cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EXERCISE IN THE TREATMENT OF LIPID DISORDERS

The beneficial effects of regular exercise participation on plasma lipid and lipoprotein profiles have in recent years been more clearly defined. Presently, the many factors that influence lipid synthesis and catabolism, the interactions between lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins (apo), and lipoprotein enzymes are better understood. Although much has been learned regarding the plasma lipids, the various components of the lipoproteins, and the various genetic and environmental factors that impact the lipoprotein metabolic pathways and eventually lipoprotein composition, many new questions remain unanswered. Aging, body fat distribution, dietary composition, cigarette smoking status, and regular exercise participation are factors that can modify lipoprotein metabolism and lipoprotein composition. For example, intervention programs that reduce dietary fat and increase dietary carbohydrate while increasing daily physical activity can positively influence plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and reduce coronary artery disease (CAD) risk.
Proportional light in a dual-phase xenon chamber

A dual-phase xenon chamber was tested to measure the yield of electrons extracted from the liquid to the gas and their subsequent amplification via proportional light. The light yield was studied as a function of electric field and gas pressure. A UV-sensitive compact metal channel photomultiplier tube, placed in the gas above the liquid xenon, was used for these measurements. An electron lifetime of at least 1.5 ms was inferred from a measurement of the ionization signal, triggered by the primary scintillation light, with the same chamber operated in single phase.
Lower-body negative pressure restores leg bone microvascular flow to supine levels during head-down tilt

Skeletal unloading and cephalic fluid shifts in microgravity may alter the bone microvascular flow and may be associated with the 1-2% bone loss per month during spaceflight. The purpose of this st...
Program transformations for information personalization

Personalization constitutes the mechanisms necessary to automatically customize information content, structure, and presentation to the end-user to reduce information overload. Unlike traditional approaches to personalization, the central theme of our approach is to model a website as a program and conduct website transformation for personalization by program transformation (e.g., partial evaluation, program slicing). The goal of this paper is study personalization through a program transformation lens, and develop a formal model, based on program transformations, for personalized interaction with hierarchical hypermedia. The specific research issues addressed involve identifying and developing program representations and transformations suitable for classes of hierarchical hypermedia, and providing supplemental interactions for improving the personalized experience. The primary form of personalization discussed is out-of-turn interaction-a technique which empowers a user navigating a hierarchical website to postpone clicking on any of the hyperlinks presented on the current page and, instead, communicate the label of a hyperlink nested deeper in the hierarchy. When the user supplies out-of-turn input we personalize the hierarchy to reflect the user's informational need. While viewing a website as a program and site transformation as program transformation is non-traditional, it offers a new way of thinking about personalized interaction, especially with hierarchical hypermedia. Our use of program transformations casts personalization in a formal setting and provides a systematic and implementation-neutral approach to designing systems. Moreover, this approach helped connect our work to human-computer dialog management and, in particular, mixed-initiative interaction. Putting personalized web interaction on a fundamentally different landscape gave birth to this new line of research. Relating concepts in the web domain (e.g., sites, interactions) to notions in the program-theoretic domain (e.g., programs, transformations) constitutes the creativity in this work.
Carrier lifetime studies of semi-insulating silicon carbide for photoconductive switch applications

A contactless microwave photoconductivity decay (MPCD) method has been used to measure recombination lifetime and relative conductivity of semi-insulating (SI) silicon carbide (SiC) wafers. A pulsed laser, tunable from 210 nm to 2 μm, has been used to probe above and below band gap photoconductive responses of four SI SiC wafers. The carrier lifetimes were calculated by comparing the reflected microwave signal to the photo response of a fast ( 109 Ω-cm) were studied. The photoconductive response of each wafer set is presented. The HPSI wafer demonstrated longer carrier lifetime and improved above band gap photoconductivity compared to the vanadium-doped wafers. The difference in carrier lifetimes are attributed to higher densities of recombination centers (vanadium acceptors) in the 6H-SiC substrates.
Compliance rates and outcomes associated with a restrictive transfusion policy in gynecologic oncology patients

Abstract Objectives Blood products are scarce but essential medical resources. Initially transfusions showed increased perioperative complications, prolonged hospitalizations, and higher mortality. Recently developed restrictive transfusion policies have not shown those adverse affects in critically ill patients. Hospitals adopted these policies to guide blood product administration. The objective of this study is to determine compliance with a restrictive transfusion policy in gynecologic oncology patients. Methods A retrospective chart review of gynecologic oncology patients undergoing transfusion with packed red blood cells (pRBCs) from 12/2008 to 9/2011 was performed. Cancer type and stage, surgical procedure, hemoglobin values, pRBC transfusions, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were collected. Each transfusion was classified as compliant or noncompliant. Results A total of 582 patients requiring 2,276 blood transfusions were identified. The mean age was 55.9years. Ovarian and endometrial cancers were the most common malignancies. Gynecologic oncologists were 81.1% compliant with the restrictive transfusion policy; 59.0% of transfusions were secondary to exceptions. Noncompliant transfusions were commonly given on the day of surgery when intraoperative blood loss was Conclusion The majority of gynecologic oncology patients receive transfusions compliant with the restrictive transfusion policy. Morbidity and mortality are not increased with a restrictive transfusion policy. Efforts to improve compliance should focus on limiting transfusions when the hemoglobin is ≥7g/dL and transfusing in single pRBCs unit increments.
Use of plasmon spectroscopy to evaluate the mechanical properties of materials at the nanoscale

