cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Apparent Tolerance of Low Water Availability in Temperate Asian Bamboos1

Abstract Suitable plant water dynamics and the ability to withstand periods of low moisture input facilitate plant establishment in seasonally arid regions. Temperate bamboos are a major constituent of mixed evergreen and deciduous forests throughout temperate East Asia but play only an incidental role in North American forests and are altogether absent in the Pacific Northwest forest. Many bamboo species are classified as mesic or riparian, but none are considered drought tolerant. To assess their ability to withstand low water, we subjected five Asian temperate and one North American temperate bamboo species to three irrigation treatments: 100%, 50%, and 10% replacement of water lost through evapotranspiration. Plants were irrigated every four days over a 31-day period. Plant response to treatments was measured with stomatal conductance, leaf xylem water potentials, and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE). Pleioblastus distichus and Pseudosasa japonica showed significant reductions in conductance betw...
A Multimethod Analysis of Pragmatic Skills in Children and Adolescents With Fragile X Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Down Syndrome

Purpose Pragmatic language skills are often impaired above and beyond general language delays in individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. This study used a multimethod approach to language...
How cerebellar motor learning keeps saccades accurate

The neuronal substrate underlying the learning of a sophisticated task has been difficult to study. However, the advent of a behavioral paradigm that deceives the saccadic system into thinking it i...
Vascular surgery residents spend one fifth of their time on electronic health records after duty hours

Abstract Objective Electronic health records (EHR) have largely replaced paper-based medical records. Academic institutions have adapted EHR successfully and technological innovations now allow remote access. Thus, self-reported resident duty hours may not accurately reflect the actual time that is spent on patient care-related activities. Methods This retrospective observational study quantified vascular surgery resident EHR activities between January 2016 and June 2016 at a tertiary care hospital. Use time was tracked from user login to logout, divided by day of the week, and separated by EHR tasks performed. Each 24-hour time period was further divided into on-duty (6:00 am to 6:00 pm ) and off-duty (6:00 pm to 6:00 am ) hours. On-call weekdays and rotations that occurred off campus were excluded. The following EHR activity data were requested: total time, chart review time, documentation time, electronic order entry, patient discovery, and electronic messages. Results A total of 11,812 charts were accessed: 80.5% on weekdays and 19.5% on weekends. Total time spent (hours:minutes:seconds, weekday percentage, weekend percentage) on EHR during this time period was 634:33:36 (81.2%, 18.8%). On weekdays, 79% of the EHR time was during the work hours and 21% after hours. On weekends, 78% of the EHR time was during work hours and 22% after hours. Time spent on different EHR tasks was as follows: chart review 278:58:34, documentation 66:33:07, electronic order entry 120:50:24, electronic messaging 2:16:48, problem list modification 1:49:26, electronic messages 4:30:43, patient discovery 151:14:53, and other 164:05:17. Overall, postgraduate year 1 residents spent the most number of hours on EHRs and during the weekdays. There was serial decrease in the total number of EHR hours and the number of weekday hours with the seniority of the residents, with postgraduate year 5 residents spending the least number of overall hours and weekday hours on the EHR. When EHR access was compared with self-reported duty hours, resident compliance was 58% on average. Conclusions EHR use after hours constituted one-fifth of a vascular surgical trainee's total EHR time. Despite self-reported duty-hour compliance, a good proportion of their daily time is still spent on patient care. This pilot study sets the stage for larger studies to be conducted in future to address this issue.
Anal sphincter botulinum toxin injection in children with functional anorectal and colonic disorders: A large institutional study and review of the literature focusing on complications.

Abstract Background and aim Botulinum toxin (botox) is a commonly used treatment for functional anorectal and colonic disorders. Although generally regarded as safe, complications associated with botox injection into the anal sphincters in children with severe defecation disorders are not well described. We aimed to review our institutional experience and the existing literature to better understand the safety of this practice. Methods We performed a retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing botox administration into the anal sphincter for treatment of a variety of defecation disorders between 2014 and 2018. Additionally, we performed a review of all published literature reporting complications from botox injection in this patient population. Results 881 patients ranging from 5 weeks to 19.7 years underwent a total of 1332 botox injections including our institution (332 patients/526 injections) and the reviewed series (549 patients/806 injections). Overall, complications were seen after 9 (0.7%) injections and included urinary incontinence (n = 5), pelvic muscle paresis (n = 2), perianal abscess (n = 1), pruritis ani (n = 1), and rectal prolapse (n = 1). Patient age, weight, and diagnosis were not associated with an increased rate of complication in our institutional experience. All complications were self-limited and did not require intervention. There were no episodes of systemic botulinum toxicity. Conclusion Botox injection into the anal sphincters is accepted practice in children with Hirschsprung disease, severe functional constipation, and internal anal sphincter achalasia and appears to be safe from this review. The precise dosing and age at which complications are more likely to arise could not be ascertained and require further study. Level of evidence IV Type of study Retrospective cohort study.
Transcriptome analysis of the fish pathogen Flavobacterium columnare in biofilm suggests calcium role in pathogenesis

