cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparative isolation of hydroxylysine and its O-glycosides from human urine

Abstract Amino acids were conveniently isolated from urine by a combination of weak anion- and strong cation-exchange resins and fractionated into groups by displacement chromatography. Glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine and galactosylhydroxylysine were subsequently separated by paper chromatography, whereas hydroxylysine and lysine were separated by ion-exchange chromatography.
Biochemical indicators for neuronal regeneration during intrathecal triamcinolone application in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Essential characteristics are demyelination, inflammation and neurodegeneration. This process affects the white and grey matter in the CNS. MS patients experience various progression subtypes in association with the cerebral or spinal, acute inflammatory or glial sclerotic lesions (Muller, 2009). Most patients end up in a progressive, smouldering, chronic inflammatory process (Muller, 2009). Current predominantly used 1.5 respectively 3 Tesla MRI with Gadolinium® application visualize the various old and acute lesions. They serve as a biological marker in combination with standardised assessment of brain atrophy, black holes, etc. However, MRI with a stronger magnetic 7 Tesla field with better sensitivity gave hints on an ongoing, acute inflammatory, smouldering process even with Gadolinium® enhancing acute lesions in the brain and the spinal cord in progressive, so-called relapse free MS patients (Muller, 2009; Sinnecker et al., 2012). Additionally, progress of MS is determined with subjective standardised clinical ratings (Sinnecker et al., 2012). Both methods are used for the evaluation of the efficacy of relapse rate reducing drugs. These compounds, i.e., interferons, teriflunamide, glatiramer acetate, fingolimod, fumarate or monoclonal antibodies, preponderantly weaken the malfunction of the peripheral immune system in relapse remitting MS patients. These MS drugs share one common disadvantage. They do not stop progression or improve MS within a framework of a regenerative process. They do not enable reversal of symptoms, for instance functional deficits or spasticity (Muller, 2009).
Pointwise linear quadratic optimal control of a tandem cold rolling mill

The tandem cold rolling of metal strip is a complex nonlinear multivariable process whose optimization presents significant challenges to the control design. Existing systems using the present technology are limited in their capability for improvement in performance and robustness and therefore the need arises for a better approach. It is considered that a pointwise linear quadratic optimal control might fulfill this need. This paper presents the results of work performed to investigate the theoretical and applied aspects of this technique for control of a tandem cold rolling mill. In this paper nonlinear state space equations are derived from a mathematical model of the mill, and a pointwise linear quadratic optimal controller is developed. The controller when coupled to the model is shown by simulation of typical operating conditions to be effective in reducing the effects of disturbances in entry strip thickness and hardness.
Centre variation in cost and outcomes for congenital heart surgery

Although overall outcomes for children undergoing heart surgery have improved, there is a significant variation in outcomes across hospitals. This review discusses the variation in cost and outcomes across centres performing congenital heart surgery, potential underlying mechanisms, and efforts to reduce variation and improve outcome.
Criteria for chaos in adaptive control

The conditions under which an adaptive control system can exhibit chaotic behavior are investigated and classified. Indirect adaptive control strategies are used for control of linear discrete-time plants, exclusively. It is shown that the strange behavior in adaptive control could arise due to unmodeled dynamics (or disturbances), a bad combination of parameter estimation and/or control law, and lack of persistency of excitation. A first-order system, subjected to various identification algorithms and control laws, is analyzed for illustrative purposes. >
Hepatobiliary transit times of gadoxetate disodium (Primovist®) for protocol optimization of comprehensive MR imaging of the biliary system—What is normal?

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to determine transit times for excretion of Gd-EOB-DTPA into different segments of the hepatobiliary system in patients with normal liver function. Methods This retrospective study was IRB approved with a waiver of consent granted. 61 patients (39 female, 22 male, mean age 52.5 years) with normal liver and renal function who underwent contrast enhanced hepatic MRI after injection of 10mLGd-EOB-DTPA at 1.5T and 3T were included. Two readers evaluated all delayed images (3–20min post contrast) for the presence of contrast agent in the intrahepatic bile ducts (IBD), the common bile duct (CBD), the gallbladder and the duodenum. A two-tailed, unpaired Student's t -test with p Results 20min after contrast initiation, Gd-EOB-DTPA could be detected in the IBD and the CBD in all patients (100%); gallbladder reflux was visible in 53 (86.9%), duodenal excretion in 40 patients (65.5%), respectively. Mean transit times for contrast appearance in the various segments were as follows: IBD 12min 13s; CBD 12min 27s; gallbladder 13min 32s. Transit times were not significantly affected by patient gender, age or BMI. Conclusion Within 20min post contrast initiation, Gd-EOB-DTPA can be expected in the IBD and the CBD in patients with normal liver function. However, functional information about the sphincter Oddi complex can be ascertained only in about two thirds of these patients within this timeframe.
Applications of errorless learning for improving work performance in persons with schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: Until recently, few training methods used in the psychosocial rehabilitation of persons with schizophrenia have taken into account the neurocognitive deficits common to this illness. The present study tested a training method called errorless learning (which theoretically compensates for neurocognitive impairments) for efficacy at teaching entry-level job tasks to persons with serious and persistent mental illness. METHOD: Sixty-five unemployed, clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomly assigned to training by means of either errorless learning or conventional instruction for two entry-level job tasks (index card filing and toilet tank assembly). Training was conducted in small groups of four subjects for 90–120 minutes in a simulated workshop. Efficacy—as measured by accuracy, speed, and overall productivity—was assessed immediately after training and at a 3-month follow-up evaluation. RESULTS: Significant group differences in accuracy that favo...
Transforming Growth Factor-a and -0 Are Potent and Effective Inhibitors of GH4 Pituitary Tumor Cell Proliferation*

