cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complex-scaled multireference configuration-interaction method to study Be and Be-like cations' (B, C, N, O, Mg) Auger resonances 1 s 2 s 2 2 p 1 , 3 P o

A complex-scaled multireference configuration interaction method (CMR-CI) is proposed, which employs the multireference orbitals optimized with complex-scaled multiconfiguration self-consistent field for the specific state. First applications for the 1$s$2${s}^{2}$2$p$ ${}^{1,3}$$\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}^{\mathrm{o}}$ Auger resonances of Be and Be-like cations (B, C, N, O, Mg) show that present results agree very well with the available experimental and theoretical results. For example, our CMR-CI 1$s$2${s}^{2}$2$\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}p$ ${}^{1}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}^{\mathrm{o}}$ resonance position and linewidth for C${}^{2+}$ are (294.031 eV, 61.5 meV), which is in excellent agreement with the high-resolution advanced light source latest experiment result (293.94 $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}$ 0.03 eV, 65 $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}$ 12 meV) [Scully et al., J. Phys. B 38, 1967 (2005)]. Our calculations show that this CMR-CI method is a practical and important tool to study resonant states.
Sustainable Utilization of Medicinal Plants Derived from Forest

Medicinal plants derived from forest hold the lion share of wild medicinal plants.Rapid development of Chinese medicine industry is posing a serious threat to the resources of medicinal plants derived from forest,which in turn make the sustainable development of Chinese medicine face severe challenge.Based on national strategy of Chinese medicine modernization,Chinese medicine industry will develop in sustainable way.So it is necessary to abide by pertinent laws and regulations,and reinforce the protection of medicinal plant germplasm.Moreover,the traditional model of exploring the resources of medicinal plants should be changed.Aiming at realizing sustainable development of medicinal plants derived from forest,advanced technology should be top priority,and there are lots of work to do,which includes emphasizing scientific proof,clarifying effective components,identifying action mechanism of plant drugs.Meanwhile,good agricultural practice for Chinese crude drugs shall be strictly implemented and reckless excavation of wild medicinal plants derived from forest forbidden.Then,comprehensive study should be focused on looking for replacement of rare and precious wild medicinal plants,and advocating industrialized production of Chinese drug materials.In the process of industrialization of Chinese drugs,innovations are needed in developing conception,product mix and company structure.By means of integrating various resources of scientific study,pharmaceutical enterprises and wild plants in forest,the model of forestry-drug integration would be initiated so as to realize sustainable and harmonious development between industry,resources and environment.
Turnover of the fatty acids of rat brain gangliosides, glycerophosphatides, cerebrosides, and sulfatides as a function of age.

SUMMARY Rats of three different ages (7, 13, and 22 days) were given a single injection of acetate-l-W, then sacrificed at intervals (4 hr, 2 days, 10 days, and 30 days). The fatty acids of brain gangliosides, glycerophosphatides, cerebrosides, and sulfatides were isolated and counted. Some were decarboxylated and the resultant carbon dioxide was counted. The data indicate that the palmitate of gangliosides and glycerophosphatides is made de novo from acetate, but that the stearate of these lipids is made by elongation of palmitate. The palmitate used for elongation is not the freshly synthesized acid but rather the acid recently liberated by breakdown of the complex lipids. Lignocerate also appears to be made by elongation, but it is possible that the stearate of cerebroside is made de novo. No qualitative difference was seen in the turnover curves or modes of biosynthesis in the three rat groups. The turnover rates for ganglioside fatty acids were similar to those for the phosphoglycerides. Turnover data for sphingosine in cerebrosides and sulfatides are presented.
Abstract B96: Tackling obesity-related cancer health disparity, new inhibitors of leptin signaling

Obesity is a global pandemic that has been linked to the progression of several different cancers including: breast, pancreatic, and endometrial. The presence of excessive amounts of adipose tissue leads to increased production and circulation of leptin, a 16kDa protein adipokine. Leptin mediates several signaling pathways that are essential to angiogenesis, proliferation, migration, and cancer cell survival. Chronically high levels of circulating leptin have been shown to increase proliferation of cancer cells. Obese African American patients suffering from triple negative breast TNBC or pancreatic cancer have worse clinical outcomes than Caucasian women. Leptin could be a survival factor for these cancers, which lack specific therapies and are treated with chemotherapeutic drugs, which show several undesirable effects. Moreover, these cancers show notable development of chemoresistance and recurrence. We have designed and tested a potent leptin antagonist LPrA2 that inhibits leptin-induced proliferation, invasion, and migration of several cancer cell types. Recently, new LPrA2- like antagonists have been produced. We hypothesize that the new peptide antagonists could be more effective inhibitors of leptin signaling when treating cancer cells in comparison to LPrA2. LPrA2-like antagonists showed no toxicity in non-malignant cells. Minimally invasive and a highly metastatic TNBC and pancreatic cell lines were treated with leptin and antagonists for 24 and 48 hours. Cellometer analysis and MTT assay were used to determine cell cycle staging and cell proliferation, respectively. Additionally, apoptosis rate was determined after combinatory treatments with leptin antagonists and chemotherapeutics were applied to the cancer cells. Our results show that LPrA2-like antagonists were more effective inhibitors of leptin induced S-phase, proliferation and survival than LPrA2. Results from this investigation could lead to the development of new therapeutic regimens for obesity-related cancers, which could help eliminating the gap of cancer health disparity in African American patients. Citation Format: Crystal C. Lipsey, Adriana Harbuzariu, Courtney Dill, Ruben R. Gonzalez-Perez. Tackling obesity-related cancer health disparity, new inhibitors of leptin signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B96.
Development of an Immunoassay for the Detection of the Phenylpyrazole Insecticide Fipronil

