cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calculations of the third-order nonlinear optical responses in push–pull chromophores with a time-dependent density functional theory

Abstract The third-order resonant and static nonlinear optical polarizabilities of the donor–donor and donor–acceptor substituted π conjugated molecules are calculated using the third-order response formalism in combination with time-dependent Hartree–Fock (TD-HF) and density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods. Performance of different levels of theory for excited state structure and nonlinear optical responses has been analyzed. Since the exact computations are fairly expensive, and only a few components of the cubic polarizability (corresponding to the Liouville space paths) are important, numerically efficient approximations are suggested.
Epoxide-Mediated CifR Repression of cif Gene Expression Utilizes Two Binding Sites in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes an epoxide hydrolase virulence factor that reduces the apical membrane expression of ABC transporters such as the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). This virulence factor, named CFTR inhibitory factor (Cif), is regulated by a TetR-family, epoxide-responsive repressor known as CifR via direct binding and repression. We identified two sites of CifR binding in the intergenic space between cifR and morB, the first gene in the operon containing the cif gene. We have mapped these binding sites and found they are 27 bp in length, and they overlap the −10 and +1 sites of both the cifR and morB regulatory region and the start of transcription, respectively. In addition, we found that CifR binds to each repression site with differing affinity. Mutagenesis of these binding sites resulted in a loss of DNA binding in vitro, and mutation of one of these sites in vivo resulted in an increase in transcription of both the cif and cifR genes. We characterized cif and cifR gene expression in sputum and found that, whereas cif gene expression varied relative to an in vitro coculture control, cifR gene expression was consistently higher. Analysis of a longitudinal sample of CF isolates from nine patients revealed that Cif protein was expressed over time, although variably, and these changes could not be linked to mutations in the cifR gene or the promoters of these genes. Finally, we tested CifR responsiveness to other epoxides and showed that CifR can respond to multiple epoxides to various degrees.
Variable frequency drives-technology and applications

Variable frequency AC motor drives are recently making a tremendous impact in the industrial automation of nations. The rapid evolution of the technology could be possible because of many innovations in power semiconductor devices, power converter topologies, microprocessors, application specific IC's, control and computer-aided design techniques. The paper gives a brief but comprehensive state-of-the-art review of AC machines, power converter circuits and power semiconductor devices. The control and estimation issues with particular emphasis of induction motor drives are discussed. Finally, a few selected drive applications are reviewed. Variable frequency drives are expected to have increasing influence on a nation's industrial productivity, energy conservation, environmental protection and urban pollution problems in the coming decades. >
Inducible Clindamycin Resistance in Staphylococci: Should Clinicians and Microbiologists be Concerned?

The increasing incidence of a variety of infections due to Staphylococcus aureus--and, especially, the expanding role of community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)--has led to emphasis on the need for safe and effective agents to treat both systemic and localized staphylococcal infections. Unlike most previously noted strains of health care-associated MRSA, community-acquired MRSA isolates are often susceptible to several non- beta -lactam drug classes, although they are usually not susceptible to macrolides. Several newer antimicrobial agents and a few older agents are available for treatment of systemic staphylococcal infections, but use may be limited by the relatively high cost of these agents or the need for parenteral administration. Inexpensive oral agents for treatment of localized, community-acquired MRSA infection include clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and newer tetracyclines. Clindamycin has been used successfully to treat pneumonia and soft-tissue and musculoskeletal infections due to MRSA in adults and children. However, concern over the possibility of emergence of clindamycin resistance during therapy has discouraged some clinicians from prescribing that agent. Simple laboratory testing (e.g., the erythromycin-clindamycin "D-zone" test) can separate strains that have the genetic potential (i.e., the presence of erm genes) to become resistant during therapy from strains that are fully susceptible to clindamycin.
A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERFACE TRAP DENSITY AND TRANSCONDUCTANCE IN DEPLETION-MODE FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS

A simple relationship between the interface trap densities and transconductance of depletion mode field-effect transistors is derived without any simplifying assumptions regarding the energy distribution of the traps. Using this relationship and the experimental transconductance data, interface trap densities in GaAs and InP were calculated and compared to their values obtained using capacitance versus voltage measurements. Our method provides a simple and efficient technique of estimating interface trap densities based on transconductance data that are readily given in the pertinent literature.
The Genetics of Feeding in Caenorhabditis elegans

