cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Contribution of State and Local-level Conditions to the Adoption of Different Types of Smart Growth Policies and Impact Fees in the United States

This research identifies some of the state and local conditions promoting the adoption of three types of smart growth policies and two types of impact fees in the United States. Factor analysis is used to identify three types of smart growth policies: 1. policies to concentrate new growth, 2. policies to exchange development rights and 3. policies to redevelop the inner city. The two types of impact fees are: development-based and community-based. Conditions at both the state and local level predict the adoption of smart growth policies. Only conditions at the state level predict the adoption of the community-based impact fees. The findings suggest that future research on the impact of population growth on growth regulation contain measures of both local and state level growth. They also suggest smart growth be viewed as multi-dimensional, as cities adopt different types of policies, rather than the complete set of policies, for economic as well as environmental reasons. Last, more research is needed on t...
Enzyme replacement therapy for the mucopolysaccharide storage disorders

The mucopolysaccharide storage disorders are a group of lysosomal storage disorders associated with deficiencies of lysosomal enzymes required for the normal sequential degradation of glycosaminoglycans, formerly known as mucopolysaccharides. The accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in a wide variety of tissues results in a complex and progressive disease leading to death in the first or second decade in most patients. Studies of enzyme replacement in animal models of mucopolysaccharide disorders have demonstrated the potential of parenterally administered enzyme to reduce glycosaminoglycan storage and microscopic pathology. Clinical studies of enzyme replacement therapy are currently underway for mucopolysaccharidosis I, mucopolysaccharidosis VI and mucopolysaccharidosis II. The complexity and heterogeneity of the mucopolysaccharide disorders provide significant challenges for clinical study design and evaluation. Innovative clinical development strategies may be needed to lower the development cost and ti...
BACKLASH, THE MATRIX OF DOMINATION, AND LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS

This article focuses on Log Cabin Republicans, gay members of that political party who reject “queer” politics and “leftist” projects among lesbian and gay activists. We show that members” social c...
On the stability of sliding mode control for a class of underactuated nonlinear systems

A system is considered underactuated if the number of the actuator inputs is less than the number of degrees of freedom for the system. Sliding mode control for underactuated systems has been shown to be an effective way to achieve system stabilization. It involves exponentially stable sliding surfaces so that when the closed-loop system trajectory reaches the surface it moves along the surface while converging to the origin. In this paper, we present a general framework that provides sufficient conditions for asymptotic stabilization by a sliding mode controller for a class of underactuated nonlinear systems with two degrees of freedom. We show that, with the sliding mode controller presented, the closed-loop system trajectories reach the sliding surface in finite time. Furthermore, we develop a constructive methodology to determine exponential stability of the reduced-order closed-loop system while on the sliding surface thus ensuring asymptotic stability of the overall closed-loop system and provide a way to determine an estimate of the domain of attraction. Finally, we implement this framework on the example of an inverted pendulum.
Winner-take-all neural net with memory

Optically switchable pnpn semiconductor devices have been connected in parallel with a common load resistance. When illuminated, only that device with maximum input will turn on. The voltage across the other devices drops and inhibits their switching ability. With suitable biasing, the winning device can be recalled at any time. >
Debating China's assertiveness: Taking China's power and interests seriously

Engaging the recent debate on China's assertive foreign policy, we suggest that it is normal for China – a rising power – to change its policy to a confident or even assertive direction because of its transformed national interests. We argue also that it is better to understand future US–China relations as a bargaining process. Whereas China negotiates for a new status in the system with redefined interests, the United States and other countries need to adjust their old political practices. China's ‘core interest’ diplomacy launched in 2009 is the first step in revealing ‘private information’ for peaceful bargaining with the outside world. A status quo foreign policy is not a wise choice for the United States because of the changing power and interest configurations in the international system.
Mirror advanced reactor superconducting magnet set design

Abstract Major magnetic field requirements of MARS are derived from basic physics and reactor design consideration. A superconducting magnet set has been conceptually designed for a tandem mirror fusion power reactor. The work, sponsored by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, was a part of their Mirror Advanced Reactor Study (MARS).
Absence of a deconfining phase transition in SU(2) gauge theory

We present an argument showing the absence of a phase transition in SU(2) gauge theory. The argument proceeds by an estimate on the electric flux-free energy which, using a conjectured inequality, is found to exhibit confining behavior for arbitrary bare coupling, for d< or =4.
Rye Cover Crop Management Affects Grain Yield in a Soybean-Corn Rotation

