cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
No Surgical Items Left Behind: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Surgical Count Process

Abstract The counting process is designed to prevent retained foreign bodies while providing optimal perioperative patient safety. Intraoperative distractions are prevalent and potentially contribute to patient safety risks. Counting is an important preventative measure that is a human process prone to error, especially in this busy environment where multiple things are happening simultaneously. We sought to evaluate the impact of distractions during the count process on patient safety. Trained, nationally certified registered nurses used a validated tool to observe the number of interruptions that occurred during the count process in cardiac surgery. Observation included the key personnel that lead the count process including the scrub person, circulating nurse, attending surgeons, fellows, and residents of all disciplines. Observation included scheduled cases in the cardiac specialty for the adult population including all shifts (24 hours). The predictor in this study was distraction. The primary measure of distraction was the total number of distraction for each case. There are different distraction levels for each distraction. Thus, weighted distraction score for each case was created as the summation of distraction level and it is the secondary measure of distraction. To detect a medium effect size with 80% power at 0.05 level, we needed a minimum sample size of 54. We correlated the relationship between the number of interruptions observed and sequelae. Working together as a cohesive team to minimize interruptions can enhance patient safety and decrease additional workload across departments.
Probing the Active Site of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase by Site Directed Mutagenesis

It has generally been accepted that aldehyde dehydrogenase functions through covalent catalysis where a nucleophilic amino acid residue attacks the carbonyl of the aldehyde substrate (Weiner et al., 1982). Since the first purification on ALDH by Feldman and Weiner in 1972, it has been argued that the active site nucleophile was a cysteine residue. The identity of this specific cysteine in the primary structure of the enzyme however, has not been unequivocally determined. Recently it has been suggested that the nucleophile is not cysteine but is serine (Loomis et al., 1990). A similar adduct could be formed with either amino acid; a thiohemiacetal in the former, a hemiacetal in the latter. The intermediate would then be oxidized in the presence of NAD to produce a thioacyl or an acyl intermediate respectively, as illustrated in Fig. 1.
Thermophysical Property Measurement in Building Insulation Materials Using a Spherically-Shaped, Self-Heated Probe

A technique for making in situ thermal conductivity and diffusivity measurements of building insulation materials was investigated. The two thermophysical properties are simultaneously determined given the result from a single transient test. The measurement apparatus consists of an effectively spherical, small-volume probe that is interfaced with a computer-based data acquisition and control system. Although different small-volume probes were evaluated, encapsulated bead thermistors received the most interest and so are emphasized in this paper. The results from using the technique to measure the thermal conductivity of five insulation materials are included.
Local excision for stage I anal canal squamous cell carcinoma (ACSCC): A case series from Mayo Clinic.

864Background: Definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard of care for localized or locally advanced ACSCC, while surgery is typically reserved for salvage therapy. Outcome of treatment with...
The Lossless, Resonant, Minimum Scattering Approximation for Fast Phased Array Design

The classical framework for phased array beamforming, analysis, and design is based on the array factor approximation. As research in antenna arrays has progressed, attention has turned to sophisticated, high sensitivity applications that require more accurate models. Mutual coupling, edge effects, surface waves, and other non-ideal effects can be accounted for full wave numerical methods, but the run time for the model becomes large, and design optimization can be unduly time consuming. A middle ground between the array factor and full wave numerical models is provided by the lossless, resonant, minimum scattering (LRMSA)approximation. Embedded element radiation patterns with open circuit loads on the element ports are approximated using an analytically known or modeled isolated element pattern, and mutual coupling is included to first order using the element pattern overlap matrix and relationships from the network theory of antenna arrays. We give an overview of the LRMSA method for fast phased array modeling and design in this paper, and the presentation will include numerical comparisons and design examples for a variety of phased array application areas.
Trends and Predictors of 30-day Readmission Among Patients Hospitalized with Infective Endocarditis in the United States.

Background The incidence and 30-day readmission rates of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) are not fully determined. We used the United States Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) to assess national trends and predictors of 30-day readmission. Methods We queried the NRD from 2010 to 2014 and identified patients with index hospitalizations primarily for IE. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of 30-day readmission. Results A total of 48,500 patients (mean age 58 ± 19 years; 38% women; 6.4% died during index hospitalization) were admitted for IE. There was an annual decrease in hospitalization rates by 1.5%. With an exception for 2014, subsequent 30-day readmission rates remained relatively unchanged. All-cause 30-day readmission occurred in 25.4% of patients, 21.8% of which were due to acute or subacute bacterial endocarditis. Leaving against medical advice (odds ratio (OR): 3.46, 95% CI: 3.12 - 3.84; P <0.001), history of drug abuse and a cardiac implantable electronic device in situ (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.53 - 3.08; P <0.001), fungal IE (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.28 - 1.76; P < 0.001), and uninsured patients (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.12 - 1.74, P <0.001) were the strongest independent predictors of 30-day readmission. Readmission cost ($58 million annually) accounted for 14% of the total hospitalization cost. Conclusions The annual incidence of IE in the US decreased slightly from 2010 to 2014, but the 30-day readmission rates remained relatively unchanged. Addressing modifiable predictors of readmission may reduce the financial burden of IE on health care.
Decomposition of backward SLE in the capacity parametrization

