cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examination of the factor structure of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a global scale evaluating the impact of upper-extremity disorders. We sought to validate or challenge the unidimensional factor structure of the DASH. METHOD. Secondary analysis was performed on data collected from outpatient clinics. Factor analysis was performed in two steps, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). To provide further support for unidimensionality, fit statistics were calculated using the Andrich Rasch rating-scale model. RESULTS. EFA revealed three potential factors (eigenvalues = 18.40, 1.56, and 1.54). CFA was performed fitting a three-factor model. Tucker-Lewis Index (.99) and standardized root mean square residual (.05) values indicated good fit. Comparative fit index (.89) and root mean square error of approximation (.13) did not. When divided into three constructs, only one item misfit. CONCLUSION. More research is needed to determine situations in which division of the DASH may enhance interpretability
L 1 penalized continuation ratio models for ordinal response prediction using high-dimensional datasets

Health status and outcomes are frequently measured on an ordinal scale. For high-throughput genomic datasets, the common approach to analyzing ordinal response data has been to break the problem into one or more dichotomous response analyses. This dichotomous response approach does not make use of all available data and therefore leads to loss of power and increases the number of Type I errors. Herein we describe an innovative frequentist approach that combines two statistical techniques, L1 penalization and continuation ratio models, for modeling an ordinal response using gene expression microarray data. A simulation study was conducted to assess the performance of two computational approaches and two model selection criterion for fitting frequentist L1 penalized continuation ratio models. Moreover, the approaches were empirically compared using three application datasets, each of which seeks to classify an ordinal class using microarray gene expression data as the predictor variables. We conclude that the L1 penalized constrained continuation ratio model is a useful approach for modeling an ordinal response for datasets where the number of covariates (p) exceeds the sample size (n), and the decision of whether to use AIC or BIC for selecting the final model should depend upon the similarities between the pathologies underlying the disease states to be classified.
Sport and commercial fishing conflicts: A theoretical analysis

Abstract A recreational sector is added to a standard commercial fishing optimal control model to identify public decision variables which should be considered when determining optimal population levels and allocating harvestable fish between sport and commercial users. Both linear and nonlinear models are presented. A predator-prey relationship is also considered. Results derived from the models indicate that shortcomings exist with current economic inputs to policy making because of failure to consider relevant bioeconomic relationships. Future research topics to remedy this are discussed.
Taxonomic and phylogenetic problems in Old World eucerine bees, with special reference to the genus Tarsalia Morawitz, 1895 (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophoridae)

A tribe Ancylini was established by Michener (1944: 273) for the two genera Ancyla and Tarsalia, but the two are not closely allied and Tarsalia appears rather to be an aberrant member of the Eucerini. The previously-described species-group taxa of Ancyla are listed, and Ancyloscelis heterodoxa Cockerell, 1937, is synonymized with Ancyla oraniensis Lepeletier, 1841. The previously described species-group taxa of Tarsalia, including cellularis (Cameron, 1898), transferred from Tetralonia, and mimetes (Cockerell, 1933), transferred from Tetraloniella, both new combinations in Tarsalia, are reviewed. Tarsalia strobilanthae, sp. nov., is described from India. Glazunovia, gen. nov., is proposed for Melissina of Popov, 1962, a misidentified taxon. The position of the anomalous eucerine Tetralonia brevipennis Cameron, 1898, is discussed.
Human perception of fear in dogs varies according to experience with dogs

To investigate the role of experience in humans’ perception of emotion using canine visual signals, we asked adults with various levels of dog experience to interpret the emotions of dogs displayed in videos. The video stimuli had been pre-categorized by an expert panel of dog behavior professionals as showing examples of happy or fearful dog behavior. In a sample of 2,163 participants, the level of dog experience strongly predicted identification of fearful, but not of happy, emotional examples. The probability of selecting the “fearful” category to describe fearful examples increased with experience and ranged from.30 among those who had never lived with a dog to greater than.70 among dog professionals. In contrast, the probability of selecting the “happy” category to describe happy emotional examples varied little by experience, ranging from.90 to.93. In addition, the number of physical features of the dog that participants reported using for emotional interpretations increased with experience, and in particular, more-experienced respondents were more likely to attend to the ears. Lastly, more-experienced respondents provided lower difficulty and higher accuracy self-ratings than less-experienced respondents when interpreting both happy and fearful emotional examples. The human perception of emotion in other humans has previously been shown to be sensitive to individual differences in social experience, and the results of the current study extend the notion of experience-dependent processes from the intraspecific to the interspecific domain.
Properties of a Δ5-fatty acyl-CoA desaturase in the cotyledons of developing Limnanthes alba

