cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictive Value of PreBreakfast (B) and PreDinner (D) Self Monitored Blood Glucose (BG) for Subsequent PreLunch (L) and PreSleep (S) BG in Pediatric Patients with Diabetes

Predictive Value of PreBreakfast (B) and PreDinner (D) Self Monitored Blood Glucose (BG) for Subsequent PreLunch (L) and PreSleep (S) BG in Pediatric Patients with Diabetes
Epidemiology of necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a worldwide problem that has emerged in the past 25 years as the most common gastrointestinal emergency in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). In the United States the incidence ranges from 1 to 7.7% of NICU admissions. Ninety percent of the patients are premature infants. Mucosal injury, bacterial colonization and formula feeding are the three major pathogenetic factors that have been documented in most infants who have developed NEC. However, NEC may develop only if a threshold of injury, imposed by the coincidence of at least two of three events (intestinal ischemia, pathogenic bacteria, and excess of protein substrate) is exceeded. Immunological immaturity of the gut in premature babies may represent the crucial risk factor.
Affect in the abstract: Abstract mindsets promote sensitivity to affect

a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 5 March 2010 Revised 14 April 2011 Available online 30 April 2011 Construal level Abstract mindset Concrete mindset Attitude-behavior consistency Emotional Stroop Affective information is a key element of abstract, gist-based representations. Given this central role of affect in abstract representations, the authors hypothesized that those in an abstract mindset may show more sensitivity to affective information when attending to, interpreting, or responding to external stimuli. Across 5 studies, the authors present consistent evidence that those who tend to view the world in more abstract versus concrete terms, or who have been experimentally induced into an abstract (versus concrete) mindset, had their attention automatically captured by highly-affective stimuli (Studies 1a, 1b, and 1c), automatically extracted the affective connotation of stimuli presented outside of awareness (Study 2), and behaved more consistently with their affective construal of stimuli (Study 3). These!ndings suggest that the numerous dispositional and situational factors that in"uence the level at which one construes the world may also have, heretofore overlooked, consequences for basic affective processing. The present research also emphasizes the interdependence of so-called affective and cognitive processes, bridging major literatures on construal and affect that have developed largely independently.
Contemplative Science, Education and Child Development: Introduction to the Special Section

Contemplative science is a transdisciplinary project aimed at understanding the effects of various kinds of mental and physical training (such as mindfulness meditation and tai chi) on the body, brain, and mind at different stages of the lifespan. As such, the goals of contemplative science are to create new knowledge regarding human plasticity and to generate new forms of human services that optimize development. This Special Section introduces readers to new applications of contemplative science in the areas of child development and education. Collectively, the articles explore the prospects for designing age-appropriate forms of secular contemplative trainings that scaffold the development of executive function, emotion regulation, empathy, and compassion in children, adolescents, and the adults who serve them in educational settings alike.
Image retrieval in multipoint queries

Traditional content-based image retrieval (CBIR) systems find relevant images close to an example image. This single-point model has been shown inadequate for complex queries built on high-level concepts. Recent CBIR systems allow users to use multiple examples to compose their queries. The multipoint model provides extended flexibility in identifying relevant sets of arbitrary shape that the previous approach is unable to formulate. However, the continuing use of conventional measures (e.g., Lp norms) to evaluate these queries undermines the advantages of the new system. From the results of recent studies, we show that two important inferences can be made. Specifically, they are the continuity of image representation and the nonhomogeneity of the feature space. These characteristics enable the precise identification of points that satisfy the constraints established in multipoint queries and for any orthogonal feature representations. Generally, the sets are convex hulls and can be described by a linear system of equations with constraints. We discuss how to solve the system and propose an indexing procedure to efficiently determine the exact sets. We evaluated the performance of the proposed technique against state-of-the-art methods on large sets of images. The results indicate that the new measure captures semantic image classes very well, and the superiority of our approach over the recent techniques is evident in simulated and realistic environments. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 18, 170–181, 2008
Interpersonal Continuity of Care and Care Outcomes: A Critical Review

PURPOSE We wanted to undertake a critical review of the medical literature regarding the relationships between interpersonal continuity of care and the outcomes and cost of health care. METHODS A search of the MEDLINE database from 1966 through April 2002 was conducted by the primary author to fioriginal English language articles focusing on interpersonal continuity of patient care. The articles were then screened to select those articles focusing on the relationship between interpersonal continuity and the outcome or cost of care. These articles were systematically reviewed and analyzed by both authors for study method, measurement technique, and quality of evidence. RESULTS Forty-one research articles reporting the results of 40 studies were identifi ed that addressed the relationship between interpersonal continuity and care outcome. A total of 81 separate care outcomes were reported in these articles. Fifty-one outcomes were signifi cantly improved and only 2 were signifi cantly worse in association with interpersonal continuity. Twenty-two articles reported the results of 20 studies of the relationship between interpersonal continuity and cost. These studies reported signifi cantly lower cost or utilization for 35 of 41 cost variables in association with interpersonal continuity. CONCLUSIONS Although the available literature refl ects persistent methodologic problems, it is likely that a signifi cant association exists between interpersonal continuity and improved preventive care and reduced hospitalization. Future research in this area should address more specifi c and measurable outcomes and more direct costs and should seek to defi ne and measure interpersonal continuity more explicitly.
Making the Paradigm Shift: Enhancing Communication for Clients With Alzheimer’s Disease Using a Client-Centered Approach

