cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prospective, randomized comparison of 3-dimensional computed tomography guidance versus TEE data for left atrial appendage occlusion (PRO3DLAAO).

BACKGROUND Preliminary data comparing 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) indicates that 3D-CT provides more accurate measurements and improves case planning. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study comparing 3D-CT to TEE in occluder selection accuracy and procedural efficiency. METHODS From May 2016 to February 2017, 24 patients were prospectively randomized to undergo LAAO using either TEE or 3D-CT. The primary endpoint was device accuracy while the secondary endpoints included # devices per case, # guide catheters used per case, # fluoroscopy angles used, procedure time, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, and major adverse events (stroke, MI, device embolization, perforation, death). RESULTS Procedure success was 100% and 92% for the 3D-CT and 2D-TEE cohorts respectively. Accuracy for 1st device selection 92% and 27% (P = .01) for 3D-CT and 2D-TEE respectively but with intra-procedural upsizing in the 2D-TEE cohort, the 2D-TEE cohort accuracy increased to 64% while the 3D-CT groups 92% was accurate (P = .33). Case planning using 3D-CT was significantly more efficient with respect to device utilization (CT 1.33 ± 0.7 vs. 2D-TEE 2.5 ± 1.2 P = .01), guide catheters (CT 1 vs. 2D-TEE 1.7 ± 0.8 P = .01) and procedure time (3D-CT 55 ± 17 min vs. 2D-TEE 73 ± 24 min P < .05). One major adverse event, a stroke occurred in the 2D-TEE group. CONCLUSION In this single-center pilot study, CT guided LAAO case planning was associated with improved device selection accuracy and procedural efficiency. This study data supports the notion that comprehensive 3D assessment significantly simplifies LAAO, minimizing the time and number of steps needed.
Aggressive Business Tactics: Are There Limits?

Most people don’t really care whether Microsoft or the US Department of Justice comes out on top. It’s no different to them than a Sunday football game between the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks. Sure, the outcome matters to the participants and their fans everywhere, but that is quite a provincial concern. Most people are happy to read about the highlights in the paper the next day. Does the Microsoft-DOJ case matter in any less provincial sense? Is it about anything more than a civil disagreement between the richest firm on the planet and its home government? The answer is potentially yes. There’s a chance that issues of competition in the PC software industry—particularly those that arose in this trial—will influence competitive activities in other fast-moving industries such as the Internet. The Microsoft case doesn’t raise a sui generis set of issues, as the lawyers would say. (Translation: The legal issues are not unique to just this market.) On the contrary, the case is taking the first steps toward applying old antitrust norms to the fast-moving information economy. Or to put it simply, this decision will change competitive tactics at many large firms. Like it or not, that’s one fallout from this trial. Look at Judge Jackson’s 200-page “Findings of Fact,” the document he issued last November. To be sure, there’s a risk that these findings will become obsolete, overturned, reinterpreted, and otherwise made obsolete by further events. (There is also a risk that this column will be obsolete by the time it’s printed.) That said, it’s possible to summarize what tactics upset the judge, tactics that I believe will become a benchmark for many commentators in the future. Before doing this, I must come clean on one thing. Many industry participants have strong opinions about the good and bad features of the findings. Some of these opinions are bought, some are passionate, and some are simply thoughtless. In my own case, my opinions are not bought, they’re passionately held, and I hope they don’t come across as thoughtless. That said, I am not an extremist in either direction, mostly because I believe strongly in the inevitability of unforeseen consequences. Any evaluation is guesswork at best. That precaution aside, I do regularly teach MBAs about competitive tactics in the computer industry. If nothing else, this case will change business tactics in this industry. With certainty, I predict that soon every business school professor and consultant will add a few Power Point slides to their lecture on “competitive tactics for large firms.” What will those slides say? Here’s my take on it.
Homeless Affiliation, Location, and Sender Address in Return of Lost Letters

A field study used 1008 “lost letters” to test the hypotheses that the differences in returned responses would be attributable to the addressee (i.e., ending homelessness-control or preventing it among youth, veterans, and lesbians) and especially to a socially deviant addressee, that cultural differences between distribution locations might influence returned responses of lost letters, and that sender address (i.e., urban, rural, control) would also influence returned responses. Both addressees' affiliations and distribution location were associated with returned responses, with the lowest rates being for the Prevent Lesbian Homelessness Program affiliate overall and for the city of Pensacola, respectively. Antigay prejudice toward a deviant group may still be strong even when a helping act can be performed without intimate contact involving members of deviant group. Neither distribution location nor the sender or return address conditions were associated with different returned responses. Further testing of the lost letter technique, as a measure of public response, may be warranted.
Adaptive Control of an Exothermic Chemical Reaction System Using Fuzzy Logic and Genetic Algorithms

