cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hemigrapsus sanguineus in Long Island salt marshes: experimental evaluation of the interactions between an invasive crab and resident ecosystem engineers

The invasive Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, has recently been observed occupying salt marshes, a novel environment for this crab species. As it invades this new habitat, it is likely to interact with a number of important salt marsh species. To understand the potential effects of H. sanguineus on this ecosystem, interactions between this invasive crab and important salt marsh ecosystem engineers were examined. Laboratory experiments demonstrated competition for burrows between H. sanguineus and the native fiddler crab, Uca pugilator. Results indicate that H. sanguineus is able to displace an established fiddler crab from its burrow. Feeding experiments revealed that the presence of H. sanguineus has a significantly negative impact on the number as well as the biomass of ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa) consumed by the green crab, Carcinus maenas, although this only occurred at high predator densities. In addition, when both crabs foraged together, there was a significant shift in the size of mussels consumed. These interactions suggests that H. sanguineus may have long-term impacts and wide-ranging negative effects on the saltmarsh ecosystem.
Stability of complementary and mismatched DNA duplexes: Comparison and contrast in gas versus solution phases

Abstract We report herein a mass spectrometric study of a complete set of 9-mer DNA duplexes (5′-GGTTXTTGG-3′/3′-CCAAYAACC-5′, X/Y = G, C, A or T) with and without single internal mismatches. This work represents a first step toward establishing whether mass spectrometry can be used as a tool for examining both solution and gas phase stabilities of DNA duplexes, leading to an understanding of the intrinsic behavior of DNA. First, we have found that the relative ion abundances of the mismatched and matched electrosprayed duplexes correlate to solution phase behavior. That is, duplexes that are more stable in solution have higher relative ion abundances in the gas phase. This is consistent with previous MS results on complementary duplexes, and is advantageous in that relative solution stabilities can be thus obtained much more quickly than by using traditional melting temperature methods. Second, the gas phase stabilities of all the XY duplexes have been characterized, using collision-induced dissociation (CID) as a method to assess stability. Of the 16 XY duplexes we studied, four duplexes (GG, AC, TC and CC) exhibit enhanced gas phase stabilities, two (TA and AT) are unstable in the gas phase relative to in solution, and the remaining 10 (GC, CG, GT, AG, TG, TT, GA, CT, AA and CA) show a linear correlation between the gas and solution phase stabilities. This direct comparison between the gas phase and solution phase stabilities allows us insight into how solvation and the ESI process may affect DNA stability. The effects of base stacking and hydrogen bonding in the gas phase versus in solution are discussed. Our data indicate that in the gas phase, as in solution, duplex stability reflects both hydrogen bonding and base stacking interactions. However, unlike in solution, hydrogen bonding forces dominate in the gas phase.
Food-web structure of coastal streams in Costa Rica revealed by dietary and stable isotope analyses

Food webs of streams draining tropical rain forests on Costa Rica's Pacific and Caribbean coasts were examined in the 1980s via dietary analyses, and the same streams were surveyed again in 2004 to compare trophic structure based on analysis of stable isotope ratios of fish, macro-invertebrate and plant tissues. Estimates of species' trophic positions (TP) were calculated from stomach-contents data (51 species; 5420 specimens) and compared with TP estimates derived from analysis of nitrogen isotope ratios (82 taxa; 240 samples). Coefficients of determination for TP based on dietary versus isotopic analysis ranged from 0.18 (Quebrada Camaronal, Corcovado) to 0.73 (Quebrada Estacion, Tortuguero). Consumer taxa within all four streams spanned a broad range of carbon isotope values, indicating assimilation of variable proportions of carbon from periphyton and terrestrial vegetation that in all but one of the streams had similar δ 13 C values. Approximately half the consumers in all four streams had carbon ratios heavier than any of the in situ production sources examined. This pattern could be explained by consumption of other production sources that were not sampled, including periphyton taxa with variable carbon isotope signatures, or migration of prey and/or consumers between these freshwater and coastal marine habitats.
Child Malnutrition and the Provision of Water and Sanitation in the Philippines

Abstract The prospects for achieving the Millennium Development Goal on nutrition are predicted to be bleak in the Philippines. These predictions, however, take no account of the interactions between nutritional and sanitary interventions. These interactions are reported to matter in the Philippines and elsewhere, but evidence is far from conclusive. Using a nationwide demographic survey, this paper employs two alternative estimation techniques (probits and propensity matching scores) to quantify such relations among Filipino households. The results confirm that water and sanitation provision have a positive effect on nutritional status, but these effects are not substantial. Community-based piped water provision and flush toilets have the greatest potential to reduce malnutrition. Household access to point source water and latrines are more likely to reduce the probability of birth malnutrition among poor households than other public infrastructure. Such interactions, however, cannot substitute for impro...
Follicle Selection in Cattle: Relationships among Growth Rate, Diameter Ranking, and Capacity for Dominance

