cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determinants in the Maturation of Rubella Virus P200 Replicase Polyprotein Precursor

Rubella virus (RUBV), a positive-strand RNA virus, replicates its RNA within membrane-associated replication complexes (RCs) in the cytoplasm of infected cells. RNA synthesis is mediated by the nonstructural proteins (NSPs) P200 and its cleavage products, P150 and P90 (N and C terminal within P200, respectively), which are processed by a protease residing at the C terminus of P150. In this study of NSP maturation, we found that early NSP localization into foci appeared to target the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum. During maturation, P150 and P90 likely interact within the context of P200 and remain in a complex after cleavage. We found that P150-P90 interactions were blocked by mutational disruption of an alpha helix at the N terminus (amino acids [aa] 36 to 49) of P200 and that these mutations also had an effect on NSP targeting, processing, and membrane association. While the P150-P90 interaction also required residues 1700 to 1900 within P90, focus formation required the entire RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (aa 1700 to 2116). Surprisingly, the RUBV capsid protein (CP) rescued RNA synthesis by several alanine-scanning mutations in the N-terminal alpha helix, and packaged replicon assays showed that rescue could be mediated by CP in the virus particle. We hypothesize that CP rescues these mutations as well as internal deletions of the Q domain within P150 and mutations in the 5′ and 3′ cis-acting elements in the genomic RNA by chaperoning the maturation of P200. CP's ability to properly target the otherwise aggregated plasmid-expressed P200 provides support for this hypothesis.
Pseudospectral Knotting Methods for Solving Nonsmooth Optimal Control Problems

A class of computational methods for solving a wide variety of optimal control problems is presented; these problems include nonsmooth, nonlinear, switched optimal control problems, as well as standard multiphase problems. Methods are based on pseudospectral approximations of the differential constraints that are assumed to be given in the form of controlled differential inclusions including the usual vector field and differential-algebraic forms. Discontinuities and switches in states, controls, cost functional, dynamic constraints, and various other mappings associated with the generalized Bolza problem are allowed by the concept of pseudospectral (PS) knots. Information across switches and corners is passed in the form of discrete event conditions localized at the PS knots. The optimal control problem is approximated to a structured sparse mathematical programming problem. The discretized problem is solved using off-the-shelf solvers that include sequential quadratic programming and interior point methods. Two examples that demonstrate the concept of hard and soft knots are presented.
Selective and immediate effects of clathrin heavy chain mutations on Golgi membrane protein retention in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The role of clathrin in retention of Golgi membrane proteins has been investigated. Prior work showed that a precursor form of the peptide mating pheromone alpha-factor is secreted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells which lack the clathrin heavy chain gene (CHC1). This defect can be accounted for by the observation that the Golgi membrane protein Kex2p, which initiates maturation of alpha-factor precursor, is mislocalized to the cell surface of mutant cells. We have examined the localization of two additional Golgi membrane proteins, dipeptidyl aminopeptidase A (DPAP A) and guanosine diphosphatase (GDPase) in clathrin-deficient yeast strains. Our findings indicate that DPAP A is aberrantly transported to the cell surface but GDPase is not. In mutant cells carrying a temperature-sensitive allele of CHC1 (chc1-ts), alpha-factor precursor appears in the culture medium within 15 min, and Kex2p and DPAP A reach the cell surface within 30 min, after imposing the nonpermissive temperature. In contrast to these immediate effects, a growth defect is apparent only after 2 h at the nonpermissive temperature. Also, sorting of the vacuolar membrane protein, alkaline phosphatase, is not affected in chc1-ts cells until 2 h after the temperature shift. A temperature-sensitive mutation which blocks a late stage of the secretory pathway, sec1, prevents the appearance of mislocalized Kex2p at the cell surface of chc1-ts cells. We propose that clathrin plays a direct role in the retention of specific proteins in the yeast Golgi apparatus, thereby preventing their transport to the cell surface.
Temporal and Spatial Variation of Local Stress Fields before and after the 1992 Eruptions of Crater Peak Vent, Mount Spurr Volcano, Alaska

We searched for changes in local stress-field orientation at Mount Spurr volcano, Alaska, between August 1991 and December 2001. This study focuses on the stress-field orientation beneath Crater Peak vent, the site of three eruptions in 1992, and beneath the summit of Mount Spurr. Local stress tensors were calculated by inverting subsets of 140 fault-plane solutions for earthquakes beneath Crater Peak and 96 fault-plane solutions for earthquakes beneath Mount Spurr. We also calculated an upper-crustal regional stress tensor by inverting fault-plane solutions for 66 intraplate earthquakes located near Mount Spurr during 1991–2001. Prior to the 1992 eruptions, and for 11 months beginning with a posteruption seismic swarm, the axis of maximum compressive stress beneath Crater Peak was subhorizontal and oriented N67–76° E, approximately perpendicular to the regional axis of maximum compressive stress (N43° W). The strong temporal correlation between this horizontal stress-field rotation (change in position of the σ 1 / σ 3 axes relative to regional stress) and magmatic activity indicates that the rotation was related to magmatic activity, and we suggest that the Crater Peak stress-field rotation resulted from pressurization of a network of dikes. During the entire study period, the stress field beneath the summit of Mount Spurr also differed from the regional stress tensor and was characterized by a vertical axis of maximum compressive stress. We suggest that slip beneath Mount Spurr’s summit occurs primarily on a major normal fault in response to a combination of gravitational loading, hydrothermal circulation, and magmatic processes beneath Crater Peak. Online material : Regional and local fault-plane solutions.
Spectral band selection and classifier design for a multispectral imaging laser radar