Flavobacterium columnare is the causative agent of columnaris disease that affects cultured freshwater fishes worldwide. F. columnare easily colonizes surfaces by forming biofilm, which helps the pathogen resist antibiotic and disinfectant treatments. Previously, we had shown that increasing concentrations of calcium (Ca2+) promoted biofilm formation by F. columnare. The objective of this study was to further characterize the role of Ca2+ on biofilm formation and to compare the transcriptome profiles of planktonic and biofilm cells. RNA-Seq analysis was conducted to identify genes that were differentially expressed between the following states: i) planktonic cells in control medium (P), ii) planktonic cells in calcium-enriched medium (P/Ca), and iii) biofilm cells in calcium-enriched medium (B/Ca). Overall, we identified 441 significant (FDR-adjusted p 2) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between P and B/Ca samples; 112 significant DEGs between P/Ca and B/Ca samples, and 175 significant DEGs between P/Ca and P samples, corresponding to 15.87, 4.03 and 6.30% of the total protein-coding sequences, respectively. The significant DEGs fell into different functional categories including iron acquisition, oxidative stress response, extracellular protein secretion, and respiratory metabolism. Our results posit Ca2+ as a critical signal in regulating bacterial surface adhesion and biofilm formation in F. columnare. Living in biofilm elicited a shift in several metabolic pathways that allowed the cells to cope with oxidative stress and nutrient starvation. In addition, Ca2+ supplementation induced the expression of putative virulence factors in F. columnare, such as extracellular protein secretion and iron acquisition.
A Different Angle on Quantum Uncertainty (Measure Angle)

The uncertainty associated with probing the quantum state is expressed as the effective abundance (measure) of possibilities for its collapse. New kinds of uncertainty limits entailed by the quantum description of the physical system arise in this manner.
Steroidal alkaloid variation in Veratrum californicum as determined by modern methods of analytical analysis

Veratrum californicum is a rich source of steroidal alkaloids, many of which have proven to be antagonists of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway that becomes aberrant in over twenty types of cancer. These alkaloids first became known in the 1950's due to their teratogenic properties, which resulted in newborn and fetal lambs developing cyclopia as a result of pregnant ewes consuming Veratrum californicum. It was discovered that the alkaloids in V. californicum were concentrated in the root and rhizome of the plant with much lower amounts of the most active alkaloid, cyclopamine, present in the aerial plant, especially in the late growth season. Inspired by the limitations in analytical instrumentation and methods available to researchers at the time of the original investigation, we have used state-of-the-art instrumentation and modern analytical methods to quantitate four steroidal alkaloids based on study parameters including plant part, harvest location, and growth stage. The results of the current inquiry detail differences in alkaloid composition based on the study parameters, provide a detailed assessment for alkaloids that have been characterized previously (cyclopamine, veratramine, muldamine and isorubijervine), and identify at least six alkaloids that have not been previously characterized. This study provides insight into optimal harvest time, plant growth stage, harvest location, and plant part required to isolate, yet to be characterized, alkaloids of interest for exploration as Hh pathway antagonists with desirable medicinal properties.
A deep learning approach to real-time parking occupancy prediction in transportation networks incorporating multiple spatio-temporal data sources

Abstract A deep learning model is adopted for predicting block-level parking occupancy in real time. The model leverages Graph-Convolutional Neural Networks (GCNN) to extract the spatial relations of traffic flow in large-scale networks, and utilizes Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) with Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) to capture the temporal features. In addition, the model is capable of taking multiple heterogeneously structured traffic data sources as input, such as parking meter transactions, traffic speed, and weather conditions. The model performance is evaluated through a case study in Pittsburgh downtown area. The GCNN-based model outperforms other baseline methods including multi-layer LSTM and LASSO with an average testing MAPE of 10.6% when predicting block-level parking occupancies 30 min in advance. The case study also shows that, in generally, the prediction model works better for business areas than for recreational locations. We found that incorporating traffic speed and weather information can significantly improve the prediction performance. Weather data is particularly useful for improving predicting accuracy in recreational areas.
Using the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) to investigate symptom burden enrichment in stage IV patients at an academic center

