cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Value of Cytoplasmic Vacuolization of Neutrophils in the Diagnosis of Bloodstream Infection

This study assesses the sensitivity of several peripheral blood leukocyte parameters (absolute band count, absolute granulocyte count, the presence of cytoplasmic vacuolization of neutrophils [CVN], and the absolute lymphocyte count), either alone or in combination, for the detection of bloodstream infection in 168 patients with this condition. The granulocyte count was defined as the absolute neutrophil count plus the band count. Sensitivity of the single leukocyte parameters were as follows: 82 (48.8%) showed lymphocytopenia ( 7,200/y.L3 [>7.2xl09/L]), 121 (72%) showed an elevated band count (>700/ μ L3 [>0.7×109/L]), and 152 (90.5%) showed the presence of CVN. We concluded the following: (1) The presence of CVN was significantly ( P <.001) more sensitive for bloodstream infection than either an elevated granulocyte count or band count alone (90.5% vs 66.7% or 72.0%, respectively). (2) The inclusion of CVN significantly improved the sensitivity of every other leukocyte parameter; however, CVN was found in 15.9% of a group of 69 healthy persons and thus cannot be considered specific for bloodstream infections. (3) The addition of the band count did not significantly change the sensitivity of elevated granulocyte count and/or presence of CVN (97.0% vs 98.8%). (4) A significant number of patients with bloodstream infection had lymphocytopenia (48.8%), a finding that has not been previously emphasized.
Effect of respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis on renal transport enzymes

We studied the effect of respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis on acid-base composition and on microdissected renal adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) enzymes. Rats were subjected to hypercapnia or hypocapnia of 6, 24, and 72 h duration. After 6 h of hypercapnia, collecting tubule (CT) ATPases were not changed. At 24 h, plasma bicarbonate was 35 +/- 1 meq/l (P < 0.01) and CT H-ATPase and H-K-ATPase activities were 90% greater than controls (P < 0.01). By 72 h, plasma bicarbonate was 37 +/- 1 meq/l (P < 0.005 vs. control) and CT enzyme activity had increased even more, averaging approximately 130% of control (P < 0.05). Significant increases in enzyme activities were also observed in the proximal convoluted tubule and medullary thick ascending limb. Plasma aldosterone was three to four times that of control at all three time periods. In hormone-replete adrenalectomized rats, acid-base parameters and ATPase activities were the same as those seen in adrenal intact animals. After 6 h of hypocapnia, plasma bicarbonate was not significantly changed, but H-ATPase and Na-K-ATPase activities were decreased by 35% along the entire nephron (P < 0.05). H-K-ATPase activity in CT also decreased by 35%. At 24 h, plasma bicarbonate was 20.5 +/- 0.5 meq/l (P < 0.05 vs. control) and CT H-ATPase and H-K-ATPase activities were 60% less than control (P < 0.01). By 72 h, plasma bicarbonate was 18.5 +/- 0.5 meq/l (P < 0.05); however, only CT H-ATPase activity continued to fall, averaging 75% less than control (P < 0.005). Hypocapnia had no effect on plasma aldosterone or potassium. These results demonstrate that chronic, but not acute, respiratory acidosis stimulates activity of both renal proton ATPases. By contrast, both acute and chronic respiratory alkalosis decrease the two renal proton pumps. The stimulatory effect of hypercapnia and the inhibitory effect of hypocapnia on the renal ATPases appear to be potassium and aldosterone independent. Although the precise mechanisms for these results are not known, a direct effect of PCO2, pH, or changes in bicarbonate delivery may be involved.
Stroke-Like Presentation Following Febrile Seizure in a Patient with 1q43q44 Deletion Syndrome

Hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia-epilepsy syndrome (HHE) is a rare outcome of prolonged hemiconvulsion that is followed by diffuse unilateral hemispheric edema, hemiplegia, and ultimately hemiatrophy of the affected hemisphere and epilepsy. Here we describe the case of a 3-year old male with a 1;3 translocation leading to a terminal 1q43q44 deletion and a terminal 3p26.1p26.3 duplication that developed HHE after a prolonged febrile seizure and discuss the pathogenesis of HHE in the context of the patient’s complex genetic background.
Application of the general form of the accurate formula of A(n,k)

Let A(n,k) be the number of nonnegative integer solutions about the Diophantine equation sum from t=1 to k(ixi)=n According to the general form of the accurate formula of A ( n, k) A ( n, k) Presents the accurate formulae of A(n,4) 、A(n,5)、A(n,6)、A(n,7), i.e. the accurate formulae of unordered integer partition P(n,4)、P(n,5)、P(n,6)、P(n,7) .This method in this paper is more simple than ever.
Perceived stress and coping strategies among families of cardiac transplant candidates during the organ waiting period.

