cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Durability and generalizability of time-based intervention effects on impulsive choice in rats.

Abstract Impulsive choice involves choosing a smaller-sooner (SS) reward over a larger-later (LL) reward. Due to the importance of timing processes in impulsive choice, time-based interventions have been developed to decrease impulsive choice. The present set of experiments assessed the durability and generalizability of time-based interventions. Experiment 1 assessed fixed interval (FI) or variable interval (VI) intervention efficacy over 9 months. The FI intervention decreased impulsive choice, and this effect persisted over time, but the VI intervention effects were only apparent when tested immediately after the intervention. Experiment 2 examined the generalizability of the FI and VI interventions on choice tasks manipulating the SS delay, LL delay, or LL magnitude. The FI intervention decreased sensitivity to delay, promoting LL choices in both delay tasks, but the VI intervention only altered choices when manipulating the SS delay. Experiment 3 further examined the FI intervention effects on tasks that manipulated the LL delay or magnitude immediately following the intervention. The intervention decreased sensitivity to both delay and magnitude. The experiments indicate that the FI intervention is effective at decreasing impulsive choice behavior for an extended period across changing delays and magnitudes, suggesting a relatively broad effect on choice behavior.
Erasmus the Educator: Moral Reformation and Pedagogy in Light of the Philosophia Christi

Erasmus is famous as the humanist scholar who helped shape what became modem education. W. H. Woodward and Erika Rummel have written standard works on his life and teachings, and others offer nuanc...
Pharmacokinetics, Metabolism, and Carcinogenicity of Arsenic

In civilizations throughout history, arsenic has enjoyed a reputation of power and mystery, a means of effecting outcomes both virtuous and sinister in intent. Egyptian and Arabic alchemists were perhaps among the earliest to value its properties, believing that it could mediate the transmutation of less valuable metals and ores into silver and gold (Azcue and Nriagu 1994). Its notoriety as a powerful poison has also contributed to its rich historical legacy. In 55 A.D., to secure his right to the Roman throne, Nero used arsenic to poison Britannicus (Jolliffe 1993; Gorby 1994). Aristotle and Socrates were aware of its toxic characteristics as well (Gorby 1994). From the Middle Ages through the mid-1800s, arsenic trioxide was such a popular homicidal agent among professional poisoners, the equivalent of modern-day assassins, that it became known as “inheritance powder” (Jolliffe 1993; Azcue and Nriagu 1994; Gorby 1994). Toward the end of the nineteenth century, arsenic’s popularity as a poison began to fade, likely at least in part because of the development of sensitive and dependable assays for its detection in body tissues and fluids (Hindmarsh and McCurdy 1986; Jolliffe 1993; Gorby 1994).
Skew Products and Ergodic Theorems for Group Actions

New ergodic theorems for the action of a free semigroup on a probabilistic space by measure-preserving maps are obtained. The method applied consists of associating with the original semigroup action a skew product over the shift on the space of infinite one-sided sequences of generators of the semigroup and then integrating the Birkhoff―Khinchin ergodic theorems along the base of the skew product. Bibliography: 17 titles.
3. The Student in Poverty

“Do you want to sleep in the bathroom, or in the coal bin?” Air Force veteran Tom Anderson asked Navy submarine veterans Doug McDonald and Ed Neil. Doug and Ed looked at each other and promptly replied in unison: “The coal bin, of course!” Tom turned to me, “Well, Karl, I guess we get the bathroom.” Such was how the four of us began our student careers at the University of Colorado in the fall of 1953: three GI Bill Korean War veterans, and the youngster, me. The entry to the basement apartment was down three steps at the back of the house at 1012 15th Street, just a stone’s throw from campus. A tiny kitchen with an old two-burner gas stove and no space for a table led to a larger room with four desks pressed against the walls, and a single small table in the center. At the far end a small door opened into a converted coal bin that had barely enough space for its two-tiered bunk beds against one wall. No windows. To the right was the other basement room, which held two small beds on an old concrete floor, along with a toilet behind a small partition and an open shower whose water just ran to the basement drain. The veterans had chosen this basement rat-hole for two reasons: It was very close to campus, and we could pay the rent.
Why China Needs a Real Property Tax? Empirical Evidence

This chapter elaborates on why a real property tax is necessary, given that the real estate sector has become so strong in the country. If our answer to why China should adopt a local real property tax is “yes,” then what are the rationales? Since at least 2003, the academic and policy communities in China have debated this question without achieving consensus. This chapter offers an empirical analysis of the tremendous inequity and inefficiency of the current scheme of education finance in the absence of a local property tax. The analysis uses capitalization data of basic education and is based on micro-level housing data in central Beijing that illustrates how the differential treatment of tiered schools, coupled with school attendance by rigid proximity plus the household registration system, is the root cause of these problems.
325-LB: Circadian Clock Nuclear Receptor REV-ERBa Is a Novel Regulator of Beta-Cell Function, Survival, and Autophagy under Diabetogenic Conditions

