cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Gas of Long Rods as a Model for Lyotropic Liquid Crystals

Abstract The microscopic theories which have been proposed for lyotropic liquid crystals are studied, in particular in connection with the model gas of hard rods. For sufficiently long rods most theories are equivalent to that of Onsager; for shorter rods no theory seems to have a very good claim to accuracy. The theory of Flory is shown to be untrustworthy. A series of experimental tests is proposed which would allow determination of the coefficients of the Onsager expansion; available experimental data are reviewed.
Radioactive Markers in Analysis of Amino Acid Chromatograms

Abstract Radioactive markers in ion exchange chromatography of amino acid mixtures of biological samples is one of several methods used to identify a particular amino acid. It is shown that in fractions of column effluents-C14-labeled amino acids can be detected relatively easily and economically by liquid scintillation or gas flow systems. The interference of the small quantity of labeled amino acid required to give a significant counting rate with the color yield of the amino acids under investigation has been shown to be negligible.
Effects of decreased glutathione peroxidase activity on the pentose phosphate cycle in mouse lung.

Abstract The effects of reducing glutathione peroxidase activity in the lung by changing dietary selenium intake has been investigated. In animals that were exposed to room air, selenium effects were confined to glutathione peroxidase activity, whereas under conditions of oxidant stress (ozone) the decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity prevented the stimulation of the pentose phosphate cycle (assayed by measuring glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activities) which has been reported to increase in response to oxidant stress. The suppression of glutathione peroxidase activity was found to depend on dietary selenium concentration. The physiological significance of this observation may be related to the process of injury and repair in the lung.
Approaches to quantifying long-term continental shelf sediment transport with an example from the Northern California STRESS mid-shelf site

Abstract Modeling shelf sediment transport rates and bed reworking depths is problematic when the wave and current forcing conditions are not precisely known, as is usually the case when long-term sedimentation patterns are of interest. Two approaches to modeling sediment transport under such circumstances are considered. The first relies on measured or simulated time series of flow conditions to drive model calculations. The second approach uses as model input probability distribution functions of bottom boundary layer flow conditions developed from wave and current measurements. Sediment transport rates, frequency of bed resuspension by waves and currents, and bed reworking calculated using the two methods are compared at the mid-shelf STRESS (Sediment TRansport on Shelves and Slopes) site on the northern California continental shelf. Current, wave and resuspension measurements at the site are used to generate model inputs and test model results. An 11-year record of bottom wave orbital velocity, calculated from surface wave spectra measured by the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) Buoy 46013 and verified against bottom tripod measurements, is used to characterize the frequency and duration of wave-driven transport events and to estimate the joint probability distribution of wave orbital velocity and period. A 109-day record of hourly current measurements 10 m above bottom is used to estimate the probability distribution of bottom boundary layer current velocity at this site and to develop an auto-regressive model to simulate current velocities for times when direct measurements of currents are not available. Frequency of transport, the maximum volume of suspended sediment, and average flux calculated using measured wave and simulated current time series agree well with values calculated using measured time series. A probabilistic approach is more amenable to calculations over time scales longer than existing wave records, but it tends to underestimate net transport because it does not capture the episodic nature of transport events. Both methods enable estimates to be made of the uncertainty in transport quantities that arise from an incomplete knowledge of the specific timing of wave and current conditions. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Analogs of Initiation Factor 4E (eIF4E) Cap-Binding Antagonist Bn7-GMP

Aberrant regulation of cap-dependent translation has been frequently observed in the development of cancer. Association of the cap-binding protein eIF4E with N(7)-methylated guanosine capped mRNA is the rate limiting step governing translation initiation; and therefore represents an attractive process for cancer drug discovery. Previously, replacement of the 7-Me group of the Me(7)-guanosine monophosphate with a benzyl group has been found to increase binding affinity to eIF4E. Recent X-ray crystallographic studies have revealed that the cap-binding pocket undergoes a unique structural change in order to accommodate the benzyl group. To explore the structure-activity relationships governing the affinity of N(7)-benzylated guanosine monophosphate (Bn(7)-GMP) for eIF4E, we virtually screened a library of 80 Bn(7)-GMP analogs utilizing CombiGlide as implemented in Schrodinger. A subset library of substituted Bn(7)-GMP analogs was synthesized and their dissociation constants (K(d)) were determined. Due to the poor correlation between docking/scoring results and experimental binding affinities, three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) calculations were performed. Two highly predictive and self-consistent CoMFA (comparative molecular field analysis) and CoMSIA (comparative molecular similarity indices analysis) models were derived and optimized. These models may be useful for the future design of eIF4E cap-binding antagonists.
The Anatomy of The Saudi Revolution

