cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recruitment response of methane-seep macrofauna to sulfide-rich sediments: An in situ experiment

Hydrodynamically unbiased colonization trays were deployed for 6 months (Oct. 2000 to April 2001) on the northern California margin (Eel R. region; 525 m) to examine macrofaunal colonization rates at methane seeps. The influence of sulfide on recruitment andsurvivalwasexaminedbydeployingsedimentswithandwithout sulfideadded;effect ofseepproximitywasevaluatedbyplacing trays inside and outside seeps. The trays contained a two-layer system mimicking vesicomyid clam bedhabitat geochemistry, with 8– 9 mM sulfide in a lower agar layer at the start of the experiment. After 6 month on the seabed, the lower agar layer contained 2– 4m M H2S. Weobserved rapid macrofaunal colonization equivalent to 50%of initial non-seep ambient densities. There was no difference in totalcolonizerdensities,numberofspecies,orrarefaction diversityamong3treatments: (1)controls(nosulfideadded)placedoutside seeps, (2) trays with sulfide added placed outside seeps and (3) trays with sulfide added placed inside seep patches. Colonization trays with sulfide placed at seeps had different species composition from trays without sulfide place outside seeps; there were more amphipods (non-ampeliscid) and cumaceans in the seep/sulfide treatment and more nemerteans, Nephtys cornuta and tanaids in the non-seep/no-sulfide treatment. Outside seeps, annelids comprised b15% of tray colonists; within seep patches, annelids comprised 5 of the top 10 dominant colonizing taxa (24% of the total). The polychaetes Mediomastus sp., Aphelochaeta sp., Paraonidae sp., and Nerillidae sp. exhibited significantly higher densities in sulfide additions. Tanaids, echinoderms, and N. cornuta exhibited sulfide avoidance. At least 6 dorvilleid polychaete species colonized the experiments. Of these, 4 species occurred exclusively in trays with sulfide added and 80% of all dorvilleid individuals were found in trays with sulfide placed inside seep sediments. Counts of large sulfurbacterial filamentswere positivelycorrelated withmaximumsulfide concentration ineachtray,andwithproximityofsulfideto the sediment surface. However, total macrofaunal densities were not correlated with tray sulfide concentrations. As a group, tray assemblages achieved some but not all characteristics of ambient seep assemblages after 6-month exposure on the sea floor. Distinctive colonization patterns at methane seeps contribute to the dynamic mosaic of habitat patches that characterize the eastern Pacific continental margin. Overall, proximity of seep habitats had at least as great an influence on macrofaunal colonization as tray sulfide concentrations. Taxa characteristic of seep sediments were more likely to settle into trays placed inside rather than outside seep patches. Whether this is due to limited dispersal ability or local geochemical cues remains to be determined. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
An Infertility Primer for Family Therapists: II. Working with Couples Who Struggle with Infertility†

The distress of infertility and its medical treatments are profound, and the effects reverberate in each partner, the couple dyad, and the couple's relationships with family, friends, and medical systems. Yet family therapists, like others in our society, are often uninformed or misinformed about the experience of infertility. While the legacies of infertility may be painful and enduring, they often remain unspoken, and hence may be overlooked in standard interviews. This article describes the experiences of couples struggling with infertility, most of whom have sought medical intervention, and it provides treatment interventions for guiding couples through this difficult and often uncharted terrain. Case vignettes derived from 2 years of this clinical research study are included.
Co‐Morbidity of Smoking in Patients with Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders

This article reviews cigarette smoking in patients with psychiatric disorders (PD) and substance use disorders (SUD). Rates of smoking are approximately 23% in the U.S. population but approximately two- to four-fold higher in patients with PD and SUD. Many remaining smokers have had repeated smoking cessation failures, possibly due to the presence of co-morbid PD and SUDs. There is modest, evidence-based support for effective treatment interventions for nicotine addiction in PD and SUD. Further research is needed to increase our understanding of nicotine addiction in PD and SUD and develop more effective treatment inteventions. (Am J Addict 2005;14:106-123)
Mothers’ Help-Seeking for Pediatric Psychosocial Problems

Pediatricians have been criticized for failing to identify psychosocial problems in their pediatric patients. Maternal disclosure is important for identification; however, many mothers fail to discuss their concerns with the pediatrician. The present study explored the hypothesis that mothers are seeking and receiving help from sources other than the pediatrician. Participants were 50 mothers who brought their 4-13-year-old child for a routine health supervision visit at a county-funded hospital serving primarily low-income families. Results indicated that mothers actively seek help from multiple sources and find the help they receive useful. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Two SAS Macros for Differential Item Functioning Analysis

Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis has been widely used in large-scale assessments and/or commercial and industry produced assessments. Given the fact that DIF analysis has been a routine procedure in item analysis and test validity/fairness analysis, several pieces of DIF software and programs have appeared such as EASY-DIF (Gonzalez, Padilla, Hidalgo, Gomez-Benito, & Benitez, 2011), EZ-DIF (Waller, 1998), DIFAS (Penfield, 2005), and MHDIF (Fidalgo, 1994). To cater for the needs of populous SAS users, two SAS macros (DIF_MC and DIF_Poly) have been developed.
Consumer acceptability of viscosity in processed tomato products by African-American, Latino, and prototypical consumer groups

ABSTRACT: African-American, Latino, and prototypical consumer viscosity preferences for ketchup, salsa, tomato sauce, pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce, and barbecue sauce are presented. A peak viscosity preference existed for all products: too thick or too thin was undesirable. Most, but not all, commercial products were in the acceptable range. Many were not in the most preferred viscosity range. The leading brand was within the most preferred viscosity range for all ethnic groups only for barbecue sauce and ketchup. Ethnicity had little influence on acceptance, but moderate influence on the most preferred viscosity. Latinos had the widest acceptance ranges. Understanding optimum viscosity ranges can help tomato processors increase quality for all consumers.
Chemical, elemental, and isotopic effects of acid concentration and treatment duration on ancient bone collagen: an exploratory study

Abstract Demineralization of bone for collagen extraction is most commonly performed using dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) despite the fact that little data exists on the effects of differing acid concentration or treatment time on the quantity and quality of collagen extracts and that hydrochloric acid is extremely effective at hydrolyzing peptide bonds. Data on yield, elemental composition, and isotopic signature from bone collagen obtained from multiple extractions performed on two large ancient human bone samples from prehistoric Puerto Rico indicate that there is no meaningful difference between acid treatments ranging from 0.05 to 0.2 M concentration and 24–120 h of treatment. As such, a shorter course of demineralization using more concentrated acid would appear to produce quality results in a shorter time.
Soil microbial-root and microbial-rhizosphere processes to increase nitrogen availability and retention in agroecosystems

Increased reliance on biological processes and root interactions with soil biota through ‘ecological intensification’ in agroecosystems generates environmental benefits and decreases reliance on fossil-fuel based fertilizers. Here we give some examples of recent progress in understanding how agricultural management affects soil microbial-root and microbial-rhizosphere processes and nitrogen cycling. These include processes within the root (arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis), in the rhizosphere (biological inhibition of nitrification), and with the soil organisms surrounding the root (soil food webs in cultivated vs. grassland ecology). More such information will lead to new management options and site-specific solutions to cycle and retain nitrogen in agroecosystems.
Cross‐Border Taxation of Employee Stock Options

The complexity of the taxation of employee stock options is escalated in a cross‐border context. It is important to understand multi‐jurisdictional tax differences from both the employee and employer perspective in order to avoid unnecessary tax exposure and liability. The current status of the taxation of employee stock option plans in the U.S. and the People's Republic of China is used to illustrate multi‐jurisdictional taxation issues. Careful, prospective tax planning can significantly reduce an employee's cross‐border tax liability.
Evolving explicit opponent models in game playing

Opponent models are necessary in games where the game state is only partially known to the player, since the player must infer the state of the game based on the opponents actions. This paper presents an architecture and a process for developing neural network game players that utilize explicit opponent models in order to improve game play against unseen opponents. The model is constructed as a mixture over a set of cardinal opponents, i.e. opponents that represent maximally distinct game strategies. The model is trained to estimate the likelihood that the opponent will make the same move as each of the cardinal opponents would in a given game situation. Experiments were performed in the game of Guess It, a simple game of imperfect information that has no optimal strategy for defeating specific opponents. Opponent modeling is therefore crucial to play this game well. Both opponent modeling and game-playing neural networks were trained using NeuroEvolution of Augmenting Topologies (NEAT). The results demonstrate that game-playing provided with the model outperform networks not provided with the model when played against the same previously unseen opponents. The cardinal mixture architecture therefore constitutes a promising approach for general and dynamic opponent modeling in game-playing.
Low threshold InGaAsN/GaAs single quantum well lasers grown by molecular beam epitaxy using Sb surfactant

Long wavelength InGaAsN/GaAs single quantum well (SQW) laser diodes have been grown by solid source molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) using Sb as a surfactant. A record low threshold current density of 1.47 kA/cm2 and a quantum efficiency of 0.11 W/A are reported for broad area laser diodes (LDs) operating at a wavelength of 1.275 µm under pulsed operation at room temperature.
Dynamic deployment of a component framework with the Ubiqis system

Component frameworks provide one strategy for the development and deployment of complex multiphysics applications which are increasingly developed by collaborative, distributed, and diverse teams, and are deployed across multiple supercomputer architectures located at numerous sites. One longstanding issue is the management of components. The complexity involved in choosing, locating, compiling, verifying, and deploying codes consisting of hundreds of independent modules can be overwhelming for beginners, and is a huge burden on developers and users. In the case of Cactus, framework-specific tools have been developed to address some of these issues, but it still suffers from being somewhat ad-hoc, difficult to maintain, and lacking in capabilities. This paper describes a dynamic framework for deploying applications that we are developing, called Ubiqis, which works automatically and on-demand. It is decentralized, requires no per-application configuration by administrative staff, and can work recursively to resolve dependencies.
Dynamic Expiratory Volumetric CT Imaging of the Central Airways: Comparison of Standard-Dose and Low-Dose Techniques

