cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Modification of Long Planetary Waves by Homogeneous Potential Vorticity Layers

A mechanism by which long planetary waves in the ocean may propagate significantly faster than the classical long baroclinic Rossby waves is investigated. The mechanism depends on the poleward thickening of intermediate density layers and the concomitant thinning of near-surface and deep layers. These features of the mass distribution are associated with the well-known homogenization of potential vorticity in intermediate density layers and with significantly elevated meridional potential vorticity gradients near the surface and somewhat at depth. The mechanism is explored in a simple three-layer model, in which the middle layer has zero potential vorticity gradient and is sandwiched between a surface layer with large potential vorticity gradient and a bottom layer with modest potential vorticity gradient. The effective phase speed of the planetary waves is merely the sum of the phase speeds of virtual baroclinic Rossby waves propagating on the individual layer interfaces as though the other interface were not there and as though there were no mean vertical shear. The mechanism is also examined for a continuous model with zero potential vorticity gradient throughout the interior and large virtual potential vorticity gradients near the surface and bottom. Planetary waves in these models can propagate westward up to twice as fast as baroclinic Rossby waves would through an ocean with the same vertical stratification, but no mean vertical shear. This explanation of the Rossby wave speedup complements a recent detailed theoretical calculation of planetary-wave phase speeds based on geostrophic velocity profiles from archived hydrographic data.
Smartwatch-based biometric gait recognition

The advent of commercial smartwatches provides an intriguing new platform for mobile biometrics. Like their smartphone counterparts, these mobile devices can perform gait-based biometric identification because they too contain an accelerometer and a gyroscope. However, smartwatches have several advantages over smartphones for biometric identification because users almost always wear their watch in the same location and orientation. This location (i.e. the wrist) tends to provide more information about a user's movements than the most common location for smartphones (pockets or handbags). In this paper we show the feasibility of using smartwatches for gait-based biometrics by demonstrating the high levels of accuracy that can result from smartwatch-based identification and authentication models. Applications of smartwatch-based biometrics range from a new authentication challenge for use in a multifactor authentication system to automatic personalization by identifying the user of a shared device.
Generalizing the Copula

During the period from 1846 to 1850, De Morgan’s thinking about relations developed in two ways which were essential for motivating a formal logic of relations. The first was the recognition that relations are a subject for logical study in their own right. The form which this recognition took in De Morgan’s work was unusual, and it gave rise to philosophical problems; but it was important in shaping his entire approach to the logic of relations.
Abstract 11932: Distinct Patterns of Ca2+ Cycling Protein Abundance and Phosphorylation Level Facilitate Robust and Rhythmic Local Ca2+ Releases to Regulate Spontaneous Beating of Cardiac Pacemaker Cells

Spontaneous firing of sinoatrial node cells (SANC) is regulated by spontaneous submembrane local Ca2+ releases (LCR) from ryanodine receptors (RyRs). LCR activate inward Na+-Ca2+ exchange current during diastolic depolarization and thus regulate spontaneous SANC firing. In contrast to spontaneous diastolic Ca2+ sparks in ventricular myocytes (VM), which are small and stochastic, spontaneous diastolic LCR in SANC are large and rhythmic. To understand why SANC, but not VM, generate robust and rhythmic LCR under basal physiological conditions we compared expression and phosphorylation status of proteins involved in SR Ca2+ cycling in rabbit SANC and VM, using western blot or immunostaining techniques. Our data showed that phosphorylation of RyR at CaMKII-dependent Ser2815 site and PKA- and CaMKII-dependent Ser2809 site was ~10-fold and ~2-fold higher, respectively, in SANC than in VM. An increase in RyR phosphorylation facilitates RyR activation leading to generation of robust LCR in SANC. To support elevate...
Synthesis and Patterning Methods for Nanostructures Useful for Biological Applications

The importance and benefits of nanotechnology in biology and medicine are now well-recognized by scientists, technologists, as well as various governmental and private research funding agencies. The basis that enables the application of nanotechnology is the availability of nanostructured materials. Therefore, it is essential to provide an insight on the state-of-the-art methods to manufacture various nanostructures.
Reconceptualizing Hope Among Urban African-American Adolescents Through the Lens of Photovoice

Few studies have contextually examined the construct of hope among low-income African-American adolescents. Furthermore, little is known about how such youths assign meaning to, perceive, and experience feelings of hope. The present study utilized photovoice and in-depth interviews to better understand the perspectives of hope among low-come African-American adolescents. Sixteen (N = 16) African-American adolescents ages 13 to 17 participated in this study. Results of the study broaden the construct of hope to include caring connections, education, spirituality, “the basics,” and “gonna-make-it” mentality. Implications are made for social workers and other professionals working with African-American adolescents.
One particle singularities of green functions in quantum field theory

