cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 525: PHD3-mediated prolyl hydroxylation of non-muscle actin impairs polymerization and cell motility

Actin filaments play an essential role in cell movement and many post-translational modifications regulate actin filament assembly. Here we report that prolyl hydroxylase 3 (PHD3) interacts with non-muscle actin in human cells and catalyzes hydroxylation of actin at proline residues 307 and 322. Blocking PHD3 catalytic activity, by either a pharmacological inhibitor or short hairpin RNA knockdown of PHD3 expression, decreases actin prolyl hydroxylation. Knockdown of PHD3 significantly increases filamentous F-actin assembly, which is reversed by PHD3 overexpression. PHD3 knockdown significantly increases cell velocity and migration distance. Inhibition of PHD3 prolyl hydroxylase activity by dimethyloxalylglycine also increases actin polymerization and cell migration. These data reveal a novel role for PHD3 as a negative regulator of cell motility through post-translational modification of non-muscle actins. Citation Format: Weibo Luo, Gregg L. Semenza. PHD3-mediated prolyl hydroxylation of non-muscle actin impairs polymerization and cell motility. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 525. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-525
Magnetic resonance imaging of the cirrhotic liver: diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and evaluation of response to treatment - Part 1

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modern gold standard for the noninvasive evaluation of the cirrhotic liver. The combination of arterial phase hyperenhancement and delayed wash-out allows a definitive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis or chronic liver disease, without the requirement for confirmatory biopsy. That pattern is highly specific and has been endorsed in Western and Asian diagnostic guidelines. However, the sensitivity of the combination is relatively low for small HCCs. In this two-part review paper, we will address MRI of the cirrhotic liver. In this first part, we provide a brief background on liver cirrhosis and HCC, followed by descriptions of imaging surveillance of liver cirrhosis and the diagnostic performance of the different imaging modalities used in clinical settings. We then describe some of the requirements for the basic MRI technique, as well as the standard MRI protocol, and provide a detailed description of the appearance of various types of hepatocellular nodules encountered in the setting of the carcinogenic pathway in the cirrhotic liver, ranging from regenerative nodules to HCC.
Decomposing core energy factor structure of U.S. residential buildings through principal component analysis with variable clustering on high-dimensional mixed data

Abstract Numerous energy computing frameworks were created with the aim of sustaining energy efficiency strategy to achieve residential sustainability in the U.S. While beneficial, without generic information on factor structure within building energy systems, most extant instruments are inclined to scope explanatory factor variables subjectively and diversely. Consequently, their intended utility often decreases with potential unstableness and limited generalizability among complicated energy system interactions. To overcome these issues, this paper develops a novel systematic homogeneity decomposition approach combining variable clustering and principal component analysis to identify key energy factor structure of residential buildings at the U.S. nation level. This study quantitatively results that, 32 key inter-heterogeneous energy variables (mean variance inflation factor = 1.21) appear sufficient to robustly profile the U.S. residential systems with an average Pearson correlation of 0.86 while reducing data burden by 68%. Top three significant variables relate to heating degree days, indoor environment and building vintage, respectively explaining 13%, 11% and 9% of energy variations. Thus, two major contributions are expected as follows. (1) These above obtained quantitative results can provide objective information for decision makers to sensibly select critical variables for robust energy computing with improved interpretability and generalizability by commonly using the above simplified 32-factor space (extracted from a 99-factor space) while saving data cost. (2) The developed novel approach can be useful in other countries for energy factor structure decomposing purpose since it has no geographical restrictions.
Incorporating Prior Knowledge to Increase the Power of Genome-Wide Association Studies

Typical methods of analyzing genome-wide single nucleotide variant (SNV) data in cases and controls involve testing each variant's genotypes separately for phenotype association, and then using a substantial multiple-testing penalty to minimize the rate of false positives. This approach, however, can result in low power for modestly associated SNVs. Furthermore, simply looking at the most associated SNVs may not directly yield biological insights about disease etiology. SNVset methods attempt to address both limitations of the traditional approach by testing biologically meaningful sets of SNVs (e.g., genes or pathways). The number of tests run in a SNVset analysis is typically much lower (hundreds or thousands instead of millions) than in a traditional analysis, so the false-positive rate is lower. Additionally, by testing SNVsets that are biologically meaningful finding a significant set may more quickly yield insights into disease etiology.In this chapter we summarize the short history of SNVset testing and provide an overview of the many recently proposed methods. Furthermore, we provide detailed step-by-step instructions on how to perform a SNVset analysis, including a substantial number of practical tips and questions that researchers should consider before undertaking a SNVset analysis. Lastly, we describe a companion R package (snvset) that implements recently proposed SNVset methods. While SNVset testing is a new approach, with many new methods still being developed and many open questions, the promise of the approach is worth serious consideration when considering analytic methods for GWAS.
High quality research v curriculum vitae padding

