cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of rare earth elements in Powder River Basin sub-bituminous coal ash using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

Abstract We reported our preliminary results on the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to analyze the rare earth elements contained in ash samples from Powder River Basin sub-bituminous coal (PRB-coal). We have identified many elements in the lanthanide series (cerium, europium, holmium, lanthanum, lutetium, praseodymium, promethium, samarium, terbium, ytterbium) and some elements in the actinide series (actinium, thorium, uranium, plutonium, berkelium, californium) in the ash samples. In addition, various metals were also seen to present in the ash samples.
Creating Lasting Behavioral Change through the Generalization Analysis Worksheet.

The goal of any behavioral program is to facilitate lasting change. A significant criticism of behavioral programs is that they work in the clinical setting but do not generalize once the clinical program is stopped. The authors suggest that behavioral programs often do not generalize because clinicians fail to plan for generalization to occur (Maag, 2004). A technology for planning and facilitating generalization has been in existence since the 1970’s (Stokes and Baer, 1977, Stokes and Osnes, 1986 and Stokes and Osnes, 1989). The authors have created a form to prompt clinicians and researchers to systematically plan for generalization as part of their behavioral programming. A case study is given to demonstrate how the form can be used to increase the probability of behavioral changes transferring to other settings and maintaining over time. The Generalization Analysis Worksheet is designed to assure that clinicians and researchers program for generalization as part of any behavioral program they design. If the technology suggested by Stokes and Baer, 1977, Stokes and Osnes, 1986 and Stokes and Osnes, 1989 is routinely programmed into behavioral programs, behaviorists may finally be able to answer the criticism that behavioral programs do not generalize.
Using Small-Area Analysis to Estimate County-Level Racial Disparities in Obesity Demonstrating the Necessity of Targeted Interventions

Data on the national and state levels is often used to inform policy decisions and strategies designed to reduce racial disparities in obesity. Obesity-related health outcomes are realized on the individual level, and policies based on state and national-level data may be inappropriate due to the variations in health outcomes within and between states. To examine county-level variation of obesity within states, we use a small-area analysis technique to fill the void for county-level obesity data by race. Five years of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data are used to estimate the prevalence of obesity by county, both overall and race-stratified. A modified weighting system is used based on demographics at the county level using 2010 census data. We fit a multilevel reweighted regression model to obtain county-level prevalence estimates by race. We compare the distribution of prevalence estimates of non-Hispanic Blacks to non-Hispanic Whites. For 25 of the 26 states included in our analysis there is a statistically significant difference between within-state county-level average obesity prevalence rates for non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Blacks. This study provides information needed to target disparities interventions and resources to the local areas with greatest need; it also identifies the necessity of doing so.
Mass Spectrometry Reveals Specific and Global Molecular Transformations during Viral Infection

Mass spectrometry analysis was used to target three different aspects of the viral infection process: the expression kinetics of viral proteins, changes in the expression levels of cellular proteins, and the changes in cellular metabolites in response to viral infection. The combination of these methods represents a new, more comprehensive approach to the study of viral infection revealing the complexity of these events within the infected cell. The proteins associated with measles virus (MV) infection of human HeLa cells were measured using a label-free approach. On the other hand, the regulation of cellular and Flock House Virus (FHV) proteins in response to FHV infection of Drosophila cells was monitored using stable isotope labeling. Three complementary techniques were used to monitor changes in viral protein expression in the cell and host protein expression. A total of 1500 host proteins was identified and quantified, of which over 200 proteins were either up- or down-regulated in response to viral infection, such as the up-regulation of the Drosophila apoptotic croquemort protein, and the down-regulation of proteins that inhibited cell death. These analyses also demonstrated the up-regulation of viral proteins functioning in replication, inhibition of RNA interference, viral assembly, and RNA encapsidation. Over 1000 unique metabolites were also observed with significant changes in over 30, such as the down-regulated cellular phospholipids possibly reflecting the initial events in cell death and viral release. Overall, the cellular transformation that occurs upon viral infection is a process involving hundreds of proteins and metabolites, many of which are structurally and functionally uncharacterized.
Technology life cycles in industrial markets

Abstract While it is generally recognized that the marketing of high-technology products differs significantly from the marketing of “traditional” products, the concept that marketing must evolve as products evolve through a technological life cycle (TLC) has not been fully developed. Industrial sales go through life cycles, and the cycle that best correlates to these sales is the TLC. The TLC differs from the product life cycle in many critical areas. The concept of the TLC is developed here and explored for timing and market opportunities.
Emergency ultrasound evaluation of symptomatic nontraumatic pleural effusions

Abstract Objective We hypothesized that thoracic ultrasound (ThorUS) performed by emergency physicians would be a rapid and effective management tool for the evaluation of nontraumatic pleural effusion (PleurEff). Methods This is a prospective observational study of symptomatic adults presenting to an urban ED with suspicion of PleurEff. ThorUS was performed bilaterally in the upright position. Measurements included treating physician's procedural time requirements, pre- and posttest likelihood of PleurEff, and management changes. Results There were 59 patients who were entered into the study. Investigating physician's actual time to perform ThorUS was 2.19 minutes. After ThorUS, 48 (81%) patients had an increase and 11 (19%) had a reduction in likelihood of PleurEff with average absolute change in likelihood of PleurEff of 34% (P Conclusion ThorUS performed by emergency physicians is a rapid and effective management tool for the evaluation of nontraumatic PleurEff in symptomatic ED patients.
Large-scale flow effects, energy transfer, and self-similarity on turbulence.

