cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implications of Health Care Reform for Individuals With Disabilities

After more than a year of intense debate and nearly a century of previous attempts, President Barack Obama signed into law comprehensive health care reform legislation (P.L. 111–148) on March 23, 2010. The disability community actively engaged in the legislative process and shaped the final outcome. There are many victories to celebrate, lessons to be learned, and work that lies ahead as the process moves toward implementation. Highlighted below are some of the provisions impacting individuals with disabilities, focusing on individuals with developmental disabilities.
Arterial baroreflex function and cardiovascular variability: interactions and implications

The arterial baroreflex contributes importantly to the short-term regulation of blood pressure and cardiovascular variability. A number of factors (including reflex, humoral, behavioral, and environmental) may influence gain and effectiveness of the baroreflex, as well as cardiovascular variability. Many central neural structures are also involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system and contribute to the integrity of the baroreflex. Consequently, brain injuries or ischemia may induce baroreflex impairment and deranged cardiovascular variability. Baroreflex dysfunction and deranged cardiovascular variability are also common findings in cardiovascular disease. A blunted baroreflex gain and impaired heart rate variability are predictive of poor outcome in patients with heart failure and myocardial infarction and may represent an early index of autonomic activation in left ventricular dysfunction. The mechanisms mediating these relationships are not well understood and may in part be the result of cardiac structural changes and/or altered central neural processing of baroreflex signals.
Predictors of Participation in Community Outpatient Psychosocial Rehabilitation in Schizophrenia

This study investigated demographic, clinical and neurocognitive factors predicting drop-out from an intensive, community outpatient psychosocial rehabilitation program for people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. One-hundred and twenty-seven outpatients with DSM-IV schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder participated. Demographic variables of age, sex, education and race/ethnicity were recorded and formal symptom measures and a neurocognitive assessment consisting of measures of crystallized verbal ability, sustained visual vigilance, verbal learning, verbal fluency and problem-solving were administered at study entry. Thirty-seven percent of the sample dropped-out of the program. In a final multivariate model, younger age, and lower verbal fluency scores in clients with a history of a high number of hospitalizations predicted a greater likelihood of drop-out. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Parent ratings of executive functioning in children adopted from psychosocially depriving institutions.

Background Previous studies have found that post-institutionalized (PI) children are particularly susceptible to attention problems and perform poorly on executive functioning (EF) lab tasks.
Hormonal Mechanisms as Potential Constraints on Evolution: Examples from the Anura

Developmental constraints are limitations on phenotypic variability resulting from developmental mechanisms that produce biases in phenotypic variants and hence evolution. These constraints ultimately limit the available phenotypes on which selection can act. Because hormones play important roles in many developmental processes, there is a great potential for hormonal mechanisms to produce (or act as) developmental constraints. In the current study, I present two examples to show how hormones may produce developmental constraints on evolution in the Anura. One example (a universal constraint in the Anura), examines evidence that thyroid hormones are required for sex differentiation and reproduction in frogs. The thyroid hormone requirement for these processes may prevent the evolution of neoteny in anurans. The second example (a local constraint) examines the mechanisms underlying sexual dichromatism in the genus Hyperolius (Hyperoliidae) and shows how the evolution of sexual dichromatism is limited by the hormonal mechanisms regulating pigmentation
Effect of sialyl Lewisx oligosaccharide on myocardial and cerebral injury in the pig

Background. Although administration of the sialyl Lewis x oligosaccharide may reduce myocardial injury after ischemia‐reperfusion, its effect on coronary and cerebral microvascular regulation and its clinical application during cardiac operation have not been examined. Methods. Pigs were placed on normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass after 30 minutes of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion. The hearts were then arrested with cold high potassium cardioplegia. After 1 hour the cross-clamp was removed and the pigs were weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and perfused for an additional 1 hour. CY-1503 (a sodium salt of the sialyl Lewis X oligosaccharide, n 5 6) was administered before reperfusion. Six other pigs received saline vehicle. Endothelium-dependent relaxation of precontracted coronary and brain arterioles (70 to 180 mm) to adenosine 5*diphosphate and endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside were studied in vitro with videomicroscopy. Control values were obtained from uninstrumented pigs. Myeloperoxidase activity in the myocardium and brain was measured to quantify neutrophil infiltration. Cardiac function and perfusion were assessed by left ventricular systolic pressure, maximum rate of increase of left ventricular pressure, left anterior descending coronary artery blood flow and percent segmental shortening, and cerebral vascular resistance, internal carotid artery blood flow, and the constitutively expressed and inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase mRNA were measured. Results. The impaired myocardial contractile function after ischemia and cardioplegia was not improved by administration of CY-1503. The reduced endotheliumdependent relaxation responses of coronary and brain arterioles during ischemia followed by cardioplegia and cardiopulmonary bypass were improved with CY-1503, but the altered pattern of organ perfusion was not improved. Myeloperoxidase activity was increased in the heart after ischemia‐ cardioplegia and in the brain after cardiopulmonary bypass. CY-1503 reduced myeloperoxidase activity in both the myocardium and in the brain. Expressions of myocardial inducible isoform or constitutively expressed nitric oxide synthase were not altered in the heart. Conclusions. Although the sialyl Lewis x oligosaccharide does reduce neutrophil infiltration and endothelial injury in the coronary and cerebral microcirculation after cardiopulmonary bypass, it does not have significant beneficial acute effects on organ perfusion or function in the myocardium or brain.
Measurement of Spin-Exchange Effects in Electron-Hydrogen Collisions: 90° Elastic Scattering from 4 to 30 eV

