cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parkinson's disease susceptibility variants and severity of Lewy body pathology.

Abstract Introduction Meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have established common genetic risk factors for clinical Parkinson's disease (PD); however, associations between these risk factors and quantitative neuropathologic markers of disease severity have not been well-studied. This study evaluated associations of nominated variants from the most recent PD GWAS meta-analysis with Lewy body disease (LBD) subtype (brainstem, transitional, or diffuse) and pathologic burden of LB pathology as measured by LB counts in five cortical regions in a series of LBD cases. Methods 547 autopsy-confirmed cases of LBD were included and genotyped for 29 different GWAS-nominated PD risk variants. LB counts were measured in middle frontal (MF), superior temporal (ST), inferior parietal (IP), cingulate (CG), and parahippocampal (PH) gyri. Results None of the variants examined were significantly associated with LB counts in any brain region or with LBD subtype after correcting for multiple testing. Nominally significant (P BCKDK/STX1B (MF, ST, IP) and SNCA (ST). Additionally, MIR4697 and BCKDK/STX1B variants were nominally associated with LBD subtype. Conclusion The lack of a significant association between PD GWAS variants and severity of LB pathology is consistent with the generally subtle association odds ratios that have been observed in disease-risk analysis. These results also suggest that genetic factors other than the susceptibility loci may determine quantitative neuropathologic outcomes in patients with LBD.
Personnel Orientation and Training

Safety in the laboratory requires a cooperative effort between the technical and scientific staff and the administrative staff of an organization. Ultimately, however, it is the practice of good laboratory procedures and care in undertaking research that leads to a safe facility. One method of achieving a safe facility is through a well-designed program of orientation and training to instruct staff members in acceptable performance and to motivate them to develop their personal skills.
Girls who cut: treatment in an outpatient psychodynamic psychotherapy practice with adolescent girls and young adult women.

The observation of deficits in the capacity for mature emotional self-regulation in girls who cut is noted in the literature (Daldin, 1990; Novick & Novick, 1991; Nock et al., 2008). The acquisitio...
The Varieties of Normativity: An Essay on Social Ontology

For much of the first fifty years of its existence, analytic philosophy shunned discussions of normativity and ethics. Ethical statements were considered as pseudo-propositions, or as expressions of pro- or con-attitudes of minor theoretical significance. 1 Nowadays, in contrast, there are prominent analytic philosophers who pay close attention to normative problems and important books written by such philosophers on topics in law and social justice and on social and institutional ontology. Here we focus our attention on the work of Searle, at the same time drawing out an important connection between Searle’s work and that of two other seminal figures in this development: H.L.A. Hart and John Rawls. Hart was, within the context of recent analytic philosophy, the most important philosopher of law and Rawls the most important political philosopher. Still a child of the 20th century, as we shall see, Searle tends to assume that there is but one type of normativity within the realm of social institutions. Like Hart and Rawls, he thereby neglects features which are of crucial significance for an adequate understanding of social reality. 2 Our main goals are twofold. On the one hand we wish to expose how this neglect constitutes a shortcoming of Searle’s ontology of social reality. 3 On the other hand, our attention to the ways in which this neglect plays out in the normative philosophy of other luminaries of 20th century analytic philosophy should help us to identify an entrenched trend, and also thereby contribute to its reversal.
Preliminary Development of the Physician Documentation Quality Instrument

Abstract Objectives This study sought to design and validate a reliable instrument to assess the quality of physician documentation. Design Adjectives describing clinician attitudes about high-quality clinical documentation were gathered through literature review, assessed by clinical experts, and transformed into a semantic differential scale. Using the scale, physicians and nurse practitioners scored the importance of the adjectives for describing quality in three note types: admission, progress, and discharge notes. Psychometric methods including exploratory factor analysis were applied to provide preliminary evidence for the construct validity and internal consistency reliability. Results A 22-item Physician Documentation Quality Instrument (PDQI) was developed. Exploratory factor analysis (n = 67 clinician respondents) on three note types resulted in solutions ranging from four (discharge) to six (admission and progress) factors, and explained 65.8% (discharge) to 73% (admission and progress) of the variance. Each factor solution was unique. However, four sets of items consistently factored together across all note types: (1) up-to-date and current; (2) brief, concise, succinct; (3) organized and structured; and (4) correct, comprehensible, consistent. Internal consistency reliabilities were: admission note (factor scales = 0.52–88, overall = 0.86), progress note (factor scales = 0.59–0.84, overall = 0.87), and discharge summary (factor scales = 0.76–0.85, overall = 0.88). Conclusion The exploratory factor analyses and reliability analyses provide preliminary evidence for the construct validity and internal consistency reliability of the PDQI. Two novel dimensions of the construct for document quality were developed related to form (Well-formed, Compact). Additional work is needed to assess intrarater and interrater reliability of applying of the proposed instrument and to examine the reproducibility of the factors in other samples.
Catalytic Nitrene Homocoupling by an Iron(II) Bis(alkoxide) Complex: Bulking Up the Alkoxide Enables a Wider Range of Substrates and Provides Insight into the Reaction Mechanism.

