cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2466: A novel role for the transcription factor SNAIL in alternative splicing

The transcription factor SNAIL is a master regulator of the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), a hallmark event during cancer metastasis. SNAIL repressed transcription of several epithelial cell-specific genes such as E-cadherin, leading to a mesenchymal phenotype that is less attached and more migratory. As a DNA-binding transcription factor, SNAIL binds consensus E-box motifs in gene promoters, and recruits epigenetic modifiers to repress or activate gene expression. Previous studies from our lab and others have indicated that SNAIL and its family member SLUG have several gene targets in common but also bind to unique gene targets. Whether SNAIL or SLUG share protein-interacting partners is unknown. To identify interactome partners of SNAIL and SLUG, we performed co-immunoprecipitation followed by iTRAQ mass spectrometry. The protein interactome of SNAIL, but not SLUG, was highly enriched for splicing proteins, of which the top hit was the Serine-Arginine Rich-Splicing Factor, SRSF1. SRSF1 participates in regulation of alternative splicing, a mechanism through which a cell can generate multiple proteins from the same gene. Alternative splicing events play a central role in EMT progression, and SRSF1 is overexpressed in many cancers. We explored the role of SNAIL and SRSF1 in driving alternative splicing events during EMT. First, we confirmed the association of SNAIL and SRSF1 by co-immunofluorescence, PLA assay and co-immunoprecipitation experiments during TGF-beta induction of EMT. RNA-IP (RIP) experiments demonstrated association of SNAIL with mesenchymal specific but not epithelial-specific splice isoforms, further suggesting an RNA binding role for SNAIL. Lastly, RNA-EMSA experiments suggest specificity for some but not all four Zinc fingers of SNAIL in binding to RNA. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that SNAIL regulates alternative splicing events during EMT at least in part through association with SRSF1 on RNA. As transcription and splicing are closely coupled, we predict that the regulation of splicing by transcription factors through RNA binding is universally utilized by other biological systems to alter phenotype in response to external stimuli. We are currently working on identifying the genome-wide changes in alternative splicing regulated by SNAIL, and the mechanism by which SNAIL interacts with the spliceosome to regulate alternative splicing. Citation Format: Atrayee Ray, Smruthi Rudraraju, Shawn Krueger, Janani kumar, Danielle Perley, Adam Scheidegger, Archana Dhasarathy. A novel role for the transcription factor SNAIL in alternative splicing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2466.
Benefits of Customer Loyalty in Markets with Endogenous Search Costs

Managers have long appreciated having loyal customers, and academic research has explored the benefits of loyal consumers as coming from reduced price competition. This paper extends this research ...
A movement in motion: collective mobility and embodied practice in the central American migrant caravan

In this article, I examine the psychosocial and phenomenological implications for the lived experiences of collective mobility among Central American asylum seekers and irregular migrants bound for...
“Are You Authorized to Work in the U.S.?” Investigating “Inclusive” Practices in Rhetoric and Technical Communication Job Descriptions

This paper studies the language of job descriptions in rhetoric and technical and professional communication to explore how this language might be exclusionary of international scholars. Through cr...
Modeling the economic and environmental effects of corn nitrogen management strategies in Illinois

Abstract Eco-efficient use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer in Corn (Zea Mays L.) requires timely information about the supply of N from the soil and the response to N by the crop. These are complex processes, and multiple N management strategies (NMS) have been proposed over time. In this work, we used APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator) to simulate the response of Corn's Yield to N for ca. 4200 fields in the state of Illinois in different weather scenarios. Ten different N management strategies were evaluated using environmental and economic indicators. They were created by combining different sources of trial data, different types of prediction models, different predictor variables measured on the fields, and different technologies to apply fertilizer in the field. This study provides knowledge that is unattainable through field experimentation, leveraging current knowledge on the mechanisms that drive the yield response to N to help farmers, researchers, and policymakers to select strategies in line with their objectives. Our results showed that an N management strategy that incorporates year-to-year variability in the predictions and uses data from trials spread in the region achieved the highest eco-efficiency. Such strategy would reduce the mean N-leaching by 12.7% without changing profits compared with the N management strategy most used by extension services in the area. Nitrogen measurements obtained by soil sampling were the most important predictor and could not be replaced by other less laborious variables. Variable-rate technology did not provide significant economic or environmental value in the area.
Mediation between financial risk tolerance and equity ownership: assessing the role of financial knowledge underconfidence

Investing in equity is not an easy task. People with varying levels of financial risk tolerance would demonstrate a different level of equity investment. However, investors' tendency to underestimate their financial knowledge is likely to mediate the association between financial risk tolerance and equity ownership since people tend to underestimate their knowledge and take a lower risk when the task is hard to execute. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the mediating role of underconfidence on the association between financial risk tolerance and equity ownership. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to evaluate the conceptual model. The results show that it is possible to assess underconfidence using objective and subjective financial knowledge, and underconfidence has a significant mediating effect between financial risk tolerance and equity ownership. Although it is challenging to change a person’s risk tolerance, financial services professionals may help their clients by addressing underconfidence.
Lab Mice and Bank Loans: General National Bank and Salazar Services

