cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disparities in access to care among US adults with self-reported hypertension.

Background Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Access to care has been identified as a significant factor affecting hypertension treatment and control. We examined disparities in access to care among US adults with self-reported hypertension. Methods Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2011 data, we identified US adults with self-reported hypertension. Access to care was assessed based on responses to questions about health insurance, having an identified personal doctor, and cost barriers to visiting a doctor. We assessed access to care by geographic location (ie, US state) and selected sociodemographic characteristics. Results Overall, 159,947 eligible participants reported having hypertension. Among them, 19.1% had no health insurance, 18.1% had no personal doctor, and 23.6% could not visit a doctor because of cost. Among those with hypertension by state, age-standardized prevalence of no health insurance ranged from 6.3% in Hawaii to 28.1% in Texas. The prevalence of those without a personal doctor ranged from 9.2% in Massachusetts to 32.7% in Nevada, and the prevalence of cost barrier to visiting a doctor ranged from 10.8% in North Dakota to 35.1% in Tennessee. By sociodemographic characteristics, the prevalence with no health insurance was highest among those aged 18-44 years (25.9%), Hispanics (28.1%), those with less than a high school education (32.8%), and those with a household income of less than $25,000 (31.6%). Similar disparity patterns were noted for estimates of the other access-to-care variables. Conclusions Among US hypertensive adults, approximately 20% reported access-to-care challenges, with significant geographic and sociodemographic variations.
Regional growth changes in ozone-stressed ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA

Basal area growth trends were determined for ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA, to: (1) evaluate long term growth patterns, and (2) determine if there has been any recent change in the frequency of growth changes outside the expected range of natural variability. Ponderosa pine was sampled in 56 stands with the sample divided equally between sites with and without documentation of symptomatic ozone injury. Basal area increment growth was calculated, temporal growth patterns were evaluated for each tree using time series analysis techniques, and changes in growth trends were summarized for each site by decade. There were several regional growth trends during this century, including a large number of growth decreases in the 1920s and a large number of increases in the 1930s. Many trends were synchronous within stands but were less frequently synchronous between stands. There were significant growth reductions since 1950 in some stands in the southern Sierra. These growth...
Cervical fracture in ankylosing spondylitis : value of multidimensional imaging

Ankylosing spondylitis creates a rigid spinal column that cannot easily accommodate to altered or increased forces. Fractures or fracture-subluxation may be seen following apparently trivial injury. Assessment of the lower cervical and cervicothoracic spine can be limited in the kyphotic, ankylosed spine. However, reformatted computed tomography (CT) data can be manipulated to provide true orthogonal (sagittal, coronal) planar images of the obliqued spine, and can be used to provide a three-dimensional overview of anatomy prior to treatment. One such case is presented.
Investing in Ignorance

The task of navigating the information hierarchy is harder than we would like to think and involves more uncertainty than we care to admit.
Peri-operative Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) and Plasmapheresis for High-PRA Positive Lymphocyte Crossmatch Heart Transplant: A Strategy to Shorten Left Ventricular Assist Device Support

Patients on a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) often have a high level of panel-reactive antibodies (PRA). Conventional therapy is to await a heart from a negative prospective-crossmatch donor. We transplanted three high-PRA patients with non-crossmatched hearts, using intra- and post-operative plasmapheresis and long-term T-/B-/plasma-cell therapy with alemtuzumab. Three highly sensitized patients (70%, 94% and 96% T-PRA; 63%, 24% and 73% B-PRA) were transplanted after 29, 187 and 94 days LVAD support. The first patient (Case 1) had an erroneous prospective negative crossmatch (due to an outside laboratory's use of the wrong patient's serum) with immediate allograft dysfunction. The correct serum showed a strongly positive crossmatch; plasmapheresis followed by alemtuzumab (20 mg intravenously) shortly after arrival in the ICU resulted in rapid hemodynamic improvement. Encouraged by this success, the next two patients (Cases 2 and 3) underwent LVAD explant and heart transplant with the next available ABO-identical, non-crossmatched donors, using plasmapheresis on bypass immediately before heart implant and alemtuzumab 20 mg intravenously upon ICU arrival, with uneventful courses. All three patients had positive retrospective T- and B-cell crossmatches. Maintenance immunosuppression consisted of cyclosporine and routine prednisone taper, with plasmapheresis as needed (Patient 1, ×10; Patient 2, ×5) based on diastolic dysfunction. Mycophenolate mofetil was started as a third agent several months post-transplant. Patients are presently New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I at 26, 16 and 13 months post-transplant. In this small series with follow-up, immediate antibody removal with plasmapheresis, combined with alemtuzumab, a long-acting antibody to CD52 (expressed on T, B and some plasma cells), appears effective in allowing transplantation in sensitized, positive crossmatch recipients. Expanded use of this strategy could shorten LVAD support in many sensitized patients.
The role of oxygen pressure in nitrogen and carbon co-doped TiO2 thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition method

