cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low resolution microwave spectra and conformations of five nitric acid esters

Abstract Low resolution microwave (LRMW) spectra of n -propyl, allyl, n -butyl, iso -propyl and 2-butyl nitrate reveal mixtures of conformational isomers which have been characterized and correlated with conformations observed in ethyl nitrate. Conformers of the three primary esters can be assigned to anti (A; τ 2 (NOCC) = 180°) and gauche (G; τ 2 (NOCC) ∼ 90°) configurations about the NOCC torsional angle coupled with gauche or anti configurations about τ 3 (OCCC) and τ 4 (CCCC) for n -propyl and n -butyl nitrate and syn (τ 3 (OCCC) = 0°) and skew (τ 3 (OCCC = 120°) configurations about τ 3 for allyl nitrate. Isopropyl nitrate exists in a gauche (τ 2 (NOCH) ∼ 60°) conformation. Spectra of 2-butyl nitrate are compatible with a similar gauche conformer about τ 2 coupled with staggered configurations about τ 3 (OCCC). For each compound all of the observed conformers are approximately equally stable. The LRMW spectra are insensitive to orientation about τ 1 (ONOC).
Neonatal network: A model for interagency service coordination for very-low-birth-weight infants and their families

The Neonatal Network, a model program for interagency service coordination for primarily indigent, minority very-low-birth-weight infants and their families is described. The Neonatal Network has been an effective service delivery coordination system and training mechanism that should be applicable and easily replicable in other communities with the same or different target populations.
Competitive Analysis of Dynamic Power Management Strategies for Systems with Multiple Power Savings States

We present strategies for "online" dynamic power management (DPM) based on the notion of the competitive ratio that allows us to compare the effectiveness of algorithms against an optimal strategy. This paper makes two contributions: it provides a theoretical basis for the analysis of DPM strategies for systems with multiple power down states; and provides a competitive algorithm based on probabilistically generated inputs that improves the competitive ratio over deterministic strategies. Experimental results show that our probability-based DPM strategy improves the efficiency of power management over the deterministic DPM strategy by 25%, bringing the strategy to within 23% of the optimal offline DPM.
Distance Estimation in Virtual Environments

This paper describes an experiment to evaluate a procedure for measuring distance perception in immersive VEs. Forty-eight subjects viewed a VE with a Head Mounted Display (HMD), a Binocular Omni-Oriented Monitor (BOOM), or a computer monitor. Subjects estimated the distance to a figure of known height that was initially 40 ft away. As the figure moved forward, subjects indicated when the figure was perceived to be 30, 20, 10, 5, and 2.5 ft away. A separate group of 36 subjects performed the task in a real-world setting roughly comparable to the VE. VE distance estimation was highly variable across subjects. For distance perception involving a moving figure, in the VE conditions most subjects called out before the figure had closed to the specified distances. Distance estimation was least accurate with the monitor. In the real world, most subjects called out after the figure had closed to or passed the specified distances. Ways to improve the procedure are discussed.
ZnO nanoparticle fate in soil and zinc bioaccumulation in corn plants (Zea mays) influenced by alginate

Nanoparticles (NPs) can interact with naturally occurring inorganic and organic substances in soils, which may change their transport behavior in soil and plants. This study was performed in two steps. In the first step, corn (Zea mays) plants were cultivated for one month in soil amended with 10 nm commercial spheroid ZnO NPs at 0–800 mg kg−1 and sodium alginate at 10 mg kg−1. In the second step, the plants were grown with ZnO NPs at 400 mg kg−1 and alginate at 0, 10, 50, and 100 mg kg−1. The dynamics of Zn concentrations in soil solution and Zn accumulation in plant tissues were determined by ICP-OES. Biomass accumulation, chlorophyll concentration, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves were also quantified. Results indicate that ZnO NPs coexisting with Zn dissolved species were continuously released to the soil solution to replenish the Zn ions or ZnO NPs scavenged by roots. At 400 and 800 mg kg−1, without alginate, ZnO NPs significantly reduced the root and shoot biomass production; however, plants treated with these NP concentrations, plus alginate, had significantly more Zn in tissues with no reduction in biomass production. Alginate significantly reduced the activity of stress enzymes catalase and peroxidase, which could indicate damage in the defense system. The effects of ZnO NPs in a food crop grown in alginate enriched soil, showing an excess of Zn in the aerial parts, are yet to be reported.
A comparison of two methods for fractionating complex mixtures in preparation for toxicity analysis.

Chemical fractionation is a widely used tool for the chemical and toxicological characterization of complex mixtures. The objective of this research was to compare two frequently employed methods f...
FIRST RECORD OF A RANGE EXTENSION OF THE CLIFF CHIPMUNK (TAMIAS DORSALIS) INTO THE HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS

Chipmunks are widely distributed throughout the mountain ranges of Arizona. However, no living chip- munks are known from the Huachuca Mountains despite the availability of favorable habitat. Based upon pelage charac- teristics of captured individuals, we provide the first report of a breeding population of cliff chipmunks (Tamias dorsalis) in the Huachuca Mountains and discuss possible mechanisms of their arrival.
TRPM7 provides an ion channel mechanism for cellular entry of trace metal ions.