Abstract We prove that, for κ ≤ 4 , backward chordal SLE κ admits backward chordal SLE κ ( − 4 , − 4 ) decomposition for the capacity parametrization. This means that, for any bounded measurable subset U ⊂ Q 4 ≔ R + × R − , if we integrate the laws of extended backward chordal SLE κ ( − 4 , − 4 ) with different pairs of force points ( x , y ) against some suitable density function G ( x , y ) restricted to U , then we get a measure, which is absolutely continuous with respect to the law of backward chordal SLE κ , and the Radon–Nikodym derivative is a constant depending on κ times the capacity time that the generated welding curve t ↦ ( d t , c t ) spends in U , where d t > 0 > c t are the pair of points that are swallowed by the process at time t . For the forward SLE curve, a similar analysis has been done for SLE in the natural parametrization (Field, 0000) κ ≤ 4 , (Zhan, 0000) κ 8 ), and for the capacity parametrization (Zhan, 0000) κ ∞ ).
Archi. Complexities of agreement in cross-theoretical perspective

This article reviews Archi. Complexities of agreement in cross-theoretical perspective 978-0-19-874729-1
Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease: A Report from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry

Background: Patients with bicuspid aortic valve (AV) stenosis were excluded from the pivotal evaluations of transcatheter AV replacement (TAVR) devices. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of TAVR i...
Key-Homomorphic Pseudorandom Functions from LWE with Small Modulus

Pseudorandom functions (PRFs) are fundamental objects in cryptography that play a central role in symmetric-key cryptography. Although PRFs can be constructed from one-way functions generically, these black-box constructions are usually inefficient and require deep circuits to evaluate compared to direct PRF constructions that rely on specific algebraic assumptions. From lattices, one can directly construct PRFs from the Learning with Errors (LWE) assumption (or its ring variant) using the result of Banerjee, Peikert, and Rosen (Eurocrypt 2012) and its subsequent works. However, all existing PRFs in this line of work rely on the hardness of the LWE problem where the associated modulus is super-polynomial in the security parameter.
Life Cycle Carbon Footprint Analysis of Pulp and Paper Grades in the United States Using Production-line-based Data and Integration

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission levels are causing concern as climate change risks are growing, emphasizing the importance of GHG research for better understanding of emission sources. Previous studies on GHG emissions for the pulp and paper industry have ranged in scope from global to regional to site-specific. This study addresses the present knowledge gap of how GHG emissions vary among paper grades in the US. A cradle-to-gate life cycle carbon analysis for 252 mills in the US was performed by integrating large datasets at the production line level. The results indicated that one metric ton of paper product created a production weighted average of 942 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO2eq) of GHG emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions varied by pulp and paper grade, from 608 kg CO2eq per metric ton of product to 1978 kg CO2eq per metric ton of product. Overall, fuels were the greatest contributor to the GHG emissions and should be the focus of emission reduction strategies across pulp and paper grades.
Volume of Gadolinium Enhancement and Successful Repair of the Blood-Brain Barrier in Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy.

ABSTRACT Up to 40% of boys with adrenoleukodystrophy develop a severe central nervous system demyelinating form (cALD) characterized by white matter changes and gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) is the only proven means to attenuate cALD progression. The elimination of active neuroinflammation is indicated radiographically by the resolution of gadolinium (Gd) enhancement and correlates to speed of donor neutrophil recovery. We analyzed 66 boys with cALD undergoing HCT for biomarkers correlating with early (30 days post-HCT) Gd signal resolution. We found that log Gd volume (cm3) on pre-HCT MRI strongly positively correlated to day 30 Gd resolution (P = .0003) with smaller volume correlating to higher proportion resolved, as was the baseline gadolinium intensity score (P = .04), plasma chitotriosidase activity (P = .04), and faster absolute neutrophil count recovery (P = .03). In multivariate analysis, log Gd volume remained superior in determining which patients would have Gd signal resolution by 30 days post-HCT (P = .016). A final analysis indicated that early Gd resolution also correlated with less neurologic progression from baseline to 1 year following HCT (P = .006). MRI Gd volume may serve as a contributing biomarker to better delineate outcomes and an important metric in comparing therapies in the treatment of cALD.
Latent Pain Sensitization unmasks µ-δ opioid heteromer in neuropathic and inflammatory pain