Dementia has become a leading health concern as the population ages, with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) being the most common cause of dementia. Despite the changes that may occur in individuals with AD, they continue to be social beings in need of communicating. Client-centered care and the impact it has on enhancing communication for individuals withADis an emerging issue. In this article, strategies aimed at enhancing communication for clients in the early stage of AD will be explored.
Modeling and simulation methodology for impact microactuators

Micro or nano distance manipulations are of prime importance in the MEMS industry. Microdevices are ideal for micropositioning systems due to their small size. Microactuators used to produce small displacements would need large actuation forces and a long driving distance. This would require large voltages to produce the desired forces. Actuators based on impulsive forces provide a solution to this problem. Many impact microactuators have been designed and fabricated in the past decade. Impacts are a source of nonlinearity and a careful study of the dynamics is essential in order to ensure consistent performance of the device. Currently, the state of the art lacks a robust design tool for such devices. The primary goal of this paper is to present a comprehensive modeling and simulation methodology for impact microactuators. The present study will aid in a more robust and consistent impact microactuator design.
A mechanical function of myosin II in cell motility

Myosin II mutant Dictyostelium amoebae crawl more slowly than wild-type cells. Thus, myosin II must contribute to amoeboid locomotion. We propose that contractile forces generated by myosin II help the cell's rear edge to detach from the substratum and retract, allowing the cell to continue forward. To test this hypothesis, we measured the speed of wild-type and myosin II null mutant Dictyostelium cells on surfaces of varying adhesivity. As substratum adhesivity increased, the speed of myosin II null mutant cells decreased substantially compared to wild-type cells, suggesting that the mutant is less able to retract from sticky surfaces. Furthermore, interference reflection microscopy revealed a myosin-II-dependent contraction in wild-type but not null mutant cells that is consistent with a balance of adhesive and contractile forces in retraction. Although myosin II null mutant cells have a defect in retraction, pseudopod extension does not cause the cells to become elongated on sticky surfaces. This suggests a mechanism, based possibly on cytoskeletal tension, for regulating cell shape in locomotion. The tension would result from the transmission of tractional forces through the cytoskeletal network, providing the myosin II null mutant with a limited means of retraction and cell division on a surface.
Multidimensional multirate DOA estimation in beamspace

This paper presents a beamspace version of ESPRIT for uniform rectangular arrays that supports closed-form 2-D angle estimation, automatically couples the two components of the source directions, and works with any front end beamformer. The proposed algorithm is based on the observation that beamspace noise eigenvectors can be transformed to vectors that are bandpass and have spectral nulls at the inband source locations. This facilitates multirate processing (involving modulation to baseband, filtering, and decimation) and yields a space with dimensionality equal to the number of beams used to probe the subband rather than the number of elements in the sensor array. The MUSIC algorithm can be applied to this noise subspace. Alternatively, a transformation matrix can be computed a priori, which maps the beamspace signal eigenvectors to the corresponding signal subspace that has the ESPRIT structure. The TLS-ESPRIT algorithm is then modified to obtain the two directions for each source from a single eigenvalue-eigenvector pair. Hence, they are automatically coupled.
Identification of a wrist movement model

Tests were performed to find the mechanical properties of the hand and the muscles driving wrist flexion and extension, and the parameters of a model were identified. The hand acts as a pure inertial load over most of its range of motion. The viscosity of the wrist joint is negligible. Passive elastic torques were also small except at extreme wrist angles. Maximum torque is a weak function of angle over a broad range. Torque/velocity curves for muscles were well approximated by a Hill equation. To measure the series elasticity of the muscle equivalents, step changes in torque were imposed. The series stiffness was found to be a monotonically increasing function of the preload, or active state, saturating at high preloads. >
Neutrophil-mediated tissue injury in alcoholic hepatitis☆

