cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HuD promotes BDNF expression in brain neurons via selective stabilization of the BDNF long 3'UTR mRNA.

Complex regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) governs its intricate functions in brain development and neuronal plasticity. Besides tight transcriptional control from multiple distinct promoters, alternative 3′end processing of the BDNF transcripts generates either a long or a short 3′untranslated region (3′UTR). Previous reports indicate that distinct RNA sequence in the BDNF 3′UTRs differentially regulates BDNF production in the brain to accommodate neuronal activity changes, conceivably through differential interactions with undefined trans-acting factors that regulate stability and translation of these BDNF mRNA isoforms. In this study, we report that the neuronal RNA-binding protein (RBP) HuD interacts with a highly conserved AU-rich element (ARE) specifically located in the BDNF long 3′UTR. Such interaction is necessary and sufficient for selective stabilization of mRNAs that contain the BDNF long 3′UTR in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, in a HuD transgenic mouse model, the BDNF long 3′UTR mRNA is increased in the hippocampal dentate granule cells (DGCs), leading to elevated expression of BDNF protein that is transported and stored in the mossy fiber (MF) terminals. Our results identify HuD as the first trans-acting factor that enhances BDNF expression specifically through the long 3′UTR and a novel mechanism that regulates BDNF protein production in selected neuronal populations by HuD abundance.
Reliability growth vs. HASS cost for product manufacturing with fast-to-market requirement

This paper proposes a financial model to analyse the trade-off between the monetary benefits of reliability improvement and the costs associated with the implementation of highly accelerated stress screening (HASS) in the context of manufacturing the automatic test equipment (ATE). HASS is a reliability screening process that has been widely used as an effective tool to eliminate infant mortality and thereby improve the product mean-time-between-failures (MTBF). Furthermore, the feedback from HASS will help build quality into product and process design and thereby result in a more robust product design and production process leading to further improved MTBF. The cost-saving from improved MTBF thus obtained, is then continuously compared with the total cost of HASS implementation. The manufacturer achieves the breakeven (or better returns) as long as the HASS cost is equal to (or less than) the cost savings from the HASSed products relative to the non-HASSed products.
Irresolvable Disagreement and the Case Against Moral Realism

Analyse de l'argument du desaccord moral, selon lequel l'insolubilite rationnelle de nos differences avec d'autres croyances morales fondamentales (par exemple, celles des Indiens Yanomami du Bresil) met en doute l'existence de faits independants, refute notre connaissance du monde exterieur et contredit la these du realisme moral. Defendant les premisses concernant l'inconnaissabilite des faits objectifs et la non-inconnaissabilite des questions elementaires, l'A. conclut a la neutralite des alternatives metaethiques du realisme
On the general theory of (m, n) rings

In this paper, the lattice of congruences of an (m, n) ring is determined, a generalization of the Wedderburn theorem for finite division rings is considered, all (2,n) fields, (2,n) rings of prime order, and all (3,n) rings of prime order are determined. A special class of (2,n) fields, called super-simple (2,n) fields, is characterized.
Materials for LiGA and LiGA-based microsystems

The LiGA technique that has been developed for the inexpensive mass fabrication of microdevices consists of three basic processes: X-ray lithography, electroforming and moulding. In each of these steps the properties of the used materials and the process parameters are strongly correlated to each other. Thus, optimizing processes requires detailed knowledge of the materials properties especially as the LiGA technique offers an extremely broad variety of materials (polymers, metals, alloys, ceramics) for the fabrication of three-dimensional microstructures. When it comes to specific applications of LiGA devices, it is often desirable to tailor the properties of materials and surfaces e.g. in respect to mechanical properties, optical properties, thermo- and electrochemical stability and biocompatibility. Again, a detailed knowledge of the properties of the various materials is crucial to optimize these tasks, keeping in mind that these properties on the microscale can differ from those of bulk materials.
Turnover, Membrane Insertion, and Degradation of Sodium Channels in Rabbit Urinary Bladder

Noise analysis of rabbit bladder revealed two components: Lorentzian noise, arising from interaction of amiloride with the Na+ channel, and flicker noise (l/f, where f is frequency), as in other biological membranes. Hydrostatic pressure, which causes exchange between intracellular vesicular membrane and apical membrane, increases the number but not the single-channel current of the amiloride-sensitive channels. Flicker noise arises from degraded channels that have lost amiloride sensitivity and Na+ to K+ selectivity. The degraded channels were selectively removed by washing the mucosal surface. These results imply channel turnover by intracellular synthesis, transfer from vesicular to apical membrane, degradation, and elimination.
Supersymmetric QCD correction to top-quark production at the Fermilab Tevatron

