cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Branching out of the intein active site in protein splicing.

Inteins perform a macromolecular vanishing act that continues to impress as its secrets are revealed. Dispersed through all domains of life, these autocatalytic domains exit the folds of ostensibly unrelated proteins soon after translation. Inteins bust at the seams, severing peptide bonds that immediately precede and follow their sequence. Critically, they also sew up the damage; the two polypeptide segments that first flanked the intein, known as exteins, are concurrently joined. Extein ligation renders the transformation traceless while adding a significant exception to the one gene/one protein rule. The act proceeds without assistance from cofactors, accessory proteins, or energy source—just a small catcher’s mitt structure of ∼130 amino acids (Fig. 1 A ). Since the discovery of inteins (1, 2), efforts to understand their protein splicing activity have inspired not only mechanistic insight but biotechnology applications galore. Fig. 1. Intein structure/function and the branched intermediate. ( A ) Intein architecture. Characteristic β structure of a protein splicing intein domain (red), shown with short extein fragments (blue). Image rendered using Pymol with Protein Data Bank code 4OZ6. ( B ) Protein splicing pathway: ( 1 ) acyl shift to form the linear intermediate; ( 2 ) transesterification to generate the branched intermediate; ( 3 ) succinimide formation to separate the intein from linked exteins; and ( 4 ) spontaneous acyl shift to regenerate peptide backbone in the spliced exteins. N, asparagine. ( C ) Resolution of the branched intermediate. Succinimide formation (step 3 in B ) via attack by the intein’s catalytic asparagine residue (red) at the downstream extein junction (blue), presumably accelerated by general base (B:) and general acid (HB) catalysis. ( D ) Amide-imidate equilibrium. Tautomerization and deprotonation converts an asparagine carboxamide to a less stable imidate. Following a proposal put forward by Perler, Paulus, and coworkers more than 20 y ago, the … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. E-mail: mbelfort{at}albany.edu or callahan{at}binghamton.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Switching surge voltages in high-voltage stations

SWITCHING SURGES, lightning surges, and 60-cycle voltages are, in general, the three types of voltages involved in the design and protection of insulation of stations and station equipment. Under switching surges may be classified various groups dependent upon the manner of initiation, the circuit parameters involved, and the circuit configuration. Of the numerous kinds of transient abnormal voltages caused by switching, the type receiving primary consideration in line and station insulation design has been that resulting from circuit breaker performance in the interruption of charging kva such as occurs in line or cable dropping or in switching a capacitor bank.
The Moderating Effects of Gender on Paternal Encouragement to Diet and Body Dissatisfaction in Youth

The current study examines the relationship between child weight, father encouragement to diet (ETD), and child body dissatisfaction moderated by child gender. Participants were 96 youths (53% female), aged 8–17 attending a primary care appointment. Higher child weight status and greater father ETD predicted greater body dissatisfaction. Child gender moderated this relationship such that BMI-z significantly predicted body dissatisfaction in girls regardless of father ETD; however, BMI-z was only a significant predictor of body dissatisfaction in boys only when father ETD was high. The model explained 41% of the variance in body dissatisfaction.
Regional and institutional variation in burn care.

In reviewing the literature on burn therapy and observing clinical burn care, we noted differences among institutions and individual experts in several areas. To study variation in burn care, we surveyed the 140 burn centers listed by the American Burn Association to determine how burn care is currently administered in the United States and Canada. Responses were obtained from 83 hospitals (60%). The survey addressed resuscitation, operative and nonoperative wound care, medications, antimicrobial agents, and pain control. The major influence on care appeared to be the experience of the director (considered «very influential» in 85%) compared with the literature («very influential» in 12%) and habit/what works for us («very influential» in 48%). The Parkland formula was used «always» or «often» by 78%, and the Brooke formula «never» by 81%of respondents. Lactated Ringer's solution was the most popular initial fluid, and most (78%) respondents changed fluids after 24 hours. However, the fluids used in the second 24 hours varied equally among several choices. The use of colloids also varied without a set pattern. Furosemide (Lasix) and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs were used «rarely» or «never» by 67% of centers in the acute stage. H 2 blockers were used for gastritis prophylaxis «always» or «often» in 60% (vs 53% for antacids and 20% for sucralfate [Carafate]). Tube feedings were started on day 1 after burn injury «always» by less than 30% of centers. Total parenteral nutrition was not commonly used. Most centers use of silver sulfadiazine on the body and hands, but facial topical antimicrobial therapy varied. There was no discernible pattern in use of topical antimicrobial agent after grafting. Although most centers do not routinely biopsy wounds (86%), many (66%) obtain biopsy specimens in wound sepsis. Most respondents (68%) «never» or «rarely» perform excision of deep partial thickness or full-thickness wounds on day 1 after burn injury. However, most would «always» or «often» perform such excision by days 3 through 5 after burn injury. Dressing changes for grafted wounds occur at 3 ± 1 day after grafting (range, 1 to 7 days), and almost all centers use narcotics for pain control (97%) during dressing changes. Tits survey suggests that a significant variation exists in some aspects of burn care (use of colloid, choice of fluids after the initial 24 hours, nutrition, use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs) and not others (fluids and formula use in acute resuscitation and timing of excision of deep wounds). The director's experience and training appear to play the most mportant role in determining each centers' preferences
Mass Spectrometry-Based Analysis of the Phospho-Proteome for Cardiac Dyssynchrony and Resynchronization Therapy

