cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Palliative and end-of-life care research: Embracing new opportunities

The past two decades have witnessed dramatic advances in palliative and end-of-life care research with increased understanding of the burden of life-limiting diseases on patients, families, clinicians, and our healthcare system; and researchers have documented palliative care interventions that improve patient and family outcomes and reduce the costs of care (Detering, Hancock, Reade, & Silvester, 2010). These advances have led to a new era of palliative and end-of-life care research and practice with widespread recognition of its accomplishments and successes. Consequently, we now have an important opportunity to reassess our recent successes and challenges and to identify the goals and benchmarks that will ensure ongoing robust advances in this now-recognized and critical scientific area. High-quality palliative and end-of-life care will be best informed by methodologically strong research efforts that generate a body of evidence with the capacity to support and direct care and effect changes in practice. It is in this context that the National Institute of Nursing Research conceptualized and led a Summit titled The Science of Compassion: Future Directions in End-of-Life and Palliative Care Research in August, 2011. In this summary article, we present brief overviews of the six articles chosen for this Special Issue of Nursing Outlook, examine their key conclusions, articulate gaps and needs, and discuss next steps in palliative and end-of-life care research through the lens of these six topics.
Preferential Adhesion of Prostate Cancer Cells to a Human Bone Marrow Endothelial Cell Line

Background: In virtually all patients with advanced prostate cancer, the disease metastasizes to bone and causes osteoblastic growth. However, the mechanisms that contribute to bone metastasis are poorly understood. It has been hypothesized that the bone provides a favorable growth environment for prostate cancer cells, which nonselectively seed the bone marrow from the bloodstream. Alternatively, prostate cancer cells may preferentially bind to bone marrow endothelial cells. We developed an in vitro model of bone endothelium and tested the hypothesis that prostate cancer cells adhere preferentially to bone marrow endothelial cells. Methods: We isolated and characterized a human bone marrow endothelial (HBME-1) cell line. Cells were transfected with the simian virus 40 large T antigen for immortalization. Cell surface receptors were characterized by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The adhesion of cancer cells to HBME-1 and to endothelial cell lines from other organs was tested in an in vitro binding assay as were inhibitors of adhesion. Results: The immortalized HBME-1 cell line demonstrated many properties characteristic of endothelial cells, including positive staining for von Willibrand factor and rapid formation of tubule structures when exposed to extracellular matrices. In an in vitro assay, prostate cancer cells adhered preferentially to human bone marrow endothelium when compared with endothelium derived from other sources. Preferential adhesion was blocked, in part, by antibodies to galectin-3 and LFA-1. Implications: These data suggest that the propensity of prostate cancer cells to establish themselves in bone is due, at least in part, to their preferential adhesion to human bone marrow endothelial cells. [J Natl Cancer Inst 1998;90:118‐23]
Stabilization of vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride copolymers using N‐substituted maleimides

As a consequence of their excellent barrier properties, vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride copolymers have long been prominent in the flexible packaging market. While these polymers possess a number of superior characteristics, they tend to undergo thermally induced degradative dehydrochlorination at process temperatures. This degradation must be controlled to permit processing of the polymers. Three series of N-substituted maleimides (N-alkyl-, N-aralkyl-, and N-aryl-) have been synthesized, characterized spectroscopically, and evaluated as potential stabilizers for a standard vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride (85 wt%) copolymer. As surface blends with the polymer, these compounds are ineffective as stabilizers. However, significant stabilization may be achieved by pretreatment of the polymer with N-substituted maleimides. The most effective stabilization of the polymer is afforded by N-aralkyl- or N-arylmaleimides, most notably, N-benzylmaleimide and N-(p-methoxyphenyl)maleimide.
Vivid birds respond more to acoustic signals of predators

Because conspicuous morphology such as colorful plumage may increase predation risk, we aimed to see if variation in plumage coloration could explain variation in avian anti-predator behavior. We included several measures of plumage coloration: human perception of vividness from images in field guides, total intensity from reflectance spectra of museum skins, contrasts calculated from physiological models of these spectra parameterized for both raptors and humans, chroma, and spectral saturation. We investigated how well these measurements predicted risk assessment in ten species of birds in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. We quantified how each species responded to playbacks of a predator’s calls and compared this response to that elicited by songs from a non-predatory, sympatric bird. We found that human-determined measures of vividness best predicted anti-predator responses of birds—more vividly colored species responded more to predators than duller species. No spectrophotometric variable explained variation in species reactions to a predator call. Our results suggest that vivid birds may compensate for their conspicuousness by being more responsive to the sound of predators and that more work is needed to better evaluate how animal coloration is quantified in comparative studies.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF EXCITED MOLECULES: PHOTO‐ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTIONS OF CHLOROPHYLLS*