A statistical spectral band selection procedure and classifiers for an active multispectral laser radar (LADAR) sensor are described. The sensor will operate in the 1 to 5 xm wavelength region. The algorithms proposed are tested using library reflectance spectra for some representative background materials. The material classes considered include both natural (vegetation and soil) and man-made (camouflage cloth and tar-asphalt). The analysis includes noise statistics due to Gaussian receiver noise and target induced speckle variations in the LADAR return signal intensity. The results of this analysis are then directly applied to an artificially generated spatial template of a scene consisting of these four material classes. The performance of four different classifier algorithms, which include a minimum distance classifier, a log- domain minimum distance classifier, a Bayes speckle-only classifier, and a Bayes speckle-Gaussian classifier, are evaluated. We show that the Bayesian classifier designed for speckle and Gaussian noise statistics outperforms the other classifiers. Our results also indicate that even when exact knowledge of the observation model is available, the classifier performance for speckled images can be poor unless the number of integrated speckle cells is large.
Self-regulation and the response to concerns about food and beverage marketing to children in the United States

The Institute of Medicine reported in 2005 that food and beverage marketing to children and youth is "out of balance with healthful diets". The dominant policy response in the United States has been to encourage self-regulation by the food, beverage, advertising, and media industries. From a nutrition perspective, this deference to the private sector may seem surprising. This article reviews current economic and legal perspectives on food marketing to children that are motivating the policy decision to attempt a period of self-regulation. The empirical literature on this topic has been reinvigorated by new data on marketing practices and expenditures. The article concludes by considering whether more directive policies are possible in the future.
Inorganic-organic hybrid materials for photonics

Molecular materials comprised of inorganic:organic composites are of considerable interest in photonics, optoelectronics and biophotonics. We report broad band lasing and tunable filters in sol-gel processed poly (p-phenylene vinylene) PPV: Silica composites. Optical power limiting in near IR wavelength region is also reported in dye doped PPV: silica multiphasic nanocomposites. For making hybrid inorganic: organic composites the reverse micelle mediated synthesis technique has been exploited to synthesize dye encapsulated metal oxide particles, thiocresol capped CdS clusters, Cul and AgI nanoparticles. These particles were dispersed in polymeric matrix for applications in photoconductivity and photorefractive measurements.
Choline and Tallow in Breeder Hen Diets

Abstract The need of choline in the diet of mature hens has been adequately reviewed by Welch and Couch (1955) and Burns and Ackerman (1955). In most of the work cited, it was concluded that dietary choline was required for optimum egg production and hatchability. It was also reported that the hen has a limited ability to synthesize choline. The present study, involving two years’ work with 24 lots of 8 to 10 New Hampshire hens each confined to pens with raised wire floors, was conducted to determine whether the level of dietary fat influenced the choline requirement of laying hens. The low-choline basal diet consisted of (%): ground yellow corn 66.5, soybean oil meal 13.0, solvent-extracted meat scraps 2.5; solvent-extracted fish meal 3.0, dried whey 7.5, dehyd. alfalfa meal 5.0, iodized salt 0.475, manganese sulfate 0.025, steamed bone meal 2.0. Vitamins added per pound of diet were as follows: vitamin…
Performance enhancement in solving Traveling Salesman Problem using hybrid genetic algorithm

In this paper, a novel hybrid genetic algorithm for solving Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) is presented based on the Nearest Neighbor heuristics and pure Genetic Algorithm (GA). The hybrid genetic algorithm exponentially derives higher quality solutions in relatively shorter time for hard combinatorial real world optimization problems such as Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) than the pure GA. The hybrid algorithm outperformed the NN algorithm and the pure Genetic Algorithm taken separately. The hybrid genetic algorithm is designed and experimented against the pure GA and the convergence rate improved by more than 200% and the tour distance improved by 17.4% for 90 cities. These results indicate that the hybrid approach is promising and it can be used for various other optimization problems. This algorithm is also independent of the start city of travel whereas the result of NN algorithm are based on start city.
Extended properties of the Levinson recursion and lattice filters

The direct parallels between the z-transform and the Levinson recursion, such as complex conjugation, sequence reversal, upsampling, and modulation by a complex exponential of unity magnitude, are explored, and the effects on the associated lattice filter structures are investigated. The modulation property of a general complex exponential for the z-transform is extended to the lattice filter with a systematic modification of the reflection coefficients of the filter. A reciprocal-based lattice filter is derived. It has the structure of a standard lattice filter yet the zeros of the system function depend explicitly on the weighting functions of the filter. This filter has the property that the system function roots remain fixed as additional sections are added to the filter. >
Novel molecular signatures of sensitivity to Lapatinib in breast cancer cells using an adaptive approach

