cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Collection of Ds Insertional Mutants Associated With Defects in Male Gametophyte Development and Function in Arabidopsis thaliana

Functional analyses of the Arabidopsis genome require analysis of the gametophytic generation, since ∼10% of the genes are expressed in the male gametophyte and ∼9% in the female gametophyte. Here we describe the genetic and molecular characterization of 67 Ds insertion lines that show reduced transmission through the male gametophyte. About half of these mutations are male gametophytic-specific mutations, while the others also affect female transmission. Genomic sequences flanking both sides of the Ds element were recovered for 39 lines; for 16 the Ds elements were inserted in or close to coding regions, while 7 were located in intergenic/unannotated regions of the genome. For the remaining 16 lines, chromosomal rearrangements such as translocations or deletions, ranging between 30 and 500 kb, were associated with the transposition event. The mutants were classified into five groups according to the developmental processes affected; these ranged from defects in early stages of gametogenesis to later defects affecting pollen germination, pollen tube growth, polarity or guidance, or pollen tube–embryo sac interactions or fertilization. The isolated mutants carry Ds insertions in genes with diverse biological functions and potentially specify new functions for several unannotated or unknown proteins.
Managing globally dispersed R&D teams

Companies look for partners that can perform the needed Research and Development (R&D) work better, cheaper and faster. This leads to alliances across the globe. Managing these geographically dispersed R&D efforts is especially challenging in technology-intensive joint ventures that involve complex work, risks and nonlinear development processes. While advances in collaborative technology, such as groupware and other IT-based tools, make multinational joint efforts increasingly more feasible, effective R&D team management involves a complex set of variables related to tasks, people, organisational environments and work processes which are examined in this paper via a field study of 27 high-technology companies operating across 14 countries. The results show that global R&D team leaders must understand more than just the work process and collaborative technology. They must also understand the infrastructure of their organisation and deal with the complex social, technical and economic issues that determine the culture and value system of the multinational enterprise. The drivers and barriers for effectively organising and managing global R&D teams are discussed, together with the criteria for managerial effectiveness.
Procedure-oriented studies of collective phenomena in multi-agent systems

The research described in this paper concerns alliance formation and norms of behavior in communities of intelligent agents. An alliance is composed of intelligent agents that have made a deliberate decision to join forces to achieve alliance goals. Norms are defined as limitations on agents, such as legal constraints on individual actions. The aim of this research is to arrive at descriptive and prescriptive theories of group behavior that explain these phenomena. This paper describes information structures and procedural methods that allow the development of such a procedural model. These studies will contribute to the understanding of human organizations, including political activity, national and international markets, and other social contexts. >
Pore and solid diffusion models for fixed-bed adsorbers

Most models for fixed bed adsorbers have used either the homogeneoussolid or pore diffusion model for the pellets. When the adsorption isotherm is linear, the two models can lead to identical breakthrough curves. The conditions for this equivalence are presented here. It is shown that one of the bulk flow factors that was included in the formulation of one pore diffusion model will be significant only for feedstreams containing a relatively high concentration of adsorbate. The prosity factor of the pore model is shown to be very important, especially as the porosity decreases. The importance of the two diffusional models with respect to the predicted breakthrough curves is demonstrated. For comparable beds, it is shown that the breakthrough curve based on the homogeneous model is delayed with respect to that based on the pore model at early times, regardless of the shape of the isotherm. Finally, the various possible solutions for an irreverisble isotherm are reviewed for each of the models, and a solution is presented for the general case of a pore model with an outside film resistance.
Three Grades of Immediate Perception: Thomas Reid’s Distinctions

Like other direct realists, Thomas Reid offered an alternative to indirect realist and idealist accounts of perception. Reid's alternative aimed to preserve the indirect realist's commitment to realism about the objects of perception, and the idealist's commitment to the immediacy of the mind's relation to the objects of perception. Reid holds that what you perceive is mind independent or external; and your relation to such objects in perception is direct or immediate. In his own words, "something which is extended and solid, which may be measured and weighed, is the immediate object of my touch and sight. And this object I take to be matter, and not an idea" {IP II xi, 154).1
Multilingualism in Post‐Soviet Successor States

