cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Family Health Information Sharing Among Older Adults: Reaching More Family Members

Although family health history (FHH) information has tremendous potential in the prevention of common complex diseases such as heart disease and cancer, lack of knowledge about one’s own FHH among the public hinders its utility. Older individuals often desire to contribute to the well-being of younger generations and also play critical roles in disseminating this information. This study evaluated psychosocial factors associated with the extent of FHH communication within families. Older adults (N = 110) were interviewed at three senior centers in an urban community. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis showed that respondents who received FHH from a parent reported 41 % more family members with whom they shared FHH (b = 0.34, p < 0.001) controlling for the family network size. Furthermore, one unit increase in the number of family members with whom respondents exchange reciprocal emotional support (b = 0.04, p < 0.01), perceived familiarity with own FHH (b = 0.14, p = 0.01), and self-efficacy to share FHH (b = 0.18, p = 0.02) were associated with 4, 15, and 20 % increases in the number of family members with whom respondents shared FHH, respectively. Future efforts may inform older adults about their important role in modeling FHH communication behavior to encourage information sharing in future generations while providing information about how to collect and disseminate FHH to increase their familiarity and ability to share FHH within the family.
Individualized asthma self-management improves medication adherence and markers of asthma control.

Background Adherence to inhaled anti-inflammatory therapy and self-management skills are essential parts of the asthma treatment plan to improve asthma control and prevent exacerbations. Whether self-management education improves long-term medication adherence is less clear. Objective A 24-week prospective, randomized controlled trial was performed to study the effect of self-management education on long-term adherence to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy and markers of asthma control. Methods After stabilization on ICS medication during a run-in phase, 95 adults with moderate-to-severe asthma were recruited from a large metropolitan community, and 84 were randomized to individualized self-management education, including self-monitoring of symptoms and peak flow or usual care with self-monitoring alone. The key components of the 30-minute intervention were asthma information, assessment, and correction of inhaler technique; an individualized action plan based on self-monitoring data; and environmental control strategies for relevant allergen and irritant exposures. The intervention was personalized based on pulmonary function, allergen skin test reactivity, and inhaler technique and reinforced at 2-week intervals. Results Participants randomized to the self-management intervention maintained consistently higher ICS adherence levels and showed a 9-fold greater odds of more than 60% adherence to the prescribed dose compared with control subjects at the end of the intervention ( P = .02) and maintained a 3-fold greater odds of higher than 60% adherence at the end of the study. Perceived control of asthma improved ( P = .006), nighttime awakenings decreased ( P = .03), and inhaled β-agonist use decreased ( P = .01) in intervention participants compared with control subjects. Conclusion Our results show that individualized asthma self-management education attenuates the usual decrease in medication adherence and improves clinical markers of asthma control.
Cortical evoked potentials and synchronization of electrocortical activity during consummatory behavior in rats.

Summary Electrocortical activity and averaged evoked potentials to photic stimuli were studied in rats during bar-pressing for liquid reinforcement on a fixed-ratio schedule. Reinforcing licking activity was associated with enhancement of late components of visual evoked responses and increased incidence of ‘afterdischarges’ relative to evoked responses obtained during bar-pressing. Licking activity also often resulted in apparent electrocortical synchrony at a frequency of about 7 c/sec that followed closely the frequency pattern of licking and associated phasic EMG activity of the temporal muscles. Although no one-to-one relationship between licking and apparent electrocortical synchrony could be established, the synchronous pattern appeared to represent a muscle artifact since it was present during induced spreading depression of the cortex. Thus, while data on visual evoked responses during reinforcing licking behavior concur with observations in cats, no evidence was obtained of ‘postreinforcement synchronization’ in rats.
On Bayes' test for the population mean of bounded observations

Abstract Outer approximations of the optimal stopping boundary for Bayes' test of the population mean of bounded observations are obtained in neat and simple expressions.
Validation of death certificate diagnosis of out-of-hospital coronary heart disease deaths in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