C135 Genome-scale analyses of human breast tumors have already established that these cells manifest a variety of molecular defects at various levels, ranging from the genome to the proteome, which influence response to therapy. It is now evident that improved individualization of patient treatment is essential to design effective therapies. Genomic technologies have enabled predicting patient response to drugs, a priori, from their genome-scale molecular profiles (DNA, mRNA and protein), and identifying the concomitant molecular markers. However, most such studies have used cancer cells originating in disparate types of tissues, thus restricting the efficacy of therapy. It is difficult to extend these approaches to model sensitivity of specific tumor types, primarily because the sample sizes are significantly smaller. We have developed a novel computational approach based on adaptive linear splines that can overcome this limitation, and can comprehensively model responses from all cell-lines for a given tumor type. We measured the response to Lapatinib (GW572016, dual inhibitor of EGFR and ErbB2) of a well-characterized model system of 40 breast cancer cell-lines, and applied the above adaptive method to identify molecular signatures of response. This proof-of-concept study indeed revealed ErbB2 and its amplicon, the prime targets of Lapatinib, as top predictors. In addition, it identified new markers that are biologically significant, and showed high accuracy (≥ 90%) in predicting response of new samples. Furthermore, this new technique enabled identification of candidate markers for a much more restricted data set, the ErbB2-negative cells, for the first time to our knowledge. Statistical tests indicate that many of these markers may be used clinically. Application of this method to multiple other datasets indicates that our adaptive approach holds promise for ab initio determination of clinically applicable molecular markers. (Supported by funds form NIH/NCI U54 CA112970 and GlaxoSmithKline)
On robustness of systems with structured uncertainties

We consider the robust stability problem for nominally linear system with nonlinear, structured perturbations. The system is of the form $$\dot x = A_N x + \sum\limits_{j = 1}^q {p_j A_j x} $$
The Detrimental Effect of Decentralization in Digital Replantation in the United States: 15 Years of Evidence From the National Inpatient Sample

Purpose Recent reports suggest a decrease in success rates in digital replantation in the United States. We hypothesize that this decrease may be associated with decentralization of replants away from high-volume hospitals. Methods All amputation injuries and digital replants captured by the National Inpatient Sample during 1998 to 2012 were identified. Procedures were characterized as occurring at high-volume hospitals (> 20 replants/y), and as being performed by high-volume surgeons (> 5 replants/y). A successful procedure was defined as one in which a replantation occurred without a subsequent revision amputation. Hospital and surgeon volume were tested for association with the year and the success of the procedure. Results The authors identified 101,693 amputation injuries resulting in 15,822 replants. The overall success of replants dropped from 74.5% during 2004 to 2006 to 65.7% during 2010 to 2012. The percentage of replants being performed at high-volume hospitals decreased from 15.5% during 2004 to 2006 to 8.9% during 2007 to 2009. Similarly, the percentage of replants being performed by high-volume surgeons decreased from 14.4% during 1998 to 2000 to 2.6% during 2007 to 2009. Replants performed by high-volume surgeons operating at high-volume hospitals had higher success rates than low-volume surgeons operating at low-volume hospitals (92.0% vs 72.1%). In addition, high-volume surgeons operating at high-volume hospitals attempted replantation at greater rates than low-volume surgeons operating at low-volume hospitals (21.5% vs 11.0%). Overall, an amputation injury presenting to a high-volume surgeon at a high-volume center had a 2.5 times greater likelihood of obtaining a successful replantation than an amputation injury presenting to a low-volume surgeon at a low-volume hospital. Conclusions These data suggest that decreased success rates of digital replantation in the United States are correlated with the decentralization of digital replantation away from high-volume hospitals. Clinical relevance The establishment of regional centers for replant referral may greatly increase the success of digital replantation in the United States.
Why urease is a di-nickel enzyme whereas the CcrA β-lactamase is a di-zinc enzyme.

Ureases and metallo-β-lactamases are amide hydrolases closely related in function and structure. However, one major difference between them is that the former uses two nickel cations, and the latter uses two zinc cations to do similar catalytic jobs. What is the reason for this choice that Nature made for the catalytic metals? Is it dictated by electronic or structural reasons in the two catalyzed reactions, or some other evolutionary factors? Are both enzymes “perfect” catalysts, as far as just catalysis is concerned, and if they are, then why? Here, we address these questions through a joint quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical dynamics approach and ab initio mechanistic investigation. Five enzyme/substrate systems are considered: urease/urea, CcrA β-lactamase/β-lactam antibiotic model, urease/β-lactam antibiotic model, CcrA β-lactamase/urea, and di-Ni-substituted CcrA β-lactamase/β-lactam antibiotic model. The mechanisms and rates of the metal-facilitated nucleophilic attack are assessed. Both ureas...
Heat Transfer Enhancement and Pressure Loss Characteristics of Zig-Zag Channel With Dimples and Protrusions

