cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing program fidelity in substance abuse health services research.

This paper addresses how treatment fidelity and related constructs (e.g. program implementation) can be assessed in alcohol, drug abuse and mental health services research. First, it introduces definitions of fidelity and related concepts, and then describes various concepts and tools from program evaluation that have proven useful for assessing fidelity. Next, several of these are illustrated in detail through a case study of a multisite fidelity assessment in substance abuse services research: the process evaluation of the NIAAA Homeless Cooperative Agreement Program. This evaluation included analysis of implementation at the program- and participant-level, the development of scales from the individual services data to estimate intervention strength, fidelity, and "leakage" (i.e. the degree to which services intended exclusively for intervention groups were inadvertently delivered to comparison groups) and the methods with which these data were used to assess whether programs were implemented as planned.
Glycoproteins from connective tissue of twins.

EARLIER investigations on glycoproteins from connective tissue have been mainly concerned with their chemical characteristics1–6, but very little is known about the biological function of this group of glycoproteins. Our previous observations7 demonstrated the presence of a family of glycoproteins in cardiovascular connective tissue which varied from individual to individual and suggested a genetic basis for their differences. We have isolated glycoproteins from aorta, skin and kidney of bovine, ovine, and human twins and analysed by gel electrophoresis to determine whether variations in glycoproteins occurred among identical and nonidentical twin pairs. Because connective tissue glycoproteins also show enzymatic activities like esterase and phosphatase8, zymograms for these two enzymes were also obtained on polyacrylamide gels. The glycoprotein samples were analysed further by immunoelectrophoresis because they are highly antigenic3–7.
Collapse of a polymer : evidence for tricritical behaviour in two dimensions

Finite-size scaling of Monte Carlo generated order parameter (intrinsic density of monomers) and specific heat of square lattice polymers near the collapse transition exhibit characteristics of a tricritical point. The estimated corresponding critical exponents αt, νt and Φ t are in good agreement with predictions from e-expansions. First-order corrections to the asymptotic behaviour are calculated.
LMMSE equalization and DFE in 2-D ISI channels

Linear minimum mean squared error (LMMSE) equalization and decision feedback equalization (DFE) are effective to mitigate the effect of intersymbol interference (ISI) in one dimensional (1-D) ISI channels. In this paper, we utilize these two equalization algorithms to mitigate the effect of intersymbol intertrack interference in 2-D ISI channels. Simulation results show that like their 1-D counterparts, both 2-D LMMSE equalization and DFE archive significant improvement in bit error rate (BER) performance. We also study the effect of equalization window size on the BER performance. Simulation results reveal that there is an optimal window size for both LMMSE equalization and DFE to achieve the best BER performance.
The rise and fall of bobcat populations in New Hampshire: Relevance of historical harvests to understanding current patterns of abundance and distribution

Abstract Harvest records reveal that populations of bobcats (Lynx rufus) in New Hampshire have undergone substantial changes during the past 200 years. In the 1800s, a nearly continuous bounty program resulted in annual harvests that averaged ∼30 bobcats. Harvests increased in 1915, and fluctuated from 100 to 400 bobcats during the 1920s through the 1950s. In 1959, harvests peaked at 421 and then rapidly declined. By 1970, payment was made on only 10 bobcats, and legal status was changed from nuisance animal to game species in 1973. In 1989, trapping and hunting seasons were closed and bobcats were designated a protected species. After 15 years of protection, populations of bobcats seem to be remaining at modest levels. To understand what factors may have contributed to the remarkable rise and fall of bobcat populations, we compared the temporal distribution of harvests to comments by early naturalists, legislation to control bobcat abundance, and historical changes in land use. We then used two approaches with a geographic information system to identify the environmental features that may affect present-day populations. The empirical approach relied on a comparison of landscape characteristics associated with recent (1990–2004) observations of bobcats to characteristics found at a comparable set of random locations. We also examined the characteristics of townships that yielded the majority of historical bobcat harvests (1931–1965) and developed a process-oriented model to rank present-day habitat suitability. The irruption of bobcat populations coincided with the availability of early-successional habitats as abandoned agricultural lands reverted to second-growth forests during the first half of the 20th century. Likewise, bobcat populations rapidly declined as these forests matured and no longer supported abundant prey, especially New England cottontails (Sylvilagus transitionalis). Our efforts to identify habitat features associated with present-day populations had mixed results. The empirically derived model correctly classified only 52% of recent bobcat locations, whereas the process-oriented model indicated that nearly 88% of recent bobcat observations were associated with sites that were ranked at high suitability. The results of this study demonstrate the utility of information on historical harvests when addressing questions on the status of contemporary wildlife populations.
Importance of postpolypectomy surveillance and postpolypectomy compliance to follow-up screening—review of literature

