cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ecology of small terrestrial mammals in an isolated Cerrado patch, eastern Paraguay: communities, species, and effects of enso, precipitation, and fire

The Cerrado extends as islands or patches into the Upper Parana Atlantic Forest (UPAF) of Brazil and Paraguay. This study evaluates the temporal dynamics of a marginal terrestrial small-mammal community in an isolated Cerrado patch within the UPAF, at the southwestern distributional limit of the Cerrado and near the western limit of the UPAF in eastern Paraguay. Because the faunal members of marginal communities are living near the limits of their capabilities in terms of their abiotic and biotic environment, the communities in such areas are likely to be a mixture of Cerrado and UPAF species, sensitive to extrinsic variables such as climate change and anthropogenic changes in land use. In this 23-month study, temporal dynamics of a ter- restrial small-mammal community were evaluated with respect to El Nino/Southern Oscillation, precipitation, and fire. Densities of some species were quite variable. Generally, responses to precipitation patterns became evident only several months after burning, or (on the frequently-burned grid) were not observed. Some species more characteristic of forest or second-growth vegetation were encountered only seasonally or sporadically. Taken together, these observations provide strong support for the importance of long-term population studies in marginal or transitional locations, where two or more ecoregions are represented, and the fauna characteristic of each ecoregion will be sensitive to fluctuations in its biotic and abiotic environment.
Web-based collaborative care for type 1 diabetes: a pilot randomized trial.

Abstract Background: To determine whether a Web-based diabetes case management program based in an electronic medical record can improve glycemic control (primary outcome) and diabetes-specific self-efficacy (secondary outcome) in adults with type 1 diabetes, a pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted. Methods: A 12-month randomized trial tested a Web-based case management program in a diabetes specialty clinic. Patients 21–49 years old with type 1 diabetes receiving multiple daily injections with insulin glargine and rapid-acting analogs who had a recent A1C >7.0% were eligible for inclusion. Participants were randomized to receive either (1) usual care plus the nurse-practitioner-aided Web-based case management program (intervention) or (2) usual clinic care alone (control). We compared patients in the two study arms for changes in A1C and self-efficacy measured with the Diabetes Empowerment Scale. Results: A total of 77 patients were recruited from the diabetes clinic and enrolled in the trial. ...
NEED STRUCTURE ANALYSIS OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES

Analysis of policy changes issued within an organization suggests these may be classified according to Maslow's needs and Herzberg's two-factor approach and provide guidelines for management.
Preparation of BaTiO3/low melting glass core–shell nanoparticles for energy storage capacitor applications

A core–shell nano-scale mixing technique was applied to fabricate BaTiO3/glass nanocomposites in order to preserve the nano-grain dielectric properties of BaTiO3 after sintering and enhance the bulk composite energy storage capability. Coating layers of low melting glasses of lead borosilicate glass (65PbO–20B2O3–15SiO2, mol%) and bismuth borosilicate glass (65Bi2O3–20B2O3–15SiO2, mol%) were deposited onto BaTiO3 nanoparticles in chemical solution by a sol-precipitation method under ultrasonic agitation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirmed the formation of core–shell nanostructures with controllable shell thicknesses between 2 and 18 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that no crystalline peaks were detected from the glass coating layer. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra indicated a glass network structure of lead borosilicate glass and bismuth borosilicate glass, respectively. High densifications were achieved for both composites by sintering at low temperatures (≤900 °C). Noticeable grain growth was observed for the lead borosilicate glass-coated BaTiO3 (Pb-BT) composite while almost no grain growth was observed for the bismuth borosilicate glass-coated BaTiO3 (Bi-BT) nanocomposite. This disparity was attributed to the different interactions between the BaTiO3 core and two glasses during the sintering process, as revealed by the XRD study. Dielectric properties and energy storage capability of the Bi-BT nanocomposite were investigated in detail. The Bi-BT nanocomposite showed high polarization, high dielectric breakdown strength (≥1000 kV cm−1), postponed polarization saturation, and low remnant polarization with the discharge energy density of ∼10 J cm−3 at 1000 kV cm−1. Thus, the Bi-BT core–shell nanocomposite appears to be a promising material system for energy storage capacitor applications.
Design Compromises in Space Power Systems

An adequate supply of power is essential to electrical space propulsion systems. Since this power supply also represents a major portion of the total propulsion system’s weight, its design can control the accelerating capability and utility of the propulsion system and space vehicle.
A New Mode of Learning in Higher Education: The Partnership Hybrid Class

There are several major problems facing higher education today. These include skyrocketing tuition, administrative bloat, need to improve the quality of education, and the necessity of moving away from old-fashioned lecture approach and using technology to make education more relevant. This paper describes a new way of teaching a course which we shall refer to as a partnership hybrid. Partnership hybrids are tightly coordinated classes with the same course materials, same syllabus and course outline, same homework assignments, coordinated exams, etc. The advantage of this approach includes more resources for students, an active approach to education, and saved classroom space. It is is an intriguing way save money without sacrificing quality. A specific example of the use of this new mode of instruction is presented and future research possibilities are discussed.
The present status of meprobamate ingestion. A five-year review of cases with serum concentrations and clinical findings.