Rodent models of latent pain sensitization can be used to study the episodic nature that chronic pain can exhibit. At pain remission, central sensitization is countered by the activity of endogenous opioid receptors. In animal models, latent pain sensitization can be unmasked by antagonizing opioid receptors resulting in pain relapse. Due to previous studies have focused predominantly on inflammatory pain, the presence of latent pain sensitization in animal model of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain and in female mice is unknown. This study investigates whether μ- and δ-OR suppress latent pain sensitization in model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain in both sexes. We first targeted μ- and δ-OR separately in a model of chemotherapy induced neuropathy after remission to investigate whether antagonizing the receptors reinstated pain hypersensitivity. We then were able to specifically target the μ-δ OR heteromer using a novel peptide to prevent its heteromerization. We used this peptide to investigate whether disruption of the μ-δOR heteromer, after remission, reinstates pain hypersensitivity. At remission from cisplatin-induced neuropathic pain, antagonism of µOR and δOR reinstates pain hypersensitivity in both sexes. Disruption of the μ-δOR heteromer reinstates pain hypersensitivity in both sexes after remission from cisplatin-induced neuropathic and postsurgical pain. Taken together our findings suggest that the μ-δOR heteromer plays a crucial role in remission in various pain models and may represent a novel therapeutic target to prevent the relapse to pain and the transition to chronic pain. American Pain Society and the Rita Allen Foundation.
Climate Uncertainty and Corporate Investment: Evidence from State-Led Climate Change Adaptation Plans

We document that climate uncertainty negatively affects corporate investment. The effect is more pronounced for firms with higher capital intensity, higher operating inflexibility, and less redeployable capital. Our results are robust to using an instrumental variable approach and to using alternative climate uncertainty measure. Further, we find that climate adaptation plans mitigate the negative effects of climate uncertainty on corporate investment. We establish this result using the staggered introduction of State-led Climate Change Adaptation Plans. Our findings suggest that climate uncertainty can depress corporate investment, but climate adaptation plans shield firms from climate uncertainty contributing to investment resilience.
Environment and phenology shape local adaptation in thermal performance

Populations within species often exhibit variation in traits that reflect local adaptation and further shape existing adaptive potential for species to respond to climate change. However, our mechanistic understanding of how the environment shapes trait variation remains poor. Here, we used common garden experiments to quantify thermal performance in eight populations of the marine snail Urosalpinx cinerea across thermal gradients on the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts of North America. We then evaluated the relationship between thermal performance and environmental metrics derived from time-series data. Our results reveal a novel pattern of 'mixed' trait performance adaptation, where thermal optima were positively correlated with spawning temperature (cogradient variation), while maximum trait performance was negatively correlated with season length (countergradient variation). This counterintuitive pattern probably arises because of phenological shifts in the spawning season, whereby 'cold' populations delay spawning until later in the year when temperatures are warmer compared to 'warm' populations that spawn earlier in the year when temperatures are cooler. Our results show that variation in thermal performance can be shaped by multiple facets of the environment and are linked to organismal phenology and natural history. Understanding the impacts of climate change on organisms, therefore, requires the knowledge of how climate change will alter different aspects of the thermal environment.
Participatory Coalition Building: Creating an Anti-Racist Scholarly Reviewing Practices Heuristic

This experience report documents the impetus for, process, and result of a coalition of technical and professional communication (TPC) scholars who crafted an anti-racist scholarly reviewing heuristic for editors, reviewers, and authors. In Summer 2020, a coalition of scholars met to respond to calls from Women of Color leaders in the field of TPC for anti-racist action. The coalition engaged in an extended Futures Workshop, a participatory design activity that guided imaginative brainstorming and problem solving which culminated in the development of the heuristic. The heuristic was reviewed by many scholars and iteratively revised before being shared publicly in Spring 2021 on social media platforms, via national listservs, and by professional organizations. This report recounts the specific participatory design practices and activities the coalition employed to create a living and open document that can guide a variety of actors to examine their own practices, with the ultimate goals of intervening in and interrupting bias in reviewing practices. This report demonstrates how enacting participatory values and working in broad coalitions can further anti-racist efforts and generate more inclusive practices and norms for the field of TPC.
Invariance of apparent equilibrium constants with pH1

The apparent dissociation constants of carbonic acid in seawater are independent of pH for the range 6.5-8.5. These constants, therefore, can be used in the study of geochemical and biochemical processes in the oceans. The arbitrary nature of the pH of seawater does not affect its value in oceanographic practice. Oceanographers and marine geochemists use equilibrium constants to calculate those concentrations of ions that result from the dissociation of weak acids and their salts. They have three choices for their computations : thermodynamic constants determined in dilute solutions, apparent constants measured directly in seawater, and thermodynamic constants defined for a standard state in seawater. The use of thermodynamic constants defined in distilled water requires the estimate of single ion activity coefficients, a procedure of unknown accuracy. Thermodynamic constants defined in seawater arc reduced in practice to apparent constants because the anionic concentrations are not extrapolated to infinite dilution of the anions of interest in the standard seawater and because aII, the single ion activity of hydrogen, cannot be determined from electrode measurements without a nonthermodynamic assumption. We show in this work on both experi
Poly(4‐vinylpyridinium bromide perbromide)

