cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The cost of improving care: a multisite economic analysis of hospital resource use for implementing recommended postpartum contraception programmes

Background The costs of quality improvement efforts in real-world settings are often unquantified. Better understanding could guide appropriate resource utilisation and drive efficiency. Immediate postpartum contraceptive care (ie, placement of an intrauterine device or contraceptive implant during hospitalisation for childbirth) represents an excellent case study for examining costs, because recommended services are largely unavailable and adoption requires significant effort. We therefore evaluated the cost of implementing immediate postpartum contraceptive services at four academic centres and one private hospital in USA. Methods In this mixed-methods cost analysis, implementation activities were retrospectively identified using standardised data collection. Activities were categorised as preimplementation activities (infrastructure building, tool creation and stakeholder engagement) or execution activities (workforce training and process refinement). Costs were assigned based on national median salaries for the roles of individuals involved. Cross-case comparison and rapid qualitative analysis guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research were used to identify factors driving cost variation observed across sites. Results On average, implementation activities required 204 hours (range 119–368), with this time costing $14 433.94 (range $9955.61–$23 690.49), and involving 9 (range 7–11) key team members per site. Preimplementation activities required more resources than execution activities (preimplementation: average 173 hours, $11 573.25; execution: average 31 hours, $2860.67). Sites that used lower-cost employees (eg, shifting tasks from a physician to a project manager) observed lower costs per hour for implementation activities. Implementation activities and costs were associated with local contextual factors, including stakeholder acceptance, integration of employees and infrastructure readiness for the change effort. Conclusions Our findings provide the first estimates of health system costs for adopting recommended contraceptive care in maternity units in USA. More broadly, our findings suggest that the budget impact of improvement efforts may vary widely depending on local context.
“Cops Only See the Brown Skin, They Could Care Less Where It Originated”: Afro-Latinx Perceptions of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement:

The increasing visibility of Afro-Latinxs in the United States has catalyzed interest among researchers about this group’s unique experiences of racialization. However, much less attention has been...
Numerical study of crosshole electromagnetic tunnel detection

ABSTRACTElectromagnetic tunnel detection is studied numerically using a 3D analytic infinite lossy homogeneous space solution to magnetic dipole radiation and scattering from an infinite cylinder, ...
Who Stayed Home Under Safer-at-Home? Impacts of COVID-19 on Volume and Patient-Mix at an Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: To describe the impact of COVID-19 on a large, urban emergency department (ED) in Los Angeles, California, we sought to estimate the effect of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and "safer-at-home" declaration on ED visits, patient demographics, and diagnosis-mix compared to prior years. METHODS: We used descriptive statistics to compare ED volume and rates of admission for patients presenting to the ED between January and early May of 2018, 2019, and 2020. RESULTS: Immediately after California's "safer-at-home" declaration, ED utilization dropped by 11,000 visits (37%) compared to the same nine weeks in prior years. The drop affected patients regardless of acuity, demographics, or diagnosis. Reductions were observed in the number of patients reporting symptoms often associated with COVID-19 and all other complaints. After the declaration, higher acuity, older, male, Black, uninsured or non-Medicaid, publicly insured, accounted for a disproportionate share of utilization. CONCLUSION: We show an abrupt, discontinuous impact of COVID-19 on ED utilization with a slow return as safer-at-home orders have lifted. It is imperative to determine how this reduction will impact patient outcomes, disease control, and the health of the community in the medium and long terms.
High-resolution structured light 3D vision for fine-scale characterization to assist robotic assembly

3D imaging sensors are important for intelligent robots to figure out complicated and unknown assembly tasks. To perform a smooth robotic assembly with high precision, it is crucial to incorporate 3D imaging sensors that can scan, recognize, and characterize fine-scale features (e.g., small screws). We developed an integrated robotic 3D vision system based on high-resolution structured light 3D vision based on fringe projection. Our preliminary testing has demonstrated the promise of our integrated system in precision assembly operations supported by the capability of extracting fine-scale key features through high-resolution surface mapping.
Educational attainment polygenic score predicts inhibitory control and academic skills in early and middle childhood.

