cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bidirectional by Necessity: Data Persistence and Adaptability for Evolving Application Development

Database-backed applications are ubiquitous. They have common requirements for data access, including a bidirectional requirement that the application and database must have schemas and instances that are synchronized with respect to the mapping between them. That synchronization must hold under both data updates (when an application is used) and schema evolution (when an application is versioned). The application developer treats the collection of structures and constraints on application data — collectively called a virtual database — as indistinguishable from a persistent database. To have such indistinguishability, that virtual database must be mapped to a persistent database by some means. Most application developers resort to constructing such a mapping from custom-built middleware because available solutions are unable to embody all of the necessary capabilities. This paper returns to first principles of database application development and virtual databases. It introduces a tool called a channel, comprised of incremental atomic transformations with known and provable bidirectional properties, that supports the implementation of virtual databases. It uses channels to illustrate how to provide a singular mapping solution that meets all of the outlined requirements for an example application.
Applications of acupuncture in breast cancer survivors

An increasing number of breast cancer survivors have been using acupuncture to reduce side effects associated with cancer treatment, such as joint/muscle discomfort, hot flashes, lymphedema, fatigue, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, anxiety and depression. Rigorous clinical research has begun to investigate the safety, efficacy of acupuncture in treating such conditions. Acupuncture has been shown to be a safe procedure with minimal side effects. Most studies showed that acupuncture is significantly better than no acupuncture in relieving such symptoms. The benefit of real acupuncture over sham acupuncture in treating such symptoms has not been fully established. Additional research is needed to determine the efficacy, mechanism and cost–effectiveness of acupuncture. Meanwhile, since acupuncture poses minimal risks and carries potentially significant benefits, this medical procedure remains a reasonable treatment option for breast cancer survivors to alleviate cancer treatment induced side effects.
Daily transcriptome changes reveal the role of nitrogen in controlling microcystin synthesis and nutrient transport in the toxic cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa.

While transcriptomics have become a valuable tool for linking physiology and ecology in aquatic microbes, the temporal dynamics of global transcriptomic patterns in Microcystis have rarely been assessed. Furthermore, while many microbial studies have explored expression of nutrient transporter genes, few studies have concurrently measured nutrient assimilation rates. Here, we considered how the global transcriptomic patterns and physiology of the cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa, changed daily as cells were grown from replete to deficient nitrogen (N) conditions and then back to replete conditions. During N deprivation, Microcystis downregulated genes involved in photosynthesis and respiration, carbon acquisition, lipid metabolism, and amino acid biosynthesis while upregulating genes involved in N acquisition and transport. With increasing N stress, both the strength of expression and number of genes being differentially expressed increased, until N was restored at which point these patterns reversed. Uptake of 15N-labeled nitrate, ammonium and urea reflected differential expression of genes encoding transporters for these nutrients, with Microcystis appearing to preferentially increase transcription of ammonium and urea transporters and uptake of these compounds during N deprivation. Nitrate uptake and nitrate transporter expression were correlated for one set of transporters but not another, indicating these were high and low affinity nitrate transporters, respectively. Concentrations of microcystin per cell decreased during N deprivation and increased upon N restoration. However, the transcript abundance of genes involved in the synthesis of this compound was complex, as microcystin synthetase genes involved in peptide synthesis were downregulated under N deprivation while genes involved in tailoring and transport were upregulated, suggesting modification of the microcystin molecule under N stress as well as potential alternative functions for these genes and/or this toxin. Collectively, this study highlights the complex choreography of gene expression, cell physiology, and toxin synthesis that dynamic N levels can elicit in this ecologically important cyanobacterium. Differing expression patterns of genes within the microcystin synthetase operon in response to changing N levels revealed the potential limitations drawing conclusions based on only one gene in this operon.
Pigmentation and lysosomal phenotypes in mice doubly homozygous for both light-ear and pale-ear mutant alleles

We have developed a new strain of mice homozygous for mutant alleles at both the light-ear locus on chromosome 5 and the pale-ear locus on chromosome 19. The pigmentation pattern of the double mutants, designated light-pale, is indistinguishable from the parental type. Elevated concentrations of lysosomal enzymes observed in certain tissues of the light-ear and pale-ear singly homozygous mice also are present in the double mutants, and are quantitatively indistinguishable from either parent. Although both mutations have pleiotropic effects on organelles in several tissues, neither locus influences the secretion of pancreatic zymogen granules. The close similarity in phenotypes of light ear, pale ear, and light-pale mice suggest that the le and ep loci encode different subunits of a multimeric protein, and that mutations affecting either subunit result in comparable losses of function.
Fetal blood studies

