cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FERTILITY AND SIZE INHERITANCE IN A PEROMYSCUS SPECIES CROSS

The North American cricetid genus Peromyscus has long been recognized as a useful group for evolutionary and genetic studies (Sumner, 1932; Dice, 1940; Blair, 1950). The diversity of species and subgeneric taxa (Hall and Kelson, 1959), together with the adaptability of these mice to laboratory conditions, makes this genus especially useful for investigations of experimental hybridization between races or species. Dice (1940) concluded from hybridization studies that within the genus there exists a spectrum of genetic isolation, ranging from complete fertility between most races of the same species, through several grades of partial isolation between species of the same species group, to complete intersterility among species of different species groups or subgenera. In the present study attention was directed toward one of the interesting cases of partial isolation, the cross between Peromyscus maniculatus, the deer mouse, and P. polionotus, the oldfield mouse. This cross appeared to offer promising possibilities for studies of evolving barriers to reproduction, particularly with respect to fertility and disrupted size inheritance. Sumner (1930) and Dice (1933) demonstrated in a limited number of attempts that successful crosses between these species could be achieved and viable hybrids produced. Watson (1942) conducted more extensive investigations of this cross. With 23 matings each of the reciprocal types, using various races of each species, she first showed that the cross in which P. polionotus is maternal succeeds much less frequently than when P. maniculatus is used as the female. These results were subsequently confirmed for other races by Liu (1953a). Liu (1953b) further showed that much of the difference in fertility in the reciprocal crosses was due to pronounced fetal mortality after midgestation in the female P. polionotus x male P. maniculatus cross. This was sometimes accompanied by maternal mortality. Watson (1942), Blair (1944), and other workers demonstrated that F1 hybrids from the interspecific cross were fertile, although Blair and Howard (1944) using the races P. maniculatus blandus and P. polionotus leucocephalus noted partial male hybrid sterility. Watson (1942) reported that F2 and backcross generations were also successfully produced.
Adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Stage-by-stage treatment alternatives.

PreviewCurrently there is little agreement regarding the best treatment for adenocarcinoma of the prostate, which is the most common cancer in American men over 70 years old. In this article, Dr Soloway reviews the various stages of the tumor and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of available therapy, side effects, and probable outcome.
Interpretation of Isotopic Data from Blood — Borne Compounds

In a large number of reported in vivo tracer studies, labeled hormones are either infused or injected intravenously and concentrations or specific activities of the labeled compounds isolated from blood or plasma are measured. Typically, the isotopic data from these experiments are steady-state concentration values (c*, in dpm/ml), obtained during infusion of the tracer, or values of concentrations determined in samples drawn at various intervals of time after injection of the tracer. Endogenous concentrations (c, in nmole/ml) of the blood-borne compounds are usually measured before beginning the ad-ministration of tracers or, more properly, in each individual sample taken during the experiment. Specific activities (σ, in dpm/nmole) are then calculated by dividing these two quantities (σ = c*/c). It should be pointed out that specific activities can also be measured directly (e.g., by double isotope derivative procedures (Ulick et al., 1958), without determining the actual concentration of the compound in blood or plasma. The applicability of the concepts presented in previous chapters to the interpretation of data obtained from this type of experiments is now discussed.
Two-mode fifth-order KdV equations: necessary conditions for multiple-soliton solutions to exist

In this work we establish two wave modes for the integrable fifth-order Korteweg-de Vries (TfKdV) equations. We determine necessary conditions of the nonlinearity and dispersion parameters of the equation for multiple-soliton solutions to exist. We apply the simplified Hirota method to derive multiple-soliton solutions under these conditions. We also examine the dispersion relations and the phase shifts of the developed models.
PET Physics and Instrumentation

The design of instrumentation for positron emission tomography (PET) scanners has vastly progressed over the past ~30 years. In this chapter, we focus on the motivations and technical advancements that lead to the development of multimodality imaging systems, including the integration of PET and CT into combined PET/CT scanners for whole-body imaging. We also provide a review of recent advances in time-of-flight (TOF) PET, ending with a description of current state-of-the-art TOF-PET/CT imaging systems. We begin with an overview of PET detector design and explore the trade-offs associated with the choice of scintillator, photodetector, and their arrangement. Next, PET data correction approaches, including attenuation correction, for PET/CT are discussed along with a technical description of PET/CT system hardware. Specific concepts and instrumentation aspects of TOF-PET are then reviewed, ending with a brief discussion on the outlook and future directions for PET instrumentation research. This chapter highlights recent advances in PET instrumentation and describes their impact and contribution to the improvement in clinical PET imaging.
Patterns of initial and intracranial failure in metastatic EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer treated with erlotinib

