cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome analyses of the human retina identify unprecedented transcript diversity and 3.5 Mb of novel transcribed sequence via significant alternative splicing and novel genes

The retina is a complex tissue comprised of multiple cell types that is affected by a diverse set of diseases that are important causes of vision loss. Characterizing the transcripts, both annotated and novel, that are expressed in a given tissue has become vital for understanding the mechanisms underlying the pathology of disease. We sequenced RNA prepared from three normal human retinas and characterized the retinal transcriptome at an unprecedented level due to the increased depth of sampling provided by the RNA-seq approach. We used a non-redundant reference transcriptome from all of the empirically-determined human reference tracks to identify annotated and novel sequences expressed in the retina. We detected 79,915 novel alternative splicing events, including 29,887 novel exons, 21,757 3′ and 5′ alternate splice sites, and 28,271 exon skipping events. We also identified 116 potential novel genes. These data represent a significant addition to the annotated human transcriptome. For example, the novel exons detected increase the number of identified exons by 3%. Using a high-throughput RNA capture approach to validate 14,696 of these novel transcriptome features we found that 99% of the putative novel events can be reproducibly detected. Further, 15-36% of the novel splicing events maintain an open reading frame, suggesting they produce novel protein products. To our knowledge, this is the first application of RNA capture to perform large-scale validation of novel transcriptome features. In total, these analyses provide extensive detail about a previously uncharacterized level of transcript diversity in the human retina.
A Numerical Study of Inversion-Layer Breakup and the Effects of Topographic Shading in Idealized Valleys

Numerical simulations of inversion-layer breakup in idealized steep valleys are performed using the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) to investigate the effects of valley width and depth, and topographic shade. Simulations of the diurnal pattern of slope winds under weak synoptic conditions are presented in a valley of depth 500 m and floor width 1200 m. Typical up- and downslope wind circulations are reproduced, and their influence on the stability in the valley is analyzed and characterized using the classifications of Whiteman. A systematic investigation of the inversion-layer characteristics in a set of 24 valleys of varying depth and width is conducted. For the narrow-valley cases, the depth and lifetime of the stable layer increase as the depth of the valley increases. For wide valleys, however, the stable-layer depth and lifetime converge toward a single value regardless of the valley depth. An original subroutine accounting for topographic shading is introduced and its effects on both the slope winds and the inversion breakup process are discussed. Results from tests in idealized valleys indicate that topographic shading can delay inversion-layer breakup and, therefore, should be included, when appropriate, in numerical simulations of flow over complex terrain.
Identification of amino acid residues essential for high aflatoxin B1-8,9-epoxide conjugation activity in alpha class glutathione S-transferases through site-directed mutagenesis.

Abstract Mice constitutively express glutathione S -transferase mGSTA3-3 in liver. This isoform possesses uniquely high conjugating activity toward aflatoxin B 1 -8,9-epoxide (AFBO), thereby protecting mice from aflatoxin B 1 -induced hepatocarcinogenicity. In contrast, rats constitutively express a closely related GST isoenzyme, rGSTA3-3, with low AFBO activity and, therefore, are sensitive to aflatoxin B 1 exposure. Although the two GSTs share 86% sequence identity and have similar catalytic activities toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), they have an approximately 1000-fold difference in catalytic activity toward AFBO. To identify amino acids that confer high activity toward AFBO, non-conserved rGSTA3-3 residues were replaced with mGSTA3-3 residues in two regions believed to form the substrate binding site. Twenty-one mutant rGSTA3-3 enzymes were generated by site-directed mutagenesis using combinations of nine different residues. Except for the E208D mutant, single mutations of rGSTA3-3 produced enzymes with no detectable AFBO activity. Generally, AFBO conjugation activity increased in additive fashion as mGSTA3-3 residues were introduced into the rGSTA3-3 enzyme with the six site mutant E104I/H108Y/Y111H/L207F/E208D/V217K displaying the highest AFBO activity (40 nmol/mg/min) of all the mutant enzymes. When this mutant enzyme was further modified by three additional substitutions (D103E/I105M/V106I) AFBO conjugation activity decreased 14-fold to 2.8 nmol/mg/min. Although wild-type mGSTA3-3 AFBO conjugation activity (265 nmol/mg/min) could not be obtained by our rGSTA3-3 mutants, we were able to identify six mGSTA3-3 residues; Ile 104 , Tyr 108 , His 111 , Phe 207 , Asp 208 , and Lys 217 that, when collectively substituted into rGSTA3-3, substantially increased (>200-fold) glutathione conjugation activity toward AFBO.
An iterative algorithm for model-based predictive control of an Electro-Pneumatic Valve Actuator

