cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maternal ego development and mother-infant interaction in drug-abusing women ☆

The purpose of this study was to expand our knowledge about factors in substance-abusing women, other than chronic drug abuse, that may influence maternal caregiving behaviors. Specifically, the study explored relationships between maternal characteristics and mother-infant interaction in a sample of drug-abusing women to determine whether drug-addicted mothers' level of ego development affected mother-infant interaction at 1 month. Data collection occurred during a prenatal lab visit and 1 month postpartum and included a clinical interview, self-report on participants' addiction severity, clinical personality inventory, ego development test, and videotaped observation of mother-infant feeding interactions. Only ego development, and to a lesser degree psychological symptoms associated with substance abuse, were found to be significant predictors of maternal-child interaction at 1 month. This points to the need to focus on building internal resources in providing substance abuse treatment and other services for substance-abusing mothers.
Membrane chromatography: protein purification from E. coli lysate using newly designed and commercial anion-exchange stationary phases.

This contribution describes the purification of anthrax protective antigen (PA) protein from Escherichia coli lysate using bind-and-elute chromatography with newly designed weak anion-exchange membranes. Protein separation performance of the new AEX membrane adsorber was compared with the commercial Sartobind® D membrane adsorber and HiTrap™ DEAE FF resin column under preparative scale conditions. Dynamic protein binding capacities of all three stationary phases were determined using breakthrough curve analysis. The AEX membrane showed higher binding capacities than the Sartobind® D membrane at equivalent volumetric throughput and higher capacities than the HiTrap™ DEAE FF resin column at 15 times higher volumetric throughput. Anion-exchange chromatography was performed using all three stationary phases to purify PA protein. Quantitative SDS-PAGE analysis of effluent fractions showed that the purity of PA protein was higher for membrane adsorbers than the HiTrap™ DEAE FF resin column and was the same for the new AEX membrane and Sartobind® D membrane adsorbers. The effects of E. coli lysate load volume and volumetric flow rate on PA protein separation resolution using the membrane adsorbers were minor, and the peak elution profile remained un-changed even under conditions where >75% of the total protein dynamic binding capacity of the membranes had been utilized. PA protein peak resolution was higher using pH-gradient elution than with ionic strength gradient elution. Overall, the results clearly demonstrate that membrane chromatography is a high-capacity, high-throughput, high-resolution separation technique, and that resolution in membrane chromatography can be higher than resin column chromatography under preparative conditions and at much higher volumetric throughput.
Combinatorial pathway analysis for improved L-tyrosine production in Escherichia coli: identification of enzymatic bottlenecks by systematic gene overexpression

Combinatorial overexpression of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis (AAAB) genes in the L-tyrosine producing Escherichia coli strains T1 and T2 was employed to search for AAAB reactions limiting L-tyrosine production. All AAAB genes except aroG and tyrA, which were substituted by their feedback resistant derivatives in the host strains, were cloned and overexpressed. A total of 72 different strains overexpressing various AAAB gene combinations were generated and from those strains with improved phenotype, enzymatic bottlenecks of the AAAB pathway could be inferred. The two major gene overexpression targets for increased L-tyrosine production in E. coli were ydiB and aroK, coding for a shikimate dehydrogenase and a shikimate kinase, respectively, and the combination of ydiB and aroK for overexpression resulted in the best L-tyrosine producing strains in this study, yielding 45% for strain T1 and 26% for strain T2, respectively, higher L-tyrosine titers. Interestingly, overexpression studies with combinations of more than one gene revealed that new gene targets could be identified when overexpessed together with other genes but not alone as single gene overexpression. For example, tyrB encoding the last enzyme of the AAAB pathway, an aromatic amino acid transaminase, improved L-tyrosine production significantly when co-overexpressed together with ydiB or aroK, but not when overexpressed alone. It is also noteworthy that E. coli T1, which generally yielded less L-tyrosine, was amenable to greater improvements than strain T2, i.e. E. coli T1 exhibited generally more space for phenotype improvement.
The secant condition for instability in biochemical feedback control—I. The role of cooperativity and saturability

This paper concerns oscillations arising in a sequence of biochemical reactions S 0 → S 1 ↓ → S 2 ↓ → ⋯ → S n → whose end-product inhibits the rate of the first reaction. Except for the end-product inhibition, each reaction rate is assumed to be unaffected by Si other than its reactant. It is shown that with a constant concentration of S0 a necessary condition for instability at a critical point (steady state) is β 1 β 2 … β n − 1 φ α 1 α 2 … α n ⩾ ( sec ⁡ π / n ) n , where βi is the order of reaction (with respect to the concentration Si of Si) of the formation of Si + 1 from Si; αi is the order of reaction (with respect to Si) of the combined processes of metabolic conversion and all other processes removing Si; and φ is the order of the negative feedback, i.e. −φ is the order of reaction (with respect to Sn) of the conversion of S0 to S1. The order of a chemical reaction with respect to Si is defined as δ log V/δ log Si, where V is the rate of reaction. So defined, order of reaction may be concentration-dependent; and in the above inequality any concentration-dependent reaction orders must be evaluated at the critical point. The above inequality, with strict inequality, is a sufficient condition for instability in the special case where all the diagonal elements of the Jacobian matrix are equal at the critical point. With a saturable final elimination process (αn
Ganitumab (AMG 479) Inhibits IGF-II–Dependent Ovarian Cancer Growth and Potentiates Platinum-Based Chemotherapy

