cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic model and cooperative control of a serially linked manipulator system

The use of a redundant manipulator to execute multiple tasks specified at different points on the manipulator is demonstrated. This is accomplished by decomposing a redundant arm at an intermediate arm location called the 'elbow' into two nonredundant local arms referred as the 'basearm' and the 'forearm'. This decomposition transforms a redundant arm into a serially linked dual-arm system, where the cooperation between the basearm and the forearm is carried out through task distribution and elbow control. The kinematics of a decomposed redundant manipulator are discussed, and a Cartesian space dynamic model and dynamic equation of a decomposed redundant manipulator are presented. The capability of generating Cartesian force, the local efficiency of generating Cartesian acceleration, and dynamic task distribution are discussed. >
Meta-synthesis of presence in nursing

Aim. This paper reports a meta-synthesis of the concept of presence. Background. Presence is a complex concept that is vague and poorly defined. It is often confused with other concepts such as caring, empathy, therapeutic use of self, support and nurturance. Adding to this confusion is the fact that presence has been fragmented into numerous types, used indiscriminately and combined with other concepts such as caring. Method. The nursing literature was searched using the cinahl, Dissertation Abstracts and Missouri Bibliographic Information User System databases and the keywords presence, concept analysis, qualitative studies, grounded theory, phenomenology and ethnography. The reference lists of the sources were also scrutinized. Four linguistic concept analyses and 14 qualitative studies of presence were identified and a meta-analysis was conducting using these. Findings. Presence is an interpersonal process that is characterized by sensitivity, holism, intimacy, vulnerability and adaptation to unique circumstances. It consists of a process in which patients demonstrate a need for and openness to presence. In turn, nurses must be willing to enact presence and practice within an environment that is conducive to it. Nurses must also possess personal and professional maturity and base their practice on moral principles of commitment and respect for individual differences. The process results in enhanced mental well-being for nurses and patients and improved physical well-being for patients. In keeping with the nature of a process, the consequences of presence go on to influence its future enactment. Conclusion. Advanced concept analysis methods should be used to further explicate presence and differentiate it from other nursing constructs. Until this is done, scholars are cautioned against parsing the term and combining it with vaguely defined nursing concepts such as caring. Researchers are urged to consider how presence can be preserved using tele-health technology and in time-sensitive healthcare settings.
A comparison of two milling strategies to reduce the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol in barley.

Winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), a potential feedstock for fuel ethanol production, may be contaminated with the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). DON is a threat to feed and food safety in the United States and may become concentrated during the production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). DDGS is a coproduct of fuel ethanol production and is increasingly being used as feed for domestic animals. Therefore, new strategies to reduce the threat of DON in DDGS need to be developed and implemented for grain destined for fuel ethanol production. It is known that large concentrations of DON accumulate in the hulls of wheat and barley. Consequently, improved methods are needed to carefully remove the hull from the grain and preserve the starchy endosperm. Whole kernels from five Virginia winter barley genotypes were used to evaluate the abilities of two different milling strategies (roller milling and precision milling (FitzMill)) for their ability to remove the hull-enriched tissue...
A novel branch and bound algorithm for optimal development of gas fields under uncertainty in reserves

We consider the problem of optimal investment and operational planning for development of gas fields under uncertainty in gas reserves. Assuming uncertainties in the size and initial deliverabilities of the gas fields, the problem has been formulated as a multistage stochastic program by Goel and Grossmann (2004). In this paper, we present a set of theoretical properties satisfied by any feasible solution of this model. We also present a Lagrangean duality based branch and bound algorithm that is guaranteed to give the optimal solution of this model. It is shown that the properties presented here achieve significant reduction in the size of the model. In addition, the proposed algorithm generates significantly superior solutions than the deterministic approach and the heuristic proposed by Goel and Grossmann (2004). The optimality gaps are also much tighter.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection Leads to Loss of Serine-2 Phosphorylation on the Carboxyl-Terminal Domain of RNA Polymerase II

Previous studies have shown that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection alters the phosphorylation of the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II), creating a new form of the enzyme known as RNAP II(I). However, the specific phosphorylation changes induced by HSV-1 have not been characterized. In this study, we used phospho-specific anti-CTD antibodies to probe the structure of the postinfection RNAP II. We find that RNAP II(I) is phosphorylated on serine-5 (Ser-5) of the CTD consensus repeat but generally lacks phosphorylation on serine-2 (Ser-2). Since Ser-2 phosphorylation is normally associated with efficient transcriptional elongation and the recruitment of pre-mRNA processing factors, our results suggest that RNAP II(I) may have altered elongation properties and decreased interactions with the mRNA processing machinery. The viral factors responsible for the reduction in Ser-2 CTD phosphorylation were studied. We found that viral immediate-early (IE) gene expression is required and sufficient, in the context of infection, for loss of Ser-2 phosphorylation. However, studies with viral mutants failed to implicate a single IE protein (among ICP0, ICP4, ICP22, and ICP27) in this process. Although most Ser-2-phosphorylated RNAP II is lost after infection, our immunofluorescence analyses identified a small subfraction that escapes loss and relocalizes to splicing antigen-rich nuclear speckles. A similar phenomenon is seen in uninfected cells after various treatments that inhibit RNAP II transcription. We hypothesize that the HSV-1-induced relocalization of residual Ser-2-phosphorylated RNAP II to nuclear speckles reflects a host response to the inhibition of cellular gene transcription.
STRUCTURAL, CHEMICAL AND ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ON IRIDESCENCE IN IRIDAEA (RHODOPHYTA)1

