cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Production of a Novel Extracellular Cutinase by the Pollen and the Chemical Composition and Ultrastructure of the Stigma Cuticle of Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus).

Germinating nasturtium pollen (Tropaeolum majus) is shown to excrete an enzyme(s) which hydrolyzes all types of monomers from biosynthetically labeled cutin and p-nitrophenyl esters, which are model substrates for fungal cutinases. The pollen cutinase showed an optimum pH near 6.5 and was inhibited by thiol-directed reagents such as p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and N-ethyl maleimide but not by diisopropyl-fluorophosphate, an “active serine”-directed reagent indicating that the pollen enzyme is an “-SH cutinase” unlike the fungal enzyme which is a serine cutinase. Excretion of the pollen cutinase into the extracellular fluid was complete within 4 to 6 hours at 30 C. Since actinomycin D and cycloheximide showed little effect on the level of cutinase excreted, it appears that cutinase is an enzyme synthesized prior to germination. Release of cutinase into the medium did not require germination. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of a continuous cutin layer on mature stigma with extensive folds, which are proposed to play a role similar to that played by the cellular papillae found in the stigma of other plants. Chemical analysis of stigma cutin by depolymerization and combined gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry showed that this cutin consists of mainly the C16 family of acids. The major (70%) components were dihydroxy C16 acids which consisted of 10,16- (64%), 9,16- (16%), 8,16- (12%), and 7,16- (8%) dihydroxy plamitic acid. Deuterium-labeling studies showed the presence of 16-oxo-9-hydroxy C16 acid and 16-oxo-10-hydroxy C16 acid in this cutin. The biochemical and ultrastructural studies indicate that the pollen tube may gain entry into stigma using cutinase excreted by the pollen.
Static grip selection for robot‐based automated assembly systems

In this article we present an algorithmic approach to determine the suitable grasp of an object in an automated assembly environment. The algorithm is based on the available object surfaces and the initial and final task constraints and gripper characteristics. If the imposed task and gripper constraints do not allow a possible grasp, intermediate motions may need to be made to reorient the part. Once a set of possible grasps which statisfy task and gripper constraints are found, the stability of each grasp is analyzed using screw theory. An optimal grasp is one which minimizes the grasping forces over the possible set of grasps. Results utilizing our methodology are presented. Our method can be interfaced with CAD database such as a solid modelling system based on boundary representation for automatic selection of grasping configurations.
Spectral attenuation and aerosol particle size distribution

The problem of the reconstruction of the spectrum of a dispersed system from data on its spectral attenuation is studied. The numerical algorithm for obtaining the particle size distribution by the use of the concept of regularization is thoroughly treated. The applicability of this method to the reconstruction of the particle size distribution of a typical marine aerosol is tested. A method of choosing the regularization parameter of the solution for the inverse problem based on an objective estimate of the validity of the obtained solution is proposed. Results are presented for a set of numerical experiments in which the radius interval for which the distribution function can be obtained with a satisfactory accuracy is estimated. The validity of solutions is estimated depending on the measuring spectral range for the attenuation, the radius interval, and the number and position of points within this interval. The possibility of extending the radius interval for which the distribution function can be obtained by the use of extrapolation of the distribution function tail is discussed.
Cubical Homotopy Theory

Preface Part I. Cubical Diagrams: 1. Preliminaries 2. 1-cubes: homotopy fibers and cofibers 3. 2-cubes: homotopy pullbacks and pushouts 4. 2-cubes: the Blakers-Massey Theorems 5. n-cubes: generalized homotopy pullbacks and pushouts 6. The Blakers-Massey Theorems for n-cubes Part II. Generalizations, Related Topics, and Applications: 7. Some category theory 8. Homotopy limits and colimits of diagrams of spaces 9. Cosimplicial spaces 10. Applications Appendix References Index.
Web site design: a case study in usability testing using paper prototypes

Paper prototypes are a low-tech, low-cost, but highly effective, form of usability testing for web site design. Creating a web site is relatively easy, given the technology and tools now available. All too often, web site developers tend to be enamored with the technology and forget the needs of end user. As a result, many web site developers delay usability testing until their web site is completely designed, only to uncover significant interface, content, or structural problems with the site once the customers try to use it. Significant redesign may be impossible due to time, cost, or personnel constraints.This paper discusses the benefits of using paper prototypes to conduct usability testing of a web site for Mercer University's School of Engineering Center for Excellence in Engineering Education (CE3). These benefits include the following: 1. Low cost, both in terms of time and materials required to create the prototype;2. Critical feedback from users, who appear more willing to suggest significant flaws when the site design is obviously very rough;3. Willingness on the part of the designers to change the design, since they have invested minimal time and effort into creating a paper prototype; and ultimately4. Improved usability. .This paper also discusses how to create a paper prototype, how to conduct a usability test with the prototype, and what to do with the test results. This process can be used to enhance the usability of any web site.The design of the CE3 is a project of a team of senior technical communication students in the Department of Technical Communication at Mercer University. This paper also discusses the importance of training technical communicators to be user advocates.
Genetics and Cancer Prevention What the Future May Hold

