cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining the association between MAOA genotype and incarceration, anger and hostility: The moderating influences of risk and protective factors

Abstract Findings from molecular genetic research have indicated that a polymorphism in the promoter region of the MAOA gene interacts with environmental liabilities to predict antisocial phenotypes. We use these findings as a springboard to examine whether a global protective-risk factor index moderates the effect of MAOA genotype on the probability of being incarcerated and on a measure of anger and hostility. Analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) indicates that exposure to risk and protective factors in adolescence are able to moderate the effect of MAOA genotype on anger and hostility in adulthood for males. The results in relation to the probability of being incarcerated were consistently null.
Study of the Role of Factor VII in Venous Thrombus Formation Using Combination of a Multiscale Model and Experiment

To prevent the loss of blood following a break in blood vessels, components in blood and the vessel wall interact rapidly to form a venous thrombus to limit hemorrhage. Combination of extended multiscale model, new image processing algorithms and biological experiments is used for studying the role of Factor VII (FVII) in venous thrombus formation. A detailed sub-model of the tissue factor (TF) pathway of blood coagulation is introduced within the framework of the multiscale model to provide detailed description of coagulation cascade. Macro scale dynamics of the blood flow is described by the continuum Navier-Stokes equations. Micro scale interactions between activated platelets, platelets and fibrin(ogen) and platelets and vessel wall are modeled using an extended stochastic discrete model. The novelty of the approach is in representing each platelet as an extended object with a boundary and modeling in detail the production of thrombin by each individual platelet. Also, clot is treated as a porous medium. Surface reactions of the extrinsic coagulation pathway on membranes of platelets are studied under different flow conditions. It is shown that low levels of FVII in blood result in a significant delay in thrombin production leading to changes in the surface composition of developing thrombi. The changes likely alter the mechanism and dynamics of thrombus stabilization which we are now studying in computational and experimental models.Xu, Z., Chen, N., Shadden, S., Marsden, J.E., Kamocka, M.M., Rosen, E.D., and M.S. Alber [2009], Study of Blood Flow Impact on Growth of Thrombi Using a Multiscale Model, Soft Matter 5, 769-779.Xu, Z., Chen, N., Kamocka, M.M., Rosen, E.D., and M.S. Alber [2008], Multiscale Model of Thrombus Development, Journal of the Royal Society Interface 5 705-722.
I don’t wish nobody to have a life like mine: tales of kids in adult lockup

One gray October morning in 2007, I accompanied my wife to the hospital for the birth of our first daughter. Not knowing how long we would be at the hospital, I brought along a copy of Bedau and Pi...
Carboxyhemoglobin measurement by hospitals: Implications for the diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning

Most case definitions for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning include demonstration of an elevated blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentration. Further, it is generally believed that treatment of CO poisoning is more effective when performed as soon as possible after the exposure. This suggests that a hospital's inability to measure blood COHb could lead to delayed or missed diagnosis or treatment. This study evaluated the ability of hospitals in the Pacific Northwest to measure COHb levels. The clinical laboratory of every acute care hospital in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska was surveyed regarding the ability to measure COHb levels, the method utilized and the time required. If they could not measure COHb, they were asked whether samples are sent elsewhere, the location of the referral laboratory, and time required. Results were then compared to the list of hospitals referring CO-poisoned patients to a regional center for hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 2003-2004. In the four states, only 44% of acute care hospitals have the capability to measure COHb. The remaining 56% send blood samples to other laboratories. The average time to get a result is 10 +/- 10 min in hospitals with co-oximetry and 904 +/- 1360 min in those without, a difference of 15 h (p < 0.0001). When samples are sent out, the average distance is 121 miles, often bypassing a hospital with CO-oximetry capability. Over 90% of CO-poisoned patients referred for hyperbaric treatment came from hospitals able to measure COHb. Fewer than one-half of acute care hospitals in a four-state region have the capability to measure COHb levels. This has the potential to significantly impact diagnosis or treatment of patients with acute CO poisoning.
RITUXIMAB AND CARDIOTOXICIY

Rituximab is a recombinant, anti-CD20 antibody that has emerged in recent years as an effective therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other B-cell malignancies. Data examining the cardiovascular toxicities of rituximab are scant, even though various cases of fulminant heart failure have been
Geometric vector fields on Lie groups

Abstract We explore some geometric properties of Lie groups admitting a left-invariant vector field with equidistant flow lines.
Visual Hallucinations Associated with Dorsal Thalamic Stroke

no abstract available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v14i2.19697 J Medicine 2013, 14(2): 226
Applications of fluorescence in the characterization of the ligand-binding domain and activation of the cholecystokinin receptor

