cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
American Trade Unions and Data Limitations: A New Agenda for Labor Studies

Research on the historical level of union density in the United States is based on data or estimates that represent the sum of union members from different organizations. This results in aggregation bias, where the time-trend in union density is consistent with multiple, divergent trends among organizations. Some unions have experienced membership gains in specific industries or regions with distinct strategies that the analysis of aggregate data misses. No longitudinal data set, based on a random sample of unions, exists. We identify sources for the development of such a data set. Case studies suggest that organizational strategy, financial resources, internal politics, worker attitudes, and competition affect membership; further research on geographic and industry conditions is needed. Purposive sampling, poor understanding of aggregation, and models that do not account for the clustering of unions within larger federations or industries have retarded progress in labor studies.
MYB83 Is a Direct Target of SND1 and Acts Redundantly with MYB46 in the Regulation of Secondary Cell Wall Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

It has been proposed that the transcriptional regulation of secondary wall biosynthesis in Arabidopsis is controlled by a transcriptional network mediated by SND1 and its close homologs. Uncovering all the transcription factors and deciphering their interrelationships in the network are essential for our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of biosynthesis of secondary walls, the major constituent of wood and fibers. Here, we present functional evidence that the MYB83 transcription factor is another molecular switch in the SND1-mediated transcriptional network regulating secondary wall biosynthesis. MYB83 is specifically expressed in fibers and vessels where secondary wall thickening occurs. Its expression is directly activated by SND1 and its close homologs, including NST1, NST2, VND6 and VND7, indicating that MYB83 is their direct target. MYB83 overexpression is able to activate a number of the biosynthetic genes of cellulose, xylan and lignin and concomitantly induce ectopic secondary wall deposition. In addition, its overexpression upregulates the expression of several transcription factors involved in regulation of secondary wall biosynthesis. Dominant repression of MYB83 functions or simultaneous RNAi inhibition of MYB83 and MYB46 results in a reduction in secondary wall thickening in fibers and vessels and a deformation of vessels. Furthermore, double T-DNA knockout mutations of MYB83 and MYB46 cause a lack of secondary walls in vessels and an arrest in plant growth. Together, these results demonstrate that MYB83 and MYB46, both of which are SND1 direct targets, function redundantly in the transcriptional regulatory cascade leading to secondary wall formation in fibers and vessels.
Acts of Social Perspective Taking: A Functional Construct and the Validation of a Performance Measure for Early Adolescents

To understand and assess how early adolescents use their social perspective taking (SPT) skills in their consideration of social problems, we conducted two studies. In study 1, we administered a hypothetical SPT scenario to 359 fourth to eighth graders. Modeled on the linguistic pragmatics of speech acts, we used grounded theory to develop a functional approach that identified three types of SPT acts: (1) the acknowledgment of different actors, (2) the articulation of their thoughts and feelings, and (3) the positioning of the roles, experiences, or circumstances that influence how they resolve problems. Study 2 tested the validity of an expanded instrument, the Social Perspective Taking Acts Measure, with 459 fourth to eighth graders. We confirmed the structure of the construct with a fully saturated confirmatory factor analysis, with factor loadings in the range of .62 and .71, and a factor determinacy of .90. We obtained evidence of criterion-related validity by successfully predicting that girls and older participants would exhibit better performance than boys and younger students, and that SPT would exhibit a negative association with aggressive interpersonal strategies, a positive but moderate association with writing, and non-significant associations with academic language, complex reasoning, and reading skills.
The Road Not Taken Creative Solutions Require Avoidance of High-Frequency Responses

To investigate individual differences in creativity as measured with a complex problem-solving task, we developed a computational model of the remote associates test (RAT). For 50 years, the RAT has been used to measure creativity. Each RAT question presents three cue words that are linked by a fourth word, which is the correct answer. We hypothesized that individuals perform poorly on the RAT when they are biased to consider high-frequency candidate answers. To assess this hypothesis, we tested individuals with 48 RAT questions and required speeded responding to encourage guessing. Results supported our hypothesis. We generated a norm-based model of the RAT using a high-dimensional semantic space, and this model accurately identified correct answers. A frequency-biased model that included different levels of bias for high- frequency candidate answers explained variance for both correct and incorrect responses. Providing new insight into the nature of creativity, the model explains why some RAT questions are more difficult than others, and why some people perform better than others on the RAT.
A Source for Multiply-Charged Ions

A hot cathode oscillatory discharge source was investigated for d.c. operation to determine the charge-state yield of ions for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, neon and argon gases and to determine the parameters that effected these yields and source stability. Source principles and construction are similar to that reported by Morosov, Papineau, and Basile.
Dynamic compensation and decoupling for systems of uniform index 2