[91650-35-0] (C7H8Br3N)n (MW n(345.86)) (polymeric reagent used in the bromination of alkenes and ketones2) Alternate Name: P(4-VPBPB). Solubility: insol all solvents; polymer swells when added to aqueous and nonaqueous solvents. Form Supplied in: orange solid granules with ≈4 mequiv Br3−/g resin. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: store in a tightly closed container in a cool dry place; handle in a fume hood.
Glycinergic pathways in the goldfish retina

Autoradiographic localization of high affinity [3H]glycine uptake in the retina of the goldfish has been used to study some anatomical and physiological properties of potentially glycinergic neurons. There are two classes of retinal cells exhibiting high affinity glycine uptake: Aa amacrine cells and I2 interplexiform cells. Aa amacrine cells constitute about 20% of the somas in the amacrine cell layer and send their dendrites to the middle of the inner plexiform layer. There they are both pre- and postsynaptic primarily to other amacrine cells. Photic modulation of glycine uptake indicates that they are probably red-hyperpolarizing/green-depolarizing neurons. I2 interplexiform cells are a newly discovered type of interplexiform cell; in the outer plexiform layer, they receive direct synaptic input from the somas of red-dominated GABAergic H1 horizontal cells and are apparently presynaptic to dendrites of unidentified types of horizontal cells. The connections of I2 interplexiform cells have not been successfully characterized in the inner plexiform layer. These findings extend our knowledge of neurochemically specific pathways in the cyprinid retina and indicate that glycine, like GABA, is a neurotransmitter primarily involved with circuits coding "red" information.
A Review of: “Addressing the World: National Identity and Internet Country Code Domains”

This 2003 volume explores a concern that has possibly never occurred to most Americans: the significance of one's own country code within a domain name. Americans have been privileged in their enjo...
Sodium bicarbonate reduces viability and alters aflatoxin distribution of Aspergillus parasiticus in Czapek's agar.

Abstract The potential of sodium bicarbonate to inhibit growth of and aflatoxin synthesis by Aspergillus parasiticus was examined in Czapek's agar (CA), a medium in which fluorescence under UV light indicates aflatoxin production. Incorporation of sodium bicarbonate (SB) into CA at 0.011, 0.022, and 0.033 mol% reduced cell viability 63-, 10(3)-, and greater than 10(7)-fold, respectively. Colonies resulting from surviving cells did not fluoresce under UV light, but thin-layer chromatography analysis of culture extracts detected aflatoxins. Potassium bicarbonate (KB) at 0.011 and 0.022 mol% produced inhibitory effects similar to those of SB, but NaCl and silica had no effect. After 7 days, control cultures had the normal aflatoxin distribution (B1 greater than G1 greater than B2 greater than G2), but this distribution shifted to B2 greater than B1 approximately equal to G2 greater than G1 during prolonged incubation. Cultures supplemented with SB and KB contained mostly aflatoxins B1 and G1 after 28 days. Both SB and KB raised the pH of CA to 7.5 to 8.5 at the time of growth. Culture growth on CA adjusted to pH 7.5 to 8.5 with NaOH was not inhibited but exhibited reduced fluorescence and elevated levels of aflatoxins B1 and G1. Thus, while bicarbonate inhibition of growth could not be attributed to pH elevation, the lack of culture fluorescence on CA-SB and CA-KB and the altered aflatoxin distribution were caused by the ability of SB and KB to elevate pH.
Risperidone for the Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Risperidone offers physicians the unique combination of extensive, published clinical experience and a good safety profile for treating patients with dementia who have symptoms of aggression, agitation, and psychosis. Numerous open-label and, more recently, placebo-controlled trials have documented the efficacy of risperidone in the management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. These trials also show that risperidone is better tolerated than conventional neuroleptic agents. Comparatively, patients treated with risperidone experience substantially fewer side effects, including extrapyramidal symptoms, cognitive toxicity, and tardive dyskinesia.
Geographic disparity of positional errors and matching rate of residential addresses among geocoding solutions

abstractThe purpose of this study was to systematically examine the geographic disparity of geocoding error among different geocoding solutions. The research questions include: (1) What are the positional accuracies and matching rates of various geocoding techniques? (2) Are there any significant differences of geocoding quality in rural and urban areas? In this study, 1100 residential addresses scattered across Texas, USA, were address-matched using eight different geocoding platforms, including the ESRI ArcGIS Address Locator, CoreLogic PxPoint, Google Maps API, Yahoo! PlaceFinder, Microsoft Bing, Geocoder.us, Texas A&M University Geocoder, and OpenStreetMap (OSM). The geocoded locations for each method were validated against the GPS data and manual digitization. Using GPS data as reference data, the desktop geocoding using parcel data achieved the highest positional accuracy with a mean error of 24.8 m, whereas the Google Maps API was the best among the six Internet solutions with a mean error of 31.7 ...
Survival of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the Mail

Cultures of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which used Thayer-Martin slants as transport medium, survived at least 1 day in the mail.
Domestic violence, separation, and suicide in young men with early onset alcoholism : Reanalyses of Murphy's data

