cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-range downstream effects of urban runoff and acid mine drainage in the Debed River, Armenia: insights from lead isotope modeling

Lead concentrations and isotopic compositions measured along 80 km of the Debed River in the Republic of Armenia provide new insights into the geochemical and physical controls on riparian Pb transport by allowing comparison of the long-range, downstream impacts of acid mine drainage with runoff from an industrialized city. The modern background Pb concentration in Armenian surface waters is estimated to be � 0.01 lg/L, based on analyses of remote alpine rivers in Armenia. The lead concentration in the Debed River is 8 lg/L (800 times background) after passing through Vanadzor, the second largest industrial city in Armenia; it then decreases to 1 lg/L before the Debed River flows into the Alaverdi mining district. There, the Debed River receives waters from two mining drainage streams with Pb concentrations >3000 lg/L, but those concentrations decrease 3 orders of magnitude to � 3 lg/L by the time the river exits Armenia and flows into the Republic of Georgia. Isotope mixing plots show shifts in Pb isotope composition as the river flows out of Vanadzor, evidencing the mixture of an average terrestrial Pb composition ( 206 Pb/ 207 Pb � 1.17; 208 Pb/ 207 Pb � 2.45) with past leaded gasoline and other industrial Pb emissions retained in the river’s sediments within that region ( 208 Pb/ 207 Pb 6 2.45). The isotopic composition again shifts (e.g., 208 Pb/ 207 Pb P 2.46) as the river passes through the Alaverdi mining district, where isotopic ratios in the water are characteristic of Pb in the area’s massive sulfide deposits. Modeling both downstream elemental concentrations and Pb isotopic compositions further resolves the physical and chemical behavior of the contaminants in the river system. A multi-element model of concentration gradients in the acid mine drainage streams indicates Pb is attenuated by Al(OH)3 precipitation (54% of the loss) and by adsorption onto other particles settling out of the water column (46% of the loss). Modeling of Pb transport in the Debed River indicates the natural outflow of Pb is � 10 kg/a, while the contributions from industrial runoff and acid mine drainage are each � 10 3 kg/a, two orders of magnitude greater than the natural flux. Thus, the total annual flux of Pb from the Debed River as it leaves Armenia and flows into Georgia is calculated to be 2500 kg/a. This value is consistent with the average annual Pb flux of 2360 kg/a estimated for the last 20 a. The predicted effects of local climate change over the next 100 a may reduce annual Pb flux by 10–15%, slowing the removal of contaminant Pb and maintaining the two order of magnitude increase over the natural flux. 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Design, Enactment, and Experience of Inquiry-Based Instruction in Undergraduate Science Education: A Case Study.

The purpose of this study was to understand one case of undergraduate inquiry-based instruction through the words and actions of students and instructors. The data sources included fieldnotes from 16 of 29 classes, two sets of student and instructor interviews (beginning and end of the semester), and a collection of artifacts, such as the laboratory manual, lecture handouts, and the course syllabus. The participants for this study included four faculty instructors and two purposively selected student groups, totaling eight students. We found the instructors' two course goals, (a) teaching students how scientists do science and (b) using an interdisciplinary approach to develop students' content knowledge of the big ideas in science, were consistent with our observations and the students' descriptions of their experience in the course. However, we observed, and the students also noted, an important feature of the course that the instructors did not describe as a course goal was its reliance on the social nature of learning. This telling case demonstrates that inquiry-based instruction is achievable in undergraduate science education. Implications are discussed for college science instructors interested in inquiry teaching. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed92:591–607, 2008
Measles Virus Phosphoprotein Gene Products: Conformational Flexibility of the P/V Protein Amino-Terminal Domain and C Protein Infectivity Factor Function

The measles virus (MV) P gene codes for three proteins: P, an essential polymerase cofactor, and V and C, which have multiple functions but are not strictly required for viral propagation in cultured cells. V shares the amino-terminal domain with P but has a zinc-binding carboxyl-terminal domain, whereas C is translated from an overlapping reading frame. During replication, the P protein binds incoming monomeric nucleocapsid (N) proteins with its amino-terminal domain and positions them for assembly into the nascent ribonucleocapsid. The P protein amino-terminal domain is natively unfolded; to probe its conformational flexibility, we fused it to the green fluorescent protein (GFP), thereby also silencing C protein expression. A recombinant virus (MV-GFP/P) expressing hybrid GFP/P and GFP/V proteins in place of standard P and V proteins and not expressing the C protein was rescued and produced normal ratios of mono-, bi-, and tricistronic RNAs, but its replication was slower than that of the parental virus. Thus, the P protein retained nearly intact polymerase cofactor function, even with a large domain added to its amino terminus. Having noted that titers of cell-associated and especially released MV-GFP/P were reduced and knowing that the C protein of the related Sendai virus has particle assembly and infectivity factor functions, we produced an MV-GFP/P derivative expressing C. Intracellular titers of this virus were almost completely restored, and those of released virus were partially restored. Thus, the MV C protein is an infectivity factor.
Transsphenoid basilar skull fracture: CT patterns.

