cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The need for an organized approach for Government Medical Insurance Programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia has a disorganized approach to enrolling their retired faculty in Medicare Supplement Insurance Programs. An organized approach to establishing Medicare Supplemental Insurance for retired University faculty should include the following administrative changes to correct this potential health-care crisis for retired state faculty members. First, the ombudsman for human resources for the state universities must receive educational programs that prepare the retired faculty members over the age of 65 to select the corporate insurance policy from Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance Company. Included in this educational program should be a review of the Advantage 65 Member Handbook. Second, they must point out to the faculty member that they are receiving a CORPORATE insurance policy rather than an individual insurance policy from Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance Company. They must provide the telephone numbers of the Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield offices in Roanoke, Virginia. Concomitantly, they must send the name and address of the faculty member to the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Human Resource Management. They should inform the faculty member that the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Human Resource Management will be sending them newsletters that outline any changes in the corporate insurance policy that they coordinate with the Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance Company. The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Human Resource Management must take on some new responsibilities in their efforts to coordinate health-care coverage of the retired faculty over the age of 65. First, they must have a computer registry of all corporate health-care policies of the individual faculty members to ensure that newsletters are being sent to them. Ideally, this agency should have a computerized system that allows it to send out its newsletter update by email to those retired faculty members who have computers. They should urge the faculty members to initiate an automatic check payment withdrawal from their bank so that the premiums from their corporate insurance policy can be paid promptly to Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance Company. Whereas the universities and the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Human Resource Management are making these responsible changes, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance Company must undertake innovative changes in their corporate health-care policy to assist the retired faculty member. For instance, they must list on the insurance card that the faculty member has a corporate policy. Like the United Health Insurance Company, it would be advisable to offer a 2-5% reduction in the cost of the corporate insurance policy if the faculty member begins an automatic premium payment agreement through their bank. This insurance discount would be an added incentive for the faculty member to do automatic payments through their bank.
Reflecting on Literacy Practices: Using Reflective Strategies in Online Discussion and Written Reflective Summaries.

AbstractWithin the context of an undergraduate literacy methods course, preservice teachers received opportunities to read engaging and meaningful text that challenged their thinking (McVee, Baldassarre, & Bailey, 2004) and respond to specific prompts through an online dialogue discussion and written reflective summaries. This article describes the process these preservice teachers engaged in as they discussed and reflected on their experiences in a language arts class. In the online dialogue, the preservice teachers engaged in reflective strategies that included clarifying, enhancing, providing evidence, challenging, and different thinking. As they dialogued and wrote reflective summaries, these students deepened their comprehension of literacy instruction and enhanced their meta-cognitive awareness of instructional practice as teachers of literacy.
A wide aperture high gain beam profile scanner

Abstract A wide aperture high gain X−Y beam profile scanner capable of measuring ion beam intensity distributions up to 10 cm in diameter with a 1 mm resolution is described. The system has been used to measure beam current densities from ≈ 5 nA/cm2 to ≈8 μA/cm2 with output noise levels of ≈ 3 nA peak to peak. Design principles and circuit details are discussed.
Impact of Professional Development Schools: Pre-Service through Induction.

Abstract The study examined elementary pre-service Professional Development School preparation and subsequent entry/retention in the teaching profession. A total of 48 student teachers took part in the study. One group of 24 (Total-PDS) had two PDS experiences prior to student teaching as well as Cluster-PDS student teaching experience during teacher preparation. A second group of 24 (Semi-PDS) had two PDS experiences prior to student teaching and a traditional student teaching experience. Results indicated no significant differences between the two groups prior to student teaching. There were, however, significant differences in favor of the Total-PDS group at the exit of student teaching in regard to role preparedness, Personal Teacher Efficacy (PTE) and General Teacher Efficacy (GTE). The Total-PDS group also made significant increases (pre/post) in role overload and PTE. The Total-PDS group had a higher percentage of pre-service teachers that entered the teaching profession when compared to the Semi-P...
Branch-Point Motion in Asymmetric Star Polymers

Linear viscoelastic behavior of a series of 1,4-polyisoprene asymmetric star polymers was investigated experimentally and theoretically in order to determine how branch point motion affects terminal relaxation dynamics. For the systems studied, the branch point is connected to a moderately entangled short arm (MB/Me= 7) and two longer arms with varying numbers of entanglements (MA/Me = 7−43). The measured loss modulus manifests a clear transition from starlike to linear-like dynamics as the molecular asymmetry increases. We show that this behavior can be predicted using a tube-model for branched molecules (Frischknecht et al. Macromolecules 2002, 35, 4801) with a self-consistently determined branch-point diffusivity, Dbp = (pa0)2/2τa,B. Here a0 is the effective bare tube diameter, τa,B is the arm retraction time, and p2 = 1/[(2NAR)b2/a02] is an effective drag produced by unrelaxed backbone segments. We also compare relaxation moduli predicted by the tube model with experimental data and find good agreemen...
Superluminal, advanced, and retarded propagation of electromagnetic potentials in quantum mechanics

