cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Massachusetts Health Plan - Much Pain, Little Gain

In 2006, Massachusetts enacted a sweeping health insurance law that mirrors the legislation currently before Congress. After signing the measure, Gov. Mitt Romney (R) wrote, "Every uninsured citizen in Massachusetts will soon have affordable health insurance and the costs of health care will be reduced." But did the legislation achieve these goals? And what other effects has it had? This paper is the first to use Current Population Survey data for 2008 to evaluate the Massachusetts law, and the first to examine its effects on the accuracy of the CPS's uninsured estimates, self-reported health, the extent of "crowd-out" of private insurance for both children and adults, and in-migration of new Massachusetts residents.We find evidence that Massachusetts' individual mandate induces uninsured residents to conceal their true insurance status. Even setting that source of bias aside, we find the official estimate reported by the Commonwealth almost certainly overstates the law's impact on insurance coverage, likely by 45 percent. In contrast to previous studies, we find evidence of substantial crowdout of private coverage among low-income adults and children. The law appears to have compressed self-reported health outcomes, without necessarily improving overall health. Our results suggest that more than 60 percent fewer young adults are relocating to Massachusetts as a result of the law. Finally, we conclude that leading estimates understate the law's cost by at least one third, and likely more.Our results hold important lessons for the legislation moving through Congress. As in Massachusetts, there has been no effort to estimate the cost of the private health insurance mandates that legislation would impose on individuals and employers. The costs may therefore be far greater than legislators and voters believe, while the benefits may be smaller than the conventional wisdom about Massachusetts suggests.
Preparative Thin-Layer Chromatography

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Preparative TLC separates compounds on a macro scale (0.05–1 g) by utilizing a thick layer of adsorbent (0.5–5 mm). It is used to isolate carbohydrates as pure compounds in sufficient quantities to allow investigations of their properties. Preparative TLC has several advantages over column chromatography for the isolation of pure compounds such as speed, small volume of irrigant, ease of finding suitable irrigants by trial runs with layers on microscope slides, sharp and easily detectable zones, and ease of isolation of the compound from the chromatogram.
Hormones, Part 1: Thyroid and Corticosteroid Hormones

The thyroid gland is responsible for the production, storage, and release of thyroid hormones. Adequate levels of these vital hormones are needed throughout life. Starting as a neonate, thyroid hormones are needed for the proper development of the central nervous system. During childhood, skeletal growth and maturation is dictated by thyroid hormones. In adulthood, metabolism and the normal function of multiple organ systems are guided by proper thyroid hormone levels. Because thyroid hormones play such an integral part in normal physiology, it should come as no surprise that thyroid dysfunction is one of the most common endocrinopathies seen in clinical practice.
Dr. Strange-Economist or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Financial Models

The unfolding global financial crisis is exposing financial economics and financial models to a growing legitimacy problem outside the ivory tower. Models utilized by bank risk managers, and ratings agencies are now often named as drivers of the housing bubble, the explosive growth in toxic structured financial products, and a general lack of preparedness for the brewing financial storm. The contemporary financial era, enshrined in the scribbles of academic theorists, business school curricula, arcane regulatory rules in Basle, and the risk management departments of banks, is one characterized by its continued exposure to what Hayek referred to as the Pretense of Knowledge. Noble prize-legitimated options pricing, Value-at- Risk (VaR), Gaussian Copulas, and other models that populate the academic literature and practitioner software packages all represent elegant financial modeling techniques that, in the minds of many, were considered “scientifically” corroborated and field tested by credentialed academic experts, sophisticated risk management teams, and gate-keeping regulators. Financial models and economic theory provide users with comfortable representations of an intelligible and manageable decision-making environment regardless of accumulating evidence of their failure, or consistent critique and warning from exceptional industry critics. Despite disastrous failure, the worldview enshrined in contemporary quantitative finance and its arsenal of pedigreed models is significantly institutionalized and not easily shaken off, much like any elaborate entrenched policy related belief system. Perversely, financial models designed to help mitigate risks generated a widespread belief that uncertainty could be tamed, risks mastered, and potential losses estimated with a precision that we might otherwise expect to see only in works of science fiction. This paper examines the political contours of practitioner adaptation of financial models and the consequences of model use in uncertain financial markets where models may not simply be ineffective, but instead outright dangerous to their users and to the public at large.
Towards a feminist global bioethics: addressing women's health concerns worldwide.

