cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The function of bacteriophage T4 internal protein I in a restrictive strain of Escherichia coli.

Abstract Bacteriophage T4 internal protein I (IPI) mutants are restricted by a strain of Escherichia coli , called CT596. These mutants appear to adsorb to this host and inject their DNA with the same efficiency as wild-type phages. However, no phage-specific mRNA or proteins are produced following an IPI − mutant infection. IPI − phages can complement other T4 amber mutants during a mixed infection of this host; however, when the T4 amber mutant is added, in the presence of chloramphenicol, 20 min after the IPI − phage, no complementation is observed. In the absence of IPI the entering DNA is degraded into acid-soluble fragments. It seems that it is the injected IPI that functions to allow infection of CT596, and that the block in infection occurs at some point between the injection of the phage DNA into this host and the beginning of phage mRNA synthesis.
Subpopulations of dystrophic neuritis in Alzheimer's brain with distinct immunocytochemical and argentophilic characteristics

Using two monoclonal antibodies, tau-1 and PHF-1, and a sequential staining method combining double-labeling immunofluorescence and Bielschowsky silver staining, we have demonstrated the presence of two populations of dystrophic neurites (DNs) with distinct immunocytochemical and argentophilic characteristics. Tau-1 and PHF-1 immunoreactivity were co-localized in many DNs. However, approximately 20% of the DNs were immunoreactive for PHF-1 only. PHF-1 single-labeled DNs were not visible or very weak with Bielschowsky silver stain. Of DNs continuous with neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), tau-1/PHF-1 double-labeled DNs were continuous with intracellular NFTs only, while PHF-1 single-labeled DNs were continuous with extracellular NFTs only. Furthermore, the population of DNs that cluster around extracellular NFTs is different from those that cluster around or within senile plaques. The combined use of tau-1 and PHF-1 immunocytochemistry may provide a more accurate indication of the number of extracellular DNs and extracellular NFTs, which may aid in the diagnosis of severe and advanced AD cases.
A recombinant adenovirus expressing p27(Kip1) induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human 786-0 renal carcinoma cells

Purpose: We evaluated the effects of the over expression of p27Kip1, a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor and tumor suppressor protein, on the 786–0 human renal carcinoma cell line.Materials and Methods: The recombinant adenovirus Adp27Kip1 was evaluated for the induction of p27 protein expression in 786–0 renal carcinoma cells. Expression time and optimal vector concentration were determined. Growth curve studies, cell cycle analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling were done to determine the effects of p27Kip1 on the cell cycle. Cyclin dependent protein kinase (Cdk) inhibitor (CDKI) activity assays were done to determine the expression/activities of Cdks and Western blot analysis was performed to determine the presence of CDKIs and other cell cycle regulator proteins. Nude mouse xenografts were established to demonstrate the in vivo efficacy of Adp27Kip1.Results: p27Kip1 protein expression was detected within 12 hours after Adp27Kip1 infection...
Hypersensitivity reactions to chemotherapeutic drugs.

There is an ever-increasing number of therapeutics used to treat cancer. A recent publication listed 86 currently available antineoplastic medications. Despite this large number, hypersensitivity reactions are not common except with platinum compounds (cisplatin, carboplatin), epipodophyllotoxins (teniposide, etoposide), asparaginase, taxanes (paclitaxel), and procarbazine. Doxorubicin and 6-mercaptopurine are occasionally associated with hypersensitivity reaction. Comparable reactions with other chemotherapeutic agents are. uncommon; many are only anecdotal reports. Reactions associated with individual drugs are discussed in detail. The mechanisms responsible for most of these reactions are not known, as they have generally not been evaluated. The term "hypersensitivity" is widely used in the chemotherapy literature without a common definition. Hypersensitivity is defined here as an unexpected reaction with signs and symptoms not consistent with known toxicity of the drug. Most reactions are coincident with or within hours of drug administration. Almost all are associated with parenteral administration. Symptoms include flushing, alterations in heart rate and blood pressure, dyspnea and bronchospasm, back pain, fever, pruritus, nausea and all types of rashes. Some cases may be due to non-immune mediated release of histamine or cytokines, as many patients can subsequently tolerate re-exposure after pretreatment with steroids and antihistamine, and slow readministration of the drug. This is more compatible with a graded challenge, than desensitization and is generally successful for taxanes, less so for platinum compounds. In most cases hypersensitivity reactions are associated with the specific chemotherapeutic drug. Reaction rates may vary with different forms of the drugs, e.g. pegylated. Occasionally excipients such as Cremaphor EL may induce hypersensitivity reactions.
Biospecificity of glass surfaces: streptavidin attachment to silica

An investigation of biomolecular attachment to silicate glass surfaces as a function of forming and composition has been carried out. This paper concentrates on the modes of forming for one composition: silica, and on one biomolecular species: streptavidin. The relative sensitivity measurements associated with biomolecular characterization of the glass surface are discussed. The results show that streptavidin is sensitive to the forming conditions of silica and is sensitive to variation in surface treatment. The binding data suggest that the molecular attachment occurs through the OH species bound to the silica surface and it is hypothesized that this attachment occurs by hydrogen bonding.
Angle Independent Bundle Adjustment Refinement

