cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Process Redesign to Improve First Case Surgical Starts in an Academic Institution

ABSTRACTPurpose: On time start of the first surgical case improves operating room (OR) utilization, physician, and patient satisfaction and decreases delays in subsequent cases. The goal of our study was to evaluate the effect of a multidisciplinary initiative to improve first patient in the room (FPIR) and first case on time start (FCOTS) metrics in a tertiary care setting. Materials and Methods: A multidisciplinary committee focused on first case start data collection. Reasons for both anesthesia and surgical delays were analyzed. Improvement efforts focused on the timely completion of surgical consent, a requirement of a surgical, anesthesia, and nurse team member presence at the patient's bedside by specific time, and parallel processing in the OR. Results: Over 65,100 OR cases were analyzed between 2007 and 2014. There was a statistically significant improvement in FPIR (82.80% versus 69.60%, p < .0001) and FCOTS (66.60% versus 55.90%, p < .0001). Surgical consent completion rate increased from 35% b...
A naturally occurring Rgg variant in serotype M3 Streptococcus pyogenes does not activate speB expression due to altered specificity of DNA binding.

The transcriptional regulator Rgg of Streptococcus pyogenes is essential for expression of the secreted cysteine protease SpeB. Although all isolates of S. pyogenes possess the speB gene, not all of them produce the protein in vitro. In a murine model of infection, the absence of SpeB production is associated with invasive disease. We speculated that naturally occurring mutations in rgg, which would also abrogate SpeB production, may be present in invasive isolates of S. pyogenes. Examination of the inferred Rgg sequences available in public databases revealed that the rgg gene in strain MGAS315 (a serotype M3 strain associated with invasive disease) encodes a proline at amino acid position 103 (Rgg103P); in contrast, all other strains encode a serine at this position (Rgg103S). A caseinolytic assay and Western blotting indicated that strain MGAS315 does not produce SpeB in vitro. Gene-swapping experiments showed that the rgg gene of MGAS315 is solely responsible for the lack of SpeB expression. In contrast to Rgg103S, Rgg103P does not bind to the speB promoter in gel shift assays, which correlates with a lack of speB expression. Despite its inability to activate speB expression, Rgg103P retains the ability to bind to DNA upstream of norA and to influence its expression. Overall, this study illustrates how variation at the rgg locus may contribute to the phenotypic diversity of S. pyogenes.
Noncharacterizability of the syntax set

Introduction. Craig showed in [3] that Beth's theorem fails for 2nd order logic. This is so since the syntax for 2nd order logic can be represented in the structure X of natural numbers and X itself can be characterized in 2nd order logic. Thus the satisfaction relation S is implicitly definable yet not explicitly definable (by a Tarski diagonal argument) and Beth fails. Kreisel pointed out in a review of Craig's paper that a similar argument shows that Beth's theorem fails for cW-logic or for any logic whose syntax can be represented in X and in which X can be characterized. In this paper we use the abstract model-theoretic notions of truth adequacy, truthmaximality and truth-completeness developed by Feferman in [4] to prove the following generalization of Craig's result: If L is a truth-complete logic, then no structure in which the syntax is represented is L-characterizable. This is applied via a corollary to give new examples of failures of Beth's theorem. Another way to construe this result is that truth-complete logics L have the desirable modeltheoretic property (see [5]) that the structure in which the syntax is represented is not generalized finite (interpreting generalized finite as L-characterizability).
Anxiety in the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Anxiety symptoms in dementia can be seen as an expression of stress in predisposed patients who become aware of their cognitive decline. In later stages of the disease, when awareness is lost, the presence of anxiety symptoms cannot be explained as a reaction to this type of stress. The presence of anxiety symptoms in the more impaired patients becomes similar and probably as complex in its etiology and clinical manifestations as other behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In this review, we will discuss anxiety symptoms in BPSD.
How Do Central Banks Write on Financial Stability

To showcase their increasing focus on financial stability, many central banks and other institutions have started publishing regular reports on financial stability. The paper presents a survey of the available financial stability reports, and proposes a framework for assessing such documents. It illustrates how the framework can be implemented, and uses the findings to identify prevalent practices, recent trends, and areas for improvement.
A complex arithmetic digital signal processor using CORDIC rotators

A versatile signal processor has been designed that can perform multiple rotations, multiplications and additions within one clock cycle. The computational elements of this processor include four pipelined CORDIC rotators, two pipelined fast multipliers and two adders. A combination of register files, SRAM, and ROM provides on chip storage for coefficients, running sums and programs. The chip architecture and its applicability to complex valued signal processing tasks are discussed.
An update of transformative learning theory: a critical review of the empirical research (1999-2005)

