cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rhodopsin regeneration in rod outer segments: utilization of 11-cis retinal and retinol.

Abstract The utilization of aqueous colloidal dispersions of 11-cis retinol, retinal and their 9-cis isomers has been investigated in fragmented and intact frog rod outer segments, the latter while still attached to the retina. The fragments efficiently utilize 75–80% of added 11-cis retinal for rhodopsin regeneration, but this proportion drops to about 2% when the plasma membrane is left intact. The corresponding figures for 11-cis retinol are 25 and 0·6% respectively, the former with a NADP+ supplement (NAD+ is less efficacious), the latter with endogenous cofactor. These results suggest that the plasma membrane is an effective barrier to these vitamin A compounds in the form administered. Since the plasma membrane is impermeable to NAD+ and NADP+, the ROS do not lose these cofactors unless fragmented, nor can they take them up if they are added to the external medium. Formation of isorhodopsin is observed if the 11-cis isomers are replaced by 9-cis. Activity of the 11-cis retinol oxidase is reduced or abolished by washing the ROS fragments (water, 0·64% NaCl or 5 m m -EDTA), storage at −20° or in the presence of 0·1% Triton X-100. These procedures do not affect all-trans retinal reduction, so it is concluded that the oxidase is a separate entity. Reduction of all-trans retinal can be linked with oxidation of 11-cis retinol through the common cofactor NADP(H), so that a coupled cofactor recycling system may exist during light-adaptation in vivo, where bleaching and regeneration occur simultaneously.
Do we need zinc to think

Chelatable Zn(2+), which is found in the synaptic vesicles of certain glutamatergic neurons in several regions of the forebrain, is released during neuronal activity. Zn(2+) exhibits numerous effects on ligand-gated and voltage-dependent ion channels, and released Zn(2+) is therefore likely able to modulate synaptic transmission. The physiologically relevant actions of Zn(2+), however, have remained unclear. Recent research exploiting improved Zn(2+)-sensitive optical probes has suggested some intriguing effects for synaptically released Zn(2+), including heterosynaptic regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function, and a novel role as a trans-synaptic second messenger that may enter postsynaptic neurons to modulate various signal transduction pathways.
A mechanical-electrokinetic battery using a nano-porous membrane

This study conducts an analytical and experimental investigation associated with energy transfer by using a nano-porous membrane. The calculated results indicate that the streaming potential held at a saturated value when the electrolyte concentration is below a certain critical value. After passing this threshold value, the streaming potential decays dramatically with the electrolyte concentration. The efficiency increased with an increase of surface charge density and with a decrease of concentration. Generally, higher maximum efficiency can be achieved at a smaller channel. However, as the pore diameter is varied, a maximum efficiency is encountered. The results indicate that the battery performance can be efficiently improved by the unipolar characteristic inside the nano-sized channel. Our experimental results verify the analytical results; the best efficiency obtained is 0.77% in our experiments at a nominal 200 nm pore size alumina membrane having a 2.1 cm diameter and a 60 µm thickness. The maximum output energy is 18 µW by using a nominal 20 nm pore size alumina membrane.
Insect repellents: modulators of mosquito odorant receptor activity.

Background: DEET, 2-undecanone (2-U), IR3535 and Picaridin are widely used as insect repellents to prevent interactions between humans and many arthropods including mosquitoes. Their molecular action has only recently been studied, yielding seemingly contradictory theories including odorant-dependent inhibitory and odorant-independent excitatory activities on insect olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and odorant receptor proteins (ORs). Methodology/Principal Findings: Here we characterize the action of these repellents on two Aedes aegypti ORs, AaOR2 and AaOR8, individually co-expressed with the common co-receptor AaOR7 in Xenopus oocytes; these ORs are respectively activated by the odors indole (AaOR2) and (R)-(2)-1-octen3-ol (AaOR8), odorants used to locate oviposition sites and host animals. In the absence of odorants, DEET activates AaOR2 but not AaOR8, while 2-U activates AaOR8 but not AaOR2; IR3535 and Picaridin do not activate these ORs. In the presence of odors, DEET strongly inhibits AaOR8 but not AaOR2, while 2-U strongly inhibits AaOR2 but not AaOR8; IR3535 and Picaridin strongly inhibit both ORs. Conclusions/Significance: These data demonstrate that repellents can act as olfactory agonists or antagonists, thus modulating OR activity, bringing concordance to conflicting models.
Confidence interval networks for bounding model uncertainty: experimental evaluations on an active magnetic bearing system

