cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bat mortality at a wind‐energy facility in southeastern Wisconsin

The wind-energy industry is rapidly developing worldwide as a viable renewable power option to offset high economic and environmental costs of fossil fuel consumption and nuclear power generation. Evidence suggests bats are more likely to be negatively affected by wind facilities than are birds. Studies have shown that significant bat mortality occurs at wind facilities, yet our understanding of the concomitant drivers of these events is limited. Our objectives were to assess the impact of a wind facility in southeastern Wisconsin, USA, on migratory and non-migratory and/or short-distance migrant bats by 1) estimating mortality, 2) recording species composition of mortality cases, and 3) determining the correlative variables associated with bat mortality events. We estimated 4,454 total bats, 3,019 migratory and 912 non-migratory and/or short-distance migrant bats were killed, respectively, over 277 search days during two spring and two autumn study periods, 2008–2010. We found bat mortality was strongly linked to migration. Approximately one-quarter of all bat mortality consisted of non-migratory big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and short-distance migrant little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), which is higher than many previous studies, supported by similar studies in the Midwest, and of concern due to these species' susceptibility to white-nose syndrome. We determined weanling mice were suitable surrogates for bat carcasses in scavenger removal trials. We found temperature was positively related to bat mortality, which indicates a possible link with prey availability. We encourage standardization in search and statistical methods across studies and acknowledgment of migratory and non-migratory and/or short-distance migrant bat mortality at wind facilities in agricultural landscapes. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Anticipation and dynamics: Rosen's anticipation in the perspective of time

Anticipation relates to the perception of change. Therefore, dynamics is the context for defining anticipation processes. Since preoccupation with change is as old as science itself, anticipation-related questions go back to the first attempts to explain why and how things change. However, as a specific concept, anticipation insinuates itself in the language of science in the writings of Whitehead, Burgers, Bennett, Feynman, Svoboda, Rosen, Nadin and Dubois, i.e. since 1929. While Robert Rosen’s work is the main focus of this article, an attempt is made to advance a perspective for the broad field of studies that developed around the notion of anticipation. Of particular interest are the circumstances of epistemological and gnoseological significance, leading to the articulation of the early hypotheses regarding anticipatory processes. Of no less interest to the scientific community are questions pertinent to complexity, adaptivity, purposiveness, time and computability as they relate to our understanding of anticipation.
Novel Materials for the Direct Removal of Water and Ions from the Body for Patients with Dialysis Needs

This paper describes a novel material for the direct removal of water and ions from the body of patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The work is part of a larger project that is envisioned to be a new type of dialysis process that could replace or enhance existing dialysis methods. The main idea is to implant a unit either and/or outside the body of the patients with renal failure so that they do not have to go through the painstaking and exhausting hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis processes existing today. The proposed work in its final embodiment will eliminate such processes and allow the patients to lead a more normal life than is possible with current state-of-the-art processes and equipment. This paper provides preliminary results to show that a sol gel based material has been formulated that can absorb 30% water, 30% sodium ions and almost 50% potassium ions in a laboratory setting from a mixture that simulates the amounts produced by the human body with ESRD.
Epidemic thresholds in dynamic contact networks

The reproductive ratio, R0, is a fundamental quantity in epidemiology, which determines the initial increase in an infectious disease in a susceptible host population. In most epidemic models, there is a specific value of R0, the epidemic threshold, above which epidemics are possible, but below which epidemics cannot occur. As the complexity of an epidemic model increases, so too does the difficulty of calculating epidemic thresholds. Here we derive the reproductive ratio and epidemic thresholds for susceptible–infected–recovered (SIR) epidemics in a simple class of dynamic random networks. As in most epidemiological models, R0 depends on two basic epidemic parameters, the transmission and recovery rates. We find that R0 also depends on social parameters, namely the degree distribution that describes heterogeneity in the numbers of concurrent contacts and the mixing parameter that gives the rate at which contacts are initiated and terminated. We show that social mixing fundamentally changes the epidemiological landscape and, consequently, that static network approximations of dynamic networks can be inadequate.
Flavonoid Accumulation Patterns of Transparent Testa Mutants of Arabidopsis

