cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A multi-lake study of seasonal variation in lake surface evaporation using MODIS satellite-derived surface temperature

Knowledge of the evaporative loss from lakes and reservoirs is critical to water resources managers as well as to the overall understanding of the water balance in a given basin, geographical region, or continent. Existing methods for ascertaining evaporation from lakes and reservoirs include point measurements, water balance and mass transfer calculations, and proxy measurements using a pan. Point measurements using the eddy flux covariance method can be accurate, but are resource intensive and unsuited for determining spatial variation over a lake, or for obtaining measurements over many lakes. Mass balance methods cannot provide spatial variability and their accuracy depends on other portions of the water balance that can be challenging to obtain, such as leakage. Similarly, relatively recently deployed scintillation methods provide only an average for a strip across a lake and are also resource intensive and not suited for multi-lake studies. Evaporation pan measurements can also be used, though their accuracy is poor. Herein, we use a combination of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite measurements of water surface temperature, measurements of wind speed, air temperature, and relative humidity from local NWS stations, and a mass transfer method, to demonstrate multi-lake evaporation measurements. Specifically, the seasonal variation in evaporation is obtained for the five major lakes in the Savannah River Basin (in South Carolina, USA): Lakes Jocassee, Keowee, Hartwell, Russell, and Thurmond. Since this approach requires only an existing satellite resource with global coverage and existing NWS stations, this method can potentially be ported to any lake where there is a nearby meteorology station. Hence, this method could be used by both water resource managers and limnologists alike. The possibility is discussed of extending this approach beyond a single basin to encompass an entire geographical region or continent.
A special hell: institutional life in Alberta’s eugenic years

In A Special Hell: Institutional Life in Alberta’s Eugenic Years, Claudia Malacrida examines the disturbing institutional care of individuals with intellectual disabilities in Alberta during the tw...
The First Case Report of Angiostrongyliasis Caused by Eating Raw Meat of Ampularum Crossean in Sichuan Province

Objective This paper reported the first angiostrongyliasis case caused by eating raw meat of Ampularum Crossean in Sichuan Province. The occurrence of the case indicates importance of controlling this disease in the population. Method Based on clinical signs and symptoms including headache, swirl, tempora numbness, neck rigdity, fever, muscle pains, tenderness, hypodynamia with abdominal distention, diarrhea, nausea and vomitting,a series of steps of epidemiological surveys, clinical examinations, worms-expelling treatment with ambendazole were carried out towards this case. Result Three days later, the case's signs and symptoms became light, and one month later, the general conditions of the case improved obviously. After ten days, the case's signs and symptoms disappeared. By follow-up one and four months, the case was shown cured. Conclusion Harmness to population caused by this disease should be paid highly attention by each levels of medical facilities. Extensive health education is very crucial to let people know that eating raw or not well done foods are dangerous behavior. In the meantime, it is necessay to improve the diagnostic capacity and treating levels of medical staff. It is Suggested as key measures to make early detection and early treatment in order to relieve the pains of the cases and prevent the potential outbreaks among the population involved.
Endocytic pathways in plant cells and related research techniques: a review

Endocytosis plays essential roles in cells by communicating with external environment and maintaining intracellular homeostasis,which strictly controls macromolecule transport and signaling via internalization of membrane lipids,proteins and other extracellular substances. However,the investigations on endocytosis in plants are poorer than those in mammalian and yeast cells. The generation of Arabidopsis mutant library and the application of pharmacological inhibitors provide new tools for dissecting the mechanisms of vesicular trafficking in plants. This review mainly focus on the major endocytic pathways in plants,with special emphasis on some advanced imaging techniques and biochemical methods,which provides valuable information for further study on endocytic pathways in plants.
National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry: Outcomes of Pregnancies Fathered by Male Transplant Recipients

Previous reports of male renal transplant recipients who have fathered pregnancies total 71 pregnancies. All report greater than 80% live births and none reported complications or malformations in the offspring. Only eleven pregnancies were fathered by renal transplant recipients ma intained on cyclosporine A (Sandimmune).
Activation of g-protein coupled estrogen receptor 1 protects the heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting the mPTP opening via MEK/ERK/GSK-3β pathway

Methods: Isolated hearts from wild type (WT: C57BL/6NCrL), ERα-/-, ERβ-/and GPER1-/were perfused using Langendorff apparatus with Krebs Henseleit buffer (control) or with the addition of estrogen (40 nM). Hearts were subjected to 18 min global ischemia followed by 60 min reperfusion. Cardiac function was recorded during the entire experiment and myocardial infarct size was measured by TTC staining at the end of the reperfusion. Mitochondria calcium retention capacity (CRC) required to induce the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening were assessed after 10 min reperfusion. Protein levels were measured by Western Blot in whole heart lysates after 5 min treatment just before ischemia, and after 10 min reperfusion. LY294002 and U0126 were used as inhibitor of PI-3K/Akt, and MAPK/ERK translocation, respectively.
Parent-adolescent relationship quality as a link in adolescent and maternal depression