Fifty-seven cases of meprobamate ingestion from 1974 through 1979 were reviewed. Serum meprobamate concentrations, clinical findings, and epidemiologic data were studied to determine the present status of the abuse of this compound. The average patient was a 37-year-old woman who ingested meprobamate and at least one other drug (usually a benzodiazepine, a barbiturate, ethanol, or an opiate) in a suicide attempt of gesture. She arrived at the hospital either alert or lethargic with equal frequency. Half of the time she was seen only in the emergency room, and half of the time she was hospitalized. She was usually treated with supportive care alone and survived the ingestion. Serum meprobamate concentrations exceeding 12 mg/dl were consistent with coma. Dysarthria, hypotension, tachycardia, and ataxia were the most common physical findings. Meprobamate addiction was present in six patients. Language: en
Artificial pollination of almonds,Prunus dulcis, with bouquets monitored by fruit set and pollen germination

SummaryBouquets of almond flowers placed in or near trees of compatible cultivars significantly increased fruit set. Fruit set was highest near the bouquets and decreased rapidly with distance within the same tree. Germination tests revealed no significant differences between one-day-old flowers from cut or intact limbs in two of the three groups sampled, but there were significant differences by the fifth day especially from bouquets in floral preservative.
The Evidence for Neurosurgery

Edited by Zoher Ghogawala, Ajit A Krishnaney, Michael P Steinmetz, et al . 1st Edition, 2012. Published by TFM Publishing Limited. Hardcover: 484 pages. In the field of neurosurgery, the number of procedures and devices available to treat patients is growing rapidly. This innovation is fueled by a seemingly unquenchable need to find solutions to the devastating problems we face with patients on a daily basis. The title of this text, The Evidence for Neurosurgery , serves as a reminder that the basis for neurosurgical interventions, whether ‘routine’ or novel, is deserving of critical appraisal. A reader of this book will immediately appreciate its thoughtful organization, with the ‘clinical evidence’ section at the beginning serving as a compass by which to explore the …
Overview of the National Ignition Facility.

AbstractThe National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is the world’s largest and most energetic laser system for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and experiments studying high energy density (HED) science. The NIF is a 192-beam, Nd-glass laser facility that is capab
Nucleic acids of the mammary glands of rats.

SummaryA study of the nucleic acid concentrations (DNA and PNA) in the developing and functioning mammary glands of rats is reported. DNA increases in the early part of pregnancy and increases only slightly in the lactating gland. PNA increases throughout pregnancy and continues to increase in the lactating gland reaching a maximum value at 21-22 days of lactation. Following enforced weaning the PNA content of the gland falls rapidly. These findings are discussed in regard to growth and function of the glands.
Deriving 'General Principles' in Adam Smith: The Ubiquity of Equilibrium and Comparative Statics Analysis Throughout His Works

This paper contributes to the debate over the unity in Smith's corpus by emphasizing Smith's pervasive methodological approach based on an assumption of self-interest. Specifically, Smith consistently relies on equilibrium arguments to explain why a given pattern of economic, political, or social interaction is stable; and comparative static arguments to explain how a stable pattern changes. Some scholars have noted this technique in Smith's economics; however, missing in the literature is an appreciation for Smith’s usage of equilibrium and comparative statics arguments virtually every topic that he studies. As we demonstrate, this includes his explanation of morality and benevolence; the theory of languages; the political economics of development; and his theories of law, politics, and government, such as the form of government, property rights, family structure, and virtue in his famous “four stages” theory of history. We close the paper by arguing that equilibrium and comparative statics analysis has significant implications for the contents of Smith's so-called “missing second book” on government, law, and jurisprudence.
Analysis of iodine-salt monitoring results in Midong District

Objective:To explore the status of consumption from 2005 to 2010 and quality of iodine-added-salt in Midong district after the implementaition of the universal salt iodination.Methods:According to "IDD National surveillance Programme–an expurgated edition",the salt samples from the farmers were random samples and the iodine contents in the samples were detected.Results:From 2005 to 2010,the rates of qualified iodized salt and the intake rates of qualified iodinated salt were higher than those in 2005.The rates of qualified iodized salt were 100% in 2009 and 2010.Conclusion:The intake rates of qualified iodinated salt reached the standard of the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disease.
Fruit crop research marches into the era of post-genomics and systems biology-the case of grapevine

The completion of human genome project signaled the era of genomics.Now,complete genome sequences are available for several plants such as Arabidopsis,grape,poplar,papaya,rice,sorghum,corn,and many more in the near future.Along with other plants,fruit crop research now enters the era of post-genomics and systems biology.In this paper we introduced and summarized the research progress of grapevine genomics and post-genomics,comparative genomics,transcriptomics,proteomics,metabolomics,phenomics,as well as the relationships among them,as a case for all fruit crops.We also put forward the challenges associated with post-genomics and systems biology research in grapevine,and possible solutions.We also suggested priorities for grapevine post-genome and systems biology research in China.
Blastomycosis of bone. Treatment with intramedullary amphotericin-B.

