cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current research outcomes from the model spinal cord injury care systems

T HIS ISSUE OF THE Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is devoted entirely to articles from the Model Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Care System Program. This special issue is the fifth in a series of publications that have disseminated information gathered by the model SCI systems. Previous publications were in 1982, 1986, 1990, and 1995. ~-4 Three were comprehensive books; the 1990 dissemination activity included a national consensus conference with published proceedings. The 1982 book was produced by the staff of the National Spinal Cord Injury Data Research Center (NSCIDRC) in Phoenix, AZ, and the 1986 book was by its successor, the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) in Birmingham, AL, without input from the individual model Systems' staffs. The 1990 and 1995 publications were the result of collaborative input from all the model systems in existence at that time. The current effort represents a continuation of that collaborative approach. Project directors of the model SCI systems decided to publish the latest results from the NSCISC database in a series of journal articles rather than another book. Reasons included the potential for broader distribution of the data, the easier accessibility of medical journals, the ability for researchers to identify relevant articles through MEDLINE and other literature searches, and the opportunity to enhance publication quality through the journal's peer review process. In addition to the Archives' regular blinded peer review process, each of these articles also underwent an internal advisory unblinded peer review process established by the model SCI system project directors. Each article was first reviewed by one of five current or former members of the Archives Editorial Board who are affiliated with the model SCI system program (Drs. Denise Tate, Diana Cardenas, Ralph Marino, Wayne Gordon, and Samuel Stover). Each article was also reviewed by NSCISC staff members, who payed particular attention to analysis and interpretation issues related to the use of the NSCISC database. Appropriate revisions were then made before the articles were submitted to the Archives. Model SCI system personnel generally did not participate in the Archives' peer review process. The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), which funds the model SCI systems, requires them to have all the necessary clinical components and
General representation theorem for perturbed media and application to Green's function retrieval for scattering problems

SUMMARY Green's function reconstruction relies on representation theorems. For acoustic waves, it has been shown theoretically and observationally that a representation theorem of the correlation-type leads to the retrieval of the Green's function by cross-correlating fluctuations recorded at two locations and excited by uncorrelated sources. We extend the theory to any system that satisfies a linear partial differential equation and define an ‘interferometric operation’ that is more general than cross-correlation for the reconstruction. We analyse Green's function reconstruction for perturbed media and establish a representation theorem specifically for field perturbations. That representation is then applied to the general treatment of scattering problems, enabling interpretation of the contributions to Green's function reconstruction in terms of direct and scattered waves. Perhaps surprising, Green's functions that account for scattered waves cannot be reconstructed from scattered waves alone. For acoustic waves, retrieval of scattered waves also requires cross-correlating direct and scattered waves at receiver locations. The addition of cross-correlated scattered waves with themselves is necessary to cancel the spurious events that contaminate the retrieval of scattered waves from the cross-correlation of direct with scattered waves. We illustrate these concepts with numerical examples for the case of an open scattering medium. The same reasoning holds for the retrieval of any type of perturbations and can be applied to perturbation problems such as electromagnetic waves in conductive media and elastic waves in heterogeneous media.
Heterodimensional technology for ultra low power electronics

We describe new heterodimensional technology suitable for ultra low power applications. This technology uses Schottky barrier contacts between three-dimensional metal and two-dimensional electron gas. The low power performance is due to the following: the small capacitance of the 2D-3D junction; the concentration of the depletion layer electric field streamlines in the active channel; suppression of parasitic resistance; small leakage current; and, most of all, due to the total elimination of the narrow channel effect which allows us to scale the device width to submicron dimensions. We present, compare, and discuss measured and simulated I-V and C-V characteristics for the 2D-3D Schottky diode, 2D MESFET and Schottky Gated 2D-3D RTT.
Stroke with negative brain magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is replacing computed tomography in the diagnostic evaluation of acute ischemic strokes. Past studies have suggested that MRI may not visualize all acute strokes, but few clinical details were included. To better understand the clinical characteristics of strokes not detected by MRI, we collected and reviewed case histories of several patients with acute stroke who had negative MRI scans.Patients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke and negative brain MRI scans were ascertained from hospital records dating from 1989 to mid-1991. Patients with transient ischemic attacks, postictal paralysis, functional examinations, central nervous system infections, other nonstroke diagnoses, or equivocal findings were excluded. The MRI scans were performed with a GE Signa 1.5-T magnet in an axial plane (spin-echo repetition time/echo time: 500 msec/20 msec; 2,500 msec, 30 msec/80 msec). One patient received contrast material.We identified seven patients with clinically diagnos...
Optoelectronic tweezers integrated with lensfree holographic microscopy for wide-field interactive cell and particle manipulation on a chip.