The last significant review of research about transformative learning was in 1998 and was mostly focused on unpublished dissertations. In response, this paper reviews an exhaustive body of research conducted since that time, involving 40 studies, published in peer‐review journals with a lens of analysis of new findings and insights on transformative learning theory. The review finds less research less about identifying transformative experiences in different setting, and more about fostering transformative learning and the complex nature of critical reflection, relationships, the nature of a perspective transformation and the role of context. Furthermore, even though qualitative designs still dominate, they have become more sophisticated and creative, including longitudinal and mixed‐method designs and the use of video and photography.
A High-Performance 3-Watt Monolithic Class-B Power Amplifier

A monolithic class-B power amplifier has been built that is capable of delivering 3 watts sinewave power to a direct-coupled load with less than 0.4 percent total harmonic distortion over the range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. It occupies a single 45 by 60 mil die and is fabricated using conventionrd all-diffused processing technology. The circuit employs an all n-p-n, direct-coupled, transformerless output stage which is well suited for fabrication in integrated form. Excellent biasing characteristics are achieved by introducing a deadband at the output of the amplifier and using overall feedback to linearize the response. Analyses are made of the amplifier linearity, dc drift, stability, and large signal behavior. Simple design equations are derived which accurately relate the important circuit variables to amplifier performance.
Women have Farther to Fall: Gender Differences Between Normal Elderly and Alzheimer's Disease in Verbal Memory Engender Better Detection of Alzheimer's Disease in Women

We analyzed verbal episodic memory learning and recall using the Logical Memory (LM) subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-III to determine how gender differences in AD compare to those seen in normal elderly and whether or not these differences impact assessment of AD. We administered the LM to both an AD and a Control group, each comprised of 21 men and 21 women, and found a large drop in performance from normal elders to AD. Of interest was a gender interaction whereby the women's scores dropped 1.6 times more than the men's did. Control women on average outperformed Control men on every aspect of the test, including immediate recall, delayed recall, and learning. Conversely, AD women tended to perform worse than AD men. Additionally, the LM achieved perfect diagnostic accuracy in discriminant analysis of AD versus Control women, a statistically significantly higher result than for men. The results indicate the LM is a more powerful and reliable tool in detecting AD in women than in men.
Desorption of Belladonna Alkaloids from Antacids for Analysis

The desorption of belladonna alkaloids from antacids for analysis was investigated. The antacids studied were dried aluminum hydroxide gel, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide, and magnesium trisilicate. It appears that the alkaloids are strongly adsorbed only on the surface of magnesium trisilicate. The complete desorption of alkaloids requires boiling the complex with concentrated hydrochloric acid and then using a dye method for the analysis.
Cord abnormalities, structural lesions, and cord "accidents"

As the umbilical cord is the lifeline of the fetus, obstruction or disruption of blood flow through the umbilical vessels can lead to severe fetal compromise. Obstruction is usually mechanical in nature and is associated with compression of the umbilical cord and umbilical vessels. Disruption of umbilical or fetal vessels is usually traumatic in origin. These conditions have in common a loss of blood flow to the fetus and an association with adverse perinatal outcome.
Financial Barriers to Implementing Combination Vaccines: Perspectives From Pediatricians and Policy Makers

To describe the factors that affect the use of new combination vaccines, the authors conducted qualitative interviews with pediatricians (n = 7), state immunization program managers (n = 7), and health insurance plan representatives (n = 6 plans). Respondents from each group identified reduction in pain and potentially increased immunization coverage as key benefits of new combination vaccines. For several pediatricians, low reimbursement for cost of vaccine doses and potential loss of fees for vaccine administration were barriers to using combination vaccines. For most state immunization programs, the higher cost of combination vaccines relative to separate vaccines was an important consideration but not a barrier to adoption. Most insurers were not aware of the financial issues for providers, but some had changed or were willing to change reimbursement to support the use of new combination vaccines. Financial issues for pediatric practices that purchase and provide vaccines for children may be an import...
Prompt Photon Production at the Tevatron and LHC

Prompt photon production has been studied by the CDF and DO experiments at the Fermilab Tevatron collider in pp collisions at the centre of mass energy of √s = 1.96 TeV and by the ATLAS experiment at LHC in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV.Measurements of the inclusive photon, inclusive photon plus jet, photon plus heavy flavor jet, and diphoton production cross sections are discussed. The results are compared to the perturbative QCD calculations and predictions from Monte Carlo generators.
Cytokine stimulation of aerobic glycolysis in hematopoietic cells exceeds proliferative demand

