cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the generalized gamma and exponentiated Weibull distributions.

This paper provides a comparison of the three-parameter exponentiated Weibull (EW) and generalized gamma (GG) distributions. The connection between these two different families is that the hazard functions of both have the four standard shapes (increasing, decreasing, bathtub, and arc shaped), and in fact, the shape of the hazard is the same for identical values of the three parameters. For a given EW distribution, we define a matching GG using simulation and also by matching the 5 th, 50 th, and 95 th percentiles. We compare EW and matching GG distributions graphically and using the Kullback–Leibler distance. We find that the survival functions for the EW and matching GG are graphically indistinguishable, and only the hazard functions can sometimes be seen to be slightly different. The Kullback–Leibler distances are very small and decrease with increasing sample size. We conclude that the similarity between the two distributions is striking, and therefore, the EW represents a convenient alternative to the GG with the identical richness of hazard behavior. More importantly, these results suggest that having the four basic hazard shapes may to some extent be an important structural characteristic of any family of distributions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi-Scale Characterization of Orthotropic Microstructures

Computer-generated 2D microstructures of varying second phase area fraction (5–30%), aspect ratio (1–16) and degree of alignment (where the reinforcement major-axis orientation is random, perfectly aligned or semi-aligned) are analyzed via the isotropic and directional forms of the computationally efficient multi-scale analysis of area fractions (MSAAF) technique. The impact of these microstructure parameters on the representative volume element (RVE) necessary to characterize a microstructure is ascertained with variations in isotropic and directional homogeneous length scales, derivative quantities of the MSAAF technique. Analysis of these results produces empirical expressions for the directional homogeneous length scale as a function of area fraction and aspect ratio for the limiting cases of random and 'perfect' second phase alignment. Generally, particle alignment is observed to increase the aspect ratio of a microstructure's RVE—a trend amplified by higher reinforcement aspect ratios and lower area fractions. Particle alignment also decreases the absolute size of such an element by reducing the directional homogeneous length scales transverse to the axis of alignment. Periodic boundary conditions on the perimeter of the synthetic microstructures are used to characterize the error in the MSAAF technique via multiple instantiations of the same microstructure, which further indicates that the statistical variation in the directional homogeneous length scale (measured by the directional MSAAF technique) can be an order of magnitude less than the variation in the isotropic homogeneous length scale (measured by the isotropic MSAAF technique).
Experiments With Albino Mice From Stocks Selected for Predictable Susceptibilities To Audiogenic Seizures 1)

Albino mice from a stock produced by nine generations of selection for high incidence of clonic-tonic seizures but low incidence of deaths in seizures were tested for susceptibility when started at 20, 25, 30, or 35 instead of the usual 15 days of age. There was a sharp decrease in susceptibility to clonic-tonic seizures and an increase in variability of response when the mice started at 25 days of age or later. When mice of the same stock which had had seizures regularly before 50 days of age were tested after 50 days of age they continued susceptible until death or near death, even when the life-span was relatively long. Offspring of crosses between mice of this stock and those of a stock selected for low seizure incidence had an average seizure incidence intermediate between those of the parent stocks, but no simple genetic explanation could be postulated. Mice of the high incidence stock which were mated without being tested for two generations produced offspring with decreased susceptibility, but still with a high proportion of individuals highly susceptible. These results show the necessity for standardization of stocks of mice and testing procedures in studies on audiogenic seizures. They support the view that inheritance of seizure susceptibility is multigenic and quantitative.
Lamotrigine in breast milk and nursing infants: determination of exposure.

OBJECTIVE. Although lamotrigine use during pregnancy has substantially increased over the past decade secondary to accumulated reproductive safety data, systematic data on lamotrigine during breastfeeding remains sparse. We sought to characterize the determinants of lamotrigine concentrations in breast milk and nursing-infant plasma. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Women who enrolled in a prospective investigation of perinatal medication pharmacokinetics, were treated with lamotrigine, and chose to continue lamotrigine while breastfeeding were included in the analysis. Breast milk samples were collected via breast pump from foremilk to hindmilk from a single breast to determine the excretion gradient and serial samples over 24 hours to determine the time course of excretion. Paired maternal/infant plasma samples were also collected. Lamotrigine concentrations in all of the samples were determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Statistical analyses of breast milk and infant plasma concentrations and their determinants were conducted. RESULTS. Thirty women and their nursing infants participated in the study, providing a total of 210 breast milk samples. The mean milk/plasma ratio was 41.3%. There was a nonsignificant trend for higher lamotrigine concentrations in breast milk 4 hours after the maternal dose. Infant plasma concentrations were 18.3% of maternal plasma concentrations. The theoretical infant lamotrigine dose was 0.51 mg/kg per day, and the relative infant lamotrigine dose was 9.2%. Mild thrombocytosis was present in 7 of 8 infants at the time of serum sampling. No other adverse events were observed or reported in the breastfed infants. CONCLUSIONS. Consistent with previous investigations of medications in breast milk, the lamotrigine milk/plasma ratio is highly variable. The rate of lamotrigine excretion into human breast milk is similar to that observed with other antiepileptic drugs. These data expand the extant literature on lamotrigine in breastfeeding and demonstrate relatively comparable nursing-infant exposure to lamotrigine compared with other antiepileptic drugs.
Antagonism of pancuronium- and pipecuronium-induced neuromuscular block