A procedure for the design of an n-dimensional dynamic compensator for arbitrary pole placement for systems of dimension 2n and uniform controllability and observability indexes 2 is considered in state space representation and frequency domain. The design together with a minimal dimension dynamic compensator and Luenberger observer was applied to a two-link nonlinear biped n = 2 model in the vicinity of the vertical stance to test the effectiveness of their regulating actions.
Chromatin assembly in Xenopus oocytes: In vivo studies

Abstract We have followed the time course of chromatin assembly, DNA supercoiling, and transcription on a Xenopus 5S RNA gene clone injected into germinal vesicles of Xenopus oocytes. During the first 2 hr after DNA injection, there is a gradual enhancement in transcription that correlates with the increase in superhelical density of the DNA template; on the other hand, nucleosome assembly is already completed by 10–30 min after DNA injection. To probe further the DNA structure in the assembled minichromosomes, we injected enzymes and chemicals into the germinal vesicle. DNAase I and topoisomerase I injections reveal that the circular DNA has been assembled into two discrete and equally abundant types of chromatin: one type, which we call "dynamic" chromatin, is torsionally strained and is thus fully relaxed by those two enzymes. The other type, which we call "static" chromatin, still yields supercoiled DNA molecules after deproteinization. The dynamic chromatin is also relaxed by injection of novobiocin, and simultaneously, 5S RNA transcription is turned off. The results of our in vivo experiments suggest that the dynamic chromatin is the one that is transcriptionally active. We discuss the biological relevance of these findings.
Neuroticism, coronary artery disease, and chest pain complaints: Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies

Abstract Cardiovascular disease increases with age, but some of the factors thought to be related to CAD, including the personality disposition of neuroticism, show a pattern of lifelong stability. In the present paper, chest pain reports and other CAD symptoms are analyzed in the context of a model of personality and health which emphasizes the role of the enduring disposition of neuroticism as a determinant of perceptions of health. In the first study, the association between chest pain complaints and psychological distress measured by depression and low general well-being is documented for both sexes and for age groups from 25 to 74 in a national sample. Chest pain complaints increased with age, but an hypothesized age by chest pain group interaction was not found. In the second study, the direction of the causal connection is investigated in a longitudinal retrospective-predictive study of CAD diagnoses in a sample of 123 men followed for periods of up to 20 years. Personality variables did not predic...
The presentation of gallstones and results of biliary surgery in a spinal cord injured population.

Abstract Background: Since spinal cord injured patients lack visceral sensation, their clinical manifestations of gallstones could be relatively occult. A higher proportion of these individuals may present with advanced biliary disease compared with the general population. Prophylactic cholecystectomy for asymptomatic stones may therefore be justified. Methods: All spinal cord injured patients seen at the Seattle Veterans Hospital over a 5-year period were retrospectively surveyed to define a set of patients who had undergone a cholecystectomy. The operative indications and results were compared with those from a series of cholecystectomies in neurologically intact patients. Results: The presentation of biliary disease in spinal cord injured patients was not more advanced than that of neurologically intact patients. Patients with high cord injuries presented in a similar fashion to those with low injuries. Conclusions: Since most spinal cord injured patients with biliary disease present with typical findings, prophylactic removal of gallstones in these patients is not warranted.
Electron Capture from C-Bearing Molecules to Bound States of 0.8 - 3.0 MeV H+ : Additivity Corrections Using Electron Loss Cross Sections

Estimates of electron capture-to-bound-states (ECB) cross sections for molecular targets are normally made by assuming additivity of ''atomic'' cross sections. This assumption leads to a familiar problem - it doesn't work. In some cases additivity does hold approximately, notably in the case of low - Z projectiles such as H and He moving at velocities larger than any target electron velocities. However, for low energy, high - Z (relative to target Z) projectiles such as I on CH/sub 4/, N/sub 2/, O/sub 2/ and other gases, additivity fails dramatically. The authors have recently estimated the magnitude of ECB additivity failure observed in H/sup +/ bombardment of hydrocarbon gases by assuming that additivity failure arises from intramolecular electron loss collisions that succeed the capture collision. Using capture-loss calculations adapted to molecules, it was possible to demonstrate that the magnitude of additivity failure could be quite well accounted for in these terms. In this work the authors apply the same basic approach but estimate additivity failure in a hard sphere geometric scattering model (GSM) that removes some of the inherent difficulties in capture-loss calculations pertaining to areal densities and molecular orientations.
Circulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Study objectives Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with intermittent hypoxia during sleep. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has detectable levels in the circulation and its expression is highly regulated by oxygen tension. We therefore hypothesized that serum VEGF levels will be elevated in patients with OSA. Design Blood samples were collected at random times during the day from 68 adults and 41 children who were clinically suspected for the presence of OSA, and who underwent overnight polysomnography. Setting University hospital sleep laboratory. Participants N/A. Interventions N/A. Measurements and results For both children and adults, serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in polysomnographically confirmed OSA (AHI>15 and AI>5 in adults and children respectively) when compared to those with mild or no disease (p 150 pg/ml in adults and >100 pg/ml in children were predictive of OSA, when an apnea-hypopnea index >30 and an apnea index >5 were used as disease criteria in adults and children, respectively. Conclusions We conclude that circulating VEGF levels are frequently elevated in OSA patients, and may play a role in the regulation of tissue oxygen delivery.
Optimal wavelets for signal decomposition and the existence of scale-limited signals

