cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Geometric Representation of Root Sensitivity

In this paper, we present a geometric method for representing the classical root sensitivity function of linear time-invariant dynamic systems. The method employs specialized eigenvalue plots that expand the information presented in the root locus plot in a manner that permits determination by inspection of both the real and imaginary components of the root sensitivity function. We observe relationships between root sensitivity and eigenvalue geometry that do not appear to be reported in the literature and hold important implications for control system design and analysis
Increased prevalence of ventricular fibrillation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an independent risk for cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, patients with DM have increased risk for ventricular arrhythmia that is thought to be secondary to coronary artery disease (CAD) or congestive heart failure (CHF). We hypothesized that DM may cause ventricular arrhythmias independent of CAD or CHF. Using a large database, we evaluated the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation in patients with DM adjusting for CAD and CHF. We used patient treatment files (PTF), documents of inpatients' admissions containing discharge diagnoses (ICD-9 codes) from all Veterans Health Administration Hospitals. The patients were stratified in two groups: ICD-9 code for DM (293 124) and a control group with ICD-code for hypertension (HTN) but no DM (552 623). ICD-9 codes for ventricular fibrillation were used for this study. We performed uni- and multivariant analysis adjusting for comorbid conditions. Ventricular fibrillation was present in 563 (0.2%) vs 781 (0.1%) in the control group. Using multivariate analysis, DM remained independently associated with ventricular fibrillation (odds ratio: 1.7; confidence interval: 1.5–1.9; P < 0.000). Patients with DM have significantly higher prevalence of ventricular fibrillation independent of CAD or CHF, which in part may explain the higher risk of sudden death in patients with DM.
Plasmid-Mediated Resistance to Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole in Salmonella krefeld Strains Isolated in the United States

Two types of transmissible plasmids which encode resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were found among five animal isolates of Salmonella krefeld . This is the first report of plasmid-mediated resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in Salmonella strains isolated in the United States.
Immediate Postoperative Pain: An Atypical Presentation of Dropped Gallstones after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States. A common complication is dropped gallstones, and the diversity of their presentation poses a substantial diagnostic challenge. We report the case of a 58-year-old man presenting with chronic right upper quadrant hours status post cholecystectomy. Imaging demonstrated retained gallstones in the perihepatic space and symptoms remitted following their removal via laparoscopic operation. Gallstones are lost in roughly 1 in 40 cholecystectomies and are usually asymptomatic. The most common presentations are months or years status post cholecystectomy due to fistula, abscess, or sinus tract formation. We report this case hoping to bring light to a rare presentation for dropped gallstones and provide advice on the management of this common complication of cholecystectomy.
Characterization of the mouse beta maj globin transcription termination region: a spacing sequence is required between the poly(A) signal sequence and multiple downstream termination elements.

Abstract For the majority of mRNA encoding eukaryotic transcription units, there is little or no knowledge of the elements responsible for transcription termination or how they may interact with RNA polymerase. In this report, we have used recombinant adenovirus reporter vectors to characterize the mouse beta maj globin sequence elements that cause transcription termination. Within the globin 3' termination region, we have identified at least three sequence elements which induce significant levels of transcription termination (> 50%). The smallest functionally active element (64% termination) is 69 bp in length. The natural arrangement of these elements results in a cumulative termination which is greater than 90%. Recognition of the termination elements by RNA polymerase II depends on the presence of a functional poly(A) signal sequence. We demonstrate that efficient transcription termination depends on appropriate spacing between the poly(A) signal sequence and the termination element.
Examining Suicidal Behavior of Asian American Female College Students

Abstract Based on a qualitative study of a group of Asian American female college students, this article examines the cultural nuances underlying the emotional distresses and motivations of their suicidal behavior. Several Asian cultural values and norms that may have accentuated their distress are discussed. Culturally-relevant issues relating to the participants' profile and suicide risk factors are highlighted as implications for assessment and interventions with Asian American female students who seek treatment.
Mechanism of recruiting Sec6/8 (exocyst) complex to the apical junctional complex during polarization of epithelial cells.

Sec6/8 (exocyst) complex regulates vesicle delivery and polarized membrane growth in a variety of cells, but mechanisms regulating Sec6/8 localization are unknown. In epithelial cells, Sec6/8 complex is recruited to cell-cell contacts with a mixture of junctional proteins, but then sorts out to the apex of the lateral membrane with components of tight junction and nectin complexes. Sec6/8 complex fractionates in a high molecular mass complex with tight junction proteins and a portion of E-cadherin, and co-immunoprecipitates with cell surface-labeled E-cadherin and nectin-2α. Recruitment of Sec6/8 complex to cell-cell contacts can be achieved in fibroblasts when E-cadherin and nectin-2α are co-expressed. These results support a model in which localized recruitment of Sec6/8 complex to the plasma membrane by specific cell-cell adhesion complexes defines a site for vesicle delivery and polarized membrane growth during development of epithelial cell polarity.
Mechanism of botulinum neurotoxin B and G entry into hippocampal neurons

