cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving transmission system resilience using an automation controller and Distributed Resources

As the transmission network has evolved over time, it has been operated closer to its limits and as a result lacks the ability to handle severe contingencies such as extreme weather, natural disasters, major generation failure, loss of transmission lines, or cyber-attacks. Depending on the timing of the event, these conditions could lead to cascading problems which can bring down an area larger than that directly affected by the event if they are not handled properly. Recent technological advancements in lower cost communication and control plus the increased use of distributed generation, gives an opportunity to break the transmission network into independent networks supplying local critical loads beyond the break points used by regional transmission operators. This paper demonstrates the concept with a relatively simple transmission system model and utilizes a commercial automation controller to partition the system. The local generators are able to supply the local critical loads. An algorithm is proposed to detect the abnormal situations and to isolate the system into independent networks. The isolated systems can supply the local critical loads under stable operating conditions following generator shedding or shedding of less critical loads. The entire system is modeled in a Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) along with an automation controller which communicates with model using the IEC 61850 standard protocol. The entire operation can be monitored and controlled with the help of a Human Machine Interface developed for the project.
Lissencephaly: Clinical and MRI Findings

Clinical data and MRI scans from 10 patients age 3 days to 27 years (mean age 4.6 years) with lissencephaly were reviewed in the Departments of Radiology, Neurology and Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
A portable solid-state stimulus programmer

This paper describes a miniature solid-state timing device particularly useful for presenting repetitive signal sequences in classical conditioning experiments. The device uses transistors, silicon-controlled rectifiers, and four-layer diodes, and is powered by 20-hour rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. Visual monitoring is provided for the unelapsed ITI and battery charge. Ranges are; ITI, 15 sec. to 5 min., ISI, 0–50 secs., CS duration, 0.5 to 30 sec., US duration, 0.5 to 30 sec. The CS and US durations are adjustable and the onset of the latter may be at any time after the CS onset. Cycling is continuous and automatic; the outputs are in the form of relay closures.
Health Belief Model Offers Opportunities for Designing Weight Management Interventions for College Students.

Abstract Objective Identify weight-related beliefs of college students and test the predictive power of the Health Belief Model for body mass index (BMI). Design Cross-sectional online survey with beliefs measured on 5-point scales. Setting University in North Carolina. Participants Undergraduates (n = 516; 91.9%), females (n = 399; 71.3%), white non-Hispanic students (n = 507; 86.2%), and 20.3% of overweight or obese status. Variables Measured Perceived severity, susceptibility, barriers, benefits, and internal and external cues to action. Analysis One-way ANOVA and regression. Significance was P Results Strongest beliefs concerned benefits of healthy eating and physical activity (mean, 4.1 ± 0.7); weakest beliefs concerned barriers to adopting such behaviors (mean, 2.6 ± 0.9). The regression model was statistically significant (P Conclusions and Implications Several beliefs were identified that could serve as the basis for weight-related interventions addressing specific concerns, needs, and goals of college students.
Dietary Fiber and Disease

Dietary fiber is defined as plant cell wall materials which are not subject to hydrolysis by human digestive enzymes (Trowell, 1972b). This group of materials includes a large number of polysaccharides, including cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, gums, as well as lignin. In plants these polysaccharides serve as either a storage form of carbohydrate or as structural components of the plant. The physical characteristics of these polysaccharides and lignin in relation to dietary fiber have been expertly reviewed by others (Cummings, 1976; Southgate, 1976).
Adoption, penetration, and effectiveness of a secondary risk screener for intimate partner violence: Evidence to inform screening practices in integrated care settings.

Abstract Objective Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has implemented screening for past-year intimate partner violence (IPV) in some healthcare facilities along with secondary screening of risk for severe violence among those screening positive in order to facilitate follow-up care for high-risk patients. We evaluated the adoption, penetration, and effectiveness of secondary screening as a tool to facilitate timely follow-up services. Methods Retrospective review of medical records (screening and healthcare use) of 774 women screening positive for past-year IPV (IPV+) at 11 facilities nationwide from April 2014–April 2016. Chi-square and t-tests examined factors related to secondary screening. Results Three of eleven (27.3%) facilities that implemented primary IPV screening adopted secondary screening. At adopting sites, 56.4% eligible (i.e., IPV+) women received secondary screening. Among 185 IPV+ women who completed secondary screening, 33.0% screened positive for severe IPV. Screening positive during secondary screening was associated with higher rate of psychosocial care within 60 days (73.8% vs. 54.0% of IPV+ patients screening negative; p 50% vs. Conclusions Secondary risk assessment following IPV screening may expedite access to psychosocial follow-up care in integrated healthcare settings. However, program uptake needs to be enhanced.
π-Cation Interactions in Molecular Recognition: Perspectives on Pharmaceuticals and Pesticides.

