cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retail Health Clinics: Location Choice and Emergency Department Diversion

Over 20% of Americans do not have adequate access to primary care services due to a lack of available physicians (HRSA, 2014). In response many have called for an increased role of the Nurse Practitioner. The retail health clinic, a recent innovation, is well suited to serve as a conduit for this expanded role. In this paper, I examine retail health clinics by estimating the determinants of clinic location choice and by evaluating their impact on unnecessary visits to nearby emergency departments (EDs). First, I construct a choice model of clinic location that accounts for both demand and competition effects. This model incorporates a rich error structure that allows for spatial correlation and market level unobservables. I find that clinics are more likely to locate in areas that are populous, wealthy, educated, and white, and that they are less likely to locate in traditionally under-served communities. Second, I combine the results of my predictive model with data on ED visits to determine if clinics help direct patients away from receiving treatment at expensive emergency rooms. I find that access to retail clinics causes a substantial decrease in the number of ED visits for bronchitis and upper respiratory infections. The savings associated with retail clinic induced ED diversion is conservatively estimated to be at least $88 million in 2012 alone. In California, counterfactual analysis suggests that relaxing the barriers to clinic entry would result in $10.5 million in annual health care savings.
In vitro assays for determining the metastatic potential of melanoma cell lines with characterized in vivo invasiveness

The metastatic potential of cancer cells is an elusive property that is indicative of the later stages of cancer progression. The ability to distinguish between poorly and highly metastatic cells is invaluable for understanding the basic biology of cancer and to develop more treatments. In this paper, we exploit a A375 melanoma cell line series (A375P, A375MA1, A375MA2) that vary in metastatic potential, to demonstrate an in vitro screening assay using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microbubble well arrays that can distinguish these cell lines by their growth characteristics in including morphology, migratory potential, and clonogenic potential. These cell lines cannot be distinguished by their growth characteristics when cultured on standard tissue culture plastic or planar PDMS. Results show that the more metastatic cell lines (A375MA1, A375MA2) have a higher proliferative potential and a distinctive radial spreading growth pattern out of the microbubble well. The A375MA2 cell line also has a higher tendency to form multicellular spheroids. The ability to successfully correlate the metastatic potential of cancer cells with their growth characteristics is essential first step toward developing a high-throughput screening assay to identify aggressive tumor cells in primary samples. The capability to culture and recover aggressive cells from microbubble wells will enable identification of candidate metastatic biomarkers which has immense clinical significance.
CH4 internal dry reforming over a Ni/YSZ/ScSZ anode catalyst in a SOFC: A transient kinetic study

Abstract We used a transient kinetic technique, which involves a step-switching of the reactant flows, to identify the reaction pathways on the Ni anode catalysts of SOFCs utilizing CH 4 /CO 2 and CH 4 as fuels. Carbon deposited at the external layer of the Ni anode support in CH 4 -SOFC. The transient response revealed that carbon deposition, which occurred with CH 4 as a fuel molecule, was suppressed and dominated by the dry reforming of CH 4 /CO 2 to CO/H 2 and the electrochemical oxidization of CO/H 2 . Electricity generation from the electrochemical oxidation reactions is governed by Faraday resistance at the anode Ni catalyst interlayer.
Mechanisms of gut microbiota-mediated bone remodeling

The mechanisms underlying the systemic effects mediated by gut microbiota are under active investigation. In addition to local, direct effects of gut microbiota on the host, metabolic products from microbiota may act peripherally, reaching distal organs through the circulation. In our recent publication we demonstrated that gut microbiota influence bone remodeling distally, promoting both bone resorption and formation. We proposed that these effects are mediated, at least in part, by the induction of insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) by the microbiota metabolite short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Here we explore additional mechanisms by which microbial metabolites could directly or indirectly alter host bone remodeling. We discuss whether SCFA directly modulate bone resorption by their actions on osteoclasts, and test the possibility that serotonin is another gut microbiota derived long-distance mediator of effects on bone remodeling. A detailed understanding of the mechanisms of microbiota effect on bone remodeling could help establish potential therapeutic strategies to promote bone health.
A Brief Motivational Interviewing Training Program for First-Year Medical Students

Motivational interviewing (MI), a patient-centered counseling technique, has been effective for modifying personal health behaviors. MI has most often been taught during clinical training. This study describes a brief interactive student-developed workshop designed to train first-year medical students in this communication skill.
Prevalence of social phobia among nursing college students

