cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the coefficient of thermal expansion using time periods of minimal thermal gradient for a temperature driven structural health monitoring

Structural Health Monitoring aims to characterize the performance of a structure from a combination of recorded sensor data and analytic techniques. Many methods are concerned with quantifying the elastic response of the structure, treating temperature changes as noise in the analysis. While these elastic profiles do demonstrate a portion of structural behavior, thermal loads on a structure can induce comparable strains to elastic loads. Understanding this relationship between the temperature of the structure and the resultant strain and displacement can provide in depth knowledge of the structural condition. A necessary parameter for this form of analysis is the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE). The CTE of a material relates the amount of expansion or contraction a material undergoes per degree change in temperature, and can be determined from temperature-strain relationship given that the thermal strain can be isolated. Many times with concrete, the actual amount of expansion with temperature in situ varies from the given values for the CTE due to thermally generated elastic strain, which complicates evaluation of the CTE. To accurately characterize the relationship between temperature and strain on a structure, the actual thermal behavior of the structure needs to be analyzed. This rate can vary for different parts of a structure, depending on boundary conditions. In a case of unrestrained structures, the strain in the structure should be linearly related to the temperature change. Thermal gradients in a structure can affect this relationship, as they induce curvature and deplanations in the cross section. This paper proposes a method that addresses these challenges in evaluating the CTE.
How software users recommend tools to each other

To help users gain awareness of tools and features available in applications, recommender systems can automatically suggest useful tools. Such systems aim to present recommendations just like users would recommend tools to one another, but little is known about the nature of these user-to-user recommendations. This paper explores user-to-user recommendations through a study of 13 pairs of software users performing data analysis tasks. We found that users were more likely to adopt tools when they were receptive to the recommendation, but did not find the recommendations were any more likely to be effective when they contained other characteristics such as politeness, persuasiveness, or referred to observable tools. These findings suggest that, for example, automated systems should avoid recommending obscure and unfamiliar tools, but making recommendations politely is not a critical design goal.
Status and prospects of the dairy goat industry in the United States

Among the major classes of U.S. livestock, dairy goats have yet to achieve USDA statistical reporting of their numbers, amounts of milk produced and processed, and cheese and other products marketed. However, the USDA has published buck proofs of approximately 16,000 does annually from Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) records of the Alpine, LaMancha, Nubian, Oberhasli, Saanen and Toggenburg breeds, thereby encouraging genetic progress. This represents a 1% participation in DHIA of the estimated 1.5 million U.S. dairy goats. Annual breed registrations are led by Nubians (11,000), and the leading states in descending order are California, Texas, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. Breed average milk yields range from 960 kg of milk for Saanen to 726 kg of milk for Oberhasli. Average milk contents range from 4.5% fat and 3.69% protein for Nubian to 3.3% fat and 2.98% protein for Toggenburg. Leading lactation records are 3,023 kg of milk (Toggenburg) and 174 kg of fat (Nubian). Total annual registrations are 45,000+ animals by 16,000+ member breeders. Estimated total U.S. goat milk commercial production is 24,000+ t, with half going into commercial farm goat cheese production of 640+ t. Recent years have seen significantly increased numbers of dairy goat research projects and publications from Oklahoma, Texas, California, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, and Massachusetts. Furthermore, annual national and international symposia, annual national goat cheese judging competitions and workshops, an active national goat research foundation, representation on the National Interstate Milk Shippers Committee and Mastitis Council, and formation of a national association and council for the development and promotion of dairy goat products indicate an evolution from former emphasis on purebred breed development to a focus on market development. The conclusion is that dairy goats are emerging as a necessary and recognized U.S. industry.
Application and refinement of the early lifecycle cost estimation model: A case study of the JLTV

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) is continuously improving its fiscal stewardship. Engineered Resilient Systems (ERS) strives to provide the DoD with comprehensive analysis of systems throughout the acquisition process. In this pursuit of this financial efficiency, ERS has decided to build a cost complement through parametric modeling. While there already have been strides towards better cost estimation techniques, the Early Lifecycle Cost Estimation (ELCE) model represents a unique attempt to provide a cost estimate for an entire system lifecycle at a pre-milestone A (PM­A) stage. This paper specifically demonstrates the ELCE model using cost data from the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), establishing the ability of the model to expand beyond initial calibration of the first proof of concept. Utilizing the uniquely engineered inputs for PM-A cost estimation, this research demonstrated the capability of the model to predict lifecycle cost for multiple systems. As a second proof of concept, the JLTV demonstrates the expandability of the ELCE model, which identifies a potential method for improvement in current PM-A cost estimation techniques.
Shared negative experiences of long-acting reversible contraception and their influence on contraceptive decision-making: a multi-methods study

