cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive analysis of surface free energy of asphalts and aggregates and the effects of changes in pH

Abstract Moisture damage is a major factor in the deterioration of asphalt pavements. In order to combat this problem, it is essential to understand the effects of moisture on the adhesive and cohesive bonds in asphalt concrete mixtures. These effects can be quantified through the use of surface free energy, which is a thermodynamic material property that has been successfully used to select asphalt binders and aggregates that have the necessary compatibility to firm strong bonds and resist moisture damage. This study aimed at understanding the effects of material characteristics and additives on surface energy and the resulting bond between asphalt binders and aggregates. As such, the study involved measuring the surface free energy of 37 neat and polymer modified asphalt binders and 11 aggregates were measured. In addition, the surface free energy was measured for three asphalt binders after two anti-strip agents were added separately (six binder-anti-strip agent combinations) and for nine asphalt binders that were both short and long-term aged. The study also examined the effect of water pH on surface energy and water-aggregate adhesive bond. It was found that anti-strip agents, in general, reduced the cohesive bond energy of asphalt binder, allowing better wetting and adhesion to aggregates and increase in resistance to moisture damage. Aging of the asphalt either increased or decreased the cohesive bond depending upon the chemical composition of the unaged asphalt binder. Statistical analysis was conducted to rank the moisture resistance of asphalt binders and asphalt–aggregate combinations, respectively. The results showed that the pH of the water increased slightly due to contact with the aggregates, but did not significantly alter the total surface tension of the water or surface free energy components of the asphalt binder.
Effects of Temperature and Precipitation Variability on Snowpack Trends in the Western United States

Abstract Recent studies have shown substantial declines in snow water equivalent (SWE) over much of the western United States in the last half century, as well as trends toward earlier spring snowmelt and peak spring streamflows. These trends are influenced both by interannual and decadal-scale climate variability, and also by temperature trends at longer time scales that are generally consistent with observations of global warming over the twentieth century. In this study, the linear trends in 1 April SWE over the western United States are examined, as simulated by the Variable Infiltration Capacity hydrologic model implemented at 1/8° latitude–longitude spatial resolution, and driven by a carefully quality controlled gridded daily precipitation and temperature dataset for the period 1915–2003. The long simulations of snowpack are used as surrogates for observations and are the basis for an analysis of regional trends in snowpack over the western United States and southern British Columbia, Canada. By is...
The Trustworthy Autonomic Interface Guardian Architecture for Cyber-Physical Systems

The growing connectivity of cyber-physical systems (CPSes) has led to an increased concern over the ability of cyber-attacks to inflict physical damage. Current cyber-security measures focus on preventing attacks from penetrating control supervisory networks. These reactive techniques, however, are often plagued with vulnerabilities and zero-day exploits. Embedded processors in CPS field devices often possess little security of their own, and are easily exploited once the network is penetrated. We identify four possible outcomes of a cyber-attack on a CPS embedded processor. We then discuss five trust requirements that a device must satisfy to guarantee correct behavior through the device's lifecycle. Next, we examine the Trustworthy Autonomic Interface Guardian Architecture (TAIGA) which monitors communication between the embedded controller and physical process. This autonomic architecture provides the physical process with a last line of defense against cyber-attacks. TAIGA switches process control to a trusted backup controller if an attack causes a system specification violation. We conclude with experimental results of an implementation of TAIGA on a hazardous cargo-carrying robot.
Injury Risk and Noise Exposure in Firefighter Training Operations

INTRODUCTION: Firefighters have high rate of injuries and illnesses, as well as exposures to high levels of noise. This study explored the relationship between noise exposure and injury among firefighters. METHODS: We recruited firefighters undergoing vehicle extrication and structural collapse emergency response training at a highly realistic training facility. Demographics, health status, body mass index (BMI), and history of serious injuries (i.e. injuries requiring first aid treatment, treatment in a medical clinic or office, or treatment at a hospital) were assessed at baseline, and daily activities, injury events, and near misses were assessed daily via surveys. Participants' noise exposures were monitored for one 24-h period using noise dosimeters. We used a mixed-effects logistic regression model to estimate the odds of injury events and near misses associated with noise exposure as an independent variable. RESULTS: Of 56 subjects, 20 (36%) reported that they had ever suffered a serious injury during firefighting activities, and 9 (16%) reported a serious injury within the past year. We estimated rates of 6.6 lifetime serious injuries per 100 FTE 16.1 serious injuries per 100 FTE within the past year. Our models indicated a significant increase in injury events and near misses among those with higher BMI, and as well as a dose-response relationship between near misses/injuries and increasing noise levels. Noise levels >90 dBA in the 30min prior to time of injury or near miss were associated with substantially increased odds ratios for injury or near miss. Our models further indicated that perceived job demands were significantly associated with increased risk of injury or near miss. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that noise exposures may need to be incorporated into injury prevention programs for firefighters to reduce injuries among this high-risk occupational group. Language: en
Prisons as Diasporic Sites: Liberatory Voices from the Diaspora of Confinement