Relationships between volume plasmon excitations and mechanical properties of various materials are considered. Based on systematic evaluation of available data, correlations between the volume plasmon energy, Ep, Young's modulus, Ym, bulk modulus, Bm, shear modulus, Gm, and microhardness, Hm, are established. The resulting correlations indicate that plasmon energies potentially can be used to predict and/or determine the local mechanical properties of technologically important materials, such as metal alloys, semiconductors, and ceramics at the nanometer level.
Regional constraints to biological nitrogen fixation in post‐fire forest communities

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a key ecological process that can restore nitrogen (N) lost in wildfire and shape the pace and pattern of post-fire forest recovery. To date, there is limited information on how climate and soil fertility interact to influence different pathways of BNF in early forest succession. We studied asymbiotic (forest floor and soil) and symbiotic (the shrub Ceanothus integerrimus) BNF rates across six sites in the Klamath National Forest, California, USA. We used combined gradient and experimental phosphorus (P) fertilization studies to explore cross-site variation in BNF rates and then related these rates to abiotic and biotic variables. We estimate that our measured BNF rates 22 years after wildfire (6.1–12.1 kg N·ha−1·yr−1) are unlikely to fully replace wildfire N losses. We found that asymbiotic BNF is P limited, although this is not the case for symbiotic BNF in Ceanothus. In contrast, Ceanothus BNF is largely driven by competition from other vegetation: in high-producti...
Policy and Priority in the Budgetary Process

Recent quantitative studies vastly understate the political conflicts and policy choices that are embedded in the budgetary process. The reason for this lies in the way these quantitative studies have organized budgetary data. Thus far the units of analysis have been federal agencies, the administrative categories of government. The “striking regularities” that have been reported reflect—quite accurately—the great stability of the administrative structure of government. However, these categories do not describe the intense competition between programs and policies that takes place within the framework. We argue, further, that the entire metaphor of an inert bureaucratic machine doing this year essentially what it did last year is erroneous. Rather, priority setting in the federal bureaucracy more resembles the market situation of nineteenth century capitalism where aggressive “policy entrepreneurs,” unequal in talent and resources, struggle to build and sustain support for their programs. The competition between policies is both reflected in and promoted by the budgetary process. By shifting the units of analysis to programs and transforming these data so that programs of different size are commensurate, we develop an index that reflects the relative growth and decay of programs as they compete for budgetary resources.
High-efficiency photovoltaic technology

Solar-cell efficiencies have exceeded 40% in recent years by use of multiple materials that span the solar spectrum, growth of these materials with near-perfect quality, and use of concentration. Growth of near-perfect semiconductor materials is possible when the lattice constants of the materials are matched or nearly matched to that of a single-crystal substrate.
Contextual Mediation of Perceptions in Hauntings and Poltergeist-like Experiences:

The content of perceived apparitions, e.g., bereavement hallucinations, cannot be explained entirely in terms of electromagnetically induced neurochemical processes. It was shown that contextual variables influential in hallucinatory and hypnotic states also structured reported haunting experiences. As predicted, high congruency was found between the experiential content and the nature of the contextual variables. Further, the number of contextual variables involved in an experience was related to the type of experience and the state or arousal preceding the experience. Based on these findings we argue that a more complete explanation of haunting experiences should take into account both electromagnetically induced neurochemical processes and factors related to contextual mediation.
Detached Multipinhole Small Animal SPECT Device With Real-Time Calibration

