cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Benefits and Costs of Earthquake Early Warning

Earthquake early warning (EEW) is the rapid detection of earthquakes underway and the alerting of people and infrastructure in harms way. Public warning systems are now operational in Mexico and Japan, and smaller‐scale systems deliver alerts to specific users in Turkey, Taiwan, China, Romania, and the United States. The warnings can arrive seconds to minutes before strong shaking, and a review of early warning applications around the world shows this time can be used to reduce the impact of an earthquake by many sectors of society. Individuals can use the alert time to drop, cover, and hold on, reducing injuries and fatalities, or if alert time allows, evacuate hazardous buildings. Train derailments can be reduced, chemical splits limited, patients in hospitals protected, fire ignitions prevented; workers in hazardous environments protected from fall/pinch hazards, reducing head injuries and/or death. It is impossible to complete an exhaustive list of applications and savings generated by a warning system in the United States, but the benefits clearly outweigh the costs. Three lives saved, two semiconductor plants warned, one Bay Area Rapid Transit train slowed, a 1% reduction in nonfatal injuries, and a 0.25% avoidance of gas‐related fire damage would each save enough money to pay for 1 year of operation of a public warning system for the entire U.S. West Coast. EEW could also reduce the number of injuries in earthquakes by more than 50%.
Comparing J.M. Keynes’s and F. Von Hayek’s Differing Definitions of Uncertainty as it Relates to Knowledge: Keynes’s Unavailable or Missing Knowledge Concept Versus Hayek’s Dispersal of Knowledge Concept

J.M. Keynes and F. von Hayek had completely different views about the meaning of the term “uncertainty” as it was related to the concept of knowledge. Keynes viewed uncertainty through his concept of the weight of the argument, V, (a logical operator) and weight of the evidence, w (a mathematical variable). Uncertainty, U, is an inverse function of w so that one can write U=f (w). The existence of complete, relevant knowledge requires that w=1, where w is defined on the closed unit interval [0,1]. A degree of uncertainty occurs if w Hayek’s definition of uncertainty is that relevant knowledge is completely dispersed into small or tiny bits and pieces. All of the total information/knowledge is divided up among the set of decision makers. However, this dispersed knowledge, while scattered, is complete. Market prices concentrate this dispersed knowledge into a form that alert, savvy, knowledgeable entrepreneurs can understand and act on efficiently. Market prices concentrate the relevant knowledge so that uncertainty is eliminated for savvy, smart, alert entrepreneurs. This is equivalent to arguing that w =1 for alert entrepreneurs. Keynes’s and Hayek’s definitions of uncertainty directly conflict with each other. Keynes argues that, especially in the case of producer goods, w, while w is not equal to 0, is little, flimsy, vague, ambiguous, small, fluctuating,and tiny. The prices of producer good DO NOT concentrate the knowledge so that savvy, alert entrepreneurs can act on it efficiently. Hayek argues that they do. The conflict over the meaning of uncertainty is insurmountable. The Hayekian outcome is not possible in a world of Keynesian or Knightian uncertainty.
Network Organization Is Globally Atypical in Autism: A Graph Theory Study of Intrinsic Functional Connectivity

Abstract Background Despite abundant evidence of brain network anomalies in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), findings have varied from broad functional underconnectivity to broad overconnectivity. Rather than pursuing overly simplifying general hypotheses (i.e., under vs. over), we tested the hypothesis of atypical network distribution in ASD (i.e., the participation of unusual loci in distributed functional networks). Methods We used a selective high-quality data subset from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (including 111 ASD and 174 typically developing participants) and several graph theory metrics. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were preprocessed and analyzed for the detection of low-frequency intrinsic signal correlations. Groups were tightly matched for available demographics and head motion. Results As hypothesized, the Rand index (reflecting how similar network organization was to a normative set of networks) was significantly lower in participants with ASD compared with typically developing participants. This was accounted for by globally reduced cohesion and density but increased dispersion of networks. While differences in hub architecture did not survive correction, rich club connectivity (among the hubs) was increased in the ASD group. Conclusions Our findings support the model of reduced network integration (i.e., connectivity within networks) and differentiation (or segregation; based on connectivity outside network boundaries) in ASD. While the findings were applied at the global level, they were not equally robust across all networks and in one case (i.e., greater cohesion within ventral attention network in ASD) even reversed.
Thermal oxidation of silicon in a residual oxygen atmosphere—the RESOX process—for self-limiting growth of thin silicon dioxide films

We describe in detail the growth procedures and properties of thermal silicon dioxide grown in a limited and dilute oxygen atmosphere. Thin thermal oxide films have become increasingly important in recent years due to the continuing down-scaling of ultra large scale integration metal oxide silicon field effect transistors. Such films are also of importance for organic transistors where back-gating is needed. The technique described here is novel and allows self-limited formation of high quality thin oxide films on silicon surfaces. This technique is easy to implement in both research laboratory and industrial settings. Growth conditions and their effects on film growth have been described. Properties of the resulting oxide films, relevant for microelectronic device applications, have also been investigated and reported here. Overall, our findings are that thin, high quality, dense silicon dioxide films of thicknesses up to 100 nm can be easily grown in a depleted oxygen environment at temperatures similar to that used for usual silicon dioxide thermal growth in flowing dry oxygen.
Perception of the nurse practitioner's role and job satisfaction in the United States Navy.

