cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
L1-Norm Principal-Component Analysis of Complex Data

L1-norm Principal-Component Analysis (L1-PCA) of real-valued data has attracted significant research interest over the past decade. L1-PCA of complex-valued data remains to date unexplored despite the many possible applications (in communication systems, for example). In this paper, we establish theoretical and algorithmic foundations of L1-PCA of complex-valued data matrices. Specifically, we first show that, in contrast to the real-valued case for which an optimal polynomial-cost algorithm was recently reported by Markopoulos, Karystinos, and Pados, complex L1-PCA is formally NP-hard. Then, casting complex L1-PCA as a unimodular optimization problem, we present the first two suboptimal algorithms in the literature for its solution. Extensive experimental studies included in this paper illustrate the sturdy resistance of complex L1-PCA against faulty measurements/outliers in the processed data.
Extensions of Born’s rule to non-linear quantum mechanics, some of which do not imply superluminal communication

Nonlinear modifications of quantum mechanics have a troubled history. They were initially studied for many promising reasons: resolving the measurement problem, formulating a theory of quantum mechanics and gravity, and understanding the limits of standard quantum mechanics. However, certain non-linear theories have been experimentally tested and failed. More significantly, it has been shown that, in general, deterministic non-linear theories can be used for superluminal communication. We highlight another serious issue: the distribution of measurement results predicted by non-linear quantum mechanics depends on the formulation of quantum mechanics. In other words, Born's rule cannot be uniquely extended to non-linear quantum mechanics. We present these generalizations of Born's rule, and then examine whether some exclude superluminal communication. We determine that a large class do not allow for superluminal communication, but many lack a consistent definition. Nonetheless, we find a single extension of Born's rule with a sound operational definition, and that does not exhibit superluminal communication. The non-linear time-evolution leading to a certain measurement event is driven by the state conditioned on measurements that lie within the past light cone of that event.
Pazopanib effective for bevacizumab-unresponsive epistaxis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) most commonly manifests with nasal mucosal telangiectasias, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a significant role in this angiodysplasia. We describe a patient with HHT with epistaxis recalcitrant to several endonasal procedures and six cycles of intravenous bevacizumab, for which he was dependent on iron infusions and packed red blood cells transfusions. He then started pazopanib at 100 mg with dramatic improvements in epistaxis and normalization of hemoglobin and iron levels, without replenishment needs for 12 months. This is the first report on the efficacy of pazopanib with high selectivity for abrogating VEGF receptor-2 signaling in HHT, and needs to be explored further. Laryngoscope, 128:2234-2236, 2018.
Our star: Amazigh music and the production of intimacy in 2011 Libya

This article explores the production and circulation of Amazigh music among Libyans between 2011 and 2013. It takes as a focal point the performance archive of Serbian-Libyan Amazigh singer Dania B...
Cervical spinal cord injury after blunt assault: Just a pain in the neck?

Abstract Background We aimed to determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) after blunt assault. Methods The ACS National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) 2012 Research Data Set was used to identify victims of blunt assault using the ICD-9 E-codes 960.0, 968.2, 973. ICD-9 codes 805.00, 839.00, 806.00, 952.00 identified cervical vertebral fractures/dislocations and CSCI. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of CSCI. Results 14,835 (2%) out of 833,311 NTDB cases were blunt assault victims and thus included. 217 (1%) had cervical vertebral fracture/dislocation without CSCI; 57 (0.4%) had CSCI. Age ≥55 years was independently predictive of CSCI; assault by striking/thrown object, facial fracture, and intracranial injury predicted the absence of CSCI. 25 (0.02%) patients with CSCI underwent cervical spinal fusion. Conclusions CSCI is rare after blunt assault. While the odds of CSCI increase with age, facial fracture or intracranial injury predicts the absence of CSCI. Summary The incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) after blunt assault was investigated. 14,835 blunt assault victims were identified; 217 had cervical vertebral fracture/dislocation without CSCI; 57 had CSCI. Age ≥55 years was found to independently predict CSCI, while assault by striking/thrown object, facial fracture, and intracranial injury predicted the absence of CSCI.
Multiple Dose IP Vancomycin Kinetics during CAPD

Kinetics of vancomycin were studied in five noninfected CAPD patients given repeated IP doses. More than 60% of the first dose was absorbed and absorption from later exchanges was slightly lower. The volume of distribution increased for 18 h but plasma concentrations were maintained by repeated dosing.
The Lattice of Ordered Compactifications of a Direct Sum of Totally Ordered Spaces

The lattice of ordered compactifications of a topological sum of a finite number of totally ordered spaces is investigated. This investigation proceeds by decomposing the lattice into equivalence classes determined by the identification of essential pairs of singularities. This lattice of equivalence classes is isomorphic to a power set lattice. Each of these equivalence classes is further decomposed into equivalence classes determined by admissible partially ordered partitions of the ordered Stone–Cech remainder. The lattice structure within each equivalence class is determined using an algorithm based on the incidence matrix of the partially ordered partition. As examples, the ordered compactification lattices for the spaces [0,1)⊕[0,1),[0,1)⊕[0,1)⊕[0,1),R⊕R, and R/{0}⊕R/{0} are determined.
Intraoperative Heparin Use during Upper Extremity Arteriovenous Access Creation Does Not Affect Outcomes.

