cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integration of seismic and gravity data — A case study from the western Gulf of Mexico

A 3D gravity model was developed in the western Gulf of Mexico in the East Breaks and Alaminos Canyon protraction areas. This model integrated 3D seismic, gravity, and well data; it was constructed in support of a proprietary seismic reprocessing project and was updated iteratively with seismic. The gravity model was built from seismic horizons of the bathymetry, salt layers, and the acoustic basement; however, the latter was only possible to map in seismic data during the latest iterations. In addition, a deep layer representing the Moho boundary was derived from gravity and constrained by public-domain refraction data. A 3D density distribution was derived from the seismic velocity volume using a modified Gardner equation. The modification comprised imposing a depth dependency on the Gardner coefficient, which is constant in the classic Gardner equation. The modified coefficient was derived from well data in the study area and public-domain velocity-density data sets. The forward-calculated gravity response of the composed density model was then compared with the observed gravity field, and the mismatch was analyzed jointly by a seismic interpreter and a gravity modeler. Adjustments were then made to the gravity model to ensure that the resultant salt model was geologically reasonable and supported by gravity, seismic, and well data sets. The output of the gravity modeling was subsequently applied to the next phase of seismic processing. Overall, this integration resulted in a more robust salt model, which has led to significant improvements in subsalt seismic imaging. The analysis of the regional trend in the observed gravity field suggested that a stretched continental crust underlay our seismic reprocessing area, with an oceanic-continental transition zone located to the southeast of our reprocessing region.
Redefining the Role of College and University Archives in the Information Age

Academic administrators rely on archival records for a variety of administrative, legal, financial, and historical reasons. In fact, the primary mission of many college and university archives is to manage these non-current records. In an era of increasing fiscal constraint and limited resources, accurate analysis of the use of archival information by university administrators is crucial to the development of successful, responsive archival programs. The authors believe the administrative use of archival records is an understudied aspect of archival administration. This study examines the information environment on modern campuses, explores the evolving roles of traditional and emerging information sites, examines the information use patterns of academic administrators, and proposes methods for improved information service in the modern academic environment.
Implicit representation of variable upper bounds in linear programming

A method is developed for implicitly representing constraints of the form x≤y in linear programs when the variable y may appear in any number of such constraints. Variable x is said to have a variable upper bound (VUB). VUB constraints are common in a number of LP formulations, especially those derived from tightly formulated fixed charge integer programs. For certain of these problems the major portion of the constraints are of the VUB type. Computational experience with the method applied to problems in linear regression, plant location, and production scheduling is presented.
Early outcomes of staged bilateral reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: A case–control study

Some surgeons are reluctant to perform a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) on both shoulders because of concerns regarding difficulty with activities of daily living post-operatively as a result of limited rotation of the shoulders. Nevertheless, we hypothesised that outcomes and patient satisfaction following bilateral RTSA would be comparable to those following unilateral RTSA. A single-surgeon RTSA registry was reviewed for patients who underwent bilateral staged RTSA with a minimum follow-up of two years. A unilateral RTSA matched control was selected for each shoulder in those patients undergoing bilateral procedures. The Constant–Murley score (CMS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Subjective Shoulder Values (SSV), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, range of movement and strength were measured pre- and post-operatively. The mean CMS, ASES, SSV, VAS scores, strength and active forward elevation were significantly improved (all p < 0.01) following each operation in those undergoing bilateral procedures. The mean active external rotation (p = 0.63 and p = 0.19) and internal rotation (p = 0.77 and p = 0.24) were not significantly improved. The improvement in the mean ASES score after the first RTSA was greater than the improvement in its control group (p = 0.0039). The improvement in the mean CMS, ASES scores and active forward elevation was significantly less after the second RTSA than in its control group (p = 0.0244, p = 0.0183, and p = 0.0280, respectively). Pain relief and function significantly improved after each RTSA in those undergoing a bilateral procedure. Bilateral RTSA is thus a reasonable form of treatment for patients with severe bilateral rotator cuff deficiency, although inferior results may be seen after the second procedure compared with the first. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1232–8.
Computer-assisted analysis of hyaluronate distribution during morphogenesis of the mouse secondary palate

