cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advanced practice nurse professional advancement programs: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to explore existing literature related to advanced practice nurse professional advancement programs in order to examine and map the evidence, and identify any gaps in the literature. INTRODUCTION Most hospital systems utilize professional advancement models for their staff to recognize and reward employees who exceed expectations. Advanced practice nurses in direct patient care were previously not included in most advancement programs because of the novelty of the role. Implementation of an advanced practice nurse advancement program in a hospital system could help alleviate burdens by increasing retention and decreasing turnover, thus improving quality outcomes and stability of the health system. INCLUSION CRITERIA This scoping review will consider studies that include advanced practice nurses in direct patient care roles participating in professional advancement programs. The concept is advanced practice nurse professional advancement programs and related criteria and characteristics (e.g. length of service, performance review, educational preparation) and outcomes (e.g. improved recruitment, retention or employee satisfaction). Studies that have been conducted in any setting and geographical location where advanced practice nurses are employed will be included. METHODS Studies published in English from 1965 to present will be included. The databases to be searched include PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and PsycINFO. The search for unpublished evidence and gray literature will include ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, MedNar and various hospital websites. Retrieval of full-text studies and data extraction will be performed independently by two reviewers. The extracted data will be presented in diagrammatic or tabular form with an accompanying narrative summary.
Binding of SecA ATPase monomers and dimers to lipid vesicles.

The Escherichia coli SecA ATPase motor protein is essential for secretion of proteins through the SecYEG translocon into the periplasmic space. Its function relies upon interactions with the surrounding lipid bilayer as well as SecYEG translocon. That negatively charged lipids are required for bilayer binding has been known for >25 years, but little systematic quantitative data is available. We have carried out an extensive investigation of SecA partitioning into large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) using a wide range of lipid and electrolyte compositions, including the principal cytoplasmic salt of E. coli, potassium glutamate, which we have shown stabilizes SecA. The water-to-bilayer transfer free energy is about -7.5 kcal mol-1 for typical E. coli lipid compositions. Although it has been established that SecA is dimeric in the cytoplasm, we find that the most widely cited dimer form (PDB 1M6N) binds only weakly to LUVs formed from E. coli lipids.
Injury Diagnosis and Affected Body Part for Nonfatal Fall-Related Injuries in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Treated in Emergency Departments:

Objective: To estimate frequency and type of older adult fall-related injuries treated in emergency departments (EDs). Methods: We used the 2015 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System: All Injury Program. Patient data were abstracted from the narratives describing the circumstance of injury. Data for community-dwelling older adults (n = 34,336) were analyzed to explore differences in injury diagnosis by demographic characteristics, location of fall, and disposition. Results: 70% of head-related injuries were internal injuries, suggestive of a traumatic brain injury. Most hip injuries were fractures or dislocations (73.3%). Women had higher percentages of fractures/dislocations but lower percentages of internal injuries than men. About a third of fall-related ED visits required hospitalization or transfer. Discussion: Falls in older adults result in array of injuries and pose a burden on the healthcare system. Understanding how fall injuries vary by different characteristics can help inform targeted prevention strategies.
The wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici senses and responds to different wavelengths of light

The ascomycete fungus Zymoseptoria tritici (synonyms: Mycosphaerella graminicola, Septoria tritici) is a major pathogen of wheat that causes the economically important foliar disease Septoria tritici blotch. Despite its importance as a pathogen, little is known about the reaction of this fungus to light. To test for light responses, cultures of Z. tritici were grown in vitro for 16-h days under white, blue or red light, and their transcriptomes were compared with each other and to those obtained from control cultures grown in darkness. There were major differences in gene expression with over 3400 genes upregulated in one or more of the light conditions compared to dark, and from 1909 to 2573 genes specifically upregulated in the dark compared to the individual light treatments. Differences between light treatments were lower, ranging from only 79 differentially expressed genes in the red versus blue comparison to 585 between white light and red. Many of the differentially expressed genes had no functional annotations. For those that did, analysis of the Gene Ontology (GO) terms showed that those related to metabolism were enriched in all three light treatments, while those related to growth and communication were more prevalent in the dark. Interestingly, genes for effectors that have been shown previously to be involved in pathogenicity also were upregulated in one or more of the light treatments, suggesting a possible role of light for infection. This analysis shows that Z. tritici can sense and respond to light with a huge effect on transcript abundance. High proportions of differentially expressed genes with no functional annotations illuminates the huge gap in our understanding of light responses in this fungus. Differential expression of genes for effectors indicates that light could be important for pathogenicity; unknown effectors may show a similar pattern of transcription. A better understanding of the effects of light on pathogenicity and other biological processes of Z. tritici could help to manage Septoria tritici blotch in the future.
The Blind Child's Construction of the Projective Straight Line.

