cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Triple strength utility of the Modified Drug Adherence Work-Up (M-DRAW) tool in a veterans affairs outpatient diabetes clinic.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the M-DRAW tool and to examine its applicability and utility at a primary clinic setting in patients with diabetes. Methods A prospective, pre-post interview design study was conducted at the VA Loma Linda Health System (VALLHS) from 03/2017–03/2018. Eligibility criteria consisted of English-speaking patrons who were 18 years and older, diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, residing in non-institutional setting, and having 1 + prescriptions for diabetes. A priming question about self-reported adherence was used to assign participants to control (Group A) or intervention (Group N). Pharmacist-led interventions were thus directed to those who recognized their medication nonadherence issue. The M-DRAW tool consisted of 13 statements about barriers to adherence on a 4-point frequency scale. A “3 = sometimes” or “4 = often” on each item indicated a barrier to adherence that was then addressed using the GUIDE strategy using motivational interviewing with the participant. Results Of the 200 eligible individuals, 88 participants completed both baseline and follow-up assessments (Group A, n = 63; Group N, n = 25). Participants were male (98.8%), taking 7–8 medications on average, and using insulin (79.5%). The tool yielded good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.873). Using confirmatory factor analysis, four factors were extracted with items loading as hypothesized. At baseline, group N identified three times greater number of barriers from the M-DRAW tool compared to Group A (5.1 items vs. 1.7, p Conclusions The M-DRAW tool is shown to be reliable and valid. A tailored intervention reduced the number of barriers contributing to medication nonadherence and resulted in a trend of improved clinical outcomes.
Evaluation of the Distributed Cavity Phase Shifts of the NRC-FCs2 Fountain Primary Frequency Standard

Frequency shifts due to the microwave distributed cavity phase (DCP) have been evaluated for the NRC-FCs2 atomic fountain primary frequency standard of the National Research Council Canada. NRC-FCs2 utilizes a Ramsey microwave cavity designed to minimize the DCP frequency shifts. We present the evaluation of the contributing azimuthal components of the DCP shifts of NRC-FCs2.
“Down Here We Rely on Fishing and Oil”: Work Identity and Fishers’ Responses to the BP Oil Spill Disaster:

Survey research on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has documented both short-term and longer term effects of the spill and chemical agents on physical, mental, and environmental health, but less is...
Territoriality and Its Troubles

The presumption against the extra-territorial application of statutes, if taken literally, is a simple rule suited for simple cases. It applies statutes only to cases in which all the relevant events occurred within the enacting state. The presumption works in complicated cases, when it works at all, only against the background of presumed rules that identify some geographically attributable feature of the case that can be used to select one sovereign’s law over another’s. Any consensus over the choice of law rules that engage in this “jurisdiction selecting” process has disappeared and the process itself has come under sustained criticism. This article tries to justify the presumption against extra-territoriality on different grounds, beginning with the justification for the territorial allocation of government power generally. This article argues for the presumption by giving it a flexible interpretation that makes it more of a principle than a rule. This approach foregoes the need to wait, probably indefinitely, for a new consensus to emerge on the appropriate rules of choice of law.
After insurgency: revolution and electoral politics in El Salvador

After Insurgency: Revolution and Electoral Politics in El Salvador is a masterful text. Ralph Sprenkels has crafted a meticulously researched and empirically invaluable interdisciplinary account. I...
Can opioid vigilance and patient-centered care coexist? A qualitative study of communicative tensions encountered by surgical trainees.

Objective: The American health care system's adoption of the patient-centered care (PCC) model has transformed how medical providers communicate with patients about prescription pain medication. Concomitantly, the nation's opioid epidemic has necessitated a proactive response from the medical profession, requiring providers who frequently dispense opioids for acute pain to exercise vigilance in monitoring and limiting outpatient prescriptions. This qualitative study explores how surgical trainees balance PCC directives, including shared decision making, exchanging information with patients, and relationship maintenance, with opioid prescribing vigilance. Design: Investigators conducted interviews with 17 surgical residents and fellows (trainees) who routinely prescribe opioids at an academic medical center. Results: A qualitative descriptive analysis produced four codes, which were reduced to themes depicting problematic intersections between PCC imperatives and opioid vigilance during post-operative opioid-prescribing communication: (a) sharing the decision-making process contended with exerting medical authority, (b) reciprocating information contended with negotiating opioid prescribing terms with patients, (c) maintaining symbiotic relationships contended with prescribing ethics, and (d) achieving patient satisfaction contended with safeguarding opioid medications. Conclusion: Surgical training programs must supply trainees with post-surgical prescribing guidelines and communication skills training. Training should emphasize how PCC directives may work in tandem with--not in opposition to--opioid vigilance.
The Measurement of Deoxyribonuclease and Its Clinical Significance in Patients with SLE