The pharynx of Caenorhabditis elegans is a nearly self-contained neuromuscular organ responsible for feeding. To identify genes involved in the development or function of the excitable cells of the pharynx, I screened for worms with visible defects in pharyngeal feeding behavior. Fifty-two mutations identified 35 genes, at least 22 previously unknown. The genes broke down into three broad classes: 2 pha genes, mutations in which caused defects in the shape of the pharynx, 7 phm genes, mutations in which caused defects in the contractile structures of the pharyngeal muscle, and 26 eat genes, mutants in which had abnormal pharyngeal muscle motions, but had normally shaped and normally birefringent pharynxes capable of vigorous contraction. Although the Eat phenotypes were diverse, most resembled those caused by defects in the pharyngeal nervous system. For some of the eat genes there is direct evidence from previous genetic mosaic and pharmacological studies that they do in fact affect nervous system. In eat-5 mutants the motions of the different parts of the pharynx were poorly synchronized. eat-6 and eat-12 mutants failed to relax their pharyngeal muscles properly. These pharyngeal motion defects are most easily explained as resulting from abnormal electrical excitability of the pharyngeal muscle membrane.
SEREFE: serendipitous file exchange between users and devices

At work and at play, people need access to the right information, and they frequently need to share that information with others. While current tools such as electronic mail and USB flash drives provide powerful mechanisms for managing and sharing information, they too often require that users anticipate what information they might share (e.g. so they have it on their flash drive) and when they might share it (e.g. so they bring the flash drive with them). These tools thus provide excellent support for planned sharing but inadequate support for serendipitously sharing digital information with others. In this paper we discuss eight design goals that a successful system for serendipitous sharing should meet, and we present SEREFE, a new architecture for SEREndipitous File Exchange that we designed to meet those goals. SEREFE extends an instant messaging architecture to allow users to use any of their devices, including a cell phone, to share information stored on any of their devices with other users or to copy it to another of their devices. We describe the SEREFE user experience, implementation, and initial evaluation results.
Serum ferritin as a measure of iron stores in normal subjects

Serum ferritin has been measured by a two-site immunoradiometnic assay employing antibody-coated polystyrene tubes. Normal values were established by performing measurements in male and female subjects between 20 and 50 years of age in whom iron-deficient erythropoiesis was excluded on the basis of transferrin saturation and red cell protoporphyrin. The serum fernitin was log-normally distributed with a geometric mean of 94 ng/ml in 174 males and 34 ng/ml in 152 females. Additional studies were performed in 83 healthy women to determine the relationshipbetween serum ferritin and iron stores measured by radioiron absorption. A high correlation between these measurements indicates that the serum ferritin is a useful survey tool for the initial assessment and prospective monitoring of iron stores in a normal population. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 27: 681 -687, 1974.
Nonlinear correction method for characterizing small absorbers in turbid media

A simple nonlinear correction formula is incorporated to reduce errors caused by using linear perturbation models. Results from phantoms and excised tumors are presented.
State Observer Synthesis for a Class of Condition Systems

This paper considers the problem of synthesizing an observer to estimate the state of a plant modeled as a condition system, a form of Petri net with signal inputs and outputs. We present requirements for the existence of an observer, and then present a procedure that analyzes the plant model and automatically synthesizes an observer for it. At last, we give an example to illustrate the method.
Monuments Men, Hidden Treasures, and the Restitution of Looted Art

The 2012 discovery of a hidden art trove is the stuff that movies are made of. In fact, similar stories have been featured in films. The announcement of Cornelius Gurlitt’s art cache involves a familiar cast of players: Hitler, Goebbels, Nazi commanders, Allied forces, political figures, and even the Monuments Men (a group featured in George Clooney’s “The Monuments Men”). On November 3, 2013, in what some called “one of the largest and most significant discoveries of masterpieces plundered by the Nazis,” a major piece of news was announced: “A Modernist art haul, looted by Nazis recovered by Germany police.” The “Gurlitt Collection” is shrouded in mystery, as the origins of the majority of the approximately 1400 works are murky, thus prompting a large-scale investigation. What is clear is the following: the artwork, believed to be worth more than $US 1.35 billion, was seized from Cornelius Gurlitt in early 2012. Gurlitt first attracted the attention of police in 2010 after a random cash check during a train trip between Switzerland and Munich. These suspicions led to a raid on Gurlitt’s flat in the spring of 2011. During that raid, police were confronted with a massive art collection. This article examines legal issues related to the Munich Art Trove.
Is there a Lectionary Text of the Gospels

Do the majority of the Greek lectionaries of the gospels agree with one another so consistently that it is possible to speak of their text as “the lectionary text”? It has generally been assumed that the text of lectionaries does not merit serious attention, and that even if they should agree in text, the quality of that text would not justify its study. But the discussion of the quality and significance of this text may reasonably be postponed until its existence has been established.
The effects of antihypertensive medications on physical function.