Abstract Objectives Patients with metastatic EGFR-mutant (mEGFRmt) NSCLC have favorable survival when treated with erlotinib. We hypothesized that treatment failure in most patients is limited to initial sites of disease, in which case incorporating local therapy such as radiation might further delay progression. We therefore analyzed patterns and predictors of failure in a large cohort of such patients. Materials and methods We reviewed 189 patients treated with erlotinib for mEGFRmt NSCLC. We classified first pattern of failure as involving initial sites only (ISF), new sites only (NSF), or the combination (CSF), and used competing-risks regression to identify factors associated with ISF, progression and overall survival (OS). We also separately analyzed intracranial and intrathoracic failure. Results Of 171 patients who progressed, 103 (60.2%) had ISF, 30 (17.5%) had NSF, and 38 (22.2%) had CSF. Younger age and lack of initial CNS involvement independently correlated with ISF, with a trend for higher T and N stage. Higher T and N stage was also a significant predictor of progression. Factors predicting shorter OS were female gender, weight loss, initial intracranial involvement, and ≥4 extracranial metastases. Intrathoracic progression was a component of first failure in 61%, and three-year cumulative incidence of brain metastasis was 30%. Conclusion The main pattern of progression in mEGFRmt NSCLC on erlotinib is in the initial sites of disease. Younger patients and those without brain involvement are particularly likely to develop ISF. This suggests a role for incorporating local therapy into treatment of selected patients with mEGFRmt NSCLC.
Phase Retrieval for Optical Metrology: Past, Present and Future

Phase retrieval allows for inexpensive, vibration-tolerant, non-interferometric, optical metrology of systems and surfaces. Made accurate and robust by the use of a diversity of measurements, it is currently under development for freeform optical surfaces.
Visualizing nuclear-localized RNA using transient expression system in plants

By modifying the existing cytosolic RNA visualization tool pioneered by Schonberger, Hammes, and Dresselhaus (2012), we developed a method to visualize nuclear-localized RNA. Our method uses (i) an RNA component that consists of an RNA of interest that is fused to a bacteriophage-derived MS2 sequence; and (ii) GFP fused to MS2 coat protein (MSCP), which binds specifically to MS2 as is also the case in the method for cytosolic RNA visualization. The nuclear localization sequence (NLS) at the C-terminal of MSCP-GFP tethers the probe to the nucleus. To reduce background signals in the nucleus, we replaced the NLS with a nuclear export sequence (NES) that anchors the MSCP-GFP probe in the cytosol. Our nuclear RNA visualization method differs from previous methods in two aspects: (i) We used an NES to reduce nuclear background signal so that the MSCP-GFP probe localizes in the cytosol by default; (ii) We added mCherry as a visual marker in the RNA component to increase its efficient usage in a transient system.
Hodology of Limbic and Related Structures: Cortical and Commissural Connections

A number of theories have been suggested to account for the genesis of seizures. For example, seizures could arise as a result of disinhibition of reciprocal cortical pathways. Alternatively, it could be that an overactivation of afferent and efferent cortical pathways is the basis of seizure phenomena. Another notion proposes that seizures arise from antidromic stimulation of cortical axons of passage which course through deeper structures. Finally, seizures could result from an abnormal reorganization of higher pathways during development. Thus, it seems that seizures could arise from any point in the cortex as a result of any one of these possible mechanisms. Nevertheless, the most common site of seizure genesis is in the deep structures of the temporal and frontal lobes. In this chapter, we wish to present an anatomical viewpoint on how these cortical structures, especially in the temporal lobe, may underlie various seizure phenomena.
Ophthalmologists, optometrists, and scope of practice concerns.

Since 1997, there have been there have been 46 attempts in 21 states by optometry organizations to legislate surgery privileges, but medical organizations and state governments have been largely resistant to expanding optometrists’ scope of practice. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Internal Energy and Enthalpy

Internal energy is associated with the microscopic and collective random motion of particles constituting the media. Energy of the collective random motion of particles is heat. Heat flows across the boundary of a system. Work is force times distance. Work can be totally converted into heat, but heat cannot be totally converted to work. Instead of internal energy, enthalpy is used in many fluid-flow systems. Only changes in internal energy and enthalpy can be calculated. This chapter mainly deals with the estimations of internal energy and enthalpy in various closed and open systems at steady state. Sensible and latent heats are discussed with examples. Heat of reaction is discussed and estimated by using the heat of formation. Heat of combustion with adiabatic flame temperature is discussed for estimating the heat released after burning a fuel. Measurement of heat change by using calorimeter are briefly discussed. Estimations of energy and temperature changes of air using the psychometric chart is briefly discussed. Heat transfer is also covered with some examples. The concept of exergy in fluid-flow systems is discussed briefly. There are 17 example problems in the text and 98 practice problems at the end of the chapter.
Population Structure of Pathogenic Bacteria

