cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A chiral furocoumarin

The furocoumarin 1,2-di­hydro-2-(1,2-di­hydroxy­prop-2-yl)-8H-furo­[2,3-h]­benzo­pyran-8-one crystallizes from methanol–water as the monohydrate C14H14O5·H2O. Both chiral centers have the S configuration. Both OH groups and both H atoms of the water mol­ecule form intermolecular hydrogen bonds with O⋯O distances in the range 2.7686 (18)–2.8717 (18) A.
Ca2+ permeable AMPA receptors switch allegiances: mechanisms and consequences

Abstract The subunit composition of synaptic AMPA receptors can undergo dynamic changes during physiological functioning and under pathological conditions. This switch in AMPA receptor phenotype involves changes in the level of GluA2 subunits that are mediated via regulated AMPA receptor trafficking, modification of local protein synthesis and altered gene transcription of GluA2 subunits. Incorporation of the GluA2 subunits into an AMPA receptor alters a number of key biophysical properties, including Ca2+ permeability and the waveform of the synaptic current. These changes alter the ability of synaptic currents to evoke an action potential and therefore have a profound effect on the computational capability of individual neurons and thus the output of neuronal circuits.
Two dimensional arrays for 3-D ultrasound imaging

Phased array ultrasound transducers have been fabricated in our laboratories at Duke University since 1970. In 1986, we began the development of 2-D arrays with a 20 /spl times/ 20 element Mills cross array including 64 active channels operating at 1 MHz which produced the first real time 3-D ultrasound images. In our more recent arrays we have progressed to 108 /spl times/ 108 = 11,664 elements in a series of transducers operating from 2.5 - 10 MHz. These were used in a commercial version of our Duke 3-D system developed by Volumetrics Medical Imaging for cardiac applications. The system scans a 65/spl deg/ 3-D pyramid at up to 60 volumes/sec and features five simultaneous slice images at any desired angle and depth as well as real time 3-D rendering, 3-D pulsed and color flow Doppler. We have also modified this scanner to produce the first real time 3-D rectilinear and curvilinear images using arrays of 256 /spl times/ 256 = 65,536 elements operating at 5 MHz for vascular and small parts applications. Finally, we have developed catheter 2-D arrays for intra-cardiac 3-D ultrasound including 112 channels in a 2.2 mm lumen (7 French) operating at 5-7 MHz. In animal studies, these transducers have been applied to the guidance of cardiac interventional procedures including RF ablation, ECG mapping, surgical biopsy and atrial septal puncture.
A Gene–Brain–Cognition Pathway: Prefrontal Activity Mediates the Effect of COMT on Cognitive Control and IQ

A core thesis of cognitive neurogenetic research is that genetic effects on cognitive ability are mediated by specific neural functions, however, demonstrating neural mediation has proved elusive. Pairwise relationships between genetic variation and brain function have yielded heterogeneous findings to date. This heterogeneity indicates that a multiple mediator modeling approach may be useful to account for complex relationships involving function at multiple brain regions. This is relevant not only for characterizing healthy cognition but for modeling the complex neural pathways by which disease-related genetic effects are transmitted to disordered cognitive phenotypes in psychiatric illness. Here, in 160 genotyped functional magnetic resonance imaging participants, we used a multiple mediator model to test a gene--brain--cognition pathway by which activity in 4 prefrontal brain regions mediates the effects of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene on cognitive control and IQ. Results provide evidence for gene--brain--cognition mediation and help delineate a pathway by which gene expression contributes to intelligence.
Design of behavior-based micro-rover robot

A behavior-based robot is a purposeful and robust machine that operates in, and directly interacts with, the environment. The design of a behavior-based robot bounds uncertainty of the real world local to a given task-achieving behavior. Each behavior has a known competence for robust and reliable operation in a specific real world context. Task-achieving behaviors collectively interact via the surrounding environment to produce the purposeful behavior. This paper describes a legged robotic system, called the Mars Micro-Rover, to serve as a testbed to evaluate the performance potential of small legged robotic systems and their control architectures. It is a testbed for rovers to operate on Mars, and it measures 70 cm*55 cm*35 cm. A simple, biologically-inspired oscillatory network controls gait modulation based on environmental influences. A recurrent cyclic inhibition is chosen to generate a four-phase pattern for Micro-Rover locomotion. >
Effect of Dietary Phosphorus on Finishing Steer Performance, Bone Status, and Carcass Maturity

