cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction between the estrogen receptor and fibroblast growth factor receptor pathways in non-small cell lung cancer

// Jill M. Siegfried 1 , Mariya Farooqui 1 , Natalie J. Rothenberger 2 , Sanja Dacic 3 and Laura P. Stabile 2 1 Department of Pharmacology and Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA 2 Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA 3 Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Correspondence to: Laura P. Stabile, email: // Keywords : NSCLC, FGFR, estrogen Received : December 10, 2016 Accepted : February 18, 2017 Published : March 08, 2017 Abstract The estrogen receptor (ER) promotes non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) proliferation. Since fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are known regulators of stem cell markers in ER positive breast cancer, we investigated whether a link between the ER, FGFs, and stem cell markers exists in NSCLC. In lung preneoplasias and adenomas of tobacco carcinogen exposed mice, the anti-estrogen fulvestrant and/or the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole blocked FGF2 and FGF9 secretion, and reduced expression of the stem cell markers SOX2 and nanog. Mice administered β-estradiol during carcinogen exposure showed increased FGF2, FGF9, SOX2, and Nanog expression in airway preneoplasias. In normal FGFR1 copy number NSCLC cell lines, multiple FGFR receptors were expressed and secreted several FGFs. β-estradiol caused enhanced FGF2 release, which was blocked by fulvestrant. Upon co-inhibition of ER and FGFRs using fulvestrant and the pan-FGFR inhibitor AZD4547, phosphorylation of FRS2, the FGFR docking protein, was maximally reduced, and enhanced anti-proliferative effects were observed. Combined AZD4547 and fulvestrant enhanced lung tumor xenograft growth inhibition and decreased Ki67 and stem cell marker expression. To verify a link between ERβ, the predominant ER in NSCLC, and FGFR signaling in patient tumors, mRNA analysis was performed comparing high versus low ERβ expressing tumors. The top differentially expressed genes in high ERβ tumors involved FGF signaling and human embryonic stem cell pluripotency. These results suggest interaction between the ER and FGFR pathways in NSCLC promotes a stem-like state. Combined FGFR and ER inhibition may increase the efficacy of FGFR inhibitors for NSCLC patients lacking FGFR genetic alterations.
Recombinant human erythropoietin stimulates melanoma tumor growth through activation of initiation factor eIF4E.

// Annabelle Julius 1, * , Anjali Desai 1, * , Raymond L. Yung 2, * 1 Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 2 Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Raymond L. Yung, email: ryung@.umich.edu Keywords: melanoma, erythropoietin Received: October 27, 2016 Accepted: March 08, 2017 Published: March 17, 2017 ABSTRACT Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) is standard treatment for anemia in cancer patients. Recent clinical trials suggest that EPO may accelerate tumor progression and increase mortality. However, the evidence supporting a growth-promoting effect of EPO has remained controversial. Employing an in vivo model of B16 murine melanoma, we observed that administration of EPO to tumor bearing C57BL/6 mice resulted in pronounced acceleration of melanoma growth. Our in vitro studies demonstrate that B16 murine melanoma cells express EPOR, both at the protein and mRNA levels. Interestingly, expression of EPOR was retained in the established tumors. EPO stimulation of B16 cells enhanced proliferation and protein synthesis rates, and correlated with activation of the receptor associated Janus kinase 2 (Jak2) as well as phosphorylation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (Erk) 1/2 and Akt kinases. Treatment with EPO and Jak-2 antagonists significantly inhibited EPO-mediated B16 cell proliferation. Moreover, EPO dose-dependently induced the phosphorylation and activation of the translation initiation factor eIF4E as well as the phosphorylation of its repressor, the eIF4E binding protein 4E-BP1. Finally, using eIF4E small interfering RNA (siRNA), we observed that EPO-mediated stimulation of B16 cell proliferation is eIF4E-dependent. Our results indicate that EPO exerts a powerful stimulatory effect on cell proliferation and de novo protein synthesis in melanoma cells through activation of the initiation factor eIF4E.
Choosing "Something Else" as a Sexual Identity: Evaluating Response Options on the National Health Interview Survey.

Abstract Purpose: Researchers struggle to find effective ways to measure sexual and gender identities to determine whether there are health differences among subsets of the LGBTQ+ population. Metho...
Marijuana and host resistance to herpesvirus infection.

