cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
O2 insertion into group 9 metal-hydride bonds: evidence for oxygen activation through the hydrogen-atom-abstraction mechanism.

A detailed density functional study was performed to examine the reaction of mixed-valence dirhodium and diiridium species [M20,II(tfepma)2(CNtBu)2(Cl)2 (1, tfepma = MeN[P(OCH2CF3)2]2, CNtBu = tert-butyl isocyaninde)] with HCl and oxygen with an interest in examining the pathways for oxygen insertion into the intermediate metal hydride to form hydroperoxo species. The O2 hydrogen atom abstraction mechanism for both the Rh and Ir was found to be feasible. This is the first time this mechanism has been applied to a Rh system and only the second time it has been examined for a system other than Pd. The competing trans HCl reductive elimination pathway was also examined and found to be greatly dependent on the stereochemistry of the starting hydride primarily due to the intermediate formed upon the loss of Cl–. As a result, the reductive elimination pathway was more favorable by 11.5 kcal/mol for the experimentally observed Ir stereoisomer, while the two pathways were isoenergetic for the other stereoisomer o...
Numerical Simulation of the Effects of Spall-resistant Steel Panel for Underground Structure under Impulsive Loads

The concrete structure with or without steel panel is simulated by the software ANSYS/LS-DYNA.Based on the analysis of the results of these two cases,the rule of element'sσyat different position is presented,and it shows that the steel panel can effectively reduce the maximal σy of the element adjacent to the steel panel,and can postpone the arriving time within the simulation time.At the same time,the simulation reveals that the boundary effects don't affect the spalling in the similar structure presented in this paper.Simulative results will provide reference for the design and construction of related projects.
Brain Tissue Micro-Structure Imaging from Diffusion MRI Using Least Squares Variable Separation

We introduce a novel data fitting procedure of multi compartment models of the brain white matter for diffusion MRI (dMRI) data. These biophysical models aim to characterize important micro-structure quantities like axonal radius, density and orientations. In order to describe the underlying tissue properties, a variety of models for intra-/extra-axonal diffusion signals have been proposed. Combinations of these analytic models are used to predict the diffusion MRI signal in multi-compartment settings. However, parameter estimation from these multi-compartment models is an ill-posed problem. Consequently, many existing fitting algorithms either rely on an initial grid search to find a good start point, or have strong assumptions like single fiber orientation to estimate some of these parameters from simpler models like the diffusion tensor (DT). In both cases, there is a trade-off between computational complexity and accuracy of the estimated parameters. Here, we describe a novel algorithm based on the separation of the Nonlinear Least Squares (NLLS) fitting problem, via Variable Projection Method , to search for non-linearly and linearly entering parameters independently. We use stochastic global search algorithms to find a global minimum, while estimating non-linearly entering parameters. The approach is independent of any starting point, and does not rely on estimates from simpler models. We show that the suggested algorithm is faster than algorithms involving grid search, and its greater accuracy and robustness are demonstrated on synthetic as well as ex-/in-vivo data.
Sleepy Teens and Energy Drink Use: Results From an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Youth

This study examines the association between use of energy drinks or products (EP), EP expectancies, and the association between EP use and sleep in a racially and ethnically diverse sample (N = 2,485) of adolescents. Prevalence of EP use was approximately 18%, with no statistically significant racial or ethnic differences in prevalence. There were significant racial and ethnic differences in EP expectancies; Hispanic and Multiracial or Other groups endorsed less positive expectancies than Whites and Asians. EP use was significantly associated with later weekend bedtimes, shorter weekend total sleep time (TST), a smaller weekend-weekday difference in TST, and more trouble sleeping, even after adjusting for covariates. There were no significant race or ethnicity interactions between EP use and sleep. EP use is an independent correlate of sleep problems in adolescents across racial or ethnic groups.
Adaptive Hybrid Multicast with Partial Network Support

In this paper, we propose a new multicast scheme, PAM, which as opposed to native IP multicast, does not require all routers to be IP multicast-enabled, and as opposed to existing application-level multicast, does not exclude network support. Instead, PAM relies on partial network support, selects a small subset of routers as PAM-enabled multicast routers that are strategically located to serve group communication, and adapts its selection based on group dynamics. As a result, PAM (1) is suitable for both sparse and dense communication groups, (2) can reduce the network overhead inherent in native IP multicast, and (3) does not suffer the delay stretch and the high stress inherent in application-level multicast. Experimental results on both synthetic and realistic Internet topologies, for both sparse and dense groups, reveal that PAM can achieve efficient group communication with no delay stretch, an average stress of merely 1.25, while using less than 15% of the multicast routers that are needed in native IP multicast.
Electrical resistivity of gold thin film as a function of film thickness

Properties of nano-scale materials are very different from those in bulk form. The electrical resistivity of gold thin film as a function of film thickness is experimentally studied and presented h...
Juan Downey's Ethnographic Present