EDITOR —As a cardiology specialist registrar in the final year of a PhD research post I agree with the points outlined in the article on the problems facing academic surgery.1 Most of the issues raised are true for academic training in all specialties, not …
Increased Cognitive Load during Video Game Play Reduces Rape Myth Acceptance and Hostile Sexism after Exposure to Sexualized Female Avatars

The present study investigated how task demand (cognitive load and interactivity) and avatar sexualization in a video game influenced rape myth acceptance (RMA), hostile sexism, and self-objectification. In a between-subjects design, 300 U.S. college students either played or watched someone else play a videogame as either a sexualized or non-sexualized female avatar under high (memorize 7 symbols) or low (memorize 2 symbols) cognitive load. Hypotheses were derived from the limited capacity model of motivated mediated message processing (LC4MP) and perspectives on stereotype processing. Results contradicted hypotheses that greater task demands and sexualization would produce greater RMA, hostile sexism, and self-objectification. Instead, we found that sexualization did not affect these variables. Greater cognitive load reduced rape myth acceptance and hostile sexism for those in the sexualized avatar condition, but it did not affect self-objectification. We discuss these results with respect to the LC4MP and suggest that the processing of stereotype-inconsistent information might be the underlying cause of these unexpected findings. These results provide tentative evidence that cognitively demanding video game environments may prompt players to focus on stereotype-inconsistent, rather than stereotype-consistent, social information.
A Method for Conducting Highly Sensitive MicroRNA In Situ Hybridization and Immunohistochemical Analysis in Pancreatic Cancer

Profiling experiments in whole tissue biopsies have linked altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) to different types of cancer, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Emerging evidence indicates that altered miRNA expression can occur in different cellular compartments (cancer and non-cancer cells) in tumor lesions, and thus it is important to ascertain which specific cell type expresses a particulars miRNA in PDAC tissues. Here, we describe a highly sensitive fluorescence-based ISH method to visualize miRNA accumulation within individual cells in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections using 5' and 3' terminally fluorescein-labeled locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified probes. We describe a multicolor ISH/IHC method based on sequential rounds of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-mediated tyramide signal amplification (TSA) reactions with different in-house synthesized fluorochrome-conjugated substrates that enable co-detection of miRNAs, abundant noncoding RNAs and protein markers for signal quantification, and cell type co-localization studies in FFPE pancreatic tissue sections from clinical specimens and mouse models of PDAC.
Gradient metamorphism, zonal weakening of the snow-pack and avalanche initiation

A co-ordinated study involving both a field investigation in Yellowstone National Park and a laboratory investigation was undertaken to evaluate the process of temperature-gradient metamorphism on the mechanical properties of snow. Both parts of the investigation showed that, when subjected to a negative temperature gradient, low-to-medium density snow metamorphoses first into a fine-grained anhedral depth hoar before finally acquiring a fully developed, and stronger, euhedral crystal structure. Measurements indicated that the subhedral snow was the weakest stage in the metamorphic process and that, while strength may drop to as low as 10% of the original strength, the material stiffness decreased by less than 50% Also, it was observed that the location of weakest snow was usually the point of a local maximum density and largest temperature gradient, thus suggesting a relationship between metamorphic state and thermal conductivity.
Interior Chaparral Shrubland

Interior Chaparral Shrubland covers more area on the mountains and plateaus of the American Southwest than any other shrubland. It is dominated by broad-leaved, evergreen shrubs with dense, compact crowns and generally extensive, deep root systems. Interior Chaparral Shrubland overlaps the elevational range of Pinyon-Juniper vegetation, occurring below Ponderosa Pine Forest and above desert scrub or semi-desert grassland. The primary natural disturbance is infrequent, high-severity fire. Major anthropogenic disturbances are livestock grazing and fire management; others are modern climate change, invasive species, recreation, and nearby land use. Vegetation dynamics are dominated by rapid regrowth after fire. This is facilitated by sprouting from below-ground structures and by fire-stimulated germination of seeds in the seed bank. Some stands are successional, particularly in the transition with Ponderosa Pine Forest. Historical conditions are poorly known, but Interior Chaparral Shrubland has been stable in its regional distribution. Herbaceous cover likely was reduced by intensive livestock grazing, and shrub cover increased by fire exclusion. The claim that shrubs of Interior Chaparral Shrubland expanded into other types of vegetation because of livestock grazing is unsupported. Vegetation dynamics are illustrated in a nested, three-tiered set of conceptual models. Key conclusions and challenges for researchers and land managers are summarized.
Online social spammer detection

