cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Macromolecular binding of [5,6-3H] Prostaglandin E1 in liver cytosol in vitro

[3H] Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is bound extensively to macromolecules in liver cytosol in vitro. A principal binding protein accounts for 80% of the binding. This macromolecule is saturated at about 10−10 M PGE1. The partially purified protein has a molecular weight of 50,000 by gel filtration and a pI of about 3.5 by isoelectrofocusing. Binding is primarily noncovalent and the dissociated ligand behaves similarly to the parental [3H] PGE1 on thin layer chromatography. Possible significance of this interaction is discussed.
Combining Natural Language Processing of Electronic Medical Notes With Administrative Data to Determine Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Disclosure and Documentation of Military Sexual Trauma in Veterans.

Background Despite national screening efforts, military sexual trauma (MST) is underreported. Little is known of racial/ethnic differences in MST reporting in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Objective This study aimed to compare patterns of MST disclosure in VHA by race/ethnicity. Research design Retrospective cohort study of MST disclosures in a national, random sample of Veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq and completed MST screens from October 2009 to 2014. We used natural language processing (NLP) to extract MST concepts from electronic medical notes in the year following Veterans' first MST screen. Measure(s) Any evidence of MST (positive MST screen or NLP concepts) and late MST disclosure (NLP concepts following a negative MST screen). Multivariable logistic regressions, stratified by sex, tested racial/ethnic differences in any MST evidence, and late disclosure. Results Of 6618 male and 6716 female Veterans with MST screen results, 1473 had a positive screen (68 male, 1%; 1405 female, 21%). Of those with a negative screen, 257 evidenced late MST disclosure by NLP (44 male, 39%; 213 female, 13%). Late MST disclosure was usually documented during mental health visits. There were no significant racial/ethnic differences in MST disclosure among men. Among women, blacks were less likely than whites to have any MST evidence (adjusted odds ratio=0.75). In the subsample with any MST evidence, black and Hispanic women were more likely than whites to disclose MST late (adjusted odds ratio=1.89 and 1.59, respectively). Conclusions Combining NLP results with MST screen data facilitated the identification of under-reported sexual trauma experiences among men and racial/ethnic minority women.
Performance Monitoring during Visual Priming.

Repetitive performance of single-feature (efficient or pop-out) visual search improves RTs and accuracy. This phenomenon, known as priming of pop-out, has been demonstrated in both humans and macaq...
Cardiovascular, Behavioral, and Psychological Responses to Organizational Prodiversity Messages Among Racial/ethnic Minorities

Despite the widespread assumption that prodiversity values make companies more attractive workplaces for underrepresented groups, few experiments have tested this assumption. Two experiments invest...
Congenital iris coloboma repair with excision of colobomatous sphincter muscle.

Congenital iris colobomas do not usually present a major optical issue until the time of cataract surgery, when an intraocular lens (IOL) is placed in the eye that is roughly half the diameter of the crystalline lens. Leaving the coloboma unrepaired or sutured closed without addressing the sphincter muscle in the coloboma often creates visual challenges for the eye postoperatively. The problem has previously been addressed, in part, with a technique that creates a scissor snip between the normal iris sphincter and the colobomatous iris sphincter, but still requires notable peripheral iris traction and root disinsertion for closure of the defect. The technique presented here removes all iris sphincter from the sides of the coloboma allowing closure of the colobomatous defect without the need to create iridodialyses. In certain cases, the use of iris diathermy can be used to create focal iris contraction to maximize sphericity and centration of the pupil.
Dual checkpoint blockade of CD47 and PD-L1 using an affinity-tuned bispecific antibody maximizes antitumor immunity

Background T cell checkpoint immunotherapies have shown promising results in the clinic, but most patients remain non-responsive. CD47-signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) myeloid checkpoint blockade has shown early clinical activity in hematologic malignancies. However, CD47 expression on peripheral blood limits αCD47 antibody selectivity and thus efficacy in solid tumors. Methods To improve the antibody selectivity and therapeutic window, we developed a novel affinity-tuned bispecific antibody targeting CD47 and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) to antagonize both innate and adaptive immune checkpoint pathways. This PD-L1-targeted CD47 bispecific antibody was designed with potent affinity for PD-L1 and moderate affinity for CD47 to achieve preferential binding on tumor and myeloid cells expressing PD-L1 in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Results The antibody design reduced binding on red blood cells and enhanced selectivity to the TME, improving the therapeutic window compared with αCD47 and its combination with αPD-L1 in syngeneic tumor models. Mechanistically, both myeloid and T cells were activated and contributed to antitumor activity of αCD47/PD-L1 bispecific antibody. Distinct from αCD47 and αPD-L1 monotherapies or combination therapies, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and gene expression analysis revealed that the bispecific treatment resulted in unique innate activation, including pattern recognition receptor-mediated induction of type I interferon pathways and antigen presentation in dendritic cells and macrophage populations. Furthermore, treatment increased the Tcf7+ stem-like progenitor CD8 T cell population in the TME and promoted its differentiation to an effector-like state. Consistent with mouse data, the compounds were well tolerated and demonstrated robust myeloid and T cell activation in non-human primates (NHPs). Notably, RNA-seq analysis in NHPs provided evidence that the innate activation was mainly contributed by CD47-SIRPα but not PD-L1-PD-1 blockade from the bispecific antibody. Conclusion These findings provide novel mechanistic insights into how myeloid and T cells can be uniquely modulated by the dual innate and adaptive checkpoint antibody and demonstrate its potential in clinical development (NCT04881045) to improve patient outcomes over current PD-(L)1 and CD47-targeted therapies.
Demography of Race and Ethnicity in South Africa