The relationship between growth factor-dependent cell growth and proliferation and the up-regulation of cellular metabolism required to support these processes remains poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that cell growth, proliferation, and glucose metabolism are coordinately regulated by interleukin-3 (IL-3) in cytokine-dependent cells. Surprisingly, glycolytic activity is stimulated to a greater extent than would be expected based on the rate of cell growth or proliferation. IL-3 signaling exerts a direct effect on glycolytic commitment independent of cell growth control. These results are not restricted to IL-3 as the cytokines IL-7 and IL-2 have similar effects on glucose metabolism when assayed in factor-dependent cell lines or primary lymphocytes, respectively. Growth factor stimulation leads cells to consume less oxygen and produce more lactate per glucose, indicative of conversion from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism. The enforced rate of glucose metabolism is in excess of that required to support cell growth; accordingly, if extracellular glucose is reduced, cells retain the ability to grow and proliferate by derepressing oxidative metabolism. These data suggest that the high rate of glycolysis observed in response to growth factor stimulation is a primary effect rather than a homeostatic response to increased cell growth.
Dynamic Configuration of Time-Varying Waveforms for Agile Sensing and Tracking in Clutter

The advent of waveform-agile sensors has enabled the design of tracking systems where the transmitted waveform is changed on-the-fly in response to the tracker's requirements. This approach can provide performance improvements over individual optimization of the sensor waveform or the tracking algorithm. In this paper, we consider joint sensor configuration and tracking for the problem of tracking a single target in the presence of clutter using range and range-rate measurements obtained by waveform-agile, active sensors in a narrowband environment. We propose an algorithm to select and configure linear and nonlinear frequency-modulated waveforms to minimize the predicted mean square error (MSE) in the target state estimate; the MSE is predicted using the Cramer-Rao lower bound on the measurement error in conjunction with the unscented transform. We further extend our algorithm to match wideband environments, and we demonstrate the algorithm performance through a Monte Carlo simulation of a radar tracking example.
Sildenafil citrate and vacuum constriction device combination enhances sexual satisfaction in erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy.

Abstract Objectives To assess the effectiveness of combining sildenafil citrate with a vacuum constriction device (VCD) in men (after radical prostatectomy) unsatisfied with the results of the VCD alone. Methods A total of 31 patients unsatisfied with the early use of VCD alone after radical prostatectomy (mean follow-up of 4.5 months) were instructed to take 100 mg of sildenafil 1 to 2 hours before VCD use for sexual intercourse. Patients used combination therapy for a minimum of five attempts before assessment with the abridged International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire and a visual analogue scale to gauge rigidity. The effect of combination therapy on the total IIEF-5 score and penile rigidity score were assessed. Results Of the 31 patients, 7 (22%) had no improvement with the addition of sildenafil with VCD and discontinued the drug, and 24 (77%) reported improved penile rigidity and sexual satisfaction. The IIEF-5 score revealed statistically significant improvement in each domain, and patients reported that sildenafil enhanced their erections 100% of the time. The penile rigidity scores on a scale of 0 to 100 with the VCD alone averaged 55% (range 23% to 85%) for the men and 59% (range 26% to 90%) for their partners. With the addition of sildenafil, it increased to 76% for the men and 82% for their partners. Of the 24 men, 7 (30%) reported a return of natural erections at 18 months using combination therapy, with 5 of 7 reporting erections sufficient for vaginal penetration. Conclusions In this study, the addition of sildenafil with VCD improved sexual satisfaction and penile rigidity in patients unsatisfied with VCD alone after radical prostatectomy.
Coupling scheme applied to solvent relaxation modified by dissolved polymer molecules

A coupling scheme which has been successful in explaining relaxation properties of neat solvents can also predict their modifications by dissolved polymer molecules.
Tissue absence initiates regeneration through Follistatin-mediated inhibition of Activin signaling

Most animals can respond to injury with some form of tissue regeneration. In mammals, this is limited to wound healing, whereas other vertebrates—such as salamanders and zebrafish—can regenerate parts of internal organs and even entire appendages. The planarian, a flatworm, is even more remarkable, being able to regenerate its head or tail following amputation, and even a whole animal from just a small body fragment. This is particularly impressive given that planarians have a complex internal anatomy, which includes muscles, intestines, a system similar to kidneys, and a central nervous system with a brain. How is such regeneration accomplished? Why are planarians able to regenerate their bodies so extensively, whereas humans cannot? To what extent are the mechanisms of planarian regeneration common to other animals? These questions have driven the study of planarian regeneration for more than a century, but it is only in recent years that the tools needed to address these questions at the molecular level have become available. Planarian regeneration proceeds over several days and involves multiple processes, including gene expression, cell division and cell death. Importantly, it has recently been shown that planarians activate different responses depending on whether an injury results in significant tissue loss—and therefore requires regeneration for repair—or if simple wound healing will be sufficient. The mechanisms behind these different responses to injury have, however, remained a mystery. Now, Gavino et al. have identified a key mechanism in the initiation of regeneration following tissue loss. This is centered on the gene follistatin, which is expressed following wounding. When genetic techniques are used to disrupt the expression of follistatin, regeneration is completely blocked. However, the animal’s ability to routinely replace old cells via a stem-cell mediated mechanism is unaffected. This indicates that follistatin is specifically required for the replacement of cells lost through injury. Gavino et al. further demonstrate that the protein encoded by follistatin likely initiates tissue regeneration upon substantial tissue loss through inhibition of proteins called Activins. Activin and Follistatin proteins are broadly conserved in evolution, and are also expressed in mammals, raising the possibility that similar molecular circuits may govern regenerative responses in many species.
Redox interventions to increase exercise performance

