cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health Care Costs 1 Year After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objectives. This study sought to estimate total health care costs for mild, moderate, and severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to compare individual- and population-level costs across levels of TBI severity.Methods. Using 2007 to 2010 MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters data, we estimated total quarterly health care costs 1 year after TBI among enrollees (aged < 18 years). We compared costs across levels of TBI severity using generalized linear models.Results. Mild TBI accounted for 96.6% of the 319 103 enrollees with TBI; moderate and severe TBI accounted for 1.7% and 1.6%, respectively. Adjusted individual health care costs for moderate and severe TBI were significantly higher than mild TBI in the year after injury (P < .01). At the population level, moderate and severe TBI costs were 88% and 75% less than mild TBI, respectively.Conclusions. Individually, moderate and severe TBI initially generated costs that were markedly higher than those of mild TBI. At the population level, cost...
Data Complexity, Margin-Based Learning, and Popper’s Philosophy of Inductive Learning

This chapter provides a characterization of data complexity using the framework of Vapnik’s learning theory and Karl Popper’s philosophical ideas that can be readily interpreted in the context of empirical learning of inductive models from finite data. We approach the notion of data complexity under the setting of predictive learning, where this notion is directly related to the flexibility of a set of possible models used to describe available data. Hence, any characterization of data complexity is related to model complexity control. Recent learning methods [such as support vector machines (SVM), aka kernel methods] introduced the concept of margin to control model complexity. This chapter describes the characterization of data complexity for such margin-based methods. We provide a general philosophical motivation for margin-based estimators by interpreting the concept of margin as the degree of a model’s falsifiability. This leads to a better understanding of two distinct approaches to controlling model complexity: margin-based, where complexity is controlled by the size of the margin (or adaptive empirical loss function); and model-based, where complexity is controlled by the parameterization of admissible models. We describe SVM methods that combine margin-based and model-based complexity control, and show the effectiveness of the SVM strategy via empirical comparisons using synthetic data sets. Our comparisons clarify the difference between SVM methods and regularization methods. Finally, we introduce a new index of data complexity for margin-based classifiers. This new index effectively measures the degree of separation between the two classes achieved by margin-based methods (such as SVMs). The data sets with a high degree of separation (hence, good generalization) are characterized as simple, as opposed to complex data sets with heavily overlapping class distributions.
A framework for modelling variation in vehicle assembly processes

A method is described which facilitates the computer simulation of variation in vehicle assembly processes. The method uses data exchange locations, or DXL, to store data needed in the simulation, and coded keywords to manipulate those data. The DXL structure and the keywords may be tailored to the area of interest. Hence, the method is applicable to a wide range of problems. This paper gives some examples from the structural area to show how dimensional variation may be simulated.
THE CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF PHENOXATELLURINE DINITRATE, C12H8O7N2TE (I)

The crystal structure of phenoxatellurine dinitrate, C12H8O7N2Te, has been determined by x-ray diffractometer methods. The crystals are monoclinic, C2/c, a = 12.916(3), b = 14.050(5), c = 7.532(2) A; β = 96.65(3)° at t = 22°. The molecule is nearly planar (175°), with the Te and O atoms of the central ring in special positions on the twofold symmetry axis. The bond distances for the central ring are: Te-C = 2.068(4) A, C-O = 1.366(5), C-C = 1.388(6) with C-Te-C = 93.5(2)° and C-O-C = 128.2(5). The bond distances and angles in the phenyl rings do not differ significantly from the normally accepted values of 1.40 A and 120°. The two nitrate groups are close to Te and are related by the twofold axis of symmetry. The independent distances and angles are: Te-O1 = 2.201(3), O1-N = 1.325(5), N-02 = 1.229(6), N-O3 = 1.204(6) A, O2-N-O3 = 126.3(4), O1-N-02 = 117.1(4), O1-N-03 = 116.6(4)°. All hydrogen atoms were located at or near their calculated positions. The final R value for 1679 independent reflections was 0.031. The planarity of the molecule is discussed qualitatively in terms of simple molecular orbital theory.
Approximation and Control of the SLIP Model Dynamics via Partial Feedback Linearization and Two-Element Leg Actuation Strategy

The spring loaded inverted pendulum (SLIP) has been extensively studied and used as a model capturing general aspects of legged locomotion. Biological data suggest that legs regulate energy production and removal via muscle activation; therefore, the conservative SLIP model cannot fully explain the robustness of many legged animals during running and hopping gaits. In this work we consider the active SLIP model: an energetically nonconservative version of the SLIP model with added series actuation. In particular, we propose a partial feedback linearization action for actuator displacement to analytically solve part of its dynamics, thereby reducing computational time and increasing the practicality of performing online control actions. This is then paired with a two-part control action to add/remove energy to/from the system and modify the upcoming apex state to span an open set within the reachable apex states. In addition, we develop two control strategies for online computation of actuator displacement and leg positioning: one to drive the system to a desired state, even in the presence of terrain perturbation, and the other to control the system to hop on a desired set of terrain footholds. Furthermore, we demonstrate the proposed strategy on a more dynamically sophisticated planar hopper model.
Optical pumping of rubidium atoms frozen in solid argon