Fluorescence techniques can be applied to guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptors to gain insights into the environment and molecular motion of a fluorophore that is either incorporated into a ligand or more directly into a specific site within the receptor. Fluorescence studies can provide insight into the environment of that indicator. By situating the same indicator into an analogous position in both agonist and antagonist ligands, comparisons can provide insights into differences between active and inactive states of the receptor. These types of studies have been performed for the cholecystokinin receptor and show that receptor activation by agonist occupation is associated with a movement of the CCK-like ligand out of a protected environment and into a more accessible hydrophilic milieu.
The Scaling of Winner-Takes-All Accuracy with Population Size

From a theoretical point of view, not much is known about the efficiency of single-best-cell readout mechanisms, in contrast to the considerable existing theoretical knowledge on the efficiency of distributed population codes. In this work, we provide a basic theoretical framework for investigating single-best-cell readout mechanisms. We study the accuracy of the WTA readout. In particular, we are interested in how the WTA accuracy scales with the number of cells in the population. Using this framework, we show that for large neuronal populations, the WTA accuracy is dominated by the tail of the single-cell-response distribution. Furthermore, we find that although the WTA accuracy does improve when larger populations are considered, this improvement is extremely weak compared to other types of population codes. More precisely, we show that while the accuracy of a linear readout scales linearly with the population size, the accuracy of the WTA readout scales logarithmically with the number of cells in the population.
Pediatric resuscitation: questioning DNAR legitimacy and offering an alternative decision-making model.

*The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the American Medical Association.
Hemolytic and hemagglutinating activities of 222 plants.

Summary. The saline, the 30% albumin, and the enzyme Bromelin methods were used to detect the presence of hemagglutinins and hemolysins in the saline extracts of 222 plant seeds. Of these, 146 were non-agglutinating, 56 agglutinating and 20 hemolytic. Of the 56 agglutinating lectins, one was of the specific type reacting with cells possessing blood group A1 antigen only, and 55 were non-specific. Of the latter group, 33 failed to agglutinate cells suspended in saline. Twenty-eight of these required the addition of bromelin while five required the addition of either albumin or bromelin. Of the 20 hemolytic extracts, 19 showed hemolytic activity by all three methods of testing, while one hemolyzed red cells only when bromelin was added. Attempts to find lectins of anti-U, anti-k, and anti Lub specificity failed. These results indicate that the enzyme technic is the most sensitive, followed by the albumin and saline methods.
Real-Space Imaging of Nanoscale Electrodeposited Ceramic Superlattices in the Scanning Tunneling Microscope

Superlattices in the Pb-Tl-O system were electrodeposited with layer thicknesses ranging from 1.5 to 25 nm. Both compositional and defect-chemistry superlattices were grown. In defect-chemistry superlattices based on thallium(III) oxide, it was found that thallium interstitials were favored at low overpotentials and oxygen vacancies were favored at high overpotentials. The superlattices were studied in reciprocal space by x-ray diffraction, and in real space by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The x-ray pattern of a compositionally modulated sample grown under potentiostatic control exhibited superlattice satellites out to fourth order. STM images were obtained in air on cleaved cross-sections. The composition profile in the superlattices was shown to manifest itself as an apparent height profile in the STM image.. The STM helped us engineer “better” superlattices, since it was found that compositional superlattices grown under potential control had apparent height profiles which were more square than samples grown under current control.
Role of particle cavitation in rubber-toughened epoxies: 1. Microvoid toughening

The significance of particle cavitation in rubber-toughened polymers remains controversial. While some researchers believe void formation promotes shear yielding in the polymer matrix, others consider it as a secondary energy consuming process. The research described here was undertaken to further elucidate the role of particle cavitation in toughening through comparative examination of epoxies modified by conventional rubber modifiers and hollow plastic particles. The results of this study illustrate that rubber particles with different cavitation resistance and pre-existing microvoids toughen the present epoxy matrix in the same manner. Therefore, we conclude that the cavitation resistance of the rubbery phase does not directly contribute to toughness, but instead simply allows the matrix to deform by shear. An additional mechanism of microcracking was observed when 40-μm hollow plastic particles were employed. Despite the similar behaviour in fracture toughness testing, rubber particles and microvoids differ considerably in how they affect the compressive yield strength of the blend. The results of this study suggest the possible importance of inter-particle distance in toughening of epoxies. This concept will be examined in part 2 of this study.
Regulation of SNARE complex assembly by an N-terminal domain of the t-SNARE Sso1p

