cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time course of response to estradiol replacement in ovariectomized mice: brain apolipoprotein E and synaptophysin transiently increase and glial fibrillary acidic protein is suppressed.

The current study examined the effect of long-term estradiol replacement in ovariectomized mice. Estradiol-17β (E2) pellets or vehicle pellets were implanted at the time of ovariectomy (OVX) in young adult female mice. Five mice from each group were sacrificed at 5, 14, 28 and 49 days after OVX and pellet replacement. Western blotting of homogenates from somatosensory cortex, hippocampus, olfactory bulb and cerebellum was performed to obtain concentrations of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), apolipoprotein E (apoE) and synaptophysin (SYN). At 5 days after OVX, GFAP levels were not affected by E2 replacement. In contrast to GFAP, synaptophysin and apoE concentrations were significantly elevated by 15% and 25%, respectively, in the E2-replaced group compared to the vehicle-replaced group at 5 days but by 14 days concentrations were equivalent. Late in the time course of this study, at 49 days, GFAP concentrations were higher in the E2-deprived mice but did not increase in the E2-replaced group. Immunocytochemistry for GFAP confirmed this observation. Of note was that these effects occurred in all four brain regions measured. These observations suggest that estradiol is able to suppress reactive gliosis. In addition, E2 replacement in OVX mice is associated with transiently higher levels of apoE and synaptophysin.
Influence of temperature on the velocity and on the isotope profile of slowly transported labeled proteins.

— Slow intra-axonal flow of [3H]leucine labeled proteins has been studied in the garfish olfactory nerve. Because of the homogeneity of the nerve a very well defined peak of slowly transported radioactivity is observed. The velocity of slow flow increases linearly with temperature. Between 14 and 28°C, the rate of the peak apex increases from 0.26 to 1.57 mm/day and the rate of the leading edge of the wavefront from 0.54 to 2.75 mm/day. Extrapolation of the rate-temperature function indicates that slow flow should stop at 11°C. However, a velocity of 0.1 mm/day was determined for experiments conducted at 10°C. Between 15 and 25°C a Q10 of 3.7 was determined for the peak apex and of 3.3 for the leading edge of the wavefront. The Q10's are significantly larger than the value of 2.2 found for fast transport (Gross & Beidler, 1975) and support the possibility of at least partial differences between the mechanisms of fast and slow transport. A very small peak was found to migrate in front of the main peak. The positioning of this peak seems to be similar to one found by Lasek & Hoffman (1976) in rat ventral motor neurons. A temperature dependent exponential decrease of the slow moving peak height was measured and it can be estimated that only 1% of the slowly transported radioactivity reaches the synapses. Most of the slow radioactivity appears to remain in the axon behind the peak. The plateau height was also found to decrease exponentially with time. The rate of disappearance greatly affects the profile determined by the slowly transported labeled proteins along the nerve.
An aqueous ratiometric fluorescence probe for Zn(II)

Abstract We report herein the first example of the use of metal promoted intramolecular excimer formation using a system derived from a simple linear polyamine. The system demonstrates that considerably less preorganization is necessary than that used in cyclic systems. The water solubility results in the first aqueous operative ratiometric fluorosensor for Zn 2+ ions.Bis-9-anthrylpolyamines (e.g. 2 ) were prepared by the 4A molecular sieve promoted condensation of the polyamine with a stoichiometrically appropriate amount of 9-anthraldehyde in CHCl 2 . Compound 2 (25μ M ) was titrated with Zn(ClO 4 ) 2 in CAPS buffer (0.05 M ) at pH 10.5. The most notable feature of this titration is the nearly 4-fold increase in fluorescence intensity at about 495 nm. In fact, after the addition of 1 equivalent of Zn +2 the normal anthracene fluorescence profile is no longer the dominant feature of the spectrum. Subtracting the spectrum with no Zn +2 from that with 1 equivalent reveals the dominant excimer spectrum. The mono substituted control shows only the expected chelation enhanced fluorescence based upon the complexation state of the benzylic amine nitrogen.
ESR1 polymorphism is associated with plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels in Caucasians of the Rochester Family Heart Study

We evaluated six estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) polymorphisms for association with ten plasma lipid and apolipoprotein traits in 1,847 individuals (941 females and 906 males) in the multi-generation Rochester Family Heart Study using a generalized estimating equation approach. Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), apoA-II, and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) were associated with exon 4 rs1801132 (Pro325Pro) genotype (P = 0.0044, P = 0.0048, and P = 0.0035, respectively). Positive correlation between levels of apoA-I, apoA-II, and HDL-C and the number of G alleles was observed in females (P = 0.0120, P = 0.0032, and P = 0.0030), but not males (P > 0.05). Because few studies have evaluated the effect of ESR1 gene polymorphisms on lipid traits in children, we also stratified our sample at the age of 15 years. There was evidence of association between intron 1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs9322331 and rs9340799 and apoC-II, and triglycerides (TGs) in youths 15 years and younger. In youths, evidence of association between rs9322331 and rs9340799 and apoC-II was stronger in males (P = 0.0036 and P = 0.0124) than in females (P > 0.05), whereas evidence of association with TG was stronger in females (P = 0.0030 and P = 0.0024) than in males (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that ESR1 variation plays an age- and sex-dependent role in determining plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels.
Legal Dimensions of Salespersons' Statements: A Review and Managerial Suggestions

