cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determinants Of Earnings Variability

Corporate earnings variability (EVAR) affects earnings predictability and firm value. Given the importance of EVAR to the business community, it is surprising that research identifying its determinants has not received more attention. In this study, firm and industry characteristics associated with cross-sectional differences in Value Line EVAR are investigated. Consistent with prior research, regression results indicate that firm size and product durability affect EVAR. The results, however, also indicate that corporate performance, capital structure, and industry membership affect EVAR. Adding these factors produces an improved EVAR model that explains approximately half of the cross-sectional variation in EVAR.
Value and limitations of clinical practice guidelines in neonatology

Given the overwhelming size of the neonatal literature, clinicians must rely upon expert panels such as the Committee on Fetus and Newborn in the USA and the National Institute for Healthcare and Excellence in the UK for guidance. Guidelines developed by expert panels are not equivalent to evidence-based medicine and are not rules, but do provide evidence-based recommendations (when possible) and at minimum expert consensus reports. The standards used to develop evidence-based guidelines differ among expert panels. Clinicians must be able judge the quality of evidence from an expert panel, and decide whether a recommendation applies to their neonatal intensive care unit or infant under their care. Furthermore, guidelines become outdated within a few years and must be revised or discarded. Clinical practice guidelines should not always be equated with standard of care. However, they do provide a framework for determining acceptable care. Clinicians do not need to follow guidelines if the recommendations are not applicable to their population or infant. However, if a plan of care is not consistent with apparently applicable clinical practice guidelines, the medical record should include an explanation for the deviation from the relevant practice guideline.
Identification of an unsteady aerodynamic model at high angles of attack

A state-space representation for unsteady aerodynamics up to stall range is presented in this paper. The model consists of the description of the state of flow separation and vortex burst, and the determination of aerodynamic coefficients from the state and input variables. First order differential equations a,re used to model the dynamics of flow separation and vortex burst, and the Taylor scries expansions in terms of input variables are used for the determination of aerodynamic coefficients, resembling the current representation of stability derivatives. The minimum meansquare error approach is used to identify the unknown parameters in the model from wind tunnel data. The identifiability of the parameters and the performance of the model are demonstrated by using the wind tunnel measurements of an airfoil, a flat delta wing and, finally, a realistic aircraft. The results show that within the framework of the proposed model, it is possible to analyze more complex unsteady aerodynamic problems in high angle-of-attack regime for an aircraft.
Short answer question case series: symptomatic first-trimester pregnancy.

A 21-year-old woman gravida 3 para 1, about 8 weeks pregnant, presents with lower abdominal pain. She describes the pain as crampy and intermittent associated with mild vaginal bleeding. On physical exam her blood pressure is 120/60 and her heart rate is 75, with mild bilateral lower abdominal tenderness to deep palpation. Labs are currently pending, including a quantitative β-hCG, which is a 4 h send out. Urinalysis shows seven white blood cells, three red blood cells and two epithelial cells with 1+ leucocyte esterase and no nitrates. You decide to perform a transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound. The patient has had her left ovary removed in the past due to a haemorrhagic cyst and therefore left adnexal pictures are not included. 1. What is your interpretation of the ultrasound images? 2. How would the quantitative β-hCG alter your interpretation? 3. What is the appropriate disposition for this patient? 1. The first image (A) is the …
Limitation of hemolysis in experimental transfusion reactions related to depletion of complement and isoantibody in the recipient; observations on dogs given successive transfusions of incompatible red cells tagged with radioactive iron.

Abstract Each of 4 dogs was given two successive transfusions of incompatible dog erythrocytes at intervals of ninety or one hundred and twenty minutes. Measurements were made of the concentration of hemoglobin, complement and isoantibody in the plasma or serum of the recipients and of the rate of disappearance of the donated cells labeled with radioactive iron. In each experiment the donated red corpuscles were destroyed much more slowly after the second transfusion than after the first, and the hemoglobinemia produced by the first transfusion was not appreciably augmented by the second transfusion. The successive transfusions at short intervals were considered nearly equivalent to single large transfusions but permitted separate study of the effects produced. The rate of hemolysis was influenced by the initial titers of both antibody and complement. In dogs with high antibody titer, available complement appeared to limit the rate of destruction of incompatible donated cells. In the presence of adequate complement the rate of hemolysis was limited by the disappearance of antibody when the initial titer of antibody was low. Limitation of the degree of hemoglobinemia due to limitation of the rate of destruction of transfused incompatible erythrocytes and the rather efficient clearance of plasma hemoglobin explains in part the failure of some hemolytic transfusion reactions to produce severe or fatal renal damage. It is emphasized that most investigations of hemoglobinuric nephrosis in animals have dealt with the injection of hemoglobin solutions which resulted in hemoglobinemia of much greater intensity than it has been possible to produce by transfusion of large volumes of incompatible red corpuscles.
The Tokyo Trial: Segue to the Cold War

