cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of human steroid 5beta-reductase (AKR1D1) by finasteride and structure of the enzyme-inhibitor complex.

The Δ4-3-ketosteroid functionality is present in nearly all steroid hormones apart from estrogens. The first step in functionalization of the A-ring is mediated in humans by steroid 5α- or 5β-reductase. Finasteride is a mechanism-based inactivator of 5α-reductase type 2 with subnanomolar affinity and is widely used as a therapeutic for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is also used for androgen deprivation in hormone-de pend ent prostate carcinoma, and it has been examined as a chemopreventive agent in prostate cancer. The effect of finasteride on steroid 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) has not been previously reported. We show that finasteride competitively inhibits AKR1D1 with low micromolar affinity but does not act as a mechanism-based inactivator. The structure of the AKR1D1·NADP+·finasteride complex determined at 1.7 Å resolution shows that it is not possible for NADPH to reduce the Δ1-2-ene of finasteride because the cofactor and steroid are not proximal to each other. The C3-ketone of finasteride accepts hydrogen bonds from the catalytic residues Tyr-58 and Glu-120 in the active site of AKR1D1, providing an explanation for the competitive inhibition observed. This is the first reported structure of finasteride bound to an enzyme involved in steroid hormone metabolism.
Optimizing the balance between viscosity/modulus and impact in particulate composites

The objective of this study was to develop some new concepts of importance when trying to optimize the viscosity/modulus and impact relative to the particle-size distribution in suspensions and particulate composites. The results of this study appear to indicate that, conceptually, it is possible to significantly improve the viscosity versus the impact balance for material formulations by optimizing the particle-size distribution. For binary particle-size distributions, the influence of the preferred particle-size distribution, as determined using a square-root distribution, did not yield the most desirable particle-size distribution if the particle-to-particle component of the interaction coefficient was high. However, if three or more particles were utilized in the distribution, then the optimum particle-size distribution utilized can apparently be characterized using the square-root distribution even when the particle–particle component, σpc, of the interaction coefficient, σ, was found to be quite high. In addition, this same square-root particle-size distribution can also satisfactorily predict a probability of impact that can remain consistently high as long as the particles utilized are well chosen and not too close in size. Thus, this preferred particle-size distribution can be utilized to predict at least one of the preferred distributions to optimize the balance of properties between impact and the viscosity/modulus. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 291–304, 2002
On the theory of cell division from the point of view of the principle of maximum energy exchange

An analysis is made of the equation of cellular elongation during division, which was derived by N. Rashevsky from the principle of maximum energy exchange. The method used is the same as that employed by H. D. Landahl in discussing a similar equation deduced from the theory of diffusion drag forces. The differential equation is expanded in a power series of the relative elongation, and in this way is reduced to the form studied by H. D. Landahl, which has been shown to agree very well with experimental data. An estimate of the order of magnitude of the universal constant τ, which appears in the generalized Hamiltonian principle, is made, and τ is found to be of the order of 10−4 sec.
Laparoscopic treatment of anterior sacral meningocele.

Abstract Background Anterior sacral meningocele is a rare congenital malformation, whose open surgical treatment is well accepted. We present a laparoscopic approach as an adjunctive approach. Methods Five women who underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal surgery were clinically, radiologically, and surgically evaluated. Result All 5 patients underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal surgery and showed satisfactory results. They had no major complications. Three patients had headaches as minor complications, but it was gone in at most 3 days. Decrease in operative time, blood loss, and length of hospitalization were the advantages of the procedure. Conclusions The laparoscopic approach to treating anterior sacral meningocele was feasible and safe, with only minor complications.
Modulation of diclofenac release from a totally soluble controlled release drug delivery system

Abstract A controlled release preparation of diclofenac sodium for oral administration has been developed. The delivery system is designed in such a manner that it provides both zero-order release kinetics or optionally delivers portion of the dose in an instantaneous fashion, followed by linear release. Poly(ethylene oxide) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose with commonly used excipients together with diclofenac sodium have been directly compressed into a three-layer matrix system. Results of dissolution studies show that both biphasic release and zero-order release kinetics for up to 24 h are achievable. Mechanism of drug release is based on both dissolution and swelling/erosion for linear portion of release profile and disintegration/dissolution when burst effect option is considered. It may be concluded that drug delivery from this system may reduce some of the side effects associated with enteric-coated NSAIDs and provide extended therapeutic effect.
New skeletal remains of Omomys (Primates, Omomyidae): functional morphology of the hindlimb and locomotor behavior of a Middle Eocene primate.