Yearling crossbred steers (n = 60; 386 kg) were individually fed in a completely randomized experimental design to determine their P requirement. Treatments were in a factorial arrangement with two levels of Ca (.35 or .70% of DM) and five concentrations of P (.14, .19, .24, .29, or .34% of DM). The finishing diet consisted of 34.5% dry-rolled corn, 22.5% brewers grits, 22.5% corn bran, 7.5% ground corncobs, 5% molas- ses, 3% fat, and 5% supplement. Supplemental P was provided as monosodium phosphate and Ca as lime- stone. Ash content was determined on the first phalanx bone from the lower front legs following slaughter, and rib bone breaking strength was determined with an Instron Universal Testing Machine. Carcass maturity and shear force were also evaluated on wholesale rib cuts. Because no interactions between Ca and P levels were detected, only main effects are presented. Daily gain, DMI, and feed efficiency were not affected by di- etary P concentration or P intake. Bone ash (g or g/ 100kg BW) and rib bone breaking strength were also unaffected by dietary P. Feeding .7% Ca decreased (P < .06) ADG and efficiency compared with feeding .35% Ca. Neither dietary Ca nor P had a significant effect on tenderness (shear force), skeletal maturity, or overall maturity. These results indicate that the P requirement for finishing yearlings is .14% of diet DM or less and that supplementing P above levels supplied by basal ingredients in many grain-based finishing diets is not necessary.
Plasma-surface interactions in the ZT-40M reversed-field pinch

Plasma-surface interactions strongly influence the properties of plasmas produced in the ZT-40M reversed-field pinch, which generally operates without discrete limiters. Zeff data and spectroscopy, together with total radiated power, and measured impurity accumulations on collector probes demonstrate that metal impurities play a determining role in ZT-40M's performance. Plasma currents of 60–400 kA routinely generate total betas (assuming Ti=Te) of 5–10%. Pulse duration at the lower currents has reached ∼ 35 ms. Energy confinement time τE has reached 0.7 ms for discharges with nne = 8 × 1019m−3 and Te = 330 eV at a current of 330 kA. 400 kA flat-topped discharges yield Te ≥ 500 eV and nne ∼ 4 × 1019m−3. Magnetic field errors intrinsic to the winding and core configuration create localized, intense plasma-surface interactions that define the present operating boundary for ZT-40M. Discharge cleaning, either pulsed or glow, of the Inconel vacuum vessel increases the deuterium recycling rate and decreases the impurity fractions, leading to discharges with higher density and lower temperature, lower Zeff, lower resistive anomaly factor, and better overall confinement of particles and energy. Carbon films ∼ 40 monolayers thick are used in ZT-40M to simulate the recycling, fueling, and sputtering conditions that may be encountered in next generation devices with large areas of carbon.
A flow‐chart approach to public speaking “on the contract plan”

Proposed to meet the often voiced objection that speech courses graded on a contract system stress only the quantity of work and exclude any quality controls, this plan establishes groups of tasks requiring different levels of cognative functioning by the students and assigns final letter grades for satisfactory completion of the corresponding levels.
Transcriptional control of tektin A mRNA correlates with cilia development and length determination during sea urchin embryogenesis

Previous studies have shown that tektin A, one of three integral filamentous protein components of outer doublet microtubules, is synthesized in sea urchins in an amount correlating to the length of embryonic cilia initially assembled or experimentally regenerated. To investigate further the molecular mechanism for the regulation of tektin synthesis, tektin cDNA clones were used to assess mRNA levels during ciliogenesis, zinc-induced animalization, deciliation-induced regeneration and theophylline-induced elongation. Possibly involved in centriole replication, low, near-constant levels of mRNA for all three tektins are present in the unfertilized egg and during cleavage stages. Preceded by new synthesis of tektin B and C mRNAs, tektin A mRNA is up-regulated during ciliogenesis, but only tektin A mRNA levels correlate directly with ciliary length in animalized embryos; the others augment larger, non-limiting pools of tektins B and C. Tektin mRNAs decrease to steady-state levels after ciliogenesis, but are up-regulated again when the embryos are deciliated, correlating with the length of cilia to be deployed. In a species where a 3-fold ciliary length increase can be induced by theophylline treatment of zinc-arrested embryos, the mRNAs accumulate to proportionately higher levels during arrest but are not translated until induction, whereupon they decrease inversely with ciliary elongation. This suggests transcriptional control with respect to mRNA amounts but post-transcriptional control with respect to the expression of this phenotype.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A contravenção do patriarcado na ficção de Cíntia Moscovich

Este estudio se centra en la dinamica padre-hija como un elemento a traves del cual la autora Cintia Moscovich (Rio Grande do Sul, 1958- ) desafia patrones patriarcales en su ficcion. El arquetipo del padre sirve como punto de partida desde el cual Moscovich presenta las normas patriarcales de la ley judaica y del Estado brasileno de la epoca de la dictadura militar. Mientras tanto, las hijas, siempre personajes-narradoras, cuestionan y violan esas normas. Sus transgresiones incluyen relaciones amorosas prohibidas (entre personas del mismo sexo y/o entre judios y goyim ) e inconformidad en cuanto a la seleccion de una profesion. A lo largo de las narrativas, cada protagonista trata de reconciliar las diferentes facetas de su identidad - la brasilena, la judia y la sexual - que componen el sentido de si mismas. El presente analisis literario considera tanto los conceptos fundamentales de la teoria queer como la trayectoria del pensamiento progresista en los cuatro ramos principales del judaismo durante los ultimos 40 anos.
Crustacean Vitellogenesis: Its Role in Oocyte Development1

