cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Habitat-Mediated Responses of Zooplankton to Decreasing Light in Two Temperate Lakes Undergoing Long-Term Browning

Increases in dissolved organic matter and the consequent “browning” of some lakes in recent decades are reducing water transparency to both ultraviolet and photosynthetically active radiation with important, but poorly understood ecosystem-level consequences for zooplankton grazers. The prevailing resource-based unimodal hypothesis posits that nutrients in dissolved organic matter stimulate primary production in clear-water lakes, while shading by dissolved organic matter inhibits primary production in browner lakes, with zooplankton responses following the patterns of their food resources. Support for this hypothesis derives primarily from short-term experiments, space-for-time analyses, and modeling studies. Here we use three decades of long-term monitoring data from two temperate lakes to assess zooplankton responses to changes in not only resources (chlorophyll) as drivers of change, but also light-related habitat variables (ultraviolet and photosynthetically active radiation, surface and deep-water temperatures, deep-water dissolved oxygen, and pH). The study lakes include one clear-water lake and one browner lake, both of which have experienced long-term browning. Given that zooplankton depth distribution and body size can vary with water transparency, color, and temperature, we test for responses in not only overall zooplankton abundance, but also in vertical distribution and body size. We also examine the ability of the relationship between short-term interannual variation in the driver versus response variables to predict long-term zooplankton trends. The primary responses of zooplankton were strong changes in abundance that varied with taxon and life history stage in response to habitat variables rather than food resources. Only two groups showed vertical distribution responses, and they trended toward deeper distributions with browning. There was no significant change in body size ratio. The directionality of the response of zooplankton abundance to interannual variability in the driver variables was consistent with those observed in the long-term trends for 33 of 80 comparisons (41%), though only three of those (4%) had statistically significant short-term interannual variability relationships. We conclude that habitat-related changes associated with browning in lakes have important consequences for zooplankton community structure with stronger effects in clear-water lakes than in browner lakes, and that even at the whole-lake scale short-term data are generally not adequate to predict long-term responses.
THE KETONEN ORDER

We study a partial order on countably complete ultrafilters introduced by Ketonen [2] as a generalization of the Mitchell order. The following are our main results: the order is wellfounded; its linearity is equivalent to the Ultrapower Axiom, a principle introduced in the author’s dissertation [1]; finally, assuming the Ultrapower Axiom, the Ketonen order coincides with Lipschitz reducibility in the sense of generalized descriptive set theory.
Impact of medications for opioid use disorder among persons hospitalized for drug use-associated skin and soft tissue infections.

Abstract Background Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are common complications of injection drug use. We aimed to determine if rehospitalization and recurrent SSTI differ among persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) hospitalized for SSTI who are initiated on MOUD within 30 days of discharge and those who are not. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of commercially insured adults aged 18 years and older in the U.S. with OUD and hospitalization for injection-related SSTI from 2010–2017. The primary exposure was initiation of MOUD in the 30 days following hospitalization for SSTI. The primary outcomes included 30-day and 1-year 1) all-cause rehospitalization and 2) recurrent SSTI. We calculated the incidence rates for the two groups: MOUD group and no MOUD group for the primary outcomes. We developed Cox models to determine if rehospitalization and recurrent SSTI differ between the two groups. Results Only 5.5 % (357/6538) of people received MOUD in the month following their index SSTI hospitalization. 30-day rehospitalization incidence was higher in the MOUD group compared to no MOUD (35.9 vs 27.5 per 100 person-30 days) and one-year SSTI recurrence was lower (10.3 vs 18.7 per 100 person-years). In multivariable modeling, the MOUD group remained at significantly higher risk of 30-day rehospitalization compared to the no MOUD group and at lower risk for one-year SSTI recurrence. Conclusions MOUD receipt following SSTI hospitalization decreases risk of recurrent SSTI among persons with OUD. Further expansion of these in-hospital services could provide an effective tool in the U.S. response to the opioid epidemic.
Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer: Moving Together and Charging Forward

Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is ubiquitous throughout chemistry and biology. This Perspective discusses recent advances and current challenges in the field of PCET, with an emphasis on the role of theory and computation. The fundamental theoretical concepts are summarized, and expressions for rate constants and kinetic isotope effects are provided. Computational methods for calculating reduction potentials and pKa’s for molecular electrocatalysts, as well as insights into linear correlations and non-innocent ligands, are also described. In addition, computational methods for simulating the nonadiabatic dynamics of photoexcited PCET are discussed. Representative applications to PCET in solution, proteins, electrochemistry, and photoinduced processes are presented, highlighting the interplay between theoretical and experimental studies. The current challenges and suggested future directions are outlined for each type of application, concluding with an overall view to the future.
Real-time detection of mercury ions in water using a reduced graphene oxide/DNA field-effect transistor with assistance of a passivation layer

