cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of blood flow restriction devices and their effect on quadriceps muscle activation.

Abstract Objectives Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) provides an alternative approach to traditional strength training. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in quadriceps muscle activation, subject reported pain, and perceived exertion between three exercise conditions: low-load resistance BFRT with (1) regulated and (2) standardized devices, and (3) high-load resistance exercise without BFRT. Design Randomized cross over study. Setting XX University Biomechanics laboratory. Participants Thirty-four healthy subjects (18 male/16 female) each completed three randomized sessions of knee extensions using Delfi’s Personalized Tourniquet System (R) at 30% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM), the B-Strong™ device (S) at 30% 1RM, and high-load resistance exercise (HL) at 80% 1RM. Main outcome measures Quadriceps EMG activity, numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), and perceived exertion (OMNI-RES) were recorded. Results Average and peak EMG were greater in HL sessions than both S and R (p .05) in average or peak EMG activation were found between S and R sessions. Conclusions Quadriceps EMG amplitude was greater during high-load resistance exercise versus low-load BFR exercise and there were no differences in EMG findings between BFRT devices.
The characteristic analysis of weather and climate time series

By using the result of the time-fractional diffusion equation that presents a self-similar non-Markovian stochastic process, in this paper, we proposed our views on the relationship between weather and climate on the basis of the observational data from Beijing and Jinan: weather can be interpreted as the white noise, and the fractional derivative of order q of climate(0≤q≤1)is weather; furthermore, after studying the climatic discrete models and making correlation analysis of time series, we point out that a climate time series has a better memory and its probability density function has a longer tail with respect to the weather.
Perceived value and student reflective learning from industry site visits in an engineering study abroad program

This paper explores students’ perceived value of industry site visits during an engineering study abroad program. In this multi-method study, we collected data from students’ (n = 54) reflective ac...
Organic matter amendments improve soil fertility in almond orchards of contrasting soil texture

The effects of organic matter amendments (OMA) on soil fertility in permanent cropping systems like orchards is under-studied compared to annual cropping systems. We evaluated experimentally the impact of OMAs on soil fertility in almond (Prunus dulcis) orchards over a two-year period with annual applications. Two OMAs, derived from composted green waste (GWC) or composted manure wood chips (MWC), were applied as surface mulch and compared to a control at two sites with different soil textures (sandy loam and loamy sand). OMAs increased soil moisture content (0–0.1 m depth) at both sites by 27–37%. Both amendments increased soil inorganic N at the sandy loam (GWC: 194%; MWC: 114%) and loamy sand (GWC: 277%; MWC: 114%) sites the month following application, but soil inorganic N concentrations quickly decreased to values similar to those of control plots. After two-years, the GWC and the MWC amendments increased the soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) by 112% and 29%, respectively, in the sandy loam site, but no change was observed in the loamy sand site. The greatest increase in soil extractable K occurred in the GWC-amended plots at the sandy loam site even though the initial K concentration of MWC was higher. Both OMAs increased soil organic carbon (SOC) after two years, but the SOC increase in the GWC-amended plots was greater. Our results suggest that OMAs can significantly improve soil fertility after one or two annual applications, and that fertility gains appear to be dependent on soil texture than the nutrient concentrations of the OMA.
Wind Tunnel Investigation of the Effects of Surface Porosity and Vertical Tail Placement on Slender Wing Vortex Flow Aerodynamics at Supersonic Speeds

A wind tunnel experiment was conducted in the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) to determine the effects of passive surface porosity and vertical tail placement on vortex flow development and interactions about a general research fighter configuration at supersonic speeds. Optical flow measurement and flow visualization techniques were used that featured pressure sensitive paint (PSP), laser vapor screen (LVS), and schlieren, These techniques were combined with conventional electronically-scanned pressure (ESP) and six-component force and moment measurements to quantify and to visualize the effects of flow-through porosity applied to a wing leading edge extension (LEX) and the placement of centerline and twin vertical tails on the vortex-dominated flow field of a 65 cropped delta wing model. Test results were obtained at free-stream Mach numbers of 1.6, 1.8, and 2.1 and a Reynolds number per foot of 2.0 million. LEX porosity promoted a wing vortex-dominated flow field as a result of a diffusion and weakening of the LEX vortex. The redistribution of the vortex-induced suction pressures contributed to large nose-down pitching moment increments but did not significantly affect the vortex-induced lift. The trends associated with LEX porosity were unaffected by vertical tail placement. The centerline tail configuration generally provided more stable rolling moments and yawing moments compared to the twin wing-mounted vertical tails. The strength of a complex system of shock waves between the twin tails was reduced by LEX porosity.
15 – RECOMBINANT PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN PLANTS