Wavelet methods give a flexible alternative to Fourier methods in nonstationary signal analysis. The concept of band-limitedness plays a fundamental role in Fourier analysis. Since wavelet theory replaces frequency with scale, a natural question is whether there exists a useful concept of scale-limitedness. Obvious definitions of scale-limitedness are too restrictive, in that there would be few or no useful scale-limited signals. The authors introduce a viable definition for scale-limited signals, and show that the class is rich enough to include bandlimited signals, and impulse trains, among others. Moreover, for a wide choice of criteria, it is shown how to design the optimal wavelet for representing a given signal, and how to design robust wavelets that optimally represent certain classes of signals. >
Incorporating helpful behavior into collaborative planning

This paper considers the design of agent strategies for deciding whether to help other members of a group with whom an agent is engaged in a collaborative activity. Three characteristics of collaborative planning must be addressed by these decision-making strategies: agents may have only partial information about their partners' plans for sub-tasks of the collaborative activity; the effectiveness of helping may not be known a priori; and, helping actions have some associated cost. The paper proposes a novel probabilistic representation of other agents' beliefs about the recipes selected for their own or for the group activity, given partial information. This representation is compact, and thus makes reasoning about helpful behavior tractable. The paper presents a decision-theoretic mechanism that uses this representation to make decisions about two kinds of helpful actions: communicating information relevant to a partner's plans for some sub-action, and adding domain actions that are helpful to other agent(s) into the collaborative plan. This mechanism includes a set of rules for reasoning about the utility of helpful actions and the cost incurred by doing them. It was tested using a multi-agent test-bed with configurations that varied agents' uncertainty about the world, their uncertainty about each others' capabilities or resources, and the cost of helpful behavior. In all cases, agents using the decision-theoretic mechanism to decide whether to help outperformed agents using purely axiomatic rules.
Declining invasive pneumococcal disease in the U.S. elderly.

Abstract In 2000, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was recommended for young children. By 2002–2003, 48.6% had been fully immunized. Using Medicare administrative, we found that the rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) hospitalizations in the elderly in the 2000–2001, 2001–2002 and 2002–2003, were 22.6, 30.2, and 40.6% lower, respectively, than during the baseline period, 1996–1997 through 1999–2000 (range 35.1/100,000 to 38.3/100,000). Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) has been recommended for the elderly, since 1989. PPV23 vaccination rates in the elderly increased by 25.2% during the baseline period but by
A Paradigm Shift in Local Interconnect Technology Design in the Era of Nanoscale Multigate and Gate-All-Around Devices

As the technology scales down to the sub-10 nm nodes, the interconnect performance becomes primarily dominated by the resistance rather than the capacitance due to the ever-increasing size effects of copper and a higher input capacitance of the devices. The implications of this paradigm shift are discussed in this letter, and it is shown that the local interconnect technology needs to be reoptimized to rebalance the interconnect resistance and capacitance. One approach is to increase the interconnect width beyond half pitch without changing the interconnect pitch. For the 5-nm technology node with an aspect ratio of 3, the energy-delay product of vertical field-effect transistor circuits at the optimal relative width improve up 55%, compared with the circuits using an aspect ratio of 2 and an interconnect width of half pitch.
The G beta gamma complex of the yeast pheromone response pathway. Subcellular fractionation and protein-protein interactions

Genetic evidence suggests that the yeast STE4 and STE18 genes encode G beta and G gamma subunits, respectively, that the G betagamma complex plays a positive role in the pheromone response pathway, and that its activity is subject to negative regulation by the G alpha subunit (product of the GPA1 gene) and to positive regulation by cell-surface pheromone receptors. However, as yet there is no direct biochemical evidence for a G betagamma protein complex associated with the plasma membrane. We found that the products of the STE4 and STE18 genes are stably associated with plasma membrane as well as with internal membranes and that 30% of the protein pool is not tightly associated with either membrane fraction. A slower-migrating, presumably phosphorylated, form of Ste4p is enriched in the non-membrane fraction. The Ste4p and Ste18p proteins that had been extracted from plasma membranes with detergent were found to co-sediment as an 8 S particle under low salt conditions and as a 6 S particle in the presence of 0.25 M NaCl; the Ste18p in these fractions was precipitated with anti-Ste4p antiserum. Under the conditions of our assay, Gpa1p was not associated with either particle. The levels of Ste4p and Ste18p accumulation in mutant cells provided additional evidence for a G betagamma complex. Ste18p failed to accumulate in ste4 mutant cells, and Ste4p showed reduced levels of accumulation and an increased rate of turnover in ste18 mutant cells. The gpa1 mutant blocked stable association of Ste4p with the plasma membrane, and the ste18 mutant blocked stable association of Ste4p with both plasma membranes and internal membranes. The membrane distribution of Ste4p was unaffected by the ste2 mutation or by down-regulation of the cell-surface receptors. These results indicate that at least 40% of Ste4p and Ste18p are part of a G betagamma complex at the plasma membrane and that stable association of this complex with the plasma membrane requires the presence of G alpha.
Ionic rectification by electrostatically actuated tethers on single walled carbon nanotube membranes.