The benefits of utilizing camless valve actuations for internal combustion engines are primarily due to their ability of significantly improving engine performance. There are mainly three kinds of camless valve actuators: electro-magnetic, electro-hydraulic, and electro-pneumatic valves. This paper focuses on controls of the Electro-Pneumatic Valve Actuators (EPVA). The model-based predictive control scheme has been developed for exhaust electro-pneumatic valve actuators to overcome variable incylinder pressure force as a function of engine operational conditions in early publications. But high computational throughput of predictive control makes it extremely difficult for real-time implementation. This paper develops an iterative model-based predictive control scheme for lift control of an exhaust EPVA that significantly reduces computational throughput. The developed iterative control strategy was verified in simulation using an EPVA model that combines mathematical models of exhaust valve and in-cylinder pressure based upon a 5.4 Liter 3 valve V8 engine head.
Protoindustry and the Problem of Capitalism as a Concept: Response to Jean H. Quataert

Like many notions in the social sciences, debates about protoindustry?the or ganization of manufacturing industry in the centuries before the conspicuous application of machinery to production?have had more success as a research program than a theory. Provocative but unproven, the original characteriza tions of protoindustrial systems have stimulated scrutiny of the mechanization of production and the transition from feudalism to capitalism which is under mining the belief that a determinate logic?a law of motion?governs either. Quataert's survey gives a good picture of this debate's changing emphasis, but she addresses the theoretical questions at issue in successive formulations of the problem only obliquely. Her essay, consequently, also reflects the current uncertainties and confusions of the discussion?especially and typically, the attachment to a curiously empty concept of capitalism, which allows for the halting progress of research while inhibiting discussion of the results. This note, therefore, briefly recounts the protoindustry debate with the aim of drawing out its potentially most radical conclusion: the idea that there is no concept of capitalism useful for understanding the struggles over the distribu tion of the economic surplus or the institutional transformations these con flicts produced. My own views on the transition to mechanized production and a comprehensive criticism of those views (to which I was a party) have been set out elsewhere;1 I will not encumber the argument here by using my own re search as evidence for my case. The operative core of the original protoindustrialization hypothesis, as advanced by Mendels, Medick, and others, was the assertion of a (frequently) irreversible, self-reinforcing connection between changes in the organization of early manufacturing and the demographic balance in many rural areas. First, the argument ran, merchant-capitalists established putting-out systems in those parts of the countryside where they could profit from the peasants' needs to earn a supplementary income. The new industrial by-employments supposedly raised the rural living standard, thus reducing the marriage age and increasing the population. The eventual overpopulation then allegedly made the community dependent on industrial income, creating in effect a protopro letariat that would later be incorporated into centralized factories.2
Relaxing non-volatility for fast and energy-efficient STT-RAM caches

Spin-Transfer Torque RAM (STT-RAM) is an emerging non-volatile memory technology that is a potential universal memory that could replace SRAM in processor caches. This paper presents a novel approach for redesigning STT-RAM memory cells to reduce the high dynamic energy and slow write latencies. We lower the retention time by reducing the planar area of the cell, thereby reducing the write current, which we then use with CACTI to design caches and memories. We simulate quad-core processor designs using a combination of SRAM- and STT-RAM-based caches. Since ultra-low retention STT-RAM may lose data, we also provide a preliminary evaluation for a simple, DRAMstyle refresh policy. We found that a pure STT-RAM cache hierarchy provides the best energy efficiency, though a hybrid design of SRAM-based L1 caches with reduced-retention STT-RAM L2 and L3 caches eliminates performance loss while still reducing the energy-delay product by more than 70%.
Networks, fractals and complexity: web-based information patterns

This paper outlines a theoretical framework for understanding and mapping the movement of information on a dynamic information system like the Web. The Web exhibits properties that identify it as a complex network. Incorporating the small-world, scale-free, self-organizing properties of the Web, this theoretical model explores the Web as a dynamical and evolving system using complexity and fractal theories to explain the underlying structure of the Web. Complexity and fractal theories offer tools by which to evaluate and measure information patterns on a self-similar, complex network.
Assessment of Cancer Cell Line Representativeness using Microarrays for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

When using cell lines to study cancer, phenotypic similarity to the original tumor is paramount. Yet, little has been done to characterize how closely Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) cell lines model native tumors. To determine their similarity to MCC tumor samples, we characterized MCC cell lines via gene expression microarrays. Using whole transcriptome gene expression signatures and a computational bioinformatic approach, we identified significant differences between variant cell lines (UISO, MCC13, and MCC26) and fresh frozen MCC tumors. Conversely, the classic WaGa and Mkl-1 cell lines more closely represented the global transcriptome of MCC tumors. When compared with publicly available cancer lines, WaGa and Mkl-1 cells were similar to other neuroendocrine tumors, but the variant cell lines were not. WaGa and Mkl-1 cells grown as xenografts in mice had histological and immunophenotypical features consistent with MCC, whereas UISO xenograft tumors were atypical for MCC. Spectral karyotyping and short tandem repeat analysis of the UISO cells matched the original cell line's description, ruling out contamination. Our results validate the use of transcriptome analysis to assess the cancer cell line representativeness and indicate that UISO, MCC13, and MCC26 cell lines are not representative of MCC tumors, whereas WaGa and Mkl-1 more closely model MCC.
Growth of Migrant Remittances from the United States to Mexico, 1990–2004

