cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experience-Based Access Management: A Life-Cycle Framework for Identity and Access Management Systems

Experience-based access management incorporates models, techniques, and tools to reconcile differences between the ideal access model and the enforced access control.
Particle Density Correction for the Aerodynamic Particle Sizer

An analytical formula has been derived to calculate the calibration curve for particles of any given density from the calibration curve for an aerosol of a different density. The Aerodynamic Particle Sizer is based on the principle that particles accelerated from a nozzle will lag the flow, depending on their aerodynamic diameter. Because of the high flow velocity, the particle acceleration is beyond the Stokes regime, leading to a dependence on particle density. The correction formula is justified by a combination of analysis and numerical trajectory computations. The density effect is appreciable. For example, if the instrument is calibrated with unit density aerosol, 20-μm particles of density 4.0 will be oversized by 20%. The corrected calibration curves are in agreement with measurements by Baron (1984).
Cerebral and peripheral demethylation of psychotomimetics measured by expired 14CO2

Demethylation of psychotomimetic compounds was measured by labeling each methyl and methoxy substitutent separately with 14C and injecting it into rats, intravenously and intracerebrally. Expired [14C]CO2 was measured continuously and the resultant multi-exponential curves yielded rates and integral demethylation. 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine was not demethylated, eliminating one proposed metabolic pathway. 2,4,5-Trimethoxyphenalkylamines were demethylated less in the brain than peripherally, markedly so at the p-methoxy position, suggesting a possible biochemical site for endogenous induction of psychosis.
Molecular analysis of (R)-(+)-mandelonitrile lyase microheterogeneity in black cherry.

The flavoprotein (R)-(+)-mandelonitrile lyase (MDL; EC 4.1.2.10), which plays a key role in cyanogenesis in rosaceous stone fruits, occurs in black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) homogenates as several closely related isoforms. Biochemical and molecular biological methods were used to investigate MDL microheterogeneity and function in this species. Three novel MDL cDNAs of high sequence identity (designated MDL2, MDL4, and MDL5) were isolated. Like MDL1 and MDL3 cDNAs (Z. Hu, J.E. Poulton [1997] Plant Physiol 115: 1359-1369), they had open reading frames that predicted a flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding site, multiple N-glycosylation sites, and an N-terminal signal sequence. The N terminus of an MDL isoform purified from seedlings matched the derived amino acid sequence of the MDL4 cDNA. Genomic sequences corresponding to the MDL1, MDL2, and MDL4 cDNAs were obtained by polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA. Like the previously reported mdl3 gene, these genes are interrupted at identical positions by three short, conserved introns. Given their overall similarity, we conclude that the genes mdl1, mdl2, mdl3, mdl4, and mdl5 are derived from a common ancestral gene and constitute members of a gene family. Genomic Southern-blot analysis showed that this family has approximately eight members. Northern-blot analysis using gene-specific probes revealed differential expression of the genes mdl1, mdl2, mdl3, mdl4, and mdl5.
Is excisional biopsy indicated for patients with lobular neoplasia diagnosed on percutaneous core needle biopsy of the breast

BACKGROUND: The value of excisional biopsy for patients with lobular neoplasia diagnosed by core needle breast biopsy is controversial. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients with lobular carcinoma in situ or atypical lobular hyperplasia on core needle biopsy. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were identified. Twelve (48%) underwent excisional biopsy. None of the patients who had excisional biopsy were found to have ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive cancer. The mean follow-up was 66 months. Five patients (20%) developed DCIS or invasive cancer during follow-up. The rate of subsequent carcinoma among those undergoing excisional biopsy was 25%, and among those not undergoing excisional biopsy it was 15% (P = .57). Among patients who did not undergo excisional biopsy, none developed carcinoma within the same quadrant of the breast. CONCLUSIONS: Excisional biopsy for lobular neoplasia did not identify understaged carcinoma or alter the rate of subsequent carcinoma. The subsequent carcinoma risk is diffuse and bilateral; it does not correlate with the site at which lobular neoplasia was diagnosed.
Burst firing in identified rat geniculate interneurons.

