cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advance directives in nursing homes: resident and facility characteristics.

Advance directives are a means whereby competent individuals can guide treatment decisions, and in many cases their death, at a future time when they may be rendered incompetent of doing so. This article first examines the differences between nursing home residents who choose to use advance directives and those that do not. Second, the differences between nursing homes who choose to use advance directives and those that do not are examined. Also, advance directives are not investigated as homogeneous constructs, rather they are divided into residents with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status and those with other advance directives (i.e., do-not-hospitalize, living wills, and feeding restrictions). A multinomial logistic regression model with data representing 60,366 nursing home residents in ten states is used. Thirteen factors are significantly associated with a DNR status, whereas eleven factors are significantly associated with other advance directives. In both cases these significant factors include both...
Nuclear magnetic resonance study of the interaction of cytochrome c with cytochrome c peroxidase.

Abstract The hyperfine shifted resonances in the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of cytochrome c broaden upon addition of cytochrome c peroxidase in a manner which indicates 1:1 reversible complex formation between cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase. Since, in the presence of excess cytochrome c, we see a time-averaged NMR spectrum and not a simple superposition of two distinct spectra from free and complexed cytochrome c, the exchange between the two forms is fast on the NMR time scale, yielding for the off-rate of the complex a lower limit of 200/s. (The on-rate is several order of magnitude greater than the off-rate.) The observed line widths of methyl resonances are, consistent with theory, dependent on the rotational correlation time of the whole macromolecule/macromolecular complex. The widths of the heme ring methyls of cytochrome c in cytochrome c-peroxidase complex are not sensitive to the electronic spin state changes in the cytochrome c peroxidase heme iron on addition of cyanide or fluoride showing that the heme groups of cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase are sufficiently far from each other. The unpaired electron spin density distribution over the heme ring of cytochrome c in cytochrome c-peroxidase complex is slightly altered with respect to free cytochrome c as indicated by observed small changes in the positions of the ring methyl resonances. This could arise from a small conformational change in cytochrome c on complexing with cytochrome c peroxidase.
Research into Practice.

(1998). Research into Practice. Journal of Research in Childhood Education: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 262-266.
MySQL: lessons learned on a digital library

In recent years, the open source products have achieved enterprise-level quality. In response, enterprises have become more interested in migrating from proprietary, commercial products to open source. Businesses around the world commonly use the two leading open source relational DBMSs, MySQL and PostgreSQL. The Los Alamos National Laboratory's Research Library has used MySQL databases for years. However, a recent project to develop a comprehensive database of scientific journal articles and citation information revealed its unique strengths and features.
Self-consistent field calculations for the nuclear surface and 208Pb

Abstract Self-consistent field calculations have been made for the nuclear surface (semi-infinite system) and for 208 Pb. A reaction matrix was calculated by the separation method from a spin-independent exponential nucleon potential interacting in S-states only. Only the dispersion (core) term and the long-range part were considered. By expanding the nonlocality of the reaction matrix an effective mass approximation is obtained. This simplifies the self-consistent field calculation considerably. Some parameters were adjusted to give proper saturation of the infinite system. The surface-energy and surface thickness are calculated. Reasonable agreement with experiment is obtained, but both surface energy and thickness tend to be too large. Thus, the calculations give a Bethe-Weiszacker parameter a 2 ≈ 27−30 MeV and a surface thickness ΔS ≈ 3.2 fm. Experiments give a 2 ≈ 18−26 MeV and ΔS ≈ 2.4 fm. In view of other calculations the discrepancy may be due partly to the too simplified interaction. However, softening of the core improves the agreement. Thus with no hard core a 2 ≈ 15 MeV, ΔS ≈ 2.0 fm. The interior density of 208 Pb with Coulomb field is close to that of the infinite system with the same interaction. Without Coulomb field it is about 15% larger.
Energy expenditure in US automotive technicians and occupation-specific cardiac rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: The standard exercise protocol for patients in a traditional cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) programme may not be adequate for preparing manual workers for a safe return to work, as these activities bear little resemblance to the physical movements and force exertion required in most industrial jobs. AIMS: To measure the energy expenditure as metabolic equivalents (METs) required for automotive technicians, to compare this MET level with that normally attained in traditional cardiac rehab programmes and to suggest cardiac rehab exercises for automotive technicians based on specificity of training. METHODS: Automotive technicians who volunteered to participate had their MET levels measured while they performed a defined series of work tasks in the service department of an automobile dealership. Their daily walking distance was also determined. RESULTS: Thirty-six of 95 eligible subjects participated; a response rate of 38%. Mean peak MET level was 7.1, less than the 8 METs target training goal often used in traditional cardiac rehab programmes. However, patients' outcome MET levels in cardiac rehab are usually measured by a treadmill stress test, whereas the subjects reached 7.1 METs while performing work tasks. The subjects walked an average of 5 km during a normal workday. CONCLUSIONS: Because MET level measurements are work specific, automotive technicians in a cardiac rehab programme should strive to reach and maintain a level of >7 METs while performing specific training exercises that mimic the work tasks they must do throughout the day. They can also benefit from traditional endurance training such as treadmill walking.
Sex comparison of extensibility, passive, and active stiffness of the knee flexors

