cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health care reform and clinical culture.

It is a tired and cynical cadre of physicians who will implement health care reforms. Yet few published perspectives include the view from the factory floor. The usual platitudes about changing financial incentives, increasing efficiency, and delivering high-quality care sound naive to clinicians who deal with the imperfections of human nature and the messy effects of illness on patients. Doctors are already, by training, sophisticated decision-making machines, capable of achieving extreme efficiency through the use of heuristics and experience. The main problems that clinicians face in achieving efficiency and reducing costs are, first, a perceived need for certainty in diagnosis . . .
Development and Characterization of 15 Polymorphic Microsatellite Loci Isolated From Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat, Corynorhinus rafinesquii

We developed and characterized 15 microsatellite markers for Rafinesque's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus rafinesquii. In a population from Tennessee, the number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 13 and observed heterozygosities were 0.35 to 0.97 per locus. These loci will provide appropriate variability for estimation of population connectivity, demographic parameters, and genetic diversity for this species of concern.
Influence of Social Support, Existential Well-Being, and Stress Over Sexual Orientation on Self Esteem of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Individuals

The purpose of the study was to explore the effects of existential well-being, social support, and conflict over one’s sexual orientation on gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) individuals’ self-esteem. In addition, the study explored the effects of conservative or non-conservative religious backgrounds in the lives of the participants. The results of multiple regression suggest that stronger self-esteem is predicted by having greater sense of social support, less internal conflict over one’s sexual orientation, greater sense of existential well-being, and extrinsic social orientation to religion. Religious and spiritual issues are assumed to carry universal significance for people and suggestions are made for mental health professionals who work with GLB clients in various cultures.
Delayed unitary cancellation and heavy particle effects in e+e−→W+W−

Abstract We examine one-loop radiative corrections to e+e−→W+W− in the standard model with one Higgs doublet, concentrating on the effects of very heavy fermions. These disturb the delicate unitarity cancellation between s- and t-channel diagrams, raising the cross section even well below the fermion threshold and giving a clear experimental signature for the heavy sector.
The evolution of mating systems in barnacles

Thoracican barnacles exhibit tremendous diversity among species in reproductive life histories, including hermaphroditism, dioecy and androdioecy. Androdioecy (where populations contain a mix of males and hermaphrodites) is rare among animals, but has been described in more than 30 species of barnacles and appears to have evolved independently at least four times in this clade. Several models have been suggested to explain the evolution and stability of different mating systems in barnacles, including the relatively high frequency of androdioecy. We review this body of theory and compare predictions to existing empirical data on interspecific patterns of sex allocation. Allocation to male and female reproduction may also vary within barnacle species, and these patterns may provide additional insight into the evolutionary forces that select for different mating systems. Theory predicts that for simultaneous hermaphrodites, the optimal allocation to male function should increase with the size of mating groups, due to sperm competition. This prediction is supported by the only previously published study to address this issue. We present new data from another intertidal barnacle (Tetraclita rubescens) that do not support the predicted association between investment in male reproduction and local density of conspecifics. We suggest that this departure from the expected relationship may arise from a reduced importance of sperm competition in this species. Despite over 150 years of interest in barnacle mating systems, many questions remain unanswered. We argue that barnacles provide a superb opportunity to test predictions of sex allocation theory and we offer suggestions for promising areas of future research.
Abstract 4985: Cellular dormancy in residual disease following oncogene inhibition

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Tumor recurrence is the primary cause of cancer-related mortality. Recurrent tumors arise from residual cancer cells surviving treatment of the primary tumor. It remains unclear whether residual tumor cells are quiescent, or whether they are proliferative but tumor recurrence is limited by a countervailing level of cell death, due to insufficient vascularization or an inhospitable microenvironment. Using inducible models for HER2/neu and Wnt1 mammary tumorigenesis, we found that residual tumor cells surviving oncogene inhibition are quiescent, and reside in a desmoplastic and well-vascularized microenvironment. We confirmed these results by performing gene expression analysis on residual tumor cells, primary tumor cells, recurrent tumor cells, and stromal cells. Gene ontology analysis identified dramatic downregulation of gene clusters associated with proliferation in dormant residual tumor cells compared to all other cell types. Genes we identified as up- or downregulated in dormant residual disease were identified in other models of dormancy, suggesting generalizable mechanisms underpinning dormancy in different contexts. Dormancy-specific changes in additional genes further suggest a role for both EMT and stem cell-related signaling in dormant residual disease which survives targeted therapy. Finally, we demonstrated quiescent residual disease in a xenograft model of breast cancer treated with clinically relevant targeted therapies. In summation, these results suggest both that residual disease may exhibit cellular dormancy following targeted therapy, and that some mechanisms regulating cellular quiescence may be similar across different contexts. Citation Format: Jason Ruth, Dhruv Pant, Blaine Keister, Christopher Sterner, Lewis Chodosh. Cellular dormancy in residual disease following oncogene inhibition. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4985. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4985
A Simple Account of Cyclopean Edge Responses in Macaque V2