Transmission electron microscopy of the iridescent algae Iridaea flaccida (S & G) Silva, Iridaea cordata (Turn.) Bory var. cordata and I. cordata var. splendens (S & G) Abbott reveals a multilaminated cuticle covering the thallus. Experimental results show the cuticle: a) can be isolated intact by mechanical scraping or NaOH treatment; b) is iridescent by itself and the denuded thallus is not; and, c) is isolated without any subtending polysaccharide layer, cell walls, or cells. This cuticle acts as a thin layer producing the constructive and destructive light interference which is seen as iridescence. It is formed of alternating electron opaque and translucent layers with a total thickness of 0.5–1.6 μm. Analysis of mechanically isolated cuticle shows that it is composed of protein (50%), carbohydrate (ca. 40%), inorganic salts (5%) and some fatty acids (less than 1.0%). The electron opaque layers may correspond to protein-rich regions and the electron translucent ones to regions rich in carbohydrates. The cuticle does not appear to affect photosynthesis or respiration, but rather, may protect the alga from physical factors such as desiccation and from predator injury. It is likely that the iridescence in other foliaceous red algae is caused by a similar structure.
Cutting Edge: FYCO1 Recruitment to Dectin-1 Phagosomes Is Accelerated by Light Chain 3 Protein and Regulates Phagosome Maturation and Reactive Oxygen Production

L chain 3 (LC3)-associated phagocytosis is a process in which LC3, a protein canonically involved in engulfing intracellular materials (autophagy), is recruited to traditional phagosomes during internalization of extracellular payloads. LC3's association with phagosomes has been implicated in regulating microbial killing, Ag processing, and phagosome maturation; however, the mechanism by which LC3 influences these processes has not been clear. In this study, we report that FYVE and coiled-coil domain containing 1 (FYCO1), a protein previously implicated in autophagosome trafficking, is recruited directly by LC3 to Dectin-1 phagosomes. During LC3-associated phagocytosis, FYCO1 recruitment facilitates maturation of early p40phox(+) phagosomes into late LAMP1(+) phagosomes. When FYCO1 is lacking, phagosomes stay p40phox(+) longer and produce more reactive oxygen.
Algebraic Theories for Continuous Semilattices

Continuous lattices were introduced by D. Scott in [5]; they have been studied intensively and found numerous applications We refer to the Compendium [1] for a comprehensive survey of continuous lattices and related topics. In some applications, e.g. in K. Keimel’s study of compact convex sets in locally convex topological vector spaces [2], continuous sup semilattices have been useful.
Seabed mining law in turmoil

When it was realized last December that the United States would not sign the United Nations (U.N.) Law of the Sea Convention, it was suspected that the issue of deep seabed mining was a preeminent factor. According to a recent discussion by members of the Marine Resources Project of the University of Manchester, U.K. (New Sci., January 1983), the thinking of many national delegations was focused on the aspects of ocean-floor nodule mining. The United States would rather make less sweeping agreements, limited to those countries that already have deep-sea mining investments. Such an agreement has been made on an interim basis between the United States, France, West Germany, and the United Kingdom. Third World nations, on the other hand, have a vested interest in having the convention signed, because they would share in the profits.
Multicellular Architecture of Malignant Breast Epithelia Influences Mechanics

Cell-matrix and cell-cell mechanosensing are important in many cellular processes, particularly for epithelial cells. A crucial question, which remains unexplored, is how the mechanical microenvironment is altered as a result of changes to multicellular tissue structure during cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the influence of the multicellular tissue architecture on mechanical properties of the epithelial component of the mammary acinus. Using creep compression tests on multicellular breast epithelial structures, we found that pre-malignant acini with no lumen (MCF10AT) were significantly stiffer than normal hollow acini (MCF10A) by 60%. This difference depended on structural changes in the pre-malignant acini, as neither single cells nor normal multicellular acini tested before lumen formation exhibited these differences. To understand these differences, we simulated the deformation of the acini with different multicellular architectures and calculated their mechanical properties; our results suggest that lumen filling alone can explain the experimentally observed stiffness increase. We also simulated a single contracting cell in different multicellular architectures and found that lumen filling led to a 20% increase in the "perceived stiffness" of a single contracting cell independent of any changes to matrix mechanics. Our results suggest that lumen filling in carcinogenesis alters the mechanical microenvironment in multicellular epithelial structures, a phenotype that may cause downstream disruptions to mechanosensing.
Paleolakes and impact basins in southern Arabia Terra, including Meridiani Planum: Implications for the formation of hematite deposits on Mars