Semiconductors with a sufficiently large energy gap, in contact with an electrolyte, can be used as electrodes for the study of electrochemical reactions of excited molecules. The behavior of excited chlorophyll molecules at single crystal ZnO-electrodes has been investigated. These molecules inject electrons from excited levels into the conduction band of the electrode, thus giving rise to an anodic photocurrent. The influence of various agents on this electron transfer has been studied. In the presence of suitable electron donors (e.g., hydroquinone, phenylhydrazine) in the electrolyte chlorophyll molecules, absorbing quanta, mediate the pumping of electrons from levels of the reducing agents into the conduction band of the semiconductor-electron acceptor. The electron capture by the semiconductor electrode is irreversible, when an adequate electrochemical gradient is provided in the electrode surface. An experimental technique for the study of the kinetics of photoelectrochemical reactions of chlorophyll molecules is introduced and a theoretical approach for its calculation is given. Some properties of excited chlorophyll at semiconductor electrodes (unidirectional electron transfer, highly efficient charge separation, chlorophyll as electron pump and able to convert electronic excitation into electric energy) show similarity to the behavior of chlorophyll in photosynthetic reaction centers.
Physically correct theoretical prism waveguide coupler model

We develop new generalized four-wave-model-based waveguide mode equations for both isotropic and anisotropic systems by taking into account the influence of the incident light. These new mode equations eliminate the inherent deficiency in the conventional waveguide model, in which the action of incident light was neglected. Further, a peak-value-search (PVS) numerical method is developed to solve the four-wave-model-based mode equations. The PVS method has significant advantages in that accurate refractive index and thickness can be obtained without prior knowledge of the thickness of the air gap.
Brownian Coagulation of Knudsen Particles on Evaporating/Condensing Aerosol Droplet; Modeling of Capture of Soot Particles by Marine Fog

The theoretical model presented in this work allows quantitative prediction of the rate of Brownian coagulation of pollutant particles on a condensing aerosol droplet. The coupling of the processes of condensation and Brownian coagulation is established through the hydrodynamic-diffusiophoretic force acting upon the Brownian particles in the vicinity of the droplet. The new analytical approach is based on the Grad's moment method of solution to the Fokker Planck equation. The aerosol system is assumed to be isothermal and close to the thermodynamic equilibrium (i.e., the condensation and coagulation fluxes are small). The numerical predictions of the diffusiophoretic enhancement of Brownian coagulation rates are provided for NaCl-water droplets capturing small (primary) soot particles. The results of calculations show substantial enhancement (10 to 200 times) of the capture of soot particles by the condensing marine droplets for typical conditions that occur on the north-eastern coast of the U.S.A.
Estimation of Design Season Modulus for Overlay Design

Nondestructive evaluation of pavement performance by such methods as the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) are widely used and accepted. Backcalculation and prediction of pavement layer moduli can be effective for both the evaluation of pavement condition and overlay design. However, variations in pavement temperature and subgrade moisture content result in variability in the backcalculated moduli. In an attempt to evaluate the overall effect of this variability on design, pavement sections in 4 different regions in Tennessee were instrumented and tested. The in-situ temperature and moisture content of the pavement and the subgrade materials were continuously monitored for seasonal changes. Each site was also equipped with a weather station to record precipitation, air temperature, and solar radiation. FWD testing was conducted monthly and the moduli for the pavement and subgrade layers were backcalculated. The seasonal variation in subgrade modulus was compared with measured changes in subgrade temperature and moisture content.
Optimal control of discrete systems involving delays

For a class of discrete systems with delays and additional state-dependent constraints, a maximum principle is derived. The existing general results in the field of discrete optimal control theory make it possible to deal with this class of optimization problems in a straight-forward way. The formulation of the results presented is fairly general and includes a number of cases when the constraints are specified in more detail.
Measurement of surface topography and area-specific nanohardness in the scanning force microscope

A Scanning Force Microscope (SFM) is employed to indent and image surfaces with sub-micron resolution. The SFM image shows the area and depth of each indentation as well as its location with respect to nearby topographic surface features. The image also reveals the surface roughness, which can set a lower limit on useful nanoindentation size. A cross section of a nitrided steel surface is measured to illustrate the method. The use of the SFM with separate tip-cantilever structures for indenting and imaging has significant advantages over other nanohardness methods for the study of samples with lateral inhomogeneities.
Proteomic profiling of heat shock proteins: An emerging molecular approach with direct pathophysiological and clinical implications

