cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Viral modulators of cell death provide new links to old pathways

By observing how viruses facilitate their parasitic relationships with host cells, we gain insights into key regulatory pathways of the cell. Not only are mitochondria key players in the regulation of programmed cell death, but many viral regulators of cell death also alter mitochondrial functions either directly or indirectly. Although cytomegalovirus vMIA and Epstein-Barr virus BHRF1 seem to have opposite effects on mitochondrial morphology, they both inhibit cell death. Drosophila Reaper, a regulator of developmental cell death, acts on IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) proteins to activate caspases, but can regulate mitochondrial permeability in vitro. Despite its pivotal role in Drosophila, homologues of Reaper in other species were not previously known. Recently, amino acid sequence similarity was recognized between Drosophila Reaper and a protein known to be important for the replication and virulence of mosquito-borne bunyaviruses that cause human encephalitis. Thus, viral mechanisms for regulating apoptosis are diverse and not fully elucidated but promise to provide new insights.
Food preference of the rove beetle, Atheta coriaria Kraatz (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) under laboratory conditions

A study, involving laboratory choice tests, was conducted to determine the feeding behavior, based on food preference, of the adult and larval stage of the rove beetle, Atheta coriaria Kraatz when presented with both fresh moistened oatmeal and second instar fungus gnat, Bradysia sp. nr. coprophila (Lintner) larvae in Petri dishes. Rove beetles used in this study came from a laboratory-reared colony. A rating scale from 1 to 5, based on percent missing (1 = 0 to 10%, 2 = 11 to 30%, 3 = 31 to 50%, 4 = 51 to 75%, and 5 = 76 to 100%), was used to objectively assess the amount of oatmeal and number of fungus gnat larvae consumed by each rove beetle adult and larva. In all the choice tests, A. coriaria adults and larvae preferred to feed on fungus gnat larvae (78% and 69%, respectively) significantly more so than oatmeal (9% and 5%, respectively) based on the amount of oatmeal and number of fungus gnat larvae consumed after 4 and 6 hours. There were relatively minimal differences in the amount of food consumed for both adults and larvae after 4 and 6 hours. The results of this study indicate that oatmeal may be an inexpensive supplemental food source, during the rearing process, which will not inhibit the effectiveness of rove beetles to control fungus gnat larvae when released into greenhouses.
Sea urchin metalloproteases: A genomic survey of the BMP-1/tolloid-like, MMP and ADAM families

Analysis of the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus genome has revealed approximately 240 metalloprotease genes, and they represent all 23 families expressed in vertebrates. EST/cDNA sequencing and microarray analysis show that nearly 70% are represented in embryo RNA. Among them are many metalloproteases with demonstrated developmental roles in other systems-BMP-1/TLD (tolloid) (astacins), MMPs (matrix metalloproteases) and the ADAMs (disintegrin/metalloproteases). The developmental functions of these kinds of metalloproteases include modifying the extracellular matrix, regulating signaling pathways or modulating cellular adhesive properties. The unexpectedly large number of BMP-1/TLD-like protease genes (23) results primarily from expansion of a set encoding an unusual domain conserved in structure and primary sequence only in nematode astacins. Such proteases may have interesting developmental functions because the expression patterns of several are highly regulated along the primary axis at times when cell differentiation and morphogenesis begin. The size of the sea urchin MMP family and the clustered arrangement of many of its members are similar to vertebrates, but phylogenetic analyses suggest that different ancestral genes were independently amplified in sea urchins and vertebrates. One expansion appears to be genes encoding MMPs that have putative transmembrane domains and may be membrane-tethered (MT). Interestingly, the genes encoding TIMPs, inhibitors of MMPs, have also been amplified and the 10 genes are tandemly arranged in a single cluster. In contrast, there are fewer ADAM and ADAMTS genes in sea urchins, but they represent all but one of the chordate-specific groups. The genome sequence now opens the door to experimental manipulations designed to understand how modulation of the extracellular environment affects development.
Polymeric brushes with density dependent excluded volume parameters

Based on the recognition made by de Gennes that the excluded volume parameter of poly-ethylene-oxide (PEO) might depend on the local monomer density, we study the structure of PEO brushes in the limit where a local minimum is present in the free energy functional. Within the frame work of self-consistent-field theory advocated by Miller, Witten and Cates, the model predicts that a very dense state exists near the wall as the strength of the attractive interaction between the backbone and the wall is tuned. This dense state occurs through the first order phase transition. Even without an attractive interaction, for large surface coverage, we find the collapse of polymer chains near the wall
Minimization of fuzzy systems based on fuzzy inference graphs

In a large fuzzy rule-based system, a great deal of computation time is required for a fuzzy inference engine. A given fuzzy rule-based system is modeled as a fuzzy inference graph where each node in the graph corresponds to a relation representing a rule in the rule-based system. This paper presents algorithms to minimize the number of nodes in the graph using fuzzy operations as well as their properties to reduce the computation time of each inference. The algorithm sorts a graph into stages, iteratively applies the two major operations, fuzzy union as well as composition and results in the new graph with the minimum number of nodes without increasing the dimensionality of each node.
Factors affecting the determination of bound ascorbic acid in blood serum or animal tissues.

