cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen isotope fractionation in lipids of the methane-oxidizing bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus

Hydrogen isotopic compositions of individual lipids from Methylococcus capsulatus, an aerobic, methane-oxidizing bacterium, were analyzed by hydrogen isotope-ratio-monitoring gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The purposes of the study were to measure isotopic fractionation factors between methane, water, and lipids and to examine the biochemical processes that determine the hydrogen isotopic composition of lipids. M. capsulatus was grown in six replicate cultures in which the δD values of methane and water were varied independently. Measurement of concomitant changes in δD values of lipids allowed estimation of the proportion of hydrogen derived from each source and the isotopic fractionation associated with the utilization of each source. All lipids examined, including fatty acids, sterols, and hopanols, derived 31.4 ± 1.7% of their hydrogen from methane. This was apparently true whether the cultures were harvested during exponential or stationary phase. Examination of the relevant biochemical pathways indicates that no hydrogen is transferred directly (with C-H bonds intact) from methane to lipids. Accordingly, we hypothesize that all methane H is oxidized to H_2O, which then serves as the H source for all biosynthesis, and that a balance between diffusion of oxygen and water across cell membranes controls the concentration of methane-derived H_2O at 31%. Values for α_(l/w), the isotopic fractionation between lipids and water, were 0.95 for fatty acids and 0.85 for isoprenoid lipids. These fractionations are significantly smaller than those measured in higher plants and algae. Values for α_(l/m), the isotopic fractionation between lipids and methane, were 0.94 for fatty acids and 0.79 for isoprenoid lipids. Based on these results, we predict that methanotrophs living in seawater and consuming methane with typical δD values will produce fatty acids with δD between −50 and −170‰, and sterols and hopanols with δD between −150 and −270‰.
Direct frequency response function based, uncertainty accomodating optimal controller design

Here we present a new approach to optimal controller design which bridges the gap between system data and its complementary optimal controller. Starting with empirical, open-loop frequency response function (FRF) data, it is shown that the optimal controller can be derived directly without performing system identification. The primary benefit is that we are able to work directly with the measured data and the uncertainties inherent in it. This approach is viewed as advantageous because it has the ability to capture features in the model that a structured uncertainty model could not. Further, we go on to show a method of incorporating the empirical FRF uncertainty into the cost for robustness against plant uncertainty. This method leads to a more precise calculation of H 2 and LQG controllers since it avoids the residual errors associated with performing the traditional intermediary step of system identification, while concurrently accounting for measured system uncertainty.
The First Fossil of the Subfamily Trypanaeinae (Coleoptera: Histeridae): A New Species of Trypanaeus in Dominican Amber

Abstract The first known fossil species of Trypanaeus Eschscholtz (Histeridae: Trypanaeinae), Trypanaeus hispaniolus, new species, is described and figured from the remains of two females preserved in Early Miocene (Burdigalian) Dominican amber. The fossil history of Histeridae along with the higher-level classification of the subfamily Trypanaeinae is briefly discussed. An addition to the existing key to species of the genus is provided in order to accommodate the new fossil species described herein.
Scalable, parallel performance environments

It is shown that new techniques are needed to analyze and present performance data from massively parallel systems. Although parallel programs contain many tasks, typically, there are only a few equivalence classes of task behavior. The author is planning to incorporate algorithms for performance data clustering and display (i.e. equivalence class identification) performance data presentation. >
Temporal and Spatial Diversity and Distribution of Arboreal Carabidae (Coleoptera) in a Western Amazonian Rain Forest1

Diversity of arboreal carabid beetles was sampled by fumigation in 100 3 x 3 m stations within a 100 x 1000 m terra firme forest plot in Ecuadorian Amazonia. Nine sampling dates from January 1994 to October 1996 yielded 2329 individuals belonging to 318 species of which more than 50 percent were undescribed species. A high percentage of the species sampled were rare; the proportion that occurred once per sampling date (singletons) ranged from 50.0 to 62.5 percent. Estimates of species richness were from 82 to 282 species of arboreal carabids in the study plot on a given sampling date. Most richness values were greater than 173 species. Species accumulation curves attained asymptotes for all but one sampling date, indicating that an adequate level of sampling effort was used to characterize the diversity of carabid fauna. Total accumulation curves based on pooled data failed to reach asymptotes. There was a high turnover in species composition between sampling dates; less than 50 percent of the species between the majority of sampling dates were shared, suggesting that the total species pool may be extremely large. Although species composition changed seasonally, species richness varied little. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the structure of this species assemblage was significantly patterned at distances below 280 m. Taken together, the large percentage of undescribed species, the failure of the overall species accumulation curves to level off, and the high turnover in species composition indicate that the species diversity of carabid beetles is far higher than previously thought.
Mapping Interactive Voice Response Call Data in Developing Regions