Skeletal muscle continually produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) derivatives. Both oxidant cascades have complex effects on muscle contraction, metabolic function and tissue perfusion. Strenuous exercise increases oxidant production by muscle, limiting performance during endurance exercise tasks. Conversely, redox interventions that modulate ROS or NO activity have the potential to improve performance. Antioxidants have long been known to buffer ROS activity and lessen oxidative perturbations during exercise. The capacity to enhance human performance varies among antioxidant categories. Vitamins, provitamins and nutriceuticals often blunt oxidative changes at the biochemical level but do not enhance performance. In contrast, reduced thiol donors have been shown to delay fatigue or increase endurance under a variety of experimental conditions. Dietary nitrate supplementation has recently emerged as a second redox strategy for increasing endurance. Purified nitrate salts and nitrate-rich foods, notably beetroot and beetroot juice, are reported to lessen the oxygen cost of exercise, increase efficiency, and enhance performance during endurance tasks. These findings are exciting but enigmatic since nitrate per se has little bioactivity and cannot be converted to NO by mammalian cells. Overall, the available data suggest exercise endurance can be augmented by redox-active supplements, either reduced thiol donors or dietary nitrates. These findings have clear implications for athletes seeking a competitive edge. More importantly, interventions that increase endurance may benefit individuals whose physical activity is limited by illness, ageing, or frailty.
Families of Dilations and Asymptotic Stability

This article is motivated by recent efforts concerned with finding continuous feedback laws u = α(x) that asymptotically stabilize control systems of the form ẋ = f(x, u) on R n . In particular we try to link ideas from nonlinear generalizations of the classical zero-dynamics techniques (compare e.g. [3, 10]), and results on asymptotic feedback stabilization of homogeneous systems (compare e.g. [1, 6, 7]).
Piezoelectric micro dither stage calibration of 6-axis IMU

We demonstrate simultaneous extraction of the scale factor and cross axis sensitivity of a commercial 6-DOF Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which has three gyroscopes and three accelerometers, using a multi-axis, mm-scale piezoelectric dither stage. The stage is 25.4×25.4×0.5 mm, with a platform disk of diameter 7.5 mm, onto which the IMU chip is adhesively attached. The stage has small inertia allowing for high bandwidth on-the-fly calibration and tracking of scale factor drift using rotation dither rates and accelerations as high as 100 deg/sec and 90 m/s2, respectively. We measure the gyroscope cross-axis sensitivities of 2.4%, which is within the IMU specifications. Using the cross-axis sensitivity and the scale factors, we demonstrate a pathway to improving commercial IMUs, reaching performance needed for personal navigation.
Combinatorial Approaches to Peptide-Encapsulated CdS Nanoclusters

As many properties of group II-VI semiconductor nanocrystallites arise from their quantum confined nature, the synthesis of these clusters is of great interest. The challenge of synthesizing functional nanoclusters is, however, complicated by the limited stability of metalchalcogen surfaces under highly oxidizing conditions and Ostwald ripening. Our objectives are to develop methods for the synthesis of biogenic CdS semiconductor nanocrystallites that address the following issues: (1) What properties of the ligand peptide are important in stabilizing and producing CdS particles of any desired size? (2) Will hybrid peptides using nonnatural amino acids stabilize the nanoclusters while incorporating new surface functionality? (3) Is it possible to use novel peptides to modify the particle surface, thereby, controlling the photophysical properties of the CdS cluster? Our approach consists of parallel combinatorial techniques and computational methods for the discovery and optimization of peptide and peptidomimetic ligands to stabilize size-defined clusters of CdS. The effects of cysteine separation on CdS particle size by varying the number of bonds with rotational freedom within the spacer amino acids is examined. Furthermore, the properties of the resulting CdS nanoclusters are reported.
Molecularly targeted therapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer: a review of the ErbB family inhibitors

