cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract SS02-02: A long walk from FGFR2 alternative splicing to cancer progression

Previously, our group developed fluorescence-based alternative splicing reporters of epithelial plasticity to visualize phenotypic transitions in real time in vivo (Oltean et al., 2008; Oltean et al., 2006; Somarelli et al., 2013). We reasoned that our mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) reporters could be extremely useful to test the hypothesis that MET is a modulator of metastatic colonization in undifferentiated, sarcomatoid-like cancers. Along these lines, we generated a lineage-tracing reporter based on combined transcription and alternative splicing regulatory elements to measure the frequency of MET-like events during tumor growth and metastasis in the post-EMT Dunning rat AT3 model of prostate cancer. In a parallel set of experiments, we also used the combinatorial control strategy to drive a suicide reporter that kills cells undergoing MET to test the hypothesis that MET is required for metastatic colonization in undifferentiated, mesenchymal-like cancers. The combinatorial use of both transcription and alternative splicing regulation provided exquisite cell-type discrimination in the expression of enzymes, such as the Cre recombinase and Diphtheria A (DipA) toxin. Using the lineage tracing reporter system, we were able to quantify, for the first time, overall frequencies of MET during primary tumor and metastatic growth. Remarkably, we observed that the frequency of MET within primary tumors and metastatic nodules was not significantly different, with very low rates of MET taking place during the growth of tumors and metastases. Moreover, targeted killing of cells undergoing MET did not reduce the number of macrometastatic colonies in the lungs. This work demonstrates the ability of tumors to metastasize efficiently without the need for MET, and we suggest that this may be similar to the behavior of highly aggressive prostate carcinosarcomas or undifferentiated carcinomas. Using this system we will describe new experiments that will address differential behavior in different types of prostate cancer. Citation Format: Jason A. Somarelli, Jason A. Somarelli, Daneen Schaeffer, Daneen Schaeffer, Mathew S. Marengo, Mathew S. Marengo, Tristan Bepler, Tristan Bepler, Douglas Rouse, Anne F. Buckley, Jonathan I. Epstein, Andrew J. Armstrong, Mariano A. Garcia-Blanco, Mariano A. Garcia-Blanco. A long walk from FGFR2 alternative splicing to cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr SS02-02. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-SS02-02
Testing of a Microchannel Partial Condenser and Phase Separator in Reduced Gravity

Heat exchange has been successfully integrated with microchannel phase separation concepts to produce devices capable of simultaneous partial condensation and phase separation in reduced gravity. An air-cooled microchannel condenser has been tested on NASA’s KC-135 reduced gravity aircraft. The condenser was fed a mixture of air and water vapor at 70–95°C, which was cooled to below 40°C thereby generating water condensate. The condensate was successfully collected and removed as a separate stream over a range of operating conditions, thereby achieving simultaneous condensation and phase separation. Ambient air was used to cool in cross-flow with inches of water pressure drop. The microchannel device is presented along with an explanation of the principles of operation. Phase separation effectiveness and heat exchanger performance are reported for reduced gravity testing. Heat fluxes, effectiveness, and overall heat transfer coefficients are reported.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Creating Ruddlesden-Popper phases by hybrid molecular beam epitaxy

The synthesis of a 50 unit cell thick n = 4 Srn+1TinO3n+1 (Sr5Ti4O13) Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) phase film is demonstrated by sequentially depositing SrO and TiO2 layers in an alternating fashion using hybrid molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), where Ti was supplied using titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP). A detailed calibration procedure is outlined for determining the shuttering times to deposit SrO and TiO2 layers with precise monolayer doses using in-situ reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) as feedback. Using optimized Sr and TTIP shuttering times, a fully automated growth of the n = 4 RP phase was carried out over a period of >4.5 h. Very stable RHEED intensity oscillations were observed over the entire growth period. The structural characterization by X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed that a constant periodicity of four SrTiO3 perovskite unit cell blocks separating the double SrO rocksalt layer was maintained throughout the entire film thickness w...
Catalytic Proton Coupled Electron Transfer from Metal Hydrides to Titanocene Amides, Hydrazides and Imides: Determination of Thermodynamic Parameters Relevant to Nitrogen Fixation

The hydrogenolysis of titanium–nitrogen bonds in a series of bis(cyclopentadienyl) titanium amides, hydrazides and imides by proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) is described. Twelve different N–H bond dissociation free energies (BDFEs) among the various nitrogen-containing ligands were measured or calculated, and effects of metal oxidation state and N-ligand substituent were determined. Two metal hydride complexes, (η5-C5Me5)(py-Ph)Rh–H (py-Ph = 2-pyridylphenyl, [Rh]-H) and (η5-C5R5)(CO)3Cr−H ([Cr]R-H, R= H, Me) were evaluated for formal H atom transfer reactivity and were selected due to their relatively weak M–H bond strengths yet ability to activate and cleave molecular hydrogen. Despite comparable M–H BDFEs, disparate reactivity between the two compounds was observed and was traced to the vastly different acidities of the M–H bonds and overall redox potentials of the molecules. With [Rh]–H, catalytic syntheses of ammonia, silylamine and N,N-dimethylhydrazine have been accomplished from the corresp...
Shared Responsibility and Coordination Behaviors in Temporary Teams

