cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MicroED structure of the NaK ion channel reveals a Na + partition process into the selectivity filter

Sodium (Na+) is a ubiquitous and important inorganic salt mediating many critical biological processes such as neuronal excitation, signaling, and facilitation of various transporters. The hydration states of Na+ are proposed to play critical roles in determining the conductance and the selectivity of Na+ channels, yet they are rarely captured by conventional structural biology means. Here we use the emerging cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) method micro-electron diffraction (MicroED) to study the structure of a prototypical tetrameric Na+-conducting channel, NaK, to 2.5 A resolution from nano-crystals. Two new conformations at the external site of NaK are identified, allowing us to visualize a partially hydrated Na+ ion at the entrance of the channel pore. A process of dilation coupled with Na+ movement is identified leading to valuable insights into the mechanism of ion conduction and gating. This study lays the ground work for future studies using MicroED in membrane protein biophysics.
Viability and Resilience of a Bacterial Biofilm Individual-Based Model

In many industrial applications, bacteria are cultivated in mixed bioreactors filled with water and fed with nutrients. Depending on the reactor configuration and operating conditions, bacteria can either be grown as planktonic freely floating cells or attached to available surfaces forming a thin layer with a complex spatial structure called biofilm. In the planktonic growth mode, it is often assumed that all the bacterial cells experience the same average environmental conditions. Hence, their growth and metabolic activity can be controlled by acting directly on the environmental conditions in the reactor. Biofilm reactors are more difficult to control. Depending on the biofilm spatial structure, the local environment experienced by the individual bacterial cells in the biofilm may significantly differ from the conditions in the bulk phase of the reactor. It is therefore often difficult to predict how a change in the bulk phase conditions will impact the conditions inside the biofilm.
Spontaneous symmetry breaking in 4-dimensional heterotic string

The evolution of a 4-dimensional heterotic string is considered in the background of its massless excitations such as graviton, antisymmetric tensor, gauge fields and scalar bosons. The compactifled bosonic coordinates are ferrnionized. The world-sheet supersymmetry requirement enforces Thirring-like four fermion coupling to the background scalar fields. The non-abelian gauge symmetry is exhibited through the Ward identities of the S-matrix elements. The spontaneous symmetry breaking mechanism is exhibited through the broken Ward identities. An effective 4-dimensional action is constructed and the consequence of spontaneous symmetry breaking is envisaged for the effective action.
Delimiting hospitalist liability.

The outcome in an early court case examined the scope of practice and legal liability of hospitalists. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
The context of national educational reform

It is obvious that extensive educational reform, or even minor modification, does not take place in a vacuum. What, then, are the salient features of the context in which it does occur? A foreign observer in a setting such as Sweden, where reform currently dominates the educational landscape, soon realizes the necessity of having a conceptual map to help him interpret a complex situation. The purpose of this paper is to sketch the outlines of such a map for the benefit of those who would be educational explorers outside their native lands. At the outset, however, it must be said that a map does not act as a sufficient guide to all the complexities of a national education system. A time-table is also needed, for reforms occur over a period of time in a particular sequence in which events are concurrent or relate to each other as antecedent and subsequent, or even as cause and effect. Also required is a dramatis personae, for reforms result from the proposals, decisions, and actions of people, whether in groups or as individuals. Behind most reforms are prestigious committees, or nameless incumbents in positions of influence, or strong, colorful personalities leaving their marks on history. But while one must, of course, know dates and names (or titles) to get the full picture, one can at least get one's bearings from the map presented here.
Cognitive Effects of Hiv-1 Infection

The major neurological complication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is cognitive impairment, which can range in severity from a mild subclinical cognitive inefficiency to a severe dementing illness. Mild to moderate cognitive impairment is identified primarily by neuropsychological tests. The prevalence and severity of cognitive impairment associated with HIV-1 infection increases as the disease progresses. Deficits in attention, information processing speed, memory, and motor abilities can occur early in the course of HIV-1 infection, with deficits in abstraction and executive functions observed in later stages of infection. The nature of the cognitive impairment observed is thought to reflect the effects of HIV-1 infection on the integrity of subcortical or frontostriatal brain systems. Issues related to the detection of subclinical to severe cognitive impairment are discussed, along with the clinical significance of mild cognitive impairment as a significant risk factor for mortality in HIV-1 infection. The need to control for possible confounding factors that can influence test performance is also reviewed.
Sinonasal Quality of Life Outcomes After Extended Endonasal Approaches to the Skull Base

Introduction Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (EESBS) leads to significant alterations in sinonasal anatomy and physiology. However, there is limited data available on quality of life (QOL) outcomes following EESBS. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing EESBS from January 2014 to April 2017 was performed. Records were reviewed for clinical history, operative details, and 22-item Sinonasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-22) scores. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were utilized to compare change in SNOT-22 scores from baseline in patients who underwent a simple sella approach (SA) or an extended beyond sella approach (BSA). Results A total of 108 patients were in the SA group, while 61 patients were in the BSA group. SNOT-22 scores were available at baseline and 3 months for 84 patients, while 6-month scores were available for 49 patients. SNOT-22 scores for all patients were not significantly different at 3 months (p = 0.40) or at 6 months (p = 0.58). Unadjusted linear regression model did not show an association between the type of approach and change in SNOT-22 score at 3 months (p = 0.07) and 6 months (p = 0.28). Adjusted regression model showed a significant decrease in SNOT-22 scores at 3 months (p = 0.04) for the BSA group, but there was no significant change in SNOT-22 score at 6 months (p = 0.22). Conclusion Patients undergoing EESBS had no significant change in outcomes at 3 and 6 months. A more extensive BSA was not associated with worse QOL outcomes as measured by SNOT-22.
Ranging behavior and potential for territoriality in equatorial sakis (Pithecia aequatorialis) in Amazonian Ecuador.