A few studies have specifically examined the role perception and job satisfaction of civilian nurse practitioners (NPs), but no data exist for U.S. Navy NPs. The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of the Navy NP's roles by commanding officers, directors of nursing services, physicians, and NPs, and the level of job satisfaction among Navy NPs. A total of 907 questionnaires investigating NP role and job satisfaction were mailed to 29 Naval hospitals and clinics in the United States and overseas. The sample size totaled 450 (50% response rate). Of the 450 respondents, 45 NPs also filled out the Measure of Job Satisfaction survey. There were measurable differences in NP role perception by the sample groups. Role conflict and ambiguity were shown. Autonomy, sense of accomplishment, and time spent in patient care were major satisfiers, whereas pay, overall staffing levels, time available to get through work, and the amount of time spent on administrative work were the major dissatisfiers.
A DIRECTIONAL CLINE IN MOURIRI GUIANENSIS (MELASTOMATACEAE)

Abstract Morphological variation in Mouriri guianensis is described and analyzed throughout its range in Brazil and adjacent regions. Features that vary are ovary size, locule and ovule number, shape and smoothness of the leaf blade and petiole length. The largest ovaries with the most ovules occur in west central Amazonia; intermediate sizes and numbers are widespread but reach the coast only between Marajo and Ceara; and the smallest ovaries with the fewest locules and ovules are coastal or nearcoastal from Delta Amacuro in Venezuela to Marajo. Small ovaries also occur in coastal Alagoas and at Rio de Janeiro. Ovaries with the fewest locules and ovules are believed to be the most specialized, the result of evolution toward decreased waste of ovules, since the fruits of all members are few-seeded. Leaf characters correlate statistically with ovule numbers. Possible origen of the distribution pattern of the species is compared in terms of present rainfall patterns and in terms of Pleistocene climatic change with associated forest refuges. It is concluded that both phenomena were probably influential. High specialization appears to have accompanied isolation, for reasons that are unclear. Because the plants from Delta Amacuro to Marajo are the most specialized they may once have been more isolated than now.
A Transformation-Defective Polyomavirus Middle T Antigen with a Novel Defect in PI3 Kinase Signaling.

Middle T antigen (MT), the principal oncoprotein of murine polyomavirus, transforms by association with cellular proteins. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), YAP, Src family tyrosine kinases, Shc, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and phospholipase C-γ1 (PLCγ1) have all been implicated in MT transformation. Mutant dl1015, with deletion of residues 338 to 347 in the C-terminal region, has been an enigma, because the basis for its transformation defect has not been apparent. This work probes the dl1015 region of MT. Because the region is proline rich, the hypothesis that it targets Src homology domain 3 (SH3) domains was tested, but mutation of the putative SH3 binding motif did not affect transformation. During this work, two point mutants, W348R and E349K, were identified as transformation defective. Extensive analysis of the E349K mutant is described here. Similar to wild-type MT, the E349K mutant associates with PP2A, YAP, tyrosine kinases, Shc, PI3 kinase, and PLCγ1. The E349K mutant was examined to determine the mechanism for its transformation defect. Assays of cell localization and membrane targeting showed no obvious difference in localization. Src association was normal as assayed by in vitro kinase and MT phosphopeptide mapping. Shc activation was confirmed by its tyrosine phosphorylation. Association of type 1 PI3K with MT was demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation, showing both PI3K subunits and in vitro activity. Nonetheless, expression of the mutants failed to lead to the activation of two known downstream targets of PI3K, Akt and Rac-1. Strikingly, despite normal association of the E349K mutant with PI3K, cells expressing the mutant failed to elevate phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3) in mutant-expressing cells. These results indicate a novel unsuspected aspect to PI3K control. IMPORTANCE The gene coding for middle T antigen (MT) is the murine polyomavirus oncogene most responsible for tumor formation. Its study has a history of uncovering novel aspects of mammalian cell regulation. The importance of PI3K activity and tyrosine phosphorylation are two examples of insights coming from MT. This study describes new mutants unable to transform like the wild type that point to novel regulation of PI3K signaling. Previous mutants were defective in PI3K because they failed to bind the enzyme and bring the activity to the membrane. These mutants recruit PI3K activity like the wild type, but fail to elevate the cellular level of PIP3, the product used to signal downstream of PI3K. As a result, they fail to activate either Akt or Rac1, explaining the transformation defect.
The Biology and Molecular Detection of Piscirickettsia Salmonis