Abstract Rationale and Objectives Investigators in this study compared standard-dose and low-dose inspiratory and expiratory computed tomographic (CT) images with regard to their usefulness for measuring the tracheal lumen in patients with or without tracheobronchomalacia (TBM). Materials and Methods Hospital records were reviewed to identify 10 consecutive patients with bronchoscopically proved TBM and 10 control subjects without TBM who underwent paired volumetric inspiratory and dynamic expiratory examinations with multisection CT. A low-dose (40–80 mA) technique was used for dynamic expiratory CT in 14 (70%) of the 20 subjects, and a standard dose (240–280 mA) was used in the remaining six (30%). All images were reviewed in a randomized, blinded fashion by two observers, who measured the tracheal lumen to determine the presence of TBM by consensus. The degree of confidence in measuring the tracheal lumen was graded on a four-point scale from 0 (no confidence) to 3 (highest level of confidence), also by consensus of the two observers. Statistical analysis for differences in confidence level was performed with the Mann-Whitney U test. The image noise level was assessed by measuring the standard deviation of the presternal soft tissue, and statistical analysis for differences in noise level was performed with the t test. Results The level of confidence in tracheal lumen measurement was high, regardless of respiratory phase and dose (inspiratory mean, 2.9; median, 3; range, 2–3; expiratory low-dose mean, 2.6; median, 3; range, 2–3; expiratory standard-dose mean, 2.8; median, 3; range, 2–3). There was no significant difference in confidence level between standard- and low-dose techniques ( P = .53). Excessive central airway collapse (expiratory reduction in cross-sectional diameter, >50%) was seen in all 10 patients with TBM and in none of the control subjects. Conclusion The acquisition of paired inspiratory and dynamic expiratory images with multisection helical CT is a promising method for diagnosing TBM. The low-dose technique performs as well as the standard-dose technique for the dynamic expiratory phase, with a similar degree of confidence for measuring the tracheal lumen.
Importance of gas-phase kinetics within the anode channel of a solid-oxide fuel cell

Experiments using n-butane as a representative hydrocarbon fuel were conducted under gas-phase conditions similar to those expected in the anode channel of a solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Butane conversion and product formation were monitored in quartz reactor experiments at P ∼ 0.8 atm, τ ∼ 5 s, and T = 550−800 °C. Three different fuel mixtures were used: neat n-butane, 50% n-C4H10/50% H2O, and 50% n-C4H10/50% N2. These experiments demonstrate that substantial gas-phase chemistry does occur and that this must be accounted for when predicting fuel cell efficiency. These data were compared to predictions using a plug-flow model that incorporated the experimentally measured temperature profile along the reactor. The reaction mechanism used for these simulations consisted of ∼300 species and 2500 elementary reactions and included both pyrolysis and oxidation reactions. Comparisons of the model predictions to the experimental data show that the model, without any modifications, captures the observed strong t...
Cytokine induction by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) corresponds to lethal toxicity and is inhibited by nontoxic Rhodobacter capsulatus LPS.

Abstract Many pathological effects of gram-negative bacteria are produced by their cell wall-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). Differing pathogenicity of gram-negative LPSs, however, may depend on their capacities to induce cytokines. Thus, we studied the lethal toxicity of four nonenterobacterial LPSs and compared it with their capacity to induce mononuclear cell (MNC)-derived interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Unstimulated MNC did not release these cytokines. LPS from the phototrophic strain Rhodobacter capsulatus 37b4 elaborated little toxicity in galactosamine-treated mice (10 micrograms of LPS per mouse was the 100% lethal dose [LD100]) and induced IL-1 and IL-6 release only at high concentrations (10 to 50 micrograms of LPS per ml). R. capsulatus LPS failed to induce TNF activity even at the highest concentration tested (100 micrograms of LPS per ml). In contrast, LPS derived from Pseudomonas diminuta NCTC 8545 or the nodulating species Bradyrhizobium lupini DSM 30140 and Rhizobium meliloti 10406 expressed lethal toxicity (LD100, 1,000, 100, and 10 ng per mouse, respectively) and induced IL-1 or IL-6 (10 to 100, 10, and 1 ng of LPS per ml, respectively) at concentrations 1,000- to 10,000-fold lower than effective levels of R. capsulatus LPS. LPSs from P. diminuta, B. lupini, and R. meliloti also stimulated TNF production and release. MNC accumulated cell-associated IL-1 activities under circumstances in which released activity was readily detected. The cells contained only scant IL-6 activity, indicating release of this mediator rather than intracellular accumulation. Antisera to the respective cytokines inactivated biological activities of the samples selectively. The R. capsulatus LPS inhibited cytokine induction by LPS from P. diminuta, B. lupini, and R. meliloti in coincubation experiments. These results show that the in vivo lethality of the LPSs tested correlates with the induction of monocyte-derived cytokines in vitro. The results of this study suggest that the different lethality of various LPSs from gram-negative bacteria may be due to the differential ability of these LPSs to induce cytokine production.
The effects of EBV transformation on gene expression levels and methylation profiles

