cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medicaid Contributes Substantial Costs to Dementia Care in an Ethnically Diverse Community.

OBJECTIVES The main objective of this study was to estimate effects of dementia on Medicaid expenditures in an ethnically diverse community. METHODS The sample included 1,211 Medicare beneficiaries who did not have any Medicaid coverage and 568 who additionally had full Medicaid coverage enrolled in the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP), a multiethnic, population-based, prospective study of cognitive aging in northern Manhattan (1999-2010). Individuals' dementia status was determined using a rigorous clinical protocol. Relationship between dementia and Medicaid coverage and expenditures were estimated using a two-part model. RESULTS In participants who had full Medicaid coverage, average annual Medicaid expenditures were substantially higher for those with dementia than those without dementia ($50,270 vs. $21,966, p < .001), but Medicare expenditures did not differ by dementia status ($8,458 vs. $9,324, p = .19). In participants who did not have any Medicaid coverage, average annual Medicare expenditures were substantially higher for those with dementia than those without dementia ($12,408 vs. $8,113, p = .02). In adjusted models, dementia was associated with a $6,278 increase in annual Medicaid spending per person after controlling for other characteristics. DISCUSSION Results highlight Medicaid's contribution to covering the cost of dementia care in addition to Medicare. Studies that do not include Medicaid are unlikely to accurately reflect the true cost of dementia.
Membrane condenser as emerging technology for water recovery and gas pre-treatment: current status and perspectives

The recent roadmap of SPIRE initiative includes the development of “new separation, extraction and pre-treatment technologies” as one of the “key actions” for boosting sustainability, enhancing the availability and quality of existing resources. Membrane condenser is an innovative technology that was recently investigated for the recovery of water vapor for waste gaseous streams, such as flue gas, biogas, cooling tower plumes, etc. Recently, it has been also proposed as pre-treatment unit for the reduction and control of contaminants in waste gaseous streams (SOx and NOx, VOCs, H2S, NH3, siloxanes, halides, particulates, organic pollutants). This perspective article reports recent progresses in the applications of the membrane condenser in the treatment of various gaseous streams for water recovery and contaminant control. After an overview of the operating principle, the membranes used, and the main results achieved, the work also proposes the role of this technology as pre-treatment stage to other separation technologies. The potentialities of the technology are also discussed aspiring to pave the way towards the development of an innovative technology where membrane condenser can cover a key role in redesigning the whole upgrading process.
Marketing, congestion, and demarketing in Utah’s National Parks:

Utah’s Mighty 5 ad campaign was designed to attract out-of-state visitors to southern Utah’s five National Parks (NPs). Using the synthetic control method, we find the campaign to have contributed ...
Voice Biometric Identity Authentication Model for IoT Devices

Behavioral bio-metric authentication is considered as a promising approach to securing the internet of things (IoT) ecosystem. In this paper, we investigated the need and suitability of employing voice recognition systems in the user authentication of the IoT. Tools and techniques used in accomplishing voice recognition systems are reviewed, and their appropriateness to the IoT environment are discussed. In the end, a voice recognition system is proposed for IoT ecosystem user authentication. The proposed system has two phases. The first being the enrollment phase consisting of a pre-processing step where the noise is removed from the voice for the enrollment process, the feature extraction step where feature traits are extracted from user’s voice, and the model training step where the voice model is trained for the IoT user. And the second being the phase verifies whether the identity claimer is the owner of the IoT device. Based on the resources limitedness of the IoT technologies, the suitability of text-dependent voice recognition systems is promoted. Likewise, the use of MFCC features is considered in the proposed system.
In Vitro Synthesis of Proteins by Membrane-Bound Polyribosomes from Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Infected HeLa Cells

Abstract Membrane-bound polysomes from vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-infected HeLa cells synthesize predominantly three proteins in an in vitro protein synthesizing system. These three proteins have different molecular weights than the viral structural proteins, i.e., 115,000, 88,000, and 72,000. Addition of preincubated L or HeLa cell S10 or HeLa cell crude initiation factors stimulates amino acid incorporation and, furthermore, alters the pattern of proteins synthesized. Stimulated membrane-bound polysomes synthesize predominantly viral protein G and lesser amounts of N, NS, and M. In vitro synthesized proteins G and N are very similar to virion proteins G and N based on analysis of tryptic methionine-labeled peptides. Most methionine-labeled tryptic peptides of virion G protein contain no carbohydrate moieties, since about 90% of sugar-labeled peptides co-chromatograph with only about 10% of methionine-labeled peptides. Sucrose gradient analysis of the labeled RNA present in VSV-infected membrane-bound polysomes reveals a relative enrichment in a class of viral RNA sedimenting slightly faster than the total population of the 13 to 15S mRNA, as compared to a VSV-infected crude cytoplasmic extract. A number of proteins, other than the viral structural proteins, are synthesized in the cytoplasm of five lines of VSV-infected cells. One of these proteins has the same molecular weight as the major in vitro synthesized protein, P88. In vitro synthesized protein P88 does not appear to be a precursor of viral structural proteins G, N, or M based on pulse-chase experiments and tryptic peptide mapping. Nonstimulated membrane-bound polysomes from uninfected HeLa cells synthesize the same size distribution of proteins as nonstimulated VSV-infected membrane-bound polysomes.
Specificity within the ets family of transcription factors.