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) target presynaptic nerve terminals by recognizing specific neuronal surface receptors. Two homologous synaptic vesicle membrane proteins, synaptotagmins (Syts) I and II, bind toxins BoNT/B and G. However, a direct demonstration that Syts I/II mediate toxin binding and entry into neurons is lacking. We report that BoNT/B and G fail to bind and enter hippocampal neurons cultured from Syt I knockout mice. Wild-type Syts I and II (but not Syt I loss-of-function toxin-binding domain mutants) restored binding and entry of BoNT/B and G in Syt I–null neurons, thus demonstrating that Syts I/II are protein receptors for BoNT/B and G. Furthermore, mice lacking complex gangliosides exhibit reduced sensitivity to BoNT/G, and binding and entry of BoNT/A, B, and G into hippocampal neurons lacking gangliosides is diminished. These data suggest that gangliosides are the shared coreceptor for BoNT/A, B, and G, supporting a double-receptor model for these three BoNTs for which the protein receptors are known.
Multi-dimensional Knowledge Integration for Efficient Incident Management in a Services Cloud

The increasing complexity and dynamics in IT infrastructure and the emerging Cloud services present challenges to timely incident/problem diagnosis and resolution. In this paper we present a problem determination platform with multi-dimensional knowledge integration (e.g. configuration data, system vital data, log data, related tickets) and enablement for efficient incident and problem management of the enterprise. Three features of the platform are discussed: automated ticket classification, the automated association of resource with tickets based on integration with configuration database, and the collection of the system vitals relevant to the ticket through integration with monitoring systems. In response to the emerging Cloud services and their highly dynamic service operation context, we identify the need for a proactive service management approach which incorporates configurations and deployment of incident management tools, policies, and templates throughout the service life cycle in order to enable effective and efficient incident management in service operation.
Live-Cell Imaging of Cyclopropene Tags with Fluorogenic Tetrazine Cycloadditions†

There is growing interest in the use of inverse Diels–Alder tetrazine cycloadditions as rapid catalyst-free bioorthogonal reactions.[1–3] Fluorogenic tetrazines that increase in fluorescence after reaction with dienophiles are particularly useful for live-cell imaging applications.[4] Fluorogenic tetrazines have been recently used for live-cell imaging of small molecules, biomolecules tagged enzymatically with dienophiles, and proteins modified by reactive unnatural amino acids.[4,5] Although fluorogenic tetrazine probes hold great potential for intracellular imaging of small molecules, previous approaches are limited by requiring a large strained dienophile, such as trans-cyclooctene, cyclooctyne, or norbornene.[1,6] This situation is in contrast to Staudinger ligations or strain-promoted azide–cycloalkyne cycloadditions that utilize a small azide functional group.[7,8] This requirement has limited the use of tetrazine reactions in methods that require tags with minimal steric impact or nominal effect on the partition ratio.[2] The development of smaller dienophile partners capable of reacting rapidly with tetrazines would therefore represent a major advance. However, it has been unclear whether small dienophiles could be developed that react rapidly with tetrazines while maintaining their stability. Herein, we demonstrate the applicability of methylcyclopropene tags as dienophiles for reaction with fluorogenic tetrazines. Through systematic synthetic modifications we have optimized the stability, size, and reactivity of the cyclopropene scaffold. We have developed methylcyclopropene derivatives that react rapidly with tetrazines while retaining their aqueous stability and small size. These cyclopropene handles elicit fluorescent responses from quenched tetrazine dyes and are suitable for cellular imaging applications, which we demonstrate by imaging cyclopropene phospholipids distributed in live human breast cancer cells.
Hockey STAR: A Methodology for Assessing the Biomechanical Performance of Hockey Helmets

Optimizing the protective capabilities of helmets is one of several methods of reducing brain injury risk in sports. This paper presents the experimental and analytical development of a hockey helmet evaluation methodology. The Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk (STAR) formula combines head impact exposure with brain injury probability over the broad range of 227 head impacts that a hockey player is likely to experience during one season. These impact exposure data are mapped to laboratory testing parameters using a series of 12 impact conditions comprised of three energy levels and four head impact locations, which include centric and non-centric directions of force. Injury risk is determined using a multivariate injury risk function that incorporates both linear and rotational head acceleration measurements. All testing parameters are presented along with exemplar helmet test data. The Hockey STAR methodology provides a scientific framework for manufacturers to optimize hockey helmet design for injury risk reduction, as well as providing consumers with a meaningful metric to assess the relative performance of hockey helmets.
ONTOGENY AND CHARACTER PHYLOGENY