The mechanisms that restrict cell proliferation play an important regulatory role in differentiation and tumorigenesis. The growth of PRL-secreting cells of the anterior pituitary is known to be highly estrogen dependent; however, estrogen may act indirectly via growth regulatory polypeptides. We have used the GH4C1 rat pituitary cell line to investigate the action of two classes of growth regulatory polypeptides, transforming growth factor-α (TGFα) and TGFβ. TGFα and TGFβ each inhibit GH4 cell proliferation, as measured by cell number and [3H]thymidine incorporation, and given together arrest GH4 cell proliferation. The growth inhibitory action of TGFα is concentration dependent (IC50 = 100 pM) and saturable. Activin- A, a TGFjS-related polypeptide, also inhibits proliferation, but is less effective than TGFβ. TGFα and TGFβ each alter GH4 cell cycle distribution by decreasing in the percentage of S phase cells (74% and 34%, respectively) and increasing proportionally G0-G1 phase cells. The growth inhibit...
Highly sensitive bilayer structured graphene sensor

This paper presents a nanosensor with an “inter-sheet” configuration formed by making electrical contacts on different atomic sheets of a bilayer structured graphene to expose the inter-sheet effects. An oxygen plasma etching (OPE) technique is developed to tailor the shape and number of layers of a graphene flake. Both “intra-sheet” and “inter-sheet” structured graphene sensors on either separated graphenes or a same graphene were fabricated and tested as ethanol molecule sensors. Our sensors exhibit a higher sensitivity than conventional “intra-sheet” structured graphene sensors. The gas sensitivity was demonstrated by the 42.48% and 185.25% relative resistance changes achieved from “inter-sheet” sensors upon exposure to the 0.5% ethanol in nitrogen environment. This is a remarkable enhancement on sensitivity compared with that of “intra-layer” sensors, which had only 7.51% and 22.79% relative resistance changes under the same conditions. This improvement can be attributed to the strong exponential relationship between inter-sheet tunneling current and layer separation.
Tidally driven ice speed variation at Helheim Glacier, Greenland, observed with terrestrial radar interferometry

We used a terrestrial radar interferometer (TRI) at Helheim Glacier, Greenland, in August 2013, to study the effects of tidal forcing on the terminal zone of this tidewater glacier. During our study period, the glacier velocity was up to 25 m d -1 . Our measurements show that the glacier moves out of phase with the semi-diurnal tides and the densely packed melange in the fjord. Here detrended glacier displacement lags behind the forecasted tidal height by � 8 hours. The transition in phase lag between the glacier and the melange happens within a narrow (� 500 m) zone in the fjord in front of the ice cliff. The TRI data also suggest that the impact of tidal forcing decreases rapidly up-glacier of the terminus. A flowline model suggests this pattern of velocity perturbation is consistent with weak ice flowing over a weakly nonlinear bed.
Discrimination of thoron alpha activity in presence of radon

The short half-life of ThA is used as a means of discriminating between thoron and radon alpha activity. At low counting rate the count of double alpha pulses due to the rapid decay from Th to ThB indicates the ratio of radium to thorium X in the source solution.
mir-17-92 cluster is required for and sufficient to induce cardiomyocyte proliferation in postnatal and adult hearts.

Rationale:Cardiomyocytes in adult mammalian hearts are terminally differentiated cells that have exited from the cell cycle and lost most of their proliferative capacity. Death of mature cardiomyocytes in pathological cardiac conditions and the lack of regeneration capacity of adult hearts are primary causes of heart failure and mortality. However, how cardiomyocyte proliferation in postnatal and adult hearts becomes suppressed remains largely unknown. The miR-17–92 cluster was initially identified as a human oncogene that promotes cell proliferation. However, its role in the heart remains unknown. Objective:To test the hypothesis that miR-17–92 participates in the regulation of cardiomyocyte proliferation in postnatal and adult hearts. Methods and Results:We deleted miR-17–92 cluster from embryonic and postnatal mouse hearts and demonstrated that miR-17–92 is required for cardiomyocyte proliferation in the heart. Transgenic overexpression of miR-17–92 in cardiomyocytes is sufficient to induce cardiomyocy...
Positive mood and sleep disturbance in acquired mania following temporal lobe damage

Primary objective: To determine the mood profile and sleep functioning of a patient with left anterior temporal region damage characterized by post-operative symptoms of mania. Methods and procedures: In a structured clinical assessment, the patient’s mood status, psychiatric diagnosis and sleep functioning—sleep onset latency, total sleep time, wake after sleep onset—were assessed. The sleep–wake cycle and daily mood was measured for 11 consecutive days. Results: The patient met diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder (excluding the requirement that the disturbance must not be due to a medical disorder) and delayed sleep-phase syndrome. Across 11 days, the patient exhibited elevated positive, but not negative, mood. Correlational analyses indicated a possible association between mood and sleep disturbance. Conclusions: This pattern of findings implicates the temporal lobe in positive mood regulation and sleep-related impairments.
Impulsivity in bipolar disorder: relationships with neurocognitive dysfunction and substance use history.

