cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hemostatic hydrodissection of the neurovascular bundles during robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: safety and efficacy trial

Preservation of continence and potency after Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP) are two key outcome measures that patients consider when comparing different treatment options for localized prostate cancer. Ensuring that positive surgical margins are as low as possible provides oncologic control. Various techniques to optimize these outcomes have been employed. This study presents the early outcomes for Hemostatic Hydrodissection of the Neurovascular Bundles during 86 consecutive RALPs. Positive margin rates were 12.5% overall (9% for pT2 and 28.6% for pT3); continence at 6 months was 100%, at 3 months 90% and at 1 month 66%. In patients with no preoperative erectile dysfunction (preoperative SHIM of 25), 79% had return of erections sufficient for intercourse by 6 months. 2 of these patients were able to have intercourse 2 weeks after surgery. These preliminary findings appear promising.
A 12-bit current steering DAC for cryogenic applications

This paper present a 100MHz 12-bit digital to analog converter (DAC) capable to work under ultra-wide temperature (UWT) range from -180/spl deg/C to +120/spl deg/C and at ultra low temperature (ULT) of -230/spl deg/C. To obtain high resolution and good speed over the UWT, partial thermometer-decoded and segmented scheme is employed. A bandgap voltage reference is designed for UWT applications. The cryogenic DAC chip is implemented in a 0.5/spl mu/m SiGe technology with die area of 4.08/spl times/2.34 mm/sup 2/ and total power consumption of 105mW with a 3.3V supply voltage.
An evolving plaque in an immunosuppressed patient with psoriasis

From M A Fund Dr B BM to A 40-year-old man with psoriasis who was undergoing adalimumab therapy presented with an 8-month history of an evolving ‘‘psoriatic’’ lesion on his left leg. He reported falling on a boat in brackish water 10 days before noticing the skin lesion. He denied constitutional symptoms. The physical examination revealed a verrucous and erythematous plaque over his left shin (Fig 1). No enlarged lymph nodes were noted. Complete blood cell counts, a complete metabolic panel, and a chest radiograph were normal. Biopsy specimens were obtained (Fig 2) and revealed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia with many microabscesses within the hyperplasia and a mixed dermal infiltrate. Gram, Gomori methenamine silver, periodic acideSchiff, Fite, and acid-fast bacilli stains were negative.
Nucleic Acid Chaperone Activity of the ORF1 Protein from the Mouse LINE-1 Retrotransposon

Non-LTR retrotransposons such as L1 elements are major components of the mammalian genome, but their mechanism of replication is incompletely understood. Like retroviruses and LTR-containing retrotransposons, non-LTR retrotransposons replicate by reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate. The details of cDNA priming and integration, however, differ between these two classes. In retroviruses, the nucleocapsid (NC) protein has been shown to assist reverse transcription by acting as a “nucleic acid chaperone,” promoting the formation of the most stable duplexes between nucleic acid molecules. A protein-coding region with an NC-like sequence is present in most non-LTR retrotransposons, but no such sequence is evident in mammalian L1 elements or other members of its class. Here we investigated the ORF1 protein from mouse L1 and found that it does in fact display nucleic acid chaperone activities in vitro. L1 ORF1p (i) promoted annealing of complementary DNA strands, (ii) facilitated strand exchange to form the most stable hybrids in competitive displacement assays, and (iii) facilitated melting of an imperfect duplex but stabilized perfect duplexes. These findings suggest a role for L1 ORF1p in mediating nucleic acid strand transfer steps during L1 reverse transcription.
A full bit prefetch DRAM sensing circuit

A DRAM sensing circuit that achieves both a fast RAS access time and a high-bandwidth burst operation is proposed. For the data burst capability of synchronous DRAM's, 256-bit-long data I/O lines are divided into eight segments. A small local latch is provided for each segment of 32 bit-line pairs to prefetch eight data out of the 256 sense amplifiers. A local buffer is connected to eight local latches through selection switches. Burst read operations, up to eight bits, are done by activating selection switches and the local buffer serially. Besides this prefetch capability, the segmented data I/O line results in very small capacitance, only 0.09 pF. The sensing scheme uses nMOS bit switches and a full Vdd precharge voltage for bit and segmented data I/O lines. Then, after sense amplifiers are turned on, only low-going bit lines are connected to the segmented data I/O lines without any voltage disturbance because of the small capacitance. The proposed circuit, therefore, realizes a high-speed RAS access, which is 16 ns faster than a conventional DRAM. A circuit layout design based on a 0.5-/spl mu/m design rule shows no area impact.
Eating the Invaders: The Prevalence of Round Goby (Apollonia melanostomus) in the Diet of Double-Crested Cormorants on the Niagara River