We demonstrate an optoelectronic tweezer (OET) coupled to a lensfree holographic microscope for real-time interactive manipulation of cells and micro-particles over a large field-of-view (FOV). This integrated platform can record the holographic images of cells and particles over the entire active area of a CCD sensor array, perform digital image reconstruction to identify target cells, dynamically track the positions of cells and particles, and project light beams to trigger light-induced dielectrophoretic forces to pattern and sort cells on a chip. OET technology has been previously shown to be capable of performing parallel single cell manipulation over a large area. However, its throughput has been bottlenecked by the number of cells that can be imaged within the limited FOV of a conventional microscope objective lens. Integrating lensfree holographic imaging with OET solves this fundamental FOV barrier, while also creating a compact on-chip cell/particle manipulation platform. Using this unique platform, we have successfully demonstrated real-time interactive manipulation of thousands of single cells and micro-particles over an ultra-large area of e.g., 240 mm2 (i.e. 17.96 mm × 13.52 mm).
Global Fold of Human Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor Probed by Solid-State NMR and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The global fold of human cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor in the agonist-bound active state in lipid bilayers was investigated by solid-state 13C- and 15N magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR, in combination with chemical-shift prediction from a structural model of the receptor obtained by microsecond-long molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Uniformly 13C- and 15N-labeled CB2 receptor was expressed in milligram quantities by bacterial fermentation, purified, and functionally reconstituted into liposomes. 13C MAS NMR spectra were recorded without sensitivity enhancement for direct comparison of Cα, Cβ, and CO bands of superimposed resonances with predictions from protein structures generated by MD. The experimental NMR spectra matched the calculated spectra reasonably well indicating agreement of the global fold of the protein between experiment and simulations. In particular, the 13C chemical shift distribution of Cα resonances was shown to be very sensitive to both the primary amino acid sequence and the secondary structure of CB2. Thus the shape of the Cα band can be used as an indicator of CB2 global fold. The prediction from MD simulations indicated that upon receptor activation a rather limited number of amino acid residues, mainly located in the extracellular Loop 2 and the second half of intracellular Loop 3, change their chemical shifts significantly (≥1.5 ppm for carbons and ≥5.0 ppm for nitrogens). Simulated two-dimensional 13Cα(i)13CO(i) and 13CO(i)15NH(i + 1) dipolar-interaction correlation spectra provide guidance for selective amino acid labeling and signal assignment schemes to study the molecular mechanism of activation of CB2 by solid-state MAS NMR. Proteins 2014; 82:452–465. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nucleosome mapping across the CFTR locus identifies novel regulatory factors

Nucleosome positioning on the chromatin strand plays a critical role in regulating accessibility of DNA to transcription factors and chromatin modifying enzymes. Hence, detailed information on nucleosome depletion or movement at cis-acting regulatory elements has the potential to identify predicted binding sites for trans-acting factors. Using a novel method based on enrichment of mononucleosomal DNA by bacterial artificial chromosome hybridization, we mapped nucleosome positions by deep sequencing across 250 kb, encompassing the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. CFTR shows tight tissue-specific regulation of expression, which is largely determined by cis-regulatory elements that lie outside the gene promoter. Although multiple elements are known, the repertoire of transcription factors that interact with these sites to activate or repress CFTR expression remains incomplete. Here, we show that specific nucleosome depletion corresponds to well-characterized binding sites for known trans-acting factors, including hepatocyte nuclear factor 1, Forkhead box A1 and CCCTC-binding factor. Moreover, the cell-type selective nucleosome positioning is effective in predicting binding sites for novel interacting factors, such as BAF155. Finally, we identify transcription factor binding sites that are overrepresented in regions where nucleosomes are depleted in a cell-specific manner. This approach recognizes the glucocorticoid receptor as a novel trans-acting factor that regulates CFTR expression in vivo.
FKBP12 controls aspartate pathway flux in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to prevent toxic intermediate accumulation.

ABSTRACT FKBP12 is a conserved member of the prolyl-isomerase enzyme family and serves as the intracellular receptor for FK506 that mediates immunosuppression in mammals and antimicrobial actions in fungi. To investigate the cellular functions of FKBP12 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we employed a high-throughput assay to identify mutations that are synthetically lethal with a mutation in the FPR1 gene, which encodes FKBP12. This screen identified a mutation in the HOM6 gene, which encodes homoserine dehydrogenase, the enzyme catalyzing the last step in conversion of aspartic acid into homoserine, the common precursor in threonine and methionine synthesis. Lethality of fpr1 hom6 double mutants was suppressed by null mutations in HOM3 or HOM2, encoding aspartokinase and aspartate β-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, respectively, supporting the hypothesis that fpr1 hom6 double mutants are inviable because of toxic accumulation of aspartate β-semialdehyde, the substrate of homoserine dehydrogenase. Our findings also indicate that mutation or inhibition of FKBP12 dysregulates the homoserine synthetic pathway by perturbing aspartokinase feedback inhibition by threonine. Because this pathway is conserved in fungi but not in mammals, our findings suggest a facile route to synergistic antifungal drug development via concomitant inhibition of FKBP12 and Hom6.
Rhipidocotyle tridecapapillata n. sp. and Prosorhynchoides potamoensis n. sp. (Digenea: Bucephalidae) from Inland Fishes in Mississippi, U.S.A.

