cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Local Referral of High-risk Patients to High-quality Hospitals: Surgical Outcomes, Cost Savings, and Travel Burdens.

Objective We sought to assess the potential changes in Medicare payments and clinical outcomes of referring high-risk surgical patients to local high-quality hospitals within small geographic areas. Summary background data Previous studies have documented a benefit in referring high-risk patients to high-quality hospitals on a national basis, suggesting selective referral as a mechanism to improve the value of surgical care. Practically, referral of patients should be done within small geographic regions; however, the benefit of local selective referral has not been studied. Methods We analyzed data on elderly Medicare beneficiaries undergoing any of 4 elective inpatient surgical procedures between 2012 and 2014. Hospitals were categorized into Metropolitan Statistical Areas by zip code and stratified into quintiles of quality based on rates of postoperative complications. Patient risk was calculated by modeling the predicted risk of a postoperative complication. Medicare payments for each surgical episode were calculated. Distances between patients' home zip code and high- and low-quality hospitals were calculated. Results One quarter of high-risk patients underwent surgery at a low-quality hospital despite the availability of a high-quality hospital in their small geographic area. Shifting these patients to a local high-quality hospital would decrease spending 12% to 37% ($2,500 for total knee and hip replacement, $6,700 for colectomy, and $11,400 for lung resection). Approximately 45% of high-risk patients treated at low-quality hospitals could travel a shorter distance to reach a high-quality hospital than the low-quality hospital they received care at. Conclusions Complication rates and Medicare payments are significantly lower for high-risk patients treated at local high-quality hospitals. This suggests triaging high-risk patients to local high-quality hospitals within small geographic areas may serve as a template for improving the value of surgical care.
Unveiling Ihsan: From Cosmic View to Worldview

In this chapter, I introduce my understanding of Ihsan. I revisit the sacred sources of Ihsan, unpack them and define Ihsan beyond the classical understanding as a spiritual state. I envision Ihsan as a complex philosophy that includes an epistemology, the spiritual act of witnessing God, as political forgiveness, as anti-identity politics (Fanaa), as pursuit of excellence, as self-criticism and as steadfastness. Ihsan is presented as a process of perfection and as mystical composure in times of adversity. My rendition of Ihsan in this chapter allows me to reassemble the unpacked components as a political philosophy of good governance. Every aspect of Ihsan unveiled is based on the Quran and tradition. I am not a member of any Sufi order nor have I pledged any allegiance to any Sufi saint or scholar and so I am under no obligation to restrain my critical and rational faculties and I am not beholden to anyone else’s vision. There are no unsubstantiated claims to knowledge, or gnosis in this book. Even when I write about mystical knowledge, I remain within the realm of reason and do not claim to advance any insight that is beyond the scope of rational arguments or empirical, historical or discursive analysis.
Analysis and simulation of large erosion events at central Texas unit source watersheds

Summary This study uses long-term daily sediment records (12–51 years) from 5 unit-source watersheds in central Texas to examine the role of large infrequent erosion events in the makeup of the overall soil loss record. Additionally, multi-decadal daily erosion simulations with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) using both the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) and physics based erosion routines are conducted to assess the routine’s ability to predict extreme events and long-term budgets. The empirical record indicates the upper 10% of erosion events (in terms of mass) comprise roughly half of the long-term soil loss sum. These upper end events are characterized by large unit flow erosion values and not necessarily associated with precipitation or runoff extremes. The two SWAT routines showed little differences in total soil loss masses; however, the distribution of soil loss events from the physics based simulation, including upper end events, more closely resembled the empirical record than the MUSLE prediction.
Novel Regional Anesthesia for Outpatient Surgery.

Purpose of review Peripheral nerve blocks are effective and safe modalities for perioperative analgesia. But it remains unclear what blocks are adequate for ambulatory surgeries, as well as the proper patient management before and after discharge. Recent findings Emerging nerve blocks have sparked interests due to ease to perform under ultrasound guidance and lower risks of adverse events. Some of these novel blocks are particularly suitable for ambulatory procedures, including but not limited to motor-sparing lower extremity nerve blocks and phrenic-sparing nerve blocks for shoulder surgeries. The adoption of peripheral nerve block into outpatient surgery is a multidisciplinary effort that encompasses appropriate patient choice, careful selection of nerve blocks that minimize potential adverse events after discharge, and proper patient follow-up until block effects resolve.
Seeking Evidence of Grade Inflation at For-profit Colleges and Universities

This research develops a quantitative test for anecdotal, qualitative claims that, relative to more traditional institutes of higher education, for-profit colleges and universities engage in system...
History of What

All research and scholarship begins with a question, with the definition of a problem or of a problematic situation (e.g., Northrop 1947). This can only happen within a given domain–the body of data and its interconnections that is to be studied. Domains must, therefore, be defined.
RF Performance of 130 nm Al 0.75 Ga 0.25 N/Al 0.6 Ga 0.4 N HFETs with MBE-Regrown Contacts