Salespeople can generate liability problems for their organizations through both intentional and inadvertent statements, yet the sales management and personal selling literature has not provided adequate discussion of these problems. The authors describe the various ways salespeople initiate such liability and include specific advice for sales managers interested in guiding salesperson behavior.
Vacuum UV spectroscopy and impurity behavior in tokamak and stellarator plasmas

Abstract An overview of applications of vacuum UV (VUV) spectroscopy to studies of fusion plasmas is presented. This spectral region is usually considered to extend from 10 to 2000 A. Most impurity studies in core plasmas and in divertors rely on measuring the intensities of the bright resonance lines that lie in this wavelength range. In the core, these data are supplemented by emissions from charge exchange excitation to determine concentrations of fully stripped low- Z ions. Determinations of individual impurity radiative losses and densities are carried out with the aid of one-dimensional codes in which transport coefficients are adjusted until the modelled intensities are well matched to experimental observation. Analysis of divertor spectra presents special difficulties, because of the inherently two-or three-dimensional nature of the radiation patterns. In addition to impurity studies, VUV lines are used to determine electron and ion temperatures, and plasma rotation.
Physics of failure investigation in high-power broad-area InGaAs-AlGaAs strained quantum well lasers

Continued improvements in broad-area InGaAs-AlGaAs strained quantum well (QW) lasers have led to unprecedented performance characteristics in these lasers including optical output powers of over 20 W and power conversion efficiencies of over 70% under CW operation. Catastrophic optical mirror damage (COMD) is responsible for failures in (Al)GaAs QW lasers, but InGaAs-AlGaAs strained QW lasers with optimized facet passivation predominantly fail by catastrophic optical bulk damage (COBD). Since COBD is relatively a new failure type, it requires physics of failure investigation to understand its root causes and then develop COBD-free lasers for high reliability applications including potential satellite systems. We recently proposed a model for degradation mechanism responsible the COBD process and this paper further investigates the root causes of COBD in the lasers using various failure mode analysis techniques. We investigated reliability and degradation mechanism in MOCVD-grown broad-area InGaAs-AlGaAs strained QW single emitters. During entire accelerated life-tests of the lasers we studied, time resolved electroluminescence (TR-EL) techniques were employed to observe formation of a hot spot and subsequent formation and progression of dark spots and dark lines through windowed n-contacts.
Rheological properties of mucus

(1) The magnetic rheometer has been shown capable of measuring the viscoelastic properties of very small volumes of mucus, of demonstrating heterogeneity and of reducing these results to a form where it can be discussed in standard rheological terms. (2) The mucus tested appears to have a principal relaxation time in the order of 100 sec which would make it appear as a rubbery solid to the action of cilia. (3) The relaxation spectra of mucus infer the presence of intermolecular entanglement couplings with mucous secretions with distance between entanglement points being approximately twice as great for the specimen cervical mucus as for the specimen of bronchial lung mucus.
Adaptive Steganographic System for Binary Images using Variable Block Embedding Rate

Due to the rapid developments in multimedia, the demand for binary media (such as signatures, scanned documents and images) based steganographic system has enhanced. In this paper, we present a new data-hiding system that could hide considerable amount of data into a binary digital media. The system modifies the maximum flippable pixels in each block based on certain statistics constraints and characteristic measure of the block. Thus equalizing, the uneven distribution of the flappable pixels through out the embeddable image blocks. We also discuss various issues surrounding the variable block embedding rate and the solution to those issues to make it feasible. The embedded information can be reconstructed without prior knowledge of the cover. The performance of the proposed embedding system with respect to the security and robustness is also discussed. Comparisons with the commonly used embedding systems are also presented for maximum capacity and visual distortion.
Topological 1-soliton solution of the nonlinear Schrodinger’s equation with Kerr law nonlinearity in 1 + 2 dimensions

Abstract In this paper, the topological 1-soliton solution of the nonlinear Schrodinger’s equation in 1 + 2 dimensions is obtained by the solitary wave ansatze method. These topological solitons are studied in the context of dark optical solitons. The type of nonlinearity that is considered is Kerr type.
GM1-gangliosidosis in American black bears: Clinical, pathological, biochemical and molecular genetic characterization