OBJECTIVES Territoriality refers to the consistent defense of an area within the home range (HR) against intrusions of conspecifics. It implies exclusive space use with low degree of overlap among neighboring groups, high site fidelity, specific ranging behavior such as high mobility relative to HR size and frequent visits of territory borders, and monitoring behavior. We examined ranging behavior and use of space to evaluate territoriality in Pithecia aequatorialis in Ecuador. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 2005 and 2015, we monitored one main study group continuously and five additional groups for shorter periods (5 months to 2.5 years) at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station, in eastern Ecuador. We scored the location of the study groups at 20 min intervals during, on average, 5 days per month. We estimated saki HRs and core areas (CAs) using the fixed kernel density method (95 and 50%, respectively). RESULTS The average HR size was 57 ha and the average CA 14 ha. The degree of overlap between HRs of neighboring groups was low (2-9%). For the main study group, the average overlap between annual HRs was 82%. Mean daily path length across groups was 1,151 m; the defensibility index varied between 1.1 and 2.3 (values >1 are suggestive of territoriality), and the fractional monitoring rate varied between 0.06 and 0.15 (values >0.08 are suggestive of territoriality). Groups did not visit their HR borders (100 m inner buffer) more often than would be expected by chance. Travel speed and directness were comparable between the borders and the centers of groups' HRs. DISCUSSION Our multiyear study suggests that equatorial sakis show low degree of range overlap and high site fidelity and have the potential to be territorial, given their high mobility relative to HR size that allows for frequent border monitoring. Nevertheless, their movement patterns in border areas did not reveal evidence for monitoring behavior.
Unreasonable effectiveness of Monte Carlo.

This is a comment on the article "Probabilistic Integration: A Role in Statistical Computation?" by F.-X. Briol, C. J. Oates, M. Girolami, M. A. Osborne and D. Sejdinovic to appear in Statistical Science. There is a role for statistical computation in numerical integration. However, the competition from incumbent methods looks to be stiffer for this problem than for some of the newer problems being handled by probabilistic numerics. One of the challenges is the unreasonable effectiveness of the central limit theorem. Another is the unreasonable effectiveness of pseudorandom number generators. A third is the common $O(n^3)$ cost of methods based on Gaussian processes. Despite these advantages, the classical methods are weak in places where probabilistic methods could bring an improvement.
Acute non-traumatic abdominal pain by quadrant: relative yield of CT and clinical evaluation for diagnosis in 1000 patients.

To determine the relative diagnostic yield of contrast-enhanced CT in adults presenting with symptoms referable to a specific abdominal quadrant. Electronic health records review systematically identified patients meeting the following inclusion criteria: adults (≥ 18 years) undergoing IV contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic CT for acute non-traumatic symptoms referable to a specific abdominal quadrant (RLQ/LLQ/LUQ/RUQ). The CT-based diagnosis and any clinical diagnosis in the absence of CT diagnosis were recorded. The final cohort of 1000 subjects (mean age, 48.1 years; 647F/353M) consisted of consecutive sub-cohorts of 250 patients for each abdominal quadrant. Positive oral contrast was utilized in 91.6% (916/1000) of cases. A positive CT diagnosis was provided in 47.3% (473/1000) of all patients, and was highest for LLQ (58.8%) and RLQ (58.0%) symptoms, including diverticulitis and appendicitis in 23.6% and 24.8% cases, respectively. CT positivity was lower for the LUQ (34.4%) and RUQ (38.0%) (p 5% of cases. However, all quadrants provided valuable triage of 218 hospital admissions (21.8%), 83.0% were CT positive, whereas 62.7% of 782 discharged patients were CT negative. Only 7.0% of CT-negative patients were admitted. A clinical-only diagnosis was provided in 9.3% of the total cohort (93/1000), representing 17.6% of the CT-negative cohort (93/527). The rate of positive CT diagnosis is considerably higher for the lower abdominal quadrants, predominately due to appendicitis and diverticulitis. However, CT results (positive vs. negative) for all four quadrants strongly correlated with hospital admission versus discharge. Clinical-only diagnosis represented < 10% of all cases.
STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF GLYCERA DIBRANCHIATA MONOMER HEMOGLOBINS. PRIMARY SEQUENCES OF MONOMER HEMOGLOBIN COMPONENTS II AND III