The circadian clock regulates diverse cellular and molecular rhythms employing CLOCK-BMAL1 transcriptional heterodimer with nuclear receptor REV-ERBα (encoded by gene Nr1d1) playing an important role as a clock repressor through modulation of Bmal1 transcription. Importantly, in addition to its core circadian clock function, recent studies have identified REV-ERBα as a potent transcriptional repressor of autophagy. Therefore, in the current study we set out to address whether impaired beta-cell function and survival associated with exposure to diabetogenic stressors (e.g., glucotoxicity and inflammation) is attributed in part to REV-ERBα-mediated inhibition of autophagy. Exposure of beta-cells (INS-1E cell line) to either glucotoxicity (30 mM glucose) or cytokines (cytomix of IL-1β, TNFα and IFNγ) resulted in robust induction of REV-ERBα expression (1.5-2 fold, p Disclosure S. Costes: None. D. Laouteouet: None. M.A. Ravier: None. M. Delobel: None. G. Bertrand: None. S. Dalle: None. A. Matveyenko: None.
Plasmon-enhanced photo(electro)chemical nitrogen fixation under ambient conditions using visible light responsive hybrid hollow Au-Ag2O nanocages

Abstract Photo(electro)catalytic N2 fixation with water under ambient conditions offers an ideal pathway for clean, sustainable, and decentralized ammonia production and might serve as a potential alternative to the capital and energy intensive Haber-Bosch process. To date, almost all photocatalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) suffer from poor selectivity, low activity due to the difficulty in breaking the strong N ≡ N bond, competition with the more favorable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and inefficient utilization of the solar spectrum. Here, a photo(electro)chemical setup is demonstrated using a hybrid plasmonic-semiconductor as an active photocatalyst under visible light. Hybrid hollow Au–Ag2O nanocages are utilized to convert atmospheric N2 to NH3 in a pure water system without using sacrificial reagents. The average NH3 production rate of 28.2 mg m−2 h−1 and the solar-to-ammonia (STA) conversion efficiency of 0.017% are achieved under one sun illumination. The apparent quantum efficiency of 1.2% for NH3 production is obtained with the monochromatic light source at 685 nm, which is among the highest ever-reported values for the photocatalytic NRR. The isotopic labeling experiments using 15N2 confirms that supplied N2 gas is the only source of NH3 formation in the system. This work showcases the application of plasmonic photocatalysis in the challenging multi-electron nitrogen fixation.
Team conflict and the neurologist

Collaboration within a complicated organization is inherently challenging and can be fraught with discord. Recent emphasis on interdisciplinary and collaborative teamwork in neurology has brought this issue to the forefront of daily practice. The health care system can be complex and opaque, and the stakes-human life-are high. Medical team conflict has been associated with decreased subjective effectiveness, less job satisfaction, and increase in errors. As specialists, neurologists are necessarily embedded within a network of providers and must be adept in the understanding and management of conflictual situations. For the practicing neurologist, it is important to understand team conflict dynamics. Here, management strategies are provided that illustrate how individual neurologists can serve as effective leaders who mitigate harmful effects and capitalize on benefits of team conflict on performance.
Exertional Heat-Stroke Preparedness in High School Football by Region and State Mandate Presence.

Context Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a leading cause of sudden death in high school football players. Preparedness strategies can mitigate EHS incidence and severity. Objective To examine EHS pr...
DdlR, an essential transcriptional regulator of peptidoglycan biosynthesis in Clostridioides difficile

D-Ala-D-Ala ligase, encoded by ddl genes, is responsible for the synthesis of a dipeptide, D-Ala-D-Ala, an essential precursor of bacterial peptidoglycan. In Clostridioides difficile, the single ddl gene is located upstream of the ddlR gene, which encodes a putative transcriptional regulator. Using mutational and transcriptional analysis and DNA-binding assays, DdlR was found to be a direct activator of the ddl ddlR operon. DdlR is a member of the MocR/GabR-type proteins that have aminotransferase-like, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-binding domains. A DdlR mutation that prevented covalent binding of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate abolished the ability of DdlR to activate transcription. Addition of D-Ala-D-Ala to the medium inactivated DdlR, reducing dipeptide biosynthesis. In contrast, D-Ala-D-Ala limitation caused a dramatic increase in expression from the ddl promoter. Though uncommon for transcription regulators, C. difficile DdlR is essential, as the ddlR null mutant cells could not grow even in complex laboratory media in the absence of D-Ala-D-Ala. A dyad symmetry sequence, which is located immediately upstream of the -35 region of the ddl promoter, serves as an important element of the DdlR-binding site. This sequence is conserved upstream of putative DdlR targets in other bacteria of classes Clostridia and Bacilli, indicating a similar mode of regulation of these genes.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for the Definitive Treatment of Early Stage Kidney Cancer: A Survival Comparison With Surgery, Tumor Ablation, and Observation.