Objective To evaluate the validity of death certificate diagnosis of out-of-hospital (DOH) coronary heart disease (CUD) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between 1981 and 1994. Methods In this review of the medical records, autopsy reports, and coroner's files, OOH deaths with heart disease as the underlying cause of death on the death certificate were classified into CHD (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] codes 410–414) and non-CHD (other ICD-9- CM heart disease codes) deaths. A 10% random sample (n=174) of these death certificates was reviewed by physicians, and published validation criteria were applied to classify these deaths into validated CUD or non-CUD categories. Sudden cardiac death was defined as validated CHD that occurred at an DOH location with less than 24 hours between symptom onset and death. Results The death certificate definition of OOH CUD death ( ICD-9-CM codes 410-414) had high sensitivity and positive predictive value of 91% and 96%, respectively. The specificity and the negative predictive value were slightly lower at 86% and 72%, respectively. The sensitivity of death certificate diagnosis of CHD for validated SCD was 89%, and the positive predictive value was 77%. Using a more restrictive definition of SCD, that is, less than I hour between the onset of symptoms and death, the positive predictive value of CHD codes for SCD was lower at 52%. Conclusions In Olmsted County, the positive predictive values of death certificate diagnosis for OOH CHD and SCD are high. Relying on death certificate diagnoses results in about 5% underestimation of the true CHD rates, whereas their use as a surrogate for SCD yields a 16% overestimation of the true SCD rates.
Numerical study of autoionizing states in completely correlated two-electron systems.

The structure of a one-dimensional two-electron model atom analogous to helium is examined. Predictions of Hartree-Fock and basis-state diagonalization methods are compared with results of exact numerical techniques. Particular attention is given to the lowest-energy autoionizing resonance and to how the autoionizing state can be defined. The dynamics of the autoionizing decay are examined with regard to the time development of the spatial wave function and various population amplitudes. The photoabsorption line shape of the lowest-lying autoionizing state for dipole excitation from the first excited state is also presented.
Correlation between the refractive index and the energy gap of simple and complex binary compounds—II

Abstract In the first paper of the series the authors gave a correlation between the high-frequency dielectric constant (ϵ ∞ ) and the average energy gap ( E p ) for simple and complex binary compounds, but the proposed relation included a third variable, R (the interatomic separation). In the present communication, a pure correlation between ϵ ∞ and E p is established without any other variables. The two characteristic constants appearing in the formulation are shown to have non-flexible values. The validity of the correlation is established by using the available values of ϵ ∞ and E p in different families. The two constants in the proposed correlation are identified as a family characteristic and an ion characteristic, respectively.
Meteorological classification of satellite imagery using neural network data fusion

A general approach to meteorological classification based on neural network data fusion is presented. The system implements a low-level vision system based on a number of biologically plausible theories operating across all input channels. Preprocessing stages derive products that are included with actual data as input to a classification stage. Supervised learning is used to train the classifiers. A number of promising preliminary results are presented, including a demonstration of robust classification performance over large shifts of sun angle and terrain. These results point to the applicability of neural networks for automated generation of meteorological products in real time
Mechanical characterization of nickel nanowires by using a customized atomic microscope in scanning electron microscope

A new experimental method to characterize the mechanical properties of metallic nanowires is introduced. An accurate and fast mechanical characterization of nanowires requires simultaneous imaging and testing of the nanowires. However, existing mechanical characterization techniques fail to accomplish this goal due either to the lack of imaging capability of the mechanical test setup or the difficulty of individual alignment and manipulation of single nanowires for each test. In this study, nanowire specimens prepared by an electroplating technique are located on a silicon substrate with trenches. A customized atomic force microscope is located inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to establish the visibility of the nanowires, and the tip of the atomic force microscope cantilever is utilized to bend and break the nanowires. The ability to visualize the nanowires in an SEM improves the speed and accuracy of the tests. Experimentally obtained force versus bending displacement curves are fitted into existing analytical formulations to extract the mechanical properties. Experimental results reveal that nickel nanowires have significantly higher strengths than their bulk counterparts, although their elastic modulus values are comparable to bulk nickel modulus values.
Impact of Wall Thickness and Saccular Geometry on the Computational Wall Stress of Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