Introduction Approximately 150,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year and 56,000 may die from it annually in the United States. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the USA and yet, when diagnosed at an early stage, it is one of the most preventable cancers. According to the US Preventive Services Task Force, initial screening for colorectal cancer is recommended in people above 50 years of age with average risk and earlier in people with a strong family history and other risk factors. Adenomatous polyps are considered as precursors of colorectal cancer. Removal of polyps and postpolypectomy surveillance reduces the overall mortality from colorectal cancer.
Response of epiphytic foraminiferal communities to natural eutrophication in seagrass habitats off Man O'War Cay, Belize

Eutrophication from a variety of anthropogenic sources is an increasingly prevalent problem in coastal waters, and is one of the factors contributing to the decline of seagrass ecosystems worldwide. This study investigated the impact of natural nutrient enrichment derived from nesting seabird colonies on Man O'War Cay, Belize, on the epiphytic foraminiferal communities living on the seagrass Thalasssia testudinum. Man O'War Cay, a small mangrove island in the central region of the barrier reef complex, hosts nesting colonies of magnificent frigate birds and brown boobies. Epiphytic foraminiferans were surveyed from five stations spaced at 10-m intervals along a 40-m transect in a seagrass meadow located off the eastern end of the island (March 2004). Low species diversity and high dominance of the encrusting, dendritic species Cornuspiramia antillarum characterized the epiphytic foraminiferal biota. Species diversity, as measured by the Shannon's H, and evenness, as measured by Buzas–Gibson's E, decreased in an offshore direction. The density of individuals per square centimeter of blade, however, increased in an offshore direction, with the lowest values observed at the station closest to the island, and the highest values recorded at the station farthest from the shore. The results obtained in this study indicate that epiphytic foraminiferal populations respond to nutrient enrichment, and thus may be useful indicators of ecosystem decline in subtropical–tropical, oligotrophic marine habitats.
In vitro RNA synthesis by chromatin from three brain regions of differentially reared rats.

Chromatin was extracted from cortex, cerebellum, and the rest of brain of rats reared for 32 days in enriched, isolated, or standard colony conditions. The relative capacity of the chromatin to support RNA synthesis in vitro was then examined. In cortex, in vitro RNA synthesis was higher in enriched rats, but, in the rest of brain, enriched rats were lower in RNA synthesis than the corresponding isolated animals. Although cerebellar chromatin from enriched animals supported more RNA synthesis, the magnitude differences were not as great as for the other two parts of brain. These results are in general agreement with previous findings of the morphological effects of differential rearing.
Continuous administration of 100 μg levonorgestrel and 20 μg ethinyl estradiol for elimination of menses: a randomized trial

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of continuous 20-μg oral contraceptive pill use, compared with cyclic use of the same pill, for the elimination of menses as measured by daily menstrual bleeding diaries. Methods: This was an open-label prospective randomized trial to compare 28-day–cycle monthly arm (MA) subjects with continuous arm (CA) subjects. Outcomes measured are bleeding and spotting, pill-taking compliance, method satisfaction, estrogen symptoms, and hemoglobin. Endometrial histology and ultrasonographic measurements are being collected on a subset of subjects at randomization and after nine study cycles are completed. Results: Beginning February 2000, 94 subjects enrolled for a ‘wash-in‘ cycle. Eighty subjects were then randomized either to MA or CA study assignment. The ongoing study has 75 continuing subjects, with 57 women on their fourth or subsequent pill cycle in the study. Reasons for study discontinuation among MA subjects have included irregular bleeding and weight gain, and some were lost to follow-up; among CA subjects, reasons for study discontinuation have been a desire to conceive and bloating. Conclusion: This randomized trial will compare the experience of women taking continuous low-estrogen oral contraceptives with the experience of women undergoing a monthly hormonal withdrawal period. We will present detailed bleeding and spotting profiles for women during their first 6 months of continuous oral contraceptive use. Rates of amenorrhea, infrequent bleeding, and irregular bleeding will be reported to confirm the efficacy and acceptability of menstrual suppression.
Cardinal temperatures for germination and early growth of two Lesquerella species

Lesquerella (Lesquerella fendleri) is a potential alternative crop that is being studied for commercial oilseed production. Understanding the minimum temperatures for germination and seedling growth is important for determining potential areas for lesquerella production. The objectives of this study were to determine the cardinal temperatures for germination and seedling growth, and to screen ecotypes for germination and growth characteristics. A temperature gradient table arrangement was used to observe seed germination over a range of temperatures, and time to germination and shoot appearance. Times to 5 mm root length and 5 mm shoot length were also measured to assess cardinal temperatures for seedling survival and growth. Two different species were examined, L. fendleri and a species we refer to as ‘L. pallida aff.’ because it differed from typical L. pallida plants in chromosome number and in oil quality. We concluded that both germination and growth of L. pallida aff. occurred fastest at 22 ◦ C, whereas L. fendleri germinated earlier at 18 ◦ C, but grew faster at 22 ◦ C. L. pallida aff. also had lower germination than L. fendleri over the range studied. Non-dormant seeds of improved lines of L. fendleri had better performance at temperatures above 22 ◦ C than did unimproved accessions. Lines of L. fendleri selected for high oil content and salt tolerance had similar temperature requirements for germination except for improved line WCL-LO3, the current line being used in production. This line had optimal temperatures 6 ◦ C higher for germination and growth than the other improved lines. Accessions of L. fendleri collected from elevations above 2000 m performed better at warmer temperatures, whereas those collected from elevations below 2000 m tended to perform better at cooler temperatures. Dormant seeds of L. fendleri germinated more quickly at low temperatures and had lower base ( 7 ◦ C and 28 ◦ C, respectively). We speculate that this partial dormancy trait allows populations of L. fendleri to exploit a wider range of temperature conditions in the wild in order to thrive in extreme environments.
A vinylcyclobutane substrate designed as a cyclopropylcarbinyl radical probe