Piscirickettsia salmonis is an emerging obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen of salmonids (Fryer and Mauel 1997). This Gram-negative pleiomorphic coccoid bacterium replicates within membrane-bound cytoplasmic vacuoles in the cells of infected fish. Because it is an obligate intracellular bacterium, initial identification of the etiological agent of the disease known as piscirickettsiosis (Fryer et al. 1990) was not detected immediately by methods routinely used to isolate bacteria or viruses. Piscirickettsia salmonis does not replicate on bacteriological media, but instead must be grown in cell culture, and therefore escapes detection by routine techniques used for bacterial isolation. Additionally, in vitro P. salmonis is sensitive to many antibiotics used in routine virus isolations (Lannan and Fryer 1991), and will not grow even if inoculated onto suitable host cells if such compounds are included in the culture medium.
The Effect of the External Environment on Bureaucratic Representation: Assessing the Passive to Active Representation Link:

The literature on the link between passive and active representation is well established, but there is still some debate on why and how passive representation translates into active representation ...
Desalination Performances of Large Hollow Fiber-Based DCMD Devices

Saline waters having high osmotic pressure are unsuitable for reverse osmosis desalination. Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) can desalt such waters provided the membrane technique is highly resistant to fouling by scaling salts. In DCMD, we had shown earlier that a rectangular cross-flow hollow fiber membrane (HFM) configuration with a specific plasma-polymerized nearly superhydrophobic coating on the membrane ensured no precipitation-based fouling from CaCO3 and CaSO4 for salt concentrations up to 19 wt %. A novel aspect of this method, oscillation of unrestrained HFMs, is illustrated here. Earlier models simulating desalination performance of such devices assumed membrane mass transfer coefficient, km, as an adjustable parameter for large hollow fiber modules. Here km was predicted from a recent model without any adjustable parameters, resulting in a better module water vapor flux prediction. To improve membrane module performance and productivity, simulations were carried out by varying holl...
The Use of AF64A (Ethylcholine Aziridinium Ion) to Model Alzheimer's Disease

Natural and synthetic toxins have been valuable tools for exploring the morphological, biochemical, and molecular correlates of brain function. Compounds that disrupt specific ion channels, axoplasmic transport processes, neuronal populations, or neurotransmitter systems have helped to characterize the fundamental neurobiology of brain cells and the principles of synaptic transmission (McGeer et al., 1987). For example, neurotoxins have been used to (1) identify the steps involved in the synthesis, storage, and release of neurotransmitters, (2) determine how a transmitter interacts with specific receptors and ion channels, (3) examine plasticity of a given brain system and the nature and extent of neural reorganization following its injury, (4) examine the covariation between altered neurotransmitter dynamics and behavior, and finally (5) develop animal models of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and temporal lobe epilepsy (Sanberg and Coyle, 1984).
Evoked Responses and Impaired Consciousness

The EEG is generally accepted as a good indicator of gross level of alertness. Alerting stimuli desynchronize the alpha rhythm recorded during the resting awake state, and sleep is associated with marked EEG changes. When evoked-response recording became possible, investigators soon sought to determine whether the responses also reflected level of alertness. This chapter will deal with states of impaired consciousness: sleep, delirium, and coma. Phenomena related to states of heightened alertness will be considered in the subsequent chapter.
To study the short-term outcome of multimodality treatment on morbidity and quality of life in patients with carcinoma oesophagus

Background: Oesophageal cancer is sixth most common cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Despite complete resections, overall survival remained low. To improve the existing treatment combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings was introduced. Impact of treatment on quality of life, morbidities and toxicities associated with multimodality treatment in patients of carcinoma oesophagus was studied prospectively and retrospectively. Methods: A total of 40 patients histologically proven carcinoma of the oesophagus were enrolled in the study. Study included assessment of clinical features, risk factors, biopsy, multimodality treatment and associated morbidities and toxicities. Quality of Life (QOL) in patients of multimodality treatment assessed using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and Core 18 before, immediate post treatment and 6 months after completion of the planned treatment. Results: In 40 patients, male to female ratio was 1.10:1. Dysphagia was the leading complain. 3 patients were treated using neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by surgery) among them 2 patients expired, 1 patient is under regular follow up. 6 patients underwent upfront surgery followed by adjuvant therapy out of which 3 patients expired,15 patients were treated with curative intent by definitive chemotherapy and radiotherapy out of which only 7 patients survived for >1 year. 16 patients were treated with palliative intent (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, oesophageal stenting and feeding procedures) in which only 1 patient survived for 1 year. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that patients over all QOL was reduced after treatment and in the follow up period which was due to the treatment related toxicities but in contrast symptom improvement was observed simultaneously.
Impact of Wildfire Emissions on Chloride and Bromide Depletion in Marine Aerosol Particles

This work examines particulate chloride (Cl–) and bromide (Br–) depletion in marine aerosol particles influenced by wildfires at a coastal California site in the summers of 2013 and 2016. Chloride exhibited a dominant coarse mode due to sea salt influence, with substantially diminished concentrations during fire periods as compared to nonfire periods. Bromide exhibited a peak in the submicrometer range during fire and nonfire periods, with an additional supermicrometer peak in the latter periods. Chloride and Br– depletions were enhanced during fire periods as compared to nonfire periods. The highest observed %Cl– depletion occurred in the submicrometer range, with maximum values of 98.9% (0.32–0.56 μm) and 85.6% (0.56–1 μm) during fire and nonfire periods, respectively. The highest %Br– depletion occurred in the supermicrometer range during fire and nonfire periods with peak depletion between 1.8–3.2 μm (78.8% and 58.6%, respectively). When accounting for the neutralization of sulfate by ammonium, organi...
Shifts in the Gut Metabolome and Clostridium difficile Transcriptome throughout Colonization and Infection in a Mouse Model.