Flavonoids have been implicated in the regulation of auxin movements in Arabidopsis. To understand when and where flavonoids may be acting to control auxin movement, the flavonoid accumulation pattern was examined in young seedlings and mature tissues of wild-type Arabidopsis. Using a variety of biochemical and visualization techniques, flavonoid accumulation in mature plants was localized in cauline leaves, pollen, stigmata, and floral primordia, and in the stems of young, actively growing inflorescences. In young Landsberg erecta seedlings, aglycone flavonols accumulated developmentally in three regions, the cotyledonary node, the hypocotyl-root transition zone, and the root tip. Aglycone flavonols accumulated at the hypocotyl-root transition zone in a developmental and tissue-specific manner with kaempferol in the epidermis and quercetin in the cortex. Quercetin localized subcellularly in the nuclear region, plasma membrane, and endomembrane system, whereas kaempferol localized in the nuclear region and plasma membrane. The flavonoid accumulation pattern was also examined in transparent testa mutants blocked at different steps in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. The transparent testa mutants were shown to have precursor accumulation patterns similar to those of end product flavonoids in wild-type Landsberg erecta, suggesting that synthesis and end product accumulation occur in the same cells.
New Target, New Drug, Old Paradigm

The last few years have witnessed the clinical development of many novel, so-called targeted anticancer agents. The clinical development of most of these drugs has been guided by traditional clinical research methods. With these approaches, some of these drugs have progressed from phase I to phase III trials, and fewer have eventually received regulatory approval based on evidence—sometimes rather limited— of patient benefit. Although these examples can be viewed as great successes, as indeed are any interventions that significantly decrease cancer suffering, their success does not mean that the clinical trial approaches used are optimal. In general, these processes are very slow and costly. Early dose-finding studies are still based on toxicity, despite many of the new agents’ failure to exert linear dosedependent toxicity effects. As a consequence, multiple different doses and schedules are explored in phase I and II studies, significantly complicating the design and conduct of large-scale, randomized trials. In many instances, the “go or no-go” decision is based on response rates, when these drugs in the laboratory induce growth arrest rather than tumor shrinkage. In addition, the interpretation of the biologic bases of the antitumor effects of these drugs has been superficial, leading to large developmental efforts in the wrong diseases. This is perhaps best exemplified by the development of the farnesyl transferase inhibitors designed to inhibit Ras signaling in patients with pancreatic cancer, on the basis that these tumors frequently have mutations in the ras gene. 1 Importantly, no effort has been made to learn the biologic basis for success or failure, and the goal remains unselected patient populations, based on weak and arbitrary criteria, rather than the individual. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology is the first phase I clinical trial of CCI-779, an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and a novel drug with a novel mechanism of action. 2 This trial is a good example of the limitations of the traditional methodology of phase I clinical studies in the development of targeted agents. mTOR is a serine/threonine kinase (a member of the phosphatidyl inositol-3 (PI3K)–related kinases) that plays a pivotal regulatory role in multiple cellular functions, such as the transduction of proliferative signals by growth factors and the response of cells to nutrients. mTOR was discovered in part because of the existence of rapamycin, a naturally occurring inhibitor of mTOR. Rapamycin has been known for years to have unique biologic properties, including immunosuppressive, antifungal, and antiproliferative effects. Based on these features, rapamycin-like drugs have been developed as anticancer agents. 3-5 In preclinical models, mTOR inhibitors exert tumor growth inhibition, induce apoptosis in selected models, and inhibit angiogenesis. 6 CCI-779 is an ester of rapamycin selected for clinical development.
Genetic and Molecular Basis of Quantitative Trait Loci of Arthritis in Rat: Genes and Polymorphisms

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, the pathogenesis of which is affected by multiple genetic and environmental factors. To understand the genetic and molecular basis of RA, a large number of quantitative trait loci (QTL) that regulate experimental autoimmune arthritis have been identified using various rat models for RA. However, identifying the particular responsible genes within these QTL remains a major challenge. Using currently available genome data and gene annotation information, we systematically examined RA-associated genes and polymorphisms within and outside QTL over the whole rat genome. By the whole genome analysis of genes and polymorphisms, we found that there are significantly more RA-associated genes in QTL regions as contrasted with non-QTL regions. Further experimental studies are necessary to determine whether these known RA-associated genes or polymorphisms are genetic components causing the QTL effect.
Extensions of the Latency Insertion Method (LIM) to DC analysis of power supply networks and modeling of circuit interconnects with frequency-dependent parameters

In this paper, a fast circuit simulation technique based on the Latency Insertion Method (LIM) is proposed for the steady-state analysis of large-scale networks, such as on-chip power grids. The proposed method is shown to be very efficient for modeling of networks with very large numbers of nodes. The comparison with one of the best methods used for the power grid analysis today, the Random-Walk algorithm, shows that LIM is almost two orders of magnitude faster. Also, an extension of the LIM method to the treatment of interconnects with frequency-dependent parameters is proposed.
Fiber-Directed Conjugated-Polymer Torsional Actuator: Nonlinear Elasticity Modeling and Experimental Validation