Abstract There occur occasional cases of asphyxia neonatorum in which the obstetrician, for want of other explanation, incriminates the anesthesia given at the time of delivery. The studies of Leake, 1 of Ronzoni, 2 of Raginsky and Bourne, 3 and of others, indicate that in adults the common inhalation anesthetics produce decided changes in the acid-base balance of the blood and that nitrous oxide oxygen mixtures regularly cause varying degrees of anoxemia. It has been argued, indeed, that nitrous oxide owes its anesthetic effect largely to the associated anoxemia rather than to any intrinsic anesthetic quality. 4 The obstetrician has every reason to suspect that these blood chemical alterations extend to the child in utero, possibly with harmful effect, but actual studies of the question have been lacking. It has seemed to us that much of practical value might accrue if quantitative data were available, showing the effect of maternal anesthesia upon those constituents of the child's blood most directly concerned with the onset of respiration, particularly the oxygen content. To this end the present study was undertaken.
A Prospective Investigation of Prenatal Mood and Childbirth Perceptions in an Ethnically Diverse, Low-Income Sample.

Few studies have examined prenatal mood as a means to identify women at risk for negative childbirth experiences. We explore associations between prenatal mood and birth perceptions in a socioeconomically diverse, American sample.We conducted a prospective study of 136 predominantly low-income and ethnic minority women of mixed parity. Prenatal measures of perceived stress, pregnancy-related anxiety, and depressive symptoms were used to predict maternal perceptions of birth experiences 1 month postpartum, using the childbirth experience questionnaire (CEQ; 1).After adjusting for sociodemographic variables and mode of delivery, higher third-trimester stress predicted worse CEQ total scores. This association was predominantly explained by two CEQ domains: own capacity (e.g., feelings of control and capability), and perceived safety. Pregnancy-related anxiety and depressive symptoms correlated with perceived stress, though neither independently predicted birth experience. An unplanned cesarean delivery was associated with a worse CEQ total score. Vaginal delivery predicted greater perceived safety. Altogether, sociodemographic covariates, mode of delivery, and prenatal mood accounted for 35 percent of the variance in birth experience (p < 0.001).Our finding that prenatal stress explains a significant and likely clinically meaningful proportion of the variance in birth experience suggests that women perceive and recall their birth experiences through a lens that is partially determined by preexisting personal circumstances and emotional reserves. Since childbirth perceptions have implications for maternal and child health, patient satisfaction, and health care expenditures, these findings warrant consideration of prenatal stress screening to target intervention for women at risk for negative birth experiences.
RECESSION OF MARINE TERRACES - WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE COASTAL AREA NORTH OF SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA

The concept "wave base" (or "surf base"), i.e. the maximum depth below mean sea level at which shoaling waves will effectively erode the ocean bottom leading to the recession of a shoreline, is discussed. Also, past and present opinions as to the magnitude of wave base in general and specifically in the area near Santa Cruz, California, and the variables controlling this phenomenon are presented. Then, an account of the author's successful and unsuccessful attempts to determine average rates of cliff retreat in the study area is presented along with the specific cliff recession rates obtained. These compare favorably with the recession rates measured by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for nearby areas of similar geology and topography and with rates determined for similar coastal areas in various parts of the world. A brief discussion of the spectrum of cliff recession rates found m areas of varying geology and wave climate is also presented. The accepted history of sea level since the last glacial maximum, particularly during the last 7,000 years, is reviewed as well as pertinent information on the geology, topography and wave climate of the study area. It is then shown that average recession rates estimated by relating extrapolated bedrock profiles of the lowest marine terraces with the accepted history of the latest sea level rise compare favorably with the recently measured recession rates. However, a conflict exists between the present wave-cut terrace profiles, the accepted history of sea level and the accepted value of wave base.
A High-Heritage Blunt-Body Entry, Descent, and Landing Concept for Human Mars Exploration

Human-scale landers require the delivery of much heavier payloads to the surface of Mars than is possible with entry, descent, and landing (EDL) approaches used to date. A conceptual design was developed for a 10 m diameter crewed Mars lander with an entry mass of approx.75 t that could deliver approx.28 t of useful landed mass (ULM) to a zero Mars areoid, or lower, elevation. The EDL design centers upon use of a high ballistic coefficient blunt-body entry vehicle and throttled supersonic retro-propulsion (SRP). The design concept includes a 26 t Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) that could support a crew of 2 for approx.24 days, a crew of 3 for approx.16 days, or a crew of 4 for approx.12 days. The MAV concept is for a fully-fueled single-stage vehicle that utilizes a single pump-fed 250 kN engine using Mono-Methyl Hydrazine (MMH) and Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON-25) propellants that would deliver the crew to a low Mars orbit (LMO) at the end of the surface mission. The MAV concept could potentially provide abort-to-orbit capability during much of the EDL profile in response to fault conditions and could accommodate return to orbit for cases where the MAV had no access to other Mars surface infrastructure. The design concept for the descent stage utilizes six 250 kN MMH/MON-25 engines that would have very high commonality with the MAV engine. Analysis indicates that the MAV would require approx.20 t of propellant (including residuals) and the descent stage would require approx.21 t of propellant. The addition of a 12 m diameter supersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator (SIAD), based on a proven flight design, was studied as an optional method to improve the ULM fraction, reducing the required descent propellant by approx.4 t.
Effects of neonatal anoxia on maze learning in rats.

