cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The transcription factor interferon regulatory factor-1 mediates liver damage during ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Hepatic ischemia occurs in the settings of trauma, transplantation, and elective liver resections. The initiating events that account for local organ damage are only partially understood. Interfero...
The role of gender in fibromyalgia syndrome

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), characterized by widespread pain and tenderness on palpation (tender points), is much more common in women than in men in a proportion of 9:1. Two recent studies have shown important gender differences in various clinical characteristics of FMS. In a community and a clinic sample, women experienced significantly more common fatigue, morning fatigue, hurt all over, total number of symptoms, and irritable bowel syndrome. Women had significantly more tender points. Pain severity, global severity and physical functioning were not significantly different between the sexes, nor were psychologic factors, eg, anxiety, stress, and depression. Gender differences have also been observed in other related syndromes, eg, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches. The mechanisms of gender differences in these illnesses are not fully understood, but are likely to involve an interaction between biology, psychology, and sociocultural factors.
Temporal variability in hydrology modifies the influence of geomorphology on wetland distribution along a desert stream

Summary Both geomorphic setting and dynamic environmental variables influence riverine wetland vegetation distributions. Most studies of species distributions in riverine systems emphasize either hydrological variability or geomorphic controls, but rarely consider the interaction between the two. It is unknown whether and to what extent the relationship between the geomorphic template and species distribution is modified by fluctuating environmental conditions. This study examines how spatial patterns of riverine wetlands in a desert stream change in response to environmental shifts brought about by interannual variability in the hydrologic regime. We surveyed wetland spatial distribution and measured its abundance every June over 5 years (2009–2013) by recording patch size and presence/absence of five wetland plant species along the 12-km main stem of Sycamore Creek, Arizona, U.S.A. The study period encompassed a very large flood in January 2010, a wet year (2010), two average years (2009 and 2013) and two extremely dry years (2011 and 2012). We used a Bayesian statistical approach to analyse the relationship between geomorphic variables and wetland distribution under different hydrological conditions. The geomorphic variables provided much greater explanatory power in dry years than in average to wet years. Hydrological conditions modified the interactions between geomorphic template and species distribution. Annual hydrological conditions affected the direction (i.e. positive or negative effect) and magnitude (i.e. the size and significance level of an effect) of these interactions, both of which gave rise to spatial patterns of wetlands. Ecosystem temporal variability, such as inter-annual and multi-year hydrological variability and longer-term ecosystem state changes, triggered complex species responses. Synthesis. The effect of geomorphic setting on stream wetland plant distribution in this desert system is conditioned on the temporal variability in hydrology among years. Temporal transferability of the relationship between geomorphology and species distributions is therefore questionable.
How Frequent is Chronic Multiyear Delusional Activity and Recovery in Schizophrenia: A 20-Year Multi–follow-up

To determine how frequent chronic multiyear delusional activity is in modern-day schizophrenia, we studied 200 patients over a 20-year period. We also studied the relation of delusions to hallucinations and thought disorder-disorganization, to work disability, and to later periods of global recovery and assessed several protective factors against delusional activity. The sample was assessed 6 times over 20 years and includes 43 patients with schizophrenia. Participants were evaluated at each follow-up for delusions, hallucinations, thought disorder-disorganization, work disability, and global recovery. Possible protective factors were assessed prospectively at index hospitalization. Twenty-six percent of the patients with schizophrenia were delusional at all follow-ups over the 20 years. Overall, 57% had frequently recurring or persistent delusions. A subgroup of over 25% of the schizophrenia patients had no delusional activity at any of the 6 follow-ups over 20 years. Schizophrenia patients with posthospital delusional activity had increased work disability (P < .05). Delusions that persisted after the acute phase in schizophrenia patients predicted a lower likelihood of future global recovery (P < .01). In conclusion, slightly over half of modern-day schizophrenia patients are vulnerable to frequent or "chronic" delusional activity after the acute phase. Schizophreniform patients and other types of psychotic disorders are vulnerable to posthospital delusional activity, but less frequently, less severely, and more episodically. Delusional activity is associated with work disability. Internal factors such as good premorbid developmental achievements and favorable prognostic factors are protective factors that reduce the probability of chronic multiyear, delusional activity in schizophrenia (P < .01).
Effects of probenecid and cimetidine on renal disposition of ofloxacin in rats

The renal handling of ofloxacin in rats which were given ofloxacin either alone or in combination with probenecid or cimetidine was studied. In the presence of cimetidine or probenecid, ofloxacin's total and renal clearances were reduced and its half-life was prolonged. This suggests that ofloxacin is secreted by both the anionic and cationic transport systems.
Histamine H1- and H2-receptors in the central thermoregulatory pathways of the rat.