In his classic study of revolution, Crane Brinton succeeds in uncovering certain common features, or uniformities, which are present in all four of the great Western revolutions. In analysing the English Revolution of the 1640s, the American Revolution, the French Revolution and the more recent Russian Revolution, he employs ‘the fever of revolution’ as a conceptual measure of social disequilibrium. This pathological analogy provides a means of focusing attention upon the key uniformities of revolution.
Image‐guided video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (iVATS) ‐ phase I‐II clinical trial

Purpose To facilitate localization and resection of small lung nodules, we developed a prospective clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01847209","term_id":"NCT01847209"}}NCT01847209) for a novel surgical approach which combines placement of fiducials using intra‐operative C‐arm computed tomography (CT) guidance with standard thoracoscopic resection technique using image‐guided video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (iVATS).
Female Physicians: Balancing Career and Family

Dr. Verlander is a former Child Psychiatry Fellow at the University of ColoradoHealth Sciences Center (UCHSC,Denver, Colorado. Address correspondence toDr. Verlander, GeneralDelivery, Silverthorne, CO 80498; gleseann@yahoo.com (E-mail). Copyright 2004 Academic Psychiatry. Finding an acceptable balance between career and family is a difficult challenge for many physicians. Medicine is a profession in which dedication to the wellbeing of others is of paramount importance. Careers in medicine historically demanded a selfless emphasis on caring for one’s patients, sometimes at the expense of one’s marriage, children, and personal life. Such a skewed focus worked more easily in the past when the vast majority of physicians were men. When male physicians spent long hours at work or traveling to meetings, their wives were home to run the household and care for the children. As women entered themedical field in increasing numbers, however, the tensions between career and family became more prominent. In trying to balance personal and professional responsibilities, female physicians face a difficult task in striving to “have it all.” As a physician and single mother of four children, I know that it can be done successfully, but there are many challenges that female physicians must confront in balancing their multiple roles as physician, mother, and spouse. The number of females pursuing careers in medicine is steadily increasing. In 1997, women constituted 43% of medical students in the United States and 22% of practicing physicians (1). In 2001, those numbers reached 45.8% for female medical students and 28% for female academic medical faculty (2). Women are expected to comprise 30% of practicing doctors by the year 2010 (3), and 50% by the year 2040 (4). Despite the dramatic surge in the number of female physicians, hospitals and medical centers have moved slowly to provide support for women who pursue medical careers while managing families and raising children (5–7). The difficulties of balancing family and medicine affect women’s choices of specialty (8), advancement in academic medicine (9), health (4, 10), and decisions regarding whether to have children. Professional women in many families remain responsible for the majority of domestic and child-related duties (11–13), which makes it difficult to devote the necessary hours at work to obtain promotions and tenure. Most medical institutions furthermore remain oriented toward traditional families of the past, rather than today’s dual-career parents, with rare availability of onsite daycare and little opportunity for creative scheduling or job-sharing.
Corporate Governance and Labour Management: An International Comparison

The article reviews the book “Corporate Governance and Labour Management: An International Comparison,” edited by Howard Gospel and Andrew Pendleton.
Ventricular catheter tack-down suture: Technical note

Tubing migration accounts for a significant number of shunt complications. In an attempt to reduce the likelihood of disconnection and tubing migration, we have developed a technique to rigidly fix the proximal catheter to the skull. The method involves the placement of a small twist drill hole adjacent to the catheter burr hole through which a suture is passed. The suture is then used to rigidly bind the proximal shunt tubing and valve to the skull. This approach provides an efficient and effective means for reducing complications related to shunt tubing migration.
Fast Large-scale Mixture Modeling with Component-specific Data Partitions

Remarkably easy implementation and guaranteed convergence has made the EM algorithm one of the most used algorithms for mixture modeling. On the downside, the E-step is linear in both the sample size and the number of mixture components, making it impractical for large-scale data. Based on the variational EM framework, we propose a fast alternative that uses component-specific data partitions to obtain a sub-linear E-step in sample size, while the algorithm still maintains provable convergence. Our approach builds on previous work, but is significantly faster and scales much better in the number of mixture components. We demonstrate this speedup by experiments on large-scale synthetic and real data.
Prevalence and prognosis of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in asymptomatic diabetic patients without known coronary artery disease referred for stress single-photon emission computed tomography and assessment of left ventricular function

Background The prevalence and prognosis of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in asymptomatic diabetic patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD) are not known. Methods We examined 1046 asymptomatic diabetic patients (age 60 ± 13 years, 69% male) without known CAD referred to a tertiary referral center for stress single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and assessment of LVEF. Patients were stratified according to the presence of normal LVEF (≥50%), mildly reduced LVEF (35%-49%), or moderately/severely reduced LVEF ( Results The prevalence of reduced LVEF was 16.7% (n = 175, mean LVEF 40.0% ± 7.7%). This group was older (63 ± 11 vs 59 ± 14 years, P = .005), had more peripheral arterial disease (45% vs 29%, P P P P P P P 2 = 6.26, P = .01). Conclusions In this population of asymptomatic diabetic patients without known CAD referred for stress SPECT, 1 in 6 patients had reduced LVEF. Most of these patients have intermediate-/high-risk SPECT scans. The annual mortality rates of the groups with and without reduced LVEF were 7% and 4%, respectively.
In Vivo Effects on Spermatogenesis and In Vitro Metabolism of 5α‐Androstan‐3β,17β‐Diol by Testes, Prostate Glands and Seminal Vesicles

