cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The cross-sectional association between severity of non-cognitive disability and self-reported worsening memory

Abstract Background Research has demonstrated a clear association between cognitive decline and non-cognitive disability; however, all of these studies focus on disability as a correlate or result of some level of cognitive impairment or dysfunction. The relationship between disability and cognition is likely a complex one, that is currently incompletely described in the literature. Objectives Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of long-term, non-cognitive disability using a population-representative sample of adults aged 18 and older, and then estimate the association between long-term, non-cognitive disability and self-reported worsening memory. Methods Using the 2009 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), we measured the relationship between non-cognitive disability and worsening memory using multivariable logistic regression analysis weighted to account for the complex sampling design of the BRFSS. We also estimated the adjusted odds of worsening memory by disability severity, classified according to the types of assistance needed. Results Approximately 18% (95% confidence interval = (16%, 19%)) of Floridians were living with a long-term, non-cognitive disability in 2009. Among adults with no disability during or prior to the last year, only 5% reported worsening memory. The proportion of Floridians reporting worsening memory increases with increasing severity of disability-related limitations. In a multivariable logistic regression model, odds of worsening memory increased significantly with severity of disability-related limitations. Conclusions These results highlight the association between non-cognitive disability and subsequent increased odds of worsening memory, independent of several other known risk factors, and a dose-response association with disability-related limitations.
Building a digital library: a technology manager’s point of view

The Historic Pittsburgh project at the University of Pittsburgh can be instructive to others embarking upon digital library projects, and deciphering their own environmental opportunities and constraints.
Impact of nitrogen allocation on growth and photosynthesis of Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus)

Nitrogen (N) addition typically increases overall plant growth, but the nature of this response depends upon patterns of plant nitrogen allocation that vary throughout the growing season and depend upon canopy position. In this study seasonal variations in leaf traits were investigated across a canopy profile in Miscanthus (Miscanthus 9 giganteus) under two N treatments (0 and 224 kg ha � 1 ) to determine whether the growth response of Miscanthus to N fertilization was related to the response of photosynthetic capacity and nitrogen allocation. Miscanthus yielded 24.1 Mg ha � 1 in fertilized plots, a 40% increase compared to control plots. Photosynthetic properties, such as net photosynthesis (A), maximum rate of rubisco carboxylation (Vcmax), stomatal conductance (gs) and PSII efficiency (Fv’/Fm’), all decreased significantly from the top of the canopy to the bottom, but were not affected by N fertilization. N fertilization increased specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf area index (LAI). Leaf N concentration in different canopy layers was increased by N fertilization and the distribution of N concentration within canopy followed irradiance gradients. These results show that the positive effect of N fertilization on the yield of Miscanthus was unrelated to changes in photosynthetic rates but was achieved mainly by increased canopy leaf area. Vertical measurements through the canopy demonstrated that Miscanthus adapted to the light environment by adjusting leaf morphological and biochemical properties independent of nitrogen treatments. GPP estimated using big leaf and multilayer models varied considerably, suggesting a multilayer model in which Vcmax changes both through time and canopy layer could be adopted into agricultural models to more accurately predict biomass production in biomass crop ecosystems.
Elevated Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH) during Pregnancy and Risk of Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Context: Perinatal depression has a prevalence of 10% with devastating consequences for mother and baby. The prospective identification of those at risk for postpartum (PPD) or prenatal (PND) depression has led to biomarker searches in pregnancy. There are conflicting reports of associations between midpregnancy placental CRH (pCRH) and PPD or PND. Objective: The objective of the study was to quantify the association of maternal pCRH with PPD and PND. Design: This was a prospective cohort study (the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study). Setting: The study was conducted at a prenatal clinics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Patients: Patients included 1230 pregnant women. Main Outcome Measures: The relationship between pCRH at less than 20 wk and 24–29 wk and maternal depression assessed in pregnancy [Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)] and postpartum (12 wk and 1 yr) with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Results: At 24–29 wk, 24.8% of women had CES-D score of 17 or greater, and 9.7% had a CES-D score of 25 or greater. At 12 wk postpartum, 18.2% of women had an EPDS score of 10 or greater and 7.6% had an EPDS score of 13 or greater. CRH measures at less than 20 wk and 24–29 wk were inversely correlated with a CES-D score at 24–29 wk (n = 1080, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Pregnancy pCRH was not correlated with the EPDS score at 12 wk (n = 484) or 1 yr postpartum (n = 391). In covariate-adjusted models, higher pCRH was not associated with a CES-D of 17 or greater at 24–29 wk (odds ratio 0.88 per sd change in pCRH at 24–29 wk, 95% confidence interval 0.76–1.03). There was no association between log CRH at 24–29 wk and PPD (covariate-adjusted odds ratio per sd 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.69–1.42). Conclusion: Higher midpregnancy pCRH was not associated with an increased risk of PND or PPD.
Enforcing a lips usage policy for CORBA components

Problems arise with component reuse when implicit assumptions about the use of the component are encoded in the implementation but not communicated to the user. One solution to this problem is to formally specify these constraints about a component's use. Once specified, these usage constraints can be statically verified or dynamically enforced. Our research project, lips is a language for specifying usage constraints and a toolset for automatically generating dynamic code to enforce them. Here we present the notion of a virtual client and show how this is critical for ensuring correct usage of a component. We discuss our experiences providing automatic enforcement of usage constraints for CORBA components: while much of the needed support can be provided easily using a container concept, support for virtual clients requires more fundamental changes in a component model such as CORBA.
Serum IgG antibody response to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis: implications for periodontal diagnosis.