We have compared the antagonism of neuro muscular block produced by pipecuronium with pancuronium in 80 anaesthetized surgical patients using mechanomyography and electromyography. Pancuronium 0.1 mg kg or pipecuronium 0.07 mg kg−1 was given after induction of anaesthesia and neuromuscular block was adjusted to 75% twitch depression at the time of antagonism. The following regimens were used: edrophonium 0.5 and 1.0 mg kg−1, neostigmine 0.04 mg kg−1 pyridostigmine 0.3 mg kg−1 and edrophonium 0.25 mg kg−1 with pyridostigmine 0.15 mg kg−1. Antagonism was evaluated also by the head lift test. There was no difference between the reversibility of neuromuscular block produced by pancuronium or pipecuronium. Edrophonium produced a significantly faster antagonism than neostigmine or pyridostigmine but onset of action was not significantly faster than that of edrophonium with pyridostigmine. All regimens produced 100% (or near 100%) antagonism of twitch response within 15 min. However, TOF fade antagonism was more complete with pyridostigmine, neostigmine and edrophonium 1.0 mg kg−1 than with edrophonium 0.5 mg kg−1. The head lift test indicated somewhat less antagonism with edrophonium 0.5 and 1.0 mg kg−1. Using five monitoring methods, the rank order of reversal potency was: pyridostigmine ∼ neostigmine > edrophonium 1.0 mg kg−1 edrophonium + pyridostigmine > edrophonium 0.5 mg kg−1.
Direct neural sensory feedback and control of a prosthetic arm

Evidence indicates that user acceptance of modern artificial limbs by amputees would be significantly enhanced by a system that provides appropriate, graded, distally referred sensations of touch and joint movement, and that the functionality of limb prostheses would be improved by a more natural control mechanism. We have recently demonstrated that it is possible to implant electrodes within individual fascicles of peripheral nerve stumps in amputees, that stimulation through these electrodes can produce graded, discrete sensations of touch or movement referred to the amputee's phantom hand, and that recordings of motor neuron activity associated with attempted movements of the phantom limb through these electrodes can be used as graded control signals. We report here that this approach allows amputees to both judge and set grip force and joint position in an artificial arm, in the absence of visual input, thus providing a substrate for better integration of the artificial limb into the amputee's body image. We believe this to be the first demonstration of direct neural feedback from and direct neural control of an artificial arm in amputees.
Development of a bilayer ring system for achieving high strain in commercial rheometers

Mechanical stimulation of cell cultures has been shown be an effective means of enhancing ECM production. ECM produced from vocal fold fibroblast cultures has the potential for therapeutic use for vocal fold repair. However, current bioreactor designs generally fail to produce physiological relevant frequency and strain values. Here we present an approach for using commercial oscillatory rheometers and an elastic ring bilayer system to produce physiologically relevant strain values at frequencies in the range of 20-100 Hz. We demonstrate the ability to target specific strain and frequency values by manipulating system parameters, and also show that it is possible to maintain high oscillatory strains for extended periods of time. Such a system could be used to mechanically stimulate cell cultures contained within gel carrier systems and has the potential to be extended to other applications requiring high strains at low frequencies.
Quantitation of coated platelet potential during collection, storage, and transfusion of apheresis platelets.

BACKGROUND: Coated platelets (PLTs), a subpopulation of PLTs observed upon dual agonist stimulation with collagen and thrombin, are known to retain several procoagulant a-granule proteins on their surface. By formation of a highly active membrane-bound prothrombinase complex, these PLTs represent an important step in the coagulation cascade as a consequence of their ability to generate thrombin at the site of vascular injury. Various clinical observations suggest that higher levels of coated PLTs are associated with thrombosis while a deficiency of coated PLTs results in a bleeding diathesis. Current quality control guidelines for in vitro PLT storage measure PLT viability but no routine evaluation of the hemostatic function of stored PLTs and particularly no estimation of coated PLT potential is performed. Our primary objective was to evaluate if the process of apheresis and storage of PLT units alters the levels of coated PLTs. In addition, we sought to determine how transfusion of stored PLTs into patients with thrombocytopenia affects the patient’s coated PLT levels. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Coated PLT levels were analyzed in 13 voluntary PLT donors before donation, in the fresh apheresis product (Trima, CaridianBCT) and in the stored apheresis product just before transfusion. In addition, 10 patients with thrombocytopenia were analyzed for coated PLTs before and after transfusion of a stored PLT product. RESULTS: Coated PLT levels were significantly decreased after the process of apheresis (17% relative decline; p < 0.01) and with prolonged storage (1 to 5 days; 53% relative decline; p < 0.001). Transfusion of stored PLT units did not result in significant increment of coated PLT levels in patients with thrombocytopenia as expected considering the low level of coated PLTs in stored PLT units. Furthermore, there was no suggestion of regeneration of coated PLT potential upon reinfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Isolation and storage of apheresis PLTs by standard blood bank procedures results in a significant decline in coated PLT potential. Reinfusion of stored apheresis PLTs into patients with thrombocytopenia resulted in a predictable change in coated PLT potential with no suggestion of regeneration of lost coated PLT potential. P latelets (PLTs) have two critical roles in promoting hemostasis at the site of vascular injury. The firstisprimaryhemostasisinvolvingplugformation resulting from PLT adhesion to the subendothelial membrane and subsequent PLT aggregation. The other role is to provide a negatively charged membrane surface for formation of an active prothrombinase complex, resulting in thrombin generation for propagation of fluid-phase coagulation, often referred to as secondary hemostasis. Although all PLTs have an inherent capacity to satisfy the aggregation function, it is observed that a subpopulation of PLTs has an enhanced ability to form prothrombinase complexes and may, therefore, play an especially critical role in hemostasis. 1
Synthesis of 11β-ether-17α-ethinyl-3,17β-estradiols with strong ER antagonist activities