Migrant remittances from the United States to Mexico have grown at an impressive rate in recent years. Using a decomposition technique, I attribute the growth in remittances, for the 1990-2004 period and subperiods within it, to a migration effect, a remitting propensity effect and an average amount effect. Results show that while migration growth was the main force driving remittance growth for most of the 1990s, in the new century remittance growth cannot be simply attributed to migration growth. Mexican migrants are becoming more likely to remit and are remitting larger amounts. This reflects both a change in the composition of the Mexican population in the United States and new modes of immigrant incorporation, consistent with the assimilation and the transnational narratives. Macroeconomic oscillations play an important role in explaining remittance growth as well.
Infantas, Conformidad, and Marriages of State: Observations on the Loa to Calderón's La púrpura de la rosa

Se equivocan en la educacion que nos dan a las princesas. Me ensenaron historia, politica y musica, pero nadie me previno de que, al casarme con un hombre al que no amaba, el deber que se me imponia tenia que fundarse en algo, o la fidelidad tener algun apoyo … Ellos piensan que no es mas que un acto politico, y olvidan, y no parece importarles, que una mujer pone su cuerpo a disposicion de otro sin nada que lo justifique ni lo compense, porque en la cama no hay principes ni princesas, sino hombres y mujeres. Todas las princesas somos violadas, estamos aqui para eso, para eso nos inculcan el sentido del deber. Thus speaks Ursula Cristina in Torrente Ballester's 1985 novel La rosa de los vientos.1 However we may choose to interpret this declaration of a female character in a contemporary novel about events set in a nineteenth-century Germanic land, Torrente's seemingly all-pervasive humour subverts or, better yet, problematizes its human truth by its incongruous contextualization. The Empress Ursula Cris...
Comparison of two double-observer point-count approaches for estimating breeding bird abundance

Point counts are one of the most widely used and efficient approaches to survey land-bird populations. A new approach to point-count surveys involves the use of 2 observers, which allows the calculation of a detection probability for each bird species. Detection probabilities derived from 2 observers permit investigators to calculate a corrected abundance estimate that accounts for birds present but not detected. We evaluated 2 double-observer point count approaches: the dependent-observer approach and the independent-observer approach. The dependent-observer approach involves 2 observers recording data together on a single data sheet with one observer designated the primary observer and the other designated as the secondary observer. The primary observer verbally dictates the number of each species detected while the secondary observer records this information; the secondary observer also records birds that the primary observer did not detect. The independent-observer approach involves 2 observers recording data independently on separate data sheets without verbal communication between observers. This study compares the detection probabilities and associated levels of precision generated by both double-observer approaches to ascertain which technique generates data that are more accurate and more feasible to apply in the field. We conducted point counts at 137 point locations in northern West Virginia during the spring of 2000 and 2001 using both double-observer approaches. We generated detection probabilities and abundances from data collected using both double-observer approaches using program DOBSERV. The dependent-observer approach resulted in higher observer-specific and joint detection probabilities, as well as lower standard errors of detection probability across most cover types. Species-specific detection probabilities were higher across all cover types under the dependent-observer approach. Given the higher detection probabilities and associated precision combined with fewer logistical constraints, we suggest that the dependent-observer approach be used when investigators are interested in surveying birds using point counts.
Aromatic contributions to circular dichroism spectra of proteins.

(1974). Aromatic Contributions To Circular Dichroism Spectra Of Protein. CRC Critical Reviews in Biochemistry: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 113-175.
Characteristics of Pine Gasification Ash and its Effects on Chlamydomonas debaryana Growth

Large amounts of ash, generated from biomass gasification, often contaminate syngas and the ecosystem. This study showed that the ash obtained from the gasification of pine wood was primarily composed of carbon (15% to 25%), minerals (~21%), and oxygen (52% to 63%), and exhibited low surface area (8.4 to 11.2 m2/g). The size of ash particles was between 600 nm and 600 μm. Calcium, potassium, and sodium were the three most common mineral elements in the ash. Leaching tests showed that adding ash to water raised the pH value from 5.7 to between 11.2 and 11.5, and, as time progressed, more mineral elements were released from the ash. For growing microalga Chlamydomonas debaryana in media containing ashes, no toxicity of pine ash was found.
Blog, Blogger and the Firm: Can Negative Posts by Employees Lead to Positive Outcomes?

