cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Copper-based pulsed dipolar ESR spectroscopy as a probe of protein conformation linked to disease states.

We demonstrate the ability of pulsed dipolar electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy (PDS) to report on the conformation of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) through the sensitive measurement of dipolar interactions between inherent Cu2+ ions. Although the extent and the anisotropy of the Cu ESR spectrum provides challenges for PDS, Ku-band (17.3 GHz) double electron-electron resonance and double-quantum coherence variants of PDS coupled with distance reconstruction methods recover Cu-Cu distances in good agreement with crystal structures. Moreover, Cu-PDS measurements expose distinct differences between the conformational properties of wild-type SOD1 and a single-residue variant (I149T) that leads to the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The I149T protein displays a broader Cu-Cu distance distribution within the SOD1 dimer compared to wild-type. In a nitroxide (NO)-labeled sample, distance distributions obtained from Cu-Cu, Cu-NO, and NO-NO separations reveal increased structural heterogeneity within the protein and a tendency for mutant dimers to associate. In contrast, perturbations caused by the ALS mutation are completely masked in the crystal structure of I149T. Thus, PDS readily detects alterations in metalloenzyme solution properties not easily deciphered by other methods and in doing so supports the notion that increased range of motion and associations of SOD1 ALS variants contribute to disease progression.
Social scientists: managing identity in socio-technical networks

Since the advent of the World-Wide Web, academic researchers have constructed Web pages to present a view of themselves, their work, their associations and their interests. This novel form of self-presentation has drawn a lot of attention over the past few years, prompting not only psychologists, but also social analysts, educators and software developers, to reflect on the ways in which technology pervades our self-presentations. Personal home pages are not, however; the only way in which scientists present themselves through technology construction and use - nor even the primary way. In this paper; we examine the technologies that oceanographers use to manage professional identity within their socio-technical networks.
Position Based Unequal Error Protection for Image Transmission with Energy Constraint over Multirate XPD MIMO Sensor Networks

Multimedia delivery over Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is energy critical. In this paper, we study an energy constrained cross layer optimization scheme to improve digital image quality in cross polarization discrimination (XPD) based Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) WSNs. The contribution of this research can be summarized in three parts. First, link layer energy consumption and packet loss ratio in multirate XPD based MIMO WSN are modeled. Secondly, XPD based modulation optimization cross link and physical layer is proposed, achieving considerable energy efficiency. Finally, a new Position-Value (P- V) based Unequal Error Protection (UEP) scheme is studied and discussed in XPD MIMO WSNs, with more efficient resource allocation compared to traditional approaches. Simulation results show the proposed modulation optimization scheme improves energy efficiency considerably, and position based UEP achieves significant distortion-energy gain compared with traditional layer based resource allocation schemes in XPD MIMO WSNs.
Trouble with Gegenbauer reconstruction for defeating Gibbs' phenomenon: Runge phenomenon in the diagonal limit of Gegenbauer polynomial approximations

To defeat Gibbs' phenomenon in Fourier and Chebyshev series, Gottlieb et al. [D. Gottlieb, C.-W. Shu, A. Solomonoff, H. Vandeven, On the Gibbs phenomenon I: recovering exponential accuracy from the Fourier partial sum of a nonperiodic analytic function, J. Comput. Appl. Math. 43 (1992) 81-98] developed a ''Gegenbauer reconstruction''. The partial sums of the Fourier or other spectral series are reexpanded as a series of Gegenbauer polynomials C"n^m(x), recovering spectral accuracy even in the presence of shock waves or other discontinuities. To achieve a rate of convergence which is exponential in N, however, Gegenbauer reconstruction, requires increasing the order m of the polynomials linearly with the truncation N of the series: m=@bN for some constant @b>0. When the order m is fixed, it is well-known that the Gegenbauer series converges as N->~ everywhere on x@?[-1,1] if f(x), the function being expanded, is analytic on the interval. But what happens in the diagonal limit in which m, N tend to infinity simultaneously? We show that singularities of f(x) off the real axis can destroy convergence of this diagonal approximation process in the sense that the error diverges for subintervals of x@?[-1,1]. Gegenbauer reconstruction must therefore be constrained to use a sufficiently small ratio of order m to truncation N. This ''off-axis singularity'' constraint is likely to impair the effectiveness of the reconstruction in some applications.
Tensegrity motion control using internal mechanisms

Key properties of tensegrity structures are reviewed and illustrated on a representative structure. These properties reveal an ideal way of motion using infinitesimal internal mechanisms. Consequently, a new motion control strategy which exploits these mechanisms is introduced.
Moving Toward Transportation Asset Management

A shift to a holistic Transportation Asset Management (TAM) policy is often a major change in the way a transportation agency approaches investment in its transportation assets. Around the country, states are finding this shift worthwhile as they are steadily seeing the condition of their assets improve and their resource allocation decisions galvanizing around an increasingly coherent vision for their transportation infrastructure. This article presents the salient features of existing TAM systems for states and agencies considering such a shift. Additionally, focus groups of Connecticut transportation managers and decision makers were undertaken to identify current activities that could be leveraged and built upon in a full TAM-supportive policy. The findings of this study indicate that states considering the adoption of a holistic TAM policy should consider using five concepts (the 5Cs) as a strategy for TAM implementation: clarity, communication, champion, consistent, and comprehensive.
Glucocorticoid and/or glucocorticoid antagonist effects in inflammatory disease-susceptible Lewis rats and inflammatory disease-resistant Fischer rats.

