cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simple Adaptive Control Strategy Applied to Reduce Response of Bridge Structure Subjected to Changes in Plant

In this study, Simple Adaptive Control (SAC) effectiveness in mitigating excessive response of a three-span continuous bridge subjected to earthquake load is examined, before and after parametric change is introduced. SAC performance is compared to LQR, and to a purely passive control scheme. Both SAC and LQR are designed considering the ideal structure and compared. Posteriorly, a stiffness reduction of 20% to both piers is introduced, and the performance is again compared. SAC is successful in sustaining the performance under parametric change, and is successful in reducing the response for both the ideal structure and after the stiffness reduction is introduced. Its performance is superior to the others control schemes under parametric variation.
Adaptive finite‐time formation tracking control for multiple nonholonomic UAV system with uncertainties and quantized input

Summary An adaptive finite‐time formation tracking control approach is proposed for multiple unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system with quantized input signals in this paper. The UAVs are described ...
A differential-algebraic study of the intrusion of logarithms into asymptotic expansions

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews a differential-algebraic study of the intrusion of logarithms into asymptotic expansions. The nonappearances of high-ranking logarithms are elementary instances of results which are obtained in the chapter., The domain of operations is a graduated logarithmic field, which, roughly speaking, is an abstract differential field having extra structure designed to provide a setting for asymptotic expansions. The rank-rise problem for asymptotic expansions is to determine, for an r-inscribed first-order differential polynomial P, how large the logarithmic rank of mn can be if mn is a term in an asymptotic expansion of a solution of P.
P12 Health Perceptions of Children in the Mississippi Delta

Background High rates of food insecurity, poverty, lack of educational attainment and limited health-promoting resources have contributed to a largely obesogenic environment in rural Mississippi. Health behavior, however, depends not only on the objective environment but also on how a person perceives that environment. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify adolescents’ perceptions of healthy eating and health in a small, rural town in the Mississippi Delta. Study Design, Settings, Participants Subjects were a convenience sample of 14 adolescents, between ages 10 and 18, who were recruited to participate at a local food pantry. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Qualitative interviews included questions concerning knowledge, perceptions, and definitions of physical activity and healthy eating, as well as available resources for obtaining health-related information. A thematic approach was used to analyze interview transcripts. Results Participants displayed an overall lack of knowledge of and saw little value in healthy eating and physical activity. Informational resources were identified as gym and health class in school, parents, sports coaches, television and the grocery store; although, gym and health class were mentioned predominately for promoting physical activity, not healthy eating. Because of the lack of maintained sidewalks or a fitness center, physical activity outside of the gym class only takes place during sports-related events. Adolescents identified their parent's cooking as both a facilitator and barrier to eating healthy. Conclusion Utilizing school gym class as a platform to teach nutrition education for adolescents would provide knowledge and awareness in a setting that participants deem informative. Also, a parent-child cooking class teaching practical skills and cooking techniques in an after-school setting can improve cooking at home, which is currently labeled a barrier. This study provided important insight for future research studies by describing barriers to healthy behaviors for adolescents in this rural community, as well as identifying existing and needed resources. Funding University of Mississippi.
Online Diversity Communication at Bank of America

This chapter tackles diversity communication at Bank of America. The analysis reveals that the company should further detail and clarify its diversity approaches in order to enhance the users’ understanding of their impact and importance.
A Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Controller-Based Sensorless Control Scheme for PMSM Drives

Sliding-mode observer (SMO)-based rotor position sensorless field-oriented control (FOC) methods have been widely employed for permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives used in electric vehicles. However, these methods have two main problems: phase delay and speed chattering. To cope with these two issues, a linear active disturbance rejection controller (LADRC)-based sensorless FOC scheme is proposed in this paper. The LADRC consists of a linear extended state observer (LESO) and a proportional current controller. The LESO is designed to estimate the back electromotive force (EMF) of the PMSM, which is treated as the external disturbance, without using any low-pass filter or switching function. Then, the rotor position and speed are obtained from the estimated back EMF without any phase delay or speed chattering problem. The estimated disturbance is used as a feedforward compensation term for the input of the plant. The plant combined with the LESO is equivalent to a zero-pole first-order system with a unity gain, which is controlled by a simple proportional current controller to generate the desired voltage vector for the pulse-width modulation (PWM) control of the PMSM inverter. The proposed LADRC-based sensorless FOC scheme is validated by both simulation and experimental results for a 275-W salient-pole PMSM drive in which the PMSM is similar to the traction motor used in Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicles at a reduced scale.
Differential Effect of Long‐Term Systemic Exposure of TNFα on Health of the Annulus Fibrosus and Nucleus Pulposus of the Intervertebral Disc

The inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is considered to play a key role in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc disease. To evaluate the importance of this cytokine we examined the inflammatory environment and spinal phenotype of 9-month-old human TNFα overexpressing transgenic (hTNFα-TG) mice. The mice evidenced increased circulating levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-2, keratinocyte chemoattractant/human growth-regulated oncogene (KC/GRO), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) along with thinning of the cortical and trabecular vertebral bone. Surprisingly, although the nucleus pulposus (NP) of these mice was intact and healthy, the caudal annulus fibrosus (AF) evidenced robust cell death and immune cell infiltration. Despite these differences, there were no obvious alterations in the collagen or aggrecan content in the NP and AF. However, there was a reduction in cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), suggesting destabilization of the AF matrix. Microarray analysis of the NP from hTNFα-TG mice cells revealed minimal changes in global gene expression. These findings lend support to the notion that NP tissue is isolated from systemic inflammation. In contrast, the severe AF phenotype suggests that systemic inflammation interferes with AF health, predisposing discs to herniation as opposed to directly causing NP degeneration. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
‘Case of the Month’ from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA: managing newly diagnosed metastatic testicular germ cell tumour in a COVID-19-positive patient

A 17‐year‐old young man with history of a congenital solitary left testis presented to our clinic in late April 2020 with left testicular swelling and discomfort over the preceding few weeks. The patient denied unintentional weight loss or nipple tenderness but reported new, mild left‐sided back discomfort. His medical history was notable for asthma and a congenitally absent right testis for which he underwent negative surgical exploration in childhood.
Review of Resisting Rape Culture through Pop Culture: by Kelly Wilz, Rowman & Littlefield, Lexington Books, 2020, $95 (Hardback), ISBN:9781498588683

Over the past few years, the topics of consent, sexual assault, and women’s rights have been addressed both by major social movements and newsworthy events. With the rise of #metoo, #timesup, the e...
The Impact on Driving Pressure Using the Time Controlled Adaptive Ventilation versus the ARDSnet ARMA Method to Adjust Mechanical Ventilation in Simulated ARDS

Background: ARDS remains a significant problem with high mortality. The only treatments are supportive mechanical ventilation (MV) and proning. However, an unintended ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) can increase mortality if MV is set inappropriately. Key mechanisms of VILI are overdistension (OD) and repetitive alveolar collapse and expansion (RACE). Conventional MV attempts to minimize OD using a one-size-fits all lower tidal volumes (VT), typically 6 mL/kg IBW. Higher PEEP, adjusted by oxygenation utilizing the ARDSnet PEEP/FIO2 protocol, is used to minimize RACE. Driving pressure (ΔP) reflects characteristics of respiratory system compliance (CRS). It has been shown that high ΔP impacts risk of VILI and ARDS-related mortality independent of VT, PEEP, or plateau pressure (Pplat). We hypothesize that the personalized TCAV method to set and adjust the airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) mode is superior to the one-size-fits-all low VT ARMA method at maintaining a low ΔP with reduced CRS in a test lung. Methods: Two groups were studied using a test lung (ASL 5000) and a Drager Evita ventilator at the following CRS settings: normal lungs, mild, moderate, and severe ARDS. TCAV group: PHIGH of 30 cm H2O, PLOW of 0 cm H2O, THIGH of 5 s. and TLOW set to achieve the termination of peak expiratory flow (T-PEF) of 75%. ARMA group: used the Volume Control - Assist Control mode with a VT of 400 mL (simulating 6 mL/kg IBW), RR of 12 breaths/min, and inspiratory time of 1 s. PEEP of 5 cm H2O was set for normal CRS, and increased at each level of worsening CRS, consistent with predictable settings for mild (8 cm H2O), moderate (10 cm H2O), and severe (14 cm H2O), ARDS. At each compliance setting, we measured peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), Pplat, and driving ΔP (VT/CRS). Relationships between variables were measured by Pearson r correlation coefficient; groups were compared using a one-tailed unpaired student t-test. Alpha was set at 0.01. Results: ΔP was significantly lower in severe ARDS with TCAV method compared to ARMA method (P = 0.0063). TCAV: as CRS decreased VT decreased (from 680 mL to 372 mL; r = +0.82) and ΔP decreased from 25.4 to 10.5; r = -0.93). ARMA: as CRS decreased ΔP increased (from 7 to 32 cm H2O; r = -0.92) and PIP increased (from 15-46 cm H2O; r = -0.95). Conclusions: The TCAV method is personalized and adaptive to changes in CRS using the slope of the expiratory flow curve and thus will reduce VT in response to a fall in CRS, keeping the ΔP in the safe range.
Acupuncture for Oxaliplatin Chemotherapy–Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Colon Cancer: A Retrospective Case Series