Abstract. The relationship of the serum antibody titer and avidity to the putative periodontal pathogens Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) strains Y4 and 29523 and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) strain 381 were examined in relation to clinical parameters in 26 gingivitis and 28 periodontitis patients. The relationship of antibody titer and avidity to infection with the homologous organism was also examined in a subset of 30 patients. Antibody titer was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and antibody avidity was assessed using a dissociation assay. Considering all patients, there was a significant negative correlation between mean probing depth and antibody titer (r=-0.28) and avidity (r=-0.28) to Aa Y4. There was a significant positive correlation of probing depth and antibody titer (r=0.46) and avidity (r=0.46) to Pg. The correlation of antibody titer and avidity to Aa and infection with Aa Y4 (r=-0.32, r=-0.21) and Aa 29523 (r=-0.35, r=-0.39) was negative, while the correlations of titer and avidity to Pg and presence of the organisms was strongly positive (r=0.40, r=0.35). These data indicate that the relationship of serum antibody titer and avidity to clinical parameters of periodontal disease severity and the level of infection with the homologous organism appears to be different for Aa and Pg. The development of an antibody response to Aa appears to protect the individual from infection with the organism. In contrast, the development of an antibody response to Pg was not able to eliminate the infection. These results should be considered when developing a diagnostic strategy for periodontal disease utilizing the humoral immune response.
Clinical evaluation of poor performance in the racehorse: the results of 275 evaluations

A clinical sports medicine evaluation was applied to 275 racehorses with a history of poor racing performance. The poor performance evaluation included a) general physical examination and basic laboratory screening; b) respiratory examination including auscultation, thoracic radiographs, ventilation-perfusion lung scintigraphy and upper airway endoscopy at rest and during maximal treadmill exercise c) examination of the musculoskeletal system including lameness examination, video gait analysis at high speed, post exercise serum chemistry to identify obvious as well as sub-clinical myopathies, high detail radiography and nuclear scintigraphy; d) cardiac examination including auscultation, electrocardiographic analysis during strenuous exercise and when indicated, echocardiography; and e) a standardised exercise stress test entailing the measurement of oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, venous blood lactate concentration and heart rate during sequentially increasing running speeds on the high speed treadmill. The choice of diagnostic methodologies utilised were tailored to each individual in order to determine most efficiently the abnormalities contributing to inadequate racing performance. The results of this clinical evaluation showed that 1) many of the diagnoses were subtle requiring the use of sophisticated diagnostic equipment including scintigraphy and dynamic evaluation of the horse exercising on the high speed treadmill and 2) 84 per cent of the horses were diagnosed as suffering from more than one problem leading to the supposition that inadequate athletic performance is often caused by a constellation of abnormalities requiring a comprehensive approach to diagnosing decreased athletic capability.
An Assessment of the Quality of Forecast Trajectories

Abstract Forecast and “analysis” (reference) trajectories were computed from six sites over North America at three altitudes (500, 1000, and 1500 m above ground) twice a day for a one-year period using Nested Grid Model wind fields. The reference meteorology was a series of short-term forecasts. Absolute error (distance between reference and forecast trajectory), relative error (absolute error divided by forecast trajectory travel distance), and the angle between the reference and forecast trajectory were also computed. The mean relative error for all the forecast trajectories for a travel time of 36 h is about 35%; the 90th percentile of the relative error is about 65%. The forecast is slightly biased to the left of the reference early in the forecast period. Absolute error and travel distance both are larger in winter than summer, so that the relative error is generally constant throughout the year. Differences in mean error among the three starting altitudes, among the six origin sites, and between the...
Modules for introducing threads

This chapter presents a pair of modules for introducing students to parallel programming. Each module is built around an exploratory exercise to parallelize an application, which can be used in a laboratory or a lecture. They illustrate fundamental concepts such as speedup, race conditions, privatizing variables, and load balance. Variations teach students about explicit threading (in C, C++, or Java) and OpenMP (in C/C++).
Histone deacetylase inhibition reduces hypothyroidism-induced neurodevelopmental defects in rats

