cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
(Re)Assessing the Grand Bargain: Compensation for Work Injuries in the United States, 1900-2017

This article presents a comprehensive history and analysis of work injury compensation in the U.S. from the time of the initial adoption of workers’ compensation laws in the early 20th century to 2017. Workers’ compensation is almost entirely the domain of state legislatures and state courts without any federal oversight or standards, making it particularly difficult to study. In this article, Part I (the Introduction) situates workers’ compensation within the social benefit system of the U.S. Part II provides a history of the evolution of the laws, describing three periods: an early period, during which state variation and inadequacy of benefits were commonplace; a turn toward concern about adequacy of benefits and reforms in state legislatures after the 1972 report of the National Commission on State Workmen’s Compensation Laws noted the inadequacy and inequity of the state systems; and retrenchment, starting in the early 1990s, as employers and insurers successfully have fought to reduce the growing costs of the program by limiting access to benefits. Part II also briefly describes recently successful litigation that relies on state constitutions to challenge the inadequacies of the state programs. Part III focuses on the key contextual forces influencing workers’ compensation, noting the ways in which the nature and regulation of work, conceptions of safety, the surrounding social safety net and the health care system have affected the evolution and functioning of the state workers’ compensation systems. This section concludes with a discussion of the way in which changes in political equilibrium play out in these programs. Part IV provides a review of the current status of workers’ compensation in the U.S., including the adequacy of benefits and the dueling views that underlie some of the political battles in the states. It summarizes evidence that suggests that many injured workers never receive compensation, and explores the problems caused by inconsistent narratives regarding the purpose of the program. Finally, Part V addresses the future of workers’ compensation in the U.S.
Calcium Nutrition and Its Relationship to Bone Health

In a sense, it is odd that there should be any doubt about this issue, since all of one’s calcium must come from the diet aside from the rather small contribution made by the mother during pregnancy. Nevertheless, calcium nutrition and utilization vary so greatly from individual to individual, other factors affect bone health so profoundly, and measurement tools are so imprecise that the relationship has been difficult to document and characterize.
Changes in Gene Expression Elicited by Salt Stress in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

Plants are subjected to a variety of environmental stresses such as extreme temperatures, changes in water potential, anaerobiosis, water pollutants or heavy-metal ions. With regard to water or salt stress, a great deal of physiological data has been reported which describes specific responses of plants to stresses induced by drought or salinity. Many plants accumulate solutes such as inorganic ions, soluble carbohydrates, amino acids, or quaternary ammonium compounds. So far, it has been difficult to develop a model which describes the activation and integration of different mechanisms utilized by higher plants during water stress. In fact, such a general response to this type of stress might not exist. Part of the problem in identifying and testing specific stress responses for adaptive value has been the lack of a well characterized model system. We describe here results from our work with the desert plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (iceplant). In this plant, water or salt stress induces a shift from C3 photosynthesis to Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). The plants survive rapid and extreme changes in soil salinity, apparently by utilizing both immediate and delayed responses to salt stress. While proline begins to accumulate within hours following irrigation with 500 mM NaCl, the CAM pathway is induced over a period of 7 to 10 days. Although the switch in carbon assimilation pathways is clearly a response to salt stress, CAM induction is probably not the primary mechanism confering salt tolerance in this species. cDNA clones coding for CAM enzymes should, however, provide excellent probes for investigating the molecular basis of stress regulated gene expression.
Pose-assisted Active Visual Recognition in Mobile Augmented Reality

While existing visual recognition approaches, which rely on 2D images to train their underlying models, work well for object classification, recognizing the changing state of a 3D object requires addressing several additional challenges. This paper proposes an active visual recognition approach to this problem, leveraging camera pose data available on mobile devices. With this approach, the state of a 3D object, which captures its appearance changes, can be recognized in real time. Our novel approach selects informative video frames filtered by 6-DOF camera poses to train a deep learning model to recognize object state. We validate our approach through a prototype for Augmented Reality-assisted hardware maintenance.
Effect of all-extremity high-intensity interval training vs. moderate-intensity continuous training on aerobic fitness in middle-aged and older adults with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Aging and diabetes are associated with decreased aerobic fitness, an independent predictor of mortality. Aerobic exercise is prescribed to improve aerobic fitness; however, middle-aged/older diabetic patients often suffer from mobility limitations which restrict walking. Non-weight-bearing/low-impact exercise is recommended but the optimal exercise prescription is uncertain. The goal of this randomized controlled trial was twofold: 1) to test if high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), implemented on a non-weight-bearing all-extremity ergometer, are feasible, well-tolerated and safe in middle-aged/older adults with type 2 diabetes; and 2) to test whether all-extremity HIIT is more effective in improving aerobic fitness than MICT. A total of 58 sedentary individuals with type 2 diabetes (46 to 78 years; 63 ± 1) were randomized to all-extremity HIIT (n = 23), MICT (n = 19) or non-exercise control (CONT; n = 16). All-extremity HIIT and MICT, performed 4×/week for 8 weeks under supervision, resulted in no adverse events requiring hospitalization or medical treatment. Aerobic fitness (VO2peak) improved by 10% in HIIT and 8% in MICT and maximal exercise tolerance increased by 1.8 and 1.3 min, respectively (P ≤ 0.002 vs. baseline; P ≥ 0.9 for HIIT vs. MICT). In conclusion, all-extremity HIIT and MICT are feasible, well-tolerated and safe and result in similar improvements in aerobic fitness in middle-aged/older individuals with type 2 diabetes. These findings have important implications for exercise prescription for diabetic patients; they indicate that all-extremity exercise is a feasible alternative to weight-bearing exercise and those who are unable or unwilling to engage in HIIT may receive similar benefits from MICT.
Development of a New Inhaler for High-Efficiency Dispersion of Spray-Dried Powders Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modeling