Lewis (LEW/N) and Fischer (F344) rats are inbred strains that respond antithetically to administration of several inflammatory stimuli. Thus, in response to streptococcal cell wall-derived peptidoglycan/polysaccharide, 6-week-old female Lewis rats develop acute and chronic polyarthritis, whereas age- and sex-matched Fischer rats are arthritis-resistant. The susceptibility of Lewis rats to development of chronic severe inflammatory disease has been attributed to their inability to appropriately activate their hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in response to inflammatory stimuli, leading to a functional glucocorticoid deficiency. To investigate whether the acute neurogenic inflammatory response was also different in the two strains, we studied the air-pouch model of carrageenin-induced neurogenic inflammation in adult male Lewis and Fischer rats. Both the volume and the leukocyte concentration of the inflammatory exudate were significantly higher in Lewis than in Fischer rats, suggesting that the known di...
Single-shot ADC imaging for fMRI.

It has been suggested that apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) contrast can be sensitive to cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes during brain activation. However, current ADC imaging techniques have an inherently low temporal resolution due to the requirement of multiple acquisitions with different b-factors, as well as potential confounds from cross talk between the deoxyhemoglobin-induced background gradients and the externally applied diffusion-weighting gradients. In this report a new method is proposed and implemented that addresses these two limitations. Specifically, a single-shot pulse sequence that sequentially acquires one gradient-echo (GRE) and two diffusion-weighted spin-echo (SE) images was developed. In addition, the diffusion-weighting gradient waveform was numerically optimized to null the cross terms with the deoxyhemoglobin-induced background gradients to fully isolate the effect of diffusion weighting from that of oxygenation-level changes. The experimental results show that this new single-shot method can acquire ADC maps with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and establish its practical utility in functional MRI (fMRI) to complement the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) technique and provide differential sensitivity for different vasculatures to better localize neural activity originating from the small vessels. Magn Reson Med 57:417–422, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparison of techniques for assessing pulmonary input impedance spectra

A six-element lumped parameter model of the pulmonary circulation was used to evaluate two signal-averaging techniques for calculating the pulmonary input impedance spectra of normal lambs. Pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary artery flow data obtained simultaneously in the main pulmonary artery were subjected to time-domain averaging and frequency-domain averaging techniques. Input impedance was determined by a cross-power spectral method designed to retain the periodicity of the signals. Preliminary studies indicate that the impedance spectra determined from noise-free input flow data to the model closely approximated the model-derived impedance spectra for a wide range of heart rates. The addition of noise signals to the noise-free input data produced impedance spectra that were consistently in agreement with model spectra for the lower-order (1-3) harmonics but not for the higher-order terms. >
Urban Transformation in China, 1949 – 2000: A Review and Research Agenda:

Through a review of the literature, the author identifies the achievements as well as the deficiencies in the study of China's urbanization and urbanism in the second half of the 20th century. A number of issues that merit scholarly research are suggested and the need for theorization is emphasized. During the last half century, Chinese cities underwent dramatic transformations as a consequence of two major systemic changes. During the first three decades after the socialist revolution of 1949, sustained low levels of urbanization and a brief episode of antiurbanism accompanied centralized planning and city-based industrialization. Since the economic reforms of 1978 Chinese cities have witnessed major economic and spatial shifts away from the socialist patterns. Among the many facets of urban transformation since 1978 are a more heterogeneous urban population, rural – urban migration, spatial reorganization through urban land-use change, new housing development, globalization, suburbanization, polycentric...
Teaching for Religious Literacy.

Stephen Prothero's Religious Literacy makes a strong case that minimal religious literacy is an essential requirement for contemporary U. S. citizens. He argues further that high schools and colleges should offer required courses in the study of religion in order to help students reach that baseline literacy. Beyond the general recommendation that such courses focus on biblical literacy and the history of Christianity, however, Prothero does not sketch out his proposal for teaching religious literacy. This essay argues that in addition to providing factual knowledge, teaching for religious literacy needs to involve sustained attention to how religious people use that factual information to orient themselves in the world, express their individual and group self-understanding, and give their lives direction and meaning. Such attention to the dynamics of religious life can also help students understand why human beings have persisted in this mode of behavior.
Political Parties in State and Nation Party Advantage and Party Competition in a Federal Setting