Abstract An evaluation was made of a modification of the Sumerwell and Sealock procedure for the determination of bound ascorbic acid. It was demonstrated that the amount of bound ascorbic acid determined to be present in blood serum or plasma depended upon the time and temperature of hydrolysis, the sample size, and the presence or absence of several constituents of blood or tissues. Attempts to demonstrate the presence of bound ascorbic acid in blood serum by means of autolysis or enzymic hydrolysis were unsuccessful. It is doubtful that existing analytical procedures are sufficiently specific to demonstrate conclusively the existence of bound ascorbic acid in animal tissues or fluids.
Intermetallic compound layer development during the solid state thermal aging of 63Sn-37Pb solder/Au-Pt-Pd thick film couples

A study was performed which examined the solid state, intermetallic compound layer growth kinetics between 63Sn-37Pb solder and a 76Au-21Pt-3Pd (wt.%) thick film conductor on 96% alumina substrates. A linear, multivariable regression analysis was used to assess the experimental data according to the following empirical relationship: x-x0=At/sup n/ exp(-/spl Delta/H/RT). A time exponent of n=0.78/spl plusmn/0.08 was observed, suggesting that a combination of bulk diffusion and interface reaction mechanisms were responsible for layer growth. The apparent activation energy, /spl Delta/H, was 106/spl ges/8 kJ/mol. Parallel aging experiments were performed on diffusion couples fabricated between 63Sn-37Pb solder and bulk alloy stock having the same Au-Pt-Pd composition as the thick film. Similar growth kinetic parameters were computed. Intermetallic compound layer growth was accelerated under thermal cycling and thermal shock conditions due to residual stresses generated by the thermal expansion mismatch between the solder and the ceramic substrate.
Variation Management for Software Product Lines with Cumulative Coverage of Feature Interactions

In this paper we present a practical way for managing software product lines with respect to its feature interactions and illustrate how it works with the results from the real products in our previous experience. In front of this work, we have applied a software product line engineering and model driven development to our product line development, in which we have ever developed more than 30 products by assembling software components without hand coding. In this previous experience, we found that product developers tended to make excessive effort on verification and testing because of the fear of feature interaction problems. This prevented improving the productivity of software development. In order to address this issue, we propose accumulating the results of feature interactions that have ever appeared in the past products so that the product developers can focus their testing effort on interactions that first appear in their product without worrying about the implementation details. Then they will have confidence in their product configuration. We believe that the variation management with respect to the feature interactions will encourage the developers and promote the introduction of software product line engineering.
The Lived Experience of Sacrificing Something Important

The purposes of this research, using the Parse method, were to discover the structure of sacrificing something important and to expand the theory of human becoming. The core concepts of relinquishing the cherished, shifting preferred options, and fortifying affiliations were discovered during the process of extraction-synthesis using synopses of dialogues from 10 church parishioners. The structure, sacrificing something important is relinquishing the cherished while shifting preferred options amid fortifying affiliations is the central finding of this study, adding to the theory of human becoming, stimulating further research, and informing nurses about this universal lived experience of health.
Functional MRI of Language: New Approaches to Understanding the Cortical Organization of Semantic Processing

▪ Abstract Until recently, our understanding of how language is organized in the brain depended on analysis of behavioral deficits in patients with fortuitously placed lesions. The availability of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for in vivo analysis of the normal brain has revolutionized the study of language. This review discusses three lines of fMRI research into how the semantic system is organized in the adult brain. These are (a) the role of the left inferior frontal lobe in semantic processing and dissociations from other frontal lobe language functions, (b) the organization of categories of objects and concepts in the temporal lobe, and (c) the role of the right hemisphere in comprehending contextual and figurative meaning. Together, these lines of research broaden our understanding of how the brain stores, retrieves, and makes sense of semantic information, and they challenge some commonly held notions of functional modularity in the language system.
Decision Making Under Interval Uncertainty (and Beyond)

To make a decision, we must find out the user’s preference, and help the user select an alternative which is the best—according to these preferences. Traditional utility-based decision theory is based on a simplifying assumption that for each two alternatives, a user can always meaningfully decide which of them is preferable. In reality, often, when the alternatives are close, the user is often unable to select one of these alternatives. In this chapter, we show how we can extend the utility-based decision theory to such realistic (interval) cases.
Do antiepileptic drugs differ in suppressing interictal epileptiform activity in children