The explosive use of social media also makes it a popular platform for malicious users, known as social spammers, to overwhelm normal users with unwanted content. One effective way for social spammer detection is to build a classifier based on content and social network information. However, social spammers are sophisticated and adaptable to game the system with fast evolving content and network patterns. First, social spammers continually change their spamming content patterns to avoid being detected. Second, reflexive reciprocity makes it easier for social spammers to establish social influence and pretend to be normal users by quickly accumulating a large number of "human" friends. It is challenging for existing anti-spamming systems based on batch-mode learning to quickly respond to newly emerging patterns for effective social spammer detection. In this paper, we present a general optimization framework to collectively use content and network information for social spammer detection, and provide the solution for efficient online processing. Experimental results on Twitter datasets confirm the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed framework.
Protozoan Infections of Domestic Animals: Coccidian and Related Infections

Among parasitic diseases of domestic animals, few have the widespread importance ascribed to the coccidia. Historically, poultry were most vulnerable to coccidiosis, because large numbers of birds were reared in confinement. Most domestic animals are susceptible to coccidiosis; wherever young animals are gathered together in close quarters, such as in lambing or calving sheds or around watering or feeding facilities, there is likely to be some prevalence of coccidiosis. Most of the economic damage can be done to chickens by this disease before the clinical signs are recognized, making prevention more important than treatment of sick animals. Thus, the practice of giving medication in the feed as a prophylactic measure is well accepted in the poultry industry. The cost of prophylactic medication has been estimated at more than $280 million worldwide. Despite this expenditure, losses to coccidiosis in poultry continue; drugs are not completely effective, drug resistance sometimes becomes a problem, and the drug may be inadvertently omitted because of erroneous feed-mill operation. More new drugs and alternative control measures are always needed to maintain good control of this important disease.
Genetic Alteration in Animal Cells in Culture

In the past decade extensive research has been addressed to inducing, selecting, and analyzing specific heritable phenotypic alterations of mammalian cells in culture. The vast literature which has resulted from these efforts has been reviewed on several occasions. The earlier monographs of the nascent discipline could be encyclopedic (De Mars 1971; Thompson and Baker 1973), while some of the more recent treatments ofmammalian cell genetics have been highly specialized and even analytic (e.g. Siminovitch 1976; Basilico 1977; Bakerand Ling1978).Here we will attempt to mark entrance into the “second generation” of somatic cell genetics as characterized by a number of gene transfer techniques and also emphasize very limited specific areas that have not been rigorously discussed previously.
High Throughput Screening Technologies in Biomass Characterization

Biomass analysis is a slow and tedious process and not solely due to the long generation time for most plant species. Screening large numbers of plant variants for various geno-, pheno-, and chemotypes, whether naturally occurring or engineered in the lab, has multiple challenges. Plant cell walls are complex, heterogeneous networks that are difficult to deconstruct and analyze. Macroheterogeneity from tissue types, age, and environmental factors makes representative sampling a challenge and natural variability generates a significant range in data. Using high throughput (HTP) methodologies allows for large sample sets and replicates to be examined, narrowing in on more precise data for various analyses. This review provides a comprehensive survey of high throughput screening as applied to biomass characterization, from compositional analysis of cell walls by NIR, NMR, mass spectrometry, and wet chemistry to functional screening of changes in recalcitrance via HTP thermochemical pretreatment coupled to enzyme hydrolysis and microscale fermentation. The advancements and development of most high-throughput methods have been achieved through utilization of state-of-the art equipment and robotics, rapid detection methods, as well as reduction in sample size and preparation procedures. The computational analysis of the large amount of data generated using high throughput analytical techniques has recently become more sophisticated, faster and economically viable, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of biomass genomics, structure, composition and properties. Therefore, methodology for analyzing large datasets generated by the various analytical techniques is also covered.
Certainty versus flexibility in the conflict of laws

Traditional choice of law theory conceives of certainty and flexibility as opposed values: increase one, and you inevitably decrease the other. This article challenges the received wisdom by reconceptualizing the distinction. Rather than caring about certainty or flexibility for their own sake, it suggests, we care about them because each makes it easier to promote a certain cluster of values. And while there may be a necessary tradeoff between certainty and flexibility, there is no necessary tradeoff between the clusters of values. It is possible to improve a choice of law system with regard to both of them. The article demonstrates how this has happened in the history of choice of law and how it can be accomplished in the future.
The Role of Emotion Regulation on Co-occurring Psychopathology in Emerging Adults with ASD