Thyroid hormone (TH) through its receptor (TRα/β) influences spatio-temporal regulation of its target gene repertoire during brain development. Though hypothyroidism in WT rodent models of perinatal hypothyroidism severely impairs neurodevelopment, its effect on TRα/β knockout mice is less severe. An explanation to this paradox is attributed to a possible repressive action of unliganded TRs during development. Since unliganded TRs suppress gene expression through the recruitment of histone deacetylase (HDACs) via co-repressor complexes, we tested whether pharmacological inhibition of HDACs may prevent the effects of hypothyroidism on brain development. Using valproate, an HDAC inhibitor, we show that HDAC inhibition significantly blocks the deleterious effects of hypothyroidism on rat cerebellum, evident by recovery of TH target genes like Bdnf, Pcp2 and Mbp as well as improved dendritic structure of cerebellar Purkinje neurons. Together with this, HDAC inhibition also rescues hypothyroidism-induced motor and cognitive defects. This study therefore provides an insight into the role of HDACs in TH insufficiency during neurodevelopment and their inhibition as a possible therapeutics for treatment.
Administrative Deference to Liberalizing and Maintaining Free Trade - Discerning the Flexibility of the United States to Act Under Section 129(c)(1) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act

Recent anti-zeroing decisions at the World Trade Organization have put the United States in a precarious legal position. Namely, can the U.S. retroactively calculate antidumping duties, originally calculated using zeroing, and recalculate them using WTO-consistent methods. This question coincides with a broader question of how to read Section 129(c)(1) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act - the implementing legislation for the Uruguay Round - given that it has prospective effect only. The true nature of Section 129(c)(1) is debated, and has been at least since Canada challenged it at the WTO in 2002. This paper seeks to clarify whether the U.S. can retroactively calculate the antidumping duties at issue in the WTO's recent anti-zeroing cases, and in so doing, attempts to shed light on the true meaning of Section 129(c)(1).
Paraguay: Output Growth and Foreign Investment

Summary Nations with low per-capita GDP may find themselves in a “poverty trap,” a vicious circle in which low income leads to low savings and investment. Similarly, if production depends in part o...
Omnidirectional 3D Nanoplasmonic Optical Antenna Array via Soft-Matter Transformation

Inspired by the natural processes during morphogenesis, we demonstrate the transformation capability of active soft-matter to define nanoscale metal-on-polymer architectures below the resolution limit of conventional lithography. Specifically, using active polymers, we fabricate and characterize ultradense nanoplasmonic antenna arrays with sub-10 nm tip-to-tip nanogaps. In addition, the macroscale morphology can be independently manipulated into arbitrary three-dimensional geometries, demonstrated with the fabrication of an omnidirectional nanoplasmonic optical antenna array.
Radiological findings in pelvic solitary fibrous tumour

Solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) is an uncommon, usually benign mesenchymal neoplasm. SFT was first described in the pleura, but has subsequently been reported to occur in numerous anatomic locations including the abdomen and pelvis. Abdominopelvic SFTs are typically an indolent process, in spite of reaching a large size by the time of diagnosis. The preferred treatment is complete resection followed by extended follow-up surveillance. The risk of local recurrence and metastasis correlates with tumour size and the histological status of surgical margins. We present the imaging findings of a large pelvic SFT in a 61-year-old female, including ultrasound, CT and MRI.
Pathogenesis of immune dysfunction in septic and immunoregulation therapy

The pathogenesis of immune dysfunction in septic has been summarized in this review. Innate immune response toward pathogens is initiated by pattern recognition receptor ( PRR) such as Toll-like receptor ( TLR) . Inflammatory cytokines derived from innate immune response not only cause inflammatory response,but also trigger adaptive immune responses through inducing the differentiation of naive T cell into Th1,Th2,CD4 +CD25 +Foxp3 + regulatory T cells ( Treg) ,and Th17 cells. Adaptive immune response might suppress or enhance inflammatory response. Abnormal activation of innate / adaptive immune responses may coexist in sepsis,resulting in immune dysfunction. Logical and adequate approach of immunoregulation therapy to sepsis may be to suppress PRR persistent activation by eliminating endogenous or exogenous ligands,as well as to avoid excessive inhibition of immune responses to infection.
Investigation on the seasonal decay trend of epidemic encephalitis B vector mosquito in the country of Yuncheng city

Objective To develop the investigation on the seasonal decay trend of epidemic encephalitis B vector mosquito,and provide scientific evidence for mosquito killing and epidemic encephalitis B prevention.Methods Using lamp baited trap method,human baited net trap method and human hours method.Results Totally 10 644 pieces of mosquitoes were caught.The species were Culex pipiens pallens and Culex tritaeniorhynchus,they occupied 42.73% and 42.55% respectively.The average denstiy in one year was 11.73 pieces per hour in pig farm,4.28 and 9.75 pieces per hour in individual hose and outdoors.The seasonal decay trend was single peak,and reached high peak in August and September.The peak valued 34~89 pieces per hour.Conclusion Culex pipiens pallens and Culex tritaeniorhynchus are the predominant species,and have high density.It is necessary to strengthen surveillence and control.
Jejunal secretion of electrolytes and water in nontropical sprue