This paper introduces the construct of team shared responsibility — a shared belief held by members of a team that they are equally committed to a common purpose — and models its effects on team formation and coordination in temporary teams. Findings from of a comparative field study of temporary teams in hospital emergency departments (EDs) show that this shared belief was associated with mutual helping, group engagement and team coordination, and with team members interpreting their temporary groups as teams. But groups that did not have this shared belief avoided interaction, did not help each other, and did not consider themselves to be teams, even though they were co-located, interdependent, and structured similarly to the other teams. These findings help explain the discrepancy between studies that show teams to be generative and beneficial for workers and studies that show that workers often resist or undermine team work designs: close interdependence is tolerable when team members have a sense of shared responsibility, but seems unfair or risky when team members believe they are unequally yoked.
Cultural competence for nurses: canonical correlation of two culture scales.

As the diversity of the US residential population increases, healthcare professionals need to recognize the importance of culturally competent care on health outcomes of individuals and communities. The purpose of this descriptive correlational pilot study (N = 51) was to describe the relationship among scores and sub-scores on scales measuring concepts of cultural competence. An additional purpose was to develop reliability and validity data on each of three culture scales for the population of hospital based registered nurses. Each of the scales had previously reported reliability and validity data but were administered to populations potentially different from southern-based, hospital-employed RNs. A large medical center located in Southeastern US was chosen as the study's site due to its diverse staff and client base. The Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model and Theory was the theoretical foundation for the study and Cultural Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES), Cultural Attitude Scale as developed by Bonaparte (1977, 1979) and modified by Rooda (1990, 1992) (CAS-Modified), and knowledge base questions (Rooda, 1990) were the chosen instruments. For this group of hospital based RNs, the reliability analysis--scale (Alpha) for the 58 item CSES was .9778. The reliability analysis (Alpha) for the 22 knowledge base questions was .6038 and .6412 for the 40 item CAS-M. Canonical correlation analysis was performed between a set of attitude variables and a set of self efficacy variables using SPSS (1995). Both sets of variables demonstrated statistically significant relationships (at an a priori alpha of .05) to each other (with an approximate Eta squared value for practical significance of .336), providing sufficient evidence to reject the non-relationship null hypothesis. For this sample and for these data, cultural self-efficacy toward Asian, Black, Hispanic clients, and self-efficacy regarding nursing skills when caring for diverse clients related to cultural attitudes and cultural self-efficacy. Nursing care, cultural health beliefs, and cultural health attitudes related to attitudes toward care of diverse clients. Both sets of variables related to each other as qualities of culturally competent nursing care.
Band bending in conjugated polymer films: role of morphology and implications for bulk charge transport characteristics

The performance of power conversion devices is impacted by the energy level alignment at the interface between the conjugated polymer and conductive substrate. While band bending has been known to vary between conjugated polymers, we show that the degree of band bending within the same polymer can be just as significant with morphology change. Specifically, a significant band bending effect, studied via Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), was exhibited by poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films fabricated using matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) in contrast to the conventional spin-cast P3HT films. This finding is associated with a broadening of the density of states (DOS) in the MAPLE-deposited P3HT films, originating from the more disordered structure of the film. These findings, to the best of our knowledge, illustrate for the first time a strong connection between morphology, energy level alignment, and bulk transport in conjugated polymer films.
Structured spherical codes with asymptotically optimal distance distributions

We introduce a new geometric construction of cyclic group codes in odd-dimensional spaces formed by intersecting even-dimensional constant curvature curves with hyperplanes of one less dimension. This allows us to recast the cyclic group code as a uniform sampling of a constant curvature curve whereby the design of the constant curvature curve controls code performance. Using a tool from knot theory known as the circumradius function, we derive properties of cyclic group codes from properties of the constant curvature curve passing through every point of the spherical code. By relating the distribution of the squared circumradius function of the connecting curve to the distribution of the pairwise distances of the cyclic group code, we show that the distance spectrum of cyclic group codes achieves optimality in the sense of matching the random spherical code distance distribution bound as the block length grows large.
Efficacy of raltegravir, etravirine and darunavir/ritonavir for treatment-experienced HIV patients from a non-urban clinic population in the United States.