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) provide a conveniently accessible and renewable resource for functional genomic studies in humans. The ability to accumulate multidimensional data pertaining to the same individual cell lines, from complete genomic sequences to detailed gene regulatory profiles, further enhances the utility of LCLs as a model system. A lingering concern, however, is that the changes associated with EBV transformation of B cells reduce the usefulness of LCLs as a surrogate model for primary tissues. To evaluate the validity of this concern, we compared global gene expression and methylation profiles between CD20+ primary B cells sampled from six individuals and six independent replicates of transformed LCLs derived from each sample. These data allowed us to obtain a detailed catalog of the genes and pathways whose regulation is affected by EBV transformation. We found that the expression levels and promoter methylation profiles of more than half of the studied genes were affected by the EBV transformation, including enrichments of genes involved in transcription regulation, cell cycle and immune response. However, we show that most of the differences in gene expression levels between LCLs and B cells are of small magnitude, and that LCLs can often recapitulate the naturally occurring gene expression variation in primary B cells. Thus, our observations suggest that inference of the genetic architecture that underlies regulatory variation in LCLs can typically be generalized to primary B cells. In contrast, inference based on functional studies in LCLs may be more limited to the cell lines.
HIV-1 Accessory Protein Vpr: Relevance in the pathogenesis of HIV and potential for therapeutic intervention

The HIV protein, Vpr, is a multifunctional accessory protein critical for efficient viral infection of target CD4+ T cells and macrophages. Vpr is incorporated into virions and functions to transport the preintegration complex into the nucleus where the process of viral integration into the host genome is completed. This action is particularly important in macrophages, which as a result of their terminal differentiation and non-proliferative status, would be otherwise more refractory to HIV infection. Vpr has several other critical functions including activation of HIV-1 LTR transcription, cell-cycle arrest due to DCAF-1 binding, and both direct and indirect contributions to T-cell dysfunction. The interactions of Vpr with molecular pathways in the context of macrophages, on the other hand, support accumulation of a persistent reservoir of HIV infection in cells of the myeloid lineage. The role of Vpr in the virus life cycle, as well as its effects on immune cells, appears to play an important role in the immune pathogenesis of AIDS and the development of HIV induced end-organ disease. In view of the pivotal functions of Vpr in virus infection, replication, and persistence of infection, this protein represents an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.
Sexual selection, genetic conflict, selfish genes, and the atypical patterns of gene expression in spermatogenic cells

This review proposes that the peculiar patterns of gene expression in spermatogenic cells are the consequence of powerful evolutionary forces known as sexual selection. Sexual selection is generally characterized by intense competition of males for females, an enormous variety of the strategies to maximize male reproductive success, exaggerated male traits at all levels of biological organization, co-evolution of sexual traits in males and females, and conflict between the sexual advantage of the male trait and the reproductive fitness of females and the individual fitness of both sexes. In addition, spermatogenesis is afflicted by selfish genes that promote their transmission to progeny while causing deleterious effects. Sexual selection, selfish genes, and genetic conflict provide compelling explanations for many atypical features of gene expression in spermatogenic cells including the gross overexpression of certain mRNAs, transcripts encoding truncated proteins that cannot carry out basic functions of the proteins encoded by the same genes in somatic cells, the large number of gene families containing paralogous genes encoding spermatogenic cell-specific isoforms, the large number of testis-cancer-associated genes that are expressed only in spermatogenic cells and malignant cells, and the overbearing role of Sertoli cells in regulating the number and quality of spermatozoa.
Analog Equalization for Low Power 60 GHz Receivers in Realistic Multipath Channels

Multi-gigabit per second wireless network devices are emerging for personal area networks (PAN) in the 60 GHz band. Such devices are typically power hungry, largely due to the requisite high speed analog to digital converters (ADCs) that can consume from tens to hundreds of milliwatts of power. This paper studies the use of analog equalization before the ADC to reduce the required ADC resolution. We provide a novel analysis that uses a superposition model for multipath energy and derive a closed-form expression that relates ADC resolution to the channel state, and also the bit error rate (BER) for MQAM constellations. Simulations verify that analog equalization can reduce the link bit-error rate by up to several orders of magnitude, without increasing the number of quantization bits in the ADC.
COCAINE HEART DISEASE

Unlike neurologic toxicity, myocardial infarction appears to be an idiosyncratic response to the drug, unrelated to dose, duration of use, or route of administration. There is no marker to identify the person who may have life-threatening cardiac effects after taking cocaine, but those who experienced myocardial ischemia once are at risk of recurrence if they use the drug again.
Insulin stimulation of glycogen formation in rat abdominal muscle.