Obtaining a digital model of a real-world 3D scene is a challenging task pursued by computer vision and computer graphics. Given an initial approximate 3D model, a popular refinement process is to perform a bundle adjustment of the estimated camera position, camera orientation, and scene points. Unfortunately, simultaneously solving for both camera position and camera orientation is an ill-conditioned problem. To address this issue, we propose an improved, camera-orientation independent cost function that can be used instead of the standard bundle adjustment cost function. This yields a new bundle adjustment formulation which exhibits noticeably better numerical behavior, but at the expense of an increased computational cost. We alleviate the additional cost by automatically partitioning the dataset into smaller subsets. Minimizing our cost function for these subsets still achieves significant error reduction over standard bundle adjustment. We empirically demonstrate our formulation using several different size models and image sequences.
A Multilevel Analysis of the Vulnerability, Disorder, and Social Integration Models of Fear of Crime

The current research tests three conceptual models designed to explain citizens’ fear of crime—vulnerability, disorder, and social integration. These models are assessed for differential impact across the cognitive and affective dimensions of fear of crime. The analysis reported here considers the consecutive and simultaneous influence of individual- and city-level factors using multilevel modeling techniques. Recently collected survey data for 2,599 citizens nested within 21 cities across Washington State provide the empirical evidence for the analysis. Results indicate that the disorder model is best able to explain variation in both the cognitive and affective dimensions of citizens’ fear of crime across cities. The vulnerability and social integration models explain significantly less variation. Further, the vulnerability model lacks directional consistency across the observed dimensions of fear. Societal implications of the research findings are discussed.
A test for a cost of opportunism in invasive species in the Commelinaceae

Many invasive species can respond opportunistically to favorable growing conditions. In a previous work, we found that invasive species in the family Commelinaceae were more oppor- tunistic than their noninvasive congeners and could therefore outperform noninvasive relatives in an environment with abundant resources and no competition. Contrary to the expectation that superior performance under favorable conditions comes at the cost of reduced performance under stressful conditions, invasive species did not perform more poorly relative to noninvasive congeners under any conditions we examined. Here we expand our search for potential costs of opportunism in invasive species to additional environmental conditions in which invasive taxa have been shown or predicted to perform poorly. We grew four invasive and four noninvasive species in environments consisting of all possible combinations of high and low soil resources and presence and absence of clipping (removal of aboveground biomass). We also fed leaves of each species to a generalist herbivore to assess resistance to herbivory. We found that the advantage of invasive species is reduced but not eliminated by low soil resources and clipping. At low soil resources, invasive species produced softer leaves than noninvasive species and might therefore be less resistant to generalist herbivory than noninvasive species, although a direct com- parison of resistance in a no-choice bioassay revealed no difference. The invasive species out- performed noninvasive species only under the most favorable conditions, and the noninvasive species did not outperform the invasive species in any environment.
Anemia after bariatric surgery cannot be explained by iron deficiency alone: results of a large cohort study.

Abstract Background We sought to identify the frequency and mechanisms of anemia after bariatric surgery in a bariatric surgery program at the Medical College of Wisconsin, (Milwaukee, WI). Anemia after bariatric surgery has often been attributed to iron deficiency, although an inflammatory component might be present, making the anemia after surgery mechanistically complex. Methods The body mass index and hemoglobin (Hb), vitamin B 12 , folate, iron, and ferritin levels were extracted from the records of 1125 patients for ≤4 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Anemia was defined using the World Health Organization criteria. Results The mean body mass index, Hb, and ferritin decreased after surgery. The body mass index decreased from 50.1 kg/m 2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 49.6–50.6) at baseline to 33.0 kg/m 2 (95% CI 32.3–33.6) at 12 months and remained unchanged thereafter. The Hb level decreased from 13.4 g/dL (95% CI 13.3–13.5) to 12.8 (95% CI 12.6–13.1) and ferritin from 87.5 ng/mL (95% CI 75.2–99.7) to 55.4 (95% CI 42.9–68.0) at 24–48 months, and serum iron increased from 68.4 μg/dL (95% CI 66.8–70.0) to 82.8 (95% CI 76.4–88.7); all P values were 12 and folate levels were unaffected. Conclusion The baseline incidence of anemia was greater than expected and increased significantly after surgery. The percentage of those with anemia and low ferritin was most significant in premenopausal women; however, the overall iron bioavailability improved significantly with pronounced weight loss, suggesting a reduction in inflammation. These findings indicate that anemia after bariatric surgery cannot be explained on the basis of iron availability and suggest that other mechanisms, currently undefined, contribute to the development of anemia in these patients.
Erwinia amylovora pyrC mutant causes fire blight despite pyrimidine auxotrophy

