cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of Hepatic Protein Kinase Cβ Expression in Metabolic Adaptation to a Lithogenic Diet.

Background & Aims Dietary factors are likely an important determinant of gallstone development, and difficulty in adapting to lithogenic diets may predispose individuals to gallstone formation. Identification of the critical early diet-dependent metabolic markers of adaptability is urgently needed to prevent gallstone development. We focus on the interaction between diet and genes, and the resulting potential to influence gallstone risk by dietary modification. Methods Expression levels of hepatic protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms were determined in lithogenic diet-fed mice, and the relationship of hepatic cholesterol content and PKCβ expression and the effect of hepatic PKCβ overexpression on intracellular signaling pathways were analyzed. Results Lithogenic diet feeding resulted in a striking induction of hepatic PKCβ and PKCδ mRNA and protein levels, which preceded the appearance of biliary cholesterol crystals. Unlike PKCβ deficiency, global PKCδ deficiency did not influence lithogenic diet-induced gallstone formation. Interestingly, a deficiency of apolipoprotein E abrogated the diet-induced hepatic PKCβ expression, whereas a deficiency of liver X receptor-α further potentiated the induction, suggesting a potential link between the degree of hepatic PKCβ induction and the intracellular cholesterol content. Furthermore, our results suggest that PKCβ is a physiologic repressor of ileum basal fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) expression and activity of hepatic proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase Raf-1/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (Raf-1/MEK/ERK1/2) cascade proteins, and the complex interactions between these pathways may determine the degree of hepatic ERK1/2 activation, a potent suppressor of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and sterol 12α-hydroxylase expression. We found that PKCβ regulated Raf-1 activity by modulating the inhibitory Raf-1 Ser259 phosphorylation. Conclusions Our results demonstrate a novel interaction between the hepatic PKCβ/Raf-1 regulatory axis and ileum PKCβ/FGF15/ERK axis, which could modulate the bile lithogenecity of dietary lipids. The data presented are consistent with a two-pronged mechanism by which intestine and liver PKCβ signaling converges on the liver ERK1/2 pathway to control the hepatic adaptive response to a lithogenic diet. Elucidating the impact and the underlying mechanism(s) of PKCβ action could help us understand how different types of dietary fat modify the risk of gallstone formation, information that could help to identify novel targets for therapeutic approaches to combat this disease.
A large-scale numerical model of sea ice

The described large-scale sea ice model, which is capable of coupling with atmospheric and oceanic models of comparable resolution, simulates the yearly cycle of ice in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Model results for the yearly cycle of sea ice thickness and extent in both the Arctic and the Antarctic are presented. Horizontally the model resolution is approximately 200 km, while vertically four layers - ice, snow, ocean, and atmosphere - are considered. Thermodynamic processes based on energy balances at the various interfaces and dynamic processes based on wind stress, water stress, Coriolis force, internal ice resistance, and the stress from the tilt of the sea surface are incorporated. It is assumed that the ice within a given grid square is of uniform thickness, although each square has a variable percentage of its area ice free.
Association of Cystatin C with Ischemia in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Background Elevated concentrations of cystatin C are associated with greater cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We sought to determine whether elevated concentrations of cystatin C were associated with inducible ischemia in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods We measured serum cystatin C and performed exercise treadmill testing with stress echocardiography in a cross-sectional study of 899 outpatients with CHD. Results Among the 241 participants in the highest quartile of cystatin C (>1.30 mg/L), 38% had inducible ischemia, compared with 13% of those in the lowest quartile of cystatin C < 0.92 mg/L; adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2 to 3.8; p = 0.01). However, this association differed in participants with and without a history of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), as well as in users and nonusers of beta-blockers and statins (p values for interaction < 0.1). Among participants without a history of CABG, 35% of those in the highest quartile and 9% of those in the lowest quartile of cystatin C had inducible ischemia (adjusted OR: 3.05; 95% CI: 1.3–6.9; p = 0.008). Among participants who were not using beta-blockers, 44% of those in the highest quartile and 7% in the lowest quartile of cystatin C had inducible ischemia (adjusted OR: 5.3; 95% CI: 1.8–15.5; p = 0.002). Among participants who were not using statins, 39% of participants in the highest quartile and 4% of those in the lowest quartile had inducible ischemia (adjusted OR: 10.3; 95% CI: 2.5–43.3; p = 0.001). Conclusions Elevated levels of cystatin C are independently associated with inducible ischemia among outpatients with stable coronary disease. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of age on noninvasive assessments of vascular function in nonhuman primates: implications for translational drug discovery.