Research on party competition in the United States suffers because existing measures do not allow for an examination of national-level competition in the states. We view this as a significant oversight, and argue that party competition in the United States must be evaluated within a federal context. Toward that end, we develop measures of partisan electoral advantage and competition based on margin of victory in state and national offices for the legislature and executive. These measures allow us to examine, for the first time, patterns of competition for both state and national offices within and across the states. The patterns seen in the data are interesting and preliminary insights promising. We believe the measure developed here will permit a more expansive and theoretically interesting examination of party competition, and that these descriptive analyses point to a wide variety of interesting future pursuits.
The Pharmacological Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening and progressive disease of various origins characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling that leads to increased pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure, most often resulting in right-sided heart failure. The most common symptom at presentation is breathlessness, with impaired exercise capacity as a hallmark of the disease. Advances in understanding the pathobiology over the last 2 decades have led to therapies (endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, and prostacyclins or analogs) initially directed at reversing the pulmonary vasoconstriction and more recently directed toward reversing endothelial cell dysfunction and smooth muscle cell proliferation. Despite these advances, disease progression is common even with use of combination regimens targeting multiple mechanistic pathways. Overall 5-year survival for PAH has increased significantly from approximately 30% in the 1980s to approximately 60% at present, yet remains abysmal. This review summarizes the mechanisms of action, clinical data, and regulatory histories of approved PAH therapies and describes the latest agents in late-stage clinical development.
Chronic Kidney Disease in Octogenarians

Results Mean age was 86 years, 64% were women, 86% were Caucasians, 14% had diabetes, and 39% had prevalent CVD. Mean eGFREPI, eGFRCYS3var, and eGFRCYS1var were 59, 62, and 70 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 , and 51%, 46%, and 33% had CKD, respectively. Associations of CKD with CVD varied by equation in adjusted analyses: CKD EPI (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.03), CKDCYS3var (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.25, 2.23), and CKDCYS1var (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.55, 2.83). Conclusions Reduced eGFR is highly prevalent in octogenarians, and the eGFRCYS1var equation yielded the lowest prevalence of CKD but the strongest association with prevalent CVD. Because there are no validated estimating equations in the elderly, estimation of kidney function on the basis of on any one equation should be interpreted with caution. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 6: 1410–1417, 2011. doi: 10.2215/CJN.08801010
Intra‐ and Interannual Vegetation Change: Implications for Long‐Term Research

To draw reliable conclusions from forest restoration experiments, it is important that long-term measurements be repeatable or year-to-year variability may interfere with the correct interpretation of treatment effects. We used permanent plots in a long-term restoration study in southwestern Colorado to measure herbaceous and shrub vegetation at three dates within a single year (June, July, and August), and between years (2003 and 2005), on untreated control plots in a warm, dry mixed conifer forest. Growing season precipitation patterns were similar between 2003 and 2005, so differences in vegetation should be related primarily to differences in the sampling month. Significant indicator species for each sampling month were present within a single year (2005), primarily reflecting early-season annuals. We found no significant differences for total species abundance (2005). Species richness, abundance, and indicator species were significantly different between years for different sampling months indicating that sampling should be conducted within a similar time frame to avoid detecting differences that are not due to treatment effects or variations in year-to-year climate. These findings have implications for long-term research studies where the objectives are to detect changes over time in response to treatments, climate variation, and natural processes. Long-term sampling should occur within a similar phenological time frame each year over a short amount of time and should be based on the following criteria: (1) the sampling period is congruent with research objectives such as detecting rare species or peak understory abundance and (2) the sampling period is feasible in regard to personnel and financial constraints.
Comparing Pharmacologic Classes in NDF-RT and SNOMED CT

Background: Clinical decision support systems and semantic mining require interoperable representations of pharmacologic classes across reference terminological systems. We explore two such systems: NDF-RT and SNOMED CT. Methods: We evaluate the overlap of pharmacologic classes in NDF-RT (VA Classes) and SNOMED CT. We compare classes based on the set of their members (drugs) across systems, using the Jaccard coecient as a measure of overlap between two classes. Results: There is a limited overlap among the two systems. The average Jaccard value is 0.293. Only 11.5% of the VA classes have a Jaccard value of 0.75 or above. Conclusions: The analysis of discrepancies between pharmacologic classes across systems oers a strategy for identifying classes in need of critical review. Due to the heterogeneity of the representation of pharmacologic classes in various terminologies, we recommend that drugs, not classes, be annotated in text for semantic mining purposes.
Sincere voting in large elections

Abstract Austen-Smith and Banks (1996) showed that sincere/informative voting is not typically an equilibrium of the Condorcet voting model when the size of the electorate is large. Here, we reverse their finding by adding a third type of voter—one that receives no information in favor of either of the alternatives—as well as global uncertainty about the probability that each voter is such a “no evidence type.” The expected number of no evidence type voters can be arbitrarily small; nevertheless, if the electorate is large enough, then each of the two standard Condorcet types votes sincerely in every nondegenerate type-symmetric equilibrium.
Recombinant CD40L treatment protects allogeneic murine bone marrow transplant recipients from death caused by herpes simplex virus-1 infection