The effect of large scales on the statistics and dynamics of turbulent fluctuations is studied using data from high resolution direct numerical simulations. Three different kinds of forcing, and spatial resolutions ranging from ${256}^{3}$ to ${1024}^{3}$, are being used. The study is carried out by investigating the nonlinear triadic interactions in Fourier space, transfer functions, structure functions, and probability density functions. Our results show that the large scale flow plays an important role in the development and the statistical properties of the small scale turbulence. The role of helicity is also investigated. We discuss the link between these findings and intermittency, deviations from universality, and possible origins of the bottleneck effect. Finally, we briefly describe the consequences of our results for the subgrid modeling of turbulent flows.
Parents peers and the acquisition of an STD. Developmental changes in girls.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between age and number of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) episodes in sexually active girls with their perceptions of the interpersonal implications of STD acquisition. Methods: The sample consisted of 248 girls (mean age=16.9 years); 74% had an STD history. Adolescents responded to statements using a five-point Likert scale regarding their interpersonal expectations, and rated the perceived prevalence of STD among their friends and among all adolescents. Results: The results of logistic regression analyses indicated that older girls were less likely to tell their parents but did not perceive parental support differently than younger girls. Older girls were more likely to tell their partners and to be more embarrassed by the acquisition. Those with a greater number of STD episodes perceived the acquisition as a less negative event. Girls with a greater number of STD episodes perceived the prevalence of STD to be significantly greater among their friends and among all adolescents than those girls with fewer episodes. Overall, the perceived prevalence among friends (40%) was significantly lower than the perceived prevalence among teens in general (74%). Conclusions: Future research and practice in aiding adolescent girls to manage STD acquisition must incorporate developmental theory, and, when appropriate, methods to involve families while preserving privacy.
Controversial Mascots: Authority and Racial Hegemony in the Maintenance of Deviant Symbols

Abstract Mascots are designed to represent athletic teams to fans while allowing violence and aggression to play out symbolically. Although mascots rarely evoke anger because of perceived offensiveness, teams that utilize Native American symbolism (NAS) are embracing a contested practice in the United States. Using the Cleveland Indians and their mascot, “Chief Wahoo,” I consider NAS as a negotiation between those who want to preserve NAS, retention advocates (RAs), and challengers who wish to remove such mascots. I analyze letters to the editor and editorials in newspapers over a fifteen-year period (n = 397) concerning the argument that Cleveland should change the name of its team, change the use of Chief Wahoo, or both. Guided by conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and literature on racial hegemony, I find that pro—Chief Wahoo arguments are grounded in the importance of consistency in sports symbols and a series of public accounts that minimize harm and challenge NAS challengers, ideas that assum...
CO/CO2 Potentiometric Titrations of Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenase from Clostridium thermoaceticum and the Effect of CO2†

Acetogenic carbon monoxide dehydrogenases catalyze the reversible oxidation of CO to CO2 and the synthesis of acetyl-coenzyme A, utilizing two novel Ni-Fe-S active sites (the C- and A-clusters, respectively) and an [Fe4S4]2+/1+ cluster (the B-cluster) that serves to transfer electrons. Enzyme samples were titrated under equilibrium conditions using various partial pressures of CO in Ar and CO2 atmospheres. EPR signal intensities from each cluster were analyzed as a function of potential using the Nernst equation. The presence of CO2 raised the reduction potentials of the A-, B-, and C-clusters, and it appeared to increase the strength of CO (substrate for acetyl-CoA synthesis) binding to the reduced A-cluster. Carbon dioxide also appeared to stabilize an intermediate EPR-silent state of the C-cluster and alter the saturation/relaxation properties of the reduced B-cluster. Simulations assuming n values (number of e- involved in reduction) larger than appropriate for the individual reactions generally fit b...
Robust mixing for ab initio quantum mechanical calculations

We study the general problem of mixing for ab initio quantum mechanical problems. Guided by general mathematical principles and the underlying physics, we propose a multisecant form of Broyden’s second method for solving the self-consistent field equations of Kohn-Sham density-functional theory. The algorithm is robust, requires relatively little fine tuning, and appears to outperform the current state of the art, converging for cases that defeat many other methods. We compare our technique to the conventional methods for problems ranging from simple to nearly pathological.
Security Sector Planning in Africa: Military Force as a Public Good

