cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A socio-demographic examination of the perceived benefits of agroforestry

Agroforestry has been suggested to produce an array of ecological and socio-economic benefits that not only reach their adopters, but society as a whole. In spite of strong evidence of the benefits of agroforestry, there is a lack of understanding of the public perceptions of those benefits, which prevents the development of benefit-based promotion strategies of agroforestry products. Thus, this study examines the awareness of these benefits among residents and explores whether perceptions vary across individuals with different socio-demographic characteristics. An on-line platform was used to survey three panels of residents from Missouri, Pennsylvania and Texas. Overall, respondents had a neutral perception of the importance of the ecological and socio-economic benefits that agroforestry farms provide to society when compared to farms employing conventional agricultural practices. These results stress the need to increase public awareness of agroforestry practices and their benefits to more strategically position their products among the final consumer. Gender, education level, and residence location were significantly associated with the perceived ecological benefits produced by agroforestry farms and to a lesser extent with the socio-economic benefits. Results also showed that females and young individuals have a greater awareness of several benefits produced by agroforestry farms. Critical marketing implications to stimulate the purchase of agroforestry products (e.g., berries, nuts) among specific groups of consumers are discussed.
Once, Sometimes, or Always in Special Education Mathematics Growth and Achievement Gaps

This study used a statewide longitudinal sample to examine mathematics achievement gaps and growth in students with and without disabilities and to examine the impact of different methods of determining disability group membership on achievement gaps and growth. When disability status was determined on the basis of special education placement each year, the achievement gap was larger across grades than when the subgroup of students with disabilities (SWDs) was defined more broadly, including students who had exited special education or who were in special education anytime between Grades 3 and 7. Regardless of the identification criteria, the SWD subgroup showed lower average achievement and slower growth than students without disabilities. The results suggest that the present way of identifying the SWD subgroup in reporting achievement outcomes may be biased and that even students who exit special education continue to be at risk for lower mathematics achievement.
Electromagnetic Radiation Study of Commercial Cellular Phones with a TEM Cell for Biological Applications

Electromagnetic radiation effects of the GSM 900 and 1800 commercial cellular phones were estimated using a TEM cell. A standard TEM cell was modified with a double-ended monopole antenna as a signal leader for incoming and outgoing signals between the TEM cell's outer surface. The electric field distribution was studied with parameters such as the cellular phone position, polarization, dialing type, and dialing frequency. The field uniformity can be improved with either the use of a shorter signal leader or the TEM cell with a reduction in size. It also showed a good agreement between the results from experiments and simulations. With the proposed exposure technique, the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) result from simulation also indicated the energy absorption by the test sample, confirming a potential usage of the proposed setup in studies related to biological applications.
Treatment of unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in a 5-year-old heart transplant patient using a sirolimus-eluting stent

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is the most common cause of long-term graft failure in adult and pediatric heart transplant recipients. In the absence of a specific treatment for this condition, percutaneous revascularization has been the main palliative treatment in the adult population. Revascularization of pediatric patients, however, is more problematic secondary to the lack of a large pool of outcome data and the encounter of special technical challenges. We present the case of a 5-year-old girl who presented with severe cardiac allograft vasculopathy of her left main coronary artery and was treated with sirolimus stent placement.
Disturbance history and climate response in an old-growth hemlock-white pine forest, central Pennsylvania

Abstract Bryan A. Black and Marc D. Abrams (203 Forest Resources Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802). Disturbance history and climate response in an old growth hemlock forest, central Pennsylvania. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 132: 103–114. 2005.—Radial growth patterns are examined in relation to the historical development, disturbance history, and climate responses of an old-growth hemlock forest located in central Pennsylvania. Hemlock recruited continuously from the mid 1700s through 1890 with a sharp pulse of regeneration between 1860 and 1870, while white pine formed an even-aged cohort in a narrow interval between 1865 and 1870. No recruitment of any species occurred in the 20th century, likely because of deer browsing. Isolated pulses in radial growth occurred in almost every decade of the chronology, indicating a high frequency of small-scale disturbances. Major stand-wide pulses in hemlock radial growth occurred around 1810 and 1850. The 1850 event corresponds with the date of two intense windstorms an...
MIMO communications and inverse scattering

We have developed an analogy between MIMO communications and inverse scattering to show that there is a close correspondence between the SNR behaviors of the communications channel capacity, effective degrees of freedom, and the quality of a reconstructed inverse image. These results have application to a MIMO configuration with coherently linked base stations, which can realize a capacity gain similar to standard MIMO but in a non-multipath propagation environment. It will be of interest to demonstrate this experimentally.
Ubiquitination in signaling to and activation of IKK