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a demographic profile of South Africa. First, we focus on the Cape because we suggest that the Cape experience has general implications for other settlements in South Africa such as Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State, and helps in understanding the emerging national context of racial classification in the census. Secondly, we turn to the use of Race in the efforts to conduct censuses by the Colonial administrators. These enumerations are different from the census, in that they were not as systematic, nor did they have the same authoritative mandate as censuses. Next, we turn our attention to how the system of racial classification developed in the Cape Colony was expanded and extended to other regions of South Africa. The colonial history provides a foundation for a discussion of race and ethnicity in the segregation period. Finally, we move to an examination of apartheid and post apartheid periods and provide an outlook of the future in post apartheid South Africa. We conclude by mentioning how these enumerations were related to European colonial domination and racial classification more generally and are associated the racial stratification system.
Geometrically constrained self-assembly and crystal packing of flattened and aligned carbon nanotubes

Abstract While the mechanical properties of highly aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) thin films and their nanocomposites have been widely studied, the load transfer mechanisms and failure modes of aligned CNT composites have not been sufficiently explored and understood. In this research, super-aligned CNT thin films with a measured alignment fraction of up to 0.93 are fabricated by mechanical stretching. High concentration (50–60 wt% CNT) CNT reinforced bismaleimide (CNT/BMI) nanocomposites are fabricated from the aligned network to study mechanical properties and microstructures. Atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis reveal unusual CNT crystal packing and permit the observation of interesting structural features of the CNTs and their assemblages, including collapse, flattened packing, preferred stacking, folding and twisting phenomena, as well as CNT pullouts from bundles and the resin matrix. The large surface-to-surface contact areas between aligned and flattened nanotubes, driven by van der Waals interactions, give rise to a high density packing of the flattened CNTs in the nanocomposite, resembling a graphitic material. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to model the packing structure and understand the dependence of density on the relative content of flattened nanotube and void space. The modeling results support the conclusions drawn from the experimental observations.
Petra´s Kingdom: the cellar of the house on the lagoon

Resumen en: In her first novel written in English, Puerto Rican writer Rosario Ferre devotes two chapters to Petra Aviles, a descendant of African slaves who plays a...
Pellet Patterns Fired by Sawed-Off Shotguns

To determine the effect of barrel length on pellet patterns fired by sawed-off shotguns, 00 buckshot, No. 2 shot, and No. 7½ birdshot cartridges were fired from 12-gage single-shot Harrington and Richardson shotguns with the barrel lengths progressively shortened to 152 mm (6 in.). The spread of the 00 buckshot pattern was found to increase as the barrel length of the firing weapon decreased. The spread of the pellet patterns increased or tended to remain constant as the barrel length decreased when other types of cartridges were fired from the shotguns; this depended on the brand of ammunition.
Psychopharmacology and Medication Adherence

Medication is an important part of the treatment of people with serious mental illness. People with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder will have a more stable life, fewer relapses, and fewer hospitalizations if they consistently take appropriate medication (Gilmer et al. 2004; Lang et al. 2010). Despite its demonstrated effectiveness, many people with serious mental illness either refuse to take prescribed psychiatric medication or take it inconsistently (Fenton et al. 1997; Lacro et al. 2002; Velligan et al. 2010). Often, medication is considered not only important, but the critical element of treatment, especially for people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
What are the technical tools of lean management

This chapter focuses on various technical tools of Lean management. A good foundational tool developed by Toyota and used in Lean activities to assist teams in understanding the overall process is the “value stream mapping” (VSM) exercise. VSM is a waste identification tool that is used to identify Lean improvement opportunities based on the nonvalue-added processes that get identified. It does not focus on working harder; it focuses on working smarter. The “systems flowchart” tool is useful in environments where the information flow is complex. Another mapping tool that shows the travel time of the materials and/or the people involved in the process is called the “spaghetti diagram.” This diagram makes it easy to calculate travel time according to parts produced and find ways to reduce this travel time. Some other technical tools of Lean management discussed in the chapter include future-state Value Stream Map, Takt Time, Lean events, and Lean action item list.
The monitoring, Evaluation, reporting, verification, and certification of energy-efficiency projects