Purpose: Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-IR) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. Ganitumab is an investigational, fully human monoclonal antibody against IGF-IR. Here, we explore the therapeutic potential of ganitumab for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Experimental Design: The effects of ganitumab were tested in vitro against a panel of 23 established ovarian cancer cell lines. The ability of ganitumab to inhibit IGF-I–, IGF-II–, and insulin-mediated signaling was examined in vitro and in tumor xenografts using ovarian cancer models displaying IGF-IR/PI3K/AKT pathway activation by two distinct mechanisms, PTEN loss and IGF-II overexpression. Drug interactions between ganitumab and cisplatin, carboplatin, or paclitaxel were studied in vitro and in vivo . Results: In vitro , growth inhibition varied significantly among individual ovarian cancer cell lines. IGF-II mRNA and phospho–IGF-IR protein expression were quantitatively correlated with response to ganitumab, and PTEN mutations conferred resistance to ganitumab. Ganitumab potently inhibited baseline and IGF-I–, IGF-II–, and insulin-induced IGF-IR and IGF-IR/insulin hybrid receptor signaling in vitro and in vivo . Synergistic and additive drug interactions were seen for ganitumab and carboplatin or paclitaxel in vitro . Furthermore, ganitumab significantly increased the efficacy of cisplatin in ovarian cancer xenograft models in vivo . Conclusions: These observations provide a biologic rationale to test ganitumab as a single agent or in combination with carboplatin/cisplatin and paclitaxel in patients with ovarian cancer. Moreover, assessment of tumor expression of IGF-II, phospho–IGF-IR, or PTEN status may help select patients with ovarian cancer who are most likely to benefit from ganitumab. Clin Cancer Res; 20(11); 2947–58. ©2014 AACR .
Discrimination of Modulated Music Tempo by String Students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of musical training and age on the ability of string students to discriminate tempo change, and the effect of musical style, speed of a musical composition, and the direction of tempo change on the ability to detect tempo change. Subjects were 116 string students, age 7 through 18 years. Musical stimuli were chosen from familiar string literature. Each excerpt was generated by using synthesized tones and was recorded at a normal tempo, slower than normal tempo, and faster than normal tempo. Three presentations were made at each speed: tempo increase, tempo decrease, and no tempo change. The subjects' task was to identify the direction of the tempo change or no-change. Statistical analyses revealed a significant curvilinear relationship between score and years of musical training, and between score and age. Additional regression analyses indicated that speed, direction of change, and musical style each contributed significantly to tempo perception ...
Acting Optimally in Partially Observable Stochastic Domains

In this paper, we describe the partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) approach to finding optimal or near-optimal control strategies for partially observable stochastic environments, given a complete model of the environment. The POMDP approach was originally developed in the operations research community and provides a formal basis for planning problems that have been of interest to the AI community. We found the existing algorithms for computing optimal control strategies to be highly computationally inefficient and have developed a new algorithm that is empirically more efficient. We sketch this algorithm and present preliminary results on several small problems that illustrate important properties of the POMDP approach.
Use of electronic mail for postoperative follow-up after ambulatory surgery

The authors report on a patient who used electronic mail to report satisfactory recovery from ambulatory surgery and anesthesia. The potential benefits and pitfalls of using electronic mail for patient follow-up and communication, as well as research purposes, are reviewed. Potential benefits include cost savings, ease in collecting quality improvement data, and the potential for increased reporting of unpleasant events. Potential pitfalls include lack of universal access (with racial and socioeconomic differentials), privacy and security concerns, and potential slow responses to messages that might require emergent responses or actions.
Brain abscesses in a patient with a patent foramen ovale: a case report

Brain abscesses arising from right-to-left cardiac shunting are very rare in adults. We describe the case of a 47-year-old non-hispanic white male with periodontal disease who developed several brain abscesses caused by Streptococcus intermedius. A comprehensive workup revealed a patent foramen ovale with oral flora as the only plausible explanation for the brain abscesses. Based on this case and the relevant literature, we suggest an association between a silent patent foramen ovale, paradoxical microbial dissemination to the brain, and the development of brain abscesses.
Expression of Functional Transgenic Alpha1s-DHPR Channels in Adult Mammalian Skeletal Muscle Fibers