Objective. To compare extensibility, and passive and active stiffness of the knee flexors between males and females. Design. An experimental design utilized 15 males and 15 females to identify sex differences in active extensibility, and active and passive stiffness of the knee flexors. Background. Muscle stiffness appears to contribute to joint stability from both mechanical and neuromuscular perspectives. Differences in knee flexor stiffness may partially explain higher female anterior cruciate ligament injury rates. Methods. Active knee flexor extensibility was assessed as subjects extend the knee from a fixed hip position, measuring the final knee position. Passive knee flexor stiffness was calculated as the slope of the moment–angle curve resulting from controlled passive knee extension. Active knee flexor stiffness was assessed by loading the lower extremity with 10% total body mass, and measuring the damping effect of the knee flexors on imposed vibratory motion about the knee joint. Results. Females displayed greater active extensibility (P<0.05), while males displayed greater active (P<0.05) and passive (P<0.05) knee flexor stiffness. Sex differences in active and passive knee flexor stiffness were not significant following normalization to anthropometric characteristics. Conclusions. The knee flexor musculature in males is less extensible and displays greater active and passive stiffness compared to females. However, these differences may be functions of greater mass and height in males. Relevance The increased female anterior cruciate ligament injury rate may be related to insufficient knee flexor stiffness. Heightened muscle stiffness may enhance joint stability, thus reducing the likelihood of injury and protecting healing and surgically repaired tissues.
Market liberalization and the psychology of firm performance

Abstract In this paper we study whether the progressive liberalization of the U.S. telecommunications industry has altered the psychology of firms' behavior and led to performance changes. A detailed theoretical framework is developed, based on extension of the postulates of x-efficiency theory. Such an extension of x-efficiency theory enables us to make predictions regarding the direction of performance changes and whether among the various measures of performance there are likely to be cross-sectional differences, even as these different measures change over time. Two performance measures are computed. The first measures the ability of firms to maximize revenues, given their resources; the second measures their ability to reduce costs given the level of outputs generated. We find that market liberalization has significantly impacted the internal psychology within firms, in encouraging both entrepreneurially-oriented and productivity-oriented behavior. However, over time as the market gets more and more liberalized it is the entrepreneurially-oriented behavior that is dominant. We also examine whether ownership differences cause divergences among the firms studied in behavior and performance. We find that erstwhile AT&T-owned firms are always superior to independents in revenue-maximizing skills, but in an era of monopoly were not cost minimizers. In a liberalized environment their cost minimization skills are also superior to the independent firms.
Microbial Symbiosis with the Innate Immune Defense System of the Skin

Skin protects itself against infection through a variety of mechanisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are major contributors to cutaneous innate immunity, and this system, combined with the unique ionic, lipid, and physical barrier of the epidermis, is the first-line defense against invading pathogens. However, recent studies have revealed that our skin's innate immune system is not solely of human origin. Staphylococcus epidermidis, a major constituent of the normal microflora on healthy human skin, acts as a barrier against colonization of potentially pathogenic microbes and against overgrowth of already present opportunistic pathogens. Our resident commensal microbes produce their own AMPs, act to enhance the normal production of AMPs by keratinocytes, and are beneficial to maintaining inflammatory homeostasis by suppressing excess cytokine release after minor epidermal injury. These observations indicate that the normal human skin microflora protects skin by various modes of action, a conclusion supported by many lines of evidence associating diseases such as acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea with an imbalance of the microflora even in the absence of classical infection. This review highlights recent observations on the importance of innate immune systems and the relationship with the normal skin microflora to maintain healthy skin.
Central CO2 chemoreception in cardiorespiratory control

hypercapnia, largely through the direct influence of CO2 on proton production, but possibly also via a direct effect of molecular CO2, is the primary chemical stimulus for alveolar ventilation. Small deviations in arterial CO2 in either direction elicit integrated cardiorespiratory reflexes that
Syllogistic reasoning in fuzzy logic and its application to usuality and reasoning with dispositions

A fuzzy syllogism in fuzzy logic is defined as an inference schema in which the major premise, the minor premise, and the conclusion are propositions containing fuzzy quantifiers. A basic fuzzy syllogism in fuzzy logic is the intersection/product syllogism. Several other basic syllogisms are developed that may be used as rules of combination of evidence in expert systems. Among these is the consequent conjunction syllogism. Furthermore, it is shown that syllogistic reasoning in fuzzy logic provides a basis for reasoning with dispositions, that is, with propositions that are preponderantly but not necessarily always true. It is also shown that the concept of dispositionality is closely related to the notion of usuality and serves as a gateway to what might be called a theory of usuality, a theory that may eventually provide a computational framework for commonsense reasoning.
Automatic sense prediction for implicit discourse relations in text