Antiepileptic drugs may suppress interictal epileptiform activity in addition to suppressing seizures, although the comparative rates of suppression of interictal epileptiform activity for phenobarbital (PHB), carbamazepine (CBZ), and valproate (VPA) in children are unknown. Electroencephalogram (EEG) pairs were identified in which the first tracing illustrated interictal epileptiform activity before antiepileptic drug treatment; the rate of clearance of such activity in the subsequent tracing was assessed according to the drug introduced. EEG pairs (n = 213) were identified for CBZ, PHB, and VPA. Overall suppression rates of epileptiform activity in the second EEG were 12/55 (22%) for PHB, 27/81 (33%) for CBZ, and 35/77 (46%) for VPA (P = 0.005 for VPA vs PHB). When suppression rates were assessed comparing sleep-state pairs, suppression rates were 24/80 (30%) for PHB, 51/129 (40%) for CBZ, and 60/120 (50%) for VPA (P = 0.005 for PHB vs VPA). A subanalysis for focal discharges yielded suppression rates of 10/43 (23%) for PHB, 19/60 (32%) for CBZ, and 8/19 (42%) for VPA; for generalized discharges, 2/12 (17%) for PHB, 8/21 (38%) for CBZ, and 27/58 (47%) for VPA. VPA, and to a lesser extent CBZ, appeared superior to PHB in suppressing interictal epileptiform activity, including both focal and generalized epileptiform activity.
Pro- and Anti-Americanism in Sub-Saharan Africa

Do theories developed to explain widespread anti-Americanism in some regions generalize to countries where pro-Americanism is the norm? Anti-Americanism has intensified in most places, yet sentiments remain relatively positive in sub-Saharan Africa. We compare survey responses from Africa with those from other regions in the developing world to determine why Africans are more pro-American than others. The evidence indicates that personal contacts with individuals in the United States, support for international engagement, and admiration of the American model generate goodwill in Africa. Notably, these individual-level drivers of approval in Africa are similar to those in other regions. We conclude that Africans are relatively favorable toward the United States because more Africans than non-Africans have attitudes, traits, and experiences that encourage pro-American sentiments. Most scholars of attitudes about America seek to explain disapproval, rather than approval, of the United States. The telling label ‘anti-Americanism’ is typically used to denote the outcome of interest within this field of study (Friedman, 2012). The search for sources of dissatisfaction has led academics to focus on populations and regions where negative sentiments are especially acute. For example, disproportionate attention has been paid to Muslims, to countries in the Middle East and Europe and, to a lesser extent, Latin America. Such formulations of the object of study, and the resultant selection of cases, may lead to incomplete explanations. Extant theories may be of limited use for ascertaining why many individuals approve of the U.S. much of the time. We expand on the existing literature by investigating attitudes about the U.S., after first reference in a region with a substantial reserve of proAmericanism. As we will demonstrate, survey evidence suggests that proAmericanism is higher in sub-Saharan Africa than in any other region. Africa is also the most neglected region within the study of attitudes about the U.S. This
Numerical errors in the scalar potential formulations used in low-frequency field problems

This paper examines the sources of numerical errors in the reduced scalar potential solution of electromagnetic field problems. A number of ways by which some of these errors may be eliminated are put forward and numerical results for the 3D geometry of an iron core inductor are compared and explanations have been attempted.
Genetic Profiling of Gleason Grade 4/5 Prostate Cancer: Which is the Best Prostatic Control Tissue?

ABSTRACTPurpose: We examined the variation in gene expression profiles of prostate cancer caused by zone specific genes.Materials and Methods: Ten normal central zone, 10 transition zone (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and 6 normal peripheral zone tissues from radical retropubic prostatectomies were compared to each other and to 12 peripheral zone Gleason grade 4/5 cancers. Test chips and HuGeneFL6800 (Affymetrix, Inc., Santa Clara, California) chips were used to assay the transcribed genes. Data were obtained with the Microarray Suite Version 4.0.1 (Affymetrix, Inc.) and analyzed statistically.Results: Substantially different gene expression profiles were found depending upon which of the 3 zonal tissues were used as a control. All 3 profiles were compared for efficiency (ability to locate genes) and for robustness (the magnitude of difference between the control and the Gleason grade 4/5 tissue). Microscopically normal appearing peripheral zone tissue at the gene level shows many characteristics of Gleas...
Effect of metoclopramide on digoxin absorption from tablets and capsules