We calculate the supersymmetric QCD correction to top-quark production at the Fermilab Tevatron, allowing for arbitrary left-right mixing of the squarks. We find that the correction is significant for several combinations of gluino and squark masses, e.g., $+33%$ for ${m}_{\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{g}}=200$ GeV, ${m}_{\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{t}}{=m}_{\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{q}}=75$ GeV.
Special education teacher and paraprofessional training using live, internet‐based courses delivered to four distant sites

Abstract Federal mandates now require training for instructional paraprofessionals working in special education and Title I programs. Training for supervising teachers is also recommended. State and local education agencies face complex issues in meeting the mandates because of limitations in resources. A project developed, implemented, and evaluated one training format: live, Internet‐based courses with real‐time video and audio. Using iVisit video‐conferencing software, an instructor delivered two courses to 79 special education paraprofessionals located in New Castle, Delaware; Rexburg, Idaho; Turbotville, Pennsylvania; and Brigham City, Utah. A second instructor delivered two courses to 61 paraprofessionals and their supervising teachers at the same four sites. Site coordinators managed activities at each site. This article describes the need for the courses, technology, instructional format, and brief course evaluation data. Also, it examines the implications of the delivery system in relation to the...
Steady-state Function of the Ubiquitous Mammalian Na/H Exchanger (NHE1) in Relation to Dimer Coupling Models with 2Na/2H Stoichiometry

We describe the steady-state function of the ubiquitous mammalian Na/H exchanger (NHE)1 isoform in voltage-clamped Chinese hamster ovary cells, as well as other cells, using oscillating pH-sensitive microelectrodes to quantify proton fluxes via extracellular pH gradients. Giant excised patches could not be used as gigaseal formation disrupts NHE activity within the patch. We first analyzed forward transport at an extracellular pH of 8.2 with no cytoplasmic Na (i.e., nearly zero-trans). The extracellular Na concentration dependence is sigmoidal at a cytoplasmic pH of 6.8 with a Hill coefficient of 1.8. In contrast, at a cytoplasmic pH of 6.0, the Hill coefficient is <1, and Na dependence often appears biphasic. Results are similar for mouse skin fibroblasts and for an opossum kidney cell line that expresses the NHE3 isoform, whereas NHE1(-/-) skin fibroblasts generate no proton fluxes in equivalent experiments. As proton flux is decreased by increasing cytoplasmic pH, the half-maximal concentration (K(1/2)) of extracellular Na decreases less than expected for simple consecutive ion exchange models. The K(1/2) for cytoplasmic protons decreases with increasing extracellular Na, opposite to predictions of consecutive exchange models. For reverse transport, which is robust at a cytoplasmic pH of 7.6, the K(1/2) for extracellular protons decreases only a factor of 0.4 when maximal activity is decreased fivefold by reducing cytoplasmic Na. With 140 mM of extracellular Na and no cytoplasmic Na, the K(1/2) for cytoplasmic protons is 50 nM (pH 7.3; Hill coefficient, 1.5), and activity decreases only 25% with extracellular acidification from 8.5 to 7.2. Most data can be reconstructed with two very different coupled dimer models. In one model, monomers operate independently at low cytoplasmic pH but couple to translocate two ions in "parallel" at alkaline pH. In the second "serial" model, each monomer transports two ions, and translocation by one monomer allosterically promotes translocation by the paired monomer in opposite direction. We conclude that a large fraction of mammalian Na/H activity may occur with a 2Na/2H stoichiometry.
Challenges of Developing a Sanitation Infrastructure Gis for the Tohono O'Odham Nation:

Many rural communities lack economies of scale for sanitation infrastructure management and do not receive support from state and federal governments. These problems are particularly severe for Native American Nations, certain rural areas, as well as many developing countries. Geographical information systems (GIS) can improve the management of water and wastewater infrastructure in such areas by using technology to offset the issues of low density, scattered settlements, and large acreages. However, integrating GIS technology into such communities presents technical and organizational challenges. The Tucson office of the Indian Health Services faced such challenges when developing a sanitation GIS for the Tohono O'odham Nation in Southwestern Arizona. The GIS developers found that with adequate management support and communication with potential users, the technical challenges can be met. However, the organizational challenges associated with data sharing and confidentiality slowed the integration of the...
PKA and PKC are required for long-term but not short-term in vivo operant memory in Aplysia

We investigated the involvement of PKA and PKC signaling in a negatively reinforced operant learning paradigm in Aplysia, learning that food is inedible (LFI). In vivo injection of PKA or PKC inhibitors blocked long-term LFI memory formation. Moreover, a persistent phase of PKA activity, although not PKC activity, was necessary for long-term memory. Surprisingly, neither PKA nor PKC activity was required for associative short-term LFI memory. Additionally, PKA and PKC were not required for the retrieval of short- or long-term memory (STM and LTM, respectively). These studies have identified key differences between the mechanisms underlying nonassociative sensitization, operant reward learning, and LFI memory in Aplysia.
The allen brain atlas: delivering neuroscience to the web on a genome wide scale