[1] The hematite deposit in Meridiani Planum was selected for a Mars Exploration Rover (MER) landing site because water could be involved in the formation of hematite, and water is a key ingredient in the search for life. Our discovery of a chain of paleolake basins and channels along the southern margin of the hematite deposits in Meridiani Planum with the presence of the strongest hematite signature adjacent to a paleolake basin, supports the possible role of water in the formation of the hematite and the deposition of other layered materials in the region. The hematite may have formed by direct precipitation from lake water, as coatings precipitated from groundwater, or by oxidation of preexisting iron oxide minerals. The paleolake basins were fed by an extensive channel system, originating from an area larger than Texas and located south of the Schiaparelli impact basin. On the basis of stratigraphic relationships, the formation of channels in the region occurred over much of Mars' history, from before the layered materials in Meridiani Planum were deposited until recently. The location of the paleolake basins and channels is connected with the impact cratering history of the region. The earliest structure identified in this study is an ancient circular multiringed basin (800–1600 km diameter) that underlies the entire Meridiani Planum region. The MER landing site is located on the buried northern rim of a later 150 km diameter crater. This crater is partially filled with layered deposits that contained a paleolake in its southern portion.
STATISTICAL MECHANICS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL: THE GASLAB MULTI-AGENT MODELING TOOLKIT

In the Connected Learning projects, we are studying students' learning of content through exploring and constructing computer-based models of that content. This paper presents a case study of a high school physics teacher's design and exploration of a computer-based model of gas molecules in a box. We follow up the case study with shorter vignettes of students' exploration and elaboration of the Gas-in-a-Box model. The cases lead us to analyze and discuss the role of model-based inquiry in science and mathematics education as well as to draw some general conclusions with respect to the design of model- ing languages and the design of pedagogies and activities appropriate for model-based inquiry in classroom settings.
Foxc2 Is a Common Mediator of Insulin and Transforming Growth Factor β Signaling to Regulate Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type I Gene Expression

Elevated plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type I (PAI-1), a significant risk factor of ischemic heart disease, are associated with insulin resistance in which insulin and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β play a pivotal role in regulating PAI-1 production. Forkhead transcription factor FOXC2 is an important regulator of insulin resistance. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms to link FOXC2 to PAI-1 levels in insulin resistance remain to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that Foxc2 is a common transcriptional activator of insulin and TGF-β signaling to directly regulate PAI-1 expression via 2 distinct target sites, an insulin response element (IRE) and a novel forkhead-binding element (FBE), adjacent to a Smad-binding site. We found that in adipocytes and endothelial cells Foxc2 mediates insulin action competing with another Forkhead protein, FOXO1, via the insulin response element, and simultaneously cooperate with the TGF-β/Smad pathway to transactivate PAI-1. Importantly, Foxc2 haploinsufficiency in mice significantly attenuates TGF-β1–induced PAI-1 expression in the cardiovascular system and adipose tissue. Taken together, we propose that Foxc2 is a key molecule to regulate PAI-1 gene expression.
Multiple Discreteness and Product Differentiation: Demand for Carbonated Soft Drinks

For several of the largest supermarket product categories, such as carbonated soft drinks, canned soups, ready-to-eat cereals, and cookies, consumers regularly purchase assortments of products. Within the category, consumers often purchase multiple products and multiple units of each alternative selected on a given trip. This multiple discreteness violates the single-unit purchase assumption of multinomial logit and probit models. The misspecification of such demand models in categories exhibiting multiple discreteness would produce incorrect measures of consumer response to marketing mix variables. In studying product strategy, these models would lead to misleading managerial conclusions. We use an alternative microeconomic model of demand for categories that exhibit the multiple discreteness problem. Recognizing the separation between the time of purchase and the time of consumption, we model consumers purchasing bundles of goods in anticipation of a stream of consumption occasions before the next trip. We apply the model to a panel of household purchases for carbonated soft drinks.
Hybridization of Neotyphodium endophytes enhances competitive ability of the host grass