Abstract Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and debilitating side-effect resulting from chemotherapy agents. CIPN is a significant concern for patients who have cancer, as CIPN has a negative impact on quality of life and can be a dose-limiting side-effect of chemotherapy, leading to decreased treatment efficacy. Currently, there are very few effective treatments for mitigating CIPN. However, several studies have shown that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)–based acupuncture may be effective for preventing and/or treating CIPN. This article describes the current authors' experience in an integrative oncology setting, illustrating the use of TCM-based acupuncture for treating CIPN resulting from oxaliplatin chemotherapy regimens. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective case series of 10 patients who were treated by physicians at the Southwestern Regional Medical Center (SRMC) of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at. At this medical center, advanc...
An infant incubator

Abstract An incubator is described in which an infant can be kept at the proper temperature and humidity, with proper ventilation and, to facilitate respiration, in an atmosphere containing a known and controlled mixture of oxygen and helium. A densimometer serves to determine the composition of the gaseous mixture within the chamber and to make certain that this composition remains constant during its use. When necessary, a mixture of carbon dioxide and oxygen can be used as a respiratory stimulant. Originally the incubator was designed for newborn infants of diabetic mothers, in an attempt to combat neonatal asphyxia, and the equipment has proved helpful in several instances. Subsequently it was found that the respiratory failure of such infants can be successfully prevented by prenatal hormone therapy. The clinical experience with the incubator is discussed.
A Case Series Exploration of a Possible Relationship between Non-Epileptic Behavioral Spells and Migraine (P4.256)

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between behavioral spells and migraine, particularly to investigate neurologic and psychiatric interactions in patients with these conditions. BACKGROUND: Behavioral spells are common events manifesting with altered consciousness, abnormal movements, or sensory experiences resembling epileptic seizures, but not associated with ictal epileptiform discharges. We observed a possible association between behavioral spells and migraine with some patients reporting a 1:1 co-occurrence of spells and headaches. This association has not been examined systematically. DESIGN/METHODS: This retrospective case series investigated 43 consecutive patients with behavioral spells and headache disorders. All patients completed full neurologic evaluations with epilepsy specialists, including video EEG monitoring, and multi-faceted behavioral medicine consultations. Data on demographics, semiology of spells, headache history, and final diagnoses were obtained. RESULTS: Thirty-two women and 11 men, mean age 38.8 ± 12.5 years, were included. Most were Caucasian, right handed, and married. One patient had solely headache-related spells (migraine with brainstem aura), 28 mixed headache/behavioral spells, and 14 behavioral spells not associated with their headache disorders. Twenty-three patients had spells presenting primarily with altered consciousness, 10 minor motor symptoms (tremors), 7 major motor symptoms (posturing, limb shaking), and 3 predominantly vestibular symptoms. Fifteen patients had vestibular symptoms during spells. Twenty subjects had episodic migraine, 9 chronic migraine, 4 episodic non-migrainous headaches with previous migraine, and 10 other headache disorders. Two-thirds (29/43) had spells that included headache symptoms. Subjects with episodic migraine (18/20) or past migraine (3/4), were significantly more likely to have headache-related spells than those with chronic migraine (5/9) or other headache disorders (3/10) (p<0.01). They also were more likely to have vestibular symptoms during spells (11/20 & 2/4 vs. 0/9 & 2/10, p<0.025). CONCLUSION: Migraine may contribute to the clinical presentation of non-epileptic behavioral spells in some patients, particularly those with altered consciousness, minor motor or vestibular symptoms. Disclosure: Dr. Tseng has nothing to disclose. Dr. Staab has nothing to disclose. Dr. Garza has received personal compensation for activities with UpToDate as an author. Dr. Garza has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. Dr. Cascino has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Neurology. Dr. Cascino9s institution has received license fee payments.
Overweight in the Pacific: links between foreign dependence, global food trade, and obesity in the Federated States of Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has received considerable attention for their alarming rates of overweight and obesity. On Kosrae, one of the four districts in the FSM, 88% of adults aged 20 or older are overweight (BMI > 25), 59% are obese (BMI > 30), and 24% are extremely obese (BMI > 35). Recent genetic studies in Kosrae have shown that obesity is a highly heritable trait, and more work is underway to identify obesity genes in humans. However, less attention has been given to potential social and developmental causes of obesity in the FSM. This paper outlines the long history of foreign rule and social change over the last 100 years, and suggests that a combination of dietary change influenced by foreigners, dependence on foreign aid, and the ease of global food trade contributed to poor diet and increased rates of obesity in Micronesia. The last section of the paper highlights the Pacific tuna trade as an example of how foreign dependence and global food trade exacerbates their obesity epidemic.
Contemporaneous comparison of open vs minimally‐invasive radical prostatectomy for high‐risk prostate cancer