After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the fourteen successor states began to distance themselves from Russia and its language. This situation was strikingly different from most post-colonial states of Asia, Africa, and Latin America that maintained the languages of the former colonizers. For researchers, the post-Soviet context became a natural sociolinguistic ‘experiment’, in which the previously shared political and linguistic system offered a common starting point for language reforms and the different outcomes illuminated the effects of demographic, political, economic, and social factors. The purpose of the present article is to outline the key findings of the research to date, to discuss their implications for sociolinguistic theory, and to identify gaps and productive directions for future inquiry. © 2013 The Author. Language and Linguistics Compass © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Characteristic Behavior of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Resistance during Cold Start

bHyundai Motor Corporation, Yongin, Korea In this study, experimental constant-current cold starts were performed on a polymer electrolyte fuel cell from �10°C to characterize high-frequency resistance behavior, water motion, and ice accumulation before, during, and after cold start. A diagnostic method for rapid and repeatable cold starts was developed and verified. Cold-start performance is found to be optimized when cell resistance is increasing prior to startup, which is indicative of polymer electrolyte membrane PEM dehydration. During cold start, cell resistance initially decreases due to PEM hydration by the product water. Interestingly, after a certain water-uptake capacity of the PEM is reached, resistance increases due to ice formation in and around the cathode catalyst layer CL, with some evidence of supercooled water flow at low currents. Utilizing lower startup currents apparently does not increase the PEM water-storage capability but does increase the total volume of ice formation in and around the CL. Lower startup currents were found to produce more total heat but at a reduced rate compared to high currents. Therefore, an acceptable current range exists for a given stack design which balances the total heat generation and time required to achieve a successful cold start.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of a Brief Version of the Zarit Burden Interview in Black and White Dementia Caregivers

453 Purpose of the study: Although the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) is one of the most extensively used measures in research for caregiver burden, few researchers have examined its factor structure. Furthermore, though the ZBI has also been used in crossgroup comparisons of burden, there have not been studies of whether or not it measures burden equally across various groups. Therefore, this study considers the psychometric properties of a brief version of the ZBI with particular attention to its factor structure and metric equivalence across two racial groups. Design and Methods: Distribution, reliability, and confirmatory factor analyses were per formed with a 14-item three-factor ZBI factor model in a sample of 175 Black and 225 White caregivers of family members with dementia. Results: The 14 ZBI items were reliable and fairly normally distributed for both groups. The three-factor model fits the data and was invariant across the Black and White caregivers for number of factors, factor loadings, and factor covariances. Implications: These findings contribute to the literature on the factor structure of the ZBI and provide new data on the invariance of the ZBI across two racial/ethnic groups of caregivers. This study provides support for the validity of findings that compare the burden scores of Black and White caregivers in studies utilizing the ZBI. The 14-item version also offers a more parsimonious way to measure burden in clinical settings, potentially increasing screening opportunities when caregiver contact time is limited.
Induction of Mucosal B-Cell Memory by Intramuscular Inoculation of Mice with Rotavirus

We investigated the capacity of intramuscular (i.m.) immunization with heterologous-host rotavirus (simian strain RRV) to induce mucosal virus-specific memory B cells in mice. We found that prior i.m. immunization enhanced the magnitude of mucosal virus-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) production but did not alter the site and timing of induction of virus-specific IgA responses after challenge.
Genetic Inactivation of Poliovirus Infectivity by Increasing the Frequencies of CpG and UpA Dinucleotides within and across Synonymous Capsid Region Codons

Replicative fitness of poliovirus can be modulated systematically by replacement of preferred capsid region codons with synonymous unpreferred codons. To determine the key genetic contributors to fitness reduction, we introduced different sets of synonymous codons into the capsid coding region of an infectious clone derived from the type 2 prototype strain MEF-1. Replicative fitness in HeLa cells, measured by plaque areas and virus yields in single-step growth experiments, decreased sharply with increased frequencies of the dinucleotides CpG (suppressed in higher eukaryotes and most RNA viruses) and UpA (suppressed nearly universally). Replacement of MEF-1 capsid codons with the corresponding codons from another type 2 prototype strain (Lansing), a randomization of MEF-1 synonymous codons, increased the %G+C without increasing CpG, and reductions in the effective number of codons used had much smaller individual effects on fitness. Poliovirus fitness was reduced to the threshold of viability when CpG and UpA dinucleotides were saturated within and across synonymous codons of a capsid region interval representing only ∼9% of the total genome. Codon replacements were associated with moderate decreases in total virion production but large decreases in the specific infectivities of intact poliovirions and viral RNAs. Replication of codon replacement viruses, but not MEF-1, was temperature sensitive at 39.5°C. Synthesis and processing of viral intracellular proteins were largely unaltered in most codon replacement constructs. Replacement of natural codons with synonymous codons with increased frequencies of CpG and UpA dinucleotides may offer a general approach to the development of attenuated vaccines with well-defined antigenicities and very high genetic stabilities.
The dielectric relaxation spectra of water, ice, and aqueous solutions, and their interpretation. III. Proton organization and proton transfer in ice

