cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HIV Provider Documentation and Actions Following Patient Reports of At-risk Behaviors and Conditions When Identified by a Web-Based Point-of-Care Assessment.

We compared same-day provider medical record documentation and interventions addressing depression and risk behaviors before and after delivering point-of-care patient-reported outcomes (PROs) feedback for patients who self-reported clinically relevant levels of depression or risk behaviors. During the study period (1 January 2006–15 October 2010), 2289 PRO assessments were completed by HIV-infected patients. Comparing the 8 months before versus after feedback implementation, providers were more likely to document depression (74% before vs. 87% after feedback, p = 0.02) in patients with moderate-to-severe depression (n = 317 assessments), at-risk alcohol use (41 vs. 64%, p = 0.04, n = 155) and substance use (60 vs. 80%, p = 0.004, n = 212). Providers were less likely to incorrectly document good adherence among patients with inadequate adherence after feedback (42 vs. 24%, p = 0.02, n = 205). While PRO feedback of depression and adherence were followed by increased provider intervention, other domains were not. Further investigation of factors associated with the gap between awareness and intervention are needed in order to bridge this divide.
Web-based Social Media Intervention to Increase Vaccine Acceptance: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Interventions to address vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccine acceptance are needed. This study sought to determine if a Web-based, social media intervention increases early childhood immunization. METHODS: A 3-arm, randomized controlled trial was conducted in Colorado from September 2013 to July 2016. Participants were pregnant women, randomly assigned (3:2:1) to a Web site with vaccine information and interactive social media components (VSM), a Web site with vaccine information (VI), or usual care (UC). Vaccination was assessed in infants of participants from birth to age 200 days. The primary outcome was days undervaccinated, measured as a continuous and dichotomous variable. RESULTS: Infants of 888 participants were managed for 200 days. By using a nonparametric rank-based analysis, mean ranks for days undervaccinated were significantly lower in the VSM arm versus UC ( P = .02) but not statistically different between the VI and UC ( P = .08) or between VSM and VI arms ( P = .63). The proportions of infants up-to-date at age 200 days were 92.5, 91.3, and 86.6 in the VSM, VI, and UC arms, respectively. Infants in the VSM arm were more likely to be up-to-date than infants in the UC arm (odds ratio [OR] = 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–3.47). Up-to-date status was not statistically different between VI and UC arms (OR = 1.62; 95% CI, 0.87–3.00) or between the VSM and VI arms (OR = 1.19, 95% CI, 0.70–2.03). CONCLUSIONS: Providing Web-based vaccine information with social media applications during pregnancy can positively influence parental vaccine behaviors.
Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Recent Trends and Developments

For decades, the accepted view in organizational psychology was that job satisfaction and job performance were unrelated. However, recent years have found increasing evidence that satisfaction, while not strongly related to task productivity by individuals, is more closely related to a different kind of contribution, which is referred to as organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Furthermore, research in the past two decades has enriched the theoretical and empirical knowledge base of OCB, examining its relationship to culture, attitudes, personality, mood state, stress, and organizational performance.
For Black men, being tall increases threat stereotyping and police stops

Height seems beneficial for men in terms of salaries and success; however, past research on height examines only White men. For Black men, height may be more costly than beneficial, primarily signaling threat rather than competence. Three studies reveal the downsides of height in Black men. Study 1 analyzes over 1 million New York Police Department stop-and-frisk encounters and finds that tall Black men are especially likely to receive unjustified attention from police. Then, studies 2 and 3 experimentally demonstrate a causal link between perceptions of height and perceptions of threat for Black men, particularly for perceivers who endorse stereotypes that Black people are more threatening than White people. Together, these data reveal that height is sometimes a liability for Black men, particularly in contexts in which threat is salient.
Exploring the role of justification and cognitive effort exertion on post-purchase regret in online shopping

Decision justification provides assurance and reduces negative post-decision emotions, while simultaneously expends decision costs (i.e., cognitive effort). The current paper investigated the function of justification and cognitive effort related to regret, specifically in the online shopping context in two studies. In Study 1, 112 participants reviewed vignettes in a 22 within-subjects design involving cognitive effort (high versus low) and justification of action (easy versus difficulty), and reported the regret level when their purchase decision yielded subpar consequences. As expected, high cognitive effort and easy justification reduced regret. However, the effect of justification on regret was moderated by cognitive effort. In Study 2, 178 participants were randomly assigned to conditions in a 22 between-subjects design involving cognitive effort (high versus low) and decision justification (waste versus control). Participants followed a cover story and shopped for a laptop online; then they rated the regret level had they made an unplanned purchase. Results confirmed the hypothesis; regret was greater when justification was wasted. However, wasted justification only worsened regret when more cognitive effort was exerted. The current studies shed light on understanding an intricate dynamic between information processing and justification in relation to regret when shopping online. Modeled experienced regret as a function of cognitive effort and justification during online shopping.Supported positive effect of cognitive effort in regret reduction.Showed cognitive effort moderates the effect of justification.Demonstrated that the negative effect of unplanned purchasing on regret is moderated by the degree of cognitive effort.
Type I interferon and IL-12 induce phenotypic variegation of human CD4+ T cells (43.7)