A role for polyubiquitination in the activation of inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) kinase (IKK) through a proteasome-independent mechanism was first reported in 1996, but the physiological significance of this finding was not clear until 2000 when TRAF6 was found to be a ubiquitin E3 ligase that catalyzes lysine-63 (K63) polyubiquitination. Since then, several proteins known to regulate IKK have been linked to the ubiquitin pathway. These include the deubiquitination enzymes CYLD and A20 that inhibit IKK, and the ubiquitin binding proteins NEMO and TAB2 which are the regulatory subunits of IKK and TAK1 kinase complexes, respectively. Now accumulating evidence strongly supports a central role of K63 polyubiquitination in IKK activation by multiple immune and inflammatory pathways. Interestingly, recent research suggests that some alternative ubiquitin chains such as linear or K11 ubiquitin chains may also play a role in certain pathways such as the TNF pathway. Here I present a historical narrative of the discovery of the role of ubiquitin in IKK activation, review recent advances in understanding the role and mechanism of ubiquitin-mediated IKK activation, and raise some questions to be resolved in future research.
An analytical hierarchy process approach to the analysis of quality in telecommunication systems

An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach that can be used either for the analysis and comparison of the quality of several telecommunications companies or for the evaluation of alternate technologies in telecommunications is presented. The method is based on pairwise comparison between several factors that affect the quality of service in a hierarchical structure. A particular formulation is presented and discussed extensively. >
The Current State and Future of the Audit Profession

SUMMARY: Audited financial statements are intended to be timely and useful in decision making. To remain a valuable and relevant service, auditing must find a way to evolve. This paper summarizes a recent study (“The Future of Audit,” Lombardi, Bloch, and Vasarhelyi [2014]), which conducts an interactive forecasting method to gain expert consensus on the current state of the auditing profession and on how the profession will evolve over the next decade. Expert consensus emerging from the study includes increasing automation of audit procedures, more predictive financial statements, continuous auditing, and maintaining a global outlook on audit transactions. Data Availability: Please contact the corresponding author for data.
Nutrient foraging in woodland herbs: a comparison of three species of Uvularia (Liliaceae) with contrasting belowground morphologies.

We compared the ability of three closely related species, Uvularia perfoliata, U. sessilifolia,and U. puberula, to forage and explore patches in nutritionally homogeneous and heterogeneous environments. The species differed in type and function of plagiotropic stems and the extent of clonality and physiological integration. Our aim was to determine (1) whether selective placement of roots in highnutrient patches, i.e., foraging, was accompanied by facilitatory morphological changes such as internode elongation or increased branching, (2) whether foraging ability of species depended on the extent of physiological integration, and (3) how variability in environmental quality influenced the performance of each species. We studied the growth of each species over two seasons in experimental environments. Uvularia perfoliata and U. puberula foraged in high-nutrient patches in heterogeneous environments. Uvularia sessilifolia did not show selective placement of roots. The two clonal species, U. perfoliata and U. sessilifolia, did not show any changes in architectural traits predicted to facilitate foraging. The nonclonal species, U. puberula, was the strongest forager and the most physiologically integrated species, U. sessilifolia, was the weakest forager, in line with the view that physiological integration limits foraging efficiency. Variability in environmental quality had little effect on the performance of the three species. Yield and estimators of fitness were not greater in treatments where more high-quality patches were encountered consecutively than in treatments where fewer high-quality patches were encountered consecutively during growth.
Prostate-specific antigen bounce following stereotactic body radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Introduction: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) bounce after brachytherapy has been well-documented. This phenomenon has also been identified in patients undergoing stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). While the parameters that predict PSA bounce have been extensively studied in prostate brachytherapy patients, this study is the first to analyze the clinical and pathologic predictors of PSA bounce in prostate SBRT patients. Materials and Methods: Our institution has maintained a prospective database of patients undergoing SBRT for prostate cancer since 2006. Our study population includes patients between May 2006 and November 2011 who have at least 18 months of follow-up. All patients were treated using the CyberKnife treatment system. The prescription dose was 3500-3625cGy in 5 fractions.Results: 120 patients were included in our study. Median PSA follow-up was 24 months (range 18-78 months). 34 (28%) patients had a PSA bounce. The median time to PSA bounce was 9 months, and the median bounce size was 0.50ng/mL. On univariate analysis, only younger age (p = .011) was shown to be associated with an increased incidence of PSA bounce. Other patient factors, including race, prostate size, prior treatment by hormones, and family history of prostate cancer, did not predict PSA bounces. None of the tumor characteristics studied, including Gleason score, pre-treatment PSA, T-stage, or risk classification by NCCN guidelines, was associated with increased incidence of PSA bounces. Younger age was the only statistically significant predictor of PSA bounce on multivariate analysis (OR = 0.937, p = 0.009).Conclusion: PSA bounce, which has been reported after prostate brachytherapy, is also seen in a significant percentage of patients after CyberKnife SBRT. Close observation rather than biopsy can be considered for these patients. Younger age was the only factor that predicted PSA bounce.
Mitral value anomalies in tricuspid atresia: an autopsy study of 54 hearts

