cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Citizen Participation in Decision Making: Is It Worth the effort?

It is widely argued that increased community participation in government decision making produces many important benefits. Dissent is rare: It is difficult to envision anything but positive outcomes from citizens joining the policy process, collaborating with others and reaching consensus to bring about positive social and environmental change. This article, motivated by contextual problems encountered in a participatory watershed management initiative, reviews the citizen-participation literature and analyzes key considerations in determining whether community participation is an effective policy-making tool. We list conditions under which community participation may be costly and ineffective and when it can thrive and produce the greatest gains in effective citizen governance. From the detritus of an unsuccessful citizen-participation effort, we arrive at a more informed approach to guide policy makers in choosing a decision-making process that is appropriate for a community's particular needs.
X Ray Diffraction Study of Thermotropic Liquid- Crystalline Main-Chain Polyesters and Diester Model Compounds

Abstract Two nematic liquid-crystalline polyesters were examined by x-ray diffraction following quenching from the nematic temperature in a magnetic field of 15 tesla. It was not possible to quench an aligned nematic glass; instead a polycrystalline phase showing some preferred orientation or an unoriented nematic glass was produced. Fibers drawn from the nematic melts yielded monodomain nematic diffraction patterns with one resembling that of a fiber (crystalline) photograph while the other showed good nematic alignment which could be enhanced slightly by annealing. A series of Siamese-twin dieater model compounds also were examined at their respective nematic temperatures in a magnetic field of 2,000 gauss as well as in their crystalline phase at room temperature. All displayed well-aligned nematic monodomains above the crystalli- zation point.
Vario functions of higher order - definition and application to characterization of snow surface roughness

Vario functions are lag-dependent experimental functions introduced to characterize spatial properties of surfaces and profiles in a general algebraic sense and their derivatives. Vario functions of higher order are defined recursively. Under certain mathematical conditions, first-order vario functions coincide with experimental variograms. Vario functions of higher order provide a useful extension of the geostatistical classification method, in particular in the cases of poor signal-to-resolution ratio and in the cases of complex morphogenesis. Several theoretical questions concerning vario functions are investigated: feature detection and quantitative analysis in a situation of poor signal-to-resolution ratio, the divergence criterion for determination of the usable distance range of the second-order vario function, characterization of superimposed features (of the geo-variable) by secondary minima and convexity or concavity of the (second-order) vario function, effects of increasing resolution in vario-function calculation for the study of small-scale features, and the question of homogeneity of a data set. Higher-order vario functions prove essential in the characterization of snow surface roughness, demonstrated for microtopographic data from Niwot Ridge, Colorado Front Range. Application of the geostatistical classification approach to vario functions of higher order leads to conclusions on snow surface morphogenesis and its dependence on environmental and geographical conditions that are not obtainable otherwise.
Inflammation and airway microbiota during cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations.

Background Pulmonary exacerbations (PEx), frequently associated with airway infection and inflammation, are the leading cause of morbidity in cystic fibrosis (CF). Molecular microbiologic approaches detect complex microbiota from CF airway samples taken during PEx. The relationship between airway microbiota, inflammation, and lung function during CF PEx is not well understood. Objective To determine the relationships between airway microbiota, inflammation, and lung function in CF subjects treated for PEx. Methods Expectorated sputum and blood were collected and lung function testing performed in CF subjects during early (0–3d.) and late treatment (>7d.) for PEx. Sputum was analyzed by culture, pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons, and quantitative PCR for total and specific bacteria. Sputum IL-8 and neutrophil elastase (NE); and circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Results Thirty-seven sputum samples were collected from 21 CF subjects. At early treatment, lower diversity was associated with high relative abundance (RA) of Pseudomonas (r = −0.67, p<0.001), decreased FEV1% predicted (r = 0.49, p = 0.03) and increased CRP (r = −0.58, p = 0.01). In contrast to Pseudomonas, obligate and facultative anaerobic genera were associated with less inflammation and higher FEV1. With treatment, Pseudomonas RA and P. aeruginosa by qPCR decreased while anaerobic genera showed marked variability in response. Change in RA of Prevotella was associated with more variability in FEV1 response to treatment than Pseudomonas or Staphylococcus. Conclusions Anaerobes identified from sputum by sequencing are associated with less inflammation and higher lung function compared to Pseudomonas at early exacerbation. CF PEx treatment results in variable changes of anaerobic genera suggesting the need for larger studies particularly of patients without traditional CF pathogens.
Phase Transitions in the Picosecond Time Domain

