cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Capacity and Factor Timing Effects in Active Portfolio Management

Capacity constraints limit the profits of some investment strategies, while other strategies are more scalable. We develop a dollar-weighted return measure that parses the factor timing by investors and a strategy’s capacity constraints. We find that actively managed funds exhibit significant capacity and timing effects, while index funds display only timing effects. A portfolio’s liquidity, investment style, and distribution policy are important in explaining variation in capacity constraints. The analysis demonstrates that capacity and timing effects are important in analyzing portfolio manager skill and the cost of active investing.
The Dynamics of Electrical Breakdown in Liquid Hydrocarbons

The electrical breakdown process in highly purified and degassed liquid hydrocarbons has been studied, using high speed schlieren photography as well as photomultipliers and an optical multichannel analyzer. It was shown that the breakdown process appears to be initiated primarily on the cathode surface. The ensuing formation of tree-like streamers was found to be associated with light emission. This light appears to be of the same spectral composition as that given off during actual breakdown. Spectral analysis of the emitted light indicated the presence of atomic and molecular hydrogen, carbon molecules of the type C2 and C3, as well as metal atoms emanating from the electrode surface. The significance of these findings is discussed in detail.
Taiwanese Experiences: Elders with Dementia in Two Different Adult Day Service (ADS) Environments

Background: Researchers have demonstrated that adult day services (ADS) benefit elders with dementia and their caregivers, but they have also observed infantilization that diminishes personhood. Many ADS are socially constructed as places for incompetent elders, where clients are labeled as child-like dependents. Most ADS research has been performed in Western society; little is known about ADS in Asian countries. The Taiwanese Government seeks to expand ADS availability to meet the needs of an aging population; researchers must examine their ADS environments and practices to inform program development and expansion that supports respectful elder care.Objectives: Elders’ experiences of daily life were examined within the physical and social environments of one social and one medical model ADS in Taiwan. The ecological model and place rules informed our research framework.Methods: Ethnographic data were analyzed for themes reflecting our framework with attention to physical and social environment and staff...
In the Eye of the Beholder? Motivated Reasoning in Disputed Elections

This study uses an experimental design to simulate the ballot counting process during a hand-recount after a disputed election. Applying psychological theories of motivated reasoning to the political process, we find that ballot counters’ party identification conditionally influences their ballot counting decisions. Party identification’s effect on motivated reasoning is greater when ballot counters are given ambiguous, versus specific, instructions for determining voter intent. This study’s findings have major implications for ballot counting procedures throughout the United States and for the use of motivated reasoning in the political science literature.
CARIES DEVELOPMENT IN RATS OF DIFFERENT AGES WITH CONTROLLED FLORA.

Abstract Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a 56-day caries test regimen on cariogenic Diet 580 started when they were 18, 21, 25, 30, 35 or 40 days of age. Comparisons of caries activity were made in three experimental groups: A—Controls; B—Animals “infected” by being housed with an older caries-active animal the first week on the test regimen; C—Animals pretreated for 5 days with erythromycin and then “infected” as in Group B. All animals were maintained on a noncariogenic laboratory chow prior to the beginning of the caries-test period. Animals sacrificed at 40 days of age without having been on the test regimen were caries-free. The “noninfected” animals of Group A showed so much variation that no valid correlation of caries activity with age could be demonstrated. Both groups of “infected” animals (B and C). whether or not pretreated with an antibiotic, showed comparable high levels of activity, which was consistently less for the older animals. The buccal and lingual surfaces, which tend to become more self cleansing in the older animals, showed a greater decrease in caries activity than the proximal and sulcal surfaces, whose anatomical features favor food and microbial plaque accumulation. While the results are in general consistent with the opinion that resistance to the carious process increases with age it appeared that the age of the tooth is not the sole determinant.
The Effects of Public Service Motivation on Job Choice Decisions: Disentangling the Contributions of Person-Organization Fit and Person-Job Fit

Although most research focuses on person-organization fit to explain public service motivation (PSM)’s influence on job choice, this study investigates the independent effects of both person-organization fit and person-job fit using a policy capturing research design and a sample of first-year law students. Our findings suggest that PSM may play a more important role in person-job fit than person-organization fit. Consistent across three sectors of employment, individuals with stronger PSM were more likely to accept jobs that emphasize service to others—whether that be pro bono work (private sector), client interaction (public sector), or client representation (nonprofit sector). After controlling for characteristics that influence person-job fit, PSM neither increased the likelihood that individuals would accept a public sector job nor decreased the likelihood that they would accept a private sector job. Among other things, our findings suggest that sector may be an inaccurate proxy for values that are often taken for granted in PSM studies.
Multiscale characterization of porous media properties for hydrocarbon reservoir simulation