The HSP family is one of the most ancient and evolutionarily conserved protective protein families found in nature. Originally discovered as inducible molecules capable of maintaining cellular homeostasis against abrupt temperature changes, HSPs were later determined to represent an adaptive physiological response that copes with a variety of different cellular proteotoxic stresses. These physiological molecular chaperones facilitate the synthesis, folding, assembly, trafficking and secretion of specific proteins in various cellular compartments. Most importantly, these proteins guard the whole cell proteome against misfolding and inappropriate aggregation. A series of diversified proteotoxic stresses, including heat, hypoxia/ischemia, free radicals, acidosis, ATP depletion and toxins are capable of inducing a typical cellular stress response characterised by rapid inhibition of overall protein synthesis, with a concomitant dramatic increase in HSP expression. From a pathophysiological point of view, HSP induction has been observed in a wide spectrum of inflammatory and degenerative diseases (from cancer to prion disease by passing to infective and autoimmune diseases) and, intriguingly, overexpression monitoring seems to have potential implications in terms of diagnosis, prognosis and, above all, therapy. Proteomics studies, identifying a series of modification of HSP expression patterns in different diseases, are confirming these promising clinical applications.
A majority-rule characterization with multiple extensions

When May's necessary and sufficient conditions for majority rule as a binary voting rule are extended in a natural way to decisions over more than two options, the resulting conditions are consistent with the Borda and Black voting rules, but not with a variety of other voting rules for more than two options. This paper presents an alternative set of necessary and sufficient conditions for binary majority rule, which permits the plurality, Condorcet and (simplified) Dodgson rules, as well as the Borda and Black rules, but not the Copeland or Nanson rules, to be classified as extensions of binary majority rule to decisions over more than two options.
Oxypurinol administration fails to prevent hypoxic–ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to determine whether oxypurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, reduces free radicals and brain injury in the rat pup hypoxic–ischemia (HI) model. Seven-day-old rat pups had right carotid arteries ligated followed by 2.5 h of hypoxia (8% oxygen). Oxypurinol or vehicle was administered by i.p. injection at 5 min after reoxygenation and once daily for 3 days. Brain damage was evaluated by weight deficit of the right hemisphere at 22 days following hypoxia. Oxypurinol treatments did not reduce weight loss in the right hemisphere. Brain weight loss in the right hemisphere were −26.2±3.6, −15.2±6.9, −21.7±4.4, −15.8±5.1, and −16.7±3.4% in vehicle (n=33), 10 (n=17), 20 (n=16), 40 (n=15), and 135 mg/kg (n=13) oxypurinol-treated groups (p>0.05), respectively. Brain thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) were assessed 3 and 6 h after reoxygenation. Concentrations of TBARS rose 1.5-fold due to HI. Oxypurinol did not significantly reduce an HI-induced increase in brain TBARS. Thus, xanthine oxidase may not be the primary source of oxy-radicals in pup brain and as such oxypurinol does not prevent free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation or protect against brain injury in the neonatal rat HI model.
Simulating the impacts of southern pine beetle and fire on the dynamics of xerophytic pine landscapes in the southern Appalachians

Question: Can fire be used to maintain Yellow pine (Pinus subgenus Diploxylon) stands disturbed by periodic outbreaks of southern pine beetle? Location: Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA. Methods: We used LANDIS to model vegetation disturbance and succession on four grids representative of xeric landscapes in the southern Appalachians. Forest dynamics of each landscape were simulated under three disturbance scenarios: southern pine beetle, fire, and southern pine beetle and fire, as well as a no disturbance scenario. We compared trends in the abundance of pine and hardwood functional types as well as individual species. Results: Yellow pine abundance and open woodland conditions were best maintained by a combination of fire and southern pine beetle disturbance on both low elevation sites as well as mid-elevation ridges & peaks. On mid-elevation SE-W facing slopes, pine woodlands were best maintained by fire alone. Conclusions: Our simulations suggest that fire can help maintain open pine woodlands in stands affected by southern pine beetle outbreaks.
Effect of co‐promoter and secondary monomer on shrinkage control of unsaturated polyester (UP)/styrene (St)/low‐profile additive (LPA) systems cured at low temperatures

The shrinkage of unsaturated polyester (UP)/styrene (St) resins cured at low temperatures can be reduced by the presence of low-profile additives (LPAs). It is believed that the reaction-induced phase separation and the polymerization shrinkage in both the LPA-rich and UP-rich phases result in the formation of microvoids, which partially compensates the resin shrinkage. The relative reaction rate in the two phases plays an important role in shrinkage control. In this study, secondary monomers [such as divinylbenzene (DVB) and trimethylopropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA)] and a co-promoter, 2,4-pentandione (2,4-P), were added into the UP/St/LPA resin systems to investigate their effect on the shrinkage control of resins cured at low temperatures. Dilatometery results showed that the addition of both TMPTMA and 2,4-P resulted in an earlier volume expansion during curing and better shrinkage control. The phase separation, reaction kinetics, and viscosity changes in the LPA-rich and UP-rich phases during curing were also investigated. The results confirmed that the increased reaction rate in the LPA-rich phase led to an earlier formation of microvoids and, consequently, less volume shrinkage of the cured resin. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 738–749, 2001
Hardware synthesis from guarded atomic actions with performance specifications