Trace metal ions such as Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, and Co2+ are required cofactors for many essential cellular enzymes, yet little is known about the mechanisms through which they enter into cells. We have shown previously that the widely expressed ion channel TRPM7 (LTRPC7, ChaK1, TRP-PLIK) functions as a Ca2+- and Mg2+-permeable cation channel, whose activity is regulated by intracellular Mg2+ and Mg2+·ATP and have designated native TRPM7-mediated currents as magnesium-nucleotide–regulated metal ion currents (MagNuM). Here we report that heterologously overexpressed TRPM7 in HEK-293 cells conducts a range of essential and toxic divalent metal ions with strong preference for Zn2+ and Ni2+, which both permeate TRPM7 up to four times better than Ca2+. Similarly, native MagNuM currents are also able to support Zn2+ entry. Furthermore, TRPM7 allows other essential metals such as Mn2+ and Co2+ to permeate, and permits significant entry of nonphysiologic or toxic metals such as Cd2+, Ba2+, and Sr2+. Equimolar replacement studies substituting 10 mM Ca2+ with the respective divalent ions reveal a unique permeation profile for TRPM7 with a permeability sequence of Zn2+ ≈ Ni2+ >> Ba2+ > Co2+ > Mg2+ ≥ Mn2+ ≥ Sr2+ ≥ Cd2+ ≥ Ca2+, while trivalent ions such as La3+ and Gd3+ are not measurably permeable. With the exception of Mg2+, which exerts strong negative feedback from the intracellular side of the pore, this sequence is faithfully maintained when isotonic solutions of these divalent cations are used. Fura-2 quenching experiments with Mn2+, Co2+, or Ni2+ suggest that these can be transported by TRPM7 in the presence of physiological levels of Ca2+ and Mg2+, suggesting that TRPM7 represents a novel ion-channel mechanism for cellular metal ion entry into vertebrate cells.
Theories in Search of a Curve: A Contextual Interpretation of Left Vote

This article contends that the voting behavior of individuals depends not only upon their own traits but also upon the social context within which it takes place. Left voting depends upon the extent of class consciousness of the workers, where class consciousness is defined as the marginal rate of change of left voting when social structure changes. Marxist theory does not predict that workers will always vote for left parties but only that they will do so when the class is politically organized. According to this theory, the behavior of individuals depends upon the characteristics of the class and not vice versa. Several models can be constructed on the basis of these hypotheses. The choice of the proper function relating the variables is crucial for theory construction. This choice must be theoretically determined, i.e., it must follow from the premises of the theory. However, several theories may equally well explain the reality and the choice on the basis of empirical criteria is not always possible.
Effects of the “I Can Use Effort” Strategy on Quality of Student Verbal Contributions and Individualized Education Program Participation With Third- and Fourth-Grade Students With Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the I Can Use Effort strategy on the quality of student verbal contributions and IEP participation of third and fourth grade students with high-incidence disabilities. Using a multiple probe across participants design, results indicated a functional relationship between the I Can Use Effort strategy and the quality of students’ verbal contributions related to the IEP process and students’ learning strengths and preferences. The 5 lesson intervention improved all 4 students’ ability to express their learning preferences and contribute information in an IEP meeting. In addition, measures of social validity demonstrated the social significance and appropriateness of the intervention’s goals and procedures.
Computational aspects of many-body potentials

We discuss the relative complexity and computational cost of several popular many-body empirical potentials, developed by the materials science community over the past 30 years. The inclusion of more detailed many-body effects has come at a computational cost, but the cost still scales linearly with the number of atoms modeled. This is enabling very large molecular dynamics simulations with unprecedented atomic-scale fidelity to physical and chemical phenomena. The cost and scalability of the potentials, run in serial and parallel, are benchmarked in the LAMMPS molecular dynamics code. Several recent large calculations performed with these potentials are highlighted to illustrate what is now possible on current supercomputers. We conclude with a brief mention of high-performance computing architecture trends and the research issues they raise for continued potential development and use.
Global paths of time-periodic solutions of the Benjamin-Ono equation connecting arbitrary traveling waves