Abstract In some gauges part of the classical electromagnetic potentials can propagate faster than the speed of light. In other gauges part of the electromagnetic potentials can be advanced, even though the electromagnetic field is retarded. If the conventional interaction between electromagnetic radiation and quantum mechanical charged particles, which involves the vector and scalar potentials, is used, an atom has a nonzero probability of being excited before the electromagnetic field arrives. If part of the potentials are advanced, the atom could even be excited before the sources are turned on. These spurious effects, which are gauge dependent and violate energy conservation, relativity, and causality, are due to use the conventional (gauge-dependent) interaction. When the interaction of the electromagnetic radiation and matter is treated in a manifestly gauge-invariant way, the atom is not excited before the electromagnetic field arrives, regardless of which gauge is used.
Management of peripheral arterial disease patients: comparing the ACC/AHA and TASC-II guidelines

ABSTRACTBackground: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular events. Despite this, PAD is often undiagnosed and, therefore, undertreated.Objective: The purpose of this review is to highlight and provide clinical insight into the similarities and differences between the available PAD treatment guidelines developed by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC II) working group.Methods: Recommendations from the ACC/AHA 2005 Practice Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (Lower Extremity, Renal, Mesenteric, and Abdominal Aortic) and TASC II Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease, initiated in 2004 and published in 2007, were compared. Supplemental information was obtained by searching the PubMed and MEDLINE databases using relevant te...
Significance of family survey of index case for detection of tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is highly prevalent amongst children in India. Contact survey has not received much attention in the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program guidelines. This study was conducted to look for tuberculosis in asymptomatic family members of pediatric tuberculosis patients at a government hospital attached to a medical college in Central India. 168 siblings and 162 parents of 86 index cases of tuberculosis were studied. 64 tuberculosis infected siblings and 7 sputum positive parents were identified.
The role of chlorine promoters in catalytic ethylene epoxidation over the Ag(110) surface

Abstract We have recently shown that the kinetics and selectivity of ethylene epoxidation over clean Ag(110) mimic identically the results over unpromoted, supported Ag catalysts, except for a 100-fold enhancement of the specific activity (per surface Ag atom) on Ag(110) [1,2]. In this report, we will discuss results in which we have modeled the role of chlorine promoters in this reaction by combining ultrahigh vacuum surface analysis (XPS, AES, LEED, TDS) before and after high-pressure (≈ 100 torr) kinetic measurements. In this way, we were able to correlate the reaction rate and selectivity not only with temperature and reactant pressures, but also with the coverages of atomically adsorbed oxygen and chlorine. In industrial catalysis, trace amounts of chlorinated organics are added to the feed stream to promote selectivity with, however, some decrease in the reaction rate. We have obtained these same results on Ag(110) by predosing atomically adsorbed chlorine. The major effect occurs between the p(2 × 1) ( θ Cl = 0.5) and the c(4 × 2) ( θ Cl = 0.75) structures, suggesting an ensemble rather than electronic effect. Chlorine coverages above 0.3 completely suppress the rate of dissociative O 2 adsorption and consequently the steady-state coverage of atomic oxygen under reaction conditions. Both ethylene oxide and CO 2 production utilize molecularly absorbed oxygen as the oxidizing agent. Atomically absorbed oxygen and chlorine play a similar role in the reaction by creating Ag δ+ sites for ethylene adsorption.
Electroactive Polymer Deformable Micromirrors (EAPDM) for Biomedical Optics

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) are capable of converting energy in the form of electric charge and voltage to mechanical force and movement and vice versa. Several electroactive polymer actuator materials whose responses are controlled by external electric fields, e.g. poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) based fluoroterpolymers, have generated considerable interest for use in applications such as artificial muscles, sensors, parasitic energy capture, integrated bio-microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS) and microfluidic devices due to their high electric-field induced strain, high elastic modulus, high electromechanical coupling and high frequency operation, etc. Scaling the EAP down into microsystems is one of the promising trends of EAP actuators and sensors especially for biomedical engineering. The combination of micro-optics and integrated BioMEMS, referred to as bio-micro-opto-electromechanical systems (BioMOEMS), makes a new opportunity for innovation in the EAP field. We present an approach to the fabrication of low-cost, large-stroke deformable micromirrors based on high performance electroactive polymer film microactuator arrays. Integrated Optic-BioMEMS based on electroactive polymer deformable micromirror (EAPDM) technology provide potential applications in biomedical optics such as ophthalmology (retinal imaging and vision care) and cancer detection and treatment.
LOSS AWARE RATE ALLOCATIONS IN H.263 CODED VIDEO TRANSMISSIONS