Partner violence and partner separation at the time of completed suicide were investigated in 42 male alcoholics originally described by Murphy (1992). Half of the men had domestic violence histories. Partner-violent men were younger, had an earlier age of onset of alcoholism, and were more likely to be separated from their partner at the time of death than partner-nonviolent men. Loss of a close personal relationship, often a domestic partner, is common during the last year of life among alcoholic men completing suicide. Domestic violence appears to typify many of their domestic relationships, particularly among younger men and men with early onset alcoholism.
Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives from Renewable Triblock Copolymers

ABA triblock copolymers were prepared using the renewable monomers menthide and lactide, by sequential ring-opening polymerizations. Initially, hydroxy telechelic polymenthide was synthesized by the diethylene glycol-initiated and tin(II) ethylhexanoate-catalyzed polymerization of menthide. The resulting 100 kg mol−1 polymer was used as a macroinitiator for the tin(II) ethylhexanoate-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide. Two polylactide−polymenthide−polylactide triblock copolymers were prepared with 5 and 10 kg mol−1 polylactide end blocks. Transesterification between the two blocks, and polylactide homopolymer formation were minimized, and triblock copolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions were produced. Microphase separation in these systems was corroborated by differential scanning calorimetry and small-angle X-ray scattering measurements. The triblocks were combined with up to 60 wt % of a renewable tackifier, and the resulting mixtures were evaluated using probe tack, 180°...
Stability of the Listeria monocytogenes ActA protein in mammalian cells is regulated by the N-end rule pathway

Upon infection of mammalian cells, Listeria monocytogenes lyses the phagosome and enters the cytosol, where it secretes proteins necessary for its intracellular growth cycle. Consequently, bacterial proteins exposed to the cytosol are potential targets for degradation by host cytosolic proteases. One pathway for degradation of host cytosolic proteins, the N-end rule pathway, involves recognition of the N-terminal amino acid and is mediated by the proteasome. However, very few natural N-end rule substrates have been identified. We have examined the L. monocytogenes ActA protein as a potential target for this pathway. ActA is an essential determinant of L. monocytogenes pathogenesis that is required to induce actin-based motility and cell-to-cell spread. We show that the half-life of a secreted form of ActA can be altered in the mammalian cytosol by changing the N-terminal amino acid. Moreover, the introduction of a destabilizing N-terminus into the functional, surface-bound form of ActA results in a small-plaque phenotype in L2 cells, which is partially reversible by an inhibitor of the proteasome. These results indicate that the L. monocytogenes ActA protein is a natural N-end rule substrate, and that optimal function of ActA in mediating cell-to-cell spread is dependent upon its intracellular turnover rate.
B-Mercaptocarboranes: A New Synthetic Route

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of M. Frederick Hawthorne at the University of Missouri. The cover image shows a novel route for synthesis of 3-SH-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane through Pd-catalyzed iodine exchange with the sulfur nucleophile TIPS?SH in ortho-carborane. The thiolated borane clusters can be applied in thiol-based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on surfaces such as gold.
Transport-related phenomena for clusters of drops

Calculations for n-decane drops evaporating in a spherical cluster surrounded by unvitiated ambient air at atmospheric pressure were performed using two previously proposed cluster models. Both cluster models predict that turbulent transport effects are more important in the case of small clusters. This is due to the smaller volume to surface ratio and thus to the greater transport of hot unvitiated gas to the drops in order to promote evaporation. The results obtained are compared with those of two turbulent models for each one of the 'trapping factors' and similarity models.
Obstacle coping during systems implementation

Abstract This paper presents a case description of coping with technical and behavioral obstacles that arose during the implementation of a computer-based budget information system. Two obstacle coping strategies are described as they occurred in two successive stages. The first stage describes coping with technical obstacles resulting from errors and omissions in systems design. The obstacle coping strategies, which were based on rigid communications and formal meetings, produced by dysfunctional behavioral outcomes that threatened cancellation of the system. The second stage describes how the stage I dysfunctional behaviors were coped with utilizing principles of organizational change. The case describes the role of a key change agent, who served as both a technical and behavioral process manager. Key implementation process strategies initiated by the change agent are described and analyzed in terms of their effects on behavioral changes and systems completion. Finally, the obstacle coping process is related to the Kolb/Frohman implementation model and defined as a three step process in which problems are diagnosed, confronted, and resolved.
From reversible thermodynamics to life

Abstract The First Principle for dynamics of living systems has been proposed and discussed. It is based upon introduction of information potential that couples the Newtonian dynamics and the corresponding Liouville equation in the same way in which the quantum potential couples the Madelung equations in quantum mechanics. It has been demonstrated that the information potential can generate a negative diffusion that reverses the evolution towards decrease of entropy. Mathematical, physical and biological interpretations of the information potential are discussed. An algorithm for life-nonlife discrimination is proposed. An associated Boolean approach is introduced to simulate the evolution of intelligence.
Breeding capacity, behavior and fertility of bulls with Brahman genetic influence during synchronized breeding of beef females.