Primary sequences for the remaining two members (GMH2, GMH3) of the group of three major monomeric hemoglobins from the marine annelid Glycera dibranchiata have been obtained. Full sequences of each 147-amino acid globin were achieved with a high degree of confidence using standard Edman technology in combination with molecular mass determinations of the intact globins and of the cyanogen bromide cleavage fragments using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. When minor assumptions concerning Q/E identities are made these new results indicate the likely correspondence of GMG2 with the protein represented by the first Glycera dibranchiata monomer hemoglobin complete sequence [Imamura et al., (1972), J. Biol. Chem. 247, 2785–2797]. When these new sequences are combined with the previously determined primary sequence for the third major monomer hemoglobin, GMH4 [Alam et al., J. Protein Chem. (1994), 13, 151–164], it becomes clear that these three (GMG2–4) are truly distinct proteins, contrary to previous suggestions. Surprisingly, our results show that none of these three primary sequences is identical to the published sequence of the refined monomer hemoglobin crystal structure protein; however, there is a strong correspondence to the GMG2 sequence. The present sequencing results, in combination with the published GMH4 sequence, confirm the presence of a distal Leu in place of the more commonly encountered distal His in all three of the major monomer hemoglobins isolated in this laboratory and indicate that the unusual B10 Phe occurs only in GMH4. Analysis of the sequences presented here, along with comparison of amino acid content for Glycera dibranchiata monomer hemoglobins isolated from three different laboratories, and comparison of NMR results from two laboratories suggest further correspondences which unify disparate published isolations.
Synthesis of Tungsten Oxo Alkylidene Biphenolate Complexesand Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Norbornenes and Norbornadienes

We have synthesized and characterized tungsten oxo alkylidene biphenolate complexes with the formulas W(O)(CHR)(rac-biphenolate)(PPhMe2) and (R,S)-[W(μ-O)(CHR)(biphenolate)]2 (R = CMe2Ph; biphenolate = L1 or L2 in the text). They behave as initiators for the stereoselective (cis,isotactic) polymerization of 2,3-dicarbomethoxy-5-norbornadiene and eight enantiomerically pure 5-substituted norbornenes with a cis,isotactic precision of 95–98% in most cases. The active initiators are 14e W(O)(CHR)(biphenolate) complexes, which are formed through either dissociation of PPhMe2 from the phosphine adducts or scission of the heterochiral dimer. Addition of B(C6F5)3 (one per W) to (R,S)-[W(μ-O)(CHR)(L1)]2 led to formation of what we propose to be monomeric W[OB(C6F5)3](CHR)(L1) in equilibrium with B(C6F5)3 and (R,S)-[W(μ-O)(CHR)(L1)]2. This mixture decomposed over a period of 1–2 h, was much slower to initiate polymerization than (R,S)-[W(μ-O)(CHR)(L1)]2, and was much less stereoselective. Polymerization of five of ...
Lessons Learned from the 2018 Elections

The 2018 election that swept Democrats into the U.S. House majority was a wave, but not a tsunami. It crested short of elevating Democrats to majority status in the Senate but nevertheless resulted in the largest Democratic gains since 1974, and a 35-seat Democratic majority in the House. The results indicate a clear backlash against the Republican Party and its president but also illustrate the resilience of committed and hardening support for Trumpism. In this chapter, we review the major takeaways highlighted by our authors about the 2018 congressional election and speculate about the implications of this election. One thing seems clear: the election was a simultaneous rebuke and embrace of Trumpism that leaves future elections and electorates to give clearer direction to America and American democracy.
EXPERIMENTAL PRESERVATION OF MUSCLE TISSUE IN QUARTZ SAND AND KAOLINITE

Author(s): Newman, SA; Daye, M; Fakra, SC; Marcus, MA; Pajusalu, M; Pruss, SB; Smith, EF; Bosak, T | Abstract: Siliciclastic sediments of the Ediacaran Period contain exceptionally preserved fossils of macroscopic organisms, including three-dimensional casts and molds commonly found in sandstones and siltstones and some two-dimensional compressions reported in shales. The sporadic and variable associations of these exceptionally preserved macroscopic fossils with pyrite, clay minerals, and microbial fossils and textures complicate our understanding of fossilization processes. This hinders inferences about the evolutionary histories, tissue types, original morphologies, and lifestyles of the enigmatic Ediacara biota. Here, we investigate the delayed decay of scallop muscles buried in quartz sand or kaolinite for 45 days. This process occurs in the presence of microbial activity in mixed redox environments, but in the absence of thick, sealing microbial mats. Microbial processes that mediate organic decay and release the highest concentrations of silica and Fe(II) into the pore fluids are associated with the most extensive tissue decay. Delayed decay and the preservation of thick muscles in sand are associated with less intense microbial iron reduction and the precipitation of iron oxides and iron sulfides that contain Fe(II) or Fe(III). In contrast, muscles buried in kaolinite are coated only by,10 lm-thick clay veneers composed of kaolinite grains and newly formed K- and Fe(II)-rich aluminosilicate phases. Muscles that undergo delayed decay in kaolinite lose more mass relative to the muscles buried in sand and undergo vertical collapse. These findings show that the composition of minerals that coat or precipitate within the tissues and the vertical dimension of the preserved features can depend on the type of sediment that buries the muscles. Similar processes in the zone of oscillating redox likely facilitated the formation of exceptionally preserved macrofossils in Ediacaran siliciclastic sediments.
The Living Community Challenge for Environmental and Urban Sustainability