Genetic techniques, developed and refined over the past few years, have been responsible for the rapid explosion of knowledge about the molecular alterations that contribute to neoplastic transformation. We provide an overview of how these recent developments have and might be applied to the area of cancer prevention and discuss some problems and challenges relevant to their application to clinical practice.
Non-linearity in chalcogenide glasses and fibers, and their applications

High nonlinearity and large IR transparency make chalcogenide fibers well suited for compact Raman amplifiers, supercontinuum generation and other mid-IR sources. As2S3 fiber has record high theoretical gain compared with silica fiber for slow-light applications.
Dark profiles in the apparently-normal central nervous system. A problem in the electron microscopic identification of early anterograde axonal degeneration.

Tissue taken from the ventrobasal thalamic nucleus of normal adult cats and examined in the electron microscope contained electron-dense profiles which were morphologically indistinguishable from those seen in tissue from the same area of cats with dorsal column nucleus lesions of two and four days'duration. The number of dense profiles seen in some sections from normal material was greater than the number seen in any of the sections from lesioned material. It is proposed that such dense profiles may represent portions of the “dark” cells of light microscopy. Increased electron density is currently used as the major criterion in electron microscopy for recognizing certain types of experimentally-induced anterograde axonal degeneration in the central nervous system. It is suggested, on the basis of the data presented here, that a careful review may be necessary of the validity of this criterion.
Characterization of dFMR1, a Drosophila melanogaster Homolog of the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein

Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of mental retardation. It is caused by loss of FMR1 gene activity due to either lack of expression or expression of a mutant form of the protein. In mammals, FMR1 is a member of a small protein family that consists of FMR1, FXR1, and FXR2. All three members bind RNA and contain sequence motifs that are commonly found in RNA-binding proteins, including two KH domains and an RGG box. The FMR1/FXR proteins also contain a 60S ribosomal subunit interaction domain and a protein-protein interaction domain which mediates homomer and heteromer formation with each family member. Nevertheless, the specific molecular functions of FMR1/FXR proteins are unknown. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a Drosophila melanogaster homolog of the mammalian FMR1/FXR gene family. This first invertebrate homolog, termed dfmr1, has a high degree of amino acid sequence identity/similarity with the defined functional domains of the FMR1/FXR proteins. The dfmr1 product binds RNA and is similar in subcellular localization and embryonic expression pattern to the mammalian FMR1/FXR proteins. Overexpression of dfmr1 driven by the UAS-GAL4 system leads to apoptotic cell loss in all adult Drosophila tissues examined. This phenotype is dependent on the activity of the KH domains. The ability to induce a dominant phenotype by overexpressing dfmr1 opens the possibility of using genetic approaches in Drosophila to identify the pathways in which the FMR1/FXR proteins function.
Techniques for assessing knee joint pain in arthritis

The assessment of pain is of critical importance for mechanistic studies as well as for the validation of drug targets. This review will focus on knee joint pain associated with arthritis. Different animal models have been developed for the study of knee joint arthritis. Behavioral tests in animal models of knee joint arthritis typically measure knee joint pain rather indirectly. In recent years, however, progress has been made in the development of tests that actually evaluate the sensitivity of the knee joint in arthritis models. They include measurements of the knee extension angle struggle threshold, hind limb withdrawal reflex threshold of knee compression force, and vocalizations in response to stimulation of the knee. A discussion of pain assessment in humans with arthritis pain conditions concludes this review.
Renewables: Share data on wind energy

Giving researchers access to information on turbine performance would allow wind farms to be optimized through data mining, says Andrew Kusiak.
Reconceptualizing the U.S.-Mexico Border: Drug Cartels as Responsible Stakeholders

In the media, research, and policy worlds, there is a fundamental misunderstanding about the motivations of Mexican border smuggling cartels as they relate to the security of American citizens. This paper proposes that these cartels have a powerful interest in keeping American citizens safe, and that they can and do function as responsible security partners for the United States. I offer a brief examination of the empirical record to demonstrate the superior predictive capacity of my conception of these groups’ motivations, and then offer a brief discussion of policy implications for the United States under this revised understanding. This paper is a working draft for presentation, and is not for citation.
Mislocalization of oligomerization-incompetent RDS is associated with mislocalization of cone opsins and cone transducin.