The majority of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) present with locally advanced disease, which requires site-specific combinations of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Despite aggressive therapy, survival outcomes remain poor, and treatment-related morbidity is not negligible. For patients with recurrent or metastatic disease, therapeutic options are further limited and prognosis is dismal. With this in mind, molecularly targeted therapy provides a promising approach to optimizing treatment efficacy while minimizing associated toxicity. The ErbB family of receptors (ie, epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR], ErbB2/human epidermal growth factor receptor [HER]-2, ErbB3/HER3, and ErbB4/HER4) is known to contribute to oncogenic processes, such as cellular proliferation and survival. EGFR, specifically, is upregulated in more than 90% of HNSCC, has been implicated in radiation resistance, and correlates with poorer clinical outcomes. The central role of EGFR in the pathogenesis of HNSCC suggests that inhibition of this pathway represents an attractive treatment strategy. As a result, EGFR inhibition has been extensively studied, with the emergence of two classes of drug therapy: monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. While the monoclonal antibody cetuximab is currently the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved EGFR inhibitor for the treatment of HNSCC, numerous investigational drugs are being evaluated in clinical trials. This paper will review the role of the ErbB family in the pathogenesis of HNSCC, as well as the evidence-based data for the use of ErbB family inhibition in clinical practice.
Effects of External Hormones on Traits of Vegetative Growth and Sexual Reproduction in Buffalograss

Effects of external hormones(IAA,GA and KT) on traits of vegetative growth and sexual reproduction in buffalograss were studied. The results showed that external hormones(IAA,GA and KT) had significantly effect on leaf length,leaf width,stem diameter,plant height,stolon sessions,stolon length(P0.05) . external hormones(IAA,GA and KT) significantly increased photosynthetic rate,transpiration rate 、intercellular CO2 concentration and stomatal conductance(P0.05) .IAA and KT significantly increased the number of female flowers,female branches,spikelets and florets(P0.05) ,GA3 had no significantly effect on female flowers number,female branches number and spikelets number(P0.05) ,but remarkably reduced florets number(P0.05) .
Application of the Fuzzy Set Pair Analysis Way in Landscape Ecological Comprehensive Assessment of Urban Greenland.

The model of the fuzzy set pair analysis way through ranking of multiple indicators is applied to establish the mathematical model in landscape ecological comprehensive assessment of urban greenland system,showing that it is a scientific and reasonable method for landscape ecology comprehensive assessment of urban greenland system.
Abstract 5405: Targeting STAT3 as a novel therapy for ovarian clear cell carcinoma

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Objective: Advanced ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) carries a very poor prognosis in large part secondary to the high rate of resistance to standard platinum and taxane chemotherapy. STAT3 expression and activation has been shown to regulate tumor progression in various human cancers though has not been well studied in OCCC. Preliminary work in our lab has demonstrated constitutive activation of STAT3 (pSTAT3Tyr705 or pSTAT3727) in OCCC cell lines as well as human OCCC tumor tissue samples. Significantly, pSTAT3 is expressed in the absence of other forms of activated STAT (pSTAT1,2,6). Based on our preliminary data, we hypothesized that use of a novel STAT3 inhibitor, HO-3867, would be an effective agent against OCCC cell lines in vitro and in vivo using a novel orthotopic mouse model. Methods: Five OCCC cell lines (JHOC, OVISE, OVTOKO, RMGV, and ES2) were treated with HO-3867, cisplatin, or paclitaxel alone and/or in combination. Protein expression in tumor tissue and cell lines was determined by western blot (WB) and RT PCR was used to analyze RNA expression levels. MTT assay, BrdU assay, ANNEXIN V kit and flow cytometry were used to analyze cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. We use a novel orthotopic murine model using an ovarian bursal injection which was developed in our laboratory and has demonstrated primary ovarian tumor development and peritoneal carcinomatosis. Results: Treatment with HO-3867 decreased expression of pSTAT3 while total STAT3 remained constant. Treatment with cisplatin or paclitaxel resulted in a relative increase in pSTAT3. The inhibitory effect of HO-3867 on cell proliferation is associated with G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (>45%) within 24 hours of treatment. Treatment with HO-3867 resulted in a decrease in BCL2 and cleavage of caspase 3, caspase 7, and PARP confirming induction of apoptosis after treatment with HO-3867. Treatment with cisplatin or paclitaxel was less effective at decreasing cell viability, reducing proliferation, and inducing apoptosis. In vivo experiments using the orthotopic murine model are ongoing. Conclusion: HO-3867, a novel STAT3 inhibitor, appears to be efficacious against OCCC in vitro as compared to standard chemotherapeutics. Further investigation into this novel therapy is warranted given the generally poor response of OCCC to our standard chemotherapy regimens. Experiments to investigate the efficacy of HO-3867 in OCCC in vivo are underway. Citation Format: Kristin L. Bixel, Uksha Saini, Jack Fowler, Sneja Rajendran, Ross Wanner, Noriomi Matsumura, Kalman Hideg, Ikuo Konishi, David Cohn, Selvendiran Karrupaiyah. Targeting STAT3 as a novel therapy for ovarian clear cell carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5405. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5405
Who Serves Satan? A Demographic and Ideological Profile