Rhipidocotyle tridecapapillata n. sp. is described from the intestine of the white bass, Morone chrysops (Rafinesque, 1820), from the Luxapalila River in Lowndes County, Mississippi, U.S.A. The new species has 13 papillae that protrude laterally from the anterior rim of the dorsal lobe of the rhynchus, enabling easy differentiation from the only known freshwater North American congeners, Rhipidocotyle papillosa (Woodhead, 1929), which has 15 papillae, and Rhipidocotyle septpapillata Krull, 1934, which has 7 papillae. Prosorhynchoides potamoensis n. sp. is described from the pyloric ceca and intestine of the white crappie, Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque, 1818, from the Pascagoula River in Jackson County, Mississippi, U.S.A. The new species differs from the only other North American freshwater congener, Prosorhynchoides pusilla (Stafford, 1904), by having the anterior half of the body wider than the posterior body half rather than having a cylindrical body; a rhynchus-width to body-width ratio of 1:2.5-4.0 compared with 1:0.8-1.3; a pre-equatorial rather than equatorial mouth; a larger pharynx, testes, and ovary; and the Mehlis' gland located between the testes rather than immediately posterior to the ovary as in P. pusilla and most of the North American marine species in Prosorhynchoides. New combinations are created for 9 species of North American bucephalids belonging in Prosorhynchoides Dollfus, 1929.
Single center experience on talc poudrage morbidity: focus on high talc dosage

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common clinical problem of concern for most of the pneumologists and thoracic surgeons. A general consensus regarding the use of talc poudrage in treatment of MPE exists, but only few studies analyzed in detail talc insufflation related pulmonary morbidity. In particular, ARDS talc-related is caused by physical and chemical effects of the small talc particles (50% particle size <15 μm) and its occurrence is independent from the underlying disease, the quantity of talc used or the technique of talc instillation. In our series we observed 3 cases only (0.75%) of talc-related lung injury. This data strongly confirm the low rate of talc-related lung injury after talc poudrage in treatment of MPE regardless the amount of talc insufflated.
Systematic analysis of crustal anisotropy along the Karadere—Düzce branch of the North Anatolian fault

S U M M A R Y We perform a systematic analysis of crustal anisotropy along and around the Karadere–Duzce branch of the North Anatolian fault (NAF), which ruptured during the 1999 Mw 7.4 Izmit and Mw 7.1 Duzce earthquakes. A method consisting of an iterative grid search for the best shear wave splitting parameters in sliding time windows is applied to ∼22 000 measurements recorded in the 6-month period after the Izmit main shock. Based on objective criteria, ∼6600 measurements are assigned high quality and used for further detailed analysis. Most stations near the rupture zone have fast polarization directions that are parallel to, and change with, the nearby fault strike. The average delay times for ray paths that propagate along the rupture zone are larger than for the other paths. These results suggest the existence of an approximately 1-km broad zone around the Karadere–Duzce branch with fault-parallel cracks or shear fabric. However, some fault zone (FZ) stations record bimodal or scattered polarization directions, while stations near large structural complexities (e.g. branching and offsets) show average fast polarization directions that are almost perpendicular to the local fault strike. The average fast polarization directions from ray paths that propagate inside the Almacik block, south of the Karadere–Duzce branch, are neither parallel to the local fault strike nor to the expected regional maximum compressive stress direction. The large overall spatial variations of the results imply that multiple structures and mechanisms contribute to the observed crustal anisotropy in our study area. Most stations do not exhibit a clear dependency of shear wave splitting delay time with increasing depth and hypocentral distance, indicating that the anisotropy is confined primarily to the top 3–4 km of the crust. Using the observed average delay time at FZ stations and assumed propagation distance of 3.5 km, we estimate the apparent crack density in the damaged shallow FZ rock to be approximately 7 per cent.
The effects of saturant salinity and pressure on the electrical resistivity of Hawaiian basalts

Summary. AC electrical resistivity of several Hawaiian basalts, saturated with four solutions of varying salinity, is investigated in the hydrostatic pressure range of 0.1 MPa to 0.5 GPa (5 kbar), with pore pressure of nearly 0.1 MPa. At 0.1 MPa, the Archie's empirical relationship holds well for basalts ranging in porosity from < 1 to 30 per cent, and saturated with high salinity solution. Resistivity of saturated basalts increases with pressure. As compared to the data for the low-porosity crystalline rocks reports by Brace & Orange, the resistivity of porous basalts (2-13 per cent porosity) increases less rapidly. The empirical relationship (d log p/dP) - 1 .O GPa-' found for the crystalline rocks also holds for basalts.
The Receptivity of Officers to Empirical Research and Evidence-Based Policing: An Examination of Survey Data From Three Agencies

Police officer receptivity to empirical research and evidence-based policing is important to consider because officers are responsible for implementing approaches validated by research on the stree...
Identification of highly synchronized subnetworks from gene expression data

Background There has been a growing interest in identifying context-specific active protein-protein interaction (PPI) subnetworks through integration of PPI and time course gene expression data. However the interaction dynamics during the biological process under study has not been sufficiently considered previously.
Implementing Recommendations for Introductory Biology by Writing a New Textbook.