The physical processes occurring during the initial stages of ultrafast laser heating of metals are described. Femtosecond laser irradiation is used to create nonequilibrium heating in metals. In such a nonequilibrium state, the electron temperature can be heated up to a few thousand degrees above the lattice temperature. Electron-lattice relaxation is time-resolved in copper and found to be 1 – 4 ps depending on the laser heating ffuence. The technique of time-resolved electron diffraction (a lattice structural and temperature probe) is described. Utilization of this technique for lattice temperature measurement of thin metal films is demonstrated.
Perspective on “An extended Hückel theory. I. Hydrocarbons”

An overview is given on how the title paper by Hoffmann has influenced theoretical studies of molecules and solids over the years. The strengths and weaknesses of the extended Huckel theory are also discussed.
NOTE ON DELAYED AUDITORY FEEDBACK, EXPOSURE TIME AND RETENTION'

Summary.-Two groups of Ss, marched on reading rare, were exposed to the learning material for the same length of time. The experimental group practiced under conditions of delayed auditory feedback, the control group did nor. The immediate retention of learned material was significantly poorer in the experimental group. The inhibition of immediate recall of connected meaningful material by delayed auditory feedback cannot be accounted for as a function of the decreased reading rate and resultant greater exposure duration to the learning material. Studies of the immediate retention of connected meaningful material practiced under delayed auditory feedback (DAF) have consistently reported poorer retention under DAF as contrasted with appropriate control conditions (King, 1963; King & Dodge, 1965; King & Wolf, 1965; King & Walker, 1965). Another consistent finding of these, as well as other studies (Smith, 1962; Yates, 1963), has been a significant decrease in reading rate under DAF. The decrease in reading rare introduces a possible artifact in studies of DAF and retention. As Ss in the retention studies have always read the material once through from beginning to end, the decreased reading rate for the experimental Ss results in their being exposed to the learning material for a greater absolute time period as contrasted with non-DAF control Ss. The present study examines the influence of DAF on the immediate retention of connected meaningful material with the experimental and control groups equated for length of exposure to the learning material. Method.-The learning material consisted of rwo short stories slightly over 200 words in length. All Ss read the first story without any experimental manipulation. This familiarized S with the procedure and gave E a measure of S's reading rate. Twenty Ss ( 10 males and 10 females) were individually matched on reading rate. The matched pairs were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control-equal-time group (within the restrictions of numerical and sex balance). Ten additional Ss were utilized as a standard control group. In the resting phase, an S from the experimental group would read the second story which was presented with 0.2 sec. of DAF. The time was recorded for his reading of the story and an immediate oral recall was tape recorded. The S matched to the experimental S in reading rate was utilized next. This S did nor receive any DAF but was allowed to read the story for a time period equal
Cyclophilin nomenclature problems, or, 'a visit from the sequence police'.

Why is agreement on one particular name for each gene important? As one genome after another becomes sequenced, it is imperative to consider the complexity of genes, genetic architecture, gene expression, gene-gene and gene-product interactions and evolutionary relatedness across species. To agree on a particular gene name not only makes one's own research easier, it aids automated text-mining algorithms and search engines, which are increasingly employed to find relationships in the millions of abstracts in the medical research literature and sequence databases. A common nomenclature system will also be helpful to the present generation, as well as future generations, of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are about to enter genomics research. In this paper, the authors present some problems that arose when two separate research communities decided to choose the same root, CYP, for naming their gene families. They then offer a logical solution, by renaming the cyclophilin genes with a common root, such a cyn- in Caenorhabditis and CYN- in mammals (Cyn in mouse), and using evolutionary divergence to cluster genes of the highest level of relatedness.
Observation of the B←X(OO) transition in I2

Abstract The OO band of the B←X visible spectrum of iodine has been observed in spite of its very small Franck-Condon factor. The expected satelite band of the van der Waals molecule HeI2 was not observed, and a mechanism is suggested to account for the absence of the van der Waals spectrum.
Pulsed electrochemical detection at noble metal electrodes in liquid chromatography

The direct electrochemical detection of numerous polar aliphatic compounds is achieved at Au and Pt electrodes under the control of multistep potential-time waveforms. In this technique, called “Pulsed Electrochemical Detection (PED),” the waveforms manage the sequential processes of sampling the faradaic signal, from the oxidation of analyte, followed by oxidative cleaning and reductive reactivation of the electrode surfaces. The response mechanisms in PED are strongly influenced by surface properties of the electrodes and, therefore, members of each chemical classification detected are observed to produce virtually identical voltammetric response. Consequently, applications of PED have their greatest analytical significance when coupled with Liquid Chromatography (LC) to achieve a priori resolution of complex mixtures. The basic concepts of PED are reviewed and LC-PED results are presented for a variety of samples containing mixtures of alcohols, carbohydrates, alkanolamines, amines, and sulfur compounds.
Statistical Inferences and Applications of the Half Exponential Power Distribution

We investigate the statistical inferences and applications of the half exponential power distribution for the first time. The proposed model defined on the nonnegative reals extends the half normal distribution and is more flexible. The characterizations and properties involving moments and some measures based on moments of this distribution are derived. The inference aspects using methods of moment and maximum likelihood are presented. We also study the performance of the estimators using the Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, we illustrate it with two real applications.
Differential requirements for mRNA folding partially explain why highly expressed proteins evolve slowly.