Abstract Field-effect transistor (FET) sensors based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for detecting chemical species provide a number of distinct advantages, such as ultra-sensitivity, label-free, and real-time response. However, without a passivation layer, channel materials directly exposed to an ionic solution could generate multiple signals from ionic conduction through the solution droplet, doping effect, and gating effect. Therefore, a method that provides a passivation layer on the surface of rGO without degrading device performance will significantly improve device sensitivity, in which the conductivity changes solely with the gating effect. In this work, we report rGO FET sensor devices with Hg2+-dependent DNA as a probe and the use of an Al2O3 layer to separate analytes from conducting channel materials. The device shows good electronic stability, excellent lower detection limit (1 nM), and high sensitivity for real-time detection of Hg2+ in an underwater environment. Our work shows that optimization of an rGO FET structure can provide significant performance enhancement and profound fundamental understanding for the sensor mechanism.
Sources of systematic error in functional annotation of genomes: domain rearrangement, non-orthologous gene displacement and operon disruption.

Functional annotation of proteins encoded in newly sequenced genomes can be expected to meet two conflicting objectives: (i) provide as much information as possible, and (ii) avoid erroneous functional assignments and over-predictions. The continuing exponential growth of the number of sequenced genomes makes the quality of sequence annotation a critical factor in the efforts to utilize this new information. When dubious functional assignments are used as a basis for subsequent predictions, they tend to proliferate, leading to "database explosion". It is therefore important to identify the common factors that hamper functional annotation. As a first step towards that goal, we have compared the annotations of the Mycoplasma genitalium and Methanococcus jannaschii genomes produced in several independent studies. The most common causes of questionable predictions appear to be: i) non-critical use of annotations from existing database entries; ii) taking into account only the annotation of the best database hit; iii) insufficient masking of low complexity regions (e.g. non-globular domains) in protein sequences, resulting in spurious database hits obscuring relevant ones; iv) ignoring multi-domain organization of the query proteins and/or the database hits; v) non-critical functional inferences on the basis of the functions of neighboring genes in an operon; vi) non-orthologous gene displacement, i.e. involvement of structurally unrelated proteins in the same function. These observations suggest that case by case validation of functional annotation by expert biologists remains crucial for productive genome analysis.
Congenital cysts of the corpus uteri.

Abstract Congenital cysts of Mullerian-duct origin present a varied picture. The various anatomical types which have been reported are the pedunculated submucous, submucous, intramural, subserous, pedunculated subserous, and parasitic. Most common are the subserous or pedunculated subserous types. They are usually found in or near the midline. In about half of the cases they are found on the posterior wall of the uterus, but they may also be found on the fundus, anterior wall, or cervix. The cysts are most often found singly, but several cases of multiple cysts have been described. The lining epithelium may resemble endometrium, endosalpinx, or endocervical epithelium, or may be of a primitive Mullerian-duct type. The usually found columnar epithelium may show flattening due to the pressure effect from the expanding contents of the cyst. In places the epithelium may be missing. The epithelium is often found lying on a hyalinized layer of submucosa, and may be thrown up into ridges and papillary projections. The wall of the cyst is usually composed of smooth muscle with varying amounts of fibrous-tissue elements. No communication with the uterine cavity was demonstrable in any of the reported cases. The average age of the patients in whom these cysts have been found is 36, and the age range is from 25 to 52 years of age. They occur more frequently in women who have borne several children. The symptoms are nonspecific, being those of a lower abdominal mass. The most frequent preoperative diagnosis is that of an ovarian cyst or myomas of the uterus. The treatment depends upon the size and location, and consists of either excision of the cyst or hysterectomy. These cysts are generally considered to be benign in nature. Dworzak 12 described a case which he thought to be one of Mullerian-duct origin with malignant degeneration of the epithelium. However, the description of the case gives one considerable reason to suspect that he might be dealing with an interligamentary papillary cystadenoma of the ovary. A case of this type was later described by Fukushima 13 , in which metastasis from a previously removed papillary cystadenoma of the ovary gave rise to several uterine cysts which superficially resembled the type of cyst in question. The generally adhered to theory of origin is the one first proposed by Kossmann and elaborated and established experimentally by Frankl and Meyer. This theory states briefly that the cysts are derived from the invagination of the Mullerian ducts as they grow together and fuse in the midline to form the fundus and body of the uterus.
Synthesis of an LMI-based fuzzy control system with guaranteed optimal H/sub /spl infin// performance

This paper proposes a systematic design methodology for the Takagi-Sugeno (TS) model based fuzzy control system with guaranteed H/sub /spl infin// performance and additional constraints on the closed-loop pole location. These combined two objectives are formulated as a convex optimization problem involving LMIs (linear matrix inequality). To demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed design methodology, it is applied to the robust regulation problem of a nonlinear magnetic bearing system. Simulation results show that the proposed fuzzy controller yields the optimal disturbance rejection performance and the desired transient responses simultaneously.
Phosphatidic acid modulates DNA synthesis, phospholipase C, and platelet-derived growth factor mRNAs in cultured mesangial cells. Role of protein kinase C