Abstract A Δ5-fatty acid desaturase activity in extracts of developing meadowfoam ( Limnanthes alba ) seeds was characterized. Since the system was unstable after fractional centrifugation, only the cell-free homogenate was employed in these studies. Maximal enzyme activity was observed at pH 8. A time-course analysis of the substrates and products of the reaction suggested that the Δ5 desaturation occurs on an acyl-CoA. The desaturase activity was stimulated by n -octyl-glucopyranoside, catalase, ferredoxin, and several other compounds. Inhibition was observed with Triton X-100, p -chloromercuribenzoate, dithiothreitol, cysteine, and several other compounds. The enzyme was not inhibited by carbon monoxide (95%) suggesting that it is not associated with cytochrome P -450. Eicosanoyl-CoA saturated the enzyme at 1.5 μ m and was inhibitory at higher concentrations. The desaturase had an apparent K m of 23 μ m for O 2 . NADH was a better electron donor than NADPH. Among the potential substrates tested, the enzyme preferred eicosanoyl-CoA, but also desaturated palmitoyl-CoA, stearoyl-CoA, and eicosanoyl-ACP at fairly high rates.
Isolation of Kell-active protein from the red cell membrane.

Kell blood-group-active protein has been isolated by labeling red cell surface proteins with 125I, sensitizing intact cells with anti-K1, anti- K2, anti-K7, or anti-K22, solubilizing the cell membranes, isolating immune complexes, and separating their components by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Each antibody separated a protein of approximately 93,000 daltons. Periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) staining of Kell protein showed that it was glycosylated. When separated under non-reducing conditions, Kell protein had different SDS-PAGE characteristics with protein bands of approximately 85,000 daltons and 115,000 daltons. This suggests that in the red cell membrane Kell protein is complexed with other proteins. Quantitative experiments made with anti-K7, anti-K22, and a mixture of anti-K7 and anti-K22 indicate that both antigen specificities are present in the same molecule. These biochemical data support serological studies which indicate that K22 is part of the Kell system.
Factors affecting the formation and dissolution of experimental thrombi.

Abstract The use of the serum-induced clot as a standard experimental model has been found to be highly satisfactory. In twenty-two dogs the effectiveness of fibrinolytic therapy of fresh clots was studied. Systemic fibrinolysin therapy was found to be effective in dissolving such clots, although local administration of fibrinolysin to the clot was found to result in even more rapid lysis. No difference was found in the susceptibility of fresh arterial and venous clots to treatment. In twenty-one dogs the effect of the age of the clot in relation to treatment with fibrinolysin was studied. Clots treated within four days of formation were susceptible to partial or total dissolution. The effect of hyperfibrinogenemia on clot dissolution was studied in ten dogs. Clots formed in the hyperfibrinogenemic state were significantly more resistant to fibrinolytic therapy.
A study of twins and stroke.

Although there are strong genetic contributions to coronary artery disease, only a few studies have considered heritable influences on stroke.We investigated the role of genetic factors in stroke using the Twin Registry maintained by the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council. The registry includes 15,948 male twin pairs born between 1917 and 1927. In 1985, 9,475 twins responded to a mailed questionnaire, which covered vascular risk factors, cardiac events, and stroke.Analysis of twin pairs in which both responded to the questionnaire, and a question on stroke, indicated proband concordance rates of 17.7% for monozygotic pairs and 3.6% for dizygotic pairs (relative risk = 4.3; chi 2 = 4.94, df = 1; p less than 0.05).This nearly fivefold increase in the prevalence of stroke among the monozygotic compared with the dizygotic twin pairs suggests that genetic factors are involved in the etiology of stroke. The twin study paradigm holds considerable promise for identifying both genetic and envir...
Hepatocyte growth factor activates quiescent skeletal muscle satellite cells in vitro

The effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the activation of quiescent rat skeletal muscle satellite cells was evaluated in vitro. Satellite cells from 9-month-old adult rats are quiescent in vivo and when cultured, display a protracted lag phase prior to division that is not present in satellite cells from neonatal or regenerating muscle. Under normal growth conditions, satellite cells divide for the first time between 42 and 60 hr. Hepatocyte growth factor increased proliferation in a dose-dependent fashion prior to 48 hr with half-maximal stimulation at approximately 3 ng/ml; in addition, heparin enhanced this activity. The time course of cyclin-D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression was accelerated in HGF-treated satellite cells, indicating that cells entered the cell cycle earlier. No significant effects on muscle-derived fibroblast proliferation was observed. The signalling receptor for HGF is the product of the c-met protooncogene, and rtPCR analysis of satellite cells 0-72 hr in culture demonstrated the presence of this message throughout this time period. The presence of c-met in quiescent satellite cells, the ability of HGF to stimulate precocious entry into the cell cycle, and the previously described localization of HGF message in regenerating muscle (Jennische et al., 1993) indicate that HGF could act as an activator of quiescent satellite cells in vivo.
Choice with a fixed requirement for food, and the generality of the matching relation