Abstract Background Symptom burden and reduced quality of life are considerable hurdles in cancer treatment. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) assesses physical and psychosocial functional status in clinical and research settings. We use PROMIS scores to establish mean symptom burden within a breast cancer patient population, identifying how subgroups compare to one another, examining potential drivers, and characterizing severe symptom burden between subgroups. Methods New cancer patients at the UCSF Breast Care Center (BCC) receive electronic intake questionnaires assessing demographics, health history, and 8 PROMIS domains: depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep-related impairment and disturbance, cognitive function, applied cognition and physical function. Patients were separated by age and stage of cancer and mean PROMIS reference values for each group were calculated using the NCI’s Health Measures scoring system. We computed enrichment of higher levels of anxiety, sleep impairment, fatigue, physical function impairment, and cognitive decline in metastatic patients versus all other cases. Results Compared to stage 0-III, BCC stage IV patients had lower mean values for all assessed domains (p Conclusions PROMIS scores indicate that stage IV patients have impaired quality of life in multiple domains. Reference values for demographic groups provide improved guidance in tailoring supportive care referrals. Anxiety emerged as one of the biggest drivers of impairment of other physical, mental, and social functions and thus increased priority addressing anxiety early will likely correspond with improved symptom burden. Our analysis on quality of life will also help determine appropriate thresholds of intervention to trigger referrals and manage a patient’s quality-of-life trajectory more systematically. Legal entity responsible for the study Athena Breast Health Network. Funding Athena Breast Health Network, University of California, San Francisco. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
The Trauma-Informed Climate Scale-10 (TICS-10): A Reduced Measure of Staff Perceptions of the Service Environment

Trauma-informed climates prioritize staff and client experiences of safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. The Trauma-Informed Climate Scale (TICS) was developed to measure staff pe...
Induced Liver Regeneration Enhances CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Repair in Tyrosinemia Type 1.

The efficiency of gene repair by homologous recombination in the liver is enhanced by CRISP/Cas9 incision near the mutation. In this study, we explored interventions designed to further enhance in ...
Aircraft Path Planning for Optimal Imaging Using Dynamic Cost Functions

Unmanned aircraft development has accelerated with recent technological improvements in sensing and communications, which has resulted in an “applications lag” for how these aircraft can best be utilized. The aircraft are becoming smaller, more maneuverable and have longer endurance to perform sensing and sampling missions, but operating them aggressively to exploit these capabilities has not been a primary focus in unmanned systems development. This paper addresses a means of aerial vehicle path planning to provide a realistic optimal path in acquiring imagery for structure from motion (SfM) reconstructions and performing radiation surveys. This method will allow SfM reconstructions to occur accurately and with minimal flight time so that the reconstructions can be executed efficiently. An assumption is made that we have 3D point cloud data available prior to the flight. A discrete set of scan lines are proposed for the given area that are scored based on visibility of the scene. Our approach finds a time-efficient path and calculates trajectories between scan lines and over obstacles encountered along those scan lines. Aircraft dynamics are incorporated into the path planning algorithm as dynamic cost functions to create optimal imaging paths in minimum time. Simulations of the path planning algorithm are shown for an urban environment. We also present our approach for image-based terrain mapping, which is able to efficiently perform a 3D reconstruction of a large area without the use of GPS data.
The Trump Doctrine in the Middle East

Donald Trump has a well-articulated strategy toward Iran. As a presidential candidate in 2016, he argued that President Barack Obama empowered Iran at the expense of America’s traditional allies and its own vital interests. Obama believed that the Iranian regime was moderating, willing to dispense with its ambitions to become a nuclear weapons state and was eager to stabilize the Middle East in cooperation with the West. The result would be a strategic accommodation between Washington and Tehran. On entering office, Trump began to implement instead a policy of containment. Its operating assumptions were that Iran retained its wish and its capacity to be a nuclear weapons state, and that it continued to aspire to be a revolutionary regional non-status quo power. Containment or accommodation is the basic strategic question. This chapter analyzes and evaluates those two differing strategic presidential goals.
CGVis: A Visualization-Based Learning Platform for Computational Geometry Algorithms

Computational Geometry is a field of study whose full comprehension by students requires a combination of mathematical, algorithmic and application-oriented approaches. Due to the inherently visual nature of geometrical problems as well as to the complexity of related algorithms in terms of data structures and concepts employed, algorithm visualization can provide significant added value to the learning process, by helping shorten the cognitive distance gap between concept and visualization. In this paper, we describe CGVis, a visualization-based interactive educational platform for Computational Geometry algorithms. The paper explains the major design decisions adopted and describes the platform’s main features and functionality in detail. The platform has been evaluated in real-world settings by capturing postgraduate students’ response and feedback regarding usefulness, usability and user experience, as well as by measuring the platform’s educational effectiveness.
Twice as Nice: How Doubling Otolaryngology Rotation Time Affects the Intern Experience Nationwide.