Hyaluronate mediated extracellular matrix swelling has been hypothesized to play a major role in reorientation of the secondary palatal shelves. A computer-assisted method utilizing image registration and subtraction was used to visualize the distribution of hyaluronate (HA) during morphogenesis of the secondary palate. Patterns of HA distribution in anterior, posterior and presumptive soft palate were examined in the secondary palatal shelves of CD-1 mouse fetuses that were 30, 24 and 18 h prior to, and at the time of, shelf reorientation. Adjacent serial sections were taken from each shelf region of three to six specimens from a minimum of three litters for each gestational age. One section was incubated in buffer as a control, the other digested with Streptomyces hyaluronidase to specifically remove HA. Both sections were stained with Alcian blue to visualize the extracellular matrix and counterstained with nuclear fast red to visualize cells. Two different videoimages were then digitized for each tissue section, one using wavelengths of light that were at or near the maximum absorbance of the matrix stain, the other using wavelengths that were at the maximum absorbance of the cellular stain. Thus, a matrix image and a cell image of both control and digested sections were produced. Next, the cell image was subtracted from its respective matrix image, resulting in a control matrix-only image and a digested (HA-removed) matrix-only image. These images were mathematically warped to one another, if necessary, and registered with one another. The digested image was then subtracted from the control image. The resultant difference picture displayed the pattern and relative intensities of HA distribution across the tissue section. Prior to and during shelf reorientation, unique region-specific patterns of HA distribution and relative intensity were identified which became homogeneous after reorientation. Presumptive soft palate shows the most extensive and intense patterns of HA distribution, followed by the posterior region. The anterior region has the most sparse pattern of the three regions examined. The results are consistent with the hypothesized role of HA in shelf reorientation.
Magnetic Exchange Couplings in Heterodinuclear Complexes Based on Differential Local Spin Rotations

We analyze the performance of a new method for the calculation of magnetic exchange coupling parameters for the particular case of heterodinuclear transition metals complexes of Cu, Ni, and V. This method is based on a generalized perturbative approach which uses differential local spin rotations via formal Lagrange multipiers (Phillips, J. J.; Peralta, J. E. J. Chem. Phys. 2013, 138, 174115). The reliability of the calculated couplings has been assessed by comparing with results from traditional energy differences with different density functional approximations and with experimental values. Our results show that this method to calculate magnetic exchange couplings can be reliably used for heteronuclear transition metal complexes, and at the same time, that it is independent from the different mapping schemes used in energy difference methods.
Superdeformed bands in194Tl

Two superdeformed (SD) bands have been found in194Tl using the reactions176Yb(23Na,5n) and181Ta(18O,5n). The mass assignments were made from excitation function data. These are the first SD bands found in the mass-190 region that are not in Hg nuclei. The energies of many of the transitions of one of these new SD bands are similar in energy to those in the SD band of192Hg.
Fucose, mannose, and β-N-acetylglucosamine glycopolymers initiate the mouse sperm acrosome reaction through convergent signaling pathways

The sperm acrosome reaction (AR), an essential exocytosis step in mammalian fertilization, is mediated by a species-specific interaction of sperm surface molecules with glycans on the egg. Previous studies indicate that a subset of terminal carbohydrates on the mouse egg zona pellucida (ZP) trigger the AR by cross-linking or aggregating receptors on the sperm membrane. However, the exact role of those carbohydrates in AR has not been identified and the mechanism underlying the AR still needs further investigation. To study this process, a series of glycopolymers was synthesized. The glycopolymers are composed of a multivalent scaffold (norbornene), a functional ligand (previously identified ZP terminal monosaccharides), and a linker connecting the ligand and the scaffold. The polymers were tested for their ability to initiate AR and through which signaling pathways AR induction occurred. Our data demonstrate that mannose, fucose, and β-N-acetylglucosamine 10-mers and 100-mers initiate AR in a dose-depende...
Study on Isozyme Genetic Diversity of Quercus variabilis Natural Populations in Shaanxi Province

Genetic diversity and differentiation of three Quercus variabilis natural populations in Shaanxi Province were studied at the enzyme level.Using gel electrophoresis method we determined the isoenzyme patterns of peroxidase(POD),esterase isozyme(EST),malate dehydrogenase(MDH) and alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH),and analyzed the proportion of polymorphic loci,average of allele,the allelic frequency,expected heterozygosity and coefficient of gene differentiation.It was showed that 95.1% of total gene diversity resided within the natural populations,and only 4.9% of the total genetic variance was among the populations.75% loci were detected to be polymorphic depending on the criterion of polymorphism.The average number of alleles detected per locus was 2.708.The mean value for all samples of the average expected heterozygosity was 0.388.
Polygamous Family Structure: How Communication Affects the Division of Household Labor

Using structuration theory, this study explores the division of labor in polygamous families, specifically how families establish and maintain roles, and how family structure adjusts to changing group memberships. Constant comparative analysis revealed that plural families construct organizational structure to coordinate family roles by establishing a managerial hierarchy, “building children,” negotiating formal roles, assuming informal roles based on individual talents, and compromising for the common good. In response to changing group membership, group communication processes recreate plural family structures in response to change through three readjustment strategies: relinquishing authority, reassigning roles, and integrating members constructively.
Redox Cycling in Nanogap Electrochemical Cells. The Role of Electrostatics in Determining the Cell Response

