cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IL-10 is critical in the regulatory function of CD1dhiCD5+ B cells in Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis (THER2P.964)

Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a T cell-dependent, B cell-mediated autoimmune disorder in which autoantibodies is produced targeting the skeletal muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR). IL-10-competent subset within CD1d hi CD5 + B cells, also known as B10 cells, has been shown to regulate autoimmune diseases. In our previous study, adoptive transfer of CD1d hi CD5 + B cells expanded in vivo by GM-CSF prevented and suppressed Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis (EAMG), which was associated with downregulation of mature dendritic cell marker and expansion of regulatory T cell resulting in the suppression of acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-specific T cell and B cell response. To further examine the role of IL-10 in the regulatory function of B10 cells in EAMG, we induced EAMG in both wild type and IL-10 knockout mice, and also performed the adoptive transfer IL-10 deficient CD1d hi CD5 + cells to EAMG mice. We found that IL-10 knockout mice showed more severe EAMG disease with more Th1 cytokine production and less Foxp3 expression compared with wild type mice. Adoptive transfer of CD1d hi CD5 + B cells from IL-10 knockout mice to EAMG mice could not prevent and suppress disease. Our observations further confirmed that IL-10 derived from B10 cells played a critical role in maintaining and restoring immune homeostasis in EAMG mice. Administration IL-10 competent CD1d hi CD5 + B cells may represent an effective strategy in the treatment of human myasthenia gravis.
Shwartzman-like phenomenon of the rabbit colon induced by a single injection of endotoxin.

SummaryThe effects of endotoxin given as a single dose into the superior mesenteric artery of the rabbit are presented. An ulcerative lesion develops in the colon which has the microscopic features of the classic Shwartzman phenomenon.
Treatment of Congenital Dislocation of the Hip for the Children under One Year Old

We had twenty and two children which are difficult in the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip by Davlik method.Fourteen cases could not be reduced.Five cases had pseudo-reduction or repeated dislocation.On three cases, femoral heads were damaged.Eleven cases of those were undernorished.In the undernourished children, lower extremities was so flexed that kicking was not observed and the reduction was not succeeded by Pavlik method. When hip joint was in this position during long time, the femoral head was damaged markedly.Therefore, for these children there are little indication of Pavlik method, the treatment should be delayed until they are well-nourished and their physical strength increase.We emphasize that nourish is an impartant factor for the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip under one year.
Susceptibility of Wild Mice to the Virus of St. Louis Encephalitis.

For the last 2 years we have been concerned with the question of possibility of a reservoir in animals of the virus of St. Louis encephalitis. Since this has been an interepidemic period, our method of study has been to determine experimentally the susceptibility of various species. Among others, wild gray house-mice (Mus musculus) have been tried and found susceptible.Up to the present, virus has been carried (by intracerebral inoculation) through 10 passages in wild mice and has retained its infective titer as tested on Swiss mice. Furthermore, a test with rabbit antiserum showed specific protection against passage virus. In addition to the intracerebral route we have also succeeded in transmitting the infection to wild mice by the intranasal route.In another series of experiments we have found it possible to transmit infection to Swiss mice by feeding infected material but in a single experiment so far performed have failed to infect a wild mouse by this route. The investigation is still in progress an...
Field Synopsis of Sex in Clinical Prediction Models for Cardiovascular Disease

Background— Several widely used risk scores for cardiovascular disease (CVD) incorporate sex effects, yet there has been no systematic summary of the role of sex in clinical prediction models (CPMs). To better understand the potential of these models to support sex-specific care, we conducted a field synopsis of sex effects in CPMs for CVD. Methods and Results— We identified CPMs in the Tufts Predictive Analytics and Comparative Effectiveness CPM Registry, a comprehensive database of CVD CPMs published from January 1990 to May 2012. We report the proportion of models including sex effects on CVD incidence or prognosis, summarize the directionality of the predictive effects of sex, and explore factors influencing the inclusion of sex. Of 592 CVD-related CPMs, 193 (33%) included sex as a predictor or presented sex-stratified models. Sex effects were included in 78% (53/68) of models predicting incidence of CVD in a general population, versus only 35% (59/171), 21% (12/58), and 17% (12/72) of models predicting outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure, respectively. Among sex-including CPMs, women with heart failure were at lower mortality risk in 8 of 8 models; women undergoing revascularization for coronary artery disease were at higher mortality risk in 10 of 12 models. Factors associated with the inclusion of sex effects included the number of outcome events and using cohorts at-risk for CVD (rather than with established CVD). Conclusions— Although CPMs hold promise for supporting sex-specific decision making in CVD clinical care, sex effects are included in only one third of published CPMs.
Efficacy of ranolazine for rhythm control in an elderly patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Abstract We report the case of an elderly woman with coronary heart disease and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. It could be hypothesized that the predisposing anatomic substrate for arrhythmogenesis in this patient derived from both age-related left atrial dilation and coexistent ischaemic heart disease. Unfortunately the usual antiarrhythmic therapy was unsafe or not feasible for this subject. Ranolazine 750 mg twice daily completely suppressed atrial fibrillation recurrences.
Oxidation Resistance Study of Several Vegetable Insulating Oil