Abstract Objective Limited research has examined the effects of antihypertensive medication use and physical function. These studies provided mixed findings while employing a convenience sample and limiting their examination to few indices of physical function and few classes of antihypertensive medications. The purpose of this study was to examine whether several antihypertensive medication classes were associated with several measures of physical function in a national sample of U.S. middle-to-older age adults. Methods Data from the 1999–2002 and 2011–2012 NHANES were used. Antihypertensive medication use was assessed from an interviewer, and included angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, peripherally-acting antiadrenergic agents and centrally-acting antiadrenergic agents. Physical function-related parameters included objectively-measured lower extremity isokinetic knee extensor strength (IKES), objectively-measured grip strength, laboratory-assessed walking performance (8 and 20 ft walk tests) and self-reported physical activity engagement. Results Those on ACE inhibitors had a 37% reduced odds (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.48–0.83, P = .002) of engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, had reduced knee extensor strength (β = − 15.4, 95% CI: − 27.2 to − 3.4, P = .01) and took longer to complete the 20 ft (β = .42, 95% CI: 0.02–0.81, P = .04) and 8 ft walking tests (β = .22, 95% CI: 0.05–0.39, P = .01). Those on peripherally-acting antiadrenergic agents had reduced grip strength (β = − 4.8, 95% CI: − 9.1 to − 0.5, P = .02). Conclusions Antihypertensive medication use, particularly ACE inhibitors, is associated with various measures of reduced physical function. Clinicians are encouraged to monitor the long-term mobility function of their patients on antihypertensive medications.
Alternative to the Use of Probit 9 Mortality as a Criterion for Quarantine Treatments of Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)-Infested Fruit

Problems with the use of a probit 9 mortality rate as a criterion for quarantine disinfestation treatments for fruit flies (Diptera; Tephritidae) are discussed. We recommend that a maximum infestation level in shipped fruit be set (as an acceptable risk limit) and that this infestation level be used as the criterion for quarantined fruit. The infestation level should be set based on calculations of the probability of a mating pair surviving a shipment.
Control of the Mexican Fruit Fly by Bait Sprays Concentrated at Discrete Locations

when a bait spray (a 1:4 mixture of 95% technical malathion and an acid hydrolysate of corn protein) was repealedly applied to small portions of navel orange trees in an orchard in Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico, the number of adult Anastrepha ludens (Loew) trapped in the treated area was 85-98% less than the number trapped in the check area, even though reinfestation from surrounding untreated groves was probably constant. Also, the number of larvae-per-kilo was reduced as much as 84% in tree fruit and slightly more in fallen fruit. The fruit produced in the treated areas was of local market quality except at the spring peak of the population of the flies and probably could have been exported after fumigation. The increase in the numbers of whiteflies, probably cloudy-winged whiteflies, Dialeurodes citrifolii (Morgan), in the treated area may be attributable to the increased mortality of green lacewings, chrysopa sp.
317 ANTIOXIDANT THERAPY DOES NOT AMELIORATE OXIDATIVE STRESS AND INFLAMMATION IN END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE PATIENTS.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are common manifestations of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and major mediators of its cardiovascular and various other complications. Oxidative stress and inflammation are intimately interrelated as each can cause the other. The present study tested the hypothesis that antioxidant therapy may alleviate oxidative stress and thereby improve inflammation in ESRD patients. To test this hypothesis, we studied 37 hemodialysis patients of whom 20 (aged 53 ± 14 years) were treated with a combination of vitamin (V) E, 800 IU; VC, 250 mg; VB6, 100 mg; VB12, 250 μg; and folic acid, 10 mg daily for 8 weeks. The remaining 17 patients (aged 51 ± 15 years) received placebo. Predialysis levels of f-2 isoprostane (a marker of oxidative stress), C-reactive protein (CRP, a marker of inflammation), and interleukin (IL)-6 (a potent proinflammatory cytokine) were measured prior to and at 4 and 8 weeks after the onset of therapy. Diabetes was the cause of ESRD in 14 of the antioxidant-treated and 9 of the placebo-treated patients. Kt/V (1.56 ± 0.22 vs 1.61 ± 0.23), predialysis blood pressure (155 ± 79 vs 154 ± 8 mm Hg), hemoglobin (11.7 ± 1.3 vs 12.1 ± 1.2 g), and ferritin levels (217 ± 135 vs 301 ± 157 ng/mL) were similar among antioxidant- and placebo-treated groups at baseline and were virtually unchanged throughout the study period. Likewise, f-2 isoprostane, IL-6, and CRP concentrations remained unchanged and were unaffected by antioxidant or placebo administration. Moreover, no significant changes were observed in any clinical parameters. In conclusion, consumption of a high-dose antioxidant cocktail for 8 weeks failed to significantly change either the clinical or biochemical parameters or plasma markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in ESRD patients.
Ureteral catheter tip separation: potential risk using the open-end Flexi-Tip ureteral catheter.