Impulsivity, clinically defined as “an individual’s predisposition toward rapid, unplanned actions without regard to the negative consequences of these actions to [oneself] or others” (1) is also considered a stable trait characteristic (2). The construct of impulsivity is multidimensional and the nomenclature and understanding of impulsive dimensions have been long debated. Three factors have been generally accepted as separable aspects of impulsivity including attentional impulsivity, motoric impulsivity, and non planning impulsiveness (3). Several neuropsychiatric disorders are characterized by impulsive behaviors, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance use disorders, and bipolar disorder. Specifically, during periods of acute mania, patients with bipolar disorder frequently demonstrate an increase in impulsive behaviors (4) such as uncontrolled spending, promiscuity, and suicide attempts (5, 6). Some evidence suggests that there are differential relationships between certain aspects of impulsivity and the polarity of affective symptoms, with motoric impulsivity correlating with mania and non-planning impulsiveness associating more closely with depression (7). Although mood symptoms appear to exacerbate impulsivity in bipolar disorder, data suggest that patients with bipolar disorder rate themselves as more impulsive than healthy controls even during periods of euthymia (8, 9), which implies a trait-like characteristic. Further, neurocognitive processes linked to impulsivity (e.g., attention, inhibition) as measured by behavioral tasks are also impaired in patients with bipolar disorder across all phases of the illness, including affective remission (10). The high frequency of comorbidities associated with impulsivity, including impulse control disorders (11) and substance abuse/dependence (12) in bipolar disorder further highlight the clinical relevance of this dimension of the illness; however, few studies have focused on the potential association between trait impulsivity and neurocognitive performance in patients with bipolar disorder. Thus, the current study evaluated the nature of impulsivity in a large cohort of patients with bipolar disorder and its relationship with current symptom severity, cognitive dysfunction, and comorbid substance use disorders.
Relation of Total and Cardiovascular Death Rates to Climate System, Temperature, Barometric Pressure, and Respiratory Infection

A distinct seasonal pattern in total and cardiovascular death rates has been reported. The factors contributing to this pattern have not been fully explored. Seven locations (average total population 71,354,000) were selected where data were available including relatively warm, cold, and moderate temperatures. Over the period 2004 to 2009, there were 2,526,123 all-cause deaths, 838,264 circulatory deaths, 255,273 coronary heart disease deaths, and 135,801 ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) deaths. We used time series and multivariate regression modeling to explore the association between death rates and climatic factors (temperature, dew point, precipitation, barometric pressure), influenza levels, air pollution levels, hours of daylight, and day of week. Average seasonal patterns for all-cause and cardiovascular deaths were very similar across the 7 locations despite differences in climate. After adjusting for multiple covariates and potential confounders, there was a 0.49% increase in all-cause death rate for every 1°C decrease. In general, all-cause, circulatory, coronary heart disease and STEMI death rates increased linearly with decreasing temperatures. The temperature effect varied by location, including temperature's linear slope, cubic fit, positional shift on the temperature axis, and the presence of circulatory death increases in locally hot temperatures. The variable effect of temperature by location suggests that people acclimatize to local temperature cycles. All-cause and circulatory death rates also demonstrated sizable associations with influenza levels, dew point temperature, and barometric pressure. A greater understanding of how climate, temperature, and barometric pressure influence cardiovascular responses would enhance our understanding of circulatory and STEMI deaths.
Surfactant mobility in nanoporous glass films.

Polymer molecules when physically confined at nanometer length scales diffuse nonclassically and very differently depending on their molecular weight and the nature of the confinement. Long polymers that exhibit “snakelike” reptation based mobility in melts may diffuse faster in confined nanometer sized cylinders with pore diameter d ∼ 15 nm, and short polymers subject to Rouse dynamics have shown signatures of reptation and slower diffusion when confined in nanoporous glass with d ∼ 4 nm. However, the mobility of short polymers with radii of gyration similar to a smaller pore diameter (d ≤ 2.1 nm) but with extended lengths well larger than the pore diameter has not as yet been studied. In this work, we demonstrate that those short molecules including nonionic surfactants can readily diffuse in strongly hydrophobic nanoporous glasses film with d ≤ 2.1 nm. The diffusivity was found sensitive to molecular weight, hydrophilic−lipophilic balance, and molecular structure of surfactants. Remarkably, analysis of...
Metabolism of chloroform by cytochrome P450 2E1 is required for induction of toxicity in the liver, kidney, and nose of male mice