We have grown crystals of solid argon doped with rubidium atoms. The spectrum of the implanted atoms depends on the crystal-growth temperature and annealing history. We have used optical pumping to polarize the spin state of the implanted atoms and polarization spectroscopy to detect the spin state and measure the spin-relaxation time. In addition to the desired optical pumping, we also observed modification of the absorption spectrum of the rubidium due to the applied light.
Study on resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to chemical disinfectants

Objective To study resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to chemical disinfectants.Methods Observing resistance of different bacterial strains to chemical disinfectants by suspension quantitative germicidal test,bacterial strains with higher resistance were selected to study the effect of organic substance with different concentration on disinfection.Results The average killing logarithm(AKL) of standard Neisseria gonorrhoeae 29105 and clinical isolated strains exposed to 100 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectants for 4 min was(5.50) and(7.11) respectively,and the AKL of above two strains exposed to 50 mg/L iodine-containing disinfectants for 4 min was(5.01) and(5.32) respectively.When(3.0%) calf serum existed,disinfectant effective concentration was five to six times as strong as that of the disinfectant of PBS.Conclusion The resistance of standard Neisseria gonorrhoeae 29105 to chemical disinfectant was slightly stronger than clinic isolated Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains. The higher concentration of organic substance is,the stronger resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to chemical disinfectant can get.
Platysma myocutaneous flap for oral cavity reconstruction.

A retrospective study was conducted to assess outcomes of reconstruction of the oral cavity with the platysma myocutaneous flap, in terms of flap survival, complications, and quality of life. Inclu...
Induction of primary alkylsulphatases and metabolism of sodium hexan-1-yl sulphate by Pseudomonas C12B

Sodium hexan-1-yl sulphate and certain related alkyl sulphate esters have been shown to serve as inducers of the formation of primary alkylsulphatases (designated as P1 and P2) in Pseudomonas C12B. When the organism is grown on sodium hexan-1-yl [(35)S]sulphate as the sole source of sulphur or as the sole source of carbon and sulphur only the P2 alkylsulphatase is formed and inorganic (35)SO(4) (2-) is liberated into the media. Cell extracts contain this anion as the major (35)S-labelled metabolite although two unidentified labelled metabolites as well as choline O-[(35)S]sulphate occur in trace quantities in some extracts. Dialysed cell extracts are capable of liberating inorganic (35)SO(4) (2-) from sodium hexan-1-yl [(35)S]sulphate without the need to include cofactors known to be required for the bacterial degradation of n-alkanes. The collective results suggest that sodium hexan-1-yl sulphate can act as an inducer of P1 alkylsulphatase formation without the need for prior metabolic modification of the carbon moiety of the ester.
Principles for temperature classification of insulating materials

The present AIEE Standard No. 1 — “General Principle upon which Temperature Limits are Based in the Rating of Electric Machines and Apparatus” — was first introduced about 1913. This standard has provided a firm basis for many years despite the arbitrary way in which materials are defined by their chemical composition. In recent years many new insulating materials have become available. The problems associated with classifying these newer materials such as the silicones in the classes as defined in AIEE Standard No. 1 has increased the belief that broad definitions of “composition” might not be sufficient to define temperature classification adequately.
Predicting Freshman Grade Point Average From College Admissions Test Scores and State High School Test Scores

The current focus on assessing “college and career readiness” raises an empirical question: How do high school tests compare with college admissions tests in predicting performance in college? We explored this using data from the City University of New York and public colleges in Kentucky. These two systems differ in the choice of college admissions test, the stakes for students on the high school test, and demographics. We predicted freshman grade point average (FGPA) from high school GPA and both college admissions and high school tests in mathematics and English. In both systems, the choice of tests had only trivial effects on the aggregate prediction of FGPA. Adding either test to an equation that included the other had only trivial effects on prediction. Although the findings suggest that the choice of test might advantage or disadvantage different students, it had no substantial effect on the over- and underprediction of FGPA for students classified by race-ethnicity or poverty.
A practical methodology to validate the statistical behavior of bloom filters

Bloom filters are commonly used to test for set membership. A Bloom filter consists of a series of hash functions, whose combined signature is used to construct a composite hash. Applications are broad, and include networking, transactional memory, server load balancing etc. Several realizations, both in hardware and software, have been proposed in academia and industry, but a reliable means to empirically test the statistical behavior of Bloom filters is lacking. In this paper, we present an efficient, practical methodology to validate the statistical performance of Bloom filters. This paper does not focus on the design of a new Bloom filter. Our scheme is based on the use of the NIST test suite, which is a widely accepted means to test for randomness in the cryptography community. In particular, we first test the randomness of the hash functions that comprise the Bloom filter in isolation, and then test for randomness of the Bloom filter, which is constructed by combining the hash functions. We also prove that randomness is a sufficient condition for the uniformity of the hash function and the Bloom filter output. Finally, we test our approach using two classes of Bloom filters, and based on the results, we provide practical guidelines for designing Bloom filters.
Myths: The Myth Model