The time ordered Green’s functions are expanded with respect to the singularities arising from intermediate one-particle states.
Application of Cognitive Principles to the Design of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Medications

This research sought to determine the formats of direct-to-consumer (DTC) drug advertisements that would facilitate communication of benefit and risk information. Fictitious DTC advertisements were designed to test the effect of integrated (risk/benefit information presented in a single textual unit) versus separated (risk/benefit information presented in separate, distinct textual units). These two formats were orthogonally combined with the presence or absence of color (red) to distinguish the risk information or the risk information was the same color (black) as the rest of the text. Also included was a fifth condition in which separated risk information was made extremely salient by using an enhanced warning style similar to that advocated by the ANSI Z535 warning standard. Lastly a sixth condition was a control that lacked risk information. The 144 undergraduates and community volunteers who participated were presented 6 DTC advertisements representing 6 design formats embedded within a realistic-loo...
The ultrastructure of rhabdomyosarcoma.

The ultrastructural features of one embryonal and two pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcomas in adults are described. The presence of thick myofilaments in formations suggesting sarcomeres and a rare arrangement of mitochondria in tandem allow for identification of the spindle cells in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma as skeletal muscle cells. Aggregates of similar filaments could be detected in cells comprising alveolated areas and those of the pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcomas, although the sarcomere-like arrangement was less conspicuous. Cells of both histologic types contained cytoplasmic rods of electron-dense material and abundant, dilated, coarse, endoplasmic reticulum. The former resembled the bodies found in nemaline myopathy but lacked the internal periodic bands of such structures. Changes in endoplasmic reticulum were most pronounced in cells comprising the pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcomas, and frequently the dilated cisterns contained homogeneous or vacuolated electrondense material. Intranuclear inclusions frequently observed in cells of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma were demonstrated to be portions of entrapped cytoplasm. Electron microscopic examination can support a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma in certain cases of malignant mesenchymal neoplasms which have recognizable diagnostic features except that cytoplasmic striations are not seen. Contrary to the impression given by light microscopy, spindle cells comprising embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma appear better differentiated than those of alveolar or pleomorphic forms.
Pupal development of cattle grubs at constant and alternating temperatures.

Constant and alternating temperatures influenced the success of the common cattle grub, Hypoderma lineatum (de Villers), and the northern cattle grub, H. bovis (L.), in forming the puparium, in completing pupal development, and in emerging as adults. Puparium formation and pupal development took place over a wider range of temperatures than fly emergence. When subjected to constant temperatures, H. lineatum emerged most successfully (72% adult flies) at 20°C at alternating temperatures, this species emerged most successfully (86% adult flies) at 15–25°C (12 h daily at each temperature). At constant temperatures, H. bovis emerged most successfully (55% adult flies) at 20°C at alternating temperatures, this species emerged most successfully (77% adult flies) at 14–26° and 16–24°C (12 h daily at each temperature). Length of the pupal period of H. lineatum ranged from 11 days at 26°C to 35 days at 16°C and of H. bovis from 14 days at 28°C to 47 days at 16°C. The pupal period of H. bovis was several days longer than that of H. lineatum; at 20°C, the most favorable constant temperature, the pupal period of H. lineatum averaged 21.7 days, and of H. bovis 28.8 days.
Equilibrium Constants and Rate Constants for Adsorbates: Two-Dimensional (2D) Ideal Gas, 2D Ideal Lattice Gas, and Ideal Hindered Translator Models

The thermodynamic state functions and partition functions for adsorbates on solid surfaces are often treated with two-dimensional (2D) ideal gas and 2D ideal lattice gas models. These are idealized limits of the real situation for adsorbates on solid surfaces, which are more accurately described as hindered translators. We describe a simple extension of the ideal 2D gas model to a more realistic ideal hindered translator model based on our recent approximation for the partition function of ideal hindered translators [Sprowl et al., J. Phys. Chem. C., 2016, DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b11616]. Expressions for equilibrium constants and rate constants within transition-state theory (TST) are derived in a self-consistent formalism based on both partition functions and standard-state entropies. The mixing of these three adsorbate models (ideal 2D gas, ideal 2D lattice gas, and ideal hindered translator) within the same equilibrium or rate constant calculation is sometimes necessary but requires careful and consiste...
Activation of brain adenosine receptors evokes vasodilation in skin arterioles

