cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distinct DNA Methylation Patterns of HOX Genes in Leukemia.

The HOX subset of homeobox gene family comprises 39 genes organized in 4 clusters A-D on 4 different chromosomes and in 13 paralog groups defined across the clusters. HOX genes are important regulators of development and tissue differentiation. Dysregulated expression disturbs hematopoiesis and HOX genes are frequent partners in chromosomal translocations involved in leukemia. DNA methylation of promoter-associated CpG islands is an epigenetic modification resulting in transcriptional silencing of affected genes. Methylation pattern is faithfully copied during cell replication to subsequent cell generations and hypermethylation thus represents a permanent mark functionally equivalent to a loss-of-function mutation. Epigenetic silencing of HOX genes may disrupt normal development of blood cells and thus be involved in the development of leukemia, as was recently reported for HOXA5. We performed a comprehensive DNA methylation analysis of 22 HOX genes with CpG islands in promoter to exon 1 regions: HOXA1, A4, A5, A7, A9, A10, A11; B1, B4, B5, B7, B8, B9, B13; C4, C5, C8, C9, C10, C13; D1 and D10 in 16 leukemic cell lines, 24 samples from patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), 20 samples from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and 15 control samples of normal blood cells. We used bisulfite treatment of DNA, followed by PCR and pyrosequencing to quantitatively measure levels of cytosine methylation in promoter-associated CpG islands close to transcription start sites. Nonparametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Overall, lymphoblastic leukemic cell lines (TALL, Raji, ALL1, JTAg, CEM, BJAB, Jurkat) showed the highest degree of HOX genes methylation (average 60%), followed by myeloid leukemic cell lines (HL60, KG1a, ML1, HEL, TF-1, OCI-AML3, K562, TF1i, KG1, average methylation 40%), p=0.000. Analysis of ALL and AML patient samples revealed significant differences in methylation levels of several HOX genes. Consistently with their reported overexpression in leukemia, HOX A9, B4, and also HOXB5 and HOXD10 were seldom methylated in AML patients (2/24, 0/24, 1/12, 7/24, respectively), while hypermethylation over a 10% cutoff value was observed frequently in ALL patients (10/20, 6/19, 6/17, 9/19, respectively). The differences in methylation were statistically significant (p
EdgeOS_H: A Home Operating System for Internet of Everything

The proliferation of Internet of Everything (IoE) and the success of rich Cloud services have pushed the horizon of a new computing paradigm, Edge Computing, which calls for processing the data at the edge of the network. Smart home as a typical IoE application is being widely adapted into people’s lives. Edge Computing has the potential to empower the smart home, but it needs more contribution from the community before it truly benefits our lives. In this paper, we present the vision of EdgeOSH, a home operating system for Internet of Everything. We further discuss functional challenges, namely programming interface, self-management, data management, security & privacy, and naming, as well as non-functional challenges, such as user experience, system cost, delay, and the lack of availability of open testbed. Within each challenge we also discuss the potential directions that are worth further investigation.
Effects of probabilistic phonology on the perception of words and nonwords

Although listeners have knowledge about both categorical and probabilistic phonological patterns, it is not clear if knowledge of probabilistic patterns affects speech processing. One such pattern in English is that words ending in /i/ (e.g. remedy) are more likely to have antepenultimate stress than penultimate stress (e.g. spaghetti). In the current study, participants extended this trend to ratings of novel words (e.g. bakati). Further, ERPs revealed that real words that violate this trend elicit an early negativity 280–380 ms after onset compared to words that observe this trend. These results indicate that probabilistic phonology interacts with lexical access. More specifically, they suggest that extra processing power is needed to recognise the stress pattern of trend-violating words because of competition between the expectations of the phonological grammar and lexical encoding of trend-violating patterns.
LATE-ONSET MELAS WITH MIDD: AN UNCOMMON AGE OF PRESENTATION

Objective: Maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) is a rare form of diabetes caused by a mutation in mitochondrial DNA, usually a point mutation at position 3243 in the leucine tRNA gene. This same mutation can cause a rare but severe syndrome called mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). Methods: We describe a case of MIDD with acute mitochondrial decompensation that progressed to MELAS. Results: A 63-year-old male with MIDD and a history of hypoglycemic seizures presented for evaluation of altered mental status with fever, tachycardia, hypotension, and somnolence. His history was also significant for deafness and cochlear implants. The physical exam results were consistent with mild, proximal muscle wasting. The initial workup was concerning for sepsis and a urinary tract infection. Laboratory evaluation revealed lactic acidosis with normal white cell count, liver enzymes, and ammonia level. After fluid resuscitation and 4 days of broad-spectrum...
PulsePrint: Single-arm-ECG biometric human identification using deep learning