Chloroform is a nongenotoxic-cytotoxic liver and kidney carcinogen and nasal toxicant in some strains and sexes of rodents. Substantial evidence indicates that tumor induction is secondary to events associated with cytolethality and regenerative cell proliferation. Therefore, pathways leading to toxicity, such as metabolic activation, become critical information in mechanism-based risk assessments. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which chloroform-induced cytotoxicity is dependent on the cytochromes P450 in general and P450 2E1 in particular. Male B6C3F(1), Sv/129 wild-type (Cyp2e1+/+), and Sv/129 CYP2E1 knockout (Cyp2e1-/- or Cyp2e1-null) mice were exposed 6 h/day for 4 consecutive days to 90 ppm chloroform by inhalation. Parallel control and treated groups, excluding Cyp2e1-null mice, also received an i.p. injection (150 mg/kg) of the irreversible cytochrome P450 inhibitor 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) twice on the day before exposures began and 1 h before every exposure. Cells in S-phase were labeled by infusion of BrdU via an implanted osmotic pump for 3.5 days prior to necropsy, and the labeling index was quantified immunohistochemically. B6C3F(1) and Sv/129 wild-type mice exposed to chloroform alone had extensive hepatic and renal necrosis with significant regenerative cell proliferation. These animals had minimal toxicity in the nasal turbinates with focal periosteal cell proliferation. Administration of ABT completely protected against the hepatic, renal, and nasal toxic effects of chloroform. Induced pathological changes and regenerative cell proliferation were absent in these target sites in Cyp2e1-/- mice exposed to 90 ppm chloroform. These findings indicate that metabolism is obligatory for the development of chloroform-induced hepatic, renal, and nasal toxicity and that cytochrome P450 2E1 appears to be the only enzyme responsible for this cytotoxic-related metabolic conversion under these exposure conditions.
Observational Scale and Modeled Potential Residential Loss from a Storm Surge

Two geographically related questions with regard to hurricane-induced storm-surge impacts were investigated: (1) What observational scale of analysis is appropriate? (2) Is the effect of observational scale on model results predictable? These two research questions were investigated in the context of storm surge-induced impacts to single-family residential structures in Florida. The study was conducted for 21 coastal counties in Florida at five spatial scales of analysis: parcel, block, block group, tract, and county. The research findings reveal a monotonically decreasing relationship between predicted standardized residential loss (the ratio of predicted loss at scale X and the predicted loss at parcel scale) and the observational scale of analysis. This monotonic relationship was consistent for most Florida counties, primarily due to the notable spatial distribution of housing units and proximity to the coastline.
Artificial Dendritic Trees

The electronic architecture and dynamic signal processing capabilities of an artificial dendritic tree that can be used to process and classify dynamic signals is described. The electrical circuit architecture is modeled after neurons that have spatially extensive dendritic trees. The artificial dendritic tree is a hybrid VLSI circuit and is sensitive to both temporal and spatial signal characteristics. It does not use the conventional neural network concept of weights, and as such it does not use multipliers, adders, look-up-tables, microprocessors, or other complex computational units to process signals. The weights of conventional neural networks, which take the form of numerical, resistive, voltage, or current values, but do not have any spatial or temporal content, are replaced with connections whose spatial location have both a temporal and scaling significance.
Heterologous expression of the Lactococcus lactis bacteriocin, nisin, in a dairy Enterococcus strain.

The bacteriocin nisin is produced only by some strains of Lactococcus lactis, and to date production in other lactic acid bacteria has not been achieved. Enterococcus sp. strain N12β is a nisin-immune transconjugant obtained from a nisin-producing donor (L. lactis ATCC 11454) and a dairy recipient (Enterococcus sp. strain S12β), but it does not produce nisin. In this study, using PCR amplification, we confirmed that the whole nisin operon is likely present in Enterococcus sp. strain N12β. Northern hybridization of total RNA from strain N12β with a nisA probe and the results of reverse transcriptase PCR showed the lack of nisA transcription in this strain. However, nisA transcription was partially restored in strain N12β upon growth in the presence of exogenous nisin, and the nisA transcription signal was intensified after an increase in the external nisin level. Furthermore, bioassays showed that active nisin was produced in a dose-dependent fashion by strain N12β following induction by exogenous nisin. These results indicated that expression of the nisin genes in Enterococcus sp. strain N12β depended on autoinduction via signal transduction. However, the amount of external inducing signal required was significantly greater than the amount needed for autoinduction in L. lactis.
Protection against respiratory syncytial virus by inactivated influenza virus carrying a fusion protein neutralizing epitope in a chimeric hemagglutinin