In a case of systemic North American blastomycosis, presenting as an apparently localized osteomyelitis, combined surgical and medical therapy with direct intramedullary and intravenous amphotericin-B effected apparent cure. The techniques and problems of diagnosis are reviewed.
What is the origin of concentration quenching of Cu+ luminescence in glass?

Abstract Monovalent copper-doped luminescent glasses are attractive materials for white light-emitting devices, photonic waveguides, and solar spectral conversion in photovoltaic cells. However, the occurrence of concentration quenching in such is not fully understood at present. In this work, calcium-phosphate glasses with high concentrations of luminescent Cu+ ions have been prepared by a simple melt-quench method via CuO and SnO co-doping. The aim is to elucidate the origin of concentration quenching of Cu+ light emission. A spectroscopic characterization was carried out by optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy including emission decay dynamics. The concentrations of both CuO and SnO dopants were varied as 5, 10 and 15 mol%. Monovalent copper content is estimated in the CuO/SnO-containing glasses following the assessment of the concentration dependence of Cu2+ absorption in the visible for CuO singly-doped glasses. Contrary to the conventionally acknowledged direct Cu+→Cu2+ transfer, the data supports a Cu+–Cu+ energy migration channel at the origin of the PL quenching.
Factors Influencing Knowledge Management Use in Technology Enterprises in Southern United States

The purpose of this quantitative study is to investigate the factors influencing with the Knowledge Management (KM) use process in Information Technology (IT) enterprises in the Southern United States. This study aims to present an analysis of the use of information systems by IT managers, IT supervisors, and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) from several information technology enterprises. It utilizes the theoretical Knowledge Management Successful model developed by Kulkarni, Ravindran, and Freeze (2007)39, which investigated the use of Information Systems (IS) for successful KM practices in organizations through the examination of available knowledge systems built to the use and reuse of information, content quality, and determinants of users perceptions of usefulness, user satisfaction and organizational support structure for knowledge management. In this study the data was collected from a sample size of 166 individuals, per G*Power 3 statistical power analysis program, to determine the sample and effect between the 8 (eight) predictors variables for estimating change among scores depicting Knowledge Use. Statistical analysis used SPSS package to test the hypothesis. The relationships between the predictor and criterion variables were evaluated using simultaneous multiple regression modelling to support inferences related to the omnibus research questions. The 8 (eight) predictors variables (Explicit Knowledge, Knowledge Systems, Supervisor, Co-Worker, Leadership, Incentive, Perceived Usefulness, and User Satisfaction) in this model were regressed independently onto scores on the Knowledge Use scale. This study concludes that the model predicting knowledge use is both statistically significant and practically significant, and that scores associated with Explicit Knowledge, Leadership, Perceived Usefulness, and User Satisfaction yielded statistically strong predictive relationships.
Monitoring, enforcement, and the choice of environmental policy instruments

Monitoring and enforcement can have significant impacts on the environmental and economic consequences of environmental laws. Theory and empirical evidence on monitoring and enforcement may provide evidence about which instruments are most likely to lead to high compliance and at what cost – impacting which instrument is most socially desirable. At the same time, monitoring and enforcement might influence the political debate about the feasibility of alternative policy instruments. Despite the small but growing literature on the impact of monitoring and enforcement, policy makers and researchers oftentimes ignore this important factor when considering and comparing alternative policy instruments. This paper reviews arguments for how, when, and why monitoring and enforcement may impact the choice of instruments in environmental policy.
Evolution of host-defense function of C-reactive protein from horseshoe crab to humans