OBJECTIVE To explore and describe perceived stress and coping strategies among families of candidates for cardiac transplant during the organ waiting period. DESIGN This descriptive, multiinstitutional study was guided by the T-Double ABCX Model of Family Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & Thompson, 1987). SETTING Five tertiary care centers with transplant programs in three Southeastern cities. SUBJECTS Thirty-eight family members of patients on the active list for cardiac transplantation, including 35 women and three men with a mean age of 44 years (SD = 13.17). Subjects had a family member on the waiting list for a mean of 6.5 months. INSTRUMENTS Family members completed the following three instruments: (1) Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes (FILE), (2) Family Crisis Oriented Personal Scale (FCOPES), and (3) Family Perception of the Transplant Experience Scale (FPTES). RESULTS Stress: 53% and 47% of respondents indicated that they were experiencing moderate and low degrees of stress, respectively. Coping: Family members used more coping mechanisms than normative subjects in the literature. Coping strategies used in order of decreasing frequency: (1) knowing our family has the strength to solve our problems, (2) facing problems head-on, and (3) seeking support from friends. Appraisal: Mean score of 32.13 reflects subjects' positive perception of the pretransplant experience. The three statements with which the subjects most strongly agreed: (1) heart illness has changed roles of family members, (2) family member will survive the transplant operation; and (3) this is an experience that could bring out the family's strengths. CONCLUSIONS An increase in the number of coping strategies used with low to moderate stress levels suggests the effectiveness of coping strategies in mediating stress. The preference for active rather than passive coping strategies may be reflective of the selection criteria for transplant candidates or nursing interventions during this period to minimize stress and promote family coping.
Cultural strategies reduce weed densities in summer annual crops

Producers in the central Great Plains are seeking alternative strategies to manage weeds because of herbicide resistance, narrow profit margins, and a lack of registered herbicides in some crops. Thus, we evaluated the impact of cultural systems in winter wheat and tillage on weed dynamics in corn, sunflower, and proso millet planted the year following wheat harvest. Weed seedling densities were 25 to 30% lower in a no-till system compared with minimum-till with a sweep plow. With no-till, cultural systems that produced more crop residue reduced weed densities an additional 15 to 30%, compared with the conventional system. Cultural system effect was eliminated in dry years and by tillage. Weed biomass was 10-fold less in proso millet than in corn. Crop residue management, critical for successful cropping in semiarid regions, also will help weed management by reducing weed density in summer annual crops, especially in no-till systems.
Quantum nanophotonics with localized excitons in atomically thin semiconductors

We report single photon emissionion from localized defects near the edges and inteface of single and multilayer tungsten diselenide. We present magneto-optical spectroscopy results and demonstrate voltage controlled photoluminescence of these localized quantum emitters.
Investigation and Demonstration of a WR-4.3 Optically Controlled Waveguide Attenuator

We report the design and demonstration of a compact WR-4.3 (170–260 GHz, equivalent to WR-4 band in Electronics Industries Alliance band designation) optically controlled waveguide attenuator using an E-plane tapered high-resistivity micromachined silicon absorber. Variable attenuation is realized by illuminating the silicon absorber with different light intensities from a fiber-guided infrared laser diode. Finite element method simulation has shown that high attenuator performance can be potentially achieved. For a prototype demonstration, a WR-4.3 optically controlled attenuator has been designed and implemented using an E-plane split waveguide configuration. The attenuator has been characterized in the WR-4.3 waveguide band using a vector network analyzer and the results show that a 0.6-dB insertion loss, greater than 10-dB return loss, and an average of approximately 25-dB tuning range have been achieved over most of the WR-4.3 band (i.e., 170–230 GHz). This approach is promising for developing high-performance variable waveguide attenuators into the millimeter-wave and terahertz regime.
Can protected areas really maintain mammalian diversity? Insights from a nestedness analysis of the Colorado Plateau

Abstract Protected areas are considered a primary place for biodiversity conservation; however, under current rates of global change, it is increasingly important to understand how effective existing reserves are in protecting biodiversity. We examine how U.S. National Park Service lands on the Colorado Plateau (USA) contribute to biodiversity conservation and whether local extirpations have led to an erosion of regional biodiversity. Species range adjustments are among the first signs of biome change, so tracing regional biodiversity change is an efficient way to identify the early phases of major biome shifts. We use analysis of nested mammalian species assemblages to 1) determine if Colorado Plateau mammal assemblages are significantly nested and, 2) clarify which properties of protected lands correlate with nestedness and species richness. We compare species lists from surveys of contemporary resident species to lists from historical range maps that record species ranges from the ~ 100 years ago, and find that reserves retain essentially the same mammalian diversity and biogeographic patterns that were present in the early 1900s. This suggests that “faunal relaxation” has not occurred in this landscape, and that mammal diversity conservation in these lands has been largely effective for most species thus far. However, anthropogenic climate change is affecting the environmental conditions that influence species distributions, lands surrounding parks are under pressure for human uses, and increasing numbers of visitors are using parks while financial resources are ever more uncertain. Therefore, understanding how nestedness patterns are governed by human-dominated landscapes will be an important conservation tool for quickly assessing diversity change in the future.
Lincoln's Autocrat: The Life of Edwin Stanton. By William Marvel. (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 2015. Pp. xvii, 611. $35.00.)