ABSTRACT Antibiotics alter the gut microbiota and decrease resistance to Clostridium difficile colonization; however, the mechanisms driving colonization resistance are not well understood. Loss of resistance to C. difficile colonization due to antibiotic treatment is associated with alterations in the gut metabolome, specifically, with increases in levels of nutrients that C. difficile can utilize for growth in vitro . To define the nutrients that C. difficile requires for colonization and pathogenesis in vivo , we used a combination of mass spectrometry and RNA sequencing (RNA Seq) to model the gut metabolome and C. difficile transcriptome throughout an acute infection in a mouse model at the following time points: 0, 12, 24, and 30 h. We also performed multivariate-based integration of the omics data to define the signatures that were most important throughout colonization and infection. Here we show that amino acids, in particular, proline and branched-chain amino acids, and carbohydrates decrease in abundance over time in the mouse cecum and that C. difficile gene expression is consistent with their utilization in vivo . This was also reinforced by the multivariate-based integration of the omics data where we were able to discriminate the metabolites and transcripts that support C. difficile physiology between the different time points throughout colonization and infection. This report illustrates how important the availability of amino acids and other nutrients is for the initial stages of C. difficile colonization and progression of disease. Future studies identifying the source of the nutrients and engineering bacteria capable of outcompeting C. difficile in the gut will be important for developing new targeted bacterial therapeutics. IMPORTANCE Clostridium difficile is a bacterial pathogen of global significance that is a major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Antibiotics deplete the indigenous gut microbiota and change the metabolic environment in the gut to one favoring C. difficile growth. Here we used metabolomics and transcriptomics to define the gut environment after antibiotics and during the initial stages of C. difficile colonization and infection. We show that amino acids, in particular, proline and branched-chain amino acids, and carbohydrates decrease in abundance over time and that C. difficile gene expression is consistent with their utilization by the bacterium in vivo . We employed an integrated approach to analyze the metabolome and transcriptome to identify associations between metabolites and transcripts. This highlighted the importance of key nutrients in the early stages of colonization, and the data provide a rationale for the development of therapies based on the use of bacteria that specifically compete for nutrients that are essential for C. difficile colonization and disease.
On the Minimal Level of Modular Forms

In this paper, we will deal with a very practical problem. The problem is that of finding the lowest level of a given modular form which is known to have some level. For forms on principal (homogeneous) congruence subgroups, the answer is the greatest common divisor of the widths at all cusps [6, p. 82]. This is often not an easy calculation to make unless the transformation formulas are already known. However, frequently another congruence group appears: namely the Γ0 type group. Here, the calculation of finding the minimal level turns out to be much easier and involves just the inversion formula. Since it is often the case that if one non-trivial transformation is known for the form in question, it is the inversion formula, this will be very convenient. This is the subject of Theorem 1.
Response of the eastern sand scorpion, Paruroctonus utahensis, to air movement from a moth analog

Arachnids have many setae that are used as sensory organs. Spiders have been shown to use trichobothria to sense air movements. Scorpions also have trichobothria, located solely on their pedipalps. In scorpions, these trichobothria have been used for taxonomic purposes, due to their systematic variations across taxa. In the lab, buthid scorpions respond to moth-like air vibrations by “hunting” a dummy prey, but scorpionids retreat. The eastern sand scorpion, Paruroctonus utahensis (Williams, 1968) is a member of the family Vaejovidae; by measuring its responses to air movements, we can begin to compare behavior of scorpion families. To determine the responses of P. utahensis to air stimulus, we created a piston-driven moth analog. To assess the trichobothria as candidate detectors of our air stimulus, we also monitored trichobothrial deflection in response to the moth analog. In behavioral trials, we ran this device for 10 seconds and recorded each scorpion's immediate responses as negative, neutral, or positive. For a control, we ran the device without its piston. Scorpions experienced both conditions. We found a significant difference between scorpions' responses under experimental and control conditions. On average, scorpions responded more negatively to experimental conditions as compared to control conditions. These data suggest that vaejovids, like scorpionids, retreat when they encounter a moth. We also found that our device was effective in stimulating appropriate trichobothrial deflection. Our moth analog could therefore be useful in further studies investigating the physiological mechanisms of prey detection.
The Mixture Resolution Problem Applied to Airborne Particle Source Apportionment