Summary and ConclusionsPeriods of anoxia ranging from 1 to 20 minutes were induced in unborn rats by preventing the initiation of respiration before removing the full term fetuses from the uterus. Beginning at 65 days of age, the experimental and control animals were tested on the Hebb-Williams closed maze. In a series of 12 standardized tests the experimental rats made more errors than the controls (p = .06). The inferiority of anoxic animals was most marked in the final set of 6 tests during which they were significantly inferior to the control group (p = .04). Control rats displayed progressive improvement in performance in successive maze problems, but no such improvement was evident in the records of experimental cases. It appears that oxygen deprivation at the time of birth tends to reduce the rat's ability to transfer prior learning to new situations. Within the experimental group, however, there was no relationship between the duration of the anoxic period and the extent of deterioration in maze p...
Surface-selective chemical vapor deposition of copper films through the use of a molecular inhibitor

We report a simple process for the selective deposition of copper films on RuO2, while no Cu nucleation occurs on thermal SiO2 or porous carbon doped oxide (CDO). Using the precursor Cu(hfac)VTMS, selectivity is attained by adding a co-flow of excess VTMS to act as a growth inhibitor. With precursor alone, 52 nm of Cu grows on RuO2; on CDO or on thermal SiO2, nucleation is delayed such that 41 or 1.3 nm are deposited, respectively. Repeating the experiment with the co-flow of VTMS affords a 12 nm thick Cu film on RuO2 with roughness of 1.8 nm. But on CDO or thermal SiO2, the Cu deposition is only 0.10 or ∼0.04 nm, respectively. AFM scans of the CDO and SiO2 surfaces are identical to the bare substrates. The small quantity of Cu that is deposited must be finely distributed, presumably on defect sites; it can be etched to below the RBS detection limit using a co-flow of Hhfac and VTMS for few minutes at the end of the growth. The process window is wide: selective growth occurs for a range of VTMS pressures (0.5‐ 2.0 mTorr), growth times (up to 90 min), and growth temperatures (up to 180 ◦ C).
Cardiac Emergencies in Cancer Patients

Cardiac problems can occur at any time in cancer patients and be true medical challenges for physicians in an emergency center. The most important symptoms of heart disease include dyspnea, chest pain, chest discomfort, syncope, collapse, palpitation, edema, cough, hemoptysis, and excess fatigue. These symptoms are more common in patients with cancer than in those without it and are frequently nonspecific. Evaluation and management of cardiac emergencies in cancer patients may be challenging and may have to be individualized.
Archaeological Survey for the Proposed St. Peter-St. Joseph Children's Home Expansion, City of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

During September 2003, the Center for Archaeological Research of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted an archaeological survey for the proposed development of 3.17 acres at the St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home in the city of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The Phase I survey consisted of the excavation of 18 shovel tests. A single previously unrecorded prehistoric archaeological site (41BX1570) was encountered atop a terrace along a probable remnant channel of the San Antonio River. Moderate to abundant amounts of burned limestone, burned chert, and lithic debitage, along with two lithic tools comprised the prehistoric artifact assemblage. Four mechanically chipped lithic flakes were encountered with the prehistoric deposits throughout the vertical column to the terminal excavation depth of 70 centimeters below surface. The presence of these modern artifacts in concert with evidence of significant historic subsurface disturbance has provided adequate data to determine this site is not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places nor for listing as a State Archeological Landmark. It is therefore recommended that the proposed improvements proceed without further cultural resources investigations. All collected artifacts and records are curated at the Center for Archaeological Research permanent storage facility.
Biophoton interaction in biological systems: evidence of photonic info-energy transfer?

Photons are continuously absorbed and emitted by all living cells. A possible means of releasing energy when an electron changes energy states during a biochemical reaction is via biophoton emission. An example of energy transfer in biological systems is the process of photosynthesis. Biophoton emission has also been proposed as one possible mechanism responsible for intra- and intercellular communication (information transfer) as well as for regulation of biological and biochemical functions within cells and living systems. Measurements by other researchers of this emission have shown it has the properties of coherent light and is measurable from the UV through the near IR. Experimental evidence gathered by various researchers since the 1920's indicates that light plays an important role in certain biological functions and processes. Through a series of experiments we have observed resonance effects between plant parts measured using a highly sensitive, low noise, cooled CCD in total darkness in a light-tight chamber. Dynamical systems theory offers a plausible explanation for resonance effects we have observed. The role of photonic interaction at the systemic level in biological systems has received relatively little attention. Yet, a better understanding of these processes would help us in deciphering the nature and role of light in biological systems.
The Human–Machine Interface