High-resolution small animal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with pinhole collimation has become well-established in preclinical research. Conventional scanner designs use custom fixtures that precisely attach and align pinholes to dedicated detectors. As a lower-cost alternative, we have developed a compact small animal SPECT device with integrated pinholes that is physically detached from gamma camera detectors and uses real-time calibration. The device consists of a shielded lead box with multiple integrated tungsten pinholes on the sides and with a rotating platform at the bottom. The animal or phantom to be imaged is positioned within a hollow cylinder mounted to the platform, with point source markers attached to the cylinder's outer surface. The entire device is placed on the patient table of a standard dual-head gamma camera system with collimators removed. Projection data are acquired with multiple energy windows to separate the point source data from the emission data. The complete geometric calibration is derived through analysis of the point source data. The system matrix is computed based on the calibration parameters and then applied to reconstruction of the emission data. Real-time calibration was found to be robust and accurate, even in the presence of downscatter from 99mTc emission data or dual-isotope 99m Tc/111In emission data. Successful calibration was consistently achieved in all pinhole configurations tried (up to seven pinholes per detector). Accuracy of real-time calibration was demonstrated in phantom studies and animal studies, where structures as small as 0.8 mm could be resolved in reconstructed images. Images appeared to be free of artifacts, and no cross-contamination from the calibration point sources was observed. Real-time calibration is feasible for pinhole SPECT, thus enabling standalone pinhole devices to be used without special alignment fixtures. The calibration accuracy is sufficient for high-resolution small animal studies. The hardware is compatible with nearly all gamma camera models and represents a lower-cost entry-level solution to the field of small animal SPECT
Fathers' Child Care and Children's Behavior Problems A Longitudinal Study

Fathers' primary family role is usually seen in terms of breadwinning, but with a majority of mothers of school-age and younger children holding jobs, there is increasing pressure on coresidential fathers to take on child care responsibilities. A seldom-asked question is whether fathers' greater child care actually makes a difference in children's outcomes. This longitudinal study addressed that issue by seeing how variation in fathers' reported child care of preschool children and of these same children when they were 5 years older was related to the number of older children's behavior problems. It appeared that among the 600 White, non-Hispanic, two-parent families that remained in the NSFH over two waves, fathers' active care of difficult-to-raise preschoolers was related to the children's having fewer problems as grade-schoolers, independently of mothers' care. The discussion covers these and other findings that go against conventional thinking.
Structural rearrangement of human lymphotactin, a C chemokine, under physiological solution conditions

NMR spectra of human lymphotactin (hLtn), obtained under various solution conditions, have revealed that the protein undergoes a major conformational rearrangement dependent on temperature and salt concentration. At high salt (200 mm NaCl) and low temperature (10 degrees C), hLtn adopts a chemokine-like fold, which consists of a three-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet and a C-terminal alpha-helix (Kuloglu, E. S., McCaslin, D. R., Kitabwalla, M., Pauza, C. D., Markley, J. L., and Volkman, B. F. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 12486-12496). We have used NMR spectroscopy, sedimentation equilibrium, and intrinsic fluorescence to monitor the reversible conformational change undergone by hLtn as a function of temperature and ionic strength. We have used two-, three- and four-dimensional NMR spectroscopy of isotopically enriched protein samples to determine structural properties of the conformational state stabilized at 45 degrees C and 0 mm NaCl. Patterns of NOEs and (1)H(alpha) and (13)C chemical shifts show that hLtn rearranges under these conditions to form a four-stranded, antiparallel beta-sheet with a pattern of hydrogen bonding that is completely different from that of the chemokine fold stabilized at 10 degrees C and 200 mm NaCl. The C-terminal alpha-helix observed at 10 degrees C and 200 mm NaCl, which is conserved in other chemokines, is absent at 45 degrees C and no salt, and the last 38 residues of the protein are completely disordered, as indicated by heteronuclear (15)N-(1)H NOEs. Temperature dependence of the tryptophan fluorescence of hLtn in low and high salt confirmed that the chemokine conformation is stabilized by increased ionic strength. Sedimentation equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation showed that hLtn at 40 degrees C in the presence of 100 mm NaCl exists mainly as a dimer. Under near physiological conditions of temperature, pH, and ionic strength, both the chemokine-like and non-chemokine-like conformations of hLtn are significantly populated. The functional relevance of this structural interconversion remains to be elucidated.
Nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase, a lipid-activated flavoprotein

The entire nucleotide sequence of the poxB (pyruvate oxidase) gene of Escherichia coli K-12 has been determined by the dideoxynucleotide (Sanger) sequencing of fragments of the gene cloned into a phage M13 vector. The gene is 1716 nucleotides in length and has an open reading frame which encodes a protein of Mr 62,018. This open reading frame was shown to encode pyruvate oxidase by alignment of the amino acid sequences deduced for the amino and carboxy termini and several internal segments of the mature protein with sequences obtained by amino acid sequence analysis. The deduced amino acid sequence of the oxidase was not unusually rich in hydrophobic sequences despite the peripheral membrane location and lipid binding properties of the protein. The codon usage of the oxidase gene was typical of a moderately expressed protein. The deduced amino acid sequence shares homology with the large subunits of the acetohydroxy acid synthase isozymes I, II, and III, encoded by the ilvB, ilvG, and ilvI genes of E. coli.
Adaptive Concurrent Multi-level Modeling of Multi-scale Ductile Failure in Heterogeneous Metallic Materials