G(M1)-gangliosidosis is a rare progressive neurodegenerative disorder due to an autosomal recessively inherited deficiency of lysosomal β-galactosidase. We have identified seven American black bears (Ursus americanus) found in the Northeast United States suffering from G(M1)-gangliosidosis. This report describes the clinical features, brain MRI, and morphologic, biochemical and molecular genetic findings in the affected bears. Brain lipids were compared with those in the brain of a G(M1)-mouse. The bears presented at ages 10-14 months in poor clinical condition, lethargic, tremulous and ataxic. They continued to decline and were humanely euthanized. The T(2)-weighted MR images of the brain of one bear disclosed white matter hyperintensity. Morphological studies of the brain from five of the bears revealed enlarged neurons with foamy cytoplasm containing granules. Axonal spheroids were present in white matter. Electron microscopic examination revealed lamellated membrane structures within neurons. Cytoplasmic vacuoles were found in the liver, kidneys and chondrocytes and foamy macrophages within the lungs. Acid β-galactosidase activity in cultured skin fibroblasts was only 1-2% of control values. In the brain, ganglioside-bound sialic acid was increased more than 2-fold with G(M1)-ganglioside predominating. G(A1) content was also increased whereas cerebrosides and sulfatides were markedly decreased. The distribution of gangliosides was similar to that in the G(M1)-mouse brain, but the loss of myelin lipids was greater in the brain of the affected bear than in the brain of the G(M1) mouse. Isolated full-length cDNA of the black bear GLB1 gene revealed 86% homology to its human counterpart in nucleotide sequence and 82% in amino acid sequence. GLB1 cDNA from liver tissue of an affected bear contained a homozygous recessive T(1042) to C transition inducing a Tyr348 to His mutation (Y348H) within a highly conserved region of the GLB1 gene. The coincidence of several black bears with G(M1)-gangliosidosis in the same geographic area suggests increased frequency of a founder mutation in this animal population.
Life Beyond Bases: The Advent of Frames (Part II)

Coming to the end of Part 1, we hope you have a different picture of a frame in your mind from a "picture frame." While necessarily colored by our personal bias, we intended this tutorial as a basic introduction to frames, geared primarily toward engineering students and those without extensive mathematical training. Frames are here to stay; as wavelet bases before them, they are becoming a standard tool in the signal processing toolbox, spurred by a host of recent applications requiring some level of redundancy.
Adherence to and penetration through endothelial cells by oral treponemes

Oral spirochetes were co-incubated with monolayers of endothelial cells seeded into multiwell plates or onto filters mounted in plastic chambers. Attachment was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and scanning electron microscopy. Invasiveness was determined by monitoring media beneath filters within chambers for spirochetes using darkfield microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy was used to estimate intercellular and intracellular passage of spirochetes through monolayers. All tested treponemes attached to monolayers in a dose- and time- dependent manner, except Treponema phagedenis. A few treponemes were observed within host cell cytoplasm. Unidentified spirochetes obtained from dental plaque were also invasive. Results indicate that oral spirochetes possess virulence-associated characteristics shared with pathogenic spirochetes. Further studies should examine the possibility that invasive spirochetes could disseminate from within affected gingiva.
An Industry Fields Approach to Isomorphism Involving Australian Nonprofit Organizations

Structural similarity or isomorphism is expected among organizations in the same organizational field. Such a field matures with increasing interaction among the organizations in it. Using a random sample of Australian organizations, this paper compares isomorphism among nonprofit organizations regardless of industry with that among organizations in the same industry regardless of legal form. The results point to isomorphism especially in the healthcare industry, regardless of legal form. This finding adds weight to earlier research that questioned the operation of the nonprofit sector as an organizational field with enough interaction to produce isomorphism.
Playing with virtual peers: bootstrapping contingent discourse in children with autism

In this paper, we describe an intervention for children with social and communication deficits, such as autism, based on the use of a virtual peer that can engage in tightly collaborative narrative. We present a study in which children with autism engage in collaborative narrative with both a virtual and a human peer, and the use of contingent discourse is compared. Our findings suggest that contingent discourse increased over the course of interaction with a virtual peer, but not a human peer. Furthermore, topic management, such as introducing new topics or maintaining the current topic, was more likely to occur with the virtual peer than with the human peer. We discuss general implications of our work for understanding the role of peer interactions in learning.
Immigration, Aging, and Intergenerational Relationships

This study examined the intergenerational relationships and roles of older Salvadorans who have come to the United States in their later years. Although there were many similarities between these parents' roles in El Salvador and in the United States, fewer were employed and more had taken on childcare responsibilities. Although their children had a strong sense of filial obligation, the parents asked for little concrete assistance from the children.
Gelation, crystallization and morphological transformations of syndiotactic polystyrene in acetophenone and acetophenone + carbon dioxide mixtures at high pressures