This chapter discusses the human–machine interface. Early in the development of any technological breakthrough, the procedures for using the technology and its price usually prevent widespread application. As the price falls, and the procedures for its use become simplified, the use broadens. Applications have developed, and as the price and the procedures for using it have become within the reach of the professional in the field, the utilization of it as a clinical device has spread. Computer technology has developed more quickly for business, science, and industrial applications than for the applications involving human services. All of it requires processing of information and utilization of equipment that works in a consistent, logical, and definable manner. Perhaps it is for this reason that computers are last developed in the area of human interaction. Human interaction is extremely complex and often based on variables that are subject to only limited control. Computers are programmed to complete specific functions. Interactions that require interpretation or interpolation of response, or which can deal with unusual and/or tangentially related response, are not easily programmable. The end result is that any interaction between a computer and a person requires that the person reduce response patterns to a limited number that the computer can recognize and act upon in a logical manner.
Recognition of Biomarkers of Brain Connectivity and Pain Using Multi-Modal Imaging in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with impaired cognitive function, pain, cerebral stroke and other neural dysfunctions suggestive of altered brain function. The most common reason for hospitalization of SCD patients is pain. Sickle pain is unique compared to other clinical pain conditions because it includes chronic pain as well as acute pain due to vasoocclusive crisis. The neuropathic and nociceptive aspects of pain in SCD make pain treatment challenging. Opioids, the most common analgesics, are associated with liabilities, such as addiction and tolerance. As a result, patients are often under-treated because of a lack of an objective pain measurement system. We therefore sought to develop an unbiased pain quantification method using non-invasive imaging techniques to recognize the biomarkers of pain and altered brain function. We examined the brain network connectivity in SCD patients (N=14) and healthy controls (N=13) to identify altered activity between the two groups that can be used as biomarkers for chronic pain. All experimental procedures were approved by the IRB of the University of Minnesota, and all subjects gave written informed consent before participating in the study. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) were simultaneously recorded while the subjects were in a wakeful resting state. A 3T Siemens Trio whole-body scanner and a 16 channel head coil with an echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence were used to acquire fMRI data. EEG data was recorded using a 64-channel EEG cap and MR-compatible amplifiers. Seed-based region of interest (ROI) analysis was performed on the fMRI data using Brain Voyager QX software. EEG informed fMRI (EEG-fMRI) was performed for power and microstate analysis using Matlab and SPM8 software. Statistical activation maps (p Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Analyzing the Energy Efficiency of the Fast Multipole Method Using a DVFS-Aware Energy Model

We present a semi-empirical model for analyzing where a program spends its energy. This model combines measured features of an application, such as its instruction mix, with measured costs of the platform, such as the energy per operation specialized to different operations. The model permits costs to vary with voltage and frequency, as they would on platforms that support dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS). Our experiments indicate that the model accurately predicts the energy consumption of both microbenchmarks and a proxy application, which implements the fast multipole method for n-body problems. It is accurate enough to identify near-optimal voltage and frequency settings that maximize energy efficiency and permits an analysis of where potential hardware and software energy bottlenecks might be in our proxy application. We believe our overall methodology could be applied more broadly by other performance analysts.
Automated Mental State Detection for Mental Health Care

Automatic systems capable of ambulatory monitoring of a person’s mental state have the potential to radically transform mental health care. These systems go beyond unintelligent tracking of observable physical states (e.g., ambulatory electrocardiogram) into the realm of intelligent detection of unobservable mental states (e.g., mind wandering, boredom, stress). This chapter discusses the theoretical and technical foundation of automatic mental state detection systems. It provides a few illustrative examples of systems capable of automatically detecting a range of mental states that are particularly relevant to mental health care (e.g., stress, depression, pain). It concludes by taking a look at the current state of the art and identifies key challenges that need to be addressed before these systems can enjoy the widespread use needed to have a meaningful impact on people’s lives by improving their mental health.
Conservative and Pragmatist Politics

Utopian political writing has a long history, dating back to, perhaps, Plato’s Republic. Traditionally, utopian political writing attempts to depict a just political arrangement, and by doing so, presents a tacit critique of social and political conditions that differ significantly from the ideal society depicted. Thomas More’s Utopia and Edward Bellamy’s Looking Backward, and perhaps Plato’s Republic, are examples of this type of theoretical engagement. But other theoretical strategies — those which attempt to define the principles and justification for legitimate political, legal, and moral activity antecedent to any particular situation — are utopian in a different way. These types of theoretical endeavors begin in overly abstract scenarios and often ignore actual cultural context. The particularities of place and time are marginalized in favor of abstract justifications of first principles. Political, legal, and moral principles, then used as justification for a substantive program, appear to be ahis-torical but attempt a sort of logical perfection. These begin not with custom, experience, taste, and prejudice, nor with the sentimental induction summarizing our collective experience, but with first principles and imaginary scenarios. Those Enlightenment political figures discussed in Chapter 1, Hobbes, Locke, Paine, Rousseau, and Kant, each conceived of a mythical, imaginary beginning in the state of nature to begin their inquiries into the essence of legitimate political authority and just legislation.
Computer-aided Media Strategies in Local Election Campaigns