The π–cation interaction that differs from the cation−π interaction is a valuable concept in molecular design of pharmaceuticals and pesticides. In this Perspective we present an up-to-date review (from 1995 to 2017) on bioactive molecules involving π–cation interactions with the recognition site, and categorize into systems of inhibitor–enzyme, ligand–receptor, ligand–transporter, and hapten–antibody. The concept of π–cation interactions offers use of π systems in a small molecule to enhance the binding affinity, specificity, selectivity, lipophilicity, bioavailability, and metabolic stability, which are physiochemical features desired for drugs and pesticides.
Associations between the chemokine biomarker CCL2 and knee osteoarthritis outcomes: the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project.

Summary Objective Our study analyzes the association between chemokine-ligand-2 (CCL2) serum concentrations at baseline and knee radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) (knee-rOA), knee-rOA progression, individual radiographic features and knee symptomatic OA at 5-year follow-up. Design OA outcomes were analyzed in a community-based cohort including a baseline enrollment and a 5-year follow-up. Baseline CCL2 serum concentrations were assessed by multiplex assay and associated with presence or progression of individual radiographic features at 5-year follow-up. Separate multiple logistic regression models were used to examine adjusted associations between baseline CCL2 and each of the knee OA variables at follow-up. CCL2 at baseline was modeled as an explanatory variable, whereas each of the knee OA variables at follow-up served as the response variables. Models were adjusted for age, BMI, race, and sex. Trend tests were conducted to assess any linear effect on outcomes across CCL2 tertiles. Results Participants (n = 168) had a median age of 57-years and median BMI of 29 kg/m2. About 63% of all participants were women, and 58% Caucasian (42% African American). In adjusted logistic models, continuous log-CCL2 was significantly associated with knee-rOA. For each unit increase in log CCL2, the odds of having knee-rOA at follow-up was increased by 72%. CCL2 tertiles showed significant linear associations with presence and progression of knee-rOA and medial joint space narrowing (JSN), but not with presence or progression of osteophytes, bone sclerosis, knee symptoms, or symptomatic knee-rOA. Conclusions Serum CCL2 may help to elucidate some mechanisms of joint destruction and identify individuals with higher odds of structural knee changes.
Joint Verification-Identification in end-to-end Multi-Scale CNN Framework for Topic Identification

We present an end-to-end multi-scale Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) framework for topic identification (topic ID). In this work, we examined multi -scale CNN for classification using raw text input. Topical word embeddings are learnt at multiple scales using parallel convolutional layers. A technique to integrate verification and identification objectives is examined to improve topic ID performance. With this approach, we achieved significant improvement in identification task. We evaluated our framework on two contrasting datasets: 20 newsgroups and Fisher. We obtained 92.93% accuracy on Fisher and 86.12% on 20 newsgroups, which to our know ledge are the best published results on these datasets at the moment.
Antipodal Theorems for Sets in Rn Bounded by a Finite Number of Spheres

This is a continuation of paper in Adv. Appl. Math. 22 (1999), 219–226, on an antipodal theorem for sets Dn in Rn bounded by a finite number of spheres. Here this theorem is first applied to set-valued mappings from Dn to the boundary of an (n + 1)-cube or a d- dimensional octahedron. Next, the antipodal theorem is reformulated in terms of real continuous functions on Dn, together with applications to the classical theorems of Borsuk–Ulam and Lusternik–Schnirelmann–Borsuk.
Mercury levels in organisms in proximity to an old chemical site: Berrys Creek, Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey, USA☆

Abstract During 1979 and 1980 finfish and Crustacea were collected seasonally at 11 sites located in and around the Berrys Creek tidal marsh, a tributary creek in the Hackensack Meadowlands region of northern New Jersey. The study was designed to measure the extent of mercury contamination among aquatic macrofauna in conjunction with a documented point-source discharge of the metal into the marsh environment. A total of 689 individual and/or composite samples representing 20 species were collected and subsequently analysed for total mercury concentration using flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy. In potentially-edible species such as white perch, american eel, catfish, carp and blue-claw crab, average mercury concentrations were generally below 0.5 ppm. Only infrequently were mercury concentrations encountered in excess of the US FDA action guideline of 1.0 ppm. Mummichogs, a resident finfish in the marsh, appear to be a more reliable indicator of local mercury contamination. Mummichogs collected in Berrys Creek north of the Route 3 bridge nearer to the point source exhibited statistically-higher concentrations of mercury as compared with fish collected at downstream sites. White muscle and hepatopancreas tissues of blue-claw crab samples appear to be the primary and secondary sites of accumulated mercury, respectively. No immediate health hazard was indicated. However, some concern exists as to the long-term implications of chronic mercury contamination in this heavily-industrialized region.
Challenges and Opportunities in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Modeling and Optimization

Abstract The pharmaceutical industry currently faces economic and regulatory challenges associated with process development. Process systems engineering (PSE) tools can play a role in developing robust and economically efficient manufacturing processes. However pharmaceutical companies have lagged behind other specialty chemical manufacturers in the adoption of these tools. This is in part due to the challenges associated with modeling and optimization of solids-based processes. However recent advances in the modeling of particulate processes and the optimization of complex process models have created opportunities to apply PSE methods to pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. This work will provide an overview of the challenges associated with modeling and optimizing particulate processes and discuss opportunities for improving pharmaceutical process development through the use of concepts from process systems engineering.
Intact verbal fluency abilities in the Broad Autism Phenotype.

