cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circadian variability of fibrinolytic markers and endothelial function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, including stroke and acute coronary syndromes. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the principal inhibitor of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), has a pronounced circadian rhythm and is elevated in both OSA and cardiovascular disease and may be an important link between the two conditions. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of cardiovascular disease, and may be altered in OSA. Our primary aim was to compare circadian variability of PAI-1 and t-PA in patients with OSA and normal controls by determining the amplitude (peak level) and mesor (rhythm adjusted mean) of PAI-1 and t-PA in serial blood samples over a 24-h period. The secondary aim was to measure markers of endothelial function (brachial and radial artery flow) in patients with OSA compared with normal controls. SETTING Cross-sectional cohort study. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS Subjects age 18 y or older, with a body mass index of 25-45 kg/m(2), with or without evidence of untreated OSA. INTERVENTIONS Plasma samples were collected every 2 h, in OSA patients and matched controls, over a 24-h period. PAI-1 and t-PA antigen and activity were measured. The presence or absence of OSA (apnea-hypopnea index of 5 or greater) was confirmed by overnight polysomnography. Endothelial function was measured via brachial artery flow mediated vasodilatation and computerized arterial pulse waveform analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The rhythm-adjusted mean levels of PAI-1 antigen levels in the OSA group (21.8 ng/mL, 95% confidence level [CI], 18 to 25.7) were significantly higher as compared to the non-OSA group (16 ng/mL, 95% CI, 12.2 to 19.8; P = 0.03). The rhythm-adjusted mean levels of PAI-1 activity levels in the OSA group (23.9 IU/mL, 95% CI, 21.4 to 26.5) were also significantly higher than in the non-OSA group (17.2 IU/ mL, 95% CI, 14.6 to 19.9; P < 0.001).There were strong correlations between amplitude of PAI-1 activity and severity of OSA as measured by AHI (P = 0.02), and minimum oxygen levels during sleep (P = 0.04). Endothelial function parameters did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSION The presence of obstructive sleep apnea adversely affects circadian fibrinolytic balance with higher mean plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity and antigen, and significantly lower mean tissue-type plasminogen activator activity compared with controls. This perturbation may be an important mechanism for increased cardiovascular events in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Intermittent hypoxia and changes in circadian clock gene activity in obstructive sleep apnea may be responsible for these findings and warrant further study. Favorable changes in fibrinolytic balance may underlie the reduction in cardiovascular events observed with the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
Getting Rid of a Persistent Troublemaker to Cure Hepatitis

One of the major enigmas in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the striking persistence of its episomal DNA [covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA)], the viral transcriptional template sequestered in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes. Eradicating cccDNA is a requisite for virus elimination and cure, a desirable end point for the 400 million people chronically infected by HBV worldwide who are at a substantial risk for end-stage liver disease and liver cancer. Commonly used therapies suppress viral replication, but because they are ineffective at targeting the cccDNA pool, they often require lifelong administration to prevent viral rebound ( 1 ). Thus, the development of new drugs that efficiently and specifically target HBV cccDNA is a priority. On page 1221 of this issue, Lucifora et al. ( 2 ) uncover a mechanism that destroys cccDNA, which can be activated by two different approaches.
Women, Food Security, and Development in Less-Industrialized Societies: Contributions and Challenges for the New Century

Summary. In this paper I examine the links between women, food security and development from a crossnational perspective. I find that the “proximity to gender equality” constructed from the United Nations’ human development and gender-related development indices improves development in the form of both child hunger and child mortality. Extending these results, other forms of female empowerment including female contraceptive prevalence significantly improve development outcomes in less-industrialized societies. Findings are net of theoretical controls for economic development, population pressure, globalization, democratization, and region, further strengthening the importance of gender considerations. Countries that incorporate gender into policy and program considerations benefit from such inclusion in the form of social and economic development outcomes. Findings are an important crossnational extension of existing research, utilizing new measures that capture the important development dynamic.
Case-Based Nuclear Medicine

K.J. Donohoe and A.D. Van den Abbeele, eds. New York, NY: Thieme Publishers, 2011, 600 pages, $99.99 This imaging atlas is a practical, easy-to-read and -understand textbook comprising 166 case studies in nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, and PET. This atlas of illustrative case studies will
A Radiative Heating Model Derived from the GATE MSR Experiment

Abstract A seven-channel Multi-spectral Scanning Radiometer (MSR) was flown aboard the NASA Convair-990 aircraft during the GARP Atlantic Tropical Experiment (GATE) from June–September, 1974. The radiometer measures the total shortwave (0.2–5 μm) and longwave (5–50 μm) components of radiation and the radiation in specific absorption band and window regions that modulate the total radiation flux. Measurements of the angular distribution of radiation, including the upward and downward components, were obtained. The principal scientific objective of the MSR experiment was to obtain the atmospheric absorption data required for precise computations of radiative heating profiles from atmospheric state parameters. The method used to construct the infrared radiation heating computational model based on in situ GATE MSR observations is described. Radiative heating profiles computed with this model for both cloudy and cloudless atmospheres were compared with direct observations by flux radiometers and with profiles...
EFFECT OF TRANSPLACENTAL MITOTIC INHIBITORS ON THE FETAL HAMSTER EYE.