In the wake of World War II, the trials that occurred in the Pacific Theater are often overlooked in favor of the Nuremberg Trials that occurred in Europe. The Tokyo Trial however, offers insight into not only the horrors that Allied soldiers experienced in the Pacific, but also demonstrates how quickly tensions arose between the United States and the Soviet Union after the conclusion of World War II. Introducing students to the Tokyo Trial will not only provide closure to that arena of war, but show students the immediate strain between the world’s two superpowers and provide a segue into a study of the Cold War. Additionally, the Tokyo Trial provides a platform for classroom discussions on a variety of topics, including human rights violations, wartime responsibilities, and international law. This article provides brief background information on the Tokyo Trial, as well as discussion questions suitable for classroom use.
Ant Clustering Using Ensembles of Partitions

Classical clustering algorithms require a predefined number of cluster centers. They are often very sensitive to initialization, which can result in very different clustering results. We present a two-phase algorithm which is a combination of a new ant based algorithm and a nonnegative matrix factorization-based consensus clustering algorithm. Ant clustering approaches can and do find the number of clusters as well as the data partition. However, they are very sensitive to both initial conditions and select parameters. Here, we show that using an ensemble of ant partitions and NMF to combine them we can find both the "right" number of clusters and a good data partition. Experiments were done with ten data sets. We conducted a wide range of comparisons that demonstrate the effectiveness of this new approach.
Psychotherapy and Movies: On Using Films in Clinical Practice

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the practice of recommending movies for clients to watch to assist them with their presenting complaints. Movies may be an efficient means of working with some clients who are difficult to reach emotionally through other methods. They also provide a powerful means of observational learning with opportunities to choose among different attitudes and behaviors. The pros and cons of this intervention are discussed, as well as initial suggestions on incorporating films into clinical practice. A cautious approach is recommended, as a systematic series of empirical investigations should be undertaken to more effectively inform clinical practice. Examples of areas to target for future research are provided.
Novel rabbit model of moderate knee contracture induced by direct capsular damage.

The treatment of joint contracture continues to represent a challenging problem in orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation medicine. Existing animal models of knee contracture for evaluating new treatments are mostly created by extensive joint tissue damage with Kirschner-wire immobilization which requires a second surgery to remove Kirschner-wires. This study aimed to develop a less invasive rabbit model of moderate knee contracture through a single surgery. Skeletally mature New Zealand White rabbits had their right knee operated to create surgical damage to the posterior capsule under direct visualization. Operated knees were then held in a flexed position by suturing the superficial flexion muscles with absorbable sutures. The flexion contracture (net extension loss) was determined by comparing the extension angles between the operated and non-operated knees from 8 to 24 weeks post-surgery. The flexion contracture of the operated knees was significantly greater (p < 0.01/0.001) than the non-operated knees at each weekly measurement. The mean flexion contractures were 22° at 8 weeks, 19° at 16 weeks, and 18° at 24 weeks. No significant differences in the severity of flexion contracture were observed between 8-week and each of the following weeks, suggesting that the flexion contracture was essentially stabilized by 8 weeks post-surgery. Histopathologic analyses demonstrated intra-articular and peri-articular scar formation. This less invasive rabbit model of moderate knee contracture is more quickly established through a single surgery with lower risk of surgical complications compared to the previously reported invasive models, and could be an alternative animal model for joint contracture research. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2687-2695, 2018.
3°and the net generation : Designing for inner circles of friends

We describe the design and implementation of software codenamed 3° that connects a small group of close friends and family, people who know and trust one another, so they can extend real-world social interactions and do fun things together in a whole new way. 3° is a beta test of an innovative application based on new networking technology developed by Microsoft.
Aqua-ammonia pretreatment of corn stover for enhancing enzymatic saccharification