The effects of phyrilamine and burimamide (histamine H1- and H2-receptor blockers, respectively) on the hypothermic response to histidine loading have been studied in rats. The antagonists were injected into one of three sites in the brain: the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic nuclei, the lateral ventricle, or the third ventricle. Only injections of burimamide into the third ventricle blocked the hypothermic response to systemic injection of histidine. Behavioral studies revealed that, after histidine, the animals increased their time of exposure to a heat lamp, which suggests that efferent heat loss pathways had been activated. Previous studies have shown that H1-receptor antagonists will block the hypothermic effect of histamine injected into the rostral hypothalamus. These data suggest that there are, at least, two sets of histaminergic receptors on the neuronal pathway through the hypothalamus: H1-receptors in the rostral hypothalamus and H2-receptor on neurons lying close to the wall of the third ventricle. Activation of this thermoregulatory pathway leads to increased heat loss and a fall in body temperature.
ESR fine structure of manganese ions in zeolite A detects strong variations of the coordination environment

The electron spin resonance spectra of Mn 2+ exchanged zeolite A have been investigated as a function of the monovalent co-cation (K + ,N a + ,L i + ,C s + ,o r NH 4 + ), Mn 2+ content, recording frequency, and temperature. Three new Mn 2+ species are observed with a well-resolved fine structure; this allows for the first time a direct quantitative determination of the zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters in zeolites. In hydrated zeolites, three ESR active Mn 2+ species are observed, characterized by different values for the ZFS parameter D. Species I has D ) 0.035 cm -1 . Species II is closer to a regular octahedron, with D ) 0.010 cm -1 . Species III, with D ) 0.14 cm -1 , is in a strongly axially distorted coordination. Species I is dominant in MnKA, MnCsA, and MnNH 4A, while II and III are found in MnNaA and MnLiA. In fully dehydrated zeolites, two species are observed. Species IV has a small hyperfine constant A and is present in dry NaA and KA. Species V is observed in dry LiA; it has axial symmetry with a large, temperature-dependent D. Species V probably represents Mn 2+ in a 3-fold coordination in a 6-ring. In partially hydrated zeolites, a tetrahedral species VI is observed. The spectroscopic data elucidate the location of manganese- (II) ions in zeolite A, particularly at relatively low metal loadings.
Influence of Vertical Ground Motions on the Seismic Fragility Modeling of a Bridge-Soil-Foundation System

This paper explores the effects of vertical ground motions (VGMs) on the component fragility of a coupled bridged-soil-foundation (CBSF) system with liquefaction potential, and highlights the uniqu...
Radical loss in the atmosphere from Cu-Fe redox coupling in aerosols

Abstract. The hydroperoxyl radical (HO2) is a major precursor of OH and tropospheric ozone. OH is the main atmospheric oxidant, while tropospheric ozone is an important surface pollutant and greenhouse gas. Standard gas-phase models for atmospheric chemistry tend to overestimate observed HO2 concentrations, and this has been tentatively attributed to heterogeneous uptake by aerosol particles. It is generally assumed that HO2 uptake by aerosol involves conversion to H2O2, but this is of limited efficacy as an HO2 sink because H2O2 can photolyze to regenerate OH and from there HO2. Joint atmospheric observations of HO2 and H2O2 suggest that HO2 uptake by aerosols may in fact not produce H2O2. Here we propose a catalytic mechanism involving coupling of the transition metal ions Cu(I)/Cu(II) and Fe(II)/Fe(III) to rapidly convert HO2 to H2O in aqueous aerosols. The implied HO2 uptake and conversion to H2O significantly affects global model predictions of tropospheric OH, ozone, carbon monoxide (CO) and other species, improving comparisons to observations in the GEOS-Chem model. It represents a previously unrecognized positive radiative forcing of aerosols through the effects on the chemical budgets of major greenhouse gases including methane and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Children's exposure to traffic and risk of pedestrian injury in an urban setting

Pedestrian injuries to children represent a major urban health problem in the United States. Thousands of children each year are struck by moving motor vehicles; such collisions result in numerous hospitalizations and deaths. At particular risk are young school-age children between the ages of 5 and 9 years. Using a survey methodology, we collected data regarding the method by which children in an urban setting travel to and from school, in addition to the number of streets they cross in a typical school day. This information was compared with data from police records on street intersection locations of pedestrian collisions. There is a wide variation in the number of streets children cross in 1 day, calculated as the number of streets crossed in the entire day, not only those crossed to and from school. Children whose parents own a car and home cross an average of 3.7 streets per day, whereas children whose parents do not own both a car and home cross an average of 5.4 streets per day; this difference is highly significant (P < 0.0001). The largest differences in traffic exposure are between families reporting car- and-home ownership (x = 3.70 streets) versus those who do not own both a car and home (x = 5.39 streets) (Mann-Whitney = -5.5, P < 0.0001). There is a significant correlation between the proportion of children driven home from school and the rate of pedestrian injury in different regions of Baltimore. In areas where children are driven home, rates of pedestrian injury are significantly lower, whereas in areas where children walk home, rates of pedestrian injury are high (r = -0.79, P < 0.01). This study underscores the importance of adapting the child's environment to prevent injury. Interventions that alter the nature of the hazard are indicated. Changing the environment may ultimately prove more useful than attempting to change children's behavior.
Content based object retrieval with image primitive database

