cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low-noise CMOS integrated sensing electronics for capacitive MEMS strain sensors

This paper describes a high-performance strain sensing microsystem. A MEMS capacitive strain sensor converts an input strain to a capacitance change with a sensitivity of 26.5 aF per 0.1 /spl mu//spl epsiv/. Low-noise integrated sensing electronics, employing a continuous time synchronous detection architecture, convert the capacitive signal to an output voltage for further signal processing. The prototype microsystem achieves a minimum detectable strain of 0.09 /spl mu//spl epsiv/ over a 10 kHz bandwidth with a dynamic range of 81 dB. The sensing electronics consume 1.5 mA from a 3 V supply.
Complex Coronary Angioplasty: A Technique for Dilatation of Bifurcation Stenoses

Bifurcation stenoses have been recognized to be at "high risk" for acute closure during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Use of the traditional single balloon technique in such situations often results in acute closure or worsening of the stenosis in the other branch. A technique utilizing simultaneous inflation of two balloons, ("kissing balloon" technique) has been utilized to avoid this complication. A double balloon technique has been developed using sequential inflations rather than simultaneous inflations to preserve the integrity of both branches while avoiding the arterial trauma produced by inflating two balloons in a small artery simultaneously. Twelve of 13 bifurcation stenoses were successfully treated with this sequential inflation double balloon technique. (Primary success rate = 92%).
A sequential detection approach to state estimation of linear systems driven by self-excited point processes

A sequential detection scheme is used to determine the approximate occurrence times of impulses in a self-excited point process which drives a scalar linear system. Observations of the state are corrupted by additive white Gaussian noise. The state estimate is constructed on the basis of the detected impulses. The approach was chosen because of its explicit dependence on a priori statistics. This dependence is highly desirable, given the elaborate input model assumed. >
EcoJustice as Ecological Literacy is Much More than Being “Green!”

According to C. A. Bowers, the key point of his online book, Transforming Environmental Education ( Transforming EE, 2006), is to emphasize that the commons become a major focus of schooling beyond...
ST-elevation myocardial infarction as a complication of retrograde chronic total occlusion recanalization.

With the advent of new tools and techniques including the retrograde approach, success rates for recanalization of chronic total occlusion (CTO) have improved. Numerous cardiac and extracardiac complications during retrograde CTO recanalization have been described. To date the development of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with retrograde recanalization as a result of atheroembolization has not been reported. We report such a case following retrograde recanalization of a totally occluded right coronary artery. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Late pregnancy complications can affect risk estimates of elective induction of labor.

Objective. Multiple observational studies have emphasized the increased risk of elective induction versus spontaneous labor. We estimated the risks of elective induction before 39 weeks compared to expectant management.Methods. Using a single institution's delivery data (1996–2004), we identified women with uncomplicated term gestations who underwent elective induction before 39 weeks (Early Induction Group). A comparison group of women eligible for elective induction before 39 weeks but who were managed expectantly was created by identifying the remaining deliveries ≥39 weeks and excluding women with “established” pregnancy complications such as diabetes or heart disease (Expectant Management Group), but retaining women with complications that may have developed while waiting, e.g. gestational hypertension or abruption.Results. Pregnancies in the Early Induction Group were generally not at increased risk for morbidity when compared to the entire Expectant Management Group, in whom 49% developed pregnancy...
V˙o 2 kinetics of mild exercise are altered by RER

We propose that variations in fat and carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation by working muscle alter O2 uptake (V˙o 2) kinetics. This hypothesis provides two predictions:1) the kinetics should comprise two e...
Regulation of melanotropin release from the pars intermedia of the amphibian Xenopus laevis: Evaluation of the involvement of serotonergic, cholinergic, or adrenergic receptor mechanisms

Abstract Melanophore-stimulating hormone (MSH) release from the pars intermedia of the pituitary gland is probably regulated by multiple factors of hypothalamic origin. We have examined a number of potential regulatory factors for their effects on MSH release from the amphibian Xenopus laevis . Serotonin and acetylcholine have no effect on MSH release. Both adrenaline and noradrenaline inhibit release of MSH in a dose-dependent manner. Studies with specific receptor agonists and antagonists reveal that these neurotransmitters exert their in vitro effects primarily through a dopamine D-2 receptor, although and α-adrenergic receptor could not be excluded. We further conclude that the pars intermedia of X. laevis lacks a β-adrenergic receptor for the regulation of MSH secretion from the pars intermedia. In mammals, this receptor activates the adenylate cyclase system. Our studies reveal that despite the lack of β-adrenergic receptors, cyclic-AMP is likely an intracellular factor involved in the stimulation of MSH release.
Lubrication of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Chain Orientation by Carbon Nano-Chips in Composite Tapes