Blogs have recently received a lot of attention, especially in the business community, with a number of firms encouraging their employees to publish blogs to reach out and connect to a wider audience. The business world is beginning to realize that employee blogs can cast a firm in either a positive or a negative light, thereby enhancing or harming the firm’s reputation. However, we find that negative posts by employees draw a higher readership, which has the potential to actually help the overall reputation of the firm. The explanation for this is that readers perceive an employee blogger to be honest and helpful when they read negative posts on the blog, and recommend the blog more to their friends, who will then also be exposed to the positive posts on the blog. First, we present a theoretical discussion, explaining why blogs containing negative posts could draw a larger audience. Next, we present empirical evidence that blogs that contain negative posts do draw a larger readership, and we derive a relationship between the extent of negative posts and readership. Our empirical model accounts for inherent non-linearities, serial correlation, issues of endogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity, and potential alternative specifications. Our results suggest that ceteris paribus, negative posts increase the readership of an employee blog asymptotically. Furthermore, we use the derived model to suggest conditions under which negative posts on an employee blog can lead to a greater overall positive influence on readers towards the employee’s firm. We illustrate the application of the framework using a unique blogging data from employees at a Fortune 500 company.
Field dependence of glassy freezing in a relaxor ferroelectric

Multifrequency susceptibility measurements on the perovskite relaxor ferroelectric ${({\text{PbMg}}_{1/3}{\text{Nb}}_{2/3}{\text{O}}_{3})}_{0.88}{({\text{PbTiO}}_{3})}_{0.12}$ were performed at various strengths of dc electric field applied along the [111] direction. The temperature-frequency dependences fit the Vogel-Fulcher form, allowing the extraction of a frequency-independent glassy freezing temperature. These Vogel-Fulcher temperatures showed significant reductions in applied fields, following an empirical Gabay-Toulouse form, similar to vector spin glasses. The magnitude of the sensitivity indicates that the glassy state is formed by interactions among the same entities which account for the susceptibility, i.e., the polar nanoregions. That interpretation is supported by other data showing a loss of Vogel-Fulcher behavior in a powder sample of ${\text{PbMg}}_{1/3}{\text{Nb}}_{2/3}{\text{O}}_{3}$, with grains too small to support large-scale internanoregion cooperativity.
Clinical Implications of Positive Tests for Antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in Asymptomatic Blood Donors

Abstract Of 693,000 volunteer blood donors in Washington, D.C., who were screened for infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) from July 1985 through December 1988, 284 tested positive on both enzyme immunoassay and Western blot assay. To determine the clinical importance of confirmed positive test results in asymptomatic blood donors, we followed 156 donors with positive Western blot assays and 80 donors with positive enzyme immunoassays but negative or indeterminate Western blots at 6-month intervals for a mean of 28 months. As compared with Western blot-negative persons, those with positive Western blots were significantly more likely to be black, male, and first-time donors and to have a history of venereal disease, generalized lymphadenopathy on examination, CD4-cell counts lower than 0.4x109 per liter, IgG levels higher than 18 g per liter, and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen on initial evaluation. In 17 (11 percent) of the Western blot–positive donors, the disease progressed ...
Use of Amendments to Restore Ecosystem Function to Metal Mining-Impacted Sites: Tools to Evaluate Efficacy

As in situ use of amendments for restoration of metal-contaminated mining sites becomes increasingly accepted, the expected level of ecosystem function at these sites will increase. Use of appropriate tools to measure both the level and value of that function is critical to expand use of this approach. For these sites, amendment mixtures must reduce metal availability in situ and restore ecosystem function. Combinations of mixtures, typically consisting of a material with high metal binding capacity (cyclonic ashes, municipal biosolids, or other materials rich in Fe, Al, or Mn oxides), material to adjust soil pH (sugar beet lime, cement kiln dust, dolomitic limestone), and an organic residual to provide soil structure and nutrients (composts, animal manures, municipal biosolids) have been tested in multiple lab and field trials on metal-contaminated sites. This review focuses on field tests of this approach with the goal of providing methods to quantify reduction of hazard and restoration of functional systems. Methods to evaluate success of amendments including extractions to measure changes in metal availability, microbial function and diversity, phytoavailability of metals, and earthworm and small mammal assays are discussed. In most cases, measures of metal availability and ecosystem function are related. For example, surveys of small mammals on restored sites provide information on metal availability as well as suitability of restored habitat. Additional measures of ecosystem function including soil fertility, physical properties, and diversity of habitat are described. Finally, measures of the value of this approach for restoring ecosystems are detailed.
Feasibility analysis of purchasing maternal and child health services(MCH)in rural poverty regions of Guizhou Province

To explore feasibility of implementing contract to purchase maternal and child health services(MCH)in rural poor areas,the conducted situation of pilot areas Guanling County,Luodian County,Pingtang County was comprehensively analyzed in their socio-economic status,the investment and burden to purchase MCH services,human resources,facilities and equipment of township hospitals etc.Results showed that it was feasible of purchasing MCH services in technology,facilities and human resources,but it would bring financial burden to the county finance.Therefore,if there is national financial support,it is feasible to make contract to purchase MCH services in poor rural areas of Guizhou Province.
Owners’ Perspective of Factors Contributing to Project Delay: Case Studies of Road and Bridge Projects in Saudi Arabia☆