The cause of the tremendous among-protein variation in the rate of sequence evolution is a central subject of molecular evolution. Expression level has been identified as a leading determinant of this variation among genes encoded in the same genome, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We here propose and demonstrate that a requirement for stronger folding of more abundant mRNAs results in slower evolution of more highly expressed genes and proteins. Specifically, we show that: (i) the higher the expression level of a gene, the greater the selective pressure for its mRNA to fold; (ii) random mutations are more likely to decrease mRNA folding when occurring in highly expressed genes than in lowly expressed genes; and (iii) amino acid substitution rate is negatively correlated with mRNA folding strength, with or without the control of expression level. Furthermore, synonymous (dS) and nonsynonymous (dN) nucleotide substitution rates are both negatively correlated with mRNA folding strength. However, counterintuitively, dS and dN are differentially constrained by selection for mRNA folding, resulting in a significant correlation between mRNA folding strength and dN/dS, even when gene expression level is controlled. The direction and magnitude of this correlation is determined primarily by the G+C frequency at third codon positions. Together, these findings explain why highly expressed genes evolve slowly, demonstrate a major role of natural selection at the mRNA level in constraining protein evolution, and reveal a previously unrecognized and unexpected form of nonprotein-level selection that impacts dN/dS.
Paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome as an adverse prognostic factor in patients who die early with small cell lung cancer

The potential role of paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome (CS) was assessed on the clinical course of patients with small cell lung cancer. A retrospective comparison was done of complications and survival rates according to the presence or absence of CS in patients with small cell lung cancer who died within 90 days of initial administration of chemotherapy. The setting was a comprehensive cancer center. Eleven patients with clinical and/or biochemical features of CS were identified from among 90 patients who presented between 1979 and 1989 with previously untreated small cell lung cancer. The group with CS and the control patients were compared in terms of clinicopathologic prognostic factors, treatment, and outcome. Patients with CS were comparable to the control patients in all prognostic factors, including tumor stage and cancer treatment. Eighty-two percent of patients with CS (nine of 11) died within 14 days of initiation of chemotherapy compared with 25% of the control patients (19 of 77). The median survival from initiation of chemotherapy was 12 days for the 11 patients with CS and 27 days for the 77 control patients. In 45% of the patients with CS (five of 11), death was attributed to opportunistic fungal or protozoal infection compared with 8% of control patients (six of 77). Paraneoplastic CS is a previously unrecognized adverse prognostic factor for patients with small cell lung cancer. Those with both small cell lung cancer and CS have severe opportunistic infections soon after the initiation of chemotherapy, leading to clinical deterioration and death before antineoplastic benefit from chemotherapy can be achieved. Biochemical control of CS for at least 1 to 2 weeks before initiation of chemotherapy may ameliorate the poor prognosis.
Properties and growth of flux ruby

Abstract The growth of ruby from molten fluxes has been studied with emphasis on the resulting spectral and optical properties. Growth was accomplished by the usual process of self nucleation as well as by deliberate seeding. The formation of a plate and rhombohedral form of ruby was studied and found to depend on local thermal conditions. The spectral properties of the grown rubies have been correlated with the incorporation of fluorine and noble metal ions into the ruby. Dislocation measurements show large dislocation free areas in slowly grown rubies. The types of inclusions have been studied and are found to be primarily flux and in special cases precipitated noble metal.
Grant Writing for Qualitative Research

In order to broaden understanding of the quality of qualitative grant proposals, analysis of 19 summary statements from qualitative grant proposals was conducted. This analysis showed that reviewers determined quality of proposals in terms of four themes: scientific contribution of the research; conceptual framework guiding the work; methods; and knowledge, skills, and resources available to the proposal writers. Writers' responses to the evaluations were reflected in the theme: surviving the review. This analysis suggested that reviewers of qualitative proposals recognized salient issues and were able to respond in ways that writers perceived as helpful. Qualitative research proposals that are clearly written, internally consistent, meaningful and have potential impact for the discipline of nursing are well-received.
Horizontal transfer of the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen to larval microcosms by gravid Aedes albopictus and Ochlerotatus triseriatus mosquitoes in the laboratory.