Phenylpyrazole insecticides such as fipronil have been used as replacements for organophosphates. The wide application of fipronil raises concern about environmental contamination and risk for fish, birds, and other nontargeted beings as well as human health. A sensitive, competitive indirect heterologous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. Antibodies with different specificities to fipronil and its metabolites were produced. Two ELISAs having IC50 values of 0.58 ± 0.06 and 2.6 ± 0.4 ng/mL were developed. Design of different haptens and coating antigens resulted in two assays with distinct cross-reactivity patterns for structurally related compounds: 96, 38, and 101% versus 39, 1.4, and 25% for fipronil-sulfide, fipronil-detrifluoromethylsulfonyl, and fipronil-desulfinyl, respectively. Performance of the immunoassays was demonstrated by a recovery study from spiked water and human serum and urine matrices, giving recovery values in the range of 85–111% for different concentrations. Th...
In-Home Deployments

In-home deployments can be used to study current behavior patterns or to evaluate prototype systems. Compared to other options such as lab studies, interviews, or surveys, in-home deployments offer unparalleled realism due to the in-situ nature of the deployment as part of the participants’ normal lives. However, in-home deployments require careful planning and considerable effort. This chapter will help in the planning and successful execution of home deployment studies by sharing insights drawn from our combined experience running many different studies in the home, and by using the deployment of the PreHeat prototype as a concrete example. Among the lessons we highlight are the importance of carefully considering the minimum viable prototype to build for deployment, the value of remote monitoring to catch problems, and the importance of flexibility and robustness in deployed systems to cope with unexpected issues in the home environment. By discussing the challenges we faced and the lessons we learned, we hope that others will be able to more easily conduct in-home deployments and gather the rich and informative data they provide. Our experiences have led us to develop and open source two platforms that strive to reduce the engineering effort required for deployments: .NET Gadgeteer ( http://www.netmf.com/gadgeteer/ ), a prototyping platform for custom devices, and Lab of Things ( http://www.lab-of-things.com/ ), an SDK (software development kit) that provides features such as remote monitoring and updates for home deployments.
Event Structure and Complex Predicates in Persian

Cet article etudie les proprietes syntaxiques et semantiques des verbes composes en persan afin de mettre a jour les contributions individuelles des composants de la construction verbale. La structure evenementielle de certains predicats complexes est determinee et une analyse de la construction verbale est proposee ou les composants sont decomposes en elements syntaxiques primitifs qui consistent en des racines lexicales et des tetes fonctionnelles, ces dernieres etant responsables de la projection des arguments de la construction verbale. L'analyse fournie suggere que la structure argumentale n'est pas projetee du lexique, mais est plutot formee de facon compositionnelle en joignant, dans le domaine syntaxique, les composants primitifs du predicat complexe. Les travaux portant sur les verbes composes en persan ont indique que ces constructions montrent un double comportement lexical et syntaxique. L'analyse proposee peut facilement expliquer ces proprietes puisqu'il n'y existe aucune division stricte entre le niveau responsable pour la formation des mots et le module qui manipule les constructions phrastiques.
Behavior of skewed extended shear tab connections part I: Connection to supporting web

Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate the behavior of skewed extended shear tab connections in which plate (shear tab) is welded to supporting member webs (flexible supports). To achieve the study goals, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for orthogonal configurations of extended shear tab connections were performed using the finite element software, ABAQUS. To validate the finite element models, the FEA results were compared with experimental results obtained from experimental investigation by Sherman and Ghorbanpoor [19]. Then, finite element models for skewed connections at different angles were created, analyzed and investigated. It was observed that skewed and orthogonal configurations have the same failure modes, however, the shear tab's twist increases with increased connection orientation due to additional torsional moment transferred from the supported beam to supporting member. Additionally, it was observed that the connection's vertical displacement slightly decreases as connection orientation increases. Relationships between the shear tab twist and skewed angle as well as and the shear tab vertical displacement and the skewed angle were investigated. It was observed that plate twist-skewed angle relationship can be represented using a linear equation. This equation can be used to relate the shear tab twist of skewed and orthogonal connections. Finally, the shear tab's torsional strength equation in the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) manual 14th edition [4] was modified to consider the additional torsional moment added to the shear tab due to the connection orientation.
Relations of Acanthoscelides with Their Plant Hosts