Abstract A desirable vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) should induce neutralizing antibodies without eliciting abnormal T cell responses to avoid vaccine-enhanced pathology. In an approach to deliver RSV neutralizing epitopes without RSV-specific T cell antigens, we genetically engineered chimeric influenza virus expressing RSV F 262-276 neutralizing epitopes in the globular head domain as a chimeric hemagglutinin (HA) protein. Immunization of mice with formalin-inactivated recombinant chimeric influenza/RSV F 262-276 was able to induce RSV protective neutralizing antibodies and lower lung viral loads after challenge. Formalin-inactivated RSV immune mice showed high levels of pulmonary inflammatory cytokines, macrophages, IL-4-producing T cells, and extensive histopathology. However, RSV-specific T cell responses and enhancement of pulmonary histopathology were not observed after RSV infection of inactivated chimeric influenza/RSV F 262-276 . This study provides evidence that an inactivated vaccine platform of chimeric influenza/RSV virus can be developed into a safe RSV vaccine candidate without priming RSV-specific T cells and immunopathology. From the Clinical Editor Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory tract illness and morbidity in children. Hence, there is a need to develop an effective vaccine against this virus. In this article, the authors engineered chimeric influenza virus to express RSV neutralizing epitopes. The positive findings in in-vivo experiments provide a beginning for future clinical trials and perhaps eventual product realization.
KAP1 Recruitment of the 7SK snRNP Complex to Promoters Enables Transcription Elongation by RNA Polymerase II

The transition from transcription initiation to elongation at promoters of primary response genes (PRGs) in metazoan cells is controlled by inducible transcription factors, which utilize P-TEFb to phosphorylate RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in response to stimuli. Prior to stimulation, a fraction of P-TEFb is recruited to promoter-proximal regions in a catalytically inactive state bound to the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) complex. However, it remains unclear how and why the 7SK snRNP is assembled at these sites. Here we report that the transcriptional regulator KAP1 continuously tethers the 7SK snRNP to PRG promoters to facilitate P-TEFb recruitment and productive elongation in response to stimulation. Remarkably, besides PRGs, genome-wide studies revealed that KAP1 and 7SK snRNP co-occupy most promoter-proximal regions containing paused Pol II. Collectively, we provide evidence of an unprecedented mechanism controlling 7SK snRNP delivery to promoter-proximal regions to facilitate "on-site" P-TEFb activation and Pol II elongation.
Personality diatheses and Hurricane Sandy: effects on post-disaster depression.

Background According to diathesis–stress models, personality traits, such as negative emotionality (NE) and positive emotionality (PE), may moderate the effects of stressors on the development of depression. However, relatively little empirical research has directly examined whether NE and PE act as diatheses in the presence of stressful life events, and no research has examined whether they moderate the effect of disaster exposure on depressive symptoms. Hurricane Sandy, the second costliest hurricane in US history, offers a unique opportunity to address these gaps.
"La enfermedad mortal", de Kierkegaard, y "San Manuel Bueno, mártir", de Unamuno

La obra del filosofo y teologo Soren Kierkegaard influyo profundamente en la produccion de Miguel de Unamuno. Aunque se ha comentado la manera en que Unamuno usa ideas de Postcriptum no cientifico y definitivo en su obra mas filosofica, Del sentimiento tragico de la vida, en este ensayo voy a mostrar como otra obra de Kierkegaard, La enfermedad mortal, tambien influyo en la ficcion de Unamuno. En La enfermedad mortal, Kierkegaard explora la naturaleza de la desesperanza y una forma especifica de la desesperanza que se llama “la clausura de si mismo [Indeslettethed]”. Es un tipo de espiritualidad demoniaca en que el individuo tiene una autoconciencia profunda, pero a la vez se cierra al mundo. Propongo que se puede entender mejor el protagonista de San Manuel Bueno, martir, de Unamuno, como una persona sorprendida por “la clausura de si mismo”. Don Manuel es un sacerdote no creyente en un pueblito rural que oculta su falta de fe de toda la gente menos de Lazaro, un ateo, y su hermana, Angela, la narradora de la historia. ?Por que es la desesperanza de don Manuel ocultada de todos menos de estos hermanos? Explico la tormenta interior de don Manuel con las categorias de desesperanza de Kierkegaard y demuestro como “la clausura de si mismo” le habria conducido al suicidio si no hubiera existido la relacion con Lazaro y su hermana
Synthesis of Open-Shell, Bimetallic Mn/Fe Trinuclear Clusters

Concomitant deprotonation and metalation of hexadentate ligand platform tbsLH6 (tbsLH6 = 1,3,5-C6H9(NHC6H4-o-NHSiMe2tBu)3) with divalent transition metal starting materials Fe2(Mes)4 (Mes = mesityl) or Mn3(Mes)6 in the presence of tetrahydrofuran (THF) resulted in isolation of homotrinuclear complexes (tbsL)Fe3(THF) and (tbsL)Mn3(THF), respectively. In the absence of coordinating solvent (THF), the deprotonation and metalation exclusively afforded dinuclear complexes of the type (tbsLH2)M2 (M = Fe or Mn). The resulting dinuclear species were utilized as synthons to prepare bimetallic trinuclear clusters. Treatment of (tbsLH2)Fe2 complex with divalent Mn source (Mn2(N(SiMe3)2)4) afforded the bimetallic complex (tbsL)Fe2Mn(THF), which established the ability of hexamine ligand tbsLH6 to support mixed metal clusters. The substitutional homogeneity of (tbsL)Fe2Mn(THF) was determined by 1H NMR, 57Fe Mossbauer, and X-ray fluorescence. Anomalous scattering measurements were critical for the unambiguous assignmen...
Localization of epitopes for human factor VIII inhibitor antibodies by immunoblotting and antibody neutralization