Fluid flow through porous materials is critical for understanding and predicting the behavior of systems as diverse in function and scale as hydrocarbon reservoirs, aquifers, filters, membrane separators and even catalytic converters. Recently, there have been calls to incorporate more physics in oil reservoir simulations, as well as to enhance computational capability through the use of High Performance Computing (HPC), in order to improve reservoir management. Accurate prediction of reservoir behavior depends on the physical properties of not only the fluid but also the underlying rock formation. Contemporary approaches to solving these flows involve simulation of only a single physical scale. We are currently developing HiMuST (Hierarchical Multiscale Simulator Technology), an integrated multiscale simulation system for flow through heterogeneous porous materials. HiMuST uses a hierarchy of simulation codes to address the issue of rock property characterization at the pore scale and can self-adjust according to available input data. At the microscopic scale, HiMuST employs the Lattice Boltzmann Method, based on magnetic resonance digitizations of actual rock samples. At the mesoscopic scale, a stochastic model represents a pore network as a randomly generated skeleton of cylindrical pipes, based on physical characteristics determined by the microscopic simulation. We present computational and computer science issues involved in the HPC implementation of the codes and in integrating them into a seamless simulation system. Issues such as portability, scalability, efficiency and extensibility of the final product are also discussed, as well as the numerical methods implemented at each scale. Example simulation results are presented.
Development of continuity in ambulatory care in an ob/gyn residency program

Abstract With the advent of increased concentration on primary and preventive care in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, this busy county residency program restructured its ambulatory clinic system to provide continuity of care for all patients. Despite many obstacles in establishing this new program, its success has been evidenced by resident, nursing, and patient satisfaction. The structure now allows a larger emphasis to be placed on patient education and preventive care.
Some Notes on Rational Behavior, Normative Behavior, Moral Behavior, and Cooperation

The question of cooperation is examined in terms of both the theory of rational choice and the theory of social norms. Is it possible for rational individuals to bring about cooperation, or is normative behavior needed to maintain cooperation? Through the development of the Learning-Bayesian PD game, the following propositions are obtained. First, cooperation is maintained by farsighted and perfectly rational individuals who have the expectations of reciprocity. Second, however, this cooperation is not stable; disturbance or deviant behavior overthrows cooperation. Third, even under the existence of disturbance, if individuals behave normatively, they can maintain cooperation; normative behavior works as a stabilizer. Finally, if they behave not only normatively but morally (i.e., according to a categorical imperative), they can even transform noncooperation into cooperation; moral behavior works as a catalyzer of the transformation.
College students' perceptions about alcohol and consensual sexual behavior: alcohol leads to sex

The phenomenology of college students' conceptualization of the relations between alcohol and sex are surprisingly understudied. Undergraduates rank among the most-studied populations, yet extant research largely relies on quantitative methods, which are constrained in their ability to give participants a "voice." The current study used focus groups to investigate 14 male and 15 female undergraduates' conceptualizations of the relations between alcohol and consensual sex. Focus group themes indicated gendered and universal relations between alcohol and sex and positive and negative aspects of these relations. A robust relation between sex and alcohol was noted (men and women), and participants reported deliberately seeking out alcohol to indicate sexual willingness (women), reject sexual advances directly (women), and facilitate making sexual advances (men). Implications for educators are discussed.
A review of national school-age pregnancy and prevention information clearinghouses

School-age pregnancy is a major social problem that affects youth, families and communities. The complexities of school-age pregnancy demand that social work practitioners have knowledge across diverse fields and keep abreast of changing sociopolitical trends. Information clearning-houses have been developed to assist practitioners in their efforts to keep abreast of a particular field of practice. This paper identifies major national information clearinghouses that provide resources for practitioners who work in the field of school-age pregnancy and prevention.
Economic Appraisal of the Boston Ocular Surface Prosthesis

Purpose To perform an economic appraisal of the Boston Ocular Surface Prosthesis in patients with corneal ectasia, irregular astigmatism, or ocular surface disease. Design Cost, incremental cost-effectiveness, and benefit-cost analyses in a prospective observational study. Methods The effects of this scleral lens on visual functioning were measured in 69 patients who received the prosthesis in 2006 and were reassessed 6 months after fitting the prosthesis. Benefits, based on improvements in visual functioning, were converted to quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and economic values were derived using results from published studies. Costs were estimated from the provider organization's 2006 operating financial statement with additions for donated resources and future scale-up. Results Mean scores on a 100-point visual functioning questionnaire (VFQ-25) improved from 57.0 to 77.8 ( P Conclusions The Boston Ocular Surface Prosthesis is cost-effective and cost beneficial in patients with severely compromised visual function attributable to ectasia, irregular astigmatism, or ocular surface disease.
Serotonin transporter gene (HTTLPR) is not in linkage disequilibrium with prepubertal and early adolescent bipolarity