Plasmids encoding for two variants of the α1sDHPR, tagged at the N-terminal with EGFP, were transfected into adult FDB muscles by in vivo electroporation. The wildtype variant of the channel (EGFP-α1sDHPR-wt) was rendered insensitive to dihydropyridines by site-directed mutagenesis (EGFP-α1sDHPR-T935Y). Standard and TPLSM fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that both variants were similarly expressed with high efficiency and targeted to the surface and TTS membranes of the muscle fibers. Functional evaluation of the efficiency of transgenic expression was carried out by characterizing Ca2+ currents and SR Ca2+ release in single fibers enzymatically isolated from transfected muscles. The fibers were voltage-clamped using a 2-microelectrode configuration and dialyzed internally with solutions containing 30 to 70 mM Cs-EGTA and 20 to 70 mM Cs-MOPS; they were externally bathed with isotonic TEA-Cl containing 2-12 mM Ca2+. Na and Cl currents were blocked with TTX and 9-ACA, respectively. The maximal Ca2+ conductance (gCamax), measured in 12 mM Ca2+, was 0.40 ± 0.04 (mean ± SD, n=6) in control fibers isolated from non-transfected animals. This parameter was not significantly different in fibers expressing EGFP-α1sDHPR-wt channels (0.42 ± 0.07, n=6). In contrast, fibers expressing EGFP-α1sDHPR-T935Y reported a significantly smaller gCamax of 0.27 ± 0.02 (n=5). Interestingly, after treatment with 1 μM of the specific DHPR blocker NP-200, the residual conductance was <5% in control and EGFP-α1sDHPR-wt transfected fibers, but 30-70% in fibers transfected with EGFP-α1sDHPR-T935Y. Our results suggest that, in adult skeletal muscle fibers, the functional expression of transgenic DHPR channels is done mostly at the expense of the expression of their endogenous counterparts. Supported by NIH grants Supported by NIH grants AR07664, and AR054816.
Salt, high blood pressure, and performance‐based regulation

Performance-based regulation is a new approach to public health promotion. The aim of this article is to explain how this idea might be applied to the public health goal of reducing salt consumption as a way of reducing high blood pressure and thereby saving lives. Performance-based regulation is compared with competing regulatory strategies.
Hybrid Nonwomen and Corporate Violence The Silicone Breast Implant Case

Unlike many issues relating to women's health, the recent controversy concerning the safety of silicone breast implants created a great deal of public interest. Despite growing public concern, corporate violence against women has received insufficient empirical and theoretical study. Using a feminist gaze, this article places the silicone breast implant dispute within the larger theoretical framework of corporate violence. A case study of the historical development of the silicone breast implant debate illustrates duplicity in the chemical industry, the power of special interest groups, the impotence/complicity of governmental regulatory agencies, and the vital impact of cultural prescriptions of beauty on women. The study also points to the force of the media in contested social issues, in addition to the increased power of ordinary people to affect change through collective action that fights governmental and corporate crime and cultural myths of beauty on behalf of women.
cis-Dithiolatonickel as metalloligand to dinitrosyl iron units: the di-metallic structure of Ni(μ-SR)[Fe(NO)2] and an unexpected, abbreviated metalloadamantyl cluster, Ni2(μ-SR)4[Fe(NO)2]3

The reaction of Fe(CO)2(NO)2 and Ni(N2S2) (N2S2 = N,N′-Bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane) by a single CO replacement yields [Ni(N2S2)]Fe(NO)2(CO), while an excess of Fe(CO)2(NO)2 leads to triply bridging thiolate sulphurs in a cluster of core composition Ni2S4Fe3, lacking one Fe(NO)2 unit to complete the adamantane-like structure. This structural type was earlier identified in a CuICl aggregate of MII(N2S2) (MII = Ni, Cu), in which complete MII2S4CuI4 core structures were obtained as the major, and, in the case of CuII(N2S2), the incomplete CuII2S4CuI3 as a minor, product. The full Ni2S4Fe4 cluster has not yet been realized for Fe = Fe(NO)2. Computational analysis of the NiFe-heterobimetallic complex addresses structural issues including a ∠Ni–S–Fe of 90° in the bimetallic complex.
Piezoresistivity in PTCR Barium Titanate Ceramics: II, Mathematical Modeling

A modified grain boundary potential barrier model for positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTCR) barium titanate is developed. It is based on Heywang's double Schottky barrier model, together with Devonshire's thermodynamic phenomenology of polarization behavior. Modifications are made to address the nonlinearity of the dielectric response with respect to electric field in the depletion region adjacent to the grain boundary, and the circular dependence of these quantities with the height of the barrier. Piezoresistivities are calculated for various PTCR compositions and sintering conditions, and these are compared to experimental results from the preceding paper.
Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