Existing conjugated-polymer actuators typically take the form of benders or linear extenders. In this paper, a conjugated-polymer-based torsional actuator is proposed by embedding helically wound fibers into a conjugated polymer tube during the polymer-deposition process. Upon actuation, the electrolyte-soaked tube swells, and consequently, produces torsion and other associated deformations because of fiber-induced mechanical anisotropy of the composite material. A nonlinear elasticity-based model is presented to capture the torsion, elongation, and dilation of the tube. Experiments on tubular actuators with different thicknesses, fiber-winding angles, and diameters confirm the aforementioned deformation modes and validate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Genetic differentiation in North American and European populations of the cladoceran Bythotrephes

Bythotrephes cederstroemi, a Palearctic cladoceran (Crustacea) zooplankter, has recently invaded all of the Laurentian Great Lakes. We used cellulose acetate gel electrophoresis to examine the genetic structure of these newly founded populations and to compare it to the structure of established European populations of B. cederstroemi and a congener, Bythotrephes longimanus. All populations of Bythotrephes had low intrapopulation genetic variation, with l-l 2 multiple-locus genotypes per population. Genotype frequencies were often different from Hardy-Weinberg expectations for North American populations, primarily due to heterozygote excesses. Interpopulation variation was low within drainage basins but high among basins. Great Lakes populations were most similar to Finnish populations, while Swedish and German populations formed a separate group. North American populations appear to have been founded from a single European population, probably located in the northeastern Baltic region. Sympatric populations of B. cederstroemi and B. longimanus showed a greater degree of similarity than allopatric conspecifics, leading to the conclusion that these may represent morphologically distinct forms of a single species. Our results indicate that, as with other cladoceran species, restricted gene flow and founder events may be important in determining patterns of geographic variation among populations of Bythotrephes. Genetic variation among populations within drainage basins was lower than across basins, regardless of geographic distance between sites. Thus, river basins act as pathways of dispersal, leading to significant migration between populations within a basin but little migration between basins.
Selective value prediction

Value Prediction is a relatively new technique to increase instruction-level parallelism by breaking true data dependence chains. A value prediction architecture produces values, which may be later consumed by instructions that execute speculatively using the predicted value.This paper examines selective techniques for using value prediction in the presence of predictor capacity constraints and reasonable misprediction penalties. We examine prediction and confidence mechanisms in light of these constraints, and we minimize capacity conflicts through instruction filtering. The latter technique filters which instructions put values into the value prediction table. We examine filtering techniques based on instruction type, as well as giving priority to instructions belonging to the longest data dependence path in the processor's active instruction window. We apply filtering both to the producers of predicted values and the consumers. In addition, we examine the benefit of using different confidence levels for instructions using predicted values on the longest dependence path.
A remote sensing model estimating water body evaporation

International water delivery management is a difficult issue. For example, according to the US and Mexico water delivery treaty, the US needs to deliver a certain amount of water from the Elephant Butte Reservoir (in US New Mexico state) to Mexico every year. Similarly, Mexico also needs to deliver a certain amount of water to the US each year. However, Mexico had amassed a water deficit to the US since 1992. The deficit reached 1.5 million acre-feet at its highest point, costing U.S. agricultural producers in the Rio Grande Valley $1 billion. Farmers in both countries complained to their government that the water provider country did not deliver enough water. Their government explained to the farmers that although the reservoirs had a certain level of inflow, the evaporation (E) loss was large enough to decrease the outflow significantly. Reservoir evaporation measurements from an inflow-outflow water balance method, pan measurement method, or eddy covariance methods are time and labor intensive. Additionally, the accuracy of the methods may be affected by environmental factors and some of their assumptions. There is a need to create an accurate and convenient method to measure the evaporation loss that can be used internationally. The research in this paper developed a remote sensing tool to estimate evaporation loss from reservoirs to aid international water delivery management. The model uses the energy balance principle to measure evaporation depth (mm/day). The evaporation depth has a high temporal resolution (1 day) and a moderate spatial resolution (1000 m by 1000 m). The model is written in C++ as a user-friendly software package. The model uses MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite data (LIB raw data) and local weather data (radiation, wind speed, and humidity). The model was calibrated and evaluated using reservoir data. The model accuracy is acceptable and is capable for aiding international water delivery management.
Facilitating safe patient transition of care: A qualitative systematic review