Cover crops provide environmental benefits, yet their adoption into production agriculture has been limited. The objectives of this study were to determine how rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop management affects yield of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and corn (Zea mays L.) in a soybean-corn rotation. Field studies were conducted from 2001 to 2004 near Boone, IA. Prior to soybean, rye was controlled chemically and mechanically at Feeke’s growth stages 7 (2nd node visible), 9.8 (boot), and 10.5.1 (flowering). Prior to corn, reseeded rye from mechanical control plots was chemically controlled. In 2002 and 2003, no soybean yield differences were detected among timing treatments in mechanical control, which yielded 21 and 29 compared to 52 and 42 bu/acre in the no-rye check. In the chemical control treatments, soybean yielded 30, 39, 43, and 50 bu/acre in the 2nd node, boot, flowering, and check in 2002 and 29, 30, 36, and 43 bu/acre in 2003. Corn yield following rye was lower than the check in 2003 (133 versus 153). In 2004, corn yield only differed between the flowering treatment and the check. These results indicate that alternative rye cover crop systems must be developed to protect soil and water resources and provide economic returns.
Design and implementation of a comprehensive outpatient results manager

Prior research has demonstrated that clinicians often fail to review and act upon outpatient test results in a timely and appropriate manner. To address this patient safety and quality of care issue, Partners Healthcare has developed a browser-based, provider-centric, comprehensive results management application to help clinic physicians review and act upon test results in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner. The application, called the Results Manager, incorporates extensive decision support features to classify the degree of abnormality for each result, presents guidelines to help clinicians manage abnormal results, allows clinicians to generate result letters to patients with predefined, context-sensitive templates and prompts physicians to set reminders for future testing. In this paper, we outline the design process and functionality of Results Manager. We also discuss its underlying architectural design, which revolves around a clinical event monitor and a rules engine, and the methodological challenges encountered in designing this application.
SYNERGISTIC EXTRACTION OF Eu(III) AND Am(III) BY THENOYLTRIFLUOROACETONE AND NEUTRAL DONOR EXTRACTANTS: (CARBAMOYLMETHYL)PHOSPHINE OXIDE AND 2,6-BIS((DIPHENYLPHOSPHINO)METHYL)PYRIDINE N, P, P-TRIOXIDE

ABSTRACT Solvent extraction of Eu(III) and Am(III) from weakly acidic solutions with octyl(phenyl)-N, N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) and 2,6-bis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)pyridine N, P, P-trioxide (NOPOPO) in 1,2-dichloroethane was studied on a comparative basis. NOPOPO was found to exhibit unusually high extractability for Eu(III) and Am(III), probably due to its trifunctional nature, sufficient steric flexibility and basicity of the functional groups. Both CMPO and NOPOPO demonstrated synergistic effects in extraction of Eu(III) and Am(III) when used in combination with thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA). However, the stoichiometry of the extracted species with CMPO/HTTA and NOPOPO/HTTA was different under similar experimental conditions. The extractant dependencies of the synergistic extractions suggest that the extracted species are the adduct complexes, M(ClO4)(TTA)2(CMPO)2 and M(ClO4)2(TTA)(NOPOPO)2, respectively. It was also observed that CMPO and CMPO/HTTA in dichloroethane extracte...
Abstract 4617: Bioactive phytochemicals in wheat bran for colon cancer prevention

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Many studies have found that dietary cereal fibers protect against colon cancer, however, not all cereal fibers are equally effective. Wheat bran is the only cereal bran that shows consistent protection against colon cancer in laboratory animal models, and corn and oat bran may enhance colon tumorigenesis. We and others have reported that phytochemicals in wheat bran instead of fiber are the major active components for colon cancer prevention. However, the active components are still unknown. Using human colon cancer cells (HCT-116 and HT-29) as the guiding assay, we further purified the active components from wheat bran using column chromatography. In this study, we identified fraction containing 5-n-alkylresorcinols (ARs) had the strongest inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human HCT-116 and HT-29 colon cancer cells. Further purification led to the identification of 5-n-heptadecylresorcinol (C17:0) and 5-n-nonadecylresorcinol (C19:0) as the major active components, whereas 5-n-heneicosenylresorcinol (C21:0) and 5-n-tricosylresorcinol (C23:0) had no inhibitory effects, indicating that the length of the side chain of ARs significantly affects their activities. The effects of other components in wheat bran, such as sphingolipids, will also be discussed. In summary, we identified all the major components in wheat bran and our study indicates that 5-n-alkylresorcinols are the major active colon cancer preventive agents in wheat bran and the length of the alkyl chain significantly affects 5-n-alkylresorcinols’ cancer preventive activities. 5-n-Alkylresorcinols are phenolic lipids present in high amounts in wheat bran and are not found in oat and corn bran. Our finding will help us to further understand why wheat bran inhibits and oat and corn bran (which do not contain ARs) have no effect or enhance colon carcinogenesis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4617. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4617
Top‐Down Versus Bottom‐Up Demand Forecasts: The Value of Shared Point‐of‐Sale Data in the Retail Supply Chain

Accurate demand forecasts are critical to maintaining customer service levels and minimizing total costs, yet increasingly difficult to achieve. Using weekly point-of-sale (POS) and order data for 10 ready-to-eat cereal stock-keeping units from 18 regional U.S. grocery distribution centers, this research empirically investigates two demand forecasting issues: (1) the accuracy of top-down versus bottom-up demand forecasts; and (2) whether shared POS data improve demand forecast accuracy. The results reveal a previously unexplored relationship between demand forecast methodology and the use of shared POS data. We find that the superiority of the top-down or bottom-up forecasting as the more accurate demand forecast method depends on whether shared POS data are used.
Blood lead concentrations in Alaskan tundra swans: linking breeding and wintering areas with satellite telemetry

Tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) like many waterfowl species are susceptible to lead (Pb) poisoning, and Pb-induced mortality has been reported from many areas of their wintering range. Little is known however about Pb levels throughout the annual cycle of tundra swans, especially during summer when birds are on remote northern breeding areas where they are less likely to be exposed to anthropogenic sources of Pb. Our objective was to document summer Pb levels in tundra swans throughout their breeding range in Alaska to determine if there were population-specific differences in blood Pb concentrations that might pose a threat to swans and to humans that may consume them. We measured blood Pb concentrations in tundra swans at five locations in Alaska, representing birds that winter in both the Pacific Flyway and Atlantic Flyway. We also marked swans at each location with satellite transmitters and coded neck bands, to identify staging and wintering sites and determine if winter site use correlated with summer Pb concentrations. Blood Pb levels were generally low (<0.2 μg/ml) in swans across all breeding areas. Pb levels were lower in cygnets than adults, suggesting that swans were likely exposed to Pb on wintering areas or on return migration to Alaska, rather than on the summer breeding grounds. Blood Pb levels varied significantly across the five breeding areas, with highest concentrations in birds on the North Slope of Alaska (wintering in the Atlantic Flyway), and lowest in birds from the lower Alaska Peninsula that rarely migrate south for winter.
Simulation of spin dynamics on kagomé and square lattices

Abstract The spin-spin correlation function 〈S(t)S(0)〉 of classical Heisenberg spins on the kagome lattice is numerically evaluated for varying concentrations of non-magnetic impurities. This function is also used to obtain the correlation time τ as a function of temperature for the kagome and square lattices.
EFFICACY OF HYDROCORTISONE IN RESTORING BLOOD PRESSURE IN INFANTS ON DOPAMINE THERAPY: 1489

EFFICACY OF HYDROCORTISONE IN RESTORING BLOOD PRESSURE IN INFANTS ON DOPAMINE THERAPY: 1489
Dimensional change in maxillary prosthetic obturators

Dimensional stability of obturator bases and changes in occlusal relationships are areas of clinical importance in the oral rehabilitation of maxillectomy patients. The dimensional change in maxillary prosthetic obturators constructed with three different denture base resins was investigated. The results indicate that a light-polymerized material had the least percent of change between base and teeth positions.
Emergence of functional spinal delta opioid receptors after chronic ethanol exposure.

Background The delta opioid receptor (DOR) is a promising target to treat multiple indications, including alcoholism, anxiety, and nonmalignant pain. The potential of the DORs has been underappreciated, in part, due to relatively low functional expression of these receptors in naive states. However, chronic exposure to stress, opioids, and inflammation can induce a redistribution of DORs to the cell surface where they can be activated. Previously, DORs were shown to be selectively/exclusively present in spinal cord circuits mediating mechanical sensitivity but not those mediating thermal nociception under naive conditions. Methods We spinally administered DOR and mu opioid receptor (MOR) selective agonists ([D-Pen2,D-Pen5]-Enkephalin, deltorphin II, SNC80, and DAMGO) and antagonists (naltriben and CTAP) and determined thermal antinociception and mechanical sensitivity in wild-type mice or mice with a genetic disruption of DOR or MOR. Thermal antinociception was measured using a radiant heat tail-flick assay; mechanical sensitivity was measured using von Frey filaments. Dose response curves were generated in naive mice and mice exposed to ethanol in a model of voluntary consumption. Results We show that prolonged exposure to ethanol can promote an upregulation of functional DORs in the spinal cord in thermal pain-mediating circuits but not in those mediating mechanical sensitivity. The upregulated DORs either modulate MOR-mediated analgesia through convergence of circuits or signal transduction pathways and/or interact directly with MORs to form a new functional (heteromeric) unit. Conclusions Our findings suggest that DORs could be a novel target in conditions in which DORs are redistributed.
Catalytic combustion of hydrogen—IV. Fabrication of prototype catalytic heaters and their operating properties

Abstract Two prototypes of catalytic heaters operating on hydrogen were fabricated and their performances were tested for combustion efficiency and temperature distribution over the catalyst surface. A heater in which hydrogen was mostly introduced from the bottom of a catalyst body exhibited substantial temperature uniformity and achieved a high combustion efficiency. The hydrogen fuelled catalytic heater offers an adjustable heat output ranging from 0 to 1.5 kcal cm −2 h −1 with Pt-impregnated nickel foam as a catalyst. The composite oxide of Co, Mn and Ag yielded slightly inferior results but sustained smooth hydrogen combustion. Detailed experiments were conducted for the investigation of changes in local combustion efficiency, local amount of air entrained from the ambience, and local surface temperature with the vertical position from the catalyst bottom.
Gender asymmetry in common couple violence