In patients suffering from heart failure, conduction abnormalities that create cardiac dyssynchrony worsen morbidity and mortality. However, a pacemaker-based treatment termed Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) can significantly restore function and mortality. Our previous work implicated post-translational signaling cascades in modulating this recovery. To further understand the mechanism of recovery, we aimed to catalogue, as completely as possible, the phospho-proteome in canine models of normal cardiac function (Con), cardiac dyssynchrony (Dys), and CRT. The models were generated by implanting pacemakers and pacing 6-weeks dyssynchronously (Dys), 3-weeks dyssynchronously and 3-weeks CRT (CRT), or not at all (Con). Each cardiac tissue sample (n=4 per group) was split into three parts: myofilament-enriched, myofilament-depleted, and phospho-tyrosine enriched. Each part was phospho-enriched and run on an Orbitrap Elite. By one-way ANOVA and Holm-Sidak post-hoc test, there were 104 sites Ser/Thr sites and 85 Tyr sites that were changed in at least one group. These sites were assigned one of three categories based on the pattern of changes: “Dyssynchrony, Not Fixed by CRT”, “Fixed by CRT”, or “CRT Only/Exacerbated by CRT”. Next we predicted the kinase for each phosphorylation site (Group-based Predication System 2.1). Many tyrosine kinases were identified, although no kinase showed specificity to any category. However, the Ser/Thr kinase CK2 was predicted to target a majority of the “Fixed By CRT” category, and was highly specific for this group, as CK2 was not predicted to target sites in any of the other categories. Thus, CRT appears to act as a broad CK2 activator. In the future, these sites need to be validated as CK2 targets. Moreover, the effect of CK2 activation on cardiomyocyte function, sarcomere shortening and calcium transient, will be explored, considering these are already implicated in recovery with CRT.
The Cognitive-Motivational Compound of Emotional Experience

We present an analysis of emotional experience in terms of beliefs and desires viewed as its minimal cognitive constituents. We argue that families of emotions can be identified because their members share some of these constituents. To document this claim, we analyze one family of emotions—which includes the feeling of inferiority, admiration, envy, and jealousy—trying to show that the distinctiveness of each emotion is due to the specific compound of beliefs and desires it implies, whereas the kinship among related emotions is due to their sharing of cognitive or motivational components. Finally, we address the gestalt problem, that is, the question of how it is possible that emotions, although consisting of several “atomic” elements, are felt as unitary experiences.
Hydrogen quantum yields in the 360 nm photolysis of Eu2+ solutions and their relationship to photochemical fuel formation

Water decomposition by a cyclic photoredox process is discussed in general terms. Thermodynamics determines the wavelength of the charge-transfer band corresponding to electron transfer to or from water of hydration of a cation. These relationships indicate that it is unlikely that a photoreduction reaction resulting in water decomposition will occur in the sea-level solar range of wavelengths. Such is not the case for photooxidation, and an example is known: the photolysis of Eu(2+) in aqueous solution. Hydrogen quantum yields have been determined for this reaction. They are sufficiently high (about 0.3) as to offer encourangement for the further exploration of photoredox reactions as a means of solar energy conversion.
Transesophageal echocardiography during cardiac arrest in orthopedic surgery patients: a report of two cases and a review of the literature.

Background: Cardiac arrest situations represent an enormous clinical challenge to the physicians involved. Research suggests that the utilization on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) may provide important diagnostic information and allows for institution of more specific treatment, while not hampering resuscitation efforts.
Total syntheses of ert-conduramine A and ent-7-deoxypancratistatin

Abstract The first total synthesis of the title alkaloid has been accomplished in fourteen steps form 1-bromo-4-iodobenzene or 1-fluoro-4-iodobenzene via chemoenzymatic production of the antipodal cis-diene diols 4.
Mortality in patients undergoing covered self-expandable metal stent revisions in malignant biliary stricture: Does pathology matter?