Abstract Background: As part of an ongoing, larger study, “Phenomenology and Course of Pediatric Bipolarity”, a subset of prepubertal and early adolescent onset bipolar (PEA–BP) probands, on whom trio blood collection was complete, were used to study genetic transmission of the serotonin transporter linked promoter region (HTTLPR) short and long alleles using the transmission disequilibrium test(TDT). The HTTLPR alleles were selected based on postulated serotonergic mechanisms for PEA–BP and on the burgeoning number of HTTLPR allele studies in bipolar (BP) adults. Methods: There were 46 complete trios of PEA-BP probands and both biological parents. Probands had a mean age of 11.1 ± 3.0 years and a mean age of onset of PEA–BP of 8.1 ± 4.0 years. Comprehensive diagnostic assessments included a semi-structured research interview, the WASH–U–KSADS, administered separately to mothers and to children by blind raters. Probands manifested severe impairment (CGAS 43.9 ± 8.9), elated mood (84.8%), grandiosity (78.3%), rapid cycling (78.3%) and psychosis (63.0%). The HTTLPR length variant was genotyped using fluorescently labeled primers and automated capillary electrophoresis using laser-induced fluorescence. Results: The TDT was not significant (TDT chi square = .020, df = 1, p = .89). Conclusions: This negative result is consistent with the one negative TDT and two negative linkage studies of HTTLPR alleles in bipolar adults in the literature.
A GPU accelerated PDF transparency engine

As commercial printing presses become faster, cheaper and more efficient, so too must the Raster Image Processors (RIP) that prepare data for them to print. Digital press RIPs, however, have been challenged to on the one hand meet the ever increasing print performance of the latest digital presses, and on the other hand process increasingly complex documents with transparent layers and embedded ICC profiles. This paper explores the challenges encountered when implementing a GPU accelerated driver for the open source Ghostscript Adobe PostScript and PDF language interpreter targeted at accelerating PDF transparency for high speed commercial presses. It further describes our solution, including an image memory manager for tiling input and output images and documents, a PDF compatible multiple image layer blending engine, and a GPU accelerated ICC v4 compatible color transformation engine. The result, we believe, is the foundation for a scalable, efficient, distributed RIP system that can meet current and future RIP requirements for a wide range of commercial digital presses.
Recurrent disease following liver transplantation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis

Recurrence of the original disease following liver transplantation is not uncommon and can lead to graft failure. There are limited data on recurrent fatty liver disease following liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of recurrent fatty liver disease in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, its effect on survival, and whether there are any predictive factors for recurrence. We analyzed patients undergoing liver transplantation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis from 1997 to 2008 at a single center. Patients undergoing transplantation for cholestatic disease, alcohol, hepatitis C, or cryptogenic cirrhosis were controls. Ninety-eight patients underwent transplantation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis. Recurrent fatty liver disease was seen in 70%, 25% had recurrent nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and 18% had stage II/IV or greater fibrosis at a mean of 18 months. No patients with recurrent nonalcoholic steatohepatitis developed graft failure or required retransplantation at a follow-up of 3 years. No recipient or donor factors were associated with disease recurrence, although patients with recurrent nonalcoholic steatohepatitis had a higher incidence of diabetes, weight gain, and dyslipidemia at the time of diagnosis of recurrence. One-third of patients with recurrent nonalcoholic steatohepatitis had normal liver enzymes at the time of diagnosis post-transplantation. In conclusion, recurrent fatty liver disease is common following liver transplantation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis but does not lead to early allograft failure. Recurrent nonalcoholic steatohepatitis can occur despite normal liver enzymes, and features of metabolic syndrome are associated with disease recurrence.
Utilization of Exogenous Proline by the Yeast Candida utilis

Utilization of labeled proline by the yeast Candida utilis has been studied. Conversion of the labeled material to biochemically related compounds was observed in the metabolic pools in this organism. The kinetic flow of these molecules into protein was observed, and an explanation is proposed in terms of the absolute cellular concentrations and specific activities of the precursors.
Mechanism for twisting in polyethylene spherulites

A model is proposed to account for the regular twisting of radial ribbons in certain polymer spherulites. The model assumes that the ribbons have crystallographically regular fold surfaces and that growth of the ribbons is nucleation-controlled. The model leads directly to a possible mechanism of spherulitic growth in some polymers.
COINCIDENT RENAL CELL CARCINOMA AND NONHODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA: THE M.D. ANDERSON EXPERIENCE AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

AbstractPurpose: We recently observed nonHodgkin's lymphoma and renal cell carcinoma occurring simultaneously in several patients. We determine whether the incidence of co-occurrence of the 2 malignancies is greater than expected based on the incidence of each disease in the general population.Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with simultaneous renal cell carcinoma and nonHodgkin's lymphoma were identified through the medical informatics data base at our cancer center. Charts of all patients were reviewed to collect detailed demographic information and confirm both diagnoses. United States population based cancer statistics (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program data) were used to arrive at the expected age adjusted incidence of co-occurrence of these diagnoses, and statistical analysis was performed to ascertain any differences between expected and observed incidences.Results: We identified 41 cases with both diagnoses between 1954 and 1995, including 21 diagnosed after 1987. The lat...
Signals that influence food intake and body weight

