cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atom probe tomography analysis of high dose MA957 at selected irradiation temperatures

Abstract Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys are meritable structural materials for nuclear reactor systems due to the exemplary resistance to radiation damage and high temperature creep. Summarized in this work are atom probe tomography (APT) investigations on a heat of MA957 that underwent irradiation in the form of in-reactor creep specimens in the Fast Flux Test Facility–Materials Open Test Assembly (FFTF–MOTA) for the Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR) program. The oxide precipitates appear stable under irradiation at elevated temperature over extended periods of time. Nominally, the precipitate chemistry is unchanged by the accumulated dose; although, evidence suggests that ballistic dissolution and reformation processes are occurring at all irradiation temperatures. At 412 °C–109 dpa, chromium enrichments – consistent with the α′ phase – appear between the oxide precipitates, indicating radiation induced segregation. Grain boundaries, enriched with several elements including nickel and titanium, are observed at all irradiation conditions. At 412 °C–109 dpa, the grain boundaries are also enriched in molecular titanium oxide (TiO).
2-Thia-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane 2,2-Dioxide (PASO2). Comparative Structural and Reactivity Investigation with the Water-Soluble Phosphine Ligand 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA)

The derivative 2-thia-1,3,5-triaza-phosphaadamantane 2,2-dioxide (PASO2) has been characterized by spectroscopy and by X-ray crystallography. Unlike its PTA (1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) analogue, replacement of a −CH2− unit in PTA with −SO2− renders PASO2 largely insoluble in water at ambient temperature (<0.70 g/L vs 236 g/L for PTA). This latter property makes it of no use as a water-solubilizing ligand for organometallic complexes. Interestingly, alkylation of PASO2 with methyl iodide occurs quantitatively at the phosphorus center to afford the iodide salt. This derivative has also been characterized by X-ray crystallography and 1H/31P NMR spectroscopy, where the 31P resonance was observed to be shifted downfield relative to PASO2 (−39.2 vs −115.9 ppm). Although PTA has long been thought to react with methyl iodide to provide exclusively a monoalkylated product at one of the nitrogen centers, a close examination of this process via 31P NMR spectroscopy has shown monomethylation to take place at b...
A Stochastic Collocation Method for Uncertainty Quantification and Propagation in Cardiovascular Simulations

Simulations of blood flow in both healthy and diseased vascular models can be used to compute a range of hemodynamic parameters including velocities, time varying wall shear stress, pressure drops, and energy losses. The confidence in the data output from cardiovascular simulations depends directly on our level of certainty in simulation input parameters. In this work, we develop a general set of tools to evaluate the sensitivity of output parameters to input uncertainties in cardiovascular simulations. Uncertainties can arise from boundary conditions, geometrical parameters, or clinical data. These uncertainties result in a range of possible outputs which are quantified using probability density functions (PDFs). The objective is to systemically model the input uncertainties and quantify the confidence in the output of hemodynamic simulations. Input uncertainties are quantified and mapped to the stochastic space using the stochastic collocation technique. We develop an adaptive collocation algorithm for Gauss-Lobatto-Chebyshev grid points that significantly reduces computational cost. This analysis is performed on two idealized problems--an abdominal aortic aneurysm and a carotid artery bifurcation, and one patient specific problem--a Fontan procedure for congenital heart defects. In each case, relevant hemodynamic features are extracted and their uncertainty is quantified. Uncertainty quantification of the hemodynamic simulations is done using (a) stochastic space representations, (b) PDFs, and (c) the confidence intervals for a specified level of confidence in each problem.
C-Terminally fused affinity Strep-tag II is removed by proteolysis from recombinant human erythropoietin expressed in transgenic tobacco plants

C -terminally fused Strep -tag II is removed from rhuEPO expressed in tobacco plants. The finding suggests that direct fusion of purification tags at the C -terminus of rhuEPO should be avoided. Asialo-erythropoietin (asialo-EPO), a desialylated form of EPO, is a potent tissue-protective agent. Recently, we and others have exploited a low-cost plant-based expression system to produce recombinant human asialo-EPO (asialo-rhuEPOP). To facilitate purification from plant extracts, Strep-tag II was engineered at the C-terminus of EPO. Although asialo-rhuEPOP was efficiently expressed in transgenic tobacco plants, affinity purification based on Strep -tag II did not result in the recovery of the protein. In this study, we investigated the stability of Strep-tag II tagged asialo-rhuEPOP expressed in tobacco plants to understand whether this fused tag is cleaved or inaccessible. Sequencing RT-PCR products confirmed that fused DNA sequences encoding Strep-tag II were properly transcribed, and three-dimensional protein structure model revealed that the tag must be fully accessible. However, Western blot analysis of leaf extracts and purified asialo-rhuEPOP revealed that the Strep-tag II was absent on the protein. Additionally, no peptide fragment containing Strep-tag II was identified in the LC–MS/MS analysis of purified protein further supporting that the affinity tag was absent on asialo-rhuEPOP. However, Strep-tag II was detected on asialo-rhuEPOP that was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting that the Strep-tag II is removed during protein secretion or extraction. These findings together with recent reports that C-terminally fused Strep-tag II or IgG Fc domain are also removed from EPO in tobacco plants, suggest that its C-terminus may be highly susceptible to proteolysis in tobacco plants. Therefore, direct fusion of purification tags at the C-terminus of EPO should be avoided while expressing it in tobacco plants.
Effects of a chemical dispersant and crude oil on breeding ducks.