The problem of source identification and quantitative mass apportion for airborne particulate matter commonly called receptor modeling is much the same as the spectrochemical mixture or the multivariate calibration problems commonly encountered in chemometrics. However, there are some important differences that occur for the receptor modeling problem including variability in the source profiles (corresponding to the spectral properties of the mixture components), transformation of the profiles while in transit from the emission sources to the sampling sites, and much larger errors (noise) in the sampling and analysis of the mixtures. Various mixture resolution approaches have been used including multiple linear regression (Chemical Mass Balance Model) and various type of factor analysis. The basis for these methods is presented and illustrative examples of each are given. In addition multivariate calibration methods including partial least squares, the genetic algorithm, and artificial neural networks are now being explored as ways to solve the receptor modeling problem. These methods as well as the limited applications of these approaches are also reviewed. The initial results with these methods are promising, but further development and testing are needed before they can be used as commonly as the chemical mass balance or factor analysis models.
Chapter 14 Antiepileptic Drug Therapy in Pregnancy II: Fetal and Neonatal Exposure

The issue of how much an antiepileptic drug (AED) crosses the placenta and relative safety of lactation in mothers receiving AEDs are common clinical questions. Educating potential mothers with epilepsy regarding available information is warranted so that informed decisions and any needed neonatal monitoring is performed. Unfortunately, there is still limited data regarding the degree in which anticonvulsants cross the placenta and penetrate into breast milk. There is a greater appreciation of the factors that influence AED passive transfer across the placenta and into breast milk, as well as factors that ultimately influence neonatal AED distribution. In general, women with epilepsy can have healthy babies even with significant placental exposure and can breast-feed their babies safely with some cautions. Phenobarbital and primidone should be avoided in parents wishing to breast-feed. For the AEDs ethosuximide, levetiracetam, lamotrigine, topiramate, and zonisamide, there is a potential for significant breast milk concentrations; however, there are no firm guidelines on whether lactation is safe. In all cases, parents should be counseled to monitor their child for side effects and the need for routine monitoring.
Development and evaluation of a generalized rule-based control strategy for residential ice storage systems

Abstract In recent years, variable electricity pricing has become available to residential consumers to incentivize demand reductions during midday peak hours. Thermal energy storage (TES) systems enable consumers to store cooling energy when demand is low and assist A/C operation during peak demand periods. However, the cost savings achievable using TES are highly dependent on how the system is operated for a given utility rate structure. This study investigates control strategies for a packaged chiller unit integrated with ice storage that leverage available residential utility rate structures in the U.S. to reduce consumer electricity cost. The present work describes the development and evaluation of a generalized rule-based control strategy inspired by the performance of an optimal controller that minimizes monthly electricity cost considering both time-of-use energy and demand charges. The generalized rule-based controller is compared against the optimal controller as well as to heuristic control strategies for TES that were originally developed for commercial buildings for a range of equipment cooling capacities, TES sizes, geographic locations, and residential utility rates. The total electricity cost is determined using a simulation model that includes models for the chiller unit, ice storage tank, and secondary loop components, along with a building load model. Results show that the generalized rule-based controller can approximate the performance of the optimal controller within 20% for all cases tested, and within 10% of the optimal cost in 53% of the cases tested. The controller also performs significantly better than the heuristic strategies for commercial buildings that were evaluated.
Pharmacokinetics (PK) of split-dose flavopiridol (F) administered with CPT-11 (CPT) and cisplatin (Cis)

2578 Background: F, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, induces tumor lysis in CLL when administered as a 30 mg/m2 loading dose over 0.5h followed by a 30 mg/m2 maintenance dose over 4h (hybrid F;...
A Case Report: Bilateral Patella Stress Fractures in a Collegiate Gymnast.

Introduction The overuse and repetitive loading of a bone cause a stress fracture, commonly occurring in the weight-bearing structures of the lower extremities of athletes, but rarely the patella. Patella stress fractures are an extremely rare occurrence. Muller first described a patella stress fracture in 1943; however, we could find <15 reported cases in literature since that time. Thus, some uncertainty exists as to the proper treatment of this very rare condition. Case Report A female collegiate gymnast presented with 2-months of anterior knee pain, and initial radiographs revealed a non-displaced patella stress fracture. An magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)was obtained which confirmed the diagnosis and ruled out any patellar tendon or intra-articular pathology. The patient was treated with immobilization, vitamin supplementation, and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy. At 3 months, the patient had complete healing of her fracture and returned to full competition in her sport. After approximately 1year of returning to sport, she unfortunately developed a patella stress fracture in her contralateral knee confirmed by radiographs and MRI. She received the same conservative management plan as before, and at 3 months, she was pain free and returned to full competition in her sport. She is now 3 years from injury on the right knee and 2 years from injury on the left knee and continues to compete at the Division I collegiate level without pain. Conclusion This case report illustrates how patella stress fractures may be successfully treated conservatively, even when presenting with a radiographic fracture line. This varies from other forms of stress fractures where surgical fixation is recommended once radiographic fracture line is noted. This is likely due to the abundant blood supply in the region, which allows for healing.
The spectrum of Asian Monsoon variability: A proxy system model approach to the hydroclimate scaling mismatch