Congenital malformations of the hamster eye, consisting of microphthalmia and anophthalmia have been noted consistently in the offspring of pregnant hamsters treated with intravenous injections of colchicine, Vinacaleukoblastine (VLB) and Vincristine (VCR) on the eighth day of gestation. In an attempt to compare the mitotic-arresting activity of these three compounds on the lens and retina of the fetal hamster eye, various concentrations of the drugs were injected into pregnant hamsters on the fourteenth day of gestation and the fetuses recovered after three hours. Mitotic counts were done on comparable sections of lens and retinas of the fetuses. Colchicine has the most marked mitosis-inhibiting activity of these three drugs. The most effective mitosis-inhibiting dosage of colchicine also correlates with its most effective teratogenic dose. VLB and VCR do not inhibit mitosis in the fetal hamster eye as markedly as colchicine and their most effective mitosis-inhibiting dosages are equal to or above levels which cause a 95–100% embryonic mortality. It is possible that some common biological mechanism other than inhibition of mitosis may be responsible for the similar teratogenic activity of these compounds. The natural resistance of the golden hamster to colchicine does not appear to be manifest in the developing embryos in utero.
The Spacing Effect: Enhancing Memory for Repeated Marketing Stimuli

We explore the extent to which repeating a brand-attribute association will have a greater effect on recall when the 2 repetitions occur at different points in time rather than immediately after each other. Cued recall is generally better when the repeated items are separated. However, this depends on the extent to which information is organized by brand as well as by attribute, the number of attribute items presented about the brand, and the relatedness of the attributes.
Amniotic membrane therapy in the acute phase of toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is an uncommon but devastating immune reaction with bullous inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes. It often occurs as a reaction to medication but can occur in association with systemic infections as well. Fatal outcomes have been the rule in the past, with mortality as high as 70% to 90% of cases. TEN is the extreme end of a spectrum that includes erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Ocular inflammatory involvement is frequent in the acute phase and results in chronic scarring and vascularization of the ocular surface as well as dry eye disease. Survival rates are improving to the range of 70% with new approaches to therapy, particularly with rapid transfer of the patient to and management in specialized burn treatment units, where newer therapies of immunomodulation and plasmapheresis can be employed along with aggressive prophylaxis of secondary bacterial infection and sepsis. With improved survival, however, has come a greater prevalence of ocular surface problems that decrease quality of life with frequent photophobia (54%) and dry eye (31%) as well as symblepharon and corneal vascularization. The adverse consequences of the disease are especially problematic to the pediatric patient. Management of the chronic sequelae of TEN has been attempted with buccal mucosal grafting with some success, but more recently the use of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) has been advocated for surgical repair of the ocular surface damage resulting fromTEN. Therapy for the acute inflammatory phase of TEN, however, has only recently considered the use of AMT. Previously, the management of the acute ocular involvement of TEN included application of topical steroids, frequent lysis of adhesions between the tarsal and bulbar conjunctiva, and occasionally the use of bandage soft contact lenses. The use of AMT to suppress inflammation, prevent conjunctival adhesions, and protect the corneal surface is finding greater acceptance as indicated in the article by Tandon et al in this issue of the Journal of AAPOS. Candidates for AMT are typically on ventilator support and are heavily sedated so that application of the amniotic mem-
Video techniques for x-ray imaging and data extraction from roentgenographic and fluoroscopic presentations

This review is concerned with the use of video‐fluoroscopic images in diagnostic radiology. It particularly emphasizes the potential of such images for performing quantitative procedures such as used in pulmonary and cardiac assessment, evaluation of contrast differentials, and tomographic (including CT) applications. This article also attempts to determine limitations, capabilities, and required developments for both the present and future hardware systems. Most importantly this review attempts to assess the present state of the art and to analyze the reasons for the limited application of such techniques in current radiology operations.
Dynamic localization of electronic excitation in photosynthetic complexes revealed with chiral two-dimensional spectroscopy.