Erwinia amylovora bacteria cause fire blight disease, which affects apple and pear production worldwide. The Erw. amylovora pyrC gene encodes a predicted dihydroorotase enzyme involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. Here, we discovered that the Erw. amylovora pyrC244::Tn5 mutant was a uracil auxotroph. Unexpectedly, the Erw. amylovora pyrC244::Tn5 mutant grew as well as the wild-type in detached immature apple and pear fruits. Fire blight symptoms caused by the pyrC244::Tn5 mutant in immature apple and pear fruits were attenuated compared to those caused by the wild-type. The pyrC244::Tn5 mutant also caused severe fire blight symptoms in apple tree shoots. A plasmid-borne copy of the wild-type pyrC gene restored prototrophy and symptom induction in apple and pear fruit to the pyrC244::Tn5 mutant. These results suggest that Erw. amylovora can obtain sufficient pyrimidine from the host to support bacterial growth and fire blight disease development, although de novo pyrimidine synthesis by Erw. amylovora is required for full symptom development in fruits. Significance and impact of the study: This study provides information about the fire blight host-pathogen interaction. Although the Erwinia amylovora pyrC mutant was strictly auxotrophic for pyrimidine, it grew as well as the wild-type in immature pear and apple fruits and caused severe fire blight disease in apple trees. This suggests that Erw. amylovora can obtain sufficient pyrimidines from host tissue to support growth and fire blight disease development. This situation contrasts with findings in some human bacterial pathogens, which require de novo pyrimidine synthesis for growth in host blood, for example.
Corn yield responses under crop evapotranspiration-based irrigation management

Improving irrigation water management is becoming important to produce a profitable crop in South Texas as the water supplies shrink. This study was conducted to investigate grain yield responses of corn (Zea mays) under irrigation management based on crop evapotranspiration (ETC) as well as a possibility to monitor plant water deficiencies using some of physiological and environmental factors. Three commercial corn cultivars were grown in a center-pivot-irrigated field with low energy precision application (LEPA) at Texas AgriLife Research Center in Uvalde, TX from 2002 to 2004. The field was treated with conventional and reduced tillage practices and irrigation regimes of 100%, 75%, and 50% ETC. Grain yield was increased as irrigation increased. There were significant differences between 100% and 50% ETC in volumetric water content (u), leaf relative water content (RWC), and canopy temperature (TC). It is considered that irrigation management of corn at 75% ETC is feasible with 10% reduction of grain yield and with increased water use efficiency (WUE). The greatest WUE (1.6 g m � 2 mm � 1 ) achieved at 456 mm of water input while grain yield plateaued at less than 600 mm. The result demonstrates that ETC-based irrigation can be one of the efficient water delivery schemes. The results also demonstrate that grain yield reduction of corn is qualitatively describable using the variables of RWC and TC. Therefore, it appears that water status can be monitored with measurement of the variables, promising future development of real-time irrigation scheduling.
Timing-driven decomposition of a fast barrel shifter

In state-of-the-art digital signal processing (DSP) and graphics applications, the shifter is an important module, consuming a significant amount of delay. This paper presents a new architectural optimization approach to synthesize a faster barrel shifter block, which can be very useful to reduce the delay of the design without significantly increasing the area. We have divided the problem of generating the shifter into two steps: timing-driven selection of multiple stages for merging, and the design of the merged stage. Techniques used in these two steps help to produce a faster implementation for the overall shifter block. Our experimental data shows that the shifter block generated by our algorithm is significantly faster (11.39% on average) than the corresponding block generated by a commercially available datapath synthesis tool.
Ro. Man. Sy.: Its Beginnings and Its Founders

This paper describes the origins of the ROMANSY series of symposia. It recounts the author’s experience as one of the original founders. The emphasis is on the events leading to the first organizational meetings and the people involved in organizing the early symposia.
Redundant Roles for Nucleocapsid and Matrix RNA-Binding Sequences in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Assembly

RNA appears to be required for the assembly of retroviruses. This is likely due to binding of RNA by multiple Gags, which in turn organizes and stabilizes the Gag-Gag interactions that form the virion. While the nucleocapsid (NC) domain is the most conspicuous RNA-binding region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag polyprotein, we have previously shown that NC is not strictly required for efficient particle production. To determine if an RNA requirement for HIV-1 assembly exists, we analyzed virions produced by an NC deletion mutant for the presence of RNA. The results revealed that virions without NC still contained significant amounts of RNA. Since these packaged RNAs are probably incorporated by other RNA-binding sequences in Gag, an RNA-binding site in the matrix protein (MA) of Gag was mutated. While this mutation did not interfere with HIV-1 replication, a construct with both MA and NC mutations (MX/NX) failed to produce particles. The MX/NX mutant was rescued in trans by coassembly with several forms of Gag: wild-type Gag, either of the single-mutant Gags, or Gag truncations that contain MA or NC sequences. Addition of basic sequences to the MX/NX mutant partially restored particle production, consistent with a requirement for Gag-RNA binding in addition to Gag-Gag interactions. Together, these results support an RNA-binding requirement for Gag assembly, which relies on binding of RNA by MA or NC sequences to condense, organize, and stabilize the HIV-1 Gag-Gag interactions that form the virion.
Area and performance optimizations in path-based scheduling