It was 2010, and Raphael and Minerva Salazar wanted funding to expand their animal husbandry support services business. They believed the time was right to pursue a bigger share of the expanding market for government, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology contracts with research labs.Albert Molina was a commercial loan officer with General National Bank who was trying to grow his portfolio of loans to Latinx businesses. He has been working with the Salazars, who exhibit good creditworthiness but have grown their business in unconventional ways. Molina must decide the best way to bring the Salazars' loan request to his superiors at the bank. Excerpt UVA-ENT-0172 Rev. Apr. 22, 2019 Lab Mice and Bank Loans: General National Bank and Salazar Services Introduction Albert Molina, a commercial loan officer with General National Bank (GNB), got into his car after meeting with Raphael and Minerva Salazar, clients with whom he was trying to build a strong relationship. It was 2010, and the Salazar family wanted funding to expand their animal husbandry support services business. They believed the time was right to pursue a bigger share of the expanding market for government, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology contracts with research labs. Molina believed that local market demand—driven primarily by proximity to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)—justified the expansion of the Salazars' business in Blacksburg, Virginia. He also believed the Salazars were highly competent business owners, but he was unsure of the response GNB management would have to this particular request for a loan. Molina was convinced the time was right for the Salazars to build a new, state-of-the-art logistics and headquarters facility. They were requesting a $ 750,000 loan to fund its construction. There were some things about the Salazar family, however, that he thought might worry other lenders at the bank. The existing physical operation would hardly impress his senior managers, nor would it help build their confidence in the Salazars as highly capable entrepreneurs. . . .
Design of an Automated Bubble Detection Device for Neuroangiography

This paper describes the design of an automated device to detect air bubbles during a neuroangiography, a medical procedure that takes images of the blood vessels in the brain. In the neuroangiography procedure, a saline solution is injected into the patient through a catheter without the presence of any air bubbles. If an air bubble enters the bloodstream of the patient it may cause an air embolism, therefore, it is crucial that all air bubbles are detected and removed during the surgery. The current process relies on a nurse to constantly monitor the intravenous(IV) line for bubbles and pinch the line manually if a bubble is detected. They must also ensure that the pressure of the saline bag is maintained within a certain range and the saline bag does not become empty. The device discussed in this paper was designed to implement these tasks automatically so the nurse’s work level stress would decrease, and their focus and energy could be directed to the patient’s well-being. Simulation and hardware implementation results of the bubble detection device are presented.
Phytoecdysteroids Accelerate Recovery of Skeletal Muscle Function Following in vivo Eccentric Contraction-Induced Injury in Adult and Old Mice

Background: Eccentric muscle contractions are commonly used in exercise regimens, as well as in rehabilitation as a treatment against muscle atrophy and weakness. If repeated multiple times, eccentric contractions may result in skeletal muscle injury and loss of function. Skeletal muscle possesses the remarkable ability to repair and regenerate after an injury or damage; however, this ability is impaired with aging. Phytoecdysteroids are natural plant steroids that possess medicinal, pharmacological, and biological properties, with no adverse side effects in mammals. Previous research has demonstrated that administration of phytoecdysteroids, such as 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), leads to an increase in protein synthesis signaling and skeletal muscle strength. Methods: To investigate whether 20E enhances skeletal muscle recovery from eccentric contraction-induced damage, adult (7-8 mo) and old (26-27 mo) mice were subjected to injurious eccentric contractions (EC), followed by 20E or placebo (PLA) supplementation for 7 days. Contractile function via torque-frequency relationships (TF) was measured three times in each mouse: pre- and post-EC, as well as after the 7-day recovery period. Mice were anesthetized with isoflurane and then electrically-stimulated isometric contractions were performed to obtain in vivo muscle function of the anterior crural muscle group before injury (pre), followed by 150 EC, and then again post-injury (post). Following recovery from anesthesia, mice received either 20E (50 mg•kg-1 BW) or PLA by oral gavage. Mice were gavaged daily for 6 days and on day 7, the TF relationship was reassessed (7-day). Results: EC resulted in significant reductions of muscle function post-injury, regardless of age or treatment condition (p0.05), while PLA muscle function remained reduced (pre vs 7-day; p<0.01). In addition, histological markers of muscle damage appear lower in damaged muscle from 20E-treated mice after the 7-day recovery period, compared to PLA. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings demonstrate that 20E fully recovers skeletal muscle function in both adult and old mice just 7 days after eccentric contraction-induced damage. However, the underlying mechanics by which 20E contributes to the accelerated recovery from muscle damage warrant further investigation.
Curve and surface representation

NonUniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) are the standard for describing and modeling curves and surfaces in computer-aided design and computer graphics. These are used to model everything from automobile bodies and ship hulls to animated characters in feature-length films. Curves and surfaces are mathematically represented explicitly, implicitly, or parametrically. This chapter describes parametric curve and surface representations. Although many surfaces can be represented analytically, there are also many surfaces for which analytical descriptions do not exist. Typical examples are automobile bodies, aircraft fuselages and wings, ship hulls, sculpture, bottles, and shoes. These surfaces are represented in a piecewise fashion that is similar to a patchwork quilt. The chapter discusses two kinds of continuity, or smoothness, associated with parametric curves and surfaces—geometric continuity and parametric continuity.
Evaluation of Duroc- vs. Pietrain-sired pigs for carcass and meat quality measures

Crossbred progeny sired by either Duroc or Pietrain boars, normal for the ryanodine receptor gene, were evaluated for carcass composition and meat quality. Boars from each breed were mated to Yorkshire or F1 Yorkshire-Landrace females. A total of 162 off-spring was evaluated for carcass and meat quality traits at a common age (approximately 26 wk of age). Duroc-sired progeny had heavier (108.0 vs. 103.0 kg, P < 0.001) and longer carcasses (86.9 vs. 84.8 cm, P < 0.01), whereas Pietrain-sired pigs had less backfat at the first rib (44.6 vs. 47.7 mm, P < 0.01), last lumbar vertebrae (20.9 vs. 23.0 mm, P < 0.05), and 10th rib (23.0 vs. 25.5 mm, P < 0.01). No difference between Pietrain and Duroc progeny was detected for fat depth at the last rib (27.8 vs. 28.8 mm, respectively). Pietrain progeny had a higher percentage of lean at slaughter (52.6 vs. 50.7, P < 0.05) and higher dressing percentage (74.0 vs. 73.1, P < 0.01). Primal cut weights were collected with Pietrain progeny having a greater percentage of carcass as ham (23.0 vs. 22.4, P < 0.01) and loin (21.6 vs. 21.2, P < 0.05), whereas Duroc progeny had a higher percentage of belly weight (12.0 vs. 11.7, P < 0.05). Percentages of Boston butt (8.8 vs. 9.0) and picnic shoulder (9.9 vs. 9.9) were similar for Duroc vs. Pietrain progeny. Total weight of these five primal cuts, as a percentage of carcass weight, was higher for Pietrain progeny (75.2 vs. 74.3, P < 0.01). With heavier carcass weight, Duroc progeny had greater primal cut weights as a function of age. Subjective meat quality scores for color, marbling, and firmness (1 to 5 scale) were more favorable for Duroc-sired progeny. Furthermore, chops from Duroc progeny had higher 24-h pH (5.53 vs. 5.48, P < 0.001) and Minolta a* (17.33 vs. 17.04, P < 0.05) with less percentage drip loss (2.88 vs. 3.80, P < 0.001). No differences were detected between Duroc- and Pietrain-sired progeny for Minolta L* (54.77 vs. 55.37) or b* (7.58 vs. 7.58) objective color scores, percentage cooking loss (28.63 vs. 29.23), or Warner-Bratzler shear force (6.94 vs. 7.11 kg). Both sire breeds have beneficial traits that can be utilized in commercial pork production and merit further study.
Development and Validation of an Index to Predict Personal Prescription Drug Importation by Adults in the United States.

Objective Personal prescription drug importation (PPDI) is prevalent in the USA because of the high cost of US medicines and lower cost of foreign equivalents. The practice carries the risk of exposure to counterfeit, adulterated and substandard medicines. No known tools are available for predicting person-level PPDI risk. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a predictive PPDI index for policymakers, researchers and clinicians. Methods Using 2011 and 2012 National Health Interview Survey data as the development and validation cohorts respectively, we identified predictors, built multivariable logistic regression models and validated the index by comparing predicted risk of PPDI in the development cohort with the observed risk in the validation cohort. We assessed calibration using the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and discrimination with C-statistics. The outcome measure was survey-reported PPDI (1 = yes; 0 = no). Key findings In the development cohort, prevalence of PPDI in respondents with 0–2, 3, 4, 5–6 or ≥7 risk factors were 0.32%, 0.57%, 1.09%, 2.95% and 13.67% (C-statistic = 0.78), and in the validation cohort, were 0.32%, 0.54%, 0.95%, 2.89% and 10.80% (C-statistic = 0.76). The Hosmer–Lemeshow test indicated the absence of a gross lack of fit (P = 0.58) in the validation cohort. Conclusion This predictive index accurately stratifies US adults into groups at differential risk of PPDI and may provide value to those who are responsible for health policy and regulation of pharmaceutical importation.
Antenna Array Basics

This chapter contains sections titled: History of Antenna Arrays Electromagnetics for Array Analysis Solving for Electromagnetic Fields Antenna Models Antenna Array Applications Organization and Overview ]]>
Optical space communications at JPL