New associated craniodental and postcranial remains of Omomys carteri from Bridger C beds in Uinta County, Wyoming represent the largest and most nearly complete single taxon sample of omomyid postcranial fossils presently known. They allow, for the first time, a description and detailed analysis of the functional morphology of the hindlimb of this middle Eocene omomyine primate. Comparisons of pelvic, femoral, tibial, and pedal morphology and metrics with a large sample of prosimian primates of known locomotor behavior suggest that Omomys possessed a highly distinctive mosaic of functional adaptations related to active quadrupedalism and leaping. Traits suggestive of quadrupedalism include the lengths of the ischium and ilium, position of the femoral trochanters, and lengths and features of the tarsal bones. Morphological traits that suggest leaping include a semi-cylindrical femoral head with moderate posterior expansion of the articular surface, greater trochanter projecting anterior to the femoral shaft, deeper than wide femoral condyles, narrow and deep patellar groove with prominent lateral border, elongated calcaneus, and close aposition of distal tibia and fibula. While Omomys most closely resembles active quadrupedal cheirogaleids like Cheirogaleus and Mirza, leaping must have been an important component of its locomotor repertoire. In this respect, Omomys closely resembles other North American omomyines (notably Hemiacodon), and is significantly more generalized postcranially than European microchoerines (e.g., Microchoerus, Nannopithex, and Necrolemur).
Old Paths and New Directions: Studying Emotions in the Workplace

The study of emotions in the workplace is a vibrant area of research that has grown considerably over the last 25 years. This research has traveled far, but it has not run its course. This article maps the different paths that have been explored, beginning with Hochschild's classic work on emotional labor in the form of surface and deep acting, and charts new directions for future research. We start by reviewing the literature on emotional labor and emotion management in the workplace. Next, we discuss new theoretical developments in the sociology of emotions – interaction ritual chain theory, theories of identity and affect control, and theories about power, status, and exchange – and their potential utility for understanding emotions at work. Finally, we discuss new methodological directions that can be pursued in future research on emotions in work and organizational settings.
Comparing Phylogenetic Codivergence between Polyomaviruses and Their Hosts

Seventy-two full genomes corresponding to nine mammalian (67 strains) and two avian (5 strains) polyomavirus species were analyzed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods of phylogenetic inference. Our fully resolved and well-supported (bootstrap proportions > 90%; posterior probabilities = 1.0) trees separate the bird polyomaviruses (avian polyomavirus and goose hemorrhagic polyomavirus) from the mammalian polyomaviruses, which supports the idea of spitting the genus into two subgenera. Such a split is also consistent with the different viral life strategies of each group. Simian (simian virus 40, simian agent 12 [Sa12], and lymphotropic polyomavirus) and rodent (hamster polyomavirus, mouse polyomavirus, and murine pneumotropic polyomavirus [MPtV]) polyomaviruses did not form monophyletic groups. Using our best hypothesis of polyomavirus evolutionary relationships and established host phylogenies, we performed a cophylogenetic reconciliation analysis of codivergence. Our analyses generated six optimal cophylogenetic scenarios of coevolution, including 12 codivergence events (P < 0.01), suggesting that Polyomaviridae coevolved with their avian and mammal hosts. As individual lineages, our analyses showed evidence of host switching in four terminal branches leading to MPtV, bovine polyomavirus, Sa12, and BK virus, suggesting a combination of vertical and horizontal transfer in the evolutionary history of the polyomaviruses.
Renieramycin G, a new alkaloid from the sponge Xestospongia caycedoi

Abstract A new cytotoxic alkaloid, renieramycin G ( 8 ), was isolated, along with previously reported metabolites mimosamycin ( 1 ), renierol ( 2 ), and N -formyl-1,2-dihydrorenierone ( 3 ), from the Fijian sponge Xestospongia caycedoi . The structure of renieramycin G was deduced from spectral data.
Molecular biology: Salvaging the genome

Overexpression of the enzyme cytidine deaminase allows the incorporation of abnormally modified nucleotides into DNA, leading to cell death. This discovery might point the way to treating some cancers. See Letter p.114
Cognitive Therapy for Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Research findings on behavior therapy for phobic disorders (Barlow and Wolfe 1981) and cognitive therapy for depression (Beck et al. 1979) suggest that these approaches significantly reduce the distress and symptoms of affected patients. Such progress, as well as the potentially addicting effects of treatment with benzodiazepines, has encouraged clinical researchers to ask the question “Can cognitive-behavioral approaches be used in the treatment of nonphobic anxiety disorders? In this chapter we will briefly describe the nonphobic disorders and entertain this question.
Paper ID EH024: Modeling and experimental verification of geometry effects on piezoelectric energy harvesters

Energy harvesters have gained much attention as renewable energy source applications within wireless sensor technology. Focus has been directed mostly in two realms, maximizing energy output and efficient conversion via energy management circuitry. More analysis is still needed though on the fundamentals of operation in order to optimize for the size and amount of piezoelectric material needed for energy harvester applications. This work extends on the modeling of piezoelectric cantilevers by adding in the geometry of variable cross-sections, exploring standard rectangular designs and configurations with tapers and curvatures. By changing the geometry, a change in the beam strain profile is induced and thus a change in the voltage output. Experimental results are included to show actual performance outputs of each of the designs.
Mutations in human DNA polymerase γ confer unique mechanisms of catalytic deficiency that mirror the disease severity in mitochondrial disorder patients