This chapter discusses the technologies in cellular and molecular biology used to engineer plants to produce several beneficial products. The use of plants as “small factories” for the expression of foreign proteins is an attractive concept. The chapter explores the various transformation methods for gene transfer and stable integration into the plant genome. The chapter also describes the promoters commonly used to express recombinant proteins in plants. Various examples are given to illustrate the applications of recombinant protein expression in agricultural biotechnology and for obtaining novel products from plants. Specific targeting and accumulation of recombinant proteins are also mentioned. This chapter also describes methods and tools for transgenic technology. Moreover, various examples in which transgenic technology has been applied are mentioned. Finally, methods and applications of plant-virus-mediated transient expression systems are reviewed, followed by a discussion. Improving the nutritional value of crops for human or animal use and the use of plants for pharmaceutical purposes are attractive targets for agricultural biotechnology and will be exploited in future.
Complications associated with the presence of two intrauterine glass balls used for oestrus suppression in a mare

Summary This report describes the identification and removal of 2 glass balls, both of which had fragmented, from the uterus of a mare. The glass balls had been placed into the uterine lumen to prolong function of the corpus luteum for suppression of oestrous behaviour. This report adds to a growing body of evidence that severe complications can result from the use of intrauterine glass balls for oestrus suppression in mares, particularly if they are retained for a prolonged time.
Consciousness Modeled: Reification and Promising Pluralism

A tremendous opportunity lies in store for those of us interested in consciousness.I here bracket the arguments of those who wish to minimize or reduce consciousnessaway, either up into socially-based discourses and institutional power (e.g., Luhmannor Foucault) or down into sheer neural patterns (e.g., Paul Churchland). [...]
Network Flow Control

Flow control schemes are distributed and asynchronous algorithms to share network resources among competing users. The goal is to share these resources fairly and efficiently, and to provide good QoS, in a stable and scalable manner. In this article, we explain these objectives and implementation constraints. We provide an introduction to mathematical models for understanding and designing such flow control schemes, and illustrate these models using TCP Vages. Keywords: network flow control; design objectives; TCP Vegas; duality model; equilibrium properties; stability properties; Vegas/DropTail
New Institutions for Old Neighborhoods

Residential Community Associations are now the norm in new suburban developments, and in this Article, Professor Robert Ellickson suggests that existing neighborhoods, in inner cities and elsewhere, would benefit from similar institutions. Specifically, he proposes the creation of Block Improvement Districts. These Districts would typically be formed by supermajorities of property owners, who would need to have the power to override objectors to avoid the free rider problem inherent in many kinds of group action. Once formed, these Districts would collect fees from member property owners and, in return, would provide block-level public goods. After exploring both the theoretical and practical aspects of Block Improvement Districts, Professor Ellickson concludes by advocating experimentation with these institutions as a way of more conclusively determining their value.
Word, Sound, Image: The Life of the Tamil Text

Word, Sound, Image: The Life of the Tamil Text. Saskia Kersenboom. Washington, DC: Berg Publishers, 1995. 259 pp. (Includes "Bairavi Varnam" CD-i.)
Leishmania donovani: Acquired resistance to visceral leishmaniasis in the golden hamster

Abstract The ability to acquire resistance to visceral leishmaniasis was studied in the golden hamster. Hamsters were infected subcutaneously with Leishmania donovani and challenged 6 weeks later by an intracardial route of inoculation. Parasitization in previously infected and control hamsters after challenge was followed by spleen and liver impression smears. Hamsters receiving a previous subcutaneous infection showed significantly lower numbers of visceral parasites after challenge than control animals. Differences in parasitization between the two groups were detectable as early as 2 days after challenge. Promastigotes and both hamster or cotton rat infected spleen tissue were effective in inducing acquired resistance to infection. The golden hamster is discussed as a model for the study of immunity to kala-azar.
A Knowledge Base for the Teaching Profession: What Would It Look Like and How Can We Get One?

To improve classroom teaching in a steady, lasting way, the teaching profession needs a knowledge base that grows and improves. In spite of the continuing efforts of researchers, archived research knowledge has had little effect on the improvement of practice in the average classroom. We explore the possibility of building a useful knowledge base for teaching by beginning with practitioners’ knowledge. We outline key features of this knowledge and identify the requirements for this knowledge to be transformed into a professional knowledge base for teaching. By reviewing educational history, we offer an incomplete explanation for why the United States has no countrywide system that meets these requirements. We conclude by wondering if U.S. researchers and teachers can make different choices in the future to enable a system for building and sustaining a professional knowledge base for teaching.
Narrow Row Planting of Cotton Genotypes and Boll Weevil Damage