Recorded between 1976 and 77, Juan Downey's video experiments with the Yanomami people have been widely celebrated as offering a critique of traditional anthropology through their use of feedback technology. This article argues, however, that close attention to the different feedback situations the artist constructs with the group reveal a more complex relationship between Downey and that discipline. In the enthusiasm he manifests for synchronous, closed-circuit video feedback in many of his statements about his Yanomami project, Downey in fact tacitly affirms some of the most problematic principles of traditional anthropology. In his emphasis on the real-time quality of this particular form of feedback, the artist puts forth a view of Yanomami society as itself synchronous, as a type of homeostatic, changeless system outside of historical time. As such he participates in a synchronic bias that anthropologists of his own time had begun to seriously critique. By focusing on one individual video from the Ya...
Understanding Gene, Environment, and Gene × Environment Interaction Effects: The Example of Childhood Externalizing Disorders

In the past, models of children’s social development focused almost exclusively on causal mechanisms believed to be primarily environmental. Oftentimes, parenting styles were implicated as the primary causal factors in the development of children’s social and emotional adjustment (e.g., Bates, Bayles, Bennett, Ridge, & Brown, 1991; Hetherington & Martin, 1979; Patterson, 1982). Peer influence on child behavior has also been researched in depth (Berkowitz & Lundy, 1957; Pravder & Israel, 1983), as were adverse environmental conditions such as poverty (Schweinhart & Weikart, 1988). While these causal pathways each have merit, theories of the origins of children’s adjustment and maladjustment evolved dramatically during the 1990s to consider increasingly complex transactional systems in which psychological, sociological, and genetic factors are interrelated in their influence on child adjustment (Bates et al., 1991; Bronfenbrenner & Ceci, 1994).
Management of Medications in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases During the Perioperative Period

Patients with rheumatic illness are generally taking one or more medications designed to alter immune function and or suppress inflammation. Inflammation, though, is a key element in the healing process and a functioning immune system is important in preventing postoperative infections. Thus, the balancing act in managing medications in the perioperative period is to modify dosing to allow the normal process of wound healing to occur and preventing wound infections while minimizing the risk of a disease flare. A disease flare can lead to further organ or joint damage and impair rehabilitation efforts.
Celiac Sprue in Down's Syndrome: Considerations on a Pathogenetic Link

The association of celiac disease with Down's syndrome is described in two patients who presented with features of the malabsorption syndrome. The diagnosis was readily made by peroral jejunal mucosal biopsy. Both patients responded clinically to dietary gluten withdrawal and one patient demonstrated a recrudescence of symptoms and reappearance of jejunal mucosal atrophy upon rechallenge with dietary gluten. Genetic considerations in the etiology of both disorders are discussed.
“But He Looks Like Me. I Never Saw an Artist Look Like That”: Making Connections to Social Justice Through Art

“I believe that education is the civil rights issue of our generation. And if you care about promoting opportunity and reducing inequality, the classroom is the place to start. Great teaching is ab...
Improving micropropagation of Mentha × piperita L. using a liquid culture system

In the current study, in vitro shoot proliferation and plant regeneration of Mentha × piperita L. (peppermint) cultivar ‘Black Mitcham’ was compared in semi-solid and liquid culture systems. Shoot tips from field-grown plants were used as explants to study shoot proliferation response on either Murashige and Skoog (MS) or Chee and Pool (C2D) medium containing varying levels of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin, and 6-γ,γ-dimethylallyl aminopurine (2iP). Differences in leaf ultrastructure and antioxidant capacity of greenhouse-grown and micropropagation-derived plants were studied to identify potential changes occurring during in vitro culture. Among the various media treatments tested, the maximum number of shoots was produced on the C2D medium with 4.0 μM BAP (40.7) followed by the MS medium with 4.0 μM BAP (32.2). Among the rooting treatments, shoots on the MS medium with 1.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) produced the maximum number of roots (14.4). The number of shoots produced in Liquid Lab Rocker® (LLR) vessels containing liquid C2D medium with BAP (103.4) was significantly higher than that produced on semi-solid medium (40.7). No differences were observed in the leaf ultrastructure and antioxidant capacity of leaf extracts obtained from greenhouse-grown and micropropagation-derived plants. The study indicates that the liquid culture system under the described conditions can enhance peppermint micropropagation, with plant material being potentially valuable for use in herbal supplements and essential oil production.
OUT-OF-POCKET PRICE FOR ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are more expensive than warfarin. Few studies have analyzed the out-of-pocket cost to patients for NOACs compared to warfarin. In collaboration with a pharmacy analytics company (Inmar, Inc. Winston-Salem, NC), we collected de-identified pharmacy prescription and
Spectra and structure of organophosphorus compounds: Part XLIII.1 Far-infrared spectra and ab initio calculations of ethylphosphine