Increases in cell phosphatidic acid content occur in response to a wide variety of agonists, many of which have growth promoting properties. These changes have correlated with calcium flux, enzyme activation, gene induction, or cell proliferation. In the current studies we show that exogenous phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylserine stimulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis and DNA synthesis in cultured human renal mesangial cells. These phospholipids also induce mRNAs for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The activation of phospholipase C by PA appears to be desensitized via protein kinase C as brief preincubation with phorbol ester abrogates the effect. PA-induced DNA synthesis is only partly mediated via protein kinase C as co-incubation with the inhibitor staurosporine blunts DNA synthesis by only one-third. In contrast, induction of PDGF A-chain mRNA is almost totally inhibited by staurosporine. We propose that changes in endogenous phospholipids such as PA or phosphatidylserine may serve as common signaling pathway for a variety of growth factors. Induction of PDGF proto-oncogenes via protein kinase C may represent one mechanism by which this cell activation occurs.
Physicalism and Supervenience: A Case for a New Sense of Physical Duplication

Physicalism is the view, roughly, that everything is physical. This thesis is often characterized in terms of a particular supervenience thesis. Central to this thesis is the idea of physical duplication. I argue that the standard way of understanding physical duplication leads—along with other claims—to a sub-optimal (and perhaps surprising) consequence for the physicalist. I block this consequence by shifting to an alternative sense of physical duplication. I then argue that physicalism is best characterized by a supervenience thesis that employs both the new sense of physical duplication and a new class of possible worlds.
Spread of model climate sensitivity linked to double‐Intertropical Convergence Zone bias

Despite decades of climate research and model development, two outstanding problems still plague the latest global climate models (GCMs): the double-Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) bias and the 2−5°C spread of equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS). Here we show that the double-ITCZ bias and ECS in 44 GCMs from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phases 3/5 are negatively correlated. The models with weak (strong) double-ITCZ biases have high (low)-ECS values of ~4.1(2.2)°C. This indicates that the double-ITCZ bias is a new emergent constraint for ECS based on which ECS might be in the higher end of its range (~4.0°C) and most models might have underestimated ECS. In addition, we argue that the double-ITCZ bias can physically affect both cloud and water vapor feedbacks (thus ECS) and is a more easily measured emergent constraint for ECS than previous ones. It can be used as a performance metric for evaluating and comparing different GCMs.
Comment on "Tunable generation and adsorption of energetic compounds in the vapor phase at trace levels: a tool for testing and developing sensitive and selective substrates for explosive detection".

The evaluation of developed technologies and research on new detection approaches require the ability to generate explosive vapors in the gas phase. In this correspondence, the authors comment on a technical note describing a vaopr generator, discuss safety issues associated with explosives for vapor generators, and provide a concise review of vapor generators for explosive compounds. Approaches to measuring or monitoring the output of a vapor generators are also discussed.
Cavity growth during superplastic flow in an Al-Mg alloy: I. Experimental study

Cavitation caused by superplastic straining of a fine-grained Al–Mg–Mn–Cu alloy under uniaxial tension has been quantitatively evaluated. Tensile tests were conducted at constant true strain rate in a range of 10−4s−1 to 10−2s−1 at constant temperatures between 450°C and 550°C. Care was exercised to achieve precision in strain-rate control in these tests since strain-rate and temperature history do affect the extent of cavitation. Measurements of the number and size of cavities were made by using image analysis on tested specimens viewed by optical microscopy and further supported by SEM. With increasing strain, the cavity population density increases, a result seen previously but not studied in detail. Cavity growth was also monitored carefully and found to be due to the plastic deformation of the matrix surrounding the cavity. The total volume fraction of cavities which is the product of the above two components was found to increase exponentially with strain. The dependencies of cavity volume fraction on strain-rate and temperature are not straightforward, however. Based on experimental observations of decohesion between matrix and non-deformable particles, continuous nucleation of new cavities, and data related to plasticity-based growth of cavities, attempts are made to explain these complex effects.
Preparation and properties of molecular beam epitaxy grown (Al 0.5 Ga 0.5 ) 0.48 In 0.52 As

The first reported growth of the quaternary AlGaInAs on an InP substrate by molecular beam epitaxy had an equal aluminum-to-gallium mole fraction ratio, and exhibited a 5 K bandgap energy of 1.237 eV. This is intermediate between the 5 K band gap energy of Ga 0.47 In 0.53 As (0.810 eV) and that of Al 0.48 In 0.52 As (1.56 eV). A Schottky diode and a MESFET were fabricated on this material.
Commentary: Despite reports of catastrophic complications, why recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 should be available for use in anterior cervical spine surgery.