The reaction of HOR' (OR' = di-t-butyl-(3,5-diphenylphenyl)methoxide) with an iron(II) amide precursor forms the iron(II) bis(alkoxide) complex Fe(OR')2(THF)2 (2). 2 (5-10 mol %) serves as a catalyst for the conversion of aryl azides into the corresponding azoarenes. The highest yields are observed for aryl azides featuring two ortho substituents; other substitution patterns in the aryl azide precursor lead to moderate or low yields. The reaction of 2 with stoichiometric amounts (2 equiv) of the corresponding aryl azide shows the formation of azoarenes as the only organic products for the bulkier aryl azides (Ar = mesityl, 2,6-diethylphenyl). In contrast, formation of tetrazene complexes Fe(OR')2(ArNNNNAr) (3-6) is observed for the less bulky aryl azides (Ar = phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 3,5-dimethylphenyl). The electronic structure of selected tetrazene complexes was probed by spectroscopy (field-dependent 57Fe Mossbauer and high-frequency EPR) and density functional theory calculations. These studies revealed that Fe(OR')2(ArNNNNAr) complexes contain high-spin ( S = 5/2) iron(III) centers exchange-coupled to tetrazene radical anions. Tetrazene complexes Fe(OR')2(ArNNNNAr) produce the corresponding azoarenes (ArNNAr) upon heating. Treatment of a tetrazene complex Fe(OR')2(ArNNNNAr) with a different azide (N3Ar') produces all three possible products ArNNAr, ArNNAr', and Ar'NNAr'. These experiments and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations exploring the reaction mechanism suggest that the tetrazene functionality serves as a masked form of the reactive iron mono(imido) species.
Prevalent transoceanic fall migration by a 30-gram songbird, the Bobolink

ABSTRACT Three North American passerines are known to perform transoceanic flights during their fall migration, with open-water flights ranging in length from 1,700 to 3,400 km. However, little is known about within-population variation of these flights. From 2013 to 2017, I used geolocators to study variation in the fall migratory track of the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) from a population that bred in agricultural grasslands of Vermont, USA. Thirteen of seventeen birds took transoceanic flights during fall migration, ranging in length from 1,098 to 3,536 km (mean ± SD = 1,969 ± 640); five of these flights were nonstop from North to South America. Bobolinks initiated transoceanic flights between Nova Scotia, Canada, and the central coast of North Carolina, USA, an orthodromic distance of 2,500 km. Mean arrival to 12° latitude in South America was October 17 ± 17 days (range: September 26–November 26). Neither sex, morphological measurements, nor age significantly explained variation in nonstop flight...
A Disturbance in the Force: Cellular Stress Sensing by the Mitochondrial Network

As a highly dynamic organellar network, mitochondria are maintained as an organellar network by delicately balancing fission and fusion pathways. This homeostatic balance of organellar dynamics is increasingly revealed to play an integral role in sensing cellular stress stimuli. Mitochondrial fission/fusion balance is highly sensitive to perturbations such as loss of bioenergetic function, oxidative stress, and other stimuli, with mechanistic contribution to subsequent cell-wide cascades including inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis. The overlapping activity with m-AAA protease 1 (OMA1) metallopeptidase, a stress-sensitive modulator of mitochondrial fusion, and dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1), a regulator of mitochondrial fission, are key factors that shape mitochondrial dynamics in response to various stimuli. As such, OMA1 and DRP1 are critical factors that mediate mitochondrial roles in cellular stress-response signaling. Here, we explore the current understanding and emerging questions in the role of mitochondrial dynamics in sensing cellular stress as a dynamic, responsive organellar network.
NBCe1 Na+-HCO3- cotransporter ablation causes reduced apoptosis following cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo

NBCe1 Na+-HCO3- cotransporter ablation causes reduced apoptosis following cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo
Fine-tuning the Relationship between Religion and Intellectual Humility:

I examine religious humility, which is one content area of intellectual humility. Intellectual humility is the subtype of humility that involves taking a humble stance in sharing ideas, especially ...
UNIT 3.8 RNA Polymerases

This unit describes DNA-dependent, RNA-dependent, and template-independent RNA polymerases. DNA-dependent RNA polymerases include the related bacteriophage T7, T3, and SP6 polymerases, the most commonly used RNA polymerases for in vitro transcription reactions. Reaction conditions to produce preparative quantities of transcribed RNA and labeled RNA probes are covered, as are the major applications of these reactions. Limitations of the E. coli RNA polymerase for these applications are also presented. The properties of the phi6 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and its use in RNAi experiments are also introduced. Poly(A) polymerase, a template-independent polymerase, catalyzes the incorporation of AMP residues onto the free 3′-hydroxyl terminus of RNA, utilizing ATP as a precursor. Specific reaction conditions of poly(A) polymerase, as well as applications including RNA tailing and 3′ end labeling, are discussed. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 84:3.8.1-3.8.8. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: in vitro transcription; RNA probes; RNAi; runoff transcription; RdRp; miRNA cloning
Evaluation of aldosterone antagonist utilization in heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction at an academic medical center.