Studies of the relationship of Anthonomus grandis Boheman to short season cottons cultured in different planting arrangements were carried out in Texas for 3 seasons; a single experiment was conducted in each season. Effective blooming periods of ca. 30 days before buildup of 2nd generation boll weevil populations resulted in yields of 600–800 lb lint/acre from certain genotypes. This increased production was associated with the ability of a genotype to retain a high percent of its flowers during the blooming period. Maximum earliness and yields were recorded with genotypes planted 2 drills on 40-in. beds or single drills on 26⅔-in. beds.
Optical Control of Divalent Metal Ion Binding to a Photochromic Catechol: Photoreversal of Tightly Bound Zn2+

Photochromic molecules with functional groups that bind metal ions strongly make possible the development of photoreversible sensors and preconcentrators for detection of metal ions at trace concentrations. While several photochromic metal chelators have been reported, none have been shown to bind strongly to divalent metal ions. A novel photochromic benzopyran 2, which is a photochromic catechol, binds Zn2+ strongly and reversibly. The thermal equilibrium between open and closed 2 is slow. Thus, binding of Zn2+ to 2 is slow in the dark. Under illumination with 306−416-nm light, Zn2+ binds rapidly to open 2. The stable complex dissociates upon illumination with visible light, showing that both formation and dissociation of the complex are controllable with light. A binding constant of 1.1 × 109 is estimated from a Job plot, which also indicates formation of a 1:1 Zn2+/open 2 complex.
The interrelationship of somatostatin and guanylate cyclase activity.

Somatostatin has been shown to inhibit the release of various polypeptide hormones including insulin, glucagon, gastrin, thyroid stimulating hormone, and growth hormone. The mechanism by which somatostatin inhibits the release of these various polypeptide hormones has not been fully eluciadated. It has been reported that somatostatin increases the level of the second messenger cyclic GMP in rat brain and in the anterior pituitary gland. The present investigation was designed to determine if these responses seen in the anterior pituitary gland and brain were due to activation of guanylate cyclase GTP-pyrophosphate lyase (cyclizing), E.C.4.6.1.2., the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of cyclic GMP. Somatostatin at a concentration of 2 pm enhanced guanylate cyclase activity two-fold in rat cerebrum and anterior pituitary gland. This enhancement of guanylate cyclase activity was also seen in rat liver, pancreas, stomach, and small intestine at the same concentration of somatostatin. Increasing the concentration of somatostatin to 20 μm, caused a marked inhibition of guanylate cyclase activity in all these tissues. Dose-response curves done on gastric guanylate cyclase activity revealed that over a concentration range of 2 pm to 0.2 μm, somatostatin had a stimulatory effect on guanylate cyclase activity while at concentrations above 10 μm somatostatin was inhibitory to guanylate cyclase activity. The biphasic pattern of enhancement of guanylate cyclase activity at lower concentrations of somatostatin and inhibition at higher concentrations may help to explain some of the discrepancies seen with previous investigations with somatostatin, hormone release, and cyclic nucleotide metabolism.
Intra-articular Analgesia and Discharge to Home Enhance Recovery following Total Knee Replacement:

Background The increasing demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKR) and the initiatives to reduce health care spending have put the responsibility for efficient care on hospitals and providers. Multidisciplinary care pathways have been shown to shorten length of stay and result in improved short-term outcomes. However, common problems such as post-op nausea, orthostasis, and quad weakness remain, while reliance on discharge to rehabilitation facilities may also prolong hospital stay.
Education and business: a partnership for progress

In an age of dynamic change characterised by quick obsolescence of skills, testing of established social patterns, and increased social and physical mobility, education of necessity becomes a life‐long process, part of the very lives and work of the community itself. Recognition of the multitude of different environments and diverse circumstances under which education can be achieved has been incorporated into Oakland Community College's educational plans.
Application of plantar pressure assessment in footwear and insert design.

This clinical perspective describes the application of plantar pressure assessment in footwear and insert design. First, the rationale and evidence for using pressure assessment to assist in the design of footwear for patients with diabetes is described. I discuss 2 important measures obtained from pressure assessment: peak pressure, because it represents the magnitude of potential mechanical stresses that can contribute to skin breakdown, and contact area, because this identifies the treatment areas. Using measures obtained from pressure assessment, guidelines are presented to maximize contact area of the insert to the foot and reduce highest peak pressures on the skin, with the goal of preventing skin breakdown. Second, a rationale and guidelines are presented for the application of plantar pressure assessment in the evaluation and design of footwear for people without impairments (i.e., the general public). Finally, future applications of pressure assessment to improve the design and fit of shoes are discussed. Benefits and limitations of using pressure assessment to assist in footwear design are addressed throughout.
Aggressive papillary adenoma of the cerebellopontine angle: case report of an endolymphatic sac tumor.