The Allen Brain Atlas (ABA), publicly available at http:// www.brain-map.org, presents the expression patterns of more than 21,500 genes in the adult mouse brain. The project has produced more than 600 Terabytes of cellular level in situ hybridization data whose images have been reconstructed and mapped into whole brain 3D volumes for search and viewing. In this application paper we outline the bioinformatics, data integration, and presentation approach to the ABA and the creation a fully automated high-throughput pipeline to deliver this data set to the Web.
Learning to recognize human action sequences

One of the major sources of cues in developmental learning is that of watching another person. An observer can gain a comprehensive description of the purposes of actions by watching the other person's detailed bode, movements. Action recognition has traditionally studied processing fixed camera observations while ignoring nonvisual information. This paper explores the dynamic properties of eye movements in natural tasks: eye and head movements are quite tightly coupled with actions. We present a method that utilizes eye gaze and head position information to detect the performer's focus of attention. Attention, as represented by eye fixation, is used for spotting the target object related to the action. Attention switches are calculated and used to segment the action sequence into action units which are recognized by hidden Markov models. An experimental system is built for recognizing actions in the natural task of "stapling a letter", which demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach.
A comparative study on information-seeking behaviors of domestic and international business students

This study investigates information-seeking behavior of one particular segment of international students—international students seeking degrees in the field of business. The author surveyed domestic and international business students enrolled in the College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The survey was designed to compare their perceptions of library services and information-seeking behaviors. This study focused on three aspects: (1) how domestic and international business students assess the effectiveness of library instruction sessions; (2) how domestic and international business students use library services; and (3) how domestic and international business students use the Internet for their research. The survey results offer insights into understanding different perceptions of these two student groups with respect to their library use patterns and research strategies.
Thrombelastography in 26 healthy horses with and without activation by recombinant human tissue factor.

Objectives – To develop a standardized technique for thrombelastography (TEG) analysis in healthy adult horses, with and without the ex vivo addition of tissue factor (TF) as an activator. To determine reference intervals for TEG parameters in the horse, and to determine if traditional coagulation tests correlate with TEG. Design – Prospective, observational. Setting – Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals – Twenty-six healthy adult horses. Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – Thrombelastography with (TF-TEG) and without (TEG) the addition of TF performed by 4 operators. Coagulation profiles (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, fibrinogen, antithrombin, and fibrinogen degradation products) were assessed in a subset of horses. Mean values (SD) for TEG parameters in healthy horses were: reaction time (R)=17.0 minutes (3.0 min), K time (K)=5.8 minutes (2.3 min), clotting rate (Ang)=42° (14°), maximum clot strength (maximum amplitude [MA])=60.3 mm (5.7 mm), CL30=97.0% (2.0%), LY30=0.8% (0.6%), CL60=92% (5.9%), LY60=3.2% (2.5%). Mean values (SD) for TF-TEG parameters were: R-TF=6.6 minutes (1.4 min), K-TF=3.1 minutes (1.0 min), Ang-TF=50.9° (9°), MA-TF=62.3 mm (5.1 mm), CL30-TF=97.8% (1.6%), LY30-TF=0.6% (0.5%), CL60-TF=90.8% (4.2%), and LY60-TF=3.6% (1.9%). The addition of TF decreased R and K and increased Ang. TF-TEG had a narrower SD for R, K, Ang, CL60 and LY60 compared with TEG. Interoperator differences were reduced by the addition of TF. Regression analysis indicated a positive relationship between MA and fibrinogen concentrations (P=0.02) and R-TF time and prothrombin time (P=0.03). Conclusion – TF-TEG using the described protocol may minimize variability in data obtained across institutions or users. However, due to the variability associated with different operators, it is recommended that each laboratory set up individual reference intervals with the personnel who will perform the assay, and that the assay protocols and data obtained are compared on a regular basis.
A phase II study of bevacizumab, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel in locally advanced and metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers

Background: Bevacizumab has demonstrated antitumor activity in multiple diseases. This phase II study was undertaken to determine the effects of adding bevacizumab to a regimen of docetaxel and oxaliplatin in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction. Patients and methods: Previously untreated patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease and a performance status (PS) of 0–1 were eligible for this study. Patients received bevacizumab at 7.5 mg/kg, docetaxel at 70 mg/m2, and oxaliplatin at 75 mg/m2 administered on day 1 of a 21-day cycle. The primary end point of the study was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: A total of 38 eligible patients (median age 57 years, 45% gastric, 55% PS 0) were enrolled on to the study. Median PFS was 6.6 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.4–10.5] and median survival 11.1 months (95% CI 8.2–15.3). Complete responses were documented in 2 (5%) patients, partial responses in 14 (37%), and stable disease in 14 (37%). No treatment-related deaths were observed. The most commonly reported grade 3–4 toxicity was neutropenia (34%), and gastrointestinal perforation occurred in three patients (8%). Conclusion: The combination of bevacizumab, docetaxel, and oxaliplatin has promising activity for further evaluation in randomized trials.
An optimum hyperpower iterative method for computing generalized inverses and associated projections