Posttransplant infection associated with host immune deficiency is the major cause of nonrelapse mortality of human bone marrow transplant recipients. In a new murine model of posttransplant infection, allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients were infected with herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) via intraperitoneal inoculation 12 weeks after transplantation. Allogeneic transplant recipients with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) had significantly increased mortality from HSV-1 encephalitis, with deficiencies of both specific anti–HSV-1 antibody and total serum IgG2a. GVHD mice displayed a Th2 cytokine profile (increased interleukin-4 [IL-4] and decreased interferon-γ) and decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS) responses, suggesting that both T-cell and B-cell defects contributed to the impaired production of antibody. Because passive transfer of hyperimmune serum protected mice from HSV-1 infection, we hypothesized that CD40 ligand (CD40L), which induces B-cell maturation, would protect mice from HSV-1 infection. CD40L-treated GVHD mice showed elevated IgG2a levels and increased survival compared with vehicle-treated transplant recipients.
Fungal Mycotic Aneurysm of the Internal Carotid Artery Associated with Sphenoid Sinusitis in an Immunocompromised Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

In immunocompromised patients, invasive molds such as Aspergillus and Mucor can lead to locally aggressive angioinvasive infections that are often life-threatening. A particularly devastating complication is the development of a fungal mycotic aneurysm resulting from invasion of the arterial wall. Due to anatomic contiguity, the sphenoid sinus provides potential access for these fungi, which often colonize the respiratory sinuses, into the cavernous sinus and internal carotid artery (ICA), thus leading to the formation of ICA aneurysms. The ideal treatment of fungal ICA aneurysms includes a combination of surgical debridement and long-term effective antifungal therapy, but the role of endoscopic resection and the duration of antimicrobials are poorly defined. Here, we present the case of a 71-year-old immunocompromised patient who developed an ICA mycotic aneurysm, associated with a proven invasive fungal infection (presumptively Mucorales) of the sphenoid sinuses, as defined by EORTC/MSG criteria, and who survived after undergoing coil embolization with parent vessel sacrifice of the aneurysm in combination with liposomal amphotericin B. We also review the literature for published cases of invasive fungal sphenoid sinusitis associated with mycotic aneurysms of the ICA and provide a comparative analysis .
TREATMENT OF BENIGN GIANT-CELL TUMOR IN THE LOWER THIRD OF THE FEMUR BY CURETTAGE AND "TELESCOPING" THE FRAGMENTS OF BONE

There has been described an operation for the conservative surgical treatment of benign giant-cell tumors in the distal end of the femur, in cases in which the articular cartilages of the knee joint are intact. This method permits removal of the tumor, and yet retains mobility of the knee joint and the full weight-bearing function of the leg. The procedure consists of obliterating the cavity by telescoping the fragments of bone, after removal of the tumor by curettage and chemical cauterization. To date the patients (all women) have accepted the shortening incurred, and have declined our offers to equalize length by operative shortening of the normal limb.
Estimating Brand Positioning Maps Using Supermarket Scanning Data

Hauser and Shugan's DEFENDER model is estimated with data obtained from supermarket scanning devices. As a result of that estimation, per dollar multidimensional brand maps are obtained from aggreg...
Understanding fracture toughness in gamma TiAl

The ambient-temperature ductility and fracture toughness of TiAl-base intermetallic alloys have been improved in recent years by both alloy additions and microstructural control. Two-phase TiAl alloys have emerged as a new class of lightweight, high-temperature materials with potential importance for aerospace applications. This overview summarizes recent advances in the basic understanding of the fracture processes and toughening mechanisms in TiAl-base alloys and the relationships between microstructures and mechanical properties.
Crystal structure and properties of YSiO 2 N

The crystal structure and electronic properties of the quaternary compound ${\mathrm{YSiO}}_{2}\mathrm{N}$ are investigated theoretically. It is shown that one of the possible low-symmetry structures obtained by an ab initio geometry optimization has a space group of $\mathrm{P}{6}_{1}22.$ This is different from the space group of $\mathrm{P}{6}_{1}$ that was suggested more than 25 years ago based on intensity calculations of the measured powder diffraction pattern. Using the newly determined structure, the electronic structure and bonding of this complex ceramic crystal is studied by the first-principles OLCAO method. It is shown that this crystal is an insulator with a calculated direct band gap of 4.35 eV within the local density approximation and strong Si-O and Si-N bonding. There is also considerable bonding between the Y ions and anions. The specific ${\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{O}}_{2}{\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ local bonding unit introduces several distinctive features to the occupied density of states. An interband optical absorption calculation shows major absorption peaks at 7.9 and 25.7 eV. The estimated optical dielectric constant is 3.75 while the plasma excitation frequency for ${\mathrm{YSiO}}_{2}\mathrm{N}$ is 20.0 eV.
IDENTIFIABILITY ANALYSIS FOR NONLINEAR FEEDBACK LIMIT-CYCLE SYSTEMS USING HARMONIC BALANCE METHODS