Abstract Ureteral catheters are a vital part of the urological armamentarium. We report 2 cases in which the flexible tip portion of an open-end Flexi-Tip* ureteral catheter became disjointed from the shaft within the renal collecting system during endourological procedures. The etiology, prevention and management of this complication are discussed.
Development of improved ATF engineering alloy - Mechanical testing of initial alloy

In this report we present the results on the tensile testing of two FeCrAl alloys developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Savings, Poverty and Uncertainty

Two key assumptions of the LCH and PIH are on the one hand that economic agents take their savings decisions in the context of perfect capital markets, and on the other, that households can decide how much to consume and save with certainty about the income flows they will receive in the future. Additionally, both hypotheses suggest that individuals are indifferent between present and future consumption, as the marginal utility of c is assumed constant through time.
A Survey of Systems to Integrate Distributed Energy Resources and Energy Storage on the Utility Grid

Renewable distributed energy resources (DERs) will play a large role in the future energy infrastructure because of advantages like lower carbon imprints, lower fuel costs, and reduced power flows on transmission lines. The unreliability of many renewable DERs due to the intermittent nature of their supply, especially in the case of solar and wind generators, can be mitigated with energy storage that brings a host of additional benefits including load leveling, frequency control, and power quality compensation. One barrier to adoption of these technologies is the need for interfaces between the different voltage levels and waveforms produced by the various systems. This paper, which is tutorial in nature, examines several possible interfaces presented in the literature and provides a comparison between their advantages and disadvantages.
Spectral Line Intensities for Δ N = 0 (L-Shell) Transitions of N, O, and F-Like Ions

Many laboratories are actively investigating radiation spectra emitted from high temperature/high density plasmas produced using gas-puff Z-pinch machines and high power lasers. Spectral-line intensities from these plasmas can be useful temperature and density diagnostics. In a well-diagnosed plasma, information on the emission spectrum can also be used to test the accuracy of theoretical rate coefficients. Recently time-resolved spectra from an oxygen-like argon plasma produced in a gas-puff z-pinch were measured in the wavelength range 150–200 A . Over this wavelength range the spectrum contains mostly the Δn = 0 (L-shell) transitions in ArX-ArXIV and some weak transitions for n = 3 to n = 4 of ArVI-ArVIII. The measured spectra show the predominance of 0-like Ar L-shell transitions.
Estimating hydrologic model uncertainty in the presence of complex residual error structures

Hydrologic models provide a comprehensive tool to estimate streamflow response to environmental variables. Yet, an incomplete understanding of physical processes and challenges associated with scaling processes to a river basin, introduces model uncertainty. Here, we apply generalized additive models of location, scale and shape (GAMLSS) to characterize this uncertainty in an Atlantic coastal plain watershed system. Specifically, we describe distributions of residual errors in a two-step procedure that includes model calibration of the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) using a sequential Bayesian uncertainty algorithm, followed by time-series modeling of residual errors of simulated daily streamflow. SWAT identified dominant hydrological processes, performed best during moderately wet years, and exhibited less skill during times of extreme flow. Application of GAMLSS to model residuals efficiently produced a description of the error distribution parameters (mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis), differentiating between upstream and downstream outlets of the watershed. Residual error distribution is better described by a non-parametric polynomial loess curve with a smooth transition from a Box–Cox t distribution upstream to a skew t type 3 distribution downstream. Overall, the fitted models show that low flow events more strongly influence the residual probability distribution, and error variance increases with streamflow discharge, indicating correlation and heteroscedasticity of residual errors. These results provide useful insights into the complexity of error behavior and highlight the value of using GAMLSS models to conduct Bayesian inference in the context of a regression model with unknown skewness and/or kurtosis.
Opening a can of worms: Consenting adults in aged care

With Consumer Directed Care (CDC) on the horizon and a wave of baby boomers who are ageing, aged care providers need to be aware of and respect the desires and requirements of future ‘consumers’. In contrast with current provider arrangements, funding is linked to the individual rather than the institution in a CDC model, with the likelihood that there will be greater demand for those facilities that meet emerging consumer expectations and offer couple-friendly environments. One group that has largely been ignored at all levels in residential care, from government policy to service provision, is couples, or partnered individuals. Situated within a broader study exploring the needs of partnered baby boomers, this paper investigates whether existing residential aged care facilities provide the conditions needed to facilitate the sexual and intimacy needs of partnered aged care residents. Such exploration is particularly pertinent at a time when the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Ageing and Aged Care Strategy is being implemented. In this presentation we report on early findings of a phenomenological study using semi-structured interviews conducted in 2015 with 29 key informants with expertise and experience in aged care law, policy, practice, health, education, research and related service areas. Early findings suggest that difficult though necessary conversations are being avoided by older people, by those representing them, and by service providers. Recommendations for aged care providers include the need for comprehensive education and training in the areas of sexuality and intimacy with the aim to facilitate communication around residents’ sexual needs and the formulation of individually tailored care plans. We believe that such initiatives would have the potential to create more positive outcomes for partnered older persons and aged care staff.
Aleksandrov–Bakelman–Pucci maximum principles for a class of uniformly elliptic and parabolic integro-PDE