In this paper, we present an overview of guidelinesdeveloped for the monitoring, evaluation, reporting,verification, and certification (MERVC) ofenergy-efficiency projects for climate changemitigation. The monitoring and evaluation ofenergy-efficiency projects is needed to determine moreaccurately their impact on greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions and other attributes, and to ensure that theglobal climate is protected and that countryobligations are met. Reporting, verification andcertification will be needed for addressing therequirements of the Kyoto Protocol. While the cost ofmonitoring and evaluation of energy-efficiencyprojects is expected to be about 5–10% of a project'sbudget, the actual cost of monitoring and evaluationwill vary depending on many factors, including thelevel of precision required for measuring energy andGHG reductions, type of project, and amount of fundingavailable.
Temperature-Induced Changes in Reversed-Phase Chromatographic Surfaces: C8 and C9 Polymeric Ligands

Abstract : The temperature-dependent retention of phenol and resorcinol on a monomeric C8 stationary phase, preconditioned with acetonitrile and then contacted with water, is investigated. These results are compared with the surface polarity of C7 and c8 monomeric ligands under similar conditions, the using the fluorescence vibronic band ratios of sorbed pyrene as a probe. Unlike polymeric stationary phases in the same size range, the solute elution and surface polarity of monomeric ligands indicate no persistent retention of the preconditioning solvent nor a distinct transition temperature for its accelerated loss. The results indicate that monomeric stationary phases are amorphous surface structures which do not achieve the same degree of conformational order as polymeric ligands; the results are consistent with previous studies of the shape selectivity of monomeric and polymeric phases.
Iron Loading Anaemia

This article outlines the key pathophysiologic factors underlying the three major forms of anaemia that are particularly likely to cause severe iron overload in patients, even without chronic transfusion therapy: the thalassaemia syndromes, sideroblastic anaemias and congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia. These forms of anaemia cause iron overload by impairing erythropoiesis in ways that cause accelerated turnover of developing erythroblasts in the marrow (ineffective erythropoiesis). The increased demand for non-productive proliferation of erythroblasts disrupts the hepcidin-mediated regulation of iron homeostasis. This leads to continued high levels of oral iron absorption despite the fact that iron from the destroyed erythroblasts cannot be excreted. As correction of the underlying illness is often not feasible, management usually focuses on judicious use of blood replacement and iron chelation. Key Concepts Iron is essential for aerobic life because it mediates the ability of oxygen to interact productively with the energy-producing biochemical systems of the organism. Iron is indispensable for haemoglobin and red cell production, and therefore, the oxygen tranportation system of the body. Giving its essentiality for survival, iron stores are jealously protected by the body. Thus, there are no mechanisms for excreting iron, even when iron stores are present in excess amounts. Almost all of the iron in the body is conserved by an intricate recycling mechanism from senescent red cells. Absorption of new iron is intended to replace only the small amount of iron lost daily by bleeding and ell shedding. Iron stores are regulated by controlling uptake from dietary sources. A complex endocrine system regulated by the hormone hepcidin plays the key role. In this regulatory cycle, increased erythroid activity in the marrow is interpreted to be a response to iron deficiency, even if iron stores are normal or high. Iron-overloading anaemias are those in which inefficient production of red cell results in excess iron absorption despite normal or elevated total body iron stores. Ineffective erythropoiesis more severe than that seen in other anaemias is the hallmark of the major iron-loading anaemias: thalassaemia, sideroblastic anaemias and congenital dyserythropietic anaemias. These anaemias are not easily corrected at the mechanistic level so that iron chelation therapy, with or without red cell transfusion support, is usually necessary. Keywords: iron; haemoglobin; haemochromatosis; anaemia; thalassaemia
Harmonic assessments for filter design specifications at U.K. National Grid electricity transmission system for large wind farms

This paper presents the methods and issues when assessing harmonic effects of large wind farms in the U.K. The harmonic assessment is not only a licence obligation for a transmission operator but is vital to a wind farm developer for their filter design. It discusses the effects of the system background and wind farm on the harmonic assessment. The modelling aspects of the wind farm is affected by (1) the large array of medium (higher than 33kV) and low voltage (below 33kV) cables, (2) compensation equipments and (3) the active components which generate harmonics that propagate into the transmission and distribution systems. The importance in understanding this process is vital in obtaining the correct performance from any filtering requirements identified by the transmission company, not only in meeting compliance but to minimize the direct and associated cost of installing the filters. Any harmonic assessment will also have to consider the interaction between other connections in the same area. The paper will discuss this interaction and describe how they are currently dealt with when performing harmonic assessments.
The ribosomal DNA of Calliphora erythrocephala: The cistron classes of total genomic DNA