We present a new hardware synthesis methodology for guarded atomic actions (or rules), which satisfies performance-related scheduling specifications provided by the designer. The methodology is based on rule composition, and relies on the fact that a rule derived by the composition of two rules behaves as if the two rules were scheduled simultaneously. Rule composition is a well understood transformation in the TRS theoretical framework; however, previous rule composition approaches resulted in an explosion of the number of rules during synthesis, making them impractical for realistic designs. We avoid this problem through composition of conditional actions which generates one rule instead of 2/sup n/ rules when we combine n rules. We then show how this conditional composition of rules can be compiled into an efficient hardware structure which introduces new but derived interfaces in modules. We demonstrate the approach via a small circuit example (GCD) and then show its impact on the methodology to implement pipelined processors in Bluespec. Many ways of dealing with branches in pipelined processors or bypassing values can be expressed simply as different schedules. The results show improvements in performance over previous rule-based synthesis approaches as well as the ease of performance-related architectural exploration. In a somewhat surprising result, we show that simply by specifying a different schedule, one can automatically transform a single-issue processor pipeline into a superscalar pipeline.
Configurable Active-Region-Cutout-Transistor for radiation hardened circuit applications

Active-region-cutout (ARC) technique was developed to modify transistorpsilas active region in order to overcome shorted source-drain in an enclosed poly MOS device. The gate poly extension was made through the unipotential electrode of the active region of drain. This new transistor is named as active-region-cutout-transistor (ARCT). The latter transistor is known to be very tolerant to total ionization dose radiation. ARC technique has an advantage of making MOSFETs with more than three terminals. The ARC can be used to make a compound MOSFET. Two types of amplifier circuits have been studied by replacing transistors with compound ARCTs.
The Influence of Tag Presence on the Mortality of Juvenile Chinook Salmon Exposed to Simulated Hydroturbine Passage: Implications for Survival Estimates and Management of Hydroelectric Facilities

Abstract Each year, telemetry tags (acoustic, radio, and passive integrated transponder tags) are surgically implanted into thousands of fish to assess their passage and survival through hydropower facilities. One passage route that is of particular concern is through hydroturbines, where fish may be exposed to a range of potential injuries that include barotraumas from rapid decompression. The change in pressure from acclimation to exposure (nadir) has been identified as an important factor in predicting the likelihood of mortality and injury for juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha undergoing rapid decompression associated with simulated turbine passage. The presence of telemetry tags has also been shown to influence the likelihood of mortality and injury for juvenile Chinook salmon. We investigated the likelihood of mortality and injury for telemetry-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon that were exposed to a range of pressure changes associated with simulated turbine passage. Several factors wer...
Development of Vegetation and Aquatic Habitat in Restored Riparian Sites of California's North Coast Rangelands

The preponderance of short-term objectives and lack of systematic monitoring of restoration projects limits opportunities to learn from past experience and improve future restoration efforts. We conducted a retrospective, crosssectional survey of 89 riparian revegetation sites and 13 nonrestored sites. We evaluated 36 restoration metrics at each site and used project age (0–39 years) to quantify plant community and aquatic habitat trajectories with a maximum likelihood model selection approach to compare linear and polynomial relationships. We found significant correlations with project age for 16 of 21 riparian vegetation, and 11 of 15 aquatic habitat attributes. Our results indicated improvements in multiple ecosystem services and watershed functions such as diversity, sedimentation, carbon sequestration, and available habitat. Ten riparian vegetation metrics, including native tree and exotic shrub density, increased nonlinearly with project age, while litter and native shrub density increased linearly. Species richness and cover of annual plants declined over time. Improvements in aquatic habitat metrics, such as increasing pool depth and decreasing bankfull widthto-depth ratio, indicated potentially improved anadromous fish habitats at restored sites. We hypothesize that certain instream metrics did not improve because of spatial and/or temporal limitations of riparian vegetation to affect aquatic habitat. Restoration managers should be prepared to maintain or enhance understory diversity by controlling exotic shrubs or planting shade-tolerant native species as much as 10 years after revegetation.
Historical Channel-Bed Elevation Change as a Result of Multiple Disturbances, Soldier Creek, Kansas

Historical information on stream stage/discharge relations from eight U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow-gaging stations was used to analyze channel-bed elevation change along Soldier Creek, a stream affected by multiple disturbances in northeast Kansas. The analysis provided information on the spatial (location, type, magnitude) and temporal (timing, duration, trend, rate) dimensions of channel change. Channel changes determined for Soldier Creek included extensive changes resulting from channelization and changes of relatively limited extent following a flood. The results were used to document channel changes, partly reconstruct historical channel conditions, infer the causes of channel change, and estimate the occurrence of future channel changes.
Genetic Hair and Nail Defects