In their clarion calls for emancipation and demands for reparations, Black political prisoners open a dimension in Diaspora studies that could benefit from investigating the effects of the prison industrial complex, especially in the heart of the Empire of the 21st Century. I argue that prisons in the U.S. are diasporic sites for Black men and women. For the purposes of this paper, “Diaspora” refers to involuntary “scattering” of a group of people because of perceived threats, such as pogroms and lynching, against members of their group and because of incarceration (“forced marches” to the prison citadel).
Let's Perform a Miracle: The Soviet Yiddish State Theater in the 1920s

The history of the Soviet Yiddish State Theater (Gosudarstvennyi evreiskii teatr, or Goset) provides an illuminating glimpse into the life of Jewish entertainers and the position of Yiddish culture in the Soviet Union during the 1920s. While Solomon Mikhoels, the theater's star actor and director from 1929 until 1949, is well known for his role in chairing the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee during World War II, and for becoming the first victim of Stalin's anti-Semitic purges with his 1948 execution, little research has been conducted on the theater to which he dedicated his life. Art and theater historians have evaluated the theater's aesthetic approach to selected productions, and Mikhoels's contemporaries have provided anecdotal glimpses into that artist's life by writing biographies of him, but there has not yet been an attempt to assess the theater's relationship to the state during its heyday or to place the theater within the context of Soviet culture of the 1920s.
Development of a Novel Medium Voltage Solid State Transfer Switch

SSTS (Solid State Transfer Switch) is one of the most economic and effective approaches to deal with the power quality problems for sensitive customers. This paper puts forward a hybrid transfer switch composed of solid-state switch and high-speed mechanical switch in parallel. During normal operation,the line current is by-passed by the parallel mechanical switch. Thus the losses consumptions of power devices are negligible since the thyristors are conducted only during the few milliseconds of the transfer operation, this making the hybrid transfer switch have a good prospect in industrial applications. Opening characteristics of the parallel switch and current commutation characteristics from parallel switch to thyristors is analyzed in detail by means of mathematical model. Tree-phase SSTS simulation model is established using the Electro Magnetic Transients for DC (EMTDC) to investigate and analyze the whole transfer process. Finally, the development of a prototype is introduced. Experimental results as well as simulation results verify the feasibility of the main power circuit and control scheme.
Favorable Effects of Oxygen Inhalation in Patients After Bidirectional Glenn Procedure as Assessed by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Flow Measurement.

Background Home oxygen therapy (HOT) is used to adapt patients to the bidirectional Glenn (BDG) physiology. However, the precise cardiovascular effect of oxygen inhalation is still unknown. We used phase-contrast MRI to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of oxygen inhalation in young patients with BDG physiology. Methods and results The 56 sessions of cardiac MRI were performed in 36 patients with BDG circulation. Oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) were monitored under both room air and nasal 100% oxygen inhalation, and the blood flow volumes of the ascending aorta (AA), superior vena cava (SVC), and inferior vena cava (IVC) were measured by phase-contrast MRI. Systemic-to-pulmonary collateral flow (SPCF) volumes were calculated by subtracting the sum of flow volumes through the SVC and IVC from the flow volume through the AA, and used for further comparative examination. Under nasal oxygen inhalation, SpO2significantly increased from 82% to 89%, while HR decreased from 115 to 110 beats/min. AA (5.0 vs. 4.9 L·min(-1)·m(-2)), SVC (1.85 vs. 1.77 L·min(-1)·m(-2)), and systemic blood flow volume (=SVC+IVC) significantly decreased (3.60 vs. 3.46 L·min(-1)·m(-2)). In contrast, SPCF and the pulmonary-to-systemic blood flow ratio (Qp/Qs) remained unchanged. Conclusions Oxygen inhalation improved arterial blood oxygenation and lowered HR in patients with BDG circulation without an increase in Qp/Qs. HOT would be protective of the cardiovascular system in patients with BDG circulation. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1378-1385).
Mechanics of stretch in activated crustacean slow muscle. II. Dynamic changes in force in response to stretch.