Deficits in emotion regulation (ER) are commonly observed in individuals with ASD and may contribute to elevated rates of psychiatric comorbidity. The objective of this study was to understand the relationship between ER (self-and caregiver-reported) and clinician-assigned mood and anxiety disorders in emerging adults with ASD (n = 27). Individuals with an anxiety or mood disorder demonstrated significantly greater involuntary engagement (IE) for ER than those without an anxiety or unipolar depression diagnosis. Furthermore, those without anxiety or depression reported significantly more voluntary engagement (VE). However, consistent with prior findings outside of ASD, IE appears closely associated with internalizing diagnoses, even when VE is also utilized. Research on clinical approaches to reduce reliance on involuntary approaches to emotion management should be pursued.
Performance effect of unintended polarization on clutter attenuation

Various parameters can affect the ground moving target indicator (GMTI) radar performance. One such parameter that may often be overlooked is that of the unintended polarization of the antenna, e.g., the cross-polarization response. This paper discusses the issue of cross-polarization on clutter attenuation performance for GMTI radars.
Setting cost targets for zero-emission electricity generation technologies

Abstract Clean energy deployment scenarios typically assume a diverse mix of low-emission generation. However, because of historically low natural gas prices and cost reductions for onshore wind and photovoltaic technologies, recent new capacity deployment, especially in the United States, has come largely from these three generation sources. Here, we quantify competitive cost targets for three less-common zero-emission generation technologies—nuclear, concentrating solar, and offshore wind—under a range of future conditions. We determine the cost targets based on the technologies’ system value, such that technology value equals or exceeds its cost. Using a capacity expansion model that develops system-wide, economically optimal generation scenarios of the United States power sector, we find that nuclear, concentrating solar, and offshore wind would need to attain levelized cost ranges of $53–84/MWh, $65–91/MWh, and $39–77/MWh, respectively, to achieve 1% additional grid penetration. We refer to this metric as the “required cost,” which is a technology’s levelized cost of energy needed to achieve a specific penetration level. Higher penetrations lead to lower required costs as lower-cost generation is displaced. We estimate that to reach 10% penetration, the required cost for nuclear declines to $45–76/MWh. Because of resource variability and increased transmission needs for concentrating solar power and offshore wind, even lower costs are needed to reach higher penetrations: required cost ranges to achieve 10% penetration are estimated to be $30–56/MWh and $18–40/MWh for these two technologies respectively. Our analysis informs research and development priorities and the design of policies supporting clean technologies.
Exploring the Limits of Cobalt Liner Thickness in Advanced Copper Interconnects

We investigate the performance and reliability characteristics of Cu interconnects with Ta-based barrier layers and Co wetting layers at 7nm node dimensions with a focus on the impacts of reducing the Co thickness from 30A down to 10A. We demonstrate that while reducing Co liner thickness significantly reduces RC delay, there is a significant reduction in electromigration reliability below a thickness of 20A if used in conjunction with a PVD (physical vapor deposition) TaN barrier. However, if the PVD treatment is followed by deposition of a thin ALD (atomic layer deposition) TaN, the Co layer thickness can be scaled down to 10A without any penalty in either electromigration or time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB.) The combined PVD/ALD process with 10A Co enables a 14% reduction in RC delay relative to our control split.
Serum Vitamin D Deficiency Is an Independent Risk Factor for Thyroid Eye Disease.

Purpose Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an inflammatory orbitopathy with significant impact on visual function and quality of life. Although studies have shown that patients who are deficient in vitamin D are more likely to develop autoimmune conditions, there are no studies demonstrating a definitive correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency and an increased risk of TED. Methods This retrospective case-control study compared serum 25(OH)D levels among 4 groups: 1) Graves disease (GD) patients with TED (n = 89); 2) GD patients without TED (n = 89); and healthy control patients matched to 3) the TED group (n = 356); and 4) the GD group (n = 356). The authors compared 25(OH)D level in the TED group measured within 1 year of TED diagnosis to the most recently measured 25(OH)D level in the GD group using Student t test of the log transformation of serum levels. Linear regression was used to control for other risk factors. Thyroid eye disease patients and GD patients were compared separately to their matched healthy control patients with linear mixed models. Results Thyroid eye disease patients displayed significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels than GD patients (24.8 ± 13.2 ng/ml vs. 29.4 ± 13.3 ng/ml; p = 0.006). Controlling for smoking status and previous radioactive iodine treatment did not affect this statistically significant difference. Conclusions Low serum vitamin D is associated with TED diagnosis. Assessing and supplementing vitamin D levels may be an important addition to the early management of GD patients. Future research should include longitudinal studies and prospective clinical trials to further explore the mechanism responsible for the observed association.Thyroid eye disease is an inflammatory orbitopathy associated with Graves disease. Vitamin D is a known immune system regulator. The authors show that vitamin D deficiency is associated with the development of thyroid eye disease.
Effectiveness and Safety of Restarting Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation after an Intracranial Hemorrhage: Analysis of Medicare Part D Claims Data from 2010-2016.