In companion studies I examine the acceptability of two forms of “common couple violence” that vary in seventy. According to Johnson (1995), common couple violence is enacted equally by both men and women, is therefore gender symmetrical, and can be distinguished from patriarchal terrorism, which often includes frequent and systematic violence enacted by men in the control and domination of women. The 160 randomly selected respondents in Study 1 (representative of a midsize northeastern American university) were asked whether they would be likely to hit their partner, and whether they would expect to be hit, in any one of 10 situations common to a dating relationship. Contrary to the expectations of gender symmetry, 83% of the women indicated they would be at least somewhat likely to hit their partner in any one situation compared to 53% of the men. Men were also more likely to report expecting to be hit (70%) than women (50%). Interactions of gender with dating status or year in school cannot account for these findings: however, women and men differ in their motivations. Although most men enact violence for reasons similar to women—because they are angry or contused—a sizable minority of men invoke violence because of strong feelings like love or hate. Study 2 queried 97 randomly selected students about their willingness to use a more serious form of violence (i.e., beating up their partner). Findings were similar to Study 1 with one exception. In most instances, women report a greater expectation of being beaten.
The biotechnology of interfaces

Immobilized cells provide the unique opportunity to design and operate bioreactor system at elevated system reactivities with minimal volume. Immobilized cells are inherently independent of the fluid phase thereby allowing reactor systems to be operated at residence times well past a culture's maximum growth rate. Cells bound within biofilms or immobilized in support structures aid in the separation of the biomass from the fluid phase. Immobilized reactor systems afford the ability to orchestrate sequential biological reactions in staged reactor units. Attached cells or membrane entrapped cells can be selectively located leading to the evolution of biosensor probes. Immobilized cell systems can also suffer from excessive mass transfer limitations that can negate these potential advantages
The effects of low concentrations of the enantiomers of mushroom alcohol (1-octen-3-ol) on Arabidopsis thaliana

“Mushroom alcohol,” or 1-octen-3-ol, is a common fungal volatile organic compound (VOC) that has been studied for its flavor properties, its effects on fungal spore germination, mushroom development, and as a signaling agent for insects. Far less is known about its effects on plants. We exposed Arabidopsis thaliana seeds, under conditions conducive to germination, to high (10 and 100 mg/1) and low concentrations (1, 2, and 3 mg/1) of racemic, S, and R forms of 1-octen-3-ol for 3 days. In addition, 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-week-old A. thaliana plants also were exposed to 1 mg/1 of the compounds for the same period of time. Seedling formation was retarded with all tested levels of exposure to 1-octen-3-ol for both enantiomers and the racemer, while 95% of unexposed control seeds germinated to seedling within 3 days. There was a dose-dependent response in the reduction of seedling formation between 1 mg/1 and 3 mg/1 of exposure. When exposed seeds were removed from the VOC, nearly all resumed germination. Young plants exposed to 1 mg/1 of the R and S enantiomers of 1-octen-3-ol exhibited a mild inhibition of growth and chlorophyll production at 2 and 3 weeks but not at 4 weeks.
What keeps low-SES children from sleeping well: the role of presleep worries and sleep environment.

Abstract Objectives Children in families of low socioeconomic status (SES) have been found to have poor sleep, yet the reasons for this finding are unclear. Two possible mediators, presleep worries and home environment conditions, were investigated as indirect pathways between SES and children's sleep. Participants/Methods The participants consisted of 271 children ( M (age) = 11.33 years; standard deviation (SD) = 7.74 months) from families varying in SES as indexed by the income-to-needs ratio. Sleep was assessed with actigraphy (sleep minutes, night waking duration, and variability in sleep schedule) and child self-reported sleep/wake problems (eg, oversleeping and trouble falling asleep) and sleepiness (eg, sleeping in class and falling asleep while doing homework). Presleep worries and home environment conditions were assessed with questionnaires. Results Lower SES was associated with more subjective sleep/wake problems and daytime sleepiness, and increased exposure to disruptive sleep conditions and greater presleep worries were mediators of these associations. In addition, environmental conditions served as an intervening variable linking SES to variability in an actigraphy-derived sleep schedule, and, similarly, presleep worry was an intervening variable linking SES to actigraphy-based night waking duration. Across sleep parameters, the model explained 5–29% of variance. Conclusions Sleep environment and psychological factors are associated with socioeconomic disparities, which affect children's sleep.
346 Preoperative Liver Function Tests and Hemoglobin Will Predict Complications Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Introduction Previous studies identified an association between dilated pancreatic and biliary ducts and lower rates of pancreatic leak after pancreaticoduodenectomy, but it remains unclear whether elevated liver function tests are also associated with lower rates of complications. The purpose of this study was to determine if preoperative liver function tests are associated with postoperative complications.
Prior failed ipsilateral percutaneous endovascular intervention in patients with critical limb ischemia predicts poor outcome after lower extremity bypass.