Human mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ (pol γ) is solely responsible for the replication and repair of the mitochondrial genome. Unsurprisingly, alterations in pol γ activity have been associated with mitochondrial diseases such as Alpers syndrome and progressive external ophthalmoplegia. Thus far, predicting the severity of mitochondrial disease based the magnitude of deficiency in pol γ activity has been difficult. In order to understand the relationship between disease severity in patients and enzymatic defects in vitro, we characterized the molecular mechanisms of four pol γ mutations, A957P, A957S, R1096C and R1096H, which have been found in patients suffering from aggressive Alpers syndrome to mild progressive external ophthalmoplegia. The A957P mutant showed the most striking deficiencies in the incorporation efficiency of a correct deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) relative to wild-type pol γ, with less, but still significant incorporation efficiency defects seen in R1096H and R1096C, and only a small decrease in incorporation efficiency observed for A957S. Importantly, this trend matches the disease severity observed in patients very well (approximated as A957P ≫ R1096C ≥ R1096H ≫ A957S, from most severe disease to least severe). Further, the A957P mutation conferred a two orders of magnitude loss of fidelity relative to wild-type pol γ, indicating that a buildup of mitochondrial genomic mutations may contribute to the death in infancy seen with these patients. We conclude that characterizing the unique molecular mechanisms of pol γ deficiency for physiologically important mutant enzymes is important for understanding mitochondrial disease and for predicting disease severity.
Efficient Hamming Weight Comparators for Binary Vectors Based on Accumulative and Up/Down Parallel Counters

New counting-based methods for comparing the Hamming weight of a binary vector with a constant, as well as comparing the Hamming weights of two input vectors, are proposed. It is shown that the proposed comparators are faster and simpler, both in asymptotic sense and for moderate vector lengths, compared with the best available fully digital designs. These speed and cost advantages result from a more efficient population counting, as well as the merger of counting and comparison operations, via accumulative and up/down parallel counters.
Relationship between theory of mind and language ability in children and adolescents with intellectual disability

Background The present study was designed to evaluate the validity of the false belief task as a measure of theory of mind development in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). In most if it variants, the false belief task is linguistically demanding. This raises the possibility that the finding that individuals with ID do poorly on it might reflect language difficulties rather than theory of mind difficulties. Complicating matters further, however, is the fact that there are theoretical reasons to suppose that there might be a relationship between some dimensions of language ability and theory of mind development in individuals with ID (as well as in other populations). Method In the present study, children and adolescents with ID and typically developing (non-verbal) mental age matches completed a standard false belief task and several tasks designed to measure language ability. Results We reasoned that a pattern in which false belief performance was correlated with all measures of language ability would reflect an artefactual relationship, whereas a more highly circumscribed, theoretically sensible pattern of correlations that was similar across both groups would support the validity of the false belief task. Conclusions The results indicated that for individuals with ID who have limited narrative language skills, those limitations contribute substantially to their failure on the false belief task. For individuals with ID who have more highly developed narrative language skills (about 40% of the sample tested), however, the false belief task may provide a valid measure of their progress towards acquiring an adequate theory of mind. This latter conclusion was suggested by the fact screening out individuals who failed to meet linguistic and cognitive prerequisites for dealing with the performance demands of the false belief task yielded non-significant correlations between false belief performance and the language measures for both the group with ID and the typically developing comparison group.
Relationship between the percentage of subgingival spirochetes and the severity of periodontal disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlations between various clinical assessments of inflammatory periodontal disease and the percentage of motile bacteria in the subgingival flora of sites representing widely varying states of periodontal disease. Darkfield microscopy was used to determine the percentage of spirochetes and other motile bacteria at two sites from each of 60 volunteers. For each site the following clinical assessments were recorded: Plaque Index (PII), gingival exudate (GE), Gingival Index (GI), bleeding tendency (BT), pocket depth (PD), connective tissue attachment loss (AL) and Periodontal Disease Index (PDI). Statistically significant (P < 0.001) positive correlations (r) were found between the percentage of subgingival spirochetes and PlI (r = 0.54), GE (r = 0.61), GI (r = 0.57), BT (r = 0.59), PD (r = 0.56), AL (r = 0.54) and PDI (r = 0.61). Clinically healthy sites harbored much lower percentages of motile bacteria than did clinically diseased sites. Most of the observ...
Pipe dreams: Eternal recurrence and simulacrum in Foucault's ekphrasis of Magritte

Abstract Michel Foucault invokes Andy Warhol at the conclusion of This is Not a Pipe; this comes at the end of a chapter entitled 'Seven Seals of Affirmation,' so that the words must be read with a Nietzschean resonance (recalling Zarathustra's 'The Seven Seals'):
The effect of product development on educational change for the handicapped