Antigen presenting cells secrete distinct patterns of innate cytokines upon activation via Toll-like receptors (TLRs). These innate cytokines shape adaptive immune responses to pathogens. For example, interleukin 12 (IL-12) is produced in response to bacterial recognition via TLRs 2, 4, 5, and 6. IL-12 induces CD4 + T helper 1 (Th1) cell development through the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4), leading to the secretion of interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Conversely, during viral infection, signaling through TLRs 3, 7, and 9 results in the secretion of both IL-12 and type I interferon (IFN-α/β). The effects of combined IL-12 and IFN-α/β stimulation on T helper development are not well-studied. We have demonstrated that activation of naive CD4 + T cells in the presence of IFN-α/β alone fails to induce Th1 development. However, a combination of IL-12 and IFN-α/β induces phenotypic variegation to generate two populations of T helper cells. An effector population secretes both IFN-γ and IFN-α/β, and these cells are efficient in eliminating viral infections in vitro . A second subset displays memory properties and may be involved in long-term viral immunity. Furthermore, these two subsets can be distinguished by expression of chemokine receptors. These data have important implications for the understanding of viral infections as well as for the development of novel vaccines and therapies.
Regulation of calcium transport by the mammalian retinal pigment epithelium

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a transporting epithelial monolayer that regulates the composition of the subretinal space bathing the photoreceptor outer segments. Calcium concentration in...
Understanding the impact congruent images and news articles have on mood and attitude

As more people turn online to get their news, the significance of online advertisements becomes even more important to companies seeking to enhance their bottom line. This paper is part of a larger project looking into how the congruency of online news articles and advertisements affect user's moods and attitudes towards both the ad and news article. Preliminary results indicate that congruency does impact user's moods and attitudes.
Methods for Collecting Large-Scale Non-Expert Text Coding

The task of coding text for discrete categories or quantifiable scales is a classic problem in political science. Traditionally, this task is executed by qualified “experts.” While productive, this method is time consuming, resource intensive, and introduces bias. In the following paper I present the findings from a series of experiments developed to assess the viability of using crowd-sourcing platforms for political text coding, and how variations in the collection mechanism affects the quality of output. To do this, the labor pool available on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform were asked to identify policy statements and positions from a text corpus of party manifestos. To evaluate the quality of the the non-expert codings, this text corpus is also coded by multiple experts for comparison. The evidence from these experiments show that crowd-sourcing is an effective alternative means to generating quantitative categorization from text. The presence of a filter on workers increases the quality of output, but variation on that filter have little affect. The primary weakness of the non-experts participating in these experiments is their systematic inability to identify texts that contain no policy statement.
The Impact of Sexual Satisfaction, Functioning, and Perceived Contraceptive Effects on Sex Life on IUD and Implant Continuation at 1 Year

Abstract Introduction Contraceptives improve women's lives and public health, but many women discontinue their contraceptive method owing to dissatisfaction. An underexamined aspect of contraceptive discontinuation is sexual acceptability, or how contraception affects sexual experiences. Investigators' aims were two-fold: 1) to document changes in multiple domains of women's sexual experiences with their intrauterine device (IUD) or contraceptive implant over time and 2) to examine whether these sexuality factors were associated with method continuation at 12 months. Methods We enrolled 200 eligible family planning clients and collected data at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Sexual acceptability measures included the Female Sexual Function Index-6, the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale, and participants’ perceptions of whether their contraceptive method had had a neutral, positive, or negative effect on their sex life. Survival analysis and Cox regression with time-varying covariates related sexuality measures to method continuation over time while controlling for other relevant factors. Results Among 193 women who received an IUD or implant, 20% selected the copper IUD, 46% the levonorgestrel IUD, and 34% the etonogestrel implant. Ten percent discontinued their method during the year. Although changes in Female Sexual Function Index-6 and New Sexual Satisfaction Scale scores were not associated with discontinuation, individuals who perceived that their method detracted from their sexual experience had significantly higher removal rates than those who reported no sexual changes or positive sexual changes (adjusted hazard ratio, 8.04; 95% CI, 1.53–42.24), even when controlling for method type, bleeding changes, and a variety of covariates and controls. Conclusions Although limited by the small sample of discontinuers, we found that women's perceptions of how their method affects their sex life were associated with contraceptive continuation over time. Sexual acceptability should receive more attention in both contraceptive research and counseling.
Audience Reaction to Comedic Advertising Violence After Exposure to Violent Media

AbstractAs comedic violence has increased in advertising, questions arise about whether and when it is effective. This research addresses the impact that audience preexposure to violent (nonviolent...
Integration of flow battery for resilience enhancement of advanced distribution grids