The extraordinary structural properties of graphene and carbon nanotube materials motivate the development of practical methods for their use in fabricating continuous, strong, and tough composite fibers. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/carbon nano-chip fiber (CNCF) composite tapes with 0.5 wt % loading show that Young's modulus, tensile strength, and toughness are increased by 585%, 653%, and 20%, respectively as compared to the control (PVA) tapes. Nano-chips exfoliated from the CNCF during processing, lubricate polymer chain alignment, and orientation during drawing, where composite tapes could be drawn to higher draw ratios compared with the control tapes. As a result, the Herman's orientation factor (f) increased from 0.5 (control tape) to 0.8 (composite tape). Theoretical analysis shows similar to 16 vol % of the composite tapes consists of fully oriented PVA chains, which contributes to its exceptional mechanical performance. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 127: 2977-2982, 2013
Targeting Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents at the Molecular Level

After the September 11 tragedies of 2001, scientists and law-enforcement agencies have shown increasing concern that terrorist organizations and their “rogue” foreign government-backers may resort to the use of chemical and/or biological agents against U.S. military or civilian targets. In addition to the right mix of policies, including security measures, intelligence gathering and training for medical personnel on how to recognize symptoms of biochemical warfare agents, the major success in combating terrorism lies in how best to respond to an attack using reliable analytical sensors. The public and regulatory agencies expect sensing methodologies and devices for homeland security to be very reliable. Quality data can only be generated by using analytical sensors that are validated and proven to be under strict design criteria, development and manufacturing controls. Electrochemical devices are ideally suited for obtaining the desired analytical information in a faster, simpler, and cheaper manner compared to traditional (lab-based) assays and hence for meeting the requirements of decentralized biodefense applications. This articler presents a review of the major trends in monitoring technologies for chemical and biological warfare (CBW) agents. It focuses on research and development of sensors (particularly electrochemical ones), discusses how advances in molecular recognition might be used to design new multimission networked sensors (MULNETS) for homeland security. Decision flow-charts for choosing particular analytical techniques for CBW agents are presented. Finally, the paths to designing sensors to meet the needs of today's measurement criteria are analyzed.
The Market for Service Assurance: A Model and Data Structure

Market transactions entail a certain level of risk. To mitigate the risk, third parties often provide independent evaluations to help patrons make decisions about whether to use a service or not. These "assurances" help stimulate more confidence and choice by would-be service consumers. Thus the extent of the service market is determined by the existence, use, and confidence in third party assurances. Assurances are the key because: a) the poorer services are driven out of business and b) the better services receive more feedback on how to improve. No longer do service organizations need to spend as much on surveys, etc. because there is a significant third-party network acting as a feedback loop or "cloud" database management system. We explore this topic and provide case studies of third party assurance providers as well as a paradigm for data structures in this industry.
Prescription of topiramate to treat alcohol use disorders in the Veterans Health Administration.

As a quality improvement metric, the US Veterans Health Administration (VHA) monitors the proportion of patients with alcohol use disorders (AUD) who receive FDA approved medications for alcohol dependence (naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram). Evidence supporting the off-label use of the antiepileptic medication topiramate to treat alcohol dependence may be as strong as these approved medications. However, little is known about the extent to which topiramate is used in clinical practice. The goal of this study was to describe and examine the overall use, facility-level variation in use, and patient -level predictors of topiramate prescription for patients with AUD in the VHA. Using national VHA administrative data in a retrospective cohort study, we examined time trends in topiramate use from fiscal years (FY) 2009–2012, and predictors of topiramate prescription in 375,777 patients identified with AUD (ICD-9-CM codes 303.9x or 305.0x) treated in 141 VHA facilities in FY 2011. Among VHA patients with AUD, rates of topiramate prescription have increased from 0.99% in FY 2009 to 1.95% in FY 2012, although substantial variation across facilities exists. Predictors of topiramate prescription were female sex, young age, alcohol dependence diagnoses, engagement in both mental health and addiction specialty care, and psychiatric comorbidity. Veterans Health Administration facilities are monitored regarding the extent to which patients with AUD are receiving FDA-approved pharmacotherapy. Not including topiramate in the metric, which is prescribed more often than acamprosate and disulfiram combined, may underestimate the extent to which VHA patients at specific facilities and overall are receiving pharmacotherapy for AUD.
Characterization of desnutrin functional domains: critical residues for triacylglycerol hydrolysis in cultured cells