Associations with microbial symbionts may lead to niche differentiation of their host. Vertically transmitted Neotyphodiumendophytes of grasses often hybridize in nature. Infection by these hybrid symbionts may result in different host–plant phenotypes from those caused as a result of infection by nonhybrid symbionts. Observations of wild Arizona fescue (Festuca arizonica) populations show that hybrid Neotyphodium-infected (H+) grasses dominate in resource-poor environments, whereas nonhybrid endophyte-infected (NH+) grasses dominate in environments with more resources. We studied the hypothesis that hybridization of endophytes increases stress tolerance of the host.To test whether hybridization of Neotyphodium affects performance and competitive abilities of the host depending on resources, we conducted a glasshouse experiment where competition, nutrients and watering were manipulated.H+ plants had greater wet biomass than NH+ and endophyte-free plants, when grown in competition, but only in low-water and low-nutrient treatments. By contrast, NH+ plants did not perform better than H+ or endophyte-free plants regardless of the treatment combination.Our results suggest that hybridization of symbiotic Neotyphodium endophytes may increase competitive potential of the host in stressful environments and that this hybridization may be underlying niche expansion of Arizona fescue in the environments with low resources.
Effects of Substituting Granulin or a Granulin-Polyhedrin Chimera for Polyhedrin on Virion Occlusion and Polyhedral Morphology in Autographa californica Multinucleocapsid Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus

Substitution of granulin from the Trichoplusia ni granulosis virus (TnGV) for polyhedrin of the Autographa californica multinucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) yielded a few very large (2 to 5 μm) cuboidal inclusions in the cytoplasm and nucleus of infected cells. These polyhedra lacked the beveled edges characteristic of wild-type AcMNPV polyhedra, contained fractures, and occluded few virions. Placing a nuclear localization signal (KRKK) in granulin directed more granulin to the nucleus and resulted in more structurally uniform cuboidal inclusions in which no virions were observed. A granulin-polyhedrin chimera produced tetrahedral occlusions with more virions than granulin inclusions but many fewer than wild-type polyhedra. Despite the unusual structure of the granulin and granulin-polyhedrin inclusions, they interacted with AcMNPV p10 fibrillar structures and electron-dense spacers that are precursors of the polyhedral calyx. The change in inclusion shape obtained with the granulin-polyhedrin chimera demonstrates that the primary amino acid sequence affects occlusion body shape, but the large cuboidal inclusions formed by granulin indicate that the amino acid sequence is not the only determinant. The failure of granulin or the granulin-polyhedrin chimera to properly occlude AcMNPV virions suggests that specific interactions occur between polyhedrin and other viral proteins which facilitate normal virion occlusion and occlusion body assembly and shape in baculoviruses.
Use of Confocal Microscopy To Analyze the Rate of Vancomycin Penetration through Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms

When bacteria assume the biofilm mode of growth, they can tolerate levels of antimicrobial agents 10 to 1,000 times higher than the MICs of genetically equivalent planktonic bacteria. The properties of biofilms that give rise to antibiotic resistance are only partially understood. Inhibition of antibiotic penetration into the biofilm may play a role, but this has not been proven directly. In this report, penetration of the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin into viable Staphylococcus aureus biofilms was analyzed by confocal scanning laser microscopy using a fluorescently labeled derivative of the drug. We found that while vancomycin bound to free-floating bacteria in water within 5 min, it took more than 1 h to bind to cells within the deepest layers of a biofilm. These results indicate that the antibiotic is transported through the depth of the biofilm but that the rate is significantly reduced with respect to its transport through flowing water. This suggests that, whereas planktonic bacteria were rapidly exposed to a full bolus of vancomycin, the bacteria in the deeper layers of the biofilm were exposed to a gradually increasing dose of the drug due to its reduced rate of penetration. This gradual exposure may allow the biofilm bacteria to undergo stress-induced metabolic or transcriptional changes that increase resistance to the antibiotic. We also investigated the role of poly-N-acetylglucosamine, an important component of the S. aureus biofilm matrix, and found that its production was not involved in the observed decrease in the rate of vancomycin penetration.
EXCEED: Exforge®-intensive control of hypertension to evaluate efficacy in diastolic dysfunction: study rationale, design, and participant characteristics:

Background Both diastolic dysfunction and increased vascular stiffness represent important measures of target-organ damage in hypertension. Whether intensive blood pressure (BP) control can further improve these measures remains unknown. Methods EXCEED is a prospective, randomized open-label blinded endpoint trial (PROBE) design, aiming to test the hypothesis that more aggressive BP lowering would result in greater improvement in diastolic function among patients with stage II hypertension, evidence of diastolic dysfunction and preserved systolic function (EF > or = 50%). Patients were randomized to one of two treatment strategies, targeting systolic blood pressure (SBP) Results Two hundred and twenty eight patients (50% female) with mean age of (59.6+/-9.7) years and mean BP of (162+/-14/92+/-13 mmHg) were randomized equally to either treatment strategies. Left ventricular hypertrophy was present among Conclusion EXCEED will determine whether intensive BP lowering will further improve diastolic dysfunction and vascular stiffness among patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
Gas phase NMR spectra of N,N-dimethylnitrosamine. Environmental effects on kinetic parameters