Abstract TiO2 absorbs mostly the UV part of the solar spectrum, which results in low efficiency of absorption for visible light applications. Using pulsed laser deposition technique, we introduce defect states in the band gap of TiO2 by co-doping with N and C under different oxygen pressures (4, 50 and 100 mTorr) to tune the band gap towards visible region. This process yields anatase–rutile mixed phase films. As control samples, we deposit undoped TiO2 films with the above mentioned oxygen pressures. Several characterization techniques are used to examine thin film properties such as X-ray diffraction for crystal structure, Raman spectroscopy for phase analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for electronic structure, scanning electron microscopy for planar and columnar morphology and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for photo absorption. While undoped TiO2 samples show only anatase phase, N and C co-doped TiO2 samples exhibit transition from rutile to anatase with increasing oxygen pressure. Oxygen pressure also affects the surface morphology and columnar structure of the films such that columnar structure is favored under oxygen-rich conditions. Finally, visible absorption around 550 nm was obtained.
A Scientific Releaser

“The aim of technology is not the triumph of matter, it is the triumph of man” (Louis Armand, Essays on Machines, Technology, and the Life of the Mind).Because the typical layman does not understand the scientific and technological accomplishments of our nation, a modern educational program must be created to bridge the gulf of misunderstanding between the scientist and the nonscientist. The underlying success of this creative program is founded on the effectiveness of technical communication.
Protein phosphorylation in the prothoracic glands as a cellular model for juvenile hormone-prothoracicotropic hormone interactions

Abstract Prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) is a brain peptide that initiates the molting process by acting directly at the cell membrane of the prothoracic glands to increase the intracellular levels of free Ca 2+ and cyclic AMP (cAMP). This, in turn, leads to enhanced cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity resulting in the phosphorylation of a specific protein (M r 34,000), and ultimately to a stimulation of ecdysone synthesis. When prothoracic glands are incubated in the presence of juvenile hormone (JH I) or (7 S ) hydroprene and then challenged with PTTH, the phosphorylation of the 34 kDa protein is decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The morphogenetically inactive methyl farnesoate is ineffective in preventing this downstream effect of PTTH. The JH effect does not appear to be stage specific, as early last larval, late last larval and pupal Manduca sexta prothoracic glands are similarly affected. The mechanism by which JH may prevent this PTTH-stimulated phosphorylation is discussed in terms of inhibition of phosphorylation via stimulation of an ATPase and stimulation of dephosphorylation by activation of a phosphoprotein phosphatase.
Stress resistance in long-lived mouse models

Cellular stress resistance has been observed in a variety of long-lived mouse systems. The Ames and Snell dwarf mice show altered hormonal profiles (low levels of growth hormone/IGF-1 and of other hormones). These altered hormonal profiles lead to physiological changes in cells, leading to increased resistance to multiple forms of stress including UV light, oxidative stress, heat, and the heavy metal cadmium. The cells also show resistance to carcinogen and senescence-like growth arrest induced by ambient oxygen. Thus, cellular stress resistance may confer resistance to various diseases associated with stress insults. Stress resistance has also been observed in various long-lived mice (hemizygous knockout of igf-1r, a mutation in p66(shc), and klotho overexpression) and in vitro CR (Carolie Restriction) system. Many of the long-lived mouse systems show reduction or inhibition of the insulin/IGF-1-FOXO pathway, thus suggesting that there may be an overlapping mechanism for increased life span. The insulin/IGF-1-FOXO pathway interlocks to several signal transduction pathways through AKT, FOXO, JNK, and other components. Taken together, stress resistance may be an essential function in cells that leads to increased longevity. I will summarize molecular basis of stress resistance and further discuss stress resistance in other systems.
Pharmacy access to emergency contraception: Perspectives of pharmacists at a chain pharmacy in San Francisco

Abstract Objective To assess pharmacists' perception of their role in dispensing emergency contraception (EC) in San Francisco. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Community chain pharmacies in San Francisco during summer 2002. Participants 76 Walgreens community pharmacists. Interventions Self-administered survey mailed to all pharmacists (n = 122) working in all Walgreens units (n = 49) in San Francisco. Main outcome measures Pharmacists' attitudes regarding EC provision. Variations in sociodemographic, training, and practice characteristics were tested using chi-square statistics for categorical variables and Student t test for continuous variables. Results 76 pharmacists (62%) responded to the survey (approximately 50% women and 74% Asian). Knowledge among the pharmacists was very high; most knew the timing of the first dose (95%), the adverse effect of nausea (99%), the effectiveness compared with oral hormonal contraception (92%), that EC offers no protection from sexually transmitted infections (99%), differences from medical abortion (100%), and that EC does not increase the risk of birth defects (100%). Most pharmacists (91%) reported that participation in a direct pharmacy-access program would make them feel more important in their pregnancy prevention role, and nearly all (99%) supported pharmacy-access legislation for EC. Knowledge and attitudes did not differ by highest degree earned, position, age, or sex. Conclusion An assessment of pharmacist experiences in the San Francisco area showed high capability and support for an enhanced professional role regarding EC.
Activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase is critical for erythropoietin-induced mobilization of progenitor cells.