Abstract— The doctrine of recapitulation was long ago exchanged for a view that ontogeny is orderly and recapitulates ancestral ontogenies. Only recently has the pattern of ontogeny, as a means for determining individual character phylogenies (polarities), been explicitly explored by Gareth Nelson and other cladists. Constraints on outgroup comparisons are suggested to apply to Nelson's rule equally, and the supposed distinction between “direct” and “indirect” methods is suggested to be nonexistent. Nelson's rule is concluded to measure character adjacency directly, but polarity indirectly. Nelson's (ontogenetic) rule is compared to the Outgroup Rule of Watrous and Wheeler, based on 60 postembryonic larval characters of three species of slime-mold beetles of the genus Agathidium (onisemdes Palisot de Beauvois, pulchrum LeConte, aristerium Wheeler), and reference to larvae of Amsotoma basalts (Le Conte) as an outgroup. Polarities were hypothesized based on each rule and cladograms constructed with the microcomputer programs Henning86 (J. S. Farris) and CLADOS (K. C. Nixon). With levels of analytical error, or homoplasy, measured as the consistency index, the results were compared and the least homoplastic solutions preferred. It is concluded that the outgroup rule and Nelson's rule arc of about the same efficacy as criteria for polarity, and that each is ultimately justified on the basis of parsimony. The following hypothesis of relationships is accepted for the species studied: (Anisotoma basalts + (Agathidium oniscoides + (Agathidium pulchrum + Agathidium arislerium))).
The Effect of Being a Student-Athlete on Academic Performance

The purpose of this experiment was to examine academic performance differences among student-athletes and other students at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The construct of confidence was examined to provide a mechanism for any academic performance differences that were to occur. The data was obtained by having 92 UIC students, 46 of whom were student-athletes and 46 of who were other students, complete a survey. The survey consisted of questions pertaining to gender, type of student, GPA, and confidence questions scored on a Likert scale. The survey produced significant results, F (3, 92) = 2.887; p =.040, in terms of confidence differences. There was specifically significant confidence differences between student-athletes and the other students, F (1, 92) = 5.180; p = .025 as well as between male student-athletes (M= 33.69, SD= 4.47) and the other male students (M= 30.13, SD= 4.98); t (30) = -2.13, p =.041. However, there were no significant results regarding differences in academic performance among student-athletes and other students at UIC. Therefore, one could conclude that confidence does not significantly influence academic performance among the UIC students surveyed. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
Coming Out: The Career Management of One’s Sexuality

The present study centers on interviews with 30 individuals, all of whom are engaged in coming out related to their sexualities. Among all of the themes shared across the interviews, one of the more prevalent dimensions was that of temporality. Participants shared numerous experiences (both directly and contextually) about how long coming out takes and whether or not it ever truly ends. Despite participants alluding to the point-in-time and processional nature of coming out, the broader experiences shared by participants uncovered an enduring reality—that coming out is a career. Building on the works of prior social scientists, this manuscript provides support for a redefinition of coming out as a perpetual endeavor based in the concurrent management of internal and external matters related to sexual identity formation and maintenance in a heteronormative society. More succinctly, coming out is not a process to be completed, but a career to be managed.
Bifurcations of Dynamical Systems, Logistic and Gompertz Growth Laws in Processes of Aggregation

From the systemic point of view protein aggregation is a compensatory mechanism allowing transition of a system (protein solution) from an initially stable equilibrium, which became unstable under a stress, to another stable equilibrium, which bifurcates from the initial one because of the stress. The simplest bifurcation of this type is Logistic bifurcation with a positive small parameter.
Infomax boosting

In this paper, we described an efficient feature pursuit scheme for boosting. The proposed method is based on the infomax principle, which seeks optimal feature that achieves maximal mutual information with class labels. Direct feature pursuit with infomax is computationally prohibitive, so an efficient gradient ascent algorithm is further proposed, based on the quadratic mutual information, non-parametric density estimation and fast Gauss transform. The feature pursuit process is integrated into a boosting framework as infomax boosting. The performance of a face detector based on infomax boosting is reported.
Electrophoretic studies of red cell hemolysates supplemented with phosphorylated carbohydrate intermediates.

SummaryHemolysates of aged red cells were analyzed by electrophoresis before and after incubation with a number of phosphorylated metabolic intermediates. There was a marked increase in concentrations of one of the components (B) and a reduction in the amount of 2 components (A and f) in presence of added 2,3 diphosphoglycerate and adenosine triphosphate. Small increases in Component B concentration were observed in the adenosine diphosphate and 3-phospho-glyceric acid groups. A new electrophoretic component appeared after adding fructose 1,6-diphosphate.
Overview of Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus is challenging for clinicians and researchers to understand and control. New information relating to it appears almost daily. This article provides an overview of the most significant aspects of this virus—epidemiology, transmission mode, clinical manifestation, laboratory analysis, and treatment.
Access to Nanostructured Hydrogel Networks through Photocured Body-Centered Cubic Block Copolymer Melts