The security sector in Africa has often been a threat to citizens instead of being a benefit. Military leaders, feared by politicians for their ability to seize power by force, are often reluctant to be open about problems within the military. The lack of dialogue between politicians, citizens and soldiers has made it difficult for the real problems to be identified or addressed. States need to take stock of their security sector assets, decide how they are to be used and then agree on a clear vision for the future of the military forces within the context of the broader national interest. A defence review, the restructuring of personnel, and a transparent budgeting process can all help to achieve a more motivated and better-equipped force. A properly planned transition from the old system to the new will ensure that only manageable steps are attempted and long-term goals are not sacrificed because of short-term crises.
Suitability of the pulse adjustment technique to control single DC/DC choppers feeding vehicular constant power loads in parallel with conventional loads

The increasing use of power electronic and motor drives in land vehicles, marine vessels and aircraft, for lots of applications such as propulsion, braking, steering, and actuation is creating particular problems when the power distribution system is in the form of multi-converter dc electrical systems. This is because of many power electronic loads and associated controllers which have a 'constant power' characteristic resulting in negative incremental input impedance. The effect of such loads in a dc system is to cause instability. The purpose of this paper is first to identify the most appropriate theoretical techniques for analysis of this nonlinear instability, and then to devise a novel technique for damping the instabilities and ensuring stable operation of system. We call this new control technique, Pulse Adjustment. In spite of its simplicity it offers a very fast and smooth response. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the proposed technique.
Prior-shape based segmentation of various objects in ultrasound images after speckle-reduction using level-set based curvature evolution

Medical ultrasound images are noisy with speckle, acoustic noise and other artifacts. Reduction of speckle in particular is useful for CAD algorithms. We use two algorithms, namely, mean curvature evolution of the ultrasound image surface and a variation of the mean-curvature flow, to reduce speckle. The premise is that when we view the ultrasound image as a surface, the speckle appears as a high-curvature jagged layer over the true objects intensities and will reduce quickly on curvature evolution. We compare the two speckle reduction algorithms. We apply the speckle reduction to an image of a cyst and a 4-chamber view of the heart. We show significant, if not complete, speckle reduction, while keeping the relevant organ boundaries intact. On the speckle-reduced images, we apply a segmentation algorithm to detect objects. The segmentation algorithm is two-stepped. In the first step we choose a prior-shape and optimize the pose parameters to maximize the edge-pixels the curve falls into, using gradient ascent. In the second step, a radial motion is used to draw the contour points to the local-edges. We apply the algorithm on a cyst and obtain satisfactory results. We compare the total area inside the boundary output of our segmentation algorithm and to the total area covered by a hand-drawn boundary of the cyst, and the ratio is about 97%.
A broadband 800 GHz Schottky balanced doubler

A broadband planar Schottky balanced doubler at 800 GHz has been designed and built. The design utilizes two Schottky diodes in a balanced configuration on a 12 /spl mu/m thick gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate as a supporting frame. This broadband doubler (designed for 735 GHz to 850 GHz) uses a split waveguide block and has a relatively simple, fast, and robust assembly procedure. The doubler achieved /spl ap/10% efficiency at 765 GHz, giving 1.1 mW of peak output power when pumped with about 9 mW of input power at room temperature.
Fundamental Considerations Regarding the Use of Relative Magnitudes

In order to facilitate the use of relative magnitudes, the convenience of which for certain purposes has been demonstrated by the decibel, an examination is made of the fundamental relations applying to such quantities. Relative magnitudes are defined as quantities changes in which are expressed as ratios, which combine by multiplication, as distinguished from absolute magnitudes changes in which are expressed as differences, which combine by addition. It is shown that there are two number systems, conforming concurrently to the decimal system, by which relative magnitudes may be evaluated, and that the quantity 100.1 is the basic elementary number by which these two systems are related. The role of this number in computations with relative magnitudes is, in some respects, analogous to the role of the unit in computations with absolute magnitudes. It is suggested that the word "logit" is an appropriate designation for this quantity. Methods of employing this quantity, and the advantages of so doing, are discussed briefly.
Influence of storage, heat treatment, and solids composition on the bleaching of whey with hydrogen peroxide.