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The ideal treatment for men with high-risk prostate cancer is controversial, although most physicians agree that a multimodal approach, including radiation and hormone therapy with or without surgery, offers the best chance of cancer control. Minimally-invasive radical prostatectomy has emerged as a treatment option for clinically localized cancer; however, critics argue that the open approach may afford advantages of tactile feedback and a better lymph node dissection. The present study demonstrates that open and minimally-invasive radical prostatectomy offer equivalent short-term outcomes for men with high-risk prostate cancer at a highly experienced centre. Objectives To analyze pathological and short-term oncological outcomes in men undergoing open and minimally-invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) for high-risk prostate cancer (HRPC; prostate-specific antigen level [PSA] >20 ng/mL, ≥ cT2c, Gleason score 8–10) in a contemporaneous series. Patients and Methods In total, 913 patients with HRPC were identified in the Johns Hopkins Radical Prostatectomy Database subsequent to the inception of MIRP at this institution (2002–2011) Of these, 743 (81.4%) underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy (ORRP), 105 (11.5%) underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) and 65 (7.1%) underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) for HRPC. Appropriate comparative tests were used to evaluate patient and prostate cancer characteristics. Proportional hazards regression models were used to predict biochemical recurrence. Results Age, race, body mass index, preoperative PSA level, clinical stage, number of positive cores and Gleason score at final pathology were similar between ORRP and MIRP. On average, men undergoing MIRP had smaller prostates and more organ-confined (pT2) disease (P = 0.02). The number of surgeons and surgeon experience were greatest for the ORRP cohort. Overall surgical margin rate was 29.4%, 34.3% and 27.7% (P = 0.52) and 1.9%, 2.9% and 6.2% (P = 0.39) for pT2 disease in men undergoing ORRP, RALRP and LRP, respectively. Biochemical recurrence-free survival among ORRP, RALRP and LRP was 56.3%, 67.8% and 41.1%, respectively, at 3 years (P = 0.6) and the approach employed did not predict biochemical recurrence in regression models. Conclusions At an experienced centre, MIRP is comparable to open radical prostatectomy for HRPC with respect to surgical margin status and biochemical recurrence.
88 – Gender-Specific Issues in Non-HIV Viral Infections

This chapter examines gender-specific manifestations of viral infections resulting from differences in pathophysiology, viral infections resulting from differences in exposures or risk factors, and manifestations specific to pregnancy. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) seroprevalence is characterized by an age-dependent increase that is similar in diverse geographic areas. Starting with adolescence, however, the prevalence increases and infection rates between males and females diverge, with female rates exceeding male rates. This trend continues into adulthood, and whereas male rates plateau by the age of 40 years, female rates continue to increase and peak at about the age of 60 years. Asymptomatic viruria with Human polyomaviruses JC and B K virus occurs primarily in immunosuppressed patients and pregnant women; in humans with intact immune function it is a rare occurrence.The morbidity and mortality of measles are higher in pregnant women mostly because of an increased risk of measles virus pneumonia during the third trimester and puerperium.
Emerging strategies for targeting PI3K in gynecologic cancer

Ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancers are the most prevalent gynecologic cancers in the United States and account for significant mortality. Translational research into these cancers has highlighted the distinctive molecular and genomic profiles of these cancers finding that, even within a disease site, the landscapes and drivers of neoplasia are distinctive. Despite this molecular diversity, activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway appears to be conserved in subsets of these tumors, suggesting that strategies that antagonize mediators in this signaling cascade could offer anti-tumor efficacy. Extensive pre-clinical and clinical data have demonstrated that single agent targeted therapies lead to modest single agent activity of generally limited duration, even in the setting of innate PI3K pathway activation via mutation or amplification. These findings in the laboratory and clinic have prompted investigations into resistance pathways following PI3K pathway inhibition in order to understand escape pathways and restore tumor cell sensitivity. A next generation of clinical trial investigations will focus on novel combinations in order to define how these important therapeutics can be used in the clinic. This review will present preclinical data that supports the role of the PI3K pathway in ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancers, in addition to discussing the reported clinical trial experience with PI3K pathway inhibition. A specific focus will be on the rationale behind ongoing clinical trials utilizing novel agents in concert with PI3K pathway inhibitors to reverse resistance in populations with and without gain of function alterations in this oncogenic signaling cascade.
The Imperative of Place: Homicide and the New Latino Migration

Prior research finds that Latino immigration reduced violence. We argue that this is because they settled in traditional immigrant areas. But recent migrants settled in new destinations where the immigration–violence link is more complex. Contrary to previous findings, we observe that (1) Latino homicide victimization is higher in new destinations; (2) Latino immigration increases victimization rates, but only in new destinations and only for Latinos entering after 1990, when they fanned out to new destinations; and (3) Latino deprivation increases victimization only in new destinations because, we speculate, these new areas lack the protective social control umbrella of traditional destinations. Thus, the “Latino paradox” may be less useful than time-honored sociological frameworks for understanding the link between Latino immigration and violence.
Preliminary Standardization of the Cognitive Estimation Test