Objectives:Describe the current state of otolaryngologic residency training with recent changes to the program requirements by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) which...
Approximate rational solutions to the Thomas–Fermi equation based on dynamic consistency

Abstract We construct two rational approximate solutions to the Thomas–Fermi (TF) nonlinear differential equation. These expressions follow from an application of the principle of dynamic consistency. In addition to examining differences in the predicted numerical values of the two approximate solutions, we compare these values with an accurate numerical solution obtained using a fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. We also present several new integral relations satisfied by the bounded solutions of the TF equation.
Cosmetic Blepharoplasty: Lower Eyelid Techniques

Summary Advances in thinking about lower eyelids in the context of the periorbital continuum have enabled us to deal more effectively with the familial and aging-related changes seen in the eyelid. The use of newer techniques and the addition of enhancement procedures has allowed blepharoplasty surgeons to design procedures that specifically address the issues of the individual patient. This can be done in the context of elegant, safe surgery that allows for an improvement of cosmesis and the maintenance or enhancement of function.
Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Pemafibrate Therapy for Hypertriglyceridemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction Pemafibrate is a potent selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) modulator that may be safer than conventional PPARα agonists in the treatment of dyslipidemia. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of low-dose pemafibrate (0.1 mg/day) therapy for hypertriglyceridemia in 31 patients with type 2 diabetes and high triglyceride (TG) levels at the Manda Memorial Hospital. Methods TG, remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein (Apo) AI, Apo AII, Apo B, Apo CII, Apo CIII, and Apo E levels were evaluated. Liver, kidney, and muscle toxicity tests were also performed. Pemafibrate (0.1 mg) was administered once daily. Results This treatment significantly decreased TG, RLP-C, Apo CII, Apo CIII, and Apo E levels while significantly increasing HDL-C, Apo AI, and Apo AII levels. No significant changes were observed in LDL-C and Apo B levels. There were no significant liver-, kidney-, or muscle-related adverse events. Conclusions The results of this study show that low-dose pemafibrate administration improves the lipid profile in Japanese patients with hypertriglyceridemia and type 2 diabetes.
List Decoding of Polar Codes: How Large Should the List Be to Achieve ML Decoding?

Successive-cancellation list (SCL) decoding is a widely used and studied decoding algorithm for polar codes. For short blocklengths, empirical evidence shows that SCL decoding with moderate list sizes (say, $L \leq 32$ ) closely matches the performance of maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding. Hashemi et al. proved that on the binary erasure channel (BEC), SCL decoding actually coincides with ML decoding for list sizes $L \geq 2^{\gamma}$ , where $\gamma$ is a new parameter we call the mixing factor. Loosely speaking, the mixing factor counts the number of information bits mixed-in among the frozen bits; more precisely $\gamma=\vert\{i\in \mathcal{F}^{c}:i\leq \max\{\mathcal{F}\}\}\vert$ , where $\mathcal{F}\subset [n]$ denotes the set of frozen indices. Herein, we extend the aforementioned result of Hashemi et al. from the BEC to arbitrary binary-input memoryless symmetric channels. Our proof is based on capturing all $2^{\gamma}$ decoding paths that correspond to the $\gamma$ information bits appearing before the last frozen bit, and then finding the most-likely extension for each of these paths efficiently using a nearest coset decoding algorithm introduced herein. Furthermore, we present a hybrid successive-cancellation list (H -SCL) decoding algorithm, which is a hybrid between conventional SCL decoding and nearest coset decoding. We believe that the hybrid algorithm can outperform the conventional SCL decoder with lower decoding complexity.
Polynomial Functional Dynamical Systems

Abstract The book is about the global stability and bifurcation of equilibriums in polynomial functional systems. Appearing and switching bifurcations of simple and higher-order equilibriums in the...
Real-time Data from Mobile Platforms to Evaluate Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure

By displacing gasoline and diesel fuels, electric cars and fleets reduce emissions from the transportation sector, thus offering important public health benefits. However, public confidence in the reliability of charging infrastructure remains a fundamental barrier to adoption. Using large- scale social data and machine-learning based on 12,720 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, we provide national evidence on how well the existing charging infrastructure is serving the needs of the rapidly expanding population of EV drivers in 651 core-based statistical areas in the United States. We deploy supervised machine-learning algorithms to automatically classify unstructured text reviews generated by EV users. Extracting behavioural insights at a population scale has been challenging given that streaming data can be costly to hand classify. Using computational approaches, we reduce processing times for research evaluation from weeks of human processing to just minutes of computation. Contrary to theoretical predictions, we find that stations at private charging locations do not outperform public charging locations provided by the government. Overall, nearly half of drivers who use mobility applications have faced negative experiences at EV charging stations in the early growth years of public charging infrastructure, a problem that needs to be fixed as the market for electrified and sustainable transportation expands. Cite paper as: Asensio, O. I., Alvarez, K., Dror, A., Wenzel, E., Hollauer, C., & Ha, S. (2020). Real-time data from mobile platforms to evaluate sustainable transportation infrastructure. Nature Sustainability 3, 463–471 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0533-6
A 60 GHz Millimeter-Wave Antenna Array for 3D Antenna-in-Package Applications