Ion transport near interfaces is a fundamental phenomenon of importance in electrochemical, biological, and colloidal systems. In particular, electric double layers in highly confined spaces have implications for ion transport in nanoporous energy storage materials. By exploiting redox cycling amplification in lithographically fabricated thin-layer electrochemical cells comprising two platinum electrodes separated by a distance of 150–450 nm, we observed current enhancement during cyclic voltammetry of the hexaamineruthenium(III) chloride redox couple (Ru(NH3)63/2+) at low supporting electrolyte concentrations, resulting from ion enrichment of Ru(NH3)63/2+ in the electrical double layers and an enhanced ion migration contribution to mass transport. The steady-state redox cycling was shown to decrease to predominately diffusion controlled level with increasing supporting electrolyte concentration. Through independent biasing of the potential on the individual Pt electrodes, the voltammetric transport limit...
A Negative Income Tax Proposal for Germany

The chapter discusses a new basic income scheme proposal for Germany in order to contribute to the on-going debate concerning a reform of the income tax and the social security system. The reduction of inconsistency between the two systems and an increase of work incentives are in the focus of the approach. Like almost all basic income models, the proposal is grounded on the ideas of a negative income tax. However, it offers a choice to the households between two different welfare schemes whichever is more suitable for their specific situation. Furthermore, the new proposal is based on a clear and transparent ethical foundation that is inspired by the Catholic social teaching.The chapter starts with an explanation of the German concept of subsistence level as the lower bound of social welfare payments in Germany. The proposed basic income scheme is explained afterwards. The focus is especially on the build-in choice option as tax units can choose between two different tax-and-transfer schemes. In addition, the proposal includes a new approach to child support which results in higher child-related benefits as in the prevalent scheme. This is followed by a comparison between the proposed reform and the current income tax and social security scheme in Germany.
Thermophiles and Psychrophiles in Nanotechnology

Some thermophiles and psychrophiles have developed the ability to resort to specific defense mechanisms to quell stresses like toxicity of heavy metal ions or metals. Some of them could survive and grow even at high metal ion concentrations and are capable of binding large quantities of metallic cations. Moreover, some of these microorganisms are able to synthesize nanoparticles. The remarkable ability of these group of microbes to reduce heavy metal ions make them one of the best candidates for nanoparticle synthesis. In this chapter, thermophilic and psychrophilic microorganisms used in nanoparticle biosynthesis are presented. The aim of chapter is to make a reflection on the current state and future prospects and especially the possibilities and limitations of the use of extremophiles in bio-based technique for industries.
Characterization of network processing overheads in Xen

I/O virtualization techniques developed recently have led to significant changes in network processing. These techniques require network packets go through additional layers of processing. These additional layers have introduced significant overheads. So it is important to understand performance implications of this additional processing on network processing (TCP/IP). Our goals in this paper are to measure network I/O performance in a Xen virtualized environment and to provide a detailed architectural characterization of network processing highlighting major sources of overheads and their impact. In this paper, we study two modes of I/O virtualizations: 1) running I/O service VM along with the guest on the same CPU, and 2) running I/O service VM on a separate CPU. We measure TCP/IP processing performance in these two modes and compare it to that of on the native Linux machine. Our measurements show that both Rx and Tx performance suffer by more than 50% in virtualized environment. We have noticed that pathlength has increased by 3 to 4 times than that of the native processing. Most of this overhead comes from the Xen VMM layer and Dom0 VM processing. Our data also shows that running the Dom0 VM on a separate CPU is more expensive than running both Dom0 and guest VM on the same CPU. We provide a detailed characterization of this additional processing which we hope will help the Xen community focus on right areas for optimization.
Nanometer-scale electrical potential profiling across perovskite solar cells

We used Kelvin probe force microscopy to study the potential distribution on cross-section of perovskite solar cells with different types of electron-transporting layers (ETLs). Our results explain the low open-circuit voltage and fill factor in ETL-free cells, and support the fact that intrinsic SnO 2 as an alternative ETL material can make high-performance devices. Furthermore, the potential-profiling results indicate a reduction in junction-interface recombination by the optimized SnO 2 layer and adding a fullerene layer, which is consistent with the improved device performance and current-voltage hysteresis.
Abdominal Liposuction in a Patient with a Colostomy

Introduction:Liposuction surgery is associated with a low incidence of infection. Abdominal liposuction is rarely performed in patients with a colostomy, which presents a possible source of infection.Case Report:A patient with a colostomy had 2 liposuction procedures performed without a postoperative infection.Conclusions:Liposuction surgery can be performed in patients with a colostomy. Risk of infection is minimized if proper sterile draping and prophylactic antibiotics are used.
Metasynthesis of Factors Contributing to Children’s Communication Development: Influence on Reading and Mathematics