The presence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils) in liver parenchyma is a prominent feature of alcoholic hepatitis. However, the pathophysiological importance of these phagocytes and potential injury mechanisms in alcoholic hepatitis remain unclear. This review summarizes the current knowledge on basic mechanisms of neutrophil-induced liver injury as it emerged from studying a number of different experimental models. This general concept of neutrophil-mediated liver cell injury agrees with many observations made by examining liver sections obtained from patients with alcoholic hepatitis. These include the presence of extravasated neutrophils in the liver, evidence for degranulation of neutrophils in the parenchyma, and excessive formation of neutrophil chemoattractants such as CXC chemokines in liver cells. Colocalization and a strong quantitative correlation between apoptotic hepatocytes and neutrophils could indicate apoptosis-induced transmigration of neutrophils during alcoholic hepatitis, similar to events previously demonstrated in experimental models. Furthermore, circulating neutrophils are primed for reactive oxygen species and inflammatory mediator formation. However, clear evidence for a neutrophil-induced injury in alcoholic hepatitis is missing. Unfortunately, most experimental models of alcoholic liver disease do not have a prominent neutrophilic infiltrate. Therefore, a high priority of future research has to be to develop an experimental model that realistically mimics the neutrophil component of alcoholic hepatitis in human beings. This would allow investigators to test the concept that neutrophils are important for cell injury during alcoholic hepatitis and to identify potential therapeutic intervention strategies.
Whole-tree water transport scales with sapwood capacitance in tropical forest canopy trees

The present study examines the manner in which several whole-tree water transport properties scale with speciesspecific variation in sapwood water storage capacity. The hypothesis that constraints on relationships between sapwood capacitance and other water relations characteristics lead to predictable scaling relationships between intrinsic capacitance and whole-tree behaviour was investigated. Samples of sapwood from four tropical forest canopy tree species selected to represent a range of wood density, tree size and architecture, and taxonomic diversity were used to generate moisture release curves in thermocouple psychrometer chambers, from which species-specific values of sapwood capacitance were calculated. Sapwood capacitance was then used to scale several whole-tree water transport properties determined from measurements of upper branch and basal sap flow, branch water potential, and axial and radial movement of deuterated water (D 2 O) injected into the base of the trunk as a tracer. Sapwood capacitance ranged from 83 to 416 kg m - 3 MPa - 1 among the four species studied and was strongly correlated with minimum branch water potential, soil-to-branch hydraulic conductance, daily utilization of stored water, and axial and radial movement of D 2 O. The species-independent scaling of several wholetree water transport properties with sapwood capacitance indicated that substantial convergence in plant function at multiple levels of biological organization was revealed by a simple variable related to a biophysical property of water transport tissue.
Computer aided strategic planning, engineering and management of global eServices

Most of the developing countries and other underserved segments around the globe are re-inventing the wheel in their efforts to launch eServices — especially in the areas of healthcare, education, economic development, public welfare, and public safety. Due to the unnecessary trial and error, the failure rates in these segments are very high (around 80%). Unfortunately, these segments also lack educational and financial resources to improve their situation. A Computer Aided Strategic Planning, Architecture and Management Environment - spinoff of the GAID eNabler Project — has been developed to address this problem for global equality. This Environment — endorsed by more than 100 countries — quickly produces highly customized plans for the type of service as well as the country/region by using the latest thinking in the field. It significantly reduces trial and error and is being used very effectively to educate as well as assist individuals in different countries to accelerate progress in crucial areas.
Cascading effects of predator diversity and omnivory in a marine food web

Over-harvesting, habitat loss and exotic invasions have altered predator diversity and composition in a variety of communities which is predicted to affect other trophic levels and ecosystem functioning. We tested this hypothesis by manipulating predator identity and diversity in outdoor mesocosms that contained five species of macroalgae and a macroinvertebrate herbivore assemblage dominated by amphipods and isopods. We used five common predators including four carnivores (crabs, shrimp, blennies and killifish) and one omnivore (pinfish). Three carnivorous predators each induced a strong trophic cascade by reducing herbivore abundance and increasing algal biomass and diversity. Surprisingly, increasing predator diversity reversed these effects on macroalgae and altered algal composition, largely due to the inclusion and performance of omnivorous fish in diverse predator assemblages. Changes in predator diversity can cascade to lower trophic levels; the exact effects, however, will be difficult to predict due to the many complex interactions that occur in diverse food webs.
Effects of humidity on the ultraviolet nanosensors of aligned electrospun ZnO nanofibers

The uni-axially aligned ZnO nanofibers with diameters of ∼200 nm were prepared by electrospinning followed by calcination at 600 °C. The effects of humidity and UV illumination on the electrical properties of electrospun ZnO nanofibers were investigated in air under different levels of relative humidity (RH). In the air with low RH, the photocurrent of the electrospun ZnO nanofiber based device increased approximately three orders of magnitude under UV illumination compared with the value measured in the dark. Intriguingly, the photocurrent increased in the air with increase of RH initially; when the RH was above ∼50%, the photocurrent decreased gradually. In the recovery step when the UV illumination was off, a faster current decay was observed with the increase of RH. These were attributed to the competitive surface effects resulted from adsorption/desorption and the related ionization/dissociation of oxygen and water molecules on the photo-generated charge carriers.
Measuring the Influences of Physical Environments on the Behaviors of People with Impairments