Background: Endothelium-dependent flow mediated dilation (FMD) and pulse-wave velocity (PWV), are used as measures of vascular health and predictors of cardiovascular risk in clinical studies, and both are age-dependent. Numbers of circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are also associated with cardiovascular risk, but independent of age in humans. The use of these measurements for pre-clinical assessment of drug cardiovascular safety and efficacy in non-human primates (NHPs) may promote the translation of drug-induced effects on vascular function to clinic outcomes. However, in NHPs, the age effects on the non-invasive measurements of FMD and PWV and the relationship of EMPs/EPCs with FMD are unknown. Methods: A non-invasive, clinically-relevant approach to assess FMD and PWV was used to examine their relationship with age and with EMPs/EPCs in NHPs. The effects on FMD of nicotine and rosiglitazone were evaluated in senescent primates in an effort to validate our FMD method for pre-clinical assessment of vascular function. Results: FMD and PWV methods were established in a colony (n=25) of metabolically healthy, cynomolgus monkeys ranging in age from 6 to 26 years. FMD, defined as the percent change, at 1 min of cuff release, from baseline vascular diameter (0.15±0.03 cm), had a strong, negative correlation with age (r=-0.892, p<0.0001), ranging from 6% to 33%. PWV positively correlated with age (r=0.622, p<0.002) in the same healthy monkeys. Nicotine and rosiglitazone, were evaluated in subsets of senescent primates (mean age 16.3±1.5[SEM] years). Rosiglitazone significantly improved FMD (21.0±1.6% vs. vehicle 16.3±1.6%, p <0.01) without changing baseline diameters, and coincided with a significant increase in circulating numbers of endothelial progenitor cells (CD45-CD31+CD34+VEGFR2+ 7.1±1.3 vs. 4.8±1.1 counts/μl) and a decrease in endothelial microparticles (CD45-CD42a-CD54+ 26.7±11.1 vs. 62.2±9.8 counts/μl) (p<0.05). Conversely, FMD was significantly reduced with nicotine (8.7±1.4% vs. vehicle 20.1±2.2%, p <0.05). Conclusions: Adult NHPs demonstrate the characteristic linear relationship between age and vascular function using the non-invasive clinically-related measurements of FMD and PWV. However, numbers of circulating EMPs and EPCs did not correlate with age. Endothelial function assessed with FMD, together with EMPs/EPCs assessment, may serve as a novel approach for translational research and therapeutic discovery. Age should be considered in the study design or data analyses when FMD or PWV is used in NHPs.
Electrical Resistivity Imaging of Laboratory Soilcrete Column Geometry

AbstractGround improvement via jet grouting is commonly used to strengthen weak ground and/or create hydraulic barriers. Delivering soilcrete columns with tightly controlled and known diameters is critical to performance; however, techniques to assess jet grout geometry during construction are lacking. This paper reports the results of a study on electrical resistivity imaging of soilcrete by investigating the effects of electrode configuration and electrical protocol type on laboratory scale soilcrete columns constructed in a tank filled with sand. Experimental results are verified via numerical modeling and the model is used to analyze the changes in soilcrete resistivity that result from geometric variation. The results of this study indicate that resistivity imaging with direct contact electrodes can estimate the diameter of laboratory scale jet grout columns to within ±5% of the as-built column diameter. A relationship between electrode spacing and column diameter is identified and quantified to more...
Prompting technologies: A comparison of time-based and context-aware transition-based prompting.

BACKGROUND While advancements in technology have encouraged the development of novel prompting systems to support cognitive interventions, little research has evaluated the best time to deliver prompts, which may impact the effectiveness of these interventions. OBJECTIVE This study examined whether transition-based context prompting (prompting an individual during task transitions) is more effective than traditional fixed time-based prompting. METHODS Participants were 42 healthy adults who completed 12 different everyday activities, each lasting 1-7 minutes, in an experimental smart home testbed and received prompts to record the completed activities from an electronic memory notebook. Half of the participants were delivered prompts during activity transitions, while the other half received prompts every 5 minutes. Participants also completed Likert-scale ratings regarding their perceptions of the prompting system. RESULTS Results revealed that participants in the transition-based context prompting condition responded to the first prompt more frequently and rated the system as more convenient, natural, and appropriate compared to participants in the time-based condition. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that prompting during activity transitions produces higher adherence to the first prompt and more positive perceptions of the prompting system. This is an important finding given the benefits of prompting technology and the possibility of improving cognitive interventions by using context-aware transition prompting.
Brain-Dependent ACTH Secretion from Multiple Heterotopic Pituitaries.

SummaryHypophysectomized rats with multiple heterotopic pituitaries have nearly normal adrenal weight and significant, though subnormal, corticosterone secretion. Removal of the entire forebrain, but not decortication, in these animals reduced corticosterone secretion nearly to values found in hypophysectomized control animals. These results indicate that heterotopic pituitary ACTH secretion is dependent on some subcortical portion of the forebrain.
OUTCOMES FOR SURGICAL REPAIR OF KOMMERREL DIVERTICULUM AND ANEURYSM

Standard surgical management of Kommerell diverticulum (KD) and Kommerell aneurysm (KA) has not been established. We aimed to report our outcomes for surgical repair of KD and KA. The Mayo Clinic surgery database was retrospectively analyzed to identify pts with aberrant subclavian artery (ASA)
Speciation of l-DOPA on Nanorutile as a Function of pH and Surface Coverage Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)