Publisher Summary The discovery of ets proteins as transcription factors provided a framework for understanding the oncogenic potential of ets genes. Ets proteins became a model system to study the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional control, including how transcription factors bind DNA, modulate promoter activity, and respond to signaling input. The current knowledge of the ets proteins is discussed within the framework of this critical issue. The chapter illustrates the specificity problem and presents possible solutions to the specificity problem. The high degree of sequence conservation among ets family members is presented in the form of a phylogenetic tree. The ETS domain identifies all ets proteins as sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins. The chapter illustrates the biological specificity of the ets proteins by reviewing the genetic analysis of ets genes in both vertebrate and invertebrate systems. Families of transcription factors are often defined by the sequence conservation of their DNA-binding domains. The chapter discusses functional domains involved in protein–protein interactions and transcriptional activation or repression. The divergence of these regions provides for gene-specific regulation. The distinctive responses of ets proteins to signal transduction pathways are discussed. The chapter illustrates how auto-inhibitory sequences also contribute to specificity.
LEMUR: Legged Excursion Mechanical Utility Rover

Although future orbital facilities will have immense scale, details will require intricate operations in restrictive, confined quarters. LEMUR is a small, agile and capable six-legged walking robot that has been built at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to perform dexterous small-scale assembly, inspection and maintenance. It is intended to expand the operational envelope of robots in its size class (sub-5 kg) through the flexible use of its limbs and effectors, as well as through the modular changeout of those effectors. In short, LEMUR is intended as a robotic instantiation of a six-limbed primate with Swiss Army knife tendencies. LEMUR's layout consists of six independently operated limbs arranged in two rows of three. The front two limbs have four active degrees of freedom while the rear four limbs have three each. Each limb is reconfigurable to allow the integration of a variety of mechanical tools.
Comparison of natural populations of Mycosphaerella graminicola from single fields in Kansas and California.

Kansas and California wheat-growing regions differ dramatically in soils, climate, wheat cultivars, crop rotation patterns, and cultural practices, which could select for different fungal populations of Mycosphaerella graminicola. Our objective in this study was to use amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) loci to assess the genetic diversity of M. graminicola populations within single fields in two widely separated, and geographically isolated sites in Kansas and California. Three primer-pair combinations were used to resolve polymorphism at 177 loci in 67 and 63 isolates from Kansas and California, respectively. Genotypic variability was high, which is consistent with a genetically diverse initial inoculum. There was no evidence of genetic disequilibrium in either population, with only 4.6% of the locus pairs in Kansas, and 5.4% of the locus pairs in California in detectable disequilibrium. The migration rate calculated between the two sites was as low as 1.8 individuals per generation, and significant differences in allele frequencies were observed. Therefore, these two populations do not represent mere subsamples of a larger, randomly mating population. This is a rare report of isolation by distance occurring between two North American populations of M. graminicola, indicating that at least some of these populations may be differentiating. Although genetic isolation by distance may occur, we cannot exclude movement of new gene combinations such as fungicide resistance or virulence between these two locations.
Interlibrary Loan and Resource Sharing: The Economics of the SUNY Express Consortium

This article present an economic analysis of the SUNY Express consortium and the potential savings from consortium delivery of scholarly articles and joint collection development. An economic model of consortium collection development is presented. Data on the cost of interlibrary loan, journal prices, andjournal use are provided to determine the potential savings of the SUNY Express consortium. While considerable savings are possible using consortium delivery of scholarly journal articles, savings from joint collection development are small.
A Historical Journey Through the Development of Handwriting Instruction (Part 1): The Historical Foundation

Written communication, also known as handwriting, has served multiple functions since its approximated inception in the fourth millennium BC. The purpose of this article is to explore the role of handwriting within the culture and methods of instruction implemented historically. A progression from ancient writing through the practices in the 1960s will be identified. This study will prepare the foundation for the introduction of occupational therapists into the evaluation and treatment of handwriting skill deficits which became apparent in the 1970s.
Infection with HIV-1