: The residual annatto colorant in liquid whey is bleached to provide a desired neutral color in dried whey ingredients. This study evaluated the influence of starter culture, whey solids and composition, and spray drying on bleaching efficacy. Cheddar cheese whey with annatto was manufactured with starter culture or by addition of lactic acid and rennet. Pasteurized fat-separated whey was ultrafiltered (retentate) and spray dried to 34% whey protein concentrate (WPC34). Aliquots were bleached at 60 °C for 1 h (hydrogen peroxide, 250 ppm), before pasteurization, after pasteurization, after storage at 3 °C and after freezing at −20 °C. Aliquots of retentate were bleached analogously immediately and after storage at 3 or −20 °C. Freshly spray dried WPC34 was rehydrated to 9% (w/w) solids and bleached. In a final experiment, pasteurized fat-separated whey was ultrafiltered and spray dried to WPC34 and WPC80. The WPC34 and WPC80 retentates were diluted to 7 or 9% solids (w/w) and bleached at 50 °C for 1 h. Freshly spray-dried WPC34 and WPC80 were rehydrated to 9 or 12% solids and bleached. Bleaching efficacy was measured by extraction and quantification of norbixin. Each experiment was replicated 3 times. Starter culture, fat separation, or pasteurization did not impact bleaching efficacy (P > 0.05) while cold or frozen storage decreased bleaching efficacy (P < 0.05). Bleaching efficacy of 80% (w/w) protein liquid retentate was higher than liquid whey or 34% (w/w) protein liquid retentate (P < 0.05). Processing steps, particularly holding times and solids composition, influence bleaching efficacy of whey. Practical Application: Optimization of whey bleaching conditions is important to reduce the negative effects of bleaching on the flavor of dried whey ingredients. This study established that liquid storage and whey composition are critical processing points that influence bleaching efficacy.
Localized helium excitations in 4 He N -benzene clusters

We compute ground and excited state properties of small helium clusters ${}^{4}{\mathrm{He}}_{N}$ containing a single benzene impurity molecule. Ground-state structures and energies are obtained for $N=1, 2, 3, 14$ from an importance-sampled, rigid-body diffusion Monte Carlo method. Excited state energies due to helium vibrational motion near the molecule surface are evaluated using the projection operator, imaginary time spectral evolution method. We find excitation energies of up to $\ensuremath{\sim}23\mathrm{K}$ above the ground state. These states all possess vibrational character of helium atoms in a highly anisotropic potential due to the aromatic molecule, and can be categorized in terms of localized and collective vibrational modes. These results appear to provide precursors for a transition from localized to collective helium excitations at molecular nanosubstrates of increasing size. We discuss the implications of these results for analysis of anomalous spectral features in recent spectroscopic studies of large aromatic molecules in helium clusters.
Marital Therapy: Emerging Trends in Research and Practice

The marital therapy literature through August, 1972, was content-analyzed to examine trends in the research and clinical practice of marital therapists. Analyses of a 415-item Marital Therapy Bibliography revealed that: (a) The literature experienced the beginning of its major growth spurt after 1960, with about half of the marital therapy publications appearing since 1967; (b) Journals contributing the most to the development of marital therapy form a heterogeneous mixture of professional disciplines, with multidisciplinary journals demonstrating the greatest impact; (c) The nature of much of marital therapy research and practice is rapidly changing, with a growing interest in empirical and methodological issues. Implications of these emerging trends in research and practice are discussed in terms of the future of marital therapy.
Caveolin-1 Functions as a Novel Cdc42 Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor in Pancreatic β-Cells

The cycling of the small Rho family GTPase Cdc42 is required for insulin granule exocytosis, although the regulatory proteins involved in Cdc42 cycling in pancreatic beta-cells are unknown. Here we demonstrate that the caveolar protein caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is a Cdc42-binding protein in beta-cells. Cav-1 associated with Cdc42-VAMP2-bound granules present near the plasma membrane under basal conditions. However, stimulation with glucose induced the dissociation of Cav-1 from Cdc42-VAMP2 complexes, coordinate with the timing of Cdc42 activation. Analyses of the Cav-1 scaffolding domain revealed a motif conserved in guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs), which suggested a novel role for Cav-1 as a Cdc42 GDI in beta-cells. The novel role was further supported by: 1) in vitro binding analyses that demonstrated a direct interaction between Cav-1 and Cdc42; 2) GST-Cdc42 interaction assays showing preferential Cav-1 binding to GDP-Cdc42 over that of GTP-Cdc42; 3) Cav-1 depletion studies resulting in an inappropriate 40% induction of activated Cdc42 in the absence of stimuli and also a 40% increase in basal insulin release from both MIN6 cells and islets. Expression of wild-type Cav-1 in Cav-1-depleted cells restored basal level secretion to normal, whereas expression of a scaffolding domain mutant of Cav-1 failed to normalize secretion. Taken together, these data suggest that Cav-1 functions as a Cdc42 GDI in beta-cells, maintaining Cdc42 in an inactive state and regulating basal secretion in the absence of stimuli. Through its interaction with the Cdc42-VAMP2-bound insulin granule complex, Cav-1 may contribute to the specific targeting of granules to "active sites" of exocytosis organized by caveolae.
Procedure-Based Nonsurgical Management of Lumbar Zygapophyseal Joint Cyst–Induced Radicular Pain