Anatomic study of 54 autopsied cases of tricuspid atresia revealed mitral valvar anomalies in 9 (16.7%). The morphologic findings in these 9 cases are presented and compared with 45 cases having a normal mitral valvar apparatus. The anomalies included a cleft valve in 2, parachute valve in 2, straddling valve in 3, and a valve with dual orifice in 2.Two of these cases had more than one anomaly. Data from echocardiography and cardiac catheterisation, when available, had failed to diagnose the anomalies during life. The anomalies were more commonly associated with discordant ventriculo-arterial connections (33.3% versus 13.3%, p < 0.01), were associated significantly with a large ventricular septal defect (33.3% versus 4.4%, p < 0.01), and with pulmonary hypertension (33.3% versus 2.2%, p < 0.01). Two of 3 post operative deaths among the 9 were due to hemodynamic consequences arising from the uncorrected mitral valvar anomaly (parachute valve in both ). Diagnosis of these anomalies prior to surgical correction is imperative, as their presence may necessitate repair or replacement of the mitral valve. Failure to do so may result in increased perioperative mortality, congestive cardiac failure and arrhythmias at a later date. Mitral valvar anomalies may be a contributory factor to the early onset of cardiac failure seen in patients with tricuspid atresia undergoing palliative shunts.
Ethical Implications of Active Surveillance Cultures and Contact Precautions for Controlling Multidrug Resistant Organisms in the Hospital Setting

Healthcare-associated infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms continue to increase in incidence. To control the transmission of these pathogens, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, some have advocated active surveillance cultures of all hospitalized patients, followed by institution of contact precautions. While there has been extensive debate about the effectiveness of this approach in reducing infections, little attention has been given to the ethical issues raised by the intervention. Active surveillance for multidrug-resistant organisms is a quality improvement measure and ethical implications arise through the potential to inadvertently cause harm. Unintended adverse effects may include decreased contact with healthcare workers, increased depression and anxiety, and increased rates of noninfectious adverse events among patients placed in contact precautions. The potential risks and benefits are not distributed fairly; patients placed in contact precautions are exposed to the risks, while those not isolated experience the benefit. Ethical challenges involve a conflict between the interests of the individual patient and the patient population not already colonized with the organism. For healthcare systems, active surveillance increases the complexity of bed management, exacerbating problems with patient placement, patient throughput, emergency department overcrowding and ambulance diversion for some hospitals. It also poses ethical dilemmas regarding societal resource allocation. Investing in an unproven or marginally beneficial quality improvement activity such as this must be balanced against other public health priorities competing for scarce resources.
A NOTE ON THE LOCATION OF MEDICAL FACILITIES

In this note, I present a method to estimate the desired distance between medical facilities. The survival rate of patients improves when the facility is larger, however larger facilities result in a longer driving distance to the facility which decreases the survival rate. I identify the desired distance between facilities for which the survival rate is maximized.
Children's Attitudes to Physical Differences among Youth from Western and Non-Western Cultures:

Children with visible physical impairments (cosmetic and orthopedic) are known to experience difficulties in social interaction with peers. Some of these social difficulties are related to attitudes toward visible physical features of children. Several research studies from Western and non-Western countries are reviewed, focusing on children's attitudes toward children with facial disfigurement. Specific social preferences for particular disabilities are noted which are related to cultural and economic factors. Children's attitudes toward facial disfigurement reflect generally low preference for social interaction in the majority of cultures studied. Children's attitudes reflect both positive and negative attributions toward facial disfigurement.
Idlewild: The Rise, Decline, and Rebirth of a Unique African American Resort Town Ronald J. Stephens. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2013.

Idlewild: The Rise, Decline, and Rebirth of a Unique African American Resort Town Ronald J. Stephens. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2013.Idlewild, Michigan, in Yates Township, east of Baldwin in southeast Lake County is located in rural northwestern Michigan. Idlewild was a black separate resort that "represented an oasis and a utopian space during the New Negro era of Jim Crow segregation" (20). Primarily a vacation and retirement community today, from the 1920s to 1960s, Idlewild was one of the most popular vacation resort towns for middle-class African-American professionals and business leaders. Unlike notable African American resorts-Oakbluff's on Martha's Vineyard, American Beach on Amelia Island north of Jacksonville, and Highland Beach in Maryland-"which served the upper class, Idlewild has catered to multiple classes over the course of its history" (5).After a brief introduction and closing with an epilogue, Stephens discusses the significance of Idlewild in seven chapters. Chapters 1 and 2 detail events from the 1910s to the 1940s including an introduction to the historical context of the founding and the establishment of Idlewild. Of particular significance in the early years were the cooperation and partnerships between the Idlewild Resort Company, the Idlewild Improve- ment Association, and the Idlewild Lot Owners Association. The Great Depression and World War Two brought successes and challenges and involved a number of individuals who played major roles in sustaining Idlewild during this period. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 focus on two African-American men who almost singlehandedly ushered in, encouraged, and managed the economic prosperity in Idlewild from the late 1940s to the mid-1960s through their reliance on black popular music. The first, Phil Giles, moved to Idlewild in 1947. Giles opened and managed several businesses including the Flamingo Club which is noted for the different kinds of entertainment he featured there. Giles brought leadership and vision to Idlewild as well as encouraged racial uplift, cooperative economics, and employed local residents. The second, Arthur "Daddy" Braggs first vacationed in Idlewild in 1950. "As a policy boss, Braggs used laundered profits from his illegal operations to create one of the best nightspots in Idlewild and one of the best black touring revues in the United States" (157). These chapters are particularly insightful because beginning with Giles and Braggs, Stephens connects the personal narratives of entertainers who performed at Idlewild to broader social, political, and economic historical events, and he explores the Idlewild "entertainment engine. …
Erythropoietic Recovery of Chronically Radiated Rats. 11. Response to Phenylhydrazine