Abstract Objectives We explored how negative stories about long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) — defined as a firsthand negative experience with LARC shared directly with the study participant — were involved in participants’ decisions about whether to use LARC following abortion, and how counseling affected the influence of negative LARC stories on contraceptive choices. Study design We performed a multi-methods study, embedded within a trial examining the impact of a theory-based counseling intervention on LARC uptake post-abortion. Participants completed a baseline survey to determine the influence of negative LARC stories. We subsequently invited respondents who reported having heard negative LARC stories to participate in a semi-structured qualitative interview. We analyzed quantitative data with univariate statistics. We analyzed qualitative data using thematic content analysis. Results Among the 60 participants, 16 (27%) reported having heard negative LARC stories. Two of the 16 (13%) planned to initiate LARC prior to counseling, compared to 18 of 44 women (41%) who had not heard negative LARC stories (p=0.06). Prior to counseling, 69% of participants with negative LARC stories reported that these stories made them less likely to use LARC. In qualitative interviews with 9 women, we identified several key themes: (1) negative LARC stories deterred LARC use; (2) friends and family were valued informants; (3) potential side effects were important to LARC decision-making; and (4) positive and negative features of the counseling encounter influenced the effect of negative LARC stories. Conclusions Negative LARC stories are common among women presenting for abortion at our institution and may influence patient uptake of these methods. Implications This study uses a multi-methods approach to examine the influence of negative stories about long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) on decision-making about LARC. These findings can help providers elicit patients’ needs in contraception counseling and generate hypotheses for future counseling research.
Nonthermal Plasma-Synthesized Phosphorus–Boron co-Doped Si Nanocrystals: A New Approach to Nontoxic NIR-Emitters

We report on the successful creation of nonthermal plasma-synthesized phorphorus and boron co-doped Si nanocrystals (PB:Si NCs) with diameters (DNC) ranging from 2.9 to 7.3 nm. Peak photoluminescence (PL) emission energies for all PB:Si NC diameters are ca. 400–500 meV lower than the excitonic emission values in intrinsic Si NCs, which can be attributed to prevalent donor–acceptor (D–A) transitions within the co-doped system. This D–A transition model is further evidenced by PL lifetimes within the range of 40–80 μs, faster than what is observed for intrinsic Si NCs. By reducing the level of confinement within PB:Si NCs (i.e., DNC > 4 nm), we are able to red-shift the near-infrared (NIR)-emitting D–A transitions to below the band gap of bulk Si (1.12 eV). We quantify the PL quantum yield (PLQY) for a range of DNC and show that the plasma method can achieve reasonably high PLQY values (12% for DNC = 2.9 nm), even without any optimization of the synthesis or surface chemistry. We posit that perfect charge c...
Rheology of Organoclay Dispersions and Modeling of Gelation Behavior and Finding Overlap Concentration

In this paper the development of organoclay dispersions in an organic solvent is investigated. The development over time of dispersions with various clay concentrations was examined by rheometry, applying small-amplitude oscillatory deformation. The dispersions exhibit an evolution with distinct stages. After a lag phase, the dynamic moduli grow as a function of time according to power laws. Dispersions with clay concentrations below a threshold value, which seems to coincide with a particle overlap concentration, are initially predominantly viscous but develop over time into predominantly elastic systems. Above this critical threshold concentration of clay, dispersions are predominantly elastic from the first measurement and exhibit critical gel-like viscoelastic characteristics. For these dispersions, the frequency dependence of the complex modulus fits satisfactorily to critical gel expressions. The tendency of preserving critical gel-like behavior throughout the evolution process is interpreted in terms of the dispersions microstructure.
Anthropometric Measures and Prediction of Maternal Sleep-Disordered Breathing.

Study Objectives:Pregnant women are at risk for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB); however, screening methods in this dynamic population are not well studied. The aim of this study was to examine wh...
If the Squares Don't Get You--The Circles Will.

In a previous article (Swetz 1978), I dis cussed the Chinese origins of magic squares and their numerological conceptions as talismans and divination schemes. The spe cific squares considered depended for their derivation on the mystical theory of the Yin-Yang as represented by a technique of number arrangement called the Lo shu principle. This principle is easy to under stand, and its modern day classroom appli cation, supported by the use of a mini calculator, can provide numerous enrichment exercises on numerical pattern recognition and problem solving. The Chinese involvement with magic squares was carried on for many centuries and was not limited solely to work with the Lo shu technique. An interest in magical number configurations spread from China to other countries of the East, particularly Japan (Mikami 1974). Arab merchants and traders carried the knowledge westward. By the time it reached Europe in the thirteenth century, magic squares were beginning to be viewed more as mathematical entities rather than mystical devices. This new per ception was being realized in both China as well as Europe. A recently published translation and commentary on the thirteenth century Chi nese classic, Yang Hui Suan Fa {Yang Hui's Methods of Computation) (Lam 1977), re veals that Chinese scholars had advanced into work with number arrays and magic circles and circular configurations that were far more fascinating and complex in their numerical structure than magic squares. Unlike its predecessor the magic square, knowledge of magic circles did not pass westward so readily. Thus, while fairly de tailed analyses of magic squares exist in western literature, little work has been done on magic circles and their properties. It is the object of this article to review briefly the nature of Chinese magic circles so that they may be appreciated for their historical sig nificance and considered for their ped agogical appeal as classroom enrichment exercises.
Cu-catalyzed C-C bond formation of vinylidene cyclopropanes with carbon nucleophiles.