It has been shown recently that neurons in V2 respond selectively to the edges of figures defined only by disparity (cyclopean edges). These responses are orientation selective, often preferring similar orientations for cyclopean and luminance contours, suggesting that they may support a cue-invariant representation of contours. Here, we investigate the extent to which processing of purely local visual information (in the vicinity of the receptive field) might explain such results, using the most impoverished stimulus possible containing a cyclopean edge (a circular patch of random dots divided into two regions by a single edge). Many V2 cells responded better to the cyclopean edge than to uniform disparities, and most of these were at least broadly selective for the orientation of the cyclopean edge. Two characteristics argue against a cue-invariant contour representation: (1) the cyclopean edge response was frequently abolished by small changes to the component disparities; and (2) although V2 cells frequently responded to both signs of a cyclopean edge (defined by which side of the edge is in front), they did so at different edge locations. These characteristics are consistent with a simple feedforward scheme in which V2 neurons receive inputs from several V1 subunits with different disparity selectivity. We also found a correlation between the preferred orientations for cyclopean edges and contrast stimuli, suggesting that this feedforward wiring is not random. These characteristics suggest that V2 responses to cyclopean edges may be useful in supporting a cue-invariant contour representation higher in the visual pathway.
Racial differences in adolescent coping and self-esteem.

Abstract Racial differences in coping strategies and self-esteem were examined for 361 male and female adolescents in Grades 7–12. Coping strategies were assessed with the Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences (J. M. Patterson & H. I. McCubbin, 1986). Self-esteem was assessed by the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (S. Coopersmith, 1987). Multivariate analysis revealed racial differences in adolescent coping strategies of ventilating feelings, seeking diversions, developing self-reliance, avoiding problems, seeking spiritual support, investing in close friends, engaging in demanding activities, solving family problems, and relaxing. In particular, African American adolescents reported using diversions, self-reliance, spiritual support, close friends, demanding activities, family problems, and relaxation more frequently than Caucasian adolescents did. Implications for professionals and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Where Do Shared Pathways Lead? Some Reflections on a Research Agenda

A substantial body of research relates socioeconomic, behavioral, social, and psychological factors to the development and progression of a wide variety of diseases. The search for shared pathways that link these factors leads to the investigation of upstream determinants, as opposed to biologic pathways, but these have been little studied by biobehavioral researchers. Available data suggest that socioeconomic factors structure the development and maintenance of behavioral, social, and psychological factors; however, we know little of how this takes place. A consideration of the ways in which socioeconomic position influences the everyday texture of people's lives could advance our understanding of both macroeconomic and microeconomic influences on health, and lead to new, community-centric approaches to intervention. Such a research agenda would help to advance the scientific foundations for reducing the primary origins of disease, which are social and economic.
N-terminal domain of the androgen receptor contains a region that can promote cytoplasmic localization.

Abstract Nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of the androgen receptor (AR) represents an essential step in androgen action. To determine whether the amino-terminal domain (NTD) contains potential nuclear import and/or export signals, deletion mutants of the NTD tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were generated and tested for their intracellular localization in both AR-negative and AR-positive cell lines. Subcellular localization analysis suggested a role of the NTD in regulating AR subcellular localization and revealed that the region of a.a. 50–250 of the NTD of AR (AR50–250) could promote cytoplasmic localization. Leptomycin B inhibited the activity of AR50–250, suggesting that AR50–250 export is mediated through exportin 1, either directly or indirectly. These observations argue for an important role of the NTD in regulating AR nucleocytoplasmic trafficking and will facilitate further investigation of interactions among different signals in regulating AR nucleocytoplasmic trafficking, which may lead to new approaches to inhibit AR nuclear localization.
Privacy versus the public's right to know. Presidential health and the White House physician.

(2002). PRIVACY VERSUS THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW - PRESIDENTIAL HEALTH AND THE WHITE HOUSE PHYSICIAN. Journal of Legal Medicine: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 523-545.
Unimodality of Gaussian coefficients: a constructive proof

Abstract We present the first constructive proof of the unimodality of Gaussian coefficients.
The Limitations of the Bible

The Bible, even for those accustomed to reading it, is in the words of Karl Barth a strange new world. The Old Testament, inherited from Pharisee Judaism, is written in a different language with a different geography and a much longer chronological span than the New Testament. In particular the Old Testament is an uncomfortable element in much Christian thinking. We must accept the limitations of both Testaments and search for their soul, which is so easily lost in scientific studies.
Beneficial Effect of Reducing the Feed Residence Time in a Field Problem of Suspected Moldy Feed

