cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dobutamine in chronic ischemic heart failure: Alterations in left ventricular function and coronary hemodynamics

Abstract Changes in cardiac performance and coronary hemodynamics were evaluated during dobutamine infusion in patients with chronic heart failure associated with ischemic heart disease. At the maximal administered dose (10 μg/kg per min) cardiac index increased by 54 percent and stroke work index by 65 percent, indicating improved left ventricular function. Coronary sinus flow and myocardial oxygen consumption increased concomitantly, but myocardial lactate production occurred in only one of eight patients. These findings suggest that improved left ventricular function with dobutamine is associated with increased myocardial oxygen consumption; however, overt myocardial ischemia occurs infrequently.
On the existence of paratactical three-webs

We prove the existence of paratactical 3-webs W(3, 2, r) of codimension r ≥ 2 on a (2r)-dimensional differentiable manifold by constructing a series of examples of such webs.
Inflammatory Mediator Profiling Reveals Immune Properties of Chemotactic Gradients and Macrophage Mediator Production Inhibition during Thioglycollate Elicited Peritoneal Inflammation

Understanding of spatiotemporal profiling of inflammatory mediators and their associations with MΦ accumulation is crucial to elucidate the complex immune properties. Here, we used murine thioglycollate elicited peritonitis to determine concentrations of 23 inflammatory mediators in peritoneal exudates and plasma before (day 0) and after (days 1 and 3) thioglycollate administration to peritoneal cavities; these mediators included TNF-α , FGF-9, IFN-γ , IP-10, RANTES, IL-1α , IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12p70, IL-17A, lymphotactin, OSM, KC/GRO, SCF, MIP-1β , MIP-2, TIMP-1, VEGF-A, MCP-1, MCP-3, and MCP-5. Our results showed that concentrations of most mediators in exudates and plasma reached peak levels on day 1 and were significantly reduced on day 3. Conversely, MΦ numbers started to increase on day 1 and reached peak levels on day 3. Moreover, LPS treatment in vitro significantly induced mediator productions in cell culture media and lysates from MΦ isolated on day 3. Our results also showed that on day 0, concentrations of many mediators in plasma were higher than those in exudates, whereas on day 1, the trend was reversed. Overall, the findings from thioglycollate elicited peritonitis reveal that reversible chemotactic gradients between peritoneal exudates and blood exist in basal and inflamed conditions and the inflammatory mediator production in vivo is disassociated with macrophage accumulation during inflammation resolution.
Chiral synthesis via organoboranes. 25. B-(Z and E)-crotylbis-(2-isocaranyl)boranes as valuable reagents for the asymmetric crotylboration of aldehydes

Abstract The asymmetric crotylboration of representative aldehydes, RCHO (R = Me, Et-), with B-[Z and E ]-crotylbis(2-isocaranyl)boranes (4 and 5 ) proceeds with remarkably high enantioselectivity (>94-98% ee) and diastereoselectivity (>99% de) at -78°C in ethyl ether.
Subinhibitory Clindamycin Differentially Inhibits Transcription of Exoprotein Genes in Staphylococcus aureus

It has long been known that certain antibiotics, at subinhibitory concentrations, differentially inhibit the synthesis of alpha-hemolysin and other staphylococcal virulence factors. In this report, we show that subinhibitory clindamycin (SBCL) eliminates production of nearly all exoproteins by Staphylococcus aureus but has virtually no effect on cytoplasmic proteins. The effect was abolished by a gene conferring resistance to macrolides-lincosamides-streptogramin B, showing that differential inhibition of protein synthesis is responsible; remarkably, however, subinhibitory clindamycin blocked production of several of the individual exoprotein genes, including spa (encoding protein A), hla (encoding alpha-hemolysin), and spr (encoding serine protease), at the level of transcription, suggesting that the primary effect must be differential inhibition of the synthesis of one or more regulatory proteins. In contrast to earlier reports, however, we found that subinhibitory clindamycin stimulates synthesis of coagulase and fibronectin binding protein B, also at the level of transcription. agr and sar expression was minimally affected by subinhibitory clindamycin. These effects varied from strain to strain and do not seem to be responsible for the effects of subinhibitory clindamycin on the overall exoprotein pattern.
Parent‐reported environmental tobacco smoke exposure among preadolescents and adolescents treated for cancer

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) poses serious health risks for children with cancer. Parental smoke is a primary source of exposure for these children. Parent smoking behaviors and parent-reported ETS exposure among children treated for cancer were examined in this study. In addition, reports of ETS exposure among children with cancer who currently smoked or who had smoked in the past were compared to those of children with cancer who never smoked. Written questionnaires about smoking behaviors and ETS exposure were administered to 47 smoking parents of youngsters diagnosed with cancer, 10–18 years of age (57.4% male, 78.7% Caucasian). Child reports of smoking status were also obtained. Results indicated that children with cancer are exposed to ETS from a number of sources and settings, as reported by their parents. Current or previous child smokers had greater ETS exposure than non-smoking children. Older children and Caucasian children also had greater ETS exposure. Level of ETS exposure did not differ based on the child's treatment status. Interventions that teach parents to protect their youngster from ETS exposure have potential for reducing adverse health outcomes in this vulnerable population. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical Recycling of Plastics to Useful Organic Compounds by Oxidative Degradation