Abstract Guided by family systems theory and the depression-distortion hypothesis, the purpose of this study was to test the extent to which mother-adolescent relationship quality linked the known associations between maternal depression and adolescent depression. Data from the Longitudinal Study of Child and Adolescent Well-being were used to test hypotheses with a sample of 267 mother-adolescent dyads. Findings demonstrated the longitudinal associations between perceptions of mother-adolescent relationship quality and adolescent and maternal depression. Specifically, maternal depression symptoms were negatively correlated with adolescent perceptions of the relationship at age 12 and 14, which were positively correlated with adolescent depression at age 14. Additionally, youth depression at age 8 was positively correlated with maternal depression at adolescent ages 12 and 14. A significant association was found between youth depression and adolescent perception of the parent-adolescent relationship quality, such that higher youth depression scores were moderately linked with lower adolescent report of quality of the relationship at age 12. Further, higher levels of youth depressive symptoms were associated with lower maternal perception of the parent-adolescent relationship quality at youth age 12. Implications for clinical intervention and research are discussed.
Measured Deformation Behavior of Glen Canyon Dam

Representative results obtained during 3 years of measurements from each of two systems installed to determine the deformation behavior of the Bureau of Reclamation's Glen Canyon Dam, a large concrete arch structure, are presented. The deformation is caused by water loading and by changing temperature of the mass concrete. Measurements are by precise triangulation from piers downstream from the dam to targets on its face, using a theodolite, and by observations on five plumb lines installed in formed vertical wells in the dam. Also, monuments in three wells which extend into the foundation near the toe of the dam are triangulated. The results show the deformation of the dam is comparable from the measurements by both systems which are independent of each other. The annual range of deformation from the plumb lines during a 60○ temperature range is approximately 1/2 in. at the top of the dam in its maximum section and the deformation of the dam is upstream approximately 1-1/2 in. for the period of record. The measurement system layout and photographs of apparatus are shown. The programs of periodic observations, field procedures, techniques, timesaving and error minimizing equipment devised by field personnel, computing methods, and results are described.
Potential of electrodialytic techniques in brackish desalination and recovery of industrial process water for reuse

Abstract Large demands for water in industry and consumer markets have led to the development of seawater desalination plants worldwide. Electrodialysis allows the removal of ions at a much lower specific energy consumption than pressure-driven systems and holds the potential to move the desalination industry to greater water yields, lowering the degree of water wasted and energy required for separations. This study investigates the use of traditional electrodialysis as well as electrodeionization for the removal of contaminant ions from brackish water as well as samples from industrial sources. Results indicated that conventional electrodeionization can successfully remove ion contaminants from brackish water at specific energy consumptions of approximately 0.9–1.5 kWh/m 3 water recovered with high water productivity at 40–90 L/m 2 h. Ion-exchange resin wafer electrodeionization showed greater promise with specific energy consumption levels between 0.6–1.1 kWh/m 3 water recovered and productivity levels between 10–40 L/m 2 h. From these results, electrodialysis and electrodeionization have demonstrated viability as alternatives to pressure-driven membrane systems for brackish water desalination.
An intervention to improve the catheter associated urinary tract infection rate in a medical intensive care unit: Direct observation of catheter insertion procedure

Abstract Background Healthcare associated infections from indwelling urinary catheters lead to increased patient morbidity and mortality. Aim The purpose of this study was to determine if direct observation of the urinary catheter insertion procedure, as compared to the standard process, decreased catheter utilization and urinary tract infection rates. Methods This case control study was conducted in a medical intensive care unit. During phase I, a retrospective data review was conducted on utilsiation and urinary catheter infection rates when practitioners followed the institution's standard insertion algorithm. During phase II, an intervention of direct observation was added to the standard insertion procedure. Results The results demonstrated no change in utilization rates, however, CAUTI rates decreased from 2.24 to 0 per 1000 catheter days. Conclusion The findings from this study may promote changes in clinical practice guidelines leading to a reduction in urinary catheter utilization and infection rates and improved patient outcomes.
Impact of genomic profiling on treatment decisions for patients with melanoma and colorectal cancer cohorts.