Abstract Delays are a major cause for concern in the construction industry in Saudi Arabia. This paper identifies the main causes of delay in infrastructure projects in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and compares these with projects around the country and other Gulf countries. Data was obtained from 49 infrastructure projects undertaken by the owner and were analyzed quantitatively to understand the severity and causes of delay. 10 risk factors were identified and were grouped into four categories. Average delay in infrastructure projects in Mecca was found to be 39%. The most severe cause of delay was found to be the land acquisition factor. This highlights the critical land ownership and acquisition issues that are prevailing in the city. Additionally, other factors that contribute to delay include contractors’ lack of expertise, re-designing, and haphazard underground utilities (line services). It is concluded that the majority of project delays were caused from the owner's side as compared to contractors, consultants, and other project's stakeholders. This finding matched with the research findings of the Gulf Countries Construction (GCC) Industry's literature. This study fills an important practice and research gap for improving the efficiency in delivering infrastructure projects in the holy city of Mecca and Gulf countries at large.
Spatiotemporal resource distribution and foraging strategies of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The distribution of food resources in space and time is likely to be an important factor governing the type of foraging strategy used by ants. However, no previous systematic attempt has been made to determine whether spatiotemporal resource distribution is in fact correlated with foraging strategy across the ants. In this analysis, I present data compiled from the literature on the foraging strategy and food resource use of 402 species of ants from across the phylogenetic tree. By categorizing the distribution of resources reported in these studies in terms of size relative to colony size, spatial distribution relative to colony foraging range, frequency of occurrence in time relative to worker life span, and depletability (i.e., whether the colony can cause a change in resource frequency), I demonstrate that different foraging strategies are indeed associated with specific spatiotemporal resource attributes. The general patterns I describe here can therefore be used as a framework to inform predictions in future studies of ant foraging behavior. No differences were found between resources collected via short-term recruitment strategies (group recruitment, short-term trails, and volatile recruitment), whereas different resource distributions were associated with solitary foraging, trunk trails, long-term trail networks, group raiding, and raiding. In many cases, ant species use a combination of different foraging strategies to collect diverse resources. It is useful to consider these foraging strategies not as separate options but as modular parts of the total foraging effort of a colony.
Osteoporosis: the basics and case-based advanced treatment update for the orthopaedic surgeon.

Abstract When fragility fractures occur, urgent treatment is needed to reduce the risk of refracture. An extensive case-based review is used to provide an update on the basics of osteoporosis and the evaluation and treatment of patients with fragility fractures, with the goal of decreasing the risk of subsequent fracture. The pathophysiology of osteoporosis, mechanisms of action of optimal antifracture medications that will become a part of the pharmacologic armamentarium of every orthopaedic surgeon, and detailed evaluation and treatment information are presented to provide orthopaedic surgeons with the information needed to optimize the bone health of their patients.
Nocturnal and Postprandial Free Fatty Acid Kinetics in Normal and Type 2 Diabetic Subjects: Effects of Insulin Sensitization Therapy

Whether free fatty acid (FFA) rate of appearance (R(a)) is increased in type 2 diabetes is controversial. To characterize nocturnal and postprandial abnormalities in FFA kinetics and to determine the effects of treatment with insulin sensitizers on lipolysis, we measured palmitate R(a) in control subjects (n = 6) and individuals with poorly controlled, sulfonylurea-treated type 2 diabetes (HbA(1c) = 8.7 +/- 0.2%, n = 20), the latter before and at the end of 12 weeks of treatment with troglitazone (600 mg/day, n = 4), metformin ( approximately 2,000 mg/day, n = 8), or placebo (n = 8). Subjects consumed a standard breakfast at 0800 h. Results in control subjects and type 2 diabetic subjects were compared at baseline. Integrated nocturnal FFA R(a) (AUC(1:00-8:00 A.M.)) was approximately 50% higher in type 2 diabetic subjects than in control subjects (29.4 +/- 3.0 vs. 19.4 +/- 3.9 mmol. m(-2). 7 h(-1), respectively, P < 0.05), whereas postprandial palmitate R(a) (AUC(0-240 min)) was almost threefold higher in type 2 diabetic subjects than in control subjects (14.2 +/- 1.7 vs. 5.3 +/- 1.0 mmol. m(-2). 4 h(-1), respectively, P < 0.01). After troglitazone treatment, nocturnal palmitate R(a) did not change, but postprandial palmitate R(a) decreased by approximately 30% (P < 0.05). Palmitate kinetics did not change with metformin or placebo treatment. In summary, nocturnal and postprandial FFA R(a) is increased in type 2 diabetes. Postprandial lipolysis appears to be preferentially improved by thiazolidinediones compared with nocturnal lipolysis.
Origins of Homophobia in Males: Psychosexual Vulnerabilities and Defense Development