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling offers a powerful tool for the development of drug delivery devices using a first principles approach but has been underutilized in the development of pharmaceutical inhalers. The objective of this study was to develop quantitative correlations for predicting the aerosolization behavior of a newly proposed dry powder inhaler (DPI). The dose aerosolization and containment (DAC) unit DPI utilizes inlet and outlet air orifices designed to maximize the dispersion of spray-dried powders, typically with low air volumes (~ 10 mL) and relatively low airflow rates (~ 3 L/min). Five DAC unit geometries with varying orifice outlet sizes, configurations, and protrusion distances were considered. Aerosolization experiments were performed using cascade impaction to determine mean device emitted dose (ED) and mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD). Concurrent CFD simulations were conducted to predict both flow field-based and particle-based dispersion parameters that captured different measures of turbulence. Strong quantitative correlations were established between multiple measures of turbulence and the experimentally observed aerosolization metrics of ED and MMAD. As expected, increasing turbulence produced increased ED with best case values reaching 85% of loaded dose. Surprisingly, decreasing turbulence produced an advantageous decrease in MMAD with values as low as approximately 1.6 μm, which is in contrast with previous studies. In conclusion, CFD provided valuable insights into the performance of the DAC unit DPI as a new device including a two-stage aerosolization process offering multiple avenues for future enhancements.
Adjective Ordering Restrictions: The View from Korean

In this chapter, I apply several well-established typological generalizations on adjective ordering to Korean and examine how the language behaves with regard to them. Our probing will show that one of the deciding factors in linearizing Korean N modifiers is not which one is a color/size-term and which one is a shape/quality-term, but rather which one is phonologically heavier or morpho-syntactically more complex. Meaning-related factors are also shown to play a role, however, and whenever an unexpected order obtains, an intonational break is obligatory after the “offending” constituent. Another notable finding will be that, in Korean, the categorial status of an N modifier may impact its surface position inside a DP relative to other N modifiers. On the basis of these findings, I identify four factors governing adjective ordering in Korean, thereby paving the road for the theoretical analyses to be presented in Chaps. 4 and 5.
The Limits of a Genocide Lens: Violence Against Rwandans in the 1990s*

This reflection examines how to characterize histories of violence. The genocide in Rwanda has become, after years of labour, documentation, legal proceedings, testimony, and scholarship, a canonic...
Nitrogen-Defective Polymeric Carbon Nitride Nanolayer Enabled Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction with High Faradaic Efficiency

Identifying highly selective catalysts and accurately measuring NH3 yield without false-positives from contaminations remain two challenges in electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). Here, we report N-defective carbon nitride grown on carbon paper (CN/C) as a highly selective electrocatalyst. The NH3 yield was determined reliably by the slope of mNH3-time plot rather than averaging the accumulated amount over time. Results showed the as-synthesized CN/C600 (synthesized at 600 °C) with a higher density of C=N-C N2C vacancies achieved an NH3 production of 2.9 μg mgcat.-1 h-1 at -0.3 V (versus RHE), ∼5.7-fold higher than CN/C500. The Faradaic efficiency for CN/C600 is among the highest of 62.1%, 33.9%, and 16.8% at -0.1 V, -0.2 V, and -0.3 V, respectively. The NH3 production was verified by isotope 15N2 experiments. Further increase of N-defects on CN/C600 using plasma etching led to higher NH3 yield than comparably larger current, pointing to N-defects sites for promoting NRR.
An integrated genomics approach towards deciphering human genome codes shaping HIV-1 proviral transcription and fate

A large body of work has revealed fundamental principles of HIV-1 integration into the human genome. However, the effect of the integration site to proviral transcription activity has so far remained elusive. Here we combine open-source, large-scale datasets including epigenetics, transcriptome, and 3D genome architecture to interrogate the chromatin states, transcription activity landscape, and nuclear sub-compartments around HIV-1 integration sites in CD4+ T cells to decipher human genome codes shaping the transcription of proviral classes defined based on their position and orientation in the genome. Using a Hidden Markov Model, we describe the importance of specific chromatin states and genome architecture in the control of HIV-1 transcription activity. Additionally, implementation of a machine-learning logistic regression model reveals upstream chromatin accessibility, transcription activity, and categorical nuclear sub-compartments as optimal features predicting HIV-1 transcriptional outcomes. We finally demonstrate clinical relevance by interrogating the positions of intact proviruses persisting in patients under suppressive therapy and provide a compass compatible with clinical decision-making.
Stress signaling and Myc downregulation: implications for cancer.