Energy homeostasis is a complex on-going process that includes maintaining immediately available as well as stored nutrient levels at optimal levels given the environment. To accomplish this, the brain receives continuous information about stored energy and current and anticipated fluxes in critical organs, as well as about food that is potentially available or being eaten and absorbed. The brain in turn determines when and how much food will be consumed, balancing this activity with other behaviors. This review discusses hormonal and related satiety signals generated as food is being consumed, and upon adiposity signals related to the amount of fat stored in the body, that influence energy intake and ultimately body weight.
Atlas Shrugged: Cervical Myelopathy Caused by Congenital Atlantoaxial Dislocation Aggravated by Child Labor

Abstract Background Symptomatic atlantoaxial dislocation is common in predisposing genetic or acquired disorders. However, an isolated atlantoaxial dislocation frequently is congenital and silent unless discovered during course of evaluation for neurological symptoms of cervical spinal cord injury attributed to minor or chronic, repetitive trauma. Patient A 12-year-old girl working as a farm laborer developed calf pain provoked by walking, which increased in severity and progressed to involve the upper limbs. It was followed by progressive ascending quadriplegia. The illness resembled acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with respiratory involvement. Presence of "claw" hands bilaterally and wasting of intrinsic muscles of the hands led to the suspicion of a cervical myelopathy. Result Neuroimaging confirmed a congenital atlantoaxial dislocation with basilar invagination. The absence of abnormal signals in the cervical spinal cord was unusual. The symptomatic congenital atlantoaxial dislocation was postulated to be precipitated by chronic trauma suffered while habitually carrying heavy loads on the head and leading to spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormalities. Correction via surgery was successful. Conclusions Congenital atlantoaxial dislocation should be suspected in a clinical setting of neurological symptoms of cervical spinal cord injury without obvious trauma or predisposing primary diseases. Prompt cervical spine imaging reveals the correct diagnosis. Physicians in countries in which child labor is rampant should be aware of the potential complications of cervical cord injuries from child labor.
Surgical alternatives for the palliation of heart failure: a prospectus.

Abstract Background Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the leading cause of hospital admissions in the United States. Methods and Results CHF has a variety of palliative options for treatment and 1 curative one: cardiac transplantation. Palliative medical therapies are often limited in effectiveness by progression of the disease or patient intolerance. Because of limited donor availability, alternative surgical strategies are now being relied on for palliation of patients in end-stage CHF. Conclusion In this manuscript, we review the principles, outcomes, and practices of some of these surgical strategies often used in the palliation of end-stage CHF.
Theoretical solutions for low-Péclét-number thermal-entry-region heat transfer in laminar flow through concentric annuli

Abstract Exact temperature solutions and theoretical Nusselt curves, valid for Peclet numbers ranging from 1 to ∞, were obtained for thermal-entry-region heat transfer for laminar flow through concentric annuli, subject to a step jump in wall heat flux at z = 0. To allow for the effect of axial conduction, which is significant at low Peclet numbers, the inlet fluid temperature was taken to be uniform at z = −∞, and the first twenty eigenconstants were computed for the adiabatic region (−∞
Effect of alcohol septal ablation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on the electrocardiographic pattern.

Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) allows study of the electrocardiographic effects of myocardial necrosis confined to the base of the interventricular septum, a rare event in atherothrombotic coronary artery disease. Eighty-four consecutive patients were studied after ASA for HC. After excluding 20 with pacing before ASA and 6 with no available preprocedure electrocardiograms, the electrocardiograms of the remaining 58 patients were compared with those of 58 consecutive patients with anterior ST elevation myocardial infarctions who underwent primary intervention for left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusions. In 25 patients, the occlusions were proximal to the first septal perforator, and in 33 patients, the occlusions were more distal. All electrocardiograms were analyzed with respect to conduction abnormalities and ST-segment changes. Patients with HC developed right bundle branch block significantly more often than those with LAD occlusions (50% vs 14%, p = 0.001) Moreover, patients with HC required postprocedure pacing more frequently (14% vs 2%, p 1 in patients who underwent ASA, indicating a greater tendency toward a rightward direction than was true in patients with LAD occlusions. In conclusion, in addition to more frequent right bundle branch block after ASA, a distinctive a characteristic pattern of ST-segment deviation similar to but distinct from that produced by proximal LAD occlusion appeared.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Hemoglobinopathies: A Potential Application of High Performance Liquid Chromatography