Purpose: To better understand the origins of homophobia among males. Methods: Literature review and clinical illustration. Results: Data suggest that there is a range of homophobic attitudes. Concl...
Neuroversion: using electroconvulsive therapy as a bridge to deep brain stimulation implantation

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder with significant neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective in treating these neuropsychiatric symptoms; however, clinicians are reluctant to use ECT in patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) implantations for fear of damaging the device, as well as potential cognitive side effects. Right unilateral ultra-brief pulse (RUL UBP) ECT has a more favorable cognitive side-effect profile yet has never been reported in PD patients with DBS implants. We present a case series of three patients with a history of PD that all presented with psychiatric decompensation immediately prior to planned DBS surgery. All three patients had DBS electrode(s) in place at the time and an acute course of ECT was utilized in a novel method to "bridge" these individuals to neurosurgery. The patients all experienced symptom resolution (psychosis and/or depression and/or anxiety) without apparent cognitive side effects. This case series not only illustrates that right unilateral ultra-brief pulse can be utilized in patients with DBS electrodes but also illustrates that this intervention can be utilized as a neuromodulatory "bridge", where nonoperative surgical candidates with unstable psychiatric symptoms can be converted to operative candidates in a manner similar to electrical cardioversion.
Manganese-proline derived new catalyst system for the enantioselective synthesis of α-hydroxyphosphonates and α-aminophosphonates

Abstract A novel manganese/proline-derived catalyst system is reported for the stereoselective synthesis of α-hydroxyphosphonates and α-aminophosphonates. The reaction proceeded smoothly under mild reaction conditions with efficient reaction times. The resulting products were obtained with high yields and good enantioselectivities (up to 83% ee).
Systematic review of caregiver responses for patient health-related quality of life in adult cancer care

In surveys and in research, proxies such as family members may be used to assess patient health-related quality of life. The aim of this research is to help cancer researchers select a validated health-related quality of life tool if they anticipate using proxy-reported data. Systematic review and methodological appraisal of studies examining the concordance of paired adult cancer patient and proxy responses for multidimensional, validated HRQOL tools. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and perused bibliographies of reviewed papers. We reviewed concordance assessment methods, results, and associated factors for each validated tool. A total of 32 papers reporting on 29 study populations were included. Most papers were cross-sectional (N = 20) and used disease-specific tools (N = 19), primarily the FACT and EORTC. Patient and proxy mean scores were similar on average for tools and scales, with most mean differences <10 points but large standard deviations. Average ICCs for the FACT and EORTC ranged from 0.35 to 0.62, depending on the scale. Few papers (N = 15) evaluated factors associated with concordance, and results and measurement approaches were inconsistent. The EORTC was the most commonly evaluated disease-specific tool (N = 5 papers). For generic tools, both concordance and associated factor information was most commonly available for the COOP/WONCA (N = 3 papers). The MQOL was the most frequently evaluated end-of-life tool (N = 3 papers). Proxy and patient scores are similar on average, but there is large, clinically important residual variability. The evidence base is strongest for the EORTC (disease-specific tools), COOP/WONCA (generic tools), and MQOL (end-of-life-specific tools).
Potato Chips, Cookies, and Candy Oh My! Public Commentary on Proposed Rules Regulating Competitive Foods.

Background. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish nutritional standards for all foods sold in schools participating in federall...
Collection Diversity Has No Borders: A Librarian’s Experience at FIL, CILELIJ and FILIJ

Many public libraries in communities where Spanish is a language preferred by a significant percentage of the population have dedicated Spanish language collections and bilingual/ bicultural staff that provides library services and programs. In Oregon, the Latino population is growing faster than the national average, and nearly half of Oregon Latinos are bilingual (Oregon Community Foundation, 2016). In alignment with best practices, and upholding the core values of our profession, libraries dedicate funds and shelving space to Spanish language materials to serve the informational, educational, and recreational needs of Spanish-speaking communities. Libraries that are dedicated to developing and maintaining rich and diverse collections that support thriving and empowered communities demonstrate this commitment through a holistic effort encompassing community engagement, strong relationships with vendors, as well as active participation in professional associations both locally and internationally. In my work as a bilingual/bicultural librarian, previously in California and currently in Oregon, I contribute to selecting and promoting rich and diverse Spanish language collections. As part of this work, I have been able to expand my knowledge of Spanish language materials while connecting with and learning from professionals locally and internationally. In this article, I will share my experience at three professional development events held in Mexico between 2012 and 2016: FIL (Guadalajara International Book Fair), CILELIJ (Iberoamerican Congress of Language and Literature for Children and Youth) and FILIJ (International Book Fair for Children and Youth). Lastly, I will highlight the benefits of being an active member of a professional organization like REFORMA, and working to develop and promote library resources and services within the Latino/Spanish-speaking community.
A randomized, double-blind study of “Scrambler” therapy versus sham for painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