The effect of metoclopramide, a drug that increases gut motility, on the consistency of digoxin absorption was examined in 16 healthy men. Each received the following four single-dose digoxin treatments in complete crossover fashion: two 0.25-mg digoxin tablets, alone, and two 0.2-mg digoxin capsules with metoclopramide. Mean serum AUCs over 24 hr (AUC-24) and cumulative urinary digoxin excretion over 48 hr (CUE-48) were of the same order for the tablets and capsules alone treatments. Metoclopramide reduced the mean AUC-24 for tablets from 12.26 +/- 2.70 to 9.38 +/- 3.78 ng X hr/ml (P less than 0.001) and the CUE-48 from 119.0 +/- 22.4 to 97.6 +/- 22.2 micrograms (P less than 0.01). There were no significant differences in mean AUC-24 (12.94 +/- 3.16 and 13.45 +/- 2.33 ng X hr/ml) and mean CUE-48 (117.8 +/- 23.4 and 109.7 +/- 25.0 micrograms) when capsules alone were compared to capsules with metoclopramide. Metoclopramide reduced the time to reach peak concentration for both digoxin dosage forms. The effect of metoclopramide on digoxin absorption is minimized by administration of digoxin in capsules.
Classification of HIV-1 protease crystal structures using Random Forest, linear discriminant analysis and logistic regression

The present study develops a classification model to correlate the binding pockets of 70 HIV-1 protease crystal structures in terms of their structural descriptors to their complexed HIV-1 protease inhibitors. The Random Forest classification model is used to reduce the chemical descriptor space from 456 to the 12 most relevant descriptors based on the Gini importance measure. The selected 12 descriptors are then used to develop classification models using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and logistic regression (LR). The top eight descriptors were found to produce the best LDA model with an overall error of 30% and a leave-one-out cross validation error of 44.29%, while the top five descriptors were found to produce the best LR model with an overall error of 28.57% and a leave-one-out cross validation error of 41.43%. Hierarchical clustering was performed on the top five and eight descriptors to verify whether the descriptor selection of Random Forest can group together the binding pockets based on their complexed ligands. The selected descriptors would play a crucial role in understanding the HIV-1 protease binding pocket structure in terms of its chemical descriptors.
Statistical anomaly detection with sensor networks

We seek to detect statistically significant temporal or spatial changes in either the underlying process the sensor network is monitoring or in the network operation itself. These changes may point to faults, adversarial threats, misbehavior, or other anomalies that require intervention. To that end, we introduce a new statistical anomaly detection framework that uses Markov models to characterize the “normal” behavior of the sensor network. We develop a series of Markov models, including tree-indexed Markov chains which can model its spatial structure. For each model, an anomaly-free probability law is estimated from past traces. We leverage large deviations techniques to develop optimal anomaly detection rules for each corresponding Markov model, assessing whether its most recent empirical measure is consistent with the anomaly-free probability law. A series of simulation results, some with real sensor data, validate the effectiveness of the proposed anomaly detection algorithms.
The effect of farm policy on production strategies among French family farmers

French farm policy has created incentives for certain production strategies which theoretically require little or no land and which would therefore be particularly suited for small holders. Through credit and subsidies for the construction of pigsties, and through contractual arrangements for the production of hybrid seed corn and tobacco, the government has encouraged these activities. However, because of certain constraints, these activities are more successfully pursued by holders of larger farms. Small holders, because they are small, cannot fully benefit from these strategies which would compensate them for their smallness.
Molecular cloning and quantification of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase isoforms in rat muscles

A cDNA encoding the full-length adult rat fast-twitch muscle Ca(2+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) was cloned. The deduced amino acid sequence of this molecule has 97 and 90% identity with those of rabbit fast-twitch muscle and chicken skeletal muscle Ca(2+)-ATPases, respectively. Specific probes from the 3'-untranslated region of each sarcoplasmic or endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) gene product and full-length cRNA transcript standards were used to determine the quantity of mRNA encoding each isoform in various rat muscles. Quantitative immunoblotting was also used to determine the protein content of each SERCA isoform. Fast-twitch fibers expressed both SERCA1 mRNA and protein at a level two- to fivefold higher than SERCA2 was expressed in slow-twitch fibers. We observed a protein-to-mRNA ratio that varied from approximately 500,000 molecules per molecule in the fast-twitch muscles to approximately 200,000 in cardiac and smooth muscles. There was no difference, however, between the ratio for different isoforms in the same muscle. The content of Ca2+ pump in a given muscle therefore depends on at least three factors: 1) the efficiency of gene transcription and message stability (fiber type dependent), 2) the efficiency of translation and protein stability (muscle identity dependent), and 3) fiber composition of the muscle.
[7] HeLa toposiomerase I

Publisher Summary Similar to the prokaryotic systems, there are two types of DNA topoisomerases in animal cells. Both type I and type II DNA topoisomerases are purified to homogeneity from HeLa cells. The type I DNA topoisomerase from HeLa cells (HeLa topoisomerase I), similar to all other eukaryotic type I DNA topoisomerases, introduces transient single-stranded breaks on duplex DNA, resulting in the relaxation of a superhelical DNA or other types of topological rearrangements of DNA. HeLa topoisomerase I can also spontaneously break down single-stranded DNA, generating active enzyme-linked fragments of single-stranded DNA. The exact biological functions of animal topoisomerase I are still unknown. Processes such as DNA sequence rearrangements, DNA replication, RNA transcription, and genetic recombination are suggested for such an activity. This chapter explains the assay method for HeLa topoisomerase I.
Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Acetylation and Dysregulation, Due to Loss of SIRT3 Activity, Promote a Luminal B-Like Breast Carcinogenic-Permissive Phenotype