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the feasibility of using bulls of Brahman-derived breeds for synchronized breeding of females treated with Syncro-Mate-B (SMB). Suckled, postpartum cows (n = 261) and virgin heifers (n = 227) were given the standard SMB treatment. Calves were removed from cows for 48 h beginning at implant removal, and individual bulls were placed in pens with 15 to 20 females ( x = 1:15.7 ) for 48 h beginning at implant removal. Bulls (n = 31) were 18 to 36 mo of age and had scored satisfactorily on a breeding soundness evaluation (BSE). The mean ± SEM percentage of females in estrus, percentage of estrous females serviced and percentage of total females serviced were 77.2 ± 2.4, 72.9 ± 2.9 and 55.7 ± 3%, respectively. Total average services per bull was 23.6 ± 1.6; however, average number of individuals serviced was only 8.6 ± 0.42. Mean ± SEM percentage of females conceiving of those serviced, percentage conceiving of those in estrus and percentage conceiving of total females available were 57.3 ± 3.7, 40.6 ± 2.6 and 32.6 ± 2.5%, respectively. Mean BSE scores of eight Simbrah bulls tested immediately before and 5 d after synchronized breeding did not differ (P > 0.05). These data suggest that the conception rate of Brahman-influenced bulls servicing SMB-synchronized cows is within the normal range. However, the total number of individual females serviced and the total pregnancy rate under the protocol employed was low. This occurred because all estrous females were not inseminated, and some bulls exhibited unpredicted low fertility.
Mechanisms of corn tolerance and velvetleaf suppressive ability

Crops that better tolerate weed competition or preempt resources from weeds may reduce dependence on herbicides for weed control and benefit an integrated weed management program. Irrigated field experiments were conducted to identify morphological traits of corn (Zea mays L.) that enhance its tolerance and weed suppressive ability. Two old (circa 1940) and two modern corn hybrids were grown in mixture with five target densities of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.) in two years. Corn height and leaf area index (LAI) were measured periodically throughout the growing season. Vertical leaf area distribution was measured at corn anthesis. Quantitative estimates of these traits were obtained for each experimental unit using linear and nonlinear regression analysis. Magnitude of the correlation between these trait estimates and corn yield reduction in mixture with velvetleaf or velvetleaf seed capsule production was used as an indicator of the importance of each trait to the enhancement of corn tolerance or velvetleaf suppressive ability. Canopy traits having highest correlation with corn relative yield in 1995 were maximum LAI (r = -0.38) and crop density (r = -0.24). Those with highest correlation in 1996 were crop density (r = -0.36), degree days accumulated between emergence and 50% maximum height (r = 0.34) and LAI (r = 0.19), and vertical leaf area distribution (0.49). Corn canopy traits were not correlated with velvetleaf seed production in 1995. However, vertical leaf area distribution (r = 0.60), maximum LAI (r = 0.32), and corn density (r = -0.26) were correlated with velvetleaf seed production in 1996. Results suggest that increasing maximum corn LAI, rate of canopy closure, or height at which leaf area occurs in the canopy can improve corn tolerance and velvetleaf suppressive ability. These traits can be modified by varying cultural practices such as row spacing and population density, or through breeding.
Acceptability of severe pain among hospitalized adults.

Background: It is unclear why some hospitalized adults experiencing severe pain report that this degree of pain is acceptable to them. Methods: A 25% random sample of cognitively intact patients ad...
The use of professional designations in the real estate industry

Abstract A series of surveys investigates the recognition by consumers of professional designations in a variety of financial services fields, but with an emphasis on the real estate industry. The results from the 1991, 1994 and 1996 surveys are consistent in revealing a general lack of recognition by consumers of professional designations, with the notable exception of the CPA. The CFP and CLU also fared somewhat better than the real estate designations examined both in terms of consumer recognition and perceived competence of those holding the designation. Consumers indicate, however, a generally strong desire for dealing with professionally designated individuals when making financial decisions.
Properties of β-Lactamase from Pseudomonas syringae

Pseudomonas syringae isolate BR2R produces tabtoxin, a β-lactam-containing antibiotic, and the causative agent of wildfire disease of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). β-Lactamase production has been suggested as the mechanism that protects P. syringae from tabtoxin. We sought to determine whether the organism produces β-lactamase and whether the enzyme plays a role in protection from this antibiotic. P. syringae and mutants defective in tabtoxin production and resistance produce β-lactamase. Three distinct β-lactamases with molecular weights of 41,000 were identified. The isoelectric points of the proteins were 6.1, 6.8, and 9.2. The enzymes preferentially hydrolyze cephalosporin. This investigation demonstrates that the organism produces multiple β-lactamases and describes characteristics of the proteins.
Germination of Lily Pollen: Respiration and Tube Growth