66Background: Clinical guidelines recommend RAS testing and BRAF testing in CRC and melanoma, respectively, to guide treatment (tx) decisions. However, there are limited data to support routine multi-gene profiling. This study evaluated the impact of multi-gene profiling on genomically-guided tx decisions in patients with CRC or melanoma. Methods: A retrospective cohort study using combined data from UUHC Electronic Warehouse, Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) tumor registry, ARUP laboratories, and Foundation Medicine. Included patients were treated at HCI for CRC or melanoma and had genomic profiling (2012-2016). The index date was date of first genomic profiling result and impact on practice was measured by rate of genomically-guided therapy use. Results: Among 127 genomically-profiled patients with CRC, 66 (52%) received therapy. Patients were predominantly male (64%), aged 57 years (median) at diagnosis, had advanced disease (52%), received three tx lines (mean) at baseline, and had three mutations (mea...
Limit analysis of circular plates with arbitrary rotational symmetric loading using Fourier series expansion

Abstract This paper presents new solutions for the load carrying capacity of a circular plate subjected to arbitrary rotational symmetric loadings. Simply supported and clamped boundary conditions are considered. The lower bound method of limit analysis has been used together with the half- range Fourier series expansion of the loading function. The resulting nonlinear equation has been solved numerically using the Newton–Raphson algorithm. Since the obtained solution satisfies all of the requirements for an exact solution, it is in fact the exact critical load factor. The results have been verified against available findings in the literature. Finally, several new loading types for which no solution is currently available have been analyzed.
A Town In-Between: Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and the Early Mid-Atlantic Interior. By Judith Ridner

The literature on Pennsylvania during the colonial and early national periods has become increasingly abundant in recent years, but it has concentrated on southeastern Pennsylvania, particularly Philadelphia. Because it focuses on a town in the backcountry, Judith Ridner’s A Town In-Between: Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and the Early Mid-Atlantic Interior is a welcome addition to the historiography of Pennsylvania in the eighteenth century. According to Ridner, Carlisle’s geographic location along the frontier—both east/west within Pennsylvania and north/south in the mid-Atlantic—led to it becoming a placewhere residents faced the typical challenges of life in the backcountry along with the opportunities available to settlers who ventured into the hinterland.
The case of the unhealthy hospital.

On a cold March morning, Bruce Reid, Blake Memorial Hospital's new CEO, visited the Lorris housing project clinic, one of six off-site clinics operated by Blake Memorial. He was not encouraged by what he saw: peeling paint, leaking pipes, and cramped conditions. When he asked Renee Dawson, the clinic's primary care physician, how she endured the conditions, she just stared at him. "What are my options?" she asked. That was a good question. Blake Memorial was in poor financial health, due to rising costs and stagnating revenue. The hospital's quality of care was also a major problem. In addition, the clinics were losing over $250,000 a year. As Reid worked on Blake Memorial's 1992 budget, he saw he would have to cut some services in order to fund others. One of the services he was considering cutting was the clinic program. But there were a number of conflicting forces that Reid had to consider. On the political front, the recently appointed commissioner of health services said she would challenge Blake Memorial's tax-exempt status if Reid dismantled the clinics. Within the hospital were two warring factions. One wanted more high-tech services for the hospital and favored closing the clinics. "Instead of clinics, we should have a shuttle bus from the housing projects to the hospital," one doctor suggested. The other faction wanted to expand the clinics. "Wherever the service is most needed, that is where the hospital should be," argued the clinics' director. Reid must decide what to cut and what to keep. But to do so, he must first settle on Blake Memorial's long-term mission.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The 'Free College' Illusion: How State Tuition Support Programs Are Widening the Opportunity Gap

In recent years, educational efforts nation and state-wide have been focused on closing the gap between the opportunities available to different groups of students. The “income achievement gap,” in particular, results in average performing middle-income students graduating college at a rate of almost three times that of an average performing low-income student. For students in the lowest quintile of income, college tuition — on average — costs 37% of a family’s annual income, compared to only 2.5% for upper-income families. Campaigns across the country are seeking to close this gap by providing tuition-free college. Few programs, however, fully consider the reality of the obstacles faced by low-income students that prevent persistence to graduation. While the idea of “free college” equates to accessibility and attainability, often these new programs only remove obstacles for students, or the families of students, who are already highly likely to obtain a college degree. This note argues that many “free college” laws, as they are being put forward, effectively widen the achievement gap by increasing educational opportunities for middle-income students without removing additional barriers for low-income students. This further complicates the already complex financial aid process and fails to support the most vulnerable student populations. Informed by legal, economic, and student engagement experience, this note explores the statutory and regulatory framework for the current educational and financial aid system in New York State. It offers a critique on how the laws are thwarting the goals they originally sought to accomplish, acknowledges what the laws have gotten right, and outlines recommendations for consideration, most applicable for New York State, but relevant to other jurisdictions as they consider new laws to finance higher education.
CRISPR expands insight into the mechanisms of ALS and FTD.