In order to test conventional wisdom about modern Satanists, an online questionnaire was used to gather data from 140 respondents. Based on this data, a demographic and ideological profile was constructed which indicated that the statistically-average Satanist is an unmarried, white male in his mid-twenties with a few years of college. He became involved in Satanism through something he read in high school, and has been a self-identified Satanist for more than seven years. Raised Christian, he explored one non-Satanist religious group beyond the one in which he was raised before settling into Satanism. His view of Satan is some variety of non-theistic humanism and he practices magic. The length of average involvement and the often reflective responses to open- ended questions indicates that, far from being confined to adolescent rebels, many Satanists are reflective individuals who--despite the fact that youthful rebellion was usually a factor in the beginning--have come to appropriate Satanism as a mature religious option.
The Selection of Advertising Media an Application of the Analytical Hierarchy Process

The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used as a model in the selection of advertising media. A three level hierarchy was created: overall focus, advertising campaign objectives and the alternatives media forms. The final output of the AHP procedure consisted of the relative efficiency of each media to fulfill the main objective of the advertising campaign. Television was superior to print media to achieve five of the six advertising objectives being considered.
Abstract 2933: Long-term BRAF(V600E) inhibition results in a spontaneous KRAS(G12D) mutation and increased epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in papillary thyroid cancer cells (PTC)

Objective: Activating mutations in BRAF(V600E) are commonly observed in PTC and result in a functional dependence upon the constitutively active MAPK pathway. While targeted inhibitors are initially effective, inevitably cells develop alternative mechanisms of pathway activation. Mechanisms of primary resistance have been described in thyroid cancer cell lines, however acquired resistance has not. Our study investigates adaptive mechanisms of BRAF(V600E) inhibitor resistance and accompanying metastatic phenotypes in PTC cells following long-term vemurafenib exposure. Materials & Methods: KTC1 sub-cell lines (PTC cells, BRAFV600E) were developed following treatment with either 0.25 or 1.0 μM of vemurafenib, a BRAF V600E inhibitor, for >20 passages. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to assess EMT marker expression and pathway activation. 2D and 3D invasion assays, immunofluorescence microscopy, and direct cell count growth assays were used to assess inhibitor resistance and metastatic phenotypes. Sequenom was used to detect acquired mutations. Results: A vemurafenib resistant (VR) subline of KTC1 cells was derived following long-term treatment with the drug. Resistance coincided with spontaneous acquisition of a KRAS(G12D) activating mutation. Our data show KRAS(G12D) driven vemurafenib-resistance significantly enhanced expression of distinct EMT markers and translated into increased growth, migration, and invasion, when compared to the control sub-lines. This gain in metastatic phenotype coincided with increase activation of both the AKT and ERK pathways. Conclusion: Our results suggest an acquired KRAS mutation confers BRAF V600E inhibitor resistance and a more aggressive metastatic phenotype in vitro. Our hope is that further study of the mechanisms of resistance will add to potential markers for early detection of BRAF inhibitor resistance, leading to improved patient outcomes. Citation Format: Brian P. Danysh, Maria E. Cabanillas, Marie-Claude Hofmann. Long-term BRAF(V600E) inhibition results in a spontaneous KRAS(G12D) mutation and increased epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in papillary thyroid cancer cells (PTC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2933.
Graphene oxide as a scaffold for bone regeneration

Graphene oxide (GO), the oxidized form of graphene, holds great potential as a component of biomedical devices, deriving utility from its ability to support a broad range of chemical functionalities and its exceptional mechanical, electronic, and thermal properties. GO composites can be tuned chemically to be biomimetic, and mechanically to be stiff yet strong. These unique properties make GO-based materials promising candidates as a scaffold for bone regeneration. However, questions still exist as to the compatibility and long-term toxicity of nanocarbon materials. Unlike other nanocarbons, GO is meta-stable, water dispersible, and autodegrades in water on the timescale of months to humic acid-like materials, the degradation products of all organic matter. Thus, GO offers better prospects for biological compatibility over other nanocarbons. Recently, many publications have demonstrated enhanced osteogenic performance of GO-containing composites. Ongoing work toward surface modification or coating strategies could be useful to minimize the inflammatory response and improve compatibility of GO as a component of medical devices. Furthermore, biomimetic modifications could offer mechanical and chemical environments that encourage osteogenesis. So long as care is given to assure their safety, GO-based materials may be poised to become the next generation scaffold for bone regeneration. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2017, 9:e1437. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1437 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Performing The Refrain of Art Research and Practice

