotypes in Wnt genes were associated with NSCLP, and gene–gene interactions were observed between Wnt3A and both Wnt3 and Wnt5A (P = 0.004 and P = 0.039, respectively). This data suggests that alteration in Wnt gene function may perturb formation and/or fusion of the facial processes and predispose to NSCLP.
Modification of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus F Protein in Virus-Like Particles Impacts Generation of B Cell Memory

Immunization with virus-like particles (VLPs) containing the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) core proteins, NP and M, and two chimera proteins (F/F and H/G) containing the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F- and G-protein ectodomains fused to the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of NDV F and HN proteins, respectively, stimulated durable RSV-neutralizing antibodies, F-protein-specific long-lived, bone marrow-associated plasma cells (LLPCs), and B cell memory, in striking contrast to RSV infection, which did not (M. R. Schmidt, L. W. McGinnes, S. A. Kenward, K. N. Willems, R. T. Woodland, and T. G. Morrison, J. Virol. 86:11654–11662, 2012). Here we report the characterization of a VLP with an RSV F-protein ectodomain fused to the NDV F-protein heptad repeat 2 (HR2), transmembrane, and cytoplasmic domain sequences, creating a chimera with two tandem HR2 domains, one from the RSV F protein and the other from the NDV F-protein ectodomain (F/HR2F). The F/HR2F chimera protein was efficiently assembled into VLPs along with the H/G chimera protein. This VLP (VLP-H/G+F/HR2F) stimulated anti-F-protein and anti-G-protein IgG, durable RSV-neutralizing antibodies, and anti-RSV F-protein-secreting LLPCs. However, the subtypes of anti-F-protein IgG induced were different from those elicited by VLPs containing the F/F chimera (VLP-H/G+F/F). Most importantly, VLP-H/G+F/HR2F did not induce RSV F-protein-specific B cell memory, as shown by the adoptive transfer of B cells from immunized animals to immunodeficient animals. The VLP did, however, induce B cell memory specific to the RSV G protein. Thus, the form of the F protein has a direct role in inducing anti-F-protein B cell memory. IMPORTANCE The development of vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is hampered by a lack of a clear understanding of the requirements for eliciting protective as well as durable human immune responses to virus antigens. The results of this study indicate that the form of the RSV F protein has a direct and significant impact on the type of anti-F-protein IgG antibodies induced and the generation of F-protein-specific memory. Identification of the conformation of the RSV F protein that most effectively stimulates not only LLPCs and but also memory B cells will be important in the future development of RSV vaccines.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS OF THE RAMPHASTOS TOUCANS: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE EVOLUTION OF MORPHOLOGY, VOCALIZATIONS, AND COLORATION

Abstract I reconstructed the phylogeny of 12 Ramphastos toucan taxa using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences. This analysis identified two major groups, including a monophyletic smooth-billed yelping clade and a clade including most, but not all, the channel-keel-billed croakers. Within the R. tucanus and R. vitellinus groups, uncorrected mtDNA divergences are relatively low and mtDNA sequences from several subspecies are paraphyletic. One exception to low divergences within the R. vitellinus group is R. v. ariel from southeastern Brazil, which on average differs from all other R. vitellinus sampled by 2.9%. Character reconstructions on the phylogeny indicate that the ancestral Ramphastos was most likely a large-bodied channel- keel-billed croaker. Furthermore, an assessment of the patterns of bill shape, voice, and both plumage and bare-part coloration characters suggests that bill shape and voice have significant phylogenetic signal but that color characters do not. Sympatric Ramphastos taxa are not cl...
Determinants of Lung Cancer Risk in Cigarette Smokers in New Mexico

Although cigarette smoking is the strongest known risk factor for lung cancer, the effects of specific smoking practices have not been completely characterized. The present study examines determinants of lung cancer risk in a population-based, case-control study conducted in New Mexico, 1980-82. The study included 521 cases and 769 controls matched for age, sex, and ethnicity. Either the index subjects or their next-of-kin were interviewed in person to obtain a detailed history of cigarette smoking and information concerning other risk factors. With the use of multiple logistic regression, a model was constructed of the effects of amount smoked, duration of smoking, cigarette type, and smoking cessation on lung cancer risk. Among current smokers, risk increased with each additional cigarette smoked per day (P less than .001). For duration of smoking, the risk per year smoked in individuals 65 years and older was only one-third that in persons under age 65 years. With regard to cigarette type, a somewhat higher risk was found associated with smoking nonfilter cigarettes, but there was no evidence of decreasing risk as the extent of filter smoking increased. Lifelong filter cigarette smokers and smokers of both filter and nonfilter cigarettes were at lower risk than lifelong smokers of nonfilter cigarettes only. In ex-smokers, the pattern of variation of relative risk with amount and duration was similar to that in the current smokers. Excluding those who had stopped for 1 year or less, the relative risk declined exponentially with duration of smoking cessation (P less than .01). These analyses confirm the strong benefits of smoking cessation and indicate possible reduction of risk from smoking filter cigarettes.
Estimating Sodium and Potassium Intakes and Their Ratio in the American Diet: Data from the 2011–2012 NHANES