Focusing on the privacy and security challenges brought by emerging/promising smart health applications, we propose a single-arm-ECG biometric human identification system, with two major contributions. Firstly, to replace the traditional inconvenient/uncomfortable ECG leads like the chest and two-wrist lead configurations, we propose a highly wearable single-arm-ECG lead configuration. Secondly, to prevent time-consuming and information-missing feature engineering work, we introduce advanced deep learning techniques to automatically learn from the raw ECG data highly level features. To achieve this goal, the 1D ECG time series is transform to a new domain, where a 2D ECG representation is obtained. Afterwards, a convolutional neural network is applied to the 2D ECG data and learn the hidden patterns for user identification purpose. The proposed system is validated on a single-arm-ECG dataset. This study demonstrates the feasibility of this highly wearable deep learning-empowered human identification system.
A high-efficiency magnetically coupled charging and communication platform for microsensors

A miniaturized double layered antenna (0.74 by 0.74 mm) was fabricated and integrated with a commercialized passive RFID chip [1] to form a microsensor to work with a highly efficient magnetically coupled reader antenna for wireless charging and communication. Two techniques were developed to boost the magnetic field strength more than 100 times passively without increasing input power. A magnetically coupled antenna array was also employed, expanding the magnetic field coverage to 4 times of the original covered area. Thanks to the techniques mentioned above, we experimentally demonstrated wireless charging and communication with microsensors in a 4-inch distance, with only 0.5 W power input.
Health Impact of Toxic Wastes: Estimation of Risk

Toxic waste disposal has been very haphazard in the past. Only recently has it been recognized that certain chemicals may persist for many years, that they may migrate, and that drums containing them eventually corrode. Toxic wastes have been and are still being handled in a number of ways. They may be temporarily or permanently stored in controlled and uncontrolled landfills, salt mines, in warehouses, mixed into salvage oil, dumped at night on private property or along road sides, dumped into rivers, lakes and the ocean, treated in special lagoons or ponds with chemicals, bacteria and/or ultraviolet light to degrade them (Johnson, 1977; Dunphy and Hall, 1978). They may be discharged into sewage treatment plants or they may be retained by the toxic waste generator on his property, in which case they are either burned or stored in drums above or below the ground.
Correction to: Two class I genes of the chicken MHC have different functions: BF1 is recognized by NK cells while BF2 is recognized by CTLs

The Figure 3 in the original version of this article was incorrectly published. In this article the top panel of Figure 3 that describes the amino acid sequence alignment is now added. The original article has been corrected.
A Summer to Be: A Memoir by the Daughter of Hamlin Garland

Review of: "A Summer to Be: A Memoir by the Daughter of Hamlin Garland," by Isabel Garland Lord, edited by Keith Newlin.
Using Landsat imagery to map understory shrub expansion relative to landscape position in a mid‐Appalachian watershed

Globally, shrub expansion is an important driver of ecological change. However, most studies of shrub expansion have focused on dryland ecosystems (e.g., savannas, rangelands, grasslands), or in tundra regions (e.g., arctic, alpine). However, shrubs play a key role in other systems, such as the understory of temperate forests. In the Appalachian forests of the eastern United States, rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) is the most prevalent species constituent of the understory evergreen shrub community and can affect forest diversity and structure by altering light and moisture regimes, and changing soil chemical and physical properties. We examine the spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of the evergreen shrub layer within a mid‐Appalachian forest over the period from 1986 to 2011 using Landsat TM data to explore how shrub expansion is related to landscape position (e.g., elevation, aspect, and distance‐to‐stream). We use a combination of remotely sensed vegetation indices (e.g., NDVI, tasseled cap indices) derived from snow‐free, leaf‐off Landsat 5 surface reflectance data from 1986 to 2011 paired with a Random Forest classification model to examine shrub dynamics in the Weimer Run watershed near Canaan Valley, West Virginia, a first‐order, high‐altitude watershed. We show extensive increases in winter greenness we attribute to expansion of the evergreen shrub community. From 1986 to 2011, there is a 0.14 increase in winter NDVI, with a 52% relative increase in shrub coverage over 25 yr. Shrub expansion is most notable at lower elevations, along streams, and on southerly oriented slopes. We argue that changes in shrub abundance are due to decreased moisture limitations driven by changing climate. There is an increased effort to reintroduce native conifers to this region, but changes in the shrub community jeopardize this effort, as rhododendron inhibits the growth and dispersal of these conifers (e.g., red spruce). Our results show that rhododendron shrubs are expanding into areas of the forest from which they have previously been restricted. Use of these remote sensing methods may allow better habitat suitability mapping, leading to better targeted restoration efforts and more‐informed ecosystem forecasts.
Cosmology, Chemistry, and Aristotle's Elemental Powers