Large electrostatically actuating charged tethers (∼2.5 nm) at the tip entrances of single walled carbon nanotubes (i.d. ∼ 1.5 nm) can dramatically enhance ionic gating at the CNT core entrance. Significant rectification of small ions at physiological ionic strengths is observed and this system closely mimics the function of protein channels.
Analysis of vegetation distribution in Interior Alaska and sensitivity to climate change using a logistic regression approach

Aim To understand drivers of vegetation type distribution and sensitivity to climate change. Location Interior Alaska. Methods A logistic regression model was developed that predicts the potential equilibrium distribution of four major vegetation types: tundra, deciduous forest, black spruce forest and white spruce forest based on elevation, aspect, slope, drainage type, fire interval, average growing season temperature and total growing season precipitation. The model was run in three consecutive steps. The hierarchical logistic regression model was used to evaluate how scenarios of changes in temperature, precipitation and fire interval may influence the distribution of the four major vegetation types found in this region. Results At the first step, tundra was distinguished from forest, which was mostly driven by elevation, precipitation and south to north aspect. At the second step, forest was separated into deciduous and spruce forest, a distinction that was primarily driven by fire interval and elevation. At the third step, the identification of black vs. white spruce was driven mainly by fire interval and elevation. The model was verified for Interior Alaska, the region used to develop the model, where it predicted vegetation distribution among the steps with an accuracy of 60‐83%. When the model was independently validated for north-west Canada, it predicted vegetation distribution among the steps with an accuracy of 53‐85%. Black spruce remains the dominant vegetation type under all scenarios, potentially expanding most under warming coupled with increasing fire interval. White spruce is clearly limited by moisture once average growing season temperatures exceeded a critical limit (+2 � C). Deciduous forests expand their range the most when any two of the following scenarios are combined: decreasing fire interval, warming and increasing precipitation. Tundra can be replaced by forest under warming but expands under precipitation increase. Main conclusion The model analyses agree with current knowledge of the responses of vegetation types to climate change and provide further insight into drivers of vegetation change.
4-Chloro-7-hydr-oxy-6-methyl-1,7-naphthyridin-8(7H)-one.

The title compound, C9H7ClN2O2, was prepared by reaction of methyl 4-chloro-3-(prop-1-yn­yl)picolinate with hydroxy­l­amine in MeOH/KOH solution. The two essentially planar mol­ecules which make up the asymmetric unit have almost identical geometries and and are linked into dimeric aggregates via pairs of O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. These aggregates have almost perfect inversion symmetry; however, quite unusually, the inversion center of the dimer does not coincide with the crystallographic inversion center.
ECM Remodeling in Angiogenesis

Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is an essential component of the complex vascular biology that drives each step within the angiogenic cascade. The process of angiogenesis involves a series of events that depend heavily on proteinases and their ability to remodel the ECM, originating with degradation of the basement membrane to allow for endothelial cell (EC) breakthrough, migration, and proliferation. This is followed by organization into nascent blood vessel sprouts, vessel maturation and stabilization, deposition of basement membrane around the new vessels, and finally pruning or remodeling of the new vasculature for physiological needs. There is evidence that ECs cooperate with supporting stromal cells to orchestrate these remodeling events and ultimately to create pericyte-stabilized functional networks of vessels. During angiogenesis, proteinases not only directly breakdown the ECM to create a physical path for new EC sprouts, they also indirectly expose cryptic sites hidden within the ECM to alter the adhesive microenvironment for pericytes and endothelial cells during sprouting. Physiological control of angiogenesis is achieved in part by the angiogenic switch, in which a balance of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors serves to maintain vessel homeostasis under normal conditions. Proteinases, and certain matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in particular, function on both sides of the angiogenic switch. They degrade the basement membrane and nearby ECM surrounding established blood vessels at the onset of angiogenesis, and release pro-angiogenic growth factors that would remain otherwise bound to the ECM. However, they also negatively control angiogenesis, as some proteolytic fragments of the ECM possess anti-angiogenic properties. In addition to the chemical specificity of proteinases, emerging evidence suggests that their ability to proteolytically remodel the ECM during angiogenesis may also depend on the physical properties of the ECM. In this chapter, we will discuss the important factors that govern ECM remodeling during angiogenesis, focusing on the links between proteinases, stromal cells, and matrix physical properties. The impact of these possible links on therapeutic and pathologic angiogenesis will also be discussed.
Comparison of oil-tea shell and Douglas-fir sawdust for the production of bio-oils and chars in a fluidized-bed fast pyrolysis system