We redesigned the undergraduate introductory biology course by writing a new textbook (Integrating Concepts in Biology [ICB]) that follows first principles of learning. Our approach emphasizes primary data interpretation and the utility of mathematics in biology, while de-emphasizing memorization. This redesign divides biology into five big ideas (information, evolution, cells, emergent properties, homeostasis), addressing each at five levels of organization (molecules, cells, organisms, populations, ecological systems). We compared our course outcomes with two sections that used a traditional textbook and were taught by different instructors. On data interpretation assessments administered periodically during the semester, our students performed better than students in the traditional sections (p = 0.046) and exhibited greater improvement over the course of the semester (p = 0.015). On factual content assessments, our students performed similarly to students in the other sections (p = 0.737). Pre- and postsemester assessment of disciplinary perceptions and self-appraisal indicate that our students acquired a more accurate perception of biology as a discipline and may have developed a more realistic evaluation of their scientific abilities than did the control students (p < 0.05). We conclude that ICB improves critical thinking, metacognition, and disciplinary perceptions without compromising content knowledge in introductory biology.
The Term Asset-Backed Securities Lending Facility

In the second half of 2008, the issuance of auto, credit card, and student loan asset-backed securities (ABS) all but stopped while secondary market spreads on AAA-rated tranches of consumer ABS reached historical levels. If sustained, the break-down of the originate-to-distribute model for consumer credit would force banks which made new loans to retain them on their balance sheets, increasing demands on liquidity and capital, and threatened to amplify the impact of a housing recession through a consumer credit crunch. In response to these conditions, the Federal Reserve and US Treasury announced in November 2008 the Term Asset-backed securities Liquidity Facility (TALF). In order to promote lending to consumers and small businesses, the facility provides up to $200 billion in three-year non-recourse loans to investors in the AAA-rated tranches of new issue consumer ABS as well as pools secured by SBA loans. Given the positive reaction of the market to the announcement of the facility, the Administration recently announced an expansion of the TALF to include additional asset classes, including but not limited to new issue ABS secured by the following asset classes: commercial and residential real estate; equipment loans, leases, and floorplan; rental fleet lease; and servicer advances. In the paper, the authors will not only document the bottlenecks in each of the markets targeted by the TALF, but will also document the impact of the facility on ABS issuance starting with the first funding in late March 2009. Finally, the authors outline various exit strategies of the public sector, and speculate on how securitization should work in the future.
Effect of Structure and Foundation Interaction

In design of structures subjected to earthquakes or ground shock from nuclear blasts, shock is described by record of foundation motion obtained from structure that was subjected to similar shock, presenting such information in form of response spectra; analytical models for particular types of structures are developed for studying errors that may occur when such comparative record is used. (49 refs.)
Activation Cross Section for the Reaction Na 23 ( n , p ) Ne 23

The absolute reaction cross section for ${\mathrm{Na}}^{23}(n, p){\mathrm{Ne}}^{23}$ has been measured in the range of neutron energies from 3.3 Mev to 8.2 Mev by use of neutrons from the reactions ${\mathrm{H}}^{2}(d, n){\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ and ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}(d, n){\mathrm{O}}^{15}$. The cross section rises from a threshold at about 3.7 Mev to 12 mb at the highest energy studied. Twelve resonances are observed corresponding to excited levels in ${\mathrm{Na}}^{24}$. The region of energy overlap between the neutrons from ${\mathrm{H}}^{2}(d, n){\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ and ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}(d, n){\mathrm{O}}^{15}$ gives values of the ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}(d, n){\mathrm{O}}^{15}$ cross section which are in rough agreement with those previously measured elsewhere. Over-all accuracy is estimated to be \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}20% for ${\mathrm{H}}^{2}(d, n){\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ data, and \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}50% for ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}(d, n){\mathrm{O}}^{15}$ data.
When do the regulations stop

The regulatory agenda in the European Union for air pollution is reviewed from the point of view of the coatings industry. This agenda is built on three key concepts: the quantification of emissions arising from human activity (inventories), the definition of Best Available Technique (BAT), and the estimation of the total costs of an activity to society. Inventory data is used in models to estimate the maximum emissions that are compatible with politically determined air quality targets. BAT is used to set standards for industrial processes, as a means to achieving these targets. And social costs justify the control measures. The review of these concepts leads to the recommendation that the coatings industry needs to engage itself more actively in all three, to ensure that the regulatory process is sound, is based on good quality data — and that it stops short of unjustifiable controls.
Reaction Coordinates and Mechanistic Hypothesis Tests