Subsystem and system level technology development at JPL for free-space laser communications from both deep space and near-Earth is described. These include acquisition, tracking and pointing, laser transmitters, photon-counting receivers, coding, modulation, and communication systems.
ALTERNATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC PRACTICE AMONG MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS: I: CASE STUDIES AND FOLLOW-UP

Historically, alternative psychotherapeutic procedures have florished worldwide in various inspirational, spiritualistic and shamanistic versions. However, few investigations have described these interventions in detail, or followed the clinical outcomes longitudinally. This present report is an ethnographic and clinical description of one particular American practitioner's alternative method as it is used with middle class clientele in several regions of the USA. Two case studies are presented in detail while nine individual cases are qualitatively reviewed with one month and one year treatment outcomes reported. A condensed ethnobiographical study of the practitioner's personal and professional life is included.
Refining Image Segmentation by Integration of Edge and Region Data

An iterative parallel region growing (IPRG) algorithm previously developed by Tilton (1989) produces hierarchical segmentations of images from finer to coarser resolution. An ideal segmentation does not always correspond to one single iteration but to several different ones, each one producing the 'best' result for a separate part of the image. With the goal of finding this ideal segmentation, the results of the IPRG algorithm are refined by utilizing some additional information, such as edge features, and by interpreting the tree of hierarchical regions.
Migration and speciation

Although migration is a common behaviour, the effects of this annual two-way event on the speciation process are poorly understood, even though birds, which are commonly migratory b played a critical role in the development of speciation theory1,2. Here I propose that new developments3,4 in the theory of sympatric speciation — a process whereby new species can arise through population differentiation without spatial isolation — may help to explain the bursts of speciation observed in some seasonal migrant lineages.
FORCE DEGRADATION STUDY AND RP-HPLC METHOD DEVELOPMENT FOR ESTIMATION OF FLUVOXAMINE MALEATE IN TABLET

Objective: To evaluate stability of drug by force degradation studies and to develop validated RP-HPLC method for quantitative estimation of fluvoxamine maleate in pharmaceutical dosage form. Methods: The optimized chromatographic conditions utilizes reversed-phase C18 Hyperchrome ODS column (250X4.6 mm, 5µ), mobile phase comprised of Methanol and Phosphate buffer (pH-2.5) in the ratio of 70:30 v/v, flow rate of 1 ml/min at ambient temperature and UV detection at 250 nm. Results: In the proposed method the retention time of fluvoxamine was found to be 5.94 min. The linearity of the proposed method was tested in the range of 10-50 μg/ml and correlation coefficient was found to be 0.998. The accuracy of the proposed method was carried out by standard addition method and found to be 99.62%. The % RSD of precision study was calculated as 0.69. The standard and marketed formulation exposed to hydrolytic and oxidative stress conditions indicates significant degradation with good resolution between the peaks corresponds to degradation products and analyte. The proposed force degradation study shows that fluvoxamine is labile molecule to acid, alkali, neutral and oxidative conditions and also susceptible to degradation when exposed to UV light, and humidity conditions while it was stable under dry heat (50 °C). Conclusion: The proposed validated HPLC method for the quantitative estimation of fluvoxamine maleate in tablet dosage form is accurate, precise, economic, and robust. The developed stability indicating method can be recommended for analysis of drug and its degradation products in stability samples.
Wearables to Benefit the Health of the Hospital Librarian

Normally this column features hardware and software for the hospital library, but this column is dedicated to personal technology for the hospital librarian. To promote general well-being of the ho...
Accuracy of the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Endoscopic Reference Score in Diagnosis and Determining Response to Treatment

Background & Aims Little is known about the diagnostic utility of the Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS), and how scores change in response to treatment. We investigated the operating characteristics of the EREFS in diagnosis of EoE, how the score changes with treatment, and ways to optimize scoring system. Methods We performed a prospective study of adults undergoing outpatient upper endoscopy from August 2011 through December 2013 at the North Carolina School of Medicine. Incident cases of EoE were diagnosed per consensus guidelines and were treated with topical steroids or dietary elimination (n = 67); 144 subjects without EoE were included as control subjects. EREFS scores were compared between cases and control subjects. For EoE cases, scores were compared before and after treatment. Area under the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was used to determine diagnostic utility of the EREFS system. An iterative analysis was performed to determine optimal EREFS scoring weights. Results The mean total EREFS score was 3.88 for EoE cases and 0.42 for control subjects ( P > .001); the score identified subjects with EoE with an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.934. After treatment of EoE cases, the mean score decreased from 3.88 to 2.01 ( P > .001). This change was more prominent for patients with a histologic response (reduction to P Conclusions The EREFS classification system identifies patients with EoE an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.934; the score decreases with treatment, and histologic responders have significantly lower scores than nonresponders. This system can therefore be used to identify individuals with EoE and used as an endoscopic outcome measure to follow their response to treatment.
Impacts of In‐Migration and Coastal Amenities on Housing Growth in Coastal North Carolina, United States