The adsorption configuration of organic molecules on mineral surfaces is of great interest because it can provide fundamental information for both engineered and natural systems. Here we have conducted surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) measurements to probe the attachment configurations of DOPA on nanorutile particles under different pH and surface coverage conditions. The Raman signal enhancement arises when a charge transfer (CT) complex forms between the nanoparticles and adsorbed DOPA. This Raman signal is exclusively from the surface-bound complexes with great sensitivity to the binding and orientation of the DOPA attached to the TiO2 surface. Our SERS spectra show peaks that progressively change with pH and surface coverage, indicating changing surface speciation. At low pH and surface coverage, DOPA adsorbs on the surface lying down, with probably three points of attachment, whereas at higher pH and surface coverage DOPA stands up on the surface as a species involving two attachment points...
Anonymous Mnemosyne (memory)

Scolia were songs that were sung over wine at dinners in ancient Greece. The lyrics of this song, like Mnemosyne, represent a riddle, a conception of memory equally apt today.
Polymer Nanocomposites for Power Energy Storage

Dielectric capacitors are ubiquitous in electronics and electric power systems as basic electrical component for power energy storage, in which the energy stored is limited by the dielectric constant and electric breakdown strength of the dielectric material employed. Realization of high-energy-density in capacitors hence relies on the development of advanced dielectric materials. Inorganic dielectric materials, while enjoying high dielectric constant, suffer from low breakdown strength. On the other hand, polymer dielectrics possess excellent processability, high breakdown strength, and graceful failure mechanism but have dielectric constant that are orders of magnitude smaller than those of their inorganic counterparts. Recent advancements in the research area of dielectric materials are represented by integration of the complementary advantages of inorganic and organic dielectric materials which creates the polymer nanocomposite dielectrics. In this chapter we summarize the recent progress in polymer nanocomposites for dielectric power energy storage.
Using Computational Modeling to Examine Shifts Towards Extremist Behaviors in European Diaspora Communities

We created a simulation model to investigate potential links between the actions of violent extremist organizations (VEOs), people in the VEO’s home country, and diaspora communities from that country living in the West. We created this model using the DYMATICA framework, which uses a hybrid cognitive-system dynamics modeling strategy to simulate behaviors based on psycho-social theory. Initial results of the model are given, focusing on increases to VEO funding and recruiting resulting from an invasion of the VEO’s home country. Western intervention, prejudice, and economic drivers are also considered.
The power of the dark side: using cast shadows for visually-guided touching

A humanoid robot needs to be able to operate safely in human workspaces, preferably without extensive calibration. We consider the problem of directing a robot arm towards, across, and away from an unmodeled surface without damaging it. For this task we make use of a powerful resource: the shadow cast by the robot's own body. We show that the cast shadow of the arm on the surface can be detected by a camera and used to derive a time-to-contact estimate. This estimate, when combined with the 2D tracked location of the arm's endpoint in the camera image, is sufficient to allow 3D control relative to the surface. We show that the same method can detect either cast shadows or reflections, allowing the robot to operate correctly over water, mirrors, or other reflective materials. Such scenarios, along with low-texture surfaces, are cases in which stereovision - the more commonly used depth cue in robotics - might fail and is worth augmenting. We draw on the literature of computer graphics and virtual reality to argue that for manipulation, sensitivity to shadows and interreflection will be of similar importance to stereovision as a depth cue when attempting to touch an object. In computer vision, shadows are generally treated as a nuisance, but that doesn't mean roboticists should do the same.
Metal Nanoparticles for Microbial Infection

Abstract Due to the ever-growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, improved methods are needed for the diagnosis and treatment of microbial infection. In addition to providing a source of antimicrobial silver and copper ions, metal nanoparticles harbor several unique properties that make them well-suited for combating microbial infection, including their small size, large surface area-to-volume ratio, and increased surface reactivity. Furthermore, metal nanoparticles may prevent antimicrobial resistance development, and their physical properties can facilitate rapid, sensitive, and accurate diagnosis of microbial pathogens, which in turn may lead to earlier administration of appropriate interventions. Overall, metal nanoparticles provide a diverse array of applications for combating microbial infection, which could potentially be of enormous benefit to public health.
Quick-freeze/deep-etch electron microscopy visualization of the mouse posterior pole