Objective To study the role of abmormal comeetration, of DNase in the development, of SLE. Methods The coneentration of DNase was measured by single radial enzynme diffusion method in the sera of 63 SLE patients. Results The coneentration of DNase in the patients was significantly lower tha in healthy indivduals, signifieantly lower patients at active slage than in remission, and Iowest in patients with lupus nephrilis.The deerease of serum DNase was negatively eorlreIated with the increase of serum DNA. The level of DNase was Hegatively correlated with ANA and ESR.positively correlated with C3.C4.and negalively correlated with the severitv of the disease Conclusion The above data suggest that the decrease of serum DNase make, the persistence of DNA in the blood eireulation which combines with anti DNA antibody to form immune complex resulting in autoimmune lesions.The deereaset of serum DNase an important role in the pathogenesis SLE. Key words: Lupus erythematosus, systemic; Deoxyribonueleases
Value of Improved Information about Environmental Protection Values: Toward a Benefit–Cost Analysis of Public-Good Valuation Studies

What is the benefit from obtaining more precise values of environmental or other public goods through surveys or other information gathering? In the value of information (VOI) problem studied here, a buyer who wishes to preserve a resource sets a price to offer a seller without knowing precisely its protection value, B, nor its value to the seller, V. The VOI from more precise information about B is important for environmental and natural resource valuation, but is typically not quantified nor compared to valuation costs. More precise environmental values reduce the frequency of two types of mistakes (protecting the resource when it should not be; and not protecting it when it should), and increases ex ante welfare. We apply our analysis to Amazon rainforest protection, focusing on the “value of perfect information,” VOPI, which, we show through simulations, typically exceeds realistic valuation costs, justifying significant valuation expenditures. VOPI also depends on the nature of buyer–seller interactions, and takes its highest value when the buyer has full concern for the seller’s outcome. Our paper proposes and prepares the base for a new, needed, field in applied welfare economics, the “benefit–cost analysis of public-good valuation studies.”
Hadean Zircons Elsewhere in the Solar System

Hadean zircons have been documented from fifteen terrestrial localities in Australia, Asia, Africa, and North and South America, in stony and martian meteorites, and in lunar rocks. Extraterrestrial zircons are characterized by the absence of the positive Ce anomaly, seen in virtually all terrestrial zircons, much higher formation temperatures, and a unique suite of mineral inclusions. Remarkably little effort has been directed toward characterizing the geochemical nature of Hadean zircons from terrestrial localities beyond the Jack Hills region and thus it remains unclear how representative it is of the Hadean world. A massive analysis campaign is indicated to better understand Earth’s last true ‘dark age’.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fiducial marker placement in pancreatic cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fiducial marker placement in pancreatic cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Out-of-Pocket Medical Bills from First Childbirth and Subsequent Childbearing.

Abstract Introduction Many families in the United States struggle to pay medical debt. This study aims to investigate the association between having out-of-pocket medical bills from first childbirth sent to debt collection agencies and subsequent childbearing. Methods As part of a large-scale birth cohort study (N = 2,169), women in Pennsylvania who delivered their first child in 2009 through 2011 were asked if any of the out-of-pocket medical expenditures resulting from the delivery were sent to debt collection agencies. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between childbirth medical bills going to debt collections in the first year after delivery and subsequent childbearing over the following 2 years, controlling for relevant confounders, including maternal age, education, race/ethnicity, marital status, poverty level, insurance coverage, pregnancy intendedness, difficulty paying for basic needs, plans to have another child, pregnancy complications, and childbirth maternal and neonatal complications. Results Women received out-of-pocket medical bills for as much as $32,000. Overall, 8.3% reported having medical bills from the childbirth sent to debt collections. These women were substantially less likely to have a subsequent child during the follow-up period (22.4%) compared with their counterparts, whose medical bills did not go to collections (44.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.39–0.93). Conclusions When out-of-pocket medical bills from first childbirth are more than American families can afford to pay, they may postpone having a second child. This finding may be particularly true when childbirth medical bills are sent to debt collection agencies.
Privacy preservation approach for location-based service on road network

The purpose of preserving users' location privacy is to prevent others in any way knowing the location of the mobile users in the past or now,and provide mobile users with high quality service at the same time.On the other hand,the purpose of preserving users query privacy is to prevent others in any way knowing the query of mobile users.Privacy preservation has a unique structural characteristic on road network.In this paper,according to the characteristics of the road network,based on the network expansion method,it will form an undirected graph containing an internal ring as anonymous space for mobile users to send requests,namely it takes the small graph with a ring in the road network graph.This graph combines the structure characteristics of both ring and tree,effectively preventing anonymous space from becoming a single path and protecting the location privacy of mobile users.At the same time,this paper first proposesrefine of anonymous space.Through refining,it can be determined that whether the anonymous space of mobile users in the same anonymous set is same,and whether two anonymous spaces after removing the intersection is a single path.It can effectively prevent query privacy leak because of anonymous space without mutuality.
Does mislabeling COVID-19 elicit the perception of threat and reduce blame?