Migrant preferences for environmental amenities contribute to demand for new housing and associated land use/cover change. Coastal North Carolina has emerged as an important migration destination that is being ‘discovered’ by in-migrants who may attracted in part by coastal amenities. Investigations of linkages between population and land change are part of a population–environment research paradigm requiring integration of social, natural, environmental, and geographical information science. We contribute to the population–environment literature by addressing two main questions: (1) what factors drive housing growth in an amenity rich coastal region in North Carolina? and (2) how does housing behaviour differ between categories of migrant and non-migrant households? Regression results revealed in-migration, prior housing density, and tourism presence to have the largest effects on new housing growth. Ocean proximity failed to act as an environmental amenity attracting growth; however, we found evidence suggesting that the interior estuarine region may act as an outlet for development pressure. Later-life migration was revealed to be particularly important with later life in-migrants being more likely to (a) reside in new homes; (b) reside in single family detached homes; (c) be home owners; (d) own homes with greater property values; and (e) have greater household incomes. Themes of our findings for a relatively small region share commonalities with processes occurring in larger scale amenity–migrant regions such as the US Mountain West yet suggest the possibility of other localised growth regions that collectively might contribute significantly to processes of population and land use change. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polytropic subsonic stellar winds with magnetic fields

In any complex magnetic field configuration it is to be expected that there will be not only regions of no flow (closed magnetic field lines) and of supersonic flow, but also regions of subsonic flow. Subsonic stellar winds could also be of importance in stars of different type than the Sun. In the present paper the equations for the stellar wind are examined in the case of a polytropic relation between pressure and density and for small values of the parameter ɛ=Ω2ra2/ua2. The radial distance (r) and the velocity at the Alfvenic point (4πϱu2/B2=1) are denoted byra andua, and Ω is the angular velocity. It is shown that: solar breeze solutions (that is, solutions that are subsonic for values ofr such that\(r\not \gg r_a\)) exist only if the dimensionless energy flux is larger than\(\tfrac{3}{2}\varepsilon ^{{\raise0.5ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle 2$}\kern-0.1em/\kern-0.15em\lower0.25ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle 3$}}}\). If e→0 the flow with magnetic field tends to the flow without magnetic field forr<R(R→∞ as e→0). Forr→∞ the velocity tends always to a finite value; this does not introduce, however, a singularity in the equations.
High-resolution characterization of CPD hotspot formation in human fibroblasts

Repair of DNA lesions must occur within the chromatin landscape and is associated with alterations in histone modifications and nucleosome rearrangement. To directly associate these chromatin features with DNA damage and repair, it is necessary to be able to map DNA adducts. We have developed a cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD)-specific immunoprecipitation method and mapped ultraviolet damage hotspots across human chromosomes 1 and 6. CPD hotspots occur almost equally in genic and intergenic regions. However, these hotspots are significantly more prevalent adjacent to repeat elements, especially Alu repeats. Nucleosome mapping studies indicate that nucleosomes are consistently positioned at Alu elements where CPD hotspots form, but by 2 h post-irradiation, these same regions are significantly depleted of nucleosomes. These results indicate that nucleosomes associated with hotspots of CPD formation are readily rearranged, potentially making them accessible to DNA repair machinery. Our results represent the first chromosome scale map of ultraviolet-induced DNA lesions in the human genome, and reveal the sequence features and dynamic chromatin changes associated with CPD hotspots.
Effects of tobacco smoking on human corneal wound healing.

Purpose:To evaluate the effect of tobacco smoking on healing of corneal abrasions and keratitis in humans.Methods:A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with corneal abrasions and corneal ulcers from 1990 to 2010 at the Dean McGee Eye Institute was performed. The primary outcome measured
Spatiotemporal Stability of Lip Movements in Older Adult Speakers

Although the intelligibility of healthy older adults normally seems unimpaired, age-related changes occur in sensorimotor components of the speech system and in such global parameters as speech rat...
Electrochemical sensing and imaging based on ion transfer at liquid/liquid interfaces

Here we review the recent applications of ion transfer (IT) at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) for electrochemical sensing and imaging. In particular, we focus on the development and recent applications of the nanopipet-supported ITIES and double-polymer-modified electrode, which enable the dynamic electrochemical measurements of IT at nanoscopic and macroscopic ITIES, respectively. High-quality IT voltammograms are obtainable using either technique to quantitatively assess the kinetics and dynamic mechanism of IT at the ITIES. Nanopipet-supported ITIES serves as an amperometric tip for scanning electrochemical microscopy to allow for unprecedentedly high-resolution electrochemical imaging. Voltammetric ion sensing at double-polymer-modified electrodes offers high sensitivity and unique multiple-ion selectivity. The promising future applications of these dynamic approaches for bioanalysis and electrochemical imaging are also discussed.
Hemodynamic Impact of Stenting in the Total Cavopulmonary Connection With Lateral Tunnel Stenosis