Population structure is defined by the organization of genetic variation and is driven by the combined effects of evolutionary processes that include recombination, mutation, genetic drift, demographic history, and natural selection. In this chapter, the authors discuss how population boundaries within species of pathogenic bacteria are delineated, and the contribution of evolutionary processes to the formation of distinct, or sometimes fuzzy, populations. The authors highlight some studies that have been aided by advancements in whole-genome sequencing and have broadened our understanding of bacterial population structure. The authors also describe some genomic analysis tools that are available to investigate population structure, and attempt to show that study of bacterial population structure has important applications for effective infection control, public health interventions, and antimicrobial and vaccine development.
Adaptive Attitude Control of a Dual-Rigid-Body Spacecraft with Unmodeled Nonminimum-Phase Dynamics

We consider control of a dual rigid-body space-craft consisting of a bus and an appendage connected by a compliant joint. Thrust actuators are located on the spacecraft bus, and performance measurements are obtained from sensors on the appendage. This problem is challenging due to the flexibility of the joint and the noncolocation between the actuation and the performance variable. The goal is to motivate and investigate the challenges arising in control of nonminimum-phase (NMP) systems with rigid- and flexible-body dynamics. Exact equations of motion are derived for the spacecraft, and the invariant zeros of the linearized model are determined. This paper investigates the robustness of an adaptive control law to variations in the mass and inertia matrices of the bus and appendage as well as the geometry and joint stiffness. The adaptive controller uses no knowledge of the NMP dynamics.
A Model of Technology Transfer

Improved utilization of federal technology by private enterprises in the U.S., and by universities and state and local governments as intermediaries in the technology transfer and commercialization process, has become an essential element in plans to improve the U.S. position in international economic competition. American technology represents an underutilized resource which can be harnessed to improve the productivity and innovativeness of industry if effective relationships are developed between technology sources and potential users. A sophisticated system of technology development and transfer entities in not-for-profit organizations and universities has created an infrastructure in most regions and states which provides assistance to individuals and firms seeking technical and business assistance. However, most of the elements in this system have evolved within the last few years and the ultimate impact will not be evident for a while even if proper evaluation is performed. Technology transfer is a contact sport in which success has been elusive and innovative methods need to be explored.
Visualizing Mass Grave Recovery: Ritual, Digital Culture and Geographic Information Systems

Kurtz reflects on the ritualistic aspects of mourning practices that accompany the current disinterment and reburial of Francoist victims from mass graves on the Iberian Peninsula. Digital productions—blogs, YouTube shorts, social media—act as a stage for families and communities to highlight the process of locating their disappeared family members. Using theories of performance, Kurtz argues the need to actualize funeral rites before a community of witnesses as a way to disseminate memory and enact closure. Through the creation and dissemination of digital texts, performative rituals help to reconcile and recuperate collective memory. The means of dissemination of digital culture become critical and, as such, an analysis of the modalities of visualizations, particularly through digital mapping systems (GIS), concludes the chapter
Changes in State Technical Assistance Priorities and Block Grant Funds for Addiction After ACA Implementation

Objectives. To assess states' provision of technical assistance and allocation of block grants for treatment, prevention, and outreach after the expansion of health insurance coverage for addiction treatment in the United States under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Methods. We used 2 waves of survey data collected from Single State Agencies in 2014 and 2017 as part of the National Drug Abuse Treatment System Survey. Results. The percentage of states providing technical assistance for cross-sector collaboration and workforce development increased. States also shifted funds from outpatient to residential treatment services. However, resources for opioid use disorder medications changed little. Subanalyses indicated that technical assistance priorities and allocation of funds for treatment services differed between Medicaid expansion and nonexpansion states. Public Health Implications. The ACA's infusion of new public and private funds enabled states to reallocate funds to residential services, which are not as likely to be covered by health insurance. The limited allocation of block grant funds for effective opioid medications is concerning in light of the opioid crisis, especially in states that did not implement the ACA's Medicaid expansion.
Increasing Risks for Armed Conflict: Climate Change, Food and Water Insecurity, and Forced Displacement:

The interrelated factors of climate change, decreased access to freshwater, and forced displacement are heightening the risk of armed conflict. Higher temperatures and extremes of precipitation are...
A Metamodeling Framework for Quantifying Health Damages of Power Grid Expansion Plans

In this paper, we present an analytical framework to establish a closed-form relationship between electricity generation expansion planning decisions and the resulting negative health externalities. Typical electricity generation expansion planning models determine the optimal technology–capacity–investment strategy that minimizes total investment costs as well as fixed and variable operation and maintenance costs. However, the relationship between these long-term planning decisions and the associated health externalities is highly stochastic and nonlinear, and it is computationally expensive to evaluate. Thus, we developed a closed-form metamodel by executing computer-based experiments of a generation expansion planning model, and we analyzed the resulting model outputs in a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) screening tool that approximates the associated human health externalities. Procedural guidance to verify the accuracy and to select key metamodel parameters to enhance its prediction capability is presented. Specifically, the metamodel presented in this paper can predict the resulting health damages of long-term power grid expansion decisions, thus, enabling researchers and policy makers to quickly assess the health implications of power grid expansion decisions with a high degree of certainty.
Central nervous system diseases of cattle in Georgia, 2001–2017:

In a review of 159 archived bovine autopsy cases submitted to the Georgia Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System from 2001 to 2017, we evaluated histologic lesions and other laboratory test result...
Echocardiographic Screening of Cardiovascular Status in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease.