It has been shown that 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one (dihydrotestosterone, DHT), an irreversible metabolite of testosterone, is capable of maintaining spermatogenesis and sex accessory organs of adult rats. The same property has been displayed by 5α-androstan-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol). We have studied the effects of 5α-androstan-3β,17β-diol (3β-diol) in hypophysectomized rats. This steroid is also capable of maintaining spermatogenesis as well as the accessory glands of hypophysectomized rats. These effects of 3β-diol are quantitatively better than with 3α-diol. Incubation of teased testicular tissue, prostate glands and seminal vesicles with tritiated 3β-diol showed that 3β-diol is preferentially converted to 3α-diol in the testis and DHT in the prostate glands but is not metabolized by the seminal vesicles. This would tend to indicate that the biological activity may be attributed to any one of the 5α-reduced metabolites since the testes and prostate glands can metabolize 3β-diol and the seminal vesicles could get the appropriate form of the steroid by conversion at a peripheral site with transport to the seminal vesicles. Incubation of testicular tissue with tritiated 3β-diol and a steroidal inhibitor of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase showed 90% inhibition of 3β-diol metabolism. In vivo studies with this inhibitor are underway to assess if 3β-diol is biologically active without being converted to other steroids.
Understanding the Limitations of Circulating Cell Free Fetal DNA: An Example of Two Unique Cases

Circulating cell free fetal DNA (cffDNA) is an effective screening modality for fetal aneuploidy. We report two cases of false positive results. The first case involves a female, with self-reported Down syndrome. CffDNA returned positive for trisomy 18 leading to a maternal diagnosis of mosaicism chromosome 18 with normal fetal karyotype. The second case involves a patient with an anomalous fetal ultrasound and c ffDNA positive for trisomy 13. Amniocentesis demonstrated a chromosome 8p duplication/deletion. False positive cffDNA may arise in clinical scenarios where diagnostic testing is clearly indicated. Practitioners should recognize the limitations of cffDNA. J Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2014;3(2):68-70 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jcgo229w
Brain anatomic magnetic resonance imaging in childhood-onset schizophrenia

Background: Early-onset schizophrenia (first psychotic symptoms by age 12 years) has been the subject of a small number of studies, and its biological continuity with lateronset disorder has not been established. In this study, quantitative anatomic brain magnetic resonance images of children and adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia were compared with those of matched controls. Brain abnormalities in childhood-onset schizophrenia were examined in relation to those reported for later-onset schizophrenics. Methods: Anatomic brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained for 21 patients (mean±SD age, 14.6±2.1 years; range, 10 to 18 years) with childhood-onset schizophrenia (13 males, eight females) and 33 age-, sex-, height-, and weight-matched normal controls. Quantitative measurements were obtained for the cerebrum, anterior frontal region, lateral ventricles, thalamus, caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus. Results: Total cerebral volume and midsagittal thalamic area were smaller in the patients (analysis of variance, P =.002, and analysis of covariance, P =.03, respectively); the caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus were larger in the patients (analysis of covariance, P =.05, P =.007, and P P =.06). Globus pallidus enlargement correlated with neuroleptic exposure and with age of onset of psychosis. The magnitude of abnormalities compared with controls was similar to that reported in adult studies, although there was a trend toward relatively smaller cerebral volumes for the childhood-onset group compared with controls. Conclusion: Brain anatomic abnormalities in childhoodonset schizophrenia are similar to those reported for adult populations, indicating overall continuity between these rare childhood cases and the adult schizophrenia populations.
Feasibility study of utilizing ultraportable projectors for endoscopic video display (with videos).

Background. Modern endoscopy requires video display. Recent miniaturized, ultraportable projectors are affordable, durable, and offer quality image display. Objective. Explore feasibility of using ultraportable projectors in endoscopy. Methods. Prospective bench-top comparison; clinical feasibility study. Masked comparison study of images displayed via 2 Samsung ultraportable light-emitting diode projectors (pocket-sized SP-HO3; pico projector SP-P410M) and 1 Microvision Showwx-II Laser pico projector. Bench-top feasibility study: Prerecorded endoscopic video was streamed via computer. Clinical comparison study: Live high-definition endoscopy video was simultaneously displayed through each processor onto a standard liquid crystal display monitor and projected onto a portable, pull-down projection screen. Endoscopists, endoscopy nurses, and technicians rated video images; ratings were analyzed by linear mixed-effects regression models with random intercepts. Results. All projectors were easy to set up, adj...
A systematic measurement technique to characterize bimodal oscillation for CMOS Quadrature LC-VCO

