cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regional distribution of cholinergic muscarinic receptors in spinal cord

Quinuclidinylbenzilate ([3H]QNB) binding sites are present in the rat spinal cord. The binding site are muscarinic in character based on displacement of [3H]QNB by cholinoceptive drugs. They are distributed rather uniformly along the cord, although the receptor density is greater in gray matters than in white matter. Binding to white matter may be associated with glial cells. Within the gray matter, the receptor density is higher in the ventral horn than in the dorsal horn. In the thoracic region receptor density is about equal in the intermediate zone and ventral horn. Mid-thoracic transection of the cord does not change the receptor density or the dissociation constant of [3H]QNB in the lumbar cord. In contrast, treatment with the neurotoxin, 6-aminonicotinamide, which produces lesions of the cord, loss of motor control and paralysis, reduces the receptor density and affinity of [3H]QNB for lumbar gray matter but not white matter. The presence of [3H]QNB binding sites thrughout the spinal cord as well as the documented presence of acetylcholine-containing neurons, suggest that muscarinic receptors play a role in all phases of spinal cord physiology.
Analysis of the logistic function model: derivation and applications specific to batch cultured microorganisms

Mathematical models are useful for describing microbial growth, both in natural ecosystems and under research conditions. To this end, a rate expression that accounted for depletion of nutrients was used to derive the logistic function model for batch cultures. Statistical analysis was used to demonstrate the suitability of this model for growth curve data. Two linear forms of the model and two procedures for calculating growth rate constants were derived to facilitate statistical evaluation of growth curves. The procedures for calculating growth rate constants were found to be useful for calculation of growth rate constants at each time point, or for estimating growth rate constants from early growth curve data. The utility of the logistic function model and its alternative forms is discussed with respect to planning experiments, analyzing growth curves for the effects of factors other than nutrient limitation, and developing more complete descriptions of cell proliferation.
The effect of structural characteristics on the in vitro bioactivity of hydroxyapatite.

In previous studies a film of hydroxylapatite (HA) was coated onto the inner pore surfaces of reticulated alumina for bone substitutes with the use of a so-called thermal deposition method. In this process, the HA films must be sintered at high temperatures for a strong adhesion to the alumina substrate. It has been found that high-temperature sintering inevitably changes the crystallinity of the coated HA, and in turn affects its bioactivity. Therefore, in this study, in vitro experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of structural changes on the in vitro bioactivity. The factors dominating in vitro bioactivity of HA, including surface area, degree of crystallinity, and temperature, were identified. The activation energy for volume diffusion was calculated for different in vitro solution temperatures. Also discussed is the underlying mechanism of growth and dissolution processes during the in vitro test.
Docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid in infant development

Docosahaxaenoic acid and arachidonic acid are highly concentrated in the central nervous system. The amount of these fatty acids in the central nervous system increases dramatically during the last intrauterine trimester and the first year of life. A central question of research conducted during the past 20 years is if the essential fatty acid precursor of docosahexaenoic acid is sufficient to achieve optimal DHA accumulation in the central nervous system and, therefore, infant development. The important role of non-human primate studies in characterising the behavioral effects of n-3 essential fatty acid deficiency and subsequent low brain DHA accumulation, the difference between essential fatty acid deficiencies and conditional deficiencies of docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid, and the evidence that human infants have a conditionally essential need for docosahexaenoic acid and, perhaps, for arachidonic acid are summarised. The current suggestive evidence for several possible mechanisms underlying behavioral effects are also provided.
The reaction of dichlorodiammineplatinum(II), [PtCl2(NH3)2], isomers with zinc fingers.

Abstract The interaction of cis -DDP and trans -DDP (DDP = [PtCl 2 (NH 3 ) 2 ]) with the C-terminal zinc finger (ZF2) of the HIVNCp7 nucleocapsid protein was investigated by fluorescence, circular dichroism, mass spectrometry, and { 1 H, 15 N} HSQC (heteronuclear single quantum coherence) NMR spectroscopy. The rate of reaction differed significantly for the two compounds, with the trans isomer reacting in a significantly faster manner, as expected. { 1 H, 15 N} HSQC NMR of 15 N-labeled compounds with the ZF2 showed the appearance of several new 15 N peaks, consistent with sulfur binding and formation of Pt-S species. Mass spectrometry confirmed the formation of several different Pt-apopeptide/ZF2 adducts. Circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy also indicated conformational changes upon binding while a 33% decrease in fluorescence of the unique tryptophan residue was seen in 72 h upon complexation of the cis isomer, while the trans isomer quenched 50% in just 24 h.
Imperfect Competition and the Resource Allocative Effects of Effective Protection: Comment

