cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of three environmental conditions on the fitness of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase-mediated permethrin resistance in Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus

The evolution of insecticide resistance and persistence of resistance phenotypes are influenced by the fitness of resistance alleles in the absence of insecticide pressure. Experimental determination of fitness is difficult, but fitness can be inferred by measuring changes in allele frequencies in appropriate environments. We conducted allele competition experiments by crossing two highly related strains of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. One strain (ISOP450) was permethrin resistant (due to P450-mediated detoxification) and one was a susceptible strain. Allele and genotype frequencies were examined for 12 generations under three environmental conditions: standard laboratory, temephos exposure (an insecticide to which the P450 detoxification mechanism in ISOP450 confers no resistance and which is commonly used in mosquito control programs) and cold temperature stress (mimics the colder temperatures within the habitat of this mosquito). A fitness cost was inferred for the P450 mechanism in the standard laboratory environment. A greater cost was associated with the temephos exposed environment, suggesting the temephos placed an additional stress on the P450 resistant mosquitoes. No observed cost was associated with the P450 resistance locus in the cold temperature environment, but there was a significant heterozygote advantage. In all environments the fitness of the resistant homozygotes was the lowest. The cytochrome P450-mediated permethrin detoxification resistance in Cx. p. quinquefasciatus can have an associated fitness cost in the absence of permethrin, relative to a susceptible allele. The strength of the cost varies depending on the environmental conditions. P450-mediated resistance is expected to decrease over time if the permethrin application is relaxed and to decrease at an even faster rate if permethrin is replaced with temephos. Additionally, these results indicate that a P450 resistance allele can persist (especially in heterozygotes) in colder temperatures and could potentially be carried into the Culex pipiens hybrid zone.
A multi‐proxy palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic record within full glacial lacustrine deposits, western Tennessee, USA

The Fulton Section, along the Mississippi River in western Tennessee, USA, is a 1 km continuous exposure (� 20 m vertically) of Quaternary fluvial and lacustrine deposits, inset within Eocene sediments and buried by thick loess. Fossiliferous slackwater lake sediments record maximum aggradation during the last two major glaciations, with deposition between ca. 190-140 ka and Q1 24- 18 14 C ka BP, based on amino acid and radiocarbon chronology, respectively. During the onset of full glacial conditions (ca. 24-22 14 C ka BP), a relatively permanent shallow lake environment is indicated by ostracodes, aquatic molluscs, and both pollen and macrofossils of aquatic plants. By 21.8 14 C ka BP, increasing emergent plants, amphibious gastropods (Pomatiopsis) and heavier d 18 O compositions suggest marsh-like conditions in a periodically drying lake. The surrounding uplands consisted of Picea-Pinus woodlands mixed with cool-temperate hardwoods (e.g.Quercus,Populus,Carya), grasses and herbs. More open conditions ensued ca. 20 14 C ka BP, with loess and slopewash gradually infilling the former lake by 18 14 C ka BP. Modern analogue analyses of ostracodes and palaeontological evidence imply a full glacial climate similar to today's mixed-boreal zone in central Minnesota, USA, about 98C cooler in mean annual temperature than present-day western Tennessee. Copyright # 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Celiac artery compression syndrome in children, adolescents, and young adults: clinical and color duplex sonographic features in a series of 59 cases.

respiration. In 22 cases, angiography (21 magnetic resonance angiography and 1 digital subtraction angiography) was used to prove sonographic diagnosis. Results. Fifty-nine patients (among them 81% female) from 22 months to 19 years (clustering between 14 and 17 years) fulfilling color Doppler sonographic criteria of CACS were found, for a prevalence of 1.7%. Their symptoms included, among others, abdominal pain (71%), nausea (29%), thoracic pain (22%), heartburn (17%), weight loss (15%), vomiting (15%), systolic murmur (15%), postprandial accentuation of symptoms (15%), diarrhea (14%), respiratory discomfort (14%), and syncope (12%). Conclusions. Celiac artery compression syndrome is more prevalent than expected, and conditions not usually connected to the disease were found. Alertness to CACS is recommended, especially in patients with a combination of characteristic symptoms. Color Doppler sonography is the modality of choice for diagnosing CACS.
Modification of an index of biotic integrity for assessing vernal ponds and small palustrine wetlands using fish, crayfish, and amphibian assemblages along southern Lake Michigan

Abstract We developed an index of biotic integrity (IBI) based on crayfish, fish, and amphibian assemblages to assess vernal ponds and palustrine wetland habitats of less than 5 ha along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. We found that the modified IBI based on three crayfish, twelve fish, and seven amphibian species collected during our surveys provided a more complete assessment than one based on any single taxonomic group. The new scoring criteria included the number of amphibian and fish species, number of benthic species, percent of individuals as pioneer species, percent of individuals as exotic species and percent of individuals with complex reproductive modes for metrics developed for larger palustrine wetlands. Low-end scoring procedures were not required; however, species composition metrics that did not possess the specified attribute received a ‘0’ score rather than a ‘1’. Correlation coefficients suggest that the reference conditions developed during this study of IBI metrics are able to di...
Addressing the issue of sequence-to-structure alignments in comparative modeling of CASP3 target proteins.