The authors describe the area and performance optimizations implemented in the As-Fast-As-Possible (AFAP) scheduling algorithm. The AFAP scheduling algorithm is a path-based technique that finds the minimum number of control steps for all possible sequences of operations in the control-flow graph, under given constraints. Area requirements for functional units, such as their number and type, are translated into constraints which are then met exactly. The number of registers is also minimized. The performance optimizations included in this paper are concerned mainly with the scheduling of loops. >
Strong control, conservative point estimation and simultaneous conservative consistency of false discovery rates: a unified approach

Summary. The false discovery rate (FDR) is a multiple hypothesis testing quantity that describes the expected proportion of false positive results among all rejected null hypotheses. Benjamini and Hochberg introduced this quantity and proved that a particular step-up p-value method controls the FDR. Storey introduced a point estimate of the FDR for fixed significance regions. The former approach conservatively controls the FDR at a fixed predetermined level, and the latter provides a conservatively biased estimate of the FDR for a fixed predetermined significance region. In this work, we show in both finite sample and asymptotic settings that the goals of the two approaches are essentially equivalent. In particular, the FDR point estimates can be used to define valid FDR controlling procedures. In the asymptotic setting, we also show that the point estimates can be used to estimate the FDR conservatively over all significance regions simultaneously, which is equivalent to controlling the FDR at all levels simultaneously. The main tool that we use is to translate existing FDR methods into procedures involving empirical processes. This simplifies finite sample proofs, provides a framework for asymptotic results and proves that these procedures are valid even under certain forms of dependence.
Comparison of Health-Related Measures of Two Groups of Adolescents in a Rural Southeastern County in the United States.

Objective The purpose of this study was to establish baseline values on physiological parameters for 7—11 graders (n = 146) in a rural area of Alabama and to examine whether differences existed among the adolescents in the county.Design Descriptive.Setting Many adolescents in the southern portion of the United States suffer disproportionately from diseases clearly linked to lifestyle choices (i.e. diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, etc.).Method Health assessments were measured during physical education classes at two independent high schools. The measures taken included: blood pressure, recovery heart rate, upper and lower body flexibility, percentage of body fat, BMI-for-age, height, weight, and muscular strength and endurance.Results Results indicated significant differences between two school populations for cardiovascular fitness, hamstring flexibility, and shoulder flexibility. In addition, there were significant differences between genders with respect to recovery heart rate, systolic b...
Bleomycin delivery by osmotic minipump: similarity to human scleroderma interstitial lung disease

The interstitial lung diseases (ILD) include a large number of chronic, progressive, irreversible respiratory disorders involving pulmonary fibrosis, the most common of which are idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and scleroderma lung disease (SSc ILD). Because bleomycin causes lung fibrosis when used in cancer chemotherapy, it is used to model human ILD in rodents. In most studies, bleomycin has been delivered directly into the lung by intratracheal or intraoral administration. Here we have compared the effects in mice of bleomycin delivered directly into the lungs (direct model) or systemically using osmotic minipumps (pump model) to determine which more closely resembles human ILD. The pump model is more similar to human SSc ILD in that: 1) lung injury/fibrosis is limited to the subpleural portion of the lung in the pump model and in SSc ILD, whereas the entire lung is affected in the direct model; 2) conversely, there is massive inflammation throughout the lung in the direct model, whereas inflammation is limited in the pump model and in SSc ILD; 3) hypertrophic type II alveolar epithelial cells are present at high levels in SSc ILD and in the pump model but not in the direct model; and 4) lung fibrosis is accompanied by dermal fibrosis. The pump model is also move convenient and humane than the direct model because there is less weight loss and mortality.
Tau decay events involving η mesons

Abstract The characteristics of tau decays to final states involving η mesons are presented. The data sample, which corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 300pb −1 , was taken at the PEP e + e − colliding beam facility using the High Resolution Spectrometer. The storage ring was operated at √ s = 29 GeV. The η production appears to be only compatible with the decay τ + → π + η ν , which violates isospin and G -parity conservation. This decay, thus, proceeds via a second-class vector current. The branching ratio (5.1 ± 1.5)% explains much of the current discrepancy between the one-prong topological branching ratio and the sum of the individual one-prong modes.
The Hope, Promise, and Possibility of Psychotherapy