Appending a spirocyclopropane linkage to bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene is achieved by selective kinetic cyclopropanation of 6-methylenebicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene. The resultant vinylcyclobutane undergoes [1,3] migration as the dominant thermal process. A minor cyclopropylcarbinyl (CPC) rearrangement product clearly implicates a diradical transition structure. The presence and absence of other potential thermal products have enabled us to construct a detailed mechanistic proposal to account for all viable dynamic processes.
Differential modulation of Cav2.1 channels by calmodulin and Ca2+-binding protein 1

Cav2.1 channels, which mediate P/Q-type Ca2+ currents, undergo Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent inactivation and facilitation that can significantly alter synaptic efficacy. Here we report that the neuronal Ca2+-binding protein 1 (CaBP1) modulates Cav2.1 channels in a manner that is markedly different from modulation by CaM. CaBP1 enhances inactivation, causes a depolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of activation, and does not support Ca2+-dependent facilitation of Cav2.1 channels. These inhibitory effects of CaBP1 do not require Ca2+, but depend on the CaM-binding domain in the α1 subunit of Cav2.1 channels (α12.1). CaBP1 binds to the CaM-binding domain, co-immunoprecipitates with α12.1 from transfected cells and brain extracts, and colocalizes with α12.1 in discrete microdomains of neurons in the hippocampus and cerebellum. Our results identify an interaction between Ca2+ channels and CaBP1 that may regulate Ca2+-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity by inhibiting Ca2+ influx into neurons.
Information literacy competency of freshman business students of a private university in Bangladesh

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to assess basic information literacy (IL) competency and the perception of IL behaviour of freshman undergraduate business students of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).Design/methodology/approach – Freshman business students were asked to fill a set of structured and sample questions which assessed their level of information skills and basic IL behaviour. The questionnaire incorporated different questions concerning their previous experience of information use and access to information sources.Findings – It has been found that IUB freshman business students require more competencies to solve information‐related problems. Before answering the questions and statements of the questionnaire, most of them mentioned that they are aware of IL and they think they have IL‐related efficiencies. But the competency results showed that only one‐fourth of them gave correct answers. Regarding the concluding statement, most of them realized that they need information literac...
Safety Evaluation of Transverse Rumble Strips on Approaches to Stop-Controlled Intersections in Rural Areas

Transverse rumble strips (TRS) have been used by some agencies in rural areas to warn drivers that they are approaching a stop sign. There is some evidence in prior research that TRS are effective in reducing approach speeds. However, little is known about effects on crashes. Data from 20 intersections in Minnesota and 134 intersections in Iowa were used to examine the safety impact of TRS at three- and four-leg intersections with minor-leg stop control. Empirical Bayes methods were incorporated in a before–after analysis to determine the safety effectiveness of the rumble strips. Results from 3- and 4-leg intersections in the combined sample of Iowa and Minnesota indicate about a 21% reduction in fatal, incapacitating injury, and nonincapacitating injury crashes and a 39% reduction in fatal and incapacitating injury crashes. Coupled with this reduction in severe injury crashes, there seems to be an increase in property damage only crashes. A limited economic analysis indicated a reduction in crash harm o...
Message-Wise Unequal Error Protection Based on Low-Density Parity-Check Codes

We propose a practical message-wise unequal error protection (UEP) scheme using low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, where one or more special messages are more protected than other ordinary messages. In contrast to the information theoretic cavity coding scheme, which discards the codewords of ordinary messages near those of special messages, the proposed coding scheme performs codeword flipping to separate the codewords of special and ordinary messages without discarding any codewords. To better distinguish the original and flipped codewords, the LDPC codes with all-odd degree check nodes are employed. The decoder performs message type detection and codeword flipping detection based on the unsatisfied check nodes in iterative decoding. We provide performance analysis for both the message type detection and the codeword flipping detection. Moreover, we provide an asymptotic analysis on the detection error exponent to reveal the relationship between the proposed practical coding scheme and the information theoretically optimal cavity coding. Simulation results are provided to show that the proposed practical message-wise UEP schemes offer capacity-approaching protections to both types of messages as if only one type is transmitted.
Inhibition of cholesterol absorption by phytosterol-replete wheat germ compared with phytosterol-depleted wheat germ.

