cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medicare's bundled payment model did not change skilled nursing facility discharge patterns.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether participation in Medicare's voluntary Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) model was associated with changes in discharge referral patterns to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specifically number of SNF partners and discharge concentration. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective observational study using difference-in-differences analysis. METHODS We used Medicare claims data from 2010 to 2015 to identify admissions for lower joint replacement surgery and the following medical conditions: congestive heart failure, renal failure, sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract and kidney infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke. We used difference-in-differences analyses to assess changes in discharge patterns among BPCI-participating hospitals compared with matched control hospitals. RESULTS Our analytic sample included 3078 acute care hospitals and 14,866 Medicare-certified SNFs in the United States, encompassing more than 47 million hospital discharges. Of these hospitals, 416 participated in BPCI, with the majority selecting into joint replacement episodes (n = 295). BPCI participation was not associated with any change in number of SNF partners (increase by 0.8 SNFs among BPCI hospitals relative to non-BPCI hospitals; 95% CI, -0.2 to 1.9; P = .11) or in discharge concentration (increase in Herfindahl-Hirschman Index of 0.2 among BPCI hospitals relative to non-BPCI hospitals; 95% CI, -68.7 to 69.1; P = .36). Results did not vary across clinical conditions and were robust across duration of BPCI participation and with different comparison groups. CONCLUSIONS Hospital participation in BPCI was not associated with changes in the number of SNF partners or in discharge concentration relative to non-BPCI hospitals. More research is needed to understand how hospitals are responding to bundled payment incentives and specific practices that contribute to improvements in cost and quality.
Quantitative oculomotor and nonmotor assessments in late-onset GM2 gangliosidosis

Objective A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate whether quantitative oculomotor measures correlate with disease severity in late-onset GM2 gangliosidosis (LOGG) and assess cognition and sleep as potential early nonmotor features. Methods Ten patients with LOGG underwent quantitative oculomotor recordings, including measurements of the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), with results compared to age- and sex-matched controls. Disease severity was assessed by ataxia rating scales. Cognitive/neuropsychiatric features were assessed by the cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome (CCAS) scale, Cerebellar Neuropsychiatric Rating Scale, and sleep quality evaluated using subjective sleep scales. Results Oculomotor abnormalities were found in all participants, including 3/10 with clinically normal eye movements. Abnormalities involved impaired saccadic accuracy (5/10), abnormal vertical (8/10) and horizontal (4/10) pursuit, reduced optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) responses (7/10), low VOR gain (10/10), and impaired VOR cancellation (2/10). Compared to controls, the LOGG group showed significant differences in saccade, VOR, OKN, and visually enhanced VOR gains. Severity of saccadic dysmetria, OKN, and VOR fixation-suppression impairments correlated with ataxia scales (p Conclusions Cerebellar oculomotor abnormalities were present in all patients with LOGG, including those with normal clinical oculomotor examinations. Saccade accuracy (dorsal cerebellar vermis localization), fixation suppression, and OKN gain (cerebellar flocculus/paraflocculus localization) correlated with disease severity, suggesting that quantitative oculomotor measurements could be used to track disease progression. We found evidence of the CCAS, suggesting that cerebellar dysfunction may explain the cognitive disorder in LOGG. Sleep impairments were prevalent and require further study.
Preliminary Investigation of Efforts to Improve Awareness of Racial Microaggressions on Campus

Exposure to racial microaggressions negatively impacts the well-being of people of color. Researchers examined responses to a bystander workshop implemented to combat racial microaggressions at a Predominantly White Institution. Participants attended training sessions and completed several surveys prior to and after the workshop for 7 weeks. Results indicate that participants obtained and maintained knowledge presented during the bystander workshop. Significant differences for gender and racial status were identified surrounding the degree to which participants reported observing microaggressions on campus throughout the 7 weeks of the study. Data also indicate that colorblind racial attitudes predicted participant satisfaction with the program, as well as an underrepresented racial identity. Implications and future directions for research are discussed.
7.3 Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene Total Joint Implants

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is the bearing surface of choice for total joint implants. We discuss the processing methods to prepare implants, the effect of methods such as sterilization on the properties of the material, and structure–property relationships in general. Radiation cross-linking has been a significant development in the last two decades, increasing the wear resistance of the surface, and thereby decreasing the risk of osteolysis, the resorption of periprosthetic bone. The development of first-generation cross-linked UHMWPEs involved thermal treatment (annealing or melting) after irradiation to improve oxidation resistance. While annealing resulted in the retention of some oxidation potential, melted UHMWPEs had reduced fatigue strength because of the crystallinity loss during melting. This brought about the stabilization of radiation cross-linked UHMWPEs by the addition of antioxidants either by diffusion or by blending to obtain oxidation resistance with improved fatigue strength by avoiding postirradiation melting. The development, implant properties, and peri-prosthetic effects of this second-generation highly cross-linked UHMWPE, which has been available clinically since 2007, are discussed. Finally, we have included state-of-the art information on cross-linked UHMWPEs in development, which have improved wear and fatigue properties as a result of further manipulation of the semicrystalline morphology and promise further improvements in the longevity of UHMWPE joint implants.
Non-invasive stereotactic body radiation therapy for refractory ventricular arrhythmias: an institutional experience