The development of Cu-catalyzed addition of carbon nucleophiles to vinylidene cyclopropanes was reported. The reactions with 1,1-bisborylmethane provided homopropargylic boronate products by forming a C–C bond at the terminal carbon atom of the allene moiety of vinylidene cyclopropanes. Alkynyl boronates are also suitable nucleophile precursors in reactions with vinylidene cyclopropanes, and skipped diynes were obtained in high yields. In addition, the Cu-enolate generated from the initial addition of nucleophilic copper species to vinylidene cyclopropanes can be intercepted by an external electrophile. As such, vinylidene cyclopropane serves as a linchpin to connect a nucleophile and an electrophile by forming two carbon–carbon bonds sequentially.
CHARGED-PARTICLE RADIOGRAPHY

Charged-particle radiography is being developed for medical diagnostic imaging of deep-seated tumors and other abnormalities which cause changes in tissue density. Radiography utilizes monoenergetic particle beams for imaging the distribution of electron densities in tissue with very high sensitivity for small density differences. The technique is based on the exact range-energy relationship of heavy particles in matter. Images are recorded as the stopping pattern of heavy ions in stacks of plastic nuclear track detectors. Differences in tissue densities as small as 0.2% have been detected and measured. Work is in progress on computerized tomography utilizing beams of charged particles.
Chapter 9 – Albert Bandura

A particularly relevant concept of Bandura is that of the proxy agent. That is, seeking the assistance of someone or something else when events are beyond an individual’s control. Within religion, this would be seeking the strength and guidance of God. Bandura is clear that this is a double-edged sword, in that seeking assistance can be a means of seeking strength or of negating one’s responsibility. The Spiritual Modeling Self-Efficacy (SMSE) scale was developed in 2012, and it looks promising as a reliable and valid measure for future research. Support for Bandura’s social learning theory comes from the adage and research that the major determinant of a person’s religious/spiritual preference is their culture and parent’s beliefs. The belief in God may hinder or foster self-efficacy, dependent upon a number of variables.
Sickle Cell Trait

Sickle cell trait can pose a grave risk for some athletes. In the past few years, exertional sickling has killed nine athletes, including five college football players in training. Exercise-physiology research shows how and why sickle red cells can accumulate in the bloodstream during intense exercise bouts. Sickle cells can "logjam" blood vessels and lead to collapse from ischemic rhabdomyolysis. Diverse clinical and metabolic problems from explosive rhabdomyolysis can threaten life. Sickling can begin in 2-3 minutes of any all-out exertion, or during sustained intense exertion--and can reach grave levels very soon thereafter if the athlete struggles on or is urged on by coaches despite warning signs. Heat, dehydration, altitude, and asthma can increase the risk for and worsen sickling. This exertional sickling syndrome, however, is unique and in the field can be distinguished from heat illnesses. Sickling collapse is a medical emergency. Fortunately, screening and precautions can prevent sickling collapse and enable sickle-trait athletes to thrive in their sports.
302 W single-mode power from an Er/Yb fiber MOPA: publisher's note.

This publisher’s note contains corrections to Opt. Lett.45, 2910 (2020).OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.392786
Barriers and strategies for implementing community-based interventions with minority elders: positive minds-strong bodies

By 2040, one out of three older adults in the USA are expected to belong to a racial/ethnic minority group. This population has an increased risk of mental and physical disability with significant barriers to access care. Community-based organizations (CBOs) often provide programming to serve minority and immigrant elders. Limited resources and other barriers such as lack of trained staff make it difficult to implement evidence-based interventions (EBIs) in CBOs for long-term adoption. Yet little is known about what factors can facilitate adoption of EBIs in CBOs serving minority elders. Positive-Minds–Strong Bodies (PM-SB), an evidence-based intervention offered in four languages, aims to reduce mental and physical disability for minority and immigrant elders through the efforts of community health workers and exercise trainers. The intervention consists of cognitive behavior therapy and exercise training sessions delivered over 6 months. During a recent clinical trial of this intervention, we elicited feedback from CBO staff to determine how best to facilitate the implementation and long-term sustainability of PM-SB within their agencies. We surveyed 30 CBO staff members, held four focus groups, and conducted 20 in-depth interviews to examine staff perspectives and to reveal factors or changes needed to facilitate long-term adoption in prospective CBOs. Participants reported that staff motivation and implementation could be improved through the following changes: increasing patient compensation for treatment sessions, decreasing levels of organizational accountability, and reducing staff demands embedded in the intervention. Although most staff perceived that PM-SB improved their agency’s ability to address the health and well-being of elders, capacity-building strategies such as a “train-the-trainer” initiative were identified as priorities to address staff turnover for sustainability. Adapting the intervention to get financial reimbursement also emerged as vital. Augmenting financial incentives, streamlining procedures, and simplifying staff accountability were suggested strategies for facilitating the transition from a disability prevention clinical trial in minority and immigrant elders to a scalable implementation in routine services at CBOs. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02317432.
Assessing the Utility of Language and Voice Biomarkers to Predict Cognitive Impairment in the Framingham Heart Study Cognitive Aging Cohort Data.