Murine desnutrin/human ATGL is a triacylglycerol (TAG) hydrolase with a predicted catalytic dyad within an α-β hydrolase fold in the N-terminal region. In humans, mutations resulting in C-terminal truncation cause neutral lipid storage disease with myopathy. To identify critical functional domains, we measured TAG breakdown in cultured cells by mutated or truncated desnutrin. In vitro, C-terminally truncated desnutrin displayed an even higher apparent Vmax than the full-length form without changes in Km, which may be explained by our finding of an interaction between the C- and N-terminal domains. In live cells, however, C-terminally truncated adenoviral desnutrin had lower TAG hydrolase activity. We investigated a role for the phosphorylation of C-terminal S406 and S430 residues but found that these were not necessary for TAG breakdown or lipid droplet localization in cells. The predicted N-terminal active sites, S47 and D166, were both critical for TAG hydrolysis in live cells and in vitro. We also identified two overlapping N-terminal motifs that predict lipid substrate binding domains, a glycine-rich motif (underlined) and an amphipathic α-helix (bold) within amino acid residues 10–24 (ISFAGCGFLGVYHIG). G14, F17, L18, and V20, but not G16 and G19, were important for TAG hydrolysis, suggesting a potential role for the amphipathic α-helix in TAG binding. This study identifies for the first time critical sites in the N-terminal region of desnutrin and reveals the requirement of the C-terminal region for TAG hydrolysis in cultured cells.
TGF-β Signaling in Fibroblastic Cells and Oncogenesis

The growth factor and cytokine, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), is known for both its tumor suppressive and inductive properties. Its understanding has recently been expanded from epithelial to stromal fibroblastic cells. The observation that the loss of TGF-β responsivity in the stromal fibroblastic cells can initiate neoplastic progression in adjacent epithelial cells from the prostate and the forestomach indicated that TGF-β has a tumor suppressive role not only in responsivity of epithelia but through paracrine signals from the stroma. Interestingly, the transgenic mouse model with the loss of TGF-β receptor type II in the stromal fibroblasts had little overt neoplastic effect on the other tissues. In particular, the stromal cells of the mammary gland expressed some of the same oncogenic growth factors as that of the prostate and the forestomach yet only ductal development was altered. However, when the same mammary stromal cells devoid of TGF-β responsivity was recombined with mammary epithelial cells expressing the polyoma middle T antigen, the mammary tumors that formed had greater infiltration in the circulation. These reports suggest stromal TGF-β responsivity is involved in the initiation, progression and metastasis of cancer in a tissue specific manner.
A Cross-Layer Multicore Architecture to Tradeoff Program Accuracy and Resilience Overheads

To protect multicores from soft-error perturbations, resiliency schemes have been developed with high coverage but high power/performance overheads ( $\sim$ 2 $\times$ ). We observe that not all soft-errors affect program correctness, some soft-errors only affect program accuracy, i.e., the program completes with certain acceptable deviations from soft-error free outcome. Thus, it is practical to improve processor efficiency by trading off resilience overheads with program accuracy. We propose the idea of declarative resilience that selectively applies resilience schemes to both crucial and non-crucial code, while ensuring program correctness. At the application level, crucial and non-crucial code is identified based on its impact on the program outcome. The hardware collaborates with software support to enable efficient resilience with 100 percent soft-error coverage. Only program accuracy is compromised in the worst-case scenario of a soft-error strike during non-crucial code execution. For a set of multithreaded benchmarks, declarative resilience improves completion time by an average of 21 percent over state-of-the-art hardware resilience scheme that protects all executed code. Its performance overhead is $\sim$ 1.38 $\times$ over a multicore that does not support resilience.
Scalable Bayesian nonparametric dictionary learning

We derive a stochastic EM algorithm for scalable dictionary learning with the beta-Bernoulli process, a Bayesian nonpara-metric prior that learns the dictionary size in addition to the sparse coding of each signal. The core EM algorithm provides a new way for doing inference in nonparametric dictionary learning models and has a close similarity to other sparse coding methods such as K-SVD. Our stochastic extension for handling large data sets is closely related to stochastic variational inference, with the stochastic update for one parameter exactly that found using SVI. We show our algorithm compares well with K-SVD and total variation minimization on a denoising problem using several images.
Learning from the Developing World

This article is based on a presentation at an October 2004 conference on agriculture, trade, and development. It elaborates upon the following themes: (1) Regardless of their stage of economic development, agricultural activity in all countries has certain common characteristics, which provide a basis for dialogue and mutual understanding. (2) To the extent developed countries intend to honor their rather general and vague commitment to assist developing countries through trade, the unique circumstances of each trading partner in the developing world should be properly evaluated and one size fits all solutions eschewed. (3) In the case of the United States, learning from developing countries, so as to better assist them, entails remembering our own history, which includes a long period when most Americans were employed in agriculture.
Empirical selection of antibiotics for hand infections.