Robust control techniques require bounds on model uncertainties to provide closed-loop stability in the face of unmodeled dynamics and parameter variations. To guarantee stability, it is customary to choose uncertainty bounds (weighting functions) that are somewhat arbitrary and overly conservative, usually at the expense of controller performance. In this paper, an intelligent approach for estimating additive uncertainty bounds associated with linear, time invariant models is presented. Confidence interval networks (CINs) provide a non-parametric method for identifying bounds on modeling error for use as uncertainty weighting functions. The CIN is a "soft-computing" variation of the model error modeling (MEM) technique, a parametric approach based on recursive least squares. By combining these methods with the "hard computing" aspects of H/sub /spl infin// control, the size of the uncertainty model is optimized, thus improving performance while maintaining robust stability. A multivariable, flexible-rotor active magnetic bearing system is used to experimentally demonstrate the benefits of intelligent uncertainty identification.
Using clinical vignettes to assess doctors’ and medical students’ ability to identify sociocultural factors affecting health and health care

Background: Methods are needed for assessing clinicians’ cultural knowledge frameworks.Method: We used a mail survey containing four short clinical vignettes to explore respondents’ ability to identify sociocultural factors affecting health and health care. Participants included 299 physicians working at the University Hospitals of Geneva, 156 private physicians, and all 134 local medical students in their clinical years. Twenty-one sociocultural “domains” were identified through inductive coding of responses. For each vignette, we obtained the sum of codes as a measure of the respondent's awareness of sociocultural factors that might affect care in this particular situation. As internal consistency was reasonably high (0.68), we computed a single total score as the sum of responses given to all four vignettes.Results: Reponses correlated with factors that might be expected to impact clinicians’ awareness of sociocultural factors affecting care. Medical students, females, respondents who had received cult...
21-Hydroxylase Deficiency

A deficiency of 21-hydroxylase in the adrenal cortex results in insufficient cortisol production. The salt-wasting form of21-hydroxylase deficiency is characterized by inadequate aldosterone production, as well. Because the hypothalamic-adr enal negative feedback system is broken, excess adrenal androgens are produced. This disordered corticosteroid production causes hormonal and clinical symptoms, including pseudohermaphrod itism in genetic females and disordered puberty in both males and females. There is a spectrum of the time of onset and the severity of these symptoms. This disorder is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. The 21-hydroxylase deficiency is genetically linked to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)
Prioritizing power management and reducing downtime for energy conservation in data centers

We developed software that performs priority-based power management and downtime reduction for virtual machines running in data centers. The software deals with power management at the processor level. The software automatically performs load distribution among servers in data centers to save power. In addition, it reduces downtimes for critical virtual machines. Our experiments have achieved an energy saving of up to 35%. We therefore confirm that the proposed scheme has significantly decreased energy consumption while maintaining high runtime availability for the mission critical applications.
Low-cost oral delivery of protein drugs bioencapsulated in plant cells.

Biopharmaceuticals made using current production systems are prohibitively expensive and are not affordable for a large majority of the global population. The cost of protein drugs ($140 billion in 2013) exceeds GDP of >75% of countries around the globe (Walsh, 2014), making them unaffordable in these countries. The one-third of the global population that earns <$2 per day cannot afford any protein drugs. This is because of their production in prohibitively expensive fermenters, purification, cold storage/transportation, short shelf life and sterile delivery methods. Simpler methods of delivery such as oral dosing could obviate much of the expense: however, oral delivery of protein drugs has been elusive for decades because of their degradation in the digestive system, inability to cross the gut epithelium and delivery to target cells/tissues.
Balancing transmission power and hop count in ad hoc unicast routing with swarm intelligence

This paper describes CEDAR, a unicast routing protocol that balances transmission power and hop count in ad hoc networks. The protocol adopts the mechanism of swarm intelligence to dynamically assign transmission power to nodes along the discovered route (to reduce the sum of transmission power) subject to an end-to-end hop count constraint in data delivery. Simulation results validated the effectiveness of the protocol, and demonstrated the tradeoff relationship between end-to-end total transmission power and hop count.
Intensive residential treatment for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: Characterizing treatment course and predictors of response

Background Intensive residential treatment (IRT) is effective for severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We sought to characterize predictors and course of response to IRT.
Interferometry of Saturn and its rings at 1.30-cm wavelength☆

Interferometric observations of Saturn and its rings at a wavelength of 1.30 cm are presented in an attempt to place constraints upon the amount of thermal radiation emitted by the ring particles. Model-fitting and aperture synthesis techniques were used to analyze the data obtained on nine baselines at a frequency of 23 GHz. Ring optical depth is found to be close to that observed at visible wavelengths, while ring brightness temperature is only 7 + or - 1 K, requiring the ring particles to be nearly conservative scatterers at this wavelength and implying an upper limit of 2.4 m to the radius of a typical ring particle with a lower limit of 0.95 to its single scattering albedo. An observed difference between planetary radii observed at 1.30 and 3.71 cm is interpreted in terms of limb darkening and found to be marginally different from the predictions of atmospheric models in which NH3 is the principal source of microwave opacity.
Speaking of Books: Homesteads Ungovernable