Abstract This paper presents a real-time simulation and hardware-based approach for systematic integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in advanced distribution grids with a special focus on resilience. Advanced distribution grids are considered to be functionally more sophisticated than traditional ones. The desirable advanced functionalities include – reconfiguration, real-time sensing, DERs, self-healing, etc. Some of these functionalities are currently being realized by microgrids as well. However, it is not feasible to convert each section of a distribution grid into a microgrid, but can be instituted with functionalities by design and controls at relatively lower costs. Interconnection of DERs, including energy storage to improve reliability and resilience is presented in details. Resilience of distribution grids is gaining greater importance and research towards enhancing it utilizing DERs is a key area. A real-time resilience framework with Analytical Hierarchical Processes (AHP) is developed that adapts to changing configurations, DERs, switching operations, grid conditions, etc. to provide an accurate and adoptable composite resilience metric. This framework and the composite resilience metric can play a unique role in operational and design decisions for operating future distribution grids. Advanced functionalities such as scenario-based reconfiguration in distribution grids are considered, with resilience metrics as performance criteria for choosing a preferred combination. Simulations are performed using Digital Real-Time Simulator (DRTS) and characterized response of flow battery validated against actual flow battery hardware is imposed to provide realistic results. Reconfiguration program is interfaced with DRTS for bi-directional real-time communication. Key contributions include enhancement of resilience of distribution grids using energy storage system under dynamic operating conditions.
Gilbert Based Power Detector for 5G mm-Wave Transceivers Built-in-Self Test

This paper describes the design and measurement results of a Gilbert Cell based power detector (PD) for built-in Self-Test (BiST) applications in 5G mm-Wave operating at (24–30 GHz) frequency range. The PD is designed and fabricated in TSMC 0.18um BiCMOS technology. This detector is designed for digitally-assisted calibration for transmitter imperfection such as LO feedthrough and Image Rejection. The proposed differential Gilbert based implementation results in a 58dB common-mode rejection required for LO feedthrough and image rejection calibrations. In the matched frequency range, the simulated input dynamic range is over 48 dB, the detector response is varying by around ±1.25 dB for a given input RF power, as the RF frequency is swept across the operating frequency range. Static power consumption is 16mW from a 3.3 V supply.
Sigmoidectomy for Diverticulitis-A Propensity-Matched Comparison of Minimally Invasive Approaches.

Abstract Background As the availability and use of robotic surgery increases, current data suggest comparable outcomes to laparoscopic surgery but at an increased cost. Elective sigmoid resection for diverticular disease is the most common colorectal application of robotic surgery and there is limited comparative data specifically for this indication. Methods We identified all elective cases of laparoscopic- and robot-assisted surgery for diverticular disease among a practice of 7 colorectal surgeons within an established enhanced recovery protocol. We performed propensity matching based on surgical indications (recurrent disease, ongoing symptoms, or fistula), stoma creation, and body mass index to create a matched cohort. Our primary outcomes were return of bowel function, length of stay, opioid use, and pain scores during the first 72 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were operative room and hospital charges. Results From 2011 to 2016, 69 robotic cases were propensity matched from a group of 222 laparoscopic cases to create a 1:1 case ratio that was equivalent in terms of patient demographics and operative indications. Time to first bowel movement was slightly quicker in the robotic group (1 [1] versus 2 [1.5], P = 0.09), while length of stay (3.5 [1.6] versus 3.6 [1.4] d, P = 0.64) was equivalent. Pain scores were lower in the robotic group on day 0 (4.6 versus 6.1, P = 0.0001), but similar on day 1 and day 2 (4.3 versus 4.1, P = 0.62 and 3.8 versus 3.3, P = 0.19). There was no difference in postoperative 72-h opioid use between groups (110.8 MME [144.5] versus 97.4 MME [101.5], P = 0.70). In the robotic arm operating room charges were slightly more ($2835 ± $394 versus $2196 ± $359, P Conclusions Via a carefully matched cohort of elective sigmoid resection for diverticular disease at a single community institution, we have demonstrated that laparoscopic- and robotic-assisted surgery result in clinically equivalent return of bowel function, length of stay, postoperative pain, and opioid use.
Aerosolized Survanta in neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Phase I Study

Purpose: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in preterm infants (PTI). Intratracheal surfactant instillation, the only approved means of surfactant delivery, requires endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation (MV) with their attendant risks. Widespread use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for initial respiratory support of PTI not only averts the need for intubation and MV but also delays surfactant instillation. We hypothesized that treatment of RDS with aerosolized surfactant (AS) in PTI undergoing NIV is safe and feasible. Methods: We initiated an unblinded Phase I study …
Multi-Object Search using Object-Oriented POMDPs