We used whole-cell patch recording to study 102 local interneurons in the rat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus in vitro. Input impedance with this technique (607.0^ 222.4 MV) was far larger than that measured with sharp electrode techniques, suggesting that interneurons may be more electrotonically compact than previously believed. Consistent and robust burst firing was observed in all interneurons when a slight depolarizing boost was given from a potential at, or slightly hyperpolarized from, resting membrane potential. These bursts had some similarities to the low-threshold spike described previously in other thalamic neuron types. The bursting responses were blocked by Ni 1 , suggesting that the low- threshold calcium current IT, responsible for the low-threshold spike, was also involved in interneuron burst firing. Compared to the low-threshold spike of thalamocortical cells, however, the interneuron bursts were of relatively long duration and low intraburst frequency. The requirement for a depolarizing boost to elicit the burst is consistent with previous reports of a depolarizing shift of the IT activation curve of interneurons relative to thalamocortical cells, a finding we confirmed using voltage-clamp. Voltage-clamp study also revealed an additional long-lasting current that could be tentatively identified as the calcium activated non-selective cation current, ICAN, based on reversal potential and on pharmacological charac- teristics. Computer simulation of the interneuron burst demonstrated that its particular morphology is likely due to the interaction of IT and ICAN. In the slice, bursts could also be elicited by stimulation of the optic tract, suggesting that they may occur in response to natural stimulation. Synaptically triggered bursts were only partially blocked by Ni 1 , but could then be completely blocked by further addition of (^)-2- amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid. The existence of robust bursts in this cell type suggests an additional role for interneurons in sculpting sensory responses by feedforward inhibition of thalamocortical cells. The low-threshold spike is a mechanism whereby activity in a neuron is dependent on a prior lack of activity in that same neuron. Understanding of the low-threshold spike in the other major neuron types of the thalamus has brought many new insights into how thalamic oscillations might be involved in sleep and epilepsy. Our description of this phenomenon in the interneurons of the thalamus suggests that these network oscillations might be even more complicated than previously believed. q 1999 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
The Where, When, and How of Organelle Acidification by the Yeast Vacuolar H+-ATPase

All eukaryotic cells contain multiple acidic organelles, and V-ATPases are central players in organelle acidification. Not only is the structure of V-ATPases highly conserved among eukaryotes, but there are also many regulatory mechanisms that are similar between fungi and higher eukaryotes. These mechanisms allow cells both to regulate the pHs of different compartments and to respond to changing extracellular conditions. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae V-ATPase has emerged as an important model for V-ATPase structure and function in all eukaryotic cells. This review discusses current knowledge of the structure, function, and regulation of the V-ATPase in S. cerevisiae and also examines the relationship between biosynthesis and transport of V-ATPase and compartment-specific regulation of acidification.
In Blind Pursuit of Racial Equality

Despite receiving little empirical assessment, the color-blind approach to managing diversity has become a leading institutional strategy for promoting racial equality, across domains and scales of practice. We gauged the utility of color blindness as a means to eliminating future racial inequity—its central objective—by assessing its impact on a sample of elementary-school students. Results demonstrated that students exposed to a color-blind mind-set, as opposed to a value-diversity mind-set, were actually less likely both to detect overt instances of racial discrimination and to describe such events in a manner that would prompt intervention by certified teachers. Institutional messages of color blindness may therefore artificially depress formal reporting of racial injustice. Color-blind messages may thus appear to function effectively on the surface even as they allow explicit forms of bias to persist.
Beyond JAK inhibitor therapy in myelofibrosis

Myelofibrosis (MF), including primary MF, postpolycythemia vera MF, and postessential thrombocythemia MF, is a clonal stem cell disorder characterized by BM fibrosis, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and a variable propensity to transform into acute leukemia. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only known cure for MF, but its applicability is limited by the advanced age of most patients and by comorbid conditions. In the past decade, there has been an explosion of information on the molecular-genetic features associated with these diseases, fueled recently by the discovery of the JAK2V617F mutation. The development of JAK inhibitors has represented a significant therapeutic advance for these diseases; however, their use in MF has not yet been associated with eradication or a significant suppression of the malignant clone. In this era, much remains to be understood about MF, but it is likely that the identification of key pathogenetic drivers of the disease, coupled with the availability of novel molecularly targeted agents, will result in the discovery of new agents that significantly alter the natural history of the disease. This review focuses on recent and ongoing efforts in the development of novel agents in MF that go beyond the field of JAK inhibitors.
Cytochrome P-450 Metabolites Mediate Norepinephrine-Induced Mitogenic Signaling

Norepinephrine (NE) stimulates release of arachidonic acid (AA) from tissue lipids in blood vessels, which is metabolized via cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase (LO), and cytochrome P-450 (CYP-450) pathways to biologically active products. Moreover, NE and AA have been shown to stimulate proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of rat aorta. The purpose of this study was to determine the possible contribution of AA and its metabolites to NE-induced mitogenesis in VSMCs of rat aorta and the underlying mechanism of their actions. NE (0.1 to 10 μmol/L) increased DNA synthesis as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation in VSMCs, and this effect was attenuated by inhibitors of CYP-450 (17-octadecynoic acid, 5 μmol/L; 12-diabromododec-11-enoic acid, 10 μmol/L; and dibromo-dodecenyl-methylsulfimide, 10 μmol/L) and by the LO inhibitor (baicalein, 20 μmol/L), but not by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin, 5 μmol/L). CYP-450 and LO metabolites of AA, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) (0.1 to fimide, 10 μmol/L) and by the LO inhibitor (baicalein, 20 μmol/L), but not by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin, 5 μmol/L). CYP-450 and LO metabolites of AA, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) (0.1 to 0.5 μmol/L) and 12(S)-HETE, respectively, increased [3H]thymidine incorporation in VSMCs. Both NE and 20-HETE increased mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase activity as measured by the in-gel kinase assay. The inhibitor of MAP kinase kinase, PD-98059 (50 μmol/L), attenuated NE as well as 20-HETE induced [3H]thymidine incorporation and MAP kinase activation in VSMCs. These data suggest that products of AA formed via CYP-450, most likely 20-HETE, and via LO mediate NE induced mitogenesis in VSMCs.
Solvent Isotope Effects on the Reaction Catalyzed by Yeast Hexokinase