In this paper I argue that a global bioethicsis possible. Specifically, I present the viewthat there are within feminist approaches tobioethics some conceptual and methodologicaltools necessary to forge a bioethics thatembraces the health-related concerns of bothdeveloping and developed nations equally. Tosupport my argument I discuss some of thechallenges that have historically confrontedfeminists. If feminists accept the idea thatwomen are entirely the same, then feministspresent as fact the fiction of the essential``Woman.'' Not only does ``Woman'' not exist,``she'' obscures important racial, ethnic,cultural, and class differences among women. However, if feminists stress women'sdifferences too much, feminists lose the powerto speak coherently and cogently about genderjustice, women's rights, and sexual equality ingeneral. Analyzing the ways in which the ideaof difference as well as the idea of samenesshave led feminists astray, I ask whether it ispossible to avoid the Scylla of absolutism(imperialism, colonialism, hegemony) on the onehand and the Charybdis of relativism(postmodernism, fragmentation, Balkanization)on the other. Finally, after reflecting uponthe work of Uma Narayan, Susan Muller Okin, andMartha Nussbaum, I conclude that there is a wayout of this ethical bind. By focusing onwomen's, children's, and men's common humanneeds, it is possible to lay thefoundation for a just and caring globalbioethics.
Upper airway sensory function in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

CHILDREN WITH THE OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME (OSAS) HAVE UPPER AIRWAY COLLAPSE AND RESULTANT OBSTRUCTIVE APNEA DURING sleep. This is the consequence of an imbalance between the upper airway structural load due to factors such as adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and upper airway neuromotor tone.1–3 The pharyngeal subatmospheric pressure, hypoxemia, and hypercapnia generated during these apneic episodes4 may activate the dilatory muscles of the upper airway, resulting in the reopening of the airway and termination of the obstructive apnea.3,5,6 Upper airway mucosal sensory receptors may have a role in the termination of an apnea by mediating upper airway tone.7–10 Previous studies in adults have demonstrated that attenuation of upper airway mucosal sensation by topical anesthesia increases the tendency to airway collapse.9,11 Furthermore, upper airway anesthesia also induces apneas and hypopneas during sleep in normal subjects8 and increases the frequency of obstructive events in snorers.7,10 The findings of these studies suggest that impairment of upper airway mucosal sensory function could contribute to upper airway collapse during sleep. In addition, previous studies performed in adult subjects have demonstrated impaired mucosal sensory function in subjects with OSAS.12–16 However, it is unknown whether children with OSAS have impaired upper airway sensory function. Huang et al. recently analyzed cortical processing of afferent respiratory information by measuring respiratory-related evoked potentials during sleep in children with OSAS and controls.17 They found blunted respiratory-related evoked potentials responses in children with OSAS, indicative of impaired afferent processing. This may be due to impaired upper airway sensation. Hence, we hypothesized that children with OSAS had diminished airway mucosal sensation during wakefulness compared to controls. We therefore studied sensory function in the upper airway of children with OSAS compared to normal age-, gender-, and BMI-matched controls. Specifically, two-point discrimination during wakefulness was determined in the upper airway of subjects with OSAS compared to controls.
Modeling and estimating individual and population obesity dynamics

The obesity trend in the U.S. and many other countries has increased the need for models that can assess the potential impact of alternative interventions to reverse this trend. In this paper we report on building a generic dynamic model that can be used for obesity policy analysis at multiple levels. We build an individual level model for both childhood and adulthood to capture the energy balance and weight change throughout the life of individuals, and aggregate individual level models to create population level trends of obesity. Simulated method of moments is used to estimate uncertain parameters of this model from NHANES data. The resulting model enables community, state, or national policy analysis building on a calibrated model.
Subtotal Parathyroidectomy Versus Total Parathyroidectomy with Autotransplantation for Patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 1 and Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism in patients with MEN 1 is characterized by multiple gland involvement. Two surgical approaches have been advocated in these patients: total parathyroidectomy with heterotopic autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue grafts into skeletal muscle (TP/AT), or subtotal (3 and ½ gland) parathyroidectomy (SP) leaving a vascularized remnant of parathyroid tissue in situ in the neck. Despite the potential advantages and disadvantages of these two commonly practiced operations, previous retrospective studies have demonstrated similar overall rates of recurrent HPT and permanent postoperative hypoparathyroidism in patients undergoing the two operative procedures. Although one of these approaches is often preferred by individual endocrine surgery centers of excellence, improved outcomes or a clear advantage for either operation has not been previously established. The cumulative evidence from prior retrospective studies and a single randomized controlled trail is presented, and recommendations are made based on the available data. The level of evidence and grade for the strength of these recommendations is provided.
Networking Students beyond the Campus

What good does it do to integrate creative technology-based courses into the curriculum if most students can't access the technology? This problem drove Washington State University to create Greekn...
Mr. Ricardo's Theory of Land Rent

The top award for research given by the American Real Estate Society is the David Ricardo Medal, and 2017 is the 200th anniversary of the publication of The Principles of Political Economy and Taxa...
Detecting Adversarial Examples Using Data Manifolds