Abstract Follicles of wave 1 were designated F1, F2, and so forth, according to descending diameter at the expected (F1, ≥8.2 mm) or observed beginning of deviation (Hour 0), as indicated by a reduction in growth rate of F2. During Hours −24 to 0 (experiment 1; n = 34 waves) and Hours −16 to 0 (experiment 2; n = 21), F1 and F2 grew in parallel (no significant differences). During Hours −16 to 0, growth rate was greater (P 7.0 mm (14 of 15) than when it was <7.0 mm (0 of 10). When the retained follicles were <7.0 mm...
Cholinergic modulation of frequency receptive fields in auditory cortex: II. Frequency-specific effects of anticholinesterases provide evidence for a modulatory action of endogenous ACh.

Exogenously applied muscarinic agonists-for example, acetylcholine (ACh) and acetyl-beta-methacholine (MCht-modify frequency receptive fields in audi- tory cortex of unanesthetized animals in a frequency-specific rather than global manner. The present study sought to relate these findings to endogenous actions of ACh by using the anticholinesterase agents eserine sulphate and soman (0-1,2,2-trimethylpropylmeth- ylphosphonofluoridate) to facilitate the effects of endogenous ACh. Frequency receptive fields (FRF) were determined by presenting sequences of different isointensity tones before, during, and after application of ACh, MCh, eserine, or soman; also the cholines- terase blockers were applied between applications of ACh or MCh. The major effects produced by the inhibitors were similar to those of the agonists. Predominant effects were frequency-specific changes in FRF. Further, eserine and soman, similar to ACh and MCh, produced shifts in the best frequency (BF) of FRF due mainly to coordinated depression of responses to the BF and increased responses to adjacent, non-BF. The results indicate that exogenous and endogenous ACh, acting via muscarinic receptors, can significantly influence the physiological functioning of cortical neurons and consequently their process- ing of sensory information. Acetylcholine, Muscarinic, Cat, Soman, Eserine, Tuning
Plasminogen Activators in Ischemic Stroke: Introduction

A number of plasminogen activators (PAs), enzymes capable of converting the zymogen plasminogen to the active agent plasmin, have been studied as potential therapeutic agents in the settings of ischemic stroke, intracerebral parenchymal hemorrhage, and large vessel thrombosis. Several have found purpose in the acute management of focal cerebral ischemia under strictly limited conditions. All derive from naturally occurring PAs that can generate plasmin in the circulation or in fibrin clots, and all are known to lyse thrombi. This session examines potential modifications to accepted strategies for the treatment of ischemic stroke acutely. The principles for the acute use of PAs in ischemic stroke derive from the common understanding of plasminogen activation in the circulation and in thrombi known to target in situ thrombotic occlusions. Physiologically, the intrinsic (endogenous) thrombolytic system entails the secretion of single-chain urokinase (sc u-PA) and of single-chain tissue type plasminogen activator (sc t-PA) from endothelial cells.1–3 These precursor PAs are converted to urokinase (u-PA) and t-PA by locally derived plasmin. Plasmin is itself generated from the inactive zymogen plasminogen by u-PA and/or t-PA ( Figure ) . The formation of plasmin from plasminogen is the central reaction necessary for thrombus lysis. This conversion is highly regulated under ordinary circumstances. For instance, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and -2 directly inhibit the actions of u-PA and t-PA to convert plasminogen to plasmin.4,5 When t-PA is bound to fibrin and plasminogen (fibrin-bound plasminogen) in a ternary complex, both …
How Assessment Can Advance Efforts to Enhance Undergraduate Student Persistence.

Despite the significant amount of research related to student persistence, institutions must develop and implement assessment practices that account for their unique mission and purpose. This chapter describes a framework for engaging in assessment activities to improve student success.
Story Writing: The Effects of Self-Regulated Strategy Development for Second-Grade Students With Writing and Behavioral Difficulties

The effects of a secondary academic intervention implemented within the context of a three-tiered, positive behavior support model were examined in this study. Second-grade students with limited writing skills who also had either externalizing or internalizing behavior patterns were identified for participation using schoolwide data. Students learned how to plan and write stories using the self-regulated strategy development model. Results of two multiple-probe designs, one for students with externalizing behaviors (three females, four males) and a second for students with internalizing behaviors (two females, four males), revealed lasting increases in story elements as well as improvements in story quality and length. Teachers and students rated the intervention favorably, with most reporting that the intervention exceeded their initial expectations. Limitations and directions for future research are presented.
Changes in Roasted Peanut Flavor and Other Quality Factors with Seed Size and Storage Time