Inhibitory control skills are important for academic outcomes across childhood, but it is unknown whether inhibitory control is implicated in the association between genetic variation and academic performance. This study examined the relationship between a GWAS-based (EduYears) polygenic score indexing educational attainment (EA PGS) and inhibitory control in early (Mage = 3.80 years) and middle childhood (Mage = 9.18 years), and whether inhibitory control in early childhood mediated the relation between EA PGS and academic skills. The sample comprised 731 low-income and racially/ethnically diverse children and their families from the longitudinal early steps multisite study. EA PGS predicted middle childhood inhibitory control (estimate = 0.09, SE = 0.05, p < 0.05) and academic skills (estimate = 0.18, SE = 0.05, p < 0.01) but did not predict early childhood inhibitory control (estimate = 0.08, SE = 0.05, p = 0.11); thus, mediation was not tested. Sensitivity analyses showed that effect sizes were similar across European and African American groups. This study suggests that inhibitory control could serve as a potential mechanism linking genetic differences to educational outcomes.
Mere Speculation: Overextending Carcieri v. Salizar in Big Lagoon Rancheria v. California

On January 21, 2014, in Big Lagoon Rancheria v. California, a divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the order of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California directing the State of California to negotiate with the Big Lagoon Rancheria toward the development of a gaming facility on the tribe’s trust lands. The issues in Big Lagoon arose from a collateral attack, long after land had been taken into trust and administrative and legal avenues to challenge that decision had expired. This Comment argues that the Ninth Circuit’s reliance on the 2009 U.S. Supreme Court decision Carcieri v. Salazar was improper, as that decision dealt with a timely challenge under the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”). Further, this Comment urges the en banc panel of the Ninth Circuit to rely on the 2008 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s decision in Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians v. NGV Gaming. This Comment also asserts that, beyond the legal reasoning, there are a myriad of public policy reasons for which the Ninth Circuit should decline to extend Carcieri to Big Lagoon.
Justice in the Political Arena

Social psychologists have a long-standing concern with understanding the principles that describe the “just” or “fair” allocation of resources. Several possible fair allocation principles have been identified (Deutsch, 1975; Leventhal, 1976), and there has been a considerable amount of research on distributive justice, primarily on the principle of equity (Berkowitz & Walster, 1976; Walster, Walster, & Berscheid, 1978). Recently, this interest in distributive justice has been distinguished from an interest in the procedures through which allocation decisions are made. This latter topic has been labeled Procedural justice (Thibaut & Walker, 1975), and it has also been the subject of a number of studies (Folger, Rosenfield, Grove, & Corkran, 1979; Houlden, LaTour, Walker, & Thibaut, 1978; LaTour, 1978; LaTour, Houlden, Walker, & Thibaut, 1976; Thibaut & Walker, 1975; Thibaut, Walker, LaTour, & Houlden, 1974; Walker, LaTour, Lind, & Thibaut, 1974).
SCHOOL RACIAL CLIMATE AND THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT

This investigation utilized an integrative model of development for ethnic minority children and a process model of engagement to explore whether three dimensions of school engagement (behavioral, emotional, and cognitive) mediated relationships between school racial climate, academic performance, and educational aspirations. A total of 139 African American students were recruited from a high school in the southeastern United States. Findings revealed an indirect association between perceptions of racial fairness and academic achievement indicators through behavioral and cognitive engagement. Behavioral and cognitive engagement also mediated relationships between youths’ perceived peer discrimination and academic achievement indicators. No significant indirect associations between teacher discrimination and academic achievement through school engagement dimensions were found. Study limitations, future directions, and implications are discussed.
Diagnosis and treatment of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease

Purpose: To further characterize the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and current treatment strategies of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease. Methods: Review and analysis of seven cases orbital inflammatory syndrome found to be biopsy positive for IgG4. Results: We present seven cases of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease, a previously unknown entity that has only recently been identified as a treatable systemic disorder. Management included surgical excision, systemic steroids, steroid-sparing immunosuppression, and radiotherapy. Conclusions: These cases illustrate the importance of including IgG4-related ophthalmic disease in the differential diagnosis of periorbital or orbital masses. Prompt recognition of this entity by clinicians can allow for effective treatment with corticosteroids. Treatment with steroid-sparing immune suppressants and radiotherapy has shown promise in chronic or refractory disease, nonetheless tumor excision may ultimately be necessary.
The Lives of the Aunts

SHORTLY BEFORE THE CRASH, Gussie Litwin moved into an apart ment-hotel on lower Fifth. In a placid suite?rose-and-gray living room, rose-and-gray bedroom, and a kitchen that had begun life as a closet ?she endured the Depression and the War. The War was over now, and Gussie was outlasting, or so she hoped, the New Look. Though she had been a tenant for almost twenty years, she was not the Oldest Inhabitant. That title was shared by several gentlewomen who made their way towards the tea table every afternoon. Compared to those foamy-haired, diminished old ladies, Gussie with her dark bun and straight, square back was an ingenue. But the ingenue had recently turned sixty-three: an age worthy of respect. In fact, Gussie was more than respected at the apartment hotel; she was liked, especially by the staff, who appreciated the generosity that spurted through her casing of old-world thrift. Though behind her door she sometimes yelled at visiting relatives, she was dignified in public. About her person clung the faint sweet odor of halvah. An ideal resident. And so, when, on her arrival home early one December evening, an orange bounced out of her shopping bag and rolled under a lobby chair, the desk clerk immediately folded himself double to retrieve it. "We'll have a mild Christmas," he remarked, holding out the rescued fruit.
Obama, Neoliberalism, and the 2012 Election