Book reviewed in this article: Mark M. Carroll, Homesteads Ungovernable: Families, Sex, Race, and the Law in Frontier Texas, 1823–1860
Anisotropy and Gradients

Much of the discussion of stereological measurement in other chapters has emphasized the importance of isotropic, uniform and random sampling of the structure. The techniques by which isotropic sampling can be accomplished using vertical sections and cycloids, for example, can be applied even to materials that are not themselves isotropic. In fact, there are very few real samples for which isotropy or uniformity can be assumed. Biological specimens usually have complex directional relationships between local structure and the organism, geological strata preserve orientation information even when tilted, folded or faulted, plants know which way gravity points and where the sun shines, and materials bear the marks of their solidification and processing history, and even (except for a few precious shuttlegrown crystals) gravity.
Spontaneous restoration of transplantation tolerance after acute rejection

Transplantation is a cure for end-stage organ failure but, in the absence of pharmacological immunosuppression, allogeneic organs are acutely rejected. Such rejection invariably results in allosensitization and accelerated rejection of secondary donor-matched grafts. Transplantation tolerance can be induced in animals and a subset of humans, and enables long-term acceptance of allografts without maintenance immunosuppression. However, graft rejection can occur long after a state of transplantation tolerance has been acquired. When such an allograft is rejected, it has been assumed that the same rules of allosensitization apply as to non-tolerant hosts and that immunological tolerance is permanently lost. Using a mouse model of cardiac transplantation, we show that when Listeria monocytogenes infection precipitates acute rejection, thus abrogating transplantation tolerance, the donor-specific tolerant state re-emerges, allowing spontaneous acceptance of a donor-matched second transplant. These data demonstrate a setting in which the memory of allograft tolerance dominates over the memory of transplant rejection.
Initial varus displacement of proximal humerus fractures results in similar function but higher complication rates.

Abstract Purpose To investigate the effect of initial varus or valgus surgical neck alignment on outcomes of patients who sustained proximal humerus fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Methods An institutional review board approved database of proximal humerus fractures treated with locked plates was reviewed. Of 185 fractures in the database, 101 fractures were identified and met inclusion criteria. Initial varus displacement was seen in 47 fractures (OTA types 11.A2.2, A3.1, A3.3, B1.2, B2.2, C1.2, C2.2, or C2.3) and initial valgus displacement was observed in 54 fractures (OTA types 11.A2.3, B1.1, C1.1, or C2.1). All patients were treated in a similar manner and examined by the treating physician at standard intervals. Functional outcomes were quantified via the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and physical examination data at 12 months. Radiographs were reviewed for complications of healing. Additionally, complication rate and reoperation rate were investigated. Results Patients who presented with initial varus displacement had an average age of 59.3 years, while patients in the valgus group had an average age of 62.4 years. Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in age, sex distribution, BMI, fracture parts, screws used, or implant plate type between the two groups. At a minimum 12 months follow up, there was no significant difference in DASH scores between those presenting with varus versus valgus fracture patterns. In addition, no significant differences were seen in final shoulder range of motion in any plane. Overall, 30 patients included in this study developed a complication. A significantly greater number of patients in the initial varus cohort developed complications (40.4%), as compared to 20.3% of patients in the initial valgus cohort ( P =0.03). Fourteen patients in this study underwent reoperation. Nine of these patients were in the varus cohort, while 5 were in the valgus cohort ( P =0.15). Conclusions In this study, initial surgical neck displacement in varus or valgus was found to not significantly affect functional outcome. Based upon our findings, patients with varus displaced proximal humerus fractures are at a greater risk of developing postoperative complications than those who present with initial valgus displaced fracture patterns.
Understanding the Financial Implications of Immunization Reminder/Recall in a Multipractice Pediatric Group

Abstract Objective Immunization reminder/recall is widely recommended as an effective strategy for increasing vaccination rates. We examined the revenue generated from well-child visits scheduled as a result of reminder/recall activities implemented in a multipractice pediatric organization. Methods Patients aged 19 to 35 months who were due or overdue for vaccines were identified from participating practices and assigned to either standard or enhanced reminder/recall activities. Participants who received standard reminder/recall were observed for the 6-week study period, and the number of appointments in which vaccines were administered was tracked. Participants who received enhanced reminder/recall were contacted up to 3 times and received a letter followed by up to 2 phone calls. Financial information associated with appointments scheduled during the study period was obtained, and revenue was calculated for each dose of vaccine administered. Reminder/recall costs were calculated and overall revenue generated was calculated. Results We identified 3916 children who were potentially due or overdue for immunizations. After review and manual uploading of missing historical vaccines, a total of 1892 participants received the reminder/recall initiative; 942 received standard reminder/recall, and 950 received enhanced reminder/recall. One hundred eighty-two (19%) standard and 277 (29%) enhanced reminder/recall participants scheduled an appointment by the end of the study period ( P Conclusions We show that conducting reminder/recall is at a minimum financially neutral, and might increase revenue generated by vaccine administration.
Land: The New Gold

