cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Ivermectin Treatment on Eosinophilic Pneumonia and Other Extra vascular Lesions of Late Strongylus vulgaris Larval Migration in Foals

Eighteen parasite-free pony foals were infected orally with 500 third stage larvae of Strongylus vulgaris. At 56 days after infection, six ponies were treated with intramuscular ivermectin (22, 23-dihydroavermectin B1); six were treated with oral ivermectin; and six were not treated. Necropsy was done 91 days after infection to study the pathologic effects of migrating S. vulgaris larvae and to determine the efficacy of ivermectin in attenuation of S. vulgaris-induced lesions. Larval migration induced eosinophilic inflammation of the liver, spleen, mesenteric, colic and cecal lymph nodes, and small and large intestine. Previously unreported parasitic lesions included eosinophilic pneumonia with eosinophilic granulomas and pulmonary lymphoid nodules. S. vulgaris larvae were observed in eosinophilic granulomas in the lung, epicardium, liver, and intestinal serosa. Injectable and oral ivermectin formulations were equally effective in reduction of these lesions.
Can innovative R&D performance be managed

Summary form only given. Companies around the world look toward their R&D function for innovative ideas that can be transferred to market for economic gain. Yet, managers often argue that innovative R&D performance is difficult to measure and nearly impossible to control. The findings of a field study into technology-oriented R&D environments show that effective management of innovative R&D teams involves a complex set of variables related to the task, people, and organizational environment. Correlation of these variables to performance suggests that many of the performance variables have their locus outside the R&D organization, however managerial leadership style has significant cross-functional impact and drives R&D creativity. This research focused on innovative R&D performance as an integral part of the total enterprise. A number of lessons have been learned from this study and its broader context. First, successful organizations and their managers pay attention to the human side. Second, effective cross functional integration is the key to transferring technology from the discovery stage to a profitable product or service. Third, innovation can rarely be directed in a top-down fashion, but requires a great deal of autonomy and freedom to experiment, explore and interact with others, and evaluate possibilities. Fourth, innovative work groups have good leadership.
Lipid changes in microsomes and crude plastid fractions during storage of tomato frutis at chilling and nonchilling temperatures

Abstract Mature-green tomato fruits ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) were stored for four or 12 days at chilling (2°) or nonchilling (15°) temperature. Fruits stored for 12 days at 15° ripened to the turning stage, whereas fruits at 2° did not ripen. Lipids of plastid and microsomal membrane fractions from pericarp tissue were analysed at harvest and after four or 12 days of storage. After 12 days at either 15° or 2°, the ratio of phospholipids (PL) to protein in microsomes declined, with a concomitant increase in the ratios of total membrane sterols (TMS) and cerebrosides (CB) to PL. The TMS:PL and CB:PL ratios also increased in crude plastid fractions. In both microsomes and plastids, free sterols (FS) increased more at 2° than at 15°, and hence accounted for a larger percentage of the TMS (FS + acylated steryl glycosides + steryl glycosides). The ratio of stigmasterol to sitosterol in all steryl lipids, but particularly in FS, increased more at 15° than at 2°. The unsaturation index of fatty acids in PL and galactolipids generally increased slightly during storage at both 15° and 2°. The ratio of phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine increased in both membrane fractions at both temperatures. In plastids, the ratio of mono- to digalactosyldiacylglycerols declined substantially at 2° but not at 15°.
Depletion of biotin from brain and liver in biotin deficiency.

The effects of biotin deficiency on the metabolism of glucose (Bhagavan, Coursin and Dakshinamurti, 1965; Bhagavan, Maruyama and Coursin, 1967; Bhagavan, Coursin and Stewart, 1969) and central nervous system function (Bhagavan, Stewart, Dakshinamurti and Coursin, 1966; Stewart, Bhagavan, Coursin and Dakshinamurti, 1966; Stewart, Bhagavan and Coursin, 1967a, b; 1968) have already been reported. In a study of the biochemical changes in the brain and other tissues of the rat in biotin deficiency, the depletion of biotin from the brain and liver during the course of the deficiency has been followed. We found that while the liver lost over 90 per cent of its biotin, the depletion from the brain was only about 50 per cent after 8 weeks on the deficient diet. These data comprise the present report.
Neural mechanisms of top-down control during spatial and feature attention.