We classify all bifurcations from traveling waves to non-trivial time-periodic solutions of the Benjamin-Ono equation that are predicted by linearization. We use a spectrally accurate numerical continuation method to study several paths of non-trivial solutions beyond the realm of linear theory. These paths are found to either re-connect with a different traveling wave or to blow up. In the latter case, as the bifurcation parameter approaches a critical value, the amplitude of the initial condition grows without bound and the period approaches zero. We propose a conjecture that gives the mapping from one bifurcation to its counterpart on the other side of the path of non-trivial solutions. By experimentation with data fitting, we identify the form of the exact solutions on the path connecting two traveling waves, which represents the Fourier coefficients of the solution as power sums of a finite number of particle positions whose elementary symmetric functions execute simple orbits in the complex plane (circles or epicycles). We then solve a system of algebraic equations to express the unknown constants in the new representation in terms of the mean, a spatial phase, a temporal phase, four integers (enumerating the bifurcation at each end of the path) and one additional bifurcation parameter. We also find examples of interior bifurcations from these paths of already non-trivial solutions, but we do not attempt to analyze their algebraic structure.
On the valence excited states of conjugated dienes

Abstract Electron impact spectroscopic results are reported for the lowest-energy Ag and Bu valence excited states of several conjugated dienes. In all cases, the Bu state was found to lie below the Ag state. The Bu state of the s-cis compounds was found to be ≈ 0.5 eV lower in energy than that of the s-trans compounds. Correlations of these results with those obtained for several s-trans and s-cis polyenes leads to a new possible interpretation of the state observed below the Bu state in intermediate length polynes.
Vibrational coherence in the excited state dynamics of Cr(acac)3: probing the reaction coordinate for ultrafast intersystem crossing

Vibrational coherence was observed following excitation into the lowest-energy spin-allowed 4A2 → 4T2 ligand-field absorption of Cr(acac)3. The transient kinetics were fit to a rapidly damped 164 cm−1 oscillatory component, the frequency of which is not associated with the ground state of the molecule. The signal is assigned as an excited-state vibrational coherence; the timescale of the event suggests that this vibrational coherence is retained during the 4T2 → 2E intersystem crossing that immediately follows 4A2 → 4T2 excitation. DFT calculations indicate that the 164 cm−1 oscillation likely corresponds to a combination of Cr–O bond stretching in the ligand-field excited state as well as large amplitude motion of the ligand backbone. This hypothesis is supported by ultrafast time-resolved absorption measurements on Cr(t-Bu-acac)3 (where t-Bu-acac is the monoanionic form of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedione) – an electronically similar but more sterically encumbered molecule – which exhibits a 4T2 → 2E conversion that is more than an order of magnitude slower than that observed for Cr(acac)3. These results provide important insights into the nature of the reaction coordinate that underlies ultrafast excited-state evolution in this prototypical coordination complex.
Examining the Factor Structure of the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale

The authors examined the factor structure of the long and short forms of the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES; M. Tschannen-Moran & A. Woolfolk-Hoy, 2001) for practicing (n = 102) and preservice teachers (n = 270), comparing the responses to both forms of the TSES, and looked for differences in teachers’ efficacy with respect to experience and grade level taught. They found the 3-factor structure—efficacy for classroom management, instructional practices, and student engagement—to be appropriate for practicing teachers, but they found a single efficacy factor to be appropriate for preservice teachers. The long and short forms of the TSES produced similar means and reliability information, suggesting that either form is appropriate for use with preservice or practicing teachers. Last, they found that teachers with 10 or more years of teaching experience and those teaching at the elementary level reported significantly higher levels of efficacy than did preservice teachers or those teaching at the mi...
Multiple-objective optimal designs for the logit model

The toxicity and efficiency of a drug must be determined before it is approved for general use. Quantal dose-response experiments are routinely conducted to examine the response rates at dose levels of interest, Multiple-objective optimal designs for such studies are found and compared with the popular equal allocation rules.
Vasopeptidase inhibitor reduces inhospital costs for patients with congestive heart failure: Results from the IMPRESS trial

Abstract Background The Inhibition of Metallo Protease by BMS-186716 in a Randomized Exercise and Symptoms Study in Subjects With Heart Failure (IMPRESS) clinical trial randomized patients with congestive heart failure to a daily regimen of either omapatrilat or lisinopril. At 24 weeks, patients randomized to omapatrilat had a significant reduction in the combined end point of death, hospitalization, or discontinuation of study drug for worsening heart failure when compared with patients randomized to lisinopril. They also had significantly fewer serious cardiac adverse events. Objective This study sought to determine the economic consequences of the lower event rates of patients who were given omapatrilat. Methods Economic outcomes (major hospitalizations and their associated medical costs) were compared between treatment groups and assessed by use of the societal perspective. Hospitalization information was obtained from the IMPRESS trial's standardized case report and serious adverse event forms. Hospital costs were evaluated by means of assigning each hospital admission a diagnosis-related group and an average cost for physician and hospital services. Emergency department visits were included only when they were made for worsening heart failure and were assigned costs equivalent to the average hospital and physician Medicare reimbursement for these visits in Duke University Medical Center's heart failure program. Drug costs were not assessed. Results Although the typical patient in both treatment groups was event-free, there was a trend toward a greater number of hospitalizations in the patients given lisinopril than in the patients given omapatrilat ( P =.07). Differences in the distribution of cardiac hospitalizations between patients given lisinopril and patients given omapatrilat were significant ( P =.03). There was a trend toward lower medical costs at 24 weeks in patients given omapatrilat versus patients given lisinopril ($1930 vs $2002, P =.09). Considering only cardiac medical costs, this trend toward reduced medical costs was significant ($1240 vs $1442, P =.03). Conclusions At 24 weeks, patients with heart failure treated with omapatrilat had fewer hospitalizations and lower medical costs than patients treated with lisinopril. However, drug treatment costs were not available for this analysis. (Am Heart J 2002;143:1112-7.)
Mechanisms of oxysterol-induced disease: insights from the biliary system