Initial studies have reported excellent safety and efficacy for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT). This is a single-center retrospective analysis of eight consecutive patients who underwent SBRT for refractory, scar-related VT. The anatomic target for radioablation was defined based on surface 12-lead ECG VT morphology, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and electroanatomic mapping data when available. The target volume treated and the prescribed radiation dose (15–25 Gy) was based on the combined clinical assessment of the cardiac electrophysiologist and radiation oncologist. Ventricular arrhythmias, radiation-related outcomes, and adverse events were monitored at follow-up. Eight patients underwent nine SBRT sessions. All patients were male with an average age of 75 ± 7.3 years and mean ejection fraction of 21 ± 7%. SBRT was performed with delivery of an average of 22.2 ± 3.6 Gy in a single session with a procedure time of 18.2 ± 6.0 min. All but one session was performed on an inpatient basis. No acute complications occurred. During a median follow-up of 7.8 months (IQR 4.8, 9.9), ICD therapies decreased from median 69.5 (43.5, 115.8) pre-SBRT to 13.3 (IQR 7.7, 35.8) post-SBRT (p = 0.036). There were three patient deaths in the follow-up period, unrelated to SBRT. Apparent clinical benefit occurred 33% of the time after SBRT. The patients experienced overall reduction in VT burden following SBRT, though not with the immediate effect seen in other patient series. Further studies (basic, translational, and clinical) are essential to determine the benefit of SBRT and if so, the optimal protocols and patient selection.
Uplink Power-Domain Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA): Bit Error Rate Performance With Channel Estimation Errors

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been proposed as a promising multiple access (MA) technique in order to meet the requirements for fifth generation (5G) communications and to enhance the performance in internet of things (IoT) networks by enabling massive connectivity, high throughput, and low latency. This paper investigates the bit error rate (BER) performance of two-user uplink power-domain NOMA with a successive interference cancellation (SIC) receiver and taking into account channel estimation errors. The analysis considers two scenarios: perfect (ideal) channel estimation and a channel with estimation errors for various modulations schemes, BPSK, QPSK, and 16-QAM. The simulation results show that, as expected, increasing of the modulation level increases the SIC receiver BER. For example, at a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 5 dB for perfect channel estimation and QPSK modulation, the user that is detected first has a BER of 0.005 compared to 0.14 for the user that is detected with the aid of the SIC receiver. Similarly, the BER of QPSK, assuming 0.25 channel estimation error of user 1, is equal to 0.06 at SNR = 15 dB compared to 0.017 for perfect estimation.
Sleep problems in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders are associated with sensory sensitivities and thalamocortical overconnectivity

Projections between the thalamus and sensory cortices are established early in development and play an important role in sleep regulation as well as in relaying sensory information to cortex. Atypical thalamocortical functional connectivity frequently observed in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) might therefore be linked to sensory and sleep problems common in ASD. Here we investigated the relationship between auditory-thalamic functional connectivity measured during natural sleep fMRI, sleep problems, and sound sensitivities in 70 toddlers and preschoolers (1.5 to 5-year-olds) with ASD compared to a matched group of 46 typically developing (TD) children. In children with ASD, sleep problems and sensory sensitivities were positively correlated, and increased sleep latency was associated with overconnectivity between the thalamus and auditory cortex in a subsample with high quality MRI data (n=29). Additionally, auditory cortex BOLD signal amplitude was elevated in children with ASD, potentially reflecting reduced sensory gating or a lack of auditory habituation during natural sleep. These findings indicate that atypical thalamocortical functional connectivity can be detected early in development and may play a crucial role in sleep problems and sensory sensitivities in ASD.
Remote e-Workers’ Psychological Well-being and Career Development in the Era of COVID-19: Challenges, Success Factors, and the Roles of HRD Professionals

The ProblemAs most employees have been forced to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is considerable concern about how to preserve employee health and well-being by supporting their ...
Synergies Between Delay Test and Post-silicon Speed Path Validation: A Tutorial Introduction

The goal of speed path validation is to identify frequency limiting paths in a fabricated IC. It is a complex and expensive activity, requiring significant manual expertise. This paper provides a tutorial overview of speed path validation, focusing primarily on the state of the practice and its limitations. This paper also discusses delay test and discusses synergies between the two disciplines.
On the Ambiguity, Finite-Valuedness, and Lossiness Problems in Acceptors and Transducers

We prove new decidability and undecidability results concerning the finite-ambiguity problem in acceptors, and the finite-valuedness and lossiness problems in transducers. The acceptors and transducers we study have infinite memory.
SOFIA's choice: scheduling observations for an airborne observatory

We describe the problem of scheduling observations for an airborne astronomical observatory. The problem incorporates complex constraints relating the feasibility of an astronomical observation to the position and time of a mobile observatory, as well as traditional temporal constraints and optimization criteria. We describe the problem, its proposed solution and the empirical validation of that solution.
Phasing of 2-SNP genotypes based on non-random mating model