This work creates a novel adaptive multi-level modeling framework for rate-dependent ductile fracture of heterogeneous aluminum alloys with non-uniform microstructures. The microstructure of aluminum alloys is characterized by a dispersion of brittle heterogeneities such as silicon and intermetallics in a ductile aluminum matrix. These microstructural heterogeneities affect their failure properties like ductility in an adverse manner. The multilevel model invokes two-way coupling, viz. homogenization for upscaled constitutive modeling, and top-down scale-transition in regions of localization and damage. Adaptivity is necessary for incorporating continuous changes in the computational model as a consequence of evolving microstructural deformation and damage. The macroscopic finite element analysis in regions homogeneity incorporates homogenization-based continuum rate-dependent plasticity-damage (HCPD) models. Transcending scales is required in regions of high macroscopic gradients caused by underlying localized plasticity and damage. Complete microscopic analysis using the LEVCFEM is conducted in these regions, which follow the growth of microscopic voids and cracking to cause local ductile fracture. The macroscopic and microscopic simulations are done concurrently in a coupled manner. Physics-based level change criteria are developed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the model. Numerical simulations are conducted for validations and ductile fracture in a real microstructure is demonstrated.
Children's Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions Toward a Peer Presented as Obese: Does a Medical Explanation for the Obesity Make a Difference?

Objective: To examine the effect of information on children’s attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer presented as obese. Methods: Children (N 184) were randomly assigned to observe a video of a boy or girl in one of three conditions:average-weight, obese, obese with medical information explaining the obesity. They rated stereotypical attitudes on the Adjective Checklist and behavioral intentions on the Shared Activities Questionnaire (SAQ-B). Results: Ratings were generally more favorable for the average-weight than for the obese condition. However, provision of medical information had a positive effect on attitudes toward the obese peer only for younger children and a negative effect on willingness of older children to share academic activities with the peer. Boys and girls showed more positive behavioral intentions toward the same-sex target child regardless of obesity condition. Conclusions: Information explaining obesity has a minimal positive effect on children’s attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer presented as obese.
Granulocyte-Macrophage and Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factors Activate Intramacrophage Killing of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis

Leishmania organisms are important pathogens, causing diseases worldwide. Standard therapies are often toxic and are not always effective. The effect of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage and macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF and M-CSF) on intramacrophage survival of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis (Lma) were compared with those of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Macrophages previously infected with Lma were treated with or without GM-CSF and M-CSF. Compared with no cytokine treatment, treatment with GM-CSF (0.1-100 ng/ml) or M-CSF (1:3.5 X 10(6) - 1:3.5 X 10(3) dilutions) caused a significant dose-dependent reduction in intracellular parasites, 427 +/- 20 (mean +/- SE) Lma/100 macrophages. GM-CSF or M-CSF in combination with IFN-gamma resulted in more effective inhibition of intracellular parasites. Thus, the cytostatic activity appears to require interaction between cytokines, macrophages, and amastigotes. These cytokines are potential therapeutic agents for visceral leishmaniasis.
A Stromal Hsp100 Protein Is Required for Normal Chloroplast Development and Function in Arabidopsis

Molecular chaperones are required for the translocation of many proteins across organellar membranes, presumably by providing energy in the form of ATP hydrolysis for protein movement. In the chloroplast protein import system, a heat shock protein 100 (Hsp100), known as Hsp93, is hypothesized to be the chaperone providing energy for precursor translocation, although there is little direct evidence for this hypothesis. To learn more about the possible function of Hsp93 during protein import into chloroplasts, we isolated knockout mutant lines that contain T-DNA disruptions in either atHSP93-V or atHSP93-III, which encode the two Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) homologs of Hsp93. atHsp93-V mutant plants are much smaller and paler than wild-type plants. In addition, mutant chloroplasts contain less thylakoid membrane when compared to the wild type. Plastid protein composition, however, seems to be largely unaffected in atHsp93-V knockout plants. Chloroplasts isolated from the atHsp93-V knockout mutant line are still able to import a variety of precursor proteins, but the rate of import of some of these precursors is significantly reduced. These results indicate that atHsp93-V has an important, but not essential, role in the biogenesis of Arabidopsis chloroplasts. In contrast, knockout mutant plants for atHsp93-III, the second Arabidopsis Hsp93 homolog, had a visible phenotype identical to the wild type, suggesting that atHsp93-III may not play as important a role as atHsp93-V in chloroplast development and/or function.
Decision Making At The Top

The article reviews the book “Decision Making at the Top,” by Gordon Donaldson and Jay W. Lorsch.
An integrated nanoliter DNA analysis device