Abstract This paper proposes a method for analyzing identifiability of inherently closed-loop systems with nonlinear feedback by determining the order of persistent excitation of the input to the linear part of the dynamics. The method is based on the harmonic balance and the double Fourier series which is used for approximately expressing the output of the nonlinearity in the feedback loop. It is shown that a multiplicative periodic reference signal enhances the identifiability of the system by the additional sinusoids with interweaving frequencies to the original unforced case.
Useful Method for the Preparation of Low-Coordinate Nickel(I) Complexes via Transformations of the Ni(I) Bis(amido) Complex K{Ni[N(SiMe3)(2,6- i Pr2-C6H3)]2}

A convenient method of preparing two- and three-coordinate Ni(I) complexes of the form L-NiI-X (L = P t Bu3, P i Pr3, DPPE, NHC; X = -N(SiMe3)(2,6- i Pr-C6H3), -O(2,6- t Bu2-4-Me-C6H2)) is reported. Protonation of the easily prepared anionic Ni(I) bis(amido) complex K{Ni[N(SiMe3)(2,6- i Pr-C6H3)]2} in the presence of an appropriate L-type ligand results in loss of HN(SiMe3)(2,6- i Pr-C6H3) and trapping of the resulting neutral Ni(I)-amido fragment to yield neutral, paramagnetic, two- and three-coordinate Ni(I) complexes. Protonation of these neutral amido complexes by the bulky phenol HO(2,6- t Bu2-4-Me-C6H2) results in loss of the second amido moiety and trapping by the resulting phenoxide to yield Ni(I)-O(2,6- t Bu2-4-Me-C6H2) complexes. The hapticity of the phenoxide ligand is influenced by the π-accepting ability of the L-type ligand. Where L = P t Bu3, a poor π-acceptor, the phenoxide acts as a π-acceptor and adopts a η5-bonding mode through dearomatization of the phenyl ring. When L = NHC, a competent π-acceptor, the phenoxide acts as a π-donor, adopting a η1-bonding mode through the O atom. The modular nature of this synthetic strategy allows variation of both the L- and X-type ligands of the complex in a stepwise fashion and should be extendable to a wide variety of ligand types for new Ni(I) complexes.
Strain Measurement and Calculation in Passivated Cu Lines Deposited by Three Different Methods

Passivated Cu lines deposited by CVD, electroplating, and sputter-reflow were investigated using x-ray diffraction. Blanket films of the three types were measured for strain and texture post-deposition and after an anneal step to mimic the passivation temperature step. Texture in the CVD films was random, while the electroplated and sputtered films showed a strong {111} texture. Lines were then measured of each type. The measured strain was modeled using finite element calculations. While the strain in Cu was high compared to Al lines of similar geometry, no stress voiding was observed using high voltage scanning electron microscopy.
University of Michigan North Campus long-term vision and lidar dataset

This paper documents a large scale, long-term autonomy dataset for robotics research collected on the University of Michigan's North Campus. The dataset consists of omnidirectional imagery, 3D lidar, planar lidar, GPS, and proprioceptive sensors for odometry collected using a Segway robot. The dataset was collected to facilitate research focusing on long-term autonomous operation in changing environments. The dataset is composed of 27 sessions spaced approximately biweekly over the course of 15 months. The sessions repeatedly explore the campus, both indoors and outdoors, on varying trajectories, and at different times of the day across all four seasons. This allows the dataset to capture many challenging elements including: moving obstacles e.g. pedestrians, bicyclists and cars, changing lighting, varying viewpoint, seasonal and weather changes e.g. falling leaves and snow, and long-term structural changes caused by construction projects. To further facilitate research, we also provide ground-truth pose for all sessions in a single frame of reference.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Outcomes in Patients With Stroke Aged 85 Years or Older.

Background In the United States, people 85 years of age or older have a growing number of strokes each year, and this age group is most at risk for disability. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) adhere closest to post-acute stroke rehabilitation guidelines and have the most desirable outcomes compared with skilled nursing facilities. As stroke is one of the leading causes of disability, knowledge of postrehabilitation outcomes is needed for this age group, although at present such information is limited. Objective The purpose of this study was to describe functional and discharge outcomes after IRF rehabilitation in people with stroke aged 85 years or older. Design A serial, cross-sectional design was used. Methods Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility–Patient Assessment Instrument data were analyzed beginning in 2002 for the first 5.5 years after implementation of the prospective payment system and included 71,652 cases. Discharge function, measured using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and community discharge were the discharge outcome measures. Sample description used frequencies and means. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) with post hoc testing were used to analyze the annual trends for discharge FIM and community discharge by age group (85–89, 90–94, 95–99, and ≥100 years). Risk-adjusted linear and logistic GEE models, with control for cluster, were used to analyze the association between both outcome measures and age group. Results Over 5.5 years, mean discharge FIM scores decreased by 3.6 points, and mean achievement of community discharge decreased 5.5%. Approximately 54% of the sample achieved community discharge. Continuous and logistic GEEs revealed factors associated with discharge outcomes. Limitations Results obtained using an observational design should not be viewed as indicating causation. The lack of control for a caregiver may have altered results. Conclusions The very elderly people admitted to IRF stroke rehabilitation made functional gains, and most were able to return to the community.
Layer-by-layer design and optimization of xerogel-based amperometric first generation biosensors for uric acid