Three types of vegetable insulating oil after refining treatment and FR3 transformer oil from Cooper were aged with 28 days of aging cycle,and their breakdown voltage,dielectric loss,micro-moisture content and acid value were tested.The results show that the physicochemical and electrical properties of different types of vegetable insulating oil after aging have different degrees of degradation and deterioration and show different degrees of aging;and the oxidation resistance of the vegetable insulting oil prepared by commercial soybean oil is as good as that of FR3 transformer oil from Cooper.
The Design and Implementation of a Virtual Network Storage System Based on WDM

A virtual network storage system based on WDM is designed.The virtual layer running in the kernel mode completes the mapping of the local disk operation to the net communication on the block device level.So the running priority of the system can be guaranteed.The reliability and real-time accuracy of the network communication can be improved greatly.Storage devices in the system can provide the uniform and transparent interface for the user.The architecture and specific implementation are introduced.
APOLIPOPROTEIN B MRNA EDITING : A KEY CONTROLLING ELEMENT TARGETING FATS TO PROPER TISSUE

Apolipoprotein B (apo B) circulates in two distinct forms referred to as apo B100 and apo B48. Apo B48 is colinear with the amino-terminal half of apo B100 and arises as a result of a post-transcriptional modification, termed apo B mRNA editing. This process changes a single cytidine nucleotide in apo B100 mRNA thereby altering a CAA codon, encoding glutamine in apo B100, to a UAA codon, which specifies an in-frame stop codon in apo B48. The functional consequences of apo B mRNA editing include the divergent catabolism of plasma lipoproteins expressing either apo B100 or B48, and also the ability to generate the hybrid lipoprotein, Lp(a). These differences arise because the requisite regions of apo B for interaction either with the low-density lipoprotein receptor or with apolipoprotein (a) are contained within the carboxyl terminus of apo B100. Apo B mRNA editing is regulated by species, tissue and cell-specific factors, one of which has been recently cloned. The further characterization of apo B mRNA editing, the first example of a mammalian gene regulated by post-transcriptional nucleotide alteration, will be important for an understanding of lipoprotein assembly.
Revenue from the Saints, the Showoffs and The Predators: Comparisons of Auctions with Price-preference Values

Traditional auction theory assumes that bidders possess values defined solely on the auctioned object. There may, however, be cases in which bidders possess preferences over the revenue achieved by the auctioneer. We present here a comprehensive framework of price-preference valuations, unifying several phenomena ranging from preference for charitable giving to shill bidding. We compare expected efficiency and revenue of first- and second-price auctions for some specific cases of key interest. We also incorporate heterogeneous bidder preferences and examine the effects of mis-specified beliefs and show that both are crucial for understanding these situations.
Text Input on a Smartwatch QWERTY Keyboard: Tap vs. Trace

ABSTRACTThis study examines text input performance on a smartwatch using tap and trace input methods on a standard QWERTY keyboard (SwypeTM). Participants were either experts or novices to the tracing technique on their smartphone. No users had experience typing on a smartwatch. Participants were able to type at speeds comparable to, or exceeding, those reported in the literature for smartphones and small screen devices. Both novices and tracing experts typed faster overall using the trace input method than the tap method and experts typed the fastest using trace (37 WPM). Word error rates were also comparable to those reported for smartphone text input. These results suggest that using a standard QWERTY keyboard that allows both tap and trace for text input is a viable option on a smartwatch.
Assistive mobile manipulation for self-care tasks around the head

Human-scale mobile robots with arms have the potential to assist people with a variety of tasks. We present a proof-of-concept system that has enabled a person with severe quadriplegia named Henry Evans to shave himself in his own home using a general purpose mobile manipulator (PR2 from Willow Garage). The robot primarily provides assistance by holding a tool (e.g., an electric shaver) at user-specified locations around the user's head, while he/she moves his/her head against it. If the robot detects forces inappropriate for the task (e.g., shaving), it withdraws the tool. The robot also holds a mirror with its other arm, so that the user can see what he/she is doing. For all aspects of the task, the robot and the human work together. The robot uses a series of distinct semi-autonomous subsystems during the task to navigate to poses next to the wheelchair, attain initial arm configurations, register a 3D model of the person's head, move the tool to coarse semantically-labeled tool poses (e.g, “Cheek”), and finely position the tool via incremental movements. Notably, while moving the tool near the user's head, the robot uses an ellipsoidal coordinate system attached to the 3D head model. In addition to describing the complete robotic system, we report results from Henry Evans using it to shave both sides of his face while sitting in his wheelchair at home. He found the process to be long (54 minutes) and the interface unintuitive. Yet, he also found the system to be comfortable to use, felt safe while using it, was satisfied with it, and preferred it to a human caregiver.
Motorcycle-related injuries: effect of age on type and severity of injuries and mortality.