Oxysterols are oxidized species of cholesterol that are derived from exogenous (e.g. dietary) and endogenous (in vivo) sources. Oxysterols play critical roles in normal physiologic functions as well as in pathophysiologic processes in a variety of organ systems. This review provides an overview of oxysterol biology from the vantage point of the biliary system. Several oxysterols have been identified in human bile in the context of biliary tract infection and inflammation. This finding has led to investigations regarding the potential pathophysiologic significance of biliary oxysterols in diseases affecting the biliary system, with an emphasis on cholangiocarcinoma. Emerging evidence implicates specific oxysterols in the development and progression of this malignancy. This review will summarize the literature on oxysterols in the biliary system and discuss how the accumulated evidence contributes to a hypothesis describing the molecular basis of cholangiocarcinogenesis.
Biocatalytic Solvent-Free Polymerization To Produce High Molecular Weight Polyesters

Environmentally benign chemical synthesis is a central thrust in the current U.S. research arena. Production of polymers contributes to pollution during synthesis and after use. Thus, the synthesis of a biodegradable plastic by “green” technology could have a real impact. Indeed, such a polymer produced by microorganisms is already a commercial product (Biopol). Unfortunately, however, cellular synthesis remains limited by the cost of downstream processing and the fact that the synthesis is aqueous-based, and it is impossible to perform the synthesis in the absence of a solvent. Bulk polymerization is the standard method for polyester synthesis. The research reported herein describes an enzyme-catalyzed polymer synthesis in which there is no solvent. This bulk polymerization mirrors conventional synthesis but eliminates the needs for extremes of temperature and corrosive acid catalysts. This paper represents the first rapid and efficient synthesis of polyesters from bulk polymerization under ambient conditions with very low concentrations of a biocatalyst. The effects of parameters influencing the molecular weight and end-group fuctionality have been studied by following the progress of polymerization.
Adolescent narcissism and its association with different indices of prosocial behavior

Abstract This study sought to replicate previous findings that adolescent pathological narcissism is linked to self-reported prosocial behavior ( Kauten & Barry, 2014 ) and further investigated the relation of self-reported narcissism with self-, parent- and peer-reported prosocial behavior, as well as prosocial intentions, in 155 at-risk adolescents (M age = 16.8 years, SD = .77; 127 males, 28 females). Non-pathological narcissism demonstrated a positive relation with parent-reported prosocial behavior, and grandiose narcissism was positively related to both self- and parent-reported prosocial behavior. Vulnerable narcissism did not demonstrate a significant relation with any variant of prosocial behavior. Thus, the relation between adolescent narcissism and prosocial behavior appears to vary based on the dimension of narcissism and the method of assessing prosocial behavior.
Gene Expression Profiling

Gene expression (GE) analyses by use of microarrays (MAs) have become an important part of biomedical and clinical research and the resulting data may provide important information regarding pathogenesis and be extrapolated for use in diagnosing/prognosticating lymphomas and leukemias. This chapter will first review the various techniques used in gene expression profiling (GEP), and then present the pertinent practical applications of the data acquired by GEP in diagnostic hematopathology, as summarized in various tables, referenced throughout the text.
Mocking Authority: Aristophanes' Clouds and Democratic Authority

This essay examines Aristophanes' Clouds as providing an alternative understanding of democratic authority.
A 2DOF SOI-MEMS Nanopositioner With Tilted Flexure Bulk Piezoresistive Displacement Sensors