While national campaigns have assumed a pinnacle of media sophistication, spending millions of dollars, the local election often follows a more haphazard path to election day. Without the financial backing to support high-priced media moguls, the local candidate often relies on “hip-pocket” decisions and volunteer efforts. As a result, the following campaign planning scenario is typical.
TP53 Mutated MDS Patients Respond Equally to Hypomethylating Agents but Have Significantly Shorter Response Duration Compared to Patients with Wild Type TP53

Background: Prognostic impact of TP53 mutations has been well described in MDS. However little is known about predictive impact on response to hypomethylating agents (HMA). Aim: To determine predictive impact of TP53 mutation on response to frontline HMA therapy in MDS. Methods: Bone marrow samples from 168 patients with untreated MDS were screened for TP53 mutation by next generation sequencing platform. All patients were treated with upfront 5-azacitidine or decitabine based HMA therapy. 13 of them had longitudinal follow up of TP53 mutation after HMA therapy. Results: 38 patients (23%) had TP53 mutations. At baseline, TP53 mutated patients were significantly more neutropenic (P = 0.02), thrombocytopenic (P = 0.008), and had higher bone marrow blast (P = 0.006). TP53 mutation was significantly associated with complex karyotype (P Conclusion: MDS patients with TP53 mutations equally respond well to HMA therapy compared to WT patients. However, duration of response is significantly shorter than WT patients, which translates into worse overall survival. Longitudinal follow up showed persistence of the same TP53 clone after HMA therapy. Novel therapeutic strategy to improve duration of response in TP53 mutated MDS is urgently needed. Disclosures DiNardo:Novartis: Research Funding. Daver:ImmunoGen: Other: clinical trial, Research Funding.
POWERPIINC (PreOperative Window of Endocrine TheRapy Provides Information to Increase Compliance) trial: Changes in tumor proliferation index and quality of life with 7 days of preoperative tamoxifen

Abstract Objectives A decrease in Ki67 during neoadjuvant therapy predicts response to tamoxifen. Previous trials have shown a decreased Ki67 in breast tumors with as little as two or more weeks of preoperative tamoxifen. Shortening the preoperative treatment time in window of opportunity clinical trials makes these trials more attractive to women. POWERPIINC examined the effect of 7 days of preoperative tamoxifen on breast tumor proliferation and patient symptoms. Methods Women with untreated stage I/II, ER-positive, invasive breast cancer with no contraindications to tamoxifen were enrolled. Women received 20 mg of tamoxifen for 7 days up to the day of surgery. Proliferation was assessed by Ki67 immunohistochemistry before and after 7 days of tamoxifen. Symptoms and QOL were assessed by the FACT-ES and MENQOL. Adherence was measured by pill counts. Results 52 women were enrolled, and 44 were evaluable for Ki67. The median age was 58.5 years, and the median tumor diameter was 1.2 cm. Most women (73%) were post-menopausal. Most tumors were PR positive (88%) and HER2-negative (92%). The Ki67 decreased by a geometric mean of 40% (95% CI 29%–63%), and 73% (95% CI 57%–85%) of women had tumors with decreased proliferation (p = 0.0001 by paired t-test). Adherence to taking tamoxifen during the preoperative period was 100%. Women reported minimal bother from psychosocial or physical symptoms at baseline or on the day of surgery. Conclusion Seven days of tamoxifen showed a similar relative decrease in Ki67 as that reported for longer courses, was acceptable to women, and could be considered for window of opportunity studies.
Relationship Between Lymph Node Volume and Pain Following Certolizumab Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: The mechanisms that trigger flare in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are unknown. In murine arthritis models, dysfunctional lymph node (LN) drainage is associated with joint flare. To examine if LN alterations are associated with RA flare, we analyzed the change in LN volume via contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) in patients with active joint flare at baseline and 16 weeks after certolizumab pegol (CZP) therapy. We also assessed the changes in popliteal or epitrochlear LN volumes versus the Rheumatoid and Arthritis Outcome Score (RAOS) (knee), or the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ; wrist/hand), and Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), at baseline and 16 weeks. Results: Total LN volume in 7 of 10 patients with measurable LN on CE-MRI significantly decreased 16 weeks after CZP therapy (mean decrease 37%; P = 0.0019). Improvement in knee pain measured by the RAOS (P = 0.03) inversely correlated with a decrease in total popliteal LN volume (R² = 0.94). All patients demonstrated significant improvement in DAS28 (mean decrease 1.48; P = 0.0002). For flare in the hand, significant improvement in activities of daily living (ADL) as measured by the MHQ was observed (left hand mean improvement 20%; P = 0.02; right hand mean improvement 37%; P = 0.03). Conclusion: RA patients with the smallest change in LN volume during anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy experienced the greatest pain relief in symptomatic knee joints. Moreover, the remarkably linear inverse correlation between LN volume and joint pain observed in this small clinical pilot provides initial evidence to support the concept that dynamic changes in draining LN volume are a biomarker of clinical response to therapy in RA.
Respect for human dignity in nursing: philosophical and practical perspectives.