Abstract Background and Aims Partially covered metal stents have been extensively used for palliation of obstructive jaundice in malignant distal biliary strictures and can be removed in cases of malfunction or need for tissue diagnosis. We investigated independent predictors of mortality in patients undergoing partially covered metal stents revision (i.e., removal and replacement). Methods Patients with a distal malignant biliary obstruction palliated with a partially covered metal stent were followed-up prospectively over 5 years until malfunction or death. All patients who required removal of their partially covered metal stents were captured in a specific database. Multivariate analysis was performed on non-surgical patients to assess for independent predictors of death using known risk factors including type of malignancy (adenocarcinoma versus all others), age greater than 55, gender, and exposure to adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Results Forty-two patients (28 men, mean age of 62 ± 12 years) underwent partially covered metal stents removal. Of these, biliary drainage was achieved in 38 patients by placement of a new partially covered metal stent (n = 32) or plastic stent (n = 6). The remaining 4 patients did not undergo stent replacement because of refusal (2), resolution of obstruction (1) and unrelated death (1). Long-term follow-up post removal in patients who were not surgical candidates (n = 31) was 35 weeks (95% CI 28–40), with a survival rate of 29% at 10 months. Logistic regression analysis in the 31 patients with unresectable disease showed that a histologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was associated with increased mortality post partially covered metal stents revision. Conclusions Partially covered metal stents revision should be undertaken especially when dealing with a non-adenocarcinoma type cancer.
Soil sulfur amendments suppress selenium uptake by alfalfa and Western wheatgrass.

Selenium (Se) is a potential soil contaminant in many parts of the world where it can pose a health risk to livestock and wildlife. Phosphate ore mining in Southeast Idaho has resulted in numerous waste rock dumps revegetated with forages to stabilize the dumps and support grazing. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), and western wheat grass [Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Love] are the dominant forage species on these lands. To demonstrate the feasibility of using sulfur (S) as a soil amendment to restrict plant Se uptake, 3 kg pots containing 50:50 w/w soil and waste shale were uniformly mixed with 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 Mg ha(-1) S as either elemental S or gypsum. Pots were seeded with alfalfa or western wheat grass. Dry mass and tissue Se were monitored over several clippings. Soils were sampled at the conclusion of the study and analyzed for water-soluble, oxalate-extractable, and total Se. Sulfur amendments as either elemental S or gypsum at 1.0 Mg ha(-1) or greater equally suppressed Se uptake over 60% in both forage species. Alfalfa accumulated more Se than western wheat grass. Plant removal via successive clippings resulted in lower tissue Se accumulation over time than the use of S soil amendments alone. Alfalfa-planted soils contained lower water-soluble and oxalate-extractable Se than did the non-planted controls while western wheat grass-planted soils contained lower water-soluble Se. Applying S to these shale-based soils may be an economically viable option for treating Se-impacted, revegetated lands.
Political issues in emergency medicine: The United States

The format of the paper is to allow three authors to discuss what they believe are the most significant political issues facing emergency medicine (EM) in their country or region. Each author writes independently and does not see any other contributing author's work, therefore potential overlap of subject matter is inevitable. However, we were soliciting their individual opinions about the serious issues confronting us today, rather than a consensus. An additional author, well familiar with the topics being discussed, wrote the Commentary from an overview perspective on the writings of the other authors. This supplemental opinion was offered as a method for enhanced cohesiveness in describing the political situations impacting the specialty of emergency medicine. The three authors for the United States are James Hoekstra, Professor and Chair, Wake Forest University Health Sciences; Robert McNamara, Professor and Chair, Temple University School of Medicine, and Robert Schafermeyer, Associate Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, North Carolina School of Medicine. Between them, they represent more than 50 years experience in clinical and academic emergency medicine. They write from a personal perspective. Their views are their own, and do not represent any organization(s) with which they may have or had affiliations.
Buffered versus plain lidocaine as a local anesthetic for simple laceration repair.

Study objective: Buffered lidocaine was compared with plain lidocaine as a local anesthetic for simple lacerations. Design: Randomized, double-blind, prospective clinical trial. Setting: Urban emergency department. Type of participants: Ninety-one adult patients with simple linear lacerations were enrolled. Patients with allergy to lidocaine and patients with an abnormal mental status were excluded. Interventions: Each wound edge was anesthetized with either plain or buffered lidocaine using a randomized, double-blind protocol. The pain of infiltration was measured with a previously validated visual analog pain scale. Measurements and main results: Analysis of pooled data and paired data (using patients as their own controls) revealed that infiltrating buffered lidocaine was significantly less painful than plain lidocaine ( P = .03 and P = .02, respectively). There was no significant difference in the anesthetic effectiveness of the two agents during suturing. Conclusion: Buffered lidocaine is preferable to plain lidocaine as a local anesthetic agent for the repair of simple lacerations.
Theoretical estimates of cathodoluminescence of Giemsa stained chromosomes.

Abstract The cathodoluminescence (CL) of Giemsa and the recorded cathodoluminescent images of Giemsa-stained chromosomes and chromatin in a scanning electron microscope have been reported. A theoretical estimate of the CL-yield of Giemsa-stained chromosomes is also given. This estimate supports the observed intense CL images. The dye signal has been estimated by taking into consideration the collection and detection efficiencies of a transmission light pipe-photomultiplier system, used in the CL experiments. The calculations have been extended to two other useful dye compounds, viz., fluorescein and acridine orange. Some possible developments of CL in a SEM with these compounds have been suggested.
Motivational Psychology and Educational Research.