Associating a life-threatening crisis with a geographic locality can stigmatize people from that area. However, such a strategy may reduce the public blame attributed to the government because the perceived foreign threat establishes a scapegoat, which transfers that blame. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we investigated whether the “Chinese Virus” label placed on COVID-19 has elicited opposition to Chinese immigrants and reduced public blame attributed to the federal government. We used a survey experiment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a list experiment to measure perceived threat. The descriptive analysis suggested a negative attitude toward Chinese immigrants overall, in which conservatives expressed stronger negative attitudes than did liberals and moderates. While labelling COVID-19 as the “Chinese Virus” did not make a difference overall, our exploratory results shows that it led to a significant increase in liberals’ perception that Chinese immigrants are a threat. However, the “Chinese Virus” label showed no effect overall in reducing the extent to which either liberals or conservatives’ attributed blame to the federal government.
Suprainguinal endovascular procedures in women: Are all treatments created equal?

Abstract Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in the overall understanding and proper management of vascular disease in women. Sex-related differences in outcomes and management of lower extremity, aneurysmal, and cerebrovascular diseases have been demystified with multiple published studies, and many efforts were made to modify risk factors in women and improve outcomes. However, when it comes to the endovascular treatment of the suprainguinal vessels percutaneous interventions for aortoiliac occlusive disease in women, there is only scarce published evidence throughout the literature. In this chapter, we will attempt to review the existing literature, organize the available information regarding the anatomic challenges, risk factors, and outcomes associated with endovascular interventions of aortoiliac disease in women, and how all these compare with similar procedures in their male counterparts. Our review will cover a period from 1985 to 2011. Interestingly, there are no further studies after 2011. We will show how the outcomes and the sex-associated differences have changed over the years as the technique, the devices, and our understanding of the pelvic anatomy has evolved.
Magnetic twitch assessment of diaphragm and quadriceps weakness in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients.

Abstract Critically ill mechanically ventilated (MV) patients develop significant muscle weakness, which has major clinical consequences. There remains uncertainty, however, regarding the severity of leg weakness, the precise relationship between muscle strength and thickness, and the risk factors for weakness in MV patients. We therefore measured both diaphragm (PdiTw) and quadriceps (QuadTw) strength in MV patients using magnetic stimulation and compared strength to muscle thickness. Both PdiTw and QuadTw were profoundly reduced for MV patients, with PdiTw 19 % of normal and QuadTw 6% of normal values. There was a poor correlation between strength and thickness for both muscles, with thickness often remaining in the normal range when strength was severely reduced. Regression analysis revealed reductions in PdiTw correlated with presence of infection (p = 0.006) and age (p = 0.007). QuadTw best correlated with duration of MV (p = 0.036). Limb muscles are profoundly weak in critically ill patients, with a severity that mirrors the level of weakness observed in the diaphragm.
WBAs in UME-How Many Are Needed? A Reliability Analysis of 5 AAMC Core EPAs Implemented in the Internal Medicine Clerkship.

Reliable assessments of clinical skills are important for undergraduate medical education, trustworthy handoffs to graduate medical programs, and safe, effective patient care. Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) for entering residency have been developed; research is needed to assess reliability of such assessments in authentic clinical workspaces. A student-driven mobile assessment platform was developed and used for clinical supervisors to record ad hoc entrustment decisions using the modified Ottawa scale on 5 core EPAs in an 8-week internal medicine (IM) clerkship. After a 12-month period, generalizability (G) theory analysis was performed to estimate the reliability of entrustment scores and determine the proportion of variance attributable to the student and the other facets, including particular EPA, evaluator type (attending versus resident), or case complexity. Decision (D) theory analysis determined the expected reliability based on the number of hypothetical observations. A g-coefficient of 0.7 was used as a generally agreed upon minimum reliability threshold. A total of 1368 ratings over the 5 EPAs were completed on 94 students. Variance attributed to person (true variance) was high for all EPAs; EPA-5 had the lowest person variance (9.8% across cases and four blocks). Across cases, reliability ranged from 0.02 to 0.60. Applying this to the Decision study, the estimated number of observations needed to reach a reliability index of 0.7 ranged between 9 and 11 for all EPAs except EPA5 which was sensitive to case complexity. Work place-based clinical skills in IM clerkship students were assessed and logged using a convenient mobile platform. Our analysis suggests that 9–11 observations are needed for these EPA workplace-based assessments (WBAs) to achieve a reliability index of 0.7. Note writing was very sensitive to case complexity. Further reliability analyses of core EPAs are needed before US medical schools consider wider adoption into summative entrustment processes and GME handoffs.
Red blood cell triglycerides - a unique pool that incorporates plasma free fatty acids and relates to metabolic health.