SummaryAdministration of phenylhydrazine during chronic irradiation of rats with 70 R per day stimulates red cell production markedly and results in final hemoglobin levels comparable to those of untreated radiated controls, even though the PH administration itself produces a significant initial anemia. There is a marked increase in splenic normoblasts in the PH treated animals in spite of continuous irradiation. The data are interpreted as evidence for the ability of irradiated erythroid cells to respond to strong stimuli, although they are unraqmnsive to the lesser degrees of stimulation which lead to automatic correction of mild degrees of anemia in normal animals.
Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy of hydrated and dehydrated silk fibroin cast from aqueous solution.

The dynamics of silk protein in the presence and absence of water has been investigated by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). The silk fibroin film cast from its water solution contains 4-7 wt % bound water molecules, which can be removed by dehydration at 165 °C. Temperature and frequency scans were performed on the hydrated and dehydrated samples over the temperature range from -100 to 280 °C, and frequency range from 20 to 1 MHz. Temperature scans of hydrated samples show three relaxation peaks, including β- and α-relaxations, related to bound water and to the glass transition. A new third peak, denoted as α', was seen in hydrated sample at around 60 °C, and its intensity increases with decreasing frequency. On the other hand, in the completely dehydrated sample, the β- and α'-relaxation peaks both disappeared, which reveals their origin from bound water molecules. The α' process is attributed to the removal of bound water, after which the glass transition of dehydrated silk appears at higher temperature as the α process. Real-time DRS has also been performed to monitor isothermal crystallization. Both the dielectric constant, e', and conductivity, σ, decrease gradually as the crystallization proceeds. Analysis of dielectric modulus shows that both conductivity and the α-relaxation are observed at the beginning of crystallization. As the crystal grows, the α-relaxation starts gradually to diminish both in strength and in rate. Before crystallization, α-helices and random coils with dipole moments are the major components in silk fibroin. During crystallization, α-helices can be transformed into antiparallel β-sheets, which possess no dipole moment, causing the decreasing trend in the dielectric parameters as crystallization proceeds.
Relation of Polymer Drag Reduction to Structure and Molecular Weight (Keynote)

The influence of molecular weight distribution on polymer drag reduction was studied for solutions of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide by analyzing the solution over a period of time during which the polymer was degrading. No relation was observed between the effectiveness of this polymer solution and molecular weight.© 2003 ASME
Advance in Viscoelastic Surfactant-Based Fracturing Fluid

Viscoelastic surfactant-based fracturing fluid(VES fracturing fluid)has already achieved well effect as environmental fracturing fluid in the oil field at home and abroad.VES fracturing fluid is no harm to the reservoir and can enhance the conductivity of filling layer.This article reviews the composition,fracturing mechanism,main features,shortcomings and applications of the VES fracturing fluid.In particular,the application of nano technology improves the VES fracturing fluid systems and makes the VES fracturing fluid adapt to dry gas reservoirs.
Analysis of Sliding Mode Stability in Variable Structure Guidance Under Restrained Overload

The stability region of sliding mode in variable structure guidance design method is analyzed and determined based on reaching conditions,considering the restrained overload problem of missile control.The guidance system is built according to the relative relationship in three dimensions.For longitudinal plane,by introducing the subsidiary smooth function,the attraction domain of sliding mode are analyzed and determined,and the stability of the guidance system is proven,considering from the coupling relations of two planes in three dimensions.Finally the attraction domain of a kind of variable structure guidance,which is designed by zeroing sight angle rate,is shown that the valid of the analysis method is verified.
Über Temperaturmutanten Bei Escherichia Coli Und Ihre Bedeutung Für Die „Ein Gen — Ein Enzym“-Hypothese