BACKGROUND The dietary sodium-to-potassium ratio (Na:K) is shown to be more strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD-related mortality than either sodium or potassium intake alone. OBJECTIVE The aim was to estimate the Na:K in the diet of US adults. METHODS Among US adults from the 2011-2012 NHANES (≥20 y; 2393 men and 2337 women), the National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate sodium and potassium intakes, Na:K, and the percentage of individuals with Na:K 2300 mg/d, whereas 4700 mg/d. Grains and vegetables were among the highest contributors to sodium intakes for adults with Na:K < 1.0, compared with protein foods and grains for those with Na:K ≥ 1.0. Vegetables and milk and dairy products constituted the primary dietary sources of potassium for individuals with Na:K < 1.0, whereas mixed dishes and protein foods contributed the most potassium for individuals with ratios ≥1.0. Individuals with a Na:K < 1.0 were less likely to consume mixed dishes and condiments and were more likely to consume vegetables, milk and dairy products, and fruit than those with a Na:K ≥ 1.0. CONCLUSION Only about one-tenth of US adults have a Na:K consistent with the WHO guidelines for reduced risk of mortality. Continued efforts to reduce sodium intake in tandem with novel strategies to increase potassium intake are warranted.
Self-reported effects of cold temperature exposure in persons with tetraplegia

Objective: Cervical spinal cord injury (tetraplegia) is known to interrupt sympathetic vasculature control, thereby preventing shunting of blood from the periphery to central organs when exposed to cold temperatures. As a result, persons with tetraplegia are at risk to develop hypothermia. However, information regarding the discomfort experienced during the cooler months (late fall, winter, early spring) is overwhelmingly anecdotal. It is not known, with any certainty, how those with tetraplegia perceive cold and if discomfort in colder environments restricts them from performing activities that they routinely would perform.Design: Prospective, two-group, self-report surveys.Setting: VA Medical Center and Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.Participants: Forty-four subjects with tetraplegia; 41 matched non-SCI controls.Outcome Measures: Tetraplegic and control groups responded “yes” or “no” when asked whether cold seasonal temperatures allowed comfort or negatively affected participation in routine activ...
Difficult cases in immunocompromised patients

On almost a daily basis, a Transplant Infectious Diseases attending is challenged by cases in which the diagnosis and management are not clearly defined in the literature. I shall present several cases that highlight several difficult viral, fungal, and bacterial infections in transplant recipients.
Preventive ethics, professional integrity, and boundary setting: the clinical management of moral uncertainty.

La maitrise de la medecine clinique implique plusieurs competences, dont la connaissance de la sante et des maladies, ainsi que le diagnostic et la therapeutique, afin d'avoir un jugement clinique integre, et maitriser l'incertitude
Mathematics: Intuition’s Consistency Check

There is a well-noted overlap between mathematics and physics, and in many cases the relevant mathematics was developed without any thought of the eventual physical application. This essay argues that this is not a coincidental mystery, but naturally follows from (1) a self-consistency requirement for physical models, and (2) innate physical intuitions that guide us in the wrong directions, slowing the development of physical models more so than the related mathematics. A detailed example (concerning the flow of time in physical theories) demonstrates key parts of this argument.
Analysis on the Population Pressure Based on the Research on Carrying Pressure of Water Resources in Different Districts of Xinjiang