We present a series of experiments on automatically identifying the sense of implicit discourse relations, i.e. relations that are not marked with a discourse connective such as "but" or "because". We work with a corpus of implicit relations present in newspaper text and report results on a test set that is representative of the naturally occurring distribution of senses. We use several linguistically informed features, including polarity tags, Levin verb classes, length of verb phrases, modality, context, and lexical features. In addition, we revisit past approaches using lexical pairs from unannotated text as features, explain some of their shortcomings and propose modifications. Our best combination of features outperforms the baseline from data intensive approaches by 4% for comparison and 16% for contingency.
Distributed construction of planar graph for position-based routing in ad hoc wireless networks

In this paper, we presented a fully distributed algorithm to compute a planar subgraph of the underlying wireless connectivity graph. We considered the idealized unit disk graph model in which nodes are assumed to be connected if and only if nodes are within their transmission range. The main contribution of this work is a fully distributed algorithm to extract the connected, planar graph for routing in the wireless networks. The communication cost of the proposed algorithm is O(d log d) bits, where d is the degree of a node. In addition, this paper also presented a geometric routing algorithm and established its lower bound. The algorithm is fully distributed and nodes know only the position of other nodes and can communicate with neighboring nodes in their transmission range.
Spectral concentration for dense point spectrum

The degree of spectral concentration at an eigenvalue λ0 embedded in a dense point spectrum is shown to depend on the extent to which λ0 is approximated by other eigenvalues whose eigenfunctions have appreciable overlap with the eigenvectors of λ0. The examples considered include rank one perturbations and time-periodic perturbation of Floquet operators of discrete system.
Intravenous Theophylline in Pediatric Status Asthmaticus A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

This study was conducted to determine whether intravenous theophylline, added to inhaled albuterol and intravenous methylprednisolone, provides a clinically significant benefit in the treatment of pediatric status asthmaticus. Patients aged 2 to 10 years were randomized to receive either intravenous theophylline or placebo. All patients received aerosolized albuterol and intravenous methylprednisolone. There was no difference between groups in the improvement of a clinical asthma score over time, in oxygen requirement, or in the number of albuterol treatments required. Theophylline group patients experienced more nausea, emesis, and insomnia. We conclude that there is no benefit in adding theophylline to treatment with methylprednisolone and albuterol for pediatric status asthmaticus. Furthermore, there are significantly more adverse effects associated with the use of theophylline.
ICE CORE PALEOCLIMATE HISTORIES FROM THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Chemical constituents and physical properties preserved within the permanent ice cover along the spine of the Antarctic Peninsula (AP) contain a record of climatic and environmental changes over tens to thousands of years. Ice cores drilled at higher accumulation sites that are carefully selected to minimize disturbance of the ice strata by flow at depth will provide land-based proxy records to complement the climate histories emerging from high deposition rate sediment cores along the Peninsula margin [Domack et al., this volume]. An ice core drilling project currently underway on Berkner Island is expected to produce a long history, possibly ICE CORE PALEOCLIMATE HISTORIES FROM THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Field emission from nanomechanically modulated electron islands

Here we discuss a new approach in which the high frequency modulation is realized by ultrasonic mechanical modulation of an array of emitting pillars. The potential advantages of this concept include: (1) preserving the advantages of field emission such as room temperature operation and direct current modulation at the cathode, (2) reducing arc vulnerability by eliminating the need for a large voltage difference between the emitter tip and a nearby (gate) electrode, (3) scale-up potential to large area cathodes, (4) opportunity for significantly enhancing the emission current by phonon-assisted tunneling, and (5) opportunity for ultra-low noise operation, enabling a new class of ultra-low noise TWT amplifiers. Functioning of the devices is demonstrated for a single nanomechanical pillar. Mechanically modulated field emission is probed.
Sedation and Paralysis

Sedation is used almost universally in the care of critically ill patients, especially in those who require mechanical ventilatory support or other life-saving invasive procedures. This review will focus on the sedation strategies for critically ill patients and the pharmacology of commonly used sedative agents. The role of neuromuscular blocking agents in the ICU will be examined and the pharmacology of commonly used agents is reviewed. Finally a strategy for rational use of these sedative and neuromuscular blocking agents in critically ill patients will be proposed.
Constellations of Support and Impediment: Understanding Early Implementation Dynamics in the Research and Development of an Online Multimodal Writing and Peer Review Environment.

