cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Daptomycin for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections of the spine

Abstract Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is increasingly common. Treatment with vancomycin-based therapy is often unsuccessful. Daptomycin is a relatively new lipopeptide antibiotic with potent activity against MRSA. Purpose To describe the successful management of MRSA infection involving the spine. Study design Two case reports of MRSA infection, one involving epidural and lumbar subdural abscesses, the other with osteomyelitis and discitis. Methods Two cases are described, one with lumbar epidural and subdural abscesses and the other with osteomyelitis and discitis of the spine. Switching from vancomycin to daptomycin plus rifampin-based therapy resulted in patient improvement that allowed discharge from the hospital. Results Both patients recovered fully from their infection. Conclusions Daptomycin is a safe and effective option for the treatment of MRSA infection involving the spine.
Sinusoidal Burst Generator for Auditory Evoked Response Research

A simple stimulator has been devised in which sinusoidal signals in the audio range are linearly modulated to generate tone bursts of controlled duration and shape for auditory research. The stimulator comprises a transistor differential pair modulator whose differential collector voltage is the product of the voltage applied at a base (sine wave input) and the emitter current (varied by the modulating waveform). A trapezoidal generator is provided for the modulating waveform. The output is greater than 60 dB above noise and switching transients and the ON-OFF ratio is greater than 60 dB up to 50 kHz. The frequency response is flat to 50 kHz, and there is no appreciable distortion. The trapezoidal generator has equal rise and fall times which are independent of the flat-top duration.
A total loss of innocence: double ortho-metallation of bis(triphenylphosphano)iminium cation, [N(PPh3)2]+, by tris(η-naphthalene)tantalate(1−)

For the first time [N(PPh3)2]+, or [PPN]+, has been shown to undergo an irreversible reaction with a transition metal complex under ambient conditions and affords a product containing a unique structural motif in which two phenyl groups on onePPh3 substituent of [PPN]+ are ortho-metallated, while the third phenyl ring is hydrogenated to provide a tantalum bound 1,3-cyclohexadiene group.
New Neutron Radiation Effects Capabilities at the Low Energy Neutron Source (LENS)

Abstract The Low Energy Neutron Source (LENS) is a novel, university-based pulsed neutron source located within the Center for Explo- ration of Energy and Matter (CEEM) at Indiana University. The source utilizes a low energy p-n reaction in Beryllium coupled with a high-current, variable-pulse-width proton accelerator to produce either short or long neutron pulses. One of the target stations has been optimized for neutron radiation effects studies of device and board level electronics testing with quasi monochromatic high flux neutron beams (∼ 1 MeV equivalent silicon). The total neutron flux at the device under test (DUT) is approximately 2 · 10 10 ( n / cm 2/ sec ) with low gamma contamination, 1 · 10 9 ( n / cm 2/ sec ). The neutron spectrum at the DUT position has been calculated using MCNP-X and has been characterized using foil activation measurements. In this paper we will describe the physical arrange-ment of the Device Test Area and indicate the unique features that have been incorporated to enhance testing effectiveness. We will also present the results of MCNP-X calculations with various adsorbed reflector arrangements that modify the spectrum incident on the device. Validation of the MCNP-X calculations using foil activation measurements will also be presented.
Supplier Development: Current Practices and Outcomes

This article presents the results of a survey on supplier development. The research indicates that buying firms engage in a variety of supplier development activities. The outcomes and benefits from supplier development, which are determined from a range of measures, e.g., measures of incoming defects, on-time deliveries, and perceptions of the buyer-supplier relationship, are reported. Respondents were generally positive about the outcomes of their supplier development efforts, but their perceptions could have been more favorable. The research also suggests that supplier development activities vary in terms of the level of buying firm commitment to the supplier development effort.
Aristotle, Ethics and Business Organizations

I have developed a theoretical framework which I call ‘an Aristotelian approach to business’ to talk about corporations and organizations in general. Although Aristotle is famous largely as an enemy of business, he was the first economist and he might well be called the first business ethicist as well. We can no longer accept the amoral idea that ‘business is business’ (not really a tautology but an excuse for being socially irresponsible and personally insensitive). According to Aristotle, one has to think of oneself as a member of the larger community—the Polis for him, the corporation, the neighborhood, the city or the country (and the world) for us—and strive to excel, to bring out what is best in ourselves and our shared enterprise. What is best in us—our virtues—are in turn defined by that larger community, and there is therefore no ultimate split or antagonism between individual self-interest and the greater public good. The Aristotelian approach to business ethics, rather, begins with the two-pron...
Multiple Scattering in an Infinite Medium

The integro-differential diffusion equation of the multiple scattering problem in an infinite, homogeneous, medium, is studied without the usual small-angle approximation. An expansion in spherical harmonics is carried out which is rapidly convergent in the case of large-angle scattering, whose coefficients can be exactly determined, and which leads to expressions for the various moments of the spatial and angular distributions. The latter alone has previously been obtained by Goudsmit and Saunderson, and, in the small-angle approximation, by Snyder and Scott. Our results are shown to include these.
Normal lung development in RAIG1-deficient mice despite unique lung epithelium-specific expression.