Abstract The composition of the genome set of ribosomal DNA cistrons in Calliphora erythrocephala (a Dipteran fly) has been analyzed. In contrast to previously cloned fragments of the rDNA (see Beckingham & White, 1980), the great majority of the rDNA cistrons do not contain introns in the 28 S β coding region. In the strain of flies studied, however, most cistrons fall into two discrete length classes that are present in approximately equal amounts in the genome. These results from distinct size variants of the non-transcribed spacer in the cistron population. The major genome class of intron-containing (intron + ) rDNA cistrons was found to constitute approximately 5% of all cistrons and to contain introns of 6·1 × 10 3 base-pairs. Interestingly, the intron + cistrons were shown to be clustered within the rDNA and to contain a different population of non-transcribed spacer/external transcribed spacer (NTS + ETS) regions to that seen amongst the intron − cistrons. The implications of these findings in relation to the mechanisms that maintain homogeneity within tandemly repeated gene sets are discussed. Some evidence for the existence of intron sequence DNA outside the rDNA is presented.
SKIN TURGOR AS A QUANTITATIVE INDEX OF DEHYDRATION IN CHILDREN

SKIN TURGOR measured quantitatively in rats with induced dehydration, has been demonstrated to vary with the degree of dehydration. However, two different correlations have been found depending on whether dehydration was primarily due to water loss or primarily due to loss of electrolyte as well as water.1 The present study was undertaken in an attempt to evaluate the application of this simple measurement to children. In the following report, the correlation of skin turgor time and degree of dehydration in children with primary water depletion and in children suffering from diarrhea are presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS The patients studied form two groups. The age distribution and the size of the groups are shown in Table I. The patients in the first group were infants with diarrhea who were admitted to the isolation ward of the Children9s Hospital of Pittsburgh during the winter of 1956. Determinations of the weight, skin turgor, concentrations of electrolytes in serum and nonprotein nitrogen in the blood were made before therapy with fluids was begun and afterwards at various intervals, usually 12 and 24 hours. Change in weight was used as an index of change in hydration. Normal weight was considered to be the weight achieved after complete rehydration as judged by clinical state and "plateauing" of the rapid weight gain. This method of assessment correlated well with the data obtained on three of the patients who happened to have been weighed by their own physician prior to their illness. Patients in whom complete rehydration was not achieved in 36 to 48 hours after admission to the hospital were excluded from this study.
Occult Fractures in the Production of Gait Disturbance in Childhood

Trauma to the lower extremities is the principal cause of gait disturbance in early childhood. Three cases are presented to emphasize the relative frequency of children hospitalized for diagnostic evaluation of altered gait who have occult fractures. The cases may refresh the primary physician of the variables that serve as obstacles to accurate diagnosis.
Two-Dimensional Science

Mad, Bad and Dangerous?. The Scientist and the Cinema. By Christopher Frayling. Reaktion, London, 2005. 239 pp. $35, £19.95. ISBN 1-86189-255-1. The author explores the ways scientists have been portrayed in films and what those portrayals suggest about society9s ambivalent relation to science.
Blending multicultural perspectives: can we shape students' attitudes?

(1994). Blending Multicultural Perspectives: Can We Shape Students' Attitudes? Hospitality & Tourism Educator: Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 17-19.
Performance by design: a management process

It is emphasized that computer performance is not achieved by accident but must be designed into the product from the beginning, and that this requires knowledge of the customer application. It is noted that this is a radical change from the approach of hardware design first, followed by the software being added on later, with performance measured last. The authors describe the need to predict performance and the significant elements of prediction. They also discuss the role of these predictions in the design process and the importance of system design. Performance checkpoints and validation are also discussed. The process described was used in the development of IBM S/370 mid-range processors. >
Regulation of stringent mitochondrial transcription in yeast following amino-acid deprivation

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a phenotypically identical stringent response is induced by either nutritional downshift or starvation for a required auxotrophic amino acid (aa); in each case, the response selectively includes transcriptional curtailment for the mitochondrial (mt) genome. We have shown previously that the downshift-induced mt stringent response is governed by changing cellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, via a mt cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In contrast, we demonstrate here that cAMP levels are not altered in yeast following starvation for a required aa, and we use in vitro mt transcription assays with organelles from wild-type and mutant strains to confirm that the aa starvation-induced mt stringent response is not governed by cAMP. Rather, such stringent organellar transcriptional attenuation may result from altered availability of an unidentified small molecule which is probably a product of the cytoplasmic and/or mt protein synthesis systems.
Vapor phase deposition of copper films with a Cu(I) β-diketiminate precursor

Abstract This work demonstrates the vapor phase deposition of copper films with a volatile Cu(I) β-diketiminate precursor. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiles of the deposited films show only background levels of carbon and oxygen. Film thickness depends on the length of precursor pulse, but the surface roughness does not, a result that suggests a uniform deposition. XPS data for the chemisorbed copper precursor show that the copper was in both the metallic and + 1 oxidation states. Chemisorption of the Cu(I) precursor deposited a Cu(I) species. However, disproportionation of some of the chemisorbed Cu(I) precursor generated Cu(0) and a volatile Cu(II) complex, which was removed from the surface. These results are characteristic of a pulsed chemical vapor deposition.
Approach of the Clinical Research Nurse to Informed Consent