The pH dependence of the maximum velocity (V) for the phosphorylation of glucose, the V/Kglucose and the V/KMgATP have been obtained in H2O and 2H2O. In H2O, V decreases below a pK of 5.8, V/Kglucose decreases below a pK of 6.1 and V/KMgATP decreases below a pK of 6.7. In 2H2O, complex behavior is observed for these parameters as a function of pD. The ratios of the parameters in H2O and 2H2O above their respective pK values give solvent deuterium isotope effects of about 1.5-1.7 for all three parameters. When 1,5-anhydromannitol is used as an alternative substrate, an isotope effect different than unity is obtained only for V/K1,5-anhydromannitol which gives a value of about 0.7. Both the complex pH profiles and the relative magnitude of the isotope effects are interpreted in terms of a pH-dependent change in the E X glucose complex.
Marx's radical humanism

The different varieties of orthodox Marxism project a radical philosophical split between the work of the early and the late Marx. However, the argument of this paper rejects the view that there is a sharp radical split between the early and late Marx with respect to his basic philosophical positions; and it argues that the projection of such a philosophical split amounts to a radical distortion of Marx's thought. The main methodological instrument for carrying out this argument is Marx's mature dialectical method of explanation which he employed throughout his monumental work, Capital – that is, the method of dialectical explanation that moves from the abstract to the concrete. This method of explanation involves the interplay of two fundamental canons of interpretation that distinguish this explanatory movement – the interrelated notions of the concrete universal and the internal relation. The argument proceeds to sketch an explanatory theoretical web which allows one to discern how the perspectives of ...
Photoperiodic Regulation of Reproductive Development in White-footed Mice (Peromyscus leucopus)

Male and female Peromyscus leucopus were raised from birth either in long days (14L:1OD) or short days (1OL:14D). Testicular development was accelerated in long-day compared with shortday animals at all time points sampled between 45-100 days of age. Complete spermatogenesis was first manifested by the majority of long-day mice at 60 days of age and by short-day animals at 140 days of age. Similar results were obtained for indices of female reproductive activity. It is suggested that short daylengths prevalent during late summer and autumn delay maturation of the reproductive system of mice born late in the breeding season. The eventual escape from short-day inhibition permits development of the reproductive apparatus in overwintering juveniles so that breeding can occur at the outset of favorable spring conditions.
The 8-nucleotide-long RNA:DNA hybrid is a primary stability determinant of the RNA polymerase II elongation complex.

Abstract The sliding clamp model of transcription processivity, based on extensive studies of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, suggests that formation of a stable elongation complex requires two distinct nucleic acid components: an 8–9-nt transcript-template hybrid, and a DNA duplex immediately downstream from the hybrid. Here, we address the minimal composition of the processive elongation complex in the eukaryotes by developing a method for promoter-independent assembly of functional elongation complex of S. cerevisiae RNA polymerase II from synthetic DNA and RNA oligonucleotides. We show that only one of the nucleic acid components, the 8-nt RNA:DNA hybrid, is necessary for the formation of a stable elongation complex with RNA polymerase II. The double-strand DNA upstream and downstream of the hybrid does not affect stability of the elongation complex. This finding reveals a significant difference in processivity determinants of RNA polymerase II and E. coli RNA polymerase. In addition, using the imperfect RNA:DNA hybrid disturbed by the mismatches in the RNA, we show that nontemplate DNA strand may reduce the elongation complex stability via the reduction of the RNA:DNA hybrid length. The structure of a “minimal stable” elongation complex suggests a key role of the RNA:DNA hybrid in RNA polymerase II processivity.
Vacuolar protein sorting 35 (Vps35) rescues locomotor deficits and shortened lifespan in Drosophila expressing a Parkinson's disease mutant of Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2).

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common movement neurodegenerative movement disorder. An incomplete understanding of the molecular pathways involved in its pathogenesis impedes the development of effective disease-modifying treatments. To address this gap, we have previously generated a Drosophila model of PD that overexpresses PD pathogenic mutant form of the second most common causative gene of PD, Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2). We employed this model in a genetic modifier screen and identified a gene that encodes for a core subunit of retromer – a complex essential for the sorting and recycling of specific cargo proteins from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network and cell surface. We present evidence that overexpression of the Vps35 or Vps26 component of the cargo-recognition subunit of the retromer complex ameliorates the pathogenic mutant LRRK2 eye phenotype. Furthermore, overexpression of Vps35 or Vps26 significantly protects from the locomotor deficits observed in mutant LRRK2 flies, as assessed by the negative geotaxis assay, and rescues their shortened lifespan. Strikingly, overexpressing Vps35 alone protects from toxicity of rotenone, a neurotoxin commonly used to model parkinsonism, both in terms of lifespan and locomotor activity of the flies, and this protection is sustained and even augmented in the presence of mutant LRRK2. Finally, we demonstrate that knocking down expression of Vps35 in dopaminergic neurons causes a significant locomotor impairment. From these results we conclude that LRRK2 plays a role in the retromer pathway and that this pathway is involved in PD pathogenesis.
Implications of PCR and ELISA results on the routes of bulk-tank contamination with Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis

Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP), the etiologic agent of Johne's disease in dairy cattle, may enter the bulk tank via environmental contamination or direct excretion into milk. Traditionally, diagnostics to identify MAP in milk target either MAP antibodies (by ELISA) or the organism itself (by culture or PCR). High ELISA titers may be directly associated with excretion of MAP into milk but only indirectly linked to environmental contamination of the bulk tank. Patterns of bulk-milk ELISA and bulk-milk PCR results could therefore provide insight into the routes of contamination and level of infection or environmental burden. Coupled with questionnaire responses pertaining to management, the results of these diagnostic tests could reveal correlations with herd characteristics or on-farm practices that distinguish herds with high and low environmental bulk-tank MAP contamination. A questionnaire on hygiene, management, and Johne's specific parameters was administered to 292 dairy farms in New York, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Bulk-tank samples were collected from each farm for evaluation by real-time PCR and ELISA. Before DNA extraction and testing of the unknown samples, bulk-milk template preparation was optimized with respect to parameters such as MAP fractionation patterns and lysis. Two regression models were developed to explore the relationships among bulk-tank PCR, ELISA, environmental predictors, and herd characteristics. First, ELISA optical density (OD) was designated as the outcome in a linear regression model. Second, the log odds of being PCR positive in the bulk tank were modeled using binary logistic regression with penalized maximum likelihood. The proportion of PCR-positive bulk tanks was highest for New York and for organic farms, providing a clue as to the geographical patterns of MAP-positive bulk-tank samples and relationship to production type. Bulk-milk PCR positivity was also higher for large relative to small herds. The models revealed that bulk-milk PCR result could predict ELISA OD, with PCR-positive results corresponding to high bulk-milk ELISA titers. Similarly, ELISA was a predictor of PCR result, although the association was stronger for organic farms. Despite agreement between high bulk-milk ELISA titers and positive PCR results, a large proportion of high ELISA farms had PCR-negative bulk tanks, suggesting that farms are able to maintain satisfactory hygiene and management despite a presence of MAP in these herds.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome

The obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) includes a constellation of symptoms, most prominently excessive daytime somnolence and unrefreshing sleep, associated with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The periodic respiratory events constituting SDB may be complete cessation of airflow (apneas), reductions in airflow of various degree (hypopneas), increased respiratory “effort” events with no increase in airflow (flow limitation events), or a combination of these events occurring at various times during the sleep period. Unrefreshing sleep and excessive daytime somnolence are thought to be because of disruption of the normal sleep architecture from recurrent brief arousals associated with the respiratory events, usually resulting in reduced “deep” (slow wave) and rapid eye movement sleep. Oxyhemoglobin desaturation, often severe, usually accompanies the respiratory events and may be a major factor in the cardiovascular morbidity associated with OSAHS. However, this satisfyingly simple and logical construct for OSHAS is likely an oversimplification. The lack of universally accepted criteria for defining a specific disease entity and the lack of certainty about the causal relationship of the various types of respiratory events and associated arousals/desaturations with symptoms and the pathophysiological consequences, limit the understanding of the prevalence, risk factors, and natural history of clinically important SDB.
Endohelminths from five rare species of turtles (Bataguridae) from southeast Asia confiscated by international authorities in Hong Kong, People s Republic of China

Specimens of 5 species of threatened, vulnerable, and endangered turtles (Cuora amboinensis, Cyclemys dentata, Heosemys grandis, Orlitia borneensis, and Pyxidea mouhotii) belonging to Bataguridae, were confiscated in Hong Kong, China on 11 December 2001 by international authorities. A review of the endohelminths previously reported from these turtles was compiled and is summarized herein. Endohelminth studies on these turtle species are reasonably scarce, and this study provided a rare opportunity to examine a limited number of specimens for endohelminths. Seven different parasite species were collected and there were 8 new host records. This is the first record of a parasite from P. mouhotii. This study is intended to provide additional information for comparisons to future parasite studies of species of Asian freshwater turtles.
Predicted mode of Binding of Non-Nitrogenous μ-Opioid Receptor Ligands by Metadynamics