The transcription factor Myc forms a complex with its partner Max and with the regulatory DNA sequences on its target genes. Formation of this complex is required for Myc functions and Myc-induced oncogenic transformation. Recently, we have shown that formation of the Myc/Max/DNA complex is inhibited by the stress-responsive protein kinase Pak2 signaling pathway through phosphorylation of Myc. As a consequence of the phosphorylation, Myc loses its gene activation activity and the ability to induce proliferation and cellular transformation. Additionally, the phosphorylation induces degradation of the Myc protein. Activation of stress signaling pathways, including Pak2 activity, may be a potential therapeutic approach to block Myc-induced neoplasia.
Genes Associated with Calcium Signaling are Involved in Alcohol‐Induced Breast Cancer Growth

Background Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for breast cancer, contributing up to nearly 23,000 new cases each year. Mechanistic studies show that alcohol increases aggressiveness and metastatic potential, promotes angiogenesis, induces chronic-inflammation, and deregulates RNA polymerase III related genes. Alcohol has also been shown to affect estrogen signaling in breast cancer, including in our previously published study on the transcriptomic effects of alcohol in breast cancer cells. Methods To elucidate mechanisms of action of alcohol in breast cancer, we carried out secondary analyses of our alcohol responsive transcriptome data using gene ontology and pathway databases and analysis tools and cistromic data analysis of candidate transcription factors which may mediate the transcriptomic alterations. Predicted alcohol-responsive pathways and mechanisms were perturbed and examined experimentally in breast cancer cells. Clinical relevance of identified genes were determined by expression profiles in patient samples and correlation with disease outcomes and alcohol consumption in previously published study cohorts. Results Gene ontology analysis showed that alcohol alters the expression of many metabolism related genes, and cistromic data of differentially expressed genes revealed the potential involvement of nuclear factor of activated T-cells 3 (NFATC3) in mediating the transcriptomic effects of alcohol. Pathway analysis further predicts regulation of calcium signaling by alcohol in breast cancer cells. Chemical perturbation of this pathway reversed the effect of alcohol on breast cancer cell growth and reduced the elevated cytosolic Ca2+ levels induced by alcohol. Expression levels of alcohol-responsive genes in tumor samples from breast cancer patients are associated with poor disease outcomes. Moreover, expression of some of these genes were altered in breast cancer patients who consumed alcohol previously as compared to those who did not drink. Conclusion Alcohol alters expression of genes that regulate intracellular calcium levels and downstream signaling pathways which drive breast cancer cell proliferation and disease progression.
Consumer Shopping Value in Using Curated Fashion Subscription: The Case of Stitchfix.com

Curated retailing provides a customized shopping experience with personalized consultancy services that curate fashion product selection based on the customer's preferences. However, curated retailing is still in its early development stage. To gain loyal customers, curated retailers must understand what shopping value customers are expecting to obtain, so that they can better deliver curated service and products to meet and exceed customers’ expectations. This research intends to understand consumer shopping value obtained from using curated fashion subscription. StitchFix.com was selected as a representative case for the empirical qualitative study. Content analysis on the transcripts of 20 collected unboxing videos from YouTube found that Leading hedonic values obtained from using curated fashion subscription service include excitement, unique products, fun, and enjoyment in life. Also, consumers use curated fashion subscription because of the utilitarian value of having personal styling services and shopping convenience.
Acromioclavicular Joint Disk Tearing in Young Non-Arthritic Individuals: A Case Series.

Introduction Degeneration of the fibrocartilaginous acromioclavicular (AC) joint disk can become significant in later life and lead to primary osteoarthritis and shoulder pain. Younger, non-arthritic individuals may develop residual shoulder symptoms due to tearing of the disk itself. Case report Six patients (seven shoulders) were included in this case series. They were athletic and between the ages of 17 and 22. They typically presented with lingering symptoms of pain, popping, and instability in and around the AC joint after prior trauma or injury involving their shoulder. For most, symptoms lasted longer than 2 months before they sought additional treatment. Plain films were negative, and magnetic resonance imaging occasionally demonstrated pathology at the AC joint. Conservative treatment provided limited relief. All patients included in this series underwent arthroscopic distal clavicle resection. Intraoperatively, the disk could be seen as acutely torn or degenerative in all cases. In some, it was hypermobile and could be manually subluxed in and out of the joint. Conclusions A torn AC joint disk may cause lingering symptoms in young patients without radiographic evidence of arthritis. Further study is needed to determine if these findings are truly causative or merely incidental.
Experimental and Analytical Analysis of Rotor-Wing Interaction in Hover for Low Reynolds Number Flow