Direct access to nanostructured hydrogel networks through high fidelity photocuring of sphere-forming block copolymer melts is demonstrated. Hydrophobic junction points within the hydrogel network are based on an underlying lattice of body-centered cubic spheres (SBCC), produced via melt-state self-assembly of blended AB diblock and ABA triblock copolymer amphiphiles. Integrated thermally stable photocuring chemistry allows for in situ trapping of these spherical domains, independent from the required melt processing necessary to achieve the highly ordered BCC lattice. Swelling of the photocured solids in aqueous (and organic) media afforded highly elastic gels exhibiting excellent mechanical properties (G′ ∼ 103 Pa) and complete preservation of the cured solid shape. The hydrogels fabricated in this study were produced from partially epoxidized (19.6%, relative to diene repeat units) blends of polybutadiene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock (PB–PEO, fPB = 0.13, Mn = 29 500 g mol–1, 88.5 mol %) and PB–PEO–PB...
Cryopreservation of Adipose Tissue forCosmetic Treatment of HIV Related FacialLipoatrophy is Underused

Few infectious diseases have the social stigma or the emotional power that is often associated with HIV. The psychological impact of any disease can be its own difficult, and occasionally insurmountable, hurdle that has very little to do with science or medicine. However, HIV infection seems to have taken on the mantle of a disease with the greatest overall social impact. Over more than three decades of research vast new understanding of the infection and disease progression has taken place. Current states of knowledge have allowed the development of drug cocktails (HAART therapy) that keep a large fraction of morbidity and mortality at bay. But as HIV+ patients live longer and better lives, they must still contend with prejudice and stigma that sometimes associates with disease status. This is often due to the simple fact that HIV+ people look like HIV+ people. As the disease progresses, elements of HIV associated lipodystrophy can change the individuals appearance. Banking of adipose tissue early after diagnosis for subsequent autologous use years later can offer patients a safe and affordable surgical option for reversing the changes in facial appearance and social stigma that associate with HIV status.
Timing of Surgery in Mitral and Aortic Stenosis

This article reviews the indications and contraindications for the surgical correction of mitral and aortic stenosis. Ventricular mechanics and pathophysiology of both diseases are reviewed and related to the development of symptoms. New aspects of the hemodynamic evaluation and controversies associated with mitral and aortic stenosis are highlighted.
Health Behavior, Status, and Outcomes Among a Community-Based Sample of Lesbian and Bisexual Women

Abstract Purpose: To compare health behaviors, and physical and mental health outcomes in a community-based sample of bisexual and lesbian women. Methods: The Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women (CHLEW) study is a longitudinal study of sexual minority women's health. Wave 3 of the CHLEW used a modified version of respondent-driven sampling to recruit a supplemental sample of bisexual-identified women into the study, with an additional focus on younger women, and Black and Latina women. Face-to-face interviews were conducted and data were captured using computer-assisted interviews. Data from the supplemental Wave 3 sample are reported here. Results: Bisexual (n=139) and lesbian women (n=227) did not differ on most health outcomes, either in terms of prevalence or adjusted odds. Bisexual women were at higher risk of ever being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) (AOR=3.01) and scoring 10 or more on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (AOR=1.73) compared ...
Lexicon of infrageneric names in Rubus (Rosaceae: Rubeae)

Summary. An attempt is made to summarise the infrageneric nomenclature associated with the bramble genus Rubus, a widely distributed taxon found throughout much of the near-arctic and temperate to subtropical regions of the world. Nearly 550 infrageneric names have been found but the vast literature on this important genus suggests that this lexicon can only be considered an interim report.
Early pancreatic islet fate and maturation is controlled through RBP-Jκ

Notch signaling is known to control early pancreatic differentiation through Ngn3 repression. In later stages, downstream of Notch, the Presenilins are still required to maintain the endocrine fate allocation. Amongst their multiple targets, it remains unclear which one actually controls the maintenance of the fate of the early islets. Conditional deletions of the Notch effector RBP-Jκ with lineage tracing in Presenilin-deficient endocrine progenitors, demonstrated that this factor is central to the control of the fate through a non-canonical Notch mechanism. RBP-Jκ mice exhibit normal islet morphogenesis and function, however, a fraction of the progenitors fails to differentiate and develop into disorganized masses resembling acinar to ductal metaplasia and chronic pancreatitis. A subsequent deletion of RBP-Jκ in forming β-cells led to the transdifferentiation into the other endocrine cells types, indicating that this factor still mediates the maintenance of the fate within the endocrine lineage itself. These results highlight the dual importance of Notch signaling for the endocrine lineage. Even after Ngn3 expression, Notch activity is required to maintain both fate and maturation of the Ngn3 progenitors. In a subset of the cells, these alterations of Notch signaling halt their differentiation and leads to acinar to ductal metaplasia.
Abstract 1644: NF-κB inhibitor DMAPT blocks non-homologous end-joining repair of radiation-induced DSBs in NSCLC