Theories of visual selective attention posit that both spatial location and nonspatial stimulus features (e.g., color) are elementary dimensions on which top-down attentional control mechanisms can selectively influence visual processing. Neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that regions of superior frontal and parietal cortex are critically involved in the control of visual-spatial attention. This frontoparietal control network has also been found to be activated when attention is oriented to nonspatial stimulus features (e.g., motion). To test the generality of the frontoparietal network in attentional control, we directly compared spatial and nonspatial attention in a cuing paradigm. Event-related fMRI methods permitted the isolation of attentional control activity during orienting to a location or to a nonspatial stimulus feature (color). Portions of the frontoparietal network were commonly activated to the spatial and nonspatial cues. However, direct statistical comparisons of cue-related activity revealed subregions of the frontoparietal network that were significantly more active during spatial than nonspatial orienting when all other stimulus, task, and attentional factors were equated. No regions of the frontal-parietal network were more active for nonspatial cues in comparison to spatial cues. These findings support models suggesting that subregions of the frontal-parietal network are highly specific for controlling spatial selective attention.
The Functions of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: Support for Cognitive-Affective Regulation and Opponent Processes From a Novel Psychophysiological Paradigm

Although research on the reasons for engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has increased dramatically in the last few years, there are still many aspects of this pernicious behavior that are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to address these gaps in the literature, with a particular focus on investigating whether NSSI (a) regulates affective valence in addition to affective arousal and (b) serves a cognitive regulation function in addition to an affect regulation function. To elucidate these issues, the present study utilized a sample of 112 participants (33 controls, 39 no pain controls, 16 NSSI individuals, and 24 controls matching the affect dysregulation levels of the NSSI group), employed psychophysiological measures of affective valence (startle-alone reactivity) and quality of information processing (prepulse inhibition), and used experimental methods involving an NSSI-proxy to model the NSSI process. Results largely were consistent with predictions, supporting the hypotheses that NSSI serves to regulate cognitive processing and affective valence. On this latter point, however, the control groups also showed a decrease in negative affective valence after the NSSI-proxy. This unexpected finding is consistent with the hypothesis that opponent processes may contribute to the development of self-injurious behaviors (Joiner, 2005). Overall, the present study represents an important extension of previous laboratory NSSI studies and provides a fertile foundation for future studies aimed at understanding why people engage in NSSI.
Discharge outcome after stroke rehabilitation.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relations between host characteristics (age and side of body affected) and program variables (lengths of stay in acute care and rehabilitation, levels of functional ability at admission and discharge, and rates of community discharge).A sample of 7,905 patients was drawn from medical rehabilitation facilities enrolled in the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation who were admitted and discharged for the first time between January 1988 and June 1989. Data were analyzed using either chi 2 tests or z normal tests of proportions, and analyses of variance (ANOVA) and/or t tests. Significance was set at p less than 0.05, and statistically significant F ratios were examined using Student-Newman-Keuls tests.The average age of patients was 70.7 years (24% less than 65 years, 53% 65-79 years, and 23% greater than 79 years). Lengths of stay in acute care and rehabilitation, admission and discharge functional independence ratings, and rates of community discharge w...
LAW AS A VARIABLE IN URBAN AND REGIONAL ANALYSIS

This paper has argued that the law itself constitutes an important variable that needs to be taken into account in analysis of urban and regional phenomena. We have begun to do impact analyses of public and private actions as required by law. We have not gone very far in analyzing the impact of existing or projected laws themselves. Formidable technical and data problems will be encountered. Yet, the growing legislative and judicial constraints and imperatives toward action in the market suggest that if we are to build models that address reality, we will have little choice but to include them specifically.
Validation of Finite-Dimensional Approximate Solutions for Dynamics of Distributed-Parameter Systems

An inverse dynamics method is introduced for constructing exact special-case solutions for hybrid coordinate ordinary/partial systems of differential equations (hybrid ODE/PDE systems). The solution is constructed such that it lies near a given approximate numerical solution, and therefore the special-case solutions can be generated in a versatile and physically meaningful fashion and can serve as a benchmark problem to validate approximate solution methods. The exact solution is constructed such that it is a differentiable, continuous-function neighbor of the given approximate numerical solution. This continuous solution is then substituted into the governing system of ODEs/PDEs and a full complement of distributed and boundary forces is determined algebraically to exactly satisfy the differential equations. This process has been automated by computer symbol manipulation. Since the exact special-case algebraic solutions can be evaluated anywhere in space and time, this approach is ideally suited to providing a true exact motion and the corresponding forces for studying the convergence errors in a family of approximate solutions. This methodology makes it possible for one to rigorously determine exact solution errors for a significant class of ODE/PDE systems for which the initial-value problem is not, in general, exactly solvable. We explore the utility of this method in validating numerical solution methods.
Lithographically Patterned Electrodeposition of Gold, Silver, and Nickel Nanoring Arrays with Widely Tunable Near-Infrared Plasmonic Resonances