Background: Aldosterone antagonists (AA) have historically been underutilized despite evidence that they reduce morbidity, mortality, and readmission rates to the hospital when used appropriately. Objective: We sought to determine if AAs were being prescribed in accordance with the 2013 ACCF/AHA guidelines and if there was any benefit surrounding 30-day readmissions or 30-day mortality for patients taking AAs with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of adult patients who were discharged between October 1, 2015 and February 1, 2016 with any ICD-10 code for heart failure to assess compliance with guideline directed medical therapy. At baseline, patients were stratified by HFpEF and HFrEF. Patients were excluded if they died during the admission, discharged with hospice care, received a heart transplant or ventricular assist device, if they were miscoded or left against medical advice. Descriptive statistics, and Chi Square were used to evaluate the data. Results: We reviewed 601 patient charts for eligibility in our study, and determined 438 met the criteria for inclusion. Ninety-seven patients (22%) received an AA. Within the HFrEF group, only 37% of patients who were eligible per 2013 ACCF/AHA guidelines, received an AA at time of discharge. Fourteen percent of HFpEF patients were discharged on an AA. We found a trend towards decreased rates of our 30-day outcomes in patients who took AAs in both the HFpEF and HFrEF groups. Conclusions: AAs were underutilized during the timeframe we evaluated, despite the evidence for their use.
An embedded electrical impedance analyzer based on the AD5933 for the determination of voice coil motor mechanical properties

Abstract The voice coil motor (VCM) is a simple electromechanical linear motor used in space constrained applications such as pumps, precision positioning, and mobile camera lens actuation. The motion of a VCM is determined by the applied current as well as the mechanical parameters of mass, spring constant, and damping coefficient. VCM motion and mechanical parameters can be determined by a position sensor, but such a sensor may be too bulky for a miniaturized solution. To overcome this limitation, measurements of the VCM electrical impedance versus frequency can be combined with an electromechanical model to identify mechanical parameters. Here we detail an analytical model that relates the electrical impedance to mechanical parameters and demonstrate a miniaturized electrical impedance analyzer for VCMs designed around the AD5933 integrated circuit. The electrical instrument measures impedances of a typical VCM coil of ∼10 Ω with a signal-to-noise ratio of 84.7 dB. We display the effectiveness of the analytical model and impedance analyzer by identifying mechanical parameters of mass, spring constant, and damping coefficient using electrical impedance measurements alone. We experimentally modified the system mass and detected the changes using electrical impedance with a mean error of 5.6% and a Pearson's correlation coefficient of ρ = 0.95. Repeated measurements of a single VCM configuration demonstrated that the natural frequency, knowledge of which is critical for optimal efficiency, was detected with a variation of 0.2%. A departure from harmonic motion was observed at low velocities. We explain this departure by adding static friction to the model of VCM motion. The AD5933-based miniaturized VCM driver and impedance analyzer coupled with a model that relates mechanical motion to electrical impedance is a viable instrument for in-situ diagnostics and tuning of VCMs.
APOBEC mutagenesis is tightly linked to the immune landscape and immunotherapy biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract HNSCC is an immunologically active tumor with high levels of immune cell infiltration, high mutational burden and a subset of patients who respond to immunotherapy. One of the primary sources of mutations in HNSCC is the cytidine deaminase APOBEC3, which is a known participant in innate immunity. Why particular HNSCCs have higher rates of APOBEC mutations and how these mutations relate to the immune microenvironment remains unknown. Utilizing whole exome and RNA-Seq datasets from TCGA HNSCCs we annotated APOBEC mutations, immune cell populations, activating and end effectors of immunity and neoantigens in order to interrogate the relationship between APOBEC mutations and the immune landscape. Immune cell populations and composite scores of immune activation were tightly associated with APOBEC mutational burden (p = 0.04–1.17e-5). HNSCC had the highest levels of IFNy across cancer types with high APOBEC mutational burden, with the highest IFNy scores in HPV mediated HNSCC. Tumor specific neoantigens were significantly correlated with APOBEC mutational burden while other sources of neoantigens were not (0.53 [0.24, 0.76] p = 8e-5). The presence of a germline APOBEC polymorphism was more prevalent in non-white, non-black patients and within this group, patients with the polymorphism had higher APOBEC mutational burden (p = 0.002). APOBEC mutations are tightly linked to immune activation and infiltration in HNSCC. Multiple mechanisms may exist within HNSCC leading to APOBEC mutations including immune upregulation in response to neoantigens and viral infection, via induction of IFNy. These mechanisms may be additive and not mutually exclusive, which could explain higher levels of APOBEC mutations in HPV mediated HNSCC.
High-Resolution Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Cryogenically Cooled NO3̅