For pt.II see ibid., vol.23, no.5, Oct. 1988, p.817-23. After a short presentation of the various ice phases and of the oxygen sublattices for ice I, the proton array of ice I is considered, simple approximate derivation of the zero-point entropy for random distribution given, and evidence examined from some proton ordering along the hexagonal axis of ice I/sub h/. Next, the experimental facts are summarized on orientation polarization and conduction, and N. Bjerrum's ideas (1951) are given about defect-pair and ion-pair formation. The double-well model for polarization and conduction in ice, is used to describe the behavior of the individual defects and ions, after the pairs have formed, drifted apart, and settled down. The author argues that this model seems in conflict with the observed dielectric relaxation time when the proper activation energy is used. Therefore, another model is presented, linking the formation and separation of defects to the dielectric relaxation spectrum and to infrared spectroscopy. >
Tools for texture- and color-based search of images

Currently there are quite a few image retrieval systems that use color and texture as features to search images. However, by using global features these methods retrieve results that often do not make much perceptual sense. It is necessary to constrain the feature extraction within homogeneous regions, so that the relevant information within these regions can be well represented. This paper describes our recent work on developing an image segmentation algorithm which is useful for processing large and diverse collections of image data. A compact color feature representation which is more appropriate for these segmented regions is also proposed. By using the color and texture features and a region-based search, we achieve a very good retrieval performance compared to the entire image based search.
Tendencias y avances actuales en anestesia obstétrica: La técnica combinada espinal-epidural para analgesia ambulatoria en trabajo de parto

The combined spinal-epidural labor analgesia technique (CSEA) has attained wide spread popularity in obstetric anesthesia worldwide. The onset of analgesia is rapid and reliable, and maternal satisfaction is high. While there still remains some concern about dural puncture, the CSEA technique offers many advantages to the parturient. Continuous search for a balanced labor analgesia, which provides relief of pain of contractions while preserving motor function, has led to the development of the ambulatory labor analgesia. The CSEA performed with subarachnoid opioids (with or without local anesthetics) causes minimal motor block and is particularly applicable to ambulatory labor analgesia. The purpose of this paper is to review the available clinical data and provide recommendation for the application of the CSEA technique for ambulatory labor analgesia.
Transcriptional signaling by double-stranded RNA: role of TLR3.

Abstract Mammalian Toll-like receptors recognize components of invading microbes and trigger the first line of innate immune response that is mediated by transcriptional induction of a large number of cellular genes. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is thought to be a major mediator of cellular response to viral infection, because it responds to double-stranded (ds) RNA, a common by-product of viral replication. This article is focused on the nature of the signaling pathways activated by TLR3 and dsRNA. The genes induced by TLR3 activation include those that encode secreted antiviral cytokines, such as interferon (IFN), and those that encode intracellular viral stress-inducible proteins. Recent studies have revealed several unique features of TLR3 signaling that are highlighted here. Specifically, we discuss the roles of receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, PI3 kinase and two-step activation of the transcription factors, IRF-3 and NF-κB, in mediating TLR3-signaling.
Tuberculosis in the World Today

Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem throughout the world. Although the disease was previously well controlled in the United States, several factors now present a potential for the reemergence of tuberculosis as a significant public health concern. Physicians who will be responsible for the care of these patients must be trained to respond appropriately.
Health Literacy in Obstetric Patients: A Pharmacist’s Experience with The Newest Vital Sign

Health literacy can greatly impact patients' self-management of medical conditions and adherence to treatment recommendations. This study aimed to assess the health literacy of obstetric patients at a university-based women's clinic using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS). A clinical pharmacist or student pharmacist utilized the instrument to interview women during a routine clinic visit. This project is a cross-sectional, retrospective study using the de-identified survey data. Descriptive statistics were used to provide a summary of the NVS scores in this population. The average age of the 140 participants was 27 years (SD = 6) with the range from 16 to 49 years old. The majority (78%) of the patients was ≤ 30 years old; 50% were white and 39% were black. The average NVS score was 3 (SD = 2.2). 49% had scores ≤ 3 which indicates limited literacy. This pilot study yielded preliminary data for future investigations of health literacy in this population while identifying a potential role for pharmacists. Due to its ease of use and quick administration, it is feasible to use the NVS instrument to routinely screen health literacy in an obstetric clinic setting.
Efficient Computational Screening of Organic Polymer Photovoltaics

There has been increasing interest in rational, computationally driven design methods for materials, including organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Our approach focuses on a screening "pipeline", using a genetic algorithm for first stage screening and multiple filtering stages for further refinement. An important step forward is to expand our diversity of candidate compounds, including both synthetic and property-based measures of diversity. For example, top monomer pairs from our screening are all donor-donor (D-D) combinations, in contrast with the typical donor-acceptor (D-A) motif used in organic photovoltaics. We also find a strong "sequence effect", in which the average HOMO-LUMO gap of tetramers changes by ∼0.2 eV as a function of monomer sequence (e.g., ABBA versus BAAB); this has rarely been explored in conjugated polymers. Beyond such optoelectronic optimization, we discuss other properties needed for high-efficiency organic solar cells, and applications of screening methods to other areas, including non-fullerene n-type materials, tandem cells, and improving charge and exciton transport.
Experimental Characterization of Secular Frequency Scanning in Ion Trap Mass Spectrometers.