. The insect growth regulator (IGR) pyriproxyfen is highly active against mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Through continuous emersion of large larvae (instars 3–4) the concentration causing 50% inhibition of adult emergence (EI50) was determined as 0.200 p.p.b. for Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and 3.5 to 7 times less for Ochlerotatus triseriatus (Say): IE50 0.0288 p.p.b. As a possible method of application to larval microscosms of these species that oviposit in water containers and phytotelmata, the horizontal transfer of pyriproxyfen to larval microcosms by adult mosquitoes was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Gravid females were forced to walk on surfaces treated with pyriproxyfen (tarsal contact exposure) and then allowed to oviposit in larval microcosms. Using replicate bioassay cages, each with an oviposition container, and a factorial experimental design, we assessed Ae. albopictus for the effects of (i) pyriproxyfen concentration (0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mg/cm2) contacted by gravid females, and (ii) the number of treated gravid females added to bioassay cages (one, three or five females/cage), on the mortality of larvae in oviposition containers. Only 0.2 mg/cm2 treatment rate was tested on Oc. triseriatus. A significant (P < 0.05) curvilinear response in inhibition of emergence (IE) was achieved on both species. Densities of one or three treated Oc. triseriatus females/cage yielded IE rates of only 21–27%, whereas five treated females/cage resulted in 70% inhibition. With Ae. albopictus, densities of three or five treated females/cage yielded 48–67% and 59–73% IE, respectively, whereas one treated female/cage gave only 4–30% inhibition. Use of IGR-treated oviposition containers to achieve horizontal transfer of pyriproxyfen to mosquito oviposition sites could be a field management technique based on mosquito biology and behaviour. In binary choice tests with Ae. albopictus, horizontal transfer of pyriproxyfen from a container with a treated ovistrip (0.3 or 0.4 mg/cm2) to an untreated microcosm resulted in 14–38% inhibition. In larval bioassays, pyriproxyfen activity declined markedly within 10 days. Forcibly exposing gravid female mosquitoes to pyriproxyfen-treated paper surface did not affect their fecundity. However, from the 1st to 2nd gonotrophic cycles the egg hatch rate declined by 30% (P < 0.05). Some variation of results could be due to interactions between females at the oviposition site, possibly causing disproportionate transfer of pyriproxyfen to larval microcosms. Comparative studies of the oviposition behaviour of each mosquito are warranted and would potentially provide information needed to improve the technique.
Osteoporosis beliefs and antiresorptive medication use.

Abstract Objective: Although a number of prescription medications are effective for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, little is known about the role of beliefs and attitudes in women decisions to use these drugs. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the role of beliefs and attitudes regarding osteoporosis and prescription antiresorptive drugs in the decision to use newer antiresorptive medicines (such as bis-phosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and calcitonin nasal) and (2) to assess the role of these same beliefs and attitudes in the decision to use hormone therapy. Design: Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey mailed to 1700 community dwelling women age 45 and older residing in Minnesota. Respondents completed measures of health belief model constructs, medication profiles and demographics. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: A total of 983 usable survey forms were returned, yielding an adjusted response rate of 60.7%. More than one quarter of respondents reported using a prescription antiresorptive agent, with 90 (9.2%) currently taking a newer antiresorptive agent and 163 (16.6%) using hormone therapy. Several health belief model components were predictive of newer antiresorptive medicine use, including higher perceptions of susceptibility to osteoporosis (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.20–1.49), perceptions of strong benefits of antiresorptive medicines (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.10–1.63), and perceptions of few barriers to the use of antiresorptive medicines (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.38–0.67). Several cues to action also were predictive of newer antiresorptive medicine use. Use of hormone therapy was associated with a single cue to action (being tested for osteoporosis (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.14–2.66) and the perception of few barriers to the use of prescription antiresorptives (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.55–0.77). Conclusion: Several health belief model constructs were associated with the decision to use newer antiresorptive drugs relative to no prescription therapy. However, few model components as operationalized in this study were predictive of the use of hormone therapy. Although the health belief model appears to provide a plausible model of the decision to undertake newer antiresorptive drug therapy, it explains little about women use of hormone therapy.
A family approach to delirium: a review of the literature

Objectives: The literature was reviewed to gather original research on a family approach to delirium and determine its applicability to current practice. The review had the following objectives: (1) evaluate the current state of research into delirium management (prevention, identification, or treatment of delirium) with family approaches or involvement, (2) identify gaps and areas that require investigation, and (3) determine a future course of research.Method: A comprehensive search of original research was conducted in six major databases using seven keywords in 2012.Results: The literature search yielded a total of 2160 articles. Criteria for eligibility were met by a total of 11 articles. The articles were evaluated in regards to purpose, sample, research design, level of evidence, variables, and results.Conclusion: The literature review revealed that this topic is emergent and requires substantial additional research. The aspects of delirium care that researchers investigated were diverse and includ...
THE BREAK-UP OF RODINIA, BIRTH OF GONDWANA, TRUE POLAR WANDER AND THE SNOWBALL EARTH