Background There is a need for fast, accessible, low-cost, and accurate diagnostic methods for early detection of cognitive decline. Dementia diagnoses are usually made years after symptom onset, missing a window of opportunity for early intervention. Objective To evaluate the use of recorded voice features as proxies for cognitive function by using neuropsychological test measures and existing dementia diagnoses. Methods This study analyzed 170 audio recordings, transcripts, and paired neuropsychological test results from 135 participants selected from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), which includes 97 recordings of cognitively normal participants and 73 recordings of cognitively impaired participants. Acoustic and linguistic features of the voice samples were correlated with cognitive performance measures to verify their association. Results Language and voice features, when combined with demographic variables, performed with an AUC of 0.942 (95% CI 0.929-0.983) in predicting cognitive status. Features with good predictive power included the acoustic features mean spectral slope in the 500-1500 Hz band, variation in the F2 bandwidth, and variation in the Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficient (MFCC) 1;the demographic features employment, education, and age; and the text features of number of words, number of compound words, number of unique nouns, and number of proper names. Conclusion Several linguistic and acoustic biomarkers show correlations and predictive power with regard to neuropsychological testing results and cognitive impairment diagnoses, including dementia. This initial study paves the way for a follow-up comprehensive study incorporating the entire FHS cohort.
Community Violence Exposure and Youth Aggression: The Moderating Role of Working Memory

Community violence exposure (CVE) is associated with aggression among youth, particularly those who reside in low-income, urban neighborhoods. However, not all youth who experience CVE exhibit aggression. Working memory (WM) difficulties may interfere with attributions or retrieval of nonaggressive responses, suggesting that individual differences in WM may contribute to proactive and/or reactive aggression among youth who experience CVE. Participants were 104 low-income, urban youth (M = 9.92 ± 1.22 years old; 50.5% male; 95% African American). Youth reported on frequency of direct victimization and witnessing of violence in the community and completed two WM tasks. Teachers reported on youth proactive and reactive aggression. WM moderated the relation between direct victimization and proactive and reactive aggression, and between witnessing violence and reactive aggression. Among youth reporting less frequent victimization and witnessing, lower WM was associated with higher levels of proactive and reactive aggression. Among youth reporting more frequent direct victimization, lower WM was associated with higher levels of proactive aggression. Proactive and reactive aggression levels were similar among youth reporting more frequent witnessing regardless of WM levels. WM represents a potential target for early identification and intervention efforts to reduce reactive and proactive aggression among low-income, urban youth who are at elevated risk for CVE.
Telomeres as targets for the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in rats

Abstract Telomere length (TL) can be affected by various factors, including age and oxidative stress. Changes in TL have been associated with chronic disease, including a higher risk for several types of cancer. Environmental exposure of humans to PCBs and dioxins has been associated with longer or shorter leukocyte TL. Relative telomere length (RTL) may serve as a biomarker associated with neoplastic and/or non-neoplastic responses observed with chronic exposures to TCDD and PCBs. RTL was measured in DNA isolated from archived frozen liver and lung tissues from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) studies conducted in female Harlan Sprague Dawley rats exposed for 13, 30, and 52 weeks to TCDD, dioxin-like (DL) PCB 126, non-DL PCB 153, and a mixture of PCB 126 and PCB 153. RTL was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Consistent with literature, decreased liver and lung RTL was seen with aging. Relative to time-matched vehicle controls, RTL was increased in both the liver and lung tissues of rats exposed to TCDD, PCB 126, PCB 153, and the mixture of PCB 126 and PCB 153, which is consistent with most epidemiological studies that found PCB exposures were associated with increased leukocyte RTL. Increased RTL was observed at doses and/or time points where little to no pathology was observed. In addition to serving as a biomarker of exposure to these compounds in rats and humans, increases in RTL may be an early indicator of neoplastic and non-neoplastic responses that occur following chronic exposure to TCDD and PCBs.
Reproductive and Other Related Health Concerns Among Women Experiencing Homelessness

Women and families are the fastest growing subgroup within the homeless population. An estimated 39% of the people experiencing homelessness are women or girls, and nearly 40% of unaccompanied youth are women or girls. The number of women experiencing homelessness in unsheltered locations—the most vulnerable group of women—is also increasing. Of those experiencing homelessness in rural areas, a higher percentage is likely to be women, adding to the challenge of accessing healthcare, particularly specialty and subspecialty services. Homeless individuals, including women, suffer more mental and physical health issues, with the majority reporting long-term health problems. Homeless women have not only been shown to have worse outcomes than housed women, but also their relative risk of death is higher than that of homeless males. In this chapter, the authors will examine reproductive and other health conditions that are more prevalent or exacerbated by homelessness, as well as potential strategies to address these issues.
Characteristics Associated with Low-Value Cancer Screening Among Office-Based Physician Visits by Older Adults in the USA.

