cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DuPont Analysis, Earnings Persistence, and Return on Equity: Evidence from Mandatory IFRS Adoption in Canada

This paper proposes four new models to forecast one-year-ahead return on equity (ROE) and change in ROE based on prior research in the DuPont analysis and earnings persistence, and also examines whether the persistence of ROE has improved upon mandatory IFRS adoption in Canada. Using the Granger causality test to establish the usefulness of additional explanatory variables in forecasting future earnings, I show that the DuPont components are useful in predicting one-year-ahead ROE, and that the persistence of ROE has decreased since Canadian firms adopted IFRS in 2011. This paper contributes to accounting research in two ways. First, it introduces a new approach to forecasting one-year-ahead ROE. Second, it sheds some light on the impact of IFRS adoption on reporting quality in Canada.
The Ball in Flight Model

This chapter is independent of the rest of this book. It derives equations for the three forces that affect the flight of the ball: the force of gravity, the drag force and the lift force due to the Magnus effect (the force due to a spinning object moving in an airflow). The lift and drag forces depend on air density. Altitude and weather affect air density, which in turn affects how far a batted baseball or softball travels. This chapter shows that air density is inversely related to altitude, temperature and humidity, and is directly related to barometric pressure. Regression analysis is used to show the relative importance of each of the four factors (altitude, temperature, humidity and barometric pressure) and to look for interactions between them. As shown by this model, on a typical July afternoon in a major-league baseball stadium, altitude is easily the most important factor, explaining 80% of the variability. This is followed by temperature (13%), barometric pressure (4%) and relative humidity (3%). A simple linear algebraic equation presented in this chapter predicts air density well. A different model shows how the batted-ball’s range depends on both the drag force and the Magnus force and considers the relative importance of the drag and Magnus forces. As asides, this chapter shows that a home run ball might go 26 feet farther in San Francisco then in Denver and it answers the question, “Can a tennis ball be thrown farther that a baseball?”
The Great Recession in the Shadow of the Great Depression: A Review Essay on Hall of Mirrors: The Great Depression, the Great Recession, and the Uses and Misuses of History , by Barry Eichengreen

This essay compares the Great Depression to the Great Recession in light of Barry Eichengreen's new book Hall of Mirrors. Eichengreen discusses these two episodes from a historical, Keynesian perspective, and concludes that policies that increase aggregate demand, such as larger fiscal deficits, would have promoted a much stronger and faster recovery from the Great Recession. I review these episodes from a neoclassical approach, which provides a very different perspective on why recoveries from these episodes were so slow and incomplete. I also argue that supply-side policies, rather than demand-side policies, are more likely to restore prosperity today.
Excess mortality associated with weekend hospital admissions may be due to patient-level differences, rather than reduced staffing or services

Commentary on : Walker AS, Mason A, Quan TP, et al . Mortality risks associated with emergency admissions during weekends and public holidays: an analysis of electronic health records. Lancet 2017;390:62–72. The ‘weekend effect’ is defined as a higher mortality risk for patients admitted to the hospital on a weekend. This effect has been well documented in international literature and has gained attention among clinicians, researchers and the general public.1 In an attempt to explain why patients are at higher risk for death, researchers have focused on decreased resources including staffing and changes in service provision. However, differences in patient characteristics who are admitted on the weekend have not been …
Transforming Health Education to Catalyze a Global Paradigm Shift: Systems Thinking, Complexity, and Design Thinking

At the dawn of the twentieth century, the Flexner report catalyzed a transition in medical thought toward science-based research and practice. That paradigm shift resulted in a substantial improvement in human health. However, the advances that accompanied a biomedical reductionist paradigm—an approach to health concentrated on physiological minutia, professions working in silos, and a focus on episodic treatment—which surged exponentially after Flexner’s report are not adequate for the complexity of today’s health challenges. In this chapter, we make the case that we need a change in mindset similar to what resulted from Flexner’s report: a historical paradigm shift from biological reductionism toward a complex social systems approach to health improvement. We introduce three overlapping and emerging perspectives that provide the theory, language, tools, and methods suitable for today’s challenges: systems thinking, complexity thinking, and adaptive design. We also argue that some combination of these perspectives and approaches will provide the paradigm for the next century.
The Great Debate on Population Policy: An Instructive Entertainment

This paper is a debate among three positions intended as prototypic. On any matter as complicated as population policy, there are probably as many positions as there are participants. Hence no one is likely to feel fully represented in this (or any other) typology: “That’s not the way I see it.” Several other prototypic participants could have been included, but I have made a conscious effort to incorporate various subpositions intended to reflect the breadth if not the richness of the debate. If some qualification is lost, that is after all the essence of prototypes—and, it must be added, public policy as well, where the decision-maker takes what he can from the contending parties.
Asymptotic stability and discretization on an infinite interval