Infection with HIV-1 leading to AIDS has been the greatest biomedical challenge of this century. In December 1997 the World Health Organisation estimated that 11.7 million people had died, more than 30 million were still infected, and 16 000 new infections were occurring each day. Of the 30 million people infected, 27 million are thought to be unaware of their infection. The disease has been especially devastating because of its concentration in young adults, which affects social stability from the level of individual families to national economies. Improved understanding of HIV-1 biology and its treatment have set the stage for a variety of new scientific initiatives to combat the epidemic.1–8 New drug combinations that include protease inhibitors have led to prolonged survival, and a better definition of HIV-1 pathogenesis. Highly active antiretroviral therapy has provided hope that AIDS may one day be conquered, but its high cost has raised new issues, particularly that of equity, with the burden of the epidemic shifting into poorer populations. Scientists, healthcare workers, public health officials, and politicians need to acknowledge that the epidemic is a global problem and that mechanisms for combatting the disease should supersede nationalistic interests. This article explores three fundamental aspects of HIV-1 biology that will be the focus of intensive research over the next few years and, ultimately, have direct bearing on clinical practice and public health approaches to HIV infection. In most cases of infection HIV-1 is transmitted across a mucosal barrier. The first cells to be infected are thought to be those of the monocyte lineage, particularly dendritic cells.9–11 In macaque models of mucosal infection with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) the virus can be found in regional lymph nodes within 36 hours and in systemic lymph nodes within four to five days. …
The Influence of the CAS Standards on Academic Advisors and Advising Programs

Research on the influence of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) on academic advising is limited. Using a comparative case study method, I respond to this research gap by exploring how the standards influence practices of academic advising programs. Study results indicate that participating advisors knew little about the standards, practices were naturally aligned with the standards through the services provided, and the standards influenced programs when intentionally implemented. The findings of the study have implications for academic advisors, advising administrators, and CAS.
Price Effects of Landfills on Residential Land Values

There is debate over whether, and the extent to which, landfills affect the value of residential land. There is further debate over whether the adverse effects of landfill proximity on land values continue after a landfill closes. This paper is based on the largest number of vacant residential land sales ever evaluated to address the proximity of landfill to residential land values. Based on sales of more than 500 vacant residential tracts of land within 5.64 km of three landfills in the Minneapolis‐St. Paul, Minn, urban region, the writers found that land values rise with respect to distance away from landfills. The price effects are found even after landfills have closed. The writers conclude that landfills impose negative price effects on vacant residential land, but these effects vary with respect to the operational state of landfills. The writers offer implications for landfill operations and location.
The effect of reward on compliance with breast self-examination.

Based on a behavioral analysis of compliance with breast self-examination (BSE), this study replicates a previously successful stimulus control intervention and tests the effectiveness of two types of reward for increasing compliance: external reward and self-reward. Patient volunteers (N=153) were randomly assigned to experimental conditions and followed for 1 year, equally divided into experimental and postexperimental periods. Compliance was measured by the monthly return of BSE records, with self-reports used as a secondary measure. The results indicate that external reward was most effective; self-reward was used by only half the participants but was effective when used. In the postexperimental period, all rates of record return declined, especially in the external reward group. A cycle-by-cycle analysis indicates that the decline was gradual except for a sharp drop when the external reward was withdrawn. The results are discussed in terms of the acceptability of both interventions and contingencies.
Design and implementation of a novel portable atomic layer deposition/chemical vapor deposition hybrid reactor.

We report the development of a novel portable atomic layer deposition chemical vapor deposition (ALD/CVD) hybrid reactor setup. Unique feature of this reactor is the use of ALD/CVD mode in a single portable deposition system to fabricate multi-layer thin films over a broad range from “bulk-like” multi-micrometer to nanometer atomic dimensions. The precursor delivery system and control-architecture are designed so that continuous reactant flows for CVD and cyclic pulsating flows for ALD mode are facilitated. A custom-written LabVIEW program controls the valve sequencing to allow synthesis of different kinds of film structures under either ALD or CVD mode or both. The entire reactor setup weighs less than 40 lb and has a relatively small footprint of 8 × 9 in., making it compact and easy for transportation. The reactor is tested in the ALD mode with titanium oxide (TiO2) ALD using tetrakis(diethylamino)titanium and water vapor. The resulting growth rate of 0.04 nm/cycle and purity of the films are in good agreement with literature values. The ALD/CVD hybrid mode is demonstrated with ALD of TiO2 and CVD of tin oxide (SnOx). Transmission electron microscopy images of the resulting films confirm the formation of successive distinct TiO2-ALD and SnOx-CVD layers.
Effects of UV‐B on flavonoids, ferulic acid, growth and photosynthesis in barley primary leaves