With use of a Fano-effect polarized electron source and a state selected thermally dissociated hydrogen beam, the interference was measured between the direct and exchange scattering amplitudes for 90/sup 0/ elastic scattering of electrons from atomic hydrogen for energies between 4 and 30 eV.
Congenital Isolated Central Hypothyroidism Caused by a "Hot Spot" Mutation in the Thyrotropin-β Gene

Two adult siblings presented to our practice with a known history of congenital central isolated hypothyroidism. Their growth, development, and general health had been normal. Although the disorder was known to result from thyrotropin (TSH) deficiency, providers in the past had made multiple adjustments in their levothyroxine replacement doses in attempts to normalize serum TSH levels. This suggests a need for better education of providers who care for patients with central hypothyroidism. We performed DNA sequencing of the TSHbeta gene and identified a homozygous single base deletion in codon 105, on exon 3, resulting in a frameshift and a premature termination signal at codon 114. This same mutation (C105FS114X) has been previously reported in South America and Europe and appears to be the most common genetic mutation associated with congenital isolated TSH deficiency. The identification of this mutation for the first time in the United States suggests that this disorder, now described in patients from countries on multiple continents, is more common than previously appreciated and may be a mutational "hot spot."
Decentralized Load Balancing on Unstructured Peer-2-Peer Computing Grids

We present, analyze, and measure a new algorithm to perform decentralized load balancing of computing jobs in computational Peer-2-Peer (P2P) grids. The unstructured P2P network consists of nodes which only know about their nearest neighbors as defined by a one hop communication path. With limited local information, our algorithm converges to a global load balancing state. We demonstrate the algorithm convergence both by simulations and by theoretical analysis.
Parasitic capacitances can cause demodulation RFI to differ in inverting and noninverting operational amplifier circuits

The demodulation RFI responses of an inverting operational amplifier (op amp) circuit and a noninverting op amp circuit are compared. The intended voltage gain of the inverting op amp circuit is A/sub 1/=-R2/R1=-10. The intended linear voltage gain of the noninverting op amp circuit is A/sub N1/=(R1+R2)/R1=11. For both circuits, the resistor values are R1=10 k Omega and R2=100 k Omega . Analysis shows that parasitic capacitances C/sub in/ (between the inverting and noninverting inputs of the op amp) and CR1 (shunted across R1) cause the inverting op amp circuit to have better RFI immunity than the noninverting op amp circuit. The derivation is based on the hypothesis that the demodulation RFI response is caused by a second-order nonlinearity so that a 3-dB reduction in the linear voltage gain causes the second-order demodulation RFI response characterized by the transfer function H/sub 2/ to be reduced by 6 dB. For the assumed values of C/sub in/=8 pF and CR1=0.4 pF. the measured and calculated values of the difference between H/sub 2/ values for the inverting and noninverting circuits were in good agreement. >
Multirate Sampled-Data Output Feedback Control of Smart Material Actuated Systems

We consider multirate sampled-data output feedback control of smart material actuated systems where the measurement sampling rate is made faster than the control update rate. This scheme combines a discrete-time high-gain observer with a hysteresis inversion controller where the hysteresis is modeled using a Preisach operator. We show that the sampled-data output feedback controller achieves stabilization with respect to a closed set in the presence of hysteresis modeling uncertainty. Experimental results for the control of a shape memory alloy actuated rotary joint are provided.
Mucosal Vaccination with Formalin-Inactivated Avian Metapneumovirus Subtype C does not Protect Turkeys Following Intranasal Challenge