1. The mechanical dynamics of the ventral superficial muscles (VSM) of the abdomen of the hermit crab, Pagurus pollicarus, have been analyzed to develop a quantitative model of gradedly excitable a...
A new approach to regression analysis of censored competing-risks data

An approximate likelihood approach is developed for regression analysis of censored competing-risks data. This approach models directly the cumulative incidence function, instead of the cause-specific hazard function, in terms of explanatory covariates under a proportional subdistribution hazards assumption. It uses a self-consistent iterative procedure to maximize an approximate semiparametric likelihood function, leading to an asymptotically normal and efficient estimator of the vector of regression parameters. Simulation studies demonstrate its advantages over previous methods.
Application of nullors in designing analog circuits for bandwidth

Given an analog circuit and a model frequency response, the article presents a methodology to modify the circuit to achieve the model response, as close as possible. The method works for both linear and nonlinear circuits using nullors. Although the scope of the work can be generalized and cover a wide range of cases, but this study limits itself to the bandwidth of amplifiers/filters using one nullor only. The assumption is that a two terminal sub-circuit must be found so that the inclusion of this two terminal to the amplifier/filter will cause the frequency response of the circuit to get close to a desired one. Examples show both ways of expanding and shrinking of the bandwidth in amplifiers.
The impact of performance budgeting on state budget outcomes

Little empirical analysis has occurred of the influence of performance-based budgeting on appropriation decision-making or budget outcomes, and most research has focused on the perceptions of budget officials. This research empirically tests to what extent the implementation of performance-based budgeting has had an impact on the actual allocation of resources in the form of Constant Per Capita Expenditures in the states. A pooled cross-sectional analysis is used to evaluate the time series encompassing before and after implementation as a means of determining the impact of performance budgeting on state budgeting outcomes as revealed in expenditure patterns of the states. Results indicate that the implementation of performance budgeting has a statistically significant and positive effect on budget outcomes in the states as measured by constant per capita expenditures.
Nephrectomy-induced reduced renal function and the health-related quality of life of living kidney donors

Objective To evaluate the health impact of nephrectomy on living kidney donors (LKDs) by comparing the health-related quality of life (HrQOL) scores measured by Short Form-36 (SF36) between those with and without postdonation renal function impairment (PRFI). Methods Eighty-two LKDs (47 females, mean age=50.2±11.2 years) were prospectively recruited to participate in a SF-36 HrQOL survey. Chart review, individual baseline, and postoperative renal function (eGFR) was determined using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. PRFI was defined as eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or proteinuria. Mean SF-36 domain scores were compared between those with and without PRFI. Results After a median follow-up of 5.7 years, the prevalence of postdonation comorbidities was 29.3% (n=24) PRFI, 25.6% (n=21) hypertension, 6.1% (n=5) diabetes, and 3.7% (n=3) heart disease, and no LKDs developed end-stage renal disease. Mean eGFR before and after donor nephrectomy was 95.5±23.4 and 71.0±17.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P .05). Similarly, the proportion of LKDs with PRFI did not differ significantly between the patients with SF-36 domain scores above and below the published reference values. Conclusion Nephrectomy-induced PRFI may not have a significant impact on the HrQOL of the LKD population with a low proportion of other major comorbidities such as diabetes and ischemic heart disease.
A Software Gamification Model for Cross-Cultural Software Development Teams

Gamification is the use of game design elements in non-game context platforms such as services and marketing to motivate people to participate in planned activities to increase engagement and loyalty to achieve goals.Gamification has been applied to academic fields including software engineering in recent years. Some studies show that gamification can motivate engineers in Software Engineering (SE) if applied appropriately. However, most gamification implementations are lacking well-defined frameworks or models.This paper develops a software gamification model (SGM) with a well-defined framework that provides a robust process for implementing gamification for SE. This model also contains elements from applied psychology, Social Software Engineering (SSE), and the Capability Maturity Model (CMM). Having those elements ensures that the model has a solid foundation in gamification and SE disciplines. The model is further tailored for cross-cultural software development teams (CCSDT).CCSDT have been popular in recent years due to the fact that software development has become a global business. However, as more and more CCSDT are formed, many challenges and issues have been raised in those cross-cultural environments stemming from miscommunication, misunderstanding, cultural differences and conflicts. This paper uses the SGM to help resolve the issues.
Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Purpose. Aerobic exercise has been found to be neuroprotective in animal models of retinal degeneration. This study aims to report physical activity levels in patients with RP and investigate the relationship between physical activity and vision-related quality-of-life (QOL). Materials and Methods. A retrospective study of adult patients with RP examined in 2005–2014. Physical activity levels were assessed using the Godin Exercise Questionnaire. The NEI-Visual Function Questionaire-25 (VFQ-25), SF-36 General Health survey, and Pepper Assessment Tool for Disability (PAT-D) were administered. Results. 143 patients participated. 81 (56.6%) patients were classified as “active” and 62 (43.4%) as “insufficiently active” by Godin score. VFQ-25 revealed statistically significant differences between the active and insufficiently active patients, including overall visual function (53.3 versus 45.1, ), color vision (73.8 versus 52.9, ), and peripheral vision (34.3 versus 23.8, ). The physical component of the SF-36 and the PAT-D survey also demonstrated statistically significant differences (47.2 versus 52.9, ; 24.3 versus 30.0, ). Active patients had a higher initial Goldmann visual field (GVF) score (74.8 versus 60.1 degrees, ) and final GVF score (78.7 versus 47.1 degrees, ) but did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions. In RP, increased physical activity is associated with greater self-reported visual function and QOL.
Insular Epilepsy: Clinical, Electrophysiological Features, and Surgical Treatment