A novel low-cost nanoring array fabrication method that combines the process of lithographically patterned nanoscale electrodeposition (LPNE) with colloidal lithography is described. Nanoring array fabrication was accomplished in three steps: (i) a thin (70 nm) sacrificial nickel or silver film was first vapor-deposited onto a plasma-etched packed colloidal monolayer; (ii) the polymer colloids were removed from the surface, a thin film of positive photoresist was applied, and a backside exposure of the photoresist was used to create a nanohole electrode array; (iii) this array of nanoscale cylindrical electrodes was then used for the electrodeposition of gold, silver, or nickel nanorings. Removal of the photoresist and sacrificial metal film yielded a nanoring array in which all of the nanoring dimensions were set independently: the inter-ring spacing was fixed by the colloidal radius, the radius of the nanorings was controlled by the plasma etching process, and the width of the nanorings was controlled b...
A Discriminative Graph-Based Parser for the Abstract Meaning Representation

Abstract Meaning Representation (AMR) is a semantic formalism for which a grow- ing set of annotated examples is avail- able. We introduce the first approach to parse sentences into this representa- tion, providing a strong baseline for fu- ture improvement. The method is based on a novel algorithm for finding a maxi- mum spanning, connected subgraph, em- bedded within a Lagrangian relaxation of an optimization problem that imposes lin- guistically inspired constraints. Our ap- proach is described in the general frame- work of structured prediction, allowing fu- ture incorporation of additional features and constraints, and may extend to other formalisms as well. Our open-source sys- tem, JAMR, is available at: http://github.com/jflanigan/jamr
Moving beyond Efficacy and Effectiveness in Child and Adolescent Intervention Research.

This Special Section of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology focuses on research that extends beyond documenting the efficacy and effectiveness of specific psychological treatments or preventive interventions for children and youths. In the past 30 years, there have been remarkable advances in the development and evaluation of psychological treatments and preventive interventions for a wide range of child and adolescent problems. At the same time, only a small percentage of youths who suffer from emotional and behavioral problems receive psychological services, and many of these services are not evidence-based. This article discusses key features of the Special Section studies, which examine important issues related to (a) disseminating treatments in diverse community settings (i.e., investigating the transportability of treatment), (b) personalizing mental health care (i.e., investigating predictors and moderators of treatment outcome), and (c) developing evidence-based explanations of treatment (i.e., investigating mediators of treatment). Key issues that are raised in the specific studies are discussed, and important considerations for future research are highlighted. Moving the field forward requires innovation, complex research designs, and a willingness to develop treatment models that reach beyond the current body of treatment outcome and prevention research.
Power-Efficient Resource Allocation for Time-Division Multiple Access Over Fading Channels

We investigate resource allocation policies for time-division multiple access (TDMA) over fading channels in the power-limited regime. For frequency-flat block-fading channels and transmitters having full channel state information (CSI), we first minimize power under a weighted sum average rate constraint and show that the optimal rate and time allocation policies can be obtained by a greedy water-filling approach with linear complexity in the number of users. Subsequently, we pursue power minimization under individual average rate constraints and establish that the optimal resource allocation also amounts to a greedy water-filling solution. Our approaches not only provide fundamental power limits when each user can support an infinite-size capacity-achieving codebook (continuous rates), but also yield guidelines for practical designs where users can only support a finite set of adaptive modulation and coding modes (discrete rates).
Individual locomotor response to novelty predicts selective alterations in D1 and D2 receptors and mRNAs

Rats that have a greater locomotor response to novelty (high responders, HR) have differences in measures of presynaptic dopamine transmission compared to low responders (LR) to a novel environment, including altered dopamine release and behavioral response to indirect dopamine agonists. This study examined the role of three dopamine terminal fields, the nucleus accumbens, striatum, and medial prefrontal cortex, in differences between HR and LR. In the first experiment, dopamine was infused directly into the nucleus accumbens (0, 3, 10, and 30 micrograms/side) or the striatum (0, 10, 30, and 100 micrograms/side). HR showed a greater behavioral response to both the 3 and 30 micrograms/side doses infused into the nucleus accumbens compared to LR. No differences between HR and LR were revealed by dopamine infusion into the striatum. In the second experiment, radioligand binding assays were performed to determine if differences exist between high and low responder rats in the Bmax and/or KD of radiolabeled antagonist ligands for the dopamine D1 and/or D2 receptors. There were fewer D2 binding sites in the nucleus accumbens and fewer sites in the striatum in HR compared to LR. High responders showed a greater Bmax for D1 binding sites in the nucleus accumbens than LR. No differences in number of binding sites for D1 receptors were observed between HR and LR in the striatum. No differences between HR and LR in D2 or D1 receptor binding were observed in the medial prefrontal cortex. There were no differences in KD for any of the dopamine receptors in the regions examined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analytical determination of back-side contact gear mesh stiffness