This paper described a detailed experimental study to explore an internal cooling passage that mimic a “zig-zag” pattern. There are four passages connected by 110° turning angle in a periodic fashion, hence the name. Experiments are performed in a scaled-up test channel with a cross-section of 63.5mm by 25.4mm, corresponding to the aspect ratio of 2.5:1. Compared to the conventional straight internal cooling passages, the zig-zag channel with several turns will generate additional secondary vortices while providing longer flow path that allows coolant to remove much more heat load prior to discharge into the hot mainstream. Surface features, (1) dimples, and (2) protrusions are added to the zig-zag channel to further enhance the heat transfer, while contributed to larger wetted area. The experiment utilizes the well-established transient liquid crystal technique to determine the local heat transfer coefficient distribution of the entire zig-zag channel. Protrusions exhibit higher heat transfer enhancement than that of dimples. However, both designs proved to be inferior compared to the rib-turbulators. Pressure loss in these test channels is approximately twofold higher than that of straight smooth test channel due to the presence of turns; but the pressure loss is lower than the zig-zag channel with rib-turbulators. The result revealed that one advantage of having either protrusions or dimples as these surface elements will resulted in gradual and more uniform increment of heat transfer throughout the entire channel compared to previous test cases.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
184 UROKINASE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR RECEPTOR-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN MURINE LUNG DEVELOPMENT.

uPARAP (urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein) is a receptor for collagen and belongs to the macrophage mannose receptor family. uPARAP binding of collagens leads to collagen internalization and degradation and thus may contribute to matrix remodeling. Both collagens I and IV play an important role in lung development. To gain insight into the role of uPARAP-mediated collagen degradation during lung development, we studied the expression pattern of uPARAP by immunohistochemistry. Lungs were dissected from C57BL/6 mice from embryonic day 12.5 through postnatal day 14 and frozen in OCT. Five micrometer sections were obtained and immunohistochemistry was performed using polyclonal antibodies against uPARAP and collagen IV. uPARAP immmunoreactivity was detected in interstitial mesenchymal cells and airway smooth muscle cells at E 12.5, the earliest time point examined. uPARAP continued to be detected throughout lung development in interstitial cells and vascular and airway smooth muscle cells on postnatal days 2, 8, and 14. Increased immunoreactivity of uPARAP was seen with increasing developmental age, up to postnatal d.14. uPARAP co-localized with collagen IV primarily around airways and vasculature smooth muscle. We speculate that uPARAP-mediated collagen degradation plays a role in lung remodeling during embryonic and postnatal lung development.
Comparative Effectiveness of Treatment Strategies for Bladder Cancer With Clinical Evidence of Regional Lymph Node Involvement

PurposePatients with bladder cancer with clinical lymph node involvement (cN+) are at high risk for distant metastases, but are potentially curable. Such patients are excluded from neoadjuvant chemotherapy trials and pooled with patients with distant metastases in first-line chemotherapy trials not suited to define the role of combined-modality therapy. To address this evidence void, we performed a comparative effectiveness analysis.MethodsWe included cTanyN1-3M0 bladder cancer patients from the National Cancer Data Base (2003-2012) treated with chemotherapy and/or cystectomy. We used multistate survival analysis, allowing for delayed entry, to assess overall survival (OS) according to various treatment strategies. Effectiveness was estimated with multivariable adjustment for tumor-, patient-, and facility-level characteristics.ResultsAmong 1,739 patients (cN1, 48%; cN2, 45%; cN3, 7%), 1,104 underwent cystectomy and 635 were treated with chemotherapy alone. Of the cystectomy patients, 363 received preoper...
Learning about the Literacy Development of English Language Learners in Asynchronous Online Discussions.

The present study examined asynchronous online discussions in the online course “English Language Development” to identify themes related to teachers and teacher candidates' learning about the lang...
Scanning angle Raman spectroscopy: A nondestructive method for simultaneously determining mixed polymer fractional composition and film thickness

Abstract A scanning angle (SA) Raman spectroscopy method was developed to simultaneously measure the chemical composition and thickness of waveguide mixed polymer films with varying fractional compositions. In order to test the method, six films of polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate), some mixed with poly(methyl methacrylate) homopolymer (PS-b-PMMA:PMMA), and two films of poly(2-vinylnapthalene)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (P2VN-b-PMMA) were prepared. The film thickness ranged from 495 to 971 nm. The chemical composition and thickness of PS-b-PMMA:PMMA films was varied by the addition of the PMMA homopolymer and annealing the films in acetone. SA Raman peak amplitude ratios (1001 cm −1 for PS, 812 cm −1 for PMMA, and 1388 cm −1 for P2VN) were used to calculate the refractive index of the polymer film, an input parameter in calculations of the sum square electric field (SSEF). The film thickness was determined by SSEF models of the experimental Raman amplitudes versus the incident angle of light. The average film thickness determined by the developed SA Raman spectroscopy method was within 5% of the value determined by optical profilometry. SA Raman spectroscopy will be useful for in situ label-free analyses of mixed polymer waveguide films.
Surgical site infection after stoma closure in children: outcomes and predictors.