The blind child's concept of space is explored by the construction of the projective straight line. Designed by Jean Piaget, the task illustrates the shift from topological to projective and Euclid...
Dual-laser measurement of human stapes footplate motion under blast exposure

Abstract Hearing damage is one of the most frequently observed injuries in Service members and Veterans even though hearing protection devices (HPDs, e.g. earplugs) have been implemented to prevent blast-induced hearing loss. However, the formation and prevention mechanism of the blast-induced hearing damage remains unclear due to the difficulty for conducting biomechanical measurements in ears during blast exposure. Recently, an approach reported by Jiang et al. (2019) used two laser Doppler vibrometers (LDVs) to measure the motion of the tympanic membrane (TM) in human temporal bones during blast exposure. Using the dual laser setup, we further developed the technology to detect the movement of the stapes footplate (SFP) in ears with and without HPDs while under blast exposure. Eight fresh human cadaveric temporal bones (TBs) were involved in this study. The TB was mounted in a “head block” after performing a facial recess surgery to access the SFP, and a pressure sensor was inserted near the TM in the ear canal to measure the pressure reaching the TM (P1). The TB was exposed to a blast overpressure measuring around 7 psi or 48 kPa at the entrance of the ear canal (P0). Two LDVs were used to measure the vibrations of the SFP and TB (as a reference). The exact motion of the SFP was determined by subtracting the TB motion from the SFP data. Results included a measured peak-to-peak SFP displacement of 68.7 ± 31.6 μm (mean ± SD) from all eight TBs without HPDs. In five of the TBs, the insertion of a foam earplug reduced the SFP displacement from 48.3 ± 6.3 μm to 21.8 ± 10.4 μm. The time-frequency analysis of the SFP velocity signals indicated that most of the energy spectrum was concentrated at frequencies below 4 kHz within the first 2 ms after blast and the energy was reduced after the insertion of HPDs. This study describes a new methodology to quantitatively characterize the response of the middle ear and the energy entering the cochlea during blast exposure. The experimental data are critical for determining the injury of the peripheral auditory system and elucidating the damage formation and prevention mechanism in an ear exposed to blast.
Unique Degradation Signatures of Organic Solar Cells with Nonfullerene Electron Acceptors

We investigate the degradation phenomena of organic solar cells based on nonfullerene electron acceptors (NFA) using intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS). Devices composed of NIR ab...
Physical-Based Training Data Collection Approach for Data-Driven Lithium-Ion Battery State-of-Charge Prediction

Abstract Data-Driven approaches for State of Charge (SOC) prediction have been developed considerably in recent years. However, determining the appropriate training dataset is still a challenge for model development and validation due to the considerably varieties of lithium-ion batteries in terms of material, types of battery cells, and operation conditions. This work focuses on optimization of the training data set by using simple measurable data sets, which is important for the accuracy of predictions, reduction of training time, and application to online estimation. It is found that a randomly generated data set can be effectively used for the training data set, which is not necessarily the same format as conventional predefined battery testing protocols, such as constant current cycling, Highway Fuel Economy Cycle, and Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule. The randomly generated data can be successfully applied to various dynamic battery operating conditions. For the ML algorithm, XGBoost is used, along with Random Forest, Artificial Neural Network, and a reduced-order physical battery model for comparison. The XGBoost method with the optimal training data set shows excellent performance for SOC prediction with the fastest learning time within 1 s, a short running time of 0.03 s, and accurate results with a 0.358% Mean Absolute Percentage Error, which is outstanding compared to other Data-Driven approaches and the physics-based model.
Dimethyl 4,5-di­chloro­phthalate

While endeavoring to synthesize new chlorinated ligands for ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts, the title compound dimethyl 4,5-di­chloro­phthalate, C10H8Cl2O4, was prepared from commercially available 4,5-di­chloro­phthalic acid in ∼77% yield. The title mol­ecule, which also finds utility as a precursor mol­ecule for the synthesis of drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, shows one carbonyl-containing methyl ester moiety lying nearly co-planar with the chlorine-derivatized aromatic ring while the second methyl ester shows a significant deviation of 101.05 (12)° from the least-squares plane of the aromatic ring. Within the crystal, structural integrity is maintained by the concerted effects of electrostatic inter­actions involving the electron-deficient carbonyl carbon atom and the electron-rich aromatic ring along the a-axis direction and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between neighboring mol­ecules parallel to b.
Episiotomy: Evolution of a Common Obstetric Practice at a Public Hospital.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the rate and impact of episiotomy on maternal and newborn outcomes before and after restricted use of episiotomy. STUDY DESIGN This population-based observational study used an obstetric database of all deliveries since 1990 that has been maintained with quality checks. Inclusion criteria were vaginal deliveries at ≥37 weeks. Exclusion criteria included fetal malformations, multifetal gestations, or fetal deaths known on arrival to Labor and Delivery. The primary outcomes of interest were episiotomy, perineal lacerations, and newborn outcomes. To evaluate the impact of restrictive episiotomy, data from 1990 to 1997 (35% overall episiotomy rate) were compared with data from 2010 to 2017 (2.5% overall episiotomy rate). Univariable analysis of maternal and infant outcomes were performed comparing the two-time epochs with the Pearson's Chi-squared test. RESULTS Overall, 268,415 women met inclusion criteria and 49,089 (18.2%) had an episiotomy. The rate of episiotomy decreased from 37% of deliveries in 1990 to 2% in 2017. A total of 82,082 deliveries occurred in the 1990 to 1997 epoch and 57,183 in 2010 to 2017. Indicated use of episiotomy was associated with a significant decrease in third and fourth degree lacerations. Immediate newborn condition (5-minute Apgar's score ≤3 and umbilical artery pH <7.1) and neonatal outcomes (intraventricular hemorrhage [IVH] grade 3/4, positive culture sepsis, neonatal seizures, and neonatal demise) were not significantly different. CONCLUSION Selective, indicated use of episiotomy compared with routine was associated with lower rates of third/fourth-degree lacerations with no change in neonatal outcomes. The common obstetric practice of routinely performing episiotomy, presumably to prevent perineal trauma, proved untrue when analyzed over almost three decades. KEY POINTS · Episiotomy use decreased overtime at our institution.. · Decreased episiotomy use was associated with significant improvement in maternal outcomes.. · Neonatal outcomes were unchanged suggesting no deleterious effects with restricted episiotomy..
How to Build a Model of the Atmosphere and Spectrum