Abstract The effectiveness of product development as a component of technical assistance services offered to demonstration projects is examined. Technical assistance agencies have committed a great amount of time and money to product development because they have viewed product development as an important method of educational change that culminates in improved services for handicapped individuals. The authors conclude that written documents produced by technical assistance agencies do not appear to have a direct effect on programs delivering services to the handicapped.
Haemophilus influenzae Type a Infection and Its Prevention

Haemophilus influenzae was first described by Pfeiffer in 1892 ([30][1]). Forty years later Pittman identified six capsular polysaccharides (types) of H. influenzae (a, b, c, d, e, and f) whose structures were later elucidated (Table [1][2]) ([12][3], [31][4], [40][5]). Systemic infections in
Satisfaction with a performance appraisal system and appraisal discussion.

Satisfaction with a performance appraisal system and the appraisal discussion was assessed by questionnaires administered to a random sample of managers and employees in a large multinational corporation. Stepwise regression and cross validation analyses were used to identify reliable linear composites for managers (n = 222) and employees (n = 368) on two dependent measures: overall experience with the appraisal system, and quality of the appraisal discussion. The results indicated differences in the aspects of the appraisal process which are related to satisfaction with the appraisal discussion, compared to satisfaction with the overall appraisal system. The results also indicated differences between managers' and employees' opinions regarding the appraisal system. Managers were found to be more satisfied than employees with most aspects of the appraisal system. And, the aspects of the appraisal system which were related to managers' and employees' satisfaction with the appraisal discussion were substantially different.
Quasi-optical reflection circulator

A quasi-optical Faraday rotation ferrite circulator for microwave or millimeter radiation is analyzed by a matrix formalism. Both reflection and transmission configurations at oblique incidence are examined. Numerical results are presented at 35 degrees and 45 degrees incidence across a band centered at 35 GHz. Calculations are also compared with transmission experiments over a 10% bandwidth. Notwithstanding the complexities of oblique incidence, the reflection-type device promises favorable bandwidth, low loss, and isolation comparable to those of the transmission version now in system deployment, and offers the potential for much higher heat-dissipation capability. >
Non-Invasive Fault Detection in Axial Flow Blood Pump Used As Ventricular Assistive Device

A Ventricular Assistive Device (VAD) is a mechanical pump used to assist the functioning of a weak heart. A catastrophic obstruction in the VAD system could cost the patient their life. This paper discusses a fault detection approach using the commercially available Jarvik 2000 Flowmaker® VAD in a closed loop circuit that incorporates the ability to alter common causes of VAD congestion. Principal Component Analysis, a data compression technique used to discover patterns in data of high dimension, is implemented using frequency analysis of the VAD’s acoustic signature. This is followed by a health classification based on Bayes theorem. The classification results indicate that this technique is accurate to a high degree in detecting three levels of obstruction in the VAD system.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
West Meets East? Identifying the Gap in Current Cross- Cultural Training Research

The purpose of this article was to examine current cross-cultural training (CCT) research, using the lens of “East Meets West.” The two research questions guiding our inquiry are (a) What are the m...
CHEMOTHERAPY IN PREGNANCY

There is limited information concerning the effects of chemotherapy administered during pregnancy, which consists mostly of case reports and small series. The National Cancer Institute maintains a registry of neonates exposed to chemotherapy but there are currently only several hundred cases. When chemotherapy is used during embryogenesis, there is an increased rate of spontaneous abortions and major birth defects. The risk of fetal malformations when chemotherapy is administered during the second and third trimesters is probably not greater than the background rate. Use in the second and third trimesters may increase the risk of premature birth, fetal growth restriction, maternal and fetal myelosuppression, and still births.
Recent Advances in Base Isolation Technology