During a blind protein structure prediction experiment (the third round of the Critical Assessment of Techniques for Protein Structure Prediction; URL http://PredictionCenter.llnl.gov/casp3/), four target proteins, T0047, T0048, T0055, and T0070, were modeled by comparison. These proteins display 62%, 29%, 24%, and 19% sequence identity, respectively, to the structurally homologous proteins most similar in sequence. The issue of sequence-to-structure alignment in cases of low sequence homology was the main emphasis. Selection of alignments was made by constructing and evaluating three-dimensional models based on series of samples produced mainly by automatic multiple sequence alignments. Sequence-to-structure alignments were correct in all but two regions, in which significant changes in target structures compared with related proteins were the source of errors. Template choice is an important determinant of model quality, and a correct selection was made of a lower homology template for modeling of T0070; however, in the case of T0055, a template with 8% greater sequence homology proved deceptive. Loops and some ungapped template regions were assigned conformations taken from other proteins. Using fragments from homologous structures led to improvement over template backbone more often than cases in which nonhomologous structures were the source. The results also indicate that side-chain prediction accuracy depends not only on sequence similarity but also on accuracy of the backbone. Proteins Suppl 1999;3:73–80. Published 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Preferential fluid flow in the human trabecular meshwork near collector channels.

The route of aqueous humor drainage from the human anterior segment occurs primarily through the trabecular meshwork. From the trabecular meshwork, aqueous humor drains into Schlemm's canal and empties into collector channels that lead to the episcleral venous system. Although the morphology of the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal appear similar around the circumference of the eye, studies with various tracers have shown that fluid flow is not equal within the trabecular meshwork and that preferential pathways or flow to areas of lower resistance exist in the trabecular meshwork.1-8 Perfusion with cationic ferritin resulted in segmental labeling in monkey eyes,5 in healthy human eyes,6,7 and in human glaucoma eyes.8 Pigmented and nonpigmented regions of the trabecular meshwork observed during gonioscopic examination were the first clinical evidence that suggested preferential fluid flow routes might be present in the trabecular meshwork. Analysis of pigmented regions found these regions correlated with the presence of collector channels in human eyes (Tanchel NA, et al. IOVS 1984;25:ARVO Abstract 7). Giant vacuoles, pressure-sensitive structures found in the endothelium of Schlemm's canal, were also more prevalent near collector channels, indicating an increased fluid flow rate.9 Accumulation of fluores-cent beads near collector channels in bovine eyes after perfusion at normal and elevated pressure suggests that preferential flow through the trabecular meshwork is not restricted to human eyes.10 In the same study, expanded areas of the juxtacanalicular tissue (JCT) adjacent to the collector channels were also observed in bovine eyes at elevated pressure. Expanded JCT regions were compared with Pacchionian bodies, protrusions of the arachnoid through the dura.11 These expanded regions were subsequently called Pacchionian-like bodies12 or proliferations of the inner wall endothelial cells in human eyes13 and hernias14 or protrusions in monkey eyes.15 In these regions, the inner wall of Schlemm's canal protrudes into the canal in a hillock-like formation, and the overlying endothelium balloons and appears to lose close contact with the underlying JCT tissue. Expanded JCT has been observed in healthy monkey eyes and human glaucomatous eyes after laser treatment.5,16,17 Perfusion with cationic ferritin indicated the expanded JCT regions were a route of preferential fluid flow.5,17 Preferential fluid flow may occur where collector channels are more prevalent and where the fluid exits the anterior chamber, in areas of pressure change, or where the extracellular matrix is altered or absent. In this study, we examined fluid flow in pigmented and nonpigmented regions within human trabecular meshwork, the association between these regions and collector channels, and the configuration of the JCT adjacent to and between collector channels.
Sibutramine in weight control: a dose-ranging, efficacy study.

We tested the safety and efficacy of sibutramine, 5 and 20 mg, and placebo on weight loss. Medication was added to caloric restriction, behavior modification, and exercise in a parallel-group, double-blind clinical trial. Participants were 130% to 180% of ideal body weight and in good health. The study lasted 12 weeks over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Weight loss during 8 weeks of study medication was: placebo, 1.4 ± 2.1 kg (n = 19); 5 mg sibutramine, 2.9 ± 2.3 kg (n = 18); and 20 mg sibutramine, 5.0 ± 2.7 kg (n = 18) (p < 0.05 sibutramine, 5 and 20 mg, versus placebo; p < 0.05 sibutramine, 20 mg versus 5 mg). There is a significant dose-effect relationship. Five participants left the study before completion, all because of adverse events: placebo (one patient), 5 mg sibutramine (one patient), and 20 mg sibutramine (three patients). Sleep difficulties were noted by eight participants (20 mg sibutramine, seven patients; 5 mg, one patient; and placebo, no patients). Six of 21 participants receiving 20 mg complained of irritability, unusual impatience, or “excitation.” Sibutramine, 5 and 20 mg, added to a multimodal program assisted participants in losing weight. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1991) 50, 330–337; doi:10.1038/clpt.1991.144
Inhibition of the T cell oxygen sensing machinery promotes anti-tumor efficacy.