AbstractHover performance for tiltrotor-like vehicles lacks experimental data and computationally efficient models for single-rotor-wing interactions at low disk loadings and low Reynolds numbers. ...
The assessment and management of data limited fisheries: Future directions

Abstract Most fisheries in the world do not collect the relatively rich data streams necessary for formal stock assessment. Expanding and improving the current suite of data limited stock evaluation methods will be critical for ensuring that more of the world’s fisheries are managed on the basis of scientific stock status evaluations. Here I offer perspectives on three emerging ways to help achieve this goal: (1) making use of data streams that are not usually used for stock evaluation; (2) extracting more information relevant to fisheries management from stock evaluations by scaling the use of adaptive management frameworks; and (3) using human-centered design processes to deploy appropriate technologies to dramatically increase the amount of data that even resource-limited fisheries can collect, analyze, and apply to management. Because climate change is already altering fish stock distribution and abundance patterns and these changes will likely become more profound over time, I also offer a perspective on the need for data limited approaches for anticipating these changes in order to facilitate fishery planning and adaptive management.
Delta-beta correlation predicts adaptive child emotion regulation concurrently and two years later.

Abstract Emotion regulation (ER), the ability to flexibly monitor and modify emotions, is related to positive adjustment throughout the lifespan. Biological indexes of ER in childhood that predict behavior are valuable for clinical applications and our understanding of affective neurodevelopment. Delta-beta correlation (DBC), or the coupling between resting state slow-wave (delta) and fast-wave (beta) neural oscillations derived from EEG, may be a metric of the functional coherence between subcortical and cortical neural circuitry implicated in ER. Yet, little is understood about how DBC corresponds to observed ER during emotional challenges. To address this question, in the present study, resting-state EEG was recorded to generate DBC when children were 5 to 7 years old (T1) and again two years later (T2). Children also completed two emotionally challenging behavioral tasks [delay of gratification (DoG) task and waiting task (WT)] from which observed ER strategies were subsequently coded. Results showed that higher DBC was associated with greater use of adaptive, and relatively active, ER strategies. Specifically, higher frontal DBC at T1 longitudinally predicted greater use of the ER strategy alternative activity engagement and greater parent-reported positive ER at T2. These findings add to growing evidence supporting the use of resting state DBC as a neurophysiological index of ER with clinically and developmentally relevant predictive power.
Multidrug Resistance Transcriptional Regulatory Networks in Candida

Candida species are an important cause of both mucosal and invasive opportunistic infections among immuno-compromised patient populations, such as cancer patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, solid-organ and bone marrow transplant patients receiving immunosuppressant therapy, and patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and suffering from AIDS. Moreover, recent reports have highlighted a paradoxical OPC infection rate of 30% in HIV-infected individuals who have shown improvements in CD4+ counts and have been classified as ''immune reconstituted''. This chapter focuses on the transcriptional regulation of azole antifungal resistance as well as transcriptional regulators that influence azole susceptibility in Candida species. Much of our understanding of azole antifungal resistance in Candida species has been greatly facilitated by the study of the pleiotropic drug resistance phenotype in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is largely driven by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as Pdr5p. In a study to generate a more global assessment of Ndt80p, it was found that Ndt80p was bound to the promoters of many genes previously identified as being associated with azole resistance, including the ABC transporter genes CDR1, CDR2, and CDR4; the MFS transporter genes MDR1, FLU1, NAG3, and NAG4; the flippase genes RTA2 and RTA3; and other azole resistance-associated genes, PDR16, ERG3, and ERG11.
1919, The Year of Racial Violence: How African Americans Fought Back

1919, The Year of Racial Violence recounts African Americans' brave stand against a cascade of mob attacks in the United States after World War I. The emerging New Negro identity, which prized unflinching resistance to second-class citizenship, further inspired veterans and their fellow black citizens. In city after city - Washington, DC; Chicago; Charleston; and elsewhere - black men and women took up arms to repel mobs that used lynching, assaults, and other forms of violence to protect white supremacy; yet, authorities blamed blacks for the violence, leading to mass arrests and misleading news coverage. Refusing to yield, African Americans sought accuracy and fairness in the courts of public opinion and the law. This is the first account of this three-front fight - in the streets, in the press, and in the courts - against mob violence during one of the worst years of racial conflict in US history.
The Story of San Antonio Independent School Dist. v. Rodriguez: School Finance, Local Control, and Constitutional Limits