Abstract The present study aimed to define the ability of erythropoietin (EPO) to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells (c-kit + /sca-1 + /lin-1 − ; KSL-cells) and hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD34 + cells), including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 expressing hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD34 + /Flk-1 + cells). We also sought to determine the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in EPO-induced mobilization. Wild type (WT) and eNOS −/− mice were injected bi-weekly with recombinant erythropoietin (EPO, 1000 U/kg, s.c.) for 14 days. EPO increased the number of KSL, CD34 + , CD34 + /Flk-1 + cells in circulating blood of wild type mice. These effects of EPO were abolished in eNOS −/− mice. Our results demonstrate that, EPO stimulates mobilization of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. This effect of EPO is critically dependent on activation of eNOS.
Effects of interaction between circulating or oscillating droplets on drop formation, free fall, and mass transfer

The effects of interaction between circulating or oscillating droplets on drop formation, terminal velocity, and the continuous phase mass transfer coefficient during free fall were studied. To examine the mass transfer coefficient during free fall both end effects were eliminated by subtracting the mass transferred in a short column from that transferred in a long column. A correlation for the prediction of drop volume based on the equations of Scheele and Meister (1968) for non-jetting drops, and of Meister and Scheele (1969a, 1969b) for drops formed under jetting conditions, has been developed. The terminal velocity of the drops was enhanced by vertical interaction with adjacent drops at values of L/dp < 5. The continuous phase mass transfer coefficient for circulating drops was reduced due to vertical interaction at L/dp < 10; however, for slightly oscillating drops it was not affected by vertical interaction over the range of 1.5 < L/dp < 20. By conducting experiments with single and triple nozzle arrangements, horizontal interaction effects were found to be negligible for both systems. On a etudie les effets de l'interaction de gouttelettes circulantes ou oscillantes sur la formation de gouttes, la vitesse limite et le coefficient de transfert de masse en phase continue en chute libre. Pour examiner le coefficient de transfert de masse en une chute libre, on a elimine les deux effets de bouts en soustrayant la masse transferee dans une colonne courte de celle transferee dans une colonne longue. On a mis au point une correlation pour predire le volume des gouttes, basee sur les equations de Scheele et Meister 1966 pour les gouttes non-ejectees, et sur les equations de Meister et Scheele 1969a, 1969b pour gouttes formees dans les jets. La vitesse terminale des gouttes est augmentee par une interaction verticale avec les gouttes adjacentes pour des valeurs de L/dp < 5. Le coefficient de transfert de masse en phase continue pour les gouttes circulantes est diminue par l'interaction verticale, lorsque L/dp < 10; toutefois, dans le cas des gouttes legerement oscillantes, ce coefficient n'est pas affecte par l'interaction verticale dans la gamme de 1,5 < L/dp < 20. En faisant des experiences avec des arrangements de gicleurs simples et triples, on a constate que les effets de l'interaction horizontale etaient negligeables pour les deux systemes.
Site-specific prediction for energy simulation by integrating computational fluid dynamics

Currently, energy simulations (ES) utilize various outdoor variables such as outside surface, ground surface, sky, and air temperature, using coefficients or simplified equations. These variablesuse empirical correlations that are sometimes insufficient in certain location. Variables such as air temperature at the base of the layer are informed from weather data that may not accurately represent the physical microclimate of the site, and may therefore reduce the accuracy of simulation results. This research investigates utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with Monte Carlo stochastic model to predict site specific temperature parameters for energy simulation. This will allow more realistic and robust energy simulation results for specific site conditions.
Changes in hypoxia tolerance during metamorphosis of bonefish leptocephali

Survival times of metamorphosing leptocephali of the bonefish Albula sp. placed in hypoxic sea water (0·68 mg O2 l-1) decreased by about three-fold (from c. 15 to 5 min) over the 10 day metamorphic period. Increased sensitivity to hypoxia coincided with increased larval oxygen demand during metamorphosis. Plots of hypoxic survival time against standard length or wet mass suggested that metamorphosis (phase II of larval development) could be divided into subphases (IIa and IIb). American Public Health Association.
Minimum structural requirements for peptide presentation by major histocompatibility complex class II molecules : implications in induction of autoimmunity