Adenomatous neoplasms with histologically benign papillary architecture arising at the interface of the posterior cranial fossa dura and the petrous temporal bone are locally aggressive tumors capable of extensive destruction. Patients may present with intracranial extension of this neoplasm and signs or symptoms of involvement of contiguous neurotologic structures. These signs may manifest sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular dysfunction, facial paresis, and facial hypesthesia or paresthesia. These tumors share a common origin from the mucosa of the endolymphatic sac and have clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features that distinguish them from other tumors occurring in the petrous temporal bone and cerebellopontine angle. These tumors warrant distinction as a distinct clinicopathologic entity. The case of a 48-year-old man with an endolymphatic sac tumor showing petrous temporal bone destruction and involvement of the cerebellopontine angle and review of the current literature on these tumors is presented.
Strictly Cyclic Operator Algebras on Banach Spaces

In this paper, we prove that every norm closed, commutative, semisimple, strictly cyclic algebra A ⊂ B(X) is reflexive. This extends a result of A. Lambert to the case of Banach spaces. We also prove that such algebras are hereditarily reflexive. In [2] A. Lambert introduced the notion of strictly cyclic operator algebras. He gave examples of strictly cyclic algebras, generated by certain weighted shifts on Hilbert spaces (Donaghue algebras) as well as non-singly generated abelian strictly cyclic algebras. Subsequently, other authors [1, 4] investigated the invariant subspace lattices of such algebras. Some of these strictly cyclic algebras are semi-simple, commutative algebras [2]. Lambert [2] proved that such algebras, A, are reflexive (i.e. for every operator T ∈ B(H), such that TK ⊂ K for every closed subspace K ⊂ H that is invariant for A, it follows that T ∈ A.) In this paper, we extend this result to strictly cyclic algebras of operators on Banach spaces. We prove, in addition, that every semi-simple, strictly-cyclic, commutative algebra on a Banach space is hereditarily reflexive, which is a new result for Hilbert spaces as well. Our proofs are more simple than Lambert’s and use only elementary properties of semisimple Banach algebras.
Gender differences in physical activity patterns among older adults who fall

OBJECTIVE: This study describes gender differences in the level and pattern of physical activity in groups of older adults who were frequent fallers, intermittent fallers, or non-fallers. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with adults aged 50years and older (N=1834) at senior centers across Pennsylvania from 2010-2011. Self-reported falls and validated measures of physical activity were collected at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow-up assessments. RESULTS: Complete follow-up data were available for 1487 participants. Men who fell frequently decreased in recreational/leisure activity and household/yard work compared to the intermittent fallers and non-fallers. This association remained even when controlling for baseline health status. All women - regardless of fall group - engaged in similar levels of recreational/leisure activity and household/yard work over time. For both men and women, frequent fallers also showed a greater decrease in walking activities compared to intermittent fallers and non-fallers. DISCUSSION: Frequent falling among older adults is associated with declines in common leisure, household, and walking activities. The effect of falling frequency on physical activity appears to affect men and women differently, generating the hypothesis that interventions to promote physical activity among fallers need to be gender specific. Language: en
The Quasi-biennial Oscillation of Ozone in the Tropical Middle Stratosphere: A One-Dimensional Model

A one-dimensional model of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) of ozone in the tropical middle stratosphere is derived based on assumed (observed) zonal wind QBO in a coupled dynamic, radiative/photochemical system. It is found that the derived vertical variation of the ozone QBO amplitude has two maxima, one at 32 km and the other at 22 km, and a minimum at 28 km. These are in qualitative agreement with observations. In the height interval 30-35 km, the ozone QBO is closely related to temperature dependent photochemistry, and the ozone and temperature variations are out of phase. Below 28 km, where vertical ozone and thermal transports are important, ozone and temperature oscillations are in phase, but both are approximately 270 deg out of phase with the vertical wind variation.
O4-S2.01 The host response to chlamydial infection results in increased gonococcal colonisation in a novel coinfection model