Meeting abstracts Mechanisms of immune tolerance can also be co-opted by tumors to subvert anti-tumor effector T cell responses. The lung represents a unique anatomic tissue of pronounced immune tolerance where T lymphocytes do not mount effector responses under steady state conditions despite
The capitalization of knowledge

The United States economic crisis of the past decade has precipitated a debate over future economic strategy. The alternative positions are whether it is better to try to save old industries or develop new ones. Nevertheless, worker control of firms through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP's) and state government investment in new high-tech companies have one thing in common. They both represent a turn toward the microeconomic level of firms in influencing economic policy rather than the traditional macroeconomic level of monetary or fiscal policy.
Characterizing the function of extracellular protein kinase A in angiogenesis and the effects of Zfp68 and pharmacological inhibitors in adipogenesis.

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a ubiquitous intracellular second messenger whose major intracellular function in eukaryotes is the activation of protein kinase A (PKA). PKA, a well known member of the serine-threonine protein kinase superfamily, is implicated in the control of a variety of cellular processes. While the role of intracellular PKA holoenzyme in cell growth has been widely investigated, little is known about the presence of PKA activity in the extracellular surface of cells. Here we show, using the in utero chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay, that the extracellular form of PKA (ECPKA), from conditioned media of cultured cancer cells, inhibits angiogenesis. Whether the aberrant release of ECPKA is just a bystander effect or might have an important function in cancer development warrant further investigation and so does the potential application as a biomarker in cancer. Obesity, a multifactorial and chronic disorder has risen to alarming levels. The World Health Organization has estimated that worldwide over one billion adults are overweight, including at least 300 million of them being obese. Obese patients are at a higher risk of hypertension and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, and diabetes. Obesity treatment has become a major public health concern and burden on the health care system. Current pharmacotherapeutic options for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders remain very limited and ineffective. The development of more effective drugs has become a priority. Here we present two agents with anti-adipogenic activity: prieurianin and salinomycin. Prieurianin, a limonoid, causes weight loss by reducing energy intake in morbidly obese mice and in mice on high-calorie diet. Prieurianin is also anti-adipogenic by inhibiting the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes, and induces either dedifferentiation or delipidation of mature adipocytes. Microarray analysis revealed number of gene expression changes following treatment with prieurianin, including a number of genes involved in fat metabolism. However, we focused our attention in the subset of early response genes, among which, we found previously identified transcriptional repressor zinc finger protein 68 (Zfp68). Salinomycin is a coccidiostat and antibacterial agent that belongs to a family of a polyether ionophore antibiotics. Here, we show that salinomycin inhibits the differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes and is a potent inhibitor of transcriptional activity of major adipogenic transcription factors. These results suggest that ionophore antibiotics or their derivatives could be further exploited as novel anti-obesity therapies and as pharmacological probes for the study of adipose biology.
Implant Enhanced Diffusion of Boron in Silicon Germanium

In this work, the inert and implant enhanced diffusion of boron in silicon germanium (SiGe) was studied by means of a boron box-shaped profile grown inside Si0.905 Ge0.095 or Si0.785Ge0.22 layers. The SiGe layers were capped with silicon for stability and to ensure no lattice damage in the SiGe layers during the implant. Assuming boron moves by interstitial-mediated diffusion in SiGe, the results suggest that decreases in the mobile boron diffusivity, not decreases in interstitial concentration, cause much of the decrease in average boron diffusivity with increasing Ge fraction. Implant enhancements decreased as the germanium percentages increased, possibly indicating higher interstitial concentrations in SiGe than in Si.
Density-dependent effects on Steinernema glaseri (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) within an insect host

Increasing densities of Steinernema glaseri infective juveniles (IJs) in soil affected penetration efficiency and reproduction of the nematodes in larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella. The penetration efficiency and the proportion of penetrated IJs developing to adults decreased significantly with increasing numbers of IJs present in the soil and entering the hosts, respectively. The number of progeny produced/host cadaver initially increased, with the highest production being between 20.7 +/- 3.3 and 58.0 +/- 6.6 IJs established/host +/- SE and decreased at higher densities. Above 184.4 +/- 37.7 IJs established/host, no progeny emerged from the cadavers.
Thermoregulation: anesthetic and perioperative concerns