Human factor VIII(FVIII) inhibitors are pathologic, circulating antibodies that inactivate FVIII. We have examined the location of epitopes on the FVIII protein for inhibitors from hemophilia A and nonhemophilic individuals. The inhibitors were of type I or type II in the kinetics of their inactivation of FVIII. A cDNA clone of human FVIII was used to express defined FVIII protein fragments in Escherichia coli for immunoblotting with inhibitor plasma. An epitope for 18 heavy-chain inhibitors was localized to the aminoterminal 18.3 Kd of the A2 domain. Two of these inhibitors also recognized an epitope located between A1 and A2 domains. Similarly, an epitope for 23 light-chain inhibitors was localized to the C2 domain. Weaker epitopes for 13 of the same inhibitors within the C1 and C2 domains were also observed. Four of the 23 inhibitors in addition bound strongly to the A3 domain. Most inhibitors (22 of 23) were neutralized in vitro only by the FVIII fragments to which they bound on immunoblots; however, one inhibitor that was neutralized by a fragment containing the A1 domain did not bind to it on immunoblots. Conversely, 3 of 3 inhibitors that bound to the A3 domain and 5 of 15 that bound to the A2 domain were not neutralized by the corresponding fragments. The epitope specificity of an inhibitor did not depend on its source or type. Our results show that FVIII inhibitors bind to limited areas within the heavy and light chains of FVIII. Some inhibitor plasmas contain additional antibodies that may not be inhibitory.
Muscarinic receptors differentially modulate the persistent potassium current in striatal spiny projection neurons.

Muscarinic receptors differentially modulate the persistent potassium current in striatal spiny projection neurons. Cholinergic regulation of striatal spiny projection neuron activity is predominantly mediated through muscarinic receptor modulation of several subclasses of ion channels. Because of its critical role in governing the recurring episodes of hyperpolarization and depolarization characteristic of spiny neurons in vivo, the 4-aminopyridine–resistant, persistent potassium (K+) current, I Krp, would be a strategic target for modulation. The present results show thatI Krp can be either suppressed or enhanced by muscarinic receptor stimulation. Biophysical analysis demonstrated that the depression of I Krp was associated with a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of inactivation and a reduction in maximal conductance. By contrast, the enhancement ofI Krp was linked to hyperpolarizing shifts in both activation and inactivation voltage dependencies. Viewed in the context of the natural act...
A wideband stacked patch-ring antenna with corner perturbations for circular polarization

This paper presents a method of wideband circular polarization (CP) generation using a stacked patch-ring microstrip antenna with a single probe feed. An enhanced axial ratio (AR) bandwidth is obtained when a combination of a square ring and a square patch with negative perturbations is used as parasitic and driven elements, respectively. The axial ratio bandwidth obtained is significantly larger compared to the case when square rings are used as parasitic and driven rings with a single feed. A simulated impedance bandwidth (Sn< −10dB) of 16%, 3dB AR bandwidth of 8%and a peak gain of 8.65 dBic are obtained from this antenna.
Functional device fabrication by nonlinear material processing of glass using a femtosecond laser oscillator

Photonic device fabrication using nonlinear material processing with near-IR femtosecond pulses can generate localized, clean, three-dimensional (3D) structures in many materials [1-3]. Recently, fabrication of glass waveguides using pulses directly from femtosecond lasers oscillators, without the need for amplification, has been reported [4-6]. Unamplified laser oscillators have several advantages over amplified systems for device fabrication including lower cost and complexity as well as greater control of exposure parameters. Because of their high repetition rates, multiple low intensity shots interact within the focal volume, leading to well controlled cumulative effects. Several photonic devices have been demonstrated including single-mode waveguides [5], X-couplers [6], and directional couplers [4]. Our group has developed a high-power femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser oscillator using a novel long cavity design [7]. Because of its high pulse energies and high repetition rate, this laser enables the versatile fabrication of a wide range of photonic devices.
NGOs and Organizational Change: Learning in NGOs

This chapter examines organizational learning as a key process of change in NGOs. It shows that change through learning – even in very innovative NGOs – can be slow and constrained by a number of factors. For practitioners, policymakers, and scholars who work with NGOs (and possibly try to facilitate change in them), it is important to recognize how learning occurs and what its limitations may be. The theoretical portion of this chapter draws heavily from the sociological literature on organizational behavior, and it may thus be of interest not only to those who work with NGOs, but also to those who work with organizations in the public and private sectors. In addition, this chapter may be useful to educators as it provides case studies for teaching how NGOs and funders learn. I draw primarily from the work of three organizational learning theorists: James March, Chris Argyris, and Donald Schon. In investigating processes of organizational learning, my primary question is simply: How do NGOs learn? Beginning with a typology of learning, I then develop general model of organizational learning. Those readers less interested in the theoretical material may wish to skip the sections entitled “A Basic Learning Cycle” and “A Stimulus-Response Model of Learning.” Using the typology and model, I then examine learning processes in the case NGOs. I show not only how learning processes have led to behavioral change in these organizations, but how learning has been constrained.
A Reactive Platform Approach for the Rapid Synthesis and Discovery of High χ/Low N Block Polymers