Background Although open surgical bypass remains the standard revascularization strategy for patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI), many centers now perform peripheral endovascular intervention (PVI) as the first-line treatment for these patients. We sought to determine the effect of a prior ipsilateral PVI (iPVI) on the outcome of subsequent lower extremity bypass (LEB) in patients with CLI. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis of all patients undergoing infrainguinal LEB between 2003 and 2009 within hospitals comprising the Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE) was performed. Primary study endpoints were major amputation and graft occlusion at 1 year postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital major adverse events (MAE), 1-year mortality, and composite 1-year major adverse limb events (MALE). Event rates were determined using life table analyses and comparisons were performed using the log-rank test. Multivariate predictors were determined using a Cox proportional hazards model with multilevel hierarchical adjustment. Results Of 1880 LEBs performed, 32% (n = 603) had a prior infrainguinal revascularization procedure (iPVI, 7%; ipsilateral bypass, 15%; contralateral PVI, 3%; contralateral bypass, 17%). Patients with prior iPVI, compared with those without a prior iPVI, were more likely to be women (32 vs 41%; P = .04), less likely to have tissue loss (52% vs 63%; P = .02), more likely to require arm vein conduit (16% vs 5%; P = .001), and more likely to be on statin (71% vs 54%; P = .01) and beta blocker therapy (92% vs 81%; P = .01) at the time of their bypass procedure. Other demographic factors were similar between these groups. Prior PVI or bypass did not alter 30-day MAE and 1-year mortality after the index bypass. In contrast, 1-year major amputation and 1-year graft occlusion rates were significantly higher in patients who had prior iPVI than those without (31% vs 20%; P = .046 and 28% vs 18%; P = .009), similar to patients who had a prior ipsilateral bypass (1 year major amputation, 29% vs 20%; P = .022; 1 year graft occlusion, 33% vs 18%; P = .001). Independent multivariate predictors of higher 1-year amputation and graft occlusion rates were prior iPVI, prior ipsilateral bypass, dialysis dependence, prosthetic conduit and distal (tibial and pedal) bypass target. Conclusions Prior iPVI is highly predictive for poor outcome in patients undergoing LEB for CLI with higher 1-year amputation and graft occlusion rates than those without prior revascularization, similar to prior ipsilateral bypass These findings provide information, which may help with the complex decisions surrounding revascularization options in patients with CLI.
Composite Forecasting: An Application with U.S. Hog Prices

Producers, processors, and distributors of agricultural commodities make decisions in a risky environment. Uncertain production and relatively low price elasticities of demand provide the setting for rather large fluctuations in commodity prices. Sensible decision making thus requires information about the likelihood of many alternative outcomes. Such information can be obtained from both private and public sources through price forecasts. Decision makers often have several forecasts on
Depth based recovery of human facial features from video sequences

We propose a way to locate facial features from a video sequence captured by a camcorder undergoing strong translational motion. Pairs of stereo images containing frontal views of the human subject are sampled from the video sequence. A multiresolution hierarchical matching algorithm finds point correspondences over a large disparity range. The task of locating facial features such as the eyes, nose and mouth is aided by depth information derived from the matching data. We present experimental results to verify our approach.
Glaucoma following penetrating ocular trauma: a cohort study of the United States Eye Injury Registry.

Purpose To evaluate associations between baseline structural and functional ocular characteristics and the risk of developing posttraumatic glaucoma after penetrating ocular injury. Design Prospective cohort study Methods Data from the United States Eye Injury Registry (USEIR) were obtained from a total of 3,627 patients who experienced penetrating ocular injury. The risk of posttraumatic glaucoma and associated structural and functional ocular risk factors was estimated. Results The risk of developing posttraumatic glaucoma was 2.67%. The development of glaucoma was independently associated with several baseline characteristics including advancing age (relative risk 1.02/yr 95% confidence interval [1.00, 1.03]), lens injury (1.56 [1.03, 2.35]), poor baseline visual acuity (2.59 [1.62, 4.14]), and inflammation (3.02 [1.52, 6.02]). Conclusions This study provides an estimate for the risk of developing glaucoma after penetrating ocular injury in a large cohort of patients and determined several factors that are significantly associated with the development of post-traumatic glaucoma, including advancing age, lens injury, poor visual acuity, and intraocular inflammation.
Biochemical and Mutational Analyses of a Unique Clamp Loader Complex in the Archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans

Clamp loaders orchestrate the switch from distributive to processive DNA synthesis. Their importance in cellular processes is underscored by their conservation across all forms of life. Here, we describe a new form of clamp loader from the archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans. Unlike previously described archaeal clamp loaders, which are composed of one small subunit and one large subunit, the M. acetivorans clamp loader comprises two similar small subunits (M. acetivorans replication factor C small subunit (MacRFCS)) and one large subunit (MacRFCL). The relatedness of the archaeal and eukaryotic clamp loaders (which are made up of four similar small subunits and one large subunit) suggests that the M. acetivorans clamp loader may be an intermediate form in the archaeal/eukaryotic sister lineages. The clamp loader complex reconstituted from the three subunits MacRFCS1, MacRFCS2, and MacRFCL stimulated DNA synthesis by a cognate DNA polymerase in the presence of its sliding clamp. We used site-directed mutagenesis in the Walker A and SRC motifs to examine the contribution of each subunit to the function of the M. acetivorans clamp loader. Although mutations in MacRFCL and MacRFCS2 did not impair clamp loading activity, any mutant clamp loader harboring a mutation in MacRFCS1 was devoid of the clamp loading property. Mac-RFCS1 is therefore critical to the clamp loading activity of the M. acetivorans clamp loader. It is our anticipation that the discovery of this unique replication factor C homolog will lead to critical insights into the evolution of more complex clamp loaders from simpler ones as more complex organisms evolved in the archaeal/eukaryotic sister lineages.
Substrate recognition by the PvuII endonuclease: Binding and cleavage of CAG5mCTG sites

The PvuII restriction endonuclease (R·PvuII) cleaves CAGOCTG sequences as indicated, leaving blunt ends. Its cognate methyltransferase (M·PvuII) generates N4-methylcytosine, yielding CAG N4m CTG, though the mechanism by which this prevents cleavage by R·PvuII is unknown. The heterologous 5-methylcytosine methylation CAG 5m CTG has also been reported to prevent cleavage by R·PvuII and this has been used in some cloning methods. Since this heterologous methylation occurs at the native methylated base, it can provide insights into the detection of DNA methylation by R·PvuII. We found that the cloned gene for R·PvuII could not stably transform cells protected only by M·AluI (AG 5m CT) and then determined that R·PvuII cleaves CAG 5m CTG in vitro, even when both strands are methylated. DNase I footprint analysis and competition experiments reveal that R·PvuII binds to CAG 5m CTG specifically, though with reduced affinity relative to the unmethylated sequence. These results provide biochemical support for the published structures of R·PvuII complexed with DNA containing CAGCTG and CAG 5-iodo CTG and support a model for how methylation interferes with DNA cleavage by this enzyme.
Screening Older Patients for Risk Factors Associated with Financial Exploitation

Due to a variety of conditions, especially Mild Cognitive Impairment and dementia, many older people are defrauded of money they need to pay for routine living expenses and for out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Since most older persons do not have the time to recoup their losses, they must often make the difficult choice of foregoing expenses for needed health care. Not receiving those health services and perhaps eating less nutritious food can hasten a downward spiral, exacerbating often frail conditions that clinicians must manage. In this chapter, the authors present an overview of the medical literature on risk factors associated with increasing an elder’s vulnerability to being financially exploited. They also describe a national continuing medical education program to raise clinicians’ awareness of the issue and what healthcare professionals can do to help prevent the adverse consequences of the loss of their patients’ wherewithal to have a good old age.
Multiplexed neurochemical signaling by neurons of the ventral tegmental area

The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is an evolutionarily conserved structure that has roles in reward-seeking, safety-seeking, learning, motivation, and neuropsychiatric disorders such as addiction and depression. The involvement of the VTA in these various behaviors and disorders is paralleled by its diverse signaling mechanisms. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of neuronal diversity in the VTA with a focus on cell phenotypes that participate in 'multiplexed' neurotransmission involving distinct signaling mechanisms. First, we describe the cellular diversity within the VTA, including neurons capable of transmitting dopamine, glutamate or GABA as well as neurons capable of multiplexing combinations of these neurotransmitters. Next, we describe the complex synaptic architecture used by VTA neurons in order to accommodate the transmission of multiple transmitters. We specifically cover recent findings showing that VTA multiplexed neurotransmission may be mediated by either the segregation of dopamine and glutamate into distinct microdomains within a single axon or by the integration of glutamate and GABA into a single axon terminal. In addition, we discuss our current understanding of the functional role that these multiplexed signaling pathways have in the lateral habenula and the nucleus accumbens. Finally, we consider the putative roles of VTA multiplexed neurotransmission in synaptic plasticity and discuss how changes in VTA multiplexed neurons may relate to various psychopathologies including drug addiction and depression.
Synergistic Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelets and Nanoclay on Epoxy Polymer Nanocomposites

The prime objective of this study was to fabricate epoxy polymer composite modified with graphene nanoplatelets (GP) and montmorillonite nanoclay (MMT) binary filler materials. Different loading percentages of individual and binary nanofillers were incorporated into an epoxy matrix system to investigate the synergistic effect of nanofillers on composites properties. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and three point bend test were carried out to investigate the viscoelastic and flexural properties of neat epoxy and nanofillers reinforced nanocomposites. Incorporation of 3 wt. % of MMT and 0.1 wt. % of GP resulted in better flexure strength, modulus and storage modulus although there is no significance change in glass transition temperature (Tg).
Translational Circuits [A Circuit for All Seasons]