Background—Wall stress calculated using finite element analysis has been used to predict rupture risk of aortic aneurysms. Prior models often assume uniform aortic wall thickness and fusiform geometry. We examined the effects of including local wall thickness, intraluminal thrombus, calcifications, and saccular geometry on peak wall stress (PWS) in finite element analysis of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms. Methods and Results—Computed tomographic angiography of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (n=10 total, 5 fusiform and 5 saccular) underwent 3-dimensional reconstruction with custom algorithms. For each aneurysm, an initial model was constructed with uniform wall thickness. Experimental models explored the addition of variable wall thickness, calcifications, and intraluminal thrombus. Each model was loaded with 120 mm Hg pressure, and von Mises PWS was computed. The mean PWS of uniform wall thickness models was 410±111 kPa. The imposition of variable wall thickness increased PWS (481±126 kPa, P<...
Theoretical study of the structural effects of polymethylene amines on corrosion inhibition of iron in acid solutions

Quantum chemical calculations were performed on azacyclo C5 to C14 amines, open chain C6 to C14 amines and phenylazacyclo C5 to C14 amines. Inspection of the calculated parameters and corrosion inhibition efficiencies were made to observe any clear links, which might exist between the two. Possible correlations between experimental inhibition efficiencies and parameters such as dipole moment (μ), highest occupied (EHOMO) and lowest unoccupied (ELUMO) molecular orbitals and the differences between them, HOMO–LUMO gap (Δ), as well as some structural characteristics were investigated. The models of the inhibitors were optimized with the Modified Neglect of Diatomic Overlap (MNDO) method. The Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) approach has been used and a composite index of some quantum chemical parameters were constructed in order to characterize the inhibition performance of the tested molecules. The inhibition effect of polymethylene amines is closely related to orbital energies and/or energy gap and dipole moment.
Estimating the Burden of Tuberculosis among Foreign-Born Persons Acquired Prior to Entering the U.S., 2005–2009

Background: The true burden of reactivation of remote latent tuberculosis infection (reactivation TB) among foreign-born persons with tuberculosis (TB) within the United States is not known. Our study objectives were to estimate the proportion of foreign-born persons with TB due reactivation TB and to describe characteristics of foreign-born persons with reactivation TB. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with an M. tuberculosis isolate genotyped by the U.S. National TB Genotyping Service, 2005–2009. TB cases were attributed to reactivation TB if they were not a member of a localized cluster of cases. Localized clusters were determined by a spatial scan statistic of cases with isolates with matching TB genotype results. Crude odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to assess relations between reactivation TB and select factors among foreign-born persons. Main Results: Among the 36,860 cases with genotyping and surveillance data reported, 22,151 (60%) were foreign-born. Among foreign-born persons with TB, 18,540 (83.7%) were attributed to reactivation TB. Reactivation TB among foreignborn persons was associated with increasing age at arrival, incidence of TB in the country of origin, and decreased time in the U.S. at the time of TB diagnosis. Conclusions: Four out of five TB cases among foreign-born persons can be attributed to reactivation TB and present the largest challenge to TB elimination in the U.S. TB control strategies among foreign-born persons should focus on finding and treating latent tuberculosis infection prior to or shortly after arrival to the United States and on reducing the burden of LTBI through improvements in global TB control.
RELIABILITIES AND VALIDITIES OF SIMPLE AND EXTENDED WEIGHTED AND BUFFERED UNIFACTOR SCALES

Formulae are required for estimating the reliability and validity of scales constructed to measure a single factor, when irrelevant common and specific factors also exist among the data. Equations are here developed for this purpose, to cover scales with single members or many members, and with both weighted and unweighted components: the use of suppressor patterns is also taken into account. Relations to existing formulae, e.g., those of Spearman and Brown, are worked out, and an improved nomenclature is proposed.
An uneasy alliance? Tracing the relationships between cultural and feminist geographies