Establishing suitable control of complex chemical reactions, a requirement in a number of industries, poses a difficult problem because of nonlinearities and frequently changing process dynamics. Researchers at the University of Alabama and the U. S. Bureau of Mines have developed a technique for producing adaptive fuzzy logic controllers (FLCs) that are capable of effectively managing such complex chemical systems. In this technique, a genetic algorithm (GA) is used to alter the membership functions employed by a conventional FLC, an approach that is contrary to the stratagem traditionally used to provide FLCs with adaptive capabilities in which the rule set is altered. The current approach is used to produce an adaptive GA-FLC for a particular system in which an exothermic chemical reaction is conducted. Specifically, formaldehyde is reacted with ammonia in a continuous stirred tank reactor to produce hexamine and water. Results indicate that FLCs augmented with GAs offer a powerful alternative to conventional process control techniques in the nonlinear, rapidly changing chemical systems commonly found in industry.
Scaling in Physics, Biology, Cities and Beyond

Is there an underlying structure governing all forms of life at all scales? What about social systems, say, cities? Are there commonalities across different cities of different sizes? Even more, is...
DESEO, SANGRE Y PODER – GEORGES BATAILLE Y EL ESTUDIO DEL TANTRA HINDÚ EN EL NORESTE DE LA INDIA

Este articulo analiza el tantra hindu y la adoracion de la diosa en el noreste de la India. Para esto se vale de varias de las ideas de Bataille sobre el erotismo, el sacrificio y la transgresion, al tiempo que las repiensa de manera critica. Especificamente, analiza la adoracion de la diosa Kamakhya y su templo en Assam, que es venerado como uno de los mas antiguos «centros de poder» o asientos de la diosa en el sur de Asia y como el centro del organo sexual de la diosa. En muchos sentidos, el trabajo de Bataille es extremadamente util para comprender la logica de la transgresion y el uso de la impureza en esta tradicion. Al mismo tiempo, sin embargo, este ejemplo tambien pone de manifiesto algunas tensiones en el trabajo de Bataille, especialmente, la cuestion de la sexualidad femenina y la representacion de las mujeres. En el caso del tantra asames, la sexualidad femenina juega un papel central e integral en los fenomenos mas amplios de la transgresion, los gastos y el extasis en la experiencia religiosa. Como tal, se puede poner fructiferamente en dialogo con el trabajo de Bataille para una «teoria de la religion» critica en la actualidad. Abstract : This article examines Hindu Tantra and goddess worship in northeastern India, by using but also critically rethinking several of Bataille’s insights into eroticism, sacrifice, and transgression. Specifically, the article examines the worship of the goddess Kamakhya and her temple in Assam, which is revered as one of the oldest “power centers” or seats of the goddess in South Asia and as the locus of the goddess’s sexual organ. In many ways, Bataille’s work is extremely useful for understanding the logic of transgression and the use of impurity in this tradition. At the same time, however, this example also highlights some tensions in Bataille’s work, particularly the question of female sexuality and women’s agency. In the case of Assamese Tantra, female sexuality plays a central and integral role in the larger phenomena of transgression, expenditure, and ecstatic religious experience. As such, it can be fruitfully put into dialogue with Bataille’s work for a critical “theory of religion” today.
Recurrent autoimmune hemolytic anemia in splenic marginal zone lymphoma.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a condition associated with an extensive differential diagnosis that includes lymphoid malignancies. Although AIHA occurs in about 10–25% of patients with chro...
Transposition of the Culprit Artery Passing Between the Facial Nerve and Auditory Nerve in Microvascular Decompression Surgery for Hemifacial Spasm.

Background Decompression of the culprit artery causing hemifacial spasm (HFS), which passes between the facial nerve (cranial nerve [CN] VII) and the auditory nerve (CN VIII), can be difficult, especially if the artery compresses CN VII right after passing between the 2 nerves. Perforators or small arteries branching from near the compression site to adjacent structures can hinder the decompression process because such vessels can anchor the passing condition. The effect of such perforators or small arteries on the decompression process in such cases was investigated. Methods The culprit artery passed between any part of CN VII and VIII in 59 of 396 consecutive patients with HFS who underwent microvascular decompression. The culprit artery compressed CN VII right after passing between the 2 nerves in 22 of the 59 cases. Direction of the perforators or small arteries from near the compression site and direction of decompression of the culprit artery were analyzed in these 22 cases. Results Perforators or small arteries were observed in 20 cases, predominantly in the medial direction. The culprit artery was mobilized toward the petrous bone direction in most cases. No clear relationship was found between the 2 factors. Conclusions Variation of curvature or tortuosity of the culprit artery and length of perforators or small branches may also have affected the decompression process and the directions. Adequate dissection near the compression site to obtain maximum mobilization of the culprit artery is necessary to achieve successful decompression in such cases.
Effect of levodopa on electroencephalographic biomarkers of the parkinsonian state

Several EEG biomarkers of the parkinsonian state have been proposed that are related to abnormal cortical synchronization. We report several new findings in this study: correlations of EEG markers ...
The Effect of Nickel on MoS2 Growth Revealed with in Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy.