Abstract A field problem presented itself on a farm with two broiler chicken houses identical in age, construction, and management; yet one house constantly had a higher cost of meat production. On the premise that the problem was caused by moldy feed, the mean residence time of the feed in a house was decreased by halving the amount of feed per delivery. It was hypothesized that the shorter residence time would reduce fungal activity by reducing the time available for such activity. A cross-over experimental design revealed that the “bad house” was converted into a “good house” when the mean residence time was reduced. Calculation showed a cost differential of $.00641/kg of meat in favor of a shorter residence time after correction for the added cost of feed delivery. The cost reduction was associated with improved body weight and feed conversion.
Neuropeptide K stimulates corticosterone release in the rat

Abstract We have investigated the effects of the tachykinin, neurokinin A (NKA) and the N-terminally extended forms NPK and NPγ on plasma levels of corticosterone. Both peripheral and central injections of these three NK-2 receptor agonists stimulated adrenal corticosterone release in gonad-intact and castrated male rats. A comparison of their effects revealed that NPK was relatively more potent than NKA and NPγ. These results suggest that tachykinins may act at both central and peripheral sites to stimulate corticosterone release and that NKA and NPγ may represent degradation forms of the larger, biologically effective tachykinin, NPK.
Evaluation of extraocular muscles in patients with endocrine exophthalmos before and after treatment

The authors discuss the behaviour of the eyeball motility and the thickness of the external eye muscles in patients with infiltrative ophthalmopathy. the observations covered 22 patients with Graves' disease, being in the state of euthyroidism. Prior to the beginning of therapy and directly after its termination, all patients were subjected to full clinical evaluation, computerized tomography as well as to examination of the range of eyeball movements. A restriction of all movements of the eyeballs was disclosed, the most serious handicap being recorded in the upward movement (6.5 mm), upward and external movement (8.2 mm), upward and internal (8.5 mm). the tomographic estimation revealed restriction of the straight muscles, inferior and superior, on the average by 3.5 mm, medial by 2.5 mm, and of the lateral straight muscles by 0.5 to 1 mm. Glucocorticoids and glucocorticoids together with imuran were used during the treatment. the therapy lasted from four to nine months. Just after the end of the therap...
Third Sex/Third Gender: Beyond Sexual Dimorphism In Culture and History

Third Sex/Third Gender: Beyond Sexual Dimorphism In Culture and History. Gilbert Herdt. ed. New York: Zone Books, 1994. 614 pp., photographs, notes, contributors, Index.
Optimizing DRX configuration to improve battery power saving and latency of active mobile applications over LTE-A network

In LTE networks, mobile applications and their higher data rate requirements are the latest phenomenon causing a tremendous need in power saving for mobile devices. Discontinuous reception (DRX) is one of the key power saving mechanisms in LTE. Since DRX saves battery power of user equipment usually at the expense of potential increase in latency, an optimization is needed to find the best tradeoff between latency and power saving. In this paper, we first develop an analytical model to estimate power saving achieved and latency incurred by DRX operation. Then, a tradeoff scheme is formulated to maintain a balance between these two performance parameters based on operator's preference for power saving. We validate analytical model using system level simulation results obtained from OPNET Modeler. The results show that the proposed tradeoff scheme is highly efficient in keeping a balance between power saving and latency. We have shown that proposed scheme can achieve a significant delay improvement with a small decrease in power saving. The results also indicate that short DRX cycles are very effective in reducing latency for active traffic.
Cementodentinal Tear: A Case Report With 7-Year Follow-Up

Background: Cemental tears are an uncommon form of root fracture that can lead to rapid localized attachment loss. Typically, the separation of the fragment occurs at the cementodentinal junction. In this report, we present a case of periodontal involvement associated with a cemental tear-like fragment that proved to be a cementodentinal tear. We also review the literature on the clinical presentation of cemental tear associated periodontal lesions. Methods: A 52-year-old male presented with acute pain on the maxillary right second premolar. Clinically, probing depth of 7 mm and inflammation were noted on the distal aspect of tooth #4. Radiographic examination revealed separation of cervical root structure on the distal aspect of the tooth, involving two-thirds of the root length. The root fragment was removed, and the localized defect was treated by open flap debridement along with scaling and root planing. The patient was then placed on a regular periodontal maintenance schedule. Results: A postoperativ...
Atlas Renormalization for Improved Brain MR Image Segmentation Across Scanner Platforms