SUMMARY. Studies were performed to determine if mucosal vaccination with inactivated avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtype C protected turkey poults from clinical disease and virus replication following mucosal challenge. Decreases in clinical disease were not observed in vaccinated groups, and the vaccine failed to inhibit virus replication in the tracheas of 96% of vaccinated birds. Histopathologically, enhancement of pulmonary lesions following virus challenge was associated with birds receiving the inactivated aMPV vaccine compared to unvaccinated birds. As determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), all virus-challenged groups increased serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA antibody production against the virus following challenge; however, the unvaccinated aMPV-challenged group displayed the highest increases in virus-neutralizing antibody. On the basis of these results it is concluded that intranasal vaccination with inactivated aMPV does not induce protective immunity, reduce virus shedding, or result in decreased histopathologic lesions.
CT Detection of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Meckel Diverticulum.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to determine how often symptomatic Meckel diverticulum and asymptomatic Meckel diverticulum are detected on CT in patients with known Meckel diverticulum and to evaluate factors that influence detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 85 CT examinations of 40 patients (eight pediatric patients and 32 adult patients; 29 male patients and 11 female patients; average age, 46.2 ± 23.7 [SD] years) with a pathologic diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum were retrospectively evaluated. These patients included 26 adult patients with incidentally found asymptomatic Meckel diverticulum and 14 patients (eight pediatric and six adult patients) with symptomatic Meckel diverticulum. The CT technical factors and patients' morphologic factors were compared with the detection of Meckel diverticulum using mixed-effect logistic regression models. RESULTS. Meckel diverticulum was detected on at least one CT examination in eight of 14 (57.1%) symptomatic patients (two of four patients w...
A Semi-Automated Procedure for Selecting and Scaling Recorded Earthquake Motions for Dynamic Analysis

Abstract Suites of earthquake ground motions play an important role in the seismic design and analysis process. A semi-automated procedure is described that selects and scales ground motions to fit a target acceleration response spectrum, while at the same time the procedure controls the variability within the ground motion suite. The basic methodology selects motions based on matching the target spectral shape, and then fits the amplitude and standard deviation of the target by adjusting the individual scale factors for the motions. The selection of motions from a larger catalog of motions is performed through either a rigorous method that tries each possible suite of motions or an iterative approach that considers a smaller set of potential suites in an effort to find suites that provide an acceptable fit to the target spectrum. Guidelines are provided regarding the application of the developed procedures, and example applications are described.
Cellular mechanisms of altered contractility in the hypertrophied heart: big hearts, big sparks.

Abstract —To investigate the cellular mechanisms for altered Ca2+ homeostasis and contractility in cardiac hypertrophy, we measured whole-cell L-type Ca2+ currents ( I Ca,L), whole-cell Ca2+ transients ([Ca2+]i), and Ca2+ sparks in ventricular cells from 6-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and from age- and sex-matched Wistar-Kyoto and Sprague-Dawley control rats. By echocardiography, SHR hearts had cardiac hypertrophy and enhanced contractility (increased fractional shortening) and no signs of heart failure. SHR cells had a voltage-dependent increase in peak [Ca2+]i amplitude (at 0 mV, 1330±62 nmol/L [SHRs] versus 836±48 nmol/L [controls], P <0.05) that was not associated with changes in I Ca,L density or kinetics, resting [Ca2+]i, or Ca2+ content of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). SHR cells had increased time of relaxation. Ca2+ sparks from SHR cells had larger average amplitudes (173±192 nmol/L [SHRs] versus 109±64 nmol/L [control]; P <0.05), which was due to redistribution of Ca2+ sparks to a larger amplitude population. This change in Ca2+ spark amplitude distribution was not associated with any change in the density of ryanodine receptors, calsequestrin, junctin, triadin 1, Ca2+-ATPase, or phospholamban. Therefore, SHRs with cardiac hypertrophy have increased contractility, [Ca2+]i amplitude, time to relaxation, and average Ca2+ spark amplitude (“big sparks”). Importantly, big sparks occurred without alteration in the trigger for SR Ca2+ release ( I Ca,L), SR Ca2+ content, or the expression of several SR Ca2+-cycling proteins. Thus, cardiac hypertrophy in SHRs is linked with an alteration in the coupling of Ca2+ entry through L-type Ca2+ channels and the release of Ca2+ from the SR, leading to big sparks and enhanced contractility. Alterations in the microdomain between L-type Ca2+ channels and SR Ca2+ release channels may underlie the changes in Ca2+ homeostasis observed in cardiac hypertrophy. Modulation of SR Ca2+ release may provide a new therapeutic strategy for cardiac hypertrophy and for its progression to heart failure and sudden death.
57Fe Mössbauer isomer shifts of heme protein model systems: Electronic structure calculations