MoS2 has important applications in (electro)catalysis and as a semiconductor for electronic devices. Other chemical species are commonly added to MoS2 to increase catalytic activity or to alter ele...
Incorporation of first-order uptake rate constants from simple mammillary models into blood-flow limited physiological pharmacokinetic models via extraction efficiencies.

Incorporation of First-Order Uptake Rate Constants from Simple Mammillary Models into Blood-Flow Limited Physiological Pharmacokinetic Models via Extraction Efficiencies. W. L. Roth, L. W. D. Weber, and K. Rozman (1995). Pharm. Res. 263–269. First-order rate constants obtained from classical pharmacokinetic models correspond to mammillary systems in which all of the blood (or plasma) is assumed to be located in a central compartment. In such models the rate at which chemicals are transported out of this pool and into another compartment is the product of the mass of chemical in the central compartment multiplied by a rate constant, which is not limited in magnitude by the blood flow, or the rate at which chemicals from the blood are delivered to the peripheral compartment. Most of the physiologically-based models published to date dispense with some of the information available from mammillary models by assuming that all of the chemical delivered by the flow of blood rapidly equilibrates and can be taken up by the tissue under the control of a “partition coefficient” (Rij = Cj/Ci). We show that the partition coefficient alone does not retain the uptake rate (kji) information available from a classical mammillary model, but that the uptake rate information can be incorporated via unitless extraction efficiency parameters, ej.
Providing Care for Persons with Dementia in Rural Communities: Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions of Supports and Services

Dementia is one of the costliest and most time-consuming diseases among older persons. Although informal caregivers provide the majority of care for persons with dementia, little is known about the...
Dolphin Detection and Conceptualization of Symmetry

Most of the papers presented in this volume are related to such topics as sensory anatomy and physiology, echolocation, psychophysics of sensory systems, and vocalization and acoustical communication in aquatic mammals. All of them provide useful information on the way in which these animals process information. The aim of this contribution is to extend this approach by presenting additional data about a slightly more psychological phenomenon: the conceptualization of information. In the first section we will examine the special status of symmetry in pattern recognition, followed by a review of symmetry studies in other animals. Finally, the third and fourth sections are devoted to abstract concepts in dolphins and to the question of whether dolphins can detect and conceptualize symmetry.
Perlecan domain I gradients establish stable biomimetic heparin binding growth factor gradients for cell migration in hydrogels

Growth factor gradients orchestrate many biological processes including organogenesis, wound healing, cancer invasion, and metastasis. Heparin-binding growth factor (HBGF) gradients are established in living systems by proteoglycans including the extracellular matrix heparan sulfate proteoglycan, perlecan/HSPG2. Three potential HBGF-binding glycosaminoglycan attachment sites occur in N-terminal domain I of perlecan's five domains. Our overarching goal was to form stable, biomimetic non-covalently bound HBGF gradients surrounding cells encapsulated in hyaluronate-based hydrogels by first establishing perlecan domain I (PlnD1) gradients. A versatile multichannel gradient maker device (MGMD) was designed and 3D printed, then used to create desired gradients of microparticles in hydrogels. Next, we used the device to covalently incorporate gradients of PEGylated PlnD1 in hydrogels with high-low-high or high-medium-low concentrations across the hydrogel width. Fluorescently-labeled fibroblast growth factor-2 was delivered to hydrogels in phosphate-buffered saline and allowed to electrostatically bind to the covalently pre-incorporated PlnD1, producing stable non-covalent HBGF gradients. To test cell viability after flow through the MGMD, delicate primary human salivary stem/progenitor cells were encapsulated in gradient hydrogels where they showed high viability and continued to grow. Next, to test migratory behavior in response to HBGF gradients, two cell types, preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell line and breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 were encapsulated in or adjacent to PlnD1-modified hydrogels. Both cell lines migrated toward HBGFs bound to PlnD1. We conclude that establishing covalently-bound PlnD1 gradients in hydrogels provides a new means to establish physiologically-relevant gradients of HBGFs that are useful for a variety of applications in tissue engineering and cancer biology. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Gradients of heparin binding growth factors (HBGFs) direct cell behavior in living systems. HBGFs bind electrostatically to gradients of HS proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix creating HBGF gradients. We recreated HBGF gradients in physiological hyaluronate-based hydrogels using a 3D-printed multichannel gradient maker device (MGMD) that created gradients of HS proteoglycan-derived perlecan/HSPG2 domain I. We demonstrated the ability of a variety of cells, including primary salivary stem/progenitor cells, pre-osteoblastic cells and an invasive breast cancer cell line, to be co-encapsulated in gradient hydrogels by flowing them together through the MGMD. The versatile device and the ability to create HBGF gradients in hydrogels for a variety of applications is innovative and of broad utility in both cancer biology and tissue engineering applications.
A novel variant of estrogen receptor-alpha is expressed in ER-negative breast cancer and mediates membrane-initiated estrogen signaling