Base isolation is a technology that is widely accepted by the profession as an effective means to protect structures and non-structural components against earthquake damage. This is demonstrated by the large number of buildings and bridges that have been built or retrofitted using this technology. It is contended, however, that, at present, the existing isolation systems have limitations and that these limitations have prevented a widespread use of the technology in ordinary structures and in developing and emerging countries. It is the purpose of this paper to make a brief review of the predominant isolation systems, pinpoint their major disadvantages, and describe some of the solutions that have been proposed to overcome these disadvantages. The systems considered are (a) laminated elastomeric bearings, (b) friction pendulum bearings, and (c) sliding bearings. Special attention is given to the description of two recently proposed sliding systems that incorporate unusual features: (a) hydrostatic bearings, and (b) hydromagnetic bearings. The review reveals that many researchers are still active in the base isolation field and that many interesting improvements have been proposed over the last few years.
Low-Volume Lymph Node Metastasis Discovered During Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping for Endometrial Carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to characterize treatment patterns and oncologic outcomes in patients with low-volume lymph node metastasis (isolated tumor cells [ITCs] and micrometastasis [MM]) discovered during sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping for endometrial carcinoma. We identified endometrial cancer cases treated surgically from September 2005 to April 2013 in which SLN mapping was performed. MM was defined as tumor within a lymph node measuring >0.2 mm but <2.0 mm, and ITCs were those measuring ≤0.2 mm. Overall, 844 patients, with a median age of 61 years (range 30–90), met the inclusion criteria. Histology was as follows: endometrioid, 724 (85.8 %) patients; serous, 104 (12.3 %) patients; and clear cell, 16 (1.9 %) patients. The median number of lymph nodes resected was six (range 0–60), and the median number of SLNs was two (range 0–15). Overall, 753 (89.2 %) patients were node-negative, 23 (2.7 %) had ITCs only, 21 (2.5 %) had MM only, and 47 (5.6 %) had macrometastasis. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 106 (14 %) of 753 node-negative patients, 19 (83 %) of 23 patients with ITCs, 17 (81 %) of 21 patients with MM, and 42 (89 %) of 47 with macrometastasis. Median follow-up was 26 months (range 0–108). Three-year recurrence-free survival was as follows: node-negative patients, 90 % (±1.5); ITCs only, 86 % (±9.4); MM only, 86 % (±9.7); and macrometastasis, 71 % (±7.2) [p < 0.001]. Patients with ITCs and MM frequently received adjuvant chemotherapy and had improved oncologic outcomes in comparison to those with macrometastasis to the lymph nodes. Further prospective study is needed to determine optimal post-resection management in patients with ITCs or MM alone.
Effect of Staff Role on Children's Verbal Accessibility

In principle, the totality of the treatment situation provided by an institution for emo tionally disturbed children is as susceptible to rational design and control as is individ ual psychotherapy. Putting this principle into practice, however, is extremely difficult. Among other things, we need a good deal more systematic information than we now have about the varying effects upon chil dren of the many possible patterns by which staff responsibilities are organized and ad ministered.
Antagonistic Growth Effects of Mercury and Selenium in Caenorhabditis elegans Are Chemical-Species-Dependent and Do Not Depend on Internal Hg/Se Ratios

The relationship between mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) toxicity is complex, with coexposure reported to reduce, increase, and have no effect on toxicity. Different interactions may be related to chemical compound, but this has not been systematically examined. Our goal was to assess the interactive effects between the two elements on growth in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, focusing on inorganic and organic Hg (HgCl2 and MeHgCl) and Se (selenomethionine, sodium selenite, and sodium selenate) compounds. We utilized aqueous Hg/Se dosing molar ratios that were either above, below, or equal to 1 and measured the internal nematode total Hg and Se concentrations for the highest concentrations of each Se compound. Observed interactions were complicated, differed between Se and Hg compounds, and included greater-than-additive, additive, and less-than-additive growth impacts. Biologically significant interactions were only observed when the dosing Se solution concentration was 100–25 000 times greater than ...
Associations between Home Remedy Use and a Validated Self-Reported Adherence Measure in an Urban African-American Population with Poorly Controlled Hypertension

Objective To determine associations between home remedy use and self-reported adherence among urban African Americans with poorly controlled hypertension. Methods A cross-sectional structured interview of African Americans admitted to medical units for uncontrolled hypertension at an urban academic hospital from 1999-2004. Logistic regression was used to test associations between home remedy use and self-reported adherence. Results One-hundred-eighty-three of 272 participants completed the study (67%); 39 (21%) reported using home remedies for hypertension. In a multivariate model, home remedy use was independently associated with greater medication adherence (OR for nonadherence = 0.32, 95% Cl: 0.14-0.75; p Conclusion Home remedy use may be a marker of positive self-care for some hypertensive African Americans and not a promoter of nonadherence.
CFD Validation of Interaction of Fin Trailing Vortex with Downstream Control Surface in High Subsonic Flow

Numerical simulations of the interaction of a fin trailing vortex with a downstream fin were performed to validate the numerical tools being used to characterize precision-guided munitions involving these type of vortex interactions. The predictions were validated against an existing experimental dataset involving the particle image velocimetry measurements of the mean and fluctuating velocities in the wake of a fin located on the wind tunnel floor. A grid resolution study concentrating on the mesh density in the wake region of the fin determined the adequate resolution: a minimum of 15–20 cells to define the vortex core. The predicted vortex characteristics compared reasonably well to the experimental data but had an initially higher intensity that was found to diffuse faster than the experimentally measured vortex. The predicted vortex trajectory was found to track closely to the experimental vortex trajectory. The predicted normal force coefficient on the downstream fin in the absence of interference from an upstream vortex agreed very well with the experimental data with a 3.1% difference at  = 10°. The predicted bending moment slope was higher than the experimental, with a 15% difference in bending moment at  = 10°. The predicted hinge (pitching) moment slope was much steeper than the experimental data, with a 100% difference in hinge moment at  = 10°. However, the difference between the predicted and experimental center of pressure was 1.9 mm, only a 2.5% difference based on the fin root chord. The predicted aerodynamic coefficients on the downstream fin in the presence of vortex interference showed similar levels of agreement, with some exaggeration of the differences at the larger forward fin deflections.
Cognition of figural transformation after commissurotomy.