In an earlier paper (Gupta 1971), an iterative hyperpower method of any finite- order for computing generalized inverse A + and the associated projections AA + and A + A for any complex matrix A was developed. In this paper, hyperpower methods of different orders are compared and it is shown that there exists an optimum hyperpower method of order three.
Mode Truncation Effects in an Explicit Mode Elastic Characterization Method

The second author and colleagues developed an elastic identification method based on model data obtained experimentally from free transverse vibration of impacted freely supported plates. Application of the method to thin, square isotropic metal and composite plates is described in this paper. For these modes, some additively and subtractively coupled modes arising from diagonal symmetry of geometry and boundary conditions (thus termed diagonal modes) are important. The focus of this paper is on how the number of modes used to represent the vibration affects accuracy. One-, three-, and six-term optimized Rayleigh displacement expressions are used for plate vibration, including the diagonal modes. Sensitivity analysis of the frequencies to each elastic constant is included. Results show that the optimal three-term approximation gives results comparable to the normal 36-term Rayleigh expansion, while the optimal six-term compares favorably with the 64-term Rayleigh expansion.
Finding and exploiting goal opportunities in real-time during plan execution

Autonomous robots that operate in real-world domains face multiple challenges that make planning and goal selection difficult. Not only must planning and execution occur in real time, newly acquired knowledge can invalidate previous plans, and goals and their utilities can change during plan execution. However, these events can also provide opportunities, if the architecture is designed to react appropriately. We present here an architecture that integrates the SapaReplan planner with the DIARC robot architecture, allowing the architecture to react dynamically to changes in the robot's goal structures.
Clinical strategies to enhance nerve regeneration

The slow rate of nerve regeneration after injury or reconstruction remains a clinical problem because it prohibits the timely reinnervation of distant target muscles before the irreversible degeneration of the neuromuscular junction and breakdown of muscle tissue. As such, high (proximal) nerve injuries result in the incomplete recovery of motor function and poor functional outcomes despite current and timely surgical management. Experimentally, several strategies have been shown to enhance nerve regeneration and improve functional recovery in animal models but translation to clinical practice has not been realized. Two potential treatments, tacrolimus (immunosuppressant) and electrical stimulation are commonly used for other reconstructive indications and as such, are both readily available clinically. There is some evidence, which will be reviewed in subsequent sections, that these approaches may also be useful in enhancing neuronal regeneration.
Generation of Lohmann images from binary-phase Talbot array illuminators

A systematic analysis has been performed that predicts the existence of 36 cases in which 100% modulated, square-wave irradiance distributions can be generated in the Fresnel regime by simple binary-phase gratings. These types of distributions, referred to here as Lohmann images, have been previously predicted by researchers studying phase gratings known as Talbot array illuminators. Twenty of the cases are reported, to the best of my knowledge, for the first time. Sixteen of these new cases result in Lohmann images with twice the spatial frequency of the original grating. Experimental verifications of the theoretical predictions are presented.
Comparing effects of nutrients on algal biomass in streams in two regions with different disturbance regimes and with applications for developing nutrient criteria

Responses of stream algal biomass to nutrient enrichment were studied in two regions where differences in hydrologic variability cause great differences in herbivory. Around northwestern Kentucky (KY) hydrologic variability constrains invertebrate biomass and their effects on algae, but hydrologic stability in Michigan (MI) streams permits accrual of high herbivore densities and herbivory of benthic algae. Multiple indicators of algal biomass and nutrient availability were measured in 104 streams with repeated sampling at each site over a 2)month period. Many measures of algal biomass and nutrient availability were positively correlated in both regions, however the amount of variation explained varied with measures of biomass and nutrient concentration and with region. Indicators of diatom biomass were higher in KY than MI, but were not related to nutrient concentrations in either region. Chl a and % area of substratum covered by Cladophora were positively correlated to nutrient concentrations in both regions. Cladophora responded significantly more to nutrients in MI than KY. Total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) explained similar amounts of variation in algal biomass, and not significantly more variation in biomass than dissolved nutrient concentrations. Low N:P ratios in the benthic algae indicated N as well as P may be limiting their accrual. Most observed responses in benthic algal biomass occurred in nutrient concentrations between 10 and 30 μg TP 1−1 and between 400 and 1000 μg TN 1−1.
Three Interventions That Reduce Childhood Obesity Are Projected To Save More Than They Cost To Implement

