cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
General Solutions to Nurses Travel in Linear and Circular Nursing Units

The hospital literature of the 1960's contains about a dozen reports or articles pertaining to the relative merits of circular vs. conventional (chiefly linear corridors flanked by patient rooms on both sides). The claims included items other than nurses travel, for example, patient visibility to nursing staff, subjective impressions, and building costs. This article is concerned only with general but quantitative comparisons of these two classes of nursing units with respect to nurses travel.Mathematical models have been developed which permit practically instant evaluation of nursing units where all patient rooms are for a single occupant or where all rooms are for two occupants. The model reflects changes in room size and internal arrangement. Examination of the architect's preliminary sketches permits the determination of superior ority of one layout over another in terms of travel.The fact that this is but one of hundreds of determinations to be made in hospital designs does not diminish its importan...
Conversion of scFv peptide-binding specificity for crystal chaperone development

In spite of advances in protein expression and purification over the last decade, many proteins remain recalcitrant to structure determination by X-ray crystallography. One emerging tactic to obtain high-quality protein crystals for structure determination, particularly in the case of membrane proteins, involves co-crystallization with a protein-specific antibody fragment. Here, we report the development of new recombinant single-chain antibody fragments (scFv) capable of binding a specific epitope that can be introduced into internal loops of client proteins. The previously crystallized hexa-histidine-specific 3D5 scFv antibody was modified in the complementary determining region and by random mutagenesis, in conjunction with phage display, to yield scFvs with new biochemical characteristics and binding specificity. Selected variants include those specific for the hexa-histidine peptide with increased expression, solubility (up to 16.6 mg/ml) and sub-micromolar affinity, and those with new specificity for the EE hexa-peptide (EYMPME) and nanomolar affinity. Complexes of one such chaperone with model proteins harboring either an internal or a terminal EE tag were isolated by gel filtration. The 3.1 A resolution structure of this chaperone reveals a binding surface complementary to the EE peptide and a ∼52 A channel in the crystal lattice. Notably, in spite of 85% sequence identity, and nearly identical crystallization conditions, the engineered scFv crystallizes in a different space group than the parent 3D5 scFv, and utilizes two new crystal contacts. These engineered scFvs represent a new class of chaperones that may eliminate the need for de novo identification of candidate chaperones from large antibody libraries.
3,3′-Diindolylmethane stimulates murine immune function in vitro and in vivo

Abstract 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a major condensation product of indole-3-carbinol, exhibits chemopreventive properties in animal models of cancer. Recent studies have shown that DIM stimulates interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production and potentiates the IFN-γ signaling pathway in human breast cancer cells via a mechanism that includes increased expression of the IFN-γ receptor. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that DIM modulates the murine immune function. Specifically, the effects of DIM were evaluated in a panel of murine immune function tests that included splenocyte proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cytokine production and resistance to viral infection. DIM was found to induce proliferation of splenocytes as well as augment mitogen- and interleukin (IL)-2-induced splenocyte proliferation. DIM also stimulated the production of ROS by murine peritoneal macrophage cultures. Oral administration of DIM, but not intraperitoneal injection, induced elevation of serum cytokines in mice, including IL-6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), IL-12 and IFN-γ. Finally, in a model of enteric virus infection, oral DIM administration to mice enhanced both clearance of reovirus from the GI tract and the subsequent mucosal IgA response. Thus, DIM is a potent stimulator of immune function. This property might contribute to the cancer inhibitory effects of this indole.
Colocalization of tyrosine hydroxylase and Fos in the male Syrian hamster brain following different states of arousal

In an investigation of the role that central tyrosine hydroxylase-(TH) containing neurons play in copulation in the male Syrian hamster, The induction of Fos protein was used as an index of neuronal activation. With a double immunoperoxidase technique, the activation of TH neurons was compared in hamsters from three experimental groups: (1) mated in a new cage; (2) handled controls placed in a new cage, and (3) unhandled controls. Although mating selectively induces Fos production in the medial amygdaloid nucleus (Me), more than half of the TH neurons in Me (a region outside of the classical catecholamine systems) expressed Fos equally in all of the experimental groups. In the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), TH neurons were activated equivalently in mated and handled control animals compared to unhandled controls. TH neurons in the neucleus of the solitary tract (NST) were also activated in handled control animals, and mating further enhanced the level of Fos immunostaining in these neurons above both groups of nonmated animals. Although not quantified, co-localization of Fos and TH was also observed in all experimental groups in the olfactory bulbs and the interfascicular nucleus, and in the horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca and the cerebral cortex, regions which contain TH neurons but are not part of the classically described TH cell groups. Few, if any, TH neurons in other catecholaminergic brain regions, such as the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus, produced Fos in any of the experimental groups. These results suggest that TH neurons in the PVN and NST may be activated during different states of arousal, and that nonclassical TH neurons in the amygdala produce high levels of Fos even in unstimulated animals. 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Interpersonal factors contributing to the stigma of schizophrenia: social skills, perceived attractiveness, and symptoms