Although elevated right ventricular pressure and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction measured by echocardiogram are independent predictors of death in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), the utility of routine echocardiographic screening in the pediatric population is controversial. We performed a 3-year retrospective review of children ≥ 10 years of age with SCD who underwent an outpatient transthoracic echocardiogram as part of a screening program. Of 172 patients referred for screening, 105 (61%) had a measurable tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity (TRV): median 2.4 m/s (IQR 2.3–2.5). Elevated right ventricular (RV) pressure (TRV ≥ 2.5 m/s, 25 mmHg), documented in 30% (32/105), was significantly associated with chronic transfusion therapy and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. Left ventricle (LV) dilation, documented in 25% (44/172), was significantly associated with lower hemoglobin, and higher reticulocyte count, lactate dehydrogenase level, and bilirubin level. There was no association between elevated right ventricular pressure or left ventricle dilation and indices of biventricular systolic or diastolic function. The one death in the cohort during the study period had normal echocardiographic findings. In conclusion, mild RV pressure elevation and LV dilation in children with SCD is associated with abnormal laboratory markers of disease severity, but not with ventricular dysfunction over the 3-year study period.
An Athlete with Cardiac Arrest

Competitive sports have historically been restricted for athletes with ICDs. However, recent data suggest that many athletes can participate in sports without adverse events. Most recent consensus statements now consider sports for patients with ICDs a Class IIb recommendation, “may be considered”.
Granulomatous drug reactions from targeted therapeutics

Granulomatous drug reactions have been associated with many medications, including targeted therapeutics such as biologics and small molecule inhibitors. The four main clinicopathologic reaction patterns are drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reaction, reactive granulomatous dermatitis, granuloma annulare, and accelerated rheumatoid nodulosis. These reactions often develop months after exposure to the causative medication and clinically can mimic other granulomatous diseases or metastatic cancer, which may be differentiated with biopsy, tissue culture, and radiographic imaging. Granulomatous inflammation may be limited to the skin, where early recognition helps to facilitate diagnosis. Cutaneous manifestations vary by reaction pattern, ranging from erythema nodosum-like lesions to painful rheumatoid nodules to annular indurated plaques. Systemic granulomatous inflammation is typically only observed in sarcoidosis-like reaction or accelerated rheumatoid nodulosis and most often involves the lungs or lymph nodes. Targeted therapeutics implicated in granulomatous drug reactions are TNFα inhibitors, BRAF and MEK inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors and, to a lesser extent, other cytokine modulators. TNFα inhibitors, in particular, are among the most common drugs in any class associated with the four primary granulomatous drug eruptions. We review the current literature on granulomatous reactions to these agents, including proposed mechanisms and the range of clinical manifestations. Management may include drug discontinuation, topical therapy, or systemic immunosuppression depending on the severity of the granulomatous drug reaction. In the setting of malignancy, granulomatous inflammation does not appear to be of prognostic value, although more studies are needed.
Original Articles from the North American Chapter, International Society for Cardiovascular SurgeryDetergent-extracted small-diameter vascular prostheses***

The exact mechanism that leads to thrombosis of small-diameter vascular prostheses ( 6 cm) is unknown. This report presents preliminary patency and healing data on a sequential detergent-extraction technique for the preparation of autogenous small-diameter microvascular grafts. Fifteen carotid interpositional allografts (3 to 4 mm × 4 to 6 cm) were implanted in 15 mixed species adult greyhounds. Ninety days after implantation grafts were perfusion-fixed in situ, harvested, and evaluated by light microscopy and scanning and transmission election microscopy. Two categories of acellular vascular matrix grafts were evaluated: non—cross-linked and cross-linked (1% carbodiimide). By objective morphologic analysis with blind random view, histologic sections were rated from 0 to 4 in five categories believed to be important for graft healing and patency. Overall graft patency was 8% (12 of 15), and there was no significant difference between cross-linked and non-cross-linked grafts. Non—cross-linked grafts were superior to cross-linked grafts in all areas of histologic evaluation except immunogenicity (p < 0.01). Most important, non—cross-linked grafts demonstrated complete endothelial coverage (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference (that is, normal) between control autografts and non—cross-linked grafts; however, there was a significant difference between control autografts and cross-linked grafts in all parameters except immunogenic reaction (p < 0.01). (J. VASC SURG 1984;1:181-91.)
An Immersive Virtual Reality Game Designed to Promote Learning Engagement and Flow