Background: Despite optimal multimodality therapy, non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. A common limitation is our inability to provide sufficient radiotherapy (RT) to eradicate tumor due to risk of toxicities in surrounding tissues. There is thus an unmet need for radiosensitizers that can improve the therapeutic index. Dimethylaminoparthenolide (DMAPT), an orally bioavailable small molecule NF-κB inhibitor, inhibits repair of ionizing radiation (IR)-induced DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and increases control of subcutaneous mouse NSCLC xenografts. While our prior work focused on inhibition of homologous recombination as a mechanism for radiosensitization, we sought to characterize the effect of DMAPT on a second major DSB repair pathway, non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). Methods: NHEJ was assessed in NSCLC lines using the pEJ reporter and flow cytometry. The NF-κB super repressor (IκBαS32A,S36A) was used as a control. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to assess NHEJ biomarkers including 53BP1, DNA-PKS2056, Ku70/80 and XRCC4. Cell fractionation was performed to assess Ku chromatin binding. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed to assess gene transcription. Ku complexes were purified to identify binding partners. Results: NSCLC cells treated with IR-sensitizing doses of DMAPT (5-15 μM) or the NF-κB super repressor showed significant decreases in NHEJ. DMAPT increased the persistence of 53BP1 foci, indicating a failure to complete NHEJ. Regardless of exogenous DNA damage, there was reduced Ku70 chromatin binding following DMAPT treatment. DMAPT-treated cells produced fewer distinct IR-induced DNA-PKS2056 foci. Further, there was decreased IR-induced XRCC4 chromatin recruitment, suggesting that repair was impaired prior to ligation. There was no change in Ku70/80 transcription following DMAPT and/or IR. However, Western blotting of purified Ku complexes showed that DMAPT treatment decreased Ku association with RNA binding partners including RPL19. We also observed decreased recruitment of DNA-PKcs to the Ku complex, suggesting decreased Ku affinity for DSBs. Conclusions: These results indicate that DMAPT radiosensitizes NSCLC by perturbing the binding affinity of Ku to RNA, DNA and its complex binding partners, thus blocking NHEJ. Further mechanistic investigation and analysis of NHEJ biomarkers in vivo is needed to identify the precise mechanism. Citation Format: Peter V. Deraska, Colin O’Leary, Jean-Bernard Lazaro, Christopher J. Sweeney, Alan D. D’Andrea, David Kozono. NF-κB inhibitor DMAPT blocks non-homologous end-joining repair of radiation-induced DSBs in NSCLC. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1644.
Default mode network, connectivity, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic amnesia

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Disconnection between the default mode network and medial temporal lobes in post-traumatic amnesia’, by De Simoni et al. (doi:10.1093/brain/aww241) . In the individual who has sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), three clinical metrics are typically ascertained: the presence and duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA), whether loss of consciousness occurred, and a score on the Glasgow Coma Scale. These common metrics are used to determine injury severity and to triage the patient, without particular reference to what the underlying neuropathology might be. Previous neuroimaging studies have attempted to identify particular patterns of lesions or abnormalities associated with each of these metrics; however, efforts have generally been unsuccessful because the research has been limited by a focus on lesion type, location and/or burden, and has typically involved only a single imaging modality. A more contemporary approach is to examine the patient with multiple types of imaging and image analysis methods to explore not so much the location of identifiable lesions, but how brain networks and systems have been altered by the injury (Aerts et al. , 2016; Hayes et al. , 2016). Advanced neuroimaging methods have revolutionized how brain networks can be functionally and structurally assessed in neurological disease and disorder (Glasser et al. , 2016). Using such techniques in this issue of Brain , De Simoni and co-workers provide a compelling demonstration that a functional and structural disconnection between attentional and memory networks and the default mode network (DMN) forms at least part of the pathophysiological basis of PTA (De Simoni et al. , 2016). The techniques used in the De Simoni et al. investigation reveal the effectiveness of a multimodal approach to neuroimaging assessment of TBI and provide a roadmap for future methods to better understand how brain injury disrupts brain …
Library-sponsored case competitions: Best practices and assessment of learning gains

The Parrish Library Case Competition is an annual library-administered, library-sponsored case competition where teams of undergraduate students compete against one another to make better evidence-...
Scattering by a dielectric loaded conducting strip

In this paper we present a solution to the scattering problem of an E-polarized incident wave on a perfectly conducting strip loaded by a dielectric cylinder. The solution is based on the application of the vector Green's theorem. The numerical results are in good agreement with those based on the method of moments. The dependence of the scattered field as well as the scattering cross-section of the loaded strip on the strip width, dielectric constant and the angle of the incident wave are investigated.
Positioning Carly Fiorina in 2016: The Citizen Leader