Xinjiang is a typical inland arid area.To learn the population carrying capacity and population pressure in different areas in Xinjiang enable us to understand deeply the relationship between population and environment in the arid area,and it provides important references for us to make sustainable development strategy in different areas.This article analyzed the carrying capacity density and actual population pressure in different areas in Xinjiang through qualitative and quantitative methods,and some basic conclusions were made: ① We cannot adopt by rote the standard of population density in arid and sem-arid areas from United Nations,actually indifferent areas have their own and different standards,and the standards will be dynamic,not static;②The water resource carrying capacity of whole Xinjiang is 11 person per square kilometer,and in north part of Xinjiang this index is 23～26 persons per square kilometers,the index in south part of Xinjiang is 7.3～8 persons per square kilometer.③ The population pressure on carrying capacity has overloaded the critical standard in Xinjiang,especially in the three areas in south part of Xinjiang.Their population pressures are badly overloaded now.④The ecological water use must be considered in the water assignment when we calculate the carrying capacity in order to consider both the limitations of water resource and environment.
New Grading System and Treatment Guidelines for the Acute Ocular Manifestations of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Purpose To describe a new grading system and associated treatment guidelines for the acute ocular manifestations of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Design Prospective case series. Participants Seventy-nine consecutive patients (158 eyes) evaluated and treated for acute ocular involvement in SJS or TEN during hospitalization. Methods Photographic and chart review of acute ocular findings, interventions received, and outcomes with regard to visual acuity, dry eye symptoms, and scarring sequelae at least 3 months after the acute illness. Main Outcome Measures Visual acuity, dry eye severity, and scarring of the ocular surface and eyelids were assessed after follow-up of at least 3 months. Results Cases graded as mild or moderate were managed medically. All had best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/20, no dry eye symptoms, and no scarring sequelae. Cases graded as severe or extremely severe were treated with urgent amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in addition to medical management. Severe cases all had BCVA of 20/20 and mild or no dry eye problems. Five of 28 patients had mild tarsal conjunctival scarring. No other scarring sequelae occurred. Nine of the 10 extremely severe cases had BCVA of 20/20 (1 was 20/30). Three of 10 had moderate scarring of the tarsal conjunctiva and lid margins and also moderate dry eyes with severe photophobia. Seven of 10 had only mild or no dry eye symptoms and scarring sequelae. Conclusions This grading system facilitates decision making in the evaluation and management of the acute ocular manifestations of SJS and TEN. Mild and moderate cases have a low risk of significant scarring or visual sequelae and may be monitored and treated medically if not worsening. Severe and extremely severe cases should receive urgent AMT to decrease the risk of scarring and visual sequelae.
Repair of atrioventricular septal defects in infancy.

Fifteen infants less than 12 months of age with complete artioventricular septal defects underwent repair of the defect between January, 1981, and December, 1984. The average age at operation was 8½ months and the average weight was 5.7 kg. Eight of 15 (53%) infants had preoperative mild to moderate mitral insufficiency. Pulmonary artery hypertension was present in all infants and 13 of 15 infants had a pulmonary arterial resistance greater than 4 units (mean 8.8 units). Operative indication was based on pulmonary artery hypertension, congestive heart failure, and failure to thrive. Ventricular distention was utilized during operative repair to assess location of valve incision, level of attachment of valves to the patch, and cleft approximation. It was also used to check the competency of the mitral repair once complete. The average circulatory arrest time was 55.7 minutes. There were no operative deaths. There were two late deaths. We conclude that ventricular distention is the key to the operation, and operative repair is safe in infants with atrioventricular septal defects.
Emerging Markets: Service Quality Versus Value in Russia

Russia is currently ranked as one of the top countries to do business in. Due to recent economic development in emerging markets (EM), Russia is one of the fastest growing countries and therefore offers opportunity for investment. Unlike the well developed countries that are saturated with competition, EM offer an opportunity for long-term growth. When planning expansion into emerging markets, an area of concern is market segmentation and whether consumers focus more on quality as opposed to the value of the product.
Rare cause of atrial fibrillation: a thymic mass

A 62-year-old African-American man admitted to the emergency room with chest pain and exertional dyspnoea. He was found to be in rapid atrial fibrillation with pulmonary oedema. A transoesophageal echocardiogram performed prior to cardioversion showed a depressed left ventricular function (ejection fraction 30%) and an extracardiac heterogeneous echodensity compressing the right atrium and the superior vena cava. CT of the chest confirmed an anterior mediastinal mass measuring 13.5×6.6×10.1 cm, exerting a mass effect on the right atrium with mediastinal and right hilar adenopathy. CT-guided biopsy of the mediastinal mass revealed thymic carcinoma (squamous cell subtype). The metastatic workup was negative. The mass was deemed surgically unresectable due to its proximity to the heart. Chemotherapy was initiated with carboplatin/paclitaxel every 3 weeks with plans for intensity modulated radiotherapy after one to two cycles of chemotherapy. The patient recently had a repeat CT scan of the chest showing regression of the tumour.
Somatostatin agonists and antagonists--peptide control of growth hormone secretion.

Although somatostatin itself has numerous inhibitory activities which individually are of no little therapeutic interest, there are also several types of physiological effects where it might be of even greater basic and medical value to block activity instead. Perhaps principal among these would be an ability to block the inhibitory effects of somatostatin on growth hormone (GH) release. Antibody experiments (1) have clearly shown that basal GH levels are elevated when somatostatin is neutralized. There is also an unwanted negative participation of somatostatin when GH levels are stimulated with the GH-releasing factor, GRF. In fact, one group has actually been able to demonstrate that GRF(1–44) stimulates somatostatin release from hypothalamic cells in culture (2). It should also be mentioned that both GH (3) and somatostatin (4) can alter somatostatin levels. Somatomedin C has also been implicated in the negative feedback regulation of GH, at least partially by stimulating release of somatostatin (5). Given the successes which have been achieved in the development of very potent competitive antagonists of other peptides, notably in our own experience with LH-RH, there appears to be no reason to neglect the development of a somatostatin antagonist any longer.