Abstract Recent studies have found a significant mismatch between the amount of low-frequency variability in paleo-hydroclimate records and that simulated by climate models. However, uncertainties in how proxy systems record climate are significant, and the influence of low-frequency non-climate noise in paleoclimate archives is difficult to constrain. We use proxy system models to compare a network of mostly δ18O tree cellulose records from Monsoon Asia with isotope-enabled climate model output from (1) a coupled fully-forced version of iCESM (850–2005 CE), (2) isoGSM nudged toward the 20th Century Reanalysis (1871–2010 CE), and (3) an atmosphere-only run of iCAM5 with prescribed sea-surface temperatures from observations (1850–2014 CE). We identify a large discrepancy in scaling behavior between hydroclimate proxies and analogous iCESM pseudoproxies. In contrast, pseudoproxy networks based on climate models constrained by observations (isoGSM and iCAM5) have variance that continues to increase from decadal to multidecadal scales. This indicates that the mismatch arises from a failure of iCESM to simulate a sufficient amount of low-frequency hydroclimate variability. We test the influence of non-climate noise and photosynthate storage and find that they play a small role in elevating the low-frequency signal of proxies, but cannot explain the mismatch. Although our results are constrained to Monsoon Asia, the scaling of hydroclimate proxies across other regions and models have shown similar behavior, suggesting a proxy-model mismatch on a global scale that likely stems from an underestimation of low-frequency variability in fully coupled climate models.
Compatibility and Consistency in Display-Control Systems: Implications for Aircraft Decision Aid Design

In this study we contrast display-control movement relations defined in terms of stimulus-response (physical) compatibility with those defined by stimulus-cognitive compatibility, and we relate these findings to the issue of command versus status levels of decision aid support. A second issue addressed is the cost of inconsistency across multiple display-control mappings. Subjects performed a flight control task while responding to one to four analog indicators, formatted as either command or status displays. The results suggest that there is an advantage for the status format when subjects are required to verbally report the state of the indicator(s), but no advantage was found for either format when subjects were required to manually correct the indicated state. The data point to the importance of display-control consistency and suggest that it may even outweigh that of compatibility.
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Malignant Digestive System Gastrointestinal Neuroectodermal Tumor in a Lymph Node Metastasis from a Previously Diagnosed Liver Primary: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor (GNET) is an extremely rare neoplasm. Immunohistochemically, GNET typically demonstrates neural differentiation but lacks melanocytic differentiation, making it distinct from clear cell sarcoma of the soft tissues (CCS). Herein we report for the first time the cytomorphologic features of lymph node metastasis from presumably liver GNET. A 36-year-old female presented with fevers, night sweats, loss of appetite, and a 20-lbs weight loss. Radiographic imaging showed a 13 cm heterogeneously enhancing mass in the right lobe of the liver and a hypermetabolic 0.9 cm periportal lymph node on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT). Initially, a CT-guided liver biopsy was performed followed by right hepatic lobectomy and portal lymphadenectomy. The liver biopsy and resection showed an S100-protein and SOX10 positive malignant neoplasm and genomic profiling of liver biopsy revealed EWSR1-CREB1gene rearrangement. These findings in conjunction with the morphologic and immunohistochemical profile were diagnostic of GNET. Two months later, she presented with recurrent lymphadenopathy in the upper abdomen. Fine needle aspiration of the periportal nodal mass revealed single and clusters of primitive, large to medium-sized neoplastic cells with round to oval nuclei, high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, vesicular chromatin, and prominent nucleoli. The tumor cells were S100 protein and SOX10 positive, consistent with metastasis of the patient's recently diagnosed malignant digestive system GNET. Palliative chemotherapy was administered but the patient died a few days later, 4 months from the initial diagnosis. Awareness of this entity and judicial use of ancillary studies including molecular testing are essential for achieving accurate diagnosis.
A Theme-based Analysis of the Intensity of Cross-Border Cooperation Across Europe

In this paper, focusing on the European Territorial Cooperation (INTERREG) example, the author compares three selected policy themes to understand what drives cross-border cooperation (CBC) in diff...
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation: A New Treatment for Meralgia Paresthetica.