Aqua-ammonia pretreatment of corn stover was provided in a 1.2 L high pressure reactor with two ammonia:biomass ratios of 1:1 (w/w) and 2:1 (w/w); at three temperatures: 60℃, 90℃ and 120℃, and two treatment time: 5 min and 30 min. Pretreatment with water was used as control. The pretreated samples were saccharified to fermentable sugars by commercial enzymes ACCELERASE 1500 (cellulase) and ACCELERASE XC (xylanases). For ammonia:biomass ratio of 1:1, the yield of total fermentable sugar was 87% at 90℃ for 30 min treatment. In case of ammonia:biomass ratio of 2:1, fermentable sugar yield increased four fold of that of control. Maximum fermentable sugar yield of 99% was obtained for 2:1 ammonia: biomass ratio, 90℃, and 30 min treatment time. The results of this study are very promising for improving fermentable sugar yield from corn stover using smaller amount of ammonia than the ammonia fiber explosion and other pretreatments such as strong acid or alkali pretreatments. However, further optimization is required for reducing pretreatment time.
Clinical Implications of Plasma-Based Genotyping With the Delivery of Personalized Therapy in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Importance The clinical implications of adding plasma-based circulating tumor DNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) to tissue NGS for targetable mutation detection in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not been formally assessed. Objective To determine whether plasma NGS testing was associated with improved mutation detection and enhanced delivery of personalized therapy in a real-world clinical setting. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective cohort study enrolled 323 patients with metastatic NSCLC who had plasma testing ordered as part of routine clinical management. Plasma NGS was performed using a 73-gene commercial platform. Patients were enrolled at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from April 1, 2016, through January 2, 2018. The database was locked for follow-up and analyses on January 2, 2018, with a median follow-up of 7 months (range, 1-21 months). Main Outcomes and Measures The number of patients with targetable alterations detected with plasma and tissue NGS; the association between the allele fractions (AFs) of mutations detected in tissue and plasma; and the association of response rate with the plasma AF of the targeted mutations. Results Among the 323 patients with NSCLC (60.1% female; median age, 65 years [range, 33-93 years]), therapeutically targetable mutations were detected inEGFR,ALK,MET,BRCA1,ROS1, RET, ERBB2,orBRAFfor 113 (35.0%) overall. Ninety-four patients (29.1%) had plasma testing only at the discretion of the treating physician or patient preference. Among the 94 patients with plasma testing alone, 31 (33.0%) had a therapeutically targetable mutation detected, thus obviating the need for an invasive biopsy. Among the remaining 229 patients who had concurrent plasma and tissue NGS or were unable to have tissue NGS, a therapeutically targetable mutation was detected in tissue alone for 47 patients (20.5%), whereas the addition of plasma testing increased this number to 82 (35.8%). Thirty-six of 42 patients (85.7%) who received a targeted therapy based on the plasma result achieved a complete or a partial response or stable disease. The plasma-based targeted mutation AF had no correlation with depth of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors response (r = −0.121;P = .45). Conclusions and Relevance Integration of plasma NGS testing into the routine management of stage IV NSCLC demonstrates a marked increase of the detection of therapeutically targetable mutations and improved delivery of molecularly guided therapy.
Ischaemic and hypoxic conditioning: potential for protection of vital organs.

New findings What is the topic of this review? Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) and hypoxic preconditioning as novel therapeutic approaches for cardiac and neuroprotection. What advances does it highlight? There is improved understanding of mechanisms and signalling pathways associated with ischaemic and hypoxic preconditioning, and potential pitfalls with application of these therapies to clinical trials have been identified. Novel adaptations of preconditioning paradigms have also been developed, including intermittent hypoxia training, RIPC training and RIPC-exercise, extending their utility to chronic settings. Abstract Myocardial infarction and stroke remain leading causes of death worldwide, despite extensive resources directed towards developing effective treatments. In this Symposium Report we highlight the potential applications of intermittent ischaemic and hypoxic conditioning protocols to combat the deleterious consequences of heart and brain ischaemia. Insights into mechanisms underlying the protective effects of intermittent hypoxia training are discussed, including the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and Nrf2 transcription factors, synthesis of antioxidant and ATP-generating enzymes, and a shift in microglia from pro- to anti-inflammatory phenotypes. Although there is little argument regarding the efficacy of remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) in pre-clinical models, this strategy has not consistently translated into the clinical arena. This lack of translation may be related to the patient populations targeted thus far, and the anaesthetic regimen used in two of the major RIPC clinical trials. Additionally, we do not fully understand the mechanism through which RIPC protects the vital organs, and co-morbidities (e.g. hypercholesterolemia, diabetes) may interfere with its efficacy. Finally, novel adaptations have been made to extend RIPC to more chronic settings. One adaptation is RIPC-exercise (RIPC-X), an innovative paradigm that applies cyclical RIPC to blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE). Recent findings suggest that this novel exercise modality attenuates the exaggerated haemodynamic responses that may limit the use of conventional BFRE in some clinical settings. Collectively, intermittent ischaemic and hypoxic conditioning paradigms remain an exciting frontier for the protection against ischaemic injuries.
The role of caste for board membership, CEO, and interlocking

Abstract We examine the caste affiliation of corporate leadership in India. We find that the affirmative action policies targeted to the public sector have not filtered into the private sector. Indian boards are not very diverse—usually dominated by directors from a single caste. Boards dominated by one caste also tend to have a CEO from the same caste, putting into question how independent some directors may be. Over one third of the directors are interlocked by holding multiple directorships. However, this interlocking is done with firms dominated by the same caste. Therefore, Indian corporate leadership fails to obtain the benefits of having directors with weak social ties. The lack of caste diversity in boards, CEOs, and interlocks are all associated with lower firm value.
Positional cloning of mutated zebrafish genes.