The purpose of this study is to determine what previous studies have found to be factors that contribute to a child’s initial communication development and previously identified effects of reading mathematics storybooks to toddlers or preschoolers. Therefore, it follows that the earlier a preschooler is exposed to mathematics vocabulary, the easier mathematics vocabulary acquisition and understanding can be for that child, which can result in an increase in future academic achievement. This metasynthesis was conducted to gather information on the effects that interactive relationships with caregivers have on a child’s ability to communicate and then how symbiotic reading and mathematics interventions can affect a child’s ability to think and communicate mathematically. According to the data analyzed for this metasynthesis, caregivers’ language relationships help facilitate a child’s early communication development and reading and mathematics symbiotic instruction can lead to developing a child’s ability to think and communicate mathematically.
Numerical Simulation of Jet Injection and Species Mixing under High-Pressure Conditions

Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) are performed of a round fluid jet entering a high-pressure chamber. The chemical compositions and temperatures of the jet and that of the fluid in the chamber are initially prescribed. The governing equations consist of the conservation equations for mass, momentum, species and energy, and are complemented by a real-gas equation of state. The fluxes of species and heat are written in the framework of fluctuation-dissipation theory and include Soret and Dufour effects. For more than two species, the full mass diffusion and thermal diffusion matrices are computed using high-pressure mixing rules which utilize as building blocks the corresponding binary diffusion coefficients. The mixture viscosity and thermal conductivity are computed using standard mixing rules and corresponding states theory. To evaluate the physical model and numerical method, LES is employed first to simulate a supercritical N_2 jet injected into N_2. Time averaged results show reasonable agreement with the experimental data. Then, DNS is conducted to study the spatial evolution of a supercritical N_2 jet injected into CO_2. Time averaged results are used to compute the length of the potential core and the species diffusion characteristics. Spectral analysis is then applied on a time series data obtained at several axial locations and a dominant frequency is observed inside the potential core.
Frequency analysis of pressure oscillations in large length-to-diameter two-phase micro-channel heat sinks

Abstract Two-phase micro-channel heat sinks are prime candidates for incorporation into thermal control systems (TCSs) of future space vehicles and planetary habitats. Unlike small heat sinks employed in the electronics industry, TCS heat sinks are characterized by large length-to-diameter ratio, for which limited information is presently available. This study employs a 609.6-mm long by 203.2-mm wide heat sink containing 100 of 1 × 1 mm 2 micro-channels and uses R134a as working fluid. The large length-to-diameter ratio of 609.6 is especially instrumental to capturing detailed axial variations of flow pattern and corresponding variations in local heat transfer coefficient. High-speed video analysis of the inlet plenum shows appreciable vapor backflow under certain operating conditions, which is also reflected in periodic oscillations in the measured pressure drop. In fact, the backflow frequency captured by video matches closely the frequency obtained from Fourier analysis of the pressure drop signal. While density-wave oscillations are encountered in individual channels, the phenomena observed are more closely related to parallel-channel instability. It is shown the periodic oscillations and vapor backflow are responsible for initiating intermittent dryout and appreciable drop in local heat transfer coefficient in the downstream regions of the channels. A parametric study of oscillation frequency shows a dependence on four dimensionless parameters that account for amount of vapor generation, subcooling, and upstream liquid length, in addition to Weber number. A new correlation for oscillation frequency is constructed that captures the frequency variations relative to these individual parameters.
A Framework for Developing Multi-Layered Networks of Active Neurons for Simulation Experiments and Model-Based Business Games Using Self-Organizing Data Mining with the Group Method of Data Handling

Artificial Neural Networks make it possible to develop faster model-based business games, but in general, they are neither easy to develop nor easy to understand. This paper presents a highly automated framework for developing Multi-Layered Networks of Active Neurons for simulation experiments and model-based business games using self-organizing data mining with the Group Method of Data Handling. It discusses some of the results from international research done in Europe, Australia, and most recently at Walla Walla University in College Place, Washington, USA.
Neighborhood racial composition, neighborhood wealth, and the surrounding food environment in Fulton County, GA

Abstract Inequalities in accessibility to food outlets might be associated with the disproportionate burden of obesity observed in minority and low income communities. While a large body of literature has explored the disparities in accessibility to certain type of food outlet (healthy or unhealthy), few has analyzed the accessiblity to the overall food environment by taking the spatial dependence of both types of food outlets into account. Understanding that food outlets tend to cluster spatially, isolated accessiblity measures to one type of food outlets might lead to biased findings. As an attempt to overcome this issue, this study quantifies the food environment in Fulton County, GA, by examining the balance of healthy and unhealthy food outlets, and then explored its association with key neighborhood characteristics using spatial logit models. Results show that neighborhoods with higher percentage of African-American residents were less likely to have a healthy food outlet balance. Additionally, the high mobility group (people with access to personal vehicles) was found to be associated with greater levels of disparity, compared to the low mobility group (people without access to personal vehicles). Income, on the other hand, was not a significant factor in predicting the food outlet balance in both the high mobility and the low mobility groups. These findings urge for future planning efforts to bring more food outlets, especially at a healthy balance, closer to neighborhoods with higher percentage of African-American residents.
A new normal for streamflow in California in a warming climate: Wetter wet seasons and drier dry seasons