The fusion of intracellular transport vesicles with their target membranes requires the assembly of SNARE proteins anchored in the apposed membranes. Here we use recombinant cytoplasmic domains of the yeast SNAREs involved in Golgi to plasma membrane trafficking to examine this assembly process in vitro. Binary complexes form between the target membrane SNAREs Sso1p and Sec9p; these binary complexes can subsequently bind to the vesicle SNARE Snc2p to form ternary complexes. Binary and ternary complex assembly are accompanied by large increases in α-helical structure, indicating that folding and complex formation are linked. Surprisingly, we find that binary complex formation is extremely slow, with a second-order rate constant of ∼3 M–1 s–1. An N-terminal regulatory domain of Sso1p accounts for slow assembly, since in its absence complexes assemble 2,000-fold more rapidly. Once binary complexes form, ternary complex formation is rapid and is not affected by the presence of the regulatory domain. Our results imply that proteins that accelerate SNARE assembly in vivo act by relieving inhibition by this regulatory domain.
Unification of reaction pathway and kinetic scheme for N2 reduction catalyzed by nitrogenase

Abstract Nitrogenase catalyzes the reduction of N2 and protons to yield two NH3 and one H2. Substrate binding occurs at a complex organo-metallocluster called FeMo-cofactor (FeMo-co). Each catalytic cycle involves the sequential delivery of eight electrons/protons to this cluster, and this process has been framed within a kinetic scheme developed by Lowe and Thorneley. Rapid freezing of a modified nitrogenase under turnover conditions using diazene, methyldiazene (HN = N-CH3), or hydrazine as substrate recently was shown to trap a common intermediate, designated I. It was further concluded that the two N-atoms of N2 are hydrogenated alternately (“Alternating” (A) pathway). In the present work, Q-band CW EPR and 95Mo ESEEM spectroscopy reveal such samples also contain a common intermediate with FeMo-co in an integer-spin state having a ground-state “non-Kramers” doublet. This species, designated H, has been characterized by ESEEM spectroscopy using a combination of 14,15N isotopologs plus 1,2H isotopologs of methyldiazene. It is concluded that: H has NH2 bound to FeMo-co and corresponds to the penultimate intermediate of N2 hydrogenation, the state formed after the accumulation of seven electrons/protons and the release of the first NH3; I corresponds to the final intermediate in N2 reduction, the state formed after accumulation of eight electrons/protons, with NH3 still bound to FeMo-co prior to release and regeneration of resting-state FeMo-co. A proposed unification of the Lowe-Thorneley kinetic model with the “prompt” alternating reaction pathway represents a draft mechanism for N2 reduction by nitrogenase.
Sedation in pediatric imaging using intranasal midazolam

Intranasal midazolam offers an attractive alternative for use as a sedative agent for medical imaging studies in children. Its convenient administration and rapid onset are significant advantages over intravenous and oral agents. Because of its short duration, it is effective only for short procedures and as an adjunct to other sedative agents. When younger children present with such requirements, a dose of 0.2 mg/kg has been safe and effective in our experience. We advocate its use with adherence to guidelines for sedation published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Synthesis of 1′,2′-Seco-nucleoside Analogues of AZT

Abstract 1′,2′-Seco-AZT (3) and its 3′R,4′S diastereomer (19) were prepared and evaluated as antiviral agents. The chiral, acyclic side chains of these thymine acyclonuleosides were derived from D-isoascorbic acid. The two AZT analogues, 3 and 19, were screened against HIV, other RNA viruses, and two DNA viruses and they were found to be inactive.
Understanding the Life World of the Counselor

Phenomenological description is one of the most comprehensive modes of inquiry available for understanding the roles and functions of the counselor. The purpose of this article is to introduce its methods, essential concepts, outcomes, and its complementary relation to other paradigms and methods. The article's hypothetical phenomenologist focuses on an entity called the life world of the counselor, a world made up of meaningful actions. The goal is an understanding of that life world, and the methods are bracketing and multiplying perspectives.
Individual Viewpoints of Social Desirability Related to Faking Good and Desirability Estimation.

Two groups of subjects were asked to fake good on selected MMPI scales, and to estimate the social desirability of 100 trait adjectives. These two tasks were counterbalanced for order. A control group was administered the same MMPI scales under self-report instructions and instructed to judge the social desirability of the 100 trait adjectives. The first two groups of subjects were also given 17 trait adjectives in pair-comparison format and asked to judge the difference in social desirability for each trait-pair. A multidimensional scaling analysis of the subjects' group average difference judgments among the trait words indicated three dimensions, labeled General Social Desirability, Dominance-Submission, and Excitability-Control. Individual differences were uncovered in the weights which individual subjects gave to these three dimensions. These weights were found to be related to MMPI scales showing specifiable change under faking instructions, and to the accuracy of social desirability estimation.
Detection of monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF) in normal blood and urine using a sensitive ELISA