Reaction coordinates are integral to several classic rate theories that can (a) predict kinetic trends across conditions and homologous reactions, (b) extract activation parameters with a clear physical interpretation from experimental rates, and (c) enable efficient calculations of free energy barriers and rates. New trajectory-based rare events methods can provide rates directly from dynamical trajectories without a reaction coordinate. Trajectory-based frameworks can also generate ideal (but abstract) reaction coordinates such as committors and eigenfunctions of the master equation. However, rates and mechanistic insights obtained from trajectory-based methods and abstract coordinates are not readily generalized across simulation conditions or reaction families. We discuss methods for identifying physically meaningful reaction coordinates, including committor analysis, variational transition state theory, Kramers–Langer–Berezhkovskii–Szabo theory, and statistical inference methods that can use path sam...
Management Strategy Research on College English Teaching

English is an important basic course in college teaching,high quality teaching management is the basis of improving teaching quality.This paper start with connotation and function college English teaching,put forward some problems that should be noticed in college English teaching management,and expound effective management tactics of college English teaching from five aspects.
Laparoscopic rectal resection technique

The quality of radical oncological operations for patients with rectal cancer determines the rate of local recurrence and long-term survival. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced tumors, a standardized surgical procedure for rectal tumors less than 12 cm from the anus with total mesorectal excision (TME) and preservation of the autonomous nerve system for sexual and bladder function have significantly improved the oncological results and quality of life of patients. The TME procedure for rectal resection has been performed laparoscopically in Germany for almost 20 years; however, no reliable data are available on the frequency of laparoscopic procedures in rectal cancer patients in Germany. The rate of minimally invasive procedures is estimated to be less than 20 %. A prerequisite for using the laparoscopic approach is implicit adherence to the described standards of open surgery. Available data from prospective randomized trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicate that in the early postoperative phase the generally well-known positive effects of the minimally invasive approach to the benefit of patients can be realized without any long-term negative impact on the oncological results; however, the results of many of these studies are difficult to interpret because it could not be confirmed whether the hospitals and surgeons involved had successfully completed the learning curve. In this article we would like to present our technique, which we have developed over the past 17 years in more than 1000 patients. Based on our experiences the laparoscopic approach can be highly recommended as a suitable alternative to the open procedure.
Bandgap Control via Structural and Chemical Tuning of Transition Metal Perovskite Chalcogenides

Transition metal perovskite chalcogenides are a new class of versatile semiconductors with high absorption coefficient and luminescence efficiency. Polycrystalline materials synthesized by an iodine-catalyzed solid-state reaction show distinctive optical colors and tunable bandgaps across the visible range in photoluminescence, with one of the materials' external efficiency approaching the level of single-crystal InP and CdSe.
Evaluating greenhouse gas emissions from dairy manure management practices using survey data and lifecycle tools

Abstract Manure is the second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from dairy farms. Detailed data for representative manure systems are needed to guide climate change mitigation strategies. This study uses surveys sent to WI dairies to identify current farm and manure management practices, collect inventory data on manure handling and energy consumption, compare practices based on farm size, and relate these practices to GHG emissions. Results show that manure systems and management practices vary significantly with farm size. For example, larger farms handle liquid manure and have long term storage while small farms handle solid manure and land-apply daily. Sand separation, solid-liquid separation (SLS), and anaerobic digestion (AD) are implemented only by the surveyed facilities that are large enough to require permitting. Ammonia, biotic, and fossil GHG emissions from archetypes small, large, and permitted facilities are estimated using modeling tools. For this, the most common manure management practices identified by the survey are analyzed. Results (per cow, kg of milk, and ton of manure) show that storing liquid manure for long periods of time without processing contributes the most to GHG emissions. When implementing manure processing, permitted facilities are able to reduce emissions significantly, mostly through AD. Small farms keep their emissions lower than large farms as they mostly handle solid manure and land-apply manure daily. Depending on the practice and farm size, GHG emissions per ton of manure range from 2200 to 12,000 g CO2-eq for collection, 200 to 2400 g CO2-eq for transportation, 16,000 to 84,000 g CO2-eq for storage, and 16,400 to 33,500 g CO2-eq for land-application.
Skin Reactions to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

The novelty of immune checkpoint inhibitors has only recently led to the characterization of cutaneous adverse events (AEs). This, along with the substantial rate of cutaneous reactions, has left many clinicians without sufficient familiarity to diagnose and treat. In the following chapter, we will review the categories of these drugs, common cutaneous effects, their grading, and management options.
Asystole caused by Hydroxycut Hardcore: A case report and literature review

Obesity is a rising epidemic worldwide driving people to search for remedy through nonconventional therapies. Hydroxycut products are popular supplements used as weight loss aids. Many reports revealed serious adverse effects related to their ingestion. We report the case of a 37-year-old healthy male patient who presented following an episode of syncope. On telemetry, he manifested recurrent sinus node arrests, including a symptomatic 24 s sinus pause. The patient admitted to taking Hydroxycut Hardcore for 10 days previously. After discontinuation of the drug, his symptoms completely resolved. This is the first case of Hydroxycut-associated syncope secondary to bradyarrhythmia.
Abstract 40: Discovery and Characterization of the Novel Muscle-Specific Membrane Protein Smco1