Abstract Significance: Breast cancer is the most common nondermatologic malignancy among women in the United States, among which endocrine receptor-positive breast cancer accounts for up to 80%. Endocrine receptor-positive breast cancers can be categorized molecularly into luminal A and B subtypes, of which the latter is an aggressive form that is less responsive to endocrine therapy with inferior prognosis. Recent Advances: Sirtuin, an aging-related gene involved in mitochondrial metabolism, is associated with life span, and more importantly, murine models lacking Sirt3 spontaneously develop tumors that resemble human luminal B breast cancer. Furthermore, these tumors exhibit aberrant manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) acetylation at lysine 68 and lysine 122 and have abnormally high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which have been observed in many types of breast cancer. Critical Issues: The mechanism of how luminal B breast cancer develops resistance to endocrine therapy remains unclear. MnSOD,...
Modulatory Effects of Mild Carbon Monoxide Exposure in the Developing Mouse Cochlea

Carbon monoxide (CO) is well known as a highly toxic poison at high concentrations, yet in physiologic amounts it is an endogenous biological messenger in organs such as the internal ear and brain. In this study we tested the hypothesis that chronic very mild CO exposure at concentrations 25-ppm increases the expression of oxidative stress protecting enzymes within the cellular milieu of the developing inner ear (cochlea) of the normal CD-1 mouse. In addition we tested also the hypothesis that CO can decrease the pre-existing condition of oxidative stress in the mouse model for the human medical condition systemic lupus erythematosus by increasing two protective enzymes heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD-2). CD-1 and MRL/lpr mice were exposed to mild CO concentrations (25 ppm in air) from prenatal only and prenatal followed by early postnatal day 5 to postnatal day 20. The expression of cell markers specific for oxidative stress, and related neural/endothelial markers were investigated at the level of the gene products by immunohistochemistry, proteomics and mRNA expression (quantitative real time-PCR). We found that in the CD-1 and MRL/lpr mouse cochlea SOD-2 and HO-1 were upregulated. In this mouse model of autoimmune disease defense mechanism are attenuated, thus mild CO exposure is beneficial. Several genes (mRNA) and proteins detected by proteomics involved in cellular protection were upregulated in the CO exposed CD-1 mouse and the MRL/lpr mouse.
The effect of phlorhizin on tumors in animals

In 1914 Benedict and Lewis1 reported the cure of malignant tumors in rats by the induction of glycosuria by phlorhizin. During the past few months similar experiments have been carried on in the laboratory of the Crocker Fund, using the same tumor—Buffalo rat sarcoma—and a progressively growing, highly malignant mouse carcinoma. In addition, seven mice bearing spontaneous tumors have been treated. The treated animals were kept on a diet of meat and lard, as in the experiments of Benedict and Lewis. The rats received subcutaneously 0.003 gram phlorhizin in olive oil, and the mice 0.001 gram, at two or three day intervals; and the collected urines were examined frequently at the end of the second or third day after injection, and found to give positive Fehling reaction.Treatment was begun seventeen days after inoculation with the tumor, except in the cases of a few animals which were treated on the tenth day, and of a few which were first rendered diabetic and then inoculated. None of the tumors at the begi...
Hybrid Models for Conjoint Analysis: An Expository Review:

Over the past few years hybrid models for conjoint analysis have been developed to reduce data collection effort and time. Hybrid models combine features of self-explicated utility measurement with...
JUNIOR DOCTOR PRESCRIBING: INTRODUCTION OF AN ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBING ASSESSMENT