Aristotle employs the simple bodies, or elements, in two rather different scientific contexts, each of which highlights some of their qualities at the expense of others. On the one hand, he uses the elements in the service of cosmology, where their natural motions are imperative to drafting an architectural plan of the cosmos. On the other hand, he uses them in the service of chemistry, where their heat, coldness, dryness, and moistness are decisive in securing accounts of elemental transformation and the generation of composite bodies. Two families of interpretive proposals for the formal principles of Aristotle's elements have been advanced accordingly. One family of interpretations construes the form of a simple body in terms of its cosmological characterisation, while a second construes that form in terms of the simple body's chemical characterisation instead. A critical step in bridging that interpretive divide is thus to bridge the underlying divide between Aristotle's cosmological and chemical characterisations of the sublunary elements. It is that latter task that I set out to accomplish in the present paper. I argue that the hot and the cold are efficient causes, respectively, of the light and the heavy, and further, that the moistness of elemental water and air explains the intermediary natural positions of those elements relative to earth and fire in Aristotle's idealised cosmic landscape. In this way, Aristotle's chemical characterisation of the elements is shown to ground his cosmological characterisation of them
Multiscale geometric feature extraction for high-dimensional and non-Euclidean data with application

A method for extracting multiscale geometric features from a data cloud is proposed and analyzed. The basic idea is to map each pair of data points into a real-valued feature function defined on $[0,1]$. The construction of these feature functions is heavily based on geometric considerations, which has the benefits of enhancing interpretability. Further statistical analysis is then based on the collection of the feature functions. The potential of the method is illustrated by different applications, including classification of high-dimensional and non-Euclidean data. For continuous data in Euclidean space, our feature functions contain information about the underlying density at a given base point (small scale features), and also about the depth of the base point (large scale feature). As shown by our theoretical investigations, the method combats the curse of dimensionality, and also shows some adaptiveness towards sparsity. Connections to other concepts, such as random set theory, localized depth measures and nonlinear multidimensional scaling, are also explored.
Breast involvement in mixed connective tissue disease

To date, mammographic involvement in mixed connective tissue disease has not been described in the literature to the authors' knowledge. In addition, only 2 case reports have described panniculitis in mixed connective tissue disease. We present a patient with mixed connective tissue disease with coarse sheet-like calcifications on mammography bilaterally, which increased over time corresponding to rise in levels of anti-dsDNA. Biopsy showed fat necrosis with calcifications, chronic inflammation and fibrosis, vasculitis, as well as CD3, CD4, and CD8+ T cells and CD20+ B cells. These findings are similar histologically and mammographically to "lupus mastitis."
FRLDM: Empowering K-nearest Neighbor (KNN) through FPGA-based Reduced-rank Local Distance Metric

While fast and accurate data classification techniques are vital to many applications, K-Nearest Neighbor algorithm (KNN) is considered the most important algorithm used in data mining, text categorization, and image recognition. However, conventional KNN for computing distances may not necessarily perform well for all problems. In this paper, we propose a new framework named FRLDM to empower KNN through FPGA-based reduced-rank local distance metric. Experimental results on the collection of classification problems and hardware measurement imply that the FRLDM offers notable performance advantages over other approaches on CPU.
Swallow Screen Associated With Airway Protection and Dysphagia After Acute Stroke.

Abstract Objective The goal was to examine the outcomes of an existing swallow screen protocol in comparison to results from a formal videofluoroscopic protocol. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Acute hospital. Participants Patients after acute stroke (N=48). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures The Johns Hopkins Hospital Brain Rescue Unit 3 oz Swallow Screen was implemented by nursing staff upon admission. Videofluoroscopy was conducted within 72 hours of diagnostic neuroimaging and initial swallow screen. Predictive values of the bedside swallow screen (pass/fail) for clinical judgment of dysphagia on videofluoroscopy (presence/absence) were calculated. Overall impairment scores from the Modified Barium Swallowing Impairment Profile were analyzed with respect to swallow screen results. Results Thirteen participants failed the swallow screen, and 35 passed. Of the 35 patients who passed the swallow screen, 15 were clinically diagnosed with dysphagia on videofluoroscopy. Although pass/fail of the swallow screen was not a significant predictor of presence/absence of dysphagia, a logistic regression model including components of Laryngeal Elevation, Laryngeal Vestibule Closure, and Anterior Hyoid Excursion, and sex was statistically significant for swallow screen outcome. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that a swallow screen of aspiration risk can identify patients with the most need for videofluoroscopic evaluation and dysphagia management. Additionally, patients who fail a swallow screen are more likely to present with physiologic impairments related to airway protection on videofluoroscopy.
An Introduction to MMPDElab

This article presents an introduction to MMPDElab, a package written in MATLAB for adaptive mesh movement and adaptive moving mesh P1 finite element solution of second-order partial different equations having continuous solutions in one, two, and three spatial dimensions. MMPDElab uses simplicial meshes.
Weekday and weekend sleep duration and mortality among middle-to-older aged White and Black adults in a low-income southern US cohort.