Atlas-based approaches have demonstrated the ability to automatically identify detailed brain structures from 3-D magnetic resonance (MR) brain images. Unfortunately, the accuracy of this type of method often degrades when processing data acquired on a different scanner platform or pulse sequence than the data used for the atlas training. In this paper, we improve the performance of an atlas-based whole brain segmentation method by introducing an intensity renormalization procedure that automatically adjusts the prior atlas intensity model to new input data. Validation using manually labeled test datasets has shown that the new procedure improves the segmentation accuracy (as measured by the Dice coefficient) by 10% or more for several structures including hippocampus, amygdala, caudate, and pallidum. The results verify that this new procedure reduces the sensitivity of the whole brain segmentation method to changes in scanner platforms and improves its accuracy and robustness, which can thus facilitate multicenter or multisite neuroanatomical imaging studies
Transient β adrenergic stimulation can precondition the rat heart against postischaemic contractile dysfunction

Objective: The aim was to assess the abilities of exogenous noradrenaline, isoprenaline, and phenylephrine to precondition the isolated rat heart against ischaemic and reperfusion injury. Methods: The isovolumetric Langendorff rat heart model was used to determine postischaemic recovery of left ventricular function. The hearts were subjected to 30 min of normothermic global ischaemia followed by 30 min reperfusion. Treated hearts were perfused with noradrenaline (10−7 M), isoprenaline (10−8 M), or phenylephrine (10−6 M, 10−5 M, and 10−4 M) for 5 min followed by 5 min washout before the 30 min ischaemic period. Results: Control hearts recovered 47.6(SEM 4.3)% of baseline heart rate × developed pressure after 30 min reperfusion, whereas noradrenaline and isoprenaline treated hearts recovered 75.1(4.6) and 76.4(4.6)%, respectively (p< 0.001 v control). Left ventricular end diastolic pressures at the end of reperfusion were 48.8(4.0), 20.0(2.4), and 21.6(2.7) mm Hg for control, noradrenaline treated (p < 0.001 v control), and isoprenaline treated (p < 0.001 v control) hearts respectively. β Blockade with propranolol during noradrenaline treatment blocked the protective effects. No concentration of phenylephrine used was able to enhance postischaemic heart rate × developed pressure significantly, or result in improved (lower) postischaemic left ventricular end diastolic pressure. During treatment with noradrenaline and phenylephrine (10−5 M), lactate release was 13.0(1.0) and 11.0(0.9) μmol·5 min−1, respectively (p = NS); these values were significantly (p< 0.001) greater than baseline value of 3.7(0.5) μmol·5 min−1. Immediately before the 30 min ischaemic period, control and phenylephrine treated groups had glycogen levels of 132(14) and 128(5) nmol·mg−1 protein, respectively (p = NS), whereas the glycogen content of the noradrenaline treated group was only 96(5) nmol·mg−1 protein (p < 0.05 v control and phenylephrine treated). Conclusions: Transient β adrenergic but not α1 adrenergic stimulation can precondition the isolated perfused rat heart. The mechanism of protection may, at least in part, be due to transient demand ischaemia. Partial depletion of glycogen following treatment may play a role in the observed protective effects. Cardiovascular Research 1994; 28 :1726-1734
Neural-network-based sensor fusion of optical emission and mass spectroscopy data for real-time fault detection in reactive ion etching

To achieve timely and accurate fault detection in reactive ion etching, neural networks (NNs) have been applied for the fusion of data generated by two in-situ sensors: optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and residual gas analysis (RGA). While etching is performed, OES and RGA data are simultaneously collected in real time. Several pre-determined, statistically significant wavelengths (for OES data) and atomic masses (for RGA signals) are monitored. These data are subsequently used for training NN-based time series models of process behavior. Such models, referred to herein as time series NNs (TSNNs), are realized using multilayered perceptron NNs. Results indicate that the TSNNs not only predict process parameters of interest, but also efficiently perform as sensor fusion of the in-situ sensor data.
Pioneers in Biomedical Optics: Special Section Honoring Professor Ashley J. Welch, University of Texas at Austin

This PDF file contains the editorial “Special Section Guest Editorial: Pioneers in Biomedical Optics: Special Section Honoring Professor Ashley J. Welch, University of Texas at Austin” for JBO Vol. 11 Issue 04
Traffic shaping for MPEG video transmission over the next generation internet