Abstract A major global plate reorganisation occurred between ∼750 and ∼550 Ma. Gondwana was assembled following the dispersal of Rodinia, a supercontinent centred on Laurentia in existence since ∼1050 Ma. The reorganisation began when tectonic elements, later composing East Gondwana, rotated piecemeal away from the Pacific margin of Laurentia. These elements swept across the ancestral Pacific (Mozambique) Ocean that lay between Laurentia and the combined African cratons of Congo and Kalahari, which were loosely joined after ∼820 Ma. Simultaneously, the Adamastor (Brasilide) Ocean closed by subduction bordering the West Gondwana cratons, drawing virtually all of Gondwana together by ∼550 Ma. The final assembly of Gondwana occurred contemporaneously with the separation of Laurentia from West Gondwana. It has been postulated that the imprint of Rodinia's long-lived existence on lower mantleconvection produced a prolate ellipsoidal geoid figure. This could give rise to episodic inertial interchange true polar wander (IITPW), meaning that the entire silicate shell of the Earth (above the core-mantle boundary) rolled through 90° with respect to the diurnal spin axis in ∼15 Ma (equivalent to an apparent polar wander velocity of ∼66 cm a −1 . Although empirical arguments for IITPW of Cambrian age appear to be flawed, evidence for an ultra-fast ( > 40 cm a −1 ) meridional component of apparent polar wander for Laurentia between 564 and 550 Ma suggests that IITPW might have occurred at that time. The break-up of Rodinia increased the continental margin area and preferential organic C burial globally, which is reflected by high δ 13 C values in seawater proxies. The consequent drawdown of CO 2 is implicated in a succession of runaway ice-albedo catastrophes between ∼750 and ∼570 Ma, during each of which the oceans completely froze over. Each “snowball” Earth event must have lasted for millions of years because their terminations depended on extreme CO 2 levels, built up by subaerial volcanic outgassing in the absence of sinks for C. A succession of ice-albedo catastrophes, each terminated under ultra-greenhouse conditions, must have imposed an intense environmental filter on the evolution of life. They may have triggered the radiation of Ediacaran fauna in the aftermath of the final snowball event. It is increasingly recognised that the Late Neoproterozoic was one of the most remarkable periods in Earth history, and it appears to exemplify the interplay of tectonics, the environment and biology in deep time.
Thoracoscopic surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation with electrophysiologic end points.

Since the description of initial surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) by Cox et al, the original cut-and-sew technique underwent several revisions, culminating in the Cox Maze III procedure, which has been reported to effectively restore sinus rhythm and decrease thromboembolic events in patients with AF.1,2 Article see p 262 After the seminal observation that reported initiation of AF by pulmonary vein arrhythmogenicity3 and subsequent contributions on pulmonary vein (PV) and non–PV-dependent mechanisms in the genesis of AF, percutaneous catheter ablation has rapidly evolved to eliminate both paroxysmal and persistent AF over the last decade. Numerous reports from registries and randomized clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of catheter ablation to eliminate AF in appropriately selected patients through the use of well-defined clinical and ECG end points with rigorous long-term follow-up. Given the complexity of the classic cut-and-sew Cox Maze procedure and the skill it requires, surgical treatment of AF has also evolved with an emphasis on (1) less invasive approaches that eliminate the need for a sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass, (2) tissue ablation using energy sources similar to those commonly used during percutaneous catheter ablation procedures as an alternative to the challenging and more invasive cut-and-sew technique, and (3) ablation strategies that more or less replicate the lesion sets targeted during percutaneous catheter ablation procedures, primarily on the basis of recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms of AF.4–9 Although commonly referred as “mini-Maze,” most of the currently used surgical approaches utilize energy sources similar to those used in percutaneous catheter ablation procedures and attempt to create lesion sets to isolate the PVs with additional …
Passive sound-localization ability of the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

The passive sound-localization ability (i.e. minimum audible angle) of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, was determined using a conditioned avoidance procedure in which the animals were trained to discriminate left sounds from right sounds. The mean threshold of three bats for a 100-ms broadband noise burst was 14°, a value that is about average for mammals. A similar threshold of 15° was obtained for one animal when it was retested with one of its own recorded echolocation calls as the stimulus. The two bats tested on pure-tone localization were able to localize high-frequency, but not low-frequency tones, even when a low-frequency tone was amplitude modulated, a result indicating that these bats are not able to use binaural time-difference cues for localization. Finally, given the width of the bat's field of best vision, as determined by a count of its ganglion-cell density, its sound-localization acuity is consistent with the hypothesis that the role of passive sound localization is to direct the eyes to the source of a sound.
Xenobiotic Metabolizing Genes, Meat-Related Exposures, and Risk of Advanced Colorectal Adenoma