Abstract The study of motivational psychology has been hampered in the field of education because of the concentration upon learning. Furthermore, much of the research assumes a mechanistic concept of man that is not conducive to progress in this area. A number of research problems are recommended that overcome the motivation‐learning limitation and also assume a more cognitive view of man. The problem areas include the study of intermediate difficulty, intentions, intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, stages in achievement behavior, the building of effort structures and learned helplessness, causal attributions for success and failure, long‐term motivational consequences, and achievement strivings among females.
Nitrite Reductase Activity of Deoxy Carcinus maenas Hemocyanin: Formation of the Half-Met Derivative.

The kinetics of the reaction between nitrite and excess deoxy hemocyanin (Hc) is presented. The rate of disappearance of both reactants is equal to the rate of formation of the products, half-met hemocyanin and NO. Quantitative analyses accounted for all species in the following reaction, in which oxidation of one Cu(I) per binuclear site occurs upon single electron oxidation by nitrite.
Adrenal leiomyoma: A case report and review of the literature

We describe a case of a 65-year-old Caucasian woman found to have an enlarging mass of the left adrenal gland. Laboratory examination revealed the mass to be nonfunctional. The patient underwent an uneventful left adrenalectomy. Pathological examination revealed the mass to be a leiomyoma. These tumors are benign and develop from smooth muscle cells. They can occur in any part of the body where smooth muscular layers exist, but occur frequently in the uterus and gastrointestinal tract. This case report presents a review of the recent literature on this rare entity.
NRP/B mutations impair Nrf2-dependent NQO1 induction in human primary brain tumors

Brain tumors are associated with genetic alterations of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells leads to oxidative stress-induced damage, resulting in tumorigenesis. Here, we showed that the nuclear matrix protein nuclear restricted protein in brain (NRP/B) was colocalized and interacted with NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). During oxidative stress response, NRP/B expression and its interaction with Nrf2 were upregulated in SH-SY5Y cells. Association of NRP/B with Nrf2 was crucial for NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) expression. NRP/B was localized predominantly in the nucleus of normal brain cells, whereas in primary brain tumors NRP/B was almost exclusively contained in the cytoplasm. In addition, unlike wild-type NRP/B, the expression of NRP/B mutants isolated from primary brain tumors was found in the cytoplasm, and these mutants failed to induce Nrf2-dependent NQO1 transcription. Thus, NRP/B mutations and their altered localization resulted in changes in NRP/B function and deregulation of Nrf2-dependent NQO1 activation in brain tumors. This study provides insights into the mechanism by which the NRP/B modulates Nrf2-dependent NQO1 induction in cellular protection against ROS in brain tumors.
A new method for measuring ultra‐low water‐vapor permeation for OLED displays

— It is well known that proper encapsulation is crucial for the lifetime of organic light-emit-ting-diode (OLED) displays. With the development of increasingly better barrier coatings and perimeter seals, it has now become very desirable to be able to precisely measure the rate of water-vapor and oxygen permeation through barrier coatings and perimeter sealing. This paper demonstrates a new permeation-measurement method that uses tritium-containing water (HTO) as a tracer material. The theoretical detection limit of this direct method is 2.4 × 10−8 g/(m2-day).
Sleeping With Your Friends' Enemies: An Explanation of Sanctions-Busting Trade

Research indicates that if third parties provide assistance to sanctioned states, the sanctions are less likely to be successful. However, the scholarship on the profile of sanctions busters and their motivations remains underdeveloped. Drawing on the realist and liberal paradigms, this piece develops two competing theories to account for third-party sanctions-busting. The hypotheses drawn from these theories build upon existing work on sanctions, the political determinants of international trade, and the effects of indirect interstate relationships. A quantitative analysis develops a new measure to identify sanctions-busting behavior for a dataset covering 77 sanctions cases from 1950 to 1990. The liberal and realist explanations are then tested. The results offer strong support for the liberal theory of sanctions-busting and less support for the realist theory. In particular, the analysis reveals a counter-intuitive finding that a sender’s close allies are more likely to sanctions-bust on the target’s behalf than are other states.
Automatic assertion extraction via sequential data mining of simulation traces

This paper studies the problem of automatic assertion extraction at the input boundary of a given unit embedded in a system. This paper proposes a data mining approach that analyzes simulation traces to extract the assertions. We borrow two key concepts from the sequential data mining and develop an effective assertion extraction approach specific to our problem. These two concepts are (1) the slide-window-based episode definition that decides the space of all potential assertions and (2) the Support-Confidence framework that evaluates the meaningfulness of potential assertions using a given simulation trace. We implement the approach in a system simulation environment built on the AMBA 2.0 standard. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach and validity of extracted assertions are verified by comparing to the transactions defined in the specification.
Rearrangement Pathways of Arylperoxy Radicals. I. The Azabenzenes

The potential energy surfaces for the reaction of pyridinyl radicals with O2 have been studied using the B3LYP method. The initial production of the pyridinylperoxy radical followed by either simpl...
Comparing Faculty and Student Perceptions Regarding Factors That Affect Student Retention in Online Education.