SummaryIf used in thin sheets with a minimum of tissue injury isolated skeletal muscle in the form of the internal oblique muscle of the rat forms more glycogen under the influence of insulin just as does the specialized muscle comprising the diaphragm. Desoxycorticosterone reduces the amount of glycogen formed by incubation with glucose alone as in the case of diaphragm muscle. Skeletal muscle offers new material for further investigation of the action of insulin.
Bureaucratic authority in the company of equals : The interactional management of medical peer review

The author examines the negotiation of treatment decisions and the management of professional relationships during medical peer review. Using audio recordings of reviews conducted by telephone, he examines three recurrent interactional junctures in the review : (1) the reviewer's formulation of an initial request for information about the patient; (2) the doctor's immediately subsequent description of the patient; and (3) the reviewer's announcement of decision about the appropriateness of the proposed procedure. Through the practices that accomplish these actions, doctors and reviewers orient to tensions between collegial and bureaucratic pressures, and manage these tensions through a set of interactional and institutional resources that may minimize the potential challenge to the collegial relationship. In doing so, the participants work to preserve the ideal of professional autonomy, even while it may be compromised by the review process itself
Constancy of Gastric Acidity with Variable Secretory Rates Induced by Insulin or Glucagon, with Histamine.

SummaryThis report deals with the absence of correlation of acidity and volumerats of flow of gastric secretion from fully vagal (Hollander-Jemerin) and completely vagotomized (Heidenhain) stomach pouches. Variations in rate of secretion were induced by the inhibitory action of a single intravenous dose of insulin (both types of pouch) or of glucagon (vagal pouch only) on flow of juice induced by stimulation with histamine in repeated 10-minute subcutaneous doses. In both types of experiment it was possible to demonstrate a good degree of constancy of acidity in spite of considerable variations in volume-rate. This brings to 6 the number of experimental situations in which such constancy has been observed.
Δ T =1/2 rule and the Cabibbo angle

A weak-interaction theory based on a total current satisfying theSU2 current algebra is proposed. ThusSU3 is broken in a specific way. The nonleptonic ΔT=1/2 dominance, with about the correct small admixture of ΔT=3/2, is a consequence of the smallness of the Cabibbo rotation. However, in this model, difficulties with |ΔY|=2 and K→lepton pair processes remain. In a second model, a rotational scalar current term is added, which completely removes these difficulties (due to neutral currents) while leaving an exact ΔT=1/2 rule.
Surveillance report on E.coli O157:H7 in 2007 in Quzhou Municipality

Objective:To establish corresponding strategies of its prevention and control by understanding germ-carrying situation of animal with Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Quzhou City.Methods:The feces of different animals were gathered.The samples were isolated and identified with biochemical,serological and toxic gene test with PCR in June during which enteric infectious diseases were highly prevalent.Results:16 strains of O157:H7 were separated from 300 feces of different animals,with a overall positive rate 5.33%.The positive rates of cattle,sheep and pig were 20.83%,12.70% and 3.61%.All the strain carried SLT2 and hly toxic gene,but SLT1 was negative.Conclusion:O157:H7 has been detected in partial animals in Quzhou City.And these strains are toxin-producing strains.It is important to enforce the synthesis surveillance of O157:H7.
Multi-hazard system-level logit fragility functions

Abstract Fragility functions are used to represent the probability of failure of a structure or lifeline system conditional upon a hazard or set of hazards and are essential in the performance-based design process. Continuous lognormal damage fragilities are traditional, but recent formulations have implemented logit transformations from the family of generalized linear models for categorical data with a binary outcome (e.g., failure, no failure). In wind engineering, single hazard parameters derived from correlated variables (e.g., integrated kinetic energy, IKE) have been employed to indirectly include the effect of more than one hazard variable; however, even with more general hazard metrics, the lognormal formulation is still unduly restrictive for realistic fragility modeling. Using a statistical approach based on a logit formulation, a shift towards more robust fragility functions can be achieved. Because of its simplicity and ability to represent multiple predictor variables to improve the fitted model, this paper proposes use of the logit formulation of the fragility function at the system level for two or more simultaneous weather hazards. Successful applications of the model to characterize lifeline system-level fragility functions for electric power delivery during Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana and Hurricane Sandy in New York City using in-situ damage and hazard data are shown. While the results here are empirically derived, the modeling approach may be expanded for other structural systems subject to multiple loadings or demand variables.
Who Votes for the Future? Information, Expectations, and Endogeneity in Economic Voting