The degradation of plastic waste can be facilitated by a process in which polymers react with nitrogen oxides and dioxygen under relatively mild conditions. Polystyrene generates a mixture of benzoic and nitrobenzoic acids. Both high- and low-density polyethylene produce mixtures of short-chain α,ω-diacids (including adipic acid) in good yields. A mixture of acids is also formed from nylon-6,6. Other polymers that are degraded to oligomeric materials include polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyacrylic acid.
Links between marital and parent-child interactions: Moderating role of husband-to-wife aggression

The present study examined how marital conflict may compromise parenting by identifying interdependencies across marital and parent-child subsystems in a sample of 86 two-parent families with a child aged 9-13. The study used direct observation of three family discussions to examine interdependencies across family subsystems. The study also assessed whether a history of husband-to-wife aggression strengthened interdependencies. Overall, families with husband-to-wife aggression showed a negative tone that pervaded throughout the family. Consistent with theories about physically aggressive men tending to withdraw from conflict, fathers who had engaged in husband-to-wife aggression showed an association between marital hostilities and lower levels of empathy toward their children. Consistent with stress theories, women who had been exposed to husband-to-wife aggression showed a link between marital hostilities and negative affect when interacting with their children. These findings illustrate how a history of exposure to marital aggression can create a family environment of multiple risks for children. For children in families with prior marital aggression, ongoing marital hostilities can be linked to the additional risk of erosions in parental support.
Controversy and Cumulation: Meta-Analysis and Research on Interpersonal Expectancy Effects

Meta-analysis has had a major impact on theory and research on interpersonal expectancy effects. This article describes the initial controversy surrounding expectancy effects and how meta-analysis was used to resolve it. The contribution of meta-analysis to theory on expectancy effects is then illustrated with descriptions of meta-analyses of the bases of teacher expectancies, the relationship between length of acquaintance and expectancy effects, mediation of expectancy effects, and personality moderators of expectancy effects. Future areas that could be investigated with meta-analysis are described. Lastly, the question of how research on expectancy effects has influenced the development of meta-analysis is considered.
Neurochemical phenotype of hypothalamic neurons showing Fos expression 23 h after intracranial AgRP

Agouti-related protein (AgRP) is coexpressed with neuropeptide Y (NPY) in a population of neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus and stimulates food intake for up to 7 days if injected intracerebroventricularly. The prolonged food intake stimulation does not seem to depend on continued competition at the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), because the relatively specific MC4R agonist MTII regains its ability to suppress food intake 24 h after AgRP injection. Intracerebroventricular AgRP also stimulates c-Fos expression 24 h after injection in several brain areas, so the neurons exhibiting delayed Fos expression might be particularly important in feeding behavior. Thus we aimed to identify the neurochemical phenotype of some of these neurons in select hypothalamic areas, using double-label immunohistochemistry. AgRP-injected rats ingested significantly more chow (10.2 ± 0.6 g) vs. saline controls (3.4 ± 0.7 g) in the first 9 h (light phase) after injection. In the lateral hypothalamus (particularly the perifornical area) 23 h after injection, AgRP induced significantly more Fos vs. saline in orexin-A (OXA) neurons (25.6 ± 4.9 vs. 4.8 ± 3.1%), but not in melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) or cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) neurons. In the ARC, AgRP induced significantly more Fos in CART (40.6 ± 5.9 vs. 13.4 ± 1.8%) but not NPY neurons. In the paraventricular nucleus, there was no significant difference in Fos expression induced by AgRP vs. saline in oxytocin and CART neurons. We conclude that the long-lasting hyperphagia induced by AgRP is correlated with and possibly partially mediated by hyperactive OXA neurons in the lateral hypothalamus and CART neurons in the ARC, but not by NPY and MCH neurons. The substantial increase in light-phase food intake by AgRP supports a role for the arousing effects of OXA. Activation of CART neurons in the ARC (which likely coexpress proopiomelanocortin) could indicate attempts to activate counterregulatory decreases in food intake.
Forecasting Unanticipated Consequences of “The Sunshine Act”: Mostly Cloudy

On September 6, 2007, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and five bipartisan cosponsors introduced the Physician Payment Sunshine Act (S. 2029)1 in the wake of public concerns regarding conflict of interest of practicing physicians. Although the Grassley bill was never passed, its fundamental concept was incorporated into Section 6002 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 22, 2010.2 This section of the ACA is commonly referred to as “The Sunshine Act,” which was subsequently implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through its Final Rule, as published on February 8, 2013, in the Federal Register.3
Memory CD4+ T Cells: fate determination, positive feedback and plasticity