This paper presents a theoretical analysis and control procedure of the bimodal oscillation phenomenon inherent to LC-tuned Quadrature voltage-controlled oscillators (QVCOs). A systematic start-up procedure is proposed to drive the quadrature VCO (QVCO) into the desirable mode of operation by controlling its initial conditions. This is the first reported approach in the published literature to the best of author's knowledge. The theory and the proposed methodology are validated with the measurement of a 13-GHz QVCO implemented in 90nm CMOS using NMOS current-coupling topology.
Deadenylase depletion protects inherited mRNAs in primordial germ cells

A crucial event in animal development is the specification of primordial germ cells (PGCs), which become the stem cells that create sperm and eggs. How PGCs are created provides a valuable paradigm for understanding stem cells in general. We find that the PGCs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus exhibit broad transcriptional repression, yet enrichment for a set of inherited mRNAs. Enrichment of several germline determinants in the PGCs requires the RNA-binding protein Nanos to target the transcript that encodes CNOT6, a deadenylase, for degradation in the PGCs, thereby creating a stable environment for RNA. Misexpression of CNOT6 in the PGCs results in their failure to retain Seawi transcripts and Vasa protein. Conversely, broad knockdown of CNOT6 expands the domain of Seawi RNA as well as exogenous reporters. Thus, Nanos-dependent spatially restricted CNOT6 differential expression is used to selectively localize germline RNAs to the PGCs. Our findings support a ‘time capsule’ model of germline determination, whereby the PGCs are insulated from differentiation by retaining the molecular characteristics of the totipotent egg and early embryo.
From Kanner to DSM-5: Autism as an Evolving Diagnostic Concept

Seven decades have elapsed since Leo Kanner described the syndrome he termed early infantile autism. Over this time, and particularly over the past two decades, noteworthy changes have occurred in how the condition is conceptualized. Here we provide an overview of these changes, beginning with a brief discussion of the significance of classification in general before discussing Kanner's original paper and subsequent changes. We touch on relevant issues, such as comorbidity, dimensional aspects of diagnosis and screening, and the complex issue of diagnosis relative to eligibility for services. Approaches to diagnosis have tended to swing from emphasizing overarching groups (lumping) to focusing on potentially distinct subgroups (splitting). Autism raises particular problems given the broad range of syndrome expression over age and developmental level. The most recent revision of the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic taxonomy marks a significant departure from its predecessor and has been the fo...
Validation of a GIS facilities database: quantification and implications of error.

Purpose To validate a commercial database of community-level physical activity facilities that can be used in future research examining associations between access to physical activity facilities and individual-level physical activity and obesity. Methods Physical activity facility characteristics and locations obtained from a commercial database were compared to a field census conducted in 80 census block groups within two U.S. communities. Agreement statistics, agreement of administratively defined neighborhoods, and distance between locations were used to quantify count, attribute, and positional error. Results There was moderate agreement (concordance: nonurban: 0.39; urban: 0.46) of presence of any physical activity facility and poor to moderate agreement (κ range: 0.14 to 0.76) of physical activity facility type. The mean Euclidean distance between commercial database versus field census locations was 757 and 35 m in the nonurban and urban communities, respectively. However, 94% and 100% of nonurban and urban physical activity facilities, respectively, fell into the same 5-digit ZIP code, dropping to 92% and 98% in the same block group and 71% along the same street. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the commercial database of physical activity facilities may contain appreciable error, but patterns of error suggest that built environment-health associations are likely biased downward.
pH tunable self-assembly of chicoric acid and their biocompatibility studies

We report for the first time, the pH tunable self-assembly of chicoric acid, an HIV-I integrase inhibitor, which displayed a remarkable tendency to self-assemble at room temperature into varying nano- and microstructures. Furthermore, those assemblies were then functionalised with gold (Au) nanoparticles. We then investigated the biocompatibility of the materials by conducting in vitro cell attachment and cytotoxicity studies using normal rat kidney cells. The studies revealed that the biomaterials were non-toxic and biocompatible, and showed considerable adhesion to the cells. These results suggest that the assemblies could potentially be used for a variety of applications, such as carriers for targeted drug delivery as well as optoelectronics and sensors. Furthermore, the formation of highly organised nano- and microstructures of medicinally significant phytohormones such as chicoric acid is of particular interest as it might help in further understanding the supramolecular assembly mechanism of higher ...
Open versus endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms: a Nationwide Inpatient Sample study.