Even though the so-called cultural turn in geogra- phy coincided with the elaboration and "mainstreaming" of feminist geographies, these two intellectual trajectories are not easily aligned, and the relationships between them have at times been characterized by tension, particularly within the context of American geography. In this paper, I outline the history of these various tensions and uneasy alliances, sug- gest possible causes for these tensions, and discuss in what ways (or not) this uneasy alliance might matter in terms of the intellectual trajectories of both subfields.
Stereoselective Determination of Flecainide in Human Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection

Abstract Enantiomers of a drug may differ in their pharmacological activities or their disposition constants. We now describe a stereoselective analytical method for the determination of the antiarrhythmic agent flecainide in plasma. The resolution of the enantiomers is achieved by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a normal phase silica column following derivatization with the optically active reagent (−)‐menthyl chloroformate. The eluting diastereoisomers are monitored by fluorescence detection at an excitation wavelength of 305 nm and an emission wavelength of 340 nm. The limit of sensitivity for the assay is as low as 2.5 ng/mL for each enantiomer using 1 mL of plasma. A new liquid–liquid extraction procedure with high recovery (>95%) and high selectivity is also reported. The intra- and interassay coefficient of variation for replicated analysis of spiked plasma samples is less than 4.0% and 7.0%, respectively. The method is suitable for single and multiple dose pharmacokinetic studies in healthy volunteers or in patients.
Fulminant hepatic failure as the initial presentation of acute autoimmune hepatitis.

Background & Aims: Autoimmune hepatitis is a common cause of chronic hepatitis, and acute presentation is thought to be uncommon. The aim of this study was to compare clinical, biochemical, and histological features in patients with autoimmune hepatitis presenting with either acute or chronic hepatitis. Methods: Retrospective review of all patients with autoimmune hepatitis presenting to a University medical center from 1993 to 2002. Results: One hundred fifteen patients with autoimmune hepatitis were identified. Ten patients with autoimmune hepatitis were identified as having acute presentation (group I), and 20 patients with a classic presentation as chronic hepatitis (group II) served as age- and sex-matched controls. All patients met criteria published by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. Patients with acute presentation differed significantly with regard to encephalopathy, albumin levels, and bilirubin levels. Blinded liver biopsy review demonstrated that those with acute presentation had significantly less fibrosis, and significantly greater interface hepatitis, lobular disarray, lobular hepatitis, hepatocyte necrosis, zone III necrosis, and submassive necrosis. Conclusions: In our study, patients with an acute presentation of autoimmune hepatitis differed from patients with a classical presentation clinically, biochemically, and histologically. In our review, a majority of patients with acute autoimmune hepatitis presented with fulminant hepatic failure. The pattern of zone 3 necrosis may be a specific finding in those with acute autoimmune hepatitis.
Death Comes to the Broadway Musical

The Broadway musical is an excellent prism for viewing the narrative of American life – as it is, has been, and perhaps should be. In the first part of the twentieth century, musicals viewed life through rose-colored glasses; musicals were equivalent to musical comedy. Starting in the 1940s, the mood of musicals darkened. One indication of the new, serious tone was that characters in musicals died in the course of the show. This essay examines several questions relating to death in the Broadway musical, such as who dies, when in the course of the drama the death occurs, and how the death is marked musically. It concludes with a look at musicals involving the deaths of historical characters and at AIDS-related musicals, works whose assumptions and ideals are very far from those of the musical comedies of the early twentieth century.
“Those invisible barriers are real”: The Progression of First-Generation Students Through Doctoral Education

Using the conceptual framework of social capital, this study outlines the experiences of 20 first-generation students currently enrolled in doctoral degree programs. The framework highlights those structures and processes that offer tacit knowledge to students about how to pursue higher education. For students who are the first in their families to attend college, this knowledge is often elusive. Through individual interviews, data were collected to understand student isolation, financial challenges, and sources of support. Implications for institutions are offered.
Three dimensional tracking of fluorescent microparticles using a photon-limited double-helix response system

