cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential inhibition of HT-29 and HCT-15 colon cancer cell growth by rosiglitazone and 1,1-bis(3’-indolyl)-1-(p-substituted phenyl)methanes, a new class of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonists

4392 HT-29 and HCT-15 colon cancer cells express wild-type and mutant (K422Q) peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ) and rosiglitazone inhibits growth of HT-29 but not HCT-15 cells. This study investigates the mechanisms of HT-29 and HCT-15 cell growth inhibition by PPARγ active 1,1-bis (3’-indoyl)-1-(p-substituted phenyl methane) [C-substituted diindoyl methanes (DIMs)] that contain p-CF 3 (DIM-C-pPhCF 3 ), p-tbutyl (DIM-C-pPhtBu) and p-C 6 H 5 (DIM-C-pPhC 6 H 5 ) substituents. The PPARγ-active C-substituted DIMs inhibit greater than 50% of HT-29 and HCT-15 cell growth at concentrations of 1-5 and 5-10 μM respectively. Significant inhibition of G 0 /G 1 -S phase progression was observed in HT-29 but not in HCT-15 cells cultured in 2.5% charcoal-stripped serum. Inhibition of HT-29 and HCT-15 cell proliferation was not accompanied by significant changes in cyclin D1, p21 or p27 protein expression after treatment with 5.0 or 7.5 μM rosiglitazone, DIM-C-pPhCF 3 , DIM-C-pPhtBu or DIM-C-pPhC 6 H 5 . Protein levels of differentiation-inducible genes caveolin-1, caveolin-2 and keratin 18 were increased in HT-29 cells after treatment with rosiglitazone and the PPARγ-active C-substituted DIMs. In contrast, the C-substituted DIMs but not rosiglitazone induce caveolin-1 and caveolin-2 which may contribute to the differential ligand-dependent inhibition of HT-29 and HCT-15 cell growth.
An Adaptively Controlled 10-Output Reconfigurable Dual-Bus SIMO System With Group Allocator for Diversified Load Condition

Portable electronic devices require multiple supply voltages with relatively large differences in load currents, causing serious regulation, EMI, and efficiency problems when adopting a single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) dc-dc converter. To resolve these issues, this paper presents a reconfigurable SIMO system with ten-output having two buses, one for heavy-load and one for light-load outputs. The converter maintains the load current condition so that each bus is well balanced even when the load currents are diversified by using the proposed group allocator, which properly assigns a bus for each output depending on its load current. Due to this load balancing function, regulation issues that could occur under diversified load conditions are resolved, and high efficiency is achieved over a wide load current range. The test chip was fabricated in 1P4M 0.18 μm CMOS process. The system has ten independently regulated outputs with an output voltage ripples below 25 mV, and greater than 81% efficiency is achieved across a wide load range (0-300 mA).
A modified Monod rate law for predicting variable S isotope fractionation as a function of sulfate reduction rate

Abstract Microbial sulfate reduction is associated with characteristic S isotope partitioning, which can aid in determining the rate of this ubiquitous reactive pathway in a wide variety of reducing environments. Here we introduce a new simple yet predictive model that expands the range of environmental conditions over which this functional relationship can be applied through the use of a modified Monod rate expression constrained by a novel set of experiments. A series of continuously-fed batch reactors containing an equivilant biomass of Desulfovibrio vulgaris, a sulfate reducing bacteria, were subjected to differing continuous mass addition rates of formate to precisely control the rate of sulfate reduction via electron donor limitation. Based on growth yield calculations, additional biomass accumulation was negligible. The isotopic composition (δ34S) of the residual sulfate pool was measured through time for each experiment. This approach resulted in five steady state reduction rates of 2.06, 1.22, 0.83, 0.52 and 0.28 μmol * h−1 that enriched the unreacted sulfate in 34S by unique characteristic enrichment factors (αobs) of 0.9976, 0.9962, 0.9938, 0.9924 and 0.9903, respectively. This relationship was used to calibrate a new coupled set of isotope-specific Monod rate laws that have been modified to incorporate (1) a minimum (α1) and maximum (α2) fractionation factor and (2) a rate-controlling electron donor factor (DF). Application of these parameters in the updated model reproduce most of our data and simulate realistic shifts in the observed fractionation factor (αobs) as a function of reduction rate in an electron donor limited system. The model was applied to our current dataset as well as three previous studies, which collectively provide a broad range in both rates and αobs, and support validation across substantially different conditions. We show that this approach offers a reasonable approximation to more detailed microbial reactive network models, while still maintaining sufficient simplicity and versatility to allow incorporation into multi-component reactive transport simulations. Thus, the current study provides a foundation for accurate simulation of the relationship between αobs and sulfate reduction rates in open, transient, and through-flowing systems.
What happens on Facebook stays on Facebook? The implications of Facebook interaction for perceived, receiving, and giving social support