Disease or disorder need not be present for an impairment to exist, impairment need not be present for a disability to exist, and disability need not be present for a handicap to exist. The physical environment alone is often sufficient to occasion any of those conditions—impairment, disability, or handicap.
Categorical data analysis

This chapter reviews recent developments in the analysis of categorical and contingency-table data. The first portion examines developments in model testing and selection. The second portion examines work on models for the structure of dependence. These include log-linear parameter models, models for latent classes, models for missing observations, numerical-scale-based association and correlation models (such as correspondence analysis), the treatment of ordered categories, and models for marginal distributions.
Wisconsin Energy Corporation: Case Study Of Corporate Social Responsibility

Increasing by approximately 32% a year globally over the last five years, wind energy has proven to be a clean, abundant, and cost effective renewable source of energy. Wind energy is an important part of the strategy to replace fossil fuel electricity generation. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas currently generate over 70% of the power consumed in North America. The dramatic increase in the cost for fossil fuels and the growing pressure on the world's nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have combined to position wind power as the world’s fastest growing new source of electricity generation. This case study discusses a major producer of America’s wind energy, Wisconsin Energy Corporation (WEC), and their strategies and commitments to alternative energy and a more sustainable future. The company’s “triple bottom line” including economic, social, and environmental benefits will also be evaluated.
The Functional Significance of Evolutionary Modifications found in the Ciliate, Stentor

The ciliate protozoan, Stentor coruleus, is notable for the range of its sensory capabilities, the variety of its behavioral responses, and its ability to assume different morphologies. This versatility is well illustrated in H. S. Jennings’s (1906) account of the response of sessile Stentor to carmine particles introduced into the medium surrounding their frontal field. These extended and trumpet-shaped Stentor were reported to respond initially to this irritant by bending to one side. If carmine particles continued to be present, the animals reversed the direction of their ciliary beat, thereby driving the carmine particle-containing fluid away from them. If this also did not remove the carmine particles, the Stentor contracted into a ball. They then went through several cycles of gradual re-extension and all-or-none contraction until finally they detached, assumed a pear-shaped configuration, and swam away. While more recent investigators have found that this behavioral sequence is not reproducible (Reynierse and Walsh, 1967), all the behavioral responses and cellular morphologies described in it are easily observable. In addition, sessile Stentor contract when mechanically stimulated or in response to certain chemicals, and motile Stentor swim away from light sources, as a result of their blue-green pigmentation.
CAN GOD'S GOODNESS SAVE THE DIVINE COMMAND THEORY FROM EUTHYPHRO?

Recent defenders of the divine command theory like Adams and Alston have confronted the Euthyphro dilemma by arguing that although God’s commands make right actions right, God is morally perfect and hence would never issue unjust or immoral commandments. On their view, God’s nature is the standard of moral goodness, and God’s commands are the source of all obligation. I argue that this view of divine goodness fails because it strips God’s nature of any features that would make His goodness intelligible. An adequate solution to the Euthyphro dilemma may require that God be constrained by a standard of goodness that is external to Himself – itself a problematic proposal for many theists.
Evidence for the importance of bacterial factors as determinants of susceptibility to intraleukocytic killing.

SummaryStudies of intraleukocytic bacterial killing by a technique which allows dissociation of the killing from the ingestive function of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes have revealed differing susceptibilities of several bacterial species to killing in the absence of opsonization. While heat-stable opsonins enhance leukocytic killing of various bacteria, they were shown to impede killing of a human virulent Staphylococcus aureus, an effect correlated with the presence of protein A in a test strain. These observations indicate the importance of bacterial factors to the susceptibility of bacteria to intraleukocytic killing, an effect mediated via heat-stable opsonins in the case of protein A-containing Staphylococcus aureus.
Wood anatomy of the dicotyledons indigenous to New Zealand: 3. Monimiaceae and Atherospermataceae*

Wood structure of Hedycarya arborea J. R. et G. Forst. (Monimiaceae) and Laurelia novae-zelandiae A. Cunn. (Atherospennataceae) is described. The woods are diffuse-porous with indistinct to distinc...
Effective use of the clinical microbiology laboratory for diagnosing diarrheal diseases.