A wide spectrum of dermatological disease is characterized by altered hair and nail phenotypes. Even though genetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of hair and nail growth and development are not fully understood, there have been significant advances in the understanding of the general genetic principles. This chapter reviews developments and their clinical implications.
Historians and the Use of Primary Source Materials in the Digital Age

ABstrA ct This study examines how academic historians search for, access, and use primary source materials in their research pursuits. Recruited historians completed an online questionnaire about current information practices and potential information needs in archival settings. The results shed light on the most frequent methods historians use to search for primary source materials; the types of primary source documents they are most likely to use; whether they access materials online or in person; their use of digitized archival collections; factors they consider important in their decision to use archival collections; and what might prevent them from using collections.
Renin release from isolated juxtaglomerular apparatus depends on macula densa chloride transport

Transport inhibitor and ion substitution studies were performed using perfused, superfused preparations of the isolated rabbit juxtaglomerular apparatus to investigate transport dependency of macul...
Selecting wilderness areas to conserve Utah's biological diversity

Congress is currently evaluating the wilderness status of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands in Utah. Wilderness areas play many important roles, and one critical role is the conservation of biological diversity. We propose that objectives for conserving biodiversity on BLM lands in Utah be to (1) ensure the long-term population viability of native animal and plant species, (2) maintain the critical ecological and evolutionary processes upon which these species depend, and (3) preserve the full range of communities, successional stages, and environmental gradients. To achieve these objectives, wilderness areas should be selected so as to protect large, contiguous areas, augment existing protected areas, buffer wilderness areas with multiple-use public lands, interconnect existing protected areas with dispersal and movement corridors, conserve entire watersheds and elevational gradients, protect native communities from invasions of exotic species, protect sites of maximum species diversity, protect sites with rare endemic species, and protect habitats of threatened and endangered species. We use a few comparatively well-studied taxa as examples to highlight the importance of particular BLM lands.
A Neotype of Endogone Pisiformis

6. Marx, D. H. 1969. The influence of ectotrophic mycorrhizal fungi on the resistance of pine roots to pathogenic infections. I. Antagonism of mycorrhizal fungi to root pathogenic fungi and soil bacteria. Phytopathology 59: 153-163. 7. --. 1977. The host range and world distribution of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius. Canad. J. Microbiol. 23: 217-223. 8. --, and W. C. Bryan. 1970. Pure culture synthesis of ectomycorrhizae by Thelephora terrestris and Pisolithus tinctorius on different conifer hosts. Canad. J. Bot. 48: 639-643.
Structural defects in periodic and quasicrystalline binary nanocrystal superlattices.

Binary nanocrystal superlattices (BNSLs) emerge as an important class of man-made materials where components and functionalities can be added, tuned, or combined in a predictable manner. These amazingly complex structures spontaneously self-assemble from colloidal solutions containing binary mixtures of functional (semiconducting, magnetic, plasmonic, etc.) nanocrystals. Further developments of the BNSL-based materials require a deep understanding and control over BNSL formation and structural perfection. Like any solid, BNSL can contain different kinds of structural defects. It is well-known that defects can have a tremendous effect on the material’s behavior. Defect engineering is used to modify and improve many of the mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of conventional solids. In this work, we provide the first systematic analysis of structural defects in various BNSL structures. We used BNSLs as a platform for studying structural defects in both periodic (crystalline) and aperiodi...
P2-S1.05 Parental acceptability of contraceptive methods offered to their teen during a confidential healthcare visit

Background STIs remain epidemic among teens. Parents have a powerful influence on their teens9 sexual behaviours, yet their role in preventing adolescent STIs and unplanned pregnancies has been largely ignored in clinical practice and research. Objective To explore parental acceptability of different contraceptive methods, including condoms, offered to their teen during a confidential healthcare visit (CV). Methods A cross-sectional phone survey of 261 randomly selected parents/caregivers of girls 12–17 years enrolled in two large diverse clinic systems. Parental acceptability of 7 different contraceptive methods was assessed on a 4-point likert scale (1=very unacceptable to 4=very acceptable). We examined if parental acceptability varied according to a variety of demographic factors, perceived likelihood of teen9s sexual activity, and parental knowledge of STIs using bivariate analyses (χ 2 for categorical correlates, t tests for continuous correlates). Results Parents surveyed were 27–69 years old (mean 45 yrs), 70% married; 86% female; and diverse (46% Latino, 23% White, 16% Black, 11% Asian, 3% Other). 15% of household incomes were $20 K or less and 25% over $100 K. 36% attended religious services at least once/week. When parents were asked about their own experiences as teens, 40% reported sexual intercourse, 4% had an STI, 14% had a teen pregnancy, and 25% used birth control. The majority of parents lacked STI knowledge (56% correctly answered 0-1 out of 5 basic knowledge questions). Overall acceptability of contraception provided to their teen was highest for oral contraceptive pills (OCP) 59% and condoms 51% and lowest for IUDs 18% (see Abstract P1-S2.05 table 1). Only 24% thought there was any likelihood their teen would have sexual intercourse in the next year. Acceptability of OCPs, condoms, and emergency contraception was higher among parents who report a likelihood their teen would have sex. Discussion This is the first study to examine parental acceptability of contraception offered during a CV. This study shows that parents lack basic STI knowledge and underestimate their teens9 sexual activity. Only half found condoms, the only method that offers both STI and contraception protection, to be acceptable. In the context of providing confidential health services for teens, these findings highlight the need to better understand influences on parental attitudes and to improve communication with parents about sexual health topics, STIs, and condom use.
Use of machine learning to improve autism screening and diagnostic instruments: effectiveness, efficiency, and multi-instrument fusion