ContextThe optimal management of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is unclear and comprehensive evidence-based guidelines have not been reported.ObjectiveTo provide up-to-date evidence-based guidelines for the optimal treatment of FMS.Data Sources, Selection, and ExtractionA search of all human trials (randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials) of FMS was made using Cochrane Collaboration Reviews (1993-2004), MEDLINE (1966-2004), CINAHL (1982-2004), EMBASE (1988-2004), PubMed (1966-2004), Healthstar (1975-2000), Current Contents (2000-2004), Web of Science (1980-2004), PsychInfo (1887-2004), and Science Citation Indexes (1996-2004). The literature review was performed by an interdisciplinary panel, composed of 13 experts in various pain management disciplines, selected by the American Pain Society (APS), and supplemented by selected literature reviews by APS staff members and the Utah Drug Information Service. A total of 505 articles were reviewed.Data SynthesisThere are major limitations to the FMS literature, with many treatment trials compromised by short duration and lack of masking. There are no medical therapies that have been specifically approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for management of FMS. Nonetheless, current evidence suggests efficacy of low-dose tricyclic antidepressants, cardiovascular exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and patient education. A number of other commonly used FMS therapies, such as trigger point injections, have not been adequately evaluated.ConclusionsDespite the chronicity and complexity of FMS, there are pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions available that have clinical benefit. Based on current evidence, a stepwise program emphasizing education, certain medications, exercise, cognitive therapy, or all 4 should be recommended.
What would Darwin think about clean-slate architectures?

As significant resources are directed towards clean-slate networking research, it is imperative to understand how clean-slate architectural research compares to the diametrically opposite paradigm of evolutionary research. This paper approaches the "evolution versus clean-slate" debate through a biological metaphor. We argue that evolutionary research can lead to less costly (more competitive) and more robust designs than clean-slate architectural research. We also argue that the Internet architecture is not ossified, as recently claimed, but that its core protocols play the role of "evolutionary kernels", meaning that they are conserved so that complexity and diversity can emerge at the lower and higher layers. We then discuss the factors that determine the deployment of new architectures or protocols, and argue, based on the notion of "auto-catalytic sets", that successful innovations are those that become synergistic components in closed loops of existing modules. The paper closes emphasizing the role of evolutionary Internet research
Equilibrium in a Two-Crop Model with a Low-Cost Transportation Route

A partial equilibrium analysis of the classical von Thunen model of crop rings in the presence of a market access route is provided. Simple geometric methods are used to derive the boundaries of production under several different specifications of the impact of the route on accessibility. The new model allows for analysis of differential impacts of the route in a two-crop system. It is shown that the growing area for one of the crops can actually shrink after the route opens, if there are disproportionately lower freight rates for the other crop.
On the Influence of Test-Driven Development on Software Design

Test-driven development (TDD) is an agile software development strategy that addresses both design and testing. This paper describes a controlled experiment that examines the effects of TDD on internal software design quality. The experiment was conducted with undergraduate students in a software engineering course. Students in three groups completed semester-long programming projects using either an iterative Test-First (TDD), iterative Test-Last, or linear Test-Last approach. Results from this study indicate that TDD can be an effective software design approach improving both code-centric aspects such as object decomposition, test coverage, and external quality, and developer-centric aspects including productivity and confidence. In addition, iterative development approaches that include automated testing demonstrated benefits over a more traditional linear approach with manual tests. This study demonstrates the viability of teaching TDD with minimal effort in the context of a relatively traditional development approach. Potential dangers with TDD are identified regarding programmer motivation and discipline. Pedagogical implications and instructional techniques which may foster TDD adoption will also be referenced.
A characterization of plasma fluctuations within a Hall discharge

Experimental results are presented for studies of low (2-20 kHz) and intermediate-frequency (20-100 kHz) oscillations in crossed-field closed electron-drift Hall discharges. Conditional sampling using two electrostatic probes is used to identify and extract properties of coherent structures associated with the propagation of azimuthal and longitudinal instabilities within the discharge channel. The azimuthal component phase velocities are determined for a wide range of wave frequencies and over characteristic regimes of operation of these devices. A variety of propagation modes are observed and analyzed, including the appearance of an induced mode due to the presence of the probes themselves. This later result is believed to be the first direct evidence of how fluctuations can be influenced in these Hall discharges using relatively simple actuation methods.
Kinetics of palladium particles on LiNbO3: an origin of the polarization-dependent catalysis

Using ab-initio calculations and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate that the deposition geometries of palladium are strongly dependent on the polarization direction of the LiNbO3 substrate. Different stoichiometries and atomic structures of the positively and the negatively polarized substrates cause substantially different bonding configurations of palladium and energy barriers for the movement of Pd clusters. Our simulations predict that palladium atoms form bulky clusters on the positive surface, while they are deposited in a dispersed or planar manner on the negative surface at moderate temperature. We suggest that Inoue and coworkers’ observation [J. Phys. Chem. 88, 1148 (1984)] that the catalytic activity of palladium depends on polarization direction of LiNbO3 substrate is, at least in part, due to differences in the geometric structures of palladium and the LiNbO3 surface.
EPSTEIN BARR VIRUS TRANSFORMATION OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD B CELLS SECRETING ANTIBODIES REACTIVE WITH CELL SURFACE ANTIGENS