Publisher Summary Three approaches have been used successfully to clone genes defined by mutations in zebrafish: retroviral tagging, testing candidate genes, and positional cloning. Positional cloning is an unbiased approach that is applicable to any mutation whose inheritance can be traced, even if nothing is known about the gene or biochemical pathways affected by the mutation. Zebrafish has two features that are advantageous for positional cloning projects. First, high fecundity allows the analysis of several thousand meioses and fine mapping of a mutation to a small interval. Second, the accessibility of the embryo allows for RNA or DNA injection to rescue mutant phenotypes and rapid analysis of the expression pattern of candidate cDNAs. Positional cloning projects consist of three steps. The first phase involves the identification of a DNA segment that is near the mutant locus as judged by linkage analysis. In the second phase, the marker is used to isolate clones from genomic libraries. The third phase involves the identification of the gene within the contig region. This may be accomplished in a number of ways, ranging from transgenic rescue of the mutation to sequence analysis of the genomic region.
Clinical Outcomes of Revision Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation.

Purpose To assess the survivorship, clinical outcomes, and radiographic outcomes of patients who have undergone revision osteochondral allograft (OCA) to the knee in a retrospective case series. Methods Nine patients who underwent revision OCA by the senior author between January 2003 and December 2015 with a minimum follow up of 2 years were reviewed retrospectively. Patients completed patient-reported outcome surveys containing the visual analog scale, the International Knee Documentation Committee, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Lysholm score, and the Short-Form 12. Radiographic analysis included anteroposterior view graded via the Kellgren and Lawrence scale. Complications and reoperations were analyzed, with failure defined as conversion to arthroplasty. (Institutional review board 15050301.) Results One of 10 consecutive patients was lost to follow up, for an overall follow-up rate of 90% (5 males, 4 females); mean follow up, 4.53 ± 3.17 years. The median patient age at the time of revision OCA was 33 years (interquartile range [IQR], 8.6), the median defect size was 4.0 cm2 (IQR, 0), and the median time from index OCA to revision OCA was 2.9 years (IQR, 1.9). Five patients (50%) underwent subsequent surgery at a median of 1.92 years (IQR, 7.25), with 1 progressing to arthroplasty at 23 months after revision OCA, for an overall failure rate of 11%. There were no significant differences in any of the patient-reported outcome assessments compared with prerevision OCA (postindex OCA) values at final follow up (P > .05 for all). Similarly, there were no significant differences in Kellgren and Lawrence score before and after surgery (P = .1). Conclusions At a mean 4.5 years following revision OCA, there was an 89% graft survivorship rate in a series of 9 patients, with no statistical changes in the radiographic progression of arthritis. Level of Evidence Level IV, case series.
Intra-capsular complete tonsillectomy, a modification of surgical technique to eliminate delayed post-operative bleeding.

Abstract Pediatric tonsillectomy is a frequently performed procedure using a variety of surgical techniques. Despite decades of modern surgical experience and advances in tools and techniques, a consensus on which technique is superior for minimizing complications has not been established. In a 2014 study, the authors examined differing surgical techniques and devices to determine if there was a significant difference in the bleed rates based on technique and device [1]. In that study 7024 children were evaluated, of which a total of 1.4% (n = 99) of children experienced a postoperative hemorrhage that required a second surgery. There was no significant difference found between the four different techniques that were evaluated. Although the combined rates of post-operative hemorrhage requiring a second surgery was lower compared to many other published reports, we hypothesized that continued improvement in surgical techniques could eliminate post-operative hemorrhage completely. As follow up to that study, we decided on a collective change in technique, and subsequent analysis of our post-operative results with respect to only one outcome, post-operative hemorrhage requiring a second surgery. With a new standardized technique in place, we retrospectively evaluated one year of surgical outcomes. These procedures were performed using the technique of a modified and complete, intra-capsular Coblator tonsillectomy. Of the 783 tonsillectomies done in 12 months, we found there were 0 patients that had experienced a postoperative hemorrhage requiring a second surgery. Based on our previous study with a rate of 1.4% post-operative hemorrhage we would have expected to have 11 episodes of post-operative hemorrhage requiring a second surgery.
Lidar at El Pilar: Understanding Vegetation Above and Discovering the Ground Features Below in the Maya Forest