Recently in this review, E. J. Ray (1976a) demonstrated two propositions concerning the impact of effective protection on resource allocation under imperfect competition in goods and factor markets. He provided an incorrect proof of his second (correct) proposition, and failed to place it in perspective. In this comment we provide an intuitively appealing but rigorous derivation of it, and note that it follows from Herberg and Kemp (1971), and is equally valid when there are no interindustry flows.' In the second section of his paper,2 Ray investigates the case in which a labour union in the manufacturing sector, X1, successfully maintains industrial wages, wl, at some constant multiple, b, times wages, w2, in the agricultural sector, X2. He assumes labour and capital are substitutable for one another in the production of value added in each sector and that to produce one unit of output for each good a fixed amount of the other is used as an input. Thus al2 is the number of units of X1 used as an input in producing one unit of X2 and a2l is the number of units of X2 used as input in producing one unit of output of XI. With this model Ray shows that changes in relative prices can have perverse effects on outputs. This is not surprising, for as Fishlow and David (1961) and Bhagwati and Ramaswami (1963) have noted and Johnson (1966) has shown, in the presence of a fixed relative wage differential the production possibility frontier may become unconventionally convex to the origin, and when the frontier is convex, one would not be surprised to find that the output of a good falls in response to a rise in its relative price. The problem is, however, more complex than that, because with a factor market distortion, the slope of the production possibility frontier will not be equal to the price ratio. In fact, as Herberg and Kemp (1971, p. 22) have shown in the context of the Ray model, with CES production functions and all aij's equal to zero, " it is possible for the price-output relationship to be normal or conventional even when the locus of competitive outputs is (unconventionally) convex to the origin ".3 Moreover, as we have shown in an unpublished paper, in this same model with zero a's and variable elasticities of substitution, movement in the priceoutput ratio can be perverse whether the locus of competitive outputs is convex or concave. Thus we must look elsewhere for an explanation. Let:
Is there a nurse in the house? the role of nurses in assisted living: Past, present, and future

The large increase in the number of older adults in the United States has mandated more supportive housing options. Assisted living facilities (ALFs) were developed as a necessary, desirable, and available residential option for older adults. The lower cost of ALFs compared with skilled nursing facilities and the emphasis on greater autonomy within these facilities are appealing to older consumers and their families. However, although many ALF residents have chronic health care needs, the roles and availability of nurses in these facilities vary greatly. This article discusses the history and creation of ALFs, the current role of nurses within these facilities, and the many factors influencing nursing in the assisted living industry. The role of nurse practitioners in these facilities is discussed. Finally, a vision for the future of nursing in ALFs is presented.
The use of genetic algorithm for the design and optimization of advanced multi-junction solar cells

Multijunction solar cells consisting of series-stacked p-n junction layers offer a significant improvement in efficiency over conventional solar cells by generating power over a larger spectrum of sunlight. The design of multijunction solar cells is complicated by both the desire to have maximally efficient junction layers and the need to match the current produced in each junction layer under optimal load conditions. The ATLAS device simulator from Silvaco International has been shown in exclusive research (Michael and Green, 2003) at the Naval Postgraduate School to have the capability to simulate multifunction solar cells. This simulation tool has the ability to extract electrical characteristics from a solar cell and bypass the costly "build-and-test" design cycle. This paper proposes a method for using ATLAS data to optimize the power output of individual junction layers of a four junction InGaP/GaAs/InGaNAs/Ge solar cell and to construct these junction layers into a current-matched, optimum power multifunction solar cell. Individual junction layer optimization was accomplished through the use of a genetic search algorithm implemented in Matlab. The final multijunction cell current matching was performed using an iterative optimization routine also implemented in Matlab.
Electrostatic discharge issues in electric vehicles

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is an important issue in any motor vehicle. Anecdotal reports abound of cars with spark ignition hazards because of fuel tank designs, and even toll collectors reluctant to collect money by hand from certain late model cars. As electric vehicles move from the laboratory and test track to the production floor and showroom, ESD concerns take on a new context and become more critical. In this paper, the attributes of electric vehicles that give rise to concerns about ESD are introduced. When the concerns are taken into account, certain basic design constraints become evident. A candidate design is analyzed for its ESD properties. Some common design practices, especially the practice of isolating the battery bus, can create reliability problems because of ESD.
Effects of Main-Stem Girdling of Early Vegetative Stages of Soybean Plants by Threecornered Alfalfa Hoppers (Homoptera: Membracidae)

Effects of main-stem girdling of early vegetative stage of soybean plants by Spissililus festinus (Say) were studied in small-plot tield tests from 1978 through 1980. Plant responses after girdling were observed and categorized into five main responses. In 2 of the 3 study years, yield reductions occurred when girdling levels were >65%. Possible yield losses from mortality and inability to harvest girdled plants were compensated for by healthy ungirdled and girdled plants that recovered. Based on these data, a damage threshold for main-stem girdling of early vegetative soybean plants by S. festinus was established for Arkansas.
Gaussian rate-distortion via sparse linear regression over compact dictionaries

We study a class of codes for compressing memoryless Gaussian sources, designed using the statistical framework of high-dimensional linear regression. Codewords are linear combinations of subsets of columns of a design matrix. With minimum-distance encoding we show that such a codebook can attain the rate-distortion function with the optimal error-exponent, for all distortions below a specified value. The structure of the codebook is motivated by an analogous construction proposed recently by Barron and Joseph for communication over an AWGN channel.
Regulation of dopamine and serotonin synthesis by acute administration of cocaine.