The authors studied computed tomographic (CT) scans obtained in 40 patients with transsphenoid basilar skull fractures to establish if there were reproducible patterns of fracture along lines of weakness. Medical records were reviewed. Four major fracture patterns were identified: anterior transverse (n = 22), lateral frontal diagonal (n = 7), posterior transverse (n = 16), and mastoid diagonal (n = 3). Eight patients had two fracture patterns. Eleven of 40 patients (28%) died as a result of their head injury. The diagonal patterns were statistically significantly more frequently associated with in-hospital mortality than were the transverse fractures (P = .014). Complications included blindness, cranial nerve injury, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and hearing loss. These results indicate that transsphenoid basilar skull fractures occur along reproducible lines of weakness, including a coronal plane through the anterior sphenoid body and pterygoid plates, a coronal plane through the posterior sphenoid body and clivus, and the sphenopetrosal synchondrosis.
Influence of particle properties and initial specimen state on one-dimensional compression and hydraulic conductivity.

Particle crushing can adversely affect geotechnical system performance; examples include clogging in wells, pile shaft capacity degradation, and postconstruction settlements. The generation of fines results in volumetric compression and a reduction hydraulic conductivity, which is important for geotechnical systems whose performance is directly dependent on pore pressure dissipation, groundwater flow, or hydraulic pumping. Knowledge of hydraulic conductivity change is poorly understood due to limited experimental data, and an ability to predict this change is lacking. The role of single particle properties, initial specimen state conditions, and loading conditions on the evolution of hydraulic conductivity with particle crushing was examined experimentally. Specimen response exhibited an overshoot behavior and the convergence to a unique condition independent of initial relative density, gradation, and particle shape. The hydraulic conductivity decreased by 2–3 times before specimen yield, and by 2–3 orde...
Sex Differences in Cooperative and Competitive Attitudes in a Northeastern School

Competitiveness and cooperativeness of children in the Northeast were compared to those same attitudes in the Midwest. 102 middle- to upper-class suburban public school children in Grades 2 through 6 were given the Minnesota School Affect Assessment. Contrary to former findings, competitiveness in all grades increased with age. There were main effects for sex for both attitudes. It is proposed that region of residence contributed to the difference found.
The patient, disease status, and treatment options for prostate cancer: Stages B1 and B2

Prostatic adenocarcinoma palpably confined to the prostate is clinically defined as stage B. Although potentially curable in many, if not most, instances, there is no disputing that the optimal management of patients with stage B neoplasms is one of the most uncertain and controversial issues in modern urologic oncology. The present uncertainty can be related to three major factors: 1) competing causes of death in patients commonly older than 50 years of age; 2) the variable and unpredictable natural course of localized prostatic cancer as reflected by the three, at least in part, independent variables of growth rate, metastatic potential, and therapeutic responsiveness; and 3) the multiplicity and effectiveness of a variety of treatments in producing effects on the tumor favorable to the patient. The relative effectiveness of different treatments has been and remains clouded by a constantly changing array of clinical staging techniques, selection criteria for treatment, and definitions of response, and by the general absence of satisfactory control data. Experiences with patients receiving no treatment, various forms of irradiation, and radical excision have indicated a general similarity in at least 10-year survival rates and clinically manifest local failure rates among comparable substages of stage B prostatic cancer. Sincemore » suitable control data are lacking, one may conclude that a variety of treatments offer similar prospects of benefit or that none of the treatments is producing significant beneficial effect and that survivals are a consequence of the natural history of stage B disease. A Possibility that has yet to be evaluated is that different treatments produce benefit in different segments of the stage B prostatic cancer population, and the challenge today is to recognize and define such neoplasms that may respond most appropriately to one form of therapy or another.« less
Comprehensive Check Image Reader

A check contains more than just an amount. The fields of interests are courtesy and legal amounts, date, check number, MICR line, payer, payee, memo, signature, signature instruction, fractional validation numbers, endorsement, security features, etc. In fact a bank can literally construct a very meaningful profile of the account holder from an analysis of the checks written and received by an account holder. Since October 2005 the "Check 21" law defines an image of a check as being as valid as the original document. The agreement between banks is that a binary image 200-240 dpi is the most practical format to use. Since most banks are now creating images and must be able to handle incoming images it creates a need for new image tools to validate the quality and readability of each field. This paper describes the challenges in finding and recognizing the fields of interest on the broad document types. These fields contain machine printed and handwritten words. The remaining of the paper would focus on handwritten legal line recognition which remains the most challenging field
The Taurine Efflux Portal Used to Regulate Cell Volume in Response to Hypoosmotic Stress Seems to Be Similar in Many Cell Types: Lessons to Be Learned from Molluscan Red Blood Cells