Abstract Background Surgical site infection (SSI) is a burdensome complication following intestinal stoma closure, with reported rates ranging from 0% to 40%. We aimed to identify risk factors for SSI in children undergoing stoma closure. Materials and methods Using 2012-2014 NSQIP Pediatric data, we identified patients aged 0-18 years undergoing stoma closure. Demographic, clinical, and 30-day outcome characteristics between children with and without SSI were compared. A multivariable logistic model was used to identify predictors of SSI. Results Among 2110 children who underwent stoma closure, 7.6% developed SSI. Patients who developed SSI had significantly longer time in the operating room, longer anesthesia times, longer total operation times, and longer lengths of stay (all P ≤ 0.01). Patients who developed SSI postoperatively had significantly higher rates of postoperative complications, including need for postoperative ventilation, sepsis, need for nutritional support on discharge, unplanned reoperation, unplanned readmission, postoperative lengths of stay >30 days, and transfusion within 72 hours after the start of surgery (all P ≤ 0.018). There was a significant relationship between operation time and SSI probability. Specifically, operation time greater than 105 minutes was associated with a higher SSI risk. On adjusted multivariable analyses, age, cardiac risk factors, Hirschsprung disease, and operation time greater than 105 minutes were independently predictive of SSI. Conclusions Longer operation time, age, Hirschsprung disease, and cardiac risk factors are associated with an increased risk for SSI after stoma closure. Studies of perioperative adjuncts to reduce SSI in high-risk children based on expected procedure length and other preoperative characteristics are warranted.
StepWatch accuracy during walking, running, and intermittent activities.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this study was two-fold: 1) to investigate effects of cadence and sensitivity settings for the StepWatch (SW3) on step count accuracy over a wide range of ambulatory speeds, and 2) to compare the preprogrammed “quick start” settings to modified settings during intermittent lifestyle activities. Methods Part 1: Fifteen participants (18–57 years of age) performed two trials of treadmill walking and running at ten speeds ranging from 26.8 to 268 m min−1 while wearing four SW3 devices. During the first trial, the cadence setting was maintained while sensitivity was varied; in the second trial sensitivity was maintained while the cadence setting was varied. Part 2: Fifteen participants performed four intermittent activities and drove an automobile while wearing two SW3 devices, one with preprogrammed settings and the other with the modified settings determined in Part 1. Results Part 1: The modified settings (cadence setting of 70% of default and sensitivity of 16) provided the greatest step counting accuracy across a wide range of speeds reporting 96.0–104% of actual steps between 53.6 and 268 m min−1. Part 2: The preprogrammed settings tended to have higher accuracy for light household tasks (recording 88% to 94% of actual steps) than the modified settings (recording 82% to 86% of actual steps) which showed a trend towards higher accuracy for tennis (recording 93% vs. 89% of actual steps) (p Conclusion The preprogrammed “quick start” StepWatch settings should be used with individuals who do not engage in running and vigorous sports. However, for individuals who engage in running and tennis, use of modified settings may result in improved step counting accuracy.
An Epitaph for ISIS? The Idea of a Caliphate and the Westphalian Order

The project of restoring the Islamic caliphate has attracted considerable attention, and caused both hope and anxiety, since the Islamic State (IS) proclaimed a caliphate in 2014. The idea of a caliphate has a powerful attraction for many millions of the world’s Muslims, including those who emphatically disapprove of IS, and is sometimes viewed as a remedy for the marginalization and humiliation that the Muslim world has endured at the hands of the West. Thus, although the military defeat of IS seems likely at this point, a widespread desire for a restored caliphate will undoubtedly persist.On the other hand, prominent Western political leaders, diplomats and scholars have expressed severe forebodings about such a restoration. Among other causes for such concern is the fear that a restored caliphate would challenge, and might eventually overturn, the Westphalian system of state sovereignty, which is the legal basis of the current world order. From this perspective, a restored caliphate could pose a revolutionary challenge to a state-centric system of international law. Indeed, it might pose a more substantial threat to the Westphalian system than those that the Soviet Union or the Islamic Republic of Iran presented in their early phases.This paper explores whether the project of restoring a caliphate, if successful, would indeed have such a destabilizing effect. First, it considers the origins and self-understanding of the IS caliphate, examines IS’ historiographic narrative of Islamic expansion, greatness, decline and eventual renewal, and identifies structural reasons for IS’ probable failure. Then it examines the possibility of what has been called a “Great Power” caliphate, i.e., a restored caliphate in a major Muslim state, such as Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan or Indonesia. Here too, it is argued, the Westphalian Order would probably prove to be resilient enough to withstand a challenge.
Conformational analysis—LXXXIII

Abstract The structures and energies of a number of silanes have been studied by the method of molecular mechanics, and the results are compared with the available experimental data, and with the hydrocarbon analogs. Torsional barriers are relatively small and gauche interactions are unimportant in the silanes, which leads to several unusual conformational effects. Heats of formation are calculated.
EDU liquid acquisition device outflow tests in liquid hydrogen: Experiments and analytical modeling