Durch Ausstreichen UV-bestrahlter Zellsuspensionen von Escherichia coli K 12 auf minimalem Agar, Ubertragen der Agarschalen in 40° C fur 2 Tage und in 25° C fur 5 weitere Tage, und Isolierung von Sekundarkolonien, welche erst an der letzteren Temperatur erscheinen, ist es moglich gewesen, 161 temperaturempfindliche, biochemische Mutanten zu isolieren, die die Fahigkeit des Wildtyps verloren haben, bei 40° C auf minimalem Medium zu wachsen. Die grose Mannigfaltigkeit der Wachstumsfaktoren, die von den verschiedenen Mutanten bei 40° C fur ein normales Wachstum benotigt werden, zeigt, das Temperaturmutationen mehr oder weniger zufallsmasig die verschiedenartigsten, lebenswichtigen Synthesen betreffen konnen.
Application of a multi-zone model for the prediction of species concentrations in rapid compression machine experiments

Abstract A multi-zone model for simulating rapid compression machine (RCM) experiments is integrated with a chemistry solver for robust, computationally-efficient speciation predictions. The model builds upon previous work (Goldsborough et al., 2012) by simulating chemical kinetics in each temperature-varying main combustion chamber zone. The accuracies of the model predictions are evaluated by a comparison to results from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The present model is shown to yield significant improvement over a homogeneous modeling approach in predicting chemical species mole fractions, as well as accurate predictions of temperature and pressure. Species mole fractions predicted by the present model are on average within ∼15% of CFD predictions, while the difference in predicted mole fractions between a homogeneous model and CFD are ∼90% on average. The improvement in species predictions is due to the fact that the present model simulates chemical reaction throughout the entire main reaction chamber in an RCM, while the homogeneous model utilizes a reactor model that simulates conditions inside the core of the reaction chamber only. The enhanced model will enable direct comparison to cylinder-averaged experimental speciation data that is obtained by expanding a reactive mixture to quench the reaction.
TonB Binding Produces Allosteric Changes in the Outer Loops and Substrate Binding Site of the TBDT BtuB

Outer-membrane TonB-dependent transporters function in the uptake of essential nutrients, and are important for the success of many bacterial pathogens. During transport, these proteins undergo a cycle of binding and unbinding to the inner membrane protein TonB, through an interaction that is mediated by the Ton box, an energy-coupling segment at the periplasmic interface. Previous work has shown that in BtuB, the vitamin B12 transporter in Escherichia coli, substrate binding unfolds the Ton box, an event which regulates the interaction between BtuB and TonB.In previous work (Joseph et al. (2015) Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 54:6196) we demonstrated that electron-electron resonance (DEER) data could be obtained on BtuB in native outer membrane preparations and whole cells, and that distances were comparable in native and reconstituted systems. In the present study DEER was used in outer membranes to examine structural heterogeneity in the loops and the effect of ligands on loop configuration. The data show that the loops sample a large conformational space, but that the co-ligand calcium selects for one conformational substrate in the 2nd external loop. The ordering of this loop is correlated with a dramatic increase in the affinity of BtuB for B12. Interestingly, the binding of a C-terminal fragment of TonB to the periplasmic interface of BtuB produces significant changes in the exterior loops to generate a more open substrate binding pocket. Moreover, spectra from the spin-labeled cobalamin analog indicate that TonB weakens the affinity of the substrate and can displace vitamin B12 from BtuB. These data indicate that signal transduction moves in both directions in BtuB and that reduced B12 binding by TonB is a step in the transport process.This work was supported by NIGMS, GM035215.
IIR Filter Banks and Wavelets

In digital filtering applications, it is known that Infinite-duration Impulse Response (IIR) filters [108], [372], [418], [26] provide a computational advantage over Finite-duration Impulse Response (FIR) filters that are designed to meet the same magnitude specifications. In the early work on multirate digital signal processing, this advantage of IIR filters did not carry over to their use in sampling rate conversions. The initial disadvantage arose from the fact that a conventional approach to IIR filter design and realization does not allow the exploitation of rate conversion in reducing the computational burden. However, a different approach, based on the use of a polyphase structure, provides a powerful framework that proves to be common to a low-complexity implementation of both IIR and FIR filters for rate conversion. In this chapter we examine the properties and design of IIR filter banks for one-dimensional and two-dimensional signals.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Actin Ruffling Dynamics in Living Cells

Mechanisms controlling actin polymerization at cell edges remain unclear. To measure the spatiotemporal distribution of edge ruffling, time-lapse optical images of cells expressing fluorescent actin were acquired during a step increase in fluid shear stress and were segmented using an active contour algorithm. Intensity profiles directed normal to the cell boundary were computed, and the spatial distribution of actin features within 1 mum of the cell edge were identified by peak detection. Features associated with filopodia and peripheral stress fibers were removed. These results suggest that cells regulate actin dynamics spatially in response to mechanical stimuli to guide the establishment of directional cell polarity.
Abstract 76: Meaningful Use Of Electronic Medical Records Provides A More In-depth Assessment Of Quality Of Hypertension Care