Abstract We prove generalized Aleksandrov–Bakelman–Pucci maximum principles for elliptic and parabolic integro-PDEs of Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman–Isaacs types, whose PDE parts are either uniformly elliptic or uniformly parabolic. The proofs of these results are based on the classical Aleksandrov–Bakelman–Pucci maximum principles for the elliptic and parabolic PDEs and an iteration procedure using solutions of Pucci extremal equations. We also provide proofs of nonlocal versions of the classical Aleksandrov–Bakelman–Pucci maximum principles for elliptic and parabolic integro-PDEs.
The Montessori Experiment in Rhode Island (1913-1940): Tracing Theory to Implementation over Twenty-Five Years

This article highlights archived documents pertaining to a 25-year experimental classroom implemented by Clara Craig, then supervisor of training at the Rhode Island Normal School. Craig is notable as she was the only participant in the first International Montessori Training Course in Rome, Italy, in 1913, to gain approval from the Rhode Island Board of Education to study the Montessori Method. Her administrative position at the Rhode Island Normal School provided her with a rare opportunity to influence both teacher preparation and classroom curriculum upon her return. The article traces implementation of the Montessori Method and its Americanized revision, serving as one of the earliest longitudinal examples (1913–1940) of a state-sanctioned Montessori classroom, well beyond the acknowledged first-wave era (1911–1917). Craig’s experience provides a historical perspective that can inform current Montessori initiatives working within complex education and policy contexts.
MAZON CREEK FAUNA AND FLORA–A HUNDRED YEARS OF INVESTIGATION

The unusual state of preservation of the Mazon Creek biota provides a unique record of anatomy of soft parts of organisms otherwise rarely preserved. This biota is divided into the marine Essex and non-marine Braidwood components. Many Essex animals are the oldest, or the only known representatives of major taxa. The study of the Mazon Creek fossils began in the mid-19th Century with Dana, Lesquereux, and Cope, and is continued today mostly by Chicago paleontologists. In spite of the large number of plant taxa described (over 350 species) their study lags behind that of the fauna (over 320 species of animals described). The number of publications dealing with the fossils exceeds 270. In the past 20 years the researches of Richardson and his colleagues have concentrated on description of the fauna, its phylogeny and paleoecology and the diagenetic processes of preservation of organisms.
Changes in hospital bond ratings after the transition to a new electronic health record.

Objective To assess the impact of electronic health record (EHR) implementation on hospital finances. Materials and Methods We analyzed the impact of EHR implementation on bond ratings and net income from service to patients (NISP) at 32 hospitals that recently implemented a new EHR and a set of controls. Results After implementing an EHR, 7 hospitals had a bond downgrade, 7 had a bond upgrade, and 18 had no changes. There was no difference in the likelihood of bond rating changes or in changes to NISP following EHR go-live when compared to control hospitals. Discussion Most hospitals in our analysis saw no change in bond ratings following EHR go-live, with no significant differences observed between EHR implementation and control hospitals. There was also no apparent difference in NISP. Conclusions Implementation of an EHR did not appear to have an impact on bond ratings at the hospitals in our analysis.
Learning and memory performance following acute intranasal insulin administration in abstinent smokers

The highest incidence of relapse to smoking occurs within the first 2 weeks of a cessation attempt. In addition to enhanced nicotine craving, this phase of smoking cessation is also marked by learning and memory dysfunction. Many smokers are not able to overcome these symptoms, and they relapse to smoking shortly after trying to quit. In two clinical studies, we evaluated intranasal insulin for efficacy in improving learning and memory function during nicotine withdrawal. Our first study was a crossover evaluation (N = 19) following 20 hr of smoking abstinence. Study 2 was a parallel design study (N = 50) following 16 hr of abstinence. Intranasal insulin (60 IU) dose was administered in both studies and cognitive function was measured using California Verbal Learning Test-II. Intranasal insulin did not improve learning over the 5 verbal learning trials. In addition, intranasal insulin did not improve either short- or long-delay recall in either study. In summary, the one-time administration of intranasal insulin does not improve verbal learning and memory in smokers. Whether longer administration schedules may be of benefit should be evaluated in future studies.
Ublituximab for the treatment of CD20 positive B-cell malignancies.

Introduction: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common adult hematologic malignancy. Conventional methods of treatment are chemotherapy and radiation, which were associated with toxicities and...
Analysis of chromosome 12 abnormalities in male germ cell cancers.