The mouse is one of the most commonly used mammalian systems to study human diseases. In particular it has been an invaluable tool to model a multitude of ocular pathologies affecting the posterior pole. The aim of this study was to create a comprehensive map of the ultrastructure of the mouse posterior pole using the quick-freeze/deep-etch method (QFDE). QFDE can produce detailed three-dimensional images of tissue structure and macromolecular moieties, without many of the artifacts introduced by structure-altering post-processing methods necessary to perform conventional transmission electron microscopy (cTEM). A total of 18 eyes from aged C57BL6/J mice were enucleated and the posterior poles were processed, either intact or with the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell layer removed, for imaging by either QFDE or cTEM. QFDE images were correlated with cTEM cross-sections and en face images through the outer retina. Nicely preserved outer retinal architecture was observed with both methods, however, QFDE provided excellent high magnification imaging, with greater detail, of the apical, central, and basal planes of the RPE. Furthermore, key landmarks within Bruch's membrane, choriocapillaris, choroid and sclera were characterized and identified. In this study we developed methods for preparing the outer retina of the mouse for evaluation with QFDE and provide a map of the ultrastructure and cellular composition of the outer posterior pole. This technique should be applicable for morphological evaluation of mouse models, in which detailed visualization of subtle ocular structural changes is needed or in cases where post-processing methods introduce unacceptable artifacts.
Crosstalk among lncRNAs, microRNAs and mRNAs in the muscle ‘degradome’ of rainbow trout

In fish, protein-coding and noncoding genes involved in muscle atrophy are not fully characterized. In this study, we characterized coding and noncoding genes involved in gonadogenesis-associated muscle atrophy, and investigated the potential functional interplay between these genes. Using RNA-Seq, we compared expression pattern of mRNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs of atrophying skeletal muscle from gravid females and control skeletal muscle from age-matched sterile individuals. A total of 852 mRNAs, 1,160 lncRNAs and 28 microRNAs were differentially expressed (DE) between the two groups. Muscle atrophy appears to be mediated by many genes encoding ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy related proteases, lysosomal proteases and transcription factors. Transcripts encoding atrogin-1 and mir-29 showed exceptional high expression in atrophying muscle, suggesting an important role in bulk muscle proteolysis. DE genes were co-localized in the genome with strong expression correlation, and they exhibited extensive 'lncRNA-mRNA', 'lncRNA-microRNA', 'mRNA-microRNA' and 'lncRNA-protein' physical interactions. DE genes exhibiting potential functional interactions comprised the highly correlated 'lncRNA-mRNA-microRNA' gene network described as 'degradome'. This study pinpoints extensive coding and noncoding RNA interactions during muscle atrophy in fish, and provides valuable resources for future mechanistic studies.
Interactive Data Framework and User Interface for Wisconsin’s Oversize-Overweight Vehicle Permits

With continuing increases in the number of Oversize-Overweight (OSOW) vehicle permits issued in recent years, the management and analysis of OSOW permit data is becoming more inefficient and time-consuming. Large quantities of archived OSOW permit data are held by Departments of Transportation (DOTs) across the United States, and manual extraction and analysis of this data requires significant effort. In this paper, the authors present a new framework for analyzing Wisconsin’s historic OSOW permit program data. This framework provides an interactive, web-based interface to query the OSOW permit data, link OSOW records to geospatial data features, and dynamically visualize query results. The web-based interface offers scalability and broad accessibility to the data across different DOT divisions, and use cases. Furthermore, a user survey and heuristic evaluation of the interface demonstrate the project’s utility, and identify goals for future system development.
Myocarditis as cause of impaired myocardial function after aortocoronary bypass.

Abstract A 44-year-old man suffered congestive heart failure and worsened ejection fraction 8 months following repeat aortocoronary bypass surgery. Recatheterization showed patent grafts. A constellation of symptoms, together with highly suggestive (but not in themselves diagnostic) endomyocardial biopsy results, led us to an unexpected diagnosis of active lymphocytic myocarditis. After treatment with prednisone and azathioprine, the patient improved clinically and his left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 18% to 24%. (Texas Heart Institute Journal 1989;16:117-9)
Social labels: we should emphasize biology over terminology and not vice versa

Costa and Fitzgerald revisit a decade-old agreement. My current views are substantially exchange over how best to categorize (nonunchanged from WTW, which provides addi human) animal societies (this issue pp. 559-564, tional examples and discussion, hereafter CF; all page numbers refer to this As discussed by Michener (2000: p. 71) publication unless indicated otherwise). They and others, classifications generally are meant use citation data to assess whether or not this to be useful. To make useful classifications, we debate has led to substantive advances in studneed to know their purpose. To illustrate my ies of social evolution. Subsequently, they make contention that social classifications are artificial recommendations for standardized definitions of — unlike the natural classifications possible in social groupings in an effort to achieve nomentaxonomy (Panchen 1992) — WTW took imagi clatural stability among biologists working on nary examples from human social behavior. If different taxonomic groups, and thereby hopeyou are interested in economic social exchanges, fully facilitate conceptual unity. you might first categorize societies as industrial, CF conclude that there is a "prevailing teragrarian, etc. But if you are interested in the cri minological free-for-all" (p. 561). They discuss gins of ethical systems, a more useful classifica reasons why, but they omit one possibility. Their tion might be as monotheist, animist, etc. WTW assessment is consistent with arguments in my gave parallel examples from insect societies, paper (Wcislo 1997a; hereafter WTW). CF showing how you might use the same compara describe my contribution to the debate as advotive data to categorize the same societies in dif cating a "define as you go" (p. 559) approach, ferent ways, depending on your question. Thus, This summary is not incorrect, but it omits the I agree with CF that comparing recruitment and essential details: WTW emphasized the imporgroup foraging in forest tent caterpillars and tance of categorizing comparative data in a honey bees is interesting, although I disagree manner appropriate for the question(s) of interthat the comparisons have not been made simply est, and precisely defining the units of comparibecause one is classified as "presocial" and one son. My emphases have different connotations as "eusocial." than "free-for-all" or "define as you go". Their CF argue that the traditional framework used summary of my views is very abbreviated, so for describing kinds of societies is seriously it is useful to briefly recapitulate them to try flawed because (1) it is hierarchical with euso to discern areas of consensus or bases for disciality at the top; (2) it was developed "with the
Fault-Tolerant Model Predictive Control of Five-Phase PMa-SynRM under Single Phase Open-Circuit fault Condition