Because cocaine effectively increases extracellular levels of both dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5HT), it might be expected that this agent would inhibit transmitter biosynthesis in these monoamine neurons by activation of autoregulatory feedback pathways. This possibility was tested by measuring the effect of cocaine on 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine accumulation (DA synthesis) and 5-hydroxytryptophan accumulation (5HT synthesis) in vivo and in vitro after inhibition of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase with NSD-1015. In vivo, cocaine suppressed both DA and 5HT synthesis in a dose-dependent (10-60 mumols/kg, i.p.) and time-dependent fashion (maximum 60 min after administration, recovery by 120-150 min). Inhibition of DA and 5HT synthesis ranged from 35% to 60% depending on the brain region and was apparent in dopaminergic fields such as the medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, piriform cortex, striatum, and in noradrenergic fields, such as the hippocampus and temporal cortex. Inhibition of DA, but not 5HT, synthesis was blocked by the D2 antagonist sulpiride in brain areas containing DA nerve terminals. Procaine (30 mumols/kg) did not inhibit DA or 5HT synthesis and prior treatment with reserpine diminished the effectiveness of cocaine in the medial prefrontal cortex, but not in the striatum. Cocaine did not reverse the gamma-butyrolactone-induced increase in striatal DA synthesis nor did cocaine block the ability of the D2 agonist quinpirole to reverse the increase. In vitro, cocaine inhibited DA synthesis in depolarized (K+ = 30 mM) striatal brain slices, an effect that was reversed by the D2 antagonist eticlopride. These results suggest that DA and 5HT neurons compensate in situ for cocaine-induced increases in synaptic transmitter levels by a transient inhibition of transmitter biosynthesis. Acute suppression of transmitter synthesis (and release) in mesoprefrontal DA neurons may represent the principal compensatory mechanism in this group of neurons.
A planar-diode frequency tripler at 1.9THz

A fix-tuned 1.9 THz frequency tripler utilizing membrane based GaAs Schottky diodes has been designed and fabricated. The chips are three microns thick with no supporting frame. One micron thick beam leads are used to ground the diodes and to hold the circuit in a split-waveguide block. Both unbalanced and balanced designs have been considered. Preliminary tests at room temperature indicate that the balanced tripler covers the band 1780-1900GHz with output power around 0.5/spl mu/W when pumped with 3mW. Up to 1.5/spl mu/W at 1810 GHz was measured when the input power was increased to 5mW.
Working hypothesis to redefine endothelial progenitor cells

Since 1997, postnatal vasculogenesis has been purported to be an important mechanism for neoangiogenesis via bone marrow (BM)-derived circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Based on this paradigm, EPCs have been extensively studied as biomarkers to assess severity of cardiovascular disease and as a cell-based therapy for several human cardiovascular disorders. In the majority of studies to date, EPCs were identified and enumerated by two primary methodologies; EPCs were obtained and quantified following in vitro cell culture, or EPCs were identified and enumerated by flow cytometry. Both methods have proven controversial. This review will attempt to outline the definition of EPCs from some of the most widely cited published reports in an effort to provide a framework for understanding subsequent studies in this rapidly evolving field. We will focus this review on studies that used cell culture techniques to define EPCs.
Effects of boundary layer conductance on substomatal pressures of carbon dioxide

Abstract. Gas exchange measurements were made on single leaves of three C3 and one C4 species at air speeds of 0.4 and 4.0 m s−1 to determine if boundary layer conductance substantially affected the substomatal pressure of carbon dioxide. Boundary layer conductances to water vapour were 0.4 to 0.5 mol m−2 s−1 at the lower air speed, and 1.2 to 1.5 mol m−2 s−1 at the higher air speed. Substomatal carbon dioxide pressures were about 5 Pa lower at low boundary layer conductance in the C3 species, and about 3 Pa lower in the C4 species when measurements were made at high and moderate photosynthetic photon flux densities. No evidence of stomatal adjustment to altered boundary layer conductance was found. Photosynthetic rates at high photon flux densities were reduced by about 20% at the low air speed in the C3 species. The commonly reported values of substomatal carbon dioxide pressure for C3 and C4 species were found to occur only when measurements were made at the higher air speed.
Measurements of ionization current in liquid dielectric mixtures

The article contains further development of the author's problem. I have tested the application of the ionization chamber as a dosimeter. I was measuring the changes of ionization current with the absorption of X-rays by metals. I was changing the thickness of the absorbent for different voltage of the X-lamp. The obtained results have the same character as in the case of other dosimeters used so far (e.g. Geiger-Mueller counter). Therefore my ionization chamber can function as dosimetric chamber (e.g. in medicine), although further research would be demanded to ensure better usage.
Dietary Sulforaphane, a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor for Cancer Prevention