The marijuana plant contains in excess of 400 chemical entities, of which 60 or more are cannabinoids (1). Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the major psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana and has been shown to induce immunosuppressive effects both in vivo and in vitro. The drug inhibits lymphocyte responsiveness to mitogens and particulate antigens (2), decreases T-cell rosette formation (3,4), suppresses leukocyte migration (5), and alters macrophage morphology, function, motility, and protein expression (6–8).
The soil mosaic hypothesis: a synthesis of multi-trophic diversification via soil heterogeneity

Myriad unexplored mechanisms potentially drive ecological speciation and could help explain global variation in diversity. Here, we develop a novel hypothesis focused on variation in biotic, chemical, and physical properties of soil as a factor contributing to diversification in communities of plants and animals. The Soil Mosaic Hypothesis (SMH) suggests that differences in soil attributes can affect intraspecific variation in phytochemistry, leading to cascading ecological and evolutionary effects on higher trophic levels. To illustrate the potential importance of the SMH, we examine three underlying ideas: (1) plant species and species assemblages shift over time, exposing them to novel soil environments, which can lead to ge netic differentiation; (2) differences in soil properties can alter phytochemistry via plasticity and local adaptation; (3) phytochemistry can drive herbivore diversification via divergent natural selection (i.e. ecological speciation). The SMH provides insight into the process of diversification in a variety of landscapes and at a variety of scales and may inform analyses of diversification at local, regional, and global scales.
Estimating WAIS IQ from the Shipley Institute of Living Scale: a replication.

This study represents a replication of the linear regression techniques and continuous norming used to estimate age-adjusted WAIS IQ from the Shipley Institute of Living Scale. The sample was composed of 125 male, right-handed, psychiatric patients, Who represented five age decades between 20 and 70. The overall correlation coefficient between observed and estimated IQs was 0.79. The data suggest that the prediction formula is robust across all five age groups. The data also show the Shipley estimated WAIS Full Scale IQ to be somewhat better when compared with the continuously normed WAIS IQ than when compared with the WAIS tabled norms. Thus, the present results provide support for the utility of the continuous norming procedure for predicting WAIS IQ from the Shipley and argue for its use.
A Novel Metric for Measuring Operational Effectiveness of a Cybersecurity Operations Center

Cybersecurity threats are on the rise with evermore digitization of the information that many day-to-day systems depend upon. The demand for cybersecurity analysts outpaces supply, which calls for optimal management of the analyst resource. In this chapter, a new notion of cybersecurity risk is defined, which arises when alerts from intrusion detection systems remain unanalyzed at the end of a work-shift. The above risk poses a security threat to the organization, which in turn impacts the operational effectiveness of the cybersecurity operations center (CSOC). The chapter considers four primary analyst resource parameters that influence risk. For a given risk threshold, the parameters include (1) number of analysts in a work-shift, and in turn within the organization, (2) expertise mix of analysts in a work-shift to investigate a wide range of alerts, (3) optimal sensor to analyst allocation, and (4) optimal scheduling of analysts that guarantees both number and expertise mix of analysts in every work-shift. The chapter presents a thorough treatment of risk and the role it plays in analyst resource management within a CSOC under varying alert generation rates from sensors. A simulation framework to measure risk under various model parameter settings is developed, which can also be used in conjunction with an optimization model to empirically validate the optimal settings of the above model parameters. The empirical results, sensitivity study, and validation study confirms the viability of the framework for determining the optimal management of the analyst resource that minimizes risk under the uncertainty of alert generation and model constraints.
The Future of Information Technology — Hopes and Challenges

Although the information revolution is in full swing, development of information technology may rest on one question: can silicon-based computer technology sustain Moore’s law beyond 2020? In 1965 — three years before he co-founded Intel with Bob Noyce — Gordon Moore published an article that turned out to be uncannily prophetic. Moore wrote that the number of circuits on a silicon chip would keep doubling every year. He later revised this to every 18 to 24 months, a forecast that has held remarkably well over several decades (Unold, 2001).
Net ecosystem exchange of CO2 and H2O fluxes from irrigated grain sorghum and maize in the Texas High Plains.

Abstract Net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O) fluxes from irrigated grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and maize (Zea mays L.) fields in the Texas High Plains were quantified using the eddy covariance (EC) technique during 2014–2016 growing seasons and examined in terms of relevant controlling climatic variables. Eddy covariance measured evapotranspiration (ETEC) was also compared against lysimeter measured ET (ETLys). Daily peak (7-day averages) NEE reached approximately −12 g C m−2 for sorghum and −14.78 g C m−2 for maize. Daily peak (7-day averages) ETEC reached approximately 6.5 mm for sorghum and 7.3 mm for maize. Higher leaf area index (5.7 vs 4–4.5 m2 m−2) and grain yield (14 vs 8–9 t ha−1) of maize compared to sorghum caused larger magnitudes of NEE and ETEC in maize. Comparisons of ETEC and ETLys showed a strong agreement (R2 = 0.93–0.96), while the EC system underestimated ET by 15–24% as compared to lysimeter without any corrections or energy balance adjustments. Both NEE and ETEC were not inhibited by climatic variables during peak photosynthetic period even though diurnal peak values (~2-weeks average) of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), air temperature (Ta), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) had reached over 2000 μmol m−2 s−1, 30 °C, and 2.5 kPa, respectively, indicating well adaptation of both C4 crops in the Texas High Plains under irrigation. However, more sensitivity of NEE and H2O fluxes beyond threshold Ta and VPD for maize than for sorghum indicated higher adaptability of sorghum for the region. These findings provide baseline information on CO2 fluxes and ET for a minimally studied grain sorghum and offer a robust geographic comparison for maize outside the United States Corn Belt. However, longer-term measurements are required for assessing carbon and water dynamics of these globally important agro-ecosystems.
An economic model of wineries and enotourism