Policy makers seeking to reduce childhood obesity must prioritize investment in treatment and primary prevention. We estimated the cost-effectiveness of seven interventions high on the obesity policy agenda: a sugar-sweetened beverage excise tax; elimination of the tax subsidy for advertising unhealthy food to children; restaurant menu calorie labeling; nutrition standards for school meals; nutrition standards for all other food and beverages sold in schools; improved early care and education; and increased access to adolescent bariatric surgery. We used systematic reviews and a microsimulation model of national implementation of the interventions over the period 2015-25 to estimate their impact on obesity prevalence and their cost-effectiveness for reducing the body mass index of individuals. In our model, three of the seven interventions--excise tax, elimination of the tax deduction, and nutrition standards for food and beverages sold in schools outside of meals--saved more in health care costs than they cost to implement. Each of the three interventions prevented 129,000-576,000 cases of childhood obesity in 2025. Adolescent bariatric surgery had a negligible impact on obesity prevalence. Our results highlight the importance of primary prevention for policy makers aiming to reduce childhood obesity.
Witchcraft and selfcraft

Aux confins de la philosophie et de l'anthropologie, l'A. effectue un parallele entre la sorcellerie chez les Azande d'Afrique centrale et les mecanismes regissant la reflexion moderne dans le cadre d'une experience pseudo-psychotherapeutique menee par P. Mac Hugh. L'A. s'interroge sur le type de rationalite (et d'irrationalite) en jeu dans les deux cas, et, en effectuant une analyse de la logique et des explications naturalistes et morales qui sont invoquees au cours de ces pratiques, il conclut a une difference de traitement de l'alterite entre les deux
Using patient‐centered interviewing skills to manage complex patient encounters in primary care

Purpose: To describe effective and efficient patient-centered interviewing strategies to enhance the management of complex primary care patient encounters. Data sources: Research literature and applied case study analysis. Conclusions: Patient-centered interviewing can enhance effectiveness of care in complex patient encounters. A relatively small investment of time and energy has positive yields in regard to improvements in longer term physiological status, treatment adherence, quality of life, patient–provider working relationship, and patient and nurse practitioner satisfaction. Implications for practice: Use of patient-centered interviewing strategies can enhance effectiveness of patient care processes and outcomes while retaining efficiency of patient management.
Nursing Care of the Biostator Patient

The majority of patients placed on the Biostator are either brittle Type I diabetics, pregnant diabetics, or pre- pump patients. Nursing care is coupled with an interdisci plinary team approach in order to assist the patient to bal ance nutrition, exercise, and insulin requirements. Biosta tor patients are involved in an extensive diabetes education program that includes individual instruction as well as group activities. This article provides information on how diabetes patient education can be enhanced through knowledge gained from the Biostator run. Nursing care is comprehensive and complex. Although the Biostator is supervised by an endocrinologist, various procedures are performed by specially trained nurses such as set-up of the instrument, connecting the patient to the Biostator, calibrat ing the instrument, and programming the computer. The responsibilities of the monitor nurses, including drift checks, documentation, and trouble-shooting, are described in de tail. Since exercise and diet are majo...
Mathematical models of latent image formation

The film in a camera is made up of several emulsion layers separated by gelatin; each emulsion layer is a suspension of silver halide micro crystals and oil droplets in a gelatin solution. The micro crystals contain silver ions Ag + and some halides, i.e., binary compounds of halogen (fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine) and electropositive elements. When the film is exposed (by taking a picture), photons stream through the shutter and some are absorbed by the crystals producing positive ions and (negatively charged) electrons.
Modeling Caribbean tree heights and crown widths

Abstract. Regression models to predict total tree height and maximum crown radius as a function of diameter at breast height were developed for Caribbean trees using data collected by the U.S. Forest Service in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nonlinear models predicting height fit the data well with an overall pseudo-R2 = 0.9220, as did models of height to diameter by Holdridge life zone and by the most frequently encountered species. The linear model predicting maximum crown radius for all trees combined fit the data poorly (R2 = 0.3478). Crown model fits showed only moderate improvements when the data were modeled by species, crown class, and inventory measurement protocol, highlighting the variability of Caribbean forest tree crowns within and between species. Height models presented here will be useful for applications such as growth and yield simulation, forest health monitoring, and wildlife habitat modeling, but the crown radius prediction models only shoul...
Consumer Law Revolution: The Lawyer's Guide to Working with Online Marketing Tools

There is a revolution occurring in the delivery of legal services in the United States. Consumers in need of personal and business legal services are turning to the Internet to seek legal assistance. This should not come as a surprise. The public is going online for almost every other consumer need in their personal and professional lives. Instead of marketing legal services to the public, lawyers need to understand how to create a better marketplace for legal services. Companies focused on the legal industry have identified this enormous unmet market need and are making strides to brand their reputations online as affordable and accessible solutions. These companies are developing technology platforms to deliver services directly to the public. They are also inviting lawyers to team up with them to deliver legal services online. The purpose of this ebook is to introduce the different and evolving models of branded legal services networks and to review the different forms of online marketing tools they provide. Included in the full book is a background on online lawyer advertising with a discussion about the underlying assumptions behind our existing restrictions on methods of advertising legal services. The full book also goes into the many ethical issues that may arise from the use of online marketing tools without the lawyer’s attention to best practices.This ebook will serve as a practical how-to manual with best practices for lawyers wishing to collaborate with branded networks to market their practice, deliver legal services to clients online, and for overall lawyer brand building and client development. Click on the image to download the free ebook.
The Marketing Concept and the Aerospace Business