Secular frequency scanning is implemented and characterized using both a benchtop linear ion trap and a miniature rectilinear ion trap mass spectrometer. Separation of tetraalkylammonium ions and those from a mass calibration mixture and from a pesticide mixture is demonstrated with peak widths approaching unit resolution for optimized conditions using the benchtop ion trap. The effects on the spectra of ion trap operating parameters, including waveform amplitude, scan direction, scan rate, and pressure are explored, and peaks at black holes corresponding to nonlinear (higher-order field) resonance points are investigated. Reverse frequency sweeps (increasing mass) on the Mini 12 are shown to result in significantly higher ion ejection efficiency and superior resolution than forward frequency sweeps that decrement mass. This result is accounted for by the asymmetry in ion energy absorption profiles as a function of AC frequency and the shift in ion secular frequency at higher amplitudes in the trap due to higher order fields. We also found that use of higher AC amplitudes in forward frequency sweeps biases ions toward ejection at points of higher order parametric resonance, despite using only dipolar excitation. Higher AC amplitudes also increase peak width and decrease sensitivity in both forward and reverse frequency sweeps. Higher sensitivity and resolution were obtained at higher trap pressures in the secular frequency scan, in contrast to conventional resonance ejection scans, which showed the opposite trend in resolution on the Mini 12. Mass range is shown to be naturally extended in secular frequency scanning when ejecting ions by sweeping the AC waveform through low frequencies, a method which is similar, but arguably superior, to the more usual method of mass range extension using low q resonance ejection.
Output Feedback M-MRAC

This paper presents design and performance analysis of a modified reference model MRAC (M-MRAC) architecture in the output feedback framework for a class of singleinput single-output (SISO) uncertain systems. It is shown that the modification of the reference model by the tracking error feedback enables the designer to achieve a desired level of accuracy in the performance of the system’s input and output signals by means of fast adaptation. A guideline is given for the choice of the design parameters. The results are consistent in the initial conditions and reference commands. The benefits of the method are demonstrated via a simulation example.
An innovative Goddard Space Flight Center methodology for using FMECA as a risk assessment and communication tool

Functional and Interface Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analyses (FMECA) investigate the following types of detailed potential failure origin and failure impact questions: • What interfaces dependencies or performance issues exist as a result of each potential functional failure or input loss? • If a component fails or exhibits intermittent functionality, is a redundant component available to mitigate the failure effects? • If a failure occurs internal to the component's electronics is there the potential for collateral damage of adjacent systems (i.e., Is propagation possible? Will a system failure "Do No Harm" to other systems?)? • Can any single failure mode of the instrument lead to total loss of science/data from the instrument or other flight systems? The answers to these questions help to identify Single Point Failures (SPFs), Critical Items, and have the potential to characterize and quantify risk if a risk assessment methodology is used throughout the FMECA process. The following FMECA risk assessment methodology has been developed by GSFC's Reliability and Risk Analysis Branch to assess and communicate failure risks: 1) Correlate Mission Success Requirements-to-GSFC Risk Management Consequence Definitions (GPR 7120.4D); 2) Correlate Failure Severities (NASA/GSFC FMECA Procedures)-to-GSFC Risk Management Consequence Definitions (GPR 7120.4D); 3) Correlate Mission Failure and Duration-to-GSFC Risk Management Likelihood Definitions (GPR 7120.4D); 4) Analyze and characterize each failure mode using these correlations; 5) Assess the Failure Modes as risks, and 6) Communicate risks to mission risk managers. This methodology has already been successfully used on the following NASA GSFC projects: ICESAT-2, OSIRIS-Rex, Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM), Gravity and Extreme Magnetism SMEX (GEMS), and Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) to assess and communicate risks including single point failure risks based on FMECA results. Thus it can be considered valid and useable for other missions.
On the Buddhist art in building a socialist harmonious culture positive significance

The construction of a harmonious culture,is not only the harmonious development of socialist culture and people's inherent need for the internal needs of the spirit of the soul,but also to promote the development of science really needs and the development of the socialist cause actual needs.However,traditional Chinese Buddhist art as an integral part of culture and art,they express the philosophy of,ethics-oriented,arts-oriented features,in modern society still has not lost its unique charm and cultural heritage of art,Buddhist art is the building of social ism an important component of a harmonious culture,to build a socialist harmonious culture and plays a positive signifi cance.
ASFS Presidential Address 2015, Chatham University

Productive new openings can be found in food studies through provincializing European and American conceptualizations of the aesthetics of good taste and the ethics of foodwork. The liberal arts can be reinvigorated for the twenty-first century by drawing on feminism and everyday Hinduism of care-work and devotion, in part by using the immigrant body not merely as an object of analysis but as a tool kit to open up the epistemological discussion on how we know what to do.
Predental enrichment activities of U.S. colleges and universities.