High performance liquid chromatography was compared with carboxymethyl cellulose column chromatography data for analysis of globin chain composition and biosynthetic ratios in fetal blood. A formula was derived for mathematical correction for losses of small amounts of globin protein on the high performance liquid chromatography column. Radioactive globin chain ratios by high performance liquid chromatography are equivalent to those by carboxymethyl cellulose column chromatography, but only when carrier Hb A is added. We conclude that high performance liquid chromatography provides a suitable alternative to carboxymethyl cellulose columns, and has several advantages.
The Normalization of Violence in Heterosexual Romantic Relationships: Women's Narratives of Love and Violence

Inductive analysis of in-depth interviews with 20 heterosexual women who had been in violent romantic relationships illuminated women's use of gender and romance narratives to make sense of violent relationships. All participants placed themselves within western culture's primary gender narrative, which prescribes and normalizes dominance and superiority for men and deference and dependence for women. Participants also relied on romance narratives - which entailed both fairy tale and dark versions - to make sense of violence in their relationships. Interrelated beliefs that emerged in the women's talk functioned to legitimize both fairy tale and dark romance narratives. This study highlights the urgency of weaving alternative gender and romance narratives into the structures and practices of the culture.
Young Children's Perception of “Real” and “Pretend” on Television:

The Degree of Perceived Reality Scale was administered to 22 4- and 22 5-yr.-old children in a day-care center. The degree of reality perception of cartoon and human-fantasy televised episodes was measured. Five-yr.-olds had a more mature reality perception of both cartoon and human fantasy televised episodes than did 4-yr.-olds. Only 5-yr.-olds had a more mature reality perception of cartoon than of televised episodes of human fantasy.
p-creative sets vs. p-completely creative sets

It is shown that for recursively enumerable sets, p-creativeness and p-complete creativeness are equivalent, and Myhill's theorem still holds in the polynomial setting. For P (NP), p-creativeness is shown to be equivalent to p-complete creativeness. The existence of p-creative sets for P (NP) in EXP (NEXP) is given. Moreover, it is shown that every p-m-complete set for EXP (NEXP) is p-completely creative for P (NP), and every p-creative set for NP is NP-hard via many-one reductions. Other results for k-completely creative sets are obtained. >
Distribution and seasonal abundance of trematode parasites (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae: Crepidostomum spp.) in burrowing-mayfly nymphs (Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae: Hexagenia spp.) from connecting rivers of the Laurentian Great Lakes

Burrowing-mayfly nymphs such as Hexagenia spp. have been used extensively in North America and Europe as a biomonitoring tool to indicate mesotrophic water quality, yet infestation by associated parasites has not been well documented. We performed laboratory analysis of archived samples of Hexagenia spp. nymphs collected in 1985 and 1986 to provide base-line data on the distribution (1985) and seasonal infestation (1986) of the trematode parasite Crepidostomum spp. in Hexagenia spp. nymphs in connecting rivers between Lakes Superior and Erie of the Laurentian Great Lakes. In May and June 1985, frequency of occurrence of metacercariae was widely distributed throughout the connecting rivers (63% of 203 stations with nymphs), except in areas where nymph densities were relatively low (i.e.,≤69 nymphs/m2). Distribution was probably underestimated in the present study because of low probability (mean = 31%, range = 0–57%) of detecting infestation in a small number of collected nymphs ( ≤10) at nymph densities ≤69/m2. In 1986, seasonal infestation between April and October occurred in 3.3% (627) of 18696 nymphs. Overall prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance of parasites at one station in the St. Marys River indicate parasite transmission occurred between June and September. This period of transmission is dependent on the life-cycle of the parasite. In addition, the life-cycle of Hexagenia spp. determines which annual cohort of nymphs is infested and therefore, the duration of infestation. Although, no impacts of infestation on Hexagenia spp. nymphs were observed in the present study, infestation intensities were high enough (≥25 metacercariae per nymph) at one station in the St. Marys River to potentially cause tissue damage in a high proportion (53%) of infested nymphs.
Oxygen saturation during breath-holding and during apneas in sleep

The rate of fall in oxygen saturation is said to be greater during obstructive apneas than during breath-holding in wakefulness. Using an ear oximeter, a face mask and flowmeter, and measurements of thoracoabdominal motion, we determined in six healthy subjects the rate of fall in arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) during breath-holding which simulated obstructive and nonobstructive apneas. Breath-holding maneuvers were performed during progressive isocapnic hypoxia and were initiated at the same end-expiratory thoracoabdominal configuration. We found that at any given initial SaO2 the rate of fall in SaO2 was similar during simulated obstructive (y = 5.5-0.06 x; r = 0.83) and nonobstructive (y = 6.8-0.07 x; r = 0.92) apneas. In two healthy subjects and 13 patients with obstructive and nonobstructive apneas during sleep, the rate of fall in SaO2 at any initial SaO2 was similar to that found in healthy subjects during breath-holding in wakefulness. We conclude that during wakefulness the presence or absence of respiratory efforts does not affect the rate of fall in SaO2 during breath-holding and that the rate of fall of SaO2 during sleep apnea is largely dependent on the initial SaO2 at the onset of apnea.
Functional Analysis of Upstream Common Polymorphisms of the Dopamine Transporter Gene