Abstract Sabers SR, Ross SR, Grogg BE, Lauder TD. Procedure-based nonsurgical management of lumbar zygapophyseal joint cyst–induced radicular pain. Objective To evaluate the success of fluoroscopically guided, contrast-enhanced lumbar zygapophyseal joint (Z-joint) aspiration and steroid injection combined with transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) for the treatment of lumbar Z-joint cyst–induced radicular pain. Design Retrospective case series with independent follow-up. Setting Institutional, referral center. Participants Twenty-three patients referred to a single provider for procedure-based management of radicular pain believed secondary to lumbar Z-joint cyst. Inclusion criteria consisted of lumbar radicular pain that was consistent with the level and side of the Z-joint cyst as a causative lesion. Interventions Eighteen patients were treated with a fluoroscopically guided, contrast-enhanced Z-joint aspiration and steroid injection at the level of the causative cyst coupled with a fluoroscopically guided, contrast-enhanced TFESI over the level of the presumably irritated spinal nerve. Main Outcome Measures Patient satisfaction, and whether or not surgery was performed. Results Fifty percent of patients treated with the procedure had significant long-term benefit and avoided surgical intervention at an average follow-up of 9.9 months. Conclusions Fluoroscopically guided, contrast-enhanced spinal procedures as part of an aggressive nonsurgical treatment program are a safe and effective alternative to surgical intervention for lumbar Z-joint cyst–induced radicular pain.
RNA expression of the WT1 gene in Wilms' tumors in relation to histology

Background On the basis of accumulating data, the recently isolated WT1 gene is a Wilms' tumor gene and a putative tumor suppressor gene. These findings include expression in developing fetal kidney, intragenic deletions in tumors, and germline mutations in predisposed individuals. Wilms' tumors, which exhibit a broad range of differentiation, are composed of three cell types: blastema, epithelium, and stroma. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between WT1 gene expression and histologic composition in Wilms' tumors in an effort to elucidate how the WT1 gene functions in proliferation of these histologic components. Methods We used Northern blot hybridization to study WT1 gene expression by messenger RNA (mRNA) accumulation in 20 tumors of varying histology and in adjacent uninvolved kidney tissue. In two patients, tumors were also compared before and after therapy. Results Tumors that were predominantly blastemal expressed high amounts of WT1 mRNA, whereas predominantly stromal tumors expressed either low or undetectable amounts. Blastemal tumors that were predominantly poorly differentiated expressed WT1 mRNA at higher levels than those that were more well differentiated. Although we expected that a putative tumor suppressor gene like WT1 would generally be expressed at lower levels in tumor than in normal kidney, this was true only in predominantly stromal cells. One of the two patients studied before and after therapy had a dramatic response to therapy accompanied by a decline in WT1 gene expression and disappearance of blastemal and epithelial elements. Conclusions A correlation was observed between WT1 gene expression and histology of the tumors. Level of expression was inversely related to the degree of differentiation in blastemal tumors and in the patient with a dramatic response to therapy. These results, in conjunction with the observation that WT1 mRNA is abundant in normal fetal kidney, suggest that WT1 gene expression is related to kidney development, especially in differentiation of blastemal components. Implications Further studies to search for alterations of the WT1 gene in tumors and to identify regulatory factors in gene expression will increase understanding of the role of this gene in normal development and tumorigenesis.
In vitro oxidation of α-tocopherol (vitamin E) in human platelets upon incubation with unsaturated fatty acids, diamide and superoxide

Abstract Incubation of human blood platelets in vitro in Tyrode solution with unsaturated fatty acids, diamide or superoxide (generated in situ) resulted in the oxidation of tocopherol in the platelets. Arachidonate concentrations of (3–5)·10−4 M caused a 50% decrease in platelet α-tocopherol. The addition of saturated fatty acids or platelet-active substances such as ADP, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, and some prostaglandins, or peroxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide and tert-butylhydroperoxide to the incubation medium did not cause any change in platelet tocopherol content. During incubations of platelets with arachidonate, malonaldehyde as well as α-tocopherolquinone were produced. The latter was also produced during incubations with diamide or superoxide. The oxidation of tocopherol induced by unsaturated fatty acids may be one factor responsible for the well-known increase in dietary vitamin E requirements induced by polyunsaturated fatty acids. The oxidative consumption of tocopherol in the membranes could be expected to take place during localized release of oxidants such as superoxide and polyunsaturated fatty acids during normal biological function (e.g., phagocytosis) or pathological processes (e.g., ischemia). Tocopherol utilization is kept low probably by the regeneration of the compound by vitamin C and/or the preferential utilization of the other biological antioxidants.
Uncertainty in air quality model evaluation for particulate matter due to spatial variations in pollutant concentrations