Bacterial cultures and antibiotic sensitivity tests in a series of recent infections of the hand and forearm were analyzed. Staphylococci (58.6 per cent), beta hemolytic streptococci (12.1 per cent), and Escherichia coli (8.3 per cent) were the organisms most frequently isolated. Knowledge of the gram stain property of organism aids considerably in the empirical selection of antibiotics while awaiting positive identification and sensitivity reports. The possibility of encountering gram positive and gram negative organisms together in an acute infection is extremely small. More than 98 per cent of all gram positive organisms were sensitive to lincomycin, chloramphenicol, and methicillin. Empirical selections of antibiotics for unidentified gram negative organisms are less certain, but kanamycin showed statistical superiority (85.6 per cent). Penicillin for gram positive organisms and streptomycin for gram negative organisms had the highest rates of resistance.
The Politics of Law - Introduction and Contents

In "The Politics of Law, A Progressive Critique", now in its third edition, over 30 scholars from many disciplines and law practitioners develop a range of progressive approaches to the nature, social role, and functioning of the law primarily by focusing on particular issues and fields of law, rather than by discussing law only abstractly. This introduction to the third edition explores what 'government by law, not people' means for democracy and society if there are not legally required rules and results in particular cases, especially in a country like the U.S. that turns over such a broad range of decisions and issues to courts and judges. The law serves to limit the scope of democracy and to depoliticize - removing vital issues from the public agenda, casting things as they are as achieved without the need for any human agency, and providing apparent legitimacy to existing social and power relations. Public debate about courts and law is usually consumed by complaints about judicial activism from those who hold moral or political views not, or no longer, held by a majority on the Supreme Court. A closer look at judicial restraint and activism reveals patterns and generalizations that have more to do with substantive goals than judicial means. There are only two periods in our history characterized by sustained judicial protection of a progressive version of civil or human rights, from about 1937 to 1944 and 1961 to 1973, and they correspond to periods of sustained progressive political power led by powerful mass movements. Many or perhaps most of the significant and lasting civil rights were established, even in the judicially active 1960s, by Congress, rather than, as conventional wisdom would have it, by the Supreme Court. Nor have the courts provided much protection for groups and individuals facing repression. We should step out of the cyclic and essentially meaningless debates about judicial restraint and address the now decades-long expansion of judicial and executive power and the fractured political and electoral process that have contributed significantly to an American crisis of democracy.
The study of health education program to the discharged patients with chronic heart failure

Objective: To investigate the effects of a comprehensive health education program on the patients with chronic heart failure.Methods: Two hundred and four patients with chronic heart failure were followed up for three years. During follow-up period, a healtheducation program was given to the patients and the compaints and signs of the patients , freqencies of participating the education program, as well as cardic function were recorded. Results: Compared to the patients who fewer paticipated the education program, those whoregularly took part in the program had a improved cardiac function, a lower mortality and rehospitalization. Conclusion: The comprehensivehealth education program can improve the prognosis of the patients with chronic heart failure.
Clinical Control Study of Jingling Liquid in Treatment of SID Belong to Hepatorenal Asthenia

Objective:To investigate the effect of Jingling liquid in treating the children with SID belong to hepatorenal asthenia and to compare the effect of treating the SID with medication combined sensory integration training and only with sensory integration training.Methods:68 children SID belong to hepatorenal asthenia were collected and divided into the study group and the control group.The study group was prescribed for one course of Jingling liquid and received sensory integration training while the control group only received sensory integration training.The Sensory Integration Function tests and the Conner's Parent Rating scale were used to evaluate the effect before and after therapy.Results:The scores of the vestibule balance dysfunction,tactile perception dysfunction,Somatosensory dysfunction and learning disabilities of sensory integration abilities in the study group increased more significantly than those of the control group.The factor scores of Conner's Parent Rating scale including conduct disorder,learning problem,impulsive-hyperactive behavior,hyperactive index,and Psychosomatic disorder in the study group also improve more significantly than those of the control group after treatment(P0.05).Conclusion:Jingling liquid is effective in the treatment of the children with SID belong to hepatorenal asthenia.
Technologies Converge and Power Diffuses

Dramatic improvements in robotics, artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing), and nanoenergetics are dramatically changing the character of conflict in all domains. The convergence of these new and improving technologies is creating a massive increase in capabilities available to smaller and smaller political entities — extending even to the individual. This increase provides smaller powers with capabilities that used to be the preserve of major powers. Moreover, these small, smart, and cheap weapons based on land, sea, or air may be able to dominate combat.This new diffusion of power has major implications for the conduct of warfare and national strategy. Because even massive investment in mature technology leads to only incremental improvement in capabilities, the proliferation of many small and smart weapons may simply overwhelm a few exceptionally capable and complex systems. The advances may force the United States to rethink its procurement plans, force structure, and force posture. The diffusion of power will also greatly complicate U.S. responses to various crises, reduce its ability to influence events with military force, and should require policymakers and military planners to thoughtfully consider future policies and strategy.
Amelioration of EAE by a cryptic epitope of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein.