Background:The regimen of raltegravir (RAL), ritonavir-boosted darunavir (DAR/r), and etravirine (ETR) for HIV treatment-experienced patients in a non-clinical trial setting in the rural/semi-urban...
Reexamining the associations among community attachment, community-oriented actions, and individual-level constraints to involvement

AbstractBuilding upon previous research, this study reexamines the associations among community attachment, community-directed behaviors, and individual-level constraints to involvement in community-oriented actions. Using data collected in a general population survey from a random sample of individuals living in 22 rural places in Texas, the following two hypotheses were tested: (1) that community attachment is positively associated with community-oriented actions, and (2) that community attachment is associated with individual-level constraints to involvement in community-oriented actions. The first hypothesis received substantial support; the second hypothesis received moderate support. Possible implications of the findings for researchers, public leaders, Cooperative Extension personnel, and community development practitioners working in local communities in/around rural places containing population settlements are advanced.
Reflections on the Evolution of Financial Crises: Theory, History and Empirics

The world has seen five global financial crises since 1880. They usually involved shocks transmitted from the core countries to the periphery but sometimes the reverse happened, the shocks were transferred from the periphery to the core countries. Theories of financial crises as well as empirical evidence has evolved greatly in the past century. Here I survey the history, theory and empirical evidence on financial crises. A key development in recent years has been the growing connection between financial crises and fiscal crises. This reflects the increasing importance of government guarantees of the banking system and other parts of the financial sector. I focus on this connection and provide evidence on crisis incidence, the costs of financial crises, the determinants of crisis and the feedback loops between fiscal and financial crises.
Mode switching control for a multi-functional variable refrigerant flow system

The multi-functional variable refrigerant flow system enables simultaneous heating and cooling of the zones it serves by allowing the heat exchangers of both indoor units and outdoor units to opera...
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

There is nothing in the field of neuropsychology that is more divisive than the topic of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). While most will agree that an MTBI can be defined in its most basic terms as a traumatically induced alteration in mental status resulting from a physiological disruption of the brain, there is little consensus in the field about the natural course of recovery and whether persisting symptoms of MTBI are attributed to continuing effects of brain dysfunction, a result of a psychological reaction to injury, or an attempt to obtain a secondary gain through litigation or some other mechanism. Furthermore, the controversy surrounding MTBI has been heightened over the past decade through media accounts of brain injuries sustained by athletes and those serving in the military, providing the public with views that differ from what is present in the professional literature. The positive result of this exposure has been to increase public awareness about MTBI, which has provided investigators in the field the resources to perform a number of controlled investigations on athlete and military samples. The aim of this chapter is to provide a concise review on the research literature on MTBI in addition to a simple evidence-based approach to neuropsychological assessment and intervention, informed primarily by findings from studies on sports-related injuries.
Direct measurement of bipolar cell responses to electrical stimulation in wholemount mouse retina.

OBJECTIVE This in vitro investigation examines the response of retinal bipolar cells to extracellular electrical stimulation. APPROACH In vitro investigations characterizing the response of retinal neurons to electrical stimulation have primarily focused on retinal ganglion cells because they are the output neurons of the retina and their superficial position in the retina makes them readily accessible to in vitro recording techniques. Thus, the majority of information regarding the response of inner retinal neurons has been inferred from ganglion cell activity. Here we use patch clamp electrophysiology to directly record electrically-evoked activity in bipolar cells within the inner retina of normal Tg(Gng13-EGFP)GI206Gsat and degenerate rd10 Tg(Gng13-EGFP)GI206Gsat mice using a wholemount preparation. MAIN RESULTS Bipolar cells respond to electrical stimulation with time-locked depolarizing voltage transients. The latency of the response declines with increases in stimulation amplitude. A desensitizing response is observed during repeated stimulation with 25 ms biphasic current pulses delivered at pulse rates greater than 6 pps. A burst of long-latency (200-1000 ms) inhibitory postsynaptic potentials are evoked by the stimulus and the burst exhibits evidence of a lower and upper stimulation threshold. SIGNIFICANCE These results provide insights into the various types of bipolar cell activity elicited by electrical stimulation and may be useful for future retinal prosthesis stimulation protocols. This investigation uses patch clamp electrophysiology to provide direct analysis of ON-type bipolar cell responses to electrical stimulation in a wholemount retina preparation. It explores the effects of variable stimulus amplitudes, pulse widths, and frequencies in both normal and degenerate retina. The analysis adds to a body of work largely based upon indirect measurements of bipolar cell activity, and the methodology demonstrates an alternative retina preparation technique in which to acquire single-cell activity.
Exploratory Data Analysis

Exploratory data analysis is the process by which a person manipulates data with the goal of learning about general patterns or tendencies and finding specific occurrences that deviate from the general patterns. The themes of Revelation, Resistance, Residuals, and Reexpression are illustrated in exploratory work.
Has the large firm training advantage declined during the 2000s

The study examines data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) and finds a falling incidence of job training in the United States during the period between 2001 and 2009. It als...
Maple Syrup Urine Disease: Clinical and Therapeutic Considerations