During open phase faults in multi-phase permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance motors (PMa-SynRMs), higher torque ripple is a major drawback which limits their wide acceptance in industries. To minimize the torque ripple, in this digest, a model predictive control (MPC) strategy is utilized under single phase open-circuit fault in a five-phase PMa-SynRM. Under phase lost condition, the torque characteristics of this machine are largely altered from the standard performances. This is due to primarily for the phase unbalanced, localized saturation, and uneven temperature variations. To support the proposed MPC strategy, these model changes are dynamically monitored and the control parameters are updated continuously while modeling the system. Extensive theoretical analysis has been conducted along with MATLAB simulations to verify the proposed method. Initial test results are presented to support the analytical results.
Ex Vivo Imaging of Cell-specific Calcium Signaling at the Tripartite Synapse of the Mouse Diaphragm.

The electrical activity of cells in tissues can be monitored by electrophysiological techniques, but these are usually limited to the analysis of individual cells. Since an increase of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) in the cytosol often occurs because of the electrical activity, or in response to a myriad of other stimuli, this process can be monitored by the imaging of cells loaded with fluorescent calcium-sensitive dyes. However, it is difficult to image this response in an individual cell type within whole tissue because these dyes are taken up by all cell types within the tissue. In contrast, genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) can be expressed by an individual cell type and fluoresce in response to an increase of intracellular Ca2+, thus permitting the imaging of Ca2+ signaling in entire populations of individual cell types. Here, we apply the use of the GECIs GCaMP3/6 to the mouse neuromuscular junction, a tripartite synapse between motor neurons, skeletal muscle, and terminal/perisynaptic Schwann cells. We demonstrate the utility of this technique in classic ex vivo tissue preparations. Using an optical splitter, we perform dual-wavelength imaging of dynamic Ca2+ signals and a static label of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in an approach that could be easily adapted to monitor two cell-specific GECI or genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVI) simultaneously. Finally, we discuss the routines used to capture spatial maps of fluorescence intensity. Together, these optical, transgenic, and analytic techniques can be employed to study the biological activity of distinct cell subpopulations at the NMJ in a wide variety of contexts.
Seasonal exacerbation of eosinophilic esophagitis histologic activity in adults and children implicates role of aeroallergens

Abstract Background Disease activity may correlate with environmental aeroallergen exposure in eosinophilic esophagitis. The association between seasons and flares of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) histologic activity has not been extensively studied. Objective We aimed to assess the frequency of seasonal exacerbations of eosinophilic esophagitis, as well as changes in symptom reporting, endoscopic findings, and histologic findings attributed to aeroallergens in an EoE cohort. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed EoE patients in histologic remission ( Results Of 782 patients, 13 (4%) met inclusion criteria (mean age: 36.2; 85% male; 86% white; 85% atopic disease diagnosis), and 14 exacerbations were recorded. Of these, 71% occurred in fall and summer months. Peak eosinophil counts increased from 6.8 to 86.8 eosinophil per high-power field (P Conclusion Seasonal exacerbations of eosinophilic esophagitis were uncommon in this cohort and most commonly recorded over the summer and fall months. These data support a role of aeroallergens in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic esophagitis in some patients, and clinicians should consider aeroallergens as a potential cause of disease exacerbation.
Dispersion Theory of Risk: Characteristics and a Comparative Study of Five Models

Risk and uncertainty in decisions play an important role in many fields including engineering, economics and social sciences. In order to represent the decision problem mathematically or to compare prospects, a scalar either as dispersion measure or risk measure is used. Adequately measuring dispersion or risk is one of the most challenging topics in decision theory. According to well-known definitions in the literature, a dispersion or risk measure should satisfy several good properties; non-negativity, monotonicity, and convexity. In this paper, we investigate properties of two dispersion measures of Geometric Dispersion Theory (GDT) which are based on arithmetic-geometric means and show that they are nonnegative and convex. Also, these new dispersion measures of GDT are less sensitive to noise in comparison to standard deviation and its generalizations. Furthermore, we show that these new measures can present riskiness of alternatives better than other measures; thus enabling GDT to explain several well-known decision-making paradoxes.
Barriers to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus 1-Associated Adult T Cell Lymphoma-Leukemia in the United States: Experience from a Large Cohort in a Major Tertiary Center.