Two-year old mallard ducks were exposed to Prudhoe Bay crude oil, Corexit dispersant or a mixture of the two. Percent hatching success, egg loss, and duckling survival were calculated for each clutch in the study. The absence of any differences among groups in general parental and incubation behavior, egg and nest temperatures, and duckling survival indicate that neither a light to moderate slick of undispersed oil or oil-Corexit 9527 mixture nor Corexit 9527 at a concentration up to 53 ppm in the water can be expected to reduce breeding success through behavioral alteration. A supplemental test showed that bird oiling can be reduced by dispersing part of the surface oil into the water column. (JMT)
Structural, genetic and pharmacological identity of the rat alpha 2-adrenergic receptor subtype cA2-47 and its molecular characterization in rat adrenal, adrenocortical carcinoma and bovine retina.

Subsequent to the first α2-adrenergic receptor (α2-AR) gene cloning of α2-C10 from human platelet, cloning of the first rodent α2-AR cDNA, cA2-47, was reported. Based on the structural and limited pharmacological comparison, it was concluded that the rodent receptor is a molecular and pharmacological analog of the human receptor, which is pharmacologically classified as the α2A-AR. A later study slightly revised the structure of the human receptor. Thus, the precise structural comparison of the rat receptor to the human platelet receptor is no longer valid. Another rat α2-AR gene, RG20, was then cloned and was also found to be a structural analog of the human α2-C10. It, however, varied slightly from the α2A subtype pharmacology, but matched the newly defined α2D subtype pharmacology. It was, therefore, concluded that RG20 encodes the α2D subtype. The structural and pharmacological relationship of RG20 with cA2-47 is not known, although it has been tacitly assumed that both are the identical α2D receptor subtypes. The present study addresses this and other issues relating to the precise structural, genetic and pharmacological relationship of cA2-47 with the human platelet α2-C10 receptor, and also the localization of cA2-47 transcipt in certain rat tissues. The results show that the cA2-47 receptor shows a high degree of sequence identity to the α2-C10 receptor, yet important differences exist between them. The sequence identity of cA2-47 receptor to the RG20 receptor is almost, but not quite complete. The cA2-47 gene is not present in the human and the human gene is not present in the rat; that cA2-47 receptor subtype is pharmacologically similar to the RG20 receptor subtype, both being of the α2D subtype. The cA2-47 receptor transcript in addition to being found in the rat brain is present in the rat adrenal gland, testes, adrenocortical carcinoma and the bovine retina.
Nonfluoroscopic and radiation-limited ablation of ventricular arrhythmias in children and young adults: a case series.

The purpose of this study was to report the feasibility and procedural technique of minimal or no fluoroscopy in the ablation of ventricular arrhythmias in the pediatric population. A retrospective review was performed of all patients 1 year. Three-dimensional mapping systems have allowed pediatric electrophysiologic procedures to be performed with minimal to no fluoroscopy in patients with challenging arrhythmias, including ventricular arrhythmias. The decrease in radiation exposure decreases the risk of long-term adverse sequelae resulting from radiation exposure, which is especially important in children.
Indirect determination of O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate in air at low concentrations

Abstract This paper describes an indirect method for the quantification of the toxic military agent O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate (VX) in the vapor state in air or other similar gases at ng/m 3 levels. The method begins with the passage of a gaseous sample through a filter impregnated with silver fluoride to convert the VX vapor to ethyl methylphosphonofluoridate. The latter compound is then trapped on a bed of Chromosorb 106, transferred to a smaller bed of the same sorbent, and desorbed thermally into a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame-photometric detector. The method is comparable in sensitivity to the principal alternative method, which is based on cholinesterase inhibition, and it is less subject to interference from common organic solvents and other cholinesterase inhibitors. The detection limit was found to be limited by, and therefore dependent on, the nature and extent of any background substances that produced a significant chromatographic signal or response at the retention time of the analyte. In the absence of such substances, the instrument provided a response to 0.19 ng of VX that was thirty times larger than the peak-to-peak noise amplitude on the chromatographic base line. Moreover, the method bias ( i.e. , 100% minus the percent VX recovery) was found to depend on VX concentration, with estimates of agent recovery ranging from 83% at a VX concentration of 0.67 ng/m 3 to 104% at a concentration of 0.084 ng/m 3 . The relative standard deviation varied with VX concentration and with the nature of the test that was performed to estimate it. It ranged from 2.1 % in one VX vapor-challenge test to 17% in an experiment involving spiked sampling tubes, and it was generally lower at the higher VX test concentrations.
Changes in molecular geometry caused by oxidation in Ru2 paddlewheel complexes: from Ru24+ to Ru25+