High-resolution anion photoelectron spectra of cryogenically cooled NO3 anions obtained using slow photoelectron velocity-map imaging are presented and provide new insight into the vibronic structure of the corresponding neutral radical. A combination of improved spectral resolution, measurement of energy-dependent intensity effects, temperature control, and comparison to theory allows for full assignment of the vibronic features observed in this spectrum. We obtain a refined electron affinity of 3.9289(14) eV for NO3. Further, the appearance of Franck-Condon forbidden transitions from vibrationally cold anions to neutral states with excitation along the NO3 ν4 mode confirms that these features arise from vibronic coupling with the B2E' excited state of NO3 and are not hot bands, as has been suggested. Together, the suite of experimental and simulated results provides clear evidence that the ν3 fundamental of NO3 resides near 1050 cm-1, addressing a long-standing controversy surrounding this vibrational assignment.
Using UML to facilitate the teaching of object-oriented systems analysis and design

This paper discusses how UML, with the aid of a CASE (Computer Aided Systems Engineering) tool, can help teach an Object-Oriented Systems Analysis and Design (OOSAD) course. Today's students need to be actively involved in the learning process and must be able to apply a concept while it is being taught. Most OOSAD real-world problems are to complex to deal with in the classroom, so we have chosen a simpler problem - consisting of a university setting - that all students are familiar with. By using a CASE tool to draw UML diagrams students can visualize the object-oriented concepts and see the relevance of what is being taught. UML can help simplify OOSAD problems and at the same time actively engage students in the learning process thus increasing the general interest level of the student. The author's basic approach to teaching OOSAD material is to have the students emulate the instructor when working through a problem. With enough concrete practice like this, students soon build a strong foundation in UML diagrammatics and in the process gradually abstract out the underlying OOSAD concepts. The aim is to reach a point where students can make their own interpretation, apply OOSAD concepts independently, and ultimately devise their own extensions to UML to solve a problem.
Molecular Biology in the Eicosanoid Field

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the molecular biology in the eicosanoid field. Molecular biology made its main entrance to the eicosanoid field, when two groups simultaneously reported the cloning of the cDNA for leukotriene A 4 hydrolase. Subsequently, the field has expanded considerably to include many interesting findings with the lipoxygenases, prostaglandin-synthesizing enzymes, and prostanoid receptors. Availability of the genes for these enzymes should allow targeting strategies to discern potential functions. Clear information on the regulation and significance of leukotriene formation by 5-lipoxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase activating protein, and leukotriene A 4 hydrolase is still lacking. The recent discovery of the second form of cyclooxygenase has reopened a wide interest in the academic and pharmaceutical communities in prostaglandin research. The differential regulation of the two cyclooxygenase forms and the development of selective isoform inhibitors will be the areas of intensive research. Cloning of the different members of the eicosanoid receptor family should facilitate our unravelling of the mechanisms involved in the action of this interesting class of arachidonate metabolites known as eicosanoids.
Properties and durability of concrete containing fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ash

Abstract As the supply of conventional pozzolans fall further behind concrete industry’s demand, interest in non-traditional pozzolanic materials continues to grow. One such material is fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ash. In this study, two compositionally different FBC fly ashes from North America were used at 20% mass replacement of Portland cement in a pavement-grade concrete mixture. The effects of these fly ashes on the fresh, hardened, and durability properties of concrete and equivalent mortars were evaluated. It was observed that desirable slump, air content, air-voids structure, and strength development can be achieved in concrete with FBC fly ash. Further, FBC fly ashes improved concrete’s resistivity, formation factor, and resistance to chloride penetration. Drying shrinkage performance was also acceptable. While the high S O 3 content of one fly ash did not cause a deleterious expansion by itself, the concrete containing the high S O 3 fly ash was more prone to sulfate attack.
Data compression for turbulence databases using spatiotemporal subsampling and local resimulation

A data compression methodology for fluid dynamics is introduced. The simulation domain is divided into subdomains with equal size, and the simulation data is compressed by storing it only on the subdomain boundaries. When data is requested by users, a re-simulation of the Navier-Stokes equations within the subdomain is performed using the stored boundary data. The data storage scheme is carefully designed to avoid any errors during the compression-decompression process. A 40:1 lossless compression ratio is easily achieved.
Spatially Resolved Ion Density Measurements in an Oxyfuel Cutting Flame

A novel variation of the Langmuir probe for spatially resolved ion density measurements in a dense flowing plasma is presented. The technique uses a spinning disc to rapidly transit a wire probe th...
A Survey of Clinical Usage of Non-steroidal Intra-Articular Therapeutics by Equine Practitioners