Naive CD4+ T cells undergo massive cell proliferation upon encountering their cognate ligand. This proliferation depends upon appropriate cues from the antigen-presenting cells that have processed the antigen and present the peptide to the T cells, and requires the establishment of a cytokine environment that can support such proliferation. Expansion of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells needs to be coupled with differentiation into one of several effector/regulatory phenotypes if the priming event is to result in cells that can initially act to control the particular pathogen that elicited the response, and later to serve as memory cells to insure an appropriate response upon reintroduction of the pathogen. Here, we discuss the initiation of T helper lineage commitment, the positive feedback regulation by the cytokine environment to enhance and stabilize the differentiation into distinct T helper subsets, and the biological significance of CD4+ T cell plasticity and long-term CD4+ T cell memory.
Self-Regulated Learning Interventions in the Introductory Accounting Course: An Empirical Study

ABSTRACT: Self-regulated learning skills have been shown to have a positive impact on achievement in the academic setting, enabling graduates to become lifelong learners in professional settings. Although the importance of lifelong learning skills is well articulated in the accounting education literature, this study is the first to address concerns that class time devoted to developing such skills might impair students' acquisition of content knowledge. This study uses a quasi-experimental design within the context of the introductory accounting course. The treatment group received self-regulated learning interventions designed by the researcher and based on Zimmerman's model of the academic learning cycle. Results of this study were obtained using multiple regressions and suggest that students' acquisition of technical knowledge, as measured by conventional exam scores, was not compromised when class time was allocated between self-regulated learning interventions and content instruction. Although benef...
Seismological constraints on a possible plume root at the core–mantle boundary

Recent seismological discoveries have indicated that the Earth's core–mantle boundary is far more complex than a simple boundary between the molten outer core and the silicate mantle. Instead, its structural complexities probably rival those of the Earth's crust1. Some regions of the lowermost mantle have been observed to have seismic wave speed reductions of at least 10 per cent2,3,4,5,6,7, which appear not to be global in extent7,8,9. Here we present robust evidence for an 8.5-km-thick and ∼50-km-wide pocket of dense, partially molten material at the core–mantle boundary east of Australia. Array analyses of an anomalous precursor to the reflected seismic wave ScP reveal compressional and shear-wave velocity reductions of 8 and 25 per cent, respectively, and a 10 per cent increase in density of the partially molten aggregate. Seismological data are incompatible with a basal layer composed of pure melt, and thus require a mechanism to prevent downward percolation of dense melt within the layer. This may be possible by trapping of melt by cumulus crystal growth following melt drainage from an anomalously hot overlying region of the lowermost mantle. This magmatic evolution and the resulting cumulate structure seem to be associated with overlying thermal instabilities, and thus may mark a root zone of an upwelling plume.
Belongingness as a Protective Factor Against Loneliness and Potential Depression in a Multicultural Middle School

This study examines belongingness as a strengths-based protective factor. Belongingness is investigated in relationship to the threat of low peer acceptance for loneliness and of high loneliness for depression in adolescents. Data were collected from peers for adolescents’ peer acceptance and from adolescents themselves for other variables. Ratings of peers and self-reported survey data were analyzed together from data collected from 294 eighth-grade students from a culturally and ethnically diverse school. Results indicated belongingness was a significant moderator of the influence of peer acceptance on loneliness and of loneliness on depression. This suggests that belongingness is a potentially important buffer against the negative effects of low peer acceptance and high loneliness. Implications for counseling psychologists working with ethnically diverse adolescents are discussed.
Geographic information systems database, Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed, Arizona, United States

The geographic information systems (GIS) database complementing the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) special section papers in this issue of Water Resources Research is described. Spatial data layers discussed here will be especially useful to modelers interested in simulating the spatial and temporal characteristics of rainfall, runoff, erosion, and sedimentation processes on the WGEW. All data are available as either images or individual GIS data layers (vector or raster format) via the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Southwest Watershed Research Center at http://www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/dap/. Standard metadata are provided with attending projection information and restrictions on use.
Global Fold Determination of Large Proteins using Site-Directed Spin Labeling

Protein structures up to 25 kDa may be obtained using distance and torsion angle restraints provided by the nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) and J couplings respectively. Alternatively, distances may be obtained between a paramagnetic center and a nucleus through the electron-nuclear dipolar interaction. A paramagnetic center may be introduced into an intrinsically diamagnetic protein by covalently attaching a nitroxide spin label to cysteine. This technique, referred to as site-directed spin labeling (SDSL), has been employed extensively in electron-paramagnetic resonance. We review applications of SDSL to obtain global folds of proteins and macromolecular complexes within the frame work of high-resolution NMR. Issues pertaining to protein engineering, interpretation of paramagnetic broadening and combination of paramagnetic broadening with limited NOE data will be discussed. Paramagnetic broadening effects (PBEs) in conjunction with limited NOE data and/or residual dipolar couplings and TROSY triple resonance methodology promise to extend the size limit of proteins amenable to structural studies by NMR
Effect of Freezing, Evaporation and Freeze-Drying on Emulsifying Capacity of Salt-Soluble Protein

