cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ontogeny of the GABA receptor complex in chick brain: Studies in vivo and in vitro

Abstract The ontogeny of the γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor complex in the chick brain was studied by specific binding of [3H]muscimol, [3H]flunitrazepam (Flu) and [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) to isolated membranes. During development in ovo, the specific binding of muscimol and flunitrazepam increased from day 8 and reached 50% of adult levels of day 20, while a comparable level of TBPS binding was achieved by day 17. The increases in TBPS and Flu binding were reflected in Bmax rather than Kd changes. In embryonic brain, only a low-affinity site for muscimol (Kd = 23 nM) was observed while an additional high-affinity site (Kd = 0.4 nM), as well as the low-affinity site, was found in adult tissue. Similar studies were carried out with cultures of cerebral neurons prepared from 8-day embryos. The level of specific binding of muscimol, Flu and TBPS increased in culture. achieved one half of the maximum level by days 4–5, maximal levels by day 10 and decreased slowly thereafter. The maximal levels in culture corresponded, respectively, to 27%, 67% and 57% of these found in the 18-day embryo. The binding of Flu to membranes from neurons, embryos and adults was enhanced by addition of GABA while TBPS binding was inhibited. The EC50 and IC50 values for these effects corresponded to those for gating of chloride channels. These findings indicate a coordinated expression of receptors for GABA, benzodiazepines and convulsant/TBPS during neuronal maturation both in vivo and in vitro. The schedule for this postsynaptic ontogeny is very similar to that for presynaptic markers of GABAergic neurons (see companion paper).
Civility, Respect, Engagement in the Workforce (CREW) Nationwide Organization Development Intervention at Veterans Health Administration

This article presents a description and preliminary evaluation of a nationwide initiative by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) called Civility, Respect, and Engagement in the Workforce (CREW). The goal of CREW is to increase workplace civility as assessed by employee ratings of interpersonal climate in workgroups. Once endorsed by the VHA leadership and adopted by the leaders of particular VHA hospitals, CREW was conducted by local facility coordinators who were trained and supported by the VHA National Center for Organization Development. This article explains the conceptual and operational background of CREW and the approach used to implement the initiative, presents results from two CREW administrations with a total of 23 sites, and reports significant preintervention to postintervention changes in civility at intervention sites as compared to no significant changes at comparison sites within each administration. It discusses these findings in the conceptual (theoretical) and operational (intervention evaluation) context of interventions targeting civility.
Estimating Earthquake-Rupture Rates on a Fault or Fault System

Previous approaches used to determine the rates of different earthquakes on a fault have made assumptions regarding segmentation, have been difficult to document and reproduce, and have lacked the ability to satisfy all available data constraints. We present a relatively objective and reproducible inverse methodology for determining the rate of different ruptures on a fault or fault system. The data used in the inversion include slip rate, event rate, and other constraints such as an optional a priori magnitude–frequency distribution. We demonstrate our methodology by solving for the long-term rate of ruptures on the southern San Andreas fault. Our results imply that a Gutenberg–Richter distribution is consistent with the data available for this fault; however, more work is needed to test the robustness of this assertion. More importantly, the methodology is extensible to an entire fault system (thereby including multifault ruptures) and can be used to quantify the relative benefits of collecting additional paleoseismic data at different sites.
Ultraviolet photoconductive detectors based on Ga-doped ZnO films grown by molecular-beam epitaxy

A high-quality Ga-doped ZnO film was epitaxially grown on a R-plane sapphire substrate by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy. Photoconductor devices with Al/Ti Ohmic contacts were fabricated. Photoluminescence and photocurrent measurements were carried out to study the emission and absorption properties of the Ga-doped ZnO film. Both spectra are consistent with each other showing good response in the ultraviolet region and weak response in the green–yellow band. Peak responsivity of 1.68 A/W at 20 V bias for 374 nm light was obtained in the ultraviolet region. Transient response of the device is slow due to the presence of the deep levels.
Stability and plasticity of intrinsic membrane properties in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons: effects of internal anions.