Because it contains more species than any other genus of New World bruchids, I think a discussion of the history and size of Acanthoscelides is appropriate before I discuss its host relations.
The Straight-Bladed Morphing Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Blade pitch control has been extremely important for the development of Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs), allowing for greater efficiency over a wider range of operational regimes when compared to rigid-bladed designs. For Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs), blade pitching is inherently more difficult due to a dependence of attack angle on turbine armature location, shaft speed, and wind speed. As a result, there have been very few practical pitch control schemes put forward for VAWTs, which may be a major reason why this wind turbine type enjoys a much lower market share as compared to HAWTs. To alleviate this issue, the flexible, straight-bladed vertical-axis turbine is presented, which can passively adapt its geometry to local aerodynamic loadings and serves as a low-cost blade pitch control strategy increasing efficiency and startup capabilities. Using two-dimensional fluid-structure action simulations, this novel concept is compared to an identical rigid one and is proven to be superior in terms of power coefficient due to decreased torque minima. Moreover, due to the flexible nature of the blades, the morphing turbine achieves less severe oscillatory loadings. As a result, the morphing blade design is expected to not only increase efficiency but also system longevity without additional system costs usually associated with active pitch control schemes.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Model selection with missing covariates for policy considerations in fox enclosures

ABSTRACTFoxhound training enclosures are facilities where wild-trapped foxes are placed into large fenced areas for dog training purposes. Although the purpose of these facilities is to train dogs without harming foxes, dog-related mortality has been reported to be an issue in some enclosures. Using data from a fox enclosure in Virginia, we investigate factors that influence fox survival in these dog training facilities and propose a set of policies to improve fox survival. In particular, a Bayesian hierarchical model is formulated to compute fox survival probabilities based on a fox's time in the enclosure and the number of dogs allowed in the enclosure at one time. These calculations are complicated by missing information on the number of dogs in the enclosure for many days during the study. We elicit expert knowledge for a prior on the number of dogs to account for the uncertainty in the missing data. Reversible jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo is used for model selection in the presence of missing covari...
Course (Re)Design Academy: Aligning Student Learning Outcomes with Learning Tasks in French for the Professions Course

What I first envisaged as one sizable end-of-semester task developed into a semester-long set of learning tasks supporting the final project. While designing the course I also learned that it is crucial to link these learning support tasks to the learning outcomes and I planned out assessment tools for each of the Learning Support Tasks (LSTs). This poster highlights and demonstrates the importance of backward designin course redesign and the setting of clear, reasonable, and relevant learning outcomes.
Selective Modulation of Internal Charge Transfer and Photoinduced Electron Transfer Processes in N-Aryl-1,8-Naphthalimide Derivatives: Applications in Reaction-Based Fluorogenic Sensing of Sulfide.

Three reaction-based fluorescent probes based on two new naphthalimide platforms were developed for the detection of H2S. A new approach in detecting H2S by the reduction of an azide to a triazene intermediate in aqueous media is reported. Given their design features, these chemodosimeters provide useful insights into the relatively unexplored area of C0 spacers between receptor:reporter components. The N-aryl-1,8-naphthalimide platform features straightforward placement of the internal charge transfer and photoinduced electron transfer (PET) modulators on the same molecule. In the three examples presented, the N-aryl component proved to be an effective photophysical device as it allows the placement of a PET modulator at the strategically important and less explored imide position of 1,8-naphthalimides. These probes or dosimetric agents demonstrated good selectivity, two-signal response, and the desirable OFF–ON fluorescence response. By implementation of both the azido and nitro group as sulfide-reactiv...
Diagnosis and Management of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Symptoms that suggest that the sacroiliac joint (SIJ), as opposed to pathology of the lumbar spine or hip, may be a source of pain include pain with position changes, such as standing from a seated position or sitting on a hard surface. Radiation to the groin or Fortin area also suggest sacroiliac j
Innovative Uses of the Ocean

Instead of attempting to write an entire book on innovative uses of the ocean I have chosen to highlight some of the more probable future possibilities and avoid the impractical and improbable. In particular, I emphasize possibilities for using the ocean as a source of energy, the interaction of the ocean and climate, fresh water from the ocean, the ocean as an ultimate resting place for nuclear wastes, and imaginative uses of, for example, satellites and the organisms in the ocean. It goes without saying that other major innovative uses of the ocean are likely to be developed that have been completely unanticipated in the writing of the chapter.
Modeling and Solving Biotransport Problems