Abstract This paper presents experiments and modeling of the most recent set of liquid acquisition device (LAD) vertical outflow tests conducted in liquid hydrogen. The Engineering Development Unit (EDU) was a relatively large tank (4.25 m 3 ) used to mimic a storage tank for a cryogenic storage and transfer flight demonstration test. Six 1-g propellant tank outflow tests were conducted with a standard 325 × 2300 rectangular cross-section curved LAD channel conformal to the tank walls over a range of tank pressure (158–221 kPa), ullage temperature (22–39 K), and mass flow rate (0.0103–0.0187 kg/s) per arm. An analytical LAD channel solver, an exact solution to the Navier-Stokes equations, is used to model propellant outflow for the LAD channel. Results shows that the breakdown height of the LAD is dominated by liquid and ullage gas temperatures, with a secondary effect of flow rate. The best performance is always obtained by exposing the channel to cold pressurant gas and low flow rates, consistent with the cryogenic bubble point model. The model tracks the trends in the data and shows that the contribution of flow-through-screen pressure drop is minimized for bottom outflow in 1-g, versus the standard inverted outflow.
A survey on guiding logic for automatic user interface generation

Mobile devices and other computationally-capable artifacts are presenting new ways in which to interact with our applications and data. However, to do so effectively requires user interfaces that are optimized for the target platform. Designing such user interfaces manually for every platform and application would be an impractical way to approach this problem; this is one area where automatic user interface generation could prove useful. This process, however, requires guiding logic, formalized from usability knowledge and represented in a form that an automatic UI generation system can use. This paper discusses some of the issues related to this task, presenting examples from the relevant literature. The paper then introduces the concept of genericity, which could help manage the problem space encompassed by automatic UI generation.
Abstract TP274: Activation of the Prostaglandin E2 Receptor EP4 Reduces Blood-Brain Barrier Damage in a Rat Model of Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke occurs when a clot forms in the cerebrovasculature that starves downstream tissue of oxygen and nutrients resulting in cell death. The tissue immediately downstream of the blockage,...
Castleman Disease Presenting with Pseudotumour Cerebri and Myasthenia Gravis: A Case Report and Literature Review

ABSTRACTCastleman disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder that may present with various autoimmune, inflammatory, or neurologic syndromes. This is a case of a 21-year-old woman who pres...
DATACAP/1000 to “COSMIC” HP/3000 data-base communication

The main application is a complete set of subsystems providing for automatic customer order processing and on-line tracking of the related instruments in a computer manufacturing environment. The commercial and tracking functions are roughly split between an HP-3000 and an HP-1000 mainframe. The HP-1000 tracks the instruments from their birth to their stock entrance (“hot’ production areas) and the HP-3000 performs all the Booking, Run-maintenance, Reporting … and tracks the instruments beyond the stock (administrative task). In order to guarantee accurate reports, the HP-3000 “COSMIC” data-base is updated on-line by the transactions performed on the HP-1000 data-capture system.
Structural Studies of Human Adenine Phosphoribosyltransferase Purified by Affinity Chromatography

Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) catalyzes the condensation of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PP-ribose-P) with adenine to yield adenosine 5’-monophosphate and PPi. Interest in the human enzyme has been stimulated by the findings of elevated adenine phosphoribosyltransferase activity in erythrocytes from patients with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome1 and by the inherited deficiency of the enzyme described in a number of families.2,3,4,5 In order to better understand the nature of these alterations of adenine phosphoribosyltransferase activity at the molecular level, it is necessary to define the nature of the normal enzyme. The normal enzyme has previously been purified 33,000-fold from human erythrocytes.6 The procedure, however, is lengthy and laborious. In this report we describe a more efficient purification procedure for adenine phosphoribosyltransferase. Some of the characteristics of the highly purified enzyme, not previously reported, are described.
What Do We Mean by Privatization in Higher Education

The recent scholarship on higher education policy and governance places a great deal of emphasis on how privatization has changed the higher education. Yet, despite the consensus that privatization is important as a concept and causal driver of changes in the environment, there is little consensus on what privatization involves, how it can be operationalized, and how it is linked to other important concepts. This chapter draws on theories in public administration and political science to offer a framework for conceptualizing and operationalizing privatization by considering two dimensions of privatization—which are becoming less public and becoming more private. The chapter then outlines directions for future research and suggests ways in which these concepts could be measured.
Synthesis and DNA binding profile of monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric derivatives of crystal violet.