We want to include the opacity of millions or hundreds of millions of lines in model stellar atmosphere calculations, then generate detailed, realistic spectra from those model atmospheres, then model the observation process, and finally compare the calculated spectra to observed spectra to determine the properties of stars so that we can understand their evolution and the evolution of galaxies.
Strategic Rivalries in World Politics: Position, Space and Conflict Escalation

Part I. About Strategic Rivalries: 1. An introduction to strategic rivalries 2. Defining and identifying strategic rivalries in world politics 3. Describing strategic rivalries Part II. The Dangers of Strategic Rivalries: Crisis Behavior and Escalation: 4. Protracted conflict and crisis escalation 5. Serial crisis behavior and escalating risks Part III. Playing to Type: Spatial and Positional Issues in Strategic Rivalries: 6. Contiguity, space and position in the major power subsystem 7. Initiating and escalating positional and spatial rivalries Part IV. Filling in Some Steps to War: 8. Arms buildups and alliances in the steps-to-war theory 9. Contested territory and conflict escalation Part V. Strategic Rivalries and Conflict: 10. Inducements, facilitators, and suppressors.
Radiometric method for detection of bacteremia.

Abstract A study was performed with simulated blood cultures to evaluate the production of 14CO2 as an index of bacterial growth. With a range of inoculum sizes from 4 to 4,250 colony-forming units, it was not possible to detect 14CO2 within 6 hr after inoculation in 59 separate experiments. In a limited trial with patients' blood cultures, the radiometric method failed to provide any earlier evidence of bacteremia than did routine broth cultures.
Quantum Tunneling of Magnetization

In the past couple of years, interest in Quantum Tunneling of Magnetization (QTM) has grown significantly. Since the phenomenon had tended to be regarded as a mere curiosity and mathematical game for theorists to play around with, QTM had to wait for the recent experimental work being carried out at Grenoble, Barcelona, and IBM-Yorktown in order to be of great interest to experimentalists at large. Most of the basic theoretical groundwork has been laid; we present an introduction to the theory and a summary of the results thereof. We look forward to experimentalists to refine techniques of preparing and characterizing samples, making magnetic measurements, and, with the help of theoretical analysis, improving on our ability to analyze and interpret data from magnetization measurements. We can be sure that QTM is manifested in experimental results only when we have carried out a thorough analysis of the full range of manifestations of classical processes. In this regard, we discuss the work of Bernard Barbara and this author in developing further the theory of magnetic relaxation in composites by introducing the barrier plot, which is a surface plot of the distribution of energy barriers with respect to both the energy and the applied field. Next, we discuss the domain wall junction, which has great potential in exhibiting QTM. Finally, we discuss the role of dissipation in QTM.
The physics of the low-energy tail in the ACIS CCD: The spectral redistribution function

We studied the response of high-resistivity MOS CCDs to monochromatic X-ray illumination at energies ranging from 1.47 to 5.9 keV and discovered a new feature in the low-energy tail of the response function. We attribute it to the photons interacting in the gate insulator and explain the shape of the entire low-energy tail assuming that it is formed by electron charge clouds partially formed in the gate oxide. The size of the charge clouds derived from this model is much smaller than previously reported. This can be explained by a di!erent "eld distribution in a buried channel CCD. ( 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Abnormal pyridoxine metabolism in toxemia of pregnancy

Abstract Inasmuch as the administration of pyridoxine to the patient with toxemia is of no significant demonstrable therapeutic value, it has been suggested that the difficulty may lie, not in the nutritional availability of pyridoxine, but in the phosphorylization mechanism, a defect in pyridoxal kinase. Our current interest concerns itself with an attempt to determine whether this impression is warranted by direct analysis of patients with normal and toxemic placentas for pyridoxal kinase activity. These experiments are too premature to warrant any definitive conclusions at this time. In summary, therefore, it has been shown that: 1. 1. The pyridoxine content of placental tissue is low when compared to brain, kidney, and liver. 2. 2. Toxemic placentas are characterized by marked pyridoxine deficiency. 3. 3. Continued investigation of pyridoxal kinase activity in patients with normal and toxemic placentas is indicated.
Dissociation from the Perspective of Multiple Code Theory, Part I

