cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of gastrointestinal pH in cystic fibrosis and healthy subjects

The primary objective of this study was to define the pH conditions under which supplemental pancreatic enzyme preparations must function in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The hypothesis was that normal or greater gastric acid output in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), combined with low pancreatic bicarbonate output, results in an acidic duodenal pH, compromising both dosage-form performance and enzyme activity. Gastrointestinal pH profiles were obtained in 10 CF and 10 healthy volunteers under fasting and postprandial conditions. A radiotelemetric monitoring method, the Heidelberg capsule, was used to continuously monitor pH. Postprandial duodenal pH was lower in CF than in healthy subjects, especially in the first postprandial hour (mean time greater than pH 6 was 5 min in CF, 11 min in healthy subjects,P<0.05). Based on the dissolution pH profiles of current enteric-coated pancreatic enzyme products, the duodenal postprandial pH in CF subjects may be too acidic to permit rapid dissolution of current enteric-coated dosage forms. However, the pH was above 4 more than 90% of the time on the average, suggesting that irreversible lipase inactivation in the duodenum is not likely to be a significant limitation to enzyme efficacy. Overall results suggest that slow dissolution of pH-sensitive coatings, rather than enzyme inactivation, may contribute to the failure of enteric-coated enzyme supplements to normalize fat absorption.
Children’s relative and absolute shape learning: A comparison with size learning

Berman (1963) and Graham, Ernhart, Craft, & Berman (1964) found that it was significantly easier for preschool children to learn to respond to a common size relationship than to a specific size. The generality of this finding was tested in a partial replication of Berman’s study using shape stimuli which adults judged to be equal in discriminability to her size stimuli. No significant difference was found between problems involving a response to a common shape relationship (either more or less rectangular) and response to a specific shape.
Detecting Locally Distributed Predicates

In this article, we formalize locally distributed predicates, a concept previously introduced to address specific challenges associated with modular robotics and distributed debugging. A locally distributed predicate (LDP) is a novel construction for representing and detecting distributed properties in sparse-topology systems. Our previous work on LDPs presented empirical validation; here we show a formal model for two variants of the LDP algorithm, LDP-Basic and LDP-Snapshot, and establish performance bounds for these variants. We prove that LDP-Basic can detect strong stable predicates, that LDP-Snapshot can detect all stable predicates, and discuss their applicability to various distributed programming domains and to spatial computing in general. LDP detection in bounded-degree networks is shown to be scale-free, making the approach particularly attractive for specific topologies, even though LDPs are less efficient than snapshot algorithms in general distributed systems.
‘It’s a sucker’s outfit’ How urban gangs enable and impede the reintegration of ex-convicts

This article examines how drug-dealing gangs shape the pre- and post-carceral lives of male ex-convicts in Chicago based on ethnographic interviews with 19 former and current gang affiliates backed...
Probing the Densities of Gap States in Intrinsic a-Si:H Using Space Charge Limited Currents of Electrons and Holes

Space charge limited currents of holes in intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) have been obtained using novel p + -intrinsic-p + (p-i-p) structures. The presence of these hole space charge limited currents is verified from their temperature dependence and their dependence on a wide range of intrinsic layer thickness. The carrier transport and space charge limited currents in the p-i-p structures are compared with those of n-i-n structures and the results are discussed in terms of a self consistent density of states in the gap.
Bio-integrated electronics

Strategies for bio-integrated electronics must overcome challenges associated with the mismatch between the hard, planar surfaces of brittle semiconductor wafers and the soft, curvilinear tissues of timely dynamic biological systems. This paper discusses the successful structural design, fabrication and bio-integration of tissue-like electronics that can intimately conform to biological tissues and deform with the tissues in a mechanically invisible manner. Examples including epidermal electronics, instrumented balloon catheters, and smart finger tubes will be discussed to manifest our multidisciplinary research at the boundary of electronics, mechanics, materials, and biomedicine.
Resistance of a subset of red blood cells to clearance by antibodies in a mouse model of incompatible transfusion.

Background Alloimmunization to antigens on transfused red blood cells (RBCs) represents a major barrier to chronic transfusion. In extreme cases of multiple alloimmunization, clinicians may be faced with the decision of transfusing incompatible RBCs or risking death from lack of transfusion. The disastrous results of hemolytic transfusion reactions are well understood, and major pathways of clearance have been described. However, well described but poorly understood is the survival of a subset of incompatible donor RBCs during hemolysis, despite antibody binding. Study Design And Methods We utilize a tractable murine model of incompatible transfusion in which RBCs from transgenic donor mice expressing human glycophorin A (hGPA) are transfused into recipients passively immunized with anti-hGPA. Results As in humans, the majority of RBCs are cleared but a subset of incompatible donor RBCs persist in circulation, despite being bound by antibodies. Data contained herein reject the hypothesis that lack of clearance is due to insufficient antibody or overwhelming of phagocytic machinery; rather, we establish that surviving RBCs represent a distinct population resistant to clearance. Conclusions These studies demonstrate that surviving RBCs during incompatible transfusion can represent a population that is resistant to clearance.
An interactive resource to identify cancer genetic and lineage dependencies targeted by small molecules