On May 9, 2012 President Barack Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage. It was the first time a sitting president in the United States had made such a declaration. His new stance in support of same-sex marriage marked an evolution in President Obama's position. The President's new stand on same-sex marriage also re-ignited a debate or complaint heard repeatedly in black communities regarding the administration's willingness to respond to other marginal communities, especially the gay and lesbian community, while largely ignoring the specific or targeted needs of black people, in particular those most vulnerable in black communities. In this article, I argue that the nature or character of the demands emanating from each community has played a significant role in the perceived accountability of the administration. Specifically, much of what the Obama administration has provided to other marginal communities, in particular the most visible policy wins of the gay and lesbian agenda, are policies a...
Chapter 16 - The Heat Shock Response of Tropical and Desert Fish (genus Poeciliopsis)

In the unstressed cell, constitutively expressed chaperones such as heat shock cognate 70 protein (HSC70) play a vital role in the folding of newly synthesized proteins, in other processes such as membrane translocation that require proteins to be maintained in an extended conformation, and in modulating the activity of multi protein complexes. During exposure to stress, an accumulation of unfolded protein exceeding the capacity of chaperones leads to the induction of heat shock protein (HSP) synthesis. Inducible HSPs such as HSP70 prevent irreversible protein aggregation during stress, and assist in the refolding process or in targeting nonfunctional proteins for degradation during recovery. Thermotolerance has been defined as the ability of a cell or organism to survive a normally lethal heat stress. The establishment and decay of the thermotolerant state has been correlated in both cultured cells and at the organismal level with changes in the levels of HSPs.
A high voltage pulsed power supply to drive a capillary discharge waveguide at KHz repetition rates

In laser plasma accelerators (LPAs), electrons are accelerated by the electric field of a laser-driven plasma wave. A plasma channel such as that produced in a capillary discharge waveguide can extend the acceleration distance and increase the electron energy gain. This kind of waveguide utilizes a high voltage pulsed power supply to ionize the gas and heat the resulting plasma inside the waveguide. High repetition rate capillary discharge structures are being investigated to enable applications such as future light sources and high-energy colliders. This paper describes the design and initial results of a 1 kHz demonstration system.
Activity of Different Classes of Neurons of the Motor Cortex during Locomotion

This study examines the activity of different classes of neurons of the motor cortex in the rabbit during two locomotion tasks: a simple (on a flat surface) and a complex (overstepping a series of barriers) locomotion. Four classes of efferent neurons were studied: corticocortical (CC) neurons with ipsilateral projection (CCIs), those with contralateral projection (CCCs), descending corticofugal neurons of layer V (CF5s), and those of layer VI (CF6s). In addition, one class of inhibitory interneurons (SINs) was investigated. CF5 neurons and SINs were the only groups that were strongly active during locomotion. In most of these neurons a clear-cut modulation of discharge in the locomotion rhythm was observed. During simple locomotion, CF5s and SINs were preferentially active in opposite phases of the step cycle, suggesting that SINs contribute to formation of the step-related pattern of CF5s. Transition from simple to complex locomotion was associated with changes of the discharge pattern of the majority of CF5 neurons and SINs. In contrast to CF5 neurons, other classes of efferent neurons (CCI, CCC, CF6) were much less active during both simple and complex locomotion. That suggests that CC interactions, both within a hemisphere (mediated by CCIs) and between hemispheres (mediated by CCCs), as well as corticothalamic interactions via CF6 neurons are not essential for motor coordination during either simple or complex locomotion tasks.
Non-Execution and Market Share of Crossing Networks

We examine the non-execution probability and market share of crossing networks (dark pool) using SEC 605 data for NYSE and NASDAQ stocks. We find that crossing networks have lower effective spread and price impact of trade, but they also have lower execution probability and speed of trade. Non-execution is positive correlated with price impact, decreases in trading volume and increases in volatility. Crossing networks have higher market share for stocks with lower volatility and higher volume. We also find that the underlying assumption in previous literature, that stocks with higher effective spreads have higher reductions in effective spread by trading in crossing networks, is not supported by data.
Two case studies on NARCCAP precipitation extremes

