cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural stability of methane hydrate at high pressures

Abstract The structural stability of methane hydrate under pressure at room temperature was examined by both in-situ single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction techniques on samples with structure types I, II, and H in diamond-anvil cells. The diffraction data for types II (sII) and H (sH) were refined to the known structures with space groups Fd 3 m and P 6 3 / mmc , respectively. Upon compression, sI methane hydrate transforms to the sII phase at 120 MPa, and then to the sH phase at 600 MPa. The sII methane hydrate was found to coexist locally with sI phase up to 500 MPa and with sH phase up to 600 MPa. The pure sH structure was found to be stable between 600 and 900 MPa. Methane hydrate decomposes at pressures above 3 GPa to form methane with the orientationally disordered Fm 3 m structure and ice VII ( Pn 3 m ). The results highlight the role of guest (CH 4 )-host (H 2 O) interactions in the stabilization of the hydrate structures under pressure.
We Want To Be Equal to Them: Fair-trade Coffee Certification and Gender Equity within Organizations

This paper analyzes the understudied gendered dimensions of fair-trade coffee networks and certification practices. It combines data collected during 14 months of fieldwork among the members of a Guatemalan coffee cooperative with a survey of the existing literature on fair-trade coffee cooperatives to demonstrate that the current fair-trade network is falling far short of its goal to promote gender equity, particularly in three important realms: voting and democratic participation, the promotion of non-agricultural income generating programs, and support for female coffee producers. In consideration of the fact that international donors are increasingly funding certification-based poverty solutions, such as fair trade, this paper argues that the promotion of gender equity through certification standards and practices needs to be a vital component of the fair-trade mission, lest the promotion of gender equity in agricultural communities be neglected. It concludes that a participatory certification process would help address two central concerns: (1) the effectiveness of the certification process (in terms of identifying and correcting problems associated with gender equity within groups) and (2) the adequacy of current fair-trade certification standards in light of producer diversity.
Processing and properties of silver-clad Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O wires and tapes

TlBa{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} and Tl{sub 2}Ba{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} powders were synthesized, loaded into Ag tubes, and worked into wires and tapes by drawing and rolling. All processing outside of furnaces was in a dry-N{sub 2} glovebox. All heat treatments were performed in O{sub 2}. The Ag-clad wires fabricated from these powders exhibited onset of superconductivity at {approx}118 K and critical current densities at 77K of 2{times}10{sup 3} to 4{times}10{sup 3} A/cm{sup 2}.
Chemical Vapor Deposition of Sr1−xBaxNb2O6 Thin Films Using Metal Alkoxide Precursors

A novel two-step metalorganic chemical vapor deposition process was used in this study to prepare Sr1−xBaxNb2O6 (SBN) thin films. Two thin layers of single-phase SrNb2O6 and BaNb2O6 were deposited alternately on a silicon substrate, and the solid solution of SBN was obtained by high-temperature annealing. The stoichiometry control of the SrNb2O6 and the BaNb2O6 thin films was achieved through deposition process control, according to the evaporation characteristics of double metal alkoxide. The evaporation behavior of double metal alkoxide precursors SrNb2(1-OC4H9)12 and BaNb2(1-OC4H9)12 was studied, and the results were compared with the evaporation of single alkoxide Nb(1-OC4H9)5.
Emerging drugs for postoperative ileus

Postoperative ileus (POI) is an impairment of coordinated gastrointestinal (GI) motility that develops as a consequence of abdominal surgery and is a major factor contributing to patient morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. Although the origin and cause of POI are poorly understood, it is known that abnormal GI motility associated with delayed gastric emptying and intestinal transit is a major factor leading to abdominal bloating, vomiting and lack of defecation. Furthermore, opioid drugs such as morphine, used for the management of postoperative pain, cause inhibition of bowel transit. Proposed mechanisms of POI include the stimulation of neuronal responses, such as excitation of afferent neurons and activation of noradrenergic, non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic neuronal pathways, as well as the induction of an intestinal inflammatory response. The development of new pharmacological strategies to prevent or reduce the frequency of POI is very important as existing approaches do not offer relief for most patients. This review describes emerging therapeutics that may advance the care of patients with POI.
Response to Rituximab in Patients with Type II Cryoglobulinemia