Abstract Introduction Both short and long sleep have been associated with higher mortality. However, most studies are conducted in predominantly White or Asian populations and little is known about the sleep-mortality relationship in Blacks. Given the high prevalence of short and long sleep in Blacks, it is important to examine the health effects of sleep in this population. Methods We studied sleep duration in relation to all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality in 55,375 participants age 40–79 at enrollment in the Southern Community Cohort Study, of whom ∼2/3 are Black. Weekday and weekend sleep durations were self-reported. Mortality follow up started at baseline (2002–2009) and was regularly updated until 2015 via linkage to Social Security Administration and the National Death Index. We used Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for multiple covariates to estimate relative risks associated with sleep duration. Results We found U-shaped relationships between weekday and weekend sleep duration and all-cause mortality, with the effects stronger in Whites than Blacks. Risks for all-cause mortality were significantly elevated by about 25% among Whites and about 10% among Blacks reporting either less than 5 hours or more than 9 hours of sleep compared with those reporting 8 hours of sleep. The associations among Whites but not Blacks were even stronger for cardiovascular disease mortality, whereas no association between sleep duration and cancer mortality was found in either group. Conclusions Our results suggest that short and long sleep durations may be weaker predictors of total and cardiovascular mortality in Blacks than in Whites.
History Matters: Challenging an A-Historical Approach to Restorative Justice in Teacher Education

Restorative justice (RJ) emphasizes repairing harm through cooperative processes, rather than top-down, punitive responses. Initially used within the justice system to reduce incarceration, RJ gain...
Optical Temperature of a Soliton

We show that the zeroth law of thermodynamics can be used to measure a soliton’s optical temperature in a nonlinear multimode system. Here, the modal gas plays the role of an optical thermometer.
Perspectives on home modifications for accessibility, affordability, and aesthetics

Date Presented 04/05/19 Primary Author and Speaker: Linda Struckmeyer Additional Authors and Speakers: Carlyn Ellison Contributing Authors: Nichole Campbell
Risk Factors and Trends for Incidence of Acute Coronary Syndrome after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant – a 15-Year Experience with National Inpatient Sample

Background:Significant improvement has been noted in the outcome of patients with advanced hematologic malignancies with the advances in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) techniques. However, it has been observed that patients receiving HCT have increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) over time with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Materials and Methods:This was a retrospective observational analysis. We queried the National Inpatient Sample database from 1998 to 2012 for patients aged ≥18 years who had received HCTin the past and were admitted for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) or ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We performed univariate logistic regression followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis to study various demographic factors and comorbiditiesand temporal trends of ACS in these patients. Results:A total of 150,072 patients with prior history of HCT were identified, out of which 952 hospitalizations were for ACS.47.16% of these patients underwent Percutaneous CoronaryIntervention.Mean age for ACS patients was 56.98 years and 71.75% patients were male. The demographic factors found to significantly affect the incidence of ACS were increasing Age (OR 1.02, p=0.01) and Insurance(Medicare as reference)[Medicaid(OR 0.3, p=0.04), private(OR 1.66, p=0.01). Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) had significant correlation with incidence of ACS (CCI=1 as reference) [CCI=2(OR 0.12, p=0.00), CCI³3(OR 0.60, p=0.01)]. The Medical comorbidities found to significantly affect the outcome were Congestive Heart Failure (OR 1.53, p=0.04), COPD(OR 0.54, p=0.02), smoking(OR 2.96, p=0.00), underlying CAD (OR 39.65, p=0.00) and Pulmonary Hypertension (OR 4.01, p=0.00). A trend analysis for Incidence of ACS in patients with History of HCT showed overall decline in ACS incidence which was found to be statistically significant. (Trend p-Value 0.003). Conclusion:Our study identifiedvarious factors affecting incidence of ACS in HCT patients. We also discoveredan overall downward trend in incidence of ACSin HCT patients.Further studies need to be conducted to confirm these findings. Download : Download high-res image (500KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures Rajeeve: ASH-HONORS Grant: Research Funding.
Chronic testosterone deprivation sensitizes the middle-aged rat brain to damaging effects of testosterone replacement.

INTRODUCTION An increasing number of middle-aged men are being screened for low testosterone levels and the number of prescriptions for various forms of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has increased dramatically over the last 10 years. However, the safety of TRT has come into question with some studies suggesting increased morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE Because the benefits of estrogen replacement in postmenopausal women and ovariectomized rodents are lost if there is an extended delay between estrogen loss and replacement, we hypothesized that TRT may also be sensitive to delayed replacement. METHODS We compared the effects of testosterone replacement after short-term (2 weeks) and long-term testosterone deprivation (LTTD; 10 weeks) in middle-aged male rats on cerebral ischemia, oxidative stress, and cognitive function. We hypothesized that LTTD would increase oxidative stress levels and abrogate the beneficial effects of TRT. RESULTS Hypogonadism itself and TRT after short-term castration did not affect stroke outcome compared to intact rats. However, after long-term hypogonadism in middle-aged male Fischer 344 rats, TRT exacerbated the detrimental behavioral effects of experimental focal cerebral ischemia, whereas this detrimental effect was prevented by administration of the free-radical scavenger tempol, suggesting that TRT exacerbates oxidative stress. In contrast, TRT improved cognitive performance in non-stroked rats regardless of the length of hypogonadism. In the Morris water maze, peripheral oxidative stress was highly associated with decreased cognitive ability. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data suggest that TRT after long-term hypogonadism can exacerbate functional recovery after focal cerebral ischemia, but in the absence of injury can enhance cognition. Both of these effects are modulated by oxidative stress levels.
Tamarisk Alters Arthropod Composition, but has Little Negative Effect on Richness and Abundance in Southwestern Colorado