[1] We introduce novel methodology to examine the ability of six regional climate models (RCMs) in the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) ensemble to simulate past extreme precipitation events seen in the observational record over two different regions and seasons. Our primary objective is to examine the strength of daily correspondence of extreme precipitation events between observations and the output of both the RCMs and the driving reanalysis product. To explore this correspondence, we employ methods from multivariate extreme value theory. These methods require that we account for marginal behavior, and we first model and compare climatological quantities which describe tail behavior of daily precipitation for both the observations and model output before turning attention to quantifying the correspondence of the extreme events. Daily precipitation in a West Coast region of North America is analyzed in two seasons, and it is found that the simulated extreme events from the reanalysis-driven NARCCAP models exhibit strong daily correspondence to extreme events in the observational record. Precipitation over a central region of the United States is examined, and we find some daily correspondence between winter extremes simulated by reanalysis-driven NARCCAP models and those seen in observations, but no such correspondence is found for summer extremes. Furthermore, we find greater discrepancies among the NARCCAP models in the tail characteristics of the distribution of daily summer precipitation over this region than seen in precipitation over the West Coast region. We find that the models which employ spectral nudging exhibit stronger tail dependence to observations in the central region.
Electromagnetic backscattering by a perfectly conducting prolate spheroid

Approximate analytical expressions are developed for the electromagnetic backscattering by a perfectly conducting prolate spheroid. The solutions are formulated from postulated time domain models for the target ramp response waveform with an arbitrary orientation and a linearly polarized source. Calculated results are compared with measured data for a 2:1 axial ratio spheroid.
Host inflammatory response governs fitness in an avian ectoparasite, the northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum).

Abstract Vertebrate immune responses to ectoparasites influence pathogen transmission and host fitness costs. Few studies have characterized natural immune responses to ectoparasites and resultant fitness effects on the ectoparasite. These are critical gaps in understanding vertebrate–ectoparasite interaction, disease ecology and host-parasite co-adaptation. This study focused on an ectoparasite of birds—the northern fowl mite (NFM) (Ornithonyssus sylviarum). Based on prior evidence that chickens develop resistance to NFM, these experiments tested two hypotheses: (i) skin inflammation blocks mite access to blood, impairing development, reproduction and survival; and (ii) host immunogenetic variation influences the inflammatory response and subsequent effects on the ectoparasite. On infested hosts, histology of skin inflammation revealed increased epidermal cell number and size, immigration of leukocytes and deposition of serous exudates on the skin surface. Survival of adult mites and their offspring decreased as the area of skin inflammation increased during an infestation. Inflammation increased the distance to blood vessels beyond the length of mite mouthparts (100–160 μm) and prevented protonymphs and adults from reaching a blood source. Consequently, protonymphs could not complete development, evidenced by a significant inverse relationship between inflammation and protonymph feeding success, as well as an increasing protonymph/adult ratio. Adult females were unable to feed and reproduce, indicated by an inverse relationship between inflammation and egg production, and decreasing female/juvenile ratio. These combined impacts of host inflammation reversed NFM population growth. Intensity of inflammation was influenced by the genotype of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), supporting previous research that linked these immunological loci with NFM resistance. Overall, these data provide a model for a mechanism of avian resistance to an ectoparasitic arthropod and the fitness costs to the parasite of that host defense.
Biogeochemistry of a Treeline Watershed, Northwestern Alaska

Since 1950, mean annual temperatures in northwestern Alaska have increased. Change in forest floor and soil temperature or moisture could alter N mineralization rates, production of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and organic nitrogen (DON), and their export to the aquatic ecosystem. In 1990, we began study of nutrient cycles in the 800-ha Asik watershed, located at treeline in the Noatak National Preserve, northwestern Alaska. This paper summarizes relationships between topographic aspect, soil temperature and moisture, inorganic and organic N pools, C pools, CO 2 efflux, growing season net N mineralization rates, and stream water chemistry. Forest floor (O2) C/N ratios, C pools, temperature, and moisture were greater on south aspects. More rapid melt of the soil active layer (zone of annual freeze-thaw) and permafrost accounted for the higher moisture. The O2 C and N content were correlated with moisture, inorganic N pools, CO 2 efflux, and inversely with temperature. Inorganic N pools were correlated with temperature and CO 2 efflux. Net N mineralization rates were positive in early summer, and correlated with O2 moisture, temperature, and C and N pools. Net nitrification rates were inversely correlated with moisture, total C and N. The CO 2 efflux increased with temperature and moisture, and was greater on south aspects. Stream ion concentrations declined and DOC increased with discharge. Stream inorganic nitrogen (DIN) output exceeded input by 70%. Alpine stream water nitrate (NO - 3 ) and DOC concentrations indicated substantial contributions to the watershed DIN and DOC budgets.
The ultimate uncertainty--intergenerational planning.