Mutations in numerous membrane proteins cause debilitating myopathies. The discovery of novel muscle-specific, membrane proteins would likely provide insight into mechanisms of disease and potentially yield new therapeutic targets. Through bioinformatics screening for muscle-specific membrane proteins with unknown function, we identified C3orf43 or single-pass membrane protein with coiled-coil domains 1 (Smco1). Consistent with bioinformatics predictions, Smco1 is expressed exclusively in cardiac and skeletal muscle. We demonstrate with chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase promoter assays that Smco1 is a Mef2-regulated gene with robust expression occurring shortly after birth. Immunofluorescent analysis demonstrates Scmo1 localizes to the cardiomyocyte sarcolemma and intercalated disks. Talen-mediated disruption of Smco1 in mice results in stunted postnatal growth, cardiac hypoplasia and skeletal muscle myopathy as early as postnatal day 15. While studies are on going to determine the function of Smco1, our findings reveal an essential role of Smco1 in striated muscle structure and function. The identification of heart- and muscle-specific membrane proteins will likely illuminate the mechanisms of muscular membrane diseases.
Patient Willingness to Have Tests to Guide Antibiotic Use for Respiratory Tract Infections: From the WWAMI Region Practice and Research Network (WPRN)

Introduction The majority of consultations for acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs) lead to prescriptions for antibiotics, which have limited clinical benefit. We explored patients' willingness to have blood tests as part of the diagnostic work-up for RTIs, and patient knowledge about antibiotics. Methods Patients at 6 family medicine clinics were surveyed. Regression modeling was used to determine independent predictors of willingness to have venous and point-of-care (POC) blood tests, and knowledge of the value of antibiotics for RTIs. Results Data were collected from 737 respondents (response rate 83.8%), of whom 65.7% were women, 60.1% were white, and 25.1% were current smokers; patients' mean age was 46.9 years. Sex (female), race (white), and a preference to avoid antibiotics were independent predictors of greater level of antibiotic knowledge. A total of 63.1% were willing to have a venous draw and 79% a POC blood test, to help guide antibiotic decision-making. Non-American Indian/Alaskan Native race, current smoking, and greater knowledge of antibiotics were independent predictors of willingness to have a POC test. Conclusion A large majority of patients seemed willing to have POC tests to facilitate antibiotic prescribing decisions for RTIs. Poor knowledge about antibiotics suggests better education regarding antibiotic use might influence patient attitudes towards use of antibiotics for RTIs.
Dimensional crossover field as a function of oxygen stoichiometry in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 − δ thin films

The magnetic phase diagram of ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ thin films was studied as a function of anisotropy by systematically changing the oxygen stoichiometry (\ensuremath{\delta} value). For small \ensuremath{\delta} values the vortex-solid phase transition boundary ${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{g}}$(T) is observed over the full accessible field range (50 kOe) to follow the (1-T/${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$${)}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sim}}1.5}$ dependence that is expected for an anisotropic superconductor in the three-dimensional regime. As \ensuremath{\delta} increases, a portion of the phase boundary no longer follows the (1-T/${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$${)}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sim}}1.5}$ dependence making it possible to identify the anisotropy-dependent dimensional crossover field ${\mathit{H}}_{0}$ at which the system begins to behave quasi-two-dimensionally. Plotting ${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{g}}$(T) normalized by ${\mathit{H}}_{0}$ as a function of (1-T/${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$) results in a collapse of the phase boundaries onto a single universal curve. Using published values of the anisotropy \ensuremath{\gamma}=8.5 and the upper critical field slope ${\mathit{dH}}_{\mathit{c}2}$/dT=-20 kOe/K it is possible to determine the specific relation ${\mathit{H}}_{0}$\ensuremath{\approxeq}1.2${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\varphi}}}_{0}$/(${\mathit{d}}^{2}$${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{2}$), where d is the multilayer spacing, which can be used to determine the \ensuremath{\delta} dependence of \ensuremath{\gamma}.
Effective friction angle of clays and silts from piezocone penetration tests

An existing effective stress limit plasticity solution for piezocone penetration tests (CPTu) is calibrated to evaluate the effective stress friction angle ( ) for undrained conditions for a variet...
Measuring the Gluon Density and the QCD Running Coupling Constant

We present a method for extracting the gluon density of the nucleon. The moments of structure function are not used, and one therefore escapes the x ~ 0 uncertainties. A similar method also allows one to compute the running coupling constant of QCD ᾱ(Q2), as a numerical function of Q2.
Innovative Capacity, Infrastructure and Regional Policy

Few items are as important for a national or regional economy’s long term viability as the development of its technological potential, and the human capital resources that support it. Infrastructural investment is a decisive factor in the development of that technological potential, given its enormous quantitative and qualitative impacts on the kinds of human and physical capital needed to support invention and innovation. Among the most important investments in the future of any regional or national economy are those which seek to promote a higher level of endogenous technological capabilities, through enhancements of the human and physical capital infrastructure that can lead to the expansion of invention and innovation (Andersson, 1985; Kuhn, 1962; Schmookler, 1966; Rosenberg, 1972; Rubin and Huber, 1986; Ayres, 1988; Davelaar and Nijkamp, 1990; Lee and Reid, 1991; Nelson and Wright, 1992).
Saltwater transport through pristine and positively charged graphene membranes.