By imposing some conditions on the discrete dynamical systems generated by one step discretization methods, we construct some non linear one step methods of the first and second order, which turn out to beA-stable orL-stable according to the current definitions. Numerical experiments are carried out on some common stiff test problems, confirming the validity of the methods.
Industrial Applications of Electrical Stimulation

The industrial application of electrical stimulation in slaughter plants in the United States and throughout the world has been phenomenal. According to Savell et al. (1980), some of the benefits of using electrical stimulation realized by meat packers include improved tenderness of meat, brighter lean color, more rapid setup of marbling after ribbing, less “heat-ring” development and reduced postmortem aging requirements for assurance of tender meat (color photographs delineating the improvement in lean color and prevention of heat-ring by electrical stimulation are included in a bulletin by Stiffler et al. 1982). These benefits along with the low relative costs at which electrical stimulation can be incorporated into slaughter plants have influenced both large and small slaughter facilities to adopt this procedure. In many slaughter plants, electrical stimulation has become an integral part of the process of converting live animals to meat and meat products.
Tourniquet use is not associated with limb loss following military lower extremity arterial trauma.

BACKGROUNDThe effect of battlefield extremity tourniquet (TK) use on limb salvage and long-term complications following vascular repair is unknown. This study explores the influence of TK use on limb outcomes in military lower extremity arterial injury.METHODSThe study database includes cases of low
Modified Schema-Based Instruction to Develop Flexible Mathematics Problem-Solving Strategies for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder:

The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics outline both the content and practices students must engage in at each grade level to become mathematically proficient. Mathematical processes include...
Evolving techniques for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in gastric bypass patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The present review describes the current and evolving techniques available in approaching endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) anatomy. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have demonstrated that device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) approaches have high failures rates when performing ERCP, but are currently considered the first-line approach for patients with RYGB anatomy because of lower costs and risks compared to surgery. In contrast, laparoscopicy-assisted-ERCP (LA-ERCP) exhibits high technical success rates but carries surgical risks and requires a high degree of scheduling coordination. A novel, completely endoscopic approach called endoscopic ultrasound directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE), also known as gastric access temporary for endoscopy (GATE), has in recent years shown high ERCP success rates comparable to LA-ERCPs while obviating the need for surgical assistance. SUMMARY ERCP is technically difficult in patients with RYGB anatomy. Numerous approaches to ERCP exist, although availability of these techniques may be limited and depend on institutional expertise. The best initial approach should be considered based on patient history and institutional factors.
Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Intrinsically Titanium-45 Radiolabeled Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

1070 Objectives Titanium-45 (45Ti, t1/2=3.08 h, β+=84.8%, Eavg=439 keV) is an ideal candidate for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. However, due to the complicated aqueous chemistry of Ti-complex, limited progress has been achieved when attempting labeling 45Ti for stable in vivo PET imaging. Here, we demonstrate that 45Ti can be labeled to mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN, which has been known as a highly attractive drug delivery platform) without using any chelators, and used for in vivo tumor passively targeted imaging. Methods 45Ti was produced by proton irradiation of a 0.250 mm thick scandium foil (99.9%, 96-140 mg, Alfa Aesar) with a current of 20 μA on a GE PETtrace. The separation of 45Ti was carried out on a hydroxamic acid resin. MSN with controllable particle and pore sizes was synthesized and used as an oxygen donor for chelator-free 45Ti labeling. Successful 45Ti labeling could be simply achieved by mixing 45Ti-oxalate with MSN at pH 7-8 for 1-3 h. Dense silica nanoparticle (dSiO2, with a reduced number of silanol groups) and copper sulfide nanoparticles (with no silanol groups) were prepared and used as control groups. The labeling yield of 45Ti-MSN was carefully studied by using thin layer chromatography. As-synthesized 45Ti-MSN was further modified by PEGylation to improve the in vivo stability and in vivo passive tumor targeting. Results One hour long irradiations generated 4.6 ± 0.4 GBq of 45Ti (n=6). 42 ± 7% of this activity could be separated in 600 μL of 1 M oxalic acid. The gamma spectrum obtained with the HPGe detector only showed the two main gammas from 45Ti at 720 and 1408 keV. Uniform MSN with an average particle size of ~150 nm in diameter was synthesized by using biphase stratification approach. The surface area of MSN was measured to be 581.5 m2/g, with a high pore volume of 1.3 cm3/g and an average pore size of 4-5 nm. Due to presence of abundant deprotonated silanol groups (-Si-O-, over 2 million/MSN) on the surface of MSN, 45Ti can be specifically labeled to MSN, forming [45Ti]MSN without using any extra chelators. Successful 45Ti labeling was further demonstrated to be pH dependent with a significantly reduced labeling yield at pH 2-3. The blood circulation half-life of MSN (~4 h) matches well with the decay half-life of 45Ti (~3 h) after modifying [45Ti]MSN with polyethylene glycol (molecular weight: 5 kDa). Based on in vivo PET imaging, we also succeeded in targeting 4T1 murine breast cancer using [45Ti]MSN@PEG5k. Conclusions We reported the first example of intrinsically 45Ti radiolabeling by using mesoporous silica nanoparticles but no extra chelators, and demonstrated its specific radiolabeling and potential for in vivo tumor-targeted PET imaging.
Deduced Refractive Index Profile Changes of Type I and Type II Gratings When Subjected to Ionizing Radiation