Background: Hypertension (HTN) control rate is a core clinical quality measure. It is presently assessed by manual review of a random sample of patients with HTN billing claims. There is an increasing push by regulators towards the use of electronic medical records (EMR) to assess quality of care. Purpose: To use EMR to obtain a more in-depth assessment of quality of hypertension care. Methods: Cross sectional study involving adults with HTN seen at 2 or more office visits in 2009 by eligible primary or specialist providers at a large medical group practice. We measured the proportion of HTN patients with blood pressure (BP) at goal (BP < 140/90 mm Hg) at their last hypertension visit (LHV). Results: Of a total of 10,401 patients, 5970 (57%) were controlled and 1959 (19%) were uncontrolled at their LHV. Control could not be assessed in 2472 (24%) as BP values were unavailable from the vital signs section of the visit notes in the EMR. Of a random sample of 250 patients with unavailable BP, only 94 (37.6%) had BP values documented in other parts of the visit note. In 29 patients (11.6%) billing for HTN was done without adequate evidence that it was addressed at that visit. Control rates were highest for primary care providers where measurement and documentation of BP was a focus - Family Medicine 77% controlled, 1% unavailable; Primary Care Internal Medicine 71% controlled, 4% unavailable. A considerable proportion of patients in the other four provider groups did not have BP available from their last hypertension visit - Cardiology 59% controlled, 22% unavailable; Nephrology 38% controlled, 47% unavailable; Preventive Medicine 48% controlled, 39% unavailable; General Internal Medicine 41% controlled, 45% unavailable. Control rates were similar across provider groups when patients with unavailable BP were excluded: Family Medicine 78%, Primary Care 74%, Cardiology 75%, Nephrology 73%, Preventive Medicine 79%, and General Medicine 75%. Conclusions: Up to a quarter of HTN patients did not have properly documented BP in the EMR at their LHV. For those with measurements recorded, control rates were similar across primary care and specialty clinics, but measurement rates were higher for primary care practices. Use of the EMR facilitates efficient and granular assessment of the measurement process and control rates for HTN among various provider groups.
Working Alternatives - From Capitalism to Humanistic Management?

In this paper I explore what "working alternatives" to shareholder capitalism could look like. I explore the various understandings and definitions of capitalism and suggest that capitalism may be best understood as rhetorical device. I then explore the current ontological assumptions of shareholder capitalism and agency theory, and juxtapose alternatives. Based on a humanistic perspective, I then suggest several archetypes of management that can showcase "working alternatives," or case studies that adhere to different managerial precepts.
Integration of fiber Bragg grating optic sensors for strain detection in structures composed of CFRP composite

The study focuses on the formation of artificial neural pathways for the use of structural health monitoring in prosthesis by means of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) optic sensors to detect shifts in strain. Implementation of these fibers are embedded into carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) based structures. CFRP was considered for its wide use application in ankle-foot prosthesis, which undergoes high loads of stress and wear.. This method acts as a system of early detection which could prevent the prosthesis from critical failure due to previously undetected interior defects, further improving the patient’s well being.
Reducing doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in rats with mammary tumors by dantrolene.

e12013Background: Doxorubicin (DOX), widely used in breast cancer, is known for its cardiotoxicity. Preventing DOX-cardiotoxicity without affecting its antitumor efficacy has not been successful. DOX-cardiotoxicity results from oxidative stress that increases intracellular calcium levels by promoting the release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and impairing Ca2+ clearance in cardiomyocytes. Dantrolene (DNT), a postsynaptic muscle relaxant inhibits the release of Ca2+ from SR by inhibiting the ryanodine receptor (RYR). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of DNT on cardiotoxicity and anti-tumor efficacy of DOX in a rat model of breast cancer. Methods: Female F344 rats with implanted MatBIII breast cancer cells were randomized into 3 groups of 12 rats/group and were treated as follows: “DOX” group was injected i.p. with DOX 2x week for 3 weeks (cumulative dose 12 mg/kg); “DNT” group received daily DNT (5mg/kg/day) by oral gavage; and “DOX+DNT” group was treated with DOX 2x week for 3 wee...
Why History Matters in Conservation Planning

Temporal scale analysis is important to fully understand a place and the multigenerational connections that form the basis of local resident’s reaction to any conservation plan. Environmental history and conservation social science, specifically qualitative methods are useful to uncover and reveal important information regarding the history of land use and place attachment in a particular region. This study used both tools with an embedded case study designed to examine an intense conflict related to a conservation initiative in the heart of the Appalachian/Acadian ecoregion. Primary data for this study came from interviews with 21 opinion ­leaders in the region. The data were explored using a three part conceptual framework; cultural memory, essentialized images and vernacular conservation. The findings revealed clear fixed points in time, cultural memory, that define the local narrative of place. Not knowing these may have caused undue conflict from misunderstanding between conservation planners and local residents. Evidence of essentialized images escalation of the conflict was found, and clear examples were found, that may have helped form a conservation initiative rooted in the ­vernacular of the place. Understanding these elements can lead to a better process and ­ultimately one that preserves the dignity of local residents while creating a resilient conservation plan.
Production of High Levels of Chirally Pure d-2,3-Butanediol with a Newly Isolated Bacillus Strain