Abstract A layer-by-layer (LbL) strategy of modifying an electrode with a specific combination of polymeric and xerogel materials is used to create an effective first generation biosensor for uric acid (UA) - a clinically relevant molecule implemented in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) diagnosis, a condition that can lead to a serious disorder called preeclampsia. In addition to offering a new, promising sensor for UA, this study represents significant progress for amperometric biosensor development since the strategy and materials employed were successfully and readily adapted from a glucose biosensor model scheme and used for the effective detection of UA, a fundamentally different molecule compared to glucose. Specifically, each of four, functional modifying layers (outer polyurethane (PU) selective membrane, the inner selective electropolymer, and the xerogel bi-layer) are systematically investigated and tailored for UA permeability and interferent discrimination. The role of PU hydrophobicity and its UA permeability are established while the enzyme-doped and outer diffusional xerogel layers are evaluated for uricase (UOx) species/loading and silane precursor dependence, respectively. LbL systematic evaluation reveals the specific combination of hydroxyl-methyl triethoxy silane (HMTES) xerogels, a polyluminol-aniline electropolymer, and 100% hydrophilic polyurethane yields impressive uric acid sensing performance: effective sensitivity (0.8 nA/μM), linear response across physiologically relevant UA concentrations (100–700 μM), fast response times (~ 10 s), low limits of detection (
Lagenidium humanum, a saprophyte isolated on dead human skin.

In the course of a study of saprophytic chytrids which inhabit keratinized tissues of animals the author discovered a large species of Lagenidiurm on small pieces of dead human skin. Bits of this tissue had been added to a watered soil culture from a cemetery near Briarcliff, N.Y. as a substratum for isolating and growing Rhizophydium keratinophilum (3) and Phlyctorhiza variabilis (4). Within three days it became heavily infected with Lagenidium sp. and the last of the two keratinophilic chytrids mentioned above. This species of Lagenidium was subsequently isolated and grown in pure culture on agar containing minute amounts of peptone, dextrose and yeast extract. Therefore, it is not strictly keratinophilic although it has been found only in keratinized tissues in nature. It also grows fairly rapidly and produces large submerged colonies in a liquid medium containing 0.1 per cent peptone, 1.0 per cent dextrose and 0.1 per cent yeast extract. Further studies are now under way to determine more specifically its nutrient requirements and growth by dry weight. The genus Lagenidium includes approximately twenty species (5, 6) some of which are imperfectly known, doubtful, and probably synonymous. All are reported to be weakly or strongly parasitic in algae, rhizoids of mosses, pollen grains, rotifers, mosquito larvae, copepods, Daphne, and eggs and newly-hatched individuals of the common blue crab. Only one species, L. giganteum, has been isolated and grown in pure culture on synthetic media. Couch (1) reported that this species may be cultured as a saprophyte but is weakly parasitic on mosquito larvae, Daphne and copepods in nature. The species discovered by the author on dead human skin is, therefore, the first member of Lagenidium reported to occur saprophytically in nature. It is characterized by
Interhospital Variability in Perioperative Red Blood Cell Ordering Patterns in United States Pediatric Surgical Patients.

Objective To evaluate perioperative red blood cell (RBC) ordering and interhospital variability patterns in pediatric patients undergoing surgical interventions at US children's hospitals. Study design This is a multicenter cross-sectional study of children aged Results A total of 357 007 surgical interventions were identified across all participating hospitals. Blood type and crossmatch was performed 55 632 times, and 13 736 transfusions were provided, for a TCTR of 4:1. There was an association between increasing age and TCTR ( R 2 = 0.43). Patients with multiple CCCs had lower TCTRs, with a stronger relationship ( R 2 = 0.77). There was broad variability in adjusted TCTRs among hospitals (range, 2.5-25). Conclusions The average TCTR in US children's hospitals was double that of adult surgical data, and was associated with wide interhospital variability. Age and the presence of CCCs markedly influenced this ratio. Studies to evaluate optimal preoperative RBC ordering and standardization of practices could potentially decrease unnecessary costs and wasted blood.
Covalent Nitrogen Doping and Compressive Strain in MoS2 by Remote N2 Plasma Exposure.