Metabolically stable adenosine (ADO) agonists were infused into cannulas chronically implanted in the lateral cerebral ventricle intracerebroventricularly (icv) while responses in skin microcirculation of pentobarbital-anesthetized hamsters were observed with intravital microscopy. Cyclohexyladenosine (CHA; A1-receptor selective; 0.0001-1 pmol) and N-ethylcarboxoamidoadenosine (NECA; A2-receptor selective; 0.01-0.05 pmol) were delivered in 10 microliters of bicarbonate-buffered Ringer vehicle. Mean systemic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, skin arteriolar diameter, and red blood cell velocity were continuously monitored. Blood flow was calculated from measurements of arteriolar diameter (20-40 microns) and red blood cell velocity. CHA icv caused dose-related decreases in blood pressure and heart rate, as well as increases in cutaneous perfusion. Comparable amounts of CHA administered intravenously evoked no response. Pretreatment with an A1-selective antagonist xanthine amine congener (XAC, 5 pmol icv or 1 mg/kg iv) had no effect on the depressor response but antagonized the bradycardia. In contrast, a nonselective antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline (8pTHEO, 5 pmol icv or 0.3 mg/kg iv) had no effect on the bradycardia but attenuated the depressor response. By either route, both antagonists prevented the cutaneous microcirculatory responses evoked by icv CHA. NECA icv produced hypotension but no change in the skin, and the depressor response was not altered by icv XAC. These observations provide direct evidence that chemical stimulation of central nervous system (CNS) ADO receptors is linked to a cutaneous vascular response that can be dissociated from other cardiorespiratory depressant actions of CNS ADO.
Does Bilingual Language Control Decline in Older Age

We investigated age-related decline of bilingual language control. Thirteen older and 13 younger bilinguals performed a verbal fluency task (completing the same letter and semantic categories in each language and switching languages after every category), and a non-linguistic flanker task. In letter fluency, bilinguals produced fewer correct responses after switching languages, suggesting inhibition of the previously-used language. However, this testing-order effect did not differ between groups and older bilinguals produced few wrong-language intrusions, implying intact ability to apply inhibition in older age. In contrast, age-related deficits in the flanker task were robust, implying dissociations between language control and domain-general executive control. In semantic fluency, there were no testing-order effects but older bilinguals produced more intrusions than younger bilinguals, and more intrusions than in letter fluency. Thus, bilinguals may flexibly modulate the degree of inhibition when they can benefit from semantic priming between languages, but less efficiently so in older age.
Surface Modification of Gd Nanoparticles with pH-Responsive Block Copolymers for Use As Smart MRI Contrast Agents

Despite recent advances in the understanding of fundamental cancer biology, cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the United States. One of the primary factors indicative of high cancer morbidity and mortality and aggressive cancer phenotypes is tumors with a low extracellular pH (pHe). Thus, the ability to measure tumor pHe in vivo using noninvasive and accurate techniques that also provide high spatiotemporal resolution has become increasingly important and is of great interest to researchers and clinicians. In an effort to develop a pH-responsive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent (CA) that has the potential to be used to measure tumor pHe, well-defined pH-responsive polymers, synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, were attached to the surface of gadolinium-based nanoparticles (GdNPs) via a “grafting to” method after reduction of the thiocarbonylthio end groups. The successful modification of the GdNPs was verified by transmission...
Biofilm-growing bacteria involved in the corrosion of concrete wastewater pipes: protocols for comparative metagenomic analyses.

Advances in high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology for direct sequencing of environmental DNA (i.e., shotgun metagenomics) are transforming the field of microbiology. NGS technologies are now regularly being applied in comparative metagenomic studies, which provide the data for functional annotations, taxonomic comparisons, community profile, and metabolic reconstructions. For example, comparative metagenomic analysis of corroded pipes unveiled novel insights on the bacterial populations associated with the sulfur and nitrogen cycle, which may be directly or indirectly implicated in concrete wastewater pipe corrosion. The objective of this chapter is to describe the steps involved in the taxonomic and functional analysis of metagenome datasets from biofilm involved in microbial-induced concrete corrosion (MICC).
Wells criteria for DVT is a reliable clinical tool to assess the risk of deep venous thrombosis in trauma patients

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication in trauma patients. Venous duplex surveillance is used widely for the diagnosis of DVT, however, there is controversy concerning its appropriate use. The Wells criterion is a clinically validated scoring system in an outpatient setting, but its use in trauma patients has not been studied. This study evaluated the application of the Wells scoring system in trauma population. Wells scores were calculated retrospectively for all patients who were admitted to the trauma service and underwent Venous Duplex Scanning (VDS) at the author’s institution between 2012 and 2013. Correlation of Wells score with DVT and its efficacy in risk stratifying the patients after trauma was analyzed using linear correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Sensitivity and specificity of Wells score in ruling out or ruling in DVT were calculated in various risk groups. Of 298 patients evaluated, 18 (6 %) patients were positive for DVT. A linear correlation was present between Wells score and DVT with R 2 = 0.88 (p = 0.0016). Median Wells score of patients without DVT was 1 (1–3) compared to a median score of 2 (1–5) in those with DVT (p < 0.0001). In low risk patients (scores <1), Wells scoring was able to rule out the possibility of DVT with a sensitivity of 100 % and NPV of 100 %, while in moderate-high risk patients (scores ≥2), it was able to predict DVT with a specificity of 90 %. Area under ROC curve was 0.859 (p < 0.0001) demonstrating the accuracy of Wells scoring system for DVT risk stratification in post trauma patients. A Wells score of <1 can reliably rule out the possibility of DVT in the trauma patients. Risk of developing DVT correlates linearly with Wells score, establishing it as a valid pretest tool for risk stratification.
Research Methods in Healthcare Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Stewardship: Use of Administrative and Surveillance Databases.