Evolution of host-defense function of C-reactive protein from horseshoe crab to humans Asmita Pathak1, Sanjay K Singh1, Avinash Thirumalai1, Peter B Armstrong2 and Alok Agrawal1 +Author Affiliations 1. 1 East Tennessee State Univ. 2. 2 Univ. of California, Davis Abstract C-reactive protein (CRP) has been conserved throughout evolution. Human native CRP exhibits calcium-dependent binding specificity for phosphocholine. Human CRP in its non-native structure expresses the capability to bind to deposited and conformationally- altered proteins and which can be achieved by several means including treatment of CRP with acidic pH. The ligand-binding property of human CRP in its non-native structure has implications for toxic and inflammatory conditions and favors the conservation of CRP throughout evolution. It is not known, however, whether CRP from invertebrates exhibits structure-based ligand-binding properties similar to that of human CRP. The aim of this study was to investigate the ligand-binding properties of CRP from the American horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus. We used oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) immobilized on microtiter plates as a model for deposited and conformationally-altered proteins. We found that Limulus CRP binds to ox-LDL at physiological pH, in contrast to human CRP which requires acidic pH to do so. The binding of Limulus CRP to ox-LDL occurred even in the absence of calcium, suggesting that the binding was not mediated through exposed phosphocholine molecules, if any, on ox-LDL. We conclude that the host-defense function of CRP evolved with the development of the immune system to expose a ligand-binding specificity only when needed, that is, an inflammatory microenvironment would have to be sensed by CRP and that CRP would change its structure to execute its function. Limulus CRP also provides us with a tool to investigate the structure-function relationships of human CRP in animal models of inflammation. Copyright © 2016 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.
Response to Comment on Shahraz et al. Do Patient Characteristics Impact Decisions by Clinicians on Hemoglobin A1c Targets? Diabetes Care 2016;38: e145-e146.

We have read with interest the study by Cahn et al. (1) that summarized the results on the salient determinants of setting glycemic targets by a large group of worldwide diabetologists. The authors showed that life expectancy and the risk of developing hypoglycemia are the two …
Attachment Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment Considerations

Over the last decade, there have been considerable advances in the scientific understanding of the origins and developmental course of attachment disorders conceived of both in the narrow diagnostic psychiatric sense, with respect to reactive attachment disorder (DSM 1980, 1994, 1999) and in the more general sense with respect to diverse forms of attachment-related disorders across the lifespan. This chapter is organized into three sections. The first section concerns familiar ground to many, i.e., infant–parent patterns of attachment, which serves as a background to the spectrum of attachment patterns including secure, insecure, disorganized, and nonattached. The second section elaborates on a model for understanding attachment disorders by way of summarizing recent research on a typical problem in childhood, i.e., the emergence, maintenance, and/or prevention of impulse-control difficulties that have to do with aggression. Attachment insecurities play a role in all range of childhood and adult psychological disorders as many have demonstrated via clinical work (e.g., Brisch, 2012), longitudinal developmental research (e.g., Grossmann, Grossmann, & Watters, 2005), and meta-analytic reports (e.g., Fearon, Bakermans-Kranenburg, van IJzendoorn, Lapsly, & Roisman, 2010). Direct effects of early attachment upon long-term mental health are difficult to establish, often involving a mediating or moderating role for attachment rather than a direct causal role per se. This has become evident from studies of the onset and course of children’s externalizing disorders, and so the second section of this chapter devotes itself to summarizing this recent work that may help refine our thinking about the influence of attachment upon mental health outcomes in general and reactive attachment disorder in particular. Finally, the third section focuses in some detail on the phenomenon of reactive attachment disorder, a diagnosis first identified in 1980, yet the syndrome of RAD fits with observations of institutionalized infants from previous decades (e.g., Provence & Lipton, 1962; Spitz, 1945) and would serve as a fitting account for many of the children adopted out of institutions since the 1980s. The development of these adoptees has been studied longitudinally, detailed in three recent monographs from the Society for Research in Child Development (McCall, van IJzendoorn, Juffer, Groark & Groza 2011; Rutter et al., 2010; The St. Petersburgh-USA Orphanage Research Team, 2008).
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and 6-Minute Walk Distance in African Americans with Mild to Moderate Heart Failure.

Background/aims The 6-minute walk test is a measure of functional capacity in patients with heart failure (HF) or chronic kidney disease (CKD). The association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) has not been investigated in African-Americans (AA), despite them having a higher incidence of CKD and chronic HF. Thus, our aim was to determine if eGFR was an independent predictor of 6MWD in AA >50 years of age with HF. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between eGFR and 6MWD in 45 AA patients with HF from an urban outpatient HF clinic, using logistic regression with bootstrapping. Results The sample consisted of 53% females; mean age = 64.8 ± 9 years, mean eGFR = 61.6 ± 20 mL/min/1.73 m2, and mean 6MWD = 222 ± 78 m. A decrease in eGFR by 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 was associated with 46% higher odds (p = 0.02) of a 6MWD ≤200 m in an unadjusted model and 39-41% higher odds (p = 0.03) of a 6MWD ≤200 m in adjusted models. Conclusion A decrease in eGFR significantly predicted a shorter 6MWD in AA patients with HF. Therefore, a reduction in eGFR may be used as an early marker to identify and manage declining functional capacity in these patients.
Triboelectric charge variability in firearm particulates and projectiles