A modification of the Cognitive Estimation Test (CET) by Shallice and Evans was developed to assist in the scoring and interpretation of this measure of problem solving. Two studies were presented. In Study 1, the modified CET that required numeric responses was administered to 164 employed adults. Deviation scores were derived from percentiles from mean performance of this sample. Total deviation scores were highest for the least educated group. Study 2 found CET deviation scores to be significantly higher for a severe traumatic brain injury group relative to a sample of medical outpatients. The normative and clinical data presented are meant to serve as a starting point for further validation of this new measure.
Assessing the effectiveness of different visualizations for judgments of positional uncertainty

Many techniques have been proposed for visualizing uncertainty in geospatial data. Previous empirical research on the effectiveness of visualizations of geospatial uncertainty has focused primarily on user intuitions rather than objective measures of performance when reasoning under uncertainty. Framed in the context of Google’s blue dot, we examined the effectiveness of four alternative visualizations for representing positional uncertainty when reasoning about self-location data. Our task presents a mobile mapping scenario in which GPS satellite location readings produce location estimates with varying levels of uncertainty. Given a known location and two smartphone estimates of that known location, participants were asked to judge which smartphone produces the better location reading, taking uncertainty into account. We produced visualizations that vary by glyph type uniform blue circle with border vs. Gaussian fade and visibility of a centroid dot visible vs. not visible to produce the four visualization formats. Participants viewing the uniform blue circle are most likely to respond in accordance with the actual probability density of points sampled from bivariate normal distributions and additionally respond most rapidly. Participants reported a number of simple heuristics on which they based their judgments, and consistency with these heuristics was highly predictive of their judgments.
Transmission electron microscopy study of age hardening in a Mg-5 wt.% Zn alloy

In the temperature range from 149 to 260°C, the Mg-5 wt. % Zn alloy age hardens by the precipitation of a coherent transition lattice, MgZn, in the form of long thin rods perpendicular to the basal plane. At temperatures below 149°C, formation of G.P. zones hardens the alloy after very long aging times. Upon loss of coherency, the MgZn$rods transform to idiomorphs of the equilibrium MgZn phase. Basal slip and 10–12 twinning are the principal deformation modes between 25 and − 196°C. A small temperature dependence of the flow stress was observed. 10–12 twinning shears the MgZn' rods, but slip dislocations bow between the widely spaced (1000–2000 A) MgZn$precipitates. Thus precipitation of MgZn$produces only a moderate increase in strength.
Molecular machinery required for autophagy and the cytoplasm to vacuole targeting (Cvt) pathway in S. cerevisiae

Autophagy is a vacuolar trafficking pathway that targets subcellular constituents to the vacuole for degradation and recycling. In nutrient-rich conditions in yeast, a different vacuolar trafficking pathway, the cytoplasm to vacuole targeting (Cvt) pathway, transports the resident hydrolase aminopeptidase I to the vacuole, using many of the same molecular components as autophagy. The Cvt pathway is constitutive, whereas autophagy is induced by starvation. Recent studies have laid important groundwork for understanding the signaling mechanism that induces autophagy. Another key advance has been the identification of two novel conjugation systems that function in vesicle formation in both pathways. Finally, many autophagy- and Cvt-specific gene products, including those involved in lipid modification, vesicle expansion and cargo specificity, have been shown to localize to a novel perivacuolar membrane compartment. Additional analysis of this location will help in further dissecting the early events of vesicle formation and identifying the source of the sequestering membrane.
Temperature and rainfall influences on the phenology and yield of grain sorghum and maize: A comparison

Abstract Phenology models based on growing degree days were used to compare the phenology and yield responses of maize and sorghum to climate in southeast Nebraska. Maize and sorghum differ in rate of development during certain critical periods. Sorghum is more vulnerable than maize to excess moisture during germination and seedling establishment. Maize is more vulnerable to high temperature stress over a period that is three times longer than sorghum.
21-Year-old male with severe coronary atherosclerosis

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is not limited to middle-aged and elderly individuals; when premature CHD develops in the younger population, it has distinct characteristics in terms of lipid profile, risk factors, and clinical presentation. The following describes a 21-year-old male who presented with stable angina, underwent a full cardiac workup, and was ultimately found to have multivessel CHD. In summary, the presence of mild dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, obesity, and a family history was sufficient to induce ischemic heart disease at such a young age. .
Organometallic nucleophilic ring-opening of endo peroxides

Abstract The reaction of symmetrical and unsymmetrical endo peroxides with organometallic reagents affords hydroxy ethers. Primary, secondary, vinyl and aryl groups can be transferred with alkyllithium and Grignard reagents providing the best yields, organozincates, moderate. This demonstrates a new reactivity pattern for endoperoxides and provides a novel method for the formation of a variety of useful building blocks.
Purification and characterization of acetylcoenzyme A: deacetylvindoline 4-O-acetyltransferase from Catharanthus roseus.