Since its first publication in 1976, the Code for Nurses with Interpretive Statements has provided guidelines for explicating the "moral obligations" of professional nurses (American Nurses Association [ANA], 1985). The American Nurses Association is currently drafting a new version of the code (ANA, Code of Ethics Project Task Force, 1999). In both documents the first ethical duty of all nurses in the profession is to show respect for human dignity (ANA, 1999): The nurses, in all professional relationships, practice with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems, (p. 4) A number of phrases are used in the five interpretive statements of this duty, the first of which is "respect for human dignity." Inherent in this phrase is respect for worth and human rights. Such phrases are replete within moral philosophy yet can also be found in other disciplines, including jurisprudence, religion, medicine, and the humanities. The actual definition of a word such as dignity is often not as meaningful as how it is perceived and used. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of the word dignity by examining selected moral philosophical epis-temologies, dictionary meanings, current literature, and perceptions of students in nursing programs at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. Based on the discussion of these four sources of ethical knowing, possibilities for future analysis of respect for human dignity are offered that suggest that this concept is underdeveloped if investigated only scientifically. It is concluded that such respect for human dignity can be viewed as a practical art, enhanced through praxis, conducive to dialogue among nursing professionals, and broader both ontologically and epistemologically than a principle in a code of ethics.
Know when to Hold `Em, Know when to Fold `Em; SM Proteins as Templates for SNARE Assembly

A major focus of our research is the machinery that guides the fusion of vesicles during intracellular transport. These vesicles deliver their cargo via membrane fusion reactions executed by membrane-bridging SNARE complexes. The formation of SNARE complexes generally requires that four different SNARE proteins, anchored in two different membranes, undergo a coupled folding and assembly reaction during which the SNARE motifs zipper up into a parallel four-helix bundle. This complicated process is inefficient in vitro, and is certain to be even more challenging in vivo, where it must compete with the formation of various non-cognate and off-pathway SNARE complexes. Consequently, we hypothesize that SNARE complex assembly reactions in the cell are orchestrated by a set of ‘topologically aware’ chaperones called multisubunit tethering complexes (MTCs). We furthermore propose that the key task of catalyzing four-helix bundle formation falls to the Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins, working together with - and sometimes as integral subunits of - the MTCs. Therefore, the goal of our work is to achieve an improved structural and mechanistic understanding of MTC and SM function in the assembly of fusogenic SNARE complexes. My presentation will focus on the SM proteins, and on our X-ray crystallographic and biochemical efforts to understand how they catalyze four-helix bundle formation.
Thermoelectric Performance of Tetrahedrite Synthesized by a Modified Polyol Process

Tetrahedrite, a promising thermoelectric material composed of earth-abundant elements, has been fabricated utilizing the rapid and low energy modified polyol process. Synthesis has been demonstrated for undoped and zinc-doped tetrahedrite samples on the gram scale requiring only 1 h at 220 °C. This method is capable of incorporating dopants and producing particles in the 50–200 nm size regime. For determination of bulk thermoelectric properties, powders produced by this solution-phase method were densified into pellets by spark plasma sintering. Thermopower, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity were obtained for temperatures ranging from 323 to 723 K. Maximum ZT values at 723 K were found to be 0.66 and 1.09 for the undoped and zinc-doped tetrahedrite samples, respectively. These values are comparable to or greater than those obtained using time and energy intensive conventional solid-state methods. Consolidated pellets fabricated using nanomaterial produced by this solution-phase method were ...
Abstract 35: Pseudo-knockin Mice Expressing JPH2-A399S Develop Cardiac Hypertrophy by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background: Dysfunctional intracellular Ca2+ handling has been implicated in adverse cardiac remodeling leading to hypertrophy and failure. Recent evidence has linked mutations in the Ca2+ handling protein Junctophilin-2 (JPH2) with the development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, the mechanism remains unknown. Objective: To use advanced in vivo imaging modalities in conjunction with biochemical techniques to determine the mechanism of hypertrophic remodeling in a murine model hosting a novel JPH2 mutation. Methods and Results: 1. Pseudo-knockin (PKI) Mice: transgenic mice with the JPH2-A399S mutation (or WT JPH2) containing inducible shJPH2 were dosed with tamoxifen to knock down the combined levels of JPH2 to near WT expression. 2. MRI: A399S and WT PKI controls were imaged at 2 months post injection at which time body weight was similar for mutants (29.8±.81g) and controls (31.8±1.29g). Intragate (Bruker) was used to obtain FLASH cine images and EKG-gated tagged images were obtained to determine strain. MRI post-processing and measurements were performed using Amira and Diagnosoft software. A399S PKI mice exhibited significantly increased left ventricular mass (2.96±.21g/kg; n=4) compared to controls (2.27±.08g/kg; n=3) and max diastolic septal thickness (1.39±.05mm; n=9 versus 0.97±.00mm; n=4; P<0.01). Mutants trended toward decreased septal strain (-8.97±1.04; n=4) compared to the control (-10.28; n=1) indicative of reduced regional contractility 3. Biochemistry: stress markers were measured by qPCR. Average BNP was increased over 3 fold. Larger sample size is needed to reach significance. Western blot showed no significant change (p=.78) in phosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, which is often activated by aberrant Ca2+ signaling. Conclusions: Our data show that the JPH2-A399S mutation leads to septal hypertrophy in PKI mice. This suggests that defects in JPH2 are sufficient to induce pathological cardiac remodeling. Despite the role of JPH2 in Ca2+ handling, this form of hypertrophy does not appear to be mediated by traditional Ca2+ signaling. Further studies will focus on alternative Ca2+-dependent pathways to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of these hypertrophic changes.
Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist in the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