Abstract Monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric derivatives of the triphenylmethane dye crystal violet (1a–1f) have been synthesized for the purpose of evaluating their affinity and sequence selectivity for duplex DNA. Competitive ethidum displacement assays indicate that 1a–1f have apparent association constants for CT DNA in the range of 1.80–16.2 × 107 M−1 and binding site sizes of 10–14 bp. Viscosity experiments performed on ligand 1f confirmed that these dyes associate with duplex DNA by a non-intercalative mode of binding. Circular dichroism and competition binding studies of the tightest binding ligand 1e with known major and minor groove binding molecules suggest that these dye derivatives likely occupy the major groove of DNA. Data from the binding of 1e to polynucleotides indicate close to an order of magnitude preference for associating with AT rich homopolymers over GC rich homopolymers, suggesting a shape-selective match of the sterically bulky ligand with DNA containing a wider major groove.
National Practice Patterns and Overall Survival After Adjuvant Radiotherapy Following Radical Cystectomy for Urothelial Bladder Cancer in the USA, 2004-2013.

Abstract Background Adjuvant radiation therapy (ART) after radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) may play a role in the management of muscle-invasive BC, particularly in patients with locally advanced disease and adverse pathologic features (pT3/4 or positive surgical margins [PSMs]). Evidence regarding the effect of ART on overall survival (OS) is lacking. Objective To evaluate national practice patterns for the use of ART and assess its impact on OS for patients with adverse pathologic features (APF) after RC. Design, setting, and participants Using the National Cancer Data Base, we analyzed all UBC cases with APF after RC from 2004 to 2013. Patients were divided into ART and no-ART groups. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Relationships with oncological outcomes were analyzed using multivariable Cox regression and log-rank analyses. Results and limitations Use of ART decreased during the study period from 3.1% in 2004 to 1.7% in 2013 (p = 0.03). ART was administered in 1.4%, 4.0% and 5.2% of patients with pT3 UBC, pT4 UBC, and PSMs (any pT stage), respectively. The rate of ART was significantly higher among younger ages, female sex, low-volume hospitals, nonacademic community care centers, higher stages, PSMs, perioperative chemotherapy, and lymph node-positive disease. Predictors of ART receipt were PSMs (odds ratio [OR] 3.4; p Conclusions Use of ART for APF following RC is not common in the USA and the rate of ART has been decreasing over time. ART may have an OS benefit after RC for patients with PSMs. Patient summary In this report we looked at the outcomes for patients with locally advanced bladder cancer receiving adjuvant radiation therapy following cystectomy in a large US population. We found that adding radiation therapy after removing the bladder cancer may have some survival benefits for patients with positive surgical margins.
Aversion learning in response to an invasive venomous prey depends on stimulus strength

Learned avoidance can allow animals to survive the introduction of noxious prey. The effectiveness of aversion learning can depend on the intensity of the stimulus. The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a novel prey of the eastern fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus, but can prove lethal especially to juvenile fence lizards. Thus, avoiding consumption of fire ants would increase survival for juveniles. We tested whether juvenile lizards would exhibit learned aversion of fire ants, and whether aversion would be longer lasting following exposure to greater numbers of fire ants. Lizards were exposed to one of three 8-ant treatments with varying relative proportions of fire ants for 5 days: (1) 100% fire ants, (2) 50% fire ants and 50% native ants, and (3) 0% fire ants (8 native ants). Juveniles in the 100% fire ant treatment showed clear aversion learning, consuming nearly two-thirds fewer fire ants after the first trial day. Juveniles exposed to the 50% fire ant treatment, consumed slightly fewer fire ants after day 1 of the trial, but recovered by day 5. Juveniles that received native ants only did not alter their consumption of ants over time. These results suggest that juveniles show species-specific aversion to fire ants, but this was dependent upon stimulus strength. When presented with both fire ants and native ants, lizards reduced their consumption of both species. Investigating whether exposure to noxious invasive prey alters the consumption of native prey would provide insight into long-term impacts of invasive species.
Ileocolic Resection for Crohn's Disease: A Minimally Invasive Approach Claims Its Place:

Ileocolic resection is the most common operation performed for Crohn's disease patients with terminal ileum involvement. We sought to evaluate the outcomes in Crohn's disease patients who underwent open ileocolic resection (OIC) and laparoscopic ileocolic resection (LIC) by using the ACS-NSQIP database from 2006 to 2015. Of 5670 patients, 48.3 per cent (2737) patients had OIC and 51.7 per cent (2933) had LIC. The number of LIC increased from 40 per cent in 2006 to 60.7 per cent in 2015. Moreover, the annual number of LIC surgeries has exceeded the number of OIC surgeries since 2013. Patients in the LIC group had shorter hospital length of stay compared with OIC group (6 ± 5 days vs 8.6 ± 8 days, P < 0.01). The LIC procedure also had shorter operation time compared with OIC (148 ± 58 vs 153 ± 76 minutes, P = 0.01). Overall morbidity (15.8% vs 25.3%, AOR: 0.54, confidence interval (CI): 0.46-0.62, P < 0.01), serious morbidity (10.9% vs 18%, AOR: 0.55, CI: 0.46-0.65, P < 0.01), and SSI (9.9% vs 15.5%, AOR: 0.59, CI: 0.49-0.70, P < 0.01) rates were lower in the LIC group than the OIC group. We demonstrated that in Crohn's disease patients, LIC has improved outcomes for ileocolic resection compared with OIC and has been chosen as the preferential treatment approach for most patients.
Choriocapillaris Degeneration in Geographic Atrophy.