Abstract The enzyme acetylcoenzyme A: deacetylvindoline 4- O -acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.-) (DAT), which catalyzes the final step in vindoline biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus , was purified 3300-fold using ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by gel filtration, anion exchange, hydroxyapatite, and affinity chromatographies. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of the purified DAT showed the presence of two major proteins having M r values of 33,000 and 21,000, whereas native PAGE showed three protein bands, and isoelectric focusing-PAGE one diffuse protein band (p I = 4.7−5.3) plus two minor protein bands (p I = 5.7 and 6.1). Purified DAT possessed K m values of 6.5 μ m and 1.3μ m for acetylcoenzyme A and deacetylvindoline, respectively, and V max values of 12.6 pkat/μg protein (acetylcoenzyme A) and 10.1 pkat/μg protein (deacetylvindoline). Inhibition of DAT by tabersonine, coenzyme A, and cations (K + , Mg 2+ , and Mn 2+ ) was observed, while the pH optimum of this enzyme was determined to be 7.5 to 9.
For Consensus (Sometimes)

ed because (1) they give equal weight to each data set, thus reducing the potential for data sets with relatively large numbers of characters to swamp data sets with fewer characters (Kluge, 1983), and (2) they are thought to give a conservative estimate of phylogeny (Hillis, 1987). However, advo? cates of the combined approach have coun? tered that (1) giving data sets equal weight results in an arbitrary differential weight? ing of characters (Cracraft and Mindell, 1989), (2) consensus trees do not necessar? ily indicate the most-parsimonious pattern of character change (Miyamoto, 1985), and (3) consensus trees can actually contradict combined trees, thus consensus methods are not necessarily conservative (Barrett et al., 1991). Despite these justifiable criticisms of consensus, some consensus methods do give appropriate conservative representa? tions of phylogenetic relationships in certain circumstances. In some instances, it makes no sense to use the combined ap? proach. My argument is based on some? thing that has been lacking in previous discussions of consensus versus combined
SEVERE AND PROLONGED HYPOGLYCEMIC SHOCK DURING SULFONYLUREA TREATMENT.

Abstract Prolonged, severe hypoglycemic reactions during treatment with conventional doses of sulfonylureas may occur occasionally. The shock symptoms may persist for days and they may result in permanent neurologic deficits or even death. The older undernourished diabetic with late onset and short duration of his diabetes with low previous insulin requirements and with a history of shock, is more prone to acquire such reactions. Retention and accumulation of the sulfonylurea by insufficient, ischemic kidneys in the elderly diabetic is suggested as one possible mechanism for such reaction. The importance of vulnerable, ischemic areas in the brain in the arteriosclerotic diabetic which may give rise to cerebral symptomatology or permanent injury under the added stress of hypoglycemia has been discussed.
Effect of Laminate Configuration and Impactor's Mass on the Initial Impact Damage of Graphite/Epoxy Composite Plates Due to Line-Loading Impact:

An investigation was performed to study the effect of stacking sequence, thickness, and impactor's mass on the impact damage of graphite/epoxy laminated com posites due to low-velocity impact. The major focus of the study was concentrated on the initial damage and the corresponding impact energy with respect to these parameters. Ex periments were performed using specially designed line-nose impactors by which the re sulting impact damage and failure mode of the composites could easily be inspected. Ac cordingly, the velocities of the impactors causing initial impact damage in the composites were determined, and the effects of the laminate configuration and the mass of the impac tor on the damage were established. Numerical simulations based on the model, which was developed previously, were also performed in order to understand the basic mechanics and mechanisms governing the phenomena observed from the experiments. Based on the study, it can be concluded that the change of stacking sequence significantly...
Measurement of organic acids with a n-silicon semiconductor anode

Abstract A combination N-silicon/stainless steel electrode is suitable for the measurement of water-soluble organic acids with Kion values exceeding 1·10-6. A commercial acid concentration meter was used for the measurements; the standardization control permits a nearly linear response to the acids over the range 0.001– 0.050 N. Because of the semiconductor temperature sensitivity, precise measurements require the use of temperature compensation. The combination electrode eliminates the problems found routinely with the standard alkali titration.
From Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative to Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative: New Clinical Practice Guidelines in Nephrology—What the Practicing Pharmacist Needs to Know

The use of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to guide rational treatment of patients is hardly novel to most areas of medicine or pharmacy but is a relatively new concept in nephrology where practice patterns have been dictated predominantly by opinion. This situation has undergone significant and dramatic change in the last few years, however, and CPGs have now been produced to address the management problems that face clinicians caring for patients with kidney diseases. This is the first of a series of planned articles designed to review these new kidney-related CPGs that are most likely to affect the practice of pharmacy in many areas. This article provides a broad overview to the background of the development of CPGs in nephrology and the methodology used. Subsequent articles will identify in some detail current and pending CPGs that relate to pharmacotherapy.
A Review of NASA Combustor and Turbine Heat Transfer Research