Abstract Back-side gear tooth contact happens when anti-backlash (or scissor) gears are used, tooth wedging or tight mesh occurs, or vibration amplitudes are high enough that teeth separate and pass the backlash zone. An accurate description of the back-side gear tooth mesh stiffness is needed to study gear mechanics in such cases. This work studies the time-varying back-side mesh stiffness and its correlation with backlash by analyzing the relationship between the drive-side and back-side mesh stiffnesses. Results of this work yield the general form of the back-side mesh stiffness in terms of the known drive-side mesh stiffness for an arbitrary gear pair. The analytical results are confirmed by simulation results from gear contact analysis software that precisely tracks drive- and back-side gear tooth contact.
Variability of Brain Death Policies in the United States

Importance Brain death is the irreversible cessation of function of the entire brain, and it is a medically and legally accepted mechanism of death in the United States and worldwide. Significant variability may exist in individual institutional policies regarding the determination of brain death. It is imperative that brain death be diagnosed accurately in every patient. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) issued new guidelines in 2010 on the determination of brain death. Objective To evaluate if institutions have adopted the new AAN guidelines on the determination of brain death, leading to policy changes. Design, Setting, and Participants Fifty-two organ procurement organizations provided US hospital policies pertaining to the criteria for determining brain death. Organizations were instructed to procure protocols specific to brain death (ie, not cardiac death or organ donation procedures). Data analysis was conducted from June 26, 2012, to July 1, 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures Policies were evaluated for summary statistics across the following 5 categories of data: who is qualified to perform the determination of brain death, what are the necessary prerequisites for testing, details of the clinical examination, details of apnea testing, and details of ancillary testing. We compared these data with the standards in the 2010 AAN update on practice parameters for brain death. Results A total of 508 unique hospital policies were obtained, representing the majority of hospitals in the United States that would be eligible and equipped to evaluate brain death in a patient. Of these, 492 provided adequate data for analysis. Although improvement with AAN practice parameters was readily apparent, there remained significant variability across all 5 categories of data, such as excluding the absence of hypotension (276 of 491 policies [56.2%]) and hypothermia (181 of 228 policies [79.4%]), specifying all aspects of the clinical examination and apnea testing, and specifying appropriate ancillary tests and how they were to be performed. Of the 492 policies, 163 (33.1%) required specific expertise in neurology or neurosurgery for the health care professional who determines brain death, and 212 (43.1%) stipulated that an attending physician determine brain death; 150 policies did not mention who could perform such determination. Conclusions and Relevance Hospital policies in the United States for the determination of brain death are still widely variable and not fully congruent with contemporary practice parameters. Hospitals should be encouraged to implement the 2010 AAN guidelines to ensure 100% accurate and appropriate determination of brain death.
Evaluation of quality measures for breast cancer care in a community setting

6545 Background: Compliance with National Initiative for Cancer Care Quality (NICCQ) quality indicators and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for breast cancer care are propos...
Evaluate experiences necessary to achieve proficiency in advanced fiberoptic intubation skills---Can we accelerate the learning curve with simulator training?

EVALUATE EXPERIENCES NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE PROFICIENCY IN ADVANCED FIBEROPTIC INTUBATION SKILLS ---CAN WE ACCELERATE THE LEARNING CURVE WITH SIMULATOR TRAINING? Xinyuan Duan December 1,2010 Fiberoptic intubation skills (FOI) are critical in reducing the anesthesia related morbidity and mortality in clinical settings. The purpose of the study was to prove that the simulator can train a novice to achieve the expert level in a relatively short time. The performance of the preand post-training of novice group and expert group was computer or video recorded. Three statistical methods were applied for data analysis. The number of airway collisions and the number of passes for oral and nasal were analyzed by a newly proposed maximum likelihood method. The development of this model is based on the assumption that the data follows a Poisson distribution. The total time to complete the procedure, the time to pass the oral and nasal, the time to train and re-train the novice group were analyzed by t-test and paired t-test. The questionnaire score and PasslFail score of both groups were analyzed by z-test. The results showed that the novice could reach the expert level after training.
Permanent Whole-Mount Preparation of Lepidopterous Genitalia for Complete Visibility of the Female Sex Pheromone Gland

The sex pheromone gland of female Lepidoptera is typically situated in the abdomen close to the genital openings (Jefferson et al. 1966). As this gland originates from hypodermal cells in the intersegmental fold, generally between the 8th and 9th abdominal segments (G&tz 1951), it is hidden from view when the genitalia are in their normal retracted position. Thus, one often finds difficulty in detecting its presence and even more so in observing its exact structure. However, by applying the Feulgen reaction for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to whole genitalia preserved in an extruded position, it is possible to discern the size, shape, and overall structure of this gland in permanent whole-mount preparations. As only nuclei are deeply stained by this procedure, the extensive accumulation of modified hypodermal cells―relatively large columnar cells with large round-to-oval, magenta-staining nuclei―in the intersegmental fold between the 8th and 9th abdominal segments indicate the presence of this female sexual scent organ, the true identity of which can be proven by bioassay (Roelofs and Feng 1967). The method described here for obtaining permanent whole-mount preparations of the female sex pheromone gland was devised to simplify comparative studies on the structure of this organ in adult tortricids (Bronskill et al. in press).
Olfactory Reactions of the Green Lacewing, Chrysopa carnea , to Tryptophan and Certain Breakdown Products