Type I and type II Bragg grating arrays in silica fiber have been irradiated at the Ohio State University Nuclear Reactor Laboratory in the gamma facility and the pool-type reactor, to receive a relatively small gamma dose (2.82 Mrad) and a relatively large gamma–neutron dose (638 Mrad, ${6\times }{10}^{17}\rm {({n}/{cm^{2}})}$ ), respectively. The Bragg grating fibers were first irradiated in the gamma facility and those same fibers were then subsequently irradiated in the reactor, while being monitored in situ by optical frequency domain reflectometry. The response of the Bragg gratings, in terms of reflected amplitude, was analyzed, both in the frequency and spatial domains. A Bragg grating modeling code, written in MATLAB, was then used to generate modeled fiber Bragg grating (FBG) responses to match the experimental responses, based on some fundamental assumptions. With the modeled responses, we were able to deduce the alterations to the refractive index profile of the Bragg grating inscribed fibers as a result of the irradiation.
The Vitality Group

Vitality is part of a $2 billion start-up South African and U.K. health insurance firm. It has achieved excellent results in rewarding people for promoting their health. It is now contemplating how to enter the U.S. market.Learning Objective: Innovating in health care.
Genetic Subtypes of Human Pediatric ALLs Show Gene Expression Differences That Parallel Those Observed in Mouse B1 and B2 Progenitors, Suggesting Divergent Developmental Origins

Abstract The presence in mice of progenitors that can give rise selectively to B-1 or B-2 B-cells raised the possibility that B-lymphoid neoplasms may have varied developmental origins. Prior work demonstrated that murine B-1 and B-2 progenitors of mice can both be transformed by the BCR-ABL1 oncogene and that leukemias derived from B-1 progenitors initiated more quickly than leukemias derived from B-2 progenitors (J Immunol. 2014;192:5171-8). We have recently profiled the gene expression patterns of murine B-1 and B-2 progenitors using RNA-seq and have applied the observed divergences in gene expression pattern to investigate whether varied human pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (B-ALLs) might arise from human B-cell progenitors with characteristics paralleling either mouse B-1 or B-2 progenitors. Underlying these analyses is the concept that pediatric ALLs might arise from progenitors present during development that may not persist into adulthood. In order to assess our hypothesis that human pediatric B-ALLs have common features with either mouse B-1 progenitors or mouse B-2 progenitors, we examined whether gene expression differences observed in the mouse cells could be used to segregate human pediatric ALLs into B-1 progenitor-like or B-2 progenitor-like subsets. We used two different computational approaches to compare gene expression of mouse B-1 and B-2 progenitors to 126 human pediatric B-ALLs (St Jude ALLs: GSE26281, JCI 2013 123:3099-3111). In the first approach, we identified 327 genes that varied between mouse B-1 and B-2 progenitors derived from mice of varied ages (embryonic day 15, post-natal day 1, post-natal day 2, week 9 and week 11 animals). We were able to map 207 of these genes onto probes for human orthologs in the St Jude ALL gene expression microarray dataset. When multiple probes for a gene were present in the human array, the most variable probe was selected for analysis. The human ALLs were analyzed by unsupervised hierarchical clustering using these 207 genes. Of interest, when examining the first bifurcation of the unsupervised clustering diagram, ETV6-RUNX1 leukemias clustered in the same fork as the TCF3-PBX1 leukemias, whereas Hyperdiploid B-ALLs clustered in the same fork as most of the MLL leukemias. Further analysis identified 58 genes that could be used to score the human leukemias as B-1 progenitor-like and B-2 progenitor-like with a Z-score. Examination of the resulting scores showed that TCF3-PBX1 and ETV6-RUNX1 leukemias scored as the most similar to mouse B-1 progenitors, whereas hyperdiploid and MLL ALLs appeared predominantly B-2 like. In our second analytical approach, we identified 574 genes that showed at least a 2 fold difference and a p-value This work was supported by R21-CA173028 from the National Cancer Institute. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Meat-related cognitive dissonance: A conceptual framework for understanding how meat eaters reduce negative arousal from eating animals