Abstract Previous work demonstrated that EAE induced by recombinant human MOG was B cell-dependent. Data presented here reveal a T cell response to MOG61–85 in human rMOG-immunized B cell −/− mice not observed in WT mice. Further study revealed this peptide to be a cryptic epitope in WT mice. Co-immunization of B cell −/− mice with MOG35–55 and MOG61–85 peptides led to less severe disease compared to mice immunized with MOG35–55 alone. Disease amelioration was associated with decreased production of Interferon-γ by lymph node cells. Thus, MOG61–85 represents a protective epitope to human rMOG induced EAE in B cell −/− mice.
30 years of IJGIS: the changing landscape of geographical information science and the road ahead

The International Journal of Geographic Information Science IJGIS, established in 1987, is the first academic journal devoted solely to Geographical Information Science GIS research. This editorial highlights milestones of the journal development and its influences on the field. IJGIS research articles and special issues have been effective in publishing the state of the art and emerging research accomplishments. In light of the changing landscape of GIS, IJGIS welcome papers on meta-analysis studies, literature reviews, and research foresight. This editorial outlines the underlying thinking and expectations for these papers in future volumes. IJGIS aspires to publish research of high novelty and broad interest that pushes the boundary of fundamental and applied GIS. As an independent, multidisciplinary journal driven by the community of authors, reviewers, and readers, community support is key to realizing the aspiration of a major influence on GIS research.
Current practice and future directions in the assessment of intelligence in schools around the world: Comment, with a focus on research methodology

This fascinating collection of articles from across the world focuses on the history and use of intelligence tests with children and youth. Scholars from nine countries wrote around a common series...
Record efficiency and gain at 2.1 GHz of high power RF transistors for cellular and 3G base stations

Improved RF performance of Motorola's next generation HV6 high power RF-LDMOS transistor is demonstrated. In the 2.1 GHz band, with a two-carrier WCDMA signal, a 29% drain efficiency is achieved at -37 dBc IM3 and 20 W of output power, along with a high power gain of over 16.5 dB. To our knowledge, this is the highest combination of efficiency and linearity ever reported on a high power part of any technology or material system in that frequency band. A PAE of 62% at 100 W (P/sub 3dB/) is also achieved.
An ultracapacitor-powered race car update

In 2004 BYU researchers reported on a General Motors EV1 vehicle that they received from G.M. and modified to run on ultracapacitors. The EV1 set a world's record as the fastest modified-production electric vehicle in national competition, as well as the world's only reported capacitor-powered race car. During the past year planned modifications have been implemented and the car has broken its previous record by 1.8 seconds. This paper summarizes the changes that were made and presents the most recent race results
The Voice of a Condor (Chile, Palestine) 2014 Color 45 min. In Spanish and Arabic w/English subtitles. Director/Producer: Hebat-Allah El Attar; Distributor: Hebat-Allah El Attar (e-mail: h.elattar@csuohio.edu).

The Voice of a Condor opens with Reverend Naim Ateek's humorous anecdote about Americans who are unaware that Christianity “was born” in Palestine and that there are, in fact, Christian Arabs. Even in academic circles, discussion of Palestinians tends to focus narrowly on the Muslim Palestinians in Israel and residents of the occupied territories or refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon. Christian Palestinians once comprised more than ten percent of the population, but their numbers have been declining in the Holy Lands for more than a century. Today, they represent less than two percent of the population.
A 30-Year Scoping Review of the Physical Education Teacher Satisfaction Literature

ABSTRACTWhile stress has always been present in the teaching profession, recent trends such as standardized testing and school and teacher accountability may be making teachers’ work more stressful. Teacher satisfaction research has emerged as a popular lens through which to understand how teachers experience their work. This scoping review sought to summarize the literature related to physical education teacher satisfaction published between 1987 and 2016. A total of 20 articles that reported research from 11 different countries were identified for inclusion. Thematic analysis of the study results led to the construction of four themes: (a) levels of physical education teacher satisfaction vary by level and context; (b) demographic variables do not reliably predict satisfaction; (c) intrinsic and psychosocial variables influence job satisfaction; and (d) the workplace and interpersonal relationships influence job satisfaction. Results are discussed and recommendations provided, particularly related to a ...
Identity method reexamined

This paper discusses the impact of finite particle losses associated with instrumental effects in measurements of moments of produced multiplicities with the identity method towards the evaluation of fluctuation measures such as ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\mathrm{dyn}}$. One finds that the identity method remains applicable provided it is modified to determine factorial moments $\ensuremath{\langle}N(N\ensuremath{-}1)\ensuremath{\rangle}$, rather than moments $\ensuremath{\langle}{N}^{2}\ensuremath{\rangle}$. It is further demonstrated that ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\mathrm{dyn}}$ remains robust if detection efficiencies are uniform across the measurement's acceptance. The robustness is lost, however, if detection efficiencies are momentum dependent, although the identity method remains applicable provided detection efficiencies can be determined with sufficient accuracy.
Isolation of Newly Transcribed RNA Using the Metabolic Label 4-Thiouridine

Isolation of newly transcribed RNA is an invaluable approach that can be used to study the dynamic life of RNA in cellulo. Traditional methods of whole-cell RNA extraction limit subsequent gene expression analyses to the steady-state levels of RNA abundance, which often masks changes in RNA synthesis and processing. This chapter describes a methodology with low cytotoxicity that permits the labeling and isolation of nascent pre-mRNA in cell culture. The resulting isolate is suitable for use in a series of downstream applications aimed at studying changes in RNA synthesis, processing, or stability.
Control of DNA methylation in fungi