Cognition of figural transformation of the Structure-of-Intellect Model of Guilford was studied in five commissurotomy patienrs (Zaidel & Sperry, 1974; Bogen, 1975 ). The Form Perception Test used was a modification of the Cross-modal Spatial Relations Test of Levy (1969). She adapted this from the Space Relations subtest of the Differential Aptitude Test to investigate superiority of the right hemisphere in spatial relations ability. The present modification of Levy's test as well as the Differential Aptitude Test has already been shown to correlate well with Block Rotation, a marker test for cognition of figural transformation (Kurnar, 1975). T he Form Perception Test employed 10 wooden blocks and 10 multiple-choice response cards, each card containing 3 diagrams of which only one correctly represented one of the blocks. On the far side of an opaque screen, a block was placed in a patient's hand and left as long as he wanted to feel it. Then, in free vision the patient was asked to "point to one of the three diagrams which, when cut and folded, will exactly make the block you felt." The subjects were three male (CC, LB, RY) and two female (NG, NW) patients between 20 and 48 yr. of age, who had undergone commissurotomy between 5 and 9 yr. prior to this investigation. The hands in which the tactile stimuli were presented were utilized in reverse order both days to counterbalance any initial laterality effect. The correct scores with the right hand of CC, LB, FLY, NG, NW were 6, 12, 6, 6, 2; the correct scores with the left hand were 12, 16, 11, 14, 12 respectively. The average performance of the left hands significantly exceeded that of the right hands (t = 3.42, p < .01), suggesting the functional superiority of the left hand and contralateral right cerebral hemisphere in this task involving cognition of figural transformation.
Application of Plasma Pulverized-coal Igniting and Steady Combusting Technology on 600MW Supercritical Unit Once-through Boiler

Based on the unit startup commission of two typical once-through supercritical boilers(SBC tangentially-fired boiler and HBC LNASB boiler) installed with plasma pulverized-coal igniters,the paper introduced the principle of plasma ignition,summarized its application on newly-built 600 MW once-through supercritical boilers.Under the precondition of ensuring boiler safety,how to launch zero-oil ignition by regulating equipments and operating mode is discussed.In order to improve the economic efficiency of power plant,it is necessary to use plasma pulverized-coal igniters during unit startup and shutdown.
Cytosolic [Ca2+] signaling pathway in macula densa cells.

Previous micropuncture studies suggested that macula densa (MD) cells might detect variations in luminal sodium chloride concentration ([NaCl]l) through changes in cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]c). To t...
Localized, gradient-reversed ultrafast z-spectroscopy in vivo at 7T.

Purpose To collect ultrafast z-spectra in vivo in situations where voxel homogeneity cannot be assured. Theory Saturating in the presence of a gradient encodes the frequency offset spatially across a voxel. This encoding can be resolved by applying a similar gradient during readout. Acquiring additional scans with the gradient polarity reversed effectively mirrors the spatial locations of the frequency offsets so that the same physical location of a positive offset in the original scan will contribute a negative offset in the gradient-reversed scan. Methods Gradient-reversed ultrafast z-spectroscopy (GRUFZS) was implemented and tested in a modified, localized PRESS sequence at 7T. Lysine phantoms were scanned at various concentrations and compared with coventionally-acquired z-spectra. Scans were acquired in vivo in human brain from homogeneous and inhomogeneous voxels with the ultrafast direction cycled between read, phase, and slice. Results were compared to those from a similar conventional z-spectroscopy PRESS-based sequence. Results Asymmetry spectra from GRUFZS are more consistent and reliable than those without gradient reversal and are comparable to those from conventional z-spectroscopy. GRUFZS offers significant acceleration in data acquisition compared to traditional chemical exchange saturation transfer methods with high spectral resolution and showed higher relative SNR effficiency. Conclusion GRUFZS offers a method of collecting ultrafast z-spectra in voxels with the inhomogeneity often found in vivo. Magn Reson Med, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of the multi-hypothesis test for determining pointing angles for telescopes

To catalog space objects, the position and angular rate of the detected object must be determined; however, the quality of this data is restricted by the capability to determine the telescope’s pointing azimuth and elevation. The commonly used Binary Hypothesis Test (BHT) determines whether an object is present in an image or not by calculating the ratio of the probability of whether an object is present in each pixel to the probability of an object not being present. If this ratio exceeds a specified threshold, an object has been detected. The Multiple Hypothesis Test (MHT) operates similarly to the BHT but includes the additional step of correlating the image data against sampled Point Spread Functions (PSF). These PSFs appear differently based on the sub-pixel location of the object. The PSF with the strongest correlation to the image data indicates that the detected object is likely in the same sub-pixel location. Using the MHT can improve the ability to determine the telescope’s azimuth and elevation by observing objects at known locations. The data will be gathered through projecting a star map and using a telescope to locate the objects. This experimental data will provide verification and quantification of the improved accuracy of using the multi-hypothesis test.
Adult Langerhans Cells Derive Directly From Embryonic Macrophages.