Abstract Oil-tea shell, a fertilized agro-waste, was compared with Douglas-fir sawdust, a non-fertilized woody waste, for the production of bio-oils and chars in a fluidized-bed fast pyrolysis system. Comparison of the metal contents in biomass, derived bio-oil and bio-char indicated that most of the metals retained in the char after the fast pyrolysis process. The bio-oils were almost free of metals. The water contents of oils from Douglas-fir-sawdust and oil-tea-shell were as high as 23.8 wt.% and 38.1 wt.%, respectively. Combustion of water–fuel emulsion, formed by the high moisture content of Douglas-fir-sawdust oil (11 wt%) mixed in the heavy fuel oil (89 wt%), led to the lower NO x emission of 231 ppm@6% O 2 as compared to 265 ppm@6% O 2 of 100 wt% heavy-fuel-oil combustion. The water–fuel-emulsion suppressed the peak flame temperature in boiler and hence reduced the thermal NO x emission. To elucidate the metal-concentrated effect from biomass to char, a measured R c was defined as the ratio of the metal concentration in char to the metal concentration in biomass. The average measured R c from oil-tea-shell and Douglas-fir-sawdust chars were 8.3 and 8.0, respectively. A simple predicted R c was proposed based on the bio-char yield. The predicted R c for oil-tea-shell and Douglas-fir-sawdust chars were 7.7 and 8.9, respectively which were in agreement with the results of average measured R c . The predicted R c will be useful for the provision of additional information to double checking the measured metals in bio-char obtained from the fast pyrolysis process when bio-oil contained very low metal contents. The oil-tea-shell char contained a very high potassium content of 12,700 mg kg −1 due to the metal-concentrated effect from biomass, making it suitable for soil amendment but unqualified for energy application. Both the Douglas-fir-sawdust and oil-tea-shell oils with low sulfur content, almost free of metal and water–fuel-emulsion effect, can be considerable as potential fungible fuels for energy application, but necessary precautions should be taken to against the low pH value of the bio-oils which they may corrode the facility.
Supporting vector machine technology for drilling stem failure in oil drilling engineering

In this paper,the basal contents and methods of the SVM technology are introduced and a drill stem failure learning model based on the SVM technology is established by learning small data samples to optimize the model in order to study the drill stem failure in drilling engineering.In addition,the model is applied to the classification of the drilling data from spot for predication experiment,the very similar results are obtained.The results indicate that the SVM technology and its learning model are applicable in drilling engineering.
Analysis of the prevalence and related socioeconomic burden of adult fall injury in Jiangxi Province

Objective To explore the prevalence and related socioeconomic burden of fall injury among adults(18-59 years old)in Jiangxi Province, and to provide basic data and reference for adult fall injury prevention. Methods The subjects in present investigation were 178 196 adults(18-59 years old) from 100 010 households, which were selected by three stage random cluster sampling method from 1 637 towns or streets of 98 counties. The investigation was conducted using questionnarire from October to December in 2005. Results The adult fall injury prevalence was 11.0‰(10.9‰ for male, 11.1‰ for female). The average medical cost for fall injury in 1 959 residents with fall injury was 1 764 Yuan(RMB), 18.7% of the injured adults borrowed money for medical cost, 41.2% of the injured adults had pay the transportation fee due to fall injury, 57.7% of the injured adults delayed their work for 41 days, 33.8% of the injured adults delayed their chores for 37 days, 66.9% of adults with fall injury were main earners for income. Conclusion The fall injuries are on burden to families and the society. The intervention measures should be taken according to the character of adult fall injury to reduce the occurrence of fall injury.
Study on enzymatic characteristics of acid urease to hydrolyze urea in Chinese rice wine

The enzymatic characteristics of acid urease to hydrolyze urea in Chinese rice wine were studied at different temperature,addition quantity,reaction time and liquor pH.It indicated that approximately 80% of urea could be degraded from Chinese rice wine after being treated for 48h when liquor pH was over 4.0,temperature ranged between 15℃~20℃,and enzyme concentration was about 30×10-6mg/L.
Prokaryotic Expression and Purification of BnCOP1 Gene

COP1 protein,as a key factor in plant light signal transduction network,plays a critical role in plant growth and development.The full-length cDNA encoding BnCOP1 was amplified by RT-PCR from Brassica napus and cloned into cold shock inducible expression vector pCold TF.The recombinant prokary-otic expression plasmid was transformed into E.coli BL(21) star strain.The transformed strain was induced with IPTG(isopropylthio-β-D-galactoside) for expressing fusion protein at low temperature.Results showed that the recombinant protein with a molecular mass 128 kD was highly expressed in E.coli and present both in the supernatant and the pellet part of E.coli lysates.The supernatant was further purified by affinity chromatography and detected by Western blotting,which demonstrated that high quality recombinant protein was obtained and laid the foundations for investigation on the structure and function of BnCOP1.
We Refuse to Give up on Nonmaturing Fistulas