Aim The aim of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of introducing the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) paediatric prescribing assessment1 via an electronic prescribing system to assess junior doctors starting at the regional children9s hospital. Method Face-to-face teaching and case based assessment were carried out at induction using the RCPCH paediatric prescribing tool and assessment sheet. Some junior doctors failed the assessment and as a consequence the paediatric pharmacists developed three further prescribing assessments. These have been reviewed by the RCPCH and NPPG joint medicines committee and are due to become available on the RCPCH website. For each doctor sitting the assessment, two patients were created and admitted onto the electronic medicines management test system. This was to ensure that there was no possibility of accessing live patient data. The doctors were then given two scenarios with the relevant hospital numbers and asked to prescribe for their patients. The answers were checked by pharmacists using the RCPCH marking criteria. Results A total of seven doctors undertook the assessment, four passed and three failed. Two doctors who failed the initial test sat a further electronic test, one of these passed and one failed. The third re-sit was conducted using paper charts and the individual passed. One junior doctor is still to sit a re-sit paper. This pilot highlighted a number of limitations, including a strong reliance on IT support and equipment. The e-prescribing team were required to set up the test patients and switch the computers to the test system before use. Finding a venue with enough computers was also a challenge. For those who failed, organising an electronic re-sit took longer to arrange than the preceding paper based assessment. Due to shift patterns, re-sits needed to be done at different times therefore increasing the pharmacist9s workload. Advantages included the answers being easy to access and legible therefore marking time was reduced. Conclusion This work has highlighted several obstacles in providing an electronic assessment including the need for IT support, equipment and the difficulty in sourcing these at short notice for resits. The electronic assessment has enabled the test to be marked more efficiently, it is clear who the prescriber is and the prescriptions are legible. Using e-prescribing allowed the doctors to be evaluated on their ability to use the system. However this is not the intention of the RCPCH assessment tool, which has been designed to assess the doctor9s ability to follow instructions, use the BNFc and perform calculations correctly. Our intention is to extend this assessment to include all trainees in the region when they attend regional mandatory study days. Introducing the assessment at this early stage in a doctor9s training would identify any problems quickly and allow them to be addressed appropriately. Due to the large number of doctors, an electronic assessment may be impractical based on our findings and a paper based assessment may be more appropriate.
Implementing a Peer Support Program for Veterans: Seeking New Models for the Provision of Community-Based Outpatient Services for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders

The Peer Support Program is an innovative service that aims to improve mental health care for veterans living in rural and other regions of Northern California vulnerable to becoming understaffed with mental health professionals. The program is a collaboration between the Stanford University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the US Department of Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System. It is currently offered at three VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics: Sonora, Modesto, and Stockton, CA. The primary target population is veterans returning from the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the program serves veterans from all eras who struggle with issues related to posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders. As a new model to provide community-based outpatient services where capacity of the system and providers is, at times, challenged to meet the need, two certified peer specialists run the program’s clinical services. They are paraprofessional veterans who have experienced similar mental health disorders and successfully progressed in their recovery from those disorders. Their position requires specific training, certification, and ongoing supervision by licensed mental health professionals. Program leadership and direction comes from the Menlo Park Division campus of the VA health care system, which is located more than 100 miles from where the clinical services are provided. The program has been in the planning stages since November 2012 and operational since February 2012.
A Geospatial Framework to Estimate Depth of Scour under Buildings Due to Storm Surge in Coastal Areas

Hurricanes and tropical storms represent one of the major hazards in coastal communities. Storm surge generated by strong winds and low pressure from these systems have the potential to bring extensive flooding in coastal areas. In many cases, the damage caused by the storm surge may exceed the damage from the wind resulting in the total collapse of buildings. Therefore, in coastal areas, one of the sources for major structural damage could be due to scour, where the soil below the building that serves as the foundation is swept away by the movement of the water. The existing methodologies to forecast hurricane flood damage do not differentiate between the different damage mechanisms (e.g., inundation vs. scour). Currently, there are no tools available that predominantly focus on forecasting scour-related damage for buildings. Such a tool could provide significant advantages for planning and/or preparing emergency responses. Therefore, the focus of this study was to develop a methodology to predict possible scour depth due to hurricane storm surges using an automated ArcGIS tool that incorporates the expected hurricane conditions (flow depth, velocity, and flood duration), site-specific building information, and the associated soil types for the foundation. A case study from Monmouth County (NJ), where the scour damages from 2012 Hurricane Sandy were recorded after the storm, was used to evaluate the accuracy of the developed forecasting tool and to relate the scour depth to potential scour damage. The results indicate that the developed tool provides relatively consistent results with the field observations.
A New Model of Learning

Chapter Four, “A New Model of Learning,” explains how the conventional school system is structured in ways that perpetuate initial gaps in achievement that exist upon entry in kindergarten. Learned helplessness, passive, disengaged behavior, and depressed achievement may be expected when task difficulty is fixed, students are graded in relation to each other and, as a consequence, low-performing students routinely have the discouraging experience of receiving low grades. Significantly, this condition is reversible. Individualized task difficulty, in combination with frequent, objective performance feedback, serves to reverse the condition of learned helplessness, promoting engagement and achievement, suggesting that a lack of individualized task difficulty and performance feedback is a major factor contributing to or causing the persistence of the achievement gap throughout the K-12 years.
Gaussian model-based partitioning using iterated local search

The emergence of Gaussian model-based partitioning as a viable alternative to K-means clustering fosters a need for discrete optimization methods that can be efficiently implemented using model-based criteria. A variety of alternative partitioning criteria have been proposed for more general data conditions that permit elliptical clusters, different spatial orientations for the clusters, and unequal cluster sizes. Unfortunately, many of these partitioning criteria are computationally demanding, which makes the multiple-restart (multistart) approach commonly used for K-means partitioning less effective as a heuristic solution strategy. As an alternative, we propose an approach based on iterated local search (ILS), which has proved effective in previous combinatorial data analysis contexts. We compared multistart, ILS and hybrid multistart-ILS procedures for minimizing a very general model-based criterion that assumes no restrictions on cluster size or within-group covariance structure. This comparison, which used 23 data sets from the classification literature, revealed that the ILS and hybrid heuristics generally provided better criterion function values than the multistart approach when all three methods were constrained to the same 10-min time limit. In many instances, these differences in criterion function values reflected profound differences in the partitions obtained.
Low Acceptability of Certain Contraceptive Methods among Young Women