Abstract Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC). Patients with MSUD show variable degrees of enzyme deficiency leading to several distinct phenotypes. Classic MSUD patients exhibit pronounced branched-chain ketoacidosis, marked cerebral edema, and severe neurological impairments. Intermittent and intermediate forms of MSUD show lesser degrees of metabolic and clinical derangements. A thiamine-responsive form responding to the vitamin supplement and an E3-deficient form (see below) have also been described. Levels of residual BCKDC activity present in the patients guide regimens for dietary therapy. MSUD is genetically heterogeneous since the BCKDC is encoded by six different genetic loci. Using the tools of molecular biology, many mutations in all of these loci have been identified. A tight association of genetic lesions in the E2 locus with the thiamine-responsive MSUD phenotype was demonstrated. Restriction in the intake of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) is the standard therapy to reduce the risk of metabolic decompensation. Liver transplantation has become an effective approach to control BCAA levels. Small-molecule inhibitors of the regulatory kinase may hold promise for reactivation of the BCKDC activity in some patients with low to intermediate enzyme activity. Naturally occurring and knockout animal models with classic and intermediate MSUD phenotypes, respectively, are available. Transplanted human amniotic epithelial cells significantly increased BCKDC enzyme activity in a mouse model of intermediate MSUD. The treatment resulted in prolonged animal survival, increased body weight and decreased circulating BCAA. Taken together, these advances will impact our approaches to developing effective therapies to mitigate the disease manifestations.
THE FOURTH MOMENT OF A CHARACTER DISTRIBUTION AS AN INDEX OF THE REGULATIVE EFFICIENCY OF THE GENETIC CODE

SUMMARY Repeated observations show that the distribution of egg hatching time for two large, randomly breeding populations of D. melanogaster is consistently leptokurtic, that of an inbred strain platykurtic. Such differences could result from differences in the efficiency of the interaction of developmental feedbacks so that leptokurtosis may indicate a well integrated genetic system, platykurtosis a poorly integrated one. Calculation of the fourth moment on distributions of weights of individual flies in populations of D. pseudoobscura studied in 1957 by Beardmore et al. shows that pronounced leptokurtosis is found only in the case of a population polymorphic for chromosomal inversions which on other grounds appears to have had greater fitness than the two monomorphic populations with which it was compared. On the basis of these experimental findings the relationships between kurtosis of character distributions, fitness, stabilizing and canalizing selection and the regulative efficiency of the genetic code are discussed.
Nano-Structuring Using Pulsed Laser Radiation

Surface nanostructuring of various films at high spatial resolutions was performed with great accuracy and reproducibility by using two near-field optical methods. Nanostructures were defined with minimum lateral feature dimensions of ~10 nm and various complex nanopatterns were produced on metal thin-film samples. Experimental ablation results on Au thin-films and numerical simulation results for the electric field intensity and temperature distribution in the films provided useful insight into the laser thin-film interaction dynamics at the nanoscale. Nanoscale melting and rapid crystallization of a-Si films using a nanosecond laser source was demonstrated using the both apertured and apertureless NSOM schemes. The ability to nucleate and produce these single nanostructures in a controlled fashion could open up a number of potential applications. Further, LCVD based nanodeposition study results were presented using the apertured NSOM scheme which provides us with a useful tool to produce arbitrary shaped three-dimensional nanostructures. Use of thin metal films as effective masking layers was demonstrated wherein ablated nanopatterns generated on metal masking layers were effectively transferred on to the underlying transparent quartz substrate.
Polyimide Thermal Analysis

Polyimides possess high thermal stability, good barrier properties and resistance to solvents. Because of these properties these polymers are becoming attractive in electronic devices. This work describes the study of the curing of a commercial polyamic acid after thermal treatment, by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Infra-red spectroscopy to monitor the curing reaction leading to polyimide formation.
Climate‐driven ecological stability as a globally shared cause of Late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions: the Plaids and Stripes Hypothesis