Facebook interaction is positively related to receiving social support on Facebook.Facebook interaction is positively related to giving social support on Facebook.Facebook interaction is not associated with perceived social support in general.Receiving social support on Facebook is not related to perceived social support.Giving social support on Facebook is not related to perceived social support. Relatively few studies have examined the social implications of SNSs for various dimensions of social support, even though different dimensions of social support can have differential impacts on people's well-being. This study fills this gap by examining how Facebook interaction is related to various types of social support-enacted receiving and giving social support on Facebook and perceived social support in general. A survey of college students at a large public university in the U.S. reveals that Facebook interaction is positively related to receiving and giving social support on Facebook. However, neither social interaction nor enacted social support on Facebook is related to perceived social support in general.
Rural-Urban Disparities in Breast Cancer: Six Suppositions and Future Directions

Disparities in breast cancer outcomes between rural and urban populations are of great interest as environmental, social, and technological processes unevenly affect rural and urban landscapes. This chapter examines research on rural-urban disparities in breast cancer. The first section briefly reviews recent literature on variations in breast cancer incidence, stage, survival, quality of life, treatment and costs in rural and urban areas. The next section critically evaluates this work by presenting six suppositions about rural and urban places and populations. Each supposition discusses a key issue concerning how rural and urban categories and disparities are defined, measured, and analyzed. I argue that rural and urban are complex, heterogeneous categories that are difficult to define and that change over time complicates our understanding of breast cancer disparities. The complexity, heterogeneity, and dynamism of urban and rural places and populations give rise to unequal and varying BC outcomes. In addition, people’s differing experiences of urban and rural places strongly influence important risks and exposures, while also affecting access to diagnosis and treatment facilities, leading to people- and place-based heterogeneity in breast cancer outcomes. Implications for future research on rural-urban disparities are discussed.
Using high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation to elucidate the role of the cerebello-thalamo-prefrontal network in explicit sequence learning

Though we have a general understanding of the brain areas involved in motor sequence learning, there is more to discover about the neural mechanisms behind which a new skill is learned. Initial skill acquisition may be subserved, in part, by interactions between the cerebellum (CBLM) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) through a cerebello-thalamo-prefrontal network. We investigated the consequence of stimulating the PFC using high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) before administering an explicit motor sequence learning paradigm. Using a mixed within- and between- subjects design, we employed anodal (n = 24) and cathodal (n = 25) tDCS (relative to sham) to temporarily alter brain function and examine the effects on skill acquisition. In order to gain a comprehensive perspective on the role of this network in sequence learning, we compared the current findings to our recent research investigating the CBLM using the same experimental design. The PFC results indicate that anodal stimulation negatively impacts explicit motor sequence learning, relative to sham, while the effects of cathodal stimulation are minimal, though indicative of either a stabilizing or facilitatory influence. This is consistent with past CBLM results. Our findings, therefore, suggest polarity-specific effects of tDCS on the acquisition of a sequential pattern of finger movements, both when applied to the PFC and CBLM. Collectively, this supports the involvement of a cerebello-thalamo-prefrontal network in initial skill acquisition when cognitive processes, such as working memory, are utilized. Exploring methods that may improve motor learning is important in developing therapeutic strategies for motor-related diseases and rehabilitation.
Consensus and dissensus in comparative politics: Do comparativists agree on the goals, methods, and results of the field?:

Are comparative political scientists divided over the goals, methods, and results of their field? This article attempts to answer this question, drawing on an original survey of US-based political ...
Determination of high-risk HPV status of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using the Roche cobas HPV test on cytologic specimens and acellular supernatant fluid