The philosophic and practical aspects of intergenerational planning for a 50 – 100-year time frame are reviewed, with recognition of its speculative quality. Society's near term choice of future physical pathways based on comparative quantitative benefit/cost/risk analyses of alternatives is usually modified by the intervention of a variety of time-dependent, nontechnical value systems. Further, the continuous competition among society's disparate technical systems, capital investment choices, and planning objectives all contribute to the uncertainty of the intergenerational outcome of any plan. Nevertheless, the quantitative planning process provides an essential base. Benefit/cost/risk projections are discussed for both the case with a historical database and the case without such a historical base. The end-objectives and continuous nature of such benefit/cost/risk analyses are described.
GROWING TRANSVERSE WAVES IN A PLASMA IN A MAGNETIC FIELD

Abstract Instabilities in uniform collisionless plasmas may be relevant to the under-standing of several astrophysical and geophysical problems and to the confinement of plasmas in the laboratory. This paper presents a practicable method for ascertaining the instability of such plasmas in a uniform steady magnetic field with respect to disturbances propagating along the direction of that field. The method is applied to two examples of plasmas having anisotropic pressure, that is, having the pressure p‖ along the steady magnetic field not equal to the pressure p⊥ perpendicular to the field. The examples given are those of an electron plasma (with fixed neutralizing background) and of a plasma with two species having equal masses and opposite but equally large charges. The latter example is treated because it is mathematically simpler than an electron-ion plasma, and is referred to as an “electron-positron” plasma. In both examples when p⊥ > p‖ unstable electromagnetic type waves occur for all values of the dc magnetic field strength. When p⊥ > p‖ a new family of unstable hydromagnetic waves is found in the “electron-positron” plasma. Steady waves with frequency Ω(p ⊥ − p ‖ ) p ⊥ , where Ω is the electron gyrofrequency, are found in both examples for p⊥ > p‖. When p‖ > p⊥, classical results for the “hose” instability are recovered and are extended outside the guiding center limit in the case of the plasma with two oppositely charged species. The electron gas with fixed neutralizing background is found to be stable for p‖ > p⊥. Most of the results are found to be applicable to real (electron-ion) plasmas. Growth rates of unstable waves are treated in some detail.
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS

How may communications to the public regarding public health be improved? More specifically, how may the public be persuaded to lay greater emphasis on the prevention of serious mental disturbances rather than on treatment of them after they develop? To find answers, the author of this paper conducted an experiment with communications regarding delusions. Demetrios Papageorgis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, The University of Texas.
Comparative ESR studies of the polycrystalline alkali metal tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethan(TCNQF4) charge transfer salts

Abstract The entire series of alkali metal charge transfer salts of tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethan(TCNQF 4 ) have been synthesized and studied by electron spin resonance(ESR) techniques. The temperature dependence of the g-tensor, the temperature dependence of the relative magnetic susceptibility and the temperature dependence of the spectral envelope of each salt is discussed. The spectral properties of these salts are discussed in terms of the relationship between the size, electropositivity, and other physical properties of the alkali metal ion as one moves through the alkali metal series. The lithium salt exhibits a temperature independent g-tensor and the magnetic susceptibility follows Curie Law from 77 to 300 K. The ESR envelope of the sodium salt consists of two overlapping spectra. The magnetic susceptibility of both species is thermally activated. The spectral envelopes of the potassium and rubidium salts are similar in shape and behavior. Both are strongly dependent upon temperature. Their magnetic susceptibilities are thermally activated. The potassium salt has been studied from ca 4 to 300 K. An abrupt change in the spectral lineshapes of the potassium and rubidium salts is observed at ca 150 K. Finally, the spectral envelope of the cesium salt displays a unique monotonic decrease in linewidth with temperature.
Observation of the horizontal drift of thin metallic ion layers over Sondrestrom

[1] Previous observations of thin metallic ion layers occurring in the lower E region of the polar cap have suggested that such layers drift horizontally, but this impression had not been confirmed by direct measurement of plasma motion within the layers. In this paper, we describe a technique for finding the drift velocity of a thin ion layer, based upon statistical analysis of data gained from an incoherent-scatter radar experiment, i.e., line-of-sight velocities deduced from Doppler analysis of the power spectra of backscatter from within the layer. We applied this technique to two typical layers observed over Sondrestrom and found that considerable horizontal drift was present in both cases. This finding has significant implications for studies of the formation and subsequent time evolution of thin metallic ion layers. In addition, our statistics-based algorithm can readily be adapted to radar studies of other geophysical phenomena, e.g., determination of F region electric fields.
Thiopurine S-methyltransferase pharmacogenetics: autophagy as a mechanism for variant allozyme degradation