AbstractWith his recognition of multiple systems of thought, and his emphasis on the relation of bodily and mental experience, Freud initiated a paradigm shift in the understanding of human inner life. A century later, we are engaged in another major advance within psychoanalytic theory that involves recognition of the inherently relational nature of emotional experience. This paper examines the basis for the relational perspective in current views of psychic organization, as formulated in terms of multiple code theory, supported by research in affective neuroscience, and also emphasizes the therapeutic implications of the new approach. As I discuss, the process of change in psychoanalysis requires an interpersonal space in which the threatening experience can play out, while the associated arousal of painful affect can be managed to an adequate degree. From this perspective, the authenticity of the therapist's emotional engagement is crucial to enabling the explorations and enactments that are required, ...
Automation of a quantitative immunochemical microanalysis of human serum transferrin: a model system.

The quantitative immunochemical determination of human serum transferrin was automated with a 100-µl sample. The estimated standard deviation from the true value was 7.9 mg/100 ml in 21 samples of serum, which had transferrin concentrations of 139-325 mg/100 ml.
Effect of Electrostatic Fields on Charged Reaction Products in Six-Beam Symmetrical Implosion Experiments

Alpha and proton reaction product spectra have been measured in exploding pusher experiments on the symmetrical illumination six-beam ZETA laser system (Nd-doped phosphate glass). DT ion temperatures and positive energy shifts for ..cap alpha.. particles and protons were obtained for experiments with incident on-target power between 1 and 2.5 TW. Time-averaged electrostatic potentials have been measured up to 330 kV.
A design of online scheme for evaluation of multinomials

We present an online arithmetic scheme for hardware evaluation of multinomials arising in Bayesian networks. The design approach consists of representing the multinomial in a factored form as an arithmetic circuit which is then partitioned into subgraphs and mapped to FPGA hardware as a network of online modules connected serially and operating in overlapped manner. This minimizes the interconnect demand without a drastic increase in computation latency. We developed a partitioning/mapping algorithm, designed basic radix-2 online operators and modules, and determined their cost/performance characteristics. We also evaluated the cost/performance characteristics of implementing a Bayesian network on an FPGA chip.
MANNOSE AND THE FIRST SUGAR OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS

During the past half century, scientific effort has been made to determine the course of photosynthesis. Among the numerous lines of investigation pertaining to this subject, the occurrence and behavior of the simple sugars and sucrose have interested many investigators. Physiologists seem to agree now that the simple sugars are the first sugars formed by plants ; and since the pentoses do not occur generally in leaves, the hexoses, glucose and fructose, might logically be the first sugars formed. It is possible that only glucose is the first sugar synthesized and that fructose, as well as all the other plant carbohydrates, arise from it. If this be the case, then it might well be expected that mannose should be formed also, since structurally it is so nearly like glucose and fructose ; and, too, whenever glucose is converted by means of its enolic forms to fructose in the laboratory, mannose is produced as abundantly as fructose. In other words, these three sugars when existing under conditions favoring the enolic conversion will exist in equilibrium. To date, mannose has not been found in photosynthetic tissues, but an attempt to find it there has apparently not been made. It is the object of this study to make a rather extensive search for mannose in leaves of many species of plants. It is hoped that the results may be such as to be of value in determining the first sugar of photosynthesis. In 1903 Herissey (3), after studying mannans and galactans in seeds, concluded that these reserves are digested to form mannose and galactose respectively; but since neither of these sugars was positively identified in juices of living plants, if they exist at all they must exist as intermediate products of hydrolysis and must be changed very quickly to other compounds. Thus although mannan, which after hydrolysis yields mannose and mannitol (a hexahydric alcohol), has been found in many plant parts, mannose itself has never been found except in traces in those parts of plants in which the mannan is stored.
Lewis Y Antigen as Detected by the Monoclonal Antibody BR96 is Expressed Strongly in Prostatic Adenocarcinoma

AbstractWe used the monoclonal antibody BR96 to determine the expression of the Lewis Y antigen in benign and malignant prostatic tissues. Strong immuno-staining was detected within the basal cells of benign glands in 29 of 30 specimens examined. In contrast, weak immuno-staining of the secretory (luminal) epithelium was detected in only 10 of these same 30 specimens. Moderate to strong immuno-staining of luminal cells, however, was observed in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in 15 of 17 specimens. Immuno-staining was detected within the malignant cells in all 49 specimens of primary prostatic adenocarcinoma examined. We used a semiquantitative technique to compare the extent of immuno-staining among well (combined Gleason score less than 6), moderately (combined Gleason score 6 to 7) and poorly (combined Gleason score more than 7) differentiated tumors as well as metastatic lesions. Poorly differentiated tumors demonstrated the greatest extent of immuno-staining compared to moderately and well differ...
Internalization of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 by Bovine Rectal Epithelial Cells

Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157) causes human diarrheal disease and healthy cattle are its primary reservoir. O157 colonize the bovine epithelial mucosa at the recto-anal junction (RAJ). Previous studies show that O157 at this site are not eliminated by aggressive interventions including applications of O157-specific lytic bacteriophages and other bactericidal agents. We hypothesize that some O157 at the RAJ mucosa are protected from these killing agents by host cell internalization. To test this hypothesis, rectal biopsies from O157 culture positive and negative cattle were analyzed by fluorescent microscopy and subjected to gentamicin protection assays. GFP-labeled bacteria were found located deep within the tissue crypts and a small number O157 were recovered from rectal biopsies after gentamicin treatment. Primary bovine rectal epithelial (PBRE) cell cultures were incubated with O157 and subjected to gentamin protection assays. Strains ATCC 43895, 43894, Sakai and WSU180 entered the PBRE cells with different levels of efficiency ranging from 0.18% to 25% of the inocula. Intracellular bacteria were confirmed to be within membrane-bounded vacuoles by electron microscopy. Cytocalasin B curtailed internalization of O157 indicating internalization was dependent on eukaryotic microfilament assembly. Strain ATCC 43895 exhibited the highest efficiency of internalization and survived for at least 24 h within PBEC cells. Deletion mutation of intimin, its receptor, or Shiga toxin in ATCC 43895 did not reduced bacterial internalization. This strain produced more biofilm than the others tested. Retrospective analysis of cattle challenged with two O157 strains, showed ATCC 43895, the most efficient at host cell internalization, was most persistent.
A novel modification of the ansa to recurrent laryngeal nerve reinnervation procedure for young children

Vocal ford paralysis is a condition often seen in otolaryngologic adult and pediatric clinics. We report a case we believe to be the youngest child to undergo ansa cervicalis (ansa) to recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) reinnervation for unilateral vocal fold paralysis. We have included the preoperative and postoperative videostroboscopic and acoustic findings. The acoustic data shows improvement and is consistent with the patient's improved voice quality. Most notably the patient's voice quality is less raspy and his volume has improved while subjectively requiring less effort.
Tonic phase of a generalized convulsive seizure is an independent predictor of postictal generalized EEG suppression

Summary Purpose To determine the incidence, duration, risk factors for, and clinical correlates of postictal generalized electroencephalography (EEG) suppression (PGES), and to further delineate the significance of PGES in the pathogenesis of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the video-EEG studies of 109 consecutive patients with 151 generalized convulsive seizures (GCS) during video-EEG monitoring. We determined the incidence, duration, and clinical correlates of PGES. We also investigated whether factors such as age, sex, seizure type, total seizure duration, and duration of tonic and clonic phases influenced PGES. Key Findings PGES was observed in 64 (58.7%) of 109 patients and in 98 (64.9%) of 151 GCS. Average duration of PGES was 42.4 ± 19.1 s. Statistical analysis showed that patients with PGES had no difference in age, gender, total seizure duration, total convulsive duration, clonic phase, seizure type, and seizure termination, as compared to those without PGES. However, tonic phase was significantly prolonged in patients with PGES than in those without PGES (p = 0.00086). A 1 s increase in tonic phase duration was associated with a 0.06 increase in log odds of PGES (odds ratio = 1.1, p = 0.00055). Clinically, 95.3% patients were unresponsive or immobile during PGES, whereas only 26.7% patients without PGES were unresponsive or immobile immediately after seizure termination. Significance PGES is a common EEG pattern of GCS. Tonic phase of GCS is an independent predictor of PGES, which is well correlated with postictal unresponsiveness or immobile, and may play a significant role in the mechanism of SUDEP.
IBM's electronic commerce solution: CommercePOINT

When businesses first began to adopt the Internet as a communication tool, using it as a direct sales channel was the idea that held the most allure for them. Unfortunately, the very features that made the Internet so attractive to businesses—its openness, global reach, and ease of use—were also its greatest impediments to exchanging money, intellectual property, and products securely and reliably over such a channel. Simply put, the Internet was not designed to address the unique needs of a marketplace.
New class of nucleophiles for palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation. Total synthesis of agelastatin A.

New classes of nucleophiles, pyrroles, and N-methoxyamides were developed for Pd-catalyzed AAA reactions. By varying the functional groups at the 2-position of pyrroles, either regioisomer of the piperazinone is available. Using one regioisomer, the total synthesis of (+)-agelastatin A in 10 total steps is accomplished. For this synthesis, a new copper-catalyzed aziridination and an indium-catalyzed oxidative ring opening of a N-tosylaziridine were developed. The feasibility of accessing (−)-agelastatin A from the same enantiomer of the chiral catalyst from the other regioisomeric piperazinone is indicated.
Characterization of SiCN Ceramic Material Dielectric Properties at High Temperatures for Harsh Environment Sensing Applications