Fungi represent an evolutionarily diverse set of eukaryotic organisms including, for example, mushrooms, slime molds, true molds and yeasts. Methylation of cytosines in DNA has been observed in many but not all fungi (Table 1). Considering the diversity of eukaryotic organisms with DNA methylation, it is possible that this modification serves distinct roles in higher and lower eukaryotes and even distinct roles in different fungi. The control of methylation may also differ in different eukaryotes. Why study methylation in fungi? First, studying methylation in fungi may reveal novel biological phenomena. The discovery of repeat- induced point mutation (RIP) occurred in this way (Selker et al., 1987b; Selker, 1990b). Second, fungi offer favorable systems to address general questions having to do with DNA methylation. Some fungi are extremely amenable to both genetic and molecular approaches, and may provide the easiest, fastest and cheapest means to understand the basics of the control and function of DNA methylation in eukaryotes. Since studies of DNA methylation in fungi are still in their infancy, in this chapter I will point out some attractions of studying methylation in fungi such as the ascomycete Neurospora crassa, the organism with which I am most familiar.
Correction: Mono- and tri-ester hydrogenolysis using tandem catalysis. Scope and mechanism

Correction for ‘Mono- and tri-ester hydrogenolysis using tandem catalysis. Scope and mechanism’ by Tracy L. Lohr et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2016, 9, 550–564.
Outcomes for Women with Minimal-Volume Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Completely Excised at Core Biopsy

Overdiagnosis and overtreatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are concerns, especially for women with low-volume, screen-detected DCIS. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes for such patients. Women who had minimal-volume DCIS (mDCIS, defined as DCIS diagnosed by core biopsy but with no residual disease on the surgical excision) treated with breast-conserving surgery from 1990 to 2011 were identified. Ipsilateral and contralateral breast events (IBE and CBE) were compared by competing-risk (CR) analysis. Kaplan–Meier (KM) estimates and log-rank tests were used to evaluate covariates. The study identified 290 cases of mDCIS. The median age of the patients was 53 years. Radiation therapy (RT) was performed for 27.6% and endocrine therapy for 16.2% of the patients. The median follow-up period was 6.8 years. Overall, the IBE rates were 4.3% at 5 years and 12.3% at 10 years. Among the women not receiving RT, the 5- and 10-year IBE rates (5.4 and 14.5%) were higher than the CBE rates (1.8 and 2.7%). Among those receiving RT, the IBE rates (1.5 and 6.0%) were lower than the CBE rates (4.1 and 15.6%). The women receiving RT trended toward significantly lower IBE rates (p = 0.07). Age, grade, and endocrine therapy were not significantly associated with IBE risk. Among the patients with mDCIS who did not receive RT, the IBE risk was substantially higher than the CBE risk, demonstrating that even DCIS of very low volume is associated with clinically relevant disease. The finding that the IBE risk was greater than the CBE risk supports current strategies that treat DCIS as a precursor rather than a risk marker. Women with mDCIS are not at negligible risk for IBE in the absence of adjuvant therapy.
Perioperative Preparation and Nutritional Considerations for Patients Undergoing Urinary Diversion

Patients undergoing urinary diversion are at high risk for complications in the perioperative period. The exact cause of these complications remains poorly defined but is likely multifactorial. Current efforts to optimize patients in the perioperative period, including prehabilitation, smoking cessation, recognition and treatment of comorbid conditions and malnutrition, immunonutrition supplementation, carbohydrate loading, and prevention of known complications and implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery pathways, seem beneficial in helping to improve outcomes in this at-risk population. Further studies (some of which are ongoing) are necessary to help optimize these strategies and identify which modifiable factors have the greatest impact.
A study of factors influencing surgical cesarean delivery times in an academic tertiary center.

Abstract Background Knowledge of hospital-specific average cesarean delivery operative times, and factors influencing length of surgery, can serve as a guide for anesthesiologists when choosing the optimal anesthetic technique. The aim of this study was to determine operative times and the factors influencing those times for cesarean delivery. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of all 1348 cesarean deliveries performed at an academic hospital in 2011. The primary outcome was mean operative time for first, second, third and fourth or more cesarean deliveries. The secondary goal was to identify factors influencing operative time. Variables included age, body mass index, previous surgery, gestational age, urgency of cesarean delivery, anesthesia type, surgeon's seniority, layers closed, and performance of tubal ligation. Results Mean (standard deviation) operative times for first (n=857), second (n=353), third (n=108) and fourth or more (n=30) cesarean deliveries were 56 (19), 60 (19), 69 (28) and 82 (31) minutes, respectively ( P Conclusions Third and fourth cesarean delivery or the presence of other factors that could increase operative time may warrant catheter-based anesthetic techniques or the addition of adjunctive medications to prolong spinal anesthetic block. Institutional and individual surgeon factors may play an even more important role in determining surgical time.
Dynamic Maps as Representations of Verbs

Abstract : This paper describes a representation of the meanings of verbs based on the dynamics of interactions between two agents or objects. The representation treats interactions as having three phases, before, during and after contact. Maps for these phases are constructed. Trajectories through these maps correspond to different types of interactions and are denoted by different verbs. We summarize the results of experiments on learning and reasoning with maps.
Nicotine Produces a High-Approach, Low-Avoidance Phenotype in Response to Alcohol-Associated Cues in Male Rats.