Meat eaters encounter a conflict between their eating behavior and their affections toward animals. Because this "meat paradox" highlights discrepancies between behavior and various ideals, a number of experts have focused on cognitive dissonance theory to explain the psychology of eating meat. The present work presents a framework to understand the phenomenon of meat-related cognitive dissonance (MRCD), herein defined as occurring when the dissonant state involves recognition of one's behavior as a meat eater and a belief, attitude, or value that this behavior contradicts. The proposed framework explains how individuals attempt to prevent this form of dissonance from occurring (e.g., avoidance, willful ignorance, dissociation, perceived behavioral change, and do-gooder derogation) and how they reduce it once it has occurred in the form of motivated cognitions (e.g., denigrating animals, offering pro-meat justifications, or denying responsibility for eating meat). The MRCD framework posits that which of a possible fifteen outlets is chosen to prevent and reduce the moral guilt associated with eating meat depends on (a) the aspect of meat consumption that produces MRCD; (b) the motivation created by MRCD; (c) individual differences in gender, values, affinity toward animals and meat, and exposure to animals; and (d) culture. Implications of the framework for those seeking to curtail meat consumption are discussed and important questions are highlighted for theorists to resolve.
Personalized Cancer Follow-Up Care Pathways: A Delphi Consensus of Research Priorities.

Development of personalized, stratified follow-up care pathways where care intensity and setting vary with needs could improve cancer survivor outcomes and efficiency of health-care delivery. Advancing such an approach in the United States requires identification and prioritization of the most pressing research and data needed to create and implement personalized care pathway models. Cancer survivorship research and care experts (n = 39) participated in an in-person workshop on this topic in 2018. Using a modified Delphi technique-a structured, validated system for identifying consensus-an expert panel identified critical research questions related to operationalizing personalized, stratified follow-up care pathways for individuals diagnosed with cancer. Consensus for the top priority research questions was achieved iteratively through 3 rounds: item generation, item consolidation, and selection of the final list of priority research questions. From the 28 research questions that were generated, 11 research priority questions were identified. The questions were categorized into 4 priority themes: determining outcome measures for new care pathways, developing and evaluating new care pathways, incentivizing new care pathway delivery, and providing technology and infrastructure to support self-management. Existing data sources to begin answering questions were also identified. Although existing data sources, including cancer registry, electronic medical record, and health insurance claims data, can be enhanced to begin addressing some questions, additional research resources are needed to address these priority questions.
Benchmarking Summit and Sierra Supercomputers : From Proposal to Acceptance

The deployment of large-scale high-performance computer systems requires a thorough acceptance process to validate systems’ specifications, including performance projections made using a predefined set of benchmarks at the time the system was proposed. In this paper, we describe such a process for the recently deployed Summit and Sierra supercomputers, starting from benchmarks projections made four years in advance to system availability, up to measurements prior to the system acceptance. This is an industry experience paper, reflecting on the “art of benchmarking” throughout the entire development of these supercomputers, highlighting the codesign process and the success in the benchmarks projections.
Optimal Income Taxation with Present Bias

Work often entails up-front effort costs in exchange for delayed benefits, and mounting evidence documents present bias over effort in the face of such delays. This paper studies the implications for the optimal income tax. Optimal tax rates are computed for present-biased workers who choose multiple dimensions of labor effort, some of which occur prior to compensation. Present bias reduces optimal tax rates, with a larger effect when the elasticity of taxable income is high. Optimal marginal tax rates may be negative at low incomes, providing an alternative, corrective rationale for work subsidies like the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Western and heart healthy dietary patterns differentially affect the expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism, interferon signaling and inflammation in the jejunum of Ossabaw pigs.

Abstract Diet quality and statin therapy are established modulators of coronary artery disease (CAD) progression, but their effect on the gastrointestinal tract and subsequent sequelae that could affect CAD progression are relatively unexplored. To address this gap, Ossabaw pigs (N = 32) were randomly assigned to receive isocaloric amounts of a Western-type diet (WD; high in saturated fat, refined carbohydrate, and cholesterol, and low in fiber) or a heart healthy-type diet (HHD; high in unsaturated fat, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, supplemented with fish oil, and low in cholesterol), with or without atorvastatin, for 6 months. At the end of the study, RNA sequencing with 100 base pair single end reads on NextSeq 500 platform was conducted in isolated pig jejunal mucosa. A two-factor edgeR analysis revealed that the dietary patterns resulted in three differentially expressed genes related to lipid metabolism (SCD, FADS1, and SQLE). The expression of these genes was associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and atherosclerotic lesion severity. Subsequent gene enrichment analysis indicated the WD, compared to the HHD, resulted in higher interferon signaling and inflammation, with some of these genes being significantly associated with serum TNF-α and/or hsCRP concentrations, but not atherosclerotic lesion severity. No significant effect of atorvastatin therapy on gene expression, nor its interaction with dietary patterns, was identified. In conclusion, Western and heart healthy-type dietary patterns differentially affect the expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism, interferon signaling, and inflammation in the jejunum of Ossabaw pigs.
Internalization in European Equity Markets Following the Adoption of the EU MiFID Directive