The precise mechanisms of failure of immunological tolerance to self proteins are not known. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) susceptibility alleles, the target peptides, and T cells with anti-self reactivity must be present to cause autoimmune diseases. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a murine model of a human autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis. In EAE, residues 1-11 of myelin basic protein (MBP) are the dominant disease-inducing determinants in PL/J and (PL/J x SJL/J)F1 mice. Here we report that a six-residue peptide (five of them native) of MBP can induce EAE. Using peptide analogues of the MBP-(1-11) peptide, we demonstrate that only four native MBP residues are required to stimulate MBP-specific T cells. Therefore, this study demonstrates lower minimum structural requirements for effective antigen presentation by MHC class II molecules. Many viral and bacterial proteins share short runs of amino acid similarity with host self proteins, a phenomenon known as molecular mimicry. Since a six-residue peptide can sensitize MBP-specific T cells to cause EAE, these results define a minimum sequence identity for molecular mimicry in autoimmunity.
Loudness matching of signals spectrally shaped by a simulated hearing aid.

A hearing aid with multiple frequency responses was simulated by programming an equalizer to produce spectral tilt factors of -6, 0, and +6 dB/octave over the frequency range from 0.25 kHz to 4 kHz...
The Impact of Retirement on Smoking Behavior

We use data from the Health and Retirement Study to examine the relationship between retirement and smoking decisions. Retirement might affect smoking behavior through a change in the opportunity cost of time, job-related factors or income. To estimate the causal effect of retirement on smoking habits, we exploit eligibility for Social Security benefits at age 62 to account for the endogeneity of retirement. We find suggestive evidence that retirement increases the probability of smoking among ever smokers, but this effect is sensitive to the econometric specification used. We also find evidence of heterogeneity in the impact of retirement.
What Can I Do With a Doctoral Degree in Gerontology? Expanding Your Options

An endless number of career trajectories are possible for gerontologists. With a growing aging population, our skills and areas of expertise are of high value to numerous industries. The purpose of this study is to describe the professional development and career trajectories of alumni of U.S. doctoral gerontology programs obtained through the Gerontology Education Longitudinal Study (GELS). Specifically, the authors examine how professional identification, doctoral program career preparation, and perception of job prospects affect alumni decisions to pursue "traditional" (i.e., academic) versus "nontraditional" (i.e., non-academic) careers. Results from the GELS revealed a fairly even split in the alumni sample of careers in traditional and nontraditional settings. The decision to pursue a traditional versus nontraditional career was not significantly associated with personal identification, doctoral program career preparation, or perception of employment options. These results suggest that the skill set obtained in doctoral gerontology programs is useful and is in demand in a variety of careers; therefore, doctoral programs may want to consider tailoring training to meet students' future career goals in both academic and non-academic settings.
Advances in the understanding of biology and prognosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has a heterogeneous clinical course and outcome. Recent advances in the diagnosis and molecular characterization of CLL permit improved prediction of disease prognosis, which could result in better management. We review the biology and diagnosis of CLL and the role of analysis of immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region mutation status, molecular cytogenetics (interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization), and the expression of CD38 and ZAP-70 in the evaluation and management of patients with CLL.
Trend analysis methods for environmental data

Recently, the heightened interest in the assessment of the current state of environmental conditions and the detection of change in environmental conditions has led to a corresponding interest in statistical trend assessment methods. In the present paper, the analysis for trend is considered as part of the larger task of characterizing the variability of an environmental quality indicator when data are available from a monitoring programme. The features of several parametric and non-parametric methods are discussed with respect to methods of accounting for seasonality, inherent models for trend, the ability to handle changes of different forms, the inclusion of concomitant variables in the analysis and the assumptions of the method. Examples of the analysis of water quality data using these methods are given.
Evidence that a treatment-free interval of less than 6 months does not equate with clinically defined platinum resistance in ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal carcinoma

The standard definition of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal carcinoma commonly includes patients whose disease initially responded to a platinum-based combination regimen, but recurred less than 6 months after the completion of primary therapy. Recent experience with several patients with these malignancies treated in the Gynecologic Cancer Program of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, whose disease recurred within this period but who subsequently responded to platinum therapy, calls into question the validity and clinical relevance of this commonly employed definition, both for the conduct of phase 2 trials of new agents in ovarian cancer and primary peritoneal carcinoma, and for the standard management of women in this clinical setting.
Using a Website in a Human Factors Course: A Case Study

Using a website with a college course can be beneficial both to the students and to the instructor. The purpose of a class website is not to replace the instructor, but to supplement, enhance, and ...
Estimating the effect of protein dynamics on electron transfer to the special pair in the photosynthetic reaction center

Abstract The importance of dynamical fluctuations on the tunneling matrix element of electron transfer has been probed using the Pathway model. The effect of fluctuations of atoms was estimated by optimizing their though-space coupling, thus mimicking the effect of real dynamics. Application of this simple model to the electron transfer between cytochrome c2 and photosynthetic reaction center shows that atomic motion could increase the overall intermolecular electronic coupling by over one order of magnitude. These results indicate that, for this system, thermal fluctuations are necessary to obtain the fast inter-protein unimolecular electron transfer rate (around 1 μs.)
Replication of Semliki Forest virus: an electron microscopic study.