Administrative and surveillance data are used frequently in healthcare epidemiology and antimicrobial stewardship (HEA1-10.
Exogenous Carbohydrate Reduces Cortisol Response from Combined Mental and Physical Stress.

Combined mental and physical stress is associated with exacerbated cortisol production which may increase risk for the progression of cardiovascular disease in individuals working in high-stress occupations (e.g., firefighters, military personnel, etc.). Carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion prior to physical stress may attenuate cortisol concentrations. This project was the first to investigate the effect of CHO ingestion on cortisol response from combined mental and physical stress. 16 men 21–30 years old were randomly assigned a 6.6% CHO beverage or non-CHO control 15 min prior to performing a dual-concurrent-stress challenge. This consisted of physical stress (i.e., steady state exercise) combined with computerized mental challenges. Blood was sampled 70, 40, and 15 min before exercise, immediately at onset of exercise, 10, 20, 30, 35 min during exercise, and 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after exercise. There was a significant main effect for treatment regarding mean cortisol concentrations (F=5.30, P=0.0219). The total area under curve for cortisol was less when CHO was ingested (T7=4.07, P=0.0048). These findings suggest that CHO ingestion immediately prior to combined mental and physical stress may attenuate cortisol responses.
Pressure-tuning of the photomagnetic response of heterostructured CoFe@CrCr-PBA core@shell nanoparticles

Abstract Using a home-made, anvil pressure-cell mounted to a probe suitable for use with a commercial magnetometer, the photo and thermal responses of the magnetism of CoFe@CrCr-PBA (PBA = Prussian blue analogue) core@shell nanoparticles were studied down to 5 K and up to 0.5 GPa in 100 G. The effect of pressure on the magnetic ordering temperatures of the CoFe-PBA core (≈25 K) and the CrCr-PBA shell (≈200 K) along with a shift of the relaxation temperature of the photo-CTIST (charge-transfer-induced spin-transition) of the CoFe-PBA core (≈125 K), were similar to the behaviors reported for the single-phase materials. Specifically, although the magnetic ordering temperature of the CrCr-PBA shell shifted to higher temperatures, the relaxation temperature of the photo-CTIST of the CoFe-PBA core moved to lower temperatures when the pressure was increased, thereby lowering the temperature range under which the CrCr-PBA component can be photoswitched.
γ-Globin Gene (HBG) Promoter Methylation and Gene Expression Is Affected by the Micro-Environment In Adult but Not Fetal Erythroid Cells

Abstract Abstract 4271 Background: During adult erythroid differentiation, there is a period of transient γ-globin (HBG) gene expression that coincides with transient DNA hypomethylation of the HBG gene promoter. This precedes the final pattern of high β-globin (HBB) gene expression in terminally differentiated adult erythroid cells (the ‘maturational switch‘). Possibly, the micro-environment can modulate the period of transient HBG promoter hypomethylation and gene expression, which could have implications for efforts to sustain HBG expression for therapeutic objectives. To evaluate the responsiveness of the maturational switch to external factors, CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells from adult baboon bone marrow were cultured with and without AFT024 murine fetal liver stromal cell line feeder layers, as the micro-environmental variable. Methods: All cultures contained Iscove's media with 30% fetal bovine serum, 200ng/ml stem cell factor, 2U/ml erythropoietin, and 1μM dexamethasone. Globin chain synthesis was measured by biosynthetic radiolabelling of globin chains on d11 and d14 followed by HPLC separation, HBG transcript levels were determined by real time PCR, and F cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: γ-globin chain synthesis was significantly lower in the presence of AFT024 feeder layers (0.07±0.05 γ/γ+β, n=4 versus 0.34±0.09 γ/γ+β, n=4, mean±SD, p Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Recurrence patterns following irreversible electroporation for hepatic malignancies.