The drilling down of standardized “high-stakes testing” in today’s schools points to a systemic problem within the social, political, and economic ecology of American culture obsessed with neo-liberal and neo-conservative values and ambitions to entrench American exceptionalism, which is an ironic, hollow compulsion considering that it comes at the expense of the Nation’s public schools. In this writing, I challenge the exclusive reliance on standardized understandings; knowledge that stands on ceremony more than substance; more about semiotics than pragmatics, focused on reproducing existing meanings at the exclusion of those that can potentially emerge differently. Considering The Refrain of Deleuze|Guattari in terms of art research and practice, I argue not against standardized understandings, but an eagerness to be affected and played by them as the basis for experimentation and improvisation; that is, playing with and inflecting standardizations in order to create new and different ways of thinking.
Did the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Affect Growth of Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil platform in 2010 released more than 200 million gallons of crude oil into the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Elevated levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were abundant in the upper water column throughout the event. Previous research suggests that PAHs may have negatively affected fishes in the northern GoM. Our objective was to test whether crude oil contamination from the DWH oil spill was correlated with changes in growth rates in adult Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus. We fit von Bertalanffy growth curves and back-calculated length-at-age using data collected from 2011–2013 during long-line surveys in the northern GoM and on the West Florida Shelf. No significant variation in von Bertalanffy growth parameters existed among the catch years; a combined-years model gave L∞, k, and t0 values of 82.91, 0.20, and 0.43, respectively. No significant difference existed between pre- (back-calculated) and post-DWH growth curves. However, annual widths of the fourth, fifth, and sixth increments (the dominant cohorts in the population) declined significantly post-DWH (2010–2012) by 13%, 15%, and 22%, respectively, and were significantly smaller than the mean width of each respective increment in pre-spill years (2006–2009). While the DWH event was related temporally to growth declines in the dominant adult age groups, other environmental factors (winds, temperature, and river discharge) may also affect growth. Accordingly, meridional (V) and zonal (U) winds, sea level height anomalies (a proxy for water temperature variation), and Mississippi River discharge were compared to increment widths but none of the factors were strongly correlated with variation in age-specific growth increments (maximum Pearson’s r = 0.47). Therefore, we are unable to reject the hypothesis that the DWH resulted in growth rate declines as opposed to climatic variation.
Pediatric Burn Reconstruction: Focus on Evidence

In this article, the author surveys the best available evidence to guide decision-making in pediatric burn reconstruction. Evidence-based protocols are examined in the context of optimizing form and function in children who have sustained burn injury.
Human antibody-based chemically induced dimerizers for cell therapeutic applications

Chemically induced dimerizers (CIDs) have emerged as one of the most powerful tools for artificially regulating signaling pathways in cells; however, currently available CID systems lack the properties desired for use in regulating cellular therapies. Here, we report the development of human antibody-based chemically induced dimerizers (AbCIDs) from known small-molecule-protein complexes by selecting for synthetic antibodies that recognize the chemical epitope created by the bound small molecule. We demonstrate this concept by generating three antibodies that are highly selective for the BCL-xL-ABT-737 complex compared to BCL-xL alone. We show the potential of AbCIDs for application in regulating human cell therapies by using them to induce CRISPRa-mediated gene expression and to regulate CAR T-cell activation. We believe that the AbCIDs generated in this study will find application in regulating cell therapies and that the general method of AbCID development may lead to the creation of many new and orthogonal CIDs.
Natural disaster preparedness in college students: Implications for institutions of higher learning

Objective: There is growing interest in the effectiveness of disaster preparedness at universities. Although several studies have examined student preparedness perceptions, a better understanding o...
Spillovers from good-news and other bankruptcies: Real effects and price responses

Abstract We model debt restructurings that could endogenously end in bankruptcy, and study spillovers to competitors’ operating decisions, profits, restructuring outcomes and security prices. We show that while bankruptcy could cause the firm’s share price to drop, bankruptcy always signals good news about the firm. We identify the conditions under which a bankruptcy also signals good news about competitors. We demonstrate that when a firm’s bankruptcy costs are relatively small, bankruptcy raises its share price while lowering the prices of competitors’ shares and debt as well as boosting the probability that they will enter bankruptcy. When there is little information asymmetry about the firm’s prospects, or the information asymmetry is about industry prospects, bankruptcy raises competitors’ share and debt prices and lowers their probability of bankruptcy.
Some Aspects of Nonorthogonal Data Analysis: Part I. Developing Prediction Equations

It is known that regression results can be misleading when the predictor variables (x's) are highly correlated (nonorthogonal). The objective of this paper is to present some guidelines for deciding when the correlations among the x's are so large that ..
Condensation of propane in vertical minichannels

Abstract Experiments and models for in-tube pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics during condensation of propane at low mass fluxes (G = 75–150 kg m−2 s−1) in vertical minichannels (D = 1.93 mm) for two saturation temperatures (Tsat = 47 °C and 74 °C) are presented. Trends in heat transfer coefficients and frictional pressure gradients with mass flux and quality are reported and discussed. For the conditions under consideration in this study, heat transfer coefficient appears to increase with an increase in saturation temperature, while the frictional pressure gradient trend becomes relatively insensitive to an increase in saturation temperature. No correlation from the literature adequately predicted the results from the present study. Two models developed here for frictional pressure drop and condensation heat transfer coefficient demonstrate significant improvements in predicting the observed trends.
Wave Measurements from Radar Tide Gauges.