Controllable doping of two-dimensional materials is highly desired for ideal device performance in both hetero- and p-n homojunctions. Herein, we propose an effective strategy for doping of MoS2 with nitrogen through a remote N2 plasma surface treatment. By monitoring the surface chemistry of MoS2 upon N2 plasma exposure using in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we identified the presence of covalently bonded nitrogen in MoS2, where substitution of the chalcogen sulfur by nitrogen is determined as the doping mechanism. Furthermore, the electrical characterization demonstrates that p-type doping of MoS2 is achieved by nitrogen doping, which is in agreement with theoretical predictions. Notably, we found that the presence of nitrogen can induce compressive strain in the MoS2 structure, which represents the first evidence of strain induced by substitutional doping in a transition metal dichalcogenide material. Finally, our first principle calculations support the experimental demonstration of such stra...
Observation of Shell Structure, Electronic Screening, and Energetic Limiting in Sparks

We study the formation of micron-sized spark discharges in high-pressure xenon on the nanosecond time scale. The spark's energy per length is measured through the expansion dynamics of the generated shock wave, and is observed to scale linearly with the spark radius. At the same time, the surface temperature of the spark channel remains constant. Together, these observations allow us to conclude that the spark channel, up to 40 μm in overall radius, is actually an energetically hollow shell about 20 μm thick. Further, the energy per nucleus in the shell is about 15 eV, independent of size and density. To reconcile these findings with the opacity to visible light, we appeal to collective screening processes that dramatically lower the effective ionization potential, allowing a much higher electron density than is otherwise expected. Thus, nanosecond measurements of sparks provide access to the thermodynamics and kinetics of strongly correlated plasmas.
Effects of distributions in tilted and conventional perpendicular recording

Tilted and conventional perpendicular recording has been proposed as an effective method for recording densities beyond 100 Gbit/in/sup 2/. Recent study have shown the recording densities were limited, to large extend, by the anisotropy magnitude distribution In this paper, we study the effects of distributions in detail utilizing both analyses and micromagnetic simulations.
Computational Design of Rare-Earth-Free Magnets with the Ti3Co5B2-Type Structure

The prolific Ti3Co5B2 structure type has produced exciting materials with tunable magnetic properties, ranging from soft magnetic Ti2FeRh5B2, to semihard magnetic Ti2FeRu4RhB2 and hard magnetic Sc2FeRu3Ir2B2. Density functional theory (DFT) was employed to investigate their spin–orbit coupling effect, spin exchange, and magnetic dipole–dipole interactions in order to understand their magnetic anisotropy and relate it to their various coercivities, with the objective of being able to predict new materials with large magnetic anisotropy. Our calculations show that the contribution of magnetic dipole–dipole interactions to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MAE) in Ti3Co5B2-type compounds is much weaker than the spin–orbit coupling effect, and Sc2FeRu3Ir2B2 has, by far, the largest MAE and strong intrachain and interchain Fe–Fe spin exchange coupling, thus confirming its hard magnetic properties. We then targeted materials containing the more earth-abundant and less expensive Co, instead of Rh, Ru or ...
A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders.

Importance Several studies now provide evidence of ketamine hydrochloride’s ability to produce rapid and robust antidepressant effects in patients with mood and anxiety disorders that were previously resistant to treatment. Despite the relatively small sample sizes, lack of longer-term data on efficacy, and limited data on safety provided by these studies, they have led to increased use of ketamine as an off-label treatment for mood and other psychiatric disorders. Observations This review and consensus statement provides a general overview of the data on the use of ketamine for the treatment of mood disorders and highlights the limitations of the existing knowledge. While ketamine may be beneficial to some patients with mood disorders, it is important to consider the limitations of the available data and the potential risk associated with the drug when considering the treatment option. Conclusions and Relevance The suggestions provided are intended to facilitate clinical decision making and encourage an evidence-based approach to using ketamine in the treatment of psychiatric disorders considering the limited information that is currently available. This article provides information on potentially important issues related to the off-label treatment approach that should be considered to help ensure patient safety.
Immune Myopathy With Perimysial Pathology Associated With Interstitial Lung Disease and Anti-EJ Antibodies.

Objectives We report a case of immune myopathy with perimysial pathology associated with anti-glycyl-transfer RNA synthetase (anti-EJ) antibody and an excellent treatment response. Methods Chart review. Results A 36-year-old woman presented with 3 months of fatigue, weight loss, progressive weakness in a scapuloperoneal distribution, and dysphagia. Nerve conduction studies, electromyography, and ultrasound suggested an irritable myopathy. She had marked elevations of creatine kinase and positive anti-glycyl-transfer RNA synthetase (anti-EJ) antibodies. A left biceps muscle biopsy revealed inflammation of the perimysium and surrounding perimysial blood vessels with focal fragmentation of the perimysium. Further evaluation revealed interstitial lung disease. Treatment with prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil led to marked clinical improvement of her symptoms. Conclusions Our case adds to the growing spectrum of inflammatory myopathies and highlights the importance of performing a comprehensive, multisystem workup.
Measurement of Economic Growth and Convergence: A New Approach