This study investigated the interpersonal factors (i.e., social skills, symptoms, perceived physical attractiveness) which are related to the stigma of schizophrenia. Social skills performance was assessed for 39 individuals with schizophrenia who participated in two role-plays with a confederate. Social skills ratings comprised 'overall social skill', 'meshing', 'clarity', and 'fluency' of speech, 'gaze', 'pleasantness' of conversation, 'involvement' in conversation, 'number of questions asked' during conversation, and 'perceived strangeness'. Symptomatology was assessed with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Ratings of perceived physical attractiveness were obtained by pausing the videotaped role-plays after the first 2s of the interaction. Ratings of 'social distance', based on an independent sample who observed the role-plays, were used as a proxy measure of stigma. The results showed that social distance was best statistically predicted by perceived strangeness, which in turn, was best statistically predicted by ratings of overall social skill. Negative symptoms appeared to have a more robust association with desired social distance than positive symptoms. Interpersonal factors, such as overall social skill, negative symptoms, and perceived strangeness, may contribute to stigma.
Acid modification of starch granules in alcohols: reactions in mixtures of two alcohols combined in different ratios

Abstract The acid modification of starch granules has been studied in different ratios of mixtures of the following combination of alcohols, methanol and 2-propanol, methanol and ethanol, methanol and 1-butanol, ethanol and 2-propanol, and ethanol and 1-butanol, from 100 0 to 0 100 in 10% (v/v) intervals. The time-course of the reaction of potato starch with 0.36% (w/v) HCl in methanol and 2 propanol at 25 °C showed that a series of limit dextrins were formed in 48 to 72 h. The dp of the limit dextrins decreased as the content of the higher alcohol increased. Limit dextrins were formed from the reaction of potato, waxy maize, and amylomaize-7 starches with 0.36% (w/v) HCl in various combinations and ratios of the alcohols. Plots of the dp of the limit dextrins vs. the ratio of each alcohol mixture gave curves that resembled titration curves with different plateau regions in which the dp of the limit dextrins changed very slowly or not at all. These plateau regions were characteristic and dependent on the types of alcohols, the volume ratios of the two alcohols in the mixture, the temperature, and the type of starch. It is proposed that the formation of limit dextrins and the formation of plateaus in the plots of dp of the limit dextrins vs. the alcohol ratios are due to the presence of physically different “kinds” of α-(1 → 4) glycosidic linkages in the starch granules. It is further proposed that the mechanism by which the alcohols or combination of alcohols are producing the different kinds of linkages to become more susceptible to acid hydrolysis involves the conversion of crystalline regions in the granule into amorphous regions.
Prehistoric Ceramics of Northern Afghanistan: Neolithic through the Iron Age

For nearly four millennia, Afghanistan has been at the crossroads of Eurasian commerce and remains ethnically and linguistically diverse, a mosaic of cultures and languages, especially in the north, where the Turkestan Plain is a conduit for the so-called Silk Route, a series of “roads” that connected far-flung towns and urban centers and facilitated the transfer of goods and services. The research reported herein involves the comparative analysis of archaeological ceramics from a series of archaeological sites excavated in northern Afghanistan in the mid-1960s by the late Louis Dupree and me. I served as the field director (1965-1966) and analyzed the ceramics excavated from all six archaeological sites. These were Aq Kupruk I, II, III, and IV located in Balkh Province (north-central Afghanistan) and Darra-i-Kur and Hazar Gusfand situated on the border between Badakshan and Tarkar Provinces (extreme northeastern Afghanistan). Ten of the 72 ceramic types from the Aq Kupruk area have been published [1, 2, 3] but none of the 53 wares from northeastern Afghanistan have been described. The majority of the Aq Kupruk materials are undecorated (plain ware) ceramics but there is a unique series of red-painted decorated ceramics (Red/Buff, numbered types 45 through 52) with early first millennium BCE designs but the pottery dates to the BCE-CE period. The results of ceramic typological, macroscopic, binocular and petrographic microscopy (thin-section analysis and point counting) are reported.
Integrated Testing of the Full Authority Digital Control (FADC) for the U.S. Navy’s CG-47 Class Ship Service Gas Turbine Generator (SSGTG) Sets