In this paper, five values—diversity, science, education, practice, and spirit—(a) are examined within the professional context of psychotherapy, (b) are presented as forming the foundation of much if not all that is psychotherapy, and (c) are considered as binding values that join us as a community of practicing, theorizing, and researching psychotherapists. Some of the positives of each value are reviewed. Diversity has heightened our sensitivity to and respect for individual and cultural differences. Science has kept us focused on empirically challenging and empirically informing our practice. Education has maintained emphasis on providing solid training/supervision in psychotherapy and transmitting its culture. Practice has provided us with opportunities to increasingly implement and expand on our role as helpers and healers. Spirit has been the guiding light—the heart and soul—that supports, infuses and informs all of our therapeutic endeavors and gives them meaning. What follows is a celebration of sorts—(a) capturing some of what we have done and are doing right in psychotherapy, (b) reflecting some of the weight of those “right” efforts, and (c) conveying some of the inherent hope, promise, and possibility that forever guide us in our work.
Multifactor Productivity in Health Care

The following overview introduces a series of articles that focuses on multifactor productivity (MFP) growth in health care. This edition of the Health Care Financing Review begins with a theoretical discussion of the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) and the conceptual reasons for the MFP adjustment incorporated into the Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS). The issue then moves on to an exploratory data-driven analysis of MFP growth in physicians' offices, and an evaluation of that exploration. Finally, the edition concludes with an empirically-based analysis of MFP growth in the hospital sector, as well as a study related to Medicare physician payment that looks at the individual contributors to recent growth in relative value units (RVUs).1
Introduction to the Needle Electrode Examination

Needle EMG remains an important part of the evaluation of the peripheral nervous system and can assist substantially in characterizing a variety of disease states. The needle electrode examination generally consists of three parts: evaluation of spontaneous activity, evaluation of motor unit potential morphology, and evaluation of motor unit potential recruitment. Abnormal spontaneous activity includes the commonly observed fibrillation potential and positive sharp wave and the less frequent myotonic, myokymic, neuromyotonic, and complex repetitive discharges. Neurogenic disease produces prolonged duration and increased amplitude of motor unit potentials with reduced recruitment, whereas myopathic disease generally produces low-amplitude, short-duration motor unit potentials, with normal or early recruitment. An understanding of the basic mechanisms of these disease changes can greatly aid in the interpretation of EMG data. Finally, the distribution of abnormalities across muscles can also aid in diagnosis, especially in the assessment of radiculopathy and plexopathies.
PRISM: An Innovative Inherently Safe Modular Sodium Cooled Breeder Reactor

The Power Reactor Inherently Safe Module (PRISM) is an innovative sodium-cooled breeder reactor concept. The 415 MWe power block is composed of three identical reactor modules each rated at 425 MW of thermal power with separate standardized steam generator systems. The reference 1245 MWe plant employs nine PRISM reactors and three turbine generators when fully developed.
Palliative Care in Critical Rural Settings

The United States has 1332 critical access hospitals. These hospitals have fewer than 25 beds each and a mean daily census of 4.2 patients. Critical access hospitals are located in rural areas and provide acute inpatient services, ambulatory care, labor and delivery services, and general surgery. Some, but not all, critical access hospitals offer home care services; a few have palliative care programs. Because of the millions of patients living with serious and life-threatening conditions, the need for palliative care is increasing. As expert generalists, rural nurses are well positioned to provide care close to home for patients of all ages and the patients' families. A case report illustrates the role that nurses and critical access hospitals play in meeting the need for high-quality palliative care in rural settings. Working together, rural nurses and their urban nursing colleagues can provide palliative care across all health care settings.
Investment Analysis of Leveraged ETFs

Due to the lower management costs and higher liquidity versus traditional mutual funds, the ETFs category has recently expanded at a faster pace than anytime before. The transparency in publicly traded ETFs gives investors access to diversified portfolios that were only available to large institutions before. In this paper, we study the ETFs’ features, benefits and disadvantages from the asset management perspective with an emphasis on the structure and risk analysis of the leveraged ETFs. Our research indicates that ETFs, though attractive in many aspects, should be managed with caution. The leveraged and inverse ETFs can result in huge negative returns due to value decay effects and high bid-ask trading spreads.
The Fast Multipole Method in Canonical Ensemble Dynamics on Massively Parallel Computers

The fast multipole method (FMM) is implemented in canonical ensemble particle simulations to compute non-bonded interactions efficiently with explicit error control. Multipole and local expansions have been derived to implement the FMM efficiently in Cartesian coordinates for soft-sphere (inverse power law), Lennard- Jones, Morse and Yukawa potential functions. Significant reductions in execution times have been achieved with respect to the direct method. For a given number, N, of particles the execution times of the direct method scale as O(N2). The FMM execution times scale as O(N) on sequential workstations and vector processors and asymptotically 0(logN) on massively parallel computers. Connection Machine CM-2 and WAVETRACER-DTC parallel FMM implementations execute faster than the Cray-YMP vectorized FMM for ensemble sizes larger than 28k and 35k, respectively. For 256k particle ensembles the CM-2 parallel FMM is 12 times faster than the Cray-YMP vectorized direct method and 2.2 times faster than the vectorized FMM. For 256k particle ensembles the WAVETRACER-DTC parallel FMM is 33 times faster than the Cray-YMP vectorized direct method.
Restraint Techniques, Injuries, and Death: Use of Force Techniques

Use of force has been a part of policing since the beginning. Techniques and devices have evolved over the years as well as policies and protocols with much of the change based on research, outcomes, case reports, and litigation in the courts. This chapter will review the various components of law enforcement’s continuum of use of force. Specific detail will be given to the less lethal methods, including the use of riot control agents, such as tear gas and pepper spray, neck holds, and impact weapons such as blunt ballistics and conductive energy devices including TASER ® .
Glycosylation of inositol phosphorylceramide sphingolipids is required for normal growth and reproduction in Arabidopsis.