One of the major changes that occurs during the maturation of oocytes is the accumulation of yolk protein, or vitellin (Vn). To better understand how this process is regulated, we characterized the Vn of the ridgeback shrimp, Sicyonia ingentis (Penaeoidea). This Vn is a 322 kDa molecule composed of three subunits. Using purified Vn, we developed an anti-Vn antiserum and used it to characterize vitellogenin by Western blot analysis. The antiserum was also used in an ELISA to measure hemolymph levels of vitellogenin. Previous studies suggested the presence of vertebrate-type steroids might stimulate reproductive processes in decapod crustaceans. Treatment of sexually quiescent female shrimp with progesterone, hydroxyprogesterone, and estradiol did not increase hemolymph levels of yolk protein precursor. The absence of a response to these steroids may reflect the presence of other hormones (such as the gonad-inhibiting hormone) that prevent oocyte development. To examine the molecular basis for the regulation of vitellogenesis, ovarian and hepatopancreas expression cDNA libraries were screened using the anti-Vn antiserum. A 2.9 kilobase clone was isolated from both cDNA libraries suggesting that both tissues are sites of vitellogenin synthesis. These molecular tools should be useful for in vitro studies of vitellogenin synthesis.
Abstract TMP31: Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Paired with Constraint-Induced Therapy to Enhance Post-Stroke Upper Extremity Motor Performance

Research has shown that peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) can enhance motor learning following cortical lesions. Studies have also shown that intensive upper extremity motor training can significantly enhance post-stroke motor performance. Constraint-induced therapy (CIT) is a form of intensive training that restricts use of the non-paretic upper extremity during repetitive, task-oriented motor training of the paretic extremity. Extensive evidence has validated the effectiveness of CIT for enhancing post-stroke upper extremity motor recovery. No studies have evaluated how PNS may modulate the effects of CIT. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study of PNS paired with CIT and hypothesized that in subjects with stroke, pairing CIT with active PNS would lead to significantly more improved motor function in the paretic upper extremity than CIT paired with sham PNS. Outcome measures included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA; primary outcome measure), the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), and the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT). Nineteen chronic stroke subjects with mild to moderate upper extremity motor deficit received 2 hours of either active (n=10) or sham (n=9) PNS preceding 4 hours of CIT for 10 consecutive weekdays. Changes in FMA, WMFT, and ARAT were analyzed using factorial ANOVA. Results showed significant (p
Silane-initiated nucleation in chemically active plasmas: validation of density functionals, mechanisms, and pressure-dependent variational transition state calculations

The growth of anionic silicon hydride clusters is a critically important process in nanodusty plasmas. In the current study, we focus on the formation of homologs of silylene (Sin+1H2n+2−, n = 3, 4) and silyl (SinH2n+1−, n = 4, 5) anions via anion–neutral reaction pathways. Species like silyl or silylene anions and their related elementary reactions, which are involved in the formation of silicon hydride clusters, were not used in developing exchange–correlation (xc) density functionals (i.e., they were not included in the training set of semiempirical density functionals); therefore, we explored the accuracy of various widely used xc density functionals based on reaction energies and barrier heights. Among the 21 density functionals we tested, M06-2X has the best performance for a hybrid functional, and MN15-L has the best performance for a local functional. Thermal rate constants of the elementary reactions involved in the reaction mechanism are calculated using M06-2X and multistructural canonical variational transition state theory with the small-curvature tunneling approximation (MS-CVT/SCT). The pressure dependence of unimolecular isomerization reactions is treated with system-specific quantum RRK theory (SS-QRRK) and the Lindemann–Hinshelwood mechanism.
Phase diagrams of thermally stable, polymer‐dispersed liquid crystals: Exploring the impact of chain length and chemical structure

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) have garnered significant interest and motivated the investigation of the phase behavior of thermally stable smectic liquid crystals (LCs) via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS). In this study, we examined a series of two, biphenyl-based smectic LCs suitable for high temperature polymer blend processing. Phase diagrams for LC/polystyrene (PS) blends at various compositions (0–60 wt%) were constructed. Less than 15 wt% of 8B8 (1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diyl dioctanoate) LC in PS led to good polymer miscibility, while phase separation was induced at concentrations higher than 15 wt%. The LC concentration at saturation decreased with increasing aliphatic chain length. We also investigated the chain length (C6-C16) effect on the PS glass transition temperature (Tg) at the LC saturation point. The Tg increased with increasing chain length due to reduced plasticization. We further examined the role of chemical structure (relatively less polar ether vs. more polar ester) on the phase diagram regions and the Tg of the nonpolar PS matrix, respectively. It is anticipated that these LC/PS phase diagrams will benefit elevated temperature processing for TIPS by highlighting the role of LC chemical structure and chain length on blend morphology. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:388–393, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Isotope amount effects in hydrologic and climate reconstructions of monsoon climates: Implications of some long-term data sets for precipitation