Peanut seed size and time in storage have been investigated as to their influence on roasted flavor, peanut butter color. Blanchability of roasted peanuts, oxidative stability and iodine value of raw peanuts. Seed size had a significant effect on roasted flavor and peanut butter color with constant roasting time and with roasting to a uniform peanut butter color. Blanchability of the seed after roasting was also significantly affected by seed size as well as storage time. Oxidative stability of the raw peanuts showed a general tendency to decrease with seed size and storage time. Iodine values were significantly higher in the smallest seed size but storage time did not affect iodine values. The data suggest that inferior quality is being introduced into marketing channels through use of a 5.95 mm screen size as a minimum for grading U.S. No. 1 Virginia-type peanuts.
The role of vegetation–microclimate feedback in promoting shrub encroachment in the northern Chihuahuan desert

Many arid and semi-arid landscapes around the world are affected by a shift from grassland to shrubland vegetation, presumably induced by climate warming, increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, and/or changing land use. This major change in vegetation cover is likely sustained by positive feedbacks with the physical environment. Recent research has focused on a feedback with microclimate, whereby cold intolerant shrubs increase the minimum nocturnal temperatures in their surroundings. Despite the rich literature on the impact of land cover change on local climate conditions, changes in microclimate resulting from shrub expansion into desert grasslands have remained poorly investigated. It is unclear to what extent such a feedback can affect the maximum extent of shrub expansion and the configuration of a stable encroachment front. Here, we focus on the case of the northern Chihuahuan desert, where creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) has been replacing grasslands over the past 100-150 years. We use a process-based coupled atmosphere-vegetation model to investigate the role of this feedback in sustaining shrub encroachment in the region. Simulations indicate that the feedback allows juvenile shrubs to establish in the grassland during average years and, once established, reduce their vulnerability to freeze-induced mortality by creating a warmer microclimate. Such a feedback is crucial in extreme cold winters as it may reduce shrub mortality. We identify the existence of a critical zone in the surroundings of the encroachment front, in which vegetation dynamics are bistable: in this zone, vegetation can be stable both as grassland and as shrubland. The existence of these alternative stable states explains why in most cases the shift from grass to shrub cover is found to be abrupt and often difficult to revert.
In the democracies of DNA: ontological uncertainty and political order in three states.

This paper compares the regulation of biotechnology in Britain, Germany and the United States and shows that systematic differences have developed around four issues: abortion, assisted reproductio...
Uncertainty in hybrid gravitational waveforms: Optimizing initial orbital frequencies for binary black-hole simulations

A general method is presented for estimating the uncertainty in hybrid models of gravitational waveforms from binary black-hole systems with arbitrary physical parameters, and thence the highest allowable initial orbital frequency for a numerical-relativity simulation such that the combined analytical and numerical waveform meets some minimum desired accuracy. The key strength of this estimate is that no prior numerical simulation in the relevant region of parameter space is needed, which means that these techniques can be used to direct future work. The method is demonstrated for a selection of extreme physical parameters. It is shown that optimal initial orbital frequencies depend roughly linearly on the mass of the binary, and therefore useful accuracy criteria must depend explicitly on the mass. The results indicate that accurate estimation of the parameters of stellar-mass black-hole binaries in Advanced LIGO data or calibration of waveforms for detection will require much longer numerical simulations than are currently available, or more accurate post-Newtonian approximations\char22{}or both\char22{}especially for comparable-mass systems with high spin.
The many faces of repolarization instability: which one is prognostic?

Abstract Instabilities of the STT segment's magnitude, and particularly the 0.5 beat/cycle oscillations (T-wave alternans, or TWA), have been linked to the heightened risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). During the last decade theoretical, experimental and clinical research efforts have focused primarily on TWA, examining its mechanisms and predictive value using time-invariant cutoff values. However, recent evidence suggests that such a single-snapshot test of a single-frequency (TWA) oscillation using a constant cutoff value might be suboptimal for risk stratification because of several reasons. First, it is well known that the risk of VTA/SCD evolves over time with changes in electrophysiologic substrate, environmental and physiologic triggers, and the impact of other physiologic (eg, circadian) rhythmicity. Hence, the outcome of TWA testing might depend on the time of day, as Holter-based TWA studies have demonstrated. Furthermore, currently used single-snapshot testing with a binary cutoff value may not coincide with the periods of heightened risk for VTA/SCD and may not yield prognostic information, as a recent TWA substudy of the sudden cardiac death in heart failure trial has showed. Second, the analysis focused on TWA alone ignores the existence of multiple (alternating and nonalternating) forms of repolarization instability that have been shown to arise or increase before the onset of VTA/SCD. Summarizing, recent studies have identified multiple forms of repolarization instabilities modulated by distinct mechanisms, which might have different prognostic values. Therefore, the assessment of TWA needs to be dynamic and personalized to take into account the time evolution of risk and individual history.
Kidney Disease and Related Findings in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study