EBV transformable peripheral blood B cells secreting antibodies reactive with cell surface antigens present on two indicator human leukemia cell lines, NALM1 and U937, were studied. Oligoclonal EBV transformants from patients with a variety of diseases were frequently found to produce cell surface reactive antibodies. Antibody secreting transformants could also, although less frequently, be readily cultured from the PBM of normal volunteers, and represented, by limiting dilution, 1 out of 113 transformable B cells. CD8 antibody had no effect on the frequency of antibody producing B cells, but depletion of CD8+ cells by immunomagnetic methods prior to transformation significantly (P less than 0.05) increased the recovery of antibody secreting B cells to 1/33. Readdition of magnetically depleted cells did not significantly inhibit the transformation of these B cells. During the acute and recovery phases of some infections increasing numbers of these transformable antibody producing B cells appear in the circulation. The majority of antibodies produced were of the IgM class, although IgG antibodies were also detected. IgM antibody producing transformants were tested and some were found to react with autologous and allogeneic normal lymphocytes. These results lend support to the notion that B cells capable of secreting cell surface reactive antibodies, a proportion of which are autoreactive, are present in the normal repertoire of healthy adults, and that these cells are under active regulation by CD8+ cells.
Myelodysplastic syndrome macrophages have aberrant iron storage and heme oxygenase-1 expression

AbstractIron overload and transfusion dependance portend poor risk in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS); bone marrow macrophages store iron and limit oxidative damage through heme oxygenase-1 (HO1). We assessed iron stores and macrophage HO1 expression in MDS using image analysis of intact diagnostic bone marrow biopsies and qualitative scoring of marrow aspirate iron among 129 cytopenic patients, 67 with MDS and 62 similarly aged patients with benign cytopenias. Using double immunofluorescence and sequential iron and immunohistochemistry staining, we showed that marrow iron colocalizes with HO1 and H-ferritin to CD163 + macrophages. Marrow iron was elevated in MDS independent of transfusion status, a finding of potential utility in distinguishing benign cytopenia from MDS. Among MDS patients only, CD163 + macrophage density and HO1 and H-ferritin expression by CD163 + macrophages increased in tandem with marrow iron. High HO1 was significantly associated with shorter overall survival among MDS patients ind...
Development of a Radiolabeled Monoclonal Antibody to Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen

Despite advances in the diagnosis and therapy of prostate carcinoma, it remains a serious medical problem accounting for a large number of malignancies in men each year. Although earlier detection is now possible, many patients develop advanced metastatic disease even when there is no evidence of spread at the time of initial diagnosis and treatment. These metastatic sites could initially be controlled by hormonal therapy but ultimately become resistant and the disease enters an aggressive stage for which there is currently no satisfactory therapy. In response to this perceived need, monoclonal antibodies have been considered a direct biological modifier of the disease and a vehicle to deliver radioactive metals and other cytotoxic agents to disseminated tumor sites. J591 is a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the internal portion of PSMA, a prostatespecific membrane antigen that is regularly expressed, almost exclusively, on prostate cancer tissue. The antibody has been “humanized” to reduce immune responses to it and labeled with radioactivity. Gamma-ray-emitting labeled forms of this antibody have demonstrate a high degree of binding and β-emitting labeled forms have demostrated antitumor effects in animal models. Several of the radiolabeled forms are undergoing clinical trials in humans.
A mini-open technique for Achilles tenotomy in infants with clubfoot

Abstract Purpose A tendoachilles lengthening (TAL) is indicated in over 85 % of cases treated with the Ponseti technique. A percutaneous TAL is often performed in the clinic. Reported complications from a TAL performed in the clinic include: bleeding due to injury to the peroneal artery, posterior tibial artery, or lesser saphenous vein; injury to the tibial or sural nerves; and incomplete release. The purpose of the present study is to report the results and complications of a mini-open TAL performed in the operating room (OR). Methods The current study is a retrospective review performed among infants with idiopathic clubfoot who underwent a mini-open TAL from 2008 to 2015. Results Forty-one patients underwent 63 TALs via a mini-open technique in day surgery. The average Pirani score was 5.8 prior to casting. The average number of casts applied prior to surgery was 5.2. The average age at the time of the TAL was 12.5 weeks (range 5–48 weeks). The average weight at the time of surgery was 7.3 kg (range 3...
A Study of Wholesale Trading Areas

Wholesalers are often faced with the necessity of making decisions concerning trading area coverage. This article shows what kinds of factors are relevant to solving this and related problems.
Effects of Aliphatic Alcohols and Aldehydes on Fluidity of Spin-Labeled Synaptosomal Plasma Membranes

Synaptosomal plasma membranes from Swiss-Webster mice were spin-labeled with 5-doxylstearic acid. By electron paramagnetic resonance techniques an order parameter was measured. A decrease in the order parameter reflected an increase in membrane fluidity. In confirmation of our previous work, ethanol decreased membrane order. Pentanol also showed a concentration-related decrease in the order parameter in the range of 23 to 87 mM. At equimolar concentrations, pentanol was about 9 times more effective than ethanol. Acetaldehyde had no effect on membrane fluidity at concentrations that might be found in vivo during ethanol oxidation (23 or 227 μM) but a very high concentration, 2.3 mM, produced a small decrease in the order parameter comparable to the effect of an intoxicating concentration of ethanol. Valeraldehyde also had a slight fluidizing effect and appeared very roughly three times more potent than acetaldehyde. This study shows that the fluidizing effects of ethanol are not shared by its aldehyde metabolite at relevant concentrations. The fluidizing effects of aldehydes are slight but they increase with concentration and with chain length.
Biogeographic and conservation implications of late Quaternary pygmy rabbits ( Brachylagus idahoensis ) in eastern Washington