CA1 pyramidal neurons from animals that have acquired hippocampal tasks show increased neuronal excitability, as evidenced by a reduction in the postburst afterhyperpolarization (AHP). Studies of AHP plasticity require stable long-term recordings, which are affected by the intracellular solutions potassium methylsulphate (KMeth) or potassium gluconate (KGluc). Here we show immediate and gradual effects of these intracellular solutions on measurement of the AHP and basic membrane properties, and on the induction of AHP plasticity in CA1 pyramidal neurons from rat hippocampal slices. The AHP measured immediately after establishing whole-cell recordings was larger with KMeth than with KGluc. In general, the AHP in KMeth was comparable to the AHP measured in the perforated-patch configuration. However, KMeth induced time-dependent changes in the intrinsic membrane properties of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Specifically, input resistance progressively increased by 70% after 50 min; correspondingly, the current required to trigger an action potential and the fast afterdepolarization following action potentials gradually decreased by about 50%. Conversely, these measures were stable in KGluc. We also demonstrate that activity-dependent plasticity of the AHP occurs with physiologically relevant stimuli in KGluc. AHPs triggered with theta-burst firing every 30 s were progressively reduced, whereas AHPs elicited every 150 s were stable. Blockade of the apamin-sensitive AHP current (IAHP) was insufficient to block AHP plasticity, suggesting that plasticity is manifested through changes in the apamin-insensitive slow AHP current (sIAHP). These changes were observed in the presence of synaptic blockers, and therefore reflect changes in the intrinsic properties of the neurons. However, no AHP plasticity was observed using KMeth. In summary, these data show that KMeth produces time-dependent changes in basic membrane properties and prevents or obscures activity-dependent reduction of the AHP. In whole-cell recordings using KGluc, repetitive theta-burst firing induced AHP plasticity that mimics learning-related reduction in the AHP.
Age, Period and Cohort Effects on Adult Body Mass Index and Overweight from 1991 to 2009 in China: the China Health and Nutrition Survey

Results Stronger period effects on BMI and overweight were observed among males compared with females; and younger cohorts had higher BMIs compared with older cohorts. Simulations predicted that increases in income and urbanicity in the order of magnitude of that observed from 1991 to 2009 would correspond to shifts in the BMIs of average individuals of 0.07 and 0.23 kg/m 2 , respectively. Conclusions Although period effects had a stronger influence on the BMI of males, interventions should not overlook younger female cohorts who are at increased risk compared with their older counterparts.
Hypothalamic Thermosensitivity and Adaptations for Heat-Storage Behavior in Three Species of Chipmunks (Eutamias) from Different Thermal Environments

1. The characteristics of hypothalamic thermosensitivity in three chipmunk species,Eutamias speciosus, E. amoenus, andE. minimus, were determined at three ambient temperatures (Ta) by manipulating the temperature of the hypothalamus (Thy) with chronically implanted, water-perfused thermodes while continuously measuring metabolic rate. The proportionality constant (α) for the metabolic heat-production (MHP) response to manipulations ofThy was high in all three species.E. minimus had a higher hypothalamic thermosensitivity thanE. amoenus andE. speciosus. In all three species the thresholdThy for the MHP response (Tset) increased with decreasingTa (Figs. 1, 2; Table 1). 2. Thermoregulatory responses during and after experimentally induced whole-body and hypothalamic hyperthermia were examined in the three species atTa=30 °C. Body temperatures (Tb) of free-living animals in natural habitats were measured with implanted thermosensitive transmitters. The tolerance to induced hyperthermia differed among the three species.E. minimus would allowTb to rise as high as 41.9 °C before activating heat-loss mechanisms, whileE. speciosus andE. amoenus would not tolerateTb's above 40.4 °C. Following bouts of hypothermia,E. minimus andE. amoenus would allowTb to fall considerably below the normally-regulated levels.E. minimus reachedTb's about 0.75 °C lower thanE. amoenus and 2.1 °C lower thanE. speciosus during these episodes of hypothermia (Figs. 3, 4). 3. It is hypothesized that the ability to tolerate hyper- and hypothermia is an adaptation used byE. minimus andE. amoenus to remain active during the day in hot, arid environments. Calculations based on an energy-budget equation show that in heat-stress conditionsE. minimus can remain active longer than the other two species and thatE. amoenus can remain active longer thanE. speciosus (Fig. 6; Table 2). The significance of these differences for the distributions of the animals in nature is discussed.
“She holds my hand” The experiences of foster youth with their natural mentors

Abstract The vulnerability and adversity that youth frequently experience following aging out of foster care are well-documented. However, much less is known about the positive experiences and healthy relationships that may buffer these youth from the negative outcomes following emancipation. Utilizing a strengths perspective, this exploratory study gathered qualitative data about the experiences of older foster youth with their natural mentors. Although other at-risk and marginalized groups are represented in the natural mentoring literature, representation of female foster youth of color is scarce. Seven female foster youth of color were individually interviewed using a semi-structured protocol. Data were analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Key themes identified included: (1) relationship characteristics that matter, (2) support I receive, (3) how I've changed, (4) thoughts on my future, and (5) what I think about foster care. Implications for practice are discussed.
Overview of Real-Time Database Management System Design for Power System SCADA System

A supervision control and data acquisition (SCADA) system is a communication and control system used for monitoring, operation and maintenance of energy infrastructure grids. Compared with traditional applications, a SCADA system has a harsh deadline for critical tasks. There is special time constraint for the real time database used in a SCADA system. The real time database in SCADA extends traditional database to include in-memory database. Such real time database management are designed to operate in the harsh environment of real-time systems, with strict requirements for resource utilization, and are ready to provide the performance and reliability required by real-life applications. In this paper, the main principle of real time database has been introduced. Its implementation in power system SCADA is discussed and a sample database is briefly introduced
Demonstration of cloaking at optical frequencies