Background: Failure to appropriately plan for a safe and effective transition to the next level of care leads to greater use of hospital and emergency services, often measured by rates of readmission. Despite a focus to develop programs to reduce readmissions, the 30-day all-cause readmission rate for Medicare patients in 2011 remained essentially unchanged. Purpose: The objective of this qualitative systematic review was to synthesize the evidence for interventions aimed at reducing readmissions through a transition of care program. Methods: We searched PubMed and Medline (OVID) with search terms including home care services, continuity of patient care, patient discharge, patient-centered care, health planning, and patient readmission. Selection criteria included quantitative studies, qualitative studies, and expert opinion articles in which a transition of care intervention, was implemented. The outcome of interest was readmission rates. Results: Thirty-three articles met inclusion criteria. The data were synthesized into two categories: primary studies in which the readmission rate was measured as an outcome, and studies that systematically reviewed interventions aimed at improving the discharge process. In all studies reviewed, a transitional care intervention resulted in a statistically significant reduction in readmission rate, or a rate trending lower, or the rate remained the same. Several studies evaluating an intervention occurring during and after hospitalization demonstrated significant results. Conclusion: There is value in reconfiguring discharge processes toward interventions that are more likely to reduce readmissions. The discharge process should incorporate a multidisciplinary, multicomponent transition of care intervention that involves hospital and home-care follow-up.
Defining Optimal Freshwater Flow for Oyster Production: Effects of Freshet Rate and Magnitude of Change and Duration on Eastern Oysters and Perkinsus marinus Infection

In coastal Louisiana, the development of large-scale freshwater diversion projects has led to controversy over their effects on oyster resources. Using controlled laboratory experiments in combination with a field study, we examined the effects of pulsed freshwater events (freshet) of different magnitude, duration, and rate of change on oyster resources. Laboratory and field evidence indicate that low salinity events (<5 psu) decreased Perkinsus marinus infection intensities. Furthermore, when salinity was low (<5 psu), parasite infection intensities continued to decrease even as temperatures exceeded 20°C. At the same time, oyster growth was positively correlated with salinity. To maximize oyster production, data indicate that both low and high salinity events will be necessary.
Retrospective chart review for obesity and associated interventions among rural Mexican‐American adolescents accessing healthcare services

Purpose To report a retrospective analysis of data routinely collected in the course of healthcare services at a rural health clinic and to assess obesity incidence and associated interventions among rural Mexican-American adolescents. Data sources Two hundred and twelve charts reviewed; 98 (46.2%) males and 114 (53.8%) females. Data extracted included Medicaid exams conducted at the clinic within 5 years. Equal overweight or obese (n = 105, 49.5%), versus normal BMI categorizations (n = 107, 50.5%) documented overall and by gender. Female obesity higher (25.4%) than national norms (17.4%); male rates (25.5%) were within national norm. Interventions provided by nurse practitioners (94%) for 34.8%–80% of overweight/obese had limited follow-up (4%). Obesity incidence markedly increased between 13 and 18 years of age without associated interventions; 51.4%–75.6% without interventions. Conclusions Obesity is a healthcare problem among rural Mexican-American adolescents accessing care at the rural health clinic. Obesity intervention and follow-up was suboptimal within this setting. Rural and ethnic minority adolescents experience health disparities concerning obesity prevalence and remote healthcare access. Implications Obesity prevention and treatment during adolescence is a national health priority given physiologic and psychological tolls on health and potential for obesity into adulthood. Obesity assessment and translation of evidence-based interventions for rural Mexican-American adolescents at rural health clinics is implicated.
Immunoaffinity chromatography: an introduction to applications and recent developments

Immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) combines the use of LC with the specific binding of antibodies or related agents. The resulting method can be used in assays for a particular target or for purification and concentration of analytes prior to further examination by another technique. This review discusses the history and principles of IAC and the various formats that can be used with this method. An overview is given of the general properties of antibodies and of antibody-production methods. The supports and immobilization methods used with antibodies in IAC and the selection of application and elution conditions for IAC are also discussed. Several applications of IAC are considered, including its use in purification, immunodepletion, direct sample analysis, chromatographic immunoassays and combined analysis methods. Recent developments include the use of IAC with CE or MS, ultrafast immunoextraction methods and the use of immunoaffinity columns in microanalytical systems.
A shielded sound-attenuating chamber.

An electrically shielded sound-attenuating chamber for psychophysiological work which was constructed of readily available building supplies is described.
Outlier detection for large scale manufacturing processes

Integrated circuit manufacturing consists of tests at various stages to ensure functionality and performance using numerous test metrics for each system on chip (SoC) captured as part of assessment. At a later stage, functional units are evaluated in terms of multiple performance characteristics. In this paper, we propose a system that uses test metrics as features for machine learning models to predict the performance characteristics of each SoC. We show that these models are robust against erroneous or noisy signal in test metrics and provide accurate prediction. Given accurate models, we build a system that automatically detects systematic changes in the manufacturing process from week to week and identifies wafers, a grouping of patterned dies in the fabrication process, which have significantly higher than average prediction error and label them as outliers. These outliers are analyzed in order to determine the cause of the discrepancy and to assess potential problems in the manufacturing process. The system has been proven applicable across multiple products and process technologies.
Effects of Ischemia on Taurine Levels