The Living Community Challenge (LCC) is a green certification program that, unlike most certification programs, is geared toward whole neighborhoods as opposed to singular buildings. Unfortunately, no existing communities have achieved Living Community Challenge certification. Still, there are many neighborhoods utilizing the ideals – known as petals – of the LCC in attempts to become more sustainable. The Living Building Challenge (LBC), the parent certification for the LCC, has seen more success than the LCC and will provide further research on the implications of its criterion. This paper will look at the hypothetical variables of the LCC, the communities trying to achieve these variables, and how elements of it could be used in relation to impoverished communities. Through case studies on groups and individuals attempting LCC and LBC certification, specifically Bend, Oregon and the BLOCK Project, the potential of the research becomes evident. This paper seeks to demonstrate how the LCC could be applied specifically in low-income areas in Gainesville, FL without achieving all the requirements of each petal.
Detection of anaemia from retinal fundus images via deep learning

Owing to the invasiveness of diagnostic tests for anaemia and the costs associated with screening for it, the condition is often undetected. Here, we show that anaemia can be detected via machine-learning algorithms trained using retinal fundus images, study participant metadata (including race or ethnicity, age, sex and blood pressure) or the combination of both data types (images and study participant metadata). In a validation dataset of 11,388 study participants from the UK Biobank, the metadata-only, fundus-image-only and combined models predicted haemoglobin concentration (in g dl–1) with mean absolute error values of 0.73 (95% confidence interval: 0.72–0.74), 0.67 (0.66–0.68) and 0.63 (0.62–0.64), respectively, and with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.74 (0.71–0.76), 0.87 (0.85–0.89) and 0.88 (0.86–0.89), respectively. For 539 study participants with self-reported diabetes, the combined model predicted haemoglobin concentration with a mean absolute error of 0.73 (0.68–0.78) and anaemia an AUC of 0.89 (0.85–0.93). Automated anaemia screening on the basis of fundus images could particularly aid patients with diabetes undergoing regular retinal imaging and for whom anaemia can increase morbidity and mortality risks. Machine-learning algorithms trained with retinal fundus images, with subject metadata or with both data types, predict haemoglobin concentration with mean absolute errors lower than 0.75 g dl–1 and anaemia with areas under the curve in the range of 0.74–0.89.
Simulation-Based Decision Framework for Hybrid Layout Production Systems Under Disruptions

Abstract In a hybrid layout production system under uncertainties, making strategic decisions becomes crucial and demanding, with an increase in the complexity of the system. The advent of Industry 4.0 leads to the development of technologies such as smart factories, simulation, cloud, cyber-physical systems that use digital twins for making informed strategic decisions in a factory. This paper proposes a decision-making framework for a multi-product hybrid layout production system under stochastic disruptions using a simulation model. The simulation model will act as a digital twin of the physical system, which helps to proactively visualize and analyze several key performance parameters of the system and make informed decisions. The objective of this paper is to identify the best sequence from predefined sequences for jobs, which maximize profit, throughput, and minimize cost, and make-span. Several experimentation cases are developed to analyze the performance of the system under different scenarios of disruptions and make strategic decisions such as investing in new machines, prioritizing products, and rescheduling of products.
Vibrating Mesh Atomizer for Spin-Spray Deposition

This work presents the development and characterization of a Silicon based MEMS vibrating mesh atomizer for use in Spin-spray deposition of low viscosity liquids. The device design, fabrication process, and application of MEMS atomizer for spin-spray method is discussed. The new spin-spray atomizer is demonstrated using spin on glass and Su-8 photoresist. Spin on glass was used to create a SiO2 layer on silicon substrates with the above-mentioned method. The experimental study compares the new spin-spray method with conventional spin coating based on uniformity, 3D-topography coating, etch rate, film stress, and surface roughness. Low viscosity SU-8 was used to further validate the concept of using the vibrating mesh device to pattern planar and 3D topographical structures. The results demonstrate increased uniformity and less wasted chemicals using spin-spray compared to spin coating deposition. The new vibrating mesh device is smaller, has enhanced droplet size control, easy to integrate into a standard spin coater, and uses less power than traditional ultrasonic spin-spray deposition methods. In addition, the new spin-spray method demonstrated increased conformal coating of 3D microstructures of $> 40~\mu \text{m}$ thick structures compared to standard spin coating. [2021-0040]
ABCL-062: Primary Effusion Lymphoma: Clinical Characteristics and Natural History