An incomplete grasp of how the G4C2 repeat expansion in C9orf72 leads to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia has hindered progress in treatment development. Now, a study has combined unbiased genetic screens and CRISPR–Cas9 gene editing to validate known molecular pathways and identify novel therapeutic targets involved in G4C2 repeat pathogenesis.
Conditional high copy number ColE1 mutants: resistance to RNA1 inhibition in vivo and in vitro

We describe three independently isolated copy number mutants of a plasmid ColE1 derivative which undergo temperature- and growth-phase-dependent DNA amplification in Escherichia coli. These mutants have single base-pair alterations in a highly localized region of the plasmid genome encoding the replication primer RNA. The mutations map immediately upstream of the RNA1 transcript, altering the sequence between conserved elements of the RNA1 promoter. These mutants have 2- to 4-fold increased copy number relative to wild-type plasmids in exponential growth at 37 degrees C but undergo 20-fold amplification of copy number relative to wild-type when cells enter stationary phase. Cells containing these plasmids grow with normal kinetics at 37 degrees C but grow poorly at 42 degrees C. The poor growth is associated with high-level plasmid amplification. Both the temperature and growth phase plasmid DNA amplification are suppressed if the ColE1 rop gene product is provided in trans from a compatible plasmid. Analysis of steady-state RNA1 levels indicates that DNA amplification occurs in the presence of RNA1 made by the mutant plasmid. Thus, the DNA amplification of the copy mutant is not due to an inability to synthesize RNA1. Using an in vitro transcription system containing RNase H, we show that mutant primer processing by RNase H is resistant to levels of the replication initiation inhibitor RNA1 that inhibit wild-type primer processing. The defect in inhibition appears not to be at the level of association of RNA1 with nascent primer. These results indicate that mutant plasmid amplification is due to the ability of its primer precursor transcripts to serve as substrates for RNase H despite the presence of RNA1.
Biosynthesis and Genetics of Ia Antigens and Their Associated Invariant Chain

Since the discovery of Ia antigens in 1974 a tremendous amount of information has been gathered on the structure, genetics and possible functions of these molecules. However, the finding in 1979 that Ia antigen immunopre- cipitates contain a third polypeptide chain, designated the Ia antigen-associated invariant chain (Ii) (1), raised new questions about the assembly, processing, and expression of Ia antigens. The Ii chain, a protein with a molecular weight of 31,000 and a pI greater than 8, is non- covalently-associated with both I-A and I-E subregioncontrolled Ia antigens (1). Recent studies have suggested that it has a rather unusual subcellular distribution. It appears to be associated with Ia chain complexes in the intracellular membranes but not in the plasma membrane (2,3) . Its carbohydrate side chains also differ from those of the α and β chains, containing mannose but not fucose (4) and lacking sialic acid (3), which suggests that the Li chain possesses only unprocessed high-mannose oligosaccharides.
Cardioprotection from Ischemic-Reperfusion Injury by Adenosine

Adenosine has long been recognized for its vasodilator effects on the peripheral and coronary vasculature (1,2), and for its negative chronotropic effects (3). However, in recent years there has been a renewed interest in this old, naturally occurring “autacoid” agent for its very potent cardioprotective properties relevant to myocardial ischemic-reperfusion injury. Certainly one of the intriguing and mystifying features of adenosine is that it appears to exert cardioprotection not only beyond its biological half-life but also after its apparent disappearance from the plasma and interstitial compartments. In addition, an increase in the interstitial concentration in close proximity to the cardiomyocytes may not be necessary to exert cardioprotection and prevent necrosis. Therefore, adenosine acts in a phantom manner as a retaliatory and cardioprotective agent against the mediators of ischemic-reperfusion injury. Adenosine may act in a complex manner to protect ischemic-reperfused myocardium. Adenosine may be infused at a site remote from the ischemic-reperfused tissue and exert cardioprotection in an endocrine manner. Moreover, adenosine may be released into the local environment and effect protection to nearby structures in a pericrine manner. In addition, the close proximity of the neutrophil and endothelial cell during their adherence interactions allows adenosine to operate in a juxtacrine manner by inhibiting either the nearby neutrophil or the endothelial cells themselves.
Multidimensional symmetric stable processes

This paper surveys recent remarkable progress in the study of potential theory for symmetric stable processes. It also contains new results on the two-sided estimates for Green functions, Poisson kernels and Martin kernels of discontinuous symmetric α-stable process in boundedC1,1 open sets. The new results give explicit information on how the comparing constants depend on parameter α and consequently recover the Green function and Poisson kernel estimates for Brownian motion by passing α ↑ 2. In addition to these new estimates, this paper surveys recent progress in the study of notions of harmonicity, integral representation of harmonic functions, boundary Harnack inequality, conditional gauge and intrinsic ultracontractivity for symmetric stable processes. Here is a table of contents. 1. Introduction 2. Green function and Poisson kernel estimates 2.1. Estimates on balls 2.2. Estimates on boundedC1,1 domains 2.3. Estimates on boundedC1,1 open sets 3. Harmonic functions and integral representation 3.1. Two notions of harmonicity 3.2. Martin kernel and Martin boundary 3.3. Integral representation and uniqueness 3.4. Boundary Harnack principle 3.5. Conditional process and its limiting behavior 4. Conditional gauge and intrinsic ultracontractivity
Cystine Calculi—Rough and Smooth: A New Clinical Distinction