This paper presents a 60 GHz millimeter-wave (mm-wave) antenna array using standard printed circuit board (PCB) for 3D Antenna-in-package (AiP) implementation. The array consists of a 4 microstrip patch elements, differentially fed with an open stub matching feed network to enable 3D integration. The $1\times 4$ finite antenna array with ball grid array (BGA) and silicon (Si) interposer operates from 58.46 to 62.14 GHz with 3.6 GHz instantaneous bandwidth, low mutual coupling of about $1\times 4$ array consists of two substrates and one bondply layer with antennas, via-to-open stub matching network, and a differential to single-ended corporate feed network for the measurement. A prototype with a differential to single-ended corporate feed network was fabricated and tested showing a gain of about 10.02 dBi at the operating frequency with $\geq 90$ % radiation efficiency. Such a gain and efficiency make the presented design a leading candidate for 3D AiP applications.
V-type H+ ATPase Activity is Required for Embryonic Dorsal-Ventral Symmetry Breaking

The mechanism for embryonic dorsal-ventral (DV) symmetry breaking is idiosyncratic to the species, then converges on polarized expression of BMP signaling ligands. Here, we show that V-ATPase (VHA) activity is an early requirement for DV symmetry breaking in sea urchin embryos. In these basal deuterostomes, DV specification is mediated by ventral Nodal expression that leads to the establishment of a BMP signaling gradient. Nodal expression occurs downstream from p38 MAPK, which is transiently asymmetrically active. We show that VHA activity is required for DV symmetry breaking upstream from both p38 MAPK and Nodal. We rescue VHA-mediated ventralization by enforcing Nodal signaling asymmetry. We identify a VHA-dependent DV voltage gradient and also find that VHA activity is required for hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) activation. However, neither hyperpolarization nor HIF activation account for the dorsalizing effects of VHA, implicating a third unknown pathway that connects VHA activity to p38 MAPK symmetry breaking. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/464707v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (42K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@dcaef0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@61424borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1477534org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@5fc85a_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG
Pushing the Limits

For the past 30 years, transistor performance and density have doubled every 3 years, but now fundamental thermodynamic limits are being reached in critical areas, and unless new, innovative solutions are found, the current rate of improvement cannot be maintained. Exceeding the maximum thermodynamically stable concentration of dopant atoms in silicon leads to diminished performance as dopant atoms cluster; electron tunneling prohibits reductions in gate oxide thickness; and the transistor dimensions have become so small that small changes in the exact number and distribution of dopant atoms can cause appreciable changes in the device behavior. There are currently no known solutions to these problems, providing a serious challenge for the semiconductor industry.
Depression, anxiety, and delirium in the terminally ill patient.

Depression, anxiety, and delirium are common phenomena associated with terminal and irreversible illness. They tend to be underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with terminal disease. Through careful history taking, physical examination, and laboratory assessment, they can be appropriately diagnosed, even in difficult circumstances. Psychiatric consultation is often very appropriate in working with these patients. Once we recognize these problems, we can employ a number of effective treatments. These therapies, when judiciously applied, can definitely improve the quality of life for dying patients, who, after all, although dying, are still alive!
Turbulent boundary-layer relaxation with application to skin-friction drag reduction

Revue des publications relatives aux couches limites turbulentes soumises a des variations brutales dans les conditions limites (rugosite, gradient de pression, injection, courbure, transfert de chaleur, etc...), et examen des differents comportements de relaxation, en aval, de la surface de cisaillement ou du transfert de chaleur, en fonction de la physique de la perturbation
A graphical understanding of Lyapunov-based nonlinear control

The class of continuous nonlinear controllers that are based on control Lyapunov functions (clfs) can be understood graphically as continuous selections from a set-valued map that takes states and maps them to control-value sets. The notion of inverse-optimality and robustness to input disturbances can also be graphically understood by this set-valued map. The graphical approach introduced in this paper makes clear the relationship between Sontag's formula, Freeman and Kokotovic' min-norm formula, and other 'universal formulas', as well as shedding light on the meaning of Lvapunov redesign. Most importantly, this paper examines a null-space associated with these set-valued maps which offers the potential for significant improvement in the large-signal performance of Lyapunov-based controllers.
Rapid single nucleotide polymorphism mapping in C. elegans

In C. elegans, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can function as silent genetic markers, with applications ranging from classical two- and three-factor mapping to measuring recombination across whole chromosomes. Here, we describe a set of 48 primer pairs that flank SNPs evenly spaced across the C. elegans genome and that work under identical PCR conditions. Each SNP in this set alters a Dra I site, enabling rapid and parallel scoring. We describe a procedure using these reagents to quickly and reliably map mutations. We show that these techniques correctly map a known gene, dpy-5. We then use these techniques to map mutations in an uncharacterized strain, and show that its behavioral phenotype can be simultaneously mapped to three loci. Together, the reagents and methods described represent a significant advance in the accurate, rapid and inexpensive mapping of genes in C. elegans.
Effect of PEO coating on bubble behavior within a polycarbonate microchannel array: A model for hemodialysis.