BACKGROUND:: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of age to the injury types, distribution, and severity in motorcycle crash (MCC) victims admitted to Los Angeles County emergency hospitals in California. METHODS:: This Los Angeles countywide trauma registry study included all MCC victims admitted to the 13 trauma centers of the Los Angeles County between January 1995 and December 2007. Besides demographical data collected, the Injury Severity Score, body area (head, chest, abdomen, and extremities), Abbreviated Injury Scale score >/=3, specific organ injuries, and mortality were calculated according to age groups (55 years). A stepwise logistic regression model was used to identify independent risk factors for death. RESULTS:: Among 6,530 admissions due to MCCs, there were 493 patients (7.5%) aged 18 years or younger, 5,627 patients (86%) aged 19 years to 55 years, and 398 patients (6.5%) older than 55 years. The incidences of severe injury (Injury Severity Score >15) in the three ascending age groups were 23.5%, 30.3%, and 36.2%, respectively (p 25) occurred in 6.5%, 12.3%, and 13.8%, respectively (p /=3) increased in a stepwise fashion with increasing age, with an OR (95% CI) = 1.86 (1.44-2.39) in the age group 19 years to 55 years and 2.81 (2.03-3.88) in the older than 55 years group, p Language: en
Evaluation of Apoptosis in Immunotoxicity Testing

Immunotoxicity testing is important in determining the toxic effects of chemical substances, medicinal products, airborne pollutants, cosmetics, medical devices, and food additives. The immune system of the host is a direct target of these toxicants, and the adverse effects include serious health complications such as susceptibility to infections, cancer, allergic reactions, and autoimmune diseases. One way to investigate the harmful effects of different chemicals is to study apoptosis in immune cell populations. Apoptosis is defined as the programmed cell death, and in general, this process helps in development and maintains homeostasis. However, in the case of an insult by a toxicant, apoptosis of the immune cells can lead to immunosuppression resulting in the development of cancer and the inability to fight infections. Apoptosis is characterized by cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation, changes in cell membrane and mitochondria, DNA fragmentation into 200 base oligomers, and protein degradation by caspases. Various methods are employed in order to investigate apoptosis. These methods include direct measurement of apoptotic cells with flow cytometry and in situ labeling, as well as RNA, DNA, and protein assays that are indicative of apoptotic molecules.
The Relationship between Written Expression and Reading in Gifted Adolescents

This study was designed to: evaluate the performance of 107 gifted adolescents on a test of written language ability; compare the written expression of subgroups of superior and adequate readers dr...
A multi-step comparison of short-read full plastome sequence assembly methods in grasses

Technological advances have allowed phylogenomic studies of plants, such as full chloroplast genome (plastome) analysis, to become increasingly popular and economically feasible. Although next-generation short-read sequencing allows for full plastomes to be sequenced relatively rapidly, it requires additional attention using software to assemble these reads into comprehensive sequences. Here we compare the use of three de novo assemblers combined with three contig assembly methods. Seven plastome sequences were analyzed. Three of these were Sanger-sequenced. The other four were assembled from short, single-end read files generated from next-generation libraries. These plastomes represented a total of six grass species (Poaceae), one of which was sequenced in duplicate by the two methods to allow direct comparisons for accuracy. Enumeration of missing sequence and ambiguities allowed for assessments of completeness and efficiency. All methods that used de Bruijn-based de novo assemblers were shown to produce assemblies comparable to the Sanger-sequenced plastomes but were not equally efficient. Contig assembly methods that utilized automatable and repeatable processes were generally more efficient and advantageous when applied to larger scale projects with many full plastomes. However, contig assembly methods that were less automatable and required more manual attention did show utility in determining plastomes with lower read depth that were not able to be assembled when automatable procedures were implemented. Although the methods here were used exclusively to generate grass plastomes, these could be applied to other taxonomic groups if previously sequenced plastomes were available. In addition to comparing sequencing methods, a supplemental guide for short-read plastome assembly and applicable scripts were generated for this study.
Early Endosome Morphology in Health and Disease.

Early endosomes are organelles that receive macromolecules and solutes from the extracellular environment. The major function of early endosomes is to sort these cargos into recycling and degradative compartments of the cell. Degradation of the cargo involves maturation of early endosomes into late endosomes, which, after acquisition of hydrolytic enzymes, form lysosomes. Endosome maturation involves recruitment of specific proteins and lipids to the early endosomal membrane, which drives changes in endosome morphology. Defects in early endosome maturation are generally accompanied by alterations in morphology, such as increase in volume and/or number. Enlarged early endosomes have been observed in Alzheimer’s disease and Niemann Pick Disease type C, which also exhibit defects in endocytic sorting. This article discusses the mechanisms that regulate early endosome morphology and highlights the potential importance of endosome maturation in the retinal pigment epithelium.
Interaction trends between single metal atoms and oxide supports identified with density functional theory and statistical learning