Translational circuits are periodically driven, time-variant systems and encompass topologies such as ?commutated networks? and ?-path filters.? These systems cause frequency ?translation? (shift) of impedances and transfer functions, a useful property that has led to myriad new and interesting concepts in RF design. In this article, we study the operation principles of these circuits.
A Reasonable Approach to Deferred Compensation in the Post-Enron Climate

Recent corporate scandals have drawn attention to various compensation practices, including nonqualified deferred compensation plans. This scrutiny has created some political pressure for legislative and regulatory reform of the tax law rules governing deferred compensation. This article describes the long history of the tax rules in the deferred compensation area, as well as the impact of recent events. After examining the current legislative proposals in the area, the authors give their views regarding the appropriate responses by Congress and the Treasury.
Aging is associated with changes to the biomechanical properties of the posterior cerebral artery and parenchymal arterioles

Aging is associated with changes to the biomechanical properties of parenchymal arterioles and posterior cerebral arteries; this could compromise cerebrovascular health and increase the risk of str...
Quality Team Approach in Evaluating Three Automated Hematology Analyzers With Five-Part Differential Capability

Three modern hematology analyzers (Abbott Cell-Dyn 3000, Coulter STKS, and Sysmex NE-8000) with high throughput and 5-part differential capability were evaluated using a protocol designed by a quality team. Effective use of the team process to evaluate instrumentation empowers laboratory personnel to share in decision-making activities, improves job satisfaction, and produces the best purchasing decision. Instruments were compared using a combination of statistical analysis and written evaluations provided by team members. Tools and concepts from this study provide a comprehensive model for an effective multi-instrument evaluation.
NOVEL HENCE USELESS?: RE-EXAMINING ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

Creativity and innovation continue to attract significant attention from both scholars and practitioners, yet little is known about the processes by which ideas (i.e. potential innovations) are eva...
Innovative qPCR using interfacial effects to enable low threshold cycle detection and inhibition relief

Molecular diagnostics offers quick access to information but fails to operate at a speed required for clinical decision-making. Our novel methodology, droplet-on-thermocouple silhouette real-time polymerase chain reaction (DOTS qPCR), uses interfacial effects for droplet actuation, inhibition relief, and amplification sensing. DOTS qPCR has sample-to-answer times as short as 3 min 30 s. In infective endocarditis diagnosis, DOTS qPCR demonstrates reproducibility, differentiation of antibiotic susceptibility, subpicogram limit of detection, and thermocycling speeds of up to 28 s/cycle in the presence of tissue contaminants. Langmuir and Gibbs adsorption isotherms are used to describe the decreasing interfacial tension upon amplification. Moreover, a log-linear relationship with low threshold cycles is presented for real-time quantification by imaging the droplet-on-thermocouple silhouette with a smartphone. DOTS qPCR resolves several limitations of commercially available real-time PCR systems, which rely on fluorescence detection, have substantially higher threshold cycles, and require expensive optical components and extensive sample preparation. Due to the advantages of low threshold cycle detection, we anticipate extending this technology to biological research applications such as single cell, single nucleus, and single DNA molecule analyses. Our work is the first demonstrated use of interfacial effects for sensing reaction progress, and it will enable point-of-care molecular diagnosis of infections.
An unusual cause of delayed full enteral feeding and prolonged hospital stay in a newborn with gastroschisis: Congenital Hypothyroidism

Gastroschisis, is a prevalently encountered congenital disease of the newborns where intraabdominal organs protrude through a full-thickness defect in the anterior abdominal wall without an overlying sac. In recent years, an increase in the global incidence of gastroschisis has been reported. Although its etiology is not known fully, it is usually associated with young maternal age. Delay in the transition to full-calorie enteral feeding (ENT) in a newborn with gastroschisis is a result of bowel dysfunction which is a major morbidity developing due to exposure of bowels to amniotic fluid. Consequently, newborn may require long-term TPN treatment, and sepsis may onset secondary to prolonged mechanical ventilation, and TPN treatment, and infection,. Global incidence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in live births is 1:3000-4000. Widely encountered symptoms may include prolonged jaundice, constipation, distended abdomen, and poor feeding. The diagnosis should be confirmed by finding an elevated serum TSH and low T4 or free T4 level. In the literature, transient hypothyroidism has been reported in cases who underwent only silo operation, and povidone iodine dressings,. Association of hypothyroidism with delayed transition to full enteral feeding, and prolonged hospital stay in gastroschisis has not been reported previously. In newborns with gastroschisis who underwent primary facial repair, thyroid functions should be controlled at appropriate times, and followed up closely.
Analysis of malaria survey in ‘three fever’ patients in Tongxiang of 1990～2009