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of the social phobia among nursing college students and determine the relationship between their demographic characteristics and social phobia. A descriptive analytic study was carried throughout the present study to determine the prevalence of social phobia among nursing college students in Al-Qadisiyah University during the period from April 1stto December 1st, 2017. A study sample disproportional stratified sample of 100 students, 25 students from each stage were included in the study. the result revealed that the indicate equal between male and female (50%), the study results are (55%) that are (19-24) years within age groups. Regarding residence of study sample that the majority are urban (63%), and most of the study sample are single (94%). The study results that the reveal stage or grade are equal (25%).study results that indicate for all evaluation for responses that majority of the study sample are high social phobia (62%). Also, the study results showed that the social phobia is high among nursing college students and there is a relationship between the social phobia and the student's age, marital status, and stage. The study concludes the study concludes that the nursing college students are highly affected by social phobia and the majority of that effect present during the first and second stage, while it decreased at the third and fourth stage. In addition, the students' age and marital status play an important role in determining the social phobia.
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER A REMOTE APPLICATION - WEATHER STATION

ABSTRACT For remote applications photovoltaics - the direct conversion of sunlight to electrical energy offers distinct advantages as an energy supply option. Unlike other alternatives, photovoltaics is based on modular solid state devices which are capable of being mass produced at low cost. Photovoltaic systems require short lead times for design, installation, and start-up. Systems can be designed to minimize land use and environmental impacts and to provide simple and inexpensive operation. Most importantly, since the energy source is secure and inexhaustible, photovoltaic systems can enhance the balance and stability of our national energy supply, especially when used for large electrical demands.
Health and Disease: The Holistic Approach

The attempt to view disease in a generic sense — as an attribute of living forms, with special focus on its adaptational significance — is an approach that deserves acclaim and further study. It is somewhat difficult, however, on first hearing Dr. Fabrega’s position on the importance of viewing disease as a symbolic category, to see the connections between this point of view and current debates about how to conceptualize and categorize mental health and mental illness. It is perhaps easier to imagine how the development of what he calls ‘ethnomedical science’ [5] might contribute to the ongoing debate about whether there are any universal characteristics of illness — mental or otherwise — or whether the nature and varieties of human diseases are relative to the cultures in which they exist. But a close look at the details of Dr. Fabrega’s position reveals several links between his proposal to view disease in a generic sense and the development of an adequate theory of mental health.
Liposomes in Antimicrobial Therapy

The development of new therapeutic modalities involves the synthesis of new drugs or drug analogues, or a modification of the therapeutic index of established active drugs. The latter can be accomplished by the use of drug carriers, such as liposomes, which can modify the pharmacokinetics and distribution of drugs.
Relative effectiveness of niacin and lovastatin for treatment of dyslipidemias in a health maintenance organization.

BACKGROUND: We conducted an historical cohort study to evaluate the relative effectiveness of niacin and lovastatin in the treatment of dyslipidemias in patients enrolled in a health maintenance organization (HMO). METHODS: To be eligible for this study, adults aged 18 years and older who were initially treated with either niacin or lovastatin between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 1993, were identified from pharmacy databases. Each potentially eligible member with a fasting lipid panel prior to initiation of drug therapy and with a second fasting lipid panel between 9 and 15 months after initiation of drug therapy was included in the study. A total of 244 patients treated with niacin and 160 patients treated with lovastatin had complete data and are subjects of this report. RESULTS: Patients initially treated with lovastatin had higher baseline mean cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels as well as higher rates of diabetes mellitus and heart disease than did patients initially treated with niacin. Lovastatin use was associated with a mean 25.8% decrease in LDL cholesterol, while niacin use was associated with a mean 17.5% drop in LDL cholesterol (t = 3.19, P < .002). Niacin use was associated with a 16.3% improvement in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, while HDL-cholesterol levels in the lovastatin group improved 1.5% (t = 4.74, P < .001). Niacin use was associated with an 18.4% improvement in triglycerides, while lovastatin use was associated with an 8% improvement in triglyceride levels (t = 2.81, P = .005). Differences in LDL/HDL ratio from before treatment to follow-up were no different in the two groups of patients (t = -1.21, P = .22). A total of 46% of patients initially treated with either drug reached their treatment goals in accordance with those set by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Drug discontinuation rates were 73% for niacin and 52% for lovastatin at follow-up, which averaged 10.7 months in each group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that both niacin and lovastatin are effective in treating dyslipidemic patients in this care system, and that physicians appropriately use lovastatin more often for patients with higher baseline LDL levels and more comorbidity. The data also strongly suggest that establishing an organized, population-based approach to systematically identify, treat, and monitor patients with dyslipidemias may be the single most important intervention HMOs should consider for improving control of dyslipidemias on a population basis.
Defining severe traumatic brain injury readmission rates and reasons in a rural state.