Abstract Purpose Partial nephrectomy is the preferred definitive treatment for early stage kidney cancer, with tumor ablative techniques or active surveillance reserved for patients not undergoing surgery. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as a potential noninvasive alternative for patients with early stage kidney cancer not amenable to surgery, with early reports suggesting excellent rates of local control and limited toxicity. Methods and Materials The national cancer database from 2004 to 2014 was queried for patients who received a diagnosis of T1N0M0 kidney cancer. Treatments were categorized as surgery (partial or total nephrectomy), tumor ablation (cryoablation or thermal ablation), SBRT (radiation therapy in 5 fractions or less to a total biological effective dose [BED10] of 72 or more), or observation. A propensity score was generated by multinomial logistic regression. A Cox proportional hazards model was fit to determine association between overall survival and treatment group with propensity score adjustments for patient, demographic, and treatment characteristics. Results A total of 165,298 received surgery, 17,196 underwent tumor ablation, 104 underwent SBRT, and 18,241 were observed. Median follow-up was 51 months. On multivariable analysis, surgery, tumor ablation, and SBRT were associated with a decreased risk of death compared with observation, with hazard ratios of 0.25 (95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.26, P Conclusions In this population-based cohort, patients undergoing high-dose SBRT (BED10 ≥100) for early stage kidney cancer demonstrated longer survival compared with patients undergoing observation. This may be a promising noninvasive treatment option for nonsurgical candidates with prospective efficacy and safety assessments meriting study in future clinical trials.
Laboratory tools for tuberculosis control in a setting with a high burden of HIV/AIDS.

Introduction. Nosocomial transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an important health issue and the detection of tuberculosis (TB) cases is the main tool for controlling this disease. Aim. We aimed to assess the possible occurrence of nosocomial transmission of M. tuberculosis in a reference hospital for HIV/AIDS patients and evaluate both the performance of the Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) platform and drug resistance profiles. Methodology. We evaluated the performance of the Xpert platform. Samples that tested positive on the BACTEC MGIT 320 (MGIT320) platform were submitted for genotyping and drug susceptibility testing. Results. In this study, pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples from 407 patients were evaluated, and among these, 15.5 % were diagnosed with TB by the MGIT320 platform, with a TB/HIV coinfection rate of 52.4 %. The Xpert platform gave positive results for TB for 11 samples with negative results on the MGIT320 platform. In the genotyping results, 53.3 % of the strains clustered; of these strains, half were in two of the four clusters formed, and the patients had visited the hospital on the same day. Drug resistance was observed in 11.7 % of the strains. Conclusion. Putative nosocomial transmission of M. tuberculosis was detected, showing that genotyping is a powerful approach for understanding the dynamics of M. tuberculosis transmission, especially in a high-burden TB and HIV landscape.
Dynamic ice accretion process and its effects on the aerodynamic drag characteristics of a power transmission cable model

Abstract An experimental study was conducted to examine the dynamic ice accretion process over the surface of a high-voltage power transmission cable model and characterize the effects of the ice accretion on the aerodynamic forces acting on the test model. The experimental study was carried out by leveraging the unique Icing Research Tunnel of Iowa State University (i.e., ISU-IRT) to generate typical wet glaze and dry rime icing conditions experienced by power transmission cables. A cylindrical power cable model, which has the same diameter as that of typical power transmission cables, was mounted in ISU-IRT for the ice accretion experiments. In addition to using a high-speed digital imaging system to record the dynamic ice accretion process, a novel digital image projection (DIP) based technique was utilized to quantify the 3D shapes of the ice structures accreted on the surface of the power cable model as a function of the ice accretion time. The time variations of the aerodynamic drag force acting on the test model during the dynamic ice accretion process were also measured quantitatively by using high-sensitive force/moment traducers mounted at two ends of the test model. The ice structures accreted over the surface of the power cable model were found to change significantly under different icing conditions (i.e., rime icing vs. glaze icing). The characteristics of the aerodynamic drag acting on the test model was found to vary significantly during the dynamic ice accretion process depending on what types of ice structures were accreted on the test model. The acquired snapshots of the ice accretion images and the measured 3D shapes of the accreted ice structures on the test model are correlated with the aerodynamic force measurement results to elucidate the underlying physics.
Visual psychophysics and limits of visual discrimination performance in freely behaving mice

ABSTRACT Mice are being used increasing commonly to study visually guided behaviors. To help frame the design of visual tasks in mice, we explored limits of mouse visual behavior using a touchscreen-based 2AFC orientation discrimination task in unrestrained animals. We found that mice were able to discriminate targets as small as 25°, as brief as 100 ms, and with an ‘impulsivity index’ of 0.6. They were able to perform well a rudimentary visual search task, exhibiting classic psychometric curves to the relative contrast between target and foil. Using a combination of conditional accuracy analysis and drift diffusion modeling, we estimated the time for sensory encoding in mice as 300 ms, and the duration of their visual short-term memory as 1700 ms. Our results reveal surprising parallels between aspects of mouse and human visual behavior, and suggest that visual perceptual abilities of mice may be underappreciated.
CONSTRICTIVE PERICARDITIS AFTER ORTHOTOPIC HEART TRANSPLANTATION

Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is an uncommon, but serious complication that can manifest as heart failure in transplant patients. 51 year old male with history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy status post heart transplant presents with several months of abdominal distention. Recent stress echo shows
Chapter 22 – Melting and Casting

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the melting and casting technology in copper extraction of electrorefined and electrowon cathodes. These are the last steps in a copper smelter or refinery. The choice of melting and casting technology is based on the quality of the input copper, required chemistry of the desired product, and the type of final product. The main products of melting and casting are continuous rectangular bars for rolling to rod and drawing to wire, round billets for extrusion and drawing to tube, and flat strip for rolling to sheet and forming into welded tube. The vast majority of this copper is “tough pitch” copper. This copper is only used for the most demanding high conductivity applications because of its expensive production. These pure copper products account for about 70% of copper use and the remainder is used in the form of copper alloy, mainly brass and bronze. The principal melting tool for cathodes is the Asarco shaft furnace. Casting machines are divided into three main types: billet, bar, and strip casting. The bar casters are efficient because their hot bar can be fed directly into continuous rod-rolling machines. The quality of cathode copper is tested severely by its performance during casting, rolling, and drawing to fine wire.
Effect of Temperature on Corrosion of Carbon Steel in Simulated Concrete Pore Solution under Anoxic Conditions

Abstract The effect of temperature on the passive state of carbon steel in simulated concrete pore solution is examined. The mixed potential model (MPM) was used to optimize the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic data to deconvolve the partial anodic (dissolution of the steel) and cathodic reactions (hydrogen evolution). The results show that the dominant donor species within the barrier layer is the iron interstitial. The steady state anodic current density is independent of the applied voltage and increases with increasing temperature. The deconvolved cathodic Hydrogen Electrode Reaction current density is dependent on the applied potential and follows the Tafel relationship.
Can We Reduce Organizational Toxicity by Improving Our Leaders? Hint: Yes, We Can!

This chapter will examine the evidence that helps to explain what great leaders actually do and the impact of their actions on their subordinates. Takeaways for Practitioners Clarification about the characteristics and actions of leaders who are admired and respected in their organizations Insights into the impact of positive leader behaviors on the motivation of those who work with and for them An understanding about how great leaders reduce organizational toxicity and increase organizational effectiveness
Vegetation changes associated with release from cattle grazing in a WI calcareous fen

Although grazing was a part of calcareous fens’ disturbance regimes, few studies have examined the impact of grazing release in these systems, and managers are reticent to experiment with restoring grazing for management purposes. Here I describe vegetation, edaphic, and hydrologic differences in a Wisconsin calcareous fen between areas long-protected (since 1987) from cattle grazing and those protected in 2011, 2.5 years before the study. Vegetation surveys found that the long-protected areas had significantly lower floristic quality, fewer rare and specialist species, and more woody-plant encroachment than areas abandoned in 2011. Interviews with a farmer and air-photo interpretations suggested that vegetation changed in the protected areas around the time of abandonment. Known edaphic and hydrologic drivers of vegetation change in fens (volumetric water content, electrical conductivity, nutrient availability) could not account for the vegetation differences between the two areas. Site histories found no events accounting for these vegetation differences other than grazing. These results suggest that grazing release led to increased shrub encroachment, decline in floristic quality, and-possibly- a decline in specialist and rare species.
Characterization of an outbreak of anthrax in animals in North Dakota

The objective of this study was to characterize an outbreak of anthrax among animals in North Dakota in 2005, and determine characteristics and clinical signs associated with the disease. A total of 243 animals (183 cattle, 32 bison, 11 horses, 11 elk, five sheep and one deer) were diagnosed with anthrax at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at North Dakota State University, Fargo. Anthrax cases were defined as animals with typical clinical signs and positive results of laboratory culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Data for the study were obtained from veterinary laboratory records and questionnaires mailed to producers of affected animals. Anthrax occurred from July 1 to October 12 of 2005. The cases were located in 16 of 53 counties, specifically in eastern North Dakota, with Ransom, Lamoure and Barnes counties reporting most (71%) of the cases. The number of animals affected per premise varied from one to 40. The first cases were reported in bison. Males from all species infected had a higher attack rate (18/1000) than females (3/1000) with a gender ratio of 6:1, respectively. The predominant clinical signs in all cases were sudden death (38%) and bleeding from orifices (17%). Only 11 producers reported having vaccinated animals before the outbreak. Penicillin and tetracycline antibiotics were administered to animals during the outbreak. Forty producers (37%) burned and buried carcasses using commercial disposal services. Sixty-eight producers (63%) disposed of carcasses themselves by either burial only (11%), burned only (4.6%), or burned and buried (84.4%). Animals affected, clinical signs and final outcome were consistent with a natural anthrax outbreak.
Precision Intravenous Immunoglobulin Dosing and Clinical Outcomes: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Objectives Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is used for treatment of acute neurologic conditions such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy relapse, and myasthenia gravis exacerbation. Precision dosing (adjusted or ideal body weight) is proposed to conserve IVIg. There have been no published studies comparing clinical outcomes in traditional dosing (actual body weight) with precision dosing. In 2014, our institution began dosing patients with precision dosing. This decision was largely performed by administration rather than physicians' preference. We sought to analyze our retrospective data to understand the change in dosing methods with neurologic outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients hospitalized at a single center who received IVIg for myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy from January 2010 to October 2017. We collected baseline information and clinical outcomes including mortality, readmission, need for second rescue treatment, length of stay, discharge disposition, treatment-related adverse events, and modified research council posttreatment sum score. Results Length of stay was significantly shorter with precision dosing. There was no statistically significant difference in discharge disposition, readmission, rescue treatment, or modified research council posttreatment sum score with precision dosing. Conclusion Precision dosing did not adversely affect short-term neurologic outcomes.
Discrimination of Single- and Multi-Source Corona Discharges using Deep Residual Network