Emerging microarray technologies allow genotyping of long genome sequences resulting in huge amount of data. A key challenge is to provide an accurate phasing of very long single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sequences. In this paper we explore phasing of genotypes with 2 SNPs adjusted to the non-random mating model and then apply it to the haplotype inference of complete genotypes using maximum spanning trees. The runtime of the algorithm is O(nm(n+m)), where n and m are the number of genotypes and SNPs, respectively. The proposed phasing algorithm (2SNP) can be used for comparatively accurate phasing of large number of very long genome sequences. On datasets across 79 regions from HapMap [7] 2SNP is several orders of magnitude faster than GERBIL and PHASE while matching them in quality measured by the number of correctly phased genotypes, single-site and switching errors. For example, 2SNP requires 41 s on Pentium 4 2Ghz processor to phase 30 genotypes with 1381 SNPs (ENm010.7p15:2 data from HapMap) versus GERBIL and PHASE requiring more than a week of runtime and admitting no less errors than 2SNP. 2SNP software is publicly available at http://alla.cs.gsu.edu/~software/2SNP.
Traditional Conflict Medicine? Lessons for Putting Mali and Other African Countries on the Road to Peace

The primary thesis of this article is that Mali’s success during the 1990s in resolving a sixyear conflict between the Malian government and a northern-based insurgency among the Tuareg ethnic group was primarily due to the emergence of democratically elected elites who sought recourse to traditional mediation practices that are derivative of Mali’s precolonial independence era; what one group of Africanists has referred to as “traditional conflict medicine.” The analysis focuses on traditional Malian mediation practices that have served as the centerpiece of a veritable “culture of peace” and that continue to pervade contemporary Malian society. It is argued that recourse to these practices will be critical to resolving Mali’s spring 2012 crisis that included the return of heavily armed insurgents to northern Mali amidst civil war in Libya, a military coup d’etat that ended two decades of democratic rule, and the secession of northern Mali as the independent country of Azawad. A concluding section assesses the practical lessons from Mali’s experience during the 1990s that potentially can be of use to observers interested in facilitating the resolution of Mali’s 2012 conflict as well as those in other parts of the African continent.
An Evolutionary Theory of Collective Action: Schumpeterian Entrepreneurship for the Common Good

This paper presents the foundations of a dynamictheory of collective action. Firstly, the role of public entrepreneursin processes of institutional development is characterized. Secondly,the protagonists of social change are analyzed in regard to theirmotivation, strategic options, levels of action, and specificcapabilities. A new perspective on successful collective actionis opened up.
Swing phase kinematics of horses trotting over poles

SummaryReasons for performing study Trotting over poles is used therapeutically to restore full ranges of limb joint motion. The mechanics of trotting over poles have not yet been described, hence quantitative evidence for the presumed therapeutic effects is lacking. Objectives To compare limb kinematics in horses trotting over level ground, over low poles and over high poles to determine changes in joint angulations and hoof flight arcs. Study design Repeated measures experimental study in sound horses. Methods Standard motion analysis procedures with skin-fixed reflective markers were used to measure swing phase kinematics from 8 horses trotting on level ground, over low (11 cm) and high (20 cm) poles spaced 1.05 ± 0.05 m apart. Spatiotemporal variables and peak swing phase joint flexion angles were compared using repeated measures ANOVA (P<0.05) with Bonferroni correction for pairwise post hoc testing. Results Peak heights of the fore and hind hooves increased significantly and progressively from no poles (fore: 13.8 ± 3.8 cm; hind: 10.8 ± 2.4 cm) to low poles (fore: 30.9 ± 4.9 cm; hind: 24.9 ± 3.7 cm) and to high poles (fore: 41.0 ± 3.9 cm; hind: 32.7 ± 4.0 cm). All joints of the fore- and hindlimbs contributed to the increase in hoof height through increased swing phase flexion. The hooves cleared the poles due to increases in joint flexion rather than by raising the body higher during the suspension phases of the stride. Conclusions The increases in swing phase joint flexions indicate that trotting over poles is effective for activating and strengthening the flexor musculature. Unlike the use of proprioceptive stimulation devices in which the effects decrease over time due to habituation, the horse is required to elevate the hooves to ensure clearance whenever poles are present. The need to raise the limbs sufficiently to clear the poles and place the hooves accurately requires visuomotor coordination, which may be useful in the rehabilitation of neurological cases. The Summary is available in Chinese – see Supporting information.
A Systematic Framework to Calculate Economic Value and Environmental Impact of Biorefining Technology

Abstract The integrated biorefinery has the potential to provide a strong, self-dependent, and sustainable alternative to the use of fossil fuels for the production of chemicals and energy, but difficulties arise in measuring the potential economic benefit and environmental impact of current and emerging biorefinery technology. A plethora of products and production pathways are possible in this growing field of biorefining, and the production path with maximum value and minimum environmental impact cannot be determined by heuristics alone. A framework is needed to determine the most optimal route based on measures of economic and environmental performance. Gross profit is used as a short-term economic metric requiring few details, while net present value is used as a long-term metric that requires information about rate of return, regulatory and market possibilities, and hedging options. Environmental impact is evaluated using the US-EPA WAR algorithm developed by Young and Cabezas (1999). The best candidates in economic and environmental performance are then subject to process integration techniques in order to maximize resource usage, and these integrated biorefineries are once again analyzed for optimal performance.
Maintaining peace in a neighbourhood torn by separatism: the case of Satun province in southern Thailand -- Research note