Type II cryoglobulinemia (CG) is a heterogeneous, generally indolent disorder caused by a monoclonal antibody with activity against polyclonal antibodies and is commonly associated with hepatitis C, lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs), or autoimmune diseases. It can lead to substantial morbidity, including renal failure, cutaneous ulcers, or neuropathy. Medical records were reviewed for 8 patients with previously treated symptomatic CG who were part of a prospectively held dysproteinemia database. Patients subsequently received 14 total courses of rituximab treatment (standard infusion, 375 mg/m2 for 4 or 8 doses) between February 1999 and March 2005. One patient had essential CG, and 1 had Gaucher disease with hypersplenism. Six patients had an LPD, and 4 of them had concomitant disorders (2 with hepatitis C and 2 with Sjogren syndrome). Treatment indications included purpura, LPD, cutaneous ulcers, and renal failure. Clinical improvement was evaluated by improved cryocrit, total complement, C4, and rheumatoid factor. Six patients had some clinical improvement. Cutaneous manifestations were the most responsive; renal disease and lymphoma were more refractory. Laboratory values showed improvement after 7 of 12 available treatment courses. No adverse reactions were noted. Overall, rituximab appears to be a safe and effective therapy.
Note to Educators: Hope Required When Growing Roses in Concrete

In this essay, Jeff Duncan-Andrade explores the concept of hope, which was central to the Obama campaign, as essential for nurturing urban youth. He first identifies three forms of "false hope"—hokey hope, mythical hope, and hope deferred—pervasive in and peddled by many urban schools. Discussion of these false hopes then gives way to Duncan-Andrade's conception of "critical hope," explained through the description of three necessary elements of educational practice that produce and sustain true hope. Through the voices of young people and their teachers, and the invocation of powerful metaphor and imagery, Duncan-Andrade proclaims critical hope's significance for an education that relieves undeserved suffering in communities.
Work in progress: Multi-faceted penetration of fast fourier transform by interactively analyzing real-world objects via mobile technology

Recent research shows that the engineering students have problems connecting the required computation to a conceptual understanding, as well as translating a graphical understanding of the process to a symbolic mathematical representation, especially when handling the multiple steps of the procedures. The students are usually able to perform sequences of the underlying calculations but cannot piece together the higher conceptual relationship that drives these procedures. This work-in-progress paper presents a viable approach and a new teaching and learning paradigm to enhance the effectiveness of teaching fast Fourier transform and significantly improve the learning outcomes. By integrating the mobile and cloud computing technologies, we are developing a handheld real-world relevance laboratory that includes an integrated learning module for Fourier transform and a shared intelligent project repository to host the module and real-world relevant data. This development is expected to overcome the intellectual inaccessibility of transform techniques and tackle the challenges in existing approaches: the prohibitive cost of project-based approach; limited access and real-world relevance data in simulation-based approach, and unreliable and unsustainable support.
Optimized preconditioners for Green function evaluation in quantum reactive scattering calculations

The optimal separable basis methodology is suggested for the efficient quantum-mechanical calculation of reactive and inelastic scattering amplitudes. The method gives rise to an optimally convergent distorted wave Born expansion of the Green's function. Computationally, this corresponds to an optimized DVR matrix preconditioning scheme. State-to-state and cumulative reactive scattering results are presented for the benchmark collinear H + H2 → H2 + H system. CPU time and memory requirements are drastically reduced in comparison with other methods, and results are obtained for previously prohibitive energy regimes.
Correction to 'Ontological versus knowledge engineering'

The author previously cited an incorrect publisher (see ibid., vol.1, p.84-8, 1989). The correct publisher information is: Reading, MA: Addison Wesley. >
PIE-efficient filters and coarse grained potentials for unbound protein-protein docking.

Identifying correct binding modes in a large set of models is an important step in protein-protein docking. We identified protein docking filter based on overlap area that significantly reduces the number of candidate structures that require detailed examination. We also developed potentials based on residue contacts and overlap areas using a comprehensive learning set of 640 two chain protein complexes with mathematical programming. Our potential showed substantially better recognition capacity compared to other publicly accessible protein docking potentials in discriminating between native and nonnative binding modes on a large test set of 84 complexes independent of our training set. We were able to rank a near native model on the top in 43 cases and within top 10 in 51 cases. We also report an atomic potential that ranks a near native model on the top in 46 cases and within top 10 in 58 cases. Our filter + potential is well suited for selecting a small set of models to be refined to atomic resolution.
Measurement of Business Economic Performance: An Examination of Method Convergence

Strategic management researchers have measured business economic performance (BEP) through either perceptual assessments of senior executives or secondary data sources, but few explicitly evaluate the degree of convergence across methods. In an effort to examine method convergence, we collected data on three dimensions-sales growth, net income growth, and profitability (ROI) using both methods. Although convergent and discriminant validity were achieved using Campbell and Fiske's Multi Trait, Multi Method (MTMM) and Confiratory Factor Analysis (CFA), the approaches yielded different insights. The advantages of CFA over MTMM is demonstrated with implications for strategy research.
Electronic Structure of Transition-Metal Ion Containing Zeolites