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has proposed the Guaranteed Service (GS) in the Integrated Services model with firm delay and bandwidth guarantees. In this paper, we study the effects of a token bucket traffic shaper at the source on the transmission characteristics of Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) compressed video streams over the GS. We develop an analytical model of the traffic shaper, and also carry out numerical simulation of the transmission performance using MPEG trace data from several different video sequences. The analytical model and the numerical simulation results are in excellent agreement. Our study provides a technique to determine the token bucket parameters that have to be specified while setting up a GS flow. Our study reveals that the traffic shaping process gives an end application a wide range of flexibility in controlling the delay. By choosing appropriate token bucket traffic shaper parameters, delay can be reduced significantly without the need to reserve costly network resources for less delay-sensitive applications, while time-critical applications may specify the required token bucket parameters for minimum delay.
Measuring the Implementation and Effects of a Coordinated Care Model Featuring Diabetes Self-management Education Within Four Patient-Centered Medical Homes.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to measure the implementation and effects of a multisite coordinated care approach that delivered diabetes self-management education (DSME) and diabetes self-management support (DSMS) for disadvantaged patients within 4 patient-centered medical homes (PCMH).MethodsA total of 173 patients (69.9% African American, 26.0% Caucasian, and 4.1% other) experienced elements of the intervention, which featured DSME and coordinated care. Key informant interviews with PCMH site staff were used to capture, code, and characterize activities related to implementation and sustainability of the intervention. Outcome measures collected at baseline and at 6 months included clinical health indicators, A1C, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and lipids, as well as the AADE7 Behaviors.ResultsA statistically significant decrease occurred in A1C and BMI within 6 months for participants within 1 PCMH. This improvement among clinical health outcomes was associated with the frequency of servi...
Disk arm movement in anticipation of future requests

When a disk drive's access arm is idle, it may not be at the ideal location. In anticipation of future requests, movement to some other location may be advantageous. The effectiveness of anticipatory disk arm movement is explored. Various operating conditions are considered, and the reduction in seek distances and request response times is determined for them. Suppose that successive requests are independent and uniformly distributed. By bringing the arm to the middle of its range of motion when it is idle, the expected seek distance can be reduced by 25 percent. Nonlinearity in time versus distance can whittle that 25 percent reduction down to a 13 percent reduction in seek time. Nonuniformity in request location, nonPoisson arrival processes, and high arrival rates can whittle the reduction down to nothing. However, techniques are discussed that maximize those savings that are still possible under those circumstances. Various systems with multiple arms are analyzed. Usually, it is best to spread out the arms over the disk area. The both arms should be brought to the middle.
Prokaryote Affinities of Duboscqia penetrans Thorne

SYNOPSIS. The obligate endoparasite of soil nematodes, described originally as Duboscqia penetrans Thorne, 1940, was proved to be incorrectly classified as a member of the genus Duboscqia (Protozoa, Microspora). Spores of this parasite were found to lack a polar filament, PAS-positive polar cap, or any other features characteristic of the microsporan protozoa. The organism has a simple vegetative cycle within the host and its spore resembles the “endospore”common in Bacillus spp. It appears to have strong affinities to the etiologic agents (Bacillus popilliae) of the “milky disease”of certain insects.
Tightlip: keeping applications from spilling the beans

Access control misconfigurations are widespread and can result in damaging breaches of confidentiality. This paper presents TightLip, a privacy management system that helps users define what data is sensitive and who is trusted to see it rather than forcing them to understand or predict how the interactions of their software packages can leak data. The key mechanism used by TightLip to detect and prevent breaches is the doppelganger process. Doppelgangers are sandboxed copy processes that inherit most, but not all, of the state of an original process. The operating system runs a doppelganger and its original in parallel and uses divergent process outputs to detect potential privacy leaks. Support for doppelgangers is compatible with legacy-code, requires minor modifications to existing operating systems, and imposes negligible overhead for common workloads. SpecWeb99 results show that Apache running on a TightLip prototype exhibits a 5% slowdown in request rate and response time compared to an unmodified server environment.
Vegetarian food guide pyramid: a conceptual framework

The purpose of this article and the accompanying vegetarian food guide pyramid graphic is to provide the conceptual framework for the development of a new and unique food guide. Food guides for vegetarians have tended to be adaptations of guides developed for the general nonvegetarian population instead of being designed to emphasize the healthy components of vegetarian dietary patterns. A subcommittee of the organizers of the Third International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition began a process that led to the development of a pyramid-shaped graphic illustration and a supporting document, both of which were introduced at the congress. The 5 major plant-based food groups (whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds) form the trapezoid-shaped lower portion of the pyramid. Optional food groups, which may be avoided by some vegetarians (vegetable oils, dairy, eggs, and sweets), form the smaller, separate, triangle-shaped top portion of the pyramid. The supporting document discusses the concepts that affect vegetarian food guidance and the rationale for selecting the food groups. It is hoped that this framework will provide the impetus for further research and discussion and will lead to the development of a guide that is nutritionally adequate, is conducive to good health, and can be adopted by vegetarians of diverse eating practices.
Reporting evaluation results.