We describe a novel high-bandwidth two degree of freedom microelectromechanical system nanopositioner. On-chip piezoresistive sensors and four electrostatic actuators are incorporated. The bulk piezoresistivity of tilted clamped-guided beams is used to facilitate the fabrication process by eliminating the need for implementing highly doped regions on flexures. To enhance the mechanical characteristics of the nanopositioners, folded springs are also proposed, analytically modeled, and implemented as a component of the device suspension system. The nanopositioner demonstrates a displacement range larger than 15 $\mu \text{m}$ and in-plane resonance modes above 3.6 kHz in both axes. A significant increase in the bandwidth of the piezoresistive sensors is achieved by improving their on-chip signal routing layout. Sensing bandwidths as wide as 55 kHz are experimentally demonstrated for the modified sensors. Characterization reveals a phase response with minimal delay over a large bandwidth, making the device a promising platform for implementation of high-performance feedback control systems. The nanopositioner is also used as the scanning stage of an atomic force microscope for imaging purposes.
Heeding the CALL (Comprehensive Assessment of Leadership for Learning): An Inquiry into Instructional Collaboration among School Professionals.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine what school leadership practices are associated with a school’s level of instructional collaboration among school professionals and also investigates what school characteristics are linked to the level of instructional collaboration in a school. Design/methodology/approach – This study drew data from the Comprehensive Assessment of Leadership for Learning (CALL) survey. CALL is a multi-source measure of distributed leadership, comprised of five domains of school leadership practices. Responses from 3,767 teachers and 167 administrators working at 129 schools were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression analysis. Findings – The findings show that there are significant relationships between school leadership practices and the extent of instructional collaboration taking place within schools, both in terms of quantity and quality. In particular, school leadership practices that are closely related to facilitating instruction and allocating resources ...
Natural Regulation of a Douglas-Fir Tussock Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Population in the Sierra Nevada

Outbreaks of the Douglas-fir tussock moth, Orgyia pseudotsugata (McDunnough), have recurred periodically since 1953 on the Eldorado National Forest in California. The most recent population increase (1974–1978) culminated below an outbreak density, and the number of insects declined again without causing tree defoliation. Details of this culmination and decline were recorded in life tables for the 1978 and 1979 generations. Life processes and mortalities in each life stage were evaluated by k factor analysis for their effects on intergeneration change. The most important factor affecting change was the disappearance of larvae, which accounted for 63% of the total generation mortality. Parasitization of larvae, pupae, and eggs was responsible for 29% and predation of pupae and eggs accounted for 9% of the total. Much of the larval disappearance appeared to be caused by predators, especially arboreal arthropods which commonly preyed on early instars. Although other factors were also involved, these predators apparently played a significant regulatory role by suppressing population buildup in time to prevent serious defoliation.
Effects of Auditory Masking by White Noise on Primary Stressing during Spontaneous Speech

6 adult subjects (3 men, 3 women) produced highly similar spontaneous speech utterances in quiet and with 90-dB SPL white noise. The frequency of occurrence of perceptual judgments of primary stressing in an utterance was not affected by the masking noise. This finding supplements our previous report that variability for stress production of fundamental frequency (fo) during spontaneous speech was preserved under short-term auditory disruption. Also, it adds further support to the contention that fo is under open-loop regulation.
Follow-up of stent transplantation in renal artery stenosis

Objectives To evaluate the clinical outcome of renal artery stenosis following stent transplantation.Methods Blood pressure, serum creatinine, given antihypertension drugs and adverse clinical events were followed up in 208 patients with renal artery stenosis who accepted stent transplantation, from March 2002 to December 2003 in cardiovascular institude of Guangdong province.Results Stenting was performed in two hundred and fifty-four renal arteries.The incidence rate of main adverse clinical events was 1.9%.After follow-up , serum creatinine concentration decreased from(189±6) μmol / L to(146±5) μmol / L(P=0.07) and blood pressure decreased from(163±12 / 101±9) mm Hg down to(136±11 / 76±7) mm Hg(1 mm Hg= 0.133 kPa)(P= 0.02).Conclusions Interventional stenting is a safe and effective therapy to the patients with renal artery stenosis.
Causatives in Brazilian Portuguese

Les constructions causales ont ete particulierement etudiees en francais et en italien, ce qui a donne lieu a des generalisations sur les langues romanes. Cependant, ces generalisations ne s'appliquent pas toujours au portugais bresilien, qui presente quelques variantes syntaxiques caracteristiques. L'A. analyse les constructions causales en portugais bresilien et propose une analyse contrastive avec d'autres langues romanes, en particulier l'espagnol et le francais
Transcriptional Regulation via the cAMP Responsive Activator CREB

Publisher Summary There are three principal cAMP responsive transcription factors in mammals, the cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), activating transcription factor (ATF-1), and cAMP responsive element modulator tau. Mammalian CREB has four main functional domains that include the basic/leucine zipper domain (bZIP), the Kinase Inducible Domain (KID), and two glutamine-rich domains (Q1, and Q2 or CAD). The bZIP provides dimerization and DNA binding activities but CREB bZIP has recently been shown to confer transactivation function by binding the TORC coactivators. The two glutamine-rich constitutive activation domains, Q1 and Q2, provide transactivation function in the absence of cAMP signaling and synergize with KID and bZIP to confer full activity to CREB in response to cAMP; however, ATF-1 lacks Q1, and Q2 is considered to be more critical for CREB function. The genes for CBP (Crebbp) and p300 (E1A binding protein p300, Ep300) encode highly related histone acetyltransferases that possess several conserved protein binding domains that bind a variety of transcriptional regulators and other proteins. The interaction between CBP/p300 and TORC appears to be important in determining which genes respond to different stimuli that result in Ser133 phosphorylation. The three TORC family members, TORC1, TORC2, and TORC3 (or CREB regulated transcription coactivator, Crtc1, Crtc2, Crtc3), are unrelated to CBP and p300. TORCs 1 and 2 are sequestered in the cytoplasm until activated by cAMP or calcium, whereupon they transit to the nucleus; TORC3 is constitutively nuclear and possesses an N-terminal coiled-coil domain that binds the CREB bZIP.
The effects of expanded mental health benefits on treatment costs.