Objective Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis cause similar urogenital diseases and up to 70% of individuals with gonorrhoea also have chlamydia. Using a newly developed female mouse model of coinfection, we recently reported that higher numbers of N gonorrhoeae were recovered from mice with a pre-existing Chlamydia muridarum infection, the mouse strain of Chlamydia, compared to mice infected with N gonorrhoeae alone. Recent studies on the host response to N gonorrhoeae implicate toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and IL17 responses as being protective against N gonorrhoeae . Here we tested the hypothesis that the immune response to chlamydial infection makes the genital tract more permissive to N gonorrhoeae . Methods Using an immune-targeted RT-PCR array we screened for alterations in host gene expression during chlamydial infection of BALB/c mice that may account for the observed increase in gonococcal colonisation. Mouse genital cells were collected by vaginal swab and analysed for TLR4 expression by flow cytometry. Coinfection studies were performed in BALB/cJ (TLR4 wild type) and C.C3-TLR4LPS-d/J (TLR4 mutant) mice and the number of viable chlamydiae and gonococci recovered from each group was determined by immunofluorescence using L929 cells and quantitative culture on GC agar, respectively. Results Prior to N gonorrhoeae inoculation, mice with a pre-existing chlamydial infection had decreased expression of TLR4 and antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP, SLPI) genes. Consistent with the finding of decreased TLR4expression in coinfected mice, markers of inflammation (TLR2, TNFα, IL-1s, platelet activating factor receptor [Pafr], and IL-23α) were up-regulated only in mice infected with N gonorrhoeae alone. A significantly lower percentage of TLR4-expressing epithelial cells was detected in vaginal swabs from chlamydia-infected wild-type mice prior to gonococcal challenge, and importantly, chlamydial infection did not enhance N gonorrhoeae infection of TLR4 mutant mice. Conclusions These data suggest the host response to chlamydial infection creates an environment that is less protective against gonococcal infection by down-regulating the expression of TLR4 and antimicrobial peptides. This work therefore further illuminates the basis of this interesting consequence of coinfection and may also help direct the development of immunomodulatory therapies against this common coinfection and its consequences on reproductive health.
The Clinical Diagnostic Process: A Prerequisite to Excellence in Practice

The ability to render good clinical diagnosis represents the mark of the "healing arts" professional. A sequence of diagnostic steps is proposed. Adherence to this scheme should be helpful in reducing diagnostic failures, thus improving patient care.
The Development of Law in Frontier California: Civil Law and Society, 1850-1890

This is a thought-provoking exploration of the development of civil law in California from 1850 to 1890. Focusing upon contract, landlord and tenant, mortgage, tort, and admiralty law, Bakken argues that the formulation of the law generally responded to socioeconomic forces. He also asserts that on the operational level, the law's reach was limited by ambiguities, judicial inexactitude, and mistakes made by the bar. Essentially, the broad policy goals of frontier law worked to stimulate marketplace forces by facilitating certain transactions. Entrepreneurs often received the aid of the developing law, but were frustrated by it at other times. Bakken scrutinizes the role of judges, legislators, lawyers, and laymen in contributing to this process. Finally, he demonstrates that the law was less certain and the policy considerations less clear when the law actually functioned on an operational level in society.
MRI-guided breast biopsy: outcomes and effect on patient management.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this study was to correlate the pathology results of MRI-guided breast biopsies at our institution with MRI findings and patient clinical history characteristics. The effect of MRI-guided breast biopsies on surgical management in patients with a new diagnosis of breast cancer was also assessed. Patients and Methods In this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant study we retrospectively reviewed all MRI-guided breast biopsies performed from March 2006 to May 2012. Clinical history, MRI features, and pathology outcomes were reviewed. In patients who underwent breast MRI to evaluate extent of disease, any change in surgical management resulting from the MRI-guided biopsy was recorded. Statistical analysis included binary logistic regression and independent Student t test. Results Two-hundred fifteen lesions in 168 patients were included, of which 23 (10.7%) were malignant, 43 (20%) were high-risk, and 149 (69.3%) were benign. No clinical characteristic was associated with malignancy in our cohort. MRI features associated with malignancy were: larger size (mean 2.6 cm vs. 1.3 cm; P = .046), washout kinetics (18% malignancy rate; P = .02), and marked background parenchymal enhancement (40% malignancy rate; P Conclusion Malignancy rate was associated with lesion size, washout kinetics, and marked background enhancement of the breast parenchyma but was not associated with any clinical history characteristics. Preoperative MRI-guided breast biopsies changed surgical management in 28% of women with a new diagnosis of breast cancer.
Developmental correlates of midfacial components in a normal and cleft lip and palate human fetal sample.

Abstract Midfacial hypoplasia in patients with complete clefts of the lip and palate is considered to be the result of congenital dysmorphogenesis combined with surgical effects. The present study describes congenital correlates of midfacial hypoplasia by examining the relationships between premaxillary size and a number of adjacent oronasal capsular components in a sample of second trimester normal and complete cleft fetal specimens. Midfacial relationships from previously published data from 3-D computer reconstructions of histologic material were assessed by multiple regression and path analyses. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the combination of age (body size) and nasal septal length were the best predictor variables of premaxillary length and accounted for 90 percent and 93 percent (p < .01) of the variance in normal and cleft fetal specimens, respectively. Tongue length was seen to slightly increase the R2 values in the cleft, but not the normal sample. Path analysis results rev...
Bridging the theory–practice gap in a nonprofit and philanthropic studies master's degree program

The gap between universities and the knowledge they generate and teach, on the one hand, and practitioners and the problems they confront, on the other, has been discussed by scholars in a number of applied fields. This article considers how those who design and run nonprofit academic programs might minimize the theory–practice gap problem. It presents a case study of one master of arts degree program focused on nonprofit leadership and management and discusses program development, the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council's curricular guidelines, applied learning, and practitioner instructors and quality instruction.
Experiences of Family Therapists Working with Families in a Transitional Homeless Community