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was grown with UV-B (280–320 nm) at levels simulating 25 nr 5% ozone depletion on the date of the summer solstice al 40°N latitude, with UV-A (320–400 nm), or with no supplemental irradiation. In plant growth chambers providing 300 μmol m−2 s−1 photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). UV-B-grown leaves elongated more slowly than controls but reached the same final length 1 day later. Leal specific fresh weight (mass leaf area−1) was significantly increased by UV-B after the 7th day of growth. IV-B did not significantly affect leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, total chlorophylls, total carotenoids or photosynthetic quantum efficiency. CO2 assimilation was decreased by UV-B only at internal CO2 levels above 250 μl l−1. By the 8th day of growth, UV-B increased flavonoid (saponarin and lutonarin) accumulation in both the lower epidermis and the mesophyll: about 40% of the saponarin and 20% of the lutonarin were in the lower epidermis under all experimental conditions. Glasshouse conditions proved too variable for reproducible determination of growth and photosynthesis but were reliable for determining developmental changes in flavonoid (saponarin and lutonarin) accumulation and provided up to 800 μmol m−2 s−1 PAR. In the glasshouse UV-B-grown leaves had more flavonoids than controls al all stages from 5 to 30 days after planting: ca 509 more saponarin and 100% more lutonarin. Levels of soluble (vacuolar) ferulic acid esters were similar under all conditions on day 5. and on day 20 or later, but were significantly higher in UV-B-grown plants on days 10 and 15. UV-B decreased insoluble (cell-wall-bound) ferulic acid esters on a whole leaf basis but significantly increased this fraction in the lower epidermis. UV-A had no significant effects on growth, photosynthesis or ferulic acid, but it slightly increased flavonoid accumulation. The results are discussed in terms of secondary phenolics as a tissue-specific, developmentally regulated adaptive response to UV-B.
Achievement, Parental Support and Gender Differences in Attitudes Toward Mathematics

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of attitudes toward mathematics with mathematics achievement, parental support, and gender. A secondary analysis was conducted using nationally representative samples of 13-year-old students in the United States (n = 3,846) and Thailand (n = 3,528), which were collected as a part of the Second International Mathematics Study (Garden, 1987). A multivariate general linear model was used to analyze the data within each country. Four attitude scales (Mathematics and Myself, Mathematics and Society, Mathematics as a Male Domain, and Mathematics Anxiety) were used as the criterion variables. Mathematics achievement, parental support, and gender were used as the predictor variables. In both countries, achievement, parental support, and gender were significant predictors of attitudes toward mathematics. The data suggest that there are gender differences in attitudes toward mathematics for 13-year-olds in the United States and Thailand. The lar...
Selective decontamination: no oracle needed.

We read with interest the study by Cuthbertson and colleagues [1] in a recent issue of Critical Care, and we appreciate their attempts to support studies regarding selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD). However, we have some concerns. The argument supporting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) for the evaluation of SDD is ambiguous. The Delphi method embraces ‘quasi-anonymity’, in which the researcher is aware of the responses of the participants [2]. The selection of experts is prone to bias, as participants were chosen on the basis of their inclusion among a particular group. Moreover, participants’ perception of SDD via a self-rated questionnaire is often misleading. Capacity to accurately reflect upon self-knowledge may be skewed, as we inflate the scope of our experience and understanding. The validity of a consensus is dubious, as dissidents are encouraged to alter their responses so as to better comport with the majority [2]. Knowing the time frame between rounds would be useful for readers. Using the Delphi technique and examining barriers to implementation may be novel, but the need for further evidence of effectiveness of SDD is not the limiting factor to widespread application. Given the 36 RCTs referenced, which consistently support its use, the benefits of SDD are proven, but rather the hindrance appears to be the lack of public attention or the concern for antibiotic resistance [3]. The digestive tract is particularly fragile in critically ill patients, and antibiotics have been shown to destabilize the gut microbiome, and this may increase developing resistance [4]. Notwithstanding these remarks, the authors highlight a promising intervention. Antibiotic resistance is an ongoing concern and should serve to prompt future studies.
Bedside and Radiologic Procedures in the Critically Ill Obese Patient

Performance of procedures upon the obese critically ill patient in the ICU or in the radiology suite, require certain considerations. Additional staff, equipment and proper ergonomics are often necessary to perform these procedures safely for both patient and staff.
Cellular automata models of granular flow.

Simple experiments demonstrate the importance of particle irregularity on the flow of granular materials. We introduce cellular automata to model these flows with rules that are derived from experiments. Automata that model nonspherical particles can reproduce a number of important features of the physical flows, including alignment of the particles, the formation of a complex channel region, the formation of defects in the body of the material, and the overall shape of the upper free surface of the material.
Amplitude and timing of somatosensory cortex activity in task-specific focal hand dystonia.