Abstract The gelation and crystallization processes in 5 wt% solutions of syndiotactic polystyrene in acetophenone and acetophenone + carbon dioxide fluid mixtures were studied in a variable-volume view-cell system over a pressure range from 7 to 50 MPa for CO 2 concentrations up to 40 wt%. The solution in pure acetophenone displayed only a sol–gel (gelation) phase boundary. Solutions containing 25 wt% CO 2 displayed both a sol–gel and a liquid–liquid phase boundary. Solutions containing 40% CO 2 displayed instead a fluid–solid (crystallization) and a liquid–liquid phase boundary. The consequences of crossing the gelation, crystallization or the liquid–liquid demixing boundaries first on the eventual morphology and the crystal structures that develop were investigated. It is shown that when the gelation boundary is crossed first, the resulting crystal structure is the δ form. When the L–L phase boundary is crossed first, polymer-rich phase leads to a mixture of δ + β crystal forms while only the δ form is found in the polymer-lean phase from solutions with 25 wt% CO 2 . Crossing the crystallization boundary first in solutions with 40 wt% CO 2 , leads to the β form with no presence of the δ crystal form. However, when the liquid–liquid phase boundary is crossed first, the polymer-rich phase forms only the β crystal form and the polymer-lean phase leads to a mixed crystal structure containing the β and δ forms. Formation of the different crystal structures are verified by XRD, FTIR and SEM characterizations and are rationalized with a phase diagram describing the paths the system follows as a result of a change in pressure and/or the temperature.
Attitudes toward Alcohol as Predictors of Self-Estimated Alcohol Consumption in College Students

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the relationship between attitudes toward alcohol use and self-estimated drinking behavior. The results indicated that attitudes can reliably predict variations in self-reported drinking behavior. The implication of these findings for treatment and future research is discussed.
Moonshine, money, and the politics of liquidity in rural Russia

In many areas of rural Russia after socialism, moonshine serves as a local currency. In this article, I trace the intersecting circuits of moonshine, rubles, labor, and U.S. dollars in a Russian town to outline an approach to exchange that concentrates on the politics of liquidity—conflicts and inequalities rooted in the relative degrees of exchangeability associated with different transactables. I explore emerging axes of stratification after socialism at several junctures: between husbands and wives; among units of extended families; between moonlighters and their employers; and, through an analysis of ruble–dollar exchanges and Russia's “August crisis” of 1998, between rural households and international currency speculators.
3-D acoustic modelling and imaging for earthquake data

SUMMARY Through the use of a very fast, 3-D Fourier transform, the 3-D acoustic wave equation can be efficiently solved for earthquake modelling and imaging. An array of 5122 seismograms can be modelled or imaged in under 2; minutes. The main disadvantages are that the rms velocity above the source must be constant and that the source rupture velocity must be infinite. The main advantages are that the solution does not involve any approximations to the acoustic wave equation, and that arbitrary (spatial) source energy distributions are easily handled. The computational costs are independent of source complexity.
Preventative steganalysis in wireless visual sensor networks: Challenges and solutions

The goal of preventative steganalysis is to offer a proactive solution against steganography by increasing the steganalyst's knowledge of the cover-media therefore emphasizing the presence of hidden messages. This paper presents the concept of preventative steganalysis applied to wireless visual sensor networks. By means of the entropy, the uncertainty of the data captured by the network's camera is reduced, hence reducing the potential embedding capacity and discouraging the use of steganography.
Glucuronyl glycine, a novel N-terminus in a glycoprotein.

Abstract Treatment of cutinase, an extracellular glycoprotein produced by Fusarium solani f. pisi, with NaB3H4 at pH 7.0 generated labeled enzyme. Acid hydrolysis showed that all of the label was in an acidic carbohydrate which was identified as gulonic acid. The N-terminal amino group of the enzyme is blocked; the precursor of gulonic acid has a free reducing group and it is attached via a linkage resistant to β-elimination. Furthermore, pronase digestion of NaB3H4-treated cutinase gave rise to a ninhydrin negative compound which contained the bulk of the 3H and this compound was identified as N-gulonyl glycine. These results strongly suggest that the amino group of glycine, the N-terminal amino acid of this enzyme, is in amide linkage with glucuronic acid.
The cyclooxygenase-2 product prostaglandin E2 modulates cardiac contractile function in adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes.

Abstract Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), a product of the cyclooxygenase-2 pathway, has been shown to increase cardiac output and modulate cardiac contractile function. However, whether the cardiac contractile response of PGE 2 is due to its action on single ventricular myocytes has not been elucidated. To assess the mechanical effect of PGE 2 at the cellular level, adult rat ventricular myocytes were isolated and stimulated to contract at 0.5 Hz. Mechanical and intracellular Ca 2+ properties were evaluated using an IonOptix Myocam ® analog-to-digital optical detection system. Contractile and intracellular Ca 2+ properties were evaluated as peak shortening (PS), time-to-PS (TPS), time-to-90% relengthening (TR 90 ), maximal velocity of shortening or relengthening (±d L /d t ) and Ca 2+ -induced intracellular Ca 2+ fluorescence release (CICR), baseline intracellular Ca 2+ levels and intracellular Ca 2+ decay rate ( τ ). PGE 2 (10 −8 to 10 −3 M) elicited an augmentation in PS but had no effect on TPS, TR 90 , ±d L /d t , CICR and τ . High concentration of PGE 2 (10 −5 M or higher) reduced the baseline intracellular Ca 2+ levels. These data indicate that the myocardial contractile response of PGE 2 may be due to its direct cardiac contractile action at the single ventricular myocyte level, probably through a mechanism independent of intracellular Ca 2+ release.
Wars between democracies: Rare, or nonexistent?