Diarrheal diseases are an enormous problem worldwide and cause considerable morbidity and mortality, especially in developing nations. Four times as many diarrhea-related deaths occur worldwide in a single day than occur in an entire year in the United States [1, 2]. Individuals who are at greater risk for developing diarrheal diseases than other segments of the population, especially in developed countries, include those in daycare centers, travelers, and patients with HIV infection. During the past decade, the HIV epidemic has resulted in a relatively large number of persons at high risk for developing infectious diarrhea, particularly that due to organisms heretofore unrecognized or unheard of in immunocompetent patients. As the number of potential etiologic agents of diarrheal disease increases, the clinical microbiology laboratory takes on an increasingly important role in identifying these agents. Of the many tests performed in the clinical microbiology laboratory, there is virtually no more labor-intensive and costly routine test than that of the stool culture and parasitological examination. The microbiological workup of stool requires a specific algorithm to isolate and identify pathogens. Factors including the number of special media required, the labor intensiveness of the process, and the generally low sensitivity of stool cultures combine to make this test one of the most expensive diagnostic tests offered; the cost ranges from $100 to more than $100,000 per positive result, depending on the tests performed, the prevalence of disease, and number of samples tested [3-5]. While stool cultures and parasitological examinations are invaluable tools for epidemiological studies, the role of these cultures in the management of acute diarrhea has not been well defined because many episodes of acute diarrhea are self limited. It is estimated that >4 million tests for bacteria and parasites are performed in the United States annually; thus, efficient use of the laboratory in an era of cost containment is critical [6]. The purpose of this paper is to review the current understanding and limitations of the clinical microbiology laboratory in the management of diarrheal illness and to dispel
Computational Modeling of Enhanced Laminar Flow Heat Transfer in Viscoplastic Fluids in Corrugated-Plate Channels

The enhanced heat transfer in laminar viscoplastic, shear thinning, Herschel-Bulkley fluid flows in sinusoidal corrugated-plate channels is investigated. With uniform-temperature plate walls, periodically developed flows are considered for a wide range of flow rates (10 ≤ Reg ≤ 700) and pseudoplastic flow behavior indices (n = 0.54, 0.8, and 1.0; the latter representing a Bingham plastic). The effects of fluid yield stress are simulated for the case where τy = 1.59 N/m2 , representing a 0.5% xantham gum aqueous solution. Typical velocity and temperature distributions, along with extended results for isothermal friction factor ƒ and Colburn factor j are presented. The effect of the yield stress is found to be most dominant at low Reg regardless of the power law index n, and the recirculation or swirl in the wall trough regions is weaker than in the cases of Newtonian and power-law liquids. At higher Reg , the performance of the Herschel-Bulkley fluid asymptotically approaches that of the non-yield-stress power-law fluid. At low Reg , the yield stress increases ƒ by an order of magnitude and j is enhanced because of the higher wall gradients imposed by the plug-like flow field. The relative heat transfer enhancement, represented by the ratio (j/ƒ), and the role of the fluid yield stress and shear-thinning (or pseudoplastic) behaviors are also discussed.© 2002 ASME
Monitoring and Analysis on the Causes of Death Among Residents,Gaotang County,2011

Objective To understand the mortality and causes of death among residents in Gaotang county,2011,so as to provide the basis for the development of disease control strategies and measures. Methods Analysis was made on the death data of Gaotang residents in 2011. Results In 2011,the total mortality of Gaotang residents was 3,477.Crude death rate was 707.68/105,and the standardized mortality rate was 447.18/105,of which male mortality was 779.30/105; the female mortality was 635.04/105;In the 0year old group,1 011.84/105;in the 1to 4years old group,41.61/105;in the 5to 9years old group,22.89/105,in the 10to 14years old group,6.25/105.The top five causes of death were cardiovascular diseases,cerebrovascular disease,cancer,respiratory diseases and injuries.All these accounted for 94.19% of the total mortality.The top four causes of shortened lifespan were injuries,cancers,cardiovascular diseases,and cerebrovascular diseases. Conclusion Cardiocerebrovascular diseases,cancers,respiratory diseases,injuries are the leading causes of death among Gaotang residents,chronic non-communicable diseases are the main cause of death.
Components of essential oil from Zanthoxylum austrosinense fructification and its toxic activity to two mosquito species

The volatile components of essential oil from Zanthoxylum ailanthoides fructification were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.The insecticidal activity of this oil against the larvae and adults of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus was tested by immersion method and erlenmeyer flask method.The main results are as follows: Forty eight chemical compounds of this oil were identified,accounting for 97.39% of the total.The 24 hours LC50values of this oil for 4th instar larvae of Ae.albopictus and Cx.pipiens quinquefasciatus were 163.42 and 65.08 μg·mL-1,respectively.The KT50 values of essential oil for adults of Ae.albopictus and Cx.pipiens quinquefasciatus were 4.32 and 5.52 min at the dosage of 109.4 μg·cm-3,respectively.The 24 hours LC50 values of this oil for adults of the two mosquito species were 47.14 and 25.78 μg·cm-3,respectively.The results show that essential oil from Zanthoxylum ailanthoides fructification exhibited remarkable toxicity against Ae.albopictus and Cx.pipiens quinquefasciatus.Therefore,it is suggested that the essential oil has a great potential to be developed into a mosquitocide which will be effective and eco-friendly.
Effects of Extracellular Matrix Proteins on the Growth and Differentiation of an Anaplastic Glioma Cell Line