The human dopamine transporter (DAT, SLC6A3) has been extensively investigated because of its potential involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders. The core elements responsible for its transcription have been identified. A regulatory role for certain genomic variants upstream to the core promoter is known. Recently, other single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in this region and are thought to be associated with schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. Hence, we have investigated the impact of common SNPs in a 2.8-kilobase region flanking the core promoter region (−2.7 to +63 base pair) in the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Haplotypes generated by site-directed mutagenesis revealed varying impact of individual SNPs on promoter activity using dual luciferase assays. In silico analyses also predicted allele-specific binding of transcription factors for some of these SNPs. Though electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated several factors that appeared to bind to specific sites within this region, allele-specific binding was not detected for any SNP apart from rs3756450. We have thus identified novel putative regulatory domains flanking the core promoter of DAT that merit further investigation.
Increasing Disadvantage of “Watchful Waiting” for Repairing Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease

Background Successful durable repair of severe degenerative mitral regurgitation with low operative mortality encourages intervention in asymptomatic patients rather than "watchful waiting." Our objectives were to assess trends in patient characteristics, timing of intervention, and evolving surgical techniques at a high-volume center, and determine effects of these changes on outcomes after mitral valve (MV) repair over a 25-year period. Methods From January 1, 1985, to January 1, 2011, 5,902 patients underwent isolated repair (with or without tricuspid repair for functional regurgitation) for degenerative MV disease at Cleveland Clinic. For illustration, the experience is presented in 3 eras: 1985 to 1997 (era 1, n = 1,184), 1997 to 2005 (era 2, n = 2,400), and 2005 to 2011 (era 3, n = 2,318). Results In era 3, more patients were asymptomatic on presentation (44% in New York Heart Association [NYHA] class I vs 25% in era 1), with less heart failure (11% vs 29%) and atrial fibrillation (9.9% vs 23%). Full sternotomy decreased from era 1 (n = 1,100/93%) to era 2 (n = 602/25%) (era 3, n = 717/31%), and robotic surgery emerged (n = 577/25%) in era 3. Median length of stay shortened (era 1 = 7 days, era 2 = 5.9 days, era 3 = 5.2 days, p Conclusions Treatment trends over 25 years reveal that rather than watchful waiting, a more aggressive approach to degenerative MV disease, with earlier intervention for severe regurgitation in asymptomatic patients and less invasive operative techniques, is successful, safe, and effective.
The significance of dynamical architecture for adaptive responses to mechanical loads during rhythmic behavior

Many behaviors require reliably generating sequences of motor activity while adapting the activity to incoming sensory information. This process has often been conceptually explained as either fully dependent on sensory input (a chain reflex) or fully independent of sensory input (an idealized central pattern generator, or CPG), although the consensus of the field is that most neural pattern generators lie somewhere between these two extremes. Many mathematical models of neural pattern generators use limit cycles to generate the sequence of behaviors, but other models, such as a heteroclinic channel (an attracting chain of saddle points), have been suggested. To explore the range of intermediate behaviors between CPGs and chain reflexes, in this paper we describe a nominal model of swallowing in Aplysia californica. Depending upon the value of a single parameter, the model can transition from a generic limit cycle regime to a heteroclinic regime (where the trajectory slows as it passes near saddle points). We then study the behavior of the system in these two regimes and compare the behavior of the models with behavior recorded in the animal in vivo and in vitro. We show that while both pattern generators can generate similar behavior, the stable heteroclinic channel can better respond to changes in sensory input induced by load, and that the response matches the changes seen when a load is added in vivo. We then show that the underlying stable heteroclinic channel architecture exhibits dramatic slowing of activity when sensory and endogenous input is reduced, and show that similar slowing with removal of proprioception is seen in vitro. Finally, we show that the distributions of burst lengths seen in vivo are better matched by the distribution expected from a system operating in the heteroclinic regime than that expected from a generic limit cycle. These observations suggest that generic limit cycle models may fail to capture key aspects of Aplysia feeding behavior, and that alternative architectures such as heteroclinic channels may provide better descriptions.
K(+)-channel transgenes reduce K(+) currents in Paramecium, probably by a post-translational mechanism.