Zeolite chemistry has developed into one of the most fascinating, and in many cases most structurally defined, fields of interface science. Its appeal in both fundamental and applied surface science, including that of intracavital complexes and clusters involved in separation processes and catalysis, has been documented by thousands of papers in the open literature as well as the body of patented literature. The theoretical methodology also has advanced to a level, still rapidly developing, where relatively large systems, including periodic systems, can be handled by all-electron calculations from the first principles. It is now possible to optimize geometries of zeolites with different cations and framework substituents and to predict their structural and electronic properties.
9-Aminoacridine as a matrix for negative mode matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization

9-Aminoacridine (9AA) is introduced as a matrix for negative mode matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). While most traditional MALDI matrices have been acidic in character, 9AA is a moderately strong base. The mechanism by which 9AA brings about ionization in the negative mode appears to involve abstraction of a labile proton in an acid/base reaction. Most MALDI matrices readily donate protons; 9AA readily accepts them leading to the formation of [M − H]− species. 9AA was first examined as a matrix for low molecular weight compounds having acidic protons, such as phenols, carboxylic acids, sulfonates, amines and alcohols. Also studied were larger molecules frequently analyzed by MALDI including oligonucleotides, oligoamides and proteins. Spectra obtained from 9AA were compared with those recorded using more traditional matrices such as 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) and α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (α-CHCA). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LSIM: a parallel programming environment for large-scale numerical computations

This paper presents the work done in developing a Common LISP programming environment, to aid applications programmers solving large-scale numerical problems on hypercube architectures. The power of abstraction of Common LISP along with the speed of C programming language have been combined to develop this environment. The inherent parallelism and asynchronous operation of data-flow graphs are put to use in instruction execution. >
Structure defects in Cscl intermetallic compounds—II. Experimental

Abstract The liquidus in the Au-Cd binary system has been accurately determined between 33 and 52 at.% Cd. The segregation of the point defects at melting has been experimentally verified, and leads to a local minimum melting temperature close to the stoichiometric composition. The maximum melting temperatures were observed at 47·5 and 50·8 at.% Cd, corresponding to compositions containing, respectively, predominantly substitutional defects and vacancies on one sublattice.
A controllable Prolog database system

This paper presents a model that provides a single comprehensive mechanism to control the use, operation and evolution of database systems. This model unifies several concepts generally considered to be quite distinct. In particular, it minimizes the formal distinction between the users of the database, the programs embedded in it and even the administrators and the programmers maintaining it. Furthermore, under this model, the concepts of subschema and of program module are replaced with a single concept of frame, which serves as the locus of power and of activity in the system. Moreover, the proposed control mechanism is closed, in the sense that the process of establishing controls is itself controllable by the same mechanism. This can be used to formalize and control managerial policies about the use and evolution of database systems.
Bicarbonate increases binding affinity of Vibrio cholerae ToxT to virulence gene promoters

The major Vibrio cholerae virulence gene transcription activator, ToxT, is responsible for the production of the diarrhea-inducing cholera toxin (CT) and the major colonization factor, toxin coregulated pilus (TCP). In addition to the two primary virulence factors mentioned, ToxT is responsible for the activation of accessory virulence genes, such as aldA, tagA, acfA, acfD, tcpI, and tarAB. ToxT activity is negatively modulated by bile and unsaturated fatty acids found in the upper small intestine. Conversely, previous work identified another intestinal signal, bicarbonate, which enhances the ability of ToxT to activate production of CT and TCP. The work presented here further elucidates the mechanism for the enhancement of ToxT activity by bicarbonate. Bicarbonate was found to increase the activation of ToxT-dependent accessory virulence promoters in addition to those that produce CT and TCP. Bicarbonate is taken up into the V. cholerae cell, where it positively affects ToxT activity by increasing DNA binding affinity for the virulence gene promoters that ToxT activates regardless of toxbox configuration. The increase in ToxT binding affinity in the presence of bicarbonate explains the elevated level of virulence gene transcription.
Chapter 12 Cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and immunotoxicity

Abstract The general principles and standard methods for cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and immunotoxicity testing in vitro are described. Exceptional and ordinary results in the published literature are reviewed with special emphasis on blood-material interactions. This chapter emphasizes interactions in the blood path, although it is recognized that any device that has contact with internal organs or tissues has contact either directly or indirectly with the blood path. Advances have been made in the evaluation of devices and materials for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The principal methods for cytotoxicity, i.e., direct contact, extract dilution, and agar diffusion assays, have been employed extensively throughout industry, government, and academia. They have been developed into standard methods in developed countries and by international organizations. Future directions will entail refinement of these assays, newer automated methods, and improvements in the understanding and hazard assessment of target cell toxicity. Genotoxicity tests, including mutagenicity and clastogenicity, have had widespread applications in testing pure chemicals. Although the methods have been developed into international standards, there are many deviations and uncertainties in the applications of these standards and the interpretation of data. In particular, there is considerable confusion about the use of these methods for complex mixtures including the extractables from medical devices. There is no convincing evidence that long-term human clinical use of bioprosthetic or prosthetic devices has resulted in irreversible genotoxic effects. In vitro immunotoxicity testing has been primarily limited to phagocytosis and complement testing. Assays for hypersensitivity and cell killing have been developed but not exploited.
On the Lotka–Volterra competition system with Allee effects