Objective Task-specific focal hand dystonia (tspFHD) is a movement disorder diagnosed in individuals performing repetitive hand behaviors. The extent to which processing anomalies in primary sensory cortex extend to other regions or across the two hemispheres is presently unclear.
Cleaning of Fabric Filters

The effectiveness of filter bag cleaning can become a critical factor during filtration at high velocities, since as velocity increases, dust removal becomes more difficult. Indeed, the efficiency of cleaning places practical limits on the gas flow rate. Mea surements of pressure drop and penetration for several filter bags at higher-than-normal face velocities indicate that with cleaning methods involving mechnical impact (e.g., pulse-jet or reverse air with shaking), there is a trade-off between excessive pressure drop at low impact energies and excessive penetration at high energies. It would seem, then, that improvements should come from better directed application of cleaning energy to stressing the bond between fabric and dust cake. Two novel substitutes for shaking during reverse air cleaning were tried: the application of an electric field to the filter, and shearing the bag fabric by twisting the bag support. The first was not effective, but even at a modest level of strain, bag shearing was equi...
An experimental evaluation of graphite nanoplatelet based lubricant in micro-milling

Micro-milling is characterized by significant frictional interaction between the tool and workpiece, leading to relatively short tool life. This paper evaluates a graphite nanoplatelet based cutting fluid specifically developed to reduce friction and associated heat generation at the tool-workpiece interfaces in micro-milling. The results of micro-slot milling experiments on H13 tool steel (50 HRc) with and without graphite lubrication are presented. In particular, cutting forces, slot depth, and surface finish obtained under different lubrication conditions are compared and discussed. Possible explanations for the experimental observations are given.
Genes required for extracellular secretion of enterotoxin are clustered in Vibrio cholerae

Abstract Pleiotropic transposon insertion mutants of Vibrio cholerae that are unable to secrete enterotoxin, HA/protease and chitinase through the outer membrane have been isolated. The gene, epsM, responsible for complementation of two of the Tn5 insertion mutations was sequenced. It encodes a putative cytoplasmic membrane protein of 18.5 kDa that exhibits similarity to proteins required for extracellular secretion of pullulanase, pectate lyase or elastase in other Gram− bacteria. It is present on a 15-kb DNA fragment from the V. cholerae genome, containing the epsE gene that was previously shown to be required for secretion of cholera toxin [Sandkvist et al., Gene 123 (1993) 81–86]. Partial reading frames flanking epsM also demonstrated similarity to genes required for extracellular secretion of pullulanase in Klebsiella oxytoca.
Metabolic engineering challenges in the post-genomic era

Abstract Metabolic engineering is a young field, just over ten-years old. During this period, it has developed a well-defined methodology and a focused research portfolio of rich intellectual content and particular relevance to biotechnology and biological engineering. New and diverse opportunities for metabolic engineering emerge quickly in this genomic era. Although the focus (e.g. improving cells) and central components (e.g. assessing cell physiology) of metabolic engineering remain the same, new tools are required to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the availability of whole-genome sequence information. Cellular phenotype is a manifestation of gene expression levels, metabolic demand, resource availability, and cellular stresses. Above all, metabolic function is constrained by the stoichiometry and individual reaction kinetics of the reaction network. To understand the behavior of these systems, the well-established framework of reaction engineering must be complemented with new experimental methods specifically designed for the elucidation of metabolic pathways and bioreaction networks. Most of all, a combination of rational and combinatorial approaches is required to effectively sample and map as much of the metabolic space as possible. The above framework along with important tools of metabolic engineering will be reviewed in this article. We will then show their application to case studies of industrial and medical interest while emphasizing the strong influence and links of metabolic engineering to chemical reaction engineering.
Human high density lipoproteins are platforms for the assembly of multi-component innate immune complexes

Human innate immunity to non-pathogenic species of African trypanosomes is provided by human high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. Here we show that native human HDLs containing haptoglobin-related protein (Hpr), apolipoprotein L-I (apoL-I) and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) are the principle antimicrobial molecules providing protection from trypanosome infection. Other HDL subclasses containing either apoA-I and apoL-I or apoA-I and Hpr have reduced trypanolytic activity, whereas HDL subclasses lacking apoL-I and Hpr are non-toxic to trypanosomes. Highly purified, lipid-free Hpr and apoL-I were both toxic to Trypanosoma brucei brucei but with specific activities at least 500-fold less than those of native HDLs, suggesting that association of these apolipoproteins within the HDL particle was necessary for optimal cytotoxicity. These studies show that HDLs can serve as platforms for the assembly of multiple synergistic proteins and that these assemblies may play a critical role in the evolution of primate-specific innate immunity to trypanosome infection.
A replica method for the examination of large specimens in the scanning electron microscope

SUMMARY A simple replica technique has been used to examine larger than normal size specimens in the scanning electron microscope. Examples of the application of the method to the examination of a steel fracture surface are given, together with a discussion of the limitations of the method.
Corrective element for high resolution magnetic optics