BACKGROUND Irreversible electroporation (IRE) has emerged as a novel, safe ablative therapy for peri-vascular lesions. However, there remains a paucity of data on long-term outcomes. METHODS We identified patients who underwent open IRE (1/2011-6/2015) for primary and secondary hepatic malignancies. Local ablation-zone recurrence (LR) was determined by cross-sectional imaging. Cumulative incidence (CumI) of LR was calculated and a competing risks regression assessed factors associated with LR. RESULTS Forty patients had 77 lesions treated. The majority of lesions were of colorectal origin (74%). Median tumor size was 1.3 cm (range 0.5-6). Most patients (86%) had prior systemic therapy and 29% received systemic therapy following IRE. With a median follow-up of 25.7 months (range 4.5-58.8 months), 10 lesions in 9 patients recurred locally (CumI: 13.4%, 95%CI: 7.8-22.2%). Median estimated time to LR was not reached and no LR occurred after 19 months. Factors significantly associated with LR included ablation zone size (HR 1.58; 95%CI 1.12-2.23; P = 0.0093) and body mass index (HR 1.21 95%CI 1.10-1.34; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION IRE LR rates were low after the treatment of well selected, small tumors. This technique is useful for lesions in anatomic locations precluding resection or thermal ablation.
On biconnected and fragile subgraphs of low diameter

Abstract An s -club is a subset of vertices inducing a subgraph with a diameter of at most s . It is commonly used to characterize network clusters in applications for which easy reachability between group members is of high importance. In this paper, we study two special cases of the 2-club model – a biconnected 2-club , and a fragile (not biconnected) 2-club , respectively. We investigate certain properties of both models, propose a combinatorial branch-and-bound algorithm to find a maximum biconnected 2-club , and design a polynomial-time algorithm for finding a maximum fragile 2-club in a given graph. In addition, we formulate the maximum biconnected 2-club problem as a linear 0–1 program and solve this formulation by a branch-and-cut approach where some nontrivial constraints are applied in a lazy fashion. Finally, numerical results obtained using the proposed algorithms on a test-bed of randomly generated instances and real-life graphs are also provided.
(Meth)acrylated poly(ethylene glycol)s as precursors for rheology modifiers, superplasticizers and electrolyte membranes: a review

This review summarizes current trends in (meth)acrylated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) systems in the last decade, with a specific focus on their most important applications, including associative rheology modifiers, superplasticizers and electrolyte membranes. Associative rheology modifiers based on (meth)acrylated PEGs have significantly contributed to improvement of the application characteristics of waterborne coatings. These materials are employed by paint formulators to provide proper viscosity profiles across an entire shear range encountered in various paint applications. In the cement and concrete industry, superplasticizers derived from (meth)acrylated PEGs have also opened the doors to advances in this area, because of their ability to produce cementitious materials with lower water content and without compromising workability. In addition, development of solid electrolyte membranes based on photo-curable (meth)acrylated PEGs for use in polymer lithium ion batteries has recently attracted increasing attention in the energy storage industry. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the structural investigations and applications of (meth)acrylated PEGs and serves as a starting point for future studies. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Phthalate esters: Occurrence and biological effects

This review considers the occurrence and biological activity of phthalates. The analytical procedures and problems have been reviewed by Fishbein and Albro (1972). Source documents of especial value were the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences Symposium (third issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, January 1973), Society of Plastic Engineers Symposium (March 1973), and the Toxicology Information Response Center Report (Autian 1972 and 1973). Many articles in Russian and other eastern European languages have been obtained through the U.S.-U.S.S.R. Health Exchange Program under the sponsorship of the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences; these articles are considered in more detail as they are not readily available to many scientists
Comparison of Line Stress Predictions with Measured Electromigration Failure Times

Reliability of today’s interconnect lines in microelectronic devices is critical to product lifetime. The metal interconnects are carriers of large current densities and mechanical stresses, which can cause void formation or metal extrusion into the passivation leading to failure. The modeling and simulation of stress evolution caused by electromigration in interconnect lines and vias can provide a means for predicting the time to failure of the device. A tool was developed using MathCAD for simulation of electromigration-induced stress in VLSI interconnect structures using a model of electromigration induced stress. This model solves the equations governing atomic diffusion and stress evolution in one dimension. A numerical solution scheme has been implemented to calculate the atomic fluxes and the evolution of mechanical stress in interconnects. The effects of line geometries and overhangs, material properties and electromigration stress conditions have been included in the simulation. The tool has been used to simulate electromigration-induced stress in pure Cu interconnects and a comparison of line stress predictions with measured electromigration failure times is studied. Two basic limiting cases were studied to place some bounds on the results. For a lower bound estimate of the stress it was assumed that the interface can be treated like a grain boundary in Cu. For an upper bound estimate it was assumed that the interface can be treated like a free surface of Cu. Existing data from experimental samples with known structure geometries and electromigration failure times were used to compare the electromigration failure times with predicted stress build-up in the interconnect lines.
Soil Wetness and Anaerobiosis

Soil wetness brings to mind thoughts about the soil water regime as a soil classification parameter and about artificial drainage systems to moderate the frequency and duration of occurrences of excessive soil wetness related to high water table or saturated soil conditions. When excessive wetness occurs, air is excluded from the soil, and the beneficial exchange of gases between the soil the atmosphere is precluded. With this phenomenon comes a root zone environment devoid of oxygen, and biological activities within the soil are confined to those that can obtain energy for respiration without free oxygen being present. This process is known an anaerobiosis.
Experimental and computational characterization of three-dimensional cervical spine flexibility.