BACKGROUND Nicotine and alcohol use are highly comorbid. Modulation of drug-paired extrinsic and intrinsic cues likely plays a role in this interaction, as cues can acquire motivational properties and augment drug seeking. The motivational properties of cues can be measured through Pavlovian conditioning paradigms, in which cues either elicit approach following pairing with the reinforcing properties of alcohol or elicit avoidance following pairing with the aversive consequences of alcohol. The present experiments tested whether nicotine would enhance the incentive properties of an appetitive ethanol (EtOH) cue and diminish the avoidance of an aversive EtOH cue in Pavlovian paradigms. METHODS In experiment 1, male Long-Evans rats with or without prior chronic intermittent access to EtOH were administered nicotine or saline injections prior to Pavlovian conditioned approach (PavCA) sessions, during which conditioned approach to the cue ("sign-tracking") or the EtOH delivery location ("goal-tracking") was measured. In experiment 2, male Long-Evans rats were administered nicotine or saline injections prior to pairing a flavor cue with increasing doses of EtOH (i.p.) in an adaptation of the conditioned taste avoidance (CTA) paradigm. RESULTS Results from PavCA indicate that, regardless of EtOH exposure, nicotine enhanced responding elicited by EtOH-paired cues with no effect on a similar cue not explicitly paired with EtOH. Furthermore, nicotine reduced sensitivity to EtOH-induced CTA, as indicated by a rightward shift in the dose-response curve of passively administered EtOH. The ED50 , or the dose of EtOH that produced a 50% reduction in intake relative to baseline, was significantly higher in nicotine-treated rats compared to saline-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that nicotine increases the approach and diminishes the avoidance elicited by Pavlovian cues paired, respectively, with the reinforcing and aversive properties of EtOH consumption in male rats. As such, nicotine may enhance alcoholism liability by engendering an attentional bias toward cues that predict the reinforcing outcomes of drinking.
Student Expenses in Residency Interviewing.

Introduction. The student costs of residency interviewing areof increasing concern but limited current information is available.Updated, more detailed information would assist studentsand residency programs in decisions about residency selection.The study objective was to measure the expenses and time spentin residency interviewing by the 2016 graduating class of the Universityof Kansas School of Medicine and assess the impact ofgender, regional campus location, and primary care application. Methods. All 195 students who participated in the 2016 NationalResidency Matching Program (NRMP) received a 33 item questionnaireaddressing interviewing activity, expenses incurred, timeinvested and related factors. Main measures were self-reported estimatesof expenses and time spent interviewing. Descriptive analyseswere applied to participant characteristics and responses. Multivariateanalysis of variance (MANOVA) and chi-square tests comparedstudents by gender, campus (main/regional), and primary care/other specialties. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) on the dependentvariables provided follow-up tests on significant MANOVA results. Results. A total of 163 students (84%) completed the survey. Theaverage student reported 38 (1 - 124) applications, 16 (1 - 54) invitations,11 (1 - 28) completed interviews, and spent $3,500($20 - $12,000) and 26 (1 - 90) days interviewing. No significantdifferences were found by gender. After MANOVA and ANOVAanalyses, non-primary care applicants reported significantlymore applications, interviews, and expenditures, butless program financial support. Regional campus students reportedsignificantly fewer invitations, interviews, and daysinterviewing, but equivalent costs when controlled for primarycare application. Cost was a limiting factor in acceptinginterviews for 63% and time for 53% of study respondents. Conclusions. Students reported investing significant time andmoney in interviewing. After controlling for other variables, primarycare was associated with significantly lowered expenses.Regional campus location was associated with fewer interviewsand less time interviewing. Gender had no significantimpact on any aspect studied. KS J Med 2017;10(3):50-54.
An Introduction to Zero-Coupon Risk-Free Bonds