The reversible acetylation of histones is an important mechanism of gene regulation. During prostate cancer progression, specific modifications in acetylation patterns on histones are apparent. Targeting the epigenome, including the use of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, is a novel strategy for cancer chemoprevention. Recently, drugs classified as HDAC inhibitors have shown promise in cancer clinical trials. We have previously found that sulforaphane (SFN), a compound found in cruciferous vegetables, inhibits HDAC activity in human colorectal and prostate cancer cells. Based on the similarity of SFN metabolites and other phytochemicals to known HDAC inhibitors, we previously demonstrated that sulforaphane acted as an HDAC inhibitor in the prostate, causing enhanced histone acetylation, derepression of P21 and Bax, and induction of cell cycle arrest/apoptosis, leading to cancer prevention. The ability of SFN to target aberrant acetylation patterns, in addition to effects on phase 2 enzymes, may make it an effective chemoprevention agent. These studies are important because of the potential to qualify or change recommendations for high-risk prostate cancer patients and thereby increase their survival through simple dietary choices incorporating easily accessible foods into their diets. These studies also will provide a strong scientific foundation for future large-scale human clinical intervention studies.
Improving activity of minicellulosomes by integration of intra- and intermolecular synergies.

Background Complete hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose requires the synergistic action of three general types of glycoside hydrolases; endoglucanases, exoglucanases, and cellobiases. Cellulases that are found in Nature vary considerably in their modular diversity and architecture. They include: non-complexed enzymes with single catalytic domains, independent single peptide chains incorporating multiple catalytic modules, and complexed, scaffolded structures, such as the cellulosome. The discovery of the latter two enzyme architectures has led to a generally held hypothesis that these systems take advantage of intramolecular and intermolecular proximity synergies, respectively, to enhance cellulose degradation. We use domain engineering to exploit both of these concepts to improve cellulase activity relative to the activity of mixtures of the separate catalytic domains.
Management of indolent lymphoma: Where are we now and where are we going

Indolent lymphoma comprises a unique and challenging subset of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). While definitions of indolence will vary, the most common indolent NHL subtypes include follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, and small lymphocytic lymphoma. Patients with indolent NHL (iNHL) excluding those with rare localized presentations are often met with an incurable but highly treatable NHL. In the rituximab era, response rates are approaching 90% with rituximab plus chemotherapy and time to next treatment are beginning to be measured in years. As a result of a prolonged natural history, we are encountering a gridlock of novel regimens and agents that appropriately fill peer-reviewed journals. In this review, we tackle a spectrum of topics in the management of indolent lymphoma including the initial approach to the newly diagnosed patient, approaches to first cytotoxic chemotherapy, maintenance and consolidation techniques, as well as highlight promising treatments on the horizon in iNHL. Clinicians continue to face tough choices in the management of iNHL. Through well-thought out clinical trials and peer-reviewed vetting of data we will continue to determine how to best manage the clinical continuum that is iNHL.
Cholangiocyte-specific rat liver proteins identified by establishment of a two-dimensional gel protein database.

The liver is composed of a variety of cells that form a functional unit involved in uptake, synthesis, metabolism, and secretion. Until recently, most studies examining liver function did not analyze the specific proteins expressed or functions performed by the multiple individual cell types that constitute the hepatic mass. In the last decade, novel isolation methods have been developed that allow the purification of liver cell populations highly enriched in one type of liver cell. Here, we present a detailed two-dimensional (2-D) protein map of rat bile duct epithelial cells (i.e., cholangiocytes) using a recently developed isolation procedure. In addition, we identify 27 major cholangiocyte proteins either by comparison to maps of known rat liver proteins (based on pI and Mr) or by tryptic digestion and microsequencing. Finally, we compare the relative abundance of individual proteins present in cholangiocytes to whole liver as well as hepatocyte-specific proteins. Our results show that cholangiocytes express a unique array of individual proteins. The cholangiocyte 2-D protein pattern is markedly different from that of isolated rat hepatocytes or whole rat liver, with high levels of proteins previously known to be expressed by cholangiocytes (e.g., cytokeratins, actins) as well as protein not previously demonstrated to be expressed at high levels (e.g., annexin V, selenium binding protein). We conclude that this cholangiocyte-derived, 2-D protein map will be a crucial resource for studies directed at our understanding of cholangiocyte physiology and pathobiology.
Gene structure, regulatory control, and evolution of black widow venom latrotoxins