The European Union9s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID), that will be implemented by October 2007, significantly modifies the regulation of the European securities industry. It will allow, among other things, investment firms to act as systematic internalizers. A systematic internalizer is an investment firm dealing on its own account to execute client orders outside a regulated market or a multilateral trading facility (MTF). Specifically, the new regulation requires systematic internalizers to publish firm quotes on liquid shares when dealing for retail quantities. In short, systematic internalizers are market makers on liquid stocks who execute small trades. This article uses order flow and limit order book data in order to estimate the internalization rate (i.e., the portion of the total order flow that could be internalized), to estimate the internalization expected revenues, and to investigate the main factors affecting both the internalization rate and the magnitude of internalization revenues. Four main findings arise from our analysis. First, the internalization rate is negatively related to the stock turnover, that is more liquid stocks exhibit lower internalization rates. Second, the size and the variability of internalization trading revenues strongly depend on their composition. Third, spread revenues are highly concentrated in the most liquid stocks. Fourth, the value of the inventories for an average internalizer firm is limited relative to the stock turnover.
Support systems and mental illness in the elderly.

Clinical experience indicates an especially important role for support systems in a bio-psychosocial approach to understanding the development of mental illness in elderly pesons and the provision of appropriate services for them. Family, work, and community supports are reviewed. The authors believe optimistically that the present traditional supports are not worse than those of the past and that new models exist for future use. In addition, the anticipated increased numbers of elderly make it important that clinicians be well informed and plan multifaceted responses and that community mental health centers, as service and support systems actually in place in many underserved areas, take advantage of multiple available funding streams to increase substantially their assistance for the elderly.
Die Größe des normalen Herzens

Das durchschnittliche Gewicht des Herzens beim Erwachsenen betragt 250 g (bei Frauen) bis 300 g (bei Mannern). Zwischen dem Korpergewicht und dem Herzgewicht besteht eine bestimmte Beziehung (9), welche jedoch bei Fettleibigkeit nicht mehr vorhanden ist.
Morphology of the Nucleoprotein Component of Rabies Virus

Abstract The intracytoplasmic ground substance, or matrix, associated with the development of rabies virus and the nucleocapsid of the virus were investigated. The filaments of the matrix were identified as virus-specific by means of ferritin-labeled antibodies. In thin sections, the diameter was 15 nm and the strands seemed to be incorporated into virions during morphogenesis of the virus. The nucleocapsid was isolated from purified virus preparations and was studied in negative contrast. The rabies nucleocapsid appeared as a single-stranded helix with a diameter of 16 nm and a periodicity of 7.5 nm; its length was in excess of 1 μm.
Creating user interfaces by demonstration

When creating highly-interactive, Direct Manipulation interfaces, one of the most difficult design and implementation tasks is handling the mouse and other input devices. Peridot, a new User Interface Management System, addresses this problem by allowing the user interface designer to demonstrate how the input devices should be handled by giving an example of the interface in action. The designer uses sample values for parameters, and the system automatically infers the general operation and creates the code. After an interaction is specified, it can immediately be executed and edited. This promotes extremely rapid prototyping since it is very easy to design, implement and modify mouse-based interfaces. Peridot also supports additional input devices such as touch tablets, as well as multiple input devices operating in parallel (such as one in each hand) in a natural, easy to specify manner. This is implemented using active values, which are like variables except that the objects that depend on active values are updated immediately whenever they change. Active values are a straightforward and efficient mechanism for implementing dynamic interactions.
An extracellular nuclease from Serratia marcescens. II. Specificity of the enzyme.

The specificity of an extracellular nuclease from Serratia marcescens was examined with both RNA and DNA as substrates. The enzyme was found to act in a predominantly endonucleolytic manner with less than 2% of the degradation products being mononucleotides. Both DNA and RNA were degraded to di-, tri-, and tetranucleotides terminating in 5'-phosphoryl ends. The enzyme had the unusual property of hydrolyzing both single-stranded and doublestranded DNA and RNA at similar rates. No base preference was exhibited at either the 5' or 3' end of the oligonucleotide fragments. When the S. marcescens nuclease was used in conjunction with venom phosphodiesterase, RNA and DNA were rapidly degraded to 5'-mononucleotides. The enzyme is thus potentially useful as a reagent for the study of polynucleotide structure and sequence.
Laparoscopic Antecolic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Obesity

Morbid obesity refractory to dietary changes and medical treatment. Current NIH guidelines suggest these qualifications for surgical weight loss procedures: BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with obesity-related co-morbidities, or BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 without any medical conditions.
Minocycline prevents impaired glial glutamate uptake in the spinal sensory synapses of neuropathic rats