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and observations of marriage and family therapists (MFTs) conducting an empirically supported parenting program at a transitional homeless community. A diary method was used in recording five MFTs' observations and reactions to implementing the psychoeducational groups. Fifty-one recordings were collected from three different parenting groups over the course of 20 weeks. Constant comparative method was used to identify themes related to MFTs' experiences of conducting the parenting program. These themes included the needs of at-risk families, confidentiality, and role ambivalence and boundary ambiguity. We provide recommendations for best practices and an example of therapists' decision-making process using Kitchener's (1984) model.
Rising rates of vaccine exemptions: Problems with current policy and more promising remedies

Parents of school-age children are increasingly claiming nonmedical exemptions to refuse vaccinations required for school entry. The resultant unvaccinated pockets in many areas of the country have been linked with outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Many states are now focused on reducing rates of nonmedical exemptions by making exemption processes more restrictive or burdensome for the exemptor. These strategies, however, pose ethical problems and may ultimately be inadequate. A shift to strategies that raise the financial liabilities of exemptors may lead to better success and prove ethically more sound. Potential areas of reform include tax law, health insurance, and private school funding programs. We advocate an approach that combines this type of incentive with more effective vaccination education.
Metal–organic frameworks: Recognizing the unrecognizable

Separating carbon monoxide from chemically similar nitrogen gas is particularly challenging. Now, a flexible porous coordination polymer has been developed that recognizes carbon monoxide over nitrogen, with structural changes in the material leading to its accelerated adsorption.
Another cause of median nerve compression by a lumbrical muscle in the carpal tunnel

A case is described in which division of a flexor digitorum profundus tendon allowed the proximal end of the tendon to retract, drawing its lumbrical muscle into the carpal tunnel where it caused compression of the median nerve.
Metabolism of hydrogen isotopes by rapidly growing Chlorella pyrenoidosa cells.

Abstract Chlorella pyrenoidosa cells have been grown in the presence of deuterium and tritium oxide, and the quantity of each of these isotopes incorporated into the whole cells, methanol-insoluble, ether-soluble, and methanol-soluble, ether-insoluble fractions has been determined. The quantity present has been recorded in terms of the per cent expected on the assumption of no isotope effect. It has been found that the cells incorporate deuterium approximately 50% as rapidly as hydrogen, and that they incorporate tritium 90% as rapidly as deuterium. Further, the extent of incorporation of tritium or deuterium by the enzymes involved in hydrogen transfer in the synthesis of lipides is significantly higher than the extent of incorporation by enzymes involved in the transfer of hydrogen in the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, and starch (methanol-insoluble fraction).
A fast least-squares algorithm for population inference.

Population inference is an important problem in genetics used to remove population stratification in genome-wide association studies and to detect migration patterns or shared ancestry. An individual’s genotype can be modeled as a probabilistic function of ancestral population memberships, Q, and the allele frequencies in those populations, P. The parameters, P and Q, of this binomial likelihood model can be inferred using slow sampling methods such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods or faster gradient based approaches such as sequential quadratic programming. This paper proposes a least-squares simplification of the binomial likelihood model motivated by a Euclidean interpretation of the genotype feature space. This results in a faster algorithm that easily incorporates the degree of admixture within the sample of individuals and improves estimates without requiring trial-and-error tuning. We show that the expected value of the least-squares solution across all possible genotype datasets is equal to the true solution when part of the problem has been solved, and that the variance of the solution approaches zero as its size increases. The Least-squares algorithm performs nearly as well as Admixture for these theoretical scenarios. We compare least-squares, Admixture, and FRAPPE for a variety of problem sizes and difficulties. For particularly hard problems with a large number of populations, small number of samples, or greater degree of admixture, least-squares performs better than the other methods. On simulated mixtures of real population allele frequencies from the HapMap project, Admixture estimates sparsely mixed individuals better than Least-squares. The least-squares approach, however, performs within 1.5% of the Admixture error. On individual genotypes from the HapMap project, Admixture and least-squares perform qualitatively similarly and within 1.2% of each other. Significantly, the least-squares approach nearly always converges 1.5- to 6-times faster. The computational advantage of the least-squares approach along with its good estimation performance warrants further research, especially for very large datasets. As problem sizes increase, the difference in estimation performance between all algorithms decreases. In addition, when prior information is known, the least-squares approach easily incorporates the expected degree of admixture to improve the estimate.
Evaluation of elastic modulus of ultra-thin vermiculite membranes by contact mode atomic force microscopy imaging