It is often asserted that democratic states never fight wars against each other, but there is a rather lengthy list of exceptions to that rule that are consistently or prominently mentioned in the ...
Influence of B Cell Antigen Receptor Expression Level on Pathways of B Cell Tolerance Induction

We have described an Ig-transgenic, autoreactive B cell clonotype that undergoes a novel tolerance pathway. Early in development this clonotype expresses average BCR levels, but these levels are progressively down-regulated as development proceeds efficiently to the mature, follicular compartment. This clonotype does not display conventional features of anergy and can be induced to undergo apoptosis and receptor editing in in vitro bone marrow cultures, but these pathways are not taken in vivo. These data suggested that autoantigen-driven down-regulation of BCR levels and, hence, avidity for autoantigen allows this clonotype to bypass conventional tolerance mechanisms. To test this idea, we enforced elevated levels of expression of BCR in this clonotype by making the transgenic Igh locus homozygous. This resulted in retarded clonotype development and L chain receptor editing in vivo. These data support a pivotal role for adaptive, autoantigen-induced adjustment of BCR expression levels in the regulation of primary B cell development and tolerance.
Durability Monitoring for Improved Service Life Predictions of Concrete Bridge Decks in Corrosive Environments

The development of an effective strategy for the inspection and monitoring of the nation's critical bridges has become necessary due to aging, increased traffic loads, changing environmental conditions, and advanced deterioration. This article presents the development of a probabilistic mechanistic modeling approach supported by durability monitoring to obtain improved predictions of service life of concrete bridge decks exposed to chlorides. The application and benefits of this approach are illustrated on a case study of a reinforced concrete barrier wall of a highway bridge monitored over 10 years. It is demonstrated that service life predictions using probabilistic models calibrated with selected monitored field data can provide more reliable assessments of the probabilities of reinforcement corrosion and corrosion-induced damage compared to using deterministic models based on standard data from the literature. Such calibrated probabilistic models can help decision makers optimize intervention strategies as to how and when to repair or rehabilitate a given structure, thus improving its life cycle performance, extending its service life and reducing its life cycle cost.
Potential effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide on benthic autotrophs and consumers in stream ecosystems: a test using experimental stream mesocosms

Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (eCO 2 ) has been shown to have a variety of ecosystem-level effects in terrestrial systems, but few studies have examined how eCO 2 might affect aquatic habitats. This limits broad generalizations about the effects of a changing climate across biomes. To broaden this generalization, we used free air CO 2 enrichment to compare effects of eCO 2 (i.e., double ambient ∼ 720 ppm) relative to ambient CO 2 (aCO 2 ∼ 360 ppm) on several ecosystem properties and functions in large, outdoor, experimental mesocosms that mimicked shallow sand-bottom prairie streams. In general, we showed that eCO 2 had strong bottom-up effects on stream autotrophs, which moved through the food web and indirectly affected consumer trophic levels. These general effects were likely mediated by differential CO 2 limitation between the eCO 2 and aCO 2 treatments. For example, we found that eCO 2 decreased water-column pH and increased dissolved CO 2 in the mesocosms, reducing CO 2 -limitation at times of intense primary production (PP). At these times, PP of benthic algae was about two times greater in the eCO 2 treatment than aCO 2 treatment. Elevated PP enhanced the rate of carbon assimilation relative to nutrient uptake, which reduced algae quality in the eCO 2 treatment. We predicted that reduced algae quality would negatively affect benthic invertebrates. However, density, biomass and average individual size of benthic invertebrates increased in the eC0 2 treatment relative to aCO 2 treatment. This suggested that total PP was a more important regulator of secondary production than food quality in our experiment. This study broadens generalizations about ecosystem-level effects of a changing climate by providing some of the first evidence that the global increase in atmospheric CO 2 might affect autotrophs and consumers in small stream ecosystems throughout the southern Great Plains and Gulf Coastal slope of North America.
A Theoretical Model for Caring for Women with Chronic Nonmalignant Pain

Chronic pain is a subjective, complex phenomenon of inseparable physical, mental, spiritual, and social processes. However, a gender-sensitive theory based on the understanding of the relationships among these processes has not been formulated. The sample for this study included 19 women, aged 21-76 years, living with a variety of chronic nonmalignant pain syndromes of 1-27 years duration. Data were generated from in-depth interviews, critical incident health diaries, and participant observation at support group meetings. The grounded theory method of constant comparative analysis resulted in the identification of women's healthy progression through their experiences of living with chronic pain as occurring in three phases. However, some women did not progress through these healthy phases and instead progressed toward illness. A woman's progression was influenced by patterns of validating. Validating occurred when her experience of pain was viewed as originating from her body and not as psychological need...
Predictive Control for Time-Delayed Switching Control Systems