Classical opioid receptor drugs, like morphine and its derivatives, have been used for centuries to manage chronic pain despite frequent occurrence of adverse effects, including addiction, respiratory depression, vomiting, constipation, and severe sedation. A recent campaign to identify μ-opioid receptor agonists that are effective as analgesics but devoid of side effects led to the discovery of a selective and potent analogue of the non-nitrogenous ligand herkinorin, a semi-synthetic derivative of the naturally occurring κ-opioid receptor agonist salvinorin A. Several different crystal structures of opioid receptors have offered insight into the binding of opioid ligands with positively charged amine groups to their receptors. These ligands all bind at a well-characterized orthosteric binding pocket through a salt-bridge interaction between the amino group and a conserved aspartic acid in transmembrane helix 3 of the receptor. The obvious absence of this interaction in the binding of non-nitrogenous ligands, and the uncertainty surrounding both their binding pocket and energetically preferred poses, prompted us to carry out all-atom multiple-walker metadynamics simulations to study the binding of herkinorin analogues to a fully flexible μ-opioid receptor in an explicit lipid-water environment. Clustering of all the bound conformations sampled reveals different, but energetically indistinguishable, binding modes for the studied ligands. Analysis of the ligand-receptor interactions formed by each conformation in the various clusters suggests testable hypotheses of molecular determinants responsible for the affinity and/or efficacy of herkinorin analogues.
Development of Action Thresholds for the Sugarbeet Root Maggot (Diptera: Otitidae)

Blickenstaff-Peckenpaugh traps were used to quantify the relationship between density of the adult Tetanops myopaeformis (Roder) and sugarbeet yield loss caused by subsequent larval feeding. The cumulative number of flies trapped from the beginning of the growing season until peak fly collection was the most reliable and easy-to-use predictor of sugarbeet crop loss. Cumulative capture of 34 flies was adopted as the damage boundary, the minimum density required to produce detectable root yield loss. Action thresholds for larval management with insecticides were derived as a function of fly density, crop market value, larval control costs, and insecticide efficacy. Thresholds ranged from 38 to 61 cumulative flies per trap at peak. Practical recommendations for using the thresholds are discussed.
Acquired versus intrinsic resistance to methotrexate: diversity of the drug-resistant phenotype in mammalian cells.

Abstract The expression of resistance by tumor cells to anticancer drugs remains a primary cause of patient failure to chemotherapeutic intervention in cancer. Although studied for many years, both the acquisition and maintenance of drug resistance continue to provide active areas for research and the application of modern molecular and cell biological techniques to those questions has begun to generate a wealth of new information. This article attempts to summarize and contrast some of the more recent observations concerning acquired and intrinsic resistance to the classical antifolate methotrexate, and suggests that the mechanisms of intrinsic resistance, and to a lesser extent acquired resistance as well, may be more broad based than previously thought and that the expression of intrinsic resistance may be strongly influenced by physiological and genetic variation.
Managing VAD Complications: Our Growth Industry.

The growing population of patients progressing to end-stage heart failure paradoxically represents our field’s greatest success and failure. Individuals with previously mortal heart diseases now survive as a result of improved diagnostics, therapeutic innovation, and focused patient care efforts
Anatomic approach to radical perineal prostatectomy

SUMMARY The recent development of the laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy has obviated the need for open transabdominal surgery for the staging of prostate cancer. In addition, it has become clear that all patients undergoing surgical treatment of localized prostate cancer do not require lymphadenectomy.5 This has led to the resurgence of the perineal approach to prostate surgery. This operation has been proven to be an effective cancer operation, having low associated morbidity and mortality. An increased understanding of pelvic anatomy has allowed the perineal approach to match the retropubic approach in efficacy and complication rate. Thus, this article serves to integrate an anatomic description of pelvic anatomy with the surgical technique of perineal prostatectomy.
THE MAPPING OF SURFACE CRACKS BY NON-CONTACTING METHODS IN STATIONARY AND MOVING COMPONENTS

This is a review of research carried out under sponsorship of the Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, California, on the detection and mapping of surface cracks by photothermal radiometric imaging (PRI), radiometric emissivity imaging (REI), and optical scanning (OS). PRI can detect cracks just below the surface as well as surface cracks but is limited to “off-line” testing. REI and OS, while detecting only surface cracks, have been used to map cracks on rapidly rotating surfaces. Methods have been found for minimizing a “blemish noise” problem that exists in PRI and REI.
Pulmonary Embolism with Right Ventricular Dysfunction: Who Should Receive Thrombolytic Agents?