The purpose of this study was to examine predental enrichment activities and their impact on the number of applicants from some of the nation’s top dental school feeder institutions (DSFI). The DSFI were identified by their total number of applicants to dental schools and the number of applicants per total student enrollment. A survey consisting of twenty-seven questions on possible predental enrichment activities was administered by phone or sent by email to eighty-eight DSFI, with forty-nine responding. In addition to identifying and characterizing the most common predental enrichment activities, the relationships among the number of applicants, predental activities, and total student enrollments per institution were evaluated. The total number of dental school applicants/institution was correlated with the total student enrollment/institution (r=0.529) and the number of predental activities/institution (r=0.520). No correlation was observed between the number of activities at an institution and dental school applicants per thousand enrolled. Sixteen of the DSFI reported ten or more enrichment activities, the most common being preprofessional health advising (96 percent), dentistry club (88 percent), and volunteer programs (73 percent). In general, larger institutions produced more applicants and provided more enrichment activities. However, there was no correlation between the number of dental school applicants per thousand students enrolled and the number of activities at an institution. Results indicate that there are specific predental enrichment activities common to some of the top dental school feeder institutions in the United States. A better understanding of successful feeder programs may assist nonfeeder schools in developing or strengthening an interest in dentistry as a career option.
The fate of estrogenic compounds in the aquatic environment: sorption onto organic colloids

In this study, sorption of some estrogens and estrogenic compounds onto several organic colloids was examined using fluorescence quenching techniques. Selected organic colloids included humic substances of several sources, Aldrich humic acid (AHA), Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA), Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA), and Nordic fulvic acid (NFA). Polysaccharides, alginic acid (AA) and dextran (Dex), and tannic acid (TA) were also selected. 17beta-estradiol (E2), 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EES), and estriol (E3) were selected as estrogens. Nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP), and dibutylphthalate (DBP) were selected as estrogenic compounds. For most of the selected compounds, the sorption coefficients were in the order of TA > humic acids (SRHA or AHA) > fulvic acids (NFA or SRFA) > AA. The smallest or no significant sorption onto dextran was found for selected estrogens and estrogenic compounds. Comparing those compounds, neither a significant trend nor linear correlation with Log K(ow) was found. The resulting sorption coefficients for humic substances and TA suggested approximately 15 to 50% of the estrogens and estrogenic compounds were bound in typical natural water of 5 mg TOC/L and significant effects on the removal of them by water treatment processes, toxicity, or bioavailability were suggested.
A new genus and species of barnacle (Cirripedia, Verrucomorpha) associated with vents of the Lau Back-Arc Basin: its gross morphology, inferred first juvenile stage and affinities

Un nouveau genre et une nouvelle espece de cirripede (Cirripedia, Verrucomorpha) des sources hydrothermales du bassin de Lau : morphologie generale, premier stade juvenile et affinites. Deux specimens d'un nouveau Neoverrucidae remarquable et quelques larves cypris en metamorphose contenant leur premier stade juvenile suppose ont ete trouves parmi les cirripedes recoltes par le sous-marin Nautile pendant la campagne BIOLAU (1989) dans le bassin arriere-arc des iles de Lau, a Tonga. La nouvelle espece, Imbricaverruca yamaguchii n. gen. et n. sp., se differencie de la seule espece precedemment connue, Neoverruca brachylepadoformis Newman, 1989, par son opercule relativement grand, une plaque laterale mediane permanente et une muraille primaire reduite soutenue par des plaques relativement grandes, bien jointes et imbriquees, dont les plus basses sont apparemment permanentes. D'autre part, l'espece a un aspect superficiel similaire aux Verrucidae. Toutefois, sa construction et son premier stade juvenile sont tres differents, ce par quoi l'espece semble representer un Neoverrucidae relativement specialise plutot qu'une etape evolutive conduisant aux Proverrucidae et/ou aux Verrucidae. La nouvelle espece ne prouve pas seulement qu'une diversification est intervenue parmi les Neoverrucidae, elle represente un complement significatif a notre connaissance de la faune des cirripedes des sites hydrothermaux du bassin de Lau, deja consideree comme la plus diversifiee du monde.
Characterization of sulfur products on CaO at high temperatures for air and oxy-combustion