In this article, the authors trace teachers' experiences while participating in an educational technology development and research project focused on the creation and use of an online writing and p...
Speciation and selection without sex

More than 100 females of the obligately asexual bdelloid rotifers were isolated from nature and their mitochondrial cox1 genes (encoding cytochrome oxidase subunit 1) were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences showed that most of the isolates fall into 21 clades that show two characteristics of species: they are reciprocally monophyletic and have sequence diversities similar to that of species in other organisms. These clades have been evolving independently in spite of being effectively sympatric, indicating that they are adapted to different ecological niches. In support of this, at least some of the clades differ in morphology, food utilization, and temperature tolerance. We conclude that the bdelloid rotifers have undergone substantial speciation in the absence of sexual reproduction. We also used these sequences to test the prediction that asexual organisms should be subject to relaxed natural selection and hence will accumulate detrimental mutations. In contrast to this prediction, several estimates of the ratio Ka/Ks for the cox1 gene showed that this gene is subject to strong selection in the bdelloid rotifers.
Nonstandard maternal work schedules during infancy: implications for children's early behavior problems.

This paper examines the associations between maternal nonstandard work schedules during infancy and children's early behavior problems, and the extent to which infant temperament may moderate these associations. Hypothesized associations were tested using data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care (Phase I). Analyses focused on mothers who returned to work by the time the child was 6 months of age, and who worked an average of at least 35 h per week from 6 through 36 months. At 24 and 36 months, children whose mothers worked a nonstandard schedule had higher internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Modest, albeit inconsistent, evidence suggests that temperamentally reactive children may be more vulnerable to maternal work schedules. Maternal depressive symptoms partially mediated associations between nonstandard maternal work schedules and child behavior outcomes.
Detection of BCR/ABL RNA transcripts using the polymerase chain reaction is highly predictive for relapse in patients transplanted with unrelated marrow grafts for chronic myelogenous leukaemia

Relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation IBMT) for chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) is thought to result from residual leukaemia cells which survive the intensive conditioning regimen and are not eradicated by donor-derived immune effector cells capable of mediating a graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL) effect. Early relapse can be detected using highly sensitive assays such as the polymerase chain reaction lPcRl which have been shown to have predictive value for subsequent relapse in selected patient populations. The validity of PCR for predicting CML relapse in unrelated marrow transplant recipients where the (IVL effect appears to be augmented due to increased HLA disparity between donor and recipient, howei > er, has not been well defined. In this study we assessed the prognostic value of PCR in a cohort of 52 patients transplanted with T-cell-depleted unrelated marrow grafts for CML. The actual probability of relapse at 3 years was 71% in patients with at least one positive assay versus 6% in patients with no positive assays post-transplant. Patients with one or more positive assays at any time post-transplant had a 56-fold increased risk of relapse which was significantly higher (P=00002) than that observed in patients who remained persistently PCR negative. Moreover, PCR detected relapse a median of 5 months earlier than cytogenetic analysis in a subgroup of patients in whom concurrent sampling had been performed. These data validate the use of PCR as a prognostic test in this patient population and may help to identify a cohort of patients to be considered as candidates for pre-emptive adoptive immunotherapy.
Avian cholera exposure and carriers in greater white-fronted geese breeding in Alaska, USA.

We conducted a 3-yr study (2001–03) on greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) breeding in Alaska, USA, to determine the exposure of this population to Pasteurella multocida and the potential role of these birds as disease carriers. We tested sera from nearly 600 adult geese for antibodies to P. multocida serotype 1. We found a low prevalence (<5%) of positive antibodies in adult geese, and based on the short duration of detectable antibodies, these findings indicate recent infection with P. multocida. Prevalence was similar to serologic results from both breeding and wintering lesser snow geese. We also collected oral (n=1,035), nasal (n=102), and cloacal (n=90) swab samples to determine the presence of avian cholera carriers in this population. We were unable to isolate P. multocida serotype 1 from any of the birds sampled. Based on comparison with other waterfowl species, we concluded that these geese may be exposed to avian cholera during the winter or spring migration but are unlikely...
The Roles of IRF-3 and IRF-7 in Innate Antiviral Immunity against Dengue Virus