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division - Ship Systems Engineering Station (NSWCCD-SSES) successfully completed testing of a new Full Authority Digital Control (FADC) system for gas turbine control. This system will be back-fit onto Model 139 Ship Service Gas Turbine Generator Sets (SSGTGs) on the U.S. Navy’s Ticonderoga (CG-47) class cruisers. The FADC will be a direct replacement of the original Model 139 Local Operating Panel (LOCOP) and will control the Allison 501-K17 gas turbine. The new control system provides for standardized installation across a wide variety of existing configurations. The development program leveraged off of the design work done for the AG9140 FADC currently being installed on DDG 51 Class ships. The result was a state-of-the-art system ready for shipboard installation in a short period of time, providing commonality of look and feel across platforms. This paper describes the CG-47 FADC and details the development and testing conducted on a Model 139 SSGTG at the NSWCCD-SSES DDG 51 Gas Turbine Land Based Engineering Test Site (LBES). The test program included all modes of SSGTG operation, including starts, shutdowns, and generator operations under varying load conditions.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Hardware emulation and test at the flightline

Confirming mission readiness is the most critical function flightline testers perform. Ideally, pre-night mission readiness assessments would exercise and verify every critical function of the weapon system that could be called upon in battle. No existing flightline test system can provide this level of readiness assessment. So what is wrong with today's testers? First, it is not practical to perform operational end-to-end testing of major subsystems with conventional testers. Second, many testers cannot readily make use of failure data that is available from on-board vehicle health monitoring systems or current testers use hardware intensive architectures-architectures that drive performance versus size, weight, and total ownership cost tradeoffs. How can we change this? Integrating portable maintenance aids (PMAs) and maintenance information systems into the test repertoire can help significantly; however, these solutions do little to augment the information available for system test and diagnosis. Adding conventional test instrumentation under PMA control would provide the additional information we seek, but as cited above, hardware intensive solutions is one of the problems with today's flightline testers. Emulating test instrumentation using virtual instruments (VI) specifically addresses the problems and limitations associated with hardware intensive test systems. This paper will describe the VI concept and Honeywell's two embodiments of VI, and will discuss VI's applicability to flightline test and the next generation automatic test systems.
A multirate filter bank based approach to the detection and enhancement of linear features in images

A general method based on the directional filter bank for the detection and enhancement of linear features in multidimensional data is presented. Results demonstrating the effectiveness of this new method are presented for two trial cases: the enhancement of cell boundaries in biomedical images, and the analysis and enhancement of fingerprints. >
High-efficiency Pheromone Trap for the European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

A Heliothis cone trap captured significantly higher numbers of male European corn borers, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), than a sticky wing trap. Behavioral observations revealed that the difference in number of males captured was related to the proportion of moths approaching the traps that was subsequently captured. Cone traps baited with a 97:3 blend of ( Z )- and ( E )-11-tetradecenyl acetate captured 87% of those males that entered the trap compared with 6% for the wing traps.
Hereditary polymorphic light eruption of American Indians : Occurrence in non-Indians with polymorphic light eruption

Background: Hereditary polymorphic light eruption (HPLE) occurs uniquely in the American Indian and Inuit and exhibits autosomal dominant transmission. Because the cutaneous expression of HPLE resembles that of polymorphic light eruption (PLE) and because many non-Indians in the United States have American Indian heritage, some instances of PLE may actually be HPLE. Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether non-Indian patients with PLE have characteristics suggestive of HPLE. Methods: We surveyed in Nebraska 25 European-Caucasian and 36 African-American patients with PLE for American Indian heritage and photosensitive relatives. Nonphotosensitive subjects (52 Caucasians and 40 African Americans) were surveyed for American Indian heritage. Results: American Indian heritage occurred in 11 Caucasian patients (44%); of those, seven (64%) had photosensitive relatives. Likewise, 29 African Americans (81%) had American Indian heritage; 19 (66%) of those had photosensitive relatives. American Indian heritage occurred in 10 Caucasian control subjects (19%) and in 34 African-American control subjects (85%). Conclusion: If American Indian heritage and a family history of photosensitivity are definitive for HPLE, seven (28%) of our Caucasian patients and 19 (53%) of our African-American patients have HPLE rather than PLE. We urge physicians who suspect PLE in non-Indians to ask about American Indian heritage and photosensitive relatives and to screen their present patients with PLE for such characteristics.
Substitution of Generic Warfarin for Coumadin in an HMO Setting

Background Substitution of generic warfarin for Coumadin presents safety concerns due to warfarin's narrow therapeutic index and because a prior generic formulation was removed from the US market after it was associated with adverse events. Objective To determine whether a health maintenance organization (HMO) can add generic warfarin to its formulary without adversely affecting warfarin management or increasing adverse events. Design In a prospective, observational study, an HMO that formerly dispensed only Coumadin added a generic warfarin preparation (Barr Laboratories, Pomona, NY) to its formulary. Setting An anticoagulation service (ACS) affiliated with an HMO that was based in St. Louis, MO. Participants The cohort consisted of 182 enrollees in the ACS as of May 1, 1999. At the start of the study, these participants were taking Coumadin; by October 31, 2000, all had switched to Barr warfarin. Measurements and main results We collected data 8 months prior to and 10 months after the introduction of generic warfarin for the following endpoints: international normalized ratio (INR) control, frequency of INR monitoring, number of dose changes, and rate of thrombotic and hemorrhagic events. Statistical process control charts were used to differentiate between random variation in the endpoints and changes due to different warfarin formulations, and we used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to look for a change in any endpoint after patients changed to generic warfarin. No significant differences were found in any endpoint. Conclusions Substitution of Barr warfarin for Coumadin did not significantly affect INR control, warfarin management, or adverse events. Our findings suggest that HMOs can safely substitute at least 1 generic formulation of warfarin without extra monitoring.
Effects of Alcohol and Sexual Prejudice on Aggression Toward Sexual Minorities.