Germinating pollen of Lilium longiflorum (cv. Ace) briefly exhibited a high rate of respiration before pollen tubes began to grow. A second period of high respiration occurred while tubes were growing. Between these periods respiration proceeded at a lower rate. Respiration was stimulated by 2,4-dinitrophenol to occur at approximately the same rate in all three periods.
The Production Possibility Frontier as a Maximum Value Function: Concavity and Non‐increasing Returns to Scale

This paper makes both a methodological as well as a substantive contribution to the literature on the concavity of the production possibility frontier (PPF). Rather than using the standard, calculus-based techniques, the method here relies on the fact that the PPF is a maximum value function. The consequent simplification in analysis makes it possible to demonstrate that the conditions which are sufficient to guarantee global concavity of the PPF are considerably less stringent than those stated in the literature. Existing analyses have assumed that production functions are (a) concave and homothetic, or (b) display non-increasing returns to scale (NIRS) and homogeneity. This paper shows that concavity without homotheticity, or NIRS and quasiconcavity without homogeneity (or even homotheticity) are sufficient, thus greatly increasing the generality of existing results. The analysis can be extended to include situations in which the input set includes industry-specific factors.
State of the implementation of SARA

The SARA design methodology consists of a structured design procedure together with a set of description and analysis tools. Originally the methodology was used manually, the designer interpreting the methodology's modeling languages, and the designer analyzing the modeled behavior of those systems by hand. However, during the past eighteen months some of the SARA description and analysis tools have been automated and fit into an interactive computer-based design system.The SARA design methodology is made up of two components: a structured procedure for designing digital systems, and a set of tools for modeling and analyzing the systems during their design. The design procedure is described in [GAR75], [EST77]. The SARA design procedure is not explicitly represented in the set of modeling/analysis tools. That is, there is not an automatic design driver that leads the human designer through a structured design and in turn calls on the appropriate design tools. Rather, the designer interprets the SARA design procedure and selects the use of the appropriate design tools himself.
Neurexophilin Binding to α-Neurexins A SINGLE LNS DOMAIN FUNCTIONS AS AN INDEPENDENTLY FOLDING LIGAND-BINDING UNIT

Abstract α-Neurexins (Iα, IIα, and IIIα) are receptor-like proteins expressed in hundreds of isoforms on the neuronal cell surface. The extracellular domains of α-neurexins are composed of six LNS repeats, named after homologous sequences in theLaminin A G domain, Neurexins, andSex hormone-binding globulin, with three interspersed epidermal growth factor-like domains. Purification of neurexin Iα revealed that it is tightly complexed to a secreted glycoprotein called neurexophilin 1. Neurexophilin 1 is a member of a family of at least four genes and resembles a neuropeptide, suggesting a function as an endogenous ligand for α-neurexins. We have now used recombinant proteins and knockout mice to investigate which isoforms and domains of different neurexins and neurexophilins interact with each other. We show that neurexophilins 1 and 3 but not 4 (neurexophilin 2 is not expressed in rodents) bind to a single individual LNS domain, the second overall LNS domain in all three α-neurexins. Although this domain is alternatively spliced, all splice variants bind, suggesting that alternative splicing does not regulate binding. Using homologous recombination to disrupt the neurexophilin 1 gene, we generated mutant mice that do not express detectable neurexophilin 1 mRNA. Mice lacking neurexophilin 1 are viable with no obvious morbidity or mortality. However, homozygous mutant mice exhibit male sterility, probably because homologous recombination resulted in the co-insertion into the neurexophilin gene of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase, which is known to cause male sterility. In the neurexophilin 1 knockout mice, neurexin Iα is complexed with neurexophilin 3 but not neurexophilin 4, suggesting that neurexophilin 1 is redundant with neurexophilin 3 and that neurexophilins 1 and 3 but not 4 bind to neurexins. This hypothesis was confirmed using expression experiments. Our data reveal that the six LNS and three epidermal growth factor domains of neurexins are independently folding ligand-binding domains that may interact with distinct targets. The results support the notion that neurexophilins represent a family of extracellular signaling molecules that interact with multiple receptors including all three α-neurexins.
Motion perception getting better with age

Older people can discriminate visual motion of large, high-contrast stimuli better than young adults. This surprising result, reported by Betts et al. in this issue of Neuron, suggests weaker center-surround antagonism in senescence, perhaps attributable to age-related reduction in GABA-mediated inhibition.
Maintaining robust connectivity in heterogeneous robotic networks