SYNOPSIS. The control of cell volume in all cell types is accomplished by the regulation of two general categories of osmolytes: inorganic ions, most commonly K 1 and Cl 2 , and small molecular weight organic compounds, usually certain amino acids and certain quaternary ammonium compounds. The difference in who regulates what does not depend phylogeny, but instead upon the type of osmotic environment that a cell expects (in an evolutionary sense) to encounter. Cells that exist in extracellular osmotic concentrations up to 300‐400 mosmol/kg (mosm) rely primarily on inorganic osmolytes for volume control, while cells that exist at greater osmotic concentrations rely more on organic osmolytes for volume control. Usually, strange or unique volume regulatory mechanisms are found in cells that exist in particularly demanding osmotic conditions. In order to provide further support the foregoing generalizations, the following paper will focus on comparisons between the hypoosmotically induced mechanism of taurine efflux regulation by red blood cells of the bivalve, Noetia ponderosa, probably the best understood ‘‘invertebrate’’ cell type in this regard, and taurine efflux from a variety of ‘‘vertebrate’’ cells.
Slider Dynamics in the Lubricant-Contact Regime

Thermal fly-height control sliders that are capable of subnanometer level actuation are used to investigate the vertical, down-track, and off-track slider dynamics in slider-disk lubricant contact. Slider-lubricant contact introduces significant excitation in all three directions, and the slider dynamics is dependent on the degree of lubricant-contact. The lubricant surface has a significant role in determining the physical clearance and slider fly-height. While slider-lubricant contact may be successfully achieved by carefully controlling the heater power, improved slider designs and associated heater induced protrusion profiles are necessary to successfully mitigate contact induced vibrations and meet the challenges for future hard disk drives.
THE COLLECTIONS OF J. C. FRÉMONT AND THE TYPE LOCALITY AND RECORD OF VIVIPARUS PALUDINAEFORMIS (HALL) (GASTROPODA) FROM THE EOCENE OF WYOMING

Abstract A neotype has been selected for the lost type specimen of Viviparus paludinaeformis (Hall) 1845 from its type locality. In addition, the identifications and type localities of other lost non-marine molluscan fossils collected by the John C. Fremont topographic engineers expeditionary force are documented.
A tool to predict suicidal ideation and behavior in bipolar disorder: The Concise Health Risk Tracking Self-Report

Abstract Background Few brief, self-report measures exist that can reliably predict adverse suicidality outcomes in patients with BD. This study utilized the Concise Health Risk Tracking Self-Report (CHRT) to assess suicidality in patients with BD and examined its psychometric performance, clinical correlates, and prospective value in predicting adverse events related to suicidality. Methods The CHRT was administered at baseline and follow-up to 482 adult patients in Bipolar CHOICE, a 6-month randomized comparative effectiveness trial. The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS) was used at baseline to assess lifetime history of suicide attempts and related behaviors. Clinician-rated measures of mood (Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale) and bipolar symptoms (Clinical Global Impressions-Bipolar Version) were conducted at baseline and follow-up. Results The CHRT showed excellent internal consistency and construct validity and was highly correlated with clinician ratings of depression, anxiety, and overall functioning at baseline and throughout the study. Baseline CHRT scores significantly predicted risk of subsequent suicidality-related Serious Adverse Events (sSAEs), after controlling for mood and comorbidity. Specifically, the hazard of a sSAE increased by 76% for every 10-point increase in baseline CHRT score. Past history of suicide attempts and related behaviors, as assessed by the CSSRS, did not predict subsequent sSAEs. Limitations The CSSRS was used to assess static risk factors in terms of past suicidal behaviors and may have been a more powerful predictor over longer-term follow-up. Conclusions The CHRT offers a quick and robust self-report tool for assessing suicidal risk and has important implications for future research and clinical practice.
Bare-metal versus drug-eluting stent placement among patients presenting with anemia.

Multiple studies among patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have shown that anemia is a strong predictor for both short- and long-term adverse outcomes ([1,2][1]). In a large meta-analysis by Sabatine et al. ([2][2]) the presence
Growth and inhibition by spices of growth from spores of enterotoxigenic Bacillus cereus in cooked rice

Abstract Bacillus cereus is a pathogenic spore-forming bacterium implicated in cases of diarrheal and emetic type of foodborne illness. We previously found that enterotoxigenic B. cereus is widely present in retail spices. Here we analyzed the spore heat resistance of nine diarrheal strains isolated from spices. Seven had D 95°C values ranging from 0.64 to 3.53 min while two emetic strains had D 95°C values of 7.04 min and 6.64 min. The ability of selected strains to grow in cooked rice at temperatures 20 °C, 17 °C and 12 °C was determined as well as their toxin expression capability. After 48 h, B. cereus levels of 1.26 × 10 7 and 3.8 × 10 7 CFU/g were obtained in cooked rice maintained at 17 °C and 20 °C respectively. At 12 °C, counts did not reach 10 4 CFU/g even after 48 h of incubation. The increase in the aerobic, mesophilic bacterial population (APC) and B. cereus population naturally present in 0.1% crushed pepper added to cooked rice was determined over a period of 48 h at 20 °C and 17 °C. Levels of B. cereus in pepper/rice samples reached a maximum of 1600 MPN/g at 20 °C while the APC was 2.4 × 10 8 /g at this temperature. When thyme, containing the same initial natural level of B. cereus, was added to rice in place of pepper, more than a five-fold greater level of B. cereus was detected at 20 °C. Since thyme contained initial APC of 2.5 log 10 less than pepper we conclude that the high APC functions in a competitive-exclusion manner, minimizing the growth of B. cereus and potentially other agents of foodborne illness. This is particularly relevant in instances of temperature abuse of foods and may explain the low incidence of foodborne illness due to B. cereus despite its widespread presence shown in previous surveys of market spices.
Lessons Learned From Root Cause Analyses of Transfers of Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Patients to Acute Hospitals: Transfers Rated as Preventable Versus Nonpreventable by SNF Staff