Objective:To understand the incidence of malaria in Tongxiang city in recent 20 years for the further consolidation of malaria prevention and control.Methods:The malaria survey data in Tongxiang from 1990 to 2009 was analyzed by employing the descriptive epidemiology.Results:Blood slides from 28429 '3 fever' patients were detected and 125 of them were malaria positive in the 20 years.The positive rate was 0.44%.The patients infected by native were 18 and the positive rate was 14.40%(18/125).The inputting cases were 107 and the positive rate was 85.60%(107/125).The migrant cases,counting 99,possessed 92.52%(99/107) in inputting cases.The native people infected overseas were 8,which possessed 7.48%(8/107) in inputting cases.People came from other province and infected in Tongxiang were mainly came from Sichuang province in 1990′s with the composing of 56.45%(35/62)and came from An-Hui after 2000′s with the composing of 43.24%(16/37).Conclusion:For the case spy in the later period of malaria eliminated,the fever in migrant people should be highly concerned.It was the key point that administration and survey in migrant people,treating epidemic spot and patients in time for solidifying the achievement of malaria prevention and control.
The Impact of Granularity on Worked Examples and Problem Solving.

In this paper, we explored the impact of two types of instructional interventions, worked examples and problem solving, at two levels of granularity: problems and steps. This study relied on an existing Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) for Probability called Pyrenees and involved 266 students who were randomly assigned into five conditions. All students experienced the same procedure, studied the same training problems in the same order, and used the same ITS. The conditions differed only in how the training problems were presented. Our results showed that when the domain content and required steps are strictly equivalent, different granularities of pedagogical decisions can significantly impact students’ time on task. More specifically, the fine-grained step level decisions can have a stronger pedagogical impact than the problem-level ones.
Topically applied aspirin rapidly decreases histamine-induced itch

The effect of topical aspirin and its model vehicle dichloromethane on itch experimentally induced with histamine was studied in 16 subjects, using a visual analogue scale and computerized aspirin, but not its vehicle, significantly reduced itch duration (p = 0.001) and decreased itch magnitude as measured with a visual analogue scale (p < 0.04). Histamine injection caused elevation of warmth sensation threshold (p = 10(-8)) but did not affect cold and heat pain thresholds. Aspirin and vehicle application did not affect thermal and pain thresholds during histamine-induced itch. The current data suggest that topical application of aspirin may be beneficial for the treatment of histamine-mediated itch. Its therapeutic role in the management of clinical itch remains to be determined.
Abstract 15: Decisional Needs in Patients Considering Left Ventricular Assist Device as Destination Therapy: Contrast Between Acceptors and Decliners

Background: Left ventricular assist device as destination therapy (DT LVAD) is an option for some transplant ineligible patients who are actively dying of heart failure. Essentially, patients are faced with the decision to undergo major surgery to implant a partial artificial heart or transition to end-of-life care. While LVADs can extend life, they are also associated with significant risks including infection, stroke, and caregiver burden. How patients make this decision is poorly understood. Methods: We performed semi-structured, in-depth interviews based on the Ottawa Decision Support Framework to understand patients’ decisional needs in accepting or declining DT LVAD. All patients who had DT LVAD in place and patients who declined DT LVAD at an academic medical center between October-December 2012 were interviewed. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using a mixed inductive and deductive approach. Additionally, we measured decision regret using the validated, 5-item decision regret scale. Results: All 17 eligible patients were interviewed, 13 with DT LVADs and 4 who had declined. Their mean age was 68. Patients accepting DT LVADs often did not perceive a decision. “I had to do it if I wanted to exist anymore.” This perception appeared to come from a belief that choosing end-of-life medical care was not an option, “This [LVAD] was the only option I had..that or push up daisies...so I automatically took this.” They also noted that the risks of the LVAD were not that important as they had “nothing to lose.” Those who declined an LVAD stated they were not afraid of death, asserted that their life lived had meaning, and recognized the potential burdens to both themselves and their family, “There are worse things than death.” For both accepters and decliners, this was an emotionally and spiritually driven decision. Both groups felt highly involved and informed. They also endorsed little decision regret (mean 5/100 for acceptors, 0/100 for decliners). Conclusions: There is a fundamental difference in values surrounding death among patients who either accept or decline a DT LVAD. Decision support interventions around this complex medical decision need to consider patient values first before getting into more cognitive aspects of the decision making process.
Peeling The Onion: Satire and the Complexity of Audience Response

Satire is a popular form of comedic social critique frequently theorized in terms of Kenneth Burke’s comic frame. While its humor and unexpected combination of incongruous elements can reduce tension that surrounds controversial issues to make new perspectives more accessible, audience response to satire can vary tremendously—including the very negative as well as the very positive. Teaching satire should include exposure to rhetorical theory and audience reception analysis to better prepare students as consumers and creators of satires. With a complex, layered pedagogy, satire can be an important component of the twenty-first-century rhetor’s toolkit.
Particulated Juvenile Articular Cartilage Allograft Transplantation for Osteochondral Talar Lesions.

ObjectiveTo report on our institution’s early results from juvenile particulate cartilage allograft transplantation of the talus.DesignBecause of the relative rarity of the procedure at the talus, ...