For packet video, information loss and bandwidth limitation are two factors that affect video playback quality. Traditional rate allocation approaches have focused on optimizing video quality under bandwidth constraint alone. However, in the best-effort Internet, packets carrying video data are susceptible to losses, which need to be reconstructed at the receiver side. In this paper, we propose loss aware rate allocations in both group-of-block (GOB) level and macroblock level, given that certain packets are lost during transmissions and reconstructed using simple interpolation methods at the receiver side. Experimental results show that our proposed algorithms can produce videos of higher quality when sent over lossy Internet.
Nonconscious priming of elderly or youthful stereotypes influences walking velocity in healthy undergraduates

Abstract Psychological studies of “priming” effects document that covertly presented stimuli can influence behavior without participant awareness. We examined whether nonconscious priming can influence walking velocity on an instrumented walkway. Fifty-nine healthy participants were randomly assigned to unscramble sentences and answer self-concept questions containing words related to either the concepts elderly/passive or youthful/active . Walking velocity was measured before and after this priming manipulation. An ANOVA revealed a significant Group × Time interaction; the elderly/passive group showed a decrease in walking velocity over time while the youthful/active group showed an increase. None of the participants expressed any awareness of the study purpose and the experimenter was blind to group assignment. These results suggest that spoken or written material received by patients prior to gait assessments (such as casual conversations or written health inventories) might influence walking performance outside of client or clinician awareness.
Intruder-evoked aggression in isolated and nonisolated mice: Effects of psychomotor stimulants and l -Dopa

Adult male Swiss-Webster mice were housed either singly (isolated) or with a female (nonisolated). Aggressive behavior was evoked by introducing a group-housed male mouse (intruder) into the home cage of the isolated or nonisolated mouse (resident). d-Amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylphenidate, cocaine, and l-dopa decreased attack and threat behavior by resident mice, the isolates requiring 2–4 times higher drug doses for the antiaggressive effects than the nonisolates. d-Amphetamine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate caused intruder mice to be more frequently attacked by their nontreated resident opponents, to escape more often, to assume the defensive upright posture less, and to move about more often. l-Dopa nonspecifically decreased all elements of agonistic and nonagonistic behavior, while the amphetamines and methylphenidate suppressed attacks, increased escapes, decreased upright postures, and increased nonagonistic locomotion. By contrast, cocaine's antiaggressive effects were remarkably specific, i.e., not accompanied by changes in other behavioral elements.
Value of definitive diagnostic testing in the evaluation of patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain

The optimal diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain but without myocardial infarction or unstable angina is controversial. We performed a prospective, nonrandomized, observational study of 1,195 consecutive patients presenting to the ED with chest pain but who had normal or nondiagnostic electrocardiograms and negative cardiac biomarkers. Patients (mean +/- SD age 61 +/- 15 years; 55% women) were admitted to the hospital and a standard protocol for evaluation and treatment was suggested. The use of stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) or cardiac catheterization during their index hospitalization, and the 3-month incidence of coronary angiography, percutaneous cardiac intervention, coronary artery bypass surgery, re-presentation to our institution's ED for chest pain, myocardial infarction, or death were followed. Five hundred nine of 1,195 patients (43%) underwent provocative stress MPI during their index hospitalization; 37% had perfusion defects (predominantly ischemia). Fifty-six of 1,195 patients (4%) underwent cardiac catheterization without stress MPI for their primary diagnostic evaluation. Six hundred thirty of 1,195 patients (53%) had neither MPI or cardiac catheterization during their index hospitalization. During the 3-month follow-up period, patients with a normal stress perfusion study during their index hospitalization had fewer return visits (4%) compared with patients with abnormal perfusion studies (19%), those who underwent catheterization directly (16%), or patients with no initial diagnostic evaluation (15%) (p <0.001). In addition, patients who had a diagnostic evaluation during their index hospitalization had a lower incidence of either acute myocardial infarction (0.9% vs 2.1%) or death (0.4% vs 3.0%, p <0.001) in the 3-month follow-up period. Accordingly, we strongly advocate provocative stress MPI early after presentation for chest pain in all patients with risk factors for coronary artery disease.
Do Business Tax Incentives Contribute to a Divergence in Economic Growth