The objective of building a model of a transport process is to predict the behavior of a system under a specified set of operating conditions or to understand the interplay among various factors that contribute to a process of interest. Models can be either mathematical models or physical models. Consequently, there are two general approaches used to solve problems in biotransport: the theoretical approach and the empirical approach.
Biofeedback and Meditation in the Treatment of Borderline Hypertension

Because essential hypertension affects about 10 percent of the general population, behavioral manipulation of blood pressure has received much attention as a possible clinical tool (Shapiro & Surwit, 1976). Over the past six years, a number of different behavioral techniques have been clinically applied to the control of hypertension. The main purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of three such methods in the treatment of essential hypertension.
Convolutions of Normalized Harmonic Mappings

Recent results on the convolution of two planar harmonic mappings is built upon the theory that when the convolution of functions from certain families of mappings, such as half-plane or strip mappings, is locally univalent, then the convolution will possess certain direction-convexity properties. Thus, much of the latest work on harmonic convolutions centers around establishing conditions on the dilatations of $$f_1, f_2: {\mathbb D}\rightarrow {\mathbb C}$$ from the families above so that $$f_1 * f_2$$ is locally univalent. Recently, it was noted that normalizations for these families were not treated properly when some dilatations considered did not fix zero. In this paper, we account for a variety of dilatations that do not fix zero by broadening the family from which $$f_1$$ and $$f_2$$ are chosen. Additionally, we show that when removing a hypothesis from one of our results it is possible to have a locally univalent convolution that fails to be univalent. This demonstrates that some of the previous work on convolutions cannot simply be modified by a re-normalization while affirming the necessity of the hypothesis.
How to be a maker: Birds to the banquet

In the final instalment of this series, Hannah Joshua shows you how to rig your bird feeder to open and close by remote control
Integrated Operations Management for Distributed Manufacturing

Abstract In traditional manufacturing operations management systems, the four pillars of ISA-95 (production, quality, maintenance, inventory) are each implemented as separate software systems. Each system independently manages its own data, operational decision-making, and resources. If the heterogeneous data from these disparate systems could be successfully integrated, manufacturing operations could be greatly improved by allowing decisions related to these systems to be integrated across multiple distributed operating units and made closer to the factory floor with better contextualization of the connected systems. The challenge of integrating these systems is magnified for loosely coupled and/or geographically distributed enterprises and contracted third parties that provide production, storage, transportation, and/or other capabilities. This paper describes some requirements and associated research challenges for balancing two objectives driving integrated operations management for distributed manufacturing: (1) integrating heterogeneous data and related decisions to enable better informed decision-making, and (2) making and executing operational decisions closer to data sources and control actuation. This second objective enables systems to react faster, while also reflecting the realities of distributed enterprises. The research goal is to develop and standardize model-based approaches for design, decision-support, and execution of operations management functions. From this perspective, the main focuses of this paper are operational control, reliability management, and maintenance activities. All authors of the Work are U.S. Government employees and prepared the Work on a subject within the scope of their official duties. As such the Work is not subject to U.S. copyright protection.
Determination of mercury solvation during cyanidation of artisanal & small-scale gold mining tailings via inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy in comparison to direct mercury analysis

A procedure employing inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for the determination of solubilised Hg during the modelled cyanidation of Hg0-contaminated tailings from ar...
A new polymer lab-on-a-chip (LOC) based on a microfluidic capillary flow assay (MCFA) for detecting unbound cortisol in saliva

Unbound cortisol in saliva, which can be detected with non-invasive sampling, is now considered as one of the most effective biomarkers for the biochemical evaluation of common mental disorders. In this work, a new polymer lab-on-a-chip (LOC) based on a microfluidic capillary flow assay (MCFA) with on-chip dried reagents was newly developed and fully characterized for the detection of unbound cortisol in saliva. The new MCFA device consisted of serially connected microchannels for sample loading, dried detection antibodies, time delay for incubation time control, a spiral reaction chamber for testing, positive and negative controls, and a capillary pump for waste fluid collection. In addition, a portable fluorescence analyzer was also developed for the rapid quantitative measurement of salivary cortisol with high accuracy. A linear dynamic range of 7.0 pg mL-1-16.0 ng mL-1 was achieved from spiked artificial saliva samples with an inter-chip CV of around 4.0% using the developed LOC and fluorescence analyzer. The achieved results support the effective biochemical analysis of common mental disorders such as chronic stress, depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The new LOC based on a microfluidic capillary flow assay (MCFA) developed in this work can be one of the most promising LOC platforms for high-sensitivity and quantitative POCT with saliva and blood plasma/serum samples.
Influence of Duration of Injury on Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Acute Canine Spinal Cord Injury.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) quantifies microstructural lesion characteristics, but impact of the interval between spinal cord injury (SCI) and examination on imaging characteristics is unclear. ...
Solving a furan fatty acid biosynthesis puzzle.