Abstract We developed a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF), an inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the recruitment of blood monocytes to areas of inflammation. The ELISA, which is based on a sandwich method using two newly-developed monoclonal antibodies, could quantitatively detect MCAF in the range between 2.5 pg/ml (50 fg/sample) to 300 pg/ml after incubation for a total of 2 h, and showed no cross-reactivity with various structurally-related IL-8 superfamily proteins. It was not affected by blood or urine components nonspecifically, and thus was directly applicable to clinical specimens. When serum and urine samples from healthy subjects were measured, they all turned out to contain detectable levels of MCAF (more than 30 pg/ml). By gel-filtration column chromatography analysis, MCAF in the body fluids was eluted as a single peak at the position corresponding to the molecular weight of 10 kD, suggesting that it exists as a monomer form, free from carrier proteins. The established ELISA here is expected to be effectively used for the further investigations on the relationship of MCAF with various inflammatory diseases.
Probing Interactions Between Ultracold Fermions

At ultracold temperatures, the Pauli exclusion principle suppresses collisions between identical fermions. This has motivated the development of atomic clocks with fermionic isotopes. However, by probing an optical clock transition with thousands of lattice-confined, ultracold fermionic strontium atoms, we observed density-dependent collisional frequency shifts. These collision effects were measured systematically and are supported by a theoretical description attributing them to inhomogeneities in the probe excitation process that render the atoms distinguishable. This work also yields insights for zeroing the clock density shift.
Relative Viscosity of Proteins Extracted from Frozen, Thawed Turkey Muscle with the Sodium Salts of Nitrite, Chloride, and Tripolyphosphate

Turkey breast muscle batters were prepared with sodium chloride, sodium nitrite, and sodium tripolyphosphate. Batter pH and centrifuged batter sediment weight were measured, extracted protein amounts were measured by the biuret method, and relative viscosity of the extract was determined by capillary tube viscometry. Water and nitrite extracts had similar pH values, protein concentrations and relative viscosities. The batter with sodium chloride had the lowest pH while the batter with sodium tripolyphosphate had the highest pH. The greatest centrifuged batter sediment weight, greatest protein concentration and most viscous extract were from the batter containing sodium chloride and sodium tripolyphosphate.
Psychiatric and Otologic Diagnoses in Patients Complaining of Dizziness

Background: Dizziness is a common and disabling symptom in primary care practice, especially among the elderly. Though there are many organic causes of dizziness, the results of medical workups are negative in the majority of patients. Methods: A total of 75 patients with dizziness who were referred to a community otolaryngology practice received a structured psychiatric diagnostic interview (National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule) and questionnaires that assessed psychological distress as well as a complete otologic evaluation, including electronystagmogram. Patients with evidence of a peripheral vestibular disorder were compared with those without such evidence. Results: While psychiatric diagnoses were present in both those with and without evidence of a peripheral vestibular disorder, those without such evidence had a greater mean number of lifetime psychiatric diagnoses as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition , and specifically, a greater life-time prevalence of major depression and panic disorder. This group also more frequently met criteria for somatization disorder, had more current and lifetime unexplained medical symptoms, and had more severe current depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. Conclusions: Psychiatric diagnoses are common among patients with dizziness referred for otologic evaluation who do not show evidence of a peripheral vestibular disorder. Specific psychiatric disorders should be part of the differential diagnosis of patients who present with dizziness. (Arch Intern Med. 1993;153:1479-1484)
Cross-Cultural Training in Motivational Interviewing

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the cross-cultural transportability of motivational interviewing (MI), an evidence-based addiction treatment method. Free clinical training in MI was offered in separate targeted workshops for 86 African American, Native American, and Spanish-speaking addiction treatment providers. Audiotaped pre- and posttraining clinical work samples were coded for indexes of MI competence. In all 3 samples, posttraining gains in MI proficiency were at least as large as those found earlier with predominantly non-Hispanic White providers. Combined with evidence for the efficacy of MI in minority populations, these findings support the cross-cultural applicability of MI.
The Joint Effects of Race and Age on the Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease Attributed to Hypertension

Abstract To describe the joint effects of race and age on the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) attributed to hypertension (ESRD-HT), we analyzed data for white and black adults, 20 to 84 years of age, reported by the United States Renal Data System during the period 1987 to 1990. The risk of ESRD-HT increased substantially with age for both blacks and whites; however, at each age, the risk was greater for blacks. A more in-depth description of the combination of effects involving race and age on ESRD-HT incidence was provided by two models of joint effects, one additive and the other multiplicative. Both models used the 20- to 24-year age group as the referent. Under the additive model the risk of ESRD-HT in blacks attributable to the joint effects between race and age increased continuously from younger to older groups. This indicates that although ESRD-HT risk increases with age for both blacks and whites, the increase for blacks is greater than expected if the effects of race were independent of the effects of age. However, the multiplicative model indicated that the proportional increase with age in ESRD-HT risk among blacks, as compared with whites, was more striking for younger ages (≤50 years among women and ≤40 years among men), and especially so for men. This suggests a more accelerated course of hypertension toward ESRD for blacks (especially younger men) than for whites. A conceptual model to explain these patterns of race-age joint effects is proposed. The model considers two pathogenic patterns of progression to ESRD among hypertensive patients: (1) a rapidly progressive disease, particularly for younger black men, and (2) a slower progressive disease that culminates in ESRD at older ages. The implications of this conceptual model for future research, and the empirical findings on which it is based, are discussed.
Assessment of conformational ensemble sizes necessary for specific resolutions of coverage of conformational space.