In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who survive an anticoagulant-related intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), the benefits of restarting oral anticoagulation (OAC) remain unclear. In this study, we sought to determine the effectiveness and safety associated with resumption of OAC in atrial fibrillation patients who survive an ICH. Using 2010–2016 Medicare claims data, we identified patients with non-valvular AF who experienced an OAC-related ICH and survived at least 6 weeks after the ICH (n = 1502). The primary outcomes included the composite of ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), thromboembolism (TE), a composite of ischemic stroke/TIA and TE, recurrent ICH, and all-cause mortality. We constructed Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate the association between post-ICH OAC resumption, which was measured in a time-dependent manner, and the risk of primary outcomes, while controlling for a comprehensive list of covariates. Among patients who survived an ICH, 69% reinitiated OAC within 6 weeks of the event, and among those who resumed OAC, 83% restarted warfarin. There was no significant difference in the risk of ischemic stroke/TIA (hazard ratio [HR] 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62–1.21), TE (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.55–1.32), and ischemic stroke/TIA/TE (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.61–1.07) between post-ICH OAC use and non-use. Post-ICH OAC use was associated with a lower risk of recurrent ICH (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41–0.95) and all-cause mortality (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.37–0.62) compared with non-OAC use. In AF patients who survived an ICH, restarting OAC was not associated with a greater risk of recurrent ICH. Evidence from randomized controlled studies is needed to further clarify the clinical benefit of restarting OAC in this high-risk population. Further evaluation of which individuals benefit from restarting OAC is also needed to provide more clinical guidance.
Design of Si Micro-Cone Light Concentrators for Heterogeneous Integration with MWIR FPAs

Using 3-D finite difference time domain (FDTD) modeling, it is shown that micro-cone arrays obtained by anisotropic wet etching of Si have high potential for concentrating light on compact photodetector mesas of mid-wave infrared (MWIR) focal plane arrays (FPAs). The proposed structures can be heterogeneously integrated with FPAs possessing high quantum efficiency. They can be used to reduce the thermal noise and, potentially, increase the operating temperature of FPAs while maintaining high sensitivity of the photodetectors.
The IGNITE trial: Participant recruitment lessons prior to SARS-CoV-2

Full and diverse participant enrollment is critical to the success and generalizability of all large-scale Phase III trials. Recruitment of sufficient participants is among the most significant challenges for many studies. The novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic has further changed and challenged the landscape for clinical trial execution, including screening and randomization. The Investigating Gains in Neurocognition in an Intervention Trial of Exercise (IGNITE) study has been designed as the most comprehensive test of aerobic exercise effects on cognition and brain health. Here we assess recruitment into IGNITE prior to the increased infection rates in the United States, and examine new challenges and opportunities for recruitment with a goal of informing the remaining required recruitment as infection containment procedures are lifted. The results may assist the design and implementation of recruitment for future exercise studies, and outline opportunities for study design that are flexible in the face of emerging threats.
What They Thought They Knew: Student-Instructor Relationships and Expectancy in Community College Classrooms

Beliefs learners have about the acquisition of knowledge can be a key factor in creating effective educational settings. The present exploratory study endeavors to understand student–instructor rel...
Managing the duck curve: Energy culture and participation in local energy management programs in the United States

Abstract Local energy management programs have the potential to flatten the so-called “duck curve” and enable greater use of renewables by engaging residents to work toward shared sustainability goals. However, there are challenges with managing energy behavior to achieve desired outcomes. This study uses the Energy Cultures framework to examine motivations for participating in a local energy program. It extends the Energy Cultures framework by demonstrating its applicability to the analysis and co-design of local energy management programs, with a particular focus on community-level engagement. The research also identifies the types of information most useful in managing energy behavior. The study site is the Mueller community in Austin, Texas, U.S.A., which has high levels of solar generation and a resulting duck curve that can be addressed by local energy management. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, with qualitative data collection through stakeholder interviews and a community workshop, followed by quantitative data collected in a survey of residents. Results show a strong interest in the proposed energy program, with residents motivated by environmental, societal, and financial benefits. Individual and social norms drove favorable responses while material culture and practices did not. Valuable types of information feedback included energy usage recommendations and renewable energy use at the individual and community level. The findings demonstrate that community engagement, energy feedback, and energy culture are interdependent and that analyzing the energy culture of a community in a co-design process can help prioritize criteria for developing energy programs and tools that strengthen and sustain community engagement.
Pathophysiology and Biomarker Potential of Fatty Acid Ethyl Ester Elevation During Alcoholic Pancreatitis.