Abstract. The Round Goby (Apollonia melanostomus) is a small benthic fish, native to the Eurasian Ponto-Caspian region, that has rapidly spread through the entire Laurentian Great Lakes system since its 1990 discovery in Lake St. Clair. Tolerant of high population densities, the exotic Round Goby competes aggressively with native fish for food and habitat, and has increasingly been exploited by endemic Great Lakes predators. A management program for the Upper Niagara River, initiated in 2004, has provided an opportunity to study the interactions between these invaders and the Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocoiax auritus), a native top predator. The gut contents of 1,119 cormorants nesting at two sites in the Upper Niagara River from 2004 to 2007 were examined, and the species composition of ingested prey (by number and weight) was quantified for the 600 stomachs that contained identifiable prey. Results of these analyses indicate that Round Goby can constitute up to 85% of the biomass in cormorant diet...
Par-3 mediates the inhibition of LIM kinase 2 to regulate cofilin phosphorylation and tight junction assembly

The polarity protein Par-3 plays critical roles in axon specification and the establishment of epithelial apico-basal polarity. Par-3 associates with Par-6 and atypical protein kinase C and is required for the proper assembly of tight junctions, but the molecular basis for its functions is poorly understood. We now report that depletion of Par-3 elevates the phosphorylated pool of cofilin, a key regulator of actin dynamics. Expression of a nonphosphorylatable mutant of cofilin partially rescues tight junction assembly in cells lacking Par-3, as does the depletion of LIM kinase 2 (LIMK2), an upstream kinase for cofilin. Par-3 binds to LIMK2 but not to the related kinase LIMK1. Par-3 inhibits LIMK2 activity in vitro, and overexpressed Par-3 suppresses cofilin phosphorylation that is induced by lysophosphatidic acid. Our findings identify LIMK2 as a novel target of Par-3 and uncover a molecular mechanism by which Par-3 could regulate actin dynamics during cell polarization.
Parents' Report of Sensory Responsiveness and Temperament in Preterm Infants

OBJECTIVES Although most infants born prematurely do not have major developmental problems, those with perinatal medical problems and lengthy stays in the neonatal intensive care unit are at risk for sensory modulation problems and developmental sequelae. This study compared sensory responsiveness in preterm and full-term infants and examined the relationship of sensory responsiveness to temperament and developmental function. METHOD Caregivers of infants with (n = 45) and without (n = 22) prematurity were asked to complete the Sensory Rating Scale. The preterm infants were also evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID-II). RESULTS The preterm infants exhibited more frequent behaviors indicating tactile defensiveness and difficult temperament than did the full-term infants. When specific items were examined, the preterm infants displayed sensory-seeking behaviors and high activity levels. As measured by caregivers' report, sensory responsiveness was significantly related to temperament. It was not related to BSID-II Mental and Psychomotor scale scores. CONCLUSION This study supports the findings of others that preterm infants have mild problems in sensory responsiveness and temperament. Correlational results do not support a definitive relationship between parents' reports of their infants' sensory responsiveness and developmental function.
Blood Supply of the Nasal Cavity of the Normal Pig

The blood supply to the nasal cavity of 13 adult pigs was studied through plastic and latex injection casts, and gross dissection. Injection casts were prepared with 33% potassium hydroxide maceration. One head was injected with barium sulfate in gelatine for radiographic studies prior to gross dissection. The blood supply to the head is described in generous detail, and compared with that described by other investigators.
Survey of Motivations, Benefits, and Implementation Challenges of Last Planner System Users

The number of construction project managers initializing the use of the Last Planner System of Production Control (LPS), an operating system for project management designed to optimize work flow and promote rapid learning, is rapidly increasing, motivated by industry trends and testimonials of its perceived benefits. This study, limited to the building sector, is a systematic literature and testimonial search of the perceived motivations and benefits or challenges for choosing LPS. It substantiates the claims of those perceptions through a structured survey of senior and mid-level managers. Quantitative statistical tools infer that practitioners who use LPS experience more reliable planning, better supply chain integration, and less work flow time. However, managers who directly implement LPS are faced with external resistance from clients and subcontractors, and feel that their organization does not offer the necessary incentives for adopting LPS, indicating a possible clash of paradigms. The case studies and testimonials were available in the literature referenced in the paper, but the survey and the method for analysis are new and have not been published elsewhere, either wholly or in part. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000606. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers. CE Database subject headings: Construction management; Surveys; Planning. Author keywords: Percent plan complete (PPC); Last planner system; Five whys; Daily huddle meetings; Six sigma; Reasons charting and constraint analysis.
Inverter-Less Active Filters - A New Concept in Harmonic and VAR Compensation

Shunt active filters compensate for variable levels of harmonic currents generated by loads, essentially by producing currents in anti-phase with the offending harmonics. DC/AC inverters, with dc energy storage in electrolytic capacitors and high frequency PWM with IGBT switches, represent the most widely used technique for implementing active filters. A companion paper has introduced the concept of using simple AC choppers invoking dual virtual quadrature sources to realize amplitude, phase angle and/or harmonic control on the available ac voltage. This paper discusses a novel implementation of Inverter-Less Active Filters (ILAF), using gate controlled semiconductor switches with inductors, capacitors or existing resistive loads in a plant to realize dynamic VAR and/or harmonic compensation. Eliminating energy storage elements result in lower cost, increased robustness and longer life. The approach is seen to be applicable for single and three phase systems. ILAF are seen to provide lower cost and increased robustness and reliability when compared with conventional active filters.
Oncolytic Replication of E1b-Deleted Adenoviruses