Abstract Gas phase 1 H NMR spectra of N,N -dimethylnitrosamine are consistent with first order chemical exchange rate constants which are ca. 25 times faster than those observed in neat liquids at corresponding temperatures. The associated kinetic parameters: E act (∞), 20.5(1.1) kcal mol −1 , Δ H ‡ , 19.7(1.0) kcal mol −1 and Δ G ‡ , 21.1(0.4) kcal mol −1 are approximately 2.5 kcal mol −1 lower than the most recently reported values for the neat liquid. The observed phase dependence is consistent with a process proceeding via a freely rotating transition state.
Tekbots/sup TM/: creating excitement for engineering through community, innovation and troubleshooting

Attracting, educating and retaining new engineering students is a challenge. The creative aspirations and "can do" attitude spawned by the space race, Heathkits, and homemade crystal radios have been replaced with the passive satisfaction of video games, cell phones and throwaway electronic appliances. At Oregon State University the authors have made a fundamental change in their presentation of electrical engineering to freshmen by using a robot platform they call TekBots. They are emphasizing innovation, community building, and troubleshooting. Their aim is to put the fun and excitement back into electrical engineering and thus retain and inspire new students. This ultimately will extend throughout the curriculum using the robot as a platform for learning. Rather than a single point project, the robot becomes the integration platform for learning and experimentation in almost every class for four years.
Assessing commercial opportunities for autologous and allogeneic cell-based products

The two primary cell sources used to produce cell-based therapies are autologous (self-derived) and allogeneic (derived from a donor). This analysis attempts to compare and contrast the two approaches in order to understand whether there is an emerging preference in the market. While the current clinical trials underway are slightly biased to autologous approaches, it is clear that both cell-based approaches are being aggressively pursued. This analysis also breaks down the commercial advantages of each cell-based approach, comparing both cost of goods and the ideal indication type for each. While allogeneic therapies have considerable advantages over autologous therapies, they do have a distinct disadvantage regarding potential immunogenicity. The introduction of the hybrid autologous business model provides the ability for autologous-based therapies to mitigate some of the advantages that allogeneic cell-based therapies enjoy, including cost of goods. Finally, two case studies are presented that demonstrate that there is sufficient space for both autologous and allogeneic cell-based therapies within a single disease area.
Mars technology program planetary protection technology development

The objectives of the NASA Planetary Protection program are to preserve biological and organic conditions of solar-system bodies for future scientific exploration and to protect the Earth from potential hazardous extraterrestrial contamination. As the exploration of solar system continues, NASA remains committed to the implementation of planetary protection policy and regulations. To fulfill this commitment, the Mars Technology Program (MTP) has invested in a portfolio of tasks for developing necessary technologies to meet planetary protection requirements for the next decade missions. In this paper, we will give an overview of the task objectives, current technical progress, and future directions.
A 160-MHz analog front-end IC for EPR-IV PRML magnetic storage read channels

A front-end IC for EPR-IV partial-response maximum likelihood (PRML) detection systems used in magnetic recording systems is developed. Reorganization of the front-end architecture reduces clock acquisition time and lowers chip complexity and power. A new six-pole 80-MHz continuous-time filter equalizes waveforms to the desired ERR-IV target. The equalizer is tuned in quality-factor and frequency to a synthesized system clock, reducing drifts due to processing and temperature variations. An on-chip timing recovery circuit, incorporating a 160-MHz sampled-analog phase detector and 200-MHz voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) regenerates the data clock. The phase detector used is appropriate for (1, 7) code, and can be extended to operate on (0, k) codes. During head seeks, a secondary loop incorporating the VCO locks to the write clock and acquires the anticipated read-clock frequency. All signal paths are serial and fully differential. The chip is fabricated in a 1-/spl mu/m CMOS process.
Determination of work material flow stress and friction for FEA of machining using orthogonal cutting tests

Finite element analysis based techniques are available to simulate cutting processes and offer several advantages including prediction of tool forces, distribution of stresses and temperatures, estimation of tool wear and residual stresses on machined surfaces, optimization of cutting tool geometry and cutting conditions. However, work material flow stress and friction characteristics at cutting regimes are not always available. This paper utilizes a metal cutting model developed by Oxley and presents an improved methodology to characterize work material flow stress and friction at primary and secondary deformation zones around the cutting edge by utilizing orthogonal cutting tests. In this paper, Johnson–Cook (JC) constitutive work flow stress model is used to characterize work flow stress in deformation zones. The friction model is based on estimation of the normal stress distribution over the rake face. The stress distribution over the tool rake face can either directly be entered in FEA software or used in determining a coefficient of the friction at the tool-chip interface. The methodology is practical and estimates the unknowns of both the work material constitutive model and the friction model over the rake face. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Advancing treatment options for chronic idiopathic constipation