Introduction Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a very rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), accounting for less than 4% of HIV-related NHL and frequently occurring in the context of HIV or other states of immunosuppression infection. Large-scale studies describing the natural history of this entity are lacking. Materials and Methods The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients diagnosed with PEL between 2004 and 2017. All patients aged ≥18 years diagnosed with PEL were included. We excluded patients with multiple primary malignancies or lost to follow-up. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression were used in the analyses. Results Of the 219 PEL patients included in the analysis, 179 (82%) were males, 161 (74%) Caucasian, and 49 (22%) African American. The median age at diagnosis was 60±19 years. One hundred fifteen (53%) were HIV-positive, and 63 (29%) HIV-negative. One hundred eleven (51%) received chemotherapy; 101 (46%) did not receive chemotherapy. The time to treat (TTT) from diagnosis to chemotherapy start was ≤8 days in 27 patients, within 9–15 days in 24 patients, within 16–32 days in 24 patients, and ≥32 days in 25 patients. The median OS for each group was 6 months, 13 months, 41 months, and 16 months, respectively, and the differences were not statistically significant. Compared to HIV-negative patients, HIV-positive patients were younger (mean age 47 vs 77 years, P Conclusions In contrast to the impression that HIV positivity might confer poorer outcomes, these data suggest that HIV-positive patients with PEL have comparable outcomes to HIV-negative patients, possibly due to improvement in antiretroviral therapy.
Individualism, Structuralism, and Climate Change

Scholars, journalists, and activists working on climate change often distinguish between “individual” and “structural” approaches to decarbonization. The former concern choices individuals can make...
Der Fragenkreis des Plateauschen Problems

Als Plateausches Problem bezeichnet man die Bestimmung einer von einer vorgegebenen Jordankurve Γ berandeten Minimalflache vom Typ der Kreisscheibe; siehe §§ 6, 42. In den Anfangen der Entwicklung bestand das Hauptanliegen der Mathematiker darin, eine explizite Darstellung der fraglichen Minimalflache zu gewinnen, oder zumindest Verfahren zu entwickeln, welche die explizite Bestimmung ermoglichen sollten. Im Hinblick auf die bizarre Gestalt mancher Konturen ist es verstandlich, das einem solchen Unterfangen i. a. kein Erfolg beschieden sein konnte. Es war erst notwendig, die Frage nach der Existenz einer Losung ganz von der Aufgabe ihrer expliziten Bestimmung zu scheiden, und den Existenzbeweis dahin zu spezialisieren, das nicht nach irgendeiner von Γ berandeten Minimalflache, sondern lediglich nach einer solchen mit absolut kleinstem Flacheninhalt gesucht wurde, ehe grundlegende Fortschritte erzielt werden konnten. In der Tat hat es bis ungefahr zum Jahre 1930 gedauert, bis das Plateausche Problem in zufriedenstellender Allgemeinheit behandelt worden ist. Bis zum letzten Drittel des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts war das Problem uberhaupt fur keine einzige nicht-ebene Kontur gelost worden, obwohl J. D. Gergonne [1] die Aufmerksamkeit der Mathematiker 1816 ausdrucklich auf derartige Aufgaben, insbes. auf die Bestimmung einer von einem windschiefen Vierseit und einer von der Schnittkurve zweier Kreiszylinder berandeten Minimalflache, hingelenkt hatte.
Neuroanatomical correlates of cognitive functioning across the Parkinson's Disease cognitive spectrum (P3.006)

Objective: To investigate relationships of gray matter atrophy on structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to cognitive domains in Parkinson9s Disease (PD). Background: Cognitive dysfunction is a frequent and debilitating consequence of PD. Detecting neuroanatomical correlates of different aspects of cognitive functioning on brain MRI may provide biomarkers that can predict cognitive decline in PD. Methods: 101 PD subjects underwent clinical/neuropsychological evaluations, T1-weighted MRI brain sequences, and cognitive classification by Movement Disorder Society criteria (cognitively normal, n=29; mild cognitive impairment, n=47; demented, n=25). Z-scores for the cognitive domains (attention/working memory, executive function, memory, language, visuospatial function) were calculated. Whole-brain voxel-based morphometry analyses were conducted using SPM8, covarying for age, PD duration, and scan type. Gray matter volume differences between subject groups were identified, and significant clusters were assigned to a priori-proposed neuroanatomically-based cognitive systems: frontostriatal cognitive-control, medial temporal memory, dorsal spatial-based, ventral object-based, and cerebellar. Stepwise multiple regressions were performed adjusting for age and PD duration with the regional gray matter volumes as criterion variables and cognitive domain z-scores as predictor variables. Results: Multiple regression analyses demonstrated significant brain-behavior correlates: executive function domain scores best predicted atrophy in the frontostriatal cognitive-control (R2=.28, p<0.005) and ventral object-based systems (R2=.37, p<0.005), memory domain scores best predicted atrophy in the medial temporal memory system (R2=.38, p<0.005), language domain scores best predicted atrophy in the dorsal spatial-based system (R2=.06, p=0.02), and attention and working memory domain scores best predicted gray matter atrophy in the cerebellum (R2=.08, p=.01). Conclusion: These atrophy patterns follow brain-behavior correlates of cognitive dysfunction and thus, may be useful biomarkers for measuring progression of PD cognitive decline and treatment effects. Furthermore, they provide insights on neuroanatomical and neuropathological differences responsible for clinical heterogeneity with some patients having greater attention/executive dysfunction and others, greater memory deficits. Acknowledgments: K23NS060949, Parkinson9s Disease Foundation Disclosure: Dr. Merkitch has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stebbins has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bernard has received research support from the Parkinson9s Disease Foundation. Dr. Goldman has received personal compensation for activities with the American Academy of Neurology, Movement Disorder Society, and Acadia, Pfizer, and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Goldman has received support from NIH/NINDS, Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the
Statius' Thebaid and the poetics of civil war