RDS (retinal degeneration slow) is a structural protein found in the disk rims of rod and cone photoreceptor outer segments (OSs). Higher-order oligomeric RDS complexes held together by intramolecular disulfide bonds are required for the formation and maintenance of the rim region. Expression of transgenic RDS which cannot form higher-order oligomers (C150S-RDS) leads to dominant, structural, and functional cone degeneration. Furthermore, in this model, C150S-transgenic protein and opsins are mislocalized throughout the cell in cones but not in rods. The purpose of this study was to determine whether other cone OS proteins are mislocalized in the presence of C150S-RDS. Our results demonstrate that all tested proteins are properly localized in the nrl −/− background. In contrast, in the WT background, cone transducin is mislocalized with M- and S-opsin. These results support the hypothesis that C150S-RDS is interfering with the normal transport of cone opsin vesicles.
Mindfulness and Relaxation: a Comparison of Brief, Laboratory-Based Interventions

Mindfulness meditation has garnered increased interest as a treatment for a variety of psychological conditions, including anxiety. Due to its increasing popularity and the lack of research comparing it with previously validated treatments, this project compares brief, laboratory-based mindfulness meditation and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) interventions. These interventions were examined in relation to facets of state mindfulness, mood, and state anxiety, with particular emphasis on how gender differences moderate these outcomes. Undergraduate students were recruited and randomly assigned to either a mindfulness intervention or a relaxation intervention. Across conditions, participants reported significant reductions in both negative affect and positive affect, while those in the PMR group reported significant changes in cognitive anxiety and women in the PMR group reported significant changes in somatic anxiety. These results differ from those of previous studies, which could indicate that mindfulness and relaxation exercises may influence men and women differently when cognitive or somatic symptoms of anxiety are more predominant in the present moment. Additional applications of mindfulness and further directions for research are discussed.
A New Variety of Cladosporium Trichoides

1975. Mating types in five isolates of Physarum polycephalum. Mycologia 66: 98-107. 1976. Heterothallism and homothallism: a study of 27 isolates of Didymium iridis, a true slime mold. Amer. J. Bot. 63: 138-143. 1979. Myxomycetes biosystematics: some recent developments and future research opportunities. Bot. Rev. (Lancaster) 45: 146-201. Dee, J. 1960. A mating-type system in the acellular slime mold. Nature 185: 780-781. . 1978. A gene unlinked to mating-type affecting crossing between strains of Physarum polycephalum. Genetic Res. 31: 85-92. Mukherjee, K., and G. Zabka. 1964. Studies on multiple allelism in the myxomycete Didymium iridis. Canad. J. Bot. 42: 1460-1466. Nirouac-Brunet, J., S. Masson, and D. Pallotta. 1981. Multiple allelism at the mat B locus in Physarum polycephalum. Canad. J. Genetics Cytol. 23: 9-16. Youngman, P., R. Anderson, and C. Holt. 1981. Two multiallelic mating compatibility loci separately regulate zygote formation and zygote differentiation in the myxomycete Physarum polycephalum. Genetics 97: 513-530. , D. Pallotta, B. Hosler, G. Struhl, and C. Holt. 1979. A new mating compatibility locus in Physarum polycephalum. Genetics 91: 683-693.
Parliamentary Control of External Relations in the British Dominions

The British parliamentary system presumes a working government majority, or else an appeal to the electorate, with the inevitable confusion of issues involved therein. Hence, in studying the conduct of foreign relations throughout the British Commonwealth, little profit is to be gained from analysis of anomalous instances where governments and parliaments are found to have been at variance on external policies. Whatever familiarity with the “checks and balances” tradition may incline us to assume, such cases are no adequate criterion of democratization of control. On the contrary, this is to be found in the degree to which parliaments not merely are called upon to ratify governmental acts and policies, but are taken into the confidence of governments and consulted before decisions are conclusively formulated. In the second place, “external relations” should, in the case of the Dominions, include relations with other members of the Commonwealth, especially the mother country. These still comprise the bulk of their external contacts; and from the standpoint of the problem now under discussion, no actual difference in kind exists between them and truly foreign affairs. Moreover, it is upon the procedural foundation of the one that the principles governing the conduct of the other have been based. As it happens, the issue of parliamentary control has been agitated most zealously in connection with representation at the Imperial Conference, the supreme council of the British League of Nations.
Magic wavelengths, matrix elements, polarizabilities, and lifetimes of Cs

Motivated by recent interest in their applications, we report a systematic study of Cs atomic properties calculated by a high-precision relativistic all-order method. Excitation energies, reduced matrix elements, transition rates, and lifetimes are determined for levels with principal quantum numbers $n\ensuremath{\le}12$ and orbital angular momentum quantum numbers $l\ensuremath{\le}3$. Recommended values and estimates of uncertainties are provided for a number of electric-dipole transitions and the electric dipole polarizabilities of the $ns$, $np$, and $nd$ states. We also report a calculation of the electric quadrupole polarizability of the ground state. We display the dynamic polarizabilities of the $6s$ and $7p$ states for optical wavelengths between 1160 and 1800 nm and identify corresponding magic wavelengths for the $6s\ensuremath{-}7{p}_{1/2}$ and $6s\ensuremath{-}7{p}_{3/2}$ transitions. The values of relevant matrix elements needed for polarizability calculations at other wavelengths are provided.
Pregnancy and lactation in beef heifers grazing tallgrass prairie in the winter: influence on intake, forage utilization, and grazing behavior.