Content-based image retrieval is the task of recalling images from a large database that are similar to a probe image. Many schemes have been proposed and often follow the scheme of extracting information from images and classifying this information as a single entity. We propose that image segments are far more complicated and that two adjustments are necessary. The first is that pixels do not necessarily belong to a single object and the second is that image segments can not be classified as a single entity. We propose a new approach that adopts these tenets and present results indicating the feasibility of creating syntactical definitions to image objects.
The Clinical Ethnographic Interview: A user-friendly guide to the cultural formulation of distress and help seeking

Transcultural nursing, psychiatry, and medical anthropology have theorized that practitioners and researchers need more flexible instruments to gather culturally relevant illness experience, meaning, and help seeking. The state of the science is sufficiently developed to allow standardized yet ethnographically sound protocols for assessment. However, vigorous calls for culturally adapted assessment models have yielded little real change in routine practice. This paper describes the conversion of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV, Appendix I Outline for Cultural Formulation into a user-friendly Clinical Ethnographic Interview (CEI), and provides clinical examples of its use in a sample of highly distressed Japanese women.
Numerical solution of the discrete-time periodic Riccati equation

In this paper we present a method for the computation of the periodic nonnegative definite stabilizing solution of the periodic Riccati equation. This method simultaneously triangularizes by orthogonal equivalences a sequence of matrices associated with a cyclic pencil formulation related to the Euler-Lagrange difference equations. In doing so, it is possible to extract a basis for the stable deflating subspace of the extended pencil, from which the Riccati solution is obtained. This algorithm is an extension of the standard QZ algorithm and retains its attractive features, such as quadratic convergence and small relative backward error. A method to compute the optimal feedback controller gains for linear discrete time periodic systems is dealt with. >
Multispectral Analysis of Aerosols Over Oceans Using Principal Components

Applying principal component analysis (PCA) to one month of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) narrow-band short-wave radiance data and comparing with the Goddard Global Ozone Chemistry Aerosol Radiation Transport (GOCART) model simulations, we show that aerosol size and speciation information can be inferred from multispectral radiance information without having to use other parameters, such as a fine mode fraction (FMF), that are difficult to validate. PCA was applied to seven highly correlated MODIS solar channels (0.47, 0.55, 0.66, 0.86, 1.24, 1.64, and 2.12 mum) to extract noncorrelated pseudochannels, each with a unique interpretation. The first pseudochannel (PCI) can be interpreted as the mean radiance across the seven channels, which is directly proportional to the aerosol concentration. The second pseudochannel (PC2) is sensitive to the aerosol size since different aerosol types scatter and absorb differently across the seven MODIS short-wave channels. PC3 is inversely related to the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and the FMF and appears most sensitive to changes in sulfate and maritime sea-salt concentrations. Results indicate that high values of PCI are indicative of high dust aerosol concentrations comprising more than 40% of the total AOT, whereas high values of PC2 indicate anthropogenic aerosol concentrations (deduced from GOCART) in excess of 60%. Compared to simple 0.55-mum FMF thresholds, the PC channels are much more sensitive to dust aerosol concentrations and certain aspects of anthropogenic aerosols, with very low FMF values alone (< 0.2) being the best indicator of predominately sea-salt aerosol concentrations. Our results indicate that PCA could be used as an alternate method for inferring aerosol speciation information in future research over ocean and more complex land surfaces.
Interpolant based Decision Procedure for Quantifier-Free Presburger Arithmetic

Recently, o-the-shelf Boolean SAT solvers have been used to construct ground decision procedures for various theories, including Quantier-F ree Presburger (QFP) arithmetic. One such approach (often called the eager approach) is based on a satisabilit y-preserving translation to a Boolean formula. Eager approaches are usually based on encoding integers as bit-vectors and suer from the loss of structure and sometime very large size for the bit-vectors. In this paper, we present a decision procedure for QFP that is based on alternately under and over-approximating a formula, where Boolean interpolants are used to compute the overapproximation. The novelty of the approach lies in using information from each phase (either underapproximation or overapproximation) to improve the other phase. Our preliminary experiments indicate that the algorithm consistently outperforms approaches based on eager and very lazy methods, on a set of verication benchmarks. In our experience, the use of interpolants results in better abstractions being generated compared to an earlier method based on proofs directly.
Phase II Trial of Tandem High-Dose Chemotherapy with Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Followed by Reduced-Intensity Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with High-Risk Lymphoma.