We demonstrate three-dimensional tracking of fluorescent microparticles, with a computational optical system whose point spread function (PSF) has been engineered to have two twisting lobes along the optical axis, generating a three-dimensional (3D) double-helix (DH) PSF. An information theoretical comparison in photon limited systems shows that the DH-PSF delivers higher Fisher information for 3D localization than the standard PSF. Hence, DH-PSF systems provide better position estimation accuracy. Experiments demonstrate average position estimation accuracies under 14nm and 37nm in the transverse and axial dimensions respectively. The system determines the 3D position of multiple particles with a single image and tracks them over time while providing their velocities.
Gene therapy with iNOS provides long-term protection against myocardial infarction without adverse functional consequences

Previous studies have shown that gene therapy with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protects against myocardial infarction at 3 days after gene transfer. However, the long-term effects of iNO...
The Leadership Academy: A New Approach for Changing Times in Communication Sciences and Disorders Programs

Challenges facing academic programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders include dwindling resources and increased pressure to maintain faculty members and grow program enrollments. This article...
Transmural variation in myosin heavy chain isoform expression modulates the timing of myocardial force generation in porcine left ventricle

Recent studies have shown that the sequence and timing of mechanical activation of myocardium vary across the ventricular wall. However, the contributions of variable expression of myofilament protein isoforms in mediating the timing of myocardial activation in ventricular systole are not well understood. To assess the functional consequences of transmural differences in myofilament protein expression, we studied the dynamic mechanical properties of multicellular skinned preparations isolated from the sub-endocardial and sub-epicardial regions of the porcine ventricular midwall. Compared to endocardial fibres, epicardial fibres exhibited significantly faster rates of stretch activation and force redevelopment (ktr), although the amount of force produced at a given [Ca2+] was not significantly different. Consistent with these results, SDS-PAGE analysis revealed significantly elevated expression of α myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform in epicardial fibres (13 ± 1%) versus endocardial fibres (3 ± 1%). Linear regression analysis revealed that the apparent rates of delayed force development and force decay following stretch correlated with MHC isoform expression (r2= 0.80 and r2= 0.73, respectively, P < 0.05). No differences in the relative abundance or phosphorylation status of other myofilament proteins were detected. These data show that transmural differences in MHC isoform expression contribute to regional differences in dynamic mechanical function of porcine left ventricles, which in turn modulate the timing of force generation across the ventricular wall and work production during systole.
ESD-circuit Interactions

In summary, it is important for IC designers to understand that ESD protection circuit design is not about designing individual ESD protection structure itself. A working stand-alone ESD protection structure does not guarantee a functional IC chip. There exist strong ESD-circuit interactions. On one hand, the core circuit may affect the performance of ESD protection significantly, resulting in pre-mature ESD failures due to parasitic internal discharging structures. On the other hand, ESD protection structures have inevitable parasitic effects that influence the functionality of the core circuit substantially, including global clock signal integrity, almost all key circuit specifications and noise performance. This theory has been proved by practical circuit design examples. The solution to the ESD-circuit interaction problem is to design novel, low-parasitic, compact ESD protection structures. It is therefore imperative for IC designers to adopt a system approach in developing novel ESD protection solutions for any IC chips.
Optical Head-Mounted Computer Display for Education, Research, and Documentation in Hand Surgery

Intraoperative photography and capturing videos is important for the hand surgeon. Recently, optical head-mounted computer display has been introduced as a means of capturing photographs and videos. In this article, we discuss this new technology and review its potential use in hand surgery.
The Ohio Historical Society and Establishment of the State's Archives: A Tale of Angst and Apathy

The author traces the evolution and development of Ohio's state archives from the early 1900s to 1959, the year legislation passed naming the Ohio Historical Society as the archives administration. The failure to establish a clear archival authority and the absence of sustained financial support forms part of the story. That the Ohio Historical Society, beset by multiple demands on limited resources, a quasi-public relationship to the state, and an uncertainty about its role and mission, became a captive of its involvement in the effort to preserve the state's archives is also part of this tale of angst and apathy.
Runoff Rules, Political Parties, and Democracy in Latin America