A lack of detailed data on state tax incentive programs has limited the assessment of their economic impacts. However, in 1987, the Nebraska legislature, as part of its new business tax incentive initiative, required that the state Department of Revenue collect data on all business tax incentive agreements and report findings yearly. Nebraska’s legislative mandate produced a unique data set for assessing the impact of a business tax incentive program. Using these data, this article evaluates business tax incentives across Nebraska’s 93 counties during 1987 to 1995 and concludes that qualifying business investment (a) had a positive and statistically significant impact on economic growth for low-unemployment counties, (b) had no statistically significant impact on economic growth for high-unemployment counties, and (c) tended to be undertaken in areas with historically higher investment activity, thus contributing to greater economic performance differences among counties in the state.
Cell-Based Screening: Extracting Meaning from Complex Data

Unbiased discovery approaches have the potential to uncover neurobiological insights into CNS disease and lead to the development of therapies. Here, we review lessons learned from imaging-based screening approaches and recent advances in these areas, including powerful new computational tools to synthesize complex data into more useful knowledge that can reliably guide future research and development.
Temperature-sensitive, osmotic-remedial mutants of Neurospora crassa: osmotic pressure induced alterations of enzyme stability.

Three temperature-sensitive, adenine-requiring mutants of Neurospora crassa were found to be osmotic-remedial when non-penetrating solutes were used to increase the osmolarity of the growth medium. The affected enzyme (adenylosuccinase) from one of the mutants (ad-4, 44206t) was found to have higher levels of activity when the organism was grown at non-permissive temperatures under osmotic-remedial conditions than when it was grown with adenine as a nutritional supplement. The enzyme synthesized at 30°C in the presence of adenine exhibited increased sensitivity to inhibition by high salt concentrations and a lowered stability toward heat denaturation, indicating that the remedial effect may be the result of changes in the physical properties of the enzyme molecule.
Suicide Prevention: A Public Health/Public Policy Approach.

Organized suicide prevention efforts usually have been linked to clinical models that use either individual or small group approaches. This paper explores the use of a public health/public model to...
Prognostic value of ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background Performance of ambulatory electrocardiography (AECG) may provide data useful for counseling patients regarding prognosis and for selecting potential patients for defibrillator implantation, but this practice remains controversial. Methods We reviewed clinical and AECG data on 355 patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Predictors of survival were identified in a multivariable analysis using a Cox proportional hazard model. Ability of the derived model to predict outcomes was tested using a second cohort of 144 patients. Results Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) was present on AECG in 31% of the subjects. Ambulatory electrocardiography provided 3 independent predictors of mortality: NSVT (relative risk [RR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-2.51; P = .02), mean heart rate (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02-1.04; P = .0001), and heart rate range (RR, 0.990; 95% CI, 0.982-0.997; P = .008). Performance of the multivariable model was validated (area under the curve = 0.83) on a second cohort of patients. Conclusion Ambulatory electrocardiography provides useful prognostic information in patients with DCM, identifying 3 independent predictors of mortality.
Hypotensive effect of push-pull gravitational stress occurs after autonomic blockade.

The “push-pull” effect denotes the reduced tolerance to +Gz (hypergravity) when +Gz stress is preceded by exposure to hypogravity, i.e., fractional, zero, or negative Gz. Previous studies have impl...
The fan effect: New results and new theories.

The fan effect (J. R. Anderson, 1974) has been attributed to interference among competing associations to a concept. Recently, it has been suggested that such effects might be due to multiple mental models (G. A. Radvansky. D. H. Spieler, & R. T. Zacks, 1993) or suppression of concepts (M. C. Anderson & B. A. Spellman, 1995; A. R. A. Conway & R. W. Engle, 1994). It was found that the Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational (ACT-R) theory, which embodies associative interference, is consistent with the results of G. A. Radvansky et al. and that there is no evidence for concept suppression in a new fan experiment. The ACT-R model provides good quantitative fits to the results, as shown in a variety of experiments. The 3 key concepts in these fits are (a) the associative strength between 2 concepts reflects the degree to which one concept predicts the other; (b) foils are rejected by retrieving mismatching facts; and (c) participants can adjust the relative weights they give to various cues in retrieval.
Berberine Inhibits HIF-1α Expression via Enhanced Proteolysis