Background Readmissions after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) have significant impact on long-term patient outcomes through interruption of rehabilitation. This study examined readmissions in a rural population, hypothesizing that readmitted patients after TBI will be older and have more comorbidities than those not readmitted. Methods Discharge data on all patients 15 years and older who were admitted to an Arkansas-based hospital for TBI were obtained from the Arkansas Hospital Discharge Data System from 2010 to 2014. This data set includes diagnoses (principal discharge diagnosis, up to 3 external cause of injury codes, 18 diagnosis codes using the International Classification of Disease, 9th Edition, Clinical Modifications), age, gender, and inpatient costs. Hospital Cost and Utilization Project Clinical Classification and Chronic Condition Indicator were used to identify chronic disease and body systems affected in principal diagnosis. Results Of the 3114 cases of significant head trauma, more than two-thirds were attributed to fall injuries, with motor vehicle crashes accounting for 20% of the remainder. The mean length of stay was 6.5 days. 691 of these patients were admitted to an Arkansas hospital in the following year, totaling 1368 readmissions. Of the readmissions, 16.4% of patients were admitted for altered mental status, 12.9% with shortness of breath (SOB), and 9.4% with chest pain. Mental disorders (psychosis, dementia, and depression) and organic nervous symptoms (Alzheimer’s disease, encephalopathy, and epilepsy) were the primary source of readmissions. More than one-third of the patients were admitted in the following year for chronic diseases such as heart failure (8.6%), psychosis (5.2%), and cerebral artery occlusion (4.1%). Discussion This study showed that there is a significant rate of readmissions in the year after a diagnosis of TBI. Complications with existing chronic diseases are among the most reported reasons for admission in this time period, demonstrating the effect severe head trauma has on long-term treatment. Level of evidence Level IV, Retrospective epidemiological study.
Race, “Deservingness,” and Social Spending Attitudes: The Role of Policy Delivery Mechanism

This paper examines how the means through which social benefits are delivered—either through a direct government program, or through a tax expenditure program—affects how citizens view social welfare programs and their beneficiaries. Attitudes toward social spending in the United States are strongly conditioned by both racial considerations and perceptions of the deservingness of recipients. We argue that the political cues given by spending conducted through the tax code differ from those given by direct spending in a way that both de-racializes spending attitudes and changes the lens through which citizens evaluate the deservingness of beneficiaries. Through a series of survey experiments, we demonstrate that social benefits delivered through the tax code are less likely to activate racialized thinking than similar or identical benefits delivered directly. This is true, at least in part, because recipients of tax expenditures are perceived as more deserving than recipients of otherwise identical direct spending.
Mid-infrared gas sensing using uncooled quantum cascade laser with low power consumption

Mid-infrared sensing with a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) as a light source is expected to offer a high sensitivity, a short measurement time, and a good portability compared to conventional methods. However, commercially available QCLs have high power-consumption, leading to the necessity for a large cooling system. Therefore, a portable sensor using a QCL have not been realized. To address this issue, recently we had developed a low power-consumption DFB-QCL which enables continuous wave (CW) operation up to 80 ◦C. In this study, we performed gas sensing using our QCL mounted on a Φ 5.6 mm TO-CAN package under uncooled condition. For example, even when the package temperature rose to room temperature +18 ◦C by injecting 180mA current (1.9 W power-consumption) into the uncooled QCL, it could CW operation, and emit output power of 9 mW. Lasing wavelength were stable when the power consumption of the QCL was below 2.2 W, and in this stable wavelength range, about 20 nm wavelength tuning range was obtained by sweeping injection current. We performed mid- infrared gas sensing of methane around 7.4 μm wavelength using a measurement system consisting of the QCL, a gas cell and a thermopile. For this measurement, the QCL was kept uncooled and was driven by CW current, which made a lasing wavelength sweep sufficient for sensing possible. Measured absorption wavelength, intensity, and width under uncooled operation were agreed well with the HITRAN simulation. Sensitivity was obtained about 2.3 ppb under uncooled operation, which was comparable to under cooled operation.
Digital cholangioscopy can detect residual biliary stones missed by occlusion cholangiogram in ERCP: a prospective tandem study

Background and study aims After stone removal in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), an occlusion cholangiogram (OC) is performed to confirm bile duct clearance. OC can miss residual stones that can lead to recurrent biliary symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess if digital peroral cholangioscopy (POC) increased the diagnostic yield of residual biliary stones that are missed with OC. Patients and methods Patients having ERCP performed for choledocholithiasis were enrolled into the study only if they had one of the following criteria: dilated bile duct ≥ 12 mm and/or if lithotripsy was being performed. An OC was performed to confirm duct clearance after removal of stones followed by POC, based on inclusion criteria. The incremental yield of biliary stones missed by OC but confirmed by POC was then measured. A total of 96 POC procedures were performed on 93 patients in two tertiary care centers. Results Residual biliary stones were found in 34 % of cases. The average bile duct size in cases with residual stones was 15.1 mm ± 0.7 mm. One- to three-mm stones were found in 41 % of cases, 4- to 7-mm stones in 45 % of cases, and ≥ 8-mm stones in 14 % of cases. Lithotripsy was performed in 13 % of cases and was significantly associated with residual stones (30 % vs. 3 %, P Conclusions Occlusion cholangiogram can miss residual stones in patients with dilated bile ducts and those receiving lithotripsy. Digital POC can increase the yield of residual stone detection in these patients and should be considered to confirm clearance of stones. (ClinicalTrials.gov-NCT03482375).
Long-Term Use of Bisphosphonates Increases the Risk of Fractures in Older Women.