Voters’ four primary evaluations of the economy—retrospective national, retrospective pocketbook, prospective national, and prospective pocketbook—vary in the cognitive steps necessary to link economic outcomes to candidates in elections. We hypothesize that the effects of the different economic evaluations on vote choice vary with a voter’s ability to acquire information and anticipate the election outcome. Using data from the 1980 through 2004 US presidential elections, we estimate a model of vote choice that includes all four economic evaluations as well as information and uncertainty moderators. The effects of retrospective evaluations on vote choice do not vary by voter information. Prospective economic evaluations weigh in the decisions of the most informed voters, who rely on prospective national evaluations when they believe the incumbent party will win and on prospective pocketbook evaluations when they are uncertain about the election outcome or believe that the challenger will win. Voters who have accurate expectations about who will win the election show the strongest relationship between their vote choice and sociotropic evaluations of the economy, both retrospective and prospective. Voters whose economic evaluations are most likely to be endogenous to vote choice show a weaker relationship between economic evaluations and their votes than the voters who appear to be more objective in their assessments of the election. Economic voting is broader and more prospective than previously accepted, and concerns about endogeneity in economic evaluations are overstated.
Reactive Extrusion Strategies to Fabricate Magnetite–Polyethylene Nanocomposites with Enhanced Mechanical and Magnetic Hyperthermia Properties

Biofouling is a major problem in water filtration units, which leads to premature system failure. Conventional treatment methods involving the use of chemicals or high-pressure hydraulics exert mechanical strain on filter materials, leading to shortened service lifetimes. In this study, a novel magnetic polymer nanocomposite is fabricated using a blend of high density/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene with magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) fillers. The resulting magnetite–polyethylene nanocomposite (MPE-NC) is mechanically robust and can be externally actuated with an alternating magnetic field to generate localized heating that is effective in eradicating bacterial biofilms. The MNPs are functionalized with silane-based coupling agents and crosslinked onto the polyethylene backbone via a reactive extrusion approach, which results in a twofold enhancement in mechanical properties of the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the magnetic hyperthermia performance of the MPE-NC is improved eightfold by replacing undoped magnetite nanospheres with zinc-doped magnetite nanocube fillers, and the magnetic hyperthermia treatment approach is shown to be 12 times more effective in destroying bacterial biofilms compared to a direct heat-treatment method. During hyperthermia treatment, the mechanical integrity of the MPE-NC is preserved, thereby validating the potential of the MPE-NC as a new filter material with high efficiency in biofilm removal and extended durability.
Long-Term Follow-up of TBI.

To the Editor: An article by Okie (July 14 issue)1 on traumatic brain injury (TBI) focused on the personal paths to recovery taken by combat veterans with TBI. The article, however, gave an erroneous impression that previous research on the long-term effects of TBI has been scarce. In fact, there is considerable published literature on this topic that could guide present and future research and clinical management of both closed (including blast-related2) and penetrating TBI. Even if it is difficult to predict with absolute certainty a precise outcome after TBI in any individual patient, there are key preinjury and . . .
A Research Factory for Polymer Microdevices: muFac

As part of our research on the manufacturing science of micron scale polymer-based devices, an automated production cell has been developed to explore its use in a volume manufacturing environment. This "micro-factory" allows the testing of models and hardware that have resulted from research on material characterization and simulation, tooling and equipment design and control, and process control and metrology. More importantly it has allowed us to identify the problems that exist between and within unit-processes. This paper details our efforts to produce basic micro-fluidic products in high volume at acceptable production rates and quality levels. The device chosen for our first product is a simple binary micromixer with 40×50 micron channel cross section manufactured by embossing of PMMA. The processes in the cell include laser cutting and drilling, hot embossing, thermal bonding and high-speed inspection of the components. Our goal is to create a "lights-out" factory that can make long production runs (e.g. an 8 hour shift) at high rates (Takt time of less than 3 minutes) with consistent quality. This contrasts with device foundries where prototypes in limited quantities but with high variety are the goal. Accordingly, rate and yield are dominant factors in this work, along with the need for precise material handling strategies. Production data will be presented to include process run charts, sampled functional testing of the products and measures of the overall system throughput.
What Helps Some First-Generation Students Succeed:

Students who are the first in their extended families to attend college and then go on to lead lives of activism are the beneficiaries of a blend of large gestures of support and small acts of kind...
Low-Wage Precarious Workers' Sociotechnical Practices Working Towards Addressing Wage Theft

Nearly 40 million workers in the USA, a third of the working population, are low-wage, meaning they make less than $11.65 per hour. These workers face the pervasive and detrimental challenge of wage violations, also known as wage theft, which is any illegal activity by an employer that denies benefits or wages to employees. We interviewed 24 low-wage workers who experienced wage theft and sought justice about their work practices, challenges, and information technology usage. Based on these interviews, we identify three key sociotechnical practices these workers engaged in to address their wage theft: 1) identifying wage and payment discrepancies; 2) tracking and documenting work; and 3) pursuing wage claims. Seeking to leverage HCI research to interrupt uneven social, economic, and information relations in the low-wage workplace, we ultimately reflect on the possibility and limits of several key design recommendations.
Abstract 189: Income Level Disparities in Consumer Reported Domains of Healthcare Experience Among Those With Established Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in United States: Insights From Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2010-2013