We have studied the antiangiogenic property of berberine. We showed that berberine could directly inhibit in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation and migration. In addition, to determine whether berberine could influence the cross-talk between the gastric adenocarcinoma cell line SC-M1 and vascular endothelial cells, we performed modified confrontation culture experiments and showed that berberine (7.5 microM, 16 h) could inhibit the capacity of hypoxic SC-M1 cells to stimulate HUVEC migration. These results demonstrated berberine's antiangiogenic property and its clinical potential as an inhibitor of tumor angiogenesis. Parallel Western blot analyses revealed that berberine prevented hypoxic SC-M1 cultures from expressing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha, two key factors in mediating tumor angiogenesis. However, overexpression of HIF-1alpha in SC-M1 cells dramatically reversed the inhibitory effect of berberine on SC-M1-induced in vitro HUVEC migration. These data indicated that HIF-1alpha repression is a critical step in the inhibitory effect of berberine on tumor-induced angiogenesis. Northern blot analyses plus pulse-chase assays revealed that berberine did not down-regulate HIF-1alpha mRNA but destabilized HIF-1alpha protein. We found that berberine-induced HIF-1alpha degradation was blocked by a 26S proteasome inhibitor. Moreover, immunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses showed that berberine increased the lysine-acetylated HIF-1alpha in hypoxic SC-M1 cultures. These data indicated that a proteasomal proteolytic pathway and lysine acetylation were involved in berberine-triggered HIF-1alpha degradation. In conclusion, our data provided molecular evidence to support berberine as a potent antiangiogenic agent in cancer therapy.
Nesting Density is an Important Factor Affecting Chick Growth and Survival in the Herring Gull

Abstract. The causes and consequences of coloniality in seabirds, and larids in particular, have received extensive study. Here, we use the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) as a model organism to investigate the effect of nest density on chicks' growth rate and survival. On Appledore Island, Maine, Herring Gulls nest both in dense subcolonies and in more isolated situations, affording a unique opportunity for comparison of reproductive success of pairs nesting in both contexts on the same island. Chicks reared in dense subcolonies grew at a rate significantly higher than that of those reared in more isolated settings. Using mark-recapture analysis, we found that a chick's expected survival is dependent on hatch weight, hatch date, hatch order, and context (nest in dense or loose subcolony). The first chick to hatch in each nest had a significantly greater probability of surviving to fledging than the last-hatched chick. Last-hatched chicks had a significantly greater chance of survival from hatching to fle...
Minisymposium on Obesity: Overview and Some Strategic Considerations

▪ Abstract The high and still increasing prevalence of obesity in US children, adolescents, and adults poses a major economic and health threat to our society. The three reviews in this minisymposium on obesity explore the health issues by: 1) describing the public health impact of obesity; 2) examining the multiple and complex environmental influences on eating and physical activity patterns; and 3) considering how the development of obesity during childhood and adolescence can be prevented through interventions in school, family, and primary care settings. This overview explains the importance, for effective long-term obesity prevention and control, of intersectoral policy and environmental initiatives—in addition to behavior change approaches aimed at individuals. The need for public health professionals to influence and operate within a variety of non-health sectors such as transportation, education, urban planning, and commerce may be seen as the greatest barrier but may also be the greatest opportunity.
Reducible, dibromomaleimide-linked polymers for gene delivery.

Polycations have been successfully used as gene transfer vehicles both in vitro and in vivo; however, their cytotoxicity has been associated with increasing molecular weight. Polymers that can be rapidly degraded after internalization are typically better tolerated by mammalian cells compared to their non-degradable counterparts. Here, we report the use of a dibromomaleimide-alkyne (DBM-alkyne) linking agent to reversibly bridge cationic polymer segments for gene delivery and to provide site-specific functionalization by azide–alkyne cycloaddition chemistry. A panel of reducible and non-reducible, statistical copolymers of (2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA) were synthesized and evaluated. When complexed with plasmid DNA, the reducible and non-reducible polymers had comparable DNA condensation properties, sizes, and transfection efficiencies. When comparing cytotoxicity, the DBM-linked, reducible polymers were significantly less toxic than the non-reducible polymers. To demonstrate polymer functionalization by click chemistry, the DBM-linked polymers were tagged with an azide-fluorophore and were used to monitor cellular uptake. Overall, this polymer system introduces the use of a reversible linker, DBM-alkyne, to the area of gene delivery and allows for facile, orthogonal, and site-specific functionalization of gene delivery vehicles.
Quick turnaround positive polarity options for mercury

Mercury, a 2-TW inductive voltage adder located at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC, had previously been converted from negative to positive polarity output by rotating each of the cells[1]. Positive polarity was needed to field an ion-beam diode.[2] However, rotating the cells takes about 2 to 3 weeks and is very labor intensive. So, when we next needed to operate in positive polarity, we considered two options to quickly turnaround Mercury to positive polarity; reverse charging the Marx and fielding a vacuum convolute. Charging the Marx with the opposite polarity is the simplest way to operate Mercury in positive polarity. However, because the breakdown and flashover strengths of the components are lowered when the polarity is reversed in this way, it is required to limit the Marx charge to 2/3 of its normal charging voltage to prevent failures. This limits the maximum output voltage, with the existing center conductor, to about 4.5 MV. An alternative approach we considered was to operate in negative polarity but to field a vacuum convolute inside our large diameter load chamber. Simulations and field calculations showed that this approach could work and the maximum output would be about 6 MV. We chose to operate Mercury in positive polarity by reverse charging the Marx and successfully operated an ion diode at a lower power level. To improve the pulse shape, we modified the self-breaking PFL water switch hardware. After this and a few other changes, Mercury can now be switched to a reliable and repeatable positive polarity mode in days instead of weeks, although at a lower than maximum power level. Details and results will be presented.
Stakeholder Dialogues on recycling engineering thermoplastics: a collaborative effort to build a recycling infrastructure for plastics from electronics