9635 Background: CIPN is a debilitating, dose-limiting toxicity. The MC5A is a non-invasive electro-analgesia device delivering “Scrambler Therapy,” which has shown benefit for painful CIPN in unco...
Photonic MEMS Vibrating at X-Band Rates (11GHz)

We report on an opto-mechanical resonator with vibration excited by compressive radiation pressure via stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS).
MS in self-identified Hispanic/Latino individuals living in the US:

Self-identified Hispanic/Latino individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the continental United States (US) are a diverse group that represents different cultural and ancestral backgrounds. A marked variability in the way MS affects various subgroups of Hispanics in the US has been observed. We reviewed and synthesized available data about MS in Hispanics in the US. There are likely a host of multifactorial elements contributing to these observations that could be explained by genetic, environmental, and social underpinnings. Barriers to adequate MS care in Hispanics are likely to include delivery of culturally competent care and social and economic disadvantages. Considerable efforts, including the formation of a national consortium known as the Alliance for Research in Hispanic Multiple Sclerosis (ARHMS), are underway to help further explore these various factors.
Metastable phase transformation and deformation twinning induced hardening-stiffening mechanism in compression of silicon nanoparticles

Abstract The compressive mechanical responses of silicon nanoparticles with respect to crystallographic orientations are investigated by atomistic simulations. Superelastic and abrupt hardening-stiffening behaviors are revealed in [110]-, [111]- and [112]-oriented nanoparticles. The obtained hardness values of these particles are in good agreement with the experimental results. In particular, [111]-oriented particle is extremely hard since its hardness (∼33.7 GPa) is almost three times greater than that of the bulk silicon (∼12 GPa). To understand the underlying deformation mechanisms, metastable phase transformation is detected in these particles. Deformation twinning of the metastable phase accounts for the early hardening-stiffening behavior observed in [110]-oriented particle. The twin phase then coalescences and undergoes compression to resist further deformation, and leads to the subsequent re-hardening and re-stiffening events. The same metastable phase is also detected to form in [111]- and [112]-oriented particles. The compression of such metastable phase is responsible for their hardening-stiffening behavior. In contrast, the crystal lattice of diamond cubic silicon is merely elastically deformed when compressing along [100] direction. Throughout the simulations, no perfect tetragonal β-tin silicon phase formed due to the deconfinement status of nanoparticle comparing to the bulk silicon. A size effect on hardness of silicon nanoparticles, i.e., “smaller is harder”, is also revealed.
Abstract 17789: Comparative Effectiveness and Safety Between Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants Change With Renal Function

Introduction: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have at least equivalent efficacy for stroke prevention and less intracranial bleeding than warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Clinicians and patients now have a choice between NOACs, however, because NOACs were not directly compared to each other in pivotal clinical trials, there is little evidence to guide the choice. Hypothesis: Because NOACs have various degree of renal clearance - 80% in dabigatran, 35% in rivaroxaban and 27% in apixaban, renal function may impact the comparative effectiveness and safety between NOACs. Methods: Using a large U.S. administrative claims database, we created three propensity-score matched cohorts of AF patients who were users of NOACs between 10/1/2010-9/30/2015 (apixaban versus dabigatran [N=7,390]; apixaban versus rivaroxaban [N=7,388] and dabigatran versus rivaroxaban [N=9,414]). Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare NOACs after match, adjusting for the use of a reduced dose versus standard dose. Net clinical benefit was calculated based on the stroke and intracranial bleeding event rates. Results: Significant interaction was found comparing apixaban to dabigatran. The net clinical benefits of using apixaban versus dabigatran increased with renal function. Both apixaban and dabigatran had positive net clinical benefits compared to rivaroxaban, but the benefit diminished with improving renal function (Table). Conclusions: Renal function appears to be an important determinant of the relative risk and benefit between NOACs. Most AF patients, especially those with severe renal impairment, may benefit more from either apixaban or dabigatran in comparison to rivaroxaban. The choice between apixaban and dabigatran is a tradeoff between preventing stroke and avoiding intracranial bleeding. Patients with normal or mildly impaired renal function may likely benefit more from apixaban than dabigatran.
Motivational Impacts on Intent to Use Health-Related Social Media

Today, the healthcare industry is challenged with promoting health and disease prevention through various customer outreach initiatives. Social media tools enable customers to aquire health information without the need to visit their doctor. Yet, healthcare providers do not understand what motivates customers to use such technology for health-related purposes. In this study, an online survey was conducted with 4,058 participants. Using SEM techniques, the results indicate that previous experience with online health-related searches serves as a direct and indirect motivational driver. While the direct relationship between prior experience with online health-related searches can be mostly positive, it can be weakened and impacted by inhibitors that create online use concerns (e.g., privacy and confidentiality). Furthermore, health condition may determine the level of interest people may have for health-related social media sites as well. This research provides a deeper understanding about motivational factors that impact the intent to use health-related social media.
Exploring Millennials' Purchase Intentions toward Sustainable Luxury Brands