Abstract Many studies of Quaternary climate make use of terrestrial stable isotope records which are interpreted based on seasonal patterns of stable isotopes in modern precipitation. Multi-decade records of isotopes in rainfall allow testing of the assumed behavior of isotope signals used for this interpretation on multi-year to decadal scales. A 32-year record of stable O and H isotopes in precipitation in Tucson, Arizona permits a detailed examination of stable isotope amount effects, at time scales ranging from individual events to decades, in a location with summer monsoonal and winter frontal rainy seasons. Amount effects are weak to non-existent in Tucson at seasonal and longer time scales, and are not useful for discriminating either wetter or drier rainy seasons or wetter or drier decades. Amount effects are also weak to non-existent in published data for annual and multi-year amount-weighted averages for monsoonal precipitation in New Delhi and Hong Kong, but an annual amount effect appears to be present on Guam (U.S. Territory). In addition, site-specific amount effects do not correlate with measures of regional monsoon intensity. This data analysis challenges the general validity of paleoclimate reconstructions based on short-term (sub-annual) relationships observed in precipitation isotope data when applied to long-term records such as speleothem studies.
Paleoecology of an estuarine sequence in the Breathitt Formation (Pennsylvanian), central Appalachian Basin

A sequence of strata containing 24 or more ichnogenera was investigated along the western outcrop margin of the Breathitt Formation in eastern Kentucky. Tour facies were delineated within the study interval. Dark shales of the Carbonaceous Shale Facies (CSF) exhibit a low-diversity/low-abundance ichnofossil assemblage dominated by small Conostichus, Planolites, and Thalassinoides. Some interbedded siltstones exhibit greater diversity with Lockeia, Paleophycus, Monocraterion, and Rhabdoglyphus. The CST is truncated by the Bioturbated Heterolithic Facies (BHF), consisting of bioturbated sandstones with robust Asterosoma, Conostichus, and Rosselia, soltstones and gray shales with abundant Planolites and Teichichnus, and non- bioturbated sideritic claystones
Relative Effect of Dosage, Droplet Size, Deposit Density, and Droplet Concentration on Mortality of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae Treated with Vegetable-oil and Water Sprays Containing Permethrin

The relative effects of deposit characteristics (dosage, droplet size, deposit density, and droplet concentration) of permethrin sprays applied in vegetable oil and water on mortality of tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), larvae were observed. Mortality of H. virescens larvae in permethrin/vegetable-oil treatments increased with increasing dosage, decreasing deposit density, and decreasing droplet size. Droplet concentration did not significantly influence mortality. Mortality of H. virescens larvae in permethrin/water treatments increased with increasing dosage, increasing deposit density, and decreasing droplet concentration. Droplet size did not significantly influence larva mortality in the permethrin/water data set. In regression models of the data obtained, dosage appeared to be the most important factor influencing mortality of H. virescens larvae with permethrin applied in both vegetable oil and water. However, results from the application of vegetable oil showed that droplet size was as important as dosage; droplet size, however, was not found to be important in the water applications. A comparison of normal applications of permethrin in vegetable oil and water, using the regression models, indicated no differences in resulting mortality of first instars.
Who Wants to Die in Here? Perspectives of Prisoners with Chronic Conditions.

The number of sentenced federal and state prisoners 65 years or older is growing rapidly. Older inmates often suffer from advanced chronic conditions. Although compassionate release is a possibility, in practice, only a small fraction of prisoners are paroled before their death. The result is that m
Construct validity of the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form among psychotherapy clients

Interest has been growing in the mental health benefits of self-compassion. Whereas, most research on this topic has been conducted with the 26-item Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), a briefer 12-item version of the instrument, the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF), also exists. The SCS-SF has demonstrated good validity and reliability in non-clinical samples, but it has not been used often in research with psychotherapy clients. This study was designed to examine the factor structure and construct validity of the SCS-SF in a clinical population. Data for this study were collected from 1609 college students receiving services at 10 campus counseling centers. The previously proposed factor structure of the SCS-SF was not supported. Instead, analyses revealed two factors, Self Care and Self Disparagement. Evidence for the construct validity of these factors was found via expected relationships with indices of depression, anxiety, social anxiety, hostility, academic distress, eating concerns, family distr...
Non-aggressive behavior in the large soldier of Nasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) (Isoptera: Termitidae)

Colonies ofNasutitermes exitiosus (Hill) near Canberra, Australia were studied during 1972. In addition to the reproductive pair, instars of the large and the small worker lines, and the typical nasutiform soldier, each mound examined also contained at least a few soldiers (first mentioned byHill in 1946) which were not of the usual type. They were larger, had shortened, downwardly deflected rostrums, and were derived from the large instead of from the small worker line. Although both the small soldiers (SS) and the large soldiers (LS) produced and expelled a terpenoid secretion from the cephalic gland, field and laboratory studies showed that they differed markedly in their behavior.
Connected Lighting Solutions for the Cities of Tomorrow