Abstract A new type of multipole magnet which superimposes Gaussian-like profiles as basis functions to give any desired field integral, or combination of multipoles, is presented. Two large-aperture magnets based on this design were constructed and mapped. Each is capable of fitting to better than 1% the field integral ∫ Bydz = Σaixi, where i goes from 0 to 10, ai are adjustable parameters, and x is the transverse distance from the optic axis. Also, fine structure in line integrals with widths comparable to the multipole gap, which cannot be fit with a tenth order polynomial, can also be produced. Such magnets are ideal as adjustable primary or corrective elements in precision magnetic-optics systems.
A Role for GCAP2 in Regulating the Photoresponse GUANYLYL CYCLASE ACTIVATION AND ROD ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY IN GUCA1B KNOCK-OUT MICE

Cyclic GMP serves as the second messenger in visual transduction, linking photon absorption by rhodopsin to the activity of ion channels. Synthesis of cGMP in photoreceptors is supported by a pair of retina-specific guanylyl cyclases, retGC1 and -2. Two neuronal calcium sensors, GCAP1 and GCAP2, confer Ca(2+) sensitivity to guanylyl cyclase activity, but the importance and the contribution of each GCAP is controversial. To explore this issue, the gene GUCA1B, coding for GCAP2, was disrupted in mice, and the capacity for knock-out rods to regulate retGC and generate photoresponses was tested. The knock-out did not compromise rod viability or alter outer segment ultrastructure. Levels of retGC1, retGC2, and GCAP-1 expression did not undergo compensatory changes, but the absence of GCAP2 affected guanylyl cyclase activity in two ways; (a) the maximal rate of cGMP synthesis at low [Ca(2+)] dropped 2-fold and (b) the half-maximal rate of cGMP synthesis was attained at a higher than normal [Ca(2+)]. The addition of an antibody raised against mouse GCAP2 produced similar effects on the guanylyl cyclase activity in wild type retinas. Flash responses of GCAP2 knock-out rods recovered more slowly than normal. Knock-out rods became more sensitive to flashes and to steps of illumination but tended to saturate at lower intensities, as compared with wild type rods. Therefore, GCAP2 regulation of guanylyl cyclase activity quickens the recovery of flash and step responses and adjusts the operating range of rods to higher intensities of ambient illumination.
The application of core functions to residue number systems

A theory of core functions is presented, and the application of this theory to the difficult residue number system (RNS) operations is described. Potential applications for special-purpose core-based RNS processors include adaptive array processing, Kalman filtering, fast-Fourier transforms, and image processing. The theoretical developments are motivated by the assumption that look-up tables are available with some limit on the number of addresses per table. The tables are used to implement both the modular and nonmodular operations. The restriction on the number of addresses per table, in turn, places a restriction on the largest permissible modulus, because the tables used to implement the modular operations will be addressed by a pair of residues. The contents of each look-up table may be precomputed by any method, as long as the limit on address space is respected and the number of bits per address is reasonable. >
Methodology for worker neutron exposure evaluation in the PDCF facility design.

A project headed by Washington Group International is meant to design the Pit Disassembly and Conversion Facility (PDCF) to convert the plutonium pits from excessed nuclear weapons into plutonium oxide for ultimate disposition. Battelle staff are performing the shielding calculations that will determine appropriate shielding so that the facility workers will not exceed target exposure levels. The target exposure levels for workers in the facility are 5 mSv y?1 for the whole body and 100 mSv y?1 for the extremity, which presents a significant challenge to the designers of a facility that will process tons of radioactive material. The design effort depended on shielding calculations to determine appropriate thickness and composition for glove box walls, and concrete wall thicknesses for storage vaults. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) staff used ORIGEN-S and SOURCES to generate gamma and neutron source terms, and Monte Carlo (computer code for) neutron photon (transport) (MCNP-4C) to calculate the radiation transport in the facility. The shielding calculations were performed by a team of four scientists, so it was necessary to develop a consistent methodology. There was also a requirement for the study to be cost-effective, so efficient methods of evaluation were required. The calculations were subject tomore » rigorous scrutiny by internal and external reviewers, so acceptability was a major feature of the methodology. Some of the issues addressed in the development of the methodology included selecting appropriate dose factors, developing a method for handling extremity doses, adopting an efficient method for evaluating effective dose equivalent in a non-uniform radiation field, modeling the reinforcing steel in concrete, and modularizing the geometry descriptions for efficiency. The relative importance of the neutron dose equivalent compared with the gamma dose equivalent varied substantially depending on the specific shielding conditions and lessons were learned from this effect. This paper addresses these issues and the resulting methodology.« less
Effects of Case Management on Parolee Misconduct: The Bay Area Services Network