2 per 1000 children in the US are born with functionally single ventricle (SV) heart defects. To restore the separate systemic and pulmonary circulations, a Total Cavopulmonary Connection (TCPC) is carried out through a series of surgical steps, which result in the direct connection of the superior vena cava (SVC) and inferior vena cava (IVC) to the pulmonary arteries without an intervening pulmonary ventricle. One way to complete the TCPC is by placing a synthetic patch in the right atrium, forming an intracardiac lateral tunnel (LT) as the final step. As patients grow, some LT pathways become stenosed. The stenosis can impose extra resistance to flow in addition to the TCPC in the SV circulation. One method of treating LT stenosis is by placement of an intravascular stent.© 2012 ASME
Optimal Combinations of Diagnostic Tests Based on AUC

Summary When several diagnostic tests are available, one can combine them to achieve better diagnostic accuracy. This article considers the optimal linear combination that maximizes the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC); the estimates of the combination's coefficients can be obtained via a nonparametric procedure. However, for estimating the AUC associated with the estimated coefficients, the apparent estimation by re-substitution is too optimistic. To adjust for the upward bias, several methods are proposed. Among them the cross-validation approach is especially advocated, and an approximated cross-validation is developed to reduce the computational cost. Furthermore, these proposed methods can be applied for variable selection to select important diagnostic tests. The proposed methods are examined through simulation studies and applications to three real examples.
A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO BIOLOGICALLY-INSPIRED ENGINEERING DESIGN

To facilitate systematic biologically-inspired design, a design methodology that integrates with function-based design methodologies has been formalized. The goals of this methodology are to go beyond the element of chance, reduce the amount of time and effort required for developing biologically-inspired engineering solutions, and bridge the seemingly immense disconnect between the engineering and biological domains. Using functional representation and abstraction to describe biological systems presents the natural designs in an engineering context and allows designers to make connections between biological and engineered systems. Thus, the biological information is accessible to engineering designers with varying biological knowledge, but a common understanding of engineering design methodologies. Two approaches to validation are presented. One examines current biologically-inspired products either in production or in literature to see if the systematic approach to biologically-inspired design can reproduce the existing designs. The second investigates needs-based design problems that lead to plausible biologically-inspired solutions. This work has demonstrated the feasibility of using systematic design for the discovery of innovative engineering designs without requiring expert-level knowledge, but rather broad knowledge of many fields.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Fears of cognitive dyscontrol and publicly observable anxiety symptoms: depression predictors in moderate-to-high worriers.

Abstract This study examined the relation between dimensions of anxiety sensitivity (AS) and depression symptoms in 94 moderate-to-high worriers (mean age = 19.02 years, SD = 2.07; age range = 18–36; 76.6% females). Two hypotheses were tested: (1) AS as a unitary construct would significantly predict depression symptoms even after controlling for worry and GAD symptoms, and (2) the fear of cognitive dyscontrol and the fear of publicly observable anxiety reactions dimensions of AS would significantly predict depression symptoms even after controlling for worry and GAD symptoms. Consistent with hypotheses, hierarchical linear multiple regressions showed that AS as a unitary construct, as well as the fear of publicly observable anxiety reactions and fear of cognitive dyscontrol dimensions, significantly predicted depression symptoms even after controlling for worry and GAD symptoms. A discussion of findings in the context of the specificity and nonspecificity of AS is provided, along with potential implications for clinicians and researchers working with moderate-to-high worriers.
Solitary neurofibroma of the vagus nerve in the aortopulmonary window masquerading as a developmental cyst

Abstract A rare case of solitary neurofibroma of the vagus nerve in the aortopulmonary window masquerading as a developmental cyst is reported. Its computed tomographic characteristics and magnetic resonance imaging are described and correlated with pathologic findings. Although the features of such imaging modalities are quite characteristic for a neurofibroma, its differentiation from “atypical” developmental cysts may be difficult.
Radar polarimeter measures orientation of calibration corner reflectors

We have analyzed radar polarimeter signals from a set of trihedral corner reflectors located in the Goldstone Dry Lake in Cafifornia, and observed three types of scattering behavior: i) Bragg-like slightly rough surface scattering that represents the background signal from the dry lake, ii) trihedral corner reflector scattering that returns the incident polarization, and iii) two-bounce corner reflector scattering resulting from a particular alignment of a trihedral reflector. In the latter case, we can measure within about 3° the orientation angle of the apparent dihedral trough, even though the 2-m reflector is much smaller than the 10-m resolution element of our radar. Thus a radar calibration approach using trihedral corner reflectors should be designed such that precise alignment of the reflectors is ensured, as three-bounce and two-bounce geometries lead to very different cross sections and hence very different inferred calibration factors.
Antiphospholipid antibodies other than lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies in women with recurrent pregnancy loss, fertile controls, and antiphospholipid syndrome.