Objective—Thiopurine S-methyltransferase *3A is degraded much more rapidly than is the “wild type” enzyme through a ubiquitin-proteasome dependent process. It also forms aggresomes, suggesting a possible dynamic balance between degradation and aggregation. We set out to identify genes encoding proteins participating in these processes. Methods—Green fluorescent protein tagged TPMT*3A was expressed in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene deletion library, and flow-cytometry was used to screen for cells with high fluorescence intensity – indicating the loss of a gene essential for TPMT*3A degradation. Results—Twenty-four yeast genes were identified in functional categories that included ubiquitindependent protein degradation, vesicle trafficking and vacuolar degradation. The presence of genes encoding proteins involved in vesicular transport and vacuolar degradation suggested a possible role in TPMT*3A degradation for autophagy – a process not previously identified as a pharmacogenomic mechanism. In support of that hypothesis, TPMT*3A aggregates increased dramatically in mutants for vacuolar protease and autophagy-related genes. Furthermore, TPMT*3A expression in human cells induced autophagy, and siRNA-mediated knockdown of ATG7, an autophagy-related human protein, enhanced TPMT*3A aggregation but not that of TPMT*3C or WT TPMT, indicating that autophagy contributes to TPMT*3A degradation in mammalian cells. We also demonstrated that UBE2G2, the human homologue of the E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme identified during the yeast genetic screen, was involved in TPMT*3A degradation in human cells. Conclusion—These results indicate that autophagy should be considered among mechanisms responsible for the effects of pharmacogenetically significant polymorphisms that alter encoded amino acids.
Wicked justice: Differentiating between unfairness and envy

Envy is a powerful emotion associated with social comparisons. Although social comparisons have been studied in the field of organizational behavior, they have been largely restricted to the percep...
Role of initial stress rotations in rupture dynamics and ground motion: A case study with implications for the Wenchuan earthquake

[1] Motivated by observations in the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, we study effects of systematic changes in the principal stress orientation along the fault strike on rupture dynamics and ground motion using a 3-D finite-element method. Based on Anderson's theory of faulting, we set up the initial stress field with rotations in stress orientations along strike for a dynamic rupture model of a shallow dipping fault. We find that initial stress rotations along strike can cause dramatic changes in rupture speed and produce distinct patterns in slip distribution and peak ground motion. When a mismatch (unfavorable for faulting) between fault geometry and initial stress orientations is encountered, rupture can spontaneously stop. Some first-order features in the Wenchuan event may be partially caused by rotations in the principal stress orientation along strike, such as the rupture arrest at the northeast end and two severe destruction zones in the observed seismic intensity distribution. These results may have important implications for assessing seismic hazards imposed by faults with changes in the initial stress field along strike worldwide.
Fractionation of serum cholesterol.

SummaryChloroform extraction of normal serum, dried in vacuo from a frozen state, removed a relatively small but constant fraction of the total cholesterol. A very high percentage of the total cholesterol of the serum of nephrotic patients was extracted under the same conditions. The same was true of rabbits rendered hypercholesterolemic by the administration of cholesterol with their food. The readily extractable fraction was slightly elevated in all the hypothyroid cases studied and in some diabetic patients.
Activation of the cardiac α-actin promoter depends upon serum response factor, Tinman homologue, Nkx-2.5, and Intact serum response elements

A murine cardiac specific homeobox gene, Nkx-2.5/CSX, a potential Drosophila tinman homologue, may have a fundamental role in cardiac myocyte differentiation. DNA binding targets for Nkx-2.5 were recently shown to represent novel homeodomain binding sequences, some of which resembled serum response elements (SREs); [Chen CY, Schwartz RJ (1995): J Biol Chem 270: 15628–15633]. In this study, Nkx-2.5 facilitated serum response factor (SRF) DNA-binding activity to the multiple SREs found on the cardiac α-actin promoter and together stimulated cardiac α-actin promoter dependent transcription in 10T1/2 fibroblasts. Analysis of cardiac α-actin promoter mutants demonstrated the importance of the multiple upstream SREs and an obligatory requirement for an intact proximal SRE1, for providing high levels of activity in the presence of Nkx-2.5 and SRF coexpression. Transfection assays with mutant SRF species indicated that the C-terminal activation domain and DNA-binding MADS box were necessary for transcriptional activity in the presence of Nkx-2.5. Expression of Nkx-2.5 mutants also demonstrated that the homeodomain alone was insufficient for directing promoter activity in the presence of SRF. The central role of SRF in regulating striated α-actin gene activity also was revealed by its embryonic expression restricted primarily to myocardium of the developing heart and the myotomal portion of somites. Thus the function of the cardiac actin promoter SREs appeared to provide binding sites for SRF and Nkx-2.5 to interact and elicit striated muscle specific transcription that was independent of the MyoD family. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Simple picture for neutrino flavor transformation in supernovae