Furan fatty acids (FuFAs), characterized by a central furan moiety, are widely dispersed in nature, but their biosynthetic origins are not clear. A new study from Lemke et al. employs a full court press of genetics, genomics, biochemical, and advanced analytical techniques to dissect the biosynthetic pathway of mono- and dimethyl FuFAs and their intermediates in two related bacteria. These findings lay the foundation both for detailed study of these novel enzymes and for gaining further insights into FuFA functions.
A Quasi-Analytical Model for Energy-Delay-Reliability Tradeoff Studies During Write Operations in a Perpendicular STT-RAM Cell

One of the biggest challenges that the current spin-transfer-torque-based random access memory (STT-RAM) industry faces is maintaining high thermal stability while trying to switch within a given voltage pulse and energy cost. In this paper, we present a physics-based analytical model that uses a modified Simmons tunneling expression to capture the spin-dependent tunneling in a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). Coupled with an analytical derivation of the critical switching current based on the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation and the write error rate derived from a solution to the Fokker–Planck equation, this model provides us a quick estimate of the energy-delay-reliability tradeoffs in perpendicular STT-RAM devices due to thermal fluctuations. In other words, the model provides a simple way to calculate the energy consumed during write operation that ensures a certain error rate and delay time while being numerically far less intensive than a full-fledged stochastic calculation. We calculate the worst case energy consumption during antiparallel (AP)-to-parallel (P) and P-to-AP switchings and quantify how increasing the anisotropy field $H_{K}$ and lowering the saturation magnetization $M_{S}$ can significantly reduce the energy consumption. A case study on how manufacturing variations of the MTJ cell can affect the energy consumption and delay is also reported.
M.A.T.H: Methanol vapor analytics through handheld sensing platform

Abstract Volatile organic compounds are depicted as biomarkers in numerous respiratory diseases as well as in environment pollution. Methanol is a VOC that is a well-established biomarker and produced exogenously as well as endogenously in both these cases, hence there is a critical need for a versatile sensor system that can measure methanol from the lower parts-per-million to 1000 parts-per million. This paper presents the development of a new miniaturized electrochemical gas sensing platform for the rapid measurement and detection of methanol vapors in the environment. The sensor uses a nafion-Room Temperature Ionic Liquid (RTIL) modified planar interdigitated electrode platform that helps in fast gas diffusion and is incorporated onto an IoT-based platform for on-site monitoring. The designed miniaturized VOC sensor can measure methanol concentrations as low as 1 PPM and provides enhanced sensitivity, specificity, linearity, and repeatability as validated for methanol vapor monitoring. This sensor can detect a wide dynamic range of 1–1000 PPM of methanol vapor using 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) as RTIL and has a response time of ~5 s, which allows for faster detection. We have achieved a LOD of 1 PPM for methanol detection by quantifying the diffusion current and charge modulations arising within the electrical double layer from the RTIL-methanol interactions through DC-based chronoamperometry. The electrochemical aspect of the RTIL-methanol interaction has been further characterized by chronocoulometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. We have leveraged the electrochemical properties of nafion-[BMIM]Cl crosslinked polymeric network for detecting methanol vapor and developed an electrochemical sensor that can serve as a robust and sensitive platform for on-site detection. In this work, we have demonstrated the development and proof-of-feasibility of an electrochemical RTIL-based sensor prototype for methanol detection in ambient environment. The portability, small form factor, embedded RTIL sensing element, integrability with low-power microelectronic, and an IoT interface makes this methanol sensor prototype a potential application for human health and work safety monitoring. The developed sensor platform is a promising step toward building a next generation rapid, IoT-based microelectronic device for monitoring and detection of methanol vapors even in very low concentration.
Predicting 90 day acute heart failure readmission and death using machine learning-supported decision analysis

Readmission or death soon after heart failure (HF) admission is a significant problem. Traditional analyses for predicting such events often fail to consider the gamut of characteristics that may contribute- tending to focus on 30-day outcomes even though the window of increased vulnerability may last up to 90 days. Risk assessments incorporating machine learning (ML) methods may be better suited than traditional statistical analyses alone to sort through multitude of data in the electronic health record (EHR) and identify patients at higher risk. HYPOTHESIS: ML-based decision analysis may better identify patients at increased risk for 90-day acute HF readmission or death after incident HF admission. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 3189 patients who underwent index HF hospitalization, 15.2% experienced primary or acute HF readmission and 11.5% died within 90 days. For risk assessment models, 98 variables were considered across nine data categories. ML techniques were used to help select variables for a final logistic regression (LR) model. The final model's AUC was 0.760 (95% CI 0.752 to 0.767), with sensitivity of 83%. This proved superior to an LR model alone [AUC 0.744 (95% CI 0.732 to 0.755)]. Eighteen variables were identified as risk factors including dilated inferior vena cava, elevated blood pressure, elevated BUN, reduced albumin, abnormal sodium or bicarbonate, and NT pro-BNP elevation. A risk prediction ML-based model developed from comprehensive characteristics within the EHR can efficiently identify patients at elevated risk of 90-day acute HF readmission or death for whom closer follow-up or further interventions may be considered.
27558 Obeticholic acid (OCALIVA ®) protects against 2,8-dihydroxyadenine nephropathy in mice