Single-atom catalysts offer high reactivity and selectivity while maximizing utilization of the expensive active metal component. However, they are susceptible to sintering, where single metal atoms agglomerate into thermodynamically stable clusters. Tuning the binding strength between single metal atoms and oxide supports is essential to prevent sintering. We apply density functional theory, together with a statistical learning approach based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, to identify property descriptors that predict interaction strengths between single metal atoms and oxide supports. Here, we show that interfacial binding is correlated with readily available physical properties of both the supported metal, such as oxophilicity measured by oxide formation energy, and the support, such as reducibility measured by oxygen vacancy formation energy. These properties can be used to empirically screen interaction strengths between metal–support pairs, thus aiding the design of single-atom catalysts that are robust against sintering.
Modelling Quality of Urban Runoff

In this contribution, the characteristics of urban runoff quality are described first. Next the quality procedures used in the RUNOFF block of SWMM are presented, including the generation of pollutants (quality constituents). The quality of stormwater is generated by two mechanisms: pollutant buildup and washoff. It is assumed that, on an impervious area, the constituents build up during the dry period preceding a rainfall event, and are washed off during the storm. Both the buildup and washoff are treated empirically and their mathematical formulations require local data for calibration and verification. Then alternative formulations used in MOUSE are examined, followed by a review of the atmospheric dustfall model, ATMDST, the new buildup model, NEWBLD, and the Particle Transport Model (PTM). In PTM the water quality parameters are based on erosion and deposition processes and use of a potency factor. Different methods of calibration of SWMM, including the use of expert systems, are discussed next. The paper concludes with probabilistic and statistical methods of runoff quality prediction.
Evolution and multi-functionality of the chitin system

Chitin, that is, the β-1, 4 linked polysaccharide of N-acetylglucosamine, is best known as a cell wall component of fungi and as skeletal material of invertebrates. In recent years this simple picture has changed dramatically. Three developments have taken place: the discovery of chitinous tissues in vertebrates, the molecular analysis of the chitinsynthase genes, and the discovery that chitin derivatives play a crucial role in the interaction between higher plants and symbiotic bacteria. In this paper the methods for chitin detection and the current data on the evolution of chitin synthesis are reviewed. In addition, data is summarized which suggest that chitin synthesis may serve roles other than the production of skeletal material. In particular, anecdotal evidence suggests that chitin derivatives may play a role as signals in plant as well as animal development. Two major unresolved questions are identified: 1) Is there historical continunity of all the chitin synthesizing systems in protists, animals and, in particular, the deuterostome animals. 2) Are chitin derivatives actually involved in the development of plants and animals?
The basic equations

The three fundamental physical laws that are used to diagnose the physical processes in severe convective storms are as follows: Newton’s equation of motion applied to a fluid (called the “Navier–Stokes equations” after their formulators or, more simply, the “equations of motion”), the first law of thermodynamics applied to a fluid, and a statement of the continuity (conservation) of mass, including dry air, moist air, and the various forms of water substance (see Bluestein, 1992, 1993; Holton and Hakim, 2012; or other elementary textbooks for basic treatments).
Social Control of Power System Demand Based on Local Collaborative Preferences

This paper describes a computational approach to energy use that assigns importance to human psychology and social interactions. Specifically, this paper describes our investigations into computational mechanisms that encourage prosocial behavior on the part of consumers. Examples of prosocial behavior in the context of electrical energy use are reducing average aggregate consumption and peak total consumption. We consider an approach that combines minority games and cake-cutting that includes elements of human decision-making in situations that are hybrids of competitive and cooperative settings. For example, people may be motivated to reduce their consumption if that were posed as a competition wherein they would win a game, possibly by collaborating with their neighbors. And, people may be motivated to behave in a prosocial manner if selfish behaviors were shunned in their social group. Previous approaches disregard such dynamics from technical studies, relegating them to psychological analyses; yet the interrelationship of the human and the technical aspects is crucial in a complex sociotechnical system such as the power grid.
The Use of Infrared Absorption to Determine Density of Liquid Hydrogen

Infrared absorption has found applications in both qualitative and quantitative analyses of chemical mixtures and solutions. The dependence of the infrared absorption of liquids and gases upon the density of the fluid has been recognized from the beginning of spectroscopic work. The simpler direct methods of determining density in most applications, however, have delayed the development of a densitometer based on infrared absorption. The special problem of determining the density of flowing liquid hydrogen during a rocket flight suggested that the feasibility of using infrared absorption for this application should be investigated.
Renal Handling of Uric Acid in Sickle Cell Anemia

Hematologic disorders which result in increased cell turnover rates are frequently associated with hyperuricemia and secondary gout due to increased uric acid synthesis. Although sickle cell anemia is characterized by a 6–8 fold increase in red cell turnover, gout is thought to be an uncommon complication of this disease. Since impaired renal concentrating ability is a common and early manifestation of sickle cell disease, and other defects of renal tubular transport such as diminished tubular maxima for PAH and renal tubular acidosis have been described, the present study was designed to investigate tubular transport of urate in sickle cell anemia, and to evaluate the hypothesis that hyperuricosuria due to defective renal tubular transport of urate might protect sickle cell anemia patients against gout.
The Universal Splitting Property. II