Various viruses have been studied and developed for oncolytic virotherapies. In virotherapy, a relatively small amount of viruses used in an intratumoral injection preferentially replicate in and lyse cancer cells, leading to the release of amplified viral particles that spread the infection to the surrounding tumor cells and reduce the tumor mass. Adenoviruses (Ads) are most commonly used for oncolytic virotherapy due to their infection efficacy, high titer production, safety, easy genetic modification, and well-studied replication characteristics. Ads with deletion of E1b55K preferentially replicate in and destroy cancer cells and have been used in multiple clinical trials. H101, one of the E1b55K-deleted Ads, has been used for the treatment of late-stage cancers as the first approved virotherapy agent. However, the mechanism of selective replication of E1b-deleted Ads in cancer cells is still not well characterized. This review will focus on three potential molecular mechanisms of oncolytic replication of E1b55K-deleted Ads. These mechanisms are based upon the functions of the viral E1B55K protein that are associated with p53 inhibition, late viralmRNAexport, and cell cycle disruption.
Teaching as an Encounter with the Self: Unraveling the Mix of Personal Beliefs, Education Ideologies, and Pedagogical Practices

Cette recherche montre l'importance des ideologies educationnelles imposees dans les systemes d'enseignement. Les racines et l'identite culturelles propres a l'individu et incluses dans son noyau familial, presupposent un developpement cognitif parallele, ce qui force par la suite l'enfant, soit a se conformer a une nouvelle forme pedagogique institutionnelle, soit a se marginaliser par rapport a celle-ci.
Eliminating Concurrency Bugs with Control Engineering

In the multicore era, concurrency bugs threaten to reduce programmer productivity, impair software safety, and erode end-user value. Control engineering can eliminate concurrency bugs by constraining software behavior, preventing runtime failures, and offloading onerous burdens from human programmers onto automatically synthesized control logic.
Transitions in the style of mantle convection at high Rayleigh numbers

The pattern and style of mantle convection govern the thermal evolution, internal dynamics, and large-scale surface deformation of the terrestrial planets. In order to characterize the nature of heat transport and convective behaviour at Rayleigh numbers, Ra, appropriate for planetary mantles (between 104 and 108), we perform a set of laboratory experiments. Convection is driven by a temperature gradient imposed between two rigid surfaces, and there is no internal heating. As the Rayleigh number is increased, two transitions in convective behaviour occur. First we observe a change from steady to time-dependent convection at Ra≈105. A second transition occurs at higher Rayleigh numbers, Ra≈5×106, with large-scale time-dependent flow being replaced by isolated rising and sinking plumes. Corresponding to the latter transition, the exponent β in the power law relating the Nusselt number Nu to the Rayleigh number (Nu∼Raβ) is reduced. Both rising and sinking plumes always consist of plume heads followed by tails. There is no characteristic frequency for the formation of plumes.
Practical Imagination: A Possible Future for Federal Budgeting

Todevelop afederalbudget process thatdelivers better fiscal outcomesfor thenation consistently over an extended period would require new information and analysis, applying these to decisions through properly designed procedures, and strengthening the institutions that support wise fiscal choices. Changes in each of these process components intended to contribute to good fiscal outcomes are described, and obstacles to their adoption and use are noted. Such reforms could yield budgets that deploy public resources today to carry out strategies promising to increase the nation’s ability to survive inevitable social and fiscal shocks and to take advantage of expected and unexpected opportunities for itscitizens tothrive, grow, and fulfilltheir dreams.
A rat gastrin-human gastrin chimeric transgene directs antral G cell-specific expression in transgenic mice

Gastrin gene expression in the gastrointestinal tract is under both developmental and spatial regulation. In the mature animal, gastrin, an important regulator of parietal acid secretion, is expressed primarily in G cells of the antrum. To determine whether specific promoter elements can direct expression to the gastric antrum in vivo, 450 nucleotides of the proximal rat gastrin promoter were cloned and used to construct a rat gastrin-human gastrin reporter chimeric transgene, which was injected into the mouse germ line. Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and double-label immunocytochemistry studies demonstrated expression of the transgene specifically in antral G cells. Low levels of transgene expression were observed in the ileum and colon, where immunohistochemical studies demonstrated colocalization in enteroendocrine cells expressing peptide YY. The same 450-nucleotide rat gastrin promoter, when joined to the human growth hormone gene, did not result in antral expression. Similarly, a human gastrin-human gastrin reporter transgene also did not achieve antral expression, although it did express in the liver. These results suggest that cis-acting elements present in both the basal 450-nucleotide rat gastrin promoter and the intragenic sequences of the human gastrin gene are necessary to direct expression of a transgene specifically to antral G cells.
Discussion: Contributions of the New Frontier to Agricultural Reform in the United States