Objective To determine whether antiphospholipid antibodies other than lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss. Methods Sera from three groups of women were studied: 1) 147 women with recurrent pregnancy loss but no clinical signs or symptoms of autoimmune disease who tested negative for lupus anticoagulant and medium-to-high levels of immunoglobulin G anticardiolipin antibodies; 2) 104 healthy, fertile controls of similar age and gravidity; and 3) 43 women with well-characterized antiphospholipid syndrome. Serum antibody binding against six phospholipids (cardiolipin, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylinositol) was determined using enzyme-linked immunoassays, and results were normalized using an anticardiolipin standard. Results Twenty-six (18%) women with recurrent pregnancy loss and nine (9%) controls tested positive (above the 99th percentile) for antiphospholipid antibodies. Sera from five (3.4%) women with recurrent pregnancy loss and four (3.8%) controls demonstrated binding to phospholipid antigens other than cardiolipin. In contrast, binding to phospholipid antigens was demonstrated in sera from more than 90% of women with antiphospholipid syndrome. Among women testing positive for antiphospholipid antibodies, the median positive value for women in the antiphospholipid syndrome group was significantly higher than for those with recurrent pregnancy loss or normal fertile controls. Conclusions Women with recurrent pregnancy loss are no more likely than fertile controls to have elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies once lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin, and an obvious clinical history of autoimmune disease have been excluded. Testing for antiphospholipid antibodies other than lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin is not clinically useful in the evaluation of recurrent pregnancy loss.
Stratigraphic evidence for millennial-scale temporal clustering of earthquakes on a continental-interior fault: Holocene Mississippi River floodplain deposits, New Madrid seismic zone, USA

Abstract The earthquake cycles that characterize continental-interior areas that are far from active plate boundaries have proven highly cryptic and difficult to resolve. We used a novel paleoseismic proxy to address this issue. Namely, we reconstructed Holocene Mississippi River channels from maps of floodplain strata in order to identify channel perturbations reflective of major displacement events on the high-hazard and mid-plate Reelfoot thrust fault, New Madrid seismic zone, U.S.A. Only three discrete slip events are currently documented for the Reelfoot fault (∼ AD 900, ∼ AD 1450, and AD 1812). This study extends this record and, thus, illustrates the utility of stratigraphic proxies as paleoseismic tools. We concurrently offer here some of the first quantified response times for tectonically induced channel pattern changes in large alluvial rivers. We identified at least two cycles of pervasive meandering that were interrupted by channel-straightening responses occurring upstream of the Reelfoot fault scarp. These straightening responses initiated at 2244 BC +/− 269 to 1620 BC +/− 220 and ∼ AD 900, respectively, and each records initiation of a period of Reelfoot fault slip after millennia of relative tectonic quiescence. The second (or New Madrid) straightening response was triggered by the previously known ∼ AD 900 fault slip event, and this initial low sinuosity has been protracted until the modern day by the latter ∼ AD 1450 and AD 1812 events. The first (or Bondurant) straightening response began a period of several hundred to ∼ 1400 years of low river sinuosity which evidences a similar period of multiple recurrent displacement events on the Reelfoot fault. These Bondurant events predate the existing paleoseismic record for the Reelfoot fault. These data offer initial evidence that slip events on the Reelfoot fault were temporally clustered on millennial scales and, thus, offers the first direct evidence for millennial-scale clustering of earthquakes on a continental-interior fault. This carries additional ramifications. Namely, faults that have been quiescent and non-hazardous for millennia could re-enter an enduring period of recurrent hazardous earthquakes with little warning. Likewise, the Reelfoot fault also reveals evidence of temporal clustering of earthquakes on short-term cycles (months), as well as evidence for longer-term reactivation cycles (10 4 –10 6 years). This introduces the possibility that temporal clustering could be hierarchical on some continental-interior faults.
Enhancing Acceptability and Use of Sexual Barrier Products Among HIV Concordant and Discordant Couples

Strategies to prevent HIV transmission may benefit from addressing both individual and dyadic factors. This study compared the impact of group and individual interventions on the acceptability of sexual barrier products among HIV sero-concordant and discordant couples, and evaluated the contribution of couple members’ perceived product acceptability to their sexual barrier use. Participants (n = 216 couples) were multicultural couples in Miami, Florida. Longitudinal multilevel modeling and the actor–partner interdependence model were used for analyses. Product acceptability increased more among female group participants, and acceptability of male condoms increased more among sero-discordant couples in the group. Additionally, acceptability of products associated with prevention of STDS/HIV and pregnancy increased more among sero-concordant couples in the group condition. Both actor and partner product acceptability predicted use. Results support the use of group interventions targeting both partners in relationships in prevention programs designed to enhance sexual barrier use.
Covalent Grafting of m-Phenylene-Ethynylene Oligomers to Oxide Surfaces

Oligomeric phenylene ethynylene is potentially a useful molecule for organic photovoltaics, light emitting diodes, sensor materials, or as intrinsically porous polymers for gas storage and separation. In the former two applications, the organic molecules are supported on an inorganic material for structural support or for charge collection at an electrode. Here, a 12 repeat unit oligomer of m-phenylene ethylene is covalently attached to high surface area and planar oxide supports as an alternate route to materials development, which displays novel properties and applications due to the covalent connection to the surface. Oligomers and model dimers are attached to alkyl-azide decorated surfaces via Cu-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar Huisgen cycloaddition or covalently linked with silane-bearing surfaces via Rh-catalyzed hydrosilylation. Surface structures and densities are verified by FTIR, TGA, transmission UV−visible spectroscopy, N2 physisorption, and transmission electron microscopy. On high-surface-area materia...
Increased use of the emergency department after health care reform in Massachusetts.