Abstract Many patients with lymphoma relapse after autologous stem cell transplantation (AutoSCT). These patients are often considered for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (AlloSCT) if remission can be achieved. If a tandem approach was organized, some cases of relapse might be prevented. We conducted a phase II trial of tandem AutoSCT followed by reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) AlloSCT for patients with high-risk lymphoma. High-dose chemotherapy was given with busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide. AlloSCT was composed of RIC with busulfan/fludarabine and tacrolimus, sirolimus, and methotrexate as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Donors were fully matched related or unrelated donors. AlloSCT was performed any time between 40 days and 6 months after AutoSCT. Forty-two patients were enrolled, and all patients underwent AutoSCT. RIC AlloSCT was performed in 29 patients. In the 29 patients who underwent tandem transplant, median time from AutoSCT to AlloSCT was 96 days (range, 48 to 169). The 6-month cumulative incidence of grades II to IV acute GVHD was 13.8% (90% confidence interval [CI], 5.3% to 26.3%). Cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD at 1 year was 37.9% (90% CI, 23.1% to 52.7%). Nonrelapse mortality at 2 years after AlloSCT was 11.1% (90% CI, 3.5% to 23.6%). At a median follow-up of 30 months (range, 17.1 to 51.5) for the entire group, the 2-year progression-free survival rate was 64% (90% CI, 50% to 75%) and the 2-year overall survival rate was 69% (90% CI, 43% to 85%). For the 29 patients who underwent tandem SCT, the 2-year progression-free survival rate was 72% (90% CI, 55% to 83%) and the 2-year OS rate was 89% (90% CI, 74% to 96%). Tandem AutoSCT–RIC AlloSCT appears to be safe and effective in patients with high-risk lymphoma. Prospective trials using such an approach in specific lymphoma subtypes are warranted.
Barriers to Primary Care: Perceptions of Older Adults Utilizing the ED for Nonurgent Visits

This purpose of this mixed methods study was to understand access to primary care among older adults who present to an inner city emergency department (ED) for nonurgent care. Questionnaires (N = 62) included demographic, illness characteristics, and health care utilization. Qualitative interviews (N = 20) were conducted. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative methodology. More than half of the participants were female (60%), African American (57%) and pain was the presenting symptoms among 48% of the participants. Nearly all participants reported barriers to primary care; difficulty with phone systems and staff, and lack of available appointments resulting in an ED visit. Older adults face barriers accessing primary care and as a result, can turn to the ED for their primary care needs. Interventions to improve access for vulnerable older adults might have benefits not only for patient outcomes but also for health policy issues related to cost effective care and overcrowded EDs.
Accuracy of the RV6:RV5 voltage ratio for increased left ventricular mass

Abstract The R wave in precordial lead V4 or V5 usually has the greatest voltage in normal and abnormal electrocardiograms. Investigations before the advent of echocardiography showed that RV6 exceeding RV5 voltage appeared to be highly specific for left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (irrespective of whether there was high, normal or low voltage).1,2 We investigated the correlation of the voltage ratio between RV6 and RV5 (RV6:RV5) with LV mass determined by echocardiography in a series of patients referred to the echocardiographic laboratory, and compared the results with 3 standard electrocardiographic methods for LV hypertrophy identification.
Asymptotic analysis of extrusion of porous metals

Aktraet--Plane strain extrusion of fully dense and porous metals is analysed using asymptotic techniques. The extrusion die is assumed to taper gradually down the extrusion axis. The asymptotic expansions are based on a small parameter e which is defined as the ratio of the total reduction of the original cross-section to the length of the reduction region. Couiomb's law is used to model the frictional forces that develop along the metal-die interface and the coefficient of friction is assumed to be of order e. Analytical solutions for the first two terms in the expansions are obtained. In the case of the fully dense metals, it is shown that the leading order [0(1)] solution involves "slab flow." It is also shown that the next term in the expansion of the solution is O(e2), and this provides a theoretical justification for the use of the so-called "slab methods" of analysis for dies of moderate slope. An asymptotic analysis of the extrusion of porous metals with dilute concentration of voids is also carried out. Gurson's plasticity model is used to describe the constitutive behavior of the material. The leading order solution is the same as that of the fully dense material and the effects of porosity enter as an O(e) correction. In order to verify the asymptotic solutions developed, detailed finite element calculations are carried out for both the fully dense and the porous material. The asymptotic solutions agree well with the results of the finite element calculations.
Web presence transformations in the 1990s: an analysis of press releases