RAIG1, 2, and 3 and GPCR5d represent a new subfamily of orphan G protein–coupled receptors. RAIG1 is expressed abundantly and specifically in the lung during development and in adult mice. During lung development, RAIG1 expression is initiated at E14.5 and gradually increases, reaching its highest levels at E18. High levels of expression are maintained in adult lungs. Given its abundant lung-specific expression and role in retinoic acid signaling, we hypothesized that RAIG1 plays a role in epithelial cell differentiation during lung development. To determine RAIG1 function and track endogenous RAIG1 spatial expression, a null allele of Raig1 was generated and the lacZ gene was “knocked-in.” Although expression was detected in both proximal and distal epithelium during embryogenesis, it became restricted to type I and type II pneumocytes and the most distal bronchiolar cells in postnatal lungs. This is the first gene known to have this unique epithelial cell expression pattern. Despite this high level of e...
The Good Auditor ) Skeptic or Wealth Accumulator? Ethical Lessons Learned from the Arthur Andersen Debacle

The paper begins with an example of the accounting treatment afforded an Indefeasible Rights Use (IRU) Swap by Global Crossing. The case presents a typical example of ways in which accounting firms contributed to the ethical scandals of the early 21st century. While the behavior of Arthur Andersen, the accounting company in the case, might have met the letter of the law, we argue that it violated “the spirit of the law,” which can be discovered by looking at (1) the legitimate goals of a company which give it its ethical direction and (2) the responsibilities of the accounting professionals who serve the company and the general public. Those professional responsibilities are determined by looking at the legitimate function those professionals fulfill in the economy. A further claim is that Andersen and other accounting firms are motivated to abandon the responsibilities derived from pursuing their proper goals by falling into the trap of accumulating wealth for its own sake. We argue that the ultimate responsibility of internal auditors is to develop statements that give as reasonably true and fair a picture of the financial situation to any user having a claim to that knowledge. Further we argue that the major responsibilities of the external auditor are: first, to be responsible to the using public for evaluating financial statements and declaring that they represent a fair picture of the financial situation of a company, and second, to be a watchdog of financial markets and call into question irregular practices that would distort those pictures. Such due professional care requires the auditor to exercise “professional skepticism”: an attitude that includes a questioning mind and a critical assessment of audit evidence. The paper concludes by giving particular examples of how Arthur Andersen LLP failed to meet those responsibilities.
Circulating aldosterone induces the apical accumulation of the proton pumping V-ATPase and increases proton secretion in clear cells in the caput epididymis

Clear cells express the vacuolar proton-pumping H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) and acidify the lumen of the epididymis, a process that is essential for male fertility. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone syste...
Heritable features of the auditory oddball event-related potential: peaks, latencies, morphology and topography.

Abstract Baseline auditory ERP data from a larger study of the genetic determinants of the response to alcohol were collected from 59 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs and from 39 same-sex dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs who drank socially. Three methods for measuring genetic influence on the ERPs were applied. First, based on maximum-likelihood estimates, the heritability of conventional peak amplitude and latency of N1 and P3 components was computed for each of 16 lead locations using tests of the significance of heritability based on intraclass correlations. P3 amplitude provided the strongest results, distributed symmetrically over caudal leads, and implied gene dominance as the mode of genetic transmission for the P3 component. A substantial genetic influence on N1 latency suggested a mixture of additive and dominance effects in the left fronto-temporal region. N1 amplitude measures trended towards significant heritability, but none was observed for P3 latency. The second method used the maximum of the cross-correlation function to compare wave form shape in a lead-by-lead analysis of data from cotwins. Genetic influence was apparent in both target and non-target ERP responses, with a fronto-central topography of significant results. The third method reduced all spatial and temporal ERP differences from a pair of twins to a single scalar number for each response. Distributions of this global measure revealed significant genetic influence on both non-target and target ERPs. A post hoc analysis of the effect of gender on the heritability of N1 or P3 peaks and latencies revealed no statistically significant observations in this sample of young adult twins.
Level of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Subjects with AIDS and CMV Infection of the Central Nervous System

The objective of this study was to correlate cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of subjects with AIDS with clinical and pathologic findings attributable to CMV infection of the central nervous system (CNS). CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done on serial dilutions of CSF samples from 24 AIDS patients with autopsy-proven CNS disorders. CMV DNA was detected in CSF from 12 of 13 subjects with evidence of CMV infection of the brain or spinal cord but in none of 11 subjects without autopsy evidence of CMV CNS infection. Subjects whose CSF contained > 10(3) CMV DNA molecules/8 microL of CSF had severe CMV CNS disease (e.g., ventriculoencephalitis). PCR appears to be more useful than clinical and neuroradiologic findings for documenting CMV infection of the CNS in patients with AIDS. Quantitation of CMV DNA in CSF shows promise for evaluation of the extent of involvement.
Effect of sampling jitter on some sine wave measurements