An immersive game-based Virtual Reality (iVR) module for secondary students to learn about locations in their watershed with a primary focus on their city was designed and developed. A design model and associated theory that focuses on elements that lead to engagement and learning with iVR gamebased experiences is described. A series of design principles that were used in the iVR environment are discussed. The iVR game was implemented in an urban school in the eastern USA with 54 economically disadvantaged adolescents ages 16-18 who typically are unengaged in traditional school-based learning environments. After game completion, the participants completed a 10-item survey measuring elements of flow and a 12-item survey designed to measure attitudes toward learning with VR games, immersion and presence. The findings revealed that all students experienced a flow state when they played the VR learning game. Almost all users (98.1%) had positive attitudes towards using the VR game. Student responses noted that they experienced high immersion and presence. In addition, students responded with favorable attitudes towards learning with iVR games in school environments.
Cerebellar Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Deriving Mechanistic Insights from an Internal Model Framework

Abstract Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders; however, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying disordered behavior in ASD remain poorly understood. Notably, individuals with ASD have demonstrated difficulties generating implicitly derived behavioral predictions and adaptations. Although many brain regions are involved in these processes, the cerebellum contributes an outsized role to these behavioral functions. Consistent with this prominent role, cerebellar dysfunction has been increasingly implicated in ASD. In this review, we will utilize the foundational, theoretical contributions of the late neuroscientist Masao Ito to establish an internal model framework for the cerebellar contribution to ASD-relevant behavioral predictions and adaptations. Additionally, we will also explore and then apply his key experimental contributions towards an improved, mechanistic understanding of the contribution of cerebellar dysfunction to ASD.
Mycobacterium neoaurum Bloodstream Infection Associated with a Totally Implanted Subclavian Port in an Adult with Diabetes and History of Colon Cancer

Background. Mycobacterium neoaurum is a rapidly growing nontuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) that was first isolated from soil in 1972 and is ubiquitous in soil, water, and dust. The first reported case of human infection by M. neoaurum was published in 1988, presenting as a Hickman catheter-related bacteremia in a patient with ovarian cancer. M. neoaurum has since been recognized as a source of predominantly opportunistic bloodstream infections in immunocompromised hosts. We report the case of an adult diabetic male with M. neoaurum bloodstream infection secondary to an infected venous-access port that had been implanted nearly six years prior for temporary chemotherapy. Case Presentation. A 66-year-old male with schizophrenia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a history of excision and chemotherapy to treat adenocarcinoma of the colon 6 years prior, presented with fever and behavioral changes. He was found to have a M. neoaurum bloodstream infection secondary to his implanted subclavian port. Multiple preoperative blood cultures, as well as the removed catheter tip culture, were positive for M. neoaurum. The patient's condition improved to near premorbid levels after port removal and 6 weeks of targeted antimicrobial therapy. Discussion and Conclusions. Bloodstream infections due to rapidly growing NTM, such as M. neoaurum, have been infrequently reported; however, improved isolation and identification techniques based on genomic testing are resulting in a more in-depth recognition of these widely scattered environmental microbes in human infections. Nonetheless, lengthy identification and susceptibility processes remain a diagnostic and treatment barrier. Patients such as ours who have a history of malignancy and an indwelling foreign body have most often been reported as acquiring M. neoaurum bacteremia. Fortunately, device removal and appropriate antimicrobial therapy guided by susceptibility data is often enough to manage these atypical mycobacterial infections.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Family Violence in Immigrant Communities in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic has threatening implications for all individuals; and has been particularly unsettling for immigrants. Given their unique positionality in the U.S., the intersectional discussion about the impact of this pandemic on immigrants and issues of family violence is salient. The position of some groups of immigrant women is even more precarious due to the increased dependency on their spouse/partner for emotional, economic and immigration-related reasons. While immigrants have been on the frontlines as responders for COVID-19, there are limited policies that provide them with healthcare, employment guarantee, or benefits. Further, the immigration restrictions created by the U.S. Government have worsened the position of immigrants. All these stressors create unprecedented challenges for immigrants. Therefore, it is vital to delve into the family dynamics, unique challenges, and potential solutions that can provide support to immigrant families. This commentary highlights the atypical challenges of immigrants in relation to the pandemic and how these challenges may impact the incidence of family violence. Through our discussion, we hope to encourage social work scholars, practitioners, and policy advocates to support and advocate for immigrants; especially, during the new normal under the COVID-19 pandemic.
Engineering bio-inspired peptide–polyurea hybrids with thermo-responsive shape memory behaviour