Many organizations are constantly changing their web presence. Despite the frequency of these redesigns, there appears to be little evidence to explain what kinds of changes are incorporated into each updated version of a web presence. To understand how commercial organizations transform their web presence, we conduct a content analysis and a cluster analysis of press releases describing redesign initiatives in the late 1990s. Findings suggest that the majority of companies redesigned their web presence to expand information and change navigation protocols. Surprisingly, the addition of interactive features such as online ordering and community communication channels is present in only 20% of the redesign cases studied. According to the groups provided by the cluster analysis, most of the changes reported in these press releases are centered on improving the usability of the web presence. Based on this evidence we conclude that initial transformations to commercial websites were more driven by the need to effectively communicate new information than by the addition of e-commerce features.
The Politics of History and Memory in Democratic Spain

This article examines the political uses of history and memory in Spain since the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975. The myth of the war as a collective tragedy facilitated the democratic transition, as did the Amnesty Law of 1977, which applied to the agents of Franquist repression as well as its victims. Once democracy was consolidated, professional historians clarified military responsibility for the civil war and documented the extent of the repression; the right responded by reviving the Franquist myth of the civil war as a crusade against communism. “Memory” replaced history in public discourse with the breakdown of the transition consensus and the maturation of a generation with no recall of the war or the dictatorship. Demands for official condemnation of the dictatorship and public recognition of its victims culminated in the passage of the so-called Law of Historical Memory in October 2007.
Increasing collective efficacy for physical activity: Design and rationale of Moms UNITE for Health

Abstract Background Mothers are a population that engages in low levels of physical activity due to unique barriers to physical activity. As such, there is a need to develop and implement physical activity interventions for mothers that can be delivered in community settings. The objective of this article is to describe the Moms UNITE (Using Networks to Increase Togetherness and Efficacy) for Health walking intervention. This intervention, based on social cognitive theory, is designed to compare a collective efficacy enhanced intervention to a standard intervention for increasing physical activity and secondary outcomes. Methods In this 6-week, randomized controlled trial, mothers will be assigned to either the standard or intervention (collective efficacy) group. Both groups will receive the same walking intervention and an evidence-based health education program. Strategies and messages focusing on building collective efficacy will be used in the intervention group. Data will be collected at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up (after a 3 month no-intervention period) using a mixed methods approach. Results Quantitative data will include anthropometric measurements, objective physical activity, and questionnaires assessing self- and collective-efficacy. Post-intervention focus groups and weekly process evaluation surveys will describe participants' experiences within the program. Conclusions This paper will serve as a theoretical framework for researchers and public health practitioners to develop and implement community-based walking programs for mothers.
Depression in a Cancer Patient Population

The main goal of this study was to examine depression and its components in cancer patients as compared with healthy control subjects and psychiatric inpatients. The participants were 54 cancer patients (28 females with breast cancer, 26 males with prostate cancer), 59 healthy controls (33 females, 26 males), and 75 psychiatric patients (27 females, 48 males). Participants were administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State Trait Personality Inventory (STPI) Depression scales. Cancer patients had higher overall depression scores than did healthy controls as measured by BDI, but the difference was due primarily to the significantly higher scores of the cancer patients on the BDI Somatic–Performance subscale. No differences were found on the BDI Cognitive–Affective subscale. Cancer patients also scored significantly higher than healthy controls on the State-Trait Personality Inventory (STPI) State Depression (S-Dep) scale because of higher Euthymia subscale scores. The psychiatric inpatients scored significantly higher than the other groups on all measures of depression. The findings of this study suggest that cancer patients may be erroneously labeled as depressed because of somatic–performance difficulties they may experience, which are similar to symptoms of depressed individuals. In addition, it is essential to delineate the various components of depression in evaluating cancer patients.
ANNUAL AND SEASONAL VARIATION AND THE EFFECTS OF HYDROPERIOD ON BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES OF SEASONAL FOREST (“VERNAL”) PONDS IN CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS, USA