OBJECTIVE Kidney disease manifests clinically as elevated albumin excretion rate (AER), impaired glomerular filtration rate (GFR), or both, and is a cause of substantial morbidity and mortality in type 1 diabetes (T1D). The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study tested whether intensive diabetes therapy (INT) aimed at lowering glucose concentrations as close as safely possible to the normal range reduces the risks of kidney disease and other diabetes complications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In the DCCT, 1,441 participants with T1D were randomly assigned to INT or conventional diabetes therapy (CON) for a mean duration of 6.5 years. Subsequently, participants have been followed for 18 years in the ongoing observational EDIC. Standardized longitudinal measurements of AER, estimated GFR, and blood pressure were made throughout the DCCT/EDIC. RESULTS During the DCCT, INT reduced the risks of incident microalbuminuria (AER ≥40 mg/24 h) and macroalbuminuria (AER ≥300 mg/24 h) by 39% (95% CI 21–52%) and 54% (29–74%), respectively. During EDIC years 1–8, participants previously assigned to DCCT INT continued to experience lower rates of incident microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria, with risk reductions of 59% (39–73%) and 84% (67–92%), respectively. Beneficial effects of INT on the development of impaired GFR (sustained estimated GFR 2 ) and hypertension became evident during combined DCCT/EDIC follow-up, with risk reductions of 50% (18–69%) and 20% (6–21%), respectively, compared with CON. CONCLUSIONS In the DCCT/EDIC, INT resulted in clinically important, durable reductions in the risks of microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria, impaired GFR, and hypertension.
The concept of cellular “fight-or-flight” reaction to stress

As animals respond to environmental stress with a set of default reactions described as the “fight-or-flight” response, so do epithelial and endothelial cells when they are confronting stressors in...
Patterns of Immune Response among Survivors of Group B Streptococcal Meningitis

Serum samples from 10 infants surviving type III, group B streptococcal (GBS) meningitis were collected acutely and longitudinally for 6 months to determine patterns of antibody response to the capsular polysaccharide and their in vitro functional correlates. Five infants who failed to develop specific antibody at a mean of 3.8 weeks after diagnosis had an increase of greater than or equal to 1.0 microgram/ml after another 4-8 weeks. This IgM-predominant type-specific antibody declined to baseline 2-4 months later. Opsonophagocytosis of type III GBS increased from 0 to 88% in parallel with peak antibody response. Three infants developed increased antibody and opsonophagocytosis at 15-31 weeks after diagnosis, while two had no detectable response. Despite increasing complement levels, opsonophagocytosis of type III GBS was poor with low specific antibody levels These results suggest that survivors of GBS meningitis transiently develop specific antibody and associated efficient opsonophagocytosis, but functional competence does not persist despite maturation to adult levels of complement proteins.
Light propagation for mixed polygonal and volumetric data

Some applications require scenes mixing polygonal and volumetric objects and shadows make the scenes more realistic. This paper describes a shadow algorithm for mixed polygonal and volumetric data, including the generation of soft shadows for area light sources. Our volume shader leverages advanced graphics GPU for an accelerated and feasible solution. The shadow and soft shadow algorithm applies to all combinations of volumes and polygons, without any restriction on the geometric positioning and overlap of the volumes and polygons. For realistic rendering where we have a high albedo participating media, multiple scattering is significant. We extend our algorithm to handle both multiple forward scattering and back scattering with light attenuation. This constitutes a complete system for shadow generation and light propagation.
The Teaching of Judicial Review on the CPE

(1999). The Teaching of Judicial Review on the CPE. Judicial Review: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 66-68.
Prevalence of Scoliosis and Thoracolumbar Kyphosis in Patients With Achondroplasia

Abstract Study Design Retrospective chart review, case series. Objectives To determine the prevalence of scoliosis and kyphosis in patients with achondroplasia. Summary of Background Data There is little published research on the prevalence of scoliosis and thoracolumbar kyphosis in patients with achondroplasia. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed charts of 459 patients with achondroplasia who were seen by the senior author, an orthopedic surgeon, from 1999 through 2013, at a tertiary referral center. After excluding patients who presented after spinal surgery and those who were referred for specific non-spinal issues, 326 patients were included (71%). Cobb angles were measured on lateral and posteroanterior radiographs. Scoliosis was defined as curvature on posteroanterior radiographs greater than 10°; thoracolumbar kyphosis was defined as any kyphotic curvature with an apex between T11 and L2. These data were then stratified by sex, age group (0–2, 3–12, 13–19, 20–40, and >40 years), and severity: within normal limits (≤10°), mild (>10°–25°), moderate (26°–50°), and severe (>50°). Results The study population consisted of 176 males and 150 females with a mean age of 18 years. Scoliosis was observed in 60%. Thoracolumbar kyphosis was observed in 79%, with 52% exhibiting moderate to severe curvature. Conclusions In these patients, the rates of scoliosis and kyphosis were 60% and 79%, respectively, which are much higher than the rates reported in the literature for the general population of children. Level of Evidence Level 3 or 4.
The Electrical Resistance Characteristics of Chromium Films deposited on thin Silicon Base Layers (I)