After a certain age, cancer screening may expose older adults to unnecessary harms with limited benefits and represent inefficient use of health care resources. To estimate the frequency of cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening among adults older than US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) age thresholds at which screening is no longer considered routine and to identify physician and patient factors associated with low-value cancer screening. Observational study using pooled cross-sectional data (2011–2016) from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a nationally representative probability sample of US office-based physician visits. Analyses for cervical and breast cancer screening were limited to visits by women over age 65 (N=37,818) and ages 75 and over (N=19,451), respectively. Analyses for colorectal cancer screening were limited to visits by patients over age 75 (N=31,543). Cancer screening procedures were coded as low value using USPSTF age thresholds. Between 2011 and 2016, an estimated 509, 507, and 273 thousand potentially low-value Pap smears, mammograms, and colonoscopies/sigmoidoscopies, respectively, were ordered annually. Low-valuecervical cancer screening was less likely to occur for visits with older (vs. younger) patients. Compared to visits by non-HispanicWhite women, low-valuecervical and breast cancer screening was less likely to occur for visits by women whose race/ethnicitywas something other than non-HispanicWhite, non-HispanicBlack, or Hispanic. Obstetrician/gynecologistswere more likely to order low-valuePap smears and mammograms compared to family/generalpractice physicians. Thousands of cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screenings at ages beyond routine guideline thresholds occur each year in the USA. Further research is needed to understand whether this pattern represents clinical inertia and resistance to de-adoption of previous screening practices, or whether physicians and/or patients perceive a higher value in these tests than that endorsed by experts writing evidence-based guidelines.
Determination of m6A frequency utilizing 4SedTTP-RT Ligation Assisted PCR (SLAP) in viral and cellular long non-coding RNAs

N6-methyladenosine is one of the most abundant epitranscriptomic signatures that can affect every aspect of RNA biology, from structure and stability to intra- and intermolecular interactions. The accurate quantitative assessment of RNA stoichiometry at single-nucleotide resolution is a prerequisite to evaluate the biological significance of m6A in the context of specific RNA. We have developed a new method, termed 4-Selenothymidine 5-triphosphate reverse transcription and Ligation Assisted PCR analysis (SLAP), for quantitative and unbiased assessment of the m6A fraction on target RNA. The inclusion of thymidine triphosphate derivative during reverse transcription discourages base pair formation with m6A resulting in the reactions cessation, while maintaining normal A-T base pairing. The site-specific ligation of the resulting cDNAs with adapters, followed by amplification, generates two distinct products that reflect the modified and unmodified fraction of the analyzed RNA. These PCR products are subsequently separated by gel electrophoresis and quantified using densitometric analysis. We applied the SLAP to verify the position and assess the frequency of m6A sites present on two exemplary long non-coding RNAs. We assessed the SLAP specificity, accuracy, and sensitivity, proving the applicability of this method for the m6A analysis on less abundant transcripts. Overall, this method constitutes an extension of the birds-eye view of RNA m6A landscape provided by epitranscriptome-wide analyses by delivering quantitative assessment of modification frequency and can therefore aid the understanding of the consequences of m6A on biological processes. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=80 SRC="FIGDIR/small/460679v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (24K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15845aeorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@46a95aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@118633dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1b52f9_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG
Dignity in Red Envelopes: Disreputable Exchange and Cultural Reproduction of Inequality in Informal Medical Payment:

Disreputable exchanges are morally disapproved and often legally prohibited exchanges that exacerbate and reproduce social inequality but remain ubiquitous. Although previous literature explains th...
Bradyarrhythmias Detected by Extended Rhythm Recording in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (BRADY-TAVR Study).