Abstract In this study, we investigate changes in future streamflows in California using bias-corrected and routed streamflows derived from global climate model (GCM) simulations under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs): RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Unlike previous studies that have focused mainly on the mean streamflow, annual maxima or seasonality, we focus on projected changes across the distribution of streamflow and the underlying causes. We report opposing trends in the two tails of the future streamflow simulations: lower low flows and higher high flows with no change in the overall mean of future flows relative to the historical baseline (statistically significant at 0.05 level). Furthermore, results show that streamflow is projected to increase during most of the rainy season (December to March) while it is expected to decrease in the rest of the year (i.e., wetter rainy seasons, and drier dry seasons). We argue that the projected changes to streamflow in California are driven by the expected changes to snow patterns and precipitation extremes in a warming climate. Changes to future low flows and extreme high flows can have significant implications for water resource planning, drought management, and infrastructure design and risk assessment.
2428 Obstructive sleep apnea as an independent predictor of postoperative delirium and pain: An observational study of a surgical cohort

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: To study the role of OSA as an independent predictor of perioperative outcomes. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: For this single-institution cohort study, we included data from patients who were enrolled into 1 of 3 prospective parent studies. All participants underwent in-patient surgeries, excluding neurosurgeries, which required general anesthesia and a postoperative stay of at least 1 day. Patients included in this study were assessed daily for postoperative delirium and pain severity as part of the parent studies. In the current study, determination of delirium diagnosis was based on the 3-minute Diagnostic Confusion Assessment Method (3D-CAM), and the Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS) was used for pain severity. Data on OSA diagnosis (determined by sleep study); OSA risk (determined by the STOP-Bang tool; snoring, tiredness, observed apnea, high blood pressure, body mass index>35 kg/m2, age>50, neck circumference, male gender); and compliance with treatment were obtained from the preoperative assessment record. Participants were grouped into 1 of 3 categories: high risk of OSA (HR-OSA; including patients with a previous positive sleep study or STOP-Bang score ≥5); intermediate risk of OSA (IR-OSA; including patients with a STOP-Bang score of 3 or 4); and low risk of OSA (LR-OSA; including patients with a previous negative sleep study or STOP-Bang score <3). Candidate risk factors for delirium and pain were also extracted from this record. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Logistic regression will be used to test whether OSA independently predicts postoperative delirium and linear regression to assess OSAs relationship to acute pain severity. We hypothesize that patients in the HR-OSA category will experience a higher incidence of postoperative delirium and greater postoperative pain severity. We also predict a step-wise increase in risk of these adverse outcomes when analyzing patients stratified by OSA risk (HR-OSA vs. IR-OSA vs. LR-OSA). For our secondary analyses, we anticipate these outcomes are modified by compliance with CPAP treatment. We believe patients with OSA who do not use prescribed CPAP will experience a higher incidence of postoperative delirium as well as increased pain severity. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: OSA is a common and frequently undiagnosed perioperative problem associated with altered pain processing and a high incidence of postoperative delirium. While likely providing stronger evidence of OSA’s reported impact on postoperative delirium and pain, our findings might also help discern points of intervention for treatment and prevention. Since OSA’s presumed impact poses challenges to clinicians and patients, prospective, randomized trials testing preventative or mitigating interventions are necessary. We hope to use these results to design such trials and clinical plans, with the goal of reducing postoperative delirium and acute postsurgical pain severity for the large number of patients at risk due to OSA.
Abstract 101: Pentraxin-3 exacerbates glioblastoma invasion and angiogenesis through IL8-VEGF signaling in tumor microenvironment: PTX3 is a potential target for GBM suppression