We report the results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the 57 Fe Mossbauer isomer shifts (‰Fe) for a series of 24 inorganic, organometallic, and metalloprotein/metalloporphyrin model systems in S ) 0, 1 /2 ,1 , 3 /2 ,2 , and 5 /2 spin states. We find an excellent correlation between calculation and experiment over the entire 2.34 mm s -1 range of isomer shifts: a 0.07-0.08 mm s -1 rms deviation between calculation and experiment (corresponding to 3-4% of the total ‰Fe range, depending on the functionals used) with R 2 values of 0.973 and 0.981 (p < 0.0001). The best results are obtained by using the hybrid exchange- correlation functional B3LYP, used previously for 57 Fe Mossbauer quadrupole splittings and 57 rel , converges with the large basis set used in this work, but the exact values vary somewhat with the methods used: -0.253 a0 3 mm s -1 (Hartree-Fock; HF); -0.316 a0 3 mm s -1 (hybrid HF-DFT; B3LYP), or -0.367 a0 3 mm s -1 (pure DFT; BPW91). Both normal and intermediate spin state isomer shifts are well reproduced by the calculations, as is the broad range of ‰Fe values: from (Fe VI O4) 2- (-0.90 mm s -1 expt; -1.01 mm s -1 calc) to KFe II F3 (1.44 mm s -1 expt; 1.46 mm s -1 calc). Molecular orbital analyses of all inorganic solids as well as all organometallic and metalloporphyrin systems studied reveal that there are three major core MO contributions to Ftot(0), the total charge density at the iron nucleus (and hence ‰Fe), that do not vary with changes in chemistry, while the valence MO contributions are highly correlated with ‰Fe (R2 ) 0.915- 0.938, depending on the functionals used), and the correlation between the valence MO contributions and the total MO contribution is even better (R2 ) 0.965-0.976, depending on the functionals used). These results are of general interest since they demonstrate that DFT methods now enable the accurate prediction of ‰Fe values in inorganic, organometallic, and metalloporphyrin systems in all spin states and over a very wide range of ‰Fe values with a very small rms error.
The effects of a preterm labor episode prior to 34 weeks are evident in late preterm outcomes, despite the administration of betamethasone.

Objective We sought to assess whether betamethasone (BETA) Study Design We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with spontaneous birth 34-36 6/7 weeks. We determined whether patients were exposed to preterm labor (PTL) 2 analyses to determine associations between PTL+BETA and adverse outcomes, and Poisson regression to model cumulative incidence and control for confounders. Results We enrolled 700 mother-infant pairs. The 36-week PTL+BETA infants were at increased risk of respiratory outcome (incident risk ratio [IRR], 2.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37–5.45), neonatal intensive care unit admission (IRR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.14–3.56), and composite outcome (IRR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.08–2.68) compared to those without PTL+BETA. Chorioamnionitis was independently associated with all adverse outcomes. Conclusion We hypothesize that early PTL is a surrogate for intrauterine inflammation and is responsible for the observed adverse outcomes in those with PTL+BETA.
Optimal design of microelectromechanical systems via reversed polynomial programming

In this paper we describe an optimal design method for micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). We observe that many MEMS device designs with a variety of design objects and constraints can be reformulated as reversed polynomial programs, which can be globally solved by, e.g., branch-and-bound methods; in consequence the optimal MEMS design can be obtained directly from specifications. In this paper, design optimization of a crab-leg resonator is formulated as a reversed polynomial program.
Gas-Microjet Reactive Scattering: Collisions of HCl and DCl with Cool Salty Water.

Liquid microjets provide a powerful means to investigate reactions of gases with salty water in vacuum while minimizing gas-vapor collisions. We use this technique to explore the fate of gaseous HCl and DCl molecules impinging on 8 molal LiCl and LiBr solutions at 238 K. The experiments reveal that HCl or DCl evaporate infrequently if they become thermally accommodated at the surface of either solution. In particular, we observe minimal thermal desorption of HCl following HCl collisions and no distinct evidence for rapid, interfacial DCl→HCl exchange following DCl collisions. These results imply that surface thermal motions are not generally strong enough to propel momentarily trapped HCl or DCl back into the gas phase before they ionize and disappear into solution. Instead, only HCl and DCl molecules that scatter directly from the surface escape entry. These recoiling molecules transfer less energy upon collision to LiBr/H2O than to LiCl/H2O, reflecting the heavier mass of Br– than of Cl– in the interfac...
Aerobic Glycolysis and Its Role in Maintenance of High O2 Tensions in the Teleost Retina

SummaryLactic acid production in the presence of high oxygen tensions (aerobic glycolysis) was found to occur in the teleost retina. Forty-two percent more glucose was utilized and 33% more lactic acid was produced under anaerobic than under aerobic conditions. Glycolysis was inhibited 33% by elevated oxygen (Pasteur effect), and it was further demonstrated that glycolysis is dependent upon the integrity of the retinal cells, being almost completely abolished by cellular disruption.The shift in the oxygen dissociation curve to the right by acid metabolites causes release of oxygen from hemoglobin in the choroid region. This O2 release explains in part the high PO2 encountered in the vicinity of the retina. The Pasteur effect may function as a possible component of a negative feedback control loop for the generation of high PO2 in trout eyes.
Body Size Asymmetries in Predatory Interactions among Robber Flies (Diptera: Asilidae)