We report a reactive polymer platform for the rapid discovery of strongly segregated diblock polymers that microphase separate into well-defined morphologies with sub-5 nm features. Our strategy employs reactive poly(styrene-block-2-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone) (SV) polymers with low degrees of polymerization (N), in which the V blocks undergo selective and quantitative reactions with functional primary amines, to identify new poly(acrylamides) that are highly immiscible with poly(styrene) and induce block polymer self-assembly. Using a combination of optical birefringence and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we characterize a library of 17 block polymers produced by amine functionalization of four parent SV diblocks synthesized by sequential RAFT polymerizations. We demonstrate that V block functionalization with hydroxy- and methoxy-functional amines yields diblocks that order into lamellar mesophases with half-pitches as small as 3.8 nm. Thus, this azlactone-based reactive molecular platform enable...
A conceptual framework for modeling longitudinal healthcare encounter data

We discuss a framework for analyzing data concerning healthcare encounters at the individual level. These encounters can be of various types - outpatient, emergency room, inpatient, pharmaceutical etc., each corresponding to one or more diagnoses. Each encounter happens on a certain day (or a certain hour) and when such data is collected over a period of time, it creates an evolving point process unique to each individual. The point process provides information about the intensity and diversity of encounters - how frequent and how fragmented the care is across multiple settings. When such longitudinal "point process" data is available for a cohort of individuals, it is possible to analyze the aggregate burden of managing the cohort's care in a particular time period. We provide examples where such data could be used and discuss the stochastic methods that are best suited for generating insights.
Offering the full range of contraceptive options: a survey of interest in vasectomy training in the US family planning community.

Abstract Objective To assess current practices regarding female and male sterilization counseling and provision, as well as determine interest in providing vasectomy among family planning specialists. Methods Members of the US-based network of family planning fellowship physicians (current fellows, graduates and faculty) received a Web-based survey from November 2015 through January 2016 regarding current sterilization preferences and practices, as well as interest in obtaining training in vasectomy counseling and procedure. Results Nearly 60% ( n =178/302) of family planning fellowship providers responded to the survey. While 62% (111/178) of respondents reported counseling their patients about vasectomy at least most of the time and 57% (102/178) recommended vasectomy over female sterilization, few (8/178; 4 trained in family medicine and 4 trained in obstetrics and gynecology) had performed a vasectomy in the last year. Nearly 90% (158/178) of respondents were somewhat or very interested in receiving training on vasectomy counseling; 58% (103/178) desired procedural training. Desire for training was associated with being male and receiving residency training in family medicine. Conclusions Few family planning fellowship physicians provide vasectomy, and the majority expressed being at least somewhat interested in receiving further training. Implications Vasectomy is more effective, safer and less expensive than female sterilization but is less common than female sterilization. One barrier to vasectomy access is the low number of vasectomy providers. Creating a structured vasectomy training program through the family planning fellowship may help to increase the number of vasectomy providers.
Dissecting the Processes of Aging Using the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the process of aging using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . Molecular genetic analysis of aging in C. elegans begins with the startling discovery of the first gerontogene. C. elegans contains a large family of insulin-like sequences. The genes are frequently found in clusters and are derived likely from recent duplication events. The gene family shares roughly 25 to 40 percent amino acid identity, yet they all contain signatures of insulin-like molecules. Soil is the natural habitat of the free-living nematode C. elegans and when a food source is exhausted, or in response to other adverse conditions, an alternative developmental program called the dauer pathway is activated. The decision to suspend reproductive development and instead become a long-lived, growth-arrested dauer is made at the first larval stage (L1). Adverse conditions are sensed by chemosensory and thermosensitive mechanisms, whereas overcrowding is detected by the local concentration of a lipid soluble pheromone secreted by L1 animals. Modulating DAF-16 transcriptional activity is a major function of insulin signaling in C. elegans, and nuclear localized DAF-16 plays a necessary role in increased longevity.
Reference-free dynamic displacements of railroad bridges using low-cost sensors

Displacements of railroad bridges under service loads are important parameters in assessing bridge conditions and risk of train derailment, according to railroad bridge managers. Measuring bridge r...
Efficient Discrete Rate Assignment and Power Optimization in Optical Communication Systems Following the Gaussian Noise Model

