cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract POSTER-THER-1427: Epidermal growth factor receptor mediated alterations in DNA methylation associated with the development of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer cells

Acquisition of platinum resistance following first line platinum-taxane therapy occurs in a large portion of ovarian cancer patients and continues to be a major challenge in clinical effectiveness. To date, there are limited interventions available to prevent or reverse platinum resistance; however, there has been some advances in the use of demethylating agents in the resensitization of patients to platinum based therapy. This highlights epigenetic alterations, in particular DNA methylation, as critical contributors to the acquisition of drug resistance in ovarian cancer. The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) has also been linked to chemoresistance and is known to be activated by cisplatin treatment. We previously published that activation of the EGFR can increase DNA methyltransferase (DMNT) activity and, over extended activation, can significantly increase global DNA methylation in ovarian cancer cells. We hypothesized that cisplatin induced activation of the EGFR could mediate changes in DNA methylation associated with the development of platinum resistance. To investigate this, we used an in vitro model of platinum resistance and evaluated EGFR signaling and DNMT activity after acute cisplatin and in platinum resistant cells. We found that cisplatin treatment activates the EGFR and downstream signaling pathways JAK and AKT. Cisplatin also increased DNMT activity and this increase was dependent on EGFR activation. Over repeated sequential treatments of cisplatin, we successfully developed platinum resistant cells that possessed significant increases in DNMT activity and had moderate, but significant, increases in global DNA methylation. Preliminary data using the EGFR inhibitor Erlotinib during the development of platinum resistant cells suggest that the EGFR plays an integral role in the acquisition of platinum resistance. This work implicates EGFR driven alterations to DNMT activity and DNA methylation as a novel mechanism for development of platinum resistance. Further studies are currently being done to evaluate potential alterations in activation of downstream signaling pathways, levels of DNA methyltransferases and other changes in expression associated with platinum resistance. Citation Format: Sabrina L. Samudio-Ruiz, Michaela L. Granados, Laurie G. Hudson. Epidermal growth factor receptor mediated alterations in DNA methylation associated with the development of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 10th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 8-9, 2014; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(16 Suppl):Abstract nr POSTER-THER-1427.
Gardening in space

A blog written by a vegetable on the International Space Station gets Robert P Crease thinking about the purpose of laboratories.
Pseudo-transient models for multiscale, multiresolution simulation and optimization of intensified reaction/separation/recycle processes: Framework and a dimethyl ether production case study

Abstract Including detailed models of processing equipment in the process flowsheet model is required in the case of “non-standard” unit operations, including, e.g., intensified equipment and unconventional reactor designs. We provide a unified multiscale framework for including such models in equation-oriented process flowsheet modeling, simulation and optimization. Relying on the reaction/separation/recycle process prototype, we propose a multiresolution paradigm, whereby detailed, distributed-parameter representations of reacting systems and rigorous models of (intensified) separation units are embedded in process flowsheet models. We develop an equation-oriented modeling approach based on a pseudo-transient reformulation of the balance equations, enabling the reliable and robust simulation of the process flowsheet. We also describe a companion design optimization routine. We illustrate these concepts with an extensive case study on dimethyl ether production using an intensified process featuring a dividing-wall distillation column and an adiabatic packed bed reactor with intermediate quenching.
Using Clouds for Technical Computing.

We discuss the use of cloud computing in technical (scientific) applications and identify characteristics such as loosely-coupled and data-intensive that lead to good performance. We give both general principles and several examples with an emphasis on use of the Azure cloud.
Lax-Sato Formulation of the KP Hierarchy

In this chapter, we briefly review the Lax formulation of the KP hierarchy, which consists of an infinite set of linear equations whose compatibility conditions give rise to the flows corresponding to the KP hierarchy. The main purpose of this section is to highlight the basic framework of integrability underlying the KP theory. Then we show that the multi-component Burgers hierarchy discussed in the previous chapter appears as a finite reduction in the Sato theory. In particular, we emphasize the importance of the \(\tau \)-function and explain the central role of the \(\tau \)-function in the KP hierarchy. The materials discussed in this chapter can also be found in [27, 35, 37, 91, 100, 111–113, 132].
A modeling study of the role that bottom topography plays in Gulf Stream dynamics and in influencing the tilt of mean sea level along the US East Coast