AbstractFour stones each from 2 populations of cystine calculi, 1 with a rough external surface (cystine-R) and the other smooth (cystine-S), were studied for their crystal structure with stereoscopic and scanning electron microscopy. Two stones each of cystine-R and cystine-S, calcium oxalate monohydrate, calcium oxalate dihydrate, struvite plus apatite and brushite were fragmented with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and the fragmentability was compared. Fragments resulting from cystine-R and cystine-S extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy were examined under the stereoscope to assess the plane of cleavage or fracture. Results show that cystine-R stones are comprised of well formed blocks of hexagonal crystals, whereas cystine-S calculi have small, irregular and poorly formed interlacing crystals. The center of cystine-R stones was similar to that of the periphery but the center of cystine-S stones was formed of blocks of hexagons similar to but smaller than the cystine-R calculi. Fragmentation wi...
Evaluating Methods for Bioinspired Concept Generation

Bioinspired design, the practice of using biological organisms and systems to inspire the design of engineering systems, has traditionally been performed without the use of systematic tools or methods to aid the designer. In recent years however, several tools have been developed to help designers effectively use bioinspiration for engineering design. These methods include BioTRIZ, functional modeling, biological keyword searches, and online repositories such as Asknature.org. This paper briefly reviews some of these methods and presents the summary of three studies that offer empirical examinations of those methods. In two studies the methods are taught and used by groups of graduate-level engineering students. The successes and difficulties that the students encountered using the bioinspired design methods are discussed and evaluated. Additionally, a third controlled study examines a group of undergraduate mechanical engineering students with no formal training in ideation methods. The students were given one of two design problems and instructed to either generate ideas or to generate ideas while considering how nature might solve the problem. This controlled study allows a quantitative analysis of ad hoc approaches to bioinspired design.
About Face! Facial Status Cues and Perceptions of Charismatic Leadership

Leaders of every organizational stripe—corporate, political, military, religious, and others—use facial status cues to alarm and disarm, threaten and appease and repulse and beguile. Status cues refer to the signaling behaviors and appearances that energize approach/avoidance motives in perceivers and actors. According to Status Cues Theory, dual status messages are required to achieve the long, psychological reach of charismatic leadership. Leaders must exude formidability, thereby elevating the leadership role and making it hard to challenge. But effective leaders must also signal receptivity to motivate followers to identify with the leader, the collective, and the collective goal. This chapter highlights the role of the face as a platform for status signaling. Preliminary evidence supports the idea that dual status cues and the motives they engender are essential to charismatic leadership, and that the optimal balance of status cues shifts with leader gender and race, and with sociopolitical and cultural context.
The productivity paradox in health information technology

New York State healthcare providers increased their use of the technology but delivered only mixed results for their patients.
Weak values and the Leggett-Garg inequality in solid-state qubits

An implementation of weak values is investigated in solid-state qubits. We demonstrate that a weak value can be non-classical if and only if a Leggett-Garg inequality can also be violated.
Iron deficiency in heart failure, an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition during hospitalization.

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic medical condition affecting an estimated 1–2% of the world’s population, and as many as 10% of patients age 65 and above. Among patients with HF, iron deficiency (ID) has an estimated prevalence of 30–83%, often without concomitant anemia. Thus, ID in HF is often underdiagnosed unless actively sought after. ID in HF has been shown to be an independent contributor of increased mortality, hospitalization, and early readmission compared with HF patients without ID or HF patients with anemia without ID. Previous trials suggest that intravenous iron supplementation for patients with chronic HF and ID with or without anemia has resulted in improved functional outcomes and quality of life; however, the role of iron supplementation in patients hospitalized with HF has not been well characterized. In this retrospective analysis conducted in a large urban health system, we show that of the greater than 10,000 patients admitted for HF in 1 year, only 158 patients underwent screening for ID. Of these, 109 met criteria for ID. Despite intravenous iron being the standard of care for treatment of ID in HF patients, only 23 patients received this therapy. These data suggest that iron deficiency, despite having major implications in HF, is not being adequately evaluated during hospitalizations for HF. Further, if ID is identified, it is not being appropriately addressed, as per current treatment guidelines.
Analysis of Spatial Dose-Volume Relationships and Decline in Sexual Function Following Permanent Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer.