Sphingolipids are a major component of plant plasma membranes and endomembranes, and mediate a diverse range of biological processes. Study of the highly glycosylated glycosyl inositol phosphorylceramide (GIPC) sphingolipids has been slow as a result of challenges associated with the extractability of GIPCs, and their functions in the plant remain poorly characterized. We recently discovered an Arabidopsis GIPC glucuronosyltransferase, INOSITOL PHOSPHORYLCERAMIDE GLUCURONOSYLTRANSFERASE 1 (IPUT1), which is the first enzyme in the GIPC glycosylation pathway. Plants homozygous for the iput1 loss-of-function mutation were unobtainable, and so the developmental effects of reduced GIPC glucuronosylation could not be analyzed in planta. Using a pollen-specific rescue construct, we have here isolated homozygous iput1 mutants. The iput1 mutants show severe dwarfism, compromised pollen tube guidance, and constitutive activation of salicyclic acid-mediated defense pathways. The mutants also possess reduced GIPCs, increased ceramides, and an increased incorporation of short-chain fatty acids and dihydroxylated bases into inositol phosphorylceramides and GIPCs. The assignment of a direct role for GIPC glycan head groups in the impaired processes in iput1 mutants is complicated by the vast compensatory changes in the sphingolipidome; however, our results reveal that the glycosylation steps of GIPC biosynthesis are important regulated components of sphingolipid metabolism. This study corroborates previously suggested roles for GIPC glycans in plant growth and defense, suggests important roles for them in reproduction and demonstrates that the entire sphingolipidome is sensitive to their status.
ATHENA: an ontology-driven system for natural language querying over relational data stores

In this paper, we present ATHENA, an ontology-driven system for natural language querying of complex relational databases. Natural language interfaces to databases enable users easy access to data, without the need to learn a complex query language, such as SQL. ATHENA uses domain specific ontologies, which describe the semantic entities, and their relationships in a domain. We propose a unique two-stage approach, where the input natural language query (NLQ) is first translated into an intermediate query language over the ontology, called OQL, and subsequently translated into SQL. Our two-stage approach allows us to decouple the physical layout of the data in the relational store from the semantics of the query, providing physical independence. Moreover, ontologies provide richer semantic information, such as inheritance and membership relations, that are lost in a relational schema. By reasoning over the ontologies, our NLQ engine is able to accurately capture the user intent. We study the effectiveness of our approach using three different workloads on top of geographical (GEO), academic (MAS) and financial (FIN) data. ATHENA achieves 100% precision on the GEO and MAS workloads, and 99% precision on the FIN workload which operates on a complex financial ontology. Moreover, ATHENA attains 87.2%, 88.3%, and 88.9% recall on the GEO, MAS, and FIN workloads, respectively.
Displaced intracapsular neck of femur fractures: Outcome of 810 hydroxyapetite coated (HAC) uncemented hemiarthroplasties

Abstract A Cochrane review influenced new NICE guidelines, which recommended surgeons: Offer cemented implants to patients undergoing surgery with arthroplasty. However our trust routinely uses HAC uncemented stem (Taperloc®, Biomet) hemiarthroplasties. A review of a consecutive series of uncemented HAC stem hemiarthroplasties including measures such as intro-operative complications, mortality and revision surgery. Prospectively collected data between January 2008 and June 2014 was used, with medical record and radiographic reviews performed. 810 consecutive Taperloc uncemented hemiarthroplasty with monopolar heads were performed in 763 patients, with a minimum 12 month follow-up (12–90) follow-up. Mean age 83 yrs; 71% female. Meantime to operation was 28.5 h. 30 day mortality: 4.4% (33/763). One year mortality was 11.2% (89/763). 2.5% (20/810) were admitted on a separate admission with the periprosthetic fracture. 0.6% (5/810) were revised to total hip replacement for subsidence and associated pain. Only 1% (8/810) had intraoperative calcar fractures, all of which were treated with intraoperative cabling with no evidence of clinically relevant subsidence or medium term complications requiring revision surgery within a year. To the author’s knowledge this is largest outcome series for modern design uncemented hemiarthroplasty. Our study shows comparable data to cemented hemiarthroplasty but no deaths in the first 2 days post-op. Our series also demonstrates a well below average mortality figures which are clearly multifactorial but believe uncemented prosthesis play a role. We believe that uncemented proven stem design hemiarthroplasty remains a safe and good surgical option for displaced intracapsular fractures.
Toward an Ecological Theory of Rationality: Debunking the Hot Hand “Illusion”

This article explores the “hot hand illusion” from the perspective of ecological rationality. Monte Carlo simulations were used to test the sensitivity of typical tests for randomness to plausible ...
Anticoagulation Clinic Protocol and Electronic Medical Records in Patients Treated with Warfarin: Do They Increase the Likelihood of Achieving Therapeutic INR?