Two aspects of the interactions between the Gulf Stream (GS) and the bottom topography are investigated: 1. the spatial variations associated with the north-south tilt of mean sea level along the US East Coast and 2. the high-frequency temporal variations of coastal sea level (CSL) that are related to Gulf Stream dynamics. A regional ocean circulation model is used to assess the role of topography; this is done by conducting numerical simulations of the GS with two different topographies–one case with a realistic topography and another case with an idealized smooth topography that neglects the details of the coastline and the very deep ocean. High-frequency oscillations (with a 5-day period) in the zonal wind and in the GS transport are imposed on the model; the source of the GS variability is either the Florida Current (FC) in the south or the Slope Current (SC) in the north. The results demonstrate that the abrupt change of topography at Cape Hatteras, near the point where the GS separates from the coast, amplifies the northward downward mean sea level tilt along the coast there. The results suggest that idealized or coarse resolution models that do not resolve the details of the coastline may underestimate the difference between the higher mean sea level in the South Atlantic Bight (SAB) and the lower mean sea level in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB). Imposed variations in the model’s GS transport can generate coherent sea level variability along the coast, similar to the observations. However, when the bottom topography in the model is modified (or not well resolved), the shape of the coastline and the continental shelf influence the propagation of coastal-trapped waves and impact the CSL variability. The results can explain the different characteristics of sea level variability in the SAB and in the MAB and help understand unexpected water level anomalies and flooding related to remote influence of the GS.
Everything has Causes

It has long been that the human race considered themselves to be the center of the universe, and everything is meant to be at their disposal to do with whatever they desire. Is that no longer the case? Don’t be so sure. How often do you think about the cause and effect of things? For a long time, humans felt no need to consider such questions, since God was the cause of everything and the effects were to dealt with not to be understood.
Acute Retinal Necrosis: Presenting Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes in a Cohort of Polymerase Chain Reaction-Positive Patients.

Purpose To identify determinants of adverse outcomes in acute retinal necrosis (ARN), presenting characteristics and incidence rates of vision loss and ocular complications in a cohort of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive eyes were analyzed. Design Retrospective observational cohort study. Methods Forty-one eyes of 36 patients with clinically diagnosed ARN, PCR-positive for herpes simplex virus or varicella zoster virus and evaluated between January 2002 and June 2013, were included. Main outcome measures included incidence rates of vision loss and retinal detachment (RD). Results Presenting visual acuity was generally poor (20/50 to >20/200 in 27%; 20/200 or worse in 56%). The incidence rate of ≤20/200 was 0.66/eye-year (EY), (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32/EY to 1.22/EY); the rate of light perception or no light perception vision was 0.07/EY (95% CI, 0.02/EY to 0.16/EY). During follow-up, 59% of eyes developed at least 1 RD (rate = 0.40/EY, 95% CI, 0.19/EY to 0.58/EY). Eyes with retinitis involving ≥25% of the retina at presentation detached at nearly 12 times the rate, as compared to those with P = .001). Development of an RD was the greatest determinant of adverse visual outcomes, with 4% of eyes, that had experienced at least 1 RD, achieving a best-corrected visual acuity of ≥20/40 compared to 53% of eyes that never detached ( P = .0003). Conclusions Poor outcomes in ARN were common in this cohort. RD confers the greatest risk of incident vision loss, and once 25% or more of the retina is involved the risk of RD and visual loss increases significantly.
Probability-based circuit breaker modeling for power system fault analysis

Circuit breakers are widely applied in power system protection by interrupting fault current. Among all types of circuit breakers, we focus on the modeling of thermal-magnetic circuit breakers in this paper. Data regression and curve fitting methodologies are employed to study the manufacturer's time/current data. A brand new simulation model that contains probability tools is developed to realistically describe the tripping characteristics, and a product failure rate is also considered to reflect possible circumstances in real-world application of the thermal-magnetic circuit breakers. A simulation testbed system is included for the purposes of illustration and validation.
Abstract 18913: Exercise Capacity Protects from the Ominous Effect of Weight Loss

Background: As have other studies in clinical populations, we have noted a consistent “obesity paradox” in our population of male veterans referred for exercise testing. Previously we reported that weight changes can explain this paradox and now extend our analysis to include exercise capacity. Methods: We studied 4,019 consecutive male patients (60 ± 11 years) referred for exercise testing who had weight and height measured on two separate visits before and after the exercise test. Changes in weight were scored in even pounds per year ranging from a loss of eight or more lbs/year to a gain of eight or more lbs/year. Age adjusted Cox Hazard survival analysis was performed including baseline weight, change in weight and METs estimated from maximal treadmill test speed and grade with all-cause mortality as the outcome. Results: There were 326 deaths over a mean follow up of 6.9 years. The mean years between weight measurements were 6.5 ± 3. Using age adjusted Cox hazard analysis METs and delta lbs/year between visits were significantly (P Conclusions: The deleterious survival consequences of weight loss can be offset by the beneficial effects of having higher exercise capacity.
Expanding the use of polymeric ionic liquids in headspace solid-phase microextraction: Determination of ultraviolet filters in water samples.