Several definitions of “myth” are offered, and the ideas of Mircea Eliade on the role of camouflaged myths in contemporary societies are discussed. The role of myths in popular culture is explored. The way discourse analysis can be used to analyze myths and the important role of language in myths is considered.
Women Veterans, a Population at Risk for Fibromyalgia: The Associations Between Fibromyalgia, Symptoms, and Quality of Life.

ABSTRACT Background: The Institute of Federal Health Care recently published an executive summary from a round table discussion indicating that active duty and retired female military personnel are at high risk for adverse health outcomes unique to military service including complications related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), unreported sexual trauma, and musculoskeletal problems. In 2008, the Institute of Medicine began to review, evaluate, and summarize the literature on health outcomes in Gulf War-deployed and found sufficient evidence of a causal relationship with PTSD and suggestive evidence of an association with fibromyalgia (FM). This study examines the prevalence and impact of FM in women veterans and to explore the association between other comorbidities to improve risk differentiation for treatment and improve outcomes. Methods: This study is designed as a nested, cross-sectional study within a larger project funded by the U.S. Army at the University of South Florida, College of Nur...
A variant in PPP4R3A protects against alzheimer‐related metabolic decline

Objectives A reduction in glucose metabolism in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) predicts conversion to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and tracks disease progression, signifying its importance in AD. We aimed to use decline in PCC glucose metabolism as a proxy for the development and progression of AD to discover common genetic variants associated with disease vulnerability. Methods We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of decline in PCC fludeoxyglucose F 18 ([18 F] FDG) positron emission tomography measured in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative participants (n = 606). We then performed follow-up analyses to assess the impact of significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on disease risk and longitudinal cognitive performance in a large independent data set (n = 870). Last, we assessed whether significant SNP influence gene expression using two RNA sequencing data sets (n = 210 and n = 159). Results We demonstrate a novel genome-wide significant association between rs2273647-T in the gene, PPP4R3A, and reduced [18 F] FDG decline (p = 4.44 × 10-8 ). In a follow-up analysis using an independent data set, we demonstrate a protective effect of this variant against risk of conversion to MCI or AD (p = 0.038) and against cognitive decline in individuals who develop dementia (p = 3.41 × 10-15 ). Furthermore, this variant is associated with altered gene expression in peripheral blood and altered PPPP4R3A transcript expression in temporal cortex, suggesting a role at the molecular level. Interpretations PPP4R3A is a gene involved in AD risk and progression. Given the protective effect of this variant, PPP4R3A should be further investigated as a gene of interest in neurodegenerative diseases and as a potential target for AD therapies. Ann Neurol 2017;82:900-911.
Effects of variation in flow field on store separation

This paper focuses on the effects of variation in Mach number and angle of attack on store separation trajectories of external stores for typical combat aircraft. Multiple cases of variable flight parameters were analyzed to simulate various flight attitudes and velocities of the aircraft. A generic test case of a cropped delta wing with a standard air to ground store was taken as reference and the time dependent Euler and Navier Stokes equations were employed to solve the 6 DoF equations of motion in ANSYS Fluent®. A User Defined Function was used to incorporate the influence of thrusters in the computational analyses. Motion of the store was realized by integrating dynamic meshes in the computational domain. This arrangement enables to accommodate the displacement of store in the flow field. A standard test case was taken as reference to compare with the available literature, while several other test cases were developed to analyze the variation in trajectories due to flow field alteration. The result of the baseline test case was in complete agreement the literature data. Subsequent test cases depicted a complete profile of store behavior in altering flight regimes. The unrestricted movement of a store, coupled with the ejector and gravitational forces, is in complete coherence with the basic aerodynamic fundamentals of a free falling body in the flow field. Moreover, the variation in flight parameters also depicts a consistency in the variation in store release trajectories. The current research can prove beneficial for the prediction of release trajectories on any platform carrying a similar store.
Surgical management of patients with Eagle syndrome.