Abstract Background Determining if a transfer of a skilled nursing facility (SNF) patient/resident to an acute hospital is potentially avoidable or preventable is challenging. Most previous research on potentially avoidable or preventable hospitalizations is based on diagnoses without in-depth root cause analysis (RCA), and few studies have examined SNF staff perspective on preventability of transfers. Objectives To examine factors associated with hospital transfers rated as potentially preventable versus nonpreventable by SNF staff. Design Trained staff from SNFs enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial of the INTERACT (Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers) quality improvement program performed retrospective RCAs on hospital transfers during a 12-month implementation period. Setting SNFs from across the United States. Participants Sixty-four of 88 SNFs randomized to the intervention group submitted RCAs with a rating of whether the transfer was determined to be potentially preventable or nonpreventable. Interventions SNFs were implementing the INTERACT Quality Improvement (QI) program. Measures Data were abstracted from the INTERACT QI tool, a structured, retrospective RCA on hospital transfers. Results A total of 4527 RCAs with a rating of preventability were submitted during the 12-month implementation period, of which 1044 (23%) were rated as potentially preventable by SNF staff. In unadjusted univariate analyses, factors associated with ratings of potentially preventable included acute changes in condition of fever, decreased food or fluid intake, functional decline, shortness of breath, and new urinary incontinence; other factors included the clinician, resident, and/or family insisting on the transfer, transfers that occurred fewer than 30 days from SNF admission and that occurred on weekends, transfers ordered by a covering physician (as opposed to the primary physician), and transfers that resulted in an emergency department (ED) visit with return to the SNF. Factors associated with ratings of nonpreventable included on-site evaluation by a physician or other clinician, and transfers related to falls. Among factors precipitating the transfers, clinician and resident and/or family insistence on transfer, and transfers related to fever and falls remained significant in a multivariate analysis. There were no significant differences among characteristics of SNFs that rated a relatively high versus low proportion of transfers as potentially preventable. Conclusion SNF staff rated a substantial proportion of transfers as potentially preventable on retrospective RCAs. Factors associated with ratings of preventability, as well as illustrative case examples, provide important insights that can assist SNFs in focusing education and care process improvements in order to reduce unnecessary hospital transfers and their associated morbidity and costs.
IQ and Responsivity to Verbal Operant Conditioning

Since Greenspoon's experiment (1955) in which he successfully increased or decreased preselected verbal responses, there have been a number of studies in which a variety of classes of verbal behavior have been found to be sensitive to a variety of reinforcing stimuli. Krasner (1958) and Salzinger (1959) have reviewed a large number of these experiments in verbal operant conditioning (VOC) The purpose of the present experiment was to find any correlation between IQ and responsivity to VOC. Ss were 12 children, 5 to 7 yr. of age, attending the Universiry of Hawaii's ore-school and elementarv school. Responsivity to positive reinforcement was contingent upon the emission of active verbs for half the Ss and upon emission of non-active verbs for the other half. Positive reinforcement was a visual display of light patterns and receipt of pellets which could be traded for small toys. The primary apparatus consisted of a red, wooden box 22 in. high by 1 4 in. wide by 12 in. deep. O n the front of the box was a 10by 10-in. translucent panel behind which were colored light bulbs wired to present a series of varied light patterns. Near the bottom and at the center of the box was a small opening for the chute of a pellet dispenser. Glossy resin pellets about the size of MgrM candies were dispensed through the chute. Switches for controlling both the visual display and the pellet dispenser were in E's room. Each child was instructed chat he would be left alone to talk with the "magic box" and that he might get some pellets which could later be traded for toys. The first 2 min. of talk were not reinforced. This was followed by 8 min. of reinforcement according to the contingencies described above. Following this were 2 min. of non-reinforced talk. Tape recordings of the children's verbalizations and Stanford-Binet IQ scores were analyzed. The differences beween reinforced and non-reinforced verbs for pre-conditioning and post-conditioning trials were calculated. A comparison of pre-conditioning and post-conditioning differences was then made, and this difference was correlated with IQ. A Wilcoxon (1945) composite-rank method test indicated that conditioning did take place ( p = .02) . However, a product-moment correlation of only . l l ( p > .72) was found between responsivity to VOC and IQ, suggesting that intellectual functioning (IQ) is not a correlate of a process such as VOC.
A Rapidly Modulated Multifocal Detection Scheme for Parallel Acquisition of Raman Spectra from a 2-D Focal Array