Background & Aims The role of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) during human alcoholic pancreatitis is unknown. We compared FAEEs levels with their nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) precursors during alcohol intoxication and clinical alcoholic pancreatitis. The pathophysiology underlying FAEEs increase and their role as diagnostic biomarkers for alcoholic pancreatitis was investigated. Methods A prospective blinded study compared FAEEs, NEFAs, and ethanol blood levels on hospitalization for alcoholic pancreatitis (n = 31), alcohol intoxication (n = 25), and in normal controls (n = 43). Serum FAEEs were measured at admission for nonalcoholic pancreatitis (n = 75). Mechanistic cell and animal studies were done. Results Median FAEEs were similarly elevated during alcohol intoxication (205 nmol/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], 71.8-515 nmol/L, P Conclusions The sustained, alcohol-independent, large (20- to 50-fold) increase in circulating FAEEs during alcoholic pancreatitis results from their visceral release and mirrors the 2- to 4-fold increase in parent NEFA. The large areas under the curve of FAEEs on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis supports their role as alcoholic pancreatitis biomarkers.
Correcting Paul Samuelson’s Small Error in His November, 1963 Eulogy for Robertson: Dennis Robertson Erred Seriously in His Evaluation of Keynes’s Differential Calculus–Based Multiplier Concept in the General Theory

Dennis Robertson had no understanding of how J M Keynes’s Multiplier concept was based on the use of differential calculus techniques that required one to take the mathematical limit of an infinite, decreasing, geometric series. Robertson failed to see that the derivative concept requires that one is dealing with an instantaneous rate of change. Robertson thus confused the fact that the actual multiplier process of change in the real world is not instantaneous, but requires time for the process to actually function, so that in the real world it is not instantaneous, with the mathematical theory of the multiplier. Samuelson overlooked Robertson’s very confused state of mind, resulting from his mathematical illiteracy, when he concluded that Robertson’s criticisms of Keynes’s instantaneous, theoretical multiplier concept discussions on pages 122-123 of the General Theory were sound. D. Robertson ‘s confused attempts at critiquing Keynes’s concepts of the logical theory of the multiplier and the multiplier in 1936 in his QJE article were due to his own extreme mathematical limitations, confusions and ineptness. Samuelson had recognized that this problem of mathematical illiteracy existed in the economics profession by 1936. Economists were shockingly unprepared in the use of even basic intermediate algebra.
Student-generated learning objectives and curricular innovation

Introduction Recent focus from accrediting bodies emphasizes learning objectives as a means of mapping and standardizing content coverage. While most educational training centers on faculty-derived learning objectives that are geared towards didactic lectures, student-centered teaching modalities like problem-based learning continue to gain popularity. One opportunity is the integration of student-generated learning goals in curriculum development. The educational philosophy at the Penn State College of Medicine University Park Regional Campus centers on discussion-based Inquiry Groups that focus on students’ experiential case learning which leads to student-generated learning objectives. This study examined a student-centered approach to learning objectives. Methods Our quantitative analysis explored student-generated learning objectives during the first-year curriculum. Primary outcome measures included process variables investigating the growth and change of objectives across the year that include Bloom’s taxonomy-based verb scores, verb numbers per session, and learning objective word lengths. Knowledge-based content coverage variables were compared with existing curricular models. Results Student-derived learning objectives changed substantially over the year. Taxonomy scores decreased while the learning objective verb number, word length, and calculated value per session increased significant. Content and comparator analyses showed that coverage and verb quality met or exceeded existing curricular models. Discussion Student-generated learning objectives are not only plausible and achievable, they also provide distinct pacing and engagement benefits. Our findings serve as a model for student-centered educational innovations.
The Evolution of Blood Flow Restricted Exercise

The use of blood flow restricted (BFR) exercise has become an accepted alternative approach to improve skeletal muscle mass and function and improve cardiovascular function in individuals that are not able to or do not wish to use traditional exercise protocols that rely on heavy loads and high training volumes. Blood flow restricted exercise involves the reduction of blood flow to working skeletal muscle by applying a flexible cuff to the most proximal portions of a person’s arms or legs that results in decreased arterial flow to the exercising muscle and occluded venous return back to the central circulation. Safety concerns, especially related to the cardiovascular system, have not been consistently reported with a few exceptions, however, most researchers agree that BFR exercise can be a relatively safe technique for most people that are free from serious cardiovascular disease, as well as those with coronary artery disease (CAD), and also for people suffering from chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and osteoarthritis. Potential mechanisms to explain the benefits of BFR exercise are still mostly speculative and may require more invasive studies or the use of animal models to fully explore mechanisms of adaptation. The setting of absolute resistive pressures has evolved, from being based on an individual’s systolic blood pressure, to a relative measure that is based on various percentages of the pressures needed to totally occlude blood flow in the exercising limb. However, since several other issues remain unresolved, such as the actual external loads used in combination with BFR, the type of cuff used to induce the blood flow restriction, and whether the restriction is continuous or intermittent, this paper will attempt to address these additional concerns.
Advancing wave energy converter array-to-grid transmission systems

The Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC), a US Department of Energy (USDOE) Center headquartered at Oregon State University (OSU), seeks to facilitate the integration of marine renewables onto the utility grid. This paper presents NNMREC's approach to streamlining the research, development and testing process to enable wave energy converter (WEC) array-to-grid transmission systems. The WEC development process tools and facilities are presented, including modeling, scaled laboratory and wave tank testing as well as field testing. The NNMREC ocean testing solutions include scaled non-grid connected facilities as well as developing utility-scale cable-to-shore grid emulator and grid-connect facilities. This paper concludes with the NNMREC cable-to-shore site grid integration configuration along with a high-level array-to-grid transmission system simulation.
Antigenic Heterogeneity of Hemagglutination Type VI Fimbriae Produced by Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients with Bacteremia

Abstract In previous work it was observed that the majority of Escherichia coli strains isolated from the blood of bacteremia patients possess fimbriae which mediate mannose-resistant hemagglutination (HA) of human and monkey erythrocytes; this HA pattern (HA type VI) is different from those of enterotoxigenic E. coli possessing the colonization factor antigen CFA/I or CFA/II, which are also mannose-resistant HA positive. We and other investigators have found that HA type VI fimbriae may function as colonization factor antigens, especially in urinary tract infections. The work reported here was concerned with determining the number of antigenic types of fimbriae responsible for the HA type VI property. Fimbriae were isolated by hydrophobic interaction chromatography from four isolates of E. coli possessing the same HA pattern but belonging to different serotypes; antifimbrial antiserum was prepared by hyperimmunization of rabbits. Homologous and heterologous antifimbrial antibody titers were determined by the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, bacterial agglutination by the tube method, and the HA inhibition test. Antiserum against the fimbriae of strain LY-71 (O4:H1) produced a high homologous titer but low or insignificant titers with fimbriae of strains LY-63 (O6:H31), LY-154 (O25:H−) and LY-156 (O2:H−). Antiserum against the fimbriae of strain LY-63 produced high titers with its own and with LY-71 fimbriae but insignificant titers with the fimbriae of strains LY-154 and LY-156. LY-154 and LY-156 fimbriae were highly cross-identical but antigenically different from those of LY-63 and LY-71. Twenty-five other test strains all identified with at least one of the prototype strains, as determined by HA inhibition tests performed with the four antifimbrial sera, although these belonged to a wide variety of serotypes. These data indicate the existence of at least two major different antigenic types of HA type VI fimbriae and possibly three, depending on the nature of the unidirectional crossidentity observed between the fimbriae of strains LY-63 and LY-71.
Some relations between differential geometric invariants and topological invariants of submanifolds

Let M be an n-dimensional manifold immersed in an m-dimensional euclidean space Em and let ∇ and ∇ be the covariant differentiations of M and Em, respectively. Let X and Y be two tangent vector fields on M. Then the second fundamental form h is given by (1.1) ∇XY = ∇XY + h(X,Y).
Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

A 70-year-old white male presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe back pain. The pain is described as severe and constant without alleviating or aggravating symptoms. He has never had pain like this before. He denies chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness. He denies any history of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. His past medical history is significant for hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that requires home oxygen therapy. He had bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy some years ago, but has never had a laparotomy. His vital signs yielded a pulse at 90 bpm and a blood pressure of 110/60 mm Hg. He is appropriately conversant and appears older than his stated age. He was without abdominal tenderness or masses and no bruits were heard; however, his belly was slightly obese and the examination was difficult. He has bilaterally palpable lower extremity pulses.
EPR-detectable redox centers of the periplasmic hydrogenase from desulfovibrio vulgaris