Abstract The far-IR spectra (350 to 30 cm −1 ) of gaseous ethylphosphine and the P- d 2 derivative have been recorded at 0.1 cm −1 ) resolution. These data have been utilized to reinterpret and verify assignments to the methyl torsional fundamentals. The fundamental vibrational frequencies for both the more stable trans (methyl group oriented trans to the lone pair on the phosphorus atom) and high energy gauche rotamers are calculated by ab initio Hartree-Fock gradient calculations employing the 3–21G ∗ basis set and these frequencies are compared to those obtained experimentally. Potential surfaces for both the methyl and asymmetric torsional modes have been calculated utilizing both the 3–21G ∗ and 6–31G ∗ basis sets. The theoretically determined barriers for both torsional modes are compared to those determined from analysis of the torsional bands observed in the far-IR spectra. The optimized geometries for both conformations are compared to the structures obtained from microwave spectroscopy. It is concluded that at these levels of calculation the structure, potential surface and vibrational frequencies for ethylphosphine are well determined.
Neopulmonary Stenosis After Arterial Switch

The most common long-term complication following arterial switch is supravalvar neopulmonary stenosis. Balloon dilatation has not been effective in treating this problem since the stenosis is often found at multiple levels which will require complex surgical interventions. These include patch augmentation of the supravalvar apparatus, patch augmentation of the distal main and branch pulmonary arteries, and subvalvar muscular resection as needed. The surgical considerations to avoid and treat supravalvar neopulmonary stenosis are: (1) prevention at the time of arterial switch by the use of a pantaloon autologous pericardial patch and (2) application of appropriate surgical interventions at secondary operations for acquired right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the optimal methods to achieve these goals.
Impact of Obesity on Volume Status in Patients With Ambulatory Chronic Heart Failure.

ABSTRACT Background Fluid overload is common in heart failure (HF) and obesity; however, the relationship between the extent of intravascular volume expansion and indices such as body mass index (BMI) in obese and non-obese patients with HF has not been defined to address the issue of a HF obesity phenotype. Methods Total blood volume (TBV) was measured clinically using a radiolabeled albumin indicator-dilution technique in patients with predominately class III ambulatory chronic HF (N=66). Obesity was defined by BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Results Markedly increased intravascular volume expansion (defined by TBV expansion >+25% above normal) was highly prevalent in the obese (53%) compared to non-obese patients with HF (29%, P = .04) driven by plasma volume expansion. TBV was correlated with excess body weight and BMI (both P Conclusions Quantitative assessment of intravascular volume demonstrates for the first time that severe (not mild or moderate) volume expansion is highly common in obese patients with ambulatory chronic HF. This supports an evolving concept of an obesity-specific HF phenotype. Further study is needed to understand the mechanisms controlling volume regulation and the potential compensatory or detrimental impact on outcomes in obesity and HF.
Evaluating Care Partner Preferences for Seating in an Outpatient Surgery Waiting Area Using Virtual Reality

Objective:The purpose of this study was to examine the factors impacting seating choices of care partners while conducting common tasks in an outpatient surgical center waiting room.Background:Wait...
Defining Cataloging Ethics: Practitioner Perspectives

Catalogers often need to make ethical decisions about their daily work. What is the starting point for defining cataloging ethics and how do practitioners define the concept? In this paper, the aut...
Calming the Storm: Natural Disasters, Crisis Management, and School Leadership.

Natural disasters can negatively impact students’ educational outcomes and well-being. After a natural disaster, families and communities often rely on schools to foster stability and serve as a co...
A Real-Time State Dependent Region Estimator for Autonomous Endoscope Navigation

With significant progress being made toward improving endoscope technology such as capsule endoscopy and robotic endoscopy, the development of advanced strategies for manipulating, controlling, and more generally, easing the accessibility of these devices for physicians is an important next step. This article presents an autonomous navigation strategy for use in endoscopy, utilizing a state-dependent region estimation approach to allow for multimodal control design. This region estimator is evaluated for its accuracy in predicting yaw angle of the camera relative to the lumen center, and for estimating the location of the camera based on overall haustra morphology within the colon. To assess the utility of this region estimator, multimodal control is used to allow for autonomous navigation of the Endoculus, a robotic capsule endoscope, within a benchtop, to-scale, simulated colon. The estimation approach is presented and tested, demonstrating successful tracking of fixed velocity rotations at speeds up to $40^\circ$ /s and allowing for curve anticipation approximately 10 cm before entering a curved section of the simulator. Finally, the multimodal control strategy utilizing this estimator is tested within the simulator over a variety of anatomic configurations. This strategy proves successful for navigation in both straight sections of this simulator and in tightly curved sections as small as 8 cm radius of curvature, with average velocities reaching 2.61 cm/s in straight sections and 0.99 cm/s in curved sections.
National Strategy for Agriculture in Romania – Horizon 2035