COMMENTARY ON Woo EJ. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2: adverse events reported to the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database. Spine J 2012;12:894–9 ( in this issue ).
Adenyl Cyclase Activity in Rat Pineal Gland: Effects of Chronic Denervation and Norepinephrine

Adenyl cyclase activity in the pineal gland of rats was determined by measuring the rate of formation of radioactive cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate from (14)C-labeled adenosine triphosphate. Norepinephrine added in vitro to pineal homogenates enhanced this activity, while denervation of the pineal gland by superior cervical ganglionectomy did not significantly reduce it. The enzyme in these denervated glands was more responsive to the stimulatory effects of norepinephrine.
Compact simplex methods

The following documented algorithm solves the standard linear programming problem of optimizing a linear form subject to linear inequality or equality constraints and nonnegativity conditions. The solution procedure incorporates the standard simplex method with no embellishments. There is only one loop corresponding to the basic simplex iteration.
Computed tomography–guided pudendal block for treatment of pelvic pain due to pudendal neuropathy

Abstract Background: Severe pelvic pain secondary to pudendal neuropathy can be treated with repeated local anesthetic nerve blocks or with surgical decompression of the nerve. Computed tomographic (CT) needle guidance to identified reliable anatomic points might be useful for improved success rates. Technique: A CT scan is used to determine baseline anatomy and identify the sacrospinous process. A metallic marker is used to create a perpendicular pathway from the sacrospinous process upward to the skin surface, where a local anesthetic is injected. A 22-gauge, 5-inch needle is inserted downward in a perpendicular direction to the target. Deep penetration and direction are confirmed by serial CT scans. Medication is injected and the needle is removed. Experience: Twenty-six women with diagnoses of pudendal neuropathy were treated with injection therapy once per month, for five total treatments each. About three-quarters experienced improvement. There were no complications in this series. Outcomes were gratifying considering the complex patient population, all having failed multiple therapeutic trials. Conclusion: We believe this technique warrants further evaluation and application in instances where noninvasive therapy of pudendal neuropathy is indicated.
Liver microsomal enzyme induction and toxicity studies with 2,4,5,3′,4′-pentabromobiphenyl

Abstract A relatively minor component of Firemaster, 2,4,5,3′,4′-pentabromobiphenyl (PenBB), was purified and compared to the effects of Firemaster and 3,4,5,3′,4′,5′-hexabromobiphenyl (HBB). Male rats were given 90 mg/kg, ip, of PenBB or Firemaster and killed 2 weeks later. Blood samples were clinically analyzed and various tissues were examined for pathological effects. Induction of hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes and effects on the immune system were also investigated. No hematologic changes could be detected 2 weeks after either treatment. PenBB caused a significant loss in body weight, and the spleen weight to body weight and thymus weight to body weight ratios were slightly decreased by this treatment. Liver weight to body weight ratios were increased by both treatments. Ultrastructural changes in hepatocytes included proliferation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and the appearance of lipid droplets and concentric membrane whorls. The splenic T helper and B cells were substantially impaired by Firemaster and particularly by PenBB. There was a marked increase in liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 content and its CO difference spectrum absorption maximum was shifted to 448.5 nm. The microsomal ethyl isocyanide difference spectrum 455 430 -nm ratio was also increased. Benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase, p-nitrophenol UDP-glucuronyltransferase, and epoxide hydrolase activities were markedly increased. Less pronounced induction of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, and aminopyrine-N-demethylase activities occurred. These results, in addition to the results of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis suggest that the mono-ortho-brominated congener is predominantly a 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)-like inducer and is toxic. In another experiment when enzyme induction by PenBB (30 mg/kg) was compared to that caused by 30 or 2 mg/kg of HBB it was evident that the non-ortho-substituted congener is the more potent MC-like inducer. Therefore, we conclude that the single ortho halogen of PenBB may weaken but not abolish its toxicity and MC-like enzyme induction effects.
A comprehensive study of the contributions to the nonlinear optical properties of thin Ag films

ABSTRACT We report on the nonlinear optical (NLO) transmittance and reflectance of a 20 nm -thick Ag film char acterized by time-resolved white-light continuum pump-probe experiments. The change in complex permittivity u0 (t) is extracted and is fitted to the Drude model in the frequency domain and a two-temperature model in the time domain. A unified model is presented that fully describes the dynamic NLO response of a thin Ag film that can be incorporated easily into the modeling of more complex metal-dielectric multilayer structures designed to take advantage of the NLO response of Ag. Key words: Silver, nonlinear optical properties, pump-probe 1. Introduction The nonlinear optical (NLO) response of Ag is a complex process involving no fewer than five distinct thermal processes. Steady state thermo-optic 1-5 and femtosecond pump-probe 6-11 experiments have been used to investigate these thermal processes. In the present work we use femtosecond pump-probe white light continuum measurements to uniquely identify and quantify the five most significant thermal processes that contribute to the NLO response of a 20 nm thick Ag film in the visible portion of the spectrum. 2. Fabrication A single 20 nm thick Ag film covered with a protective coating of 50 nm SiO
Ejector-Nozzle Flow and Thrust