The attempts to correlate the high levels of taurine which are present in cardiac tissue with a physiological function have generated much speculation. However, success has thus far been quite fleeting as unfortunately a mechanism(s) of action for taurine in the myocardium has eluded all investigations and the role of taurine remains an unknown entity in the heart. The only observation concerning taurine in cardiac tissue that is non-controversial is that it constitutes approximately 50% of the free amino acid pool of the heart (Jacobsen and Smith, 1968).
Valuing Repurchasing Corporations with the Discounted Dividend Model: Theory and Application

Repurchases must be added to correctly estimate the value of a corporation with the discounted dividend model. Why this is so is illustrated with a simulation model. The appropriate repurchase-augmented formula is developed. Using data from two representative corporations, the large potential undervaluation with the standard discounted dividend model is illustrated and contrasted with the more appropriate repurchase-augmented valuation estimates.
Effects of Thickness and Indenter Geometry in Nanoindentation of Nickel Thin Films

Effects of thickness and tip geometry on Ni thin films deposited on Cu substrate were studied using nanoindenter. The deformation mechanisms in correlation to hardness measurements were discussed at various loads and depths of penetration. The Berkovich, Cube comer and Conical tips have been used in this study. Initially, the hardness and modulus of elasticity were measured at a depth of 10% of film thickness. The depth of penetration was increased to 20% to observe the depth effects. Analysis of data showed that there is an Indentation Size Effect (ISE) irrespective of indenter tip geometries.
Polythienylene–Vinylene Structure–Function Correlations Revealed from Resonance Raman Spectroscopy and Photocurrent Imaging

New structure–function correlations are revealed in poly(3-alkyl-thienylenevinylene) (P3ATV) derivatives using resonance Raman spectroscopy techniques. P3ATVs are prototype conjugated polymers that have received increased attention recently due to reports of efficient singlet fission following excitation of the lowest energy allowed (1Bu) excited state. Raman spectra are measured with excitation wavelengths resonant with the P3ATV 1Bu absorption line shape (∼450–750 nm) to probe geometrical rearrangements incurred in this initial excited state. Rich spectral features are resolved, namely, multiple overtone and combination progressions involving the main P3ATV symmetric skeletal stretching vibrational modes. We use a time-dependent wavepacket approach to calculate the Raman cross-correlation wavepacket overlap function for each displaced mode and their extent of displacement in the excited state. Fit parameters are checked by simulating optical absorption spectra that show good agreement with experimental ...
Updates in the Management of Acute Lung Injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) is commonly encountered in the ICU and is associated with significant mortality. The mainstay of therapy continues to be aggressive supportive care, including low tidal volume ventilation and fluid conservative strategies. Recent developments in the field of ALI include a proposal to modify the diagnostic criteria for ALI in the Berlin Definition and recent randomized controlled trials of the use of neuromuscular blockade, beta-agonists, and feeding strategies. The goal of this article is to review, summarize, and comment on these emerging data and offer practical recommendations for the evidence-based management of ALI.
Evaluation of a Physical Activity Behavior Change Program for Individuals With a Brain Injury

Abstract Objective To investigate the effectiveness of a physical activity intervention for use within a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation program for individuals with brain injury. Design Quasi-experimental comparison group design with 3-month follow-up. Setting Comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation clinic that is a transitional setting between acute inpatient rehabilitation and community dwelling. Participants Individuals (N=47) with a brain injury were enrolled into either the intervention (n=22; 8 women, 14 men; mean age, 48.68y) or control group (n=25; 9 women, 16 men; mean age, 46.23y). Intervention Consisted of an 8-week informational and social/behavioral program that focused on enabling individuals to become independently active. The control group completed the standard of care typically available to patients in comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation. Main Outcome Measures Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey self-report physical activity items, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, and Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4. Results The intervention group reported significantly ( P d =2.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.78–2.52), and 67 minutes at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions Findings suggest that the intervention may be effective in increasing the physical activity behaviors of individuals engaged in a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation program after brain injury.
Simulation of Underwater Acoustic Propagation over Typical Ocean Bottom in China

A method of underwater acoustic channel simulation based on ray model is discussed in this paper.Some theoretic analyses and improved advices of ray model is given.The solutions of the ray-tracings,eigenrays and acoustic propagation losses over sloping bottoms are also extracted.The mathematical modeling and the computer software implementation are completed.Moreover,according to the requirement of the practical application,a software for computing the ray-tracings,the propagation losses and the searching of the eigenrays is designed.The simulation results of the practical data are satisfactory and show that the model is precise to estimate the underwater acoustic channel and has a promising value for engineering application.
Stimulation of human sperm cervical mucus penetration in vitro by relaxin