The insula, also known as the fifth lobe of the brain, is a phylogenetically older part of the cortex that forms the floor of the Sylvian fissure. It is densely connected with multiple regions in the brain, reflecting its rich functionality. Epilepsy arising from the insula has been only relatively recently described and characterized in details. Besides having unique features, the insula is believed to be the origin of seizures resembling those of suspected temporal or frontal lobe epilepsy that do not respond to traditional surgical resections. In this review article, we describe the gross and functional anatomy of the insula, clinical and electrophysiological manifestations of insular epilepsy, and surgical evaluation and treatment approaches.
The Use of Takt Time and Operator Loading Charts

This brief note introduces the fundamental Lean concepts of takt time and operator loading charts. Examples are given within the note and practice problems are provided. Excerpt UVA-OM-1471 Rev. Aug. 29, 2012 the use of takt time and operator loading charts A process comprises a series of steps. If a fire brigade is a process for moving buckets of water toward a fire, each member represents a step in that process. Once the process is established, a curious phenomenon is apparent: the time it takes to pass a bucket equals the time it takes for each new bucket to appear. Process steps are rarely so uniform, but the basic concept holds true: there is a relationship between a target production rate and the duration of each step in that production process. Given a time frame and a target number of units to manufacture, you can divide the former by the latter and get the maximum time available to make a single unit and still make your target. That maximum time available for a process is takt time, from the German term for “pace” or “rhythm.” If you exceed the time alotted, even once, you will not meet your production goal. This would be true whether you made products one at a time from beginning to end or in a series of steps, each of which related to that time frame. Any step that exceeds takt time must be broken down into steps that do not, or you will not be able to keep pace. Your rhythm will be off. . . .
Sampling limits for electron tomography with sparsity-exploiting reconstructions.

Abstract Electron tomography (ET) has become a standard technique for 3D characterization of materials at the nano-scale. Traditional reconstruction algorithms such as weighted back projection suffer from disruptive artifacts with insufficient projections. Popularized by compressed sensing, sparsity-exploiting algorithms have been applied to experimental ET data and show promise for improving reconstruction quality or reducing the total beam dose applied to a specimen. Nevertheless, theoretical bounds for these methods have been less explored in the context of ET applications. Here, we perform numerical simulations to investigate performance of l 1 -norm and total-variation (TV) minimization under various imaging conditions. From 36,100 different simulated structures, our results show specimens with more complex structures generally require more projections for exact reconstruction. However, once sufficient data is acquired, dividing the beam dose over more projections provides no improvements—analogous to the traditional dose-fraction theorem. Moreover, a limited tilt range of ±75° or less can result in distorting artifacts in sparsity-exploiting reconstructions. The influence of optimization parameters on reconstructions is also discussed.
TEOLOGIA LUTERANA COMO DESAFIO AO FUNDAMENTALISMO RELIGIOSO E À TEOLOGIA DA PROSPERIDADE

In Latin America and the Caribbean, there is a growth of fundamentalist practices and ideologies, often associated with prosperity theologies. Just as in the global context, these movements of charismatic and fundamentalist renewal are not restricted to Pentecostal or Neo-Pentecostal churches but are present in all Christian denominations. One aspect of this fundamentalism is biblical legalism. The centrality of the Bible – the principle “Sola Scriptura” (only the Scripture) developed by Luther – is erroneously associated with theologies that defend biblical inerrancy and use Scriptures in a legalistic manner. Despite being in historical continuity with the Reformation movement, both fundamentalism and the emphasis on prosperity represent a biblical-theological rupture with Reformation ideas. A more detailed analysis of Luther’s theology and hermeneutics shows that the principles of the Reformation offer a stark critique of both religious fundamentalism and prosperity theology.
Fidaxomicin jams M. tuberculosis RNA polymerase motions needed for initiation via RbpA contacts

Fidaxomicin (Fdx) is an antimicrobial RNA polymerase (RNAP) inhibitor highly effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNAP in vitro, but clinical use of Fdx is limited to treating Clostridium difficile intestinal infections due to poor absorption. To enable structure-guided optimization of Fdx to treat tuberculosis, we report the 3.4 A cryo-electron microscopy structure of a complete M. tuberculosis RNAP holoenzyme in complex with Fdx. We find that the actinobacteria general transcription factor RbpA contacts fidaxomycin and explains its strong effect on M. tuberculosis. We present additional structures that define conformational states of M. tuberculosis RNAP between the free apo-holenzyme and the promoter-engaged open complex ready for transcription. The results establish that Fdx acts like a doorstop to jam the enzyme in an open state, preventing the motions necessary to secure promoter DNA in the active site. Our results provide a structural platform to guide development of anti-tuberculosis antimicrobials based on Fdx.
Development of Rare Earth Niobate Buffer Layer for YBCO Coated Conductor Using Chemical Solution Deposition Approach