Abstract The growth of Semliki Forest virus was studied with the electron microscope during a single cycle of viral replication in chick embryo cells. The spherical virus particle consists of a nucleoid closely wrapped in a membrane covered by projections. After a latent period of 2–3 hours, infectious virus is produced at a nearly constant rate of approximately 200 PFU/cell per hour until the ninth hour. During the period of rapid production of virus, individual free virus nucleoids are found scattered in the cytoplasmic matrix. The nucleoids appear to migrate singly to the plasma membrane, where complete virus particles are formed by a budding process. An envelope, consisting of a portion of the membrane covered with projections, encloses a nucleoid as it is extruded into the extracellular space. Few complete virus particles are found within cytoplasmic vacuoles. After 9 hours, the rate of virus production decreases, and few developing virus particles are seen. Cells begin to show marked cytopathic changes, including vacuolization and condensation of the cytoplasm. In addition to being scattered singly in the cytoplasmic matrix, nucleoids aggregate around vacuoles and in paracrystalline arrays. Such accumulations of nucleoids do not appear to have a functional role in the production of Semliki Forest virus particles.
Temporal bone pathology following maternal rubella

The histopathological abnormalities in the temporal bone of a four-month-old infant with positive virus culture and serological data for maternal rubella are presented and discussed.
Optimization of Gas Delivery and Current Collecting System in Fuel Cells

The over-potentials in a fuel cell due to ohmic losses and concentration polarization can be reduced if the gas delivery field and the current collection system are well designed. To obtain such a substantial understanding for designing the gas delivery and current collection system, this study proposed a model to theoretically analyze the current collection process, and finally a method and tool of optimization for scales of gas channels and current collection ribs is presented. The analysis found that small current collectors and collection area is advantageous for getting high power density in both PEMFCs and SOFCs.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Analysis of zeros of binding polynomials for tetrameric hemoglobins.

A quantitative measure of the validity of the MWC description of cooperative binding equilibria has been obtained which uses only the Adair constants. This is accomplished through simple relationships using the zeros of the Adair binding polynomial and unique properties of the zeros of MWC polynomials as described in the accompanying paper (W.E. Briggs, Biophys. Chem. 24 (1986) 311). The method is applied to oxygen binding to a large number of hemoglobins under a wide variety of conditions. In most cases, exemplified by human hemoglobin under a wide range of conditions, the MWC model is allowed and the probability of its suitability is determined. The probability given by this method correlates directly with the deviation between the experimental binding curve and that derived from the theory. In several cases the pattern of the Adair polynomial zeros immediately excludes the MWC model, most notably for carp hemoglobins. A physical picture of cooperative binding site interactions is nevertheless obtained from the patterns of zeros as they relate to the factorization of the binding polynomial.
An explanation for the phenomenon of meniscus lines on the surfaces of (GaAl) as alloys grown by LPE

Abstract Fresh evidence is presented that meniscus lines are formed at the intermediate surface of a multilayered structure grown by LPE and that both departing and arriving solutions generate such lines. The shape of a large meniscus line has also been determined and compared with the theoretically predicted shape for a moving groove associated with a mobile grain boundary. The correspondence between the two shapes and the similarities between the physical situations lead to the conclusion that the two phenomena are essentially the same except that a moving solution - gas phase boundary replaces a mobile grain boundary. This suggests that the phenomenon is fundamental and possibly also relevant to other crystal growth situations.
Simulated impact of future biofuel production on water quality and water cycle dynamics in the Upper Mississippi river basin

Abstract We examined the impacts of increased biofuel feedstock production on regional water resource and water quality. We focused on the Upper Mississippi river basin, from which a majority of U.S. biofuel is produced at present. The production of biofuel from both conventional feedstock and cellulosic feedstock will potentially increase in the near future, and a significant portion of the cellulosic feedstock is expected to come from this region. In this work, we developed future scenarios of biofuel feedstock production in 2015 to assess the potential water quality and quantity changes associated with an increase in biofuel production through corn yield increase, harvesting a fraction of corn stover, and converting land to perennial grass (switchgrass). The estimates are accomplished by a watershed model SWAT. Results project a slight increase in phosphorus loading and decrease in nitrogen loading when corn yield is increased without cellulosic feedstock production. Harvesting a fraction of corn stover with improved management and efficient nitrogen use could lead to a decrease in nitrogen loading (up to 10%) and phosphorus loading (2%) when soil properties remain constant. Changes in sediment loadings are relatively minor. Growing switchgrass reduces soil erosion considerably and positively impacts nitrogen and phosphorus loadings at the projected yield and fertilizer input while switching from pasture to switchgrass would increase the water loss associated with ET (1% of total precipitation), decrease base flow (2%), and decrease the surface runoff flow to the basin. Major factors – including land use changes, feedstock types, fertilizer inputs, crop yield, and soil properties – were analyzed for their direct and composite impacts.
Potassium channelopathies of epilepsy