Lidar data from El Pilar shows great potential for understanding the ancient and contemporary Maya forest landscape. Exploring these rich three-dimensional data with ground visualization strategies using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), our field validation strategy integrates the twenty-first-century tools Lidar, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and GIS with time-tested methods of field observation and assessment of surface features and vegetation. While there is no doubt Lidar is a stimulating addition to the geographical and archaeological tool kit, we recognize it is essential to understand the sources of features our visualizations reveal. Our survey protocol evaluates human impacts on the forest environment by identifying and mapping ancient cultural features, recording basic characteristics of vegetation, and deriving information to extrapolate to the expanding database of Lidar coverage in the Maya Lowlands. Based on emerging results supporting the viability of the milpa-forest garden land-use cycle at the regional and local scales, we hypothesize the Maya created land-use strategies that can be modeled and tested at the site scale at El Pilar.
Image-based estimation, planning, and control for high-speed flying through multiple openings:

This article focuses on enabling an aerial robot to fly through multiple openings at high speed using image-based estimation, planning, and control. State-of-the-art approaches assume that the robo...
Rural-Urban Geographical Disparities in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Incidence Among US Adults, 2004-2017.

Introduction To evaluate impact of urbanicity and household income on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence among US adults. Methods HCC incidence was evaluated by rural-urban geography and median annual household income using 2004-2017 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data. Results Although overall HCC incidence was highest in large metropolitan regions, average annual percent change in HCC incidence was greatest among more rural regions. Individuals in lower income categories had highest HCC incidence and greatest average annual percent change in HCC incidence. Discussion Disparities in HCC incidence by urbanicity and income likely reflect differences in risk factors, health-related behaviors, and barriers in access to healthcare services.
Metabolomic profiling identifies complex lipid species associated with response to weight loss interventions

Obesity is an epidemic internationally. While weight loss interventions are efficacious, they are compounded by heterogeneity with regards to clinically relevant metabolic responses. Thus, we sought to identify metabolic pathways and biomarkers that distinguish individuals with obesity who would most benefit from a given type of intervention. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based profiling was used to measure 765 metabolites in baseline plasma from three different weight loss studies: WLM (behavioral intervention, N=443), STRRIDE-PD (exercise trial, N=163), and CBD (surgical cohort, N=125). The primary outcome was percent change in insulin resistance (as measured by the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance [%{Delta}HOMA-IR]) over the intervention. Overall, 92 individual metabolites were associated with %{Delta}HOMA-IR after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Concordantly, the most significant metabolites were triacylglycerols (TAGs; p=2.3e-5) and diacylglycerols (DAGs; p=1.6e-4), with higher TAG and DAG levels associated with a greater improvement in HOMA-IR. In tests of heterogeneity, 50 metabolites changed differently between weight loss interventions; we found amino acids, peptides, and their analogues to be most significant (4.7e-3) in this category. Our results highlight novel metabolic pathways associated with heterogeneity in response to weight loss interventions, and related biomarkers which could be used in future studies of personalized approaches to weight loss interventions.
Personalized combination nano-immunotherapy for robust induction and tumor infiltration of CD8 + T cells

Abstract Identification of tumor-specific mutations, called neoantigens, offers new exciting opportunities for personalized cancer immunotherapy . However, it remains challenging to achieve robust induction of neoantigen-specific T cells and drive their infiltration into the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we have developed a novel polyethyleneimine (PEI)-based personalized vaccine platform carrying neoantigen peptides and CpG adjuvants in a compact nanoparticle (NP) for their spatio-temporally concerted delivery. The NP vaccine significantly enhanced activation and antigen cross-presentation of dendritic cells, resulting in strong priming of neoantigen-specific CD8 + T cells with the frequency in the systemic circulation reaching as high as 23 ± 7% after a single subcutaneous administration. However, activated CD8 + T cells in circulation exhibited limited tumor infiltration, leading to poor anti-tumor efficacy. Notably, local administration of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist promoted tumor infiltration of vaccine-primed CD8 + T cells, thereby overcoming one of the major challenges in achieving strong anti-tumor efficacy with cancer vaccination. The NP vaccination combined with STING agonist therapy eliminated tumors in murine models of MC-38 colon carcinoma and B16F10 melanoma and established long-term immunological memory . Our approach provides a novel therapeutic strategy based on combination nano-immunotherapy for personalized cancer immunotherapy.
Parenthood, Stress, and Well-Being among Cisgender and Transgender Gay and Lesbian Adults.