A novel method is presented in this paper to precisely characterize the dielectric properties of silicon carbon nitride (SiCN) ceramic materials at high temperatures for wireless passive sensing applications. This technique is based on a high quality factor (Q) dielectrically loaded cavity resonator, which allows for accurate characterization of both dielectric constant and loss tangent. The dielectric properties of SiCN ceramics are characterized from 25 °C to 1000 °C. Two different metallization processes are implemented for the measurements with the highest temperatures of 500 °C and 1000 °C, respectively. A custom-made thru-reflect-line calibration kit is used to maximize the measurement accuracy at every temperature point. It is observed that the dielectric constant and loss tangent of the SiCN sample without Boron doping increase from 3.707 to 3.883 and from 0.0038 to 0.0213, respectively, when the temperature is raised from 25 °C to 500 °C, and for the SiCN with Boron doping (SiBCN), the dielectric constant and loss tangent increase from 4.817 to 5.132 and from 0.0020 to 0.0186, respectively, corresponding to the temperature ranging from 25 °C to 1000 °C. Experimental uncertainties for extracted er and tanδ are no more than 0.0004 and 0.0001, respectively. The temperature dependency of Si(B)CN dielectric properties, as well as the dielectrically loaded cavity resonator structure, provides the basis for the development of wireless passive temperature sensors for high-temperature applications.
The Mushroom Marasmius oreades Lectin Is a Blood Group Type B Agglutinin That Recognizes the Galα1,3Gal and Galα1,3Galβ1,4GlcNAc Porcine Xenotransplantation Epitopes with High Affinity

A blood group B-specific lectin from the mushroom Marasmius oreades (MOA) was investigated with respect to its molecular structure and carbohydrate binding properties. SDS-PAGE mass spectrometric analysis showed it to consist of an intact (H; 33 kDa) and truncated (L; 23 kDa) subunit in addition to a small polypeptide (P; 10 kDa). Isolation in the presence of EDTA produced only the H subunits, indicating that the latter two are formed by metalloprotease cleavage of the intact H subunit. Tryptic digestion of the H, L, and P polypeptide chains followed by mass spectral analysis supports this view. The lectin strongly precipitated blood group type B substance, was nonreactive with type A substance, and reacted weakly with type H substance. Carbohydrate binding studies reveal a high affinity for Galalpha1,3Gal (but not for the isomeric alpha1,2-, alpha1,4-, and alpha1,6-disaccharides); Galalpha1,3Galbeta1,4GlcNAc; and the type B branched trisaccharide. MOA also reacts strongly with murine laminin from the Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm sarcoma and bovine thyroglobulin, both of which contain multiple Galalpha1,3Galbeta1,4GlcNAc end groups. This linear B trisaccharide is a component of porcine tissues and organs, preventing their transplantation into humans. MOA also shares carbohydrate recognition of this trisaccharide with toxin A elaborated by Clostridium difficile.
Failure of Topical Polymyxin B to Improve Mild Plaque Psoriasis

Protein kinase C (PKC) is an enzyme involved in the regulation of cellular growth and differentiation. Hegemann et al 1 tested various PKC inhibitors in an immortalized keratinocyte cell culture. They showed that the degree of inhibition of cell proliferation was proportional to the potency of PKC inhibition. The authors speculated that PKC inhibitors might be effective for treatment of psoriasis. Hegemann et al showed that polymyxin B is a relatively potent inhibitor of PKC; however, unlike the other PKC inhibitors tested, polymyxin B caused little inhibition of cell proliferation in their culture system. Hegemann et al suspected that the polar polymer structure of polymyxin B prevented its penetration through keratinocyte cell membranes. Polymyxin B is in common use in over-the-counter preparations with an excellent safety record. Despite its poor inhibition of cell proliferation in culture, we performed a double-blind, randomized, bilateral, vehicle-controlled study comparing the effectiveness of topical polymyxin
A new way to prevent thrombosis

Venous thrombosis is a major problem in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The studies of Hillmen and colleagues in this issue of Blood show that an antibody to complement C5, eculizumab (Soliris), markedly inhibits thrombosis in affected patients. Although some studies show that
Biologism is Behavior: A Commentary on Wong and Wyatt

In response to Wong (2006) and Wyatt and Midkiff (2006), we argue that behaviors related to biologism—i.e., believing that biological explanations are more explanatory than they really are—and other aspects of biological psychiatry are susceptible to behavior analysis, and we explore the possibility of such an analysis with special attention to the interests of clinicians and clinical researchers. We also propose that behavior analysis, biology, and science in general may best be served by the adoption and promotion of a more philosophically and scientifically rigorous view of the interaction between biological and behavioral factors. Such a view would promote rational integration rather than opposition of theoretical systems.
Abortion and legal process in the United States: an overview of the post-Webster legal landscape.