Pigeons were trained on choice procedures in which responses on each of two keys were reinforced probabilistically, but only after a schedule requirement had been met. Under one arrangement, a fixed-interval choice procedure was used in which responses were not reinforced until the interval was over; then a response on one key would be reinforced, with the effective key changing irregularly from interval to interval. Under a second, fixed-ratio choice procedure, responses on either key counted towards completion of the ratio and then, once the ratio had been completed, a response on the probabilistically selected key would produce food. In one experiment, the schedule requirements were varied for both fixed-interval and fixed-ratio schedules. In the second experiment, relative reinforcement rate was varied. And in a third experiment, the duration of an intertrial interval separating choices was varied. The results for 11 pigeons across all three experiments indicate that there were often large deviations between relative response rates and relative reinforcement rates. Overall performance measures were characterized by a great deal of variability across conditions. More detailed measures of choice across the schedule requirement were also quite variable across conditions. In spite of this variability, performance was consistent across conditions in its efficiency of producing food. The absence of matching of behavior allocation to reinforcement rate indicates an important difference between the present procedures and other choice procedures; that difference raises questions about the specific conditions that lead to matching as an outcome.
Affordance based design: a relational theory for design

After reviewing current approaches to design theory, which are based on the transformative concept of function, we argue that this basis in function limits the scope of design problems and explanatory power of current design theories. As an alternative with greater potential for explanatory power and a framework for solving a wider array of design problems, we propose that a relational theory of design is needed. Such a relational theory should mirror those currently developed in mathematics, physics, computer science, and even philosophy. We develop a relational theory for design based on the concept of affordances from perceptual psychology. Affordances help to explain the entanglement between designers, users, and artifacts—relationships that are not currently handled by function based approaches to design. Affordance based design, as developed in this paper, does not offer a radical new approach to doing design, but rather a shift in design thinking. Our focus in this paper is therefore on the explanatory power and potential innovation fostered by this change in design thinking, as illustrated through several examples, and not on specific methods.
Persistent versus transient depressive symptoms in relation to platelet hyperactivation: a longitudinal analysis of dementia caregivers.

Background Depressive symptoms and caregiving stress may contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) via chronic platelet activation; however, it remains unclear whether this elevated activation constitutes a trait or state marker. The primary objective was to investigate whether persistent depressive symptoms would relate to elevated platelet activation in response to acute psychological stress over a three-year period.
Images of the future in South Korea

Abstract This paper examines and interprets the images of the future in both the pre-modern and modern era in South Korea. Future images in premodern Korea depended on social and political status. The ruling class had a Confucian utopia based on remote places and the golden age of ancient Chinese regimes. On the other hand, the oppressed, denied the Confucian ideal society, sought a classless society without oppression. In modern Korean society, five alternative images of the future can be identified: (a) becoming a developed country, (b) apocalyptic discourse, (c) national unification, (d) advanced information society, and (e) feminist visions. Unlike the future images from pre-modern Korea, those in Korea's modern era reject the ideal past, imaginary present, and radically different future. Instead, the images focus on a long-term, future-oriented vision and address the various dimensions of the feasible transformation of its current society.
Learning to construct pushdown automata for accepting deterministic context-free languages

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are a class of probabilistic optimization algorithms which utilize ideas from natural genetics. In this paper, we apply the genetic algorithm to a difficult machine learning problem, viz., to learn the description of pushdown automata (PDA) to accept a context-free language (CFL), given legal and illegal sentences of the language. Previous work has involved the use of GAs in learning descriptions for finite state machines for accepting regular languages. CFLs are known to properly include regular languages, and hence, the learning problem addressed here is of a greater complexity. The ability to accept context free languages can be applied to a number of practical problems like text processing, speech recognition, etc.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An implemented graph algorithm for winning Shannon Switching Games

In this tutorial paper a computer program which wins Shannon Switching Games is described. Since these games are played on graphs, the program is a good example of the implementation of graph algorithms.The two players in a Shannon Switching Game, CONNECT and CUT, have nonsimilar goals. Either CONNECT, CUT, or the player moving first is guaranteed the existence of a winning strategy. The simple strategy explained in this paper is valid in all three cases. In fact, the major routines never need to know whether the computer is CONNECT or CUT.
Dx On The Preexisting Condition Insurance Plan

Low enrollment in the federal Preexisting Condition Insurance Plan and Republican opposition pose challenges to the success of this Affordable Care Act program.
Surface Complexation Modeling of U(VI) Sorption to Hanford Sediment with Varying Geochemical Conditions