Introduction 1. Gods, humans and the literary tradition 2. Beginning 3. Nemea 4. Middle 5. Heroic deaths 6. End.
Shipboard experiments for a multihop 802.11 communications system-RF channel characterization and MAC performance measurement

Wireless relays offer one approach to providing communications among small teams operating below-decks on neutral or hostile ships. Two sets of experiments were conducted aboard a container ship to determine the viability of this approach. In the first set of experiments, RF propagation loss and coherence bandwidth were assessed in both the 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz ISM bands. In the second set, packet latency and throughput were assessed for 802.11a and 802.11b networks operating in multihop configurations with hidden nodes. On the basis of these experiments, it is concluded that the wireless relay concept is workable in the shipboard environment using 802.11 wireless networks. The 802.11 variants offer different trades among data rate, relay separation, and supporting hardware requirements
Emydid herpesvirus 1 infection in northern map turtles (Graptemys geographica) and painted turtles (Chrysemys picta)

A captive, juvenile, female northern map turtle (Graptemys geographica) was found dead following a brief period of weakness and nasal discharge. Postmortem examination identified pneumonia with necrosis and numerous epithelial, intranuclear viral inclusion bodies, consistent with herpesviral pneumonia. Similar intranuclear inclusions were also associated with foci of hepatocellular and splenic necrosis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening of fresh, frozen liver for the herpesviral DNA-dependent DNA polymerase gene yielded an amplicon with 99.2% similarity to recently described emydid herpesvirus 1 (EmyHV-1). Molecular screening of turtles housed in enclosures that shared a common circulation system with the affected map turtle identified 4 asymptomatic, EmyHV-1 PCR-positive painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) and 1 asymptomatic northern map turtle. Herpesvirus transmission between painted and map turtles has been previously suggested, and our report provides the molecular characterization of a herpesvirus in asymptomatic painted turtles that can cause fatal herpesvirus-associated disease in northern map turtles.
Work Hour Reduction: Still Room for Improvement.

Objective The effect of resident duty hour restrictions continues to yield conflicting results on patient outcomes. Failure to rescue (FTR), or death after a major complication, has become a topic of increasing quality assessment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of duty hour restrictions on in-hospital mortality, complication rates, and FTR in patients suffering traumatic injuries. Design Data from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) were retrospectively reviewed (Research Data Set 2007-2008 and version 7.2). Patients admitted to Level I or II teaching institutions were dichotomized into pre−duty hour restriction (2002-2003) and post−duty hour restriction (2007-2008) time periods. Patients who had nonsurvivable injuries (any region Abbreviated Injury Scale score = 6), died within 48 hours, or had missing data were excluded. Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for differences in patient characteristics and derive adjusted outcomes. Setting Level I and II teaching institutions in the NTDB. Participants All patients with trauma admitted to a Level I or II teaching institution between January 1, 2002 and June 30, 2003 and between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008. Results Although overall adjusted in-hospital mortality was decreased (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.7, p Conclusion Although there may be some benefit to resident duty hour restrictions, there is still room for improvement in patient care. Individual institutions should carefully review their own complication data to identify preventable systems issues, such as poor handoffs, and opportunities for increased resident supervision.
Endothelin, a peptide inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in intact renaltubular epithelial cells.

Endothelin, a potent vasoconstrictor released by vascular endothelial cells, can induce natriuresis in vivo. These studies examined the regulation of Na+ transport by endothelin in suspensions of rabbit proximal tubule (PT) and inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells. Endothelin reduced oxygen consumption (QO2) by 18 +/- 1% in IMCD cells but did not alter QO2 in PT cells. In IMCD cells, endothelin inhibited QO2 half maximally at approximately 5 x 10(-12) M. Several lines of evidence indicate that endothelin reduces QO2 by inhibiting the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. 1) Endothelin gave no further inhibition of QO2 after ouabain and blunted the stimulatory effect of amphotericin B on QO2 (+29 +/- 4% in absence of endothelin, 0 +/- 5% in presence of endothelin; n = 6 preparations, P less than 0.001). 2) Endothelin inhibited ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake by 46.6 +/- 8.6% at 10 s and by 35.4 +/- 5.3% at 30 s without altering uptake at 60 min. 3) Addition of endothelin to IMCD cells induced a net K+ efflux with an initial rate of 32.2 +/- 4.8 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1, consistent with inhibition of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. In contrast to the response observed in intact cells, in permeabilized IMCD cells endothelin did not inhibit ouabain-sensitive ATPase. Several observations indicated that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) mediates endothelin inhibition of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity. 1) The response to endothelin was blocked by ibuprofen in assays of QO2, net K+ flux, and 86Rb+ uptake. 2) Endothelin and PGE2 gave equivalent, nonadditive inhibition of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Teachers’ Perceptions of a Response to Intervention (RTI) Reform Effort in an Urban Elementary School: A Consensual Qualitative Analysis