Black widow venom contains α-latrotoxin, infamous for causing intense pain. Combining 33 kb of Latrodectus hesperus genomic DNA with RNA-Seq, we characterized the α-latrotoxin gene and discovered a paralog, 4.5 kb downstream. Both paralogs exhibit venom gland specific transcription, and may be regulated post-transcriptionally via musashi-like proteins. A 4 kb intron interrupts the α-latrotoxin coding sequence, while a 10 kb intron in the 3′ UTR of the paralog may cause non-sense-mediated decay. Phylogenetic analysis confirms these divergent latrotoxins diversified through recent tandem gene duplications. Thus, latrotoxin genes have more complex structures, regulatory controls, and sequence diversity than previously proposed.
Landsat-based Remote Sensing of Lake Water Quality Characteristics, Including Chlorophyll and Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM)

Abstract Ground-based measurements on 15 Minnesota lakes with wide ranges of optical properties and Landsat TM data from the same lakes were used to evaluate the effect of humic color on satellite-inferred water quality conditions. Color (C440), as measured by absorbance at 440 nm, causes only small biases in estimates of Secchi disk transparency (SDT) from Landsat TM data, except at very high values (> ~ 300 chloroplatinate units, CPU). Similarly, when chlorophyll a (chl a) levels are moderate or high (> 10 μg/L), low-to-moderate levels of humic color have only a small influence on the relationship between SDT and chl a concentration, but it has a pronounced influence at high levels of C440 (e.g., > ~200 CPU). However, deviations from the general chl a-SDT relationship occur at much lower C440 values (~ 60 CPU) when chl a levels are low. Good statistical relationships were found between optical properties of lake water generally associated with algal abundance (SDT, chl a, turbidity) and measured brightn...
Hybrid STTR intervention for heterosexuals using anonymous HIV testing and confidential linkage to care: a single arm exploratory trial using respondent-driven sampling

Background An estimated 14 % of the 1.2 million individuals living with HIV in the U.S. are unaware of their status. Yet this modest proportion of individuals with undiagnosed HIV is linked to 44–66 % of all new infections. Thus innovative intervention approaches are needed to seek out and test those with undiagnosed HIV, and link them to HIV treatment with high retention, an approach referred to as “Seek, Test, Treat, and Retain” (STTR). The present protocol describes a creative “hybrid” STTR approach that uses anonymous HIV testing followed by confidential care linkage, focused on heterosexuals at high risk (HHR) for HIV, who do not test as frequently as, and are diagnosed later, than other risk groups.
4.5 Rock Coatings

Fourteen different types of coatings cover rock surfaces in every terrestrial weathering environment, altering the appearance of the underlying landform. Some accretions interdigitate, whereas others blend together, creating a great number of variations. Rock coatings are important in geomorphology because coatings: alter weathering rates; play a role in case-hardening surfaces; offer clues to understanding environmental change; and can provide chronometric insight into the exposure of the underlying rock surface. Following a landscape geochemistry paradigm, five general hierarchies of control explain the occurrence of different types of rock coatings: first order – geomorphic processes control the stability of bedrock surfaces on which coatings form; second order – coatings originating in rock fissures occur on subaerial surfaces when erosion of the overlying rock occurs; third order – the habitability of surfaces for fast-growing lithobionts such as lichens determines whether slowly accreting coatings occur; fourth order – the raw ingredients must have a transport pathway to the rock surface, and of course, they must be present; fifth order – physical, geochemical, or biological barriers to transport then result in the accretion of the coating.
Mammary spreading factor and relaxin.

Summary1. It was observed that a relaxin preparation extracted from swine ovaries contained a spreading factor which was inactivated by heating at 50°C for ten minutes. The inactivation of the spreading factor did not diminish the effectiveness of the relaxin preparation to cause pelvic relaxation. 2. The spreading factor extracted from the mammary glands of pregnant rats had no ability to cause pelvic relaxation in the amounts employed.
Encantada Spinoculata, a New Genus and Species of Shrimp from the Galapagos Islands (Caridea: Bresiliidae)

ABSTRACT A small shrimp representing a new genus and species of the family Bresiliidae is described from the Galapagos Islands. The shape of the rostrum and chelipeds relates the genus to species of Bresilia, but the animal has a flagellum on the exopod of the first maxilliped. Comparison of the new species with those of Bresilia, Alvinocaris, and Rimicaris indicates gradual morphological change related to feeding in deep-sea environments.
The Use of the Ribonavinless Gene (rd) in Determining the Cause of Clubbed Down

Abstract INTRODUCTION THE term “clubbed down” was first used by Lepkovsky et al. (1938) to describe an abnormal down condition characterized by a buckling of the down plumule within the sheath to give the appearance of a small club. Because the effect was observed in embryos suffering from a riboflavin deficiency, it was postulated that this condition was responsible for the expression of the trait. Subsequent work by Peterson et al. (1947), Coles and Cumber (1955), and Brown (1957) tended to agree that riboflavin deficiency was a factor in the expression of clubbed down. Kabystina and Petrov (1935) reported another down condition in chickens, shortened down, which they found was always associated with black down color. Hutt (1951) found both clubbed and shortened down in the black non-barred female chicks from a Rhode Island Red × Barred Plymouth Rock cross. Hawes and Buss (1963) have found clubbed down associated with extended…
Dynamic Bargaining in a Supply Chain with Asymmetric Demand Information (With Online Appendices)