A core capability of robots is to reason about multiple objects under uncertainty. Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs) provide a means of reasoning under uncertainty for sequential decision making, but are computationally intractable in large domains. In this paper, we propose Object-Oriented POMDPs (OO-POMDPs), which represent the state and observation spaces in terms of classes and objects. The structure afforded by OO-POMDPs support a factorization of the agent’s belief into independent object distributions, which enables the size of the belief to scale linearly versus exponentially in the number of objects. We formulate a novel Multi-Object Search (MOS) task as an OO-POMDP for mobile robotics domains in which the agent must find the locations of multiple objects. Our solution exploits the structure of OO-POMDPs by featuring human language to selectively update the belief at task onset. Using this structure, we develop a new algorithm for efficiently solving OO-POMDPs: Object-Oriented Partially Observable Monte-Carlo Planning (OOPOMCP). We show that OO-POMCP with grounded language commands is sufficient for solving challenging MOS tasks both in simulation and on a physical mobile robot.
Improving the Quality and Timeliness of Discharge Summaries by Implementing a Comprehensive Discharge Bundle

Purpose: The transition of care between hospitalists and primary care providers (PCPs) is a vulnerable step in the journey of hospitalized patients and their families, reliant on the communication at discharge. While discharge summaries (DS) using electronic medical record could be an ideal tool of sharing information, prior studies have shown inconsistent content and timeliness, lack of standardization, and differing expectations between hospitalists and PCPs. In our tertiary care academic institution, we implemented a discharge bundle aiming to achieve a timely completion and transmission of …
Unlocking a Secret Stash of Energy

In this issue of Joule, Dahn and coworkers present the development of a hybrid lithium-ion/lithium-metal cell that allows for an extra boost of capacity when needed. This battery has the potential to help eliminate range anxiety with electric vehicles.
Increased Purkinje Cell Complex Spike and Deep Cerebellar Nucleus Synchrony as a Potential Basis for Syndromic Essential Tremor. A Review and Synthesis of the Literature

We review advances in understanding Purkinje cell (PC) complex spike (CS) physiology that suggest increased CS synchrony underlies syndromic essential tremor (ET). We searched PubMed for papers describing factors that affect CS synchrony or cerebellar circuits potentially related to tremor. Inferior olivary (IO) neurons are electrically coupled, with the degree of coupling controlled by excitatory and GABAergic inputs. Clusters of coupled IO neurons synchronize CSs within parasagittal bands via climbing fibers (Cfs). When motor cortex is stimulated in rats at varying frequencies, whisker movement occurs at ~10 Hz, correlated with synchronous CSs, indicating that the IO/CS oscillatory rhythm gates movement frequency. Intra-IO injection of the GABAA receptor antagonist picrotoxin increases CS synchrony, increases whisker movement amplitude, and induces tremor. Harmaline and 5-HT2a receptor activation also increase IO coupling and CS synchrony and induce tremor. The hotfoot17 mouse displays features found in ET brains, including cerebellar GluRδ2 deficiency and abnormal PC Cf innervation, with IO- and PC-dependent cerebellar oscillations and tremor likely due to enhanced CS synchrony. Heightened coupling within the IO oscillator leads, through its dynamic control of CS synchrony, to increased movement amplitude and, when sufficiently intense, action tremor. Increased CS synchrony secondary to aberrant Cf innervation of multiple PCs likely also underlies hotfoot17 tremor. Deep cerebellar nucleus (DCN) hypersynchrony may occur secondary to increased CS synchrony but might also occur from PC axonal terminal sprouting during partial PC loss. Through these combined mechanisms, increased CS/DCN synchrony may plausibly underlie syndromic ET.
Megalopolis 50 Years on: The Transformation of a City Region

This article examines Megalopolis 50 years after Gottmann’s seminal study of the most urbanized region of the US Eastern Seaboard. His study provides an invaluable datum point, and we use it as a benchmark for reexamining the socio-spatial transformations of a city region. After redefining Megalopolis and showing major aggregate trends since 1950, we analyze 39 selected variables for place level census data for 2,353 places to perform a principal components analysis (PCA). Our analysis shows that Megalopolis remains a significant center for the nation’s population and economic activity. A half century of urban restructuring demonstrates that the forces of urban decentralization have made the region a more fully suburbanized agglomeration. We reveal a complex socioeconomic pattern of a vast urban area structured by class, education, housing tenure, housing age, and race and ethnicity. The cluster analysis reveals five distinct clusters of urban places identified by our PCA: ‘affluent places’, ‘places of poverty’, ‘Black middle class places’, ‘immigrant gateway places’ and ‘middle America places’.
Investigation of phase evolution within ZnO–Bi2O3 varistors utilizing thin film prototypes