The high rate of clinical response to protein-kinase-targeting drugs matched to cancer patients with specific genomic alterations has prompted efforts to use cancer cell line (CCL) profiling to identify additional biomarkers of small-molecule sensitivities. We have quantitatively measured the sensitivity of 242 genomically characterized CCLs to an Informer Set of 354 small molecules that target many nodes in cell circuitry, uncovering protein dependencies that: (1) associate with specific cancer-genomic alterations and (2) can be targeted by small molecules. We have created the Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal (http://www.broadinstitute.org/ctrp) to enable users to correlate genetic features to sensitivity in individual lineages and control for confounding factors of CCL profiling. We report a candidate dependency, associating activating mutations in the oncogene β-catenin with sensitivity to the Bcl-2 family antagonist, navitoclax. The resource can be used to develop novel therapeutic hypotheses and to accelerate discovery of drugs matched to patients by their cancer genotype and lineage.
Real-time three-dimensional color doppler echocardiography for characterizing the spatial velocity distribution and quantifying the peak flow rate in the left ventricular outflow tract

Quantification of flow with pulsed-wave Doppler assumes a "flat" velocity profile in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), which observation refutes. Recent development of real-time, three-dimensional (3-D) color Doppler allows one to obtain an entire cross-sectional velocity distribution of the LVOT, which is not possible using conventional 2-D echo. In an animal experiment, the cross-sectional color Doppler images of the LVOT at peak systole were derived and digitally transferred to a computer to visualize and quantify spatial velocity distributions and peak flow rates. Markedly skewed profiles, with higher velocities toward the septum, were consistently observed. Reference peak flow rates by electromagnetic flow meter correlated well with 3-D peak flow rates (r = 0.94), but with an anticipated underestimation. Real-time 3-D color Doppler echocardiography was capable of determining cross-sectional velocity distributions and peak flow rates, demonstrating the utility of this new method for better understanding and quantifying blood flow phenomena.
Unexploited females and unreliable signals of male quality in a Malawi cichlid bower polymorphism

Complex signals present 2 outstanding questions: why do they exist and how are they interpreted? Multiple signals can be beneficial for the increased diversity or redundancy of information they convey; however, it is not clear how receivers use this additional information. I investigated a lekking Malawi cichlid fish that builds polymorphic bowers; some males build their sand spawning craters on rock platforms, rather than the sand floor, resulting in increased overall height and reduced construction, maintenance, and competition costs. This suggests that rock bowers are an unreliable signal of male investment. Using field observations and in situ bower manipulations I tested fitness costs, female preferences for bower type, bower height, and male displays, and mechanisms for the maintenance of bower polymorphism. In contrast to predictions, observational and experimental data confirmed that females were more likely to visit rock bowers but did not ultimately lay more eggs there. This indicates that females responded to potentially deceptive rock bower males by advancing to the next stage of courtship but were not ultimately fooled by these deceptive signals. Assessing additional signals during the next courtship stage may allow females to counteract initial sensory exploitation or females may be intentionally increasing their investment in mate assessment in response to deceptive signals. Male bower polymorphism may be maintained by the limited availability of rock platforms; there was no evidence for significant variation in individual female preferences or male bower-building strategies. Key words: African cichlid, dishonest signaling, ‘‘good genes’’ models, lek, Nyassachromis microcephalus, sexual selection. [Behav Ecol]
The science in social science

A recent poll showed that most people think of science as technology and engineering—life-saving drugs, computers, space exploration, and so on. This was, in fact, the promise of the founders of modern science in the 17th century. It is less commonly understood that social and behavioral sciences have also produced technologies and engineering that dominate our everyday lives. These include polling, marketing, management, insurance, and public health programs.
Addressing students' misconceptions of renal clearance

Renal clearance is one of the more difficult concepts for students of physiology to learn. We hypothesized that this difficulty is rooted in a student’s misunderstanding of virtual volume. This was...
a-Si TFT OLED Fabricated on Low-Temperature Flexible Plastic Substrate

Active matrix organic light emitting diode (AM OLED) display fabricated on a flexible plastic substrates has a potential for being lower cost, lighter weight, lower power and highly rugged with superior image quality, compared to the current glass substrate based AM LCDs. Amorphous silicon (a-Si) technology offers the potential for fabricating the required active matrix backplanes on low temperature (< 150oC) plastic substrates for producing flexible AM OLED displays. We have developed low-temperature a-Si TFT processes, and backplane electronics designs to fabricate and successfully demonstrate AM OLEDs using 4”-size flexible plastic substrates. Flexible AM OLED test displays with sizes up to 2×2-inch and resolutions up to 80 cgpi equivalent have been designed and fabricated. The required enabling technologies and fabrication and evaluation of these displays are discussed.
Reverse Micelle Based Synthesis of Microporous Materials in Hydrocarbon Solvents