Efforts to determine the factors responsible for reversing malignancy in the central nervous system may not only increase our understanding of the growth of primary human brain tumors, but may eventually prove to be of therapeutic benefit as well. We therefore devised a model system to study the effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on the malignant phenotype of an anaplastic glioma line, U-343 MG-A. Well-characterized cultures derived from normal human leptomeninges were grown to confluence and maintained for 2 weeks. The pia-arachnoid cells were then removed with detergent and base, leaving behind an ECM enriched in laminin, fibronectin, types I and IV collagen, and procollagen III. U-343 MG-A tumor cells planted on top of this normal ECM were profoundly growth inhibited, developed multiple slender cytoplasmic processes similar to those of normal astrocytes, and expressed more GFAP per cell than did tumor cells growing on plastic alone. The growth of U-343 MG-A tumor cells in flasks coated with purified fibronectin or laminin was not significantly inhibited. However, U-343 MG-A cultures grown in flasks coated with type I or IV collagen showed decreased cellular proliferation and altered cell morphology. Conditioned medium from U-343 MG-A tumor cells growing on plastic alone contained a 64 kD activated metalloprotease. U-343 MG-A tumor cells growing on the pia-arachnoid ECM do not demonstrate such proteolytic activity. We conclude that the tumor cell microenvironment is extremely important in modulating the growth and differentiation of an anaplastic glioma cell line.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A network-based congestion management model for Safety Service Patrol vehicle deployment

Traffic congestion is one of the most pressing issues in the US highway transportation systems and is a primary concern for motorists nationwide. Not only does it pose a psychological strain on commuters, it also results in monetary losses through wasted working hours and heightened transportation costs. The Hampton Roads metropolitan area is one of the most congested urban regions in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and monetary losses due to traffic have amounted to $1 billion annually. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has been incorporating the Safety Service Patrol (SSP) program to assist highway incident management through the continuous deployment of SSP vehicles, thus resolving incidents faster and providing other means of reducing congestion. The research team has adopted a systems engineering approach for designing a network-based modeling framework for analyzing traffic congestion scenarios in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. The end goal of this study is to develop a probabilistic simulation model that will enable the analysis of the current system as well as alternative strategies for positioning the SSP vehicles throughout the network and to ultimately alleviate the ripple effects propagated by highway congestions. Statistical analysis of results is expected to reveal the most influential highway mobility factors in the region, as well as provide other benefits of the SSP program to Virginia motorists.
Ganderberg Landslide Characterization Through Monitoring

A Deep-seated Gravitational Slope Deformation (DGSD) extends over an area of 3.75 km2 in the south-west flank of Mt. Ganderberg, north of Bolzano, Italy. The landslide stretches from an altitude of 2,330 m a.s.l. down to the River Passer at 1,170 m, with an estimated shear surface depth of 100 m. The area is characterized by typical Alpine morphological features and preserves traces of the last glaciation and clear evidences of recent gravitational phenomena. The DGSD induced some collateral mass movements such has rotational and translational slides. Since 2007 the DGSD has been monitored through a network of 20 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) benchmarks. The results showed a different rate of displacement, between the north and the south sectors that allowed to define the kinematics patterns of the landslide, a key point to forecast future scenarios and to support risk managers and public administration in the definition of the countermeasures for risk mitigation.
Digital next-generation sequencing identifies low-abundance mutations in pancreatic juice samples collected from the duodenum of patients with pancreatic cancer and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms

Objective Secretin-stimulated pancreatic juice contains DNA shed from cells lining the pancreatic ducts. Genetic analysis of this fluid may form a test to detect pancreatic ductal neoplasia. Design We employed digital next-generation sequencing (‘digital NGS’) to detect low-abundance mutations in secretin-stimulated juice samples collected from the duodenum of subjects enrolled in Cancer of the Pancreas Screening studies at Johns Hopkins Hospital. For each juice sample, digital NGS necessitated 96 NGS reactions sequencing nine genes. The study population included 115 subjects (53 discovery, 62 validation) (1) with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), (2) intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), (3) controls with non-suspicious pancreata. Results Cases with PDAC and IPMN were more likely to have mutant DNA detected in pancreatic juice than controls (both p TP53 and/or SMAD4 mutations were commonly detected in juice samples from patients with PDAC and were not detected in controls (p TP53 / SMAD4 concentrations could distinguish PDAC from IPMN cases with 32.4% sensitivity, 100% specificity (area under the curve, AUC 0.73, p=0.0002) and controls (AUC 0.82, p SMAD4/TP53 mutations from their cancer detected in juice samples collected over 1 year prior to their pancreatic cancer diagnosis when no suspicious pancreatic lesions were detected by imaging. Conclusions The detection in pancreatic juice of mutations important for the progression of low-grade dysplasia to high-grade dysplasia and invasive pancreatic cancer may improve the management of patients undergoing pancreatic screening and surveillance.
Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Patients in acute and chronic heart failure have the options of several mechanical circulatory support devices to assist them as ventricular assist devices. These devices may be used temporarily in acute decompensation or as part of a long-term strategy in chronic disease. Strategic goals of resolution/diminution of heart failure, bridge to transplant, or as a permanent “destination” therapy are now commonplace. This chapter explores both short- and long-term devices, with a focus on nonpulsatile devices due to their unique physiologic and diagnostic challenges. It is intended as a primer and concise resource for the critical care clinician who is unfamiliar with the devices and their physiology. Clinicians may find themselves dealing with the devices not only in large tertiary care facilities but also in smaller community settings as the devices liberate patients to travel and become less complex to use in emergent cases. Readers will find indications and contraindications for the devices; simplified descriptions of how they work; common complications, pearls, and pitfalls associated with the devices; and a reference list for assistance from device manufacturers.
Dispositional pandemic worry and the health belief model: promoting vaccination during pandemic events.