Activation of glutamate receptors and glial cells in the spinal dorsal horn are two fundamental processes involved in the pathogenesis of various pain conditions, including neuropathic pain induced by injury to the peripheral or central nervous systems. Numerous studies have demonstrated that minocycline treatment attenuates allodynic and hyperalgesic behaviors induced by tissue inflammation or nerve injury. However, the synaptic mechanisms by which minocycline prevents hyperalgesia are not fully understood. We recently reported that deficient glutamate uptake by glial glutamate transporters (GTs) is key for the enhanced activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the spinal sensory synapses of rats receiving partial sciatic nerve ligation (pSNL). In this study, we investigated how minocycline affects activation of NMDA receptors in the spinal sensory synapses in rats with pSNL by whole cell recordings of NMDA currents in spinal laminea I and II neurons from spinal slices. The effects of minocycline treatments on the dorsal horn expression of glial GTs and astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. We demonstrated that normalized activation of NMDA receptors in synapses activated by both weak and strong peripheral input in the spinal dorsal horn is temporally associated with attenuated mechanical allodynia in rats with pSNL receiving intraperitoneal injection of minocycline. Minocycline ameliorated both the downregulation of glial GT expression and the activation of astrocytes induced by pSNL in the spinal dorsal horn. We further revealed that preventing deficient glial glutamate uptake at the synapse is crucial for preserving the normalized activation of NMDA receptors in the spinal sensory synapses in pSNL rats treated with minocycline. Our studies suggest that glial GTs may be a potential target for the development of analgesics.
Covert sensitization and information in the reduction of nailbiting

The relative effectiveness of covert sensitization and information in bringing about a reduction in nailbiting was investigated. The information procedure was devised as an attention-placebo treatment which was equated with covert sensitization in terms of nonspecific treatment factors such as demand, expectancy, and the degree to which attention was focused upon ones nails. Three treatment groups, covert sensitization, information, and combined treatment, were compared with a waiting-list control group in a 2 (Covert Sensitization) ×2 (Information) design. The dependent variable was the length of subjects' nails measured at a pre-test, post-test, and 5-week follow-up test. Contrary to prediction, covert sensitization did not emerge as a significant treatment procedure, and information did. Nonspecific treatment factors appeared to be sufficient to bring about substantial increases in the length of subjects' nails, and there was no evidence that covert sensitization improved upon the contribution of these nonspecific factors.
Hasty decisions on the ribosome

The ribosome must be very selective for aminoacyl-tRNAs while maintaining a rapid rate of protein synthesis. A recent kinetic study reveals how it is able to make quick and accurate decisions to maintain high fidelity.
The Patient-Computer Interview: A Neglected Tool That Can Aid the Clinician

In this article, I (1) review the process of interviewing patients by computer, (2) summarize computer-interviewing work done in 1968, (3) address the weaknesses of collecting information with the traditional history-taking methods or paper questionnaires, (4) discuss commercial software designed for computer interviewing, and (5) focus on the strengths and weaknesses of interviewing patients with a computer. The strengths of this process compared with traditional interviewing are that computer interviewing allows the physician to gather more data; gives the patient more time to complete an interview; uncovers more sensitive information; provides more adaptability to non-English-speaking patients, patients with hearing impairment, or patients who are illiterate; and provides structured information for research. The weaknesses of computer interviewing are that it generates false-positive responses, is not accepted by a minority of patients, is unable to detect nonverbal behavior, and requires changes in work flow. With the advent of an electronic medical record and the financial rewards for comprehensive history recording, the gathering of history and documentation from patients is increasingly important and favors adaptation to computer interviewing.
High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma

Abstract Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a distinct subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma that is characterized by unique clinical presentation, histological appearance, and indolent disease course. The recurrent nature of disease provides an opportunity to examine the role of stem cell transplantation in its management. We report here a single-center experience of 26 patients with relapsed NLPHL treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation between 1990 and 2008. With a median follow-up of 50 months (range, 2-138 months), the 5-year overall and event-free survival were 76% (SE 10%) and 69% (SE 10%), respectively. Our data suggest that high-dose chemotherapy and autologous transplantation should be considered as an option for patients with relapsed NLPHL.
Expert systems and their use in augmenting design optimization

The challenging requirements that are evolving for future aircraft demand that each design be optimally integrated, for the penalties imposed by nonoptimal performance are significant. Classic numerical optimization algorithms have been and will continue to be important tools for aircraft designers. These methods are, however, limited to certain categories of aircraft design variables, leaving the remainder to be determined by the user. A method that makes use of knowledge-based expert systems offers the potential for aiding the conceptual design process in a way that is similar to that of numerical optimization, except that it would address discrete, discontinuous, abstract, or any other unoptimized aspect of vehicle design and integration. Other unique capabilities such as automatic discovery and learning in design may also be achievable in the near term. This paper discusses current practice in conceptual aircraft design and knowledge-based systems, and how knowledge-based systems can be used in conceptual design.
UPDATE ON EPIDEMIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF PERTUSSIS

AlthoughBordetella pertussis was identified as the causative organism of whooping cough in 1906 (1), numerous questions regarding epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this disease remain unanswered. Widespread immunization has drastically reduced the prevalence of pertussis in many countries, but epidemics still occur, even in well-immunized communities (2, 3), which explains the continued interest in this old disease.
Excitons, microcavity physics and devices in wide bandgap semiconductors