Abstract 3788 Dendritic cells (DCs) represent the most potent antigen-presenting cells in vertebrates. Upon immune challenge, DCs can uptake antigens and migrate to lymphoid organs to activate naive T cells. Therefore, understanding their biology is important for designing new treatments. Langerhans cells (LCs) are a subset of DCs residing in the adult epidermis. In adult teleosts, many evidences point to the existence of DCs, but no tools have been generated to enable in vivo imaging, prospective isolation and functional analyses of this subset. By combining two new transgenic lines, cd45:DsRED and mhc2dab:eGFP , we could isolate mononuclear phagocytes (macrophages/DCs) in the CD45 + DAB + fraction from adult tissues. Zebrafish DC-like cells displayed cytological features that resembled those of mammalian DCs. In the skin, the majority of CD45 + DAB + cells exhibited a typical morphology of LCs. Thus, we can isolate a pure population of LCs from the adult skin. Most DC subtypes are constantly replenished from hematopoietic stem cell derived progenitors. However, recent studies indicate that LCs self-renew independently from the bone marrow in steady-state conditions, suggesting the existence of a local progenitor in the skin. Recent reports showed that mouse LCs derive from embryonic myeloid precursors that seed the skin before undergoing proliferation. By combining imaging and gene expression analyses, we could show that mhc2dab is first expressed in myeloid cells (CD45 + ) at 7 days post fertilization (dpf). Accordingly, we can first observe CD45 + DAB + cells at 8 dpf, in the skin of developing embryos, suggesting that LCs derive from early CD45 + cells. In order to unravel their origin, we traced CD45 + cells by using the tamoxifen-inducible cd45:CRE-ERt2 transgenic line, combined to a switch reporter that allows us to permanently label cells. This switch-reporter consists of the b-actin promoter driving the expression of DsRED after a STOP cassette is excised by the CRE recombinase. By exposing double-transgenic embryos to tamoxifen between 20 and 26 hpf, we could induce CRE expression in primitive macrophages only. Several weeks after tamoxifen treatment, we could identify the progeny of primitive macrophages in the skin, showing LC morphology. This strongly suggests that primitive macrophages can persist to adulthood and contribute to the LC network. Additional experiments will be required to prove if they are the only source of LCs in steady-state conditions. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Replicator agents for electricity markets

The main focus of this paper is to explore the dynamic behavior of an auction system for an electricity market. In order to cope with this complex problem, agent-based simulation has been previously used, where autonomous agents learn through the results of repeated auctions. In this paper, the replicator equation is introduced as a learning algorithm that can be applicable to agent-based simulation. A repeated electricity auction based on a Japanese power market is simulated with different strategy selection algorithms incorporating mechanisms for learning. The results are compared to show the applicability of the replicator equation
Use of Live-Stream and Pre-recorded Simulation in the Individual Readiness Assessment Test During TBL, a Novel Approach

At the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM), the use of medical simulation helps to teach basic pharmacology in a manner that can more easily integrate with clinical sciences. Our novel use of simulation involved using both pre-recorded and live streaming simulated scenes in a clinical vignette format during the independent readiness assurance test (iRAT) of team-based learning (TBL). The incorporation of simulation helped bridge basic science and clinical sciences in a manner that had basic and clinical faculty work together, leading to positive student feedback. Our results indicate that more students were satisfied than dissatisfied with this method and more agreed that this was a valuable use of their time. This paper describes our experience in developing these simulated cases and student satisfaction data on this method.
Clinical factors associated with subclinical spread of in situ melanoma

Background Subclinical spread of in situ melanoma occurs at a wide frequency, ranging from 12% to 71%. Objective To identify clinical factors associated with subclinical spread of in situ melanoma. Methods We used a retrospective, cross-sectional study of 674 consecutive in situ melanomas to examine 627 patients treated with Mohs surgery and melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 immunostaining. The presence of subclinical spread was correlated with clinical characteristics. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to generate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Both univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated significantly increased odds for subclinical spread of in situ melanomas when they were located on the head or neck, at acral sites, or on the pretibial leg (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.41-3.40); in persons with a history of prior treatment (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.74-4.420); melanomas of preoperative size >1 cm (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.23-2.46, P = .002); or in persons ≥60 years old (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.01-2.13, P = .042). A count prediction model demonstrated that the risk for subclinical spread increased with the number of clinical risk factors. Limitation We used a single-site, retrospective study design. Conclusion Clarifying the risk factors for subclinical spread might help to refine triage of in situ melanomas to the appropriate surgical techniques for margin assessment prior to reconstruction.
Complete Genome Sequence of Komagataeibacter hansenii LMG 23726T.