In the first part of his paper, Dr. Cochrane has given us an excellent review of post-1930 U. S. agricultural programs and the expansion of these to meet the needs of the second half of this century. The next part shows how the New Frontier would expand these established goals and the following part appraises the contributions of the New Frontier with the comment that 1961 is "a mixture of successes and frustrations." The remainder of the paper covers objectives and prospects for 1962 and unfinished farm business of the New Frontier. Thus for dis-
Qualitative Separation of Proteins of Rat Serum by Electrophoresis

The electrophoretic migration of the proteins in rat serum was studied in the apparatus modified by Tiselius from older designs.1 Toeppler's “Schlieren” method was used for following the movement of the differently charged fractions.Three different fractions, one albumin and 2 globulins, separate from normal rat serum under the influence of a low difference of potential (about 135 volts, giving about 26 milliamperes current). Electrophoresis was continued as long as 11 hours without the occurrence of any further split in the protein bands. Human and horse sera,2 studied in this and other laboratories, differ from rat serum in that they contain an albumin and 3 globulin fractions. (Fig. 1.)Rat serum continued to yield the same number of fractions at different pH values extending on both sides of the isoelectric points of the proteins from pH 4.0 to 7.5. (Fig. 2.) An exception occurs when a globulin is partially precipitated at a pH near its isoelectric point. In this case a fourth fraction appears.If elect...
Using Expected Information Gain to Design Aerothermal Model Calibration Experiments

The design of hypersonic air vehicles involves coupled, multi-physics interactions, which are predicted through computational models of various levels of fidelity and accuracy. To reduce uncertainty and improve predictive capability, these models are calibrated with experimental data. Since the number of experiments is often limited, especially those conducted for structures undergoing the combined loading of hypersonic flight, optimal data collection is of great importance for uncertainty reduction and model validation. In this research, the maximum expected information gain is used to determine which wind tunnel specimen geometry, instrumentation locations, and observables are projected to be most informative for Bayesian calibration of the uncertain parameters of an aerothermal model. Higher fidelity simulations and synthetic experimental data are used to measure and compare the actual information gain from optimal designs to the expected information gain. It was observed that geometries and instrumentation locations at the limits of the design space provided the maximum expected information gain. Additionally, tests to measure the output of the furthest downstream model in the Bayesian network were favored due their ability to calibrate the full set of uncertain parameters.
Application of the pulsed electric field to release bound phenolics in sorghum flour and apple pomace

Abstract The mild intensity pulsed electric field (PEF) was studied to release bound phenolics in sorghum flour (SF) and apple pomace (AP). In this study, SF and AP, naturally fermented at optimized conditions, were treated at different flour to water ratios (FWRs) of 10, 27.5, 45% (w/v) and 5, 8.75, 12.5% (w/v), respectively. In addition, three levels of PEF electric field intensity (EFI) as 1, 2 and 3 kV/cm were used to treat SF and AP for the treatment time of 500, 875 and 1250 μs. Both the treated samples were analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA) and phenolic characterization. For SF, optimized conditions were determined as 45% (w/v) FWR, 2 kV/cm EFI and 875 μs treatment time, while these values were 12.5% (w/v) FWR, 2 kV/cm EFI and 500 μs for AP. At these conditions, TPC and AA of SF were 24.8% and 33.9%, respectively higher than the control SF, while for AP, these numbers were observed as 37.4% and 86%, respectively. The study suggests that PEF treated SF and AP may be very useful for the preparation of processed foods with the increased levels of phenolic antioxidants. Industrial relevance Sorghum, millets and fruit or vegetable by-products contain high amounts of flavonoids and phenolic acids among other bioactive compounds. Results explicate that the application of a PEF treatment following the fermentation could improve the phenolic antioxidants in the sorghum flour and apple pomace. Consequently, this technology could be used in the food industry to enhance the healthy properties of millets and other by-products prior to further processing like mild extrusion or baking. Also the use of the mild intensity pulsed electric field has the benefit of minimizing any damage to the other nutrients of any product.
A Risk Assessment of the Impacts of Coastal Flooding and Sea Level Rise on the Existing and New Pump Stations 113, Norfolk, VA

A RISK ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACTS OF COASTAL FLOODING AND SEALEVEL RISE ON THE EXISTING AND NEW PUMP STATIONS 113 NORFOLK, VIRGINIA David A. Pezza Old Dominion University, 2015 Director: Dr. Gary Schafran The author assessed the risk to a wastewater pump station and a planned replacement located nearby due to coastal flooding and rising sea levels. The locations for the pump stations are in the Larchmont neighborhood by the Lafayette River tidal estuaries in Norfolk, Virginia. The Lafayette River is a tributary to the Elizabeth River, which flows to the Chesapeake Bay. The low-lying areas along the river are subject to coastal surges caused by tropical and extra-tropical storms that flood the bay. The region is considered one of the urban areas most exposed to the accelerating rate of rising sea levels. Six of the highest storm surges on record have occurred since 2003 and even more moderate events have inundated the existing pump station. The flooding impacts the service and reduces the life cycle performance of the pump system. The study compares the vulnerability of the existing pump station to an alternative to replace the station in a new location. It uses systems engineering to define the challenge caused by coastal flooding and future sea levels, and risk-informed decision methodologies to define the exposure. The findings show that the investment in a new
Central regulation of gastrointestinal motility and secretion