We demonstrate a wideband invisibility cloak in the optical regime composed of nanometer scale non-resonant dielectric structures. The cloak conceals a deformation on a reflecting surface, under which an object can be hidden.
A 14-bit 500 kHz delta-sigma ADC with 16 times oversampling

A 14-bit 500 kHz delta-sigma ADC is described that uses an oversampling ratio of only 16. A fourth-order embedded architecture is used along with a 4-bit quantizer to achieve this performance. Although previously believed to be unstable, it is shown that with proper design a robust design may be obtained. This is the lowest oversampling ratio for this resolution and bandwidth achieved to date.
Interrelationships Among Name Desirability, Name Uniqueness, Emotion Characteristics Connoted by Names, and Temperament

The subjects in Study 1 (the target group) provided their names and data on their own temperaments. The subjects in Study 2 rated the target group's names on uniqueness and desirability. The subjects in Study 3 rated the temperament qualities connoted by the names given by the target group. The name uniqueness and desirability scales had high reliabilities and correlated -0.44, showing that more unique names were less desirable. The qualities of pleasantness and dominance, which were connoted by a person's name, were judged very reliably. Names that connoted psychological health versus maladjustment (pleasant/ unpleasant temperament) were indeed associated with pleasant/unpleasant temperament attributes. The pleasantness and dominance connoted by names enhanced the desirability of those names, whereas greater unpleasantness and submissiveness were connoted by more unique names.
Whither the hippocampus?: FDG-PET hippocampal hypometabolism in Alzheimer's disease revisited

EBM2 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The hippocampus is a widely recognized area of early change in AD, yet voxelwise analyses of FDG-PET activity differences between AD and CN controls have consistently failed to identify hippocampal hypometabolism. In this article, we propose a high-dimensional PETspecific analysis framework to determine whether important hippocampal metabolic FDG-PET activity differences between patients with AD and CN subjects are embedded in the Jacobian information generated during spatial normalization.
Differential Regulation of ponA and pilMNOPQ Expression by the MtrR Transcriptional Regulatory Protein in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Neisseria gonorrhoeae utilizes the mtrCDE-encoded efflux pump system to resist not only host-derived, hydrophobic antimicrobials that bathe mucosal surfaces, which likely aids in its ability to colonize and infect numerous sites within the human host, but also antibiotics that have been used clinically to treat infections. Recently, overexpression of the MtrC-MtrD-MtrE efflux pump was shown to be critically involved in the capacity of gonococci to develop chromosomally mediated resistance to penicillin G, which for over 40 years was used to treat gonococcal infections. Mutations in either the promoter or the coding sequence of the mtrR gene, which encodes a repressor of the efflux pump operon, decrease gonococcal susceptibility to penicillin. We now describe the capacity of MtrR to directly or indirectly influence the expression of two other loci that are involved in gonococcal susceptibility to penicillin: ponA, which encodes penicillin-binding protein 1 (PBP 1), and the pilMNOPQ operon, which encodes components of the type IV pilus secretion system, with PilQ acting as a channel for entry for penicillin. We determined that MtrR increases the expression of ponA directly or indirectly, resulting in increased levels of PBP 1, while repressing the expression of the divergently transcribed pilM gene, the first gene in the pilMNOPQ operon. Taken together with other studies, the results presented herein indicate that transcriptional regulation of gonococcal genes by MtrR is centrally involved in determining levels of gonococcal susceptibility to penicillin and provides a framework for understanding how resistance developed over the years.
THE DETERMINATION OF A STABILITY CONSTANT FOR THE AQUEOUS COMPLEX Zn(OH)20 USING ANODIC STRIPPING VOLTAMMETRY1

The shift in the potential of the zinc stripping current maximmn observed in anodic stripping voltammetry is related to the free energy of the reaction between ionic zinc and a complexing anion. The model was tested using the zinc hydroxyl system; the agreement with experimental results was excellent. The findings suggest the existence of the aqueous complex, Zn( OH ):, which has been reported only once beEore. The stability constant calculated here is in good agreement with the single published value. Anodic stripping voltammetry from thin layers and hanging drops of mercury was developed and used for determining the concentrations and the extent of organic chelation of some trace metals in natural waters (e.g. Matson 1968; Fitzgerald 1970; Seitz 1970; Zirino and Healy 1972; Bradford 1972). A phenomenon associated with the technique that has received scant attention is the shift in the potential of the stripping current maximum (the so-called stripping peak potential, EP) with changes in the activity oE a complexing anion in the test solution. The phenomenon is implied by the equations of Roe and Toni ( 1965) and was discussed by Matson (1968) who noted that it might be useful for detecting chelating reactions in natural waters. Zirino and Healy (1970) observed a 35-55 mV shift anodic in the EE, of zinc in seawater when the pI1 was lowered from 8.3 to 5.5, suggesting the existence of zinc carbonate or zinc hydroxide associations. Bradford ( 1972) found that shifts in the E, of zinc could not be caused either by adding organic ligands (e.g. EDTA, adenine) to test solutions or by irradiating estuarine water samples wjth ’ Contribution from the Chesapeake Bay Institute. This research was sponsored by U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Contract AT ( 30-l ) -3497 and AT( 11-1)-3292. 2 Present address : URS Research Co., 155, Bovet Rd., San Mateo, California 94402. high intensity ultraviolet light (Armstrong and Tibbitts 1968) to break up the naturally occurring chelators, and thus suggested that shifts in E, could be caused only by inorganic ligands. Nicholson and Shain ( 1964) showed that in stationary polarography a shift in the potential of the peak oxidation current with varying complexing anion activity requires that the reaction between the metal cation and the complexing anion be fast relative to the rate at which the metal cation is oxidized from the mercury electrode. Bradford ( 1972) estimated the first order rate constant to be of the order of lo” set-I. My thanks to J. H. Carpenter for many helpful comments and for careful criticism of the experimental results. MATHEMATICAL TREATMENT The Rot-Toni equation predicting the potential at the stripping current peak is WV E,=E”‘+ylogy 0 where E, is the potential where the maximum stripping current for a given metal occurs; E”’ is the thermodynamic equilibrium potential for the reaction couple metal /metal ion species/test solution/reference reaction; <p equals nF/RT; LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY 757 SEPTEMBER 1973, V. 18(5)
Statistical properties of localized vibrational eigenstates