The potassium channel family represents a large group with diverse functional roles. Not surprisingly, the list of potassium channelopathies contributing to human epilepsy has greatly expanded. The focus of this chapter will be the causative role in epilepsy of mutations in potassium channels and associated regulatory proteins. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper's Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ books).
Nonlocal boundary-value problem for linear partial differential equations unsolved with respect to the higher time derivative

We study the well-posedness of the problem with general nonlocal boundary conditions in the time variable and conditions of periodicity in the space coordinates for partial differential equations unsolved with respect to the higher time derivative. We establish the conditions of existence and uniqueness of the solution of the considered problem. In the proof of existence of the solution, we use the method of divided differences. We also prove metric statements on the lower bounds of small denominators appearing in constructing the solution of the problem.
Radiation dose in diagnostic radiology: Monte Carlo simulation studies

We applied Monte Carlo calculations to determine the radiation dose absorbed in water phantoms. Monoenergetic incident x-ray beams with energies from 15 to 100 keV and phantom thicknesses from 5 to 20 cm were considered in this study. We calculated the spatial distributions of energy absorption in the phantom, the rad/R conversion factors, the average rad/R conversion factors, and the scatter-to-primary ratios of absorbed dose. We also compared the relative absorbed doses under various imaging conditions when the transmitted radiation produced a given optical density on radiographic film. The information provided will be useful for the estimation of radiation doses in various radiographic procedures.
Behavior : An Introduction to Comparative Psychology

The Theoretical Roots of Early Behaviourism: Functionalism, the Critique of Introspection, and the Nature and Evolution of Consciousness. (An Anthology of 26 articles by John Dewey and Henry Bode, among others)[1842-1914] 360pp The Experimental and Comparative Roots of Early Behaviourism: Studies of Animal and Infant Behaviour. (An Anthology of 12 articles by Charles Darwin and Leonard Hobhouse, among others) [1840-1911] 412pp An Introduction to Comparative Psychology [1894] Conwy Lloyd Morgan 628pp Comparative Physiology of the Brain and Comparative Psychology [1900] Jacques Loeb 342pp Fundamental Laws of Human Behaviour [1911] Max Frederick Meyer 264pp Behaviour. An Introduction to Comparative Psychology [1914] John Broadus Watson 482pp
The Evolution of Site Verification in Interventional Radiology

Caring for patients in interventional radiology (IR) presents unique challenges in procedural site verification. At Children's Hospital Boston, we have developed a site verification process that addresses the issues that differentiate IR from the operating room environment. Our IR site verification process evolved as a result of an incident in which, despite adherence to existing policies, the contralateral site was accessed. As a team, we responded by analyzing and identifying the contributing risk factors specific to IR and incorporating them into a revised site verification checklist that meets JCAHO standards. This poster will follow the evolution of this site verification tool.
Relationship Marketing Activities, Commitment, and Membership Behaviors in Professional Associations:

Abstract The authors conceptualize and empirically examine professional associations’ relationship-building efforts (core services performance, rewards for contributions, dissemination of organizational knowledge, member interdependence enhancement activities, and reliance on external membership requirements) that are theorized to enhance their membership’s commitment to the relationship as well as the membership’s relationship behaviors. Three components of commitment—affective, continuance, and normative—are theorized to mediate differentially the correlation between the associations’ relationship-building efforts and their members’ relationship behaviors (membership retention, exchange-based participation, and cooperatively based coproduction). Confirmatory factor analysis validates the commitment measures, and structural equations analysis indicates that normative and affective commitment partially mediate the effects of selected relationship-building efforts on coproduction and member participation. ...
Modeling the Circulation of the Atchafalaya Bay System. Part 2: River Plume Dynamics during Cold Fronts

Abstract In Part 2 of our application of the Navy coastal ocean model (NCOM) to the Atchafalaya Bay system, we examine the wind- and tide-forced three-dimensional baroclinic circulation of the Lower Atchafalaya and Wax Lake Outlet river plumes. The salinity and the current velocity are examined during a time period when three cold fronts passed over the region. The baroclinic circulation of NCOM was validated for the same time period in Part 1 of this study (Cobb, Keen, and Walker, 2008. Modeling the circulation of the Atchafalaya Bay region, 1: Model description and validation. Journal of Coastal Research, this issue). We find that the westward transport of plume water and the offshore cold-front–induced circulation are determined to a large extent by the alongshore and cross-shore bathymetric structure. Wind-driven plume water moves parallel to the alongshore bathymetric contours unless forced to mix with higher salinity water by strong cross-shore directed winds. The mixing of plume water with offshore...
Use of visual and permanent identification for pets by veterinary clinics