AlGaN channel transistors are promising candidates for high power RF transistors due to their superior material properties. The larger breakdown field and similar saturation velocity compared to GaN make AlGaN channel transistors potentially capable of delivering higher power density at high frequencies. So far the highest reported $\mathrm{f}_{\mathrm{T}}$ is 28 GHz on Al 0.85 Ga 0.15 N/Al 0.70 Ga 0.30 N transistors with RF power density of 0.3 W/mm at 3 GHz [1]. The major obstacle to achieve high RF performance is the challenge to form good ohmic contacts to Al-rich AlGaN. Here, we show significantly better small and large signal RF performance than what have been reported on high Al-composition AlGaN transistors with regrown side contacts.
The Winthrop Circle in New England

John Winthrop, Jr., was a prodigious correspondent. In addition to his English and European correspondence, many volumes of his American letters have been collected by the Massachusetts Historical Society. A discussion of his primary correspondents is presented: Thomas Shepherd, Robert Child, George Stirk, Richard Leader, Jonathan Brewster, Gershom Bulkeley, and Emmanuel Downing.
Autologous stem cell transplantation versus no transplant in patients above 70 with multiple myeloma.

e20509Background: We evaluated outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) ≥ 70 years who were seen for Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) consult, based on whether they underwent transplan...
The predictive value of intake questions on informing tailored quitline services

The Minimal Data Set are demographic and tobacco use questions asked during enrollment at many quitlines. We tested whether these questions can be used to predict program engagement and success, and to evaluate whether findings can inform the tailoring of protocols to disparate populations. We analyzed 7,920 Arizona Smokers' Helpline treatment records to test a Structural Equation Model of the mediating effects of quitline services and short-term cessation outcomes on the relationship between intake questions and 7-month quit rate. Education (b = 0.05), gender (b = 0.03), Medicaid (b = −0.09), longest length of previous quit attempt (b = 0.05), confidence in quitting for 24 h (b = 0.04), environmental risk (b = −0.05), and life stress (b = 0.04) all significantly (P < 0.05) predicted engagement in quitline services. Program engagement had a direct effect on an in-program cessation outcomes construct (b = 0.47) and 7-month quit rate (b = 0.44). This in-program cessation outcomes construct had a significant direct effect on 7-month quit rate (b = −0.12). This model showing the relationship between program engagement and outcomes suggests that tailoring protocols can focus on engaging clients who have historically not taken full advantage of quitline services.
Recasting and Refashioning the Tower of London in Milton’s Eikonoklastes and Paradise Lost

This article argues that, in Eikonoklastes and Paradise Lost, John Milton recast and refashioned the Tower of London to resist the Crown’s ideology of the Tower. Through direct references to the To...
Hole Dynamics in a Quantum Antiferromagnet: Slave-Boson Generalized Flux States

Through a slave-boson mean-field approach to the t-J model, which describes the dynamics of holes moving in a quantum antiferromagnet, we investigate its generalized flux phases. We first study the motion of an electron gas for arbitrary fillings and fields and establish the linear proportionality between the filling factor and the optimal flux with high accuracy. Using this result, we show that if the hard-core nature of the hole bosons is taken into account, then the slave-boson mean-field approximation for the t-J Hamiltonian allows for a solution where both the spinons and the holons experience an average flux of one flux quantum per particle. This enables them to achieve the lowest possible energy within the manifold of spatially-uniform flux states. In the case of the continuum model, this is possible only for certain fractional fillings and we speculate that the system may react to this frustration effect by phase separation.
Antecedents and Consequences of Independence Risk: Framework for Analysis

This paper presents a framework that explains how certain incentives affecting independence risk interact with situational factors to affect actual or perceived audit quality. We articulate the combined effects of direct incentives, indirect incentives, and judgment‐based decisions involving difficult accounting issues, materiality, and audit conduct. We then identify a variety of factors that may mitigate independence risk, including corporate governance mechanisms, regulatory oversight, auditing firm policies, auditing firm culture, and individual auditor characteristics. Finally, we discuss the effects of independence risk on various stakeholders, and propose actions that should be taken by the auditing profession, auditing firms, regulators, and researchers.
Addressing the Harm to Common Stockholders in Trados and Nine Systems