The Webster decision has not satisfied either side of the abortion debate. The pro-choice groups view this decision as indicating a change in the Courts position on abortion. The decision renders Roes trimester system invalid and creates more room of abortion regulation at the state level. It will change the battle ground from the federal to the state level. The pro-life groups view it as not being restrictive enough. The states interest in the fetus has been strengthened but it is not yet as strong as they would like it to be. Most Americans are neither strongly pro-choice or strongly pro-life they believe that abortion is a very serious matter that deserves careful consideration of the maternal and fetal rights. Looking to Frances abortion legislation reveals the fact that compromise is probably the best solution. In 1975 they adopted a law that recognizes both maternal and fetal rights and value. The law allows for abortion up to week 10 but requires proper respect be paid to the fetus. After week 10 the law becomes more restrictive. Also the law encourages the use of contraceptives in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies and thus abortions. This law satisfies no one but keeps everyone happy enough that abortion is no longer apolitical issue. In the US the Roe decision stated that the fetus had no rights or value in the beginning. It also implied that thinking that life begins at conception was wrong. This is not an example of compromise. The Roe decision only enraged the pro-life groups because they felt that the Court had invalidated their position. If however the Court had admitted that their position had merit but that there were other conflicting positions that also had merit and that a compromise was in order the abortion controversy would not be one of the biggest political issues to date. Some states will have very restrictive laws other will continue to have liberal access to abortion.
The envelope of the error for trigonometric and Chebyshev interpolation

The error in Chebyshev or Fourier interpolation is the product of a rapidly varying factor with a slowly varying modulation. This modulation is the “envelope” of the error. Because this slow modulation controls the amplitude of the error, it is crucial to understand this “error envelope.” In this article, we show that the envelope varies strongly withx, but its variations can be predicted from the convergence-limiting singularities of the interpolated function f(x). In turn, this knowledge can be translated into a simple spectral correction algorithm for wringing more accuracy out of the same pseudospectral calculation of the solution to a differential equation.
In vitro myocardial depression by ketamine or thiopental is dependent on the underlying beta‐adrenergic tone

Background: Depression of myocardial contractility by muscarinic stimulation is dependent on the underlying beta-adrenergic tone. Prior beta-adrenergic stimulation enhances muscarinic negative inotropic responses, an effect that has been termed accentuated antagonism. The purpose of this study was to determine whether accentuated antagonism occurs with myocardial depression caused by thiopental or ketamine. Methods: Using an isolated, electrically stimulated rat left atrium model, the dose-response curves to the muscarinic agonist carbachol and the anesthetics ketamine and thiopental were compared under conditions of high (10-6M isoproterenol bath concentration) or low (10-6M propranolol) beta-adrenergic tone. Results: As expected, depression by carbachol was accentuated in preparations stimulated with isoproterenol compared with atria treated with propranolol. The decrease in tension by high doses (>400 μM thiopental, >200 μM ketamine) of thiopental or ketamine was attenuated in isoproterenol-stimulated tissue when compared with beta-adrenergic blocked muscle. Low concentrations (200 μM thiopental, 100 μM ketamine) of anesthetic caused either no change in contractility (thiopental) or small positive inotropic responses (ketamine) in propranolol-treated but not isoproterenol-stimulated tissue. Conclusions: In contrast to muscarinic agonists, myocardial depression by high concentrations of ketamine or thiopental is attenuated by prior beta-adrenergic stimulation. Positive inotropic responses may be seen with low concentrations of ketamine in muscle with low beta-adrenergic tone. The results of this study demonstrate that the underlying beta-adrenergic tone greatly influences the in vitro response of cardiac tissue to ketamine or thiopental.
Acceptance of Generalized versus “Bona Fide” Personality Interpretation

Student responses to generalized and “bona fide” personality interpretations were explored in 2 experiments. The “fake” generalized interpretation was significantly preferred and more highly rated than interpretations based on 120 Ss' actual test scores. Explanations and consequences of these findings were discussed.
Serotonylation of vascular proteins important to contraction.

Background Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) was named for its source (sero-) and ability to modify smooth muscle tone (tonin). The biological effects of 5-HT are believed to be carried out by stimulation of serotonin receptors at the plasma membrane. Serotonin has recently been shown to be synthesized in vascular smooth muscle and taken up from external sources, placing 5-HT inside the cell. The enzyme transglutaminase uses primary amines such as 5-HT to covalently modify proteins on glutamine residues. We tested the hypothesis that 5-HT is a substrate for transglutaminase in arterial vascular smooth muscle, with protein serotonylation having physiological function. Methodology/principal findings The model was the rat aorta and cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. Western analysis demonstrated that transglutaminase II was present in vascular tissue, and transglutaminase activity was observed as a cystamine-inhibitable incorporation of the free amine pentylamine-biotin into arterial proteins. Serotonin-biotin was incorporated into alpha-actin, beta-actin, gamma-actin, myosin heavy chain and filamin A as shown through tandem mass spectrometry. Using antibodies directed against biotin or 5-HT, immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry confirmed serotonylation of smooth muscle alpha-actin. Importantly, the alpha-actin-dependent process of arterial isometric contraction to 5-HT was reduced by cystamine. Conclusions 5-HT covalently modifies proteins integral to contractility and the cytoskeleton. These findings suggest new mechanisms of action for 5-HT in vascular smooth muscle and consideration for intracellular effects of primary amines.
Changes in pituitary and plasma follicle stimulating hormone concentrations during the rat estrous cycle.