Abstract Oxy-coal combustion is a novel technology that seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generating units, but the unique combustion environment could potentially affect the manner in which the flue gas and fly ash interact. Of particular interest is the ability of fly ash to reduce SOx emissions, a source of concern in implementing oxy-coal technology. This study seeks to examine the way SOx interacts with calcium oxide, an important fly ash metal oxide, under a variety of flue gas conditions and temperatures. Using DRIFTS and XRD, the major products under the various reaction conditions were analyzed. The dominant sulfur containing product was found to be calcium sulfate. However, a secondary calcium carbonate product was formed under certain oxy-fuel conditions. Additionally, EDX was employed to examine the temperature dependence for sulfur retention.
Iterative state estimation

Iterative solvers allow for a trade-off between speed and accuracy. We propose an iterative method for the estimation of the internal states of a given discrete-time linear state-space model from a series of noisy measurements. In particular we identify the MAP estimate of those states as being the solution of a sparse system of linear equations and derive an iterative solver based on the conjugate gradient method. We derive convergence results to quantify the trade-off between speed and accuracy and finally apply the method to channel estimation where it is shown to outperform Kalman smoothing complexity-wise.
Development and validation of a prehospital prediction model for acute traumatic coagulopathy

Acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) is a syndrome of early, endogenous clotting dysfunction that afflicts up to 30% of severely injured patients, signaling an increased likelihood of all-cause and hemorrhage-associated mortality. To aid identification of patients within the likely therapeutic window for ATC and facilitate study of its mechanisms and targeted treatment, we developed and validated a prehospital ATC prediction model. Construction of a parsimonious multivariable logistic regression model predicting ATC — defined as an admission international normalized ratio >1.5 — employed data from 1963 severely injured patients admitted to an Oregon trauma system hospital between 2008 and 2012 who received prehospital care but did not have isolated head injury. The prediction model was validated using data from 285 severely injured patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center in Seattle, WA, USA between 2009 and 2013. The final Prediction of Acute Coagulopathy of Trauma (PACT) score incorporated age, injury mechanism, prehospital shock index and Glasgow Coma Score values, and prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation and endotracheal intubation. In the validation cohort, the PACT score demonstrated better discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.80 vs. 0.70, p = 0.032) and likely improved calibration compared to a previously published prehospital ATC prediction score. Designating PACT scores ≥196 as positive resulted in sensitivity and specificity for ATC of 73% and 74%, respectively. Our prediction model uses routinely available and objective prehospital data to identify patients at increased risk of ATC. The PACT score could facilitate subject selection for studies of targeted treatment of ATC.
Evaluation of the Appropriateness of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Selection and Monitoring in the Outpatient Setting

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) share many indications with warfarin but require less frequent follow-up and monitoring. There is limited data available on the prescribing of DOACs and appropriate laboratory monitoring in a real-world clinical setting. Objective: To determine if patients receiving care at 2 University of Florida (UF) Health Internal Medicine clinics are prescribed DOACs according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved labeling. Secondary objectives were to determine the percentage of patients receiving appropriate baseline laboratory tests prior to DOAC initiation and the frequency of laboratory monitoring. Methods: This retrospective chart review evaluated patients enrolled at 2 UF Health Internal Medicine practices within the UF Health system who were prescribed a DOAC between April 2014 and April 2015. Adherence to FDA-approved dosing recommendations and baseline laboratory tests were compared to previously published data. This study was approved by the UF Instit...
Net K+ secretion in the thick ascending limb of mice on a low-Na, high-K diet

Because of its cardio-protective effects, a low-Na, high-K diet (LNaHK) is often warranted in conjunction with diuretics to treat hypertensive patients. However, it is necessary to understand the renal handling of such diets in order to choose the best diuretic. Wild-type (WT) or Renal Outer Medullary K channel (ROMK) knockout mice (KO) were given a regular (CTRL), LNaHK, or high-K diet (HK) for 4-7 days. On LNaHK, mice treated with either IP furosemide for 12 hrs, or given furosemide in drinking water for 7 days, exhibited decreased K clearance. We used free-flow micropuncture to measure the [K + ] in the early distal tubule (EDT [K + ]) before and after furosemide treatment. Furosemide increased the EDT [K + ] in WT on CTRL but decreased that in WT on LNaHK. Furosemide did not affect the EDT [K + ] of KO on LNaHK or WT on HK. Furosemide-sensitive Na + excretion was significantly greater in mice on LNaHK than those on CTRL or HK. Patch clamp analysis of split-open TALs revealed that 70-pS ROMK exhibited a higher open probability (Po) but similar density in mice on LNaHK, compared with CTRL. No difference was found in the density or Po of the 30 pS K channels between the two groups. These results indicate mice on LNaHK exhibited furosemide-sensitive net K + secretion in the TAL that is dependent on increased NKCC2 activity and mediated by ROMK. We conclude that furosemide is a K-sparing diuretic by decreasing the TAL net K + secretion in subjects on LNaHK.
Cobalt Catalysis for Enantioselective Cyclobutanone Construction