Background High-risk human papillomavirus-positive (hrHPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas comprise a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) with a distinct biology and prognosis. Commonly, the diagnosis of HNSCC is rendered on fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Because cell blocks may be insufficient for determining HPV status using microscopy-based techniques, the ability of liquid-based assays was examined in the current study. Methods The performance of the Roche cobas 4800 platform was evaluated on the FNA material from the cell pellet and corresponding cell-free supernatant fluid specimens of primary and metastatic HNSCCs. These results were compared with the p16 immunostain result from the histologic material obtained from the same patient. Discrepant cases were adjudicated using hrHPV RNA in situ hybridization. Results A total of 41 samples (23 primary tumors and 18 lymph node metastases) were acquired from 34 patients with HNSCC. Primary tumors included the oropharynx (20 samples), oral cavity (13 samples), larynx (3 samples), and skin (3 samples). In 2 cases, a primary tumor could not be identified. Twenty-three samples (56%) were found to be p16 positive by immunohistochemistry. Twenty-two samples were found to be positive on cobas hrHPV testing from both cell pellet and cell-free supernatant fluid. Two cell-free supernatant fluid specimens yielded indeterminate cobas results. At the time additional hrHPV RNA in situ hybridization analysis was performed, one cobas-positive cell pellet was deemed to be a false-positive result. The sensitivity of the cobas assay was 100% for pellet material and cell-free supernatant fluid, with specificities of 94.7% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions cobas hrHPV testing of HNSCC specimens demonstrated high concordance with p16 immunohistochemistry on the corresponding cell block and/or tissue specimen. Using the cell-free supernatant fluid in this platform could provide accurate HPV results while conserving material for cytomorphologic analyses.
Iatrogenic Direct Carotid-cavernous Fistula Following Mechanical Thrombectomy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

A carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is an abnormal connection between the arteries and veins of the cavernous sinus. Iatrogenic CCFs have been described as potential complications following aneurysm coiling, balloon angioplasty, and transsphenoidal surgery. In this case report, we describe a rare case of an iatrogenic direct CCF following mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke. A 78-year-old female presented to an outside hospital with a new onset of right-sided weakness and aphasia and underwent emergency MT for a left middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. The procedure was complicated by iatrogenic injury to the left cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA), which resulted in a direct high-flow CCF. The patient was transferred to our hospital and the fistula was closed with transarterial coils. Ten days later, she returned with diplopia and cranial nerve VI palsy due to residual pseudoaneurysm and was treated with a flow-diverting stent. On follow-up, the patient was neurologically intact and imaging showed no residual fistula. As the frequency of MTs performed for acute ischemic stroke continues to rise, neurointerventionalists should be aware of this potential rare complication and be prepared to manage patients who develop symptomatic CCF.
The Man-Robot Interface in Automated Assembly

In recent years there has been increasing pressure for enhanced productivity in the manufacture of capital and consumer goods in order to maintain and expand per capita standards of living throughout the industrialized world. One response to this pressure has been increased attempts at automaticity in the assembly of manufactured parts. More than 3000 industrial (“blue collar”) robots are now installed throughout the world, and this number is expected to increase by a factor of 10 in the coming decade. (Johnson, 1975).
Calibration for multivariate L\'evy-driven Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes with applications to weak subordination

Consider a multivariate Levy-driven Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process where the stationary distribution or background driving Levy process is from a parametric family. We derive the likelihood function assuming that the innovation term is absolutely continuous. Two examples are studied in detail: the process where the stationary distribution or background driving Levy process is given by a weak variance alpha-gamma process, which is a multivariate generalisation of the variance gamma process created using weak subordination. In the former case, we give an explicit representation of the background driving Levy process, leading to an innovation term which is discrete and continuous mixture, allowing for the exact simulation of the process, and a separate likelihood function. In the latter case, we show the innovation term is absolutely continuous. The results of a simulation study demonstrate that maximum likelihood numerically computed using Fourier inversion can be applied to accurately estimate the parameters in both cases.
The Aporetics of Temporality and the Poetics of the Will

The aporias of time that Paul Ricœur identifies in the conclusion to his three-volume Time and Narrative offer a fecund starting-point from which to consider how the poetics of narrativity figures in a philosophy of the will. By setting the poetics of narrativity against the aporetics of temporality, Ricoeur highlights the narrative art’s operative power in drawing together incidents and events in answer to time’s dispersion across the present, the past, and the future. In turn, the confession of the limits of narrative opens the way to a broader consideration of the idea of the unity of history in the absence of a meta-historical plot. This idea calls for a reflection on the ethical and political imperative of making freedom a reality for all. By taking the theory of freedom’s actualization as a touchstone, I argue that the vision of a reconciled humanity that for Ricœur is the intended object of the poetics of the will acquires the force of a directive idea. The capacity to refashion the real from within thus proves to be decisive for drawing out the connection between the aporetics of temporality, the poetics of narrativity, and Ricœur’s philosophical anthropology.
The nature of FoMO: trait and state fear-of-missing-out and their relationships to entertainment television consumption

Fear-of-missing-out, or FoMO, is the experience of believing that other people are having an enjoyable experience from which one is absent. FoMO has been identified in previous research as a person...
Stress Avalanches of Polyethylene Terephthalate Fiber–Reinforced Concrete Beams during Flexure