Pituitary FSH content (Steelman- Pohley assay) in rats exhibiting 4- and 5- day cycles was elevated at 10 AM on the day of proestrus. The content decreased to minimal values by 3:30 PM on that day, coinciding with an increase of FSH in the plasma. Both pituitary and plasma FSH were low during estrus. These changes in pituitary and plasma FSH are similar to those previously reported for LH. Barbital administered before 1 PM on proestrus, or anestrogen-antagonist, MER-25, administered at 10 AM on the day before proestrus, each prevented ovulation and also inhibited the depletions in pituitary FSH and LH contents that normally occur between proestrus and estrus. The striking similarity of changes in FSH to changes in LH suggest that the 2 gonadotropins may share, at least partially, a common releasing or regulatory mechanism. (Endocrinology 83: 433, 1968)
Luminescence and intersystem crossing processes in camphoroquinone crystals

Abstract The use of phosphorescence microwave double resonance (PMDR) in detecting intersystem crossing (ISC) from higher excited singlet states is discussed. The method is then applied to camphorquinone for which such processes have been proposed to take place. The results of PMDR as well as other luminescence studies show no evidence to support such proposals. Theoretical aspects of the spin-orbit coupling interactions between n,π * states in cis-α-diketones are analyzed. The results indicate that while nonplanarity allows direct spin-orbit coupling between n,π * states of the same configuration, unlike in benzophenone, the one-center spin-orbit coupling terms vanish. Thus nonplanarity could only enhance spin-orbit coupling between n,π * states of different configurations. These selection rules predict inefficient S 2 → T 2 and S 1 → T 1 ISC in CQ and account for the luminescence properties of this compound.
Optimality conditions for Hunter's bound

The bound known as Hunter's bound states that P(A"[email protected][email protected]?A"n)@[email protected]?"i"="1^np"[email protected]?"{"i","j"}"@?"Tp"i","j, where T designates the heaviest spanning tree of the graph on n nodes with edge weights p"i","j. We prove that Hunter's bound is optimal if and only if the input probabilities are given on a tree.
Sampling of Time-Resolved Full-Waveform LIDAR Signals at Sub-Nyquist Rates

Third-generation full-waveform (FW) light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems collect time-resolved 1-D signals generated by laser pulses reflected off of intercepted objects. From these signals, scene depth profiles along each pulse path can be readily constructed. By emitting a series of pulses toward a scene using a predefined scanning pattern and with the appropriate sampling and processing, an image-like depth map can be generated. Unfortunately, massive amounts of data are typically acquired to achieve acceptable depth and spatial resolutions. The sampling systems acquiring this data, however, seldom take into account the underlying low-dimensional structure generally present in FW signals and, consequently, they sample very inefficiently. Our main goal and focus here is to develop efficient sampling models and processes to collect individual time-resolved FW LIDAR signals. Specifically, we study sub-Nyquist sampling of the continuous-time LIDAR FW reflected pulses, considering two different sampling mechanisms: 1) modeling FW signals as short-duration pulses with multiple band-limited echoes; and 2) modeling them as signals with finite rates of innovation.
Lineament azimuths on Europa: Implications for obliquity and non-synchronous rotation

Abstract Lineaments are thought to form as tensile cracks due to tidal stress, which is driven mainly by Europa’s eccentric orbit. However, this model would not produce the wide range of lineament azimuths observed on Europa unless the stress in a given region, or the conditions for fault failure, change over time. In this work, we test the ability of two mechanisms that would alter the stress field over time to account for the observed lineament azimuths: non-synchronous rotation and spin pole precession. First, we revisit previous analysis of lineaments and find that an underlying assumption used to predict their azimuths was inconsistently applied. After revising these predictions, we incorporate the effects of a non-zero obliquity, which has been shown to influence the formation of other tidal-tectonic features. We then expand our analysis to include the effects of the time-variable phenomena, spin pole precession and non-synchronous rotation of the ice shell. We also consider additional failure assumptions to those used in previous work on lineament azimuths. We test our models against the azimuths of observed lineaments in the Bright Plains region of Europa. Without obliquity, we find that non-synchronous rotation is insufficient to explain the wide range of azimuths observed in this region. In the presence of obliquity, we find that either spin pole precession or non-synchronous rotation could produce wide variations in lineament azimuths. However, neither model can independently account for the observed distribution of azimuths in the Bright Plains region. In fact, a model in which all of the lineaments are assumed to form at random orientations outperforms the non-synchronous rotation model in our statistical tests. The model with the highest likelihood of producing the observations is one in which 45% of the lineaments formed as predicted in the precession model, 55% formed at random orientations, and older lineaments are less represented in the tectonic record. Given the relative timescales expected for spin pole precession and non-synchronous rotation, it makes sense that the signal of precession is more apparent in the tectonic record. These results are in good agreement with assessments of strike-slip faults; modeling of both types of features indicates a large obliquity, the same spin pole direction during the most recent epoch of tectonic activity, a similar percentage of features that are not well-explained by the tidal model, and little evidence of non-synchronous rotation.