Hypothermia has long been common in anesthesia and has largely been seen as an inconvenience. For many years, it was viewed as inevitable. But hypothermia is much more than an inconvenience, and it is no longer inevitable. Hypothermia is closely associated with significant morbidity both intraoperatively and postoperatively. Hypothermia may begin in the preoperative holding area, so efforts to prevent it should begin there as well. Effective intraoperative and postoperative warming methods are known and commonly available, but they remain underused. Understanding how and why core temperature declines in association with anesthesia and surgery and safe, effective methods to prevent that decline will enable nurse anesthetists and perioperative nurses to increase both the comfort and safety of their patients while reducing costs to the institution.
Significance of nosocomial infection rates in the era of DRGs.

eg, illness acuity of the patient population. However, there is evidence that when these factors remain constant, a lowering of the infection rate can be the result of infection control efforts.' We wish to illustrate how a dramatic drop in infection rate may mislead infection control personnel into a false sense of accomplishment, when in reality it is an effect of changing medical practices. St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center is a 450-bed tertiary care facility. Ongoing infection surveillance has been conducted in the same fashion and using the same criteria (NNIS) since 1969. For the past 10 years, the nosocomial infection rate (incidence) has fluctuated between 3.8% and 4.8%. The rates for the last 2 years, however, have shown unprecedented declines: 1982 = 4.7%, 1983 = 4.8%, 1984 = 4.0%, 1985 = 3.2%. Because considerable controversy regarding the significance of these figures existed among members of the Infection Control Committee, further analysis was attempted. Analysis of computer-generated demographic data collected by the medical records department showed two significant changes in the nature of the patient population between 1982 and 1985 (Table 1): 1) a significant increase in the proportion of obstetric and newborn patients, and 2) a significant decrease in the average length of stay. This decrease in stay occurred in all patient populations, but
Training, credentialing, and evaluation in laparoscopic surgery.

The safe performance of laparoscopic procedures by practicing general surgeons mandates additional training at appropriate postgraduate courses and separate hospital clinical privileges. After laparoscopic surgery has been integrated into residency training, laparoscopic privileges will be incorporated into standard general surgical privileges. Continual peer review is important in assuring the safety of these new techniques. Laparoscopic procedures that differ significantly from those performed by celiotomy should be evaluated by clinical trials before clinical privileges are granted.
Value-based attentional capture influences context-dependent decision-making

Normative theories posit that value-based decision-making is context independent. However, decisions between two high-value options can be suboptimally biased by the introduction of a third low-value option. This context-dependent modulation is consistent with the divisive normalization of the value of each stimulus by the total value of all stimuli. In addition, an independent line of research demonstrates that pairing a stimulus with a high-value outcome can lead to attentional capture that can mediate the efficiency of visual information processing. Here we tested the hypothesis that value-based attentional capture interacts with value-based normalization to influence the optimality of decision-making. We used a binary-choice paradigm in which observers selected between two targets and the color of each target indicated the magnitude of their reward potential. Observers also had to simultaneously ignore a task-irrelevant distractor rendered in a color that was previously associated with a specific reward magnitude. When the color of the task-irrelevant distractor was previously associated with a high reward, observers responded more slowly and less optimally. Moreover, as the learned value of the distractor increased, electrophysiological data revealed an attenuation of the lateralized N1 and N2Pc responses evoked by the relevant choice stimuli and an attenuation of the late positive deflection (LPD). Collectively, these behavioral and electrophysiological data suggest that value-based attentional capture and value-based normalization jointly mediate the influence of context on free-choice decision-making.
Thermoelasticity of Crosslinked Rubber Networks

In recent publications we have demonstrated that by using a new equation, which is based on the temperature coefficient of shear modulus, the relative energy contribution (fu/f) to rubber elasticity can be shown to be independent of the applied strain. In this work, we have measured fu/f for natural rubber and polycis-1,4-butadiene at a series of degrees of crosslinking. Parallel equilibrium swelling studies in appropriate solvents were also made. It was found that fu/f is 0.17 for natural rubber and 0.10 for polycis-1,4-butadiene. These values are independent of the degree of crosslinking, except for the lowest degree of crosslinking. For the latter rubber networks, fu/f is 0.26 for natural rubber, and 0.34 for poly-cis-1,4-butadiene. Implications of these findings are discussed.
The cemented humerus and non-cemented glenoid: The optimal hybrid solution for total shoulder arthroplasty

Abstract Hybrid fixation of total joint arthroplasty has been recognized as an accepted form of surgical approach in multiple joints. Principles of implant fixation should focus on durability and on providing secure long-term function. To date, there is no conclusive evidence that pressed-fit humeral stem fixation has an advantage over well-secured cemented humeral fixation. Although revision may require cement removal, a well-fixed bone—ingrowth implant may require slatting and osteotomy of the humerus. On the contrary, need for revision in arthroplasty due to inadequate implant fixation has almost universally revolved around the failure of cement fixation and loosening of the glenoid component. A case will be made based on 30 years of experience of a surgeon performing total shoulder arthroplasty using secure modern cement-fixation techniques of humeral components. More recently, over the past 10 years an extremely high rate of durable secure glenoid implant fixation has been achieved using press-fit tantalum porous anchorage of polyethylene glenoid components. This has resulted in no cases of loosening of glenoid fixation and only one case of glenoid component fracture with greater than 95% survivorship over a 10-year period. A combination of well-cemented humeral stem and trabecular metal anchorage of the glenoid has provided durable and long-lasting function in primary total shoulder arthroplasty.
Epigenetics and Infectious Skin Disease