Abstract Background Appropriate management of pulmonary embolism patients with right ventricular dysfunction is uncertain. Recent guidelines have stressed the need for more data on the use of thrombolytic agents in the stable pulmonary embolism patient with right ventricular dysfunction. The objective of this study is to investigate the hypothesis that thrombolytic therapy in hemodynamically stable pulmonary embolism patients with right ventricular dysfunction is not associated with improved mortality. Methods We did a retrospective analysis using multi-institutional observational data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes were used to identify the patients with pulmonary embolism and right ventricular dysfunction. In-hospital mortality was defined as the primary outcome of interest. Results Over the 4 years of the study period, 3668 patients with right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary embolism were found, of which 3253 patients were identified as having hemodynamically stable right-sided heart failure with pulmonary embolism. There was no significant difference in mortality between hemodynamically stable pulmonary embolism patients with right ventricular dysfunction who received thrombolytic agents compared with those who did not. When outcomes were assessed for patients with right ventricular dysfunction and hemodynamic instability, a significant improvement in mortality was noted for patients with right ventricular dysfunction who received thrombolytic agents, which confirmed previous reports that thrombolytic therapy decreases mortality in pulmonary embolism patients who are hemodynamically unstable. Conclusion Our data support the use of less aggressive treatment for stable pulmonary embolism patients with right ventricular dysfunction. These results argue against the reflexive use of thrombolytic agents in stable pulmonary embolism patients with right ventricular dysfunction.
Preferential Arrangement Superpatterns

Abstract A superpattern is a string of characters of length n that contains as a subsequence, and in a sense that depends on the context, all the smaller strings of length k in a certain class. We prove structural and probabilistic results on superpatterns for preferential arrangements, including (i) a theorem that demonstrates that a string is a superpattern for all preferential arrangements if and only if it is a superpattern for all permutations; and (ii) a result that is reminiscent of a still unresolved conjecture of Alon on the smallest permutation on [n] that contains all k-permutations with high probability.
"Detection, location and characterization of partial discharge sites in extruded dielectric cables"

This paper reports on the progress of a research project intended to develop a method and instrumentation to detect, locate and characterize partial discharges and faults in the insulation of underground cable circuits. The method is non-destructive and applicable in-situ. It is designed to overcome the adverse effects of high ambient noise and high signal attenuation due to lossy semiconducting shields. Noise interference is reduced both by a judicious design of filters and through the use of digital deconvolution and noise reduction techniques. Methods are developed to generate a cable transfer function used in the process of enhancing and analyzing the PD signals. Results are shown from measurements performed in a noisy environment on a 600-ft 15 kV XLPE insulated cable. Testing of the method under actual field conditions is in progress.
A dynamic model for far-field acceleration

abstract A model for the far-field acceleration radiated by an incoherent rupture is constructed by combining Madariaga9s (1977) theory for the high-frequency radiation from crack models of faulting with a simple statistical source model. By extending Madariaga9s results to acceleration pulses with finite durations, the peak acceleration of a pulse radiated by a single stop or start of a crack tip is shown to depend on the dynamic stress drop of the subevent, the total change in rupture velocity, and the ratio of the subevent radius to the acceleration pulse width. An incoherent rupture is approximated by a sample from a self-similar distribution of coherent subevents. Assuming the subevents fit together without overlapping, the high-frequency level of the acceleration spectra depends linearly on the rms dynamic stress drop, the average change in rupture velocity, and the square root of the overall rupture area. The high-frequency level is independent, to first order, of the rupture complexity. Following Hanks (1979), simple approximations are derived for the relation between the rms dynamic stress drop and the rms acceleration, averaged over the pulse duration. This relation necessarily depends on the shape of the body-wave spectra. The body waves radiated by 10 small earthquakes near Monticello Dam, South Carolina, are analyzed to test these results. The average change of rupture velocity of Δ v = 0.8 β associated with the radiation of the acceleration pulses is estimated by comparing the rms acceleration contained in the P waves to that in the S waves. The rms dynamic stress drops of the 10 events, estimated from the rms accelerations, range from 0.4 to 1.9 bars and are strongly correlated with estimates of the apparent stress.
Blood Transfusion Therapy

Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) is a balance between providing benefit for patients while avoiding risks of transfusion. Randomized, controlled trials of restrictive RBC transfusion practices have shown equivalent patient outcomes compared with liberal transfusion practices, and meta-analyses have shown improved in-hospital mortality, reduced cardiac events, and reduced bacterial infections. This body of level 1 evidence has led to substantial, improved blood utilization and reduction of inappropriate blood transfusions with implementation of clinical decision support via electronic medical records, along with accompanying educational initiatives.
Incorporating Uncertainty into Future Estimates of Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Wastewater Treatment

AbstractNitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas. Wastewater treatment is considered to be a minor source of N2O; however, observed in-plant emission factors are more variable than previously...
Comparisons of global land surface seasonality and phenology derived from AVHRR, MODIS, and VIIRS data