Background Machine learning (ML) provides novel opportunities for human behavior research and clinical translation, yet its application can have noted pitfalls (Bone et al., 2015). In this work, we fastidiously utilize ML to derive autism spectrum disorder (ASD) instrument algorithms in an attempt to improve upon widely used ASD screening and diagnostic tools. Methods The data consisted of Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores for 1,264 verbal individuals with ASD and 462 verbal individuals with non-ASD developmental or psychiatric disorders, split at age 10. Algorithms were created via a robust ML classifier, support vector machine, while targeting best-estimate clinical diagnosis of ASD versus non-ASD. Parameter settings were tuned in multiple levels of cross-validation. Results The created algorithms were more effective (higher performing) than the current algorithms, were tunable (sensitivity and specificity can be differentially weighted), and were more efficient (achieving near-peak performance with five or fewer codes). Results from ML-based fusion of ADI-R and SRS are reported. We present a screener algorithm for below (above) age 10 that reached 89.2% (86.7%) sensitivity and 59.0% (53.4%) specificity with only five behavioral codes. Conclusions ML is useful for creating robust, customizable instrument algorithms. In a unique dataset comprised of controls with other difficulties, our findings highlight the limitations of current caregiver-report instruments and indicate possible avenues for improving ASD screening and diagnostic tools.
Melting and Freezing of Microclusters from Analytics and Simulations

Analytic theory and numerical simulations indicate that microclusters may exhibit solid-like and liquid-like phases which can coexist over a non zero range of temperature. The lower bound for existence of a stable liquid-like phase is a sharp freezing temperature Tf and the upper bound for existence of a stable solid-like phase is a sharp melting temperature Tm. The temperatures Tf and Tm are unequal for small systems; between them is the temperature Teq at which the free energies of the solid-like and liquid-like clusters of a specified composition are equal. Observable phase-like behavior also requires that a dynamical criterion be satisfied, i.e. that the cluster persist in each phase long enough to develop well-defined equilibrium properties of that phase. This criterion is met by small clusters of argon of most but not all sizes. Taking averages inadvertently over both phases can hide the coexistence phenomenon; averaging properties separately for the two phases exhibits the double-valued character of the equation of state and other properties in the coexistence range.
Vaginal Recurrence after Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer

The records of 14 patients with vaginal recurrence following cystectomy were reviewed in an attempt to find factors responsible for the local failure. Comparison was made with female patients who underwent cystectomy for bladder cancer during the same period but who did not have vaginal recurrence. Patients with previous surgery and radiation to the pelvic organs appear to be at risk for local recurrence, probably because of the difficulties associated with surgical removal of the bladder. Patients with tumors other than transitional cell carcinoma, especially those located at the bladder neck and urethra, also appear to be at high risk. Proper surgical technique with en bloc cystourethrectomy, including excision of the anterior vaginal wall, is of paramount importance to avoid local recurrence.
Computational Organizational Theory

Research in computational organizational theory explores the complex interactions between organizations and their members. Organizations are legally autonomous entities that structure the efforts of individuals to achieve large goals. Interesting behavior often emerges from the interactions and demands of modeled primitives. This introduction describes the common ground and recent advances in multimodeling, multilevel modeling, and rapid model development. We conclude this summary with discussion of issues of model fidelity and model validation.
Adrenomedullin2 (ADM2)/Intermedin (IMD): A Potential Role in the Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia.

Context: It is not known whether decreases in trophoblast invasion promoting the peptide, adrenomedullin2 (ADM2) system is associated with preeclampsia (PreE). Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the changes in ADM2 levels in plasma, placenta, and amniotic fluid (AF) and its receptor components in placenta from PreE pregnancy compared with the age-matched normal and study the effect of ADM2 on the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in trophoblast cells. Results: PreE is associated with a decreased expression of ADM2 in plasma and placenta (P < .05); ADM2 interacts with a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) in HTR-8/SVneo cells; placental expression of ADM2/CRLR complex is lower in PreE; mRNA for CRLR and receptor activity-modifying protein-3 are lower, whereas receptor activity-modifying protein-2 is higher in the PreE placenta (P < .05); ADM2 levels in...
Biochemical Refinement Before Genetics: Chance Utility.