Varistors are technologically important for their large energy handling capabilities and highly nonlinear electrical behavior when voltages above a characteristic switch field are applied. It is generally accepted that the prototypical ZnO–Bi2O3 varistor system forms electrostatic Schottky barriers at grain boundaries in response to residual Bi and other dopants left at grain surfaces during Bi2O3 segregation. While barrier heights can be modulated with formulation and defect chemistry, mechanisms by which dopant locations, defect compensation, and local phases determine varistor behavior are not completely understood. Bulk studies are challenging due to random grain boundary formation and difficulties studying individual boundaries. To circumvent these challenges in the ZnO–Bi2O3 varistor system, we use as-deposited and post-heat-treated thin film ZnO–Bi2O3 prototypes to simulate bulk varistor grain boundary phase formation and investigate resulting defect chemistry. Characterizing interactions between Bi2O3 films deposited on thin film and single-crystal ZnO by XRD and TEM-EDS revealed primarily Zn-out diffusion, resulting in two (Bi2O3)1−x(ZnO)x, or BZO, phases. Using these results, we present a saturated front model correlating changes in Bi2O3 thickness to phase evolution. We subsequently explore the influence of MnO doping leading to substantial changes in phase evolution for post-heat-treated (Mn:ZnO)–Bi2O3 stacks. Dopant-controlled Bi2O3 phase formations yield a 12 × difference, on average, between nonlinear coefficients for γ*- and β*-BZO.
Social Networks and Problem-solving in the Context of Biopharmaceutical Research and Development

Problem-solving is a vital aspect of scientific innovation. It is especially important in the biopharmaceutical field which, despite its innovative reputation, faces high project failure rates. To ...
Thermodynamic calculations for the chemical vapor deposition of hexagonal boron nitride using triethylboron, ammonia, and hydrogen

Abstract The presence of C in B(C2H5)3 makes possible its incorporation into hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) thin films grown during chemical vapor deposition (CVD) under select process conditions. A series of CVD phase diagrams that indicate the regions of stability of the phases of h-BN, C and B4C as a function of temperature and input mole ratio of reactants (N/B) under set pressures and H2 diluent-to-reactant mole ratios (H2/(B + N)) have been calculated and analyzed for the TEB/NH3/H2 system. The equilibrium calculations showed that within the total pressure range of 0.01-100 Torr, increasing the H2 content in the TEB/NH3/H2 gas mixture tends to suppress the stability of C throughout a 400–1600 °C temperature range, but it also suppresses the stability of h-BN at higher temperatures. Further, it was determined that increasing the total system pressure suppresses the occurrence of C as a second phase while expanding the stability of h-BN. The thermodynamic equilibrium results were compared to the results of experimental investigations involving the CVD synthesis of sp2-BN as a means to evaluate their usefulness as a guide for avoiding the co-deposition of C and B4C with h-BN.
Disease outcomes and biomarkers of progression in smouldering Waldenström macroglobulinaemia.

Patients with asymptomatic/smouldering Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia (SWM) have a variable risk of progression to active WM. Our study evaluated 143 patients with SWM consecutively seen between January 1996 and December 2013. With a median [95% confidence interval (CI)] follow-up of 9·5 [8·1-11·5] years, the cumulative rate of progression was 11% at 1 year, 38% at 3 years and 55% at 5 years. On multivariate analysis, haemoglobin (Hb) ≤123 g/l [risk ratio (RR) 2·08; P = 0·009] and β2 -microglobulin (β2 M) ≥2·7 µg/ml (RR 2·0; P = 0·01) were independent predictors of a shorter time-to-progression (TTP) to active WM. Patients with myeloid differentiation factor 88 wild type (MYD88WT ) genotype (n = 11) demonstrated a trend toward shorter TTP [median (95% CI) 1·7 (0·7-8·7) vs. 4·7 (2·4-7·7) years for the MYD88L265P cohort, n = 42; P = 0·11]. The presence of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) mutation (n = 29) did not impact the TTP (median: 3 years for CXCR4WT vs. 5·6 years for CXCR4MUT , P = 0·34). The overall survival (OS) for patients with SWM (median: 18·1 years) was comparable to an age-, sex- and calendar year-matched USA population (median: 20·3 years, P = 0·502). In conclusion, Hb and β2 M at diagnosis represent independent predictors of progression to active WM. Comparable survival of SWM and a matched USA population argues against pre-emptive intervention in this patient population.
Quantifying the risk of falls and injuries for amputees beyond annual fall rates—A longitudinal cohort analysis based on person-step exposure over time