OBJECTIVE: This study was the first to test the moderating effect of acute alcohol intoxication on the relation between heterosexual men's sexual prejudice and perpetration of aggression toward gay men and lesbians. METHOD: Participants were 320 heterosexual men aged 21-30 recruited from a large southeastern United States city. Participants completed a measure of prejudice toward sexual minorities and were randomly assigned to one of eight experimental groups within a 2 (Beverage: Alcohol, No-Alcohol Control) × 2 (Opponent Gender: Male, Female) × 2 (Opponent Sexual Orientation: Homosexual, Heterosexual) design. Following beverage consumption, participants were provoked via reception of electric shocks from a fictitious opponent. Participants' physical aggression was measured using a shock-based aggression task. RESULTS: The association between sexual prejudice and aggression toward the gay male opponent was stronger among intoxicated, relative to sober, participants. This pattern of association was not observed among participants who competed against the heterosexual male, heterosexual female, or lesbian opponent. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide the first experimental evidence that alcohol intoxication moderates sexually-prejudiced aggression toward gay men. These data offer a first step toward understanding how alcohol facilitates bias-motivated aggression. Such knowledge contributes to the empirical foundation needed to guide the development of interventions for alcohol-related aggression toward sexual minorities. Language: en
Ultrasonography of the Shoulder

The shoulder is the most common region to be evaluated with musculoskeletal ultrasound. The shoulder's complex anatomy enables an exceptional range of mobility at the expense of static stability. Consequently, the shoulder is susceptible to a multitude of traumatic and atraumatic injuries. This article presents an overview of shoulder anatomy, recommends a standardized approach to the sonographic shoulder evaluation, and discusses common sonographically apparent pathology of the shoulder.
An Organizational Hub of Developmentally Regulated Chromatin Loops in the Drosophila Antennapedia Complex

Chromatin boundary elements (CBEs) are widely distributed in the genome and mediate formation of chromatin loops, but their roles in gene regulation remain poorly understood. The complex expression pattern of the Drosophila homeotic gene Sex combs reduced (Scr) is directed by an unusually long regulatory sequence harboring diverse cis elements and an intervening neighbor gene fushi tarazu (ftz). Here we report the presence of a multitude of CBEs in the Scr regulatory region. Selective and dynamic pairing among these CBEs mediates developmentally regulated chromatin loops. In particular, the SF1 boundary plays a central role in organizing two subsets of chromatin loops: one subset encloses ftz, limiting its access by the surrounding Scr enhancers and compartmentalizing distinct histone modifications, and the other subset subdivides the Scr regulatory sequences into independent enhancer access domains. We show that these CBEs exhibit diverse enhancer-blocking activities that vary in strength and tissue distribution. Tandem pairing of SF1 and SF2, two strong CBEs that flank the ftz domain, allows the distal enhancers to bypass their block in transgenic Drosophila, providing a mechanism for the endogenous Scr enhancer to circumvent the ftz domain. Our study demonstrates how an endogenous CBE network, centrally orchestrated by SF1, could remodel the genomic environment to facilitate gene regulation during development.
Evaluation of the primary effect of brefeldin A treatment upon herpes simplex virus assembly.

Addition of the drug brefeldin A (BFA) to cells infected by herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 is known to result in a complex pattern of defects in particle assembly. BFA-treated, infected cells accumulate perinuclear enveloped virions and non-enveloped (‘naked’) cytoplasmic capsids, and it has been difficult to interpret these data in terms of the assembly pathway of HSV and the known effects of BFA on the secretory apparatus. Since BFA is a cytotoxic drug, and earlier studies commonly examined the effects of long-term BFA incubations on infected cells, it was hypothesized that the drug could have pleiotropic and indirect effects on HSV assembly. To test this, use was made of an HSV synchronized assembly assay, in which cells are infected with the virus mutant tsProt.A and maintained at 39 °C to induce reversible accumulation of a population of procapsids. By first adding BFA and then shifting these cells to 31 °C for 3 h to allow the accumulated procapsids to mature, it was possible to test the effect of short-term BFA treatment on only those HSV assembly events that are downstream of procapsid maturation. Under these conditions, it was found that procapsids matured and packaged the viral genome normally, but remained non-enveloped and failed to exit the nucleus. It is concluded that the primary effect of BFA on HSV replication is to inhibit budding at the inner nuclear membrane.
Abstract 51: Aldosterone Induces Cardiac Deleterious Effects Through A Grk2 And Grk5 Dependent Pathway