An r.e. set A of degree α is said to have the universal splitting property (U.S.P.) if for each r.e. degree β ≤ α, there is a splitting of A into disjoint r.e. sets B and C such that B has degree β. We show that any creative set has the U.S.P. and there are complete r.e. sets A which fail to have the U.S.P. We show that there are r.e. degrees a such that no r.e. set A of degree a has the U.S.P. We also explore the possible degrees of r.e. bases of r.e. vector spaces.
Listening to the Unspoken, Listening for the Unspeakable: Gender’s Impact on the Musicianship of Female Improvisers

This paper explores the extent to which one can participate in community without having to sacrifice aspects of one’s identity, through examination of the relation that female musicians in improvising musical ensembles have to their gender identity. I concentrate on the views expressed within a particular interview setting—a roundtable event organized as part of an academic conference on improvisatory communities. This event merits attention because it was organized specifically to discuss the extent to which gender is an obstacle, a topic the invited speakers decided they did not want to address publicly. I look at their resistance to gender identification and pose questions about whether identifying as female—or as feminist—has implications for their ability to succeed in the world of improvised music, and about the extent to which we might see their refusals as fear-based or as principled resistance to a difference that ought not to matter.
Direct Effect of Ethanol on Acid Secretion in Isolated Canine Gastric Mucosa

The direct effects of ethanol on resting and secreting (histamine = H, pentagastrin = G, and acetylcholine = A) gastric mucosa were determined using an in vitro chamber preparation. Ethanol (E) produced no effect on acid (H+) secretion during resting conditions but concentrations above 2% (4% and 8%) decreased electrical potential difference (PD), short-circuit current (Isc) and resistance (R). With H-induced H+ secretion, E at 8% on mucosal side decreased H+ secretion (4.11 ± 0.34 to 0.64 ± 0.45 µEq/cm2hr), PD (32 ± 2 to 4.9 ± 0.6 mV), Isc (5.0 ± 0.3 to 1.1 ± 0.1 µEq/cm2 hr), and R (237 ± 15 to 174 ± 68 hm·cm2). Washout of E produced recovery in all parameters. With P-induced H+ secretion, E decreased H+ secretion (1.63 ± 0.11 to 0.51 ± 0.18), PD (42 ± 5 to 13 ± 3), Isc (5.71 iA 0.38 to 2.22 iA 0.45), and R (274 ± 21 to 218 ± 13). With A-induced H+ secretion, E decreased H+ secretion (1.16 ± 0.06 to 0.45 ± 0.23), PD (38 ± 1 to 12 ± 1), Isc (5.69 ± 0.40 to 1.94 ± 0.09) and R (253 ± 22 to 226 ±22). When E was placed on the serosal side, 10% was necessary to inhibit H+ secretion and all the electrical parameters increased. Hypertonic sucrose (695.6 mM in mucosal side) produced an immediate decrease in H+ secretion, PD and Isc but increased R. These data indicate that the direct action of E is not to stimulate but rather to inhibit secretagogue-induced gastric H+ secretion.
Seasonal occurrence of Calleida viridipennis (Say) and Plochionus timidus Haldeman (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Predators of the fruittree leafroller, Archips argyrospila (Walker), in Louisiana

Calleida viridipennis (Say) and Plochionus timidus Haldeman overwinter as adults under the bark of baldcypress, Taxodium distichum (L.) Richard, (diam. at breast height (DBH) > 30 cm) and black willow, Salix nigra Marsh, (DBH > 15 cm) at a height more than 40 cm above the water level in forested wetlands. Both carabid species were found to be spring breeders, with adults surviving approximately one year. Adults of both species emerged from overwintering in late February or early March when the fruittree leafroller, Archips argyrospila (Walker), caterpillars were active on baldcypress. Carabid eggs were distributed among foliage and host webs from mid- or late-March to late-September with larvae occurring from late-March to early or mid-October. Both carabid species were found to be associated with the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury), after the univoltine fruittree leafroller larvae completed their development.
The tenderness and vulnerability of older expatriate men: a poetic inquiry of research and autoethnographic poems

Older men are often viewed binomially as either incompetent or all powerful and privileged. Expatriate older men are even more subject to stereotypes. Using poetic inquiry, this study presents one ...
Classless: Classism in Social Work Practice and the Example of White Rural Proverty

This paper seeks to explore and depict the implicit force of classism impacting social work practice and discourse using the example of white rural poverty. The demographics and the specific psycho...
Challenges faced by collegiate athletic trainers, part II: treating concussed student-athletes

Context Conflict between athletic trainers (ATs) and other stakeholders can occur because of competing interests over medical decisions regarding concussion. However, we are unaware of any studies ...
Beneath the surface: Capital-labor relations, housing and the making of the Bakken boom