Abstract People with lower-limb loss (PLL) have high annual fall and injury rates. People with transtibial amputations have better walking function than those with transfemoral amputations but paradoxically incur more fall-related injuries. Risk exposure, however, has not been previously considered. This study examined whether all-cause fall and injury incidence per person-step exposure over time varied in PLL of different walking abilities. The prospective cohort design, conducted at a major medical center, included five assessments 1-month apart. Walking ability level was categorized by Houghton Scale scores: ≥9 indicating community walking and ≤ 8 indicating limited community-household walking. Accelerometer-measured daily step counts were collected via StepWatch4 monitors. The main outcome measures, self-reported all-cause falls and injuries were assessed using the standard National Health Injury Survey. Generalized estimating equations, using Poisson distributions and log of step count as an offset, determined fall and injury incidence rate ratio [IRR] according to walking ability level. Ten people, aged 33–63 years with amputations of different causes and levels, were assessed monthly over five months. The community walking group (n = 6) had six falls and seven injuries; the limited community walking group (n = 4) had four falls and three injuries. For PLL, limited community walking ability was associated with higher incidence of falls (IRR = 6.10, 95%CI = 1.12–33.33, p = 0.037) and injuries (IRR = 8.56, 95%CI = 1.73–42.40, p = 0.009) when accounting for person-steps. Considering per person-step exposure over time added precision to fall and injury risk assessment that clarified the risks: PLL with limited community walking ability have higher fall and injury risks.
Botulinum Neurotoxin Treatment of Unusual and Rare Painful Disorders

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) can relieve painful muscle spasms through inhibition of acetylcholine release and alleviate neuropathic pain via blocking the release of pain mediators such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), glutamate, substance P (SP), and others (detailed in Chap. 2). In addition to the common pain disorders discussed in the preceding chapters, data is now available on the possible efficacy of BoNTs in alleviating pain in uncommon and rare disorders.
Mutagenesis of cysteines in the hormone binding domain of the human estrogen receptor: Alterations in binding and transcriptional activation by covalently and reversibly attaching ligands

We have carried out experiments to determine the role of the cysteines in the hormone-binding domain (HBD) of the human estrogen receptor (ER) in receptor function. In each mutant receptor, 1 of the 4 cysteines in the HBD (cysteines 381, 417, 447, and 530) was changed by in vitro mutagenesis of the ER cDNA (containing Gly400) from cysteine to alanine; Cys530 was also mutated to a serine. The mutant and wild-type receptor cDNAs were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells using an expression vector containing the Rous sarcoma virus promoter. The mutant and wild-type receptors were assayed for hormone binding and for their ability to activate estrogen-responsive reporter plasmids. All ER mutants bound estradiol (E2) with affinity similar to wild-type ER, displaying a Kd between 0.3 and 0.8 nM (wild-type ER Kd = 0.45 +/- 0.10 nM). All were capable of covalent labeling by the affinity ligands ketononestrol aziridine, an estrogen agonist, and tamoxifen aziridine, an antagonist. Since in previous work we identified Cys530 as the site of covalent attachment of these ligands (Harlow, K.W., Smith, D.N., Katzenellenbogen, J.A., Greene, G.L., and Katzenellenbogen, B.S. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 17476-17485) it appears that an alternate residue(s) can be labeled in the absence of a cysteine at position 530; studies with methyl methanethiosulfonate, a cysteine-specific reagent, suggest that this residue is probably another cysteine in the HBD. The C381A, C417A, C530A and C530S ERs showed E2-stimulated transcriptional activation profiles similar to wild-type ER whereas the dose response for E2 for the C447A mutant was shifted to the right, requiring 50 x higher E2 concentrations to achieve half-maximal response. Tamoxifen aziridine inhibited E2-stimulated transcription, and ketononestrol aziridine stimulated transcription by wild-type, C530A, and C530S ER, but the effectiveness of these covalently attaching ligands was altered in the C530A and C530S mutants. Thus, these two mutant receptors are altered in their transactivation response to agonist and antagonist affinity labeling ligands but are unaltered in their response to reversibly binding estrogens and antiestrogens. In addition, we show that a mutant ER (C447A) can have an affinity for E2 similar to that of wild-type ER but differs in its ability to activate transcription in response to E2, indicating a decoupling of the hormone binding and transcriptional activation functions in this receptor.
Rent-seeking behavior in the long-run

The original work on rent-seeking conjectured that rent-seeking expenditures would completely dissipate the rent sought (Posner, 1975; Becker, 1968). Presently it appears to be accepted as a fundamental tenet in spite of the lack of knowledge of how such a result would come about (Demsetz, 1976; Foster, 1981). Tullock (1980) using a game-theoretic approach with a Cournot-Nash (C-N) response function showed that total expenditures can be greater than, equal to, or less than the rent payoff depending on the number of players and the marginal cost of influencing the probability of winning. Corcoran (1983) extended Tullock’s model to a long-run setting, i.e., free entry, and found that under these conditions rents will be dissipated. Tullock (1983) agreed in part, but still maintained that where marginal costs were rapidly falling or rising throughout, Corcoran’s long-run solution does not pertain.
Determination of void shapes, sizes, numbers and locations inside an object with known surface temperatures and heat fluxes