Gastrointestinal motility and secretions are regulated by cerebral nuclei via autonomic efferents in a coordinated fashion. At rest, vagal activity dominates while during different forms of stress the activated sympathetic nervous system markedly modulates secretions and motility. Expression of unique neuropeptides in distinct CNS regions facilitates the differentiated regulation of visceral functions. For example, corticotropin-releasing factor regulates the homeostatic pattern of visceral functions during stress. Furthermore, thyrotropin-releasing hormone accounts for parasympathetic activity while calcitonin gene related peptide predominantly accounts for sympathetic modulation of gastrointestinal motility and secretions. These neuropeptides coordinate visceral functions producing integrated motor and secretory responses that facilitate diverse digestive processes.
Pedelecs as a physically active transportation mode

Pedelecs are bicycles that provide electric assistance only when a rider is pedaling and have become increasingly popular. Our purpose was to quantify usage patterns over 4 weeks of real-world commuting with a pedelec and to determine if pedelec use would improve cardiometabolic risk factors. Twenty sedentary commuters visited the laboratory for baseline physiological measurements [body composition, maximum oxygen consumption ( $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{ 2} { \hbox{max} }$$ ), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), blood lipid profile, and 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)]. The following 4 weeks, participants were instructed to commute using a pedelec at least 3 days week−1 for 40 min day−1 while wearing a heart rate monitor and a GPS device. Metabolic equivalents (METS) were estimated from heart rate data. Following the intervention, we repeated the physiological measurements. Average total distance and time were 317.9 ± 113.8 km and 15.9 ± 3.4 h, respectively. Participants averaged 4.9 ± 1.2 METS when riding. Four weeks of pedelec commuting significantly improved 2-h post-OGTT glucose (5.53 ± 1.18–5.03 ± 0.91 mmol L−1, p < 0.05), $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{ 2} { \hbox{max} }$$ (2.21 ± 0.48–2.39 ± 0.52 L min−1, p < 0.05), and end of $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{ 2} { \hbox{max} }$$ test power output (165.1 ± 37.1–189.3 ± 38.2 W, p < 0.05). There were trends for improvements in MAP (84.6 ± 10.5–83.2 ± 9.4 mmHg, p = 0.15) and fat mass (28.6 ± 11.3–28.2 ± 11.4 kg, p = 0.07). Participants rode a pedelec in the real world at a self-selected moderate intensity, which helped them meet physical activity recommendations. Pedelec commuting also resulted in significant improvements in 2-h post-OGTT glucose, $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{ 2} { \hbox{max} }$$ , and power output. Pedelecs are an effective form of active transportation that can improve some cardiometabolic risk factors within only 4 weeks.
Griffith Theory of Fracture

Publisher Summary The theoretical strength of a solid is usually understood as the applied stress that fractures a perfect crystal of the material by breaking the atomic bonds along the fractured surfaces. The theoretical strength is estimated using the interatomic bonding force versus the atomic separation relation. Failure of a solid is characterized by separation of the body. At the atomistic level, the fracture strength of a “perfect” material depends on the strength of its atomic bonds. In addition, Griffith postulated that all bulk glasses contain numerous minute flaws in the form of microcracks that act as stress concentration generators. This new concept accompanied by the energy release approach that he introduced started the era of modern fracture mechanics. The Griffith theory for fracture of perfectly brittle elastic solids is founded on the principle of energy conservation, that is, energy added to and released from the body must be the same as that dissipated during crack extension.
Who’s Anti-Roman? Sallust and Pompeius Trogus on Mithridates

Contemporary scholars of Roman imperialism have discussed the ways in which ancient historians denigrate non-Romans and thereby present intellectual justifications for Roman conquest. This paper offers a case study that questions this position's validity: an examination of Sallust's Epistula Mithridatis (Hist. 4.69M) and Pompeius Trogus' speech of Mithridates (Justin 38.4-7). I argue that Sallust offers a more powerful attack on Roman foreign policy than does Trogus, whom many scholars have deemed "anti-Roman," and conclude that Roman historians are capable of using speeches offoreigners to engage in Roman self-criticism.
Violet-to-Blue Gain and Lasing from Colloidal CdS Nanoplatelets: Low-Threshold Stimulated Emission Despite Low Photoluminescence Quantum Yield

Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and lasing from solution-processed materials are demonstrated in the challenging violet-to-blue (430–490 nm) spectral region for colloidal nanoplatelets of CdS and newly synthesized core/shell CdS/ZnS nanoplatelets. Despite modest band-edge photoluminescence quantum yields of 2% or less for single excitons, which we show results from hole trapping, the samples exhibit low ASE thresholds. Furthermore, four-monolayer CdS samples show ASE at shorter wavelengths than any reported film of colloidal quantum-confined material. This work underlines that low quantum yields for single excitons do not necessarily lead to a poor gain medium. The low ASE thresholds originate from negligible dispersion in thickness, large absorption cross sections of 2.8 × 10–14 cm–2, and rather slow (150 to 300 ps) biexciton recombination. We show that under higher-fluence excitation, ASE can kinetically outcompete hole trapping. Using nanoplatelets as the gain medium, lasing is observed in a linea...
Assessment of endpoint criteria and perceived barriers during maximal cardiorespiratory fitness testing among pregnant women.