A series of U(VI) sorption experiments with varying pH, ionic strength, concentrations of dissolved U(VI), and alkalinity was conducted to provide a more realistic database for U(VI) sorption onto near-field vadose zone sediments at the proposed Integrated Disposal Facility (IDF) on the Hanford Site, Washington. The distribution coefficient (Kd) for U(VI) in a leachate that is predicted to result from the weathering of vitrified wastes disposed in the IDF is 0 mL/g due to the high sodium and carbonate concentrations and high pH of the glass leachate. However, when the pH and alkalinity of the IDF sediment native pore water increases during mixing with the glass leachate, U(VI) uptake is observed and the value of the U(VI) Kd increases 4.3 mL/g, because of U(VI) coprecipitation with newly formed calcite. A nonelectrostatic, generalized composite approach for surface complexation modeling was applied and a combination of two U(VI) surface species, monodentate (SOUO2+), and bidentate (SO2UO2(CO3)2-), simulated the measured U(VI) sorption data very well. The generalized composite surface complexation model, when compared to the constant or single-valued Kd model, more accurately predicted U(VI) sorption under the varying geochemical conditions expected at the IDF.
Effect of Non-toxic Concentrations of Acriflavine on Unscheduled DNA-synthesis and Survival of Synchronized HeLa Cells Exposed to Ultra-violet Light

SummaryNon-toxic concentrations (3 × 10−6 M) of acrifavine depress the unscheduled DNA-synthesis in G1 HeLa cells at low ultra-violet (u.v.) doses (< 50 ergs/mm2), but not at higher doses. Moreover, these drug concentrations have little effect on survival at u.v. doses where the depression of unscheduled DNA-synthesis is greatest.
Two-colorings of a dense subgroup of Qn that forbid many distances

Abstract For any positive integer n, there is a two-coloring of the subgroup of Q n consisting of rational points with “odd denominator” which forbids all (usual Euclidean) distances √(p/q), p, q odd positive integers. From this it follows that there are a two-coloring of Q 3, and a four-coloring of Q 4, which forbid those distances. These results improve the known results that the chromatic numbers of Q 3 and Q 4 are 2 and 4, respectively.
Improving the performance of high-laser-damage-threshold, multilayer dielectric pulse-compression gratings through low-temperature chemical cleaning

A low-temperature chemical cleaning approach has been developed to improve the performance of multilayer dielectric pulse-compressor gratings for use in the OMEGA EP laser system. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results guided the selection of targeted cleaning steps to strip specific families of manufacturing residues without damaging the grating's fragile 3D profile. Grating coupons that were cleaned using the optimized method consistently met OMEGA EP requirements on diffraction efficiency and 1054 nm laser-damage resistance at 10 ps. The disappearance of laser-conditioning effects for the highest-damage-threshold samples suggests a transition from a contamination-driven laser-damage mechanism to defect-driven damage for well-cleaned components.
The effect of a salient odor context on memory retrieval in young infants

Three-month-old infants were trained to move a mobile in the presence of a coconut or cherry odor (context). One or 5 days later, the infants were tested for retrieval in the presence of either the same odor, the alternate odor, or no odor. Infants tested with the training odor displayed retention at both intervals; retention was not seen at either interval in the alternate odor or no odor conditions. These data suggest that the odor combines with the mobile to form a compound-stimulus representation of the learned task whose presence after both short (1 day) and long (5 days) intervals is a necessary retrieval cue.
Quadratically constrained minimum cross-entropy analysis

Quadratically constrained minimum cross-entropy problem has recently been studied by Zhang and Brockett through an elaborately constructed dual. In this paper, we take a geometric programming approach to analyze this problem. Unlike Zhang and Brockett, we separate the probability constraint from general quadratic constraints and use two simple geometric inequalities to derive its dual problem. Furthermore, by using the dual perturbation method, we directly prove the “strong duality theorem” and derive a “dual-to-primal” conversion formula. As a by-product, the perturbation proof gives us insights to develop a computation procedure that avoids dual non-differentiability and allows us to use a general purpose optimizer to find ane-optimal solution for the quadratically constrained minimum cross-entropy analysis.
Elevated levels of tetraploid cervical cells in human papillomavirus-positive Papanicolaou smears diagnosed as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance.

BACKGROUND Recommendations for the proper treatment of women diagnosed with an equivocal atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) Papanicolaou (Pap) smear are controversial. To the authors' knowledge, there currently are no methods available that can identify accurately ASCUS/human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive women who have an increased risk of developing progressive cervical lesions without the use of invasive procedures. An additional diagnostic tool is needed to triage women properly who are diagnosed with ASCUS. Numerical chromosomal abnormalities, such as tetraploidy and aneuploidy, frequently accompany cervical carcinoma development and are believed to represent early and important genetic alterations during cervical carcinogenesis. The identification of elevated levels of numerical chromosomal aberrations in women diagnosed with ASCUS Pap smears, therefore, may be of prognostic value. METHODS Multiple-probe fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to analyze 1000 cervical epithelial cells from each of 257 women for the presence of numerical chromosomal aberrations. RESULTS A statistically significant proportion of women diagnosed with HPV-positive ASCUS had elevated levels of tetraploid cervical cells (5 of 69 women) compared with normal/HPV-negative women (0 of 75 women) (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS The frequency of numerical chromosomal aberrations in cervical cells obtained from the majority of women diagnosed with an ASCUS Pap smear did not differ significantly from the frequency in women with smears that were diagnosed as normal. However, a modest but statistically significant proportion of women diagnosed as HPV-positive ASCUS did have elevated levels of tetraploid cervical cells, a genetic abnormality often associated with cervical carcinogenesis, suggesting that these women may be at an increased risk of developing more advanced cervical lesions. Given these results, the authors recommend performing additional studies with histologic follow-up. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Use of Vegetable Oils at Reduced Levels in Cake, Pie Crust, Cookies, and Muffins