In this paper we formulate and develop foundation targets for the Romanian agri-food sector in the short, medium and long terms. The national strategy must have in view the main impact trends such as: innovation, knowledge transfer, institutional cooperation and re-organization, infrastructure development, cohesion between the local, regional, national and European policies and projects. The development in the world of tomorrow, Horizon 2020-2035, is expected to include: significant technological advances in biology, genetics and agriculture; development of communication, IT, cognitive sciences; China’s economic rise; European demographic decline; European Union (EU) economic stagnation and gradual loss of competitiveness in the face of new emergent countries; climate changes. In this context, the conditionality of the population’s food security draws attention to major issues that Romania will face in the medium and long terms, such as: population decline and aging, progressive depletion of the productive potential of soil in the absence of supporting measures, and research fragility for agriculture sector. To answer the questions related to food safety and security in Romania towards 2030-2035, SWOT analysis was used for the following products: cereals, vegetables, fruit, meat and processed products. The analysis revealed certain vulnerabilities: Romania’s domestic agricultural supply is insufficient in a range of products; annual instability for domestic agricultural supply; Romania’s competitiveness in many agricultural products is problematic, and the integration into the European single market has amplified these problems; low level of processing the agricultural raw materials and of value added; low income and income gaps between the residence areas resulting in food insecurity; existing problems in rural areas, mainly with weak infrastructure; poor food consumption in terms of quality. Then, we defined three main strategic directions for food security and safety in Romania, in the next two decades, trying to identify those areas on which Romania should focus its efforts to reach performance convergent with the developed countries of the EU. The proposed scenarios show the ways in which we see to achieve the identified targets.
Disparities in ART Live Birth and Cumulative Live Birth Outcomes for Hispanic and Asian Women Compared to White Non-Hispanic Women.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting disparities have been seen in assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes for Hispanic and Asian women compared to white, non-Hispanic (WNH) women. We, therefore, sought to clarify these disparities and calculated cumulative live birth rates (CLBR) for these racial or ethnic groups using the SARTCORS database. METHODS: We performed an analysis of the 2014–2016 SARTCORS database for member clinics doing at least 50 cycles of ART each year. RESULTS: In comparison to cycles in WNH women, cycles in Hispanic and Asian patients were in older (p < 0.001), more nulliparous women, that were less likely to have a history of endometriosis compared WNH women regardless of prior ART status. ART cycles in Hispanic and Asian women, exhibited lower rates of live birth (LB) per cycle start (p < 0.001) compared to cycles in WNH women. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that cycles from Hispanic and Asian women were less likely to have a LB and CLBR than white women (OR 0.86; p = 0.004, OR 0.69; p < 0.001, respectively) independent of age, parity, BMI, etiology of infertility, use of ICSI or number of embryos transferred. CONCLUSIONS: Race or ethnicity continues to be an independent prognostic factor for LB and CLBR for ART. Additional analysis of trends among Hispanic and Asian women is warranted to enable addressing disparities in outcomes in ART treatment.
Somatic inhibition by microscopic magnetic stimulation

Electric currents can produce quick, reversible control of neural activity. Externally applied electric currents have been used in inhibiting certain ganglion cells in clinical practices. Via electromagnetic induction, a miniature-sized magnetic coil could provide focal stimulation to the ganglion neurons. Here we report that high-frequency stimulation with the miniature coil could reversibly block ganglion cell activity in marine mollusk Aplysia californica, regardless the firing frequency of the neurons, or concentration of potassium ions around the ganglion neurons. Presence of the ganglion sheath has minimal impact on the inhibitory effects of the coil. The inhibitory effect was local to the soma, and was sufficient in blocking the neuron’s functional output. Biophysical modeling confirmed that the miniature coil induced a sufficient electric field in the vicinity of the targeted soma. Using a multi-compartment model of Aplysia ganglion neuron, we found that the high-frequency magnetic stimuli altered the ion channel dynamics that were essential for the sustained firing of action potentials in the soma. Results from this study produces several critical insights to further developing the miniature coil technology for neural control by targeting ganglion cells. The miniature coil provides an interesting neural modulation strategy in clinical applications and laboratory research.
Aneurysmal bone cyst with an unusual clinical presentation and a novel VDR-USP6 fusion.

Aneurysmal bone cyst is a benign bone neoplasm that most commonly arises from the metaphyses of long bones in the first and second decades of life. Here, we describe a case of an aneurysmal bone cyst that occurred in the distal tibial diaphysis of a 72-year-old female that was concerning for malignancy on imaging, demonstrating cortical breakthrough and soft tissue extension. Histologically, the tumor showed the characteristic morphologic features of aneurysmal bone cyst. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was positive for USP6 rearrangement, and RNA sequencing revealed a USP6 gene fusion with VDR, a novel partner that encodes the vitamin D receptor and that has not been implicated previously in human neoplasia. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges presented by aneurysmal bone cyst in elderly adults, and it expands the genetic spectrum of USP6 rearrangements. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Comment on “Budgetary Responses of Individual Governmental Units to Federal Grants”