High Aldosterone (Aldo) plasma levels are present in heart failure patients and are associated with increased cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy. These effects have been shown to be, in part, related to the transactivation of the angiotensin II receptor (AT1R), a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). In this regard, the GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2) and 5 (GRK5) are both critical regulators of cardiac function through GPCR regulation. Since these GRKs have also been shown to play a role in cardiac hypertrophy and HF development we investigated whether these kinases may play a role in myocardial Aldo signaling. To test this, we first treated neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVMs) with Aldo (1 μM) and looked for GRK regulation. Following 12 hrs of Aldo-stimulation we observed a significant increase in both GRK2 and GRK5 protein levels. We also found that Aldo induced the localization of GRK2 to mitochondria, which the lab has previously found to occur following ischemic injury leading to increased cell death and...
Current Developments in Federal Employment Discrimination Law

The purpose of this paper is modest: to provide an overview and summary of the present, albeit conflicting, state of federal employment discrimination law with special emphasis on recent decisions within the Seventh Circuit. Part I of this paper discusses the newest, most expansive piece of federal employment discrimination legislation, the ADA, its scope, its relationship to the Rehabilitation Act, and the limited available judicial interpretation of the ADA within the Seventh Circuit. Part II assesses the current status of Title VII in terms of general burdens and methods of proof, changes in available relief for prevailing plaintiffs under Title VII, the limited retroactive application of the 1991 Act, and the current scope of sexual harassment hostile environment law. Part III provides an overview of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and describes Congress' movement toward unifying interpretation of ADEA claims with the interpretation afforded under Title VII. Finally, Part IV of this paper summarizes the return under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 to the analytical format existing under the statute for claims of racial discrimination in employment prior to June 15, 1989.
The activity of staphylococci in milk

Staphylococci, particularly the aureus and albus types, have been isolated from a great variety of sources since they were first grown in pure culture by Rosenbach.1 Many times several varieties have been isolated from the same source, thus causing much confusion as to their functional activities. In a study of their physiologic and biologic activities we have been considerably impressed with the various changes which they produce in milk, and consequently have made detailed studies relating to them. Thorough investigation of bacteria includes specific studies of their morphologic, metabolic, and biologic variations, and no classification which omits one of these important factors is complete. Buchner2 proved that fermentation processes, such as alcoholic, lactic, and acetic fermentations are processes not caused directly by bacteria themselves but by the enzymes they produce. Emil Fischer3 claimed that there must be a similarity between the structure of enzymes and the structure which they decompose, and he compares their resemblance in structure to that necessary between a lock and a key in order that the latter may pass the lock. Pasteur4 believed that fermentation corresponds to the respiration processes of animals, except that it is respiration without oxygen. Harden5 believed that certain organisms bring about curdling of milk by changing the sugar content to lactic acid as CeH^Oc ?* 2CH3CH (OH)COOH. He thought that different strains of organisms are distinguished by a proportion of different by-products. Savage,6 working with B. coli, found that they converted soluble caseinogen to an insoluble casein but played no part in the initial curdling of milk. He ascribed this change to the action of an enzyme which these organisms produced. Kamm7 has recently shown that phosphates are the essential agent for favoring gas production by bacteria, while a scant supply of minerals causes bacteria to produce lactic acid. One must therefore assume that two chemical processes are carried on as
Potential Role of Nematophagous Microarthropods as Biotic Mortality Factors of Entomogenous Nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae)

Potential for nematophagous mites and Collembola to reduce survival of entomogenous nematodes was tested in laboratory studies. The majority of the arthropods tested were observed feeding on Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (Breton strain) and Heterorhabditis heliothidis (Khan, Brooks, and Hirschmann) (NC strain) infective stage juveniles. Phoresy of S. feltiae infectives on many of the mites was observed, with infectives forming rafts of tightly packed nematodes on the dorsum of some of the larger mites. Such infectives remained viable and could move off the mite to kill prepupae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.). Only one species of mesostigmatid mite, Gamasellodes vermivorax Walter, was able to complete development on infectives, and survival was poor. An endeostigmatid mite, Alycus roseus Koch, and a collembolan, Hypogastura scotti Yosii, were able to complete development from late-instar nymph to adult and to produce viable eggs on S. feltiae . In laboratory studies, there was a negative correlation between G. vermivorax number and greater wax moth prepupal mortality, demonstrating lossin nematode efficacy caused by predation by the mesostigmatid mite. There was also a significant difference between LD50 estimates obtained when mites were present or absent. Thus, nematophagous micro arthropods are a biotic factor that could limit survival of field-applied entomogenous nematodes.
Discuss the Implement Process of Welding Robot System Independent Integrated Control

As the human labor cost rising rapidly, industrial welding robot in our country car is becoming more and more high frequency used in the welding process. Based on SGMW independent integration of welding robot system as an example, from the perspective of project management are discussed in this paper. In the early stage of the welding robot and its control system design, installation, debugging and the various meanings to the related introduction, for relevant personage reference.
Positioning yourself to survive in managed care.