In this position paper, we discuss the importance of adding location data to the information collected using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems in the developing world. We also discuss various approaches to input location data using basic phones, as well as open research questions.
Chemical Modifications of Rubber Surfaces: XPS Survey of the Reactions of Trichloroisocyanuric Acid at the Surfaces of Vulcanized Elastomers

Abstract X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA) was used to examine the outermost 100 A˚ of selected elastomer substrates, and to classify the predominant reactions that occur there between the substrates and trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCICA). About four monolayers deep, this surface region represents the locus of interfacial and adhesive processes. From these experiments, we concluded the following: (1) at the outermost surface of NR, substitution reactions of TCICA predominate, but a minor amount of addition is also evident; (2) addition and substitution reactions compete on the surfaces of the butadiene-containing polymers, BR and SBR; (3) no detectable functionalization by TCICA takes place on EPDM or CIIR — polymers which lack sufficient olefinic sites for surface modification; (4) isocyanuric acid or other nitrogenous residues are present on treated surfaces before washing; (5) reconstruction of functionalized surfaces may occur upon swelling for extended periods; (6) surface oxygen levels i...
2-Pyrones, Stilbenes, Dihydrophenanthrenes, and Xanthones

The enzymatic mechanisms for lengthening of the side chain of cinnamic acids by one or more C2 units followed by cyclization are widespread in higher plants. Although by far the largest group of compounds formed by this route is the flavonoids, several other important structural entities are known to arise in this manner. Among these are the 2-pyrones, stilbenes, dihydrophenanthrenes, and xanthones.
Tactile Graphics with a Voice

We discuss the development of Tactile Graphics with a Voice (TGV), a system used to access label information in tactile graphics using QR codes. Blind students often rely on tactile graphics to access textbook images. Many textbook images have a large number of text labels that need to be made accessible. In order to do so, we propose TGV, which uses QR codes to replace the text, as an alternative to Braille. The codes are read with a smartphone application. We evaluated the system with a longitudinal study where 10 blind and low-vision participants completed tasks using three different modes on the smartphone application: (1) no guidance, (2) verbal guidance, and (3) finger-pointing guidance. Our results show that TGV is an effective way to access text in tactile graphics, especially for those blind users who are not fluent in Braille. We also found that preferences varied greatly across the modes, indicating that future work should support multiple modes. We expand upon the algorithms we used to implement the finger pointing, algorithms to automatically place QR codes on documents. We also discuss work we have started on creating a Google Glass version of the application.
Measuring Mixture Adsorption by Temperature-Programmed Desorption

Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) was used to measure single-component and mixture adsorption of CO2 and C3H8 in zeolite 13X and SAPO-34 crystals. The TPD was carried out with the adsorbing gases in the feed stream so that adsorption could be determined for weakly adsorbing molecules. The single-component loadings measured by TPD and by volumetric adsorption were within 5% of each other. Carbon dioxide preferentially adsorbs on zeolite 13X from CO2/C3H8 mixtures, whereas C3H8 preferentially adsorbs on SAPO-34. Adsorption equilibrium was quickly reached on zeolite 13X. However, more than 12 h were required to obtain equilibrium for CO2/C3H8 mixtures in SAPO-34 because C3H8 diffuses much slower than CO2 in SAPO-34 pores, but adsorbs more strongly and thus displaces half of the CO2 that initially adsorbs. This behavior helps explain the slow approach to equilibrium observed for CO2/CH4 separations with SAPO-34 membranes when C3H8 was added to the feed.
Sudden death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects people of all ages, and with the advent of echocardiography, it is being recognized more frequently. Death is usually sudden and unexpected. Factors reviewed that may play a role in sudden death include anatomic, hemodynamic, and electrophysiologic mechanisms. The results of medical and surgical treatment are also discussed.
Ventromedial hypothalamic melanocortin receptor activation: regulation of activity energy expenditure and skeletal muscle thermogenesis