Riparian corridors are vulnerable to invasion by non-native plant species that can alter arthropod communities and ecological functions. Tamarisk (Tamarix4 spp. L.) replaced native riparian vegetation on 1.6 million acres in the southwestern United States. Our study investigated arthropod communities in three riparian habitats, two dominated by native vegetation (willow (Salix exigua5 Nutt.) in lower floodplain and mixed-native xeroriparian shrubs in upper floodplain) and one invaded by non-native tamarisk in lower floodplain. Tamarisk was predicted to lessen arthropod abundance and richness, change composition, and associate with nonnative arthropods. We sampled 41,124 arthropods identified to 258 taxa and seven functional groups during 2 years along the Dolores River in Colorado. Richness and abundance were not less in tamarisk, but composition differed among the three habitats. Trends varied across taxonomic and functional groups. Lower floodplain habitats, tamarisk and willow, were relatively similar in composition, with large numbers of beetles, hemipterans, detritivores, and herbivores. More ants, pollinators, and greater diversity were in upper floodplain shrub habitat. Tamarisk hosted several non-native arthropods: Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille)6, Cylisticus convexus (De Geer)7, Diorhabda carinulata (Desbrochers)8, and Coniatus splendidulus (Fabricius)9, while willow housed non-native weevils (Otiorhynchus spp. Germar)9. Tamarisk was favored by some non-native arthropods and altered community composition but did not lessen abundance or richness of functional or taxonomic groups. The results highlighted effects of non-native plants on arthropod communities and have implications for conservation of insectivorous riparian wildlife.
Slowly conducting potentials in human sensory nerves

Abstract Background In clinical practice, small myelinated sensory fibers, Aδ-fibers, conveying mainly pain and temperature sensations, cannot be examined with available nerve conduction study techniques. Currently, these fibers can only be examined with experimental or very specialized and not commonly available nerve conduction techniques, or only indirectly with cerebral evoked potentials. New Method This study uses equipment and methods available in clinical neurophysiology laboratories to record from human sensory nerves ≥1000 averaged responses to focal, non-painful stimuli applied by a special electrode to epidermal nerves. The averaged responses to odd numbered stimuli are compared to the averaged responses to even numbered stimuli. An algorithm identifies potentials common in both averages. The 99th and 99.9th percentiles for this algorithm are obtained from control records without stimulation and applied to records with stimulation to identify potentials resulting from stimulation of intraepidermal nerves. Results The algorithm identifies numerous negative and positive potentials as being different from controls at the 99th and 99.9th percentile levels. The conduction velocities of the potentials range from of 1.3–29.9 m/s and are compatible with conduction velocities of Aδ-fibers. Comparison with existing Method(s) No existing methods. Conclusions The stimulation, recording and data analysis methods used in this study can be applied in the clinical EMG laboratory to identify Aδ-fibers in human sensory nerves.
Understanding Conflict in Multisite Nonprofit Organizations