Inspired by Nature's tunability driven by the modulation of structural organization, we utilize peptide motifs as an approach to tailor not only hierarchical structure, but also thermo-responsive shape memory properties of conventional polymeric materials. Specifically, poly(β-benzyl-L-aspartate)-b-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-poly(β-benzyl-L-aspartate) was incorporated as the soft segment in peptide–polyurea hybrids to manipulate hierarchical ordering through peptide secondary structure and a balance of inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonding. Employing these bioinspired peptidic polyureas, we investigated the influence of secondary structure on microphase-separated morphology, and shape fixity and recovery via attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The β-sheet motifs promoted phase mixing through extensive inter-molecular hydrogen bonding between the hard block and peptide segments and provided an increased chain elasticity, resulting in decreased shape fixity compared to a non-peptidic control. In contrast, intra-molecular hydrogen bonding driven by the α-helical arrangements yielded a microphase-separated and hierarchically ordered morphology, leading to an increase in the shape fixing ratio. These results indicate that peptide secondary structure provides a convenient handle for tuning shape memory properties by regulating hydrogen bonding with the surrounding polyurea hard segment, wherein extent of hydrogen bonding and phase mixing between the peptidic block and hard segment dictate the resulting shape memory behaviour. Furthermore, the ability to shift secondary structure as a function of temperature also was demonstrated as a pathway to influence shape memory response. This research highlights that peptide secondary conformation influences the hierarchical ordering and modulates the shape memory response of peptide–polymer hybrids. We anticipate that these findings will enable the design of smart bio-inspired materials with responsive and tailored function via a balance of hydrogen bonding character, structural organization, and mechanics.
Operations Design of Modular Vehicles on an Oversaturated Corridor with First-in, First-out Passenger Queueing

Although urban transit systems (UTS) often have fixed vehicle capacity and relatively constant departure headways, they may need to accommodate dramatically fluctuating passenger demands over space...
Cloud BIM Governance Framework for Implementation in Construction Firms

AbstractThe rapid adoption of building information modeling (BIM) in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) has brought new and emerging challenges for collaborative practi...
National Data Buoy Center transition of the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) program

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) operates and maintains 55 Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) buoys in the equatorial Pacific Ocean from 9°N latitude to 8°S latitude and 95°W longitude to 165°E longitude. The TAO array was developed after the need was determined following the 1982–1983 El Nino event, which had evaded detection by the science community until well into its maturity. NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) is an interdisciplinary organization whose focal point is collecting open ocean data for monitoring and predicting purposes. PMEL's TAO project was created with help from NOAA's Equatorial Pacific Ocean Climate Studies (EPOCS) program to enhance the understanding and prediction of El Nino and La Nina events. PMEL completed the TAO array in December of 1994 and in 2005, PMEL began transitioning the TAO array (55 TAO buoys and four Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs)) to NDBC, first in data management and quality control (QC) and later in next-generation creation and implementation of buoys.
The effect of environmental variables on the structure and function of hemocyanin fromCallianassa californiensis

Callianassa, an estuarine animal, can experience changes in salinity which reduce the level of divalent cations in the blood, as well as changes in temperature and variations in protein concentration in the hemolymph. The hemocyanin in whole hemolymph shows evidence of dissociation (∼ 12%) after 3 days acclimation to 40% seawater. Using purified hemocyanin the dissociation from 39 S to 17 S hemocyanin was investigated for the three variables, salinity, temperature and protein concentration. An equation was developed to define the amount of dissociation which should be observed under physiological conditions.
Foundations of 4Thought

4Thought, a prototype design tool, is based on the notion that design artifacts are complex, formal, mathematical objects that require complementary textual and graphical views to be adequately comprehended. This paper describes the combined use of Entity- Relationship modelling and GraphLog to bridge the textual and graphical views. These techniques are illustrated by an example that is formally specified in Z Notation.
Semioccluded Vocal Tract Exercises: Changes in Laryngeal and Pharyngeal Activity During Stroboscopy

Summary Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in laryngeal activity from baseline during three different semioccluded vocal tract exercises (SOVTs). Study Design This is a prospective case-series study. Methods Transnasal stroboscopy was performed while four singers performed three SOVTs (straw phonation, lip trill, and tongue trill) to evaluate laryngeal changes during the execution of SOVTs. Evaluations using a modified Stroboscopy Evaluation Rating Form captured the following parameters: amplitude of vocal fold movement, mucosal wave, phase closure, glottal closure, anterior-posterior vocal tract constrictions, medial-lateral vocal tract constrictions, laryngeal ascension, and pharyngeal constriction during a pitch glide. Results The parameters that changed from baseline, as well as the direction and magnitude of change that occurred across SOVTs, varied within and between each subject. All the singers benefited from at least one SOVT, but no single SOVT benefited all four singers. Conclusions Although SOVTs result in endoscopic and stroboscopic changes that might be considered beneficial, the results indicate marked variability across SOVTs and singers in terms of the laryngeal and pharyngeal adjustments induced by the exercises. Singing teachers and Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) may need to more carefully assess the impact of specific SOVTs when deciding which one(s) to prescribe as a teaching or therapeutic exercise.
Psychopharmacological Agents and Suicide Risk Reduction: Ketamine and Other Approaches

