cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying estrogen receptor α target genes using integrated computational genomics and chromatin immunoprecipitation microarray

The estrogen receptor α (ERα) regulates gene expression by either direct binding to estrogen response elements or indirect tethering to other transcription factors on promoter targets. To identify these promoter sequences, we conducted a genome-wide screening with a novel microarray technique called ChIP-on-chip. A set of 70 candidate ERα loci were identified and the corresponding promoter sequences were analyzed by statistical pattern recognition and comparative genomics approaches. We found mouse counterparts for 63 of these loci and classified 42 (67%) as direct ERα targets using classification and regression tree (CART) statistical model, which involves position weight matrix and human-mouse sequence similarity scores as model parameters. The remaining genes were considered to be indirect targets. To validate this computational prediction, we conducted an additional ChIP-on-chip assay that identified acetylated chromatin components in active ERα promoters. Of the 27 loci upregulated in an ERα-positive breast cancer cell line, 20 having mouse counterparts were correctly predicted by CART. This integrated approach, therefore, sets a paradigm in which the iterative process of model refinement and experimental verification will continue until an accurate prediction of promoter target sequences is derived.
Using learning analytics to study cognitive disequilibrium in a complex learning environment

Cognitive disequilibrium has received significant attention for its role in fostering student learning in intelligent tutoring systems and in complex learning environments. In this paper, we both add to and extend this discussion by analyzing the emergence of four affective states associated with disequilibrium: joy, surprise, neutrality and confusion; in a collaborative hands-on, engineering design task. Specifically, we conduct a comparison between two learning strategies to make salient how the strategies are associated with different affective states. This comparison is grounded in the construction of a probabilistic model of student affective state as defined by the frequency of each state, and the rate of transition between affective states. Through this comparison we confirm prior research that highlights the importance of confusion as a marker of knowledge construction, but put to question the notion that surprise is a significant mediator of cognitive disequilibrium. Overall, we show how modeling learner affect is useful for understanding and improving learning in complex, hands-on learning environments.
Neotectonics, Sea Level Change, and Quaternary Natural Gas Occurrence in Coastal Maine: ABSTRACT

The glaciated, passive continental margin of northern New England is not a likely location for either tectonic activity or hydrocarbon accumulation, but neotectonic action has played a role in creating favorable stratigraphic traps for natural gas in the Quaternary inner-shelf and estuarine deposits of Maine. During late glacial time (13,000 years B.P.), a marine inundation accompanied ice retreat across the isostatically depressed lowlands of coastal Maine and blanketed the area with marine sediment (Presumpscot Formation) up to 50 m thick. Unloading of the ice led to rapid coastal rebound within a few thousand years, and the former sea floor became emergent to present depths of -65 m. A gullied and weathered lag surface on the muddy Presumpscot Formation marks the regre sion that followed deposition. Since about 8,000 years B.P., sea level has risen in Maine, and within historic times it has been accompanied by seismicity and subsidence rates up to 9 mm/yr. Examinations of over 1,500 km of seismic reflection profiles and limited coring reveal the presence of abundant natural gas in Holocene sediments filling ravines cut into the Presumpscot Formation during emergence. It appears that the gas is derived from the trapped by mud deposited in estuarine depocenters that migrated landward during the Holocene transgression. End_of_Article - Last_Page 272------------
Toward learning to press doorbell buttons

To function in human-inhabited environments a robot must be able to press buttons. There are literally thousands of different buttons, which produce various types of feedback when pressed. This work focuses on doorbell buttons, which provide auditory feedback. Our robot learned to predict if a specific pushing movement would press a doorbell button and produce a sound. The robot explored different buttons with random pushing behaviors and perceived the proprioceptive, tactile, and acoustic outcomes of these behaviors.
Surrogate Decision Making in the Internet Age

The computer revolution has had an enormous effect on all aspects of the practice of medicine, yet little thought has been given to the role of social media in identifying treatment choices for incompetent patients. We are currently living in the “Internet age” and many people have integrated social media into all aspects of their lives. As use becomes more prevalent, and as users age, social media are more likely to be viewed as a source of information regarding medical care preferences. This article explores the ethical and legal issues raised by the use of social media in surrogate decision making.
Simultaneous Analysis of In Vivo CD8+ T Cell Cytotoxicity Against Multiple Epitopes using Multicolor Flow Cytometry

CD8+ T cells play a critical role in host defense against infections and tumors. Analysis of cytotoxic function of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in animal models would be important in optimizing vaccine design against infections and tumors. In vivo cytotoxicity assays using fluorescent cellular dyes have been used as a popular alternative to traditionally used in vitro 51Cr-release assays. With the identification of multiple epitopes in various pathogen models, methods to simultaneously analyze cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells to multiple epitopes in vivo would assist studies which aim to generate protective CD8+ T cell immunity to multiple epitopes. In this study, we evaluate the use of multiple fluorescent cellular dyes for the in vivo cytotoxicity assay. The use of 3 dyes allowed us to analyze the cytotoxicity of antigen-specific CD8+ T cell populations to multiple epitopes generated by virus infections, as well as their functional avidity, in vivo. Our studies extend the use of in vivo cytotoxicity assays...
GEO/SAMS-the Geostationary Synthetic Aperture Microwave Sounder

NOAA has for many years operated two weather satellite systems, the Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite system (POES), using low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites, and GOES, using geostationary Earth orbiting (GEO) satellites. The POES satellites have been equipped with both infrared (IR) and microwave (MW) atmospheric sounders, which makes it possible to determine the vertical distribution of temperature and humidity in the troposphere even under cloudy conditions. Such satellite observations have had a significant impact on weather forecasting accuracy, especially in regions where in situ observations are sparse. In contrast, the GOES satellites have only been equipped with IR sounders, since it has not been feasible to build a large enough antenna to achieve sufficient spatial resolution for a MW sounder in GEO. As a result, GOES soundings can only be obtained in cloud free areas and in the less important upper atmosphere, above the cloud tops. This has hindered the effective use of GOES data in numerical weather prediction. Full sounding capabilities with the GOES system is highly desirable because of the advantageous spatial and temporal coverage that is possible from GEO. While POES satellites provide coverage in relatively narrow swaths, and with a revisit time of 12-24 hours or more, GOES satellites can provide continuous hemispheric coverage, making it possible to monitor highly dynamic phenomena such as hurricanes. In response to a NASA Research Announcement calling for innovative measurement concepts suitable for non-LEO deployment, GEO/SAMS was proposed as a solution to the GOES microwave sounder problem. Using an approach similar to the SMOS mission, GEO/SAMS synthesizes a large aperture to measure atmospheric parameters at high MW frequencies with high spatial resolution from GEO. In 1999 NASA's Office of Earth Science selected GEO/SAMS for a Phase A study, sponsored through the New Millennium Program.
Improved Understanding of Bimodal Coupled Bridge Flutter Based on Closed-Form Solutions

Analysis of an aeroelastic bridge system consisting of the fundamental vertical and torsional modes of vibration offers an expeditious assessment of bridge flutter performance. It also produces valuable insight into the multimode coupled bridge response to strong winds. This paper presents closed-form formulations for estimating the modal frequencies, damping ratios, and coupled motions of the bimodal coupled aeroelastic bridge system at varying wind velocities. The derivation of these formulations is based on the assumption of low-level damping of the aeroelastic bridge system. This assumption has also been adopted in current modeling of self-excited forces and the analysis of coupled flutter through complex eigenvalue analysis. This framework leads to a formula for determining the critical flutter velocity of bridges with generic bluff deck sections, which not only provides an analytical basis for Selberg's empirical formula, but also serves as its extension to generic bridges. This formula gives a single parameter or index as a function of flutter derivatives to describe the flutter efficiency of a given bridge section, which facilitates comparison of aerodynamic characteristics of different bridge deck sections. The accuracy of the proposed framework is illustrated through long span bridge examples with a variety of structural and aerodynamic characteristics. Based on the proposed framework, the significance of structural and aerodynamic characteristics on the development of coupled motion and the evolution of modal damping is discussed, which helps to better understand how and where bridges may be tailored for better flutter performance. It is pointed out that coupled bridge flutter is initiated from the modal branch that has a higher modal frequency and is characterized by coupled motion in which torsional motion lags vertical motion. The generation of coupled flutter instability is driven by the negative damping effect caused by the coupled self-excited forces.
Impact of diabetes control on mortality by race in a national cohort of veterans.

Abstract Purpose The association between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), medication use/adherence, and mortality stratified by race/ethnicity was examined in a national cohort of veterans with type 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 892,223 veterans with diabetes in 2002 were followed through 2006. HbA1c category was the main exposure (i.e., HbA1c 9%). Covariates included age, sex, marital status, rural/urban residence, geographic region, number of comorbidities, and diabetes medication use/adherence (i.e., adherent, medication possession ratio ≥80%; nonadherent; and nonusers). HbA1c and medication use/adherence varied over time, and Cox regression models accounting for time-varying variables were used. Results In nonmedication users, HbA1c greater than 9% predicted higher mortality risk relative to HbA1c of 7%–8% in non-Hispanic whites (hazard ratio [HR], 1.55; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.43–1.69), non-Hispanic blacks (NHB) (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.34–1.87), and Hispanics (HR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.75–2.82). In contrast, in nonadherent medication users, HbA1c less than 7% predicted higher mortality risk in NHB (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05–1.20), whereas HbA1c greater than 9% only predicted mortality in non-Hispanic whites (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06–1.16). In adherent medication users, HbA1c less than 7% predicted higher mortality in NHB (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07–1.31), whereas HbA1c greater than 9.0% predicted higher mortality risk across all race/ethnic groups. Conclusion We found evidence for racial/ethnic differences in the association between glycemic control and mortality, which varied by medication use/adherence.
A Manipulation-Free Design for Single-Subject Cerebral Palsy Research

This study describes single-patient research free of treatment manipulation and base-line constraints and a method of analyzing effects and changes occurring over time. The design is presented and illustrated through a case study that compares the relative merits of four treatments administered during the same six-month period to a five-year-old subject with spastic diplegia. Performance measurement was established apart from any of the treatments. The problem of assessing one treatment while controlling for others was absorbed into data analysis by an analysis of variance. Lag sequential analysis was used to investigate the possible lasting effects of treatments. While this manipulation-free design precludes testing one specific hypothesis to discover the absolute effect of a treatment, it is more efficient than traditional base-line designs and it avoids the ethical problem of withholding treatment while establishing base-line data. The manipulation-free design also allows the many nonrandom factors that contribute to subject performance, even during no-treatment periods, to be considered in the analysis.
Age of second-language acquisition and Perception of Speech in Noise

To determine how age of acquisition influences perception of second-language speech, the Speech Perception in Noise (SPIN) test was administered to native Mexican-Spanish-speaking listeners who learned fluent English before age 6 (early bilinguals) or after age 14 (late bilinguals) and monolingual American-English speakers (monolinguals). Results show that the levels of noise at which the speech was intelligible were significantly higher and the benefit from context was significantly greater for monolinguals and early bilinguals than for late bilinguals. These findings indicate that learning a second language at an early age is important for the acquisition of efficient high-level processing of it, at least in the presence of noise.
Intravenous Corticotrophin vs. Hydrocortisone in the Treatment of Hospitalized Patients with Crohn's Disease: A Randomized Double-Blind Study and Follow-Up

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosteroids have no maintenance values for inflammatory bowel disease but serve to reduce the severity of disease. The effectiveness of intravenous corticotrophin versus hydrocortisone in ulcerative colitis has been determined including whether previous steroid therapy influenced the better response to one rather than the other, but no such studies have ever been done in Crohn's disease. Eighty-eight patients hospitalized with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease (Present-Korelitz [P-K] Index -3 to -2 and the International Organisation for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America [IOIBD-CCFA] Index, mean 14, range 5-23) were treated in a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial to receive either continuous intravenous infusion of 120 U/day of ACTH (44 patients) or hydrocortisone 300 mg/day (44 patients). Patients were also subdivided into those who received oral steroids during the 30 days prior to intravenous therapy and those who had not. Response was followed on a daily basis and tabulated at 3, 5, and 10 days. Patients were followed from 1-3 years to determine the later status. After 10 days of intravenous therapy 36 of 44 patients (82%) who received ACTH and 41 of 44 patients (93%) who received hydrocortisone fully responded (P-K index +3 and IOIBD-CCFA Index mean of 3). At the end of the study, response to intravenous ACTH and hydrocortisone was not statistically different whether or not patients received oral steroids during the 30 days prior to admission, although the response to IV ACTH tended to be faster at 3 days in those who had received previous steroid therapy. Intravenous ACTH and hydrocortisone are equally effective in achieving therapeutic goals in patients with Crohn's disease who have not achieved results with oral medications. Moreover the response rate was high (mean 88%), serving to buy time for establishment of successful maintenance programs of treatment with oral 5-ASA and immunosuppressive drugs for 69% of patients at 1-3 years.
Group lending, local information and peer selection

This paper analyzes how group lending programs use joint liability to utilize local information that borrowers have about each other's projects through self-selection of group members in the group formation stage. These schemes are shown to lead to positive assortative matching in group formation. Faced with the same contract, this makes the effective cost of borrowing lower to safer borrowers: because they have safer partners, conditional on success their expected dues to the lender are lower than that of riskier borrowers. The resulting improvement in the pool of borrowers is shown to increase repayment rates and welfare. q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Development of a flow-cell alpha detector utilizing microencapsulated CsI:Tl granules and silicon PIN-photodiodes

A flow-cell detector was developed utilizing microencapsulated granular CsI:Tl and silicon PIN-photodiodes for gross alpha radiation quantification. The CsI:Tl scintillator was crushed and sieved to 63-90 and 90-125 /spl mu/m particle size and encapsulated with 10% (ratio of coating layer mass to particle mass) of parylene C polymer. The radiation detector consisted of a CsI:Tl flow-cell and two silicon PIN-photodiodes (PDs). Signals from the PDs were processed by charge-sensitive preamplifiers and shaping amplifiers, then digitized by a GaGe CompuScope 8012 A/PCI 12-bit dual-channel 50-MHz digital oscilloscope card residing in a Pentium III 450-MHz PC. The digitized signal was processed by a LabVIEW-based data-acquisition program for pulse-height and pulse-shape analyses in conjunction with a software-realized coincidence mode with a resolving time of 800 ns. By setting an appropriate region of interest (ROI) for alpha events in a dual parameter histogram, the spillover of beta events into alpha ROI was less than 3.9%. The initial detection efficiency for /sup 233/U was 8.8-19.5% and declined with time due to aqueous solution diffusing through the microencapsulant. The initial detection efficiency decreased with increased particle size, increased porosity, and increased contact time. The slow component of the detection efficiency "half-life" was measured to be 36 h when 1000 Bq mL/sup -1/ /sup 233/U in 0.1 HNO/sub 3/ solution circulated in a closed loop through the flow-cell at a flow rate of 1.0 ml min/sup -1/. The alpha minimum detectable concentration of a CsI:Tl flow-cell with approximate active volume of 0.075 ml was measured to be 12.4 Bq mL/sup -1/ for a 120-s count time.
Heterogenous Catalysis Mediated by Plasmon Heating

We introduce a new method for performing and miniaturizing many types of heterogeneous catalysis involving nanoparticles. The method makes use of the plasmon resonance present in nanoscale metal catalysts to provide the necessary heat of reaction when illuminated with a low-power laser. We demonstrate our approach by reforming a flowing, liquid mixture of ethanol and water over gold nanoparticle catalysts in a microfluidic channel. Plasmon heating of the nanoparticles provides not only the heat of reaction but the means to generate both water and ethanol vapor locally over the catalysts, which in turn allows the chip and the fluid lines to remain at room temperature. The measured products of the reaction, CO2, CO, and H2, are consistent with catalytic steam reforming of ethanol. The approach, which we refer to as plasmon-assisted catalysis, is general and can be used with a variety of endothermic catalytic processes involving nanoparticles.
The effect of edge artifacts on quantification of Positron Emission Tomography

We examined the quantitative effect of the edge artifacts caused by using a point spread function (PSF) system model for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) image reconstruction. Two phantoms were used in this study. The first phantom was a new small PET phantom that was used to measure the quantitative effects. The cylindrical phantom had 5 hot cylinder inserts with different diameters and was scanned with different hot insert-to-background ratios. Results showed that the region of interest (ROI) mean value (equal diameters for ROIs and cylinders) of PSF-OSEM was higher than that of OSEM without PSF model due to better resolution recovery, and the total activity was preserved in all images. However the ROI maximum value of PSF-OSEM could be significantly higher than the true value, and this overshoot depends on both the cylinder size and the concentration ratio. The largest effect was observed with the 8mm diameter cylinder insert at the highest concentration ratio. The second phantom was a Hoffman brain phantom, which was used to display the effect visually without quantitative measurements.
Projection operations for failure detection and isolation

The problem of failure detection and isolation in linear systems is discussed. Typically the solutions to this problem have included a statistical test being performed on the measurement residual generated by a Kalman filter. These solutions are usually based on one or more of the assumptions: the type of failure is known, or the failure location (in sensor or state) is known, so that the failure can be estimated. In this paper a technique is developed which is based on a set of projection operators which, under appropriate conditions, can both detect and isolate the failures when the type, location, time of occurrence and magnitude of the failure are not known a priori.
Image coding using pyramid vector quantization of subband coefficients

This paper presents an improved algorithm using pyramid vector quantization with subband decomposed images. Specifically, the use of large vector dimensions and different dimensions for each subband yields significant improvement over previously reported results. Simulations reveal compression performance comparable to JPEG using a purely fixed-rate code, which has less hardware complexity and greater error resiliency. A comparison between product and inner pyramid VQ using statistical analysis of subband data and simulations demonstrates that product pyramid VQ is better suited for subband coding. >
Sleep Restriction for 1 Week Reduces Insulin Sensitivity in Healthy Men

Abstract Objective: Short sleep duration is associated with impaired glucose tolerance and an increased risk of diabetes. The effects of sleep restriction on insulin sensitivity have not been established. This study tests the hypothesis that decreasing nighttime sleep duration reduces insulin sensitivity and assesses the effects of a drug, modafinil, that increases alertness during wakefulness. Research Design and Methods: This twelve-day, inpatient General Clinical Research Center study included twenty healthy men (age 20-35 years, BMI 20-30 kg/m 2 ). Subjects spent 10 hours/night in bed for ≥8 nights including 3 inpatient nights (sleep-replete condition), followed by 5 hours/night of time in bed for 7 nights (sleep-restricted condition). Subjects received modafinil (300 mg/day) or placebo during sleep restriction. Diet and activity were controlled. On the last two days of each condition we assessed glucose metabolism by intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. Salivary cortisol, 24-hr urinary catecholamines, and neurobehavioral performance were measured. Results: IVGTT-derived insulin sensitivity was reduced 20 ± 24% (mean±SD) after sleep restriction (p=0.001), without significant alterations in the insulin secretory response. Similarly, insulin sensitivity assessed by clamp was reduced 11±5.5% (p Conclusion: Sleep restriction (5 hrs/night) for one week significantly reduces insulin sensitivity, raising concerns about effects of chronic insufficient sleep on disease processes associated with insulin resistance.
A simulation-based biodefense and disaster preparedness curriculum for internal medicine residents

Aims: Disaster and bioterrorism preparedness is poorly integrated into the curricula of internal medicine residency programs. Given that victims may present to a variety of healthcare venues, including primary care practices, inpatient hospital wards, and intensive care units, we developed a curriculum to address this need.Methods: The curriculum consisted of four didactic sessions with supplemental readings covering biologic, chemical, and radiologic agents, as well as public health infrastructure. All 30 internal medicine resident participants also underwent a four hour training seminar at a high fidelity human simulation center. Instruction included the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and participation in simulated scenarios utilizing technologically sophisticated mannequins with monitoring and interactive capability. Sessions were videotaped, reviewed with participants, and followed by self-evaluation and constructive feedback.Results: Compared to a control group of residents who did not un...
Intelligent Aggregation and Time Series Smoothing

Predicting future values of a variable from past observations is fundamental task in many modern domains. This process, often referred to as times series smoothing, involves an aggregation of the past observations to predict the future values. Our objective here is to use recent advances in computational intelligence to suggest new and better approaches for performing the necessary aggregations. We first look at some special features associated with the types of aggregations needed in times series smoothing. We show how these requirements impact on our choice of weights in the aggregations. We then note the connection between the method of aggregation used in times series smoothing and that used in the intelligent type aggregation method known as the Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) operator. We then take advantage of this connection to allow us to simultaneously view the problem from a times series smoothing perspective and OWA aggregation operations perspective. Using this multiple view we draw upon the large body of work on families of OWA operators to suggest families for the aggregation of time series data. A particularly notable result of this linkage is the introduction of the use of linear decaying weights for time series data smoothing.
Collagen and Embryonic Development

The possible importance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) to the development of the vertebrate embryo has been recognized since the turn of the century, but it was not until the fine structure of the molecule was fully appreciated that the first serious thought was given to a role of collagen per se in morphogenesis (see Gross, 1956). Collagen is initially detected in the vertebrate embryo at about the time of gastrulation (see Green et al., 1968; Cohen and Hay, 1971; Manasek, 1975), that is, at the time the cleaving embryo begins to form the primary embryonic tissues (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm). In the avian embryo, basement (basal) laminae first appear under the ectoderm and endoderm when the primitive streak is forming, and the mesenchymal cells that migrate from the primitive streak between ectoderm and endoderm seem to move along these basement laminae (see Hay, 1968). As the primitive streak regresses, the notochord forms in front of it (Fig. 12-1). The first fibrillar collagen appears around the notochord and is produced by it (Carlson and Upson, 1974). Proteoglycans (PG) and other matrix molecules also begin to accumulate between the embryonic tissues at or somewhat before this time (Hay, 1973; Kosher and Searls, 1973; Wartiovaara et al., 1980).
The relation of virologic and immunologic markers to clinical outcomes after nucleoside therapy in HIV-infected adults with 200 to 500 CD4 cells per cubic millimeter

Background We studied measures of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, the viral phenotype, and immune function (CD4 cell counts) and the relation of changes in these indicators to clinical outcomes in a subgroup of patients in a controlled trial of early antiretroviral treatment for HIV, the AIDS Clinical Trials Group Study 175. Methods The 391 subjects, each of whom entered the study with a single screening CD4 cell count of 200 to 500 per cubic millimeter, were randomly assigned to receive zidovudine alone, didanosine alone, zidovudine plus didanosine, or zidovudine plus zalcitabine. Plasma concentrations of HIV RNA were assessed in 366 subjects, and viral isolates from 332 subjects were assayed for the presence of the syncytium-inducing phenotype. Results After eight weeks, the mean (±SE) decrease from base line in the concentration of HIV RNA, expressed as the change in the base 10 log of the number of copies per milliliter, was 0.26±0.06 for patients treated with zidovudine alone, 0.65±0....
Circadian rhythms of plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the infant monkey.

SummaryPlasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) exhibited a significant circadian rhythm in rhesus monkeys (M. mulatta) in the first week of life. In two experiments, plasma 17-OHCS levels averaged 35 μg/100 ml at 8-9:00 am, and declined to levels of 29 μg/100 ml at 9:00 pm (Expt. I) and 24 μg/100 ml at 12:00 midnight (Expt. II). These changes were about half the magnitude reported by others in the adult monkey. Correlated with this steroid rhythm, the infant monkey, although having a polyphasic 24-hr sleep pattern, also exhibited a tendency to sleep more at 1:00 and 3:00 am than at other times of the day. This suggested a relationship between sleep–activity cycles and steroid cycles in the infant monkey similar to that in the adult monkey.
The Pacific War: aftermaths, remembrance and culture

John Dewey, in 1939, acknowledged that ‘All history is necessarily written from the standpoint of the present’ and that ‘material that had formerly been passed by, offers itself as data because the...
Transfer Payments and Reducing China's Regional Inequality

Scholars have different opinions on the function of transfer payments in the process of reducing regional inequality in China.This paper's analysis of employing endogenous growth theory and transfer payments theory indicates that reasonable transfer payments policy can not only lessen the regional financial inequality in short term,but also make the regional developmental inequality less in the long run.
Medical nutrition therapy in type 2 diabetes

Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is an essential part of the treatment regimen for individuals with type 2 diabetes. The interaction of the patient and the health care team is critical in developing realistic MNT goals for successful management of type 2 diabetes. Because type 2 diabetes is a lifetime disorder, these goals must be evaluated and modified in response to changes in a patient's health status and life situations. In addition, the patient and health care provider need to be cognizant of the increasing body of knowledge related to MNT in type 2 diabetes and educational tools available to assist in using this knowledge.
Maps to Apps: Evaluating Wayfinding Technology

Technology assists wayfinding by delivering information about current locations, destinations, and travel paths and also providing corrective feedback en route to keep the traveler on course. Relevant low- and high-tech technologies include color schemes for defining regions on maps, contemporary voice-guided GPS, and futuristic 3-D hologram-technology. This chapter describes a range of wayfinding technologies and how they are being used. In so doing, the authors describe existing taxonomies and provide a preliminary framework to inform decisions about research and application of technology used to assist and assess wayfinding behavior. Existing literature has given the most attention to differentiating the features of emergent technology modalities (i.e., visual, vibration/tactile, auditory) used to deliver information for wayfinding purposes. Limited research on the efficacy and effectiveness of wayfinding technology has been conducted. The authors address feasibility of modalities, usability issues, and potential limitations of each technology. Additionally, they identify current and future challenges for the adoption of wayfinding technology applications. More work is necessary to understand the utility of these applications in larger, diverse samples, using better metrics to assess their impact (immediate and long-term goals), with a greater awareness of influential mediating factors (individual characteristics, socio-contextual factors) and potential side effects from a reliance on technology.
Bicultural Identity as a Protective Factor Among Southeast Asian American Youth Who Have Witnessed Domestic Violence

Southeast Asian American (SEAA) children and adolescents who witness domestic violence (DV) at home may be at risk of developing psychological and behavioral problems. Despite these risks, many SEAA youths exhibit resilience and positive adaptation and do not develop severe psychopathology. Bicultural identity among SEAA youth has been linked to positive psychological outcomes. This chapter examines the levels of acculturation and resilience among SEAA children who have witnessed DV (n = 59). Within the group of SEAA youth who have witnessed DV, resilience was found to be higher among those who identified as having a bicultural identity compared to those who identified as having highly Asian or highly Westernized identities. In conclusion, I offer clinicians various strategies for responding to SEAA clients in a culturally relevant context.
Scheduling Algorithms for Unicast, Multicast, and Broadcast

In this chapter we present a survey of algorithms for scheduling packet traffic in broadcast optical WDM networks. We first describe the context and motivations of the scheduling problem. We then review the current literature in the field with an emphasis on scheduling techniques for providing best-effort service as well as guaranteed service for both unicast and multi-destination traffic. We provide alternative formulations of the problem, and we compare the formulations and theoretical results, as well as algorithms and heuristics.
Sustainability of Human-Environment Systems

This chapter summarizes the findings from the study of rural development in the Poyang Lake Region and discusses their possible implications on sustainable development for other less developed rural areas. It also provides a more general framework for analyzing global sustainability.
Immunity and Disease Resistance in Farm Animals Fed Vitamin E Supplement

The optimal physiologic functioning of an animal organism requires a restricted but well balanced diet, including protein-calorie nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Vitamin E, in conjunction with selenium, as an antioxidant and cell membrane stabilizing agent affects many physiological functions, including the defense mechanism of the body. Vitamin E deficiency leads to impaired immune functions and decreased disease resistance. Vitamin E supplementation, on the other hand, may lead to improved immunity and increased disease resistance.
Choosing entrustable professional activities for neonatology: a Delphi study

To assess candidate neonatology EPAs taken from separate but overlapping sets from two organizations. Using a Delphi process, we asked that neonatology fellowship directors (1) assess importance and scope of 19 candidate EPAs, and (2) propose additional EPAs if necessary. In round 2, we sought clarification of first round responses and evaluated proposed additional EPAs. Twenty program directors participated. In round 1, all EPAs were scored as important, but four were overly broad. In round 2, respondents rejected proposed subdivisions of one overly broad EPA, retaining it as originally proposed. Specification of entrustment criteria improved the scope of the three other broad EPAs. However, after specification, they were re-rated as insufficiently important and therefore rejected. Neither newly proposed EPA from round 1 was rated as sufficiently important. The Delphi process yielded 13 EPAs with which to assess capability to practice clinical neonatology.
Abstract 14074: Oral ApoA-I Mimetic Tg6F Enhances Ezetimibe Amelioration of Dyslipidemia

Introduction: Recent reports indicate that as a single agent, ezetimibe or an apoA-I mimetic peptide can modulate trans-intestinal cholesterol efflux (TICE). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that if ezetimibe and an apoA-I mimetic peptide were acting on the same target, and if the two agents were given together at near maximal doses of each, the resulting readouts would be significantly less than additive. Methods: Female LDLR null mice (n = 20 per group) were fed a chow or Western diet (WD) without or with Ezetimibe (EZE) at 10 mg/kg/day or with a concentrate of transgenic tomatoes at 0.06% by weight expressing a control marker protein (EV) or the apoA-I mimetic peptide 6F (Tg6F), or the mice were fed WD + EZE + EV or WD + EZE + Tg6F added together at the same doses as for the single agents. After 2 weeks levels of plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and paraoxonase-1 (PON) activity were determined. Results: Plasma total cholesterol levels (mg/dL) on chow were 53.4 ± 19; on WD the levels were 635 ± 79; on WD + EV the levels were 606 ± 107; on WD + EZE the levels were 535 ± 82; on WD + EZE + EV the levels were 543 ± 125; on WD + Tg6F the levels were 502 ± 113; on WD + EZE + Tg6F the levels were 285 ± 36. The addition of EV did not significantly change results; WD + EZE and WD + Tg6F were significantly different from WD alone (p Conclusions: The apoA-I mimetic Tg6F significantly enhanced ezetimibe amelioration of dyslipidemia in this mouse model.
Magnetostructural phase transitions and magnetocaloric effect in (Gd5-xScx)Si1.8Ge2.2

Abstract Future advancements in magnetocaloric refrigeration/heat pumping technologies depend on the discovery of new materials that demonstrate large, tunable magnetocaloric effects (MCEs) in the vicinity of coupled magnetic and structural phase transitions that occur reversibly with minimum hysteresis. With this in mind, we investigate phase transitions, microstructure, magnetic, thermal, magnetocaloric, and transport properties of (Gd5-xScx)Si1.8Ge2.2 compounds. Replacement of magnetic Gd with non-magnetic Sc in Gd5-xScxSi1.8Ge2.2 increases the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic first order phase transition temperature, TC, with only a minor reduction in MCE when x ≤ 0.2. We also demonstrate that hydrostatic pressure further increases TC and reduces the hysteresis of the first order phase transition in Gd4.8Sc0.2Si1.8Ge2.2 from 7 to 4 K. Temperature-dependent x-ray powder diffraction study of Gd4.8Sc0.2Si1.8Ge2.2 confirms the monoclinic ↔ orthorhombic structural transformation at TC, in agreement with magnetic, calorimetric, and electrical transport measurements. In addition to the substantial magnetocaloric effect, a large magnetoresistance of ∼20% is also observed in Gd4.8Sc0.2Si1.8Ge2.2 for ΔH = 50 kOe in the vicinity of the magnetostructural transition. In a drastic reversal of the initial doping behavior further additions of Sc (x > 0.2) suppress formation of the monoclinic phase, change the nature of the transition from first-to second-order, and reduce both the transition temperature and magnetocaloric effect.
CSF neurofilament light chain and phosphorylated tau 181 predict disease progression in PSP.

Objective To determine the ability of CSF biomarkers to predict disease progression in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Methods We compared the ability of baseline CSF β-amyloid 1–42 , tau, phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations, measured by INNO-BIA AlzBio3 or ELISA, to predict 52-week changes in clinical (PSP Rating Scale [PSPRS] and Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living [SEADL]), neuropsychological, and regional brain volumes on MRI using linear mixed effects models controlled for age, sex, and baseline disease severity, and Fisher F density curves to compare effect sizes in 50 patients with PSP. Similar analyses were done using plasma NfL measured by single molecule arrays in 141 patients. Results Higher CSF NfL concentration predicted more rapid decline (biomarker × time interaction) over 52 weeks in PSPRS ( p = 0.004, false discovery rate–corrected) and SEADL ( p = 0.008), whereas lower baseline CSF p-tau predicted faster decline on PSPRS ( p = 0.004). Higher CSF tau concentrations predicted faster decline by SEADL ( p = 0.004). The CSF NfL/p-tau ratio was superior for predicting change in PSPRS, compared to p-tau ( p = 0.003) or NfL ( p = 0.001) alone. Higher NfL concentrations in CSF or blood were associated with greater superior cerebellar peduncle atrophy (fixed effect, p ≤ 0.029 and 0.008, respectively). Conclusions Both CSF p-tau and NfL correlate with disease severity and rate of disease progression in PSP. The inverse correlation of p-tau with disease severity suggests a potentially different mechanism of tau pathology in PSP as compared to Alzheimer disease.
Patient-Centered Guidelines for Geriatric Diabetes Care: Potential Missed Opportunities to Avoid Harm

BACKGROUND Clinicians strive to deliver individualized, patient-centered care. However, these intentions are understudied. This research explores how patient characteristics associated with an high risk-to-benefit ratio with hypoglycemia medications affect decision making by primary care clinicians. METHODS Using a vignette-based survey, we queried primary care clinicians on their intended management of geriatric patients with diabetes. The patients' ages, disease durations, and comorbidities were systematically varied. Clinicians indicated whether they would intensify glycemic control by adding a second-line hypoglycemia medication. RESULTS A convenience sample of 336 primary care clinicians completed the survey. Despite the recommendations for HbA1c targets <8% for more complex patients, an 80-year-old woman with an HbA1c of 7.5%, longstanding diabetes, coronary disease, and cognitive impairment and with instrumental activity of daily living dependencies, had a predicted probability of treatment intensification of 35%. Internists were 11% and nurse practitioners were 14% more likely to intensify treatment than family physicians (P < .01). These provider differences remained significant after controlling for geographic differences in treatment intensification. Providers in Florida were more likely to intensify treatment (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Primary care clinicians often chose to intensify glycemic control despite individual patient factors that warrant higher glycemic targets based on existing guidelines. This research identifies possible missed opportunities for patient-centered goal setting and raises questions about the influence of training and practice environment on clinical decision making.
Nanosensors for the Chemical Imaging of Acetylcholine Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A suite of imaging tools for detecting specific chemicals in the central nervous system could accelerate the understanding of neural signaling events critical to brain function and disease. Here, we introduce a class of nanoparticle sensors for the highly specific detection of acetylcholine in the living brain using magnetic resonance imaging. The nanosensor is composed of acetylcholine-catalyzing enzymes and pH-sensitive gadolinium contrast agents co-localized onto the surface of polymer nanoparticles, which leads to changes in T1 relaxation rate (1/ T1). The mechanism of the sensor involves the enzymatic hydrolysis of acetylcholine leading to a localized decrease in pH which is detected by the pH-sensitive gadolinium chelate. The concomitant change in 1/ T1 in vitro measured a 20% increase from 0 to 10 μM acetylcholine concentration. The applicability of the nanosensors in vivo was demonstrated in the rat medial prefrontal cortex showing distinct changes in 1/ T1 induced by pharmacological stimuli. The highly specific acetylcholine nanosensor we present here offers a promising strategy for detection of cholinergic neurotransmission and will facilitate our understanding of brain function through chemical imaging.
Realization of deep 3D metal electrodes in diamond radiation detectors

A fabrication technique to create 3D diamond detectors is presented. Deep reactive ion etching was used to create an array of through-diamond vias (TDVs) in a 2 × 2 × 0.15 mm3 electronic grade single crystal diamond detector. The diameter of the TDVs was nominally 30 μm with a pitch of 100 μm between them. The TDVs were filled with chromium using hexavalent chromium electroplating to create 3D electrodes, which were connected electrically by interdigitated electrodes. The fabricated 3D diamond detector responded to both alpha particles and X-rays, exhibiting a charge collection efficiency of 52.3% at 200 V. Comparing to a diamond detector with the same interdigitated electrodes, but no 3D electrodes, confirms that the 3D electrodes are electrically active within the device. The average resistivity of the 3D electrodes is 2.89 ± 0.03 × 10−5 Ω cm, near that of bulk chromium. These results indicate that this fabrication technique is a potential option for 3D diamond detector fabrication.
Successful single parents.

This study explored the dynamics of successful single parenting through in-depth interviews with 26 single parents who were identified as successful by qualified professionals in a two-state region...
Semiconductor Nanoplatelet Excimers

Excimers, a portmanteau of "excited dimer", are transient species that are formed from the electronic interaction of a fluorophore in the excited state with a neighbor in the ground state, which have found extensive use as laser gain media. Although common in molecular fluorophores, this work presents evidence for the formation of excimers in a new class of materials: atomically precise two-dimensional semiconductor nanoplatelets. Colloidal nanoplatelets of CdSe display two-color photoluminescence resolved at low temperatures with one band attributed to band-edge fluorescence and a second, red band attributed to excimer fluorescence. Previously reasonable explanations for two-color fluorescence, such as charging, are shown to be inconsistent with additional evidence. As with excimers in other materials systems, excimer emission is increased by increasing nanoplatelet concentration and the degree of cofacial stacking. Consistent with their promise as low-threshold gain media, amplified spontaneous emission emerges from the excimer emission line.
Positive Material Identification (PMI) Capabilities in the Metals Secondary Industry: An Analysis of XRF and LIBS Handheld Analyzers

Recycling is a critical part of obtaining a more circular economy. In the metals secondary industry, traditional equipment (a magnet, file, and/or grinding wheel) used to identify and sort materials at their end of life can aid in grouping metals (i.e. Al + Mg alloys, ferrous, high temperature alloys, etc.), but they are incapable of identifying the alloy’s elemental composition; a necessity for preventing downcycling and maximizing secondary utilization rates. Handheld analyzers that utilize X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and spectroscopy (LIBS) technology may offer technological assistance that is helpful for achieving this level of analysis, often referred to as Positive Material Identification (PMI). This work tests the performance of these units under the challenging conditions present in yards (contaminated, unpolished, rugged scraps). These instruments, with their increasing safety settings, ruggedness, ease of point-click use and quick read times (for both XRF and LIBS) have significant potential, especially with ability to ID metal faster than cognitive recognition. Additionally, as unit costs of these instruments continue to decrease and the range of varying types of metal entering yards continues to widen, the return on investment becomes more immediate. However, extreme fluctuations of reported elemental compositions are being seen even when measurements have been taken in the same place consecutively; indicating that in their current state, they can inform content of material but aren’t necessarily reliable for reporting accurate and precise compositional percentages.