BACKGROUND A plateau in volume of oxygen consumption (VO2) is the primary indicator for determining if an individual has reached their maximal aerobic capacity. However, secondary criteria can also be used to identify maximal effort (i.e. lactate level, rating of perceived exertion [RPE], percent of age-predicted maximal heart rate [HR] and respiratory exchange ratio [RER]). Age and gender-specific secondary criteria have been developed for the general population, but no secondary criteria have been established for pregnant women. The primary purpose of this study was to analyze secondary endpoint criteria during VO2max testing among pregnant women. A secondary purpose was to identify emotional and physical barriers pregnant women have that may prevent them from reaching maximal effort. METHODS Twenty-five pregnant women (age= 30.0±3.6 years; gestation age= 22.1±1.4 weeks, pre-pregnancy BMI= 23.68±4.04 kg/m2) participated. Each participant completed a Bruce protocol treadmill test and maximal HR, RER, lactate, and RPE were assessed and compared to standards. Barriers were assessed immediately postexercise via open-ended questions. RESULTS The mean VO2max was 32.9±8.8 mL/kg/min. Mean RPEmax was 17.6±1.8 versus the standard of RPE≥17 (P=0.12). Percent of age-predicted HRmax was 88.0±6.8% versus the standard of ≥95% (P<0.001). Immediate postexercise lactate was 6.8±2.4mM versus the standard of ≥8 mM (P=0.03). Maximal RER was 1.2±0.2 versus the standard of RERmax ≥1.1 (P=0.08). CONCLUSIONS Our data provide preliminary evidence that secondary criteria may need to be adjusted for pregnant women. Additionally, physical and emotional barriers may be enhanced by pregnancy (e.g. pain, discomfort, anxiety, health concerns), and may limit the performance of pregnant women during maximal exercise.
Abandon Chevron and Modernize Stare Decisis for the Administrative State

This Article argues for abandonment of the Chevron doctrine but not because, as some breathless critiques insist, it transfers tyrannical power to the executive. Rather, courts should abandon the Chevron doctrine because it has evolved into a mess that, viewed as a means to fine tune the deference dials inside judicial heads, is not worth the confusion it causes. Chevron should not, however, be abandoned without replacement because it does serve the important function of protecting agencies’ ability to change how they construe their enabling acts over time to reflect new learning. Chevron protects this flexibility indirectly by acknowledging that agencies can, under some circumstances, shift from one reasonable construction to another. Courts should instead achieve this end more directly by adjusting the precedential force of their opinions. More specifically, when a court confronts a choice between following its own precedent construing an agency’s construction of a statute it administers or following the agency’s own new construction, the court should adopt whichever one is better without stare decisis distorting the inquiry. This approach transforms “deference” into a simple and continuing duty on the part of courts to keep an open mind when assessing agencies’ efforts to construe and implement the statutes that they administer. This transformation would not change many outcomes in significant cases, but it would greatly simplify an absurdly complex corner of administrative law.
Long-Term Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization of Irrigated Grain Sorghum

Long-term research shows that phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer must be applied to optimize production of irrigated grain sorghum in western Kansas. In 2015, N applied alone increased yields 66 bu/a, whereas N and P applied together increased yields up to 92 bu/a. Averaged across the past 10 years, N and P fertilization increased sorghum yields up to 76 bu/a. Application of 40 lb/a N (with P) was sufficient to produce 88% of maximum yield in 2015 which is slightly above the 10-year average. Application of potassium (K) has had no effect on sorghum yield throughout the study period. Average grain N content reached a maximum of ~0.7 lb/bu while grain P content reached a maximum of 0.15 lb/bu (0.34 lb P2O5/bu) and grain K content reached a maximum of 0.19 lb/bu (0.23 lb K2O/bu).
Phenome based analysis as a means for discovering context dependent clinical reference ranges.

Robust electronic medical records (EMR’s) have made large-scale phenome-based analysis feasible. The context-dependent phenome of a large ICU-based EMR database (MIMIC II) was explored, as a function of a clinical feature: white blood cell count (WBC). Phenome visualization led to the discovery that peak WBC in the range 15–45 K/μl was highly associated with the diagnoses of Clostridium difficile and bacterial sepsis; thus, it is conceivable that clinicians might delay ordering targeted antimicrobials towards C. difficile for patients with peak WBC in this range. This hypothesis was confirmed, with significant delays in this group (median 135 vs. 85 hours, p = 0.002). These delays could be associated with adverse effects on patient health and high hospitalization costs (e.g. an additional $3,000,000 for the MIMIC II cohort). In conclusion, context-dependent clinical reference ranges are critical to clinical decision making; furthermore, important findings can be discovered through EMR-driven phenome association studies.
I260Q DNA polymerase beta highlights precatalytic conformational rearrangements critical for fidelity.