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Chronic constipation is a global problem affecting all ages and associated with considerable morbidity and significant financial burden for society. Though formerly defined on the basis of a single symptom, infrequent defecation; constipation is now viewed as a syndrome encompassing several complaints such as difficulty with defecation, a sense of incomplete evacuation, hard stools, abdominal discomfort and bloating.Areas covered: The expanded concept of constipation has inevitably led to a significant change in outcomes in clinical trials, as well as in patient expectations from new therapeutic interventions. The past decades have also witnessed a proliferation in therapeutic targets for new agents. Foremost among these have been novel prokinetics, a new category, prosecretory agents and innovative approaches such as inhibitors of bile salt transport. In contrast, relatively few effective therapies exist for the management of those anorectal and pelvic floor problems that result in ...
Marketing Virtual Reference

Abstract The honeymoon between virtual reference and academic libraries is over. Now comes the hard part-making sure, through effective marketing, that our users are aware of the benefits that the service can provide to them. Marketing has received increased attention in the library literature in recent years, and many authors describe what their libraries have done to promote virtual reference. However, these descriptions are often buried within larger works. This article draws from the literature a variety of real-life examples of marketing the service, in an effort to foster ideas and conversation about how best to increase awareness of virtual reference.
Learning Energy Consumption and Demand Models through Data Mining for Reverse Engineering

Abstract The estimation of energy demand (by power plants) has traditionally relied on historical energy use data for the region(s) that a plant produces for. Regression analysis, artificial neural network and Bayesian theory are the most common approaches for analysing these data. Such data and techniques do not generate reliable results. Consequently, excess energy has to be generated to prevent blackout; causes for energy surge are not easily determined; and potential energy use reduction from energy efficiency solutions is usually not translated into actual energy use reduction. The paper highlights the weaknesses of traditional techniques, and lays out a framework to improve the prediction of energy demand by combining energy use models of equipment, physical systems and buildings, with the proposed data mining algorithms for reverse engineering. The research team first analyses data samples from large complex energy data, and then, presents a set of computationally efficient data mining algorithms for reverse engineering. In order to develop a structural system model for reverse engineering, two focus groups are developed that has direct relation with cause and effect variables. The research findings of this paper includes testing out different sets of reverse engineering algorithms, understand their output patterns and modify algorithms to elevate accuracy of the outputs.
Distribution of tritium labeled beta-3-thienyl-L-alanine in tissues of adult male rats bearing Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma.

SummaryThe distribution of tritium-labeled L-isomer of beta-3-thienylalanine in the tissues of Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma-bearing rats was studied 5, 29 and 53 hours after force feeding of the radioactive compound. For 4 days prior to that, the rats had been force fed a phenylalanine deficient, β3TA-containing amino acid maintenance diet. After 29 hours the highest tritium content was found in kidneys, liver, jejunal mucosa and pancreas. More than 50% of the total dose appeared as tritiated water within 29 hours. The tumor uptake was low.
Interregional Competition and Federal Cooperation: To Compete or to Cooperate? That's not the Question

Competition among governments at the same level or with similar responsibilities is commonly referred to as the horizontal competition or inter-jurisdictional competition in the literature on economics and political science. A related concept of intergovernmental or vertical competition refers to competition among governments with different levels and types of responsibilities e.g. among federal, state and local governments. Our concern in this paper is with the inter-jurisdictional competition (interregional or local-local competition) alone and its implications for the federal government's role in securing an economic union or an internal common market. Competition among state and local governments is quite commonplace in most federal systems. It occurs through lobbying for employment generating and against hazardous waste location of federal or private sector projects including military bases, encouragement of foreign and domestic investment, providing incentives and subsidies for attracting capital and labor, providing public infrastructure to facilitate business location, providing a differentiated menu of local public services, one-stop windows for licensing and registration and endless other ways of demonstrating an open door policy for new capital and skilled workforce. State and local governments also compete among themselves in erecting barriers to trade and tariff walls to protect local industry and business. They also try to out-compete among themselves in exporting tax burdens to non-residents where feasible. This paper examines the pros and cons of inter-jurisdictional competition in a federal system and examines the ways the federal government can play a supporting role to accentuate the positive aspects of this competition while dealing with any negative fallout of unbridled competition.
Limiting Antibiotics When Managing Mandible Fractures May Not Increase Infection Risk.