Abstract SALT-SOLUBLE protein has been reported to be the emulsifying agent in emulsions made from various poultry tissues by May and Hudspeth (1966), Maurer and Baker (1966) and Hudspeth and May (1967). The same authors reported varying amounts, as well as varying emulsifying capacities, of salt-soluble protein in different tissues of a carcass. Similar reports have been made on red meat products (Carpenter and Saffle, 1964; Saffle and Galbreath, 1964; and Swift et al., 1961). Proteins are generally expensive, yet some potential sources of high quality protein in poultry and red meat processing are considered as by-products and are diverted exclusively to non-food uses such as fertilizer and animal feed ingredients. One such product is the residue from boning machines which is used as a by-product despite its relatively high protein content. The purpose of this research was two-fold: (1) To determine the effect of various preservation techniques on emulsifying capacity . . .
Hydration Enthalpies of Ba2+(H2O)x, x = 1–8: A Threshold Collision-Induced Dissociation and Computational Investigation

The sequential bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of Ba2+(H2O)x complexes, where x = 1–8, are determined using threshold collision-induced dissociation (TCID) in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. The electrospray ionization source generates complexes ranging in size from x = 6 to x = 8 with smaller complexes, x = 1–5, formed by an in-source fragmentation technique. The only products observed result from sequential loss of water ligands. Charge separation, a process in which both hydrated singly charged barium hydroxide and hydronium ion are formed, was not observed except for Ba2+(H2O)3 yielding BaOH+ + H5O2+. Modeling of the kinetic energy-dependent cross sections, taking into account the number of collisions, energy distributions, and lifetime effects for both primary and secondary water loss, provides 0 K BDEs. Experimental thermochemistry for the x = 1–3 complexes is obtained here for the first time. Hydration enthalpies and reaction coordinate pathways for charge separation are also examined...
Recurrence of granular corneal dystrophy type I deposits within host stroma after non-descemet baring anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to describe a case of recurrent granular deposits after non-Descemet baring anterior lamellar keratoplasty (nDALK). METHODS A 28-year-old male with granular corneal dystrophy type I, found to have deposits throughout the anterior and midstroma, underwent nDALK. Three years later, he had a recurrence of the deposits. Slit-lamp photographs and optical coherence tomography were used to document the level of recurrence. Full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty was performed, and the residual host stroma was sent for pathology. RESULTS Slit-lamp photographs and anterior segment optical coherence tomography confirmed that the recurrent hyaline deposits were confined to the residual host stroma just anterior to Descemet membrane. The anterior lamellar graft and epithelium remained clear. Pathology showed positive staining with Masson trichrome in the host stroma just anterior to Descemet membrane. CONCLUSIONS Previous studies suggest that the recurrence of granular deposits after keratoplasty is usually anterior and may even be epithelial in origin. This case report documents the recurrence of granular dystrophy entirely within the residual host stroma after nDALK. These findings suggest that residual keratocytes may still be a source of recurrence.
Serendipitous Diagnosis of a Ganglioneuroma in a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Educational Setting

This report describes an unanticipated finding in an asymptomatic volunteer scanned in a sonography education program that led to the diagnosis of a rare, benign tumor consistent with a ganglioneur...
Sources of Inefficiency in Healthcare and Education.

Abstract Healthcare and education exhibit wide variation in spending that is loosely associated with outcomes. We study supply-side explanations for such variation in in healthcare, and extend this discussion to how it might apply to education. In both sectors, variation in risk-adjusted rates could arise from some providers or educators doing too much (overuse) or others are using too little (underuse). Alternatively, the production function varies across providers and educators, so that hospitals and educators with higher returns to treatment deliver more because of comparative advantage. We discuss how a prototypical Roy model can separate these explanations.
Treat-to-target and Improving Outcomes in Psoriasis: A Report from the GRAPPA 2014 Annual Meeting

Treat-to-target strategies are part of routine clinical practice in cardiovascular medicine. This approach, however, is relatively new in rheumatology and dermatology and has not been widely applied to the management of psoriatic diseases. At the 2014 annual meeting of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) in New York, New York, USA, several GRAPPA members summarized and participated in a panel discussion on the treat-to-target concept as it applies to psoriasis, its potential role in improving treatment outcomes, identification of specific treatment targets for psoriasis, and future directions for research.
Picture diary

Picture Diary is about a boy's first love. It was my attempt to make an animation that can touch people like a poem. This animated short is mainly 3D with toonshaders, and made using Alias|Wavefront Maya 3.0, Painter 6.0, Photoshop, and After Effects.
Sex Ratio of Rodents as Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Prey