During Latin America's third wave, a majority of countries have adopted a runoff rule for the election of the president. This paper argues that, despite scholarly skepticism about the runoff, it has been positive for democracy. In regression analysis, runoff is statistically significant in explaining levels of democracy in Latin America between 1990 and 2012. It is argued further, examining the cases of Brazil, El Salvador, Peru, and Uruguay, that the runoff is superior because it opens the political arena to new parties and leftist parties, but also entices them towards the political center. Also, examining the case of Chile, it argues that in close elections a runoff provides legitimacy to the winner.
Potential of pyriproxyfen as a quarantine treatment for codling moth and oriental fruit moth (Lepidoptera : Tortricidae)

A juvenile hormone mimic, pyriproxyfen, had ovicidal effects on eggs of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), and oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck). One-day-old codling moth eggs were more susceptible than 2-d-old eggs. Complete mortality of codling moth eggs was not attained at 10.0 ppm. At LC50 and LC90, 1-d-old oriental fruit moth eggs were less susceptible to pyriproxyfen than 1-d-old codling moth eggs. Older eggs of codling moth and oriental fruit moth did not respond to pyriproxyfen. Thirty-three codling moth eggs of 1,440 tested on nectarines survived an immersion in 10 ppm pyriproxyfen. Codling moth adults laid fewer eggs than unexposed adults when topically exposed to 25.0 μg per insect; they laid less viable eggs when topically exposed to 0.2-25.0 μg per insect. Exposure of codling moth and oriental fruit moth adults to pyriproxyfen residues (150-2,700 g/ha) did not affect fecundity but reduced egg viability in proportion to rate. Codling moth egg viability was reduced (97-100% mortality) by exposure of either adult females or males to 2,700 g/ha pyriproxyfen residues; viability of oriental fruit moth eggs was less affected than was codling moth egg viability. Exposure of both sexes of oriental fruit moth adults was more effective in reducing egg viability (94% mortality) than exposure of either sex alone, Exposure of adult females (92% egg mortality) was more effective than exposure of males (88% egg mortality) 1-4 d after treatment.
Lipid Composition of Preaestivating and Aestivating Adult Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera brunneipennis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Body weight of adults of the Egyptian alfalfa weevil, Hypera brunneipennis (Boheman), declined approximately 40% during the first 3 mo of aestivation, but there was little or no lipid utilization. By the end of aestivation, however, lipid content had declined approximately 50%. The majority of fatty acids recovered from preaestivating and aestivating H. brunneipennis adults were C 18. Oleic acid (18:1) was generally the most abundant fatty acid, with the greatest percentage recovered from the sterol ester fraction. Linolenic (18:3 n3) was the next most abundant acid and was found largely in the free fatty acid and monoglyceride fractions. C 18 was present only in low amounts in alfalfa foliage. It appears that these C18 acids are, at least partially, synthesized by H. brunneipennis . Aestivating H. brunneipennis apparently uses fatty acids generally rather than specifically.
Salaries in Space The Spatial Dimensions of Teacher Compensation

This article, drawing on a rich panel of administrative data comprising all public school teachers employed in Kentucky from 1997 to 2005, utilizes methods developed in spatial econometrics to test for spatial interdependence in the teacher remuneration policies utilized by public school districts. The results of the best fitting model suggest that a 1 percentage point increase in the salary generosity of a particular district’s distance-weighted neighbors yields a 0.57 percentage point increase in the generosity of salaries within that district, even after controlling for relevant district characteristics and including time and district fixed effects. The results are discussed within the context of state education finance reforms, the school choice movement as well as the continued national focus on improving teacher quality as a primary mechanism to increase student achievement.
Epidemiological Analysis of the Acute Flaccid Paralysis Cases in 2000—2008 in Tongliao