Abstract Three crosslinked polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) sorbent coatings were used in headspace solid-phase microextraction for the determination of a group of ultraviolet filters. The developed crosslinked PIL-based materials include two polycations and a double confined PIL. The method, in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, is simple, solvent free, and does not require of any derivatization step. After proper optimization of the methodologies with each developed fiber, the analytical performance was compared with a commercial polyacrylate fiber. A study of the normalized calibration slopes, obtained by dividing the calibration slope of each analyte by the coating volume, revealed that the crosslinked fibers can be used as alternatives to commercial fibers for the determination of the selected group of compounds. In particular, the coating nature of the PIL containing the 1-vinylbenzyl-3-hexadecylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide IL as monomer and the 1,12-di(3-vinylbenzylimidazolium)dodecane bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide IL as crosslinker is the most suitable for the extraction of the selected compounds despite their coating volume, being 3.6 times lower than the commercial polyacrylate fiber. For this fiber, wide linear ranges, correlation coefficients higher than 0.990, limits of detection ranging from 2.8 ng L−1 to 26 ng L−1 and relative standard deviations ranging from 2.5 to 15% were achieved. Finally, all proposed PIL-based fibers were applied towards the analysis of tap water, pool water and lake water, with the majority of the ultraviolet filters being detected and quantified in the last two types of samples.
Contemporary virtue ethics and action-guiding objections

Many defenders of contemporary virtue ethics contend that it directly competes with modern ethical theories such as consequentialism and deontology. One of the most common responses is that contemp...
Charting a Course for Genomic Medicine from Base Pair to Bedside

The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 was surrounded by lots of excitement in the scientific and lay communities because it was a milestone, along with other advancements in technology that have revolutionized our understanding of the contributions of genetic variability in shaping health and disease. One mystery the Human Genome Project helped scientists and clinicians unravel from a health perspective was why some patients responded differently to medications from the rest of the general population. Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genes influence an individual’s response to medications. The term pharmacogenomics is often used interchangeably with the term pharmacogenetics, which usually refers to how polymorphisms in a single gene influence response to a single medication. For more than 150 FDA-approved drugs, pharmacogenomic information can be found in the product labeling describing risk for adverse drug events, genotype-specific dosing, and/or variations in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters. For a select group of medications, such as codeine and clopidogrel, pharmacogenomic information may even be highlighted in a black box warning further emphasizing the important role of our unique genetic makeup in response to medications. Inherited genome variations influence the function of gene products that determine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a particular medication. In cancer, somatically acquired genomic variations and inherited genome variations influence response to anticancer agents. In infectious diseases, genomic variations in the bacteria or virus influence antimicrobial sensitivity. Pharmacogenomic research endeavors have sought to uncover the relationship between treatment response and genomic differences since it was first characterized in the 1950s by Sir Archibald Garrod, and the term was coined in 1959 by Friedrich Vogel. Some early pharmacogenomic examples include NAT2 gene deficiency and isoniazid-induced neuropathy, G6PD gene deficiency and primaquine-induced acute hemolytic crisis, and BChE gene deficiency resulting in succinylcholine-induced prolonged apnea. The translation of these findings and others into clinical practice in a sustainable and scalable model is more of a recent initiative to further optimize patient care.
Grain Boundary Phase Transformations

Metals and alloys are commonly employed and processed in the form of polycrystalline aggregates. The mechanical strength of such aggregates depends greatly on the strength of the interfaces or grain boundaries that join the individual crystal grains. In general a grain boundary can be expected to be weaker than the grain matrix since the degree of atomic order in the boundary is lower than that in the crystal. Furthermore, the chemical composition with respect to solute components and the diffusive properties of a grain boundary differ from the crystalline matrix.
EDISYN: A Language-Based Editor for High-level Synthesis

We describe a language-based editor, EDISYN, for developing behavioral programs for high-level synthesis. The aim of this editor is to provide a highly interactive environment at the front end of the synthesis task. EDISYN is customized for HardwarePal, a hardware description language, and is built with the Synthesizer Generator, a system for constructing language-based editors. EDISYN uses knowledge of HardwarePal to provide structural editing and immediate syntax and semantic error reporting while a HardwarePal program is being developed. In addition, EDISYN is combined with an incremental compiler which updates code in response to each modification to the program. The code can be further processed to realize a controller and a datapath.
Complications of Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Robotic surgery represents a shift in the surgical paradigm and is consequently associated with a unique set of challenges and complications in comparison to open or conventional laparoscopic surgery. For the first time, the surgeon is not directly at the bedside but is rather directing an intermediary machine and a separate bedside team to perform the operation. This, in addition to the lack of tactile feedback, the greater reliance on visual anatomic clues when performing robotic surgery, and the inherent risk of malfunction or mechanical failure of robotic components may all contribute to complications noted during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). In this chapter, we outline the risks and incidence of the more common complications associated with RARP and present methods to manage them.
A Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe Based on a FRET Rhodamine Donor Linked to a Cyanine Acceptor for Sensitive Detection of Intracellular pH Alternations

A fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based near-infrared fluorescent probe (B+) for double-checked sensitive detection of intracellular pH changes has been synthesized by binding a near-infrared rhodamine donor to a near-infrared cyanine acceptor through robust C-N bonds via a nucleophilic substitution reaction. To demonstrate the double-checked advantages of probe B+, a near-infrared probe (A) was also prepared by modification of a near-infrared rhodamine dye with ethylenediamine to produce a closed spirolactam residue. Under basic conditions, probe B+ shows only weak fluorescence from the cyanine acceptor while probe A displays nonfluorescence due to retention of the closed spirolactam form of the rhodamine moiety. Upon decrease in solution pH level, probe B+ exhibits a gradual fluorescence increase from rhodamine and cyanine constituents at 623 nm and 743 nm respectively, whereas probe A displays fluorescence increase at 623 nm on the rhodamine moiety as acidic conditions leads to the rupture of the probe spirolactam rings. Probes A and B+ have successfully been used to monitor intracellular pH alternations and possess pKa values of 5.15 and 7.80, respectively.
Technologies for the Directed Evolution of Cell Therapies

The next generation of therapies is moving beyond the use of small molecules and proteins to using whole cells. Compared with the interactions of small-molecule drugs with biomolecules, which can largely be understood through chemistry, cell therapies act in a chemical and physical world and can actively adapt to that world, amplifying complexity but also the potential for truly breakthrough impact. Although there has been success in introducing targeting proteins into cells to achieve a therapeutic effect, for example, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, our ability to engineer cells is generally limited to introducing proteins, but not modulating large-scale traits or structures of cellular "machines," which play critical roles in disease. Example traits include the ability to secrete compounds, deform through tissue, adhere to surrounding cells, apply force to phagocytose targets, or move through extracellular matrix. There is an opportunity to increase the efficacy of cell therapies through the use of quantitative automation tools, to analyze, sort, and select rare cells with beneficial traits. Combined with methods of genetic or epigenetic mutagenesis to create diversity, such approaches can enable the directed cellular evolution of new therapeutically optimal populations of cells and uncover genetic underpinnings of these optimal traits.
Rethinking TV and movies in medical ethics and professionalism education.

Dear EditorMedical ethics and professionalism educators are increasingly challenged to teach complex material to time-constrained students juggling preclinical course material. Medically-themed tel...
Innovations in Competitive Manufacturing: From JIT to E-Business

This chapter provides an overview of the book. In the seventies, there was a tendency to dismiss the value of manufacturing to the US economy. US manufacturing suffered from a lack of new investment and new ideas to propel it to new heights. Consequently, US manufacturing firms suffered competitively. However, around 1980, once manufacturers realized the magnitude of their uncompetitiveness, they made an historic turnaround in less than twenty years that has many lessons for the future. There are lessons for those who are working hard to catch up with the leaders in their industry. Towards the end of the chapter, the trend towards e-business is addressed. This new trend will enhance and strengthen the gains of the last twenty years. The remaining chapters of this book address in detail the various topics covered in this introductory chapter.
AI as a moral crumple zone: The effects of AI-mediated communication on attribution and trust

Abstract AI-mediated communication (AI-MC) represents a new paradigm where communication is augmented or generated by an intelligent system. As AI-MC becomes more prevalent, it is important to understand the effects that it has on human interactions and interpersonal relationships. Previous work tells us that in human interactions with intelligent systems, misattribution is common and trust is developed and handled differently than in interactions between humans. This study uses a 2 (successful vs. unsuccessful conversation) x 2 (standard vs. AI-mediated messaging app) between subjects design to explore whether AI mediation has any effects on attribution and trust. We show that the presence of AI-generated smart replies serves to increase perceived trust between human communicators and that, when things go awry, the AI seems to be perceived as a coercive agent, allowing it to function like a moral crumple zone and lessen the responsibility assigned to the other human communicator. These findings suggest that smart replies could be used to improve relationships and perceptions of conversational outcomes between interlocutors. Our findings also add to existing literature regarding perceived agency in smart agents by illustrating that in this type of AI-MC, the AI is considered to have agency only when communication goes awry.
Co-axial depth sensor with an extended depth range for AR/VR applications