Abstract This study attempted to replicate the findings of Camodeca and Voelker (2016), who demonstrated that controlled processing weaknesses were evident in the Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP), and that these weaknesses were predictive of real-world pragmatic language problems. One hundred eighty-two undergraduates completed the Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System Verbal Fluency (D-KEFS-VF) test and the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ). Results were partially replicated. Contrary to the previous study, the BAP group (n = 31) did not demonstrate comparative weaknesses in controlled processing, nor were controlled processing abilities predictive of BAPQ Pragmatic Language score. Similar to the previous study, controlled processing did not predict pragmatic language abilities for Non-BAP (n = 151) subjects. For each group, letter fluency score predicted 2nd 15″ interval score (controlled processing abilities); automatic processing (1st 15″ interval) did not. Results suggest that verbal fluency skills in the BAP are similar to controls, and that controlled processing does not account for significant variance in real-world social language in the BAP.
Cycling Results of Mechanically Damaged Li-Ion Batteries

This paper presents comparison of cycling data of mechanically damaged 18650 lithium-ion cells versus intact ones. Three intact and three indented cells were tested for more than 80 cycles. Comparison of the cycle data showed that there was no significant difference between the intact and indented cells in terms of electrical performance, even at high C-rates. The results show that if the mechanical damage does not cause a short circuit, then using the battery may not pose an immediate danger, at least in the studied deformation scenario. Further, using electrical response and charge/discharge data that we have studied so far, one cannot estimate the extent of mechanical damage after an incident, and a more thorough inspection of the cells would be required. We note that the results cannot be extended to other types of batteries or other mechanical damage scenarios without further investigation.
Managing biodiversity & divinities: Case study of one twenty-year humanitarian forest restoration project in Benin

Abstract Humanitarian assistance around the world frequently represents an immense and well-intentioned impulse to redress the suffering of others. And yet, cross-cultural misunderstandings and conflicts of differing value-systems—as knowledge mismatches between those offering help and those targeted for help—will often risk neutralizing or rendering ineffective the assistance offered. Given the critical need for humanitarian assistance successes worldwide, research to mitigate this risk has a particular urgency. Understanding “use” as any activity that transforms a world, this case study analyzes the complexities of multi-actor resource use at a successful, 20-year rain forest restoration and preservation project in Benin. Findings from this case study supply examples for how “edges”—as a type of co-operative space—enabled effective rain-forest biodiversity restoration delivery despite unresolved, and at times unresolvable, knowledge mismatches between the actors in the case. Limited to a single case, the study nonetheless offers ‘edges’ as a promising analytic and strategic means for (1) anticipating and neutralizing the frustrating delivery effects of cross-cultural knowledge mismatches, (2) better securing more effective shorter-term outcomes and less harmful longer-term impacts from humanitarian assistance efforts generally, and (3) directions for future, more widely ranging research into other assistance-delivery contexts, as well as literature on collaboration generally.
Raising Readers with Ready To Learn: A Six-Year Follow-up to an Early Educational Computer Game Intervention

Abstract Millions of young American children have consumed media created with funding from the Department of Education's Ready To Learn (RTL) initiative, which aims to promote school readiness. The Early Learning Hypothesis predicts such educational media catalyzes long-term academic success. To test RTL's effectiveness and the Early Learning Hypothesis, the authors re-contacted and re-assessed 101 youth in middle childhood who had participated in an evaluation of an RTL-funded, literacy-themed computer game in early childhood. A curvilinear relation was found between children's early childhood pretest scores and middle childhood outcomes. The positive RTL effects were still measurable in middle childhood, but only for children with below and above average literacy prior to the original intervention. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Addie Kinsinger: A Grand Lady of the Field

Part of my journey in the field of educational technology began in 1999 when I attended my first AECT convention. It was held in Houston, and I was a doctoral student at the University of Kentucky at the time. Like many new doctoral students, I didn’t know many people in the field. At the Houston conference, some of the members of the Distance Learning Division, formerly the Division of Telecommunications, “adopted” me as the new AECT kid on the block. The online learning movement was in its infancy, so many of the people in that division came from the area of public television, including a leader in the field by the name of Addie Kinsinger, who worked with KAET-TV in Arizona to create the program Arizona School Services through Educational Technology (ASSET). While we didn’t meet that year, Addy and I were already members of the same division within AECT. At that conference I realized that, if I really wanted to immerse myself in the field, and I did, the best thing for me as a student was to apply for a conference internship the following year. So, I applied and was accepted as an intern for the 2000 AECT Convention in Long Beach.
Tracking Valued and Avoidant Functions with Health Behaviors: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Matrix Mobile App:

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the acceptability and additive effects of self-monitoring avoidant and valued functions of behavior, in the context of self-monitoring physical activity a...
Video feedback: is it worth the effort? A response to Borup et al

It is easier than ever to provide video feedback. Research has shown that video feedback, among other things, can help increase conversational and affective communication. However, research also suggests that despite its benefits, instructors and students might prefer text-based feedback. The following paper responds to research by Borup, West, and Thomas (Educ Technol Res Dev 63(2): 161-184. 10.1007/s11423-015-9367-8, 2015), describes the value of their research, how it can be applied, some limitations, and future areas of research in a time where colleges are shifting to digital.
2 Improving efficiency & throughput in the cancer center at tufts medical center for linked clinic and infusion visits

Background The COVID-19 pandemic created new social-distancing guidelines, which exacerbated existing patient access issues at Tufts Medical Center Cancer Center. A recent survey showed treatment delays associated with COVID-19 in 27% of cancer patients(ASC-CAN 2020). Patient care & access delays impact clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction & revenue. Objectives Baseline data from TMC Infusion Center demonstrated only 78–81% chair utilization between 11am-1pm, chair-waste time averaging 95 min & patient wait times averaging 101–126 min for linked provider-infusion visits(n=36). Objectives include decreasing patient wait times & improving throughput by 10%. Methods Lean, Six-Sigma & IHI Model for Improvement methodologies were utilized to analyze current state & implement change strategies through a 3-phase Kaizen (figure 1). Phase 1 - Qualitative & quantitative tools, value-stream-map & driver-diagram (figure 2), were used to review current state & root causes with a subject matter expert multidisciplinary team. Three areas of opportunities were identified: patient flow between Infusion Center & Cancer Clinic, premixing drugs & lab turnaround time. Phase 2 – 4-hour Kaizen with 3 teams to root-cause analyze, design & simulate solutions. Phase 3 - Utilized Plan-Do-Study-Act methodologies to test solutions & gathered data outcomes for 30-days. Results The patient flow team redesigned check-in/out & optimized waiting room space; resulted in 40%(n=16) wait time reduction, 53%(n=16) wasted chair time reduction, & created a one-directional flow to improve social distancing. The pharmacy team developed a drug premixing protocol based on type, longevity & cost. They also established a nursing-pharmacy huddle to review scheduled patients. This resulted in 16%(n=496) increase of drugs processed under 1-hour. The lab team used visual cues to standardize delivery of lab samples & improve lab result turnaround time (figure 3). Conclusions Kaizen & PDSA methodologies proved effective & led to positive efficiency & patient satisfaction outcomes. Leadership & executive support were crucial for change management. Next steps include continuous monitoring of interventions to sustain processes & scheduling optimization.
Expert learning in (micro)communities of practice: a case study examining teacher professional development

This article reports on a qualitative case study investigating a multi-year, professional development as a form of community of practice (CoP). Data were collected over 4 years and included pre-pos...
Consumer Demand—Separability and Commodity Aggregation

A significant problem to address prior to empirical implementation of the theory of consumer demand is the problem of degrees of freedom. In particular, because of the large number of goods purchased by the consumer, there are literally thousands of individual goods and, therefore prices of related goods, one would need to include in the analysis to make it complete. Even for a modest number of commodities, there are still a relatively large number of elasticities to estimate requiring a relatively large data sample. This chapter considers the alternative approaches to this problem, though restrictions on price movements and separability and two-stage budgeting. The focus is on two-stage budgeting with an effort to clarify understanding of application to systems of demand functions. The main result is that either strong separability or homogeneous separability, in addition to weak separability, is required for consistent estimation of two-stage demand functions. The chapter concludes with a discussion on how to empirically implement two-stage budgeting for a complete system of demand functions.
An Animated Portrait of Inaccessibly High-Cost Care

This digital still and the poetically narrated animation portrait from which it is captured characterizes a woman overwhelmed by her body’s failure and by a health care system’s failure to care well. Her story offers insight into a patient’s experience of inaccessibly high-cost services.
Investigation of PAS and CNBH domain interactions in hERG channels and effects of long-QT syndrome-causing mutations with surface plasmon resonance

Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels are key regulators of cardiac repolarization, neuronal excitability, and tumorigenesis. hERG channels contain N-terminal Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) and C-terminal cyclic nucleotide-binding homology (CNBH) domains with many long-QT syndrome (LQTS)-causing mutations located at the interface between these domains. Despite the importance of PAS/CNBH domain interactions, little is known about their affinity. Here, we used the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique to investigate interactions between isolated PAS and CNBH domains and the effects of LQTS-causing mutations R20G, N33T and E58D, located at the PAS/CNBH domain interface, on these interactions. We determined that the affinity of the PAS/CNBH domain interactions was ∼1.4 μM. R20G and E58D mutations had little effect on the domain interaction affinity, while N33T abolished the domain interactions. Interestingly, mutations in the intrinsic ligand, a conserved stretch of amino acids occupying the beta-roll cavity in the CNBH domain, had little effect on the affinity of PAS/CNBH domain interactions. Additionally, we determined that the isolated PAS domains formed oligomers with an interaction affinity of ∼1.6 μM. Co-expression of the isolated PAS domains with the full-length hERG channels or addition of the purified PAS protein inhibited hERG currents. These PAS/PAS interactions can have important implications for hERG function in normal and pathological conditions associated with increased surface density of channels or interaction with other PAS domain-containing proteins. Taken together, our study provides the first account of the binding affinities for wild-type and mutant hERG PAS and CNBH domains, and highlights the potential functional significance of PAS/PAS domain interactions.
Review of Forensic DNA Profiling Protocols

This hard covered volume is one of the series (#98) of Methods in Molecular Biology and is directed to forensic scientists who need to apply practical methods of DNA analysis for the purpose of identifying either the origin of evidence samples or individuals. Mainstream chemical, interpretive and statistical methods are included.
Fungal parasites of grasses and cereals: their role as food or medicine, now and in the past

With the use of grain comes a variety of parasitic fungi – some benign, others dangerous and even toxic. Here are surveyed some of the fungi to which ancient and modern grain is subject, and some of the consequences for human populations. More specifically, several parasitic fungi, Claviceps, purpurea, C. Paspali, Ustilago maydis and U. esculenta, have infested cereal grains and grasses in ancient and recent times and may have served as a source of human foods or medicine.
Purification and properties of rat liver microsomal esterases.

Abstract Several rat liver microsomal esterases have been isolated. One of these was purified to homogeneity and its physical and catalytic properties were investigated. The enzyme is composed of two subunits of equal molecular weight. Each 70,000 molecular weight subunit appears to have an active site. Evidence is presented which suggests that catalysis involves the formation of an acyl-enzyme intermediate and requires the presence of an unprotonated residue with a pK of about 6.0.
Tightly integrated board level free space optical interconnects

Free-space optical interconnects that use integrated VCSEL/MSM detector arrays can move data faster with lower power dissipation at the board level, and therefore have the potential to impact future router/switch and computer back-plane implementations. This paper summarizes some of the demonstration systems that were built by the 3-d OESP consortium to investigate experimentally the validity of these potentials.
A global approach to record clustering and file reorganization

We present an integrated method for record clustering and reorganization which can be applied to any set of queries whose frequencies of request are known. The clustering algorithm works by splitting and merging current clusters and, furthermore, produces a new assignment of these clusters to pages in secondary storage. The reorganization algorithm is an on-line, incremental procedure for allocating the records to their new physical locations such that the number of pages swapped in and out of the memory buffer is as small as possible.
Binding of isotopically labeled substrates, inhibitors, and cyanide by protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase

Binding of ligands to the active site Fe3+ of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase is investigated using EPR-detected transferred hyperfine coupling from isotopically labeled substrates, inhibitors, and cyanide. Broadening is observed in EPR resonances from the anaerobic enzyme complex with homoprotocatechuate (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate), a slow substrate, enriched with 17O (I = ½) in either the 3-OH or the 4-OH group. This shows that this substrate binds directly to the Fe3+ and strongly suggests that an iron chelate can be formed. Cyanide is known to bind to the enzyme in at least two steps, forming first a high spin and then a low spin complex (Whittaker, J. W., and Lipscomb, J. D. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 4487–4495). Hyperfine broadening from [13C]cyanide (I = ½) is observed in the EPR spectra of both complexes, showing that cyanide is an Fe3+ ligand in each case. Cyanide binding is also at least biphasic in the presence of protocatechuate (PCA). The initial high spin enzyme-PCA-cyanide complex forms rapidly and exhibits a unique EPR spectrum. Broadening from PCA enriched with 17O in either the 3-OH or the 4-OH group is detected showing that PCA binds to the iron, probably as a chelate complex. In contrast, no broadening from [13C]cyanide is detected for this complex suggesting that cyanide binds at a site away from the Fe3+. Steady state kinetic measurements of cyanide inhibition of PCA turnover are consistent with two rapidly exchanging cyanide binding sites that inhibit PCA binding and which can be simultaneously occupied. Formation of the nearly irreversible, low spin enzyme-PCA-cyanide complex is competitively inhibited by PCA. Transient kinetics of the formation of this complex are second order in cyanide implying that two cyanides bind. Broadening in the EPR spectrum of this complex is detected from [13C]cyanide, but not from [17O]PCA, suggesting that PCA is displaced. This study provides the first direct evidence for chelation of the active site Fe3+ by substrates and for a small molecule binding site away from the iron in intradiol dioxygenases.
The multiple roles for ATP in the Escherichia coli UvrABC endonuclease-catalyzed incision reaction.