Background Meralgia paresthetica is a condition caused by entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that leads to paresthesia along the anterolateral portion of the thigh. Because of advancements in neuromodulation, peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has been considered a new treatment option for meralgia paresthetica. Newer PNS technology targets peripheral nerves directly yet in a minimally invasive manner. We report a case in which a PNS device provided more than 12 months of complete pain relief in a patient with meralgia paresthetica and helped the patient avoid a neurolysis procedure. Case presentation A 57-year-old male presented to clinic with a 6-year history of "painful numbness [and] burning" along the right lateral thigh. He rated his pain as 8 out of 10, which decreased to a rating of 2 out of 10 with the use of gabapentin, but unwanted side effects motivated him to seek alternative treatment. On the basis of his history, physical exam, and imaging results, he was diagnosed with meralgia paresthetica. He was offered neurolysis; however, after seeing a pain specialist, he agreed to the implantation of a SPRINT peripheral nerve stimulator. After the implantation procedure, his pain reduced to 0 out of 10, and his quality of life improved, with better sleep and less somnolence. The device was removed after 60 days, as planned. He continued to have complete resolution of pain at 12 months after the date of device implantation. Conclusion With recent advancements, PNS can be used to treat meralgia paresthetica in an effective yet minimally invasive manner. As newer PNS technology becomes more familiar to physicians and pain specialists, it is likely to be used as a mainstay treatment for meralgia paresthetica.
AML-211: Active Galectin 3/CD74 Axis is Associated with Poor Survival Outcome in AML

Context Galectin 3 (LGALS3) participates in diverse survival pathways that support many pro-tumor molecules, especially RAS. However, the role of LGALS3 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is not clear. Objective We previously found suppression of LGALS3 in AML cell lines sensitized cells to chemotherapy drugs. Here, we examine protein expression of LGALS3 in 511 AML patients and identify an active LGALS3 protein network. We used reversephase protein analysis for the study. Patients Peripheral blood and bone marrow specimens were collected from 511 patients with newly diagnosed AML. Samples were acquired in accordance with the regulations and protocols (Lab 01-473) approved by the IRB of MDACC. Results LGALS3 was significantly elevated in AML blast cells compared to normal CD34+ counterpart cells and highest in monocytic AML patients. Pearson correlation of LGALS3 with other proteins identified a distinct set of 23 proteins positively and 13 proteins negatively correlated with LGALS3 expression levels. LGALS3 positively correlated with the anti-apoptotic BCL2 family member MCL-1. RPPA also identified novel positive association of LGALS3 with CD74. Pearson correlation with the other proteins analyzed identified 23 proteins, including LGALS3, that were positively correlated with CD74, and 8 proteins that were negatively associated with CD74. The protein associations of LGALS3 and CD74 were used to assemble protein clusters that were used for analysis of patient survival. LGALS3 and CD74 were collectively analyzed as part of a group of T-cell regulating proteins analyzed on this array. Within that group, 4 different expression patterns (clusters) were defined by hierarchical clustering with LGALS3 being active in 2 of them. The protein cluster identifying active LGALS3 was prognostic for shorter remission duration. AML patients who exhibited both LGALS3 and CD74 active clusters exhibited very poor survival characteristics. For AML patients with both LGALS3 and CD74 active protein cluster, median overall survival was only 24.3 weeks, median remission duration was 17.8 weeks, and no patient survived beyond one year. Conclusions These data suggest that LGALS3 supports AML cell survival via diverse pathways, including positive regulation of MCL-1, and support of a CD74 protein network that identifies a new at-risk AML population.
The Overview Effect and Creative Performance in Extreme Human Environments.

The Overview Effect is usually seen as a shift in worldview that occurs when astronauts view the Earth from orbit or on lunar missions. This is an accurate understanding of the phenomenon, but it does not include any references to how the experience might affect astronaut performance while in the extreme environment of outer space. In this paper, we suggest some potential avenues of research to determine a potential link between the Overview Effect and creative performance.
Aggregate Trends of Apolipoprotein E on Cognition in Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease Mice.

BACKGROUND Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes typically increase risk of amyloid-β deposition and onset of clinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, cognitive assessments in APOE transgenic AD mice have resulted in discord. OBJECTIVE Analysis of 31 peer-reviewed AD APOE mouse publications (n = 3,045 mice) uncovered aggregate trends between age, APOE genotype, gender, modulatory treatments, and cognition. METHODS T-tests with Bonferroni correction (significance = p < 0.002) compared age-normalized Morris water maze (MWM) escape latencies in wild type (WT), APOE2 knock-in (KI2), APOE3 knock-in (KI3), APOE4 knock-in (KI4), and APOE knock-out (KO) mice. Positive treatments (t+) to favorably modulate APOE to improve cognition, negative treatments (t-) to perturb etiology and diminish cognition, and untreated (t0) mice were compared. Machine learning with random forest modeling predicted MWM escape latency performance based on 12 features: mouse genotype (WT, KI2, KI3, KI4, KO), modulatory treatment (t+, t-, t0), mouse age, and mouse gender (male = g_m; female = g_f, mixed gender = g_mi). RESULTS KI3 mice performed significantly better in MWM, but KI4 and KO performed significantly worse than WT. KI2 performed similarly to WT. KI4 performed significantly worse compared to every other genotype. Positive treatments significantly improved cognition in WT, KI4, and KO compared to untreated. Interestingly, negative treatments in KI4 also significantly improved mean MWM escape latency. Random forest modeling resulted in the following feature importance for predicting superior MWM performance: [KI3, age, g_m, KI4, t0, t+, KO, WT, g_mi, t-, g_f, KI2] = [0.270, 0.094, 0.092, 0.088, 0.077, 0.074, 0.069, 0.061, 0.058, 0.054, 0.038, 0.023]. CONCLUSION APOE3, age, and male gender was most important for predicting superior mouse cognitive performance.
Cognition and the development of temperament from late childhood to early adolescence