The effects of sampling jitter on the measurement of amplitude and phase of a sinusoidal signal have been investigated. The parameters are determined by the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm, which processes the samples following data acquisition. Results are expressed in terms of the mean values and variances of the measured parameters. Computer simulation results, based on Gaussian jitter show the changes of amplitude and phase standard deviations versus the changes of jitter standard deviation and signal amplitude for different numbers of samples, N. It is shown that amplitude and phase standard deviations are inversely proportional to square root N, and proportional to sigma /sub R/, the standard deviation of phase noise (jitter). This dependence on sigma /sub R/ means proportionality to both signal frequency and time jitter standard deviation. >
Experimental PSK/ASK transceiver for the STARNET WDM computer communication network

STARNET is an optical wavelength-division-multiplexed computer communication network that offers each user both a circuit-switched subnetwork and a packer-switched subnetwork. The authors constructed an experimental STARNET node transceiver. The transceiver uses one integrated phase and amplitude modulator to transmit 125 Mb/s amplitude-modulated packet-switched data and 2.488 Gb/s phase modulated circuit-switched data using the same lightwave. The transmitter has an output power of 5 dBm at 1.32 mu m. The receiver recovers the circuit-switched and packet-switched data using heterodyne detection and has a sensitivity of -25 dBm. The resulting system power budget is 30 dB. >
Physiological Pathways Responsible for the Breakdown of the Blood Brain Barrier during Viral Encephalitis

During experimental viral encephalitis, mice infected with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) develop both innate and acquired immune responses to the infection. Many mice are spontaneously able to efficiently activate these host responses and limit viral replication, leading to survival. Other individuals develop pathologies including infection of a central regulatory region of the CNS, the locus ceruleus,infection of the lumbar sacral spinal cord (leading to hind-limb paralysis), or develop dysregulation of the blood brain barrier (BBB). These pathologies are frequently associated with a lethal outcome from infection. While we have studied many aspects of the hosts’ response to VSV infection including the effects of exogenous cytokine treatment, the role of IFN-γ and the inflammatory cells as well as the signals which have recruited them to the infection, this article will be restricted to the factors we have observed to regulate the integrity of the BBB during experimental VSV encephalitis. These mediators include nitric oxide and eicosinoids Prostaglandins and leukotrienes. By understanding the underlying physiology of the breakdown of the BBB, future treatments will be developed and applied to humans who have viral or bacterial infections of the CNS.
J—2 Safety Aspects of LNG Spills on Land

In September 1969 the American Gas Association staff and member companies organized an LNG Safety Task Group to recommend a plan for studying the potential event of an accidental spill of LNG on land. This was done against a background of rapidly developing LNG peakshaving and importation projects. At that time relatively few LNG spill experiments had been done and few papers had been published giving estimates of the dispersion hazard. The Task Group concluded that the following additional information should be obtained on LNG operations: (1) Specific types of equipment or storage failures reasonably to be expected, (2) rates and quantities of discharge that could result from possible failures, and (3) magnitudes of the resulting hazards to plant operators and to the public. In phase I of the program, data were gathered on accidents with cryogens including LNG and on possible types of failures, and the associated hazards were evaluated [1,2]. Discussions were held with personnel of the LNG and the cryogenics industries to obtain information on current practices and on accidents and to get their ideas about safety. It was concluded that large spills, though improbable, should be considered in the phase II program. The latter phase of the LNG Safety Program was planned to obtain specific results in four areas: (1) Prediction of the vapor cloud dispersion hazard, (2) means of reducing the dispersion hazard, (3) prediction of the radiation hazard, and (4) techniques of reducing the radiation hazard.
The Emerging Field of World Christianity: A Renewal Reading of the Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity

The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity (CDC) is a major publishing event.1 The following highlights its major achievements, assesses its coverage of topics related to Pentecostal-charismatic Christianity, and then explores the implications of this burgeoning global movement for the study of Christianity as a world religious tradition. My thesis is that such a reading of the CDC both highlights the various ways in which it contributes to the establishment of and illuminates world Christianity as a field of study on the one hand, but also puts in relief the shifting dynamics relating the world Christian movement with the new field of renewal studies on the other hand.
Directly diode-pumped Yb: KY(WO4)2 regenerative amplifiers

Two Yb3+-doped KYWO42 regenerative amplifiers, one end pumped by two 1.6-W single-stripe diodes at 940 nm and the other side pumped by one 20-W diode bar at 980 nm, are demonstrated. When the regenerative amplifiers are injected, 40‐µJ, 400-fs and 65‐µJ, 460-fs pulses at a 1-kHz repetition rate are obtained following compression from the end- and side-pumped amplifiers, respectively.
Prenatal methamphetamine differentially alters myocardial sensitivity to ischemic injury in male and female adult hearts.