The biochemical properties of the Escherichia coli UvrA tandem ATPase site mutants in nucleotide excision repair have been studied. In these and earlier studies it was found that ATP binding is required for protein-protein and nucleoprotein association reactions, whereas the dissociation reactions are driven by the hydrolysis of ATP. The self-association of UvrA to form the reactive dimeric species UvrA2 is driven by nucleotide binding, but its dissociation from DNA requires ATP hydrolysis. Similarly, ATP binding drives those allosteric changes in DNA topology during UvrA2-nucleoprotein formation (Oh, E.Y., and Grossman, L. (1986) Nucleic Acids Res. 14, 8557-8571). The manifestation of the UvrB-associated cryptic ATPase requires UvrA and DNA in a helicase-catalyzed supercoiling reaction. The UvrA2B helicase activity requires ATP hydrolysis by the C-terminal ATPase site of UvrA in addition to UvrB. ATP hydrolysis by the C-terminal ATPase site of UvrA also participates in the localization of damaged sites contributing to the formation of damage-specific high affinity nucleoprotein complexes. The levels of complementation to UV survival by the ATPase site mutants of UvrA (Thiagalingam, S., and Grossman, L. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 11395-11403) correspond to its ability to self-bind and translocate in combination with the UvrB subunit in its search for damaged sites during the preincision mode of nucleotide excision.
The Social Constitution of Perceiver-Environment Reciprocity

Although animal—environment reciprocity is central to ecological psychology, one facet of this viewpoint remains underappreciated: organisms alter environments so as to better function in them. In many species this activity of “niche construction” includes coordinated actions by individuals jointly working toward common ends. Mounting paleontological and archeological evidence indicates that human evolution should be viewed in the light of such social considerations. The environment of our immediate human ancestors was marked by, among other things, group settlements, manufactured stone tools, and extensive migration. An emerging species such as ours, whose distinctive psychological qualities offered a selective advantage relative to these conditions, would flourish particularly if it could preserve the gains of prior generations even as its members continued to transform econiche features in functionally significant ways. This evolutionary perspective, with its due recognition of sociocultural processes,...
Does surgery for obstructive sleep apnea improve depression and sleepiness

Objectives/Hypothesis To determine if surgical intervention for OSA (obstructive sleep apnea), particularly multilevel surgery, decreases depression and sleepiness. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Chart and prospective outcome database review of patients who underwent surgery from August 2008 through November 2012. Patients were evaluated before and after surgery using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Beck Depression Index (BDI), and overnight polysomnography. Results Forty-four patients (12 females; 32 males) met inclusion criteria. Mean age of participants was 44.0 years (SD, 10.2); mean body mass index was 31.9 (SD, 9.3). The mean preoperative obstructive respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was 35.8 events/hour (SD, 21.9; range, 6.6–94.2), which decreased to 17.1 (SD, 19.5; range, 0.8–78.1; P < 0.0001). Mean ESS improved from 10.8 (SD, 4.7) to 6.3 (SD, 3.7; P = 0.0001); whereas BDI scores improved from 8.4 (SD, 8.2) to 4.9 (SD, 6.0; P = 0.0051). There were 22 (50.0%) patients with excessive daytime sleepiness and 12 (27.3%) patients with depression before surgery. Surgery was associated with resolution of sleepiness in 17 patients (77.3%) and depression in 9 patients (75.0%). In multivariable regression analysis, only change in ESS (P = 0.003) and baseline BDI (P < 0.001) were associated with improvement in depression. RDI was not significant (P = 0.15). Conclusions Surgical treatment of OSA, especially multilevel surgery, resulted in significantly reduced depression, with resolution in 75% of patients. Similarly, surgery resulted in significantly reduced sleepiness, with resolution in 77% of patients. Reduction in sleepiness scores, but not OSA severity, was predictive of improvement in depression scores. Further evaluation with a larger sample size and a control group is warranted. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 124:2829–2836, 2014
Modifying the Bitterness of Selected Oral Pharmaceuticals with Cation and Anion Series of Salts

Purpose. NaCl has proven to be an effective bitterness inhibitor, but the reason remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a variety of cations and anions on the bitterness of selected oral pharmaceuticals and bitter taste stimuli: pseudoephedrine, ranitidine, acetaminophen, quinine, and urea.
Tools for Simulation and Benchmark Generation at Exascale