Abstract [Ru2(chp)4(thf)][BF4] (Hchp = 2-chloro-6-hydroxypyridine) has been prepared and structurally characterized. The RuRu distance is 2.2660(6) A. Comparison of the structure of this Ru25+ compound with that of the previously known Ru24+ complex, Ru2(chp)4(thf), reveals that the changes caused by the increase in oxidation state are similar to those previously observed for the Ru25+ to Ru26+ oxidation, with the metal-metal bond becoming slightly longer, by 0.005(1) A, and all the metal-ligand bond lengths decreasing slightly.
"THE FAIR LIGHT MYSTERY OF IMAGES": ALICE MEYNELL'S METAPHYSICAL TURN

poets dare What the wild eye of fancy sees – Similitude – the clear, the fair Light mystery of images —Alice Meynell, “The Return to Nature”
A pyrolysis-gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric method for measuring the DNA content of cultured mammalian cells

Abstract The DNA content of mammalian cells measured by a pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass (Py-GC/MS) spectrometry method was compared with results from an established colorimetric method based on reaction with diphenylamine. N -Acetylglucosamine was employed as an internal standard for calibration of the Py-GC/MS method. The single step Py-GC/MS procedure for DNA determination described in this report involves minimal sample manipulation and has a detection limit of about 100 ng DNA. The ability of Py-GC/MS to quantitate cellular DNA levels suggests that this approach may also be applicable to determine the amounts of other cellular constitutents in complex biological systems.
Management of brain metastases from thyroid carcinoma: a study of 16 pathologically confirmed cases over 25 years.

BACKGROUND Brain metastasis is an uncommon, morbid complication of metastatic thyroid carcinoma. Because of its rarity, management often is problematic. To help contribute to the management of this disease entity, the authors present herein what to their knowledge is the largest series reported to date in which all patients had biopsy proven confirmation of their brain metastases. METHODS The authors report a series of 16 patients with metastatic thyroid carcinoma to the brain who were treated between 1976–2000. The Mayo Clinic database was used to locate and review charts and radiology and pathology reports, and all biopsy specimens were reviewed by one pathologist. The histologic types of carcinoma included 10 papillary carcinomas, 2 follicular carcinomas, 1 Hurthle cell carcinoma, 1 medullary carcinoma, 1 insular carcinoma, and 1 anaplastic carcinoma. Given the small sample size, statistical analyses were not performed. RESULTS Surgical resection of brain metastases was associated with a trend toward longer survival (20.8 months vs. 2.7 months for no surgical intervention in selected patients) Whole brain external beam radiation therapy produced disease regression in three of the four evaluable patients. Gamma knife radiosurgery and radioactive iodine therapy appear to play limited, but beneficial, therapeutic roles. Overall, survival after the diagnosis of brain metastasis is reported to be longer than that noted with other solid tumors (17.4 months), and the majority of patients die of their extracranial disease (85% in the current series). CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study indicate that local therapies appear to control brain metastases in the large majority of thyroid carcinoma patients with metastases to the brain. Cancer 2003;98:356–62. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11488
Cost Analysis of Internet vs. Print Interventions for Physical Activity Promotion.

Objective The objective of this study was to compare the costs associated with Internet and print-based physical activity interventions.
THE BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEM ON AN INFINITE INTERVAL. EXISTENCE, UNIQUENESS AND ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOR OF BOUNDED SOLUTIONS TO A CLASS OF NONLINEAR SECOND ORDER DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Abstract : A class of second-order nonlinear differential equations is studied. It is shown that, for a given member of the class and a given initial value, there exists a unique continuous bounded function on the nonnegative reals which satisfies the equation and the boundary value, and moreover that this function tends to a nonpositive constant as the argument tends to infinity. An applica ion is given to the asymptotic behavior of the bounded solution to the equation governing the motion of a particle in an ionized field under the influence of the Ukawa potential. Since topological methods seem inapplicable in the determination of isolated elements of noncompact spaces, a lattice theory is used. The key tool is a fixed-point theorem. (Author)
Structure and phospholipase function of peroxiredoxin 6: identification of the catalytic triad and its role in phospholipid substrate binding

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is a bifunctional protein with glutathione peroxidase and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities, and it alone among mammalian peroxiredoxins can hydrolyze phospholipids. After identifying a potential catalytic triad (S32, H26, D140) from the crystal structure, site-specific mutations were used to evaluate the role of these residues in protein structure and function. The S32A mutation increased Prdx6 α-helical content, whereas secondary structure was unchanged by mutation to H26A and D140A. Lipid binding by wild-type Prdx6 to negatively charged unilamellar liposomes showed an apparent rate constant of 11.2 × 106 M−1 s−1 and a dissociation constant of 0.36 μM. Both binding and PLA2 activity were abolished in S32A and H26A; in D140A, activity was abolished but binding was unaffected. Overoxidation of the peroxidatic C47 had no effect on lipid binding or PLA2 activity. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer from endogenous tryptophanyls to lipid probes showed binding of the phospholipid polar head in close proximity to S32. Thus, H26 is a site for interfacial binding to the liposomal surface, S32 has a key role in maintaining Prdx6 structure and for phospholipid substrate binding, and D140 is involved in catalysis. This putative catalytic triad plays an essential role for interactions of Prdx6 with phospholipid substrate to optimize the protein-substrate complex for hydrolysis.
Reproductive Life Planning in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study of Women Veterans' Perceptions.