We investigated the roles of IFN regulatory factor (IRF)-3 and IRF-7 in innate antiviral immunity against dengue virus (DENV). Double-deficient Irf-3(-/-)7(-/-) mice infected with the DENV2 strain S221 possessed 1,000-150,000 fold higher levels of viral RNA than wild-type and single-deficient mice 24 h postinfection (hpi); however, they remained resistant to lethal infection. IFN-α/β was induced similarly in wild-type and Irf-3(-/-) mice post-DENV infection, whereas in the Irf-7(-/-) and Irf-3(-/-)7(-/-) mice, significantly low levels of IFN-α/β expression was observed within 24 hpi. IFN-stimulated gene induction was also delayed in Irf-3(-/-)7(-/-) mice relative to wild-type and single-deficient mice. In particular, Cxcl10 and Ifnα2 were rapidly induced independently of both IRF-3 and IRF-7 in the Irf-3(-/-)7(-/-) mice with DENV infection. Higher levels of serum IFN-γ, IL-6, CXCL10, IL-8, IL-12 p70, and TNF were also observed in Irf-3(-/-)7(-/-) mice 24 hpi, at which time point viral titers peaked and started to be cleared. Ab-mediated blockade experiments revealed that IFN-γ, CXCL10, and CXCR3 function to restrict DENV replication in Irf-3(-/-)7(-/-) mice. Additionally, the IFN-stimulated genes Cxcl10, Ifit1, Ifit3, and Mx2 can be induced via an IRF-3- and IRF-7-independent pathway that does not involve IFN-γ signaling for protection against DENV. Collectively, these results demonstrate that IRF-3 and IRF-7 are redundant, albeit IRF-7 plays a more important role than IRF-3 in inducing the initial IFN-α/β response; only the combined actions of IRF-3 and IRF-7 are necessary for efficient control of early DENV infection; and the late, IRF-3- and IRF-7-independent pathway contributes to anti-DENV immunity.
Inflammatory group 2 innate lymphoid cells

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2 cells) are able to produce type 2 cytokines and to mediate type 2 immune protection and tissue homeostasis. ILC2 cells have often been considered to be a single set of cells that respond to IL-33 and/or IL-25. Recent evidence now indicates that ILC2 cells can be grouped into two distinct subsets: homeostatic or natural ILC2s (nILC2 cells); and inflammatory ILC2 cells (iILC2 cells). nILC2 cells reside in barrier tissues and primarily respond to IL-33. They play critical roles not only in immune protection but also in tissue repair and beige fat biogenesis. iILC2 cells are not present in peripheral tissues in the steady state but can be elicited at many sites by helminth infection or IL-25 treatment. IL-25-elicited ilLC2 cells act as transient ILC progenitors with multipotency. They can be mobilized by distinct types of infections to develop into nILC2-like or ILC3-like cells, functioning in corresponding immune responses. The demonstration of the existence of iILC2 cells adds to our understanding of the complexity of ILC2 biology and makes necessary an analysis of the relationship between nILC2 cells and iILC2 cells.
Use of statistically and dynamically downscaled atmospheric model output for hydrologic simulations in three mountainous basins in the western United States

Abstract This paper examines the hydrologic model performance in three snowmelt-dominated basins in the western United States to dynamically- and statistically downscaled output from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research Reanalysis (NCEP). Runoff produced using a distributed hydrologic model is compared using daily precipitation and maximum and minimum temperature timeseries derived from the following sources: (1) NCEP output (horizontal grid spacing of approximately 210 km); (2) dynamically downscaled (DDS) NCEP output using a Regional Climate Model (RegCM2, horizontal grid spacing of approximately 52 km); (3) statistically downscaled (SDS) NCEP output; (4) spatially averaged measured data used to calibrate the hydrologic model (Best-Sta) and (5) spatially averaged measured data derived from stations located within the area of the RegCM2 model output used for each basin, but excluding Best-Sta set (All-Sta). In all three basins the SDS-based simulations of daily runoff were as good as runoff produced using the Best-Sta timeseries. The NCEP, DDS, and All-Sta timeseries were able to capture the gross aspects of the seasonal cycles of precipitation and temperature. However, in all three basins, the NCEP-, DDS-, and All-Sta-based simulations of runoff showed little skill on a daily basis. When the precipitation and temperature biases were corrected in the NCEP, DDS, and All-Sta timeseries, the accuracy of the daily runoff simulations improved dramatically, but, with the exception of the bias-corrected All-Sta data set, these simulations were never as accurate as the SDS-based simulations. This need for a bias correction may be somewhat troubling, but in the case of the large station-timeseries (All-Sta), the bias correction did indeed ‘correct’ for the change in scale. It is unknown if bias corrections to model output will be valid in a future climate. Future work is warranted to identify the causes for (and removal of) systematic biases in DDS simulations, and improve DDS simulations of daily variability in local climate. Until then, SDS based simulations of runoff appear to be the safer downscaling choice.
Molecular Determinants of β1 Subunit-Induced Gating Modulation in Voltage-Dependent Na+ Channels