The size of conformational ensembles required for regular coverage of the conformational space of druglike molecules was examined. Using the conformer generation program Omega, the number of regularly distributed conformers (NRC) of flexible compounds was determined as a function of the root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) resolution of coverage. A regression equation was developed predicting the NRC of a molecule as a function of RMSD. The model yielded R2 of 0.91 for both training and test sets, which consisted of 3414 and 3352 compounds, respectively. Utilizing 14 504 ligands from the Protein Data Bank with experimentally determined 3-D conformations, the regression equation was applied to the estimation of the NRC and the success rate of reproduction of experimental conformations from a theoretical conformation ensemble as a function of RMSD and flexibility was explored.
SDAS: A Knowledge-based Framework for Analyzing Defects in Apparel Manufacturing

The ability to produce high quality, defect-free garments is critical for the commercial success of any apparel manufacturing enterprise. Such a capability, however, requires the tools to analyze the defects, identify their causes and record the level of incidence of such defects. The Sewing Defects Analysis System (SDAS) is a knowledge-based system that has been designed and implemented for the classification and diagnosis of such garment manufacturing; defects. The user's description of a defect based on visual characteristics and location is employed to classify a defect and identify the manufacturing operation at which the defect was caused. SDAS also suggests remedies for the identified defect. The basis of the classification used in the SDAS, i.e., nature of the defect and its location, is applicable for all garment types. The SDAS diagnosis information is kept in text files which facilitates easy customization of the diagnosis output. SDAS also provides the user with detailed military garment speci...
Transforming Mental Health Care at the Interface With General Medicine: Report for the Presidents Commission

This paper is based on a report commissioned by the Subcommittee on Mental Health Interface With General Medicine of the Presidents New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Although mental and medical conditions are highly interconnected, medical and mental health care systems are separated in many ways that inhibit effective care. Treatable mental or medical illnesses are often not detected or diagnosed properly, and effective services are often not provided. Improved mental health care at the interface of general medicine and mental health requires educated consumers and providers; effective detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of common mental disorders; valid performance criteria for care at the interface of general medicine and mental health; care management protocols that match treatment intensity to clinical outcomes; effective specialty mental health support for general medical providers; and financing mechanisms for evidence-based models of care. Successful models exist for improving the collaboration between medical and mental health providers. Recommendations are presented for achieving high-quality care for common mental disorders at the interface of general medicine and mental health and for overcoming barriers and facilitating use of evidence-based quality improvement models.
In utero laser treatment of type II vasa previa.

Vasa previa, defined as fetal vessels coursing within the membranes between the presenting part and the cervix, occurs in approximately 1:2500–5000 pregnancies. Type II vasa previa consists of fetal vessels crossing over the internal os connecting a bilobed placenta or a succenturiate lobe with the main placental mass. These vessels are prone to compression during labor or may tear when membranes rupture potentially resulting in fetal exsanguination and neonatal death. This complication could be avoided altogether if the vessels could be obliterated in utero. The purpose of this communication is to report the successful in utero laser ablation of type II vasa previa at 22.5 weeks of gestation. Subsequent ruptured membranes did not result in untoward fetal consequences. Risks and benefits of this novel procedure are discussed.
National trends in use and outcome of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

Abstract Background Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is gaining popularity in the United States. Our objective was to examine the use and outcomes of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding at academic medical centers. Methods Using the "International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision" diagnosis and procedure codes, data were obtained from the University Health System Consortium Clinical Database for all laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and gastric bypass procedures performed from 2004 to 2007. Quartile trends in the use of all procedures were determined, and a comparison of in-hospital morbidity and mortality between laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and laparoscopic gastric bypass was performed. Results A total of 31,333 bariatric surgery procedures were performed from 2004 to 2007. During this period, the use of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and gastric bypass procedures increased from 7% to 23% and 53% to 66%, respectively. A concurrent decrease occurred in the use of open gastric bypass procedures from 40% to 11%. Compared with laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding was associated with a significantly shorter length of stay (1.3 versus 2.7 d, P P P P P Conclusion From 2004 to 2007, significant growth occurred in the number of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (+329%) and laparoscopic gastric bypass (+125%) procedures, with a precipitous decrease in the number of open gastric bypass (−73%) procedures. The increasing popularity of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure could in part be related to the lower cost and lower morbidity compared with laparoscopic gastric bypass.
A multiple-input current-source converter for a stand-alone hybrid power system