Over the past 40 years, intramolecular hydroacylation has favored five-membered rings, in preference to four membered rings. Herein, we report a catalyst derived from earth-abundant cobalt that enables preparation of cyclobutanones, with excellent regio-, diastereo-, and enantiocontrol, under mild conditions (2 mol % catalyst loading and as low as 50 °C).
Detection of a lipid peroxidation-induced DNA adduct across liver disease stages

Background: Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can increase cellular levels of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation (LPO) when associated with the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which can develop following the progression of steatosis, brosis and cirrhosis. Using a monoclonal antibody for cyclic γ-hydroxy-1, N 2 -propanodeoxyguanosine (γ-OHPdG), a promutagenic DNA adduct formed endogenously by LPO, we examined its formation across liver disease stages to understand it’s potential role in HCC development. Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) liver tissue samples from 49 patients representing normal, steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC were stained for γ-OHPdG and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG), an oxidative damage biomarker. Quantification of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed using histological scoring of intensity and distribution. Using primary human hepatocytes (HH) and a stellate cell (SC) co-culture, immunocytochemical staining of γ-OHPdG and Nile Red was performed to determine if the formation of γ-OHPdG was consistent between the clinical sample disease stages and the in vitro steatotic and brotic conditions. Results: γ-OHPdG levels varied significantly between the stages of normal and steatosis, steatosis and fibrosis, and steatosis and cirrhosis (P≤0.005). There was a trend, although not significant, of increased levels of γ-OHPdG in HCC compared to the other groups. A strong correlation was observed (Pearson’s, R2 =0.85) between levels of γ-OHPdG and 8-oxo-dG across the disease spectrum. The increase of γ-OHPdG in steatosis and decrease in brosis was a pattern con rmed in an in vitro model using primary HH co-cultured with human SCs. Conclusions: γ-OHPdG was detected in FFPE liver tissues of patients with different stages of liver disease and in vitro studies, demonstrating that its formation is consistent with LPO in early stages of liver disease and suggesting that it may be a source of mutagenic DNA damage in liver disease progression.
Experimental demonstration of a single-spike hard-X-ray free-electron laser starting from noise

In this letter, we report the experimental demonstration of single-spike hard-X-ray free-electron laser pulses starting from noise with multi-eV bandwidth. This is accomplished by shaping a low-charge electron beam with a slotted emittance spoiler and by adjusting the transport optics to optimize the beam-shaping accuracy. Based on elementary free-electron laser scaling laws, we estimate the pulse duration to be less than 1 fs full-width at half-maximum.
Proangiogenic alginate-g-pyrrole hydrogel with decoupled control of mechanical rigidity and electrically conductivity

An electrically conductive hydrogel has emerged to regulate cellular secretion activities with electrical stimulation. However, the electrical conductivity of typical hydrogel systems decreases with increasing elastic modulus of the hydrogels because of decreased transport of ions through a polymeric cross-linked mesh. This study hypothesized that the inverse dependency between electrical conductivity and elastic modulus would be made through the cross-linking of conductive monomer-units conjugated to a hydrophilic polymeric backbone. This hypothesis was examined through the cross-linking of pyrrole groups that were conjugated to an alginate backbone, termed alginate-g-pyrrole. Hydrogels with increased degrees of pyrrole substitution exhibited a simultaneous increase in the gels mechanical rigidity and electrical conductivity. The resulting hydrogel could control the adhesion and vascular endothelial growth factor secretion of cells via applied electrical stimulation. This material design principle will be broadly useful to fabricating materials used for various actuation, cell culture, and biomedical applications.
Impact of Patient Reminders on Papanicolaou Test Completion for High-Risk Patients Identified by a Clinical Decision Support System

Abstract Background: A clinical decision support system (CDSS) for cervical cancer screening identifies patients due for routine cervical cancer screening. Yet, high-risk patients who require more frequent screening or earlier follow-up to address past abnormal results are not identified. We aimed to assess the effect of a complex CDSS, incorporating national guidelines for high-risk patient screening and abnormal result management, its implementation to identify patients overdue for testing, and the outcome of sending a targeted recommendation for follow-up. Materials and Methods: At three primary care clinics affiliated with an academic medical center, a reminder recommending an appointment for Papanicolaou (Pap) testing or Pap and human papillomavirus cotesting was sent to high-risk women aged 18 through 65 years (intervention group) identified by CDSS as overdue for testing. Historical control patients, who did not receive a reminder, were identified by CDSS 1 year before the date when reminders were ...
Continuous-Phase Control of a Powered Knee–Ankle Prosthesis: Amputee Experiments Across Speeds and Inclines