Background Promoting vaccination during pandemics is paramount to public health, yet few studies examined theoretical motivations for vaccination during pandemics. Thus, the relationships between dispositional pandemic worry, constructs of the health belief model (HBM) and vaccination during the H1N1 pandemic were studied. Methods Participants (N = 1377) completed surveys assessing dispositional pandemic worry, HBM variables and H1N1 vaccination. Principle axis factor analysis and point biserial correlations were conducted. Differences in worry and vaccination were assessed via independent samples t-tests. Relationships between vaccination, demographics and worry were investigated using hierarchical linear regression. PROCESS analysis was conducted to explicate the relationship between worry and vaccination intention. Results A two-factor structure of dispositional pandemic worry-worry frequency and worry severity-was confirmed. Dispositional worry was higher among those who intended to and received H1N1 vaccine. Worry frequency and worry severity were positively related to vaccination. Threat, benefits and barriers mediated the impact of worry severity and threat and barriers mediated the impact of worry frequency on vaccination intentions. Conclusions Messages increasing dispositional worry and benefits while decreasing barriers may boost vaccination behavior during a pandemic event. Future study of relationships between dispositional worry and HBM variables is warranted.
Development of Anonymous Nuclear Loci for Pterospora andromedea (Monotropoideae) Using Illumina and Ion Torrent Sequencing Data

The mycoheterotrophic plant Pterospora andromedea is an important species in understanding the evolution and ecology of highly specialized plant-fungal symbioses. Lineages within P. andromedea have been shown to engage in highly specific interactions with obligate fungal associates found in Rhizopogon subgenus Amylopogon. Unfortunately, evidence of highly specific interactions resulted from single locus analyses and this result requires further examination. If highly specific host-symbiont selectivity is present, then the lack of compatible partners may best explain the conservation status of P. andromedea. To better evaluate and support conservation efforts for P. andromedea, more molecular loci are necessary. 115 candidate loci were screened from Illumnia MiSeq and Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing and resulted in the development of four polymorphic anonymous nuclear loci. These loci will provide the means to critically examine host-symbiont specificity for P. andromedea lineages across the endemic range and will assist conservation initiatives.
Abstract IA20: PET imaging of the immune system using new nucleoside analog probes

Similar to other major metabolic networks, nucleotide metabolism consists of redundant and convergent biosynthetic pathways. Thus, nucleotides can be produced both de novo, from glucose and amino acids, and by salvage pathways, via scavenging and re-utilization of preformed nucleosides and nucleobases. The differential utilization of de novo and salvage nucleotide biosynthetic pathways in normal and malignant is poorly understood. We are studying this process in lymphocytes and cancer cells using newly developed mass spectrometry and positron emission tomography (PET) approaches. Deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), a rate-limiting enzyme in the cytosolic deoxyribonucleoside salvage pathway, is significantly upregulated following T cell activation and therefore represents a promising PET imaging target. PET probes for dCK have been previously developed by our group and shown to be effective in mice but their specificity and sensitivity in humans remained suboptimal. Recently we have identified [18F]CFA (2-chloro-2′-deoxy-2′-[18F]fluoro-9-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-adenine) as a suitable third generation nucleoside analog probe for clinical dCK PET imaging. First-in-human [18F]CFA PET/CT studies showed probe accumulation in tissues with high dCK expression: e.g., hematopoietic bone marrow and secondary lymphoid organs. The potential use of [18F]CFA PET for imaging systemic immune activation induced by various cancer immunotherapies will be discussed. Citation Format: Caius G. Radu. PET imaging of the immune system using new nucleoside analog probes. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2016 Oct 20-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2017;5(3 Suppl):Abstract nr IA20.
Tumor-Residing Batf3 Dendritic Cells Are Required for Effector T Cell Trafficking and Adoptive T Cell Therapy.