Objectives Carcinogenic action of meat-related exposures, such as heterocyclic amines (HCAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and N-nitroso compounds (NOCs), might explain positive associations between red and processed meat and colorectal neoplasia. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme (XME) genes could alter activation/detoxfication of these compounds. Methods We evaluated interactions between several XME genes (CYP1A1, CYP1B1, CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2E1, CYP3A4, EPHX1, GSTM1, GSTM2, GSTT1, NAT1, NAT2, NQO1, SULT1A1, and SULT1A2) and meat-related exposures using a pathway-based approach in 720 advanced colorectal adenoma cases of the distal colon or rectum and 746 controls from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Using meat-related databases, we estimated intake of the HCAs, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), the PAH, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), and nitrate/nitrite, as NOC precursors. Results There were possible interactions between PhIP and CYP1B1 (Pinteraction=0.019) and NQO1 (Pinteraction=0.007), B[a]P and CYP1B1 (Pinteraction=0.005) and CYP3A4 (Pinteraction=0.021), and nitrate/nitrite and CYP1A1 (Pinteraction=0.022) in relation to colorectal adenoma. However, none of these interactions were statistically significant using a false discovery rate threshold of 0.20. Conclusions Common variants in XME genes may modify the association of HCAs, PAHs, and nitrate/nitrite with advanced colorectal adenoma, but investigation in other populations is required, especially within consortia.
RCT of a Mentoring and Skills Group Program: Placement and Permanency Outcomes for Foster Youth

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of a mentoring and skills group intervention for preadolescent children in foster care on placement stability and permanence at 1-year postintervention. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 9- to 11-year-old children who were maltreated and placed in foster care ( n = 54 control; n = 56 intervention). State child welfare records provided information on number of placement changes, placement in residential treatment, and case closure (ie, permanency). Rates of adoption and reunification were also examined. Analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS: After controlling for baseline functioning and preintervention placement history, intervention youth were 71% less likely to be placed in residential treatment (odds ratio [OR] = 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09–0.98). There were no significant treatment differences in predicting placement changes or permanency for the total sample. Among a subsample of children living in nonrelative foster care at baseline, intervention youth had 44% fewer placement changes (incidence ratio = 0.56, 95% CI 0.34–0.93), were 82% less likely to be placed in a residential treatment center (OR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.03–0.96), and were 5 times more likely to have attained permanency at 1 year postintervention (OR = 5.14, 95% CI 1.55–17.07). More intervention youth had reunified 1-year postintervention [χ 2 (1, N = 78) = 3.99; P 2 (1, N = 110) = 5.43; P = .02] demonstrated that the intervention attenuated the impact of baseline behavior problems on placement changes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that participation in a 9-month mentoring and skills group intervention leads to greater placement stability and permanence, especially for children in nonrelative foster care.
Heavy trochees in Choctaw morphology

The theory of prosodic morphology (McCarthy & Prince 1986, 1990, 1993) maintains that various operations in morphology can refer to only a fixed set of prosodic categories. These operations include reduplication, infixation and various templatic systems. The prosodic categories are exhaustively listed in (1): This is an extremely constrained theory, as it limits a wide variety of operations to just this list of eight types.
Democracy and Intellectual Property: Examining Trajectories of Software Piracy:

Social scientists interested in criminal activity have generally neglected the topic of democracy, while researchers interested in the topic of democracy have virtually ignored criminal activity. This confluence of neglect has been especially obvious in research on intellectual property (IP) theft. In this study, the authors examine the interrelationship between democracy and IP theft—specifically software piracy. Piracy data from eighty-two countries between the years 1995 and 2000 are used to examine how democratization relates to rates of software piracy. The authors use trajectory methodology to identify distinct offender groups, which vary in their rates of software piracy. The current research has two specific goals: (1) to identify distinct trajectories of software piracy offenders at the international level and (2) to examine how these groups vary according to several measures of democratic strength. The authors hypothesize that more democratic countries (including those that have strong political...
Hip Osteotomies: A Biomechanical Consideration.