The periplasmic hydrogenase of Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenbourough NCIB 8303) belongs to the category of [Fe] hydrogenase which contains only iron-sulfur clusters as its prosthetic groups. Amino acid analyses were performed on the purified D. vulgaris hydrogenase. The amino acid composition obtained compared very well with the result derived from the nucleotide sequence of the structural gene (Voordouw, G., Brenner, S. (1985) Eur. J. Biochem. 148, 515-520). Detailed EPR reductive titration studies on the D. vulgaris hydrogenase were performed to characterize the metal centers in this hydrogenase. In addition to the three previously observed EPR signals (namely, the "isotropic" 2.02 signal, the rhombic 2.10 signal, and the complex signal of the reduced enzyme), a rhombic signal with resonances at the g-values of 2.06, 1.96, and 1.89 (the rhombic 2.06 signal) was detected when the samples were poised at potentials between 0 and -250 mV (with respect to normal hydrogen electrode). The midpoint redox potentials for each of the four EPR-active species were determined, and the characteristics of each EPR signal are described. Both the rhombic 2.10 and 2.06 signals exhibit spectral properties that are distinct from a ferredoxin-type [4Fe-4S] cluster and are proposed to originate from the same H2-binding center but in two different conformations. The complex signal of the reduced hydrogenase has been shown to represent two spin-spin interacting ferredoxin-type [4Fe-4S]1+ clusters (Grande, H. J., Dunham, W. R., Averill, B., Van Dijk, C., and Sands, R. H. (1983) Eur. J. Biochem. 136, 201-207). The titration data indicated a strong cooperative effect between these two clusters during their reduction. In an effort to accurately estimate the number of iron atoms/molecule of hydrogenase, plasma emission and chemical methods were used to determine the iron contents in the samples; and four different methods, including amino acid analysis, were used for protein determination. The resulting iron stoichiometries were found to be method-dependent and vary over a wide range (+/- 20%). The uncertainties involved in the determination of iron stoichiometry are discussed.
The influence of race and ethnicity in clients' experiences of mental health treatment

Clinicians and researchers have pointed to the need for culturally sensitive mental health interventions. Yet it has not been determined if the inclusion of cultural elements affects the way mental health clients experience services. This study examined 102 clients who had received mental health treatment from outpatient mental health clinics to investigate whether culturally related elements involving race and ethnicity were important to clients and whether they were related to client satisfaction and perceived treatment outcomes. Ethnic minority clients generally felt that issues regarding race and ethnicity were more important than did White clients. When these elements were considered important but were not included in their care, clients were less satisfied with treatment. Consistent with the notion of cultural responsiveness, these findings provide empirical evidence that culturally relevant aspects of the mental health service experience are salient to ethnic minority clients and can affect how they respond to services.
Caught In A Severe Thunderstorm, Fuel Is Low, Passenger Having Heart Attack, Hydraulics Are Failing, Instruments Are Iffy, And No Airport Is In Sight: Quick As The Pilot, What Do You Do?

University administrators can take a cue from pilots. Pilots regularly face decision situations where much lies in the balance. So it is with university administrators. The department, college or university itself can be compared to an aircraft. In flight, there are times when the sun shines and winds are favorable: a comfortable flight results and the mission is accomplished. At other times, thunderstorms ravage the skies, fuel may run low, structures and people may fail, and problems arise. So it is with universities and colleges. Sometimes things are great and at other times problems arise that interfere with the institutions role and mission. It is in the parallels of flying and leading an educational institution that allows flying wisdom to be of use.
A new, convexity based, necessary and sufficient vertex solution for robust stability check of linear interval parameter matrix families

This paper revisits the problem of checking the robust stability of matrix families generated by interval parameters in a matrix. A previous solution given by the author for this problem involved complete dependence on the quantitative (eigenvalue information) of a set of special matrices labeled the Kronecker Nonsingularity (KN) matrices, making the ‘convexity’ property non-transparent. In the new solution presented in this paper, we combine the qualitative (sign) as well as quantitative (magnitude) information of these KN matrices and present a vertex solution in which the convexity property of the solution is transparent making it more ‘elegant’ than the previous solution. In other words, the new solution clearly underscores the importance of using the sign structure of a matrix in assessing the stability of a matrix. This new solution is made possible by the new insight provided by the qualitative (sign) stability/instability derived from ecological principles. Examples are given which clearly demonstrate effectiveness of the new, convexity based algorithm.
A Pragmatist Conception of Creative Listening to Emotional Expressions in Dialogues Across Difference

My topic is listening, which is usually defined as the act of hearing sounds or utterances attentively and, sometimes, allowing what we hear to persuade us to change our conduct. In a fuller sense, though, listening is about understanding what we hear and that requires properly interpreting not only sounds but also other sensory stimuli in the context within which they occur. On this occasion, I am primarily interested in listening to emotional expressions associated with personal identity. While I am interested in listening regarding dialogues across many differences in identity, such as culture, race, and ethnicity, I will concentrate on gender in the conclusion of my essay.
Ritualised craft production at the Hopewell periphery: new evidence from the Appalachian Summit

Ritual items made of thin mica sheet are among the most spectacular of the special objects from the Hopewell sites of the Ohio Valley. Hitherto it has generally been believed that the mica was imported in raw material form from sources in the Appalachian Summit and cut into shape in the Hopewell core. Recent excavations at Garden Creek, a ritual enclosure on the margin of the source area, throws doubt on this model through extensive evidence for mica-working at this site. The Garden Creek community may have been drawn into the Hopewell sphere through its proximity to the mica sources, and the people of Garden Creek may have carried cut mica and crystal quartz as offerings to the major Hopewell centres in the course of pilgrimage.