Key points The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and the central melanocortin system both play vital roles in regulating energy balance by modulating energy intake and utilization. Recent evidence suggests that activation of the VMH alters skeletal muscle metabolism. We show that intra-VMH melanocortin receptor activation increases energy expenditure and physical activity, switches fuel utilization to fats, and lowers work efficiency such that excess calories are dissipated by skeletal muscle as heat. We also show that intra-VMH melanocortin receptor activation increases sympathetic nervous system outflow to skeletal muscle. Intra-VMH melanocortin receptor activation also induced significant changes in the expression of mediators of energy expenditure in muscle. These results support the role of melanocortin receptors in the VMH in the modulation of skeletal muscle metabolism. Abstract The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and the brain melanocortin system both play vital roles in increasing energy expenditure (EE) and physical activity, decreasing appetite and modulating sympathetic nervous system (SNS) outflow. Because of recent evidence showing that VMH activation modulates skeletal muscle metabolism, we propose the existence of an axis between the VMH and skeletal muscle, modulated by brain melanocortins, modelled on the brain control of brown adipose tissue. Activation of melanocortin receptors in the VMH of rats using a non-specific agonist melanotan II (MTII), compared to vehicle, increased oxygen consumption and EE and decreased the respiratory exchange ratio. Intra-VMH MTII enhanced activity-related EE even when activity levels were held constant. MTII treatment increased gastrocnemius muscle heat dissipation during controlled activity, as well as in the home cage. Compared to vehicle-treated rats, rats with intra-VMH melanocortin receptor activation had higher skeletal muscle norepinephrine turnover, indicating an increased SNS drive to muscle. Lastly, intra-VMH MTII induced mRNA expression of muscle energetic mediators, whereas short-term changes at the protein level were primarily limited to phosphorylation events. These results support the hypothesis that melanocortin peptides act in the VMH to increase EE by lowering the economy of activity via the enhanced expression of mediators of EE in the periphery including skeletal muscle. The data are consistent with the role of melanocortins in the VMH in the modulation of skeletal muscle metabolism.
Analysis 0n the Epidemiological Characteristics of Tuberculosis (TB) in Shexian in 2003 ~2008

Objective To study the epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis(TB) in Shexian,analyze the status of the patients' registration and treatment,and provide the technical basis for sustainable development of TB control.Methods Data of the patient's information from reported cases of TB and registered treatment TB patients in specialist out-patient attendances in Shexian from 2003 to 2008 were analyzed.Results The average prevalence rate of TB is 110.5/lakh in Shexian.The majority of TB patients were farmers which account for 73.7%.The sex ratio of the patients was 1:0.34.The prevalence rate increased with ages,which increased significantly above 35 years.There were 4004 specialist out-patient attendances during those 6 years,1728 of them were finally diagnosed active pulmonary TB cases,and the total registration rate was 58.2/lakh but that of the new smear-positive patients was 37/lakh.The visiting rate of TB patients transferred to the hospitals was 49.1%.the detection rate was 58.6% which was significantly higher than the proportion of persons going to a doctor which was 32.7%(χ2=260,P0.005).The success rate of active pulmonary TB patients was 87.8%.The cure rate of smear-positive patients was 87.6%,and the cure rate was 90.1% in new smear-positive patients,and 73.5% in retreated patients,and the former was higher than the latter(χ2=42.5,P0.005).Conclusion The application of modern tuberculosis control strategy(DOTS) could promote the prevention and treatment of TB in Shexian.The keys of our future work are to incsese transfering rate of TB patients to the hospitals and curing rate of retreated smear-positive patients.
Abstract B28: Multiplexed mass spectrometry analysis of KRAS-associated metabolic reprogramming in colorectal tumors and cell lines

Mutational activation of KRAS is associated with increased cellular proliferation and tumorigenicity, and metabolic reprogramming. We have used a mass spectrometry analysis by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) to quantify the expression of 62 proteins encompassing glycolysis (21 proteins), TCA cycle (14 proteins), pentose phosphate pathway (10 proteins), serine biosynthesis (4 proteins), and 13 other proteins involved in metabolism. We applied this MRM panel to the colon tumor cell line DLD-1 (one mutant (G13D) KRAS allele and one WT allele) and the isogenic derivative cell lines DKO-1 (G13D, -) and DKs-8 (+,-). DLD-1 and DKO-1 cells produce lactate at a significantly higher rate than the Dks-8 cells, indicating metabolic reprogramming reflecting a “Warburg” phenotype. MRM panel comparisons of these cell lines revealed that KRAS mutation was associated with the increased expression of glucose and glutamine transporters, glycolytic enzymes, enzymes involved in serine biosynthesis, and a few TCA cycle enzymes. Comparison of the isogenic KRAS mutant/WT pair to each other and to the DLD-1 parental cell line revealed distinct expression changes for the three different KRAS mutant/WT combinations, which suggests that mutant and WT KRAS play distinct roles in metabolic reprogramming. The MRM panel was also used to analyze 16 human formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) Stage II colorectal tumors. Although the expression of the metabolic proteins varied from patient to patient, a consensus group of 7 metabolic proteins, including enzymes of glycolysis, were significantly increased in KRAS mutant tumors. These results demonstrate that mutational activation of KRAS induces metabolic reprogramming via signaling through both BRAF and PI3K signaling pathways in colorectal cancer cells by the altered expression of metabolic proteins. (Supported by NIH Grant U24CA159988) Citation Format: Josiah E. Hutton, III, Lisa J. Zimmerman, Robbert J. Slebos, Ming Li, Daniel C. Liebler. Multiplexed mass spectrometry analysis of KRAS-associated metabolic reprogramming in colorectal tumors and cell lines. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on RAS Oncogenes: From Biology to Therapy; Feb 24-27, 2014; Lake Buena Vista, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2014;12(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B28. doi: 10.1158/1557-3125.RASONC14-B28
Mechanical characterization of doped SAC solder materials at high temperature