According to the recent opinions in In re Trados (Trados) and In re Nine Systems (Nine Systems), both cases involved the peculiar corporate law equivalent of a burglary in which nothing was stolen. In Trados, the board of directors–––composed mostly of representatives from venture capital (VC) firms holding preferred stock–––voted in favor of a $60 million merger in which preferred stockholders received $52.2 million, management (pursuant to an incentive plan designed to encourage a near-term sale) received $7.8 million, and common stockholders received exactly “nothing.” In Nine Systems, a similarly conflicted and VC-dominated board effected a largely covert recapitalization whereby common stockholder equity was sharply diluted from around 26% to around 2%. The Nine Systems recapitalization ultimately entitled preferred VC stockholders to receive around $150 million in connection with a sale of the company while common stockholders received in total around $3 million. In both Trados and Nine Systems, the courts determined the boards of directors faced clear conflicts that manifested in grossly unfair processes favoring the VC preferred stockholders. And yet, both courts also found common stockholders failed to demonstrate any damage from the challenged transactions and were thus not entitled to recovery beyond possible shifting of attorneys’ fees. Some have defended, or at least accepted, the reasoning in Trados and Nine Systems; others have focused on the practical implications of these cases for counsel advising preferred-appointed directors; still others have ambitiously argued that the doctrinal framework governing VC-held preferred stock is conceptually unstable and in need of reimagining–––this Comment opts for a more modest approach. Rather than posit a procedural strategy to satisfy the Delaware courts or question the overarching doctrine, this Comment argues that Trados and Nine Systems overlooked the damage incurred upon common stockholders. In other words, Trados and Nine Systems were not victimless breaches: Something was taken from common stockholders. Specifically, this Comment asserts that the Delaware courts in Trados and Nine Systems failed to recognize that the controlling preferred VC stockholders deprived common stockholders of the option to continue operating the firm in the hopes of performance improving. Far from a nebulous species of damage, this Comment observes that “underwater” options akin to those seized from common stockholders in Trados and Nine Systems can be, and routinely are, valued by financiers and economists. The question of which group–––the VC-held preferred or common stockholders–––has the right to capture the value of this option is one of policy and has been obscured by Trados and Nine Systems. This Comment fills a gap by drawing the policy tension into the light and squarely asking which party should have the contractual burden of specifying the right to capture the value of the option.
Romidepsin (HDACi) plus cisplatin and nivolumab triplet combination in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC).

1076Background: Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) upregulate genes involved in antigen presentation machinery and increase expression of natural killer group 2, member D ligands (NKG2DL), thus...
Further Enhancements to the PDP Architecture and State-of-the-art Results for High-speed IRSP Operation

PDP has been used to drive high-speed IRSP systems and has continued to evolve over the past year. Architectural enhancements have been made to increase performance for dynamic refresh-rates and sub-windowing capabilities. This paper presents the latest architecture enhancements, high-speed results, and new features added.
Cell-Phone Related Injuries in the United States from 2000‒2012

Background: The incidence of injuries sustained by cell phone users other than drivers and pedestrians is not well characterized. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance (NEISS) database was searched to identify injuries involving cell phone use in all settings. The study period was January 2000 to December 2012. Results: We identified 515 records of ED visits related to cell phone use. 48% of injuries occurred in the home setting. Sixty-two percent of the patients were female; 55% were younger than 40. National estimates, derived from weighted case incidence, revealed statistically significant increases in the number of annual cases, particularly for injuries sustained while texting. Most injuries were minor, but 11% of patients required hospitalization. Discussion: The estimated national number of injuries associated with cell phone use is increasing annually in all scenarios studied, particularly among pedestrians and while texting. Conclusion: Distraction is inherent during cell phone use. The injury risk posed by cell phone use must be an integral component of prevention strategies and product design.
Relationships between dentin and enamel mineral at the dentino-enamel boundary: electron tomography and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy study.

To better understand the nature of the relationships between mineral phases at the dentino–enamel boundary (DEB), we performed electron tomography (ET) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) of the apical portions of rat incisors. The ET studies of the DEB at the secretory stage of amelogenesis revealed that nascent enamel crystals are co-aligned and closely associated with dentin crystallites in the mineralized von Korff fibers, with the distances between dentin and enamel crystals in the nanometer range. We have further studied the relationships between dentin and enamel crystals using HR-TEM lattice imaging of the DEB. Among dozens of high-resolution micrographs taken from the DEB we were able to identify only one case of lattice continuity between dentin and enamel crystals, indicating direct epitaxy. In other cases, although there was no direct continuity between the crystalline lattices, power spectra analysis of lattice images revealed a very high level of co-alignment between dentin and enamel crystals. Hence, we propose here that the high degree of alignment and integration between dentin and enamel mineral can be established either by epitaxy or without direct interactions between crystalline lattices, probably via regulation of mineral formation and organization by integrated organic matrices of dentin and enamel at the DEB.
Crossing structures reconnect federally endangered flying squirrel populations divided for 20 years by road barrier