The Gordon Institute at Tufts University initiated a series of Stakeholder Dialogues on Recycling Engineering Thermoplastics from Used Electronic Equipment in May 1999. The Stakeholder Dialogues bring together the plastics supply chain to develop collaborative industry strategies to advance recycling of plastic resins from used electronic equipment. The Stakeholder Dialogue process has identified major challenges to the successful and sustained recycling of engineering thermoplastics, including cost-effective collection and processing of resins and the development of adequate markets, particularly for mixed resins. Several Task Forces have been established to develop strategies for overcoming these challenges, utilizing the collective expertise of this unique multistakeholder process. This paper discusses the activities of the Task Forces, including the development of a "scrap" classification system for reclaimed engineering resins and a model for comparing alternative scenarios for processing resins from electronic products.
RNA polymerase II pauses and associates with pre-mRNA processing factors at both ends of genes

We investigated co-transcriptional recruitment of pre-mRNA processing factors to human genes. Capping factors associate with paused RNA polymerase II (pol II) at the 5' ends of quiescent genes. They also track throughout actively transcribed genes and accumulate with paused polymerase in the 3' flanking region. The 3' processing factors cleavage stimulation factor and cleavage polyadenylation specificity factor are maximally recruited 0.5-1.5 kilobases downstream of poly(A) sites where they coincide with capping factors, Spt5, and Ser2-hyperphosphorylated, paused pol II. 3' end processing factors also localize at transcription start sites, and this early recruitment is enhanced after polymerase arrest with the elongation factor DRB. These results suggest that promoters may help specify recruitment of 3' end processing factors. We propose a dual-pausing model wherein elongation arrests near the transcription start site and in the 3' flank to allow co-transcriptional processing by factors recruited to the pol II ternary complex.
The role of the triplet state in the photosensitization of cationic polymerizations by anthracene

The photosensitization mechanism for cationic polymerizations initiated by diaryliodonium salts photosensitized by anthracene was investigated using fluorescence and phosphorescence spectroscopy. In situ photosensitizer fluorescence measurements confirmed that the photosensitization reaction proceeds by an electron transfer process. Transient phosphorescence studies demonstrated that electron transfer occurred from the triplet excited state of anthracene to the initiator, with an intrinsic kinetic rate constant of 2 × 108 L/mol s. Further evidence for the role of the triplet state was provided by an observed seven-fold decrease in the polymerization rate upon addition of a triplet state quencher. Finally, numerical solution of the photophysical kinetic equations indicated that the triplet state concentration was approximately three orders of magnitude higher than that of the singlet state, and that 94-96% of the active cationic centers are produced by reaction of the initiator with the triplet state. These results indicate that the electron transfer occurs primarily from the triplet state of anthracene, with the singlet state providing only a minor contribution to the photosensitization reaction. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Oxygen isotope and geochemical variations in the Missouri River

Oxygen isotope ratios in streamflow of the Missouri River basin vary geographically due to differences in source precipitation and the integration of waters from upstream regions. Average δ18O values in the Missouri River main stem systematically increase from less than –17‰ in the headwaters to about –9‰ in the lower basin. Seasonal variations at a given location result from fluctuations in meteoric precipitation, residence time in reservoirs and groundwater systems, evaporation, and snowmelt. Average water chemistry values are successfully predicted for the upstream stations of two reaches on the lower Missouri River based on changes in discharge along each reach and water quality measurements collected at the downstream stations. Source regions for some dissolved ions found in the lower Missouri River are also identified. Sodium and sulfate originate predominantly from the basin above Sioux City, Iowa, while nitrate is largely derived from agricultural regions below Sioux City.
Is Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2–Related Factor 2 Responsible for Sex Differences in Susceptibility to Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice?

Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that positively regulates the expression and activity of cytoprotective genes during periods of oxidative stress. It has previously been shown that some Nrf2 genes are more highly expressed in livers of female than male mice. This could explain previously reported sex-related differences in susceptibility to acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity in mice, where females show greater resistance to APAP hepatotoxicity. Here, we examined, for the first time, differences in mRNA and protein expression for Nrf2 and a battery of Nrf2-dependent genes in naive wild-type (WT) and overnight-fasted WT and Nrf2-null male and female mice following APAP treatment. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was measured as an indicator of hepatotoxicity. Hepatic mRNA and protein levels were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. Contrary to expectations, basal Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression were significantly lower in livers of naive female than male mice. Although mRNA and/or protein expression of quinone oxidoreductase 1 and multidrug resistance–associated protein 4 was more pronounced in livers of female than male mice under some of the conditions examined, no higher global expression of Nrf2-dependent genes was detected in female mice. Furthermore, ALT activity was significantly elevated in overnight-fasted WT and Nrf2-null male mice following APAP treatment, but no increases in ALT were observed in either genotype of female mice. These results indicate that factors other than Nrf2 are responsible for the lower susceptibility of female mice to APAP hepatotoxicity.
Monocyte modulation of aqueous outflow and recruitment to the trabecular meshwork following selective laser trabeculoplasty.

Objectives To determine whether selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) induces monocyte recruitment to the trabecular meshwork (TM) in human and monkey eyes and whether monocytes increase both aqueous outflow in vivo and the conductivity of human Schlemm canal endothelial cells (SCEs) in vitro. Methods Monocyte recruitment was examined morphometrically in control human and monkey eyes and compared with that following SLT applied 1 to 3 days earlier. Outflow facility was measured for up to 4 days after the intracameral infusion of autologous macrophages in rabbits. Schlemm canal endothelial cell conductivity was measured using flow meters after exposing cultured SCEs to monocytes and monocyte-secreted factors for 24 hours. Results Our estimates show that the TM in the human eye normally had an average of 15 003 monocytes, while in the monkey eye there were 3181 monocytes, and this number increased 4- to 5-fold following SLT. The intracameral infusion of autologous macrophages in rabbits increased outflow facility 2-fold in a rapid and sustained manner. Human monocytes and monocyte-secreted factors increased SCE conductivity 2-fold in vitro. Conclusions The number of monocytes/macrophages in the TM increases substantially after SLT and monocytes augment both outflow facility and SCE conductivity. Clinical Relevance These findings indicate that the innate immune system in general and monocytes in particular play an important role in aqueous outflow homeostasis. The recruitment of monocytes in increased numbers after SLT likely plays a role in lowering the intraocular pressure after this procedure. The intracameral introduction of autologous monocytes harvested from a vein could have therapeutic potential as a cell-based individualized treatment of glaucoma.
Pricing Firms’ Responsiveness to Shareholder Tax Incentives

We use the anticipated expiration of the Bush tax cuts at the end of 2010 and 2012 to test whether investors value firms’ responsiveness to shareholder tax incentives. This setting provides a shock to the demand for dividends where the signaling implications of dividend announcements are substantially mitigated or absent. We examine the announcement of dividend accelerations and special dividends in November and December of 2010 and 2012, and find evidence that the price reaction is significantly larger than can be explained by tax savings alone. Our evidence is consistent with investors placing a premium on firms that respond to a heightened demand for dividends induced by a tax rate change, consistent with the notion that firms rationally cater to the demand for dividends.
Accelerometer-determined physical activity and all-cause mortality in a national prospective cohort study of hypertensive adults.

OBJECTIVE Research in the general population suggests an inverse association between physical activity and all-cause mortality. Less research on this topic has been conducted among hypertensive adults, but the limited studies also suggest an inverse association between physical activity and all-cause mortality among hypertensive adults. At this point, sex-specific differences are not well understood, and all of the physical activity-mortality studies among hypertensive adults have employed a self-report measure of physical activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the sex-specific association between objectively measured physical activity and all-cause mortality among a national sample of hypertensive adults. METHODS Data from the 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with follow-up through 2011, were employed. Hypertension status was defined using measured blood pressure and use of blood pressure-lowering medication. Physical activity was assessed via accelerometry. RESULTS After adjustments, for every 60-min increase in physical activity, hypertensive adults had a 19% (hazard rate = 0.81; 95% confidence interval: 0.72-0.91) reduced risk of all-cause mortality. There was also evidence of a dose-response relationship. Compared with those in the lowest tertile, those in the middle and upper tertiles had a 31 and 42% reduced all-cause mortality risk, respectively. There was no evidence of a sex-specific interaction effect. CONCLUSION Among hypertensive adults, objectively measured physical activity is associated with all-cause mortality risk in a dose-response manner.
Private Fund Adviser Registration Act HR-3818

This paper comments on the Obama administration's 2009 proposal for the regulation of hedge fund investment advisers.
Distribution of serotonin in the caudal neurosecretory complex. A light and electron microscopic study.