The second most powerful civilian in the Union government, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, was difficult to work with and hard to like. Few contemporaries doubted his dedication to victory, but man...
Unexpected early radiographic findings associated with a ruptured blister-like carotid wall aneurysm

A 33-year-old man presented with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured, blister-type sidewall internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm. Balloon-assisted coiling was performed with residual neck. He subsequently developed severe vasospasm requiring intra-arterial therapies on multiple occasions, during which it was noted that despite widespread vasospasm, a focal segment of the ICA at the site of the aneurysm showed no significant spasm, suggesting underlying vessel abnormality. He was discharged without deficit and scheduled for flow diversion given concern over this potentially pathologic segment of vessel. At time of scheduled flow diversion 6 weeks later, a de novo unstable-appearing 6 mm stalk-like pseudoaneurysm was identified in this segment. Both aneurysms and the diseased vessel were successfully treated with Pipeline stenting, with excellent clinical and angiographic result. This case highlights the need for close angiographic follow-up when there is a heterogeneous vasospastic response in arterial segments adjacent to a ruptured aneurysm.
Outcome of Critically Ill Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation Recipients

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) has become a standard treatment modality for hematological malignancies. Chemotherapy toxicity, infection, and syndromes associated with the graft and host interaction frequently jeopardize the health of these patients so significantly that they require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Despite improvements in the delivery of critical care services to allogeneic HSCT patients, ICU mortality rates remain high. Certain complications, particularly those involving the respiratory system, are strongly influenced by the length of time that has elapsed since transplant. Most allogeneic HSCT patients should receive critical care services, contrary to a widely held belief that excessive ICU-related morbidity and mortality preclude any meaningful chance of recovery.
Aerial dispersal ability does not drive spider success in a crop landscape

1. Although spiders can colonise ecosystems by air, dispersal capabilities differ among spider species. Web‐building spiders are thought to balloon at higher rates than hunting spiders. Spider success in agricultural systems may also depend on habitat preferences. Few studies have examined the success of aerially dispersing spiders in crop systems, and information about the dispersal capabilities of spiders in putative source habitats is limited. 2. Spiders were monitored in the air and on the foliage of vineyards and adjacent oak woodland in order to compare the aerial spider faunas between these disparate habitats and to determine whether highly dispersive species contributed disproportionately to the spider community in vineyards. 3. The results show that most aerially dispersing spiders in both habitats were web‐building dwarf spiders, Erigone spp. (Linyphiidae), although hunting spiders were also well represented in the air, especially in oak woodland. Most woodland spiders in the air appeared to be residents of oak woodland and probably dispersed only short distances. 4. Conversely, only a subset of the aerial spider fauna established in vineyards in high numbers. Spiders that dominated the aerial fauna were under‐represented on vineyard foliage, whereas several hunting spiders dispersed aerially at low rates but dominated vineyard spider composition. 5. These results suggest that aerial dispersal ability may allow spiders to reach crop systems, but that establishment depends on habitat preferences and/or competitive ability.
Systems genetic analysis of inversion polymorphisms in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae.

Inversion polymorphisms in the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae segregate along climatic gradients of aridity. Despite indirect evidence of their adaptive significance, little is known of the phenotypic targets of selection or the underlying genetic mechanisms. Here we adopt a systems genetics approach to explore the interaction of two inversions on opposite arms of chromosome 2 with gender, climatic conditions, and one another. We measure organismal traits and transcriptional profiles in 8-d-old adults of both sexes and four alternative homokaryotypic classes reared under two alternative climatic regimes. We show that karyotype strongly influences both organismal traits and transcriptional profiles but that the strength and direction of the effects depend upon complex interactions with gender and environmental conditions and between inversions on independent arms. Our data support the suppressed recombination model for the role of inversions in local adaptation, and—supported by transcriptional and physiological measurements following perturbation with the drug rapamycin—suggest that one mechanism underlying their adaptive role may be the maintenance of energy homeostasis.
From Models to Experiments; James Buchanan and Charles Plott

Buchanan’s work, and in particular The Calculus of Consent, which he wrote with Gordon Tullock, has been foundational in the field of public choice. One of his students, Charles Plott, became a pioneer with multiple seminal contributions in the field of experimental public choice. In this chapter we focus on Buchanan’s work on decision making under majority rule, and any influence it may have had on Plott. While Buchanan and Tullock address environments with single decisions, they focus much more on decision making under repeated votes, a topic they found of great interest. Plott’s seminal 1978 paper with Morris Fiorina, however, focuses on single decisions. It may seem puzzling, then, that Plott has often suggested Buchanan’s influence on his work. We offer a resolution to this puzzle.
Exploring leadership within a systems approach to reduce health care-associated infections: A scoping review of one work system model.