While separatist-related conflict has re-emerged in southern Thailand, there is one predominantly Muslim border province that has remained outside of the conflict. Satun province has been conspicuously unaffected by the Malay-Muslim separatist movement, despite its shared history and ethnic origins with the conflict-affected provinces. In contrast to Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, the process of state penetration in Satun was gradual and comparatively less coercive, leading to relative stability and encouraging political and economic integration. This comparative study analyzes the history of cooperative state–minority relations and political stability in Satun province, and draws important lessons directly applicable to the unrest in neighbouring provinces.
Autumn conditions as a driver of spring phenology in a free-living arctic mammal

Several studies have shown that birds and mammals are breeding earlier in response to earlier spring conditions. Delay in the onset of winter should also affect reproductive timing and may allow for breeding later instead of earlier in spring, if extended autumns lengthen the season that food is available to offspring. Using 4 years of fine-scale environmental and phenological data of annual timing of hibernation and reproduction in two free-living populations of arctic ground squirrels in Northern Alaska, we show that the onset of winter snow-cover may influence females’ spring phenology via its interaction with the timing of hibernation of young-of-the-year (YoY). At the Atigun site, snowmelt occurs 26 days earlier and snow-cover occurs 14 days later than at the Toolik site. Previously, we found that Atigun females emerged and bred earlier than those at Toolik; however, here we show that this shift is not equivalent in magnitude to the earlier timing of spring conditions. At Atigun, females emerged and bred 13 days prior to snowmelt, while those at Toolik emerged and bred 34 days prior to snowmelt. We also found, importantly, that YoY entered hibernation after a set amount of time from birth regardless of site or environmental conditions. This resulted in Atigun YoY entering hibernation 24 (females) and 12 (males) days before snow-cover, but those at Toolik entering hibernation 0 (females) days before and 9 (males) days after snow-cover.This may allow females at Atigun to breed later (relative to snowmelt) in spring but select for early emergence and breeding of females at Toolik to allow sufficient time for offspring growth and preparation for hibernation. These results indicate that autumn conditions may influence subsequent spring phenology and changes in spring conditions may be only one factor influencing phenological shifts associated with climate change. We suggest that in areas with harsh spring conditions, such as the Arctic, animals may not shift their phenology to match earlier, but still unfavorable spring conditions, but may delay their timing of spring breeding if climate change also delays the onset of snow-cover, allowing sufficient timing for offspring growth and preparation prior to winter.
Intercellular calcium signaling induced by extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate and mechanical stimulation in airway epithelial cells

Airway epithelial cells in culture respond to extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) by increasing their intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). The effective concentration of ATP that elicited a Ca2+ response equal to 50% of the maximal response (EC50) was 0.5 microM. Release of ATP from a pipette to form a local gradient of ATP increased [Ca2+]i of individual cells in a sequential manner. Cells closest to the pipette showed an immediate increase in [Ca2+]i while more distal cells displayed a delayed increase in [Ca2+]i. This response to the local release of ATP appeared as a wave of increasing [Ca2+]i that spread to several cells and, in this respect, was similar to the intercellularly communicated Ca2+ waves initiated by mechanical stimulation in airway epithelial cells (Sanderson et al., Cell Regul. 1, 585–596, 1990). In the presence of a unidirectional fluid flow, the Ca2+ response to a local release of ATP was biased such that virtually all the cells responding with an increase in [Ca2+]i were downstream of the release site. By contrast, an identical fluid flow did not bias the radial propagation of intercellular Ca2+ waves induced by mechanical stimulation. Suramin, a P2-purinergic receptor antagonist, did attenuate the Ca2+ response induced by ATP but did not block the propagation of mechanically induced Ca2+ waves. Cells from young cultures (3-5 days) or those at the leading edge of an outgrowth elevated their [Ca2+]i in response to ATP. However, these cells do not respond to mechanical stimulation by the propagation of a Ca2+ wave. From these results we conclude that the intercellular Ca2+ waves elicited by mechanical stimulation are not the result of ATP or another compound released from the stimulated cell, diffusing through the extracellular fluid. This conclusion is consistent with previous experimental evidence suggesting that intercellular Ca2+ signaling in epithelial cells is mediated by the movement of inositol trisphosphate through gap junctions.
κ Opioid Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Shell Mediate Escalation of Methamphetamine Intake