Nonlinear chiral optical activity is difficult to measure because of weak signal amidst strong achiral background. Here, the authors perform a nonlinear chiral two-dimensional spectroscopic mapping of light-harvesting complex 2 during photoexcitation and observe exciton delocalization.
Genetics of fish: A summary of discussion

Abstract The Symposium on Genetics in Aquaculture concluded with open discussion of material presented during the conference. The 3-h workshop concerning fish genetics generated lively and highly productive discussion on a number of issues. In this narrative I have tried to summarize the opinions expressed where there was lack of agreement and the consensus feeling of the group where arguments appeared to coalesce. The subdivision into topics is my own but does represent the emphasis of the discussion.
Experiments on natural convection in divergent vertical channels and correlation of divergent, convergent, and parallel-channel Nusselt numbers

Abstract The objectives of this investigation are to obtain definitive heat transfer data for natural convection in divergent vertical channels, to visualize the flow in the channels, and to develop a universal Nusselt number correlation for divergent, convergent, and parallel-walled channels. The experiments are performed with water as the working fluid ( Pr ∼ 5) and are parameterized by the angle of divergence of the channel, the ratio of the channel length to minimum cross section, and the product of the Rayleigh number and the cross section/length ratio. Temperature uniformity is maintained at the channel walls, and the wall temperature exceeds the temperature of the fluid environment. The flow visualization reveals the presence of a recirculation zone which extends downward from the exit into the channel, but the Nusselt numbers are found to be independent of the extent of the downward penetration of the recirculation zone. The measured Nusselt numbers for the divergent channel are brought into tight correlation with those for the convergent and parallel-walled channels by using correlating parameters based on the maximum interwall spacing as the characteristic dimension. The correlation is conveyed by equation (4) ( Nu S max = 0,740[( S max L )Ra S max ] 0,240 ).
Rural breast cancer patients, coping and depressive symptoms: A prospective comparison study

Many studies have revealed that individual differences in coping responses to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer are associated with psychological adjustment. The vast majority of these studies, however, focus exclusively on urban breast cancer survivors despite that rural breast cancer survivors are likely to have distinct experiences both in general and in relation to breast cancer. The current study quantitatively examined the coping strategies employed by both rural and urban breast cancer patients while they were undergoing radiation therapy. Further, the influence of these coping behaviours on concurrent as well as subsequent depressive symptoms (3 and 6 months later) was examined. The results revealed that the rurality of breast cancer patients was unrelated to the ways in which they coped, but did influence the relationships between some coping responses and depressive symptoms. Specifically, active coping and positive reinterpretation were negatively related to depressive symptoms for m...
The pituitary mediates production or release of an alarm chemosignal in rats

Rodent alarm chemosignals elicit various behavioral and physiological responses in conspecifics. This study employed a bioassay method, using a modification of the forced swim test, to demonstrate that the pituitary mediates production and/or secretion of an alarm chemosignal in rats subjected to stress. This was shown by comparing the immobility times of rats in water soiled by hypophysectomized and sham-treated rats. Rats tested in water soiled by sham-treated rats exhibited very little immobility (the alarm chemosignal effect), whereas rats tested in water soiled by hypophysectomized rats exhibited considerably more immobility. The alarm chemosignal effect was restored in hypophysectomized rats by administration of ACTH. This is the first study to identify mediation of an alarm chemosignal in mammals.
Review: venepuncture is less painful than heel lance for blood sampling in neonates.

V Shah Dr V Shah, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; vshah@mtsinai.on.ca Is venepuncture less painful than heel lance for blood sampling in healthy neonates? Studies selected compared venepuncture and heel lance for blood sampling in healthy term neonates. Outcomes were neonatal pain response (assessed by a validated measure), maternal anxiety, sampling time, and need for repeat skin puncture. Medline, CINAHL, and EMBASE/Excerpta Medica (to Jun 2007); Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 2, 2007); and reference lists were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-randomised trials. 5 RCTs (n = 317, 47–59% boys) met the selection criteria. All trials had adequate allocation concealment; in no trial were investigators or participants blinded, but the outcome …
Approximate stress-energy tensor for evaporating black holes

We approximate the Israel-Hartle-Hawking and Unruh stress-energy tensors of quantum fields in the neighborhood of a static Schwarzschild black hole. The approximate tensors are constructed from the conservation equations in the ultrastatic optical metric of the black hole and the expected regularity properties at the horizon, in the respective vacua. Our scheme reproduces the approximation of Page, Brown, and Ottewill for the Israel-Hartle-Hawking vacuum and yields a tensor for the Unruh state. The latter exhibits the correct behavior at infinity and predicts luminosities in good agreement with numerical calculations.
Cyclin T1 domains involved in complex formation with Tat and TAR RNA are critical for tat-activation.