We study asymptotic dynamics of the classical Lotka–Volterra competition model when both competing populations are subject to Allee effects. The resulting system can have up to four interior steady states. In such case, it is proved that both competing populations may either go extinct, coexist, or one population drives the other population to extinction depending on initial conditions.
Estimating Densities of Functions of Observations

Abstract Density estimates, such as histograms and more sophisticated versions, are important in applied and theoretical statistics. In applied statistics, a density estimate gives the data analyst a graphical overview of the shape of the distribution. This overview allows the data analyst to arrive immediately at a qualitative impression of the location, scale, and various aspects of the extremes of the distribution. In theoretical statistics, the shape of the density allows the researcher to link the data to families of curves, perhaps indexed parametrically. By estimating a density nonparametrically, certain aspects of the data can be viewed without the restriction of a priori imposing limitations of a class of parametric curves. In this article we introduce density estimation for functions of observations. To motivate the study, one type of function used is the interpoint distance between observations arising in spatial statistics from the fields of biometry and regional science. A second type of func...
Web search over low bandwidth

Web search and browsing have been streamlined for a comfortable experience when the network connection is fast. Existing systems, however, are not optimized for scenarios where connectivity is poor, as is the case for many users in developing regions where fast connections are expensive, rare, or unavailable. We examined the challenges faced by users behind one of these connections in a previous study, and found that the existing web interface is incapable of providing a good experience when the connection is extremely slow. In this demonstration we present a prototype implementation of a web browsing system that incorporates what we learned. Our system helps the user's search offline as much as possible, and in a single search query when information from the Internet is required.
A low-power 435-MHz SOI CMOS LNA and mixer

A low-power 435-MHz single-ended low-noise amplifier and a double-balanced mixer was implemented in a 0.35-/spl mu/m Silicon On Insulator (SOI) CMOS process. The single-ended LNA has a measured noise figure of 2.91 dB, and the mixer has an input third-order intercept point of +20 dBm. Total power dissipation of the LNA and mixer is 24 mW from a 2.5-V supply. This is the first LNA-mixer pair implemented at 435 MHz using an SOI CMOS process.
THE FIELDS OF REAL AND COMPLEX NUMBERS WITH A SMALL MULTIPLICATIVE GROUP

We consider the model theory of the real and complex fields with a multiplicative group having the Mann property. Among these groups are the finitely generated multiplicative groups in these fields. As a by-product we obtain some results on groups with the Mann property in rings of Witt vectors and in fields of positive characteristic.k
What can we expect from the book Esophageal Cancer

It is with pleasure that the editors and authors of this book present to our readers this AME volume on Esophageal Cancer. This book is a compilation of published articles, novel studies, original chapters and expert reviews on esophageal disease ranging from pre-cancer to advanced metastatic carcinoma ( Figures 1,2 ).
Organic filler surface analysis by column wicking

AbstractOrganic fillers derived from biomass waste streams are commonly formulated with phenol-formaldehyde resoles in the production of veneer-based wood composites. The surface characteristics of three fillers, flours of walnut shell (Juglans regia), red alder (Alnus rubra) bark, and corn cob (Zea mays) furfural production residue, were investigated with the column wicking method using the Washburn equation. A series of n-alkanes (spreading liquids) provided reliable estimates of interstitial pore radii, which then enabled contact angle estimates for a variety of non-spreading liquids. Among the three fillers, only alder bark data were complicated by swelling effects, which were eliminated with strict data quality criteria. Corn cob residue exhibited the highest total surface free energy, but all fillers had low energies that were dominated by dispersive effects. The minor polar contributions were basic. Specific surface areas determined from wicking substantially disagreed with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller m...
Emergency Department Presentations for Injuries in Older Adults Independently Known to be Victims of Elder Abuse