A specific cytogenetic abnormality, an isochromosome 12p, i(12p), has been described in male germ cell cancers (Atkin and Baker 1982, 1983). The incidence of this abnormality has been stated to be as high as 90% (Heim and Mitelman 1987), occurring in tumors histopathologically diagnosed as seminoma, nonseminoma, and teratoma (Castedo et al. 1989a,b,c; Bosl et al. 1989; Samaniego et al. 1990). Our investigations of i(12p) in human germ cell cancer provide further support for the diagnostic importance of this cytogenetic marker. This review presents the molecular and cytogenetic studies from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center principally concerning chromosome 12 in primary and metastatic germ cell tumors and in established germ cell cancer cell lines.
The Colors and Shapes of Visual Experiences

When we see a tomato in standard circumstances, we see something red and round. According to common sense, the red, round thing we see is the tomato itself. When we have a hallucinatory vision of a tomato, however, there may be present to us no red and round physical object. Still, we use the words ‘red’ and ‘round’ to describe that situation as well, this time applying them to the visual experience itself. We say that we have a red, round visual image, or a visual experience of a red disk, or some such. Because we see physical objects far more often than we hallucinate, we apply terms for color and shape to physical objects far more often than to visual experiences. Moreover, different theories of perception explain in different ways the applications such terms have to physical objects and to visual experiences. But whatever their frequency and explanation, it seems clear that both sorts of application occur.
Neural Crest Cells in Enteric Nervous System Development and Disease

The enteric nervous system (ENS) that forms along the entire length of the bowel is derived principally from neural crest cells (NCC) that have emigrated from the vagal level of the neural tube adjacent to somites 1–7. Normal ENS development during embryogenesis requires the completion of two key steps: first, the arrival and then entry of sufficient numbers of NCC into the foregut, and second, the survival, migration, proliferation, and then differentiation of NCC into ganglia. Defects in any of these processes causes an absence of ganglia along variable lengths of the bowel that underlies Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), the most common neurocristopathy in humans. Over a dozen different genes have been identified in HSCR patients, and the role(s) that they play in ENS development and disease are described in this chapter.
Quantifying Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Care Among Patients Evaluated for Suspected Ischemic Heart Disease.

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular care sex differences are controversial. We examined sex differences in management and clinical outcomes among patients undergoing noninvasive testing for ischemi...
Sulfonamide derivatives as multi-target agents for complex diseases

Sulfonamide derivatives are frequently seen structural motifs in medicinal chemistry. Almost a century after Gerhard Domagk's pioneering work leading to the first sulfonamide antibiotic Prontosil, sulfa-drugs are still widely utilized in various pharmaceutical applications due to their antibacterial, antiviral, antimalarial, antifungal, anticancer, antidepressant, or other properties. In the past few years, the interest in sulfonamides has increased as their broad range of bioactivity and versatile structure make them excellent candidates for repurposing old drugs or developing new multi-target agents in the emerging field of polypharmacology. This digest aims to provide an overview of recent advances in sulfonamide-based bioactive compounds, their importance in drug discovery and development emphasizing multi-target approaches for complex diseases, and their novel contribution to contemporary medicinal chemistry.
Europium-doped cryptomelane: Multi-pathway synthesis, characterization, and evaluation for the gas phase catalytic oxidation of ethanol

Abstract Cryptomelanes (OMS-2) are synthesized by solvent-free and reflux methods and doped with Eu via co-precipitation and ion-exchange to investigate Eu’s effects on physical, chemical, and catalytic properties. The catalysts are characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, N2 Adsorption, and TGA and evaluated for catalytic activity in the oxidation of ethanol. Eu-doping by co-precipitation generally improved catalytically favorable physical and chemical properties whereas Eu-doping by ion-exchange shows deleterious effects. The position of Eu in the structure seems to be the main factor in controlling catalytic activity with Eu3+→Mn3+ replacement in the solid-state co-precipitated type performing the best in the oxidation reaction (Ea =32.0 kJ/mol vs. 78.2 kJ/mol, SS-CP and control, respectively). This study demonstrates that Eu-doping affects the physical and catalytic properties of cryptomelane which provides an understanding of crystallization kinetics and helps guide further catalytic modification efforts.
The Impact of the Great Recession on Overeducated and Undereducated Workers.

This paper analyzes the labor market impact of the Great Recession on overeducated and undereducated workers. In March 2008, the U.S. economy was near full employment with an unemployment rate of 4...
Abstract 455: A Comparison of CPR Quality Using an Augmented Reality Application versus a Standard Audio-Visual Feedback Manikin

Background: The provision of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a significant predictor of survival from cardiac arrest, yet healthcare provider (HCP) CPR quality is known to be po...
Do words really matter? A focus on communication and aging.