AbstractStress–time avalanches of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber–reinforced concrete during flexure were investigated based on high temporal resolution signals in this study. Stres...
Unreasonable: A Strict Liability Solution to the FTC’s Data Security Problem

For over two decades, the FTC creatively employed its capacious statute to police against shoddy data practices. Although the FTC’s actions arguably were needed at the time to fill a gap in enforcement, there are reasons to believe that its current approach has outlived its usefulness and is in serious need of updating. In particular, our analysis shows that the FTC’s current approach to data security is unlikely to instill anything close to optimal incentives for data holders. These shortcomings cannot be fixed through changes to the FTC enforcement approach, as they are largely generated by a mismatch between the tools that Congress gave it over a century ago and what it needs to foster firms’ incentives to mimic socially optimal levels of care for the data they hold. Not only does the current framework likely suffer from informational deficiencies attendant to its focus on “reasonable” security that render liability standards uncertain, it also lacks the ability obtain the type of relief that will force firms to internalize the costs of their data security decisions. We examine the problem of data security enforcement through the lens of the economics of optimal precautions and identify several reasons why a strict liability regime administered by the FTC, under which firms pay for the expected harm from breaches they cause, is likely to be superior to the current framework that revolves around the concept of reasonableness. The benefits from strict liability flow from the likelihood that firms do not fully internalize the costs and benefits of their data security decisions and the relatively large informational burdens associated with measuring actual and optimal care under a negligence regime. We also show why in this informational environment strict liability is better than negligence for developing a vibrant market for cyber insurance, which will allow data security regulation to be de facto outsourced to insurers who will contract with firms for optimal levels of care. Because these private contracts will harness private information on costs and benefits from precautions, they are likely to incentivize more efficient behavior.
Targeting Lipid Metabolism for the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Insights from Preclinical Mouse Models

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major leading cause of irreversible visual impairment in the world with limited therapeutic interventions. Histological, biochemical, genetic, and epidemiological studies strongly implicate dysregulated lipid metabolism in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) in AMD pathobiology. However, effective therapies targeting lipid metabolism still need to be identified and developed for this blinding disease. To test lipid metabolism-targeting therapies, preclinical AMD mouse models are needed to establish therapeutic efficacy and the role of lipid metabolism in the development of AMD-like pathology. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of current AMD mouse models available to researchers that could be used to provide preclinical evidence supporting therapies targeting lipid metabolism for AMD. Based on previous studies of AMD mouse models, we discuss strategies to modulate lipid metabolism as well as examples of studies evaluating lipid-targeting therapeutics to restore lipid processing in the RPE. The use of AMD mouse models may lead to worthy lipid-targeting candidate therapies for clinical trials to prevent the blindness caused by AMD.
Dehalococcoides and Reductive Dechlorination of Chlorinated Solvents

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, short-chain C1 to C3 chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) have been manufactured in large amounts and extensively used in industrial, military, agricultural and household applications. The widespread use of CAHs is based on their desirable properties including low cost, easy availability, excellence as solvents, chemical stability, and fire safety (i.e., most chlorinated solvents are nonflammable and do not form explosive mixtures with air). The widespread use, careless handling and storage, ignorance of health effects and environmental dangers, and the lack of regulations over decades of extensive use has resulted in wide-ranging groundwater contamination. A major strategy for the bioremediation of these solvents is reductive dechlorination by microorganisms, most predominantly members of the Dehalococcoides group, the only microbes known to detoxify chlorinated ethenes to ethene. Members of this group have streamlined genomes highly adapted to using chlorinated hydrocarbons as electron acceptors, and are likely to play important roles in reductive dehalogenation of diverse organohalides in the environment.
Preparation of heavy-atom derivatives using site-directed mutagenesis: Introduction of cysteine residues into γδ resolvase☆

The ability to determine protein structures by X-ray crystallography is often thwarted by the difficulty of finding isomorphous heavy-atom derivatives. The crystal structure of the site-specific recombinase, resolvase, has been difficult to determine for this reason. We have overcome this problem by introducing 13 single cysteine substitutions into the resolvase catalytic domain using oligonucleotide mutagenesis. The mutant proteins were screened for their ability to crystallize into the orthorhombic form and bind mercury ions isomorphously. Two mutant proteins provided excellent heavy-atom derivatives. This approach should be of general use and particularly helpful in cases where traditional methods have failed to produce a derivative.
Preparing teachers at the University of Virginia's College at wise