This paper discusses the synthesis of zincophosphate microporous materials from reactants enclosed in reverse micelles in a hydrocarbon medium. Crystals with sodalite morphology are formed in the case of these fast nucleating zincophosphates. In the case of aluminosilicates, gravitational forces lead to settling of an amorphous aluminosilicate solid, and crystals can be formed only from the settled phase.
Recombinant Osteopontin Stabilizes Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype via Integrin Receptor/Integrin-Linked Kinase/Rac-1 Pathway After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats

Background and Purpose— Recombinant osteopontin (rOPN) has been reported to be neuroprotective in stroke animal models. The purpose of this study is to investigate a potential role and mechanism of nasal administration of rOPN on preserving the vascular smooth muscle phenotype in early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods— One hundred and ninety-two male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The SAH model was induced by endovascular perforation. Integrin-linked kinase small interfering RNA was intracerebroventricularly injected 48 hours before SAH. The integrin receptor antagonist fibronectin-derived peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro (GRGDSP), focal adhesion kinase inhibitor Fib-14, and Rac-1 inhibitor NSC23766 were administered 1 hour before SAH induction. rOPN was administered via the intracerebroventricular and nasal route after SAH. SAH grade, neurological scores, brain water content, brain swelling, hematoxylin and eosin staining, India ink angiography, Western blots, and immunofluorescence were used to study the mechanisms of rOPN on the vascular smooth muscle phenotypic transformation. Results— The marker proteins of vascular smooth muscle phenotypic transformation α-smooth muscle actin decreased and embryonic smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMemb) increased significantly at 24 and 72 hours in the cerebral arteries after SAH. rOPN prevented the changes of α-smooth muscle actin and SMemb and significantly alleviated neurobehavioral dysfunction, increased the cross-sectional area and the lumen diameter of the cerebral arteries, reduced the brain water content and brain swelling, and improved the wall thickness of cerebral arteries. These effects of rOPN were abolished by GRGDSP, integrin-linked kinase small interfering RNA, and NSC23766. Intranasal application of rOPN at 3 hours after SAH also reduced neurological deficits. Conclusions— rOPN prevented the vascular smooth muscle phenotypic transformation and improved the neurological outcome, which was possibly mediated by the integrin receptor/integrin-linked kinase/Rac-1 pathway.
Feasibility of Semi-Passive Surface Accommodation Control in Rarefied Flows

Spacecraft in low–orbital and atmosphere–entering flight are subject to significant rarefied aerodynamic effects. Yet, attitude control systems continue to under-utilize or completely ignore possible aerodynamic inputs, instead favoring traditional actuation methods such as gas/rocket propulsors and reaction/momentum wheels. Presented is a preliminary feasibility analysis of a concept which constructs a control system based on using the surface property of thermal accommodation as a control input. This is a type of aerodynamic control which may offer advantages over classical control surface deflection. This investigation demonstrates a simple linear controller which uses realistic control moment data obtained from direct simulation Monte Carlo simulations of a two-dimensional object. Initial results suggest feasibility of this semi-passive control scheme under realistic flight conditions.
Generalized Pythagorean Theorem

(1974). Generalized Pythagorean Theorem. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 81, No. 3, pp. 262-265.
The History of the American Marketing Association

HE FIRST MEETING of what has since grown into the American Marketing Association took place in Chicago in I9I5, where the delegates to the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World had gathered for their annualconvention. Who proposed this meeting is one of many facts which the present historian has been unable to discover. It was George Burton Hotchkiss, who had charge of the advertising courses at New York University, who sent out the letter announcing a meeting. Professor Hotchkiss does not know just how he made up his list, but it came in part from news items in Printers' Ink and Associated Advertising. The latter publication, which was the organ of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World, also carried a notice of the meeting of the teachers of advertising. An accurate record was kept of those who attended, thanks to the new secretary. There were twenty-eight at the meeting, among whom were: Walter Dill Scott, Ralph Starr Butler, George Burton Hotchkiss, J. W. Piercy, Harry Tipper, Harry D. Kitson, J. B. Powell, Mac Martin, W. E. Hotchkiss, Herbert W. Hess, E. E. Troxell, Nat W. Barnes and Hugh E. Agnew. This comprises a list of those still living and more or less active. The group decided to have a permanent organization, elected officers and a board of directors, and so laid the foundation to perpetuate their activities as a group. The discussion at the first meeting
Prevention of Muscular Distress after Exercise

Abstract A four-minute standard exercise consisting of wrist hyperextension every two seconds with 9 1/2 pounds of resistance was administered to 17 subjects. The subjects then applied static stretching technique to the nondominant arm immediately after the exercise and 2, 6, 20, and 22 hours afterward. Observations of muscular distress were made on both arms during the exercise and at 4, 8, 24, 48, and 72 hours after the exercise. Significantly lesser magnitudes of muscular distress were found in the experimental arm at the 24- and 48-hour observations, at the .01 and .05 levels of confidence respectively. A lower level of muscular distress was also found in the experimental arm when all observations for each subject subsequent to the exercise bout were summed. This difference achieved significance at the .01 level of confidnce.
Parental behavior in the cycle of aggression