Abstract In this paper, we investigate the variability of dynamic triboelectric charging of both particulate emissions (smoke, unburned propellant and other debris) and projectiles launched from a 9 mm Beretta pistol. We measured charge transients both at the weapon muzzle and at a location 10 m downrange using cylindrical charge sensors to characterize the charge associated with the muzzle blast and that of the projectile. We derive an analytical expression for the time-domain voltage response of cylindrical charge sensors, and use it to quantify the charge present on the projectiles. Our results indicate that the magnitude and polarity of charge present on a given projectile depends strongly on the ammunition type, even if the primer and propellant chemistries are identical. Projectiles, on average, carry a charge opposite in polarity to that of the particulates present in the muzzle blast. We hypothesize that the relative motion of the gas-solids flow in the annulus between the barrel and the projectile leads to charge transfer between the particulates and the projectile, resulting in the case of oppositely charged projectiles and particulates.
Identification of a Brainstem Circuit Controlling Feeding.

Summary Hunger, driven by negative energy balance, elicits the search for and consumption of food. While this response is in part mediated by neurons in the hypothalamus, the role of specific cell types in other brain regions is less well defined. Here, we show that neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus, expressing vesicular transporters for GABA or glutamate (hereafter, DRN Vgat and DRN VGLUT3 neurons), are reciprocally activated by changes in energy balance and that modulating their activity has opposite effects on feeding—DRN Vgat neurons increase, whereas DRN VGLUT3 neurons suppress, food intake. Furthermore, modulation of these neurons in obese ( ob / ob ) mice suppresses food intake and body weight and normalizes locomotor activity. Finally, using molecular profiling, we identify druggable targets in these neurons and show that local infusion of agonists for specific receptors on these neurons has potent effects on feeding. These data establish the DRN as an important node controlling energy balance. PaperClip
The right to move: informal use rights and urban practices of mobility

ABSTRACTEveryday urban practices are enabled by both formal and informal rights regimes. Researchers often focus on the effects of formal rights; informal rights to use urban spaces have been less widely examined, particularly in North America. This article examines practices of intra-urban mobility in a gentrifying area of Portland, Oregon. We find that rights regimes regarding movement in urban space importantly shape who uses particular transit strategies and infrastructures. Specifically, we identify rights regimes rooted in explications of a city ideal and a neighborhood ethic. We suggest that Portland’s widely admired transit planning process has not sufficiently engaged with informal use rights in transit spaces, leading to uneven adoption of a transportation infrastructure that re-inscribes historic racialized injustices. An examination of informal use rights complicates common rights analytics, including those leveraging Lefebvre’s right to the city, emphasizing how all urban rights are contingen...
A Testis ER Chaperone Marks Mature Olfactory and Vomeronasal Sensory Neurons

The proper folding of most secreted and membrane proteins involves interaction with endoplasmic reticulum-resident, glycan-binding chaperones. Some of these chaperones, such as Calreticulin and Calnexin, are nearly ubiquitous, while others are found only in specific cell types, presumably reflecting a role in biosynthesis of proteins specific to those cells. Herein, I have identified Calmegin (Clgn), a chaperone required for fertile spermatogenesis, as a marker of mature neurons in the olfactory system. CLGN was expressed by olfactory marker protein (OMP)-positive neurons in both the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) and the vomeronasal organ (VNO). CLGN was detected both in the perinuclear ER network and in axons. Finally expression of Atf5, a transcription factor required for OSN and VSN development, was both required and sufficient for robust CLGN expression in OSNs and VSNs. Together these findings establish that an ER chaperone required for sperm fertility is developmentally regulated in olfactory neurons, provide a novel marker of mature olfactory neurons, and suggest common mechanisms of secretory protein biogenesis in these cell types.
Deep 3D convolution neural network for CT brain hemorrhage classification

Intracranial hemorrhage is a critical conditional with the high mortality rate that is typically diagnosed based on head computer tomography (CT) images. Deep learning algorithms, in particular, convolution neural networks (CNN), are becoming the methodology of choice in medical image analysis for a variety of applications such as computer-aided diagnosis, and segmentation. In this study, we propose a fully automated deep learning framework which learns to detect brain hemorrhage based on cross sectional CT images. The dataset for this work consists of 40,367 3D head CT studies (over 1.5 million 2D images) acquired retrospectively over a decade from multiple radiology facilities at Geisinger Health System. The proposed algorithm first extracts features using 3D CNN and then detects brain hemorrhage using the logistic function as the last layer of the network. Finally, we created an ensemble of three different 3D CNN architectures to improve the classification accuracy. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve of the ensemble of three architectures was 0.87. Their results are very promising considering the fact that the head CT studies were not controlled for slice thickness, scanner type, study protocol or any other settings. Moreover, the proposed algorithm reliably detected various types of hemorrhage within the skull. This work is one of the first applications of 3D CNN trained on a large dataset of cross sectional medical images for detection of a critical radiological condition
Size-growth relationship, tree spatial patterns, and tree-tree competition influence tree growth and stand complexity in a 160-year red pine chronosequence