Seasonal forest ponds (SFPs) are isolated, ephemeral lentic habitats in upland forest ecosystems. These ponds occur commonly throughout temperate forests. Faunal communities of these ponds are dominated by invertebrates. Composition of these communities varies temporally both between years and also seasonally within a single hydrologic year, composition is most affected by pond permanence or hydroperiod. Benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs) were sampled up to three times a year in five SFPs between 1994 and 1996. The ponds were of short, intermediate, and long hydroperiod. Hydroperiod also varied among years, based on precipitation patterns. During the study, 64,000 specimens of 57 taxa were collected. No pattern was identified in the variation of BMI abundance among years and pond hydroperiod; abundance increased with successive surveys within years. Taxon richness and diversity varied significantly with pond hydroperiod, increasing with increasing hydroperiod. Diversity measures increased over the three years of the study but without obvious pattern across the successive surveys within years. Insects dominated the samples, but large numbers of other Arthropoda and Oligochaeta were also collected. Chironomidae were dominant in most ponds, years, and surveys; chironomid dominance was significantly greater in shorter hydroperiod ponds. Seasonal forest ponds function as aquatic islands in a “sea” of terrestrial forest. The effect of hydroperiod on the composition of the benthic macroinvertebrate community is analogous to that of size on marine island fauna, longer hydroperiod ponds generally have richer invertebrate communities just as larger marine islands typically have richer faunas. However, the effect is confounded by the close relationship between pond hydroperiod and pond size/volume.
Applications III: Modal Testing

Modal testing has been employed in many engineering disciplines to determine the vibration characteristics of a system including natural frequencies, mode shapes, frequency responses, and so on. With the development of hardware and software, the modal testing technique has become more and more efficient, reliable, and accurate and has been widely adopted in industry. However, for large, complex structures, the test is usually costly and time-consuming, especially when mode shapes are concerned. Furthermore, highly accurate experimental data are generally not easy to be obtained for a complex structural system because many concerns, such as the overall system properties, test setup, instrumentation, digital signal processing, frequency response function formulation, excitation, and modal parameter estimation, should be considered carefully in the test (Avitabile, 1998). Any carelessness may result in errors in the test data.
Abstract 2191: Development of a phylogenetic tree model to investigate the role of genetic mutations in a single endometrial tumor

Modern genome sequencing technology has identified thousands of mutations in human tumors, but analysis of the role of genetic mutations in tumor development, utilizing prevalence information from many tumors, has yet to define in patients the functional contribution of genetic mutations, individually and collectively. To understand the genetic basis of human endometrial cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women, transcriptome sequencing was performed on an endometrial tumor paired with normal cervical tissue, and 26 non-synonymous somatic mutations were confirmed in the tumor genome DNA. A phylogenetic tree illustrating the mutational timeline was developed based upon the distribution of 26 mutations in 30 randomly-selected laser-captured single cells from the tumor sections. Five ubiquitous mutations were identified that are presumed to occur in the cancer founder cell of the tumor, which may collectively play critical roles in endometrial oncogenesis. However, further testing in 10 additional endometrial tumors failed to show overlapping mutations, indicating the lack of a single common oncogenic pathway for these endometrial tumors. Furthermore, we developed a mathematical and phylogenetic calculation of the cell population produced by a mutated ancestor cell, which quantifies the role of tumor-specific individual genetic mutations in cancer cell proliferation in a single resected patient tumor, without relying on prevalence information from other patients. This novel approach will be further tested in a larger sample set to determine whether multiple genetic mutations’ quantitative contributions can be used to predict patient outcomes. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2191.
Effect of Jensen Tumor on Pancreatic Diabetes in Nonadrenalectomized and Adrenalectomized Rats.

SummaryJensen sarcoma caused a striking decrease in the glycosuria of extensively depancreatized male rats in the presence of the adrenal glands and in adrenalectomized-depancreatized rats treated with adrenal cortex extract. There was an accompanying decrease in the level of urinary nitrogen. The rate of tumor growth was inversely related to the severity of pancreatic diabetes.
Use of 2-Photon Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy to Investigate Rat Liver Phosphofructokinase Self-Association

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) catalyzes the first committed step of glycolysis. The smallest active oligomer of PFK from rat liver (RLPFK) is a tetramer, however previous studies have demonstrated that at a physiological enzyme concentrations, fructose 6-phosphate (F6P) stabilizes species much larger than a tetramer. Using a Weber linkage argument, we propose that a highly associated species would demonstrate a higher affinity for F6P. 2-photon fluorescence correlation spectroscopy was used to quantify the oligomeric state of RLPFK in the presence of either F6P or MgATP. 11.6μM RLPFK labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate, initially in the presence of F6P, was diluted to various concentrations from 116 nM to 1.5 nM into buffer with various concentrations, ranging from 3.2 mM to 0.2 mM, of either F6P and observed for 4 hours after dilution. In the presence of MgATP, 116nM RLPFK exists as a stable species with an apparent diffusion coefficient of 24μm2/sec, consistent with the value predicted for a tetramer. Diluting RLPFK to a concentration of 58nM or below in the presence of MgATP resulted in some dissociation into species smaller than the tetramer. The tetramer was stabilized by high [MgATP]. Dilution of RLPFK to 116nM in the presence of F6P gave an apparent diffusion coefficient of 8μM2/sec indicating a species much larger than a tetramer. This large species was stable over four hours in the presence of 3.2 to 0.8 mM F6P. At F6P concentrations of 0.4 mM and lower, RLPFK slowly dissociated into smaller species with an apparent diffusion coefficient of 16μM2/sec. The rate and extent of dissociation was dependent on both [RLPFK] and [F6P]. At low concentration of RLPFK and F6P the enzyme dissociates into species smaller than a tetramer. Funding: NIH-GM33216, NIH-CBI and Welch-A1543.
Mass spectrometry as an emerging tool for systems biology.