This qualitative study compared faculty and student perceptions regarding factors that affect student retention in online courses in an attempt to more effectively address the problem of attrition. A grounded study method was used to interview students taking online courses, analyze their responses related to the critical factors that affect student retention, and compare them with those given by expert online faculty documented by Gaytan (2013). Among the various findings, two are considered critical: online students would like to receive more instruction from their professors and more comprehensive feedback that would allow them to engage in corrective behaviors to improve performance. Comparing faculty and student responses related to the factors that affect student retention could give online program administrators and faculty advisors a better understanding of these critical factors to be able to respond to the student retention challenge more effectively.
On equiasymptotic stability of solutions of doubly-periodic impulsive systems

We consider a system of ordinary differential equations with pulse action at fixed times that admits the trivial solution. We establish sufficient conditions for the equiasymptotic stability of the trivial solution.
Effect of soil moisture and phosphate level on root hair growth of corn roots

Root hairs have been shown to enhance P uptake by plants growing in low P soil. Little is known of the factors controlling root hair growth. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of soil moisture and P level on root hair growth of corn (Zea mays L.). The effect of volumetric soil moistures of 22% (M0), 27% (M1), and 32% (M2) and soil (Raub silt loam, Aquic Argiudoll) P levels of, 0.81 (P0), 12.1 (P1), 21.6 (P2), 48.7 (P3), and 203.3 (P4) μmol P L−1 initially in the soil solution, on shoot and root growth, P uptake, and root hair growth of corn was studied in a series of pot experiments in a controlled climate chamber. Root hair growth was affected more by soil moisture than soil P. The percentage of total root length with root hairs and the density and length of root hairs on the root sections having root hairs all increased as soil moisture was reduced from M2 to M0. No relationship was found between root hair length and soil P. Density of root hairs, however, was found to decrease with an increase in soil P. No correlation was found between root hair growth parameters and plant P content, further suggesting P plays a secondary role to moisture in regulating root hair growth in soils. The increase in root hair growth appears to be a response by the plant to stress as yield and P uptake by corn grown at M0 were only 0.47 to 0.82, and 0.34 to 0.74, respectively, of that measured at M1 across the five soil P levels. The increase in root hair growth at M0, which represents an increase of 2.76 to 4.03 in root surface area, could offset, in part, the reduced rate of root growth, which was the primary reason for reduced P uptake under limited soil moisture conditions.
Controlling spontaneous emission with metamaterials

We have observed, in metamaterial with hyperbolic dispersion (an array of silver nanowires in alumina membrane), a sixfold reduction of the emission lifetime of dye deposited onto the metamaterial’s surface. This serves as evidence of an anomalously high density of photonic states in hyperbolic metamaterials, demonstrates the feasibility of an earlier-predicted single-photon gun, and paves the road for the use of metamaterials in quantum optics.
Luminescence sensing of temperature in pyrochlore zirconate materials for thermal barrier coatings

Abstract Pyrochlore zirconates are alternative materials to the presently used yttria-stabilized zirconia (7YSZ) for thermal barrier coatings. In this work, the use of europium as a solid-solution chromophore dopant is explored for measuring temperature in pyrochlore zirconates. Europium doping is found to give rise to strong luminescence as well as characteristic temperature-dependent luminescence lifetimes at high temperatures. Measurements of the luminescence lifetime of Eu-doped Gd 2 Zr 2 O 7 and Eu 2 Zr 2 O 7 pyrochlores, as well as Eu-doped YSZ, indicate sensitivity to temperature up to at least 1200 °C. The maximum temperature for Eu-doped Sm 2 Zr 2 O 7 is lower, about 1000 °C, for the dopant concentration used. These measurements provide the basis for non-contact sensing of temperature in europium-doped pyrochlores used in coatings.
Impurity spin textures across conventional and deconfined quantum critical points of two-dimensional antiferromagnets

We describe the spin distribution in the vicinity of a nonmagnetic impurity in a two-dimensional antiferromagnet undergoing a transition from a magnetically ordered N\'eel state to a paramagnet with a spin gap. The quantum critical ground state in a finite system has total spin $S=1∕2$ (if the system without the impurity had an even number of $S=1∕2$ spins), and recent numerical studies in a double layer antiferromagnet [K. H. H\"oglund et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 087203 (2007)] have shown that the spin has a universal spatial form delocalized across the entire sample. We present the field theory describing the uniform and staggered magnetizations in this spin texture for two classes of antiferromagnets: (i) the transition from a N\'eel state to a paramagnet with local spin singlets, in models with an even number of $S=1∕2$ spins per unit cell, which are described by a O(3) Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson field theory; and (ii) the transition from a N\'eel state to a valence bond solid, in antiferromagnets with a single $S=1∕2$ spin per unit cell, which are described by a ``deconfined'' field theory of spinons.
From "Barefoot Doctor" to "Village Doctor" in Tiger Springs Village: A Case Study of Rural Health Care Transformations in Socialist China