Given two primordial conditions that seem likely to be common, near-ideal reactions for evolutionary progress are realized. These requisites are sporadic availability of pooled reactants and evolutionarily useful products within a pool’s repertoire. These intrinsically optimizing circumstances function without genetics, and therefore can help evolve a first genetic system. This process is termed chance utility.
Objective Evaluation of Motor Skills for Orthopedic Residents Using a Motion Tracking Drill System: Outcomes of an ABOS Approved Surgical Skills Training Program.

BACKGROUND Orthopedics is a motor skills-demanding surgical specialty requiring surgical skills training outside of the operating room. Unfortunately, limited quantitative techniques exist to determine the effectiveness of these surgical skills training programs. Using a variety of drill, surgeon, and specimen mounted sensors, we evaluated orthopedic surgery residents during a surgical skills training course approved by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ABOS). This evaluation consisted of quantitative measures of various kinematic and kinetic parameters with the goal of relating these to clinically-significant outcomes. METHODS Seven experienced surgeons and 22 surgical residents participated in this study, each performing 5 surgical drilling trials, pre- and post-training. Utilizing arm and tool kinematics, applied force, tool and bone vibration, and drill RPM were measured using a combination of force, acceleration, and optical tracking sensors. Post hoc screw pullout testing and resident survey data were also evaluated. Overall, 25 measured parameters were expressed as scalars and their covariance calculated. RESULTS Non-trivial direct correlations whose magnitude exceeded 0.5 were: maximum penetration distance with applied force, drill toggle with drill roll angle, and drill RPM with force. Surgeons applying a high drill RPM also yielded a large force which in turn gave an increase in tendency for over-penetration. As a whole, the differences between experienced and novice surgeons measured in these trials were not statistically significant. However, when looking at specific performance criterion individually (maintaining steady force, minimizing over-penetration, minimizing both the major and minor axis diameters, minimizing toggle and drill vibration), experienced surgeons tended to outperform their novice counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Objective assessment of surgical skills using sensor based technologies may help elucidate differences between novice and experienced surgeons for improved out-of-the-OR training methodologies.
E-033 SOFIA Plus Distal Access Catheter for Acute Stroke Intervention-Initial Single Center Experience

Introduction Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has Level 1 evidence for improved patient outcomes compared with standard care. Effective and timely recanalization is of paramount importance to achieve this. The SOFIA Plus distal access catheter (Microvention, Tustin CA) is a newly available large lumen catheter (distal inner diameter – 0.070 inch). We present our initial experience with this device for thrombectomy in acute AIS. Methods Retrospective analysis of all patients at our center who underwent EVT for AIS using the SOFIA Plus catheter was performed. Demographic, clinical and imaging data, and early follow-up outcomes were analyzed. Results Nine patients underwent EVT using the SOFIA Plus catheter including 6 males with a median age of 63, and a median initial NIHSS of 18. Location of the large vessel occlusion were as follows: ICA terminus – 3, M1 segment – 4, M2 segment – 1, Basilar – 1. Primary direct aspiration method with the SOFIA Plus catheter was utilized in 7 cases, of which 3 required the use of a stent retriever in subsequent passes. In 2 cases, primary stent retriever plus aspiration via the SOFIA plus catheter technique was used. Median groin puncture to recanalization time was 33 minutes with median first pass to recanalization time of 9 minutes. TICI 2 b-3 recanalization was achieved in 8/9 cases with a median of 2 passes. None of the patients suffered a symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Amongst patients in whom follow up data was available, median discharge NIHSS was 4. Conclusion In our single center experience, the SOFIA plus catheter was technically feasible, safe to use, and achieved high recanalization rates in a timely manner. Disclosures R. Cerejo: None. S. John: None. A. Bauer: None. G. Toth: None. M. Bain: None. M. Elgabaly: None. T. Masaryk: None. P. Rasmussen: None. M. Hussain: None.
Impact of privacy concern on using mobile social networking apps: an empirical study

In this study, we investigated the level of privacy concern among users of mobile social networking (MSN) apps, and the effect of users' privacy concern on their acceptance of MSN apps. Based on the social exchange theory as well as the uses and gratification theory, we developed a research model to hypothesise the relationships among privacy-related constructs. We tested the research model using the data collected from a survey study. Our data analysis indicates that survey respondents have privacy concern when using MSN apps. However, the direct effect of privacy concern on user's behavioural intention is not statistically significant, while enjoyment has a significant positive influence on the behavioural intention. The antecedents of enjoyment and privacy concern are found to significantly affect their respective dependent variable. The findings help researchers and practitioners better understand the impact of privacy concern on users' acceptance of MSN apps.
The Communicative Management of Emotional Display Expectations by In-Home Daycare Providers