Obstruction of fluid flow by stationary bubbles in a microchannel hemodialyzer decreases filtration performance and increases damage to blood cells through flow maldistribution. A polyethylene oxide (PEO)-polybutadiene (PB)-polyethylene oxide surface modification, previously shown to reduce protein fouling and water/air contact angle in polycarbonate microchannel hemodialyzers, can improve microchannel wettability and may reduce bubble stagnation by lessening the resistive forces that compete with fluid flow. In this study, the effect of the PEO-PB-PEO coating on bubble retention in a microchannel array was investigated. Polycarbonate microchannel surfaces were coated with PEO-PB-PEO triblock polymer via radiolytic grafting. Channel obstruction was measured for coated and uncoated microchannels after injecting a short stream of air bubbles into the device under average nominal water velocities of 0.9 to 7.2 cm/s in the channels. The presence of the PEO coating reduced obstruction of microchannels by stationary bubbles within the range of 1.8 to 3.6 cm/s, average nominal velocity. Numerical simulations based on the lattice Boltzmann method indicate that beneficial effects may be due to the maintenance of a lubricating, thin liquid film around the bubble. The determined effective range of the PEO coating for bubble management serves as an important design constraint. These findings serve to validate the multiutility of the PEO-PB-PEO coating (bubble lubrication, biocompatibility, and therapeutic loading). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 941-948, 2016.
Notice of release of Amethyst Germplasm hoaty tansyaster: Selected class of natural germplasm

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Aberdeen Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, Idaho, announces the release of Amethyst Germplasm hoary tansyaster ( Machaeranthera canescens (Pursh) A. Gray [Asteraceae]), a selected class natural track germplasm identified by NRCS accession number 9076670 for conservation plantings in the Intermountain US. Amethyst Germplasm hoary tansyaster is a native forb collected near St Anthony Sand Dunes in Fremont County, Idaho. This forb flowers and produces seed during the first growing season and provides late summer and early fall blossoms for native pollinators. It is recommended for pollinator plantings, wildlife areas, and rangeland rehabilitation seedings in arid to semiarid plant communities where native forb diversity is desirable.
Acute tocolysis for suspected intrapartum fetal distress: maternal effects of terbutaline versus magnesium sulfate

This study was undertaken to determine the maternal hemodynamic impact of terbutaline versus magnesium sulfate in the acute treatment of fetal distress prior to cesarean delivery. Forty-six women were prospectively randomized to receive 0.25 mg subcutaneous terbutaline or 4.0 g intravenous magnesium sulfate for in utero fetal resuscitation before cesarean delivery. There were no significant differences between groups in baseline mean arterial pressure, arterial pressure before and after induction of anesthesia, maternal heart rate, maternal oxygen saturation, estimated blood loss, and pre- and postoperative hematocrits. Magnesium sulfate-treated women received significantly more intraoperative intravenous fluids (2365 +/- 877 ml) than the terbutaline group (1624 +/- 564 ml; P < 0.001). However, mean urine output was significantly greater in the terbutaline group (88 +/- 42 ml/h) than in those treated with magnesium sulfate (61 +/- 26 ml/h; P < 0.03). Terbutaline, the superior agent for acute tocolysis, is not associated with an increase in maternal cardiovascular side effects during anesthesia.
Radiative transfer in the ocean: computations relating to the asymptotic and near-asymptotic daylight field.

The asymptotic daylight field in a homogeneous ocean is, like the absorption (a), scattering (b), and attenuation (c) coefficients and the volume scattering function (VSF), an inherent optical property (IOP) of the medium. A simple relationship in the spirit of the van de Hulst similarity relationships is developed from which the diffuse attenuation coefficient K∞ of the asymptotic light field can be obtained from a, b, and the VSF with an error of <2%. In this relationship, the shape of the VSF is characterized by its asymmetry parameter g, whereas ω0 = b/c characterizes the other IOP’s. The relationship applies approximately to other quantities as well, particularly τx, which is the optical depth at which the downwelling irradiance attenuation coefficient Kd can be replaced by K∞ with an error no greater than x%. Computations of τ5 and τ10 are presented as a function of g, ω0, and the incident light field, and it is shown that for overcast conditions Kd can be within 5% of K∞ at depths at which the downwelling irradiance is greater than 50% of its value at the surface. Simulations of radiative transfer in vertically inhomogeneous waters reveal that for sufficiently large depth (z), the value of K∞(z) determined from the asymptotic theory that uses the values of the IOP’s at z is a good approximation to Kd(z). Thus our results suggest that in addition to being a pedagogically interesting concept, the asymptotic theory may actually be useful in ocean optics research. The influence of inelastic processes (fluorescence and Raman scattering) on K∞ are briefly examined, and it is shown that for an ocean of pure sea water, i.e., no particles or fluorescent compounds, K∞(λ) ≈ 0.02 m−1 for λ ≳ 430 nm with little spectral variation.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy as the presenting feature of reticulum cell sarcoma.