Purpose:Endovascular repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms has become an acceptable surgical option over the past decade. We sought to compare the results of open versus endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TEVAR) in the United States.Methods:The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried to identify all patients undergoing elective repair of a thoracic aortic aneurysm from 1998 to 2007 in the United States. Patient demographic data, preoperative comorbidities, and postoperative complications were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed comparing open versus endovascular repair. Multivariate analyses were conducted controlling for preoperative comorbidities including the presence of diabetes mellitus, cardiac, respiratory, and renal comorbidities as well as patient’s age, gender, and ethnicity. The primary end point was mortality. Secondary end points were postoperative neurologic, cardiac, and respiratory complications.Results:There were 8967 patients who met the i...
Price Models and the Value Relevance of Accounting Information

Recent research in empirical accounting has raised questions about the usefulness of price models, and how this tool can be used properly given its economic and econometric problems. This paper first identifies the essential distinctions between the price and return models, and the situations in which a price model is advantageous. An alternative method of estimating price models is then developed through minimizing the symmetrized relative pricing error (LRPE); Compared to the conventional methods of deflating by BVE, Shares, lagged price, or the price itself, the LRPE regression has several advantages: (1) The estimates are economically more meaningful and substantially more accurate. Comparisons using real data show that conventional methods waste 75% of the sample relative to LRPE; (2) the predicted price from the proposed method better captures the intrinsic value of a firm. I find that a hedge portfolio based on LRPE regression gives higher returns; (3) the relative pricing error, as a measure of the value relevance of accounting information, produces intuitive conclusions, while R2 doesn't. These results suggest that LRPE regression can contribute significant refinements to empirical research utilizing the price models.
Auditory cortical deactivation during speech production and following speech perception: an EEG investigation of the temporal dynamics of the auditory alpha rhythm

Sensorimotor integration within the dorsal stream enables online monitoring of speech. Jenson et al. (2014) used independent component analysis (ICA) and event related spectral perturbation (ERSP) analysis of EEG data to describe anterior sensorimotor (e.g., premotor cortex; PMC) activity during speech perception and production. The purpose of the current study was to identify and temporally map neural activity from posterior (i.e., auditory) regions of the dorsal stream in the same tasks. Perception tasks required ‘active’ discrimination of syllable pairs (/ba/ and /da/) in quiet and noisy conditions. Production conditions required overt production of syllable pairs and nouns. ICA performed on concatenated raw 68 channel EEG data from all tasks identified bilateral ‘auditory’ alpha (α) components in 15 of 29 participants localized to pSTG (left) and pMTG (right). ERSP analyses were performed to reveal fluctuations in the spectral power of the α rhythm clusters across time. Production conditions were characterized by significant α event related synchronization (ERS; pFDR < .05) concurrent with EMG activity from speech production, consistent with speech-induced auditory inhibition. Discrimination conditions were also characterized by α ERS following stimulus offset. Auditory α ERS in all conditions also temporally aligned with PMC activity reported in Jenson et al. (2014). These findings are indicative of speech-induced suppression of auditory regions, possibly via efference copy. The presence of the same pattern following stimulus offset in discrimination conditions suggests that sensorimotor contributions following speech perception reflect covert replay, and that covert replay provides one source of the motor activity previously observed in some speech perception tasks. To our knowledge, this is the first time that inhibition of auditory regions by speech has been observed in real-time with the ICA/ERSP technique.
Refrigeration System for the Fermilab Superconducting Collider Detector Solenoid

The Fermilab Collider will make possible experiments using proton-antiproton collisions at very high center of mass energies. The detector for these experiments will use a thin superconducting solenoid magnet 3 m in diameter, 5 m long, and 24 cm in radial thickness.1 Refrigeration of this magnet will be achieved by forced, two-phase helium flow, with liquid nitrogen radiation shields and intercepts providing insulation against heat leak. This paper describes the means of supplying and controlling the flow of these cryogens.
Rutgers relation for the analysis of superfluid density in superconductors

It is shown that the thermodynamic Rutgers relation for the second-order phase transitions can be used for the analysis of the superfluid density data irrespective of complexities of the Fermi surface, structure of the superconducting gap, pairing strength, or scattering. The only limitation is that critical fluctuations should be weak so that the mean-field theory of the second-order phase transitions is applicable. By using the Rutgers relation, the zero-temperature value of the London penetration depth $\ensuremath{\lambda}(0)$ is related to the specific heat jump $\ensuremath{\Delta}C$ and the slope of upper critical field $d{H}_{c2}/dT$ at the transition temperature ${T}_{c}$, provided the data on $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\lambda}=\ensuremath{\lambda}(T)\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\lambda}(0)$ are available in a broad temperature domain. We then provide a way to determine $\ensuremath{\lambda}(0)$, the quantity difficult to determine within many techniques.
Insecticidal Degradation by Pseudomonas melophthora, the Bacterial Symbiote of the Apple Maggot

Pseudomonas melophthora (Allen and Riker), an obligate extracellular bacterial symbiote of the apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh), has demonstrable degradation activities against all 6 insecticides tested (dichlorovos, diazinon, parathion, DFP (diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate), dieldrin, and carbaryl), belonging to 3 major groups (chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphates, and carbamates). This is the first demonstration of insecticidal degradation by an insect microbial symbiote. However, the significance of this unique property as a possible protecting mechanism of the host insect is unknown.
Physiological role of NBCe2 in the regulation of electrolyte transport in the distal nephron