The Bay Area Services Network (BASN) provides case management, drug abuse treatment, and links to other health/social services for drug-involved parolees in the San Francisco Bay Area. In a quasi-experimental evaluation, the authors found no difference between BASN and comparison parolees in treatment duration, access to health/social services, drug use days, or criminal recidivism. However, mean scores for dose of case management (number of contacts with case manager) and treatment duration were low among BASN parolees overall. In analyses using BASN parolees only, the authors found those with a stronger case management dose reported fewer drug use days and property offenses. These findings persisted when self-reported abstinence motivation was controlled for as a proxy for self-selection. The effect of case management dose on drug use days was mediated by treatment duration. BASN case management may have had favorable effects on recidivism and drug use when delivered in a sufficient dose.
The challenge of corruption in higher education: the case of Vietnam

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine corruption in Vietnam's higher education system and offer a number of suggestions to address the issue.Design/methodology/approach – The first section gives an introduction to the current higher education system in Vietnam and examines the factors that influence corruption in higher education. This is followed by a conceptual model of corruption of higher education and places Vietnam within this theoretical context. The final section suggests a number of policies to address the issue of corruption.Findings – It is argued that if Vietnam is to obtain an international standard educational system, a sea change in both thinking and culture is necessary, particularly from “gatekeeper” entities which control resources and opportunities in higher education by virtue of their location in the higher education system. In particular, the author contends that focus must be placed on reforming the attitude and perception of faculty and administration toward corrupt pra...
Glucose oxidase effects on gluten and water solubles

ABSTRACT Hydrogen peroxide was responsible for the improving the effect of glucose oxidase in breadmaking. The mechanism by which H2O2 has its effect is not known. The objective of this study was to determine whether the H2O2 produced by glucose oxidase affected the gluten proteins or the water-soluble fraction of flour. Glucose oxidase had no effect on gluten protein as measured by protein solubility or the relative viscosity of soluble protein (solubilized using 1.5% w/v SDS). However, glucose oxidase did affect the water-soluble fraction. The sulfhydryl content of the water-soluble fraction extracted from flour or dough decreased in the presence of glucose oxidase. Glucose oxidase also caused oxidative gelation of the water-soluble fraction extracted from flour. However, the viscosity of the water-soluble fraction extracted from fermented doughs containing glucose oxidase decreased when higher levels of glucose oxidase were used (≥5.0 units of glucose oxidase). Glucose oxidase appeared to have the same...
Solution Properties of Graphite and Graphene

Covalent derivatization of the acidic functional groups in oxidized graphite with octadecylamine renders graphite soluble in common organic solvents. Atomic force microscopic characterization of the soluble species supports the idea that the solutions consist of single and few layer graphene sheets, and we report the first solution properties of graphite.
Marking the future: a review of time horizons

Abstract This paper examines the variety of time horizons used by futures researchers. It summarizes responses from a survey that asked future researches (1) how far ahead they think about the future, (2) why they choose their time intervals, and (3) the importance of being clear about time intervals for the future. Findings reveal that time horizons differ and are generally shaped by the nature of each futures researcher's work. The paper concludes with a brief discussion on the use of time horizons and importance of futures research.
Sulfur Speciation in Different Kerogens by XANES Spectroscopy

X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) methodology has been employed to quantify the different sulfur structures present in three Type I and three Type II kerogens. Kerogens from the Green River (3), Bakken (1), Woodford (1), and Indiana limestone (1) formations were studied. Both aliphatic (sulfide) and aromatic (thiophene) forms of sulfur exist in all these kerogen samples. Except for Woodford, all of the kerogens contain oxidized functional groups. Sulfur in Types I and II kerogens mimics the carbon chemistry in that the sulfur structures are more aromatic in Type II than in Type I. It was impossible to differentiate elemental sulfur from pyrite in these samples by using K-edge XANES.
Problem drinking in delinquent and nondelinquent adolescent males.

Clinical evidence suggests that problem drinking among adolescent delinquents is more severe than among nondelinquents and is accompanied by greater social pathology. This investigation explored this question empirically by comparing samples of delinquent (n = 49) and nondelinquent (n = 100) adolescent male drinkers matched on age and race and controlling for community size and region of the country. Criteria for problem drinking and other measures duplicated those developed for a national probability survey of teenaged drinking practices conducted in the United States during 1974–1975. Results replicated the often-reported higher incidence of problem drinkers among delinquents than non-delinquents. More to the point, delinquent problem drinkers showed severer involvement with alcohol and drugs and more signs of social pathology than non-delinquent problem drinkers. Delinquent problem drinkers drank more, drank more frequently, reported more negative consequences from drinking in more areas, and perceived...
Prognosis as a determinant of free flap utilization for reconstruction of the lateral mandibular defect.