Controversy persists about why so many large-bodied mammal species went extinct around the end of the last ice age. Resolving this is important for understanding extinction processes in general, for assessing the ecological roles of humans, and for conserving remaining megafaunal species, many of which are endangered today. Here we explore an integrative hypothesis that asserts that an underlying cause of Late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions was a fundamental shift in the spatio-temporal fabric of ecosystems worldwide. This shift was triggered by the loss of the millennial-scale climate fluctuations that were characteristic of the ice age but ceased approximately 11700 years ago on most continents. Under ice-age conditions, which prevailed for much of the preceding 2.6 Ma, these radical and rapid climate changes prevented many ecosystems from fully equilibrating with their contemporary climates. Instead of today's 'striped' world in which species' ranges have equilibrated with gradients of temperature, moisture, and seasonality, the ice-age world was a disequilibrial 'plaid' in which species' ranges shifted rapidly and repeatedly over time and space, rarely catching up with contemporary climate. In the transient ecosystems that resulted, certain physiological, anatomical, and ecological attributes shared by megafaunal species pre-adapted them for success. These traits included greater metabolic and locomotory efficiency, increased resistance to starvation, longer life spans, greater sensory ranges, and the ability to be nomadic or migratory. When the plaid world of the ice age ended, many of the advantages of being large were either lost or became disadvantages. For instance in a striped world, the low population densities and slow reproductive rates associated with large body size reduced the resiliency of megafaunal species to population bottlenecks. As the ice age ended, the downsides of being large in striped environments lowered the extinction thresholds of megafauna worldwide, which then increased the vulnerability of individual species to a variety of proximate threats they had previously tolerated, such as human predation, competition with other species, and habitat loss. For many megafaunal species, the plaid-to-stripes transition may have been near the base of a hierarchy of extinction causes whose relative importances varied geographically, temporally, and taxonomically.
Experimental study of electrostatic hazard inside scrubber column using response surface methodology

Abstract Electrostatic ignition has triggered significant fire/explosion incidents in liquid processing industries including chemical, oil/gas, food, pharmaceutical and transportation. In this work, the impact of gas-velocity and temperature on the electrostatic energy accumulation in a scrubber column was studied. An in-situ charge measurement apparatus combined with a particle scattering laser function was installed inside a pilot-scale column filled with water through which nitrogen was sparged; the formed aerosol particle size distribution, concentration, mass and charge were measured simultaneously. Response surface methodology was employed to construct a quadratic model correlating the electrostatic energy response with the gas velocity and column temperature. Four scenarios were considered and their capacity to provoke ignition was evaluated. Temperature was found affect the charged aerosol droplet size but also to facilitate the charge relaxation in the liquid phase. The faster the gas velocity the higher the electrostatic energy accumulation and the probability of ignition. In the presence of non-grounded conductors, the maximum electrostatic energy from spark discharge was found above the minimum ignition energy of some flammable chemicals and poses as significant fires or explosion risk. In contrast, if there is no ungrounded conductor, the corona discharge was found not sufficient for electrostatic ignition in the range of temperature and gas velocity in this study. To reduce the electrostatic hazards, it is recommended to remove ungrounded conductors within the column. And the gas flow should be maintained at minimum if ungrounded conductors are present.
An Empirical Undergraduate Introduction to Estimating Consumer Preferences Using Ride Choices at Disneyland

This paper describes a simple and interesting method to introduce and teach undergraduate students about preference estimation using random utility models. The example centers around estimating preferences over rides at Disneyland theme parks and uses actual stated-preference survey data. The lesson is designed to be self-contained in a single 90 minute lecture. Given the strong background that many undergraduate economic students have with consumer choice theory, introducing preference estimation as a real-world application into econometrics curriculum can be an enriching experience.
Abstract 2377: Development and characterization of scFvs against TIP1/PDZ protein for cancer targeting

We identified TIP1 as a potential target to treat various cancers. TIP1 is over-expressed in glioblastoma, lung, head and neck and breast cancer. It is also a radiation inducible neo-antigen. TIP1consists of a single PDZ domain that binds the c-terminus of various cellular proteins like β-catenin, Rho, FAS, etc. It plays an important role in cell signaling, cancer development, and progression. TIP-1’s involvement in various survival pathways makes it an attractive target for anticancer therapeutics. Cancer can be targeted by different agents like antibodies (monoclonal, scFv, bi-specific, diabodies), peptides and small molecules. We will be targeting TIP1 using single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies. scFv is a fusion protein of the variable regions of the heavy (VH) and light chains (VL) of immunoglobulins, connected with a peptide linker. We generated a phage-displayed scFv library (WASHU 2) from patient samples. For library screening, we cloned and purified the recombinant TIP1 protein. We used the TIP1 protein as bait for biopanning to pulldown the TIP1-binding scFvs from the library. Three rounds of biopanning were performed to enrich the specific TIP1 binding scFvs. Phage ELISA was performed to confirm the binding of the identified clones to the TIP1 protein. Approximately fifty-one clones showing positive binding to TIP1 protein were identified.We have sequenced the identified clones to verify the full length of scFv sequence. Unique clones are being characterized and developed further as targeting agents of various cancers. We found cancer specific binding of our lead scFvs in mouse models of cancer. The lead scFvs will be expressed as scFv-Fc to enhance their biological activity. We will characterize the scFv-Fcs for their binding affinity to TIP1, cancer cell surface binding, in vivo tumor targeting and tissue cross-reactivity. The scFvs having the potential to internalize will be developed as immunotoxins. Citation Format: Abhay Singh, Vaishali Kapoor, Philipp Diebolder, Aaron Rhee, Buck Rogers, Dinesh Thotala, Dennis Hallahan. Development and characterization of scFvs against TIP1/PDZ protein for cancer targeting [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2377.
WRKY1 Mediates Transcriptional Regulation of Light and Nitrogen Signaling Pathways