Abstract Air quality model performance is usually evaluated by examining the relative agreement between volume-averaged simulations and point measurements, as volume-averaged measurements are seldom available. Because the two values have different spatial scales, accurate model evaluation is complicated by this mismatch in areas when the pollutant gradient is large. Uncertainty in the air quality model evaluation from the spatial variability of PM2.5 is quantitatively examined, and how much of model error might be explained by such variability is calculated. Added uncertainty of model performance is analyzed by comparing performance metrics between simulated concentrations and observations at one station between simulated levels and interpolated fields from observations. Normalized differences of the performance metrics (e.g., mean fractional error, MFE) calculated in these two ways indicate the uncertainty of the model performance due to spatial variation. Normalized difference of MFE for PM2.5 mass is approximately 17% in July 2001 and 15% in January 2002. To decrease the uncertainty, it has been suggested that observations be used only from spatially representative stations. When model performance is calculated with data from spatially representative stations, uncertainty decreased, and overall model performance improves. For example, MFE is seen to decrease up to 14% for PM2.5 mass and species concentrations, suggesting that up to 14% of MFE can be explained by the spatial variability of PM2.5. These results indicate that comparison between observed and simulated concentrations should not be used alone to assess performance of air quality models. Also, spatial variability should be considered in setting model performance goals.
Two-electron excitations in atomic calcium. I.

The pattern of electron correlations is examined for odd-parity L=1 states of calcium over a wide range of energies from far below the 4s threshold up to the 4p threshold of ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{+}$. By combining quantum-defect theory with a small-scale eigenchannel R-matrix calculation, good agreement with the observed photoabsorption spectrum is obtained. The two-electron probability densities and channel-interaction parameters are analyzed as functions of the total energy. A novel interference between direct (4s\ensuremath{\varepsilon}p-3d\ensuremath{\varepsilon}p) and indirect (4s\ensuremath{\varepsilon}p-4p\ensuremath{\varepsilon}s-3d\ensuremath{\varepsilon}p) channel-interaction amplitudes greatly reduces the width of the 3d6p autoionizing resonance compared to adjacent series members.
Injury-induced spinal motor neuron apoptosis is preceded by DNA single-strand breaks and is p53- and Bax-dependent

The mechanisms of injury-induced apoptosis of neurons within the spinal cord are not understood. We used a model of peripheral nerve-spinal cord injury in the rat and mouse to induce motor neuron degeneration. In this animal model, unilateral avulsion of the sciatic nerve causes apoptosis of motor neurons. We tested the hypothesis that p53 and Bax regulate this neuronal apoptosis, and that DNA damage is an early upstream signal. Adult mice and rats received unilateral avulsions causing lumbar motor neurons to achieve endstage apoptosis at 7-14 days postlesion. This motor neuron apoptosis is blocked in bax(-/-) and p53(-/-) mice. Single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay), immunocytochemistry, and quantitative immunogold electron microscopy were used to measure molecular changes in motor neurons during the progression of apoptosis. Injured motor neurons accumulate single-strand breaks in DNA by 5 days. p53 accumulates in nuclei of motor neurons destined to undergo apoptosis. p53 is functionally activated by 4-5 days postlesion, as revealed by immunodetection of phosphorylated p53. Preapoptotically, Bax translocates to mitochondria, cytochrome c accumulates in the cytoplasm, and caspase-3 is activated. These results demonstrate that motor neuron apoptosis in the adult spinal cord is controlled by upstream mechanisms involving DNA damage and activation of p53 and downstream mechanisms involving upregulated Bax and cytochrome c and their translocation, accumulation of mitochondria, and activation of caspase-3. We conclude that adult motor neuron death after nerve avulsion is DNA damage-induced, p53- and Bax-dependent apoptosis.
Are “Parole Failures” Parolees When They Fail? Incorporating Supervision Terms and the Timing of Arrest Events into Parolee Recidivism Rates

Many studies have found that parolees experience high rates of recidivism after they are released to their communities. However, it is not clear whether these failures occur during the course of supervision or after the completion of the parole term. This study uses data from prison releases in a large Northeastern state from 2005 to 2007 (n = 28,869) and a three-year follow-up period to describe the timing of rearrest events as they relate to the term of active parole supervision. The findings indicate that about 63% of unconditional releases and 54% of parolees are rearrested within three years of their release. But approximately 55% of arrested parolees were rearrested after the completion of their supervision term. Parolees who were rearrested after parole completion differed significantly from those who were rearrested during the course of their supervision on several pertinent predictors of recidivism, including age, gender, ethnicity, instant offense type, and criminal history. Cox regression model...
Role of interleukin-1β during pain and inflammation

The cytokine cascade in pain and inflammatory processes is a tremendously complex system, involving glial, immune, and neuronal cell interactions. IL-1β is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has been implicated in pain, inflammation and autoimmune conditions. This review will focus on studies that shed light on the critical role of IL-1β in various pain states, including the role of the intracellular complex, the inflammasome, which regulates IL-1β production. Evidence will be presented demonstrating the importance of IL-1β in both the induction of pain and in the maintenance of pain in chronic states, such as after nerve injury. Additionally, the involvement of IL-1β as a key mediator in the interaction between glia and neurons in pain states will be discussed. Taken together, the evidence presented in the current review showing the importance of IL-1β in animal and human pain states, suggests that blockade of IL-1β be considered as a therapeutic opportunity.
Effects of intracarotid and intravertebral thiopental, amobarbital phenobarbital, chlorpromazine and diphenylhydantoin in consious intact cats