Federal policies to increase student achievement and improve teacher quality underlie this study. After the first year of implementation, eight elementary teachers were interviewed about how they viewed a Response to Intervention (RTI) reform effort. RTI is a federal policy intended to reform instruction by using a tiered, school-wide system. The following question drove our research: After the first year of implementation, how do educators view the RTI change process? Data were analyzed using a consensual qualitative methodology. Results indicated that teachers positively viewed the reform effort. However, many teachers expressed concerns about the implementation of RTI. The majority of teachers associated the following positive outcomes with the first year of reform: using data to inform instructional planning, using progress monitoring to measure the effectiveness of the instruction, and better knowing “when” to refer English language learners for special education services. Teachers identified the cul...
Effect of nutrition of Monascus sp. on formation of red pigments

A higher producer of ascospores and pigments, Monascus strain TTWMB 6042, was used to study regulation of pigment production by nutrients. An initial medium containing 4% glucose, 0.3% NH4NO3 (75 mm nitrogen) and inorganic salts was used. We found that the formation of red pigments in this strain, measured by optical density at 500 nm (OD500) was strongly stimulated by monosodium glutamate (MSG) as the sole nitrogen source. The choice of carbon source and an initial pH of pH 5.5 were also important. High concentrations of phosphate and MgSO4 were inhibitory to pigment production. A new chemically defined medium was devised containing 5% maltose, 75 mm MSG, phosphate and MgSO4 at lower concentrations plus other mineral salts, which yielded a tenfold increase in OD500 and a reversal of the pigment location from predominantly cell-bound, including both intracellular and surface-bound pigments, to mainly extracellular.
Calibration-free quantification of absolute oxygen saturation based on the dynamics of photoacoustic signals

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is a hybrid imaging technique that has broad preclinical and clinical applications. Based on the photoacoustic effect, PAT directly measures specific optical absorption, which is the product of the tissue-intrinsic optical absorption coefficient and the local optical fluence. Therefore, quantitative PAT, such as absolute oxygen saturation (sO_2) quantification, requires knowledge of the local optical fluence, which can only be estimated through invasive measurements or sophisticated modeling of light transportation. In this Letter, we circumvent this requirement by taking advantage of the dynamics in sO_2. The new method works when the sO_2 transition can be simultaneously monitored with multiple wavelengths. For each wavelength, the ratio of photoacoustic amplitudes measured at different sO_2 states is utilized. Using the ratio cancels the contribution from optical fluence and allows calibration-free quantification of absolute sO_2. The new method was validated through both phantom and in vivo experiments.
Plato's CAVE - knowledge-based medicine or black swan technology?

Overview Plato’s CAVETM is a presurgical planning, multidimensional “life space situation room” designed, developed, and introduced to clinical practice by the Department of Radiation Oncology at The Methodist Hospital, located in Houston’s Texas Medical Center. At approximately 500 square feet, Plato’s CAVE was specifically designed to permit a team of physicians to review all available diagnostic images of the patient (Figures 1a, 1b). The initial clinical focus was for interventions within the domain of surgical oncology, including radiation therapy, reconstructive surgery, and organ transplantation. This advanced clinical visualization process, supported by a novel and creative assemblage of FDA-approved, commercially available diagnostic imaging components, is available for all relevant patient care services within The Methodist Hospital System. The underlying concept is that of a military flight simulator. As opposed to a commercial flight simulator, a fighter pilot environment is a multi-body simulation that records all of the plane’s internal instruments and the pilot’s actions with the digital fly-by-wire avionics system; its external position in relation to its global position; and, with GPS, the absolute spatial (X, Y, Z) position of the squadron and the aggressor(s) within its three-dimensional sphere of influence. This well-vetted process of recording input/output variables and resultant differences along the flight path of interaction is critical for pilots to learn from each other’s experience what works well and what should be improved, all within a real-time frame of reference for action and reaction. The knowledge gained is now being used by unmanned aerial vehicles that are remotely piloted, not unlike the da Vinci surgical robot.
Monomeric Spin Density Distribution in the Primary Donor of Photosystem I as Determined by Electron Magnetic Resonance: Functional and Thermodynamic Implications

The primary electron donor (P700) in Photosystem I (PSI) has been shown to be a dimeric chlorophyll a species. Electron magnetic resonance studies of the cation radical have clearly established that the unpaired electron is delocalized asymmetrically over this dimer; however, the extent to which this asymmetry exists remains ambiguous. Comprehensive electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) and electron spin−echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) experiments combined with isotopic substitution and numerical simulations have been used to determine the electronic structure of P700+. This approach utilizes the strengths of each spectroscopy to elucidate the electron nuclear hyperfine and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants for the nitrogen nuclei in P700+. These assignments are then confirmed by performing numerical simulations of the ESEEM data. Further confirmation of these values is obtained by performing the spin−echo experiments at multiple microwave frequencies. The same set of hyperfine and quadrupole cou...
Black–White gap in self-employment. Does intra-race heterogeneity exist?