Six ruminally and eight bifistulated (ruminal and esophageal) Hereford x Angus heifers were used to determine effects of pregnancy and early lactation on forage intake and utilization under grazing conditions. Three ruminally and three bifistulated heifers were bred (pregnant/lactating; P/L; average calving date was February 11, 1989); remaining heifers served as controls (C). The experiment consisted of three periods (P1 = average of 55 d before parturition; P2 = average of 12 d before parturition; P3 = average of 26 d after parturition). All heifers grazed the same 24-ha Flint Hills range pasture. Dehydrated alfalfa pellets were supplemented at .5% BW/heifer daily prepartum and at .8% BW/heifer daily postpartum. Treatment x period interactions were noted (P less than .10) for forage OM intake, ruminal capacity, indigestible ADF (IADF) fill, and grazing time but not for OM digestibility or IADF passage rate (P greater than .10). In P1 and P3, P/L heifers had greater (P less than .10) forage OM intake than C heifers, whereas no differences were noted (P greater than .10) in P2. Pregnant/lactating heifers spent less time (P less than .10) grazing than did controls in P2 and more time (P less than .10) than controls in P3. Ruminal IADF fill and ruminal capacity, as measured by water fill, tended (P = .14 and .16, respectively) to differ between the two groups in P2. Digestibility of OM was unaffected (P greater than .10) by physiological status, whereas IADF passage rate was greater (P less than .10) in P/L heifers. Only minor differences were noted for the chemical composition of diets selected by the two groups. Ruminal fermentation patterns shifted only slightly; the largest effects were in P3, when P/L heifers had greater (P less than .10) propionate and less (P less than .10) acetate (mol/100 mol) than C heifers. In summary, during the period just before parturition, differences in forage OM intake between P/L and C heifers disappeared, and ruminal fill and capacity tended to be lower for P/L heifers. Intake was 16% greater for P/L than for C heifers during the early postpartum period. Organic matter digestibility was not influenced by physiological status, even though IADF passage rates were greater for P/L heifers.
Abstract P50: Early Nonadherence to Antihypertensive Medications

Background: Medication adherence is extremely important in the treatment of hypertension. Most medication adherence metrics are based on refill rates from pharmacy claims databases and require at least two drug dispensings for the calculations. Little is known about individuals who demonstrate early non-adherence to antihypertensive medications, either by never filling a prescription (primary non-adherence) or by filling a prescription only once (early non-persistence). Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 6,393 Kaiser Permanente Colorado enrollees with hypertension who received a first prescription for an antihypertensive medication between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. We linked prescription orders to medication dispensings and then classified patients into primary non-adherent, early non-persistent, or ongoing dispensings groups. Multivariate logistic modeling was performed to investigate potential predictors of primary non-adherence compared to ongoing dispensings. Results: Five percent (331 of 6,393) of patients were primarily non-adherent, 26% (1,672 of 6,393) demonstrated early non-persistence, and 69% (4,390 of 6,393) received ongoing dispensings. In a multivariate model, the following characteristics were associated with a higher likelihood of exhibiting primary non-adherence compared to receiving ongoing dispensings: Hispanic (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.20-2.52) or other racial/ethnic minority (1.48, 1.13-1.95), an enrollment period less than 10 years (1.28,1.00-1.62), more than four comorbidities compared to no comorbidities (1.76, 1.02-3.02), and fewer than five health care contacts in the six months after the medication was prescribed (1.31, 1.02-1.67). The copayment amount for office visits or medications was not associated with primary non-adherence. The c-statistic for the model containing demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and health care plan information was 0.63. Conclusions: A substantial number of individuals newly prescribed an antihypertensive medication exhibited early non-adherence. Our multivariate model had limited discrimination, indicating that further research is needed to better characterize these individuals and explore barriers to early adherence.
Adam Burke and Pbm Plastics: Message in a Bottle

This case is used in Darden's EMBA and Global EMBA programs. It works well in courses dealing with turnaround specialists or change management. With a cross-disciplinary perspective, this field-based case uses the experience of a company with a supplier that fails to meet its production commitment to set the stage for an analysis of supplier power, human capital, operational effectiveness, and leadership. It offers a discussion around the interaction between people, process, and purpose, and provides an opportunity to introduce basic operational, market, management communication, and leadership terms that can be explored in following classes. The material includes an overview of a manufacturing business and the issues involved in day-to-day production. Excerpt UVA-OM-1491 Rev. Mar. 21, 2013 ADAM BURKE AND PBM PLASTICS: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE Between his responsibilities at his new job and trips to his old company, Adam Burke, former president of PBM Plastics, was scrambling. Only four months after selling his disposable preformed baby bottle liner business in August 2005, the buyers were unable to meet orders. Ordinarily, that might not be a former owner's problem—but his current company, PBM Products, had a supplier exclusivity contract with his former firm, which was now part of a company called SparPack. Within weeks, PBM Products needed to ship SparPack product to retailers or default and incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines—not to mention let customers down. On top of that, pulling the contract from his former company could put the SparPack division out of business and all his former employees out of work. Given the scarcity of liner suppliers, Burke was in a bind—there was no one else who could meet the obligation. Was there something he could do to get his former company back on track in time? What should he do next? Disposable Baby Bottles . . .
Das Mitarbeitergespräch bei Anerkennung und Kritik

In den vorausgegangenen vier Teilen des Buchs ging es um eine Darstellung der Prozesse, die in einem Mitarbeitergesprach ablaufen. Was gesagt wurde, gilt gleichermasen fur das Einstellungs-, Kundigungs-, Beurteilungs-, Problemlosungs-, Anweisungs- und Kritikgesprach. Es handelte sich um einen allgemeinen theoretischen Rahmen, in den die vielfaltigen taglichen Gesprachsanlasse eingeordnet werden konnen.
Integration of multiple stimuli-sensing systems to regulate HrpS and type III secretion system in Erwinia amylovora.