The purpose of this article is to describe how teacher education candidates at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVa-Wise) in the United States are trained and become eligible for professional teaching licenses in grades 6-12 in the Commonwealth of Virginia. First, the authors offer a brief overview of the College and the collaborative efforts between the UVa-Wise Department of Education and other academic disciplines. The authors identify specific program endorsement areas and grade levels in which UVa-Wise TEP candidates are awarded their degree. They summarize their respective curricula in endorsement areas that candidates are required to complete to become eligible for their professional licenses in their respective teaching endorsement areas. Topics of discussion include: 1.) Requirements that candidates must meet for admission into the UVa-Wise teacher education program; 2.) Professionals’ expectations regarding their admission and continuation in the UVa-Wise teacher education program; and 3.) Admission requirements to the student teaching internship required to complete the program. Additionally, they discuss the roles of the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Board of Education in the teaching endorsement approval process for all teacher education programs in Virginia. Finally, the process of how teacher education programs can become recognized by a national accrediting organization (more specifically, the Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) is briefly examined. El objetivo de este articulo es describir la formacion de los estudiantes de Formacion del Profesorado en la Universidad de Virginia de Estados Unidos y como llegan a ser docentes para la Ensenanza Primaria (Grados 6-12) en el Estado de Virginia. Los autores presentan, en primer lugar, una breve vision general del College y los esfuerzos colaborativos entre el Departamento de Educacion de UVA-Wise y otras disciplinas academicas. Los autores identifican las areas especificas de apoyo a los programas y las etapas y grados de los candidatos a la Formacion del Profesorado en UVA-Wise para licenciarse. Asimismo, se resumen los respectivos planes de estudio que deben completar los estudiantes para adquirir la licencia profesional en sus correspondientes areas. Los temas de la presente exposicion incluyen: 1. Requisitos que los candidatos necesitan para ser admitidos en el programa de Formacion del Profesorado en UVA-Wise; 2. Las expectativas de los profesionales en cuanto a su admision y continuacion en el mencionado programa; y 3. Los requisitos de admision al periodo de practicas, el cual es requerido para completar el programa. Se expone ademas, el papel que tiene el Departamento de Educacion de Virginia y el Consejo de Educacion para la aprobacion de los programas dirigidos a la Formacion de Profesores en Virginia. Finalmente, ha sido brevemente examinado, el reconocimiento otorgado a los programas de formacion de profesores por parte de una organizacion nacional de acreditacion (en concreto, el Consejo de Acreditacion de Educacion de Profesores).
Computer Vision in Next Generation Image and Video Coding

In this paper we will explore the various ways in which Computer Vision techniques can aid and sometimes even replace the classical algorithms used in many still image and video coding standards. Because compression factor is one of the most important performance criteria of image/video coding we will examine the effectiveness of these techniques in achieving low and very-low bit rates. Motivation for the recent demand of very low-bit rate algorithms stems in part from the introduction of advanced multimedia applications. The desktop computer, for instance, is fast becoming much more than a number crunching machine and will likely become the main channel for interpersonal communications as well as our interface to what is being called the information superhighway. The video inputs to such systems will not only need to capture and code images and video but also obtain some measure of understanding of the scenes before them. Classical or first generation coding algorithms, while indispensable in many fields of communications, fall short of this task. Only a fusion of such algorithms with the work currently being done in computer vision, image understanding, and artificial intelligence will produce a viable system. Since, traditionally, these communities have been rather disparate, it is necessary to begin at a basic level and explore the ways in which techniques from each field can be integrated to create a system that is truly more than the sum of its parts. With that end in mind, this paper will address some of the common aspects of image and video coding with a concentration on one of the more important research areas — the estimation of 2D and 3D motion to use in efficiently compressing video sequences using 3D models.
Modeling and simulation of the dynamic control of a cascaded multilevel inverter using single DC source for induction motor drive application

A new type of cascaded multilevel inverter with single DC source presents particular advantages in high power quality and high reliability motor drive applications, and therefore suitable for Navy ship propulsion systems. Control of the dynamics of this type of inverter is important since the charge/discharge state of the capacitors and the modulation index vary with time. This paper presents an algorithm for the dynamic control of this inverter topology. In order to analyze and verify the proposed control algorithm, PSIM is integrated with MATLAB/Simulink to formulate a detail system simulation platform. Simulation results are presented to verify the proposed method.
Aspartate Transcarbamylase INTERACTION WITH THE TRANSITION STATE ANALOGUE N-(PHOSPHONACETYL)-l-ASPARTATE