This article has two purposes.The first is to put the marketing concept into a sociological context, and thus to show that the concept is essential to a theory of the firm.The second purpose is to ...
P19 Is the requirement for long term antihypertensive therapy after primary coarctation repair related to age at surgery

Introduction Systemic hypertension manifesting after surgical coarctation repair is a known long term sequela and affects about two thirds of subjects. Previous studies suggest the risk of developing hypertension is reduced if the coarctation repair is performed at a younger age with the optimal time for repair between the first year of life up to 9 years of age. Objective Using our experience of patients operated on since the opening of the new Evelina London Children’s Hospital in 2005, we sought to further clarify the optimal age at which coarctation repair is most effective in reducing the risk of systemic hypertension. Risk of developing re-coarctation related to the age of primary surgical repair was also examined. Methods Retrospective analysis of patients with coarctation undergoing primary surgical repair from October 2005 to October 2014, identified from the institutional database (Heartsuite, Systeria, Glasgow, UK). Included patients were all Results Eighty seven patients were included: 58 neonates ( 2 9.83, P = 0.0073). The relative risk of requiring long term anti-hypertension medication if repaired during the neonatal period versus during infancy was 0.26 (95% CI 0.078 to 0.88, P = 00.03), 0.65 (95% CI 0.23 to 1.92, P = 00.44) for repair during infancy versus over 1 year of age, and 0.17 (95% CI 0.051 to 0.58, P = 00.0045) for repair during the neonatal period versus being over 1 year of age. There was no significant difference in the proportion of those developing re-coarctation depending on the age they were first operated, though the prevalence was lowest in the infant age group, 5.3%, versus 22.4% in the neonatal group and 20% in those over 1 year of age. Conclusion We have demonstrated that the risk of being on long term anti-hypertensive medication if operated on during neonatal period was 74% less compared to being operated on during infancy and 83% less if operated in the neonatal period compared to surgery after the first year of life. Therefore primary surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta to reduce the future risk of hypertension is optimal in the neonatal period. We were unable to demonstrate a significant difference in the prevalence of re-coarctation depending on age of first coarctation repair.
On the Nature of Social Skills

Historically, the relationship between an individual’s social com- petence and his or her successful functioning in society has been overlooked by our major educational and remedial institutions. Traditionally, “mental health” approaches to social functioning have had difficulties in defining interpersonal behavior problems in ways which were conducive to effective assessment and remediation. The social-learning model as a practical and useful framework for understanding and changing social behavior is described. Some working conceptualizations of social skill are proposed, with an eye toward establishing a framework for assessing their functional utility in different situations. General training considerations stemming from the social-learning model are described, with an overview of the following areas: assessment of interpersonal problems; establishing the objectives of training; the process of training; maintenance and transfer of improvements following training; and evaluation of results.
Later Life Marital Dissolution and Repartnership Status: A National Portrait

Objectives Our study compares two types of later life marital dissolution that occur after age 50-divorce and widowhood-and their associations with repartnership status (i.e., remarried, cohabiting, or unpartnered). Method We used data from the Health and Retirement Study to provide a portrait of later life divorce and widowhood for women and men. Next, we tested whether marital dissolution type is related to women's and men's repartnered status, distinguishing among remarrieds, cohabitors, and unpartnereds, net of key sociodemographic indicators. Results Divorcees are more often repartnered through either remarriage or cohabitation than are widoweds. This gap persists among women net of an array of sociodemographic factors. For men, the differential is reduced to nonsignificance with the inclusion of these factors. Discussion Later life marital dissolution increasingly occurs through divorce rather than widowhood, and divorce is more often followed by repartnership. The results from this study suggest that gerontological research should not solely focus on widowhood but also should pay attention to divorce and repartnering during later life.
A Leu117 → Trp mutation within the RGD-peptide cross-linking region of β3 results in Glanzmann thrombasthenia by preventing αIIbβ3 export to the platelet surface

We report a case of Glanzmann thrombasthenia in a Pakistani child whose platelets express less than 10% of the normal amount of αIIbβ3 on their surface. Single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis of the exons of the patient's αIIb and β3 genes showed an abnormality in exon 4 of the β3 gene. Direct sequence analysis showed that the patient was homozygous for a T → G nucleotide substitution in this exon, resulting in the replacement of a highly conserved Leu at position 117 with Trp. Heterologous expression of αIIbβ3 containing the β3 mutation in COS-1 cells confirmed the pathogenicity of the Leu117 → Trp substitution and showed that it resulted in the intracellular retention of malfolded αIIbβ3 heterodimers. Additional site-directed mutagenesis at position 117 indicated that, although the smaller hydrophobic amino acid Val could be substituted for the wild-type Leu, the larger hydrophobic amino acids Trp and Phe or the charged amino acids Asp and Lys were not tolerated. These studies indicate that Leu117 in β3 plays a critical role in attaining the correct folded conformation of αIIbβ3. These studies also suggest that the hydrophobic side chain of Leu117 is likely folded into the interior of β3, where it serves to stabilize internal packing of the protein and determines its overall shape.
Bacterial attachment and biofilm formation on surfaces are reduced by small-diameter nanoscale pores: how small is small enough?