Part of the Education Law Stories, this book chapter tells the story behind San Antonio Independent School Dist. v. Rodriguez. Mindful of the challenges incident to the federal courts' effort to dismantle de jure and de facto school segregation, the Rodriguez decision evidences reluctance by some of the Justices to become ensnarled in an effort to dismantle school finance systems in way that would affect an overwhelming majority of the nation's public schools. By side-stepping such a confrontation, Rodriguez implicitly reveals important aspects about the federal courts and, in particular, how the Justices view their role in our federal system and the Court's ability as an institution to achieve sought-after policy goals. These various stories and perspectives, separately and collectively, enrichen, fuel, and complicate Rodriguez's enduring and evolving legacy.
The International Engineering Program at the University of Rhode Island

Summary form only as given. Through the cooperative efforts of engineering and foreign language faculty, the University of Rhode Island (USA) offers a five-year International Engineering Program (IEP), which leads simultaneously to both the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in German and the Bachelor of Science degree in one of the engineering disciplines. Key features of the IEP include separate sections of German language courses specially designed for engineering students, a six-month internship with an engineering firm in a German-speaking country, an optional study abroad semester or year at the Technische Universitat Braunschweig and a capstone engineering course taught in German by bilingual engineering faculty. In many cases, IEP students also complete internships with IEP partner companies in the Rhode Island area before commencing the European internship experience in the fourth year of the program. Now in its ninth year, the IEP has placed over sixty students in six-month internships in Germany, and has graduated approximately fifty students. A parallel program in French is now also under development.
How Many Injuries Does It Take - Article III Standing in the Class Action Context

Standing doctrine is a judge-made tool for ensuring that the federal judiciary's role in ordering society's affairs is limited to the function established by Article III of the Constitution. The doctrine derives its authority from Article III's case or controversy requirement, a reference to the constitutional grant of jurisdiction over all cases under federal law and to all controversies between certain enumerated parties.' Standing doctrine is the contemporary device for interpreting the meaning of a case under Article III; it requires the plaintiff invoking the power of the federal judiciary to establish a sufficient personal stake in the outcome of the case2 to ensure the court that she is the "proper party to present the claim in an adversary context and in a form historically viewed as capable of judicial resolution."3 Personal stake is established when the plaintiff alleges having suffered an "injury-in-fact" fairly traceable to the conduct of the defendant and likely to be redressed by the requested relief.4
CHAPTER 86 – Phosphine

This chapter explores the sources, uses, and formulation of phosphine. Phosphine can be generated in decaying organic matter in open air sewage treatment plants and other sources of decaying organic material including landfills, compost processing, and river sediments. Maximum concentrations detected were approximately 20 ppb. Metal phosphides, notably aluminum, magnesium, and zinc phosphides are the most common commercial sources of phosphine. Aluminum and magnesium phosphides are commonly used fumigants supplied as pellets, tablets, sachets, ropes, or for insect control in stored grains and other products. Zinc phosphide baits are commonly used for rodent control. Ammonia from ammonium carbamate is sometimes used as a warning odorant in some fumigant formulations. Phosphine is a toxicant gas with strong reducing properties capable of chemical and biologic oxidant effects. The signature threshold for lethality over a narrow dose range and slow evolution of mortality at lower doses indicates that the chemical induces a cumulative biologic oxidant cascade involving progressive alteration of a number of critical biologic endpoints. The critical threshold for these effects may be moderated by environmental-chemical interactions affecting conditions of exposure.
Africa's Mobile Commerce Segments: A Model-Based Cluster Analysis

Mobile devices are rapidly becoming ubiquitous and enabling radical changes in communication modalities across the globe. From social media to political organizing to electronic commerce, mobile devices are drastically transforming the way people live and work all over the world. Using data from the 2010 International Telecommunications Union World Telecommunication/ Information and Communication Technology Indicators Database and the 2011 CIA World Factbook, the authors identify potential macro-level (country) segments for mobile commerce within Africa. Three variables, gross domestic product per capita, mobile cell phone use per 100 population and internet use per 100 population, are analyzed using model-based cluster analysis. Three distinct clusters are identified and offer an insight into the potential diffusion of mobile commerce and marketing efforts.
Periodontal health, perceived oral health, and dental care utilization of breast cancer survivors.