Abstract N-(Phosphonacetyl)-l-aspartate (PALA) is a stable analogue of the transition state in the reaction catalyzed by aspartate transcarbamylase from Escherichia coli; it combines in 1 molecule most of the structural features of the two natural substrates, carbamyl phosphate and l-aspartate. The inhibition constant (Ki) for PALA with the catalytic subunit is 2.7 x 10-8m at 28° and pH 7.0 in 0.2 m imidazole acetate; the value of Ki is approximately the same with the native enzyme. PALA binds to aspartate transcarbamylase about 1000 times more tightly than carbamyl phosphate, the substrate bound most tightly. In addition to tight binding, other data indicate that PALA interacts with the enzyme at both the carbamyl phosphate and l-aspartate sites simultaneously and puts the enzyme into the same contracted conformation as do carbamyl phosphate and succinate (an analogue of l-aspartate) acting together. PALA alone or carbamyl phosphate and succinate together produce the same ultraviolet difference spectrum with the catalytic subunit; the binding of PALA alone or carbamyl phosphate and succinate together at some of the catalytic sites in the native enzyme activates the remaining catalytic sites to the same extent. PALA gives competitive inhibition with carbamyl phosphate but not with l-aspartate, indicating an obligatory binding order for the substrates: carbamyl phosphate must bind before l-aspartate for catalysis to occur. Titration of the catalytic subunit with PALA, monitored by ultraviolet difference spectroscopy, indicates that there are 3.07 active sites per 100,000 daltons. The interaction of PALA with the enzyme is consistent with the "compression" model for aspartate transcarbamylase previously proposed (Collins, K.D., and Stark, G.R., J. Biol. Chem., 244, 1869 (1969)).
Self-management of chronic disease and hospital readmission: a care transition strategy

kelly md (2011) Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness 3, 4–11 Self-management of chronic disease and hospital readmission: a care transition strategy Aims and objectives. To identify current trends in readmissions and practices for preventing readmissions in client populations with chronic disease. The objectives are to review evidence and ascertain if best practice guidelines to prevent readmissions exist. An emphasis was placed on the identification of low resource and easy to implement models for the prevention of readmissions. Background. Chronic disease is increasing in prevalence, and quality improvement is needed as clients transition between a variety of healthcare settings, particularly from hospital to home. People with chronic disease are more likely to need inpatient care, yet studies indicate that readmissions within 30 days of discharge occur. Hospitalisations are considered preventable if linked to unresolved conditions present at the time of discharge and not remunerated by Medicare. In such cases, hospitals bear 100% of the cost of avoidable readmissions. Method. A literature review of databases in English, Internet searches of CINAL, Cochrane database of systematic reviews as well as Agency for Healthcare Quality Research guidelines were conducted. The search terms used were; care coordination, self-care, self-care management of chronic disease, readmission, preventing readmission, and care transition(s). Results. The association of chronic disease care with the emergence of readmission rates as indicators of quality of care is explored utilising Coleman’s Care Transition Model. This model is suggested as a practical, evidenced-based intervention, which hospitals can implement to reduce avoidable readmissions. Conclusions. The review of evidence revealed a lack of high-level research identifying which interventions designed to avoid readmissions were most effective. The available literature provided several recurrent themes concerning effective strategies to prevent readmission. The themes identified were; patient empowerment and carer inclusion, bridging discharge process from hospital to the client’s home, improving self-care capacities and better client understanding of self-administration of medication. Coleman’s model consisting of four pillars coincided with effective strategies prominent in the literature. The concept of care transitions is contemporary and very much evolving. New higher-level evidence is needed as models addressing decreasing readmission are rigorously evaluated. Relevance to clinical practice. Putting measures into place known to prevent hospital readmission is essential in the provision of quality of care and to addresses rising healthcare costs. Supporting clients with chronic disease through care transitions has been identified as a means to avoid hospital readmissions. Coleman’s model provides a low resource template to build self-care into a client’s discharge process after hospitalisation.
Mesons and the struture of nucleons: Part III. Pion-nucleon scattering

Abstract The “atomic” model of the physical nucleons has been used in a direct computation of the scattering of free pions by nucleons. The computation is analogous to the computation of the scattering of electrons by hydrogen atoms. Neglecting any pion-pion interaction, p-wave scattering phase shifts are computed, in the Born approximation and also by an improved technique, for various assumptions concerning the interaction between a pion and the nucleon “core”. The model is shown to be capable of reproducing the resonant scattering in the (3,3) isobar state, while predicting much smaller phase shifts for the other states. Our results differ from the Chew-Low theory, in the Born approximation, only in that we predict a small, positive phase-shift for scattering in the (1,1) state; the experiments appear to favor our prediction. We conclude that the same pion-nucleon interaction, which accounts for the properties of the ground (physical) nucleon state, leads to the observed low-energy pion-nucleon scattering.
Living cells in wood. 2. Raylessness: histology and evolutionary significance