Abstract This paper uses a theoretical model to analyze the interaction between general wine sales and enotourism since many wineries sell wine through wine tours as well as wine to non-tourists. We assume that consumers of wine tours, or enotourists, are wine connoisseurs whereas naive wine drinkers drive non-tourism sales. In our model, enotourists use wine tours to judge the quality of the wine, which forms a reputation that is then used by naive wine consumers. We show that wineries may want to decrease (increase) the price of wine via enotourism if their quality is higher (lower) than expected. We analyze this under both exogenous and endogenous quality. We also show that if wineries share a collective reputation, then minimum quality standards can benefit all wineries.
Principal Kinematic Inequalities

One hundred years ago, Blaschke and Poincare derived exact closed-form formulas for integrals over SE(n) of Euler characteristics of intersections of n-dimensional bodies for \(n=2,3\). Three decades thereafter Chern extended these formulas to the n-dimensional case. These results form a core tool in the fields of convex geometry, integral geometry, geometric probability, and stochastic geometry. These results, often referred to as “Principal Kinematic Formulae,” are extended here to the case of integrals of set-indicator functions, resulting in inequalities for the case of non-convex bodies. These results are relevant to assessing the frequency of occurrence of collisions that occur in sample-based robot motion planning.
Balanced crystalloids versus isotonic saline in critically ill patients: systematic review and meta-analysis

Intravenous fluids are one of the most used medical therapy for patients, especially critically ill patients. We conducted a meta-analysis comparing between balanced crystalloids and normal saline in critically ill patients and its effect on various clinical outcomes. Meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Electronic search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane library, and clinical trials.gov from inception through March 1, 2018, with inclusion of prospective studies that investigated one of the primary outcomes which were acute kidney injury (AKI) and in-hospital mortality while secondary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) mortality and new renal replacement therapy (RRT). Six RCTs were included. Total of 19,332 patients were included in the final analysis. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality (11.5% vs 12.2%; OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.85–1.01; P = 0.09; I2 = 0%), incidence of AKI (12% vs 12.7%, OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.84–1.01; P = 0.1; I2 = 0), overall ICU mortality (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.81–1.01, P = 0.08, I2 = 0%), or need for new RRT (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.67–1.28, P = 0.65, I2 = 38%) between balanced crystalloids and isotonic saline in critically ill patients. Balanced crystalloids and isotonic saline have no difference on various clinical outcomes including in-hospital mortality, AKI, overall ICU mortality, and new RRT. Further powerful clinical trials are required to determine the relationship between crystalloid fluid type and clinical outcomes.
Magnitude and duration of immune checkpoint up-regulation and changes in the immune microenvironment post chemo-radiation (CRT) in esophageal cancer.

4060Background: PD-1 inhibitors in metastatic gastroesophageal cancer have demonstrated response rates of approximately 25%. Unfortunately, the majority of patients do not respond. Therefore, a rat...
Speech-language pathology student-clinicians' self-awareness of tongue position during rhotic sound production in American English

Proprioceptive signals from tongue positions are not strong, meaning it can be challenging to teach the articulation of speech sounds to language learners. Some of the most prevalent speech sound disorders in American English involve the rhotic /ɹ/. Speech-language pathologists provide modeling and feedback to their clients during treatment. Since tongue shape is not readily visible during rhotic production, clinicians rely heavily on verbal descriptions and auditory feedback to explain sounds to their clients. It is currently unclear how closely these approaches mirror or depend on veridical descriptions of tongue shape. An example from musical education provides an instructive backdrop: Although clarinet teachers frequently describe raising the tongue body for high notes, the tongue body must physically lower [Lulich et al., 2017 JASA]. Students successfully learn to play high notes regardless of the accuracy of the description, but would clarinet instruction be more effective if it reflected physical reality? Analogous issues and questions can be raised in the context of speech-language pathology. This study presents preliminary results of an investigation of student-clinicians’ self-awareness of tongue position during rhotic sounds.
Detection of KIT D816V in peripheral blood of children with manifestations of cutaneous mastocytosis suggests systemic disease.