Models produced by machine learning, particularly deep neural networks, are state-of-the-art for many machine learning tasks and demonstrate very high prediction accuracy. Unfortunately, these models are also very brittle and vulnerable to specially crafted adversarial examples. Recent results have shown that accuracy of these models can be reduced from close to hundred percent to below 5% using adversarial examples. This brittleness of deep neural networks makes it challenging to deploy these learning models in security-critical areas where adversarial activity is expected, and cannot be ignored. A number of methods have been recently proposed to craft more effective and generalizable attacks on neural networks along with competing efforts to improve robustness of these learning models. But the current approaches to make machine learning techniques more resilient fall short of their goal. Further, the succession of new adversarial attacks against proposed methods to increase neural network robustness raises doubts about a foolproof approach to robustify machine learning models against all possible adversarial attacks. In this paper, we consider the problem of detecting adversarial examples. This would help identify when the learning models cannot be trusted without attempting to repair the models or make them robust to adversarial attacks. This goal of finding limitations of the learning model presents a more tractable approach to protecting against adversarial attacks. Our approach is based on identifying a low dimensional manifold in which the training samples lie, and then using the distance of a new observation from this manifold to identify whether this data point is adversarial or not. Our empirical study demonstrates that adversarial examples not only lie farther away from the data manifold, but this distance from manifold of the adversarial examples increases with the attack confidence. Thus, adversarial examples that are likely to result into incorrect prediction by the machine learning model is also easier to detect by our approach. This is a first step towards formulating a novel approach based on computational geometry that can identify the limiting boundaries of a machine learning model, and detect adversarial attacks.
Effects of low-dose oxygen ions and protons on cardiac function and structure in male C57BL/6J mice

Abstract Purpose Astronauts traveling beyond low-Earth orbit will be exposed to high linear-energy transfer charged particles. Because there is concern about the adverse effects of space radiation on the cardiovascular system, this study assessed cardiac function and structure and immune cell infiltration in a mouse model of charged-particle irradiation. Materials and methods Male C57BL/6 J mice were exposed to oxygen ions (16O, 600 MeV/n at 0.25−0.26 Gy/min to a total dose of 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, or 1 Gy), protons (150 MeV, 0.35−0.55 Gy/min to 0, 0.5, or 1 Gy), or protons (150 MeV, 0.5 Gy) followed by 16O (600 MeV/n, 0.1 Gy). Separate groups of mice received 137Cs γ-rays (1 Gy/min to 0, 0.5, 1, or 3 Gy) as a reference. Cardiac function and blood velocity were measured with ultrasonography at 3, 5, 7, and 9 months after irradiation. At 2 weeks, 3 months, and 9 months, cardiac tissue was collected to assess apoptosis, tissue remodeling, and markers of immune cells. Results Ejection fraction and fractional shortening decreased at 3 and 7 months after 16O. These parameters did not change in mice exposed to γ-rays, protons, or protons followed by 16O. Each of the radiation exposures caused only small increases in cleaved caspase-3 and numbers of apoptotic nuclei. Changes in the levels of α-smooth muscle cell actin and a 75-kDa peptide of collagen type III in the left ventricle suggested tissue remodeling, but there was no significant change in total collagen deposition at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 9 months. Increases in protein amounts of cluster of differentiation (CD)2, CD68, and CD45 as measured with immunoblots at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 9 months after exposure to protons or 16O alone suggested immune cell infiltration. For type III collagen, CD2 and CD68, the efficacy in inducing protein abundance of CD2, CD68, and CD45 was 16O > protons > γ-rays > protons followed by 16O. Conclusions Low-dose, high-energy charged-particle irradiation caused mild changes in cardiac function and tissue remodeling in the mouse.
Transsexuals in Public Restrooms: Law, Cultural Geography and Etsitty v. Utah Transit Authority

Utilizing the lens of cultural geography, this article explores the law’s reaction to the presence of transsexuals in public restrooms. The article examines the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision in Etsitty v. Utah Transit Authority, in which the court upheld the firing of a male-to-female transsexual bus driver based on that individual’s desire to use women’s restrooms while on route. The article explores how courts utilize the space of the public restroom to construct transsexual identity and bodies. I argue that by, ignoring their psychosocial identity, the law constructs transsexuals as gender outlaws who pose a threat to other restrooms patrons and therefore are deserving of being banished from those public spaces that are traditionally understood as dedicated to the exclusive use of persons with male or female bodies.
An optimized crawling technique for maintaining fresh repositories

With the rapid increase in demand of digital information via internet, it becomes imperative for search engines to serve up to date information in response to user query. A web crawler plays a vital role in maintaining local cache of search engine. Today, the biggest challenge for web crawler is how to harness fresh information in its local cache of n constantly changing web pages. These web pages often possess dynamic creation and updation cycle. Moreover, the resources for downloading possible updates are limited. This problem is formulated as non-deterministic optimization problem. Many attempts had been made by researchers in past to solve it. But most of existing techniques work well for small value of n and often intractable for large corpus. The paper presents an optimal solution to deal with this non- deterministic problem for large data. The experimental results show that technique achieves promising results as compared to existing crawler.
Managing the Incurable: Older Pain Clinic Patients' Experiences of Managing Treatment-Resistant Chronic Low Back Pain.

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a highly prevalent disabling condition among older adults, and treatment remains a challenge. Limited research has qualitatively examined late-life CLBP and its mana...
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Children: Implementation and Key Diagnostic Applications.