Five implications of a biogeographic model of pygmy rabbits ( Brachylagus idahoensis ) in eastern Washington proposed in 1991 are confirmed by 11 new late-Quaternary records. Pygmy rabbits from eastern Oregon colonized eastern Washington during the late Pleistocene and occupied their largest range during the middle and late Holocene. Disjunction of the eastern Washington population from that in eastern Oregon occurred during at least the late Holocene. Nineteenth-century cattle grazing and 20th-century agricultural practices reduced habitat preferred by pygmy rabbits. Conservation of the small remaining population of pygmy rabbits will necessitate altered land use practices.
Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring: Some Technical Considerations

ABSTRACT.This paper contains technical information and recommendations that may be used to to facilitate intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (INM).Electrodes should be attached securely, with low and balanced impedances. Leakage and drying of electrode gel should be averted. Backup electrodes are advisable. Optimal connecting wire techniques can reduce noise pickup and electrical hazards. Preoperative studies may be used to identify preexisting abnormalities and plan optimum recording techniques.Anesthesia and neuromuscular blockade can interfere with INM; electrical stimuli used for INM can also interfere with the anesthesiologist's assessment of the patient. Baseline data measurements should be repeated when there are substantial changes in the anesthetic regimen or INM recording techniques. The absence of paralysis must be verified prior to any INM procedure that utilizes EMG or motor responses; these responses may also be absent when technical factors prevent stimulating current from reaching t...
CFD Application in the Improvement of Part Load Performance of Air Cooled Condenser

CFD simulations are used to investigate the air flow characteristic around the multi-fan microchannel condensers of air-cooled chiller under part load conditions.An solution for improving the unit performance under part load condition is offered.The study shows that separating flow channel with "V" panel between the condenser cells will leads to the improvement of the air velocity distribution on condenser inlet face and avoiding short circuiting flow,and it also will result in the reduce of condensing pressure and the improvement of system performance under part load condition.
Fire Distribution Model for Formation Anti-ship Missiles

Analyses the traditional fire distribution model of formation anti-ship missiles.Three new chance-contained models are established,combined with the characteristic of the modern naval engagement.Using the genetic algorithms and the Monte Carlo simulation,get the solution of the model.
Study on influence factors and countermeasures of occupation burnout of doctors′ in governmental hospitals in Weifang city

Objective To investigate the key influence factors of occupation burnout of doctors′ in governmental hospitals in Weifang city.Methods 652 doctors in 26 governmental hospitals of Weifang city were extracted according to the principle of stratified random sampling and doctors were investigated using physicians ′ occupation burnout scale drawed up by research group.Firstly,factor analysis was used to extract factors,then the importance of factors is derived.Results Job requirements and social resources is the key factor to affect the occupation burnout of doctor.Conclusion The measures of relieving occupation burnout were conducted by health authorities,it should inclined towards the job requirements and social resources tilt
T-Cell Epitope Mapping in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Using PepMixes Created by Micro-Scale SPOT™− Synthesis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remains a major threat to human health worldwide. Although treatment of infection is an important part of tuberculosis control, an improved vaccine is essential for the elimination of this disease. Control of infection with Mtb is dependent on the cellular immune system, which in turn requires an understanding of those antigens that are capable of stimulating CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses. Peptide libraries provide a high-throughput system for identifying novel T-cell epitopes. They can also be used to assess the hierarchy of immunodominance of these novel antigens and epitopes that are associated with infection with Mtb. This T-cell-driven means of antigen discovery is well adapted to vaccine development as well as developing the tools necessary to understand the natural history of this important human pathogen.
Pretreatment of Stimulator/Target Cells with Xyloside Inhibits Synthesis of the Class II Associated Proteoglycan, but Potentiates an MLR and Antigen Presentation