The material in this case can be used to determine brand positioning and brand essence statements in the context of presidential campaigns. The case presents the 2016 nominating process where 18 major contenders were vying to be the Republican Party's presidential candidate. The challenge is focused on Carly Fiorina who was largely unknown and faced obstacles that more familiar candidates did not. To make it to the finish line, she would need to find a way to break through the clutter and become known. But being known was only part of the challenge. The other challenge was figuring out how to position Fiorina such that she was meaningfully different from the other candidates and yet quite compelling and relevant for the target voters. To do this, her team would have to identify the best target (e.g., demographically and psychographically) and then determine the strategic brand positioning (i.e., brand essence statement). Excerpt UVA-M-0896 Nov. 6, 2015 Positioning Carley Fiorina in 2016: The Citizen Leader? The American people think we now have a professional political class of both parties that is more concerned with its protection of its power, privilege, and position than on solving problems. I agree with them, that's why I'm running. —Carly Fiorina If the framers of the Constitution of the United States wanted a political system populated by a robust selection of the people's choice, then the Republican Party's slate of candidates for the 2016 presidential election would have made them happy. The 2016 nominating process was shaking up to be one for the record books. Never before had there been 18 major contenders. In this crowded field, Carly Fiorina was the only female and one of the few candidates who had never held elected office. She was largely unknown and faced obstacles that more familiar candidates (e.g., Jeb Bush and Rand Paul) did not. . . .
Listening for schwa in academic vocabulary

The schwa sound, as the most frequent in English, is a near constant in words of three syllables or longer in academic texts. As linguistic research has shown, it characteristically recurs in rhyth...
Optimizing target control of the vessel rich group with volatile anesthetics

The ability to monitor the inspired and expired concentrations of volatile anesthetic gases in real time makes these drugs implicitly targetable. However, the end-tidal concentration only represents the concentration within the brain and the vessel rich group (VRG) at steady state, and very poorly approximates the VRG concentration during common dynamic situations such as initial uptake and emergence. How should the vaporization of anesthetic gases be controlled in order to optimally target VRG concentration in clinical practice? Using a generally accepted pharmacokinetic model of uptake and redistribution, a transfer function from the vaporizer setting to the VRG is established and transformed to the time domain. Targeted actuation of the vaporizer in a time-optimal manner is produced by a variable structure, sliding mode controller. Direct mathematical application of the controller produces rapid cycling at the limits of the vaporizer, further prolonged by low fresh gas flows. This phenomenon, known as “chattering”, is unsuitable for operating real equipment. Using a simple and clinically intuitive modification to the targeting algorithm, a variable low-pass boundary layer is applied to the actuation, smoothing discontinuities in the control law and practically eliminating chatter without prolonging the time taken to reach the VRG target concentration by any clinically significant degree. A model is derived for optimum VRG-targeted control of anesthetic vaporizers. An alternate and further application is described, in which deliberate perturbation of the vaporization permits non-invasive estimation of parameters such as cardiac output that are otherwise difficult to measure intra-operatively.
Bricoleur, Ingenieur, Dekonstrukteur: Lévi-Strauss, Luhmann und die Zeiten des Strukturalismus

Die Frage nach einem gegenwartigen Strukturalismus konnte leicht als die Frage der bricolage gelesen werden: die Frage nach ihren Moglichkeiten und Grenzen, nach ihrer Aktualitat. Bekanntlich hat Claude Levi-Strauss in seinem La pensee sauvage den Begriff der ›bricolage‹ eingefuhrt, um eine bestimmte Zeitlichkeit des ›wilden‹ Denkens zu prazisieren; der Bricoleur ist derjenige, der vorhandene Probleme mit vorhandenen Mitteln lost.1 Im Gegensatz zum Ingenieur, der neues Material zu problemspezifischen Losungen herbeischafft, sieht der Bricoleur in alten, uberkommenen Konfigurationen neue Moglichkeiten.
4.37 – Regulation of Synaptic Function by Endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoids are lipid metabolites that have juxtacrine and paracrine roles in intercellular communication. Emerging evidence indicates a role for endocannabinoids and their cognate receptors in synaptic modulation and plasticity at a wide range of synapses throughout the central nervous system. These neuromodulatory agents appear to act mainly via retrograde signaling involving postsynaptic endocannabinoid release and actions on presynaptic receptors. In this article, endocannabinoid production, release, and mechanisms of action will be described. Endocannabinoid participation in synaptic plasticity will then be reviewed. Finally, the growing body of evidence that endocannabinoid-dependent synaptic plasticity participates in learning and memory will be discussed.
Schalter und Regelkreise

Viele Viren kennen nur eine einzige Art der Vermehrung: Schon kurze Zeit nach der Infektion einer Wirtszelle beginnt eine heftige Aktivitat der Virusgene, und eswerden neue Proteine hergestellt, die die viralen Chromosomen ausgiebig replizieren, sie in neue Viruspartikel verpacken und die Zelle zur Lyse bringen.
Synthesis of 5-S-Alkylcarboranyl-2′-Deoxyuridines