Background: While it is well established that significant health outcome disparities exist across patients of varying socio-economic status (SES) with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), disparities in patients’ healthcare experiences are not well investigated. We explore income level differences in four central tenets of patient-reported healthcare experience (access to care, provider communication, shared decision making and provider satisfaction) as measured by the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey, in a nationally representative adult US population with established ASCVD. Methods: The study population consisted of 8223 individuals (age ≥ 18 years) representing 21.6 million with established ASCVD (self-reported or ICD-9 diagnosis) reporting a usual source of care in the 2010-2013 pooled Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) cohort. We assessed the responses for each item as: a) difficult access to care (always/almost difficult), b) ineffective communication and shared decision making (never/sometimes), and c) poor provider satisfaction (lowest quartile on a scale of 0-10). We examined the relationship between scores in the lowest quartile of each domain composite scores, derived using the weighted average response from each items scores, with patients’ SES, using the high-income group as reference. Results: Lower SES was consistently associated with greater perceived difficulties in access, poor provider-patient communication, less shared decision making, as well as lower provider satisfaction (Table). Participants classified as poor vs. high income were 47% (95% CI 1.17-1.83) more likely to report difficulty accessing care, 39% (95% CI 1.09-1.78) and 26% (95% CI 0.99-1.60) reported a higher likelihood of experiencing poor communication and shared decision making respectively, as well as a 66% (95% CI 1.31-2.11) higher likelihood of reporting lower provider satisfaction. Conclusion: Among patients with established ASCVD, significant SES disparities exist in all domains of patient reported healthcare experience quality of care metrics. Targeted policies focusing on improving communication, engagement and satisfaction are needed to enhance patient healthcare experience among high-risk vulnerable populations.
A three-port series resonant converter for three-phase unfolding inverters

Isolated grid-connected inverters are typically constructed of two stages, namely a voltage-source inverter stage and an isolated bidirectional dc-dc converter stage. Recently, two dual-bridge isolated series resonant dc-dc converters are used to synthesize segments of the line current and reconstruct the complete sinusoidal line currents using a three-phase unfolder. The unfolder technique synthesizes high quality waveforms, but at the expense of additional switches. This paper proposes a three-port series resonant converter topology with reduced number of switches. With the proposed topology, advantages associated with the high frequency isolation and construction of high quality waveforms are maintained, but two switches and associated gate-drive circuits are removed by using a common leg of a converter. A control method interleaving the two resonant tank currents is presented to reduce rms switch currents in the common leg. Analysis and simulation results are presented to demonstrate benefits of interleaved control in the proposed topology, by reducing rms currents in the common leg and input capacitor up to 20% and 40%, respectively.
Tumor-derived thymic stromal lymphopoietin enhances lung metastasis through an alveolar macrophage-dependent mechanism.

ABSTRACTIt is well-recognized that macrophages, which arise from circulating precursors, enhance tumor progression in patients and animal models. However, less is known regarding the role of tissue-resident macrophages in metastasis. Moreover, the identification of tumor factors which influence macrophage function in the metastatic niche remains incomplete. Here, we investigated one such cytokine known as thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). Our rationale to focus on TSLP was based on two non-overlapping findings; first, TSLP exacerbates asthma in part by altering the lung macrophage response and, secondly, TSLP is produced by certain mouse and human tumor systems, although its role in neoplasia remains understudied. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that tumor-derived TSLP augments lung metastasis by rendering alveolar macrophages pro-tumorigenic. To test this hypothesis, we principally employed the 4T1 tumor model, which produces high levels of TSLP and metastasizes to the lung. TSLP loss-of-function signi...
4 Plurisexual Identity Labels and the Marking of Bisexual Desire

The present chapter considers the research literature that frames our understanding of bisexuality. By reviewing current models for conceptualizing sexuality we gain a better understanding of the framework from which individuals identify with bisexual and other plurisexual labels. Bisexuality is often rendered invisible as it is simultaneously defined against heterosexual, monosexual, and cisgender norms. Self-identification, then, can be seen as a way of socially marking and making bisexuality visible. Acknowledging that individuals often use multiple identity labels across social contexts, the present chapter considers the way different plurisexual labels (bisexual, pansexual, queer, and fluid) are used to highlight specific aspects of bisexual desire.
Estimating body composition in late gestation: a new hydration constant for body density and total body water