Reliable lead free solders are needed for products exposed to extreme environments such as those used in the automotive, avionics, and oil-exploration industries, as well as in military applications. In this study, stress-strain curves have been measured for several doped Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) solder materials at high temperatures up to 200 °C, and their performances have been compared to those for standard SAC alloys. The doped lead free solder materials are referred to as SAC_R (Ecolloy), SAC_Q (CYCLOMAX), and Innolot by their vendors. SAC_R and SAC_Q are formulated with Sn, Ag, Cu, and Bi (SAC+Bi), while Innolot includes an engineered combination of six elements. Tensile specimens were formed in rectangular cross-section glass tubes using a vacuum suction process, and a water quenched (WQ) solidification profile was utilized. This profile resulted in extremely fine microstructures, and mechanical properties near the upper limit possible for each alloy. Uniaxial tensile testing was performed on the three doped alloys at temperatures of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 °C, and a strain rate of 0.001 sec-1. For the SAC_Q alloy, testing was also performed at strain rates of 0.0001 and 0.00001 sec−1, and the Anand constitutive parameters were calculated. The results for the doped solders were compared to standard SAC105 and SAC405 lead free alloys. The mechanical properties of SAC_R were found to exceed those for SAC105 at all temperatures, even though SAC_R does not contain any silver. In addition, the mechanical properties of SAC_Q and Innolot were found to match or exceed those of SAC405 at all temperatures. The new alloys show great promise for use in extremely harsh environments.
Privacy-enhancing technologies for the Internet

The increased use of the Internet for everyday activities is bringing new threats to personal privacy. The paper gives an overview of existing and potential privacy enhancing technologies for the Internet, as well as motivation and challenges for future work in this field.
Clock Copying Predicts Mortality in Adult Protective Services Clients

Objective The objective of this study was to determine if a clock copying task predicts 18-month mortality in an Adult Protective Services (APS) sample referred for a decision-making capacity assessment. Methods The authors performed a retrospective medical record review of clients (N = 233) referred by APS for a decision-making capacity assessment during a 3-year time period. Information extracted included demographic data and neuropsychological performance on a battery sensitive to executive function, visuospatial ability, depression, memory, and general cognition. A Cox proportional hazards models was constructed to determine the relationship between Executive Clock Drawing Task Part 2 (CLOX2) performance and survival. Results Poor clock copying, as measured by CLOX2, predicted 18-month mortality when covaried for age, education, sex, rural dwelling status, depression, and general cognition. Conclusions Clock copying is an easily administered visuospatial task that may inform survival in this vulnerable population.
Institutionalization of Capital and the Changing Role of Public Equity Markets: International Evidence

We study the relation between institutionalization of capital and the reliance on public markets by corporations and investors. Country-level evidence indicates that capital under institutional management (ownership by mutual funds, pension funds, and insurance companies) is negatively related to the levels and growth rates of numbers of publicly listed companies and also negatively related to the levels and growth rates of aggregate market capitalization and trading activity on public equity markets. The results indicate that, as economies mature and direct ownership of equity by retail investors declines, financial systems move in the direction of being less public market-centric to more institution-centric.
LMNA Mutations Associated With Mild and Late-Onset Phenotype: The Case of the Dutch Founder Mutation p.(Arg331Gln)

Cardiolaminopathies are autosomal dominant genetic diseases caused by mutations in the LMNA gene which encodes the nucleus envelope protein Lamin AC.1 There are now 12 phenotypes associated with LMNA mutations, both autosomal dominant and recessive, the majority of which have cardiac involvement (http://omim.org/entry/150330). These include dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) associated with conduction disease, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and phenotypes mimicking arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.2 See Article by Hoorntje et al Cardiolaminopathies are characterized by high arrhythmogenic risk3 that may manifest in mildly dilated hearts and may be the first clinical presentation of the disease. Fatal arrhythmias may occur even when left ventricular dysfunction does not reach the cutoff value established by guidelines for implantable cardioverter–defibrillator implantation for the primary prevention of sudden death.4 Clinical cardiologists involved in programs dedicated to familial cardiomyopathies are well aware of the arrhythmogenic risk of cardiolaminopathies. The latest ESC Guidelines for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death recommend (Class IIa; Level of Evidence B) implantable cardioverter–defibrillator in patients with DCM, a confirmed disease-causing LMNA mutation, and the following clinical risk factors: nonsustained ventricular tachycardia during ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring, left ventricular ejection fraction <45% on initial evaluation, male sex, and nonmissense mutations.5 The genetic diagnosis of laminopathy in DCM patients impacts therapeutic and prognostic strategies. For example, the percutaneous catheter ablation of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in LMNA cardiomyopathy could be an important consideration. Poor outcomes, including high rates of recurrence of arrhythmia, progression to end-stage heart failure, and high mortality, have been reported in patients with cardiolaminopathies, wherein 91% of patients experienced ≥1 ventricular tachycardia recurrence, 44% received or were awaiting mechanical circulatory support or transplant for end-stage heart failure, and 26% died during a median 7-month follow-up.6 Use of β-blockers in conduction disease should be postponed until after pacemaker …
Quick Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Diffusion-Weighted Imaging as a First Imaging Modality in Pediatric Stroke