In the stomach, gastric acid is secreted by the parietal cell. Several factors such as the presence of food, the smell, and/or taste of food and stress have influence on gastric acid secretion. Gastrin, histamine, acetylcholine, and prostaglandin regulate gastric acid secretion through the gastrin, the histamine, the muscarine, and the prostaglandin receptors, respectively (Fig. 88.1). In contrast, the prostaglandin receptor downregulates the gastric acid secretion and protects against the erosive irritation of gastric acid. The presence of food raises the pH in the stomach, which stimulates gastrin cells in the antrum of the stomach to produce gastrin. Subsequently, gastrin is then excreted into the bloodstream and stimulates the receptors at the parietal cell (the direct pathway) as well as the receptors at the adjacent endocrine cell (the histamine pathway). Acetylcholine (neurotransmitter) has a similar working mechanism and demonstrates the neural influence on gastric acid secretion. Histamine is produced by the endocrine cells and stimulates the histamine-2 receptor at the adjacent parietal cells. This stimulation results in an increase of intracellular cAMP, which in turn activates the H+/K+-ATPase. Also at the parietal cell, the acetylcholine binds and activates the acetylcholine receptor, which results in the opening of calcium channels. This leads to a calcium influx. In addition, gastrin binds and activates the gastrin receptors, which results in the mobilization of the intracellular calcium pool. These two additional mechanisms help the cAMP to activate the H+/K+-ATPase. This process will actively shift H+-ions into the lumen of the stomach in exchange to K+-ions (Fig. 88.1). The histamine, gastrin, acetylcholine, and prostaglandin receptors together form a mechanism to balance the gastric acid production for the digestion of food and the downregulation for the protection of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
Physical Human–Robot Interaction (pHRI) in 6 DOF With Asymmetric Cooperation

Human–robot interaction is a growing area of research as robotic applications expand into unstructured environments. However, much of the current research has focused on tasks involving limited degrees of freedom (DOF), while not allowing the human the ability to choose the DOF on which they wish to focus. In this paper, a controller that allows human–robot cooperation in six-DOF Cartesian space is presented, which allows the human to direct their focus as they desire. The developed scheme was tested using a virtual reality system while maintaining physical interaction with the robot. Overall, the subjects were 100% successful in completion of the tasks and were able to exchange leader/follower roles with the robot bidirectionally. In addition, a reinforcement learning algorithm was shown to decrease the estimated mechanical power applied by the human to exchange roles. The latter proves the efficiency of the proposed scheme and makes it a strong candidate for applications that involve sophisticated human–robot interaction in collaborative tasks found in a plethora of cases, e.g., industry, manufacturing, semi-autonomous driving, and so on.
Where are the Glass-Boxes?: Examining the Spectrum of Modularity in Physical Computing Hardware Tools

Teaching physical computing has become more prevalent in the past several decades as the maker movement has popularized microcontroller kits as a way to engage students in learning about and creating with technology. Depending on the design of the kit, students can be exposed to concepts in electronics, computer science and design of computational objects. We argue that the concepts students are exposed to depend on the modularity of the hardware and software tools. We define the level of modularity based on two interdependent characteristics: transparency and affordances for interaction. The transparency affects what is hidden or visible to the learner, while the affordances for interaction regulate how users manipulate and combine elements when constructing a computational artifact. Within this study, we examine the transparency and affordances for interaction of the physical computing hardware tools. Using our findings from this examination, we layout a framework that outlines spectrum of modularity that can be provided to facilitate learning with maker kits.
Geometric Model Predictive Control: A Practical Approach to Uncertain Industrial Processes