AbstractThe informed consent is an important tool in conducting clinical research as it serves to protect all parties involved in the clinical trial. This fact has been recognized since the early beginnings of research projects. The role of the clinical research nurse (CRN) in procuring informed consent, however, has not been clearly defined or generally accepted at this time. This article will focus on the essential content of the informed consent and the value of the CRN in assuring the completeness and effectiveness of this important document. Included is an example of a consent form which covers the elements of appropriate informed consent as discussed in this article.
Tree-stand-related injuries: a wilderness emergency

Objective To determine the mechanisms and patterns of injury due to falls from tree stands associated with hunting, identify risk factors, and suggest injury prevention and control measures. Design Retrospective medical chart reviews were performed. Telephone interviews were also conducted to obtain additional information. Patients: All patients who presented to two emergency departments during a 5-year period after sustaining injury while using tree stands. Results Twenty-four male deer hunters comprised the study group. These 24 patients sustained a variety of injuries, including 7 with vertebral fractures, 6 with extremity fractures, 4 with multiple rib fractures, 3 with pelvic fractures, and 3 with head injuries. These injuries resulted in hospitalization of 16 (66.7%) of the 24 patients and prolonged disability (> 1 month) in 5 patients (20.8%). Average height of fall was 21.1 ft. In 7 (35%) of 20 cases, the fall resulted from mechanical failure of the tree stand or harness. The remaining majority of falls (13/20 or 65%) could be traced to judgment error or careless behavior on behalf of the hunter, usually during ascent or descent of the tree and in the absence of a safety belt. Conclusions A significant number of patients presented with a variety of injuries after falls from tree stands. The majority of these injured patients required hospitalization, and a significant percent had prolonged disability. Risk factors associated with these falls were identified.
Chaos in the low-lying collective states of even-even nuclei: Classical limit.

We study the classical dynamical behavior of a family of Hamiltonians in the interacting boson model which describe the low-lying collective states of even-even nuclei. Two measures of classical chaos, the fractional volume of chaotic trajectories and the average largest Lyapunov exponent, are studied as a function of energy, angular momentum, and a parameter which interpolates between rotational and \ensuremath{\gamma}-unstable nuclei. Near these two limits the dynamics is regular but in the transition region it becomes chaotic. The results agree with a previous study of quantum chaos in the corresponding quantal model, where spectral and E(2) intensity fluctuations were analyzed. Contrary to most previous numerical studies which were restricted to unrealistic models in two degrees of freedom, the present model is realistic and has five degrees of freedom. The latter correspond to the five quadrupole nuclear shape degrees of freedom.
Student Performance in Undergraduate Economics Courses

Using undergraduate student records from six large public universities from 1990 to 2003, the authors analyze the characteristics and performance of students by major in two economics courses: Principles of Microeconomics and Intermediate Microeconomics. This article documents important differences across students by major in the principles course and compares these students to those who graduate with a major in economics. The data indicate that about two thirds of students who graduate with a major in economics declared their major sometime after completing the Principles of Microeconomics course. The article documents differences in characteristics and performance for economics graduates who started as engineering, math, or physics majors as compared to business or economics majors. The authors also examine whether starting in one of the more math-intensive majors of engineering, math, or physics improves student performance in intermediate microeconomics if performance in the principles course was good.
Binary relations as single primitive notions for hyperbolic three-space and the inversive plane

Abstract By interpreting J.A. Lester's [9] result on inversive-distance-preserving mappings as an axiomatizability statement, and by using the Liebmann isomorphism between the inversive plane and hyperbolic three-space, we point out that hyperbolic three-spaces (and inversive geometry) coordinatized by Euclidean fields can be axiomatized with planes (or circles) as variables, by using only the plane-orthogonality (or circle-orthogonality) predicate ⊥p (or ⊥c), or by using only the predicate δ′ (or δ), where δ′(p,p′) (or δ(A, B)) is interpreted as ‘the distance between the planes p and p′ is equal to the length of the segment s whose angle of parallelism is π 4 (i. e. II(s) = π 4 )’ (or as ‘the numerical distance between the disjoint circles A and B has the value ϱ, which corresponds to s via Liebmann's isomorphism’).
Structural Basis for Binding of RNA and Cofactor by a KsgA Methyltransferase

Summary Among methyltransferases, KsgA and the reaction it catalyzes are conserved throughout evolution. However, the specifics of substrate recognition by the enzyme remain unknown. Here we report structures of Aquifex aeolicus KsgA, in its ligand-free form, in complex with RNA, and in complex with both RNA and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH, reaction product of cofactor S-adenosylmethionine), revealing critical structural information on KsgA-RNA and KsgA-SAH interactions. Moreover, the structures show how conformational changes that occur upon RNA binding create the cofactor-binding site. There are nine conserved functional motifs (motifs I–VIII and X) in KsgA. Prior to RNA binding, motifs I and VIII are flexible, each exhibiting two distinct conformations. Upon RNA binding, the two motifs become stabilized in one of these conformations, which is compatible with the binding of SAH. Motif X, which is also stabilized upon RNA binding, is directly involved in the binding of SAH.
Short-term Outcomes of Chait Trapdoor for Antegrade Continence Enema in Adults