Suicide is a major global public health problem and the leading cause of injury mortality in the USA. Suicide is a complex phenomenon involving several systems and neurobiological pathways, with interacting genetic and environmental mechanisms. The literature on the neurobiology and pharmacotherapy of suicide has been limited. To date, no medications have proven efficacious for treating acute suicidal crises. There is an emerging literature supporting a rapid anti-suicidal effect of ketamine, a non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist, among depressed patients with suicidal ideation. Potential ketamine's anti-suicidal effect mechanisms are linked to interruption of the kynurenine pathway and modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines exacerbation. However, available data are not sufficient for its routine integration in clinical practice, and larger and replicated randomized control studies are needed.
Iminium Ion‐Based Diels–Alder Reactions: N‐Benzyl‐2‐Azanorbornene

Iminium ion-based Diels–Alder reactions: N-benzyl-2-azanorbornene product: N-benzyl-2-azanorbornene product: 2-azanorbornene product: 2-azanorbornen-3-one product: 2-azanorbornene Keywords: addition, to CO; annulation, heterocyclic-[M,N]; Diels-Alder reactions; hydrolysis, esters and lactones
Suppressor analysis of mutations in the 5'-untranslated region of COB mRNA identifies components of general pathways for mitochondrial mRNA processing and decay in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The cytochrome b gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, COB , is encoded by the mitochondrial genome. Nuclear-encoded Cbp1 protein is required specifically for COB mRNA stabilization. Cbp1 interacts with a CCG element in a 64-nucleotide sequence in the 5′-untranslated region of COB mRNA. Mutation of any nucleotide in the CCG causes the same phenotype as cbp1 mutations, i.e. , destabilization of both COB precursor and mature message. In this study, eleven nuclear suppressors of single-nucleotide mutations in CCG were isolated and characterized. One dominant suppressor is in CBP1 , while the other 10 semidominant suppressors define five distinct linkage groups. One group of four mutations is in PET127 , which is required for 5′ end processing of several mitochondrial mRNAs. Another mutation is linked to DSS1 , which is a subunit of mitochondrial 3′ → 5′ exoribonuclease. A mutation linked to the SOC1 gene, previously defined by recessive mutations that suppress cbp1 ts alleles and stabilize many mitochondrial mRNAs, was also isolated. We hypothesize that the products of the two uncharacterized genes also affect mitochondrial RNA turnover.
Measurement of the posterior precortical vitreous pocket in fellow eyes with posterior vitreous detachment and macular holes.

PurposeTo evaluate the premacular vitreous zone of liquefaction (the posterior precortical vitreous pocket [PPVP]) using contact B-scan ultrasonography and to compare the size of the observed PPVP in fellow eyes with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) as compared with fellow eyes with macular holes
Power-error analysis of sensor array regression algorithms for gas mixture quantification in low-power microsystems

Reliable gas sensors are highly desired for many applications, but their typically poor specificity requires arrays of cross-sensitive sensors to predict identity and concentrations of gas mixtures. A relationship between sensor outputs and gas concentrations can be formulated using regression models. This paper presents a detailed analysis of regression models generated using different algorithms. The analysis incorporates a variety of sensor parameters as well as the power consumption of each model when implemented within a low-power microcontroller. The results provide new insight into the effects of sensor array parameters on prediction errors and the tradeoffs between prediction errors and power for different regression models.
An evaluation of assumptions underlying the single-patient-only position in neuropsychological research: a reply.

Abstract This note challenges the position adopted by A. Caramazza and W. Badecker (1989, Brain and Cognition 10, 256–295) that, since the a priori classification of patients can only be theoretically arbitrary, the basic unit of analysis in cognitive neuropsychology must be the individual patient. We argue that even if there is no prior theory to justify patient classification, this does not preclude group studies; syndromes are what the world gives us—they constrain theory, permitting groups to be formed for research purposes. We also reexamine a particular example of group-based research that was extensively criticized by Caramazza and Badecker. We confront each of their criticisms, and, again, demonstrate the validity of group-based research.
Malignant Glioma Physiology: Cellular Response to Hypoxia and Its Role in Tumor Progression

Malignant gliomas have invasive properties that make them nearly impossible to cure surgically. Most physicians agree that the best hope for long-term control lies with adjunctive therapies. One em...
An Experimental Study of Blast Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury from explosive devices has become the signature wound of the U.S. armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan [1–4]. However, due to the complicated nature of this specific form of brain injury, little is known about the injury mechanisms. Physical head models have been used in blunt and penetrating head trauma studies to obtain biomechanical data and correlate to mechanisms of injury [5–8]. The current study is designed to investigate intracranial head/brain injury biomechanics under blast loading using a physical head model.
Genotoxicity assessment of atrazine and some major metabolites in the Ames test.