Abstract We have previously found that several families of nonpolar short chain 11 β -ethers and esters of estradiol are selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Surprisingly, the transformation from potent estrogen to anti-estrogen occurs when the 11 β -side chain is increased slightly in length from four to five non-hydrogen atoms. To generate strong antagonists for preclinical development, we have synthesized other similar ER ligands with 11 β -ethers and with an additional ethinyl group at the 17 α -position in order to slow metabolism of the steroidal moiety. Here we report the synthesis and biological activity of two such compounds (11 β - i -PrO-propyl and 11 β - t -BuO-propyl ethers) with extremely strong antagonist activities.
Estimation of the ventricular fibrillation duration by autoregressive modeling

An accurate estimation of ventricular fibrillation (VF) duration could be critical in selecting the most effective therapeutic intervention. The authors test the hypothesis that changes in frequency content of VF signals can be quantified by using autoregressive (AR) modeling, and the duration since the onset of VF can be estimated by using this method. VF signals were recorded for up to 300 s in five isolated rabbit hearts. Fourth-order AR parameters of successive segments were estimated, and frequencies of the first poles (the pole with lower frequency) were pooled together and a curve was fitted: F(t)=Aexp(-/spl alpha//sub t/)+B, where F(t) is the estimated frequency of the first pole at t'th time instant, /spl alpha/ is the decay constant, B is the offset frequency, and A is the frequency at time zero minus the offset frequency. The utility of this curve in estimating the VF duration was tested in four new experiments, and the difference between the actual and the estimated VF duration (estimation error) was calculated. F(t), the frequency of the first pole, decreased from 12 to 6 Hz with duration of VF, while the frequency of the other pole decreased from 25 to 20 Hz. Parameters of the fitted curve were calculated as A=7.8, /spl alpha/=0.0041 and B was selected as four. Testing on a new set of VF signals produced very little estimation error for the first 100 s of VF, although this error increased with VF duration, For these new signals, the mean value of the absolute estimation error was 26 s. Results of this study show that changes in the frequency content of electrocardiogram (ECG) during VF can be quantified by AR modeling and that the frequency changes associated with a pole of this model can be used to estimate the VF duration.
High utilizers of psychiatric emergency services.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of high utilizers of psychiatric emergency services. METHODS: Data were collected over four years for 761 patients who were identified as high utilizers according to three definitions (two standard deviations above the mean number of visits to an urban psychiatric emergency service, six visits in a year, and four visits in a quarter) and for 1,585 nonfrequent utilizers (control group). Univariate analysis of variance and logistic regression models were used to determine group differences. RESULTS: Two distinct groups of high utilizers emerged: high utilizers by quarter and high utilizers by standard deviation. Compared with the control group, the high utilizers were more likely to be homeless, to have developmental delays, to be enrolled in a mental health plan, to have a history of voluntary and involuntary hospitalizations, to be uncooperative, to have personality disorders, to have unreliable social su...
What is Babesia microti

Babesia microti (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) has historically been considered a common parasite of Holarctic rodents. However, human babesiosis due to this species has generally been limited to the northeastern seaboard of the United States and Minnesota and Wisconsin. The absence of reports of B. microti babesiosis from sites where the agent is enzootic, such as in western Europe, remains unexplained. Previous work focusing on the 18S rDNA demonstrates little sequence diversity among samples from allopatric host populations across a wide geographical area. It may be that genetic diversity is underestimated due to sample size or the gene analysed. Accordingly, we collected blood or spleen samples from American or Eurasian animals with parasites that were morphologically consistent with B. microti, amplified the 18S rDNA and beta-tubulin gene, and conducted phylogenetic analysis. Surprisingly, what was considered to be 'B. microti' by microscopy appears to be a diverse species complex. We identify 3 distinct clades within this complex, including parasites from non-rodent hosts. Rodent parasites comprise 2 clades, one representing zoonotic isolates, and the other apparently maintained in microtine rodents, and therefore their morphological detection within animals from a site does not necessarily imply a risk to public health.
Wildland firefighter entrapment avoidance: modelling evacuation triggers