Given that the κ opioid receptor (KOR) system has been implicated in psychostimulant abuse, we evaluated whether the selective KOR antagonist norbinaltorphimine dihydrochloride (nor-BNI) would attenuate the escalation of methamphetamine (METH) intake in an extended-access self-administration model. Systemic nor-BNI decreased the escalation of intake of long-access (LgA) but not short-access (ShA) self-administration. nor-BNI also decreased elevated progressive-ratio (PR) breakpoints in rats in the LgA condition and continued to decrease intake after 17 d of abstinence, demonstrating that the effects of a nor-BNI injection are long lasting. Rats with an ShA history showed an increase in prodynorphin immunoreactivity in both the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and shell, but LgA animals showed a selective increase in the NAc shell. Other cohorts of rats received nor-BNI directly into the NAc shell or core and entered into ShA or LgA. nor-BNI infusion in the NAc shell, but not NAc core, attenuated escalation of intake and PR responding for METH in LgA rats. These data indicate that the development and/or expression of compulsive-like responding for METH under LgA conditions depends on activation of the KOR system in the NAc shell and suggest that the dynorphin–KOR system is a central component of the neuroplasticity associated with negative reinforcement systems that drive the dark side of addiction.
OPTODET - tool to model LWIR and MWIR region for HgCdTe photodetectors

The tool OPTODET has been developed to investigate and explain the device characteristics of p+-n HgCdTe Photodetector at low temperatures. In this paper the performance of narrow band gap Hg 1−x Cd x Te (x=0.225) at 78 K and wide band gap Hg 1−x Cd x Te (x=0.3) at 250 K have been analyzed. Our theoretical model considers complete Fermi-Dirac statistics and all the major recombination mechanisms. The performance of the device has been studied and simulated as a function of parameters such as doping and temperature. The dark current - voltage characteristics have been simulated and analyzed theoretically. Dark Current as low as I D =10−10 was obtained at 78 K. For x=0.225, a peak detectivity of equation was obtained.
Partially Anticipated Convertible Calls

This paper derives estimators that measure the impact of foregoing an opportunity to call convertible debt and the call announcement effect on the value of the firm. The results indicate that positive abnormal returns are associated with foregoing a call, and returns are negative upon the announcement of the call. These results are consistent with Harris and Raviv's hypothesis that managers with favorable information delay their calls and will call the debt if and only if their information is unfavorable.
QUALITY OF CABBAGE PART I: EFFECTS OF BLANCHING, FREEZING, AND FREEZE‐DEHYDRATION ON THE ACCEPTABILITY AND NUTRIENT RETENTION OF CABBAGE (BRASSICA OLERACEA L.)

Cabbage was blanched with steam, and chemical solutions. Blanching in solution involved boiling of cabbage with a chemical solution (or water) for 3 mm at 96°C. In steam blanching, cabbage was vacuum impregnated in a chemical solution for 5 mm under a 25 in. vacuum and then exposed to steam for 3 mm. Blanching (without chemical treatment) was achieved within 3 mm as judged by the inactivation of peroxidase. Among solution- and steam-blanched (without chemical treatment) products, the former had better organoleptic qualities, whereas the latter had higher ascorbic acid retention. Cabbage blanched in the presence of 0.5% malic acid, 0.05% NaHCO3, and 1.2% NaCl was preferred for texture, color, and overall quality, respectively. The results from chemical (vitamin C and chlorophyll contents), physical (firmness), and sensory evaluations of processed and stored (at -19°C up to 24 months) cabbage indicate blanching in the presence of 1.2% NaCl solution to be the most generally preferred treatment.
A heteroduplex study of the sequence relationships between the RNAs of M-MSV and M-MLV

The regions of sequence homology between the RNA genomes of a murine sarcoma virus (clone 124 Moloney-MSV) and its parental helper virus (clone 3 Moloney-murine leukemia virus (M-MLV)) have been mapped. Long complementary DNA transcripts of the M-MLV RNA were hybridized to M-MSV RNA, and the structures of the hybrids were observed in the electron microscope. Beginning at the 5' end, the two RNAs are homologous for a region of length 2.25 kb (kilobases). In the next region, of length approximately 4.2 kb on the MLV genome, there are several homology segments between MLV and MSV, but there are also several short sequences present on MLV and deleted in MSV. There is then a major substitution loop; with a sequence (beta L) of length 2.9 kb present on MLV and missing on MSV, and a sequence (beta S) of length 1.5 kb present on MSV and missing on MLV. At the 3' end, there is a homology sequence of length 0.8 kb. On the basis of these results, other data on genes expressed in M-MSV-transformed cells, and by analogy with the avian gene map, we suggest that the gag genes (internal structural proteins) lie in the 2.25 kb region of homology near the 5' ends of M-MSV and M-MLV RNAs, and that the beta S segment contains a sarcoma (src) gene. Some of the heteroduplexes and some of the MLV cDNA/MLV RNA homoduplexes are circular, thus showing that cDNA transcription is initiated at an internal position in the RNA, proceeds to the 5' end, and them "jumps" to the 3' end.
Methods to Segment Hard Inclusions in Soft Tissue During Autonomous Robotic Palpation