The electrogenic Na+-HCO3− cotransporter 2 (NBCe2) is a newly discovered protein in the distal nephron. Our understanding is minimal regarding its physiological role in renal electrolyte transport. In this mini-review, we summarize the potential function of NBCe2 in the regulation of blood pressure, acid-base, and K+ and Ca2+ transport in the distal nephron.
Kinematic corner smoothing for high speed machine tools

Abstract This paper presents a novel kinematic corner smoothing technique for high-speed CNC machine tools. Typically, reference tool-paths compromised of short G01 moves are geometrically smoothed by means of arcs and splines within the NC system. In this study, a continuous feed motion is generated by directly planning jerk limited velocity transitions for the drives in the vicinity of sharp corners of the tool-path. This approach completely eliminates the need for geometry based path smoothing and feed planning. Contouring errors at sharp corners are controlled analytically by accurately calculating cornering speed and duration. Since proposed approach bases on kinematically planning axis motion profiles, it exploits acceleration and jerk limits of the drives and delivers a near-time optimal motion. Experimental validation and comparisons are presented to show significant improvement in the cycle time and accuracy of contouring Cartesian tool-paths.
Developing a maritime transportation and port operations education and research program in the US: experiences and challenges

The paper presents an integrated effort in developing a Maritime Transportation and Port Operations education and research program in the US. The interdisciplinary character of the maritime transportation related education is emphasized. The program is being developed in cooperation with the industry and in response to the industry needs. Moreover, developing education and research collaborative efforts between academic institutions located in different areas of the globe can better capture the international character of maritime transportation and provide better education to the current and prospective employees of the maritime industry.
Exploring the Impact of Computer Self-Efficacy on User Contributions and Learning within a Listserv Environment.

This paper reports on the effects of computer self-efficacy and involvement on satisfaction with using a Listserv Web site, learning, and team-member tie strength. The customized Listserv allowed one hundred sixteen undergraduate students, enrolled in database and decision support courses, to exchange ideas and documents related to an Oracle class project. Questionnaires were administered before and after the class projects to study learning effects. The Listserv software collected data regarding logins, message and document postings, and lurkers (browsers). Findings indicate that the interaction of computer self-efficacy and involvement resulted in increased learning as well as tie-strength.
Neutron Scattering from Light Water

The single differential cross section for neutron scattering from light water has been measured over the energy range 0.006 to 10 eV. The experimental techniques for making the measurement and corr...
Single Versus Dual Incisions for Lateral Retroperitoneal Approach

Lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas interbody fusion is a popular minimally invasive procedure for interbody fusion of the lumbar spine. This technique was initially described in 2006 and since then multiple modifications have been adopted (Ozgur et al., Spine J Off J N Am Spine Soc 6(4):435–443, 2006). The original technique employed two incisions, one direct lateral and one posterolateral. Some surgeons prefer and are able to do this approach by only a single incision. Each version has their own advantages and potential complications.
Engineering and Evolution of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Produce Biofuels and Chemicals.

To mitigate global climate change caused partly by the use of fossil fuels, the production of fuels and chemicals from renewable biomass has been attempted. The conversion of various sugars from renewable biomass into biofuels by engineered baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is one major direction which has grown dramatically in recent years. As well as shifting away from fossil fuels, the production of commodity chemicals by engineered S. cerevisiae has also increased significantly. The traditional approaches of biochemical and metabolic engineering to develop economic bioconversion processes in laboratory and industrial settings have been accelerated by rapid advancements in the areas of yeast genomics, synthetic biology, and systems biology. Together, these innovations have resulted in rapid and efficient manipulation of S. cerevisiae to expand fermentable substrates and diversify value-added products. Here, we discuss recent and major advances in rational (relying on prior experimentally-derived knowledge) and combinatorial (relying on high-throughput screening and genomics) approaches to engineer S. cerevisiae for producing ethanol, butanol, 2,3-butanediol, fatty acid ethyl esters, isoprenoids, organic acids, rare sugars, antioxidants, and sugar alcohols from glucose, xylose, cellobiose, galactose, acetate, alginate, mannitol, arabinose, and lactose.
Short-course versus long-course antibiotic treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: A randomized controlled study of 100 patients

In an attempt to determine the optimal duration of therapy of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, 100 patients with neutrocytic ascites and suspected spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were randomized to short-course vs. long-course treatment groups. Empiric therapy was initiated before the results of ascitic fluid culture were available. Of the 90 patients who met strict criteria for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or culture-negative neutrocytic ascites, 43 were randomized to a group receiving 5 days and 47 to a group receiving 10 days of single-agent cefotaxime, 2 g IV every 8 hours. Infection-related mortality (0% vs. 4.3%), hospitalization mortality (32.6% vs. 42.5%), bacteriologic cure (93.1% vs. 91.2%), and recurrence of ascitic fluid infection (11.6% vs. 12.8%) were not significantly different between the 5- and 10-day treatment groups, respectively. Recurrence rates were comparable to the values reported in the literature. The cost of antibiotic and antibiotic administration were significantly lower in the short-course group. Short-course treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is as efficacious as long-course therapy and significantly less expensive.
Potential Impacts of Sea-Level Rise and Land-Use Change on Special Flood Hazard Areas and Associated Risks