In the study described here, a longitudinal, prospective approach was used to compare men who had been raised by aggressive, by punitive, and by neither aggressive nor punitive parents. The purpose of these comparisons was to attempt to identify processes that might account for intergenerational transmission of antisocial behavior. Men who had been reared in aggressive families tended to be expressive as well as to commit crimes. Men reared by punitive parents showed a tendency to be egocentric. I therefore suggest that parental aggressiveness may be transmitted through two messages. The first is the message that expressive behavior, including injurious actions, is normal and often justified. The second is the message that egocentrism is both normal and virtuous.
Modeling the Influence of Various Water Stressors on Regional Water Supply Infrastructures and their Embodied Energy

Water supply consumes a substantial amount of energy directly and indirectly. This study aims to provide an enhanced understanding of the influence of water stressors on the embodied energy of water supply (EEWS). To achieve this goal, the EEWS in 75 North Carolina counties was estimated through an economic input-output based hybrid life cycle assessment. Ten water stressor indicators related to population, economic development, climate, water source, and land use were obtained for the 75 counties. A multivariate analysis was performed to understand the correlations between water stressor indicators and the EEWS. A regression analysis was then conducted to identify the statistically significant indicators in describing the EEWS. It was found that the total amount of water supply energy varies significantly among selected counties. Water delivery presents the highest energy use and water storage presents the least. The total embodied energy was found to be highly correlated with total population. The regression analysis shows that the total embodied energy can be best described by total population and temperature indicators with a relatively high R square value of 0.69.
Surroundings: Deleuze and Guattari

Deleuze and Guattari, as strict immanentists and consistent proponents of an “in-the-middle” or “in-between,” had little philosophical time for notions of “the outside” or “the beyond” construed in terms invoking traditional ideas of transcendence (even though they created their own absolutely original notion of an “immanent transcendence.” Any such “in-the-middle,” however, must presuppose a milieu that is outside that “in-the-middle,” albeit one constituting a surround or ‘interzone’ (a term borrowed from William Burroughs’ novel Naked Lunch) for the “in-the-middle” in question, even if this surrounding milieu or interzone will, like its contiguous “in-the-middle,” also be unequivocally immanent. The essay discusses the kind of conceptual assemblage pertaining to interality/interology that can be constructed with regard to Deleuzo-Guattarian “surroundings.” Deleuze et Guattari, comme immanentistes strictes et promoteurs loyaux d’un « au-milieu » ou « entre-deux », avait peu de patience philosophique pour les notions d’un « exterieur » ou d’un « au-dela » interpretees en termes invoquant les idees traditionnelles de la transcendance (bien qu’ils aient cree leur propre notion absolument originale d’une « transcendance immanente »). Un tel « au-milieu », cependant, suppose un milieu qui est a l’exterieur de l’« au-milieu », quoique constituant des environs ou une « interzone » (mes excuses ici a William Burroughs d’avoir vole ce dernier terme de son roman Naked Lunch) pour l’«au-milieu» en question, meme si ce milieu environnant ou cette interzone, comme son « au-milieu » contigue, sera egalement et sans equivoque immanent. L’essai traite de l’espece d’agencement conceptuel concernant l’interalite / l’interologie qui pourrait etre construit a l’egard des « environs » deleuzoguattariens.
Ulcerative Skin Lesions in Preterm Infant

A preterm neonate develops ulcerative lesions on the legs. ### Prenatal and Birth History: ### Presentation: After transfer to the intensive care nursery and placement of central lines, blood is obtained for culture and ampicillin and gentamicin therapy is initiated. Antibiotics are discontinued on postnatal day 4 after cultures are negative and the infant’s clinical course appears reassuring. She is weaned successfully to continuous positive airway pressure and tolerates the transition well. A raised lesion on the left buttock is discovered to be ulcerated on post-natal day 5. Over the next few days, multiple papules develop that became vesicular and ulcerated with raised edges, spreading distally down the left leg. On postnatal day 6, she develops hypernatremia, hyperglycemia, and metabolic acidosis. Oxacillin and gentamicin are started pending evaluation for serious bacterial infection and culture of an aspirate from the skin lesions. On postnatal day 9, her respiratory status worsens and she requires reintubation. Her antibiotic regimen is changed to vancomycin and gentamicin. ### Vital Signs: ### Physical Examination:
Soil residual nitrogen under various crop rotations and cultural practices