Localizing tumors and measuring tissue mechanical properties can aid in surgical planning and evaluating the progression of disease. In this paper, autonomous robotic palpation with supervised machine learning algorithms enables mechanical localization and segmentation of stiff inclusions in artificial tissue. Elastography generates training data for the learning algorithms, providing a noninvasive, inclusion-specific characterization of tissue mechanics. Once an embedded hard inclusion was identified in the elastographic image, Gaussian discriminant analysis generated a classifier to threshold stiffness values acquired from autonomous robotic palpation. This classifier was later used to classify newly acquired points as either part of the inclusion or surrounding soft tissue. An expectation-maximization algorithm with underlying Markov random fields improved this initial classifier over successive iterations to better approximate the boundary of the inclusion. Results demonstrate robustness with respect to inclusion shape, size, and the initial classifier value. For three trials segmenting a cubic inclusion, sensitivity was above 0.95 and specificity was above 0.92.
The annual gametogenic cycle of the sea anemone Metridium senile from the Gulf of Maine

Abstract A year-long study was conducted to quantify the reproductive cycle of the clonal sea anemone, Metridium senile , an important member of the benthic community in the Gulf of Maine (GOM). M. senile is an abundant sessile invertebrate that forms identifiable clonal aggregations that are maintained by pedal laceration but individuals can also reproduce sexually. Specimens were collected monthly from a shallow (
Anaphylaxis in the community setting: determining risk factors for admission.

Abstract Background Although the identification and management of anaphylaxis in an emergency department setting has been well studied, our understanding of the risk factors for admission in a community-based hospital is lacking. Objective To determine the demographics and the predictors of hospitalization, in patients presenting with anaphylaxis to a community-based emergency department (ED). Methods We performed a five-year retrospective chart review of all patients seen in the ED of Winthrop University Hospital, a community-based institution, with an International Classification of Diseases, 9 th Edition code related to anaphylaxis. Results Fifty-eight visits met inclusion criteria, of which 34% resulted in hospital admission (95% CI: 22–48%). Univariate predictors for admission included (1) the involvement of 2, 3, and 4 organ systems (26%, 55%, and 75%, respectively; P P P P P Conclusion In our study population, the involvement of multiple organ systems, particularly gastrointestinal involvement, a history of ED visits for anaphylaxis, and involvement of ingested or other allergens (non-sting) demonstrated higher admission rates.
Structures and Luminescent Properties of New Uranyl-Based Hybrid Materials

Abstract Six uranyl coordination compounds, UO2(OH)(PYCA) (1), UO2(PYCA)2(H2O)·2H2O (2), UO2(PIC)2 (3), UO2(H2O)2(NIC)2 (4), UO2(OH)(HINIC)(INIC) (5), and UO2(PYTAC)2(H2O)2 (6) were grown as single crystals via hydrothermal synthesis (PYCA = pyrazine-2-carboxylate, PIC = picolinate, NIC = nicotinate, INIC = isonicotinate, and PYTAC = 2-(pyridin-4-yl)thiazole-5-carboxylate) to study their optical properties. All six compounds have been identified via single crystal X-ray diffraction and fully characterized via powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Three of the complexes, 1, 3, and 6, represent new structures, and their synthesis and structural characterization is detailed within. The structures of 2, 4, and 5 have previously been reported in the literature. Coordination polymer 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pca21 (a = 13.5476(5) A, b = 6.6047(2) A, c = 8.3458(3) A), and forms infinite 1-D chains of corner-sharing uranium polyhedra connected into 2-D layers by bridging ligands. Coordination polymer 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc (a = 8.4646(8) A, b = 13.0357(11) A, c = 11.8955(10) A, β = 96.815(2)°), and forms ligand-bridged 1-D chains. Complex 6 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 (a = 5.6272(7) A, b = 8.9568(10) A, c = 10.4673(12) A, α = 90.508(2)°, β = 104.194(2)°, γ = 91.891(2)°), and consists of isolated uranyl complexes connected via hydrogen bonds. The structures and luminescent properties of UO2(OH)(PYCA) (1), UO2(PYCA)2(H2O)·2H2O (2), UO2(PIC)2 (3), UO2(H2O)2(NIC)2 (4), UO2(OH)(HINIC)(INIC) (5), and UO2(PYTAC)2(H2O)2 (6) are discussed.
DNA-Templated Silver Nanoclusters that Fluoresce upon Hybridization

DNA-templated silver nanoclusters (DNA/Ag NCs) are an emerging set of fluorophores that are smaller than semiconductor quantum dots and can have better photostability and brightness than commonly used organic dyes. Here we find the red fluorescence of DNA/Ag NCs can be enhanced 500-fold when placed in proximity to guanine-rich DNA sequences, termed enhancer sequences. On the basis of this new phenomenon, we have designed a DNA detection probe (NanoCluster Beacon, NCB) that “lights up” upon target binding. Since NCBs do not rely on Forster energy transfer for quenching, they can easily reach high (>100) signal-to-background ratios (S/B ratios) upon target binding. Here, in a separation-free assay, we demonstrate NCB detection of an influenza target with a S/B ratio of 175, a factor of 5 better than a conventional molecular beacon probe. In addition, we show the fluorescence emission color of a NCB can change substantially (a shift of 60-70 nm in the emission maximum) depending upon the alignment between the silver nanocluster and the DNA enhancer sequence. We have exploited this color shift to directly detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This SNP detection method has been validated on all single-nucleotide substitution scenarios in three synthetic DNA targets, in six disease-related SNP targets, and in two clinical samples taken from patients with ovarian serous borderline tumors. Since the observed fluorescence enhancement is caused by intrinsic nucleobases, our detection technique is simple, inexpensive, and compatible with commercial DNA synthesizers.
Regional Campus Learning Commons: Assessing to Meet Student Needs