ABSTRACT IMPACT: This work may lead to new treatments for crystalline nephropathies. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: This study investigated obeticholic acid (OCALIVA ®) as a potential treatment for 2,8-dihydroxyadenine (2,8-DHA) nephropathy using a mouse model. The treatment was investigated in both sexes at two timepoints. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Male and female C57BL/6J mice (12 weeks of age) were fed chow (Research Diets D19120401i) or chow admixed with adenine (0.2% w/w) ad lib for either 3.5 or 7 weeks. Mice were treated with either vehicle (corn oil) or obeticholic acid (10 mg/kg BW) by gavage 5 days per week. Each of the 16 combinations of sex/diet/timepoint/treatment groups had an n = 6 (96 mice in total). Food and body weights were measured twice per week, and 24-hour urines were collected prior to euthanasia. Serum and organs were collected and processed for biochemical and histopathological analyses. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: At both the 3.5-week and 7-week timepoints, dietary adenine robustly increased BUN and serum creatinine compared to control diet in vehicle-treated male and female mice (P < .01, all comparisons). At the 3.5-week timepoint, obeticholic acid reduced BUN in male (P < .05) but not female adenine mice. Obeticholic acid did not affect serum creatinine at this timepoint. At the 7-week timepoint, obeticholic acid reduced BUN in female (P < .05) but not male adenine mice. At the 7-week timepoint, obeticholic acid reduced serum creatinine in both male (P < .05) and female (P < .01) mice. Biochemical and histopathological analyses are ongoing, and we anticipate that the results will agree with the serum chemistries. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Obeticholic acid is FDA-approved for primary biliary cholangitis, and it is in clinical trials for several other hepatobiliary diseases. Although currently untested in humans, it is nephroprotective in many preclinical models of kidney disease. This study is the first to investigate obeticholic acid in a model of crystalline nephropathy.
Gender-Specific Risk Factors Contributing to Mortality in Patients Hospitalized With Alcoholic Cirrhosis.

Introduction Identification of gender-specific prognostic factors in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is integral to understanding disease severity and mortality rates. We gathered data on various widely-used laboratory values and comorbid conditions among male and female patients with ALC after initial hospitalization. These individual risk factors were assessed for their relationship with mortality based on gender. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study of hospitalized patients with either a new or prior diagnosis of ALC from 2008 to 2016 with follow-up through June 2018. The electronic medical record (EMR) was queried for demographics, comorbidities, lab values, and mortality. The cumulative risks of mortality after the first hospitalization were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared among both genders. Demographic data, lab values, and comorbidities associated with cirrhosis were assessed using multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis to determine risk factors associated with mortality. Results We identified 247 male patients (mean age 54.19 ± 13.14 years) and 78 female patients (mean age 51.10 ± 11.60 years) hospitalized at Carilion Clinic with a diagnosis of ALC. About 70% (male) and 46% (female) endorsed alcohol use at the time of admission, 10% (male) and 13% (female) endorsed illicit drug use, and 56% (male and female) endorsed tobacco use. The one-, three- and five-year cumulative mortality after the first hospitalization was 43.4%, 53.2%, and 61.6%, respectively for males and 24.1%, 59.0%, and 67.2%, respectively for females. Median survival for younger male patients with ALC (age 40 years) (p=0.0009), but age was not a significant factor for survival of female patients. Multivariate analysis further shows that illicit drug use, creatinine level at the time of admission, and age > 40 years had the highest hazard ratios for risk of mortality in male patients. For female patients, history of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level at the time of discharge were both associated with increased risk of mortality, with a history of HE being associated with a higher hazard ratio for risk of mortality. Conclusion Age, illicit drug use, and creatinine level were risk factors associated with mortality for male patients with ALC but not female patients. Hepatic encephalopathy and BUN were risk factors associated with mortality for female patients. The mortality for male patients was about twice the mortality of female patients at one year, but three-year and five-year mortality was higher in female patients.
Correlation of histopathologic features of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast with the oncotype DX DCIS score

The Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay for ductal carcinoma in situ is used to determine local recurrence risk in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ. The results help select patients with low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ who could forgo radiation therapy after conservative surgery. The genes assessed include five proliferation genes, progesterone receptor (PR), and GSTM-1. Our objective was to determine if PR, mitotic counting, or any other pathologic feature of ductal carcinoma in situ could predict the Oncotype DX DCIS Score. We identified 46 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ with a Oncotype DX DCIS Score. In addition to information obtained from routine pathology, we counted mitotic figures in the ductal carcinoma in situ and noted presence of dense chronic inflammatory infiltrate surrounding ductal carcinoma in situ. We found that PR ≥ 90% (P = 0.004), mitotic count ≤ 1 (P = 0.045), estrogen receptor ≥ 90% (P = 0.046), and low nuclear grade (P 1 mitotic figure, and/or presence of dense chronic inflammation around ductal carcinoma in situ (100% specificity). Our study suggests using a combination of PR (≥ 90% vs negative) with mitotic count in ductal carcinoma in situ (≤ 1 vs >1) and dense chronic inflammation around ductal carcinoma in situ one could predict the Oncotype DX DCIS score. Mitotic counting and evaluation of immune response might provide prognostic information in ductal carcinoma in situ.
The central nervous system manifestations of leukemia