Crop rotation and cultural practice may influence soil residual N available for environmental loss due to crop N uptake and N immobilization. We evaluated the effects of stacked vs. alternate-year crop rotations and cultural practices on soil residual N (NH4-N and NO3-N contents) at the 0–125 cm depth, annualized crop N uptake, and N balance from 2005 to 2011 in the northern Great Plains, USA. Stacked rotations were durum (Triticum turgidum L.)–durum–canola (Brassica napus L.)–pea (Pisum sativum L.) (DDCP) and durum–durum–flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)–pea (DDFP). Alternate-year rotations were durum–canola–durum–pea (DCDP) and durum–flax–durum–pea (DFDP). Both of these are legume-based rotations because they contain legume (pea) in the crop rotation. A continuous durum (CD) was also included for comparison. Cultural practices were traditional (conventional tillage, recommended seeding rate, broadcast N fertilization, and reduced stubble height) and improved (no-tillage, increased seeding rate, banded N fertilization, and increased stubble height) systems. The amount of N fertilizer applied to each crop in the rotation was adjusted to soil NO3-N content to a depth of 60 cm observed in the autumn of the previous year. Compared with other crop rotations, annualized crop biomass N was greater with DCDP and DDCP in 2007 and 2009, but was greater with DDFP than DCDP in 2011. Annualized grain N was greater with DCDP than CD, DFDP, and DDFP and greater in the improved than the traditional practice in 2010 and 2011. Soil NH4-N content was greater with CD than other crop rotations in the traditional practice at 0–5 cm, but was greater with DDCP than CD and DDFP in the improved practice at 50–88 cm. Soil NO3-N content was greater with CD than other crop rotations at 5–10 cm, but was greater with CD and DFDP than DCDP and DDCP at 10–20, 88–125, and 0–125 cm. Nitrate-N content at 88–125 and 0–125 cm was also greater in the traditional than the improved practice. Nitrogen balance based on the difference between N inputs and outputs was greater with crop rotations than CD. Increased N fertilization rate increased soil residual N with CD, but legume N fixation increased N balance with crop rotations. Legume-based crop rotations (all rotations except CD) reduced N input and soil residual N available for environmental loss, especially in the improved practice, by increasing crop N uptake and N immobilization compared with non-legume monocrop.
A spatial reading of urban political-religious conflict: contested urban landscapes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia *

This article presents a spatial approach to the recent history of conflict and confrontation between the Ethiopian Government and Ethiopian Muslim Communities in Addis Ababa. Based on original ethnographic data and inspired by existing academic studies on political-religious relationships in Addis Ababa, this study takes a closer look at the significance of the urban public landscape in power-struggles between the EPRDF and the Muslim communities. The article argues that political-religious struggle in Addis Ababa shapes the current urban landscape, as use of and control over urban public space and place forms a crucial element in the strategies of public authority of all involved actors.
Tumor Site and Metastases as Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism Recurrence among Active Cancer Patients with Incident Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Active cancer is an independent predictor of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE; hazard ratio=2.2–4.2). However, whether the risk of VTE recurrence among active cancer patients can be further stratified by tumor site or presence of metastases is uncertain. Objectives: To estimate and compare the cumulative incidence of VTE recurrence by tumor site and presence of metastases among active cancer patients with incident VTE. Study Design and Population: Retrospective cohort study of Olmsted County, MN residents with active cancer who lived >1 day after a first-lifetime deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism over the 35-year period, 1966–2000 (n=418). 25 patients with oral (6), bone (1), skin (4), soft tissue (3), eye (1) and other/unknown (10) were excluded, leaving 393 remaining patients. Measurements: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, tumor site, presence and location of tumor metastases, and date of first recurrent VTE. Tumor site and metastases were tested as potential predictors of time-to-recurrent VTE using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: 114 of 393 patients with active cancer developed recurrent VTE over 764 person-years of follow-up. The cumulative incidence of recurrent VTE at seven, 30, 90, and 180 days, 1, 5, and 10 years was 1.9%, 10.3%, 18.3%, 22.3%, 28.7%, 44.5%, and 53.5%, respectively. After adjusting for age and gender, tumor site was an independent predictor of first VTE recurrence (p<0.01). The hazard of VTE recurrence was over 2-fold higher for lung cancer patients compared to the lowest recurrence group (kidney, bladder and other genitourinary cancer; HR=2.04, 95% CI: 0.88, 4.70, p=0.096), and the hazard for brain and pancreatic cancer was nearly 2-fold higher (HR=1.9 for each, p=0.22, 0.24, respectively). The hazard of recurrence among hematological; breast and ovarian; gastric, colon, and liver; and prostate cancer patients did not differ significantly from the lowest recurrence group. Univariately, the presence of metastases at cancer diagnosis was not associated with recurrent VTE (HR=1.16; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.69, p=0.45). Conclusions: Tumor site is an independent predictor of VTE recurrence after adjusting for age and gender. In particular, lung, brain and pancreatic cancer patients have the highest risk for recurrence and these patients should be considered for secondary prophylaxis. Disease severity, as reflected by metastatic disease at cancer diagnosis, is not a predictor of recurrence.
Strong Relationality and Hermeneutic Realism: A Conversation with Brent D. Slife

During this conversation Brent Slife draws upon the hermeneutic approach to critique the assumptions of psychological science. In particular, he raises concerns regarding its individualism, naturalism, dualism, and bias against religious and spiritual traditions. Slife proposes a strong relationality that views the individual as inextricably embedded in a relational context. From this perspective, identity should be understood within its deeply textured historical or religious traditions and communities. This gives rise to the importance of religion and spirituality as a common context that situates many individuals. Although Slife is principally inspired by the hermeneutist tradition, he also understands his concept of strong relationality to be aligned with Levinas’s ethical philosophy in which the individual’s phenomenological encounter with the Other is always a radical moral calling.
Sensitivity of Claims-Based Algorithms to Ascertain Smoking Status More Than Doubled with Meaningful Use