Objectives This population-based analysis examined the prevalence of periodontal diseases along with the self-perceived oral health and patterns of dental care utilization of breast cancer survivors in the United States. Methods Data from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Surveys were utilized, examining information from 3,354 women between 50 and 85 years of age. Primary outcomes were gingivitis and periodontitis, self-perceived oral health, and dental care utilization. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate relationships of breast cancer diagnosis and primary outcomes while controlling for confounding factors. Results Breast cancer survivors were more likely to be older than 55 years, white, nonsmokers, have higher levels of education and income, and a higher prevalence of osteoporosis. Breast cancer survivors were significantly less likely to have dental insurance (P = 0.04). Utilization of dental services and reason for last dental visit did not significantly differ between groups. A history of a breast cancer diagnosis did not increase the odds of gingivitis [odds ratio (OR): 1.32; 95 percent confidence interval (CI): 0.53-3.63], periodontitis (OR: 1.82; 95 percent CI: 0.89-4.01), or poor self-perceived oral health (OR: 0.89; 95 percent CI: 0.61-1.33) after adjusting for age, race, education, dental care utilization, and smoking status. Conclusions In this sample, a history of breast cancer does not significantly impact periodontal health, self-perceived oral health, and dental care utilization. However, efforts should be made to assure that breast cancer survivors have dental insurance.
Audiotaped Feedback in Business Writing: An Exploratory Study

This four-year exploratory study was designed to investigate whether augmenting written comments on students' busi ness writing assignments with audiotaped remarks would lead to improved feedback, ...
Radiofrequency Electrothermal Shrinkage of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

The efficacy of electrothermal collagen shrinkage in the treatment of patients with anterior cruciate ligament laxity was evaluated. Eighteen patients who had continuity of the anterior cruciate ligament but had symptomatic laxity were treated with arthroscopic electrothermal shrinkage of the anterior cruciate ligament using a monopolar radiofrequency probe. The mean length of follow-up in patients whose stability was maintained was 20.5 months. Seven of the patients had undergone previous reconstruction, four with patellar tendon graft and three with quadrupled hamstring tendon graft. Laxity was chronic in nine patients and acute in nine. The KT-1000 arthrometer results at 1 month postoperatively revealed decreased anterior excursion, with an average side-to-side difference of 1.9 mm. However, 11 patients had a failed result at an average 4.0 months. Of the seven patients with successful results, six had native ligaments and had been treated for acute laxity and one had a patellar tendon graft and had been treated for chronic laxity. Even with the short-term follow-up in our study, it is evident that thermal shrinkage using radiofrequency technology has limited application for patients with anterior cruciate ligament laxity. Although it may be useful in treating patients with an acutely injured native anterior cruciate ligament, further study is needed to see if the ligament stretches out over time or is at increased risk of reinjury.
Touch and Massage for Medically Fragile Infants

Research investigating the efficacy of infant massage has largely focused on premature and low birth weight infants. The majority of investigations have neglected highly acute patients in academic neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The current study was developed with two aims: (Phase 1) to develop, implement and demonstrate the feasibility and safety of a parent-trained compassionate touch/massage program for infants with complex medical conditions and (Phase 2) to conduct a longitudinal randomized control trial (RCT) of hand containment/massage versus standard of care in a level III academic Center for Newborn and Infant Critical Care (CNICC). Certified infant massage instructors (CIMIs) taught parents to massage their hospitalized infants. Massage therapy and instruction were performed for seven consecutive days and health outcomes were collected for up to 1 month following treatment. Caregivers, nurses and certified infant massage therapists indicated moderate to high levels of satisfaction and feasibility with the implementation of hand containment/massage in a level III academic center CNICC. In addition, infant behavioral and physiological measures were within safe limits during the massage sessions. All caregivers participating in the massage group reported high levels of satisfaction 7 days into the intervention and at the 1-month follow-up with regards to their relationship with their infant, the massage program's impact on that relationship and the massage program. Due to unequal and small sample sizes, between group analyses (control versus massage) were not conducted. Descriptive infant characteristics of health outcomes are described. Preliminary data from this study indicates feasibility and safety of infant massage and satisfaction among the caregivers, CIMIs and the nurses in the CNICC. An important contribution from this study was the demonstration of the infants’ safety based on physiological stability and no change in agitation/pain scores of the infants receiving massage. Massage in a tertiary urban academic NICU continues to be an area of needed study. Future studies examining infant health outcomes, such as weight gain, decreased length of hospitalization and caregiver–infant bonding, would provide greater insight into the impact of massage for medically fragile infants.
Dietary turmeric modulates DMBA-induced p21ras, MAP kinases and AP-1/NF-κB pathway to alter cellular responses during hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