Abstract Extended rotations have been suggested as a strategy for balancing timber production and ecological objectives. By lengthening the period of stand development, extended rotations may increase tree size inequality and other elements of structural complexity, thus reducing the disparity between managed and old-growth stands. A potential limitation of extended rotations is the tradeoff between reduced stand-level productivity and greater large-tree growth that typically occurs with stand age. The mechanisms driving this tradeoff have not been fully explored. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated the size-growth relationship (SGR), tree spatial patterns, and tree-tree competition along an established 160-yr chronosequence of 19 single-cohort, unthinned red pine (Pinus resinosa) stands in northern Minnesota, USA. We analyzed SGR, a stand-level metric used to estimate the relative efficiency with which different sized trees utilize available resources, to assess how the relationship between tree size and growth changed over an extended period of stand development. We performed spatial analysis to examine whether tree spatial clustering, a criterion of structural complexity, increased with stand age. We modeled individual-tree biomass increment to test whether competition along the chronosequence was size-symmetric (access of individual trees to resources is directly proportional to size) or size-asymmetric (larger trees suppress the growth of smaller individuals by preempting resources), and how SGR, tree spatial patterns, and competition together influenced individual-tree growth. We found low SGR (i.e., disproportionately slow growth of larger trees compared to smaller trees) across the chronosequence, a finding that contrasts with hypothesized models of SGR during stand development but is consistent with previous research on pine-dominated systems. Tree spatial patterns trended towards clustering with stand age, indicating higher structural complexity over time. In agreement with our SGR findings, competition across the chronosequence was size-symmetric, suggesting that competition reduced individual-tree growth while maintaining relative size equality. Individual-tree biomass increment was strongly dependent on tree size, with the growth of small trees appearing relatively less affected by competition. Differences in SGR did not translate into individual-tree growth, and tree spatial clustering was associated with reduced growth, especially in larger trees. Our results indicate that disproportionately slow large-tree growth and size-symmetric competition throughout stand development may delay the emergence of stand structural complexity in extended rotation red pine stands. Silvicultural treatments may be required to promote stand structural complexity and increase large crop-tree growth.
US Medicaid drug formularies: do they work?

Does the use of a restricted drug formulary achieve cost savings within state Medicaid programmes? Restricted formularies are often justified by putting forth the attributes of a perfectly operating and implicitly costless policy. Analysis suggests, however, that the operation of ‘actual’ restricted formularies produce realised effects that are substantially at odds with the desired effects. Although the implementation of a restricted formulary can reduce a state’s drug expenditures, service substitution causes expenditures to increase elsewhere in the system. Furthermore, direct savings in the drug budget are completely offset by these spillover effects.
System-Level Design of Network-on-Chip Architectures ∗

Multi-processor System-on-Chip (MPSoC) architectures in future will be imple- mented in less than 50 nm technology and include tens to hundreds of process- ing element blocks operating in the multi-GHz range. The on-chip interconnec- tion network will be a key factor in determining the performance and power consumption of these multi-core devices. Packet switched interconnection net- works or Network-on-Chip (NoC) has emerged as an attractive alternative to tra- ditional bus-based architectures for satisfying the communication requirements of these MPSoC architectures. The key challenge in NoC design is to produce a complex, high performance and low energy architecture under tight time to market requirements. The NoC architectures would support the communication demands of hundreds of cores under stringent performance constraints. In addi- tion to the complexity, the NoC designers would also have to contend with the physical challenges of design in nanoscale technologies. The NoC design prob- lem would entail a joint optimization of the system-level floorplan and power consumption of the network. All these factors coupled with the requirement for short turn around times raises the need for an intellectual property (IP) re-use methodology that is well supported with design and optimization techniques, and performance evaluation models. This chapter introduces the concept of NoC and presents the various elements of the IP-based system-level methodology required for its design.
AIDS: Disease Manifestation

Clinical manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease can be segregated between those occurring in individuals who do not receive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and those who are able to receive therapy and who show marked and sustained suppression of HIV viremia. In patients receiving HAART, diseases associated with low CD4+ lymphocyte count and severe immune deficiency are seen less commonly than in earlier eras, but new syndromes have emerged that are, in fact, associated with the therapies. This article focuses on the metabolic syndrome including lipodystrophy, and renal and neurologic abnormalities. References for further reading on important opportunistic infections (OIs) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related malignancies are suggested. New syndromes associated with toxicities from some of the drugs used to treat HIV infection which are relevant for consideration of HIV disease manifestations in populations with reduced mortality from advanced immunodeficiency, OIs, and malignancies are discussed.
Persons with essential tremor can adapt to new walking patterns