DNA polymerase β (pol β) fills single nucleotide gaps in DNA during base excision repair and non-homologous end-joining. Pol β must select the correct nucleotide from among a pool of four nucleotides with similar structures and properties in order to maintain genomic stability during DNA repair. Here, we use a combination of X-ray crystallography, fluorescence resonance energy transfer and nuclear magnetic resonance to show that pol β's ability to access the appropriate conformations both before and upon binding to nucleotide substrates is integral to its fidelity. Importantly, we also demonstrate that the inability of the I260Q mutator variant of pol β to properly navigate this conformational landscape results in error-prone DNA synthesis. Our work reveals that precatalytic conformational rearrangements themselves are an important underlying mechanism of substrate selection by DNA pol β.
Nanopackaging of cytolytic peptides (melittin) for cancer therapeutics

5722 Cytolytic peptides (or host-defense peptides) are cationic amphipathic 5-30 amino acid long peptides that have an evolutionary conserved membrane-permeabilizing molecular design that various plants and animals utilize to kill invading microorganisms. Their effectiveness in controlling antibiotic-resistant infections and cancer therapeutics has stimulated renewed interest in this class of biologics for potential translational application. However, their clinical utility is hampered due to their non-specificity of action, systemic toxicity, and serum protease degradation. We now demonstrate the safe in vivo application of a “first-generation” cytolytic peptide (melittin, a 26 amino-acid peptide found in honey bee venom) for cancer therapeutics by incorporating it onto a lipid monolayer of a perfluorocarbon (PFC) nanoparticle (NP, size ~200 nm) that serves as a unique and stable drug-delivery vehicle for the peptide. As contrasted with liposomal delivery vehicles that are destroyed upon melittin binding, the hydrophobic brominated PFC core of the NP allows it to maintain its structural integrity as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, melittin in these NPs is firmly incorporated in the lipid monolayer (dissociation constant ~1.5 nM by surface plasmon resonance). Circular dichroism and tryptophan fluorescence studies confirm an alpha-helical conformation of melittin in the lipid monolayer that interacts directly with and is stabilized by the perfluoro-octylbromide core of the NP. In stark contrast to the toxic systemic effects of free melittin peptide, NPs loaded with melittin avoid any significant red blood cell lysis up to lipid:melittin ratio 120. Cancer cell (C32 melanoma) proliferation assays in vitro reveal that IC50 for melittin-NPs is 32.3 (±5.7) µM versus 0.97 (±0.49) µM for free melittin, further confirming the systemic safety profile when complexed to this NP carrier. Cancer cell death was induced by delivery of NP-associated melittin to the cell, which was confirmed by confocal microscopy with the use of fluorescein-melittin loaded NPs. Flow cytometric analysis and lactate dehydrogenase/ cytochrome c release assay indicates that the mechanism of cell death upon melittin internalization is apoptosis rather than necrosis. When free melittin is delivered in vivo to tumor bearing mice, toxic levels are observed at an LD50 ~ 4 mg/kg. In contrast four doses of melittin-loaded NPs (equivalent melittin dose 8 mg/kg) are effective in causing a 6.7-fold reduction in the weight of B16 melanoma tumors in C57BL/6 mice (n=5, p = 0.002) without causing any untoward systemic toxicity. Thus, PFC nanoparticles represent the first class of unique lipid-based nanocarriers that provide an effective in vivo delivery vehicle for melittin and other cytolytic peptides by preventing their degradation, eliminating systemic toxicity, and simultaneously maintaining efficacy as an anticancer therapeutic.
Enhancing Disaster Situational Awareness via Automated Summary Dissemination of Social Media Content

The paper proposes a situational awareness service, named StayTuned that collects information from social media, extracts relevant messages, and broadcasts them to the subscribers through wireless emergency alert system. StayTuned uses automated filtering and summarization of messages and updates subscribers with real-time situational summaries. Extensive experiments were conducted using twitter data collected during the Sandy hurricane to evaluate performance of the automated message extraction.
Internal Friction of Proton-Exchanged Li2O·Al2O3·2SiO2 Glass

Protons were introduced into the surface of an Li2O·Al2O3·2SiO2 glass fiber (0.5 mm in diameter) by ion exchange in NH4HSO4 at 366°C for 21 h. Infrared absorption measurements established that the protons were associated with bridging oxygen ions. After ion exchange, the magnitude of the alkali internal friction peak decreased and a new peak appeared at ∼220°C. This new peak is attributed to the interaction of alkali and hydrogen ions, independent of the presence of nonbridging oxygen ions.
A Multi-Beam Shared-Inductor Reconfigurable Voltage/SECE Mode Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Interface Circuit