After the paradigm shift towards LED Lighting, the lighting industry is now facing an even bigger disruption with the introduction of connected smart lighting and beyond lighting solutions that will impact life in future cities.
Health related quality of life and depressive symptoms among seropositive African Americans

Abstract The primary aim of this descriptive correlational study was to determine which domains of health related quality of life (HRQOL) after controlling for demographic correlates predict depressive symptoms among N=70 seropositive African American men and women on Active Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). A demographic questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-D), and the SF-36 Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) scale were administered. The regression analyses resulted in three models. The first model indicated that emotional well-being explained 38% of the variance in depressive symptoms (P=0.000) and in model two, emotional well-being and role limitations on emotional health explained 50% of the variance (P=0.000) and in the final and best fitting model emotional well-being, role limitations on emotional health and pain explained 53% of the variance in depressive symptoms (P=0.000) respectively. The findings underscore the need to explore the impact of HRQOL on mental health, and to also screen and treat seropositive African American men and women on (ART) for depressive symptoms.
Tamoxifen decreases mammary but not ovarian preneoplasia in a preclinical model of simultaneous breast and ovarian cancer progression.

A68 Women at increased risk for breast cancer are often also at increased risk for ovarian cancer reflecting common risk factors and intertwined etiology of the two diseases. Previously, we found that concurrent treatment with systemic 17β-estradiol (E2) and local ovarian 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA) will lead to early changes of mammary and ovarian cancer simultaneously in the rat. This combined breast/ovarian cancer model allows evaluation of joint prevention strategies against breast and ovarian cancer. Tamoxifen, the only FDA approved chemoprevention drug for breast cancer, has been shown to promote ovarian cysts in premenopausal women; however, its effect on ovarian cancer progression, if any, is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the possibility of tamoxifen as a dual-target prevention agent using our combined breast/ovarian cancer model. Fischer 344 rats (n=60) were hemiovariectomized at 5 weeks of age and the remaining ovary was treated locally with DMBA or vehicle. A sustained release tamoxifen or vehicle pellet (20 mg s.c.) was implanted following the ovarian surgery. Progression to mammary adenocarcinoma was induced by sustained release E2 (1.5 mg s.c.). Rats were divided into 4 groups: group 1 (CONT) received systemic and intraovarian vehicles; group 2 (Tam) received intraovarian vehicle and tamoxifen pellet; group 3 (E2/DMBA) received systemic E2 and ovarian DMBA, and group 4 (Tam/E2/DMBA) received systemic E2, ovarian DMBA and systemic tamoxifen. Rats were sacrificed at 6 months post-treatment. Breast morphology was normal in CONT and Tam groups. CONT group also had normal ovarian histology while some rats in the Tam group exhibited surface hyperplasia and inclusion cysts in the ovary. E2/DMBA treatment induced preneoplastic morphologies (i.e. epithelial hyperplasia, inclusion cysts, papilloma, and stromal hyperplasia) in the ovaries and hyperplasia, atypia, and ductal carcinoma in situ in the mammary gland. Tam/E2/DMBA group had decreased preneoplasic changes in the mammary gland but not in the ovary compared to E2/DMBA group. Immunohistochemistry showed increased proliferation (Ki-67) in the mammary glandular epithelium of E2/DMBA rats compared to the controls, and this increase was prevented by tamoxifen treatment. Our study suggested that tamoxifen prevents early mammary but not ovarian cancer progression in the rat.
Key issues affecting quality of life and patient-reported outcomes in prostate cancer: an analysis conducted in 2128 patients with initial psychometric assessment of the prostate cancer symptom scale (PCSS)

Objective Evidence-based quality of life (QL) questionnaires require the identification of issues of importance to patients. The primary aim of this study was to inform providers on patient-expressed issues while enhancing the content validity of instruments assessing QL and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in prostate cancer. The study provided additional psychometric properties for the new PRO and QL instrument, the Prostate Cancer Symptom Scale (PCSS). Methods An anonymous web-based survey of 2128 patients with prostate cancer was conducted with patients rating 18 QL items on a five-point scale. Results Most respondents (74%) were aged 55–74 years, had early stage disease at diagnosis (81%) and were diagnosed within 2 years of the survey (81%). The top five-rated issues were: overall QL, ability to perform normal activities, maintaining independence, ability to sleep and not being a burden. These items were ranked as either ‘very important’ or ‘important’ by at least 88% of patients. None of the most highly ranked issues were symptoms. Instead, the highest ranked items were global issues reflecting the impact of symptoms on patients. In addition to the enhanced content validity findings, good reliability results and initial support for construct validity are reported for the PCSS. Conclusions This is the largest survey providing patient-expressed background for content validity for QL and PRO measures. The findings of this study should aid development of newer practical questionnaires, such as the PCSS, which can be adapted to electronic platforms enhancing rapid and accurate PRO and QL evaluation.
Motor Fields of Precentral Cells Elicited by Operant Reinforcement of Unit Activity

Motor responses in which a given motor cortex cell may play a functional role can be elicited by operantly reinforcing bursts of cell activity and observing the correlated behavioural responses. Under isometric conditions, operant bursts were often repeatedly correlated with EMG bursts in specific contralateral arm muscles. These EMG bursts broadly coincided with the operant unit bursts, but their onset and peak usually followed the onset and peak of the precentral unit burst. One may refer to the set of muscles co-activated with operant bursts of a motor cortex cell as the cell’s “motor field”. Under isometric conditions the motor field of a given cell generally remained stable over many bursts, not only with respect to the set of co-activated muscles, but also with respect to the relative intensity of their activation. Different units in the same cortical region could have quite different motor fields. Many of the unit-muscle correlations observed when the unit was reinforced were replicated during other reinforced response patterns.
Efficient Computation of Reduced Regression Models.