Plant responses to multiple environmental stimuli must be integrated to enable them to adapt their metabolism and development. Light and nitrogen (N) are two such stimuli whose downstream signaling pathways must be intimately connected to each other to control plant energy status. Here, we describe the functional role of the WRKY1 transcription factor in controlling genome-wide transcriptional reprogramming of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves in response to individual and combined light and N signals. This includes a cross-regulatory network consisting of 724 genes regulated by WRKY1 and involved in both N and light signaling pathways. The loss of WRKY1 gene function has marked effects on the light and N response of genes involved in N uptake and assimilation (primary metabolism) as well as stress response pathways (secondary metabolism). Our results at the transcriptome and at the metabolite analysis level support a model in which WRKY1 enables plants to activate genes involved in the recycling of cellular carbon resources when light is limiting but N is abundant and upregulate amino acid metabolism when both light and N are limiting. In this potential energy conservation mechanism, WRKY1 integrates information about cellular N and light energy resources to trigger changes in plant metabolism.
Circulating extracellular vesicle content reveals de novo DNA methyltransferase expression as a molecular method to predict septic shock.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are mRNA-containing cell fragments shed into circulation during pathophysiological events. DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B) regulate gene expression b...
Viscoelastic Characterization of a Random Fiber Composite Material Employing Micromechanics

The mechanical creep and recovery behavior for uniaxial loading of a short glass-fiber reinforced polyester composite, SMC-R50, with random fiber orientation was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The strain at different stress levels and temperatures was measured during isothermal tests involving several loading-unloading cycles; each cycle consisted of a period of constant load and zero load. Repeatable creep and recovery response was observed only after several cycles; an accelerated mechanical conditioning method was used, in which the duration of each cycle was progressively increased. It is shown that the thermally complex, linear viscoelastic response of SMC-R50 in the mechanically conditioned state can be described by the time-dependent and temperature-dependent behavior of the matrix system and micromechanics calculations of the effective properties of the composite. The data analysis methods for parameters of the model are discussed and illustrated. Master curves for the matrix and for the in situ matrix, the matrix in the composite, were obtained and found to be virtually the same. In order to achieve this agreement it was necessary to use a micromechanics analysis in which the reinforcement is properly modeled as viscoelastic, orthotropic ribbons rather than isotropic, elastic fibers.
An Early Assessment of the Association between Pectoralis Muscle Measures and Frailty

Purpose The association between pectoralis muscle measurements and objective frailty assessments in the heart failure population has not been previously reported. Methods The study cohort included patients who had first-time CF-LVAD implants at the University of Minnesota between 2017-2018 who had 1) chest CTs and 2) frailty assessments performed in the 3 months prior to LVAD (n=27). Unilateral pectoralis muscle mass indexed to height in meters squared and attenuation (approximated by mean Hounsfield units) were measured on preoperative chest CT scans ​using Slice-O-Matic software. Frailty was assessed with a 6 point Clinical Frailty Scale. Multivariable linear regression was performed to assess the association between pectoralis muscle measures and frailty scores. Results After multivariate adjustment, each frailty score increase (more frail) was associated with an adjusted decrease of 3.9 in the mean pectoralis muscle hounsfield units (95% CI= -7.4 to -0.41, p=0.03). A statistically significant association between pectoralis muscle mass index and frailty scores was not detected (-0.61 95% CI = -1.4 to 0.2; p =0.15). Multivariable models were adjusted for age, sex, and INTERMACS profile. Conclusion In this small sample of patients with simultaneous frailty and pectoralis muscle measurements, a significant association was detected between tissue attenuation and frailty. Further data will be needed to confirm this finding and to determine the degree that frailty can be reversed with LVAD support.
Modeling the COVID-19 outbreak in Ecuador: Is it the right time to lift social distancing containment measures?

ABSTRACT Objective Model the effect of partial and full reversal of containment measures on COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Ecuador. Methods Susceptible, Infected, Recovered (SIR) models were used to simulate the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 before and after the implementation (and reversal) of containment measures. A Healthcare Compartmental Epidemic Model (HeCEM), which accounts for Hospital and Intensive Care Unit admission rates, was developed to also simulate the effect of reversing social distancing containment measures. Reported COVID-19 cases between February 29th and April 23rd, 2020 were obtained from the Servicio Nacional de Gestion de Riesgos y Emergencia, Ecuador’s national emergency management office. An ARIMA model was used to forecast reported number of cases based on the reported number of cases. SIR, HeCEM, and ARIMA model prediction errors were estimated. Results SIR and HeCEM models predict that, at the moment, hospital and ICU bed needs for COVID-19 patients exceed the capacity in Ecuador. Partial or full reversal of containment measures before reaching the point where hospital and ICU beds are enough to meet the expected demand will result in secondary waves that delay reaching this equilibrium, resulting in thousands of excess deaths. Forecasts predict over 50,000 reported COVID-19 cases by July 25th, 2020. Conclusion Partial reversal of containment measures should occur only after enough hospital and beds are available to meet the demand.
Multi-Disciplinary Surgical Approach to Esophageal Reconstruction: The Role of the Plastic Surgeon