1299 Since 1977, numerous studies have indicated the existence of a putative membrane-based estrogen receptor. However, the identity of this membrane-based estrogen receptor has not been established. Through an extensive homology search in Gene Bank, we recently identified and cloned a novel variant of ER-Α with a predicted molecular weight of 35.7 kDa. The transcript of this ER-Α variant is initiated from a previously unidentified promoter in the first intron of the original ER-Α gene. This ER-Α variant differs from the original ER-Α by lacking both transcriptional activation domains (AF-1 and AF-2) but retaining the dimerization, DNA-binding and partial ligand-binding domains. Its ligand-binding domain also possesses a unique 27 amino acid stretch that replaces the last 138 amino acids of the ER-Α. In transient transfection assays, this ER-Α variant exhibited no intrinsic transcriptional activity but strongly inhibited ligand-dependent and -independent transactivation activities mediated by the original ER-Α and ER-Β. Immunodetection and subcellular fractionation assays demonstrated that this ER-Α variant is expressed on the plasma membrane of mammary epithelial cells, and also in the cytoplasm and nucleus. In cells that express this ER-Α variant, 17Β-estradiol (E2) treatment activated a membrane-initiated effect of estrogen signaling by transiently activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway that led to cell proliferation. Antiestrogens such as tamoxifen and ICI 182,780, however, strongly and persistently activated the MAPK pathway that then resulted in activation of the SAPK/JNK pathway. Immunohistochemistry analysis using a specific antibody aganst this ER-Α variant revealed that 26 of 38 cases (68%) breast cancer specimens examined express this ER-Αvariant on the plasma membrane and cytoplasm, and 12 out of 13 ER-negative breast caner specimens also express this ER-Α variant. Our findings demonstrate a physiologically important ER-Α variant that is involved in membrane-initiated estrogen signaling and suggest that aberrant expression of this ER-Α variant contributes to development of ER-positive and-negative human breast cancer.
Comparing Two Models of Collaborative Testing for Teaching Statistics

Research on collaborative testing has shown that it decreases test anxiety, increases learning and critical thinking skills, and allows students to practice collaboration and teamwork. However, it ...
Learner perceptions of family-centred rounds

Background Family-centred rounds (FCRs) are common in paediatric inpatient medicine. FCRs lead to shorter hospital stays, improved communication, and improved patient and family satisfaction. Rounding structures can differ between institutions based on participants, the location of rounds and the role of trainees. The aim of our study was to compare walking hallway rounds with a new conference-room rounding style, as measured by learner perceptions of FCRs. Methods All students participating in FCRs on two hospitalist teams were included in this study. In October 2017, a family-centred conference-room rounding model was developed. Team A adopted conference-room rounds whereas team B continued to use hallway rounds. Student and resident evaluations were constructed using a nine-point Likert scale (1, strongly disagree; 9, strongly agree). Evaluations assessed various perceived components of rounding. Results There were statistically significant differences between the evaluation responses from student team A (n = 21) versus student team B (n = 32) regarding perceived comfort in presenting (A = 7.86, B = 6.56, t = 3.42, p ≤ 0.001), confidence talking to families about medical decision making (A = 7.19, B = 6.32, t = 2.57, p = 0.013), educational value of rounds (A = 8.05, B = 6.16, z = -4.39, p ≤ 0.0001), value as a team member (A = 7.38, B = 6.34, z = -2.22, p = 0.013) and preparedness to round (A = 7.76, B = 6.34, z = -3.67, p ≤ 0.0001). Among residents, there were statistically significant differences regarding the perceived efficiency of rounds (A = 6.69, B = 4.89, t = 2.09, p = 0.048) and family engagement (A = 7.81, B = 5.89, z = -2.67, p = 0.003). Discussion Compared with hallway rounds, students and residents had improved learner perceptions of FCRs when participating in conference-room rounds. Some component of conference room rounding may be beneficial to learners while maintaining family-centered care.
Re-configuring Knots to Simplify Manipulation

Humans often change the geometry of flexible objects during manipulation so that the goal is easier to accomplish with either simple motions or simple controls. This paper explores how to change the geometry of a knot to allow simpler tying or untying. The paper presents algorithms that modify the knot configuration to allow the knot to be arranged into the correct topological structure or untangled by moving the tip of the string along a straight line, with only a few re-grasps. The paper also presents proof-of-concept physical experiments in which robot arms arrange and untangle several knots.
Cannabinoid use in psychotic patients impacts inflammatory levels and their association with psychosis severity.

Abstract Inflammatory abnormalities are well-documented in individuals with chronic psychotic disorders. Particular attention has focused on interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its correlation with psychotic symptom severity. Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of psychosis and also has immunomodulating properties. It has been hypothesized that inflammatory disturbances are a common underlying pathology between cannabis use and psychosis. We measured inflammatory markers in individuals admitted to a psychiatric unit with acute psychosis who had toxicology positive for natural and/or synthetic cannabinoids (n = 59) compared to patients with negative cannabinoid toxicology (n = 60). Psychosis severity was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). While PANSS scores were similar between groups, cannabinoid-positive participants were more likely to receive pro re nata (PRN or as-needed) medications for agitation in the psychiatric emergency room, particularly synthetic cannabinoid-positive participants. In unadjusted models, cannabinoid-positive participants had lower interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels (p = 0.046), but this finding was not significant after adjusting for covariates and multiple comparisons. Among cannabinoid-positive participants, IL-6 levels negatively correlated with PANSS total score (p = 0.040), as well as positive (p = 0.035) and negative (p = 0.024) subscales. Results suggest inflammatory alterations among psychotic individuals with comorbid cannabinoid use.
Visitor Evaluation of Night Sky Interpretation in Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument

Natural lightscapes are an important resource for parks and protected areas, including Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument. Both locations offer night sky interpretive pro...
Atypical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–associated autoimmune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection can have various abnormal hematologic parameters. This report illustrates a case with unusual presentation of COVID-19-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, in which the patient did not develop any typical respiratory signs or symptoms.
Indwelling Pleural Catheters

Recurrent, symptomatic pleural effusions are common and can contribute to significant morbidity in affected patients. Various management options are available and indwelling pleural catheter placement is becoming more commonplace and is the preferred option in certain clinical scenarios. The body of literature pertaining to indwelling pleural catheter use has grown substantially over the last decade and the purpose of this review is to summarize the best available evidence.
Symptoms of the Future: Living in the Threshold

Throughout this book I have been exploiting an ambiguity. The ambiguity involves our relation to thresholding itself. Are we its authors? Or are we written by it? Is it something we do? Or is it something that simply happens to us? The reason this is a problematic ambiguity is that in each case both answers are correct. It is part of the vocation of the thresholder to do many things, but also to allow their occurrence.
Modified Radical Neck Dissection

The role of neck dissection in the management of thyroidcancer is controversial, due to the indolent natural history of mostwell-differentiated thyroid cancers (WDTC), as well as the high prevalence of clinically apparent or occult lymph node metastases. This is particularly true in papillary thyroid carcinoma, where high rates of nodal positivity are found even in microcarcinomas; Wada et al. have reported a 64% rate of nodal metastasis in the central neck and 45% in the lateral neck. Lymph node metastasis is more likely in cancers harboring the BRAF V600E mutation. Despite the high rate of nodal involvement, there are no prospective data on the impact of lateral neck dissection on survival or locoregional recurrence. Although Noguchi et al. reported an improvement in cause-specific survival among patients with WDTC undergoing modified radical neck dissection (MRND), there was no difference in overall survival, and this study was performed in a cohort not receiving adjuvant radioactive iodine therapy.
Diversity of vestibular nuclei neurons targeted by cerebellar nodulus inhibition

Abstract A functional role of the cerebellar nodulus and ventral uvula (lobules X and IXc,d of the vermis) for vestibular processing has been strongly suggested by direct reciprocal connections with the vestibular nuclei, as well as direct vestibular afferent inputs as mossy fibres. Here we have explored the types of neurons in the macaque vestibular nuclei targeted by nodulus/ventral uvula inhibition using orthodromic identification from the caudal vermis. We found that all nodulus-target neurons are tuned to vestibular stimuli, and most are insensitive to eye movements. Such non-eye-movement neurons are thought to project to vestibulo-spinal and/or thalamo-cortical pathways. Less than 20% of nodulus-target neurons were sensitive to eye movements, suggesting that the caudal vermis can also directly influence vestibulo-ocular pathways. In general, response properties of nodulus-target neurons were diverse, spanning the whole continuum previously described in the vestibular nuclei. Most nodulus-target cells responded to both rotation and translation stimuli and only a few were selectively tuned to translation motion only. Other neurons were sensitive to net linear acceleration, similar to otolith afferents. These results demonstrate that, unlike the flocculus and ventral paraflocculus which target a particular cell group, nodulus/ventral uvula inhibition targets a large diversity of cell types in the vestibular nuclei, consistent with a broad functional significance contributing to vestibulo-ocular, vestibulo-thalamic and vestibulo-spinal pathways.
Polypeptide Composition of Urea- and Heat-Resistant Mutants of Poliovirus Types 1 and 2

Five urea-resistant and two heat-resistant mutants of poliovirus types 1 and 2 were isolated and their structural and nonstructural polypeptides compared to those of their wild-type, parental strains in an attempt to correlate mutant phenotypes with alterations in specific capsid polypeptides. Four of the seven mutants were found to contain polypeptides which differed in molecular weight from their respective parental viruses. However, resistance of virions to heat- or urea-inactivation could not be attributed to changes in particular capsid polypeptides because alterations were detected in all but one of the capsid components. For two of the urea-resistant mutants and one heat-resistant mutant, no differences were found in the molecular weights of the capsid and noncapsid polypeptides. These results, and the fact that at least 12 selective treatments were required to obtain stable mutants, indicate that: (i) such phenotypes probably can be expressed by mutations affecting one or more of the larger capsid polypeptides, and (ii) such phenotypes reflect multiple mutational steps.
Accelerated echo planar J-resolved spectroscopic imaging in prostate cancer: A pilot validation of non-linear reconstruction using total variation and maximum entropy