During the past several years we have developed an inverse method that allows a thermal cooling system designer to determine proper sizes, shapes, and locations of coolant fluid passages (holes) in, say, an internally cooled turbine blade. The internally cooled object can be made of materials having distinct thermal diffusivities. Thermal expansion has been neglected although, in principle, it could be included. The result is a simple Laplace’s equation for the steady temperature field over a multiply connected domain that is subject to overspecified thermal boundary conditions. This same methodology with minor modifications concerning the type of thermal boundary conditions has been utilized in the nondestructive detection of possible voids in objects with known surface temperature and heat flux distributions.
Mechanically programmed shape change in laminated elastomeric composites

Soft, anisotropic materials, such as myocardium in the heart and the extracellular matrix surrounding cells, are commonly found in nature. This anisotropy leads to specialized responses and is imperative to material functionality, yet few soft materials exhibiting similar anisotropy have been developed. Our group introduced an anisotropic shape memory elastomeric composite (A-SMEC) composed of non-woven, aligned polymer fibers embedded in an elastomeric matrix. The composite exhibited shape memory (SM) behavior with significant anisotropy in room-temperature shape fixing. Here, we exploit this anisotropy by bonding together laminates with oblique anisotropy such that tensile deformation at room temperature – mechanical programming – results in coiling. This response is a breakthrough in mechanical programming, since non-affine shape change is achieved by simply stretching the layered A-SMECs at room temperature. We will show that pitch and curvature of curled geometries depend on fiber orientations and the degree of strain programmed into the material. To validate experimental results, a model was developed that captures the viscoplastic response of A-SMECs. Theoretical results correlated well with experimental data, supporting our conclusions and ensuring attainability of predictable curling geometries. We envision these smart, soft, shape changing materials will have aerospace and medical applications.
Increased use of partial nephrectomy to treat high-risk disease.

Objectives To evaluate partial nephrectomy (PN) use in patients at higher risk for clinical progression, using a large national database of American patients. Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients with cN0/cM0 renal cell carcinoma from 2003 to 2011 using the National Cancer Data Base. Our primary endpoint was PN use for high-risk disease, defined as ≥1 adverse pathological features (APF), namely pT3 stage, high grade, or unfavourable histology. Our secondary endpoint was positive surgical margins (PSM) associated with high-risk disease after PN. Time trends were analysed using the asymptotic Cochran–Armitage trend test. Relationships between patient, provider, and pathological factors and the likelihood of PN were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results Of 183 886 surgically treated patients, 27.4% underwent PN. Over time, PN use increased overall (17.4–39.7%) and in tumours with ≥1 APF (8.5–24.2%) (P < 0.01). In patients with ≥1 APF, multivariate analysis revealed that academic practice setting and high surgical volume were positively associated with PN use, while increasing tumour size and preoperative biopsy were negatively associated with its use (P < 0.01). The PSM rate after PN also increased significantly over time in all patients and in those harbouring adverse pathology (P < 0.01). Aside from time, older age, larger tumour size, community hospital type, and robotic approach were associated with PSM in the setting of APF (P < 0.01). Conclusion PN use for patients with adverse pathology is increasing and is associated with increasing PSM. The long-term oncological implications of these trends are unclear and warrant further study.
Cognitive Archaeology and the Cognitive Sciences

Cognitive archaeology uses cognitive and psychological models to interpret the archaeological record. This chapter outlines several components that may be essential in building effective cognitive archaeological arguments. It also presents a two-stage perspective for the development of modern cognition, primarily based upon the work of Coolidge and Wynn. The first describes the transition from arboreal to terrestrial life in later Homo and the possible cognitive repercussions of terrestrial sleep. The second stage proposes that a genetic event may have enhanced working memory in Homo sapiens (specifically in terms of Baddeley’s multicomponent working memory model). The present chapter also reviews the archaeological and neurological bases for modern thinking, and the latter arguments are primarily grounded in the significance of the morphometric rescaling of the parietal lobes, which appears to have distinguished Homo sapiens from Neandertals.
Free-breathing 3D cardiac function with accelerated magnetization transfer prepared imaging.

Background 3D cardiac MRI has long held promise for improved heart coverage, higher resolution, and reduced sensitivity to poor breath-hold reproducibility. However, its use has been limited by reduced blood pool to myocardium contrast for spoiled and balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) implementations. T2-preparation techniques [1] are capable of increasing contrast but are unfortunately limited by lengthy preparation periods and resulting scan inefficiencies. In this work, we develop a paradigm for high contrast 3D cardiac function that relies on the alternative use of magnetization transfer (MT) preparation [2] combined with accelerated 3D spoiled gradient echo imaging (SPGR).
Regulation of lysosomal α-mannosidase-1 synthesis during development in Dictyostelium discoideum☆