Abstract The chemopreventive efficacy of turmeric has been established in experimental systems. However, its mechanism(s) of action are not fully elucidated in vivo. The present study investigates the mechanism of turmeric-mediated chemoprevention in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinogenesis at 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12 weeks. Dietary turmeric (1%) led to decrease in DMBA-induced tumor burden and multiplicity, and enhanced the latency period in parallel, to its modulatory effects on oncogene products and various cellular responses during HBP tumorigenesis. DMBA-induced expression of ras oncogene product, p21 and downstream target, the mitogen-activated protein kinases were significantly decreased by turmeric during HBP carcinogenesis. Turmeric also diminished the DMBA-induced mRNA expression of proto-oncogenes (c-jun, c-fos) and NF-κB, leading to decreased protein levels and in further attenuation of DMBA-induced AP-1/NF-κB DNA-binding in the buccal pouch nuclear extracts. Besides, buccal pouch of hamsters receiving turmeric diet showed significant alterations in DMBA-induced effects: (a) decrease in cell proliferation (diminished PCNA and Bcl2 expression), (b) enhanced apoptosis (increased expression of Bax, caspase-3 and apoptotic index), (c) decrease in inflammation (levels of Cox-2, the downstream target of AP-1/NF-κB, and PGE2) and (d) aberrant expression of differentiation markers, the cytokeratins (1, 5, 8, and 18). Together, the protective effects of dietary turmeric converge on augmenting apoptosis of the initiated cells and decreasing cell proliferation in DMBA-treated animals, which in turn, is reflected in decreased tumor burden, multiplicity and enhanced latency period. Some of these biomarkers are likely to be helpful in monitoring clinical trials and evaluating drug effect measurements.
Life's Principles as a Framework for Designing Successful Social Enterprises

Abstract Biomimicry – design inspired by nature – is an emerging discipline that studies nature's best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to address human problems. The laws of nature are embodied in Life's Principles, a framework developed by the Biomimicry Institute to inspire, inform, and benchmark the design of sustainable technology and business systems. The recent emergence of social enterprise has demonstrated the relevance of a broader view of business and entrepreneurship, and its power to address developmental inequities in the world. Social enterprises have challenged fundamental theories and concepts of design and business, while reconnecting us with nature's basic design principles and the multi-dimensionality of the human experience. This paper suggests that successful social enterprises employ Life's Principles to tackle structural, management, product design, and supply chain issues in their conceptualization, development, and scale-up stages.
A possible glass transition for poly(l-methionine) and poly(l-serine)

Abstract The possibility of a low-temperature glass transition is proposed for two poly(amino acid)s: poly( l -methionine) and poly( l -serine). The suggestion is based on deviations of the experimental heat capacity from values calculated from the vibrational spectrum. The discrepancy consists in an increase of the heat capacity over a wide temperature range (260–400K) to values more typical of liquids. Qualitative experiments are performed that show the rubbery nature of the samples above room temperature and brittleness below. The broadness of the proposed glass transition may be caused by the presence of some low level of crystallinity. It is speculated that the motion begins in the side groups around room temperature and causes a gradual devitrification of the whole molecule at higher temperatures.
Infrared Laser Isolation of Ions in Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry

A new method for isolating ions for tandem mass spectrometry analyses in Fourier transform mass spectrometry is illustrated. The method employs an infrared laser to dissociate completely the undesired ions. The selected ions are excited to an orbit away from the degradative portion of the laser beam. Ion isolation was accomplished and tandem mass spectrometry experiments were performed on model oligosaccharides and compounds from biological samples.
Effect of response mode and subject characteristics on learning in programed instruction

60 Ss took a program in one of three ways: writing the answer, “thinking” the answer without writing it, or reading a program with the answers filled in. Results indicated no significant differences among the groups on two measures of amount learned. Low positive correlations were obtained between amount learned and IQ and reading comprehension of the Ss. Percent error on test frames within the program was negatively correlated with adjusted gain scores (r = −0.71). Results were also related to possible pragmatic applications.
Further identification of neurons in the abdominal ganglion ofAplysia using behavioral criteria

This review is an updating of the paper by Frazier et at. 13 in which 30 individual cells and 8 cell clusters were identified in the abdominal ganglion of of Aplysia californica on the basis of morphological, physiological and pharmacological criteria. Since that time, a number of neurobiological studies have utilized the neurons of the abdominal ganglion for behavioral studies. Based on these new investigations, 32 additional cells and 2 additional cell clusters have been identified, bringing the total of identified cells in the ganglion to 62 individual cells and 10 cell clusters. Additional features of the previously identified cells have also emerged. Much of the new information concerns the role of identified cells in behavior. We have summarized the current list of identified cells in the abdominal ganglion emphasizing these behavioral features. We also review the known synaptic connections made by identified interneurons in the ganglion. Included are descriptions of 6 new interneurons that connect to other cells in the ganglion. A major conclusion from this survey is that behavioral criteria permit resolution between cells in identified cell clusters that could previously not be distinguished using other criteria.
Ion Exchange in High-Level Nuclear Waste Encapsulation: Atomistic Modeling of Equilibrium Coefficients and Isotherms

A computational modeling approach, based on molecular dynamics and related atomistic simulation techniques, is formulated to analyze the confinement of radionuclides in prepared nuclear wasteform for long-term disposal. While the intent is to exploit the ability of simulation to provide a unified treatment of chemical as well as kinetic processes at the molecular level, it is recognized that the problem is too complex to be studied in its entirety at the outset. To demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the atomistic modeling approach, a first step is to determine an equilibrium isotherm for cation exchange, on the premise that a predominant release mechanism is likely to involve ion exchange. As a prototypical application, Cs-Na exchange on sodalite is studied using explicit interatomic potential models. Initial results for the equilibrium Cs concentration in dehydrated sodalite suggest that the effects of frame relaxation need to be taken into account. The present study will be extended to treat an aqueous environment for the loaded wasteform, as well as the effects of radiation damage to the zeolitic framework.
Finding longest paths in hypercubes, snakes and coils