A device was developed that uses microfabricated fluidic channels, heaters, temperature sensors, and fluorescence detectors to analyze nanoliter-size DNA samples. The device is capable of measuring aqueous reagent and DNA-containing solutions, mixing the solutions together, amplifying or digesting the DNA to form discrete products, and separating and detecting those products. No external lenses, heaters, or mechanical pumps are necessary for complete sample processing and analysis. Because all of the components are made using conventional photolithographic production techniques, they operate as a single closed system. The components have the potential for assembly into complex, low-power, integrated analysis systems at low unit cost. The availability of portable, reliable instruments may facilitate the use of DNA analysis in applications such as rapid medical diagnostics and point-of-use agricultural testing.
Immunologic Relationship Between Genital Tric, Lymphogranuloma Venereum, and Related Organisms in a New Microtiter Indirect Immunofluorescence Test

Terminology for the morphologically simiilar psittacosis, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), trachoma organisms has been con­ fused. They have been referred to as the PLT group, the Bedsonia and more recently the Chlamydia. The latter terminology would appear to be gaining official sanction and in­ creasing use. Two species have been recog­ nized: Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamy­ dia psittaci. These have been differentiated on the basis of glycogen-containing inclu­ sions and sulfa drug sensitivity of C. tracho­ matis. The trachoma and inclusion conjunc­ tivitis organisms belong to the species C. tra­ chomatis and have been referred to as TRIC organisms. On the basis of our immunologie and bio­ logical classification studies, we have devel­ oped terminology and tentatively grouped TRIC organisms and other species C. tra­ chomatis strains. TRIC organisms are sepa­ rated from other C. trachomatis strains by their ability to cause typical follicular con­ junctivitis in primates. Among TRIC strains, there are two major divisions. One is organisms isolated from all areas of the world that have endemic trachoma. These have only been isolated from the eye and all such agents have been shown to belong to immunologie Types A, B, and C in our mouse toxicity prevention test (MTPT) classification. These organisms cause mild follicular conjunctivitis in the monkey eye and 100 to 1000 EID50 are required to infect
Tunable microlens arrays using polymer network liquid crystal

A tunable-focus microlens array based on polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) is demonstrated. The PNLC was prepared using an ultraviolet (UV) light exposure through a patterned photomask. The photocurable monomer in each of the UV exposed spot forms an inhomogeneous centro-symmetrical polymer network which acts as a lens when a homogeneous electric field is applied to the cell. The focal length of the microlens arrays is tunable with the applied voltage.
Relationship Between Significant Perinatal Events and Migraine Severity

Objective. Nociceptive neuronal circuits are formed during embryonic and postnatal times, so insult during these periods may result in long-term alterations to pain circuitry via synaptic plasticity. One possible long-term result of plasticity is central hyperexcitability, which is suspected to be involved in chronic headache. This study aimed to establish whether there is an association between early pain experiences and the experience of migraines in later childhood. Methods. In a retrospective study, we examined the charts of 280 pediatric migraineurs at the Division of Pediatric Neurology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and documented their perinatal history and migraine characteristics. Results. Analysis revealed that there was a significant relationship between patients who had been in the NICU at birth and the type of pain medication prescribed when compared with patients who had not been in the NICU (χ 2 test, χ 2 2 = 23.304; N = 30250). Findings also suggested that pediatric migraine patients who had been in the NICU at birth had a significantly earlier age of onset of their migraines (χ 2 ± SD = 7.83 ± 3.23; N = 30) when compared with patients who did not remain in the NICU (χ 2 ± SD = 9.68 ± 3.57; N = 250; Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test, χ 2 = 10.699). Conclusion. On the basis of these findings, we speculate that pain experience as a neonate, through neuronal plasticity and resulting central hyperexcitability, can alter the later experience of pain. However, this observational study cannot validate these links. Other potential explanations that work either synergistically or alone include other forms of stimulation and greater parental vigilance that may occur when neonates spend time in the NICU. This study would prompt additional development of a larger prospective study to establish a link between early pain experience and subsequent pain syndromes and also future investigation into the treatment of pain in neonates as a preventive measure for avoiding long-lasting neuronal alterations.
Organic thin films: new materials for new devices in optoelectronics

In this talk, I will discuss the advances in the context of the fundamental advantages and disadvantages arising from the properties of organic (both polymeric and vacuum deposited) thin film materials for applications in optoelectronic devices and circuits. The talk will include a discussion of the differences between organic and inorganic semiconductors, recent progress in electronic and optoelectronic devices, and methods of fabrication and nanopatterning. Prospects for the future of this rapidly growing field of science and engineering will be included.
Quality assurance in gynecologic cytology. What is practical

The quality of gynecologic cytology has been questioned in the last two years. This author's hospital laboratory has a sizable outpatient gynecologic cytology and biopsy practice from which data have been obtained in several different quality assurance projects. In this article the author analyzes those data with respect to detection of false negative cytology screening errors, specimen sampling errors, precision in cytology and biopsy interpretation, and productivity of quality assurance methods. Sampling errors in obtaining cytology specimens are a major problem to be addressed by cytology quality assurance. The most sensitive and efficient method for detection of false negative cytologic results in this laboratory was rescreening of previous negative Papanicolaou's (Pap) smears in patients presenting for the first time with an abnormal Pap smear. Data indicate that the currently mandated requirement for rescreening 10% of a laboratory's negative Pap smears should be reconsidered and rescinded in certain circumstances.
Veterans Discharge Upgrade Manual