Abstract A case of reticulum cell sarcoma with restrictive cardiomyopathy is reported. The patient was examined because of increasing dyspnea and fatigue. Cardiac evaluation, including cardiac catheterization, demonstrated that a restrictive cardiac process was present. The patient initially responded to digitalis, but eventually developed cardiac enlargement, third degree A-V block, and more severe cardiac failure. Superior vena caval obstruction developed as a result of right superior mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Scalene node biopsy initially showed atypical lymphoid hyperplasia. After a course of radiation therapy the caval obstruction was relieved, the heart block disappeared, and the symptoms and signs of cardiac failure regressed. A subsequent biopsy of a cervical lymph node showed anaplastic reticulum cell sarcoma. Repeat cardiac catheterization one year after radiation therapy demonstrated substantial resolution of the restrictive process. Up to the time of writing, i.e., 18 months after therapy, she continues to feel well, and she is able to do all of her housework.
DC Optimization Approach to Metric Regularity of Convex Multifunctions with Applications to Infinite Systems

The paper develops a new approach to the study of metric regularity and related well-posedness properties of convex set-valued mappings between general Banach spaces by reducing them to unconstrained minimization problems with objectives given as the difference of convex (DC) functions. In this way, we establish new formulas for calculating the exact regularity bound of closed and convex multifunctions and apply them to deriving explicit conditions ensuring well-posedness of infinite convex systems described by inequality and equality constraints.
EFFECTS OF DISCONFIRMED CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS ON FOOD ACCEPTABILITY

Three studies were conducted to assess the effects of disconfirmed consumer expectations on food acceptability. In the first, disconfirmed expectations for the sensory attributes of an edible film had a negative effect on acceptability of the film. Greater disconfirmation resulted in lower acceptance and purchase intent. In the second study, written product information was used to establish three levels of expected acceptability and expected bitterness for a novel fruit beverage. Comparison of preexposure (expected) and postexposure (perceived) ratings of acceptability and bitterness supported an assimilation model of disconfirmation effects for conditions in which expectations of acceptability were high and expectations of bitterness were low. A contrast effect was observed for bitterness judgments when expectations of bitterness were high. Associative effects resulting from the expectation manipulation were observed on other sensory attributes. In the third study, expectations were manipulated to influence both direction (positive versus negative) and degree of disconfirmation for the acceptance of cola beverages. Results provided further support for an assimilation model of these effects.
Interaction of enzymes with mixed micelles of phospholipid and detergent: Analysis of the phospholipase A2–dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine–triton X 100 system

Physical studies on the formation and structure of mixed micelles of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 and phospholipids and enzymatic studies on the action of phospholipase A2 toward these mixed micelles are presented. Results of nmr intensity, line width, and T1 determinations, as well as gel chromatography and centrifugation experiments on the interaction of Triton X-100 with egg and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, are presented and discussed. The structure of mixed micelles is discussed in terms of a working schematic model which is consistent with the experimental results. Kinetic studies on phospholipase A2 (Naja naja) action are then analyzed in terms of this model. The temperature dependence of phospholipase A2 action toward dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine is considered in terms of the effect of thermotropic phase transitions on mixed micelle formation. The phospholipase A2-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine-Triton X-100 system is then considered as an artificial model system for studying the effect of lipid phase separations on biological activity.
The behavior of Li and B in lunar mare basalts during crystallization, shock, and thermal metamorphism: Implications for volatile element contents of martian basalts