Completion of the human genome project has created a blueprint of the genes and proteins necessary to construct and maintain a complex organism. Understanding how the molecular entities of human cells and tissues function will require sophisticated experiments to decipher how these molecules interact as a system. Beyond genes and proteins, metabolites encompass another important level of the system. To understand cellular systems, high-throughput strategies to investigate the functions of proteins and metabolites within the context of the system are necessary. Thus, understanding gene function (and ultimately biological systems) will require methods to broadly and quickly determine how the amounts and forms of various molecules are changing (Figure 1). Three considerations are relevant: (i) broad and unbiased measurement tools; (ii) comprehensive separation techniques; and (iii) informatics to analyze the data. This article will discuss mass spectrometry for the measurement of proteins and metabolites.
Do Defaults Matter?: Evaluating the Effect of Defaults on User Preference for Multi-Class Scatterplots

With the increasing availability and popularity of visualization tools, it is easier than ever to create visual representations of data. The available tools and libraries work for a range of users from non-programmers to those with significant programming experience. A major challenge, however, is that a majority of users frequently stick with the default settings when using software. In this paper, we evaluate the effect of using defaults when visualizing the same data in four widely-used visualization tools: Tableau Desktop, Microsoft Excel, the ggplot2 R library, and the matplotlib Python library. We used the default settings in these tools to create multi-class scatterplots for several synthetic datasets generated using the scikit-learn package in Python. We conducted a within-subjects pilot study with 39 users and a follow-up study with 202 users to explore whether users have strong preferences for different default settings. We found that computer science students prefer ggplot2, females preferred Tableau, young users or those with some college preferred Excel, and users in most other categories preferred matplotlib.
“A new imaging modality to non-invasively assess multiple sclerosis pathology”

Abstract We describe a novel imaging method to assess central nervous system pathology called “Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging” (DBSI). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been widely used to estimate axonpathology and demyelination. However, in the settings of acute inflammation and chronic tissue loss asare common in multiple sclerosis, DTI signals can lead to false interpretations. DBSI is a computationallynovel method that separates isotropic from anisotropic components in imaging voxels. Isotropicdiffusion is believed to reflect inflammatory components (cells, edema), as well as intrinsic cells andextracellular space. DBSI enables the measurement of axial and radial diffusivities within the anisotropiccomponents of imaging voxels, which reflect the integrity of axon fibers and myelin, respectively.
Enhanced Flux Pinning Properties of YBCO Thin Films With Various Pinning Landscapes

Pinning enhancement for YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) thin films is critical for their future applications such as superconducting cables, generators, and motors. In this study, several pinning landscapes are introduced and compared for improving the superconducting properties of YBCO thin films. First, BaZrO3 (BZO) nanoparticles have been doped into YBCO matrix providing uniform defect pinning centers and resulting in the superconducting property enhancement. Second, a magnetic nanocomposite of (La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO))x(CeO2)1−x (with compositions of LSMO and CeO2 varied from 50:50 to 70:30) has been incorporated into YBCO as either a cap layer or a buffer layer. Using this approach, both magnetic pinning and defects pinning are introduced in the systems. Third, multilayers of (LSMO)0.5 (CeO2)0.5/YBCO have been deposited to achieve uniform defect and magnetic pinning effects through the film thickness. The superconducting properties (critical temperature $T_{c}$ , and especially the critical current density $J_{c}$ ) are compared for all the YBCO films with different pinning landscapes, and the corresponding pinning mechanisms are also discussed for each case. It is found that the pinning effect of YBCO film with magnetic nanocomposite layer is more significant under lower applied field, compared to the BZO-YBCO film. Through this comparison study, optimum pinning landscapes with combined defects and magnetic pinning approaches are proposed.
The association between sensation seeking and e-cigarette use in Texas young adults: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACTObjective: To examine the associations between sensation seeking and ever and current e-cigarette use in Texas young adults (18–29 years old). Current cigarette use was examined as a potential effect modifier of the associations. Participants: Participants included college students enrolled in four-year and two-year colleges in four metropolitan areas in Texas (n = 5,418) who completed the survey between November 2014 and February 2015. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized mixed effects logistic regression to determine the associations between mean sensation seeking scores and ever and current e-cigarette use after controlling for covariates. Results: After controlling for covariates, significant associations between sensation seeking and both ever and current e-cigarette use were observed; however, these associations were significant for noncurrent smokers only (adjusted odds rations [AOR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.39, 1.73; AOR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.54, 2.15, respec...
Optimizing Operation Research Strategy for Design Intervention: A Framework for GOMS Selection Rule