Abstract In this paper we review basic research on widegap semiconductor microcavities that has shown how the fundamental features of II–VI-based quantum well heterostructures can give rise to enhancements in the light-matter interaction due to exciton–photon coupling effects. As these effects have been seen to extend into the regime of stimulated emission and vertical cavity lasing, they are of potential practical interest for the nitride widegap semiconductors as well. A major question for the II–VI semiconductors is whether a combination of lower dimensional gain medium, together with innovative microresonator design and excitation scheme can lead to an efficient, low current density, and practical green coherent optical source.
The image of mass destruction inevitably leads to intellectual mass distraction

We read with bewilderment the article by Van Kruiningen entitled “ Where are the weapons of mass destruction — the Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in Crohn's disease? ”.1 Although we have the utmost respect for Van Kruiningen's opinions and have followed his works over the years, we must take issue with his viewpoint from a scientific perspective. We recognize that the Viewport section is a personal opinion that is often fraught with biased approach, selective references, and distorted data interpretations. However, the peer-review process fails when an article is published that is largely based on unsubstantiated unpublished …
Performance of a recoverable Tug for planetary missions including use of perigee propulsion and corrections for nodal regression

Mathematical equations are derived by using the Maximum Principle to obtain the maximum payload capability of a reusable tug for planetary missions. The mathematical formulation includes correction for nodal precession of the space shuttle orbit. The tug performs this nodal correction in returning to this precessed orbit. The sample case analyzed represents an inner planet mission as defined by the declination (fixed) and right ascension of the outgoing asymptote and the mission energy. Payload capability is derived for a typical cryogenic tug and the sample case with and without perigee propulsion. Optimal trajectory profiles and some important orbital elements are also discussed.
Local BMOd Estimates for Lacunary Series

Abstract Convergent lacunary Walsh series are in BMOd, and so their restrictions of arbitrary measurable sets, E, belong to BMOd(E) in the sense of Wolff. We give precise BMOd(E) norm estimates for these restrictions.
Preliminary experience with an EUS-guided trucut biopsy needle compared with EUS-guided FNA

Abstract Background: EUS-guided FNA is a sensitive method for the diagnosis of malignancy. However, EUS-FNA is often laborious and usually requires the presence of a cytopathologist or cytotechnician. The development of an EUS-guided Trucut biopsy (EUS-TCB) needle may simplify the procedure and expand the application of EUS-directed procurement of biopsy specimens. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using the EUS-TCB for the diagnosis of intraintestinal and extraintestinal lesions and compare the results with this needle with those of EUS-FNA. Methods: The EUS-TCB and EUS-FNA were used to evaluate patients with known or suspected intraintestinal or extraintestinal mass lesions and/or lymphadenopathy. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed to determine the accuracy and safety of both techniques. Results: Nineteen patients had tissue samples obtained with both the EUS-TCB and EUS-FNA from 20 sites (2 sites in 1 patient) between December 2001 and March 2002. Accuracy was higher with EUS-TCB than EUS-FNA, although the difference was not significant (85% vs. 60%), despite performing fewer passes with the former (mean [SD] 2.0 [0.7], range 1-4; vs. mean 3.3 [1.5], range 1-10; p Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests EUS-TCB can safely be used to obtain biopsy specimens of intraintestinal and extraintestinal mass lesions and lymphadenopathy. Its use may reduce the number of needle passes compared with EUS-FNA. This may reduce costs by shortening the procedure, diminishing the need for an onsite cytopathologist or technician, and lowering the frequency of nondiagnostic procedures. Prospective studies are needed to verify these findings.
Injury risk due to collisions in major league baseball

Purpose is to determine if Major League Baseball plays at risk for collisions have higher injury rates than typical base running plays. 2002-2011 Major League Baseball play data was obtained: non-force putouts by catcher at home plate (Catcher Tag Out), groundball force outs at 2nd base with less than 2 outs (Double Play Attempt), and the control play, outfield assisted non-force putouts of runners attempting to advance to 2nd or 3rd base (Outfield Assist 2nd/3rd). This list was cross-referenced with 2002-2011 disabled lists to see if an involved player went on the disabled list the day of or day after the play. An on-line search for each match determined if the injury was attributable to that play. Rate calculated per 1 000 plays, severity in days on disabled list. Injury rate and severity for Catcher Tag Out was 6.98 and 45.6 respectively, Double Play Attempt 0.42 and 41.3, Outfield Assist 2nd/3rd 1.56 and 47.0. Injury rate for Catcher Tag Out was higher (P=0.03) than the control while Double Play Attempt trended lower (P=0.05). There was no difference in severity. Catcher Tag Outs carry greater injury risk than typical base running plays. Major League Baseball should consider prohibiting base path collisions. Language: en
Tolerance to organic nitrates: evidence, mechanisms, clinical relevance, and strategies for prevention.