Objective To examine our short-term experience of antegrade continence enema (ACE) delivered via a Chait Trapdoor (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN) in adults with intractable neurogenic bowel. Methods We performed a retrospective review at the Universities of Utah and Minnesota of 15 patients with Chait Trapdoor placed for the purpose of ACE from 2011 to 2013. Our primary outcome was continued utilization of the Chait Trapdoor. Secondary outcomes included volume of ACE used and time to produce a bowel movement. Results All patients had neurogenic bowel refractory to conventional bowel regimen. Mean follow-up was 6 months (range, 1-17 months). Thirteen patients had the Chait Trapdoor placed in the splenic flexure and 2 had it placed in the cecum. Of the 15 patients, 12 (80%) were still using the Chait Trapdoor at last follow-up. A median of 425 mL (range, 120-1000 mL) of fluid was used to produce a bowel movement in 5-120 minutes. Two patients developed postoperative wound infections, requiring return to the operating room (Clavien IIIb). Long-term complications included 5 patients with a dislodged tube requiring replacement by interventional radiology and 2 patients with local cellulitis. Two patients had the Chait Trapdoor moved to a new location to improve efficacy. Conclusion Although the revision, removal, and complication rates were high, 80% of the patients were satisfied with the function and continued to use the Chait Trapdoor. The volume of irrigation required for ACE and the time it takes to produce a bowel movement vary significantly between patients.
Relative importance of preoperative health status versus intraoperative factors in predicting postoperative adverse outcomes in geriatric surgical patients

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and predictors of adverse postoperative outcomes in older surgical patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing noncardiac surgery in 1997. SETTING: A medical school-affiliated teaching community hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients age 70 and older undergoing noncardiac surgery. Patients presenting for surgery requiring only local anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care were excluded. MEASUREMENTS: Potential pre- and intra-operative risk factors were measured and evaluated for their association with the occurrence of predefined in-hospital postoperative adverse outcomes. Univariate predictors of postoperative outcomes were first measured using the chi-square or Fisher's exact tests followed by multivariate logistic regression. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), and two-sided P-values were reported. RESULTS: Five hundred forty-four consecutive patients were studied. Overall, 21% of patients developed one or more postoperative adverse outcomes and 3.7% died during the in-hospital postoperative period. Of all the adverse outcomes, cardiovascular complications (10.3%) were the leading cause of morbidity, followed by neurological (7.7%) and pulmonary complications (5.5%). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification (OR = 2.7, CI = 1.6-4.4), emergency surgery (OR = 2.0, CI = 1.1-3.4), and intraoperative tachycardia (OR = 3.8, CI = 1.9-7.6) were the most important predictors of postoperative adverse outcomes. Of all the preoperative physical symptoms and signs, decreased functional status (OR = 3.0, CI = 1.4-6.4) and clinical signs of congestive heart failure (OR = 2.1, CI = 1.1-5.1) were the two most important predictors of postoperative adverse neurological and cardiac outcomes, respectively. The median hospital stay was 4 days. The patients who developed postoperative adverse outcomes had significantly longer median hospital stays (9 days) than those without complications (3 days), (P <.0001). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that the postoperative mortality rate in geriatric surgical patients undergoing noncardiac surgery is low. Despite the prevalence of preoperative chronic medical conditions, most patients do well postoperatively. The ASA classification (a reflection of the severity of preoperative comorbidities), emergency surgery, and intraoperative tachycardia increase the odds of developing any postoperative adverse events. Future studies aimed at modifying some of the potentially reversible risk factors, such as preoperative heart function and intraoperative heart rate are warranted.
Protonation of Metal−Metal Bonds in Dinuclear Iridium Complexes: Consequences for Structure and Reactivity

Protonation of the carbonyl-bridged dimer [Cp*Ir(μ-CO)]2 (Cp* = η5-C5Me5) (1) with 1 equiv of the strong acid HBAr‘4·2Et2O (Ar‘= 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) generates the hydride- bridged species {[Cp*Ir(CO)]2(μ-H)}BAr‘4 (2). Addition of excess acid to 1 results in the formation of the dihydride dication [Cp*Ir(CO)]2(μ-H)22+ (3). The monoprotonated cation, 2, reacts rapidly with CO or H2 to afford [Cp*Ir(CO)]2(μ-CO)(μ-H)+ (4) and [Cp*Ir(CO)H]2(μ-H)+ (5), respectively. The structures of the cationic dimers 4 and 5 have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. Deprotonation of complex 5 generates the neutral dihydride dimer [Cp*Ir(CO)H]2 (6), a compound with an unsupported Ir−Ir bond. An X-ray diffraction analysis of 6 reveals an Ir−Ir bond length of 2.730(1) A. Formal protonation of the Ir−Ir bond of 6 to give 5 results in an increase of approximately 0.198 A in the length of that bond.
Gastric emptying in exercised mice.