Abstract Mechanical properties of nanometer-thick multilayer vermiculite, a layered silicate, were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) contact mode imaging. Membranes suspended over circular holes were with exfoliated vermiculite platelets. The elastic modulus and pre-stress of each membrane were obtained using AFM combined with finite element analysis. The exfoliated multilayer vermiculite membranes had an average in-plane elastic modulus and average pre-stress of 175 ± 16 GPa and 55 ± 13 MPa, respectively.
Practices of obstetrician-gynecologists regarding nonvaccine-related public health recommendations during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Objective We examined practices of obstetrician-gynecologists regarding nonvaccine-related public health recommendations during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Study Design From February to May 2010, a survey was sent to a random sample of members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists involved in obstetric care. Results Obstetrician-gynecologists varied in their adherence to 2009 H1N1 influenza public health recommendations. Nearly all reported prescribing antiviral medications to pregnant women with suspected influenza. Most obstetrician-gynecologists reported using preventive practices in the outpatient setting to reduce exposure of well patients to ill ones. A wide range of responses was provided regarding postpartum infection control practices, suggesting lack of awareness of, disagreement with, or difficulty adhering to these recommendations. Conclusion Obstetrician-gynecologists reported that they adhered to some recommendations related to 2009 H1N1 influenza, but not to others. These data provide insight into strategies for development and dissemination of recommendations in a future pandemic.
An inquiry into effects of mobile home park rent control

Abstract Mobile homes today provide an important housing mode in the United States, mainly because they are affordable. For example, they represent about 4.5% of California's housing stock [11]. However, in many areas of the country, rapid increases in pad rents have substantially increased the costs of mobile home living. In response to this development, coach owners in a number of municipalities have attempted to enact mobile home park rent control ordinances, often with great success. In California, for example, rent control laws have been passed in 75 jurisdictions, particularly since 1978. More jurisdictions control mobile home pad rents in California than control conventional apartment rents. A unique aspect of the mobile home market is that ownership of the living space is commonly divided between two parties. The mobile home or coach owner usually owns only the housing unit, while he rents a pad (site) in a mobile home park on which he places his home. This separation of ownership affects the market for mobile home coaches, since the cost of living in a mobile home depends not only on the cost of the coach, but also on the rent charged by park owners. The market for mobile homes and pads offers, therefore, an interesting economic environment in which to study the economic effect of rent control on tenants. When apartment rents are controlled, the windfall gains to tenants, should such exist, can neither be ascertained nor measured (losses to landlords in the form of reductions in the value of rental property can be readily measured and some estimates have been made) [6]. However, since in the mobile home context usually the coach is individually owned while the pad is rented, enactment of rent control can be capitalized into the value (sales price) of the coach. Economists so far have neglected this issue, while in the last few years courts have become interested in it. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to construct a capitalization model and implement it with regard to mobile home rent control, i.e., to estimate the effect of the enactment of rent control ordinances on the resale value of mobile home coaches. We first present a review of key characteristics of mobile home parks and coaches as well as their owners, to be followed by a theoretical model of the market for mobile homes and for park pads. We will use this model in an empirical analysis which examines the extent that lower pad rents resulting from the enactment of rent control are capitalized into the sales prices of mobile home coaches in California. Finally, this paper's findings are related to a recent Circuit Court ruling dealing with mobile home park rent control in the city of Santa Barbara.
Comment: fMRI biomarker for premanifest HD?

Biomarkers to predict symptom onset in Huntington disease (HD) could provide an important tool for testing new therapies to forestall progression. Such a biomarker must fulfill 2 key characteristics, among others: it must predict timing of symptom onset better than extant means and changes in the biomarker must reflect pathophysiologic changes. Ferraro et al.1 used functional MRI to quantify blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) responses during an inhibition phase of an eye movement task in presymptomatic HD. The response magnitude in right frontal oculomotor cortex correlated ( r 2 = 0.52) with the probability of developing symptoms in the next 5 years as determined by the Langbehn formula, based upon age and CAG triplet repeat length,2 and did so better than volumetric measures of striatal atrophy (e.g., right putamen, r 2 = 0.29).
Device-specific sharps injury and usage rates: An analysis by hospital department