The use of allele-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction to identify KIT D816V in the peripheral blood of adults with mastocytosis has been reported to have value in the diagnosis, assessment of disease burden and management of this disease. To examine the value of this assay in children with cutaneous manifestations of mastocytosis, we assessed data on 65 patients with all variants of paediatric-onset mastocytosis, including those known to have systemic disease, to correlate KIT mutation status with clinical findings, serum tryptase levels and bone marrow histopathology. We found that KIT D816V was not identified in the peripheral blood of children known to have only cutaneous disease (specificity 100%) but was found in those known to have both cutaneous and systemic/probable systemic disease (sensitivity of 85·2%). These findings were the basis of the development of an algorithm to assist in the decision for when to perform a bone marrow biopsy in children presenting with cutaneous manifestations of mastocytosis.
Harvesting forest biomass in the US southern Rocky Mountains: cost and production rates of five ground-based forest operations

The forests of the southern Rocky Mountains of North America have experienced substantial change since European colonization. High-grade logging, forest grazing practices, and fire suppression have...
Cross-sectional validation of inertial measurement units for estimating trunk flexion kinematics during treadmill disturbances.

Abstract Postural perturbation training has been shown to reduce falls. The key outcome measures are trunk flexion kinematics, at recovery step. Motion capture is typically used, but requires space and trained staff. Small, inexpensive, portable inertial measurement units (IMU) are preferred for routine clinical care. IMUs have been validated for trunk motion during walking and running on a treadmill, however treadmill fall prevention training generates higher accelerations. The purpose of this study was to validate the IMU estimate of trunk kinematics against motion capture during treadmill disturbances. Ten healthy young adults had an IMU with a retro-reflective marker triad placed on their sternum to estimate trunk kinematics. Disturbances, increasing in magnitude, were delivered until the harness supported at least 50% of the subject's weight. Equivalence testing (α = 0.05) demonstrated the trunk angle (TA) and angular velocity (TAV) measured by the IMU and motion capture were equivalent. The 95% Confidence Intervals (TA: [-1, 1], TAV: [0, 17]) were within the equivalence interval (TA: [−2, 2], TAV: [−20, 20]) and the p-Values (TA: 0.005, TAV: 0.011) were less than alpha. This data confirms that IMUs provide a valid method for measuring trunk kinematics during treadmill perturbation training.
A metropolitan scale water management analysis of the food-energy-water nexus.

Abstract Quantifying the interactions of the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus is crucial to support new policies for the conjunctive management of the three resources. Currently, our understanding of FEW systems in metropolitan regions is limited. Here, we quantify and model FEW interactions in the metropolitan area of Phoenix, Arizona, using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) platform. In this region, the FEW nexus has changed over the last thirty years due to a dramatic population growth and a sharp decline of cultivated land. We first thoroughly test the ability of WEAP to simulate water allocation to the municipal, agricultural, industrial, power plant, and Indian sectors against historical (1985–2009) data. We then apply WEAP under possible future (2010–2069) scenarios of water and energy demand and supply, as well as food production. We find that, if the current decreasing trend of agricultural water demand continues in the future, groundwater use will diminish by ~23% and this would likely result in aquifer safe-yield and reduce the energy demand for water. If agricultural activities decrease at a lower rate or a multidecadal drought occurs, additional (from 7% to 33%) water from energy-intensive sources will be needed. This will compromise the ability to reach safe-yield and increase energy demand for water up to 15%. In contrast, increasing the fraction of energy produced by solar power plants will likely guarantee safe-yield and reduce energy demand of 2%. This last solution, based on an expanded renewable portfolio and current trends of municipal and agricultural water demand, is also projected to have the most sustainable impacts on the three resources. Our analytical approach to model FEW interconnectivities quantitatively supports stakeholder engagement and could be transferable to other metropolitan regions.
Correlation of mucus inflammatory proteins and olfaction in chronic rhinosinusitis

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common causes of olfactory loss, but the pathophysiology underlying olfactory dysfunction in CRS has not been fully elucidated. Previous studies found correlations between olfactory cleft (OC) inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and olfaction in CRS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between OC mucus inflammatory proteins and olfaction in a multi-institutional cohort. Methods Adults with CRS were prospectively recruited. Demographics, comorbidities, olfactory assessment (Sniffin' Sticks), computed tomography (CT), and OC mucus for protein analysis were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to determine associations between olfactory function, OC mucus protein concentrations, and CT opacification. Results Sixty-two patients were enrolled in the study, with an average age of 48.2 (standard deviation, 16.2) years, and 56.5% were female and 59.7% were classified as CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Ten of 26 OC mucus proteins were significantly correlated with threshold, discrimination, and identification (TDI) scores and OC opacification. Subgroup analysis by polyp status revealed that, within the CRSwNP group, C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-6, IL-13, IL-10, IL-9, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), CCL5, and CCL11 were significantly correlated with olfaction. For CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), only C-X-C ligand 5 (CXCL5) showed a correlation. In CRSwNP, IL-6, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) correlated with OC opacification, whereas, in CRSsNP, only CXCL5 showed a correlation. OC mucus proteins and Lund-Mackay score correlated only in the CRSsNP group (CXCL5, IL-5, IL-13, IgE). Conclusion Several OC mucus proteins have been found to correlate with olfactory function and OC opacification. The profile of OC mucus proteins differs between CRSsNP and CRSwNP subgroups, suggesting different mechanisms between groups, but further study is required.
A light controlled, reversible, sensitive and highly selective colorimetric sensor for mercuric ions in water