Background Despite efforts to prevent health care–associated infections (HAIs), these infections continue to challenge health care systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes implementation of evidence-based practices. Within the complex health care environment, sustained implementation calls for work systems that harness expertise of interprofessional teams, which, in turn, calls for suitable executive, mid-level, and local leadership. The purpose of this review is to highlight the need to study leadership when using a systems approach to reduce HAIs. Methods This is a scoping review of HAI studies that used a systems engineering model called the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model. We examined if and how leadership was addressed within 1 systems approach. Results We found 15 studies using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model and, of these, leadership was directly mentioned in 3 studies. In the remaining studies, reference to leadership may be inferred by use of terms such as teamwork, managerial oversight, climate and culture, staffing support, and institutional/administrative support. Conclusions Research is needed to bring recognition of the role of leadership within a work systems approach to reducing HAIs. We need further examination of leadership attributes and communication behaviors that allow staff to diffuse and sustain best practices to prevent HAIs.
Do Renewable Portfolio Standards Deliver Cost-Effective Carbon Abatement?

The most prevalent and perhaps most popular climate policies in the U.S. are Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) that mandate that renewables (e.g., wind and solar) produce a specified share of electricity, yet little is known about their efficiency. Using the most comprehensive data set ever compiled and a difference-in-differences style research design, we find that electricity prices are 11% higher seven years after RPS passage, largely due to indirect grid integration costs (e.g., transmission and intermittency). On the benefit side, carbon emissions are 10-25% lower. The cost per ton of CO2 abatement ranges from $58-$298 and is generally above $100.
Fetal Hemoglobin Modulators May Be Associated With Symptomology of Football Players with Sickle Cell Trait.

OBJECTIVES This study investigates whether genetic modifiers previously shown to influence adult fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency were associated with variable symptomology in a small sample of collegiate football players with sickle cell trait. METHODS Survey data on self-assessed symptoms and genotype data from five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to HbF production and two SNPs that cause glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency were collected from current and former college football players. RESULTS In this sample, SNPs found within the β-globin gene cluster were found to be associated with a previous diagnosis of exertional sickling and experience of extreme heat during and after training. rs10189857 in the BCL11A gene was associated with body mass index and weight and with experiencing extreme thirst during and after training. No significant correlations were found between the other SNPs and symptoms within this sample. CONCLUSIONS These findings show that genetic variation known to affect sickle cell disease symptomology may partly explain why some football players with sickle cell trait experience adverse clinical outcomes during periods of extreme physical exertion and others do not.
Evaluation of total and inhalable samplers for the collection of carbon nanotube and carbon nanofiber aerosols

AbstractA growing number of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers (CNT/F) exposure and epidemiologic studies have utilized 25- and 37-mm open-faced cassettes (OFCs) to assess the inhalable aerosol fraction. It has been previously established that the 37-mm OFC undersamples particles >20 µm in diameter, but the size-selective characteristics of the 25-mm OFC have not yet been fully evaluated. This article describes an experimental study conducted to determine if the 25- and 37-mm OFCs performed with relative equivalence to a reference inhalable aerosol sampler when challenged with CNT/F particles. Side-by-side paired samples were collected within a small Venturi chamber using a 25-mm styrene OFC, 37-mm styrene OFC, 25-mm aluminum OFC, and button inhalable aerosol sampler. Three types of CNT/F materials and an Arizona road dust were used as challenge aerosols for the various sampler configurations. Repeated experiments were conducted for each sampler configuration and material. The OFC samplers operated at flow r...
Utility of the Breast Cancer Index (BCI) in the clinical practice.

e14723Background: Extended endocrine therapy (EET) greater than 5 years in early stage hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC) patients has shown benefit. However, EET is associated with...
Real-time prediction intervals for intra-hour DNI forecasts

Abstract We develop a hybrid, real-time solar forecasting computational model to construct prediction intervals (PIs) of one-minute averaged direct normal irradiance for four intra-hour forecasting horizons: five, ten, fifteen, and 20 min. This hybrid model, which integrates sky imaging techniques, support vector machine and artificial neural network sub-models, is developed using one year of co-located, high-quality irradiance and sky image recording in Folsom, California. We validate the proposed model using six-month of measured irradiance and sky image data, and apply it to construct operational PI forecasts in real-time at the same observatory. In the real-time scenario, the hybrid model significantly outperforms the reference persistence model and provides high performance PIs regardless of forecast horizon and weather condition.
Hierarchical Fuzzy Control Design and Stability Analysis for Steering-Control Based Vehicles

This paper discusses a model-free control design for a class of vehicle systems. A fuzzy logic steering control (FLSC) is designed for trajectory tracking of a wide class of vehicles. The FLSC system utilizes the hierarchical character of the system to reduce the rule base size, thus reducing its complexity. The stability analysis of this control system is addressed. The Lyapunov direct method is utilized to derive stability criteria to guarantee the convergence of the trajectory error, based on our proposed Lyapunov function. Satisfying the criteria guarantees the vehicle to converge to the desired linguistic zero error region. Simulations are given with a skid-steer and Ackermann vehicle model to demonstrate the FLSC's capability to track the desired trajectory and converge to the linguistic zero error region. Our approach can be used for trajectory tracking problems on a wide range of vehicles. It enables straightforward tuning of the controller's behavior.
Out-of-Hospital 30-day Deaths After Cardiac Surgery Are Often Underreported.