A multiple-input current-source converter for a stand-alone hybrid power system is proposed. As the power rating increases, isolated multiple-input converters may have limited efficiency caused by power losses from their coupled-inductor or transformer leakage inductance. This paper discusses a multiple-input circuit topology suitable for hybrid renewable energy applications, such as photovoltaic, wind generators, and fuel cells of up to a few kilowatts. The proposed converter has current source input interfaces and uses an auxiliary transformer to improve efficiency and reduce component count. The relationship between inputs and output is derived mathematically and verified with simulated and experimental results.
From Mao to Market: Rent Seeking, Local Protectionism, and Marketization in China

From Mao to Market: Rent Seeking, Local Protectionism, and Marketization in China. By Andrew H. Wedeman. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2003. 292p. $60.00. In the debate on postsocialist transitions, China has proved a contentious anomaly for proponents of the “big bang” and “gradualism” to explain. In particular, scholars have contended that China's combination of capitalist markets with socialist purchasing and marketing organs provided opportunities to gain rents by taking advantage of discrepancies between the two price mechanisms. Officials gain from such a pattern of rent seeking, which tends to stall reform efforts. Somewhat paradoxically, Andrew Wedeman argues that economic rents propelled China toward a free market economy, a novel contribution to the debate on postsocialist transitions.
Conflict Avoiders and Compromisers: Toward an Understanding of their Organizational Communication Style

This study examines the organizational communication style of individuals with different conflict-style preferences and the relation-ship of conflict-style preferences to organizational position, employment expectations, and communication satisfaction. The results indicated that individuals with preferences for conflict avoidance and compromising exhibited identifiable organizational communi-cation styles. Furthermore, managers were more likely to use a competitive conflict style than nonmanagers, while those who expected to stay in their present position were more likely to use a compromising style.
Ground‐State Reversal by Matrix Interaction: Electronic States and Vibrational Frequencies of CUO in Solid Argon and Neon

The reactions of laser-ablated metal atoms with small molecules during their condensation in frozen noble gas matrices have led to a remarkable number of fundamental small molecules that provide new insights into the structures of and bonding in metal complexes.
Divergent Mechanisms of Paraquat, MPP+, and Rotenone Toxicity: Oxidation of Thioredoxin and Caspase-3 Activation

Paraquat, N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine, and rotenone have been shown to reproduce several features of Parkinson's disease in animal and cell culture models. Although these chemicals are known to perturb dopamine homeostasis and induce dopaminergic cell death, their molecular mechanisms of action are not well defined. We have previously shown that paraquat does not require functional dopamine transporter and does not inhibit mitochondrial complex I in order to mediate its toxic action (Richardson et al., 2005). In this study, we show that paraquat specifically oxidized the cytosolic form of thioredoxin and activated Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), followed by caspase-3 activation. Conversely, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) and rotenone oxidized the mitochondrial form of thioredoxin but did not activate JNK-mitogen-activated protein kinase and caspase-3. Loading cells with exogenous dopamine did not exacerbate the toxicity of any of these compounds. These data suggest that oxidative modification of cytosolic proteins is critical to paraquat toxicity, while oxidation of mitochondrial proteins is important for MPP(+) and rotenone toxicity. In addition, intracellular dopamine does not seem to exacerbate the toxicity of these dopaminergic neurotoxicants in this model.
The Peace Corps and Higher Education: Finally the Envisioned Partnership?

A number of structural and contextual changes underway suggests that now that the Peace Corps has begun its second half-century, it may be the opportune time for a broader and deeper strategic partnership with higher education along the lines that the Peace Corps founders’ envisioned. That partnership would involve higher education playing an expanded role in recruiting, training, and evaluating Peace Corps volunteers to supplement the more than 100 existing partnerships between the Peace Corps and higher education in graduate study.
Reconsidering Himalayan river anticlines

The observation that major Himalayan rivers flow parallel to and down the axis of anticlines oriented transverse to the primary structural grain of the range has puzzled geomorphologists for decades. Although there is a general consensus that the courses of trans-Himalayan rivers predate the Himalayan orogeny, the close association of rivers and structural highs would not be expected to result from the superposition of rivers onto pre-existing structures. Moreover, in the past several decades structural studies have shown that the development of river anticlines represents the most recent phase of deformation in the range. It is proposed that Himalayan river anticlines are the consequence of focused rock uplift in response to significant differences between net erosion along major rivers and surrounding regions. This hypothesis is supported by large gradients in observed and predicted erosion rates across major Himalayan rivers and by results from an isostasy-driven model, which requires relatively low flexural rigidities to match the wavelength of Himalayan river anticlines. Whether the amplitude of these structures is due to isostasy or also reflects active crustal channeling is not well-constrained, but given the uncertainty in the flexural rigidity and in the local and far-field erosion rates, both possibilities remain viable explanations. Given the observed correlation between the Arun River anticline and local rainfall maxima, it is proposed that Himalayan river anticlines are the expression of a relatively fine-scale linkage between tectonics, erosion and climate superimposed on the broader and older canvas of the Himalayan orogeny. Finally, it is suggested that the development of river anticlines represents one example along a continuum of features arising from different degrees of erosion-structure coupling in active orogens.
Posse: A Framework for Optimizing Incremental View Maintenance at Data Warehouse