The path to exascale high-performance computing (HPC) poses several challenges related to power, performance, resilience, productivity, programmability, data movement, and data management. Investigating the performance of parallel applications at scale on future architectures and the performance impact of different architecture choices is an important component of HPC hardware/software co-design. Simulations using models of future HPC systems and communication traces from applications running on existing HPC systems can offer an insight into the performance of future architectures. This work targets technology developed for scalable application tracing of communication events and memory profiles, but can be extended to other areas, such as I/O, control flow, and data flow. It further focuses on extreme-scale simulation of millions of Message Passing Interface (MPI) ranks using a lightweight parallel discrete event simulation (PDES) toolkit for performance evaluation. Instead of simply replaying a trace within a simulation, the approach is to generate a benchmark from it and to run this benchmark within a simulation using models to reflect the performance characteristics of future-generation HPC systems. This provides a number of benefits, such as eliminating the data intensive trace replay and enabling simulations at different scales. The presented work utilizes the ScalaTrace tool to generate scalable trace files, the ScalaBenchGen tool to generate the benchmark, and the xSim tool to run the benchmark within a simulation.
Deletion of Ptprd and Cdkn2a cooperate to accelerate tumorigenesis.

// Berenice Ortiz 1,2 , Julie R.White 3 , Wei H. Wu 2 and Timothy A. Chan 2,4,5 1 Gerstner Sloan-Kettering Graduate School, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA 2 Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA 3 The Tri-Institutional Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA 4 Dept. of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA 5 Brain Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA Correspondence: Timothy A. Chan, email: // Keywords : PTPRD, CDKN2A Received : May 9, 2014 Accepted : June 12, 2014 Published : June 14, 2014 Abstract PTPRD encodes the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type D and is frequently inactivated across many human cancers. Despite its frequent inactivation, it is unknown whether loss of PTPRD promotes tumorigenesis in vivo . PTPRD is located on chromosome 9p, as is CDKN2A , and the two loci are frequently deleted together. Here, we show that co-deletion of Ptprd and Cdkn2a cooperate to accelerate tumorigenesis. Interestingly,heterozygous loss of Ptprd was sufficient to promote tumorigenesis in our model, suggesting that Ptprd may be a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor. The loss of Ptprd resulted in changes to the tumor spectrum in mice and increased the frequency of lymphomas. In total, we reveal that Ptprd is a tumor suppressor that can promote tumorigenesis in concert with Cdkn2a loss.
Cue reactivity as a predictor of drinking among male alcoholics.

Social learning theories suggest that conditioned responses may increase the risk for relapse. Responses to alcohol use cues (cue reactivity) are associated with variables suggestive of risk but little research exists on the relationship of cue reactivity to treatment outcome. Alcoholic men admitted for detoxification to a treatment program (n = 45) underwent a cue reactivity assessment protocol, and 91% received 3-month follow-up interviews. Greater salivary reactivity predicted greater frequency of drinking during follow-up. Attentional factors added independent variance to the prediction of drinking outcome, with greater attention to stimulus or to response predicting less drinking. Cue reactivity did not predict length of hospital stay or latency to first drink. Results are discussed in the context of information processing, social learning theories, and clinical implications for relapse prevention. Language: en
The synthesis and structural characterization of the μ-sulfur dioxide complex Re2(μ-SO2)(μ-Cl)Cl4(μ-dppm)2

Abstract The paramagnetic, multiply bonded dirhenium complex Re 2 (μ-SO 2 )(μ-Cl)Cl 4 (μ-dppm) 2 is a product of the reaction between Re 2 Cl 4 (μ-dppm) 2 and SO 2 in tetrahydrofuran. It has an edge-sharing bioctahedral structure with a ReRe bond distance of 2.6289(3) A and a symmetrically bound μ 2 -SO 2 ligand (ReS distances 2.251–2.252 A).
A multimodal approach to central venous catheter hub care can decrease catheter-related bloodstream infection.

Background This study was conducted to investigate decreases in catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) through an evidence-based multimodal intervention. Methods This was a prospective interventional study of neonates with a central venous catheter (CVC) from a neonatal intensive care unit database, involving implementation of a multimodal approach to central venous catheter hub care using 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol and education of medical staff by audiovisual presentations. CRBSI rates in the pre-intervention period and postintervention period were compared. Results A total of 373 patients with a CVC (163 in the preintervention period and 210 in the postintervention period) were studied. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in the 2 periods. Extremely low birth weight infants constituted 40% of the cohort in the preintervention period and 38% of the cohort in the postintervention period. The CRBSI rate in patients with a umbilical artery catheter and an umbilical vein catheter decreased from 15/1000 catheter-days to 10/1000 catheter-days (odds ratio [OR], 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.91). The CRBSI rate in patients with a peripherally inserted central catheter decreased from 23/1000 catheter-days to 10/1000 catheter-days (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12-0.91). These decreased CRBSI rates were sustained despite high device utilization. The incidence of gram-negative septicemia also decreased. Ten CRBSIs were prevented by this multimodal approach, representing significant health care cost savings. Conclusion This study demonstrates significant decreases in CRBSI rate for all catheter types and birth weight categories associated with the multimodal intervention. Audiovisual education is an effective tool for practice change. Reeducation and compliance monitoring should be part of all nosocomial infection prevention strategies, resulting in significant savings in health care costs.
A Hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization with Type-2 Fuzzy Sets for Generating Systems of Systems Architectures☆