PAK11 is 1 of more than 15 members in a gene family that encodes K + -channel pore-forming subunits in Paramecium tetraurelia . Microinjection of PAK11 DNA into macronuclei of wild-type cells results in clonal transformants that exhibit hyperexcitable swimming behaviors reminiscent of certain loss-of-K + -current mutants. PAK2 , a distant homolog of PAK11 , does not have the same effect. But PAK1 , a close homolog of PAK11 , induces the same hyperexcitability. Cutting the PAK11 open reading frame (ORF) with restriction enzymes before injection removes this effect entirely. Microinjection of PAK11 ORF flanked by the calmodulin 5′ and 3′ UTRs also induces the same hyperexcitable phenotype. Direct examination of transformed cells under voltage clamp reveals that two different Ca 2+ -activated K + -specific currents are reduced in amplitude. This reduction does not correlate with a deficit of PAK11 message, since RNA is clearly produced from the injected transgenes. Insertion of a single nucleotide at the start of the PAK11 ORF does not affect the RNA level but completely abolishes the phenotypic transformation. Thus, the reduction of K + currents by the expression of the K + -channel transgenes reported here is likely to be the consequence of a post-translational event. The complexity of behavioral changes, possible mechanisms, and implications in Paramecium biology are discussed.
Introns in Phylum Nemertea

Ribbon worms are members of a taxonomic group (phylum Nemertea) for which little information regarding gene structure is available. This study looked at intron number, intron length, intron position, and intron/exon junctions for the introns of eight genes from the milky ribbon worm, Cerebratulus lacteus. A total of 22 introns were present in the eight genes, averaging approximately 1200 base pairs in length. All intron/exon junctions contained consensus splice site sequences. Intron placement in these eight nemertean genes was compared to introns in homologous counterparts of other species. There were numerous cases where an intron from C. lacteus shared the same position and phase with introns from homologous genes in various other animals, including vertebrates. There was one case where an intron from C. lacteus shared the same position and phase with introns from homologous genes in an assortment of organisms, including vertebrates,other invertebrates, and higher plants. Research highlights: Eight genes in the nemertean C. lacteus contain an average of 2.75 introns Eight genes in C. lacteus have introns with an average length of 1200 base pairs Twenty-two introns in C. lacteus all contain consensus splice sites Nemertean intron position and phase are often found to be conserved across kingdoms
Boas on Race

Franz Boas, the German born anthropologist who emigrated to the United States in 1886 and became known as the Father of American Anthropology, was a transitional figure in a number of areas, including the issue of race in human beings. Although he was not the first to question the notion of a pure race, he was the most influential in changing the idea of race from what it was to a statistical artifact. The intellectual world into which he came in the late nineteenth century was dominated by influential intellectuals such as Fred Hoffman, Edmund Spencer and Joseph Deniker, all of whom wrote about the innate inferiority of the Negro. Through careful measurement, analysis and observation, Boas and his students transformed the issue. Although he never completely accepted the absolute equality of the Negro mind, he stated that the main obstacle to their progress was racism, and that African-Americans were perfectly capable of participating in the American democracy alongside whites.
Contraction bands: differences between physiologically vs. maximally activated single heart muscle cells.

High resolution interference and phase microscopy were used to inspect the striations’ appearance in shortening rat heart cells. Isolated cells were treated with detergent so that shortening could be graded by addition of calcium. Upon activation sarcomeres shortened to form (a) contraction densities in the middle of the A band at 1.7 um, (b) disappearance of the I bands and (c) phase brightening of the A bands at 1.8 um, and (d) dense Cz contraction bands at shorter lengths. These changes are totally consistent with the uniform sliding of myofilaments of previously accepted fixed dimensions. However, the striated patterns differed significantly in intact cells which were electrically stimulated to shorten. Here individual A bands remained distinct, without phase brightening or contraction band formation despite sarcomere shortening to less than the length of the A band as measured in the unstimulated cell. Maximal activation of intact cells by barium contracture elicited the full sequence of striation changes (a-d) seen in the chemically skinned cells. Light diffraction analysis gave comparable interpretation, i.e., the protein within the shortened sarcomnere in the physiologically activated cardiac cell is more narrowly distributed than expected for thick filaments of fixed dimensions. These optical differences may reflect the restricted presence of the globular myosin heads at the ends of the cardiac sarcomere. This situation would explain the narrow range of the cardiac length-tension relation.
Analysis of water-insoluble proteins of flesh : an application of Van Slyke's method of analysis of pure proteins.