Objective This study examines whether and how parenthood status is associated with two key aspects of health- mental well-being and smoking- among sexual minority adults across three gender identity groups: cisgender gay men, cisgender lesbian women, and transgender gay/lesbian adults. Background Parents tend to report worse health than non-parents due to elevated stress associated with parenting. However, most existing scholarship de facto examines parental status and health among cisgender heterosexual adults. Little research has employed an intersectional approach to focus on parenthood and health differences within sexual minority adults across varying gender identities. Method OLS and logistic regression models were used to analyze data from the 2010 Social Justice Sexuality Project (N = 2,803), a survey of racially diverse sexual and gender minority adults residing in all 50 US states and Puerto Rico. Results In a sample composed predominantly of people of color, parenthood status is related to both mental well-being and smoking status among gay and lesbian adults, but this relationship is inconsistent across cisgender and transgender groups. OLS regression models show that parenthood is positively related to mental well-being among gay and lesbian transgender people, whereas logistic regression results find that parenthood is associated with higher odds of smoking among cisgender gay men. Conclusion These findings suggest that among a sample of sexual and gender minorities composed mostly of people of color, parenthood status is connected with the health and well-being of gay and lesbian adults in ways that depend on gender identity.
Calcineurin in the heart: New horizons for an old friend.

Abstract Calcineurin, also known as PP2B or PPP3, is a member of the PPP family of protein phosphatases that also includes PP1 and PP2A. Together these three phosphatases carryout the majority of dephosphorylation events in the heart. Calcineurin is distinct in that it is activated by the binding of calcium/calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM) and therefore acts as a node for integrating Ca2+ signals with changes in phosphorylation, two fundamental intracellular signaling cascades. In the heart, calcineurin is primarily thought of in the context of pathological cardiac remodeling, acting through the Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cell (NFAT) family of transcription factors. However, calcineurin activity is also essential for normal heart development and homeostasis in the adult heart. Furthermore, it is clear that NFAT-driven changes in transcription are not the only relevant processes initiated by calcineurin in the setting of pathological remodeling. There is a growing appreciation for the diversity of calcineurin substrates that can impact cardiac function as well as the diversity of mechanisms for targeting calcineurin to specific sub-cellular domains in cardiomyocytes and other cardiac cell types. Here, we will review the basics of calcineurin structure, regulation, and function in the context of cardiac biology. Particular attention will be given to: the development of improved tools to identify and validate new calcineurin substrates; recent studies identifying new calcineurin isoforms with unique properties and targeting mechanisms; and the role of calcineurin in cardiac development and regeneration.
Exploiting Chaos for Quantum Control

The field of Quantum Chaos is referred to as the study of quantum behaviors of systems whose corresponding classical dynamics are chaotic, or study of quantum manifestations of classical chaos. Equivalently, it means that quantum behaviors depend on the nature of the classical dynamics, implying that classical chaos can be used to control or manipulate quantum behaviors. We discuss two examples here: using transient chaos to control quantum transport in nanoscale systems and exploiting chaos to regularize relativistic quantum tunneling dynamics in Dirac fermion and graphene systems.
Indications for Referral for Pediatric Rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis in children is defined as inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses (Fokkens et al. Rhinology. 2012;50:1–12). Pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is relatively uncommon compared to acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) and is characterized by sinus symptoms lasting over 12 weeks despite medical therapy. Pathogenesis of this disease is multifactorial and generally involves an initial insult (usually a viral sinusitis) followed by bacterial seeding and mucosal inflammation. The diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis in the pediatric population can be challenging as symptoms can be very similar to common conditions such as allergic rhinitis or adenoiditis. In many cases, objective findings such as inflammation seen on nasal endoscopy or sinus CT scans are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of CRS. The mainstay of treatment of pediatric CRS is medical therapy with surgical therapy reserved for the minority of patients. Standard medical therapy usually includes a combination of nasal corticosteroid sprays, nasal irrigation, and decongestants. Antibiotics are usually reserved for bacterial acute exacerbations of CRS and usually target the most common offending pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis). Referral to an otolaryngologist is recommended for children who fail medical therapy, have orbital complications of sinusitis, or require surgery. There are currently many alternate medical treatment options available to physicians; however, data supporting their efficacy is lacking in many cases. Recent studies show that even minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as adenoidectomy and/or balloon sinuplasty can lead to significant symptom improvement. Further, traditional endoscopic sinus surgery offers a safe, highly effective treatment option when necessary.
Solar Neutrinos with Super-Kamiokande

The discrepancy of the measured solar neutrino flux compared to the predictions of the standard solar model may be explained by the neutrino flavor oscillation hypothesis. A more direct and less model-dependent test of this hypothesis is a measurement of the distortion of the shape of the solar neutrino energy spectrum. Super-Kamiokande studies the energy spectrum of recoil electrons from solar neutrino scattering in water above 5.5 MeV.
A Content Analysis of Registration Processes on Websites