ABSTRACT At the University of Connecticut, Learning Commons were created at each of the five regional campuses as was reported in the Journal of Library Administration (Dryden & Roseman, 2010). This article will discuss the further evolution of the commons at each campus, based on a variety of assessment methods that were undertaken. These included technology surveys, online space assessment surveys, focus groups, marketing surveys, and virtual focus groups. This article shares assessment models which may be useful for the evaluation of learning commons at other academic libraries.
The comparative study of cardiovascular toxins utilizing a sensitive indicator of sublethal toxic injury.

This study measures the inhibition of [3H]uridine uptake by smooth muscle cells to determine sublethal toxic injury by the cardiovascular toxins, allylamine, isoproterenol, and β-aminopropionitrile. The exposure period or the concentration of toxin which inhibited 30% of [3H]uridine uptake by smooth muscle cells could be utilized as an endpoint for ranking toxicity. Cytotoxicity of the three toxins to smooth muscle cells were ranked as: allylamine > isoproterenol > β-aminopropionitrile. Recovery of cells utilizing [3H]uridine uptake inhibition as a method for assessing comparative cytotoxicity and for screening of agents potentially injurious to vascular cells.
Biochemical and histochemical evidence for lysosomal proteases in rodent lenses.

The lysosomal proteases cathepsin B and dipeptidyl peptidase II (DPP II) were identified biochemically in the supernatant fraction of rat and guinea-pig lens homogenates, using as substrates CBZ-Arg-Arg-4-methylcoumarin-7-amide (AMC) (5 μ m , pH 6·0, 37 °C for cathepsin B, and Lys-Ala-AMC or Lys-Pro-AMC (5 μ m , pH 5·5, 37 °C) for DPP II. Cathepsin B-like activity was totally inhibited by the specific inhibitor lepeptin (0·1 m m ); while DPP-II-like activity was partially inhibited by Tris (10 m m ) or puromycin (0·1 m m ); which are specific for DPP II, and by phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMS—F), an inhibitor of serine class proteases. DPP-II-like activity also was demonstrated histochemically. The histochemical preparations consisted of cryostat sections (6 μm) of glutaraldehyde-fixed rat lenses, incubated in medium containing cacodylic acid-NaOH (0·05 m ), Lys-Pro-4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide (MNA) or Lys-Ala-MNA (1 m m ), and 0·1% w: v Fast Blue B salt (pH 5·5, 37 °C). Control sections were treated with medium in which the substrates were replaced by Lys-Ser-MNA (1 m m ), which is not acted upon by DPP II; or medium containing PMS-F (1 m m ). Sections treated with experimental medium containing Lys-Pro-MNA showed intense enzymatic activity throughout the epithelium and bow region. In the bow region and superficial cortex activity was mostly granular, suggesting a lysosomal localization. Histochemical activity was reduced partially by inclusion of PMS-F, and totally by substituting Lys-Ser-MNA for Lys-Pro-MNA.
Inverse conjugated polymer opals and their luminescent spectra

Colloidal silica spheres are usually used for making opal photonic crystals. With the aim to create tunable or otherwise functional opals we have coated colloidal SiO2 spheres with conjugated polymers, including: polyaniline sulfonic acid, polypyrrole and MEH-PPV (poly [2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene]). Spheres coated with MEH-PPV were dispersed in H2O and coated with polyelectrolytes that charged the colloidal surfaces allowing the polymer coated spheres to self-assemble by sedimentation under gravity into close packed structures with well ordered crystalline domains. Inverse MEH-PPV/polypropylene photonic crystals were fabricated and their photoluminescence was blue shifted compared to a uniform MEH-PPV film.
Absence of acetylcholine- and ionomycin-activated Cl–currents in submandibular cells of early postnatal rats

Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we investigated developmental changes in the expression of an acetylcholine- (Ach-) activated Cl–conductance in rat submandibular acinar cells. ACh induced an oscillatory inward current in cells isolated from animals older than 5 weeks, but not in animals less than 2–3 weeks of age. The current/voltage (I/V) relationship of the ACh-induced current was that of an outward rectifier, and the current was inhibited by intracellular BAPTA, a Ca2+ buffer, indicating the current was Ca2+ activated. The ACh-induced current was also blocked in the presence of DPC and SITS, two Cl–current inhibitors in other tissues. Ionomycin mimicked the effect of ACh but in a nonoscillatory fashion. The appearance of the ionomycin-induced currents was also age related, as the current was not observed to occur in animals less than 2–3 weeks old. Since both ACh and ionomycin significantly increase cytosolic [Ca2+] in the acinar cells of young animals, the correlation between the age dependence of the ACh-activated Cl–current and the ionomycin-activated Cl–current responses suggests that the lack of responsiveness observed in the young animals is due to the absence of Ca2+-activated Cl–channels, rather than to a deficiency of a cellular mediator.
Face-on stacking and enhanced out-of-plane hole mobility in graphene-templated copper phthalocyanine