This note presents a simple model to measure the relative economic growth of economic systems. The model considers S-Shaped pattern of economic growth which represented with a linear model provides information on how an economic system growth in comparison with another one. In particular, this model introduces a criterion which indicates if the dynamic of economic system has following a process of economic growth or development.
Canonical Markovian Representations and Linear Prediction

Abstract Optimal linear predictors, including the kalman-predictor, are constructed in a novel way without using the usual Riccati-equation. The new approach involves in most cases fewer variables than the Riccati-equation. For stationary processes a “fast” algorithm is described for the construction of the optimal predictors.
Translating Science to Practice: Lessons Learned Implementing Evidence-Based Treatments in US Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs

Despite significant effort devoted to developing and testing treatments for substance use disorders (SUD), most individuals who receive treatment in the United States (USA) do not receive evidence-based care. In this article, we summarize the emerging body of descriptive research that focuses on the question of why SUD treatment programs in the USA do not use evidence-based treatments (EBT) more and highlight initiatives that have shown promise as ways to facilitate their use. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) as a guide, we provide an overview of how various factors promote or inhibit the use of evidence-based treatments in SUD treatment settings in the USA. We then discuss how promising approaches to facilitate the use of EBT build upon many CFIR concepts and constructs. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the USA experience with EBT implementation for non-Western nations as they develop SUD services, highlighting three main lessons learned: (1) historical and cultural factors impact EBT implementation; (2) studies that test both clinical effectiveness and implementation outcomes can enhance implementation; and (3) multilevel implementation approaches may have greater impact than strategies that address just one level of change (e.g., individuals, organizations, systems).
Relaxation Dynamics and Strain Persistency of Azobenzene‐Functionalized Polymers and Actuators

The accumulation of photoinduced deformation in azobenzene functionalized polymers has received a significant amount of attention in recent years. Critically, the induced photomechanical deformation in these systems experiences varying degrees of relaxation. Control over the persistence of photomechanical strains is vital to the broader utility of these materials in shape programmable systems including soft robotics and engineered origami. Furthermore, investigations of relaxation in light responsive polymer systems triggered by UV light are more prominent than those triggered by blue-green light. In this study, the impact of chain mobility and initially induced photostrain on the relaxation dynamics of azobenzene-functionalized polyimides after irradiation with blue light is examined. A modeling effort coupling chromophore population dynamics to material strain is carried out to further explore the relationship between material structure, relaxation dynamics, and macroscopic deformation. The implications for controlling strain persistence are highlighted by simulating one example of a photoprimed bistable actuator.
Anthropogenic nitrogen deposition ameliorates the decline in tree growth caused by a drier climate.

Most forest ecosystems are simultaneously affected by concurrent global change drivers. However, when assessing these effects, studies have mainly focused on the responses to single factors and have rarely evaluated the joined effects of the multiple aspects of environmental change. Here, we analyzed the combined effects of anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition and climatic conditions on the radial growth of Acer saccharum, a dominant tree species in eastern North American forests. We capitalized on a long-term N deposition study, replicated along a latitudinal gradient, that has been taking place for more than 20 yr. We analyzed tree radial growth as a function of anthropogenic N deposition (ambient and experimental addition) and of summer temperature and soil water conditions. Our results reveal that experimental N deposition enhances radial growth of this species, an effect that was accentuated as temperature increased and soil water became more limiting. The spatial and temporal extent of our data also allowed us to assert that the positive effects of growing under the experimental N deposition are likely due to changes in the physiological performance of this species, and not due to the positive correlation between soil N and soil water holding capacity, as has been previously speculated in other studies. Our simulations of tree growth under forecasted climate scenarios specific for this region also revealed that although anthropogenic N deposition may enhance tree growth under a large array of environmental conditions, it will not mitigate the expected effects of growing under the considerably drier conditions characteristic of our most extreme climatic scenario.
Impact of Mohs Micrographic Surgery on Tumor Staging of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Comparison of the 7th and 8th Editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Guidelines.

BACKGROUNDBased on current AJCC-7 guidelines for staging cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), patients with T2 tumor staging represent a prognostically heterogeneous group. The new AJCC-8 guidelines seek to provide improved stratification by inclusion of independent risk factors in the T3 categ
You Take the Embryos but I Get the House (and the Business): Recent Trends in Awards involving Embryos upon Divorce

More and more couples must decide what to do with frozen embryos upon divorce. This article discusses the developing jurisprudence, comparing different approaches adopted or suggested in various jurisdictions. The article concludes that while the enforceable agreement approach has its own difficulties, it is far preferable to some of the other approaches currently proposed or adopted.
Challenges in Analysis

Mathematical analysis, and in particular Harmonic Analysis, has traditionally been tied to physical modeling — providing the language to describe the infinitesimal laws of nature through calculus and partial differential expressions as well as descriptions of field effects through integral operators, spectral and functional analysis.