Please see the Editorial Comment by Jeannie K. Kwon discussing this article. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) utilization is expanding rapidly, particularly in children, in whom the modality off...
Cytidine Acetylation Yields a Noninflammatory Synthetic Messenger RNA

Synthetic messenger RNA (mRNA) is an emerging therapeutic platform with important applications in oncology and infectious disease. Effective mRNA medicines must be translated by the ribosome but not trigger a strong nucleic acid-mediated immune response. To expand the medicinal chemistry toolbox for these agents, here we report the properties of the naturally occurring nucleobase N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) in synthetic mRNAs. We find that ac4C is compatible with, but does not enhance, protein production in the context of synthetic mRNA reporters. However, replacement of cytidine with ac4C diminishes inflammatory gene expression in immune cells caused by synthetic mRNAs. Chemoproteomic capture indicates ac4C alters the protein interactome of synthetic mRNAs, reducing binding to cytidine-binding proteins and an immune sensor. Overall, our studies illustrate the unique ability of ac4C to modulate RNA-protein interactions and provide a foundation for using N4-cytidine acylation to fine-tune the properties of nucleic acid therapeutics.
Electrophysiological Predictors of Seropositive and Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis (P3.174)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of RNS decrement between seropositive and seronegative groups. BACKGROUND:Repetitive nerve stimulation and Antibody assessment are routinely performed investigations to confirm a diagnosis of Myasthenia gravis(MG). AchR antibodies are present in 80[percnt], MUSK antibody in 5-10[percnt] and 10-15[percnt] MG patients are double seronegative. DESIGN/METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of MG patients from 2001 to 2014. We reviewed their serological status and RNS studies. Presence of AchR antibodies and MUSK antibody was considered as seropositive while absence of these antibodies was considered as seronegative. >10[percnt] decrement in amplitude in RNS study was considered positive for MG. SPSS 21® was used to organize, validate and analyze collected data. Paired Student9s t-tests were performed to detect significant differences between selected groups. RESULTS:We reviewed 225 patients with MG. 78[percnt] of patients were seropositive (75[percnt] AchR and 2[percnt] MUSK antibody) and 60[percnt] of patients had RNS decrements. RNS decrement was seen in 51[percnt] seropositive and 71[percnt] seronegative patients (P=0.06). Among RNS positive muscles, we had 9 seronegative and 20 seropositive muscles available to review. There was no significant difference found between area or amplitude decrement between seropositive and seronegative groups. A decrement in area was more likely compared to decrement in amplitude in seropositive patients after exercise (P<0.05), but not before exercise. In the seronegative group, a decrement in area was more likely compared to amplitude before and 3 minutes after exercise (p<0.05) but not immediately after exercise, 1 or 2 minutes after exercise. CONCLUSIONS:These findings suggest that a decrement in area is more sensitive compared to amplitude decrement after exercise in seropositive patients. In seronegative patients, an area decrement before and 3 minutes after exercise increase the sensitivity, this will need confirmation in additional cohorts. Study Supported by:none Disclosure: Dr. Gandhi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Velis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Salgado has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity from Belvoir Media Group. Dr. Galvez-Jimenez has received personal compensation for activities with GlaxoSmithKline and Allergan, Inc. as a speaker.
Battered Women's Protective Strategies: Stronger Than You Know

Chapter 1 Introduction: A Re-Framing of Stereotypes of Battered Women Chapter 2 A Holistic Approach to the Complex Problem of Battering Chapter 3 Protective Strategies in the Context of Battered Women's True Risk Burden: The Multitude of Risks Batterers Can Create Chapter 4 Understanding the Full Context of Violence: Financial and Institutional Issues that Constrain Coping Chapter 5 Social Issues, Practical Concerns, and Personal Values that Influence Coping Strategies Chapter 6 Immediate Situational Strategies Chapter 7 Protecting Children, Family, Friends, Co-Workers and Pets Chapter 8 Reaching Out for Social Support and Navigating the Challenges of Information Management Chapter 9 Turning to Spiritual and Religious Resources Chapter 10 Using Formal Services Chapter 11 Invisible Strategies Chapter 12 Bringing a More Holistic Approach to Services and Tools for Intervention Chapter 13 Conclusion: Recognizing Protective Strategies Can Create Progress References Index
Thallium(I) Carbonate

[6533-73-9] CO3Tl2 (MW 468.77) InChI = 1S/CH2O3.2Tl/c2-1(3)4;;/h(H2,2,3,4);;/q;2*+1/p-2 InChIKey = DASUJKKKKGHFBF-UHFFFAOYSA-L (base; promoter of coupling reactions) Physical Data: mp 272 °C; d 7.110 g cm−3. Solubility: sol 24 parts water; 3.7 parts boiling water; sol typical organic solvents; insol alcohol. Form Supplied in: white solid; commercially available. Drying: decomposes on heating. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: all thallium compounds are extremely toxic to inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion. Toxicity is cumulative. Extreme caution should be used when handling these materials. Use in a fume hood.
EXPANSION OF THE DISTURBING FUNCTION BY FACTORIZATION