Early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by degeneration of the choriocapillaris, the vascular supply of retinal photoreceptor cells. We assessed vascular loss during disease progression in the choriocapillaris and larger vessels in the deeper choroid. Human donor maculae from controls (n = 99), early AMD (n = 35), or clinically diagnosed with geographic atrophy (GA; n = 9, collected from outside the zone of retinal pigment epithelium degeneration) were evaluated using Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I labeling to discriminate between vessels with intact endothelial cells and ghost vessels. Morphometric analyses of choriocapillaris density (cross-sectional area of capillary lumens divided by length) and of vascular lumen/stroma ratio in the outer choroid were performed. Choriocapillaris loss was observed in early AMD (Bonferroni-corrected P = 0.024) with greater loss in GA (Bonferroni-corrected P 0.05), suggesting choriocapillaris changes are more prevalent in AMD than those in the outer choroid. In addition, vascular endothelial growth factor-A levels were negatively correlated with choriocapillaris vascular density. These findings support the concept that choroidal vascular degeneration, predominantly in the microvasculature, contributes to dry AMD progression. Addressing capillary loss in AMD remains an important translational target.
Intensity measurements of the 0, 0 band of the a3Π-X1Σ Cameron system of CO

Abstract The band strength of the 0,0 band of the a 3 Π- X 1 Σ transition of CO has been determined from measurements of the equivalent widths of a number of resolved rotational lines. Equivalent widths were converted to line strengths using a Doppler curve of growth. The total band strength is given by S = S ′(1 + K 2 ), where S ′ represents the contribution to the intensity from mixing of 1 Π states with the a 3 Π state and K determines the contribution from mixing of 1 Σ states with the a 3 Π state. The value of K if K = 0.04 ± 0.015. The band strength is S 0.0 = 3.56 ± 0.24 cm −1 /cm-Amagat, which corresponds to an oscillator strength of f 0.0 = (1.50 ± 0.1) × 10 −7 . An average radiative lifetime of the a 3 Π state is calculated to be 9.51 ± 0.63 msec.
Evaluation of RF interactions between a 3T birdcage transmit coil and transcranial magnetic stimulation coils using a realistically shaped head phantom.

Purpose Multichannel transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)1 is an emerging technology that allows multiple sites to be stimulated simultaneously or sequentially under electronic control without movement of the coils. A multichannel TMS/MRI head coil array for 3 Tesla is currently under development to mitigate challenges of concurrent TMS/fMRI as well as enable potential new applications. The influence of the multichannel TMS system on the MR image quality and safety must be carefully investigated. Methods A standard birdcage volume coil for 3 Tesla systems was simulated using a commercial numerical electromagnetic solver. Two setups, consisting of 1) a MR-compatible TMS coil, and 2) a 3-axis TMS coil array, were simulated to quantify changes in the transmit field B 1 + and the SAR. A realistically shaped homogeneous head model was used in the computations. Results The stimulation coils produced enhancements and attenuations on the transmit field with effects greater than 5% up to 2.4 cm and 3.3 cm under the scalp for the MR-compatible TMS coil and 3-axis TMS coil array, respectively. The 10 g-SAR distribution did not change significantly in either of the cases; however, the nominal SAR maximum locus was shifted between existing hot spots. Conclusion The simulated B 1 + variations found near the TMS coils indicate the possibility of inducing sequence-dependent image artefacts predominatly limited to the vicinity of the coil(s). However, we conclude that neither the MR-compatible commercial TMS coil nor the 3-axis TMS coil array siginificantly elevate SAR in the head or neck beyond accepted safety limits.
The Association between Marital Status and Psychological Well-being: Variation across Negative and Positive Dimensions:

Marital status is associated with psychological well-being, with the married faring better than the formerly and never-married. However, this conclusion derives from research focusing more on negat...
Characterizing healthcare delivery in the United States using Census Bureau's County Business Patterns (2000-2016).

BACKGROUND The US Census Bureau's County Business Patterns (CBP) series provides a unique opportunity to describe the healthcare sector using a single, national data source. METHODS We analyzed CBP data on business establishments in the healthcare industry for 2000-2016 for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Setting and facility types were defined using the North American Industry Classification System. RESULTS In 2016, CBP enumerated 707,634 US healthcare establishments (a 34% increase from 2000); 86.5% were outpatient facilities and services followed by long-term care facilities (12.5%) and acute-care facilities (1.0%). Between 2000 and 2016, traditional facilities such as general medical surgical and surgical hospitals (-0.4%) and skilled nursing facilities (+0.1%) decreased or remained flat, while other long-term care and outpatient providers grew rapidly. CONCLUSION This analysis highlights the steady growth and increased specialization of the US healthcare sector, particularly in long-term care and outpatient settings.
Norms: An Integrated Framework

Norms are a foundational concept in sociology. Following a period of skepticism about norms as overly deterministic and as paying too little attention to social conflict, inequalities, and agency, ...