The objectives of these experiments were to examine atrazine and several of its know major metabolites in plants in the Salmenella typhimurium mutagenicity assay using three bacterial strains. The compounds were tested in high purity and at a range of doses to help clarify some of the results obtained by other laboratories, and to identify the actual atrazine mutagenic metabolite suggested by other researchers. In studies of the mutagenic potential of s-triazine herbicides, various assay systems have been employed and the compounds tested varied in purity from commercially formulated products to high purity compounds. Consequently, results concerning the mutagenic potential of these compounds have also varied. In contrast to the negative genotoxic effects found for s-triazines in microbial assays, several positive effects have been found when s-triazines have been activated via plant metabolism. The authors were not aware of any published report evaluating the mutagenic potential of this herbicide and its major metabolites in a single genotoxicity assay.
Genome-wide polymorphisms and development of a microarray platform to detect genetic variations in Plasmodium yoelii.

The rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii is an important model for studying malaria immunity and pathogenesis. One approach for studying malaria disease phenotypes is genetic mapping, which requires typing a large number of genetic markers from multiple parasite strains and/or progeny from genetic crosses. Hundreds of microsatellite (MS) markers have been developed to genotype the P. yoelii genome; however, typing a large number of MS markers can be labor intensive, time consuming, and expensive. Thus, development of high-throughput genotyping tools such as DNA microarrays that enable rapid and accurate large-scale genotyping of the malaria parasite will be highly desirable. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of two P. yoelii strains (33X and N67) and obtained a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Based on the SNPs obtained, we designed sets of oligonucleotide probes to develop a microarray that could interrogate ∼11,000 SNPs across the 14 chromosomes of the parasite in a single hybridization. Results from hybridizations of DNA samples of five P. yoelii strains or cloned lines (17XNL, YM, 33X, N67 and N67C) and two progeny from a genetic cross (N67×17XNL) to the microarray showed that the array had a high call rate (∼97%) and accuracy (99.9%) in calling SNPs, providing a simple and reliable tool for typing the P. yoelii genome. Our data show that the P. yoelii genome is highly polymorphic, although isogenic pairs of parasites were also detected. Additionally, our results indicate that the 33X parasite is a progeny of 17XNL (or YM) and an unknown parasite. The highly accurate and reliable microarray developed in this study will greatly facilitate our ability to study the genetic basis of important traits and the disease it causes.
Metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty with silicone-Dacron prostheses (Niebauer type): six and a half years' experience.

Four hundred and forty-one silicone-Dacron arthroplasties done since 1968 were reviewed. Results were influenced by both durability and immediate fixation of the prosthesis, disease characteristics, speed of progression, the amount of hand stress, the extent of soft tissue release, and postoperative dynamic and protective splinting. Dislocations were eliminated by a woven tie-in holding the prosthesis to bone; prosthetic buckling was eliminated by soft tissue release, sufficient bone removal, and suture of the dorsal capsule to the extensor mechanism. Early prosthetic models fractured easier than did current ones. Seventeen percent of the combined 4, 5, and 6 year follow-up prostheses fractured, and 30 percent of the 6 year prostheses have fractured. Function was not affected, however, and protheses have not been replaced. We continue to use silicone-Dacron protheses with immediate tie-in to bone.
Heterogeneous Delay Tolerant Task Scheduling and Energy Management in the Smart Grid with Renewable Energy

The smart grid is the new generation of electricity grid that can efficiently utilize new distributed sources of energy (e.g., harvested renewable energy), and allow for dynamic electricity price. In this paper, we investigate the cost minimization problem for an end-user, such as a home, community, or a business, which is equipped with renewable energy devices when electrical appliances allow different levels of delay tolerance. The varying price of electricity presents an opportunity to reduce the electricity bill from an end-user's point of view by leveraging the flexibility to schedule operations of various appliances and HVAC systems. We assume that the end user has an energy storage battery as well as an energy harvesting device so that harvested renewable energy can be stored and later used when the price is high. The energy storage battery can also draw energy from the external grid. The problem we formulate here is to minimize the cost of the energy drawn from the external grid while usage of appliances are subject to individual delay constraints and a long-term average delay constraint. The resulting algorithm requires some future information regarding electricity prices, but it achieves provable performance without requiring future knowledge of either the power demands or the task arrival process. Moreover, we analyze the influence of the assumption that energy can be sold from the battery to the grid. An alternative algorithm is proposed to take advantage of the ability to sell energy. The performance gap between our proposed algorithm and the optimum is shown to diminish as energy selling price approaches the electricity price.