Abstract Statistical properties of localized eigenstates of a many-dimensional vibrational hamiltonian are determined. In particular, the probability distribution of the inverse participation ratio is derived, which measures the degree of vibrational mixing. The distribution presented here is relevant to experimental and computational studies exploring vibrational mixing toward the onset of energy relaxation in molecules.
Antirachitic Value of S-1 Lamp Radiation for Chicks

Abstract The fact that certain types of radiation exert a marked influence on calcium and phosphorus assimilation and fixation is now generally recognized. The principle is so fundamental to human well being and holds such possibilities for practical application in animal production, that physicists and engineers have been working diligently to improve equipment for producing the desired kind of radiant energy. One of the recent developments is that of a “Sunlight” (Type S-1) lamp which is stated by the manufacturers to produce a spectrum which quite closely approximates that of unfiltered sunshine. The possibility of using these lamps as a source of the essential radiant energy is of interest to research workers as well as practical poultry producers. The radiation obtained from this lamp is a combination of energy produced by a tungsten filament, tungsten electrodes and a mercury arc. The distribution of energy from the three sources is stated by . . .
Case Article-Mapping Business Problems to Analytics Solutions: Surrogate Experiential Learning in an MBA Introductory Data Science and Business Analytics Course

The case presented in this article can be used as a surrogate experiential learning exercise in an introductory MBA course on data science and business analytics. Students learn about the life cycle of data analytics projects by alternating between study of analytical techniques and participation in a data analytics project running through the course. The project begins as a simple business question which, through sequential discovery, expands into rich discussions and experiences, and culminates with presentations that test students' ability to translate computational results into insights for various stakeholders. In the process, students learn about effective information gathering and discovery, identifying major stakeholders, problem framing and mapping, model identification, data visualization, and basic model implementation. They also learn how to present their findings to different audiences with the greatest possible impact. This approach elicits student engagement, teamwork, and multiple perspectives as students are asked to view themselves and evaluate their colleagues from the point of view of various roles in the company. Teaching Note: Interested Instructors please see the Instructor Materials page for access to the restricted materials. To maintain the integrity and usefulness of cases published in ITE, unapproved distribution of the case teaching notes and other restricted materials to any other party is prohibited.
Are surgeons and anesthesiologists lying to each other or gaming the system? A national random sample survey about “truth-telling practices” in the perioperative setting in the United States

Background The perioperative setting demands strong teamwork to ensure safe patient care, but anecdotally surgeons and anesthesiologists are not always fully truthful with each other. The present study sought to determine the frequency of misrepresentation of the truth in the perioperative setting.
In Situ Creep Analysis of Room in Frozen Soil

Creep displacement measurements of the roof and walls of an underground room in permafrost are analyzed by the finite element method and it was found that the in situ creep characteristics of the frozen silt agree closely with those determined by laboratory unconfined compressive creep tests performed on undisturbed samples of the in situ soil. The creep rate of the frozen Fairbanks silt and frozen gravel encountered in the Fox, Alaska, room can be considered independent of time and strain. This is in contradiction to creep characteristics found for similar soils with higher unit weight and lower ice contents.
Improving Educational Outcomes in Developing Countries: Lessons from Rigorous Impact Evaluations