Computationally efficient heuristics for solving the discrete-rate capacity optimization problem for optical fiber communication systems are investigated. In the Gaussian noise nonlinearity model regime, this class of problem is an NP-hard mixed integer convex problem. The proposed heuristic minimizes the number of calls required to solve the computationally intensive problem of determining the feasibility of proposed discrete rate allocations. In a live system, optimization using this algorithm minimizes the number of potential discrete rate allocations tested for feasibility while additional discrete system capacity is extracted. In exemplary point-to-point links at 50 Gbaud with 50 Gb/s rate steps, the mean lost capacity per modem is reduced from 24.5 Gb/s with truncation to 7.95 Gb/s with discrete-rate optimization. With 25 Gb/s rate steps, the mean lost capacity is reduced from 12.3 Gb/s to 2.07 Gb/s. An unbiased metric is proposed to extend the capacity optimization objective from point-to-point links to mesh networks. A gain of 13% in distance-times-capacity metric is obtained from discrete-rate optimization with 50 Gb/s rate steps, and a 7.5% gain is obtained with 25 Gb/s rate steps.
Towards Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) and Gestural-Based Authentication for Individuals who are Blind

This paper describes an exploratory study examining the feasibility of using Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) and gestural technologies to support individuals who are blind during the authentication process. Four legally-blind participants were asked to don the Emotiv Epoc headset, and authenticate entry using gestural cues, emotional cues and mental commands. Findings highlighted that while BCI and gestural technologies may be slower and less accurate to use compared to four digit PINs, levels of perceived security were higher, as some of these cues were thought to be more difficult for third parties to replicate. A trade-off between perceived security and usability was evident.
buoyancy, locomotion, and movement in fishes | Stability and Turbulence

Turbulence is ubiquitous in aquatic habitats and the velocity fluctuations that define turbulence challenge stability. Statistical measures of velocity variation, turbulent kinetic energy, turbulent intensity, and their spatial gradients correlate variously with limits to stability control, swimming performance, swimming metabolism, habitat choice, and abundance. Turbulent flow is comprised of structures in the form of eddies or vortices. Eddy size, momentum, and energy have negative effects on stability when they are of the same order as the size, momentum, and energy of a fish. The body and median and paired fins act as trimmers or power-control surfaces minimizing and correcting displacements due to turbulence.
Enhanced early warning system impact on nursing practice: A phenomenological study

Aim To determine how an enhanced early warning system has an impact on nursing practice. Background Early warning systems score physiologic measures and alert nurses to subtle changes in patient condition. Critics of early warning systems have expressed concern that nurses would rely on a score rather than assessment skills and critical thinking to determine the need for intervention. Enhancing early warning systems with innovative technology is still in its infancy, so the impact of an enhanced early warning system on nursing behaviours or practice has not yet been studied. Design Phenomenological design. Methods Scripted, semistructured interviews were conducted in September 2015 with 25 medical/surgical nurses who used the enhanced early warning system. Data were analysed using thematic analysis techniques (coding and bracketing). Emerging themes were examined for relationships and a model describing the enhanced early warning system experience was developed. Findings Nurses identified awareness leading to investigation and ease of prioritization as the enhanced early warning system's most important impact on their nursing practice. There was also an impact on organizational culture, with nurses reporting improved communication, increased collaboration, increased accountability and proactive responses to early changes in patient condition. Conclusions Rather than hinder critical thinking, as many early warning systems' critics claim, nurses in this study found that the enhanced early warning system increased their awareness of changes in a patient's condition, resulting in earlier response and reassessment times. It also had an impact on the organization by improving communication and collaboration and supporting a culture of proactive rather than reactive response to early signs of deterioration.
Impact of an early-exposure geriatrics curriculum in an accelerated baccalaureate-MD program.

Current standard geriatric curricula and exposure of students to the elderly may be insufficient to influence students’ interest in geriatric medicine. We developed an innovative curriculum to addr...
Some Reflections on Error Analysis in the Speech of Near-Bilinguals Whose Mother Tongue is Italian

The reflections I would like to submit are the result of a study I have conducted to see which errors, if any, could be attributed to a direct interference of the mother tongue (Italian) in the learning process of a foreign language (English). The field of error-analysis in foreign language acquisition being a vast one, I have confined my study to an analysis of syntactic and phonetic errors which tend to become fossilized, more particularly to those errors which, because of their extrinsic pecularities, seldom fail to distinguish the speaker of English whose mother tongue is Italian from other anglophones. The informants I have used for this investigation (six males and six females) are all mature people between the ages of 26 to 65 who came to Canada at an adult age, after acquiring their formal education in Italy. Their cultural background is fairly homogeneous: evenly distributed between white and blue collar workers, they were all born and grew up in either central or southern Italy.
Thermal and Power Delivery Challenges in 3D ICs

Compared to their 2D counterparts, 3D integrated circuits provide the potential for tremendously increased levels of integration per unit footprint. While this property is attractive for many applications, it also creates more stringent design bottlenecks in the areas of thermal management and power delivery. First, due to increased integration, the amount of heat per unit footprint increases, resulting in the potential for higher on-chip temperatures. The task of thermal management must necessarily be shared both by the heat sink, which transfers internally generated heat to the ambient, and by using thermally conscious design methods. Second, the power to be delivered to a 3D chip, per package pin, is tremendously increased, leading to significant complications in the task of reliable power delivery. This chapter presents an overview of both of these problems and outlines solution schemes to overcome the corresponding bottlenecks.