Epigenetics is the study of acquired changes that are not mutations but can be transmitted genetically from mother to daughter cell. First described in tumors, as a way of silencing tumor suppressor genes without direct mutation [1], it is not surprising that chronic infections also utilize epigenetic mechanisms in order to evade the immune system and allow persistent infection [2,3]. A strong understanding of epigenetics is needed to fight chronic infections, as a combination of both antiviral therapies and host modification is required to eradicate chronic infections [4–6]. Host modification will require modifying the epigenome in order to prevent viral replication and activate the immune system.
Non-Identity for Non-Humans

This article introduces a non-human version of the non-identity problem and suggests that such a variation exposes weaknesses in several proposed person-focused solutions to the classic version of the problem. It suggests first that person-affecting solutions fail when applied to non-human animals and, second, that many common moral arguments against climate change should be called into question. We argue that a more inclusive version of the person-affecting principle, which we call the ‘patient-affecting principle’, captures more accurately the moral challenge posed by the non-identity problem. We argue further that the failure of person-affecting solutions to solve non-human versions of the problem lend support to impersonal solutions to the problem which avoid issues of personhood or species identity. Finally, we conclude that some environmental arguments against climate change that rely on the notion of personal harm should be recast in impersonal terms.
The Thick Target Yield of the Reaction C 12 ( p , γ ) N 13 ( β + ) C 13

The yield of ${\mathrm{N}}^{13}$ from a thick carbon target bombarded with protons of energy up to 2.5 Mev has been studied by detecting annihilation quanta with a scintillation crystal. Resonances at 0.45 and 1.70 Mev are confirmed, and independent values are obtained for their relative and absolute intensities.
Bis(N-amidinohydrazones) and N-(amidino)-N′-aryl-bishydrazones: New classes of antibacterial/antifungal agents

Abstract The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial and fungal strains poses a threat to human health that requires the design and synthesis of new classes of antimicrobial agents. We evaluated bis( N -amidinohydrazones) and N -(amidino)- N′ -aryl-bishydrazones for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against panels of Gram-positive/Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. We investigated their potential to develop resistance against both bacteria and fungi by a multi-step resistance-selection method, explored their potential to induce the production of reactive oxygen species, and assessed their toxicity. In summary, we found that these compounds exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activities against most of the tested strains with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 500 μM against bacteria and 1.0 to >31.3 μg/mL against fungi; and in most cases, they exhibited either superior or similar antimicrobial activity compared to those of the standard drugs used in the clinic. We also observed minimal emergence of drug resistance to these newly synthesized compounds by bacteria and fungi even after 15 passages, and we found weak to moderate inhibition of the human Ether-a-go-go -related gene (hERG) channel with acceptable IC 50 values ranging from 1.12 to 3.29 μM. Overall, these studies show that bis( N -amidinohydrazones) and N -(amidino)- N ′-aryl-bishydrazones are potentially promising scaffolds for the discovery of novel antibacterial and antifungal agents.
Inbox Messaging: an effective tool for minimizing non-urgent paging related interruptions in hospital medicine provider workflow

Communication is one of the foundations on which safe, high quality care is built.1, 3, 6, 17, 20 The nature of hospital medicine requires that nurses and providers be efficient and effective in communicating with multiple disciplines.17 This need for timely communication must continually be balanced with the need to minimize interruptions in workflow.1,2 3,4,6,7,9,13,15,17,18 Interruptions not only lead to distraction, they also add inefficiency to the care process and have been shown to contribute to an increased risk of medical error.2,3,4,7,17,18 A major source of interruptions are pagers that emit an audible tone with each message received.3,9,10,17,18 This interruptive nature makes pagers a less-than-ideal tool for communicating non-urgent (address within one hour) messages received.3,9,10,17,18 In addition to increasing interruptions, pagers do not facilitate closed loop communication, another feature that has been shown to improve safety.14,17,25 Inbox Messaging is intended to provide a less disruptive closed-loop method of communication for non-urgent messages. Inbox Messaging is an interface within the electronic health record (EHR) that functions similarly to e-mail. A multi-disciplinary communication workgroup identified this interface as having potential to not only decrease interruptions, but to also facilitate closed-loop communication. Inbox is currently utilized between the hours of 0700 and 1800 for non-urgent nurse-provider communication about patients on the hospital medicine service. The number of RN non-urgent pages per day was 103 (SD=19, n=97) prior to the Inbox intervention, with a significant decrease (p<.001) during follow-up to 38 (SD=14, n=354) pages per day. At the same time, the number of messages per day increased from 0 to 80 (SD=20, n=354) messages during follow-up. As desired, the mean number of RN urgent pages was unchanged from 13 per day to 13 per day (p=.52). Cerner Inbox Messaging decreases the frequency of non-urgent pager-related interruptions in workflow.
High frequency noise characterization of BiCMOS transistors over temperature