This paper reviews and interprets the evidence from 223 rigorous impact evaluations of educational initiatives conducted in 56 low- and middle-income countries. We consider for inclusion in our review all studies in recent syntheses, which have reached seemingly conflicting conclusions about which interventions improve educational outcomes. We group interventions based on their theory of action. We derive four lessons from the studies we review. First, reducing the costs of going to school and expanding schooling options increase attendance and attainment, but do not consistently increase student achievement. Second, providing information about school quality, developmentally appropriate parenting practices, and the economic returns to schooling affects the actions of parents and the achievement of children and adolescents. Third, more or better resources improve student achievement only if they result in changes in children’s daily experiences at school. Finally, well-designed incentives increase teacher effort and student achievement from very low levels, but low-skilled teachers need specific guidance to reach minimally acceptable levels of instruction.Institutional subscribers to the NBER working paper series, and residents of developing countries may download this paper without additional charge at www.nber.org.
Abstract 17748: Pulmonary Vein Antral Isolation in Sinus Rhythm Outcomes are Comparable to Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Long Standing AF (Mid-Term Results)

Introduction: Ablation of long standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a challenge. We sought to determine outcomes comparing two strategies in this group of patients: PVI in sinus rhythm (SR) after DC cardioversion (DCC) vs. PVI and ablation targeting complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) while in AF. Methods Between June 2009 and August 2011, 74 patients with long standing persistent AF resistant to anti-arrhythmic medications were prospectively enrolled and randomized to either DCC prior to PVI and ablation in SR (DCC first), or ablation in AF, including PVI and CFAE ablation, then DCC if the patient remains in AF (Ablation first). Duration of procedure, fluoroscopy times, radiation exposure doses, incidence of complications, and AF/AT burden post PVI as measured by weekly transtelephonic monitors, holters and ECG on outpatient follow up 4-6 months after PVI were compared. Results: There were no differences in baseline patient characteristics between the two groups. 8 patients withdrew from the study prior to randomization. Overall 42/66 (65%) patients remained in SR at 6 months follow up. There was no significant difference in atrial arrhythmia recurrence between patients randomized to the DCC first vs Ablation first strategy (P=0.200). 9 out of 33 patients (27%) randomized to DCC first had recurrence; 6 developed paroxysmal AF and 2 persistent AF and 1 AT. 15 out of 33 patient (45%) randomized to Ablation first had recurrence; 7 developed paroxysmal AF and 8 persistent AF. One patient in the DCC first and 4 in the Ablation first group developed atrial flutter as well as AF. One patient randomized to DCC first developed moderate stenosis of the left superior pulmonary vein and another had a small hematoma that did not require interventions. Procedure duration and fluoroscopy time were significantly shorter in the DCC first strategy compared to the ablation first (225±65 min vs 276±87 min, P=0.009 and 59±17 min vs 70±25 min, P=0.041 respectively). CFAE mapping was done in 24 patients in Ablation first group vs only 3 in DCC first group (P Conclusion: Additional ablation beyond antral PV isolation does not afford better outcomes in patients with long standing persistent AF and may result in more left sided atrial flutter.
Adolescents in Treatment for Chemical Dependency

Abstract Although often unreported, clinicians and researchers believe that a significant proportion of adolescents in treatment for chemical dependency have a history of sexual and/or physical abuse. There are few studies which document the proportion of adolescents with histories of physical abuse in this population. Estimates of sexual abuse vary from 22% to 71% for females and approximately 7% to 28% for males (Blood & Cornwall, 1996). This pilot study uses data routinely collected by treatment providers to begin the process of constructing profiles which distinguish between chemically dependent adolescents who are likely to have a history of abuse and those not likely to have such a history. The study results indicate: (1) that there are different profiles for males and females, (2) unlike individual correlates, it may be possible to construct profiles with sufficient predictive ability to provide a means of identifying clients in need of in-depth screening for a history of physical and/or sexual abu...
An Embedded Discontinuous Galerkin Method for the Compressible Euler and Navier-Stokes Equations

We present an Embedded Discontinuous Galerkin (EDG) method for the solution of the compressible Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. The method is devised by using the discontinuous Galerkin approximation with a special choice of the numerical uxes and weakly imposing the continuity of the normal component of the numerical uxes across the element interfaces. This allows the approximate conserved variables dening the discontinuous Galerkin solution to be locally condensed, thereby resulting in a reduced system which involves only the degrees of freedom of the approximate traces of the solution. The EDG method can be seen as a particular form of a Hybridizable Discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) method in which the hybrid uxes are required to belong to a smaller space than in standard HDG methods. In our EDG method, the hybrid unknown is taken to be continuous at the vertices, thus resulting in an even smaller number of coupled degrees of freedom than in the HDG method. In fact, the resulting stiness matrix has the same structure as that of the statically condensed continuous Galerkin method. In exchange for the reduced number of degrees of freedom, the EDG method looses the optimal converge property of the ux which characterizes other HDG methods. Thus, for convection-diusi on problems, the EDG solution converges optimally for the primal unknown but suboptimally for the ux.
The effect of the pulse-delay cure technique on residual strain in composites.