A methodology is proposed for the control of switching systems characterized by linear system dynamics with a time delay in the input channel. The method incorporates a state predictor that at each switching period determines the effect that the next control input will have on the future output of the system, and chooses the input that will take the system closest to the desired future state. The resulting control action is suboptimal, but is computationally tractable and shown to provide a bounded tracking error for stable plants. The proposed predictive control methodology is demonstrated on a hot gas pressurization system that tracks a desired pressure trajectory via an on/off solenoid valve.
One Approximation of the Real-World Corporate Financing Decisions

This paper is the first attempt to reconcile the prospect theory and the contract theory in explaining the observed financing decisions. In a world of ambitious and aggressive economic agents, even the original equilibria under the presence of asymmetric information break down. When the aggressiveness in the market is prevailing, there exist multi-pooling-equilibria, which might help explain why the academic can not find the optimal leverage. In the meanwhile, debt issuance would be lower, which shed light on the distinct liquidity provision patterns between bull and bear market. Firm with lottery-like investment opportunity will more easily get external financing than that with safe project, as both market participants, entrepreneur and financier, perceive the project more valuable than the value would otherwise be suggested by the classical expected utility theory.
Biotinylation and assessment of membrane polarity: caveats and methodological concerns

Studies of epithelial membrane polarity have been greatly facilitated through the use of the N-hydroxysuccinimide-biotin surface labeling technique (M. Sargiacomo, M. Lisanti, L. Graeve, A. Le Bivi...
Biobarriers used in shallow burial ground stabilization

These data show that cobblestone can be effective as a barrier to burrowing animals and insects, but not totally effective as a barrier to plant roots. Because of variable weather patterns at Hanford, five to six year studies are recommended for further evaluation of the effectiveness of different materials as biobarriers to radioactive substances. The following criteria must be met to present plant roots from entering buried waste and transporting radioactive or other elements to the soil surface where they can enter the food web: (1) the burial zone beneath the cover should be kept dry; (2) enough soil or other water-retaining substance should be placed in the cover to hold annual precipitation; (3) plants or other substances should be placed in the cover to remove soil moisture from site each year via evaporation and plant transpiration; and (4) different additions to the cover should be designed and placed over the buried waste to prevent burrowing animals from causing channelization of water through the cover to the lower levels. Stone size appeared to affect the plants' rate of root growth since root growth slowed in the air spaces between stones. Root toxin was 100% effective as a means of keepingmore » roots out of the buried waste; this method could be used as a barrier modification where no plant cover is needed. 9 figures, 2 tables.« less
Urgent Care and Emergency Department Visits in the Pediatric Medicaid Population

BACKGROUND: Urgent care (UC) is one of the fastest growing venues of health care delivery. We compared clinical and cost attributes of pediatric UC and emergency department (ED) visits that did not result in admission. METHODS: Our study examined 5 925 568 ED and UC visits of children under 19 years old in the 2010 through 2012 Marketscan Medicaid Multi-State Database. Basic demographics, diagnoses, severity, and payments were compared. Between ED and UC visits, χ2 tests were used for proportions and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for continuous variables. RESULTS: The UC and ED had the same most common diagnoses. Over half the UC visits were low severity. The ED had a higher rate of return within 7 days (8.4% vs 6.9%, P CONCLUSIONS: UC and ED Medicaid visits have similar most common diagnoses, rate of return, and admission. Severity level and payments were lower in UC. There is potential significant cost savings if lower acuity cases can be transitioned from the ED to UC.
K-modification in Adaptive Control

This paper presents a new modification for adaptive control by adding a tunable stiffness term to the standard weight update law. This approach can be combined with well known �and e-modification terms. In comparison to these modifications, the proposed modification term provides a filtering effect that is frequency dependent to improve adaptive system performance such that smooth transient responses can be obtained. The motivation behind this approach comes from the desire to achieve a prescribed natural frequency and damping ratio for the error transients.
A Human Factors Approach to the Design of an Animal Euthanasia Workstation

A field study was conducted to assess the effects that a new animal euthanasia workstation had on users. Two different humane societies participated in the research. At one society, a new euthanasia facility that incorporated human factors engineering standards and recommendations into the design was constructed. At a second humane society, no changes were made in the workstation. Questionnaires were distributed to employees of the two humane societies both one month before and four months after the design was implemented. The impact of the design was assessed by comparing the measured levels of job satisfaction and job stress before and after the new workstation was implemented. The findings indicated that there were no changes in worker's job stress between the pre- and post-manipulation periods. The humane society workers reported lowered satisfaction than did a national sample. Job satisfaction measures were also found to be lower for the subjects after they worked in the new workstation. In addition,...
Elementary Counterexamples in Infinite Dimensional Inner Product Spaces

(1979). Elementary Counterexamples in Infinite Dimensional Inner Product Spaces. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 52, No. 2, pp. 96-97.
Design of a Domed LED Illuminator for High-Angle Computational Illumination