Abstract Background Depth sensor is an essential element in virtual and augmented reality devices to digitalize users' environment in real time. The current popular technologies include the stereo, structured light, and Time-of-Flight (ToF). The stereo and structured light method require a baseline separation between multiple sensors for depth sensing, and both suffer from a limited measurement range. The ToF depth sensors have the largest depth range but the lowest depth map resolution. To overcome these problems, we propose a co-axial depth map sensor which is potentially more compact and cost-effective than conventional structured light depth cameras. Meanwhile, it can extend the depth range while maintaining a high depth map resolution. Also, it provides a high-resolution 2D image along with the 3D depth map. Methods This depth sensor is constructed with a projection path and an imaging path. Those two paths are combined by a beamsplitter for a co-axial design. In the projection path, a cylindrical lens is inserted to add extra power in one direction which creates an astigmatic pattern. For depth measurement, the astigmatic pattern is projected onto the test scene, and then the depth information can be calculated from the contrast change of the reflected pattern image in two orthogonal directions. To extend the depth measurement range, we use an electronically focus tunable lens at the system stop and tune the power to implement an extended depth range without compromising depth resolution. Results In the depth measurement simulation, we project a resolution target onto a white screen which is moving along the optical axis and then tune the focus tunable lens power for three depth measurement subranges, namely, near, middle and far. In each sub-range, as the test screen moves away from the depth sensor, the horizontal contrast keeps increasing while the vertical contrast keeps decreasing in the reflected image. Therefore, the depth information can be obtained by computing the contrast ratio between features in orthogonal directions. Conclusions The proposed depth map sensor could implement depth measurement for an extended depth range with a co-axial design.
Modeling the diffusion effects through the iron carbonate layer in the carbon dioxide corrosion of carbon steel

A mechanistic model was developed for predicting carbon dioxide corrosion rates of carbon steel pipes in multiphase flow conditions. The model incorporates the chemistry, thermodynamics of carbon dioxide dissolution, multiphase mass transfer, electrochemical kinetics on the metal surface and the presence of a corrosion product film. The predicted corrosion rates show good agreement with the experimental results.
Association of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep With Mortality in Middle-aged and Older Adults.

Importance Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has been linked with health outcomes, but little is known about the relationship between REM sleep and mortality. Objective To investigate whether REM sleep is associated with greater risk of mortality in 2 independent cohorts and to explore whether another sleep stage could be driving the findings. Design, Setting, and Participants This multicenter population-based cross-sectional study used data from the Outcomes of Sleep Disorders in Older Men (MrOS) Sleep Study and Wisconsin Sleep Cohort (WSC). MrOS participants were recruited from December 2003 to March 2005, and WSC began in 1988. MrOS and WSC participants who had REM sleep and mortality data were included. Analysis began May 2018 and ended December 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures All-cause and cause-specific mortality confirmed with death certificates. Results The MrOS cohort included 2675 individuals (2675 men [100%]; mean [SD] age, 76.3 [5.5] years) and was followed up for a median (interquartile range) of 12.1 (7.8-13.2) years. The WSC cohort included 1386 individuals (753 men [54.3%]; mean [SD] age, 51.5 [8.5] years) and was followed up for a median (interquartile range) of 20.8 (17.9-22.4) years. MrOS participants had a 13% higher mortality rate for every 5% reduction in REM sleep (percentage REM sleep SD = 6.6%) after adjusting for multiple demographic, sleep, and health covariates (age-adjusted hazard ratio, 1.12; fully adjusted hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08-1.19). Results were similar for cardiovascular and other causes of death. Possible threshold effects were seen on the Kaplan-Meier curves, particularly for cancer; individuals with less than 15% REM sleep had a higher mortality rate compared with individuals with 15% or more for each mortality outcome with odds ratios ranging from 1.20 to 1.35. Findings were replicated in the WSC cohort despite younger age, inclusion of women, and longer follow-up (hazard ratio, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.03-1.34). A random forest model identified REM sleep as the most important sleep stage associated with survival. Conclusions and Relevance Decreased percentage REM sleep was associated with greater risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and other noncancer-related mortality in 2 independent cohorts.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients who Refuse Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke - The San Diego Experience.

Abstract Purpose Intravenous Thrombolysis (IV rt-PA) is administered in Methods We examined data from the prospectively collected, IRB approved UC San Diego Stroke Registry who presented as a “stroke code” from July 2004 to July 2019 at two academic facilities and five community hospitals. Patients were included if they presented within 4.5 hours of symptom onset or last seen normal, had a “stroke code” alert activated, and were either treated with IV rt-PA or the reason for exclusion was patient/family refusal. Patients were considered “refusers” if IV rt-PA was recommended by the provider during the stroke code and the patient and/or legally authorized representative declined treatment. Baseline demographics, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), treatment times and 90-day Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were collected. Patients who refused IV rt-PA were compared to those that were treated with IV rt-PA. Data was examined for frequencies and distribution. Chi squared was used to evaluate nominal variables. Continuous variables were assessed by Pearson correlation and t test. Kruskal-Wallis or ANOVA were used to evaluate group differences. Results A total of 1056 patients were included in the analysis. Forty-seven patients (4.5%) refused IV rt-PA. There were no significant socio-demographic differences between patients who were treated with IV rt-PA and those who refused. Compared to patients who were treated with IV rt-PA, patients who refused IV rt-PA had a significantly lower baseline NIHSS (4 vs 9, p Conclusions There is a low rate of IV rt-PA refusal in our registry population which is similar to what previous studies have shown. We found that patients who refuse IV rt-PA have significantly milder deficits and significantly worse pre-morbid disability. We speculate that the longer “arrival to decision” time in the refuse IV rt-PA group is due to longer informed consent discussions. This analysis furthers the body of literature regarding rt-PA refusals.
Neural Oscillatory Abnormalities During Gaze Processing in Schizophrenia: Evidence of Reduced Theta Phase Consistency and Inter-areal Theta-Gamma Coupling.

