cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What drives private landowner decisions? Exploring non-native grass management in the eastern Great Plains.

Abstract Non-native grasses used as forage for domestic livestock can negatively impact ecosystem services provided by grasslands. In the U.S., most grazed grasslands are privately owned so the introduction and reduction of non-native grasses are both driven by landowner behavior. Yet, the social factors that shape non-native grass management are rarely explored. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated how decisions to reduce these grasses through practices such as herbicide application, prescribed fire, and physical removal are influenced by attitudes, norms, and perceived ability. We administered a mixed mode (mailback and online) survey in 2017 to landowners in the eastern Great Plains of the U.S., in a region where cattle production remains the predominant land-use. Using structural equation modeling with parceling, we tested hypotheses related to management decisions derived from a model integrating two theories – the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Norm Activation Model. In this analysis, we identified perceived ability (i.e., access to time, skills, or other necessary resources) as a barrier to adoption for landowners who were already willing to manage non-native grasses. Positive attitudes toward management and increased social norm pressures were both associated with increased sentiments of moral responsibility to reduce non-native grasses. These personal norms, together with attitudes, positively influenced willingness to control non-native grasses. Further, we observed that social norms related to expectations of neighbors had more influence on personal norms than the social norms from natural resource agencies. The power of norms to explain individual management decisions suggests that landowners could be engaged in landscape-scale initiatives by leveraging moral responsibility and influential social groups.
S 6 : Semi-Supervised Self-Supervised Semantic Segmentation

Semi-supervised learning provides a means to leverage unlabeled data when labels are expensive to obtain. In this work, we propose a constrained framework that better learns from unlabeled data. The proposed algorithm adds a self-supervised task, image reconstruction, to the target segmentation task. The extra reconstruction task improves the model's geometric reasoning about different textures in an image. It happens that this improvement is transferable from reconstruction to segmentation since they both share some common parts of the architecture. Such extra task allows the trained model to have richer representations and better geometric understanding. Our results show that the proposed constrained framework achieves an improvement in mean Intersection over Union by 18% over unconstrained one, using only 2% of labeled examples. The performance gain and reduction in amounts of labeled data is crucial for applications in which obtaining labels is expensive and labor intensive such as Biomedical Imaging and Seismic Interpretation.
A Novel Multipurpose V2G & G2V Power Electronics Interface for Electric Vehicles

This paper proposes and analyses a novel multipurpose power electronic interface (MPEI) designed for the new generation plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The proposed topology allows vehicle to grid (V2G) and grid to vehicle (G2V) operation to support the grid in times of high load or stress. The operation principles of the MPEI in its different modes are explained and practical results obtained using a real-time controller are discussed and validated in this paper.
Preconception Health Risks Among U.S. Women: Disparities at the Intersection of Disability and Race or Ethnicity.

Abstract Introduction Prior research has found that some preconception health risks are more prevalent among women in historically minoritized racial and ethnic groups. Preconception health risks are also increased among women with disabilities. Risks could be even greater among women who both have a disability and belong to a minoritized racial or ethnic group. The purpose of this study was to assess preconception health at the intersection of disability and race or ethnicity. Methods We analyzed data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to estimate the prevalence of health behaviors, health status indicators, and preventive healthcare receipt among nonpregnant women 18–44 years of age. We used modified Poisson regression to compare non-Hispanic White women with disabilities and women with and without disabilities in three other race/ethnicity groups (non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, other race) to a reference group of non-Hispanic White women without disabilities. Disability status was defined based on affirmative response to at least one of six questions about difficulty with seeing, hearing, mobility, cognition, personal care, or independent living tasks. Multivariate analyses adjusted for other sociodemographic characteristics such as age and marital status. Results In every racial and ethnic group, women with disabilities had a significantly higher prevalence of most preconception health risks than their counterparts without disabilities. The disparity in obesity for Black women with disabilities was additive, with the adjusted prevalence ratio (PR, 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57–2.00) equal to the sum of the prevalence ratios for disability alone (PR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.19–1.41) and Black race alone (PR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.36–1.58). Conclusions Women at the intersection of disability and minoritized race or ethnicity may be at especially high risk of adverse outcomes. Targeted efforts are needed to improve the health of women of reproductive age in these doubly marginalized populations.
Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Enhances Sensory Discrimination Capability through Somatosensory Cortical Excitation

Abstract Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) has emerged as a non-invasive brain neuromodulation tool with high spatial specificity. Previous studies attributed tFUS-enhanced sensory performance to the ultrasound-induced inhibitory neural effects. However, to date there is no direct evidence validating the neural mechanism underlying ultrasound-mediated somatosensory enhancement. In this study, healthy human subjects (N = 9) were asked to perform tactile vibration frequency discrimination tasks while tFUS was directed onto the primary somatosensory cortex. During this task, we simultaneously recorded 64-channel electroencephalography (EEG) signals and investigated the brain responses at both EEG sensors and source domains by means of electrophysiological source imaging (ESI). The behavioral results indicated that the subjects' discrimination ability was improved by tFUS with an increased percentage of correct responses. EEG and ESI results revealed that tFUS neuromodulation was able to improve sensory discrimination capability through excitatory effects at the targeted sensory cortex.
Somatic mutations in benign breast disease tissues and association with breast cancer risk

Benign breast disease (BBD) is a risk factor for breast cancer (BC); however, little is known about the genetic alterations present at the time of BBD diagnosis and how these relate to risk of incident BC. A subset of a long-term BBD cohort was selected to examine DNA variation across three BBD groups (42 future estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BC, 36 future estrogen receptor-negative (ER−) BC, and 42 controls cancer-free for at least 16 years post-BBD). DNA extracted from archival formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks was analyzed for presence of DNA alterations using a targeted panel of 93 BC-associated genes. To address artifacts frequently observed in FFPE tissues (e.g., C>T changes), we applied three filtering strategies based on alternative allele frequencies and nucleotide substitution context. Gene-level associations were performed using two types of burden tests and adjusted for clinical and technical covariates. After filtering, the variant frequency of SNPs in our sample was highly consistent with population allele frequencies reported in 1 KG/ExAC (0.986, p < 1e−16). The top ten genes found to be nominally associated with later cancer status by four of 12 association methods(p < 0.05) were MED12, MSH2, BRIP1, PMS1, GATA3, MUC16, FAM175A, EXT2, MLH1 and TGFB1, although these were not statistically significant in permutation testing. However, all 10 gene-level associations had OR < 1 with lower mutation burden in controls compared to cases, which was marginally statistically significant in permutation testing (p = 0.04). Comparing between the three case groups, BBD ER+ cases were closer to controls in mutation profile, while BBD ER− cases were distinct. Notably, the variant burden was significantly higher in controls than in either ER+ or ER− cases. CD45 expression was associated with mutational burden (p < 0.001). Somatic mutations were more frequent in benign breast tissue from women who did not develop cancer, opening questions of clonal diversity or immune-mediated restraint on future cancer development. CD45 expression was positively associated with mutational burden, most strongly in controls. Further studies in both normal and premalignant tissues are needed to better understand the role of somatic gene mutations and their contribution to future cancer development.
Moving targets: Medical resident professional identity formation in interprofessional teams

Abstract The process of professional identity formation (PIF) plays an important role in how physicians interact with interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP). In healthcare, a focus on profession-specific education often creates uniprofessional identities that serve as barriers to interprofessional teamwork. Interprofessional socialization (IPS) combats this challenge in an iterative process of breaking down interprofessional barriers and encouraging interprofessional role learning with the goal of forming interprofessional identities. To understand the IPS process of medical residents working in clinical learning environments, we explored medical resident PIF in interprofessional teams. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 41 medical residents rotating on team-based microsystem units. Thematic analysis indicated that as medical residents progressed through training, interprofessional physician identities were constrained by poor understanding of interprofessional roles, medical hierarchies, lack of frameworks for physician leadership roles in interprofessional teams, and insufficient time for interprofessional relationship-building. We used these resident-reported barriers to inform recommendations about how to nurture interprofessional identities sooner in graduate medical education (GME) in order to accelerate effective IPCP.
Antipsychotics in Inpatient Children and Adolescents with Seclusion and Restraint: A Preliminary Exploratory Retrospective Chart Review.

Objective: This study is a retrospective review of patients 5–17 years of age experiencing seclusion and/or restraint (S&R) in a pediatric psychiatric inpatient setting and an exploratory analysis ...
Modified Nucleosides in Translation

Cellular physiology is fundamentally dependent on the functions of translational apparatus, and these functions are dependent on modified nucleosides. This chapter examines the translational functions of modified nucleosides in the anticodon arm of tRNA. There are modifications at other positions within tRNA, but our knowledge of translational effects is limited to the modifications in the anticodon region. Emphasis is placed on the effects that the loss of specific modifications has on the activities of tRNA. Before considering the effects of modifications on translation, it is helpful to review certain aspects of the decoding process. Further work on the translational mechanism is needed to fully understand the roles of modified nucleosides in the important cellular process. The chapter discusses the effects of modified nucleosides at various positions in the anticodon arm. There are data on the translational effects of a subset of the modified nucleosides that occur within the anticodon arm. The chapter talks about a discussion of unmodified U34 because models for decoding by the modified forms are extended from those for unmodified U. Virtually all tRNAs contain modified nucleosides within the anticodon region, and it has become abundantly clear that they contribute to translation in a number of ways. The future looks very promising for the continued study and understanding of the roles that modified nucleosides play in the fundamentally important translational process.
The metabolism of benzene and phenol by a reconstituted purified phenobarbital-induced rat liver mixed function oxidase system.

During its long history of extensive industrial use, chronic exposure of humans to benzene has been associated with blood disorders, such as aplastic anemia and leukemia. It has been our aim to study the link between the metabolism of benzene and the mechanism by which it produces bone marrow toxicity (Snyder et al., 1967, 1977, 1982). The mixed function oxidases, a family of hemoprotein cytochrome P-450 enzymes located in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of liver as well as most other tissues, was shown by Gonasun et al. (1973) to play a key role in the metabolism of benzene. Studies by Jerina and Daly (1974) and Tunek et al. (1978) strongly supported the concept that the formation of benzene oxide is the principal first step in benzene metabolism. However, Ingelman-Sundberg and Hagbjork (1982) have suggested that the hydroxylation may occur via the insertion of a hydroxyl free radical, postulated to be generated from an “iron-catalyzed cytochrome P-450-dependent Haber Weiss reaction.” Gorsky and Coon (1984) have demonstrated that the pathway by which benzene is metabolized is directly related to the concentration utilized in the in vitro reaction, i.e. with very low concentrations the reaction is mediated by a free hydroxyl-radical mechanism and at higher concentrations of benzene, in the range of its KM, by direct cytochrome P-450-mediated oxidation. These two concepts could be reconciled if (1) there were two (or more) cytochromes P-450 involved in the hydroxylation, one with the ability to form an epoxide intermediate and another generating free radicals through a Haber Weiss mechanism, or (2) the cytochrome P-450 responsible for epoxidation also functioned as a NADPH oxidase, thereby, producing H2O2 which subsequently generated the hydroxyl radicals. Post and Snyder (1983) recently reported evidence which suggested that there are at least two different rat liver mixed function oxidases active in the hydroxylation of benzene. Using a reconstituted purified mixed function oxidase system from phenobarbital-induced rat liver, we have studied the initial hydroxylation step in benzene metabolism leading to phenol formation and the subsquent conversion of phenol to polyhydroxylated metabolites.
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory space exploration - Past, present and future

The most recent scientific results from space exploration carried out by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are discussed. To aid understanding of these results, a brief background of JPL's history is presented, followed by a description of the Deep Space Network, JPL's system of antennas which communicates with spacecraft. The results from the missions of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are described. The atmosphere, rings, satellites and magnetospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are discussed with particular emphasis on novelty of the discoveries and the challenges encountered in explaining them. A brief discussion of the impact of spray research upon space exploration follows. This is because most recently launched missions used liquid fueled rockets to escape Earth's gravity. A summary of future missions and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's new policies is presented in the conclusion.
Response: On the Possible Limits of Aesthetic Experience, Radical Otherness, and Radical Indeterminancy in Learning the Live with Art

Hoping to challenge empty formalism, didacticism, and elitism, [I] believe that shocks of awareness to which encounters with the arts give rise leave persons (should leave persons) less immersed in the everyday, more impelled to wonder and to question. It is not uncommon for the arts to leave us somehow ill at ease, or for them to prod us beyond acquiescence. They may, now and then, move us into spaces where we can create visions of other ways of being and ponder what it might signify to realize them.
Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

Advances in robotics and laparoscopy have led to the advent of the union of their strengths to encourage laparoscopic reconstructive surgery. Radical prostatectomy has been the first procedure standardized and performed in large volume. This chapter will discuss the technique and evolution of robotic radical prostatectomy.
Experimental implementation of Multi-Agent System Algorithm to prevent Cascading Failure after N-1-1 contingency in smart grid systems

Cascading Failure and Blackout Event is one of the major concerns to all in the Power System industry. Recent literature mainly focused on predicting the occurrence of this catastrophic event and suggestions on ways to curtail the spread of Cascading Failure. No research, to our knowledge, as focused on preventing Cascading Failure without the use of high cost precautionary steps. This work utilizes an adaptive Multi-Agent System Algorithm in a smart grid system with two-way communication capability to successfully prevent Cascading Failure and Blackout Event after N-1-1 transmission line contingency condition with more than one transmission line overloaded. The proposed algorithm stops the cascading failure after the N-1-1 contingency by redispatching the power from the generators through the use of pre-stated mathematical combinations and the consideration of necessary constraints and factors. We obtained experimental results instead of the popular simulation results that has been the norm for publications on Cascading Failures and Blackout Event. The generation and transmission side of IEEE 30-bus system was used as the experimental test bed. It was ascertained that the test bed can experience a Cascading Failure and Blackout Event if no preventive measure was taken. We then utilized the algorithm to prevent Cascading Failure. The experimental results affirm the efficacy of the proposed algorithm.
Cloning and characterization of an autonomous replication sequence from Coxiella burnetii.

Abstract A Coxiella burnetii chromosomal fragment capable of functioning as an origin for the replication of a kanamycin resistance (Kanr) plasmid was isolated by use of origin search methods utilizing an Escherichia coli host. The 5.8-kb fragment was subcloned into phagemid vectors and was deleted progressively by an exonuclease III-S1 technique. Plasmids containing progressively shorter DNA fragments were then tested for their capability to support replication by transformation of an E. coli polA strain. A minimal autonomous replication sequence (ARS) was delimited to 403 bp. Sequencing of the entire 5.8-kb region revealed that the minimal ARS contained two consensus DnaA boxes, three A + T-rich 21-mers, a transcriptional promoter leading rightwards, and potential integration host factor and factor of inversion stimulation binding sites. Database comparisons of deduced amino acid sequences revealed that open reading frames located around the ARS were homologous to genes often, but not always, found near bacterial chromosomal origins; these included identities with rpmH and rnpA in E. coli and identities with the 9K protein and 60K membrane protein in E. coli and Pseudomonas species. These and direct hybridization data suggested that the ARS was chromosomal and not associated with the resident plasmid QpH1. Two-dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis did not reveal the presence of initiating intermediates, indicating that the ARS did not initiate chromosome replication during laboratory growth of C. burnetii.
Positional effects of the hydroxy substituent on the photochemical and photophysical behavior of 3- and 4-hydroxystilbene.

The photophysical and photochemical behavior of meta- and para-hydroxy- and methoxystilbene are reported and compared to the aminostilbenes. Absorption spectra of all four studied compounds in organic solution display a featureless, intense long-wavelength absorption band around 300 nm. In basic aqueous solution, meta-hydroxystilbene displays a less intense band with a long-wavelength shoulder, a consequence of configuration interaction from the O− substituent. Emission from the meta-substituted stilbenes is much stronger than from the para isomers, with an especially large effect for the hydroxystilbenes in solvents that are good hydrogen bond acceptors. Emission from the hydroxystilbenes is weak in aqueous solution, and even weaker in basic solution, a consequence of facile nonradiative decay. The excited state lifetimes of the meta isomers are longer than those with para substituents. Ground and excited state acidity constants are reported for the hydroxystilbenes. In the ground state, the para derivative is an order of magnitude more acidic than the meta isomer, however, its short excited state lifetime precludes excited state deprotonation. In contrast, 3-hydroxystilbene does exhibit deprotonation in its excited state.
Isolated gastric pneumatosis in a premature infant following steroid exposure

Isolated gastric pneumatosis in neonates is extremely rare and usually associated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or obstruction of the proximal gastrointestinal tract. Although similar radiographically, gastric pneumatosis secondary to NEC is typically a marker of fulminant disease that carries a poor prognosis while gastric pneumatosis from proximal obstruction follows a more benign course after relief of the obstruction. This case describes an extremely low birth weight premature neonate treated with postnatal steroids who developed isolated gastric pneumatosis without evidence of intestinal obstruction.
Genetic rescue of Leishmania deficiency in porphyrin biosynthesis creates mutants suitable for analysis of cellular events in uroporphyria and for photodynamic therapy.

Leishmania was found deficient in at least five and most likely seven of the eight enzymes in the heme biosynthesis pathway, accounting for their growth requirement for heme compounds. The xenotransfection of this trypanosomatid protozoan led to their expression of the mammalian genes encoding δ-aminolevulinate (ALA) dehydratase and porphobilinogen deaminase, the second and the third enzymes of the pathway, respectively. These transfectants still require hemin or protoporphyrin IX for growth but produce porphyrin when ALA was supplied exogenously. Leishmania is thus deficient in all first three enzymes of the pathway. Uroporphyrin I was produced as the sole intermediate by these transfectants, further indicating that they are also deficient in at least two porphyrinogen-metabolizing enzymes downstream of porphobilinogen deaminase, i.e. uroporphyrinogen III co-synthase and uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. Pulsing the transfectants with ALA induced their transition from aporphyria to uroporphyria. Uroporphyrin I emerged in these cells initially as diffused throughout the cytosol, rendering them sensitive to UV irradiation. The porphyrin was subsequently sequestered in cytoplasmic vacuoles followed by its release and accumulation in the extracellular milieu, concomitant with a reduced photosensitivity of the cells. These events may represent cellular mechanisms for disposing soluble toxic waste from the cytosol. Monocytic tumor cells were rendered photosensitive by infection with uroporphyric Leishmania, suggestive of their potential application for photodynamic therapy.
Using a scholarship of teaching and learning approach to award faculty who innovate

This study examines a college-teaching award that uses a scholarship of teaching model focusing on learning outcomes. Through questionnaires the researcher examined two groups’ perceptions: award recipients and academic leaders. Respondents described the award and indicated the perceived effect on faculty and programs. Both groups highlighted faculty incentive to innovate for promoting student learning, a strong impact on performance evaluation, and recognition of exceptional teaching. Respondents recommended better communicating the award’s rigor and learning focus to increase its impact. Recipients reported the award’s influence on continued innovation, engagement in teaching scholarship, and leadership opportunities. Over half have presented their work in peer-reviewed venues.
Ironies and Limitations of Educational Leadership for Social Justice: A Call to Social Justice Educators

In this article that reviews this special issue, we identify 5 ironies and limitations of educational leadership for social justice: (a) the meaning of inclusive practice, (b) the intersection of identity and difference, (c) the emphasis given to student achievement, (d) the lack of policy and practice coherence, and (e) the separation of superheroes from critical collaborative leadership. Although we discuss each issue separately, these conceptions are interrelated and intersecting. We conclude with a call to educators for social justice to change their work in several fundamental ways.
Photometric titrations—VII1: The consecutive titration of cadmium and zinc

Zinc and cadmium can be determined in one solution in the following manner. The sample is adjusted to pH 10 with an ammonia-ammonium chloride buffer so that the total ammonia concentration is 0.02–0.03M. Murexide is added so that its amount is in at least 5-fold excess over the amount of zinc present. The titration is performed photometrically at about 450 mμ with ethyleneglycol bis(β-amino-ethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid (EGTA) as the titrant. The titration curve obtained shows two breaks which are related to the consecutive titration of cadmium and zinc. The influence of calcium impurities in the reagents used has been studied and a method of pretitration is proposed. For this purpose a small amount of zinc is pretitrated and then the sample solution is added. Thus the calcium blank is established for each titration.
Polysialylated NCAM expression on endocardial cells of the chick primary atrial septum

Septation of the tubular heart to form the multi-chambered heart involves endocardial cell mesenchymal transformation at discrete sites. These sites include the crests of endocardial cushions at the atrioventricular junction, crests of the spiral ridges within the outflow tract, and the leading edge of the atrial septum. The factors involved in this multi-step inductive process appear to include the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). The down-regulation of NCAM coincident with mesenchymal transformation has been documented at the atrioventricular cushion tissue. In view of the function-regulation properties of polysialylated NCAM (PSA-NCAM), we hypothesized that this form of NCAM would be playing a role during the dramatic changes in cell-cell interactions occurring in the endocardium at the leading edge of the primary atrial septum. Chicken hearts at stages during primary atrial septum development were fixed with paraformaldehyde and either immunofluorescently stained for the light microscope analysis or immunoperoxidase stained for ultrastructural analysis. A monoclonal antibody to an NCAM polypeptide epitope (5E) was used to detect all forms of NCAM, while a monoclonal to the polysialic acid (5A5) was used to detect that subset of NCAM which is highly polysialylated (PSA-NCAM). By light microscope level analysis, an increase in immunostaining for NCAM and the appearance of PSA-NCAM was detected on embryonic chicken endocardial cells at the leading edge of the growing atrial septum. The ultrastructural analysis revealed that there is also a change in the pattern of NCAM and PSA-NCAM from a polarized localization to a more ubiquitous distribution over the endocardial cell surface as these cells send out processes, form multiple layers, and sink or move into the underlying extracellular matrix. PSA-NCAM was also detected along cell appositions of cells within the matrix. Both NCAM and PSA-NCAM levels were reduced on cells deep within the matrix. These findings indicate that during primary atrial septation, PSA-NCAM may be deployed on endocardial epithelial cells in order to down-regulate cell-cell interactions and allow the detachment and migration of some of these cells into the underlying matrix.
Optical metrology of adaptive membrane mirrors

A membrane primary mirror in a space-based imaging system has the ability to overcome current payload constraints and meet evolutionary needs of the future. The challenge of membrane optics in space is the process of implementing adaptive optics technology to the membrane surface that will provide at least rough order of magnitude imaging, where small aberrations can be removed downstream in the system. The objective of this research was to develop a system to categorize surface properties of optical quality membrane material with the ability to interpret membrane mirror deformation. Coincident with this objective was the design and construction of membrane mirrors and associated test tooling, the design and application of in-plane zonal control for piezopolymer actuated membrane mirrors, and mirror deformation analysis. The system provides wavefront analysis with both optical interferometry and Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensing, with good correlation, which compares favorably to Zygo interferometer data. Results from membrane static testing will be presented. They demonstrate deflection of tens of wavelengths is possible.
Cataract surgery in the glaucoma patient: advances and modifications.

Cataract removal in the glaucoma patient is a less arduous task today than it was a decade ago, because of technological advances and modifications in surgical technique. These technological advanc...
The Effect of the Angular Aperture of a Telephotometer on the Telephotometry of Collimated and Non-Collimated Beams*

It is shown theoretically that in telephotometry in a foggy atmosphere, large errors may arise from the scattering of light by the fog into the telephotometer. These errors depend both on the angular aperture of the telephotometer and on the half-angle of the cone of air illuminated by the distant lamp. Some experimental results are given, which show even larger errors than the hypothetical atmospheres chosen for theoretical investigation.
The effect of tax subsidies to employer-provided supplementary health insurance: evidence from Canada

Abstract This paper presents new evidence of the effect of the tax subsidy to employer-provided health insurance on coverage by such insurance. I study the effects of a 1993 tax change that reduced the tax subsidy to employer-provided supplementary health insurance in Quebec by almost 60%. Using a differences-in-differences methodology in which changes in Quebec are compared to changes in other provinces not affected by the tax change, I find that this tax change was associated with a decrease of about one-fifth in coverage by employer-provided supplementary health insurance in Quebec. This corresponds to an elasticity of employer coverage with respect to the tax price of about −0.5. Non-group supplementary health insurance coverage rose slightly in Quebec relative to other provinces in response to the reduction in the tax subsidy to employer-provided (group) coverage. But the increase in the non-group market offset only 10–15% of the decrease in coverage through an employer. The decrease in coverage through an employer was especially pronounced in small firms, where the tax subsidy appears much more critical to the provision of supplementary health insurance than it does in larger firms.
Esophageal reinforcement with an extracellular scaffold during total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Esophagojejunal (EJ) anastomotic leaks after total gastrectomy (TG) for malignancy lead to significant morbidity and mortality, thus affecting long-term survival. Preclinical and clinical trials have shown promise in utilizing degradable extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds in buttressing anastomoses. We describe our experience buttressing the EJ anastomosis after TG with a ECM scaffold. From February 2012 to January 2014, a total of 37 consecutive patients underwent TG buttressing of the EJ anastomosis with the degradable ECM scaffold composed of a porcine urinary bladder called MatriStem (ACell Inc.). The scaffold was circumferentially wrapped around the EJ anastomosis. The primary end point was the EJ leak rate, while the secondary end point was the EJ stricture rate. The mean ± SD age and body mass index were 59 ± 16 years and 28.1 ± 4.9 kg/m2, respectively. Most patients were male (51 %), white (78 %), and former smokers (51 %). Over half (59 %) underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A minimally invasive TG was performed in 70 % of patients. Signet ring was the most common tumor type (48 %), and most patients had midstage disease (59 %). The mean number of lymph nodes procured was 36 ± 16. Eighteen patients (49 %) experienced a complication, mostly minor. One patient (2.7 %) developed an EJ leak, while three patients (8 %) developed an EJ stricture. Median follow-up was 7 months (range 2–12 months). There was no operative or in-hospital mortality. The use of urinary bladder matrix scaffolds may be helpful in decreasing the incidence of EJ anastomotic leak and/or stricture. A prospective phase II trial at our institution is currently under way.
Pharmacological activity and toxicity of phencyclidine (PCP) and phenylcyclohexene (PC), a pyrolysis product.

Abstract Initial acute behavioral studies in mice indicated that phencyclidine (PCP) produced marked motor impairment as measured by the inverted screen technique with an ED 50 value of 4.1 μMole/kg (i.v.). Phenylcyclohexene (PC) was considerably less active with an ED 50 value of 325 μMole/kg (i.v.). PCP was also shown to be more lethal than PC as acute (24 hr; i.v. injection) LD 50 values (μMoles/kg) in males were 57 and 448, and in females were /6 and 425, respectively. A greater acute lethality was also produced by PCP after i.p. and p.o. administration. Subchronic (14-day) exposure (i.p.) to PCP at doses up to ≈40 percent of the acute LD 50 value (123.6 μMole/kg, i.p., daily) was without significant effect on body and organ weights, hematology and clinical chemistry, and humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Higher doses of PCP were not possible because of acute lethality. Subchronic exposure to PC (63.4, 317, and 634.5 μMoles/kg; 4 percent, 20 percent and 40 percent of acute i.p. LD 50 value, respectively) produced several marked effects. At the highest dose tested, body weight and thymus weight in both males and females, and liver weight in males were significantly decreased. The spleen weight of males exposed to 317 μMole/kg PC was also significantly decreased. Humoral immunity (production of antibody forming cells) was significantly inhibited in both males and females exposed to PC. In contrast, cell-mediated immunity (development of a delayed-type hypersensitivity response) was only significantly inhibited in females. As PCP has no measurable toxicity under these conditions and PC produced significant effects at relatively high doses, the results suggest that neither chemical is exceptionally toxic following subchronic exposure.
Ultracold Atoms Confined in an Optical Lattice Plus Parabolic Potential: A Closed-Form Approach

We discuss interacting and noninteracting one dimensional atomic systems trapped in an optical lattice plus a parabolic potential. We show that, in the tight-binding approximation, the noninteracting problem is exactly solvable in terms of Mathieu functions. We use the analytic solutions to study the collective oscillations of ideal bosonic and fermionic ensembles induced by small displacements of the parabolic potential. We treat the interacting boson problem by numerical diagonalization of the Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian. From analysis of the dependence upon lattice depth of the low-energy excitation spectrum of the interacting system, we consider the problems of ``fermionization'' of a Bose gas, and the superfluid-Mott insulator transition. The spectrum of the noninteracting system turns out to provide a useful guide to understanding the collective oscillations of the interacting system, throughout a large and experimentally relevant parameter regime.
Deaf and hearing children's performance on a tactual perception battery.

A battery of tactual sensitivity tests was administered to 300 deaf and hearing children and adolescents. The tests included vibrotactile and two-point sensitivity on several areas of the hand, gap-detection using two stimulation techniques, roughness discrimination, pattern discrimination, and cross-modal object identification. Measures included sensory thresholds, correct discrimination, errors, and in some cases, response latencies. Deaf youngsters were more sensitive than their hearing counterparts with vibrotactile and two-point measures. On most remaining tasks, deaf and hearing Ss' performance accuracies did not differ, although hearing Ss performed faster on all timed tasks. Improvements with age were evident with both speed and accuracy measures for several tasks. Results were discussed as to deaf/hearing differences, and reading achievement scores, active versus passive touch, developmental changes, and relations among the tactual tasks and measures of the battery. The findings strongly suggeste...
Social-Psychological Support Personnel: Attitudes and Perceptions of Teamwork Supporting Children With Disabilities

This article used a mixed methods design to analyze attitudes and perceptions of social-psychological support personnel serving on school-based teams supporting children with disabilities. Results suggest that the 76 respondents held a generally positive attitude about teamwork. Qualitative analyses of open-ended responses found discipline collaboration and sharing information and perspectives as benefits of the team process. Perceived limitations of the team process included time constraints and a lack of commitment to the process. Recommendations for improving the team process centered on time management, communication and cooperation, and team organization.
Determination of trace levels of polychlorinated biphenyls on reversed phase octadecyl bonded silica membranes

Abstract The determination of biphenyl, polychlorinated biphenyls, and Aroclors adsorbed on solid-phase extraction membranes was performed by room-temperature phosphorimetry. Three types of membranes were tested as substrates for phosphorescence emission. Several experimental parameters related to phosphorescence on solid supports were evaluated. The analytical figures of merit demonstrate the capability of detecting polychlorinated biphenyls at the sub-ng/ml level. The potential interference of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was investigated. The combination of time discrimination and synchronous excitation techniques allowed the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Although additional studies are required to prove solid phase extraction – room temperature phosphorimetry as a reliable analytical tool, our results reveal several promising features for screening polychlorinated biphenyls in water samples.
Configuring problem-solving methods: a CAKE perspective

Abstract Over the past few years a certain amount of research has been done on ways of configuring problem-solving methods from smaller-grained components. Although frameworks for method configuration have been explored in previous studies, ways of developing and maintaining a library of reusable knowledge have not been fully integrated into the frameworks. The purpose of this paper is to provide a view of bridging the architecture of component assembling and the knowledge contents, on the basis of our experiences in the area of scheduling problems. First, existing component-oriented approaches are briefly reviewed. We then introduce the concept of a computer-aided knowledge engineering (CAKE) environment, which consists of not only processes for constructing knowledge systems, but also processes for developing knowledge libraries to be reused for the prospective systems. The content issues in a class of scheduling problems are pursued in terms of the representation primitives of the task and method, the task-specific components to be configured into problem-solving methods, and the process of obtaining those components. Taking account of the knowledge contents, we explore the architectural issues related to our development environment, and give running examples for the task analysis, component retrieval and component configuration. Finally, we compare related studies on reuse-oriented development environments.
Use of stable isotopically labeled tracers for studies of metabolic kinetics: An overview

Stable isotopically labeled tracers offer a reliable and safe alternative to the use of radioactive tracers for studies of metabolic kinetics. This overview examines some of the principles and technical issues regarding mass spectrometry instrumentation, and reviews some of the approaches used in the application of stable isotopically labeled tracers to studies of protein, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolic kinetics.
Overexpression of CXCL5 is associated with poor survival in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide-78 (CXCL5), a member of the CXC chemokine family, has been shown to be involved in angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between CXCL5 expression and tumor progression in human pancreatic cancer and to elucidate the mechanism underlying CXCL5-mediated tumor angiogenesis and cancer growth. We report herein that CXCL5 is overexpressed in human pancreatic cancer compared with paired normal pancreas tissue. Overexpression of CXCL5 is significantly correlated with poorer tumor differentiation, advanced clinical stage, and shorter patient survival. Patients with pancreatic cancer and CXCL5 overexpression who underwent resection of cancer had a mean survival time 25.5 months shorter than that of patients who did not overexpress CXCL5. Blockade of CXCL5 or its receptor CXCR2 by small-interfering RNA knockdown or antibody neutralization attenuated human pancreatic cancer growth in a nude mouse model. Finally, we demonstrated that CXCL5 mediates pancreatic cancer–derived angiogenesis through activation of several signaling pathways, including protein kinase B (Akt), extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK), and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) in human endothelial cells. These data suggest that CXCL5 is an important mediator of tumor-derived angiogenesis and that it may serve as a survival factor for pancreatic cancer. Blockade of either CXCL5 or CXCR2 may be a critical adjunct antiangiogenic therapy against pancreatic cancer.
Automatically activated racial attitudes as predictors of the success of interracial roommate relationships

Abstract Study 1 indicated that roommate relationships involving randomly paired interracial freshmen were characterized by less extensive joint activity and were more likely to dissolve than those involving randomly paired White freshmen. Study 2 explored whether the automatically activated racial attitudes of White freshmen who had been randomly assigned to share rooms with Black freshmen would predict the stability and duration of the roommate relationships. The racial attitudes of the White freshmen were measured unobtrusively via a priming procedure at the beginning of the fall semester. White students’ automatically activated racial attitudes, but not their motivation to control prejudiced reactions, predicted the longevity of the relationships. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.
The development of the motor nuclei of the hindbrain of the chick, Gallus domesticus

A study of the development of the motor-nuclei of the hindbrain of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus, during the entire period of incubation has been made, including the time of appearance of the nuclear groups and the subsequent differentiation of each. The nuclear pattern presented by this form is very similar to that of other avian forms as recorded in the literature.
Effects of visual aids and word structure on phonemic segmentation

Abstract This study examined the effects of visual aids and word structure on kindergarten children's learning of phonemic segmentation—a skill recently shown to correlate highly with reading achievement in first grade. Visual aids used were three items of equipment—counters, squares, and pictures—previously utilized by Soviet researchers; these were combined in all possible ways in a 23 factorial arrangement. Within each equipment condition, half of the subjects were trained and tested on CV words and the other half on VC words. In addition, subjects who did well on either type of two-phoneme word were subsequently tested on CVC words, using the same equipment as before. Results indicated that squares made a significant contribution to segmentation of two-phoneme words, but none of the visual aids made a difference on three-phoneme words. There was no significant difference in difficulty between CV and VC words, but subjects trained on CV words did significantly better on the CVC test than those trained on VC. Implications of error patterns and directions for future research are discussed.
Radiogeology and Population Exposure to Background Radiation in Northern New England

Results are summarized from a variety of surveys of natural radioactivity in northern New England. These include a radiogeological survey of bedrock radioactivity in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont; a personnelmonitoring survey of population exposure to external gamma radiation in selected areas of high and low bedrock radioactivity; and a survey of the concentration of Ra/sup 226/, R/sup 224/, and Posup 210/ in teeth extracted from life- or long-time residents of these same areas. The possibility that chronic exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation is of etiologic significance in the genesis of certain human diseases is discussed. Difficulties inherent in measurements of population exposure from natural radioactivity are evaluated. Results of the survey showed no significant relationship between equivalent uranium concentration and the level of Ra/sup 226/ and Po/sup 210/ in teeth. While the geological data suggested considerable intercategory variation in terrestrial sources of radioactivity, dosimetric evaluation of population exposure revealed relatively small differences with respect to external gamma radiation. (C.H.)
Making sense of entrepreneurial exit strategies: A typology and test

Entrepreneurial exit is a major event in the development of a venture. However, we have little understanding of the factors that drive the development of an important pre-cursor to exit: the exit strategy of the founder. Based on the existing literature, we develop a typology of entrepreneurial exit strategies consisting of three higher-level exit categories (i.e., financial harvest, stewardship, and voluntary cessation) and develop an initial test of our typology. Specifically, we examine entrepreneurs' perceived innovativeness of their opportunity, motivational considerations, decision-making approach, founding team, and firm size. Our results show different predictors for each of the three exit strategy types and represent a significant contribution to the understanding of exit strategies in new ventures.