In the Unicoi Mountains of southwestern North Carolina, USA, a 2 lane scenic byway created a barrier to dispersal for the federally endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus). Unable to glide across the road, squirrels in the divided subpopulations faced reduced access to mates, den sites, and foraging grounds. We installed 3 pairs of modified wooden utility poles as crossing structures to enable gliding over the road in both directions. Using wildlife cameras, we monitored use of the crossing poles by northern flying squirrels for 15 months. Additionally, we tracked movements of 4 radiocollared northern flying squirrels between habitat patches and checked nest boxes for evidence of squirrels crossing the road. Cameras recorded 5 still images and 25 videos of northern flying squirrels on the crossing poles, with flying squirrels leaping across the road in 56% of videos. Crossings increased from 0 crossings in a previous study to 14 crossings in this study. For the first time since crossing-pole installation, squirrels used dens on the opposite side of the road from where they were initially captured and tagged. We believe that these structure-assisted road crossings in the Unicois are the first observed in a North American gliding mammal. Although northern flying squirrels used crossing poles to glide over a rural, low traffic, 2-lane road, further research should be conducted to determine whether this technique is applicable to different road types and other types of linear barriers in North America. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Metabolism of endogenous trehalose by Streptomyces griseus spores and by spores or cells of other actinomycetes.

The disaccharide trehalose is accumulated as a storage product by spores of Streptomyces griseus. Nongerminating spores used their trehalose reserves slowly when incubated in buffer for several months. In contrast, spores rapidly depleted their trehalose pools during the first hours of germination. Extracts of dormant spores contained a high specific activity of the enzyme trehalase. The level of trehalase remained relatively constant during germination or incubation in buffer. Nongerminating spores of Streptomyces viridochromogenes, Streptomyces antibioticus, and Micromonospora echinospora and nongrowing spherical cells of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes and Nocardia corallina also maintained large amounts of trehalose and active trehalase. These trehalose reserves were depleted during spore germination or outgrowth of spherical Arthrobacter and Nocardia cells into rods. Images
Responsivity model for a silicon photodiode in the extreme ultraviolet

A silicon photodiode detector, type AXUV-100G, was modeled by calculating the electromagnetic field strength in each region of the photodiode. The reflectance and transmittance at each boundary and the absorption of energy in each region of the device were calculated. By using an empirical carrier collection efficiency in each region, the calculated responsivity was in agreement with the experimental responsivity in the 1 nm to 25 nm wavelength range. In the 2.7 nm to 80 nm wavelength range, the model was used to simulate the experimentally observed decrease in responsivity of a photodiode that had undergone radiation damage.
Structure, organization, and somatic rearrangement of T cell gamma genes

We present the initial characterization of a novel family of genes that rearrange in T cells, but do not encode either of the defined (alpha/beta) subunits of the clone-specific heterodimer of the T cell receptor. The family comprises at least three variable (V) gene segments, three constant (C) gene segments, and three junction (J) gene segments. In a cloned cytolytic T lymphocyte, 2C, one of each of these fragments has productively rearranged to yield an expressed VJC transcription unit, which shows no evidence for somatic mutation. Short sequences similar to those implicated in immunoglobulin gene and T cell receptor beta chain gene rearrangement flank the V and J segments of this family. The linkage of two of the three V gene segments has been determined: the segments lie approximately 2.5 kb apart, and are arranged head-to-head. The inverted arrangement may cast light upon the mechanisms utilized by lymphocytes for gene rearrangement.
The Fallacies of the Assumptions Behind the Arguments for Goal-Line Technology in Soccer

Lately, a number of referee decisions appear to have reignited the debate over the need to bring more in-game officiating technology into soccer. The fallacies behind the arguments for the inclusion of technology to aid game officials can be narrowed down to those behind current arguments for or against goal-line technology. Both the proponents and opponents of these arguments appear to overemphasise the role of referees to the point of claiming that if refereeing errors could be eliminated in goal-line situations, then the most deserving team would most of the time be expected to win the contest. While we firmly believe that the game of soccer would benefit immensely from infallible officiating, we intend to show that these arguments are founded upon a number of inconspicuous assumptions. First, they assume that goal-line situations can be shown to affect the outcomes of games more than all other game situations. This can easily be shown to be a myth, since goals can be scored from all areas of the playi...
Action of 50 Hz magnetic fields on neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma cells