Abstract 1. 1. Male adult mice were fasted for 8–10 hr, given a 1% phenol red marker solution, and exercised on a treadmill. 2. 2. Mice exercised at 0.50 mph had significantly faster gastric emptying rates after 15 min of exercise than non-exercised mice; however differences were not significant for longer periods of time. 3. 3. Mice exercised at 0.25 mph did not have significantly different gastric emptying rates at any time interval studied. 4. 4. Larger volumes empty faster than smaller volumes from stomachs of exercised mice.
Personal appearance and consumption in popular culture: A framework for descriptive and prescriptive analysis

The theme of personal appearance and its relation to consumer behavior in the culture of consumption plays a major role in our popular arts and entertainment. On this theme, the authors begin with a general consideration of the role played by physical attractiveness in interpersonal relations. They next develop a typology to suggest a framework that embodies four perspectives on personal appearance and consumption in popular culture: Configuration, Transfiguration, Refiguration, and Disfiguration. From a descriptive viewpoint, they then discuss motivations, attitudes, analogues, and exemplars associated with each perspective. Finally, they present prescriptions concerning the normative implications that the contrasting perspectives potentially carry in terms of their social messages and moral meanings. In both the descriptive and prescriptive phases of these analyses, the authors rely heavily on illustrations drawn from popular culture in general and from motion pictures in particular. Thus, the framework...
300mm Time Constrained Queue Loop Management

Prior process technology experience identified several segments in 300 mm process flows as cycle-time sensitive. The time between a wafer leaving an operation and being processed at a subsequent operation must be managed or else process defects may occur. These time constrained steps are referred to as "queue loops" because wafers are held in queue until there is high confidence they can be processed within the predetermined timeframe. The problem resides in synchronizing production capacity within each loop while balancing factory favorable cycle-time and cost effective toolset capacity. This paper will discuss the simulation modeling methodology that was utilized to analyze the trade-offs between output and quality-induced operational controls under varying wafer start levels.
Temporal limits of brightness induction and mechanisms of brightness perception

Abstract The luminance of a squarewave grating was modulated in a manner such that every other stripe temporally varied between bright and dark and the intervening stripes had constant luminance. This produces brightness induction in the constant stripes, roughly in antiphase to the luminance modulation. We used this stimulus as a probe to explore the temporal properties of bright ness induction and the mechanisms determining perceived brightness. Over a range of spatial frequencies we measured: (1) the highest temporal frequency at which brightness induction Occurs; (2) the magnitude of induced brightness; and (3) the temporal phase of the induced brigh ness modulation. We find that brightness induction ceases with luminance modulation above a c toff temporal frequency that depends on spatial frequency. The magnitude of induced brigh ness modulation is greatest at low spatial frequencies and low temporal frequencies. Induced brightness lags behind the luminance modulation and this phase lag increases as spatial frequency decreases. All of these findings can be understood as consequences of an induction process that takes longer to complete as the induction region increases in size.
FIBRINOGEN PRECIPITATION BY STREPTOCOCCAL M PROTEIN : II. RENAL LESIONS INDUCED BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION OF M PROTEIN INTO MICE AND RATS

Intravenous injection of Type 1 streptococcal M protein into mice and rats produced lesions confined to renal glomeruli. Thrombi of eosinophilic amorphous material, seen to occlude glomerular capillaries, were shown to contain M protein and fibrinogen. Gradual regression of the morphological lesions was observed during the 3 weeks following injection. Initial abnormal proteinuria and azotemia returned to control levels by the end of the 1st week; a second rise in urinary protein excretion and urea retention was demonstrated in some rats coincident with appearance of anti-M antibodies. The mechanism of renal localization of streptococcal M protein by means of a complex with fibrinogen was suggested, which may comprise an initial phase in the pathogenesis of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.
Flow and Heat Transfer Behavior for a Vortex-Enhanced Interrupted Fin

The potential for enhanced air-side heat transfer in HVAC&R applications has been investigated using combined spanwise and streamwise vorticity. Spanwise vortices were created using an offset-strip fin array, and streamwise vortices were introduced into the flow using delta-wing vortex generators. Mass transfer measurements, obtained using the naphthalene sublimation technique, were used to quantify the heat transfer characteristics of a baseline and enhanced array, and these results were compared to flow visualization and particle image velocimetry measurements of the instantaneous velocity fields. Significant enhancement was observed over portions of the Reynolds number range tested (400≤Re≤3700), and a transitional Reynolds number range was identified within which the spanwise and streamwise vortices act to decrease the heat transfer performance of the array.
Numerical advective schemes used in air quality models—sequential and parallel implementation

Abstract Six algorithms for solving the advection equation are compared to determine their suitability for use in photochemical air quality models. The algorithms tested are the Smolarkiewicz method, the Galerkin finite element method, the numerical method of lines, the accurate space derivative method (ASD), Bott method, and Emde method. Four algorithms for filtering the numerical noise produced when solving the advection equation are also compared. The algorithms are evaluated both on two test problems and in the CIT model. The Galerkin finite element and the ASD methods are implemented in the CIT in parallel computation. Results indicate that the ASD method, coupled with the Forester filter, produces the most accurate results. When the ASD transport solver is implemented in parallel, a speed-up of about 88 is achieved using, 256 processors. Furthermore, a new set of optimized Forester filter parameters for grid-based air quality models is determined.
Loss of tRNA 5-methyluridine methyltransferase and pseudouridine synthetase activities in 5-fluorouracil and 1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil (ftorafur)-treated Escherichia coli.