We present an expansion of the disturbing function for the thirdbody perturbations in the form $$ R = \frac{{\mu _3 }} {{a_3 }}\sum\limits_{n = 2}^\infty {\sum\limits_{m = 0}^n {W_{nm} \varepsilon ^n [X_{nm} X_{nm}^{(3)} + Y_{nm} Y_{nm}^3 ],} } $$ where e is the ratio of semi-major axes (a/a′) and Xnm and Ynm depend only on the five elements e , i , M , ω , Ω of the satellite while X nm (3) and y nm (3) depend on the corresponding elements of the perturbing body. Each one of the four functions X and Y is represented as a product of two factors as opposed to three factors in our previous publication of this subject (Broucke, 1981). We develop several relations for the construction of the X and Y-series. These series are relatively short and can be computed in advance and stored on magnetic tape, for instance.
Interpersonal Circumplex Descriptions of Psychosocial Risk Factors for Physical Illness: Application to Hostility, Neuroticism, and Marital Adjustment

Personality risk factors for physical illness are typically studied individually and apart from risk factors reflecting the social environment, potentially fostering a piecemeal understanding of psychosocial influences on health. Because it can be used to describe both personality and social relationship processes, the interpersonal circumplex (IPC) provides an integrative approach to psychosocial risk. In 301 married couples we examined IPC correlates of 3 risk factor domains: anger, hostility, and aggressiveness; neuroticism; and marital adjustment. Risk factors displayed IPC locations ranging from hostile dominance (e.g., verbal aggressiveness, marital conflict) to hostility (e.g., anger) to hostile submissiveness (e.g., anxiety, depression); protective factors (marital satisfaction and support) reflected warmth or friendliness in the IPC. Similar descriptions were found using self-reports and spouse ratings of IPC dimensions, indicating that interpersonal styles associated with risk factors do not simply reflect common method variance. Findings identify interpersonal processes reflecting low affiliation or high hostility as a common component of risk and indicate distinctions among risk factors along the dominance dimension.
U.S. Real Estate Agent Income and Commercial/Investment Activities

This article uses canonical correlation analysis to investigate the income characteristics of active real estate agents in the United States who elected to participate in commercial and investment ...
The role of cytopathology and cyst fluid analysis in the preoperative diagnosis and management of pancreatic cysts >3 cm.

BACKGROUND Pancreatic cyst size >3 cm is a worrisome rather than high-risk feature for malignancy based on the 2012 International Guidelines for the management of mucinous cysts. The value of cytology in preoperative evaluation and surgical triage is unclear. METHODS All pancreatic cysts >3 cm resected over a 7-year period were evaluated for clinical, radiologic, and pathologic information. Performance of cytology for the detection of malignancy and surgical triage compared with imaging was assessed. RESULTS There were 93 histologically confirmed cysts, 52 of which were mucinous and 41 of which were nonmucinous. Of these, 37% were malignant, including 16 nonmucinous malignancies and 18 mucinous cysts (12 with invasive carcinoma, 6 with high-grade dysplasia). Thirty-nine cysts (41% malignant, 59% benign) were not subject to endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) prior to resection (average size, 6.0 cm). Fifty-four were evaluated by EUS-FNA, with 35 available for review (average size, 5.4 cm). Cytology/cyst fluid analysis had the highest specificity (88.9%) compared with imaging, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the highest sensitivity (100%). MRI had the highest predictive value for mucinous (100%) versus nonmucinous cysts (100%). MRI and EUS were able to predict malignancy from the presence of high-risk imaging features in all cases. Some benign cases also showed high-risk imaging features on MRI (28.6%), computed tomography (32.3%), and EUS (45.8%). Cytology correctly classified 5 of 6 benign cysts with high-risk imaging as benign. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative evaluation of pancreatic cysts >3 cm is warranted, as many are nonmucinous cysts and not high-grade. Cytology is more specific than imaging for the detection of malignancy in cysts >3 cm. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2014;122:804–809. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Sarcolipin orchestrates calcium signaling to regulate muscle metabolism (1162.1)

Sarcolipin(SLN) is 31 amino acid long protein that regulates the Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) activity in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Recently, our lab identified that SLN plays a...
Why Didn't I Hear About It Sooner?: Recruiting Undergraduates into Science Librarianship

SUMMARY This article gives my personal account of how I entered the field of science librarianship. It compares these personal experiences with those of other science librarians using a brief e-mail survey sent to two active science librarian listservs, the Association of College and Research Libraries-Science & Technology Section (ACRL-STS) listserv (STS-L@LISTSERV.UTK.EDU) and the Chemical Information Sources Discussion List (CHMINF-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU). Two hundred twenty-one responses were received. This article also includes strategies for recruiting undergraduate science majors into the profession.
Moving to Second-Stage Treatments Faster: Identifying Midtreatment Tailoring Variables for Youth with Anxiety Disorders.