This paper presents the high frequency noise characterization of bipolar and MOSFET devices over temperature. The device noise parameter calculation based on Y-parameters is utilized to compare with the results from measurement over temperature. Based on the calculated and measured results, this paper will discuss the device model parameters which impact the temperature dependence of noise properties. Methods for on-wafer device noise and S-parameter measurement and analysis will be illustrated. Based on the Y-parameter equivalent circuits, we demonstrate a method to simplify the full noise characterization by calculating the four noise parameters from the device's S-parameter data. The noise properties of two sample devices: SiGe HBT and NMOS are measured and calculated at 25 °C, 50 °C, 100 °C and 125 °C to verify and improve the noise characterization methodology.
Contractual Agent Societies

Information systems for supporting the fluid organizations of the 21st century must be correspondingly open and agile, able to automatically configure themselves out of heterogeneous system components, accommodate the dynamic exit and entry of hitherto unknown participants and maintain system stability in the face of limited trust. This paper introduces the concept of Contractual Agent Societies (CAS) as a metaphor for building such open information systems. CAS are open information systems where independently developed agents configure themselves automatically through a set of dynamically negotiated social contracts. Social contracts define the shared context of agent interactions, including ontologies, joint beliefs, joint goals, normative behaviors, etc. In addition, they specify classes of associated exceptions (deviations from ideal behavior) together with associated prevention and resolution mechanisms. A research agenda for developing the infrastructure that will enable the construction of practical CAS is discussed. Significant aspects of that infrastructure include a language and ontology for representing social contracts, as well as the definition of agent architectures capable of negotiating social contracts and adapting their behavior accordingly.
[152-POS]: Measurement of placental growth factor isoform 2 in first trimester of pregnancy

Objectives PlGF is an angiogenic factor with placental origin that is used as biomarker in screening and diagnosis of pre-eclampsia. Our objective was to develop and characterise a PlGF isoform 2 (PlGF-2) specific automated DELFIA® immunoassay as a tool for evaluating the role of this isoform in pregnancy and especially in pre-eclampsia. Methods Firstly an assay utilizing a custom antibody specific for PlGF-2 (AbD Serotec) was developed. For assay characterization cross-reactivity, precision and analytical limits were determined. Finally, a small number of first trimester serum samples were analysed to see how results compare to PlGF result run with commercial assay and how PlGF-2 is regulated in pregnancies complicated with pre-eclampsia. Results Assay has a low, 4.4% and 0.8%, cross-reactivity against other PlGF isoforms, PlGF-1 and -3, respectively. Measuring range (7.1–3500 pg/mL), Limit of quantitation at 11pg/mL and total variation of 8.3% at 32 pg/mL level allow reliable measurement of PlGF-2. PlGF-2 concentrations were about 50% lower than concentrations yielded with commercial PlGF assay from the same samples and correlation between assays was about 60% (R[2] = 0.354). Results with a small number of serum samples showed that PlGF-2 serum levels are decreased in pre-eclampsia compared to normal pregnancies, 15.0 pg/mL vs. 32.8 pg/mL, respectively. Conclusions A sensitive and precise PlGF-2-specific AutoDELFIA® immunoassay was developed and first result show that assay is suitable for measuring PlGF-2 from serum samples during pregnancy. Lower concentrations of PlGF-2 seem to indicate higher risk for pre-eclampsia. Additional research and larger sample sets are required to conclude the role of PlGF-2 isoform in pre-eclampsia. Disclosures P. Hurskainen: Employee of PerkinElmer, Inc. M. Sairanen: Employee of PerkinElmer, Inc.
Transport of platelets induced by red blood cells based on mixture theory

Abstract The near-wall enrichment of platelets strongly influences thrombus formation in vivo and in vitro . This paper develops a multi-constituent continuum approach to study this phenomenon. A mixture theory model is used to describe the motion of plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) and the interactions between the two components. A transport model is developed to study the influence of the RBCs field on the platelets. The model is used to study blood flow in a rectangular micro-channel, a sudden expansion micro-channel, and a channel containing micro crevices (representing a practical problem encountered in most blood-wetted devices). The simulations show that in the rectangular channel the concentration of the platelets near the walls is about five times higher than the concentration near the channel centerline. It is also noticed that in the channel with crevices, a large number of platelets accumulate in the deep part of the crevices and this may serve as nidus for excessive thrombus formation occurring in medical devices.
That Tendon is the Median Nerve: Perils of a Palmaris Longus Deficient Wrist.