Wildland firefighters are often called on to make tactical decisions under stressful conditions in order to suppress a fire. These decisions can be hindered by human factors such as insufficient knowledge of surroundings and conditions, lack of experience, overextension of resources or loss of situational awareness. One potential tool for assisting fire managers in situations where human factors can hinder decision-making is the Wildland-Urban Interface Evacuation (WUIVAC) model, which models fire minimum travel times to create geographic trigger buffers for evacuation recommendations. Utilising multiple combinations of escape routes and fire environment inputs based on the 2007 Zaca fire in California, USA, we created trigger buffers for firefighter evacuations on foot, by engine and by heavy mechanised equipment (i.e. bulldozer). Our primary objective was to examine trigger buffer sensitivity to evacuation mode and expected weather and fuel conditions. Evacuation travel time was the most important factor for determining the size and extent of modelled trigger buffers. For the examined scenarios, we show that WUIVAC can provide analytically driven, physically based triggers that can assist in entrapment avoidance and ultimately contribute to firefighter safety.
Opening new frontiers: Do early entrants really reap long-term rewards?

The article presents information about a study by researcher Richard Makadok that provides insight into the nature of competition in markets such as the Internet, in which barriers to entry and imitation are low. According to the author, Makadok examined whether companies derive long-term benefits from opening new frontiers and being one of the first companies to enter these markets. Makadok gathered monthly data on 903 money market mutual funds a variety of product categories. He defined early entry firms as the first five competitors in a product category. Makadok found that early entrants had both price and market share advantages and that delayed entrance was linked to lower market share. He also discovered that later entrants apparently had more flexibility in pricing.
How temperature shifts affect parasite production: testing the roles of thermal stress and acclimation

Summary Changes in the magnitude and frequency of temperature shifts with climate change will influence species interactions if species have differential acclimation responses. For example, if parasites acclimate to temperature shifts faster than their hosts, as might be expected due to their smaller sizes and faster metabolisms, temperature variability could lead to increased infection. However, this assumption might not hold if benefits of acclimation are counteracted by energetic costs or thermal stress, underscoring the need for empirical efforts to assess how temperature variability will influence host–parasite interactions. We used an array of replicate incubators to test how temperature shifts from five acclimation temperatures (13–25 °C) to five performance temperatures (16–28 °C) influenced release of infective stages by the trematode parasite Ribeiroia ondatrae from its snail intermediate host (Helisoma trivolvis) at four time-points after a temperature shift. Initially, parasite release was higher at warm temperatures and increased temporarily after infected snails were shifted to higher temperatures, particularly for hosts acclimated to cooler temperatures. However, these effects were transient, such that parasite release at warm temperatures declined steadily over the 7 days following the shift. Warmer temperatures also increased snail mortality. Parasite release was strongly influenced not only by ambient temperature but also by the thermal history of the host. Prior acclimation to warm temperatures reduced parasite release at warm performance temperatures, contrary to the beneficial acclimation hypothesis. Rather, the observed pattern was likely driven by: (i) energetic costs of prolonged exposure to high temperatures (‘thermal stress’) or (ii) parasites' capacity to ‘store’ infectious stages at cooler temperatures. The time-dependent nature of thermal effects on parasite performance highlights the importance of considering the amplitude and frequency of temperature variability for understanding future changes to disease dynamics.
Imaging Sub-micron Scale Light Confinement in Silicon Waveguides with Apertureless Transmission-based Near-field Scanning Optical Microscopy

We measure transverse optical decay lengths on the order of lambda/30 in sub-micron scale silicon waveguides using transmission-based near-field scanning optical microscopy (TraNSOM), and compare these measurements to theory
Enumeration and Identification of Bacterial Contaminants in Commercial and Locally Produced Honey

Abstract. Honey can be contaminated at various points during production and packaging, and viable bacteria are commonly detectable in honey at the point of sale. Commercial production of honey involves blending honeys obtained from multiple sources, often located in more than one nation. During blending, honey is heated to decrease viscosity, thereby easing filtration. In comparison, locally produced honey is typically made in small scale, and subjected to less processing during packaging. Given these differences, we hypothesized that commercially blended honey—products containing honey from multiple countries—would contain fewer bacteria per gram compared to locally produced honey. This study compares both the quantity and diversity of bacteria present in locally produced honey with commercially blended honey. Plate count assays were used to determine the quantity of bacteria present in commercial (n = 13) and locally produced (n = 19) honey samples. Identification of bacteria cultured from two represent...
An examination of emerging adulthood in Romanian college students