Recombinant brain, skeletal muscle, and heart voltage-gated Na+ channel α subunits differ in their functional responses to an accessory β1 subunit when coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes. We exploited the distinct β1 subunit responses observed for the human heart (hH1) and human skeletal muscle (hSkM1) isoforms to identify determinants of this response. Chimeric α subunits were constructed by exchanging the S5–S6 interhelical loops of each domain between hH1 and hSkM1 and then examined for effects on inactivation induced by coexpressed β1 subunit in oocytes. Substitution of single S5–S6 loops in either domain 1 (D1/S5–S6) or domain 4 (D4/S5–S6) of hSkM1 by the corresponding segments of hH1 produced channels that exhibited an attenuated response to coexpressed β1 subunit. Substitutions of both D1/S5–S6 and D4/S5–S6 in hSkM1 by the corresponding loops from hH1 completely abolished the effects of the β1 subunit on inactivation. The reciprocal chimera in which both D1/S5–S6 and D4/S5–S6 from hSkM1 were transplanted into hH1 exhibited significant β1 responsiveness (accelerated inactivation). The region within D4/S5–S6 that conferred β1 responsiveness was determined to reside primarily within an extracellular loop between the putative pore-forming segment SS2 and D4/S6. Gating modulation was also demonstrated using a chimeric β subunit consisting of the extracellular domains of β1and the transmembrane and C-terminal domains of the rat brain β2 subunit. These results suggest that the D1/S5–S6 and D4/S5–S6 loops in the α subunit and the extracellular domain of the β1 subunit are important determinants of the β1 subunit-induced gating modulation in Na+channels.
Inappropriate vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring in hospitalized pediatric patients increases pediatric trauma and hospital costs.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to measure the appropriateness of vancomycin monitoring in a pediatric tertiary care center and to evaluate the effectiveness of two interventions, autonomous pharmacy therapeutic drug monitoring and health care provider education, in reducing avoidable pediatric patient trauma and hospital cost. METHODS A retrospective chart review evaluating vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in pediatric inpatients was performed before and after the introduction of an autonomous pharmacy TDM program and health care provider (HCP) education. RESULTS Thirty-five patients were included in our study, prior to any intervention. Of these, 9% of patients had trough concentrations appropriately deferred. Of the total of 64 trough concentrations obtained, 94% were considered to be inappropriate. After the start of the autonomous pharmacy TDM program, of the 54 eligible patients (111 troughs), 9% had trough concentrations appropriately deferred, and 34% were inappropriate. In the 3-month period following the introduction of HCP education in combination with pharmacy TDM, we identified 27 eligible patients. Among those, 15% of the patients had trough concentrations appropriately deferred. Of the 43 trough concentrations obtained, only 9% were considered to be inappropriate. The combination of pharmacy TDM with HCP education decreased annualized hospital cost by 60%, from $13,080 to $5232. CONCLUSIONS Inappropriate vancomycin TDM occurs commonly in our institution, resulting in unnecessary hospital cost and patient trauma. The combination of pharmacy TDM and HCP education significantly improved clinical practice; however, results were short-lived. Further interventions, such as computer based order entry, will likely be needed to reinforce and improve long-term TDM practice in pediatric patients.
The Private Equity Contract

This chapter examines private equity's unique contracting arrangements for the acquisition of public targets. The shifting terms and structure of the private equity contract are explored, including revisions made in light of the exogenous shock of the financial crisis. Private equity's standard contractual arrangements provide optionality to abandon agreed acquisitions expanding the universe of potential acquisition targets. I argue that the success of private equity is in part due to these unique transactional arrangements.
An Elemental Problem: Foreign Investment Protection and Looming Arbitration

This paper presents an examination of the problem of overly broad investor protection provisions in foreign investment protection systems, through the lens of Canadian governmental policy, and a subset of actors in the natural resource extraction industry. Utilizing this prism, the paper considers the issue, and uses current cases to illustrate why certain investor protection features in treaties are especially problematic, for investors, investor host and home countries, and investment protection regimes alike, particularly when it comes to developing nations.
CHAPTER 40 – Renal Bone Diseases: Clinical Features, Diagnosis, and Management

This chapter focuses: (1) types of bone disorders that occur in patients with renal failure, (2) the various syndromes, and (3) clinical features encountered. The renal bone diseases are classified based on bone biopsy features, including the bone formation rate as measured with double tetracycline labeling and the surface staining with aluminum. The disorders can be divided, from a pathogenic standpoint, into a broad group with an increased bone turnover, compared to those with a subnormal rate of bone turnover. The groups with high turnover include patients with osteitis fibrosa, mild, hyperparathyroid disease, and mixed bone disease. The other major type of disorder includes patients with low rates of bone turnover. These include osteomalacia and aplastic one. The symptoms and signs of severe secondary hyperparathyroidism and the other forms of renal osteodystrophy are usually nonspecific, and the laboratory and radiographic abnormalities generally antedate the appearance of any clinical manifestations. Most renal patients with immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels and bone biopsies that show severe osteitis fibrosa have no symptoms that can be clearly attributed to overactivity of the parathyroid glands.
Role of innate and acquired immune mechanisms in clinical intestinal transplant rejection.