OBJECTIVE In order to supply the basis about the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases surveillance. METHOD We adopted EPI info software to statistic and analysis. RESULTS The result indicated that 114 AFP cases were reported and the reported average incidence rate of AFP under 15 years old was 2.31/100000 in 2000—2008. The collecting rate of adequate stool specimens was 81.58%. According to the standard of virus, the report on AFP was all non-poliomyelitis case. CONCLUSIONS we will continue to maintain polio-free.We shoud go on doing routine immune vaccination and AFP cases qualified fecal speciments collection work. Improving the rate of first diagnosis reporting. These are important means in non-poliomyelitis period.
Finding Bickel Gold in a Hill of Beans

‘‘First, dono harm,’’ isa commonaphorism for themedical profession. If the Supreme Court was judged by this principle, its work in Hill v. McDonough 1 might lead some to urge revoking the justices’ licenses. The Court’s decision to consider Clarence Hill’s challenge to Florida’s lethal injection protocol resulted in widespread legal confusion and the disruption of executions nationwide. The Court’s subsequent ruling in Hill raised more legal questions than it answered and ensured that death row defendants would continue to disrupt scheduled executions by pursuing litigation over lethal injections protocols. But, though harmful to the orderly administration of capital punishment,theSupremeCourt’sworkinHillhasitsvirtues.TheCourt’s consideration of Hill’s claims has brought greater (and long needed) scrutiny to the particulars of lethal injection protocols. And the narrow ruling in Hill presents a valuable opportunity for other institutions to grapple more fully with the difficult issues raised by any method of state killing. Consequently, Hill might be lauded for reflecting Professor Alexander Bickel’s wise insight that the Supreme Court ought sometimes seek to avoid resolution of certain constitutional claims. Professor Bickel suggested that the Supreme Court should, in some settings, avoid definitive resolution of certain constitutional questions to allow other (more democratic) branches of government to take a second look at important issues. 2 But, for the Hilldecision to produce
Interactive analytics for smart cities infrastructures

Infrastructures in smart cities are complex systems, more than the sum of their parts, and operate through a multitude of individual and collective decisions. These systems are experiencing a gradual but substantial change in moving away from being non-interactive and manually-controlled systems to utilizing tight integration of both cyber (computation, communications, and control) and physical representations guided by first principles, at all scales and levels. As a result, facility managers for such systems are demanding more control over the system operation. They prefer data-driven insights into performance and usage across their portfolios to make more effective decisions. Such insights help determine, if the system is operating efficiently and enable the facilities manager/system operator to investigate areas for improvement and evaluate upgrades. In this paper we describe one such system, which uses data-driven control-oriented models to build a data intelligence layer for the underlying physical infrastructure. Our system provides interactive analytics for the operator by answering queries and making recommendations about the systems operation. We extend our previous work with using regression trees ensembles for predictive modeling of these large and 'messy' systems, and show how tree based models can be converted into a knowledge discovery database. We present preliminary results for this system using data from a large office building.
Evaluation of an Isotope Dilution HPLC Tandem Mass Spectrometry Candidate Reference Measurement Procedure for Total 17-β Estradiol in Human Serum.

The inaccuracy of 17-β estradiol (E2) measurements affects its use as a biomarker in patient care and research. Clinical and research communities called for accurate and standardized E2 measurements. Reference Measurement Procedures (RMPs), part of the CDC Hormone Standardization Program (HoSt), are essential in addressing this need and ensuring that methods are accurate and comparable across testing systems, laboratories, and over time. A candidate RMP (cRMP) was developed for the measurement of total E2 in serum using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) without derivatization. The cRMP meets suggested performance criteria for accuracy and precision through the use of isotope dilution, calibrator bracketing, and gravimetric measurements. The cRMP demonstrated high agreement with certified reference materials (no significant bias to BCR576, 577, and 578) and established RMPs (slope 1.00, 95% CI 1.00–1.01; intercept 0.02, 95% CI −0.01 to 0.06). The cRMP is highly precise with intra-as...
Exploration of efficient reduced‐order modeling and a posteriori error estimation