The purposes of this study are to fully quantify the flexibility relationships for cervical motion segments, to examine the diagonal and nondiagonal components of the flexibility matrix, and to determine the extent to which multivariable relationships improve cervical spine motion prediction. To that end, using unembalmed human cervical spine motion segments, a full battery of flexibility tests were performed for a neutral orientation and also following an axial pretorque. Primary and coupled matrix components were described using linear and piecewise nonlinear incremental constants. An additional approach utilized multivariable incremental relationships to describe matrix terms. Measured motions were predicted using structural flexibility methods and were evaluated using root mean square (RMS) error of the difference between the predicted and measured responses. Results of the study provide a full set of flexibility relationships describing primary and coupled motions for C3-C4 and C5-C6 motion segment levels. Analysis of these data indicates that a flexibility matrix using incremental responses describing primary and coupled motions offers improved predictions over using linear methods. However, there is no significant improvement using more generalized nonlinear terms represented by the multivariable functional approach. Based on these findings, it is suggested that a multivariable approach for flexibility is more demanding experimentally and analytically while not offering improved motion prediction. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E203843.
Perspectives II: Coexistence Between Communitarian China and the Individualistic United States: An Interview with Robert Martin Lees

Robert Martin Lees, former rector of the University for Peace of the United Nations and former United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology for Development, has been active in China since the 1970s as governmental advisor and through international cooperation and exchange programs in leading positions. He thinks that communitarian China and the individualistic U.S. will never fully understand each other due to different political, social and civilizational cultures. Thus in the coming years both powers may rather coexist than cooperate.
Implementation of a systematic tumor screening program for Lynch Syndrome in an integrated health care setting

A subset of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases are attributable to Lynch syndrome (LS), a hereditary form of CRC. Effective evaluation for LS can be done on CRC tumors to guide diagnostic testing. Increased diagnosis of LS allows for surveillance and risk reduction, which can mitigate CRC-related burden and prevent cancer-related deaths. We evaluated participation in LS screening among newly diagnosed adult CRC patients. Some cases were referred for genetics evaluation prior to study recruitment (selective screening). Those not referred directly were randomized to the intervention or control (usual care) arms. Control cases were observed for one year, then given information about LS screening. Patients who declined participation were followed through the medical record. Of 601 cases of CRC, 194 (32%) enrolled in our study and were offered LS screening, 43 (7%) were followed as a control group, 148 (25%) declined participation and 216 (36%) were ineligible [63 (10%) of which received prior selective screening]. Six and nine cases of LS were identified through the intervention and selective screening groups, respectively. Overall, a higher proportion of PMS2 variants were identified in the intervention (3/6, 50%) versus selective screening groups (2/9, 22%) (not statistically significant). Eighty-eight percent and 23% of intervention and control patients, respectively, received LS screening. No control patients were found to have LS. Systems-based approaches are needed to ensure we fully identify LS cases. The proportion of LS cases from this program was 4% of newly diagnosed cases of CRC, similar to other programs.
Hazard ratio-based model weighing values of regorafenib and monoclonal antibodies in metastatic colorectal cancer.

e14506 Patients with wild type (WT) KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with 1st-line cetuximab (Cet) or bevacizumab (Bev) and chemotherapy demonstrated similar overall survival (OS) (...
Gender Differences in the Narrative Productions of African American Adults

Purpose The narrative is an important component of cognitive–linguistic assessment of nonmainstream populations and provides a valuable basis on which to conduct cross-ethnic/cultural comparisons. ...
Tumor Suppressors RB1 and CDKN2a Cooperatively Regulate Cell-Cycle Progression and Differentiation During Cardiomyocyte Development and Repair

Rationale: Although rare cardiomyogenesis is reported in the adult mammalian heart, whether this results from differentiation or proliferation of cardiomyogenic cells remains controversial. The tum...
Community Detection with Side Information via Semidefinite Programming

Semidefinite programming is known to be both efficient and asymptotically optimal in solving community detection problems, but it has been studied in this context only when observations are purely graphical in nature. In this paper, we extend the use of semidefinite programming in community detection to observations that have both a graphical and a nongraphical component. We consider the binary censored block model with n nodes and study the effect of partially revealed labels on the performance of semidefinite programming. We address the question: do partially revealed labels help the semidefinite programming solution as much as they help the maximum likelihood solutionƒ Our results are twofold. First, we show that partially revealed labels change the phase transition of exact recovery if and only if the information they provide grows no slower than Ω(log(n)). Second, we show that the semidefinite programming relaxation of maximum likelihood can achieve exact recovery down to the optimal threshold under partially revealed labels.
Predictors of Rehospitalization in Post-Acute Rehabilitation among Different Ethnic Groups