Abstract Background Abnormal gaze discrimination in schizophrenia (SZ) is associated with impairment in social functioning, but the neural mechanisms remain unclear. Evidence suggests that local neural oscillations and inter-areal communication through neural synchronization are critical physiological mechanisms supporting basic and complex cognitive processes. The roles of these mechanisms in abnormal gaze processing in SZ have not been investigated. The present study examined local neural oscillations and connectivity between anterior and bilateral posterior brain areas during gaze processing. Methods During electroencephalography recording, 28 participants with SZ and 34 healthy control participants completed a gaze discrimination task. Time-frequency decomposition of electroencephalography data was used to examine neural oscillatory power and intertrial phase consistency at bilateral posterior and midline anterior scalp sites. In addition, connectivity between these anterior and posterior sites, in terms of cross-frequency coupling between theta phase and gamma amplitude, was examined using the Kullback-Leibler Modulation Index. Results Participants with SZ showed reduced total power of theta-band activity relative to healthy control participants at all sites examined. This group difference could be accounted for by reduced intertrial phase consistency of theta activity in SZ participants, which was related to reduced gaze discrimination accuracy in SZ. In addition, SZ participants exhibited reduced Kullback-Leibler indexing, both feedforward and feedback connectivity, between the posterior and anterior sites. Conclusions These findings suggest that abnormal theta phase consistency and dysconnection between posterior face processing and anterior areas may underlie gaze processing deficits in SZ.
Evaluating multiple surrogate markers with censored data.

The utilization of surrogate markers offers the opportunity to reduce the length of required follow-up time and/or costs of a randomized trial examining the effectiveness of an intervention or treatment. There are many available methods for evaluating the utility of a single surrogate marker including both parametric and nonparametric approaches. However, as the dimension of the surrogate marker increases, a completely nonparametric procedure becomes infeasible due to the curse of dimensionality. In this paper, we define a quantity to assess the value of multiple surrogate markers in a time-to-event outcome setting and propose a robust estimation approach for censored data. We focus on surrogate markers that are measured at some landmark time, t0 , which occurs earlier than the end of the study. Our approach is based on a dimension reduction procedure with an option to incorporate weights to guard against potential misspecification of the working model, resulting in three different proposed estimators, two of which can be shown to be double robust. We examine the finite sample performance of the estimators under various scenarios using a simulation study. We illustrate the estimation and inference procedures using data from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) to examine multiple potential surrogate markers for diabetes.
1T′-MoTe2 and 2H-MoTe2 by XPS

Two different phases of the transition-metal dichalcogenide and molybdenum ditelluride (1T′-MoTe2 and 2H-MoTe2) were grown by chemical vapor transport. Oxygen-free surfaces were generated by exfoliation in air and then analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. High-resolution core and valence and Auger spectra were acquired for both materials including Te 3d, Te 4d, Te MNN, Mo 3d, and valence band spectra. Differences in Te 3d and Mo 3d peak positions that were previously reported were confirmed, and asymmetry on the metallic 1T′-phase was documented in the Te 3d, Te 4d, and Mo 3d spectra that could prove useful in identifying mixtures of these materials.
In vitro synthesis of human protein synthesis initiation factor 4 gamma and its localization on 43 and 48 S initiation complexes.

The rate of protein synthesis is controlled in a large number of physiological situations at the stage of 48 S initiation complex formation, a phase that involves the recruitment of mRNA to the 40 S ribosomal subunit. This process is mediated by the eukaryotic initiation factor-4 (eIF-4) group of translation initiation factors consisting of eIF-4E, eIF-4A, eIF-4B, and eIF-4 gamma. In order to develop a new tool to study this process, we have produced radiolabeled eIF-4 gamma by in vitro transcription and translation. Despite the fact that eIF-4 gamma is predicted from the cDNA sequence to be 154 kDa, the major synthetic product migrated on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at 205 kDa. Although this is similar to the migration of the fastest polypeptide of authentic eIF-4 gamma (approximately 206 kDa), no products were found to co-migrate with the slowest forms of authentic eIF-4 gamma (210-220 kDa), suggesting that these forms derive from extensive modification of the initial polypeptide. The in vitro product also formed a complex with eIF-4E, as judged by its ability to bind to m7GTP-Sepharose. Sucrose gradient sedimentation studies demonstrated that eIF-4 gamma was present on both 43 and 48 S initiation complexes but not 80 S complexes. This supports a model in which free eIF-4E binds to mRNA followed by binding of the eIF-4E.mRNA complex to a 43 S initiation complex already containing eIF-4 gamma.
Rheological Behavior of Processed Fluid and Semisolid Foods