First paragraphs: In his thoughtful column for this issue, "Running Out of Land for Food," John Ikerd says, "the challenge of preserving enough farmland for food production will be a defining challenge for the 21st century." I couldn't agree more. Thus it is both timely and important that JAFSCD is addressing this critical issue. I was fortunate enough to get to meet Lester Brown, founder of the Worldwatch Institute, in 2012 when he gave a keynote address at an American Farmland Trust (AFT) board meeting. He said something then that has stuck with me since: "Food is the new oil and land is the new gold." As such we must step up efforts to protect the quality and quantity of these most essential and precious resources. AFT works to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices and keeping farmers on the land. Much of our current focus is to protect and conserve enough farmland to ensure food security today and for future generations. As for me, I have spent my career balancing these two interests — saving farmland on one hand and supporting sustainable food and farming systems on the other....
IR and NMR Reaction Monitoring Techniques for Nucleophilic Addition Reactions: In Situ Monitoring of the Addition of Benzimidazole to a Pyridinium Salt

This study centers on the use of in situ FTIR spectroscopy and online NMR to study the nucleophilic addition of benzimidazole analogues to an N-methylpyridinium salt. The reaction consists of two stages. First, the protected benzimidazole was lithiated with LDA to form the C-2 lithiated benzimidazole. The lithiated benzimidazole was then added to the pyridinium salt to generate the coupled product. The lithiated benzimidazole was not thermally stable, so offline sampling was challenging. A good understanding of the reaction completion of the lithiation was needed for process understanding as well as to provide a basis to determine the fate of the lithiated benzimidazole through the entire addition sequence. In situ FTIR and online NMR provided online methods for monitoring the reaction sequence and studying the temperature-dependent stability of the lithiated benzimidazole.
Confession and Catharsis in the U.S. Academy: Trigger Warnings, Coalitions, and Academic Audiences

During my decade at my selective liberal arts college, I have witnessed my institution’s embrace of diversity and inclusion as core values—or more precisely, a vision of diversity and inclusion reliant on a confessional-therapeutic framework anchored in neo-liberalism. Whereas the confessional appeals to moral judgments about the good and the bad, the therapeutic appeals to professional judgments about the normal and the pathological. Both models work together to conflate what we should do or not do with who we should be or should not be. One clear manifestation of the confessional-therapeutic framework emerges in the trigger warning debate among feminist/queer academics and activists, which intensified during the summer of 2014. By examining its typical arguments and themes, I argue that the debate's reliance on the confessional-therapeutic creates a series of zero sum games and reinforces a series of false dichotomies. It thus fosters polarization and paralysis and makes coalition-building harder to image and enact. In response, my essay proposes a re-conceptualized "academic audience" and attempts to call it into being. It does so by proposing a critical vocabulary accessible to multiple constituencies within academia, especially those not typically taken into consideration. My piece puts its critical vocabulary into action to illustrate how the stakes of the TW debate play out on the ground. It ultimately strives to interrupt and disrupt neo-liberalism's ruthless, relentless focus on the autonomous individual. I hope to provide a touchstone for bringing coalitions to life among social justice workers disparately located within higher education.
Damaging HMX/HTPB formulations: In-situ compression imaging using X-ray micro computed tomography

HMX (octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine) is a powerful high explosive that is routinely used in formulations such as PBX 9501. Much remains to be learned about the performance and mechanical properties of HMX formulations such as these, particularly after dynamic damage has occurred. We have prepared formulations with HMX using hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) binder in order to form an explosive that is relatively insensitive to mild stimuli, analogous to PBXB-110 (different only is substitution of dioctyladipate (DO) for isodecyl pelargonate).
The effect of measured pure tone stress on the micropotential of the guinea pig cochlea

Meerschweinchen wurden mit reinen Tonen der Frequenzen 500 Hz, 2,7 und 10 kHz und den Intensitaten 100, 110 und 120 dB (uber 0,0002 dyn/cm2) beschallt und die Belastungsfolgen durch Registrierung des Frequenzganges der MP untersucht.
Comparison of Gastric Mucosal Blood Flow as Determined by Aminopyrine Clearance and γ-Labeled Microspheres