Abstract The major purpose of program evaluation is to provide information that can be used in decision-making by program administrators and other interested parties. How to communicate that information clearly and persuasively is the subject of this article. Sensitivity to the cognitive styles of the intended audience(s) and awareness of one's own areas of uncertainty are first recommended. In addition, guidelines are offered to help achieve a clear and persuasive report, ways to effectively present results to various audiences are reviewed, and advice is provided on how to minimize the likelihood of hostile political responses to major findings. Finally, evaluation researchers are urged to share their results with others interested in the evaluation of health promotion programs through publication or presentation at professional meetings to create an influential body of cumulative research findings.
Institutions and Popular Control of Public Policy

In democracy, public opinion is supposed to influence policymaking, yet evidence on the amount of congruence between policy and opinion, or the factors that affect congruence, is scarce. This paper constructs a simple measure of policy congruence on 10 separate issues in all 50 states. For these policies, states chose the outcome favored by the majority 59 percent of the time, only 9 percent more often than would happen with random policymaking. Congruence was approximately 17 to 19 percent higher when initiatives, a form of direct democracy, were allowed. Congruence was 12 to 14 percent lower when judges were not required to stand for reelection. Congruence was not correlated with a variety of election laws, including campaign contribution limits, public funding of campaigns, and commission-based redistricting.
High Efficiency Room Air Conditioner

This project was undertaken as a CRADA project between UT-Battelle and Geberal Electric Company and was funded by Department of Energy to design and develop of a high efficiency room air conditioner. A number of novel elements were investigated to improve the energy efficiency of a state-of-the-art WAC with base capacity of 10,000 BTU/h. One of the major modifications was made by downgrading its capacity from 10,000 BTU/hr to 8,000 BTU/hr by replacing the original compressor with a lower capacity (8,000 BTU/hr) but high efficiency compressor having an EER of 9.7 as compared with 9.3 of the original compressor. However, all heat exchangers from the original unit were retained to provide higher EER. The other subsequent major modifications included- (i) the AC fan motor was replaced by a brushless high efficiency ECM motor along with its fan housing, (ii) the capillary tube was replaced with a needle valve to better control the refrigerant flow and refrigerant set points, and (iii) the unit was tested with a drop-in environmentally friendly binary mixture of R32 (90% molar concentration)/R125 (10% molar concentration). The WAC was tested in the environmental chambers at ORNL as per the design rating conditions of AHAM/ASHRAE (Outdoor- 95F and more » 40%RH, Indoor- 80F, 51.5%RH). All these modifications resulted in enhancing the EER of the WAC by up to 25%. « less
Creatine target engagement with brain bioenergetics: a dose-ranging phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of adolescent females with SSRI-resistant depression.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) often begins during adolescence and is projected to become the leading cause of global disease burden by the year 2030. Yet, approximately 40 % of depressed adolescents fail to respond to standard antidepressant treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Converging evidence suggests that depression is related to brain mitochondrial dysfunction. Our previous studies of MDD in adult and adolescent females suggest that augmentation of SSRI pharmacotherapy with creatine monohydrate (CM) may improve MDD outcomes. Neuroimaging with phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) can measure the high-energy phosphorus metabolites in vivo that reflect mitochondrial function. These include phosphocreatine (PCr), a substrate for the creatine kinase reaction that produces adenosine triphosphate. As part of the National Institute of Mental Health’s experimental medicine initiative, we conducted a placebo-controlled dose-ranging study of adjunctive CM for adolescent females with SSRI-resistant MDD. Participants were randomized to receive placebo or CM 2, 4 or 10 g daily for 8 weeks. Pre- and post-treatment 31P-MRS scans were used to measure frontal lobe PCr, to assess CM’s target engagement with cerebral energy metabolism. Mean frontal lobe PCr increased by 4.6, 4.1 and 9.1 % in the 2, 4 and 10 g groups, respectively; in the placebo group, PCr fell by 0.7 %. There was no group difference in adverse events, weight gain or serum creatinine. Regression analysis of PCr and depression scores across the entire sample showed that frontal lobe PCr was inversely correlated with depression scores (p = 0.02). These results suggest that CM achieves target engagement with brain bioenergetics and that the target is correlated with a clinical signal. Further study of CM as a treatment for adolescent females with SSRI-resistant MDD is warranted.
Synthesis of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Monolayer: Control of Nucleation and Crystal Morphology

Monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) attracts significant attention due to the potential to be used as a complementary two-dimensional dielectric in fabrication of functional 2D heterostructures. Here we investigate the growth stages of the hBN single crystals and show that hBN crystals change their shape from triangular to truncated triangular and further to hexagonal depending on copper substrate distance from the precursor. We suggest that the observed hBN crystal shape variation is affected by the ratio of boron to nitrogen active species concentrations on the copper surface inside the CVD reactor. Strong temperature dependence reveals the activation energies for the hBN nucleation process of ∼5 eV and crystal growth of ∼3.5 eV. We also show that the resulting h-BN film morphology is strongly affected by the heating method of borazane precursor and the buffer gas. Elucidation of these details facilitated synthesis of high quality large area monolayer hexagonal boron nitride by atmospheric pressure ...
Acute exacerbation of sleep apnea by hyperoxia impairs cognitive flexibility in Brown-Norway rats.