Background Operative mortality (in-hospital during the index admission or within 30 days of the procedure after discharge) is commonly used as a quality of care measure for public reporting of cardiac surgery outcomes, but the ability to capture out-of-hospital deaths accurately remains undetermined. The objective of the study was to estimate the impact of incomplete reporting of out-of-hospital deaths on hospital risk-adjusted mortality and outlier status. Methods New York State’s 2014 to 2016 cardiac registry data were used to compare the capture of 30-day postprocedure deaths after discharge with and without the use of national and state-level vital statistics data for all 54,442 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft, cardiac valve surgery, or both. Hospital risk-adjusted operative mortality rates and mortality outliers were compared based on statistical models that were developed with and without the use of vital statistics data. Results Thirty-day deaths postprocedure after discharge ranged from 10% to 39% of all operative deaths among cardiac surgical procedures. More than 30% of these deaths were missing without vital statistics confirmation for 7 of the 10 cardiac procedures examined, and more than 40% were missing for 5 of the procedures examined. When vital statistics data were used to confirm 30-day postprocedure deaths after discharge, an additional high outlier for valve surgery was identified. Conclusions Operative mortality after cardiac surgery is often underreported owing to a considerable percentage of out-of-hospital cardiac surgery deaths that are missed by reporting centers. This can adversely affect the assessment of hospital risk-adjusted mortality in public reports.
Mapping cortical network effects of fatigue during a handgrip task by functional near-infrared spectroscopy in physically active and inactive subjects.

The temporal evolution of cortical activation and connectivity patterns during a fatiguing handgrip task were studied by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Twenty-three young adults (18 to 35 years old) were recruited to use a handheld force sensor to perform intermittent handgrip contractions with their dominant hand at their personal maximum voluntary contraction force level for 3.5 s followed by 6.5 s of rest for 120 blocks. Subjects were divided into self-reported physically active and inactive groups, and their hemodynamic activity over the prefrontal and sensory-motor cortices (111 channels) was mapped while they performed this task. Using this fNIRS setup, a more detailed time sequence of cortical activation and connectivity patterns was observed compared to prior studies. A temporal evolution sequence of hemodynamic activation patterns was noted, which was different between the active and the inactive groups. Physically active subjects demonstrated delayed fatigue onset and significantly longer-lasting and more spatially extended functional connectivity (FC) patterns, compared to inactive subjects. The observed differences in activation and FC suggested differences in cortical network adaptation patterns as fatigue set in, which were dependent on subjects' physical activity. The findings of this study suggest that physical activity increases FC with regions involved in motor task control and correlates to extended fatigue onset and enhanced performance.
Targeting subtype-specific metabolic preferences in nucleotide biosynthesis inhibits mouse mammary tumor growth

Investigating metabolic rewiring in cancer can lead to the discovery of new treatment strategies for breast cancer subtypes that currently lack targeted therapies. Using MMTV-Myc driven tumors to model breast cancer heterogeneity, we investigated metabolic differences between two histological subtypes, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the papillary subtypes, using a combination of genomic and metabolomic techniques. We identified differences in nucleotide metabolism between EMT and papillary subtypes: EMT tumors preferentially use the nucleotide salvage pathway, while papillary tumors prefer de novo nucleotide biosynthesis. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and mass spectrometry-based methods, we determined that targeting the preferred pathway in each subtype resulted in greater metabolic impact than targeting the non-preferred pathway. We further show that knocking out the preferred nucleotide pathway in each subtype has a deleterious effect on in vivo tumor growth. In contrast, knocking out the non-preferred pathway has a lesser effect or results in increased tumor growth.
Studies of the Fragmentation Mechanisms of Deprotonated Lignin Model Compounds in Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Unlabeled and deuterium-labeled dimeric lignin model compounds with β-O-4 linkages were evaporated and ionized using negative ion mode electrospray ionization, transferred into a linear quadrupole ion trap, isolated, and subjected to collision-activated dissociation (CAD; MS2 experiments). The elemental compositions of the fragment ions were determined by using a high-resolution Orbitrap mass analyzer, and their structures were examined using further CAD experiments (MSn experiments wherein n = 2-5). Data analysis was facilitated by determining the fragmentation pathways for several deprotonated model compounds. The structures of the key fragment ions of several pathways were determined by comparison of the CAD mass spectra measured for undeuterated and deuterated analogues and for deprotonated authentic compounds. Some of the proposed reaction mechanisms were tested by examining additional deprotonated synthetic model compounds. Quantum chemical calculations were used to delineate the most likely reaction pathways and reaction mechanisms. This work provides basic information needed for the design of tandem mass spectrometry-based CAD sequencing strategies for mixtures of lignin degradation products.
Heavy Ion e + e - Pairs to All Orders in Z α