Abstract Objective To explore relationships between dose to periprostatic anatomic structures and erectile dysfunction (ED) outcomes in an institutional cohort treated with prostate brachytherapy. Methods The Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) instrument was administered for stage cT1-T2 prostate cancer patients treated with Pd-103 brachytherapy over a 10-year interval. Dose volume histograms for regional organs at risk and periprostatic regions were calculated with and without expansions to account for contouring uncertainty. Regression tree analysis clustered patients into ED risk groups. Results We identified 115 men treated with definitive prostate brachytherapy who had 2 years of complete follow-up. On univariate analysis, the subapical region (SAR) caudal to prostate was the only defined region with dose volume histograms parameters significant for potency outcomes. Regression tree analysis separated patients into low ED risk (mean 2-year SHIM 20.03), medium ED risk (15.02), and high ED risk (5.54) groups. Among patients with good baseline function (SHIM ≥ 17), a dose ≥72.75 Gy to 20% of the SAR with 1 cm expansion was most predictive for 2-year potency outcome. On multivariate analysis, regression tree risk group remained significant for predicting potency outcomes even after adjustment for baseline SHIM and age. Conclusion Dose to the SAR immediately caudal to prostate was predictive for potency outcomes in patients with good baseline function. Minimization of dose to this region may improve potency outcomes following prostate brachytherapy.
Everything I Really Needed to Know to Be a Clinical Ethicist, I Learned From Elisabeth Kübler-Ross*

I analyze the insights present in Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's seminal work, On Death and Dying that have laid the foundation for contemporary clinical bioethics as it is practiced by clinical ethics consultants. I highlight the landmark insight of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross that listening to dying patients reveals their needs and enables them to enjoy a better death. But more important for contemporary clinical ethics is that the text highlights three tensions that the clinical ethicist must navigate but can never truly resolve. Clinical ethicists must balance: (1) the need to hear the patient's voice with the temptation to overly medicalize the case, (2) helping the patient achieve a better death with enabling the patient to die in the way he or she chooses, and (3) keeping professional distance with engaging the patient in a way that respects the intimacy of the patient's disclosures.
CRT-600.18 Vascular Complications and Type of Valve Used for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Vascular complications (VC) are a well-known adverse event for all types of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. VC are an independent predictor for mortality in patients receiving TAVR. We sought to determine if VC rate was higher with either valve type- Edwards Sapien S3,
Identification of sequence-specific interactions of the CD44-intracellular domain with RUNX2 in the transcription of matrix metalloprotease-9 in human prostate cancer cells.

Aim The Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) transmembrane protein is cleaved by γ-secretase, the inhibition of which blocks CD44 cleavage. This study aimed to determine the biological consequence of CD44 cleavage and its potential interaction with Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX2) in a sequence-specific manner in PC3 prostate cancer cells. Methods Using full-length and C-terminal deletion constructs of CD44-ICD (D1-D5) expressed as stable green fluorescent protein-fusion proteins in PC3 cells, we located possible RUNX2-binding sequences. Results Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that the C-terminal amino acid residues between amino acids 671 and 706 in D1 to D3 constructs were indispensable for sequence-specific binding of RUNX2. This binding was minimal for sequences in the D4 and D5 constructs. Correspondingly, an increase in matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) expression was observed at the mRNA and protein levels in PC3 cells stably expressing D1-D3 constructs. Conclusion These results provide biochemical evidence for the possible sequence-specific CD44-ICD/RUNX2 interaction and its functional relationship to MMP-9 transcription in the promoter region.
Spinal Arachnoid Webs: Presentation, Natural History, and Outcomes in 38 Patients.

BACKGROUND Spinal arachnoid webs are rarely described bands of thickened arachnoid tissue in the dorsal thoracic spine. Much is unknown regarding their origins, risk factors, natural history, and outcomes. OBJECTIVE To present the single largest case series, detailing presenting symptoms and outcomes amongst operative and nonoperative patients, to better understand the role of intervention. METHODS This retrospective chart review identified 38 patients with arachnoid webs. Patient demographics, radiologic signs, symptoms, and surgical history data were extracted from the electronic medical record. Symptoms were divided by location and character. 28 patients were successfully contacted for follow up outcome surveys. RESULTS 26 patients (68%) underwent surgical intervention, 12 (32%) were managed non-operatively. 15 (39%) patients had undergone a previous unsuccessful surgery at a different site for their symptoms prior to arachnoid web diagnosis. Commonly presenting symptoms included myelopathy (68%), focal thoracic back pain (68%), lower extremity weakness (45%), numbness and sensory changes (58%), and lower extremity radicular pain (42%), upper extremity weakness (24%), and radicular pain (37%). Focal thoracic pain was associated with thoracic level (P < .02). Myelopathic symptoms were less common in postoperative patients. Postoperative patients described significantly more upper extremity (P < .01) and thoracic (P < .01) numbness and paresthesias. Surveyed nonoperative patients universally described their symptoms as either stable or worsening. CONCLUSION Spinal arachnoid webs present with thoracic myelopathy and back pain but can also present with upper extremity symptoms. Surgical intervention stabilizes or improves symptoms and is well received. Nonoperative patients do not spontaneously improve.
Ultrafast Microscopy of Exploding Solids