Late-stage rims of magmatic pyroxenes from some martian basalts show decreases in Li and B contents relative to earlier-formed pyroxene cores. This behavior is different than expected from their documented incompatible element behavior. Previous workers interpreted such depletions to reflect the loss of several wt% magmatic water during basalt crystallization. This interpretation has profound implications for the nature of the martian mantle and recent exchange of volatiles between the martian mantle and atmosphere. To assess alternative mechanisms that may influence the behavior of Li and B in the absence of aqueous fluid activity, the effects of changing pyroxene composition during crystallization, shock pressure, and shock-associated thermal metamorphism were studied. Lithium and B depletions are documented in late-stage rims of pyroxenes from anhydrous lunar basalts indicating that mechanisms other than aqueous fluid activity must have influenced Li and B partitioning in these pyroxenes. Depletions of Li and B are most likely associated with changing pyroxene composition during crystallization, and occur in lunar and martian pyroxenes with late-stage Fe-enrichment. It is interesting that pyroxenes without late-stage Fe-enrichment show no concomitant Li and B increases. Lithium loss may occur during breakdown of metastable pyroxferroite. Additionally, changes in Cr content may influence the substitution mechanism involved for incorporating Li. Shock does not redistribute Li or B but may facilitate subsequent thermally driven diffusion by the introduction of mechanical defects in grains. Thermally metamorphosed pyroxenes exhibit higher Li and lower B contents relative to unheated pyroxenes. It is likely, therefore, that Li and B are redistributed through interactions between pyroxenes and surrounding zones of mesostasis during thermal metamorphism.
Mechanistic study of the deamination reaction of guanine: a computational study.

The mechanism for the deamination of guanine with H2O, OH−, H2O/OH− and for GuaH+ with H2O has been investigated using ab initio calculations. Optimized geometries of the reactants, transition states, intermediates, and products were determined at RHF/6-31G(d), MP2/6-31G(d), B3LYP/6-31G(d), and B3LYP/6-31+G(d) levels of theory. Energies were also determined at G3MP2, G3MP2B3, G4MP2, and CBS-QB3 levels of theory. Intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculations were performed to characterize the transition states on the potential energy surface. Thermodynamic properties (ΔE, ΔH, and ΔG), activation energies, enthalpies, and Gibbs free energies of activation were also calculated for each reaction investigated. All pathways yield an initial tetrahedral intermediate and an intermediate in the last step that dissociates to products via a 1,3-proton shift. At the G3MP2 level of theory, deamination with OH− was found to have an activation energy barrier of 155 kJ mol−1 compared to 187 kJ mol−1 for the reaction w...
Ureteral obstruction in the neonatal rat: renal nerves modulate hemodynamic effects.

In the neonate, chronic unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) reduces renal blood flow (RBF) of the ipsilateral kidney and increases RBF of the opposite kidney. To determine whether renal nerves mediate or modulate these responses complete left UUO in the neonatal rat was used as a model of severe obstructive uropathy, and was compared with sham-operated controls. At 24–28 days of age, animals underwent left or right mechanical renal denervation or left sham renal denervation. One week after denervation, animals were anesthetized and blood pressure and heart reate were measured. Cardiac output and RBF were determined by the radioactive microsphere technique. UUO increased blood pressure and heart rate, and decreased RBF in the obstructed kidney, regardless of denervation. While left UUO increased RBF to the intact opposite kidney in rats with left renal denervation, this was attenuated by right renal denervation. Thus, in the neonatal rat, UUO modulates systemic renal hemodynamics, possibly through activation of the renin-angiotensin system. While renal nerves do not mediate the vasoconstriction of the obstructed kidney, renal nerves modulate vascular tone of the kidney contralateral to UUO.
Chaos in the Semiclassical N -Atom Jaynes-Cummings Model: Failure of the Rotating-Wave Approximation

The problem of a collection of two-level atoms interacting with a single-mode classical electromagnetic field is considered. It is found that the model with an initial population inversion exhibits chaotic behavior that becomes stronger for higher atomic number density. The chaos is characterized by Fourier analysis and the maximal Lyapunov exponent. In the rotating-wave approximation, however, there is no prediction of chaos.
Effective Stress from Force Balance on Submerged Granular Particles

A new equation for effective stress is derived from a physically based approach of force balance on submerged granular particles. The Euler cut principle and the Euler’s first law of mechanics are used to analyze the interparticle contact stress in a fluid saturated porous media. The analysis starts from basic principles and provides a detailed derivation of the formulas. Tensor algebra together with Coulomb’s friction law, the mean value theorem and area weighted averaging techniques are used to simplify the mathematical formulation leading to effective stress. A new mathematical constraint, requiring spatially averaged interparticle contact stress to be orders of magnitude larger than spatially averaged pore pressure, is presented for the widely used Terzaghi’s effective stress equation.
RACE/CLASS INTERACTIONS IN THE FORMATION OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

Interactions between race and class in the formation of ideology are of vital theoretical importance, yet they have been seriously underresearched. Those studies that do note the significance of race/class interactions have been mainly descriptive, with no adequate theoretical explanation of the interactions. Using data from the 1987 GSS, the complexity of the interaction effects upon different aspects of political ideology, particularly in regards to black managers, is illustrated. The effects of race and class on ideology are not determined in a simple additive manner, but are evidenced in more intricate ways. Black managers are the most liberal group in response to items measuring general beliefs about the fairness of the system, but black workers are the most liberal group in response to items measuring beliefs about government social welfare spending. Such interaction effects may be shaped by the process of politcal struggle and social movement organization, and a theoretical model formulating this p...