Delayed antibiotic treatment (that is, giving a prescription with a suggestion to fill it only if symptoms are still present after three days) was associated with decreased revisits by adults with new-onset cough deemed to be infective.
An Overlapping Systems Conceptual Framework to Evaluate Implementation of a Behavioral Health Intervention for Justice–Involved Youth:

Background:Nearly 65% of justice–involved youth have a substance use and/or mental health disorder. Although evidence–based practices have been established for adolescents with co–occurring mental ...
A Mixed Data Analysis of Graduate Student Mentoring for Faculty Careers in School Psychology

Mentoring has been identified as an essential component in the development and success of future faculty. As such, the purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the mentoring experiences of graduate students enrolled in school psychology programs. Additionally, we wanted to determine if differences were present in the mentoring experiences of self-identified racial minority students and their White peers given the lack of diversity among school psychology faculty. Quantitative analyses indicated that students enrolled in school psychology programs are fairly satisfied with their mentoring experiences. However, respondents who completed the open-ended questions indicated that they had difficulty accessing their mentor, they wanted more mentoring on careers in academia, and that they desired more support for conducting research and teaching. Therefore, there are several aspects of mentoring that need to be improved if the field of school psychology wants to increase the number of students who will peruse a career in higher education.
Tools and Design Strategies to Study Rib Growth

Ever since Viollet-le-Duc the 19th century engineer and architect proposed “natural” structures borne out of ideal forms of specific materials, engineers and architects alike have been interested in the notion of an organic approach to form and structure [7]. Functionalism, the idea that form is a resultant of forces and needs, was core to the modernist project but became overly deterministic and untenable for architecture [1]. The course of much of the latter part of the 20th century history was one of the separation of engineering (calculation) and architecture (organization) into two exclusive realms uneasily brought together, with one or the other taking the lead in the generation of form [4]. In the architectural design process, calculation of structural performance customarily entered late in the design process when the form was already largely realized.
Mesenchymal and MAPK Expression Signatures Associate with Telomerase Promoter Mutations in Multiple Cancers.

In a substantial fraction of cancers TERT promoter (TERTp) mutations drive expression of the catalytic subunit of telomerase, contributing to their proliferative immortality. We conducted a pan-cancer analysis of cell lines and find a TERTp mutation expression signature dominated by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and MAPK signaling. These data indicate that TERTp mutants are likely to generate distinctive tumor microenvironments and intercellular interactions. Analysis of high-throughput screening tests of 546 small molecules on cell line growth indicated that TERTp mutants displayed heightened sensitivity to specific drugs, including RAS pathway inhibitors, and we found that inhibition of MEK1 and 2, key RAS/MAPK pathway effectors, inhibited TERT mRNA expression. Consistent with an enrichment of mesenchymal states in TERTp mutants, cell lines and some patient tumors displayed low expression of the central adherens junction protein E-cadherin, and we provide evidence that its expression in these cells is regulated by MEK1/2. Several mesenchymal transcription factors displayed elevated expression in TERTp mutants including ZEB1 and 2, TWIST1 and 2, and SNAI1. Of note, the developmental transcription factor SNAI2/SLUG was conspicuously elevated in a significant majority of TERTp-mutant cell lines, and knock-down experiments suggest that it promotes TERT expression. Implications: Cancers harboring TERT promoter mutations are often more lethal, but the basis for this higher mortality remains unknown. Our study identifies that TERTp mutants, as a class, associate with a distinct gene and protein expression signature likely to impact their biological and clinical behavior and provide new directions for investigating treatment approaches for these cancers.
Privacy in Crisis: A study of self-disclosure during the Coronavirus pandemic

We study observed incidence of self-disclosure in a large dataset of Tweets representing user-led English-language conversation about the Coronavirus pandemic. Using an unsupervised approach to detect voluntary disclosure of personal information, we provide early evidence that situational factors surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic may impact individuals' privacy calculus. Text analyses reveal topical shift toward supportiveness and support-seeking in self-disclosing conversation on Twitter. We run a comparable analysis of Tweets from Hurricane Harvey to provide context for observed effects and suggest opportunities for further study.
A Feedback-Planning Scheme to Synthesize Control Functions.