In a recent issue of Public Finance Quarterly, Hardy (1976) presented results of a study of the effect of conditional and unconditional grants on various categories of expenditures of the provinces of Ontario and New Brunswick. It is the purpose of this comment to point out several shortcomings of this paper with respect to the formulation of the provincial decision maker's utility function and his constraints with respect to conditional grants.
Pushing the Agenda: A Theory of Positive Presidential Power

Opportunities to host landmark signing ceremonies are highly prized inside the White House. Such auspicious occasions allow the president not just to help chart the nation's course against the day's most pressing problems but also to bask in the flattering glow of political achievement. And given the myriad of challenges the legislative process presents, perhaps it is forgivable that when Congress has passed their signature policy initiatives, one president after another has employed far more pageantry than required by the Constitution's modest demand that “he shall sign it.” After all, what president could pass up moments like these? On a beautiful summer day in Harry Truman's hometown of Independence, Missouri, with Harry Truman at his side, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law Medicare, the historic health-care program Mr. Truman had first proposed more than a decade earlier. Introducing President Johnson, Truman declared: “Mr. President, I am glad to have lived this long and to witness today the signing of the Medicare bill which puts this Nation right where it needs to be, to be right. Your inspired leadership and a responsive forward-looking Congress have made it historically possible for this day to come about. Thank all of you most highly for coming here. It is an honor I haven't had for, well, quite awhile, I'll say that to you, but here it is: Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States” (30 July 1965). […]
Monetary institutions, budget deficits and inflation: Empirical results for eight countries☆

Abstract This study examines the implications of central bank independence using a three-equation model of monetary base growth, budget deficits and inflation that is estimated over an eight-country sample — of which Switzerland, the United States and West Germany are the countries considered to possess relatively autonomous central banks. A main finding is that central bank policy appears to be directed more toward price stability and less toward accommodation of government budget deficits in countries with a central bank that is independent of government. There is also some suggestion that the inflationary consequences of monetary expansion may be lessened under a more decentralised institutional setting.
An Evaluation of a Breastfeeding Privacy Sign to Prevent Interruptions and Promote Successful Breastfeeding

ABSTRACT Objective To determine if using a breastfeeding privacy sign during breastfeeding sessions improves breastfeeding outcomes and maternal satisfaction. Design Quasi‐experimental, posttest design. Sample A convenience sample of 46 healthy, English speaking, exclusively breastfeeding, term (>37 0/7 weeks gestation) dyads were included. Methods The control group received routine hospital care and completed a feeding diary and questionnaire. The intervention group received the same treatment and was given a breastfeeding privacy sign to use during breastfeeding sessions. Results The total number of interruptions was significantly less in the intervention group. Significantly more intervention participants documented "strong agreement" when reporting that their breastfeeding sessions were successful. No difference was noted regarding the number of breastfeeding sessions, total minutes of breastfeeding sessions, or percentage of infant weight loss at day 2 of life. Conclusions The number of interruptions during breastfeeding sessions was significantly decreased with the use of a breastfeeding privacy sign, and the mothers who used the sign strongly agreed that their breastfeeding sessions were successful.
The Problem of the Criterion and Coherence Methods in Ethics

The resurgence of interest in systematic moral theory over the past ten to fifteen years has brought to the fore debates concerning issues in moral epistemology, in particular, questions regarding the correct method for moral inquiry. Much of the controversy has focused on John Rawls’ method of reflective equilibrium. One merit claimed for this coherence method is that it transcends the traditional two tiered approach to moral inquiry according to which one must choose as one's starting points either particular moral judgments or general moral principles. Several of Rawls’ prominent critics have charged that Rawls’ loosely assembled rabble of starting points are not epistemically hefty enough to hoist a moral theory upon their shoulders. Perhaps unwittingly, these critics cling to the two level conception of theory construction, for they both defend general principles as the only appropriate starting points for theory construction and insist upon viewing Rawls as one working within the two tiered conception who opts for more particular judgments as starting points.
Abstract T MP14: The Critical Role of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor on Post-Stroke Recovery

Objective: One-third of stroke survivors are affected by post-stroke depression. Evidence from epidemiological and clinical studies demonstrates that depression either before or after stroke is associated with poor recovery and high mortality. Recently it was found that loss of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is associated with depressive behavior and impaired neurogenesis. Therefore, here we tested the hypothesis that MIF plays a role in stroke recovery and that chronic MIF inhibition contributes to post-depressive phenotypes and poor stroke outcomes. Methods: C57BL/6 male mice (20-25g; Charles River), were subjected to a 60min right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and randomly assigned to vehicle or MIF antagonist, ISO-1 (7mg/kg/day intraperitoneal) treatment. Infarcts quantified with TTC. Recovery was investigated using neurological deficit scores (NDS), corner test, the forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST). MIF levels were assessed by ELISA and western-blot (n=4/grp). Further, the effects of MIF loss were tested using knockout (KO) mice. Data are expressed as mean±sem. P value < .05 was set for statistical significance. Results: Post-stroke chronic ISO-1 treatment significantly increased immobility in TST at 14d (126±8 vs 83±6s; p .05). Infarct size was similar in ISO-1 and vehicle groups (48±3.2% versus 46±2.8%; p>.05). When subjected MIF KO mice to stroke, similar pattern of delayed post-stroke recovery is observed suggesting that MIF plays a critical role in pre- or post-stroke depression and recovery. Conclusions: MIF KO mice had a depressive phenotype at baseline, and poor recovery after stroke compared to WT. Post-stroke MIF inhibition led to the development of a post-stroke depressive phenotype and also led to poorer recovery. These effects are independent of stroke volume. These findings suggest that targeting MIF might be a novel therapeutic strategy to treat post-stroke depression and to enhance recovery in stroke survivors.
Abstract 59: In-hospital Outcomes of Thrombolysis in Dementia Patients with Ischemic Strokes