Vacuum-deposited films of some metals have been used for the resistors in mictocireuits. However, the resistance characteristics of very thin metal films are not always satisfactory for this purpose, because they are often unstable and have poor reproducibility. In this study, it was found that the chromium films which were evaporated on the thin silicon base layers deposited onto glass surfaces had more stable resistance characteristics than those usually deposited on glass substrates. The resistance of the formers, up to 100KΩ per square, was proved to be quite stable even when they were kept at 300°C in vacuum after deposition. The change of the resistance of these films being coated with further protective silicon monoxide films was less than 5 per cent in the range of film resistance from 1KΩ to 60KΩ per square as the results of the aging test at 200°C in air for 1500 hours. The resistivities of these films were lower than those of usual chromium films upto 300A in thickness. Therefore, it may be supposed that the structures of the chromium films deposited on silicon base layers are compact even when they are as thin as about 10A.
Rectal leiomyosarcoma: a rare and long-term complication of radiation therapy.

Leiomyosarcoma of the rectum can develop as a late complication in patients with a history of pelvic irradiation. We report the case of a patient who developed rectal leiomyosarcoma 13 years after receiving radiation for treatment of a stage 2 squamous cell cancer of the anus. This was detected on physical examination. Based on a discussion with the patient, we decided to manage conservatively. Overall, leiomyosarcomas constitute 5–12% of radiation-induced sarcomas. Rectal leiomyosarcoma is rare, accounting for 0.1–0.5% of all malignant tumours of the rectum. As radiation therapy plays a major role in the management of anal cancer, it is important that clinicians are aware of the possible development of radiation-induced sarcomas that may occur decades after initial management.
Institutional Rivalries, Jurisdictional Disputes, and Vested Interests in the Viceroyalty of Peru: José de Antequera and the Rebellion of Paraguay

The Rebellion of Paraguay (1721–1735) reveals much about imperial administration in eighteenth century Spanish South America. It demonstrates the contradictions built into an imperial structure in which a variety of people and groups with conflicting vested interests tried to influence policy. In the case of Paraguay, this situation contributed directly to rebellion. Although it sprang immediately from local economic grievances, the Rebellion was also caused by a jurisdictional dispute over who should direct the affairs of Paraguay, the audiencia of Charcas or viceroy of Peru. It thus raised the question of whom local inhabitants should obey when their superiors disagreed.
Tumor Characteristics, Genetics, Management, and the Risk of Metastasis in Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular malignancy in adults. Although rates of local control for uveal melanoma exceed 95% with radiotherapy or enucleation, as many as 50% of patients develop hematogenous metastases, which manifest in the decades following initial diagnosis and are uniformly and rapidly fatal. Recent compelling evidence suggests that not all uveal melanomas are themselves equivalent with respect to metastatic potential and patient survival. This review focuses on the mounting evidence of survival disparities based on intrinsic tumor clinical and histopathologic characteristics and based on tumor genetics and gene expression profiles.
Improvement on Microcystin-LR Detection by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

The method of detecting MC-LR by HPLC in the national standard(GB/T 20466-2006) was improved.The improvement is as follows: washing the collection tube and C18 cartridge by CH2Cl2 and CO(CH3)2 before pre-wetting the disk respectively;the velocity of sample enrichment is between 3 mL/min and 5 mL/min;the eluent volume is 3 mL CH3OH;the velocity of eluent is controlled at less than 1 mL/min.After the improvement of operation procedures of SPE and chromatogram conditions,the LOD of the method can reach 10 ng/L,the SPE recoveries for different concentrations of MC-LR are more than 95%,and the standard deviation of the repeated test is less than 0.02 ng/L.
Studies on three types of natural foci of tsutsugamushi disease in eastern part of China

Objective In order to identify the types of natural foci of tsutsugamushi disease to provide basis for prevention,a series of studies were carried out in Fujian,Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces.Methods ①Selecting representative points for investigation in three Provinces.②Collecting data on geographical landscape and epidemiology.③Field survey and experimental studies on rats and chigger mites in relation to the disease.Results Three representative types of natural foci of tsutsugamushi disease were demonstrated.They were ①Coastal island type,mainly in Fujian with major reservoir host as Rattus losea and major vector mite as L.deliense;prevalent season:summer;type of Ot(Orientia tsutsugamushi) Gilliam.②Inland mountain-forest type in Zhejiang with major reservoir host as Niviventer confucianus and major vector mite as L.gaohuense;prevalent season:summer;type of Ot:Gilliam.③Inland plain-hills type in Jiangsu with major reservoir hosts:Apodemus agrarius,N.confucianus,R.norvegicus and Crocidura lasiura;major vector mite:L.scutellare;prevalent seasons:autumn and winter;type of Ot:Kawasaki.Conclusion The types of Ot,reservoir hosts,vector chigger mites and epidemiological features of tsutsugamushi disease in Fujian,Zhejiang and Jiangsu Province were found different.Thus,the preventive measures should also be distinct from one another.
Optimization of the Extracting Method of Total Flavonoids from Frutus aurantii immaturus