BACKGROUND: Elder abuse is under-recognized by emergency department (ED) providers, largely due to challenges distinguishing between abuse and accidental trauma. OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns and circumstances surrounding elder abuse-related and potentially abuse-related injuries in ED patients independently known to be physical elder abuse victims. METHODS: ED utilization of community-dwelling victims of physical elder abuse in New Haven, CT from 1981-1994 was analyzed previously. Cases were identified using Elderly Protective Services data matched to ED records. Sixty-six ED visits were judged to have high probability of being related to elder abuse and 244 were of indeterminate probability. We re-examined these visits to assess whether they occurred due to injury. We identified and analyzed in detail 31 injury-associated ED visits from 26 patients with high probability of being related to elder abuse and 108 visits from 57 patients with intermediate probability and accidental injury. RESULTS: Abuse-related injuries were most common on upper extremities (45% of visits) and lower extremities (32%), with injuries on head or neck noted in 13 visits (42%). Bruising was observed in 39% of visits, most commonly on upper extremities. Forty-two percent of purportedly accidental injuries had suspicious characteristics, with the most common suspicious circumstance being injury occurring more than 1 day prior to presentation, and the most common suspicious injury pattern being maxillofacial injuries. CONCLUSION: Victims of physical elder abuse commonly have injuries on the upper extremities, head, and neck. Suspicious circumstances and injury patterns may be identified and are commonly present when victims of physical elder abuse present with purportedly accidental injuries. Language: en
Stereotactic Body Radiation for Pancreatic Cancer: Results of an International Survey of Practice Patterns

Objective Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an emerging treatment option for borderline resectable and locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer (PCA). However, no standardized guidelines for treatment exist and patterns of SBRT use for PCA are unclear.
Use of Social Media by Dental Educators

Social networking applications have become an established means of communication; applications that did not exist ten years ago are now used daily. Social media can be used for a myriad of reasons including instructional tools to supplement learning. This project was designed to assess the usage of social media applications by dental school faculty members and identify the types of accounts they prefer. Four hundred forty-three full-time dental and dental hygiene faculty members from five U.S. dental schools were invited to complete a twelve-item online survey regarding their social media usage. The response rate was 50 percent (n=221). Of the respondents, nearly half were dentists, and 62 percent were ≥51 years of age. Facebook was the most popular social network, reportedly used by 111 respondents. The most often reported frequency of use was weekly (20.4 percent, n=221); users indicated utilizing a network primarily for personal rather than professional purposes. However, 37 percent of the respondents reported not using any social media. The most frequently cited barriers to the use of social media were time (48 percent) and privacy concerns (48 percent). Although few would dispute the influence social media has on today’s students, the suitability and appropriateness of social media technology and its integration into dental curricula require further evaluation.
Quantitative Nanoscale Imaging of Lattice Distortions in Epitaxial Semiconductor Heterostructures Using Nanofocused X-ray Bragg Projection Ptychography

We imaged nanoscale lattice strain in a multilayer semiconductor device prototype with a new X-ray technique, nanofocused Bragg projection ptychography. Applying this technique to the epitaxial stressor layer of a SiGe-on-SOI structure, we measured the internal lattice behavior in a targeted region of a single device and demonstrated that its internal strain profile consisted of two competing lattice distortions. These results provide the strongest nondestructive test to date of continuum modeling predictions of nanoscale strain distributions.
The Reaction Kinetics of Liquid 60/40 Sn/Pb Solder with Copper and Nickel: A High Temperature X-Ray Diffraction Study

With proper sample preparation, high temperature x-ray diffraction can be used to study in-situ the reactions occurring at a solder/metal interface. We have applied this technique to an investigation of the reaction kinetics between copper and nickel metal and 60/40 Sn/Pb solder. The copper and nickel are shown to follow similar pathways, each having a complex reaction profile that involves an initial “hold” of little reactivity, followed by a two-step diffusion controlled reaction. Activation energies were obtained from Arrhenius-type plots, and result in values of 6.8 kcal/mole for the nickel/solder reaction, and 13 kcal/mole for the copper/solder reaction. These results are compared with those obtained by previous investigators, and discussed in terms of the growth of the different intermetallic phases.
Efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan in patients with colorectal cancer

In six published phase II trials, irinotecan (CPT-II; Camptosar; Pharmacia & Upjohn Co, Kalamazoo, MI) has demonstrated consistent activity with response rates of approximately 13% to 27% in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) refractory to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) therapy. Similar response and median survival rates have been achieved using either the US regimen (once a week for 4 weeks followed by a 2-week rest) or the European regimen (once-every-3-week schedule). The optimal administration schedule for irinotecan is uncertain. Phase II evaluation of a biweekly administration schedule in a similar group of patients produced similar response rates. With all schedules tested, the most common toxicities remain delayed diarrhea, neutropenia, and nausea and vomiting. The most common toxicity, late diarrhea, can be ameliorated using high-dose loperamide. Irinotecan has been explored as a single agent in patients with newly diagnosed CRC and has generated response rates in the range of 19% to 32% and a median survival time of approximately 12 months, suggesting a level of antitumor activity similar to that observed with 5-FU and leucovorin. Two recently completed phase III studies in 5-FU-refractory patients have shown that treatment with irinotecan confers a survival advantage compared with treatment with infusional 5-FU or best supportive care. Current studies focus on the activity of irinotecan as part of combined chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed advanced-stage CRC, as part of combined-modality therapy with radiation therapy, and as adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced CRC.
Haptoglobin increases the vulnerability of CD163-expressing neurons to hemoglobin