In this chapter, the rheological properties of processed fluid and semisolid foods will be discussed. Where data are available, the role of the composition of the foods on their rheological behavior will be emphasized. In addition, literature values of data on several foods, many of which are discussed here and some that are not discussed, are given at the end of this chapter.
Fueling Chemical Engineering Concepts with Biodiesel production: A Professional Development Experience for K-12 Pre-service Teachers

This one-day workshop for pre-service teachers was aimed at implementing a uniquely designed and ready-to-implement chemical engineering curriculum in K-12 coursework. This educational and professional development opportunity introduced 1) chemical engineering curriculum and career opportunities 2) basic industrial processes and flow diagrams 3) the law of conservation of mass, and material balance and 4) hands-on activity on biodiesel production through a variety of active learning exercises, group-based hands-on activities, and discussions. Additionally, the recruitment of female participants for this workshop was intended to prepare female ambassadors to encourage female students to pursue a career in engineering. The expected long-term outcomes of this workshop are 1) improved and advanced K-12 curriculum in local high schools 2) establishment of ties between the university and local schools 3) increased enrollment and retention in engineering fields to address the needs of South Texas industries.
Mangi teus‐teus: Between a Weberian and historical understanding of economic dominance among pious Muslims in francophone West Africa

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to explain why the two most pious Muslim groups in West Africa – the Mourides of Senegal and the Pula Futa of Guinea – are also the most economically dominant.Design/methodology/approach – This question has typically been explained using the ideas of Max Weber, who suggests that the capitalist spirit arose because of the personal characteristics created by Calvinism. This paper looks at a Weberian explanation, adopted to Islam, and also an explanation that is rooted in pure political and economic history.Findings – It is concluded that the Weberian explanation is germane to the case of the Mourides in Senegal, but does a poor job explaining the economic dominance of the Pula Futa. By contrast, while the economic and political history is important for the economic rise of the Mourides, it seems to account for almost the entire success of the Pula Futa.Originality/value – These findings are important because they are a reminder of the heterogeneity between both ethnic and ...
High-Performance Coarray Fortran Support with MVAPICH2-X: Initial Experience and Evaluation

Coarray Fortran (CAF) is a parallel programming paradigm that extends Fortran for the partitioned global address space (PGAS) programming model at the language level. The current runtime implementations of CAF are mainly using MPI or GASNet as underlying communication components. MVAPICH2-X is a hybrid MPI+PGAS programming library with a Unified Communication Runtime (UCR) design. In this paper, the classic implementation of CAF runtime in Open UH is redesigned and rebuilt on top of MVAPICH2-X. The proposed design does not only enable the support of MPI+CAF hybrid programming model, but also provides superior performance on most of the CAF one-sided operations and the newly proposed collective operations in Fortran 2015 specification. A comprehensive evaluation with different benchmarks and applications has been performed. Comparing with current GASNet-based solutions, the CAF runtime with MVAPICH2-X can improve the bandwidths of put and bidirectional operations up to 3.5X for inter-node communication, and improve the bandwidths of collective communication operations represented by broadcast up to 3.0X on 64 processes. It also reduces the execution time of NPB CAF benchmarks by up to 18% on 256 processes.
Robotic telepresence versus standardly supervised stroke alert team assessments

Abstract Background: Telemedicine has created access to emergency stroke care for patients in all communities, regardless of geography. We hypothesized that there is no difference in speed of assessment between vascular neurologist (VN) robotic telepresence and standard VN-supervised stroke alert patients in a metropolitan primary stroke center. Materials and Methods: A retrospective stroke alert database was used to identify all robotic telepresence and standardly supervised stroke alert patient assessments at a primary stroke center emergency department from 2009 to 2012. The primary outcome measure was the duration of assessment from stroke alert activation to treatment or downgrade. Results: The sample size was 196 subjects. The mean duration of time from stroke alert activation to initiation of intravenous (IV) thrombolytic treatment or downgrade was 8.6 min longer in the robotic group than in the standard group (p=0.03). Among the subgroup of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with IV thrombolys...
Perceptual Processes II: Schemas, Selective Search, and Inference