Ultrafast microscopy augments the high temporal resolution provided by ultrashort light pulses with the high spatial resolution provided by optical microscopy. Spatial resolution is required whenever the process of interest is spatially inhomogeneous. One example, interfacial phenomena, includes explosions occurring at a gas-solid interface. In this paper, I wish to point out that it is now possible to add ultrafast imaging capabilities to almost any ultrafast pump-probe experiment at a modest cost, often less than $1,000. I will then illustrate the capabilities of our ultrafast microscope by reviewing briefly some experiments on exploding polymers: the laser surface ablation of PMMA (poly methyl methacrylate).
Cataloging and comparing long noncoding RNAs generated at enhancers (eRNAs) in prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer cells (744.2)

An important purpose of sequencing the human genome was to determine the number of human genes and to catalog them for future study. The final gene count matched the most conservative predictions, with gene sequences representing only 1.5% of the entire human genome. However, more recent transcriptomic analyses have revealed that the cumulative coverage of transcribed regions is at least 75-85% of the human genome. Moreover, since these analyses did not investigate the process of transcription itself, but only the accumulation of RNAs, the range of cumulative transcribed genome is likely close to the full human genome. The question is how much of the human transcriptome (i.e. the transcribed genome) is functional and how much of the human transcriptome is transcriptional noise. Thus, we return to the question of how many genes (i.e. sequences coding for functional transcripts) are there in the human genome, and to the challenge of cataloging them. In this study, we catalog the full repertoire of long nonc...
Soybean Oil Is More Obesogenic and Diabetogenic than Coconut Oil and Fructose in Mouse: Potential Role for the Liver

The obesity epidemic in the U.S. has led to extensive research into potential contributing dietary factors, especially fat and fructose. Recently, increased consumption of soybean oil, which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), has been proposed to play a causal role in the epidemic. Here, we designed a series of four isocaloric diets (HFD, SO-HFD, F-HFD, F-SO-HFD) to investigate the effects of saturated versus unsaturated fat, as well as fructose, on obesity and diabetes. C57/BL6 male mice fed a diet moderately high in fat from coconut oil and soybean oil (SO-HFD, 40% kcal total fat) showed statistically significant increases in weight gain, adiposity, diabetes, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance compared to mice on a diet consisting primarily of coconut oil (HFD). They also had fatty livers with hepatocyte ballooning and very large lipid droplets as well as shorter colonic crypt length. While the high fructose diet (F-HFD) did not cause as much obesity or diabetes as SO-HFD, it did cause rectal prolapse and a very fatty liver, but no balloon injury. The coconut oil diet (with or without fructose) increased spleen weight while fructose in the presence of soybean oil increased kidney weight. Metabolomics analysis of the liver showed an increased accumulation of PUFAs and their metabolites as well as γ-tocopherol, but a decrease in cholesterol in SO-HFD. Liver transcriptomics analysis revealed a global dysregulation of cytochrome P450 (Cyp) genes in SO-HFD versus HFD livers, most notably in the Cyp3a and Cyp2c families. Other genes involved in obesity (e.g., Cidec, Cd36), diabetes (Igfbp1), inflammation (Cd63), mitochondrial function (Pdk4) and cancer (H19) were also upregulated by the soybean oil diet. Taken together, our results indicate that in mice a diet high in soybean oil is more detrimental to metabolic health than a diet high in fructose or coconut oil.
Predicting parallel computer speedup for array processing applications in simulation

A typical array processing problem is run on parallel computers. A critical issue in using parallel computers is to maintain the speed up with respect to the increased number of processors. A VHDL simulation model was developed to predict the speed up of the parallel computer system. It is important to characterize the computation and communication work loads in the partition procedure. Ethernet prediction results are compared with running data. The accuracy of this model is satisfactory. The prediction of the speedup of a frequency domain beamformer is in progress. >
Representation of Auditory Space by Cortical Neurons in Awake Cats

We evaluated the spatial selectivity of auditory cortical neurons in awake cats. Single- and multiunit activity was recorded in primary auditory cortex as the animals performed a nonspatial auditory discrimination or sat idly. Their heads were unrestrained, and head position was tracked. Broadband sounds were delivered from locations throughout 360° on the horizontal plane, and source locations were expressed in head-centered coordinates. As in anesthetized animals, the firing rates of most units were modulated by sound location, and most units responded best to sounds in the contralateral hemifield. Tuning was sharper than in anesthetized cats, in part because of suppression at nonoptimal locations. Nonetheless, spatial receptive fields typically spanned 150-180°. Units exhibited diverse temporal response patterns that often depended on sound location. An information-theoretic analysis showed that information transmission was reduced by ∼10% when the precision of spike timing was disrupted by 16-32 msec, and by ∼50% when all location-related variation of spike timing was removed. Spikes occurring within 60 msec of stimulus onset transmitted the most location-related information, but later spikes also carried information. The amount of information transmitted by ensembles of units increased with the number of units, indicating some degree of mutual independence in the spatial information transmitted by various units. Spatial tuning and information transmission were changed little by an increase in sound level of 20-30 dB. For the vast majority of units, receptive fields showed no significant change with the cat9s head position or level of participation in the auditory task.
Applied data analytic techniques for turning points research