The overlap of metabolites is a major limitation in one-dimensional (1D) spectral-based single-voxel MRS and multivoxel-based MRSI. By combining echo planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) with a two-dimensional (2D) J-resolved spectroscopic (JPRESS) sequence, 2D spectra can be recorded in multiple locations in a single slice of prostate using four-dimensional (4D) echo planar J-resolved spectroscopic imaging (EP-JRESI). The goal of the present work was to validate two different non-linear reconstruction methods independently using compressed sensing-based 4D EP-JRESI in prostate cancer (PCa): maximum entropy (MaxEnt) and total variation (TV). Twenty-two patients with PCa with a mean age of 63.8 years (range, 46-79 years) were investigated in this study. A 4D non-uniformly undersampled (NUS) EP-JRESI sequence was implemented on a Siemens 3-T MRI scanner. The NUS data were reconstructed using two non-linear reconstruction methods, namely MaxEnt and TV. Using both TV and MaxEnt reconstruction methods, the following observations were made in cancerous compared with non-cancerous locations: (i) higher mean (choline + creatine)/citrate metabolite ratios; (ii) increased levels of (choline + creatine)/spermine and (choline + creatine)/myo-inositol; and (iii) decreased levels of (choline + creatine)/(glutamine + glutamate). We have shown that it is possible to accelerate the 4D EP-JRESI sequence by four times and that the data can be reliably reconstructed using the TV and MaxEnt methods. The total acquisition duration was less than 13 min and we were able to detect and quantify several metabolites.
Separation of Caffeine from Beverages and Analysis Using Thin-Layer Chromatography and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

The Characterization and Analysis of a Product (CAP) project is used to introduce first-semester general chemistry students to chemical instrumentation through the analysis of caffeine-containing beverage products. Some examples of these products have included coffee, tea, and energy drinks. Students perform at least three instrumental experiments as a part of this five-part project to analyze different components of the beverage and its packaging. In this discussion, the first of these experiments is presented. Caffeine and other components, such as flavorings, are extracted from the product using dichloromethane. The extract is analyzed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to identify caffeine and other trace components. Students also calculate the percent abundance of the 35Cl and 37Cl isotopes from the dichloromethane mass spectrum. These exercises demonstrate several basic concepts introduced in the first-semester course, and are easily adaptable to u...
Estrogen modification of feeding behavior in the female rat: influence of metabolic state.

Abstract The effects of estrogen on feeding behavior and body weight regulation of adult ovariectomized rats were observed after 48 hr of food deprivation. The depletion of body nutrient stores caused by food deprivation resulted in an attenuation of the effects of estrogen treatment on food intake, eating time, meal size, meal duration and the number of meals. Nevertheless, estrogen treatment in fasted animals did shorten the interval between meals immediately after access to food was restored. Indices of the satiating effects of individual meals and the deprivation effects of intervals between meals were calculated for selected times. These indices also indicated an influence of estrogen even in the fasted condition. Estrogen diminished the satiety produced by the first meal after food access was restored, while the deprivation effects of the interval between the first and second meals were enhanced. During the dark period on the first day of refeeding, the satiating effects of food remained reduced in the fasted condition, and estrogen did not appear to further affect satiety compared to oil treatment, but estrogen did lower the deprivation effects of intermeal intervals compared to oil treatment. Estrogen treatment in non-fasted animals lowered both satiety and deprivation effects during the dark period. The varying influence of estrogen on the deprivation effects of intermeal intervals suggests that the influence of estrogen depends upon the long-term effects of an animal's metabolic state.
An Inventory Model of Immediate and Delayed Delivery

This paper considers the long run, profit maximizing strategy of a distributor that holds a good good 1 in inventory for immediate delivery and that offers a second good good 2 for delayed delivery. When the two goods are substitutes, an out-of-stock situation for good 1 will cause some consumers "walkers" to seek the good elsewhere, other consumers "waiters" to accept a raincheck for later delivery of good 1, and others still "switchers" to place an order for good 2. It is shown that a profit maximizing strategy may entail setting a price for the delayed delivery item so as to encourage switching behavior. The rationale is that the distributor can hold a smaller inventory, thereby incurring lower holding costs, because out-of-stock situations are less costly than they would be without some consumers being willing to switch.
“We're Not Going to Have This Conversation, But You Get It”: Black Mother–Daughter Communication About Sexual Relations

Twenty self-identified Black women ages 19 to 22 recalled the content and emotional tone of conversations about sex they had with their mothers. A majority of participants did not recall a sustained conversation about sex. Rather, they recollected fragmented, random, and often context-free comments their mothers made about sex. Three themes emerged from analysis of interviews: (a) negative messages, (b) feelings of discomfort, and (c) mother as role model. In addition, a minority of participants who experienced open and honest mother–daughter sex talk reported it had benefited them, whereas daughters who did not experience rich mother–daughter sex talk wished they had and believed it would have made them stronger women and enhanced closeness with their mothers. Standpoint theory offers insight into why many Black mothers might find sex talk uncomfortable and might warn daughters of negative aspects of sex while not mentioning positive aspects. These findings suggest that more sustained and open communicat...
Positional accuracy of the Google Earth terrain model derived from stratigraphic unconformities in the Big Bend region, Texas, USA