Abstract Background Diagnostic delay hinders management of pediatric arterial ischemic stroke. Quick brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging sequences may provide a rapid diagnosis without the ionizing radiation of a computed tomography (CT) scan. Methods This was a single center retrospective chart review of children one month to 18 years old with acute arterial ischemic stroke hospitalized between January 2010 and January 2017. We evaluated sensitivity and the time to diagnostic study based on the first imaging study (CT or quick brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging). Results Twenty-five patients were included. Eleven patients (44%) were initially assessed with CT, 10 (40%) with quick brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging, and four (16%) with a full MRI. Compared with children undergoing CT, children with quick brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging as first study were younger (5.8 versus 14.1 years, P P = 0.03). Quick brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging was more sensitive for ischemia than CT (100% versus 27.3%). The median time from presentation to diagnostic imaging was 4.3 hours, with no differences between CT and quick brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging groups, although the quick brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging group had a shorter median time from first imaging to diagnostic imaging ( P = 0.002). There were no significant missed findings on quick brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging. Conclusions Quick brain MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging was more sensitive than CT for detecting ischemia and may be considered as the first study for some children presenting with suspected arterial ischemic stroke.
Flexitime1 and the Compressed Workweek2 for the Small Firm: Some Employee Reactions:

This paper reports the results of the implementation of a flexitime and compressed workweek schedule, in three small firms, representing the retail, manufacturing and service industries. A pre-flex...
Site-Specific Modification of Single-Chain Antibody Fragments for Bioconjugation and Vascular Immunotargeting

The conjugation of antibodies to drugs and drug carriers improves delivery to target tissues. Widespread implementation and effective translation of this pharmacologic strategy awaits the development of affinity ligands capable of a defined degree of modification and highly efficient bioconjugation without loss of affinity. To date, such ligands are lacking for the targeting of therapeutics to vascular endothelial cells. To enable site-specific, click-chemistry conjugation to therapeutic cargo, we used the bacterial transpeptidase, sortase A, to attach short azidolysine containing peptides to three endothelial-specific single chain antibody fragments (scFv). While direct fusion of a recognition motif (sortag) to the scFv C-terminus generally resulted in low levels of sortase-mediated modification, improved reaction efficiency was observed for one protein, in which two amino acids had been introduced during cloning. This prompted insertion of a short, semi-rigid linker between scFv and sortag. The linker s...
Defining the physiological role of SRP in protein-targeting efficiency and specificity.

The signal recognition particle (SRP) enables cotranslational delivery of proteins for translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but its full in vivo role remains incompletely explored. We combined rapid auxin-induced SRP degradation with proximity-specific ribosome profiling to define SRP’s in vivo function in yeast. Despite the classic view that SRP recognizes amino-terminal signal sequences, we show that SRP was generally essential for targeting transmembrane domains regardless of their position relative to the amino terminus. By contrast, many proteins containing cleavable amino-terminal signal peptides were efficiently cotranslationally targeted in SRP’s absence. We also reveal an unanticipated consequence of SRP loss: Transcripts normally targeted to the ER were mistargeted to mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial defects. These results elucidate SRP’s essential roles in maintaining the efficiency and specificity of protein targeting.
Achieving Fairness in a Distributed Ad-Hoc MAC

Many distributed multiple access (MAC) protocols use an exponential backoff mechanism. In that mechanism, a node picks a random backoff time uniformly in an intervals that doubles in size after a collision. When used in an Ad-Hoc network, this backoff mechanism is unfair towards nodes in the middle of the network. Indeed, such nodes tend to experience more collisions than nodes with fewer neighbors; consequently, they often choose larger delays than those other nodes. We propose a different backoff mechanism that achieves a fairer allocation of the available bandwidth by decreasing the backoff delay upon collision or failure to send a packet. That is, a node becomes more aggressive after each failure. Accordingly, we call the mechanism the Impatient Backoff Algorithm (IBA). The nodes maintain the stability of the algorithm by resetting, in a distributed way, the average backoff delays when they become too small. We perform a Markov analysis of the system to prove stability and fairness in simple topologies. We also use simulations to study the performance of IBA in random Ad-Hoc networks and compare with an exponential backoff scheme. Results show that IBA achieves comparable mean throughput, while delivering significantly better fairness.
Phonofilm, The Realization