Past research on the determinants of self-employment in the United States has emphasized the importance of ethnicity. In particular, self-employment rates for Blacks lag far behind those of other racial groups for comparable individuals. This research examines two related issues: Does the dummy variable coefficient associated with the Black–White self-employment gap exhibit intra-race heterogeneity? Second, does this variable have diminished or increased impact across generations? We decompose the sample into subgroups and find that the size of the Black–White self-employment gap varies within subgroups of African-Americans.
Ligand‐independent signals from angiotensin II type 2 receptor induce apoptosis

Conventional models of ligand-receptor regulation predict that agonists enhance the tone of signals generated by the receptor in the absence of ligand. Contrary to this paradigm, stimulation of the type 2 (AT(2)) receptor by angiotensin II (Ang II) is not required for induction of apoptosis but the level of receptor protein expression is critical. We compared Ang II-dependent and -independent AT(2) receptor signals involved in regulating apoptosis of cultured fibroblasts, epithelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. We found that induction of apoptosis-blocked by pharmacological inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and caspase 3-is a constitutive function of the AT(2) receptor. Biochemical and genetic studies suggest that the level of AT(2) receptor expression is critical for physiological ontogenesis and its expression is restricted postnatally, coinciding with cessation of developmental apoptosis. Re-expression of the AT(2) receptor in remodeling tissues in the adult is linked to control of tissue growth and regeneration. Therefore, we propose that overexpression of the AT(2) receptor itself is a signal for apoptosis that does not require the renin-angiotensin system hormone Ang II.
Growth condition dependence of zinc oxide nanostructures on Si substrates in an electrochemical process

Zinc oxide nanostructures were synthesized in an aqueous solution of hexamine and zinc nitrate by an electrochemical process. The effects of growth conditions, including electrical potential, growth temperature and template size, on morphology and composition of the nanostructures were systematically investigated. A negative potential enhanced the growth of single crystalline ZnO nanowire arrays while a positive potential caused nano-disks of ZnO and ZnO2 composites to grow on the substrate. The applied negative potential also helped room temperature growth of ZnO nanowires with a reduced growth rate. Similar growth behavior was observed on a bare substrate and that with pre-defined polymer template.
Report of the Editor for His Tenure and 1999

Since this is my last report as editor of the Journal, I report both on my tenure as editor and on the year 1999. The first part of this report discusses my tenure briefly, and the second part reports on 1999. Statistical data are detailed in the tables in Appendix A.
Targeted deletion of Tsc1 causes fatal cardiomyocyte hyperplasia independently of afterload

Abstract Despite high expression levels, the role of Tsc1 in cardiovascular tissue is ill defined. We launched this study to examine the role of Tsc1 in cardiac physiology and pathology. Mice in which Tsc1 was deleted in cardiac tissue and vascular smooth muscle ( Tsc1c/cSM22cre +/− ), developed progressive cardiomegaly and hypertension and died early. Hearts of Tsc1c/cSM22cre +/− mice displayed a progressive increase in cardiomyocyte number, and to a lesser extent, size between the ages of 1 and 6 weeks. In addition, compared to control hearts, proliferation markers (phospho-histone 3 and PCNA) were elevated in Tsc1c/cSM22cre +/− cardiomyocytes at 0–4 weeks, suggesting that cardiomyocyte proliferation was the predominant mechanism underlying cardiomegaly in Tsc1c/cSM22cre +/− mice. To examine the contribution of Tsc1 deletion in peripheral vascular smooth muscle to the cardiac phenotype, Tsc1c/cSM22cre +/− mice were treated with the antihypertensive, hydralazine. Prevention of hypertension had no effect on survival, cardiac size, or cardiomyocyte number in these mice. We furthermore generated mice in which Tsc1 was deleted only in vascular smooth muscle but not in cardiac tissue (Tsc1c/cSMAcre-ER T2 +/− ) . The Tsc1c/cSMAcre-ER T2 +/− mice also developed hypertension. However, their survival was normal and no cardiac abnormalities were observed. Our results suggest that loss of Tsc1 in the heart causes cardiomegaly, which is driven by increased cardiomyocyte proliferation that also appears to confer relative resistance to afterload reduction. These findings support a critical role for the Tsc1 gene as gatekeeper in the protection against uncontrolled cardiac growth.
Mitomycin C and menadione for the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal cancers: a phase II trial

A phase II trial of menadione (2.5 g/m2 as a continuous intravenous infusion over 48 h) followed by mitomycin C (10–20 mg/m2 i.v. bolus) administered every 4–6 weeks was performed in 43 patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. Menadione, a vitamin K analog that lowers intracellular pools of reduced glutathione, was combined with mitomycin C in an attempt to overcome thiol-mediated resistance to alkylating-agent chemotherapy. The median age of patients entered on this trial was 58 years; performance status ranged from 60%–100%. None of the 43 evaluable patients obtained an objective response to this combination regimen. Median survival was 6.6 months. Treatment with menadione and mitomycin C was reasonably well tolerated except for hematological toxicity. A total of 27% of treatment courses were complicated by grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicity including one episode of hemolytic anemia and one episode of hemolytic uremic syndrome. One patient developed irreversible interstitial pneumonitis, and 1 patient had an asymptomatic decrease in the left0ventricular ejection fraction. Despite preclinical evidence indicating that menadione pretreatment enhances the cytotoxicity of mitomycin C, our study documents the resistance of advanced gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal cancer, to mitomycin C modulated by menadione.