AbstractCurrent U.S. National Flood Insurance Program design standards and floodplain management policies are based on the special flood hazard area (SFHA), which is an area that has a 1% or more c...
Switch-like Arp2/3 activation upon WASP and WIP recruitment to an apparent threshold level by multivalent linker proteins in vivo

Actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex activation by nucleation promoting factors (NPFs) such as WASP, plays an important role in many actin-mediated cellular processes. In yeast, Arp2/3-mediated actin filament assembly drives endocytic membrane invagination and vesicle scission. Here we used genetics and quantitative live-cell imaging to probe the mechanisms that concentrate NPFs at endocytic sites, and to investigate how NPFs regulate actin assembly onset. Our results demonstrate that SH3 (Src homology 3) domain-PRM (proline-rich motif) interactions involving multivalent linker proteins play central roles in concentrating NPFs at endocytic sites. Quantitative imaging suggested that productive actin assembly initiation is tightly coupled to accumulation of threshold levels of WASP and WIP, but not to recruitment kinetics or release of autoinhibition. These studies provide evidence that WASP and WIP play central roles in establishment of a robust multivalent SH3 domain-PRM network in vivo, giving actin assembly onset at endocytic sites a switch-like behavior.
Impact of Amigo Oil and KDL on Grapevine Postbudburst Freeze Damage, Yield Components, and Fruit and Wine Composition

Field studies were conducted in 2014 and 2015 on Vitis vinifera cvs. Lemberger and Riesling and on interspecific hybrid cvs. Noiret and Traminette to evaluate the effectiveness of two sprayable products for reducing postbudburst freeze damage without impacting grape production, fruit composition, wine chemistry, or sensory perception. The treatments consisted of a) one application of a vegetable oil-based adjuvant (Amigo) during the dormant season to delay budburst and reduce the chance of frost damage; and b) application of a potassium fertilizer (KDL) within 24 hrs before a predicted frost event to increase plant freeze resistance. Amigo oil application significantly delayed budburst in Lemberger and Riesling in both years (six to 11 days), but the delay was less pronounced in Noiret and Traminette (two to four days). A frost event (minimum temperature −3°C) occurred in late spring 2015 in the Noiret and Traminette vineyard. At that time, the percentage of buds that had reached budburst was no longer lower in the Amigo oil-treated vines than other treatments. Neither Amigo oil nor KDL reduced freeze damage and crop loss in the hybrid cultivars. The lower osmotic potential of Noiret KDL-treated leaves compared to the control did not translate into increased freeze resistance under our experimental conditions. The delay in budburst in Amigo oil-treated vines did not impact fruit composition at harvest in any of the cultivars tested or the sensory perception of Riesling wines. Amigo oil applied at 10% concentration caused, however, phytotoxic effects (i.e., reduced cluster weight and bud survival). Further studies are needed before Amigo oil can be recommended as a frost-avoidance strategy.
Improvement in aqueous solubility achieved via small molecular changes

Overcoming poor solubility is a significant issue in drug discovery. The most common solution is to replace carbon atoms with polar heteroatoms such as N and O or by attaching a solubilizing appendage. This approach can lead to other issues such as poor activity and PK or the increased risk for toxicity. However, there are more subtle structural changes which can be employed that lead to an increase in solubility. These include, excising hydrophobic groups which do not efficiently contribute to binding, modifying stereo- and regiochemistry, increasing or decreasing the degree of unsaturation or adding small hydrophobic groups such as fluorine or methyl.
Investigating bitumen rejuvenation mechanisms using a coupled rheometry-morphology characterization approach

Abstract The reuse of oxidized bitumen offers a viable solution to enhancing pavements’ sustainability and reducing consumption of virgin bitumen. As such use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) containing approximately 5 and 20% bitumen, respectively has been promoted by both road authorities and the pavement industry. However, due to highly oxidized nature of aforementioned bitumen, its incorporation into new asphalt pavements can negatively impact their performance and lead to premature cracking. Therefore, restoring properties of oxidized bitumen is critical to render it as a viable source. This in turn, poses an intriguing scientific inquiry pertaining the definition and means of restoration. This paper defines a chemo-mechanical metrics for measuring extent of restoration while demonstrating the use of a bio-oil produced from swine manure as a cost-effective additive for rejuvenating aged bitumen. Bitumen used in this study includes both laboratory-aged bitumen and those extracted directly from field recovered samples. Characterization of the aged bitumen before and after rejuvenation was conducted by Rheometry, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The results of experiments showed that addition of aforementioned bio-oil referred to as bio-rejuvenator (BR) in this study significantly restored bitumen properties. In addition, correlation between size of morphological features referred to as “bees” and rheological properties suggests that “bee” length has a moderating effect on the relationship between bitumen’s stiffness and viscosity.
Biology and biochemistry of underground plant storage organs