Most research into red blood cell (RBC) lipids focuses on membrane phospholipids and their relationships to metabolic conditions and diet. Triglycerides (TG) exist in most cells; the TG-fatty acids serve as readily available fuel for oxidative phosphorylation. Because RBC lack mitochondria they would not be expected to store fatty acids in TG. We followed up on a previous in vitro study that found FFA can be incorporated into RBC-TG by testing whether intravenously infused [U-13C]palmitate could be detected in RBC-TG. We also quantified RBC-TG fatty acid concentrations and profiles as they relate to plasma FFA and lipid concentrations. We found: 1) RBC-TG concentrations measured by glycerol and LC/MS were correlated (r = 0.77, p < 0.001) and averaged < 50 nmol/mL RBC; 2) RBC-TG concentrations were stable over 18 hours; 3) [U-13C]palmitate was detectable in RBC-TG from half the participants; 4) RBC-TG were enriched in saturated fatty acids and depleted in unsaturated fatty acid compared to plasma FFA and previously reported RBC membrane phospholipids; 5) RBC-TG fatty acid profiles differed significantly between obese and non-obese adults; 6) weight loss altered the RBC-TG fatty acid profile in the obese group; 7) the RBC-TG fatty acid composition correlated with plasma lipid concentrations. This is the first report showing that plasma FFA contribute to RBC-TG in vivo, in humans and that the RBC-TG fatty acid profile is related to metabolic health. The shunting of saturated fatty acid into RBC-TG may act to preserve the highly unsaturated profile of RBC membrane phospholipid fatty acid.
Long term treatment of myeloproliferative disease with interferon-alpha-2b: feasibility and efficacy.

BACKGROUND Recombinant interferon-α-2b (rIFN-α-2b) has shown therapeutic potential in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and other myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs), including the ability to suppress the abnormal hematopoietic clone and to reverse myelofibrosis. This study was conducted to evaluate further the efficacy and safety of rIFN-α-2b in a large group of patients with polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, or agnogenic myeloid metaplasia and to determine maintenance of response after treatment discontinuation. METHODS Induction therapy began with subcutaneous rIFN-α-2b at 5.0 x 106 IU/day until a complete or partial response was achieved. Treatment continued at 2.5 x 106 IU/day until spleen size and hematologic parameters stabilized. RESULTS Fifty-four patients were studied (median follow-up, 7.3 years); at last follow-up 27 patients still were participating (median follow-up, 3.8 years). Twenty-four of 24 patients with thrombocythemia (100%) and 14 of 14 patients with hyperleukocytosis (100%) responded to induction therapy, whereas 26 of 39 patients (67%) experienced > 10% decrease in splenomegaly. Thirty-nine of 54 patients (72%) maintained response for a median of 39 weeks after withdrawal of rIFN-α-2b; repeat courses in previously responding patients produced similar results. The survival rate at 8 years was 60%. rIFN-α-2b generally was well tolerated, but toxicity caused treatment withdrawal in 7 patients (13%). CONCLUSIONS rIFN-α-2b can produce regression of splenomegaly and control of leukocyte and platelet counts in patients with MPD. These responses are sustained for prolonged periods in some patients after therapy discontinuation. In patients with recurrent disease, disease control can be attained again with reinitiation of rIFN-α-2b. Therefore this therapy should be an important treatment consideration for patients with MPD. Cancer 1998;83:1205-1213. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Positive Selection on Genes in Humans as Compared to Chimpanzees

Positive selection has been identified and extensively studied in many human genes. In contrast, positive selection in the closest human relative, chimpanzee, has been largely unstudied until recently. With the complete sequencing of the human and chimpanzee genomes, a comparison of the types and numbers of genes that underwent positive selection in the two species is possible. The types of genes under positive selection in human and chimpanzee are different with regard to gene function, but no particular type accounts for a large part of this difference. However, significantly more genes experienced positive selection in the chimpanzee lineage than in the human lineage. Keywords: positive selection; human; chimpanzee; molecular evolution; population size
How do firms exercise unilateral market power? Empirical evidence from a bid-based wholesale electricity market