There are several non-steroidal intra-articular therapeutics (NSIATs) available for use by equine practitioners for the treatment of performance-limiting joint-related pathology. Information is limited on perceived clinical efficacy, recommended treatment protocols, and associated complications. Our objective with this cross-sectional survey was to investigate the current clinical usage of NSIATs by equine practitioners. An electronic cross-sectional convenience survey inquiring about the use of steroidal and NSIATS (platelet-rich plasma, autologous conditioned serum, autologous protein solution, cellular therapies, and polyacrylamide hydrogel) was distributed internationally to equine practitioners. A total of 353 surveys were completed. NSIATs were used by 87.5% of the participants. Corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid remain the intra-articular therapeutic of choice among practitioners, followed by autologous conditioned serum, and platelet-rich plasma and autologous conditioned protein. Polyacrylamide hydrogel was the least used. Practitioners were more likely to use NSIATs if their caseload was greater than 50% equine (P <0.001), they treated more than 10 horses intra-articularly per month (P < 0.001), and horses treated were considered English sport horses (P= 0.02). Years in practice and practice location did not influence the use of NSIATs. One of the most common reasons why NSIATs were chosen was to treat acute articular pathologies. As survey limitations, answers to questions regarding clinical response and complication rates were based on subjective estimation and practitioners recall, not clinical records. In conclusion, corticosteroids remain the most widely used intra-articular therapeutic. Among the NSIATs, blood-based products are more commonly used by practitioners, followed by cellular and synthetic products. Equine practitioners frequently use NSIATs, choosing to treat acute joint pathology more than previously reported.
Nanoribbons fabricated by melt electrospinning

This study focuses on using the multilayer melt electrospinning of polymers in combination with a delamination step to obtain nonwoven webs of ribbon-shaped flat fibers that are ~150 to 200 nm thick. A novel coextrusion system with layer multipliers is used to melt electrospin bicomponent cylindrical microfibers with diameters in the range of ~15–25 μm that have up to 257 alternating layers within each fiber prior to delamination. The diameter of the cylindrical fibers is dependent on the temperature, the flow rate of the polymers, and the die tip-to-collector distance. The fabricated bicomponent layered microfibers are subsequently delaminated using sonication or solvent rinsing to obtain flat nanoribbons whose thicknesses vary from 150 to 200 nm. After delamination, some of the flat nanoribbons are found to roll into cylindrical fibers with diameters ranging from 150 to 250 nm. This bicomponent approach uses a continuous melt extrusion process that can support higher throughputs compared to traditional solution electrospinning and can lead to the fabrication of high surface area nonwoven webs after proper delamination treatments. This study focuses on employing multilayer melt electrospinning of polymers coupled with a delamination step to obtain nonwoven webs of ribbon-shaped fibers. A coextrusion technique with layer multipliers was used to melt electrospin cylindrical microfibers that have up to 257 alternating layers within each fiber prior to delamination. The bicomponent layered cylindrical microfibers are delaminated using sonication or solvent rinsing to obtain flat nanoribbon fibers, that are 150 nanometers to 200 nanometers thick.
Robotic-Assisted Lateral Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty in a Patient With Nail-Patella Syndrome

Abstract A 59-year-old woman with nail patella syndrome (NPS) presented with progressive and severe right knee pain for the past 3 years. Imaging demonstrated laterally dislocated patella, with asymmetric femoral trochlea, and advanced lateral compartment arthritis. The patient underwent robotic-assisted lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (RAUKA). The patient saw marked improvements in patient-reported outcome measurements from her initial visit to the last follow-up visit. While treatment of knee osteoarthritis in patients with NPS can be difficult, especially with attempts of patellar realignment, we present a case of a patient who underwent RAUKA, with sustained improvements in patient outcomes and range of motion, at the 2-year follow-up visit. This study is the first of its kind to demonstrate the use of a novel technology in a rare condition.
Genus Distributions of 4-Regular Outerplanar Graphs

We present an $O(n^2)$-time algorithm for calculating the genus distribution of any 4-regular outerplanar graph. We characterize such graphs in terms of what we call split graphs and incidence trees . The algorithm uses post-order traversal of the incidence tree and productions that are adapted from a previous paper that analyzes double-root vertex-amalgamations and self-amalgamations .
Appearance of a New Species of Ribonucleic Acid During Sporulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In the course of study on ribonucleic acid (RNA) metabolism during sporulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a new species of RNA (20S) was observed in sporulating cells by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The relative content of this RNA to total RNA increased linearly early in sporulation. Labeled adenine was preferentially incorporated into 20S RNA during the early stages of sporulation. The correlation between the physiological and genetic control of sporulation and the synthesis of 20S RNA are discussed.
Cryo-EM studies of microtubule structural intermediates and kinetochore-microtubule interactions.