ABSTRACTThe proper implementation and design of registration pages is a crucial consideration in the development of websites for two reasons: First, users often navigate through them to receive future marketing communications. Second, advertisers can gain valuable contact information through registration processes that allow them to customize marketing communications. This content analysis investigates the implementation and design of such processes by comparing the registration processes established by large and small websites, as well as websites of pure play companies versus click-and-mortar companies. Differences emerge across several variables. The results have implications for advertising researchers and practitioners and suggest some registration process best practices.
The Nature of the Interstellar Medium

The physical properties of the interstellar medium (ISM) are determined by its interactions with stars in the galaxy and by its lack of interaction with matter and radiation outside the galaxy. Stars inject energy into the ISM in the form of starlight, stellar winds, and, in some cases, as super-novae; some of this energy is injected as cosmic rays. Stars inject mass into the ISM via stellar winds, planetary nebulae, and supernovae. The ISM recycles this mass by the process of star formation in regions where enough gas accumulates to become gravitationally unstable. External influences on the ISM are relatively small, however: the effective temperature of the ambient radiation (∽ 3K) is much less than the typical temperature of interstellar gas, and since our galaxy is not located in a rich cluster of galaxies, there is no evidence that the ambient intergalactic medium has a significant effect on the ISM.
Personalized Versus Collective Instructor Feedback in the Online Courseroom: Does Type of Feedback Affect Student Satisfaction, Academic Performance and Perceived Connectedness With the Instructor?

The demand for online learning has never been greater. For faculty, teaching in the virtual classroom requires a new set of skills and practices. Online instructors must prepare for the increased written communication demands that accompany online education, such as the large amount of time needed to respond to student inquiries and to provide feedback on assignments. The purpose of this comparative study was to determine if there were significant differences in student sat isfaction, performance, and perceived “connectedness” to the instructor when the instructor used collective versus person alized feedback. In addition, this study examined two other variables: the time required to deliver the type of feedback as well as students’ prior experience with online learning. Four online health courses were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: personalized or collective. Students in the personalized group received individual feedback from the instructor on each assignment. Students in the collective group received a collective feedback document from the instructor that summarized overall class performance, ways to improve, and student perspectives. Data were collected using an online survey and course evaluations. The findings revealed that students who received personalized feedback were more satisfied and performed academically better than
Arachidonic Acid Signalling in the Nervous System

Arachidonic acid integrates phospholipid molecules of cell membranes. When arachidonic acid is released it becomes itself a messenger or is the precursor of a wide variety of arachidonic acid-derived messengers. These bioactive lipids modulate the function of ion channels, receptors, neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, glia–neuron relationships and programmes of neuronal gene expression. Therefore, arachidonic acid signalling participates in cell function and in certain pathologic conditions of the nervous system. The availability of arachidonic acid is regulated by the biosynthesis of specific phospholipids molecular species, their arachidonate remodelling, and the regulation of the release of arachidonic acid from membrane reservoirs and the subsequent conversion steps (e.g. cyclo-oxygenation, lipooxygenation). Keywords: prostaglandins; leucotrienes; eicosanoids; cerebral ischaemia; seizures; thromboxane; free fatty acids
/spl delta/f simulation of tearing mode instability

Summary form only given. The evolution of the collisionless and collisional tearing mode is studied using a three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation model that uses the /spl delta/f-method with the split-weight scheme to enhance the time step, and a novel algorithm to accurately solve the Ampere's equation for experimentally relevant /spl beta/ values, /spl beta/ m/sub i//m/sub e//spl Gt/1. We use the model of drift-kinetic electrons and gyrokinetic/adiabatic ions. Linear simulation results are benchmarked with eigenmode analysis for the case of fixed ions, as can be shown that in small box simulations the ions response can be neglected. The nonlinear dynamics of magnetic islands are studied and the results are compared with previous theoretical studies. For large box simulations we have found instabilities like drift kink mode for which ions motion is more important compared to tearing modes. A collision operator is included in the electron drift kinetic equation to study the simulation in the semi-collisional and collisional regimes.
Dietary (n-3)/(n-6) Fatty Acid Ratio: Possible Relationship to Premenopausal but Not Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk in U.S. Women