Abstract Background Women veterans using Veterans Administration (VA) health care have high rates of medical and mental health comorbidities, placing them at increased risk of poor outcomes from unplanned pregnancy. Reproductive life planning is a strategy recommended by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention that could promote healthy pregnancies and reduce unplanned pregnancy in the VA. However, no data exist on women veterans' perceptions of reproductive life planning discussions. Methods We trained six VA primary care physicians at two VA Women's Health Clinics to conduct reproductive life planning discussions with veterans aged 18 to 44 during primary care visits. After the visit, we performed semistructured telephone interviews with consenting veterans to explore perceptions of 1) reproductive life planning content and 2) provider–patient communication in reproductive life planning discussions. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis. Results We interviewed 27 veterans with a mean age of 31 years (range, 22–42). Women veterans perceived generally reproductive life planning discussions as important opportunities to discuss reproductive goals with providers and to obtain new and relevant information about contraception, planning healthy pregnancies, and available VA reproductive health services. Perceptions of reproductive life planning content were influenced by women's pregnancy intentions. Perceptions related to provider–patient communication included preferences for provider-initiated discussions and nonjudgmental counseling that incorporates patients' values and preferences. Conclusions Women veterans perceived reproductive life planning as valuable and important to their health. Reproductive life planning has the potential to enhance patient-centered delivery of reproductive health services in VA primary care.
Incorporating intraspecific variation in tests of trait-based community assembly.

Environmental filtering and niche differentiation are processes proposed to drive community assembly, generating nonrandom patterns in community trait distributions. Despite the substantial intraspecific trait variation present in plant communities, most previous studies of trait-based community assembly have used species mean trait values and therefore not accounted for intraspecific variation. Using a null model approach, I tested for environmental filtering and niche differentiation acting on three key functional traits—vegetative height, specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf dry matter content (LDMC)—in old-field plant communities. I also examined how accounting for intraspecific variation at the among-plot and individual levels affected the detection of nonrandom assembly patterns. Tests using fixed species mean trait values provided evidence of environmental filtering acting on height and SLA and niche differentiation acting on SLA. Including plot-level intraspecific variation increased the strength of these patterns, indicating an important role of intraspecific variation in community assembly. Tests using individual trait data indicated strong environmental filtering acting on all traits, but provided no evidence of niche differentiation, although these signals may have been obscured by the effects of dispersal limitation and spatial aggregation of conspecific individuals. There was also strong evidence of nonrandom assembly of individuals within single species, with the strength of environmental filtering varying among species. This study demonstrates that, while analyses using fixed species mean trait values can provide insights into community assembly processes, accounting for intraspecific variation provides a more complete view of communities and the processes driving their assembly.
Direct control of air-gap flux in permanent-magnet machines

A new field weakening and adjustment technology for PM machines by direct control of air-gap fluxes is introduced. This new technology requires no current decomposition by the inverter eliminating the need for a position sensor. Demagnetization, which normally occurs during field weakening, does not occur with this new method. The field-weakening ratio can reach 10:1 or higher. This technology is robust and particularly useful for, but not limited to, electric vehicle drives and PM generators.
Combinations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in neuroendocrine effector and receptor genes predict chronic fatigue syndrome.

Objective: This paper asks whether the presence of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can be more accurately predicted from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiles than would occur by chance. Methods: Specifically, given SNP profiles for 43 CFS patients, together with 58 controls, we used an enumerative search to identify an ensemble of conjunctive rules that predict whether a patient has CFS. Results: The accuracy of the rules reached 76.3%, with the highest accuracy rules yielding 49 true negatives, 15 false negatives, 28 true positives and nine false positives (odds ratio [OR] 8.94, p < 0.0001). Analysis of the SNPs used most frequently in the overall ensemble of rules gave rise to a list of ‘most important SNPs’, which was not identical to the list of ‘most differentiating SNPs’ that one would calculate via studying each SNP independently. The top three genes containing the SNPs accounting for the highest accumulated importances were neuronal tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH2), catechol-O-methyltransfera...
The thirteen colors of timbre

We describe a perceptual space for timbre, define an objective metric that takes into account perceptual orthogonality and measure the quality of timbre interpolation. We discuss three timbre representations and measure perceptual judgments. We determine that a timbre space based on mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) is a good model for a perceptual timbre space.
Snakebite Survivors Club: retrospective review of rattlesnake bites in Central California.