Abstract In 2014, a 700-square-foot apartment in the City of Williston in North Dakota cost $2,394.00 per month ( Grandstand, 2014 ). Small remote towns situated within Bakken's shale formation have been radically transformed into boomtowns by oil capital's quest for accumulation. Drawn by promises of high paying jobs, wage-laborers have flooded into these towns, growing them exponentially. While much research investigates the empirics of crime, cost of living increases, and other environmental damage, they miss the underlying structures which drive resource boomtowns. Using a Marxist perspective, I argue that we must first understand how capital-labor relations make oil extraction possible. Since oil capital must incentivize workers to relocate, it must substantially raise wages. As a result, high wages in tandem with scare housing inventory have led to significant cost of living increases, prompting oil companies to subsidize housing. Thus, the very condition of Bakken's boomtowns contradict capitals’ impetus to maximize surplus-value as attracting wage-laborers to remote sites of extraction requires high wages and housing subsidies. In this article, I unravel this contradiction as capital's pursuit for surplus-value is limited by increases in the wage-laborer's value of labor power. Thus, oil capital is inherently haphazard in how it treats worker safety.
Tackling the blind spot of poor-quality medicines in Universal Health Coverage.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is challenged by the prevalence of poor-quality medicines, those that either do not meet required specifications (substandard) or are outrightly fraudulent (falsified), especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, LMICs. Whereas poor-quality medicines are a significant burden in these countries, medicine quality still remains a neglected component of UHC programs. This article describes key barriers to quality medicines and presents five select approaches leveraging the scale-up of UHC for medicine quality assurance. Barriers to medicine quality assurance, while numerous, are described in five key inter-related domains as: low political priority, weak regulatory systems capacity, poor access to accredited facilities and licensed outlets, medicine manufacturing and other supply-chain challenges, and lack of public awareness. Five select approaches for leveraging the scale-up of UHC for medicine quality assurance in LMICs are (1): political commitment (2) strengthening the capacity of regulatory authorities and investment in detection technologies as part of national security (3); licensing of medicines outlets and expanding pharmacovigilance (4); strengthening the supply-chain; and (5) public awareness and participation. Unchecked, poor-quality medicines can jeopardize UHC. National governments in LMICs need to prioritize medicine quality assurance through enforcing policies, regulatory strengthening and investments in technologies. Healthcare facilities and insurance schemes under UHC also play critical roles through incorporating medicine quality assurance into procurement practices and by promoting awareness among beneficiaries. Tackling medicine quality with a committed systems approach will enhance progress towards UHC implementation.
Reducing Stigma Toward Individuals With Schizophrenia Using a Brief Video: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Young Adults

OBJECTIVE Stigma decreases healthcare seeking and treatment adherence and increases the duration of untreated psychosis among people with first-episode psychosis (FEP). This study evaluated the efficacy of a brief video-based intervention in reducing stigma among youth toward individuals with FEP and schizophrenia. We hypothesized that the social-contact-based video intervention group would reduce stigma more than written vignette and control groups, and the vignette more than the control group. METHODS Using Amazon Mechanical Turk, we recruited and assigned 1203 individuals aged 18-30 to either (a) video intervention, (b) written description of the same content ("vignette"), or (c) nonintervention control arm. In the 90-second video intervention, an empowered young woman with schizophrenia described her FEP and the aspects of successful coping with her everyday life difficulties, exposing the viewer to schizophrenia in the context of her personal narrative. Web-based self-report questionnaires assessed stigma domains, including social distance, stereotyping, separateness, social restriction, and perceived recovery. RESULTS A MANOVA showed a significant between-group effects for all 5 stigma-related subscales (P < .001). Post hoc pairwise tests showed significant differences between video and vignette vs control for all 5 stigma domains. Video and vignette groups differed significantly on social distance, stereotyping, and social restriction. Secondary analyses revealed gender differences across stigma domains in the video group only, with women reporting lower stigma. CONCLUSIONS A very brief social contact-based video intervention efficaciously reduced stigma toward individuals with FEP. This is the first study to demonstrate such an effect. Further research should examine its long-term sustainability.
Early Intervention, Parent Talk, and Pragmatic Language in Children With Hearing Loss.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pragmatic language skills form the foundation for conversational competence, whereas deficits in this area are associated with behavioral problems and low literacy skills. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing demonstrate significant delays in this critical area of language. Our purpose with this research was to identify variables associated with pragmatic language ability in children who are deaf or hard of hearing. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study of 124 children with bilateral hearing loss between 4 and 7 years of age living in Colorado. As part of a comprehensive speech and language assessment, pragmatic language skills were evaluated annually by using the Pragmatics Checklist. RESULTS: The children’s pragmatic skills increased significantly with age. Higher levels of pragmatic language ability at 7 years of age were predicted by (1) meeting Early Hearing Detection and Intervention 1-3-6 guidelines (hearing screening by 1 month, identification of hearing loss by 3 months, and receiving intervention by 6 months of age), (2) greater quantity of parent talk, (3) higher nonverbal intelligence, (4) lesser degrees of hearing loss, and (5) higher maternal education. CONCLUSIONS: With the findings of this study, we underscore the importance of pediatricians and other health care professionals counseling parents about the value of adherence to the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention 1-3-6 guidelines with regard to intervention outcomes. The strong association between amount of child-directed parent talk in the first 4 years of life and pragmatic language outcomes at 7 years of age emphasizes the need for professionals to encourage parents to talk to their children as much as possible.
Observations of the Ag(3 × 1) phase on Ge(111)