Prevention of biofilm formation by bacteria is of critical importance to areas that directly affect human health and life including medicine, dentistry, food processing and water treatment. This work showcases an effective and affordable solution for reducing attachment and biofilm formation by several pathogenic bacteria commonly associated with foodborne illnesses and medical infections. Our approach exploits anodisation to create alumina surfaces with cylindrical nanopores with diameters ranging from 15 to 100 nm, perpendicular to the surface. The anodic surfaces were evaluated for attachment by Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Cell–surface interaction forces were calculated and related to attachment. We found that anodic alumina surfaces with pore diameters of 15 and 25 nm were able to effectively minimise bacterial attachment or biofilm formation by all the microorganisms tested. Using a predictive physicochemical approach on the basis of the extended Derjaguin and Landau, Verwey and Overbeek (XDLVO) theory, we attributed the observed effects largely to the repulsive forces, primarily electrostatic and acid–base forces, which were greatly enhanced by the large surface area originating from the high density, small-diameter pores. We also demonstrate how this predictive approach could be used to optimise different elements of surface topography, particularly pore diameter and density, for further enhancing the observed bacteria-repelling effects. We demonstrate that anodic nanoporous surfaces can effectively reduce bacterial attachment. These findings are expected to have immediate, far-reaching implications and commercial applications, primarily in health care and the food industry. Scientists in the USA have manufactured surfaces covered in tiny holes designed to repel the formation of bacterial biofilms. Carmen Moraru at Cornell University and Diana Borca-Tasciuc at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, together with co-workers from both institutes, fabricated alumina-based materials with surfaces peppered with densely packed nanoscale pores of varying sizes. The surfaces with 15-nm and 25-nm pores proved most effective in minimizing bacterial attachment and biofilm formation in trials with four pathogens, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The team also discovered that the tiny pores enhanced repulsive forces, such as electrostatic force, between the material and bacteria, further limiting biofilm formation. These findings provide valuable insight into the prevention of pathogenic biofilm formation on surfaces, and are expected to have important applications in the healthcare and food industries.
Biomechanics of Myocardial Ischemia and Infarction

Each year, over seven million people suffer a myocardial infarction (heart attack). For those who survive the initial event, the mechanical properties of the scar tissue that gradually replaces the damaged muscle are a critical determinant of many life-threatening sequelae, such as infarct rupture and the development of heart failure. Thus, understanding the mechanics of healing infarct scar, its interaction with the rest of the heart, and the resulting changes in heart function are critical to devising effective therapies. Computational models play an essential role in understanding these potentially complex interactions. The first section of this chapter reviews the structure and mechanical properties of the normal heart and the methods used to study those properties. The second section discusses the structure and mechanical properties of healing post-infarction scar. The remaining sections review landmark analytical and computational models that provided insight into the functional consequences of myocardial infarction and potential therapies. Finally, we briefly consider emerging models of wound healing in the infarct region and growth and remodeling in the surviving myocardium that are beginning to predict the long-term effects of infarction and post-infarction therapies. In the future, multi-scale models that capture such remodeling in addition to the beat-to-beat mechanics of the heart hold great promise for designing novel therapies, not only for myocardial infarction but also for a wide range of cardiac pathologies.
The Pendulum Revisited: Faddism in Education and Its Alternatives11Portions of this chapter are adapted from Slavin, 1989. This chapter was written under funding from the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education (No. OERI-R-117D-40005). However, any opinions expressed are the author's and do not represent OERI positions or policy.

Publisher Summary Educational innovation is famous for its cycle of enthusiasm, widespread dissemination, disappointment, and eventual decline, the classic ‘‘pendulum.’’ A similar pattern can be seen in most applied fields, but in many, there is steady generational progress, which is far more important than the latest fad. Generational progress does occur in education, but it is usually a product of changes in society rather than changes in educational techniques themselves. One major factor inhibiting systematic progress in education is lack of respect for research and development in the change process. One of the most important reasons for the existence of the educational pendulum is that in education, one rarely waits for or demands hard evidence before one adopts new practices on a wide scale. The recent quintessential boom-to-bust example of the pendulum of educational innovation is whole language, a philosophy of reading instruction that emphasizes reading of real literature, especially predictable texts in the early elementary grades, and de-emphasizes systematic instruction in phonics or word attack skills. If faddism is ever to end in education, decisions about adopting or maintaining programs must be made based on reliable, widely respected data.
Shallow Seismic Reflection Survey of the Bootheel Lineament Area, Southeastern Missouri