Abstract Objective Eagle syndrome, a spectrum of disease resulting from an elongated styloid process and/or calcified stylohyoid ligament, lacks standardized recommendations regarding indications for surgical intervention and approach. Study design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Single tertiary care institution. Subjects Patients treated surgically for Eagle syndrome between January 2011 and June 2017. Methods Patients were diagnosed with Eagle syndrome based on thorough clinical workup and assessment. The primary outcome was improvement in pain severity following surgery, with complete resolution of pain being considered clinically meaningful. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and Fisher's exact were used to compare numerical and categorical variables, respectively. Results Twenty-one patients were diagnosed with Eagle syndrome and underwent surgical resection of the styloid process. Patients most often complained of neck pain (81%), throat pain (62%), and ear pain (48%). Among these patients, 57% of procedures featured a transcervical approach, while the remaining 43% were transoral. The vast majority (90%) of patients experienced improvement in pain severity from a median of 6.0 before surgery to 0.0 afterwards (p Conclusions Transcervical and transoral styloidectomy are effective treatments for Eagle syndrome with minimal adverse effects. Patients with classic symptoms of neck or jaw pain benefit most from surgery.
Adolescence in Contemporary Families

Adolescence, that unique period of age between childhood and adulthood, has been defined as the period of “stress and storm,” or the “awkward age.” Identifying the years encompassing the period defined as adolescence is beset with conceptual problems. Puberty, for example, may not be a good indicator because increased standards of health care and nutrition have caused the onset to occur earlier in successive generations of adolescents (i.e., referred to as the secular trend). Another problem in defining the parameters of adolescence results from the increased length of compulsory education and the increased number of youth who continue their education beyond high school. The result is that many young people delay their transition into full-time employment and marital and family roles, with the period of adolescence being extended and lasting longer than it did in the past.
Chevron Without the Courts? The Supreme Court's Recent Chevron Jurisprudence Through an Immigration Lens

The limits of administrative law are undergoing a seismic shift in the immigration arena. Chevron divides interpretive and decision-making authority between the federal courts and agencies in each of two steps. The Supreme Court may now be transforming this division in largely unrecognized ways. These shifts, currently playing out in the immigration context, may threaten to reshape deference jurisprudence by handing more power to the immigration agency just when the agency may be least able to handle that power effectively. An unprecedented surge in immigration cases — now approximately 90% of the federal administrative docket — has arrived just as the Court is whittling away the judicial role while expanding agency authority, significantly transforming traditional deference doctrine. In its immigration docket, the Court is shifting the judicial role away from questions of statutory interpretation and towards a mere evaluation of when the agency’s interpretation should be granted deference. Assessment of the “reasonableness” of the agency’s action has given way to marking the outer boundaries of agency action, merging the court’s traditional oversight analysis into a form of “arbitrary and capriciousness” review. The costs of the Court’s reformulation of Chevron are particularly visible in immigration law because recent legislation and structural changes at the immigration agency have already constrained judicial review. However, the reformulation of Chevron occurring in immigration law may threaten to remake administrative law generally. Unfortunately, these developments have received little scholarly attention. Understanding this transformation is imperative as ultimately we may be heading towards “Chevron without the Courts” — wherein the judicial interpretive role is being constrained in the very instances where agencies are least able to function effectively.
The Constantly Underestimated Challenge of Improving Mathematics Instruction

Many U.S. efforts to improve mathematics learning opportunities for ­students have not made it through the classroom door. Teaching is the single common pathway along which improvements reach students. But mathematics teaching has not changed much over the past century. Why is teaching so hard to change? The reasons seem to lie in an incomplete understanding of why mathematics teaching looks like it does, what aspects of teaching should change, and how teachers learn to teach mathematics in different ways. Examining these issues reveals a number of challenging research agendas.
Designing routing metrics for mesh networks

Designing routing metrics is critical for performance in wireless mesh networks. The unique characteristics of mesh networks, such as static nodes and the shared nature of the wireless medium, invalidate existing solutions from both wired and wireless networks and impose unique requirements on designing routing metrics for mesh networks. In this paper, we focus on identifying these requirements. We first analyze the possible types of routing protocols that can be used and show that proactive hop-by-hop routing protocols are the most appropriate for mesh networks. Then, we examine the requirements for designing routing metrics according to the characteristics of mesh networks and the type of routing protocols used. Finally, we study several existing routing metrics, including hop count, ETX, ETT, WCETT and MIC in terms of their ability to satisfy these requirements. Our simulation results of the performance of these metrics confirm our analysis of these metrics.
HtrA of Borrelia burgdorferi Leads to Decreased Swarm Motility and Decreased Production of Pyruvate