Transport of saltwater through pristine and positively charged single-layer graphene nanoporous membranes is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Pressure-driven flows are induced by motion of specular reflecting boundaries at feed and permeate sides with constant speed. Unlike previous studies in the literature, this method induces a desired flow rate and calculates the resulting pressure difference in the reservoirs. Due to the hexagonal structure of graphene, the hydraulic diameters of nano-pores are used to correlate flow rate and pressure drop data. Simulations are performed for three different pore sizes and flow rates for the pristine and charged membrane cases. In order to create better statistical averages for salt rejection rates, ten different initial conditions of Na+ and Cl- distribution in the feed side are used for each simulation case. Using data from 180 distinct simulation cases and utilizing the Buckingham Pi theorem, we develop a functional relationship between the volumetric flow rate, pressure drop, pore diameter, and the dynamic viscosity of saltwater. A linear relationship between the volumetric flow rate and pressure drop is observed. For the same flow rate and pore size, charged membranes exhibit larger pressure drops. Graphene membranes with 9.90 A pore diameter results in 100% salt rejection with 163.2 l/h cm2 water flux, requiring a pressure drop of 35.02 MPa.
Real-world size coding of solid objects, but not 2-D or 3-D images, in visual agnosia patients with bilateral ventral lesions.

Abstract Patients with visual agnosia show severe deficits in recognizing two-dimensional (2-D) images of objects, despite the fact that early visual processes such as figure-ground segmentation, and stereopsis, are largely intact. Strikingly, however, these patients can nevertheless show a preservation in their ability to recognize real-world objects –a phenomenon known as the ‘real-object advantage’ (ROA) in agnosia. To uncover the mechanisms that support the ROA, patients were asked to identify objects whose size was congruent or incongruent with typical real-world size, presented in different display formats (real objects, 2-D and 3-D images). While recognition of images was extremely poor, real object recognition was surprisingly preserved, but only when physical size matched real-world size. Analogous display format and size manipulations did not influence the recognition of common geometric shapes that lacked real-world size associations. These neuropsychological data provide evidence for a surprising preservation of size-coding of real-world-sized tangible objects in patients for whom ventral contributions to image processing are severely disrupted. We propose that object size information is largely mediated by dorsal visual cortex and that this information, together with detailed representation of object shape which is also subserved by dorsal cortex, serve as the basis of the ROA.
Health and lifestyle behaviors in colorectal cancer survivors with and without Lynch syndrome.

Lynch syndrome (LS), a hereditary cancer syndrome, accounts for approximately 3% of colorectal cancers (CRC). Positive health behaviors and surveillance are preventive strategies, but research on whether recommended behavioral guidelines are followed by individuals with LS is limited. Additional health education and promotion could be beneficial to the improved survivorship of CRC survivors. Explore health and lifestyle behaviors in CRC survivors with and without LS. We conducted a case-control study of CRC survivors with and without LS using a mailed questionnaire. Recruitment was conducted via patient registries at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (cases n = 33; controls n = 75) and through social media (cases n = 42). CRC survivors with and without LS in our study had substantially lower smoking prevalence (5.5% and 2.7%) compared to national prevalence (18.0%). However, they had higher levels of alcohol consumption (36.8% and 10.3% for male and female LS survivors, respectively, and 35.8% and 22.0% for male and female sporadic survivors, respectively) compared to national prevalence of 13.88% for males and 6.02% for females. Both groups of CRC survivors participate in negative health behaviors that impact survivorship. More research is needed to examine the relationship between personal engagement in preventive behaviors and patient–provider relationships to improve health behaviors and explore strategies for intervention. Additionally, better health education and lifestyle change recommendations would promote and reinforce positive health outcomes in the CRC population and especially in LS survivors.
Enhancing the Intercultural Competence of College Students: A Consideration of Applied Teaching Techniques

Many higher education instructions have set forth explicit objectives to improve college students’ intercultural sensitivity and communication. However, there currently exits considerable heterogeneity in terms of the extent and methods that higher education institutions undertake in order to achieve these important goals. This praxis essay provides a framework to understand the process of intercultural learning in college students, the core features of academic cultural psychology, and makes specific recommendations for effective and innovative ways to teach a cultural psychology course to a broad range of undergraduate students. Specific teaching techniques are offered to target specific intercultural learning areas.
Effect of Copper Hydroxide on Slug Feeding