Abstract A merocyanine dye as a p-toluenesulfonate salt was synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic techniques. The structure established through single-crystal X-ray crystallography revealed the presence of an extensive H-bond network of dye molecules linked through water molecule and p-toluenesulfonate group. The crystal explorer program was used to estimate the contribution of different intermolecular interactions in the network of molecular chains. The addition of mercuric ions led to the disruption of the molecular chains through complex formation between mercuric ions and the merocyanine form, which produced a change in color visible to the naked eye. The molecule displayed no change in color upon addition of other metal ions. The change in color was used for the detection of mercuric ions. The interaction between the dye molecule and the mercuric ion was further investigated using UV–Visible, DLS and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The interaction between the merocyanine dye and the mercuric ions can be reversibly disrupted by UV light (365 nm). The interaction between mercuric ions and the merocyanine dye was further investigated using density functional theory to corroborate the experimental data. TD-DFT studies indicated a increase in the HOMO-LUMO gap upon addition of mercuric ions.
Long-Term Prognosis of Older Adults Who Survive Emergency Mechanical Ventilation

Abstract Context Emergent mechanical ventilation represents an important inflection point in seriously ill older adults' illness trajectories. Data are lacking on the long-term prognosis after surviving mechanical ventilation to inform shared decision making in serious illness conversations. Objectives Describe the long-term prognosis of older adults who survive emergency mechanical ventilation to inform shared decision making. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study from a single-center intensive care unit in an academic, urban, and tertiary care medical center. We included adults aged 75 years and older consecutively admitted with mechanical ventilation between 2008 and 2012 in the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring of Intensive Care III database. We excluded patients who were electively admitted. Our primary outcome was the long-term prognosis after leaving the hospital stratified by discharge location. Our secondary outcome was the frequency of documented serious illness conversations within 48 hours of hospitalization recommended by the National Quality Forum. Results We identified 415 patients (454 hospital admissions) consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit. The median age was 82.6 years, 54.0% were female, 78.2% were white, non-Hispanic, and in-hospital mortality rate was 36.6%. Among the survivors, the median survival after hospital discharge was 163.5 days (interquartile range 37.5–476.8). Only 49.1% of patients had documented serious illness conversations within 48 hours of hospitalization. About 63.4% of patients (59 of 93) who were discharged to long-term acute care hospitals died by six months. Conclusion This study demonstrated the long-term prognosis of older adults who underwent emergent mechanical ventilation. These data could be used to inform shared decision making in serious illness conversations.
Contrasting SnTe-NaSbTe2 and SnTe-NaBiTe2 Thermoelectric Alloys: High Performance Facilitated by Increased Cation Vacancies and Lattice Softening.

Defect chemistry is critical to designing high performance thermoelectric materials. In SnTe, the naturally large density of cation vacancies results in excessive hole doping and frustrates the ability to control the thermoelectric properties. Yet, recent work also associates the vacancies with suppressed sound velocities and low lattice thermal conductivity, underscoring the need to understand the interplay between alloying, vacancies, and the transport properties of SnTe. Here, we report solid solutions of SnTe with NaSbTe2 and NaBiTe2 (NaSnmSbTem+2 and NaSnmBiTem+2, respectively) and focus on the impact of the ternary alloys on the cation vacancies and thermoelectric properties. We find introduction of NaSbTe2, but not NaBiTe2, into SnTe nearly doubles the natural concentration of Sn vacancies. Furthermore, DFT calculations suggest that both NaSbTe2 and NaBiTe2 facilitate valence band convergence and simultaneously narrow the band gap. These effects improve the power factors but also make the alloys more prone to detrimental bipolar diffusion. Indeed, the performance of NaSnmBiTem+2 is limited by strong bipolar transport and only exhibits modest maximum ZTs ≈ 0.85 at 900 K. In NaSnmSbTem+2 however, the doubled vacancy concentration raises the charge carrier density and suppresses bipolar diffusion, resulting in superior power factors than those of the Bi-containing analogues. Lastly, NaSbTe2 incorporation lowers the sound velocity of SnTe to give glasslike lattice thermal conductivities. Facilitated by the favorable impacts of band convergence, vacancy-augmented hole concentration, and lattice softening, NaSnmSbTem+2 reaches high ZT ≈ 1.2 at 800-900 K and a competitive average ZTavg of 0.7 over 300-873 K. The difference in ZT between two chemically similar compounds underscores the importance of intrinsic defects in engineering high-performance thermoelectrics.
Sampling or Intermittency in the Hand Control System