We can understand many recently discovered features of flavor evolution in dense, self-coupled supernova neutrino and antineutrino systems with a simple, physical scheme consisting of two quasistatic solutions. One solution closely resembles the conventional, adiabatic single-neutrino Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein (MSW) mechanism, in that neutrinos and antineutrinos remain in mass eigenstates as they evolve in flavor space. The other solution is analogous to the regular precession of a gyroscopic pendulum in flavor space, and has been discussed extensively in recent works. Results of recent numerical studies are best explained with combinations of these solutions in the following general scenario: (1) Near the neutrino sphere, the MSW-like many-body solution obtains. (2) Depending on neutrino vacuum mixing parameters, luminosities, energy spectra, and the matter density profile, collective flavor transformation in the nutation mode develops and drives neutrinos away from the MSW-like evolution and toward regular precession. (3) Neutrino and antineutrino flavors roughly evolve according to the regular precession solution until neutrino densities are low. In the late stage of the precession solution, a stepwise swapping develops in the energy spectra of ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}$ and ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}/{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$. We also discuss some subtle points regarding adiabaticity in flavor transformation in dense-neutrino systems.
The success and failure of one mandated reform for young children

Abstract This article illustrates the implementation of a school reform policy for educating young children in one south eastern state in the US, a reform known as the non-graded primary program. The reform is examined through the lens of Sabatier and Mazmanian's [(1981). The implementation of public policy: A framework for analysis. In D.A. Mazmanian, & P.A. Sabatier (Eds.), Effective policy implementation (pp. 3–36). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books] framework for policy implementation and Hashweh's [(2003). Teacher accommodative change. Teaching and Teacher Education , 19, 421–434] model of accommodative change which proposes to explain how individual teachers change their practices. The article features four related studies of teacher change and the attitudes of teachers, administrators, and community members. The community, politics, and media had an impact on the sustainability of the change, and subsequently, after 10 years, many teachers had reverted to old practices. Teachers who made the most progressive changes were those whose beliefs were philosophically aligned with the theory of the policy, had excellent and continued professional development, and had supportive leadership.
Synthesis of low resistivity complex oxides on MgO using Pt as buffer layer

Highly crystalline SrRuO3 (SRO) and La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 (LSCO) thin films were deposited on (100) Pt/ MgO by pulsed laser deposition. The films were mainly (001) textured normal to the substrate surface with a high degree of in-plane orientation with respect to the substrate’s major axes. These films were characterized using x-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering, four-point probe resistivity measurement, and transmission electron microscopy. The room temperature resistivity for LSCO and SRO films on Pt/MgO was found to be ∼35 and ∼40 μΩ-cm, respectively. An ion beam minimum channeling yield of ∼43% and ∼33% was obtained for LSCO and SRO films, respectively. The interface between Pt and oxide was found to be smooth and free from any interfacial diffusion. This result showed that high-quality low resistivity oxide thin films can be deposited on Pt.
Motivating performance in innovative manufacturing plants

Abstract A study of 105 innovative plants suggests that these plants use financial incentive plans to motivate manufacturing performance along traditional dimensions (i.e., productivity, quality, and short lead-time) and intrinsically motivating jobs to motivate manufacturing performance along innovative dimensions (i.e., customized and innovative products). When financial incentive plans are used extensively, however, intrinsically motivating jobs do not motivate manufacturing performance along innovative dimensions. The implications for motivating performance at innovative manufacturing plants are discussed.
PROGRESSION OF SIGNIFICANT FUNCTIONAL MR IN MEDICALLY MANAGED PATIENTS

Functional mitral valve regurgitation (MR) remains a clinical challenge in patients with high operative risk. Evidence to date suggests poor outcomes with medical therapy alone, but data regarding MR and left ventricular (LV) systolic function changes over time among medically managed high risk
Using Excel for the Thermodynamic Analysis of Air-Standard Cycles and Combustion Processes

In an undergraduate course or a course-sequence in thermodynamics mechanical engineering students are introduced to air-standard power cycles, refrigeration cycles, and the fundamentals of combustion processes. The analysis of air-standard thermodynamic cycles or solving problems involving combustion processes requires the evaluation of thermodynamic properties either from ideal gas tables or equations developed based on the assumption of constant specific heats. Many students have a difficult time to distinguish the differences between the two property evaluation methods. Also, solving problems involving power and refrigeration cycles or parametric studies of combustion processes involve several steps of property evaluation and some steps require interpolation of data listed in the thermodynamic property tables. Also solution to problems requiring trial and error iterative procedure makes the solution process tedious and time consuming, if it is done manually. This paper provides several examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of Excel in solving problems involving air-standard cycles and combustion processes.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The Impact of Modeling Technology Integration on Pre-Service Teachers' Technology Confidence

THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES the PT3 Implementation Grant at the University of Rhode Island’s School of Education and the impact it had on students’ confidence in using technology for teaching. The three-year project focused on working with faculty from the School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences to integrate technology into their instruction and improve the supervision of pre-service teachers. The goal was to provide exemplary models of pedagogically sound technology use that were embedded in core teacher education courses, and not through a stand-alone “technology for teachers” course. A technology confidence survey was administered to students in the teacher education program at the end of each semester of the three-year project. Data from the survey were analyzed to look at change in attitudes over time as students progressed through the teacher education program. Results show a significant increase in students’ confidence in six areas of technology use in teaching, the majority of which were a focus of the project’s training and support of university instructors.
The Intersection of Mental and Physical Health in Older Mexican Americans

The incidence of chronic diseases is highest among the elderly in general; compared to Anglo-Americans, Mexican Americans have lower rates of cancer and cardiovascular disease and higher rates of depression and diabetes. Using baseline data from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) study, weighted hierarchical logistic regression analyses showed that sociodemographic, cultural, and psychosocial profiles of respondents varied in the context of cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). More depressive symptoms were associated with both diseases, as were lower levels of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and perceived health. Higher socioeconomic status, greater assimilation, divorced marital status, and adverse life events/changes involving significant personal losses, trauma, and family events increased cancer risk. People who were lower in socioeconomic status, were less assimilated into the host culture, were divorced, and had experienced the illness of a clos...
Provider Perspectives on Principle-Adherent Practice in Empirically Supported Interventions for Emerging Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions.

In recognition of the need to create new treatment approaches that will be appealing to and effective for emerging adults with serious mental health conditions, researchers have begun to create and evaluate programs and interventions that are specifically tailored to reflect the preferences and needs of the population. The literature that describes these new approaches—including both descriptions of interventions and guidelines based on expert consensus—expresses a high degree of agreement regarding practice principles that should guide intervention. However, beyond naming these principles, the literature provides little information about what the principles mean, or how principle-adherent practice can be recognized. This article describes a qualitative investigation of providers’ understanding of principle-driven practice in the context of programs and interventions for emerging adults with serious mental health conditions. The goal was to learn about how providers conceptualize the principles that drive their practice, and how they describe principle-adherent practice.
Singlet molecular oxygen in biological systems: non-quenching of singlet oxygen-mediated chemiluminescence by superoxide dismutase.

Summary Chemiluminescence measurements indicate that superoxide dismutase does not significantly quench singlet molecular oxygen. 1-Phospha-2,8,9-trioxaadamantane ozonide is used as a singlet oxygen source. However, superoxide dismutase effectively inhibits the chemiluminescence produced by xanthine-xanthine oxidase or potassium superoxide. It is, therefore, likely that superoxide dismutase produces triplet molecular oxygen from its copper-containing active site during the dismutation of superoxide anion radicals, unlike the non-enzymatic dismutation reaction which yields singlet oxygen.
NONLINEAR OSCILLATIONS OF DROPS WITH INTERNAL CIRCULATION

Nonlinear oscillations of viscous liquid drops with and without initial internal circulation are investigated. The full Navier–Stokes equations are solved for a liquid drop surrounded by a dynamically inactive ambient gas. The Galerkin/finite element technique along with the spine-flux method for the advection of the free boundaries are used. Internal circulations are generated by imposing a constant velocity at the surface of the drop and obtaining the steady state velocity field for a fixed drop shape. Oscillations of drops subject to small to large amplitude, and for the second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-mode disturbances are considered. New data on the period and the decay factor of the oscillations are reported. The internal circulation in a drop released from an even-mode shape results in the transfer of energy mainly between the even modes. The internal circulation in a drop released from an odd-mode shape results in the transfer of energy between both odd and even modes. In general, the internal circulations generated by a constant surface velocity tend to transfer energy from any mode of drop oscillations to the second mode. This tendency increases as the strength of the internal circulation increases.
What's past is prologue.

Abstract Alfred Blalock had a remarkable career as a clinical surgeon, laboratory investigator, and a teacher of medical students and residents. This article examines certain potential critical influences on his career, including Drs William Halsted and Barney Brooks, and Dr Blalock's early years as a resident and subsequently a faculty member at Vanderbilt. It is intended as a focused review, utilizing original sources as possible.
Describing Occupational Segregation in Sparse and Incomplete Arrays

The study of sex segregation is increasingly based on log-multiplicative and related models that allow analysts to characterize the amount and structure of segregation independently of (a) the mix of occupations in the economy and (b) the relative size of the male and female labor forces. Although these models are elegant and powerful, methodological complications can arise when the segregation arrays are sparse and small occupations frequently show up as perfectly segregated (i.e., all male or all female). The authors develop a general approach that makes it possible to analyze such sparse arrays with log-multiplicative and related models.