Haptoglobin (Hp) binds hemoglobin (Hb) with high affinity and provides the primary defense against its toxicity after intravascular hemolysis. Neurons are exposed to extracellular Hb after CNS hemorrhage, and a therapeutic effect of Hp via Hb sequestration has been hypothesized. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Hp protects neurons from Hb in primary mixed cortical cell cultures. Treatment with low micromolar concentrations of human Hb for 24 h resulted in loss of 10-20% of neurons without injuring glia. Concomitant treatment with Hp surprisingly increased neuronal loss five-sevenfold, with similar results produced by Hp 1-1 and 2-2 phenotypes. Consistent with a recent in vivo observation, neurons expressed the CD163 receptor for Hb and the Hb-Hp complex in these cultures. Hp reduced overall Hb uptake, directed it away from the astrocyte-rich CD163-negative glial monolayer, and decreased induction of the iron-binding protein ferritin. Hb-Hp complex neuronal toxicity, like that of Hb per se, was iron-dependent and reduced by deferoxamine and 2,2' bipyridyl. These results suggest that Hp increases the vulnerability of CD163+ neurons to Hb by permitting Hb uptake while attenuating the protective response of ferritin induction by glial cells. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.13342.
Neural correlates to automatic behavior estimations from RGB-D video in epilepsy unit

To augment neural monitoring, a minimally intrusive multi-modal capture system was designed and implemented in the epilepsy clinic. This system provides RGB-D audio-video synchronized with patient electrocorticography (ECoG), which records neural activity across cortex. We propose an automated approach to studying the human brain in a naturalistic setting. We demonstrate coarse functional mapping of ECoG electrodes correlated to contralateral arm movements. Motor electrode mapping was generated by analyzing continuous movement data recorded over several hours from epilepsy patients in hospital rooms. From these recordings we estimate the kinematics of patient hand movement behaviors using computer vision algorithms. We compare movement behaviors to neural data collected from ECoG, specifically high-γ (70–110 Hz) spectral features. We present a functional map of electrode responses to natural arm movements, generated using a statistical test. We demonstrate that our approach has the potential to aid in the development of automated functional brain mapping using continuous video and neural recordings of patients in clinical settings.
Gateway to oklahoma history case study: structured data and metadata evaluation for improved image resource findability on the web

In this case study, a methodology is applied to the Gateway to Oklahoma History’s website. This study can be generalized to organizations looking to benchmark their own findability maturity on the web from an image-centric viewpoint. The ultimate goal of this methodology and research is to improve findability on the web by establishing a baseline for where the organization is at in terms of structured data content and visualize gaps or areas for improvement from a search engine neutral perspective.
Polarization-depolarization phenomena in apples

Measurement of the dielectric properties of biological materials is important for several reasons. Calculation of the electric fields and currents produced in biological objects exposed to external sources requires knowledge of the dielectric constant and conductivity of the object at the frequencies of exposure. Variations in the dielectric properties can also be correlated with physiological changes. Finally, an understanding of the conduction and polarization mechanisms may eventually lead to an explanation of the observed biological effects of weak fields. This paper investigates the suitability of time domain methods for the determination of the dielectric spectrum (variation of capacitance, conductance and dielectric loss with frequency) of an apple. A fruit was chosen as the object of study because the physical conditions are more more readily controlled for plant than for animal tissues.
Consensus or Controversy?: Evolution of Criteria for Myocardial Infarction After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: The definition and the clinical implications of myocardial infarction (MI) occurring in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention have been subjects of unresolved controversy. As a result of the use of more sensitive diagnostic tools such as cardiac troponin, the expanding evidence, and the ensuing debate, the definition of procedural MI (pMI) has evolved, leading to several revisions, different proposed definitions, and lack of standardization in randomized clinical trials. CONTENT: In this review, we will describe the key clinical data on cardiac biomarkers, creatine kinase isoenzyme MB and cTn, in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention and the main issues that have lead to various consensus documents with a proposed definition of pMI. We will focus on the rationale of the current “Third Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction” and of the alternative approach proposed by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. SUMMARY: The definition of pMI is an evolving field where the Third Universal MI definition represents the best attempt to date to incorporate available evidence along with scientific and clinical judgment into criteria to ensure adequate specificity in the diagnosis and the relevant prognostic significance, while trying to maintain sensitivity. Questions on the recommended criteria and their practical implementation remain, but the Third Universal definition document represents an important milestone toward a better standardization and enhanced consensus on the pMI definition.
Perception of Sung Speech in Bimodal Cochlear Implant Users