The nonmaturing arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a major problem and can lead to significant patient morbidity and mortality because the patient is exposed to the risk of dialysis with a central venous catheter (CVC). Access planning should include a strategy to decrease the incidence of AVF nonmaturation. All newly created AVFs should be evaluated for maturation at 4-6 weeks. If it is judged to not be usable at that time, it should be evaluated for salvage. However, if multiple procedures over a prolonged period of time are necessary for salvage, the decreasing chances of long-term success with the increasing risks of CVC-based dialysis must be considered. Giving up on the nonmaturing AVF may be in the best interest of the patient.
Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biologic Responses to Estrogens: Histologic, Immunohistochemical, Biochemical, and Molecular Methods

Atherogenesis is a multifactorial pathologic process influenced by genetics and environmental factors such as diet, exercise, stress, and other exposures. Estrogen receptors (ER) are expressed in cells of the arterial wall, suggesting that estrogen receptor ligands (estradiol, natural and pharmacologic ligands) may directly affect arterial biology and atherogenesis. Ligand bound estrogen receptor alpha and beta (ERα, ERβ) can influence physiology through direct binding to estrogen response elements in the DNA, through interactions with other transcription factors such as NF-κB, or through rapid effects not dependent on gene expression changes but instead through non-nuclear membrane sites involving ERα, ERβ, or G-coupled protein ER (GPER1). Elucidation of potential direct effects of estrogens on the artery wall requires careful evaluation of arterial biologic responses to estrogens. We have developed a comprehensive approach to understand the mechanisms of estrogen action which employs histologic measures of the size and other characteristics of atherosclerotic lesions, immunohistochemical assessments of cellular composition, evaluation of chemical, molecular, and genomic changes in the arterial environment, and determination of the relationships between arterial estrogen receptor expression and atherogenesis. This approach can provide important insights into the mechanisms of action of estrogen and other mediators of atherogenesis.
Analysis of Yeast Telomerase by Primer Extension Assays

Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures located at eukaryotic chromosomal termini, which are required for chromosome stability and are maintained by a reverse transcriptase named telomerase. Budding yeast has served as an extremely useful model system for analyzing telomere maintenance because the organism offers a wide range of genetic and biochemical tools. Several milestones in telomerase research were reached through investigation of the yeast system. For example, the consequence of telomerase loss was first characterized in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Lundblad and Szostak, Cell 57:633-643, 1989). The catalytic component of telomerase (telomerase reverse transcriptase; TERT) was likewise initially cloned from this organism (Lendvay et al., Genetics 144:1399-1412, 1996). Moreover, much of the current understanding of the structure and function of the telomerase complex was derived from yeast studies (Autexier and Lue, Annu Rev Biochem 75:493-517, 2006). In this chapter, we discuss one of the most useful tools for investigating yeast telomerase mechanisms and regulation: the primer extension assay. This assay can be used to examine the overall activity as well as the processivity of telomerase, which represents a unique aspect of telomerase enzymology (Lue et al., Mol Cell Biol 23:8440-8449, 2003; Bosoy and Lue, Nucleic Acids Res 32:93-101, 2004). It can also be employed to analyze the mechanisms of telomerase regulatory proteins (Zappulla et al., Nucleic Acids Res 37:354-367, 2009; DeZwaan and Freeman, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106, 17337-17342, 2009).
Beyond the Bioclimatic Law: Geographic adaptation patterns of temperate plant phenology

Almost a century ago, observed geographic patterns of plant phenology (such as leaf-out and flowering) were summarized in Hopkins’ Bioclimatic Law. This law describes phenology as varying along climatic gradients by latitude, longitude, and altitude. Yet phenological patterns are not only affected by contemporary climatic differences across space, but also by underlying geographic variations in plant genetics that arise from long-term climatic adaptation. The latter influence on geographic patterns in phenology has been undervalued to this day, mainly due to the difficulty of quantifying it. This study outlines a methodology for bridging this knowledge gap through delineating geographic adaption patterns using common garden and cloned plant phenology. Through synthesizing existing literature, typical geographic adaptation patterns in both spring and autumn phenology of many temperate tree species are identified. Under uniform environment, spring leaf-out of colder climate-adapted populations of a certain ...
Evidence Suggests That The ACA’s Tobacco Surcharges Reduced Insurance Take-Up And Did Not Increase Smoking Cessation