Twenty women underwent body density (DB) measurements using underwater weighing with correction of residual lung volume by nitrogen dilution and total body water (TBW) using isotope dilution of 18O to estimate body composition at 30 wk of gestation. DB and TBW were used as independent variables in the same equation. The hydration constant (HC) of fat-free mass (FFM) was estimated as 0.762; based on this HC, new body composition equations for both DB and TBW were derived. These equations were prospectively tested in an additional 20 women at 30 wk of gestation. No significant differences were detected between estimates of percent body fat (%F) using either the newly derived DB or TBW equations and estimates of %F using both DB and TBW. Ten of these forty women were evaluated postpartum. There was no significant difference in %F estimated by either TBW or DB compared with standard equations (hydration of FFM = 0.72) and %F using both DB and TBW. These results highlight the importance of either measuring both DB and TBW or using an appropriate hydration constant for FFM in estimating body composition during pregnancy or conditions associated with increased body water.
A convenient synthesis of Δ1-pyrrolines and Δ1- piperideines

Abstract Imines 5 are formed in excellent yield from the reaction of nitriles 2 with diisobutylaluminum hydride.
Winning On A Dime: The Best- And Worst-Managed Franchises Of The Decade

Identifying good and bad contracts is useful, but individual instances of over- and under-payment don’t necessarily provide an accurate picture of how good a general manager is at his craft. Bench players hit grand slam home runs, and Hall-of-Fame sluggers strike out with the game on the line. Just as these isolated events tell us very little about the quality of players, a single contract doesn’t tell us much about how well a front office manages its ballclub. Certainly, a general manager who signs a player to a good(bad) contract deserves some credit(blame); however, the sum of the good and the bad decisions provides a clearer picture of his business acumen.
The importance of good communication in treating patients' pain.

Effective patient-physician communication requires that the physician show empathy, express concern, be sensitive to nonverbal communication, and, more generally, follow the Golden Rule.
A Functional Analysis of the Septal Nuclei

At the end of the nineteenth century and into the early part of the twentieth, a number of investigators (22,23,25,32,44,54), emphasized the intimate relationship between the hippocampal formamation and the septum provided by the fimbria-fornix system. The fimbria-fornix system was thought to arise exclusively from the hippocampal formation and subiculum. Cajal (44) epitomized the relationship by stating that the septum should be considered as a center associated with, or subordinate to, the hippocampus. Later, Crosby (12) suggested that there might be a reciprocal connection from the septum to the hippocampus within the fimbria-fornix pathway. This connection was subsequently confirmed (13,46).
DIRECT MEASUREMENTS OF SPINS OF RADIOACTIVE NUCLEI

This article contains a brief review of the principal optical and radio-frequency spectroscopic methods for determining spins of ground and long-lived-nuclear states. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques for radioactive isotope investigations are explained. A survey of the required sample sizes has been made to indicate the relative sensitivities of the various methods.
Chained regularization for identifying brain patterns specific to HIV infection.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection continues to have major adverse public health and clinical consequences despite the effectiveness of combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) in reducing HIV viral load and improving immune function. As successfully treated individuals with HIV infection age, their cognition declines faster than reported for normal aging. This phenomenon underlines the importance of improving long-term care, which requires a better understanding of the impact of HIV on the brain. In this paper, automated identification of patients and brain regions affected by HIV infection are modeled as a classification problem, whose solution is determined in two steps within our proposed Chained-Regularization framework. The first step focuses on selecting the HIV pattern (i.e., the most informative constellation of brain region measurements for distinguishing HIV infected subjects from healthy controls) by constraining the search for the optimal parameter setting of the classifier via group sparsity (l2,1-norm). The second step improves classification accuracy by constraining the parameterization with respect to the selected measurements and the Euclidean regularization (l2-norm). When applied to the cortical and subcortical structural Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) measurements of 65 controls and 65 HIV infected individuals, this approach is more accurate in distinguishing the two cohorts than more common models. Finally, the brain regions of the identified HIV pattern concur with the HIV literature that uses traditional group analysis models.
Development of a Dietary Methyl Donor Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Folate and Vitamin B12 Status in Children with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

Objective To develop a dietary methyl donor food frequency questionnaire (DMD-FFQ) that is validated in a cohort of US children and to determine whether the consumption of folate and vitamin B12, principal DMDs, correlates with HBV DNA levels and its methylation density. Study design We developed a semiquantitative DMD-FFQ to estimate intake of folate and vitamin B12 and validated this instrument against a 24-hour dietary recall and biomarkers—red blood cell folate, serum vitamin B12, and homocysteine—in 35 children with chronic HBV infection without other medical comorbidities. Estimates of DMD, as well as the serum biomarkers, were correlated with the methylation density of HBV CpG island 2 and HBV DNA levels. Results Folate per kilogram of body weight by the DMD-FFQ correlated positively with 24-hour recall (r = 0.60; P Conclusions Our DMD-FFQ correlates well with a 24-hour recall and circulating biomarkers. Although little evidence existed that consumption of these micronutrients correlated with HBV replication, this tool could prove useful for investigating epigenetic modification by diet for several pediatric diseases.