The current study presents an approach for empirically identifying tailoring variables at midtreatment of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocols for youth with anxiety disorders that can be used to guide moves to second-stage treatments. Using 2 independent data sets (Study 1 N = 240, M age = 9.86 years; Study 2 N = 341; M age = 9.53 years), we examined treatment response patterns after 8 sessions of CBT (i.e., CBT midtreatment). We identified and replicated 3 classes of response patterns at CBT midtreatment: Early Responders, Partial Responders, and Nonresponders. Class membership at CBT midtreatment was predictive of outcome at CBT posttreatment. Receiver operating characteristics curves were used to derive guidelines to optimize accuracy of assignment to classes at CBT midtreatment. These findings support the promise of treatment response at CBT midtreatment to identify tailoring variables for use in abbreviating first-stage treatments and facilitating moves to second-stage treatments.
Towards quantum cosmology without singularities.

In this Brief Report we investigate a cosmological solution with singular scalar fields (a moduli field and the dilaton). We show that after quantizing the scalar fields the quantum corrections smooth out the singularities. In addition, we argue that the incorporation of nonperturbative quantum corrections form a dilaton potential.
Tocolytics used as adjunctive therapy at the time of cerclage placement: a systematic review.

Tocolytics used as adjunctive therapy at the time of cerclage placement: a systematic review
Spreadsheets Solutions of the Boundary Layer Equations

A classical problem in fluid mechanics and heat transfer is boundary layer flow over a flat plate. This problem is used to demonstrate a number of important concepts in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Typically, in a basic course, the equations are derived and the solutions are presented in tabular or chart from. Obtaining the actual solutions is mathematically and numerically too involved to be covered in basic courses. In this paper, it is shown that the similarity solution and the solution to boundary layer equations in the primitive variables can easily be obtained using spreadsheets. Without needing much programming skills, or needing to learn specialized software, undergraduate students can use this approach and obtain the solution and study the impact of different parameters.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
IN SEARCH OF A FUNCTION FOR HEMOLIN, A HEMOLYMPH PROTEIN FROM THE IMMUNOGLOBULIN SUPERFAMILY

Abstract Hemolin, a bacteria-induced protein present in hemolymph of Manduca sexta , is a member of an immunoglobulin gene superfamily. Its function is not yet clear. We have examined the binding characteristics of hemolin to M. sexta hemocytes and to Escherichia coli . Purified hemolin was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate or 125 I and used to study binding of hemolin to hemocytes and bacteria. Hemolin bound to all hemocyte cell types. The binding of hemolin to hemocytes appears to be nonspecific, rather than to a specific receptor molecule. Labeled hemolin also binds to E. coli cells, and this binding was inhibited by competition with unlabeled hemolin, suggesting that hemolin may bind to a specific molecule on the bacterial surface.
Modeling, control, and analysis of a robotic assist device

Abstract This paper presents a model-based approach to control design for an existing lower-limb robotic assist device, the portable powered ankle–foot orthosis (PPAFO). This approach seeks to address two key limitations of the PPAFO caused by the use of solenoid valves: slow system response and inefficient actuation during assistance. System limitations were addressed using a proportional valve coupled with a modified control approach. The two different system configurations were compared in simulation and on an experimental test fixture during motion and torque control tasks. Root mean square (RMS) trajectory tracking error was used to evaluate system performance, while system efficiency was assessed by measuring pneumatic fuel consumed during each task. The proportional valve system reduced RMS tracking error by as much as 91%, and increased efficiency by as much as 95% over the solenoid valve system.
Amide hydrogen exchange shows that malate dehydrogenase is a folded monomer at pH 5

Although there is general agreement that native mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (MDH) exists as a dimer at pH 7, its aggregation state at pH 5 is less certain. The present amide hydrogen exchange study was performed to determine whether MDH remains a dimer at pH 5. To detect pH-induced changes in solvent accessibility, MDH was exposed to D2O at pH 5 or 7, then fragmented with pepsin into peptides that were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Even after adjustments for the effect of pH on the intrinsic rate of hydrogen exchange, large increases in deuterium levels were found at pH 5 only in peptic fragments derived from the subunit binding surface of MDH. In parallel experiments, elevated deuterium levels were also found in the same regions of MDH monomer trapped inside a mutant form of the chaperonin GroEL. This selective increase in hydrogen exchange rates, which was attributed to increased solvent accessibility of these regions, provides new evidence that MDH is a monomer at pH 5.
Hospital Readmission After Pulmonary Lobectomy Is Not Affected by Surgical Approach

Background The aim of this study is to identify the predictors of hospital readmission or early unplanned return to clinic within 30 days of discharge after pulmonary lobectomy. Methods The medical records of patients undergoing lobectomy by the thoracic surgery service between January 2009 and July 2012 were reviewed. All lobectomies were included irrespective of the etiology of disease. Multivariate logistic regression methods were used to identify predictors of readmission and or early unplanned return to clinic. Results Two hundred thirteen patients underwent a pulmonary lobectomy during the study period (median age, 67 years). Pathologic diagnosis was malignant in 94% of the patients and benign in 6%. Minimally invasive approaches were used in 69% of the patients, whereas open thoracotomy was used in 31%. Median hospital length of stay was 4 days, and postoperative mortality occurred in 1 patient (0.5%). The Charlson comorbidity index was 1 ± 1. Predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide were 68% ± 18% and 64% ± 17%, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 31% of patients; 13% required readmission to the hospital within 30 days of discharge or early unplanned return to clinic. Predictors of readmission or early unplanned return to clinic were unplanned transfer to the intensive care unit (odds ratio, 10.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 103.5; p = 0.04) and Charlson comorbidity index greater than 0 (odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 2.03; p = 0.03). Readmission or early unplanned return to clinic was independent of surgical approach ( p = 0.32). Conclusions Patients who require a postoperative transfer to the intensive care unit or with higher Charlson comorbidity index are at higher risk for hospital readmission after pulmonary lobectomy. Readmission was not affected by the surgical approach. Whether a different strategy to follow-up for these high-risk patients can prevent readmission remains to be determined.
Theoretical modeling of crack arrest by inserting interference fit fasteners