Sex ratios of rodents in samples of owl pellets have been interpreted to reflect predator selectivity, availability of prey on the landscape, and variable susceptibility of the sexes to predation. Metric distinction of male from female innominates of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and voles (Microtus spp.) extracted from ∼120 pellets cast by barn owls (Tyto alba) in southeastern Washington state revealed more females than males. The sex ratio did not change from pellets cast when much of the landscape was productive agricultural land to pellets cast when a portion of the land was taken out of production and placed in soil bank. Barn owls are opportunistic foragers that have greater success at prey capture when vegetation cover is discontinuous. Barn owls likely captured more young females than males of both rodent taxa because the former are more subject than the latter to intra- and inter-specific displacement into more open habitats, whether agricultural land or soil bank land, therefore are more susceptible to predation.
SECTION 9.4 – Model of Inelastic Behavior Coupled to Damage

Damage variables can be presented through the internal state variables of thermodynamics for irreversible processes in order to describe the effects of damage. One of the most crucial aspects of continuum damage mechanics is the appropriate choice of the damage variable, since the accuracy and reliability of the developed damage model are mostly dependent on the suitable selection of the type and numbers of these variables. This chapter presents a coupled incremental damage and plasticity theory for rate-independent and rate-dependent composite materials. Damage is characterized kinematically through a second-order damage tensor for each material constituent, and its physical interpretation is also presented. This is related to the microcrack porosity and crack density within the unit cell and characterizes separately the damage in each material constituent. Damage is characterized in terms of two fourth-order tensors, the damage in the matrix and the damage in the fiber. The damage in the fiber characterizes both the internal damage in the fiber due to the cracks and voids as well as the damage due to debonding. The damage formulation present in this chapter is robust and efficient for the type of problems presented in this work.
Gaussian analysis of one-dimensional unsaturated flow in randomly heterogeneous soils

We propose a new method for the solution of stochastic unsaturated flow problems in randomly heterogeneous soils which avoids linearizing the governing flow equations or the soil constitutive relations, and places no theoretical limit on the variance of constitutive parameters. The proposed method applies to a broad class of soils with flow properties that scale according to a linearly separable model provided the dimensionless pressure head ψ has a near-Gaussian distribution. Upon treating ψ as a multivariate Gaussian function, we obtain a closed system of coupled nonlinear differential equations for the first and second moments of pressure head. We apply this Gaussian closure to steady-state unsaturated flow through a randomly stratified soil with hydraulic conductivity that varies exponentially with αψ where ψ=(1/α)ψ is dimensional pressure head and α is a random field with given statistical properties. In one-dimensional media, we obtain good agreement between Gaussian closure and Monte Carlo results for the mean and variance of ψ over a wide range of parameters provided that the spatial variability of α is small. We then provide an outline of how the technique can be extended to two- and three-dimensional flow domains. Our solution provides considerable insight into the analytical behavior of the stochastic flow problem.
Catalytic, Interrupted Formal Homo-Nazarov Cyclization with (Hetero)arenes: Access to α-(Hetero)aryl Cyclohexanones.

The first examples of a Lewis-acid catalyzed (hetero)arene interrupted, formal homo-Nazarov cyclization have been disclosed. Using SnCl4 as the catalyst, alkenyl cyclopropyl ketones undergo ring-opening cyclization to form six-membered cyclic oxyallyl cations. Subsequent intermolecular Friedel–Crafts-type arylation with various electron-rich arenes and heteroarenes provides functionalized α-(hetero)arylated cyclohexanones, a scaffold present in many natural products and bioactive compounds, in yields up to 88% and diastereomeric ratios up to 12:1. Regiospecific arylation occurs at the α-carbon of the oxyallyl cation due to polarization caused by the ester group.
Screening for Frailty in Thoracic Surgical Patients.

Background The presence of frailty or prefrailty in older adults is a risk factor for postsurgical complications. The frailty phenotype can be improved through long-term resistance and aerobic training. It is unknown whether short-term preoperative interventions targeting frailty will help to mitigate surgical risk. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of frail and prefrail patients presenting to a thoracic surgical clinic who could benefit from a frailty reduction intervention. Methods A prospective cohort study was performed at a single-site thoracic surgical clinic. Starting October 1, 2014, surgical candidates 60 years of age or older who consented to be screened were included. Patients were screened using an adapted version of Fried's phenotypic frailty criteria: weakness (grip strength), slow gait (15-foot walk), unintentional weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, and low self-reported physical activity (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly). Prefrailty was identified when participants demonstrated one to two frailty characteristics; frailty was identified when participants demonstrated three to five frailty characteristics. Results Of 180 eligible patients, 126 consented, and 125 completed screening. Thirty-nine participants (31%) were not frail, 71 (57%) were prefrail, and 15 (12%) were frail. Exhaustion was the most common frailty symptom (34%). Frailty prevalence did not significantly differ among men and women (men: 10%, women: 14%; p = 0.75). Conclusions We found a high proportion of prefrail and frail patients among patients deemed candidates for thoracic surgical procedures. This finding indicates that frailty may be underrecognized. Substantial numbers of patients may be considered for a presurgical frailty reduction intervention.
DNA Binding and Cleavage by the Human Parvovirus B19 NS1 Nuclease Domain.