Abstract Objective We investigated clinical patterns of crotaline envenomation presenting to a tertiary-care academic hospital in Central California over a 10-year period. Methods An IRB-approved, retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients diagnosed with snakebite from December 2000 to December 2010. Data abstracted: demographics, anatomic location of bite, comorbid conditions and intoxicants, length of stay, antivenom dose, laboratory results, and complications or procedures. Results There were 46 snakebite cases admitted over the study period. Five were “dry bites”; the remaining cases (41/46) received antivenom. There was a male predominance (83% male victims). Upper extremity bites were more common (32/41 upper vs 10/42 lower extremity). One victim sustained bilateral bites to the hands. Thirty-five patients (85%) were admitted, with an average length of stay 2.12 days. The longest hospitalization was 15 days. There were no fatalities. The average time from bite to ED presentation was 2 h 44 min. Bites occurred during every month except November, with the majority occurring during spring and summer months and peaking in June (12/42 cases). Most bites occurred in the hours between noon and 8 pm. The amount of antivenom given ranged from 2 to 35 vials (average, 9 vials). Interfacility transfers were common in our study population: thirteen (32%) patients were transferred into our emergency department for a higher level of care, and 3 (7%) were transferred out (two because of insurance requirements, and one for higher level of Pediatric ICU care). There were no surgical interventions in our study group. Intoxication did not appear to play a major role in this population as only 3 patients (7%) were found to be acutely intoxicated: one with cannabis and amphetamines, 1 with alcohol, and 1 with opioids. Conclusions In Central California, crotaline envenomations occurred mainly in adult males. Dry bites, or bites not requiring antivenom administration, were uncommon, comprising only 10% of bites in this study population. Contrary to popular and clinical beliefs, substance abuse and/or alcohol intoxication did not appear to play a role in the majority of patients in this study. Care providers and snakebite specialists should be aware that snakebite patients are often transferred between facilities, a finding that may be useful in designing future first aid protocols and research. We hope these findings add concrete data and help correct some common misconceptions about snakebites in Central California.
Lipid and amino acid composition influence incorporation and discrimination of 13C and 15N in mink

Abstract The incorporation of dietary macronutrients and associated isotopic signatures of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) into animal tissues is a result of the interaction between growth, nutritional status, and the composition of the diet. In mammalian carnivores incorporation is further complicated by lack of carbohydrates in the diet and allocation of large quantities of dietary macronutrients to fetuses and milk production. In this study, we explored the effects of diet composition, growth, pregnancy, and milk production on isotopic incorporation of 13C and 15N in captive mink (Neovison vison) fed 3 experimental diets (Beef, Fish, and a Mixture of the 2) that differed in lipid and amino acid composition. In nursing kits, growth was the main factor influencing isotopic incorporation rates into muscle. Similarly, in adults, changes in body mass influenced the dynamics of isotopic incorporation in red blood cells, although the rates differed for δ13C and δ15N, as well as among the 3 experimental grou...
Cure depth in photopolymerization: Experiments and theory

The depth of photocuring for a model resin system was investigated as a function of photoinitiator concentration. Direct measurements of gel thickness were made from thin films of cross-linked multifunctional methacrylate monomer. The monomer, 2,2-bis{4-[2-hydroxy-3-(methacryloxy)propoxy]phenyl}propane, was polymerized in a solution of trichloroethylene with an ultraviolet laser light source at 325 nm. The monomer solutions were photocured using varying levels of both photonic energy and photoinitiator concentration. An optimal photoinitiator concentration that maximized the gel cure depth was observed. Additionally, two regimes were shown to exist in which the shrinkage (upon solvent removal) was minimized or maximized. A model was developed to probe the physics of the system. Good agreement with experiment was obtained, and the model may be employed to predict both the existence and location of the optimal photoinitiator concentration and the corresponding cure depth. The study showed that photoinitiator plays a significant role in controlling the quality and performance of the formed gel network, with special regard to thickness of cured layers. This has potential application to fields as diverse as industrially cured coatings and dental fillings, and more generally, 3-dimensional rapid prototyping techniques.
Developing a Proactive Approach to Medication Error Prevention

Medication administration and the prevention of medication errors have been identified by quality management professionals and consumers alike as an area of healthcare that needs quality improvement. A proactive multi-disciplinary approach taken by nursing and pharmacy at the author's acute care teaching hospital has resulted in a significant improvement in the medication administration process and in reduced medication errors. Improved quality data management resulted in more effective action planning. The reporting format of medication errors was changed based on trends, and severity evaluation was implemented. System problems were more easily identified due to increased information about the medication errors. As a result, staff education and training could be more specific, and thus, more meaningful. Additionally, jointly developed quality management studies provided the foundation for effective improvement strategies and efficient system changes.
The effects of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on parkinsonian tremor

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate (Vim) nucleus of the thalamus has been the target of choice for patients with disabling essential tremor or medication refractory parkinsonian tremor. Recently there is evidence that the subthalamic nucleus (STN) should be the targets for patients with tremor associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). To assess the effects of STN DBS on parkinsonian tremor, eight consecutive patients with PD and disabling tremor were videotaped using a standardized tremor protocol. Evaluations were performed at least 12 h after last dose of medication with the DBS turned off followed by optimal DBS on state. A rater blinded to DBS status evaluated randomized video segments with the tremor components of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Tremor Rating Scale (TRS). Compared with DBS off state there were significant improvements in mean UPDRS tremor score 79.4% (p=0.008), total TRS score 69.9% (p=0.008) and upper extremity 92.5% (p=0.008) TRS subscore. Functional improvement was noted with pouring liquids. Our findings provide support that STN DBS is an effective treatment of tremor associated with PD.
The San Joaquin Desert of California: Ecologically Misunderstood and Overlooked