Combined use of a hearing aid (HA) and cochlear implant (CI) has been shown to improve CI users’ speech and music performance. However, different hearing devices, test stimuli, and listening tasks may interact and obscure bimodal benefits. In this study, speech and music perception were measured in bimodal listeners for CI-only, HA-only, and CI + HA conditions, using the Sung Speech Corpus, a database of monosyllabic words produced at different fundamental frequencies. Sentence recognition was measured using sung speech in which pitch was held constant or varied across words, as well as for spoken speech. Melodic contour identification (MCI) was measured using sung speech in which the words were held constant or varied across notes. Results showed that sentence recognition was poorer with sung speech relative to spoken, with little difference between sung speech with a constant or variable pitch; mean performance was better with CI-only relative to HA-only, and best with CI + HA. MCI performance was bette...
Strut Injectors for Scramjets: Total Pressure Losses in Two Streamwise Vortex Interactions

Pressure losses and mixing effectiveness are key parameters in the performance of an injection system suitable for scramjet engines. This work thus focuses on the characterization of the total pres...
Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Panurothelial Carcinoma Treated with Radical Nephroureterectomy Following Cystectomy for Metachronous Recurrence

Purpose: We report pathological, functional and oncologic outcomes in patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy following radical cystectomy.Materials and Methods: We identified patients who underwent radical cystectomy and then radical nephroureterectomy for metachronous urothelial recurrence at our institution between January 1995 and December 2014. Univariable Cox regression was used to assess the association between overall survival and age, grade, stage, lymph node metastasis and radiographic findings.Results: Of the 3,173 patients treated with radical cystectomy 64 underwent subsequent radical nephroureterectomy for metachronous urothelial recurrence. Median age at radical cystectomy was 66 years (IQR 61–74). In the 64 patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy median time from radical cystectomy to radical nephroureterectomy was 2.7 years (IQR 1.4–4.6). Among 37 patients who underwent ureteroscopy prior to radical nephroureterectomy 29 (78%) had a positive biopsy. Radical nephroureter...
Quantifying the Impact of Non-coding Variants on Transcription Factor-DNA Binding.

Many recent studies have emphasized the importance of genetic variants and mutations in cancer and other complex human diseases. The overwhelming majority of these variants occur in non-coding portions of the genome, where they can have a functional impact by disrupting regulatory interactions between transcription factors (TFs) and DNA. Here, we present a method for assessing the impact of non-coding mutations on TF-DNA interactions, based on regression models of DNA-binding specificity trained on high-throughput in vitro data. We use ordinary least squares (OLS) to estimate the parameters of the binding model for each TF, and we show that our predictions of TF binding changes due to DNA mutations correlate well with measured changes in gene expression. In addition, by leveraging distributional results associated with OLS estimation, for each predicted change in TF binding we also compute a normalized score (z-score) and a significance value (p-value) reflecting our confidence that the mutation affects TF binding. We use this approach to analyze a large set of pathogenic non-coding variants, and we show that these variants lead to significant differences in TF binding between alleles, compared to a control set of common variants. Thus, our results indicate that there is a strong regulatory component to the pathogenic non-coding variants identified thus far.
Structural Insights into the Mechanism of Scanning and Start Codon Recognition in Eukaryotic Translation Initiation

Initiation of translation on eukaryotic mRNAs generally follows the scanning mechanism, wherein a preinitiation complex (PIC) assembled on the small (40S) ribosomal subunit and containing initiator methionyl tRNAi (Met-tRNAi) scans the mRNA leader for an AUG codon. In a current model, the scanning PIC adopts an open conformation and rearranges to a closed state, with fully accommodated Met-tRNAi, upon AUG recognition. Evidence from recent high-resolution structures of PICs assembled with different ligands supports this model and illuminates the molecular functions of eukaryotic initiation factors eIF1, eIF1A, and eIF2 in restricting to AUG codons the transition to the closed conformation. They also reveal that the eIF3 complex interacts with multiple functional sites in the PIC, rationalizing its participation in numerous steps of initiation.
Efficacy of a Targeted Drug Delivery on-Demand Bolus Option for Chronic Pain.

Background and objectives Intrathecal targeted drug delivery systems historically required physician office visits for dose adjustment to manage fluctuating pain. A wireless device now enables patients to supplement their basal intrathecal infusion with a programmed on-demand bolus dose. We sought to quantify the change in oral breakthrough opioid need associated with the use of an intrathecal bolus in comparison to those treated with the basal infusion alone. Methods Demographic, dosage, bolus usage and longevity data were extracted from the historical medical record of 69 patients (18/51 bolus/nonbolus) followed continuously at our center. Medication consumption and Pain Disability Index measures were obtained at baseline and most recent follow-up. Results Among patients with the bolus option, only 2 (11%; confidence interval [CI] 0% to 26%) continued to require oral opiates to manage breakthrough pain compared to 29 (57%; CI 43% to 71%) without the bolus option. The Pain Disability Index score decreased by 19% in patients with the bolus option and by 25% in those with the basal infusion. Total daily intrathecal opioid intake was 34% lower in the group with the bolus device. Conclusions Utilizing an intrathecal bolus to treat incident pain was a safe way to manage unpredictable breakthrough pain and may represent a cost-saving opportunity by eliminating the need for oral analgesic medications.
Human DR (Ia-like) antigens: biological and molecular profile.