To account for tobacco users’ excess health care costs and encourage cessation, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) allowed insurers to impose a surcharge on tobacco users’ premiums for plans offered on the health insurance exchanges, or Marketplaces. Low-income tax credits for Marketplace coverage were based on premiums for non–tobacco users, which means that these credits did not offset any surcharge costs. Thus, this policy greatly increased out-of-pocket premiums for many tobacco users. Using data for 2011–14 from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we examined the effect of tobacco surcharges on insurance status and smoking cessation in the first year of the exchanges’ implementation, among adults most likely to purchase insurance from them. Relative to smokers who faced no surcharges, smokers facing medium or high surcharges had significantly reduced coverage (reductions of 4.3 percentage points and 11.6 percentage points, respectively), but no significant differences in smoking cessation. In ...
TEACHING CHEMICAL SPECIATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTS AND GEOCHEMISTS USING ENVIROLAND

A new software package, EnviroLand©, is available for teaching chemical speciation of acids and bases in environmental chemistry and geochemistry. The program is appropriate for undergraduate and graduate instruction. EnviroLand has been used in a variety of ways including as an inquiry-based exercise, as a lecture aid, a system for checking spreadsheet logic and calculations, and a key to homework assignments. Computer-assisted instruction is rapidly becoming a common tool in the classroom, but software packages should be designed to be interactive so that student learning will be enhanced.
Diseases of the Intercalated Disc

Abstract The intercalated disc between neighboring cardiomyocytes is fundamental to cellular function and regulation, specifically facilitating the arrangement of cells into organized layers thereby maintaining tissue integrity and efficient electromechanical coupling. The basic components of the intercellular junction can be broadly divided into those involved in mechanical coupling maintaining cell–cell adhesion, and those involved in electrical coupling facilitating the rapid transmission of ions between cells allowing rapid transmission of depolarizing wave fronts Fig. 11.1 .
Temperature-dependent errors in nuclear lattice simulations

We study the temperature dependence of discretization errors in nuclear lattice simulations. We find that for systems with strong attractive interactions the predominant error arises from the breaking of Galilean invariance. We propose a local ``well-tempered'' lattice action which eliminates much of this error. The well-tempered action can be readily implemented in lattice simulations for nuclear systems as well as cold atomic Fermi systems.
Pelagic marine refugia and climatically sensitive areas in an eastern boundary current upwelling system

Refugia are areas relatively buffered from contemporary climate change that enable the persistence of valued physical, ecological or socio-cultural resources. Spatially identifying refugia is important for conservation and applied management. Yet the concept of refugia has not been broadly extended to marine ecosystems. Here, we analyze data from a unique and long-term (1999-2015) standardized survey of pelagic marine and anadromous species off Oregon and Washington in the northern California Current to identify such refugia. We use quantitative approaches to assess locations with high species richness and assemblage persistence relative to local and basin-scale environmental fluctuations. We have identified a potential climate change refugial zone along the continental shelf of Washington State in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean, characterized by a species-rich assemblage with low interannual temporal community change. This region contrasts with adjacent areas to the south and offshore that have lower species richness, and higher temporal species assemblage change. Also, using spatially variant generalized additive mixed models, we identify areas with species assemblages that are be more influenced by basin-scale climatic fluctuations than others. We propose that upwelling regions with retentive topographic features, such as wide continental shelves, can function as marine refugia for pelagic fauna, whereas offshore locations are potentially more climatically sensitive and experience high temporal change in species composition. Further identification of these marine refugia using in-situ data for pelagic biodiversity and climatically sensitive areas can help guide management in the face of inevitable climatically driven change. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A limited evaluation of the association of race and anesthetic medication administration: A single-center experience with appendectomies.

SummaryBackground Although it is known that a patient's race may influence their medical care, racial patterns of medication administration in pediatric anesthesia have not been well-studied. The aim of this study was to determine if differences exist between Black and White children with regard to administration of anesthetic and analgesic medications for a single procedure at our institution. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of medications administered to patients for emergency appendectomies at a large academic children's hospital from 2010 to 2015. We examined the association between patient race and administration of preoperative midazolam and intraoperative ondansetron, lidocaine, ketorolac, and weight-based doses of fentanyl and morphine. Results During the study period, 1680 patients (1329 White, 351 Black) underwent emergency appendectomy. There were no significant racial differences in administration of intraoperative anesthetic medications between Black and White children. In unadjusted analysis, Black children were less likely to receive preoperative midazolam than White children (OR=0.74 [95% CI, 0.58-0.94], P=.012). After adjusting for confounders, there was no evidence of racial differences in administration of preoperative or intraoperative medications. Conclusions We did not find a significant difference in preoperative or intraoperative medication administration based on race when we adjusted for age, gender, and attending anesthesiologist practice patterns. We encourage all institutions to monitor their own practice patterns with regard to race.
Planetary Improvement: Cleantech Entrepreneurship and the Contradictions of Green Capitalism

Jesse Goldstein. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2018. 232 pp., figures, index. $25.00 paper (ISBN 9780262535076).We are delighted to introduce this forum on Jesse Goldstein's Planetary Improvement: Clea...
Libraries, Development, and Implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda: A Regional Workshop held in Montego Bay, 16–18 February 2017