The bacterial enhancer binding protein (bEBP) HrpS is essential for Erwinia amylovora virulence by activating the type III secretion system (T3SS). However, how the hrpS gene is regulated remains poorly understood in E. amylovora. In this study, 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends and promoter deletion analyses showed that the hrpS gene contains two promoters driven by HrpX/HrpY and the Rcs phosphorelay system, respectively. Electrophoretic mobility shift and gene expression assays demonstrated that integration host factor IHF positively regulates hrpS expression through directly binding the hrpX promoter and positively regulating hrpX/hrpY expression. Moreover, hrpX expression was down-regulated in the relA/spoT ((p)ppGpp-deficient) mutant and the dksA mutant, but up-regulated when the wild-type strain was treated with serine hydroxamate, which induced (p)ppGpp-mediated stringent response. Furthermore, the csrA mutant showed significantly reduced transcripts of major hrpS activators, including the hrpX/hrpY, rcsA and rcsB genes, indicating that CsrA is required for full hrpS expression. On the other hand, the csrB mutant exhibited up-regulation of the rcsA and rcsB genes, and hrpS expression was largely diminished in the csrB/rcsB mutant, indicating that the Rcs system is mainly responsible for the increased hrpS expression in the csrB mutant. These findings suggest that E. amylovora recruits multiple stimuli-sensing systems, including HrpX/HrpY, the Rcs phosphorelay system and the Gac–Csr system, to regulate hrpS and T3SS gene expression.
Adolescent Synthetic Cannabinoid Exposure Produces Enduring Changes in Dopamine Neuron Activity in a Rodent Model of Schizophrenia Susceptibility

Background Epidemiological studies recognize cannabis intake as a risk factor for schizophrenia, yet the majority of adolescents who use marijuana do not develop psychosis. Similarly, the abuse of synthetic cannabinoids poses a risk for psychosis. For these reasons, it is imperative to understand the effects of adolescent cannabinoid exposure in susceptible individuals. Methods We recently developed a novel rodent model of schizophrenia susceptibility, the F2 methylazoxymethanol acetate rat, where only a proportion (~40%) of rats display a schizophrenia-like phenotype. Using this model, we examined the effects of adolescent synthetic cannabinoid exposure (0.2 mg/kg WIN55, 212-2, i.p.) or adolescent endocannabinoid upregulation (0.3 mg/kg URB597, i.p.) on dopamine neuron activity and amphetamine sensitivity in adulthood. Results Adolescent synthetic cannabinoid exposure significantly increased the proportion of susceptible rats displaying a schizophrenia-like hyperdopaminergic phenotype after puberty without producing any observable alterations in control rats. Furthermore, this acquired phenotype appears to correspond with alterations in parvalbumin interneuron function within the hippocampus. Endocannabinoid upregulation during adolescence also increased the proportion of susceptible rats developing an increase in dopamine neuron activity; however, it did not alter the behavioral response to amphetamine, further emphasizing differences between exogenous and endogenous cannabinoids. Conclusions Taken together, these studies provide experimental evidence that adolescent synthetic cannabinoid exposure may contribute to psychosis in susceptible individuals.
Robotic Single-port Partial Prostatectomy for Anterior Tumors: Transvesical Approach.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a single-port transvesical robotic approach for anterior partial prostatectomy in a cadaver model. Materials and Methods The cadavers were placed in a lithotomy position and secured to the operating table. A 3-cm midline incision was made in the suprapubic skin fold. After opening the Retzius space, a single-port mini device (GelPOINT, Rancho Margarita, CA) was introduced percutaneously directly into the bladder. The da Vinci Si robotic platform (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) was docked to the GelPOINT by inserting 2 8-mm (robotic arms) and 1 12-mm (camera) trocar through the GelSeal Cap. The surgical steps for en bloc anterior prostatectomy were performed in the following order: (1) retrograde dissection of transition zone at the bladder neck, (2) lateral excision of the peripheral zone, and (3) urethrovesical anastomosis. Primary outcomes such as intraoperative complications, rate of conversion to standard techniques, and operative times were recorded. Results Single-port transvesical robotic approach for anterior partial prostatectomy was technically completed in 2 male cadavers. Both cases were completed successfully using the da Vinci Si surgical system without conversion or the need for additional ports. There were no intraoperative complications. The total operative time was 124.1 and 81.3 minutes. Step-specific times are listed in Table 1 . Conclusion Transvesical robotic partial prostatectomy is technically feasible using a single-port approach in a preclinical model. Further studies are needed for evaluation on patients with anterior localized prostate cancer. Prospective comparison with standard surgical techniques and focal therapy are warranted. Refinement of this technique may potentially expand the role of single-site surgery in the clinical practice.
The Use of Interval Analysis in Hydrologic Systems