Little work has been done to examine emerging adulthood in Eastern European countries such as Romania that are making the transition out of communism into the broader free-market economy of Western Europe. The purpose of this study was to (a) examine the criteria that college students in Romania have for adulthood, and (b) explore whether differences in adulthood criteria, achievement of those criteria, and identity development are related to variations in adult status (i.e., perceptions of being an adult coupled with taking on adult responsibilities). Participants included 230 Romanian young people (136 women, 94 men) aged 18—27 attending a university in Romania’s second largest city. Results found that (a) the majority of Romanian young people did not consider themselves to be adults; (b) issues related to relational maturity, financial independence, and norm compliance ranked as the most important criteria for adulthood; (c) there was pervasive optimism about the future, including careers, relationship...
Omnidirectional light-focusing metalens

We propose an optical lens that focuses light from all angles of incidence to a singular point based on a lossy anisotropic e-near-zero metamaterial. Full-wave numerical simulations are carried out with realistic material properties.
An autonomous robotic scooping approach for planetary sample acquisition

This paper describes a system design concept to enable automated sample acquisition on planetary surfaces without the use of additional sensor information such as cameras and force/torque sensors. A simple and robust solution is presented to the unique problems encountered in in situ science applications with its tight constraints on mass, power, computing resources and lack of flight-qualified hardware. Problems addressed include end-effector contact detection, trajectory generation, hardware fault monitoring and autonomous determination of terrain profile.
Rapid evaluation and damage assessment of instrumented highway bridges

SUMMARY This study focuses on the use of strong motion data recorded during earthquakes and aftershocks to provide a preliminary assessment of the structural integrity and possible damage in bridges. A system identification technique is used to determine dynamical characteristics and high-fidelity first-order linear models of a bridge from low level earthquake excitations. A finite element model is developed and updated using a genetic algorithm optimization scheme to match the frequencies identified and to simulate data from a damaging earthquake for the bridge. Here, two criteria are used to determine the state of the structure. The first criteria uses the error between the data recorded or simulated by the calibrated nonlinear finite element model and the data predicted by the linear model. The second criteria compares relative displacements of the structure with displacement thresholds identified using a pushover analysis. The use of this technique can provide an almost immediate, yet reliable, assessment of the structural health of an instrumented bridge after a seismic event. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of stochastic finite state systems

A class of stochastic dynamic systems is considered in which the set S of allowable states, the set Q of all the inputs, and the set O of the outputs are all finite. For the subclass of the systems in which the state can be exactly measured, a method is given to find the optimal control, so as to optimize a suitable criterion function. The set of probabilities Prob(q(t) = q_{k}/s(t) =s_{j}), q_{k} \in Q, s_{j} \in S , where q(t) and s(t) are the input and state at time t , respectively, plays the role of control. The determination of the optimal control involves only a solution of a set of N difference equations, where N is the total number of states. These results will be extended for systems in which the measured output is noisy. In this case, by control one means the set of probabilities Prob (q(t) = q_{k}/y(1),... , Y(t)), q_{k} \in Q where y(t) is the measured output at time t . These probabilities are found to be products of the current estimate of the state of the system s(t) , based on all the available measurements with certain precomputable constants. These results are applied to the analysis of time-sharing computer systems like project MAC, and demonstrate how to choose an optimal queue discipline among the various available queue disciplines for scheduling the various users.
A simple screening test for variant transthyretins associated with familial transthyretin amyloidosis using isoelectric focusing

Variant forms of the plasma protein transthyretin (TTR) are associated with the most frequently occurring type of familial systemic amyloidosis. Organ system involvement in transthyretin type amyloidosis (ATTR) is often similar to that which occurs in light chain amyloid disease (AL). The proper diagnosis of ATTR is important since treatment (liver transplantation) differs from that in AL (chemotherapy). We present a two-step test to screen sera for variant TTRs using non-denaturing gel electrophoresis performed in 7.5% acrylamide (PAGE) followed by isoelectric focusing (IEF) between pH 4.0 and 7.0 in 2.5 M urea. Serum samples from 110 patients with amyloidosis and their relatives were tested using this IEF technique and compared to genetic mutation results. Sera from patients with ATTR who underwent liver transplantation were also examined prior to and following surgery. IEF analysis showed the presence of both wild-type and variant TTR in 74 of the 110 serum samples tested. Genomic DNA from peripheral blood was used to identify TTR gene mutations in 77 of the 110 patients. Fifteen variants including Val122Ile, preponderant in the African-American population, could be demonstrated by IEF. The sensitivity of IEF was 96% (74/77) and the specificity was 100% (33/33). The predictive values for a positive or negative result were 100% (74/74) and 92% (33/36), respectively. There were no false-positive results and 4% (3/77) false-negative results. In sera from patients with ATTR who underwent liver transplantation, variant TTR was detected by IEF before, but not after, surgery. A simple, accurate, sensitive method is presented as a useful screening test for variant transthyretins associated with ATTR.
An implantable neuroprocessor for multichannel compressive neural recording and on-the-fly spike sorting with wireless telemetry