Computational Illumination adds significant functionality to existing microscopes by replacing standard illumination with a programmable LED array. Here we discuss the design and benefits of a programmable LED dome consisting of over 1000 discrete LEDs.
Visualizing communication patterns among expert and novice counselors

This study presents a method for visually studying professional communication patterns. Thirty verbatim transcripts of conversations between professional counselors and their clients were coded using Qualitative Data Analysis software. The visualization tools within the program were then used to create a coloured text portrait of each conversation. Text portraits were compared across counselors based on experience level. This method of studying communication patterns during in-situation conversations appears to be both powerful and effective in revealing patterns and relationships within communication events. Advantages of graphic display over traditional statistical methods are considered. ©Journal of Professional Communication, all rights reserved.
Commuter vs. residential: LMS perceptions & use on two campuses

In this study, we used the same survey described in Paper 1 to specifically explore differences in respondents' attitudes about LMS use and actual experience with a LMS between instructors and students at two campuses of a Midwestern university: a large residential campus and a smaller commuter campus. We also analyzed aggregated log data from the LMS to see if students' system use was consistent with their beliefs. Although there have been some multi-campus studies of LMS (e.g., Harrington et al., 2004), none have focused on the possible differences between residential and commuter institutions. Online technologies have been found to significantly affect the nature of interactions between commuter students and with their instructors (Krause, 2007). The specific research questions we address in this paper are: (1) Do instructors and students at the two campuses differ in their perceptions of different types of interactions supported by LMS? (2) When other factors, such as number of courses using the LMS, are taken into account, do differences between campuses still exist? (3) How does actual LMS use compare to survey attitudes and perceptions?
Polished, Professional Presentation: Unlocking the Design Elements

Using available computer graphics software programs, a novice can develop a presentation. Going beyond the basics, however, requires knowledge of the use of the elements of design: fonts, colors, and graphics. This article describes how to select fonts and colors and provides guidelines for use of pictures and graphs. Guidelines for use of default settings and templates, and considerations related to the use of animation, sound, and projection are included. Examples are provided to demonstrate important points and creating a polished, professional product.
Hydrodynamic trapping for rapid assembly and in situ electrical characterization of droplet interface bilayer arrays

The droplet interface bilayer (DIB) is a modular technique for assembling planar lipid membranes between water droplets in oil. The DIB method thus provides a unique capability for developing digital, droplet-based membrane platforms for rapid membrane characterization, drug screening and ion channel recordings. This paper demonstrates a new, low-volume microfluidic system that automates droplet generation, sorting, and sequential trapping in designated locations to enable the rapid assembly of arrays of DIBs. The channel layout of the device is guided by an equivalent circuit model, which predicts that a serial arrangement of hydrodynamic DIB traps enables sequential droplet placement and minimizes the hydrodynamic pressure developed across filled traps to prevent squeeze-through of trapped droplets. Furthermore, the incorporation of thin-film electrodes fabricated via evaporation metal deposition onto the glass substrate beneath the channels allows for the first time in situ, simultaneous electrical interrogation of multiple DIBs within a sealed device. Combining electrical measurements with imaging enables measurements of membrane capacitance and resistance and bilayer area, and our data show that DIBs formed in different trap locations within the device exhibit similar sizes and transport properties. Simultaneous, single channel recordings of ion channel gating in multiple membranes are obtained when alamethicin peptides are incorporated into the captured droplets, qualifying the thin-film electrodes as a means for measuring stimuli-responsive functions of membrane-bound biomolecules. This novel microfluidic-electrophysiology platform provides a reproducible, high throughput method for performing electrical measurements to study transmembrane proteins and biomembranes in low-volume, droplet-based membranes.
Search for Higgs Bosons Beyond the Standard Model at LEP

Recent results of searches for Higgs bosons in MSSM, charged Higgs and Higgs bosons with rare decays are summarized. These results are based on data and analyses from the four LEP experiments: ALEPH, DELPHI, L3, and OPAL. The data were collected during the summer and fall of 1996 with center-of-mass energies of 161 and 172 GeV.
Theoretical Approaches to Enhancing Motivation for Adherence to Antidepressant Medications

Abstract Problem: Adherence to antidepressants is a major challenge in our health care system, with a high percentage of patients discontinuing their medications within six months. Aims: The purpose of this position paper is to discuss theoretical frameworks that address the psychological beliefs, benefits and barriers and feelings of autonomy that affect a person's willingness and motivation to take anti-depressant medications within a therapeutic relationship with a nurse practitioner. Methods: Three theoretical frameworks were selected to highlight particular perspectives relevant to enhancing patient motivation for medication adherence. The Self-Regulation Model, Health Belief Model, and Self-Determination Theory combined with motivational interviewing all offer guidance on strategies for improving adherence to antidepressants. Conclusions: The Self-Regulation Model underscores the importance of illness representations that prompt considering patient perceptions of depression that affect adherence. The Health Belief Model focuses on cost–benefit considerations that affect patient's adherence, along with perceived control. Finally, Self-Determination Theory combined with motivational interviewing offers strategies that enhance autonomy and optimize collaboration and motivation for adherence. Relevance for clinical practice: These three theoretical models are applied to a vignette for a patient who is having difficulty with adherence to antidepressant medication.
Vogt, Cécile and Oskar