Prenatal exposure to methamphetamine increases myocardial sensitivity to ischemic injury and alters proteins involved in cardioprotective signaling pathways in the adult female rat heart. These cha...
High-Order Adaptive Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) Calculations of Solidification

A high-order-accurate method for simulation of solidification is presented. The solidification front is tracked using an ALE method on an unstructured triangular mesh, and a high-order hp-finite element method is used to resolve the thermal and flow fields. This is combined with a mesh adaption algorithm to allow simulations of problems with large interfacial movement and an A-stable diagonally-implicit Runge-Kutta scheme for the temporal discretization. The method was demonstrated to give a temporal order of accuracy near 3 by comparing to a 1D analytic solution of melting. The spatial accuracy was calculated to be nearly 5th order for an approximation space of degree 4. Even for this simple case, the mesh adaption algorithm improved the accuracy over a simulation where the mesh only deformed. For a practical demonstration, the algorithm was used to simulate horizontal ribbon growth and was able to resolve solutions where the solid layer thickness decreased by a factor of 20 over the course of the simulation.© 2013 ASME
On the Utility of Spinel Oxide Hosts for Magnesium-Ion Batteries

There is immense interest to develop Mg-ion batteries, but finding suitable cathode materials has been a challenge. The spinel structure has many advantages for ion insertion and has been successfully used in Li-ion batteries. We present here findings on the attempts to extract Mg from MgMn2O4-based spinels with acid (H2SO4) and with NO2BF4. The acid treatment was able to fully remove all Mg from MgMn2O4 by following a mechanism involving the disproportionation of Mn3+, and the extraction rate decreased with increasing cation disorder. Samples with additional Mg2+ ions in the octahedral sites (e.g., Mg1.1Mn1.9O4 and Mg1.5Mn1.5O4) also exhibit complete or near complete demagnesiation due to an additional mechanism involving ion exchange of Mg2+ by H+, but no Mg could be extracted from MgMnAlO4 due to the disruption of Mn–Mn interaction/contact across shared octahedral edges. In contrast, no Mg could be extracted with the oxidizing agent NO2BF4 from MgMn2O4 or Mg1.5Mn1.5O4 as the electrostatic repulsion bet...
Pressure Drop Calculation Methods of Heavy Oil Transporting Pipelines

At present,there are still no definite theoretic formulae for the pressure drop calculation of heavy oil-water-natural gas transporting pipelines at home.A set of formulae for the pressure drop calculation of heavy oil transporting pipelines is summarized on the basis of consulting a lot of data at home and abroad.A visual calculator programme is prepared by use of Borland C++ Builder language,moreover the feasibility of the method is proved through field data.
Volume magnetization for system-level testing of magnetic materials within small satellites

Abstract Passive Magnetic Attitude Control (PMAC) is a popular among small satellites due to its low resource cost and simplicity of installation. However, predicting the performance of these systems can be a challenge, chiefly due to the difficulty of measurement and simulation of hysteresis materials. We present a low-cost method of magnetic measurement allowing for characterization of both hard and soft magnetic materials. A Helmholtz cage uniformly magnetizes a 30 cm×30 cm×30 cm test volume. The addition of a thin sense coil allows this system to characterize individual hysteresis rod performance when in close proximity to other hard and/or soft magnetic materials. This test setup is applied to hard and soft magnetic materials used aboard the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE), a 3U CubeSat for space weather investigation which used a PMAC system. The measured hard magnet dipole of 0.80±0.017 A m2 is in good agreement with the dynamics-based satellite dipole moment fits. Five hysteresis rods from the same set as the CSSWE flight rods are tested; significant differences in dampening abilities are found. In addition, a limitation of the widely-used Flatley model is described. The interaction of two hysteresis rods in a variety of relative geometries are tested; perpendicular rods are found to have no significant interaction while parallel rods could have their dampening ability reduced by half, depending on the rod separation distance. Finally, the performance of the hysteresis rods are measured in their flight configuration, with hard and soft magnetic material dispersed as it is on CSSWE itself. For the CSSWE PMAC system design, interactions between rods have a greater affect than the magnetic flux density offset due to the onboard bar magnet.
Postnatal development of colonic electrolyte transport in rabbits.