Abstract The proximal portion of the jejunum in healthy volunteers and in patients with nontropical sprue was perfused with isotonic solutions containing sodium, chloride, potassium, bicarbonate, and glucose or mannitol. In sprue, the jejunum secretes sodium, chloride, and water at a uniform rate into a variety of isotonic solutions to which the normal intestine responds by marked changes in absorption and secretion. Jejunal wastage of water and electrolytes is unaffected by treatment and the induction of clinical remission, probably reflecting persistence of morphologic abnormalities in the proximal part of the jejunum. Although the normal mechanism for absorption of sodium by the jejunum may be lacking, the abnormalities in sprue and the normal mucosal potential difference suggest an additional active secretion of sodium. The jejunum in sprue is also relatively impermeable to cations but not to the diffusion of isotopic water. These findings are not explicable on the basis of decreased absorptive surface alone and suggest loss of active transport processes, active secretion of sodium, and decreased diffusion of cations.
Permanent deactivation of boron–oxygen recombination centres in silicon

The major B–O recombination centres in p-type silicon (labelled SRC) are known to be permanently deactivated at elevated temperature in the presence of excess electrons. This process is accelerated by hydrogen but it occurs also in low-hydrogen material which is the main concern of the present article. A close inspection of the experimental data shows that: (i) the deactivation rate constant Rde is proportional to the electron concentration n and thus completely controlled by the electron lifetime τ and (ii) the value of τ at elevated T is insensitive to SRC; this is controlled by BO2 defects that reconstruct, in the presence of excess electrons, from the initial latent configuration into a recombination-active one (FRC). This scenario accounts for the reported dependence of Rde on temperature, light intensity and the material parameters.
Cardiovascular risk factors and their modification in children.

Current concepts and recommendations concerning the natural history of arteriosclerosis in childhood are presented. Concepts discussed include target organ changes in early life that are associated with traditional risk factors, levels of risk factors, and their tracking, or persistence, throughout childhood. The majority of the data presented are from the Bogalusa Heart Study, a long-term epidemiologic study of cardiovascular disease risk factors in childhood. Currently accepted recommendations concerning the measurement of and intervention on blood pressure, lipids and lipoproteins, and obesity in childhood are also presented.
Overcoming 'ageism' bias in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia : a review of safety issues with statins in the elderly.

Atherosclerosis is a progressive, lifelong condition that is the leading cause of death among middle-aged and elderly individuals aged ≥65 years. Up to 80% of elderly patients are found to have evidence of obstructive coronary heart disease at autopsy. Demographic trends, including the advancing median age and life expectancy of Western societies, suggest that a large share of the burden of atherosclerotic plaque is likely to be borne by elderly individuals. These trends are in part due to increases in a number of chronic diseases associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Because the elderly have a higher attributable risk of coronary heart disease as a result of hypercholesterolaemia, more coronary deaths and overall events can be prevented via treatment in this age group compared with younger persons with hypercholesterolaemia. The efficacy, safety and tolerability of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have been confirmed in randomised, controlled, multicentre trials involving large numbers of patients aged ≥65 years. Although muscle symptoms such as myalgia are relatively common adverse events, more severe signs of myolysis such as myopathy and rhabdomyolysis are rare, but their risk is elevated by conditions (e.g. concomitant medications) that increase the systemic exposure of these agents. Statins differ in their susceptibility to increases in systemic exposure, but most statins have been demonstrated to be well tolerated and safe when administered to elderly patients. These favourable clinical findings should help clinicians counter highly prevalent ‘ageism’ bias in statin prescribing, whereby elderly patients, particularly those at highest cardiovascular risk, are often denied the benefits of statins without any meaningful foundation.
Local repair of stoma prolapse: Case report of an in vivo application of linear stapler devices

Introduction One of the most common late complications following stoma construction is prolapse. Although the majority of prolapse can be managed conservatively, surgical revision is required with incarceration/strangulation and in certain cases laparotomy and/or stoma reversal are not appropriate. This report will inform surgeons on safe and effective approaches to revising prolapsed stomas using local techniques.
Architecture of network robot control server software written in a Rule-based language