Abstract Background The "meaningful use of certified electronic health record" policy requires eligible professionals to record smoking status for more than 50% of all individuals aged 13 years or older in 2011 to 2012. Objectives To explore whether the coding to document smoking behavior has increased over time and to assess the accuracy of smoking-related diagnosis and procedure codes in identifying previous and current smokers. Methods We conducted an observational study with 5,423,880 enrollees from the year 2009 to 2014 in the Truven Health Analytics database. Temporal trends of smoking coding, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were measured. Results The rate of coding of smoking behavior improved significantly by the end of the study period. The proportion of patients in the claims data recorded as current smokers increased 2.3-fold and the proportion of patients recorded as previous smokers increased 4-fold during the 6-year period. The sensitivity of each International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code was generally less than 10%. The diagnosis code of tobacco use disorder (305.1X) was the most sensitive code (9.3%) for identifying smokers. The specificities of these codes and the Current Procedural Terminology codes were all more than 98%. Conclusions A large improvement in the coding of current and previous smoking behavior has occurred since the inception of the meaningful use policy. Nevertheless, the use of diagnosis and procedure codes to identify smoking behavior in administrative data is still unreliable. This suggests that quality improvements toward medical coding on smoking behavior are needed to enhance the capability of claims data for smoking-related outcomes research.
Genomic Profiling in Bone

Whole genome gene expression datasets of tissues or homogeneous cell populations isolated from healthy or disease states (humans or animals) provide a glimpse of the entire transcriptome within a narrow temporal and spatial functional window, and thereby assist the identification of key molecules and transcriptional regulatory networks within a biological system. Clusters of co-expressed genes can guide the discovery of candidate lineage markers and regulators of cell function. While gene expression microarrays have not yet been explored to their full potential in the field of skeletal biology, work over the last decade has presented data that have greatly benefited from genomic approaches. Here we will review recent work that has used gene expression microarrays as a tool for furthering our understanding of: (1) cell-specific gene expression (osteoblast and osteocyte); (2) skeletal development (endochondral bone formation); (3) biomechanical effects on bone; (4) molecular changes in animal models of bone disease, and (5) patients with osteoporosis (OP). We will focus primarily on literature that describes profiling of homogeneous cells, cell samples, tissue microdissection from patients or live animals, to provide an overview of genomic profiling that may more faithfully adhere to in vivo bone physiology.
Restoring physical function after knee replacement: a cross sectional comparison of progressive strengthening vs standard physical therapy

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the functional status of patients 12 months after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) who underwent progressive strengthening or standard of care rehabi...
X-ray absorption studies of liquids: Structure and reactivity of metal complexes in solution and X-ray photoconductivity of hydrocarbon solutions of organometallics

Applications of X-ray absorption spectroscopy in two areas of liquid state studies using synchrotron radiation are reviewed. One area concerns with the determination of the local structure, bonding and dynamics at the metal site of transition metal complexes using Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structures (EXAFS) and X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structures (XANES). Emphasis are placed on the implications of the derived parameters to the reactivity of the complexes in exchange reactions (ligand and electron) in solution and to the subtle electronic and structural change of the complexe upon dissolution. The other area deals with the principles and practices of X-ray induced photo-conductivity of hydrocarbon solutions. The conductivity measurements of EXAFS of organometallics in hydrocarbon solution is described. The special feature of the technique. EXAFS measurement under the condition of total X-ray absorption, is discussed in some details. Current developments is related areas are also noted.
Validation of single-edge V-notch diametral compression fracture toughness test for porous alumina

The objectives of this study were to validate a single-edge V-notch diametral compression fracture toughness technique for ceramics. Rounded notches and sharpened “V-notches” were introduced into porous, fine-grained alumina samples, and the fracture toughness results were compared. A theory linking the toughness of the material to the degree of densification fit the fracture toughness results well. The data for the V-notch samples were found to correlate very well with published results for porous alumina. The fracture toughness values were found to be independent of the specimen thickness or notch depth.
Abstract LB-004: A novel theranostic strategy for MMP-14 expressing glioblastomas impacts survival