An analysis for predicting the secondary and primary flows and the thrust coefficient of ejector nozzles is presented. Particular attention is given to the diverging shroud ejector in which the throat of the secondary stream is formed at a small distance down-stream of the primary nozzle exit; i.e., near the plane of the minimum shroud area. The basic assumption in the analysis is that the shroud is sufficiently short so that the mixing of the two streams is incomplete, and that both streams have isentropic cores. The momentum thickness of the mixing region is obtained from the momentum-integral equation for the turbulent mixing region assuming that momentum and temperature diffuse at the same rate. The momentum thickness at the nozzle exit is related to the initial momentum thickness created by the wall separating the two streams. The exit-momentum thicknesses of the mixing region and the wall are used to obtain the actual thrust coefficient. Experimental data on primary-secondary flow properties and thrust coefficients of a divergent-shroud ejector nozzle show good correlation with the theory.
Phase noise of high Q silicon nitride nanomechanical resonators

We study noise characteristics of high Q silicon nitride nanomechanical resonators integrated in a nanophotonic circuit. Quality factor up to 2.2 million is measured and an intrinsic frequency noise spectrum with k B T/f dependence is observed.
Mutations and promoter SNPs in RUNX2, a transcriptional regulator of bone formation

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a dominantly inherited skeletal malformation syndrome with high penetrance and variable expressivity. It is caused by loss of function mutations in the RUNX2 gene that encodes for a transcription factor essential for osteoblast differentiation and chondrocyte maturation. To identify new pathogenic mutations associated with CCD we screened 38 CCD patients for mutations in the RUNX2 coding sequence. We also report the mutation screening of the "bone-related" RUNX2 promoter in CCD patients without mutation in the RUNX2 coding region. We identify eight new and three previously described mutations in the RUNX2 gene. Additionally, a total of five sequence variants in the RUNX2 promoter were detected. Three of them occur within putative zinc finger transcription factor binding sites. DHPLC analysis of chromosomes from the control population and CCD patients showed that two promoter sequence variants were unique for CCD families. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) with protein extracts from ROS17/2.8 and C3H10T1/2 cell lines demonstrated that the promoter sequence variants altered DNA-protein binding specificity. Moreover, one of the variants significantly decreased the expression of a RUNX2 reporter gene in osteoblastic ROS17/2.8 cells, but not in multipotent, mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells. Interestingly, one of these sites bound the TRPS1 transcription factor and we demonstrated that TRPS1 is able to repress the RUNX2 promoter. The in vitro functional studies in conjunction with analysis of clinical phenotype of CCD patients suggest that these promoter sequence variants may affect transcriptional activity of the RUNX2 gene. Analysis of the promoter variants and RUNX2-interacting proteins may help to identify important cis-elements and trans-factors that regulate the RUNX2 transcriptional network and identify new susceptibility markers for more common bone disorders.
Actor-networks and implementation: examples from conservation GIS in Ecuador

Recommendations for implementation and evaluation of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can benfit from a broader theoretical foundation to support investigation, understanding and improvement. This paper discusses Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as a framework to delineate and evaluate the social and technical interactions involved in GIS implementation. The proposed process traces actor-network interactions through texts, technical objects, people, money and control. Actor alignment, actor-network stability and obligatory points of passage are evaluated to compare actor-networks. Case study research on conservation GIS implementation in Ecuador illustrates these methods. The strength of these actor-networks is examined through analysis of actors' interactions and the presence and function of an obligatory point of passage. Stronger actor-networks exhibit alignment among actors, co-location of an obligatory point of passage with the center of calculation and credit sharing.
From Polytene Chromosomes to Human Embryology: Connections via the Human Fragile-X Syndrome

Inferences about one aspect of human embryology came from analysis of the obscure cytogenetic phenomenon of intercalary heterochromatin in Drosophila melanogaster . The bridge between these two topics is a human syndrome that represents the most common cause of inherited mental retardation, the fragile-X syndrome. Two models were developed to make this bridge. One model uses intercalary heterochromatin to provide an explanation for the basis of human fragile sites. The other model presents an explanation for the complex pattern of inheritance and expression of the fragile-X syndrome. This syndrome is proposed to result from abnormal chromosome imprinting. The imprinting event gives a potentially mosaic population of primary oocytes in females who inherited a non-imprinted fragile-X chromosome. This mosaicism provides a method to estimate the number of oogonial progenitor cells in humans. This example illustrates the unpredictable course of basic research, and emphasizes the usefulness of maintaining for such basic research adequate research funding from biomedical research budgets.
Incentivizing shared decision making in the USA - where are we now?