Tethered Chrysopa carnea Stephens females in an olfactometer positively responded in flight toward isomers of tryptophan, acid hydrolyzed tryptophan and hydrogen peroxide oxidized tryptophan. Therefore, various breakdown products of tryptophan were tested. Indole was repellent compared to water. The tryptophan breakdown products, ammonia, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, indole aldehyde and l -kynurenine hydrogen sulfate were not discriminated from water, and indole acetic acid was only marginally attractive. However, tryptamine hydrolyzed with KOH or hydrogen peroxide was attractive. This suggested that indole acetaldehyde might be an attractive breakdown product. Indole acetaldehyde produced by heating indole aldehyde with ninhydrin proved to be highly attractive to C. carnea .
The Place of Art in the College: College Instruction in Art

(1935). The Place of Art in the College: College Instruction in Art. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 228-229.
Disturbed self concept mediates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult personality pathology

Background Despite a robust literature documenting the relationship between childhood maltreatment and personality pathology in adulthood, there is far less clarity about the mechanism underlying this relationship. One promising candidate for such a linking mechanism is disturbance in the sense of self. This paper tests the hypothesis that disturbances in the sense of self mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult personality pathology. Specifically, we assess the self-related traits of stable self-image, self-reflective functioning, self-respect and feeling recognized. Methods The sample included 113 non-psychotic psychiatric inpatients. Participants completed the Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 (PDQ-4 +), and the self-reflexive functioning, stable self image, self-respect, and feeling recognized scales from the Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP-118). A series of linear regressions was then performed to assess the direct and indirect effects of childhood trauma on personality disorder traits (PDQ-4+ total score), as mediated by self concept (SIPP-118 scales). Aroian tests assessed the statistical significance of each mediating effect. Results There was a significant mediating effect for all SIPP self concept variables, with a full mediating effect for the SIPP composite score and for SIPP feeling recognized and self-reflexive functioning, such that the direct effect of childhood trauma on personality did not retain significance after accounting for the effect of these variables. There was a partial mediating effect for SIPP stable self image and self-respect, such that the direct effect of the CTQ retained significance after accounting for these variables. SIPP feeling recognized had the strongest mediating effect. Conclusions Multiple facets of self concept, particularly the degree to which an individual feels understood by other people, may mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult personality pathology. This underscores the importance of attending to disturbances in the sense of self in patients with personality pathology and a history of childhood maltreatment. These findings also support the centrality of disturbed self concept to the general construct of personality pathology. Language: en
Plasmid Conjugation Method for High Level Gentamicin Resistant Enterococcus

OBJECTIVE To choose the best methods of conjugation experiment for high level gentamicin resistant(HLGR) Enterococcus faecalis. METHODS Conjugation was performed by broth mating and filter mating method and its results were compared with other four culture media. RESULTS Transfer rates of HLGR plasmid from 36 strains of E.faecalis to recipient strain JH2-2 in NB,NB with horse serum, BHI, and BHI with horse serum were 50%(18/36), 75%(27/36), 89%(32/36)and 89%(32/36),respectively,and rose up to 100%(36/36) by filter mating method. CONCLUSIONS Better results are obtained in conjugation experiments in BHI and BHI broth with horse serum. Preferable transfer rate is acquired by filter mating method.
Observation of Optical and Electrical In-Plane Anisotropy in High-Mobility Few-Layer ZrTe5.

Transition metal pentatelluride ZrTe5 is a versatile material in condensed-matter physics and has been intensively studied since the 1980s. The most fascinating feature of ZrTe5 is that it is a 3D Dirac semimetal which has linear energy dispersion in all three dimensions in momentum space. Structure-wise, ZrTe5 is a layered material held together by weak interlayer van der Waals force. The combination of its unique band structure and 2D atomic structure provides a fertile ground for more potential exotic physical phenomena in ZrTe5 related to 3D Dirac semimentals. However, the physical properties of its few-layer form have yet to be thoroughly explored. Here we report strong optical and electrical in-plane anisotropy of mechanically exfoliated few-layer ZrTe5. Raman spectroscopy shows a significant intensity change with sample orientations, and the behavior of angle-resolved phonon modes at the Γ point is explained by theoretical calculations. DC conductance measurement indicates a 50% of difference along...
Virtual cinematography using optimization and temporal smoothing