The functions that a cell of the immune system performs may be mediated through particular surface macromolecules. Although specific cell-surface markers are known to be associated with various functionally distinct subpopulations of lymphocytes, the role of these markers in the specific functions of subclasses of lymphocytes remains to be defined. In immunobiology, one of the current “hot” topics is the molecular and structural characterization of cell-surface markers that may mediate specific functions of immune cells. Ultimately, such studies will disclose the molecular basis of these cells’ specialized functions and will allow the correlation of each function with an identifiable cell-surface structure.
Time-wavelength optical sampling spectroscopy based on dynamic laser cavity tuning

Time-wavelength optical sampling (TWOS) is proposed here as a scheme that leverages the advantages of both wavelength-time mapping and ultrafast optical sampling to achieve real-time spectral measurement with simple configurations and slow photodetectors. As a proof of concept, a TWOS spectrometer based on dynamic optical sampling by laser cavity tuning is developed. Real-time absorption spectroscopy with a 0.3-nm spectral resolution and a 60-nm total spectral range (laser limited) is demonstrated at a 150-Hz updating rate. Theoretical analysis and practical limiting factors are discussed in detail. Potential applications of TWOS include spectroscopy, imaging, metrology, and optical sensing.
Molecular Mechanism of Resveratrol's Lipid Membrane Protection.

Resveratrol, a natural compound found in red wine and various vegetables, has drawn increasing interest due to its reported benefit in cardiovascular protection, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer therapy. The mechanism by which resveratrol exerts such pleiotropic effects remains unclear. It remains as one of the most discussed polyphenol compounds in the debating "French Paradox". In this study, using molecular dynamics simulations of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer with resveratrol, we generated a free energy map of resveratrol’s location and orientation of inside the lipid bilayer. We found that resveratrol increases the surface area per lipid and decreases membrane thickness, which is the opposite effect of the well-studied cholesterol on liquid phase DPPC. Most importantly, based on the simulation observation that resveratrol has a high probability of forming hydrogen bonds with sn-1 and sn-2 ester groups, we discovered a new mechanism using experimental approach, in which resveratrol protects both sn-1 and sn-2 ester bonds of DPPC and distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) from phospholipase A1 (PLA1) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) cleavage. Our study elucidates the new molecular mechanism of potential health benefits of resveratrol and possibly other similar polyphenols and provides a new paradigm for drug design based on resveratrol and its analogs.
Urodynamics of Post-Rabical Perineal Prostatectomy Incontinence

AbstractA series of post-radical perineal prostatectomy patients was studied by carbon dioxide cystometry. Of 30 patients questioned 17 were available for urodynamic assessment. All patients had shortened functional urethral lengths and decreased maximal closure pressures and incontinent patients had changes in the standing position. A review of the pertinent literature is presented. We believe that such studies in these patients can be clinically contributory and are of academic interest but history and cystourethroscopy remain more important in the over-all patient evaluation and care. With the ever-growing enthusiasm for urodynamics it is important to reveal its limitations as well as its benefits.
Analysis and classification of smokeless powders by GC–MS and DART-TOFMS

Partially burned smokeless powder particles may be present as a form of evidence following a shooting or explosive event, such as the explosion of a pipe bomb. The characterization and classification of residual smokeless powers may allow for a known sample, i.e. sample collected from a suspect, to be connected to an unknown sample, i.e. sample obtained from a crime scene. In this study, thirty-four (34) smokeless powders were analyzed using GC-MS and DART-TOFMS to determine how comparable the discriminatory power of each instrument was based on the smokeless powder constituents identified within each sample. Analysis of smokeless powders by DART-TOFMS generated comparable results to GC-MS in a fraction of the time (∼30seconds). Most peaks observed between the instruments were the same; however, N-nitroso-DPA was only observed in the DART-TOFMS spectra but was not a significant contributor. Samples were naturally grouped together using hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis, based on underlying features in the resulting spectra. Samples were placed into groupings based on significant peaks observed and relative intensities. Classification models were presented for both GC-MS and DART-TOFMS and subsequently tested and compared. The classification models used in this study were linear discriminant analysis, k-nearest neighbors, and random forest modeling. The groups observed were similar between the two instruments, indicating that DART-TOFMS provides comparable data to GC-MS and could be used as a rapid screening technique.