ABSTRACTWe consider settings where it is of interest to fit and assess regression submodels that arise as various explanatory variables are excluded from a larger regression model. The larger model is referred to as the full model; the submodels are the reduced models. We show that a computationally efficient approximation to the regression estimates under any reduced model can be obtained from a simple weighted least squares (WLS) approach based on the estimated regression parameters and covariance matrix from the full model. This WLS approach can be considered an extension to unbiased estimating equations of a first-order Taylor series approach proposed by Lawless and Singhal. Using data from the 2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), a 20% weighted, stratified, cluster sample of approximately 8 million hospital stays from approximately 1000 hospitals, we illustrate the WLS approach when fitting interval censored regression models to estimate the effect of type of surgery (robotic versus nonrobotic sur...
Rhetoric, Economics, and Nature

I want to talk about an obsession of mine: rhetoric. Samuelsonian economists think about knowledge, words, and actions in terms of quantities. The problem with this way of looking at the economy is that it involves nothing having to do with Value, capital-V. Only value, small-v: price but not Value. It doesn’t involve ethics. It doesn’t involve human language, which is a little odd because we’re animals who symbolize, who represent. Many occupations in a modern economy of free people, a modern democratic economy, require persuasion. You can’t just enslave people or hire them and if they misbehave take out the whip. Persuasion is needed. In my map of knowledge, four basic items—ethics, economy, power, and nature—stand in easy connection with each other.
Estimation and learning of Dynamic Nonlinear Networks (DyNNets)

Learning high-dimensional systems from data is often computationally challenging in the presence of nonlinearities and dynamics. This paper proposes a novel approach for identification of high-dimensional systems based on decomposing systems into networks of low-dimensional linear dynamical subsystems with memoryless, scalar nonlinear feedback elements and memoryless, linear interactions. The proposed model, called Dynamic Nonlinear Networks (DyNNets), can encompass a wide range of complex phenomena and is particularly well-suited for modeling neuronal systems. It is shown that the posterior density of the hidden states given the unknown parameters of a DyNNet admits a factorable structure that separates the linear dynamics, memoryless nonlinearities, and linear interactions. This factorization enables efficient implementation of maximum a posteriori (MAP) state estimation and system identification via the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). The methodology is illustrated on estimation of neural mass models.
Clinical implications of next-generation sequencing in the treatment of brain cancer at a large academic institution.

e13521Background: The use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in clinical practice has increased the treatment (tx) options for cancer patients (pts). The expansion of genomic libraries used by NGS databases has resulted in increased identification of targetable genomic alterations (GAs). The aim of this study was to identify the clinical implications of genomic library expansion in the detection of GAs in pts with brain cancer at a large academic institution. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 71 consecutive pts with brain cancer at the John Theurer Cancer Center that had NGS performed between 02/2014 and 09/2016. GAs were identified using the FoundationOne assay (Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, MA). GAs, number (n) of available genomic-directed tx and n of clinical trials were reviewed. The NGS assay interrogated 236 genes and introns of 19 genes until 09/2014, and subsequently was expanded to include 315 genes and introns of 28 genes. We compared median survival, n of GAs found, n of available trials...
Going beyond the Dodo bird – a response to Gustavsson, Kittelsaa & Tøssebro

AbstractAnders Gustavsson, Anna Kittelsaa and Jan Tossebro describe an important dilemma: most published research shows positive outcomes for the intervention being studied, thus making it difficult to determine which of the interventions would be best suited for any given situation. The author’s discuss this within the context of the Dodo Bird effect, that “all are winners and all should get prizes” and call for a new research paradigm; challenging us to go beyond a surface look at interventions to identify the common factors across interventions that may act as the deeper anchors of success. This response, to the paper, explores why publications tend to focus on positive outcomes, briefly addresses a broader conceptualization of an evidence base, and discusses the possible use of a “root causes” approach to identify common factors that lead to success across interventions.
High-Grade Dysplastic Spondylolisthesis Surgery Complication