Background: Low-fat vegetable foods contain phytosterols, but it is not known whether they are in biologically active forms or whether their concentrations are high enough to reduce cholesterol absorption and favorably affect lipid metabolism. Objective: The objective was to establish whether the selective removal of phytosterols from wheat germ would increase the cholesterol absorption measured from test meals composed of wheat germ muffins. Design: Wheat germ, which has a high content of phytosterols relative to total fat, was chosen as a low-fat test food. Cholesterol absorption was measured 3 times in 10 subjects. Each test meal was a muffin containing 30 mg heptadeuterated cholesterol tracer and, in random order, 80 g original wheat germ containing 328 mg phytosterols, wheat germ from which phytosterols had been selectively extracted, or extracted wheat germ reconstituted with purified phytosterols. Changes in cholesterol absorption were monitored by the measurement of tracer enrichment of plasma cholesterol 4 and 5 d after each meal with the use of negative ion mass spectrometry. Results: Tracer enrichment of plasma cholesterol was 42.8% higher after consumption of phytosterol-free wheat germ than after that of the original wheat germ (0.415 ± 0.035 compared with 0.291 ± 0.024 � mol tracer/mmol cholesterol; P < 0.01). Tracer enrichment of plasma cholesterol was not significantly different between the wheat germ with extracted-and-reconstituted phytosterol (0.305 ± 0.022 � mol tracer/mmol cholesterol) and the original wheat germ. Conclusion: The efficiency of cholesterol absorption from test meals was substantially lower after consumption of original wheat germ than after consumption of phytosterol-free wheat germ, which suggests that endogenous phytosterols in wheat germ and possibly in other low-fat vegetable foods may have important effects on cholesterol absorption and metabolism that are independent of major nutrients. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:1385‐9.
Querying databases of trajectories of differential equations. I. Data structures for trajectories

One approach to qualitative reasoning about dynamical systems is to extract qualitative information by searching or making queries on databases containing many trajectories. The efficiency of such queries depends crucially upon finding an appropriate data structure for trajectories of dynamical systems. Suppose that a large number of parameterized trajectories gamma of a dynamical system evolving in R/sup N/ are stored in a database. Let eta contained in/implied by R/sup N/ denote a parameterized path in Euclidean space. A data structure is defined to represent trajectories of dynamical systems, and a sketch is given of an algorithm which answers queries of the following form: Query: return the trajectory gamma from the database which minimizes the norm on the space of paths // eta - gamma //. >
The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ (PPARγ) as a regulator of monocyte/macrophage function

Peroxisome proliferator-activated re- ceptors (PPARs) are ligand-dependent transcrip- tion factors of the nuclear hormone receptor super- family, which includes the steroid, retinoid, and thyroid hormone receptors. The PPARs can be activated by fatty acids and their eicosanoid metabo- lites, and have until recently been considered pri- marily to regulate genes involved in glucose and lipid homeostasis. In the past year there has been an explosive increase in research implicating PPARg in macrophage biology, cell cycle regulation, and atherosclerosis. This review describes recent in- sights into the role of PPARg in the macrophage lineage, and its potential function in the regulation of inflammatory responses and atherosclerosis. J. Leukoc. Biol. 66: 733-739; 1999.
Ordovician cauldron subsidence of the Blue Hills Complex, eastern Massachusetts

The Blue Hills Complex, which lies south of the Boston Basin in eastern Massachusetts, is composed of Cambrian sedimentary rocks and Late Ordovician alkalic plutonic and volcanic rocks. On the north, the Complex is separated by a fault from the Boston Bay Group, which very recently has been shown to be late Precambrian. On the south, the Complex is overlain unconformably by the Pennsyvanian rocks of the Norfolk Basin. The bedding and volcanic flow structures of the Cambrian, Ordovician, and Pennsylvanian rocks are essentially parallel and dip steeply south. I believe that the Blue Hills Complex is a Late Ordovician cauldron subsidence that was tilted during the Alleghenian Orogeny and was thrust northward over the Boston Bay Group.
Cognition During Marital Conflict: The Relationship of Thought and Talk:

This article describes and analyzes the stream of thought occurring concurrently with overt communication about marital conflict. The research considers how marital conflicts may be affected by selective attention to different elements of conflict (different emotions, issues, interactional behaviors, and background events) and by spontaneous attributions about communicative intentions and outcomes. One hundred eighteen couples discussed a current conflict issue, then individually watched a videotape of the discussion and reported thoughts and feelings experienced during the discussion. Descriptively, the thoughts revealed limited complexity, infrequent perspective taking, a predominant concern for implicit relationship issues over content issues, and frequent direct analysis of the communication process. Spouses viewed their own communication in more favorable terms than their partner's communication. Husbands and wives also viewed the interactions differently, with wives appearing, in certain respects, m...
A cumulated lethal time model to evaluate efficacy of heat treatments for codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in cherries