Background There are conflicting data about the effect of heparin use on perioperative outcomes during upper extremity arteriovenous (AV) access creation. Our goal was to assess the effect of the use and degree of intraoperative heparin on perioperative outcomes after AV access creation. Methods All upper extremity AV access cases performed at a tertiary academic medical center between 2014 and 2017 were reviewed. Patient and procedural details including intraoperative heparin use and dosing as well as protamine use were analyzed. Full heparin dose was defined as 80–100 U/kg and partial heparin dose as less than 80 U/kg. Perioperative arterial thrombosis or distal embolism, hematoma, and early loss of primary patency within 30 days were evaluated. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the effect of heparin use. Results There were 550 AV access cases identified: brachiocephalic (37.5%), brachiobasilic (29.3%), and radiocephalic fistulas (12.9%), and AV grafts (16.9%). Average patient age was 62.6 years and 58.9% were male. Full heparinization was used in 21.3%, partial heparinization in 58.7%, and no heparin was used in 20% of cases. Protamine was used in 94.9% of full heparin cases and 51.4% of partial heparin cases. No perioperative arterial thrombosis or distal embolism was observed. Perioperative wound hematoma rate was 3.4%, 3.1%, and 0.9% in full heparin, partial heparin, and no heparin cohorts, respectively (P = 0.42). Early loss of primary patency was 11.1%, 7.7%, and 6.4% for full heparin, partial heparin, and no heparin cases, respectively (P = 0.39). There were no differences in return to the operating room or perioperative survival. On multivariable analysis, full heparin use (odds ratio [OR] 3.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41–35.9, P = 0.24) and partial heparin (OR 4.03, 95% CI 0.5–32.6, P = 0.19) use were not significantly different from no heparin cases with respect to 30-day perioperative hematoma rate. Full heparin (OR 1.76, 95% CI 0.65–4.78, P = 0.26) and partial heparin (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.46–2.75, P = 0.79) were not significantly different from no heparin cases with respect to early loss of primary patency. Conclusions Intraoperative heparin use, at full or partial doses, did not affect perioperative outcomes after AV access creation. Overall complication event rate was low for all groups. AV access can be safely performed without intraoperative heparin use.
Health Impact Assessment of Transportation Projects and Policies: Living Up to Aims of Advancing Population Health and Health Equity?

Health impact assessment (HIA) is a forward-looking, evidence-based tool used to inform stakeholders and policy makers about the potential health effects of proposed projects and policies and to id...
Preparing for the Future Impacts of Megastorms on Archaeological Sites: An Evaluation of Flooding from Hurricane Harvey, Houston, Texas

Powerful hurricanes in 2017—Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria—were stark examples of how these previously rare catastrophes are becoming increasingly normal due to climate change, with dire consequences for cultural resources. These storms, sometimes called megastorms or superstorms, were the first in which high-resolution satellite imagery was available in the immediate aftermath, providing a new tool for rapidly evaluating damage to archaeological sites. Using Hurricane Harvey as a case study, we examined two recent spatial models of archaeological site vulnerability to long-term climate change to determine whether these models are also adequate for predicting the impacts of short-term climate catastrophes. We further examined a number of individual variables that we expected to be useful in predicting which sites would be most vulnerable to flooding, such as proximity to rivers, the coast, or the floodplain. Neither the models nor the individual variables correlated well to increased risk to archaeological sites, with the exception of land use. Sites located within developed areas benefited from measures to protect property and were less often flooded. We suggest that strategies for responding to megastorms would be most effective through a combination of preparedness, analysis of remote sensing data, and existing field research methods.
Investigating customers’ system justifying responses: application of system justification theory

ABSTRACTBrand failures are detrimental for the business success. However, the extant literature has not yet investigated in what situation a brand failure can be perceived more negatively than has ...
Outcomes of Meniscus Repair in Children and Adolescents

Purpose of Review The purpose of this study was to review the clinical and functional outcomes of meniscus repair in children and adolescents.
Efficient total syntheses of phytoalexin and (+/-)-paniculidine B and C based on the novel methodology for the preparation of 1-methoxyindoles.

A general route to 2-unsubstituted-1-methoxyindoles, based on our methodology for the synthesis of 1-methoxyindoles, is reported. This synthesis renders accessibility to a variety of natural products possessing the said skeleton. A direct synthesis of phytoalexin (1), (±)-paniculidine B (2), and (±)-paniculidine C (3) is disclosed based on the methodology. The synthesis of paniculidine B (2) has been achieved from aldehyde 10 in only two steps in 88% yield and in five steps from a methoxyindole compound 8 obtained using our earlier methodology.
PLCε1 suppresses tumor growth by regulating murine T cell mobilization.

Phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCe1) is a unique member of the phospholipase family, in that it also functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the small GTPase Rap1. It is this function as a Rap1 GEF that gives PLCe1 an essential role in chemokine-mediated T cell adhesion. We have utilized a syngeneic tumor model, MC38 cells in C57BL/6 mice, and observed that tumors grow larger and more quickly in the absence of PLCe1. Single-cell analysis revealed an increased CD4+ /CD8+ ratio in the spleens, lymph nodes and tumors of PLCe1 knock-out tumor-bearing mice. T cells isolated from PLCe1 knock-out mice were less activated by multiple phenotypical parameters than those from wild-type mice. We additionally noted a decrease in expression of the chemokine receptors C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and C-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) on CD4+ T cells from the spleens, lymph nodes and tumors of PLCe1 knock-out mice compared to wild-type mice, and diminished migration of PLCe1-depleted CD3+ T cells towards stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α. Based on these results, we conclude that PLCe1 is a potential regulator of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, functioning, at least in part, at the level of T cell trafficking and recruitment.
Preoperative and Postoperative Spending Among Working-Age Adults Undergoing Posterior Spinal Fusion Surgery for Degenerative Disease.

Objective To investigate the health care resource utilization and the associated 6 months preoperative and 6 months postoperative spending among patients undergoing posterior lumbar fusion. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a private insurance claims database for patients who underwent single-level posterior spinal fusion from January 2011 to December 2015. Outpatient health services, prescription pain medications, and inpatient admissions were assessed. Results Among 25,401 patients (mean age, 52 years; 58% female) in the final cohort, median spending during the period from 6 months before surgery to 6 months after surgery was $60,714 (interquartile range [IQR], $46,961–$79,892)/patient. Preoperative spending accounted for 7% ($121 million) of the total costs, and postoperative spending accounted for 8% ($135 million). Median preoperative spending was $3566 (IQR, $2144–$5857) per patient, with imaging accounting for the highest proportion (33%) of preoperative spending. In the 6 months period preceding surgery, 46% patients received injections and 47% received physical therapy. The median postoperative spending was $1954/patient (IQR, $735–$4416). Total postoperative spending was significantly higher among those not discharged home (median, $7525; IQR, $6779–$19,602) compared with those discharged home (median, $1617/patient; IQR, $648–$4033) and home with home care services (median, $2921; IQR, $1406–$5662) (P Conclusions Unplanned readmission after posterior spinal fusion was the highest contributor to postoperative spending and the second highest contributor to overall costs. Understanding factors that contribute to the costs in the preoperative and postoperative period in patients undergoing single-level posterior lumbar fusion for degenerative pathology is essential to identify targets for cost containment.
Using phytolith analysis to reconstruct prehistoric fire regimes in central coastal California

Over the last century, northern coastal scrub has encroached into open grasslands along the central California coast, increasing fire risk in coastal wildland–urban interfaces. Understanding prehistoric ecological conditions is crucial for fire mitigation projects. Current estimates of these conditions in coastal California grasslands and shrublands are largely speculative because tree ring data, lake sediment evidence and ethnographic information are sparse. Phytolith analysis is an alternative palaeoecological tool that has been successfully used to reconstruct the extent of prehistoric grass cover in California. Our study uses phytolith analysis of soil samples from the East Bay hills of the San Francisco Bay region as a novel approach to estimate prehistoric grassland distribution and infer fire frequency in central coastal California. Our data strongly indicate that many areas in the region were dominated by perennial bunchgrasses for at least several hundred years before European contact. Because grass-dominated grasslands in the East Bay hills are disturbance-dependent, our data suggest prehistoric fire frequency was of the order of 5 years or less in the region. Phytolith analysis is a useful technique for prehistoric fire regime reconstruction for grasslands and shrublands worldwide, leading to improved, data-based land management.
Two critical thinking models—probing questions and conceptualization—adding 4 skillsets to the teacher's armamentarium

Critical thinking is ubiquitous in patient care. One track for critical thinking develops skillsets emulating the thought process of the master clinician using probing questions and has been offered in treatment planning, literature search, and critique, risk assessment in caries and geriatrics, technology decision-making, EBD, and IPP. This paper offers 2 additional critical thinking skillsets following this emulation model in social work and ethics. Conceptualization, another form of critical thinking, is also ubiquitous in health care, yet almost no literature exists to guide learning and assess performance on conceptualization. This paper introduces for discussion 2 examples of conceptualization-"How and how much does this situation differ from the ideal?" and "How does the student/practitioner conceptualize the outcome prior to the imminent procedure?" -used continually by the practitioner in patient care situations. The result is 4 additional critical thinking skillsets at different stages of development in the armamentarium for the teacher.
Life-cycle energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of palm fatty acid distillate derived renewable diesel.