Low-energy electron diffraction and low-energy electron microscopy were used to study the (3 × 1) phase of Ag on Ge(111) for temperatures less than 540 °C. This phase was observed when depositing 0.05–0.1 ML Ag at 370 °C. The ( 3×3)R30o phase formed when depositing 0.3 ML Ag at 170 °C, and then annealing to 200−360 °C resulted in a nonreversible phase transition to [(4 × 4) + (3 × 1)] phases at 360 °C. The 3 phase appears to be metastable for temperatures <250 °C since subsequent cooling did not cause it to reappear. These experimental observations suggest modifications to a published phase diagram for Ag/Ge(111).
Enabling the Reuse of Long-Term Marine Biological Observations in Essential Variables Frameworks Through a Practical Approach

Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and Biological and Ecosystem Essential Ocean Variables (BioEco EOVs) are two cooperative conceptual frameworks which help harmonize and process multi-source marine biodiversity observations into robust indexes, in order to measure progress towards policy conservation goals. Long-term monitoring networks are encouraged to contribute to these frameworks by mobilizing historical times series which are suitable for detecting impacts of management policies. In this paper, we identify specific recommendations for increasing reuse in the EV frameworks of the biodiversity historical data collected and maintained by the Gulf of Venice (GOV) site, i.e., the monitoring facility that is selected as case study in the Italian Long-Term Ecological Research network (LTER-Italy). The recommendations are obtained through a practical approach comprising two phases. In the first phase, a literature review helps extract the guidelines for implementing the principles representing the most recent attempt to unify management of EBV and BioEco EOV data, i.e., Benson’s tenets. In the second phase, we compare the guidelines to the data management practices enacted by the selected monitoring site in order to recommend curation interventions. The outputs of the analysis are discussed in order to verify if the approach and the recommendations are general enough to be replicated in the marine component of monitoring networks to coordinate the LTER data contribution to the EV frameworks.
Pseudouridine modification in Caenorhabditis elegans spliceosomal snRNAs: unique modifications are found in regions involved in snRNA-snRNA interactions

Background: Pseudouridine (Ψ) is an abundant modified nucleoside in RNA and a number of studies have shown that the presence of Ψ affects RNA structure and function. The positions of Ψ in spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) have been determined for a number of species but not for the snRNAs from Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a popular experimental model system of development. Results: As a prelude to determining the function of or requirement for this modification in snRNAs, we have mapped the positions of Ψ in U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 snRNAs from worms using a specific primer extension method. As with other species, C. elegans U2 snRNA has the greatest number of Ψ residues, with nine, located in the 5' half of the U2 snRNA. U5 snRNA has three Ψs, in or near the loop of the large stem-loop that dominates the structure of this RNA. U6 and U1 snRNAs each have one Ψ, and two Ψ residues were found in U4 snRNA. Conclusion: The total number of Ψs found in the snRNAs of C. elegans is significantly higher than the minimal amount found in yeasts but it is lower than that seen in sequenced vertebrate snRNAs. When the actual sites of modification on C. elegans snRNAs are compared with other sequenced snRNAs most of the positions correspond to modifications found in other species. However, two of the positions modified on C. elegans snRNAs are unique, one at position 28 on U2 snRNA and one at position 62 on U4 snRNA. Both of these modifications are in regions of these snRNAs that interact with U6 snRNA either in the spliceosome or in the U4/U6 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) and the presence of Ψ may be involved in strengthening the intermolecular association of the snRNAs.
Programmable de-skew clock generation based on dual digital delay-locked loop structure

A DSP-based fully digital programmable de-skew clock generation circuit for a computer I/O interface is presented. A 32-delay programmable 4-port de-skew clock generation circuit for a 133 MHz SDRAM interface was developed using a 0.25 /spl mu/m standard CMOS process technology. It occupies an area of 400 /spl mu/m/spl times/300 /spl mu/m and consumes about 4 mW of power with a skew control accuracy of /spl plusmn/125 ps.
"Lather, Rinse, Repeat": FeedBurner's Serial Founding Team

"Is this the right time or is it still too early?" Dick Costolo wondered as he reflected on the latest acquisition offer. He had been building FeedBurner with his three co-founders for almost four years and was staring at the details of an acquisition offer from Google. He and his co-founders had founded three prior ventures together, each of which had had increasingly attractive outcomes, but none of which had reached their full potential. The number on the table from Google was a big one. Should the deal be completed, it would be the biggest win the founding team had ever had. However, was this the right time to exit? If Costolo didn't think so, would he be able to convince his co-founders who all had different personal risk profiles? This was going to be the biggest decision in the life of FeedBurner and its co-founders. Learning Objective: To examine the lessons learned by serial entrepreneurs during their early ventures, regarding building strong founding teams, hiring and incenting employees, dealing with investors, and making exit decisions.
The Effects of Steroid Implant and Dietary Soybean Hulls on Estrogenic Activity of Sera of Steers Grazing Toxic Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue Pasture.