Raylessness occurs in several hundred species belonging to about 40 families (fewer depending on taxonomic delineation). Fibre distribution (raylessness at first, followed by origin of rays), fibre wall thickness and sclerenchyma at pith margins support the idea that rapid acquisition of mechanical strength is basic to most instances of raylessness. Raylessness may be the most readily available process for achieving mechanical strength in ancestrally herbaceous groups lacking large amounts of phloem and cortical fibres. Raylessness is not a uniform phenomenon and a small number of instances suggest alternative causation, as in two lianas (Cobaea, Thunbergia). Raylessness occurs in only a small number of trees and annuals, but is found in woody herbs, subshrubs and some shrubs. It is indicative of secondary woodiness and wood paedomorphosis. Raylessness would seem to block the radial flow that rays typically provide, but a surprising number of rayless woods have moderately pitted fibres (indicative of flow) and septate or non-septate living fibres. Three-dimensional networks of conjunctive tissues in rayless species with successive cambia (Aizoaceae, Amaranthaceae, Nyctaginaceae) could also provide radial flow avenues. Ontogenetic changes from raylessness to ray presence within the stem of a given species are described and illustrated. Pseudo-raylessness, late-onset raylessness and early-onset raylessness are recognized. Systematic distribution and pertinent literature are given for known instances of raylessness and pseudo-raylessness. Raylessness shows that wood evolution involves not merely change in the abundance and position of cell types, but also redesign and diversification in cell types. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 178, 529–555.
Lipophilic Tracer DiI Used for Neuronal Tracing in the Fixed Hippocampal Formations of Mice

Both the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex are involved in memory formation. It is thought that they work together to create a loop that is involved in the formation of long term memories. The entorhinal cortex sends projections to the CA1 field of the hippocampus and the CA1 field sends projections back to the entorhinal cortex. How exactly they communicate is unknown. In order to do electrophysiological studies it is necessary to know in which orientation to cut the brain to preserve the most connections between these two areas. Here we show that DiI crystal application can be used to successfully label known fiber paths from the dentate gyrus to the CA3 field. Then we begin with sagittal and horizontal slices of the brain to see how well connections between the CA1 field and the EC are preserved.
Development and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the endangered Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri)

The Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) is a state-endangered taxon in Florida and a candidate for federal listing. Here we report 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci appropriate for use in population and conservation studies. We genotyped 114 individuals sampled from a metapopulation in the lower Florida Keys over a 2-year period (2005–2006). These results show 4–14 alleles per locus, and ranges of observed and expected heterozygosities are 0.02679–0.79630 and 0.06154–0.69565, respectively. Large deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) are observed across the whole sample set. When a single breeding population is analysed alone, seven of the loci are in HWE.
Backcalculation of Ultrathin Whitetopping Pavement Based on Saint-Venant’s Principle

AbstractWhitetopping (WT) or ultrathin whitetopping (UTW) overlay is defined as a portland cement concrete overlay on an existing deteriorated hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavement to improve both the structural and functional capability of HMA. During the past two decades, UTW overlays have gained great acceptance as an alternative to HMA overlay. However, there is a lack of a reliable method to evaluate the performance of in-service UTW pavements. Because of the small slab sizes of UTW pavements, backcalculation of pavement layer properties, based on the falling weight deflectometer, is challenging. This study developed a new approach, the Critical Distance Method, based on Saint-Venant’s principle, to backcalculate the portland cement concrete and equivalent substructure moduli of UTW pavement. It was proven to be an effective approach to determine the layer properties of UTW pavement, based on the finite element simulations. Traditional backcalculation methods, such as AREA theory and the MODCOMP6 software p...
A thermodynamic perspective of DNA bending

Abstract A brief overview is presented of some recent examples of studies that are beginning to provide insights into the thermodynamics of DNA bending. Such data, which currently are quite sparse, are required not only for a basic understanding of this intriguing sequence-dependent structural distortion, but also for assessing the degree to which DNA bending may contribute to the forces that drive biologically significant events.
Isotope Effect in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer and Bogoliubov Theories of Superconductivity

It is shown that the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer and Bogoliubov theories of superconductivity predict an isotope effect which is the same for all superconductors, so long as the Coulomb interaction is neglected. This is demonstrated by writing the system of integral equations in a mass-invariant form, and it does not involve finding actual solutions. The theories predict that ${H}_{0}$, ${T}_{c}$, and the energy gap at $T=0$ are proportional to ${M}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}$. The inclusion of the Coulomb interaction destroys the invariance of the equations and introduces deviations from the -\textonehalf{} in the exponent. The magnitude of the deviation depends on the particular superconductor considered.
Correlation of apparent molecular weight and antigenicity of viral proteins: An SDS-PAGE separation followed by acrylamide-agarose electro-phoresis and immunoprecipitation☆