Partial discharge (PD) is a major aging factor in insulation systems. The first step toward ensuring the health of insulation systems is the identification of PD sources. This would enable the system operator to take proper actions before the occurrence of the final breakdown. This fundamental study targets building and training a deep residual neural network (ResNet) model to detect and discriminate single and multiple sources of corona discharge that are acting simultaneously. The input of the ResNet model is the actual PD measurements under atmospheric pressure for seven electrode configurations: four single-source and three double-source configurations which expands from weakly nonuniform to extremely nonuniform electric field distribution. In this study, the measurement data are converted into standardized phase-resolved PD (PRPD) images that would be further used as input to the optimized ResNet model. The validation of the 62-layer deep neural network is evaluated through 30% randomly chosen images from the original dataset.
Looking Askance: The Changing Shape of “Meat” in Dutch Still Life Painting

This chapter explores the creative iconography of living and dead food animals as emblems of prosperity in Dutch kitchen/banquet scenes. The butchered dead animal bodies represented in the large “market” and “kitchen” still life paintings first popularized during the iconoclastic mid-1500s by artists such as Pieter Aertsen, Joachim Beuckelaer, and Peter Wtewael, and are compared with later artists working during the resurgence of the Dutch Golden Age. Artists such as Frans Snyders, David Teniers, and Pieter Claesz altered kitchen spaces and disguised food animals in various culinary constructs to avert viewers from the gluttonous consumption of meat. In this act of sublimation, the abundance of food animals (however concealed as objects) would be sanctioned in a Protestant ideology as symbolic blessings in a humble mercantile economy, rather than gluttonous objects of greed.
Peridynamic theory of solids from the perspective of classical statistical mechanics

Abstract In this paper the classical statistical mechanics has been explored in order to develop statistical mechanical framework for peridynamics. Peridynamic equation of motion is known as upscaled Newton’s equation. The peridynamic system consists of finite number of nonlocally interacting particles at nano and meso scales. This particle representation of peridynamics can be treated in terms of classical statistical mechanics. Hence, in this work the phase space is constructed based on the PD particle from their evolving momentum p i and positions x i . The statistical ensembles are derived by defining appropriate partition functions . The algorithms for N V E and N P H implemented in the classical molecular dynamics are revisited for equilibrium peridynamic models. The current work introduces Langevin dynamics to the peridynamic theory through fluctuation–dissipation principle. This introduces a heat bath to the peridynamic system which eliminates the ambiguity with the role of temperature in a peridynamic system. Finally, it was seen that the homogenization of a peridynamic model with finite number of particles approaches to a conventional continuum model. The upscaled non-equilibrium peridynamics has potential applications in modeling wide variety of multiscale–multiphysics problems from nano to macro scale or vice versa.
Critical Care Course of Patients with Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion (P1.097)

OBJECTIVE: Characterize critical care course of basilar artery occlusion (BAO). BACKGROUND: It is unclear if advances in neuroimaging, neurocritical care and thrombolysis have impacted the acute course of BAO. DESIGN/METHODS: Observational study performed at two academic centes. Patients with BAO admitted during a 3 year period where identified and the following variables were collected using a standardized form: demographics, time to presentation, NIHSS, site of BAO, therapy ( IV tPA vs. endovascular therapy vs. no therapy), infarct location, and ICU complications. Categorical variables were analyzed with Fishers exact test and continuous variables with proportion of the means test (t test). RESULTS: The sample comprised 59 patients (36/59 men) with median age of 63 (range 35-88) and median NIHSS of 19 (0-37). Median time to presentation was 8 hours (range 1-72). BAO was proximal in 7/59 (12[percnt]), mid in 9/59 (15[percnt]), distal in 23/59 (39[percnt]), multi-focal in 11/59 (19[percnt]), and complete in 9/59 (15[percnt]). A total of 14/59 (24[percnt]) patients did not receive recanalization therapy, while 45/59 (76[percnt]) received IV tPA, endovascular therapy, or combination. ICU complications occurred in 36/59 (61[percnt]) with the most common being extubation failure 26/59(44[percnt] [percnt]) followed by ICU stay > 7 days 20/59 (34[percnt]), need for PEG in 17/59(29 [percnt]), pneumonia 13/59 (22[percnt]), and sepsis 12/59 (20[percnt]). Palliative care was instituted in 19/59 (32[percnt]) patients. The main death cause was withdrawal of care. NIHSS, intubation on admission, and pontine involvement predicted ICU complications (p 0.007, 0.01 and 0.03 respectively). Advanced age predicted withdrawal of care (p 0.02). ICU complications, gastrostomy placement, and extubation failure were associated with prolonged ICU stay (P<0.05 for all).In logistic regression analysis NIHSS was the only independent predictor of ICU complications. CONCLUSIONS: Despite recent advances BAO patients continue to have complicated ICU stay. NIHSS predicts ICU complications while age predicts withdrawal of care. Disclosure: Dr. Chalela has nothing to disclose. Dr. Asi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gomes has nothing to disclose.
Linear Algebra and Linear Codes