The thermal design of the combustor and turbine of a gas turbine engine poses a number of difficult heat transfer problems. The importance of improved prediction techniques becomes more critical in anticipation of future generations of gas turbine engines which will operate at higher cycle pressure and temperatures. Research which addresses many of the complex heat transfer processes holds promise for yielding significant improvements in prediction of metal temperatures. Such research involves several kinds of program including: (1) basic experiments which delineate the fundamental flow and heat transfer phenomena that occur in the hot sections of the gas turbine but at low enthalpy conditions; (2) analytical modeling of these flow and heat transfer phenomena which results from the physical insights gained in experimental research; and (3) verification of advanced prediction techniques in facilities which operate near the real engine thermodynamic conditions. In this paper, key elements of the NASA program which involves turbine and combustor heat transfer research will be described and discussed.
The Solar Continuum in the Far-Infrared and Millimetre Regions

Two properties of the far-infrared solar continuum make its study important for determining the temperature structure of the solar chromosphere: ( a ) The opacity increases toward longer wavelengths as the square of the wavelength, so chromospheric structures that are transparent in the visible tend to become optically thick and hence more easily observable in the far infrared. ( b )Since the opacity is due to free-free transitions of hydrogen or of the negative hydrogen ion, we may rigorously assume local thermodynamic equilibrium in the absorption and emission; i.e. we are certain that temperatures deduced from observations are true electron temperatures. This avoids serious problems of interpretation that are present in chromospheric observations at shorter wavelengths.
Revisiting Men's Role in Father Involvement: The Importance of Personal Expectations.

Using fathers’ and mothers’ reports of expectations (measured prenatally) and father involvement (measured postnatally), we examined how both parents influence the likelihood that new fathers would be involved in instrumental (feeding, bathing, and changing the infant) and affective (playing and reading to the infant) caregiving activities. The study employed a longitudinal design with 68 couples participating in both the prenatal (e.g., approximately three months before the infant was born) and postnatal (e.g., between three to six months after the birth of the infant) phases of the study. Results indicate that both parents’ expectations are substantial predictors of instrumental involvement (as reported by both fathers and mothers), and that fathers’ expectations are stronger than mothers’ expectations for predicting affective involvement. Limitations follow.
Central Asia Reader: The Rediscovery of History Edited by H. B. Paksoy. Armonk, N. Y.: M. E. Sharpe, Inc., 1994. ix, 240 pp. $60.00(cloth); $21.95(paper).

An analysis of local legislative and budgetary politics during the late Soviet and post-Soviet period with case studies of electoral behaviour, distribution processes, political contestation, and institutional development.
Evaluation of instruction: students’ patterns of use and contribution to RateMyProfessors.com

RateMyProfessors.com (RMP) is the most popular commercial website to evaluate instructors, and houses a wealth of student-generated information in the form of ratings and reviews. This study investigated whether general chemistry students who use RMP were different from other students, and their reasons to use and contribute to the site. A pool of 398 students were surveyed. The survey gathered demographic information, patterns and frequency of use, and information to characterise participants in terms of their learning/grade orientation. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics and the application of mixture models (latent class analysis and latent profile analysis). There were no significant differences between contributors and non-contributors in terms of gender, major, year status, grade point average, course load, previous chemistry grade and learning/grade orientation. Findings for this sample do not support the common assumption that students use RMP to shop for easy instructor...
Rooibos tea,aspalathus linearis, a caffeineless, low-tannin beverage

Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis , formerlyA. Contaminatus ), is a leguminous shrub with needlelike leaves native to mountain slopes of western Cape Province, South Africa. Its beverage use by the Hottentots was first reported by the botanist Carl Thunberg in 1772. About 1900, it began to be marketed and then domesticated on a small scale. Seed selection and improved cultivation and processing started in the 1920s. Important advances were made in 1930. Demand for the product jumped during World War II because of the shortage of Oriental tea, then declined. The industry was stabilized in 1954 and continued to expand, with exports to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada and, to a very limited extent, the United States. A fungus disease, then drought, followed by floods temporarily reduced the supply in 1980. The tea is gaining recognition for its freedom from caffeine, low tannin and high ascorbic acid content.It contains the antispasmodic principle, quercetin, and is said to have enoughfluoride to inhibit caries. Consumer tests indicate that rooibos tea may be an acceptable alternative to tea, coffee, cocoa and high-caffeine soft drinks.
Biodiversity for Sustainable Development: The CBD's Contribution to the MDGs

This article explores the links between biodiversity and sustainable human development, on the one hand, and the globally agreed Millennium Development Goals. In particular, it focuses on the important role and contribution that biodiversity and the 1992 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity can make to ongoing efforts and processes to reduce poverty, hunger, disease and environmental degradation worldwide. Damage to ecosystems, species and habitats, and the loss of biodiversity can and will have a serious impact on human health and development. The future of human development will be closely affected by individual choices and political decisions in industrialized countries. Governments, international financial institutions, the private sector, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations need to take action to meet their global responsibilities regarding biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction and sustainable development, and their responsibilities to present and future generations.
CASL: A rapid-prototyping language for modern micro-architectures