ObjectiveTo optimize the extraction procedure of the total flavonoids from Frutus aurantii immaturus.MethodsExtraction procedure was screened by orthogonal test according to the content of the total flavonoids which was measured through UV spectrophotometry at 283 nm using naringin as control,and the procedure of removing impurity was screened by water.ResultsThe optimized extraction procedure was as follows: 60% alcohol,8 times volume of the weight of the dried material,refluxing 1.5 h for 2 times.The procedure of removing impurity in water was as follows: 9 times volume of the weight of the dried material,placed 24 h for 2 times.ConclusionThe content of the total flavonoids is above 70%.The procedure is simple and feasible.The production cost is low.The procedure can provide a reference to the production.
Control Systems in Independent Distribution Channels and their Impact on Performance

This paper examines the impact of dealer behavior control systems on brand performance. Brand performance is measured from the dealers perspective and consists of two factors; brand profitability and brand sales volume. This paper proposes alternative forms of control systems and their 283 impact on performance. Cluster analysis results show that high levels of control do not necessarily lead to higher performance. Furthermore, alternative strategies that achieve moderate levels of behavior control yield similar performance outcomes.
Effect of Public Deliberation on Attitudes toward Return of Secondary Results in Genomic Sequencing

The increased use of genomic sequencing in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics makes imperative the development of guidelines and policies about how to handle secondary findings. For reasons both practical and ethical, the creation of these guidelines must take into consideration the informed opinions of the lay public. As part of a larger Clinical Sequencing Exploratory Research (CSER) consortium project, we organized a deliberative democracy (DD) session that engaged 66 participants in dialogue about the benefits and risks associated with the return of secondary findings from clinical genomic sequencing. Participants were educated about the scientific and ethical aspects of the disclosure of secondary findings by experts in medical genetics and bioethics, and then engaged in facilitated discussion of policy options for the disclosure of three types of secondary findings: 1) medically actionable results; 2) adult onset disorders found in children; and 3) carrier status. Participants’ opinions were collected via surveys administered one month before, immediately following, and one month after the DD session. Post DD session, participants were significantly more willing to support policies that do not allow access to secondary findings related to adult onset conditions in children (Χ 2 (2, N = 62) = 13.300, p = 0.001) or carrier status (Χ 2 (2, N = 60) = 11.375, p = 0.003). After one month, the level of support for the policy denying access to secondary findings regarding adult-onset conditions remained significantly higher than the pre-DD level, although less than immediately post-DD (Χ 2 (1, N = 60) = 2.465, p = 0.041). Our findings suggest that education and deliberation enhance public appreciation of the scientific and ethical complexities of genome sequencing.
Targeted Adenoviral Vectors I: Transductional Targeting

Human adenovirus (Ad) has been used extensively to develop gene transfer vectors for vaccine and gene therapy applications. A major factor limiting the efficacy of the current generation of Ad vectors is their inability to accomplish specific gene delivery to the cells of interest. Transductional targeting strategies seek to redirect virus binding to the appropriate cellular receptor to increase infection efficiency in selected cell types to achieve therapeutic intervention. These efforts mainly focused on incorporating targeting ligands by means of chemical conjugation or genetic modification of Ad capsid proteins and using bispecific adapter molecules to mediate virus recognition of target cells. This review summarizes current progress in Ad tropism modification maneuvers that embody genetic capsid modification and adapter-based approaches that have encouraging implications for further development of advanced vectors suitable for clinical translation.
Nurse Adherence to Safe-Handling Practices: Observation Versus Self-Assessment

Background Chemotherapy medications place nurses at risk for occupational exposure, a primary nursing safety concern. No literature was available on adherence to following chemotherapy handling practices and nurses' perceptions of safe-handling practices. Objectives The aims of the pilot study were to examine actual and subjective ambulatory oncology nurse adherence to chemotherapy safe-handling guideline recommendations that prevent chemotherapy exposure. Methods A prospective, comparative mixed-methods study was used to compare objective and subjective nurse behaviors of expected safe chemotherapy handling-specifically, micro-ethnography and questionnaires. Fisher's exact test was used to assess differences in the rates of observations and questionnaire responses. Findings Twenty-two cases of chemotherapy handling were observed, and 12 of 33 nurses completed self-assessments. Of observed practices, nurses completed three behaviors 100% of the time (disposing of gloves in a chemotherapy-approved container after initiating chemotherapy, discarding the chemotherapy bag and tubing after disconnecting chemotherapy infusions, and washing hands after chemotherapy was administered). When objective and subjective behavior adherence were compared, three behaviors were carried out with greater frequency than what nurses perceived on questionnaires (double gloving and gowning when disconnecting chemotherapy and properly discarding chemotherapy). Two behaviors were carried out with less frequency than nurses provided on questionnaires (double gloving and protecting work surfaces during administration).
A comparison of risk and protective factors related to depressive symptoms among American Indian and caucasian older adults