During 1990 we collected eight lines (11.5 km) of shallow seismic reflection data across the Bootheel lineament, a discontinuous feature that extends about 135 km in a north-northeast direction through northeastern Arkansas and southeastern Missouri. The profiles image reflectors at depths between about 55 m to 800 m. Gentle folding with wavelengths of about 800 m and amplitudes of 10 m to 25 m is evident on nearly every profile, generally coinciding with the surface traces of the lineament. We interpret our lines to show a complex zone of strike-slip deformation consisting of multiple flower structures, with deformation at least as young as the Eocene/Quaternary unconformity.
A Patient-Centered Emergency Department Management Strategy for Sickle-Cell Disease Super-Utilizers.

Introduction: A subpopulation of sickle-cell disease patients, termed super-utilizers, present frequently to emergency departments (EDs) for vaso-occlusive events and may consume disproportionate resources without broader health benefit. To address the health care needs of this vulnerable patient population, we piloted a multidisciplinary intervention seeking to create and use individualized patient care plans that to alter utilization through coordinated care. Our goals were to assess feasibility primarily, and to assess resource use secondarily. Methods: We evaluated the effects of a single-site interventional study targeted at a population of adult sickle-cell disease super-utilizers using a pre- and post-implementation design. The pre-intervention period was 06/01/13 to 12/31/13 (7 months) and the post-intervention period was 01/01/14 to 02/28/15 (14 months). Our approach included: patient-specific best practice advisories (BPA); an ED management protocol (figure 1); formation of a medical home for these patients. Results: For 10 subjects targeted initially we developed and implemented coordinated care plans; after deployment, we observed a tendency toward reduction in ED and inpatient utilization across all measured indices. Between the annualized pre- and post-implementation periods: ED visits decreased by 16.5 visits/pt-yr (95% CI, -1.32 to 34.2); ED length of state (LOS) decreased by 115.3 hours/pt-yr (95% CI, -82.9 to 313.5); in-patient admissions decreased by 4.20 admissions/pt-yr (95% CI, -1.73 to 10.1); in-patient LOS decreased by 35.8 hours/pt-yr (95% CI, -74.9 to 146.7); and visits where the patient left before treatment was reduced by an annualized total of 13.7 visits. We observed no patient mortality in our 10 subjects and no patient required admission to the ICU care 72 hours following discharge. Conclusion: This effort suggests that a targeted approach is both feasible and potentially effective, laying a foundation for broader study.
Quantification of Lipid Metabolism in Living Cells through the Dynamics of Lipid Droplets Measured by Stimulated Raman Scattering Imaging.

Dysregulation of lipid metabolism is associated with many diseases including cancer. Lipid droplet (LD), a ubiquitous organelle in mammalian cells, serves as a hub for lipid metabolism. Conventional assays on the measurement of lipid metabolism rely on the quantification of the lipid composition or amount. Such methods cannot distinguish LDs having different biofunctionalities in living cells, and thus could be inaccurate in measuring the instantaneous lipogenesis of the living cells. We applied label-free stimulated Raman scattering microscopy to quantify the LDs’ spatial-temporal dynamics, which showed direct links to cellular lipid metabolisms and can separate LDs involved in different metabolic events. In human cancer cells, we found that changes in the maximum displacement of LDs reflected variations in cellular lipogenic activity, and changes in the average speed of LDs revealed alterations in LD size. The LD dynamics analysis allowed for more accurate measurement in the lipogenesis and LD dimension...
An SIMD Algorithm for Wraparound Tandem Alignment

DNA tandem repeats (TRs), and in particular, variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) loci, can have functional effects on gene regulation and disease mechanisms and are useful for forensics studies. The need to quickly analyze high volumes of sequencing data for TRs and VNTRs has motivated the search for a more efficient sequence alignment algorithm for tandem repeats. Alignment of a pattern to a sequence, which may contain zero or more tandem copies of the pattern, can be accomplished using wraparound dynamic programming (WDP). This paper presents the use of Single Instruction, Multiple Data (SIMD) computer instructions as well as a parallel scan to accelerate WDP, extending earlier SIMD algorithms for global alignment. The SIMD data types and intrinsics store data in 128 bit computer words partitioned into 16 1-byte blocks. Operations are performed on the bytes separately and simultaneously. We allow either single values for match and mismatch, or a substitution scoring scheme that assigns a potentially different substitution weight to every pair of alphabet characters. Additionally, for indels, we allow either a simple linear gap penalty or an affine gap penalty. Benchmarking demonstrated that SIMD tandem alignment runs over 3 times faster than standard wraparound dynamic programming.