Infection with human parvovirus B19 (B19V) has been associated with a myriad of illnesses, including erythema infectiosum (Fifth disease), hydrops fetalis, arthropathy, hepatitis, and cardiomyopathy, and also possibly the triggering of any number of different autoimmune diseases. B19V NS1 is a multidomain protein that plays a critical role in viral replication, with predicted nuclease, helicase, and gene transactivation activities. Herein, we investigate the biochemical activities of the nuclease domain (residues 2–176) of B19V NS1 (NS1-nuc) in sequence-specific DNA binding of the viral origin of replication sequences, as well as those of promoter sequences, including the viral p6 and the human p21, TNFα, and IL-6 promoters previously identified in NS1-dependent transcriptional transactivation. NS1-nuc was found to bind with high cooperativity and with multiple (five to seven) copies to the NS1 binding elements (NSBE) found in the viral origin of replication and the overlapping viral p6 promoter DNA seque...
Sherri Cooper (1956–2015)

Sherri Cooper in Dr Patrick's research office at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1990.On 23 November 2015, paleoecologist and diatomist Dr Sherri Rumer Cooper passed away after a l...
Oral Mucosa Harbors a High Frequency of Endothelial Cells: A Novel Postnatal Cell Source for Angiogenic Regeneration.

Endothelial progenitor cells/endothelial cells (EPCs/ECs) have great potential to treat pathological conditions such as cardiac infarction, muscle ischemia, and bone fractures, but isolation of EPC/ECs from existing cell sources is challenging due to their low EC frequency. We have isolated endothelial progenitor (EP)-like cells from rat oral mucosa and characterized their yield, immunophenotype, growth, and in vivo angiogenic potential. The frequency of EP-like cells derived from oral mucosa is thousands of folds higher than EPCs derived from donor-match bone marrow samples. EP-like cells from oral mucosa were positive for EC markers CD31, VE-Cadherin, and VEGFR2. Oral mucosa-derived EP-like cells displayed robust uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein and formed stable capillary networks in Matrigel. Subcutaneously implanted oral mucosa-derived EP-like cells anastomosed with host blood vessels, implicating their ability to elicit angiogenesis. Similar to endothelial colony-forming cells, EP-like c...
Screening for phyto-protectants to guard corn seeds/seedlings from southern corn rootworm feeding injury

A screening program was developed to detect chemicals without acute toxicity that could protect seedling corn from injuiy by southern corn rootworm (SCR), Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber....
Decoupling the Labeling Tradition: Exploring Gang Affiliation and the Application of Law

Scholars have tested Becker’s master status thesis on criminal justice system outcomes, yet have been unable to disentangle the label from behavioral characteristics. To clarify the effects of labels, we used archival juvenile court data to test Becker’s master status through the effects of gang affiliation on case disposition. Stratified multivariate regression models revealed consistent effects of predictors—mental health needs, offenses per case, felony offense, and pretrial detention—on case referral to juvenile court across the gang-affiliated demarcation. The static effects of legal predictors across the gang demarcation levy questions about the legal consequences of labels.
Impact of cover cropping and landscape positions on nitrous oxide emissions in northeastern US agroecosystems

Abstract The environmental benefits of organic farming compared to conventional agriculture are well documented, but relatively few studies have assessed their differences in emissions of nitrous oxide (N 2 O), a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). The objective of the study was to assess the interactive impact of management and landscape positions on soil characteristics and N 2 O emissions. A field-scale experiment was conducted in two adjacent grain farms in upstate New York that have both undergone the same management for 20 years. In the conventional field (CNV), inorganic fertilizer was the only nitrogen (N) source, but in the organic fields (ORG), a legume cover crop, red clover ( Trifolium pratense) , was frost-seeded into a winter grain (spelt, Triticum spelta ), and then incorporated in spring as a N source for the subsequent maize plants ( Zea mays ). Measurements of soil properties and N 2 O emissions were conducted at shoulder and toeslope positions on both CNV and ORG fields in 2012. Based on Principal Component Analysis, landscape position, management regime, and rotation phases explained 67% of the variation in the soil properties; these three major sources of variation in soil properties (principal components) were correlated significantly with seasonal average N 2 O emissions. Comparable N 2 O emissions were found from the clover-maize (ORG Cl-M) phase in the ORG field and the bare fallow-maize phase in the CNV field. The spelt-clover phase in the ORG field had the lowest N 2 O emissions due to low N availability. In the CNV field, seasonal average N 2 O emissions were driven mainly by the elevated gas fluxes after fertilizer application. High soil moisture and inorganic N pools towards the end of the growing season probably resulted in increased denitrification rates. The impact of landscape position on N 2 O emissions was mainly found in the CNV field, probably because greater moisture and pH drove greater rates of complete denitrification at toeslope positions. In the ORG Cl-M phase, the seasonal average N 2 O emissions were dominated by the emission peaks that immediately followed incorporation of clover. Greater clover biomass at shoulder slope positions resulted in greater N 2 O peaks there, but the position effect was not statistically significant. Our study suggests that ecosystem state factors, such as landscape characteristics, interacted with management practices to impact soil properties, crop growth, and microbial communities and, therefore, had interactive effects on N dynamics, including N 2 O emissions.
Two-Layer Fuel Cell Electrolyte Structure by Sol-Gel Processing