Despite efforts to reduce health disparities, many American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations, including older adults, experience elevated levels of depression and associated suicide. Although adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and social support are well-documented risk and protective factors for depression in the general population, little is known about AI/AN populations, especially older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to depression among a sample of AI older adults in the Midwest. Data were collected using a self-administered survey completed by 479 AI and Caucasian respondents over the age of 50. The survey included standardized measures such as the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, ACE Questionnaire, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Hierarchical multivariate regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the main hypotheses of the study. Results indicate that two dimensions of ACEs (childhood neglect and household dysfunction) were positively associated with depressive symptoms; social support was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Perceived health and living alone were also significant predictors of depressive symptoms. ACEs may play a significant role in depression among AI/AN populations across the life course and into old age. Social support offers a promising mechanism to bolster resilience among AI/AN older adults.
The “a-b-c's” of the cluster b's: Identifying, understanding, and treating cluster b personality disorders

This article is a summary of some of the more recent research on the diagnosis, etiology, and treatment of Cluster B personality disorders (antisocial, histrionic, borderline, and narcissistic). Research on psychological, psychosocial, and biological perspectives of these disorders is presented. Individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, and other forms of multi-person therapies are also discussed. Finally, perspectives on issues of countertransference when treating these personality-disordered patients are addressed.
The Thermal Response of Tissue Cylinders to Microwave Radiation

Abstract We have developed computer models implementing exact analytic solutions of a heat equation whose solution predicts radiatively induced temperature increases in simulated autothermally regulated biostructures. One of our objectives is to assess the potential for blood flow to remove heat from biological structures which are subjected to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. Our structures are cylindrically symmetric and are in two models. In the first one, we assume that the column of blood is stationary and that the temperature excursion and heat flux are continuous across the cylindrical boundary by seperating the column of blood and the layer of muscle. In the second one, we assume that the blood remains at normal body temperature and serves as a heat sink. This will help us understand localized radiation induced hot spots in biological structures, and this may be helpful in assuring the protection of workers exposed to radiofrequency radiation and in improving the efficiency of microwave in the treatment of cancer.
Some Incorrect Statements

Professor LaMont C. Cole's paper on "Thermal Pollution" in your November issue presents some very valuable but somewhat mystifying projections of the thermal effect of the continued increase in energy use. My calculations confirm the 91 year span for a 1 C increase in temperature. Unless some unexplained new factors are introduced, I calculate, on the basis of the 7% per year increase in energy use continuing, that the time for a 3 C increase would be about 108 years (rather than 780 years) while the 15 C increase to a mean temperature of 30 C would require about 130 years (rather than 980 years). If the specific heat to warm the earth's crust and melt the ice is taken into account, a few extra years would be needed but the time spans would still remain in the century to century-and-a-half range before we would face disaster.
Fertilizer Levels and Medium Affect Foliage Plant Growth in an Ebb and Flow Irrigation System

Abstract Three species of foliage plants were produced with three media, in an ebb and flow irrigation system (experiments 1 and 3) or with overhead manual irrigation (experiments 2 and 4). Expt. 1 used a constant feed program of 24N-3.5P-13K (24-8-16) soluble fertilizer added to the water supply at rates of 0.21, 0.42, 0.63 or 0.84 g/L. In experiments 2, 3 and 4, plants were fertilized with a constant feed program using the soluble fertilizer at 0.63 g/L or with a 19N-2.6P-10K (19-6-12) slow release fertilizer at rates of 2.5, 5.0 or 7.5 g/15 cm (6 in) pot. Plants produced in a Canadian sphagnum peat:pine bark mix were shorter and received lower plant grades compared to Fafard #4 and Vergro Container Mix. Height increase and plant grade for all plants was greater when fertilizer rate was increased from 0.21 to 0.42 g/L (0.79 to 1.58 g/gal), but height increase and plant grade did not improve much as fertilizer rates rose beyond 0.42 g/L (1.58 g/gal). In expt. 3, increase in height and plant grade for pla...
Population Genomics of Early-Splitting Lineages of Metazoans