In this work, a fully implantable and scalable neuroprocessor has been designed to process neural recordings in awake behaving animals. The neuroprocessor operates at 6.4 MHz to process neural signals from 32 microelectrode channels sampled at 25 KHz and transmits only the critical neural information over a 1 Mbps wireless channel in order to meet the stringent hardware and communication constraints imposed on an implantable device. The neuroprocessor can be programmed to compress neural data using a sparse representation of neural signals via lifting discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and/or perform on-the-fly spike sorting on the compressed data stream if followed by a “smart” thresholding mechanism. This unique feature reduces the overall system latency and permit instantaneous decoding of neural signals to take place in real-time. The neuroprocessor therefore uses the limited telemetry bandwidth more efficiently while preserving important information in the neural data, and hence improves the practicality and viability of implantable microelectrode arrays to accelerate their deployment in clinical applications of brain-machine interfaces.
Renal Cell Carcinoma Associated with Xp11.2 Translocation/Transcription Factor E3 (TFE3) Fusion

Renal cell carcinomas (RCC) associated with Xp11.2 translocations (Xp11.2 TRCCs) form a new and little known entity of the WHO 2004 classification [1-23]. de Jong et al. [1] and Tomlinson et al [2] first described Xp11 translocation as a previously unknown finding in the karyotype of two atypical renal masses presenting in infant males [13]. These neoplasms are defined by several translocations involving the transcription factor 3 (TFE3) gene that is located on chromosome Xp11.2, resulting in a gene fusion between TFE3 and at least 5 possible partners [3-7,16,18,21,23]. These include a distinctive RCC which bears a translocation with the identical chromosomal breakpoints (Xp11.2, 17q25) and identical resulting ASPL-TFE3 gene fusion as alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), with the distinction that the t(X;17) translocation is cytogenetically balanced in these renal tumors [4]. The most commonly observed translocations are t(X;17)(p11.2;q25), t(X;1) (p11.2;p34), and t(X;1)(p11.2;q21), which lead to gene fusions of TFE3 with ASPL, PSF, and PRCC, respectively [3,15,16]. This review aims to highlight the helpful histologic, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetic features of this entity to enable correct diagnosis.
Histochemical Localization of Cholinesterase in Larvae of Culiseta inornata (Diptera: Culicidae)

The Gomori acetylthiocholine method was used to investigate the distribution of cholinesterase in 4th-stage larvae of Culiseta inornata (Williston). Cholinesterase was found throughout the central nervous system and in peripheral nerves. Nonnervous tissues, such as gastric caeca, malpighian tubules, and longitudinal muscles exhibited faint cholinesterase reactions in some of the preparations. Selective inhibitors were used in an attempt to characterize the enzyme as either acetylcholinesterase or pseudocholinesterase.
Perpendicular Block Copolymer Microdomains in High Aspect Ratio Templates

Perpendicular orientation of lamellar microdomains in a high interaction parameter block copolymer was obtained within high aspect ratio gratings functionalized with a preferential sidewall brush. The experiments used polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS) with molecular weight 43 kg/mol within trenches made using interference lithography. The perpendicular alignment was obtained for both thermal and solvent annealing, using three different solvent vapors, for a range of film thicknesses and trench widths. A platinum (Pt) layer at the base of the trenches avoided the formation of a wetting layer, giving perpendicular orientation at the substrate surface. The results are interpreted using self-consistent field theory simulation and a Ginzburg–Landau analytic model to map the energies of lamellae of different orientations as a function of the grating aspect ratio and the surface energies of the sidewalls and top and bottom surfaces. The model results agree with the experiment and provide a set o...
Kinetics of splanchnic progesterone metabolism in ewes fed two levels of nutrition.

The objective of this study was to determine whether chronic nutritional treatment in- fluences progesterone ( P4) metabolism by splanchnic tissues and to develop a mathematical model of P4 metabolism in ewes. Five ovariectomized (ovx), mul- tiparous ewes were assigned to a high feed intake and five multiparous ovx ewes were assigned to a low feed intake. The ewes with high feed intake received daily ME intakes of 99 ~C~VBW~~.~~, and the ewes with low intake received daily ME intakes of 63 k~al/BWk~.~~. Catheters were placed surgically in the abdominal aorta, the portal vein, a branch of the hepatic vein, and a mesenteric vein. Blood and plasma flows across visceral organs were determined by marker dilution (p-aminohippuric acid), and P4 was determined with a RIA. The net splanchnic P4 flux and oxygen (02) consumption were determined during five rates of P4 infusion into the jugular vein (112, 224, 449, 897, and 1,795 pg/h). Splanchnic 02 consumption was greater (P = .05) in the ewes with high feed intake. Net splanchnic P4 flux did not differ (P > .lo) between nutritional treatments. The correlation between net splanchnic P4 flux and 02 consumption did not differ from zero (P = .69). Net splanchnic P4 flux was related linearly to plasma arterial P4 concentration. Splanchnic tissue clearance rate was 18% of the infusion rate. The behavior of the P4 model indicates that whole-body P4 metabolism is the sum of first- order kinetic reactions. The data indicate that splanchnic clearance of P4 is not affected by nutri- tional status.
Continuation Rate of Atypical Antipsychotics After Discharge When Initiated in the Intensive Care Unit