We analyze a dynamic bargaining game in which a seller and a buyer negotiate over quantity and payment to trade for a product. Both firms are impatient, and they make alternating offers until an agreement is reached. The buyer is privately informed about his type, which can be high or low: the high-type’s demand is stochastically larger than the low-type’s. In the dynamic negotiation process, the seller can screen while the buyer can signal information through their offers, and the buyer has an endogenous and type-dependent reservation profit. With rational assumptions on the seller’s belief structure, we characterize the perfect Bayesian equilibrium of the bargaining game. Interestingly, we find that both quantity distortion and information rent may be avoided depending on the firms’ relative patience, and the seller may reach an agreement with either the high type or the low type first, or with both simultaneously. Furthermore, we explore our model to characterize the effect of demand forecasting accuracy on firm profitability. We find that improved demand forecast benefits the buyer but hurts the seller when the buyer’s forecasting accuracy is low. However, once the buyer’s forecasting accuracy exceeds a threshold, both firms will benefit from further improvement of the forecast. This observation makes an interesting contrast to previous findings based on the one-shot principal-agent model, in which improvement of forecasting accuracy mostly leads to a “win-lose” outcome for the two firms, and the buyer has an incentive to improve his forecasting accuracy only when it is extremely low.
An Energy Storage Control Method Based on State of Charge and Variable Filter Time Constant

According to the large fluctuations and strong randomness of the output power of renewable energy,taking into account the constraints such as battery life cycle,an energy storage control method based on real-time state of charge and variable filter time constant is presented.This method can compensate the fluctuation composition of a particular frequency band in the output power of renewable energy by real-time regulating the output power of energy storage system.At the same time,filter time constant is adjusted according to the state of charge in order to stabilize the value of battery's state of charge in a certain range,while the over-charging and over-discharging of the battery is avoided.A photovoltaic and battery storage system simulation model built in PSCAD shows the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Epidemiology of syphilis in Diaobingshan,Liaoning,2005- 2013

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of syphilis in Diaobingshan,Liaoning province from 2005 to 2013 and provide evidences for the development of prevention and control strategies. Methods The incidence data of syphilis in Diaobingshan from 2005- 2013 were collected from national disease reporting information system to establish an Excel database. All the data were verified item by item. Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the incidence data of laboratory conformed syphilis cases. Results A total of 602 syphilis cases were reported with an average annual incidence of 27. 83 /lakh. The incidence increased year by year(χ2= 414. 21,P 0. 01),the average annual increase rate was 61. 48%,The case number of syphilis ranked first in2013 from ninth in 2005 in the reported class B and C notifiable communicable disease cases. Most cases were latent syphilis infections,accounting for 41. 69%. Most cases occurred in rural-urban fringe zone. The male to female ratio of the cases was 1. 05∶ 1. The cases in age group 20- 59 years accounted for 75. 91%,the cases in males aged 20- 69 years accounted for 82. 20%,and the cases in females aged 20- 49 years accounted for 71. 67%. Most cases were the unemployed /household servants,workers,farmers and the retired,however,more cases would occurr in farmers.Conclusion The incidence of syphilis in Diaobingshan increased year by year. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and treatment in rural-urban fringe zone; and among the unemployed /household servants and farmers,conduct the standard diagnosis and improve the reporting quality.
Do Socioeconomic Factors and Race Determine the Likelihood of Breast-Conserving Surgery?

Abstract Background Racial disparities in the use of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) have been reported and may be due to advanced stage at diagnosis. Our hypothesis was that low-income and ethnic minority patients have an increased tumor size at diagnosis and decreased likelihood of BCS. Patients and Methods A retrospective review was conducted of early stage breast cancer patients from 10 hospitals in Harris County, Texas, between 2004 and 2011. Clinical stage was calculated on the basis of data from the institutional tumor registries and electronic medical records. Zip code–based socioeconomic factors were downloaded from the US Census Bureau ( http://www.census.gov/ ). Linear regression was used to identify predictors of tumor size, and logistic regression was used to identify predictors of BCS. Results The cohort included 3937 patients, comprising 2546 (65%) whites, 535 (14%) African Americans, 482 (11%) Hispanics, and 374 (10%) Asian/others. Multivariate linear regression demonstrated socioeconomic status (SES), younger age, African American, Hispanic race, and hormone receptor–negative tumors to be associated with increased tumor size at diagnosis (P Conclusion Race and SES were both associated with larger tumor size at diagnosis. Larger tumor size, negative hormone receptor status, and Hispanic and Asian race were associated with lack of receipt of BCS. Breast cancer screening programs should target both minority and low SES groups. Rates of BCS should be interpreted cautiously when used as a quality metric because of the multiple factors, including tumor size and biology, contributing to its use.
The Texas Property Owner Rule