Summary The subject of central nervous systemmanifestations of leukemia is presented, and the literature reviewed briefly. Six cases of meningeal involvement complicating the course of leukemia are recorded and discussed. Five of these patients were treated with methotrexate, intrathecally, with relief of clinical manifestations. The intrathecal administration of methotrexate in doses of 5 mg. appeared to be more effective in relieving symptoms and eliminating abnormal spinal fluid changes than did spinal fluid drainage and/or roentgen therapy. Three intrathecal injections of methotrexate on alternate days seemed to be more efficacious and of more lasting benefit than one injection given as symptoms reappeared. The explanation for the increased incidenceof leukemic infiltration of the central nervous system would appear to be the prolongation of life by antileukemic drugs. Six of 37 children with leukemia (16.2 per cent) in this series developed this complication. Early recognition and prompt treatment may prevent undesirable results of prolonged increased intracranial pressure, including blindness. Whether prophylactic intrathecal injectionsof methotrexate at monthly intervals would yield better results than treatment when the complication has developed merits further investigation.
Iterative TIN generation from digital evaluation models

A technique for producing a triangulated irregular network (TIN) from a digital elevation model (DEM) is described. The overall goal is to produce an approximate terrain description that preserves the major topographic features using a greatly reduced set of points selected from the original DEM. The TIN generation process is iterative; at each iteration, areas in the DEM that lie outside of a user-supplied error tolerance in the TIN are identified, and points are chosen from the DEM to more accurately model these areas. Point selection involves the computation of the difference between the actual DEM and an approximate DEM. This approximate DEM is calculated by interpolating elevation points from the TIN. >
Efficient integral equation based algorithms for parasitic extraction of interconnects with smooth or rough surface

This thesis describes a few efficient parasitic extraction algorithms based on integral equation methods. It has two parts. Part one describes the algorithms used in FastImp, a program for accurate analysis of wide-band electromagnetic effects in very complicated geometries of conductors. The program is based on a recently developed surface integral formulation and a Pre-corrected FFT accelerated iterative method, but includes a new piecewise quadrature panel integration scheme, a new scaling and preconditioning technique as well as a generalized grid interpolation and projection strategy. Computational results are given on a variety of integrated circuit interconnect structures to demonstrate that FastImp is robust and can accurately analyze very complicated geometries of conductors. Part two describes an efficient Stochastic Integral Equation (SIE) Method for computing the mean value and variance of the capacitance of interconnects with random surface roughness in O( Nlog2(N)) time. An ensemble average Green's function is used to account for the surface roughness. A second-order correction scheme is used to improve the accuracy. A sparsification technique based on the Hierarchical Matrix method is proposed to significantly reduce the computational cost. The SIE method avoids the time-consuming Monte Carlo simulations and the discretization of rough surfaces. Numerical experiments show that the results of the new method agree very well with those of Monte Carlo simulations. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Electrical and material characteristics of hafnium oxide with silicon interface passivation on III-V substrate for future scaled cmos technology

Electrical properties of Hf-based high-k dielectric materials on compound semiconductor such as GaAs, InGaAs and InP are studied based on understanding of physics, reliability, and process development in MOSCAP and MOSFET characteristics. Our research focus on several approaches to develop and understanding the electrical characteristics of TaN/HfO2/GaAs MOS capacitors with Si interface passivation layer (IPL) under various post-deposition anneal (PDA) condition and various physical vapor deposition (PVD) Si deposition temperature/time will be described. The insertion of the ultra thin Si layer is designed to establish one-to-one registry between the semiconductor and the insulator and also, in the case of SiO2, prevents the GaAs from oxidation. Depletion mode transistor and self-aligned n- and p-channel enhancement GaAs MOSFETs using HfO2 and silicon IPL with the results of plausible characteristics will be presented. We will also present the investigation In0.2Ga0.8As, high-indium-content In0.53Ga0.47As, and InP MOSCAP and MOSFET using the same oxide of HfO2 as gate insulator with Si IPL. We present the electrical characteristics of TaN/HfO2/InGaAs (and InP) MOS capacitors with Si IPL under various PDA (post-deposition anneal) condition and various Si deposition time. Also, we will review the effects of hydrogen incorporation for In0.2Ga0.8As MOSCAP using H2 annealing.
Consumer Expectations of the Information Content in Advertising