The heavy ion cross section for continuum e+e− pair production has been calculated to all orders in Zα. Comparison is made with available CERN SPS and RHIC STAR data. Computed cross sections are found to be reduced from perturbation theory with increasing charge of the colliding heavy ions and for all energy and momentum regions investigated. Au or Pb total cross sections are reduced by 28% (SPS), 17% (RHIC) and 11% (LHC). For very high energy (E e +, E e −>3 GeV) forward pairs at LHC the reduction from perturbation theory is a bit larger (17%). Use of zero degree calorimeter triggering (and thus small impact parameter weighting) makes impact parameter representation of exact pair production useful. Preliminary exact calculations in the zero impact parameter limit show a much larger reduction from perturbation theory (about 40%) at both RHIC and LHC.
Therapeutic application of calf thymus extract (TFX)

The semipurified calf thymus extract, TFX, produced since 1973 by the Polish Pharmaceutical Industry (POLFA) has been found to exert biological activities meeting criteria for thymic hormones. During the last 15 yr TFX has been evaluated independently by several Polish medical centers in over 1000 patients with symptomatically different but pathogenically similar human diseases, including primary immunodeficient states, bone marrow failure, autoimmune disorders, chronic skin diseases, recurrent viral and bacterial infectious diseases and some oncological disorders. Long term immunotherapy with TFX--expressing the pro-host approach--resulted, in the majority of the observed patients, in amelioration of symptoms and signs of the disease and in parallel normalization of disturbed immune parameters. It is suggested that IFX (and perhaps other thymic hormones) would support, modify and enrich future treatment protocols, especially in patients with immunodeficiency-related or chronic immune-mediated diseases.
Reinventing the Core U.S. Technology Through the Push of New Regulation Leveraging Market Pull

Unilateral Presidential executive action is now used to implement new law and regulation, without participation of the Congress pursuant to Article I of the Constitution. Such actions create a visible and controversial legal confrontation regarding separation of powers. Certain unilateral executive action examined in this article is forcing technological and environmental change which is fundamentally transforming society. This article critically analyzes the revolutionary maelstrom forged by the interface of unilateral executive regulatory orders, law, and the ‘invisible hand’ of market dynamics on climate change. After 800 years of Greenhouse Gas concentration levels hovering in the atmosphere between 175-250 part per million (ppm), they have now increased to 400 ppm and are climbing rapidly. This article examines the nuances of executive action and climate change. It analyzes the legality of state and federal regulatory incentive ‘pushes’ forging a fundamental national power change, including recent federal tax incentives and state renewable portfolio standards and net metering regulatory orders. This article then analyzes the invisible ‘pull’ of changing market forces. The article then shifts to analyze courts actions declaring some of these state energy program “pushes” unconstitutional and have stricken them.
Do Something Different as an Intervention for Perceived Stress Reduction in Graduate Counseling Students

Empowering graduate counseling students to alleviate their perceived stress and minimize undesirable health effects may improve their capacity to adapt and successfully manage perceived stress duri...
Fundamental Limits of Prediction, Generalization, and Recursion: An Entropic-Innovations Perspective

In this paper, we examine the fundamental performance limits of prediction, with or without side information. More specifically, we derive generic lower bounds on the $\mathcal{L}_p$ norms of the prediction errors that are valid for any prediction algorithms and for any data distributions. Meanwhile, we combine the entropic analysis from information theory and the innovations approach from prediction/estimation theory to characterize the conditions (in terms of, e.g., directed information or mutual information) to achieve the bounds. We also investigate the implications of the results in analyzing the fundamental limits of generalization in fitting (learning) problems from the perspective of prediction with side information, as well as the fundamental limits of recursive algorithms by viewing them as generalized prediction problems.
Monitoring the Basking Behavior of Rio Grande Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) through Game Cameras in Southeastern New Mexico, USA