Abstract This study aims to quantify life-cycle fossil energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) derived renewable diesel (RD) taking into consideration different feedstock classifications that are applicable to PFAD (residue, byproduct, or coproduct), and incorporating updated data for key processes. Under the three classifications, the PFAD to RD pathway was modeled using the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET®) model. PFAD-derived RD could reduce fossil energy consumption by 77%–88%, relative to petroleum diesel. GHG emissions are very sensitive to PFAD classification and coproduct handling methods. Considering the production of palm oil and PFAD and economic value, we maintain that PFAD should be treated as a byproduct in palm oil refineries. With this treatment, PFAD-derived RD could achieve 84% GHG emissions reductions, compared to the emissions of petroleum diesel. We also employed a substitution method to address the substitution of PFAD by other materials in the marketplace. Compared to coproduct allocation results, we found substituting PFAD by tallow, soy oil, barley, and canola oil results in lower GHG emissions. Due to high induced land-use change emissions associated with palm farming, if PFAD is treated as a coproduct with refined palm oil, PFAD-derived RD may not deliver GHG reductions. A sensitivity analysis identified key parameters such as palm fruit yield, oil extraction efficiency in oil mills, and energy use intensity for RD production affects LCA results significantly; future efforts to improve these parameters could result in further GHG reductions.
A Protective Role for Accumulated Dry Matter Reserves in Seeds During Desiccation: Implications for Conservation

We live in an unprecedented time of plant biodiversity loss. Current extinction rates are three orders of magnitude faster than extinction rates measured over geologic time. Similarly, 30% of plants are threatened with extinction. This information is startling when one considers that humans depend on plants for life. Fortunately, several systems exist to conserve plant genetic diversity. Seed storage within genebanks represents the most widely utilized system for plant conservation. One advantage of genebanking is that seed viability can be maintained for decades to centuries. Seeds must tolerate extensive post-harvest drying (5–10% moisture content) and cold (−18 °C) to maintain shelf-life for these periods. However, many important tropical seeds cannot tolerate drying to these levels thus precluding genebank storage. But what separates desiccation-tolerant from sensitive seeds? Previous hypotheses related to protective roles for certain sugars and proteins or the formation of intracellular glasses are insufficient. For instance, desiccation-tolerant and desiccation-sensitive seeds accumulate the same types and levels of protective molecules. Likewise, desiccation-sensitive seeds form intracellular glasses if dried sufficiently. Alternatively, using seeds of a tropical palm as a model, our work identifies a critical minimum level of cellular dry matter accumulation for appropriate desiccation tolerance. Our model suggests that cells must acquire >35% dry matter reserves to avoid lethal desiccation stress prior to genebanking. This level of dry matter accumulation may serve as a reference point for future breeding efforts or manipulation of the seed developmental program to enhance desiccation tolerance.
Multiple Perspectives on Establishing a Research Lab in Culturo-Behavior Science

One challenge faced by students of behavior analysis is finding a graduate training program that provides opportunities to study how cultural phenomena develop within a selectionist perspective. Research labs in culturo-behavior science provide opportunities for students to consume and conduct research that contributes to the understanding of how cultural phenomena develop within a selectionist perspective. Lab members can engage in critical analysis of the existing behavior analytic literature on cultural analysis and design, conduct experiments that extend this literature base, and apply cultural-level analysis to problems of social importance. The Department of Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas has housed two such labs to date—the Behavior and Culture Lab (Glenn, 2006–2012) and the Cultural Design and Systems Lab (Cihon, Ortu, & Becker, 2018 to present). This chapter describes how each lab was established and the strategies and approaches that the faculty found useful in creating and sustaining the lab, emphasizing the contingencies one might need to consider when starting a similar lab, how one might overcome barriers to the creation of a lab in culturo-behavior science, and some examples of practices to support such a lab.
The Impact of Parental Migraine on Children.

This review surveys our current understanding of the impact of parental migraine on children. Understanding the impact of migraine on others in a family unit is critical to describing the full burden of migraine and to developing psychosocial supportive interventions for patients and their families. Having a parent with migraine is associated with several early developmental features including infant colic. Adolescent children of parents with migraine self-report their parent’s migraine interferes with school and activities and events. Further, migraine is perceived to impact the relationship between the parent and child. Having a parent with migraine increases a child’s risk of having migraine, and having more severe migraine disease. However, children with migraine whose parent also has migraine appear to receive more early and aggressive treatment. The impact of migraine extends beyond the parent with migraine and influences children across biological, psychological, and social domains.
Experimental Demonstration of Gate-Level Logic Camouflaging and Run-Time Reconfigurability Using Ferroelectric FET for Hardware Security