ABSTRACT Borrelia burgdorferi HtrA (HtrABb) is a serine protease that targets damaged or improperly folded proteins. In our previous studies, HtrABb specifically degraded basic membrane protein BmpD, chemotaxis phosphatase CheX, and outer membrane protein P66. In addition, HtrABb degrades virulence factor BB0323 and components of the extracellular matrix fibronectin and aggrecan. A proteomics-based analysis (two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis [2-D DIGE], liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry [LC-MS]) of an HtrABb-overexpressing strain of B. burgdorferi (A3HtrAOE) revealed that protein levels of P66 were reduced in comparison to wild-type B. burgdorferi, confirming its status as an HtrABb substrate. Hbb, a P66-DNA-binding transcription factor, was specifically degraded by HtrABb, providing supportive evidence for a role for both in the regulation of P66. A3HtrAOE exhibited reduced motility in swarm assays, a possible link between overabundance of HtrABb and its enzymatic specificity for P66. However, the ΔP66 strain did not have reduced motility in the swarm assays, negating a role for this protein. The proteomics analyses also identified three enzymes of the glycolytic pathway, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), and glycerol kinase (GK), and one enzyme involved in carbohydrate metabolism, diphosphate-fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase, which were reduced in A3HtrAOE. Consistent with its reduced protein levels of these glycolytic enzymes, A3HtrAOE was also deficient in production of pyruvate. We propose a model for a role for HtrABb in contributing to a decrease in metabolic activity of B. burgdorferi. IMPORTANCE Being a vector-borne bacterium, B. burgdorferi must remodel its protein content as it transfers from tick to mammal. Proteolysis is a mechanism whereby remodeling can be accomplished. HtrABb degrades a number of proteins whose disappearance may help in preparing this organism for a stage of low metabolic activity.
A Not-So-New Treatment for Old Bones

Low bone mineral density (i.e., a T score below −2.5) is the current operational definition of osteoporosis. However, low bone mineral density is actually a risk factor for fracture, not a disease marker. Notwithstanding, nearly all osteoporosis treatment algorithms are based on bone mineral density, frequently combined with the clinical risk factors of age and prevalent fractures. Given the high prevalence of low bone mineral density with advanced age, a review of the history underlying determination of risk and the concept of osteopenia is worthwhile. When measurement of bone density was first introduced 25 years ago, absolute bone mineral density . . .
An investigation of the microstructure and ductility of annealed cold-rolled tungsten

Abstract Tungsten is notoriously brittle metal at room temperature. Furthermore, contrary to most metals, plastic deformation increases ductility and recrystallization decreases ductility of tungsten. The fundamentals that govern this behavior have challenged academia and industry for decades. This paper focuses on understanding the controlling factors of ductility through a systematic investigation of the changes in microstructure and mechanical properties of cold-rolled tungsten that occur during annealing. Cold-rolled tungsten samples were annealed at temperatures up to 1400 °C, and mechanical testing and microstructural analysis was performed before and after annealing. Furthermore, a dislocation mobility model based on the Orowan equation was applied. The mechanisms of deformation are discussed within the context of deformed and annealed microstructures. The high fraction of low angle grain boundaries and high density of edge dislocations were found to be the most important factors for ductility. Although there were gradual changes in microstructure and mechanical properties, the ductility of cold-rolled tungsten was maintained up to 1300 °C. The material recrystallized when annealed above this temperature, had no ductility, and suffered brittle fracture. Microstructural characterizations of the as-rolled material revealed a typical BCC texture, with grains elongated in rolling direction and a large amount of edge dislocations and low angle grain boundaries. The level of texturing and the fraction of low angle grain boundaries diminished after recrystallization. It was found that, compared to the recrystallized material, as-rolled tungsten can accommodate over 7 orders of magnitude higher deformation velocity due to the high density of edge dislocations.
Microbial biomass and nitrogen cycling responses to fertilization and litter removal in young northern hardwood forests

The influence of site fertility on soil microbial biomass and activity is not well understood but is likely to be complex because of interactions with plant responses to nutrient availability. We examined the effects of long-term (8 yr) fertilization and litter removal on forest floor microbial biomass and N and C transformations to test the hypothesis that higher soil resource availability stimulates microbial activity. Microbial biomass and respiration decreased by 20–30 % in response to fertilization. Microbial C averaged 3.8 mg C/g soil in fertilized, 5.8 mg C/g in control, and 5.5 mg C/g in litter removal plots. Microbial respiration was 200 µg CO2-C g−1 d−1 in fertilized plots, compared to 270 µg CO2-C g−1 d−1 in controls. Gross N mineralization and N immobilization did not differ among treatments, despite higher litter nutrient concentrations in fertilized plots and the removal of substantial quantities of C and N in litter removal plots. Net N mineralization was significantly reduced by fertilization. Gross nitrification and NO3− immobilization both were increased by fertilization. Nitrate thus became a more important part of microbial N cycling in fertilized plots even though NH4+ availability was not stimulated by fertilization.
Demand for Rehabilitation Teachers in 1981

State agencies, private non-profit agencies and residential schools for the blind were surveyed to determine the 1981 demand for rehabilitation teachers. In 1981 there were over twice as many budge...
Cooperative communication between two transiently powered sensors by reinforcement learning: work-in-progress