Developing heat treatment methods to control insect pests in harvested commodities has traditionally relied on empirical trial-and-error approaches. There is a need for an effective means to systematically develop and assess heat treatments to save time and expense. In this study, we developed a cumulated lethal time model based on the efficacy of different hot water treatments for killing codling moth in cherries. Minimum temperature–time combinations to achieve complete kill of codling moth larvae in cherries were determined and compared with the prediction of the cumulated lethal time model. In experiments to validate the model, larval mortality of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella(L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), was evaluated in infested cherries subjected to various periods of temperatures in warm water baths. This model calculates the accumulative lethal effect of the complete process by using measured temperature–time data in the core of cherries along with established intrinsic thermal death kinetics information on the target insects. This model predicted minimum treatment times to achieve a total mortality of the pest population in cherries for different treatment temperatures. The results show that this model can be used to predict the thermal mortality of the insects in fruit for any pattern of heat treatment, provided that the temperature–time profile in the infested fruits is measured. This procedure should allow for rapid efficacy comparisons in a range of thermal treatments against codling moth larvae in different commodities. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Design and modeling of a 16-bit 1.5MSPS successive approximation ADC with non-binary capacitor array

The design and modeling of a high performance successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) using non-binary capacitor array are presented in this paper. A non-binary capacitor array with 20 capacitors is used to design a 16-bit, 1.5 mega samples per second (MSPS) successive approximation ADC. A perceptron learning rule, originally developed for Artificial Intelligence applications, is used as the capacitor calibration algorithm. The system architecture and the circuit design for the capacitor array, the sampling network and the high performance comparator are discussed. The capacitor weights are adaptively calibrated to match the physical capacitors with better than 22-bit accuracy. Capacitor matching is not a limiting factor to the accuracy. Various sources of noise, interference and distortion are modeled to evaluate their effects and to ensure the robustness of the calibration algorithm. This architecture is especially suitable for mixed-signal VLSI in the Nanometer Era because it relaxes the matching requirement on analog circuitry.
Neonatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke Study

The International Pediatric Stroke Study, a global research initiative of 149 co-investigators (30 centers in 10 countries), examined predictors of infarct characteristics and outcome in patients with clinical and neuroimaging confirmation of symptomatic arterial ischemic stroke (AIS).
The Pyla-Koutsopetria Archaeological Project: A Preliminary Report of Excavations at Pyla-Viglia, a Fortified Settlement Dating to the Hellensitic Era

Since 2003 the Pyla- Koutsopetria Archaeological Project has systematically investigated a small region near the modern village of Pyla in southeastern Cyprus. Within this study region, the Hellenistic site of Pyla- Vigla is set atop a promontory of the same name, a toponym meaning “lookout.” Dating to the late 4th and early 3rd centuries B.C., the site was founded and occupied during a turbulent period in Cypriot history, one that saw the transition from rule by local city kingdoms to outright foreign imperial domination. Pyla- Vigla represents a key strategic position for warring Hellenistic kingdoms with interests in Egypt and those seeking to achieve superiority in the eastern Mediterranean. Recent archaeological work by the Pyla- Koutsopetria Archaeological Project has shed light on the lives of those living at a Hellenistic fort in Cyprus. Documenting sites like Vigla provides a valuable perspective on day-to-day life in the armies that shaped the Hellenistic world. DOI:10.2458/azu_jaei_v05i3_olson
Alternative Dosing Strategy for Aminoglycosides: Impact on Efficacy, Nephrotoxicity, and Ototoxicity:

Accumulating evidence suggests that the therapeutic margin of aminoglycoside therapy may be improved by manipulation of dosing strategy. Recent understanding of concentration-dependent bactericidal activity and postantibiotic effect argues that the aminoglycosides may be administered in larger doses and at longer dosing intervals than currently recommended without compromising efficacy. Preliminary clinical experience suggests that once-daily regimens are as efficacious as conventional intermittent injections in the treatment of gram-negative infections including urinary tract infections, cystic fibrosis, and bacteremia in nonneutropenic patients. The transient, high peak serum concentrations achieved in once-daily dosing have not been associated with excessive nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity thus far. Decreased accumulation in renal cortex as a result of saturable renal uptake after the single daily dose may even reduce the incidence or severity of renal damage. Further studies on more patients are require...
Preservation of Pathology Specimens by Silicone Plastination: An Innovative Adjunct to Pathology Education

The authors have used the process of plastination to preserve gross anatomic specimens for teaching purposes. A specimen is fixed in 10% buffered formalin and dehydrated in increasing grades of ethanol. Thereafter it is saturated with methylene chloride and then impregnated in vacuo at -20 degrees C with silicone rubber. Final steps involve drainage and exposure to a curing agent. The total time required is approximately 16 weeks. The finished plastinated specimen is dry to the touch, odorless, and nontoxic, yet it maintains its original shape and, in many cases, is reasonably close in color and consistency. It resists deterioration and can be stored at room temperature indefinitely. The authors have found plastinated specimens to be superior to those preserved in formalin for teaching anatomic pathology to undergraduate medical students.
Allocation of Costs for Electronic Products in Academic Library Consortia