Hydrological data are often highly inaccurate. Interval methods help to estimate inaccuracy caused by data uncertainty, both for forward problems (in which we predict how water will flow in the known medium), and for the inverse problems (in which we observe how water flows and determine the properties of the medium).
Sepsis Mortality in the U.S. Correctional System: An Underappreciated Disparity.

The effect of incarceration on sepsis outcomes in the United States is infrequently described in the literature. This study sought to investigate whether being incarcerated affected mortality rates...
P037 Pre-transplant HLA DP10 donor specific antibody of unknown significance in heart transplant a case study

There is minimal data in the literature on the impact of pre-formed HLA DPB1 Donor Specific Antibodies in heart transplant patients. Accurately assessing these antibodies and the risk they pose would hopefully broaden the donor pool available to this group of patients. We have reviewed a case of heart transplantation across strong C1q binding donor specific antibody (DSA) to the HLA DP epitopes 84DEAV and 96K2. A 64y/o female with a history of breast cancer (1997), coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia (2002), presented with congestive heart failure. Sensitization history includes two children but no transfusions prior to transplant evaluation. Her initial HLA antibody results were reported as 0% cPRA for Class I and Class II (Luminex Single Antigen). There were HLA-DP antibodies present below the reporting cutoff ( 10,000 MFI). Antibody testing was done 10 days post LVAD implantation. Unfortunately, her cPRA levels increased dramatically (to 70% Class I and 48% Class II). The Class II antibodies were largely HLA-DP, likely to the 84DEAV and 96 K epitopes. Epitope analysis was initially performed using the HLA-DPB Compatability Wizard. The patient received a heart offer. Virtual crossmatch revealed a single DSA (Anti-DP10 > 20,000 MFI). A prospective CDC crossmatch was performed and was negative. The patient’s auto crossmatch was also negative. The patient was transplanted with this donor. A retrospective flow crossmatch was performed with pronase treated cells. It was T-cell negative, B-cell positive. Due to the positive flow crossmatch, the heart team performed one session of PP/IVIG on POD 1. This case provides insight to the role of high level C1q binding pre-formed donor specific HLA-DPB antibody, where the antibody is not confounded by additional DSA to other loci. It supports the concept that pre-existing HLA-DP antibodies may not represent a significant barrier to transplantation.
Compact UWB circularly polarized dielectric rod antenna design

A novel circular-polarization (CP) ultrawideband dielectric rod antenna design has been developed for operating from X to Ka band. The radiation tip design was based on the previous dual linear-polarization 3-layer dielectric rod design. A novel CP wave-launcher composed of conical spiral arms was developed. This launcher does not require balun or quadrature-phase hybrid. In addition, a novel quadrifilar conducting enclosure was introduced to minimize overall antenna diameter while maintaining good axial ratio at the low frequency end. The simulated antenna performance exhibits an axial ratio (AR) of less than 3 dB, stable gain, stable beamwidth, and stable phase center from 10 to 40 GHz.
Sequential intravenous-to-oral outpatient antibiotic therapy for MRSA bacteraemia: one step closer.

Background Published guidelines call for prolonged courses of intravenous (iv) antibiotics for the treatment of MRSA bloodstream infection (BSI) to ensure eradication of deep foci and decrease relapse risk. Sequential iv-to-oral antibiotic therapy has been successfully applied to other serious infections but has not been evaluated for MRSA BSI. Objectives To compare outcomes in adults completing MRSA BSI therapy with oral versus parenteral antibiotics in the outpatient setting [oral outpatient antibiotic therapy (OOAT) versus outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT)]. Methods This was a single-centre, retrospective, cohort study between 2008 and 2018. The primary outcome was 90 day clinical failure (MRSA BSI recurrence, deep-seated MRSA infection or all-cause mortality). Analyses were adjusted for confounding using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Results A total of 492 patients were included (70 OOAT, 422 OPAT). In general, OOAT patients had characteristics consistent with a lower risk of poor outcomes; however, after IPTW key prognostic factors were balanced. In IPTW-adjusted analysis, there was non-significant reduction in the rate of 90 day clinical failure in the OOAT group compared with the OPAT group [adjusted HR (aHR) 0.379, 95% CI 0.131-1.101]. In analyses restricted to pre-specified subgroups defined by index infection complexity and comorbidity burden, findings were consistent with the main analysis. Furthermore, OOAT patients had a significantly reduced rate of 90 day hospital readmission (aHR 0.603, 95% CI 0.388-0.937). Conclusions We provide preliminary evidence that selected patients with MRSA BSI may have at least equivalent clinical outcomes with OOAT versus OPAT and provide support to ongoing and future studies evaluating oral antibiotics for MRSA BSI.
Chapter 23 - Non-conscious brain processing indexed by psychophysiological measures