Abstract Study Objective To examine what predicts low personal acceptability of 4 different contraceptive methods among young women. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Urban adolescent contraception clinic in Colorado. Participants Female clinic patients ages 13-24 initiating contraception from August 2011 to April 2012. Interventions and Main Outcome Measures Survey participants reported their personal acceptability for oral contraceptive pills, depot medroxyprogesterone, contraceptive implants, and intrauterine devices on a scale from 0 (low) to 10 (high). Responses of 0-4 were categorized as low personal acceptability. Demographic characteristics, reproductive history, and perceived contraceptive satisfaction of friends and family members were incorporated into multivariable and hierarchical logistic regression models to determine distinct predictors of low personal acceptability for each method. Results Surveys were completed by 1067 women. Participants' mean age was 20 (±2.6) years. Half (552/1067) were white, 26% (277/1067) Hispanic, and 8.5% (91/1067) black. Of participants who were aware of oral contraceptive pills 52% (535/1037) reported low acceptability of this method compared with 74% (645/876) of those aware of depot medroxyprogesterone. Fewer reported low acceptability of intrauterine devices (37% or 303/825) or implant (43% or 356/839), although fewer overall participants had heard of these methods. Each method had unique predictors of low personal acceptability, however, for all method models, significant predictors included knowing someone who had become pregnant while using that method or having a friend who dislikes that method. Conclusion Young women in this study with low personal acceptability of the 4 most common contraceptive methods had distinct demographic and reproductive health characteristics. Perceived negative experiences of friends and family members using contraception appeared most influential.
Distribution of Irreducible Polynomials over F2

Using a polynomial analogue of the wheel sieve, we discuss the distribution of irreducible polynomials over F 2. In particular, we provide considerable numerical evidence that in analogue to integer arithmetic progressions, irreducible polynomials over F 2 are binomially distributed in the progressions of the wheel sieve. We also present, numerical evidence that the irreducibles of fixed degree are binomially distributed by weight. Also briefly discussed is the distribution of self-reciprocal irreducible polynomials. A number of conjectures are raised.
C-Ras expression decreases during invitro senescence in human fibroblasts

Expression of the c-ras oncogene was determined in growing early and late passage human (IMR-90) fibroblasts using northern blot analysis of total cellular RNA. It was found that late passage cells demonstrated lower levels of c-ras by about four fold when compared to levels found in early passage cells. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from early and late passage fibroblasts digested with either SacI or BamHI showed somewhat increased hybridization levels in early passage cells compared to late passage cells. Data is discussed in relation to a previous report of c-ras expression and gene amplification.
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF POLYMER BLENDS AND IPNS

The art and science of polymer blends and interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) dates back to nearly the beginning of the century. While this chapter emphasizes synthetic polymers, significant attention has been paid to blends, grafts, and IPNs of synthetic polymers with natural polymers such as cellulose and triglyceride oils. In the 21st Century, greater attention will have to be paid to our renewable resources, to keep the planet green. The advent of polymer blending began almost as soon as man had polymers. In fact, one of the most active fields within polymer science and engineering is the practice of mixing every conceivable polymer with every other one, in an attempt to prepare materials with synergistic behavior. Sometimes, the intent is to produce lower price materials with the same property range. The overall result has been the development of an astonishing array of new materials. One of the major applications of polymer blend technology has been to rubber-toughened plastics. Here, one may obtain significant toughening just by simple mixing. However, the toughest materials available today have required great theoretical understanding and very sophisticated synthetic approaches. Many of the new or proposed applications for IPNs involve biomedical uses; these materials can often be easily prepared in the elastomeric to leathery modulus range, rather than as harder materials. Other applications depend on their broad glass transition ranges, such as sound and vibration damping.
Optimization: The Competitive Edge

The purpose here is twofold. First, we will briefly review the state of the art. Examples will show that optimization is matured to the point where we can make daily use of this technology to reduce design times and improve product quality. The second purpose is to identify the benefits of optimization and demonstrate that this is the one technology that is useful across a broad spectrum of design activities. Given today’s emphasis on conversation of natural resources and reduced energy consumption, the motivation for using optimization is compelling. Indeed, this is a tool that will provide its provide its users the competitive edge.
Promoting human rights under fire: INGOs' mitigating effect on human rights violations during armed conflict.