Due to distance, Multisite Nonprofit Organizations (MNOs) experience conflicts that differentiate them from organizations with only a single site. Through a qualitative analysis of interviews with 25 professionals and volunteers in a national disease-specific nonprofit, in this study I explore the conflicts that arise between headquarters and affiliate offices in MNOs. The findings reveal that some conflicts are likely unique to this particular type of nonprofit. However, other conflicts are likely representative of those experienced in MNOs more broadly. I, therefore, propose strategies for managing these conflicts.
"No Hard Feelings": Empathy Training for Nuclear Medicine Technologists: A Review and Methods of Improvement During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2049 Objectives: Empathy is the capacity of an individual to understand and share the feelings, emotions, or experiences of another person and to observe that person’s perspective. In a professional setting, particularly in health care departments during the COVID-19 pandemic, empathy becomes a necessary tool in the care of patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a new wave of stress, anxiety and fear has been experienced by all patients, which poses new challenges for health care professionals who work closely with patients on a daily basis. Here, we discuss the importance of empathy training of nuclear medicine technologists, and how we can better improve the experience and care of our patients through methods which implement empathy in the nuclear medicine department. Methods: There are three components of empathy: cognitive, affective and behavioral. Cognitive refers to the ability to view the perspective of others; in other words, putting oneself in another’s shoes. The affective component refers to experiencing the feelings of others. The behavioral component involves communication to reflect understanding of another’s feelings; therefore, it must be perceived that one person understands another in a meaningful way. In empathy training, not all components are necessary to master in order to express empathy. Empathy can still be experienced by patients even if only one of the components are met. Empathy training is effective and can be enhanced through didactic training and experiential techniques, whereby the student gains insight and education about empathy through lectures on empathy theories, followed by experience, whether simulated or in the form of a game. Skill training is another effective method, whereby students are given a list of skills to learn, the skills are modeled for the students, and finally the students practice performing such skills. Results: Nuclear medicine technologists should actively practice empathy in the workplace, which involves the action of active listening, framing, reflecting back to the patient, identifying emotions, and looking for feedback. Patients who interact with empathetic medical professionals feel understood, respected, and validated. This promotes patient satisfaction, enhances the quantity and quality of clinical data, improves adherence, and fosters better relationships. Conclusions: Empathy training is an essential and necessary component to the training of health care professionals, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients are scared and anxious, and using empathy training to our advantage may help alleviate these fears in our patients during such a difficult time. By implementing empathy training techniques, technologists will be better able to make patients comfortable and lessen fears during imaging.
Improved Patient-Reported Medication Adherence, Patient Satisfaction, and Glycemic Control in a Collaborative Care Pharmacist-Led Diabetes “Tune-Up” Clinic

Diabetes complications remain a leading cause of death, which may be due to poor glycemic control resulting from medication nonadherence. The relationship between adherence status and HbA1c (glycemic control) has not been well-studied for clinical pharmacist interventions. This study evaluated medication adherence, patient satisfaction, and HbA1c, in a collaborative pharmacist-endocrinologist diabetes clinic over 6 months. Of 127 referred, 83 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean medication adherence scores, considered “good” at baseline, 1.4 ± 1.2, improved by 0.05 points (p = 0.018), and there was a 26% increase in patients with good adherence. A significant improvement of 0.40 percentage points (95% CI: −0.47, −0.34) was observed in mean HbA1c across the three time points (p < 0.001). Mean total satisfaction scores were high and increased, with mean 91.3 ± 12.2 at baseline, 94.7 ± 9.6 at 3 months, and 95.7 ± 10.8 at 6 months (p = 0.009). A multimodal personalized treatment approach from a pharmacist provider significantly and positively impacted glycemic control regardless of self-reported medication adherence, and patient satisfaction remained high despite changing to a clinical pharmacist provider and increased care intensity.
Heat-transfer advances for submerged oceanographic systems

This paper outlines various heat-transfer methods utilizing modern fabrication techniques in conjunction with computer modeling to provide low-risk alternatives for thermal management. It presents details of a particular heat pipe configuration capable of dissipating 400 watts through a 9 1/2-inch diameter, 2-inch-thick grade 5 titanium endcap. Traditional dry contact methods, liquid cooling, and improved geometry are also discussed. The amount of power delivered to cabled systems is on the rise. As all-electric ROVs, manned submersibles, and high-powered cabled seafloor observatories come on line, inevitable inefficiencies mean that these systems must dissipate more heat. The rationale for this effort is multifaceted. Excessive heat is the enemy of solid-state electronics. It affects component longevity and efficiency in addition to introducing undesired drift in instrumentation. Increased component density is creating more heat per volume. Additionally, power conversion modules and improved motor drives are decreasing in form factor and providing less area for heat dissipation. New and improved heat-transfer methods will facilitate a greater selection of appropriate pressure case materials. Titanium, stainless steel, plastics, and ceramics should not be disallowed because they limit heat transfer. Trends in electronic components and material selection can continue to improve system design without compromising overall heat transfer. Thermal engineering needs to be part of the system integration at the onset of a project's design.
Protein Kinase C-dependent α-Secretase Competes with β-Secretase for Cleavage of Amyloid-β Precursor Protein in the Trans-Golgi Network

The release of amyloidogenic amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) from amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) requires cleavage by β- and γ-secretases. In contrast, α-secretase cleaves APP within the Aβ sequence and precludes amyloidogenesis. Regulated and unregulated α-secretase activities have been reported, and the fraction of cellular α-secretase activity regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) has been attributed to the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family members TACE and ADAM-10. Although unregulated α-secretase cleavage of APP has been shown to occur at the cell surface, we sought to identify the intracellular site of PKC-regulated α-secretase APP cleavage. To accomplish this, we measured levels of secreted ectodomains and C-terminal fragments of APP generated by α-secretase (sAPPα) (C83) versus β-secretase (sAPPβ) (C99) and secreted Aβ in cultured cells treated with PKC and inhibitors of TACE/ADAM-10. We found that PKC stimulation increased sAPPα but decreased sAPPβ levels by altering the competition between α- versus β-secretase for APP within the same organelle rather than by perturbing APP trafficking. Moreover, data implicating the trans-Golgi network (TGN) as a major site for β-secretase activity prompted us to hypothesize that PKC-regulated α-secretase(s) also reside in this organelle. To test this hypothesis, we performed studies demonstrating proteolytically mature TACE intracellularly, and we also showed that regulated α-secretase APP cleavage occurs in the TGN using an APP mutant construct targeted specifically to the TGN. By detecting regulated α-secretase APP cleavage in the TGN by TACE/ADAM-10, we reveal ADAM activity in a novel location. Finally, the competition between TACE/ADAM-10 and β-secretase for intracellular APP cleavage may represent a novel target for the discovery of new therapeutic agents to treat Alzheimer's disease.
Lipid-lipid interactions as regulators of carboxylester lipase activity.