This study tests the capacity of 50 Hz magnetic and electric fields to stimulate neurite outgrowth in PC-12D cells, a cell line which originated from a pheochromocytoma in rat adrenal medulla. The cells were plated on collagen-coated, plastic petri dishes and exposed to sinusoidal 50 Hz magnetic fields for 22 h in a 5% CO2 incubator at 37 degrees C. Two 1,000 turn coils, 20 cm in diameter, were assembled in a Helmholtz configuration to generate a magnetic field in a vertical orientation, thereby inducing a companion electric field in the dish with intensity proportional to radius. A magnetic-field shield housed the control samples in the same incubator. Total cells and number of cells with neurites at least as long as one cell diameter or having a growth cone were counted within a radius of 0.3 cm of the dish center and within an annulus of 1.7-1.8 cm radii in 60 mm dishes, at 3.6 cm radius in 100 mm dishes, and between 1.9 and 2.1 cm radii in the outer well of organ cultured dishes, which are physically separated into two concentric wells. Sham exposure demonstrated no difference in percentage of cells with neurites between the exposed and control locations in the incubator. Exposures were done at 4.0, 8.9, 22, 29, 40, 120, 236, and 400 milliGauss (mG). At dish radii of 1.7-1.8 cm in the 60 mm dishes these magnetic flux densities induced electric fields of 1.1, 2.5, 5.9, 8.1, 11, 33, 65, and 110 microV/m, respectively, while within a radius of 0.3 cm, the induced electric fields were less than 0.2, 0.4, 1.0, 1.5, 1.9, 6.0, 11, and 19 microV/m, respectively. For other dishes, the larger radii produced proportionally larger induced electric fields. At each field strength, there were two control dishes and four to nine exposed dishes; 100 or more cells were counted at each location on the dishes. The results demonstrate that magnetic fields stimulate neurite outgrowth in a flux-density-dependent manner between 22 and 40 mG, reaching an apparent stimulation plateau between 40 and 400 mG; no effects were seen at 8.9 mG or lower. There was no apparent neurite stimulation due to the electric field. Although relatively low intensity (> or = 22 mG) magnetic fields alone can stimulate a morphological response in a cell which is normally stimulated by nerve growth factor molecules binding to membrane receptors, the chemical basis of this response is unknown.
Species Composition of Aphid Vectors (Hemiptera: Aphididae) of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus and Cereal Yellow Dwarf Virus in Alabama and Western Florida

Yellow dwarf is a major disease problem of wheat, Triticum aestivum L., in Alabama and is estimated to cause yield loss of 21-42 bu/acre. The disease is caused by a complex of viruses comprising several virus species, including Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV and Cereal yellow dwarf virus-RPV. Several other strains have not yet been classified into a specific species. The viruses are transmitted exclusively by aphids (Hemiptera:Aphididae). Between the 2005 and 2008 winter wheat seasons, aphids were surveyed in the beginning of each planting season in several wheat plots in Alabama and western Florida Collected aphids were identified and bioassayed for their yellow dwarf virus infectivity. This survey program was designed to identify the aphid species that serve as fall vectors of yellow dwarf virus into winter wheat plantings. From 2005 to 2008, bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.); rice root aphid, Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominale (Sasaki); and greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), were found consistently between October and December. The species of aphids and their timing of appearance in wheat plots were consistent with flight data collected in North Alabama between 1996 and 1999. Both R. padi and R. rufiabdominale were found to carry and transmit Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV and Cereal yellow dwarf virus-RPV. The number of collected aphids and proportion of viruliferous aphids were low. Although this study has shown that both aphids are involved with introduction of yellow dwarf virus to winter wheat in Alabama and western Florida, no conclusions can be made as to which species may be the most important vector of yellow dwarf virus in the region.
Mean Flow and Turbulence around a Laboratory Spur Dike

The three-dimensional turbulent flow field around a spur dike in a plane fixed-bed laboratory open channel was studied experimentally using a microacoustic Doppler velocimeter. Mean and turbulence characteristics in all three spatial directions were evaluated at upstream and downstream cross sections near the dike. Results showed that the primary flow separated in both lateral and vertical directions. Two counter-rotating flow circulations, consisting of the lateral and vertical velocity components, originated at the dike section. Downstream of the dike, the circulation in the flow-separation zone is stronger than the one in the contracted primary flow zone. The maximum bed-shear stresses estimated using Reynolds stresses is about three times as large as the mean bed-shear stress of incoming flow.
A Comparison of Lorentz, Planetary Gravitational, and Satellite Gravitational Resonances

We consider a charged dust grain whose orbital motion is dominated by a planet's point-source gravity, but perturbed by higher-order terms in the planet's gravity field as well as by the Lorentz force arising from an asymmetric planetary magnetic field. Perturbations to Keplerian orbits due to a nonspherical gravity field are expressed in the traditional way: in terms of a disturbing function which can be expanded in a series of spherical harmonics (W. M. Kaula, 1966). In order to calculate the electromagnetic perturbation, we first write the Lorentz force in terms of the orbital elements and then substitute it into Gauss' perturbation equations. We use our result to derive strengths of Lorentz resonances and elucidate their properties. In particular, we compare Lorentz resonances to two types of gravitational resonances: those arising from periodic tugs of a satellite and those due to the attraction of an arbitrarily shaped planet. We find that Lorentz resonances share numerous properties with their gravitational counterparts and show, using simple physical arguments, that several of these patterns are fundamental, applying not only to our expansions, but to all quantities expressed in terms of orbital elements. Some of these patterns have been previously called 'd'Alembert rules' for satellite resonances. Other similarities arise because, to first-order in the perturbing force, the three problems share an integral of the motion. Yet there are also differences; for example, first-order inclination resonances exist for perturbations arising from planetary gravity and from the Lorentz force, but not for those due to an orbiting satellite. Finally, we provide a heuristic treatment of a particle's orbital evolution under the influence of drag and resonant forces. Particles brought into mean-motion resonances experience either trapping or resonant 'jumps,' depending on the direction from which the resonance is approached. We show that this behavior does not depend on the details of the perturbing force but rather is fundamental to all mean-motion resonances.
Effects of citric acid, alpha-galactosidase and protease inclusion on in vitro nutrient release from soybean meal and trypsin inhibitor content in raw whole soybeans