(1998). Positioning Yourself to Survive in Managed Care. Hospital Practice: Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 82-86.
Beyond RPA correlation energies: Evaluation of model exchange-correlation kernels

The adiabatic-connection fluctuation-dissipation theorem (ACFDT) provides a formal frame work to treat the exchange-correlation energy. Under the random phase approximation (RPA), the effect of the exchange-correlation kernel is neglected, leading to the so-called EXX/RPA method. It has been shown that EXX/RPA yields overall a good description of structural properties of materials with different dimensionalities and different types of chemical bonds. In particular, the description of van der Waals systems is significantly improved over the density functional theory in the local or semi-local approximations. However, due to the lack of exchange-correlation kernel, EXX/RPA overestimates absolute correlation energy and slightly underestimates the cohesive energy. In this work, we applied the full ACFDT by including model exchange-correlation kernels. Two types of model kernels were studied: a local kernel proposed by Dobson and Wang [1] and a non-local kernel proposed by Corradini et al. [2]. We generalized the original Corradini kernel to inhomogeneous systems, and developed a new algorithm to allow an efficient numerical implementation. Results on benchmark systems were discussed.
Executive function and academic achievement in primary – grade students with Down syndrome

Background Executive function (EF) plays a critical role in academic outcomes in typically developing children, but the contribution of EF to academic performance in Down syndrome (DS) is less well understood. This study evaluated differences in early academic foundations between primary school aged children with DS and non-verbal mental-age matched typically developing (TD) children. Additionally, the contribution of EF domains to academic outcomes was evaluated in each group. Method Participants with DS (n = 29) and mental-age matched TD participants (n = 23) were administered the Woodcock Johnson- III NU Tests of Academic Achievement, as well as a laboratory-based EF battery, including measures of working memory, shifting, inhibition and object-planning. Results Findings indicated a difference in early academic foundations profile between children with DS and mental-age matched TD children. Patterns of EF contributions towards academic outcomes were also observed across groups. Conclusions Aspects of EF are critical to academic achievement in DS but differentially so relative to typical development. Implications for educational instruction are discussed.
The relationship between plant height and sugar accumulation in the stems of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

Abstract Sweet sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a tall, seed-propagated C 4 grass with stems that contain saccharine juice. The sugars in the juice can be easily extracted with a press, which generates large amounts of bagasse. Sweet sorghum has potential as a multi-purpose crop whereby depending on the available infrastructure and market demands, all fermentable sugars from juice and biomass can be converted to renewable fuels and chemicals, or the juice can be processed to syrup, fuels, or chemicals, while the bagasse is either burned or used as fodder. Large-scale industrial production of sweet sorghum requires large amounts of seed, but due to their height, sweet sorghums are not compatible with existing combine harvesters. In addition, grain yield is often limited. The availability of hybrid seed that can be produced on short seed parents would enable combine harvesting and offer greater seed yield. This requires the availability of short, sweet inbred lines. All known sweet sorghums, however, are tall, and prior research identified a positive correlation between height and sugar accumulation. Since the physiological mechanisms underlying sugar accumulation in sweet sorghum are not well understood, it is unknown whether the apparent association between sugar accumulation in the stem and plant height is the result of selection, or dictated by physiological or genetic constraints. Three experiments were conducted to examine this relationship. First, the role of shading on sugar accumulation was examined in breeding populations with contrasting heights. Second, the sugar concentration was compared between short plants harboring the unstable dwarf3 ( dw3 ) allele and their tall Dw3 revertants. Third, tall photoperiod-sensitive lines were compared with their matching short, photoperiod-insensitive lines. The results from these three experiments indicated that high sugar concentration in sweet sorghum is not conditional on the plants being tall, making the development of short, sweet inbred lines feasible. This information will also significantly benefit studies aimed at identifying QTL for sugar yield in sweet sorghum.
Exploring mechanisms of Interleukin-1α release from HSV-1 infected keratinocytes during active skin infection (INM6P.340)