My passion for research on aging and communication probably stems from seeing family members and their care partners struggle to understand directives from health professionals about disease diagno...
Cardiovascular Impact of Atherosclerotic Renovascular Disease

Renal artery stenosis is commonly atherosclerotic in origin, and its incidence increases with age. Decreased renal perfusion causes renal ischemia, which activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and increases a variety of inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines. This results in the development of hypertension and a decline in renal function. Unfortunately the finding of renal artery stenosis does not always imply the presence of renal ischemia. Several randomized controlled trials have failed to demonstrate any benefit to renal artery revascularization over medical treatment with antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medications in regard to either blood pressure control or renal outcomes. All these trials have been faulted for including low-risk subjects who would not be expected to benefit from revascularization. It is clear that the majority of patients with renal artery stenosis can be treated with medical therapy alone. The question is how to identify those patients who would benefit from revascularization. High-risk patients include those with resistant hypertension, unexplained worsening renal function, asymmetric renal size, and recurrent episodes of flash pulmonary edema. Those individuals should be evaluated by noninvasive imaging techniques. If a greater than 70% stenosis is found, renal arteriography should be performed. It is important to recognize, however, that even if a greater than 70% stenosis is confirmed on arteriography, this does not necessarily indicate the presence of renal ischemia. Several newer methodologies including blood-oxygen-level-dependent MRI, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, and renal frame count have, in small studies, been shown to correlate with the presence of renal ischemia. Unfortunately, whether such techniques will actually be able to identify those patients who will benefit from revascularization will have to be demonstrated in larger trials. Until then the clinician will need to use his/her best judgment in the treatment of this disorder.
Outcomes of a Nursing Home-to-Community Care Transition Program.

Abstract Objectives Most transitional care initiatives to reduce rehospitalization have focused on the transition that occurs between a patient's hospital discharge and return home. However, many patients are discharged from a skilled nursing facility (SNF) to their homes. The goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mayo Clinic Care Transitions (MCCT) program (hereafter called program) among patients discharged from SNFs to their homes. Design Propensity-matched control-intervention trial. Intervention Patients in the intervention group received care management following nursing stay (a home visit and nursing phone calls). Setting and Participants Patients enrolled after discharge from an SNF to home were matched to patients who did not receive intervention because of refusal, program capacity, or distance. Patients were aged ≥60 years, at high risk for hospitalization, and discharged from an SNF. Methods Program enrollees were matched through propensity score to nonenrollees on the basis of age, sex, comorbid health burden, and mortality risk score. Conditional logistic regression analysis examined 30-day hospitalization and emergency department (ED) use; Cox proportional hazards analyses examined 180-day hospital stay and ED use. Results Each group comprised 160 patients [mean (standard deviation) age, 85.4 (7.4) years]. Thirty-day hospitalization and ED rates were 4.4% and 10.0% in the program group and 3.8% and 10.0% in the group with usual care (P = .76 for hospitalization; P > .99 for ED). At 180 days, hospitalization and ED rates were 30.6% and 46.3% for program patients compared with 11.3% and 25.0% in the comparison group (P Conclusions and Implications We found no evidence of reduced hospitalization or ED visits by program patients vs the comparison group. Such findings are crucial because they illustrate how aggressive stabilization care within the SNF may mitigate the program role. Furthermore, we found higher ED and hospitalization rates at 180 days in program patients than the comparison group.
Upping the ante on mammalian antiviral RNA interference.

SARS-CoV-2 has mutually illuminated our collective knowledge and knowledge gaps, particularly in antiviral defense and therapeutic strategies. A recent study in Science (Poirier et al., 2021) uncovers an ancient antiviral mechanism that mammals utilize to suppress viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and Zika virus, that could have broad implications for therapeutic strategies.
Geomorphologic change and patchy mud infilling in a sandy dredge pit in eastern Ship Shoal, Louisiana shelf, USA

Abstract To restore degraded barrier shorelines of the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain of Louisiana, sand is dredged from borrow areas in estuaries and continental shelves. The dredge pit in South Pelto Blocks 12 & 13 on eastern Ship Shoal used for Caminada-Moreau Headland restoration project is one of several sand dredge pits for barrier island restoration in Louisiana. Ship Shoal Sand Complex is in a sand-dominated, energetic, continental shelf environment. During energetic events, transient mud can blanket Ship Shoal, and then bypasses the shoal and deposits in deeper water. In this study, we collected and interpreted a suite of geophysical data from South Pelto Dredge Pit which is located in water depths of ∼9 m on eastern Ship Shoal. Repeat bathymetric survey data show that South Pelto Dredge Pit is presently infilling at an average rate of approximately 27,480 m3/year, which is slower than the predicted rate presented by an earlier numerical model. Side-scan mosaic maps indicate low-backscatter (muddy) sediments were transported into this pit and deposited in many patches within two years after dredging. The seabed inside this pit became smoother over time and the slope of the pit walls became gentler. Infilling of the South Pelto Dredge Pit seem to be controlled by sediment availability, which is volumetrically dominated by (a) far-field fluvial suspended sediment, (b) the adjacent seabed sediment resuspended by tides, waves, and currents, but presumably less impacted by (c) hurricanes or tropical storms during our study period of 2017–2018. The South Pelto Dredge Pit thus displays a unique mixing and redistribution of cohesive mud and non-cohesive sand. Initial spatial control on sediment infilling appears to be dictated by micro-bathymetry on the pit bottom created by the dredging activities. Bathymetric, side scan and grain-size data all indicate that mud was prone to deposit in the troughs.
Parenting and proximity to social services: Lessons from Los Angeles County in the community context of child neglect