We report the development of a rapidly modulated multifocal detection scheme that enables full Raman spectra (∼500–2000 cm–1) from a 2-D focal array to be acquired simultaneously. A spatial light modulator splits a laser beam to generate an m × n multifocal array. Raman signals generated within each focus are projected simultaneously into a spectrometer and imaged onto a TE-cooled CCD camera. A shuttering system using different masks is constructed to collect the superimposed Raman spectra of different multifocal patterns. The individual Raman spectrum from each focus is then retrieved from the superimposed spectra with no crosstalk using a postacquisition data processing algorithm. This system is expected to significantly improve the speed of current Raman-based instruments such as laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy and hyperspectral Raman imaging.
Low dose radiation and diabetes mellitus

Induction of hormesis and adaptive response by low-dose radiatio (LDR) has been extensively indicated. It's mechanism may be related with the protective protein and antioxidants that LDR induced, which take effects on the diabetes mellitus (DM) and other diseases. This review will summarize available data with emphasis on three points: the preventive effect of LDR on the development of diabetes, the therapeutic effect of LDR on diabetic complications and possible mechanisms by which LDR prevents the development of diabetes and diabetic complications. Finally, the perspectives of LDR clinical, diabetes-related implication are discussed.
Health status, cognitive coping, and depressive symptoms: testing for a mediator effect.

OBJECTIVE: Research has established a link between health status and symptoms of depression in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the effects of "cognitive coping" variables have not been extensively studied. We examined the mediator effect of a cognitive coping variable (Pain Control and Rational Thinking factor score from the Coping Strategies Questionnaire) over the course of a pharmacological intervention. METHOD: Data were analyzed from 54 persons with RA, all of whom met diagnostic criteria for major depression. Measures of depression, health status, and cognitive coping were collected at 4 different stages of a pharmacological (antidepressant) study as follows: (1) at baseline, (2) postintervention, (3) 6 month followup, and (4) 15 month followup. RESULTS: Results indicated that a direct relationship existed between health status and depression at all 4 time periods. However, this relationship was mediated by cognitive coping only at the postintervention and the 6 month followup. CONCLUSION: A cognitive coping variable was found to mediate the relationship between health status and depression, but only at moderate levels of depression.
Abstract MP21: Consumption of Nuts and Beans and Risk of Incident Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, and Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Higher consumption of nuts is linked to lower risk of CHD, but relationships with stroke or diabetes are less established. Further, whether consuming beans (legumes) is associated with CHD, stroke, or diabetes has not been systematically reviewed. OBJECTIVE To systematically investigate and quantify the relationships of nut and bean intake with incident CHD, stroke, and diabetes. METHODS Using MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched multiple databases to identify randomized control trials or observational studies examining associations of nut or bean intake with incident CHD, stroke, or diabetes. Studies were excluded if reporting only intermediate physiologic measures, soft CVD outcomes (e.g., angina), or crude risk estimates. Data were extracted independently and in duplicate. Generalized least-squares trend estimation was used to assess dose-response relationships. Pooled summary estimates were calculated by fixed (I2 RESULTS From 2,737 identified abstracts, 24 observational studies and 0 trials met inclusion criteria, comprising 813,590 individuals and 21,149 CHD, 8,531 stroke, and 24,044 diabetes cases. Nut intake was inversely associated with fatal CHD (n=4 studies, 2,794 cases; RR per 1oz/wk: 0.88; 95% CI 0.83, 0.93; I2 0%), non-fatal CHD (n=3, 4,280 cases; RR per 1oz/wk: 0.94; 95% CI 0.89, 0.98; I2 14%), and diabetes (n=4, 16,371 cases; RR per 1oz/wk: 0.94; 95% CI 0.89, 0.99; I2 61%); but not ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (n=2, 4,553 cases). Bean intake was also inversely associated with total CHD (n= 4, 10,164 cases; RR 1oz/day: 0.94; 95% CI 0.89, 0.98; I2 6%) but not diabetes (n=2; 5561 cases) or stroke (n=2; 2356 cases). Meta-regression identified age (p 0.04) and study duration (p 0.01) as sources of heterogeneity, with less benefits in older individuals or with greater length of follow-up. Evidence for publication bias was not seen. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support benefits of eating nuts and beans to reduce CHD, and nuts to reduce diabetes. More evidence from long-term prospective studies and trials is needed to assess whether eating nuts or beans influences stroke and whether eating beans influences diabetes.
Girth increase, sudden pain in a cardiac patient.