This paper uses the framework in Wolak (2003a,b and 2007) and data on half-hourly offer curves and market-clearing prices and quantities from the New Zealand wholesale electricity market over the period January 1, 2001 to June 30, 2007 to characterize how the four large suppliers in this imperfectly competitive industry exercise market power. To accomplish this we introduce half-hourly measures of the firm-level ability and incentive of an individual supplier to exercise unilateral market power that are derived from a simplified model of expected profit-maximizing offer behaviour in a multi-unit auction market. We then show that half-hourly market-clearing prices are highly correlated with the half-hourly values of the firm-level and firm-average measures of both the ability and incentive of the four large suppliers in New Zealand to exercise market power. We then present evidence consistent with the view that this increasing relationship between the ability or incentive of individual suppliers to exercise market power and higher market-clearing prices is caused by the four large suppliers submitting higher offer prices when they have a greater ability or incentive to exercise unilateral market power. We show that after controlling for changes in input fossil fuel prices and other factors that impact the opportunity cost of producing electricity during that half hour, each of the four suppliers submits a higher offer price into the wholesale market when it has a greater ability or incentive to exercise unilateral market power. To strengthen the case that this increasing relationship between market prices and the ability and incentive of each of the suppliers to exercise unilateral market power is actually caused by the four large suppliers exercising unilateral market power by changing their offer prices in response to their ability and incentive to exercise market power, we also perform a test of the implications of the null hypothesis that the four large suppliers behave as if they had no ability to exercise market power. We find strong evidence against this null hypothesis and instead find that these hypothesis testing results are consistent with the perspective that these suppliers are exercising all available unilateral market power.Classification-JEL:
Connections between species diversity and genetic diversity

Species diversity and genetic diversity remain the nearly exclusive domains of community ecology and population genetics, respectively, despite repeated recognition in the literature over the past 30 years of close parallels between these two levels of diversity. Species diversity within communities and genetic diversity within populations are hypothesized to co-vary in space or time because of locality characteristics that influence the two levels of diversity via parallel processes, or because of direct effects of one level of diversity on the other via several different mechanisms. Here, we draw on a wide range of studies in ecology and evolution to examine the theoretical underpinnings of these hypotheses, review relevant empirical literature, and outline an agenda for future research. The plausibility of species diversity–genetic diversity relationships is supported by a variety of theoretical and empirical studies, and several recent studies provide direct, though preliminary support. Focusing on potential connections between species diversity and genetic diversity complements other approaches to synthesis at the ecology–evolution interface, and should contribute to conceptual unification of biodiversity research at the levels of genes and species.
Foreign Workers in Israel: Global Perspectives

The article presents a review of the book "Foreign Workers in Israel: Global Perspectives," by Israel Drori.
High voltage GaAs power rectifiers with low switching and conduction losses

GaAs high voltage rectifiers are developed to provide short recovery time and significantly decrease switching losses experienced with Si rectifiers. Schottky and p-n diodes with 200 V and 600 V breakdown voltages were fabricated and found to improve circuit performance by increasing frequency and power density. Schottky diodes give small stored charge (5nC) and are ideal for high frequency power supplies, while p-n rectifiers allowing large current and soft recovery are advantageous as IGBT-freewheeling diodes. Stress testing and materials analysis performed indicate the robustness of GaAs, which is believed to allow the high temperature capability of GaAs to be fully utilized. >
Abstract 2728: Thermal ablative therapy with novel gold nanorods in an orthotopic model of urinary bladder cancer

Background The use of nanoparticles has shown great therapeutic potential, but delivery and clearance concerns have limited their use systemically. Intravesical instillation of nanoparticles in the urinary bladder provides a unique administration route to treat superficial bladder cancer. We examined the anti-tumor effect of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-directed gold nanorods combined with photothermal treatment in a superficial bladder cancer model. Methods A novel orthotopic nu/nu murine xenograft model was established through intravesical instillation of T24 human bladder cancer cells labeled with Luciferase. After confirmation of positive tumor cell implantation via bioluminescence, gold nanorods linked to the anti-EGFR antibody C225 were instilled into the bladder cavity. The nanorods were specifically fashioned to respond to near infrared (NIR) light, which was externally administered via an 808 nm diode laser to the bladder. A safe and effective regimen of in vivo photothermal ablation was determined by optimizing the duration, power and distance from the tumor to the laser source. The anti-cancer effect was monitored by an in vivo imaging system in a non-invasive manner. Results The tumor implantation rate with the T24 human cancer cell was approximately 90%. The optimized regimen of photothermal treatment in this setting was laser power of 2.1 W/cm2 for 30 seconds at 2.5 centimeters from the skin. Using this in vivo tumor model, and near-infrared energy combined with C225-conjugated gold nanorods, we demonstrate significant therapeutic efficacy against the implanted orthotopic bladder tumor (Table) with minimal systemic toxicity using this regimen. Conclusions Photothermal ablation with EGFR-directed gold nanorods is effective and well tolerated in an in vivo model of urinary bladder cancer. Future clinical development would include NIR light delivery via a cystoscope in a human application Citation Format: Xiaoping Yang, Lih-Jen Su, Francisco G. La Rosa, Elizabeth Erin Smith, Suehyun Katherine Cho, Brian Kavanagh, Won Park, Thomas W. Flaig. Thermal ablative therapy with novel gold nanorods in an orthotopic model of urinary bladder cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2728. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2728
Silicone as a trace contaminant in laboratory solvents