Thin layers of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) at 11 mol% Y2O3 doping level was deposited on a sintered disk of Y2O3 doped ceria electrolyte by spin-coating from an alkoxide solution. Dense sintered films were obtained by heat-treatment at 600°C. Open circuit voltage (OCV) was measured across the disk in a fuel cell mode with hydrogen fuel on the ceria side and pure oxygen on the YSZ side. Marked improvement of OCV was obtained on the two-layer electrolyte structure with the sol-gel YSZ film.
Book review: Goal-Based Decision Making: An Interpersonal Model by Stephen Slade (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates)

This is a mesmerizing book, containing many interesting and provocative ideas about decision making as a general process as well as decision making in both a private and a public group context. Specifically, it concerns the decision making process of individual members of Congress in the United States House of Representatives as they decide to vote for or against a particular piece of legislation. Members of Congress must make their decisions subject to conflicting pressures from constituents, lobbyists, other Washington, D. C. actors (e.g., how will the Supreme Court view the constitutionality of this legislation? what does the President of the United States want done? what actions will Senators from my state take?), all under intense media scrutiny while needing to explain, to influence, to justify, and to seek re-election. While Slade's book does not (necessarily!) treat all facets of the problem, he has made a valuable first step in explicating the process used.
Geographic profiling of criminal groups for military cordon and search

In the course of counter-insurgency campaigns, military forces expend considerable resources and time conducting cordon and search operations in an effort to interdict and suppress criminal groups. However, these operations have a low success rate, with most operations yielding little intelligence or marginal tactical gains while simultaneously angering the local populace. This paper demonstrates methods for improving the success rate of cordon and search operations by leveraging Criminal Site Selection (CSS) models for geographic profiling. This new modeling approach provides statistically significant performance improvements over the current best method for geographic profiling and provides geographic profiles that are often accurate enough to facilitate tactical success, with the modeled criminal group's anchor point falling within the search profile for military unit cordon and search operations.
Statistical Methods For Fermentation Optimization

A common problem for a biochemical engineer is to be handed a microorganism and be told he has six months to design a plant to produce the new fermentation product. Although this seems to be a formidable task, with the proper approach this task can be reduced to a manageable level. There are many ways to approach the problem of optimization and design of a fermentation process. One could determine the nutritional requirements of the organism and design a medium based upon the optimum combination of each nutrient, i.e., glucose, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. This approach has two drawbacks. First, it is very time-consuming to study each nutrient and determine its optimum level, let alone its interaction with other nutrients. Secondly, although knowledge of the optimal nutritional requirements is useful in designing a media, this knowledge is difficult to apply when economics dictate the use of commercial substrates such as corn steep liquor, soy bean meal, etc., which are complex mixtures of many nutrients.
Properties of Liquid Phase Sintered Materials

In this discussion, the concern is with the properties of systems with high volume fractions of solid (typically over 50% solid at the sintering temperature), which includes most practical materials processed by liquid phase sintering techniques. There is a diversity of final microstructures possible by liquid phase sintering. The microstructure carries over to affect the properties, especially mechanical behavior. However, microstructure is not the only factor affecting the properties of liquid phase sintered materials (1,2). Table 9.1 lists the specific factors by categories of powder characteristics, sintering cycle, alloy composition, post-sintering heat treatment, sintered microstructure, and testing conditions. In light of such diversity, it is difficult to make specific statements about optimal conditions. However, there are some general results which provide insight to the links between composition, processing, microstructure, and properties.
Silicon nanocone formation via low-energy helium ion sputtering