Postnatal changes in adrenal gluco- and mineralocorticoid secretion and colonic sodium and chloride transport were examined. New Zealand White rabbits, age 10-14, 18-22, and 25-30 days, and adult animals (6-10 wk) were studied. Serum cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, and mucosal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activities were measured in each age group. Transport studies were performed in vitro under short-circuited conditions in distal colon at all age groups and in proximal colon in days 10-14 and 18-22 and in adult animals. Serum glucocorticoids varied little until after day 30 when they rose to adult levels. On the other hand, serum aldosterone levels were two- to threefold higher in days 10-14 and 18-22 animals but fell to adult levels by day 25. In distal colon, amiloride-inhibitable electrogenic Na+ absorption was present at all ages but was significantly greater (P less than 0.01) in days 10-14 (3.8 +/- 0.5 mu eq.cm-2.h-1) and 18-22 (4.2 +/- 0.4) rabbits compared with adults (1.9 +/- 0.4) but not day 25-30 (2.8 +/- 0.5). In proximal colon, Na+ absorption was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in day 10-14 (1.6 +/- 0.5 mu eq.cm-2.h-1) compared with day 18-22 (-0.2 +/- 0.5) and adults (0.06 +/- 0.5) and was amiloride insensitive. Neither chloride transport nor mucosal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase demonstrated significant age-related changes in either region of colon. These results indicate that both proximal and distal colonic Na+ transport undergoes postnatal changes. In distal but not proximal colon these changes appear to be regulated by circulating aldosterone probably by increasing apical membrane permeability to Na+.
Management of pancreatitis complicating pregnancy

Pregnancy complicated by pancreatitis may lead to significant fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. We reviewed the clinical course of 30 women who developed pancreatitis in our institution during pregnancy from 1988 to 1992. Pancreatitis complicated 0.07 per cent of pregnancies (n = 46,075) during this time period. The etiology was gallstones in 22 patients, alcohol in 2 patients, and idiopathic in 6 patients. Average age, multiparity, and symptoms at presentation were similar between patients with gallstone (GSP) or non-gallstone pancreatitis (NGSP). All patients were initially treated medically. GSP patients had significantly lower Ranson criteria than NGSP (0.7 vs. 1.9, P < 0.01), but response to initial therapy, need for emergency surgery, fetal outcome, and fetal and maternal mortality (0 per cent) were the same. Twenty-six of 30 patients were successfully treated with conservative management. A significantly higher relapse rate was seen in GSP than NGSP patients before delivery (72% vs. 0%, P < 0.05). These relapses required hospitalization 90 per cent of the time and resulted in 3.9 additional days per patient. Six patients underwent surgery during pregnancy (two in the first trimester and four in the second trimester) without fetal or maternal mortality and with normal birthweights and Apgar scores. No relapses or additional days in hospital were noted in GSP patients following surgery. We recommend that GSP patients presenting in the first or second trimester should, if possible, undergo cholecystectomy in the second trimester when the risk of anesthesia and premature labor are the lowest. Patients presenting in the third trimester should undergo surgery immediately post-partum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Potentially preventable complications in epilepsy admissions: The “weekend effect”

Abstract Introduction Epilepsy affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States with frequent hospital admissions accounting for a significant burden on patients and society as a whole. Weekend admissions have generally been found to have poorer outcomes compared to weekday admissions with increased rates of preventable complications, such as nationally identified “hospital-acquired conditions” (HAC). Objective This study aimed to assess the impact of weekend admission on HACs and mortality in the adult epilepsy population. Participants All adult patients with epilepsy hospitalized in the U.S. from 2000 to 2010 in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Results There were 12,997,181 admissions for epilepsy with 10,106,152 (78%) weekday, 2,891,019 (22%) weekend, and 10 ( Conclusion Prior studies have shown weekend admissions are usually associated with higher rates of complications leading to higher costs and a longer hospital stay. Likewise, weekend admissions for epilepsy were associated with increased rates of HACs and mortality; however, they were also negatively associated with LOS and total charge. Thus, weekend admissions for epilepsy should be considered high risk with greater effort made to mitigate these risks.
Monolithic integration of vertical SiN x microrings on a ridge waveguide to achieve multi-channel photonic coupling

Multi-channel vertical photonic coupling was observed, by integrating two different SiN x vertical microring couplers (VμRC) monolithically on a single ridge waveguide. This work represents a critical step to 3D photonic integration using VμRC's.
Effect of small molecules on the phase behavior and coacervation of aqueous solutions of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate)

Abstract Hypothesis Complex coacervates are capable of easily partitioning solutes within them based on relative affinities of solute-water and solute-polyelectrolyte pairs, as the coacervate phase has low surface tension with water, facilitating the transport of small molecules into the coacervate phase. The uptake of small molecules is expected to influence the physicochemical properties of the complex coacervate, including the hydrophobicity within coacervate droplets, phase boundaries of coacervation and precipitation, solute uptake capacity, as well as the coacervate rheological properties. Experiments Phase behavior of aqueous solutions of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC) and poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (SPS) was investigated in the presence of various concentrations of two different dyes, positively charged methylene blue (MB) or non-charged bromothymol blue (BtB), using turbidity measurements. These materials were characterized with UV–vis spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), fluorescence spectroscopy, and dynamic rheological measurements. Findings The presence of MB or BtB accelerates the coacervation process due to the increased hydrophobicity within coacervates by the addition of MB or BtB. The encapsulated MB or BtB tends to reduce the ionic crosslink density in the PDAC-SPS coacervates, resulting in a much weaker interconnecting network of the PDAC-SPS coacervates.
Endovascular “Repair” of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Iliac Artery Aneurysm