IL-1 cytokines, IL-1α and IL-1β, have been widely studied in a variety of disease models. These molecules are mostly known for their inflammatory properties; however, they have been shown to have pleiotropic effects under diverse circumstances and within different cell types. Recently, the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) was shown to inhibit IL-1β release during infection and consequently possibly blocking IL-1β dependent immune responses. We previously demonstrated that IL-1α is expressed and released from cells exposed to bacteria. Utilizing a mouse model of HSV-1 skin infection, we recently further showed that an intracellular store of preformed IL-1α is released from keratinocytes soon after infection, independent of inflammatory caspase activation. IL-1α signaling through its receptor, IL-1R1, was subsequently responsible for leukocyte recruitment to infected epidermal cells. This showed, for the first time, this cytokine’s ability to act as an alarmin during cutaneous viral infection. Consequently, IL-1R1 knockout mice had an increased mortality rate compared to wild type mice due to viral dissemination. Recent studies have aimed to evaluate mechanisms whereby IL-1α is released from infected keratinocytes and discover potential proteins involved. These experiments will help to elucidate the role of IL-1α during viral infection while furthering our understanding of IL-1 signaling mechanisms.
The enteric virome in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: ready for its close-up.

A new study highlights dynamic changes in the enteric virome after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in humans, pointing to a correlation between these changes and graft-versus-host disease.
Review of James Leve, American Musical Theater

James Leve. American Musical Theater . New York: Oxford University Press, 2015. 448 pages. $59.95 ISBN: 9780195379600 E-book available through Redshelf.com. $29.95. eISBN: 9780190643461 Arianne Johnson Quinn
An analysis of proxy statement leadership structure justification disclosures

The Dodd-Frank Act’s qualitative disclosure requirements have prompted a call in the accounting literature for greater qualitative disclosure scrutiny. In this paper, we investigate the informativeness of qualitative leadership justification disclosures required by Section 972 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The disclosures are divided between justifying combining the CEO and Chairman of the Board (CEO Duality) and splitting these two positions (split structure). We use content analysis in our investigation. We discover that the two types of justifications are very different. The split structure disclosures tend to be ‘boiler plate’ and lack informativeness. In contrast, our tests suggest that CEO Duality justifications are informative. Our tests suggest that disclosures’ intensities in CEO Duality firms are positively associated with an increasing volume of information that supports CEO Duality as the more appropriate leadership structure choice. Additionally, our test results show that leadership disclosures change users risk perception, but only for CEO Duality firms. This suggests that investors believe in and are using the disclosures when making their investment decisions.
Sensitivity of Rapid-Setting Self-Consolidating Concrete (RSSCC) to Mixture Production Variables

When dealing with the issue of repair of the infrastructure, especially bridge deck and concrete pavements, the desire to minimize the traffic delays and inconvenience to the traveling public often leads to the use of rapid hardening repair materials. Frequently, the repairs need to be performed in confined spaces where repair materials are placed around the existing or newly installed reinforcement. As a result, it is very desirable for the repair material to have high fluidity that can ensure good compaction and facilitate flow to tight spaces, preferably without the use of a vibrator. Also, typically such repair concretes are prepared in small (~ 25-30 L) batches using low-capacity mortar mixers. The existing literature on self-consolidating concrete (SCC) clearly indicates that its stability, in terms of flowability and segregation resistance, can be significantly influenced by the quantities as well as by physical and chemical properties of the component materials. This paper presents the results of laboratory investigation on the sensitivity of rapid-setting self-consolidating concrete (RSSCC) to material and production variables that included: aggregate gradation, aggregate moisture content and the type of the mixer. The maximum size of the aggregate used in production of RSSCC in this study was 9 mm and all mixtures were prepared using Type III Portland cement, silica fume, micro-fine fly ash, high-range water reducer, and an accelerator. Two types of mixers were used in this study: a 56 L-capacity rotary pan mixer and 26 L-capacity mortar paddle mixer. All mixtures were prepared using the same general proportions but the “as-mixed” aggregate moisture condition varied fiom dry (0% moisture) to twice the saturated surface dry (SSD) value. The aggregate gradation was also varied by using aggregates with different fineness modulus. It was observed that variation in aggregate moisture content and aggregate gradation resulted in noticeable changes in fresh concrete properties such as the slump flow, stability and V-funnel flow values. While changes in moisture content and gradation of aggregates had an impact on the early (6 h) compressive strength, the compressive strength at the end of 24 hours was not significantly affected.
A Holistic Framework to Evaluate E-government Systems.

Evaluation of e-government systems is difficult duty since it involves many perspectives that complicate enumerating its benefits. Although the literature has reported several e-government evaluation frameworks, several shortcomings still exist in the previous work. The objective of this paper is to propose a formative and holistic framework to remedy the current research gaps. The formative position of the evaluation framework ensures the objectives achievement and the holistic side ensures completeness and continuity of the evaluation process. The framework can be used as a template for researchers and practitioners to assess e-government projects. We demonstrate the applicability and practicability of the framework by applying it to the Korean Government-for-Citizen (G4C) project.
Cyclical Policies, Structural Imbalances and Growth of the U.S. Economy