We have grown epitaxial rare earth niobate (RE3NbO7; RE – La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Ho, Y, and Yb) buffer layers on biaxially textured Ni-W substrates using chemical solution deposition approach. Precursor solutions of 0.4 M total cation concentration were spin coated on short samples of Ni-3 at.%W (Ni-W) substrates and heat-treated at 1050 to 1100°C in a gas mixture of Ar-4%H2 for 15 minutes. Effect of solution chemistry and processing atmosphere on texture and microstructure were studied. Detailed X-Ray studies indicated that all the rare earth niobates were grown epitaxially. There was no significant change observed in texture for different precursor chemistry, however, dramatic effect on surface morphology observed. SEM and AFM investigations of RE3NbO7 films reveal noticeable difference in surface morphology and roughness for various processing atmospheres. Processing under a 20% wet Ar-4% H2 gas mixture was found to be the optimum condition for growing Gd3NbO7 films with high quality microstructure.
Dynamic analysis of competitive growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef under competition from background flora. The growth of E. coli O157:H7 was observed in sterile irradiated and non-irradiated raw ground beef under dynamically changing temperature conditions. A one-step dynamic analysis method was used to directly construct tertiary models for describing bacterial growth with and without competition and to estimate the kinetic parameters from dynamic growth curves to prove the hypothesis that the growth of E. coli O157:H7 was significantly affected by competition from background flora in raw ground beef. The one-step dynamic method successfully modelled the growth of E. coli O157:H7 and background flora in ground beef and the competition between the two. The estimated minimum growth temperature for E. coli O157:H7 was 7.7 °C, and the maximum cell concentration was 9.0 log CFU/g in irradiated ground beef. Under competition, the specific growth rate of E. coli O157:H7 was reduced by approximately 18% in raw ground beef. The resulting dynamic models and kinetic parameters were validated with separate dynamic growth data, showing that the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of prediction was The results of this study demonstrated that the one-step dynamic analysis is a useful and efficient method for investigating bacterial growth with and without competition under dynamic conditions and for developing growth kinetic models. Since the dynamic models have been validated, they can be used to predict the shelf-life of ground beef (background flora) and conduct risk assessment of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC.
Behavioral and Neurochemical Aspects of Pediatric Pain

Pain represents a complex psychophysiological phenomenon involving cognitive, neurochemical, sensory, affective, emotional, and motivational components which act in synergistic fashion to produce varying degrees of intensity perception and reactions differing across individuals and socioenvironmental conditions (Beecher, 1959; Melzack, 1973; Merskey, 1970; Varni, 1981a, 1981b). Pain may be described along the dimensions of quality (dull, sharp, burning), anatomical location and duration and within a threshold/tolerance perspective (unbearable). The verbal expression of pain along these linguistic dimensions represents a developmental learning process, whereby the child learns to label nociceptive impulses in the language of his/her particular cultural environment.
On the Thermoelectric Effect of Interface Imperfections

Ordinary thermocouples use the well-known Seebeck effect to measure the temperature at the junction of two different conductors. The electromotive force generated by the heat depends on the difference between the respective thermoelectric powers of the contacting metals and the junction temperature. Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of the thermoelectric measurement as most often used in nondestructive materials characterization. One of the reference electrodes is heated by electrical means to a preset temperature of 100 – 300 °C, pretty much like the tip of a temperature-stabilized soldering iron, and connected to the inverting (−) input of the differential amplifier driving the indicator. The other electrode is left cold at essentially room temperature and connected to the non-inverting (+) input. The measurement is done quickly in a few seconds to assure (i) that the hot reference electrode is not cooled down perceivably by the specimen and (ii) that the rest of the specimen beyond the close vicinity of the contact point is not warmed up perceivably. Ideally, regardless of the temperature difference between the junctions, only thermocouples made of different materials, i.e., materials of different thermoelectric power, will generate thermoelectric signal. This unique feature makes the simple thermoelectric tester one of the most sensitive material discriminators used in nondestructive inspection.
Correlation between shear stress and wall thickening in human carotid artery: I. preliminary repeatability studies of MRI data

Monitoring the blood flow pattern inside the arteries over a period of time can give significant insights into the development of atherosclerotic plaques. However, the validity of the data collected over a period of time to perform blood flow analysis in the arteries should be determined before hand. In this work, a validity check is performed for using the MRI data of a carotid vessel collected at different times to perform a blood flow analysis. The collected MRI data is used to reconstruct a three-dimensional (3D) geometry of the carotid bifurcation and this geometry is used in a finite element model to conduct a blood flow analysis. This process is repeated for the two different sets of MRI data of an individual, collected at two different periods in time. The results of the blood flow pattern inside the carotid for the two different cases are very similar. This work shows that the procedure is robust and precise to give highly repeatable results for the blood flow pattern.
Autotransfusion of shed mediastinal blood after cardiac surgery: A prospective study