Designers often refer to task analysis for mapping user’s activity while conceptualizing system design. Task analysis substantially optimizes task performance by addressing human error during system design. Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection rule (GOMS) is widely used technique of task analysis to enhance usability, human performance and overall productivity of the system. Although widely used, a major constraint of GOMS is its inability to support designers to envisage the outcome of decision making for method selection while performing different operations to achieve the goal. This drawback of GOMS hinders efficiency of task analysis and thereby affects designers in optimizing design interventions for end users. The present study was conducted to address the issue of Decision making in GOMS. An integrated framework consisting of payoff matrix in GOMS has been proposed and validated. To evaluate the usability of proposed framework, five user experience experts were asked to evaluate two popular e commerce websites. The payoff matrix was evaluated using Laplace criterion of decision making under uncertainty rule of operation research strategy. The empirical evidence from the study indicated that selection rules for a method using human factors affects design decisions. The proposed framework reported here would support designers in their decision make process for an optimized design intervention.
Conclusion: Why Does it Matter?

The conclusion of the study addresses the implications of the analysis for a social theory of the particularity of tribal allegiance in SSA. The analysis in Chapters 2–8 of the book reveals that the two major claims made about tribal allegiance in SSA in African studies do not resist close scrutiny. By ignoring the particularity of SSA and by privileging the role of the colonial and postcolonial state in its treatment of tribal allegiance in SSA, the literature fails to explain the particularity of tribal allegiance and its saliency. This failure cries out for an alternative effort to develop a social theory of the high saliency of tribal allegiance in SSA. Such a theory, if based on the precolonial history of SSA, would have serious prescriptive implications for social change in SSA.
Preventive Medicine Training and Managed Care: Current Status and Models for the Future

The specialty of preventive medicine and managed care organizations share many common philosophies. Ties have been established between these two groups, but opportunities exist for strengthening and expanding relationships. I identified six preventive medicine residencies with strong rotations at managed care organizations and surveyed them for basic information regarding their affiliations. Six medical directors of managed care organizations who are board-certified in preventive medicine were also contacted and surveyed. Successful relationships between preventive medicine residencies and managed care organizations include (1) commitment to training in a managed care environment by the preventive medicine residency, (2) large, well-established managed care organizations, and (3) commitment by the managed care organization to preventive medicine, evidenced by a department of preventive medicine or a preventive medicine physician on staff. Issues related to the involvement of managed care in preventive medicine training include the uncertain interest of managed care organizations in graduate medical education and the growing need for managed care organizations to attain accreditation status that includes standards for preventive services. Preventive medicine and managed care should increase their ties in the future. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): preventive medicine, managed care, health maintenance organization, graduate medical education, training, accreditation.
The global offshore pipeline construction service market 2017 – Part I

The offshore pipeline construction service industry is highly competitive, dynamic, and one of the least transparent markets in the oil and gas sector. About two dozen contractors provide offshore ...
Developing a similarity searching module for patient safety event reporting system using semantic similarity measures.

The most important knowledge in the field of patient safety is regarding the prevention and reduction of patient safety events (PSE) during treatment and care. The similarities and patterns among the events may otherwise go unnoticed if they are not properly reported and analyzed. There is an urgent need for developing a PSE reporting system that can dynamically measure the similarities of the events and thus promote event analysis and learning effect. In this study, three prevailing algorithms of semantic similarity were implemented to measure the similarities of the 366 PSE annotated by the taxonomy of The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The performance of each algorithm was then evaluated by a group of domain experts based on a 4-point Likert scale. The consistency between the scales of the algorithms and experts was measured and compared with the scales randomly assigned. The similarity algorithms and scores, as a self-learning and self-updating module, were then integrated into the system. The result shows that the similarity scores reflect a high consistency with the experts’ review than those randomly assigned. Moreover, incorporating the algorithms into our reporting system enables a mechanism to learn and update based upon PSE similarity. In conclusion, integrating semantic similarity algorithms into a PSE reporting system can help us learn from previous events and provide timely knowledge support to the reporters. With the knowledge base in the PSE domain, the new generation reporting system holds promise in educating healthcare providers and preventing the recurrence and serious consequences of PSE.