Abstract Single intracarotid and intravertebral injections and controlled intracarotid infusions of thiopental, amobarbital, phenobarbital, chlorpromazine, and diphenylhydantoin were given to conscious, intact cats in various doses, and the resulting neurological and behavioural effects measured and timed. Important differences in lateralized vs. generalized effects, latencies, and recovery times were observed between the various drugs and interpreted in the light of differences in relative permeability constant, cerebral extraction ratio, intracerebral migration rate, systemic persistence, binding fraction, and specific receptor site action. A carefully adjusted intracarotid infusion of thiopental produced a lateralized syndrome in the absence of a generalized syndrome for 40 min, and this was then terminated by a phenomenon resembling acute tolerance. None of the barbiturate injections or infusions produced any apparent harm at neurologically effective dose levels, but the lateralized syndrome following diphenylhydantoin appeared to be permanent, despite the absence of visible pathological changes.
Salutatory Association of Alcohol on Ventricular Function Is Limited to Nondiabetic Population

between January 1, 2000 and July 1, 2012. We used pharmacy claims to estimate a continuous measure of medication exposure, representing the proportion of prescribed dose taken. Multivariable Cox regression was used to test the association of time-updated metformin exposure with the risk of HF hospitalization. The model used propensity score to adjust for differences in the likelihood of receiving metformin. The factors included in the propensity score were age, sex, race, coronary artery disease, heart failure and renal failure. Patients receiving thiazoladiendiones were excluded. The primary outcome was time to HF hospitalization. The secondary endpoint was all-cause hospitalization. RESULTS: Over a median observation time of 663 days there were 1,278 HF hospitalizations and 1,905 all-cause hospitalizations. Only 3% of the overall cohort had pre-existing HF. The most commonly used classes of antidiabetic medications were biguanides, sulfonylureas, and insulin. Metformin was associated with 19% reduction in the risk of HF hospitalization (aHR50.81; CI 0.78, 0.84; p!0.001) for each 25% increase in use. Similarly, metformin use was associated with a 16% reduction in the risk of all-cause hospitalization (aHR50.84; 95%CI 0.81, 0.87; p!0.001). Conclusions: In this cohort, metformin use was associated with a reduced risk of HF events among diabetic patients with low baseline prevalence of HF. This suggests that metformin may prevent or delay HF development, but additional studies are needed to validate this association.
Deuterium labelling of a glycosphingolipid using an ultrasonicated nickel catalyst

Abstract Raney Nickel Catalyzed hydrogen—deuterium exchange in a cerebroside and a monosaccharide is conducted under very mild conditions using a mixed solvent system and ultrasonic irradiation. The mild conditions appear to enhance the site selectivity of the exchange.
Attention decrement, temporal variation, and the primacy effect in impression formation

Three experiments which tested the attention decrement explanation of the primacy effect in impression formation are reported. A memory-crowding interpretation of attention decrement would predict a decrease in primacy as the interval between traits is increased. Mild support was obtained in Experiment I but not in II or III. Overall. the magnitude of the primacy effect was independent of intertrait temporal variation. Decrement in attention is the most attractive theoretical explanation for the commonly obtained primacy effect. However, the results of the present series of studies suggest that this explanation is not tenable and that other theoretical mechanisms will be required to account for primacy effects.
Educating CD4 T cells with vaccine adjuvants: lessons from lipopolysaccharide

Toll-like receptor (TLR) adjuvants are capable of driving T cell immunity. The TLR4 agonist LPS activates antigen-presenting cells through myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and TIR domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-beta (TRIF)-dependent signaling pathways, initiating CD4 T helper cell clonal expansion and differentiation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) supports the development of diverse T helper (Th) lineages depending on the tissue microenvironment. For instance, peripheral immunization with LPS drives Th1 priming in lymphoid tissue and Th17 priming in the gut. This could be due to commensal bacteria inducing Th17-stabilizing cytokines within the intestinal lamina propria. Here, we detail how the response to LPS stimulates CD4 T cell priming in lymphoid tissue and the intestinal mucosa. How this knowledge might be exploited to target specific features of T cell immunity by vaccine adjuvants is also considered.
Hysterosalpingography with videofluoroscopy: Effect on radiologic practice in an Academic Medical Center