HLA class II molecules are associated with a number of invariant chain glycoproteins including γl or Ii, the ~ 31 Kd predominant form of invariant chain; the ~ 33 Kd species γ2 and γ3; the 41 Kd species p41, the 25 Kd species, p25; and a number of acidic forms. In addition, we demonstrated that the class II molecules are also associated with a 40–70 Kd chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan molecule (CSPG) (1), and further demonstrated that the core protein of the CSPG is Ii (2).
Factors That Predict High Health Care Utilization and Costs for Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Background & Aims A subset of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have continuously active inflammation, leading to a high number of complications and high direct health care costs (diagnostic tests, medications, and surgeries) and indirect costs (reduced employment and productivity and fewer opportunities for activities). Identifying these high-risk patients and providing effective interventions could produce better outcomes and reduce costs. We used prior year data to create IBD risk models to predict IBD-related hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and high treatment charges (>$30,000/year) in the subsequent year. Methods We performed a retrospective study of medical records from all patients with IBD treated at the University of Michigan Hospital from fiscal years 2013–2015. We selected clinical variables from the prior year and tested their abilities to predict 3 adverse outcomes (IBD-related hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and treatment charges >$30,000/year) in the subsequent year. Individual patients were only included once in the data set. We created a multivariate model that was based on a 70% randomly selected cohort (1005 patients) and validated the model on the other 30% (425 patients). Logistic regression was used for bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results Factors that predicted high-cost outcomes included the presence of psychiatric illness, use of corticosteroids, use of narcotics, low levels of hemoglobin, and high numbers of IBD-related hospitalizations. In the validation cohort, the model predicted IBD-related hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and high charges in the following year with receiver operating characteristic curve values of 0.751, 0.738, and 0.744, respectively. Conclusions We identified 5 factors that can effectively identify patients with IBD at high risk for hospitalization, emergency department visits, and high treatment charges in the next year. These patients should be closely monitored and aggressively managed.
“The Faculty/Faculty Conundrum”: Organizing Faculty Learning Communities to Support “Singular” and “Plural” Faculty Development

This chapter outlines the use of a modified Faculty Learning Community (FLC) model for faculty development employed within a large academic department to create communities of practice. This model promotes faculty reflection and learning about pedagogy and also serves as a means for developing projects in different aspects of the scholarship of teaching and learning. Current intra-departmental discussion of this modified FLC model revolves around a question at the heart of faculty development—what exactly is being developed? There is a sense that faculty development should be about providing faculty members the opportunity for individual development (singular “faculty”), but this can be in tension with developing the collective strength of the faculty as a whole (in the plural sense) in fulfilling its mission to the University. We use an FLC model for faculty development in this multivalent sense, to address this dilemma that we have named “the faculty/faculty conundrum.” FLCs are smaller circles within a larger community of practice intent on two goals: (1) developing individual projects in pedagogy and scholarship and (2) supporting the department mission by stimulating collaboration and creating knowledge. Our FLC model promotes faculty development in a multivalent (plural and singular) sense.
The biophysical probes 2-fluorohistidine and 4-fluorohistidine: spectroscopic signatures and molecular properties

Fluorinated amino acids serve as valuable biological probes, by reporting on local protein structure and dynamics through 19F NMR chemical shifts. 2-fluorohistidine and 4-fluorohistidine, studied here with DFT methods, have even more capabilities for biophysical studies, as their altered pKa values, relative to histidine, allow for studies of the role of proton transfer and tautomeric state in enzymatic mechanisms. Considering the two tautomeric forms of histidine, it was found that 2-fluorohistidine primarily forms the common (for histidine) τ-tautomer at neutral pH, while 4-fluorohistidine exclusively forms the less common π-tautomer. This suggests the two isomers of fluorohistidine can also serve as probes of tautomeric form within biomolecules, both by monitoring NMR chemical shifts and by potential perturbation of the tautomeric equilibrium within biomolecules. Fluorine also enables assignment of tautomeric states in crystal structures. The differences in experimental pKa values between the isomers was found to arise from solvation effects, providing insight into the polarization and molecular properties of each isomer. Results also encompass 13C and 19F NMR chemical shifts, from both tautomers of 2-fluorohistidine and 4-fluorohistidine in a number of different environments. This work can serve as a guide for interpretation of spectroscopic results in biophysical studies employing 2-fluorohistidine and 4-fluorohistidine.
Ligand‐Promoted meta‐C−H Functionalization of Benzylamines

Meta-C−H functionalization of benzylamines has been developed using a PdII/transient mediator strategy. Using 2-pyridone ligands and 2-carbomethoxynorbornene (NBE-CO2Me) as the mediator, arylation, amination, and chlorination of benzylamines are realized. This protocol features a broad substrate scope and is compatible with heterocylic coupling partners. Moreover, the loading of the Pd can be lowered to 2.5 mol % by using the optimal ligand.
Structured mating: Patterns and implications