The repair technology under consideration involves drilling a number of holes along a crack in a metal part and inserting fasteners (bolts, rivets, or pins) into the holes with a predetermined interference fit. A fracture mechanics-based model is proposed to study the decrease in the crack growth rate after repair. A parametric analysis is performed to discover the effect of geometry and materials on crack retardation. Elastic-plastic contact stress distributions in the specimens during cyclic loading are determined by the finite element method. The results show that a significant enhancement of fatigue life until crack re-initiation can be achieved through an optimal set of parameters: number of fasteners, their material, and interference fit. The model is validated using a comparison of fatigue tests of the specimens.
Developing Improved IO Buffer Behavioral Modeling Methodology Based on IBIS

A new macromodeling methodology based on IBIS (input/output buffer information specification) models is proposed. IBIS models are known to lack information regarding power and ground bounce (Varma, et. al., 2004 and Yang, et. al., 2005) resulting in incorrect system level simulations. The new macromodel works with available simulators and produces models that can be simulated accurately for simultaneous switching noise (SSN). To demonstrate the solution, a CMOS voltage-mode driver circuit and a MICRON DDR2 driver are simulated using HSPICE and compared with equivalent circuits created with IBIS models of the same drivers
Structure of the Aqueous Solvated Electron from Resonance Raman Spectroscopy: Lessons from Isotopic Mixtures

The structure and thermodynamics of the hydrated electron are probed with resonance Raman spectroscopy of isotopic mixtures of H2O and D2O. The strongly enhanced intramolecular bends of e-(H2O) and e-(D2O) produce single downshifted bands, whereas the e-(HOD) bend consists of two components: one slightly upshifted from the 1446 cm-1 bulk frequency to 1457 cm-1 and the other strongly downshifted to ∼1396 cm-1. This 60 cm-1 split and the 200 (120) cm-1 downshifts of the OH (OD) stretch frequencies relative to bulk water reveal that the water molecules that are Franck−Condon coupled to the electron are in an asymmetric environment, with one proton forming a strong hydrogen bond to the electron. The downshifted bend and librational frequencies also indicate significantly weakened torsional restoring forces on the water molecules of e-(aq), which suggests that the outlying proton is a poor hydrogen bond donor to the surrounding solvent. A 1.6-fold thermodynamic preference of the electron for H2O is observed b...
Acute adrenocorticotropin-(1-24) (ACTH) adrenal stimulation in eumenorrheic women: reproducibility and effect of ACTH dose, subject weight, and sampling time.

Assessment of adrenal reserve and the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency by acute adrenocortical stimulation with ACTH-(1–24) has been well established. Alternatively, estimation of adrenocortical enzymatic activities by this method for the detection of inherited or acquired biosynthetic abnormalities has been less well characterized. Some of the discrepancies between studies estimating adrenocortical enzymatic activities in different pathological conditions (e.g. hyperandrogenism) may result from the different stimulation protocols used. The objective of this prospective study was to establish the inherent variability of the adrenal response to acute ACTH-(1–24) stimulation and to determine the effect of sampling time, stimulation dose, and subject weight on the same. Forty-one normal female volunteers were recruited (mean age, 29.1 yr), 30 within 90–110% ideal body weight and 11 weighing more than 120% ideal body weight. Three protocols were designed to study 1) the effects of sampling time, ACTH-(1–24)...
A Focusing Property of the Ellipse

INTRODUCTION. In this article some elementary mathematics will be used to establish and quantify a focusing property of ellipses and ellipsoids. This property is evidently unknown, even though it is quite simple and apparently significant. Possible areas of application include solar energy collection and laser technology; we also use our results to solve an open problem recently posed in this journal. It is a well-known fact from geometry that a light ray which leaves a focus F1 of an ellipse will be reflected to the other focus F2. This is illustrated by the curve F1R1F2 in FIGURE 1. The goal of this article is to describe the long-term behavior of such a light ray, and to describe the corresponding long-term behavior of an idealized spherical wave emitted from one focus of an ellipsoid of revolution.
An assessment of the effective Gaunt factor approximation

Abstract Based on comparisons with recent theoretical data, it is shown that the effective Gaunt factor for Δn = 0 transitions in alkali-like ions is within 25% of unity in most cases and is a slowly varying function of energy. A more complex energy dependence is noted for some non-alkali-like spectra, and especially for Δn ≠ 0 excitations. A method for the approximation of important correlation effects in the target is discussed for transitions of the type ns21S-nsnp 1P0.
Influence of rock strength properties on escarpment retreat across passive continental margins