Population genetics/genomics investigates gene flow, genetic diversity within and between populations, inbreeding, and effective population size, among other parameters. We here review the literature available on this topic in early-splitting lineages of metazoans (Porifera, Ctenophora, and Cnidaria). To date, great variation in population genetic patterns has been demonstrated in marine invertebrates, but because genetic structure results from the interplay of both biological and physical factors at different temporal and spatial scales, the complexity of these processes is not yet well known. This knowledge gap limits our ability to predict connectivity patterns according to species’ biological traits and environmental factors. A general conclusion of our review is that in most sponges and brooding cnidarians, the short dispersal potential of the larvae, together with oceanographic circulation, is behind the strong genetic structure observed, whereas species with long pelagic larval duration (e.g., some broadcast spawners) or planktonic adults (jellyfish and ctenophores) display large variation in genetic patterns, from panmixia to local structuring, because a long pelagic life stage does not always ensure connectivity at large spatial scales. Additionally, the contribution of asexual propagation to local recruitment across phyla may also influence a populations’ genetic structure. The future use of genome-wide scans of the species, together with oceanographic modeling and methodologies to measure larval dispersal, will provide us with meaningful data to understand the role of biotic and abiotic factors driving genetic patterns in marine metazoans and allow us to make predictions about genetic trends with implications for conservation and management.
Investigating risks, effects, and a potential management strategy for avian vacuolar myelinopathy on Southeastern reservoirs using an eco-epidemiological approach

Avian vacuolar myelinopathy (AVM) is a neurologic disease of unknown etiology that has severely impacted waterbirds and raptors in the Southern United States since it was first diagnosed in 1994. Research studies have suggested that the causative agent is a neurotoxin produced by a previously undescribed Stigonematalan cyanobacterium which grows epiphytically on submerged aquatic vegetation. A suite of experiments were conducted to determine if: (1) triploid Chinese grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) are an appropriate management strategy for AVM; (2) to measure mammalian susceptibility to cyanobacterium exposure; and, (3) to discern population-level impacts to American coots (Fulica americana) and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) on J. Strom Thurmond Lake (JSTL), during an AVM epizootic. In order to determine a cause-effect linkage, the existing body of AVM research was analyzed, and our working hypothesis was critically tested using Hill’s epidemiology criteria, as adapted to ecotoxicology. Grass carp that were fed hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) with the Stigonematalan cyanobacterium in field and laboratory trials developed microscopic lesions, in the white matter of the brain, that were similar to lesions seen in AVM-affected birds. Grass carp that were fed hydrilla without the suspect cyanobacterium did not develop these lesions, and chickens (Gallus domesticus) fed treatment and control grass carp tissues did not develop AVM. Young swine (Scus scrofa) were fed hydrilla with the Stigonematalan cyanobacterium, but did not develop clinical or histological symptoms of AVM.
A Parallel Implementation of FANO using OpenMP and MPI

We present a parallel implementation of the Fast Accurate NURBS Optimization (FANO) program using OpenMP and MPI. The software is used for designing imaging freeform optical systems comprised of NURBS surfaces. An important step in the design process is the optimization of the shape and position of the optical surfaces within the optical system. FANO uses the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm for minimization of the merit function. The parallelization of the code is achieved without modifying readily available commercial or open source implementations of the LM algorithm. Instead, MPI instructions are being used to distribute the computation of the Jacobian over multiple nodes, each of which performs the computationally intensive task of raytracing. The results from the raytracing are collected on the master and used for calculating the values of the variable parameters for the next iteration. Speed increases of ∼100x and more are possible when running on the cluster of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Super Computing Center (LLSC).
Inter-unit reliability for quality measure testing

Facility-specific quality measures are commonly used to monitor dialysis facilities. To successfully develop, test and validate quality measures, a subset of facilities are often recruited for preliminary evaluations. To ensure that the facility-specific measures will achieve a desirable precision, it is often of interest to determine a minimum number of facilities that should be recruited. To achieve this, we propose a method based on the inter-unit reliability (IUR), which is commonly used to assess quality measures. Accurate estimates of the IUR are important to ensure that the quality measure will achieve a desirable precision. We first review existing methods of estimating the IUR for quality measures that are based on sample averages. We then generalize the IUR estimations to more complicated standardized measures. In particular, the confidence intervals of the IUR are calculated, with the width of this confidence interval measuring the precision of the estimate of the IUR. To assess the performance of the estimated IUR with various numbers of facilities, a simulation study is conducted. The IURs are then computed to develop and implement a quality measure that is used to guard against high ultrafiltration rates for adult dialysis patient with End-Stage Renal Disease. The estimated values are helpful to determine a minimum number of facilities that should be recruited in the measure testing process.
Reflections on Mansfield, Technological Complexity, and the

This analysis addresses the question ofwhetherthe influence of scientific innovation in large corporations is declining.Focus is placed on the growth of research innovations into market-readyproducts and on imitative technologies. Data were collected in 2001-2002 from39 detailed interviews with CEOs, senior executives, technology managers andventure capitalists, whose firms accounted for 7 percent of total U.Sindustrial R&D expenditures. The sample represents diversity in industry,firm size, and lifecycle stage. Findings revealed that large corporations are no longer the onlyorganizations involved in research and development. Rather,largeindustrial corporations and start-up companies both play an instrumental rolein supporting innovations by differently exploring and exploiting the marketpotential of various science-based innovations. (SRY)