Abstract A simple method is described which combines a sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in the first dimension with a second electrophoresis, at right angles to the first, into an agarose matrix. The proteins, separated by SDS-PAGE, are exposed to appropriate antisera after the second stage electrophoresis and immunoprecipitates form in the agarose corresponding to the relative electrophoretic mobilities of proteins in the first stage SDS-PAGE separation. The method thus provides a simple, reproducible means for correlating antigenicity with apparent molecular weight of proteins. The technique is qualitative, but requires smaller quantities of antisera than more conventional immunoelectrophoretic methods such as rocket electrophoresis.
Managing the adoption of asymmetric bidirectional firewalls: Seeding and mandating

The security of the Internet can be significantly improved if Internet Service Providers adopt firewalls to monitor traffic entering and leaving access networks. But this process suffers due to ‘free-riding’, and hence, regulatory requirements and ‘seeding’ strategies are required to influence the adoption process. In this paper, we analytically derive the equilibrium adoption levels and relate them to the initial seeding and mandating condition, and explore the issues of incentive alignment across users, firewall developers, and regulators. We define different notions of optimality and analytically develop optimum seeding and mandating policies.
An iron-free magnetic beta-ray spectrometer of high luminosity, resolving power, and precision for the study of decay schemes of the heavy isotopes☆

Abstract A complete detailed description of the purposes, theory, design, and techniques of operation of this high-precision, high-resolution, automatically recording instrument is presented. Some representative results are shown and figures of merit are obtained and displayed on Persico-Geoffrion charts for comparison with other instruments. A few examples of its performance are shown and a complete list of references to all nuclear decay schemes so far studied with the instrument is given. The present design represents the cumulative result of numerous modifications and improvements over five years of practical working experience since it was first put into operation.
Rotational dynamics of spin-labeled F-actin in the sub-millisecond time range.

The rotational motions of F-ai HMM and S-l are equally effective, on a molar basis, in slowing this rotation and both produce their maximal effect at a ratio of about one molecule of HMM or S- 1 per ten actin monomers. With chymotryptic S-1, the effect is partially reversed at higher concentrations. With S- 1 prepared with papain in the presence of Mg2 + : the reversal is smaller, while with HMM or myosin there is no reversal at higher concentrations. Tropomyosin slightly decreases the aetin rotational mobility, and the addition of HMM to the actin-tropomyosin complex produces a further slowing. The rotational correlation time for acto-HMM is the same whether the spin-label is on actin or HMM, indicating that the rotation of the head region of HMM when bound to F-a&in is controlled by a mode of rotation within the F-actin filaments.
Video Enforcement of High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes: Field Test Results for I-30 in Dallas

A study was conducted to assess and test promising technologies for high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane enforcement. After a qualitative assessment of video, automatic vehicle identification, and infrared machine vision technologies, the study was suspended because no preferred infrared machine vision technology was available for testing. The study was resumed when a vendor demonstrated promising video technology. The HOV enforcement and review (HOVER) system was then developed for an operational test on the I-30 contraflow HOV lane in Dallas, Texas. The results of an independent evaluation by Texas Transportation Institute indicated that the HOVER system, in its current state, could support a program that mails HOV information to suspected violators. The study's limited budget prevented several improvements that could expand the capabilities of the HOVER system. With several enhancements to the system (e.g., improved license plate recognition and "whitelist" license plate database), the HOVER system could ...
Towards multiple hazard resilient bridges: a methodology for modeling frequent and infrequent time-varying loads Part II, Examples for live and earthquake load effects

The current AASHTO load and resistance factor design (LRFD) guidelines are formulated based on bridge reliability, which interprets traditional design safety factors into more rigorously deduced factors based on the theory of probability. This is a major advancement in bridge design specifications. However, LRFD is only calibrated for dead and live loads. In cases when extreme loads are significant, they need to be individually assessed. Combining regular loads with extreme loads has been a major challenge, mainly because the extreme loads are time variable and cannot be directly combined with time invariant loads to formulate the probability of structural failure. To overcome these difficulties, this paper suggests a methodology of comprehensive reliability, by introducing the concept of partial failure probability to separate the loads so that each individual load combination under a certain condition can be approximated as time invariant. Based on these conditions, the extreme loads (also referred to as multiple hazard or MH loads) can be broken down into single effects. In this paper, a further breakdown of these conditional occurrence probabilities into pure conditions is discussed by using a live truck and earthquake loads on a bridge as an example.