BackgroundLong-term outcomes of intestinal transplantation are limited by infection and rejection. To understand the underlying immune mechanisms, graft infiltrating and peripheral blood cells were analyzed using multiple ex vivo assays in intestinal transplantation recipients.MethodsInfiltrating ce
College Alcohol Environment, Student Alcohol Self-Efficacy and Alcohol Consumption Patterns

Guided by Social Cognitive Theory the authors considered an environmental influence on self-efficacy may precede the influence of self-efficacy on behavior. To examine these relationships students (n1⁄4988) on 13 campuses provided addresses and completed surveys. Lists of active liquor licenses were obtained from government agencies. Geographic Information Systems software was used to calculate the number of alcohol outlets within a 2-5 minute walk, 5-10 minute walk, and 10-15 minute walk of where students live. Selfefficacy score was obtained by summing self-efficacy to reduce alcohol consumption, not drink alcohol at all, and drink only at special occasions (Cronbach a1⁄40.87). Alcohol consumption patterns were compared to the recommendations of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The Cochran Armitage Test for Trend indicated that as the number of alcohol outlets within a 2-5 minute walk, 5-10 minute walk, and 10-15 minute walk of where students live increased, the lower their self-efficacy (p<0.001). Additionally, students with high self-efficacy were less likely to exceed the 2010 DGA alcohol recommendations (OR1⁄40.31, 95%CI, 0.23-0.43, p<0.001) and less likely to binge drink (OR1⁄40.12, 95%CI, 0.09-0.16, p<0.001), as ascertained by multiple logistic regressions adjusting for gender, year in school, race/ethnicity, residence, smoking status, and a random campus effect. Results suggest that limiting the number of alcohol outlets within walking distance of college students and increasing self-efficacy may bring students’ alcohol consumption in line with recommendations. Researchers and practitioners targeting alcohol consumption of college students should be mindful of the potential influence of the environment and self-efficacy.
Mechanisms of platelet destruction in immune-mediated thrombocytopenia: in vitro studies with canine platelets exposed to heterologous and isologous antiplatelet antibodies.

Normal canine platelets coated with heterologous or isologous antiplatelet antibody were interacted with viable canine neutrophils in vitro. Platelet phagocytosis was assessed by detecting nitroblue tetrazolium ( nbt ) reduction, measuring uptake of opsonised 51Cr-labelled platelets, and electron microscopy. The nbt reduction and uptake of 51Cr-labelled opsonised platelets were markedly increased. Electron microscopy revealed phagocytosis of antibody-coated platelets and their degradation intra-cellularly. Exposure of canine platelets to rabbit anti-canine platelet antibody in vitro produced morphological changes in platelets and caused serotonin release. Serotonin was not released in the absence of antiplatelet antibody or in the presence of normal rabbit γ-globulin. Morphological changes in the platelets included disappearance of α and dense granules and exaggeration of the open canalicular system. These observations indicate that circulating platelets may be vulnerable to an antiplatelet antibody and that antibody-mediated phagocytosis of platelets is an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.
Fate of Bacillus cereus in Whipped Potatoes During Pre-Service Holding as Could Occur in a Conventional Foodservice System 1.

Dehydrated potatoes were reconstituted (50 1/2-cup servings), mixed, transferred to a pan and the surface was inoculated with spores of Bacillus cereus to give ≥40 colony forming units (CFU) per 20.3 cm2. Survival of the organism was determined following pre-service holding, (52°C; 32% relative humidity; 1 h) as could occur in a conventional foodservice system. No statistically significant differences were found in numbers of B. cereus before and after pre-service holding. Although the mean surface temperature (56°C) of whipped potatoes was below the maximum germination temperature of B. cereus (59°C), mean internal temperature (63°C) and surface temperature (56°C) of whipped potatoes were never low enough for growth of vegetative cells to occur.
The Impact of Vision on Flavor Perception

Novel methods for testing olfactory and visual interactions were devised. Visual stimuli were the outlines of cherries and a banana; olfactory stimuli were benzaldehyde and isoamyl acetate. Perithreshold detection levels for visual stimuli and olfactory stimuli were calculated. An olfactory task (OF) and visual task (VF) were tested. The OF task required panelists to perform an odor task while viewing an image; the VF task required panelists to perform a visual task while sniffing an odor. No significant changes in detection sensitivity were found in either the OF or VF tasks when either the visual or olfactory stimuli were congruent or incongruent.
Optimizing LOBPCG: Sparse Matrix Loop and Data Transformations in Action

Sparse matrix computations are widely used in iterative solvers; they are notoriously memory bound and typically yield poor performance on modern architectures. A common optimization strategy for such computations is to rely on specialized representations that exploit the nonzero structure of the sparse matrix in an application-specific way. Recent research has developed loop and data transformations for sparse matrix computations in a polyhedral compilation framework. In this paper, we apply these and additional loop transformations to a real application code, the LOBPCG solver, which performs a Sparse Matrix Multi-Vector (SpMM) computation at each iteration. The paper presents the transformation derivation for this application code and resulting performance. The compiler-generated code attains a speedup of up to 8.26\(\times \) on 8 threads on an Intel Haswell and 30 GFlops; it outperforms a state-of-the-art manually-written Fortran implementation by 3%.
Bright and Photostable Fluorophores for Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy

Advanced fluorescence microscopy, including single-molecule and super-resolution imaging, demands bright and photostable fluorophores. We have recently reported a general approach to improve fluorophores brightness in living cells by substituting the N,N-dimethylamino groups found in classic dyes with four-membered azetidine rings (Nature Methods 12, 244250 (2015)). In an unpublished work we have synthesized new derivatives containing substituents on the azetidine ring. Using this approach we were able to fine tune the wavelength and fluorogenecity of the fluorophore without affecting brightness. Here, we report that several of these novel substituted-azetidine fluorophores, as well as the substituted-xanthene ones, exhibit substantial improvements in photostability in living cells. These fluorophores enable robust multi-color, wash-free imaging with a large photon budget. We are investigating their phototoxicity and mechanism in order to maximize the photostability, to generalize this approach to different fluorophores, and to apply these fluorophores to diverse biological settings, including living cells, tissues, and animals. We freely share our fluorophores with the academic community. This work is supported by HHMI and NIH (U01 EB 021236).
Synergistic Enhancement of Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction with Gold Nanoparticles Embedded in Functional Graphene Nanoribbon Composite Electrodes

Regulating the complex environment accounting for the stability, selectivity, and activity of catalytic metal nanoparticle interfaces represents a challenge to heterogeneous catalyst design. Here we demonstrate the intrinsic performance enhancement of a composite material composed of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) embedded in a bottom-up synthesized graphene nanoribbon (GNR) matrix for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2. Electrochemical studies reveal that the structural and electronic properties of the GNR composite matrix increase the AuNP electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), lower the requisite CO2 reduction overpotential by hundreds of millivolts (catalytic onset > −0.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)), increase the Faraday efficiency (>90%), markedly improve stability (catalytic performance sustained over >24 h), and increase the total catalytic output (>100-fold improvement over traditional amorphous carbon AuNP supports). The inherent structural and electronic tunability of bot...
Securing Biometric Images Using Encryption - Capstone Experience Project

This paper describes the process of implementing and testing a Chaos based cryptographic algorithm to secure biometric images. This was completed by a group of undergraduate students as part of completing their capstone experience project. The algorithm implemented uses an external secret key of 80-bit and two chaotic logistic maps. The algorithm was successfully implemented and passed all tests.
On Sets of Line Segments Featuring a Cactus Structure

In this paper we derive sharp upper and lower bounds on the number of intersections and closed regions that can occur in a set of line segments whose underlying planar graph is a cactus graph. These bounds can be used to evaluate the complexity of certain algorithms for problems defined on sets of segments in terms of the cardinality of the segment sets. In particular, we give an application in the problem of finding a path between two points in a set of segments which travels through a minimum number of segments.
Rhizoctonia solani: taxonomy, population biology and management of rhizoctonia seedling disease of soybean

Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, the most important species within the genus Rhizoctonia, is a soil-borne plant pathogen with considerable diversity in cultural morphology, host range, and aggressiveness. Despite its history as a destructive pathogen of economically important crops world-wide, our understanding of its taxonomic relationship with other Rhizoctonia-like fungi, incompatibility systems, and population biology is rather limited. Among the host of diseases it has been associated with, seedling diseases inflicted on soybean are of significant importance, especially in the soybean growing regions of North America. Due to the dearth of resistant soybean genotypes, as well as the paucity of information on the mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions and other molecular aspects of pathogenicity, effective management options have mostly relied upon a combination of cultural and chemical control options. The first section of this review summarizes what is currently known about the taxonomy and systematics, population biology, and molecular genetics of R. solani. The second section provides an overview of the pathology and management of Rhizoctonia root and hypocotyl rot of soybean, a seedling disease of importance in North America. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Analytic derivative couplings and first-principles exciton/phonon coupling constants for an ab initio Frenkel-Davydov exciton model: Theory, implementation, and application to compute triplet exciton mobility parameters for crystalline tetracene

Recently, we introduced an ab initio version of the Frenkel-Davydov exciton model for computing excited-state properties of molecular crystals and aggregates. Within this model, supersystem excited states are approximated as linear combinations of excitations localized on molecular sites, and the electronic Hamiltonian is constructed and diagonalized in a direct-product basis of non-orthogonal configuration state functions computed for isolated fragments. Here, we derive and implement analytic derivative couplings for this model, including nuclear derivatives of the natural transition orbital and symmetric orthogonalization transformations that are part of the approximation. Nuclear derivatives of the exciton Hamiltonian's matrix elements, required in order to compute the nonadiabatic couplings, are equivalent to the "Holstein" and "Peierls" exciton/phonon couplings that are widely discussed in the context of model Hamiltonians for energy and charge transport in organic photovoltaics. As an example, we compute the couplings that modulate triplet exciton transport in crystalline tetracene, which is relevant in the context of carrier diffusion following singlet exciton fission.