Limitations imposed on control functions, which are mostly caused by system properties, can significantly affect the performance of linear controllers. Such limitations can convert a linear controller to a nonlinear input signal that alters the convergence and stability of the system. In this article, we propose a systematic approach to construct controllers by cascading projected linear and piecewise constant function. The associated parameters of the piecewise functions are obtained by solving a planning problem in the state space of the system via Ariadne's clew framework. It must be noted that the proposed method is mostly suited as a "survival" strategy, than a typical controller, since it allows the system to recover from large deviations of the trajectory from the trim condition.
The Impact of College Outreach on High Schoolers’ College Choices – Results From Over 1,000 Natural Experiments

We estimate the impact of one of the largest college-to-student outreach efforts in the nation, the College Board’s Student Search Service. In an oversubscribed “order”, colleges receive contact information of a randomly chosen subset of PSAT and SAT Exam takers who opted into the service and meet colleges’ search criteria from a larger set of students with identical backgrounds. We find that students who receive outreach enabled by Student Search Service (“licensed”) are 23 percent (0.1 percentage points) more likely to apply to the licensing college than students with similar backgrounds who did not receive outreach. Nearly 20% of students induced to apply to a college because of the Student Search Service also enroll, increasing the probability of enrolling in the college that licensed their contact information by 22 percent (0.02 percentage points). These impacts are twice as large for traditionally underserved students. Responsiveness to college outreach is larger for racial/ethnic minorities, first generation students, and low- and moderate-income students. Despite the fact that one additional license changes the specific institution to which students send scores and enroll, we cannot detect changes to the broad types of colleges in which students ultimately enroll.
Postsynthetic polymer-ligand exchange hybridization in M-MOF-74 composites

A series of new polymer-inorganic composites has been synthesized from poly(amic acid) (PAA) and various M-MOF-74 (M = Mg, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn) frameworks using a postsynthetic ligand exchange strategy,...
Ibuprofen-associated minimal change disease and acute interstitial nephritis with possibly linked membranous glomerulonephritis.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not only potent analgesics and antipyretics but also nephrotoxins, and may cause electrolyte disarray. In addition to the commonly expected effects, including hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, acute renal injury, renal cortical necrosis, and volume retention, glomerular disease with or without nephrotic syndrome or nephritis can occur as well including after years of seemingly safe administration. Minimal change disease, secondary membranous glomerulonephritis, and acute interstitial nephritis are all reported glomerular lesions seen with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory use. We report a patient who used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for years without diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or proteinuria; he then developed severe nephrotic range proteinuria with 7 g of daily urinary protein excretion. Renal biopsy showed minimal change nephropathy, a likely secondary membranous glomerulonephritis, and acute interstitial nephritis present simultaneously in one biopsy. Cessation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use along with steroid treatment resulted in a moderate improvement in renal function, though residual impairment remained. Urine heavy metal screen returned with elevated levels of urine copper, but with normal ceruloplasmin level. Workup suggested that the elevated copper levels were due to cirrhosis from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The membranous glomerulonephritis is possibly linked to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug exposure, and possibly to heavy metal exposure, and is clinically and pathologically much less likely to be a primary membranous glomerulonephritis with negative serological markers.
Health and Health Care of Sexual and Gender Minorities.

Research on the social dimensions of health and health care among sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) has grown rapidly in the last two decades. However, a comprehensive review of the extant interd...
A strategy to identify materials exhibiting a large nonlinear phononics response: tuning the ultrafast structural response of LaAlO3 with pressure

We use theory and first-principles calculations to investigate how structural changes induced by ultrafast optical excitation of infrared-active phonons change with hydrostatic pressure in LaAlO3. Our calculations show that the observed structural changes are sensitive to pressure, with the largest changes occurring at pressures near the boundary between the cubic perovskite and rhombohedral phases. We rationalize our findings by defining a figure of merit that depends only on intrinsic materials quantities, and show that the peak response near the phase boundary is dictated by different microscopic materials properties depending on the particular phonon mode being excited. Our work demonstrates how it is possible to systematically identify materials that may exhibit particularly large changes in structure and properties due to optical excitation of infrared-active phonons.
Marco teórico para una proyección marítima desde una perspectiva oceánica integrada

The existencial dilemma that carries the phenomenon of globalization and the effects of technological impact, becomes explicit in the necessity of a sistemic view to approach maritime reality and the need to assume maritime interaction with a moral conscience associated to maritime development —the aim of this paper— with an existential base for a quick solution to progressive deterioration that can be observed in the primary conditions of social stability of the emerging world. The sistemic view of maritime interaction and the concepts of eco-ocean, ocean-politics, and presential sea assumed in relational terms and founded on the Vitorian principles of the thesis on dynamic peace, as far as the remainder of the role of the Armed Forces to ensure peace and the hypotheses of conflict that come about from perceived threats are concerned, suggest the incorporation of a new theory in terms of development.
Relaxation Times of Organic Radicals and Transition Metal Ions

Review of electron spin relaxation times for organic radicals and transition metal ions in magnetically dilute samples. Emphasis is placed on studies that have been performed as a function of temperature and that provide insight into the relaxation processes.
Knockout of G protein β5 impairs brain development and causes multiple neurologic abnormalities in mice.