Introduction Managing patients on warfarin therapy is known to be a challenging task in the outpatient setting. One of the methods used to improve warfarin therapy in the outpatient setting and increase patient compliance and time in therapeutic range (TTR) has been to refer the patient to an anticoagulation clinic. Anticoagulation clinics are used to achieve a higher TTR by using a protocol to standardize the management of warfarin therapy. This study looks into whether the implementation of a protocol to manage warfarin therapy and electronic medical records (EMR) to record the management have any effect on the patients’ TTR. Method A retrospective study was completed on patients being managed on warfarin therapy and were a part of an anticoagulation clinic. A chart review was done on ninety-one patients. All INR results were collected on the patients prior to and after the interventions were implemented and included their therapeutic range. The number of days until the INR became therapeutic and the dosage of warfarin required for patients to remain in the therapeutic range were also collected. Chi-square tests were done to analyze the data to determine whether the interventions improved patients’ TTR. Results Prior to EMR implementation 62.76% of tests were found to be within therapeutic range; after EMR implementation 58.96% of tests were found to be within therapeutic range with a p-value of 0.0604. Prior to the protocol implementation, 65.41% of tests were within therapeutic range compared to 59.75% of tests within therapeutic range after protocol implementation with a p-value of 0.0409. Conclusion Our results showed EMR implementation did not have any effect on the TTR for patients on warfarin therapy. Furthermore, when a protocol was implemented to standardize warfarin therapy and management in the anticoagulation clinic setting, study results revealed the TTR decreased with the standardized protocol with a p-value found to be statistically significant. In conclusion, the data suggests the management of warfarin therapy should be done on an individual patient case-by-case basis rather than a standardized approach to increase TTR. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
An Examination of Organizational Commitment and Intention to Stay in the Timeshare Industry: Variations Across Generations in the Workplace

ABSTRACTThis study examines differences among individual generations’ organizational commitment and intention to stay in the timeshare industry. The timeshare segment is worthy of study due to expe...
Der Übergang mündlicher zur artes-bestimmten Literatur des Mittelalters. Gedanken und Bedenken

Die Untergattung der, Artesliteratur, welche sich mit den septem artes liberales, darunter in erster Linie mit der Rhetorik, der ars dictaminis, auch der ars memorativa befast, stellt Probleme, die weit uber die Gattung selbst, ihr Wesen und ihre Entwicklung als Fachschrifttum hinausreichen. Das Schrifttum des Mittelalters in seiner ganzen Breite steht unter ihrem Einflus und beeinflust sie ruckwirkend wieder. Doch bestimmt dieser Einflus weit mehr als „nur“ das gesamte mittelalterliche Schrifttum. Schrifttum setzt spezifische Einstellungen, Blickpunkte, Denkschemata von Dichter und Publikum voraus und ist uberdies nicht mit „Literatur“ — auch im weitesten Sinne — gleichzusetzen: die mundliche Dichtung und Uberlieferung mit ihrem gewaltigen Anteil an der Literatur des Mittelalters liegen vollig auserhalb des Bereichs „Schrifttum“ und seiner grosenteils von den Artes bestimmten Voraussetzungen. Aus dieser Gegenuberstellung erwachsen die hier zu erorternden Probleme. Es handelt sich demnach in vorliegendem Essay weniger um Artesliteratur selbst als um die Auswirkung der Denk- und Perzeptionsschemata, die von ihr verkorpert werden.
Characterizing ECM Production by Cells Encapsulated in Hydrogels

Hydrogels composed of hydrophilic polymers such as polyethylene glycol and alginate have been used as scaffolds for various tissue engineering applications. This chapter describes procedures for encapsulation of cells in hydrogels and subsequently characterizing the extracellular matrix (ECM) production by those cells using biochemical assays, gene expression analysis, and histology. In particular, the biochemical assays described here are used to quantify collagen, glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and DNA content in each scaffold. The methods for analyzing the level of gene expression of specific ECM molecules such as collagen I, collagen II, and aggrecan are also described. Finally, included are protocols for histological methods used to analyze overall matrix production and GAG synthesis via hematoxylin and eosin staining and Safranin-O, respectively. These methods can be modified so that other scaffolds apart from hydrogels can be used.
Abdominal Aorta Injuries