Abstract Both modeling and simulating a system of systems (SoS) are difficult due not only to a changing environment but also the unique behavior that is linked to different participating systems. Generating architectures for a SoS is a multi-objective optimization problem with large number of variables and constraints. The paper presents several of computational intelligence techniques that can generate SoS architectures, such as genetic algorithms (GA), and particle swarm optimization (PSO) combined with Type 2 Fuzzy logic nets. The Maritime search and rescue (SAR) was used as a SoS domain scenario to both implement and demonstrate the architecting methodology. SAR utilizes a variety of systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), coordination command control, communication systems and other larger manned vessels. The proposed methodology delivers SoS architects of SAR missions the ability to exploit the interdependence among all systems as well as individual system's inherent characteristics to satisfy stakeholders’ desired attributes. The architect is thus able to design architectures that are robust, efficient, net-centric, and affordable.
The Dual-Site Alternating Cyclocopolymerization of 1,3-Butadiene with Ethylene

The copolymerization of ethylene with 1,3-butadiene was studied with the series of ansa-metallocenes Me2Si(Cp)(9-Flu)ZrCl2 (1), Me2Si(1-Ind)(9-Flu)ZrCl2 (2), and Me2Si(9-Flu)2ZrCl2 (3) with methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst. The catalyst 2/MAO yields a cyclocopolymer composed of two ethylene monomer units for every one butadiene in a novel periodic architecture of 1,2-enchained cyclopentane units separated by three methylenes. The high butadiene content in the copolymer and the high selectivity for alternating cyclocopolymerization to form methylene-1,2-cyclopentane units implicate a dual-site mechanism where butadiene and ethylene are enchained at different coordination sites.
Distinct mechanisms and timing of language recovery after stroke.

The “language network” is remarkably stable across language tasks but changes in response to injury to specific components or in response to “disconnection” of input to one component. We investigated network changes during language recovery, hypothesizing that language recovery takes place through distinct mechanisms: (a) reperfusion; (b) recovery from diaschisis; (c) recovery from structural disconnection; and (d) “reorganization” of language, whereby various components assume function of a damaged component. We also tested the hypothesis that “reorganization” depends on: the language task, level of performance, size and site of stroke, and time post onset. We tested these hypotheses in five participants who had structural, perfusion, and functional imaging utilizing spelling, reading, word generation, and picture naming tasks at acute and subsequent stages after ischaemic stroke. These cases illustrate different mechanisms of aphasia recovery or illustrate that reorganization of language acutely depends on individual variables in addition to size and site of stroke.
Lone pairs in insulating pyrochlores: Ice rules and high-k behavior

Abstract Pyrochlore dielectric materials such as (Bi 1.5 Zn 0.5 )(Nb 1.5 Zn 0.5 )O 7 (BZN) have generated interest because they combine high dielectric constants with small dielectric loss tangents and yet are cubic at all temperatures. The recent low-temperature preparation and structural characterization of Bi 2 Ti 2 O 7 , which remains cubic down to 2 K, has provided a good model system for understanding the properties of Bi-based pyrochlores. In this contribution, the electronic structure of cubic Bi 2 Ti 2 O 7 is visualized and compared with the electronic structure of the Aurivillius phase ferroelectric SrBi 2 Ta 2 O 9 (SBT), which displays a ferroelectric distortion below 608 K associated with the tendency of lone pair active Bi 3+ to move off-center. Such coherent off-centering distortions are frustrated on the pyrochlore lattice, and this prevents a ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition in Bi 2 Ti 2 O 7 . Instead, Bi 3+ ions in Bi 2 Ti 2 O 7 are obliged to off-center in an incoherent manner, that is compatible with the cubic structure being retained. Frustrated lone pair behavior in the defect pyrochlore Pb 2 Sn 2 O 6 is also described. Parallels between the well-studied frustration of certain types of magnetism in pyrochlore compounds (spin-ice) and the striking paucity of ferroelectric pyrochlores, arising from the corner-connected tetrahedral topology of the pyrochlore lattice are pointed out.
Anomalies in chemical equilibria near critical points of dilute solutions

We show that a recent prediction that the extent of reaction of a very dilute solute near the critical point of an almost pure solvent will show strong variation with temperature at fixed volume is in error. We give arguments to show that the behavior is at most weakly singular in the sense of Griffiths and Wheeler, point out the error in the earlier argument, and show that experiments adduced as evidence for the earlier argument are subject to alternative explanation. We also consider a prediction about the behavior near the critical point of a dissociating solvent.