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 544–554. Abstract Gβ5 is a divergent member of the signal-transducing G protein β subunit family encoded by GNB5 and expressed principally in brain and neuronal tissue. Among heterotrimeric Gβ isoforms, Gβ5 is unique in its ability to heterodimerize with members of the R7 subfamily of the regulator of G protein signaling proteins that contain G protein-γ like domains. Previous studies employing Gnb5 knockout (KO) mice have shown that Gβ5 is an essential stabilizer of such regulator of G protein signaling proteins and regulates the deactivation of retinal phototransduction and the proper functioning of retinal bipolar cells. However, little is known of the function of Gβ5 in the brain outside the visual system. We show here that mice lacking Gβ5 have a markedly abnormal neurologic phenotype that includes impaired development, tiptoe-walking, motor learning and coordination deficiencies, and hyperactivity. We further show that Gβ5-deficient mice have abnormalities of neuronal development in cerebellum and hippocampus. We find that the expression of both mRNA and protein from multiple neuronal genes is dysregulated in Gnb5 KO mice. Taken together with previous observations from Gnb5 KO mice, our findings suggest a model in which Gβ5 regulates dendritic arborization and/or synapse formation during development, in part by effects on gene expression.
Do HMOs have monopsony power

Objective: To determine whether health maintenance organizations (HMOs) have monopsony power in the markets for ambulatory care and inpatient hospital services.
Sensitivity of Human Tactile Inspection

Human performance in an inspection task involving the active probing of cracks in metal cylinders with a hand-held probe was measured. Detection probabilities of novice and experienced inspectors were measured for each of a range of crack widths. For both subject groups, detection probability increased with increasing crack width and with decreasing probe-tip diameter. Novice inspectors given one hour of training had detection probabilities comparable to those of experienced inspectors.
A neural approach to data fusion

A neural approach to data fusion is proposed. We assume that remote sites process local sensor data, and the fusion center does not have covariance information. A neural network consisting of one neuron for each component of the measurement vector is proposed as the fusion center, provided it has been trained with past data. This is an alternative to the standard approach of estimating the covariances explicitly. To demonstrate the idea, some simulation results are shown.
Synthesis of [14C]Cellobiose with Clostridium thermocellum Cellobiose Phosphorylase

Cellobiose labeled either at the reducing end (4-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-[U-14C]glucopyranose) or at the nonreducing end (4-O-β-d-[U-14C]glucopyranosyl-d -glucopyranose) was synthesized with Clostridium thermocellum cellobiose phosphorylase at greater than 98% purity. The radioactive cellobioses were identical to authentic cellobiose in melting point, optical rotation, isotopic dilution, and chromatographic properties.
Automated prescription of oblique brain 3D magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging.

Two major difficulties encountered in implementing Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) in a clinical setting are limited coverage and difficulty in prescription. The goal of this project was to completely automate the process of 3D PRESS MRSI prescription, including placement of the selection box, saturation bands and shim volume, while maximizing the coverage of the brain. The automated prescription technique included acquisition of an anatomical MRI image, optimization of the oblique selection box parameters, optimization of the placement of OVS saturation bands, and loading of the calculated parameters into a customized 3D MRSI pulse sequence. To validate the technique and compare its performance with existing protocols, 3D MRSI data were acquired from 6 exams from 3 healthy volunteers. To assess the performance of the automated 3D MRSI prescription for patients with brain tumors, the data were collected from 16 exams from 8 subjects with gliomas. This technique demonstrated robust coverage of the tumor, high consistency of prescription and very good data quality within the T2 lesion.
Swept-source optical coherence tomography powered by a 1.3-μm vertical cavity surface emitting laser enables 2.3-mm-deep brain imaging in mice in vivo

We report noninvasive, in vivo optical imaging deep within a mouse brain by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), enabled by a 1.3-μm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). VCSEL SS-OCT offers a constant signal sensitivity of 105 dB throughout an entire depth of 4.25 mm in air, ensuring an extended usable imaging depth range of more than 2 mm in turbid biological tissue. Using this approach, we show deep brain imaging in mice with an open-skull cranial window preparation, revealing intact mouse brain anatomy from the superficial cerebral cortex to the deep hippocampus. VCSEL SS-OCT would be applicable to small animal studies for the investigation of deep tissue compartments in living brains where diseases such as dementia and tumor can take their toll.
Solar variability and the lower atmosphere.