Efficient out-of-plane charge transport is required in vertical device architectures, such as organic solar cells and organic light emitting diodes. Here, we show that graphene, transferred onto different technologically-relevant substrates, can be used to induce face-on molecular stacking and improve out-of-plane hole transport in copper phthalocyanine thin films.
Automated recognition and mapping of immunolabelled neurons in the developing brain

The cerebral cortex is distinguished by layers of neurons of different morphologies and densities. The layers are formed by the migration of newly generated neurons from the ventricular zone to the cortical plate near the outer (pial) boundary of the cortex, along radial paths approximately perpendicular to the cortical surface. Immunochemical labelling makes these cells’ patterns visible in brightfield microscopy so that layer formation can be studied. We developed a suite of programs that automatically digitize the entire cortex, identify the labelled cells and compute cell densities along local radial paths. Cell identification used supervised classification on all the significantly stained objects corresponding to maxima in lowpass filtered versions of the digital micrographs. Classification of all the stained objects as cells or noncell objects was made by a decision rule based on morphometric and grey-level texture features, including features based on Gabor functions. Detection sensitivity and classification accuracy were jointly maximized on training data consisting of about 3000 expert-identified neurons in micrographs. Total program performance was tested on a separate (test) set of labelled neurons the same size as the training data set. The program detected 85% of the cells in the test set with a total error of 019. The identified cells’ locations were used to compute population densities along normals to the cortical layers, and these densities served as a measure of neuronal migration. Transcortical density profiles obtained by computation and by manual cell counting were very similar. The cell identification program was built on well-established methods in statistical pattern recognition and image analysis and should generalize readily to other histological preparations.
Park quality in racial/ethnic minority neighborhoods

Abstract Public spending on parks in racial/ethnic minority areas lags behind spending in more affluent areas. Limited resources could result in poor quality parks in turn creating additional barriers to physical activity. However, the quality of parks in these areas has not been adequately investigated. The purpose of this study was to conduct an empirical examination of the associations between the quality of park characteristics and the demographics of residents living around the park. The Physical Activity Resource Assessment instrument was used to evaluate the quantity and quality of features and amenities in 68 urban parks. The U.S. Census 2010 data were used to describe the populations residing in the areas surrounding the parks. Results indicated that parks in areas with higher percentages of racial/ethnic minorities had poorer quality features and amenities (p<0.01). These associations remained significant after controlling for the effects of park size and median income. It was concluded that par...
HABITAT-SPECIFIC FORAGING OF PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS: DEDUCING HABITAT QUALITY

Abstract Foraging behavior often reflects food availability in predictable ways. For example, in habitats where food availability is high, predators should attack prey more often and move more slowly than in habitats where food availability is low. To assess relative food availability and habitat quality, I studied the foraging behavior of breeding Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea) in two forest habitat types, cypress-gum swamp forest and coastal-plain levee forest. I quantified foraging behavior with focal animal sampling and continuous recording during foraging bouts. I measured two aspects of foraging behavior: 1) prey attack rate (attacks per minute), using four attack maneuvers (glean, sally, hover, strike), and 2) foraging speed (movements per minute), using three types of movement (hop, short flight [≤1 m], long flight [>1 m]). Warblers attacked prey more often in cypress-gum swamp forest than in coastal-plain levee forest. Foraging speed, however, was not different between habitats. I al...
On the Lotka-Frank-Kamenetskii isothermal theory of cool flames

Abstract A kinetic scheme developed by Lotka and applied to cool flames by later workers is shown not to exhibit sustained oscillations as was previously thought. The sustained oscillation is shown to be due to an effective source term arising from neglect of fuel consumption. It is pointed out that quite general theorems already in the literature are in conflict with the purely kinetic theory of cool flames.
Statistical analysis and design characteristics of studies on dentinal sensitivity.

This paper discusses the role of statistics in the design and data analysis of studies on dentinal sensitivity. Topics covered include selection of study subjects, estimation of sample size, assigning subjects to experimental and control groups and choosing the appropriate statistical analysis.
Raman Spectra and Lattice Dynamics of Tellurium

The Raman spectrum of trigonal tellurium has been obtained at 295 and 90 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The Raman-active ${A}_{1}$ singlet and two $E$ doublets are identified by the scattering polarization selection rules, and the $E$-mode LO-TO splittings and linear wave-vector shifts are observed. The natural linewidths of the phonons are resolved and some weak second-order structure is evident. A spectrum of amorphous tellurium is also presented. The data on trigonal tellurium, together with neutron-scattering and infrared reflectivity measurements, are used to construct a lattice-dynamical model based on a symmetrized Fourier-expansion scheme incorporating generalized noncentral forces.
Agency problem in microfinance contract in natural disaster context

While microfinance has created considerable excitement among academic scholars as well as policy makers and considered as an effective solution of extreme poverty in developing countries, the effec...