Glioblastoma (GBM) has a dismal prognosis due to therapy resistance of GBM initiating cells (GICs). GICs are preferentially found in the perivascular niche and novel therapeutic strategies are needed that target GICs and the vascular niche. The efficacy of current GBM therapies is hindered by their limited trans-endothelial permeability to the GIC perivascular niche and associated systemic toxicities. Here, we propose a new treatment option with tumor enzyme-activatable, combined therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) nanoparticles, which caused specific toxicity against GBM tumor cells and GICs. The theranostic cross-linked iron oxide nanoparticles (CLIO) were conjugated to a highly potent vascular disrupting agent (ICT) and secured with a matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP-14) cleavable protein cap. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tumor retention of CLIO-ICT through MR imaging and demonstrate its anti-GBM affects in vivo settings. Methods: GBM-bearing were treated i.v. with CLIO-ICT (80mg/kg of ICT), ICT (80mg/kg of ICT), CLIO (0.5 mmol Fe/kg) or PBS twice a week for 14 days. For combination treatment with temozolomide (33mg/kg), mice were treated with ICT and CLIO-ICT twice a week for 21 days. MRI studies of GBM-bearing mice were performed on a 7T MR scanner (Bruker-Agilent Technologies-General Electric Healthcare), using T2-weighted imaging sequences. BioLuminescent imaging was performed on an IVIS spectrum scanner (PerkinElmer). TNP delivery across the blood brain barrier (BBB) was confirmed by intra-vital microscopy (IVM) studies with a microscope (IV-100; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Flow cytometry and histopathology were performed to evaluate apoptosis in GICs upon CLIO-ICT treatment. Results are presented as mean ± SD unless otherwise presented. Tumor and organ relaxation rates and fluorescence signals were compared using one-way ANOVA. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared using the log‐rank (Mantel-Cox) test. The level of significance was set at p Citation Format: suchismita mohanty, Zixin Chen, Kai Li, Goreti Morais, Jessica Klockow, Ketan Yerneni, Laura Pisani, Frederick Chin, Siddhartha Mitra, Samuel Cheshier, Edwin Chang, Sanjiv Gambhir, Jianghong Rao, Paul M. Loadman, Robert A. Falconer, Heike E. Daldrup-Link. A novel theranostic strategy for MMP-14 expressing glioblastomas impacts survival [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-004.
Higher education in the United States: Historical excursions

Higher education in the United States has been transformed in the last decade as never before in its three hundred years of history. Even though its origin is intimately linked to the religious groups of English settlers, nowadays it is characterized by increasing opportunities of access for students and by a decentralized system which allows institutional diversity. This paper is intended to explain both features by means of a retrospective journey along the main trends of current American higher education; and on the way, a critical review is done of its development, policies, similarities and differences when compared with other countries' higher education.
Abstract 344: Proteomic Analysis Revealing Association of hiPSC-exosomal Proteins in Epigenetic Inheritance

Background: Exosomes, as a mediator of cell-to-cell communication has regulatory effects on the genetic and epigenetic processes in the recipient cells. Although the ability of human induced plurip...
Novel Mechanisms to Improve the Start Quality of Automotive Engines

Start-stop technology is an affordable pathway to reduce fuel con-sumption and emissions in automotive propulsion systems. We present two novel mechatronic starters. The first concept uses a two-speed starting device to crank the engine to a higher rpm prior to ignition. It is comprised of an arrangement of gears and clutches that changes the overall cranking gear ratio during the course of the start event. This allows the engine to reach nearly twice its rated pre-igni-tion rpm, making for ultra-smooth starts. The second concept is a mechatronic starter that can switch between geared and belted operation. This integrated starter with selectable geared and belted connections to the crankshaft enables a very fast, smooth start in belt-mode compared to a conventional 12V starter.
Driving Factors of Preterm Birth Risk in Adolescents.

Objective We examined rates of spontaneous and indicated preterm births (S-PTB and I-PTB, respectively) and clinical risk factors for PTB in adolescents. Study Design This is a population-based, retrospective cohort using 2012 U.S. natality data of nulliparous women who delivered a nonanomalous singleton birth between 20 and 42 weeks' gestation. Maternal age included Results In 1,342,776 pregnancies, adolescents were at higher risk for PTB than adults. The rate of total PTB was highest in young adolescents at 10.6%, decreased to 8.3% in older adolescents, and 7.8% in adults. The proportion of S-PTB was highest in the youngest adolescents and decreased toward adulthood; the proportion of I-PTB remained stable across age groups. Risk factors for S-PTB in adolescents included Asian race, underweight body mass index (BMI), and poor gestational weight gain (GWG). In all age groups, carrying a male fetus showed a significant increased S-PTB, and Women, Infants, and Children's (WIC) participation was associated with a significantly decreased risk. Conclusion The higher risk for PTB in adolescents is driven by an increased risk for S-PTB. Low BMI and poor GWG may be potentially modifiable risk factors. Condensation Adolescents have a higher risk for spontaneous PTB than adult women, and risk factors for spontaneous PTB may differ in adolescents.
Factors Affecting the Structural Behavior of FRP Wrapped Concrete Columns and Applications in Design

In this paper, the FRP wrapped concrete column is investigated. . According to the research results of Shan et al. (2020) [2], Li et al. (2006) [3], and Deb et al. (2010) [4], this paper analyzes the variables that need to be controlled in the design of columns from these three perspectives: the shape of the cross-section, fiber orientation and bonding between the concrete column and FRP confinement. Impact tests and compressive tests are performed on different specimen. The setting of different samples follows the principle of controlling variables. The results indicate that FRP-wrapped columns with a circular cross-section are better than that with square or rectangular columns and basalt FRP is the optimal FRP material for strengthening the concrete column under the impact. Fiber orientation and types of bonding layers have a great impact on the mechanical properties of FRP wrapped concrete columns.
Abstract 16279: Impact of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Rates of Congestive Heart Failure Admissions, Readmissions, and Length of Stay

Introduction: Health disparities due to race and socioeconomic status persist among congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. Our hospital in the Philadelphia area is uniquely situated to study disp...
The IL-27 component EBI-3 and its receptor subunit IL-27Rα are essential for the cytoprotective action of humanin on male germ cells†.