The influence of relative body size of predators and prey on patterns of intra- and interspecific predation in a robber fly community was examined. Predators were larger than the prey in >85% of 104 records of cannibalism. In all 46 records of interspecific predation, prey were smaller than the predator. Analysis of published data confirms that predatory interactions are strongly size-biased in other robber fly communities. The data presented here suggest that size asymmetries in predatory interactions among robber flies could influence robber fly population and community structure.
Minimizing Induced Drag with Geometric and Aerodynamic Twist, CFD Validation

*† ‡ A more practical analytical solution for the effects of wing twist on the performance of a finite wing of arbitrary planform has recently been presented. This infinite series solution is based on Prandtl’s classical lifting-line theory and the Fourier coefficients are presented in a form that depends only on wing geometry. Except for the special case of an elliptic planform, this solution shows that, if properly chosen, wing twist can be used to reduce the induced drag for a wing producing finite lift. A relation for the optimum twist distribution on a wing of arbitrary planform was presented. If this optimum twist distribution is used, the new solution predicts that a wing of any planform can be designed for a given lift coefficient to produce induced drag at the same minimum level as an elliptic wing having the same aspect ratio and no twist. In the present paper, results predicted from this new lifting-line solution are compared with results predicted from CFD solutions. In all cases, the CFD solutions showed that the drag reduction achieved with optimum twist was equal to or greater than that predicted by lifting-line theory. Nomenclature An = coefficients in the infinite series solution to the lifting-line equation an = planform contribution to the coefficients in the infinite series solution to the lifting-line equation
A Systematic Review of Point of Care Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis

Objectives. Systematic review of point of care (POC) diagnostic tests for sexually transmitted infections: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). Methods. Literature search on PubMed for articles from January 2010 to August 2015, including original research in English on POC diagnostics for sexually transmitted CT, NG, and/or TV. Results. We identified 33 publications with original research on POC diagnostics for CT, NG, and/or TV. Thirteen articles evaluated test performance, yielding at least one test for each infection with sensitivity and specificity ≥90%. Each infection also had currently available tests with sensitivities <60%. Three articles analyzed cost effectiveness, and five publications discussed acceptability and feasibility. POC testing was acceptable to both providers and patients and was also demonstrated to be cost effective. Fourteen proof of concept articles introduced new tests. Conclusions. Highly sensitive and specific POC tests are available for CT, NG, and TV, but improvement is possible. Future research should focus on acceptability, feasibility, and cost of POC testing. While pregnant women specifically have not been studied, the results available in nonpregnant populations are encouraging for the ability to test and treat women in antenatal care to prevent adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
Extended Lymph Node Dissection for Gastric Cancerd: Is It of Value?

The value of extended lymph node dissection for gastric cancer has not been clearly defined. The incidence, staging, and, possibly, the biology of gastric carcinoma in Japanese and Western confound the evaluations of radical lymph node dissection. Surgeons and pathologists must be familiar with the unified international gastric cancer staging system, and careful attention should be given to accurate identification and rigorous examination of regional lymph nodal groups.
New Objectives in the Resuscitation of the Critically Ill

The recent development of a noninvasive and indirect method. for measuring the intramucosal pH in the gut of patients has allowed clinicians to detect the presence of defective tissue oxygenation hours to days in advance of the development of overt or uncompensated shock, and to anticipate the development of a “leaky” gut before the development of its putative consequence, multiple systems organ failure. The measurements have the potential to improve outcome by enabling clinicians to achieve complete resuscitation from uncompensated shock, and its associated development of a leaky gut, in addition to resuscitation from uncompensated shock. The measurements have also enabled an accurate diagnosis of intestinal ischemia to ne made hours to days before transmural infarction develops allowing clinicians to intervene in time to prevent the catastrophic consequences of this condition.
Following Orders in Rwanda

The culture in which orders from above, even if evil, are followed because they are confused with the law itself played a significant role in the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. Less noticed is that it persists today — in less lethal form, but still with dangers for the future. This time it is helping Kagame’s regime pursue positive goals but its acceptance springs from the same vulnerability as the complicity in genocide did: the instinct to obey rather than to choose, when told how to think or act. Rwandans need steps to create a true rule of law: education that emphasizes critical thought, not obedience; reliance on strong legal and legislative institutions, rather than strong personalities who give edicts from the top. Rwandans must learn it is all right to question their leaders, and mandatory to refuse to cooperate with evil.
The more adaptive to change, the more likely you are to survive: Protein adaptation in extremophiles