Study objectives To determine whether learning deficits occur during acute exacerbation of spontaneous sleep related breathing disorder (SRBD) in rats with high (Brown Norway; BN) and low (Zucker Lean; ZL) apnea propensity. Design Spatial acquisition (3 days) and reversal learning (3 days) in the Morris water maze (MWM) with polysomnography (12:00-08:00): (1) with acute SRBD exacerbation (by 20-h hyperoxia immediately preceding reversal learning) or (2) without SRBD exacerbation (room air throughout). Setting Randomized, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures design. Participants 14 BN rats; 16 ZL rats. Interventions 20-h hyperoxia. Measurements and results Apneas were detected as cessation of respiration ≥ 2 sec. Swim latency in MWM, apnea indices (AI; apneas/hour of sleep) and percentages of recording time for nonrapid eye movement (NREM), rapid eye movement (REM), and total sleep were assessed. Baseline AI in BN rats was more than double that of ZL rats (22.46 ± 2.27 versus 10.7 ± 0.9, P = 0.005). Hyperoxia increased AI in both BN (34.3 ± 7.4 versus 22.46 ± 2.27) and ZL rats (15.4 ± 2.7 versus 10.7 ± 0.9) without changes in sleep stage percentages. Control (room air) BN and ZL rats exhibited equivalent acquisition and reversal learning. Acute exacerbation of AI by hyperoxia produced a reversal learning performance deficit in BN but not ZL rats. In addition, the percentage of REM sleep and REM apnea index in BN rats during hyperoxia negatively correlated with reversal learning performance. Conclusions Acute exacerbation of sleep related breathing disorder by hyperoxia impairs reversal learning in a rat strain with high apnea propensity, but not a strain with a low apnea propensity. This suggests a non-linear threshold effect may contribute to the relationships between sleep apnea and cognitive dysfunctions, but strain-specific differences also may be important.
Progressing toward a Theory of Marketing Control: A Comment:

HE article by Jaworski (1988) is an interesting, thoughtful, and provocative piece on marketing control, an important subject which, I conclude from my casual review of the marketing literature, has not received much managerial, research, or textbook attention. The purpose of this short comment is to put the Jaworski article in perspective in the control literature, highlight a few of its strengths and weaknesses as I see them, and offer a few suggestions for further research on marketing control to supplement those Jaworski provides.
DIET AND FOOD-NICHE BREADTH OF BURROWING OWLS (ATHENE CUNICULARIA) IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) occupy intensively managed agricultural areas within the Imperial Valley of California, where they occur at high densities relative to other areas in the state, and yet reproductive rates are often low. Understanding diet and food-niche breadth may lead to insights into factors contributing to their poor repro- ductive performance. We tested the relative contribution of sex, year, and season on diet composition and food-niche breadth from analyses of stomach contents of adult Burrowing Owls (n = 53). Orthoptera dominated the diet; it accounted for 58.9% of the total number of prey items in all stomachs and was found in 98.2% of all samples. Rodents, a source of potentially limiting dietary calcium, were found in only 2 stomachs. We detected yearly and seasonal effects on estimated food-niche breadth. Mean food niche for the breeding season was broader (antilog of Shannon's index: 2.38 ± 0.15) and more even (Pielou's index: 0.67 ± 0.06) than for the nonbreeding season (1.83 ± 0.13, 0.49 ± 0.07, respectively) partially because of a greater frequency of Araneida, Isopoda, Lepidoptera, and Solpugida in the diet during the breed- ing season. Mean food-niche breadth for 1997 (2.25 ± 0.23) was broader than during 1994, 1995, and 1996 (2.07 ± 0.23, 1.98 ± 0.20, and 1.82 ± 0.40, respectively) because of a greater frequency of Araneida, Dermaptera, Isopoda, Lepi- doptera, and Solpugida. These results, and auxiliary diet information, suggest rodents were infrequent in the diet of Burrowing Owls in the Imperial Valley and may help explain their lower reproductive success relative to other areas of California.
Current Management of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Primary CNS lymphoma is rising in incidence in both the AIDS and non-AIDS populations. It is a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that usually presents as a brain tumor, but the leptomeninges, eyes, and spinal cord also are frequently affected. Systemic lymphoma is not present, and comprehensive systemic staging is unnecessary, but appropriate neurologic staging is imperative. Standard therapy has been whole brain radiotherapy, giving a median survival of 12 to 18 months in non-AIDS patients, but only 2 to 5 months in AIDS patients. In non-AIDS patients, the addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy has improved the prognosis, with median survivals of 30 to 45 months. Current protocols focus on the development of combination chemotherapy programs and reducing the dose of cranial radiotherapy to minimize late neurologic sequelae. The addition of chemotherapy to brain irradiation prolongs survival in some patients with AIDS-related disease, but median survival is not significantly improved.
Sleep Patterns and Health Status in Homeschool Children