Abstract Mechanisms possibly connecting solar activity to meteorology of the lower atmosphere are reviewed. Besides direct variations of solar visible emission, solar-related fluctuations in some aspect of cloudiness could be important. Any such variations in cloudiness are likely to be related to variations in production of ionization near the tropopause by galactic cosmic rays, the only geophysical phenomena unconnected with upper atmospheric processes known to have a striking (negative) correlation with solar activity. Such a connection might involve a dependence of sulfate aerosol formation on ionization and in turn a dependence of cloud radiative properties on variations of the aerosol particles' action as cloud condensation nuclei.
An improved distillation apparatus for a continuous flow method for the determination of phenol in wastewater

Abstract A distillation apparatus for a continuous-flow method for determination of phenol in water is described. The colorimetric measurement step utilizes the familiar 4-aminoantipyrine method. Phenol in water can be measured at a rate of 10 samples per hour, has a sensitivity of 4.0 × 10 3 μg l −1 per unit absorbance, a limit of detection of 5 μg l −1 , and a standard deviation of 1.6 μg l −1 for 20 replicates of a 100-μg l −1 sample.
Stochastic models to demonstrate the effect of motivated testing on HIV incidence estimates using the serological testing algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion (STARHS).

Objectives To produce valid seroincidence estimates, the serological testing algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion (STARHS) assumes independence between infection and testing, which may be absent in clinical data. STARHS estimates are generally greater than cohort-based estimates of incidence from observable person-time and diagnosis dates. The authors constructed a series of partial stochastic models to examine whether testing motivated by suspicion of infection could bias STARHS. Methods One thousand Monte Carlo simulations of 10 000 men who have sex with men were generated using parameters for HIV incidence and testing frequency from data from a clinical testing population in Seattle. In one set of simulations, infection and testing dates were independent. In another set, some intertest intervals were abbreviated to reflect the distribution of intervals between suspected HIV exposure and testing in a group of Seattle men who have sex with men recently diagnosed as having HIV. Both estimation methods were applied to the simulated datasets. Both cohort-based and STARHS incidence estimates were calculated using the simulated data and compared with previously calculated, empirical cohort-based and STARHS seroincidence estimates from the clinical testing population. Results Under simulated independence between infection and testing, cohort-based and STARHS incidence estimates resembled cohort estimates from the clinical dataset. Under simulated motivated testing, cohort-based estimates remained unchanged, but STARHS estimates were inflated similar to empirical STARHS estimates. Varying motivation parameters appreciably affected STARHS incidence estimates, but not cohort-based estimates. Conclusions Cohort-based incidence estimates are robust against dependence between testing and acquisition of infection, whereas STARHS incidence estimates are not.
Structure-function analysis of receptor-binding in adeno-associated virus serotype 6 (AAV-6).

Crystal structures of the AAV-6 capsid at 3A reveal a subunit fold homologous to other parvoviruses with greatest differences in two external loops. The electrostatic potential suggests that receptor-attachment is mediated by four residues: Arg(576), Lys(493), Lys(459) and Lys(531), defining a positively charged region curving up from the valley between adjacent spikes. It overlaps only partially with the receptor-binding site of AAV-2, and the residues endowing the electrostatic character are not homologous. Mutational substitution of each residue decreases heparin affinity, particularly Lys(531) and Lys(459). Neither is conserved among heparin-binding serotypes, indicating that diverse modes of receptor attachment have been selected in different serotypes. Surface topology and charge are also distinct at the shoulder of the spike, where linear epitopes for AAV-2's neutralizing monoclonal antibody A20 come together. Evolutionarily, selection of changed side-chain charge may have offered a conservative means to evade immune neutralization while preserving other essential functionality.
The optomotor reaction of schooling carangid fishes.

Abstract Carangid fishes were tested in an optomotor apparatus and their orientation to different kinds of stimuli was observed. The fish did not orient to any particular region of the stimulus consisting of uniform black and white vertical stripes. The r.p.m. of the fish was generally greater than the r.p.m. of the drum. On the other hand, the fish oriented to the panel stimulus and tended to remain near it during the entire range of revolutions. The r.p.m. of the fish closely followed the r.p.m. of the drum. Certain features of the behaviour of the fish in an optomotor apparatus are compared with certain features of schooling under natural conditions.
WBTPE: a priority Ethernet LAN protocol

This paper analyzes a scheme for introducing priorities into the CSMA/CD protocol known as Ethernet. This scheme allows for the rapid transmission of important messages, even under heavy traffic conditions. The Ethernet protocol, which is widely used in industry, can be modified using existing chips and software to allow for prioritizing of packets by the scheme outlined in this paper. The scheme consists of random waiting times based upon the packets priority level and the worst case propagation delay (or slot-time). The performance of the proposed protocol is studied using simulation.
Eliashberg function α 2 F ( ω ) and phonon spectrum F ( ω ) . A simple model for an amorphous s − p superconductor