The effect of relaxin, a peptide hormone present in seminal plasma, on the penetration of cervical mucus by washed human sperm in vitro was studied. Penetration was analyzed by two methods. The total number of sperm per 100 X field at the 10-mm, 20-mm, and 30-mm points along a mucus-filled capillary tube was counted and the farthest distance 100 sperm and 5 sperm/100 X field penetrated the capillary tube was measured. These measurements were made at 30, 60, and 90 minutes. Treating washed sperm with physiologic concentrations of relaxin resulted in significantly increased sperm penetration as compared with sperm treated with albumin or buffer. Replacing seminal plasma to washed sperm resulted in equivalently increased penetration. The findings strongly suggest that relaxin is necessary for proper penetration of cervical mucus by human sperm.
The California coastal wave monitoring and prediction system

Abstract A decade-long effort to estimate nearshore (20 m depth) wave conditions based on offshore buoy observations along the California coast is described. Offshore, deep water directional wave buoys are used to initialize a non-stationary, linear, spectral refraction wave model. Model hindcasts of spectral parameters commonly used in nearshore process studies and engineering design are validated against nearshore buoy observations seaward of the surfzone. The buoy-driven wave model shows significant skill at most validation sites, but prediction errors for individual swell or sea events can be large. Model skill is high in north San Diego County, and low in the Santa Barbara Channel and along the southern Monterey Bay coast. Overall, the buoy-driven model hindcasts have relatively low bias and therefore are best suited for quantifying mean (e.g. monthly or annual) nearshore wave climate conditions rather than extreme or individual wave events. Model error correlation with the incident offshore wave energy, and between neighboring validation sites, may be useful in identifying sources of regional modeling errors.
Walking the Walk: A Giant Step toward Sustainable Plasmonics.

The use of earth-abundant materials is at the frontier of nanoplasmonics research, where their availability and low cost can enable practical mainstream applications and commercial viability. Aluminum is of specific interest in this regard, due to its ability to support plasmon resonances throughout the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared regions of the spectrum. However, the lack of accurate dielectric data has critically limited the agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements of the optical properties of Al nanostructures compared, for example, to the agreement enjoyed by the noble/coinage metals. As reported in this issue of ACS Nano, efforts by Cheng et al. to determine the dielectric function of pristine Al show that Al has substantially lower loss than was indicated by previously reported dielectric data for Al, including a 2-fold lower loss for the UV region compared to that in previous studies. These results provide data that are essential for accurate agreement bet...
Autoimmune Epilepsy: Clinical Features, Management and Outcomes (P6.285)

OBJECTIVE: Analyze clinical and electrographic characteristics of patients with autoimmune epilepsy and evaluate the effect of immunomodulatory therapy on reduction of seizure frequency. BACKGROUND: No management guidelines for autoimmune epilepsy exist. Common treatment strategies include optimizing antiepileptic drugs, treatment of underlying malignancy, and use of immunomodulatory agents. DESIGN/METHODS: Observational retrospective case series, conducted using electronic medical data from two teaching hospitals. Clinical data was collected from 2008 to 2013. Cases were selected based on pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: 34 patients with predominant seizure presentation and concern for autoimmune etiology were identified. Mean age of study participants was 44.94 years and 64.7[percnt] were males. Autoimmune antibodies were detected in 76.5[percnt](26) of patients; VGKc 23.5[percnt](8); NMDA-R 20.6[percnt](7); anti-thyroid 14.7[percnt](5); GAD 11.8[percnt](4); GABAB 5.9[percnt](2). Electrographic seizures were documented in 85.3[percnt](29) of patients: 22 unilateral temporal, 4 bilateral temporal and 8 extra-temporal onset. 79.4[percnt] patients had inter-ictal discharges. 29.4[percnt] patients had electrographic seizures with no clinical correlate, 44.1[percnt] patients were discovered to have focal status epilepticus. Mean daily seizures during initial prolonged EEG monitoring were 4.00 (SD 7.59); average number of anti-seizure drugs used was 2.35 (SD 1.15). 26.4[percnt] of patients had an underlying malignancy. 94.1[percnt] (32) patients received immunomodulation, including steroids (88.2[percnt]), plasmapheresis (58.8[percnt]), IVIG (32.4[percnt]), rituximab (23.5[percnt]), mycophenolate (14.7[percnt]) and cyclophosphamide (11.8[percnt]). 63.3[percnt] (19) participants achieved 蠅50[percnt] seizure reduction at first clinic follow-up (mean duration: 52.62 days). There was no outcome difference based on gender, race, age, hospital location, presenting symptom, or type of antibody. Patients without malignancy had better seizure control (p<0.05). Time from symptom onset to diagnosis (p<0.005) and symptom onset to immunomodulation (p <0.005) was significantly lower among patients who achieved 蠅50[percnt] seizure reduction. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights certain important clinical, electrographic aspects of autoimmune epilepsy and significance of early diagnosis and initiation of immunomodulatory therapy. Disclosure: Dr. Hays has nothing to disclose. Dr. Samudra has nothing to disclose. Dr. Samudra has nothing to disclose. Dr. Agostini has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ding has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gupta has nothing to disclose. Dr. Van Ness has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Archives of Neurology. Dr. Vernino has received personal compensation for activities with Chelsea Therapeutics as an advisory board participant. Dr. Vernino has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for JAMA Neurology. Dr. Vernino has receive license fee payme
Comparison of 11 Phenotypic Assays for Accurate Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae

Early identification of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) is essential to prevent their dissemination within health care settings. Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of 11 phenotypic assays for the detection of CPE. Two collections of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) isolates were evaluated, including 191 retrospective isolates (122 CP-CRE and 69 non-CP isolates) as well as 45 prospective clinical isolates (15 CP-CRE and 30 non-CP-CRE) obtained over a 3-month period. The sensitivity and specificity of each test was determined, with molecular genotype serving as the gold standard. Among the retrospective cohort, sensitivities ranged from 72% for the boronic acid synergy test for the detection of KPC producers to ≥98% for the modified Carba NP, the Rapidec Carba NP, the manual Blue Carba, and the modified carbapenem inactivation method for the detection of any CPE. Sensitivity differed among tests across enzyme classes. All assays had excellent specificity exceeding 95%, with the exception of the boronic acid synergy test (88%) and modified Hodge test (91%). Prospectively, 45 CRE isolates were encountered over a 3-month period, including 15 CPE (33%) and 30 non-CP-CRE (67%). Results from the prospective cohort were similar. However, a decrease in specificity was observed across most tests, likely due to restricted inclusion of non-CP-CRE to assess the specificity of the assays. Overall, accuracy of CPE detection varied across phenotypic tests. Local epidemiology of CP genotypes, turnaround time, and ease of incorporation into the laboratory workflow should be considered when selecting a phenotypic assay for clinical use.
Research and researcher implications in sustainable development projects: Muti-agent Systems (MAS) and Social Sciences applied to Senegalese examples

A new approach to problems of land allocation for livestock grazing, combining both computer science and social science tools has been developed since 1998 in Senegal, especially in the Ferlo area. Here we examine the implications for the different research centres such as the CIRAD1, the Pole Pastoral Zones Seches (PPZS), the ESP and the laboratories of the UCO. A computer simulation (MAS), based on sociological data, has been introduced in order to obtain a more neutral evaluation of the possible approaches to the problem, for example the approach of the local people involved, together with that of regional land development and allocation policy. This is preferable to practice that consists of experimenting policy in real-life situations with potentially dire consequences for the population and the environment. This initiative aims both to stabilise the social position of shepherds/herders and to preserve the production potential of ecosystems used for grazing. Its approach is one of sustainable development and the underlying theory must be questioned in order to clarify the empirical scope and pertinence. This applied research (which, owing to the questions it asks, is rooted "in the most immediate reality" [1]), should not be naive concerning its implications. Is it possible, with theoretical knowledge and an objective approach, to give research results to local management especially when the latter are separated from the decision making process? The project's aim is to modify social behaviour, to rationalise it or to induce new behaviour. Groups or individuals that have to modify their behaviour as a result will naturally give rise to questioning concerning the social benefits of such Changes. Who is destined to benefit from the MAS platform? From the perspective of increased well-being to local populations a long-term follow-up is required together with an evaluation of social relations resulting from its use. It will certainly be necessary to implement a large-scale survey of people concerned both by the need for the platform (survey carried out during the phase of elaboration) and by its consequences (survey of the results and possible improvements). This obviously appears to be a long and expensive use of financial and intellectual resources but at the same time reflects the cost of working towards sustainable social and economic innovation in, as far as is permitted, a democratic manner. However what is more important than the principle is the fact that continuous follow-up and control seem to be a guarantee of success for such projects. (Resume d'auteur)
Understanding Governance and Corruption Using Survey Data: A Novel Approach and Its Applications in Policy and Research

Cross-country evidence has shown the negative impact of poor governance and corruption on citizens and business people. Researchers and practitioners, however, need more disaggregated data for policy design, implementation, and monitoring. This chapter introduces an alternative methodology that allows institutions to be measured in a more disaggregated way using survey data to create indicators at the agency and sub-national levels. The experiential data used also allows the evaluation of the degree of implementation of regulations within public agencies rather than their quality. The chapter discusses two research applications that have shed light on the links between the quality of institutions, service delivery, and corruption. It also provides an overview of selected cases where these indicators have supported policy-makers in the design of governance reforms.
ExUP recommendations: Inferring user's product metadata preferences from single-criterion rating systems