Outsourcing of integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing and increasing sophistication of IC reverse engineering techniques have unleashed security threats such as intellectual property (IP) theft and insertion of hardware Trojans. In this article, we propose and implement a run-time reconfigurable camouflage logic technology based on ferroelectric field-effect transistor (FeFET). The technology simultaneously obfuscates design IP from zero-trust foundry and untrusted testing facility and thwarts reverse engineering and counterfeiting threat. We fabricate for the first time an eight FeFET-based circuit block and demonstrate in silico gate-level camouflaging by implementing three Boolean logic functions—NOR, NAND, and XNOR—in the same circuit topology using threshold voltage ( ${V}_{\text {T}}$ ) programming of FeFET. We perform circuit simulations using empirically calibrated models to estimate power, latency, and area overhead. Compared with recent proposal of programmable camouflage logic using hot-carrier injection (HCI), FeFET offers an overhead reduction of $2\times $ , $1.8\times $ , and $2.8\times $ in area, power, and delay, respectively.
The Polish experience with bank and enterprise restructuring

Among transitional economies, Poland was a pioneer in bank and enterprise restructuring, tackling it through innovative pro tempore legislation which linked bank recapitalization to improvements in the bank's operating systems, aiming at increasing efficiency and loan recovery. The approach encouraged banks to play a central role in enterprise restructuring. In this paper, the authors critically and comprehensively analyze the Polish approach, presenting and discussing its pros and cons, describing the program's implementation, and providing a preliminary evaluation of the results. One result is that the banking sector now resembles that of a modern market economy in its structure, efficiency, and profitability; sector competition is increasing; interest rates are declining; and the menu of financial services is growing. It is not yet clear whether enterprises have been put on a permanently healthy and viable path, although some positive results noted are linked to the central role of banks in enterprise governance, such as maintaining incentives to avoid unloading debt onto the government, resolving conflicts between creditors without triggering unnecessary liquidations, and avoiding excessive use of bankruptcy procedures. The general lesson is that bank recapitalizations have to be accompanied by additional restructuring measures to resuscitate the banking sector, which may serve as the engine to successfully drive enterprise restructuring.
Fiber Bragg grating sensor response to ultrasonic Lamb waves with varying frequency

In structural health monitoring (SHM) applications, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors are typically bonded directly to the surface of a structure to detect ultrasonic waves for damage identification. The sensitivity of the bonded FBGs to guided waves varies significantly with input ultrasound wavelength (λ)-to-FBG grating length (L) ratio, i.e., λ/L. Recently, the authors have demonstrated that the detection sensitivity of an FBG can be potentially increased by remotely bonding the optical fiber at a distance away from the FBG, however its response as a function of λ/L has not been studied in detail. In this work, we investigate the ultrasound detection of directly bonded FBG and remotely bonded FBG with varying λ/L. Specifically, we maintain L constant and change λ by varying the ultrasound excitation frequency. Using a 3D laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) we first characterize input Lamb waves as a function of frequency, which are excited in a thin plate using a broadband transducer. Next, we measure the output response of directly bonded FBG and remotely bonded FBG to the same input Lamb waves. Finally, we examine the output FBG responses normalized with the LDV measurements of input waves, investigating the FBG sensitivity as a function of λ/L ratio. Understanding this sensitivity is important because many guided wave signals, for example generated by acoustic emission, are broadband. Additionally, multiple frequencies are often used for guided wave imaging of structures.
Unusual Lower Critical Solution Temperature Phase Behavior of Poly(benzyl methacrylate) in a Pyrrolidinium-Based Ionic Liquid.

Polymer/ionic liquid systems are being increasingly explored, yet those exhibiting lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase behavior remain poorly understood. Poly(benzyl methacrylate) in certain ionic liquids constitute unusual LCST systems, in that the second virial coefficient (A2) in dilute solutions has recently been shown to be positive, indicative of good solvent behavior, even above phase separation temperatures, where A2 < 0 is expected. In this work, we describe the LCST phase behavior of poly(benzyl methacrylate) in 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide for three different molecular weights (32, 63, and 76 kg/mol) in concentrated solutions (5–40% by weight). Turbidimetry measurements reveal a strong concentration dependence to the phase boundaries, yet the molecular weight is shown to have no influence. The critical compositions of these systems are not accessed, and must therefore lie above 40 wt% polymer, far from the values (ca. 10%) anticipated by Flory-Huggins theory. The proximity of the experimental cloud point to the coexistence curve (binodal) and the thermo-reversibility of the phase transitions, are also confirmed at various heating and cooling rates.
The design and evolution of fluorescent protein-based sensors for monoatomic ions in biology

Living cells rely on a finely tuned symphony of inorganic ion gradients composed of both cations and anions. This delicate balance is maintained by biological receptors all acting in concert to selectively recognize and position ions for homeostasis. These dynamic processes can be intercepted and visualized with optical microscopy at the organismal, tissue, cellular and subcellular levels using fluorescent protein-based biosensors. Since the first report of such tool for calcium (Ca2+) in 1997, outstanding biological questions and innovations in protein engineering along with associated fields have driven the development of new biosensors for Ca2+ and beyond. In this Review, we summarize a workflow that can be used to generate fluorescent protein-based biosensors to study monoatomic ions in biology. To showcase the scope of this approach, we highlight recent advances reported for Ca2+ biosensors and in detail discuss representative case studies of biosensors reported in the last four years for potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+), copper (Cu2+/+), lanthanide (Ln3+) and chloride (Cl-) ions.
Reassessing the Pediatric Dosing Recommendations for Unfractionated Heparin Using Real-World Data: a Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modeling Approach.