Higher plants have evolved various ways of accumulating large amounts of assimilates, including both primary and secondary metabolites (micro- and macromolecules), in a single organ/location. Specialized cells and tissues such as trichomes, nectaries, and resin canals synthesize compounds which may protect the plants against pathogens and pests. A major mode of assimilate accumulation is the formation of seeds and fruits, which in most cases are the end result of sexual reproduction, although seeds can also originate through apomixis and fruits through treatment with growth regulators. A substantial amount of information is now available on the developmental and biochemical aspects of such organs,1 including the accumulation of starch,2 proteins,3 and a wide diversity of phytochemicals.4 In contrast, much less is known about the phytochemistry, biochemistry, and development of underground storage organs. This is surprising, considering that storage roots and tubers such as cassava, sweet potato, and potato constitute important staples for people in developing as well as developed countries in both tropical and temperate areas. This review summarizes some selected aspects of the phytochemistry, biochemistry, and ethnobotany of underground plant storage organs with emphasis on roots and tubers.
Synergistic enhancement of product quality through fast co-pyrolysis of acid pretreated biomass and waste plastic

Abstract With the increasing global production of plastics, co-pyrolyzing biomass and waste plastics has emerged as a promising way to improve the quality of pyrolysis products. In the present study, the possibility of enhancing the synergistic interactions between biomass and plastics was explored by co-pyrolyzing acid pretreated corn stover (CS) and polyethylene (PE) in the presence or absence of zeolite catalyst. During non-catalytic co-pyrolysis, the use of acid-pretreated CS was found to synergistically reduce char yield and increase both the yield and quality of CS-derived pyrolysis oil. When acid-pretreated CS was catalytically co-pyrolyzed with PE, the yields of aromatic hydrocarbons and alkene increased whereas the yields of solid residue and carbon oxides decreased to a much greater extent than co-pyrolyzing raw CS and PE. The synergistic effect was least significant with raw CS and PE, suggesting the presence of alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) in the biomass hinder the occurrence of synergy. The positive synergy was strongest with acid-infused CS and PE. When acid-infused CS was co-pyrolyzed with PE, not only did the yield of phenolic monomers increase, but levoglucosan yield also increased significantly. During catalytic co-pyrolysis, acid-infused CS and PE also produced the highest yield of aromatic hydrocarbon and lowest yield of solid residue. This study also showed that co-pyrolysis with PE mitigates char agglomeration associated with pyrolyzing CS alone.
Association of basal cell skin cancers with other cancers (United States).

Background: Persons with basal cell skin cancer (BCSC) have shown increased risk of developing cancer at several other sites.
On the Potentialities of Middle Range Theory

All of the papers under consideration1 advocate middle range theory in some form. I will attempt first to explicate the conceptions of middle range theory that are developed in the papers. This will involve an exploration of the ambiguities and differences of view in the several statements. Then, I will turn to an assessment of middle range theory and its possibilities.
Increased access to urgent care centers decreases low acuity diagnoses in a nearby hospital emergency department.

Abstract Objective We studied the impact four new urgent care centers (UCCs) had on a hospital emergency department (ED) in terms of overall census and proportion of low acuity diagnoses from 2009 to 2016. We hypothesized that low acuity medical problems frequently seen in UCCs would decrease in the ED population. Since Medicaid was not accepted at these UCCs, we also studied the Medicaid vs non-Medicaid discharged populations to see if there were some differences related to access to urgent care. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of computerized billing data. We included all patients from 2009 to 2016 who were seen in the ED. We used the Cochran-Armitage Trend Test to examine trends over time. Results As hypothesized, the proportion of ED patients with a diagnosis of pharyngitis decreased significantly over this time period from 1% to 0.6% (p Conclusion With the introduction of four new urgent care centers (UCCs) within 5 miles of the hospital, the ED diagnoses of pharyngitis and bronchitis, two of the most common diagnoses seen in UCCs, decreased significantly. Significantly more Medicaid discharged patients presented to the ED with pharyngitis than in the non-Medicaid discharged group, likely because Medicaid patients had no access to UCCs.
Determinants of Timely Adoption of the 2013 COSO Integrated Framework

In 2013, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) released an updated version of its widely utilized Internal Control - Integrated Framework. The update responded...
Abstract 119: Final Patient-Level Results From the Michigan Stroke Transitions Trial (MISTT): A Randomized Clinical Trial to Improve Stroke Transitions

Background: Navigating the transition after returning home following a stroke can be associated with substantial psychosocial and health-related challenges. The Michigan Stroke Transitions Trial (M...