Soybean hulls (SBHs) have been fed to cattle pasturing on endophyte-infected tall fescue in attempts to increase rate of gain. Literature reports indicated some symptoms associated with fescue toxicosis were ameliorated by the use of steroidal implants containing estradiol (E2) and progesterone (IMP), feeding SBHs, or the combination of the two. While the mechanism for amelioration was unclear, the SBHs were postulated as acting as a diluent of the toxic factors of the fescue. Alternatively, estradiol and phytoestrogens of SBHs might be acting through relaxation of the persistent vasoconstriction found in animals ingesting ergot alkaloids of endophyte-infected fescue. If so, estrogenic activity of serum of steers receiving SBHs, IMP, or a combination of the two should be elevated. Using the cellular proliferation assay of estrogenicity (E-Screen), estradiol equivalents (E2Eqs) were determined on both SBHs and the serum of steers from a previously reported study. Range of SBHs was 5.0 to 8.5 ng Eqs g-1 DM (mean 6.5, n=4 different commercial sources of SBHs). At the rate fed, theoretical calculated blood E2Eq could be physiologically relevant (~ 80 pg mL-1, based on 2.3 kg SBHs d-1, 300 kg steer, 5.7% blood volume, and 10% absorption). Serum E2Eqs did increase in steers (P ≤ 0.05) with steroidal implants or fed SBHs by 56 and 151% over control respectively, and treatments were additive (211% increase). Serum prolactin was also greatest for the SBH+IMP group (188 ng mL-1, P < 0.05), concentrations comparable to values reported for steers grazing endophyte-free fescue. Prolactin in the SBH group was higher than IMP or control groups (146 vs 76 and 60 ng mL-1, respectively). Still unknown is if additional E2Eqs from dietary phytoestrogens or exogenous sources of estradiol can further reduce symptoms of fescue toxicosis. The E-Screen assay was an effective tool in monitoring serum for estrogenic effects of dietary supplementation with SBHs or estrogenic implants.
Near-Field Flow Measurements of a Cavitating Jet Emanating From a Crown-Shaped Nozzle

The effect of a crown-shaped nozzle on cavitation is studied experimentally in the near-field of a 25 mm diameter (D) water jet at Re D = 2 X 10 5 using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and high speed shadowgraphy recorded with a 5000 fps digital camera. The objectives are to passively control the jet flow structure and to examine its consequences on the physical appearance of cavitating bubbles. The experiments are performed in a closed-loop facility that enables complete optical access to the near-nozzle region. The cavitating and noncavitating mean velocity fields are obtained up to three nozzle diameters downstream and compared to those of a companion round nozzle. PIV measurements are taken in two distinct azimuthal planes passing through the tip and bottom points of the crown nozzle edge. The data include shear layer momentum thickness and vorticity thickness, spanwise vorticity distribution and streamwise normal Reynolds stress. Significant deviation from an axisymmetric shear layer is observed in the noncavitating flow consistently up to one diameter downstream, after which identical asymptotic conditions are achieved in both round and crown-shaped nozzles. Maximum magnitudes of spanwise vorticity and streamwise normal Reynolds stress are the highest downstream of the nozzle tip edges under noncavitating conditions. Significant modifications in trends and magnitudes are observed for the shear layer momentum thickness under cavitating conditions up to one diameter downstream. Qualitative flow visualization reveals that bubble growth occurs at different conditions depending on azimuthal location. Bubbles, in the form of elongated filaments, are the dominant structures produced downstream of the valley edges of the nozzle with an inclination of 45 deg with respect to the direction of the flow, and are observed to persist with significant strength up to two diameters downstream. These filaments are stretched between periodic larger-scale, spanwise bubbly clusters distorted in the shape of the nozzle outlet. The tip edges produce cavitating bubbles under conditions similar to that of a classical round nozzle. In summary, it was demonstrated that passive control of turbulent structures in the jet does impact the cavitation process.
An intravitreal device providing sustained release of cyclosporine and dexamethasone

Purpose. A device that releases cyclosporine and dexamethasone into the eye for extended periods of time might be beneficial in diseases such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy and uveitis. In this study we examine the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of cyclosporine and dexamethasone combined in an intravitreal sustained-release device and the toxicity of a similar device containing only dexamethasone in rabbits.Methods. Rabbits were divided into three groups for (1) evaluation of the drug tissue levels and device release kinetics following implantation of a device containing 100 μg of cyclosporine labeled with 2 μCi of 3H-cyclosporine and 2 mg of dexamethasone; (2) evaluation of the toxicity of this intravitreal device; and (3) evaluation of the toxicity of a similar device containing 2 mg of dexamethasone only. Cyclosporine was measured using a scintillation counter and dexamethasone was measured by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Toxicity was evaluated by electroretinography, clinical examina...