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is highly invasive and resistant to multimodal treatment due to distorted vasculature and aggravated inflammation in a tumor microenvironment rich in dysregulated cytokines and growth factors. This phenomenon is partly attributed to GBM stem cells (GSC) that release angiogenic and inflammatory cytokines. The glycoprotein pentraxin-3 (PTX3), a modulator of inflammation, is correlated with disease severity in some cancers. However, its role in GBM and the molecular mechanisms of PTX3-mediated oncogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we examined the role of PTX3 in GBM growth and invasion, using in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: Patient derived GSC lines were isolated and validated. Tumor tissue micro arrays (TMA) were used to determine the association of PTX3 expression with patient GBM specimens representing various degree of disease. Intracranial tumor xenograft/orthotopic mouse models, cell culture models, proteomic profiling, immunohistochemistry, molecular and biochemical approaches were used. Results: Proteomic profiling identified increased PTX3 expression in GSCs as compared to GBM lines, and correlated with the degree of GSC invasiveness in an orthotopic tumor xenograft model. Increased PTX3 correlated with cell cycle progression and survival under hypoxic micro-environment. Conditioned media obtained from PTX3-over-expressing U87 cell line enhanced pro-angiogenic tube formation from endothelial cells. TMA screening showed that PTX3 expression is substantially increased in more than 70% of GBM specimans. Furthermore, PTX3 over-expression significantly increased survival of U87 cells under hypoxic conditions and resulted in increased tumor growth and invasion in an intracranial tumor xenograft mouse model. Upregulation of PTX3 in these tumors was associated with increased levels of inflammatory and angiogenic markers including interleukin-8 (IL-8) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but decreased levels of thrombospondin1, a major anti-angiogenic factor. Downstream activation of PI3K/Akt - NFkB signaling pathways was also observed. Conclusion: PTX3 is dysregulated in GBM, and may augment inflammation and angiogenesis in tumor microenvironment. Thus, PTX3 may serve as an inflammatory marker for GBM microenvironment and also may represent a potential therapeutic target for GBM suppresion. Citation Format: Umadevi V. Wesley, Paul Clark, Ian Sutton, John Kuo, Robert Dempsey. Pentraxin-3 exacerbates glioblastoma invasion and angiogenesis through IL8-VEGF signaling in tumor microenvironment: PTX3 is a potential target for GBM suppression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 101.
QEEG correlates of cognitive processing speed in children and adolescents with traumatic brain injuries

Both quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) and cognitive measures have been used to understand the underlying brain changes that occur in individuals after experiencing a traumatic brain injury, however, research exploring the relationship between qEEG patterns and cognitive test performance is scarcely studied in school-aged populations. The purpose of the present study was to explore first, the neuropsychological and academic deficits in young individuals with TBI; and second, the underlying relationship between qEEG patterns and cognitive test performance. Analyses included 21 school-aged participants whom have experienced a recent TBI and 15 school-aged participants whom have never experienced a TBI. Mean subtest and composite scores were compared and regression analyses were used to determine whether alpha band and beta band qEEG coherence values predicted processing speed measures. Results suggest that young individuals who experienced a recent TBI exhibit general deficits in cognition and academic skills beyond what would be expected in the general population. Further, beta band coherence with the frontal brain regions significantly predicted processing speed scores, providing evidence of a relationship between qEEG patterns and processing speed. This outlines a relatively inexpensive method for utilizing neural connectivity to verify cognitive deficits for school-aged individuals with a recent TBI.
The Sustainable Development Goals and Aging: Implications for Social Work

The SDGs developed by the United Nations in 2015 provide targets that the world must meet by 2030 in order to ensure well-being and prosperity for all with each person living with dignity and security in society. The underlying pledge is that no one is left behind. By committing to erasing inequalities, these SDGs are closely linked to human rights. Around the globe, older people are among the most vulnerable to marginalization, poor health, poverty, and income insecurity. This paper discusses the five of the goals pertinent to the inclusion and well-being of older people and the roles that social workers, using a rights-based approach to practice, can use at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels to assure that the SDGs are met and that policies and services promote the well-being and inclusion of older people in society.
Imaging Biomarkers of Alzheimer Disease in Multiple Sclerosis.

Objective To investigate β-amyloid and tau depositions using Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) positron emission tomography (PET) and AV1451 tau PET imaging in aging multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods Patients with MS (n = 16) and controls (n = 80) matched for age, sex, and APOE e4 status from the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging who underwent PiB PET imaging were studied. Of these individuals, 12 patients with MS and 60 matching controls also underwent AV1451 tau PET. Cortical PiB and AV1451 standard uptake value ratios (SUVrs) from the entire cortex and previously determined Alzheimer disease (AD) signature regions in the same population were calculated for group comparisons and testing for associations with age. Results AD signature PiB SUVr (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 0.52 [0.27-0.98], p = 0.044), total cortical PiB SUVr (OR [95% CI] = 0.52 [0.28-0.99], p = 0.048), and the frequency of abnormal PiB SUVrs (OR [95% CI] = 0.10 [0.01-0.90], p = 0.040) were lower in MS than controls. Although AD-signature and total cortical AV1451 SUVrs were not different between the groups, the frequency of abnormal AV1451 SUVrs was higher (OR [95% CI] = 10.65 [1.10-103.35], p = 0.041) in MS than controls. The association of AD signature PiB SUVr with age was steeper in the controls compared to patients with MS (estimate [95% CI] = -0.14 [-0.023 to -0.006], p = 0.002). Similarly, the association of total cortical PiB SUVr with age was steeper in the controls compared to patients with MS (estimate [95% CI] = -0.13 [-0.021 to -0.005], p = 0.002). There was no difference in the association of AV1451 SUVr findings with age between the MS patients and controls. Interpretation Although both β-amyloid and tau are biomarkers of cognitive aging and AD, cortical β-amyloid deposition was lower in MS than age-matched controls, suggesting that some aspect of MS pathobiology retards the accumulation of β-amyloid but not the accumulation of tau. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:556-567.
Abstract P283: Where You Shop and Neighborhood Access to Fruit and Vegetables are Associated With Self-rated and Cardiometabolic Health

Introduction: The food environment, including food retail venues, has been shown to be associated with diet, and many disadvantaged neighborhoods lack access to high quality and affordable healthy ...
Allocating kidneys in optimized heterogeneous circles.