ABSTRACT: The vegetation community of the San Joaquin Valley of California has been formally classified as a perennial grassland based largely on assumptions of past climax state. However, historical records suggest that the region might be more accurately classified as a desert. The distinction is important in determining the appropriate management strategies for this ecosystem, particularly for the many rare and endemic taxa that reside there. Abiotic and biotic factors—including low precipitation, arid soils, and desert-adapted plants and vertebrate—are consistent with conditions typical of desert areas. We examined the distributions of these factors to define the extent of the San Joaquin Desert. We conclude that the San Joaquin Desert historically encompassed 28,493 km2 including the western and southern two thirds of the San Joaquin Valley, and the Carrizo Plain and Cuyama Valley to the southwest. However, this ecosystem has been reduced by up to 59% from agricultural, industrial, and urban activiti...
Hermeneutics against Instrumental Reason: national and post-national Islam in the 20th century

Abstract Islamic identity and secular anti-colonial nationalism implied initially similar approaches to modernity in the Middle East. Islamic currents of the time reinterpreted Islam in an ‘instrumental’ fashion as an accompaniment to developmental nationalisms, elaborating their cultural aspects. However, new Islamic currents of recent decades reject secularism in favour not of instrumental Islam but of a hermeneutic one. Unlike instrumental Islam, in which the project was to organise society, the goal in the emerging hermeneutic movement is to organise knowledge. While instrumental Islam mirrored the nationalism of the time, articulating many of its themes in spiritual format, the hermeneutic movement seems to be moving away from it. Therefore it does not easily fit the concept of cultural nationalism, appearing to go beyond the nation towards a post-national and postmodern world-view in which questions of development and cultural identity are subordinated to questions of universality, human existence a...
A composition on organizing

The Music of Management: Applying Organizational Theory, by Dennis R. Young. Burlington, Vt.: Ashgate Publishing Company, 2004. 173 pp., $89.95 cloth.
Anatomy and Evaluation of the Lumbosacral Plexus

Although not as common as brachial plexopathies, lumbosacral plexopathies do occasionally occur. Most plexopathies are due to masses that compress or infiltrate the pelvis, traction on the plexus itself from dislocation of the hemipelvis, or ischemia. Diagnosis and evaluation of the lumbosacral plexus may be made using electrodiagnostic testing, MR imaging, or CT scans, in addition to the patient's history, thorough physical examination, and knowledge of the anatomy of the plexus and its associated anatomical structures.
Using Extruded Volumes to Visualize Time-Series Datasets

Time-series datasets are used to construct simulations for alternative future scenarios. They support the identification of patterns and trends over time. This allows effective interactions between the various actors involved in decision-making processes, such as planners and policy makers, whilst considering the environmental implications of any plan.
Abstract A12: Erk2 phosphorylates Drp1 to promote mitochondrial fission and Ras-driven tumor growth.

Oncogenic Ras mutations lead to activation of several downstream effector pathways that promote a tumorigenic phenotype. As targeting Ras directly has proven difficult, a great deal of effort has been expended trying to understand these downstream effector pathways and the biological processes that underlie their pro-tumorigenic activity. Several of the processes affected by aberrant Ras signaling, including apoptosis, metabolic reprogramming and proliferation, are tightly linked to mitochondrial function. Furthermore, each of these processes can be affected by changes in mitochondrial dynamics. As such, we hypothesized that altering the balance of mitochondrial fusion and fission might be a mechanism through which Ras promotes the phenotypes associated with tumor progression and thus might represent an attractive new target for the treatment of Ras-driven cancers. Here, we show that expression of oncogenic Ras leads to an increase in mitochondrial fragmentation and that blocking this phenotype, through knockdown of the mitochondrial fission-mediating GTPase Drp1, inhibits Ras-driven tumor growth. Mechanistically, this Ras-driven mitochondrial fission occurs through activation of the MAP Kinase pathway, which promotes fission through Erk2-mediated phosphorylation of Drp1 on Serine 616. Furthermore, Drp1 phospho-S616 levels are increased in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines and inhibition of this phosphorylation is sufficient to block Ras-mediated mitochondrial fission and Ras-induced tumor growth. Collectively, these data suggest that the mitochondrial fission machinery may be a novel target for treating Ras-driven malignancies. Citation Format: David Kashatus. Erk2 phosphorylates Drp1 to promote mitochondrial fission and Ras-driven tumor growth.. [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 A12. doi: 10.1158/1557-3125.RASONC14-A12
Benefits of Dietary Fiber for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes are chronic diseases distributed worldwide. Both of them share of some common risk factors and have some common pathophysiological changes. CVD and diabetes are a huge burden on the health care system of every government and its population. Therefore, the early prevention and treatment of diabetes, insulin resistance and CVD has a significant role for public health and the health care system. Dietary fiber has received recognition for reducing the risk of developing both CVD and diabetes. The implication is that dietary fiber may have therapeutic benefits in predia-betic metabolic conditions and in preventing the cardiovascular complications. The effect of dietary fiber on the common risk factors and possibly relative gene expression may reduce the morbidity of these diseases. However, the amount of total dietary fiber consumed and the chemical and physiological properties of different fiber sources will determine the effectiveness in prevention or treatment of CVD, insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.
The F-box Protein Rcy1 Is Involved in the Degradation of Histone H3 Variant Cse4 and Genome Maintenance