The Property Owner Rule provides that a property owner is qualified to testify about his property’s value even though he would not be qualified to testify about the value of similar property owned by someone else. This paper examines recent Texas cases applying the Rule where a litigant's property value presents an issue for the court. The Rule provides offers owners a cost advantage during litigation, however, the Rule's requirements must be met so the valuation evidence can support the judgment.
Rapid Screening Test for Sulfamethazine in Swine Feeds

A simple, 10-min qualitative screening test for sulfamethazine (SM) in swine feeds is detailed. The method, which can be run in the field, uses 2 plastic tubes arranged piggyback style. The upper tube contains, from top to bottom, the feed sample (about 1 g), partially deactivated alumina, and an anion exchange resin buffered at pH 5.7. The bottom tube contains a small bed of anion exchanger buffered at pH 7.9, which traps the SM. After percolation of solvent from the pH 7.9 resin and is reacted with Bratton-Marshall reagents to give a pink-to-lavender color. Feeds containing less than or equal to 0.15 ppm can be detected. A simple, additional dye concentration step allows for detection of 0.02 ppm, if desired. Only amphoteric primary aromatic amino-containing compounds with a pKa close to that of SM can theoretically interfere. Preparation of permanent color solutions using cobalt and copper acetates in glacial acetic acid is described for the optional establishment of the minimum concentration of SM in the feed. The method offers a simple way to detect some cross-contaminated withdrawal feeds containing greater than 2 ppm SM, which can lead to violative (greater than or equal to ppm) residues in swine liver.
Two cases of 16th century head injuries managed in royal European families.

In Europe, during the 16th century, there were a number of prominent general surgeons adventurous enough to consider operating on the brain for head injuries. From the time of Hippocrates, operating on the skull and brain was considered both treacherous and too dangerous to be undertaken except on rare occasions. Operating on a member of a royal court was considered even more exceptional because if the outcome was poor, the surgeon could lose a hand or limb, or, even worse, be beheaded. The authors present two interesting cases of royal family members who underwent surgery for head injuries that were quite severe. The surgeons involved, Ambroise Pare, Andreas Vesalius, and Berengario da Carpi, were among the most prominent surgeons in Europe. Despite very challenging political situations, all were willing to undertake a complex surgical intervention on the member of a prominent royal family. The individuals involved, both royal and medical, plus the neurosurgical injuries are discussed.
Confucianism and Virtue Ethics: Still a Fledgling in Chinese and Comparative Philosophy

The past couple of decades have witnessed a remarkable burst of philosophical energy and talent devoted to virtue ethical approaches to Confucianism, including several books, articles, and even high-profile workshops and conferences that make connections between Confucianism and either virtue ethics as such or moral philosophers widely regarded as virtue ethicists (Angle 2009, Chong 2007, Ivanhoe 2002, Sim 2007, Van Norden 2007, Yearley 1990, Yu 2007). Those who do not work in the combination of Chinese philosophy and ethics may wonder what all of the fuss is about. Others may be more familiar with the issues but have doubts about the fruitfulness of this line of inquiry. All of us, however, are in the enviable position of setting the stage for what looks likely to be a much larger, future generation of philosophers working across Western and non-Western traditions. It is therefore worth asking whether a constructive engagement between Confucianism and virtue ethics is worth turning into a significant, multi-generational research agenda. Most answers to this question will fall somewhere between two poles. At one end is the view that the line of inquiry has run its course, if ever there were a course to run in the first place; at the opposite end is the view that we‟re only just getting started. And then there is a wide range of more moderate views falling between these two positions. Normally I would be among the moderates, but on this issue I am an extremist. Far from having exhausted the potential of virtue ethical approaches to Confucianism, I think we are standing on a philosophical gold mine that we‟ve only just begun to tap. In what follows I would like to explain briefly why I take this to be the case.
Which cigarettes do Americans think are safer? A population-based analysis with wave 1 of the PATH study

Although the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 (‘the Act’) essentially banned the terms ‘light’ and ‘mild’ in cigarette marketing,1 unregulated attributes may perpetuate the misconception that certain cigarettes are less harmful.2–5 To aid the discovery and regulation of attributes that lead to harm misconceptions, we used a nationally representative survey to first identify cigarette sub-brands that smokers believed were less harmful. This sample was composed of US adults who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, currently smoking at least ‘some days’, reported their usual or last-smoked cigarette sub-brand and compared its harmfulness to other sub-brands in the 2013–2014 wave (wave 1) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health.6 Analysis was completed using the ‘restricted use file’ and was approved by the University of California, San Diego Institutional Review Board. Respondents selected their usual or last-smoked cigarette sub-brand from a series of drop-down menus and then were asked if their sub-brand ‘might be “less harmful”, “no different” or “more harmful” than other …
Benefit of treatment with pirfenidone (PFD) persists over time in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with limited lung function impairment