In a randomized prospective study of patients having cardiac surgery, autologous blood collected from mediastinal tubes was autotransfused preferentially in 63 patients (ATS), whereas 51 patients received bank blood for transfusion (control). Comparison of the two groups showed no significant difference in regard to age, sex, operations performed, or total postoperative bleeding (ATS 813 +/- 121 ml. per square meter versus control 711 +/- 93 ml. per square meter; N.S.) Although mean postoperative blood replacement was similar in the two groups (ATS 4.3 +/- 0.6 units per patient versus control 4.8 +/- 0.6 units per patient), requirements for transfusion of stored bank blood were reduced by 50 percent in the ATS group (ATS 2.4 +/- 0.3 units per patient versus control 4.8 +/- 0.6 units per patient; p less than 0.005). Coagulation studies demonstrated that this blood was defibrinogenated; yet it contains significantly more platelets and clotting factors than does bank blood. In this study, autotransfusion of shed mediastinal blood was safe and simple. It significantly reduced bank blood requirements and resulted in substantial financial savings for the patients and the hospital.
HIV/AIDS: A Case-Based Learning Module for First-Year Medical Students

In medical and healthcare-related education, case-based learning (CBL) is a teaching strategy that uses clinical cases to engage students in active learning using course concepts to solve important problems. Here we describe the design and implementation of a CBL module to teach first year medical students about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acute retroviral syndrome, clinical progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, HIV diagnostics, assays used to assess stage of disease and response to antiretroviral treatment, and highly active antiretroviral therapy. A team of basic science and clinical faculty in the disciplines of microbiology, immunology, infection prevention and control, clinical medicine, pharmacology, and medical ethics collaboratively designed the CBL module. The results of a questionnaire indicated that the students found the CBL case interesting, engaging, and a useful educational strategy for linking basic science concepts to important clinical problems. In our experience, the CBL promoted student synthesis of basic science concepts across disciplines and engaged learners in the application of basic science knowledge to address significant real-world clinical problems.
Family perceptions of the impacts of a home and community based services autism waiver: Making family life possible.

BACKGROUND An important mechanism that provides support and services for families with a child/youth with autism spectrum disorder is the home- and community-based services (HCBS) Waiver authorized by Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act or Medicaid. METHODS This study used qualitative research methods to explore parent perspectives about the impact of HCBS Waiver services on the child/youth with autism and their family. In-depth interviews focused on aspects of the programme they valued, identification of barriers and general issues they experienced. RESULTS Results of the qualitative study indicated that improved outcomes could be explained by providers of services who were well-trained, flexible and allowed parents' opportunities for choice regarding provision of services to meet child/youth and family needs. CONCLUSION The findings of this study provide guideposts for further research about factors that contribute to satisfaction of families receiving waiver services for quality of life and child progress.
Long-term outcomes in women with low-risk hormone-sensitive early-stage breast cancer.

e12583Background: Oncotype DX test is useful in the identification of women who have a low risk of recurrence and can safely avoid chemotherapy. However, there are persistent gaps in knowledge on t...
Identification of selective inhibition of phospho-S6 ribosomal protein in XK469 sensitive leukemia cell lines using functional proteomic analysis

3279 Introduction XK469 is a new potent anti-tumor agent sponsored by the NCI for clinical development. XK469’s proposed mechanism of action is selective Topoisomerase IIβ inhibition. However, recent studies demonstrate a dissociation between concentrations required to inhibit topoisomerase and those inhibiting cell proliferation. Alternative suggested modes of action are interference with cell cycle progression or signaling pathways, such as MAPK inhibition. Using a new high throughput functional proteomic technology, reverse phase protein array (RPPA), we identified selective inhibition of the mTor/p70S6K downstream target phosphoS6 ribosomal protein, a key translational regulatory protein, by XK469. Methods The RPPA technique was used to concurrently study six different leukemia cell lines (U937, HL60, OCI-AML3, KG-1, MO7e, TF-1) for expression change of 20 proteins and their corresponding phospho-proteins during XK469 treatment. Proliferation was assessed by MTT dye conversion and apoptosis by flow-cytometric AnnexinV staining. Results TF-1, MO7e and OCI-AML3 cell lines were dose dependently more sensitive (50-65% growth inhibition at max. concentrations of 100 μM), than U937, HL60 and KG-1 cells (20-30% inhibition). The more sensitive cell lines demonstrated higher basal levels of phospho-S6 ribosomal protein and p53 than did the less sensitive cell lines. There was selective and marked decrease in phospho-S6protein levels in the XK469 sensitive cell lines (TF-1, MO7e, OCI-AML3), as determined by RPPA, but also in the less sensitive KG-1 cells.Apoptosis was only minimally increased (TF-1, Mo7e cells) and other signaling pathways (STAT, MAPK and upstream Akt members including mTor, p70S6K, GSK, PTEN) were not affected at the doses assessed. In the less sensitive cell lines (U937, HL60) phospho-S6protein levels were reduced to a lesser extent, while apoptosis was more than doubled. There was mild decrease in phosphorylated mTor levels in these cell lines. The strength and validation of comprehensive phosphoproteomics profiling using RPPA was demonstrated, for example, in correctly identifying U937 as a PTEN mutant. Conclusion Selective inhibition of S6 ribosomal protein in XK469 sensitive leukemia cells suggests a novel mechanism of action for XK469. This action seems to be independent of apoptosis and mediated through antiproliferative signals downstream of mTor/p70S6K. Further, the activity of the AKT/mTOR pathway and its downstream effectors (including S6protein and p53), if confirmed in further studies, could potentially be used to identify patients likely to show increased response to XK469. To validate the identified biological targets and to assess molecular markers of response, we will apply the RPPA technology to samples from leukemia patients enrolled in the XK469 clinical trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Home Sales Pair Counts: The Organic Metric for Trading Volume in Housing Markets