ABSTRACTS: Background Bradyarrhythmias leading to permanent pacemaker (PPM) continue to be a complication after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Objectives To assess the prevalence of bradyarrhythmias using ECG extended rhythm recording among patients pre and post TAVR and whether they can predict the need for PPM Methods This was a prospective single center study in patients undergoing TAVR. Patients received an ECG-patch for 2 weeks pre, immediately post, and 2-3 months after TAVR. Caring physicians were blinded to the results of the patch except when predefined urgent arrhythmias were detected. The main outcome was the need for PPM implantation after TAVR. Results We enrolled 110 patients of whom 96 underwent TAVR and were included in the final analysis. Bradyarrhythmias, defined as a pause ≥ 3 seconds, occurred in 5.2%, 12.7%, and 7% of patients pre-, immediately post-, and 2-3 months post- TAVR respectively. PPM implantation occurred in 12 (12.5%) patients of whom 9 (9.4%) underwent implantation during their index hospitalization while 3 (3.1%) required implantation post-discharge for indications other than heart block. No patients required PPM after receiving ECG-patch 2-3 months post-TAVR. Significant baseline predictors for the need for PPM included the presence of right bundle-branch block and increased QRS duration. Bradyarrhythmias detected by ECG-patch did not predict the need for a PPM at either index hospitalization or follow-up period. Conclusions Bradyarrhythmias are common and can be detected with extended ECG monitoring before and after TAVR, however, in our study did not predict the need for a PPM after TAVR.
Nuclear Imaging (SPECT and PET) in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Nuclear imaging techniques are increasingly used for evaluating patients with known or suspected cardiac sarcoidosis. In addition to assessing the likelihood that cardiac sarcoidosis is present or absent, data from these tests can also be used to risk stratify patients, and thus inform the potential need for various therapies. The most commonly used techniques include resting myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), which can be performed with either single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET), and imaging for myocardial inflammation using F18-Flurodeoxyglucose (FDG). Patients who have significant myocardial inflammation – as detected by FDG uptake – should be considered for anti-inflammatory therapies, although data regarding the benefit of such treatment remains limited. Among patients who are treated with anti-inflammatory therapies, serial PET exams may be useful for determining the response to therapy. The development of future tracers will further increase the capabilities of nuclear imaging techniques to guide the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis.
Neural reorganization and its endocrine control during insect metamorphosis.

Publisher Summary Neural reorganization that accompanies insect metamorphosis requires two types of control mechanisms. First, individual cells must be induced to express their internal developmental programs at the proper time. Second, on a more rapid time scale, new circuits must become functional at the appropriate time in the animal's life. The latter is especially important because the new circuits are incorporated into a functioning nervous system and must not disrupt ongoing behavior. This chapter summarizes work on these control mechanisms. Most of the work described was performed on the tobacco hawkmoth, Manduca sexta. Its life cycle serves as a representative example in the chapter, although the details vary in different holometabolous insects. The evidence that endocrine signals are important for inducing and regulating metamorphic changes is provided. Insect metamorphosis is controlled by two hormones: the steroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) and the sesquiterpenoid juvenile hormone (JH). The hormones 20-HE and JH also determine the developmental fates of individual neurons.
Wafer-scale production of LEDs via wafer-bonding: achievements and challenges

Advances in AlGaInP LEDs have been enabled by the development of two key technologies: metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) epitaxial growth and compound semiconductor wafer bonding. This talk describes the development of compound semiconductor wafer bonding techniques which have been instrumental in the development and subsequent production of transparent-substrate (Al/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/)/sub 0.5/In/sub 0.5/P/GaP LEDs. Furthermore, future challenges for the development of high-efficiency wafer-bonded visible LEDs are elucidated.
Initiation of splenic white pulp ontogeny (HEM3P.289)

Secondary lymphoid organs (SLO) provide the structural framework for the co-concentration of antigen and lymphocytes required for an efficient adaptive immune response. The spleen is the primordial SLO that evolved coincidentally with Ig-/TCR:pMHC-based adaptive immunity. B cells are indispensable for the formation and maintenance of SLO microarchitecture; their expression of lymphotoxin α1β2 (LTα1β2) is required for the LTα1β2:CXCL13 positive feedback loop without which SLO cannot properly form. Despite the spleen’s central role in the evolution of adaptive immunity, neither the initiating event nor the B cell subset compulsory for white pulp (WP) formation has been identified. We therefore sought to identify these initiating components of splenic WP ontogeny. We detected CXCL13 but not LTα1β2 protein expression in the vasculature of late embryonic (E17.5 and beyond) spleen, and its expression was independent of rearranging lymphocytes and TNFα. A substantial influx of transitional B cells occurred within 18 hours of birth (E18.5), but these cells were unresponsive to CXCL13 and do not establish a perivascular splenic niche. At P0.5, B cells acquired CXCL13 responsiveness and aggregated around the splenic vasculature, and CXCL13-responsive B cells were enriched for transitional 2 B cells. Thus, CXCL13 is the initiating component of the CXCL13:LTα1β2 positive feedback loop required for WP ontogeny, and CXCL13-responsive transitional B cells are the initiating B cell subset.
DETERMINATION OF FARMERS’ GOAL STATEMENTS PRIORITIES AND FACTORS EFFECTIVE ON DECISION (AN APPLICATION OF FUZZY PAIRWISE COMPARISON ANALYSIS)