Abstract In the United States adult T cell lymphoma–leukemia (ATLL) carries a dismal prognosis and mainly affects immigrants from human T cell lymphotropic virus 1 endemic areas. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT) can be effective and is recommended as an upfront treatment in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. We studied the barriers to alloHSCT in one of the largest ATLL populations in the United States. Comprehensive chart and donor registry reviews were conducted for 88 ATLL patients treated at Montefiore Medical Center from 2003 to 2018. Among 49 patients with acute and 32 with lymphomatous subtypes, 48 (59.5%) were ineligible for alloHSCT because of early mortality (52%), loss to follow-up (21%), uninsured status (15%), patient declination (10%), and frailty (2%). Among 28 HLA-typed eligible patients (34.6%), matched related donors were identified for 7 (25%). A matched unrelated donor (MUD) search yielded HLA-matched in 2 patients (9.5%), HLA mismatched in 6 (28.5%), and no options in 13 (62%). Haploidentical donors were identified for 6 patients (46%) with no unrelated options. There were no suitable donors for 7 (25%) alloHSCT-eligible patients. The main limitation for alloHSCT after donor identification was death from progressive disease (82%). AlloHSCT was performed in 10 patients (12.3%) and was associated with better relapse-free survival (26 versus 11 months, P = .04) and overall survival (47 versus 10 months, P = .03). Early mortality and progressive disease are the main barriers to alloHSCT, but poor follow-up, uninsured status, and lack of suitable donor, including haploidentical, are also substantial limitations that might disproportionally affect this vulnerable population. AlloHSCT can achieve long-term remissions, and strategies aiming to overcome these barriers are urgently needed to improve outcomes in ATLL.
Reactive oxygen species explicit dosimetry to predict local tumor control for Photofrin-mediated photodynamic therapy

Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established modality for cancer treatment, current dosimetric quantities, such as light fluence and PDT dose, do not account for the differences in PDT oxygen consumption for different fluence rates (ϕ). A macroscopic model was adopted to calculate reactive oxygen species concentration ([ROS]rx) to predict Photofrin-PDT outcome in mice bearing radiation-induced fibrosarcoma (RIF) tumors. Singlet oxygen is the primary cytotoxic species for ROS, which is responsible for cell death in type II PDT, although other type I ROS is included in the parameters used in our model. Using a combination of fluences (50-250 J/cm2) and ϕ (50 - 150 mW/cm2), tumor regrowth rate, k, was determined for each condition by fitting the tumor volume vs. time to V0*exp(k*t). Treatment was delivered with a collimated laser beam of 1 cm diameter at 630 nm. Explicit dosimetry of initial tissue oxygen concentration, tissue optical properties, and Photofrin concentration was used to calculate [ROS]rx,cal. ϕ was determined for the treatment volume based on Monte-Carlo simulations and measured tissue optical properties. Tissue oxygenation is measured using an oxylite oxygen probe to throughout the treatment to calculate the measured [ROS]rx,mea. Cure index, CI = 1-k/k ctr , for tumor gowth up to 14 days were determined as an endpoint using five dose metrics: light fluence, PDT dose, and [ROS]rx,cal, and [ROS]rx,mea. PDT dose was defined as the product of the time-integral of photosensitizer concentration and ϕ at a 3 mm tumor depth. Preliminary studies show that [ROS]rx,mea best correlates with CI and is an effective dosimetric quantity that can predict treatment outcome.
DANE: Fostering Creativity in and through Biologically Inspired Design

In this paper, we present an initial attempt at systemizing knowledge of biological systems from an engineering perspective. In particular, we describe an interactive knowledge-based design environment called DANE that uses the Structure-Behavior-Function (SBF) schema for capturing the functioning of biological systems. We present preliminary results from deploying DANE in an interdisciplinary class on biologically inspired design, indicating that designers found the SBF schema useful for conceptualizing complex systems.
Feasibility of Delivering a Tailored Intervention for Advance Care Planning in Primary Care Practice

Background/objectives To determine the feasibility of conducting a cluster randomized controlled trial providing individualized feedback reports to increase advance care planning (ACP) engagement in the primary care setting. Design Pilot cluster randomized controlled trial. Setting Two primary care practices selected for geographic colocation. Participants Adults aged 55 years and older. Intervention Brief assessment of readiness to engage in (stage of change for) three ACP behaviors (healthcare agent assignment, communication with agent about quality vs quantity of life, and living will completion) generating an individualized feedback report, plus a stage-matched brochure. Measures Patient recruitment and retention, intervention delivery, baseline characteristics, and stage of change movement. Results Recruitment rates differed by practice. Several baseline sociodemographic characteristics differed between the 38 intervention and 41 control participants, including employment status, education, and communication with healthcare agent. Feedback was successfully delivered to all intervention participants, and over 90% of participants completed a 2-month follow-up. More intervention participants demonstrated progression in readiness than did control participants, without testing for statistical significance. Conclusions This pilot demonstrates opportunities and challenges of performing a clustered randomized controlled trial in primary care practices. Differences in the two practice populations highlight the challenges of matching sites. There was a signal for behavior change in the intervention group. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1917-1921, 2019.
Abstract 4703: Single Cell CNV End to End workflow to uncover tumor heterogeneity in a murine breast cancer model

Background: Tumor heterogeneity is a hallmark of cancer and can have significant impact on identifying drivers, including those that may be therapeutically relevant. Although, the traditional sequencing of bulk tumor specimens provides invaluable information, sequencing of individual cells provides a true representation of the cellular heterogeneity that exists within a cancer. Novel technologies such as single cell copy number variation (scCNV) enable copy number profiling at a single cell resolution. Single Cell CNV generates genome wide sequencing libraries from single cells to reveal tumor heterogeneity and evolution of subclonal populations. Methods: In this study, we utilized a scCNV assay to assess heterogeneity within the 4T1 murine breast tumor model. To accomplish this we have developed an end-to-end workflow including tissue dissociation, single cell library preparation, sequencing and data analysis. We injected 4T1 cells into the mammary fat pad of 4-6 week old BALB/c mice. Mice were sacrificed at 21 days and tumors were removed from the injection site and dissociated using Milteny’s Biotec Octo Dissociator. We utilized the 10X Genomics Chromium system to partition single cells and prepare sequencing libraries in parallel such that all DNA fragments produced within a partition are barcoded. Following library construction, the Illumina Novaseq 6000 system was used to sequence single cell libraries. Additionally, single cell libraries from a fraction of the 4T1 cells that were injected into the mammary fat and non-metastatic isogeneic cell line variants, 67NR and 168FARN, were also sequenced. Results: We observed a pair of amplifications (>8 copies) on chromosome 9 and three segments of amplification on chromosome 15 that were conserved throughout the injection site tumor cells. Interestingly, the amplifications on chromosome 15 encompass one of the most commonly observed breast cancer oncogenes, Myc, and the cell migration regulator, Skp2. Further, we observed three unique cluster of tumors cells which suggests the possibility of detecting major and minor clonal populations using this technology. Conclusion: Our findings suggest scCNV will help us to improve characterizations of the entirety of a patient’s disease to uncover potential clones that are primed to induce metastasis, drug resistance, and relapse. Citation Format: Lee D. Gibbs, Jing Qian, Michelle Webb, Sharon Chang, Zarko Manojlovic, Enrique I. Velazquez, Troy McEachron, David W. Craig, John D. Carpten. Single Cell CNV End to End workflow to uncover tumor heterogeneity in a murine breast cancer model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4703.
Fabrication, Evaluation, and Improvements of 1K×1K and 2K×2K Infrared LED Scene Projector Systems

Infrared LED Scene Projector (IRSP) system is an emerging technology that has made numerous progress in its development and testing. That progress ranges from fabrication and evaluation steps to improve the electronics as well as improvements to the 1K×1K and 2K×2K hybrid arrays.
Affine particle in cell method for MAC grids and fluid simulation

Abstract We present a new technique for transferring momentum and velocity between particles and MAC grids based on the Affine-Particle-In-Cell (APIC) framework [1] , [2] previously developed for co-located grids. APIC represents particle velocities as locally affine, rather than locally constant as in traditional PIC. These previous APIC schemes were designed primarily as an improvement on Particle-in-Cell (PIC) transfers, which tend to be heavily dissipative, and as an alternative to Fluid Implicit Particle (FLIP) transfers, which tend to be noisy. The original APIC paper [1] proposed APIC-style transfers for MAC grids, based on a limit for multilinear interpolation. We extend these to the case of smooth basis functions and show that the proposed transfers satisfy all of the original APIC properties. In particular, we achieve conservation of angular momentum across our transfers, something which eluded [1] . Early indications in [1] suggested that APIC might be suitable for simulating high Reynolds fluids due to favorable retention of vortices, but these properties were not studied further and the question was left unresolved. One significant drawback of APIC relative to FLIP is that energy is dissipated even when Δ t = 0 . We use two dimensional Fourier analysis to investigate dissipation in this important limit. We investigate dissipation and vortex retention numerically in the general case to quantify the effectiveness of APIC compared with PIC, FLIP, and XPIC.
Rural Finance, Capital Constrained Small Farms, and Financial Performance: Findings from a Primary Survey

Capital and credit constraints limit the small farm’s ability to adequately use resources for optimum performance. Farmers’ access to capital is constrained in multiple ways, including price factors, risk factors, and transaction factors, as well as access to and ease of rural agricultural financing. Using a primary survey data of small farms in Tennessee, we analyzed factors influencing credit constraint and its impact on farm performance. Farm operators’ gender, off-farm work, land acreage holdings, farm specialization, and the use of smart phone with Internet significantly influenced credit constraint. We found that the financial performance of credit constrained small farmers was significantly lower than that of unconstrained small farmers—an adverse impact of constrained capacity to credit could result in up to $39,000 lower performance in gross sales can be attributable to the constrained borrowing with deficit to obtain agricultural loans at required or desired level.
Mobile Myxopapillary Ependymoma with Associated Filum Terminale Cyst