The transmission between two energy harvesting (EH) powered sensors is successful only when both sensors have enough energy at the same time. Given the scarce, unpredictable, and unevenly distributed energy between two sensors, it is challenging to ensure efficient data transmission. We propose a sensor node architecture with multiple wake-up radios, each with a different ratio of energy consumption on the transmitter and receiver. Two sensors cooperatively select wake-up radios to maximize data throughput. The communication procedure is modeled as a cooperative Markov game with partial observability and multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) is employed to maximize the throughput. The proposed methods achieve near-optimal data throughput.
Nursing facility residents’ cardiopulmonary resuscitation decisions

CONTEXT As many as one-quarter of all residents in nursing facilities have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as a documented choice in the medical record, despite the likelihood of limited medical benefit in this setting. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to understand the perspectives of healthcare providers and nursing facility residents regarding CPR decisions. METHODS We used qualitative interviews to examine the perspectives of residents with a documented decision for CPR in the medical record. We then compared residents' views with those of healthcare providers who routinely conduct advance care planning (ACP) conversations in the nursing facility setting. RESULTS Five themes emerged from the interviews: (a) Resident versus Provider Concerns, (b) Offering Information versus Avoidance, (c) Lack of Understanding of CPR, (d) Lack of Awareness, and (e) 'Don't Keep Me on Machines'. Residents held misconceptions about CPR and/or exhibited an overall poor understanding of the relationship between their own health status and the likelihood of a successful CPR attempt. Although healthcare providers offer information and health education in an attempt to address knowledge gaps, these efforts are not always successful or even accepted by residents. Resident viewpoints and priorities differed from healthcare providers in ways that affected communication about CPR. CONCLUSIONS Unrecognised differences in perceptions between providers and residents affect key aspects of ACP communication that can impact CPR decision-making. The concerns and priorities of institutionalized older adults may differ from those of healthcare providers, creating challenges for engaging some residents in ACP. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE ACP communication models and training should be designed not only to explore nursing facility residents' goals, values, and preferences, but also to elicit any underlying differences in perceptions that may affect communication. Healthcare providers can identifying the primary concerns of residents and assist them with integrating or reframing these issues as a part of ACP discussions.
Impacts of invasive annual grasses and their litter vary by native functional strategy

Invasive species may act as a functional filter on native communities by differentially affecting species with different trait values. Across environments, invasive plants typically display traits associated with high resource acquisition and fast growth. Conversely, native plants, especially those in water-limited environments, tend to adopt one of two functional strategies: fast growth during high resource availability to avoid stress (resource-acquisitive), or slow growth during resource-poor conditions to tolerate stress (resource-conservative). While invasive competition can be a strong filter on these groups, many invaders also alter the structure of native communities through their accumulation of litter. How fast-growing invaders with litter shift native functional communities remains unknown. To elucidate these functional shifts, I manipulated invasive annual grasses and their litter in an annual grassland and followed the demographic rates of six native annual forb species that varied in their functional strategy. Live grass competition alone decreased per capita growth rates of resource-acquisitive natives and had no effect on resource-conservative natives. The presence of litter, however, decreased growth rates in both functional types of natives, with stronger declines in resource-acquisitive species through differential effects on seed set and germination. Invaders in this system thus create an unfavorable environment for natives through litter, limiting the capacity of both resource-acquisitive and resource-conservative native forbs to maintain high population growth. These findings suggest that grass invasions have the potential to dramatically shift the functional composition of native communities through the time-lagged effects of their litter.
Computer-Based Patient Bias and Misconduct Training Impact on Reports to Incident Learning System.

Abstract Objective To assess the effect of computer-based training (CBT) and leadership communication on incident learning system reports pertaining to institutional policy that targets biased, prejudiced, and racist behaviors of patients and visitors toward health care employees. Patients and Methods Mayo Clinic developed a CBT module and comprehensive communication strategy to educate staff on the Patient and Visitor Conduct Policy. Additional goals were to demonstrate leadership endorsement and support of the policy, teach how to report an incident, and facilitate how policy enforcement might occur. Using descriptive statistics, we compared the reporting data before and after the intervention. Results Participants were 13,980 employees in 68 clinics and 18 hospitals in the US Midwest. Bias and misconduct incidents entered in the incident reporting system increased 312% (n=140 incidents; preintervention, n=34) in the quarter (ie, 3 months) immediately after intervention. The number of incidents in the next quarter stayed increased (234%; n=114) compared with the preintervention number. Secondary debriefing with employees showed the value of the education and the importance of leadership support at the highest level to facilitate comfort in policy enforcement. Conclusion Institutional policy that targets biased, prejudiced, and racist behaviors of patients toward employees in a health care setting can be augmented with employee education and leadership support to facilitate change. The CBT, paired with a robust communication plan and active leadership endorsement and engagement, resulted in increased reporting of biased, prejudiced, and racist behaviors of patients.
Foundations in Evolutionary Cognitive Neuroscience: Invention and community in the emergence of language: Insights from new sign languages