If robots of different models are to provide the same networked robot service, it is desirable that they are able to use the same service programs. In this paper, we propose the architecture of networked robot control server software that allows the same service programs to be used by different robot models. Specifically, we define robot-model-independent common signals, and propose a robot control algorithm that focuses on "has-a" relations in robot control functions. We have developed a networked robot control server that implements the proposed architecture and algorithm and uses STAR (SofΓware Architecture using Rule-based language). To evaluate the proposed algorithm, we have developed an experimental system that provides a "Garbage Collection Service," and uses two robot models: AIBO and AmigoBot.
Liver health in adults with Fontan circulation: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Abstract Objectives Liver disease is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality in patients after Fontan surgery. There has been no large-scale survey of liver health in this population. We sought to explore the prevalence and predictors of liver disease in a multicenter cohort of adults with Fontan physiology. Methods Subjects were recruited from 6 adult congenital heart centers. Demographics; clinical history; and laboratory, imaging, and histopathology data were obtained. Results Of 241 subjects (median age 25.8 years [11.8-59.4], median time since Fontan 20.3 years [5.4-34.5]), more than 94% of those who underwent testing (208 of 221) had at least 1 abnormal liver-related finding. All hepatic imaging (n = 54) and liver histology (n = 68) was abnormal. Subjects with abnormal laboratory values had higher sinusoidal fibrosis stage (2 vs 1, P = .007) and higher portal fibrosis stage (3 vs 1, P = .003) compared with those with all normal values. Low albumin correlated with lower sinusoidal fibrosis stage (1 vs 2; P = .02) and portal fibrosis stage (0 vs 3, P = .002); no other liver studies correlated with fibrosis. Regenerative nodules were seen on 33% of histology specimens. Conclusions Regardless of modality, findings of liver disease are common among adults with Fontan circulation, even those appearing clinically well. Cirrhosis is present in up to one-third of subjects. Correlations between hepatic fibrosis stage and clinical history or findings on noninvasive testing are few. Further research is needed to identify patients at risk for more severe liver disease and to determine the best methods for assessing liver health in this population.
Mass action in brains and computers - a tribute to Walter J. Freeman

This contribution presents a brief review of experimental and theoretical approaches to brain dynamics, including concepts describing the unity of brain, mind, and body. We dedicate this essay to the memory of Walter J. Freeman, III, with a focus on his pioneering work in the past 60 years establishing the new field of computational neuroscience, including mass action in the nervous system, field theories of cognition and intelligence, and his quest towards inventing novel engineering approaches for brain-machine interfaces.
Correlation Subspaces: Generalizations and Connection to Difference Coarrays

Direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation finds applications in many areas of science and engineering. In these applications, sparse arrays such as minimum redundancy arrays, nested arrays, and coprime arrays can be exploited to resolve $O(N^2)$ uncorrelated sources using $N$ physical sensors. Recently, it has been shown that correlation subspaces , which reveal the structure of the covariance matrix, help to improve some existing DOA estimators. However, the bases, the dimension, and other theoretical properties of correlation subspaces remain to be investigated. This paper proposes generalized correlation subspaces in one and multiple dimensions. This leads to new insights into correlation subspaces and DOA estimation with prior knowledge. First, it is shown that the bases and the dimension of correlation subspaces are fundamentally related to difference coarrays , which were previously found to be important in the study of sparse arrays. Furthermore, generalized correlation subspaces can handle certain forms of prior knowledge about source directions. These results allow one to derive a broad class of DOA estimators with improved performance. It is demonstrated through examples that using sparse arrays and generalized correlation subspaces, DOA estimators with source priors exhibit better estimation performance than those without priors, in extreme cases like low SNR and limited snapshots.
Effects of the type of reference scale on descriptive sensory analysis of cooked rice: Universal aromatic scale versus rice aromatic scale

This study aimed to determine whether panelists' attribute-intensity ratings and performances in descriptive sensory analysis could vary with the type of reference scale used. Seven panelists, three times each, evaluated flavor attributes of eight cooked-rice samples using either the universal aromatic scale (UAS) or the rice aromatic scale (RAS). Both scales could differentiate cooked rice samples with respect to individual flavor attributes, although the RAS was more sensitive to several attributes such as cardboard and metallic flavors. While both types of reference scale exhibited good repeatability, the RAS demonstrated better performance in terms of panel agreement and discriminability than did the UAS. Both scales produced similar clustering of cooked rice samples based on flavor attribute intensities. In conclusion, while either type could be effectively used as a quantitative frame of reference in descriptive sensory analysis of cooked rice, the RAS performed better than the UAS with respect to detecting and scoring subtle sample differences in flavor attribute intensities. Practical applications Despite its popular use as a quantitative frame of reference in the descriptive sensory analysis for a broad range of products, the UAS has the limitation that panelists may use only a narrow range of the entire scale when products to be tested have either very low or very high intensities. This study showed such a limitation in several flavor attributes of cooked rice samples with typically weak flavors. Our findings provide a better understanding regarding how choice of a quantitative frame of reference influences descriptive sensory analysis of cooked rice.
Towards replacement of the acellular pertussis vaccine safety test: Comparison of in vitro cytotoxic activity and in vivo activity in mice.