We propose the Posse framework for optimizing incremental view maintenance at data warehouses. To this end, we show how for a particular method of consistent probing it is possible to have the power of SQL view queries with multiset semantics, and at the same time have available a spectrum of concurrency from none at all as in previously proposed solutions to the maximum concurrency obtained by issuing all probes in parallel. We then show how optimization of the probing process can be used to select various degrees of concurrency for the desired tradeoffs of concurrency against processing cost and message size.
Reconsideration of skeletal development of Chelydra serpentina (Reptilia: Testudinata: Chelydridae): evidence for intraspecific variation

Patterns of formation and sequence of ossification of the entire skeleton are described for the snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina, based on new and previously published data. Differences in the sequences of ossification events are described and demonstrate considerable intraspecific variation in these developmental data. The chondrocranium of a late developmental-stage specimen is described and illustrated as baseline data for comparative studies. Patterns of formation and chondrification of forelimb and hind limb elements are generally consistent with those of previous studies; however, conspicuous differences in the patterns of ossification are observed among metapodial and phalangeal elements. In the cranium, patterns of ossification of dermal elements are generally more variable than are those of endochondral elements of the braincase, and as in previous studies, endochondral elements ossify after dermal elements. Documented intraspecific variation in sequence and timing of formation, chondrification, and ossification of skeletal elements should serve as a caveat for those conducting studies of phylogeny, heterochrony, and evolution with these data. Causes of natural and induced variation are discussed briefly.
Structure-Function Relationship of Clostridial Neurotoxins

Botulinum neurotoxins are a unique group of metalloproteases which catalyze single site cleavage of specific proteins involved in the docking and fusion of synaptic vesicles with plasma membrane for neurotransmitter release. Seven serotypes of botulinum neurotoxins share a common molecular mode of action, with remarkable difference in their primary amino acid sequences and protein substrates in neuronal cells. the neurotoxins are large water soluble proteins (150 kDa) with distinct domains associated with different biochemical functions during the toxicogenesis process. In this review, we have focused on the description of the role of specific protein segments in the binding, translocation and endopeptidase activity of the toxin molecules.
Performance Assessment for Geological Disposal of Graphite Waste Containing TRISO Particles

This paper presents a deterministic performance assessment for spent fuel from deep-burn modular high-temperature reactors (DBMHRs) in the proposed Yucca Mountain repository. Typical DBMHR designs ...
Hatching Butterflies and Other Mysteries: A Story of a Teacher Learning to “Let Go”

As a teacher deals with the frustrations of classroom management and her fears concerning control, she finds what it means to “let go” to the process of living and learning with young children. Her method of dealing with issues of classroom community involves teacher reflection on action, listening to stories of children, and telling stories of her own.
Fast-Speed, High-Accuracy and Real-Time 3D Imaging with Fringe Projection Technique

In recent years, improving and extending the capabilities of the three-dimensional (3D) imaging to fast-speed and high-accuracy performance has been a very active research topic. Although the latest advances may help provide real-time and high-resolution measurements, to simultaneously achieve high-accuracy performance is still a big challenge. In this paper, we describe a novel 3D shape measurement and 3D imaging system based on using the fringe projection technique. It employs a generalized system setup, an ultrafast multiple-frequency phase-unwrapping algorithm, a flexible system calibration method, a robust gamma correction technique, and a graphical-programming-unit-based (GPU-based) data processing scheme to achieve fast-speed, high-accuracy and fast-speed 3D shape measurement and 3D imaging performance. The real-time system can operate at a speed of 45 3D-frames/second with relative accuracy of 1/2,500 or at a reduced speed of 10 3D-frames/second with enhanced accuracy of 1/10,000.
Proposed Special Adjustments Reg Would Create Uncertainty for Corporations Transacting Business in Louisiana

The author looks at a proposed regulation that would interpret section 47:287.480 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, providing guidance to corporations determining Louisiana tax liabiilty. However, if the regulation is adopted as proposed, it would create confusion, Kalinka says.
Speculations and Hype versus Verifiable Evidence in Microbiological Research