As the prevalence of consortial licenses for electronic products increases, consortia face decisions about how to allocate costs for these products among participating libraries. Although there are a number of possible formulae for this, some are problematic in that they result in inequitable cost allocations in certain circumstances. Several methods for apportioning costs within consortia are discussed, including equal division by institution and proportional division by institutional FTE, as well as a combination of these. Other methods evaluated include proportional distribution of cost savings, a method utilizing bids, and usage-based distributions.
Novel Layered 2D and Triply Interpenetrating 3D Cobalt-Functionalized Diaza-12-crown Based Coordination Polymers: Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties

Two novel coordination polymers with formulas CoL1·3H2O [1, L1 = 3,3′-((1,7-dioxa-4,10-diazacyclododecane-4,10-diyl)bis(methylene) dibenzenecarboxylate] and Co2L2(H2O)2·2(H2O) [2, L2 = 5,5′-((1,7-dioxa-4,10-diazacyclododecane-4,10-diyl)bis(methylene)) diisophthalate] were synthesized, where one Co(II) ion coordinates the crown-4 moiety of the ligand. Compound 1 crystallizes in the space group C2 as an infinite two-dimensional chiral layered coordination network with a tetragonal 44sql net topology. The structural unit consists of the coordinated Co(II) ion and the deprotonated ligand. The Co(II) ion is 6-coordinate with two nitrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms of the crown 1,7-diaza-12-crown-4, and two carboxylate oxygen atoms from neighboring ligands, and exhibits a highly distorted octahedral geometry. Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n as a triply interpenetrating 3D network with the uncommon sqc528/dmd system, the first coordination polymer with a 3-fold interpenetrating dmd to...
Tetradentate vs pentadentate coordination in copper(II) complexes of pyridylbis(aminophenol) ligands depends on nucleophilicity of phenol donors.

The ligand binding preferences of a series of potentially pentadentate pyridylbis(aminophenol) ligands were explored. In addition to the previously reported ligands 2,2′-(2-methyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)propane-1,3-diyl)bis(azanediyl)bis(methylene)diphenol (H2L1) and 6,6′-(2-methyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)propane-1,3-diyl)bis(azanediyl)bis(methylene)bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenol) (H2L1-tBu), four new ligands were synthesized: 6,6′-(2-methyl-2(pyridine-2-yl)propane-1,3-diyl)bis(azanediyl)bis(methylene)bis(2,4-dibromophenol) (H2L1-Br), 6,6′-(2-methyl-2(pyridine-2-yl)propane-1,3diyl)bis(azanediyl)bis(methylene)bis(2-methoxyphenol) (H2L1-MeO), 2,2′-(2-methyl-2(pyridine-2-yl)propane-1,3diyl)bis(azanediyl)bis(methylene)bis(4-nitrophenol) (H2L1-NO2), and 2,2′-(2-phenylpropane-1,3-diyl)bis(azanediyl)bis(methylene)diphenol (H2L2). These ligands, when combined with copper(II) salts and base, form either tricopper(II) species or monocopper(II) species depending on the nucleophilicity of the phenol groups in the ligands. All copper c...
Clustering vs. relative location: Measuring spatial interaction between retail outlets

This paper presents a new multivariate spatial statistic developed to identify different interaction patterns between competing retail outlets. In order to define when two outlets are located relatively close to each other, a topological proximity criterion is suggested. Asymptotic properties of the new statistic are derived analytically and finite sample properties are obtained through Monte Carlo simulations. Various simulation experiments confirm that the statistic is robust and that it can distinguish pairwise categorical association from clustering in the joint population. To demonstrate its usefulness, the statistic is applied to competing retail chains in two retail sectors.
Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus accompanied with diabetes mellitus :a four-case report and long-term follow-up

Objective To explore the the clinical relationship between juvenile systemic lupus erythromatus(JSLE)and diabetes mellitus(DM).Methods The clinical data of four JSLE patients accompanied with DM diagnosed from 2002 to 2008 were collected to summarize clinical features,treatment and prognosis.Results All 4 patients were girls,3 of them were 12 years old,the other was 8 years old.All the patients were diagnosed JSLE and DM.Two patients were taken insulin stimulation test and glucose tolerance test.One patient had the possibility of T1DM and one patient had the possibility of T2DM.Three onsets were sudden and the patients presented with diabetic ketoacidosis sequently.One patient was accompanied with DM during the processing of the disease,in the other two cases DM occurred after 1 and 3 years treatment respectively.Two patients were also accompanied with thyroid impairment.All 4 patients could be relieved,and after the treatment of DM,the level of blood glucose was steady.In 3 patients with the complication of DM,their growth and development were normal.Conclusions DM may be one of the manifestations of JSLE.Corticosteroid was not the main cause of JSLE complicated with DM.Corticosteroid was the major medicine to treat JSLE accompanied with DM.The immune suppressive drugs could reduce the incidence of elevated blood glucose which was the side effect of corticosteroids.The patients with JSLE should be against the DM preventively.Not only the levels of blood glucose and urine,but also the insulin autoantibody and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody should be detected in JSLE patients.
Computer deducing and difference numerical computation on boundary layer

Difference numerical computation on boundary layer by computer deducing.The box technique is applied to proceeding computation which includes: transforming control equations to difference equations,dispersing,linearization and solving difference equations by the block elimination method.The method can avoid the difficulties caused by complicated form and various item and directly get the result.This method is also applied to the solution of general difference equations.
The right heart in congenital heart disease.