Tat activates transcription from the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR) by increasing the processivity of RNA polymerase II. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the cellular kinase CDK9 and its binding partner cyclin T1 are involved in regulating transcriptional elongation and tat-activation. Cyclin T1, CDK9 and Tat bind as a complex to elements in TAR RNA that are required for tat-activation. Here, we used cyclin T1 mutants to define domains in this protein that bind to both CDK9 and Tat and are involved in stimulating tat-activation. The region of cyclin T1 extending from amino acid residues 1 to 263 is necessary for complex formation with Tat bound to TAR RNA and for stimulation of tat-activation in murine cells that are normally poorly responsive to the actions of Tat. In contrast, a smaller region of cyclin T1 was required to bind to CDK9 and stimulate its kinase activity. Recombinant cyclin T1 and CDK9 stimulated both basal and tat-induced in vitro transcriptional elongation from the HIV-1 LTR. The effects of Tat on transcriptional elongation may be mediated by its ability to increase CDK9 phosphorylation of the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain. These results demonstrate that cyclin T1 interactions with Tat and TAR RNA are critical for activation of HIV-1 gene expression.
Interval HSV: Extracting ink annotations

The HSV color space is an intuitive way to reason about color, but the nonlinear relationship to RGB coordinates complicates histogram analysis of colors in HSV. We present novel Interval-HSV formulas to identify a range in HSV for each RGB interval. We show the usefulness by introducing a parameter-free and completely automatic technique to extract both colored and black ink annotations from faded backgrounds such as digitized aerial photographs, maps, or printed-text documents. We discuss the characteristics of ink mixing in the HSV color space and discover a single feature, the upper limit of the saturation-interval, to extract ink even when it is achromatic. We form robust Interval-HV histograms in order to identify the number and colors of inks in the image.
Cross-sensor coding techniques for low energy sensor networks

This work addresses the uneven energy consumption problem in data gathering sensor networks where the nodes closer to the sink tend to consume more energy than those of the farther nodes. This energy unfairness can significantly shorten the life time of a sensor network. We propose a novel cross-sensor coding technique using On-Off keying which exploits (a) the trade-off between delay and bandwidth and (b) the network topology in order to reduce the overall energy consumption of the network, and to alleviate the problem of unequal energy consumption. We formulate our coding problem as an integer programming problem, and construct a number of codes based on different criteria. We show that using our proposed technique under certain assumptions, the energy consumption can be reduced significantly and the unequal energy consumption problem can be practically eliminated.
See you in the funny papers: anesthesia in cartoons and comics

Abstract Depictions of doctors and medical situations in caricatures, cartoons and comics have a history several hundred years long. This paper examines the background and the appearance of anesthesia and pain-related topics in cartoons and comics over the past two centuries.
Mapping the semantics of Web text and links

Search engines use content and links to search, rank, cluster, and classify Web pages. These information discovery applications use similarity measures derived from this data to estimate relatedness between pages. However, little research exists on the relationships between similarity measures or between such measures and semantic similarity. The author analyzes and visualizes similarity relationships in massive Web data sets to identify how to integrate content and link analysis for approximating relevance. He uses human-generated metadata from Web directories to estimate semantic similarity and semantic maps to visualize relationships between content and link cues and what these cues suggest about page meaning. Highly heterogeneous topical maps point to a critical dependence on search context.
A digitally controlled DC-DC buck converter with lossless load-current sensing and BIST functionality

Lossless load current sensing ability is one of the most desirable features of contemporary current- or voltage-mode-controlled DC-DC converters. Current sensing can be used for short circuit detection, multi-stage converter load balancing, thermal control, and load-independent control of DC-DC converters [1]. Recently, current sensing techniques using the existing inductor series DC resistance (DCR) are gaining attention due to their reduced complexity and minimized loss [2][4]. These techniques increase the need for inductor build-in self-test (BIST) ability to measure DCR. Inductor BIST is also critical for high-reliability applications such as automotive and aerospace systems where component variation and drift need to be closely monitored. An analog inductor characterization and current sensing technique utilizing G m -C filtering is proposed in [2], where the gain errors and sensing offset are cancelled in analog domain. The DC-DC buck converter presented here uses an offset-independent inductor characterization enabling a digital continuous lossless load-current-sensing scheme. The proposed inductor BIST and current-sensing techniques can be extended to current-mode-controlled converters and multi-stage parallel converters as well.
Health and social impacts of tobacco production.

Objectives: To summarize current knowledge about the health and social consequences of tobacco production and to outline research needed to better understand these effects. Data sources: The litera...
Nationwide Branching and its Impact on Market Structure, Quality and Bank Performance

Based on a sample for 1993-1999, this paper examines the effects of nationwide branching, following the Riegle-Neal Act, on various aspects of banking markets and bank service and perfomance. While concentration at the regional level has increased dramatically, deregulation has left almost intact the market structure of urban markets, which have between two to three dominant firms - controlling over half of a market's deposits - in 1999 just as they did in 1993. A significant portion of the observed increase in bank quality can be traced to the implementation of nationwide branching. By allowing banks to open branches in any state, the new regime has permitted consumers to enjoy greater networks, free of fees, throughout large geographic regions. Consistent with an increase in service quality, costs and service fees increase. Credit risk increases as greater geographic diversification might provide a hedge against greater risk-return choices. Coherent with these findings and an increase in lending competition and profit efficiency, spreads fall and profits are unaffected.
Intergenerational communication in the classroom: recommendations for successful teacher-student relationships.