Endovascular aneurysm repair is currently being developed as an alternative to traditional surgical repair for patients with abdominal aneurysms. The divisions of vascular surgery and interventiona...
Bacterial Microbiome Dynamics in Post Pull-Through Hirschsprung-Associated Enterocolitis (HAEC): An Experimental Study Employing the Endothelin Receptor B-Null Mouse Model.

Purpose: Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is the most frequent potentially life-threatening complication in children with Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) even after definitive corrective surgery. Mounting evidence suggests that intestinal microbiota likely contribute to the etiology of enterocolitis, so the aim of this study was to use a mouse model of post pull-through HAEC to compare the fecal bacterial communities of animals which developed HAEC to those free of enterocolitis. Methods: Ten Ednrb−/− and 8 wild type mice underwent the microsurgical pull-through surgery, and stool was collected at the time of surgery, and then either at 2 and 4 weeks after the operation, or when the mice developed enterocolitis. The mid-colon of all animals was collected, prepared and histologically graded for enterocolitis. Fecal DNA was isolated and bacterial 16S rRNA genes analyzed using Illumina sequencing. Results: Six Ednrb−/− mice developed HAEC with a mean enterocolitis score of 5.7, while the remaining 4 mutant and 8 WT mice remained free of enterocolitis by 4 weeks. The HAEC group had lower alpha diversity by Chao1 analysis compared with WT group, while the Ednrb−/− mice demonstrated distinct bacterial communities from WT mice on beta diversity analysis. The most striking finding was increased proportion of Akkermansia and reduced Bacteroidetes compared with the NO HAEC and WT groups, suggesting Akkermansia may contribute to development of enterocolitis while Bacteroidetes may be protective. Less abundant genera that were reduced in HAEC were Dysgonomas and Clostridium XIVa which may play a protective role. Conclusions: This is the first study to identify Akkermansia as potentially playing a role in HAEC, either as a pathobiont taxa contributing to pathogenesis of enterocolitis, or possibly a protective commensal taxa expanded in response to inflammation. These findings characterized the dynamic shifts in the gut microbial communities through the onset of post pull-through HAEC, and suggests that there may be identifiable bacterial community differences in HSCR patients that are high risk for developing HAEC.
Proline cis/trans isomerization regulates a T cell specific tyrosine kinase

This dissertation examines the role of protein-protein interactions that regulate the conformation and function of the Tec family kinase, interleukin-2 tyrosine kinase (Itk). Tec family kinases are expressed in hematopoetic cells and modulate intracellular signaling cascades in response to external stimuli. The domain structure of Tec family members contains the conserved SH3, SH2, and catalytic domains common to many kinase families, yet they are distinguishable by the presence of a unique N-terminal sequence. The mechanism by which Itk is regulated is not well understood. Both nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and functional assays were used to elucidate a novel regulatory mechanism for Itk in the work presented in this dissertation. These studies demonstrate that the Itk SH2 domain adopts two distinct conformations in solution that are in slow exchange. The observed conformational heterogeneity is due to proline cis/trans isomerization around a single prolyl imide bond, generating a cis proline-containing conformer and a trans prolinecontaining conformer. Each conformer displays unique ligand binding properties. The trans conformer preferentially binds phosphotyrosine-containing ligands, whereas the cis conformer is required for a novel intermolecular interaction with the Itk SH3 domain. This SH3-SH2 self-association interaction is mediated by the conserved aromatic ligand binding pocket on the Itk SH3 domain and a newly defined surface on the Itk SH2 domain. Proline cis/trans isomerization is not only an important switch in regulating ligand binding, we also observe that the conformational^ heterogenous proline residue is required for recognition of Itk as a substrate for the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, cyclophilin A. Cyclophilin A accelerates the interconversion between the cis and trans Itk SH2 domain conformera. Furthermore, both in vitro and in vivo cellular experiments reveal that cyclophilin A inhibits Itk kinase activity. This observation allows us to propose a mechanistic model for a completely new mode of kinase regulation and reveals a cellular role for cyclophilin A in T cell signaling. In sum, this dissertation provides molecular details about the structure of the Tec family kinase, Itk, and the functional implications of these
Mixture of segmenters with discriminative spatial regularization and sparse weight selection