In this chapter we review the main ideas of linear algebra. The one twist is that we allow our scalars to come from any field instead of just the field of real numbers. In particular, the notion of a vector space over the field \(\mathbb{Z}_{2}\) will be essential in our study of coding theory. We will also need to look at other finite fields when we discuss Reed–Solomon codes. One benefit to working with finite dimensional vector spaces over finite fields is that all sets in question are finite, and so computers can be useful in working with them.
Requirement for an aromatic amino acid or histidine at the N terminus of Sindbis virus RNA polymerase.

The N terminal amino acid of nonstructural protein nsP4, the viral RNA polymerase, is a tyrosine in all sequenced alphaviruses; this is a destabilizing amino acid for the N-end rule pathway and results in rapid degradation of nsP4 produced in infected cells or in reticulocyte lysates. We have constructed 11 mutants of Sindbis virus bearing Phe, Ala, Thr, Cys, Leu, Met, Asn, Gln, Glu, Arg, or Pro at the N terminus of nsP4. Translation of RNAs in reticulocyte lysates showed that cleavage at the nsP3/nsP4 site occurred efficiently for all mutants except for Glu-nsP4, which was cleaved inefficiently, and Pro-nsP4, which was not detectably cleaved, and that Tyr, Cys, Leu, Arg, and Phe destabilized nsP4 but Ala, Met, Thr, Asn, Gln, and Glu stabilized nsP4 to various extents. The viability of the mutants was examined by transfection of chicken cells at 30 or 40°C. The Phe-nsP4 mutant formed large plaques at both temperatures. The Met-nsP4 mutant was also viable but formed small plaques at 30°C and minute plaques at 40°C. The remaining mutants did not form plaques at either temperature. However, after prolonged incubation at 30°C, all the mutants except Glu-nsP4 and Pro-nsP4 produced viable viruses. In the case of Cys-, Leu-, Asn-, Gln-, or Arg-nsP4, revertants that were indistinguishable in plaque phenotype from the wild-type virus arose by same-site reversion to Tyr, Trp, Phe, or His by a single nucleotide substitution in the original mutant codon. Viable viruses also arose from the Ala-, Leu-, Cys-, Thr-, Asn-, Gln-, and Arg-nsP4 mutants that retained the original mutations at the N terminus of nsP4, but these viruses formed smaller plaques than the wild-type virus and many were temperature sensitive. Our results indicate that only nsP4s bearing N-terminal Tyr, Phe, Trp, or His have wild-type or near-wild-type activity for RNA replication and that rapid degradation of nsP4 is not a prerequisite for its function. nsP4s bearing other N-terminal residues, with the exception of Met-nsP4, have only very low or negligible activity, so that no detectable infectious virus can be produced. However, suppressor mutations can arise that enable most such nsP4s to regain significant but still suboptimal activity.
Antiproton fast ignition for Inertial Confinement Fusion

With 180MJ/{micro}g, antiprotons offer the highest stored energy per unit mass of any known entity. We investigate the use of antiprotons to promote fast ignition in an ICF capsule and seek high gains with only modest compression of the main fuel. Unlike standard fast ignition where the ignition energy is supplied by an energetic, short pulse laser, the energy here is supplied through the ionization energy deposited when antiprotons annihilate at the center of a compressed fuel capsule. In the first of two candidate fast ignition schemes, the antiproton package is delivered by a low energy external ion beam. In the second, ''autocatalytic'' scheme, the antiprotons are pre-emplaced at the center of the capsule prior to compression. In both schemes, we estimate that {approximately}3x10{sup 13} antiprotons are required to initiate fast ignition in a typical ICF capsule and show that incorporation of a thin, heavy metal shell is desirable to enhance energy deposition in the igniter zone. In addition to obviating the need for a second energetic fast laser and vulnerable final optics, this scheme would achieve central without reliance on laser channeling through halo plasma or houlrahm debris. However, in addition to the unknowns involved in the storage andmore » manipulation of antiprotons at low energy, the other large uncertainty for the practicality of such a scheme is the ultimate efficiency of antiproton production in, an external, optimized facility.« less
Developing the Person–Environment Apathy Rating for persons with dementia