Abstract Background The Affordable Care Act raised significant interest in the process of shared decision making, the role of patient decision aids, and incentivizing their utilization. However, it has not been clear how best to put incentives into practice, and how the implementation of shared decision making and the use of patient decision aids would be measured. Our goal was to review developments and proposals put forward. Methods We performed a qualitative document analysis following a pragmatic search of Medline, Google, Google Scholar, Business Source Complete (Ebscohost), and LexisNexis from 2009–2013 using the following key words: “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”, “Decision Making”, “Affordable Care Act”, “Shared Decision Making”, “measurement”, “incentives”, and “payment.” Results We observed a lack of clarity about how to measure shared decision making, about how best to reward the use of patient decisions aids, and therefore how best to incentivize the process. Many documents clearly imply that providing and disseminating patient decision aids might be equivalent to shared decision making. However, there is little evidence that these tools, when used by patients in advance of clinical encounters, lead to significant change in patient-provider communication. The assessment of shared decision making for performance management remains challenging. Conclusion Efforts to incentivize shared decision making are at risk of being limited to the promotion of patient decision aids, passing over the opportunity to influence the communication processes between patients and providers.
A K cation-induced conformational switch within a loop spanning segment of a DNA quadruplex containing G-G-G-C repeats.

We have identified a unique structural transition (in slow exchange on the NMR time scale) in the tertiary fold of the d(G-G-G-C-T4-G-G-G-C) quadruplex on proceeding from Na+to K+as counterion in aqueous solution. Both monovalent cation-dependent conformations exhibit certain common structural features, which include head-to-tail dimerization of two symmetry-related stem-hairpin loops, adjacent strands which are antiparallel to each other and adjacent stacked G(syn)·G(anti)· G(syn)·G(anti) tetrads in the central core of the quadruplexes. The Na and K cation stabilized structures of the d(G-G-G-C-T4-G-G-G-C) quadruplexes differ in the conformations of the T-T-T-T loops, the relative alignment of G·C base-pairs positioned opposite each other through their major groove edges and potentially in the number of monovalent cation binding sites. We have identified potential K cation binding cavities within the symmetry-related T-T-T-G segments, suggesting the potential for two additional monovalent cation binding sites in the K cation-stabilized quadruplex relative to its Na cation-stabilized counterpart. Modeling studies suggest that the major groove edges of guanine residues in Watson-Crick G·C base-pairs could potentially be bridged by coordinated K cations in the d(G-G-G-C-T4-G-G-G-C) quadruplex in KCl solution in contrast to formation of G·C·G·C tetrads for the corresponding quadruplex in NaCl solution. Our results defining the molecular basis of a Na to K cation-dependent conformational switch in the loop spanning segment of the d(G-G-G-C-T4-G-G-G-C) quadruplex may have relevance to recent observations that specific K cation coordinated loop conformations within quadruplexes exhibit inhibitory activity against HIV integrase.
Use of benzodiazepines in social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder

Benzodiazepines are advantageous treatments for anxiety disorders because they work quickly. However, benzodiazepines can vary in terms of efficacy across anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines have been found to be a superior treatment in social anxiety disorder. While benzodiazepines are effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, other treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be more effective. Also, research indicates that benzodiazepines may not be effective in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Therefore, physicians need to consider the type of anxiety disorder before prescribing a benzodiazepine as a treatment.
207 - Correlation of Transition Electropotentials and Stem Diameter Changes in Lycopersicon esculentum

Simultaneous measurements of transition electropotential (potential pulses occurring at lights on and lights off) and stem diameter were made with Lycopersicon esculentum under relatively normal diurnal light cycles over a period of weeks using penetrating palladium probes. The resulting electrophytogram (potential plotted against time) indicates juvenile tissue has a 75% greater transition electropotential magnitude than mature tissue on the same plant. The timing of the transition electropotential does not correlate with the timing of the concomitant stem diameter change. The magnitude of the dusk transition electropotential has a highly significant correlation (P < 0.1%) with the long term changes in stem diameter.
Phyllotaxis in Xanthium Shoots Altered by Gibberellic Acid

Gibberellic acid treatment of vegetative Xanthium shoots induced a change in phyllotaxis and almost doubled the rate of leaf production. Phyllotaxis in control plants displayed a 2,3 contact parastichy pattern; that of the treated plants could be approximated with a 3,5 pattern. Thus, the Xanthium apex switched to a new mode of growth and a higher order of phyllotactic leaf arrangement not seen in untreated plants. It may be inferred from these experiments that gibberellic acid plays a role in determining the site of leaf initiation.
Simultaneous determination of lidocaine and its metabolites in plasma and myocardium.