Discovering how organisms and their proteins adapt to extreme conditions is a complicated process. Every condition has its own set of adaptations that make it uniquely stable in its environment. The purpose of our review is to discuss what is known in the extremophilic community about protein adaptations. To simplify our mission, we broke the extremophiles into three broad categories: thermophiles, halophiles and psychrophiles. While there are crossover organisms- organisms that exist in two or more extremes, like heat plus acid or cold plus pressure, most of them have a primary adaptation that is within one of these categories which tends to be the most easily identifiable one. While the generally known adaptations are still accepted, like thermophilic proteins have increased ionic interactions and a hardier hydrophobic core, halophilic proteins have a large increase in acidic amino acids and amino acid/peptide insertions and psychrophiles have a much more open structure and reduced ionic interactions, some new information has come to light. Thermophilic stability can be improved by increased subunit-subunit or subunit-cofactor interactions. Halophilic proteins have reversible folding when in the presence of salt. Psychrophilic proteins have an increase in cavities that not only decrease the formation of ice, but also increase flexibility under low temperature conditions. In a proof of concept experiment, we applied what is currently known about adaptations to a well characterized protein, malate dehydrogenase (MDH). While this protein has been profiled in the literature, we are applying our adaptation predictions to its sequence and structure to see if the described adaptations apply. Our analysis demonstrates that thermophilic and halophilic adaptations fit the corresponding MDHs very well. However, because the number of psychrophiles MDH sequences and structures is low, our analysis on psychrophiles is inconclusive and needs more information. By discussing known extremophilic adaptations and applying them to a random, conserved protein, we have found that general adaptations are conserved and can be predicted in proposed extremophilic proteins. The present field of extremophile adaptations is discovering more and more ways organisms and their proteins have adapted. The more that is learned about protein adaptation, the closer we get to custom proteins, designed to fit any extreme and solve some of the world's most pressing environmental problems.
Effects of oven, microwave and vacuum drying on drying characteristics, colour, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of celery slices

In this research, the effects of microwave (190, 375, and 680 W) vacuum (500, 600, and 700 mbar) and oven (70, 85, and 100 °C) drying methods on the total phenolics, antioxidant capacity, colour and drying characteristics of celery slices were studied. For the selection of the most suitable thin layer drying model, five mathematical models (Page, Modified Page, Logarithmic, Lewis, and Henderson and Pabis) have been applied to the treatments. In light of the statistical tests, Page and Modified Page models were considered the best to describe drying characteristics. Regarding the colour value changes during drying, L*, ΔEab and h° decreased, and a* increased. Additionally, both b* and C*ab increased with microwave and oven drying but decreased with vacuum drying. Dried celery had 38.51-75.34% less total phenolic content than fresh samples, while its antioxidant capacities was greater. The highest ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP; 49.35±3.10 μmol TE/g dw) and cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUP...
Modeling the Chemistry in Flames

Flames typically involve a large number of reactions and species. This complexity makes it very difficult to comprehend on an intuitive level the essential character of the combustion events. Moreover, computations are expensive and sometimes not immediately enlightening as to the reasons for the phenomena they display. It is therefore extremely important to be able, if possible, to systematically reduce the complex problem to understandable terms. For example, one would like to know (i) which of the reactions are really important, and why; (ii) what the typical orders of magnitude of the various species, especially the radicals, are during the combustion process; and (iii) whether the essential features of the flame can be deduced from a simpler skeleton model with many fewer reactions and species.
Professional fee payments by specialty for inpatient open ventral hernia repair: who gets paid for treating comorbidities and complications?

The purpose of this study was to determine perioperative professional fee payments to providers from different specialties for the care of patients undergoing inpatient open ventral hernia repair (VHR). Perioperative data of patients undergoing VHR at a single center over 3 years were selected from our NSQIP database. 180-day follow-up data were obtained via retrospective review of records and phone calls to patients. Professional fee payments (PFPs) to all providers were obtained from our physician billing system for the VHR hospitalization, the 180 days prior to operation (180Prior) and the 180 days post-discharge (180Post). PFPs for 283 cases were analyzed. Average total 360-day PFPs per patient were $3409 ± SD 3294, with 14.5% ($493 ± 1546) for services in the 180Preop period, 72.5% ($2473 ± 1881) for the VHR hospitalization, and 13.0% ($443 ± 1097) in the 180Postop period. The surgical service received 62% of PFPs followed by anesthesia (18%), medical specialties (9%), radiology (6%), and all other provider services (5%). Medical specialties received increased PFPs for care of patients with COPD and HCT < 38% ($90 and $521, respectively) and for the pulmonary complications ($2471) and sepsis ($2714) that correlated with those patient comorbidities; surgeons did not. Operative duration, mesh size, and separation of components were associated with increased surgeon PFPs (p < .05). At 6 months, wound complications were associated with increased surgeon and radiology payments (p < .01). Management of acute comorbid conditions and the associated higher postoperative morbidity is not reimbursed to the surgeon under the 90-day global fee. These represent opportunity costs of care that pressure busy surgeons to select against these patients or to delegate more management to their medical specialty colleagues, thereby increasing total system costs. A comorbid risk adjustment of procedural reimbursement is warranted. In negotiating bundled payments, surgeon groups should keep in mind that surgeon reimbursement, unlike medical specialty and hospital reimbursement, have been bundled since the 1990s.
An American Viewpoint on Engineering Education