Cse4, a histone H3-like centromeric protein, plays critical functions in chromosome segregation. Cse4 level is tightly regulated, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. We employed a toxicity-based screen to look for the degradation components involved in Cse4 regulation. Here, we show that the F-box containing protein Rcy1 is required for efficient Cse4 turnover as Cse4 degradation is compromised in yeast cells lacking RCY1 Excessive Cse4 accumulation in rcy1Δ cells leads to growth retardation. Furthermore, the deletion of RCY1 is tied to enhanced chromosome instability and temperature-sensitive cell growth. Our results reveal the involvement of Rcy1 in chromosome regulation and another regulatory pathway controlling the Cse4 level and activity.
A Serpentine Antenna Configuration for Passive Integrated Transponder Tag Readers Used at Bat Roosts

Abstract We developed a new method for deploying a passive integrated transponder (PIT) with a flexible antenna cable hung as a serpentine curtain at a cave entrance. This fly-through method increased PIT tag detections of nectar-feeding bats (Phyllostomidae) that appeared to pass undetected via other PIT tag antenna configurations.
Travels into Print: Exploration, Writing, and Publishing with John Murray, 1773-1859

The study of nineteenth-century travel writing is a field that could almost be said to have gotten ahead of itself. Shaped in many ways by ambitious works of cultural history and theory—most notabl...
The Role of Protein Hydrophobicity in Conformation Change and Self-Assembly into Large Amyloid Fibers

It has been found that a short hydrophobic “template” peptide and a larger α-helical “adder” protein cooperatively self-assemble into micrometer sized amyloid fibers. Here, a common template of trypsin hydrolyzed gliadin is combined with six adder proteins (α-casein, α-lactalbumin, amylase, hemoglobin, insulin, and myoglobin) to determine what properties of the adder protein drive amyloid self-assembly. Utilizing Fourier Transform-Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, the Amide I absorbance reveals that the observed decrease in α-helix with time is approximately equal to the increase in high strand density β-sheet, which is indicative of amyloid formation. The results show that the hydrophobic moment is a good predictor of conformation change but the fraction of aliphatic amino acids within the α-helices is a better predictor. Upon drying, the protein mixtures form large amyloid fibers. The fiber twist is dependent on the aliphatic index and molecular weight of the adder protein. Here we demonstrate that it is p...
Local pressure changes in lipid bilayers due to adsorption of melittin and magainin-h2 antimicrobial peptides: Results from computer simulations

We performed a series of coarse-grained computer simulations in order to study how the placement of melittin and magainin-h2 antimicrobial peptides on the surface of the bilayer changes the local pressure profiles in the bilayer. The simulations were done using the NPT ensemble when the total stress on the bilayer was zero and also using the NPzAT ensemble, with a nonzero total stress. In the NPT ensemble, although the total stress was zero, each leaflet of the bilayer experienced a nonzero stress, and the stresses are equal by magnitude, but opposite in their direction. The observed stresses acting on the monolayers may cause the rupture of the monolayers to release the stress. Our simulations were done at different peptide to lipid ratio (P/L). When the P/L ratio was 1/50 there was no large difference in the local pressure profile for bilayers with melittin versus bilayers with magainin-h2. When simulations were performed in the NPzAT ensemble at P/L = 3/100 we observed a large difference in the pressur...
Zugzeiten und Zugmuster im Herbst: Einfluß des Treibhauseffekts auf den Vogelzug?