Objectives: To develop the Person–Environment Apathy Rating (PEAR) scale that measures environmental stimulation and apathy in persons with dementia and to evaluate its psychometrics.Method: The PEAR scale consists of the PEAR-Environment subscale and PEAR-Apathy subscales. The items were developed via literature review, field testing, expert review, and pilot testing. The construct validity and reliability were examined through video observation. The parent study enrolled 185 institutionalized residents with dementia. For this study, 96 videos were selected from 24 participants. The PEAR-Environment subscale was validated using the Ambiance Scale and the Crowding Index. The PEAR-Apathy subscale was validated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)-Apathy, Passivity in Dementia Scale (PDS), and NPI-Depression.Results: The PEAR-Environment subscale and PEAR-Apathy subscales each consists of six items rated on a 1–4 scale. For validity, the Crowding Index slightly, yet significantly, correlated with the ...
Use of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to identify and classify Rhizobium strains.

Fifty-seven strains of various Rhizobium species were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Since the protein pattern on such gels is a reflection of the genetic background of the tested strains, similarities in pattern allowed us to estimate the relatedness between these strains. All group II rhizobia (slow growing) were closely related and were very distinct from group I rhizobia (fast growing). Rhizobium meliloti strains formed a distinct group. The collection of R. leguminosarum and R. trifolii strains together formed another distinct group. Although there were some similarities within the R. phaseoli, sesbania rhizobia, and lotus rhizobia, the members within these seemed much more diverse than the members of the above groups. The technique also is useful to determine whether two unknown strains are identical. Images
Understanding bilirubin conformation and binding. Circular dichroism of human serum albumin complexes with bilirubin and its esters.

Human serum albumin binds tightly and noncovalently to a wide variety of hydrophobic bilirubins, including (4Z,15Z)-bilirubin-IX alpha, its dimethyl ester and mono methyl esters, its mono 2-butyl esters and amides, the dimethyl ester of (4Z,15Z)-mesobilirubin-IV alpha, and even (4Z,15Z)-etiobilirubin-IV gamma. The heteroassociation complexes formed from these highly water-insoluble pigments and the protein can be prepared in pH 7.4 aqueous by using a small quantity of dimethyl sulfoxide as amphiphilic carrier. In those solutions the protein acts as a water-soluble chiral complexation agent to induce an asymmetric transformation of the bound pigment. This is recognized by positive chirality, bisignate induced circular dichroism (CD) Cotton effects that fall in the region of the bichromophoric pigment's long wavelength UV-visible absorption band and are characteristic of intramolecular exciton coupling of the bilirubin component pyrromethenone chromophores. The same-signed CD spectra shared by all the pigments of this work indicate selection at the protein binding site for a positive chirality conformer and suggest a common binding site. The CD intensities, which are greatest ([delta epsilon[congruent to 50) for pigments with one or two free carboxyl groups, are consistent with a binding model where one salt linkage plays a major role in the enantioselectivity of the right-handed folded conformation stabilized by inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds.
Feeding-entrained circadian rhythms are attenuated by lesions of the parabrachial region in rats

Rats anticipate daily restricted meals with increased approaches to a feeder and an increase in core body temperature. Food anticipatory activity (FAA) is thought to be under the control of a feeding-entrained circadian oscillator. Although numerous forebrain lesions have failed to permanently abolish FAA, the hindbrain has not been investigated. The parabrachial nuclei (PBN) integrate information from visceral and gustatory afferents. This region is also innervated by neurons in the area postrema that have access to the peripheral circulation. Therefore, it is possible that this region plays a role in triggering FAA. In two experiments, a total of 19 rats were given ibotenic acid or electrolytic lesions targeted at the PBN. The PBN-lesioned animals showed a marked attenuation in anticipatory approaches to the food bin relative to sham-operated controls. Some animals did not anticipate the meal at all. In addition, the expected increase in core body temperature was severely attenuated in the PBN-lesioned animals compared with controls. The most likely interpretation of these data is that the PBN serve as a relay for information about the zeitgeber (food in the gut) or as a clock output pathway, but not as the site of the feeding-entrained circadian oscillator.
Evaluating image processing algorithms that predict regions of interest

Abstract Several bottom-up, context-free, algorithms for the detection of regions of interest in pictures were analyzed, evaluated and compared. Our aim is to develop new criteria related to human performance for these algorithms and perhaps to be able to design more biologically plausible perceptive machines. We introduce the statistical and computational platform we have been using to compare sequences of regions of interest, both biological (eye movements) and artificial (algorithms).
Design and Development of the Blackbird: Challenges and Lessons Learned

The Lockheed Blackbirds hold a unique place in the development of aeronautics. In their day, the A-12, YF-12, M-21, D-21, and SR-71 variants outperformed all other jet airplanes in terms of altitude and speed. Now retired, they remain the only production aircraft capable of sustained Mach 3 cruise and operational altitudes above 80,000 feet. In this paper the author describes the design evolution of the Blackbird from Lockheed's early Archangel studies for the Central Intelligence Agency through Senior Crown, production of the Air Force's SR-71. He describes the construction and materials challenges faced by Lockheed, the Blackbird's performance characteristics and capabilities, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's role in using the aircraft as a flying laboratory to collect data on materials, structures, loads, heating, aerodynamics, and performance for high-speed aircraft.
Nuclear resonance fluorescence from the 343 keV level of Lu175