Basking is an essential behavior for thermoregulation in turtles. Although basking is widely studied, this behavior varies among populations, habitats, and microclimates. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of game cameras for studying basking activity of Rio Grande Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi), a New Mexico state-threatened species. From August 2018 to July 2019, images were taken hourly from 07:00 to 19:00 at 3 locations along or near the Black River, New Mexico. We used a generalized linear mixed-effect model to find associations between basking patterns and environmental variables. The species was active year-round, with the greatest number of basking turtles in spring. Basking activity was significantly correlated with water temperature, season, light intensity, difference between water and air temperatures, and time of day. Game cameras were effective for long-term monitoring of turtles in this study. This method was noninvasive and created low disturbances while providing high-resolution data. Overall, this study provides a deeper understanding of the basking habits of P. gorzugi as well as its activity periods across seasons, which can also aid in determining an appropriate time for conducting visual surveys of the species in southeastern New Mexico.
Bowel Management for the Treatment of Fecal Incontinence

Unfortunately, after the repair of anorectal malformations, many patients suffer from significant sequelae, and the most feared of those is fecal incontinence, followed by urinary incontinence and sexual problems. A critical analysis is presented of the different therapeutic methods that different authors use to deal with the sequelae including biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and behavior modification. At the end, the authors present the “bowel management program” used at their institution; this is a detailed description of the methodology that the authors believe allows to improve the quality of life of many fecally incontinent patients at a relatively low cost.
Convex Integral Functionals and Duality

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses convex integral functionals and duality. Recent work on convex integral functionals has been motivated by broader applications to the extremum problems and variational principles. Many problems in the calculus of variations or optimal control involve extended-real-valued functionals where z: [a, b]→ Z is a curve in a linear space Z. The notion of continuous addition of convex functions provides motivation for a general theory of convex integral functional. Duality has always played a fundamental role in the analysis of convex integral functionals. General convex integral functionals conjugate to each other were first investigated for X = Rn. The chapter also presents some of the basic theorems about convex integral functionals in a more general form.
NIST Digital Library of Mathematical Functions

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is preparing a Digital Library of Mathematical Functions (DLMF) to provide useful data about special functions for a wide audience. The initial products will be a published handbook and companion Web site, both scheduled for completion in 2003. More than 50 mathematicians, physicists and computer scientists from around the world are participating in the work. The data to be covered include mathematical formulas, graphs, references, methods of computation, and links to software. Special features of the Web site include 3D interactive graphics and an equation search capability. The information technology tools that are being used are, of necessity, ones that are widely available now, even though better tools are in active development. For example, LaTeX files are being used as the common source for both the handbook and the Web site. This is the technology of choice for presentation of mathematics in print but it is not well suited to equation search, for example, or for input to computer algebra systems. These and other problems, and some partially successful work-arounds, are discussed in this paper and in the companion paper by Miller and Youssef.
A formal specification of the process Trellis

The process trellis is a software architecture for building parallel real-time monitors: heterogeneous, large, real-time, continuously executing programs. These programs receive massive quantities of data in domains that are often ill-defined; they filter this data, presenting the user with an analysis rather than a simple summary. The process trellis combines heterogeneous processes that communicate among themselves and with the external world using a uniform framework.
Abstract 2719: Use of abiraterone against a luminal androgen receptor breast cancer cell line

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Background: Data from this pre-clinical model suggests that the LAR TNBC subtype is unique and may respond to novel hormonal agents such as bicalutamide or abiraterone. The LAR subtype represents 11 % of all TNBC (which represent 20% of all breast cancers). Thus, positive studies of abiraterone could potentially extend the application of abiraterone to an additional 2% of all breast cancer patients, who could be treated in the metastatic, neoadjuvant, and adjuvant setting (for five years) with hormonal maintenance therapy. We, therefore, conducted studies of abiraterone on LAR TNBC cell line, MDA-MB-453. . Methods: i). Cell proliferation- Cell proliferation will be done by plating 500,000 cells in triplicate Petri dishes and measuring cell number over a six day period between parent cells and cellstreated with the following varying concentrations of abiraterone: 100 ng/ml, 250 ng/ml, and 400 ng/ml. ii).Cell cycle effects- Cells were incubated for 24 hours with abiraterone and then lifted from the plate with trypsin/EDTA (0.5%/0.1%) and fixed overnight in 80% ethanol. This was followed by staining in PBS with 10 ug/ml of propidium iodide for twenty minutes at room temperature. Flow cytometry was performed in our facility, and data was obtained on the percentage of the cell population in various points of the cell cycle. iii). Apoptosis and necrosis assay (Annexin-V-PI assay)- Cells were harvested at 72 hours post-seeding and incubation with abiraterone and washed with ice-cold PBS, followed by staining with 1ug/ml of PI and 5ul of Alexa Fluor® 488 annexin V in 100ul of annexin binding buffer (10 mM Hepes/NaOH, pH 7.4, 140 mM NaCl, 2.5 mM CaCl2). After the incubation at room temperature for 15 minutes, 400ul of ice-cold annexin binding buffer was added and stained cells were analyzed by Becton-Dickinson FACSCalibur Flow Cytometer. Results: Abiraterone caused a significant impact on cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in the MDA-MB-453 population. Cell cycle effects were also noted with abiraterone treatment. Conclusion: Abiraterone has activity against MDA-MB-453, a breast cancer cell line known to express luminal androgen receptor. The results suggest that further studies may be warranted with this agent against this unique subtype of breast cancer. Citation Format: Krishna A. Rao, Vishnu Modur, Sumana Ghosh. Use of abiraterone against a luminal androgen receptor breast cancer cell line. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2719. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2719
State Equations for an n-Body Spacecraft