We examine the influence of bedrock strength properties, imparted by jointing and fracturing, on the retreat of erosional escarpments across passive continental margins. Two types of escarpment are identified, and focus is placed on the gorge head–knickpoint form of escarpment, where upland streams drain across the escarpment. Along the Macleay River system of eastern Australia, major knickpoints associated with escarpment retreat are currently located about 200 km upstream from the river mouth, despite differences in bedrock lithology and order-of-magnitude differences in drainage areas upstream of the gorge heads, implying an average escarpment retreat rate of 2 km/m.y. since the margin formed 85 m.y. ago. Field observations from Apsley River gorge, a Macleay River tributary, indicate that bedrock jointing profoundly affects the evolution of the gorge headwall and sidewalls. Where dominant jointing dips into hillslopes, failure occurs by block and column toppling. Conversely, where jointing dips out of hillslopes, mass wasting occurs by joint-parallel rock sliding, allowing slopes to remain steep. As material is shed from the gorge sidewalls, the toppling slopes develop lower overall gradients, the gorge becomes asymmetric in cross section, and the channel remains nearer to the steeper sidewall affected by joint-parallel sliding. Coupling between fluvial and hillslope processes is essential to maintain headward propagation of the knickpoint–gorge head and to facilitate mass wasting from the gorge sidewalls. Peak stream discharge across the gorge head must exceed a threshold sufficient to transport debris away from the gorge head to keep the knickpoint rock face free of talus, to incise the stream channel, and to erode the toes of the sidewalls. If these conditions on fluvial processes are met, then hillslope processes, including rockslope failure mechanisms, are the rate controlling processes for knickpoint propagation and therefore determine the rate of escarpment retreat across the passive margin.
Linking linear programming and spatial simulation models to predict landscape effects of forest management alternatives

Forest management planners require analytical tools to assess the effects of alternative strategies on the sometimes disparate benefits from forests such as timber production and wildlife habitat. We assessed the spatial patterns of alternative management strategies by linking two models that were developed for different purposes. We used a linear programming model (Spectrum) to optimize timber harvest schedules, then a simulation model (HARVEST) to project those schedules in a spatially explicit way and produce maps from which the spatial pattern of habitat could be calculated. We demonstrated the power of this approach by evaluating alternative plans developed for a national forest plan revision in Wisconsin, USA. The amount of forest interior habitat was inversely related to the amount of timber cut, and increased under the alternatives compared to the current plan. The amount of edge habitat was positively related to the amount of timber cut, and increased under all alternatives. The amount of mature northern hardwood interior and edge habitat increased for all alternatives, but mature pine habitat area varied. Mature age classes of all forest types increased, and young classes decreased under all alternatives. The average size of patches (defined by age class) generally decreased. These results are consistent with the design goals of each of the alternatives, but reveal that the spatial differences among the alternatives are modest. These complementary models are valuable for quantifying and comparing the spatial effects of alternative management strategies.
A vocal placement model: I. Perceptual aspects.

Abstract A study of the perception of vocal placement was carried out to determine if speakers and listeners could agree about the speakers' intents in “placing” productions of vowels and sentences at different locations in the vocal tract. The model tested divided the vocal tract into five volumes from the laryngopharynx to the lips. The results showed that naive listeners, as a group, achieved significant concordance of agreement with the speakers' intents in placement. The speakers were much superior to the naive listeners in a delayed-judgment self-listening task. It was concluded that the vocal tract model has perceptual validity.
Leiomyoma of spermatic cord with unusual features

We describe a case of a patient with osseous metaplasia and chronic inflammatory changes in a leiomyoma of the spermatic cord, as well as a lipoma of the cord with similar changes. The differential diagnosis and possible etiology of these findings are presented.
Crystal structure of a B-form DNA duplex containing (L)-alpha-threofuranosyl (3'-->2') nucleosides: a four-carbon sugar is easily accommodated into the backbone of DNA

(L)-alpha-Threofuranosyl-(3'-->2')-oligonucleotides (TNA) containing vicinally connected phosphodiester linkages undergo informational base pairing in an antiparallel strand orientation and are capable of cross-pairing with RNA and DNA. TNA is derived from a sugar containing only four carbon atoms and is one of the simplest potentially natural nucleic acid alternatives investigated thus far in the context of a chemical etiology of nucleic acid structure. Compared to DNA and RNA that contain six covalent bonds per repeating nucleotide unit, TNA contains only five. We have determined the atomic-resolution crystal structure of the B-form DNA duplex [d(CGCGAA)Td(TCGCG)](2) containing a single (L)-alpha-threofuranosyl thymine (T) per strand. In the modified duplex base stacking interactions are practically unchanged relative to the reference DNA structure. The orientations of the backbone at the TNA incorporation sites are slightly altered in order to accommodate fewer atoms and covalent bonds. The conformation of the threose is C4'-exo with the 2'- and 3'-substituents assuming quasi-diaxial orientation.