The fundamental importance of a definite knowledge of the quantity of each amino acid yielded by the several food proteins justifies the expenditure of much effort in studying the analytical methods in order that these may be improved or their limitations definitely ascertained." "From the standpoint of physiological chemistry it is highly desirable that the present very limited knowledge of the protein substances of flesh be increased." The desirability of a knowledge of the amino acid content of food proteins has led to much experimentation looking towards a method that will yield quantitative results without involving excessive time or manipulation in the analysis. An important method was claborated by Van Slyke "enabling one to attain an insight into the composition of proteins by methods which require but small amounts of material and yield approximately quantitative results indicating the nature of all the nitrogenous products yielded by complete acid hydrolysis. The analysis is based not on the isolation of the amino acids but on determinations of their characteristic chemical groups." The present paper describes the results of an attempt to apply the method devised by Van Slyke to the determination of the amino acid content of food proteins without a preliminary separation of the individual proteins of the material.
Analysis of the Reaction Mechanism and Catalytic Activity of Metal-Substituted Beta Zeolite for the Isomerization of Glucose to Fructose

Glucose–fructose isomerization mediated by Sn-BEA is investigated using an extended QM/MM model containing 208 tetrahedral atoms. The isomerization mechanism consists of a sequence of ring-opening, isomerization, and ring-closing processes, consistent with the previously reported experimental observations. In agreement with the experimentally observed kinetic isotope effect, the rate-determining step is found to involve a hydride shift from the C2 carbon to the C1 carbon. The apparent activation energy for the rate-limiting step is 22.3 kcal/mol at 343 K. The difference in the reaction barriers for the partially hydrolyzed and the fully coordinated Sn sites was investigated using energy decomposition analysis. It is found that the higher activity of the partially hydrolyzed site comes from the extra flexibility provided by the defect in the lattice. The effect of substituting Sn in the active site by Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Si, and Ge was examined, and it was found that Sn and Zr are metals that result in the lowe...
Missouri: An Examination of the Relationship Between the Source of Referral to Juvenile Court and Severity of Sentencing Outcomes:

Aaron Cicourel conducted research in the 1960s on youths processed by the juvenile justice system, including the referral stage. His work described complex relationships and influences that affected juvenile justice decision making. Juvenile court data from the state of Missouri are used to conduct a partial replication of Cicourel’s work, focusing on the referral stage. The present study also extends the literature by examining the influence of legal and extralegal factors on disposition decisions for five referral sources (i.e., Social Service, School, Family, Juvenile Court, and Law Enforcement). The results suggest that the referral source is related to sentence outcome. The findings are supportive of contemporary theory and highlight the importance of studying context, role responsibilities, and stereotypes that may develop out of human experiences and affect decision making at the referral and disposition stages.
Ash reduction strategies in corn stover facilitated by anatomical and size fractionation

Abstract There is growing interest internationally to produce fuels from renewable biomass resources. Inorganic components of biomass feedstocks, referred to collectively as ash, damage equipment and decrease yields in thermal conversion processes, and decrease feedstock value for biochemical conversion processes. Decreasing the ash content of feedstocks improves conversion efficiency and lowers process costs. Because physiological ash is unevenly distributed in the plant, mechanical processes can be used to separate fractions of the plant based on ash content. This study focuses on the ash separation that can be achieved by separating corn stover by particle size and anatomical fraction. Baled corn stover was hand-separated into anatomical fractions, ground to
Demographic Disparities in Late-Stage Diagnosis of Breast and Colorectal Cancers Across the USA

We determined whether there were disparities in the likelihood of being diagnosed at a late stage for breast cancer (BC) or colorectal cancer (CRC) in each of 40 states, using the recently available US Cancer Statistics (USCS) database. We extracted 981,457 BC cases and 558,568 CRC cases diagnosed in 2004–2009. Separate multilevel regressions were run for each state and each cancer type. Models included person and area-level covariates and were identically specified across states. The disparities foci were race or ethnicity (white, African-American, Hispanic, Asian, all other), gender, and age (<40, 40–49, 50–64, 65–74, and 75+). Using whites, males, and the oldest age group as reference groups, we noted the statistically significant disparities coefficients (p value ≤0.05) and translated the findings via a set of maps of states in the USA. National disparity estimates were not consistent with disparities identified in the states. Some states had estimates consistent with the national average, while others did not. Patterns of disparities across states were different for each covariate and mapped separately. National disparity estimates may mask what is true at the more local, state level because national estimates can confound the effects of race with place. Cancer control efforts are local and require locally relevant information to assess needs. Findings from the period 2004–2009 establish valuable benchmarks against which to assess changes following national health reform implemented in 2010. The USCS database is a valuable new resource that will facilitate future disparities research.
Anomalies in emm Typing of Group A Streptococci

We have determined the 5′ emm sequences of the M-protein genes of group A streptococci (GAS) for the Lancefield reference strains (M-types 1 through 51) and types 52 though 81 submitted by individual investigators. In comparing these emm sequences to those sequences in the GenBank, we found for the most part there was a correlation between the sequences we determined from our reference strains and those sequences submitted by other investigators.1 In several instances we were able to confirm unusual findings, such as identity or near identity between emm sequences from different M-types of reference strains of GAS. In this report we show how to differentiate between strains that have identical 5′ emm sequences by T-agglutination typing, opacity factor reactions, or M-precipitin typing.