High-grade lumbosacral spondylolisthesis is a heterogeneous developmental disorder that often manifests clinically in childhood and adolescence. Pain, hamstring tightness, cosmetic deformity, neurologic symptoms, and sagittal malalignment are common accompanying symptoms that may result in varying degrees of functional and psychological disability. Associated disability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores have been consistently correlated with severity of global sagittal malalignment and abnormal lumbopelvic alignment in children and adolescents with high-grade lumbosacral spondylolisthesis. In this chapter, we present a case of an adolescent with a high-grade dysplastic spondylolisthesis (Labelle type 5) that was initially treated with in situ posterolateral fusion and instrumentation. Eight years after the operation, she developed instrumentation failure with associated pseudarthrosis. We discuss the revision operation used to address this complication as well as the most current evidence to support how this complication may have been prevented with a different initial surgical strategy using interbody support and a reduction to improve regional and global sagittal malalignment.
Trans-venous embolization of a basal ganglia ruptured arteriovenous malformation with open surgical arterial control: A hybrid technique

Treatment of ruptured deep-seated arteriovenous malformations is challenging and associated with elevated risks. This is due to the proximity or involvement of critical brain structures and the specifically fine and delicate angioarchitecture of these lesions, making both endovascular and surgical access technically complicated. We present the advantages of a true combined, open surgical and endovascular transvenous approach in a hybrid operating room. The technique may overcome in part the difficulties and may improve safety and risk related concerns.
Prognostic factors in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for recurrent prostate cancer: Using absolute PSA and PSA doubling time (DT) to guide timing of ADT initiation.

129Background: ADT is the first-line treatment for men experiencing recurrence after undergoing radical therapy for prostate cancer. However, timing of ADT initiation is controversial and there are limited data on prognostic factors in patients starting ADT. Methods: We identified consecutive men who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate cancer at our institution between 1987 and 2007 and who subsequently received salvage ADT. Early progression on ADT was defined as development of metastatic disease within 2yrs of initiation. The primary outcomes of interest were cancer-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 2418 men were included. Median age at RP was 64yrs and median follow-up was 13.9yrs. 48% and 20% of men had pathologic Gleason scores of 7 and 8-10 respectively. The median PSA was 2.6ng/ml, while 385 men (16%) had metastatic disease at receipt of ADT. Overall, 1060 men (44%) developed clinical metastases, with 625 (59%) of these doing so within 2yrs of sta...
Uncomplicated intravenous thrombolysis after lumbar puncture: A case report (P6.203)

Objective: We report a case of uncomplicated intravenous thrombolysis after lumbar puncture in a patient with acute onset focal neurological symptoms. Background: According to the recent AHA/ASA guidelines intravenous thrombolysis may be considered within 7 days after lumbar puncture for treatment of acute ischemic stroke (Class II b, Level of evidence C). This recommendation is based on case reports of epidural hemorrhage after administration of both alteplase and heparin. To the author’s knowledge, there are no reported cases of uncomplicated intravenous alteplase (IV t-PA) administration after Lumbar puncture. Design/Methods: A comprehensive retrospective chart review and review of literature was performed. Results: We present a 59-year-old right-handed Caucasian lady who has a past medical history significant for hypertension, migraine, and chronic bilateral lower extremity weakness. EMG/Nerve conduction suggested motor neuron disorder and a lumbar puncture was pursued. During the procedure, she developed acute onset weakness and numbness in left upper and lower extremities and left facial numbness. NIH stroke scale was 3. Her blood pressure was 149/86 mm Hg, pulse 73 and respiratory rate was 16. Computed tomography (CT) of the head did not show any acute abnormality. After discussing risk vs. benefit with the patient and family, 0.9 mg/kg of IV t-PA was administered at 2 hr 30 mins from the onset of symptoms. She was monitored in the Neurocritical care unit and had an uneventful course. Her symptoms resolved by next morning. Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) was done next day and was negative for acute ischemic stroke. The patient did not develop back pain or signs and symptoms to suggest epidural hematoma. Conclusions: We report a case of uncomplicated intravenous thrombolysis after lumbar puncture. More studies are needed to establish the safety of IV t-PA after lumbar puncture. Disclosure: Dr. Shekhar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Elhusseiny has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nobleza has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sugg has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gangadhara has nothing to disclose.
Phenomenology and the Structure of Desirability

The post-structuralist rejection of both the text as an autonomous entity and the self as a wholeness present unto itself stems primarily from an intellectual approach to life and literature that neglects the finer feeling level of human perception. This level is central to Vedic literature (Veda means pure knowledge), which arranges the human faculties in order of increasing subtlty from the five senses to the mind, intellect, ego, and self (or pure consciousness).1 At its finest level of functioning, the intellect is experienced as a mode of feeling, which may also be described as intuition. The finest level of feeling is love or devotion, which unites the self and other, the absolute and relative.2 As a unifying force, feeling is closely related to memory, that quality of consciousness which enables it to be self-referral while remaining open to the mind and senses. The Manduka Upanishad classifies consciousness into three ordinary states — waking, sleeping, and dreaming — plus a higher, fourth state called transcendental pure consciousness, a self-referral state in which consciousness has no object other than itself.3 By linking oppositions such as subject and object, inside and outside, past and present, feeling and memory allow us to be open to the unity of transcendental consciousness and the diversity of the other faculties at the same time.
γ-Hemolysin Nanopore Is Sensitive to Guanine-to-Inosine Substitutions in Double-Stranded DNA at the Single-Molecule Level