Control systems for powered prosthetic legs typically divide the gait cycle into several periods with distinct controllers, resulting in dozens of control parameters that must be tuned across users and activities. To address this challenge, this paper presents a control approach that unifies the gait cycle of a powered knee–ankle prosthesis using a continuous, user-synchronized sense of phase. Virtual constraints characterize the desired periodic joint trajectories as functions of a phase variable across the entire stride. The phase variable is computed from residual thigh motion, giving the amputee control over the timing of the prosthetic joint patterns. This continuous sense of phase enabled three transfemoral amputee subjects to walk at speeds from 0.67 to 1.21 m/s and slopes from $-2.5^{\circ }$ to +9.0 $^{\circ }$ . Virtual constraints based on task-specific kinematics facilitated normative adjustments in joint work across walking speeds. A fixed set of control gains generalized across these activities and users, which minimized the configuration time of the prosthesis.
Antihypertensive Drugs and Psoriasis

Psoriasis can cause patients to have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension. Many psoriasis patients being treated for hypertension have had adverse reactions to the an...
Acquisition of Fire Safety Knowledge and Skills With Virtual Reality Simulation.

Background Prelicensure nursing students seeking to enter perioperative nursing need preparatory fire safety knowledge and skills training to participate as a member of an operating room (OR) team. Purpose This pilot study examined the effectiveness of the Virtual Electrosurgery Skill Trainer (VEST) on OR fire safety skills among prelicensure nursing students. Methods An experimental pretest-posttest design was used in this study. Twenty nursing students were randomized to a control or an intervention group. Knowledge and skills acquisition of OR fire safety were assessed. Results There were no statistically significant findings in knowledge for either group. Fisher exact test demonstrated significant relationships between the skills performance criteria of following emergency procedures for a fire and demonstrating PASS (pull-aim-squeeze-sweep) technique (P = .001). Conclusions Academic and hospital educators may consider incorporating virtual reality simulation to teach fire safety education or reinforce general fire safety practices to nursing students and novice nurses.
Abnormalities of Immunocyte Function in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been recognized for more than 100 years, yet its etiology remains unknown. Both laboratory and clinical observations suggest that an autoimmune process, a slow virus infection, or some combination of the two is likely to be implicated in the pathogenesis of MS. Although the evidence for an immunopathologic process underlying MS is indirect, it has become somewhat more compelling in the last few years. The core problem in MS, in my opinion, relates to the nature of the elusive MS antigen, be it virus or a nervous tissue component. This remains completely unknown and until this problem is solved, formal proof of the cause of MS is unlikely to be forthcoming. Certain facts concerning MS are known, however, which will ultimately have to be incorporated into any coherent theory of the disease. Included are the inflammatory nature of the core pathologic process in brain, a genetically determined predisposition to develop the disease as revealed by histocompatibility antigen profile studies, and the immunocyte abnormalities which are the subject of this paper.
The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

The clinical symptoms, imaging, and tests used in the differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
An Empirical Study of the Occurrence and Co-Occurrence of Named Entities in Natural Language Corpora

Named Entities (NEs) that occur in natural language text are important especially due to the advent of social media, and they play a critical role in the development of many natural language technologies. In this paper, we systematically analyze the patterns of occurrence and co-occurrence of NEs in standard large English news corpora - providing valuable insight for the understanding of the corpus, and subsequently paving way for the development of technologies that rely critically on handling NEs. We use two distinctive approaches: normal statistical analysis that measure and report the occurrence patterns of NEs in terms of frequency, growth, etc., and a complex networks based analysis that measures the co-occurrence pattern in terms of connectivity, degree-distribution, small-world phenomenon, etc. Our analysis indicates that: (i) NEs form an open-set in corpora and grow linearly, (ii) presence of a kernel and peripheral NE's, with the large periphery occurring rarely, and (iii) a strong evidence of small-world phenomenon. Our findings may suggest effective ways for construction of NE lexicons to aid efficient development of several natural language technologies.
A Theory of Indebtedness

The obligation to repay a benefit has long been noted by observers of human interaction. Democritus, for one, offered the following advice in the fourth century B.C..: “Accept favors in the foreknowledge that you will have to give a greater return for them.” Four centuries later the Roman Seneca observed that “He who receives a benefit with gratitude, repays the first installment on his debt.” Although the idea of an obligation to repay benefits has been recognized for centuries, it is only in recent years that its antecedents and consequences have been investigated empirically. The purpose of this chapter is to clarify the theoretical and empirical status of the indebtedness concept, and to illuminate its utility for understanding social interaction. The first section is concerned with defining indebtedness; the second presents hypotheses and relevant data regarding the determinants of the magnitude of indebtedness; the third contains a discussion of the various modes for assessing the magnitude of indebtedness, along with a review of the relevant empirical literature; in the fourth section, indebtedness is distinguished from the related concept of inequity; and in the last section, indebtedness is examined from a cross-cultural perspective.