This letter concerns speculations on “extraterrestrial life” and experimental evidence for past or present life on the Moon and Mars. To date, there is no credible evidence for “life elsewhere,” even microbes. Nevertheless, NASA continues to trumpet “astrobiology,” an oxymoron which suggests that life has actually been found beyond Earth. NASA exploits the fallacious notion that the existence of terrestrial bacteria able to live under “extreme” chemical or physical conditions (extremophiles) strengthens the possibility of life beyond Earth. Thus, on 2 December 2010, NASA announced in a massive publicity event that their grantees (led by Felicia Wolfe-Simon) isolated, from Mono Lake sediment mud, an extraordinary bacterium in which arsenic replaced phosphorus in its DNA and other P-containing essential metabolites. Could the strange bacterium be an alien?
The Mechanism of Foreign Culture Inclusion and Translating Language Equivalence

During the course of translating text, the machining function of foreign culture inclusion has a great impact on the construction of translation theory. The function is realized by language equivalence and transition of cultural function. Actually, language and culture is mutual related and cannot be separated. The paper will focus on analyzing the machining function of foreign culture inclusion affecting translating language equivalence, from the aspect of language.
Relationship between the growth rate of forsterite phase transformation and its water content and the existing depth of metastable olivine

We investigate the relationship between water content and the parameters in the growth kinetics of forsterite phase transformation,i.e.,the pre-exponential factor and the Helmhotz free energy of activation,by analyzing the growth parameters of forsterite separately for water content varying from about 0.08 to 0.5 per cent in weight.Results show that increase of water content only decreases the Helmholtz free energy of activation for growth,while the preexponential factor of classical growth rate equation has weak dependence on the water content and is nearly a constant,of which the value corresponds to an interphase boundary with the thickness of one or a few layers of molecules.This fact is consistent with the observation of quench experiments on olivine and rheological studies.Accordingly,taking this fact as a constraint,we predict the survival depth of metastable forsterite with different water contents.The dynamic phase boundary of forsterite changes from several kilometers below the equilibrium boundary of forsterite phase transformation to almost the 660 km discontinuity.Different from forsterite, mantle olivine has smaller metastability.Under a nominal dry condition,the dynamic phase boundary of mantle olivine is 20 km shallower than that of forsterite.The current result agrees that there might exist detectable extent of metastable olivine in subduction zones although it is difficult to reach the 660-discontinuity.
A New Model of Care: A Combined Pediatric/ Adult Thrombosis and Hemostasis (PATH) Clinic – One Center's Experience.

Abstract 4553 Background Patients of all ages with thrombosis are frequently tested for heritable thrombophilias (HT). Similarly, patients with bleeding or bruising may be tested for heritable bleeding (HB) conditions. We developed the Pediatric/Adult Thrombosis & Hemostasis (PATH) Clinic, a once-monthly clinic where children, adults and their families in whom the diagnosis of HT or HB was established or being considered could be assessed simultaneously by a pediatric and “adult” hematologist. Reasons for the clinic9s creation included 1. HT/ HB conditions are lifelong. A combined clinic aids transition from a pediatric provider to an internist at the same institution. 2. Adolescence is when many HT/ HB disorders manifest themselves. This group has medical and developmental traits that cross pediatric and internal medicine approaches and expertise. 3. Adult experience. Much treatment for pediatric thromboses is extrapolated from adult data. An adult hematologist present at the evaluation of a pediatric patient with HT provides a valuable resource for the child and pediatric hematologist. 4. The finding of HT or HB in a patient has implications for family members regardless of age. 5. Convenience. All family members can be evaluated at a single visit where several members might need screening. Objective To review the experience of a combined pediatric/adult clinic created to evaluate potential HT/ HB in patients of all ages. Method IRB-approved chart review. Results 92 patients have been evaluated (61 for HT, 31 HB). Mean age 18 yr., median 16 yr. Female 64%. The most common reason for referral was evaluation of HT in an asymptomatic patient (42%) because of a family member having had a thrombosis or recent diagnosis of HT. Those evaluated for potential HT were less likely to be symptomatic (i.e. had not experienced a thrombosis) than those with HB (31% vs. 65%, p Conclusions The model of the PATH clinic – simultaneous evaluation of patients of all ages with or suspicion for HT/ HB by a pediatric and “adult” hematologist – may be useful to other centers. Adolescents (in transition from the pediatric to adult age group) comprised the single largest cohort, emphasizing the potential importance of a combined approach. Adolescent women were especially represented, likely due to the new potential for bleeding (menarche) leading to a diagnosis of an HB and the emergence of acquired thrombophilic risk factors (estrogen contraception and pregnancy) in this group that have implications in families with HT. Physicians in such a clinic should have particular knowledge of bleeding and thrombophilic conditions in adolescent women and of counseling for asymptomatic HT. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
TCT-480 National Trend in Multivessel Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in the United States

Patients with diabetes and multivessel coronary artery disease treated with multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (MVPCI) have higher mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization rates compared to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Our study objective is