Gastric mucosal blood flow was simultaneously determined by aminopyrine clearance and γ-labeled microspheres (15 ± 5 μ in diameter) in anesthetized dogs prepared with a chambered segment of stomach greater curvature. Paired flow measurements were made in 11 dogs (n = 28) secreting in response to intravenous histamine (per kg per min), in 11 (n = 21) nonsecreting dogs given intravenous isoproterenol (0.5 or 1.0 μg per kg per min), and in 9 (n = 10) dogs given no drugs to stimulate secretion or blood flow (resting dogs). Eight additional injections were done in dogs receiving various combinations of isoproterenol and histamine. Isotonic HCl was maintained on the mucosal surface during all experiments. Regression analysis demonstrated a highly significant linear correlation between clearance and microsphere-measured flow in the histamine (Ρ sem ), regardless of the secretory rate. Our results indicate that aminopyrine clearance reflects only a small fraction of mucosal blood flow in the nonsecreting stomach, even in the presence of exogenous acid.
Chronic Opioid Use Pattern in Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Background : Pain, the hallmark complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), is largely managed with opioid analgesics in the United States (1, 2). There is a common perception that SCD patients tend to use high dose of opioids chronically (3, 4), but comprehensive data regarding the long-term use of opioids in this patient population is lacking. Methods : A cohort of 359 adults (age ≥ 18 years old) with the diagnosis of SCD followed at University of Illinois Hospital in FY 2010-2013 was enrolled in a prospective natural history study. An outpatient clinic visit with comprehensive laboratory closest to the enrollment date was selected as the focal point of this report. A total of 140 patients had consistent outpatient follow-up defined as ³4 visits between 6 months prior to and 6 months after this clinic visit (the study period). Pain medication prescribing records, number of hospital admissions, and other clinical variables during the study period were collected and evaluated with descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation. Results: Among the 140 patients analyzed, 74% took short-acting opioid medications and 31% took long-acting opioid medications (Table 1). The median daily opioid dose was 4.8 mg oral morphine equivalents (OME) with an interquartile range (IQR) of 0 to 14.7 mg. Sixty-six percent of patients used less than 10 mg OME daily whereas 11% used more than 50 mg OME daily (Figure 1). Among the short-acting opioids, acetaminophen-hydrocodone was the most commonly used medication (34% of patients) followed by immediate-release morphine (23%) and acetaminophen-codeine (20%) (Table 2). Extended-release morphine was used by 24% of the patients. Twelve patients (8.6%) were prescribed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and 16% used medications treating neuropathic pain. The Spearman correlation test with Bonferroni correction showed that the dose of opioid usage was significantly associated with the number of hospital admissions due to vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) (p Summary: The doses and types of opioid medications used by adult SCD patients vary widely. The majority of patients use a relatively low dose ( 1. L. R. Solomon, J Natl Med Assoc 102 , 1025 (Nov, 2010). 2. P. Tanabe, Z. Martinovich, B. Buckley, A. Schmelzer, J. A. Paice, J Emerg Nurs 41 , 227 (May, 2015). 3. W. T. Zempsky, JAMA 302 , 2479 (Dec 9, 2009). 4. B. S. Shapiro, L. J. Benjamin, R. Payne, G. Heidrich, J Pain Symptom Manage 14 , 168 (Sep, 1997). The relative frequency = the number of patients taking certain dose of opioids/total number of patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Economic contributions of wildlife watching recreation expenditures (2006 & 2011) across the U.S. south: An input-output analysis

Abstract Non-consumptive wildlife recreation is a popular activity for many people and its importance to the U.S. economy is gradually expanding. In 2011, 71.8 million people participated in wildlife watching activities, spending $54.9 billion in equipment and trip related expenses. This is a 1% increase in participation and a 7% increase in expenditures since 2006. The popularity of non-consumptive wildlife recreation and the associated economic activity provides incentives for wildlife conservation and protection. Periodic assessment of these expenditures and their economic contributions to local and regional economies provides critical base-line information about the importance of wildlife resources to wildlife resource managers and policy makers. Input-output models were constructed for each of the thirteen states in the U.S South 2 and used to derive industry output, employment, total income, and value-added for 2006 and 2011 – the latest two National Survey of Fishing Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation surveys. This approach provided an initial comparison of the relative importance of non-consumptive wildlife recreation across the region and over time. Expenditures by wildlife viewers in the South remained flat from 2006 to 2011 but decreased as a share of the national totals. At the state level, wildlife watching expenditures increased substantially in Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma but decreased substantially in Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Regionally, wildlife watching related employment fell considerably over the period although there were increases in Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Abstract B19: Rapid in vivo screen of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma therapeutics