Genetic similarity of spouses can reflect factors influencing mate choice, such as physical/behavioral characteristics, and patterns of social endogamy. Spouse correlations for both genetic ancestry and measured traits may impact genotype distributions (Hardy Weinberg and linkage equilibrium), and therefore genetic association studies. Here we evaluate white spouse-pairs from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) original and offspring cohorts (N = 124 and 755, respectively) to explore spousal genetic similarity and its consequences. Two principal components (PCs) of the genome-wide association (GWA) data were identified, with the first (PC1) delineating clines of Northern/Western to Southern European ancestry and the second (PC2) delineating clines of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. In the original (older) cohort, there was a striking positive correlation between the spouses in PC1 (r = 0.73, P = 3x10(-22)) and also for PC2 (r = 0.80, P = 7x10(-29)). In the offspring cohort, the spouse correlations were lower but still highly significant for PC1 (r = 0.38, P = 7x10(-28)) and for PC2 (r = 0.45, P = 2x10(-39)). We observed significant Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loading heavily on PC1 and PC2 across 3 generations, and also significant linkage disequilibrium between unlinked SNPs; both decreased with time, consistent with reduced ancestral endogamy over generations and congruent with theoretical calculations. Ignoring ancestry, estimates of spouse kinship have a mean significantly greater than 0, and more so in the earlier generations. Adjusting kinship estimates for genetic ancestry through the use of PCs led to a mean spouse kinship not different from 0, demonstrating that spouse genetic similarity could be fully attributed to ancestral assortative mating. These findings also have significance for studies of heritability that are based on distantly related individuals (kinship less than 0.05), as we also demonstrate the poor correlation of kinship estimates in that range when ancestry is or is not taken into account.
Do rats see like we see

Like primates, the rat brain areas thought to be involved in visual object recognition are arranged in a hierarchy.
Observational Progress in Identifying and Characterizing Tidal Disruption Flares

I present an overview of observational efforts across the electromagnetic spectrum to identify and study tidal disruption flares (TDFs), when a star wanders too close to a super-massive black hole and is torn apart by tidal forces. In particular I will focus on four unexpected surprises that challenge the most basic analytic picture of these events: 1) large inferred radii for the optical/UV-emitting material; 2) the ubiquity of outflows, detected at radio, X-ray, and UV wavelengths, ranging from speeds of 100 km/s to near the speed of light; 3) the peculiar atomic abundances observed in the UV and optical spectra of these objects; and, 4) the preference for these events to occur in post-starburst galaxies.
Physicians-in-training are not prepared to prescribe medical marijuana.

Abstract Background While medical marijuana use is legal in more than half of U.S. states, evidence is limited about the preparation of physicians-in-training to prescribe medical marijuana. We asked whether current medical school and graduate medical educational training prepare physicians to prescribe medical marijuana. Methods We conducted a national survey of U.S. medical school curriculum deans, a similar survey of residents and fellows at Washington University in St. Louis, and a query of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Curriculum Inventory database for keywords associated with medical marijuana. Results Surveys were obtained from 101 curriculum deans, and 258 residents and fellows. 145 schools were included in the curriculum search. The majority of deans (66.7%) reported that their graduates were not at all prepared to prescribe medical marijuana, and 25.0% reported that their graduates were not at all prepared to answer questions about medical marijuana. The vast majority of residents and fellows (89.5%) felt not at all prepared to prescribe medical marijuana, while 35.3% felt not at all prepared to answer questions, and 84.9% reported receiving no education in medical school or residency on medical marijuana. Finally, only 9% of medical school curriculums document in the AAMC Curriculum Inventory database content on medical marijuana. Conclusions Our study highlights a fundamental mismatch between the state-level legalization of medical marijuana and the lack of preparation of physicians-in-training to prescribe it. With even more states on the cusp of legalizing medical marijuana, physician training should adapt to encompass this new reality of medical practice.
Syntheses of Molybdenum Oxo Alkylidene Complexes through Addition of Water to an Alkylidyne Complex

Addition of one equiv of water to Mo(CAr)[OCMe(CF3)2]3(1,2-dimethoxyethane) (2, Ar = o-(OMe)C6H4) in the presence of PPhMe2 leads to formation of Mo(O)(CHAr)[OCMe(CF3)2]2(PPhMe2) (3(PPhMe2)) in 34% yield. Addition of one equiv of water alone to 2 produces the dimeric alkylidyne hydroxide complex, {Mo(CAr)[OCMe(CF3)2]2(μ-OH)}2(dme) (4(dme)) in which each bridging hydroxide proton points toward an oxygen atom in an arylmethoxy group. Addition of PMe3 to 4(dme) gives the alkylidene oxo complex, (3(PMe3)), an analogue of 3(PPhMe2) (95% conversion, 66% isolated). Treatment of 3(PMe3) with two equiv of HCl gave Mo(O)(CHAr)Cl2(PMe3) (5), which upon addition of LiO-2,6-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3 (LiOHIPT) gave Mo(O)(CHAr)(OHIPT)Cl(PMe3) (6). Compound 6 in the presence of B(C6F5)3 will initiate the ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctene, 5,6-dicarbomethoxynorbornadiene (DCMNBD), and rac-5,6-dicarbomethoxynorbornene (DCMNBE), and the homocoupling of 1-decene to 9-octadecene. The poly(DCMNBD) has a cis,sy...
Optimizing flows for real time operations management

Modern data analytic flows involve complex data computations that may span multiple execution engines and need to be optimized for a variety of objectives like performance, fault-tolerance, freshness, and so on. In this paper, we present optimization techniques and tradeoffs in terms of a real-world, cyber-physical flow that starts with raw time series sensor data and external event data, and through a series of analytic operations produces automated actions and actionable insights.