Background : Antifibrotic therapy for IPF is often started when lung function has declined below certain levels, such as 80% predicted FVC or when GAP stage II is reached. Long-term benefits of therapy when lung function is still relatively well preserved, compared with delayed intervention, are unknown. Objective : To assess the benefit of early treatment with PFD. Methods : Patients in RECAP, a long-term extension study of the CAPACITY (CAP) trials, who entered CAP-004 in GAP stage I and received PFD 2403 mg/d were compared with those in GAP stage I who initially received placebo and then switched to PFD 2403 mg/d in RECAP. Annual rate of change in FVC and safety and tolerability of PFD were assessed. Results : 144 patients in CAP-004 in GAP stage I entered RECAP; 71 initially received PFD 2403 mg/d and 73 received placebo for ∼1.5 y. Prior to RECAP, PFD-treated patients had an annual rate of decline of 2.2% (SE, 0.41) and placebo patients had an annual rate of decline of 3.5% (SE, 0.40). When entering RECAP, PFD- and placebo-treated patients had a baseline mean % predicted FVC of 75.4% vs. 76.3% in placebo. During RECAP, both groups declined similarly over 180 wk, with an annual rate of decline of 4.5% (SE=0.486) and 3.9% (SE=0.473; P =0.440). Safety and tolerability of PFD were similar in both groups. Conclusions : Patients with IPF in GAP I stage may benefit from early treatment with PFD, as the reduction in decline with treatment is maintained over 180 wk. This supports treatment initiation irrespective of GAP stage.
Comment On the Stages of HIV Care Continuum: considering treatment for secondary prevention among patients ‘retained in care’ Considering Treatment For Secondary Prevention Among Patients ‘retained in Care’

In July 2012, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) presented new data at the XIX International AIDS Conference indicating only 25% of Americans with HIV had a suppressed viral load. Viral suppression has been associated with reduced individual morbidity and mortality as well as reduced risk of transmission to sexual partners. The CDC study further reported on the proportion of Americans in each Stage of HIV Care: 1) testing and diagnosis, 2) linkage to care, 3) retention in care, 4) provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 5) viral suppression. Their findings suggested that of all people living with HIV in the United States, 82% had been diagnosed, 66% had been linked to care, 37% were retained in care, 33% were prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 25% had achieved viral suppression. These Stages of Care results are consistent with previous estimates that suggest many HIV-infected individuals drop-off as they progress through the continuum, leaving only a minority of individuals who reach the final stage of viral suppression.
Obesity and the odds of weight gain following androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: Toward a risk adapted approach for ADT use.

5045 Background: Increasing BMI is associated with an increased risk of mortality; however, quantifying weight gain in men undergoing ADT for prostate cancer (PC) as stratified by baseline BMI rema...
Indicators of Non-adherence to Asthma Treatment in Pediatric Primary Care.

Abstract Purpose Chronic disease management represents an ongoing challenge, as many childhood illnesses require complex medical management by primary care providers. Asthma is one such illness, and today there is evidence to support primary care-based management strategies that will benefit patients with asthma throughout a lifetime. This study seeks to find significant indicators of asthma non-adherence in pediatric primary care, with potential for utilization in the medical home model. Design and Methods Potential indicators included in a chart review process of one large Southeastern U.S. primary care pediatric practice were reviewed from the previous calendar year for asthma patients. The study retroactively looks at the incidence of six indicators in relation to asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations, and number of missed appointments for clinically relevant associations. Results Strong associations were found between emergency department visits and hospitalizations and many of the indicators of non-adherence with high statistical significance. No associations were found between number of missed appointments and the selected indicators. Conclusions The data analysis performed from the collected patient information can be helpful to guide practices in further discussions on the topic. Results were analyzed and reported to the practice in review as recommendations for a new medical home asthma documentation protocol that is in development. Practical Implications The indicators of non-adherence to asthma treatments identified may be useful in developing markers of disease severity in primary care pediatrics. Medical home access to knowledge of target populations can lead to better patient outcomes with lower cost to stakeholders.
Factoring in F p [ x ] and in ℤ[ x ]

We describe methods for factoring polynomials over F p = ℤ/pℤ and over ℤ. In the first section we present Berlekamp’s algorithm for factoring a polynomial over ℤ/pℤ. In subsequent sections we show how to lift such a factorization to one over ℤ/p2ℤ, then over ℤ/p4ℤ, etc., and eventually to a unique possible factorization over ℤ.
Using Quality Improvement Tools to Reduce Chronic Lung Disease.

Rates of chronic lung disease (CLD) in very low birthweight infants have not decreased at the same pace as other neonatal morbidities over the past 20 years. Multifactorial causes of CLD make this common morbidity difficult to reduce, although there have been several successful quality improvement (QI) projects in individual neonatal intensive care units. QI projects have become a mainstay of neonatal care over the past decade, with an increasing number of publications devoted to this topic. A specific QI project for CLD must be based on best available evidence in the medical literature, expert recommendations, or based on work by previous QI initiatives.