Hundreds of thousands of veterans have been discharged under less than honorable conditions, which can prevent them from obtaining educational, medical or pension benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and can limit their civilian employment opportunities. Post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other service-related injuries may have led to the unfavorable discharge. As a result, many otherwise deserving veterans are ineligible for the very benefits that would help them cope with their in-service trauma.Veterans can upgrade their discharge status through administrative procedures established by the service branches and in federal court. However, these processes are complicated, confusing, and time-consuming for many veterans. Fortunately, lawyers and other trained advocates can help veterans apply for discharge upgrades and receive critical services. This manual, prepared by Yale Law School students for the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, provides a basic overview of military discharges and how advocates can help veterans upgrade their discharges.
Labor market access and labor market outcomes for urban youth

This paper examines the importance of job access in explaining labor market outcomes for youth. The work sets forth a broader definition of 'access' which emphasizes the information links provided by social networks. Empirical analysis, based upon micro data from the public use sample and upon metropolitan wide aggregates, indicates that employment probabilities for black youth are significantly related to these measures of labor market access.
Thermal Conductivity of Turbostratic Carbon Nanofiber Networks

Composite material systems composed of a matrix of nano materials can achieve combinations of mechanical and thermophysical properties outside the range of traditional systems. While many reports have studied the intrinsic thermal properties of individual carbon fibers, to be useful in applications in which thermal stability is critical, an understanding of heat transport in composite materials is required. In this work, air/ carbon nano fiber networks are studied to elucidate the system parameters influencing thermal transport. Sample thermal properties are measured with varying initial carbon fiber fill fraction, environment pressure, loading pressure, and heat treatment temperature through a bidirectional modification of the 3ω technique. The nanostructures of the individual fibers are characterized with small angle x-ray scattering and Raman spectroscopy providing insight to individual fiber thermal conductivity. Measured thermal conductivity varied from 0.010 W/(m K) to 0.070 W/(m K). An understanding of the intrinsic properties of the individual fibers and the interactions of the two phase composite is used to reconcile low measured thermal conductivities with predictive modeling. This methodology can be more generally applied to a wide range of fiber composite materials and their applications.
Enhanced Electroluminescence of CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dot Light–emitting Diodes with Phosphorescent Donors

We demonstrated the enhancement of electroluminescence (EL) from green CdSe/ZnS QDs in hybrid QD/organic light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) by employing blue phosphorescent dyes Bis(4,6-difluorophenylpyridinato-N,C2)picolinatoiridium (FIrpic) as efficient exciton harvesters and energy transfer donors. Precise control of the concentration of the FIrpic donors doped in a 4,4’-N, N’-dicarbazole-biphenyl (CBP) host and their distance from the QD layer led to complete triplet exciton energy transfer and EL enhancement by a factor of 2.5. The Forster distance between FIrpic molecules and green CdSe/ZnS QDs was determined to be ∼ 8 nm, which is in a good agreement with the value calculated using the Forster model. Our study shows that integrating colloidal QDs with phosphorescent organic dyes provides an effective means for improving the quantum efficiency of QD-based hybrid LEDs.
Physicians’ perceptions of mobile technology for enhancing asthma care for youth:

This study assessed physicians' receptivity to using mobile technology as a strategy in patient care for adolescents with asthma. Understanding physicians' perceived barriers and benefits of integrating mobile technology in adolescents' asthma care and self-management is an initial step in enhancing overall patient and disease outcomes. We conducted in-depth interviews with second- and third-year pediatric residents and attending physicians who oversee pediatric residents in training (N = 27) at an academic medical center in the southeastern United States. We identified both benefits from and barriers to broader use of mobile technologies for improving asthma outcomes in adolescents. Resident physicians demonstrated greater readiness for integrating these technologies than did attending physicians. Prior to adoption of mobile technologies in the care of adolescent asthma patients, barriers to implementation should be understood. Prior to widespread adoption, such systems will need to be evaluated against traditional care for demonstration of patient outcomes that improve on the current situation.
Adaptive electron beam shaping using a photoemission gun and spatial light modulator

The need for precisely defined beam shapes in photoelectron sources has been well established. In this paper, we use a spatial light modulator and simple shaping algorithm to create arbitrary, detailed transverse laser shapes with high fidelity. We transmit this shaped laser to the photocathode of a high voltage dc gun. Using beam currents where space charge is negligible, and using an imaging solenoid and fluorescent viewscreen, we show that the resultant beam shape preserves these detailed features with similar fidelity. Next, instead of transmitting a shaped laser profile, we use an active feedback on the unshaped electron beam image to create equally accurate and detailed shapes. We demonstrate that this electron beam feedback has the added advantage of correcting for electron optical aberrations, yielding shapes without skew. The method may serve to provide precisely defined electron beams for low current target experiments, space-charge dominated beam commissioning, as well as for online adaptive correction of photocathode quantum efficiency degradation.
Perceptions and Motivations to Prevent Heart Disease among Puerto Ricans.