Sensory acceptability and physical characteristics of yellow cake, pie crust, drop sugar cookies and muffins prepared with reduced levels of oils (soybean and safflower) of intermediate and high polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid (P/S) ratio and a standard level of hydrogenated vegetable shortening were evaluated. Both types and all levels of oil compared satisfactorily with vegetable shortening in both cake and pie crust for all sensory characteristics judged. Drop sugar cookies made from oils were similar in flavor to those made with shortening, but were less liked for appearance, crispness and overall preference. Muffins prepared with the oils were preferred over the shortening for appearance but there were no definite trends in preference for other characteristics.
Relationship of Total Bodily Movements to Some Emotional Components of Personality

(1948). Relationship of Total Bodily Movements to Some Emotional Components of Personality. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 499-506.
Do industries lead stock markets

Abstract We investigate whether the returns of industry portfolios predict stock market movements. In the US, a significant number of industry returns, including retail, services, commercial real estate, metal, and petroleum, forecast the stock market by up to two months. Moreover, the propensity of an industry to predict the market is correlated with its propensity to forecast various indicators of economic activity. The eight largest non-US stock markets show remarkably similar patterns. These findings suggest that stock markets react with a delay to information contained in industry returns about their fundamentals and that information diffuses only gradually across markets.
Supraspinal Modulation of Trigeminal Nociception and Pain

Objective.— This study examined modulation of trigeminal pain/nociception by 2 supraspinal mechanisms: emotional controls of nociception and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls. Background.— Prior research suggests emotional picture viewing (emotional controls) and tonic noxious stimuli (diffuse noxious inhibitory controls) engage supraspinal mechanisms to modulate pain and nociceptive processes. It is currently unknown, however, whether emotional controls modulate trigeminal pain and nociception. Additionally, the influences of emotional controls and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls have not been compared in the same group of participants. Methods.— Noxious electrodermal stimuli were delivered to the trigeminal nerve using a concentric electrode designed to selectively activate nociceptive fibers. Trigeminal nociception and pain were assessed (34 participants) from the nociceptive blink reflex and pain ratings, respectively. Emotional controls were engaged by presentation of standardized picture stimuli (pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant) shown to reliably evoke pleasure-induced inhibition and displeasure-induced facilitation of pain and nociception. Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls were engaged with a forearm ischemia task. Results.— Trigeminal pain (self-report ratings) and nociception (blinks) were facilitated by unpleasant pictures and inhibited by pleasant pictures. Emotion induction (as assessed from trend analysis) explained 51% of the variance in trigeminal pain and 25% of the variance in trigeminal nociception. Additionally, forearm ischemia inhibited trigeminal pain but not nociception. The baseline vs ischemia comparison explained 17% of the variance in pain report and 0.1% of the variance in blinks. Supraspinal modulation by emotional controls and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls were uncorrelated. Conclusions.— Emotional controls and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls modulated trigeminal pain and emotional controls modulated trigeminal nociception. These procedures can be used to study supraspinal modulation of nociceptive processing in disorders of the trigeminal pain system, including headache.
Binding and inactivation mechanism of a humanized fatty acid amide hydrolase by alpha-ketoheterocycle inhibitors revealed from cocrystal structures.

The cocrystal X-ray structures of two isomeric α-ketooxazole inhibitors (1 (OL-135) and 2) bound to fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), a key enzymatic regulator of endocannabinoid signaling, are disclosed. The active site catalytic Ser241 is covalently bound to the inhibitors’ electrophilic carbonyl groups, providing the first structures of FAAH bound to an inhibitor as a deprotonated hemiketal mimicking the enzymatic tetrahedral intermediate. The work also offers a detailed view of the oxyanion hole and an exceptional “in-action” depiction of the unusual Ser-Ser-Lys catalytic triad. These structures capture the first picture of inhibitors that span the active site into the cytosolic port providing new insights that help to explain FAAH’s interaction with substrate leaving groups and their role in modulating inhibitor potency and selectivity. The role for the activating central heterocycle is clearly defined and distinguished from that observed in prior applications with serine proteases, reconciling the ...
Substandard Vaccination Compliance and the 2015 Measles Outbreak

The ongoing measles outbreak linked to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, shines a glaring spotlight on our nation's growing antivaccination movement and the prevalence of vaccination-hesitant parents. Although the index case has not yet been identified, the outbreak likely started sometime between December 17 and 20, 2014.1,2 Rapid growth of cases across the United States indicates that a substantial percentage of the exposed population may be susceptible to infection due to lack of, or incomplete, vaccination. Herein, we attempt to analyze existing, publicly available outbreak data to assess the potential role of suboptimal vaccination coverage in the population.
Exact derivation of the Van der Waals equation