Optimal pediatric dosing of unfractionated heparin (UFH) is challenging due to paucity of clinical outcome and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies in pediatrics. This study aimed to: (i) develop a PK/PD model for UFH, quantified by anti-factor Xa assay and the UFH effect measured by activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) (ii) evaluate pediatric UFH infusions in achieving anti-factor Xa (0.3 - 0.7 IU/mL) therapeutic target by simulations. Electronic health record data were retrospectively collected from 633 patients 1 year old) showed that anti-factor Xa therapeutic target was achieved only in 15.3%, 14.6%, 36.9% and 45.11% of subjects in the age groups of < 1 year, 1-6 years, 6-12 years, and 12-19 years, respectively. In conclusion, the UFH anti-factor Xa target is not achieved initially especially in young pediatrics, suggesting the need to optimize UFH dosing to achieve higher therapeutic success. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Marxism and Popular Politics: The Microfoundations of Class Conflict

A particularly important topic for Marxist theory is that of popular politics: the ways in which the underclasses of society express their interests and values through collective action. Classical Marxism postulates a fundamental conflict of interest among classes. It holds that exploited classes will come to an accurate assessment of their class interests, and will engage in appropriate collective actions to secure those interests. The result is a predicted variety of forms of underclass collective action: boycotts, rent strikes, tax and food riots, rebellion, and revolution. Underclass members of society instigate and support such protests because it is in their material class interest to do so. It will emerge, however, that this account is too schematic to provide a basis for explanation of popular politics. The microfoundations approach to Marxist theory will prove useful in this context because it directs us to some of the resources needed to provide a more adequate account of popular collective action.
Structure of shikimate kinase, an in vivo essential metabolic enzyme in the nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, in complex with shikimate.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen that is an important cause of healthcare-associated infections exhibiting high mortality rates. Clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extremely drug-resistant (XDR) A. baumannii strains are increasingly being observed. Compounding this concern is the dearth of new antibacterial agents in late-stage development that are effective against MDR and XDR A. baumannii. As part of an effort to address these concerns, two genes (aroA and aroC) of the shikimate pathway have previously been determined to be essential for the growth and survival of A. baumannii during host infection (i.e. to be essential in vivo). This study expands upon these results by demonstrating that the A. baumannii aroK gene, encoding shikimate kinase (SK), is also essential in vivo in a rat soft-tissue infection model. The crystal structure of A. baumannii SK in complex with the substrate shikimate and a sulfate ion that mimics the binding interactions expected for the β-phosphate of ATP was then determined to 1.91 A resolution and the enzyme kinetics were characterized. The flexible shikimate-binding domain and LID region are compared with the analogous regions in other SK crystal structures. The impact of structural differences and sequence divergence between SKs from pathogenic bacteria that may influence antibiotic-development efforts is discussed.
Analysis of Electron Mobility in Inversion-Mode $ \hbox{Al}_{2}\hbox{O}_{3}/\hbox{In}_{x}\hbox{Ga}_{1 - x}\hbox{As}$ MOSFETs

The electron mobility in Al2O3/InxGa1-xAs (x = 0.53, 0.65, or 0.75) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors was analyzed for scattering by oxide charge, as well as interface charge and roughness, and compared with measured transfer characteristics from depletion to inversion. The analysis showed that, under strong inversion, the electron mobility was mainly limited by interface roughness. The extracted interface roughness from the measured data was two to seven times that of the interface between a high-k dielectric and Si, assuming the correlation lengths were comparable. Therefore, to fully benefit from the high bulk mobility of InGaAs, its interface roughness with the gate oxide needs to be further improved.
Tire Traction Measurement on the Road and in the Laboratory

This paper gives a comprehensive analysis of tire-road traction, utilizing new experimental and analytical techniques. It introduces a concept of traction envelope for evaluation of the overall tire traction properties in all operating modes on a common basis. It establishes feasibility of laboratory techniques for tire wet traction measurement and shows good correlation between road and laboratory measurements and also between road measurements on different surfaces. Comparative evaluation between new and conventional techniques for measuring tire traction on the road in cornering with and without power application are given.
Development of a pre-medical embryology course using backward course design (534.1)

Medical students often bemoan a lack of previous experience with embryology, to their detriment in the early years of medical school. To fulfill this need, an upper-level pre-medical embryology cou...
Unilateral tubal twin gestation.