Reconstruction of the esophagus is a highly interdisciplinary undertaking that involves a wide range of specialties in all phases of care. Esophageal reconstruction may be indicated for a number of reasons, which range from oncologic resection to traumatic injuries to congenital defects. The ultimate goals of esophageal reconstruction are to provide soft tissue coverage of the defect, restore continuity of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, create a functional conduit, and allow for oral intake. This can be achieved through a number of different surgical techniques, which depend on the extent of the defect. For non-circumferential patch defects of the esophagus, local muscle flaps from the neck and trunk are commonly used. For shorter segmental defects, interposition small intestine free flaps or tubularized fasciocutaneous flaps from the extremities are employed. For longer segmental defects, sections of the native GI tract (such as stomach, colon, or jejunum) are recruited to reconstruct the esophagus. The most common complications of esophageal reconstruction include fistula formation, which can typically be managed conservatively, and conduit strictures, which may require serial dilation. Long-term outcomes are typically favorable, with good restoration of swallowing and speech and overall high quality of life in long-term survivors. New developments in tissue engineering involving the use of biological substitutes have also shown promise in esophageal reconstruction. These methods involve the placement of biologic matrices, autologous cells and/or growth factors to restore continuity of the esophagus. In this review, we discuss the role of plastic surgery in the reconstruction of the esophagus.
Interprofessional Teams and the Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) Workforce

INTRODUCTION The current opioid crisis in the U.S. has led to an increased number of office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) programs that provide medication for opioud use disorder (MOUD) in primary care settings. MOUD (formerly known as medication assisted treatment) requires a medication and psychosocial component of care and thus, expertise from multiple types of providers. To help inform workforce development policies and strategies to train the future OBOT workforce, this study examined: (1) the provider composition of OBOT teams, (2) team members’ respective duties, and (3) communication patterns. METHODS Interviews with a convenience sample (N=12) of providers working as members of OBOT teams in outpatient primary care settings across the U.S. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Qualitative coding was used to identify patterns relevant to study objectives. RESULTS OBOT teams always included (1) a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-waivered prescriber (typically physicians) as is mandated federally. However, other team members included; (2) a behavioral health provider (typically licensed clinical social workers); (3) a MOUD registry coordinator (varied in degree/background); and (4) other operational staff (typically medical assistants). OBOT clinics offering therapeutic behavioral interventions were more likely to employ multiple behavioral health providers, though there was variation in the types of behavioral health interventions utilized. CONCLUSION The demand for OBOT treatment teams presents a significant opportunity for interprofessional training of health professionals. Educators, policymakers, and researchers should evaluate the composition and service capacity of the current OBOT workforce in order to develop comprehensive interprofessional training programs that address the physical, psychopharmacological, behavioral health, and psychosocial components of care necessary for OUD treatment and recovery.
Evaluation of Spin in Abstracts of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Focused on Treatments of Erectile Dysfunction: A Cross-sectional Analysis.

Abstract Introduction It is predicted that erectile dysfunction will affect around 322 million men worldwide by 2025. Because of the large volume of literature on the topic, physicians often turn to systematic reviews and meta-analyses—and particularly abstracts of such articles—for clinical guidance. Thus, it is crucial that findings are not misrepresented in abstracts. In this study, we evaluated the use of spin (ie, the misreporting of study findings by overstating or selectively reporting efficacy results, minimizing harms, or making unwarranted clinical recommendations) in the abstracts of systematic reviews on erectile dysfunction. Methods A search strategy was developed using the MEDLINE and Embase databases to retrieve systematic reviews focused on treatments for erectile dysfunction. 2 investigators independently screened the titles and abstracts from the reviews for study inclusion. Investigators analyzed the included systematic reviews for 9 of the most severe types of spin using a previously developed classification scheme and rated them for methodological quality using the revised A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) in a masked, duplicate manner. Study characteristics for each review were also extracted in duplicate. Results Our search returned 2,224 articles, of which 102 systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included in the final analysis. A total of 31.4% (32/102) of systematic reviews contained spin. 8 types of spin were identified in our sample. Type 3 (selective reporting of or overemphasis on efficacy outcomes) and type 5 (conclusion claims beneficial effect despite high risk of bias) were the most common types of spin, each occurring in 10.8% (11/102) of abstracts. There was no significant association between the presence of spin and the extracted study characteristics or methodological quality. Conclusion Spin was present in systematic reviews and meta-analyses covering erectile dysfunction treatments. Steps should be taken to improve the reporting quality of abstracts on erectile dysfunction treatment. Reddy AK, Lulkovich K, Ottwell R, et al. Evaluation of Spin in Abstracts of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Focused on Treatments of Erectile Dysfunction: A Cross-sectional Analysis. Sex Med 2021;9:100284.
Do Not Resuscitate