The cellular specific activity of lysosomal α-mannosidase-1 increases dramatically during development in Dictyostelium discoideum. α-Mannosidase-1 is composed of two subunits (Mr = 58,000 and 60,000) which are derived from a common precursor polypeptide (Mr = 140,000). Using enzyme-specific monoclonal antibodies we have determined that throughout development (a) the relative rate of precursor biosynthesis closely parallels the rate of accumulation of cellular enzyme activity and (b) the newly synthesized precursor is efficiently processed to mature enzyme (t12 < 10 min). This indicates that the developmental accumulation of α-mannosidase-1 activity is primarily controlled by de novo enzyme synthesis. Furthermore, the change in the relative rate of enzyme precursor synthesis can be accounted for by an increase in the cellular level of functional α-mannosidase-1 mRNA during development.
Explorations in the Taxonomy of Behavior Settings Analysis of Dimensions and Classification of Settings

Two studies are reported which examine the entire population o f behavior settings (N = 455) measured on 43 variables in a small midwestern town. Study I reports the results o f a factor analysis o f 43 variables measured across the entire population o f settings. Results o f Study I indicate that age, sex, role o f setting inhabitants, duration, and various behavior patterns all constitute important underlying dimensions o f behavior settings. Study 11 reports the results o f a cluster analysis o f the 455 settings which yielded 12 distinct behavior setting types. Implications o f the present study for (a) the phenomenon o f personenvironment congruence, (b ) a theory o f community settings, and (e) research on community-based social settings were discussed.
Treatment of appendicitis in neutropenic children.

Background. Appendicitis in the neutropenic pa-tient places the clinician in a precarious position;balancing the timing and risks of surgery and therisk of an uncontrolled infectious source in theabdomen.Methods. Multi-center retrospective review from2000 to 2010 of appendicitis occurring in patientswith neutropenia secondary to chemotherapy. Patientdemographics and surgical outcomes were tracked.Results. There were 11 patients, mean age of 11 y(3–17 y); six were male. Mean weight was 46.9 kg(18.1–72.6 kg). Mean body mass index was 20.9 kg/m
Ricci solitons on compact three-manifolds

Abstract In this short article we show that there are no compact three-dimensional Ricci solitons other than spaces of constant curvature. This generalizes a result obtained for surfaces by Hamilton [4]. The proof involves a careful analysis of the ODE for the curvature which is associated to the Ricci flow.
Paradigm Lost: Public Administration at Johns Hopkins University, 1884‐96

Between 1884 and 1896, Herbert Baxter Adams, James Bryce, Richard Ely, Albert Shaw, and Woodrow Wilson, participated in one of the first attempts to build a curriculum specifically aimed at educating American public servants. Their approach to curriculum development did not concentrate on government structure or management skills, but on politics, economics, history, law, and ethics. Their efforts reflected a need to justify local administration, public service, and active government in legal, moral, historical, philosophical, and practical terms. More than 100 years later, their efforts seem both awkwardly archaic and curiously relevant.
The Hispanic Elderly: A Socio Historical Framework For Public Policy

Ethnic diversity is at the core of the American experience; from its birth the American nation has been multi-ethnic. The diverse Hispanic populations have been significant elements in the cultural history of this nation. Because of initial conquest and subseguent discrimination, Hispanics have been subjected to minority status and limited means to national resources. Older Hispanics are products of the pre-Civil Rights era and enter old age with all the social and physical consequences of an historical period of discrimination and segregation. They are, therefore, among the most vulnerable of the older population and at a risk in light of the non service strategies emerging on the national scene.
Cytoplasmic domain of protocadherin-α enhances homophilic interactions and recognizes cytoskeletal elements

Cell adhesion molecules of the protocadherin-alpha (pcdh-alpha), -beta, and -gamma families have been proposed to be synaptic specifiers. Pcdh-alpha and -gamma family members localize in part to synapses, and deletion of all pcdh-gammas in mouse affects synaptogenesis. Little is known, however, about the binding specificities and intracellular signaling of protocadherins. Using heterologous expression of tagged constructs, immunostaining, and biotinylation of surface components followed by Western blots we demonstrate that pcdh-alphas undergo homophilic interactions that are significantly enhanced by the cytoplasmic domain. Pcdh-alphas cloned from chick ciliary ganglion have one of two cytoplasmic constant regions (A- and B-types). Screening a yeast two-hybrid library of ciliary ganglion cDNA with the A-type domain yielded a fragment of neurofilament M (NFM); screening with B-type domain yielded a fragment of the actin-bundling protein fascin. Cotransfection of HEK cells with the constructs indicated that the NFM and A-type fragments codistributed as did the fascin and B-type fragments, and the latter could be coimmunoprecipitated. Antibody-induced clustering of full-length pcdh-alphas on the surface of transfected HEK cells induced coclustering of the interacting NFM fragment. Native full-length NFM in tissue extracts bound specifically to the A-type domain on beads, while native full-length fascin in tissue extracts specifically coimmunoprecipitated with pcdh-alpha. Immunostaining neurons demonstrated codistribution of full-length pcdh-alpha with both NFM and actin filaments. These findings suggest cytoskeletal links for pcdh-alphas and identify candidate targets. They also demonstrate homophilic interactions for pcdh-alphas as described for classical cadherins.