Purpose:The frequency with which atypical antipsychotics initiated in the intensive care unit (ICU) is unknown. While there is lack of evidence to support the exact duration of treatment, antipsychotics should not be continued chronically for agitation and psychosis related to critical illness. The objective of this study was to determine whether atypical antipsychotics initiated in the ICU at a large tertiary academic medical center were continued after hospital discharge. Safety outcomes were also assessed.Materials:A total of 1023 patients who received atypical antipsychotics during ICU stay were identified. Patients were assessed in a pseudo-randomized fashion until a sample of 191 patients was reached. After review of the exclusion criteria, the final study population was 100 patients. When antipsychotics were discontinued, progress notes were reviewed to identify the reason for discontinuation. Safety outcomes were assessed based on physician documentation in the medical charts.Results:Atypical anti...
Catechol O-Methyltransferase: III. m- and p-O-Methylation of Catecholamines and Their Metabolites

In vitro, O-methylation of physiological substrates of catechol O-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.6) such as (nor)epinephrine, dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, N-acetyldopamine, N-acetylnorepinephrine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine affords mixtures of m- and p-O-methyl derivatives. The extent of p-methylation relative to m-methylation is low with substrates containing an ionized moiety in the ring substituent, i.e., amino acids, acids, and amines, and increases as the polar (hydrophilic) character of the ring substituent is decreased. With a nonpolar substituent, as in 4-ethylcatechol, the ratio of meta to para products is 1:1. The results suggest the presence of a nonpolar region in the catechol-binding site of catechol O-methyltransferase which militates against binding of polar substrates in the orientation necessary for p-methylation, which nonpolar substrates would appear to bind in a random fashion, resulting in the formation of nearly equal amounts of m- and p-O-methylated products. No change in the meta:para ratios was observed during more than 400-fold purification of catechol O-methyltransferase, suggesting that only one enzyme is involved in both m- and p-O-methylation.
Inelastic light scattering spectroscopy in Si/SiGe nanostructures: Strain, chemical composition and thermal properties

Abstract We present a review of recent studies of inelastic light scattering spectroscopy in two types of Si/SiGe nanostructures: planar superlattices and cluster (dot) multilayers including first- and second-order Raman scattering, polarized Raman scattering and low-frequency inelastic light scattering associated with folded acoustic phonons. The results are used in semi-quantitative analysis of chemical composition, strain and thermal conductivity in these technologically important materials for electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Process Overlap and g Do Not Adequately Account for a General Factor of Intelligence

Reasoning problem: Proposition: Process measures correlate with a general factor of intelligence.Conclusion: Therefore, the general factor of intelligence is defined by process measures.Question: T...
Productivity Monitoring and Improvement: Managing Primary Care Services

The original Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) neighborhood health centers in the United States had statutorily mandated missions which were antithetical to strictly defined efficiency standards. They were to provide a very broad range of social services. Moreover, they were to join the War on Poverty by providing employment for poor area residents. Despite these mandates, Sparer and Anderson (1972) found that neighborhood health centers with at least 10,000 registrants were viable and cost-efficient as compared with other providers, including outpatient departments and large prepaid group practices.
From Immersion to Reflection: Romance and Realism in Henrietta Temple and Venetia

The only book-length critical study of Disraeli’s novels, Richard A. Levine’s Benjamin Disraeli, criticises Henrietta Temple (1836) and Venetia (1837) because of their supposed objectivity: ‘In the final analysis, however, [Henrietta Temple] is neither typical nor meaningful in Disraeli’s canon; for it carries within it few ideas or authorial observations, and Disraeli’s fundamental interests for us are as a novelist of ideas and as a writer of personal involvement and observation. In Henrietta Temple and Venetia, Disraeli stands at some distance from his creations and produces two relatively impersonal works. His effectiveness for us is thereby lessened.’1 My argument in this chapter will take issue with Levine’s statement on a number of grounds: (i) Venetia and Henrietta Temple have important continuities with Disraeli’s other work; (ii) the novels have thematic interest and aesthetic appeal apart from Disraeli’s ideas; (iii) these middle novels do not suffer from the author having created more objective characters; and (iv) finally, although Disraeli does move, to recall Price’s phrase, from immersion to reflection, these novels are hardly impersonal.
Mechanism of O2 activation and substrate hydroxylation in noncoupled binuclear copper monooxygenases