COLUMN EDITOR'S NOTES The Global Postcards column is pleased to present a column dedicated to examining ways that libraries are promoting and supporting the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our first article, by column editor Robin L. Kear, provides a look at one of IFLA's regional workshops for their International Advocacy Program that helps libraries understand how to promote their role in development goals. Next, Roseline Bawack from the University of Yaounde shares how academic libraries in Cameroon are working to achieve the SDGs. Then, Magnus Osahon Igbinovia and James Afe Aiyebelehin summarize the 2017 Nigerian Library Association meeting that addressed ways that libraries can support development goals.If you would like to send a submission for a future Global Postcards column, please contact either of the column's co-editors: Jacqueline Solis, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, jsolis@email.unc.edu, and Robin L. Kear, University of Pittsburgh, r...
Vaccination Against Varicella: What's the Point?

Live attenuated varicella vaccine was developed in Japan in the early 1970 s as a means to prevent varicella primary infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in healthy and immunocompromised individuals (Takahashi et al., 1974). Takahashi had attenuated the virus by passage in various cell cultures using different propagation temperatures and produced a candidate vaccine virus that proved to be both safe and immunogenic. Initially, there was great controversy as to whether it was likely to be safe to develop a vaccine that had the potential to become latent after immunization and that might even be oncogenic (Brunell, 1977, 1978). It was also questioned as to whether varicella was a serious enough disease to be worth preventing.
Studies concerning the mechanism of action of antimalarial drugs. Inhibition of the incorporation of adenosine-8-3H into nucleic acids of Plasmodium berghei.

Abstract A new system for the detection of the effects of antimalarial drugs on nucleic acids in Plasmodium berghei has been developed. Biochemical evidence for the incorporation of adenosine-8-3H into DNA and RNA of the parasite is presented with some preliminary conditions of incorporation. Dose-response curves established with the new system generally show inhibitory responses between 10−6M to 10−4M for quinine, quinacrine, ethidium bromide and between 10−4M to 10−3M for chloroquine. Quinacrine, quinine, chloroquine and ethidium have been reported to intercalate into the DNA helix based on physical and chemical evidence. DNA and RNA polymerase from E. coli are inhibited by these intercalating drugs and dose-response curves of inhibition by these drugs of adenosine incorporation are strikingly similar to doseresponse curves from isolated polymerase enzymes. The substantiation of the relative ineffectiveness of chloroquine as an antimalarial in P. berghei infections reveals the importance of defining antimalarial action on the basis of whole blood antimalarial activity.
A genetic model of esophageal cancer accurately portrays clinical FDG uptake

1614 Objectives: Esophageal cancer is a highly aggressive neoplasm that kills more than 13,000 individuals in the United States annually and has been linked to various environmental risk factors. Although the clinical relevance of F18-FDG PET has been well documented for precise tumor staging of esophageal cancer, the molecular mechanism and significance of F18-FDG uptake has been a subject of great debate. No clear pattern has emerged regarding the role of the numerous glucose transporter proteins and kinases in esophageal cancer FDG uptake. Our objectives of this study are to elucidate the genetic events that lead to increased F18-FDG uptake in esophageal cancer and to possibly identify a strategy for early diagnosis. Methods: To accomplish these objectives, we created a number of genetic models of human esophageal cancer by overexpressing selective oncogenes (EGFR, Myc+Bcl, Myc, Akt or Ras) in telomerase immortalized esophageal fibroblasts and used cDNA Microarray analysis to examine the gene expression patterns of our transformed cell lines. Results: Our cDNA Microarray data demonstrate that these genetic models express similar gene profiles to either esophageal squamous cell- or adenocarcinoma, indicating that we successfully recapitulated the molecular events of tumorigenesis. In coherence with clinical data, our preliminary studies indicate that the F18-FDG uptake in our esophageal squamous carcinoma cell model is increased six-fold compared to the parental immortalized precancerous fibroblasts. Furthermore, similar to patients, the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tumor cells have a significantly increased F18-FDG uptake compared to esophageal adenocarcinoma cells. Additionally, our preliminary data demonstrate little correlation between Glut-1 expression in our models and FDG uptake. Conclusions: These data are in strong agreement with observations of clinical FDG uptake which demonstrate that (1) Esophageal neoplasm have high F18-FDG uptake values, (2) squamous cell carcinomas have a higher standard uptake value (SUV) then adenocarcenoma and (3) F18-FDG uptake is likely determined by Hexokinase activity, not Glut-1 expression, in esophageal carcinomas. The preliminary data from our genetic models demonstrate the potential value of our system to study the genetic basis and clinical relevance of high FDG uptake in esophageal cancer. Furthermore, our model offers the potential to study the uptake of various tracers, such as FDG, in transformed precancerous cells. This may prove valuable in developing an early diagnostic nuclear scan that can potentially identify patients prior to the development of aggressive disease.