Many antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents have been used as adjuncts to mechanical periodontal therapy with mixed results. This article reviews the clinical and microbial results obtained after the systemic administration of tetracyclines, penicillins, clindamycin, and metronidazole, as well as the combination of metronidazole and Augmentin as adjuncts to conventional periodontal treatment. The major adverse effects associated with each of these antibiotics are given, as well as the potential for the emergence of antibiotic resistance in the periodontal flora. Recently, the introduction of a new generation of controlled-release, locally applied antimicrobial agents provides the clinician with the opportunity to treat individual periodontal sites with high concentrations of medication. The clinical effects obtained from multicenter clinical trials with PerioChip, which contains chlorhexidine, and with Atridox, which contains doxycycline, are summarized. Finally, suggestions are given both for the selection of an antimicrobial agent and for minimizing the development of antibiotic resistance in the periodontal flora.
Formal method for PSC design optimization of 13.56 MHz resistive Wireless Analog Passive Sensors (rWAPS)

Fully passive wireless body-worn sensors that collect physiological signals in natural settings is practical for seamless and unobtrusive monitoring of patients for medical cyber physical systems (CPS). In this regard, we have previously presented a novel Resistive Wireless Analog Passive Sensor (rWAPS), which is fully-passive, fast, low cost, and operates on the near field induction coupling method. Printed spiral coils (PSC) are one of the best solutions for near-field wireless communication for this fully-passive sensor. This paper describes a formal method to implement and optimize PSC coil pairs for such a system. Iterative process is required to reach optimal solutions of this complex multivariate optimization problem. After optimum design based on coil dimension, track size, and number of turns, a coil pair was fabricated on 2-layer PCB. The secondary coil size was restricted to a small footprint of 20mm, while the carrier frequency was selected as 13.56 MHz within ISM frequency band. Evaluation of the measurement from the prototypes and theoretically calculated results were found to be in agreement. This approach of PSC design optimization is practical for its application in our previously reported resistive transducer based wireless analog passive sensors (rWAPS) for body worn and wearable medical CPS.
The Impact of Forward-Looking Metrics on Employee Decision-Making: The Case of Customer Lifetime Value

ABSTRACT: This paper analyzes the effects of forward-looking metrics on employee decision-making. We use data from a bank that started providing branch managers with the customer lifetime value (CLV)—an estimate of the future value of the customer relationship—of mortgage applicants. The data allow us to gauge the effects of enriching the employees' information set in an environment where explicit incentives and decision rights remained unchanged. On average, customer value increased 5 percent after the metric's introduction. The metric's availability resulted in a significant shift in attention toward more profitable client segments and some improvement in cross-selling. However, the use of CLV did not negatively impact pricing or default risk, as the literature predicts. Finally, branch managers with shorter tenure displayed a stronger response, consistent with information substituting for experience.
More aggressive prostate cancer in elderly men.

More than one-fifth of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are age ≥ 75 years.1 However, prostate cancer screening and treatment are both controversial in elderly men. In 2008, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended against prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening in men aged ≥ 75 years. This recommendation, which has been expanded to include all men,2 generated controversy by focusing on chronologic age rather than health status.3, 4 More recently, the American Urological Association issued new guidelines stating that they do not recommend routine PSA screening in men aged > 70 years or those with less than a 10- to 15-year life expectancy, although some older men who are in excellent health may benefit from prostate cancer screening.5 This review describes two recent studies on the tumor features and outcomes of prostate cancer in elderly men.6,7
Acrylamide-induced distal axon degeneration: A proposed mechanism of action

Exposure to acrylamide (ACR) monomer produces distal swelling and subsequent degeneration in central and peripheral myelinated axons of humans and laboratory animals. The molecular and cellular events leading to this type of axonopathy are currently unknown. Herein we describe a new mechanism of ACR axonopathy that represents a synthesis of recent research findings and prior hypotheses. According to this model, ion regulation in distal paranodal axon regions is compromised by diminished axolemmal Na/K-ATPase activity. It is suggested that decreased NA/K-ATPase activity is a consequence of aberrant cell body processing and/or deficient axonal transport. Reduced Na pump activity promotes membrane depolarization in conjunction with axoplasmic accumulation of Na and loss of K. Thermodynamically, this favors reverse operation of the Na/Ca-exchanger which permits axonal Ca entry in exchange for Na. The influx of Ca eventually overwhelms buffering mechanisms and leads to distal axon degeneration. Distal axons are predisposed to regulatory failure of this type due to a dependency on cell body output and the unique differential distribution of enzymes, ion channels and exchangers among nodal and internodal regions. This heuristic model might account for axon degeneration occurring as a result of exposure to other chemical neurotoxicants and following axotomy and other forms of mechanical injury.
Nation-Building in Turkey and Morocco: Governing Kurdish and Berber Dissent

1. Governing areas of dissidence 2. Policies of extreme makeover: state-Kurdish relations in the early Turkish republic 3. State building and the politics of national identity in Morocco 4. The making of an armed conflict: state-Kurdish relations in the post-1950 period 5. The rise of the Amazigh movement and state co-optation in Morocco Conclusion.
Growth and Development in the Young Athlete