Background: To document the course of the median nerve in the distal forearm in palmaris longus (PL) deficient forearms and elucidate features that help distinguish it from the PL. Methods: In the cadaveric study, 56 cadaveric forearms were dissected and the location and course of the median nerve were documented. In the clinical study, 20 healthy subjects with absent PL were examined with provocative tests to elucidate the PL (Schaeffer’s test and Thompson’s test), and modified Durkan’s and Phalen’s tests. In the imaging study, one subject with a clearly visible and palpable median nerve was further evaluated with MRI with a superficial fiducial marker. Results: Cadaveric dissection revealed that the median nerve was deep to the antebrachial fascia and superficial to the FDS tendons in the distal forearm. In 9 specimens without a PL, the median nerve was the most superficial structure deep and lay draped over the FDS tendons. In the clinical study, PL absence was bilateral in 4 subjects and unilateral in 16. The nerve was visible and palpable in 4 forearms and palpable but not visible in 20 forearms. In all 24 forearms, the nerve was palpable as a lax, mobile, cord-like structure that could be rolled over the taut FDS tendons. Tinel’s and Durkan’s signs were positive in 11 subjects. In the imaging study, MRI confirmed that the palpable structure was the median nerve. Conclusions: Unlike the PL, the nerve is non-contractile and remains flaccid on provocative testing. It is usually palpable and may also be visible in thin forearms. Careful scrutiny may reveal it to be distinct from, and draped over underlying FDS tendons. These findings may help avoid inadvertent median nerve harvest in place of a PL tendon graft.
48 Utilisation of cardiac implantable electronic device therapy in patientswith attr-wild type amyloidosis with concurrent cardiac involvement

Introduction The role of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) therapy in patients with ATTR-wt (senile) amyloid is not very well defined. It is unknown whether there is mortality benefit or harm with the implantation of CIEDs. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected registry of patients with biopsy proven ATTR-wt amyloid with cardiac involvement. These patients were followed up at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota between Jan 1, 1985 to Sep 30, 2015. The follow-up of these patients was done via personal communication (written or verbal) and entered into the database. During analysis these patients were subdivided on the basis of the presence or absence of a CIED, cardiac involvement or not, and all-cause mortality analysed. The implantation of a CIED was analysed as a time-dependent covariate in the survival of these patients and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival plots created. Comparison between groups with CIED and those without CIED was made. In addition, CIEDs were subdivided into permanent pacemakers (PPM), defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization devices (CRT-P/D). Mortality among the patients with each device subtype was estimated and compared to overall mortality. Results 409 patients with ATTR-wt and cardiac involvement were reviewed with CIEDs implanted in 101 (25%) patients. The median follow-up (25th, 75th centile) was 2.4 (1.1, 4.3) years. Utilisation of ICDs in this population was higher than the general community in Olmsted county. There was no association in the overall survival or evidence of harm with CIED utilisation in patients with ATTR amyloidosis and cardiac involvement. Conclusions CIEDs utilisation remains high in ATTR-wt with cardiac involvement. Due diligence is needed in selecting the optimal patient for benefit prior to the implantation of CIEDs in this cohort. Further research is required to pool multi-centre amyloid registry data and determine if there is mortality benefit.
Nanopiezotronics and Nanogenerators

Today’s nanoelectronics rely on the transport of charge carriers under the driving of externally applied voltage to perform specific functionality, such as transistors and diodes. Recently, Piezotronics was introduced as a new field in nanoelectronics[1,2]. It utilizes the coupled piezoelectric and semiconducting property of nanowires (NWs) and nanobelts (NBs) for designing and fabricating electronic devices such as transistors and diodes. Piezoelectricity is a coupling between a material’s mechanical and electrical behavior. When a piezoelectric crystal is mechanically deformed, the positive- and negative-charge centers are displaced with respect to each other. Therefore, while the overall crystal remains electrically neutral, the difference in charge center displacements results in an electric polarization within the crystal. Electric polarization resulting from mechanical deformation is perceived as piezoelectricity. Once the piezoelectric materials are also semiconductors, such as ZnO, their electronic characteristic can be affected by the piezoelectric potential. This phenomenon becomes more obvious when the crystal size is in nanometer regime and so it is also called nano-Piezotronics. It is anticipated to have a wide range of applications in electromechanical coupled sensors and devices, nanoscale energy conversion for self-powered nanosystems, and harvesting/recycling of energy from environment.
126 264 Assigned Chemical Formulas from an Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization 9.4 T Fourier Transform Positive Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrum

Here, we present atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass analysis of a volcanic asphalt sample by acquiring data for 20 Da wide mass segments across a 1000 Da range, stitched into a single composite mass spectrum, and compare to a broad-band mass spectrum for the same sample. The segmented spectrum contained 170 000 peaks with magnitude greater than 6σ of the root-mean-square (rms) baseline noise, for which 126 264 unique elemental compositions could be assigned. Approximately two-thirds of those compositions represent monoisotopic (i.e., chemically different) species. That complexity is higher than that for any previously reported mass spectrum and almost 3 times greater than that obtained from the corresponding broad-band spectrum (59 015). For the segmented mass spectrum, the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) was significantly higher throughout the spectrum, but especially at the lower and upper ends of mass distribution relative to that of the near-...
A Content Analysis of Testosterone Websites: Sex, Muscle, and Male Age-Related Thematic Differences