During the 1970s, a wave of publications emerged in "the West" on the dramatic Cultural Revolution developments which were taking place in rural health care in the People's Republic of China. The PRC's model became internationally renowned in public health and health development circles, and served as the inspiration for the World Health Organization's Primary Health Care initiative. In the early to mid-1980's, however, with the advent of post-Mao political and economic changes in the PRC, specifically rural decollectivization, it was feared that the fate of rural health care in China was seriously threatened. Since the early 1980s, a number of additional scholarly publications have addressed the changes in rural health care in the post-Mao PRC. This article contributes to the ongoing discussion about rural PRC health care by illuminating some of the discrepancies between the policies upon which much of the debate has been based and the actual ways in which the policies were played out "on the ground" as ...
Compressing heap data for improved memory performance

SUMMARY We introduce a class of transformations that modify the representation of dynamic data structures used in programs with the objective of compressing their sizes. Based upon a profiling study of data value characteristics, we have developed the common-prefix and narrow-data transformations that respectively compress a 32 bit address pointer and a 32 bit integer field into 15 bit entities. A pair of fields that have been compressed by the above compression transformations are packed together into a single 32 bit word. The above transformations are designed to apply to data structures that are partially compressible ,t hat is, they compress portions of data structures to which transformations apply and provide a mechanism to handle the data that is not compressible. The accesses to compressed data are efficiently implemented by designing data compression extensions (DCX) to the processor’s instruction set. We have observed average reductions in heap allocated storage of 25% and average reductions in execution time and power consumption of 30%. If DCX support is not provided the reductions in execution times fall from 30% to 18%. Copyright c � 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Comparison of Classical and Latent Trait Item Analysis Procedures.

Several methods of psychometric instrument construction have been suggested in the literature. Although there is considerable information describing theoretical and mathematical differences among these methods, there is a paucity of data regarding actual differences resulting from practical applications. Therefore, the present study was designed to compare classical item analysis procedure with the Rasch latent trait analysis in terms of several applied concerns. Respondents were 373 predominately white university undergraduates who completed the MacAndrew alcoholism scale and the Khavari Alcohol Test, an instrument for assessing quantity-frequency of alcohol consumption. Responses to the MacAndrew scale were analyzed using both classical and Rasch procedures and the resulting sub-scales were then compared in terms of specific items selected, relationship to the full scale, and assessment of actual alcohol consumption. Results showed substantial differences between the two procedures in terms of selected ...
Signal approximation using the bilinear transform

This paper explores the approximation properties of a unique basis expansion, which realizes a bilinear frequency warping between a continuous-time signal and its discrete-time representation. We investigate the role that certain parameters and signal characteristics have on these approximations, and we extend the analysis to a windowed representation, which increases the overall time resolution. Approximations derived from the bilinear representation and from Nyquist sampling are compared in the context of a binary detection problem. Simulation results indicate that, for many types of signals, the bilinear approximations achieve a better detection performance.
Implementing Policy Termination: Health Care Reform in Tennessee

The study of public policy continues to overlook the phenomenon of policy and organization termination. Termination studies typically have been single case studies, each unusual or idiosyncratic in some way, and have not adequately tested or evaluated a theory or framework of termination. This article tests the termination framework advanced by Robert D. Behn and explores the linkages between policy termination and policy implementation by examining Tennessee's efforts to terminate its Medicaid program and implement health care reform. The overall objective of this paper is to identify a theoretical framework that is useful for explaining policy termination and to encourage the testing of other termination theories.
Initial Experience With Robot Assisted Partial Nephrectomy for Multiple Renal Masses

Purpose: We evaluated the feasibility of performing robot assisted partial nephrectomy in patients with multiple renal masses and examined the results of our initial experiences.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 10 patients with multiple renal masses who underwent attempted robot assisted partial nephrectomy within the last 2 years. Demographic information, and intraoperative, perioperative and renal function outcome data on these patients were reviewed.Results: A total of 24 tumors in 9 patients were removed with robot assistance. There was 1 open conversion with successful completion of partial nephrectomy. Of the patients 70% had a known hereditary renal cancer syndrome and the remainder had multifocal disease with unknown germline genetic alterations. Frozen section from the tumor bed evaluated in 5 of 10 cases was negative. One patient experienced urinary leak postoperatively, which resolved by postoperative day 9 without intervention. Of the 24 robotically resected masses 22 were mal...
Discrete event control for inspection and reverse engineering

We address the problem of intelligent sensing in this work. In particular, we use discrete event dynamic systems (DEDS) to guide the sensing of mechanical parts for industrial inspection and reverse engineering. >
Comparison of the antimicrobial activity of honey produced by Tetragonisca angustula (Meliponinae) and Apis mellifera from different phytogeographic regions of Costa Rica

The purpose of the present study was to investigate and compare the demonstrated variation in antimicrobial activity of honey produced by introduced A. mellifera and the stingless bee, Tetragonisca angustula, commonly kept in hives in Costa Rica. There was no difference in activity of honey produced by Apis mellifera and T. angustula against the 5 microbes tested. Honey from different phytogeographic regions exhibited differential antimicrobial activity and susceptibility of yeasts to honey of either species was greater than that of bacteria.
Selective activation of p38alpha and p38gamma by hypoxia. Role in regulation of cyclin D1 by hypoxia in PC12 cells.