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of citric acid (CA) and commercial preparations of α-galactosidase (α-GAL) and protease on in vitro nutrient release from soybean meal (SBM) and trypsin inhibitor (TI) content in raw defatted whole soybeans. An in vitro model was used to simulate the chicken's digestive process in the crop, the stomach (proventriculus and gizzard) and the small intestine. Soybean meal and ground whole soybeans were used as substrates. Graded levels of either α-GAL (0–13,792 units/kg) or protease (0–888 units/kg) and 0 or 20 g CA per kg were added to the substrates in a factorial arrangement. Reducing sugars (RS) and α-amino N were measured at the end of the crop phase, the stomach phase, and the whole phase (crop through small intestine). Trypsin inhibitor content was measured at the end of the stomach phase. Increasing α-GAL levels linearly (P
5-ZATRYPTAMINE ANALOGS AS h5-HT6 SEROTONIN RECEPTOR LIGANDS

5-Aza analogs were prepared of several tryptamine derivatives and a skatole derivative known to bind at human 5-HT6 receptors and evaluated to determine if they bind in a manner similar to their indolic analogs. In general, the azatryptamines did not behave exactly like their tryptamine counterparts, but the behavior of N1-benzenesulfonyl analogs was reminiscent of the known arylsulfonyltryptamines. For example, N1-(4-aminobenzenesulfonyl)-5-azaskatole (18; Ki = 41 nM) displayed an affinity comparable to N1-(4-aminobenzenesulfonyl)skatole.
Characterization of a covalent monoadduct of neocarzinostatin chromophore at a DNA bulge.

Neocarzinostatin chromophore (NCS-Chrom) induces highly efficient site-specific strand cleavage at the bulge of a folded single-stranded 31-mer DNA in the presence of oxygen [Kappen, L. S., and Goldberg, I. H. (1993) Science 261, 1319−1321]. Under anaerobic conditions, the major product is a material having gel mobility slower than that of the parent 31-mer. In order to characterize this product, it was stabilized by reduction with borane/pyridine, labeled with 32P at its 5‘ or 3‘ end, and subjected to chemical cleavage dependent on base elimination or modification, and the cleavage products were analyzed on a sequencing gel. A cleavage pattern comparable to that of the 31-mer was obtained until the bases on either side of T22 at the bulge. Cleaved fragments inclusive of T22 from the 5‘ or the 3‘ end had retarded and anomalous mobilities and appeared as a smear of bands closer to the starting material, presumably due to the presence of the covalently bound drug. Pyrimidine-specific agents such as hydrazin...
Identification of dynamic functional brain network states through tensor decomposition

With the advances in high resolution neuroimaging, there has been a growing interest in the detection of functional brain connectivity. Complex network theory has been proposed as an attractive mathematical representation of functional brain networks. However, most of the current studies of functional brain networks have focused on the computation of graph theoretic indices for static networks, i.e. long-time averages of connectivity networks. It is well-known that functional connectivity is a dynamic process and the construction and reorganization of the networks is key to understanding human cognition. Therefore, there is a growing need to track dynamic functional brain networks and identify time intervals over which the network is quasi-stationary. In this paper, we present a tensor decomposition based method to identify temporally invariant `network states' and find a common topographic representation for each state. The proposed methods are applied to electroencephalogram (EEG) data during the study of error-related negativity (ERN).
Biphasic peptide amphiphile nanomatrix embedded with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for stimulated osteoinductive response.

Formation of the native bone extracellular matrix (ECM) provides an attractive template for bone tissue engineering. The structural support and biological complexity of bone ECM are provided within a composite microenvironment that consists of an organic fibrous network reinforced by inorganic hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles. Recreating this biphasic assembly, a bone ECM analogous scaffold comprising self-assembling peptide amphiphile (PA) nanofibers and interspersed HA nanoparticles was investigated. PAs were endowed with biomolecular ligand signaling using a synthetically inscribed peptide sequence (i.e., RGDS) and integrated with HA nanoparticles to form a biphasic nanomatrix hydrogel. It was hypothesized the biphasic hydrogel would induce osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and improve bone healing as mediated by RGDS ligand signaling within PA nanofibers and embedded HA mineralization source. Viscoelastic stability of the biphasic PA hydrogels was evaluated with diffe...
Weight Loss Can Lead to Resolution of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms: A Prospective Intervention Trial