The Google Earth terrain model could prove beneficial for extraction of positional data in the future. At present, only an aging independent benchmark study (Potere, D., 2008. Horizontal position accuracy of Google Earth's high-resolution imagery archive. Sensors, 8, 7973–7981) provides constraints on positional accuracy for Google Earth imagery. In this investigation, we compared virtually traced positions against high-precision (<1 m) field measurements along three stratigraphic unconformity sub-sections in the Big Bend region to determine current positional accuracy for the Google Earth terrain model. A horizontal position accuracy of 2.64 m RMSEr was determined for the Google Earth terrain model with mean offset distance being 6.95 m. A vertical position accuracy of 1.63 m RMSEz with mean offset distance of 2.66 m was also calculated for the terrain model. Results suggest data extracted from the Google Earth terrain model could plausibly be used in future studies. However, we urge caution in using Goo...
Implementation and application of a 9-node Lagrange shell element with spurious mode control

Abstract The implementation of a 9-node Lagrange element with uniform reduced quadrature (2 × 2) and spurious mode control for plates and shells is described. Both linear and nonlinear problems are considered. Comparisons are made with full integration (3 × 3) and selective reduced integration versions of this element. It is shown that in all cases, the rate of convergence of this element is significantly superior over that of the other two elements and that the spurious mode control procedure effectively eliminates all difficulties associated with zero-energy modes. The element does not exhibit any symptoms of membrane or shear locking nor any spatial oscillations in the solutions.
Emission thermophotometry: An improved apparatus

Abstract An improved emission thermophotometry (ETP) apparatus is described. The apparatus consists of a furnace and sample holder, a temperature programmer, a 1P28 PMT and photometer, and a microcomputer data collection system. Use of the apparatus is illustrated by the ETP curve of ethyl cellulose.
Rotator Cuff Repair Should Be Done Arthroscopically: Body of Evidence—Opposes

The surgical management of rotator cuff tears has seen a rapid evolution from open surgical techniques to arthroscopic techniques as the perceived treatment of choice. But like most things in medicine—" always " is never appropriate. Many surgeons believe that all cuff tears can and should be treated arthroscopically regardless of tear size, tear configuration, and other patient specific considerations. There remains a very critical role for the maintenance of surgical skills in the treatment of rotator cuff tears with open surgical technique, as this specific clinical case will review. Recent publications suggest a much greater failure rate in 2 tendon tears when treated arthroscopically when compared with the open technique. Despite the near-daily marketing of newer suture, newer anchors, newer materials, newer knotless anchors, etc., tendon biology and physiology have not changed. Although certain smaller tears can be very appropriately repaired arthroscopically, many larger tears should be treated with open surgery.
An Operational System for Predicting Hurricane-Generated Wind Waves in the North Atlantic Ocean*

Abstract A new wind–wave prediction model, referred to as the North Atlantic hurricane (NAH) wave model, has been developed at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) to produce forecasts of hurricane-generated waves during the Atlantic hurricane season. A detailed description of this model and a comparison of its performance against the operational western North Atlantic (WNA) wave model during Hurricanes Isidore and Lili, in 2002, are presented. The NAH and WNA models are identical in their physics and numerics. The NAH model uses a wind field obtained by blending data from NCEP’s operational Global Forecast System (GFS) with those from a higher-resolution hurricane prediction model, whereas the WNA wave model uses winds provided exclusively by the GFS. Relative biases of the order of 10% in the prediction of maximum wave heights up to 48 h in advance, indicate that the use of higher-resolution winds in the NAH model provides a successful framework for predicting extreme sea states gene...
Vapor−Liquid Equilibria for Solvent−Polymer Systems from a Perturbed Hard-Sphere-Chain Equation of State

Vapor−liquid equilibria (VLE) for solvent−polymer mixtures at modest pressures are obtained from a perturbed hard-sphere-chain equation of state. This equation of state is the sum of a hard-sphere-chain term as the reference system and a van der Waals attractive term as the perturbation. The reference equation follows from the Percus−Yevick integral theory coupled with chain connectivity as described by Chiew. The effect of specific interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, is introduced through the proposal of Veytsman based on the statistical distribution of hydrogen bonds between donor and acceptor sites suggested by molecular structure. Calculated and observed vapor−liquid equilibria are presented for nonpolar, polar, and hydrogen-bonding solvent + homopolymer systems. Pure-component parameters (number of segments per molecule, segment−segment energy, and segment diameter) are obtained from pure-component properties: liquid density and vapor pressure data for normal fluids and pressure−volume−temperatu...
The ageing pineal gland and its physiological consequences.