Abstract Intergenerational communication between teacher and student is especially important today, because of the gaps of time and understanding that exist among four active generations — Traditionalist, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. Faculty have opportunities to be successful by learning the values, learning styles, past generational experiences, and current expectations of today's highly technologically competent students. Recommendations are offered for communication strategies in schools of nursing.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Roadside Instruction in Teaching Youth With Visual Impairments Street Crossings

A single-participant multiple probe design across participants was used to evaluate the effectiveness of verbal rehearsal and graduated guidance to teach youth who were blind how to cross the street. This study replicated intervention procedures across settings along with the staggered entry of participants. Individuals learned to cross one or two intersections. Maintenance was assessed, and generalization was assessed at a third intersection. Visual analysis of graphed data indicated that verbal rehearsal and graduated guidance were effective for all participants who received instruction. The participants ranged from 13 to 20 years of age and had light perception or less. All participants who received instruction maintained at levels substantially above baseline and generalized the majority of skills to a third intersection.
Nussbaum's Account of Compassion

Martha Nussbaum, in her compelling new book in moral psychology, gives an account of the nature of compassion.1 This account is the topic of my contribution to this symposium. I believe it illuminates an important human emotion that we call 4compassion.' At the same time, I believe there is a different emotion that we also call 'compassion.' Recognizing these two forms of compassion leads to seeing that the general theory of emotions from which Nussbaum draws her account falls short of explaining all emotions. While my contribution concludes with this point, I intend it as probative rather than conclusive.2 Nussbaum's general theory is a modified version of the theory the ancient Stoics advanced. Its principal thesis is that emotions are evaluative judgments of a specific sort, and the main modification Nussbaum makes is to broaden the theory's conception of judgment so that it applies to the emotions of nonhuman animals and infants, or as I will say, beasts and babies. The ancient Stoics denied that beasts and babies were capable of emotions, for they conceived of the judgments they identified with emotions as affirmations of propositions and they denied that beasts and babies had linguistic capacities necessary for propositional thought. Consequently, if you're drawn to the Stoic theory but believe that other animals besides humans have emotions and that humans begin to experience emotions in infancy, you must either modify the Stoic conception of judgment or attribute linguistic capacities to beasts and babies. Nussbaum does the former. She accepts the view that some emotions do not involve propositional thought. Of course, any contemporary defender of the Stoic theory has to make some such modification if only to avoid propounding anachronistic ideas about beasts and babies. But Nussbaum has a further reason to make it.
Policy impacts under rational expectations

Abstract This paper re-examines for the U.S. the validity of the Macro Rational Expectations (MRE) hypothesis. In contrast to most previous studies in this area, the paper (a) considers the potential real effects of both monetary and fiscal policies, (b) allows for possible endogeneity of these policies, and (c) uses a joint, non-linear estimation methodology to distangle the hypothesis of rationality from that of neutrality. The empirical results reject the joint MRE hypothesis for both policies. The results also indicate that policy non-neutrality is the culprit behind such rejection. This evidence offers further empirical support for macro-rational expectations models where monetary and fiscal policies can, due to some rigidities, play a key role in stabilizing the real economy.
A comparison of digital nonmydriatic fundus imaging with standard 35-millimeter slides for diabetic retinopathy

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare nonmydriatic digital images with 35-mm slide images for the detection of diabetic retinal findings. Study design Comparative, observational case series. Participants Forty patients with diabetes. Methods Diabetic patients underwent digital (nonmydriatic fundus camera attached to a digital back) and standard dilated 35-mm retinal photography of three areas: posterior pole, nasal retina, and temporal retina. The images were reviewed by a single masked grader for the presence or absence of specific retinal findings. Primary outcome measures Presence or absence of neovascularization of the disc (NVD), neovascularization elsewhere (NVE), venous beading (VB), nerve fiber layer (NFL) hemorrhage, dot–blot hemorrhage, microaneurysm (MA), clinically significant macular edema, cotton wool spot, intraretinal microvascular anomaly (IRMA), hard exudate (HE), and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) pigmentary changes. Results Forty eyes of 22 patients underwent both imaging procedures. The agreement between image type was highest for IRMA (97.5%) and VB (95%) and lowest for RPE pigmentary changes (65%) and MA (62.5%). Sensitivity ranged from 25% (NVD) to 100% (VB). Specificity ranged from 90% (RPE pigmentary changes) to 100% (NVD, NVE, VB, NFL hemorrhage, HE). Positive predictive value ranged from 50% (IRMA) to 100% (NVD, NVE, HE, NFL, VB). Negative predictive value ranged from 48% (MA) to 100% (IRMA). Conclusions Nonmydriatic digital fundus imaging for detection of diabetic retionopathy has a low sensitivity rate and a high specificity rate and is less clinically useful than standard dilated 35-mm fundus slide images.
Better Methods Will Be Needed To Project Incomes To Estimate Eligibility For Subsidies In Health Insurance Exchanges

Under the Affordable Care Act, people who meet certain income eligibility criteria will be eligible for subsidies to offset costs of premiums and cost sharing for health insurance plans purchased through new health insurance exchanges. But determining the correct level of these subsidies will not be easy, because of several factors. These include the way in which eligibility will be calculated for participation in Medicaid or for subsidies through the exchanges; possibly inaccurate income projections; the use of different income time periods to determine eligibility; and fluctuations in income. I performed a simulation that shows that under the most likely methods to be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid or for receiving subsidies through exchanges, one-third of people with incomes initially judged to be below the Medicaid threshold would actually “churn” into an exchange at the end of the year. Other people would be wrongly deemed ineligible for advance subsidy payments because their projected in...
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SPECTRUM IN CHLOROPHYLL FORMATION

1. Although the carotenoid pigments are present in large concentration in the plastids of etiolated Avena seedlings as compared with protochlorophyll, the pigment precursor of chlorophyll, it is possible to show that the carotenoids do not act as filters of the light incident on the plant in the blue region of the spectrum where they absorb heavily. This suggests that the carotenoids are located behind the protochlorophyll molecules in the plastids. 2. Since the carotenoids do not screen and light is necessary for chlorophyll formation, an effectiveness spectrum of protochlorophyll can be obtained which is the reciprocal of the light energy necessary to produce a constant amount of chlorophyll with different wavelengths. The relative effectiveness of sixteen spectral regions in forming chlorophyll was determined. 3. From the effectiveness spectrum, one can conclude that protochlorophyll is a blue-green pigment with major peaks of absorption at 445 mµ, and 645 mµ, and with smaller peaks at 575 and 545 mµ. The blue peak is sharp, narrow, and high, the red peak being broader and shorter. This differs from previous findings where the use of rougher methods indicated that red light was more effective than blue and did not give the position of the peaks of absorption or their relative heights. 4. The protochlorophyll curve is similar to but not identical with chlorophyll. The ratio of the peaks of absorption in the blue as compared to the red is very similar to chlorophyll a, but the position of the peaks resembles chlorophyll b. 5. There is an excellent correspondence between the absorption properties of this "active" protochlorophyll and what is known of the absorption of a chemically known pigment studied in impure extracts of seed coats of the Cucurbitaceae. Conclusive proof of the identity of the two substances awaits chemical purification, but the evidence here favors the view that the pumpkin seed substance, which is chemically chlorophyll a minus two hydrogens, is identical with the precursor of chlorophyll formation found in etiolated plants.
Cochlear implantation versus hearing amplification in patients with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.

ObjectivePatients with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) exhibit altered neural synchrony in response to auditory stimuli. Cochlear implantation (CI) is thought to improve neural synchro...
IMMUNOGLOBULIN ISOANTIGENS (ALLOTYPES) IN THE MOUSE : I. GENETICS AND CROSS-REACTIONS OF THE 7S γ2A-ISOANTIGENS CONTROLLED BY ALLELES AT THE IG-1 LOCUS

Eight antigens of 7S γ2-immunoglobulins controlled by alleles at a single locus Ig-1, have been identified in mice. This locus has previously been shown to determine antigenic specificities on the F fragments of 7S γ2a-globulins. The reactions of these antigens with various isoantisera have shown that the antigens all cross react with one another. New methods for the analysis of antigenic specificities of soluble proteins are presented in detail. A sensitive method for detecting in the order of 0.01 µg of these isoantigens has been developed, based on the quantitative inhibition of precipitation of I125-labeled antigen. Cross-reactions of the antigens were analysed in inhibition assays and the data is compatible with the existence of a minimum of eight antigenic specificities. Each of the antigens is composed of different combinations of these specificities, with only one antigen having a specificity not present in any other. Sixty-eight mouse strains have been tested with specific isoantisera, and on the basis of the results, have been placed into the eight allele groups. Evidence for close genetic linkage of the Ig-1 locus and 11 chromosome markers has been sought and not found.
Platform for Delivering IT Management Services

One of the grand challenges in enterprise IT management is the simplification and automation of management tasks. This challenge is driven by customer demand for lowering cost and improving ROI. This paper presents a platform developed by HP through which management tasks can be delivered as composable services. The platform incorporates architectural patterns from Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), is based on web services management standards and supports model-based automation and composition of management services. To demonstrate the platform, three automation use cases have been realized where different management systems from different vendors had to cooperate: HP blade infrastructure automation (Intel-based systems), Enterprise Manager from Oracle and a Service Catalog and a Coordinator that were specifically built.
ECI-4: Culturally-Competent Heart Health Coaching Improves Lipids in South Asians

Background/Aims Health coaching programs, delivered by trained non-medical and medical personnel, and focused on diet and lifestyle counseling, have proven beneficial in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. These coaching programs, however, have not been tested or validated in South Asians, who have unique dietary and lifestyle habits, and increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Modeling, analysis and design of distributed power systems

A distributed power supply system featuring two cascaded stages of parallel-module switching regulators is analyzed. Analysis and design of cascaded regulators are presented, taking into account the dynamic impedances of the cascaded stage. The design of a noninteractive EMI (electromagnetic interference) filter for the intermediate bus is discussed. Design considerations for parallel modules are also outlined. >
A software instruction counter

Although several recent papers have proposed architectural support for program debugging and profiling, most processors do not yet provide even basic facilities, such as an instruction counter. As a result, system developers have been forced to invent software solutions. This paper describes our implementation of a software instruction counter for program debugging. We show that an instruction counter can be reasonably implemented in software, often with less than 10% execution overhead. Our experience suggests that a hardware instruction counter is not necessary for a practical implementation of watch-points and reverse execution, however it will make program instrumentation much easier for the system developer.
PALEOENVIRONMENTALLY CORRELATED DIFFERENCES IN A CLASSIC PREDATOR-PREY SYSTEM: THE BIVALVE CHIONE ELEVATA AND ITS GASTROPOD PREDATORS

Abstract The importance of understanding ecophenotypy in studies of morphological evolution is widely appreciated. Behavioral traits can be environmentally plastic, yet studies of behavioral evolution often proceed without careful consideration of the environmental context. The interaction of Chione elevata with its epibionts and gastropod predators in two shallow marine facies from the Pleistocene of Florida, corresponding to the Bermont and the overlying Fort Thompson Formations, were examined. Fort Thompson samples exhibit roughly an order of magnitude more abundant C. elevata and significantly lower predation intensities than those of the Bermont Formation. Predator size, as measured by the outer borehole diameter, does not differ between facies, but selectivity for larger-sized prey is significant only in the Fort Thompson Formation. These differences in predator behavior may have resulted from ecological differences between facies. Evolutionary studies of behavior that fail to consider the ecologica...
Site‐Specifically Arraying Small Molecules or Proteins on DNA Using An Expanded Genetic Alphabet

A class of replicable unnatural DNA base pairs formed between d5SICS and either dMMO2, dDMO, or dNaM were developed. To explore the use of these pairs to produce site-specifically labeled DNA, the synthesis of a variety of derivatives bearing propynyl groups, an analysis of their polymerase-mediated replication, and subsequent site-specific modification of the amplified DNA by Click chemistry is reported. With the d5SICS scaffold a propynyl ether linker is accommodated better than its aliphatic analogue, but not as well as the protected propargyl amine linker explored previously. It was also found that with the dMMO2 and dDMO analogues, the dMMO2 position para to the glycosidic linkage is best suited for linker attachment and that although aliphatic and ether-based linkers are similarly accommodated, the direct attachment of an ethynyl group to the nucleobase core is most well tolerated. To demonstrate the utility of these analogues, a variety of them were used to site-selectively attach a biotin tag to the amplified DNA. Finally, we use d5SICS(CO) -dNaM to couple one or two proteins to amplified DNA, with the double labeled product visualized by atomic force microscopy. The ability to encode the spatial relationships of arrayed molecules in PCR amplifiable DNA should have important applications, ranging from SELEX with functionalities not naturally present in DNA to the production, and perhaps "evolution" of nanomaterials.
Web 2.0-Based Semantic Data, Document and Event Management Environment

This paper presents a semantic data, document and event management environment, implemented as extensions to the open-source Liferay portal which provides enhanced support for storage and retrieval of data, metadata, user interaction and computational provenance and opens the door to new modes of search and navigation based on geospatial, social, provenance, and thematic contexts. This also enables discovery of relations among data, events, workflow and people. This environment, packaged as the CyberCollaboratory, provides a much richer interaction environment for groups and communities.
Glucocorticoids Induce Human Glycoprotein Hormone α-Subunit Gene Expression in the Gonadotrope

The human glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit (alphaGSU) gene is transcriptionally regulated by glucocorticoids in a cell type-specific fashion. In direct contrast to repression of alphaGSU by glucocorticoids in placenta, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulation in the pituitary is little understood. We show that glucocorticoids stimulate the alphaGSU promoter in immortalized pituitary gonadotrope-derived LbetaT2 cells, whereas estrogens, androgens, and progestins have no significant effect. Moreover, GR acts in a dose-dependent manner at physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. Transient transfection of GR with dexamethasone (Dex) treatment further stimulates the alphaGSU promoter, but this induction is severely diminished using a receptor mutated in the DNA-binding domain. Truncation and cis mutations demonstrate that glucocorticoid response element 2 (GRE2) and cAMP-response element 2 (CRE2) within -168 bp of the human alphaGSU promoter are critical for induction. Moreover, dominant-negative CRE-binding protein markedly inhibits basal but also Dex induction of alphaGSU promoter activity. Additionally, GR specifically binds to GRE2 in the human alphaGSU promoter in vitro and to the 5' region of the endogenous mouse alphaGSU gene in vivo. Furthermore, overexpression of the homeobox factor, Distal-less 3 that regulates this gene in placental cells through a site partially overlapping GRE2, blocks Dex induction of alphaGSU in gonadotrope cells, indicating that placenta-specific expression of Dlx3 may interfere with GR, resulting in repression in placental cells vs. induction in gonadotrope cells. These results demonstrate the stimulatory role played by glucocorticoids in alphaGSU gene expression in the pituitary gonadotrope, in contrast to repression in placental cells, and highlight the tissue-specific nature of steroid hormone action.
A Developmental Perspective of Infant Crying