Proximal femoral and periacetabular osteotomies for the treatment of osteoarthrosis have produced varying clinical results. Because the underlying pathomechanics of osteoarthrosis are not yet fully understood, it is difficult to predict which type of osteotomy will most improve the biomechanical environment in a given situation. Osteotomies result in relatively small changes in joint load (10% to 20% at most), which probably do not govern tissue responses. However, osteotomies do change the distribution of the load (i.e., stresses) and, perhaps more important, stress gradients. These changes in contact and underlying stresses undoubtedly affect cartilage and bone adaptation. It is likely that the magnitude of stress and strain in cartilage and underlying bone can be altered in such a way that more predictable beneficial remodeling will occur. Emerging imaging and computational technologies may allow patient-specific modeling, which should improve the efficacy and durability of repair.
Rural Development Policy: Rationale and Reality

America's rural communities have fared poorly in economic terms compared to metropolitan areas. After a spurt of growth in the 1970s that seemed to be closing the gap, rural areas are again losing ground. Rural communities have arguedfor special help from the national government. Such help can be justified to facilitate balanced economic growth, create "more equal" standards of living, and benefit smallfarmers, a group for whom the nation has a special regard. The counter-arguments are that special help to rural areas postpones adjustments to an incrasingly urban world and that federal rural programs subsidize afavored life-style. In fact, several federal development programs serve rural areas. President Carter announced a rural policy in 1979. In 1980 the Congress enacted legislation requiringfuture administrations to address rural concerns systematically. The Reagan administration has sent Congress the rural development strategy required by the law, and two annual updates. However, if having a policy means having a systematic approach to reaching defined objectives, the U.S. has had no rural policy. The objectives offederal rural efforts have never been settled on, and approaches to rural problems continue to be unsystematic.
Quote activity and round quotes in a voice-brokered bond market

ABSTRACTWe investigate the relation between quote activity and the precision with which prices are quoted. Where prior literature finds that the tendency of price-endings to cluster on rounder fractions declines monotonically with quote activity, we show that the decline is limited to an initial range of quote activity. Once a very high level of quote activity is reached, the use of rounder quotes increases with quote activity. Also contrary to the conventional view is our finding that round quotes are used more frequently in the more active of two market segments where equivalent assets are traded. We attribute our results to two opposing influences of activity on price clustering, the price resolution and negotiation effects, that reflect the cognitive limitations of humans when dealing with uncertain values.
Mammalian hyaluronan synthases: investigation of functional relationships in vivo.

Introduction Hyaluronan (HA) biosynthesis occurs at the inner face of the plasma membrane [1,2], in contrast to the biosynthesis of other glycosaminoglycans, which are synthesized within the Golgi network. Three HA synthase (ID1S) genes have been identified in vertebrates [3-81. Each gene encodes a predicted plasma membrane glycosyltransferase with multiple transmembrane domains. The mammalian HAS proteins share between 55 and 71% amino acid identity, and are encoded by distinct genes located on separate autosomes [9]. Expression of any one IfAS gene is sufficient to drive the biosynthesis of HA in mammalian cells ([S]; N. Itano, M. Yosida, P. Lenas, Y. Yamada, A. P. Spicer, J. A. McDonald and K. Kimata, unpublished work). We have previously demonstrated the differential expression of ID1S genes during embryonic development and in adult tissues [S]. Thus, promoter and enhancer sequences responsible for regulating the transcription of the respective €US genes have diverged substantially since this small gene family arose through gene duplication. However, it remains unclear as to whether or not the enzymic functions of the three HAS proteins have also diverged. Recent data obtained through cell culture studies suggest that although any one HAS protein is sufficient for HA biosynthesis,
Clinically Promising New Triazoles for Systemic Fungal Infections

In the United States, Candida species are now the fourth most common nosocomial blood stream pathogen (8%) with the highest associated crude mortality of 40% (Edmond et al. 1999). In Europe, Candida spp. are the eighth most common cause (2.8%) of blood-stream infections, whether nosocomial or community-acquired (Fluit et al. 2000). Unfortunately, our ability to treat such infections remains poor. The mainstay of antifungal therapy, amphotericin B, was introduced for clinical use in the late 1950s, nearly 30 years after the isolation of penicillin. In contrast to antibacterial therapy, multiple antifungal drugs, susceptibility testing, and breakpoint determinations are only recently available. Traditionally, the field of medical mycology has been sparsely staffed, with pharmacological research and development hampered by the small numbers of patients with invasive, lifethreatening mycoses.
Does fatigue have any impact on satisfaction of search

Previous studies have demonstrated that fatigue impacts diagnostic accuracy, especially for those in training. We continued this line of investigation to determine if fatigue has any impact on a common source of errors – satisfaction of search (SOS). SOS requires subjects to participate in 2 sessions (SOS and non-SOS) and so does fatigue (fatigued and not fatigued) so we ran subjets in only the fatigued condition and used a previous non-fatigued study as the comparison. We used 64 chest computed radiographs half demonstrating various ‘‘test’’ abnormalities were read twice by 20 radiologists, once with and once without the addition of a simulated pulmonary nodule. Receiver-operating characteristic detection accuracy and decision thresholds were analyzed to study the effects of adding the nodule on detecting the test abnormalities. Adding nodules did not influence detection accuracy (ROC AUC SOS = 0.667; non-SOS = 0.679), but did induce a reluctance to report them. Adding nodules did not affect inspection time so the reluctance to report was not associated with reduced search. Fatigue did not appear to exacerbate the SOS effect. A second study with fractures revealed the same shift in performance but did reduce viewing times when fatigued. The results of these two studies suggest that the impact of fatigue on SOS is more complicated than expected and thus may require more investigation to fully understand its impact in the clinic.
The I-C-D-M methodology improving undergraduate engineering student motivation, satisfaction, and performance