This study is the first to investigate walking adaptation abilities of people with essential tremor. Despite evidence of cerebellar impairment in this population, people with essential tremor can a...
Overview of the US Banking System

The American bank regulatory system is based upon the concept of dual oversight by federal and state agencies, and the primary regulators differ based upon a specific bank’s charter. The total assets held by the US banks reached a peak of $17.5 trillion. Most Americans use depository financial institutions—such as commercial banks, savings, and loan associations, and credit unions—to conduct their financial transactions.
Electrical Status Epilepticus During Sleep: a Case Report of Postmorbid Baseline Evaluation

An 8-year-old, Caucasian, and right-handed female presented for a baseline neuropsychological evaluation due to diagnosis of electrical status epilepticus during sleep (ESES) preceded by postictal, late-night discovery of the patient on the floor and subsequent overnight electroencephalography. This first recognized seizure was tonic-clonic. The patient was born at 39 weeks gestation weighing approximately 5 lb, subsequently spending 48 h in NICU due to low birth weight and hypoglycemia. Developmental milestones were recalled within normal limits (WNL). The patient is prescribed levetiracetam, clobazam, and acetazolamide and has undergone multiple EEGs since diagnosis. Remaining medical history unremarkable including absence of known head trauma. Family history is remarkable for anxiety and developmental disability. Tests suggest global impairment, particularly in motor abilities and processing speed. Academic achievement is average across basic reading and writing, but verbal learning and memory are significantly diminished unless in story form. Evidence of impulsivity and inattention were present along with deficits in mathematics. Affect recognition was intact and tests of cognitive flexibility and planning were discontinued. ESES generally presents early and results in neuropsychological deficits that are dependent upon length of condition and frequency and intensity of seizures. While deficits may improve when ESES subsides in pre-pubescence, some may persist into adulthood with high outcome variability. Baseline and ongoing neuropsychological testing are critical to early, targeted interventions and ongoing care. When early baselines are not feasible, it is important to construct a detailed, data-driven conceptualization to accommodate potential factors involved in notable deficits.
Developing the Team While Travelling: Infusing Elements of High Impact Practices into a Study Abroad Course for Student-Athletes

Undergraduate institutions today are increasingly looking to adopt high impact practices (HIP) as a means to provide optimal learning experiences for their students. Study abroad courses are a particularly popular HIP offerings for students, as they provide opportunities to not only experience new cultures around the world but also to gain insights into their own cultural identities. However, because of the many demands placed on Division I collegiate student-athletes, they unfortunately are often not able to engage in such a global experience. This case study describes a credit-bearing, short-term study abroad course that not only taught Division I volleyball student-athletes about theories of culture and how to analyze culture at the individual, team, and national levels; but infused a variety of experiential activities and other elements characteristic of effective HIPs. As a means to make the course more personally relevant and meaningful to these students, special attention was given to present topics in a context specific to a collegiate athletic team. These student-athletes were introduced to a host of relevant validated models and theories of culture, and engaged in a number of individual assessments to gain insights into their cultural identities and their influences, as well as in formal assessments of as their team’s dynamics and overall effectiveness. In addition, the course included team-based activities and workshops that addressed the team’s weakest areas related to performance. identified areas in need of improvement. All of these activities were aligned with a 10-day travel experience to Italy. Overall, this case study is an example of how an innovative course can be created to not only provide a study abroad opportunity for student-athletes, but also be tailored to address individual players’ and team needs and create a positive and lasing experience for all involved.
Self-Determination, Preference, and Choice

This chapter will define and describe the relationship between self-determination, preference, and choice. The role of expressing preferences and making choices across the life span in relation to engaging in volitional and self-determined action will be explored as will the relationship between preference, choice, and other skills associated with self-determined action. The impact of preference expression and choice making on self-determination and other valued outcomes will be described.
Setup and principle of endoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Quality endoscopy with tissue biopsy is critical for the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, disease monitoring, assessment of treatment response, and dysplasia surveillance. The pretreatment index ileocolonoscopy is critical for the assessment of the disease distribution and disease severity. Based on the pretest probability of diagnosis, a tissue biopsy is taken from a different topographic location. The endoscopist should exert extreme caution on those at risk for bleeding, perforation, and bacterial translocations, including situations of underlying primary sclerosing cholangitis, severe bowel inflammation with deep ulcers, diversion colitis or diversion pouchitis, and small bowel transplant.
Anisotropic, porous hydrogels templated by lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals

Approaches to control the microstructure of hydrogels enable the control of cell-material interactions and the design of stimuli-responsive materials. We report a versatile approach for the synthesis of anisotropic polyacrylamide hydrogels using lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal (LCLC) templating. The orientational order of LCLCs in a mold can be patterned by controlling surface anchoring conditions, which in turn patterns the polymer network. The resulting hydrogels have tunable pore size and mechanical anisotropy. For example, the elastic moduli measured parallel and perpendicular to the LCLC order are 124.9 ± 6.4 kPa and 17.4 ± 1.1 kPa for a single composition. The resulting anisotropic hydrogels also have 30% larger swelling normal to the LCLC orientation than along the LCLC orientation. By patterning the LCLC order, this anisotropic swelling can be used to create 3D hydrogel structures. These anisotropic gels can also be functionalized with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and used as compliant substrata for cell culture. As an illustrative example, we show that the patterned hydrogel microstructure can be used to direct the orientation of cultured human corneal fibroblasts. This strategy to make anisotropic hydrogels has potential for enabling patternable tissue scaffolds, soft robotics, or microfluidic devices.
Fatty liver and impaired hepatic metabolism alter the congener-specific distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in mice with a liver-specific deletion of cytochrome P450 reductase.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that are linked to adverse health outcomes. PCB tissue levels are determinants of PCB toxicity; however, it is unclear how factors, such as an altered metabolism and/or a fatty liver, affect PCB distribution in vivo. We determined the congener-specific disposition of PCBs in mice with a liver-specific deletion of cytochrome P450 reductase (KO), a model of fatty liver with impaired hepatic metabolism, and wild-type (WT) mice. Eight-week-old male WT (MWT, n = 3), male KO (MKO, n = 5), female WT (FWT, n = 4), and female KO mice (FKO, n = 4) were exposed orally to Aroclor 1254. PCBs were quantified in adipose, blood, brain, and liver tissues by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The ΣPCB levels followed the rank order adipose > liver ∼ brain > blood in WT and adipose ∼ liver > brain > blood in KO mice. PCB levels were much higher in the liver of KO than WT mice, irrespective of the sex. A comparison across exposure groups revealed minor genotype and sex-dependent differences in the PCB congener profiles (cos Θ > 0.92). Within each exposure group, tissue profiles showed small differences between tissues (cos Θ = 0.85 to 0.98). These differences were due to a decrease in metabolically more labile PCB congeners and an increase in congeners resistant to metabolism. The tissue-to-blood ratio of PCBs decreased for adipose, increased for the brain, and remained constant for the liver with an increase in chlorination. While these ratios did not follow the trends predicted using a composition-based model, the agreement between experimental and calculated partition coefficients was reasonable. Although the distribution of PCBs differs between KO and WT mice, the magnitude of the partitioning of PCBs from the blood into tissues can be approximated using composition-based models.
Working together to protect women and children from domestic violence: Factors influencing willingness to collaborate between organizations

Abstract The high prevalence of co-occurring domestic violence (DV) and child maltreatment requires collaboration between domestic violence organizations (DVO) and child protection services (CPS) to meet family needs. Little is known about how individual worker characteristics and agency level factors interact to influence staff’s willingness to collaborate between these two services. Data from a US statewide survey of 846 DVO and CPS workers was used to examine how worker characteristics (experience, training, education, professional efficacy) and organizational collaboration factors (supervisory support, appropriate workloads, etc.) impact workers’ willingness to collaborate. The results indicate that while agency collaboration factors increase workers’ willingness to collaborate, this relationship is mediated and moderated by workers’ professional efficacy. Other factors that influenced willingness to collaborate included workers’ attitudes, experience, salary, and personally knowing someone who has experienced DV. The findings indicate that while agency support for collaboration is important, worker factors must also be addressed for collaboration to occur.
Hand therapists' perspectives and practices related to musculoskeletal pain: A biopsychosocial lens.

Abstract Background While the biopsychosocial model is advocated for pain management, biomedical approaches continue to dominate in practice. Understanding musculoskeletal clinicians’ perspectives and practices related to pain can inform training needs to optimize care. Little is known regarding the viewpoint of hand therapists who may not have exposure to modern pain models. Objective To explore hand therapists’ perspectives and practices related to musculoskeletal pain using a biopsychosocial lens. Methods This interpretive descriptive qualitative study was embedded in an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Thirteen hand therapists in the United States were purposefully sampled based on low and high scores on the Revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire. Each therapist participated in one semi-structured virtual interview. Data were analyzed using open and a priori codes, which were synthesized into themes that aligned with each domain of the biopsychosocial model. Findings Participants described “balancing local tissues and the brain,” “empowering through education and function,” and “looking beyond the individual.” Recognition of multidimensional components of pain reinforced participants’ awareness that “pain is always real.” Discussion Hand therapists appreciated pain as a multidimensional phenomenon, with biological, psychological, and social facets. However, a potential bias toward structural pathology warrants additional training to promote high-value musculoskeletal care.