In the studies described in this chapter we have examined the control system for human hand movement, using the approaches of several different disciplines. In studying the performance of the system, its limits, and possibilities as a human engineer would, we have used a tracking situation and complex input to obtain differing frequency response. We have utilized known facts and data from the physiological literature, and also have simulated muscle and muscle spindle dynamics to define the blocks within the total motor control system of man. As neurologists we have organized the “topology” of these physiological elemental blocks into a model in a manner that seems compatible with actual neurological organization as far as it is known. To further refine and assess our model, we have utilized studies in persons with neurological defects, such as Parkinson’s disease, and have studied the effects of drugs producing temporary paralysis of gamma efferent fibers. Finally, as control engineers interested in neurological control systems, we have used special experimental techniques such as opening loops by clamping methods in order to expose certain essential characteristics of this elegant feedback control system [70, 100].
Abstract 16871: Hypertensive Diseases of Pregnancy Are Associated With Longer Delivery Stays and Rehospitalizations

Introduction: Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (HDP) are common, and are associated with significant short- and long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but less is known about their ass...
Train-the-trainer: Pilot trial for ebola virus disease simulation training

Background: Highly infectious but rare diseases require rapid dissemination of safety critical skills to health-care workers (HCWs). Simulation is an effective method of education; however, it requires competent instructors. We evaluated the efficacy of an internet-delivered train-the-trainer course to prepare HCWs to care for patients with Ebola virus disease (EVD). Methods: Twenty-four individuals without prior EVD training were recruited and divided into two groups. Group A included nine trainees taught by three experienced trainers with previous EVD training. Group B included 15 trainees taught by five novice trainers without previous EVD training who completed the train-the-trainer course. We compared the efficacy of the train-the-trainer course by examining subject performance, measured by time to complete 13 tasks and the proportion of steps per task flagged for critical errors and risky and positive actions. Trainees’ confidence in their ability to safely care for EVD patients was compared with a self-reported survey after training. Results: Overall trainees’ confidence in ability to safely care for EVD patients did not differ by group. Participants trained by the novice trainers were statistically significantly faster at waste bagging (P = 0.002), lab specimen bagging (P = 0.004), spill clean-up (P = 0.01), and the body bagging (P = 0.008) scenarios compared to those trained by experienced trainers. There were no significant differences in the completion time in the remaining nine training tasks. Participants trained by novice and experienced trainers did not differ significantly with regard to the proportion of steps in a task flagged for critical errors, risky actions, or positive actions with the exception of the task “Man Down in Gown” (12.5% of steps graded by experienced trainers compared to 0 graded by novice trainers, P = 0.007). Discussion: The online train-the-trainer EVD course is effective at teaching novices to train HCWs in protective measures and can be accomplished swiftly.
Strategic Advantages through Social Responsiveness: The Case of Certified B-Corps

While there has been increasing scholarly interest in hybrid organizations that seek to address social and financial missions, much research has focused on the incompatibility of their missions. Some scholars have described their category-spanning nature that leads to several internal and external tensions and conflicts. Prior research shows that third-party certification can aid the process of category membership. However, it is still not clear whether certification can help firms establish their category to internal and external audiences in a context where the phenomenon of hybrid enterprises is new. My inductive analysis using case studies helps identify and understand the processes whereby B-Corp certification can bring about a change in perception and practices at different levels. In this study, I analyze certified B-Corporations to understand the change of processes and perceptions at the level of the: (i) founder/firm leader, (ii) organization and employees and (iii) external environment. I explain how these changes enable the reinforcement of dual logics in hybrid enterprises and lead to internal and external category establishment. My study contributes to the literature on organizational categories. It also adds to the literature hybrid firms by suggesting that certifications can play a role in reinforcing their logics of profitability and social welfare. For practitioners in social entrepreneurship, my study suggests how they may be able to sustain the dual logics of their firms, by seeking external endorsement such as the B-Corp certification and undergoing certain changes that it entails.
Influence of a One-Time Web-Based Provider Intervention on Patient-Reported Outcomes After the Well-Child Visit: A Feasibility Study.

Purpose Patient-centered care promotes positive health outcomes in pediatrics. We created a provider-focused intervention and implemented it in a pragmatic clustered randomized controlled trial to improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among pediatric patients. Methods A one-time (1-1.5-hour) webinar focusing on patient-centered care and motivational interviewing, using obesity screening as an example, was developed. Pediatric providers were recruited and randomized to either intervention (webinar) or control (usual care) arms. All well-child visits to these providers for a period of up to 5 months following webinar completion (or study enrollment for controls) were identified, and these family/patients were invited to complete a survey to assess HRQOL postvisit. Reported outcomes were compared between intervention and control participants using clustered t-tests, chi-squared tests and multiple linear regression models. Results We recruited 20 providers (10 intervention, 10 control) to the study; 469 parents/guardians and 235 eligible children seeing these providers completed the postvisit survey. Parents/guardians of 8-12-year-old children in the intervention group reported higher school functioning compared to controls (83.5 vs 75.8; P=0.023). There were no other differences in children's HRQOL between intervention and control groups. Conclusions A one-time, web-based provider intervention is feasible to implement in pediatrics. Modest evidence, requiring further study, indicates that instructing providers on patient-centered care in the well-child visit may improve aspects of pediatric HRQOL (ie, school functioning) compared to usual care. However, this was a brief intervention, with multiple outcomes tested and no evaluation of pre- and postintervention provider knowledge, thus additional study is needed.
Statistical tools of interstellar turbulence: Connecting observations with theory