Background: With a growing number of children being educated in the home, it is crucial to better understand how this setting might impact health. Methods: The aim of this study was to describe sleep patterns as they relate to physical activity, weight status, and cardiovascularhealth in a group of homeschool children within the United States. 25 participants ages 8-16 were measured by accelerometry during seven consecutive days to determine sleep and physical activity behaviors. Other measures included Body Mass Index, body fat percentage, and aerobic threshold (VO2). Results: Significant relationships were found between sleep patterns based on gender, age, and day-to-day activity associations. Conclusions: It was determined that children who were more physically active slept less at night. Lastly, behaviors were very consistent in this group with little variance between weekday and weekend sleep and physical activity patterns.
The association of calcium supplementation and incident cardiovascular events in the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Abstract Background and aims Many US adults use calcium supplements to address inadequate dietary intake and improve bone health. However, recent reports have suggested that use of calcium supplements may elevate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. In this study, we examined associations between baseline calcium supplement use and incident myocardial infarction (MI) ( n = 208 events) and CVD events ( n = 641 events) over 10.3 years in men and women from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort ( n = 6236), with dietary calcium intake at baseline also examined as a supplementary objective. Methods and results Using Cox proportional hazards models, no compelling associations between calcium intake from supplements or diet and incident CVD events were observed upon multivariate adjustment for potential confounders. An association with lower MI risk was observed comparing those with low levels of calcium supplement use (1–499 mg) to those using no calcium supplements (hazard ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.48, 0.98, p = 0.039). Relationships were homogeneous by gender, race/ethnicity, or chronic kidney disease. Results were also similar when the analysis was limited to postmenopausal women only. Conclusion Analysis of incident MI and CVD events in the MESA cohort does not support a substantial association of calcium supplement use with negative cardiovascular outcomes.
Personal/Body Area Networks and Healthcare Applications

A personal area network (PAN) is the interconnection of devices for information technology within the range of a single person, characteristically within a range of 10 m, and is typically coupled with wireless links and hence called wireless PAN (WPAN). These devices could be Bluetooth-based or ZigBee, or even new near-field communication components as pico-networks.
Memory as a Field Site: Interviewing Displaced Persons

Six and a half years after the start of the Arab uprisings, the initial euphoria of popular mobilization and optimism in revolutionary change is an increasingly distant memory. While a few countries in the region are moving in the direction of greater openness, most are gripped by a resurgent authoritarianism that is ever more repressive. Some states are collapsing amid mass violence and humanitarian catastrophe. In others, threat of brutal punishment continues to enforce red lines against permissible speech and action, even as those red lines continue to shift.
First Report of Pectobacterium parmentieri Causing Bacterial Soft Rot and Blackleg on Potato in Maine

Bacterial soft rot and blackleg of potato (Solanum tuberosum) caused by Pectobacterium spp. and Dickeya spp. can be a problem that causes severe economic losses (Jiang et al. 2016). A survey was conducted in 10 Maine potato fields from May to August in 2015, following the outbreak of blackleg in the Northeastern US (Jiang et al. 2016). Potato plants with blackleg symptoms and darkened and necrotic basal stems were collected from Maine potato fields in 2015. The lower 2 cm of blackleg symptomatic stems were excised, surface sanitized with 75% ethanol for 40 seconds, transferred to a 0.65% sodium hypochlorite solution for 1 min, followed by rinsing with sterile distilled water. The stem segment was then placed in a 50-mL tube containing 10 ml of sterile distilled water for 5 min to allow the bacteria to release from the plant tissue. The bacterial suspension was plated on crystal violet polypectate agar (Helias et al. 2012), and single colonies that formed cavities after 3 days were selected, purified, and ...
Quantifying photothermal heating at plasmonic nanoparticles by scanning electrochemical microscopy

Photothermal heating at metal nanoparticles results from the non-radiative decay of localized surface plasmons. The local heat generation enhances the mass transport rate of redox molecules and causes a shift in their formal potential, both of which can impact an electrochemical process at the nanoparticle interface. Here we present a methodology for probing the surface temperature at a plasmonic nanoparticle substrate using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Light is used to excite a plasmonic substrate electrode, while an ultramicroelectrode tip is positioned close to the substrate to read out both the mass transfer rate and concentration profile of the redox molecules. The measured mass transfer rate and the shift in the equilibrium potential provide a quantitative value of the temperature increase at the substrate surface, which is verified by simulations using a mass transfer model coupled with heat dissipation. The developed SECM approach is suitable for probing heat generation at a variety of both plasmonic and non-plasmonic nanostructures.