We propose an automatic virtual cinematography method that takes a continuous optimization approach. A suitable camera pose or path is determined automatically by computing the minima of an objective function to obtain some desired parameters, such as those common in live action photography or cinematography. Multiple objective functions can be combined into a single optimizable function, which can be extended to model the smoothness of the optimal camera path using an active contour model. Our virtual cinematography technique can be used to find camera paths in either scripted or unscripted scenes, both with and without smoothing, at a relatively low computational cost.
Brain injury in women experiencing intimate partner-violence: neural mechanistic evidence of an “invisible” trauma

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in women experiencing intimate-partner violence (IPV) is common, and IPV afflicts 30 % of women worldwide. However, the neurobiology and related sequelae of these TBIs have never been systematically examined. Consequently, TBI treatments are typically absent and IPV interventions are inadequate. There has been a call for a comprehensive assessment of IPV-related TBIs and their relationship to aspects of women’s cognitive and neural functioning. In response, we examined brain-network organization associated with TBI and its cognitive effects using clinical interviews and neuropsychological measures as well as structural and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in women experiencing IPV-related TBI. We hypothesized that TBI severity would be related to poorer cognitive performance and be associated with structural and functional connectivity between cognitive networks previously implicated in other TBI populations. As predicted, severity of TBI was negatively associated with inter-network intrinsic functional connectivity indicative of TBI, between the right anterior insula and posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus (FLAME1 + 2; family-wise error-corrected Z > 2.3, cluster- based p < 0.05). This association remained significant when controlling for partner-abuse severity, age, head motion, childhood trauma and psychopathology. Additionally, intrinsic functional connectivity between the same regions correlated positively with cognitive performance on indices of memory and learning. These data provide the first mechanistic evidence of TBI and its association with cognitive functioning in women sustaining IPV-related TBI. These data underscore the need to address and consider the role TBI may be playing in the efficacy of IPV interventions ranging from emergency first responder interactions to specific treatment plans.
Lessons in Life: As Taught by the Cath Lab.

There is no greater teacher of life than the practice of medicine but none greater than the place where life and death are often most precariously balanced. Having only been in the cardiac catheterization laboratory for a few months as a general cardiology fellow, I have already been taught a lot. These lessons resonate far beyond the opaque, windowless confines of the laboratory and apply to us as physicians and human beings regardless of occupation. The catheterization laboratory has taught me that everything we do has consequences. In the laboratory, 1 errant movement, 1 lapse of concentration, 1 hint of frustration or fatigue can weigh one down like a lifetime of lead. Recently, I briefly advanced an 0.035-inch guidewire into a coronary artery rather than the safe embrace of the sinuses of Valsalva. Although no damage was done, because I rapidly pulled back the wire, those were some of the longest seconds of my life. The attending rightly took over the procedure immediately. The experienced technician standing next to me whispered, “It’s okay.” Not all consequences we witness are adverse. In fact, the catheterization laboratory is a reminder …
Data Predictive Control for Peak Power Reduction

Decisions on how best to optimize today's energy systems operations are becoming ever so complex and conflicting such that model-based predictive control algorithms must play a key role. However, learning dynamical models of energy consuming systems such as buildings, using grey/white box approaches is very cost and time prohibitive due to its complexity. This paper presents data-driven methods for making control-oriented model for peak power reduction in buildings. Specifically, a data predictive control with regression trees (DPCRT) algorithm, is presented. DPCRT is a finite receding horizon method, using which the building operator can optimally trade off peak power reduction against thermal comfort without having to learn white/grey box models of the systems dynamics. We evaluate the performance of our method using a DoE commercial reference virtual test-bed and show how it can be used for learning predictive models with 90% accuracy, and for achieving 8.6% reduction in peak power and costs.
Engineered ligand-based VEGFR antagonists with increased receptor binding affinity more effectively inhibit angiogenesis

Pathologic angiogenesis is mediated by the coordinated action of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling axis, along with crosstalk contributed by other receptors, notably αvβ3 integrin. We build on earlier work demonstrating that point mutations can be introduced into the homodimeric VEGF ligand to convert it into an antagonist through disruption of binding to one copy of VEGFR2. This inhibitor has limited potency, however, due to loss of avidity effects from bivalent VEGFR2 binding. Here, we used yeast surface display to engineer a variant with VEGFR2 binding affinity approximately 40-fold higher than the parental antagonist, and 14-fold higher than the natural bivalent VEGF ligand. Increased VEGFR2 binding affinity correlated with the ability to more effectively inhibit VEGF-mediated signaling, both in vitro and in vivo, as measured using VEGFR2 phosphorylation and Matrigel implantation assays. High affinity mutations found in this variant were then incorporated into a dual-specific antagonist that we previously designed to simultaneously bind to and inhibit VEGFR2 and αvβ3 integrin. The resulting dual-specific protein bound to human and murine endothelial cells with relative affinities of 120 ± 10 pM and 360 ± 50 pM, respectively, which is at least 30-fold tighter than wild-type VEGF (3.8 ± 0.5 nM). Finally, we demonstrated that this engineered high-affinity dual-specific protein could inhibit angiogenesis in a murine corneal neovascularization model. Taken together, these data indicate that protein engineering strategies can be combined to generate unique antiangiogenic candidates for further clinical development.
Role for Fast Inactivation in Domain I of Voltage Gated Sodium Channels