MHD Turbulence is a critical component of the current paradigms of star formation, particle transport, magnetic reconnection and evolution of the ISM, to name just a few. Progress on this difficult subject is made via numerical simulations and observational studies, however in order to connect these two, statistical methods are required. This calls for new statistical tools to be developed in order to study turbulence in the interstellar medium. Here we briefly review some of the recently developed statistics that focus on characterizing gas compressibility and magnetization and their uses to interstellar studies.
Menstrual Patterns Among Patients With Anorexia Nervosa and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Does "Junk Food" Play a Role?

ABSTRACT Purpose: Few studies have examined menstrual differences between patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) versus avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). After observing that many patients with ARFID maintain regular menses despite weight loss, we sought to characterize these menstrual differences in the context of specific eating behaviors. Methods: Patients with AN or ARFID in a disordered eating database at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center were included. Bivariate analyses explored group differences in demographics, age, percentage of median body mass index for age (%mBMI), time since last menstrual period (LMP), and reported eating behaviors, including whether self-reported diet history included “junk food” consumption in the past 24 hours. Regression analysis examined whether diagnosis and variables that were associated with diagnosis significantly predicted time since LMP. Results: The analyses included 89 participants diagnosed with AN or ARFID (AN: n = 70; ARFID: n = 19). The AN group had higher %mBMI for age than the ARFID group (83.4% vs 76.4%, respectively, P = .004) and was less likely to have reported consuming junk food the day prior (36.8% vs 76.5%, respectively, P = .003). Time since LMP was longer for those with AN versus ARFID (174 vs 13 days, respectively, P Conclusion: This paper may be the first to describe menstrual differences among individuals with AN and ARFID in the context of eating behaviors. In addition to diagnosis, having no self-reported junk food consumption in the past 24 hours was significantly associated with longer time since LMP. Studies that include specific measures of food intake and hormonal responses to food quality are warranted to further explore the etiology of menstrual differences among patients with AN and ARFID.
Vanadium-dioxide microstructures with enhanced thermal emission tunability

We propose gold-vanadium dioxide microstructured emitters for which the difference in thermally radiated power between two predefined temperatures can be made positive, negative or zero via structural design. The emitter geometry is based on incorporating VO2 in a gold-dielectric-gold waveguide. Such a waveguide exhibits a temperature-dependent mode effective index owing to the phase-changing behavior of VO2. This in turn causes our emitters to exhibit a strongly temperature-dependent emissivity. We use our emitters to design a metasurface with a thermally-invertible spatial emission pattern. Such emitters could be useful for several intriguing applications such as remote temperature monitoring and thermoelectric power generation.
Logistic classification for tool life modeling in machining

Abstract This paper describes the application of logistic classification for tool life modeling and prediction in an industrial setting using shop floor data. Tool life is treated as a classification problem since tool wear can only be measured at the time of tool replacement in a production environment. Laboratory tool wear experiments are used to simulate shop floor wear data by two states: not worn (class 0); and worn (class 1). To incorporate non-linearity in logistic classification, a log-transformation of input features is performed. The logistic classification approach, results, and interpretability of the logistic model are presented.
The Role of the Mesentery in Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Mellitus

Studies have found associations between mesenteric adiposity and metabolic syndrome. This chapter describes the development of metabolic syndrome, the pathogenetic role of the mesentery, how mesenteric adiposity can lead to insulin resistance, and ultimately how the mesentery affects central adiposity and an individual’s overall state of health. Changes within mesenteric adiposity are characterized as an increased and prolonged inflammatory state due to central obesity that ultimately leads to dysfunctional and fibrotic adipocytes.
Fluorescent Analogues in Biological Research

The information that can be obtained from a fluorescence measurement is influenced strongly by the spectral properties of the fluorophores. A large variety of probes is now available which bind spontaneously to macromolecules, react covalently with macromolecules, or display spectral changes in response to chemical species of interest. Keywords: fluorophores; membrane probes; DNA probes; sensors
A Technique for Removing Confusion Sources from VLA Data

A technique is described for removing strong confusion sources from VLA visibilities. The technique uses the source components obtained from the CLEAN algorithm to specify the source structure, and subtracts these contributions from the visibilities. Point source fluxes can then be obtained from the resultant “clean” database in the same way as is done for unconfused areas of the sky.
How to Gauge Accuracy of Measurements and of Expert Estimates: Beyond Normal Distributions

To properly process data, we need to know the accuracy of different data points, i.e., accuracy of different measurement results and expert estimates. Often, this accuracy is not given. For such situations, we describe how this accuracy can be estimated based on the available data.
Social and Personality Development: An Evolutionary Synthesis