Peptidylglycine α-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) and dopamine β-monooxygenase (DβM) are copper-dependent enzymes that are vital for neurotransmitter regulation and hormone biosynthesis. These enzymes feature a unique active site consisting of two spatially separated (by 11 A in PHM) and magnetically noncoupled copper centers that enables 1e– activation of O2 for hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) of substrate C–H bonds and subsequent hydroxylation. Although the structures of the resting enzymes are known, details of the hydroxylation mechanism and timing of long-range electron transfer (ET) are not clear. This study presents density-functional calculations of the full reaction coordinate, which demonstrate: (i) the importance of the end-on coordination of superoxide to Cu for HAA along the triplet spin surface; (ii) substrate radical rebound to a CuII hydroperoxide favors the proximal, nonprotonated oxygen; and (iii) long-range ET can only occur at a late step with a large driving force, which serves to inhibit deleterious Fenton chemistry. The large inner-sphere reorganization energy at the ET site is used as a control mechanism to arrest premature ET and dictate the correct timing of ET.
Use of Scaffolding Tissue Biografts To Bolster Vesicourethral Anastomosis During Salvage Robot-assisted Prostatectomy Reduces Leak Rates and Catheter Times

Background One of the key factors contributing to morbidity associated with salvage radical prostatectomy is a significant vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) disruption or postoperative tissue dehiscence in the region of the distal bladder neck that causes a large prolonged urinary leak, perineal pain, and delayed catheter removal. Objective To describe our surgical technique using a urinary bladder extracellular matrix (UB-ECM) scaffold incorporated into the base of the VUA and the distal bladder neck during salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (sRARP) and to assess outcomes and safety. Design, setting, and participants From March to July 2015, 15 patients underwent sRARP performed after primary therapy failure by a single surgeon. Two other groups were identified via analysis of propensity score matching. Group 2 (n=45) underwent sRARP with standard suturing without use of the graft. Group 3 (control group; n=45) underwent primary RARP with no graft placement. These two groups were compared group 1 (n=15), in which patients underwent sRARP and received the scaffold in a 1:3:3 match. Surgical procedure sRARP with use of a UB-ECM scaffold in the posterior aspect of the VUA and distal bladder neck. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Clinical data were prospectively collected in a customized database and retrospectively analyzed. Analysis of variance and Student's t-test were used to test the equality of means for continuous variables, while the χ2 test was used to test categorical variables. Results and limitations There were no anastomotic leaks in the control group, with an average catheter time of 6.3 d (5-7 d). However, a clinically significant VUA/bladder neck disruption was observed in 16 patients (35.5%) in group 2, with a median catheterization time of 17.4 d (9-47 d), while in group 1 only one patient (6.66%) had a significant anastomotic leak on cystography (p=0.045), with median catheterization time of 11.2 d (10-52 d) for this group (p Conclusions Incorporation of a UB-ECM scaffold into the base of the VUA and distal bladder neck should be considered as an option to decrease morbidity associated with sRARP since it decreased the rate of VUA disruption, enhanced healing, and reduced catheterization time. This technique could be a valuable tool for all surgeons performing sRARP. Patient summary We investigated the use of a scaffolding tissue graft when connecting the urethra to the bladder during salvage robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. This technique was found to be effective and safe.
Antinuclear Matrix Protein 2 Autoantibodies and Edema, Muscle Disease, and Malignancy Risk in Dermatomyositis Patients

Objective Dermatomyositis (DM) patients typically present with proximal weakness and autoantibodies that are associated with distinct clinical phenotypes. We observed that DM patients with autoantibodies recognizing the nuclear matrix protein NXP-2 often presented with especially severe weakness. The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical features associated with anti–NXP-2 autoantibodies. Methods There were 235 DM patients who underwent testing for anti–NXP-2 autoantibodies. Patient characteristics, including muscle strength, were compared between those with and without these autoantibodies. The number of cancer cases observed in anti–NXP-2-positive subjects was compared with the number expected in the general population. Results Of the DM patients, 56 (23.8%) were anti–NXP-2-positive. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of proximal extremity weakness in patients with and without anti–NXP-2. In contrast, anti–NXP-2-positive patients had more prevalent weakness in the distal arms (35% versus 20%; P = 0.02), distal legs (25% versus 8%; P < 0.001), and neck (48% versus 23%; P < 0.001). Anti–NXP-2-positive subjects were also more likely to have dysphagia (62% versus 35%; P < 0.001), myalgia (46% versus 25%; P = 0.002), calcinosis (30% versus 17%; P = 0.02), and subcutaneous edema (36% versus 19%; P = 0.01) than anti–NXP-2-negative patients. Five anti–NXP-2-positive subjects (9%) had cancer-associated myositis, representing a 3.68-fold increased risk (95% confidence interval 1.2–8.6) compared to the expected prevalence in the general population. Conclusion In DM, anti–NXP-2 autoantibodies are associated with subcutaneous edema, calcinosis, and a muscle phenotype characterized by myalgia, proximal and distal weakness, and dysphagia. As anti–NXP-2-positive patients have an increased risk of cancer, we suggest that they undergo comprehensive cancer screening.
Reconstruction of Gender Role in Marriage: Processes among Chinese Immigrant Wives

Few studies of gender relations in immigrant families explore under what conditions gender role at one level of analysis is reproduced, revised, or resisted at another level of analysis. The curren...