The clinical presentation of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction due to congenital heart disease (CHD) is similar to that of cor pulmonale. RV volume and pressure loads, and primary RV myocardial dysfunction are mechanisms by which CHD affects right heart function. RV volume load may arise from pre-tricuspid left to right shunts (e.g., atrial septal defect) or regurgitant lesions in the right heart (e.g., Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve and pulmonary insufficiency after repair of tetralogy of Fallot). RV pressure load may be caused by anatomic obstruction to RV outflow and by pulmonary arteriolar hypertension. The latter can result from Eisenmenger syndrome secondary to congenital and postoperative left to right shunts or from defects that cause pulmonary venous hypertension (e.g., pulmonary vein stenosis, cor triatriatum, or mitral stenosis). The RV myocardium may be affected by a primary cardiomyopathy or by congenital abnormalities of the coronary vessels. Finally, CHD may be associated with airway obstruction, scoliosis, or pulmonary emboli, which, in turn, may lead to the development of cor pulmonale. Congenital heart disease, therefore, must be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with right ventricular dysfunction.
Property of Spouses in Law in Renaissance Florence

Historians of Florence typically treat the family patrimony as a single entity under the control of the male head of household. That included the dowry and other property his wife brought to him. In so doing these historians follow the cues offered by normative sources. However, in law there were, in fact, several types of property a wife could bring to a marriage, and she had rights to manage some of those herself. And dowry was a charge on the patrimony that husbands swore to uphold. They could not easily alienate dowry, and certainly not without consent of their wives. A closer look at household accounts demonstrates that husbands managed their property with an eye to obligations they had to preserve and return dowry and other spousal property on dissolution of marriage. And examination of cases by means of consilia illustrates how jurists interpreted spousal legal property rights and wives’ and widows’ disposal of their holdings.
Functional Analysis of Mouse G6pc1 Mutations Using a Novel In Situ Assay for Glucose-6-Phosphatase Activity and the Effect of Mutations in Conserved Human G6PC1/G6PC2 Amino Acids on G6PC2 Protein Expression

Elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) has been associated with increased risk for development of type 2 diabetes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in G6PC2 are the most important common determinants of variations in FBG in humans. Studies using G6pc2 knockout mice suggest that G6pc2 regulates the glucose sensitivity of insulin secretion. G6PC2 and the related G6PC1 and G6PC3 genes encode glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunits. This study describes a functional analysis of 22 non-synonymous G6PC2 SNPs, that alter amino acids that are conserved in human G6PC1, mouse G6pc1 and mouse G6pc2, with the goal of identifying variants that potentially affect G6PC2 activity/expression. Published data suggest strong conservation of catalytically important amino acids between all four proteins and the related G6PC3 isoform. Because human G6PC2 has very low glucose-6-phosphatase activity we used an indirect approach, examining the effect of these SNPs on mouse G6pc1 activity. Using a novel in situ functional assay for glucose-6-phosphatase activity we demonstrate that the amino acid changes associated with the human G6PC2 rs144254880 (Arg79Gln), rs149663725 (Gly114Arg) and rs2232326 (Ser324Pro) SNPs reduce mouse G6pc1 enzyme activity without affecting protein expression. The Arg79Gln variant alters an amino acid mutation of which, in G6PC1, has previously been shown to cause glycogen storage disease type 1a. We also demonstrate that the rs368382511 (Gly8Glu), rs138726309 (His177Tyr), rs2232323 (Tyr207Ser) rs374055555 (Arg293Trp), rs2232326 (Ser324Pro), rs137857125 (Pro313Leu) and rs2232327 (Pro340Leu) SNPs confer decreased G6PC2 protein expression. In summary, these studies identify multiple G6PC2 variants that have the potential to be associated with altered FBG in humans.
Prediction-Oriented Marker Selection (PROMISE): With Application to High-Dimensional Regression.

In personalized medicine, biomarkers are used to select therapies with the highest likelihood of success based on an individual patient’s biomarker/genomic profile. Two goals are to choose important biomarkers that accurately predict treatment outcomes and to cull unimportant biomarkers to reduce the cost of biological and clinical verifications. These goals are challenging due to the high dimensionality of genomic data. Variable selection methods based on penalized regression (e.g., the lasso and elastic net) have yielded promising results. However, selecting the right amount of penalization is critical to simultaneously achieving these two goals. Standard approaches based on cross-validation (CV) typically provide high prediction accuracy with high true positive rates (TPRs) but at the cost of too many false positives. Alternatively, stability selection (SS) controls the number of false positives, but at the cost of yielding too few true positives. To circumvent these issues, we propose prediction-oriented marker selection (PROMISE), which combines SS with CV to conflate the advantages of both methods. Our application of PROMISE with the lasso and elastic net in data analysis shows that, compared to CV, PROMISE produces sparse solutions, few false positives, and small type I + type II error, and maintains good prediction accuracy, with a marginal decrease in the TPRs. Compared to SS, PROMISE offers better prediction accuracy and TPRs. In summary, PROMISE can be applied in many fields to select regularization parameters when the goals are to minimize false positives and maximize prediction accuracy.
Occupational Homicides of Law Enforcement Officers, 2003-2013: Data From the National Violent Death Reporting System.