Rationale and Objectives. The authors attempted to determine whether videotaping the fluoroscopic portion of hysterosalpingography would result in changed diagnoses or an increase in diagnostic confidence. Materials and Methods. Ninety-one consecutive outpatients underwent routine hysterosalpingography. The fluoroscopic portion of the examination was captured on videotape. Two consecutive interpretations of each hysterosalpingogram were made by attending radiologists. First, spot radiographs were interpreted alone. Second, these images were viewed along with videofluoroscopy. Concordance of and confidence in findings for the two interpretations were assessed with the two-tailed Fisher exact test. Results. Interpretations of spot radiographs alone and with videofluoroscopy were in agreement in 92 of 99 uterine examinations and 164 of 198 tubal examinations. For uterine examinations classified as normal, interpretations of spot radiographs and videofluoroscopy were in agreement in 56 of 57 cases; there was no change in confidence with review of videofluoroscopic images. For uterine examinations interpreted as abnormal, agreement was noted in 36 of 42 cases (P = .04), and confidence increased with videofluoroscopy in 10 of 42 cases (P = .00001). With normal tubal findings, interpretations agreed in 94 of 118 cases, and confidence increased in 56 of 118 cases (P = .002). With abnormal tubal findings, interpretations agreed in 70 of 80 cases, and confidence increased in 20 of 80 cases (P = .002). When findings with and without videofluoroscopy were discordant, confidence was always higher after review of videofluoroscopic images. Conclusion. Review of videofluoroscopic images obtained during hysterosalpingography increases the accuracy and confidence of diagnoses compared with review of spot radiographs alone.
Auditory Comprehension of English by Monolingual and Bilingual Preschool Children

The auditory comprehension of English by 30 monolingual and 30 bilingual children, ages three years, 10 months, to five years, nine months, from low socioeconomic areas in Houston, Texas, was compa...
Zero-order controlled release of ciprofloxacin-HCl from a reservoir-based, bioresorbable and elastomeric device

A reservoir-based device constructed of a completely biodegradable elastomer can enable several new implantation and insertion options for localized drug therapy, particularly in the case of urological therapies. We performed an in vitro performance evaluation of an implantable, bio-resorbable device that supplies short-term controlled release of ciprofloxacin-HCl (CIP). The proposed device functions through a combination of osmosis and diffusion mechanisms to release CIP for short-term therapies of a few weeks duration. Poly(glycerol-co-sebacic acid) (PGS) was cast in a tubular geometry with solid drug powder packed into its core and a micro-machined release orifice drilled through its wall. Drug release experiments were performed to determine the effective release rate from a single orifice and the range of orifice sizes in which controlled zero-order release was the main form of drug expulsion from the device. It is demonstrated that PGS is sufficiently permeable to water to allow the design of an elementary osmotic pump for drug delivery. Indeed, PGS's water permeability is several orders of magnitude larger than commonly used cellulose acetate for elementary osmotic pumps.
Characterization of a Ku86 variant protein that results in altered DNA binding and diminished DNA-dependent protein kinase activity.

Abstract Three proteins known to play a critical role in mammalian DNA double-strand break repair and lymphoid V(D)J recombination are the autoantigens Ku86 and Ku70 and a 465-kDa serine/threonine protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). These proteins physically associate to form a complex (DNA·PK) with DNA-dependent protein kinase activity. In this study, we demonstrate using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) that the nuclear DNA end-binding activity of Ku is altered in the human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cell line. Western blot and EMSA supershift analyses revealed that HL-60 cells expressed both full-length and variant Ku86 proteins. However, a combined EMSA and immunoanalysis revealed that the Ku heterodimers complexed with DNA in HL-60 cells contained only the variant Ku86 proteins. Finally, UV cross-linking experiments and DNA·PK assays demonstrated that the Ku complexes containing variant Ku86 had a greatly reduced ability to interact with DNA-PKcs and that consequently HL-60 cells had severely diminished DNA·PK activity. These data provide important insights into the interaction between Ku and DNA-PKcs and into the role of DNA·PK in DNA double-strand break repair.
Vacancies and Diffusion in Solid Hydrogen

Self-diffusion by a particle-vacancy exchange mechanism is investigated in solid hydrogen and deuterium. The calculations are based on our quantum-crystal formalism published previously. The self-diffusion coefficient is calculated as a function of temperature, and the results compared with values inferred from nuclear-magnetic-resonance measurements; agreement of theory and experiment appears to be satisfactory. The effect of pressure on diffusion is also considered.
Pilot study: Nurse practitioner communication and the use of recommended clinical preventive services

Purpose: The purpose of the pilot study was to determine the feasibility of investigating nurse practitioners’ (NPs) use of clinical preventive services (CPS) in practice and the influence of provider–patient communication in achieving the CPS outcome. NP–patient communication styles were also explored. Data sources: Five NPs were audio-taped each during one patient encounter. Using manifest content analysis, the transcripts were evaluated for the presence of CPS and communication styles. Conclusion: Because this was a pilot study and the sample size was small, no generalizations could be made. The presence of health promotion and disease prevention activities, as evaluated by the use of recommended CPS, was present in only one NP–patient encounter. NPs did use patient-centered communication style in all the encounters. No correlations could be made to link communication styles with CPS. Implications for practice: Further study with a larger sample size needs to be done. NPs may not be using health promotion and disease prevention, as demonstrated by CPS, in actual practice. This may be an area that needs greater emphasis in education and practice.