Abstract Temperament is related to cognition, but it is unclear whether reciprocal associations exist with early developmental trajectories. Children from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (N = 8,677) were assessed over four waves on verbal ability at ages 8/9, nonverbal ability at ages 8/9 and 10/11, and parent-rated temperament every two years from ages 8/9 to 14/15. Latent difference score analyses indicated correlated changes between ages 8/9 and 10/11. Increased nonverbal ability over the first two years was associated with declined reactivity and increased persistence. Latent growth curve models further indicated that nonverbal and verbal ability at baseline were associated with declined reactivity and increased persistence over the six years. These findings suggest bidirectional associations between childhood cognitive ability and temperament development.
EFFECTS OF TGF-β1 AND IL-33 ON MAST CELL FUNCTION

THE EFFECTS OF TGF-1 AND IL-33 ON MAST CELL FUNCTION By Victor S. Ndaw, B.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015 Major Advisor: John J. Ryan, Ph.D., Professor of Biology TGFβ is involved in many pathological conditions, including autoimmune disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular and allergic diseases. We have previously found that TGFβ can suppress IgE-mediated mast cell activation in human and mouse mast cells in vitro. IL-33 is a recently discovered member of the IL-1 family capable of inducing mast cell responses and enhancing IgE-mediated activation. In this study, we investigated the effects of TGFβ on IL-33-mediated mast cell activation. Bone marrow-derived mast cells cultured in TGFβ -1, -2, or -3 showed reduced IL-33-mediated production of TNF, IL-6, IL-13 and MCP-1, in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, TGFβ also reduced expression of the T1/ST2 receptor as well as IL-33-mediated TAK1 and ERK phosphorylation. TGF-s1 injection suppressed IL-33-mediated production of systemic inflammatory cytokines in vivo. The role of IL-33 in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases is incompletely understood. These findings, consistent with our previously reported effects of TGFβ on IgE-mediated activation, demonstrate that TGFβ can provide broad and substantial inhibitory signals to activated mast cells.
Clostridium barkeri sp. n

Clostridium barkeri sp. n. has been described, and its relationship to other clostridia is discussed.
Binaural Cross-Correlation Predicts the Responses of Neurons in the Owl’s Auditory Space Map under Conditions Simulating Summing Localization

Summing localization describes the perceptions of human listeners to two identical sounds from different locations presented with delays of 0-1 msec. Usually a single source is perceived to be located between the two actual source locations, biased toward the earlier source. We studied neuronal responses within the space map of the barn owl to sounds presented with this same paradigm. The owl's primary cue for localization along the azimuth, interaural time difference (ITD), is based on a cross-correlation-like treatment of the signals arriving at each ear. The output of this cross-correlation is displayed as neural activity across the auditory space map in the external nucleus of the owl's inferior colliculus. Because the ear input signals reflect the physical summing of the signals generated by each speaker, we first recorded the sounds at each ear and computed their cross-correlations at various interstimulus delays. The resulting binaural cross-correlation surface strongly resembles the pattern of activity across the space map inferred from recordings of single space-specific neurons. Four peaks are observed in the cross-correlation surface for any nonzero delay. One peak occurs at the correlation delay equal to the ITD of each speaker. Two additional peaks reflect "phantom sources" occurring at correlation delays that match the signal of the left speaker in one ear with the signal of the right speaker in the other ear. At zero delay, the two phantom peaks coincide. The surface features are complicated further by the interactions of the various correlation peaks.
Expansion rate and geometry of floating vegetation mats on the margins of thermokarst lakes, northern Seward Peninsula, Alaska, USA

Investigations on the northern Seward Peninsula in Alaska identified zones of recent (<50 years) permafrost collapse that led to the formation of floating vegetation mats along thermokarst lake margins. The occurrence of floating vegetation mat features indicates rapid degradation of near-surface permafrost and lake expansion. This paper reports on the recent expansion of these collapse features and their geometry is determined using geophysical and remote sensing measurements. The vegetation mats were observed to have an average thickness of 0.57 m and petrophysical modeling indicated that gas content of 1.5–5% enabled floatation above the lake surface. Furthermore, geophysical investigation provides evidence that the mats form by thaw and subsidence of the underlying permafrost rather than terrestrialization. The temperature of the water below a vegetation mat was observed to remain above freezing late in the winter. Analysis of satellite and aerial imagery indicates that these features have expanded at maximum rates of 1–2 m yr-1 over a 56 year period. Including the spatial coverage of floating ‘thermokarst mats’ increases estimates of lake area by as much as 4% in some lakes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.