Abstract Resonance fluorescence from the 343 keV level of Lu175 was studied with the centrifuge method. Assuming a branching ratio Γ0/Γ = 0.883 to the ground state, a mean gamma life of the 343 keV transition τ γ ( 343 ) = (4.7±0.4) × 10 −10 s was calculated from the resonance scattering measured at different source velocities. The angular distribution of the 343 keV resonance radiation from a Lu2O3 powder scatterer is isotropic. Combining the lifetime of the 343 keV level with the range of the mixing ratio δ 2 = E2 M1 consistent with conversion studies and the angular distribution, one calculates that the M1 transition from the 343 keV level to the ground state is hindered by a factor of 700 over the single particle prediction. This hindrance is a factor of 4 × 103s less than in a similar M1 transition from the 482 keV level to the ground state in Ta181, despite the fact that both γ-rays result from hindered transitions between the same orbitals.
Job scheduling using fuzzy load balancing in distributed system

The authors present a batch job scheduler for a distributed system which utilises a fuzzy logic algorithm to balance the load on individual processors and maximise the throughput of the overall system. The fuzzy algorithm has been implemented in a production processing environment rather than in simulation only. The power and simplicity of a fuzzy load balancing algorithm incorporated into a batch job scheduler is demonstrated, producing excellent performance and reliable characteristics.
Analysis of Factors That Affect FlgM-Dependent Type III Secretion for Protein Purification with Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

The FlgM protein is secreted in response to flagellar hook-basal body secretion and can be used as a secretion signal to direct selected protein secretion via the flagellar type III secretion (T3S) system [H. M. Singer, M. Erhardt, A. M. Steiner, M. M. Zhang, D. Yoshikami, G. Bulaj, B. M. Olivera, and K. T. Hughes, mBio 3(3):e00115-12, 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00115-12]. Conditions known to affect flagellar gene expression, FlgM stability, and flagellar T3S were tested either alone or in combination to determine their effects on levels of secreted FlgM. These conditions included mutations that affect activity of the flagellar FlhD4C2 master regulatory protein complex or the FlgM T3S chaperone σ(28), the removal of Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (Spi1), the removal of flagellar late secretion substrates that could compete with FlgM for secretion, and changes in the ionic strength of the growth medium. Conditions that enhanced FlgM secretion were combined in order to maximize levels of secreted FlgM. An optimized FlgM secretion strain was used to secrete and isolate otherwise difficult-to-produce proteins and peptides fused to the C terminus of FlgM. These include cysteine-rich, hydrophobic peptides (conotoxins δ-SVIE and MrVIA), nodule-specific, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides (NCR), and a malaria surface antigen domain of apical membrane antigen AMA-1.
The Role of Content Literacy in an Effective RTI Program

Response to Intervention as a model for an elementary or middle school reading program is predicated on the idea that effective instruction will prevent most reading difficulties from ever occurring. The frontline of prevention is Tier I or the general education classroom. The classroom is also where students should receive high-quality content literacy instruction. Along with the expanding influence of RTI, the new common core standards with their emphasis on literacy in the service of content learning is likely to exert additional influence on classroom teachers to provide responsive content literacy instruction to all students.
Phantom Pacemaker Programming

Spurious or “phuntom” programming of programmable pacemakers may occur as the result of two phenomena. One is change in rate and/or output of the generator from an anomalous source (dysprogramming); the other is a generator response different from that intended and set on the conventional programmer (misprogramming). In either case, the result is a nuisance, at best. Conceivably, at worst, an irreversible subthreshold output could be induced. Despite wide usage of such devices, neither event has been reported, in the routine folow-up of 95 implanted Cordis Omni-Stanicor®† generators, we have observed three instances of dysprogramming upon application of a magnet commonly used to induce the asynchronous mode. Subsequent in vitro studies revealed magnetically induced programming reed switch vibration in 9 of 6,680 units, which could account for the in vivo observations. We also describe many instances of misprogramming, attributable, in most cases, to a faulty programmer emission count. In this series, none of the anomalies was clinically detrimental. However, anyone involved in pacemaker follow-up should be alerted to the existence of these potentially hazardous phenomena.
Prostate cancer screening in younger men: Prostate-specific antigen and public awareness

Abstract The American Cancer Society recommends annual digital rectalexamination for men over forty years of age. We evaluated 414 men between forty and fifty-nine years of age with a questionnaire, digital rectal examination (DRE), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) determination. One hundred ninety were forty to forty-nine years old, and 224 were fifty to fifty-nine years old. Four patients in the forty to forty-nine age group had elevated PSA determinations, and 7 had abnormal findings on DRE. Using prostate ultrasound and biopsy, no cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed. Ten patients in the fifty to fifty-nine age group had elevated PSA determinations, and 5 were diagnosed to have prostate cancer. These data suggest that PSA may have utility in detecting cancer in younger men.