This paper presents an autonomous multi-input (multi-beam) reconfigurable power-management chip for optimal energy harvesting from weak multi-axial human motion using a multi-beam piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH). The proposed chip adaptively operates in either voltage-mode or synchronous-electrical-charge-extraction-mode (VM-SECE) to improve overall efficiency, extract maximum energy regardless of the PEH beams’ impedance/voltage/frequency variations, and protect the chip against large inputs, eliminating the need for high-voltage processes. It can simultaneously harvest energy from up to 6 beams using only one shared off-chip inductor. It uses an active negative voltage converter to extend the input-voltage range to as low as 35 mV. In addition, an active voltage doubler with a small footprint is implemented for faster cold start. A prototype VM-SECE chip was fabricated in a 0.35-μm 2P4M standard CMOS process occupying 1.9 mm2 active area. To fully characterize the chip performance, it was tested with both a commercial single-beam PEH and a custom-made PEH with five mechanically plucked thin-film beams. With the commercial PEH, compared to an on-chip full-wave active rectifier (FAR) with 95.6% efficiency, the VM-SECE chip harvested 3.28x more power for shock inputs at 1 Hz frequency and 4.39 g acceleration. With the custom 5-beam PEH for a pseudo-walking condition, compared to the on-chip FAR, the VM-SECE chip harvested 1.59x and 2.38x more power for 1-and 5-beam operations, respectively.
Analysis on Speed Governing System Model for Fossil-Fuel Generating Plant and Its Application in Power System Stability Simulation

At present, the accuracy of the model and its parameters of speed governing system for fossil-fuel generating plant in power system stability simulation in China is insufficient, for this reason the frequency response process during the simulation evidently differs from the on-site accident records. In this paper, at first the authors present the prime mover energy supply system of fossil-fuel generating plant as well as the model of its regulating device and control mode; then analyze the impacts of these model and modes on power system stability simulation; finally, research the application of speed governing system model and point out that not only the turbine speed governing mode and parameters should be acquainted with, but also the widely used coordinated control system (CCS) of boiler-turbine and parameter setting should be learnt about.
The Rheb-TORC1 signaling axis functions as a developmental checkpoint

In many eukaryotes, the small GTPase Rheb functions as a switch to toggle activity of TOR complex 1 (TORC1) between anabolism and catabolism, thus controlling lifespan, development, and autophagy. Our CRISPR-generated, fluorescently tagged endogenous C. elegans RHEB-1 and DAF-15/Raptor are expressed ubiquitously and localize to lysosomes. Disruption of LET-363/TOR and DAF-15/Raptor are required for development past the third larval stage (L3). We observed that deletion of RHEB-1 similarly conferred L3 arrest. Unexpectedly, robust RNAi-mediated depletion of TORC1 components caused arrest at stages prior to L3. Accordingly, conditional depletion of endogenous DAF-15/Raptor in the soma revealed that TORC1 is required at each stage of the life cycle to progress to the next stage. Reversal of DAF-15 depletion permits arrested animals to recover to continue development. Our results are consistent with TORC1 functioning as a developmental checkpoint that governs at each stage the decision of the animal to progress through development.
Conductive polymers and metal oxide polymeric composites for nanostructures and nanodevices

Abstract Nanostructures comprised of conductive polymers and metal oxide polymeric composites facilitate the formation of smart nanopatterns for realizing nanodevices in the fields of energy, electronics, the environment, and healthcare. Due primarily to structural, electrical, optical, plasmonic, and mechanical properties, CPs and MOPC nanostructures have emerged as platforms for bio and chemical sensing, drug delivery channels, wound healing, filtration and separation membranes, antireflective surfaces, electrodes, diodes, and field effect transistors. This review elaborates on the fabrication of conductive and metal oxide composite polymer nanostructures, e.g., nanofibers, nanotubes, nanocoaxials, nanomembranes/meshes, properties, and models and simulations, making these structures advantageous for current and future applications of nanodevices.
Systems analysis of hematopoiesis using single-cell lineage tracing.

Purpose of review In the last few decades, revolutionary advances in next-generation sequencing have led to single-cell lineage tracing technologies that now enable researchers to identify and quantify hematopoietic cell behavior with unprecedented detail. Combined readouts of cell lineage and cell state from the same cell mitigate the need to prospectively isolate populations of interest, and allow a system-level understanding of dynamic developmental processes. We will discuss the advantages and shortcomings of these technologies, the intriguing discoveries that stemmed from lineage tracing hematopoiesis at the single-cell level and the directions toward which the field is moving. Recent findings Single-cell lineage tracing studies unveiled extensive functional heterogeneity within discrete immunophenotypic populations. Recently, several groups merged lineage tracing with single-cell RNA sequencing to visualize clonal relationships directly on transcriptional landscapes without the requirement for prospective isolation of cell types by FACS. To study the cell dynamics of hematopoiesis, without perturbation in their native niche, researchers have developed mouse models with endogenous single-cell lineage tracing systems, which can simultaneously trace thousands of hematopoietic progenitor cells in a single mouse, without transplantation. The emerging picture is that multiple hematopoietic hierarchies coexist within a single individual, each with distinct regulatory features. These hierarchies are imprinted during development much earlier than previously predicted, persisting well into adulthood and even after injury and transplantation. Summary Clone-tracking experiments allow stem-cell researchers to characterize lineage hierarchies during blood development and regeneration. Combined with single-cell genomics analyses, these studies are allowing system-level description of hematopoiesis in mice and humans. Early exploratory studies have unveiled features with important implications for human biology and disease. VIDEO ABSTRACT.