Male testosterone supplementation is a large and growing industry. How is testosterone marketed to male consumers online? The present exploratory study entailed a content coding analysis of the home pages of 49 websites focused on testosterone supplementation for men in the United States. Four hypotheses concerning anticipated age-related differences in content coding were also tested: more frequent longevity content toward older men, and more frequent social dominance/physical formidability, muscle, and sex content toward younger men. Codes were created based on inductive observations and drawing upon the medical, life history, and human behavioral endocrinology literatures. Approximately half (n = 24) of websites were oriented toward younger men (estimated audience of men 40 years of age or younger) and half (n = 25) toward older men (estimated audience over 40 years of age). Results indicated that the most frequent content codes concerned online sales (e.g., product and purchasing information). Apart f...
Introducing “The Ontology of the Rape Joke”

This short essay introduces the panel for this issue focusing on Vanessa Place’s performance piece “The Ontology of the Rape Joke.”
Business analytics maturity of firms: an examination of the relationships between managerial perception of IT, business analytics maturity and success

ABSTRACTThis study develops a measure for business analytics (BA) maturity and empirically examines the relationships between managerial perception of IT, BA maturity and BA success. The findings s...
Genome Sequence Resources for the Wheat Stripe Rust Pathogen (Puccinia Striiformis F. Sp. Tritici) and the Barley Stripe Rust Pathogen (Puccinia Striiformis F. Sp. Hordei)

Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici causes devastating stripe (yellow) rust on wheat and P. striiformis f. sp. hordei causes stripe rust on barley. Several P. striiformis f. sp. tritici genomes are available, but no P. striiformis f. sp. hordei genome is available. More genomes of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici and P. striiformis f. sp. hordei are needed to understand the genome evolution and molecular mechanisms of their pathogenicity. We sequenced P. striiformis f. sp. tritici isolate 93-210 and P. striiformis f. sp. hordei isolate 93TX-2, using PacBio and Illumina technologies and RNA sequencing. Their genomic sequences were assembled to contigs with high continuity and showed significant structural differences. The circular mitochondria genomes of both were complete. These genomes provide high-quality resources for deciphering the genomic basis of rapid evolution and host adaptation, identifying genes for avirulence and other important traits, and studying host-pathogen interactions.
Factors for Evaluating Presumptions and Presumptive Inferences

Lilian Bermejo-Luque has posed these questions: Cohen’s method of relevant variables, Toulmin’s model, and Rescher’s theory of plausibility suggest answers. An inference is presumptive just in case its warrant transfers presumption from its premises to its conclusion. A warrant licencing an inference from the claim that an empirical property φ holds to the claim that some other property ψ holds is backed by observation of a constant conjunction of those properties. The stronger the backing, the stronger the warrant. Warrants may be defeated by instances of φ holding in conjunction with some property χ and ψ not holding. The method of relevant variables directs us to organize such defeating properties into relevant variables. We then test the strength of a warrant by seeing how many variables fail to have a value which defeats the warrant. The more variables with no defeater, the stronger the warrant. We may construct a canonical ordering of the relevant variables by ranking them according to the plausibility of their including defeating values. We may evaluate the strength not only of empirically backed warrants, but warrants backed by institutional rules, such as a branch of law, or by a priori intuited connections between properties. An inference rule will be presumptive just in case the plausibility of its warrant being defeated is below some specified level.
Receptive Abilities of Deaf Children Across Five Modes of Communication

74 children in 7 preschool programs for the deaf were assessed in a measure of receptive communication. Subjects ranged from 48 to 72 months with a mean chronological age of 61.96 months. Hearing losses ranged from 71 to 100 decibels with a mean loss of 95.49 decibels. Subjects were tested across five modes of communication: (a) sound alone, (b) sound plus speechreading, (c) sound and speechreading plus fingerspelling, (d) sound and speechreading plus signs, and (e) the printed word. Four levels of difficulty were assessed for each mode: (a) number concepts, (b) adjective-noun phrases, (c) noun-conjunction-noun phrases, and (d) noun-verb-prepositional phrase constructions. Results suggest that the most efficient means of receptive communication was simultaneous use of sound and speechreading plus signs. Children using this system receive information at least as efficiently as other deaf children when manual components are removed. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Contrast Optimization And Local Adaptation (COALA) for HDR Compression.

This paper develops a novel approach for high dynamic-range compression. It relies on the widely accepted assumption that the human visual system is not very sensitive to absolute luminance reaching the retina, but rather responds to relative luminance ratios. Dynamic-range compression is then formulated as a regularized optimization in which the image dynamic range is reduced while the local contrast of the original scene is preserved. Our method is shown to be capable of drastic dynamic-range compression, while preserving fine details and avoiding common artifacts such as halos, gradient reversals, or loss of local contrast.