Background Intradural ependymal cysts are benign, fluid-filled cysts usually situated along the ventral surface of the spinal cord. There are previous reports of 19 intradural cysts in the literature, including one cyst of the filum terminale. Here, we report for the first time the presence of a radiographically occult filum terminale cyst associated with a myxopapillary ependymoma. We propose that mobility of the tumor may provide indirect evidence of the presence of a cyst. Case Description A 65-year-old male patient presented with a homogenously enhancing ovoid mass measuring 25 mm × 10 mm within the thecal sac at the L3 through L4 levels. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated migration of the tumor 12 mm rostrally. Following the L2 through L4 laminectomy and resection of the intradural tumor, we identified a filum terminale ependymal cyst superior to the tumor, which was also resected. Conclusions Ependymal cysts associated with spinal tumors are rare and may be radiographically occult. The change in cyst size may explain tumor mobility. Complete resection of the cyst and histopathologic analysis is recommended to differentiate between ependymal cyst and cystic tumor tissue.
Chapter 5 – Partitioning of Assimilates

Grapevines manufacture carbohydrates and other assimilates in source organs and transport them via the phloem to sink organs for further metabolism or storage. All organs start out as sinks, but leaves transition to sources as they grow, and woody storage tissues may variously serve as sources or sinks. The phloem transports mainly sucrose and some amino acids and inorganic nutrients such as potassium dissolved in water. Phloem flow follows a pressure gradient that is generated osmotically by loading of solutes in sources and unloading in sinks. Assimilate partitioning to the various sinks of a vine depends on their relative priority, which changes with position, seasonal development, and environmental influences. Microclimatic variables such as light, temperature, wind speed, and humidity alter a vine’s canopy and are altered by it. This interaction is sensed by the leaves and used to determine canopy architecture and photosynthesis, and thus vine growth and productivity. In addition to the photosynthates produced in the leaves, assimilates are also produced from mineral nutrients taken up by the roots. Nitrogen is taken up mostly as nitrate and converted into amino acids for metabolism, storage, or export. Photosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation are interdependent and influence each other via positive and negative feedback loops depending on environmental and developmental factors.
The Signal-Averaged ECG: Clinical Applications

Although the standard ECG provides substantial information on cardiac electrical activity, it fails to record signals in the microvolt range. Signal averaging technique enables recording and identification of low amplitude signals by improving the signal-to-noise ratio. Thus, the signal-averaged ECG (SAECG) was initially used for noninvasive recording of His bundle potential and subsequently to detect “late potentials” (LPs) for risk assessment for sudden cardiac death (SCD) and/or VT in various clinical settings. However, the initial enthusiasm for the SAECG waned following the results of the MADIT-II Trial that opted the use of ejection fraction (EF) as the main risk stratifying modality. In this chapter, the role of the SAECG in other conditions such as infiltrative heart disease, right ventricular dysplasia, evaluation of syncope, tetralogy of Fallot-associated VT, the Brugada syndrome, post-ablation of VT, and atrial fibrillation is discussed.
Facile route to an organosulfur composite from biomass-derived guaiacol and waste sulfur

A simple approach to a high sulfur-content material from biomass-derived guaiacol and waste sulfur is introduced. This direct reaction of elemental sulfur with an anisole derivative lacking olefins or halogen leaving groups expands the monomer scope beyond existing routes to high sulfur-content materials.
Bootstrap embedding with an unrestricted mean-field bath

A suite of quantum embedding methods have recently been developed where the Schmidt decomposition is applied to the full system wavefunction to derive basis states that preserve the entanglement between the fragment and the bath. The quality of these methods can depend heavily on the quality of the initial full system wavefunction. Most of these methods, including bootstrap embedding (BE) [M. Welborn et al; J. Chem. Phys. 145, 074102 (2016)], start from a spin-restricted mean-field wavefunction [call this restricted BE (RBE)]. Given that spin-unrestricted wavefunctions can capture a significant amount of strong correlation at the mean-field level, we suspect that starting from a spin-unrestricted mean-field wavefunction will improve these embedding methods for strongly correlated systems. In this work, BE is generalized to an unrestricted Hartree-Fock bath [call this unrestricted BE (UBE)], and UBE is applied to model hydrogen ring systems. UBE's improved versatility over RBE is utilized to calculate high spin symmetry states that were previously unattainable with RBE. Ionization potentials, electron affinities, and spin-splittings are computed using UBE with accuracy on par with spin-unrestricted coupled cluster singles and doubles. Even for cases where RBE is viable, UBE converges more reliably. We discuss the limitations or weaknesses of each calculation and how improvements to RBE and density matrix embedding theory these past few years can also improve UBE.