The caudal neurosecretory complex (CNc) of poecilids has previously been shown to receive serotonergic inputs. In the present study, immunohistochemical techniques were applied at the light and electron microscopic levels to characterize serotonergic terminals in the neuroendocrine nucleus. A dense plexus of varicose fibers observed in the rostral CNc neuropil was absent in the spinal cords of deafferented fish, indicating that the origin of this input was extranuclear. Ultrastructural study revealed no direct contacts between labeled structures and neuroendocrine cells. Non-synaptic terminals (varicosities) were the predominantly labeled structures in the neuropil. Synaptic terminals were observed on cellular and axonal targets in the CNc. Small cells containing 70 nm dense-core vesicles received serotonergic input on their perikarya. Labeled synapses were also found on unlabeled axon terminals which made axoaxonal synapses on neuroendocrine processes. Non-synaptic terminals may be responsible for a variety of serotonin-mediated effects in the CNc. Synaptic interactions with local catecholaminergic and afferent cholinergic inputs to the CNc are likely.
2 N π Ultrashort Light Pulses

A method for obtaining analytical expressions for $2N\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulses in an unbroadened resonant medium is derived by a systematic application of the B\"acklund transformation. The resulting large-area pulses display the expected property of pulse breakup into separate $2\ensuremath{\pi}$ hyperbolic secant pulses.
The Overwhelming Case for Clean Air Act Reform

Congress could add half year to the life of the average american by eliminating two false assumptions built into the foundation of the CleanAir Act: (1) All pollutants have a safe level (2) pollution is local.
Survey of Mosquito-Density Change in the Underground-Storeroom in Guangzhou City During 2006

Objective To survey the change of mosquito density in underground-storeroom in Guangzhou city during 2006.Methods To collect the mosquitoes by light-trap each weeks for one year.Results There were 38 808 Culex fatigans and 711 Aedes albopictus captured.The mosquito density in summer and autumn were higher than other seasons.The change of mosquito-density was positively correlated with temperature.Conclusion The mosquito density did not show two obvious peaks in 2006 due to the several typhoons influenced the temperature of Guangzhou.
Anesthesia for the high risk obstetric patient.

The more important physiologic changes occurring during normal pregnancy and the effects of these changes on anesthetics requirements are reviewed. Attention is then focused on the anesthetic management of the high risk pregnancy. Among the problems discussed are placenta previa, abruptio placentae, uterine rupture, postpartum hemorrhage, premature labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and abnormal presentations and multiple gestation.
Evaluation of an educational program in preventive cardiology.

In 1979, an educational program in preventive cardiology (PC), supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) was introduced into the medical school at the University of Tennessee, Memphis (UTM). This report evaluates that program from 1979 to 1984 in terms of student health behaviors, student attitudes toward PC, student knowledge of PC, and the impact of the program on continuing development of educational programs in PC. In 1981, using a 30% random sample, freshmen students in medicine and dentistry at UTM and medical students at a nearby state medical school similar to UTM were surveyed concerning health behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge. The surveys were repeated three years later. Analysis of the data from these pre- and postsurveys showed that UTM medical students improved (P
In vitro studies of human ovarian contractility.

Human ovarian tissue was studied in vitro for contractility spontaneously and in the presence of adrenergic and cholinergic agents oxytocin and prostaglandins F2 and E2. Spontaneous contractions were recorded in each of the 28 ovaries. Ovarian contractility was not as pronounced as in the cat rabbit and monkey. No significant differences were recognized in contractile patterns of preovulatory postovulatory or postmenopausal ovaries although postmenopausal ovarian contractions were characterized by low amplitude. Ovaries from the postovulatory phase were most sensitive to adrenergic agents. Postovulatory phase ovaries tended to be less responsive to prostagandins than were preovulatory and postmenopausal ovaries. Oxytocin exerted a stimulatory effect while atropine inhibited ovarian contractions. The tendency for ovaries to respond differently to specific substances at distinct times in the cycle supports the hypothesis that local hormonal environment influences ovarian contractility which may be physiologically significant in the mechanism of ovulation.
The Influence of Statistical Versus Exemplar Appeals on Indian Adults’ Health Intentions: An Investigation of Direct Effects and Intervening Persuasion Processes

In two separate investigations, we examined the persuasive effectiveness of statistical versus exemplar appeals on Indian adults' smoking cessation and mammography screening intentions. To more comprehensively address persuasion processes, we explored whether message response and perceived message effectiveness functioned as antecedents to persuasive effects. Results showed that statistical appeals led to higher levels of health intentions than exemplar appeals. In addition, findings from both studies indicated that statistical appeals stimulated more attention and were perceived as more effective than anecdotal accounts. Among male smokers, statistical appeals also generated greater cognitive processing than exemplar appeals. Subsequent mediation analyses revealed that message response and perceived message effectiveness fully carried the influence of appeal format on health intentions. Given these findings, future public health initiatives conducted among similar populations should design messages that include substantive factual information while ensuring that this content is perceived as credible and valuable.