Background Mental health disorders represent one of the most common problems facing adults in the labor force. It is estimated that within a 12-month period nearly 30% of the US population experiences some diagnosable mental health or addictive disorder. This study examines the impact that corporate benefit policies can have on mental health treatment costs. Aims To measure the effects of a change in mental health benefit design on treatment expenditures for employees of a large US-based company. Methods Data came from mental health treatment administrative claims and eligibility information provided by the company and a comparable set of claims for a randomly selected control group for the years 1995-1998. We measure the effect of a change in mental health benefits consisting of three major elements: a company-wide effort to destigmatize mental illness; reduced cost-sharing for mental health treatment; and the implementation of a provider network that emphasized access to non-physician mental health specialists. We use a two-part regression model within a difference in differences framework to examine outpatient, pharmaceutical, and combined outpatient and pharmaceutical expenditures between the treatment company and the control group. Results We find that the program led to a statistically significant dollar 17 increase in outpatient costs (excluding pharmaceutical costs) per employee. Similar to outpatient care we find that the benefit change was associated with a statistically significant increase in pharmaceutical costs of about dollar 15. Discussion The results reveal that the mental health benefit expansion at the company led to a significant increase in aggregate mental health expenditures among employees. However, the aggregate increase in cost masks a number of interesting underlying trends in mental health utilization. First, conditional upon any mental health treatment, mental health costs were virtually unchanged before and after the benefit change. Conditional on any use, outpatient and pharmaceutical expenditures went in opposite directions, with outpatient expenditures falling and pharmaceutical expenditures increasing. Implications for health care provision and use Private sector initiatives can increase use of mental health care treatment through decreased cost-sharing, improved access to specialty providers, and destigmatization of mental disorders. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE POLICY FORMULATION: Given that the vast majority of people in the US get their health insurance through employer-sponsored health insurance, efforts on the part of the private sector to recognize and treat serious chronic illnesses such as mental disorder in a proactive manner should be encouraged. Implications for future research While the aggregate cost of corporate initiatives to improve access to quality mental health care is frequently examined, it is also important to decompose the aggregate cost changes into effects from a change in the rate of initiation and changes in utilization conditional upon initiation.
Design and Fabrication of a Low-Cost Three-Dimensional Bioprinter.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting offers innovative research vectors for tissue engineering. However, commercially available bioprinting platforms can be cost prohibitive to small research facilities, especially in an academic setting. The goal is to design and fabricate a low-cost printing platform able to deliver cell-laden fluids with spatial accuracy along the X, Y, and Z axes of 0.1 mm. The bioprinter consists of three subassemblies: a base unit, a gantry, and a shuttle component. The platform utilizes four stepper motors to position along three axes and a fifth stepper motor actuating a pump. The shuttle and gantry are each driven along their respective horizontal axes via separate single stepper motor, while two coupled stepper motors are used to control location along the vertical axis. The current shuttle configuration allows for a 5 mL syringe to be extruded within a work envelope of 180 mm × 160 mm × 120 mm (X, Y, Z). The shuttle can easily be reconfigured to accommodate larger volume syringes. An attachment for a laser pen is located such that printing material may be light-activated pre-extrusion. Positional fidelity was established with calipers possessing a resolution to the nearest hundredth millimeter. The motors associated with the X and Y axes were calibrated to approximately 0.02 mm per motor impulse. The Z axis has a theoretical step distance of ∼51 nm, generating 0.04% error over a 10 mm travel distance. The A axis, or pump motor, has an impulse distance of 0.001 mm. The volume extruded by a single impulse is dictated by the diameter of the syringe used. With a 5 mL syringe possessing an inner diameter of 12.35 mm, the pump pushes as little as 0.119 μL. While the Z axis is tuned to the highest resolution settings for the motor driver, the X, Y, and A axes can obtain higher or lower resolution via physical switches on the motor drivers.
Novel SOX17 frameshift mutations in endometrial cancer are functionally distinct from recurrent missense mutations.