Conceptual frameworks What was the interplay of biological and cultural evolution in yielding modern humans with their rich, flexible, and diverse languages? What has biological evolution contributed to the innate capabilities of the human brain that allow human children to master language and how has society evolved to develop those capabilities? I approach these questions through analysis of the recent development of two new sign languages: Nicaraguan Sign Language (NSL), which developed in just 25 years within a community of deaf Nicaraguans, and Al-Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language (ABSL), which developed over a period of at most 70 years in a community of deaf and speaking Bedouin. Understanding the tradeoff between innate capabilities and social influences in the emergence of NSL and ABSL will ground an understanding of how these modern social influences may differ from those available to early humans at the dawn of language. The mirror system hypothesis (MSH) is a specific theory of the evolution of the human “language-ready brain.” It is informed by the view that language is a multimodal system of production and performance that involves voice, hands, and face. Speaking humans accompany their speech with facial expressions and cospeech gestures of the hands (Kendon, 2004; McNeill, 1992, 2005), while many deaf people employ signed languages that are very different from spoken languages – with specific signs (which may integrate arm, hand, and face movements) that are part of a conventionalized system with limited resemblance to cospeech gestures. Details of MSH are set forth in Arbib (2005a, developing the insights of Arbib and Rizzolatti, 1997; Rizzolatti and Arbib, 1998), with commentaries and a response.
Differential roles of PI3-kinase and Kit tyrosine 821 in Kit receptor-mediated proliferation, survival and cell adhesion in mast cells.

Abstract The pleiotropic effects of the Kit receptor system are mediated by Kit-Ligand (KL) induced receptor autophosphorylation and its association with and activation of distinct second messengers, including phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3-kinase), p21ras and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). To define the role of PI3-kinase, p21ras and MAPK in Kit-mediated cell proliferation, survival and adhesion in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC), mutant Kit receptors were expressed in Wsh/Wsh BMMC lacking endogenous c-kit expression. The introduction of both murine Kit(S) and KitL (isoform containing a four amino acid insert) into Wsh/Wsh BMMC restored KL-induced proliferation, survival and adhesion to fibronectin, as well as activation of PI3-kinase, p21ras and MAPK, and induced expression of c-fos, junB, c-myc and c-myb mRNA. Substitution of tyrosine 719 in the kinase insert with phenylalanine (Y719F) abolished PI3-kinase activation, diminished c-fos and junB induction, and impaired KL-induced adhesion of BMMC to fibronectin. In addition, the Y719F mutation had partial effects on p21ras activation, cell proliferation and survival, while MAP kinase activation was not affected. On the other hand, Y821F substitution impaired proliferation and survival without affecting PI3-kinase, p21ras and MAPK activation, and induction of c-myc, c-myb, c-fos and c-jun mRNA, while KL-induced cell adhesion to fibronectin remained intact. In agreement with a role for PI3-kinase in Kit-mediated cell adhesion, wortmannin blocked Kit-mediated cell adhesion at concentrations known to specifically inhibit PI3-kinase. We conclude, that association of Kit with p85PI3-K, and thus with PI3-kinase activity, is necessary for a full mitogenic as well as adhesive response in mast cells. In contrast, tyrosine 821 is essential for Kit-mediated mitogenesis and survival, but not cell adhesion.
Elevated parathyroid hormone predicts mortality in dialysis patients undergoing valve surgery.

Background Dialysis patients requiring valve surgery have high morbidity and mortality rates. Although elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are associated with increased mortality in dialysis patients, this correlation has not been investigated in patients undergoing cardiac valve operations. This study assesses the impact of PTH levels on mortality in dialysis patients undergoing valve operations. Methods A retrospective analysis of 109 dialysis patients undergoing valve operation with preoperative PTH levels between 1996 and 2007 at a US academic center was performed. Cox regression analyses were done using PTH as a binary variable. The patients were followed from the date of the operative procedure until death or loss to follow-up. Results Higher mortality risk was seen once preoperative PTH exceeded 200 pg/mL (hazard ratio [HR], 3.43; P = .003). Mean survival was improved in the PTH Conclusion Preoperative PTH level ≥ 200 pg/mL is predictive of increased mortality after valve surgery among dialysis patients. Hyperparathyroidism should be investigated further as a possible modifiable risk factor for postoperative mortality in this high-risk patient cohort.
The Enzymatic Synthesis of N-Acetyl-l-aspartic Acid by a Water-insoluble Preparation of a Cat Brain Acetone Powder

Abstract An acetone powder of cat brain catalyzed the synthesis of two radioactive products when incubated with l-aspartate-14C and acetyl coenzyme A. The products were identified as N-acetyl-aspartic acid and citric acid. A water extract of the powder contained the system that produced citrate-14C, while the residue contained the aspartate N-acetyltransferase activity. The soluble system rather than the residue exhibited characteristics previously reported for a soluble aspartate N-acetyltransferase preparation of rat brain; hence, it is suggested that previous investigators were not measuring true l-aspartate N-acetyltransferase activity.
A configurable TCAM/BCAM/SRAM using 28nm push-rule 6T bit cell