Since glioma cells are more mitotically active than normal brain cells, they have an increased demand for nucleic acids to synthesize DNA. Several boronated nucleosides have been synthesized to take advantage of this differential to selectively target boron to brain tumors for treatment by BNCT.1 5-Methylmercapto-2′-deoxyuridine has been reported to be phosphorylated2 and incorporated into DNA3 at comparable, if not greater, levels than thymidine. On this basis, we have designed the 5-S-alkyl carboranyl deoxyuridines 1–5 (Figure 1). Our objective was to not only synthesize boron-containing nucleosides but compounds that would use the enzyme systems that act on the natural nucleoside, thymidine. If the nucleoside portion of these compounds undergoes normal cellular metabolism, a triphosphate will be produced that can ultimately become incorporated into the cell’s DNA. Such subcellular localization of boron within the cell’s nucleus would increase the RBE of the neutron capture reaction by at least two fold.4 The nucleosides 1–5 were designed with a long, flexible hydrocarbon tether between the carborane and nucleoside portions unlike other boronated nucleosides which have positioned the carborane immediately next to nucleoside component.1 The positioning of such bulky groups immediately attached to the nucleoside may interfere with proper binding to kinases, the enzymes that phosphorylate the nucleoside. Addition of the tether, however, projects the bulky boron moiety away from the nucleoside component thereby decreasing steric interference and allowing better binding. The concept of using a tether has proven useful in the application of affinity chromatography in which the binding of enzymes to substrates covalently linked to a solid support was increased when an appropriate tether length between the ligand and support matrix was used.5 The synthesis of 1–3 and a preliminary in vitro evaluation of 1 is presented in this paper. It is our objective to use the in vitro phosphorylation assay presented to direct our synthetic efforts. The assay also serves as a screening method to select the best nucleoside candidate for future cell culture studies and in vivo assays.
MicroRNAs in Eukaryotes

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNA molecules of ~21–23 nucleotides that function as regulators in diverse biological processes in eukaryotes. Although the possibility of small RNAs acting to silence gene transcripts had been hypothesized in the early 1980s, the first known miRNA, lin-4 , was discovered in the nematode Caenorhabitis elegans in 1993. Unlike other small RNA molecules, miRNAs arise from endogenous, noncoding, double-stranded, stem–loop primary miRNA molecules (pri-miRNAs) that are transcribed like protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II. The pri-miRNAs are processed by several proteins into a precursor miRNA and finally a mature miRNA before forming an active RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) with an Argonaute protein. The mature miRNA guides a RISC to complementary sequence on an messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript and the RISC either cleaves the mRNA or inhibits its translation by one of a variety of mechanisms. Many miRNA families are conserved among several genera, which indicate their evolutionary importance in regulating processes such as development in plants and animals, epigenetic gene silencing, and cancer growth.
The adoption of provider-based rural health clinics by rural hospitals: a study of market and institutional forces.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the response of rural hospitals to various market and organizational signals by determining the factors that influence whether or not they establish a provider-based rural health clinic (RHC) (a joint Medicare/Medicaid program). DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Several secondary sources for 1989-1995: the AHA Annual Survey, the PPS Minimum Data Set and a list of RHCs from HCFA, the Area Resource File, and professional associations. The analysis includes all general medical/surgical rural hospitals operating in the United States during the study period. STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal design and pooled cross-sectional data were used, with the rural hospital as the unit of analysis. Key variables were examined as sets and include measures of competitive pressures (e.g., hospital market share), physician resources, nurse practitioner/physician assistant (NP/PA) practice regulation, hospital performance pressures (e.g., operating margin), innovativeness, and institutional pressure (i.e., the cumulative force of adoption). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Adoption of provider-based RHCs by rural hospitals appears to be motivated less as an adaptive response to observable economic or internal organizational signals than as a reaction to bandwagon pressures. CONCLUSIONS: Rural hospitals with limited resources may resort to imitating others because of uncertainty or a limited ability to fully evaluate strategic activities. This can result in actions or behaviors that are not consistent with policy objectives and the perceived need for policy changes. Such activity in turn could have a negative effect on some providers and some rural residents.
Expression network analysis reveals cord blood vitamin D-associated genes affecting risk of early life wheeze.

Cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) has been reported in association with risk of early life recurrent wheeze. In a subset of infants who participated in the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial, we demonstrated that higher cord blood 25OHD at birth (>31 ng/mL) was associated with a reduced risk of recurrent wheeze in the first year of life. We then identified a module of co-expressed genes associated with cord blood 25OHD levels >31 ng/mL. Genes in this module are involved in biological and immune pathways related to development and progression of asthma pathogenesis including the Notch1 and transforming growth factor-beta signalling pathways.
Hydrocarbon Source Rock Characterization, Burial History, and Thermal Maturity of the Steele, Niobrara and Mowry Formations at Teapot Dome, Wyoming

Abstract Teapot Dome oilfield near the town of Midwest, Wyoming, has been the testing site of numerous drilling and production techniques since the early 1900's. The structure is a doubly plunging basement-cored anticline that formed during the Laramide orogeny, with sediments ranging from Cambrian to Quaternary. The Steele, Niobrara, and Mowry formations are potential source rocks in the area. In this study, we combine geochemical analyses with one-dimensional modeling of burial history, thermal maturity, and timing of petroleum generation to evaluate the potential of the field for unconventional exploration. Rock Eval™ pyrolysis and oxidation results show a mixture of Type II and Type III kerogen in the Niobrara and Mowry formations, and no hydrocarbon generation potential for the Steele Formation. These geochemical results, combined with regional tectonics, stratigraphy, and sedimentological conditions, were implemented into burial history and maturation models. Results from the modeling show that the Niobrara and Mowry formations are in the early oil generation window. The Mowry is the most mature of the three formations, but only 10% of the kerogen has been converted to oil. The study area did not reach the thermal maturity required to generate the significant amount of oil and gas produced to date from the structure. The results and method of this study can easily be extrapolated to better constrain the basin evolution of nearby fields. This study is significant for further exploration in other established Laramide basins with similar formations.
A Wideband Magnetic-Free Circulator Using Spatio-Temporal Modulation of 2-pole Bandpass Filters

Spatio-temporal modulation (STM) has been recently introduced to efficiently implement angular momentum biasing, which is a biasing technique that breaks the time reversal symmetry yielding a non-reciprocal response. In literature, several circulators have been designed using STM of triple first-order series or shunt resonators connected in Y or $\Delta$ topology. Utilizing first-order resonators leads to a narrow band response in terms of isolation and return loss. In this paper, we tackle this problem by using a 2-pole series bandpass resonators. As a proof-of-concept, the circulator is designed at 500MHz, and demonstrates a 15-dB isolation fractional bandwidth of 8.5%, insertion loss of 3.9 dB, and return loss of better than 13 dB.)
Old World Traditions, New World Landscapes: Ethnicity and Archaeology of Swiss-Appenzellers in the Colonial South Carolina Backcountry

German-speaking Swiss immigrants from the Appenzell region of Switzerland settled in the South Carolina frontier township of New Windsor in 1737. After initially establishing an insular physical and social relationship with the dominant Anglophone population, the Swiss adopted strategies that increasingly integrated them into the greater regional society. Theory of ethnicity informs archaeological, testamentary, and landholding data concerning the symbolic action of the Swiss to assert and then transform their cultural identity. Evidence of competition, ethnocentrism, and differential power reflects the dynamic process of ethnogenesis that characterizes the South Carolina frontier.
Responses to Pirfenidone Treatment in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is Not Associated with Changes in Echocardiographic Parameters of Left Ventricular Structure and Function

Background Pirfenidone, an FDA-approved novel anti-fibrotic agent used in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), has been implicated in mitigating myocardial fibrosis, systolic and diastolic dysfunction in animal models (Kuwahara et al, Circulation 2002). However to date, the effect of Pirfenidone on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in humans with IPF has not been studied. Hypothesis We hypothesize that changes in echocardiographic parameters of LV structure and function would be more favorable in responders compared to non-responders of pirfenidone in patients with IPF. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 27 consecutive patients with IPF on pirfenidone between 2014-2018 with serial baseline and follow up echocardiograms and pulmonary function testing. Treatment failure (non-response) was defined as an absolute decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) of more than 10% whilst being on the medication. Comprehensive echocardiographic data extraction and analysis was performed in all patients. Changes in parameters of LV structure (LV mass, interventricular septal and posterior wall thickness, indexed end systolic and diastolic volumes), systolic function (LVEF), diastolic function (Indexed left atrial volume, trans-mitral Doppler flow patterns, tissue Doppler indices) and global LV longitudinal strain were compared between responders and non-responders. Results In our study cohort, 18 responders and 9 non-responders were identified. Responders were significantly older than non-responders, yet sex, history of CAD, hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, CKD and cardiac medication use were not significantly different. Baseline echocardiographic parameters were comparable, except for septal e/e’, which was higher in responders (11.68 vs 10.1; p Conclusion In contrary to our hypothesis, we observed that response to pirfenidone therapy in patients with IPF did not associate with echocardiographic changes of left ventricle structure and function.
New pantolestids from the Uinta Formation, Utah

New dental and postcranial specimens of Pantolestes from the Uinta Basin, Utah, are described, and species-level diversity of Pantolestes from the Bridgerian and Uintan North American Land Mammal A...