This paper presents a novel segmentation algorithm which automatically learns the combination of weak segmenters and builds a strong one based on the assumption that the locally weighted combination varies w.r.t. both the weak segmenters and the training images. We learn the weighted combination during the training stage using a discriminative spatial regularization which depends on training set labels. A closed form solution to the cost function is derived for this approach. In the testing stage, a sparse regularization scheme is imposed to avoid overfitting. To the best of our knowledge, such a segmentation technique has never been reported in literature and we empirically show that it significantly improves on the performances of the weak segmenters. After showcasing the performance of the algorithm in the context of atlas-based segmentation, we present comparisons to the existing weak segmenter combination strategies on a hippocampal data set.
Multiscale methods for computational RNA enzymology

Abstract RNA catalysis is of fundamental importance to biology and yet remains ill-understood due to its complex nature. The multidimensional “problem space” of RNA catalysis includes both local and global conformational rearrangements, changes in the ion atmosphere around nucleic acids and metal ion binding, dependence on potentially correlated protonation states of key residues, and bond breaking/forming in the chemical steps of the reaction. The goal of this chapter is to summarize and apply multiscale modeling methods in an effort to target the different parts of the RNA catalysis problem space while also addressing the limitations and pitfalls of these methods. Classical molecular dynamics simulations, reference interaction site model calculations, constant pH molecular dynamics (CpHMD) simulations, Hamiltonian replica exchange molecular dynamics, and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical simulations will be discussed in the context of the study of RNA backbone cleavage transesterification. This reaction is catalyzed by both RNA and protein enzymes, and here we examine the different mechanistic strategies taken by the hepatitis delta virus ribozyme and RNase A.
Reorganizing the Fourth Year: Curricular Organization—How Will the Fourth Year Be Redesigned?—Part I

At the time of this writing I have just finished interviewing prospective radiology residents who will begin their training on July 1, 2011. Soon I will submit my match list and I await the announcement of my roster in late March. I must say that despite the grumbling that Radiology may not be so attractive financially as it has been over the last decade, the quality of the applicants is outstanding. In fact it is the best I have ever encountered over the past 30 years which augurs well for the continuing vitality of our specialty. But this class is also special because it will be the first one to be trained under the new rules of the American Board of Radiology for first-time takers. As many of you may know the ABR has made radical changes in the content, context and timing of the board examinations. The former written examination will be transformed into a comprehensive qualifying exam to be taken at the end of the third year of residency. Among other modifications it will encompass physics in an integrative fashion and will include images to a greater extent than the current written test [1].
Epidemiology and trends of anaphylaxis in the United States, 2004-2016.

Background No national study has examined the epidemiology of anaphylaxis after introduction of the codes of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10 CM). Our objective was to examine the trends in incidence and hospitalization rates in the United States utilizing ICD-9 and ICD-10 CM codes. Methods We used the Clinformatics database from 2004 to 2016. Our outcome measures included incidence of anaphylaxis and hospitalization trends. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of anaphylaxis and hospitalization. Results There were a total of 462,906 anaphylaxis cases. The incidence increased from 153 in 2004 to 218 in 2016 (per 100,000). Women were 1.19 (95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.20) times more likely to present with anaphylaxis. Medication-induced anaphylaxis increased 15-fold. Conclusion This is the first population-based study that included ICD-10 CM codes to describe the epidemiology of anaphylaxis in the United States. ICD-10 codes improved the accuracy of medication-induced anaphylaxis, the most likely etiology to result in hospitalization.
Relay-Centric Two-Hop Networks With Asymmetric Wireless Energy Transfer: Stackelberg Games

This paper studies two-hop networks with wireless energy transfer (WET) consisting of one source and multiple relay–destination pairs. We focus on relays’ primary interest of sending their own messages to the associated destinations. As an incentive for relaying, WET is offered by the source to relays who forward source data as a return. We propose an asymmetric WET (AWET) model, where relays receive source signals one by one but those waiting longer are able to accumulate more energy by harvesting from earlier signals. We also consider symmetric WET, broadcast WET, and independent WET for comparison, where source signals can either be harvested by all relays via time-division, or via broadcasting, or harvested by intended relays exclusively. We adopt the framework of Stackelberg game to capture the self-interest and hierarchically competing nature of nodes. The relay–destination pairs play as leaders and the source–destination pairs as followers. The existence and the uniqueness of the Stackelberg equilibrium (SE) are shown, and a best-response-based algorithm that achieves the SE is provided. Simulation results demonstrate that the AWET protocol outperforms the others.
14C Blank Corrections for 25–100 μg Samples at the National Ocean Sciences AMS Laboratory

Replicate radiocarbon (14C) measurements of organic and inorganic control samples, with known Fraction Modern values in the range Fm = 0–1.5 and mass range 6 μg–2 mg carbon, are used to determine both the mass and radiocarbon content of the blank carbon introduced during sample processing and measurement in our laboratory. These data are used to model, separately for organic and inorganic samples, the blank contribution and subsequently “blank correct” measured unknowns in the mass range 25–100 μg. Data, formulas, and an assessment of the precision and accuracy of the blank correction are presented.
Idiopathic Calcium Urolithiasis in 1980