The year 1923 begins with great promise. Using the process he had first imagined in 1918, Lee de Forest is poised for his prime time premiere. By now he has made several dozen short Phonofilms and screened a few of these for the American and German press. This is the year of the Phonofilm, and for the first time members of the public will be able to experience a movie with synchronized sound. As Phonofilm matures Lee de Forest again turns from an inventor into a pitchman. First he speaks about his invention at engineering conferences. Then he carefully attempts to reach the widest audience possible and bring them in on what he has accomplished by making himself available to the daily newspapers, the scientific popular press, and the film technical support fraternity through the Society of Motion Picture Engineers. He also writes a booklet aimed at potential investors. At all of these venues and in print he sounds similar themes as de Forest, as always, “stays on message.” He will continue to be the producer and director of the content he envisions for his improved technology. He will be the face of Phonofilm. This year, 1923, is the premiere year for Phonofilm. But first he will be forced to reconsider his relationship with Theodore Case.
Chronic Heart Failure in Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Surgical therapy for children born with congenital heart disease has improved survival enormously in this group of patients. Children who were once expected to die either before or immediately after surgery, now enjoy longevity that 20 years ago was unheard of.1 Now that perioperative mortality has been reduced to very low levels in most complex cardiac lesions, this group of patients has entered into pediatric cardiology clinical care with a relatively new set of needs. These needs include the monitoring and treatment of rhythm abnormalities, valve abnormalities, and ventricular myocardial abnormalities. Derangement in any of these closely linked systems can cause, or at least be associated with, the development of chronic heart failure. Although the recognition and definition of heart failure in this patient population may not be precisely defined as of yet, it is clear that many of these patients will develop signs and symptoms of heart failure.
An Introduction to Biostatistics

In this chapter, we discuss the basics of what you need to know about biostatistics in order to statistically analyze and interpret the data from your in vitro and preclinical in vivo experiments. Experiments are conducted to answer one or more specific scientific questions, and they must be designed so that they are likely to provide answers with minimal bias and appropriate measures of variability and significance. Here, we discuss different methods of analysis and their accompanying assumptions. In addition, we cover several different experimental design considerations as well as the subsequent interpretation and graphical presentation of data and statistical findings. Furthermore, we provide insight on both sides of the debates surrounding controversial issues such as testing multiple hypotheses in a single study and addressing outliers in the data. We conclude with a discussion of the future of biostatistics for in vitro and preclinical experiments, highlighting the importance of learning biostatistical software in your training. We suggest you read this chapter before you begin performing experiments and collecting data.
The Efficacy of Four Sunburn Mitigation Strategies and Their Effects on Yield, Fruit Quality, and Economic Performance of Honeycrisp Cv. Apples under Eastern New York (USA) Climatic Conditions

Sunburn is a serious economic problem in practically all apple-growing regions of the world. Losses of apple fruit due to sunburn can range from 10% as high as 50%. Several years ago, this problem ...
The impact of perioperative inotropes on the incidence of pancreatic leak following pancreaticoduodenectomy

Backgrounds/aims Pancreatic leak and fistula formation following pancreatic resection is a dreaded complication associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The perioperative use of inotropes has been implicated in anastomotic dehiscence in other types of gastrointestinal surgery but their impact in pancreatic surgery remains unclear and a potentially modifiable risk factor for pancreatic leak. This study aims to assess the impact of perioperative inotrope infusion on the incidence of pancreatic leak following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Methods Retrospective data analysis of all patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at a tertiary HPB institute. Multivariate analysis and regression models assessed the impact of inotrope use against other known risk factors such as pancreatic duct size and gland texture. Pancreatic fistulae were graded as per ISGPF as Grade A (biochemical leak), Grade B and Grade C fistula. Results One-hundred and twenty-three (123) patients were included. A total of 52 patients (42%) developed a leak (29 grade A, 15 grade B, and 8 Grade C). In the fistula group, 28 patients (55%) received perioperative inotropes compared to 26 (35%) in the no fistula group. On univariate analysis, patients receiving inotropes (p=0.04) and patients with a soft pancreatic texture (p=0.003) had a statistically higher incidence of developing a pancreatic fistula of any grade. On multivariate analysis, only inotrope use was associated with an increased risk of developing a pancreatic fistula of any grade (OR 2.46, p=0.026), independent of pancreatic texture and pancreatic duct size. Conclusions Perioperative inotrope use is associated with an increase incidence of pancreatic leak following pancreaticoduodenectomy and should therefore be used judiciously.
Racial Differences in Hospital Evaluation After the Use of Force by Police: a Tale of Two Cities