// Christopher J. Walker 1 , Matthew J. O’Hern 1 , Vanida A. Serna 2 , Takeshi Kurita 2 , Mario A. Miranda 1 , Caroline E. Sapp 1 , David G. Mutch 3 , David E. Cohn 1 and Paul J. Goodfellow 1 1 James Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA 2 James Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA 3 Siteman Cancer Center and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA Correspondence to: Paul J. Goodfellow, email: paul.goodfellow@osumc.edu Keywords: transcription factor, endometrial cancer, SOX gene, SRY-box, SOX17 Received: December 14, 2016 Accepted: May 31, 2017 Published: August 12, 2017 ABSTRACT Extensive genomic profiling for endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC) has pointed to genes and pathways important in uterine development as critical mediators of endometrial tumorigenesis. SOX17 is a developmental transcription factor necessary for proper endoderm formation that has been implicated as a tumor suppressor and shown to modulate WNT signaling. SOX17 mutation analysis in 539 primary EECs revealed frequent missense and frameshift mutations with an overall 11.5% mutation rate. More than half the mutations identified were frameshifts (32 of 62), and the hotspot missense changes, p.Ala96Gly and p.Ser403Ile, were seen in 14 tumors. None of the cases with a mutation had a second SOX17 mutation or evidence of allelic loss. Immunofluorescence microscopy performed on primary samples showed that there were no changes in SOX17 protein expression associated with mutation. Low/absent SOX17 staining was significantly associated with advanced stage, high tumor grade and reduced recurrence-free survival. Functional assessment of the two hotspot missense mutations and three representative frameshift mutations showed that SOX17-A96G and SOX17-S403I have transcriptional activities similar to SOX17 wild-type (WT), whereas none of the frameshift mutant proteins showed transcriptional activity. Forced expression of SOX17-WT, -A96G or -S403I in EC cell lines moderately increased β-catenin mediated transcription, which contrasts with previous data showing SOX17 is an inhibitor of TCF/β-catenin signaling. The proliferation of EC cell lines was expectedly reduced by transfection with SOX17-WT, and further reduced by SOX17-A96G and SOX17-S403I. These data implicate SOX17 mutation as a selected event in EEC, with clear differences between the missense and frameshift mutations.
Ambient Air Quality in the Vicinity of a Herder Mediated In-Situ Burn Field Test in Alaska

In-situ burning (ISB) is an efficient and important response tool in a wide range of conditions from open water and very open drift ice (herders) to consolidated ice (self-contained). Herding agent...
Relationship between family history of type 2 diabetes and serum FGF21.

Background Determining predictive markers for the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), particularly in young individuals, offers immense potential benefits in preventative medicine. Previous research examining serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in humans has revealed equivocal relationships with clinical markers of metabolic dysfunction. However, it is unknown to what extent, if any, first degree family history of T2D (mother or father of the participant diagnosed with T2D) level affects serum FGF21 levels. The aim of the study was to determine if in healthy individuals with (FH+) (n = 18) and without (FH-) (n = 17) a family history of T2D affects serum FGF21. Materials and Methods Fasting serum as well as clinical, metabolic, and anthropometric measures were collected using a cross-sectional design. Results Differences between groups for FGF21 were not significant (FH+ = 266 pg/ml ± 51.4, FH-= 180 pg/ml ± 29; Z = 0.97, p = 0.33). Adiponectin values were lower in FH+ (8.81 μg/ml ± 2.14) compared to FH- (10.65 μg/ml ± 1.44) (F = 8.83, p = 0.01). Resistin was negatively correlated with FGF21 for all participants (r = -0.38, p = 0.03), but no other clinical, metabolic, or serum markers were predictive for serum FGF 21 in FH+ or FH-. Conclusions Serum FGF21 is not significantly different between FH+ and FH- in young, healthy individuals. Based upon the data of this pilot study, it is unclear whether serum FGF21 can be used as a stand-alone predictive marker for T2D in healthy subjects. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Marine Protected Areas: Static Boundaries in a Changing World

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been identified as one of the most effective tools for conserving marine ecosystems. While the ecological benefits of MPAs are well established, less emphasis has been placed on assessing socioeconomic benefits. Despite these benefits, a majority of existing MPAs are not meeting their objectives. MPAs must be designed and managed specifically to address climate change and other stressors and must be managed adaptively if they are to effectively conserve marine ecosystems and support the needs of human communities.
The Nature of Mathematical Modeling. By Neil Gershenfeld

(2000). The Nature of Mathematical Modeling. By Neil Gershenfeld. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 107, No. 8, pp. 763-766.
Radioaerosol delivery and clearance in patients with respiratory failure

A technique for radioaerosol delivery to patients requiring mechanical ventilation is described. Ventilation images and pulmonary radioaerosol clearance rates were successfully obtained in 35 patients regardless of ventilator type or level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Those patients with noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) had significantly increased clearance rates relative to those patients in whom NPE was not present.
Towards A New Approach in Modeling Leaching Behavior

Summary Modeling of leaching behavior from immobilized wastes is still in its infancy. The present approach is to curve-fit leaching data to a simple model that shows the required trends in leaching behavior. Many models, however, even though they summarize short-term leaching data reasonably, prove to be poor representations of the actual situation when concentration profiles in the specimen are observed. Some major models are discussed. Research suggests that a shrinking core type model for leaching of cement stabilized wastes may be more adequate than the bulk leaching models used to date.
Meet markets: Grindr and the politics of objectifying others:

Critics have faulted Grindr and similar apps for commodifying social relations; instead of treating potential partners as ‘human beings’, Grindr users are thought to treat each other as objects to ...
Optical modeling of two-stage concentrator photovoltaic system using parabolic trough

Concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) technology is one of the best available technologies to use sunlight efficiently. Nonimaging optical elements have been used for the development of CPV systems for delivering uniform flux distribution, which gives a high optical efficiency. This research presents optical modeling of a CPV system, which consists of a primary parabolic trough and a secondary nonimaging reflector. The proposed concentrating system is capable of providing high concentration. In the literature, parabolic trough-based CPV systems included multijunction solar cells in a linear array, which provided low concentration about 50 × on the solar cells. The proposed design sets the solar cell at the center of the trough in a square shape, which achieves a geometrical concentration of 285, acceptance angle of ±1.1 deg, and optical efficiency of 72%. The detailed architecture design and optical ray-tracing simulation are presented to show the innovative idea for harnessing solar energy using the parabolic trough concentrator.
A content validity and cognitive interview process to evaluate an Illness Perception Questionnaire for African Americans with type 2 diabetes.

The Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) is the only available and empirically validated tool used to gain insight into patient illness beliefs. However, the IPQ has reliability and validity problems when used with African Americans (AAs) and needs to be culturally-adapted and validated for use with this group. This study aimed to utilize findings from focus groups to culturally adapt the IPQ for use in AAs with diabetes. Ten cognitive interviews among AAs with type 2 diabetes explored patients’ interpretation and understanding of the adapted IPQ. Forty-four new survey items were added to the IPQ. Twenty-nine of the forty-four items were determined as the appropriate number of questions to be tested because of time, and to reduce respondent burden. After the first round of interviews, an item-by-item review of the new items identified problems related to AA comprehension of certain items, their applicability, and wording/tone. Five items identified as problematic were related to AAs understanding of a cure for diabetes, their perception of how food influences their diabetes, how their identity as AAs influence diabetes control, and the dialogue about diabetes within their families and/or community. Findings support the newly developed illness perception questions as culturally specific to AAs with diabetes after being tested for content validity and participant understanding using cognitive interviews.
Nocardia infection in kidney transplant recipients: A single-center experience.

Background Data on Nocardia infection in kidney transplant patients remain limited. Methods A chart review of patients with a history of kidney transplant and one positive culture for Nocardia between 1999 and 2019 was performed. Results Ten patients (0.1%) had a Nocardia infection. Eight were deceased donor kidney transplant recipients, and the mean age at the time of transplant was 56.0 ± 14.5 years. Nocardia infection occurred at a median of 12 months (range, 6-102) after transplant with half of the cases within 1 year. Breakthrough Nocardia infection occurred in five patients receiving daily double-strength (160/800 mg) TMP-SMX as prophylaxis. Half of the patients had comorbid CMV infection at diagnosis. The most common site involved was the lung. TMP-SMX was the most frequently used antimicrobial agent for treating Nocardia infection (9 of 10); it was administered as single-drug therapy (4 of 10) or as combination therapy with other antimicrobials (5 of 10). Overall mortality was 60% with 30% attributable mortality within a mean of 3.3 ± 7.7 weeks after a diagnosis of Nocardia. Discussion TMP-SMX prophylaxis did not appear to protect against Nocardia but did appear to be associated with less severe disease. Overall outcomes remain poor, and infection can occur outside the traditional window.
Application of High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry and a Theoretical Model to the Quantification of Multifunctional Carbonyls and Organic Acids in e-Cigarette Aerosol.

Electronic (e-) cigarette aerosol (particle and gas) is a complex mixture of chemicals, of which the profile is highly dependent on device operating parameters and e-liquid flavor formulation. The thermal degradation of the e-liquid solvents propylene glycol and glycerol often generates multifunctional carbonyls that are challenging to quantify because of unavailability of standards. We developed a theoretical method to calculate the relative electrospray ionization sensitivities of hydrazones of organic acids and carbonyls with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine based on their gas-phase basicities (ΔGdeprotonation). This method enabled quantification by high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry HPLC-HRMS in the absence of chemical standards. Accurate mass and tandem multistage MS (MSn) were used for structure identification of vaping products. We quantified five simple carbonyls, six hydroxycarbonyls, four dicarbonyls, three acids, and one phenolic carbonyl in the e-cigarette aerosol with Classic Tobacco flavor. Our results suggest that hydroxycarbonyls, such as hydroxyacetone, lactaldehyde, and dihydroxyacetone can be significant components in e-cigarette aerosols but have received less attention in the literature and have poorly understood health effects. The data support the radical-mediated e-liquid thermal degradation scheme that has been previously proposed and emphasize the need for more research on the chemistry and toxicology of the complex product formation in e-cigarette aerosols.