Since the problem's formulation by Kautz in 1958 as an error detection tool, diverse applications for long snakes and coils have been found. These include coding theory, electrical engineering, and genetics. Over the years, the problem has been explored by many researchers in different fields using varied approaches, and has taken on additional meaning. The problem has become a benchmark for evaluating search techniques in combinatorially expansive search spaces (NP-complete Optimizations). We present an effective process for searching for long achordal open paths (snakes) and achordal closed paths (coils) in n-dimensional hypercube graphs. Stochastic Beam Search provides the overall structure for the search while graph theory based techniques are used in the computation of a generational fitness value. This novel fitness value is used in guiding the search. We show that our approach is likely to work in all dimensions of the SIB problem and we present new lower bounds for a snake in dimension 11 and coils in dimensions 10, 11, and 12. The best known solutions of the unsolved dimensions of this problem have improved over the years and we are proud to make a contribution to this problem as well as the continued progress in combinatorial search techniques.
Frozen red cells.

The popularity and the promise of frozen red cells during the 1970s were largely attributable to logistic problems associated with 21-day storage and to the fringe benefits of white cell and plasma depletion that minimized alloimmunization and febrile transfusions and, it was speculated, reduced the risk of HBV transmission. Filtration, particularly with the new generation of filters now appearing on the market, promises to achieve an equivalent reduction in white cells at a fraction of the cost and inconvenience. Donor testing for HBV and anti-HIV and, as would appear from recent data, the ALT assay as a surrogate test for non-A, non-B hepatitis, have reduced the incidence of transmission of these diseases below the level where either evaluating or utilizing red cell freezing would be practically or economically feasible. The use of frozen red cells following rejuvenation will certainly be replaced by effective resuspension solutions that will permit rejuvenation, washing, and additional weeks of refrigerated storage. Barring some wholly unexpected and improbable development bringing the cost and convenience of frozen red cells close to those of refrigerated cells, there is little reason to believe that frozen red cells will find applications in the civilian market, except for the storage of rare types and, possibly, the prevention of CMV transmission in the foreseeable future. The original goal of red cell freezing, to make long term storage possible, has been fully realized. The rest is history.
Possible explanation for the measured hyperfine field of solute atoms in Fe

Abstract We show that the regular behavior of the hyperfine fields at non-transition element solute atoms in a Fe matrix results from a hyperfine field term which may be due to an overlap volume effect of the solute atoms with the Fe matrix.
Influence of Dietary Fibers on Performance and Fermentation Characteristics of Gut Contents from Growing Chicks

Abstract Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the inclusion of fiber from various sources and of various particle sizes in both semipurified and corn-soybean meal diets fed to chicks. Growth rate and feed efficiency were the performance measurements tested. In Experiment 1, 8-day-old New Hampshire × Columbian female chicks were fed polyethylene (PE) and alfalfa cell walls (ACW) of varying particle sizes (
Striatal glutamic acid decarboxylase immunoreactivity is increased after dopaminergic deafferentation: densitometric analysis

Abstract Several lines of evidence suggest that dopamine exerts a chronic inhibitory action on GABAergic cells in the striatum, and striatal glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) mRNA levels are increased after ipsilateral dopaminergic deneveration. In the present study we have used GAD immunocytochemistry to assess whether dopaminergic denervation results in an increase in GAD protein synthesis. In three 6-hyroxydopamine-lesioned animals, there was a perceptible increase in the density of GAD-immunoreactive (ir)staining on the side ipsilateral to the lesion. Computer-assisted densitometric analysis showed a significant increase in GAD-ir staining in the ipsilateral striatum compared to the contralateral (control) side. These data suggest that removal of striatal dopaminergic innervation results in an increase in the amount of immunoreactive GAD, the rate limiting enzyme in the synthesis of GABA.
Laparoscopic treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma

Abstract The adoption of laparoscopic proctectomy for rectal cancer has been relatively slow, primarily because of the technical difficulty of the procedure. The wide surgeon-to-surgeon variability in disease-free survival and local pelvic recurrence noted after open proctectomy is probably due to differences in surgical technique, and these differences are likely to be magnified when the additional challenge of laparoscopy is added to the procedure. At present, oncologic outcomes data are sparse. However, given that the theoretic concerns regarding laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer are likely to be allayed as data from large prospective trials become mature, the adoption of laparoscopic techniques to perform curative proctectomy will occur as technical challenges are overcome and experience and training improve.