Abstract Transfer RNAs from Escherichia coli B treated with either 5-fluorouracil or its analog, 1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil (ftorafur), contain low levels of 5-fluorouracil, but are grossly deficient in pseudouridine and 5-methyluridine. The enzymes responsible for the formation of these two modified nucleosides, tRNA pseudouridine synthetase and (5-methyluridine)-methyltransferase, show substantially reduced activity levels in extracts from ftorafur- and 5-fluorouracil-treated cells relative to preparations from normal cells. When these tRNA-modifying activities are examined in vitro, both are inhibited by the addition of fluorouridine-containing tRNAs to the reaction mixtures. Pseudouridine synthetase activity shows potent inhibition. These inhibitory properties of fluorouridine-containing tRNAs, plus the inability of tRNA (5-methyluridine)-methyltransferase to efficiently use fluorouridine-containing tRNAs as substrates, appear to account for the deficiency of 5-methyluridine and pseudouridine in tRNAs from cells containing low levels of 5-fluorouracil.
Relationships between electronegativity and genotoxicity

Abstract The mean electronegativity of chemicals tested for mutagenicity, genotoxicity, clastogenicity and toxicity was determined. It was found that, as expected, chemicals with ‘structural alerts’ for DNA reactivity, and/or capable of inducing mutations in Salmonella and/or unscheduled DNA synthesis in hepatocytes, as a group, were significantly more electronegative than the molecules lacking these attributes. Molecules capable of inducing somatic mutations and recombinations in Drosophila melanogaster also exhibited this characteristic although it was of borderline statistical significance. Inducers of chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges in cultured CHO cells showed the same trend, however the differences between inducers and non-inducers were not statistically significant. In contrast to the above, inducers of bone marrow micronuclei, as a group, were significantly less electronegative than non-inducers. This is a property they shared with chemicals that exhibited systemic or cellular toxicity or that induced lethality in minnows. These findings suggest that in addition to genotoxicity, cellular and/or systemic toxicity may also contribute to the induction of micronuclei.
Primary central nervous system amelanotic melanoma in a Hispanic male: Case report.

Background Primary melanotic neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS) are uncommon; amelanotic melanomas in this region are extremely rare. Very few cases of amelanotic variation of primary melanoma in the CNS were reported on. General guidelines or recommendations to establish this diagnosis do not exist. Case report A sixty-year-old male Hispanic patient presented with a 7-day history of numbness and dizziness. Initial laboratory work-up and physical examination were inconclusive. Cerebral radiological imaging showed a left frontal lesion. Further work-up after clinical deterioration revealed an increase in the lesion size consistent with hemorrhage and changes in T1WI. Biopsy and immunochemistry demonstrated the presence of amelanotic melanoma in the CNS without evidence of another primary lesion. Conclusions Primary amelanotic melanoma of the CNS represents a challenge, clinically and diagnostically. Magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful in early stages. Final diagnosis is established with immunohistochemical testing. Physicians should be aware of the existence of this rare manifestation and difficulties faced while building this diagnosis.
Nonlinear Feedback Control of a Gravity-Assisted Underactuated Manipulator With Application to Aircraft Assembly

A nonlinear feedback scheme for a gravity-assisted underactuated manipulator with second-order nonholonomic constraints is presented in this paper. The joints of the hyper articulated arm have no dedicated actuators but are activated by gravity. By tilting the base link appropriately, the gravitational torque drives the unactuated links to a desired angular position. With simple locking mechanisms, the hyperarticulated arm can change its configuration using only one actuator at the base. This underactuated arm design was motivated by the need for a compact snake-like robot that can go into aircraft wings and perform assembly operations using heavy end-effectors. The dynamics of the unactuated links are essentially second-order nonholonomic constraints for which there are no general methods to design closed-loop control. We propose a nonlinear closed-loop control law that is guaranteed to be stable in positioning one unactuated joint at a time. We synthesize a Lyapunov function to prove the convergence of this control scheme. The Lyapunov function also generates estimates of the domain of convergence of the control law for various control gains. The control algorithm is implemented on a prototype three-link system. Finally, we provide some experimental results to demonstrate the efficacy of the control scheme.
Deadlock detection is cheap

Deadlock detection is usually considered to be expensive, and timeouts or deadlock prevention techniques are usually resorted to as a result, which many times causes unnecessary transaction restarts. In this paper, we show that under certain reasonable assumptions, deadlocks can be detected very cheaply.