This volume is an attempt to integrate the theory and data of social and personality development within a modem evolutionary framework. The various chapters are not meant to be read in isolation from one another but rather are intended to form an integrated whole. There is thus a great deal of cross-referencing between chapters and to some extent they all stand or fall together. This also suggests that the accuracy (or usefulness) of a particular chapter cannot be judged until the book is comprehended as a whole. Chapter 1 deals with the theoretical foundations of this enterprise, and the focus is on the compatibility of mainstream approaches within the field to a modem evolutionary approach. Chapters 2-4 concern what I view to be the fundamental proximal mechanisms underlying social and personality development. Chapter 2, on temperament and person ality development, is particularly central to the rest of the volume because these processes are repeatedly invoked as explanatory concepts at later points in the volume."
Air and Soul: The Science and Application of Aerosol Therapy

This paper reviews the history of aerosol therapy; discusses patient, drug, and device factors that can influence the success of aerosol therapy; and identifies trends that will drive the science of aerosol therapy in the future. Aerosol medication is generally less expensive, works more rapidly, and produces fewer side effects than the same drug given systemically. Aerosol therapy has been used for thousands of years by steaming and burning plant material. In the 50 years since the invention of the pressurized metered-dose inhaler, advances in drugs and devices have made aerosols the most commonly used way to deliver therapy for asthma and COPD. The requirements for aerosol therapy depend on the target site of action and the underlying disease. Medication to treat airways disease should deposit on the conducting airways. Effective deposition of airway particles generally requires particle size between 0.5 and 5 μm mass median aerodynamic diameter; however, a smaller particle size neither equates to greater side effects nor greater effectiveness. However, medications like peptides intended for systemic absorption, need to deposit on the alveolar capillary bed. Thus ultrafine particles, a slow inhalation, and relatively normal airways that do not hinder aerosol penetration will optimize systemic delivery. Aerosolized antimicrobials are often used for the treatment of cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis, and mucoactive agents to promote mucus clearance have been delivered by aerosol. As technology improves, a greater variety of novel medications are being developed for aerosol delivery, including for therapy of pulmonary hypertension, as vaccines, for decreasing dyspnea, to treat airway inflammation, for migraine headache, for nicotine and drug addiction, and ultimately for gene therapy. Common reasons for therapeutic failure of aerosol medications include the use of inactive or depleted medications, inappropriate use of the aerosol device, and, most importantly, poor adherence to prescribed therapy. The respiratory therapist plays a key role in patient education, device selection, and outcomes assessment.
Selective area heteroepitaxy of nano-AlGaN ultraviolet excitation sources for biofluorescence application

We report on the selective area heteroepitaxy and facet evolution of AlGaN nanostructures on GaN/sapphire substrate using various mask materials. We also report on the challenges associated with selection of an appropriate mask material for selective area heteroepitaxy of AlGaN with varying Al composition. The shape and the growth rate of the nanostructures are observed to be greatly affected by the mask material. The evolution of the AlGaN nanostructures and Al incorporation were studied exhaustively as a function of growth parameters including temperature, pressure, NH3 flow, total alkyl flow, and TMAl/(TMAl+TMGa) ratio. The growth rate of nanostructures was reduced drastically when higher Al percentage AlGaN nanostructures were grown. The growth rates were increased for higher Al percentage AlGaN using a surfactant, which resulted in a high-quality pyramidal structure. As indicated by high-resolution x-ray diffraction and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, the composition of Al in the AlGaN nanostructure is significantly different from that of a thin film grown under the same growth conditions.
Vibrational spectra of 15NF4AsF6and general valence force field of NF+4

Abstract Samples of 14NF4AsF6 and 15NF4AsF6 were prepared by low-temperature u.v.-photolysis and their vibrational spectra were recorded. The observed spectra are in agreement with space group P4/n for NF4AsF6 and site symmetries of S4 and C4, for NF+4 and AsF−6, respectively. The observed 14N-15N isotopic shifts were used to compute a general valence force field for NF+4.
A Research Agenda for Cataloging: The CCQ Editorial Board Responds to the Year of Cataloging Research

The cataloging and classification community was called to highlight 2010 as “The Year of Cataloging Research,” and specifically was challenged to generate research ideas, conduct research, and generally promote the development of new research in cataloging. Cataloging & Classification Quarterly has become the most influential journal of research in cataloging and classification since its inception in 1981. The idea behind the research reported here was to give the CCQ editorial board an opportunity to present its point of view about research for cataloging. A Delphi study was conducted in three stages during the 2009–2010 academic year. Members were asked to define the key terms “cataloging,” “evidence,” and “research,” and to develop a research agenda in cataloging. The results reveal a basic core definition of cataloging perceived as a dynamic, active process at the core of information retrieval. An eight point research agenda emerges that is forward-looking and embraces change, along with top-ranked ca...