In 21 Jahren unter standardisierten Bedingungen erarbeites Beobachtungsmaterial zum sichtbaren Tagzug von 46 Vogelarten wurde in drei Zeitabschnitte 1970–76, 1977–83, 1984–90 untergliedert. 1970–1983 hat sich der klimagebundene Herbstanfang in Norddeutschland um 5, in Suddeutschland um 6 Tage verspatet. 68 % der kurzstreckenziehenden Passeres (19 Arten) ziehen heute wenige, andere bis zu 10 Tage spater als vor 14 Jahren, bei 14 Arten verlauft diese Anderung kontinuierlich. Nur 18 % (5 Arten) ziehen fruher. Andere als klimatische Grunde fur eine Verspatung des Zuges sind derzeit nicht erkennbar. Fur eine verspatet eintretende Zugdisposition, ausgelost durch Nahrungsmangel oder Pestizide, gibt es derzeit keine Belege. Die Mehrzahl der kurzstreckenziehenden Passeres past sich damit dem durch Klimaerwarmung bedingten spateren Herbsteintritt an. Bei kurzstreckenziehenden Non-Passeres ist das Verhaltnis ausgeglichener (5 Verspatungen, 4 Vorverlegungen). Bei den Langstreckenziehern stehen den vier Vorverlegungen drei Verspatungen gegenuber. Kurzstreckenzieher konnen aus dem langeren Verbleib im mitteleuropaischen Brutgebiet evolutive Vorteile erwarten. Vorverlegungen des Medianwertes konnen mit der Klimaerwarmung erklart werden. Vorher spat ziehende Populationsanteile konnen zu Standvogeln werden, der Medianwert der Art verfruht sich. Langstreckenzieher konnen dagegen aus langerem Verbleib im Brutgebiet nur ausnahmsweise profitieren. Die Ankunft zeitgleich mit den kurzen Monsunregen am Sudrand der Sahara hat wahrscheinliche eine hohere selektive und damit evolutionswirksamere Bedeutung. Klimabedingte Abweichungen davon, konnten fur die Arten katastrophale Folgen haben, wie sie beim BrachpieperAnthus campestris vermutet werden. Der Einflus der Klimaerwarmung auf Vogelzugzeiten und damit die Anderung der Zugmuster war nach Laborversuchen zu erwarten. Hier wird der Beweis an zahlreichen Arten innerhalb einer Langzeitstudie an Freilandpopulationen erbracht.
Exploration of purchasing in hospitals

Objective: To strengthen the whole process of purchasing in hospitals and explore purchasing management methods. Methods: We introduced the material purchasing reform for the hospital's construction and development of purchasing management pattern. Using the JIT purchasing mode, we conducted the hospital united centralized purchasing for clinical materials of great demand and small amount such as computer network parts, consumables ,medical form printing, office household goods etc. Results: The scientific reasonable material purchasing management can give medical institutions bring certain economic benefits and social benefit. It puts an end to the phenomenon of different prices for the same goods, unknown big amount consumption to ensure the normal operation of medical work, save the money for the hospital. Conclusion: With the deepening reform of health system, material procurement has becomeone of the most important parts in the hospital. Meanwhile, the purchasing management is facing great changes. We should change our purchasing mode to adapt to the new situation.
Comparison of Soil Alkaline Phosphatase Activity Determined with Different Substrates

Soil phosphatase had important role in the mineralization of organic phosphorus and plant phosphorus nutrition. Now phenyl phosphate disodium salt and disodium p- Nitrophenyl phosphate tetrahydrate were the main substrates for measuring soil phosphatase activity. Disodium p- Nitrophenyl phosphate tetrahydrate was widely used in the world, but phenyl phosphate disodium salt was almost used in China. The obvious differences were found by opting different substrates to determine soil phosphatase activity. How to choose the kinds of substrates was difficult for researchers. In order to study the optimal methods for measuring soil alkaline phosphatase activity, alkaline phosphatase activity of 10 samples from acid, neutral and alkaline soil were measured with three different methods which was described in the book of "Soil enzymes and its Method"(DPP1), "Method in Soil Biology"(DPP2) and "Methods of Soil Enzymology"(PNPP), respectively. Results showed that the change tendency of phosphatase activity was similar in three soil types measured with three methods, but the shift range of difference among different soils was obviously different. In acid and alkaline soils, the coefficient of variation of soil alkaline phosphatase activity of 10 soil samples measured with DPP1 and DPP2 was moderate, and that measured with PNPP was high; Whereas in neutral soils, the coefficient of variation of soil alkaline phosphatase activity measured with DPP1 and DPP2 was low, and that measured with PNPP was moderate. In short, PNPP was more sensitive than DPP1 and DPP2. Additionally, PNPP was with the characteristic of high precision, short incubation time, easy operation, and so on. So PNPP was advised to determine soil alkaline phosphatase activity.
Charging for Parking to Finance Public Services

Many cities have two serious problems: overcrowded on-street parking and undersupplied public services. This article examines a policy to address both problems: charge market prices to manage on-st...
Renal Artery Stenosis After Renal Transplantation: The Impact of the Hypogastric Artery Anastomosis

AbstractA review of 402 renal allotransplants performed during a 5-year period revealed 25 cases of transplant renal artery stenosis in 377 evaluable patients. To our knowledge this is the first large study of this transplant complication in which all patients received cyclosporine immunotherapy. The incidence of transplant renal artery stenosis was 6.6%. The mean internal from transplantation to onset of transplant renal artery stenosis was 11 months. No significant differences in atherosclerotic risk factors were detected between the groups with and without transplant renal artery stenosis. The incidence of acute allograft rejection was not increased in the stenosis group. There was no difference in the incidence of transplant renal artery stenosis following end-to-end (hypogastric artery) or end-to-side (common or external iliac artery) arterial anastomoses. Among patients having end-to-end hypogastric artery anastomoses the incidence of transplant renal artery stenosis was significantly greater (p < 0...