(1985). Girth Increase, Sudden Pain in a Cardiac Patient. Hospital Practice: Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 163-164.
New therapeutic approaches

SUMMARY Clinicians have witnessed an evolution from sulfasalazine and hydrocortisone to alternative aminosalicylates and steroids. Revolutionary changes beyond these, however, and other “nonspecific” anti-immunoinflammatory compounds require clarification of the primary events either activating inflammatory cascades or preventing the down-regulation of homeopathic inflammation.51 The authors remain encouraged by advances in basic research pertaining to IBD and optimistic that novel empiric observations and therapeutic trials will focus bench-side investigation as clinicians strive to improve the quality of life for patients.
A novel quantile regression approach for eQTL discovery

Over the past decade, there has been a remarkable improvement in our understanding of the role of genetic variation in complex human diseases, especially via genome-wide association studies. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly characterized, impending the development of therapeutic interventions. Identifying genetic variants that influence the expression level of a gene, i.e. expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), can help us understand how genetic variants influence traits at the molecular level. While most eQTL studies focus on identifying mean effects on gene expression using linear regression, evidence suggests that genetic variation can impact the entire distribution of the expression level. Indeed, several studies have already investigated higher order associations with a special focus on detecting heteroskedasticity. In this paper, we develop a Quantile Rank-score Based Test (QRBT) to identify eQTLs that are associated with the conditional quantile functions of gene expression. We have applied the proposed QRBT to the Genotype-Tissue Expression project, an international tissue bank for studying the relationship between genetic variation and gene expression in human tissues, and found that the proposed QRBT complements the existing methods, and identifies new eQTLs with heterogeneous effects across different quantile levels. Notably, we show that the eQTLs identified by QRBT but missed by linear regression are more likely to be tissue specific, and also associated with greater enrichment in genome-wide significant SNPs from the GWAS catalog. An R package implementing QRBT is available on our website.
Tradition und Erbe der Romantik

Die Darstellung der Wirkungsgeschichte der Romantik bedarf einer eigenen Untersuchung, deren Umrisse hier nur angedeutet werden konnen. Es kann sich nicht darum handeln, etwa aufgefachert nach Landern einen Abris der nachromantischen Literatur anzufertigen. Statt dessen sei versucht, die Grundlagen der Moderne, insofern sie in der romantischen Epoche angelegt sind, noch einmal zu benennen und dann, mit dem Akzent auf der Literatur, die von der Romantik inspirierten oder ihr zumindest affin erscheinenden Literaturphasen von europ. Relevanz herauszukristallisieren. Daran reihen sich abschliesend einige spezifische Aspekte der literarischen Nachwirkung, die damals wie heute das Interesse von Kunstlern und Kritikern auf sich gezogen haben.
Prosodic focus in Bangla: A psycholinguistic investigation of production and perception

The paper investigates the prosodic distinctions available in Bangla/Bengali to differentiate focus-types. Bangla has canonical SOV order. The immediate preverbal position is the default focus position. We conducted an elicitation study followed by a perception study to investigate whether Bangla speakers distinguish new-information vs. contrastive focus prosodically and whether the syntactic position of the focused constituent matters. We found reliable effects between focus-types only when the focused constituent is an object, in the default focus position. Therefore, Bangla uses prosodic cues to mark focus, but the perceptibility interacts with syntactic position: Differences between focus-types are amplified in default focus position.
Uptake and metabolism of serotonin and amino acids in thiamine deficiency.

Thiamine deficiency (TD) in humans causes a well known clinical syndrome in which cerebellar ataxia, ophthalmoplegia and mental changes prevail (Wernicke’s encephalopathy). Some patients, who survive this acute encephalopathy, develop a characteristic chronic amnestic syndrome (Korsakoff’s psychosis). Experimental thiamine deficiency, produced acutely with thiamine analogs (pyrithiamine) or chronically with deficient diet, can result in neurological manifestations and brain pathologic changes resembling those seen in patients with Wernicke’s encephalopathy (Dreyfus, 1976). Therefore, such animal models have been used extensively to study the effects of TD in the nervous system.
High Throughput Sequencing of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Small RNAs.

Abstract 3650 MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and play key roles in cancer by modulating oncogene and tumor suppressor pathways. We are investigating the clinical and prognostic roles of miRNA expression in pediatric leukemias using high-throughput sequencing as a profiling tool. To establish the methodology, we have utilized high-throughput sequencing to quantify small RNA expression from eight acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines and one MLL-rearranged infant ALL patient sample. We generated sequencing libraries from these cells, conducted high-throughput sequencing using the Illumina platform, and established a custom bioinformatics pipeline for data analysis. Over 50 million individual sequence reads were analyzed. These sequences were mapped against a database of human miRNAs, and the frequency of miRNA expression among samples was enumerated. Expression of hematopoietic-specific miR-142 and miR-181 cluster miRs was found in these leukemia samples, while the liver-specific miR-122 was not expressed. miR-196b, previously reported to be over-expressed in MLL-rearranged leukemias, was expressed in 3/3 MLL-rearranged leukemia cell lines and 1/5 non-MLL cell lines. Expression of individual miRNAs was validated by quantitative PCR. Additional analysis of MLL-associated miRNAs and novel small RNAs will be presented. Our results demonstrate the feasibility and potential of high-throughput sequencing to profile the expression of small RNAs from leukemia cells, and we plan to apply these methods to additional primary patient samples to examine prognostic and clinical correlations with small RNA expression patterns. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Equilibrium in Insurance Markets: An Empiricist’s View