Melatonin, the chief hormone of the pineal gland, is produced and secreted into the blood in a circadian manner with maximal production always occurring during the dark phase of the light:dark cycle. Whereas the 24h rhythm of melatonin production is very robust in young animals including humans, the cycle deteriorates during ageing. The rhythm of melatonin can be substantially preserved during ageing by restricting the food intake of experimental animals; this same treatment increases the life span of the animals. The exogenous administration of melatonin to non-food restricted animals also reportedly increases their survival. Moreover, melatonin has been shown to have immunoenhancing effects and oncostatic properties. The implication of these studies is that melatonin may have both direct and indirect beneficial effects in delaying ageing processes or it may retard the development of processes (e.g., immunodeficiency and tumor growth) which contribute to a reduced life span.
Four-Dimensionalist Theories of Persistence

I demonstrate that the theory of persistence defended in Sider [2001] does not accommodate our intuitions about counting sentences. I develop two theories that improve on Sider's: a contextualist theory and an error theory. I argue that the latter is stronger, simpler, and better fitted to some important ordinary language judgments than rival four-dimensionalist theories of persistence.
Lattice-Ordered Matrix Rings Over the Integers

We show that the only compatible lattice order on a matrix ring over the integers for which the identity matrix is positive is (up to isomorphism) the usual, entrywise, lattice order. We also find a condition that guarantees that the only compatible lattice order on a matrix ring over the integers is formed by multiplying the positive cone of the usual, entrywise, lattice order by a matrix with positive entries. Using this condition, we show that such orders are the only compatible ones in the two-by-two case.
THE SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF METROPOLITAN LABOR MARKETS AND THE THEORY OF INTRA-URBAN PLANT LOCATION

(1981). THE SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF METROPOLITAN LABOR MARKETS AND THE THEORY OF INTRA-URBAN PLANT LOCATION. Urban Geography: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 1-30.
Information security requirements and challenges in smart grid

Generally, information security o f smart grid include physical security, cyber security, data security, backups and recovery. This paper focus on user data security and the existed problems, add our thoughts where we need to be in smart grid. Furthermore, the conception and the operating mechanism of smart grid are elaborated in the paper. This paper propose identity authentication and security domain to ensure the safety of the cyber security for smart grid. Use authentication to prevent unauthorized users access, make use of automated risk assessment tool to divide security domain, isolate information risk. Finally it reaches a conclusion that the popularization of smart grid should emphasis on the user security of information exchange.
Proposal of a multicompartmental model for use in the study of apolipoprotein E metabolism

Abstract Apolipoprotein (apo) E is a 299—amino acid glycoprotein that serves a number of functions in lipoprotein metabolism. Apo E binds to the triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL), very—low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and chylomicrons, as they are lipolyzed, mediating their removal from plasma via lipoprotein receptors. Apo E is also found associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and has been suggested to play a role in reverse cholesterol transport. Studies on the kinetic behavior of apo E from the TRL and HDL fractions provide insights into the metabolic relationships between TRL and HDL in vivo. We sought to develop a compartmental model that can be used for analysis of kinetic data in studies on the metabolism of TRL and HDL apo E. Using radioactive tracers, it has been previously observed that, in some instances, a portion of VLDL apo E that is removed from plasma subsequently reappears in VLDL. Four multicompartmental models were considered that could account for this type of behavior: model A, in which there is transfer of apo E from HDL to VLDL; model B, in which there is a bidirectional extravascular exchange; model C, in which there is removal and subsequent reintroduction of TRL apo E into plasma; and model D, in which there is secretion of TRL apo E into plasma directly and via an extravascular pathway. Models C and D provided the best fit to the experimental data. While no physiologically plausible analog to model C could be found, an extravascular delay, analogous to newly secreted apo E that enters the lymphatic system before appearing in plasma, was postulated for model D. It was this model that was used to analyze kinetic data from metabolic studies of apo E. The model was able to provide a satisfactory fit to kinetic data in studies in which subjects were given a primed-constant infusion of 2H3-leucine. It was determined that TRL apo E from the six subjects studied had a mean resident time of 0.11 ± 0.05 days and a mean production rate of 10.6 ± 7.2 mg/kg/d, while HDL apo E had a mean residence time of 2.96 ± 0.99 days and a mean production rate of 0.07 ± 0.07 mg/kg/d. We conclude that this model describes a potential pathway for the metabolism of a portion of apo E in plasma and can be used to calculate the residence time and production rate of TRL and HDL apo E under a variety of conditions.
Myocardial ischemia in a patient with peripheral vascular disease, an arteriovenous fistula, and patent coronary artery bypass grafts.

Patients with coronary artery disease often have concurrent peripheral vascular disease. The presence of concurrent vascular pathologies can pose unique challenges among patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting utilizing the left internal mammary artery. We describe a patient with peripheral vascular disease and prior history of coronary artery bypass grafting, who presented with recurrent anginal symptoms and an abnormal stress test despite the absence of significant residual unrevascularized coronary artery disease. Additional evaluation led to the identification of an ipsilateral severe subclavian stenosis with a concomitant ipsilateral upper extremity arteriovenous fistula. Patient’s symptoms resolved with the treatment of the underlying vascular lesions.