Background and Purpose: Although IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is standard care for acute ischemic strokes (AIS), its administration continues to be a topic of controversy among patients with dementia. This study compared in-hospital outcomes for dementia versus non-dementia patients treated with IV tPA for acute ischemic strokes. Materials and Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2001-2010, patients with the primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke were identified. We studied outcomes of IV-tPA treatment for acute ischemic stroke in patients with dementia versus a non-dementia control group. Using a 1:2 matched propensity score analysis we controlled for demographic factors, cardiovascular comorbidities and Charlson comorbidity index between groups. Outcomes studied included in-hospital mortality, hospital discharge status and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Results: A total of 24,904 patients with acute ischemic strokes who underwent IV tPA therapy for AIS were included in this study. 659 of which had a diagnosis of dementia. After 1:2 matching based off of age, gender, cardiovascular risk factors and Charlson comorbidity index there were a total of 657 patients in the dementia group and 1314 patients in the non-dementia group. Patient outcomes after propensity core analysis showed no difference with in-hospital mortality in the dementia group vs. control (13% vs 14%, p=0.67), discharge to long-term care facilities (63% vs 59%, p=0.08) and ICH (7.9% vs. 9.1%, p=0.86). Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference in in-hospital mortality, discharge status or ICH rates in patients with AIS and dementia who received IV tPA compared to those without dementia. These results suggest that dementia is not a predictor of poor in-hospital outcome following IV tPA administration for AIS. Further longitudinal studies are needed to determine if IV tPA therapy would improve long-term outcomes for dementia patients with AIS. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
The Effect of Atmospheric Drag on Satellite Orbits During the Bastille Day Event

Geomagnetic storms driven by solar eruptions are known to have significant effects on the total density of the upper atmosphere in the altitude range 250–1000 km. This in turn causes a measurable effect on the orbits of resident space objects in this altitude range. We analyzed a sample of these orbits, both from sensor data and from orbital element sets, during the period surrounding the 14 July 2000 solar activity. We present information concerning the effects of this event on the orbits of resident space objects and how well accepted atmospheric models were able to represent it. As part of this analysis, we describe a technique for extracting atmospheric density information from orbital element sets. On daily time scales, the effect of geomagnetic activity appears to be more important than that of prompt radiation. However, the limitations in time and amplitude quantization of the accepted solar indices are evident. A limited comparison is also made with previous solar storm events.
A Formal Approach to Detect Functionally Irrelevant Barriers in MPI Programs

We examine the unsolved problem of automatically and efficiently detecting functionally irrelevant barriers in MPI programs. A functionally irrelevant barrier is a set of MPI_Barrier calls, one per MPI process, such that their removal does not alter the overall MPI communication structure of the program. Static analysis methods are incapable of solving this problem, as MPI programs can compute many quantities at runtime, including send targets, receive sources, tags, and communicators, and also can have data-dependent control flows. We offer an algorithm called Fib to solve this problem based on dynamic (runtime) analysis. Fib applies to MPI programs that employ 24 widely used two-sided MPI operations. We show that it is sufficient to detect barrier calls whose removal causes a wildcard receive statementplaced before or after a barrier to now begin matching a send statement with which it did not match before. Fib determines whether a barrier becomes relevant in anyinterleaving of the MPI processes of a given MPI program. Since the number of interleavings can grow exponentially with the number of processes, Fib employs a sound method to drastically reduce this number, by computing only the relevant interleavings. We show that many MPI programs do not have data dependent control flows, thus making the results of Fib applicable to all the input data the program can accept.
Deconstructing the Energy-Efficiency Gap: Conceptual Frameworks and Evidence

Abstract Energy-efficient technologies offer considerable promise for reducing the financial costs and environmental damages associated with energy use, but these technologies appear not to be adopted to the degree that appears justified, even on a purely private basis. We present two complementary frameworks for understanding this so-called “energy paradox” or “energy efficiency gap.” First, we build upon previous literature by dividing potential explanations for the energy efficiency gap into three categories: market failures, behavioral anomalies, and model and measurement errors. Second, we examine the elements of cost-minimizing energy efficiency decisions, the typical benchmark used in assessing the gap's magnitude.
Time-Resolved Synchronous Fluorescence for Biomedical Diagnosis