P. Cohen, Turning Points: Theoretical Considerations, Research Designs, and a Preview of the Book. D. S. Nagin, T. Barker, E. Lacourse, R. E. Tremblay, The Inter-Relationship of Temporally Distinct Risk Markers and the Transition From Childhood Physical Aggression to Adolescent Violent Delinquency. C. Wimer, R. J. Sampson, J. H. Laub, Estimating Time-Varying Causes and Outcomes, With Application to Incarceration and Crime. D. Rindskopf, J. R.Sneed, Turning Points in Family Contact During Emerging Adulthood. A. M. Hussong, P. J. Curran, T. E. Moffitt, A. Caspi, Testing Turning Points Using Latent Growth Curve Models: Competing Models of Substance Abuse and Desistance in Young Adulthood. J. J. McArdle, L. Wang, Modeling Age-Based Turning Points in Longitudinal Life-Span Growth Curves of Cognition. C. T. Burke, P. E. Shrout, N. Bolger, Bereavement as a Potential Turning Point: Modeling Between-Person Variability in Adjustment to Conjugal Loss. M. Lindquist, T. D. Wager, Application of Change-Point Theory to Modeling State-Related Activity in fMRI. H. Chen, P. Cohen, K. Gordon, Using an Econometric Model of Change Points to Locate Turning Points in Individual Time Series. P. Cohen, K. Gordon, S. Kasen, H. Chen, Developmental Structural Change in the Maturity of Role Assumption.
Leveraging Contextual Inquiry Methods to Empower Patients in a Learning Health System

An ideal healthcare delivery system would be centered on patients' specific needs. These needs are diverse and merit a thorough analysis. In our pilot study, we examined these needs using qualitative interviews. We learned that empowering a patient requires a multi-faceted approach. There needs to be a balance of personalized delivery of health information and shared decision making with providers. Further, a learning element needs to be factored in such that knowledge generated from patients' experiences can be shared across groups. This learned knowledge will be the key to empowering patients in the Learning Health System. Objective: Early findings describing the conceptual design of a Learning Health System that empowers patients. Method: Nine contextual inquiry interviews were conducted with patients. Using an affinity wall exercise, qualitative thematic analysis of the nine interviews was carried out by a group of researchers.
Recent Advances in Access Control Models

Past generations of access control models, when faced with an access request, have issued a simple “yes” or “no” answer to the access request resulting in access being granted or denied. Recent advances in application areas have introduced new dimensions to access control needs, and for many applications such as business-to-business (B2B) applications and auctions “yes/no” responses are just not enough.
E179: A 1.4 meter-long plasma wakefield acceleration experiment

Summary form only given. In the E-157 plasma wakefield experiment conducted at SLAC, a 30 GeV, 2 ps (/spl sigma//sub z/=0.6 mm) electron bunch is sent in a 1.4 m long lithium plasma with a density n/sub c/ in the 1-4/spl times/10/sup 14/ cm/sup -3/ range. The electron bunch density is larger than the plasma density, and the bunch completely expels the plasma electrons (blow-out regime), creating a focusing ion channel. When the plasma electrons rush back into the ion channel, they give rise to a large longitudinal accelerating gradient of the order of 1 GeV/m (with n/sub c/=2.1/spl times/10/sup 14/ cm/sup -3/, and 4/spl times/10/sup 10/ e per bunch). The electrons in the tail of the bunch (/spl sigma//sub z//spl ap//spl lambda//sub p/ the plasma wavelength) experience the accelerating gradient and gain energy. The plasma source consists of a heat-pipe oven producing a 1.4 m long lithium neutral column with a density n/sub 0/ in the 2-5/spl times/10/sup 15/ cm/sup -3/ range. The vapor column length is estimated from temperature profile measurements, and the neutral column density length product (n/sub 0/L) is measured using white light absorption, hook method, and uv absorption.
Long Distance Effects in Mixed Electromagnetic-Gravitational Scattering

Using the methods of effective field theory we examine long range effects in mixed electromagnetic-gravitational scattering. Recent calculations which have yielded differing results for such effects are examined and corrected. We consider various spin configurations of the scattered particles and find that universality with respect to spin-dependence is obtained in agreement with expectations.