Abstract Objectives Previous research has shown that ethnicity may play a role in increased risk for hospital readmission during a post-acute rehabilitation care (PARC) stay. However, little is known about risk factors influencing discharge status from PARC settings among different ethnic groups. Hence, the aim of our study was to investigate the relationship of individual characteristics (eg, sex, neighborhood quality) and health behavior (use of rehabilitation services) with rehospitalization across ethnic groups of older adult patients who received post-acute rehabilitation for a cardiovascular disease at a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Design Retrospective study with data extraction from electronic medical records (EMRs) at admission and discharge. Setting SNF. Participants The sample consisted of 520 post-acute rehabilitation patients (96 Hispanics, 172 African Americans, and 252 Whites) 60 years or older with an admitting condition of a circulatory-related disease. Measurements Sociodemographic and health-related variables, and discharge status (rehospitalized or home). Results For the Hispanic sample, lower community quality was associated with a greater likelihood of being rehospitalized. For African Americans, having no social support, higher levels of admission functional dependency, and shorter length of stay were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of being rehospitalized. For the group of White participants, the following variables emerged as risk factors for rehospitalization: being male, lower admission cognitive functioning, higher levels of admission depressive symptomatology, and shorter length of stay. Conclusions/Implications Individual characteristics and health behaviors that are risk factors for rehospitalization during a post-acute stay vary across ethnic groups. Hence, the study provides insights for PARC clinicians into specific patient characteristics to be aware of as risk factors for less optimal patient outcomes.
Beyond the In-Person Interview? How Interview Quality Varies Across In-person, Telephone, and Skype Interviews:

Conducting qualitative interviews in-person is usually presented as the gold standard, with other modes being seen as inferior. There have been arguments, however, that remote interviews, such as t...
Coastal Climate Readiness and Preparedness: Comparative Review of the State of Florida and Cuba

Property owners living near the coast benefit from geographically specific amenities. However, residents of coastal zones are often faced with the risk of natural hazards, such as hurricanes and the increased risks stemming from the threats of climate change including rising seas. To effectively manage coastal zones, and better equip them for climate resilience and preparedness, decision-makers depend on information with which they balance risk, benefit, and use.
Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives

Handwashing is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of illness. The five steps that need to be completed every time handwashing occurs are: wet, lather, scrub, rinse, dry. Using the...
Secular Bodies, Affects and Emotions: European Configurations

In his essay “Is There a Secular Body?” (Cultural Anthropology 26, no. 4 (2011): 633-647), Charles Hirschkind asks whether there are sensibilities, affects, and dispositions specific to secular ins...
Using Information Criteria Under Missing Data: Full Information Maximum Likelihood Versus Two-Stage Estimation

The full information maximum likelihood (FIML) and the two-stage (TS) procedure are two popular likelihood-based approaches to SEM model estimation with missing data. After model estimation, one of...
SReachTools Kernel Module: Data-Driven Stochastic Reachability Using Hilbert Space Embeddings of Distributions.

We present algorithms for performing data-driven stochastic reachability as an addition to SReachTools, an open-source stochastic reachability toolbox. Our method leverages a class of machine learning techniques known as kernel embeddings of distributions to approximate the safety probabilities for a wide variety of stochastic reachability problems. By representing the probability distributions of the system state as elements in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space, we can learn the "best fit" distribution via a simple regularized least-squares problem, and then compute the stochastic reachability safety probabilities as simple linear operations. This technique admits finite sample bounds and has known convergence in probability. We implement these methods as part of SReachTools, and demonstrate their use on a double integrator system, on a million-dimensional repeated planar quadrotor system, and a cart-pole system with a black-box neural network controller.
Cytopathology of myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma: a series of eight cases and review of the literature.

Introduction Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma (MIFS) is a rare low-grade sarcoma presenting as a slow-growing mass that occurs mainly in the distal extremities of adults. Relatively little is known about the cytopathology of MIFS. We evaluated cytologic characteristics of MIFS on fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Materials and methods A search was made of our cytopathology and surgical pathology databases for cases diagnosed as MIFS. FNA biopsy smears and cell-block were performed and examined using standard technique. Results Eight cases were retrieved from patients aged 22-90 years (mean, 56 years), and M:F ratio of 1:1. Six tumors (75%) were primary, and 2 (25%) locally recurrent. Distal lower limb was involved in all but one case (88%). One (13%) recurrent case was correctly diagnosed cytologically as MIFS; remaining single diagnoses were varied: myxofibrosarcoma, low-grade sarcoma, malignant neoplasm, myxoid neoplasm, atypical fibrohistiocytic neoplasm, atypical cells with chronic inflammation, and spindle cells with atypia. Among 7 cases with available cytologic slides for review, common features were spindle cells with variable atypia (100%), rare virocyte/Reed-Sternberg -like cells (86%), background mixed inflammation (71%), and variable myxoid stroma (57%). Pseudolipoblasts and multinucleated giant cells were rare. Hemosiderin and branching capillaries were largely absent. Immunohistochemistry was non-specific. Conclusion MIFS was accurately interpreted in only 13% of cases; remaining cases were diagnosed as atypical or malignant, which would lead to proper management. A specific cytologic diagnosis of MIFS using FNA is extremely difficult in our experience due to an absence of distinctive cytomorphology and specific immunophenotype.
Minimally Invasive Techniques for Iliac Bolt Placement: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