This article presents our most recent advances in synchronous fluorescence (SF) methodology for biomedical diagnostics. The SF method is characterized by simultaneously scanning both the excitation and emission wavelengths while keeping a constant wavelength interval between them. Compared to conventional fluorescence spectroscopy, the SF method simplifies the emission spectrum while enabling greater selectivity, and has been successfully used to detect subtle differences in the fluorescence emission signatures of biochemical species in cells and tissues. The SF method can be used in imaging to analyze dysplastic cells in vitro and tissue in vivo. Based on the SF method, here we demonstrate the feasibility of a time-resolved synchronous fluorescence (TRSF) method, which incorporates the intrinsic fluorescent decay characteristics of the fluorophores. Our prototype TRSF system has clearly shown its advantage in spectro-temporal separation of the fluorophores that were otherwise difficult to spectrally separate in SF spectroscopy. We envision that our previously-tested SF imaging and the newly-developed TRSF methods will combine their proven diagnostic potentials in cancer diagnosis to further improve the efficacy of SF-based biomedical diagnostics.
Mutant Rab24 GTPase is targeted to nuclear inclusions.

Members of the Rab GTPase family regulate intracellular protein trafficking, but the specific function of Rab24 remains unknown. Several attributes distinguish this protein from other members of the Rab family, including a low intrinsic GTPase activity. The functions of other Rab proteins have been defined through the use of dominant-negative mutants with amino acid substitutions in the conserved N(T)KxD nucleotide binding motif. Surprisingly, when such Rab24 constructs were expressed in cultured cells, they accumulated in nuclear inclusions which disrupted the integrity of the nuclear envelope. The inclusions reacted positively with antibodies against ubiquitin and Hsp70, similar to protein aggregates observed in polyglutamine disorders. They also appeared to sequester importin-β and GFP-coupled glucocorticoid receptor. Other Rab GTPases with similar mutations in the N(T)KxD motif were never found in inclusions, suggesting that the unusual localization of Rab24 is not related solely to misfolding of its nucleotide-free form. Studies with Rab24/Rab1B chimeras indicated that targeting of the mutant protein to inclusions requires the unique C-terminal domain of Rab24. These studies demonstrate that mutations in Rab24 can trigger a cytopathic cellular response involving accumulation of nuclear inclusions. If the N(T)KxD mutants of Rab24 function as dominant suppressors, these studies may point to a unique role for Rab24 in degradation of misfolded cellular proteins or trafficking of proteins to the nuclear envelope. However, we cannot yet eliminate the possibility that these phenomena are related to unusual non-physiological protein interactions with the mutant form of Rab24.
Growth of colloidal PbS nanosheets and the enhancement of their photoluminescence

Dual photoluminescence peaks observed during the synthesis of colloidal PbS nanosheets reveal their growth mechanism – two-dimensional attachments of the quantum dots. Well-grown nanosheets show the photoluminescence linewidth of 95 meV at room temperature. Aged nanosheets in toluene have enhanced photoluminescence with intensity improved by an order of magnitude.
Rapid method for direct extraction of mRNA from seeded soils.

Subsurface soils from an old gas manufacturing site in southern California were used for RNA extraction. The contaminated soils contained high concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (6.5 {mu}g/g of soil) and toxic metals. The total CFU of heterotrophic bacteria in both samples were enumerated with plate count agar (PCA). The isolated mercury- or methyl mercury-resistant strains were able to grow on PCA amended with 25 {mu}g of Hg{sup 2+} (as HgCl{sub 2}) per ml or 3 {mu}g of CH{sub 3}-Hg{sup +} (as CH{sub 3}(Hg)OH) per ml, respectively, and the naphthalene degraders were isolated from minimal medium saturated with naphthalene vapor. The method described extracts up to 17 {mu}g of total RNA per g (wet weight) of soil containing 8.0 {times} 10{sup 8} cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PU21, and mRNA has been detected in 160-ng total RNA fractions. This method has been used for the detection of mRNA transcribed from specific biodegradative genes, including the nah and mer operons, in contaminated soils. This extraction method can be completed within a few hours and has tremendous potential for ecological studies of in situ gene expression among soil microbiotas.
Nonlinear filtering with small observation noise

A study is made of the nonlinear filtering of diffusions when the observation noise covariance is proportional to epsilon /sup 2/, a small parameter. It is shown that the suboptimal solution obtained by the extended Kalman filter is an approximation in the L/sup 2/ sense of order epsilon /sup 2/ to the best nonlinear filter. The technique involves the use of an efficient linearization method obtained via the Girsanov transformation. >
Notch1 activation or loss promotes HPV-induced oral tumorigenesis