“Oh, doctor! Help her, save her! She can’t breathe. She’s going to die. It’s never been this bad before.”
All-aerosol-jet-printed highly sensitive and selective polyaniline-based ammonia sensors: a route toward low-cost, low-power gas detection

We report the design and scalable fabrication of a low-cost and low-power polyaniline-based (PANI) ammonia (NH3) gas sensor on polyimide (PI) substrates using additive manufacturing techniques. The silver interdigitated electrode (IDE) arrays and conducting polymer films are printed onto PI using a direct-write technology of aerosol-jet printing. Morphological characteristics are examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis which reveal homogeneously printed PANI film on the IDE platform. The gas sensing performance is evaluated in the analytical early leak detection range of 5–1000 ppm NH3 in air as a function of both thermal (23 °C, 50 °C, 80 °C) and relative humidity (RH = 0%, 30%, 50%) exposures. The sensor exhibits sensitivity down to 5 ppm NH3 with a sub-ppm detection limit and good repeatability. We observe rapid NH3 detection at 0% RH with very extended times for equilibration and recovery. However, at both 30 and 50% RH, the room temperature response and recovery times are reduced to only about 1 min and 5 min, respectively. Experiments also reveal good sensitivity toward the analyte even at higher operating temperatures. Present results merit the practical application of aerosol-jet-printed, low-power sensors for industrial applications where low-level hazardous gas detection is essential.
Using Monuments to Teach About Racism, Colonialism, and Sexism

This chapter examines how an interdisciplinary high-impact practice approach to teaching and learning using selected contested monuments can reveal intersections of racism, colonialism, and sexism, and lay the foundation for students’ civic engagement. In place-based and virtual experiences, students observe and investigate local and national monuments, integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines, including history, psychology, art, culture, and tourism. Students make critical analyses about how monuments reveal power relationships in our society. Students from various disciplines explore the origin of contested monuments, the evolving national and local debates around them, and their effect on students’ learning to evaluate historical, contemporary, and cultural perspectives while developing their own supported opinions to nurture civic engagement and lifelong learning.
Potential benefits of functional magnetic resonance urography (fMRU) over MAG3 renal scan in children with obstructive uropathy.

Summary Introduction Functional renal imaging, most commonly with MAG3 nuclear medicine renal scan, is recommended in the evaluation of children with urinary tract dilation (UTD) suspected of obstructive uropathy. Alternatively, renal function can be evaluated with functional Magnetic Resonance Urography (fMRU), which has superior anatomic detail. However, there are not enough data comparing both methods’ equivalency. In this study, we compare the functional and obstruction parameters of fMRU and MAG3 in a pediatric cohort presenting with obstructive uropathy. Study design This is an IRB-approved retrospective review of all children undergoing fMRU at a single, free-standing children's hospital between May 2008 and September 2017. Patients who also underwent a MAG3 renal scan within 6 months and who had no interval surgical intervention were included in the study. Bladder catheterization was performed prior to both imaging studies. Results 735 children had 988 fMRU studies performed during the study period. 37 unique patients (13 girls and 24 boys) with median age of 6 months (range: 2 mo–19 y) were included in the final sample. Median time interval between studies was 70 days (range 6–179 days). The majority of participants (26/37, 70.3%) presented with UTD P3 and had diagnosis of uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in 21/37. Differential renal function (DRF) was used to group 10 fMRU and 9 MAG3 patients as normal; 9 fMRU and 11 MAG3 as mild; 11 fMRU and 6 MAG3 as moderate; and 7 fMRU and 6 MAG3 as severe; Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p = 0.5106). Results were similar for DRF among patients with and without duplex kidneys. In the analysis of obstruction, using reference standard T½ MAG3 ≥ 20 min, a greater or equal than 6 min renal transit time (RTT) from fMRU showed a specificity of 94%, a sensitivity of 62%, and an AUC of 0.827. Discussion and conclusions The differential renal function determined by MAG3 and fMRU in children was not statistically different, therefore we concluded that it was similar and potentially equivalent. Better correlation was shown in patients who had normal split kidney function. While the tests are clinically equivalent, the variability of DRF within each clinical category (i.e., normal, mild, moderate, severe) is not surprising, because MAG3 does not clearly differentiate the dilated collecting system from the functional parenchymal tissue, while fMRU does. Using MAG3 as the gold standard, fMRU was 94.74% specific and 5% more sensitive in detecting UPJO with a RTT of 6min vs. 8min.