This paper combines two bodies of engineering education work aimed at improving the undergraduate engineering classroom experience for industrial and mechanical engineering students. The integration of these two bodies of work has led researchers to propose a framework for maximizing undergraduate engineering student motivation, satisfaction, and performance. The “Interact, Cultivate, Deliver” or I-C-D methodology has been shown to significantly increase undergraduate industrial engineering student ratings of teaching effectiveness when compared to industrial engineering courses where the I-C-D methodology is not formally implemented. Decreasing student anxiety while improving student self-recognition, cognitive value, and intrinsic value have been shown to be the driving factors behind student motivation among undergraduate mechanical engineering students. Along with discussing the results of both studies, an optimal teaching methodology dubbed “Interact, Cultivate, Deliver, Motivate” or I-C-D-M methodology is proposed to maximize student motivation and satisfaction leading to increased engineering student retention and performance.
ELECTRON CAPTURE FROM THE K–SHELL: EXPERIMENTAL

A survey of some experimental results on the capture of K-shell electrons by both fast and slow projectiles is presented, with emphasis on initial- and final-state selection.
The Incidence of Glenohumeral Bone and Cartilage Lesions at the Time of Anterior Shoulder Stabilization Surgery: A Comparison of Patients Undergoing Primary and Revision Surgery:

Background:Intra-articular glenohumeral joint changes frequently occur after shoulder instability events.Purpose:(1) To compare demographic characteristics, baseline patient-reported outcomes, and intraoperative findings for patients undergoing primary or revision shoulder stabilization surgery and (2) to determine the incidence of glenohumeral bone and cartilage lesions in this population while identifying factors independently associated with these lesions.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:The Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Shoulder Group shoulder instability database was used to identify all prospectively enrolled patients undergoing shoulder stabilization surgery for anterior instability between October 2012 and September 2016. Any patient who underwent surgery for posterior or multidirectional shoulder instability or concomitant rotator cuff repair surgery was excluded. Patient demographic characteristics, preoperative patient-reported outcomes, and int...
A Field by Any Other Name

I have often been asked, “What do you have to study to be a data miner?” or “What skills should we look for in hiring data miners?” I think there are three success factors that have little to do with one’s specific academic training: an analytic mindset, attention to detail, and a rigorous appreciation of and adherence to the scientific method. It is also important that data mining practitioners know their limitations and understand that the success of any project depends on working closely with the people who will be using the solution. Successful data miners do not build solutions in isolation; they take the time to understand the problem and the data before even beginning to consider a technological approach.
The effect of energy and protein intakes on boar libido, semen characteristics, and plasma hormone concentrations.

To determine the effect of energy and protein intakes on boar libido, semen characteristics, and plasma hormone concentrations, 24 crossbred boars (1 yr of age) were allotted to one of three dietary treatments. Two protein levels (7.7 and 18.1 g/d of lysine) and two energy levels (6.1 and 7.7 Mcal/d of ME) were combined to create 1) low-energy and low-protein (ep), 2) low-energy and high-protein (eP), and 3) high-energy and high-protein (EP) treatments. Semen was collected two times per week for 27 wk. During wk 28, blood samples were collected before and after a intravenous injection of GnRH (375 ng/kg of BW). The EP boars had higher (P .10).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Spatial–temporal landscape pattern change under rapid urbanization

Rapid urbanization has been an important social and economic phenomenon in the last 50 years. Our study analyzes the spatial–temporal landscape pattern in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, one of the most rapid urbanization areas in the world. Delhi metropolitan area and its surrounding satellite cities exhibit a soaring rate of landscape pattern change during the last two decades. A set of landscape metrics with supplementary ecological meaning was chosen to study the changes of landscape pattern in NCR. The results indicate that the rapid urbanization has brought enormous landscape changes in NCR, and consequently, substantial impacts on its landscape pattern. The most “active” landscapes are farmland and impervious surface, as the major landscape change (41.46%) is found in the transition from farmland landscape to impervious-surface landscape. Meanwhile, the landscape pattern is fragmented into a more heterogeneous pattern in both farmland and urban landscape with more irregularly shaped patches during urbanization. Our research confirms the effectiveness and applicability of a combination of remote sensing, geographic information systems, and landscape metrics in revealing spatial–temporal of landscape change throughout rapid growth periods.