This study responds to three gaps in the research regarding emotional labor: First, research has tended to privilege the structural forces influencing emotional labor while giving minimal attention to agency. Second, research on emotional labor has privileged work in traditional organizations, foregoing the possibility that owner-operators of small businesses (such as in-home daycare providers) experience the demands of emotional labor. Third, the emotional labor research has examined primarily short-term contexts. The current research reports the results of an interview-based study designed to explore how the participants in a long-term relational context (in-home daycare providers) communicatively manage the emotional display expectations of parents of children in their care. The themes that emerged from the data— structural strategies, interactional strategies , and individual strategies —represent communicative means that in-home daycare providers used to manage the emotional display expectations of parents. The study concludes by discussing the merit of considering the existence of and need to explore further emotional labor in nontraditional organizations such as owner-operated and in-home businesses.
Experiences of black student-athletes on a predominantly White University Campus

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the study was to investigate and explain the academic, social, and athletic experiences of Black1 student-athletes attending a predominantly White degree-granting2 institution of higher education. Participants were six Black student-athletes (two women, four men). Situated in positioning theory, the research design was explanatory multiple case study. The primary data collection method was semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analyzed using a constant comparative approach and exposed that the participants had experienced academic challenges and negative social dynamics, but had athletic advantages in resources and training. To better support Black student-athletes, we encourage athletic departments, coaches, faculty, and all students to respect and value the identities, socio-economic backgrounds, and cultures of student-athletes of diversity.
Relationship between novel design modifications and heat stress relief in structural firefighters' protective clothing.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate design modifications in structural firefighter turnout suits for their ability to reduce heat stress during firefighting activities. A secondary aim of this research established a benchmark for the manikin heat loss value necessary to achieve significant improvements in physiological comfort. Eight professional firefighters participated in five simulated exercise sessions wearing a control turnout suit and one of four turnout prototypes: Single Layer, Vented, Stretch, and Revolutionary. Physiological responses (internal core body temperature, skin temperature, physiological strain, heart rate, and sweat loss) were measured when wearing each turnout suit prototype. Results demonstrated a significant increase in work time and significant reductions in heat stress (core temperature, skin temperature, and physiological strain) when participants wore the Single Layer, Vented, and Revolutionary prototypes. An estimated garment heat loss value of 150 W/m2 was determined in order to achieve a significant reduction in heat stress.
Pharmacokinetic modeling of arsenite uptake and metabolism in hepatocytes--mechanistic insights and implications for further experiments.

Arsenic (iAs) is a known human carcinogen and widespread contaminant in drinking water. To provide a quantitative framework for experimental design and hypothesis testing, we developed a pharmacokinetic model describing the uptake and methylation of arsenite (AsIII) in primary rat hepatocytes. Measured metabolites were inorganic As (iAs), mono-methylated As (MMA), and di-methylated As (DMA) concentration in cells and media. Transport and methylation parameters were estimated from time course data for iAs, MMA, and DMA at three initial media As(III) concentrations (0.1, 0.4, 1.0 μM). Inhibition of the formation DMA from MMA by As(III) was necessary to adequately describe the data. The data were consistent with multiple types of inhibition, although uncompetitive inhibition provided a slightly better fit. Model simulations indicate that cellular MMA (cMMA) is a key arsenical to measure; measurement of cMMA in the 4–6 hr time range using an initial concentration of 1.4 μM AsIII would provide the best experimental conditions to distinguish uncompetitive from other types of inhibition. Due to the large number of model parameters estimated from the data, we used sensitivity analysis to determine the influential parameters. Use of sensitivity surfaces facilitated the comparison of parameters over time and across doses. Predicted model responses were most sensitive to influx and efflux parameters, suggesting that transport processes are critical in determining cellular arsenical concentrations. These high sensitivities imply that independent experiments to estimate these parameters with greater certainty may be crucial for refinement of this model and to extend this model to describe methylation and transport in human hepatocytes.
Luteinizing Hormone Receptors in Luteinized Rat Ovaries

It has been demonstrated that radioiodinated HCG and LH are accumulated in vivo by mouse and rat ovaries (1–4). These observations suggested the existence of specific receptor sites for gonadotropic hormone in this target tissue. Recently, the existence of specific receptors for LH and HCG have been reported in slices of luteinized rat ovaries (5) and homogenized preparations of rat testes (6,7) as well as mouse tumor Leydig cells (8). Such a system may offer considerable potential for the study of LH-receptor interaction and for a new approach to the assay of LH.