Land surface seasonality has been widely investigated from satellite observations for monitoring the dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems in response to climate change. A great deal of efforts has focused on the characterization of interannual variation and long-term trends of vegetation phenological metrics derived from the advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data across regional and global scales. Recently, Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) data have become available for the detections of global land surface phenology. These data sets provide us a potential opportunity to generate a consistent long-term climate data record of land surface phenology. However, to bridge the multiple-sensor-based phenology measurements, we need to understand their consistency and discrepancy across various geographical and ecological regions. To this end, we collected daily AVHRR, MODIS, and VIIRS data (~5 km) globally, compared their temporal trajectories of two band enhanced vegetation index (EVI2) during 2013 and 2014, examined their discrepancy of phenology retrievals, and explored the influence of EVI2 data quality from the three satellite sensors on phenology detections. The results revealed the similarity and discrepancy of EVI2 time series and land surface phenology retrievals globally. Specifically, EVI2 time series from VIIRS and MODIS observations were similar with some discrepancies mainly arising from unsystematic impact factors. In contrast, VIIRS EVI2 was systematically higher than AVHRR EVI2, in which their differences could be greatly reduced by intersensor calibration. Further, the quality of EVI2 time series among AVHRR, MODIS, and VIIRS varied largely across the globe, which was generally better in Northern Hemisphere than in Southern Hemisphere. Their differences in EVI2 data quality led to the inconsistencies in the detections of phenological dates. On average, the absolute difference of phenological transition dates among the three products was larger than 10 days in about 30% of pixels in Northern Hemisphere and more than 40% in Southern Hemisphere.
SimProf: A Sampling Framework for Data Analytic Workloads

Today, there is a steep rise in the amount of data being collected from diverse applications. Consequently, data analytic workloads are gaining popularity to gain insight that can benefit the application, e.g., financial trading, social media analysis. To study the architectural behavior of the workloads, architectural simulation is one of the most common approaches. However, because of the long-running nature of the workloads, it is not trivial to identify which parts of the analysis to simulate. In the current work, we introduce SimProf, a sampling framework for data analytic workloads. Using this tool, we are able to select representative simulation points based on the phase behavior of the analysis at a method level granularity. This provides a better understanding of the simulation point and also reduces the simulation time for different input sets. We present the framework for Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark frameworks, which can be easily extended to other data analytic workloads.
Photo-generated conduction-band and shallow-trap electrons from UV irradiation on ethanol-adsorbed TiO 2 and N-TiO 2 : an in situ infrared study

The dynamic behaviors of conduction-band electrons ( $${\text{e}}_{CB}^{ - }$$ ) and shallow-trap electrons ( $${\text{e}}_{ST}^{ - }$$ ) generated from UV irradiation on ethanol-adsorbed TiO2 and N-TiO2 have been studied by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in a diffuse reflectance mode at 300 K and 0.1 MPa. UV irradiation on ethanol-adsorbed TiO2 resulted in the breaking of C–H bond of ethanol, the transfer of electrons from ethanol to the photo-generated holes on TiO2 and N-TiO2, the accumulation of $${\text{e}}_{CB}^{ - }$$ and $${\text{e}}_{ST}^{ - }$$ , and the formation of acetate on TiO2 and the formation of acetate, formate, and formaldehyde on N-TiO2. Accumulated $${\text{e}}_{CB}^{ - }$$ and $${\text{e}}_{ST}^{ - }$$ are manifested by broad and featureless IR absorbance spectra, which can be fitted into two models for estimation of their relative concentrations. N-doping onto TiO2 produced a higher population of $${\text{e}}_{ST}^{ - }$$ and generated $${\text{e}}_{ST}^{ - }$$ and $${\text{e}}_{CB}^{ - }$$ at a lower rate than TiO2. The average energy level of $${\text{e}}_{ST}^{ - }$$ was determined to be 0.30 eV for TiO2 and 0.26 eV for N-TiO2 below the conduction band. Upon terminating UV irradiation, the IR intensity of accumulated $${\text{e}}_{CB}^{ - }$$ and $${\text{e}}_{ST}^{ - }$$ showed a gradual decay in a time scale of minutes. This study demonstrated that the recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes can be a slow process on TiO2 and N-TiO2 in the presence of adsorbed ethanol under ambient conditions.
Designing binding kinetic assay on the bio-layer interferometry (BLI) biosensor to characterize antibody-antigen interactions

Abstract The Octet biosensors provide a high-throughput alternative to the well-established surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and SPR imaging (SPRi) biosensors to characterize antibody-antigen interactions. However, the utility of the Octet biosensors for accurate and reproducible measurement of binding rate constants of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is limited due to challenges such as analyte rebinding, and mass transport limitation (MTL). This study focuses on addressing these challenges and provides experimental conditions to reliably measure kinetics of mAb-antigen interactions. The mAb capture density of less than 0.6 nm was found to be optimal to measure a wide range of binding affinities on Octet HTX biosensor. The titration kinetic and single cycle kinetic assays performed on Octet HTX generated reproducible binding kinetic parameters and correlated with the values measured on Biacore 4000 and MASS-1. Kinetic assays performed on 0.1 nm density mAb surfaces significantly reduced MTL and enabled characterization of picomolar affinity mAbs. Finally, kinetic analysis performed on 150 antibodies to 10 antigens with molecular weights ranging from 21kD to 105kD showed concordance between Octet HTX, Biacore 4000 and MASS-1 (R2 > 0.90). The data presented in this study suggest that under optimal experimental conditions, Octet biosensor is capable of generating kinetic values comparable to SPR/SPRi biosensors.
Coccidioides and Coccidioidomycosis

Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii are the causative agents of coccidioidomycosis, or San Joaquin Valley Fever. The disease was first described in 1892 in Argentina, and its distribution and frequency investigated into the mid-1900s. National reporting has measured a recent increase in disease burden in the United States. All mammals appear to be susceptible to infection; however disease manifestation varies from asymptomatic to lethal. Several thousand cases of the disease are reported annually in the United States. We discuss the epidemiology, diagnostics, virulence factors, and treatment options for coccidioidomycosis.
Distant Cutaneous Manifestations of a Primary Gynecologic Malignancy

Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. While most cases are diagnosed early and recurrence is rare with adequate treatment, late stage disease has a much worse prognosis, with 5-year survival rates of 25-45%. We report the presentation of recurrent uterine serous carcinoma with metastasis to the skin. An 80-year-old postmenopausal female with a history of endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma was diagnosed with recurrent metastatic disease 3 years after her initial presentation. During hospital admission, she was noted to have clusters of rubbery cutaneous nodules with an erythematous vesicular appearance on the left breast. Biopsy of the lesions showed metastatic serous adenocarcinoma consistent with gynecologic origin. Cutaneous metastasis is a rare finding in uterine cancer. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a wide differential diagnosis and high level of suspicion when evaluating skin lesions in the setting of uterine pathology. J Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2017;6(3-4):71-74 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jcgo461w
A novel load-aware cell association for simultaneous network capacity and user QoS optimization in emerging HetNets

Ultra-dense Heterogeneous networks (UDHN) are emerging as the inevitable approach to cope with the imminent cellular network capacity crunch. However, load imbalance and widely disproportionate SINR distribution between macro and small cells, remains the key hurdle in harnessing the full potential of UDHN. In this paper we address this problem by proposing and analysing a novel load-aware user association methodology that offers a mechanism to simultaneously optimize network capacity, load distribution and coverage. The solution concurrently leverages the three key optimization parameters for Coverage and Capacity Optimization (CCO) and Load Balancing (LB) SON functions i.e. antenna tilts, transmit powers and cell individual offsets (CIOs). The method incorporates exponential-weighting based prioritization of CCO and LB SON functions within the user association process. The results suggest that the proposed approach offers a distribution of load between macro and small cells that yields more gain in terms of both network capacity and user quality of service than conventional max signal strength or max SINR based association methods.
Pyrene Butyric Acid: A Non-Invasive Probe for In Situ Intracellular Oxygen Concentration

Historically there have been two major problems facing researchers trying to measure the intracellular concentration of oxygen, [O2]i. The first is the cellular damage, however slight, concomitant with entry into cells by the (micro)electrodes used in Polarographic techniques. The second drawback is the actual consumption, again however slight, of oxygen by the Polarographic electrode. We could like to report at this time the successful application of pyrene butyric acid (PBA) as an alternative to the older methods as a quantitative tool for non-invasive, nonconsumptive measurement of [O2]i.
Effects of Membrane Composition and Cytoskeletal Proteins on Membrane Mechanics

We pull plasma membrane nanotubes (tethers) from living human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells using optical tweezers. Time-resolved force profiling provides us information on membrane tether formation force and energy, and membrane tether equilibrium force. We modulate the membrane composition by modifying its cholesterol content using Cyclodextrins, and correlate the mechanical properties to the cholesterol content. To discern the effects of cytoskelatal proteins, we perform the experiments using HEK cells with intact and disrupted F-actin. Our data suggest the significance of membrane composition, specifically membrane cholesterol content, and cytoskeletal proteins, specifically F-actin on membrane mechanical properties as well as membrane-cytoskeleton adhesion.
Assessing Levels and Correlates of Implementation of Evidence-Based Approaches for Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study With Federally Qualified Health Centers:

Multiple evidence-based approaches (EBAs) exist to improve colorectal cancer screening in health clinics. The success of these approaches is tied to effective implementation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of EBAs for colorectal cancer screening and clinic-level correlates of implementation in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). We conducted descriptive and cross-sectional analyses using data collected from FQHC clinics across seven states ( n = 51). A clinic representative completed electronic surveys about clinic characteristics (e.g., size, patient characteristics, and medical record system characteristics) and the implementation of Community Guide recommended EBAs (e.g., client reminders, small media, and provider assessment and feedback). We used bivariate Spearman correlations to assess clinic-level correlates with implementation outcomes. Most clinics were planning to implement, in the early implementation stages, or inconsistently implementing EBAs. No EBA was fully implemented by more than nine (17.6%) clinics. Clinic size variables were inversely related to implementation levels of one-on-one education; medical record variables were directly related to implementation levels of client and provider reminders as well as provider assessment and feedback; and rapid and timely feedback from clinic leaders was directly associated with implementation levels of four out of six EBAs. Given the varying levels of implementation, clinics need to assess current use of implementation strategies and improve effective program delivery to increase colorectal cancer screening among their patients. In addition, clinics should also consider how their characteristics may support or serve as a barrier to implementation in their respective settings.