In sodium channels, the voltage sensing S4 segments move outward in response to membrane depolarization to promote activation and fast inactivation of the channel. Domain-specific roles for S4 segments include activation and fast inactivation. In the present work we investigated the role of domain I in activation, deactivation and fast inactivation of the skeletal muscle sodium channel hNaV1.4. Charge reversal at R1 (R219D) produced a significant hyperpolarizing shift of the activation curve, an effect confirmed in an inactivation deficient background (R219D/QQQ) and with gating currents. Charge reversal at residues lower in the S4 segment (R225D, K228D) produced a depolarizing shift of the activation curve. R219D selectively enhanced fast inactivation from closed states (hyperpolarizing shift of the steady-state fast inactivation curve, and accelerated kinetics of closed-state fast inactivation. Fast inactivation from the open state was not affected by R219D. Lesser effects on closed-state fast inactivation were observed for charge reversal at DIS4 residues lower in that voltage sensor. Charge reversal at inner negative countercharges (E171R, S2; D197R, S3) also produced a hyperpolarizing shift of the steady-state fast inactivation curve and accelerated kinetics of closed-state fast inactivation. These results suggest that in the wild type NaV1.4 channel, interactions of inner negative charges with the outer charge in DIS4 restrict outward movement of that voltage sensor in response to weak depolarization, and limit fast inactivation elicited from closed states. This work was supported by NIH 1R15NS093579-01A1 to JRG and NIH P20GM103408 to ISU.
Explanatory Cognitive Diagnostic Models: Incorporating Latent and Observed Predictors:

Large-scale educational testing data often contain vast amounts of variables associated with information pertaining to test takers, schools, or access to educational resources-information that can help explain relationships between test taker performance and their learning environment. This study examines approaches to incorporate latent and observed explanatory variables as predictors for cognitive diagnostic models (CDMs). Methods to specify and simultaneously estimate observed and latent variables (estimated using item response theory) as predictors affecting attribute mastery were examined. Real-world data analyses were conducted to demonstrate the application using large-scale international testing data. Simulation studies were conducted to examine the recovery and classification for simultaneously estimating multiple latent (using dichotomous and polytomous items as indicators for the latent construct) and observed predictors for varying sample sizes and number of attributes. Results showed stable parameter recovery and consistency in attribute classification. Implications for latent predictors and attribute specifications are discussed.
Three-dimensional printing of components for a dynamic upper extremity orthotic: Prototype development: Topics: Advances in upper limb robotics, other

For patients with upper extremity (UE) functional deficits due to neuromuscular disorders (e.g. stroke), orthotic designs can employ complex assemblies to facilitate functional recovery and augmentation. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology presents significant benefits to orthotic design, fabrication, and availability. Using advanced printers and an ever-diversifying selection of printable materials, 3D printing has potential to accommodate the design specifications (e.g. static support, dynamic assistance) of a multi-component assembly. Thus, this technology promises to reduce fabrication overhead, to improve access to orthotics, to minimize orthotic repair/replacement concerns, and to facilitate rapid design modification/turnaround. This latter benefit is a crucial aspect for patients requiring serial adjustments to orthotic fit/function during their rehabilitation course. To support technology development, this research project compares an existing upper extremity orthotic with a modified version. This modified orthotic will rely on 3D printing to fabricate elastic components comparable to the metal springs of the original orthotic. To quantify this comparison, testing will comprise standard engineering measures and a clinical study. Engineering measures will include spring coefficient, tensile strength, and fatigue limit. The clinical study will involve repeat measures experimental design; three patients with upper extremity deficits secondary to stroke will perform a standardized UE functional assessment tool (e.g. Box and Block Test) using the original orthotic or the modified orthotic. Each patient will then switch orthotic and repeat the assessment. Data will be analyzed with intent to prove concept, demonstrate potential, and identify areas of improvement for 3D printing technology. At present, our interdisciplinary team of clinicians and engineers has accomplished the following objectives: (i) selection and trial operation of a 3D printer, (ii) identification of potential printable filaments, and (iii) successful fabrication of standardized test elements to support engineering evaluation. Ensuing efforts will focus toward designing the elastic components with computer aided design (CAD) software and then employing expertise from prior objectives to fabricate a functional prototype to support the clinical study.
Super-Critical-CO2 De-ECM Process