OBJECTIVES We performed a qualitative assessment of Puerto Ricans' knowledge and perceptions of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and motivations/barriers and preferences to participate in community/ clinical programs for CVD-prevention. METHODS Four guided focus group discussions were conducted on a total of 24 Puerto Ricans, aged 40-60 years in Boston, MA. RESULTS Participants were aware of CVD, but less knowledgeable about its prevention. They perceived it as serious, and either had CVD or knew someone who had it. They favored education and activities on nutrition, exercise, clinical advice, and social interaction, in weekly/ biweekly small-group sessions with other Latinos, led in Spanish by a familiar health professional, in a convenient community location. Age- and culture-specific program content and educational materials were preferred. A theme emerged on 'personal or family motivations' such as to become healthier and live longer so they would feel better and support their families, or to learn about CVD-prevention. Main barriers included family obligations, weather, safety concerns, transportation, and depressive mood. CONCLUSIONS Culturally-tailored CVD-prevention programs for Puerto Ricans should include multiple behavioral and social approaches, and draw on intrinsic motivators while reducing barriers to help enhance efficacy and sustainability.
Folate distribution in fruit juices

Orange, grapefruit, and grape juices and lemonade were assayed with three microorganisms to determine their value as dietary sources of folate. The authors comment on data in food tables and the need for revision to include the pattern as well as the total amount of food folates.
Spontaneous Regression of Liver Metastasis from Renal Carcinoma

Idiopathic regression of metastases from renal carcinoma is rare and usually involves lung metastases in men with a good performance status following removal of the primary tumor. We report a case of spontaneous regression of a biopsy proved liver metastasis that had appeared several months after removal of primary renal carcinoma.
Effects of Live and Educational Music Therapy on Working Alliance and Trust With Patients on Detoxification Unit: A Four-Group Cluster-Randomized Trial

ABSTRACTBackground: Lyric analysis is a commonly utilized music therapy intervention for clients in substance abuse rehabilitation wherein participants interpret song lyrics related to their clinical objectives. For these patients, working alliance and trust in the therapist represent consequential factors that may influence outcomes. However, there is a lack of randomized controlled music therapy studies investigating working alliance and trust in the therapist within lyric analysis interventions for patients with addictions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to quantitatively differentiate live versus recorded and educational versus recreational music therapy interventions via measures of working alliance and trust with patients on a detoxification unit. Method: Participants (N = 130) were cluster randomized in a single-session posttest-only design to one of four conditions: Live educational music therapy, recorded educational music therapy, education without music, or recreational music therapy....
Divine Fury: A History of Genius. By Darrin M. McMahon. (New York, NY: Basic Books, 2013. Pp. xxii, 312. $29.99.)

This study surveys the debate about human genius as it has played out within what is recognized as the Western tradition. In many ways, this book is a throwback to an older tradition of intellectua...
Modifying thought-action fusion via a single-session computerized interpretation training

Thought-action fusion (TAF) is an important cognitive bias in various emotional disorders, especially, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). TAF leads individuals to interpret the presence of unwanted mental intrusions as morally equivalent to acting on them, and/or increasing the likelihood of the feared consequence. We sought to test the feasibility of a brief computerized cognitive bias modification for interpretations (CBM-I) as a potential intervention to reduce TAF among undergraduates who reported obsessional intrusions. We also examined if the TAF-focused CBM-I can decrease participants’ emotional reactions towards a variety of obsessional thoughts, including personally-relevant intrusions. Participants were randomized to (a) the TAF-incongruent condition (TAF-INC), designed to decrease TAF linked to obsessional thoughts, or (b) the TAF-congruent condition (TAF-CON), designed to render TAF-like interpretation of obsessional thoughts unchallenged. Results indicate the TAF-INC group displayed a significantly greater reduction in the severity of total TAF and TAF moral than the TAF-CON group. Reductions on TAF likelihood did not differ by group. Emotional reaction to personally-relevant obsessional intrusions was also shown to be lower after training in the TAF-INC group. Overall, this study presents preliminary data supporting the feasibility of CBM-I to be used as an effective intervention for TAF.
Does Your Home Make You Wealthy