Abstract An exact derivation is given of a generalized Van der Waals-Maxwell equation of state for systems of particles interacting with appropriate long-range potentials. A rigorous statistical- mechanical interpretation of the metastable states of these systems is also given.
Seasonal aerobic and anaerobic metabolism at rest and during activity in the salamander Taricha torosa

Abstract 1. 1. Standard and active rates of oxygen consumption increased with temperature between 10 and 25°C as did the aerobic and anaerobic scope. 2. 2. Aquatic newts showed higher resting oxygen consumption rates and had greater anaerobic scopes than did terrestrial newts. 3. 3. Recovery from oxygen debt occurred within 70 min after exercise at all temperatures except 10°C. 4. 4. Anaerobic metabolism accounted for as much as 65.2% of the total energy expended during activity. 5. 5. Terminal oxidation of lactate during recovery accounted for a maximum of 31.4% of the total lactate accumulated during exercise. 6. 6. Taricha torosa has a comparatively small anaerobic scope which may relate to employing toxic secretions for predator avoidance.
Case Report: Botulinum Toxin in Hypertensive Lower Esophageal Sphincter: A Manometric Case Study

The hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (HLES) is a disorder of esophageal motility associated with dysphagia and chest pain. Although well characterized manometrically, opinions differ greatly with regard to its pathophysiology and its management. Therapy is limited to a few medications, esophageal dilatation, and even surgery, although none of these options are consistently successful. In this case report we describe a 54-year-old woman with HLES and dysphagia who was successfully treated with botulinum toxin injection of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Esophageal manometry after botulinum toxin therapy revealed normalization of LES pressures. Three months after therapy, symptoms returned and repeat esophageal manometry demonstrated the return of elevated LES pressures. This report is the only published case of botulinum toxin injection into the LES with both pre- and post-treatment esophageal manometric data. This case report is evidence that LES dysfunction produces symptoms in patients with HLES, and that reduction in LES pressure improves symptoms. Current pathophysiologic hypotheses for HLES-associated dysphagia and its treatment are briefly reviewed in this report.
Discrete characterization of cohesion in gas–solid flows

Abstract Despite the fact that a sizable portion of gas–solid flows are cohesive in nature, the mechanics of cohesive flowing gas–particle systems is still poorly understood and manipulation/control of the flow variables is still largely done on a trial-and-error basis. While recent advances have been made in our understanding of liquid-induced cohesion at the macroscopic level, in general, it is still not possible to directly connect this macroscopic understanding of cohesion with a microscopic picture of the particle properties and interaction forces. In fact, conventional theories make no attempt to distinguish between these modes of cohesion, despite clear qualitative differences (lubrication forces in wet systems and electrostatic repulsion are two good examples). In this work, we introduce a discrete characterization tool for gas–solid flow of wet (cohesive) granular material—the Granular Capillary Number (Ca g ). The utility of this tool, which is a ratio of the capillary force to the drag force, is computationally tested over a range of cohesive strengths in two prototypical applications of gas–solid flows. It is shown that rescaling our results in this way yields a collapse of data for varying surface tensions and fluidization velocities, and that a clear transition from free-flowing to cohesive behavior occurs at a distinct value of Ca g .
Frontostriatal functional connectivity in major depressive disorder

Background Abnormalities of the striatum and frontal cortex have been reported consistently in studies of neural structure and function in major depressive disorder (MDD). Despite speculation that compromised connectivity between these regions may underlie symptoms of MDD, little work has investigated the integrity of frontostriatal circuits in this disorder.
PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE: Relevance to Children

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), once considered a rare complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia, appears to be more common in adults with hemoglobinopathy than previously appreciated. On prospective screening of adults with SCD, approximately one-third of adults are found on echocardiography to have a tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV) of 2.5 m/s or higher, many of whom are asymptomatic. Dyspnea on exertion is the most common presenting symptom. This TRV abnormality is a marker for approximately 40% 3-year mortality in adults, and it is associated with laboratory values suggestive of more severe intravascular hemolysis. Release of hemoglobin and arginase from lysed red cells causes scavenging of nitric oxide (NO) and catabolism of L-arginine, the obligate substrate for NO synthase. The resulting impairment in NO bioavailability is associated with pulmonary vasoconstriction, endothelial dysfunction, thrombosis, and eventual development of plexogenic arterial lesions, the histo...
Sensitive Colorimetric Determination of Isoniazid