Purpose To estimate and compare 1) the frequencies of surgical site infections (SSIs) and 2) adverse antibiotic effects (AAEs) between patients who receive only intraoperative antibiotics (study group) and those who receive intraoperative antibiotics plus additional preoperative or postoperative antibiotics (control group) while undergoing operative treatment of open mandibular fractures. Materials and Methods The authors designed a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample derived from patients presenting to the Harborview Medical Center from 2009 through 2014 for the management of open mandibular fractures. Eligible patients were at least 18 years of age with open, isolated mandibular fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation using transoral approaches or closed reduction and intermaxillary fixation. The primary predictor variable was antibiotic exposure. The study group received antibiotics administered within 1 hour before the incision, with possible intraoperative re-dosing, and the control group received antibiotics according to the study group plus preoperative or postoperative antibiotics. The primary outcome was SSI frequency. The secondary outcome was AAE frequency. Univariate, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was set at a P value less than or equal to .05. Results The sample was comprised of 510 patients (mean age, 29 ± 11.4 yr; 86% men). The study group had 58 patients (11%) and the control group had 452 patients (89%). The SSI frequencies in the study and control groups were 9 and 17%, respectively (P = .13). There were 5 (1%) AAEs reported, all in the control group. In the multivariable logistic regression model, only tobacco use was associated with an increased risk for SSI (odds ratio = 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-5.5; P = .0015). Conclusion Limiting antibiotic exposure to only intraoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing transoral operative treatment of isolated open mandibular fractures was not associated with an increased risk of SSIs.
Detection of Strawberry necrotic shock virus using conventional and TaqMan® quantitative RT-PCR

Graft-indexing of an advanced selection from the University of Florida strawberry breeding program produced virus-like symptoms on Fragaria vesca. However; RT-PCR testing of the material did not detect the presence of any of 16 strawberry virus species or members of virus groups for which strawberries are routinely indexed. Large scale sequencing of the material revealed the presence of an isolate of Strawberry necrotic shock virus. The nucleotide sequence of this isolate from Florida shows a significant number of base changes in the annealing sites of the primers compared to the primers currently in use for the detection of SNSV thereby explaining the most probable reason for the inability to detect the virus in the original screening. RT-PCR and Taqman(®) qPCR assays were developed based on conserved virus sequences identified in this isolate from Florida and other sequences for SNSV currently present in GenBank. The two assays were applied successfully on multiple samples collected from several areas across the United States as well as isolates from around the world. Comparison between the RT-PCR and the qPCR assays revealed that the qPCR assay is at least 100 times more sensitive than conventional PCR.
Augmentation cystoplasty in the failed exstrophy reconstruction.

AbstractOf the 148 patients with bladder exstrophy seen at this institution during the last 10 years 12 have ultimately required bladder augmentation. In 4 cases augmentation was performed for an inadequate bladder capacity, upper tract decompensation and dry interval of less than 1 hour after bladder neck reconstruction and epispadias repair. Likewise, 3 patients underwent augmentation for an inadequate bladder capacity and dry interval of less than 2 hours after bladder neck reconstruction and epispadias repair. Of these 7 patients 3 had undergone 2 previous bladder neck reconstructions, while 4 had undergone 1 prior repair. Five augmentations were performed for an inadequate bladder capacity before any type of continence procedure had been done.Nine patients underwent adjunctive procedures in addition to bladder augmentation, including a Young-Dees-Leadbetter procedure in 4, an artificial urinary sphincter in 3, transureteroureterostomy and psoas hitch in 1, and a Mitrofanoff procedure and bladder neck...
Abstract 957: Regulation of PCGEM1 in castration resistant prostate cancer

PCGEM1 has been shown to be prostate cancer specific long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). Our previous study indicates that PCGEM1 plays a role in castration resistance through regulation of androgen receptor (AR) splice variants. Although it is known that PCGEM1 is often upregulated in prostate cancer, little is known how PCGEM1 is regulated. In the present study, we show that p54/nrb is a positive regulator for PCGEM1. PCGEM1 is higher in castration resistant CWR22Rv1 than in androgen sensitive LNCaP cells. Moreover, androgen deprivation induces PCGEM1 in LNCaP cells. Histone ChIP assays suggest that the active binding site is within 500 bp upstream of putative transcriptional start site. By using biotin-labelled PCR product and pulldown assays combined with mass spectrometry analysis, we show that p54/nrb interacts with the promoter of PCGEM1. While ectopic expression increases, suppression of p54/nrb by RNAi or knockout (KO) suppresses PCGEM1, supporting a role for p54/nrb in PCGEM1 regulation. Moreover, rescue experiments indicate that re-expression of p54/nrb in KO cells restores the ability to induce PCGEM1. Finally, 3, 3’-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a known chemoprevention agent derived from plants such as broccoli, is capable of suppressing PCGEM1 expression by preventing the interaction of p54/nrb with the PCGEM1 promoter. In particular, DIM reduces tumor growth by suppression of PCGEM1 and promoting apoptosis in the castrated xenograft mouse model. Together, these results demonstrate a novel mechanism of how PCGEM1 and AR splicing are regulated. As a result, PCGEM1 may ultimately contribute to castration resistance. Citation Format: Tsui-Ting Ho, Yin-Yuan Mo. Regulation of PCGEM1 in castration resistant prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 957.
Interpreting Visual Cultures of Science

What does it mean to talk about ‘visual culture’ in science, and how should we approach writing its history? While these books exemplify and demonstrate both the centrality of visuality and visual ...
Genome Sequences of 15 Gardnerella vaginalis Strains Isolated from the Vaginas of Women with and without Bacterial Vaginosis