The existence of structural intermediates in the processes of microtubule assembly and disassembly, and their relationship with the nucleotide state of tubulin, have been the subject of significant study and recent controversy. The first part of this chapter describes experiments and methods designed to characterize, using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and image analysis, the structure of stabilized tubulin assemblies that we propose mimic the growth and shortening states at microtubule ends. We further put forward the idea that these intermediates have important biological functions, especially during cellular processes where the dynamic character of microtubules is essential. One such process is the attachment of spindle microtubules to kinetochores in eukaryotic cell division. The second part of this chapter is consequently dedicated to studies of the yeast Dam1 kinetochore complex and its interaction with microtubules. This complex is essential for accurate chromosome segregation and is an important target of the Aurora B spindle check-point kinase. The Dam1 complex self-assembles in a microtubule-dependent manner into rings and spirals. The rings are able to track microtubule-depolymerizing ends against a load and in a highly processive manner, an essential property for their function in vivo. We describe the experimental in vitro protocols to produce biologically relevant self-assembled structures of Dam1 around microtubules and their structural characterization by cryo-EM.
Brownian Motion and Partial Differential Equations

There is a rich interplay between probability theory and analysis, the study of which goes back at least to Kolmogorov (1931). It is not possible in a few sections to develop this subject systematically; we instead confine our attention to a few illustrative cases of this interplay. Recent monographs on this subject are those of Doob (1984) and Durrett (1984).
On learning and computational complexity of FIR radial basis function networks. Part I. Learning of FIR RBFN's

Recently, the complexity control of dynamic neural models has gained significant attention from signal processing community. The performance of such a process depends highly on the applied definition of "model complexity", i.e. complexity models that give simpler networks with better model accuracy and reliability are preferred. The learning theory creates a framework to assess the learning properties of models. These properties include the required size of the training samples as well as the statistical confidence over the model. In this paper, we apply the learning properties of two families of FIR radial basis function networks (RBFN's) to introduce new complexity measures that reflect the learning properties of such neural models. Then, based on these complexity terms, we define cost functions, which provide a balance between the training and testing performances of the model, and give desirable levels of accuracy and confidence.
Channel estimation and tracking of wireless communication

In this research, channel estimation and equalization of turbo coded signals are delved over frequency and non-frequency selective fading channels. An innovative turbo equalization structure is depicted jointly with the iterative decoding process, which is based on performing channel equalization via double decision feedback equalizer (DDFE) designed by using non-complex least mean square algorithm (LMS). Simulation results signify that the turbo equalizer mitigates the effects of the frequency distortion and fading under certain conditions, as well as reaches the same bit error rate (BER) performance when Gaussian channel is under consideration
Controllability for a class of discrete-time Hamiltonian systems

In this paper we study the controllability for a class of discrete-time nonlinear systems which arise from a discretization of a continuous-time integrable Hamiltonian systems. We give necessary and sufficient condition for the global controllability of the discrete-time nonlinear systems. The result in this paper are inspired from ergodic theory. The basic idea is as follows : for the uncontrolled (drift) system, there exists a ergodic partition, partition of phase space into a subsets. On each of the subset the drift is ergodic i.e., system trajectory will reach any positive measure set within the subset. The aim of the control is only to steer the system from one subset of the partition to another subset.
Abstract 17686: Appropriate Use and Clinical Impact of Early Echocardiograms in Hospitalized Patients

Introduction: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a versatile tool for investigating cardiac function in hospitalized patients, but it was recently suggested that only a fraction of the studies result in an active change in management. The importance of early inpatient TTE to guide management and rule out important alternative pathology has not been previously investigated. The opinion of the referring provider has never been systematically surveyed. Hypothesis: Appropriate use (AU) of TTE in hospitalized patients has significant implications for patient care, even without resulting in direct alterations in management. Methods: We conducted a prospective review of 546 consecutive echocardiograms performed within 72 hours of hospital admission. An electronic survey consisting of 6 questions pertinent to rationale for TTE and consequences to patient care was sent to physicians. AU was independently determined by two investigators blinded to survey results and clinical outcomes, with differences adjudicated by a third independent investigator. Results: Of 546 TTEs included in this study, 526 (96%) were appropriate, 2% inappropriate, and 2% uncertain. Although only 48% of responders actively changed management after TTE results, 97% thought the TTE answered their clinical question. At least one new medication change occurred in 190 (35%) patients. Moreover, 95% of physicians would do another TTE in a similar situation, either to guide cardiac therapy, rule out contributing cardiac pathology, or support their current therapeutic plan. Only 5% of responders would not order another TTE if given a similar presentation in the future. Furthermore, our study uncovered a high incidence of unexpected findings (33% of TTEs), ranging from new decrease in LV systolic function, new valvular dysfunction, to pericardial effusion and new aortic aneurysm. These findings have significant clinical implications for the individual patient. Conclusions: Most early inpatient TTEs at our institution were appropriate and answered a specific clinical question important for management decisions. Even those not directly altering the acute therapeutic strategy impacted clinical course. A large number of significant incidental findings were recorded.
Risk Preferences, Probability Weighting, and Strategy Tradeoffs in Wildfire Management