Conventional Content Addressable Memory (BCAM and TCAM) uses specialized 10T / 16T bit cells that are significantly larger than 6T SRAM cells. We propose a new BCAM/TCAM that can operate with standard push-rule 6T SRAM cells, reducing array area by 2–5× and allowing reconfiguration of the CAM as an SRAM. Using a 6T 28nm FDSOI SRAM bit cell, the 64×64 (4kb) BCAM achieves 370 MHz at 1V and consumes 0.6fJ/search/bit.
Analysis of the dynamics of the interaction of ultraviolet lasers with organic polymers

The time-dependent treatment of the dynamics of the ablation of polymers that was proposed by Sutcliffe and Srinivasan has been used here to analyze the etching of several polymers by pulsed, ultraviolet laser radiation. For five polymers which span a wide range of absorptivities in the ultraviolet, the ablation threshold which is expressed in terms of the “useful” photon density in the ablation volume falls within a narrow range (±50%). The most intense absorbers show the most deviation from the average value. The flux threshold which defines the absorbed photon level above which the photons are useful in producing ablation is strongly influenced by the absorptivity of the polymer. The extension of these ideas to the ablation of tissue which contains only 20% polymer is also discussed.
The Role of RING Dimerization in the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Activity of the TRIM5α Retroviral Restriction Factor

Members of the tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family of RING E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligases promote innate immunity responses by catalyzing synthesis of K63-linked polyubiquitin chains in a manner that...
Making Binary Decisions Based on the Posterior Probability Distribution Associated with Tomographic Reconstructions

An optimal solution to the problem of making binary decisions about a local region of a reconstruction is provided by the Bayesian method. Decisions are made on the basis of the ratio of the posterior probabilities for the two alternative hypotheses. The full Bayesian procedure requires an integration of each posterior probability over all possible values of the image outside the local region being analyzed. In the present work, this full treatment is approximated by using the maximum value of the posterior probability obtained when the exterior region is varied with the interior fixed at each hypothesized functional form. A Monte Carlo procedure is employed to evaluate the benefit of this technique in a noisy four-view tomographic reconstruction situation for a detection task in which the signal is assumed to be exactly within a local region.
How to Borrow a Mediator’s Powers

This article, selected for an anthology of best articles to appear in Litigation, focuses on how lawyers can use mediation and the presence of a mediator to achieve the best possible results for their clients. It begins with the assumption that mediators have special powers over the process of bargaining granted them by the parties and argues that a lawyer who actively thinks about how to invoke these powers can increase her effectiveness. The article gives advice, based on case examples, about how lawyers can use mediators to obtain and communicate information, support both interest-based/cooperative and positional/competitive bargaining strategies, manage difficult clients and opponents, and overcome procedural obstacles to settlement.
A common-pool resource experiment in acequia communities

Farmers and rural advocates in New Mexico assert that traditional irrigators are better adapted to water scarcity and variability than other communities. Data to actually test this are often scarce, but such information could be useful for planning the state’s water future, especially as climate change predictions tend toward less reliable supplies. This paper reports results from a common pool resource (CPR) experiment that simulates irrigating behavior using two groups: rural irrigators and undergraduate students. Despite predictions to the opposite, there was no significant difference between mean withdrawals or predictions of other players’ behavior. On average, both groups withdrew above the social optimum but below the Nash equilibrium. This work appears to be the first example of a common pool resource experiment conducted with traditional New Mexican irrigators.
Myelin basic protein mRNA translocation in oligodendrocytes is inhibited by astrocytes in vitro

Myelin basic protein (MBP) mRNAs are translocated from cell bodies into the slender processes connecting oligodendrocyte somas with the myelin sheath in vivo. This translocation was observed in mixed glial cultures prepared from newborn mouse brains and it occurred in approximately 25% of the cells expressing the gene. However, when “enriched” oligodendrocytes were prepared by shaking them free of other glial cells, MBP mRNA translocation occurred into the processes of essentially all of the cells. When enriched oligodendrocytes were plated back onto astrocytes, MBP mRNA was observed to be confined to the cell bodies of almost all the cells, indicating a marketd inhibition of translocation of the mRNA. This inhibition of mRNA translocation did not appear to be mediated through soluble factors secreted by astrocytes or by “astromatrix,” but rather through physical contact between the oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Intact, but not necessarily live, astrocytes were required for the inhibition of mRNA translocation in the oligodendrocytes. Fibroblasts and a neuroblastoma cell line, SKN-SH, did not inhibit MBP mRNA translocation in oligodendrocytes suggesting that astrocyte surface-specific components might be involved in the interaction between astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in culture. These results suggest that contact between these two cell types can influence intramolecular events related to myelinogenesis. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.