UNILATERAL TUBAL multiple gestation is exceedingly rare as evidenced by the fact that the last authentically reported case was in 1969.’ Since the first reported case by de Ott* in 1891, a number of cases of multiple gestation occurring in one tube have been reported. The most common form of a multiple gestation involving a tube is the combined extrauterine (tubal) and intrauterine gestation. A unilateral twin gestation is more common than bilateral twin tubal gestation. Even more rare is a unilateral tubal triplet gestation followed by an interstitial twin gestation. A single case of a quintuplet tubal gestation has been reported.
Temporary decrease in cardiac parasympathetic tone after acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Risk stratification after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) currently involves assessment of such variables as left ventricular function, ventricular ectopic activity and residual ischemic myocardium. Klieger et al 1 recently showed that decreased heart rate variability, a measure of cardiac parasympathetic tone, was independently associated with increased mortality after AMI. Studies have shown that insufficient parasympathetic tone after AMI leads to a relative increase in sympathetic nervous system activity. This increase in sympathetic nervous system activity enhances the ventricle's vulnerability to fibrillation and may predispose to sudden death. 2,3 The length of time that this autonomic imbalance exists in the postinfarction state has not been well studied. Impairment of parasympathetic responses in patients has been shown at least as long as 3 months after AMI. 4 Using RR variation as a measure of cardiac parasympathetic tone, we examined patients between 1.5 months and 2.5 years after AMI to gain insight into the chronic condition of the cardiac parasympathetic nervous system.
Estimation and testing of nonproportional Weibull hazard models

Most applications of the Weibull hazard model specify a common shape parameter. This is a proportional hazard model that imposes a common rate of duration dependence. A wide class of nonproportional Weibull models may be estimated by making the shape parameter a linear function of observable regressors. The log-likelihood function for these models is well behaved. The conditions under which this generalization is useful are essentially the same conditions under which interaction terms are useful in classical regression. Since the nonproportional model nests the proportional model, a formal test for nonproportionality may be conducted by likelihood ratio test. Estimation and testing of nonproportional models is illustrated with data sets for housing sales, out-of-court settlements and oil field exploration. Finally, estimation of a proportional Weibull model after adding temporal interaction terms to the regressors that specify the scale parameter is shown to be a fundamental misspecification. The standard...
Synthesis and Thermodynamic Evaluation of Mixed Hexadentate Linear Iron Chelators Containing Hydroxypyridinone and Terephthalamide Units

A series of new linear iron chelators containing hydroxypyridinone and terephthalamide (TAMmeg) moieties have been prepared. All are hexadentate ligands composed of a systematically varied combination of methyl-3,2-hydroxypyridinone and 2,3-dihydroxyterephthalamide binding units; most are based on a spermidine scaffold, but one incorporates the bifunctional 2,3-dihydroxyterephthalamide unit as an integral part of the backbone. Protonation and ferric iron complex formation constants have been determined from solution thermodynamic studies, giving log beta(110) values of 25.7, 30.7, 36.3, 43.8, and 45.0, respectively. The ferric complexes display reversible reduction potentials from -276 to -1032 mV (measured relative to the normal hydrogen electrode) in alkaline solution. The incremental replacement of hydroxypyridinone units by terephthalamide binding groups progressively reduces the ligand acidity, markedly increases the iron-chelate stability, and improves the selectivity for the ferric ion over the ferrous ion. While the majority of iron chelators forming very stable ferric complexes are based on a tripodal backbone such as TREN, the ferric 5-LIO(TAMmeg)(2)(TAM) complex, despite its nontripodal scaffold, is one of the most stable iron complexes yet reported. Moreover, the high affinity for the ferric ion of the discussed linear ligands strongly correlates with their ability to remove iron in vivo.
A comparison of Autism Spectrum Disorder DSM-IV criteria and associated features among African American and white children in Philadelphia County

Abstract Background Racial differences are documented in the timing and type of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis among white and African American children. Differences in clinical presentation by race may contribute to these disparities. This study explores documented differences in core ASD symptoms and associated behavioral features among African American and white children. Methods This project is a secondary data analysis from the Pennsylvania Autism and Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program and utilized methodology that evaluates existing records, reviews, and codes for DSM-IV criteria for ASD and 12 associated behavioral features. The sample comprised 343 children meeting surveillance case definition for ASD, from 3 population-based cohorts of children in Philadelphia County. Results A higher frequency of white children compared to African American children with ASD have documented DSM-IV criteria of inflexible adherence to nonfunctional routines/rituals (92% vs 81%; p = .005) and persistent preoccupation with parts of objects (67% vs 50%; p = .002). A higher frequency of white children with ASD compared to African American children with ASD have documented abnormal motor development (74% vs 60%; p = .008) and odd responses to sensory stimuli (76% vs 51%; p Conclusions This study suggests differences in the types of ASD symptoms and associated behavioral features exhibited by African American as compared to white children with ASD. Further research is needed to determine if these differences contribute to disparities in the timing or type of ASD diagnosis.
(Pentafluorophenyl)sulfur fluorides, 19F NMR