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Singh, M., Lee, J., Gupta, N., Gaddam, S., Smith, B. K., Wani, S. B., Sullivan, D. K., Rastogi, A., Bansal, A., Donnelly, J. E. and Sharma, P. (2013), Weight loss can lead to resolution of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms: A prospective intervention trial. Obesity, 21: 284–290. doi:10.1002/oby.20279, which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20279. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Copolymerization of Styrene and Ethylene at High Temperature with Titanocenes Containing a Pendant Amine Donor

The copolymerization of ethylene and styrene at 120 °C was investigated with a series of titanocenes: Cp′TiCl2L [1, 2: Cp′ = cyclopentadienyl (Cp) versus 3, 4: Cp′ = {2-(dimethylamino)ethyl}cyclopentadienyl (CpN); 1, 3: L = Cl versus 2, 4: L = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO)], in combination with methylaluminoxane (MAO). At 120 °C, titanocenes bearing a pendant amine ligand (3 and 4) are effective catalysts for the ethylene-styrene (ES) copolymerization, whereas complexes lacking the pendant group (1 and 2) afford only mixtures of polyethylene (PE) and atactic polystyrene (aPS). At these temperatures, copolymerization with complexes 3 and 4 yields mixtures of ES copolymers and atactic polystyrene that are not readily separated by solvent extraction or gel permeation chromatography as both components of the mixture exhibit similar molecular weights and solubility in THF and acetone. The source of the atactic polystyrene was the autopolymerization of styrene as deduced by carrying out the copol...
An inpatient profile of patients with a substance abuse diagnosis in Maryland

We provide a descriptive analysis of patients with a substance abuse diagnosis in Maryland hospitals in 1991. The intent of the study was not to model relationships between substance abuse and other outcomes (e.g., length of stay), but was to obtain a better understanding of the population receiving inpatient care and to motivate future research. We found that the majority of patients with a substance abuse diagnosis were male, African-American, single, and between the ages of 15 and 44. Medicaid was overwhelmingly the primary payer for their care. These patients were diagnosed with chronic liver disease, pancreas diseases, HIV infection, a number of psychiatric disorders, and respiratory symptoms. We surprisingly found that the average length of stay was shorter for patients with a substance abuse diagnosis and that their average charges were only slightly higher than other patients. We also found that substance abuse patients enter the hospital through the emergency room and the majority leave the hospital against medical advice.
Formation of Beyerene, Kaurene, Trachylobane, and Atiserene Diterpenes by Rearrangements That Avoid Secondary Carbocations

Quantum chemical calculations on carbocation intermediates encountered during the conversion of ent-copalyl diphosphate to the diterpenes beyerene, kaurene, trachylobane, and atiserene are described. Based on the results of these computations, it is suggested that previously proposed secondary carbocation intermediates are avoided. In some cases, complex rearrangements in which up to three alkyl or hydride shifting events are coupled into concerted processes are predicted to occur instead. The potential effects of electron-rich active site groups on the inherent reactivity of key carbocations are discussed, as are complex rearrangements coupled to deprotonation events. Based on computed electrostatic potential maps, it also is proposed that ammonium ions that were previously designed as mimics of several carbocations are actually better mimics of transition state structures for carbocation deprotonation.
Robust fault tolerant pitch control of wind turbines

A controller designed for a nominal wind turbine model may not work in presence of either unmodeled dynamics or sensor or actuator faults. We propose a multiple model robust control strategy for turbine speed regulation and wind disturbance rejection in presence of faults in a turbine's pitch actuator. The fault is inspired by recent challenges in wind turbine fault-tolerant control and consists of changed actuator dynamics. The simulation results confirm that an appropriate design of a set of robust controllers together with a soft switching among them is a reliable method for fault-tolerant control in this scenario.
Temporal factors in recovery of function after brain damage.

Abstract Although many experiments have shown that serial lesions of the CNS often result in behavioral sparing, there have also been reports of failure to obtain recovery with the seriatum technique. One factor which might account for the succes or failure of sequential lesion experiments could be the duration of the interoperative interval. Thus, a minimum period may be required between operations in order to initiate the recovery process, and it was the purpose of the present experiment to explore this possibility. We have found that rats given sequential (two-stage) frontal aspiration lesions with either a 30 or 20 day interoperative interval were not disrupted on acquistion of a spatial alternation task when compared with sham-operated controls; animals with two-stage lesions spaced 10 days apart were impaired when contrasted to the latter groups although they performed significantly better than rats given simultaneous, bilateral operations. Because of this finding two groups of rats receiving either two-stage sham operations or two saline injections were also tested as controls for surgical stress. No differences in performance between these two groups of rats were observed. Thus, the severity of the deficit and subsequent behavioral recovery may be related to the interval of time between successive operations. Since all subjects had at least 5 weeks of postoperative recovery prior to training in spatial alternation, it is unlikely that postoperative factors would play as as important a role in functional recovery as the interval between successive lesions.
DNA Fingerprints in Rainbow Trout Detected by Hybridization with DNA of Bacteriophage M13