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is the fourth leading cause of cancer related deaths. Limited progress has been made in developing effective therapy for PDA. Compounding this challenge has been the lack of a systematic and robust in vivo screen for effective drug combinations. Kras mutations (e.g. KrasG12D) are found in over 90% of human PDA and occur early in tumor progression. Protein kinase and G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) signaling can initiate Ras activation. Regulators of G-protein Signaling (RGS) proteins are coincidence detectors that can be induced by and integrate multiple inputs to feedback regulate GPCR signaling. We previously described Rgs16 expression during embryonic and postnatal pancreas development in pancreatic progenitors, endocrine cells and ductal-associated cells. Here, we show that the Rgs16::GFP transgene is a KrasG12D dependent marker of all stages of neoplasia in the p48Cre; LSL-KrasG12D; Cdkn2af/f PDA mice. Although KrasG12D is expressed in embryonic pancreas progenitor cells and in all mature acinar cells, Rgs16::GFP expression in tumors first emerges in ductal pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasms as early as 12 days post birth. The distribution and intensity of expression is proportional to and coincident with tumor burden. Rgs16::GFP expression in acinar cells of distal lobes initiates only after tumor occlusion of proximal ducts. The gene expression signature of primary PDA cells in culture obtained via RNA-seq is closely related to embryonic progenitors of pancreatic ducts and endocrine cells. PDA cells in culture are highly sensitive to the chemotherapic drug gemcitabine mediated cell death. In a proof-of-principle for drug screens, we find PDA weanling mice treated with gemcitabine and Nab-paclitaxel for two weeks have significantly lower Rgs16::GFP expression and reduced tumor size and occurrence. Rgs16::GFP is a novel in vivo reporter of PDA progression and sensitivity to new drug regimens that inhibit KrasG12D mediated oncogenesis. Supported by NCI-CA161624 Citation Format: Ozhan Ocal, Blake Heath, Lee B. Rivera, Victor Pashkov, Galvin H. Swift, Rolf A. Brekken, Tom M. Wilkie. Rapid in vivo screen of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma therapeutics. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on RAS Oncogenes: From Biology to Therapy; Feb 24-27, 2014; Lake Buena Vista, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2014;12(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B19. doi: 10.1158/1557-3125.RASONC14-B19
Rosai-Dorfman Disease: Manifestations Outside of the Head and Neck.

OBJECTIVE. Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is an uncommon benign histiocytic disorder. Extranodal involvement occurs in 43% and most commonly involves the head and neck, skin, and bones. We review less common imaging findings outside the head and neck. CONCLUSION. The imaging manifestations of RDD overlap with a variety of neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions. Confirmation of an RDD diagnosis is based on specific histologic features. Radiologic assessment is used to rule out multifocality on initial workup and to evaluate treatment response.
Monitoring the Brain After Cardiac Arrest: a New Era

Of the approximately 350,000 out-of-hospital, and 750,000 after in-hospital cardiac arrest (CA) events in the US annually approximately 5-9% and 20% respectively may achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Up to 2/3 of these initial survivors may go on die in the subsequent 24-72 hours after ROSC due to a combination of (1) on-going cerebral injury, (2) myocardial dysfunction and (3) massive systemic inflammatory response. In order to successfully manage patients more effectively, monitoring methods are needed to aid clinicians in the detection and quantification of intra-cardiac arrest and post-resuscitation pathophysiological cerebral injury processes in the intensive care unit. Over the last few years many modalities have been used for cerebral monitoring during and after CA, these include quantitative pupillometry, transcranial doppler sonography, optic nerve sheath diameter measurements, microdialysis, tissue oxygenation monitoring, intra-cranial pressure monitoring, and electroencephalography. Current studies indicate that these modalities may be used for the purpose of neurological monitoring during cardiac arrest resuscitation as well as in the post-resuscitation period. Multiple overlapping processes, including alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF), raised intracerebralpressure, disorders of metabolism, imbalanced oxygen delivery and reperfusion injury contribute to cell death during the post-resuscitation period has led to the birth of post-resuscitation management strategies in the 21st century. This review provides a succinct overview of currently available bedside invasive and non-invasive neuro-monitoring methods after CA.
Abstract P48: The Inclusion of Stroke in Risk Stratification for Primary Prevention of Vascular Events: the Northern Manhattan Study

Background: The Framingham coronary heart disease risk score (FRS) estimates 10-year risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD) death and is used to risk stratify individuals for vascular disease primary prevention. Since the preventive approaches to CHD and stroke are similar, a composite outcome may be more appropriate, and estimating risk of cardiac events alone may underestimate risk. We compared 10-year risk of MI or CHD death to risk of stroke, MI, or CHD death among individuals free of vascular disease, focusing on those with intermediate calculated FRS risk (10-20% over 10 years). We also used the Framingham general cardiovascular disease score (FGS), which calculates risk of a composite vascular outcome, but for which guidelines do not exist. Methods: The Northern Manhattan Study contains a prospective, population-based study of stroke- and CHD-free individuals ≥40 years of age, followed for a median of 10 years for MI, CHD death, and stroke. The FRS was used to calculate estimated 10-year risk of MI or CHD death. For those with intermediate estimated risk, Kaplan-Meier actual 10-year risks were calculated for 1) MI or CHD death and 2) stroke, MI, or CHD death. The cumulative risk of MI or CHD death was subtracted from risk of stroke, MI, or CHD death, and bootstrap methods produced 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the difference. This analysis was repeated using the FGS to stratify risk. Results: Among 2613 participants (53% Hispanic, 25% non Hispanic Black and 20% non Hispanic White), 867 had 10-20% estimated 10-year FRS risk. The actual 10-year risk of MI or CHD death was 14.2%. When stroke was added to the outcome, actual risk was 21.98% (absolute risk difference 7.78, 95% CI 5.86-9.75). For those with intermediate FGS risk, actual 10-year risk of MI or CHD death was 6.5. When stroke was added, actual risk was 10.55 (absolute difference 4.05, 95% CI 2.63-5.85). Discussion: In this multi-ethnic urban population, adding stroke to the risk stratification outcome cluster resulted in a 55% increase in risk and crossing of the threshold (>20% over 10 years) considered for preventive treatments such as statins. Research is needed to clarify the optimal use of primary risk stratification schemes, particularly among minority populations.
Copper-Catalyzed Direct Trifluoro- and Perfluoroalkylselenolations of Boronic Acids with a Shelf-Stable Family of Reagents.