The major objective of this study was to determine the priorities given by farmers to the previous selected goal statements and the factors which affect their decisions. Data of 2005 year was provided from 162 farmers settled in 10 villages in Izmir, Turkey. The goal priorities and the effective factors were determined using Fuzzy Pairwise Comparison and Logistic Regression Analyses, respectively. Fuzzy Pairwise Comparison Analysis showed that risk minimization had the highest ranking in farmers’ preferences with weight of 0.53 followed by profit maximization with 0.48 weights among four selected goal statements. Logistics Regression Analysis indicated that farmers who tended to take higher risks were those who involved in crop production, and adopted contractual production and input storage strategies while risk averter farmers consisted of farmers who were susceptible to natural conditions and preferred crop diversification.
The Pathogenesis of Ocular Lesions of Infectious Canine Hepatitis: 1. Pathology and Virological Observations

Disease-free dogs, known to be susceptible to infectious canine hepatitis, were inoculated with this virus subcutaneously or intravenously. Antibody and virus titers were measured in the aqueous humor and blood serum. Ocular tissue was examined for the presence of virus by fluorescence microscopy. During the acute febrile stage of illness there was mild iridocyclitis without corneal involvement. The latter supervened during convalescence.Two fundamentally different modes of pathogenesis are postulated for the ocular lesions of infectious canine hepatitis. During the acute phase of illness, prior to the onset of circulating antibody, uveitis occurs that is related directly to effects of viral growth in vascular endothelium, and in reticuloendothelial elements of the anterior uvea. The severe iridocyclitis with corneal opacification that occurs in clinically recovered dogs possess characteristics of the Arthus-type of ocular hypersensitivity.
Using resources from the web in computer science courses

In under ten years, the World Wide Web has become an integral part of our everyday lives. During this time, it has also affected education in various ways, serving as a resource as well as a medium for instruction. How has the Web affected Computer Science education? What kinds of resources are available on the Web to support Computer Science courses? How can these resources be located? How can the resources be used in a traditional course? What are the pedagogical merits of using these resources, and what are the pitfalls? These are some of the questions that will be examined in this panel. The panelists will also share their experiences using such resources and list some recommendations for using them. The audience will be invited to introduce the resources they use and share their experiences at the end of the panel.
Smart Loads Management for Damaged Offshore Wind Turbine Blades

The diffculty of access for offshore wind turbines leads to expensive and rare opportunities for maintenance. Smart loads management (derating) is investigated for the potential to reduce offshore costs of energy. Derating refers to altering the rotor angular speed and blade pitch to limit loads on damaged rotor blades at the cost of reduced power production. The economic benefits of derating wind turbines with damaged blades are demonstrated in terms of the potential to avoid full shutdown or delay maintenance. High fidelity analysis techniques like 3D finite element modeling (FEM) are used alongside beam models of wind turbine blades to characterize these strategies in terms of their effect to mitigate damage growth. This study considers a common damage type for wind turbine blades, the bond line failure, and shows how 3D FEM can be used to quantify the effect of operations and control strategies designed to extend the fatigue life of damaged blades.
Direct and Indirect Cost Burden of Stroke Mimics Post Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator (IV-tPA): A Single Center Study (P3.103)

OBJECTIVE: To calculate the excessive direct and indirect hospital cost for the stroke mimic patients who received IV-tPA. BACKGROUND: The decision to treat a patient with acute stroke symptoms is based on pertinent history, brief neurological examination, urgent labs, and a head CT. In this setting, patients with stroke mimics may mistakenly receive IV-tPA. DESIGN/METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 113 patients presented from January 2009 to January 2011 with stroke like symptoms and received IV-tPA either in our primary stroke center or one of the three satellite hospitals. We obtained the actual direct and indirect cost of hospital stay for the patients who did not have the final diagnosis of ischemic stroke. The calculated cost of stroke mimics for each patient was assessed based on the assumption that an urgent MR and perfusion imaging could have ruled out stroke and changed the management. Excessive total cost was the actual full cost minus calculated cost. RESULTS: Of 113 patients, 23 had negative post thrombolysis MRI for acute stroke and a different discharge diagnosis. Other diagnoses included conversion disorder (n=10), complicated migraine (n=4), Todd’s paralysis (n=2), and encephalopathy (n=3). Four patients had the diagnosis of TIA. The actual total direct and indirect cost for stroke mimics was $185,822 with an excessive cost of $110,543. The median excessive cost was $5,427 per admission (Ranged from $1,800 to $9,832). The total excessive cost for TIA was $21,107. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that stroke mimics can have significant cost burden on health care system; mainly from the cost of IV-tPA and higher level of care. An urgent MR with selected sequences and perfusion imaging in certain patient population can be helpful to exclude patients with stroke mimics, avoid extra cost, and prevent unnecessary distress to the patient and family. Disclosure: Dr. Goyal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Male has nothing to disclose. Dr. Al Wafai has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zand has nothing to disclose.
GeIST: a pipeline for mapping integrated DNA elements