Scientific exploration of non-conscious processing has been actively pursued in recent years, and has yielded several important breakthroughs. One approach that has been helpful in this area of inquiry is known as the “lesion method.” In this method, the experimental preparation is the human adult brain, and in particular, a brain that has been damaged in a focal, discrete fashion, causing a circumscribed deficit in some aspect of cognition or behavior, e.g. an inability to recognize familiar faces, or to learn new facts, or to retrieve emotional knowledge. This chapter uses this method to explore a variety of questions regarding brain-behavior relationships. A key technique in this work has been the utilization of a psychophysiological probe— namely, the electrodermal skin conductance response, as a dependent variable to study cognition and behavior. The skin conductance response (SCR), which provides an index of autonomic nervous system activation, is exquisitely sensitive to a host of stimulus and processing features, such as importance, novelty, familiarity, relevance-features than can be grouped under the broad concept of “signal value.” This chapter has applied this technique in experiments with brain-damaged subjects, and some of the highlights of this work are discussed.
Block copolymer derived uniform mesopores enable ultrafast electron and ion transport at high mass loadings

High mass loading and fast charge transport are two crucial but often mutually exclusive characteristics of pseudocapacitors. On conventional carbon supports, high mass loadings inevitably lead to sluggish electron conduction and ion diffusion due to thick pseudocapacitive layers and clogged pores. Here we present a design principle of carbon supports, utilizing self-assembly and microphase-separation of block copolymers. We synthesize porous carbon fibers (PCFs) with uniform mesopores of 11.7 nm, which are partially filled with MnO2 of <2 nm in thickness. The uniform mesopores and ultrathin MnO2 enable fast electron/ion transport comparable to electrical-double-layer-capacitive carbons. At mass loadings approaching 7 mg cm−2, the gravimetric and areal capacitances of MnO2 (~50% of total mass) reach 1148 F g−1 and 3141 mF cm−2, respectively. Our MnO2-coated PCFs outperform other MnO2-based electrodes at similar loadings, highlighting the great promise of block copolymers for designing PCF supports for electrochemical applications. High mass loading and fast charge transport are two crucial but often mutually exclusive characteristics of pseudocapacitors. Here, the authors address this challenge by making use of block copolymer phase separation in the synthesis of porous carbon fibres as carbon supports for pseudocapacitors.
Cancellative Group-Graded Rings

In (2) we obtained necessary and sufficient conditions for a strongly group-graded ring to be prime or semiprime. In this note, we point out how the same methods can apply to yield analogous results for the somewhat larger class of cancellative group- graded rings. Since a complete proof of these new results would require totally rewriting (2) and since these results can probably be further generalized, we do not offer a detailed proof here. Rather we indicate the few new ideas involved, list a few pertinent lemmas and then refer the reader to (2).
Assessing Postural Instability and Cybersickness Through Linear and Angular Displacement.

Objective:To examine the hypothesis that constant speed is more comfortable than variable speed profiles and may minimize cybersickness.Background:Current best practices for virtual reality (VR) co...
A new sigmoidal fractional derivative for regularization

In this paper, we propose a new fractional derivative, which is based on a Caputo-type derivative with a smooth kernel. We show that the proposed fractional derivative reduces to the classical derivative and has a smoothing effect which is compatible with $\ell_{1}$ regularization. Moreover, it satisfies some classical properties.
Systematic social event modeling: a methodology for analyzing body-worn camera footage

The growth of multimedia and increasing archival of this footage by public safety agencies presents as a watershed moment in converting this footage into actionable data that can inform and improve...
Crossing the Vacuolar Rubicon: Structural Insights into Effector Protein Trafficking in Apicomplexan Parasites

Apicomplexans form a large phylum of parasitic protozoa, including the genera Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and Cryptosporidium, the causative agents of malaria, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis, respectively. They cause diseases not only in humans but also in animals, with dramatic consequences in agriculture. Most apicomplexans are vacuole-dwelling and obligate intracellular parasites; as they invade the host cell, they become encased in a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) derived from the host cellular membrane. This creates a parasite–host interface that acts as a protective barrier but also constitutes an obstacle through which the pathogen must import nutrients, eliminate wastes, and eventually break free upon egress. Completion of the parasitic life cycle requires intense remodeling of the infected host cell. Host cell subversion is mediated by a subset of essential effector parasitic proteins and virulence factors actively trafficked across the PV membrane. In the malaria parasite Plasmodium, a unique and highly specialized ATP-driven vacuolar secretion system, the Plasmodium translocon of exported proteins (PTEX), transports effector proteins across the vacuolar membrane. Its core is composed of the three essential proteins EXP2, PTEX150, and HSP101, and is supplemented by the two auxiliary proteins TRX2 and PTEX88. Many but not all secreted malarial effector proteins contain a vacuolar trafficking signal or Plasmodium export element (PEXEL) that requires processing by an endoplasmic reticulum protease, plasmepsin V, for proper export. Because vacuolar parasitic protein export is essential to parasite survival and virulence, this pathway is a promising target for the development of novel antimalarial therapeutics. This review summarizes the current state of structural and mechanistic knowledge on the Plasmodium parasitic vacuolar secretion and effector trafficking pathway, describing its most salient features and discussing the existing differences and commonalities with the vacuolar effector translocation MYR machinery recently described in Toxoplasma and other apicomplexans of significance to medical and veterinary sciences.
Robust event-driven dynamic simulation using power flow