Herein copper-catalyzed direct perfluoroalkylselenolation of aryl- and vinylboronic acids is described for the first time. The key of success is the design of new shelf-stable perfluoroalkylselenolating reagents, namely perfluoroalkyl tolueneselenosulfonates. The reaction occurs at room temperature in the presence of commercially available catalyst and ligand in catalytic quantities.
A new model for evaluating corneal wound strength in the rabbit.

Presented in this report is a new model to evaluate corneal wound strength quantitatively by using an Instron 1125 tensiometer with video monitoring. Twenty-six rabbits received full thickness 8 mm central corneal incisions that were marked with sutures at each end and dressed with collagen shields. Animals were killed and corneas were harvested from 3-30 d postoperatively. Tensile test specimens, of rectangular (n = 9) or hourglass (n = 17) planform geometry, were prepared. Uniaxial tension tests were performed on these specimens parallel to the long dimension and perpendicular to the incision. Specimens were processed for light microscopy. Individual specimen load and displacement records were normalized to yield geometry independent stress and strain data sets. Maximum wound strength was determined as peak tissue stress on loading. Maximum tissue stiffness (inverse compliance) was derived from the peak slope of the stress-strain profile. Tissue fracture toughness was calculated as the total area under the stress-strain profile from the onset of loading to total wound failure. Data points at 3, 5,10,18, and 30 d show maximum wound strength increasing from 15.2 to 832 kilopascals (KPa), maximum stiffness increasing from 0.20 to 11.4 megapascals, and fracture toughness increasing from 1.82 to 87.7 KPa. Histological observations correlate well with tensiometry deductions. These data suggest enhanced mechanical load bearing with time, indicative of enhanced collagen fiber formation and cross-linking. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 33:1727-1733, 1992 Wound healing is an important issue in corneal surgery. Variations in healing can affect the ultimate astigmatic refractive error. Also, the strength of the wound will affect patient activities during the recovery period. A number of reports have evaluated the effect of various drugs and surgical techniques on the strength of corneal wounds. 1 " 12 Two basic methods of wound testing have been employed. One method involves inserting a cannula into the eye and inflating the globe with air or saline. 12 The pressure inside the eye is recorded at the point where the wound bursts. The second method involves preparing a rectangular strip of cornea with the incision perpendicular to the long axis. One end of this strip is fixed, while the other end is attached to an apparatus on which a series of
Ensemble Multiple Alignment

The multiple sequence alignments computed by an aligner for different settings of its parameters, as well as the alignments computed by different aligners using their default settings, can differ markedly in accuracy. As we have discussed in previous chapters parameter advising is the task of choosing a parameter setting for an aligner to maximize the accuracy of the resulting alignment. This chapter extends parameter advising to aligner advising, which in contrast chooses among a set of aligners to maximize accuracy. In the context of aligner advising, default advising selects from a set of aligners that are using their default settings, while general advising selects both the aligner and its parameter setting.
Atomic spectroscopy with twisted photons: Separation of M 1 − E 2 mixed multipoles

We analyze atomic photoexcitation into the discrete states by twisted photons, or photons carrying extra orbital angular momentum along their direction of propagation. From the angular momentum and parity considerations, we are able to relate twisted-photon photoexcitation amplitudes to their plane-wave analogs, independently of the details of the atomic wave functions. We analyze the photoabsorption cross sections of mixed-multipolarity $E2\ensuremath{-}M1$ transitions in ionized atoms and found fundamental differences coming from the photon topology. Our theoretical analysis demonstrates that it is possible to extract the relative transition rates of different multipolar contributions by measuring the photoexcitation rate as a function of the atom's position (or impact parameter) with respect to the optical vortex center. The proposed technique for separation of multipoles can be implemented if the target's atom position is resolved with subwavelength accuracy; for example, with Paul traps. Numerical examples are presented for Boron-like highly charged ions.
Strategies to Support Rural Caregivers: Practice, Education and Training, Research, Policy, and Advocacy