Recovery from the deep financial crisis and Great Recession that afflicted the United States and other advanced countries in 2008–2009 started in 2010, but growth has been slow with the rate of unemployment rising in most advanced nations. Rapid growth can only resume by undertaking painful structural reforms to increase efficiency and international competitiveness, but these would require several years to put into effect and provide results. Afterwards, growth in the United States and other advanced countries will resume, but it is likely to be slower than in previous decades because some of the most important growth factors of previous decades are now weaker. With increased tax pressure, more regulations and further extension of the welfare state, the United States is becoming more like Europe, and so it will likely to grow somewhat less than in the previous decade in the coming years.
Mechanisms of diabetic neuropathy: axon dysfunction

Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes. It shows a progressive development with sensory loss, pain and autonomic dysfunction as common symptoms. Pathologically it is characterized by a series of interrelated metabolic abnormalities with insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia as the initiating culprits. The neuropathy accompanying type 2DM (insulin resistance) and type 1DM (insulin deficiency) appears to differ as to their structural changes; the former showing a milder axonal involvement and segmental myelin breakdown, whereas the latter shows a more severe axonal atrophy and axonal loss. Based mainly on animal data we will describe the sequential neuropathologic changes and differences in the two types of diabetes. These differences are related to differences in a myriad of underlying sequential metabolic abnormalities, which will be dealt with in detail. How metabolic defects affect nerve function will be elaborated upon. The disorder does not only involve somatic peripheral nerves but also autonomic and central nerve tracts. Today no successful therapy exists for diabetic neuropathy. During the last 30 years several experimental drugs targeting the polyol-pathway and oxidative stress have been tested, but with limited or no success. Instead therapies targeting the initiating and overriding pathogenetic abnormalities, such as insulin-deficiency and hyperglycemia need to be employed. One such agent is the insulinomimetic C-peptide which has demonstrated significant therapeutic and preventive effects in type 1 diabetic patients. Not surprisingly this has been particularly successful following early intervention. However diabetic neuropathy still remains a major medical problem affecting millions of patients.
Toward an integrated watershed zoning framework based on the spatio-temporal variability of land-cover and climate: Application in the Volta river basin

Abstract This article details a watershed regionalization approach which uses the concept of entropy in combination with the k-means clusters analysis. The regionalization approach aims to subdivide a watershed into relatively uniform zones based on the spatial variability of the local climate and land-covers. A case study is presented to illustrate the approach and outline the environmental implications of the outcomes. Especially, the study reports an application in the Volta river basin which is a transnational watershed, shared by six different countries in West Africa. Over years, the transboundary status of the Volta watershed seems to have exacerbated its environmental challenges, because the environmental policies in the six countries do not necessarily complement. Subsequently, it is desirable to envision unified scientific tools to support the management platform of the Volta basin. To date, the literature on the Volta has virtually neglected this aspect. Hence, this case study is timely as it intends to create a unified zoning system for the Volta river basin. In the study, formulations of entropy theory and k-means clustering were jointly applied to 16-years gridded time-series of monthly leaf area index, precipitation, and temperature across the Volta basin. Based on a clustering optimization criterion, a total of five zones were identified then the related land-cover and climatic patterns were comparatively analyzed. Significant environmental contrasts were diagnosed then specificities were pinpointed for each zone. A comparison of the new zones with an existing macro-scale ecoregion shows similarities which sustain the capacity of the regionalization approach to capturing meaningful biophysical signals. Hence, the zoning technique may be valued for further applications in environmental management.
Measuring self-efficacy to approach contamination: Development and validation of the facing-contamination self-efficacy scale

Despite a rich literature on the effects of self-efficacy (SE) on various outcomes, there is little discussion of its effects on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the Facing-Contamination Self-Efficacy Scale (FC-SES), a measure of beliefs about one’s capability to face OCD-relevant contamination triggers. The final sample consisted of 129 participants, age 18 and over, who were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Factor structure, reliability, and validity were assessed using exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, and correlational analyses, respectively. Factor analysis yielded 2 clearly interpretable factors: human-related contamination (9 items), and animal-related contamination (5 items). The 14-item FC-SES demonstrated very good internal consistency reliability (α = .87), as well as good convergent and discriminant validity. Results suggest the FC-SES is a valid and reliable tool that can be used in future research exploring the relationship between SE and contamination-related OCD symptoms.
Linearity of Data and Linear Probability Space

Some data is linearly additive, other data is not. In this paper, I discuss types of data based on the boundedness of the data and their linearity. 1) Unbounded data can be linear. 2) One-side bounded data is usually log transformed to be linear. 3) Two-side bounded data is not linear. 4) Untidy data do not fit in these categories. An example of two-sided bounded data is probabilities which should be transformed into a linear probability space by taking the logarithm of the odds ratio (log10 odds) which is termed Weight (W). Calculations of means and standard deviation is more accurate when calculated as W values than when calculated as probabilities. A methods to analyze untidy data is discussed.