Abstract Kocide® 2000 (53.8% copper hydroxide) and Kocide® 4.5 LF (37.5% copper hydroxide) were examined for their effectiveness at reducing slug feeding using rates found on the Kocide® label. The...
Contribution of extracellular matrix components to the stiffness of skeletal muscle contractures in patients with cerebral palsy

Purpose: Joint contractures in children with cerebral palsy contain muscle tissue that is mechanically stiffer with higher collagen content than typically developing children. Interestingly, the co...
Effect of Electric Field and Temperature on the Behavior of Polypropylene Filled with Nanometric Natural Clay

During the last two decades, when compared with pure polymers, nanocomposites have exhibited improved mechanical, thermal, optical and physico-chemical properties, owing to the nanometric particles. Among many other applications polypropylene has found place in electrical systems as a dielectric material. One of these applications is the usage of very thin sheets of polypropylene in high-performance pulse and low-loss RF capacitors as the dielectric medium. Another application is in the power cables as an insulating medium. In an earlier study, the present authors have observed that the breakdown strength improved in polypropylene loaded with nanoclay of various contents. The aim of this study, therefore, is to evaluate the time-to-failure of polypropylene (PP) and polypropylene-based nanocomposite films under the influence of electric field and temperature at the same time because to our best knowledge there is a lack of information in relation to such data.
Association of a Novel Protocol for Rapid Exclusion of Myocardial Infarction With Resource Use in a US Safety Net Hospital

Importance High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) protocols for the evaluation of chest pain in the emergency department (ED) may reduce unnecessary resource use and overcrowding. Objective To determine whether the implementation of a novel hs-cTnT protocol, which incorporated troponin values drawn at 0, 1, and 3 hours after ED presentation and the modified HEART score (history, electrocardiogram, age, risk factors), was associated with improvements in resource use while maintaining safety. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study from Parkland Health and Hospital System, a large safety net hospital in Dallas, Texas, included data on 31 543 unique ED encounters in which patients underwent electrocardiographic and troponin testing from January 1, 2017, to October 16, 2018. The hs-cTnT protocol was implemented in December 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures Resource use outcomes included trends in ED dwell time, troponin to disposition decision time (the difference between the first troponin draw time and the time an order was placed for inpatient admission, admission to observation, or discharge), and final patient disposition. Safety outcomes included readmission for myocardial infarction and death. Results In 31 543 encounters, mean (SD) patient age was 54 (14.4) years and 14 675 patients (48%) were female. Department dwell time decreased by a mean of −1.09 (95% CI, −2.81 to 0.64) minutes per month in the preintervention period. The decline was steeper after the intervention (−4.69 [95% CI, −9.05 to −0.33] minutes per month) (Pfor interaction = .007). The troponin to disposition time was increasing in the preintervention period by 1.72 (95% CI, 1.08 to 2.36) minutes per month; postintervention, the mean difference increased more slowly (0.37 [95% CI, −1.25 to 1.99 minutes per month;Pvalue for interaction = .007]). The proportion of patients discharged from the ED increased after the intervention (48% vs 54%,P Conclusions and Relevance Implementation of a novel protocol incorporating serial hs-cTnT measurements over 3 hours with the Modified HEART Score was associated with reduction in ED dwell times and attenuation of temporal increases in time from troponin measurement to disposition. This or similar protocols to rule out myocardial infarction have the potential to reduce ED overcrowding and improve health care quality while maintaining safety.
Clinical characteristics of Littre hernia in children

Objective To investigate the clinical features of pedistric Littre hernia.Methods Clinical data of 11 cases of Littre hermia admitted from January 2002 to December 2010 was studied retrospectively.Results The diagnosis of Littre hernia was all established by laparotomy.All of the 11 cases were boys,the median age was 1.2 years (22 days to 3 years and 7 months).The main clinical features were:painful,irregular and nonresetable mass in the groin area (11/11),vomiting in 6 cases (6/11 ),fever (＞38.5 ℃ ) in 4 cases (4/11 );X-ray showed intestinal obstruction in 9 cases (9/11 ),Ultrasound found mixed mass in the groin area in 11 cases ( 11/11 ),pouch-like structure were found in 6 cases (6/11).Eight cases (8/11) presented with elevated WBC ( ＞ 10000).Palpable lobulated structure were fell in 5 cases (5/11).All cases of Littre hernia were successfully operated on,Meckel diverticulum perforation was found in 2 cases ( 2/11 ),Meckel diverticulum adhered to the hernia sac in 8 eases (8/11).All patients were cured by surgery,and postoperative follow-up (10ms-8y) found no recurrence.Conclusions Pediatric Littre hernia is rare,preoperative diagnosis is difficult.Avoiding preoperative violent reduction and intraoperative injuring Meekel's diverticulum or the small bowel helps improve the cure rate of Littre hernia in children. Key words: Hemia; Child; Meckel diverticulum