Because of the exquisite sensitivity of the murine histamine sensitization test (HIST) in detecting minute amounts of active pertussis toxin (PTx), this animal-based test has been used to assure the safety of acellular pertussis vaccines in the United States and other countries around the world. Prompted by humane considerations, efforts are underway to find a suitable in vitro replacement assay that has critical attributes comparable to that of the HIST. In this study, we compared the sensitivity of the in vivo HIST with an in vitro Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell-based assay. Using vaccine samples that had been spiked with PTx, we found that both assays were capable of detecting as little as 4-10 ng of active pertussis toxin per dose of vaccine; thus, the sensitivities of the two assays are comparable. Because the strength of adsorption of PTx to the vaccine adjuvant could change over time, we also used both assays to examine the bioavailability of PTx in spiked vaccine samples that had been stored at 25 °C for 9 weeks, mimicking long term vaccine storage conditions. We found that both assays detected similar amounts of active PTx in these samples, indicating that bioavailability of the toxin in stored samples was similar. Taken together, our results indicate that critical attributes of the HIST are met by the CHO cell assay used in this study and provide proof of concept that the CHO cell assay may be further considered as a replacement for the in vivo HIST.
Stretchable conductive fabric simplifies manufacturing of low-resistance dielectric-elastomer-system electrodes

We made low-resistance electrodes for a dielectric elastomer system (DES) without the use of thin film deposition or wet lab processes by utilizing a stretchable conductive fabric, Less EMF Stretch Conductive Fabric (SCF), for electrode material. Carbon-based DES electrodes are easy to make, but they have high resistances (kilo ohms) that hamper dynamic operation and reduce energy efficiency. Metal and hydrogel DES electrodes have much lower resistances (tens to hundreds of ohms), but they require complex manufacturing processes, such as thin film deposition or wet lab synthesis. Conductive fabrics can have low resistance and they can be made into DES electrodes with merely a laser cutter and a dry lab environment, but their stiffness may hinder DES performance. This work reports electrical and mechanical properties of SCF and a more compliant, though less conductive fabric, MedTex P70+B, and describes the assembly and performance of DES variable stiffness modules using them. SCF had low sheet resistance, less than 3.0 ohm/square even during 125% biaxial stretch, and both fabrics stretched beyond 200 % uniaxial elongation before mechanical failure. The assembly of modules with conductive fabric electrodes was comparable in terms of difficulty to that with carbon powder electrodes, and produced functional modules. However, the stiffness of the fabrics diminished DES stiffness-reduction performance to merely 12.8 % and 13.4 % compared to the 24.5 % stiffness reduction a DES module with carbon powder electrodes achieved. Future work should investigate or develop more compliant conductive fabrics that would yield greater DES performance.
LAT Palmitoylation: Its Essential Role in Membrane Microdomain Targeting and Tyrosine Phosphorylation during T Cell Activation

The linker molecule LAT is a critical substrate of the tyrosine kinases activated upon TCR engagement. Phosphorylated LAT binds Grb2, PLC-gamma1, and other signaling molecules. We demonstrate that human LAT is palmitoylated and that palmitoylated LAT predominantly localizes into glycolipid-enriched microdomains (GEMs). Although the LAT transmembrane domain is sufficient for membrane localization, palmitoylation at C26 and C29 is essential for efficient partitioning into GEMs. LAT palmitoylation is necessary for its tyrosine phosphorylation. After T cell activation, most tyrosine-phosphorylated LAT molecules and a fraction of PLC-gamma1 and other signaling molecules are present in GEMs. LAT is central to T cell activation and is a novel linker molecule shown to require targeting to membrane microdomains for signaling.
Overview of Biomedical Issues in Autism

It has become a tradition, in papers attempting an overview or integrative analysis of issues in autism, to start out with a few protective remarks concerning the extreme difficulty of the task, and the problems of the current state of affairs that prevent a successful effort. The authors are then set free to roam and forage as they will, relatively protected from criticism. We shall not deviate from such a formidable and effective tradition. It is one of the advantages of a maintenance of sameness (which has a better adaptive connotation than the corollary resistance to change, which implies rigidity; Ciaranello, Vandenberg, & Anders, 1982).
Obesity and GERD impair esophageal epithelial permeability through 2 distinct mechanisms.