Blunt abdominal aortic injury occurs in less than 1 % of all traumas and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion is necessary to achieve prompt diagnosis and surgical management. The most common site of injury is to the infrarenal aorta, presenting with an intimal flap or tear and subsequent pseudoaneurysm formation in a subset of patients. Patients with blunt abdominal aortic injury typically present with hypotension; associated injuries include small bowel trauma and injury to the thoracolumbar spine. Patients with an uncomplicated intimal flap may be treated with anti-impulse and antiplatelet agents. Patients with a pseudoaneurysm benefit from endovascular or open repair to avoid a long-term risk of degeneration and rupture. Patients with free rupture or thrombosis of the aorta require immediate operative management. Overall outcomes depend on the site and extent of injury, along with the associated injuries a patient has developed. A multidisciplinary approach to the management of abdominal aortic trauma helps to coordinate and prioritize the activities of the various surgical teams involved in the care of these patients.
An Open-Loop Approach for a Stochastic Production Planning Problem with Remanufacturing Process

A stochastic linear production planning problem with chance-constraints is introduced in order to provide a production plan that optimizes a reverse logistics system. Such a system is composed of two channels: in the forward channel, new and remanufactured products are produced and stored into a serviceable unit, while, in the reverse channel, used products collected from market are stored into a returnable unit. The uncertainties about fluctuation of demand and amount of returnable are the reason of the stochastic nature of the problem. Since global optimal solution is not easy to be achieved, near-optimal solutions become viable alternatives to be explored. In this paper, an equivalent deterministic version of the stochastic problem is presented. This equivalent problem provides an open-loop solution that is used to provide production scenarios. An example illustrates the applicability of this methodology by creating two distinct production scenarios in order to answer the following question: “Is it possible to reduce the total production cost of a company by increasing the return rate of collecting, even knowing that the cost for remanufacturing is greater than the cost for manufacturing new products?
Augmenting words with linguistic information for n-gram language models.

The main goal of the present work is to explore the use of rich lexical information in language modelling. We reformulated the task of a language model from predicting the next word given its history to predicting simultaneously both the word and a tag encoding various types of lexical information. Using part-of-speech tags and syntactic/semantic feature tags obtained with a set of NLP tools developed at Microsoft Research, we obtained a reduction in perplexity compared to the baseline phrase trigram model in a set of preliminary tests performed on part of the WSJ corpus.
Marginal Rates Under the TCJA

In this report, Shuldiner argues that although the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act appears to offer an across-the board reduction in individual marginal tax rates augmented by an additional 20 percent reduction in rates on unincorporated business income, the situation is significantly more complex.
Abstract 4810: Targeting androgen receptor in combination with cisplatin: Effective treatment strategy for muscle invasive bladder cancer

Background: Bladder cancer is one of the major causes of cancer death in US and worldwide. Cisplatin is a key component of chemotherapeutic regimens employed in the treatment of advanced bladder cancer. The role of androgen and androgen receptor (AR) signaling in bladder cancer remains uncharacterized. Aim: The aim of the study is to delineate the role of AR in bladder cancer and to determine whether combination of AR inhibitor, enzalutamide (Enz) and cisplatin-based therapies effectively inhibit the growth of muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Methods: AR expression was determined in 75 human bladder cancer specimens and in a panel of bladder cancer cell lines. Cells grown in charcoal stripped media supplemented with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were treated with cisplatin, enzalutamide (AR inhibitor), or a combination of both. Cellular/phenotypic analysis including MTT assay, apoptotic assay, migration as well as invasion assays and molecular analysis including western blotting, real time PCR analysis were performed. Isobologram analysis for the combination was performed and analyzed with CompuSyn. Experiments were repeated in triplicates and analyzed with unpaired Student9s t-test and one way ANOVA *p≤0.05, **p≤0.01, ***p≤0.001. Results: AR expression was seen in around 40% of bladder cancer patients. Inhibition of AR signaling by enzalutamide effectively inhibited the growth of AR+ MIBC cells. Interestingly, enzalutamide in combination with cisplatin (Enz + Cis) synergistically inhibited the proliferation of MIBC cells, TCCSUP (CI: 0.42, 1.25 + 5 μM) and J82 (CI: 0.79, 2.5 + 5 μM) at low concentrations of enzalutamide and cisplatin resp.. The molecular studies revealed the induction of DNA damage markers (pATM, pATR, pChk1, pHis) and enhanced expression of the pro-apoptotic genes (Bax, caspases-3 and PARP) in Enz+Cis treated AR+ MIBC cells. In addition, we demonstrated abrogation of invasive and migratory potential with Enz+Cis treatment, by downregulation of the mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, slug, β-catenin, and vimentin) in both cell lines. Our studies suggest combination of Enz + Cis may be effective in patients with AR+ MIBC. Conclusion: Combination of cisplatin and AR inhibition effectively inhibit bladder tumor growth and migration, and hold promise as synergetic therapies for AR+ bladder cancer patients. Citation Format: Ashish Tyagi, Balaji Chandersekaran, Samarpit Rai, Houda Alatassi, Ahmed Q. Haddad, Murali K. Ankem, Chendil Damodaran. Targeting androgen receptor in combination with cisplatin: Effective treatment strategy for muscle invasive bladder cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4810.