I’d first like to thank the organisers of this meeting for the opportunity to be here and to participate with you in the meeting. My topic, Ideopathic Calcium Urolithiasis, might better be named “a blind man’s view of an elephant”, one’s description of the beast depends upon the part that he examines.
The second great transformation and the future of the American left

The world economy is well along in a second “great transformation” in which the commodification processes of the first great transformation, as originally described by Karl Polanyi, are still present. Meanwhile, the world’s democracies are in the midst of a great “counter-movement”, a political backlash against unchecked commodification. The reactionary variant of the counter-movement is right-wing populism. The progressive variant is only beginning to take shape. The essay surveys the institutional context and ideological dilemmas that confront the American left at this moment and argues in favor of left-wing populism oriented towards a deepening of American democracy.
From the History of the Public Library in the Village Tagai of Simbirsk District in Simbirsk Province

The article is dedicated to unknown page in the library history of Ulyanovsk region. The author writes about the role of Trusteeship on people temperance in opening of libraries. The history of public library organized in the beginning of XX century in the Tagai village of Simbirsk district in Simbirsk province is renewed.
College Student Perceptions of Frequency and Effectiveness of Use of Relevance Strategies: A Replication and Extension

This investigation replicated and extended previous research on the behaviors that college students perceive their instructors use as a way to make course relevant to students’ interests, needs, an...
A New Method for Estimating Dermal Absorption from Chemical Exposure. 3. Compared with Steady-State Methods for Prediction and Data Analysis

Purpose. This paper compares unsteady-state and steady-state methods for estimating dermal absorption or analyzing dermal absorption data. The unsteady-state method accounts for the larger absorption rates during short exposure times as well as the hydrophilic barrier which the viable epidermis presents to lipophilic chemicals.
On M-predecomposable sets

M-predecomposable set in $${\mathbf {R}}^n$$ is a convex set which is the sum of a compact convex set and a convex (not necessarily closed) cone. Complementing the existing results on M-predecomposable sets, we study their support and asymptotic properties. Also, we establish some properties of M-polyhedral sets, which are sums of compact convex sets and polyhedral cones.
A low-cost mobile platform for whole blood glucose monitoring using colorimetric method

Abstract In this work, we present a portable low-cost point-of-care (POC) blood glucose monitoring system, which is composed of an additively manufactured smartphone-based optical detection platform and a disposable paper-based glucose colorimetric detection device. To improve the uniformity of color development and manufacture efficiency, the disposable micro paper-based device (µPAD) was functionalized and mass-produced by inkjet printing of colorimetric assay 3,3′,5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate and glucose oxidase/horseradish peroxidase (GOx/HRP) bi-enzymatic system on the sensing zone. The separation of plasma from blood was achieved by the membrane filter laminated on the top of the sensing zone. A 3D printed smartphone-based optical detection platform enables the facile readout and analysis of glucose detection by avoiding the influence of intensity from the variation of ambient light. This POC system has been demonstrated to successfully determine a wide range of blood glucose (0.5–2.84 mg/ml) with limit of detection as 5 mg/dl (0.28 mM). The detection of blood glucose directly from human whole blood samples was performed. Our results showed relative errors ranging from 4.37% to 14.41% compared with a spectrophotometry method, and 3.83%–14.53% compared with a commercial glucose meter. With a combination of advantages of low-cost, high reliability and high fabrication efficiency, this system has the great potential to be a competitive method for POC glucose monitoring, especially for patients in underserved communities.
Intra-arterial chemotherapy for rhabdomyosarcoma.

The patient is a boy born in 1999 who developed stage III parameningeal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma initially diagnosed in July 2010, at the age of 10 years. He underwent treatment with vincristine,...
Influences of domain knowledge on segmentation and memory

Much research has shown that experts possess superior memory in their domain of expertise. This memory benefit has been proposed to be the result of various encoding mechanisms, such as chunking and differentiation. Another potential encoding mechanism that is associated with memory is event segmentation, which is the process by which people parse continuous information into meaningful, discrete units. Previous research has found evidence that segmentation, to some extent, is affected by top-down processing. To date, few studies have investigated the influence of expertise on segmentation, and questions about expertise, segmentation ability, and their impact on memory remain. The goal of the current study was to investigate the influence of expertise on segmentation and memory ability for two different domains: basketball and Overwatch. Participants with high and low knowledge for basketball and with low knowledge for Overwatch viewed and segmented videos at coarse and fine grains, then completed memory tests. Differences in segmentation ability and memory were present between experts and control novices, specifically for the basketball videos; however, experts’ segmentation only predicted memory for activities for which knowledge was lacking. Overall, this research suggests that experts’ superior memory is not due to their segmentation ability and contributes to a growing body of literature showing evidence supporting conceptual effects on segmentation.