Abstract No validated method exists for measuring lidocaine and its metabolites in myocardial tissue. We modified a previously described high-performance liquid chromatographic assay and applied it to plasma and to homogenized myocardial samples obtained from dogs that had received lidocaine by a double-infusion technique. Recovery of lidocaine, monoethylglycylxylidide and glycylxylidide after homogenization and extraction is reported. Assay variability, sensitivity and linearity over a wide range of sample sizes are also described. The results obtained with high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis are compared to quantitation of 14C-labeled lidocaine plus metabolites measured by an oxidation—scintillation technique. Myocardium to plasma partition coefficients for lidocaine, monoethylglycylxylidide and glycylxylidide were 2.16, 4.27, and 2.91, respectively.
Effect of alcohol and pyruvate/dihydroxyacetone on liver and serum lipids of SCWL pullets

Abstract To determine the effect of pyruvate and dihydroxyacetone on alcohol-induced fatty liver in chickens, ten-week old Single Comb White Leghorn pullets were pair-fed isocaloric, purified diets supplemented with three levels of pyruvate/dihydroxyacetone (1:1; P/D) at 0%, 5% and 10% of the diet. Three times daily birds were gavaged with ethanol or glucose to result in 37.5% of total caloric intake. Serum and liver lipids and serum metabolites and enzymes were determined after 2 weeks. There was a significant loss in body weight with 10% P/D. In general, 5 and 10% P/D affected liver and serum parameters similarly. The ethanol-induced increase in both liver weight and % liver was prevented with P/D. Liver lipid concentration was not affected by the treatments. However, ethanol significantly increased total liver lipids, an effect prevented by P/D. Ethanol ingestion altered the fatty acid profile of liver lipids by reducing palmitic acid (16:0) and increasing linoleic (18:2), arachidonic (20:4) and docohexaenoic acid (22:6). Ethanol also increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol in serum, whereas P/D prevented these effects. Furthermore, ethanol ingestion doubled serum β-hydroxybutyrate levels and significantly increased serum glucose, effects that were partially ameliorated by dietary P/D. The results indicate that supplementation of diets with P/D prevents ethanol-induced changes in lipid metabolism in chickens.
Calcium regulation of neuronal differentiation: the role of calcium in GM1-mediated neuritogenesis.

Abstract Cultures of mouse Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells treated with 3–6 mM extracellular Ca2+ exhibited enhanced neurite extension characterized by increased neurite numbers and lengths. The ganglioside GM1 potentiated the effect of extracellular Ca2+ by increasing further the number and length of the neurites formed in response to exogenous Ca2+. Maximal neuritic numbers were achieved with 4 mM Ca2+ while the longest neurites were observed in medium containing 4–6 mM Ca2+. Stimulation of the Ca2+ influx with the ionophore A23187 or the amino acid taurine also enhanced neurite formation and GM1 potentiated these actions. Transmission electron microscopy revealed numerous microtubules and neurofilaments in neurites and microfilaments within the spine-like processes along fine neuritic branches and in the filopodia of growth cones. Neuritic varicosities and growth cones contained a variety of vesicles. All of these structures were increased in the presence of GM1 and were increased further by extracellular Ca2+ or A23187. The ability of GM1 to enhance neuritogenesis was diminished by EGTA or Ruthenium red. Similarly, the effect of GM1 was diminished or abolished by Ca2+ channel blockers such as CdCl2 or LaCl3. X-ray microprobe analysis revealed that GM1 alone enhanced intracellular levels of total ionic and membrane bound Ca 2+, perhaps accounting for the increased neuritogenesis observed under conditions in which Ca2+ was manipulated. The present study suggests that the neuritogenic action of GM1 is Ca2+ dependent.
Accelerated uptake response of the green alga, Chlorella vulgaris, to high levels of phosphorus in Mississippi River water

Abstract This paper concerns a study of the effect of phosphorus on the growth of a common green alga, Chlorella vulgaris var. viridis, in both a laboratory culture medium containing phosphorus and samples of Mississippi River water containing added phosphorus of various levels. The extent of algal growth was measured by two methods: (1) by counting the number of algal cells with an improved Neubauer hemacytometer, and (2) by measuring the absorbance of light, at 650 nm by the algal suspension containing chlorophyll in their cells. It was found that the measurements of algal absorbance (cell volume) yielded results closer to the actual algal growth. It was also found that the rate of algal growth was directly proportional to the phosphorus concentration in the river water. Furthermore, analyses of the uptake of phosphorus confirmed that the rate of phosphorus absorption by the algal cells increased rapidly with increasing level of phosphorus added to the river water.
Continuous Lidar Monitoring of Polar Stratospheric Clouds at the South Pole