Infant crying has great significance for many aspects of infant development and has thus been studied within a variety of contexts. In one context, crying is a salient social behavior of the newborn and young infant that influences the infant’s interactions with the caregiving environment. As such, researchers have examined the effects of crying on the responses of listeners (e.g., Frodi, Lamb, Leavitt, & Donovan, 1978) and the effects of those listeners’ responses on future expressions of crying (e.g., Bell & Ainsworth, 1972; Rheingold, Gewirtz, & Ross, 1959). Also within this context, investigators have examined variations in the expression of crying as they relate to different levels of infant arousal (e.g., Wolff, 1969) and different perceptions of why the infant is crying (e.g, Sherman, 1927). As a social behavior, we can study the development of crying as we would the development of other early social behaviors.
VitroCoat GI - Ultra-thin adhesive layer for metallization of glass interposer

In this paper a glass-copper interface adhesion promoting thin film is described that forms chemical bonds with glass, and mechanically and possibly chemically anchors to copper to create strong, reliable adhesion between the glass substrate and the deposited metal. Wet chemical deposition of a low volatile organic content (VOC), emissions free, cost-effective, water based coating solution was used to create a thin, transparent metal oxide film that then enables electroless, and electrolytic copper plating directly onto glass. With this approach, a copper film thickness of 30µm can be applied without delamination from the smooth glass. Adhesion at 15µm Cu thickness as measured by 90° peel strength tests can achieve values of ≥4 N/cm. Thermal and stress tests using lead free reflow conditions and Highly Accelerated Stress Testing (HAST) were carried out with manageable to minimal adhesion loss. Through hole plating of aspect ratios up to 5:1 are also demonstrated. Photolithography of fine-lines as small as 5/5 µm was feasible, with very small undercut observed.
SEISMIC REHABILITATION USING INFILL WALL SYSTEMS

In seismic regions throughout the world, a large inventory of reinforced concrete structures exist that lack both strength and ductility. The economic impact resulting from a loss of these structures during a seismic event is enormous. Many facilities are vital in terms of their operational benefits. The functional capabilities of many of these facilities cannot be shut down or even suspended. Consequently, there is a great need for efficient, effective, and inexpensive rehabilitation strategies that are minimally invasive and minimize disruption to building operations. While a variety of techniques are available to meet these requirements, the use of an infill wall presents a significant advantage when attempting to minimize both costs and disruption. Furthermore, construction plays a vital role in the success of any rehabilitation scheme. This paper will evaluate infill construction techniques with a focus on a precast infill scheme. The retrofit of a two-story laboratory structure incorporating the precast system will be discussed. Due to the nature of the precast system, the performance of the connections is vital. Consequently, their design and construction will be highlighted. The effectiveness of this rehabilitation scheme will be demonstrated through the overall behavior of the structural system.
Heterogeneity of human colony-forming cells

Culture supernatants from established human fibroblast cell lines (FCM) and from phytahemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood leukocytes (LCM) were compared with respect to their stimulatory effects on the colony formation by human marrow leukocyte precursors in vitro using the methylcellulose culture system. The cultures were performed using specimens from children with a variety of disorders. LCM stimulation consistently produced a significantly higher proportion of macrophage colonies than did FCM stimulation, whereas FCM stimulation resulted in a significantly higher number of number of neutrophil colonies. Based on the sequential examination of colony numbers in 35 FCM-and 11 LCM- stimulated cultures, the colonies in LCM-stimulated cultures (predominantly macrophage colonies) survived much longer than those in FCM-stimulated cultures (predominantly neutrophil colonies). Cell fractionation experiments by velocity sedimentation on four different specimens revealed that the majority of FCM-responsive cells were large and formed pure neutrophil colonies, while the majority of LCM- responsive cells were smaller and formed either pure macrophage or mixed neutrophil-macrophage colonies. These observations suggest that human colony-forming cells consist of at least two distinct cell populations different in (1) cell size, (2) response to two different conditioned media, LCM and FCM, and (3) type of colonies each population forms.
A Note on Racial Differences in Job Values and Desires

(1956). A Note on Racial Differences in Job Values and Desires. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 333-337.