Gardnerella vaginalis is a predominant species in bacterial vaginosis, a dysbiosis of the vagina that is associated with adverse health outcomes, including preterm birth. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of 15 Gardnerella vaginalis strains (now available through BEI Resources) isolated from women with and without bacterial vaginosis.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity: African Immigrants' Mental Health Needs and the American Transition

ABSTRACTThe aims of this qualitative study were to explore key sources of emotional distress and coping strategies among West African immigrants. Thirty-eight adult West African immigrants participated in six semistructured, open-ended focus group sessions. Focus group data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. While participants reported high levels of psychological distress associated with racial/cultural discrimination, intimate partner violence, parenting, extended-family demands, and problematic immigration status, they demonstrated resilience and the ability to identify a range of coping strategies that draw on their cultural heritage. Only two of the participants reported having used psychological services; both outcomes were negative. The findings of this study are considered in terms of their clinical implications.
It's nature and nurture: Integrating biology and genetics into the social learning theory of criminal behavior

Abstract Purpose Major advances in the fields of biology, genetics, neuroscience, and psychiatry have shown that many human behaviors are impacted by factors other than social influences. Still, the field of criminology has not incorporated these biological influences into any mainstream criminological theories, leaving a large divide between theories holding entirely sociological and entirely biological explanations of criminal behavior. Method Two exceptions to this strict “nature versus nurture” dichotomy are social learning theory, which posits that criminal behavior is learned through peer association, and the biosocial perspective in criminology, which uses various biological and social factors to explain the commission of criminal behavior. Given the growing evidence that both biology and environmental factors contribute to the commission of criminal behavior, it is increasingly difficult for any theory to ignore the influence of either biology or sociology altogether. Conclusion This article illustrates how to incorporate both nature and nurture into a single theory, by integrating social learning theory and the biosocial perspective into a more accurate and modern model of criminal behavior.
Factors Associated With Pre- and Postoperative Seizures in 1033 Patients Undergoing Supratentorial Meningioma Resection.

Background Risk factors for pre- and postoperative seizures in supratentorial meningiomas are understudied compared to other brain tumors. Objective To report seizure frequency and identify factors associated with pre- and postoperative seizures in a large single-center population study of patients undergoing resection of supratentorial meningioma. Methods Retrospective chart review of 1033 subjects undergoing resection of supratentorial meningioma at the author's institution (1991-2014). Multivariate regression was used to identify variables significantly associated with pre- and postoperative seizures. Results Preoperative seizures occurred in 234 (22.7%) subjects. At 5 years postoperative, probability of seizure freedom was 89.9% among subjects without preoperative seizures and 62.2% with preoperative seizures. Multivariate analysis identified the following predictors of preoperative seizures: presence of ≥1 cm peritumoral edema (odds ratio [OR]: 4.45, 2.55-8.50), nonskull base tumor location (OR: 2.13, 1.26-3.67), greater age (OR per unit increase: 1.03, 1.01-1.05), while presenting symptom of headache (OR: 0.50, 0.29-0.84) or cranial nerve deficit (OR: 0.36, 0.17-0.71) decreased odds of preoperative seizures. Postoperative seizures after discharge were associated with preoperative seizures (OR: 5.70, 2.57-13.13), in-hospital seizure (OR: 4.31, 1.28-13.67), and among patients without preoperative seizure, occurrence of medical or surgical complications (OR 3.39, 1.09-9.48). Perioperative anti-epileptic drug use was not associated with decreased incidence of postoperative seizures. Conclusions Nonskull base supratentorial meningiomas with surrounding edema have the highest risk for preoperative seizure. Long-term follow-up showing persistent seizures in meningioma patients with preoperative seizures raises the possibility that these patients may benefit from electrocorticographic mapping of adjacent cortex and resection of noneloquent, epileptically active cortex.
Characterizing posture and associated physiological demand during evacuation

Abstract Crawling is recommended for accessing breathable air and avoiding gases during severe fire evacuations. Few studies have evaluated the physiological burden associated with crawling, but those that have agree that crawling places high physiological demands on the body. Furthermore, with the exception of walking upright, the effect of locomotion modalities on the speed of evacuation is sparsely researched. This study evaluated distance, velocity, and the physiological costs of evacuating using different locomotion methods. Twenty-four (24) college students (12 M/12F) traveled up to 91.44 m (m) in different postures: Upright Walking (UW), Stoop-Walking (SW), Foot and Hand Crawling (FHC), Knee and Hand Crawling (KHC), and Low Crawling (LC). Crawling velocities were significantly slower than bipedal velocities (p
Pancreas Transplantation From Pediatric Donors: A Single-Center Experience.

BackgroundPancreas allografts from pediatric donors are considered less suitable due to the increased risk of surgical complications and reduced islet cell mass that may compromise function.MethodsAll pancreatic transplants, procured from donors younger than 18 years, between January 2007 and March