Background The mechanism by which obesity leads to damage independent of reflux is unclear. We aimed to determine the influence of obesity on mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI), a functional measure of the epithelial barrier, in the presence and absence of acid reflux, using ambulatory pH impedance measurements. Methods Twenty-four-hour pH impedance studies performed off medications in Caucasian men with a normal endoscopic examination were assessed for level of acid exposure and MNBI. Four patient groups were studied: Group 1, Not obese and normal acid exposure; Group 2, Obese and normal acid exposure; Group 3, Not obese and increased acid exposure; and Group 4, Obese with increased acid exposure. Results One hundred patients were studied (25 in each group). Mean esophageal mucosal impedance (MI) was substantially lower in obese patients without reflux (Group 2) and non-obese patients with reflux (Group 3) compared to normal controls (non-obese, no reflux, Group 1). MI was progressively lower in the distal (vs the proximal) esophagus in GER patients, compared to those without GER. This difference persisted in the presence or absence of obesity. In contrast, in obese patients, the mean MI was significantly lower throughout the esophagus when compared to the non-obese patients and also persisted in the presence and absence of accompanying reflux. Obesity and reflux were both independently negatively correlated with MI. Conclusion Obesity is associated with abnormal esophageal MNBI. In contrast to gastro-esophageal reflux, this decrease is pan-esophageal. These data may support a systemic mechanism by which obesity alters the esophageal barrier function.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Other Bardic Poets: Thomas Chatterton, Edward Jones, Iolo Morganwg, and Odin

This chapter situates the work of Samuel Taylor Coleridge in the context of his lifelong interests in all things bardic, Gothic, and Northern. Edward Jones and Iolo Morganwg are read in light of their influence on Coleridge and on their own merits. Coleridge’s concept of European culture as a legacy of Gothic liberty is traced from his school days to his lectures on literature in 1818. Finally, the chapter explores Coleridge’s keen self-consciousness regarding mediation: his explicit awareness of the ineluctable alterations produced when a poem is translated from one form to another. The chapter ends with a new reading of “Kubla Khan” as a poem that dramatizes the pathos of the desire to touch the distant bardic past.
Reading Level and Suitability of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Education in a Mobile App (CHF Info App): Descriptive Design Study

Background: Education at the time of diagnosis or at discharge after an index illness is a vital component of improving outcomes in congestive heart failure (CHF). About 90 million Americans have limited health literacy and have a readability level at or below a 5th-grade level, which could affect their understanding of education provided at the time of diagnosis or discharge from hospital. Objective: The aim of this paper was to assess the suitability and readability level of a mobile phone app, the CHF Info App. Methods: A descriptive design was used to assess the reading level and suitability of patient educational materials included in the CHF Info App. The suitability assessment of patient educational materials included in the CHF Info App was independently assessed by two of the authors using the 26-item Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) tool. The reading grade level for each of the 10 CHF educational modules included in the CHF Info App was assessed using the comprehensive online Text Readability Consensus Calculator based on the seven most-common readability formulas: the Flesch Reading Ease Formula, the Gunning Fog Index, the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Formula, the Coleman-Liau Index, the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook Index, the Automated Readability Index, and the Linsear Write Formula. The reading level included the text-scale score, the ease-of-reading score, and the corresponding grade level. Results: The educational materials included in the CHF Info App ranged from a 5th-grade to an 8th-grade reading level, with a mean of a 6th-grade level, which is recommended by the American Medical Association. The SAM tool result demonstrated adequate-to-superior levels in all four components assessed, including content, appearance, visuals, and layout and design, with a total score of 77%, indicating superior suitability. Conclusions: The authors conclude that the CHF Info App will be suitable and meet the recommended health literacy level for American adult learners. Further testing of the CHF Info App in a longitudinal study is warranted to determine improvement in CHF knowledge.
Predicting survival of planted Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine seedlings on dry, low-elevation sites in southwestern Oregon.

Four equations were developed for predicting the probability of Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) survival for the first (0–1) and first to third (1–3) growing seasons after applying mulching, scalping, or artificial shading (shade cards) treatments in plantations in southwestern Oregon, U.S.A. Variables describing conifer size, levels of competing vegetation, presence of silvicultural treatments, site factors, and climate factors were collected from 13 sites ranging from 0 to 6 years after planting and examined as potential predictors of survival. Age, stem diameter, a competition index for shrubs, severity of growing season at time of treatment, average annual precipitation, aspect, and slope angle were predictors of Douglas-fir survival during 0–1 and 1–3 growing seasons after treatment; the presence of silvicultural treatments was also a predictor only during the first growing season after treatment. Age, aspect, and slope angle were predictors of ponderosa pine survival over both 0–1 and 1–3 growing seasons after treatment; height-diameter ratio, competition indices for herbs, shrubs, and hardwoods, silvicultural treatment, severity of growing season at time of treatment, and average annual precipitation were also predictors only during the first growing season after treatment; crown width was a predictor of survival only during 1–3 growing seasons after treatment. When significant in the models, predicted probability of survival increases with treatments, less severe weather conditions, diameter, crown width, age, and precipitation; probability decreases with increasing height-diameter ratio and competition indices for herbs, shrubs, and hardwoods.
Postinfarction monomorphic ventricular tachycardia originating from the moderator band.