The global economy is greatly affected by the number of start-up organizations in both new and established companies. U. S. engineering schools are addressing the new entrepreneurial skills their graduates must know to be successful in the global economy. Examples are given of engineering schools, private foundations, and companies working together to present information and experiences to students to develop a larger pool of entrepreneurs. Some of the information and experiences are integrated into the curricula and some are offered as extracurricular activities and internships. There are many questions to be answered about teaching this information to students—who, when, where, and how.
Scanning Calorimetry of Mesophase Transitions: Marker’s Acid

Marker’s acid (MA), first reported by Marker, Oakwood and Crookes in 1936 (1), contains a 3β-carboxylic acid group in the place of a 3β-hydroxyl found in cholesterol. The structure of MA has been rigorously demonstrated by both Roberts, Shoppee and Stephenson (2) and Corey and Sneen (3) to be cholest-5-ene-3β-carboxylic acid (alternatively named 3β-carboxy-∆5-cholestene). This configuration makes MA an isomeric form of cholesteryl formate. As such, it might be expected to exhibit a cholesteric mesophase at some temperature.
The Jewish State and State Judaism: An Economic Perspective

An economic model of market structure is used to analyze the relationship between Judaism in Israel as it is today, Judaism as it might be if Israel were to recognize different streams of Judaism, and Judaism in Israel if the government were to end all subsidies to Jewish religious establishments. The analysis builds on literature in the Sociology of Religion that compares religious behavior under “Sacred Canopy” vs. “New Paradigm” regimes. The relative merits, costs and benefits of each regime are discussed and placed in an historical context.
Report of Committee on Underground Waters, 1941–42

So many ground-water hydrologists are engaged on problems relating directly to the war that the usual annual inquiry for information as to projects that deserve review in the annual report of the Committee on Underground Waters brought relatively little response. It is in part for this reason, but also in part because the Chairman of the Committee is busy on war problems, that this report is shorter than usual. There is, nevertheless, abundant evidence that principles of ground-water study that have been developed over a period of years are being put to good use in the effort to win the war. Since about September, 1940, the Division of Ground Water of the United States Geological Survey, for example, has reported on ground-water conditions at about 750 localities in the United States and foreign countries where military establishments, industrial plants for the production of war materials, or housing projects were being contemplated. Many of the reports were more or less routine and largely based on published reports or data in the files of the Geological Survey. However, a considerable number of special field-investigations have been made. In some of these it has been necessary to apply a strictly scientific approach to the more practical problems of the war need—perhaps, for example, to determine whether a large quantity of water, in excess of the average annual recharge, can be pumped for a vital industry for the period the war may be expected to last; perhaps to determine whether even a small quantity of water for a coastal lookout post may be obtained without danger of contamination by salt water; or perhaps to determine how much water can safely be obtained from an aquifer that apparently is extremely permeable, and will yield large quantities of water for a short time but the probable intake-area of which is not great, so that the water impounded in the ground-water reservoir would soon be exhausted if pumped at a high rate. Although not much can be said at this time in regard to the many problems that have been studied, it is believed that, when peace returns and field-data may be studied more leisurely, valuable information bearing on problems of ground-water hydrology may be found in the experiences of war. A single instance may be cited.
276) Acute Exercise Decreases Situational Pain Catastrophizing of a Noxious Stimulus

There is limited evidence regarding the variability in pain response following exercise, including the impact of pain catastrophizing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation of the pain response after exercise with pain catastrophizing levels in young healthy individuals. Fifty-seven participants (20.75±1.81 years, 29 women) completed two randomized sessions (exercise and quiet rest). Exercise consisted of sustained submaximal isometric contraction of the knee extensors, performed until task failure. Temporal summation (TS) was assessed before and after exercise and quiet rest, by applying a constant mechanical stimulus to the index finger for one minute after reported pain threshold. During the one minute, participants were asked to rate their pain every 15 seconds (0-10 Numerical Pain Rating Scale). TS was calculated as the last pain rating minus the first pain rating. Pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) was completed at the beginning of the first session. Situational catastrophizing (S-PCS) was completed after each TS protocol. Based on the change in pain following exercise, participants were divided into two groups, responders (hypoalgesia) and non-responders (no change or hyperalgesia). There was no difference in baseline PCS between groups (p=0.974). For S-PCS, there was a session x trial x group interaction (p
Exploring North Carolina Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Education Practices:

Background:The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF recommend that secondary schools include infant feeding education in the curriculum. However, little atten...
Tracking Microstructure Evolution in Complex Biaxial Strain Paths: A Bulge Test Methodology for the Scanning Electron Microscope

In this work, a novel method is presented to track site-specific microstructure evolution in metallic materials deformed biaxially along proportional and complex strain paths. A miniaturized bulge test setup featuring a removable sample holder was designed to enable incremental measurements to be performed in a scanning electron microscope, by probing the same position on the sample at different deformation levels, with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) and other imaging modes. Validation experiments were performed at room temperature on samples prepared from commercial sheet metal (dual-phase steel) and foils (stainless steel). Local strain measurements with the digital image correlation technique confirmed that proportional strain paths with a strain ratio up to 5 can be investigated using elliptical dies in the bulge test holder. It is also shown how complex strain paths can be obtained using a combination of overlapping elliptical dies. Incremental EBSD and ECCI were conducted in configurations relevant for the multi-scale investigation of localized plasticity and damage mechanisms in dual-phase steel. Quantitative information regarding microstructure evolution (phase fractions, orientation fields, dislocation structures, etc.) and regarding local strain distributions could be successfully obtained. This type of data sheds light on underlying deformation mechanisms and provides opportunities to calibrate crystal plasticity models.
Multidimensional outcomes of suburethral synthetic midurethral sling removal

To report multidimensional outcomes encompassing pain, dyspareunia, and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), following suburethral sling removal (SSR) of synthetic midurethral slings (MUS) placed for female stress urinary incontinence. We reviewed a prospectively maintained, IRB-approved database of women undergoing SSR at our institution. Demographic data, type of sling, and symptoms along with Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form (UDI-6) scores both before and after SSR were analyzed. Success was defined using several modalities including patient-reported symptoms (ideal outcome) and UDI-6 questionnaire. From 3/2006–2/2017, 443 women underwent SSR of which 230 met study criteria with median overall follow-up of 23 months (mean 30 months). 180/230 (78%) patients reported 3 or more symptoms at presentation. Median most recent post-SSR total UDI-6 score was 38 vs. 50 at baseline (p < 0.0001). By UDI-6, 53% of patients achieved success post-SSR. An ideal outcome was attained in 22/230 (10%) patients. A modified outcome allowing for one minimally invasive anti-incontinence procedure and excluding sexual activity classified 112/230 (49%) patients as successes. While patients with MUS present with multiple symptoms, following SSR, there is sustained improvement in multiple symptom domains, including pain and urinary incontinence. Allowing for minimally invasive anti-incontinence procedures (not inclusive of subsequent suburethral sling), the rate of success was 49%, which was comparable to that derived from UDI-6 scores (53%).
Developing Engaging Learning Experiences in Preservice Education.

AbstractOpportunities to learn how to develop engaging learning experiences are vital for preservice teachers. This article describes an in-class modeling activity, provides assignment guidelines, ...
Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa

Purpose:Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a chronic progressive disease with no curative treatments. Understanding the variables involved with improving patients’ quality of life is important in managin...
Raytracing the long trace profiler

The optical design of the Long Trace Profiler optical system is explored with a commercial raytrace program, Zemax OpticStudio™ (ZOS)1, with the intent of finding and correcting sources of systematic error. ZOS provides both geometric raytracing tools and physical optics Gaussian beam propagation and diffraction image calculation tools, and two design modes, sequential component (SC) and non-sequential component (NSC) that are optimized for different aspects of the design process. The original LTP-II system employs a singlet lens with a 1250 mm focal length. It is optimized to provide minimum distortion over a surface slope angle range of ±5 mrad. Using the ZOS tools, we are able to simulate ghost rays that produce distortion in the beam spot image and can minimize the distortion by deliberate misalignment of the beamsplitter (BS) components. Unfortunately, the reference beam is compromised because of the component tilts. The most recent LTP500 system design simplifies the optical system and makes the reference beam usable again, even with misalignment of the polarizing beamsplitter (PBS). Two lenses are designed for the LTP500 – a cemented doublet that has been fabricated, and a singlet with one aspheric surface. Both have focal distances of 500 mm with an expanded angular measurement range of ±10 mrad. The aspheric singlet provides superior performance. ZOS allows the import of wavefront measurement data produced by commercial interferometer software. We apply the wavefront error measurement from the cemented doublet to the model to show that the 19nm RMS wavefront error needs to be improved by at least a factor of ten in order to reduce the systematic error to a level that will allow the LTP to approach its design limit of a few tens of nanoradians.