Abstract The power grid is a dynamic system encompassing numerous control devices with varying degrees of time constants, posing a challenge for dynamic simulators to efficiently step through time. We introduce a robust event-driven simulator to mimic dynamic simulation that exploits the inherent temporal sparsity by solving for the quasi-steady state of the grid using frequency-dependent power flow at each time-step. In this methodology, the effect of fast transient control actions is captured within the quasi-steady state while a time-dependent outer loop handles slow transients that dynamically change over time. The event-driven approach offers a fast simulation framework capable of scaling to large systems by taking time-steps based on proceeding events and uses a robust power flow simulator, Simulation with Unified Grid Analyses and Renewables (SUGAR), to solve for the quasi-steady state. We demonstrate the efficacy of this approach by simulating the effects of different control actions including automatic generation control (AGC), automatic voltage (AVR) and over excitation limits on large systems.
Methionine stress induces ferroptosis in methionine dependent cancer cells

ABSTRACT Dietary methionine restriction is associated with a reduction in tumor growth in preclinical studies and an increase in lifespan in animal models. The mechanism by which methionine restriction inhibits tumor growth while sparing normal cells is incompletely understood, except for the observation that normal cells can utilize methionine or homocysteine interchangeably (methionine independence) while most cancer cells are strictly dependent on methionine availability. Here, we compared a typical methionine dependent and a rare methionine independent melanoma cell line. We found that replacing methionine with homocysteine generally induced hypomethylation in gene promoters. We isolated nuclear proteins and submitted it for tandem mass tag (TMT) proteomics. This analysis revealed that several proteins involved in the mitochondrial integrated stress response (ISR) were upregulated in response to the replacement of methionine to homocysteine in both cell lines, but to a much greater degree in the methionine dependent cell line. Consistent with the ISR signature, a proteomic analysis of a subcellular fraction enriched for mitochondrial content revealed a strong enrichment for proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Analysis of cellular bioenergetics confirmed that homocysteine induces a decrease in ATP production from oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, but to a similar extent in methionine dependent and methionine independent cells. The mitochondrial integrated stress response shared a signature with ferroptosis. Methionine dependent cells displayed a strong ferroptotic signature, which was decreased by half in methionine independent cells. Consistent with ferroptosis, lipid peroxidation was increased in methionine independent cells grown in homocysteine, and viability could be rescued with the inhibitor ferrostatin. Therefore, we propose that methionine stress induces ferroptotic cell death in methionine dependent cancer cells.
UVB mutagenesis differs in NRAS- and BRAF-mutant mouse models of melanoma

BRAF-mutant melanomas are more likely than NRAS-mutant melanomas to arise in anatomical locations protected from chronic sun damage. We hypothesized that this discrepancy in tumor location is a consequence of the differential sensitivity of BRAF and NRAS-mutant melanocytes to ultraviolet light (UV)-mediated carcinogenesis. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the mutagenic consequences of a single, narrow band ultraviolet-A (UVA; 320-400nm) or ultraviolet-B (UVB; 280-320nm) exposure in mouse models predisposed to Braf- or Nras-mutant melanoma. Exposures approximated the amount of UVA or UVB energy contained in ~40 minutes of summer sunlight. Tumor onset was accelerated in all UVB-, but only half of UVA- irradiated mice as compared to unirradiated controls. Melanomas from both mouse models, harbored recurrent mutations affecting the RING domain of MAP3K1 and Actin-binding domain of Filamin A irrespective of UV status. Melanomas from UVB-irradiated, Braf-mutant mice averaged twice as many SNVs (1,025 vs. 435) and five times as many dipyrimidine variants (33.3 vs. 5.7) than tumors from similarly irradiated Nras-mutant mice. We identified a mutational signature enriched in UVB-accelerated tumors which mirrored COSMIC signatures associated with human skin cancer. Notably, this signature was enriched to a greater extent in Braf- than Nras-mutant murine melanomas. These data suggest that oncogenic BRAF may enhance UVB carcinogenesis to promote melanoma formation at anatomic sites with low or intermittent sun exposure.
Comparison of Biotite Elastic Properties Recovered by Spherical Nanoindentations and Atomistic Simulations — Influence of Nano-Scale Defects in Phyllosilicates

Phyllosilicate minerals, due to their sheets structure and morphology, are known to cause anisotropy in bulk rock properties and make the bulk rock more compliant. Accurately characterizing the mic...