Ventricular arrhythmias arising from right ventricular (RV) intracavitary structures, consisting of the moderator band and papillary muscles, are generally considered to be idiopathic and often serve as triggers for ventricular fibrillation. The moderator band is a complex structure that houses the right bundle and receives its blood supply from septal perforators of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). We report a case of scar-associated monomorphic ventricular tachycardia arising from the moderator band in a patient with ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Acute Limb Ischemia in a 26-Year-Old Man Presenting with an Idiopathic Thrombosed Popliteal Artery Aneurysm.

Abstract Popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) are the most common peripheral arterial aneurysm and develop almost exclusively (>90%) in men who have a history of tobacco abuse at an average age of 65 years. Most PAAs are caused by chronic inflammation secondary to atherosclerotic disease; other non-degenerative causes of PAAs include arterial trauma, infection, Behcet's disease, medial fibromuscular dysplasia, or popliteal artery entrapment. Few case reports have been published on idiopathic congenital PAAs. We report a case of a 26-year-old man who presented with progressive claudication and subsequent acute limb ischemia due to the thrombosis of a large idiopathic PAA. Our case demonstrates that the differential diagnosis of young adult or pediatric patients presenting with signs of acute limb ischemia or claudication should include a symptomatic PAA.
Elements of Budget Forecasting

Budgeting is about the future—future revenues and future expenditures. For a government to be able to function effectively, in particular to be able to carry out its activities in a planned and organized manner, it has to have a sound knowledge of future revenues and expenditures. Forecasting provides that knowledge by producing a set of estimates of revenues and expenditures based on past and current information to indicate whether the government will have sufficient resources to effectively carry out those activities. Without good and accurate forecasts, a government will not only find it difficult to plan its activities, but will also find it difficult to cope with the increasingly complex environment in which it has to operate. This notion of forecasting is more appropriate at the subnational level where the state and local governments are required by law to balance their budget, especially the operating budget, which means that the projected revenues of a government must balance the projected expenditures for it to be able to run its everyday operations without incurring a deficit. This does not mean that the governments will not have a budget deficit; in all likelihood, they will, but without good and reliable forecasts it will be difficult to determine the measures that will be necessary to balance the budget. This chapter provides a broad overview of budget forecasting; in particular, some of the methods commonly used in revenue and expenditure forecasts.
The Decline of Revocation by Physical Act

The power to revoke one’s will by physical act was enshrined in Anglo-American law in 1677 by the Statute of Frauds. It remains the law in Great Britain, in such developed Commonwealth countries as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and in each of the United States of America. Yet the revocation of wills by physical act has become badly out of phase with the law governing nonprobate transfers, which as a general matter requires that an instrument of transfer be revoked only by a writing signed by the transferor. This article surveys the place of revocation by physical act in the law governing will substitutes, such as payable-on-death designations on bank accounts; transfer-on-death designations on brokerage accounts; life insurance and annuities; beneficiary deeds; and revocable trusts. Revocation by physical act is available with respect to none of the first four types of nonprobate transfer; meanwhile, revocation of revocable trusts by physical act is now effectively defunct in nearly half of the states. Because the donative transfer of most wealth in the United States takes place through will substitutes rather than through the probate system, the role of revocation by physical act in the law of succession is thus one of diminishing significance. Revocation by physical act is a legal institution in decline, and increasingly an anomaly within the law of gratuitous transfers. The outstanding question is whether, and if so, to what extent and in what form, that anomaly is worthy of preservation.
Designing and validating a low-cost real time locating system to continuously assess patient wait times.

Abstract Objective Outpatient clinics lack infrastructure to easily measure and understand patient wait times. Our objective was to design a low-cost, portable passive real time locating system within an outpatient clinic setting to measure patient wait times and patient-provider interactions. Materials and Methods Direct observation was used to determine workflow in an outpatient glaucoma clinic at the University of Michigan. We used off-the shelf, antenna-integrated ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID readers (ThingMagic, Astra-Ex, Woburn, MA) and UHF re-useable passive RFID tags (Zebra Impinj Monza 4QT, Seattle, WA). We designed a custom RFID management application in the Java programming language that was equipped with ‘live’ device administration to collect time and location data from patients and providers. These hardware choices enabled low cost system installation. Hidden Markov Modeling (HMM) was used to smooth patient and provider location data. Location data were validated against direct observations and EHR evaluation. Results The HMM smoothed RFID system data accurately predicted patient location 80.6% of the time and provider location 79.1% of the time, compared to direct observation locations, an improvement over the raw RFID location data (65.0% and 77.9% accurate, respectively). Patient process time was on average 42.8 min (SD = 27.5) and wait time was 47.9 min (SD = 33.1). The installation and recurring capital costs of the system are approximately 10% of available commercially-supplied patient/provider tracking systems. Discussion Passive RFID time study systems can enable real-time localization of people in clinic, facilitating continuous capture of patient wait times and patient-provider interactions. The system must be tailored to the clinic to accurately reflect patient and provider movement. Conclusions Capturing wait time data continuously and passively can empower continuous clinical quality improvement initiatives to enhance the patient experience.