To determine whether racial or sex bias or the number of officers influences the chances of reported injury or hospital evaluation after the use of less than lethal force by law enforcement. Retrospective cohort study of 12,326 incidents of less than lethal force in Indianapolis, Indiana (2014–2018), and Wichita, Kansas (2008–2018). Injuries to non-White persons are under-reported (Indianapolis Pr ≤ 0.003; Wichita Pr ≤ 0.000) and non-White persons are less likely to be referred for hospital evaluation after the use of force (Indianapolis OR 0.57, CI 0.45–0.72, Wichita OR 0.66, CI 0.48–0.92). In Indianapolis, the presence of more than one officer significantly reduced the odds of hospitalization after both injury and serious injury (OR 0.48, CI 0.36–0.64 for injury, OR 0.22, CI 0.12–0.39 for serious injury). For both cities, an estimated 25% more non-White persons who were subject to the use of force should have been evaluated in a hospital than actually were. Significant racial disparities exist in the reporting of injuries and in the access to care after the use of force by law enforcement. Policies, procedures, and training need to be amended to correct the disparities in access to care after the use of force. Access to sequestered law enforcement data is imperative to assess the extent of these disparities nationwide.
Relationship between plasma glucose concentrations and Native Hawaiian Ancestry: The Native Hawaiian Health Research Project

Relationship between plasma glucose concentrations and Native Hawaiian Ancestry: The Native Hawaiian Health Research Project
Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender (DARVO): What Is the Influence on Perceived Perpetrator and Victim Credibility?

Perpetrators of interpersonal violence sometimes use denial, engage in personal attacks on victim credibility, and assume a victimized role (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender; DARVO) to def...
On the Phase Shift of a Microstrip Transmission Line Loaded with Magneto-Responsive Conducting Micro-Particles

This work demonstrates a novel loading method for a printed microstrip transmission line using variable conductive particle manipulation controlled by magnetic fields. The conductive particle loading showed that the propagation characteristics of the transmission line could be changed, or tuned in the 2 GHz to 3 GHz band. The work presented in this paper is to provide an understanding of the particles' reaction to a measurable magnetic field density and the effect the particles have on the transmission lines propagation characteristics.
Prevalence of Medical Cannabis Use and Associated Health Conditions Documented in Electronic Health Records Among Primary Care Patients in Washington State.

Importance Many people use cannabis for medical reasons despite limited evidence of therapeutic benefit and potential risks. Little is known about medical practitioners' documentation of medical cannabis use or clinical characteristics of patients with documented medical cannabis use. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of past-year medical cannabis use documented in electronic health records (EHRs) and to describe patients with EHR-documented medical cannabis use, EHR-documented cannabis use without evidence of medical use (other cannabis use), and no EHR-documented cannabis use. Design, setting, and participants This cross-sectional study assessed adult primary care patients who completed a cannabis screen during a visit between November 1, 2017, and October 31, 2018, at a large health system that conducts routine cannabis screening in a US state with legal medical and recreational cannabis use. Exposures Three mutually exclusive categories of EHR-documented cannabis use (medical, other, and no use) based on practitioner documentation of medical cannabis use in the EHR and patient report of past-year cannabis use at screening. Main outcomes and measures Health conditions for which cannabis use has potential benefits or risks were defined based on National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's review. The adjusted prevalence of conditions diagnosed in the prior year were estimated across 3 categories of EHR-documented cannabis use with logistic regression. Results A total of 185 565 patients (mean [SD] age, 52.0 [18.1] years; 59% female, 73% White, 94% non-Hispanic, and 61% commercially insured) were screened for cannabis use in a primary care visit during the study period. Among these patients, 3551 (2%) had EHR-documented medical cannabis use, 36 599 (20%) had EHR-documented other cannabis use, and 145 415 (78%) had no documented cannabis use. Patients with medical cannabis use had a higher prevalence of health conditions for which cannabis has potential benefits (49.8%; 95% CI, 48.3%-51.3%) compared with patients with other cannabis use (39.9%; 95% CI, 39.4%-40.3%) or no cannabis use (40.0%; 95% CI, 39.8%-40.2%). In addition, patients with medical cannabis use had a higher prevalence of health conditions for which cannabis has potential risks (60.7%; 95% CI, 59.0%-62.3%) compared with patients with other cannabis use (50.5%; 95% CI, 50.0%-51.0%) or no cannabis use (42.7%; 95% CI, 42.4%-42.9%). Conclusions and relevance In this cross-sectional study, primary care patients with documented medical cannabis use had a high prevalence of health conditions for which cannabis use has potential benefits, yet a higher prevalence of conditions with potential risks from cannabis use. These findings suggest that practitioners should be prepared to discuss potential risks and benefits of cannabis use with patients.
Society of Knowledge — Interdisciplinary Perspectives of Information Processing in Virtual Networks

Computer-assisted informational and communicational networks are the driving forces in the evolution towards a knowledge society. They are achieving virtual worlds of knowledge storing, business planning, arts and entertainment. How are they changing research and teaching of natural sciences and medicine, economics, social sciences and humanities? Can knowledge management learn from evolutionary strategies? Knowledge management in complex networks needs the assistance of autonomous, mobile, and intelligent software agents. Ethical goal of knowledge management in virtual net worlds is a humanistic service to improve the living conditions in the knowledge society.
That is Good to Think of these Days: The Campaign by Hearst Newspapers to Promote Addition of “Under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance

Abstract At issue in this article is the historical precedent for the actions of journalists in their treatment of Michael Newdow, whose constitutional challenge to the Pledge of Allegiance gained national prominence in 2002. In 1954, the Hearst Newspaper chain, with able support from the Knights of Columbus, the nation's largest Catholic fraternal organization, mounted a national campaign in support of efforts to add the words “under God” to the Pledge. Reporters for Hearst's newspapers put aside the journalistic convention of objectivity to openly promote patriotism in the face of the largely imagined threat posed by Communism. The exploration of this effort is based on a close reading of the articles and editorials written by Hearst reporters, in particular those who worked for the New York Journal-American. Also included in the analysis are news stories crafted about the Pledge revision by reporters for some of the nation's most respected news organizations, including CBS and the New York Times. The t...
Refocusing the Quality Discourse: The United States National Survey of Student Engagement

This chapter reports on work conducted with nearly 1,500 bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities in the USA to assess the extent to which their undergraduates are exposed to and participate in empirically proven effective educational activities. The chapter begins with a discussion of the prevailing quality discourse in the USA. It then explores the conceptual and empirical foundations of student engagement and the origins of NSSE as both a response to the quality problem and as a diagnostic tool to facilitate improvement. The chapter also discusses tensions between internal improvement and external accountability efforts, and NSSE’s role in the assessment and accountability movements. It concludes with a discussion of challenges that confront the project going forward.
Multi-Type Library Collection Planning in Alaska

Coordinated collection development and management planning in Alaska is based on the Conspectus. Conspectus data is used for collection development in individual libraries, among groups of local libraries, and for statewide coordination and policy-making.
Optical biosensor provides insights for bradykinin B2 receptor signaling in A431 cells

The spatial and temporal targeting of proteins or protein assemblies to appropriate sites is crucial to regulate the specificity and efficiency of protein–protein interactions, thus dictating the timing and intensity of cell signaling and responses. The resultant dynamic mass redistribution could be manifested by label free optical biosensor, and lead to a novel and functional optical signature for studying cell signaling. Here we applied this technology, termed as mass redistribution cell assay technology (MRCAT), to study the signaling networks of bradykinin B2 receptor in A431 cells. Using MRCAT, the spatial and temporal relocation of proteins and protein assemblies mediated by bradykinin was quantitatively monitored in microplate format and in live cells. The saturability to bradykinin, together with the specific and dose-dependent inhibition by a B2 specific antagonist HOE140, suggested that the optical signature is a direct result of B2 receptor activation. The sensitivity of the optical signature to cholesterol depletion by methyl-β-cyclodextrin argued that B2 receptor signaling is dependent on the integrity of lipid rafts; disruption of these microdomains hinders the B2 signaling. Modulations of several important intracellular targets with specific inhibitors suggested that B2 receptor activation results in signaling via at least dual pathways – Gs- and Gq-mediated signaling. Remarkably, the two signaling pathways counter-regulate each other. Several critical downstream targets including protein kinase C, protein kinase A, and epidermal growth factor receptor had been identified to involve in B2 signaling. The roles of endocytosis and cytoskeleton modulation in B2 signaling were also demonstrated.
Intake of paired sucrose solutions in long and short tests

Albino rats were presented with one of five pairs of sucrose solution (0–2, 2–4, 4–8, 8–16, 16–32%) for 11 consecutive daily tests of 1 h or 23 h duration. Frequency of preference for the lower concentrations of the pairs was an increasing function of concentration and test duration.
Comparative product analysis of carbon tetrachloride dehalogenation catalyzed by cobalt corrins in the presence of thiol or titanium(III) reducing agents

Pathways of dehalogenation catalyzed by reduced Co corrins in the presence of various Co reductants are not well understood. Dehalogenation of CCl4 was determined in reaction systems containing a corrin (vitamin B12, cobinamide dicyanide, or aquocobalamin), reductant [Ti(III), dithiothreitol, or S2-/cysteine], buffer (pH 8.2), and CCl4. Transformation products in both the headspace and soluble reaction mixture were determined using GC/MS, HPLC, NMR, or TLC/autoradiography. Products in the presence of titanium(III) citrate, which yields the Co(I) form of the corrin, were mostly hydrogenolytic and included predominantly CH3Cl and CH4. More highly halogenated products were formed in the presence of thiol reducing agents, which yield the Co(II) form of the corrin. These products included CH2Cl2, CO, and formate in the case of dithiothreitol. Sulfide/cysteine reductants were least effective in promoting reductive dehalogenation with the major products identified as CHCl3, CS2, 2-oxothiazolidine carboxylic acid...