Whether the individual processes internal rather than external cues represents only a portion of perception. We do not passively wait for stimuli to bombard our receptors. Rather, we are active information seekers attempting to understand our internal and external environments. Given the quantity of potential information available to us at any given time, we must organize and reduce the incoming data. This can be accomplished in at least two ways. The first is to restrict the information that is encoded in the first place. In other words, information search must be guided. The second way of reducing potential sensory data is by cognitively restructuring, synthesizing, and organizing incoming information. These hypothetical cognitive structures—which are variously called sets, expectancies, tentative or working hypotheses (Snyder, 1979; Swann & Read, 1981; Taylor & Crocker, 1981), schemata or schemas (Leventhal, 1975; Markus, 1977), or scripts (Abelson, 1976)—guide our search for information and organize the incoming data gleaned from the search.
Morphological characterization of the phase behavior of inulin–waxy maize starch systems in high moisture environments

Abstract The morphological properties of mixed inulin–waxy maize starch (WMS) systems were characterized as a function of concentration. Macroscopically homogeneous samples were analyzed using light microscopy. Morphological findings were used to explain phase inversion behavior previously determined through rheological analysis. Inulin was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate in order to differentiate it from WMS. Fluorescence microscopy was used to characterize phase-separated systems, in which two phases with completely different morphologies co-existed: a WMS-rich phase with inulin crystallites embedded in an amorphous matrix, and an inulin-rich phase with inulin crystallites forming a continuous network. The mechanism of phase separation was determined to be that of nucleation and growth of inulin crystallites. Polarized light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were used to verify the crystalline nature of the inulin aggregates in the samples. A ternary phase diagram that summarizes the interactions between inulin and WMS at high moisture contents was generated.
Equity vs. Equality: Sex Differences in Leadership.

The present study investigated differences between male and female leaders' responses to poorly performing subordinates. Ninety-four male and 94 female leaders were presented with a vignette describing an incident of poor performance that occurred in a distribution center. The subordinate in the vignette was either male or female, likable or dislikable, and performed poorly due to internal or external factors. Leaders studied the vignette and then rated the appropriateness of a series of corrective actions. Analyses indicated that the corrective actions of female leaders were more affected by the likableness and sex of the subordinate than were the corrective actions of male leaders. The results support the proposition that male leaders tend to respond to subordinates based upon a norm of equity, while female leaders respond to subordinates based upon a combination of equity and equality. Implications of the findings for management training and organizational effectiveness are discussed.
Outcome of very low birthweight infants after introducing a new standard regime with the early use of nasal CPAP

In this paper, a retrospective study was performed to find out whether the introduction of early nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) as a new standard regime of very low birthweight infants will lead to a decreasing tracheal intubation and ventilation rate, as well as to a lower incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in a tertiary-level perinatal centre. Ninety-three infants (study group) with early nCPAP as the first respiratory support were compared to 63 infants (historical control group) born before the use of early nCPAP. No statistically significant differences were found in the baseline characteristics. The main results of the study include reduced intubation mainly in infants with a birthweight <1,000 g (study group): 58% vs. 81% (p < 0.05). The mean duration of ventilation was 248 h (control group) vs. 128 h (study group) (p < 0.001) and 437 h vs. 198 h in infants <1,000 g (p < 0.001). There was significantly reduced incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia from 55% to 18% for all surviving infants (p < 0.001), and for infants <1,000 g, it was 90% vs. 30% (p < 0.001). No significant differences for other outcome criteria were noted, but a significant reduction in the use of central i.v. lines, fluids, drugs, volume expansion, sedation, catecholamines, surfactant, steroids and buffer, as well as antibiotics, was observed (p < 0.05). Therefore, we can conclude that early nCPAP is an easy-to-use and safe procedure for very low birthweight infants to treat respiratory distress.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists in the treatment of migraine

Based on preclinical and clinical studies, the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is proposed to play a central role in the underlying pathology of migraine. CGRP and its receptor are widely expressed in both the peripheral and central nervous systems by multiple cell types involved in the regulation of inflammatory and nociceptive responses. Peripheral release of CGRP from trigeminal nerve fibres within the dura and from the cell body of trigeminal ganglion neurons is likely to contribute to peripheral sensitization of trigeminal nociceptors. Similarly, the release of CGRP within the trigeminal nucleus caudalis can facilitate activation of nociceptive second-order neurons and glial cells. Thus, CGRP is involved in the development and maintenance of persistent pain, central sensitization and allodynia, events characteristic of migraine pathology. In contrast, CGRP release within the brain is likely to function in an anti-nociceptive capacity. Given the role of CGRP in migraine pathology, the potential of CGRP receptor antagonists in the treatment of migraine has been investigated. Towards this end, the non-peptide CGRP receptor antagonists olcegepant and telcagepant have been shown to be effective in the acute treatment of migraine. While telcagepant is being pursued as a frontline abortive migraine drug in a phase III clinical trial, an oral formulation of a novel CGRP receptor antagonist, BI 44370, is currently in phase II clinical trials. Encouragingly, data from clinical studies on these compounds have clearly demonstrated the potential therapeutic benefit of this class of drugs and support the future development of CGRP receptor antagonists to treat migraine and possibly other types of chronic pain.