Estimating the lifetime wealth consequences of homeownership is complicated by ongoing events, such as divorce or inheritance, that may shape both homeownership decisions and later-life wealth. We argue that prior research that has not accounted for these dynamic selection processes has overstated the causal effect of homeownership on wealth. Using NLSY79 data and marginal structural models, we find that each additional year of homeownership increases midlife wealth in 2008 by about $6,800, more than 25 percent less than estimates from models that do not account for dynamic selection. Hispanic and African American wealth benefits from each homeownership year are 62 percent and 48 percent as large as those of whites, respectively. Homeownership remains wealth-enhancing in 2012, but shows smaller returns. Our results confirm homeownership’s role in wealth accumulation and that variation in both homeownership rates and the wealth benefits of homeownership contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in midlife wealth holdings.
Theory of self-assembly of microtubules and motors

We derive a model describing spatiotemporal organization of an array of microtubules interacting via molecular motors. Starting from a stochastic model of inelastic polar rods with a generic anisotropic interaction kernel, we obtain a set of equations for the local rods concentration and orientation. At large enough mean density of rods and concentration of motors, the model describes an orientational instability. We demonstrate that the orientational instability leads to the formation of vortices and (for large density and/or kernel anisotropy) asters seen in recent experiments. We derive the specific form of the interaction kernel from the detailed analysis of microscopic interaction of two filaments mediated by a moving molecular motor and extend our results to include variable motor density and motor attachment to the substrate.
Transdimensional seismic inversion using the reversible jump Hamiltonian Monte Carlo algorithm

ABSTRACTPrestack or angle stack gathers are inverted to estimate pseudologs at every surface location for building reservoir models. Recently, several methods have been proposed to increase the resolution of the inverted models. All of these methods, however, require that the total number of model parameters be fixed a priori. We have investigated an alternate approach in which we allow the data themselves to choose model parameterization. In other words, in addition to the layer properties, the number of layers is also treated as a variable in our formulation. Such transdimensional inverse problems are generally solved by using the reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (RJMCMC) approach, which is a tool for model exploration and uncertainty quantification. This method, however, has very low acceptance. We have developed a two-step method by combining RJMCMC with a fixed-dimensional MCMC called Hamiltonian Monte Carlo, which makes use of gradient information to take large steps. Acceptance probability ...
Validity and Mechanical Turk

Social science researchers increasingly recruit participants through Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) platform. Yet, the physical isolation of MTurk participants, and perceived lack of experimental control have led to persistent concerns about the quality of the data that can be obtained from MTurk samples. In this paper we focus on two of the most salient concernsthat MTurk participants may not buy into interactive experiments and that they may produce unreliable or invalid data. We review existing research on these topics and present new data to address these concerns. We find that insufficient attention is no more a problem among MTurk samples than among other commonly used convenience or high-quality commercial samples, and that MTurk participants buy into interactive experiments and trust researchers as much as participants in laboratory studies. Furthermore, we find that employing rigorous exclusion methods consistently boosts statistical power without introducing problematic side effects (e.g., substantially biasing the post-exclusion sample), and can thus provide a general solution for dealing with problematic respondents across samples. We conclude with a discussion of best practices and recommendations. Online participant recruitment has led to persistent concerns about data quality.Online participants are just as attentive as participants recruited offline.Online participants buy into experimental social interactions as much as in the lab.Rigorous exclusion methods can be used to improve data quality online and offline.
Missing data may lead to changes in hip fracture database studies: a study of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

AimsThe aims of this study were to characterize the frequency of missing data in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database and to determine how missing data can influence the results of studies dealing with elderly patients with a fracture of the hip.Patients and MethodsPatients who underwent surgery for a fracture of the hip between 2005 and 2013 were identified from the NSQIP database and the percentage of missing data was noted for demographics, comorbidities and laboratory values. These variables were tested for association with ‘any adverse event’ using multivariate regressions based on common ways of handling missing data.ResultsA total of 26 066 patients were identified. The rate of missing data was up to 77.9% for many variables. Multivariate regressions comparing three methods of handling missing data found different risk factors for postoperative adverse events. Only seven of 35 identified risk factors (20%) were common to all three analyses.ConclusionMissing data is an ...
Myeloma bone marrow acid phosphatase staining: a correlative study of 38 patients

Acid phosphatase (AP) activity of plasma cells was studied in 38 patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The average activity per cell was strong (mean score = 2.42; maximum score = 4) and the percentage of positive cells was greater than 90% in over 71% of patients. The average AP activity per cell was higher prior to treatment (3.06 +/- 0.53) compared to relapse (2.48 +/- 0.77) and remission (1.81 +/- 1.02 (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respectively). In correlation of AP activity with clinical features at the time of the study, the only significant difference was between kappa and lambda subtype. Patients with lambda MM had a higher average AP activity per cell in remission (2.71 +/- 0.43) as opposed to kappa MM (1.17 +/- 1.06, p less than 0.05 for difference). AP activity was not significantly correlated with degree of bone involvement. However, activity seemed to be a good marker of disease activity.