Home sales pair counts are proposed as the organic metric for trading volume in housing markets. Aside from seasonality and temporal aggregation, as opposed to price appreciation, pair count growth is serially uncorrelated. A nonlinear dynamic GMM panel relating home price appreciation to adjusted count growth is estimated for respectively 5 condominium and 10 single‐family home S&P/Case–Shiller indices. While both condominium and single‐family home indices display a positive long‐run response to shocks in trading volume, the latter is economically and statistically more pronounced. Overall, the empirical findings are consistent with the observation that housing markets are primarily quantity clearing markets.
BioSense: Real-Time Object Tracking for Animal Movement and Behavior Research

Video object tracking has been used with great success in numerous applications ranging from autonomous vehicle navigation to medical image analysis. A broad and emerging domain for exploration is in the field of automatic video-based animal behavior understanding. Interesting, yet difficult-to-test hypotheses, can be evaluated by high-throughput processing of animal movements and interactions collected from both laboratory and field experiments. In this paper we describe BioSense, a new standalone software platform and user interface that provides researchers with an open-source framework for collecting and quantitatively analyzing video data characterizing animal movement and behavior (e.g. spatial location, velocity, region preference, etc.). BioSense is capable of tracking multiple objects in real-time, using various object detection methods suitable for a range of environments and animals. Real-time operation also provides a tactical approach to object tracking by allowing users the ability to manipulate the control of the software while seeing visual feedback immediately. We evaluate the capabilities of BioSense in a series of video tracking benchmarks representative of the challenges present in animal behavior research.
Exploiting His-Tags for Absolute Quantitation of Exogenous Recombinant Proteins in Biological Matrices: Ruthenium as a Protein Tracer

Metal labeling and ICP MS detection offer an alternative to commonly accepted techniques that are currently used to quantitate exogenous proteins in vivo, but modifying the protein surface with metal-containing groups inevitably changes its biophysical properties and is likely to affect trafficking and biodistribution. The approach explored in this work takes advantage of the presence of hexa-histidine tags in many recombinant proteins, which have high affinity toward a range of metals. While many divalent metals bind to poly histidine sequences reversibly, oxidation of imidazole-bound CoII or RuII is known to result in a dramatic increase of the binding strength. In order to evaluate the feasibility of using imidazole-bound metal oxidation as a means of attaching permanent tags to polyhistidine segments, a synthetic peptide YPDFEDYWMKHHHHHH was used as a model. RuII can be oxidized under ambient (aerobic) conditions, allowing any oxidation damage to the peptide beyond the metal-binding site to be avoided. The resulting peptide-RuIII complex is very stable, with the single hexa-histidine segment capable of accommodating up to three metal ions. Localization of RuIII within the hexa-histidine segment of the peptide was confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry. The RuIII/peptide binding appears to be irreversible, with both low- and high-molecular weight biologically relevant scavengers failing to strip the metal from the peptide. Application of this protocol to labeling a recombinant form of an 80 kDa protein transferrin allowed RuIII to be selectively placed within the His-tag segment. The metal label remained stable in the presence of ubiquitous scavengers and did not interfere with the receptor binding, while allowing the protein to be readily detected in serum at sub-nM concentrations. The results of this work suggest that ruthenium lends itself as an ideal metal tag for selective labeling of His-tag containing recombinant proteins to enable their sensitive detection and quantitation with ICP MS.
Thermal expansion coefficient of diamond in a wide temperature range

Abstract Experimental data for the linear thermal expansion coefficient of diamond available in the literature were analyzed and carefully selected to produce a representative dataset, which was fit with a multi-frequency Einstein model (R. Reeber, 1975) using a limited number of effective independent oscillators. In the temperature range of 10–300 K, the fits were constrained using the high-accuracy data (S. Stoupin and Yu. Shvyd’ko, 2011). It was found that the multi-frequency model precisely describes the available data from 10 K to approximately 1000 K. Above 1000 K, discrepancies were found, which suggest presence of anharmonic effects in diamond and/or influence of defects. The obtained semi-empirical formulas can be used as convenient continuous approximations for the thermal expansion coefficient in modeling thermoelastic behavior of diamond components subjected to large temperature variations.
Mechanisms for Hydrogen-Atom Abstraction by Mononuclear Copper(III) Cores: Hydrogen-Atom Transfer or Concerted Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer?