A simple expression of the Eliashberg function ..cap alpha../sup 2/F (..omega..) for an amorphous s-p superconductor is obtained. One finds that ..cap alpha../sup 2/F (..omega..) = (1/..omega..) ..sigma../sub q/ (L (q) + N (q))delta (..omega.. - ..omega../sub q/), where q includes the phonon branch index; N (q)/..omega../sub q/ is the N process which conserves ''lattice'' momentum; L (q)/..omega../sub q/ replaces the U process in the crystalline phase and it selects ''lattice'' momentum through the structure factor of the amorphous phase. Both L (q) and N (q) are evaluated using the Heine-Animalu pseudopotential form factor and experimental structure factor. A qualitative deconvolution of the phonon spectrum F (..omega..) from ..cap alpha../sup 2/F (..omega..) for four alloys is attempted. The main findings are: (i) Due to the nonconservation of ''lattice'' momentum in the conventional sense, ..cap alpha../sup 2/F (..omega..) depends linearly on ..omega.. in the low-..omega.. region, similar to Bergmann's results on disordered superconductors. The calculated first derivatives of ..cap alpha../sup 2/F (..omega..) are in good agreement with tunneling data on amorphous superconductors. (ii) The deconvoluted F (..omega..) are in better agreement with theoretical results obtained using the Morse potential than the Lennard-Jones potential. (iii) The Hopfield-McMillan parameter eta tends to decreasemore » in the amorphous phase. Results (ii) and (iii) are discussed in terms of structural short-range order in the amorphous state. For the purpose of comparison, a similar calculation is made for crystalline Pb; it is found that there is no unambiguous enhanced ..cap alpha../sup 2/F (..omega..) in the low-..omega.. region.« less
Fillet Yields and Proximate Composition of Cultured Gulf of Mexico Sturgeon (Ancipenser oxyrynchus desotoi)

ABSTRACT Our objectives were to determine processing yields of Gulf sturgeon fillets based on whole fish weight and to measure their proximate composition. Fifty fish, in five weight groups were studied. Fillets yields increased with fish weight. Gulf sturgeon should weigh at least 2.5 kg to provide 60% headed and gutted yields. Dressed fillet yields were between 19–23% of live weight. Fillets from three similar fish were subdivided into three chunks: ‘tail,’ ‘middle’ and ‘head.’ Each proximate analysis was replicated using left and right fillets. Results show small differences in the protein and moisture content of these sections.
Wind Streaks on Venus: Clues to Atmospheric Circulation

Magellan images reveal surface features on Venus attributed to wind processes. Sand dunes, wind-sculpted hills, and more than 5830 wind streaks have been identified. The streaks serve as local "wind vanes," representing wind direction at the time of streak formation and allowing the first global mapping of near-surface wind patterns on Venus. Wind streaks are oriented both toward the equator and toward the west. When streaks associated with local transient events, such as impact cratering, are deleted, the westward component is mostly lost but the equatorward component remains. This pattern is consistent with a Hadley circulation of the lower atmosphere.
Calculation of Steady Currents in Lake Ontario with Variable Eddy Viscosity

A theory of steady wind-induced currents with depth dependent eddy viscosity is applied to Lake Ontario with accurate topographic representation. In this theory, the eddy viscosity has the form ν = νo eaz; where νο and a are constants, and z is the vertical coordinate measured upward from the undisturbed free surface. Results are presented for a uniform wind from the west, and these are compared with previous results for a constant eddy viscosity as well as current measurements made in Lake Ontario during IFYGL. This study shows that, while the vertically integrated mass flux is insensitive to variations in the eddy viscosity, the three-dimensional currents are sensitive to these variations. Although the irregular bottom topography of Lake Ontario strongly influences the current pattern, the nature of the coastal jets, return flow, and upwelling and downwelling are characteristic of the exponential eddy viscosity.
Relativistic electron diffraction at the UCLA Pegasus photoinjector laboratory

Electron diffraction holds the promise to yield real-time resolution of atomic motion in an easily accessible environment like a university laboratory at a fraction of the cost of fourth-generation X-ray sources. Currently the limit in time-resolution for conventional electron diffraction is set by how short an electron pulse can be made. A very promising solution to maintain the highest possible beam intensity without excessive pulse broadening from space charge effects is to increase the electron energy to the MeV level where relativistic effects significantly reduce the space charge forces. Rf photoinjectors can in principle deliver up to 10(7)-10(8) electrons packed in bunches of approximately 100-fs length, allowing an unprecedented time resolution and enabling the study of irreversible phenomena by single-shot diffraction patterns. The use of rf photoinjectors as sources for ultrafast electron diffraction has been recently at the center of various theoretical and experimental studies. The UCLA Pegasus laboratory, commissioned in early 2007 as an advanced photoinjector facility, is the only operating system in the country, which has recently demonstrated electron diffraction using a relativistic beam from an rf photoinjector. Due to the use of a state-of-the-art ultrashort photoinjector driver laser system, the beam has been measured to be sub-100-fs long, at least a factor of 5 better than what measured in previous relativistic electron diffraction setups. Moreover, diffraction patterns from various metal targets (titanium and aluminum) have been obtained using the Pegasus beam. One of the main laboratory goals in the near future is to fully develop the rf photoinjector-based ultrafast electron diffraction technique with particular attention to the optimization of the working point of the photoinjector in a low-charge ultrashort pulse regime, and to the development of suitable beam diagnostics.