In this study, the effect of low-energy (100 eV) He+ ion irradiation on Si surface morphology is explored. Si (100) and (111) samples were irradiated with 100 eV He+ ions at an elevated sample temperature of 600 °C and to fluences in the range 5.0 × 1019–2.0 × 1020 ions cm–2. Through a combination of high ion flux and high sample temperature, it was found that continued He+ ion irradiation facilitates the formation of homogeneously populated, high aspect ratio silicon nanocones (NCs) (∼50–100 nm base and ∼200–400 nm height). The resulting surface morphology is shown to have excellent antireflective properties, suggesting potential application toward enhanced light absorption in photovoltaic and other optical applications. Furthermore, similar irradiations at reduced sample temperature show comparable structuring mechanisms but with smaller cone diameter. These results indicate that NC size and number density (and related wavelength-dependent reflectivity properties) may be tailored by carefully tuning ion irradiation conditions. Utilizing very low-energy He+ ions as the irradiating species, these studies also demonstrate an added benefit to limiting metallic surface contamination through reduced probability of sputtering in-vacuum components.In this study, the effect of low-energy (100 eV) He+ ion irradiation on Si surface morphology is explored. Si (100) and (111) samples were irradiated with 100 eV He+ ions at an elevated sample temperature of 600 °C and to fluences in the range 5.0 × 1019–2.0 × 1020 ions cm–2. Through a combination of high ion flux and high sample temperature, it was found that continued He+ ion irradiation facilitates the formation of homogeneously populated, high aspect ratio silicon nanocones (NCs) (∼50–100 nm base and ∼200–400 nm height). The resulting surface morphology is shown to have excellent antireflective properties, suggesting potential application toward enhanced light absorption in photovoltaic and other optical applications. Furthermore, similar irradiations at reduced sample temperature show comparable structuring mechanisms but with smaller cone diameter. These results indicate that NC size and number density (and related wavelength-dependent reflectivity properties) may be tailored by carefully tuning ion...
Web-Based Health Information Technology: Access Among Latinos Varies by Subgroup Affiliation

Background: There are significant health technology gaps between Latinos and non-Hispanic whites and between first- and second-generation Latinos. Objective: This study aimed to examine disparities in Web-based health information–seeking behavior (HISB) and patient portal use among Latinos, taking into account nativity and subethnic affiliation. Methods: We analyzed US-born, non-Hispanic whites and Latinos adults (N=49,259) and adult internet users (N=36,214) in the 2015 to 2016 National Health Interview Survey using a binary logistic regression controlling for individual difference level variables. Outcomes were internet use, HISB (health information-seeking online and using a chat group for health information), and patient portal use (using a computer to schedule an appointment, filling a prescription, and communicating with a provider). Results: We found that US-born Mexicans (odds ratio [OR] 0.81, 95% CI 0.66-0.99), foreign-born Mexicans (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.29-0.42), foreign-born Puerto Ricans (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44-0.87), foreign-born Central and South Americans (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.33-0.53), and foreign-born other Latinos (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.24-0.49) had lower odds of using the internet than US-born non-Hispanic whites. The relationship between subgroup affiliation and Web-based HISB varied by type of technology. US-born Mexicans (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.66-0.9), foreign-born Mexicans (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.43-0.61), foreign-born Central and South Americans (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.43-0.64), and foreign-born other Latinos (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.4-0.79) had lower odds of looking up health information online than US-born non-Hispanic whites. Controlling for age, sex, education, income to federal poverty level, and region, foreign-born Central and South Americans (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41-0.92) and foreign-born other Latinos (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.1-0.68) had lower odds of filling a prescription using a computer than US-born non-Hispanic whites. Foreign-born Mexicans (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.36-0.72) and foreign-born Central and South Americans (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-0.99) have lower odds of emailing a health care provider than US-born non-Hispanic whites. Posthoc analyses were conducted among Mexican-Americans to see if age was significant in predicting Web-based HISB or other patient portal use. We found individuals aged 18 to 30 years had higher odds of using the internet (OR 3.46, 95% CI 2.61-4.59) and lower odds of looking up health information online (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.58-0.96). A posthoc analysis was conducted among Mexican-Americans to see if nativity predicted Web-based HISB and patient portal use. We found that US-born individuals had higher odds (OR 52.9, 95% CI 1.2-1.93) of looking up health information online compared with foreign-born individuals. Conclusions: We found Latino subgroups do not use health information channels equally, and attempts to target Latinos should take ethnicity and nativity into account.
Zoned out? The determinants of manufactured housing rents: Evidence from North Carolina

Abstract This paper explores determinants of manufactured housing park (MHP) plot rents in North Carolina, with particular focus on the distinction among high-growth urban parks and small town/rural parks, and on the possible role played by zoning restrictiveness. Little is known about how MHP rents are determined, even though it is estimated that more than 10 million Americans live in MHPs. We implement a hedonic model and an instrumental variables approach to examine the relationship between MHP rents and local housing markets, land use restrictions, and other factors. We find that, contrary to expectations, zoning is strongly negatively associated with park rents in periurban and rural parks, but appears as a positive driver in high-growth cities. We then extend this model to an out-of-sample prediction for MHPs rents in Texas.
Respect Other People: Moral and Cultural Conditions of Human Dignity

How do economic systems shape the way we treat other people? Major economic paradigms before the Keynesian Revolution began from a view that human beings had an inviolable dignity. The Consumption paradigm treats human beings as bundles of irrational appetites that respond to stimuli and can be easily manipulated. Since our economic lives include our most intimate and important personal decisions, political control over the economy implies political control over nearly every decision. This creeping totalitarianism of economic management is the gravest threat of hollow prosperity.