Abstract This paper presents a set-theoretic approach to dealing explicitly with uncertainty in Model Predictive Control (MPC). Specifically, all control objectives, disturbances, model uncertainties, nonlinear effects, and constraints are described by sets of admissible values. The corresponding sets of control sequences consistent with this problem formulation may then be determined from the mathematical theory of convex sets and geometric inequalities. This formulation provides an alternative to both the time-domain stochastic formulations and robust frequency domain formulations without having to treat the important phenomena of disturbance modeling, model uncertainty, nonlinearity, and constraints in an ad hoc fashion. The explicit geometric nature of the problem formulation and the practical implementation of this technique are illustrated with a two-state process example for which all aspects of the control problem may be viewed explicitly in terms of sets in the plane, and the resulting solutions interpreted in practical terms.
Operant Preference of Retarded and Normal Males for Rate of Narration

This study investigated the listening rate preferences of retarded and normal boys. A story was recorded at the 180 wpm rate and modified by a speech compressor-expander mechanism to obtain additional rates of 90, 120, 240, and 360 wpm. These rates were paired throughout several sessions and simultaneously offered to each S. By programing these stimuli by conjugate reinforcement, the investigator was able to obtain continuous data relevant to each S’s preference for a particular speed of speech. The results disclosed that of the normal boys, 5 preferred the 180 (normal) wpm rate, 3 the 240 wpm rate, and 1 the 120 wpm rate. Of the retarded boys, 1 chose the 360 wpm rate, 3 the 240 wpm rate, 2 the 120 wpm rate, and 3 the 90 wpm rate, all rejecting the normal speech rate. Data from one retarded and one normal boy were inconclusive in so far as establishing a specific preference.
Spectroscopy of the low-lying states of CaO+

Abstract Low energy states of CaO+ have been examined by means of two-color threshold ionization spectroscopy. It is established that the ground state is X2Πi and the first excited state, just 685 cm−1 higher in energy, is A2Σ+. Due to the close proximity of the X2Π1/2 and A2Σ+ vibronic levels, they are mutually perturbing via the spin-orbit operator. A deperturbation analysis is presented for two pairs of levels. These measurements also yielded improved values for the ionization energy of CaO (55,428 ± 3 cm−1) and the bond dissociation energy of CaO+ (27,000 ± 600 cm−1). The results validate previous theoretical calculations and provide spectroscopic data of value for future ion trap studies of CaO+ at ultra-cold temperatures.
GATOR1 regulates nitrogenic cataplerotic reactions of the mitochondrial TCA cycle

The GATOR1 (SEACIT) complex consisting of Iml1-Npr2-Npr3 inhibits target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) in response to amino acid insufficiency. In glucose medium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants lacking the function of this complex grow poorly in the absence of amino acid supplementation, despite showing hallmarks of increased TORC1 signaling. Such mutants sense that they are amino acid replete and thus repress metabolic activities that are important for achieving this state. We found that npr2Δ mutants have defective mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA)-cycle activity and retrograde response. Supplementation with glutamine, and especially aspartate, which are nitrogen-containing forms of TCA-cycle intermediates, rescues growth of npr2Δ mutants. These amino acids are then consumed in biosynthetic pathways that require nitrogen to support proliferative metabolism. Our findings revealed that negative regulators of TORC1, such as GATOR1 (SEACIT), regulate the cataplerotic synthesis of these amino acids from the TCA cycle, in tune with the amino acid and nitrogen status of cells.
Emerging drivers and business models for equipment reuse and remanufacturing in the US: lessons from the biotech industry

While regulations have advanced product take-back in some markets, challenges to increasing product reuse and remanufacturing remain. Most research to date has focused on original equipment manufacturers taking back and remanufacturing their products, which is often problematic. The present study demonstrates that there are emerging opportunities for small companies with innovative business models to enter the market and advance product end-of-life (EoL) management. The paper examines the biotechnology industry – a growing sector with high spending on lab equipment and relatively short lifespans of research and development instruments. Building on previous research and analysis of industry practices and emerging drivers for product reuse and remanufacturing, the authors propose a framework for sustainable EoL management that includes five managerial drivers: financial benefits, space, ease/convenience, information, and sustainability goals. The paper concludes with discussion of the lessons learned and pr...
Facilitation of CO 2 Through Layers with a Spatial Distribution of Carbonic Anhydrase

In previous papers (Suchdeo and Schultz, 1974; Schultz et al., 1974), we have shown that one of the major parameters that govern facilitated diffusion in menbranes is the Damkohler number for the system, kL2 /D. Calculation techniques were developed to estimate the facilitation of CO2 through bicarbonate solutions with and without carbonic anhydrase. These experimental and theoretical studies primarily considered films with homogeneous composition. In this paper, we extend these approaches to films with a spatial distribution of carbonic anhydrase. Selegny et al. (1971), have performed some experiments of this type and Donaldson and Quinn (1975), have developed analytical solutions for isotopic tracer flux thorugh layered systems.