Abstract Recommendation systems make use of complex algorithms and methods to provide recommendations to consumers. Typically, online rating schemes use a single rating metric that captures the overall user experience with a product. Nevertheless, this might hinder the intricacies of how a product's attributes influence an individual's preferences. While it is possible to use sentiment and semantic analysis to interpret free text in user reviews, if available, to gain insight into a user's reasons for a product rating, these methods are expensive to implement and error prone, and rely on significant data input from the user. To overcome these challenges, we propose a method for inferring user preferences and generating recommendations without relying on the availability or quality of text reviews. Specifically, our method is designed to use existing product metadata and user rating patterns to shed light on how the attributes of a product correspond to individual preferences. Our method uses only the user's history of ratings and the corresponding product attributes to generate predicted ratings for products a user has not yet experienced. This work extends existing work in this area by focusing on multi-valued attributes, and considering the distinct impact of each attribute value in a user's preferences. In terms of computational complexity, our method runs in linear time, making it feasible for real-time implementations. Our experimental results showed that, compared with the two best-performing existing state of the art methods, our method provided review score predictions with up to: 47.7% greater precision, 6.9% greater recall, and 20.5% greater F-measure than existing methods.
Nitric oxide regulation of lymphocyte function

Similar to other biological systems where the effect of nitric oxide (NO) has been examined, paradoxical findings on the effects of NO on lymphocyte function have been reported. The most paradoxical effect may be that on the one hand, NO can inhibit apoptosis, a major mechanism of down-regulation of the immune response. In this capacity, NO would serve as a facilitator of the immune response, promoting survival of effector lymphocyte populations. Yet, NO also has been shown to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation and promote apoptosis and thus effectively prevent amplification of the immune response. Therefore, the challenge in the study of the effect of NO on lymphocytes is to determine under which circumstances NO acts as a facilitator versus an inhibitor of the immune response.
CALMODULIN AS A SUBSTRATE AND ACTIVATOR OF PROTEIN METHYLATION

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the role of calmodulin as a substrate and activator of protein methylation. Calmodulin from most species contains a single residue of trimethyllysine. Troponin C, which shares considerable amino acid sequence homology but not biological activity with calmodulin is not methylated. This has given rise to speculation that N-methylation may contribute to the biological activities of calmodulin. An assay for the enzyme that methylates calmodulin (calmodulin N-methyltransferase, CLNMT) shows that N-methylation selectively modifies the biological activities of calmodulin, and that calmodulin N-methyltransferase is specific for calmodulin and is subject to physiological regulation. It is found that when rat brain cytosol is incubated with [methyl-3H]-AdoMet and methylated proteins are fractionated, Calmodulin is found to be the major methyl acceptor. The addition of exogenous mammalian calmodulin inhibits calmodulin methylation. This finding implies that brain contains some des(methyl)calmodulin. Calmodulin from dictyostelium discoideum contains nonmethylated calmodulin and this protein was used as the substrate for a radiometric assay. It is found that in hepatoma, neonatal liver and brain, and regenerating liver CLNMT is markedly elevated.
Primary cutaneous small- to medium-sized CD4+ pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma: a retrospective case series and review of the provisional cutaneous lymphoma category.

Background and Objective: Primary cutaneous small- to medium-sized CD4+ pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma (PCSM-TCL) is a rare and provisional subcategory of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, associated with a favorable prognosis. We present five cases of PCSM-TCL and review the literature to address questions surrounding its diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 353 patients with non-mycosis fungoides cutaneous lymphomas evaluated at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Cutaneous Lymphoma Clinic over 10 years. A retrospective search of the English literature using PubMed was conducted to identify additional cases. Results: Only five patients had a diagnosis of PCSM-TCL. Three patients had unique multifocal presentations that responded well to topical therapy or excision. One patient with localized disease initially treated with radiation therapy had an aggressive relapse requiring systemic therapy. One patient had an isolated nodule that fully resolved with excision. The review of the English literature found 232 additional cases. The presentation of PCSM-TCL was heterogeneous and included solitary/localized papules, nodules, plaques, and tumors. Multiple differential diagnoses were considered and PCSM-TCL diagnosis was based on histopathologic features and clinical correlation. Treatment of solitary/localized lesions included excision or radiation therapy. Multifocal lesions were uncommon and associated with an aggressive course requiring systemic chemotherapy. Conclusions: The heterogeneous presentation, variable histologic overlap with other lymphoproliferative disorders, and uncertain prognosis of PCSM-TCL creates diagnostic and management dilemmas for clinicians. For treatment, a distinction should be made between indolent and aggressive subtypes. Further investigation is needed to determine if PCSM-TCL is indeed a distinct lymphoma category and, additionally, if aggressive subtypes should remain part of the same diagnostic category.