Rural caregivers need support in areas that are similar to and yet very different from their urban counterparts. Regardless of geographic location, caregivers report needs for assistance with physical care of their care receiver, dealing with medical professionals; medication and nutrition issues; managing formal caregivers; financial, legal, and insurance concerns; appropriate and affordable housing; transportation; psychosocial issues of both the caregiver and the care receiver, and family relationships (Bedard et al., 2004; Glasgow, 2000; NRHA, 2004). Caregiving situations in rural communities mirror those in urban settings and include providing care for aging persons as well as children or adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, or acute and chronic medical conditions.
Biostratigraphic Indications of the Age of the Boltysh Impact Crater, Ukraine

The Boltysh meteorite crater (diameter ≈ 23 km) on the Ukrainian shield was formed in Precambrian (~ 2.1 Ga) granites and has a classical complex structure with a central uplift (average diameter ~ 4 km). The annular trough around the uplift is filled with predominantly glassy impactites (impact melt rocks = tagamites) that are up to 230 m thick. The crater lake sediments overlie impactites and are represented by laminated siltstones, sandstones, claystones. These sediments have a maximum thickness of nearly 400 m in the center of the crater. Previous data about the geological age of the lowermost crater-fill sediments were contradictory (K1-P2), as weere the K-Ar whole rock ages of the tagamites ( 177-56 Ma).
Crystalline and pseudo-crystalline phases of polyacrylonitrile from molecular dynamics: Implications for carbon fiber precursors

Abstract The molecular structure of spun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers used in the production of carbon fibers (CFs) is known to critically affect the microstructure and, consequently, the properties of the final fiber. We use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict the molecular structure of the crystalline regions of spun PAN. We characterized how tacticity and the arrangement of torsional angles along the backbone affect packing of the chains and lattice parameters. Most configurations, regardless of tacticity, loose periodicity along the chain axis during relaxation resulting in pseudo-crystalline structures. Simulated X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of these pseudo-crystalline structures show excellent agreement with recent experimental measurements and reveal that intermolecular spacing decreases as backbone trans/gauche ratio increases corresponding to different experimental conditions. Stability and stiffness also increase as backbone trans/gauche ratio increases. A syndiotactic system with planar zig-zag configuration results in crystalline order along the c axis; this more ordered structure has the lowest potential energy and highest stiffness of all structures studied. The predicted XRD pattern differs significantly from those of the pseudo-crystalline structures but, interestingly, it matches the multi-peak fingerprint reported experimentally in solution-grown single crystals of PAN. The simulations shed light into long-standing discrepancies in XRD patters of PAN precursors.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Series-Stacked Energy Decoupling Buffers in Single-Phase Converters

The series-stacked buffer (SSB) is an active twice-line frequency energy decoupling buffer architecture in single-phase converters. It allows a large voltage ripple on the main energy buffering capacitor to improve the energy utilization ratio, and hence the overall power density. A bi-directional converter connected in series generates an equal but opposite ripple to regulate the dc-bus to a constant dc voltage with low overall ripple. This architecture has been demonstrated to achieve much higher power density than the electrolytic capacitor bank with equivalent dc-bus voltage ripple. In this work, we propose a methodology that quantifies and formalizes the SSB design process into a multi-objective optimization problem, from which the optimal design choices on the Pareto front under multiple operation constraints can be solved. Design constraints, modeling of objective functions, and optimization algorithms are discussed. With realistic hardware parameters and constraints, this methodology is applied to the SSB design for a 1.5-kW, 400-V dc-bus system. The corresponding Pareto front results are presented. Three high power density SSB hardware prototype are designed based on the Pareto front optimization results and experimentally verified.
Salah Abdel Sabour & Rashad Rushdi

Salah Abdel Sabour was one of the most accomplished modern Egyptian poets who wrote verse drama. He glorified the great Sufi martyr al-Hallaj, under the influence of prominent figures of Western drama like Ibsen, Lorca, Eliot and the Greek tragedians. He varied this tendency with his admiration of Eugene Ionesco. Most of his plays implicitly reflected frustration stemming from stagnation and the boiling anger of revolutionaries. Rashad Rushdi was one of the most controversial dramatists in Egypt at his time, swimming against the stream of fashionable left-wing thinking. His most memorable play, My Country, Oh, My Country, drew inspiration from the life of a historical Sufi figure named as-Sayed al-Badawi. He had the skill and experience to emulate images that resembled the contemporary, using the epic form and the narrator, as well as dramatic figures.
Romanticism in urban landscapes: parks, tourism, and the rebirth of Chattanooga, Tennessee

Modern cities are increasingly emphasizing the positive influence of nature and greenspace on quality of life for urban residents and tourists. However, the impetus for these innovations and factor...