Considerable attention, in the open literature, is being focused on the problem of developing a suitable set of deterministic dynamical equations for a complex spacecraft. The present paper addresses the problem of determining a set of state equations for an n-body spacecraft. The approach used in obtaining the state equations involves the application and interpretation of advanced dynamical principles. This set of state equations can be effectively used in the development of a stochastic controller for the spacecraft (in this latter development, the deterministic model developed in the present paper will be appropriately corrupted by plant noise). The major effort in the paper revolves around the determination of the plant matrices and the specification of the state vector and the control vector.
Design stresses for aluminum alloy 5083-0 and 5183 welds at cryogenic temperatures

Data from more than 300 tension tests made at several laboratories on 5083-O sheet and plate at cryogenic temperatures have been evaluated. Based on these data, minimum, allowable design stresses have been developed for temperatures as low as -320/sup 0/F for inclusion in Section VIII, Division 1 of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.
Temperature Dependence of Triplet-Exciton Dynamics in Anthracene Crystals

The component of the triplet-exciton diffusion along the crystal $a$ axis was measured in anthracene crystals at 118, 160, 298, and 371 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, and found to be ${D}_{\mathrm{aa}}=(4.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5),(2.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3),(1.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2)$, and (1.6 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.3) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, respectively. The polarized-excitation spectra (0, 0 line) for delayed fluorescence have also been measured. The inferred values for the Davydov splitting $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ and the effective scattering rate $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ at the corresponding temperatures are $\ensuremath{\Delta}=18\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2,18\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6,17\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3$, and 19 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=14\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1,30\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2,51\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1$, and 65 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The simultaneous measurement of these parameters, in conjunction with an expression for diffusion derived from a phenomenological model of triplet-exciton scattering, allows the assessment of the relative importance of local vs nonlocal scattering mechanisms in the triplet-exciton motion. The nonlocal scattering rate, due to fluctuations in the exciton-transfer matrix elements between molecules separated by $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}\frac{1}{2}(a\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}b)$, is estimated to be \ensuremath{\sim} 0.1 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, and appears to be temperature insensitive. The local scattering mechanism is dominant, but the nonlocal fluctuation rates can make a sizable contribution to the rate of triplet transport. The spectroscopic measurements show that the hopping model for transport is applicable in the temperature range studied.
Allan Bloom. Shakespeare on Love and Friendship

(2002). Allan Bloom. Shakespeare on Love and Friendship. Women's Studies: Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 529-531.
Generalized solution for predicting relaxation from creep in soft tissue: Application to ligament

Creep and relaxation are two viscoelastic phenomena that are easily interrelated for a linearly viscoelastic material, but interrelationships are complex for nonlinearly viscoelastic materials. We use a single-integral nonlinear superposition principle to relate creep and relaxation, where the kernel is assumed to be a nonseparable product of strain and time. Herein, we develop time dependence as general power laws with up to four terms for creep compliance and relaxation modulus. Higher-order formulations give better results for ligament in terms of curve fitting and prediction of relaxation from creep. This is illustrated by a comparison between a two- and a three-term formulation on the experimental data of rabbit medial collateral ligaments. Also, an interrelation between several aspects of creep and relaxation is presented for arbitrarily high order, and the nature of high-order interrelation is discussed. The generality of the method makes it suitable to phenomenologically model many complex materials, to predict complex behaviors and to therefore reduce the amount of testing for robust material characterization.
MQW DBR lasers with monolithically integrated external-cavity electroabsorption modulators fabricated without modification of the active region

In this letter, we report the design and operation of multiple-quantum-well distributed Bragg reflectors (MQW DBR) lasers with monolithically integrated external-cavity electroabsorption (EA) modulators without modification of the active region fabricated using only a single growth step. Devices were fabricated with operating wavelengths of 1.06, 1.07, and 1.08 /spl mu/m, which are red-shifted from the material gain peak wavelength (/spl lambda/=1.05 /spl mu/m) by 100, 200, and 300 /spl Aring/, respectively. The /spl lambda/=1.06-/spl mu/m device has a continuous-wave (CW) threshold current of 16 mA and a slope efficiency of 0.09 W/A from the modulator facet, while the /spl lambda/=1.08 /spl mu/m device has a CW threshold current of 33 mA and a slope efficiency of 0.40 W/A from the modulator facet. The /spl lambda/=1.06-, 1.07-, and 1.08-/spl mu/m device exhibits an extinction ratio of /spl ges/20 dB at a modulator bias of 1.0, 1.4, and 2 V, respectively.