Objective: To review the available information about nitrate tolerance, its potential mechanisms, clinical implications, and strategies for prevention. Data Identification: A survey of the National...
A study of LEED intensities from cleaved beryllium and zinc surfaces

Abstract Intensity-energy curves for low energy electrons diffracted from the (0001) surface of zinc and beryllium are measured for energies between 10 and 750 eV and for angles of incidence between 3° and 25° in the 〈1010〉 and 〈1120〉 azimuths. Clean surfaces were obtained by cleavage in ultrahigh vacuum (10 −10 torr). A method for automatically correcting the measured intensities for variations in incident beam current is presented and the effect of thermal diffuse scattering in the measured intensities is evaluated. Near normal incidence the intensity-energy curves for Zn have a kinematic appearance, allowing peak widths to be studied; we find ΔE∞E 1 2 and Δ E independent of T . Analysis of the Δ E versus E data leads to an attenuation coefficient of 0.17 A −1 , indicating strong inelastic scattering of the electrons by the solid. In general the intensity-energy curves are quite complex, indicating strong dynamical (multiple scattering) interactions. A simple example of such an interaction between two beams is examined for zinc and a possible surface wave resonance effect is also identified and discussed.
Computer Systems: Prospects for a Public Information Network

“Perhaps the very concept of equal access to information deserves examination. Is democracy literally the sum of informed choices by its citizens?”
Effect of K+ and choline on metabolism of rat-kidney slices.

Abstract Substitution of other monovalent cations for the Na+ of a standard incubation medium alters the metabolism of slices of renal cortex and medulla in a characteristic manner. Replacement of the Na+ of the standard incubation medium with K+ results in inhibition of net uptake and conversion of glucose to CO2, inhibition of respiration, and marked imbibition of water. K+ (48 mM) exerts an inhibitory effect on cortical and medullary glucose metabolism which is independent of Na+ concentration. Choline, an ion often used in vitro as an inert substitute for other cations, is shown to exert profound effects on renal metabolism, In weakly buffered systems, added choline results in: (1) marked production and release of H+, (2) inhibition of net uptake and metabolism of glucose without affecting metabolism of citrate and pyruvate, or cortical gluconeogenesis, (3) depression of respiration, and (4) an increase in net water uptake by cortex. A comparison of the metabolic patterns of cortex and medulla indicates that the respiratory rate of medulla is equivalent to cortex in the absence of exogenous substrate and in the presence of glucose. Net glucose uptake and metabolism occur at a more rapid rate with medullary slices indicating both a high level of medullary glycolysis and of aerobic metabolism.
Research Notes: Using Relative Deprivation Theory to Explain Satisfaction With Income and Pay Level: A Multistudy Examination

This article reports four studies in which we applied relative deprivation theory to the prediction of satisfaction with income and pay level. The proposed model specified both social comparisons a...
To Fight Bad Suga’, Or Diabetes, My Neighborhood Needs More Health Educators

A health researcher who’s seen the devastation in his poor Chicago community calls for national prevention programs that place these workers at the core.
Model tracks sediment dynamics for highly curved meandering rivers

Understanding the dynamics of meandering rivers—the twisting, turning, and wandering of waterways over time—is of concern to water managers and civil engineers. How curved a river is affects how it moves, and Ottevanger et al. built on existing models to improve representations of meandering dynamics for highly curved rivers.
Fault tolerance design for large-scale optical switches

In this paper, we present an enhanced fault tolerance in large-scale optical switches through innovations in architecture and control logic design. A large-scale switch is constructed from a network of 2x2 optical switch elements (SEs). Classic switch network architectures, such as the Benes, are not designed with fault tolerance in mind. There are three major contributions in this paper: (1) we developed an analytical method, referred to as the probability accumulation method, to calculate the average connection blocking probability in a faulty switch network; (2) we provided a failure-aware routing algorithm to effectively circumvent connections from defected SEs in a dilated Benes switch; and (3) we improved the connectivity pattern of the Benes network to further reduce the blocking probability, especially when the SE failure rate is low.
Toward a scalable, silicon-based quantum computing architecture

Advances in quantum devices have brought scalable quantum computation closer to reality. We focus on the system-level issues of how quantum devices can be brought together to form a scalable architecture. In particular, we examine promising silicon-based proposals. We discover that communication of quantum data is a critical resource in such proposals. We find that traditional techniques using quantum SWAP gates are exponentially expensive as distances increase and propose quantum teleportation as a means to communicate data over longer distances on a chip. Furthermore, we find that realistic quantum error-correction circuits use a recursive structure that benefits from using teleportation for long-distance communication. We identify a set of important architectural building blocks necessary for constructing scalable communication and computation. Finally, we explore an actual layout scheme for recursive error correction, and demonstrate the exponential growth in communication costs with levels of recursion, and that teleportation limits those costs.