Using a sample of 438 parents in Los Angeles County, CA, this study examines the role of proximity to social services in child neglect. In an extension of social disorganization theory, it seeks to understand the potential sources of support in neighborhoods for families. It uses ordinary least squares regression to examine driving distance from parents’ residences to four types of services (child care, domestic violence, mental health/substance abuse, and poverty). The results show an association between proximity to mental health and substance abuse services and parents’ self-reported neglectful behaviors. Additionally, higher levels of socioeconomic disadvantage (poverty, unemployment, and low education), having older children, respondents being male, and respondents being older parents are associated with higher levels of child neglect, while being white is associated with lower levels. Overall, the findings suggest a potentially protective role of geographic access to mental health and substance abuse services in child maltreatment. Additional research on the pathways through which proximity to services influences child neglect is needed.
Representing Mutually Exclusive Knowledge in a Property Hierarchy for a Reasoning System in Clinical Gynecology

Abstract The education and practice of clinical medicine can benefit significantly from the use of computational assistants. This article describes the development of a prototype system called SURGES (Strong/University of Rochester Gynecological Expert System) for representing medical knowledge and then applying this knowledge to suggest diagnostic procedures in medical gynecology. The paper focuses on the representation technique of property inheritance, which facilitates the simple common sense reasoning required to enable execution of the more complex medical inferences. Such common sense can be viewed as a collection mundane inferences, which are the simple conclusions drawn from knowledge that an exclusive or (XOR) relation (i.e., mutual exclusion) holds among a number of facts. The paper discusses the use of a property hierarchy for this purpose and shows how it simplifies knowledge representation in medical artificial intelligence (AIM) computer systems.
Scalable parallel feature extraction and tracking for large time-varying 3D volume data

Large-scale time-varying volume data sets can take terabytes to petabytes of storage space to store and process. One promising approach is to process the data in parallel, and then extract and analyze only features of interest, reducing required memory space by several orders of magnitude for following visualization tasks. However, extracting volume features in parallel is a non-trivial task as features might span over multiple processors, and local partial features are only visible within their own processors. In this paper, we discuss how to generate and maintain connectivity information of features across different processors. Based on the connectivity information, partial features can be integrated, which makes it possible to extract and track features for large data in parallel. We demonstrate the effectiveness and scalability of our approach using two data sets with up to 16384 processors.
Solar cycle dependence of bulk ion composition at geosynchronous orbit

[1] While the average ion mass M (normalized to amu) of bulk plasma at geosynchronous orbit has been calculated at solar maximum (during the era of the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES)), the solar cycle dependence of bulk ion composition at geosynchronous orbit is not known. Here, we use measurements of mass density ρm from Alfven wave frequencies measured by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites and ion density measurements by the Magnetospheric Particle Analyzer (MPA) on Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) spacecraft to establish the solar cycle dependence of bulk ion composition. We show that there is a strong correlation between the yearly median value of ρm, ρm,yr−med, and the yearly average of the solar EUV flux F10.7, F10.7,yr−av; log10(ρm,yr−med) ≃ 0.5089 + 0.003607F10.7,yr−av (for ρm values adjusted to a magnetic latitude MLAT of 8°). We calibrate the measurements of the MPA instrument on one spacecraft to those from another by using yearly median density values. Then, using close conjunctions of LANL spacecraft with CRRES (for which we have inferred values of ρm and ne), we calibrate the ideal theoretical value of MPA ion density nMPA−th (the value that MPA would measure if it measured all the ions) to the observed values directly measured by the instrument, nMPA−obs. We find that nMPA−th is approximately 1.47 times the value of nMPA−obs measured by the LANL 1994 spacecraft. Using the yearly median values of ρm as a function of F10.7, the yearly median values of nMPA−th from the MPA instruments, and a model for the concentration of He+, we are able to calculate the solar cycle dependence of the average ion mass M and the O+ concentration ηO+ ≡ nO+/ne. We find that M is typically ∼3.8 at solar maximum and near unity at solar minimum. Typical values of ηO+ vary by 2 orders of magnitude over the solar cycle, from about 0.2 at solar maximum to ∼2 × 10−3 at solar minimum. Furthermore, our results also demonstrate that the typical concentration of He+ must also be very low at solar minimum. Since the median yearly values of density are low, characteristic of the plasma trough, our results are most applicable to that region. Considering, however, that the plasmasphere and plume typically have a low concentration of O+, the concentration of O+ at geosynchronous orbit at solar minimum is likely to be low for all conditions (with the possible exception of very low densities for which the high-energy component might dominate).