Currently the NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) is transitioning the primary water level sensor at most NWLON stations from an acoustic ranging system to microwave radars. With no stilling well and higher resolution of the open sea surface, microwave radars have the potential to provide real-time wave measurements at NWLON sites. Radar sensors at tide stations may offer a low cost, convenient way to increase nearshore wave observational coverage throughout the U.S. to support navigational safety and ocean research applications. Here we present the results of a field study comparing wave height measurements from four radar water level sensors with two different signal types (pulse and continuous wave swept frequency modulation-CWFM). A nearby bottom acoustic wave and current sensor is used as a reference. An overview of field setup and sensors will be presented, along with an analysis of performance capabilities of each radar sensor. The study includes results from two successive field tests. In the first, we examine the performance from a pulse microwave radar (WaterLOG H-3611) and two CWFM (Miros SM-94 and Miros SM-140). While both types of radars tracked significant wave height well over the test period, the pulse radar had less success resolving high frequency wind wave energy and showed a high level of noise towards the low frequency end of the spectrum. The pulse WaterLOG radar limitations were most apparent during times of high winds and locally developing seas. The CWFM radars demonstrated greater capability to resolve those higher frequency energies while avoiding low frequency noise. The initial field test results motivated a second field test, focused on the comparison of wave height measurements from two pulse radar water level sensors, the WaterLOG H3611 and the Endress and Hauser Micropilot FMR240. Significant wave height measurements from both radar water level sensors compared well to reference AWAC measurements over the test period, but once again the WaterLOG radar did not adequately resolve wind wave energy in high frequency bands and showed noise towards the low frequency end of the spectrum. The E+H radar demonstrated greater capability to measure waves.
Spouses’ Perceptions of Network Interference in the Early Years of Marriage

In early marriage, couples are intricately tied to their social networks and are influenced by important connections, social interactions, and socialization processes within those networks. Most of the research on the links between social networks and marital processes has focused on the positive effects or support married couples receive from their friends and family. The present study examined the links between perceptions of interference from family and friends and newlyweds’ reports of marital well-being in the early years of marriage. The contexts of both gender and race were explored to gain a better understanding of how interference from family and friends might be linked to marital well-being. Data from Black American and White American couples in their early years of marriage were analyzed. The findings revealed that perceptions of interference from friends were negatively associated with marital well-being for both Black American and White American wives. Husbands’ perceptions of interference from their wives’ friends were negatively linked to marital well-being, but only for Black American husbands. We offer several explanations for the differential links between perceptions of interference and marital well-being, including the role of relationships in self-identity and the negative spillover effect of external stressors.
An Illustration of SARS-CoV-2 Dissemination Within a Skilled Nursing Facility Using Heat Maps.

OBJECTIVES: To illustrate dissemination and asymptomatic transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during a skilled nursing facility (SNF) outbreak. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Residents of a 150-bed SNF. MEASUREMENTS: Heat maps generated by the SNF's infection prevention team to track staff and resident symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 test results to identify infection patterns. RESULTS: The SNF experienced a severe outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 early in the pandemic. The initial cluster of residents with symptoms and the first confirmed case occurred on the SNF's dementia care unit. The insufficient availability and prolonged turnaround time of testing for both residents and staff at the outset of the outbreak prevented timely and accurate identification and cohorting of cases. Despite extensive other infection control measures being in place, SARS-CoV-2 disseminated widely through the facility within 3 weeks of the first confirmed case, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSION: Early, rapid, universal SARS-CoV-2 testing of both SNF residents and staff at the outset of an outbreak and then repeatedly thereafter is critical to mitigate viral transmission. This will become even more important as states relax stay-at-home orders and SNF staff intermingle with communities that are increasingly mobile. Increased testing will inevitably result in more staff testing positive and having to self-quarantine at home, meaning that states must partner with SNFs and other long-term care providers to coordinate and support strategic staffing reserves that can supplement current frontline staff.
How Do Stories Create Human Worlds

This chapter explores how telling autobiographical narratives contributes to the development of broader conceptions of reality and changes memories. Chatri, the owner of a small business, uses a balance sheet to record his karmic credits and debits. His karma is unusually important to him, and, as he recreates his balance sheet time and again, the emotions it raises motivate him to tell and retell his own personal karma stories. Retelling stories with a particular goal in mind often results in rewriting the relevant memories to suit that goal. Although he doesn’t mean to, this chapter shows that, as Chatri experiments with his stories, he revises them. In doing this, he changes his understanding of the past, and, therefore, rewrites his understandings of reality. Through this accidental editing process, he has locked himself into a vision of the world that feels objectively true and is also emotionally satisfying.