Adolescence is an intense period of change in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning. Understanding these changes can help to improve interactions between young athletes and their coaches, parents, and peers while maximizing their athletic success. Different stages of development require different considerations to enhance both physical and mental health. Effective athletic programs should work with adolescents to accommodate different stages of development, allowing each individual to progress to his or her full potential while avoiding physical or emotional injury. This chapter focuses on how developmental changes influence young athletes, their interactions with others, and their participation in sports during adolescence. Physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development are each addressed separately, with descriptions of common trends observed in most adolescents as well as specific considerations for coaches. The final section addresses the role of parents in supporting their adolescents both as emerging adults and as developing athletes.
Classifying C.E. Sets

In §1.6 we constructed a noncomputable c.e. set K. In §2.4 we studied creative sets and showed that all are computably isomorphic to K. So far the noncomputable c.e. sets we have exhibited are all computably isomorphic to K and therefore of Turing degree 0′. Post in [Post 1944] asked whether there is only one noncomputable c.e. set up to Turing equivalence.
Dehalogenation of chloroalkanes by nickel( i ) porphyrin derivatives, a computational study

The nickel(I) octaethylisobacteriochlorin anion ([OEiBCh-Ni(I)]−) is commonly used as a synthetic model of cofactor F430 from Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase. In this regard, experimental studies show that [OEiBCh-Ni(I)]− can catalyze dehalogenation of aliphatic halides in DMF solution by a highly efficient SN2 reaction. To better understand this process, we constructed theoretical models of the dehalogenation of chloromethane by a simple nickel(I) isobacteriochlorin anion and compared its reactivity with that of similar Ni(I) complexes with other porphyrin-derived ligands: porphyrin, chlorin, bactreriochlorin, hexahydroporphyrin and octahydroporphyrin. Our calculations predict that all of the porphyrin derivative's model reactions proceed through low-spin complexes. Relative to the energy of the separate reactants the theoretical activation energies (free-energy barriers with solvation corrections) for the dehalogenation of chloromethane are similar for all of the porphyrin derivatives and range for the different functionals from 10–15 kcal mol−1 for B3LYP to 5–10 kcal mol−1 for M06-L and to 13–18 kcal mol−1 for ωB97X-D. The relative free energies of the products of the dehalogenation step, L-Ni–Me adducts, have a range from −5 to −40 kcal mol−1 for all functionals; generally becoming more negative with increasing saturation of the porphyrin ligand. Moreover, no significant differences in the theoretical chlorine kinetic isotope effect were discernable with change of porphyrin ligand.
Image categorization and coding using neural networks and adaptive wavelet filters

Wavelet based compression schemes are the natural choice for the multi-resolution representation of images because of their successive approximation and better decorrelation property. Experiments conducted by compressing images through wavelet filters and integer wavelet transforms suggest that the filter performance indeed is image dependent. It is observed that no wavelet filter outperforms others uniformly while compressing sample images drawn from a large selection. In fact, a detailed analysis of the results reveals that certain wavelets perform better on certain classes of images. A neural network can therefore, be used to categorize the input image into one of these classes. A wavelet-based lossy or lossless coder is then used to compress the image using the most "appropriate" wavelet filter or integer-transform suitable for that class.
Temperature and humidity calibration of a low-cost wireless dust sensor for real-time monitoring

This paper introduces the design, calibration, and validation of a low-cost portable sensor for the real-time measurement of dust particles within the environment. The proposed design consists of low hardware cost and calibration based on temperature and humidity sensing to achieve accurate processing of airborne dust density. Using commercial particulate matter sensors, a highly accurate air quality monitoring sensor was designed and calibrated using real world variations in humidity and temperature for indoor and outdoor applications. Furthermore, to provide a low-cost secure solution for real-time data transfer and monitoring, an onboard Bluetooth module with AES data encryption protocol was implemented. The wireless sensor was tested against a Dylos DC1100 Pro Air Quality Monitor, as well as an Alphasense OPC-N2 optical air quality monitoring sensor for accuracy. The sensor was also tested for reliability by comparing the sensor to an exact copy of itself under indoor and outdoor conditions. It was found that accurate measurements under real-world humid and temperature varying and dynamically changing conditions were achievable using the proposed sensor when compared to the commercially available sensors. In addition to accurate and reliable sensing, this sensor was designed to be wearable and perform real-time data collection and transmission, making it easy to collect and analyze data for air quality monitoring and real-time feedback in remote health monitoring applications. Thus, the proposed device achieves high quality measurements at lower-cost solutions than commercially available wireless sensors for air quality.
Electrically small PCB stack hemispherical helix antenna with air core

One benefit of electrically small antennas is the reduction in volume occupied by the antenna in a design. In order to further maximize the total volume afforded to the antenna, this paper investigates the impact of two different antenna core compositions that allow for circuit components to be placed within the antenna structure. An electrically small, hemispherical helix antenna realized through a stack of printed circuit boards has been evaluated with two different core configurations: an air core and a composite metal core. The composite metal core consists of both air and copper in order to achieve an integral Faraday cage, which is used to isolate the antenna from the components within the antenna structure.
Platform agnostic, scalable, and unobtrusive FPGA network processor design of moving target defense over IPv6 (MT6D) over IEEE 802.3 Ethernet

This work presents the proof of concept implementation for the first hardware-based design of Moving Target Defense over IPv6 (MT6D) in full Register Transfer Level (RTL) logic, with future sights on an embedded Application-Specified Integrated Circuit (ASIC) implementation. Contributions are an IEEE 802.3 Ethernet stream-based in-line network packet processor with a specialized Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) instruction set architecture, RTL-based Network Time Protocol v4 synchronization, and a modular crypto engine. Traditional static network addressing allows attackers the incredible advantage of taking time to plan and execute attacks against a network. To counter, MT6D provides a network host obfuscation technique that offers network-based keyed access to specific hosts without altering existing network infrastructure and is an excellent technique for protecting the Internet of Things, IPv6 over Low Power Wireless Personal Area Networks, and high value globally routable IPv6 interfaces. This is done by crypto-graphically altering IPv6 network addresses every few seconds in a synchronous manner at all endpoints. A border gateway device can be used to intercept select packets to unobtrusively perform this action. Software driven implementations have posed many challenges, namely, constant code maintenance to remain compliant with all library and kernel dependencies, the need for a host computing platform, and less than optimal throughput. This work seeks to overcome these challenges in a lightweight system to be developed for practical wide deployment.
Sustainability policy-making as a dynamic, agent-based system of systems

Ideally, government policy is intended to improve economic, environmental, or social sustainability outcomes. Effective policy must address the ways that individual citizens, industries, and other government agencies will respond, and they must consider the implications on market systems, social systems, and ecosystems. This paper describes a system of systems approach to modeling and analyzing policy decision-making, seeking to combine elements from agent-based and system dynamics modeling approaches. The decentralized approach of agent-based model construction combined with feedback loop identification from system dynamics can offer a meaningful way to view and model sustainability-centric policy-making. The U.S. automobile markets are discussed in this context, considering both safety and fuel economy regulations.
Balanced high fat diet reduces cardiovascular risk in obese women although changes in adipose tissue, lipoproteins, and insulin resistance differ by race

Abstract Background We previously reported that consuming a balanced high fat diet (BHFD) wherein total saturated fat was reduced and total unsaturated fat increased by proportionately balancing the type of fat (1/3 saturated, 1/3 monounsaturated, 1/3 polyunsaturated) led to significant improvements in inflammatory burden, blood pressure, and vascular function in obese premenopausal European American (EA) and African American (AA) women. Objective Here we compared changes in adipose tissue, lipoproteins, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk between EA and AA women. Methods Dietary intakes, plasma fatty acids, lipids, apolipoproteins, lipoproteins, HOMA-IR and ASCVD risk was measured in 144 women who consumed BHFD for 16 weeks. Generalized linear modeling was performed while controlling for change in body weight. Results EA women had greater reductions in visceral adipose tissue. Only EA women had significant reductions in fasting insulin levels (↓24.8%) and HOMA-IR (↓29%) scores. In EA women, the most significant improvements occurred in VLDL particle size (↑), apolipoprotein B levels (↑), serum TG (↓), number of plasma LDL particles (↓), and serum LDL-cholesterol (↓). In AA women, significant improvements occurred in HDL particle size (↑), number of large HDL particles (↑), and apolipoprotein AI levels (↑). Consequently, both groups had improved ASCVD risk scores (↓5.5%). Conclusions Consuming the balanced high fat diet led to significant reduction in cardiovascular risk factors in both groups. However, the pattern of response to BHFD differed with EA women responding more in components of the apolipoprotein B pathway versus AA women responding more in components of the apolipoprotein AI pathway.
Functional assignment of multiple catabolic pathways for D-apiose.

Colocation of the genes encoding ABC, TRAP, and TCT transport systems and catabolic pathways for the transported ligand provides a strategy for discovering novel microbial enzymes and pathways. We screened solute-binding proteins (SBPs) for ABC transport systems and identified three that bind d-apiose, a branched pentose in the cell walls of higher plants. Guided by sequence similarity networks (SSNs) and genome neighborhood networks (GNNs), the identities of the SBPs enabled the discovery of four catabolic pathways for d-apiose with eleven previously unknown reactions. The new enzymes include d-apionate oxidoisomerase, which catalyzes hydroxymethyl group migration, as well as 3-oxo-isoapionate-4-phosphate decarboxylase and 3-oxo-isoapionate-4-phosphate transcarboxylase/hydrolase, which are RuBisCO-like proteins (RLPs). The web tools for generating SSNs and GNNs are publicly accessible ( http://efi.igb.illinois.edu/efi-est/ ), so similar ‘genomic enzymology’ strategies for discovering novel pathways can be used by the community. A bioinformatic strategy beginning with solute-binding proteins involved in sugar transport led to the functional annotation of four previously unknown catabolic pathways of the branched pentose d-apiose.