Humanin (HN) is a mitochondrial-derived peptide that protects many cells/tissues from damage. We previously demonstrated that HN reduces stress-induced male germ cell apoptosis in rodents. HN action in neuronal cells is mediated through its binding to a trimeric cell membrane receptor composed of glycoprotein 130 (gp130), IL-27 receptor subunit α (IL-27Rα, also known as WSX-1/TCCR), and ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor subunit α (CNTFRα). However, the mechanisms of HN action in testis remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated in ex-vivo seminiferous tubules culture that HN prevented heat-induced germ cell apoptosis that was blocked by specific anti-IL-27Rα, anti-gp130, and anti-EBI-3, but not significantly reduced by anti-CNTFRα antibodies. We further studied the cytoprotective action of HN on groups of il-27rα-/- or ebi-3-/- knockout mice administered the following treatment: 1) vehicle; 2) a single intra-peritoneal (IP) injection of HN peptide; 3) testicular hyperthermia; and 4) testicular hyperthermia plus HN. We demonstrated that HN inhibited heat-induced germ cell apoptosis in wildtype (wt) but not in il-27rα-/- or ebi-3-/- mice. HN restored heat-suppressed STAT3 phosphorylation in wt but not il-27rα-/- or ebi-3-/- mice. Dot blot analyses showed the direct interaction of HN with IL-27Rα or EBI-3 peptide. Immunofluorescence staining showed co-localization of IL-27Rα with HN and gp130 in Leydig cells and germ cells. We conclude that the anti-apoptotic effects of HN in mouse testes are mediated through interaction with EBI-3, IL-27Rα, and activation of gp130, whereas the role of CNTFRα in HN action needs further studies. This suggests a multi-component tissue-specific receptor for HN in the testis and linking HN action with the IL-12/IL-27 family of cytokines.
Simplified Universal Grading of Lumbar Spine MRI Degenerative Findings: Inter-Reader Agreement of Non-Radiologist Spine Experts.

OBJECTIVE 1) To describe a simplified multidisciplinary grading system for the most clinically relevant lumbar spine degenerative changes. 2) To measure the inter-reader variability among non-radiologist spine experts in their use of the classification system for interpretation of a consecutive series of lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. METHODS ATS multidisciplinary and collaborative standardized grading of spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, lateral recess stenosis, and facet arthropathy was developed. Our institution's picture archiving and communication system was searched for 50 consecutive patients who underwent non-contrast MRI of the lumbar spine for chronic back pain, radiculopathy, or symptoms of spinal stenosis. Three fellowship-trained spine subspecialists from neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and physiatry interpreted the 50 exams using the classification at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels. Inter-reader agreement was assessed with Cohen's kappa coefficient. RESULTS For spinal stenosis, the readers demonstrated substantial agreement (κ = 0.702). For foraminal stenosis and facet arthropathy, the three readers demonstrated moderate agreement (κ = 0.544, and 0.557, respectively). For lateral recess stenosis, there was fair agreement (κ = 0.323). CONCLUSIONS A simplified universal grading system of lumbar spine MRI degenerative findings is newly described. Use of this multidisciplinary grading system in the assessment of clinically relevant degenerative changes revealed moderate to substantial agreement among non-radiologist spine physicians. This standardized grading system could serve as a foundation for interdisciplinary communication.
Strategy Planning in the Real World

Strategy planning is the most consequential activity undertaken by the CEO and the senior leadership team of a company, given its potential to ability to deliver clarity on how a company will achieve sales growth and margins. Eight case studies of strategy process illustrate the need for improving it. Divergent needs and goals of senior executives, misalignment of CEO and senior executive expectations, unclear employee responsibilities, and lack of reliable measures of customer-value drivers rendered the strategy process inward-focused—and derailed it. In many cases, senior executives continued to rely on unproven and salient beliefs, lay the process hostage to the whims of senior leaders with lack of accountability, wrestled with internal politics, proliferation of initiatives, and bemoaned their company’s inability to link its strategy to sales growth. Many executives believe they fully understand strategy planning. Chapter 1 provides a quiz that calculates executives’ strategy planning quotient—a measure of their understanding of strategy planning—and challenges them to improve it.
The Power of Repentance: Penitents (Baalei Teshuvah) of the Talmud and Midrash

Talmudic stories are a method used by the ancient sages to teach us about ethics and morality. The stories in this paper deal with penitent (baalei teshuva) who returned to God. It is clear from these stories that it is vital for people to help others repent. One great sage even offered his daughter in marriage to someone if he would give up his life as a sybarite. Moreover, penitence works even shortly before a person dies.