Cecile and Oskar Vogt made numerous important contributions to basal ganglia anatomy and the neuropathology of various movement disorders. Cecile described striato-thalamic projections, partitioned the lateral thalamus based on afferents, and defined the corpus striatum syndrome (Vogt's syndrome) associated with athetoid cerebral palsy. Together, they described reciprocal thalamo-striatal connections, which influenced thalamic parcellation and nomenclature. Other work involved cytoarchitectonics and myeloarchitectonics, delineation of allo and isocortex, and conceptual development of pathoclisis (selective vulnerability of specific neuronal populations). Oskar Vogt was also involved in more controversial studies of Lenin's brain and attempts to link architectonics with behavior (criminality, morality, and genius).
Psychometric characteristics of the mental health crisis assessment scale in youth with autism spectrum disorder

BACKGROUND: Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit high rates of psychopathology. These symptoms can pose a risk of injury to self or others when the child is in crisis. Despite this danger, there are no instruments available to identify those with ASD who are at risk or actively in crisis. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Mental Health Crisis Assessment Scale (MCAS), a 28 item parent report measure. METHODS: The MCAS was administered to the parents of 606 children and young adults (aged 3-25 years, M age = 13 years, SD = 5 years) enrolled in the Interactive Autism Network, an online registry of families raising a child with ASD. The MCAS asks parents to rate the severity of various emotional and behavioral symptoms exhibited by their child. The parent then selects the behavior they perceive as the most dangerous behavior and rates the acuity of as well as their efficacy in managing this behavior. The MCAS was tested for internal consistency, construct validity, criterion validity, and convergent validity. RESULTS: The MCAS demonstrated strong internal consistency (Total Scale Cronbach's α = .88). The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggested that a two factor (acuity and behavioral efficacy) model fit the data well, providing evidence of construct validity. Criterion validity, which was assessed by comparing the MCAS to clinician determination of crisis, indicated high levels of agreement (ROC = .85). Strong positive relationships emerged between the MCAS and measures of family distress (r = .56), parental stress, and frustration (r = .48), and use of emergency psychiatric services (OR = 24.2, 95% CI: 8.6-68.2), indicating convergent validity of the measure (all p CONCLUSIONS: Results of the psychometric analyses suggest the MCAS appears to be a promising tool that can measure mental health crises in youth with ASD.© 2017 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Language: en
Neurobehavioral manifestations and sequelae of HIV and other infections.

This article discusses central nervous system infections in children 5 to 18 years of age, particularly focusing on the outcome of these diseases. The CNS infections reviewed include HIV-1, meningitis (bacterial and viral), encephalitis, Lyme disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Following these infections, children and adolescents may develop neurologic and psychiatric sequelae, which can be transient or chronic requiring long-term therapy. Therefore, understanding the post-infectious sequelae becomes important in the management of these patients.
Reservation Policies in Queues: Advance Deposits, Spot Prices, and Capacity Allocation

At firms such as restaurants, customers either make reservations in advance or join queues on the spot. Reservation holders may not show up, and walkâ€ ins have to wait. Using a gameâ€ theoretic model between the firm and customers, this paper studies the following: (i) reservation deposits and service prices, and (ii) capacity allocation between reservations and walkâ€ ins. We have three main results: (i) When reservation noâ€ shows lead to wasted capacity that cannot be reallocated, the firm should frontâ€ load all charges into the reservation deposit; (ii) The firm should charge a lower service price to reservationâ€ holders than to walkâ€ in customers when it decides to serve both; (iii) Less capacity should be allocated for reservations as the potential market size grows; with sufficiently large potential demand, the firm should stop taking reservations. Our results follow from key operational tradeoffs between reservations and queues: reservations permit 100% utilization, but queues operate at less than 100%; however, reservations have constant returns to scale, while queues enjoy increasing returns.
SETBP1 mutations as a biomarker for myelodysplasia /myeloproliferative neoplasm overlap syndrome

Myelodysplasia (MDS) /myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) overlap syndrome has been described since the 2001 WHO classification as disorders that have both proliferative and dysplastic changes simultaneously. Specific disorders include chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), BCR-ABL negative atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) and unclassifiable MDS/MPN (MPN/MDS-U). Recurrent gene mutations in these conditions have been described. Among them, SETBP1 mutations have been identified in up to 32% of aCML, 24% of JMML, 18% of CMML and 10% of MDS/MPN-U patients. The mutation hotspot lies in the amino acid residues 858–871 in the SETBP1 protein. SETBP1 mutations in MDS/MPN overlap syndrome is associated with accelerated transformation to leukemia and poor prognosis. In this review, we summarized the latest data on the role of SETBP1 mutations in the overlap syndrome. SETBP1 mutations may serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis and poor prognosis of the overlap syndrome.