Abstract The hydrolysis of 1,3-dioleoylglycerol and related substrates by mammalian pancreatic carboxylester lipases was studied. Mixed lipid films of substrates with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine at the argon-buffer interface were exposed to relatively high levels of monomeric porcine pancreatic carboxylester lipase for a brief period. With either 1,3-dioleoylglycerol, 1,2-dioleoylglycerol, trioleoylglycerol, or oleoylmethanol as a substrate, the percentage of substrate hydrolysis increased abruptly from near zero to near 100% with increasing proportion of substrate in the film. The phospholipid was not hydrolyzed. Using 1,3-dioleoylglycerol as the substrate with either the dimeric, porcine pancreatic carboxylester lipase, human pancreatic carboxylester lipase, or human milk bile salt-stimulated lipase gave results identical to those obtained with the porcine monomer. Hydrolysis of 1,3-dioleoylglycerol by porcine monomeric carboxylester lipase was independent of the initial surface pressure of the film. However, a strong correlation was observed between hydrolysis and interfacial lipid composition at all surface pressures, even if bulk 1,3-dioleoylglycerol was also present. The ultrasensitive dependence of hydrolysis on interfacial lipid composition, i.e. lipid-lipid interactions, suggests that such "switching" may contribute to the regulation of diacylglycerol levels in cells where they function in signal transduction.
Development of individual geniculocortical arbors in cat striate cortex and effects of binocular impulse blockade

This study analyzes the morphological changes in geniculocortical axons terminating in the primary visual cortex of the cat, during the period in which, in normal development, the terminals in layer IV undergo an eye-specific segregation. Geniculocortical afferent fibers were filled anterogradely by the Phaseolus lectin (PHA-L) injected into the main laminae of the LGN. After standard immunohistochemical procedures, single axons were serially reconstructed in two or three dimensions. Experiments were performed in normal kittens and in kittens in which retinal activity was continuously blocked by repeated intraocular injections of TTX. In normal kittens, arbors were reconstructed at four different ages (19, 23, 30–31, and 39 days postnatally) spanning the period during which the geniculocortical projection segregates into eye- specific columns in layer IV (LeVay et al., 1978). Results reveal that sparse but widely extending branches characteristic of young arbors are eliminated during normal development at the same time as selected portions of the arbor grow considerably in length and complexity. The terminal arborizations also subdivide into distinct patches of terminals, consistent with the segregation of left and right eye afferents. In TTX-treated animals, axonal arbors reconstructed at postnatal days 23, 29, and 39 show a complexity and extent of terminal arborization similar to that of normal animals, though more variable in size and degree of elaboration. No progressive changes are evident with age. Further, the majority of arbors reconstructed from TTX-treated animals lack the patchy organization typical of normal animals.
Impulsivity and substance-related attentional bias: a meta-analytic review.

BACKGROUND: Previous research demonstrates the role of attentional bias in addictive behaviors. Impulsivity is thought to affect the strength of attentional biases, and thus, attentional biases might be one mechanism by which impulsivity affects addictive behaviors. However, whether or not impulsivity is related to attentional biases across different conceptualizations of impulsivity and attentional biases has yet to be examined as an initial test of such causal models. METHODS: The authors completed a meta-analysis of 13 published research studies examining the relationship between substance-related attentional bias and different conceptualizations of impulsivity. RESULTS: There was a small and significant effect size between impulsivity and substance-related attentional bias (r=0.20), which was moderated by impulsivity measurement type (Qb=5.91, df=1, p Language: en
Quantitative structure-activity relationship modeling of peptide and protein behavior as a function of amino acid composition.