This note introduces students to the basics of bonds and the time value of money through the simplest of financial contracts—the zero-coupon risk-free bond contract. The note covers the concepts of present value, yield to maturity, and bond pricing conventions. The note is appropriate as a companion for the Bond Trader simulation. A demo for this simulation is available at https://forio.com/simulate/darden/bond-trader-demo/. Excerpt UVA-F-1799 Rev. Sept. 7, 2018 An Introduction to Zero-Coupon Risk-Free Bonds One of the central principles of finance is that things that pay identical amounts have identical values. This principle is called the “Law of One Price.” The Law of One Price implies that one can value one financial contract by observing the value of another financial contract with similar expected return and risk. A related concept used in finance is that of “home cooking.” In financial markets one can “home cook” a version of a prevailing contract by combining existing financial products to create a “home-cooked” version. As such, the “home-cooked” version has the same value as, say, the “store-bought” version. As an example of this concept, suppose that you often buy chicken teriyaki sandwiches at a local food truck called the Big Kahuna. Your brother Rupert, an enterprising young man, has figured out how to exactly replicate the Big Kahuna chicken teriyaki sandwich. What is the value of Rupert's “home-cooked” exact replication of the Big Kahuna sandwich? Since the two sandwiches are identical, the sandwiches have the same value according to the Law of One Price. In finance, we will determine the value of a financial contract by observing the value of an identical replication of that contract that we can “cook up” by combining other contracts that are traded in security markets. In this note, we explore some first principles of pricing financial contracts using the Law of One Price. Although debt contracts go by many names, to simplify the discussion in this note we will use the term “bond” to denote any market-traded debt contract. Because the principles used to value simple contracts also apply to complicated contracts, we begin with the simplest of financial contracts—the zero-coupon risk-free bond contract. “Zero-coupon” bonds are simple promises to pay a certain amount at a specific point in time without any promise of making interest payments (or coupon payments) along the way. Zero-coupon bonds are simple IOUs. “Risk-free” bonds are promises that have certainty in the contracted payment. A risk-free promise of $ 1,000 is a sure promise that the payment will be made (there is no possibility of default or failure to make payment). . . .
Symphotic Multiplexing Medium at Microwave Frequencies

As opposed to metasurfaces, which can produce a single output waveform in response to a single input waveform, volumetric metamaterials have the ability to perform independent functions on many distinct input waveforms. Here, we present an experimental demonstration of this multiplexing capability using a volumetric metamaterial designed using the symphotic method, which realizes highly efficient multiplexing structures in the strong scattering limit. In contrast to perturbative design methods such as volume holography that are only applicable in weakly scattering media, we provide a comprehensive approach that takes into consideration design and fabrication constraints and that can be verified in simulations. We then demonstrate an experimental realization of a symphotic device operating at a frequency of 10 GHz, which has been optimized for three distinct input waveforms corresponding to three distinct output waveforms. The device is realized using a low-loss three-dimensionally printed material. The symphotic device consists of a lattice of dielectric cylindrical elements with varying radii, excited in a parallel-plate waveguide to enforce two-dimensional field symmetry. The experimental results show excellent agreement with analytical coupled-dipole-method simulations and finite-element simulations. The experiments further demonstrate the scalability of symphotic metamaterials and their viability for advanced rf and optical devices.
In-hospital and long-term outcomes in patients with malignancy undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).

9086 Background: PEG is widely performed in cancer patients as a means of providing nutrition or palliation. Although considered safe, PEG-associated outcomes in these patients remain poorly descri...
Remarkably preserved cysts of the extinct synurophyte, Mallomonas ampla, uncovered from a 48 Ma freshwater Eocene lake

Chrysophyte algae produce a siliceous stage in their life cycle, through either asexual or sexual reproduction, known as a cyst. Cysts form in response to shifts in environmental conditions, population density, or predation pressure, and upon germination provide a seed source for future populations. Cysts are morphologically distinct for each species, and since their remains become part of the sediment or fossil record cysts are valuable tools in ecological and paleolimnological investigations. However, their value as biological indicators is limited because the vast majority of cyst morphotypes have not been linked to specific vegetative species. In the current work, an exquisitely preserved and morphologically complex cyst type is described from a 48 million year old early Eocene fossil site. This finding is remarkable since many of the cysts were still associated with components of the living vegetative cells that produced them, enabling the morphotype to be immediately linked to the synurophyte, Mallomonas ampla. Fusion of identifiable components of the living cell post cyst formation is unknown in modern investigations. The identification of the cyst structure for M. ampla could be valuable in determining cyst morphotypes for other species in the lineage.
6 – Biological Receptors

Publisher Summary All cells are biological receptors in the sense that they receive messages from their extracellular environments and these messages affect intracellular responses. The output signal space of the receptor may be divided into two processes. The first yields a graded voltage, the receptor potential, that results directly from the effect of the stimulus on the receptor cell membrane. The second process leads to the generation of the action potential, which is then propagated to influence other cells in the nervous system synaptically. It is important to dichotomize these two aspects of receptor mechanism because they may not even occur within a single cell. However, all receptors considered in the chapter exhibit both these processes in the same cell. The chapter considers only those cells which sample the nonneural energy from their extracellular space and convert this energy to a form which is useful to the nervous system. It also discusses receptors and afferent process, mechanical filtering in the pacinian corpuscle, and the classification of receptors according to encoded quality or modality.