Wildfires present a complex applied risk management environment, but relatively little attention has been paid to behavioral and cognitive responses to risk among public agency wildfire managers. This study investigates responses to risk, including probability weighting and risk aversion, in a wildfire management context using a survey-based experiment administered to federal wildfire managers. Respondents were presented with a multiattribute lottery-choice experiment where each lottery is defined by three outcome attributes: expenditures for fire suppression, damage to private property, and exposure of firefighters to the risk of aviation-related fatalities. Respondents choose one of two strategies, each of which includes "good" (low cost/low damage) and "bad" (high cost/high damage) outcomes that occur with varying probabilities. The choice task also incorporates an information framing experiment to test whether information about fatality risk to firefighters alters managers' responses to risk. Results suggest that managers exhibit risk aversion and nonlinear probability weighting, which can result in choices that do not minimize expected expenditures, property damage, or firefighter exposure. Information framing tends to result in choices that reduce the risk of aviation fatalities, but exacerbates nonlinear probability weighting.
Fiber glass exposure and human respiratory system cancer risk: Lack of evidence persists since 2001 IARC re-evaluation

Abstract Objective To determine whether IARC’s 2001 decision to downgrade the classification of insulation glass wool from Group 2B to Group 3 remains valid in light of epidemiological evidence reported after 2001. Methods We performed a systematic review of epidemiological evidence regarding respiratory cancer risks in relation to man-made vitreous fiber (MMVF) exposure before and after the 2001 IARC re-evaluation with focus on glass wool exposure and respiratory system cancer. Results Since 2001, three new community-based, case-control studies, two detailed analyses of existing cohort studies and two reviews/meta-analyses were published. These studies revealed no consistent evidence of an increased respiratory system cancer risk in relation to glass wool exposure. Conclusions From our evaluation of the epidemiological evidence published since 2001, we conclude that IARC’s 2001 decision to downgrade insulation glass wool from Group 2B to Group 3 remains valid.
How Tlg2p/syntaxin 16 ‘snares’ Vps45

Soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor-attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) and Sec1p/Munc18-homologs (SM proteins) play key roles in intracellular membrane fusion. The SNAREs form tight four-helix bundles (core complexes) that bring the membranes together, but it is unclear how this activity is coupled to SM protein function. Studies of the yeast trans-Golgi network (TGN)/endosomal SNARE complex, which includes the syntaxin-like SNARE Tlg2p, have suggested that its assembly requires activation by binding of the SM protein Vps45p to the cytoplasmic region of Tlg2p folded into a closed conformation. Nuclear magnetic resonance and biochemical experiments now show that Tlg2p and Pep12p, a late- endosomal syntaxin that interacts functionally but not directly with Vps45p, have a domain structure characteristic of syntaxins but do not adopt a closed conformation. Tlg2p binds tightly to Vps45p via a short N-terminal peptide motif that is absent in Pep12p. The Tlg2p/Vps45p binding mode is shared by the mammalian syntaxin 16, confirming that it is a Tlg2p homolog, and resembles the mode of interaction between the SM protein Sly1p and the syntaxins Ufe1p and Sed5p. Thus, this mechanism represents the most widespread mode of coupling between syntaxins and SM proteins.
An investigation of the attention-getting process in infants

Two experiments investigated attention-getting in four-month-old infants and showed it to be an active process in which infants selectively respond to stimuli based in part on their prior experience with them. In the first study, two checkerboard patterns were simultaneously presented. Attention-getting was influenced by both the complexity and direction of the stimuli. The infants turned more rapidly and more often to the more complex (24 × 24) checkerboard than to the simpler (2 × 2) pattern. A strong right-turn bias was observed, with subjects much more likely to look at a stimulus on their right than on the left. Attention-getting was also influenced by prior experience, since over trials the infants speeded up how quickly they oriented to the stimuli. In the second experiment, checkerboard patterns were presented contingent upon a prior head-turn or fixation response. Again, infants turned more rapidly over trials, supporting the hypothesis that changes in attention-getting are in part a function of conditioning.
A comparison of geometric methods with other methods for the characterization of density matrices

Some recently developed geometric methods for characterizing the subset of density matrices within the space of Hermitian matrices are compared with methods commonly used for the approximate characterization of reduced density matrices. The decomposition of a density matrix into components in terms of the reducing basis set is compared with decomposition in terms of representations of U(r).
Nomogram for selecting thyroid nodules for ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy based on a quantification of risk of malignancy.