Extracellular Matrix (ECM), a natural biomaterials, have recently garnered attention in tissue engineering for their high degree of cell proliferative capacity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tenability in the body. Decellularization process offers a unique approach for fabricating ECM-based natural scaffold for tissue engineering application by removing intracellular contents in a tissue that could cause any adverse host responses. The effects of Supercritical carbon dioxide (Sc-CO2) treatment on the histological and biochemical properties of the decellularized extracellular matrix (de-ECM) were evaluated and compared with de-ECM from conventional decellularization process to see if it offers significantly reduced treatment times, complete decellularization, and well preserved extracellular matrix structure. The study has shown that a novel method of using supercritical fluid extraction system indeed removed all unnecessary residues and only leaving ECM. The potential of Sc-CO2 de-ECM progressed as a promising approach in tissue repair and regeneration.
Tropomyosin function in yeast.

Tropomyosins were discovered as regulators of actomyosin contractility in muscle cells, making yeasts and other fungi seem unlikely to harbor such proteins. Fungal cells are encased in a rigid cell wall and do not engage in the same sorts of contractile shape changes of animal cells. However, discovery of actin and myosin in yeast raised the possibility for a role for tropomyosin in regulating their interaction. [1,2], Through abiochemical search, fungal tropomyosins were identified with strong similarities to their animal counterparts in terms of protein structure and physical properties. Two particular fungi, the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have provided powerful genetic systems for studying tropomyosins in nonmetazoans. In these yeasts, tropomyosins associate with subsets of actin filamentous structures. Mutational studies of tropomyosin genes and biochemical assyas of purified proteins point to roles for these proteins as factors that stabilize actin filaments, promote actin-based structures of particular architecture and help maintain distinct biochemical identities among different filament populations. Tropomyosin-enriched filaments are the cytoskeletal structures that promote the major cell shape changes of these organisms: polarized growth and cell division.
Auscultated fetal heart rate accelerations: III. Use of vibratory acoustic stimulation

The auscultated acceleration test has been proposed as a simple, inexpensive screening test for fetal health; previous studies of the auscultated acceleration test used external stimulation to elicit fetal movement. This study was conducted to explore the ability of the auscultated acceleration test to predict nonstress test results when vibratory acoustic stimulation is used to elicit fetal reactivity. After antepartum nonstress testing on 100 gravid women between 28 and 43 weeks' gestation, a 6-minute auscultated acceleration test protocol was performed with two vibratory acoustic stimulations to the maternal abdomen if no spontaneous fetal heart rate acceleration occurred. The ability of the auscultated acceleration test to predict nonstress test results after selected variables were controlled for was as follows: sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 97.6%; false-positive results, 14.3%; and false-negative results, 4.7%. Logistic regression analysis indicated that, in addition to the auscultated acceleration test, gestational age and race contributed significantly to the prediction of nonstress test results. Although specificity and the false-positive rate were improved, the use of vibratory acoustic stimulations to elicit fetal movement did not improve the validity of the auscultated acceleration test in terms of sensitivity and false-negative results over previous studies. However, the auscultated acceleration test continues to show potential as an initial screening test for fetal assessment. In addition to recommendations for further research, methodologic issues related to sampling techniques are identified.
ENZYME-LIKE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH ALBUMIN

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on enzyme-like activities associated with albumin. An enzyme is a protein that accelerates one or more chemical reactions that are demonstrated to be necessary for life processes. Serum albumin in different states of purity from a variety of species can hydrolyze a number of diverse substrates such as p-nitrophenyl acetate, tripalmatin, steroid acetates, and 1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate. There are a number of proteolytic enzymes in plasma, and it has been observed that samples of serum albumin that might appear to be pure by other criteria do in fact contain low contaminant levels of peptidase activity. The unique binding properties of serum albumin have facilitated its use with a variety of enzymes in which the function of the albumin has generally been to bind and, therefore, remove potential inhibitory reaction products or to protect the enzyme from inhibition or denaturation by hydrophobic species in the reaction medium. In these cases, the mechanism of action of albumin is clear because it involves the specific ability of the protein to bind a number of fatty acids or amphiphiles at its high affinity sites.
Repeating Failure in Large-scale Government IT Projects: A Taxing Story

Large-scale information technology (IT) projects experience higher failure rates than smaller IT projects. When these projects fail in government agencies, they represent significant costs to both the agencies and society. This paper reports the results of a study on large-scale government IT projects that failed over multiple iterations. Data was gathered on the modernization efforts at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from publicly available documents spanning over 30 years of project history. The inductive techniques used both confirm and extend prior literature to suggest that while existing theories can help explain cyclical patterns of escalating and withdrawing commitment, there are clear organizational determinants that play a role in this process. In particular we discuss the role of strategic factors, emerging project characteristics, and organizational capabilities for project management and systems development in government IT projects.