It is estimated that more than 5 million stray dogs and cats enter animal shelters in the USA each year, but less than half are ever reunited with their owners. Lost pets with identification microchips are up to 21 times more likely to be reunited than those without. Finders of lost pets are more likely to consult veterinarians than shelters for assistance, and pet owners look first to veterinarians for advice regarding pet health, protection, and welfare. An online survey of 1086 veterinary clinics in the South-Eastern USA was conducted to evaluate how veterinary clinics functioned as a part of the pet identification network. Scanning and microchip implants were offered by 91% of surveyed clinics and 41% used ‘global’ scanners capable of detecting all currently used microchip brands. Clinics more frequently relied on pet owners to register contact information rather than providing this service for clients (52% vs. 43%, respectively). Even though lost dogs are more likely to be reunited with owners than lost cats, microchips and collars were more likely to be recommended for all dogs (85% and 93%, respectively) than for all cats (67% and 61%, respectively). Only half of clinics that recommended identification collars made them available to their clients. Veterinarians can protect animals, pet owners and the human–animal bond by integrating pet identification into preventive health care.
Mechanism of Solid‐state Reaction Between Magnesium Oxide and Aluminum Oxide and Between Magnesium Oxide and Ferric Oxide

Inert marker experiments have shown that the solid-state reactions forming MgAl2O4 and MgFe2O4 occur by counterdiffusion of the Mg2+, Fe3+, and A13+ ions through the relatively rigid oxygen lattice of the spinel or ferrite. It is suggested that earlier claims that ZnAl2O4 forms by diffusion of Zn2+ and O2- ions were probably due to a splitting of the markers, leaving some marker on the specimen surface. Pores in one component of a reacting couple are shown to serve as inert markers. The formation of those materials, e.g., ferrites and stannates, which dissolve marker materials can now be studied.
STOCHASTICITY, COMPLEX SPATIAL STRUCTURE, AND THE FEASIBILITY OF THE SHIFTING BALANCE THEORY

Sewall Wright's shifting balance theory of evolution posits a mechanism by which a structured population may escape local fitness optima and find a global optimum. We examine a one-locus, two-allele model of underdominance in populations with differing spatial arrangements of demes, both analytically and with Monte Carlo simulations. We find that inclusion of variance in interpatch connectivities can significantly reduce the number of generations required for fixation of the more favorable allele relative to island and stepping-stone models. Although time to fixation increases with migration rate in all cases, the presence of one or two relatively isolated demes may reduce the number of generations by 80% or more. These results suggest that the shifting balance process may operate under less restrictive conditions than those found with a simple spatial arrangement of demes.
Learning Cost-Sensitive Rules for Non-forced Classification

Building accurate classifiers is very desirable for many KDD processes. Rule-based classifiers are appealing because of their simplicity and their self-explanatory nature in describing reasons for their decisions. The objective of classifiers generally has been to maximize the accuracy of predictions. When data points of different classes have different misclassification costs it becomes desirable to minimize the expected cost of the classification decisions. In this paper we present an algorithm for inducing a rule based classifier that (i) shifts the class boundaries so as to minimize the cost of misclassifications and (ii) refuses to announce a class decision for those regions of the data space that are likely to contribute significantly to the expected cost of decisions. We compare our results with other rule based classifiers such as the C4.5, CN2 and GARC for the cases of uniform and non-uniform misclassification costs of different classes.
Clear heads are cool heads: Emotional clarity and the down-regulation of antisocial affect

Emotional clarity results in reduced anger, but it is important to better understand why this is true. Drawing upon existing cybernetic models of affect regulation, the authors propose that affect down-regulation operations are crucial to understanding the clarity/anger relationship. A two study, multi-method investigation provided support for these hypotheses. Study 1 used dispositional measures of emotional clarity, anger control, and trait anger, and found that anger control mediated the relationship between clarity and reduced anger. Study 2 found that individuals high in emotional clarity were successful in correcting for the influence of aggressive primes on subsequent evaluations. Importantly, though, disrupting these affect regulation operations through the imposition of cognitive load left emotionally clear individuals as susceptible to antisocial affect priming as emotionally unclear individuals. In total, the studies suggest that emotional clarity is closely associated with the effortful down-r...
Acute cardioprotective effects of erythropoietin in infant rabbits are mediated by activation of protein kinases and potassium channels.