Empirical models of insurance markets would greatly enhance our ability to understand policy-relevant questions. Yet they are still quite rare. This paper sketches such a model and surveys its basic elements. While much progress has been made in recent years in our understanding of insurance demand in particular, the most crying need is for market-wide data.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ANGIOGRAPHY CAN RELIABLY ASSESS EPICARDIAL CORONARY VASOREACTIVITY IN RESPONSE TO ADENOSINE AND DOBUTAMINE

Background: Stress CT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is an important functional adjunct to CT angiography (CTA). Stressor induced changes in epicardial diameter could provide index of vascular reactivity, but are not routinely assessed during MPI. Methods: Sequential CTA (120 kV, 350 mA) was
Institutional Convergence: The Origins of Benefit Corporations and L3Cs

I develop a historical analysis of social for-profit organizations in the United States and the new legal structures that accommodate them. I focus on the emergence of an institutional field, situated across historical nonprofit and for- profit fields, wherein for-profit organizations integrate the pursuit of private wealth with core social objectives. I apply the institutional logics perspective to clarify the historical trajectory of this field, highlighting the roles of cognition and social movements. In doing so, I address why new legal organizational forms arise and the entrepreneurial opportunities they engender. I conclude by describing the implications of this analysis for research and practice.
Cost-effective and label-free holographic biosensor for detection of herpes simplex virus (Conference Presentation)

Herpes is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted viral diseases. Timely detection of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) can help prevent the rampant spreading of the virus. Current detection techniques such as viral culture, immuno-assays or Polymerase-Chain-Reaction, are time extensive and require expert handling. Here we present a field-portable, easy-to-use, and cost-effective biosensor for the detection of HSV based on holographic imaging. The virus is first captured from a target solution onto specifically developed substrates, prepared by coating glass coverslips with HSV-specific antibodies, and imaged using a lensfree holographic microscope. Several light-emitting-diodes (LEDs), coupled to multi-mode optical-fibers, are used to illuminate the sample containing the viruses. A micro-controller is used to activate the LEDs one at a time and in-line holograms are recorded using a CMOS imager placed immediately above the substrate. These sub-pixel shifted holograms are used to generate a super-resolved hologram, which is reconstructed to obtain the phase and amplitude images of the viruses. The signal of the viruses is enhanced using self-assembled PEG-based nanolenses, formed around the viral particles. Based on the phase information of the reconstructed images we can estimate the size of the viral particles, with an accuracy of ± 11 nm, as well as quantify the viral load. The limit-of-detection of this system is estimated to be <500 viral copies per 100 μL sample volume that is imaged over 30 mm^2 field-of-view. This holographic microscopy based biosensor is label-free, cost-effective and field-portable, providing results in 2 hours, including sample preparation and imaging time.
Measuring Assessment Quality With an Assessment Utility Rubric for Medical Education.

Introduction Prior research has identified seven elements of a good assessment, but the elements have not been operationalized in the form of a rubric to rate assessment utility. It would be valuab...
Partitioning methods for pruning the Pareto set with application to multiobjective allocation of a cross-trained workforce

Abstract The Pareto (or nondominated set) for a multiobjective optimization problem is often of nontrivial size, and the decision maker may have a difficult time establishing objective criterion weights to select a solution. In light of these issues, clustering or partitioning methods can be of considerable value for pruning the Pareto set and limiting the decision to a few choice exemplars. A three-stage approach is proposed. In stage one, a variance-to-range measure is used to normalize the criterion function values. In stage two, maximum split partitioning and p-median partitioning are each applied to the normalized measures, thus producing two partitions of the Pareto set and two sets of exemplars. Finally, in stage three, the union of the exemplars obtained by the two partitioning methods is accepted as the final set of exemplars. The partitioning methods are compared within the context of multiobjective allocation of a cross-trained workforce to achieve both operational and human resource objectives.
Complex mixtures of dissolved pesticides show potential aquatic toxicity in a synoptic study of Midwestern U.S. streams