Abstract A sensitive colorimetric method was developed for the assay of isoniazid- The method is based on measuring the absorbance at 467 nm. of the orange-colored product produced by the interaction of isoniazid with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-l,3-diazole in the presence of sodium tetraborate in absolute methanol. The Beer-Lambert law was obeyed over the concentration range of 0.3-5 mcg./ml, and the color was stable for at least 90 min. The coefficient of variation as determined on nine replicate samples containing 2 mcg. isoniazid/ml. was 0.87%. Applied to the assay of isoniazid tablets and syrups, the method gave results comparable to those obtained by the USP XVIII method. It also afforded improvements in sensitivity, ease, and speed over the official method. It was established that the major metabolites of isoniazid (acetylisoniazid and isonicotinic acid) produced no color with the reagent under the proposed experimental conditions. Keyphrases: Isoniazid—colorimetric analysis, compared to compendial method; Colorimetry—analysis, isoniazid, compared to compendia] method
Rents in the era of resource scarcity: global payment flows under alternative scenarios

Resource prices rise when more costly sources need to be exploited. When the world price increases, owners of low-cost sources receive scarcity rents. The magnitude of the rents depends on the range of resource qualities being simultaneously exploited and can represent a substantial transfer of wealth to those with property rights to large stocks of high-quality, easily accessible resources. These rents are bound to increase in the future along with the size of the human population, raised consumption expectations, and deployment of technologies that depend on a wider range of natural resources for their unique properties. We report results for a set of scenarios for a three-region, four-sector, three-resource world economy, where progressively increased consumer demand requires a second and then a third region to extract ore. This numerical example illustrates how the amount of rents transferred to the low-cost producers depends on the size of the low-cost endowments relative to world demand and on the differential costs of extraction relative to the highest-cost producer. The paper develops a framework for tracing global money flows from payments for specific consumer goods in one or more economies to receipts by owners of the embodied factors of production under alternative scenarios about the future. This objective requires a substantial generalization of methods utilized for ex post analysis of input-output databases for past years. For a world economy of m regions, n sectors, and k factors of production, we first compute scenario results using the World Trade Model with Bilateral Trade, then generate the Multiregional Input-Output database corresponding to each scenario, and finally compute a new Consumer-to-Factor Matrix from which the payment network is derived. JEL Classification: F18, O13, C67, C61
Fecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer. Can we afford to do this

Fecal blood is an inherently insensitive and nonspecific marker for asymptomatic colorectal neoplasia. As such, use of fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) necessarily limits the effectiveness and efficiency of a screening application. FOBT screening may result in a modest reduction in colorectal cancer-specific mortality, but it alters neither colorectal cancer incidence nor overall mortality. Costs resulting from FOBT screening are substantial, and the extent to which screen-induced mortality offsets any benefits remains unknown. In the absence of a clearly demonstrated net benefit with FOBT screening, affordability of this expensive effort can be legitimately questioned.
Truncated Profile Hidden Markov Models

The profile hidden Markov model (HMM) is a powerful method for remote homolog database search. However, evaluating the score of each database sequence against a profile HMM is computationally demanding. The computation time required for score evaluation is proportional to the number of states in the profile HMM. This paper examines whether the number of states can be truncated without reducing the ability of the HMM to find proteins containing members of a protein domain family. A genetic algorithm (GA) is presented which finds a good truncation of the HMM states. The results of using truncation on searches of the yeast, E. coli, and pig genomes for several different protein domain families is shown.
Postprandial suppression of plasma ghrelin level is proportional to ingested caloric load but does not predict intermeal interval in humans.

Plasma ghrelin levels rise before meals and fall rapidly afterward. If ghrelin is a physiological meal-initiation signal, then a large oral caloric load should suppress ghrelin levels more than a small caloric load, and the request for a subsequent meal should be predicted by recovery of the plasma ghrelin level. To test this hypothesis, 10 volunteers were given, at three separate sessions, liquid meals (preloads) with widely varied caloric content (7.5%, 16%, or 33% of total daily energy expenditure) but equivalent volume. Preloads were consumed at 0900 h, and blood was sampled every 20 min from 0800 h until 80 min after subjects spontaneously requested a meal. The mean (± se) intervals between ingestion of the 7.5%, 16%, and 33% preloads and the subsequent voluntary meal requests were 247 ± 24, 286 ± 20, and 321 ± 27 min, respectively (P = 0.015), and the nadir plasma ghrelin levels were 80.2 ± 2.8%, 72.7 ± 2.7%, and 60.8 ± 2.7% of baseline (the 0900 h value), respectively (P < 0.001). A Cox regression ...
Should patients with hypertension be screened for psychological distress