ABSTRACT This study reports the release of the complete nucleotide sequence of Komagataeibacter hansenii LMG 23726T. This organism is a cellulose producer, and its genome may provide more information to aid in the understanding of the genes necessary for cellulose biosynthesis.
Utstein-Style Guidelines for Uniform Reporting of Laboratory CPR Research A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From a Task Force of the American Heart Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American College of Cardiology, the European Resuscitation Council, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Institute of Critical Care Medicine, the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Both laboratory and clinical investigators contribute to the multidisciplinary knowledge base of resuscitation science. While diversity can be a strength, it can also be a hindrance because of the lack of a common language and poor communication among investigators. Modern cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) research depends on the use of animal models that are designed to simulate cardiac arrest in humans.1 2 Such models are used to explore important new treatments and to refine protocols used in standard interventions, including doses of drugs, chest compression techniques, defibrillation energies, and cerebral resuscitation, before they are applied to humans.3 When favorable results are reported in animal models, the new or refined techniques are often implemented soon afterward in human victims of cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, the results obtained in one laboratory may not be reproducible in another laboratory or in human trials. For example, high-dose epinephrine therapy significantly improves survival in most animal models of cardiac arrest but does not improve survival in humans.4 5 6 7 In addition, some animal studies have documented the efficacy of administering bicarbonate during cardiac arrest, while others have shown it to be ineffective or deleterious.8 Some of these differences are to be expected because an animal simulation is not a perfect model of cardiac arrest in humans. However, it is likely that some of these conflicting results are due to differences in experimental methods and laboratory model design. Variations in study design, such as the quality of chest compressions and ventilation, definitions of variables, or time intervals between an event and the beginning of therapy, are probably responsible for many of the inconsistencies and contradictions reported. The lack of standardization and the use of nonuniform terminology in reports of studies of cardiac arrest in humans have been described as a “Tower of Babel.” …
GERIATRICS ORTHOPAEDICS CO-MANAGEMENT OF FRAGILITY FRACTURES IN ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, AND THE USA.

AbstractThe Geriatrics Fracture Center (GFC) at Highland Hospital developed an innovative co-management model for fragility fracture care in 2004. Each patient is assigned both an orthopaedics surgeon and a geriatrician who share responsibility for insuring high quality care throughout the patient’s entire hospitalization. Standardized protocols and consult notes are used to decrease unwarranted variability. Lean process and continuous quality and performance improvement techniques are used to maintain or improve person-centered and system-based outcomes. The center is a model for value-added geriatrics. The GFC has sustained improvements in mortality, complications, length of stay, readmission rates, and cost. The GFC, in collaboration with Brown University and the American Geriatrics Society, is working on a dissemination program to spread the model with generous funding from the John A. Hartford Foundation. In this presentation, the structure of the GFC and outcomes will be discussed as well as the potential to replicate the program.
gamAID: Greedy CP tensor decomposition for supervised EHR-based disease trajectory differentiation

We propose gamAID, an exploratory, supervised nonnegative tensor factorization method that iteratively extracts phenotypes from tensors constructed from medical count data. Using data from diabetic patients who later on get diagnosed with chronic kidney disorder (CKD) as well as diabetic patients who do not receive a CKD diagnosis, we demonstrate the potential of gamAID to discover phenotypes that characterize patients who are at risk for developing a disease.
Novel types of DNA-sugar damage in neocarzinostatin cytotoxicity and mutagenesis.

Although a number of antitumor antibiotics interact with DNA1 to form physical complexes, or covalent adducts with the bases, relatively few damage DNA by specifically interacting with the deoxyribose moiety. Neocarzinostatin (NCS), a member of a family of macromolecular (Mr > 10,000) antibiotics obtained from culture filtrates of Streptomyces, is such an agent (for pertinent literature on NCS prior to 1980, see Ref. 2, and between 1980 and 1984, see Ref. 3). Many of the biochemical and cellular effects of NCS resemble those of ionizing radiation. Most, possibly all, of the DNA lesions caused by NCS appear to result from the direct attack of an activated form of the drug on the deoxyribose of DNA. This is to be contrasted with ionizing radiation or the antibiotic bleomycin, that damage DNA deoxyribose through the intervention of a reduced form of oxygen. This paper will describe current information on the nature of the interaction between the active component of NCS and DNA, on the mechanism of the ensuing deoxyribose damage, and on some of the biological consequences of these actions.
Aspects of identity: From the inner-outer metaphor to a tetrapartite model of the self

We review a program of research on identity orientations – the relative importance or value that individuals place on various identity attributes when constructing their self-definitions. We first ...