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) play a primary role in the formation of annual ozone holes over Antarctica during the austral sunrise. Meridional temperature gradients in the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere, caused by strong radiative cooling, induce a broad dynamic vortex centered near the South Pole that decouples and insulates the winter polar airmass. PSC nucleate and grow as vortex temperatures gradually fall below equilibrium saturation and frost points for ambient sulfate, nitrate, and water vapor concentrations (generally below 197 K). Cloud surfaces promote heterogeneous reactions that convert stable chlorine and bromine-based molecules into photochemically active ones. As spring nears, and the sun reappears and rises, photolysis decomposes these partitioned compounds into individual halogen atoms that react with and catalytically destroy thousands of ozone molecules before they are stochastically neutralized. Despite a generic understanding of the ozone hole paradigm, many key components of the system, such as cloud occurrence, phase, and composition; particle growth mechanisms; and denitrification of the lower stratosphere have yet to be fully resolved. Satellite-based observations have dramatically improved the ability to detect PSC and quantify seasonal polar chemical partitioning. However, coverage directly over the Antarctic plateau is limited by polar-orbiting tracks that rarely exceed 80 degrees S. In December 1999, a NASA Micropulse Lidar Network instrument (MPLNET) was first deployed to the NOAA Earth Systems Research Laboratory (ESRL) Atmospheric Research Observatory at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station for continuous cloud and aerosol profiling. MPLNET instruments are eye-safe, capable of full-time autonomous operation, and suitably rugged and compact to withstand long-term remote deployment. With only brief interruptions during the winters of 2001 and 2002, a nearly continuous data archive exists to the present.
Changes in Patterns of Health Care: Plus Forty Years.

(2010). Changes in Patterns of Health Care. American Journal of Health Education: Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 71-73.
Orphanin FQ (nociceptin) modulates responses of trigeminal neurons evoked by excitatory amino acids and somatosensory stimuli, and blocks the substance P-induced facilitation of N-methyl-D-aspartate-evoked responses.

The present investigation details the modulation of medullary dorsal horn neuron responses to excitatory amino acids and peripheral cutaneous stimuli by orphanin FQ (nociceptin), an endogenous ligand for the opioid receptor-like1 receptor. Effects of orphanin FQ, administered microiontophoretically or given intracerebroventricularly, were tested on the responses of nociceptive-specific, wide dynamic range and low threshold neurons recorded in the superficial and deeper dorsal horn of the medulla (trigeminal nucleus caudalis) in anesthetized (urethane or pentobarbital) male rats. Microiontophoretic application of orphanin FQ reduced the N-methyl-d-aspartate-evoked responses in 86% (71/82) of neurons, and the (±)-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid-evoked responses in 86% (30/35) of neurons. However, orphanin FQ produced a longer lasting inhibitory effect on the N-methyl-d-aspartate-evoked responses relative to the (±)-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid-evoked responses. The inhibitory effect of orphanin FQ was not modality-specific, responses evoked by noxious as well as non-noxious stimuli were reduced in 22/23 neurons. However, the inhibitory effect was more pronounced on noxious stimulus-evoked responses. Naloxone applied at currents that antagonized the inhibitory effects of selective agonists at μ and κ opioid receptors failed to inhibit the effects of orphanin FQ. Microiontophoretic co-application of substance P with N-methyl-d-aspartate facilitated the N-methyl-d-aspartate-evoked responses in 52% (26/50) of nociceptive neurons. Orphanin FQ blocked or reduced the substance P-induced facilitation by 86±24.4% (n=14). In order to compare electrophysiological data with previous behavioral observations, effects of orphanin FQ administered intracerebroventricularly were tested on the excitatory amino acid-evoked responses. Orphanin FQ reduced the N-methyl-d-aspartate-evoked responses in 85% (11/13) of neurons whereas the (±)-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid-evoked responses were facilitated in 69% (9/13) of neurons. We suggest that orphanin FQ produces a predominantly inhibitory effect on, (i) noxious stimuli evoked responses, (ii) excitatory amino acid receptor-mediated transmission and, (iii) the substance P-induced facilitation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate-evoked responses. We conclude that orphanin FQ primarily produced an antinociceptive action at the level of the dorsal horn of the medulla.
FTIR Study of the Reaction of Polyphosphoric Acid and Model Bitumen Sulfur Compounds

Bitumen is a complex mixture of alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatics, and substituted fused aromatics that contain a number of heteroatomic functional groups. To improve its properties, bitumen is often modified with an additive that may or may not be reactive. Polyphosphoric acid (PPA) is a reactive additive used to increase the viscosity of bitumen in summer temperatures. Given the complexity of bitumen, the nature of its reaction with PPA is in many respects unclear. To better understand the reactions between bitumen and polyphosphoric acid, we have used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography to study the reaction of model bitumen sulfur compounds. We have used saturated, aromatic, and oxidized sulfides, the most common forms of sulfur in bitumen. Only the oxidized sulfide, the sulfoxide group, was found to react upon heating with PPA. This work concludes with a comparison of the relative reactivity of PPA with model functional groups that contain nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur...