cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A measure of success in fold recognition

Abstract Prediction of protein structure by fold recognition, or threading, was recently put to the test in a ‘blind’ structure prediction experiment, CASP2. Thirty-two teams from around the world participated, preparing predictions for 22 different ‘target’ proteins whose structures were soon to be determined. As experimental structures became available, we, as organizers of the threading competition, computed objective measures of fold-recognition specificity and model accuracy, to identify and characterize successful predictions. Here, we present a brief summary of these prediction evaluations, a tally of ‘correct’ predictions and a discussion of factors associated with correct predictions. We find that threading produced specific recognition and accurate models whenever the structural database contained a template spanning a large fraction of target sequence. Presence of conserved sequence motifs was helpful, but not required, and it would appear that threading can succeed whenever similarity to a known structure is sufficiently extensive.
An inexpensive hand-eye system for undergraduate robotics instruction

Hand-eye systems combine computer vision with kinematics and dynamics calculations to achieve dexterous manipulation. These versatile platforms for teaching robotics principles have not been widely used in undergraduate laboratories due to cost. We describe a new hand-eye system constructed from Robotis Dynamixel servos, a USB interface module, and a webcam, that can be built for under $500 and run by a PC using the Tekkotsu open source software framework. A suggested curriculum is outlined.
A Comparison of Two Direct Instruction Reading Programs for Urban Middle School Students

This study investigated the differential effects of two direct instruction (DI) reading programs, one with overt decoding strategies and one with more covert decoding strategies, on the reading achievement of struggling seventh graders in an urban middle school. The students participating in this study (N = 55) were 2 to 4 years behind in reading achievement according to standardized pretests. Results indicate that after a 6-week reading intervention, all students, regardless of overt or covert DI programs, made significant gains in reading, with the only differential effect demonstrated in the area of reading rate. These findings are significant considering that the participants were struggling readers. Implications for increasing the performance of struggling middle school readers are discussed.
Integrated Resonators and Filters

In optical telecommunication of today, wavelength division multiplexing and demultiplexing (WDM) is extensively used for increasing the accessible bandwidth in a single fiber. In WDM, a series of discrete wavelengths are transmitted through the same fiber (the bus), each one them encoded individually. Adjacent channels are separated from one another by 200 GHz, and typically are modulated to carry signals with 10 or 40 GB/s of information. Over one hundred separate wavelengths (or channels) can be carried on a fiber simultaneously, which means that terabytes of data can be carried on a single fiber. The key issue in WDM systems is finding ways to add and drop individual wavelengths from the fiber while letting the rest pass on to their ultimate destination. This add/drop process requires optical multiplexers and demultiplexers. Fig. 14.1 shows a schematic representation of an optical add/drop multiplexer. A single waveguide carrying a number of discrete wavelengths enters the multiplexor. It is desired that one channel be extracted (“dropped”) while the rest pass through without loss. Conversely, it is necessary that information at one particular wavelength be able to be put onto the waveguide without interfering with the other channels This is called an “add”. Finding an effective and inexpensive way to create ad/drop filters for WDM applications is a major issue today. In this chapter we will look at some of the key technologies involved in this problem, including the fiber Bragg grating, Mach-Zender interferometers, and Hi-Q resonators made from integrated waveguide structures.
Distinct requirements for Pot1 in limiting telomere length and maintaining chromosome stability

The fission yeast Pot1 (protection of telomeres) protein binds to the single-stranded extensions at the ends of telomeres, where its presence is critical for the maintenance of linear chromosomes. Homologs of Pot1 have been identified in a wide variety of eukaryotes, including plants, animals, and humans. We now show that Pot1 plays dual roles in telomere length regulation and chromosome end protection. Using a series of Pot1 truncation mutants, we have defined distinct areas of the protein required for chromosome stability and for limiting access to telomere ends by telomerase. We provide evidence that a large portion of Pot1, including the N-terminal DNA binding domain and amino acids close to the C terminus, is essential for its protective function. C-terminal Pot1 fragments were found to exert a dominant-negative effect by displacing endogenous Pot1 from telomeres. Reducing telomere-bound Pot1 in this manner resulted in dramatic lengthening of the telomere tract. Upon further reduction of Pot1 at telomeres, the opposite phenotype was observed: loss of telomeric DNA and chromosome end fusions. Our results demonstrate that cells must carefully regulate the amount of telomere-bound Pot1 to differentiate between allowing access to telomerase and catastrophic loss of telomeres.
Multiresolutional semiotics: toward understanding of multiscale intelligence

Intelligence was a nonconstructive subject, while semiotics is a tool of understanding and constructing intelligence. When we, the living creatures are talking about the matters of life and intelligence, it is natural and productive to use metaphors. Let the inanimate world is talking about us too, using its cold and lifeless metaphors. We escape this confrontation between animate and inanimate phenomena by alluding semiotics to an agent. We call about semiotic agents. The role of semiotics describes and predicts these agents' behavior, to explicate meaning of these agents, to interpret them and the situations related to them.
Predictability of the U.S. Dollar Index using a U.S. export and import price index-based relative PPP model

We use U.S. export and import price indexes to construct a relative purchasing power parity-based model of the nominal U.S. Dollar Index. The model is successful in predicting the future direction of change in the U.S. Dollar Index over a six-month period up to 68% of the time. Finally, the model, in combination with a simple linear, recursive technique, is able to statistically significantly outperform the random walk in predicting the value of the U.S. Dollar Index at terms of less than four months for the period from 1996 to 2005. The paper provides important implications for investors who are interested in the direction of change in the Dollar’s value, forecasting the level of the U.S. Dollar Index, as well as the extent of over- and undervaluation of the U.S. Dollar, in general.
Sobre la supuesta influencia de la independencia de los Estados Unidos en las independencias hispanoamericanas

The independence of the United States did not influence the Spanish Americans to separate from the Spanish Monarchy. Their failure to act did not stem from ignorance. On the contrary, numerous printed works provided them with detailed information about events in North America. Since the Seven years war Spanish language newspapers and publications kept the public informed about the discontent in the North American colonies, the process of independence, and the establishment of a republican government. Subsequently, an unprecedented event, the French invasion of the Spanish peninsula, transformed the Hispanic world. The ouster of the Spanish king triggered a series of events that culminated in the establishment of representative government in that world wide polity and eventually resulted in the dissolution of the composite Spanish Monarchy. Thus, the independence of the United States and of Spanish America occurred not only at different times, but also under different circumstances.
On the existence of a derivative continuous on a dense Gδ

The main object of this paper is to prove the following theorem: Theorem. Let S⊆[a,b] Then there exists f : [a,b] → R such that f is differentiable on [a,b],f′ is bounded on [a,b] and C = { x ∈ [a,b], f′ is continuous at x} = S if and only if S is a Gδ set dense in [a,b]. In section 5, consequences of the above theorem explore how badly discontinuous a derivative can be. Among these it will be shown that there exists a function f : [a,b] → R such that f′ is a Dirichlet function, and it will be shown that there exists no function f : [a,b] → R such that D f′ = [a,b] − C f′ is an interval, and an example of a ‘worst case’ scenario is provided. The arguments stay within the realm of elementary classical analysis and are thus accessible to students who have encountered a first proof course in the subject.
Microvascular based self-healing polymeric foam

A self-healing microvascular polymeric foam has been developed to improve the resilience of rigid foam core materials for sandwich structures. We investigated the healing of brittle polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam after mode-I crack separation in a 3-point single edge notch bend (SENB) specimen. A two-part healing chemistry based on a commercially available polyurethane (PUR) foam formulation is employed to rebond the interface. Both components are initially sequestered in separate channels in a vascularized SENB geometry. Upon loading and subsequent crack propagation through the network, the healing agents are released and polymerize on contact to create new foam material in the crack plane. An attractive feature of this system is the volumetric expansion of the healing chemistry, demonstrating the ability to repair macro-scale damage. The foaming reaction occurs on the order of minutes at room temperature, enabling rapid in-situ healing. Furthermore, by using a vascular delivery technique, multiple damageerecovery cycles are achieved at consistently high healing efficiencies. Through repeated mechanical testing, we have demonstrated over 100% recovery in fracture toughness for this new class of bioinspired, self-healing cellular materials.
Radiation treatment decreases bone cancer pain through direct effect on tumor cells.

Abstract Goblirsch, M., Lynch, C., Mathews, W., Manivel, J. C., Mantyh, P. W. and Clohisy, D. R. Radiation Treatment Decreases Bone Cancer Pain through Direct Effect on Tumor Cells. Radiat. Res. 164, 400–408 (2005). The most used treatment for bone cancer pain is radiation; however, the mechanism responsible for analgesia after irradiation is unknown. The mechanistic influence of a single, localized 10-, 20- or 30-Gy dose of radiation on painful behaviors, osteolysis, histopathology and osteoclast number was evaluated in mice with painful femoral sarcomas. Dramatic reductions in pain behaviors (P < 0.05) and osteolysis (P < 0.0001) were seen in mice irradiated with 20 and 30 Gy. Irradiation reduced the tumor area by more than 75% (P < 0.05) but did not affect osteoclast frequency per mm2 tumor. Treatment with 20 Gy prior to tumor injection had no effect on tumor growth or pain behaviors, suggesting that radiation reduces osteolysis and pain through direct tumor effects. To demonstrate that tumor eliminati...
Rapid metabolism of exogenous angiotensin II by catecholaminergic neuronal cells in culture media

Angiotensin II (AngII) acts on central neurons to increase neuronal firing and induce sympathoexcitation, which contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and heart failure. Numerous studies have examined the precise AngII-induced intraneuronal signaling mechanism in an attempt to identify new therapeutic targets for these diseases. Considering the technical challenges in studying specific intraneuronal signaling pathways in vivo, especially in the cardiovascular control brain regions, most studies have relied on neuronal cell culture models. However, there are numerous limitations in using cell culture models to study AngII intraneuronal signaling, including the lack of evidence indicating the stability of AngII in culture media. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that exogenous AngII is rapidly metabolized in neuronal cell culture media. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we measured levels of AngII and its metabolites, Ang III, Ang IV, and Ang-1-7, in neuronal cell culture media after administration of exogenous AngII (100 nmol/L) to a neuronal cell culture model (CATH.a neurons). AngII levels rapidly declined in the media, returning to near baseline levels within 3 h of administration. Additionally, levels of Ang III and Ang-1-7 acutely increased, while levels of Ang IV remained unchanged. Replenishing the media with exogenous AngII every 3 h for 24 h resulted in a consistent and significant increase in AngII levels for the duration of the treatment period. These data indicate that AngII is rapidly metabolized in neuronal cell culture media, and replenishing the media at least every 3 h is needed to sustain chronically elevated levels.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP-HUS): a 24-year clinical experience with 178 patients

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and the hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP-HUS) are related and uncommon disorders with a high fatality and complication rate if untreated. Plasma exchange therapy has been shown to produce high response rates and improve survival in patients with many forms of TTP-HUS. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 178 consecutively treated patients with TTP-HUS and analyzed whether clinical or laboratory characteristics could predict for important short- and long-term outcome measures. Overall 30-day mortality was 16% (n = 27). 171 patients (96%) received plasma exchange as the principal treatment, with a mean of 8 exchanges and a mean cumulative infused volume of 42 ± 71 L of fresh frozen plasma. The rate of complete response was 65% or 55% depending on whether this was defined by a platelet count of 100,000/μl or 150,000/μl, respectively. The rate of relapse was 18%. The Clinical Severity Score did not predict for 30-day mortality or relapse. The time to complete response did not predict for relapse. Renal insufficiency at presentation was associated with a decreased risk of relapse, with each unit increase in serum creatinine associated with a 40% decreased odds of relapse. 72% of our cohort had an idiopathic TTP-sporadic HUS, while 17% had an underlying cancer, received a solid organ transplant or were treated with a mitomycin-based therapy. The estimated overall 5-year survival was 55% and was significantly better in those without serious underlying conditions. Plasma exchange therapy produced both high response and survival rates in this large cohort of patients with TTP-HUS. The Clinical Severity Score did not predict for 30-day mortality or relapse, contrary to our previous findings. Interestingly, the presence of renal insufficiency was associated with a decreased risk of relapse. The most important predictor of mortality was the presence or absence of a serious underlying disorder.
The role of digital modeling and simulation in power engineering education

This paper resulted from the research aimed at introducing modeling and simulation as a major methodological approach for enhancing power engineering education. The reasons for such an approach are explained first. Different options and uses of the modeling and simulation tools are discussed next. Several implementations of the teaching examples are outlined. The paper ends with the conclusions reached based on the study.
Serving datacube tuples from main memory

Existing datacube precomputation schemes materialize selected datacube tuples on disk, choosing the most beneficial cuboids (i.e., combinations of dimensions) to materialize given a space limit. However in the context of a data-warehouse receiving frequent "append" updates to the database, the cost of keeping these disk-resident cuboids up-to-date can be high. In this paper we propose a main memory based framework which provides rapid response to queries and requires considerably less maintenance cost than a disk based scheme in an append-only environment. For a given datacube query, we first look among a set of previously materialized tuples for a direct answer. If not found, we use a hash based scheme reminiscent of partial match retrieval to rapidly compute the answer to the query from the finest-level data stored in a special in-memory data structure. Our approach is limited to the important class of applications in which the finest granularity tuples of the datacube fit in main memory. We present analytical and experimental results demonstrating the benefits of our approach.
Nested Shape Descriptors

In this paper, we propose a new family of binary local feature descriptors called nested shape descriptors. These descriptors are constructed by pooling oriented gradients over a large geometric structure called the Hawaiian earring, which is constructed with a nested correlation structure that enables a new robust local distance function called the nesting distance. This distance function is unique to the nested descriptor and provides robustness to outliers from order statistics. In this paper, we define the nested shape descriptor family and introduce a specific member called the seed-of-life descriptor. We perform a trade study to determine optimal descriptor parameters for the task of image matching. Finally, we evaluate performance compared to state-of-the-art local feature descriptors on the VGG-Affine image matching benchmark, showing significant performance gains. Our descriptor is the first binary descriptor to outperform SIFT on this benchmark.
[The correlation factor about respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis and post-bronchiolitis wheezing in infant].

Objective To ohserve the correlation factor about early-life RSV bronchiolitis and sequential recurrent wheezing for two years.Methods Follow up the RSV bronehiolitis patients for two years in order to analyze the occurrence of wheezing post-bronchiolitis.Single and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to determined the risk factors such as individual atopy history and familial atopy history,pet feeding,breast milk,secondhand smoke for RSV bronchiolitis and subsequent wheezing.Results①Not breast feeding,exposure to cigarette smoke and the deficiency of VitA.D were the significant risk factors contributed to the RSV bronchiolitis.②Exposure to cigarette smoke,the deficiency of VitA,D,the personal history of atopy and the family history of atopy were the significant risk factors contributed to the post-bronchiolitis wheezing in children.③Those patients who eosinophilia,high serum IgE,RANTES and decreased TH1 to TH2 Ratio were more likely to have wheezing after RSV bronchiolitis.Conclusion①Not breast feeding,exposure to cigarette smoke and the deficiency of VitA,D were the significant risk factors contributed to the RSV bronchiolitis.②Exposure to cigarette smoke,the deficiency of VitA,D,the personal history of atopy and the family history of atopy were the significant risk factors contributed to the pest-bronchiolitis wheezing in children. Key words: Respiratory syncytial siruses; Bronchiolitis; Asthma; Risk factors
Time Series Regression and Exploratory Data Analysis

In this chapter we introduce classical multiple linear regression in a time series context, model selection, exploratory data analysis for preprocessing nonstationary time series (for example trend removal), the concept of differencing and the backshift operator, variance stabilization, and nonparametric smoothing of time series.
Beer metabolomics: molecular details of the brewing process and the differential effects of late and dry hopping on yeast purine metabolism.

The flavour of beer is complex, based upon changes at the molecular level in the key raw materials, notably grain, hops and yeast, as well as during the process stages that comprise malting and brewing. As analytical techniques evolve in their sophistication and sensitivity, there are opportunities to delve ever more deeply into the fate of small molecules in brewing. To this end, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics was used to follow the progression of 76 metabolites in four different late or dry hopped beers (brewed in triplicate) at five time points throughout the brewing process. The majority of the metabolites identified, including sugars, amino acids and nucleotides, significantly decreased in concentration from the start of the boil to post-secondary fermentation, whereas energy-related and fatty acid associated metabolites significantly increased in concentration as wort nutrients were consumed by the yeast. Adenine was significantly higher in the dry hopped brews than in the late hopped brews after both primary (p = 2.1 × 10−6) and secondary (p = 2.7 × 10−9) fermentation, while 2′-deoxyadenosine (after primary, p = 1.1 × 10−2, after secondary, p = 3.2 × 10−5) and adenosine (after primary, p = 2.6 × 10−8; after secondary, p = 3.1 × 10−7)were significantly lower in the dry hopped beers at these time points. These results give molecular insight into the brewing process and the differential effects of hopping methods on yeast purine metabolism. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling
Novel sample introduction system to reduce ICP-OES sample size for plutonium metal trace impurity determination

A new methodology for trace elemental analysis in plutonium metal samples was developed by interfacing the novel micro-FAST sample introduction system with an ICP-OES instrument. This integrated system, especially when coupled with a low flow rate nebulization technique, reduced the sample volume requirement significantly. Improvements to instrument sensitivity and measurement precision, as well as long term stability, were also achieved by this modified ICP-OES system. The sample size reduction, together with other instrument performance merits, is of great significance, especially to nuclear material analysis.
Effect of buffer general acid-base catalysis on the stereoselectivity of ester and thioester H/D exchange in D2O.

As part of a comprehensive investigation on the stereochemistry of base-catalyzed 1,2-elimination and H/D exchange reactions of carbonyl compounds, we have found that the stereoselectivity of H/D exchange of 3-hydroxybutyryl N-acetylcysteamine (3) in D2O is strongly influenced by the presence of buffers. This buffer effect is also operative with a simple acyclic ester, ethyl 3-methoxybutanoate (7). Buffers whose general-acid components are cyclic tertiary ammonium ions are particularly effective in changing the stereoselectivity. 2H NMR analysis showed that without buffer, H/D exchange of 3 produces 81−82% of the 2R*, 3R* diastereomer of 2-deuterio 3 (the anti product). In the presence of 0.33 M 3-quinuclidinone buffer, only 44% of the 2R*, 3R* diastereomer was formed. With ester 7, the stereoselectivity went from 93−94% in DO−/D2O to 60% in the presence of buffer. Phosphate buffer, as well as others, also showed substantial effects. The results are put into the context of what is known about the mechanis...
Organizations, Politics, and Public Purposes: Analyzing Public Organizations and Public Management

The title of this lecture refers to organizations, politics, and public purposes to emphasize developments in the analysis of public organizations and their management and the need for that analysis to include politics as an influence on those organizations. The Gaus Award recognizes contributions in the joint tradition of public administration and political science. Organizations serve as essential components of the administrative branch of government and of virtually all other aspects of human life and many other forms of life. Social scientists that I call “organization theorists” have developed theory and research about organizations and the people in them. This body of work provides concepts and insights useful for the analysis of the organizations in government, which I call “public organizations.” Organizations play crucial roles in the pursuit of values and goals shared by large aggregates of people. “Organizations, Politics, and Public Purposes: Analyzing Public Organizations and Public Management” refers to these shared values and goals as public purposes. Organizations are essential to public administration and we cannot effectively analyze organizations in public administration without concepts developed by political scientists; we need to draw on political science.
Clay minerals for nanocomposites and biotechnology: surface modification, dynamics and responses to stimuli

Clay minerals find a wide range of application in composites, paints, drilling liquids, cosmetics, and medicine. This article reviews chemical and physical properties of natural and organically modified clay minerals to understand the nanometre-scale structure, surface characteristics, and application in functional materials. The relation between fundamental properties and materials design is emphasized and illustrated by examples. The discussion comprises the following: an overview; surface structure and cation density; solubility and solubility reversal by surface modification; the degree of covalent and ionic bonding represented by atomic charges; the distribution of metal substitution sites; measurements and simulations of interfacial properties at the nanometre scale; self-assembly, packing density, and orientation of alkylammonium surfactants on the clay mineral surface; the density and chain conformation of surfactants in organic interlayer spaces; the free energy of exfoliation in polymer matrices and modifications by tuning the cleavage energy; thermal transitions, diffusion, and optical responses of surfactants on the mineral surface; elastic moduli and bending stability of clay layers; and the adsorption mechanism of peptides onto clay mineral surfaces in aqueous solution. Potential applications in biotechnology and other future uses are described.
Modeling of Grain Pullout in Fatigued Polycrystalline Alumina

A second generation, 2-D finite element (FE) model of grain pull-out and push-in in an alumina wedge-loaded double cantilever beam (WL-DCB) specimen was constructed using observations and measurements from photomicrographs of the specimen surface. Frictional resistance to grain sliding was generated by the intergranular compressive stresses due to randomly distributed, anisotropic thermal contraction during cool down in the fabrication process. The FE model consisted of an idealized structure of quadrilateral elements corresponding to different grain sizes. Frictional sliding, intact elastic grains and cantilever grains were modeled in the interface. The observed intragranular fracture sites and the appearance of detached grains, which are indicative of broken elastic grain bridges and rotated grains, were modeled by removing the relevant elements. An iterative inverse process was used to match the cyclic load/unload test results of the WL-DCB specimen.
State medicine in Great Britain.

L'histoire de la sante publique en Grande-Bretagne debute avec les reformes des conditions d'hygiene de la population active, et le developpement d'institutions et d'actions sociales
Injection Therapy for Headache and Facial Pain

Peripheral nerve blocks are an increasingly viable treatment option for selected groups of headache patients, particularly those with intractable headache or facial pain. Greater occipital nerve block, the most widely used local anesthetic procedure in headache conditions, is particularly effective, safe, and easy to perform in the office. Adverse effects are few and infrequent. These procedures can result in rapid relief of pain and allodynia, and effects last for several weeks or months. Use of nerve block procedures and potentially onabotulinum toxin therapy should be expanded for patients with intractable headache disorders who may benefit, although more studies are needed for efficacy and clinical safety.
A Methodology for Experimental and 3-D Computational Radiation Transport Assessments of Pu-Be Neutron Sources

Plutonium-beryllium (Pu-Be) sources can be used as didactic source materials for special nuclear materials (SNM) detection evaluation protocols. Since limited specific information exists for many of the Pu-Be sources currently in service, before using a Pu-Be source for field studies, the leakage radiation of neutrons and gamma rays from the source must be fully assessed. Most Pu-Be sources have an outer stainless steel jacket and an inner tantalum jacket, with the Pu-Be homogeneously distributed throughout the inner jacket. To fully characterize the net leakage terms from our Pu-Be source, we applied three-dimensional radiation transport computations, including Monte Carlo (MCNP5) and deterministic (PENTRAN) methodologies. The transport model for our Pu-Be capsule is based on limited schematic and technical data. To define the decay history and resulting source spectrum, exothermic [alpha-neutron (a,n)] reactions are modeled using OrigenArp in the SCALES package. For transport modeling purposes, the intermetallic Pu-Be compound was treated as an intimate mixture of plutonium and beryllium, based on the manufacturer's mass specifications. The net capsule leakage was derived using transport computations, and an iterative estimation of plutonium age was performed. Computational results for net leakage are in agreement with the manufacturer's specification of neutron yield and dose rate. We also combined computational results with experimental measurement data to fully validate our computational methods. We have successfully achieved agreement between computational and experimental data for our Pu-Be source leakage, and we are using the results at the Florida Institute of Nuclear Detection and Security to evaluate a prototype SNM neutron detector array for parcel screening and national security applications.
Laparoscopic Burch Colposuspension Using a 3-Trocar System: Tips and Tricks.

Abstract Study Objective To describe a technique for performing laparoscopic Burch colposuspension using a 3-trocar system. Design This educational video provides step-by-step instructions for performing a laparoscopic Burch colposuspension. This study was exempt from institutional review board approval. Setting Midurethral slings are an effective surgical treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence, but not all patients are candidates for, or desire, vaginal mesh. For stress incontinence, nonmesh surgical procedures include pubovaginal fascial slings and retropubic Burch colposuspension. Colposuspension may be performed via an open or laparoscopic approach. As with other minimally invasive surgeries, laparoscopic colposuspension has decreased blood loss, pain, and length of stay with equivalent outcomes at 2 years compared with open procedures. This video describes a technique for performing laparoscopic Burch colposuspension using a 3-trocar system. Interventions A laparoscopic Burch colposuspension is described using a 3-trocar system. Detailed step-by-step instructions are given, along with visualization of pertinent anatomy. Supplies needed for this procedure include a 0-degree, 5-mm laparoscope; two 5-mm trocars, 1 to be placed in the umbilicus and 1 in the left lower quadrant; one 5/12-mm trocar to be placed in the right lower quadrant for passing needles; a closed knot pusher; laparoscopic scissors; and 2 needle drivers. This technique assumes that the primary surgeon (located on the patient's left) is right-handed and that both surgeons can suture and tie knots laparoscopically. Tips are highlighted to ensure safety and ensure successful completion of the procedure. Conclusion Laparoscopic Burch colposuspension offers a nonmesh-based repair for women with stress urinary incontinence using a minimally invasive approach. It is a reasonable alternative to offer patients with stress urinary incontinence who do not desire repair using vaginal mesh.
Ultrafast dynamics of epsilon-near-zero modes in GaAs at terahertz frequencies

We experimentally demonstrated an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) mode in an n-doped GaAs layer at 0.8 THz and study its ultrafast dynamics using optical pump terahertz probe spectroscopy. Notable plasmon damping was observed upon optical pumping.
OPTIMIZATION APPLIED TO SOLIDIFICATION PROCESSES

An optimal design algorithm is presented for the analysis of general solidification processes, and is demonstrated for the growth of GaAs crystals in a Bridgman furnace.
Crisis Management, Social Media, and Smart Devices

This article presents the concept of crisis and describes key trends impacting the context of crisis management in contemporary liberal democratic societies around the world. It focuses on the following key questions:List• What is a crisis and how can a rigorous conceptualization of crisis help crisis managers (both official and citizen responders) to make sense of potential crises?• What are some of the key and recurring leadership tasks associated with crisis management (The politics of crisis management: public leadership under pressure, New York, NY, 2005) and how are they affected by the rise of social media and smart devices?The paper concludes with a number of prescriptive reflections for those engaged in the work of improving crisis management capacity for governments and communities.
Does the region still have relevance? (Re)considering "regional" political ecology

Although the field of political ecology began as fundamentally regional, a clear, coherent regional political ecology approach has failed to emerge. This introductory essay frames a collection of articles compiled to take up the idea of pursuing a specifically regional political ecology, discussing both the problematic and the beneficial aspects of regions and regional approaches. In this introduction, we discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of using the region as a heuristic within the field. Our focus, and that of the articles introduced, is to consider what analytical work this concept can do, addressing the question: how and why how are regions useful within political ecology? Our intention is not to provide a guide to using the concept in political ecology but rather to highlight how regions are currently being used, and to reopen discussions of the utility of the concept for scholars explicitly working towards justice and sustainability in a variety of contexts. After describing the value of a using regional political ecology approach, we emphasize the work still yet to be done, prompting other scholars to consider regional political ecology approaches as they do the work that they do. Keywords: regional political ecology; region; political ecology; geography This is the introductory paper in Innisfree McKinnon and Colleen Hiner (eds.) 2015. "(Re)considering regional political ecology?", Special Section of the Journal of Political Ecology 23: 115-203.
Using regulatory fit theory to examine how the communication context of compliance-gaining interactions influences compliance

Compliance-gaining research focuses mainly on how message variations differentially affect compliance; however, few studies have examined how framing the compliance-gaining goal (i.e., promotion/pr...
A century of guayule: Comprehensive genetic characterization of the US national guayule (Parthenium argentatum A. Gray) germplasm collection

The fragility of a single-source, geographically concentrated supply of natural rubber, a critical material of the modern economy, has brought guayule (Parthenium argentatum A. Gray) to the forefront as an alternative source of natural rubber. The improvement of guayule for commercial-scale production has been limited by the lack of genomic tools and well-characterized genetic resources required for genomics-assisted breeding. To address this issue, we developed nearly 50,000 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genetic markers and genotyped 69 accessions of guayule and its sister taxa mariola (Parthenium incanum Kunth), representing the entire publically available US national germplasm collection. We identified multiple interspecific hybrid accessions previously considered guayule, including five guayule-mariola hybrids and non-mariola interspecific hybrid accessions AZ-2 and AZ-3, two commonly used high-yielding cultivars. We dissected patterns of genetic diversity within the collection to identify a highly diverse subset of guayule accessions, and showed that wild guayule stands in Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA have the potential to provide hitherto untapped guayule genetic diversity. Together, these results provide the most thorough genetic characterization of guayule germplasm to date and lay the foundation for rapid genetic improvement of commercial guayule germplasm.
Mediatized Populisms| Innuendo as Outreach: @narendramodi and the Use of Political Irony on Twitter

Our analysis of tweets from @narendramodi demonstrates how the Indian prime minister used political irony, enacted through sarcasm and wordplay, to refashion his political style and practice into a more broadly appealing populist ethic. We deconstruct confrontational Twitter messages laced with innuendo to explore the use of language as a means of political self-representation. Modi’s use of irony provides a form of political spectacle and demonstrably resonates on social media, as quantified by the high retweeting of his sarcastically worded messages. We identify three rhetorical strategies in these tweets: (1) appeals to the base through the use of popular idiom, (2) creation of a shared cognitive environment to allow followers in on inside jokes and a means of affiliating with the leader, and (3) the performance of righteousness in underlining the leader’s use of wit and restraint. We argue that the use of political irony in these tweets must be seen as part of a longer-term performative effort to recast Modi’s political image from a regional strongman into a sophisticated communicator.
Analysis of conducted EMI in Si IGBT + SiC MOSFET hybrid switch based converters

A hybrid switch (HyS) is a parallel combination of a large Si IGBT die in parallel with a small SiC MOSFET die. It demonstrates a static and a dynamic performance improvement over a Si IGBT, and is cost-effective compared to a SiC MOSFET. The switching speeds of the switching device characterizes the high-frequency conducted noise emissions. However, the parasitic common-mode capacitances, especially the capacitance between the drain (of the switching device) and the ground (usually a heatsink) provides path for the high frequency noise propagation; hence also characterize the high-frequency emissions. For a HyS, the effective area of the package will be significantly larger than the standalone SiC MOSFET and standalone Si IGBT package. This is under the assumption that the Si and SiC dies, within the module, are placed far apart for a complete thermal isolation. Depending on the relative difference of both, the package area and the switching speeds, the EMI emissions for HyS package could be more than SiC package. Hence, comparison of EMI in a HyS, all-Si and all-SiC based converter is presented.
Effect of Photolytically Generated Riboflavin Radicals and Oxygen on Hypotaurine Antioxidant Free Radical Scavenging Activity

Hypotaurine is a unique amino sulfinate found in narrowly circumscribed sites in mammalian tissue. These tissues are burdened with high oxidant exposure and have helped focus the investigation of the role of hypotaurine as an antioxidant and free radical trapping agent. The human neutrophil in its resting state contains upwards of 0.8 mM hypotaurine, and even greater concentrations of its metabolic product, taurine (7). When this cell is stimulated, a marked increase in oxygen consumption occurs initiated by a NADPH oxidase system (3). The products of this process include superoxide and hydrogen peroxide which can generate by Fenton chemistry hydroxyl radicals (1,12). Evidence for their appearance by this system and the ability of hypotaurine to quench oxidants released by the neutrophil has been presented (7,12). Evidence of free radical-mediated oxidation of hypotaurine has also been reported using liver microsomal NADPH oxidase as a generator of oxygen-centered free radicals (5). Additionally, brain, lung and sexual tissue contain high levels of hypotaurine. In the seminal fluid of the mammalian male and the uterine washings from the female, especially at esterus, high concentrations of this sulfinate have been observed (9,11). The precise function of hypotaurine has not been delineated but there is evidence to support the contention that hypotaurine can protect these cells from oxidative damage.
A population-based evaluation of demographics and survival in primary effusion lymphoma: SEER database analysis.

e19535Background: Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is one of the least common of the AIDS-related lymphomas, accounting for less than 4% of cases. The optimal treatment for primary effusion lymphoma...
300.15 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement-Induced Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony: A Comparative Analysis Using Myocardial Strain and Electrocardiography

Specific strain echocardiogram and electrocardiogram (ECG) measures of mechanical and electrical ventricular dyssynchrony correlate in certain disease states. We hypothesized that strain and ECG measures of dyssynchrony would correlate in patients who develop a new left bundle branch block (LBBB) or
Circadian Clocks Function in Concert with Heat Shock Organizing Protein to Modulate Mutant Huntingtin Aggregation and Toxicity

Summary Neurodegenerative diseases commonly involve the disruption of circadian rhythms. Studies indicate that mutant Huntingtin (mHtt), the cause of Huntington’s disease (HD), disrupts circadian rhythms often before motor symptoms are evident. Yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which mHtt impairs circadian rhythmicity and whether circadian clocks can modulate HD pathogenesis. To address this question, we used a Drosophila HD model. We found that both environmental and genetic perturbations of the circadian clock alter mHtt-mediated neurodegeneration. To identify potential genetic pathways that mediate these effects, we applied a behavioral platform to screen for clock-regulated HD suppressors, identifying a role for Heat Shock Protein 70/90 Organizing Protein (Hop). Hop knockdown paradoxically reduces mHtt aggregation and toxicity. These studies demonstrate a role for the circadian clock in a neurodegenerative disease model and reveal a clock-regulated molecular and cellular pathway that links clock function to neurodegenerative disease.
Are Uncertainty Categories in a Wind Farm Annual Energy Production Estimate Actually Uncorrelated

Abstract. Calculations of annual energy production (AEP) from a wind farm – whether based on preconstruction or operational data – are critical for wind farm financial transactions. The uncertainty in the AEP calculation is especially important in quantifying risk and is a key factor in determining financing terms. Standard industry practice assumes that different uncertainty categories within an AEP calculation are uncorrelated and can therefore be combined through a sum of squares approach. In this analysis, we assess the rigor of this assumption by performing operational AEP estimates for over 470 wind farms in the United States. We contrast the standard uncertainty assumption with a Monte Carlo approach to uncertainty quantification in which no assumptions of correlation between uncertainty categories are made. Results show that several uncertainty categories do, in fact, show weak to moderate correlations, namely: wind resource interannual variability and the windiness correction (positive correlation), wind resource interannual variability and regression (negative), and wind speed measurement uncertainty and regression (positive). The sources of these correlations are described and illustrated in detail in this paper, and the effect on the total AEP uncertainty calculation is investigated. Based on these results, we conclude that a Monte Carlo approach to AEP uncertainty quantification is more robust and accurate than the industry standard approach.
Statistical Assessment of Depth Normalization for Small RNA Sequencing.

PURPOSEMethods for depth normalization have been assessed primarily with simulated data or cell-line–mixture data. There is a pressing need for benchmark data enabling a more realistic and objectiv...
Eosinophilic gastritis-a rare diagnosis

Introduction: Eosinophilic Gastritis (EG), one of the less common amongst Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGID), with a prevalence of 6.3 cases/100.000, is an uncommon cause of unspecific abdominal symptoms, including epigastric pain. Case: A 23-year-old female, was admitted with recurrent episodes of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and weight loss. She was discharged one week previously after being treated for similar symptoms. The patient had failed an outpatient treatment with a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI). During her re-admission, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed, and results were significant for gastritis without ulcers or esophagitis. While awaiting biopsy results, the patient experienced a minimal improvement in her symptoms with intravenous fluids and PPI. Extensive workup remained negative except of eosinophilia in peripheral blood. Gastric mucosal biopsy revealed eosinophilic infiltrates in Lamina Propria, confirming the diagnosis of Eosinophilic Gastritis. Helicobacter pylori on immunohistochemistry was negative. The patient was counseled regarding the Six Food Elimination Diet for the management of this condition. Her symptoms began to improve under dietary restrictions. Repeated EGD with biopsy at 12 weeks showed resolved eosinophilic infiltrates. Discussion: EG remains a rare diagnosis, and it should be included as a differential diagnosis in every patient with refractory symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and failure to thrive. Diagnosis of EGID is established after the exclusion of other causes of eosinophilia in the gastrointestinal tract.
Racial/ethnic differences in anthropometric and hormone-related factors and endometrial cancer risk: the Multiethnic Cohort Study.

Anthropometric and hormone-related factors are established endometrial cancer risk factors; however, little is known about the impact of these factors on endometrial cancer risk in non-White women. Among 110,712 women participating in the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) Study, 1150 incident invasive endometrial cancers were diagnosed. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations with endometrial cancer risk for race/ethnicity and for risk factors across racial/ethnic groups were calculated. Having a higher body mass index (BMI) at baseline or age 21 years was strongly associated with increased risk (pint race/ethnicity ≥ 0.36). Parity (vs nulliparity) was inversely associated with risk in all the groups except African Americans (pint 0.006). Current use of postmenopausal hormones at baseline (PMH-E; vs never use) was associated with increased risk in Whites and Japanese Americans (pint 0.002). Relative to Whites, endometrial cancer risk was lower in Japanese Americans and Latinas and non-significantly higher in Native Hawaiians. Risk in African Americans did not differ from that in Whites. Racial/ethnic differences in endometrial cancer risk were not fully explained by anthropometric or hormone-related risk factors. Further studies are needed to identify reasons for the observed racial/ethnic differences in endometrial cancer risk.