Recent research has suggested that an increased (n-3) fatty acid intake and/or increased (n-3)/(n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio in the diet is associated with a lower breast cancer risk. This case-control study investigated the association between intake of (n-3) and other fatty acids and the (n-3)/(n-6) PUFA ratio and breast cancer risk. After combining data from two related case-control studies in Connecticut, we had information available on a total of 1119 women (565 cases and 554 controls). Cases were all histologically confirmed, incident breast carcinoma patients. Controls were hospital-based (Yale-New Haven Hospital study site) and population-based (Tolland County study site). Information on dietary intake was obtained through a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Standard multivariate methods were used to address the independent effects of specific fatty acids, fat classes and macronutrients on breast cancer risk. In the full study population, there were no significant trends for any macronutrient/fatty acid when comparing the highest to the lowest quartile of intake. When the analysis was restricted to premenopausal women, consumption of the highest compared with the lowest quartile of the (n-3)/(n-6) PUFA ratio was associated with a nonsignificant 41% lower risk of breast cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29, 1.19, P for trend = 0.09]. A higher (n-3)/(n-6) PUFA ratio was significantly associated with a lower risk of breast cancer when the data were restricted to the Tolland County (population-based) study site; OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.27, 0.95, P for trend = 0.02. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a higher (n-3)/(n-6) PUFA ratio may reduce the risk of breast cancer, especially in premenopausal women.
On the retention of equiaxed grain structure after superplastic and other forms of high temperature deformation

Abstract Whereas deformation of grains in a polycrystal tends to produce nonequilibrium dihedral angles at the triple grain junctions, local diffusive migration of grain boundaries will seek to restore the triple junctions to their equilibrium configuration. The kinetics of this equilibration process is estimated and is shown to be fast compared to the usual rates of deformation at elevated temperature. It is further proposed that the equilibrium dihedral angles in deformed polycrystals will give rise to curved interfaces, which will force migration of boundaries in such a direction that the equiaxed grain structure of the polycrystal is restored. An approximate expression for the critical strain-rate below which the rate of migration of the boundaries will be fast enough to maintain the equiaxed structure is derived. The result is in fair agreement with the experiments by Rachinger.
Etiologic models for incident periodontal attachment loss in older adults

Abstract. Etiologic factors for incident periodontal attachment loss (ALOSS) have not been conclusively identified. The purpose of this study was to develop etiologic models for ALOSS in older adults. Data on 697 older blacks and whites were obtained from 5 sequential examinations over 7 years in the Piedmont 65+ dental study, a complex random sample of older adults in North Carolina. Multivariable Poisson regression models were fit for average number of ALOSS events per person or site month at risk. In models for whites, molar sites, sites with adjacent caries, sites in persons who had: Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.) at least 2% of total microbial count (TMC), never had a dental checkup, more depression symptoms, fewer than 12 years of education, higher BANA score, or smoked, had significantly higher rates of ALOSS. In a separate model for blacks, interproximal and molar sites, sites in blacks who had: P.g. at least 2% of TMC, higher BANA score, never had a dental checkup, lower socioeconomic status (SES), or smoked, had significantly higher rates of ALOSS. These results confirm a multifactorial etiology for ALOSS in older adults and indicate that interventions aimed at infection, smoking, and preventive dental care utilization, may be most useful.
Summary of the STEP Evaluation

This section presents interviews with evaluators whose work can illustrate, in a specific evaluation study, the application of different models, theories, and principles described in evaluation literature. These interviews should also exemplify the choices that evaluators make in the course of planning and conducting an evaluation. Entries in this section will begin with a brief description of the evaluation to provide a foundation for the interview. The focus will be on the dialogue between the section editor and the evaluator to learn more about the choices made, the models followed, the constraints and opportunities that emerged as the study progressed, and the evaluator’s assessment of the study itself. The section editor will provide commentary as needed to point out important attributes of the evaluation itself and to highlight connections between the evaluator’s comments and relevant literature or issues in the field of evaluation.
Effect of sodium ascorbate on tumor induction in rats treated with morpholine and sodium nitrite, and with nitrosomorpholine

Summary Groups of male MRC Wistar rats were treated for 2 years either with morpholine (10 g/kg food) together with sodium nitrite (3 g/l drinking water) or with N-nitrosomorpholine (NM, 0.15 g/l drinking water). In both cases, a group of rats was given sodium ascorbate (22.7 g/kg food) in addition to these treatments. When ascorbate was present, the liver tumors induced by morpholine and nitrite showed a 1.7-fold longer induction period, a slightly lower incidence, and an absence of metastases in the lungs, indicating that ascorbate had inhibited the in vivo formation of NM. Ascorbate did not affect liver tumor induction by the preformed NM. The group treated with morpholine, nitrite, and ascorbate had a 54% incidence of forestomach tumors, including an 18% incidence of squamous cell carcinomas, possibly because ascorbate promoted NM action in this organ.
On-line analysis of organic components in fine and ultrafine particles by photoionization aerosol mass spectrometry.

A new method, photoionization aerosol mass spectrometry (PIAMS), is described for real-time analysis of organic components in airborne particles below ∼300 nm in diameter. Particles are focused thr...