INTRODUCTION: Law enforcement officers (LEOs) in the U.S. are at an increased risk for homicide. The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics of homicides of LEOs in 17 U.S. states participating in the National Violent Death Reporting System. This active surveillance system uses data from death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports, and law enforcement reports. METHODS: This study used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze National Violent Death Reporting System data for 2003-2013. Deaths of LEOs feloniously killed in the line of duty were selected for analysis. LEO homicides and the circumstances preceding or occurring during the incident were characterized. Analyses were conducted October 2015-June 2016. RESULTS: A total of 128 officer homicides from 121 incidents were identified. Most (93.7%) LEO victims were male, 60.9% were aged 30-49 years (average age, 40.9 years). Approximately 21.9% of LEOs were killed during an ambush, and 19.5% were killed during traffic stops or pursuits. Of the 14.1% of LEOs killed responding to domestic disturbances, most disturbances were intimate partner violence related. More than half (57.0%) of homicides were precipitated by another crime, and of these, 71.2% involved crimes in progress. Most suspects were male. Ninety-one percent of homicides of LEOs were committed with a firearm. CONCLUSIONS: This information is critical to help describe encounter situations faced by LEOs. The results of this study can be used to help educate and train LEOs on hazards, inform prevention efforts designed to promote LEO safety, and prevent homicide among this population.Published by Elsevier Inc. Language: en
Pathobiology of Hemophilic Synovitis II: Synovial Cell Proliferation.

Abstract Hemophilia is a genetic disease due to the deficiency of blood coagulation factor VIII or IX. Bleeding is common, especially into joints where a proliferative synovitis develops resulting in a debilitating arthritis, hemophilic arthropathy. The pathogenesis of blood-induced hemophilic synovitis (HS) is poorly understood. Repeated episodes of bleeding induce synoviocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, an intense neovascular response and inflammation of the synovial membrane. The component(s) in blood that initiates these changes is (are) not known, although iron is often proposed as one possibility. Previously, we reported that iron promotes the proliferation of human synovial fibroblasts and increases c-myc expression in vitro (Blood 2002; 100(3)912–6). Here, we describe the proliferative effects of joint bleeding following traumatic hemarthrosis in a murine model of severe, human hemophilia A. Controlled, blunt trauma to the right knee joint consistently resulted in joint swelling due to a combination of bleeding and inflammation. The left, control knee was sham injured and remained normal for the duration of the experiment. Hemarthrosis resulted in acute morbidity evidenced by inactivity, weight loss and immobility. Hemosiderin was found in the synovial membrane of the right knees only. The numbers of synovial cell layers present in the membrane of the right (injured) knee increased during the experiment (figure). Expression of Ki67 in the nucleus, a marker of cell proliferation, confirmed the increase in synovial cell proliferation in membranes from the right (injured) knees. Taken together these data support the notion that iron causes aberrant gene expression and is, at least in part, responsible for the pathological findings observed in the joints of patients following bleeding and contributes to the development of hemophilic synovits. Download : Download high-res image (150KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
How Is Sunsat Development Faring Internationally

This chapter provides a brief summary of the types of research and development projects being undertaken by China, India and Japan, the three counties most likely to launch demonstration solar power satellite projects in the foreseeable future. Instances of cross-nation collaboration aimed at keeping their options open are also noted, including those of Europe and the United States.
Monitoring Charge Density Delocalization upon Plasmon Excitation with Ultrafast Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Plasmonic materials hold a great deal of potential for advances in energy and chemical applications by converting light into chemical energy. Many of these processes are aided by plasmon-generated hot electrons. However, the interaction between these hot electrons and adsorbed molecules on a plasmonic substrate is not well understood. Using ultrafast surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, we monitor plasmon–molecule interactions in real time using 4-nitrobenzenethiol as a molecular probe. Upon plasmon excitation, we observe transient peak depletions in our ultrafast surface-enhanced Raman spectra on the picosecond time scale. We attribute this peak depletion to a localized surface plasmon resonance red shift as a result of hot electron generation in our aggregated nanoparticles. Once generated, the hot electrons delocalize across the aggregate. By correlating the magnitude of the transient Raman dynamics with the degree of electron delocalization, we estimate charge displacement on the order of 109 electron...
Sell-Side Financial Analysts and the CFA® Program

We examine the effects the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation program has on recommendation performance and career outcomes of the analysts who complete the CFA Program and become CFA charterholders. For these analysts, both their recommendation performance and their chances of making Institutional Investor’s All-America Research Team increased during the 1993–2015 period. These effects are attributable to the CFA Program curriculum. The results remain largely stable over the pre- and post-2000 subperiods, and they survive an array of robustness checks.