Abstract This paper examines a suite of lipid solvents for their utility as solvents for silicone analysis by Raman spectroscopy, and discusses the observation that off-the-shelf reagents could be contaminated by silicone during manufacture. Of the solvents examined, only chloroform was transparent in those spectral regions (chiefly 500 cm −1 ) in which silicone exhibits its Raman spectrum. Also, the chloroform examined showed evidence of silicone contamination. Therefore, chloroform is suggested as a suitable solvent for Raman spectroscopic work involving silicone, if one is careful to confirm that the chosen chloroform is not contaminated by silicone.
Hormonal control of grass inflorescence development

Grass inflorescences produce the grain that feeds the world. Compared to eudicots such as Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), grasses have a complex inflorescence morphology that can be explained by differences in the activity of axillary meristems. Advances in genomics, such as the completion of the rice (Oryza sativa) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) genomes and the recent release of a draft sequence of the maize (Zea mays) genome, have greatly facilitated research in grasses. Here, we review recent progress in the understanding of the genetic regulation of grass inflorescence development, with a focus on maize and rice. An exciting theme is the key role of plant growth hormones in inflorescence development.
Reactions of unsymmetrically substituted pentadienyliron tricarbonyl cations with water

Abstract The reactions of unsymmetrically-substituted pentadienyliron tricarbonyl cations with water have been studied in order to learn more about the relative importance of steric and electronic factors in determining the position of nucleophilic attack.
Multiple Mycotic Pseudoaneurysms Due to Yersinia enterocolitica: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

The etiology of mycotic aneurysms is variable but most often includes streptococci, staphylococci, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas infections. Yersinia enterocolitica is an organism that has been infrequently associated with vascular infections. We report a case of two ruptured mycotic pseudoaneurysms occurring in the same patient in the superficial femoral artery and the infrarenal abdominal aorta only 10 days apart. The literature is reviewed, and the clinical findings and pathology are discussed. The unique problem of multiple mycotic aneurysms developing at different times as a result of Yersinia bacteremia suggests the need to monitor these patients longitudinally and evaluate multiple sites on the arterial tree to detect occult pseudoaneurysms and prevent late death from rupture.
Efficient dendritic cell priming of T lymphocytes depends on the extracellular matrix protein mindin.

Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) regulate multiple aspects of dendritic cell (DC) function, but what regulates the expression of Rho GTPases in DCs is unknown. Here, we show that the extracellular matrix protein mindin regulates the expression of Rho GTPases in DCs. Mindin−/− mice displayed defective CD4+ T-cell priming and impaired humoral immune responses to T-dependent antigens. Mindin−/− DCs had reduced expression of Rac1/2 and impaired priming capacity owing to inefficient engagement with T lymphocytes. Ectopic Rac1 expression restored the priming capability of Mindin−/− DCs. Furthermore, we show that DC adhesion to mindin matrix was blocked by antibodies to α4, α5 and β1 integrins. DCs lacking β1 integrin had reduced adhesion to mindin matrix, decreased expression of Rac1/2 and impaired priming capacity. These results suggest that mindin–integrin interactions play a key role in regulating Rho GTPase expression in DCs and DC priming of T lymphocytes.
Cytosol binding of retinyl palmitate and palmitic acid in pigment epithelium and retina.

Abstract A 6S protein which binds [ 14 C]retinyl palmitate is present in the soluble fraction (cytosol) of the pigment epithelium but not the retina. There is no binding of [ 14 C]retinyl palmitate by the 2S retinol receptor in either the pigment epithelium or the retina. [ 14 C]Palmitic acid is bound to a peak at 6S in pigment epithelial cytosol and at both 6S and 2S in retinal cytosol.
Testosterone of young husbands rises with children in the home

Evolutionary theory suggests that a man's testosterone (T) decreases after his fathering of children, when his priority shifts from mating to cooperative parenting (Fatherhood: Evolution and Human Parental Behavior, 2010). A variation in this theory has T decreasing for highly educated fathers but increasing for less educated fathers (Evol Hum Behav, 33, 2012, 665). The Vietnam Experience Study of 4462 male army veterans is here used to explore related hypotheses: (i) that T decreases with the presence (or increasing number) of children in the man's home and (ii) that the T rises or falls depending on father's education. These related hypotheses are not supported. To the contrary, among young fathers, ages 30-35 years, T is higher with the presence and number of children in the home, independent of education.
Drosophila Calcineurin Promotes Induction of Innate Immune Responses