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with a poor prognosis for survival were more likely to undergo reconstruction with a pectoralis flap versus a free flap and whether the use of a pectoralis flap offered any perioperative advantage, such as a reduction in medical complications. Methods. Fifty-five consecutive patients who underwent immediate reconstruction after a lateral mandibulectomy were retrospectively reviewed. Results. Age ≥70 years (p = .03), moderate or severe comorbidity (p = .02), and involvement of the base of tongue by tumor (p = .04) were significantly associated with decreased utilization of a free flap (n = 36). Comorbidity was the main determinant of medical complications (p = .001) and length of hospital stay (p = .03). Conclusions. Expectations of prognosis bias the surgeon's decision regarding flap selection. Reconstruction with a pectoralis flap does not necessarily contribute toward the desired outcome of reduced medical complications. Any functional comparison between reconstructive groups needs to account for those differences in health status and prognosis that might explain any observed postoperative differences. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006
FREE SURFACE MIXING WITH HEAT TRANSFER

Abstract This study investigates the thermal mixing phenomenon as external rocking excitations are applied to a container partially filled with a thermally nonhomogeneous fluid. The aim of this work is to determine the effects of the rocking frequency on thermal mixing in free surface flows. Numerical results show that optimum mixing is achieved while rocking at the wave natural frequency of the tank where the free surface displacements are greatest. At this optimal frequency the strong mixing is observed to be highly concentrated in the area near the free surface.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and risk of coronary heart disease: from familial hyperlipidemia to genomics

Coronary heart disease (CHD) affects 17 million people in the United States and accounts for over a million hospital stays each year. Technological advances, especially in genetics and genomics, have changed our understanding of the risk factors for developing CHD. The purpose of this article is to review low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B (apo B), and risk of CHD. The article focuses on five topics: (1) a description of lipoprotein classes, normal lipoprotein metabolism, and the biological mechanism of atherosclerosis; (2) a review of selected epidemiologic and clinical trial studies examining the associations between elevated LDL-C and apo B with CHD; (3) a brief review of the familial forms of hyperlipidemia; (4) a description of variants in genes that have been associated with higher LDL-C levels in candidate gene studies and genome-wide association studies (GWAS); and (5) nursing implications, including a discussion on how genetic tests are evaluated and the current clinical utility and validity of genetic tests for CHD.
Electrochemistry–electrospray-mass spectrometry study of cesium uptake in nickel hexacyanoferrate films

Abstract The electrochemically-controlled uptake and release of Cs + by nickel hexacyanoferrate thin-film electrodes that were prepared with different counter cations (Li + , Na + , K + , Rb + , or Cs + ) were examined using a thin-layer flow cell coupled on-line with electrospray-mass spectrometry (ES-MS). A potential step technique was used to control the uptake and release of the cations by the films. Performance of the different films in terms of Cs + capacity, Cs + uptake selectivity versus the other alkali metal ions, film stability, and the effect of a saline matrix on Cs + uptake were examined. These results show that the electrochemistry–mass spectrometry (EC–MS) combination provides rapid, Cs + specific information concerning the films that is similar to or complementary to that information which might be obtained using conventional electrochemical approaches. Information that cannot be obtained electrochemically (e.g. isotopic distributions of metal ions accumulated and released) might also be gathered. Any number of electrode reactions involving ion uptake and release might be studied using this approach.
Os trigonum impingement in dancers

Sixteen patients underwent surgical excision of an impinging ossicle through a posterior lateral approach. Twelve of these patients (15 ankles) were available for followup and were retrospectively surveyed at an average of 28 months after surgery. There were 9 women and 3 men. Nine were professional ballet dancers and 3 were students of advanced ballet schools. Preoperative symptoms included pain localized to the posterior ankle, limitation of motion, weakness, swelling, or neurologic changes associated with dance activities. All patients were severely hampered in their dance participation and had failed nonsurgical therapies. Postoperatively, all patients followed an aggressive rehabilitation protocol. All had improvement in their impingement symptoms; eight (67%) still had occasional discomfort. All professional dancers returned to unrestricted dance activity. The mean time to full activity was 3 months. One patient had a superficial wound infection requiring antibiotic treatment and another suffered a transient tibial nerve neurapraxia. Both of these complications resolved without sequelae. We conclude that posterior ankle impingement in ballet dancers, caused by an os trigonum and resistant to nonsurgical therapies, is effectively treated with simple excision of the offending structure.
Editorial: A Matter of Citation

This PDF file contains the editorial “Editorial: A Matter of Citation” for OE Vol. 34 Issue 06
Isolation and Identification of 1-Ribosyl Pyridone Nucleosides from Human Urine

Abstract 1-Ribosylpyridin-4-one-3-carboxamide with lesser amounts of 1-ribosylpyridin-2-one-5-carboxamide have been isolated quantitatively from human urine using ion exchange column chromatography. Absorption spectra and mass spectrometry were used in the identification.