Abstract We used radiolabeled DNA of bacteriophage M13 to probe Southern blots of restriction enzyme-digested genomic DNA of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. We found a high level of polymorphism for restriction fragment lengths by analysis of DNA from a single-pair mating between individuals of an outbred strain of this species. Each of the offspring of this mating exhibited a unique banding pattern. Similar polymorphic patterns were found in chum salmon O. keta, coho salmon O. kisutch, and Atlantic salmon Salmo salar. This technique shows great promise for demographic analysis and unabiguous genetic tagging of individual fish.
MO-A-213AB-06: Validation of Nuclear Reaction Models to Simulate Proton Therapy Range Verification Using Prompt Gamma-Rays

Purpose: The impact of nuclear reaction model differences on simulation of prompt gamma‐ray imaging for proton therapy range verification was assessed. Four nuclear reaction models were used to simulate gamma emission in proton beams, and were validated against experimental cross‐sections. Methods: Proton‐induced nuclear reactions on carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and calcium were investigated with the Monte Carlo toolkits GEANT4 9.5 and MCNPX 2.7, and the dedicated nuclear reaction codes TALYS 1.4 and EMPIRE 3.1. Absolute cross‐sections of discrete prompt gamma lines and the total gamma production were obtained for the 1–200 MeV incident proton energy range. They were compared to 34 discrete line measurements reported in literature. Using these cross‐sections, we analyzed the gamma production along the path of proton beams passing through various tissues. Results: The differences in absolute discrete line cross‐sections as predicted by the models ranged from almost zero to an order of magnitude, depending on the gamma line and incident proton energy. Overall, the dedicated nuclear reaction codes provided a better fit to most experimental excitation functions. For a 150 MeV proton beam stopping in soft tissue, these differences amount to a variation by a factor of 4 of the gamma emission around the Bragg peak location. The maximum of gamma production near the end of proton range differed by 7 mm, and the change of the 50% emission fall‐off position was 4 mm. Conclusions: There is a clear need for improvement of nuclear reaction models to accurately simulate proton range verification using prompt gamma‐rays. Current simulation codes show large uncertainties in both the total gamma yield and the correlation of gamma emission with the proton Bragg peak. GEANT4 and MCNPX in particular appear to have limited predictive power.
Preparation of nanocomposites from styrene and modified graphite oxides

Graphite oxide was prepared and modified with several ammonium salts and these modified graphite oxides were used to prepare nanocomposites with polystyrene by in situ polymerization of styrene monomer and by melt blending with polystyrene. Nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, cone calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and the evaluation of mechanical properties. Nanocomposites are formed by in situ polymerization but not by melt blending; the graphite oxide undergoes thermal degradation at the temperature of melt blending so nanocomposite formation would be unlikely. Mechanical properties of the melt blended nanocomposites are improved relative to the virgin polystyrene while those prepared by in situ polymerization are decreased, except in the case of Young's Modulus, where melt blended and in situ polymerized materials show similar results.
The Gelation of CO(2): A Sustainable Route to the Creation of Microcellular Materials.

Compounds with strong thermodynamic affinity for carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) have been designed and synthesized that dissolve in CO 2 , then associate to form gels. Upon removal of the CO 2 , these gels produced free-standing foams with cells with an average diameter smaller than 1 micrometer and a bulk density reduction of 97 percent relative to the parent material.
The exact and asymptotic distribution of overlapping success runs

Let M = Mn,k and N = Nn,k denote, respectively, the number of overlapping and non-overlapping success runs of fixed length k in n Bernoulli (p) trials. We derive an alternative formula for P(M = x) which is substantially simpler to apply than the one in Ling (1988). Our method of proof brings out several connections between the distributions of M and N. Poisson approximations and a Berry-Esseen theorem are obtained for M, and applications are indicated.
When conceptual pacts are broken: Partner-specific effects on the comprehension of referring expressions

Abstract When two people in conversation refer repeatedly to objects, they typically converge on the same (or similar) referring expressions. The repeated use of expressions by people in the same conversation has been called lexical entrainment. Lexical entrainment may emerge from the precedent of associating objects with expressions (and the perspectives they encode), or else from achieving conceptual pacts , or temporary, flexible agreements to view an object in a particular way (in which case the precedent is encoded as specific to a particular partner). We had people interact with a confederate speaker, entraining on shared perspectives (e.g., “the shiny cylinder”) during repeated references to objects. Then either the original speaker or a new speaker used either the original expression or a new one (“the silver pipe”) to refer to the previously discussed object. Upon hearing the original expressions, addressees looked at and then touched the target objects equally quickly regardless of speaker. However, with new expressions, there was partner-specific interference: addressees were slower to look at the object when the new expression was uttered by the original speaker than when the new expression was uttered by the new speaker. This suggests that the representations in memory from which entrainment emerges do encode a partner-specific cue, leading addressees to expect that a speaker should continue to use an entrained-upon expression unless a contrast in meaning is implicated. There appears to be no such interference when a new partner uses a new expression.