Study objective With implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 30 million individuals are predicted to gain access to health insurance. The experience in Massachusetts, which implemented a similar reform beginning in 2006, should provide important lessons about the effect of health care reform on emergency department (ED) utilization. Our objective is to understand the extent to which Massachusetts health care reform was associated with changes in ED utilization. Methods We compared changes in ED utilization at the population level for individuals from areas of the state that were affected minimally by health care reform with those from areas that were affected the most, as well as for those younger than 65 years and aged 65 years or older. We used a difference-in-differences identification strategy to compare rates of ED visits in the prereform period, during the reform, and in the postreform period. Because we did not have population-level data on insurance status, we estimated area-level insurance rates by using the percentage of actual visits made during each period by individuals with insurance. Results We studied 13.3 million ED visits during 2004 to 2009. Increasing insurance coverage in Massachusetts was associated with increasing use of the ED; these results were consistent across all specifications, including the younger than 65 years versus aged 65 years or older comparison. Depending on the model used, the implementation of health care reform was estimated to result in an increase in ED visits per year of between 0.2% and 1.2% within reform and 0.2% and 2.2% postreform compared with the prereform period. Conclusion The implementation of health care reform in Massachusetts was associated with a small but consistent increase in the use of the ED across the state. Whether this was due to the elimination of financial barriers to seeking care in the ED, a persistent shortage in access to primary care for those with insurance, or some other cause is not entirely clear and will need to be addressed in future research.
Theoretical studies of massive stars. I - Evolution of a 15-solar-mass star from the zero-age main sequence to neon ignition

The evolution of a star with mass 15 times that of the sun from the zero-age main sequence to neon ignition has been computed by the Henyey method. The hydrogen-rich envelope and all shell sources were explicitly included in the models. An algorithm has been developed for approximating the results of carbon burning, including the branching ratio for the C-12 + C-12 reaction and taking some secondary reactions into account. Penetration of the convective envelope into the core is found to be unimportant during the stages covered by the models. Energy transfer from the carbon-burning shell to the core by degenerate electron conduction becomes important after the core carbon-burning stage. Neon ignition will occur in a semidegenerate core and will lead to a mild 'flash.' Detailed numerical results are given in an appendix. Continuation of the calculations into later stages and variations with the total mass of the star will be discussed in later papers.
Study of light fluence rate distribution in photodynamic therapy using finite-element method.

In photodynamic therapy (PDT), it is desirable to determine the light fluence distribution accurately for treatment planning. Earlier studies have shown heterogeneous distribution of optical properties in patients' prostates. Finite-element method (FEM) is suitable for dealing with heterogeneous media and irregular geometries. Cylindrical diffusing fibers (CDFs) were modeled as linear sources of finite lengths, using the same parameters as those used in the treatments. Meshes were generated in the three-dimensional (3D) prostate geometry, reconstructed using transrectal ultrasound images of the prostate. Heterogeneous optical properties measured in the prostate were applied in the calculation and the refractive-index mismatch boundary condition was studied. Compared with the measurements, the FEM calculations using heterogeneous optical properties show better agreements than those using homogeneous optical properties.
Measurement of estradiol-induced wheel running with brief time samples

Brief 1- and 2-h samples of running wheel activity were shown to be sensitive to the facilitative effects of estradiol on general activity.
Expanded stream gauging includes groundwater data and trends

Population growth has increased water scarcity to the point that documenting current amounts of worldwide water resources is now as critical as any data collection in the Earth sciences. As a key element of this data collection, stream gauges yield continuous hydrologic information and document long-term trends, recording high-frequency hydrologic information over decadal to centennial time frames.
Systemic versus portal venous drainage of small bowel grafts: similar long-term outcome in spite of increased bacterial translocation

DRAINAGE of the venous outflow of small bowel grafts has been traditionally performed into the portal vein for physiologic reasons, mostly because of the hepatotrophic effect of the portal flow. However, this method has not demonstrated a benefit over systemic drainage in terms of graft survival, function, or rejection in animal models. In addition, preliminary clinical reports have failed to document a detrimental impact of systemic venous drainage on the long-term results of small bowel transplantation. If these observations are confirmed, the technically simpler method of systemic drainage may be preferable.