Erythropoietin is protective against cardiac ischemia, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We determined whether erythropoietin (0.5 – 10.0 U/ml) confers acute cardioprotection in infant rabbit hearts and the contribution of protein kinases, nitric oxide synthase and potassium channels to the underlying mechanism. Hearts from normoxic infant New Zealand White rabbits (n=8/group) were isolated and perfused in the Langendorff mode. Biventricular function was recorded under steady-state conditions prior to 30 min global no-flow ischemia and 35 min reperfusion. Administration of erythropoietin for 15 min immediately prior to ischemia resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in recovery of left and right ventricular developed pressure in rabbit hearts following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. The optimal concentration of erythropoietin that afforded maximum recovery of developed pressure was manifest at 1.0 U/ml. Erythropoietin (1.0 U/ml) treatment resulted in phosphorylation of PKC, p38 MAP kinase and p42/44 MAP kinase. The cardioprotective effects of erythropoietin were abolished by the protein kinase inhibitors SB203580 (p38 MAP kinase), PD98059 (p42/44 MAP kinase) and chelerythrine (PKC) as well as the potassium channel blockers glibenclamide, HMR 1098, 5-HD and Paxilline. Nitrite and nitrate release from hearts before (2.3 ± 0.9 nmol/min/g) and after (2.4 ± 1.9 nmol/min/g) 15 min treatment with erythropoietin (1.0 U/ml) were not different. L-NAME and L-NMA did not block the cardioprotective effect of erythropoietin. We conclude the rapid activation of potassium channels and protein kinases by erythropoietin represents an important new mechanism for increasing cardioprotection.
Metacommunity structure in a highly fragmented forest: has deforestation in the Atlantic Forest altered historic biogeographic patterns?

Aim To determine whether there is evidence of changes in small mammals distributions and emergent metacommunity structure in the Atlantic Forest resulting from extensive habitat loss and fragmentation associated with anthropogenic activities. Location South American Atlantic Forest from northeastern Brazil to eastern Paraguay. Methods Using presence–absence data for non-volant small mammals, we analysed metacommunity structure for communities from 76 fragments distributed throughout Atlantic Forest. We evaluated coherence, range turnover and range boundary clumping for the entire non-volant small mammal assemblage, marsupials, rodents and sigmodontine rodents separately. b-diversity based on the multiplicative model was used to estimate the number of compartments (groups of sites with similar species composition) in Clementsian structures, and cluster analysis identified which sites formed compartments. Canonical correspondence analysis determined which environmental factors were associated with the gradients along which metacommunities were structured. Distancedecay analysis evaluated the spatial structure in small mammal and environmental data, and Mantel tests evaluated correlations between them. Results Rodent metacommunities had Clementsian structure, whereas marsupials had Gleasonian structure. Compartment locations for rodents were consistent with areas of endemism. Temperature seasonality was most associated with the gradients along which metacommunities were structured. Assemblage and environmental dissimilarity among sites had significant positive relationships with geographic distance. Main conclusions Compartment locations in Clementsian structures mirrored historical refugium locations and important vicariance events associated with large rivers. Despite extensive deforestation in Atlantic Forest, small mammal distributions are consistent with expectations based on historical biogeography, suggesting that anthropogenic activities have not yet greatly affected geographic distributions of emergent metacommunity structures. However, extinction debt associated with recent fragmentation and habitat loss may exist. Any effective conservation plan for large and fragmented biomes must consider areas of endemism to maintain regional biodiversity and maintain sufficiently large and connected fragments to facilitate rescue effects and minimize effects of extinction debt.
Conditionally Efficient Estimation of Long-Run Relationships Using Mixed-Frequency Time Series

I analyze efficient estimation of a cointegrating vector when the regressand and regressor are observed at different frequencies. Previous authors have examined the effects of specific temporal aggregation or sampling schemes, finding conventionally efficient techniques to be efficient only when both the regressand and the regressors are average sampled. Using an alternative method for analyzing aggregation under more general weighting schemes, I derive an efficiency bound that is conditional on the type of aggregation used on the low-frequency series and differs from the unconditional bound defined by the full-information high-frequency data-generating process, which is infeasible due to aggregation of at least one series. I modify a conventional estimator, canonical cointegrating regression (CCR), to accommodate cases in which the aggregation weights are known. The correlation structure may be utilized to offset the potential information loss from aggregation, resulting in a conditionally efficient esti...
Low-Budget Apps for Students of All Abilities.

With more than 850,000 apps currently on the market, there are multiple apps that can be used to help all students in music education, particularly those with special needs. This article lists low-budget apps useful for the elementary or secondary general music classroom.
Convergence rates for direct transcription of optimal control problems with final-time equality constraints using collocation at Radau points

In this paper, we present convergence rates for the error between the direct transcription solution and the true solution of an optimal control problem with final-time equality constraints, as a function of the discretization size. The problem is discretized using collocation at Radau points. We analyze convergence from an NLP/matrix algebra perspective. The work also reveals the role of controllability in the convergence analysis. As an outcome, we have an adjoint estimation procedure derived from the Lagrange multipliers for the large scale NLP.