Eight basic types of advertising were identified, based on the tasks they were expected to perform. These were: corporate; brand image; political; retail; public service; advocacy; direct response, and comparative advertising. Student subjects exposed to the different categories of advertisements provided a total of 4,485 statements about the kind of information they would expect to find in each type. Trained coders then classified these statements into several dimensions of information expectations associated with each of the eight different types of advertisements. Overall, three identifiable information expectation themes emerged: (1) expected information about products and services; (2) expected information about organizations or companies, and 3) expected puffery/hype. Puffery was expected to be found in all types of advertisements examined apart from comparative advertising. However, consumers appeared to perceive puffery as advertising information to be ignored.
Morphology and mechanical properties of compatibilized nylon 6/polyethylene blends

Blends of nylon 6 and polyethylene were investigated over a range of compositions. The polyethylenes used were grafted with maleic anhydride and, thus, have the potential to react with the amine end groups of nylon 6 during melt processing. This study focuses on the effects of the concentration, viscosity and functionality of the maleated polyethylenes (PE-g-MA) on the rheological, morphological, and mechanical properties of nylon 6/PE-g-MA blends. The impact properties of these blends are strongly influenced by the amount and type of maleated polyethylene used. A low viscosity maleated polyethylene was shown to be ineffective in toughening nylon 6; this was because of the propensity of polyethylene to become continuous even when nylon 6 was the majority component. Two higher viscosity maleated polyethylenes were able to produce blends with high impact strength and excellent low temperature toughness over a range of compositions. It was demonstrated that polyethylene materials containing a very low degree of anhydride functionality can generate blends with excellent impact properties. A brief portion of this study focused on ternary blends of nylon 6, maleated polyethylene and nonmaleated polyethylene; in general, the impact properties of these blends improved as the nylon 6 molecular weight increased and as the ratio of maleated polyethylene to nonmaleated polyethylene increased.
Penetration depths of superconducting U6X (X = Fe, Co, Mn)

Abstract The penetration depths, λ(T), of the heavy-fermion uranium-based superconductors U6X (X = Fe, Co, Mn) have been measured as a function of temperature at ∼ 35 MHz. It was found that the temperature dependence of λ(T) for these compounds agrees well with the BCS theory. However, the values of λ(0) are large. By comparing the Slater-Pauling curve of the X elements with λ(0)-1 for the U6X superconductors, we have found that λ(0)-1 is proportional to the saturation spin moments of elemental X, suggesting that there is a correlation between the superconductivity of these U6X superconductors and the magnetic nature of the X elements.
The endocannabinoid system and rimonabant: a new drug with a novel mechanism of action involving cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonism – or inverse agonism – as potential obesity treatment and other therapeutic use

There is considerable evidence that the endocannabinoid (endogenous cannabinoid) system plays a significant role in appetitive drive and associated behaviours. It is therefore reasonable to hypothesize that the attenuation of the activity of this system would have therapeutic benefit in treating disorders that might have a component of excess appetitive drive or over-activity of the endocannabinoid system, such as obesity, ethanol and other drug abuse, and a variety of central nervous system and other disorders. Towards this end, antagonists of cannabinoid receptors have been designed through rational drug discovery efforts. Devoid of the abuse concerns that confound and impede the use of cannabinoid receptor agonists for legitimate medical purposes, investigation of the use of cannabinoid receptor antagonists as possible pharmacotherapeutic agents is currently being actively investigated. The compound furthest along this pathway is rimonabant, a selective CB(1) (cannabinoid receptor subtype 1) antagonist, or inverse agonist, approved in the European Union and under regulatory review in the United States for the treatment of obesity. This article summarizes the basic science of the endocannabinoid system and the therapeutic potential of cannabinoid receptor antagonists, with emphasis on the treatment of obesity.
Reactions of uridine with copper(II) acetate dimer

Abstract Two groups of cis diols may be categorized according to their reaction with the dimer Cu2(CH3COO−)4 in dimethylsulfoxide. Cis diols of the ribose class destroy the dimer, as is revealed by a shift of the visible absorption to larger wavelengths with a loss of intensity and by an increase in magnetic moment. Addition of a uridine class cis diol also results in a loss of intensity but without a shift in the characteristic dimer 715 nm absorption maximum and by little change in magnetic moment. A quantitative analysis is presented of the changes in the visible absorption intensity upon uridine addition. The dimer to monomer equilibrium of copper acetate is taken into account. One molecule of uridine as a twice deprotonated cis diolate (R) reacts with one mol of copper acetate dimer (CuA2) with expulsion of two acetates (A) as acetic acid to give Cu2A2R. A second product is also formed. Only upon inclusion of a product tetranuclear complex composed of Cu4A4R2 is there achieved a satisfactory quantitative description of the interactions over a 30 fold range of total Cu(II) concentration.