The low-temperature 19F NMR spectra of (pentafluorophenyl)sulfur trifluoride are explained by the trigonal bipyramid structure (1a) with the pentafluorophenyl ring in the basal plane and a relatively high barrier to rotation about the CS bond. In the presence of a hydrogen fluoride scavenger, there is a high barrier to intramolecular rearrangement of the sulfur fluorines about the sulfur atom. The single basal fluorine couples strongly with one ortho fluorine and weakly with the other, but the two apical fluorines couple equally with both ortho fluorines. A six-bond coupling between SF and pF is found in (pentafluorophenyl)sulfur trifluoride and in (pentafluorophenyl)-sulfinyl fluoride, but not in (pentafluorophenyl)sulfonyl fluoride.
Characterization of the Lipid Binding Properties of Otoferlin Reveals Specific Interactions between PI(4,5)P2 and the C2C and C2F Domains

Otoferlin is a transmembrane protein consisting of six C2 domains, proposed to act as a calcium sensor for exocytosis. Although otoferlin is believed to bind calcium and lipids, the lipid specificity and identity of the calcium binding domains are controversial. Further, it is currently unclear whether the calcium binding affinity of otoferlin quantitatively matches the maximal intracellular presynaptic calcium concentrations of ∼30–50 μM known to elicit exocytosis. To characterize the calcium and lipid binding properties of otoferlin, we used isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), liposome sedimentation assays, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Analysis of ITC data indicates that with the exception of the C2A domain, the C2 domains of otoferlin bind multiple calcium ions with moderate (Kd = 25–95 μM) and low affinities (Kd = 400–700 μM) in solution. However, in the presence of liposomes, the calcium sensitivity of the domains increased by up to 10-fold. It was also determined that calcium enhanced liposome binding for domains C2B–C2E, whereas the C2F domain bound liposomes in a calcium-independent manner. Mutations that abrogate calcium binding in C2F do not disrupt liposome binding, supporting the conclusion that the interaction of the C2F domain with phosphatidylserine is calcium-independent. Further, domains C2C and C2F, not domains C2A, C2B, C2D, and C2E, bound phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho(1′-myoinositol-4′,5′-bisphosphate) [PI(4,5)P2], which preferentially steered them toward liposomes harboring PI(4,5)P2. Remarkably, lysine mutations L478A and L480A in C2C selectively weaken the PI(4,5)P2 interaction while leaving phosphatidylserine binding unaffected. Finally, shifts in the emission spectra of an environmentally sensitive fluorescent unnatural amino acid indicate that the calcium binding loops of the C2F domain directly interact with the lipid bilayer of negatively charged liposomes in a calcium-independent manner. On the basis of these results, we propose that the C2F and C2C domains of otoferlin preferentially bind PI(4,5)P2 and that PI(4,5)P2 may serve to target otoferlin to the presynapse in a calcium-independent manner. This positioning would facilitate fast calcium-dependent exocytosis at the hair cell synapse.
Evaluation of Zinc Oxide Sorbents in a Pilot-Scale Transport Reactor: Sulfidation Kinetics and Reactor Modeling

Under conditions of negligible external mass-transfer resistance, kinetic studies on the sulfidation of zinc oxide were performed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for three sorbent samples comprising approximately 60, 80, and 100 wt % zinc oxide with the balance being inert binder. The size range of particles for each sorbent was quite broad, with average diameters in the range of 60−80 μm. Conversion−time profiles were obtained for each sample of sorbent over the temperature range of 482−593 °C at 101.3 kPa pressure using between 0.5 and 2 vol % of hydrogen sulfide in nitrogen. Initial reaction rate data for the three sorbent samples were correlated on the basis of the surface area of zinc oxide available for reaction. For the 60 wt % zinc oxide sorbent, an additional series of experiments was performed on different size fractions. The conversion−time profiles for all size fractions were found to be essentially identical at 593 °C, confirming that intrapellet (between-grain) diffusion was not signi...
Distribution of WSS on the Internal Carotid Artery With an Aneurysm: A CFD Sensitivity Study

Intracranial blood flow simulations for studying brain aneurysms are based on many assumptions including the Womersley profile for the inlet boundary condition. Moreover, computational domains seem to be more or less arbitrarily chosen. Previous studies have shown that long inlet vessels lead to more realistic flow just upstream of the aneurysm. In order to guide our studies of cerebral aneurysms, using the high-order spectral/hp element method, we systematically investigated the geometric sensitivity of wall shear stress (WSS) on aneurysms; specifically, the effect of parent vessel geometry on the WSS in aneurysms was considered. Using datasets of two patients with different type of aneurysms, five different geometric models were generated. With the aneurysm geometries fixed, the length or turning angles of inlet parent vessel were varied one at a time. This study demonstrates that the turning angle of upstream blood vessel, the type of aneurysm, and its location with respect to the parent vessel affect the distribution of WSS in the aneurysm. In the fusiform aneurysm with sharp turns, the inlet length makes a substantial difference on impinging location, magnitude, and direction of WSS. On the other hand, the saccular type aneurysm with a smoother parent vessel does not show any significant change. Therefore, the computational domain should be determined based on the geometry of parent vessels and the type of aneurysm.Copyright © 2007 by ASME