UNLABELLED There are several experimental contexts in which it is important to identify DNA integration sites, such as insertional mutagenesis screens, gene and enhancer trap applications, and gene therapy. We previously developed an assay to identify millions of integrations in multiplexed barcoded samples at base-pair resolution. The sheer amount of data produced by this approach makes the mapping of individual sites non-trivial without bioinformatics support. This article presents the Genomic Integration Site Tracker (GeIST), a command-line pipeline designed to map the integration sites produced by this assay and identify the samples from which they came. GeIST version 2.1.0, a more adaptable version of our original pipeline, can identify integrations of murine leukemia virus, adeno-associated virus, Tol2 transposons or Ac/Ds transposons, and can be adapted for other inserted elements. It has been tested on experimental data for each of these delivery vectors and fine-tuned to account for sequencing and cloning artifacts. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION GeIST uses a combination of Bash shell scripting and Perl. GeIST is available at http://research.nhgri.nih.gov/software/GeIST/. CONTACT burgess@mail.nih.gov.
Algorithms for all-to-all personalized exchange in 2D and 3D tori

The inter-processor all-to-all communication patterns can be found in many important parallel algorithms. This paper presents new algorithms for all-to-all personalized exchange for circuit switched or wormhole routed 2D and 3D torus connected multiprocessors. The algorithms use message combining to minimize message startups at the expense of larger message sizes. The unique feature of these algorithms is that they are the first algorithms that we know of that operate in a bottom-up fashion rather than a recursive top-down manner.
Detection of a very low mass companion to the astrometric binary Gliese 105A

Optical coronagraph images of the high proper motion astrometric binary Gl 105A reveal a very red companion, Gl 105C, located 3.27 arcsecs from Gl 105A at P.A. 287 deg. At this location, it is not clear whether Gl 105C can fully account for the astrometric perturbation of Gl 105A. Aperture photometry gives I(sub C) = 12.6 and R(sub C) - I(sub C) = 3.7 for Gl 105C, indicating that it is a very low mass M dwarf. Using the observed I(sub C), an empirical M(sub I) versus I-K relation, and an assumed distance of 8.2 pc to Gl 105A, M(sub K) = 9.7 is derived for Gl 105C. An empirical mass-M(sub K) relation for low-mass stars suggest a mass of 0.084 solar mass for Gl 105C, which is just above the minimum mass for stable hydrogen burning. Gl 105C was not detected in previous K-band searches; its detection demonstrates the usefulness of optical coronagraphy for identifying very low mass objects.
Phrases that signal workplace hierarchy

Hierarchy fundamentally shapes how we act at work. In this paper, we explore the relationship between the words people write in workplace email and the rank of the email's recipient. Using the Enron corpus as a dataset, we perform a close study of the words and phrases people send to those above them in the corporate hierarchy versus those at the same level or lower. We find that certain words and phrases are strong predictors. For example, "thought you would" strongly suggests that the recipient outranks the sender, while "let's discuss" implies the opposite. We also find that the phrases people write to their bosses do not demonstrate cognitive processes as often as the ones they write to others. We conclude this paper by interpreting our results and announcing the release of the predictive phrases as a public dataset, perhaps enabling a new class of status-aware applications.
Implications of in vitro dosimetry on toxicological ranking of low aspect ratio engineered nanomaterials.

AbstractIn vitro high throughput screening platforms based on mechanistic injury pathways are been used for hazard assessment of engineered nanomaterials (ENM). Toxicity screening and other in vitro nanotoxicology assessment efforts in essence compare and rank nanomaterials relative to each other. We hypothesize that this ranking of ENM is susceptible to dispersion and dosimetry protocols, which continue to be poorly standardized. Our objective was to quantitate the impact of dosimetry on toxicity ranking of ENM. A set of eight well-characterized and diverse low aspect ratio ENMs, were utilized. The recently developed in vitro dosimetry platform at Harvard, which includes preparation of fairly monodispersed suspensions, measurement of the effective density of formed agglomerates in culture media and fate and transport modeling was used for calculating the effective dose delivered to cells as a function of time. Changes in the dose–response relationships between the administered and delivered dose were inv...
Differential Regulation of Androgen and Glucocorticoid Receptors by Retinoblastoma Protein

The androgen receptor (AR) plays a major role in the development and maintenance of male primary and secondary sexual characteristics. The growth promoting effects of androgens are clearly seen in prostate cancer where treatment by androgen ablation usually leads to tumor regression, followed sometime later, by growth of tumor cells that are resistant to endocrine therapy. We have found that the level of pRB in cells controls AR activity. Overexpression of pRB leads to increased transcriptional activity of the AR. This is similar to the previously reported potentiation of glucocorticoid receptor activity by pRB. In contrast, loss of pRB activity inhibits AR but not glucocorticoid receptor activity. This inhibition correlates with the unique ability of the AR to form a protein-protein complex with pRB in vitro. The site of interaction with pRB lies within the N-terminal domain of the AR and co-localizes with the region of the AR that specifies a requirement for pRB. Thus, the AR has a novel requirement for pRB raising the possibility that the growth promoting activity of AR is due to its direct interaction with pRB. Furthermore, loss of pRB activity during progression of prostate cancer may directly result in a decreased response to androgens.