The sophisticated adaptive immune system of vertebrates overlies an ancient set of innate immune-response pathways, which have been genetically dissected in Drosophila. Although conserved regulatory pathways have been defined, calcineurin, a Ca(2+)-dependent phosphatase, has not been previously implicated in Drosophila immunity. Calcineurin activates mammalian immune responses by activating the nuclear translocation of the vertebrate-specific transcription factors NFAT1-4. In Drosophila, infection with gram-negative bacteria promotes the activation of the Relish transcription factor through the Imd pathway. The activity of this pathway in the larva is modulated by nitric oxide (NO). Here, we show that the input by NO is mediated by calcineurin. Pharmacological inhibition of calcineurin suppressed the Relish-dependent gene expression that occurs in response to gram-negative bacteria or NO. One of the three calcineurin genes in Drosophila, CanA1, mediated NO-induced nuclear translocation of Relish in a cell-culture assay. A CanA1 RNA interference (RNAi) transgene suppressed immune induction in larvae upon infection or upon treatment with NO donors, whereas a gain-of-function CanA1 transgene activated immune responses in untreated larvae. Interestingly, CanA1 RNAi in hemocytes but not the fat body was sufficient to block immune induction in the fat body. Thus, CanA1 provides an additional input into Relish-promoted immune responses and functions in hemocytes to promote a tissue-to-tissue signaling cascade required for robust immune response.
Personal Finance Education in Recessionary Times

The authors report the status of personal financial education in light of the recent economic crisis from the perspective of secondary school business teachers. Results showed that in the state of Kansas, 20% of the schools required a personal finance course prior to high school graduation, with 12% considering such a requirement. The recession has had a small but positive impact on personal finance enrollments and graduation requirements. Overall, 20% of the schools in this state were not complying with the state mandate to teach financial literacy. The demographic similarities between Kansas and the rest of the United States suggest a widespread need for additional financial literacy education.
The Economic Impact of Obesity on Automobile Fuel Consumption

Obesity has become a major public health problem in the United States. There are numerous health implications and risks associated with obesity. One socio-economic implication of obesity is that it reduces passenger vehicle fuel economy (i.e., the miles per gallon achieved by automobiles, which include cars and light trucks driven for noncommercial purposes). This article quantifies the amount of additional fuel consumed (annually) in the United States by automobiles that is attributable to higher average passenger (driver and non-driver) weights, during the period from 1960 to 2002. The analysis uses existing driving data in conjunction with historical weight data. The results indicate that, since 1988, no less than 272 million additional gallons of fuel are consumed annually due to average passenger weight increases. This number grows to approximately 938 million gallons of fuel when measured from 1960, which corresponds to approximately 0.7% of the nation's annual fuel consumption, or almost three days...
Does Women's Representation in Elected Office Lead to Women-Friendly Policy? Analysis of State-Level Data

Abstract This project assesses the relationship between women's representation and women-friendly policies across the states while controlling for several factors, including voter turnout, institutional resources for women, attitudes toward women's roles, labor force participation, and the strength of the two major political parties. It identifies a two-staged process in which party dominance and attitudes about women in politics influence levels of women's representation; women's representation and party dominance then influence levels of women-friendly policy. The findings are stronger for women's legislative and Democratic representation than for women's executive and Republican representation, although women Republicans are nonetheless important to advancing women-friendly policy.
Economic analysis in dermatology

Cost-effectiveness studies are rising in importance as means for justifying expenditures on health interventions and as guides for making treatment and resource allocation decisions. However, the term “cost-effective” often is used erroneously, attributed to therapies that have not been subjected to rigorous cost analysis or comparison to an appropriate alternative. Health economic studies include cost-of-illness, cost-minimization, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, and cost-benefit analyses. Each of these types of analyses differs in what it measures and under what circumstances its use is appropriate. This article describes the different types of economic studies, using examples to highlight their key features, and provides a summary of the key components of an economic analysis including perspective, cost and outcomes measurement, time horizon, cost-discounting, and sensitivity analysis. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;46:271-83.)
PERSONALITY TRAITS AND MULTIPLE‐ACT CRITERIA

Hewes and Haight question the utility of a multiple act approach for understanding the relationship between traits and communicative behavior. Based upon data collected in two separate studies, they suggest that previous investigations have overestimated the contribution of the multiple-act approach. However, an analysis of their report suggests that their findings are ambiguous and less than compelling. A taxonomy of behavioral measures is explicated to provide a framework for the discussion of the prediction of behavioral criteria. In addition, various approaches to the prediction of single acts are discussed.
An Intramolecular Photocyclization to from the Azepino [3,4,5-cd] Indole System

Abstract Azepino [3,4,5-cd] indoles 5a and 5b are formed in good yield via the intramolecular photocyclization of N-chloracetyl-3-aminomethylinodles.
Molecular determinants of voltage-dependent slow inactivation of the Ca2+ channel.