2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BD), especially when it exists in the chirally pure form, is a valuable chemical feedstock with numerous applications in various industries. However, in most cases, the 2,3-BD naturally produced by the microorganism is a mixture of two of the three isomers (d-2,3-BD, l-2,3-BD, and meso-2,3-BD), which has restricted applications and thus a much lower value than the chirally pure one. In this study, we report a new isolate Bacillus spp. FJ-4 strain, which can produce highly chirally pure d-2,3-BD (>99.9%) to high levels, with very high productivity and yield. The composition of the fermentation medium for the strain was sequentially optimized using statistical experimental methodologies. During a fed-batch experiment, 100.0 g/L of d-2,3-BD was produced from 226.8 g/L glucose, with a yield of 0.44 g/g (88.2% of the theoretical maximum). Acetoin was the primary byproduct, and no other byproduct such as lactate, acetate, or ethanol was detected, which would be advantageous for the downstrea...
Chapter 20 – Phosphorus Homeostasis and Related Disorders

Publisher Summary Phosphorus plays an important role in cellular physiology and skeletal mineralization. It serves as a constituent of nucleic acids and hydroxyapatite, a source of the high energy phosphate in adenosine triphosphate, an essential element of the phospholipids in cell membranes, and a factor influencing a variety of enzymatic reactions and protein functions. Most phosphorus within the body is in bone, while the remainder is largely distributed in soft tissue. The major proportion of ingested phosphate is absorbed in the small intestine, and hormonal regulation of this process plays only a minor role in normal phosphate homeostasis. In contrast, absorbed phosphate, in response to complex regulatory mechanisms, is eliminated by the kidney, incorporated into organic forms in proliferating cells, or deposited as a component of bone mineral. During severe phosphate deprivation, the phosphate contained in bone mineral provides a source of phosphate for the metabolic needs of the organism. The average dietary phosphate intake in humans, derived largely from dairy products, meat, and cereals, is one and one-half to threefold greater than the estimated minimum requirement. Absorption occurs throughout the small intestine with transport greatest in the jejunum and ileum and less in the duodenum. The kidney is immediately responsive to changes in serum levels or dietary intake of phosphate. The balance between the rates of glomerular filtration and tubular reabsorption determines renal adaptation. The major site of phosphate reabsorption is the proximal convoluted tubule, at which 60% to 70% of reabsorption occurs. The phosphate that enters the tubule cell plays a major role in governing various aspects of cell metabolism and function and is in rapid exchange with intracellular phosphate.
Rural America at a Glance: 2013 Edition

Rural America at a Glance, 2013 Edition highlights the most recent indicators of social and economic conditions in rural areas. This year's edition focuses on the U.S. rural economy, including employment trends, poverty, and population trends.
The Use of Low Molecular Weight Heparin in the Treatment and Prevention of Thromboembolic Disease in Glioma Patients

The neuro-oncologist routinely deals with an extraordinarily high risk patient population relative to thromboembolic disease. With the advent of easily accessible diagnostic studies, e.g., ultrasound and/or spiral CT scans, timely diagnosis of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) is readily accomplished. The introduction of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) about 20 years ago (in contrast to unfractionated heparin and vitamin K antagonists) has provided a class of agents with a favorable therapeutic index. In the review to follow, the literature regarding the use of LMWH in neuro-oncology patient populations is summarized. Topics addressed include prophylaxis, treatment, as well as consideration of the potential anti-neoplastic properties of these drugs.
Do Vaccines Cause Myocarditis or Myocardopathy/Cardiomyopathy?

Myocarditis can be induced by either viral or bacterial infection, most notably developing in up to two thirds of persons infected with diphtheria. Thus, diphtheria vaccine prevents myocarditis by protecting against natural infection. Smallpox vaccine does very rarely cause myocarditis and myocardopathy/cardiomyopathy, but is not routinely recommended to the general population in the United States. Other vaccines that are currently routinely recommended to the general population in the U.S. have not been shown to cause myocarditis or myocardopathy/cardiomyopathy.
Penetrating Aortic Ulcer and Intramural Hematoma

Acute aortic syndromes include a variety of overlapping clinical and anatomic diseases. Penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU), intramural hematoma (IMH) and aortic dissection can occur as isolated processes or can be found in association. All these entities are potentially life threatening, so prompt diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance. PAU and IMH lesions in the Stanford Type A distribution often require urgent open surgical repair. Lesions in the Stanford Type B distribution may be managed medically in the absence of symptoms or progression; however, a low threshold for endovascular or surgical treatment should be maintained. This review summarizes the clinical presentation, epidemiology, diagnosis, indications for treatment and endovascular strategies in patients with PAU or IMH.
Delivery and Toxicity of Ruthenium Pyridine-based Nanophotoswitches in Retina