Abstract Can international nongovernmental organizations (INGO) mitigate human rights violations when armed conflict ensues? There is a reason to believe that the harsh conditions of war, which destabilize society and incite nationalist and militarist notions, would prevent the work of INGO from being effective. However, world polity scholarship suggests that regardless of these conditions INGOs can improve human rights standards. INGOs are one of the principal and most effective vehicles for the diffusion of international human rights norms. In this paper, we highlight the part INGOs play in monitoring human rights violations and its potential effect on states' human rights violations during war. Examining a global sample of countries that experienced war on their soil between 1977 and 2003, this paper studies the association between INGOs count per country per year with four human rights indexes. Results show an association between the presence of INGOs and improvement of human rights conditions.
Asymptotic stability for spectrally stable Lugiato-Lefever solitons in periodic waveguides

We consider the Lugiato-Lefever model of optical fibers in the periodic context. Spectrally stable periodic steady states were constructed recently in the studies of Delcey and Haragus [Philos. Trans. R. Soc., A 376, 20170188 (2018)]; [Rev. Roumaine Math. Pures Appl. (to be published)]; and Hakkaev et al. (e-print arXiv:1806.04821). The spectrum of the linearization around such solitons consists of simple eigenvalues 0, −2α < 0, while the rest of it is a subset of the vertical line { μ : R μ = − α } . Assuming such a property abstractly, we show that the linearized operator generates a C0 semigroup and, more importantly, the semigroup obeys (optimal) exponential decay estimates. Our approach is based on the Gearhart-Pruss theorem, where the required resolvent estimates may be of independent interest. These results are applied to the proof of asymptotic stability with phase of the steady states.
Pectin induced transcriptome of a Rhizoctonia solani strain causing sheath blight disease in rice reveals insights on key genes and RNAi machinery for development of pathogen derived resistance.

Key message RNAi mediated silencing of pectin degrading enzyme of R. solani gives a high level of resistance against sheath blight disease of rice.
Thermoluminescent Antimony-Supported Copper-Iodo Cuboids: Approaching NIR Emission via High Crystallographic Symmetry

We report the syntheses, structures, and luminescence properties of a series of copper-iodo cuboids supported by L-type antimony ligands. The cuboids are of general formula [(SbR3)4Cu4(I)4] (1–4, 8), where SbR3 is a series of homoleptic and heteroleptic stibines containing both phenyl and a variety of alkyl substituents (R = Cy, iPr, tBu, Ph); triphenyl, iPr2Ph, and Me2Ph stibines resulted in the formation of dimers of type [(SbR3)4(Cu)2(I)2] (5–7). While similar luminescent copper-halide cubes have been studied, the corresponding “heavy-atom” congeners have not been studied, and ligation of such heavy-atom moieties is often associated with long-lived triplet states and low-energy absorption and emission profiles. Overall, two obligate parameters are found to imbue NIR emission: (i) short Cu–Cu bonds and (ii) high crystallographic symmetry; both of these properties are found only in [(SbiPr3)4Cu4(I)4] (1, in I23; λem = 711 nm). The correlation between NIR emission and high crystallographic symmetry (which...
Climate Assessments for Local Action

AbstractGlobal and national climate assessments are comprehensive, authoritative sources of information about observed and projected climate changes and their impacts on society. These assessments ...
Juvenile justice staff endorsement of HIV/STI prevention, testing, and treatment linkage.

While involvement in the legal system offers an opportunity to educate, screen, and treat high-risk youth, research shows that staff attitudes toward these practices can serve as barriers to implementation. The current study investigates the degree to which JJ staff endorse HIV prevention, testing, and treatment linkage practices with youth under community supervision and examines differences between individuals who supervise youth (e.g., juvenile probation officer) and those working in non-supervisory roles (e.g., case manager, assessment specialist). Juvenile justice staff consenting to participation in JJ-TRIALS completed an initial staff survey (N = 501). Survey items measured perceived importance of HIV/STI prevention (4 items); perceived importance of HIV/STI testing (7 items); and perceived importance of HIV/STI treatment linkage (8 items). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was computed (SAS CALIS procedure) for each of the three domains. Findings suggest that while staff recognize that youth are at risk for HIV/STIs and require provision of HIV/STI prevention and treatment linkage, attitudes concerning the importance of procuring or providing testing services for youth is substantially lower. Furthermore, analytic models comparing staff with and without supervision responsibilities (computed using SAS PROC MIXED) indicated that attitudes differed by site and staff responsible for supervision rated HIV treatment linkage practices as less important compared to non-supervising staff. Establishing partnerships with health agencies equipped with resources and skillsets to provide HIV/STI testing and related services may be an effective model to promote greater awareness and use of best practices among JJ staff and more effectively address the unmet needs of this high-risk population of youth.
Economic value of conservation biological control for management of the Asian citrus psyllid, vector of citrus Huanglongbing disease

Intensive ACP insecticide management programs importantly hamper biological control in citrus agroecosystems. This article presents an evaluation of the economic costs that this strategy poses in conservation biological control services.