In this paper, we are interested in exploiting the heterogeneity of a robotic network made of ground and aerial agents to sense multiple targets in a cluttered environment. Maintaining wireless communication on this type of networks is fundamentally important specially for cooperative purposes. The proposed heterogeneous network consists of ground sensors, e.g., OctoRoACHes, and aerial routers, e.g., quadrotors. Adaptive potential field methods are used to coordinate the ground mobile sensors. Moreover, a reward function for the aerial mobile wireless routers is formulated to guarantee communication coverage among the ground sensors and a fixed base station. A sub-optimal controller is proposed based on an approximate control policy iteration technique. Simulation results of a case study are presented to illustrate the proposed methodology.
Abstract 3744: G-CSF-dependent regulation of STAT3 in neuroblastoma cancer stem cell subpopulations.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Neuroblastoma is a neural crest derived malignancy arising form peripheral sympathetic nervous system of infants and young children. We have recently defined a highly tumorigenic sub-population of neuroblastoma cells based on surface expression of CD114 (the G-CSF receptor, CSF3R). These cells meet the operational criteria for cancer stem cells based on their self-renewal, differentiation and lineage restricted tumorigenicity, and can be isolated directly from primary tumor biopsy specimens. As STAT3 activation is a canonical downstream event of G-CSF receptor ligation, is critical for neuronal specification, and is implicated in cancer stem cell maintenance, we hypothesized that inhibition of the STAT3 pathway may functionally inhibit the cancer stem cell-like neuroblastoma subpopulation. We used pathway-specific qPCR arrays to evaluate differential gene expression in CD114+ and CD114- tumor subpopulations. As predicted, STAT3 target genes were up-regulated in the CD114+ stem cell-like population. In addition, critical genes controlling early neural crest specification, cell cycle progression, self-renewal, and maintenance of pluripotency were up-regulated in CD114+ population while markers of mature mesenchymal neural crest were increased in CD114- population. Treatment of Neuroblastoma cell lines with G-CSF increased both CD114 expression and STAT3 transcriptional activation in a dose and time dependent manner. Phospho-flow analysis confirmed STAT3 phosphorylation (Y705) in response to exogenous G-CSF. The addition of a STAT3 inhibitor which prevents phosphorylation and dimerization of STAT3 (Stattic), specifically abrogated the effect of exogenous G-CSF treatment. Finally, we identified putative STAT3 binding sites within the 5’UTR of the CSF3R gene and confirmed binding of STAT3 and pSTAT3 using chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis (ChIP-qPCR). We demonstrate significant enrichment of binding in response to exogenous G-CSF within CD114 receptor positive subpopulation in contrast to CD114- population. These data support a model for a positive-feedback loop where G-CSF triggers STAT3 dependent up-regulation of the G-CSF receptor, further sensitizing these cells to exogenous ligand, promoting STAT3 transcriptional activation, and contributing to stem cell maintenance. Our data support further evaluation of the potential clinical role for specific STAT3 inhibitors as anti-cancer stem cell therapy in neuroblastoma. Citation Format: Saurabh Agarwal, Zaowen Chen, Danielle Hsu, Eugene Kim, Jason M. Shohet. G-CSF-dependent regulation of STAT3 in neuroblastoma cancer stem cell subpopulations. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3744. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3744
Electronic spectral functions for quantum Hall edge states.

We have evaluated wave-vector-dependent electronic spectral functions for integer and fractional quantum Hall edge states using a chiral Luttinger-liquid model. The spectral functions have a finite width and a complicated line shape because of the long range of the Coulomb interaction. We discuss the possibility of probing these line shapes in vertical tunneling experiments.
Absence of Cilia and Basal Bodies with Predominance of Brush Cells in the Respiratory Mucosa from a Patient with Immotile Cilia Syndrome

This report describes the ultrastructural alterations observed in the tracheal epithelium of a 13-year-old male with a history of recurrent pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, chronic otitis media, and situs inversus. The epithelium consisted of globlet and basal cells with many columnar cells that lacked cilia and basal bodies. The surface of these cells had regular microvilli and cytoplasmic features typical of brush cells.
Radionuclide Decorporation: Matching the Biokinetics of Actinides by Transdermal Delivery of Pro-chelators

The threat of nuclear terrorism by the deliberate detonation of a nuclear weapon or radiological dispersion device (“dirty bomb”) has made emergency response planning a priority. The only FDA-approved treatments for contamination with isotopes of the transuranic elements Am, Pu, and Cm are the Ca and Zn salts of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). These injectable products are not well suited for use in a mass contamination scenario as they require skilled professionals for their administration and are rapidly cleared from the circulation. To overcome the mismatch in the pharmacokinetics of the DTPA and the biokinetics of these transuranic elements, which are slowly released from contamination sites, the penta-ethyl ester of DTPA (C2E5) was prepared and formulated in a nonaqueous gel for transdermal administration. When gels comprised of 40% C2E5, 40–45% Miglyol® 840, and 15–20% ethyl cellulose were spiked with [14C]-C2E5 and applied to rat skin; over 60% of the applied dose was absorbed within a 24-h period. Radioactivity was observed in urinary and fecal excretions for over 3 days after removal of the gel. Using an 241Am wound contamination model, transdermal C2E5 gels were able to enhance total body elimination and reduce the liver and skeletal burden of 241Am in a dose-dependent manner. The efficacy achieved by a single 1,000 mg/kg dose to contaminated rats was statistically comparable to intravenous Ca-DTPA at 14 mg/kg. The effectiveness of this treatment, favorable sustained release profile of pro-chelators, and ease of administration support its use following radiological emergencies and for its inclusion in the Strategic National Stockpile.