Due to the environmental damage caused by unsustainable fashion consumption, sustainability efforts should be employed. Previous research has shown that sustainable luxury products containing recycled materials formed a negative impression possibly due to the dissonance between luxury associated with prestige and recycled materials associated with waste. This study used Impression Formation Theory targeting a growing luxury consumer segment, sustainability-conscious millennials, to determine their impressions, brand attitude, and purchase intention towards sustainable luxury brands using recycled materials. An online survey with a sustainable luxury brand description scenario (e.g., luxury brand logo along with 100% recycled materials logo and sustainability rhetoric) was used to determine millennials' impressions. Millennials perceived sustainable luxury products to exude the impression of luxury despite using non-luxurious recycled materials. Therefore, luxury brands are encouraged to cater to this pro-social group of luxury consumers by offering products that help the environment through reuse of materials.
Memory Problems and Rehabilitation

Many neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, anoxia, and multiple sclerosis, can lead to memory impairment. Each disorder has its own characteristic impact on memory and can affect different aspects of memory functioning. Neuropsychological assessment can help to characterize memory problems and may pinpoint specific problem areas for treatment intervention. One must therefore understand the differences between types of memory and stages of the memory process (i.e., encoding, storage, retrieval) in order correctly to apply rehabilitation techniques. Rehabilitation techniques can be broken down into internal and external strategies. Internal strategies target encoding and retrieval processes. Examples include use of imagery, verbal elaboration, and organization of incoming material. External aids are more useful for those with impaired consolidation processes. These include environmental aids, which help to impose structure on the external environment, and portable aids, which can help to provide reminders. Additionally, use of augmentative technology (i.e., electronic organizers, computers, dictating machines) has proven beneficial in some instances. Finally, psychopharmacological approaches have been helpful in specific cases. To date, the majority of pharmacological research has addressed memory problems associated with Alzheimer's disease, one of the most frequent causes of memory impairment.
Vitamin supplementation in the elderly: a critical evaluation

Routine vitamin supplementation for the elderly has been advocated by many. Specific vitamin deficiencies are rare in free-living elderly, but are not uncommonly encountered in hospitalized and institutionalized patients. Deficiency may result from interactions with medications or overall poor dietary intake. Low blood or plasma vitamin concentration is not necessarily indicative of a deficient state. Specific vitamin supplements are useful in the treatment and prevention of a deficient state. However, there is little, if any benefit from supplementation for reasons other than replacement therapy. The incidence and clinical symptoms of thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), vitamin B12, C, D, folate, niacin, vitamin A, E, beta carotene, and K deficiency and their treatment and prevention in the elderly are discussed.
Integrating Machine Learning Techniques to Adapt Protocols for QoS-enabled Distributed Real-time and Embedded Publish/Subscribe Middleware

Quality-of-service (QoS)-enabled publish/subscribe (pub/sub) middleware provides the infra-structure needed to disseminate data predictably, reliably, and scalably in distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) systems. Maintaining QoS properties as the operating environ¬ment fluctuates is challenging, however, since the chosen mechanism (e.g., transport protocol or caching algorithm for data persistence) may no longer provide the needed QoS. Moreover, some adaptation approaches are tailored for particular types of operating environments, such as environments whose configuration properties (e.g., number of data receivers or data sending rate) are known prior to runtime versus unknown until runtime. For DRE pub/sub systems operating in dynamic environments, adjustments to mechanisms must be timely, accurate for known environments, and resilient to environments unknown until runtime. Several adaptation approaches, such as policy-based [1] and reinforcement learning [2] have been developed to ensure end-to-end quality-of-service (QoS) for enterprise distributed systems in dynamic operating environments. Not all approaches are applicable for DRE pub/sub systems, however, due to their stringent accuracy, timeliness, and development complexity requirements. Supervised machine learning techniques, such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) [3] and support vector machines (SVMs) [4], are promising approaches to address the accuracy, time complexity, and development complexity concerns of adaptive enterprise DRE systems. This article describes the results of research that (1) empirically evaluates supervised machine learning techniques used to adapt the transport protocols of QoS-enabled pub/sub middleware autonomically in a dynamic environment and (2) integrates multiple techniques to increase accuracy for environments known a priori and not known until runtime. Our results show that both ANNs and SVMs provide constant time complexity, low latency, and reduced de-velopment complexity. ANNs are generally more accurate in providing adaptation guidance for environments whose properties are known prior to runtime and provide sub-sec response times, whereas SVMs provide higher accuracy with sec latencies for environments whose properties are not known until runtime. Both approaches can be leveraged together with QoS-enabled pub/sub middleware to address the timeliness, accuracy, and development com-plexity needs of enterprise DRE systems executing in dynamic environments.