Ba2+ current through the L-type Ca2+ channel inactivates essentially by voltage-dependent mechanisms with fast and slow kinetics. Here we found that slow inactivation is mediated by an annular determinant composed of hydrophobic amino acids located near the cytoplasmic ends of transmembrane segments S6 of each repeat of the α1C subunit. We have determined the molecular requirements that completely obstruct slow inactivation. Critical interventions include simultaneous substitution of A752T in IIS6, V1165T in IIIS6, and I1475T in IVS6, each preventing in additive manner a considerable fraction of Ba2+ current from inactivation. In addition, it requires the S405I mutation in segment IS6. The fractional inhibition of slow inactivation in tested mutants caused an acceleration of fast inactivation, suggesting that fast and slow inactivation mechanisms are linked. The channel lacking slow inactivation showed ∼45% of the sustained Ba2+ or Ca2+ current with no indication of decay. The remaining fraction of the current was inactivated with a single-exponential decay (τf ∼ 10 ms), completely recovered from inactivation within 100 ms and did not exhibit Ca2+-dependent inactivation properties. No voltage-dependent characteristics were significantly changed, consistent with the C-type inactivation model suggesting constriction of the pore as the main mechanism possibly targeted by Ca2+ sensors of inactivation.
Energy conservation options for residential water heaters

Abstract Current designs of gas-fired and electric water heaters present a substantial opportunity for energy conservation through reductions in jacket losses, pilot losses and flue-gas losses. A systematic analysis and comparison of alternative energy-conserving designs has been carried out. Promising options for gas-fired water heaters include increased insulation, thermostat setback, forced-draft burners with intermittent ignition and flue closure, and instantaneous (low storage) designs. High efficiency electric water heaters incorporate increased insulation, thermostat setback, solar preheat, and heat pump operation. The evolution and market penetration of these alternative designs, some of which are commercially available at this writing, can reduce the energy usage for residential water heating in the U.S. by approx. 0.3 quads in the near-term, and up to 1.0 quads in the long-term as advanced designs achieve widespread saturation.
Development of discharge information for recovery after coronary artery bypass surgery

Descriptions of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) recovery experiences were elicited for development of a preparatory discharge information intervention. A convenience sample of 15 men and 5 women were interviewed about the concerns, emotions, and physical sensations they experienced after CABG and the actions they found most useful to manage the recovery at three time points: (a) discharge; (b) 2 days after discharge; and (c) 3 weeks after discharge. Concerns of subjects centered on pain management and return to independence in activities of daily living. Reports of negative emotions increased over the first month of recovery and included depression, anger, and anxiety. Subjects most frequently reported physical sensations associated with fatigue, chest incision, sleeping, leg incision, shoulder and neck muscles, and coughing. Descriptions of the CABG recovery experience provided data for development of discharge information, that focused on concrete experiences from the viewpoint of the person having CABG surgery and included orienting information about the onset, sequence, and duration of the experiences.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, tooth erosion, and prosthodontic rehabilitation: a clinical report

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a relatively common gastrointestinal disorder in the United States. The reflux of acid adversely affects the mucosal lining of the esophagus and is responsible for dental erosion. This article briefly reviews the etiology, risk factors, and medical management of GERD. The patient presentation describes the rehabilitation of a young adult with GERD who needed multidisciplinary care.
Stable photoluminescence and electroluminescence from porous silicon

Abstract By carefully controling the nanocrystallite surface passivation, it is possible to make light-emitting porous silicon essentially inert and to stabilize its photoluminescence. Using this material, which we call silicon-rich silicon oxide (SRSO), stable and efficient porous silicon light-emitting devices (LEDs) emitting in the visible have been manufactured. The material's optimization, device design, and device fabrication that have allowed us to achieve these goals are discussed. The electrical and optical properties of the LEDs are described and explained by a model for carrier transport and recombination. By changing the preparation and processing conditions and by doping the SRSO layer with impurities such as erbium, photoluminescence and electroluminescence at longer wavelengths have been demonstrated. © 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.
A Retinal Circuit That Computes Object Motion

Certain ganglion cells in the retina respond sensitively to differential motion between the receptive field center and surround, as produced by an object moving over the background, but are strongly suppressed by global image motion, as produced by the observer's head or eye movements. We investigated the circuit basis for this object motion sensitive (OMS) response by recording intracellularly from all classes of retinal interneurons while simultaneously recording the spiking output of many ganglion cells. Fast, transient bipolar cells respond linearly to motion in the receptive field center. The synaptic output from their terminals is rectified and then pooled by the OMS ganglion cell. A type of polyaxonal amacrine cell is driven by motion in the surround, again via pooling of rectified inputs, but from a different set of bipolar cell terminals. By direct intracellular current injection, we found that these polyaxonal amacrine cells selectively suppress the synaptic input of OMS ganglion cells. A quantitative model of these circuit elements and their interactions explains how an important visual computation is accomplished by retinal neurons and synapses.