Background Our aim through this study was to develop a statistical tool to quantify risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules based on clinical, biochemical, and ultrasound features, which could be used to select which nodules require ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. Methods Clinical records, biochemical profiles, pathology reports, and ultrasound images were reviewed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to rank variables in their ability to predict malignancy. Results In all, 190 nodules were reviewed. The final diagnoses were papillary carcinoma in 105 patients (66%), other carcinoma in 8 patients (5%), and benign thyroid pathology in 45 patients (29%). After exclusions, 182 nodules remained for analysis on a per nodule basis. The 8 variables with highest predictive value were: age; thyroid-stimulating hormone; and ultrasound size, shape, echo texture, calcification, margin, and vascularity. The nomogram had a concordance index of 75%. Conclusion We produced a nomogram able to accurately predict the need to perform ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration on a thyroid nodule based on biochemical, clinical, and ultrasound features. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013
Epithelial and Stromal Ingrowths

Three hundred enucleated eyes with per­ forating injury were selected from our path­ ology laboratory files to determine the pres­ ence of epithelial or stromal ingrowth. The eyes had come from various hospitals in the area over a period of 35 years. Fifty had had cataract extraction; 237, accidental per­ forating injury of the globe; 11, glaucoma fil­ tering procedures; and 2 had had iridectomies. Histologic examination of the eyes revealed
Diazothenes: evidence for their production by way of a Wittig reaction.

Abstract Base-promoted reaction of dimethyl diazomethylphosphonate ( 1 ) with dialkyl and cyclic ketones affords species having the chemical properties associated with vinylidenes ( 3 ) or their equivalents. Data are presented showing that diazoethenes ( 2 ) are unexpectedly unstable, losing nitrogen even at −78°C to give the corresponding carbenes or carbenoids.
Natural products as starting points for the synthesis of complex and diverse compounds

Covering: up to 2013 Natural products and their derivatives are used as treatments for numerous diseases. Many of these compounds are structurally complex, possessing a high percentage of sp3 hybridized carbons and multiple stereogenic centers. Due to the difficulties associated with the isolation of large numbers of novel natural products, lead discovery efforts over the last two decades have shifted toward the screening of less structurally complex synthetic compounds. While there have been many success stories from these campaigns, the modulation of certain biological targets (e.g. protein–protein interactions) and disease areas (e.g. antibacterials) often require complex molecules. Thus, there is considerable interest in the development of strategies to construct large collections of compounds that mimic the complexity of natural products. Several of these strategies focus on the conversion of simple starting materials to value-added products and have been reviewed elsewhere. Herein we review the use of natural products as starting points for the generation of complex compounds, discussing both early ad hoc efforts and a more recent systematization of this approach.
Glucagonlike peptide-2 analogue enhances intestinal mucosal mass after ischemia and reperfusion.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Glucagonlike peptide-2 (GLP-2), a product of the posttranslational processing of proglucagon, has been shown to enhance mucosal mass and function in both normal intestine and in the residual intestine after massive small bowel resection. This study was designed to determine if a synthetic, protease-resistant analogue of GLP-2 (GLP-2 α) can enhance mucosal mass in small intestine after ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods: Ten young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent laparotomy and superior mesenteric artery occlusion for a period of 40 minutes. During this period of ischemia, each rat underwent placement of a jugular venous catheter that was connected to a subcutaneously placed osmotic pump designed to deliver its contents over 3 days. The rats were divided into 2 groups based on the contents of the pumps: group 1, saline at 1 μL/h (n = 6) and group 2, GLP-2 α at 100 μg/kg/d (n = 4). Three days after insertion of the pumps the small intestine was harvested from the surviving rats for determination of mucosal DNA and protein content. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student's t test. Results: After I/R injury to the small intestine, a 3-day systemic infusion of GLP-2 α significantly increased mucosal DNA content 41% ( P P Conclusions: These data show for the first time that GLP-2 α enhances mucosal mass following I/R injury to the small intestine. GLP-2 α may be of benefit to patients with intestinal ischemia syndromes such as necrotizing enterocolitis and midgut volvulus. J Pediatr Surg 35:357-359. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Simultaneous monitoring of electrical resistance and optical absorbance signals of a fiber optoelectrode for multiple gas sensing

An electrically conductive polyaniline (PANi) membrane has been coated on the end of an optical fiber to form a fiber optoelectrode for simultaneously monitoring electrical and optical responses of the polymer membrane exposed to gas samples. Two electrodes were glued on the side of the optical fiber for measuring the membrane’s electrical resistance. In the same time a light beam was delivered to the membrane coated on the end of the optical fiber by using an 1x2 optical fiber coupler. The light reflected back from the PANi membrane to the optical fiber coupler was delivered with the second arm of the optical fiber coupler to an optical fiber compatible spectrometer. The responses of the fiber optoelectrode to trace ammonia and water vapor in air samples have been investigated. It was found that the electrical resistance of the fiber optoelectrode changes when exposed to ammonia or water vapor. However, the fiber optoelectrode showed optical spectrometric response to trace ammonia in air, but did not show optical spectrometric response to water vapor in air in the tested concentration range (relative humidity from <1% to 83%). The nature of electrical and optical spectrometric responses of this fiber optoelectrode gives an opportunity to design a sensor to simultaneously monitor both trace ammonia and relative humidity in air.