Hypoxic/ischemic trauma is a primary factor in the pathology of a multitude of disease states. The effects of hypoxia on the stress- and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways were studied in PC12 cells. Exposure to moderate hypoxia (5% O2) progressively stimulated phosphorylation and activation of p38γ in particular, and also p38α, two stress-activated protein kinases. In contrast, hypoxia had no effect on enzyme activity of p38β, p38β2, p38δ, or on c-Jun N-terminal kinase, another stress-activated protein kinase. Prolonged hypoxia also induced phosphorylation and activation of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase, although this activation was modest compared with nerve growth factor- and ultraviolet light-induced activation. Hypoxia also dramatically down-regulated immunoreactivity of cyclin D1, a gene that is known to be regulated negatively by p38 at the level of gene expression (Lavoie, J. N., L'Allemain, G., Brunet, A., Muller, R., and Pouyssegur, J. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 20608–20616). This effect was partially blocked by SB203580, an inhibitor of p38α but not p38γ. Overexpression of a kinase-inactive form of p38γ was also able to reverse in part the effect of hypoxia on cyclin D1 levels, suggesting that p38α and p38γ converge to regulate cyclin D1 during hypoxia. These studies demonstrate that an extremely typical physiological stress (hypoxia) causes selective activation of specific p38 signaling elements; and they also identify a downstream target of these pathways.
Phase Transfer Measurements at the Jefferson Lab Recirculated Linacs

Bunch length or longitudinal phase space distribution measurements are often used to evaluate if the electron beam meets RF criteria for a recirculated linac. Unfortunately, in many instances when the beam fails to meet the needed criteria, such measurements provide little guidance as to which machine element is problematic. All of the Jefferson Lab recirculated linacs have employed longitudinal phase transfer measurement systems to provide both useful information on the initial understanding of the dynamics of the longitudinal phase space in these accelerators, and much more useful diagnosis of out-of-specification performance of machine RF elements. These systems can provide precision transfer function measurements in time scales convenient for machine operations.
Formation and Reduction of Embedded Contamination Defects Detected after FEOL Poly Patterning

Embedded contamination (EC) is a significant contributor to front-end-of-line (FEOL) defects detected at poly conductor (PC) bright field (BF) PLY (process limited yield) inspection after poly patterning. There are two types of EC defects found in PC PLY after poly line formation. A small percentage of them has relatively larger size than ground rule and is believed to be related to particle residue incoming to or fallen during poly silicon deposition. The vast majority of the ECs are small and appear first at post poly deposition dark field (DF) PLY inspection as poly bumps. Subsequent PC lithographic pattering and plasma etch modification transform the poly bumps into ECs as detected in PC BF PLY. No appreciable correlation of these small bumps was found to any of the prior level partition BF PLY defects through the defect source analysis (DSA). Larger EC was found to be effectively removed with improved wet clean and the use of cryogenic aerosol clean prior to well anneal process. Small EC was found to be reduced by proper control and minimization of STI height and divot, as well as the processing procedure and environment change
Antigen-Specific Naive CD8+ T Cells Produce a Single Pulse of IFN-γ In Vivo within Hours of Infection, but without Antiviral Effect

In vitro studies have shown that naive CD8 + T cells are unable to express most of their effector proteins until after at least one round of cell division has taken place. We have reassessed this issue in vivo and find that naive CD8 + T cells mount Ag-specific responses within hours of infection, before proliferation has commenced. Newly activated naive Ag-specific CD8 + T cells produce a rapid pulse of IFN-γ in vivo and begin to accumulate granzyme B and perforin. Later, in vivo cytolytic activity is detectable, coincident with the initiation of cell division. Despite the rapid development of these functional attributes, no antiviral effect was observed early during infection, even when the cells are present in numbers similar to those of virus-specific memory cells. The evolutionary reason for the pulse of IFN-γ synthesis by naive T cells is uncertain, but the lack of antiviral impact suggests that it may be regulatory.
COMPARISON OF REPEATED REHEAT TESTS OF VARIOUS GRADES OF FIREBRICK WITH SERVICE RESULTS

Representative brands of Navy-approved class A brick (60% alumina), class B brick (superduty), and special firebrick (in a price group above the 60% alumina brick) were installed in a naval boiler operating continuously at the Naval Boiler and Turbine Laboratory. The permanent volume change of the various brands, subjected to repeated reheat tests at 2912°F., is compared with their service life.
Implantation site on a cellular leiomyoma: A light microscopic and immunohistochemical study