In a possibly biomimetic fashion, formally copper(III)–oxygen complexes LCu(III)–OH (1) and LCu(III)–OOCm (2) (L2– = N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide, Cm = α,α-dimethylbenzyl) have been shown to activate X–H bonds (X = C, O). Herein, we demonstrate similar X–H bond activation by a formally Cu(III) complex supported by the same dicarboxamido ligand, LCu(III)–O2CAr1 (3, Ar1 = meta-chlorophenyl), and we compare its reactivity to that of 1 and 2. Kinetic measurements revealed a second order reaction with distinct differences in the rates: 1 reacts the fastest in the presence of O–H or C–H based substrates, followed by 3, which is followed by (unreactive) 2. The difference in reactivity is attributed to both a varying oxidizing ability of the studied complexes and to a variation in X–H bond functionalization mechanisms, which in these cases are characterized as either a hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) or a concerted proton-coupled electron transfer (cPCET). Select theoretical tools have b...
Treatment Free Remission for Chronic Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Patients Who Stopped Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy Due to Intolerance

Introduction: Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that is often diagnosed in adults between the ages of 25-60. The outcome of the chronic phase CML has dramatically changed due to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) therapy. There are well established guidelines from NCCN and ESMO on stopping TKI for patients achieving prolonged remissions with TKIs. We report clinical outcomes from a single tertiary care center in patients who stopped TKI therapy for reasons other than prolonged remission status. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all the CML patients who were treated at our institution in the past 10 years (January 1st,2009 - December 31st,2018). We excluded patients who had accelerated or blast phase CML, atypical CML, patients on non-TKI therapy, and patients who received an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Results: A total of 117 patients were diagnosed with chronic phase CML at our institution in the past 10 years. Among the 117 patients, 12 of these discontinued TKI therapy. Six patients stopped TKI after achieving prolonged remission with TKI therapy and the remaining patients discontinued due to intolerance to treatment, fear of side effects, and loss of insurance. The median age of the whole cohort is 66 years (range 42-85). Six patients were male and 6 were females. Six patients were diagnosed with CML prior to year 2009 and rest after 2009. Prior to stopping, six patients received only 1 kind of TKI, 2 patients were treated with 2 types of TKIs, 2 patients received 3 types of TKIs, and 2 patients had 4 lines of TKIs (See Table). Cohort 1: 6 patients who stopped due to prolonged remission, median major molecular remission - MMR4 (BCR-ABL Cohort 2: Of those 6 patients who stopped TKI for other reasons: 4 stopped due to side effects/intolerance, 1 stopped due to fear of side effects after FDA label was updated, and 1 patient discontinued due to a loss of insurance. Median duration of MMR4 prior to stopping is 4 years (range 1-11 years). 5 of these 6 patients relapsed in the median time of 6 months (range 3-16 months). Of these 5, 4 were started back on the TKI therapy (three on the same TKI and one on a different TKI). Median treatment free remission for this cohort is 4 months (range 2-16 months). Conclusion: In this small cohort from a single institution's experience, CML patients who discontinued TKI therapy after achieving MMR4 for reasons other than prolonged remission have experienced poor outcomes including a higher rate of relapse and a shorter treatment free remission. We need studies with larger samples sizes and longer follow up to assess outcomes in patients stopping TKI therapy for various reasons. Download : Download high-res image (130KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Engaging Diverse Citizen Scientists for Environmental Health: Recommendations from Participants and Promotoras

Environmental health citizen science (CS) offers a strategy for historically disenfranchised community members to inform research questions, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions about contaminants in their local environments to inform local action. In this study, direct feedback from demographically diverse participants and promotoras (community health workers) in a co-created environmental health CS project informs understanding of CS participant motivation, support, and barriers to participation. Study findings reflect a lack of association between participant self-efficacy and race, income, or education level, respectively; however specific types of motivation, participation support, and barriers to participation were found to be more relevant among participants of certain demographic groups or communities compared to others. These findings inform the following recommendations for engaging diverse CS participants: 1) Consider existing relationships and community-identified problems as participant motivation, 2) Design participant methods to include personal support structures and relationship-building, and, 3) Design for participant time and technology access as significant limitations to participation. These findings serve to inform best practices in environmental health CS, as well CS project design for diverse participants.