As the popularity of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) continues to grow, novel techniques are needed to meet the demands of multisegment fixation for advanced spinal diseases. In one such example, iliac bolts are often required to anchor large fusion constructs, but MIS technical notes are missing from the literature. A 67-yr-old female presented with a symptomatic coronal deformity: preoperative pelvic incidence = 47°, pelvic tilt = 19°, and lumbar lordosis = 29°, sagittal vertical axis = +5.4 cm with 30° of scoliosis. The operative plan included T10-ilium fusion with transforaminal interbody grafts at L2-3, L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1. The intraoperative video is of minimally invasive placement of iliac bolts using the O-Arm Surgical Imaging System (Medtronic®). The patient consented to the procedure. A mini-open exposure that remains above the fascial planes allows for multilevel instrumentation with appropriate decompression at the interbody segments. After the placement of the pedicle screws under image-guidance, the direction is turned to the minimally invasive iliac bolts. Following the trajectory described in the standard open approach,1 the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) is identified with the navigation probe, which will guide the Bovie cautery through the fascia. This opening assists in the trajectory of the navigated-awl tap toward the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). Next, 8.5 mm x 90 mm iliac screws were placed in the cannulated bone under navigation. After intraoperative image confirmation of screw placement, the contoured rods are threaded under the fascia. The setscrews lock the rod in position. MIS approaches obviate cross-linking the rods, rendering pelvic fixation more facile. This technique allows for minimal dissection of the posterior pelvic soft tissue while maintaining adequate fixation.
Barriers and Facilitators to Employment: A Comparison of Participants With Multiple Sclerosis and Spinal Cord Injury.

Abstract Objective To compare self-reported barriers and facilitators to employment among employed and unemployed participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury (SCI). Design Cross-sectional study using self-report assessment obtained by mail or online. Setting Medical university in the southeastern United States. Participants Participants (N=2624) identified from either a specialty hospital or a state-based surveillance system in the southeastern United States, including 1234 with MS and 1390 with SCI. All participants were aged Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Self-reported barriers and facilitators to employment. Results Overall, the MS participants reported more barriers, particularly stress, cognition, and fatigue, whereas those with SCI were more likely to report not having the proper education and training, resources, transportation, and attendant care. Follow-up analyses broken down by employment status indicated that several barriers and facilitators were significantly related to diagnosis for either employed or unemployed participants, but not both. Among those employed, participants with SCI were more likely to report they could not do the same types of jobs as they could pre-SCI and those with MS were more likely to state that they did not know much about jobs for people with disabilities (no differences were noted for these variables among unemployed participants). Unemployed individuals with SCI were more likely to report that the jobs for which they were trained were not accessible. Conclusions The primary barriers for individuals with MS revolve around the condition itself, whereas the barriers for SCI appear to be more related to modifiable factors. Vocational rehabilitation specialists need to identify diagnostic-specific barriers to promote employment outcomes.
Spatio-Temporal Missing Data Imputation for Smart Power Grids

Availability of high fidelity timeseries data is imperative for critical power grid operational tasks such as state estimation, DER scheduling, etc. However, the data obtained from the metering infrastructure is prone to disruptions due to communication outages leading to missing values. State-of-the-art smart power grid Missing Data Imputation (MDI) algorithms either operate on individual timeseries and are unable to capture spatial dependencies due to the power grid topology or they operate on the entire dataset, requiring complex models which lead to overfitting. In this work, we develop a novel technique to perform spatiotemporal missing data imputation. Using the power grid topology and timeseries data obtained from the metering infrastructure in the grid as input, we develop a Spatial-Temporal Graph Neural Network based Denoising Autoencoder (STGNN-DAE) that performs MDI by accounting for both temporal and spatial correlations. Using a real dataset obtained from a distribution test grid in Midwest, Iowa, we compare the proposed model with existing solutions for MDI. We show that our GNN based autoencoder obtains an improvement of 4.3% to 25.2% in error metrics such as Mean Absolute Error compared to the state-of-the-art missing data imputation methods.