We introduce CASL, the CoGenT Architecture Specification Language, a mixed behavioral-structure architecture description language designed to facilitate fast-prototyping and tool generation for computer architectures with deep pipelines and complicated timing. We motivate a number of CASL features using examples drawn from modeling the IBM Cell Broadband Engine, including implicit connection of components, pipeline support, dynamic information contexts, contention, and timing annotations. We also describe a number of different applications for CASL, including generating timing simulators and instruction schedulers.
Loss of entanglement density during crazing

The formation of fibril surface area during craze growth requires a loss of entangled strand density in the fibrils themselves. To demonstrate the decrease in entangled chain density, thin films of polystyrene are bonded to soft copper grids and strained in tension. This procedure produces crazed specimens in which the craze fibrils can be characterized by a well-defined draw ratio,λ0. The films are then exposed to electron irradiation. This produces chemical crosslinks between the molecules, thus forming a crosslinked network. Subsequent heating of the film aboveTg results in the entanglement network trying to retract toλ=1. The crosslink network, however, tries to maintain theλ. of the craze fibrils atλ0. The craze fibrils thus retract to Ferry's “state of ease”,λS, where the tension of the entanglement network is balanced by the compression of the crosslink network. Measurements ofλs in crazes crosslinked and then healed confirm that a 25 to 50% loss of entanglement density in craze fibrils occurs, in agreement with theoretical predictions.
Amino acid and amine receptors of lobsters.

Abstract 1. 1. Chemoreceptors especially sensitive to glutamic acid, and/or short-chain tertiary amines, were detected in electrophysiological studies of both antennules and dactyls of Panulirus argus Gray. 2. 2. Behavior of intact animals supports the conclusion that these compounds are used as cues in normal feeding behavior.
Lasofoxifene reduced vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

Source Citation Cummings SR, Ensrud K, Delmas PD, et al. Lasofoxifene in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. N Engl J Med. 2010;362:686-96. 20181970
Display of arteriovenous anastomoses by double latex injection after vasodilatation with chloroform

Abstract Injection of arteriovenous anastomoses (AVA) is difficult to achieve because of their tendency to undergo postmortem constriction. Since AVA lack an internal elastic lamina, constriction results in almost complete obliteration of the lumina; however, chloroform inhalation produces dilatation thus permitting injection. The identification of AVA, their dissection, and manipulation are facilitated by double injection with contrasting colors of latex.
Timed vital capacity in bronchial asthma

Abstract 1.1. Eighty-two timed vital capacity measurements were studied in 36 patients with chronic bronchial asthma during (a) the symptom-free stage, (b) "spontaneous attacks," and (c) experimentally induced attacks of "asthma." 2.2. Symptom-free patients had a first second to total vital capacity ratio of 57.5 per cent. There was no significant change of the ratio after medication, although the component parts of timed vital capacity were improved. 3.3. The patients with spontaneous acute asthma had a first second to total vital capacity ratio of 58.1 per cent. This ratio decreased after the attack was relieved, because of the greater improvement of the total vital capacity rather than of the first second. 4.4. The patients with experimentally induced "asthma" had a ratio of 52 per cent. The ratio and its response to treatment showed a very close relationship to results obtained in spontaneous asthma. 5.5. Improvement in the total vital capacity, although subject to some criticism, may be employed as a guide to measure the over-all improvement of the asthmatic patient under treatment. 6.6. Timed vital capacity and all of its subdivisions represent a valuable technique for the quick estimation of the basic ventilatory disturbances. A decreased ratio of first second vital capacity to total vital capacity, in the presence of a markedly diminished total vital capacity, is a definite indication of the presence of obstructive ventilatory insufficiency. However, the ratio of first second to total vital capacity, considered alone, does not represent a valuable index of the degree of improvement of the asthmatic patient under treatment.
DNA sequence-dependent enhancement of Cy3 fluorescence

Cyanine dyes are extensively used as fluorescent probes in molecular biology, biochemical and biophysical applications. We investigated the fluorescent properties of Cy3 covalently attached to the 5′ terminus of DNA oligonucleotides, and demonstrated that its fluorescence efficiency and lifetime depend strongly on DNA sequence. DNA sequence determines the extent and nature of the interactions between the dye and the DNA bases, which are responsible for the unusual enhancement in fluorescence observed for a large number of oligonucleotides. Results are discussed in terms of a photoisomerization mechanism that deactivates the excited state and thus competes with fluorescence. The efficiency of isomerization decreases when Cy3-DNA interactions prevent rotation around the double bonds, resulting in an increase in the lifetime of the singlet excited state. We have shown that the ability of Cy3 to interact with DNA depends on the flexibility of the oligonucleotide and the presence of purines in the chain.