Effector T cells have the capability of recognizing and killing cancer cells. However, whether tumors can become immune resistant through exclusion of effector T cells from the tumor microenvironment is not known. By using a tumor model resembling non-T cell-inflamed human tumors, we assessed whether adoptive T cell transfer might overcome failed spontaneous priming. Flow cytometric assays combined with intra-vital imaging indicated failed trafficking of effector T cells into tumors. Mechanistically, this was due to the absence of CXCL9/10, which we found to be produced by CD103+ dendritic cells (DCs) in T cell-inflamed tumors. Our data indicate that lack of CD103+ DCs within the tumor microenvironment dominantly resists the effector phase of an anti-tumor T cell response, contributing to immune escape.
Benchmarking Treatment Response in Tourette’s Disorder: A Psychometric Evaluation and Signal Detection Analysis of the Parent Tic Questionnaire

This study assessed the psychometric properties of a parent-reported tic severity measure, the Parent Tic Questionnaire (PTQ), and used the scale to establish guidelines for delineating clinically significant tic treatment response. Participants were 126 children ages 9 to 17 who participated in a randomized controlled trial of Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). Tic severity was assessed using the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS), Hopkins Motor/Vocal Tic Scale (HMVTS) and PTQ; positive treatment response was defined by a score of 1 (very much improved) or 2 (much improved) on the Clinical Global Impressions - Improvement (CGI-I) scale. Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlations (ICC) assessed internal consistency and test-retest reliability, with correlations evaluating validity. Receiver- and Quality-Receiver Operating Characteristic analyses assessed the efficiency of percent and raw-reduction cutoffs associated with positive treatment response. The PTQ demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.80 to 0.86), excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = .84 to .89), good convergent validity with the YGTSS and HM/VTS, and good discriminant validity from hyperactive, obsessive-compulsive, and externalizing (i.e., aggression and rule-breaking) symptoms. A 55% reduction and 10-point decrease in PTQ Total score were optimal for defining positive treatment response. Findings help standardize tic assessment and provide clinicians with greater clarity in determining clinically meaningful tic symptom change during treatment.
Thyroid hormone treatment activates protective pathways in both in vivo and in vitro models of neuronal injury

Thyroid hormone plays an important role in brain development and adult brain function, and may influence neuronal recovery after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). We utilized both animal and cell culture models to determine the effects of thyroid hormone treatment, post TBI or during hypoxia, on genes important for neuronal survival and neurogenesis. We show that TBI in rats is associated with a reduction in serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). A single dose of levothyroxine (T4), one hour after injury, increased serum T4 and normalized serum T3 levels. Expression of genes important for thyroid hormone action in the brain, MCT8 and Type 2 deiodinase (Dio2) mRNA, diminished after injury, but were partially restored with T4 treatment. mRNA from the Type 3 deiodinase (Dio3) gene, which inactivates T4 to reverse T3 (rT3), was induced 2.7 fold by TBI, and further stimulated 6.7-fold by T4 treatment. T4 treatment significantly increased the expression of mRNA from Bcl2, VEGFA, Sox2 and neurotrophin, genes important for neuronal survival and recovery. The cortex, compared to the hippocampus and cerebellum, sustained the greatest injury and had the most significant change in gene expression as a result of injury and the greatest response to T4 treatment. We utilized hypoxia to study the effect of neuronal injury in vitro. Neuroblastoma cells were exposed to reduced oxygen tension, 0.2%, and were compared to cells grown at control oxygen levels of 21%. T3 treatment significantly increased hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-2α protein, but not HIF-1α. In a hypoxia time course exposure, expression of hypoxia-mediated genes (VEGF, Enolase, HIF2α, c-Jun) peaked at least 8 h earlier with T3-treatment, compared to cells grown without T3. The early induction of these genes may promote cellular growth after injury. After hypoxic injury, T3 induced mRNA expression of the genes, KLF9 and hairless, important for T3-mediated brain function. The findings from both in vitro and in vivo studies support a role of thyroid hormone in activating pathways important for neuronal protection and promotion of neuronal recovery after injury.
Identification of bone fracture in osseointegrated prostheses using Rayleigh wave methods

Osseointegration of a prosthesis offers a novel approach to enhancing the quality of life of an amputee because it makes an artificial limb an integral part of their body. While osseointegrated prostheses offer amputees many benefits, long-term health of the prosthesis fixture in the host bone is a concern. In particular, overloading of the fixture can result in damage to the host bone including bone fracture. This study offers a novel sensing strategy implemented on the percutaneous end of an osseointegrated prosthesis. Piezoelectric actuators are used to generate elastic stress waves in the prosthesis to interrogate the integrity of the prosthesis-bone interface. In this study, flexural mode Rayleigh waves are introduced in the prosthesis to identify the existence and location of fracture in the host bone. A prosthetic model consisting of a titanium rod implanted in a synthetic sawbone with piezoelectric wafer elements bonded to the rod surface is used to validate the proposed approach. The work reveals the waveforms associated with flexural wave modes are directly correlated to bone fracture occurring at the prosthesis-bone interface with fracture location identifiable in the reflect wave features.
The general relativity “force” on a satellite

Mention should be made in this symposium of the fact that the motion of an infinitesimal satellite about a spherical earth, predicted by general relativity, differs from the motion under the Newtonian inverse square law of gravitation.