Abstract Aquatic organisms in streams are exposed to pesticide mixtures that vary in composition over time in response to changes in flow conditions, pesticide inputs to the stream, and pesticide fate and degradation within the stream. To characterize mixtures of dissolved-phase pesticides and degradates in Midwestern streams, a synoptic study was conducted at 100 streams during May–August 2013. In weekly water samples, 94 pesticides and 89 degradates were detected, with a median of 25 compounds detected per sample and 54 detected per site. In a screening-level assessment using aquatic-life benchmarks and the Pesticide Toxicity Index (PTI), potential effects on fish were unlikely in most streams. For invertebrates, potential chronic toxicity was predicted in 53% of streams, punctuated in 12% of streams by acutely toxic exposures. For aquatic plants, acute but likely reversible effects on biomass were predicted in 75% of streams, with potential longer-term effects on plant communities in 9% of streams. Relatively few pesticides in water—atrazine, acetochlor, metolachlor, imidacloprid, fipronil, organophosphate insecticides, and carbendazim—were predicted to be major contributors to potential toxicity. Agricultural streams had the highest potential for effects on plants, especially in May–June, corresponding to high spring-flush herbicide concentrations. Urban streams had higher detection frequencies and concentrations of insecticides and most fungicides than in agricultural streams, and higher potential for invertebrate toxicity, which peaked during July–August. Toxicity-screening predictions for invertebrates were supported by quantile regressions showing significant associations for the Benthic Invertebrate-PTI and imidacloprid concentrations with invertebrate community metrics for MSQA streams, and by mesocosm toxicity testing with imidacloprid showing effects on invertebrate communities at environmentally relevant concentrations. This study documents the most complex pesticide mixtures yet reported in discrete water samples in the U.S. and, using multiple lines of evidence, predicts that pesticides were potentially toxic to nontarget aquatic life in about half of the sampled streams.
Fishing practices and representations of shark conservation issues among users of a land-based shark angling online forum

Abstract Recreational fisheries can play a significant role in the population dynamics of threatened fish species, but have received much less research and management attention than commercial fisheries. Land-based anglers are a group of recreational fishers that fish from beaches or piers; however, comparatively little is known about the practices and perceptions of this stakeholder group. In order to gather data for an initial assessment of the fishing practices of land-based anglers and their perspectives on shark conservation issues, we performed a content and discourse analysis of an online discussion forum used by the largest land-based shark fishing club in Florida. Discussion board content analysis can identify evidence that certain perceptions or practices exist within a studied sample, but cannot be used to estimate how common those perceptions and practices are among the wider population. We found evidence that forum users are demographically distinct from other recreational anglers in Florida, and are mostly young males. Some forum users perceive themselves as relatively low-income compared with other fishing stakeholder groups. There was no evidence in forum discussions that patterns of reported landing and release of hammerhead and tiger sharks changed following the introduction of new legal protections for these species in 2012. This study identified a minimum of dozens of cases of illegal shark fishing practices among forum users, and found evidence that some users are aware that these practices are illegal. There was evidence that some users believe that their own practices have no effect on shark populations and should not be regulated. Additionally, this study found the existence of mixed attitudes and levels of trust towards scientific researchers and environmentalists.
Patient Navigation for Patients Frequently Visiting the Emergency Department: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background ED super-utilizers (patients with 5 or more visits/year) comprise only 5% of the patients seen yet comprise 25% of total ED visits. Though the reasons for this are multifactorial, the cost to the patient and the community is exceedingly high. The cost is not just monetary; care of these patients is inappropriately fragmented and their presence in the ED may contribute to overcrowding affecting the community's emergency readiness. Previous studies using staff trained to help patients navigate their care options have had conflicting results. Objectives To determine whether a trained Patient Navigator (PN) can reduce ED use and costs in super-utilizers over a one year period. Methods Super-utilizers were enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients were randomized into the treatment arm and met with a PN who reviewed their diagnosis, associated care plan and identified proper primary care services and community resources for follow-up. The remaining control group was provided standard care. Both groups were given a follow-up call and survey by the PN within 7 days of their visit who assessed primary care follow-up and patient satisfaction using a 4 point Likert scale. After twelve months, the patients’ return ED visits and ED costs were compared to the year prior and primary care compliance and satisfaction were measured using Student-T tests with Bonferroni correction or Mann-Whitney U tests. Results 282 patients were enrolled (148 in navigation treatment group, 134 controls). Patients were similarly matched in age, race, gender, insurance and chief complaints. Overall ED visits decreased during the 12 month study period, compared to the 12 months prior to enrollment (2249 visits prior to 2050 visits during study period, -8.8%). There was a greater decrease in ED visits from the pre-enrollment year to post-enrollment year in the treatment group (1148 visits to 996 visits, -13.2%) compared to the control group (1101 visits to 1054 visits, -4.3%)(p <0.05). Overall healthcare costs (ED and hospital) for all 282 patients decreased in the year after compared to the 12 months prior to enrollment ($3.9M to $3.1M) with a greater decrease in the navigation treatment group (-26.6%) compared to the control group (-17.5%). Patient surveys found no difference in patient satisfaction in pre and post-enrollment periods but there was an increase in PCP use over the 12 month follow-up period in the treatment group (6.42 visits/patient) compared to the control group (4.07 visits/patient) (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our data showed that the overall number of return ED visits and costs did decrease for both groups, potentially inferring a placebo effect for the use of a PN, however the decrease in ED visits and costs were greater in the treatment group. One year follow-up noted an increase in PCP visits in the navigation group. Use of a PN may be cost effective. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.