A quantitative structure−activity relationship (QSAR) modeling approach based on the location of each amino acid along three axes obtained by principal component analysis (called z scores) was exte...
Deep radio occultations and ``evolute flashes'' their characteristics and utility for planetary studies

Deep radio occultation signals from spacecraft passing behind planets may provide data on atmospheric absorption, turbulence, and structure, as well as information on the effects of planetary gravitational moments, rotation and zonal winds on the atmospheric shape. The strength of radio signals from a spacecraft passing behind a planet will at first decrease because of defocusing in the atmosphere, but then increase as the evolute of the planetary limb is neared, due to focusing caused by limb curvature within the evolute. Within the evolute, the availability of four simultaneous signal paths over four limb positions may render focused signals instantaneously great. The passage of Voyager 1 behind Jupiter and Voyager 2 behind Saturn will provide a test of deep radio occultation studies.
Nanoscale patterning using nanochannel glass replica films

Abstract Nanochannel glass replica films have been used as masks for the in-situ parallel patterning of GaAs/AlGaAs single quantum wells during growth by MBE. Quantum well pyramids with lateral dimensions as small as 500 nm exhibit low temperature (5 K) photoluminescence associated with the 50 A well thickness of the structure. By control of the replica membrane properties and deposition conditions, we demonstrate that it may be possible to reduce the lateral dimensions of layered structures beyond what would normally be expected from the starting apertures.
SU-E-P-04: Transport Theory Learning Module in the Maple Environment

Purpose: The medical physics graduate program at the University of Miami is developing a computerized instructional module which provides an interactive mechanism for students to learn transport theory. While not essential in the medical physics curriculum, transport theory should be taught because the conceptual level of transport theory is fundamental, a substantial literature exists and ought to be accessible, and students should understand commercial software which solves the Boltzmann equation.But conventional teaching and learning of transport theory is challenging. Students may be under prepared to appreciate its methods, results, and relevance, and it is not substantially addressed in textbooks for the medical physicists. Other resources an instructor might reasonably use, while excellent, may be too briskly paced for beginning students. The purpose of this work is to render teaching of transport theory more tractable by making learning highly interactive. Methods: The module is being developed in the Maple mathematics environment by instructors and graduate students. It will refresh the students' knowledge of vector calculus and differential equations, and will develop users' intuition for phase space concepts. Scattering concepts will be developed with animated simulations using tunable parameters characterizing interactions, so that students may develop a “feel” for cross section. Transport equations for one and multiple types of radiation will be illustrated with phase space animations. Numerical methods of solution will be illustrated. Results: Attempts to teach rudiments of transport theory in radiation physics and dosimetry courses using conventional classroom techniques at the University of Miami have had small success, because classroom time is limited and the material has been hard for our students to appreciate intuitively. Conclusion: A joint effort of instructor and students to teach and learn transport theory by building an interactive description of it will lead to deeper appreciation of the transport theoretical underpinnings of dosimetry.
Before crossing over: the advantages of eukaryotic sex in genomes lacking chiasmatic recombination.

Summary Non-recombining populations should suer from four classic population genetic disadvantages: (1) they cannot reverse Muller’s Ratchet, the accumulation of deleterious mutations caused by genetic drift and mutation; (2) whenever the fix a favourable mutation they lose all unlinked favourable variants; (3) they tend to lose favourable mutations that are linked to deleterious mutations; and (4) their genetic loads can be quite high when deleterious mutations have synergistic eects. It is commonly assumed that inter-chromosomal recombination (independent assortment) can counter these phenomena, but this has been studied only for the genetic load case. In contrast, many studies have shown that recombination via crossing over can counter these phenomena. Here we first show that segregation alone can strongly decelerate Muller’s Ratchet in diploids, i.e. that recombination is not the only way to do so. We then show that inter-chromosomal recombination can indeed deal with phenomena (1) to (3) above very eectively if the genome consists of a moderate number of chromosomes. Therefore, if the above advantages of genetic recombination played a large role in the initial success of eukaryotic sex, the crucial moment in the origin of sex might have been the evolution of inter-chromosomal recombination, i.e. the evolution of genome segmentation, segregation, and syngamy. Crossing over might have become established as a major recombinational device only later, eliminating the disadvantages of extensively segmented genomes.
Problems and Prospects for Health Services Research on Provider-Patient Communication

The effectiveness of medical practice is largely dependent on the quality of provider-patient communication. Inputs to the provider-patient encounter include prior experience with medical care patient objectives for the visit patient age type of medical problem the number of patient concerns and characteristics of the physicians practice setting. Outcomes linked to the communication process include patient knowledge provider-patient congruence on problems or recommendations patient satisfaction patient compliance with provider recommendations and resolution of patient concerns or symptoms. The development of interactional analysis systems for the description of provider-patient communication processes in medical encounters should permit reasonably detailed descriptive research on these phenomena. Among the problems in this area have been the lack of a theoretical base for taxonomic categories of behavior overlapping categories the arcane nature of many disciplinary taxonomies and lack of rigorous operational definitions for measurements. Given the rudimentary state of development of this field descriptive designs for research will continue to be appropriate. However interactional analysis systems will require additional development so that provider-patient encounters can be understood as episodes of information transfer through several channels. The development of hypotheses for experimental testing of efficacy of clinical strategies for communication requires measurement of pre to postencounter change.