Purpose : Nanophotoswitches (NPSs) offer a new tool for optical stimulation of neuronal activity, in vitro and potentially in vivo. Our group previously reported a ruthenium bipyridine (Rubpy)-based NPS (Rubpy-C17) that, after injection into the eyes of photoreceptor degenerated blind rats, elicited electrical activity in the contralateral superior colliculus upon light illumination. We wish to optimize delivery, efficacy and biosafety of the NPSs; our preliminary experiments examining the Rubpy complexes in vivo suggest low acute toxicity. Intravitreal delivery of the Rubpy-C17 complexes has been shown to restore light response recorded from the superior colliculus of the photoreceptor degenerate RCS rats 1 day after the injection. The restored light response was largely preserved 3 days after the injection, suggesting that the Rubpy-C17 complexes are well tolerated by the retinal neurons during the test period. Methods : Promising NPSs molecules absorb and can be visualized by their luminescence upon visible wavelength illumination. This enables us to evaluate the toxicity of the NPSs using an array of in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo tests, including in vitro electrochemical and spectroscopic studies to determine DNA binding and DNA intercalation. In addition, the NPSs were embedded in polymer matrices and the emission monitored to determine the rate of release upon injection into the eye. Results : Preliminary data show that young zebrafish tolerate injection of up to 100 uM Rubpy-C17 into the eye, with complete disappearance of the Rubpy-C17 emission from the eye within a day. Interestingly, blue-green emission appears in the liver region as the orange-red emission of Rubpy-C17 decreases. As this may be a result of metabolism of the Rubpy-C17, we extracted the blue-green emitting molecule for characterization. Initial studies of slow-release drug delivery system and conditions indicate some success with polyethyleneglycol-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-poly-L-lysine (PEG-PLGA-PEG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) polymers. Conclusions : Our data suggest that NPSs dissolved in a DMSO solution and intravitreally administered remain stable and active in the ocular environment up to at least one day post injection, which can be extended when coadministered with certain polymer mixtures. The DNA binding and DNA intercalation studies, in combination with the extended release polymers, address toxicity concerns of the NPSs in the eye.
“Other Fields Are More Lucrative and Sexy”: A Qualitative Examination of the Low Number of Men in Psychology:

While the underrepresentation of women in traditionally masculine fields has received much scholarly attention, less work has examined men’s lower numbers in women majority fields. Additionally, mu...
Landau level degeneracy in twisted bilayer graphene: Role of symmetry breaking

The degeneracy of Landau levels flanking charge neutrality in twisted bilayer graphene is known to change from eightfold to fourfold when the twist angle is reduced to values near the magic angle of $\ensuremath{\approx}1.{05}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$. This degeneracy lifting has been reproduced in experiments by multiple groups and is known to occur even in devices which do not harbor the correlated insulators and superconductors. We propose ${C}_{3}$-symmetry breaking as an explanation of such robust degeneracy lifting and support our proposal by numerical results on the Landau-level spectrum in near-magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene. Motivated by recent experiments, we further consider the effect of ${C}_{2}$-symmetry breaking on the Landau levels.
Fluid administration rate for uncontrolled intraabdominal hemorrhage in swine

Background We hypothesized that slow crystalloid resuscitation would result in less blood loss and a smaller hemoglobin decrease compared to a rapid resuscitation during uncontrolled hemorrhage. Methods Anesthetized, splenectomized domestic swine underwent hepatic lobar hemitransection. Lactated Ringers was given at 150 or 20 mL/min IV (rapid vs. slow, respectively, N = 12 per group; limit of 100 mL/kg). Primary endpoints were blood loss and serum hemoglobin; secondary endpoints included survival, vital signs, coagulation parameters, and blood gases. Results The slow group had a less blood loss (1.6 vs. 2.7 L, respectively) and a higher final hemoglobin concentration (6.0 vs. 3.4 g/dL). Conclusions Using a fixed volume of crystalloid resuscitation in this porcine model of uncontrolled intraabdominal hemorrhage, a slow IV infusion rate produced less blood loss and a smaller hemoglobin decrease compared to rapid infusion.
Rabbit dilated cardiomyopathy.

Viruses have long been recognized as important etiologic agents of heart disease in man and experimental animals1. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that between 2–5% of a virus-infected population experiences some degree of cardiac involvement2. Virus infection may result in degeneration and necrosis of myocytes by direct cytotoxicity and cause myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle3. Myocarditis may progress to arrhythmias, conduction disturbances, circulatory collapse and/or acute congestive (dilated) cardiomyopathy4. Clinically, dilated cardiomyopathy is diagnosed by an increase in the heart weight, heart weigh/body weight weight ratios, enlargement of the left and/or right ventricular cavities, thinning/hypertrophy of the ventricular walls, and low ejection fractions. In humans particularly ominous signs of dilated cardiomyopathy include the presence of pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, and congestion of the lungs and liver 4,5. The incidence of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is estimated between 3–5 cases/100,000 population/year and accounts for about 30% of all heart disease related deaths in some areas of the world6. The mechanism(s) by which virus infection progresses to myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy is unclear.