Recently, the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network approved a plan to allocate kidneys within 250-nm circles around donor hospitals. These homogeneous circles might not substantially reduce geographic differences in transplant rates because deceased donor kidney supply and demand differ across the country. Using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data from 2016-2019, we used an integer program to design unique, heterogeneous circles with sizes between 100 and 500 nm that reduced supply/demand ratio variation across transplant centers. We weighted demand according to wait time because candidates who have waited longer have higher priority. We compared supply/demand ratios and average travel distance of kidneys, using heterogeneous circles and 250 and 500-nm fixed-distance homogeneous circles. We found that 40% of circles could be 250 nm or smaller, while reducing supply/demand ratio variation more than homogeneous circles. Supply/demand ratios across centers for heterogeneous circles ranged from 0.06 to 0.13 kidneys per wait-year, compared to 0.04 to 0.47 and 0.05 to 0.15 kidneys per wait-year for 250-nm and 500-nm homogeneous circles, respectively. The average travel distance for kidneys using heterogeneous, and 250-nm and 500-nm fixed-distance circles was 173 nm, 134 nm, and 269 nm, respectively. Heterogeneous circles reduce geographic disparity compared to homogeneous circles, while maintaining reasonable travel distances.
Generalized Inverse Planning: Learning Lifted non-Markovian Utility for Generalizable Task Representation.

In searching for a generalizable representation of temporally extended tasks, we spot two necessary constituents: the utility needs to be non-Markovian to transfer temporal relations invariant to a probability shift, the utility also needs to be lifted to abstract out specific grounding objects. In this work, we study learning such utility from human demonstrations. While inverse reinforcement learning (IRL) has been accepted as a general framework of utility learning, its fundamental formulation is one concrete Markov Decision Process. Thus the learned reward function does not specify the task independently of the environment. Going beyond that, we define a domain of generalization that spans a set of planning problems following a schema. We hence propose a new quest, Generalized Inverse Planning, for utility learning in this domain. We further outline a computational framework, Maximum Entropy Inverse Planning (MEIP), that learns non-Markovian utility and associated concepts in a generative manner. The learned utility and concepts form a task representation that generalizes regardless of probability shift or structural change. Seeing that the proposed generalization problem has not been widely studied yet, we carefully define an evaluation protocol, with which we illustrate the effectiveness of MEIP on two proof-of-concept domains and one challenging task: learning to fold from demonstrations.
Tocilizumab for Covid-19 - The Ongoing Search for Effective Therapies.

Nearly 10 months after the identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), therapeutic options remai...
Optimizing the Indirect Indentation Method for brittle material property measurements

Abstract This work reports on optimizing the Indirect Indentation Method for measuring the elastic properties of brittle materials by indentation. The method employs a thin metallic film that protects the brittle material by absorbing the inelastic damage causes by the penetrating indenter. It applies hyperbolic identities to the Zhou-Prorok Model for thin film indentation that approach an asymptote as the indenter advances toward the film/substrate interface. The slope of this asymptote has been shown to be directly related to the elastic modulus of the brittle material being tested. A parameter study was conducted and revealed that the method can be optimized when the film Poisson’s ratio is lower than the brittle material tested. This more directly transfers the indenter load to the substrate, enabling it to participate in the composite elastic response earlier in the indentation process. The result is an expanded range of fit of the experimental data to the models linear asymptote, providing more accurate elastic property measurements. Chromium was identified as an ideal film material due to its low Poisson’s ratio, ductility and ability to be deposited onto most ceramics with a strong interface. The improvement was demonstrated on 5 brittle materials with a wide variety of elastic properties; SiC, Al2O3, MgO, SiO2, CaCO3.
Evaluation of Intra-Operative Topical Vancomycin and the Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury

Background: Intra-operative topical vancomycin (VAN) is a strategy used to prevent surgical site infections (SSI). Although evidence supporting efficacy in SSI prevention is evolving, data describi...
Elevated Temperature Notch Sensitivity of Inconel 718 Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting

Notched alloy 718 tensile specimens prepared by selective laser melting (SLM) and wrought bar were tested at 550, 650, and 750 °C. SLM specimens were tested with either an as-printed or a machined notch. For both types there was a decrease in strength with an increase in test temperature; however, the as-built notches are more sensitive to increases in test temperature than the machined notches. At 550 °C, the machined notch exhibits a roughly 20% higher tensile strength over as-built, while at 750 °C there is a 75% increase in strength. The notched strength ratio decreased with temperature for both types of SLM notches samples, while for wrought samples it increased. The temperature dependence of the difference in strength between the two SLM samples indicates that surface roughness—and the corresponding stress intensity factor—are not the only influences on notched strength. Fractography of tested specimens showed a difference in the intergranular crack propagation depth between as-built and machined notches, demonstrating a difference in the environmental susceptibility based on notch preparation that is due to microstructural differences arising in the SLM process that are preserved through heat treatment.
Wide provider variation in cost for thyroidectomy: Potential benefits of standardizing practice?

ABSTRACT Objective(s) Identifying provider variation in surgical costs could control rising healthcare expenditure and deliver cost-effective care. While these efforts have mostly focused on complex and expensive operations, provider-level variation in costs of thyroidectomy has not been well examined. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 921 consecutive total thyroidectomies performed by 14 surgeons at our institution between September 2011 and July 2016. Data were extracted from the Change Healthcare Performance Analytics Program. Results Mean patient age was 47.4 ± 0.5 y, 81% were females, 64.7% were Caucasians, and 18.8% were outpatients. The number of thyroidectomies performed by the 14 surgeons ranged from 4 to 597 (mean = 66). The mean costs per provider varied widely from $4,293 to $15,529 (P Conclusions We found substantial variation in hospital cost among providers for thyroidectomy despite practicing in the same academic institution, with some surgeons spending 3x more for the same operation. Implementing institutional standards of practice could reduce variation and the costs of surgical care.
African Swine Fever Virus CD2v Protein Induces β-Interferon Expression and Apoptosis in Swine Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

African swine fever (ASF) is a hemorrhagic disease of swine characterized by massive lymphocyte depletion in lymphoid tissues due to the apoptosis of B and T cells, a process likely triggered by factors released or secreted by infected macrophages. ASFV CD2v (EP402R) has been implicated in viral virulence and immunomodulation in vitro; however, its actual function(s) remains unknown. We found that CD2v expression in swine PK15 cells induces NF-κB-dependent IFN-β and ISGs transcription and an antiviral state. Similar results were observed for CD2v protein treated swine PBMCs and macrophages, the major ASFV target cell. Notably, treatment of swine PBMCs and macrophages with CD2v protein induced apoptosis. Immunoprecipitation and colocalization studies revealed that CD2v interacts with CD58, the natural host CD2 ligand. Additionally, CD58 knockdown in cells or treatment of cells with an NF-κB inhibitor significantly reduced CD2v-mediated NF-κB activation and IFN-β induction. Further, antibodies directed against CD2v inhibited CD2v-induced NF-κB activation and IFN-β transcription in cells. Overall, results indicate that ASFV CD2v activates NF-κB, which induces IFN signaling and apoptosis in swine lymphocytes/macrophages. We propose that CD2v released from infected macrophages may be a significant factor in lymphocyte apoptosis observed in lymphoid tissue during ASFV infection in pigs.
The U.S. Father

Garrett Hardin (1968), a man who is the epitome of a curmudgeon, wrote an essay entitled “The Tragedy of the Commons” in Science. In gist, the essay, almost in allegory form, is thus
Metabolism of Zinc, Copper and Iron as Affected by Dietary Protein, Cysteine and Histidine

Zinc, copper and iron utilization were examined in weanling male rats fed a 45% lactalbumin diet (HPro), a 15% lactalbumin diet (LPro), or 15% lactalbumin diets supplemented with: histidine (LProHis), cysteine (LProCys), or histidine and cysteine (LProHisCys). The histidine content and cysteine content of the supplemented diets were equal to the levels of these amino acids in the HPro diet. Zinc utilization was affected by the levels of protein, cysteine, and, to a lesser extent, histidine in the diets. The apparent absorption of zinc and the levels of zinc in their tibias were greater when the rats were fed the HPro, LProCys or LProHisCys diets rather than the LPro or LProHis diets. Liver copper levels were highest when rats consumed the LPro diet. Tissue levels of iron and fecal losses of iron were not affected by the dietary treatments.
Explaining Abstract Data Types with Sentential and Diagrammatic Elements

Although much work has been done on Intelligent Tutoring Systems that support the learning of programming skills, little attention has been paid to supporting the understanding of programs. We discuss the issues involved in developing a tool for a learning environment in which novice programmers can explore in detail an important class of programs implementing Abstract Data Types (ADTs). We start by developing a conceptual framework for explaining ADTs. Next, we describe an interactive learning situation and discuss the design principles that it embodies. After presenting an example of student/system interaction, we describe in detail the explanation process underlying it. We end with a discussion of the main issues.