A case of gestational implantation upon a submucosal cellular leiomyoma in a 43-year-old woman is presented. The resulting histologic picture resembled placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT). In immunoperoxidase studies, tumor cells were positive for desmin and vimentin and negative for human placental lactogen and human chorionic gonadotropin, thus supporting a smooth muscle origin. This case demonstrates an unusual histological picture occurring in a setting that might lead to diagnostic confusion and is one in which immunohistochemical evaluation proved to be of great utility.
Making Latin Manuscripts Searchable using gHMM's

We describe a method that can make a scanned, handwritten mediaeval latin manuscript accessible to full text search. A generalized HMM is fitted, using transcribed latin to obtain a transition model and one example each of 22 letters to obtain an emission model. We show results for unigram, bigram and trigram models. Our method transcribes 25 pages of a manuscript of Terence with fair accuracy (75% of letters correctly transcribed). Search results are very strong; we use examples of variant spellings to demonstrate that the search respects the ink of the document. Furthermore, our model produces fair searches on a document from which we obtained no training data.
Non-traditional theorems unfolding

The purpose of this paper is to provide examples of ‘non-traditional’ proof-related activities or theorems that can be explored through paper folding by university and high-school students. These theorems were encountered through playful acts of paper folding by the author. The author used these activities successfully with preservice teachers. The paper contains proof outlines for each theorem.
Emergency splenic arterial embolization for massive variceal bleeding in liver recipient with left‐sided portal hypertension

Splenic vein thrombosis with gastric variceal bleeding is difficult to manage, and splenectomy may be necessary to stop variceal bleeding. The authors report the case of a post-orthotopic liver transplant patient with bleeding gastric varices secondary to splenic vein thrombosis treated by partial splenic artery embolization. Successful embolization was performed via transcatheter approach depositing Gianturco coils into the intrasplenic artery resulting in immediate cessation of variceal bleeding. No recurrence of bleeding was noted postembolization. In conclusion, splenic artery embolization can be used as treatment for postliver transplant variceal bleeding with hypersplenism.
Trust During Robot-Assisted Navigation

Robotics is becoming more integrated into society and small user-friendly robots are becoming more common in office spaces and homes. This increases the importance of trust in human-robot interaction, which is essential to understand in order to design systems that foster appropriate levels of trust. Too much or not enough trust in a robotic system can lead to inefficiencies, risks, and other damages. The robot in this experiment was used as a navigational system to guide a participant through an arrow maze. This experiment examined human trust in robots, the decision between doing a task or relying on a robot, and inconsistencies between human awareness and robot guidance.
What Accounts for Popular Support for Islamist Parties in the Arab World? Evidence from the Arab Barometer

Using public opinion data from the Arab Barometer, this paper examines the determinants of support for political Islam and for Islamist parties in five Arab societies.
Metaphors, organizations and water: Generating new images for environmental sustainability

Research across the social sciences and related fields has made it clear that metaphors underwrite both scientific and everyday thinking. Gareth Morgan’s work in this area, most vividly developed in his classic book Images of Organization, illustrates how metaphors underwrite thinking about organizations and the important role they can play in generating new thinking. In this study, we use and extend Morgan’s (2006) thesis of ‘organizations as instruments of domination’ (IoD) to reflect on critical issues in organizational studies related to water and the broader natural environment. We find extending the IoD image to be helpful: (i) in deriving and elaborating a metaphor that reflects a risky trend (‘organizations as water exploiters’); and (ii) in generating and developing a new metaphor that is explicitly normative and nature-centered (‘organizations as water keepers’). The water keeper image brings needed attention to water problems and invites further research on activist organizations (businesses an...
Energy and Charged Particle Transverse Flow in Au+Au and Au+Pb Collisions at 10.8A GeV/c

In this section we will discuss energy and charged particle transverse flow seen in Au+Au and Au+U collisions at the BNL AGS (P beam =10.8 GeV/c per nucleon) by experiment E877. The data discussed here was taken in the fall of 1993 when the multiplicity detector was last used in E877.
PCR-Based Screening for Insertional Mutants

In Arabidopsis, where homologous recombination is highly inefficient, insertional mutagenesis has provided a great alternative means for identifying loss-of-function mutants in genes of interest. Many collections of T-DNA and transposon-tagged plants have been generated and several have been made available to the research community. With recent sequencing of the insertion sites and the creation of public databases, identification of knockouts in most of the genes of interest has become a matter of a few minutes. However, because of the random selection of the insertion lines to be sequenced, knockouts of the remaining several thousand genes may not be easily found by the mere continuation of these types of approaches. Therefore, alternative methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based screening of pooled genomic DNA from mutant lines using a combination of tag- and gene-specific primers, once again, are becoming valuable for obtaining loss-of-function alleles in the genes "missed" by the sequencing projects. In this chapter, we provide a detailed description of the design and implementation of a PCR-based screen for insertional knockouts using T-DNA-mutagenized lines as an example.