Abstract Background: Whether universal precautions training has reduced percutaneous sharps injuries is questioned. Prevention programs directed to specific problem areas are required to further reduce injury. Our purpose was to identify target areas. Methods: Device-specific sharps injury rates per 100,000 devices purchased were determined by department at Yale New Haven Hospital (1993 to 1994). Usage per full-time equivalent was calculated by department. Rates were modelled using Poisson regression. Results: Three epidemiologic patterns resulted: (1) injury rates were independent of usage (butterfly needles); (2) injury rates varied directly with usage (lancets); (3) injury rates varied inversely with usage (intravenous catheters, sutures, and scalpels). Device-specific usage and injury rates varied by department. Devices used little (9/full-time equivalent) but under difficult circumstances, such as intravenous catheters in pediatric patients, were associated with high injury rates (67.7100,000). Devices, sometimes disassembled, such as blood collecting tubes, caused significantly more injury in departments where health care professionals work under time constraints, such as in the emergency department and nursing. Unconventional use of devices (Luer-Lok syringes and scalpes) resulted in higher rates of injury (nursing and laboratories). Building services appeared to be at risk for injury. Conclusions: With device-specific injury and usage rates by department, injury prevention programs can now focus on specific devices and departments.
β-adrenergic regulation of rat parotid gland exocrine protein secretion during aging

beta-Adrenergic regulation of exocrine protein secretion from the parotid gland was studied over the adult rat life span. Enzymatically dispersed cell aggregates were prepared from 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month-old rats and exocrine protein secretion (amylase release) measured. No age differences were seen in the time course of amylase release following (-)-isoproterenol stimulation or in the (-)-isoproterenol dose-response curve. the beta-adrenergic antagonist (+/-)-propanolol inhibited (-)-isoproterenol-stimulated protein secretion from parotid cell aggregates of young and old animals equally. Similarly dibutyryl cyclic AMP induced comparable rates of protein secretion from cells of different aged rats. Direct examination of beta-adrenergic receptor characteristics in parotid gland membranes from 3- to 24-month-old rats revealed no differences in the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) or maximum specific ligand binding capacity (receptor number). These results suggest that the rat parotid beta-adrenergic system remains functionally intact throughout the animals' lifetime.
The influence of muscle type and dystrophin deficiency on murine expression profiles

The phenotypic differences among Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients, mdx mice, and mdx(5cv) mice suggest that despite the common etiology of dystrophin deficiency, secondary mechanisms have a substantial influence on phenotypic severity. The differential response of various skeletal muscles to dystrophin deficiency supports this hypothesis. To explore these differences, gene expression profiles were generated from duplicate RNA targets extracted from six different skeletal muscles (diaphragm, soleus, gastrocnemius, quadriceps, tibialis anterior, and extensor digitorum longus) from wild-type, mdx, and mdx(5cv) mice, resulting in 36 data sets for 18 muscle samples. The data sets were compared in three different ways: (1) among wild-type samples only, (2) among all 36 data sets, and (3) between strains for each muscle type. The molecular profiles of soleus and diaphragm separate significantly from the other four muscle types and from each other. Fiber-type proportions can explain some of these differences. These variations in wild-type gene expression profiles may also reflect biomechanical differences known to exist among skeletal muscles. Further exploration of the genes that most distinguish these muscles may help explain the origins of the biomechanical differences and the reasons why some muscles are more resistant than others to dystrophin deficiency.
The structure, transition probabilities and the π− capture rates of the A = 6 nuclei

Abstract The energy spectrum, electromagnetic properties, β-decay and π− absorption rates of the A = 6 system are calculated using realistic interactions. The results are in good agreement with experiment and other theories of semileptonic weak processes. Strong π− absorption rates are predicted for the 2− and 3− collective states around 25 MeV.
Comparison of the Yields of Inelastic Electron and Positron Scattering from Hydrogen and Deuterium at 15 (GeV/c) 2

We have measured the ratio, Y/sup +//Y/sup -/, of positron to electron inelastic scattering yields from hydrogen and deuterium at Q/sup 2/, the square of the four-momentum transfer, between 2.4 and 14.9 (GeV/c)/sup 2/. The ratios are consistent with Y/sup +//Y/sup -/=1 to within errors of a few percent. (AIP)
Special purpose materials for fusion application

Originally in 1978 the Special Purpose Materials Task Group was concerned with tritium breeding materials, coolants, tritium barriers, graphite and silicon carbide, ceramics, heat-sink materials, and magnet components. Since then several other task groups have been created, so that now the category includes only materials for superconducting magnets and ceramics. For the former application copper-stabilized Nb3Sn (Ti) insulated with polyimides will meet the general requirements, so that testing of prototype components is the priority task. Ceramics are required for several critical components of fusion reactors either as dielectrics or as a structural material. Components near the first wall will receive exposures of 5–20 MW y/m2. Other ceramic applications are well behind the first wall, with lower damage levels. Most insulators operate near room temperature, but ceramic blanket structures may operate up to 1000°C. Because of a meager data base, one cannot identify optimum ceramics for structural application; but MgAl2O4 is an attractive dielectric material.
Evaluation of radial-sequence imaging in detecting acetabular labral tears at hip MR arthrography

Objective In recent years, radial imaging has been advocated for improved visualization of the acetabular labrum in magnetic resonance arthrography of the hip. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether radial imaging demonstrates labral tears not visible on standard imaging planes.