Viral oncogene expression is insufficient for neoplastic transformation of human cells, so HPV-associated cancers will also rely upon mutations in cellular oncogenes and tumor suppressors. However, it has been difficult so far to distinguish incidental mutations without phenotypic impact from causal mutations that drive the development of HPV-associated cancers. In this study, we addressed this issue by conducting a functional screen for genes that facilitate the formation of HPV E6/E7-induced squamous cell cancers in mice using a transposon-mediated insertional mutagenesis protocol. Overall, we identified 39 candidate driver genes including Notch1, which unexpectedly was scored by gain or loss of function mutations that were capable of promoting squamous cell carcinogenesis. Autochthonous HPV-positive oral tumors possessing an activated Notch1 allele exhibited high rates of cell proliferation and tumor growth. Conversely, Notch1 loss could accelerate the growth of invasive tumors in manner associated with increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases and other pro-invasive genes. HPV oncogenes clearly cooperated with loss of Notch1, insofar as its haploinsufficiency accelerated tumor growth only in HPV-positive tumors. In clinical specimens of various human cancers, there was a consistent pattern of NOTCH1 expression that correlated with invasive character, in support of our observations in mice. While Notch1 acts as a tumor suppressor in mouse skin, we found that oncogenes enabling any perturbation in Notch1 expression promoted tumor growth, albeit via distinct pathways. Our findings suggest caution in interpreting the meaning of putative driver gene mutations in cancer, and therefore therapeutic efforts to target them, given the significant contextual differences in which such mutations may arise, including in virus-associated tumors.
Effect of cupric ion activity on calcium accumulation in juvenile flounder (Paralichthys spp.)

Abstract To test the effects of cupric ion activity on calcium accumulation, juvenile flounder ( Paralichthys spp.) were exposed to five different activities of ionic copper for 14 days. The negative log of the cupric ion activity (pCu) of the seawater-based exposure media were controlled with a nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) trace metal buffer system. The pCu ranged from 13·0 (analogous to background cupric ion activities measured in Beaufort seawater) to 9·0 (which could exist in grossly contaminated environments). The rates of 45 Ca accumulation by flounder were significantly reduced with increasing cupric ion activities. The rates at pCu 10·0, 9·5, and 9·0 were lower than those at pCu 13·0 and 11·0. Additionally, it was shown that after the fish were exposed to the different activities for 14 days and then placed in seawater without added copper or NTA, there was increased 45 Ca accumulation at the two highest pCu of 9·5 and 9·0. This increased accumulation suggests that the fishes were trying to overcome a calcium deficit that was induced by the copper exposure. The demonstrated non-lethal effects of copper/cupric ion activity on flounder occurred at cupric ion concentrations that were two to three orders of magnitude lower than the lethal concentrations.
Modeling of kinematic diffraction from a thin silicon film illuminated by a coherent, focused X‐ray nanobeam

A rigorous model of a diffraction experiment utilizing a coherent, monochromatic, X-ray beam, focused by a Fresnel zone plate onto a thin, perfect, single-crystal layer is presented. In this model, first the coherent wave emanating from an ideal zone plate equipped with a direct-beam stop and order-sorting aperture is computed. Then, diffraction of the focused wavefront by a thin silicon film positioned at the primary focal spot is calculated. This diffracted wavefront is propagated to the detector position, and the intensity distribution at the detector plane is extracted. The predictions of this model agree quite well with experimental data measured at the Center for Nanoscale Materials nanoprobe instrument at Sector 26 of the Advanced Photon Source.
Mars science laboratory frame manager for centralized frame tree database and target pointing

The FM (Frame Manager) flight software module is responsible for maintaining the frame tree database containing coordinate transforms between frames. The frame tree is a proper tree structure of directed links, consisting of surface and rover subtrees. Actual frame transforms are updated by their owner. FM updates site and saved frames for the surface tree. As the rover drives to a new area, a new site frame with an incremented site index can be created. Several clients including ARM and RSM (Remote Sensing Mast) update their related rover frames that they own. Through the onboard centralized FM frame tree database, client modules can query transforms between any two frames. Important applications include target image pointing for RSM-mounted cameras and frame-referenced arm moves. The use of frame tree eliminates cumbersome, error-prone calculations of coordinate entries for commands and thus simplifies flight operations significantly.
Implications of Formal Production Information Systems for Production Management

Production systems are becoming more and more information intensive activities. Production management is faced with new challenges which demand an overall information approach to production information systems planning. However, production systems are not all alike. Each system presents different information implications for system selection and operation. An information systems view of production information systems is offered. The analysis is based on principles central to systems thinking in general, with specific reference to production systems. Various such systems, including hierarchical, MRP, JIT, OPT and FMS, are then examined from a major aspect of systems design, the concept of system guarantors. Each of these systems has proved successful in certain production environments. However, from an information systems point of view, the question is not always one of net return or claims of increased productivity, but rather who or what will in the final analysis guarantee the system's results.