Biological nanopores provide a unique single-molecule sensing platform to detect target molecules based on their specific electrical signatures. The γ-hemolysin (γ-HL) protein produced by Staphylococcus aureus is able to assemble into an octamer nanopore with a ∼2.3 nm diameter β-barrel. Herein, we demonstrate the first application of γ-HL nanopore for DNA structural analysis. To optimize conditions for ion-channel recording, the properties of the γ-HL pore (e.g., conductance, voltage-dependent gating, and ion-selectivity) were characterized at different pH, temperature, and electrolyte concentrations. The optimal condition for DNA analysis using γ-HL corresponds to 3 M KCl, pH 5, and T = 20 °C. The γ-HL protein nanopore is able to translocate dsDNA at about ∼20 bp/ms, and the unique current-signature of captured dsDNA can directly distinguish guanine-to-inosine substitutions at the single-molecule level with ∼99% accuracy. The slow dsDNA threading and translocation processes indicate this wild-type γ-HL channel has potential to detect other base modifications in dsDNA.
Relations Between Teacher Talk Characteristics and Child Language in Spoken-Language Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Classrooms

Purpose The aim of this study was to examine relations between teachers' conversational techniques and language gains made by their deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Specifically, we considered te...
A phenotype of increased sleepiness in a mouse model of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy.

The relationship between cardiovascular disease and abnormalities in sleep architecture is complex and bi-directional. Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) often confounds human studies examining sleep in the setting of heart failure, and the independent impact of isolated right or left heart failure on sleep is difficult to assess. We utilized an animal model of right heart failure using pulmonary artery banding (PAB) in mice to examine the causal effect of right heart failure on sleep architecture. Four weeks after PAB or sham (control) surgery, sleep was measured by polysomnography for 48 hours and right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy confirmed prior to sacrifice. PAB resulted in right ventricular hypertrophy based on a 30% increase in the Fulton Index (p < 0.01). After PAB, mice spent significantly more time in NREM sleep compared to the control group over a 24 hour period (53.5 ± 1.5% vs. 46.6 ± 1.4%; p < 0.01) and exhibited an inability to both cycle into REM sleep and decrease delta density across the light/sleep period. Our results support a phenotype of impaired sleep cycling and increased ‘sleepiness’ in a mouse model of RV dysfunction.
Thermal buoyancy and Marangoni convection in a two fluid layered system - A numerical study

Thermal buoyancy and surface tension driven convection is numerically investigated in a system with two, immiscible fluids. The geometry investigated, has an open cavity configuration with the lighter fluid situated on top of the heavier fluid, forming a stable layered system. The upper fluid meniscus and the interface are assumed to be flat and undeformable in the calculations. The governing equations and boundary/interface conditions are solved by a control volume based finite difference scheme for two pairs of immiscible fluids; the water-hexadecane system and a so called generic system. The steady state calculations show, that dramatically different flows are predicted when the interfacial tension effects are included or excluded from the system model. These differences are particularly appreciable in surface tension dominated flows, that are typical of microgravity situations. Complex flow patterns, with induced secondary flows are noticed in both the fluids. In general, the overall system heat transfer is found to increase with increases in the thermal buoyancy and surface tension effects, but the behavior of the system flow and thermal fields is not easy to characterize, when different combinations of these forces are considered.
Testing for loss of Epichloë and non-epichloid symbionts under altered rainfall regimes

PREMISE Microbial symbionts can buffer plant hosts from environmental change. Therefore, understanding how global change factors alter the associations between hosts and their microbial symbionts may improve predictions of future changes in host population dynamics and microbial diversity. Here, we investigated how one global change factor, precipitation, affected the maintenance or loss of symbiotic fungal endophytes in a C3 grass host. Specifically, we examined the distinct responses of Epichloe (vertically transmitted and systemic) and non-epichloid endophytes (typically horizontally transmitted and localized) by considering (1) how precipitation altered associations with Epichloe and non-epichloid endophytic taxa across host ontogeny, and (2) interactive effects of water availability and Epichloe on early seedling life history stages. METHODS We manipulated the presence of Epichloe amarillans in American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) in a multiyear field experiment that imposed three precipitation regimes (ambient or ±30% rainfall). In laboratory assays, we investigated the interactive effects of water availability and Epichloe on seed viability and germination. RESULTS Reduced precipitation decreased the incidence of Epichloe in leaves in the final sampling period, but had no effect on associations with non-epichloid taxa. Epichloe reduced the incidence of non-epichloid endophytes, including systemic p-endophytes, in seeds. Laboratory assays suggested that association with Epichloe is likely maintained, in part, due to increased seed viability and germination regardless of water availability. CONCLUSIONS Our study empirically demonstrates several pathways for plant symbionts to be lost or maintained across host ontogeny and suggests that reductions in precipitation can drive the loss of a plant's microbial symbionts.