disparities exist across racial and age groups. We hypothesized that rate of wellness assessment indexed by fasting blood sugar and blood lipid levels varied across race and age among individuals with hypertension, regardless of the status of their insurance coverage. Methods: To test our hypotheses, we used the 2010-2013 NHIS dataset. Hypertension was self-reported. Results: Of the sample, 52% were female; mean age ( SEM) was 59.5 0.05 years and mean BMI was 29.5 0.02 kg/m2. Analysis also showed 74% were white; 20%, black; and 4%, Asian. Ten percent reported no insurance coverage. Chi square analysis showed that there were 9% non-insured whites, 13% non-insured blacks, and 9% non-insured Asians (p< 0.01). The rate of non-coverage was 30% for very young adults (18-25 years), 23% for young adults (26-34 years), 15% formiddle age adults (35-64 years), and 1% for older adults ( 65 years) (p < 0.01). Among 18-25 years, assessment rates of fasting blood sugar level were 22.1% versus 35.5%, p<0.01; among 25-34 years, they were 25.1% versus 49.7%, p<0.01; among 35-64 years, they were 45.8% versus 68.0%, p<0.01; among those 65 years, they were 58.6% versus 71.2%, p<0.01. Similarly, lower rates of fasting blood lipid were noted for non-insured hypertensives across the age groups. Among 18-25 years, 32.5% versus 50.1%, p<0.01; among 25-34 years, they were 35.2% versus 66.2%, p<0.01; among 35-64 years, they were 58.1% versus 86.1%, p<0.01; among those 65 years, they were 73.1% versus 92.2%, p<0.01. Race-based wellness care contrasts between noninsured and insured hypertensives revealed that the rates of annual fasting blood sugar assessment rates were lower among the non-insured. Among Asians rates were (44.1% versus 68.3%, p<0.01); blacks (42.6% versus 66.4%, p<0.01); whites (40.6% versus 72.5%, p<0.01). The non-insured also had fewer assessment rates for fasting lipid. Among Asians rates were (57.2% versus 88.3%, p<0.01); blacks (61.7% versus 88.0%, p<0.01); whites (57.2% versus 87.3%%, p<0.01). Conclusion: Consistent with our hypotheses, individuals with hypertension had varying rates of wellness assessment for blood sugar and blood lipid levels. Results also suggested that the rates of health insurance coverage differed by individuals’ age group and race. Support: NIH (R01MD007716), NINDS (U54NS081765), and the NHLBI (K24HL111315).
Ever Closer to Heaven? An Optimum-Currency-Area Index for European Countries

Abstract We develop a procedure for applying the core implications of the theory of optimum currency areas, and find that the relationship between OCA characteristics and the observed behavior of exchange rates seems sufficiently to support simple forecasting. Accordingly, we operationalize the theory by constructing an OCA index for European countries. The results coincide with popular handicapping of the Maastricht stakes with one notable excpetion: France. A further finding is the symbiotic relationship between economic integration and monetary integration.
The Use of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Medication Adherence in Schizophrenia

Objective: Inadequate adherence to antipsychotic medication regimens is common among patients with schizophrenia. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a new instrument designed to identify the factors associated with poor adherence to antipsychotic medications in this population. Methods: Spanish-speaking, Mexican-American adult patients with schizophrenia (N=155) were administered the newly developed Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) Inventory, as well as the Rating of Medication Influences (ROMI) scale and the Treatment Compliance Interview (TCI). The latter two instruments are commonly used and well validated for the assessment of medication adherence among patients with schizophrenia. Results: The TPB Inventory demonstrated high internal consistency, excellent test-retest reliability and good concurrent validity with the ROMI. In addition, the TPB Inventory showed good predictive validity with patients' intentions to take medication as prescribed and actual adherence behavior. Conclusion...
Glycoside hydrolases: Catalytic base/nucleophile diversity

Recent studies have shown that a number of glycoside hydrolase families do not follow the classical catalytic mechanisms, as they lack a typical catalytic base/nucleophile. A variety of mechanisms are used to replace this function, including substrate-assisted catalysis, a network of several residues, and the use of non-carboxylate residues or exogenous nucleophiles. Removal of the catalytic base/nucleophile by mutation can have a profound impact on substrate specificity, producing enzymes with completely new functions.
Using non-oscillatory dynamics to disambiguate simultaneous patterns

Simultaneous patterns within images may have conflicting interpretations depending on context (other representations concurrently inferred). This causes significant problems known as ‘the binding problem’ and ‘the superposition catastrophe’ for recognition algorithms that incorporate parameter optimization (including neural networks).
Neonatal and Infant Tachyarrhythmias: Differentiation and Treatment

Abstract Cardiac arrhythmia recognition is essential in the neonatal population, because premature newborns are at risk for arrhythmias due to immature heart muscle, function, and congenital heart abnormalities. An increased heart rate is the appropriate reaction to stress, and some tachycardias can lead to congestive heart failure or death if not treated appropriately. Although bradycardia is the most frequently seen arrhythmia in the newborn period, four additional arrhythmias may occur in the neonatal and infant populations: sinus tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and complete heart block. As the tachyarrhythmias appear similar on the monitor, the treatment of each is very different. The nurse must be able to differentiate them. The nurse must take the initiative to discern the differences between the arrhythmias, have complimentary assessment skills to determine the severity of the associated signs, and be able to communicate this to the care provider to ensure appropriate treatment. An educated nurse is the most important link in this process.