Summary Efficient algorithms are considered for the computation of a reduced-order model based on the proper orthogonal decomposition methodology for the solution of parameterized elliptic partial differential equations. The method relies on partitioning the parameter space into subdomains based on the properties of the solution space and then forming a reduced basis for each of the subdomains. This yields more efficient offline and online stages for the proper orthogonal decomposition method. We extend these ideas for inexpensive adjoint based a posteriori error estimation of both the expensive finite element method solutions and the reduced-order model solutions, for a single and multiple quantities of interest. Various numerical results indicate the efficacy of the approach. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maintenance Hypomethylating Therapy Post Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Provides Favorable Progression Free Survival in High Risk Acute Myelogenous Leukemia or Non Responsive Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Abstract Abstract 4468 Introduction Patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or non responsive myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who fail to achieve a complete remission, have unfavorable cytogenetics or are refractory to therapy have a poor prognosis. Allogeneic HSCT is frequently considered a salvage option for these patients although remissions are short-lived. New strategies are needed for maintaining remission in this extremely high risk patient group. We hypothesized hypomethylating agents post allogeneic HSCT would enable patients to remain in complete remission. Methods Eleven patients were treated. Patient characteristics: median age, 48 years (range, 18–70 years), PBSC (n=9) or bone marrow (n=2); Diagnoses AML= 10, Non- responsive MDS=1, CIBMTR disease risk category: High [n=8], Intermediate [n=1], Low [n=2]; 36% of the patients had primary induction failure, 54% had complex molecular abnormalities with 18% of the patients having deletion 11q 23 molecular abnormality. Donors were unrelated (36%) and related (64%). All but 1 donor-recipient pairs were fully matched. Preparative regimen- busulfan based (16mg/kg or equivalent) (82%), TBI ≥ 12 Gy (9%) based or reduced-intensity haplo-identical regimen (9%). The median number of prior chemotherapy regimens was 2.5 (range, 2–6). Azacitidine (n=10) or decitabine (n=1) was selected at physician discretion as a planned prophylactic regimen post allogeneic HSCT engraftment. Initial starting doses were based on hematological conditions at the time of therapy initiation. Results Ten patients received azacitidine subcutaneously daily for seven days for a median of 5 cycles (range, 1–10 cycles) and one patient received decitabine 20mg/m2 intravenously for 5 days for 3 cycles. Median initial Azacitidine dose of 50 mg/m2 (range, 25–75mg/m2) daily were given at a median of 40 days (range, 38–101 days) post HSCT engraftment. Azacitidine doses were increased based on counts to a maximum dose of 75mg/m2. With a median follow-up of 24 months (range, 1.7–49 months) 6 patients are alive in complete remission. Twenty-four month progression free survival is 51% with overall survival of 76%. Conclusion Given the dismal results of progression free survival and overall survival following allogeneic HSCT in high risk AML or non responsive MDS, hypomethylating agents given post transplantation provide a valuable approach to prolonging remission. Download : Download high-res image (12KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Ex-situ up-conversion of biomass pyrolysis bio-oil vapors using Pt/Al2O3 nanostructured catalyst synergistically heated with steel balls via induction

Abstract Radiofrequency-driven hydrodeoxygenation of sawdust pyrolysis vapor and the coking performance of the catalysts were investigated using Pt/Al 2 O 3 commercial pellets mixed with steel balls inside an alumina tube. The radio-frequency induction heating of the catalyst bed was compared with a conventional method of heating using electric tape engulfing the catalyst bed reactor. Partial deoxygenation of the oil was successfully achieved in the catalytic upgrading of pyrolysis oil at 234 °C, with the use of the induction heater. The molar O/C ratio of the oil decreased from 1.36 to 0.51. No deoxygenation of the oil was observed using the electric tape control under identical conditions as both carbon and oxygen appeared to be removed at approximately equal rates, with the carbon being deposited in the form of coke onto the catalyst instead of being recovered in the liquid.
The threshold friction velocities and soil flux rates of selected soils in south-west New South Wales, Australia

A portable wind erosion tunnel has been used to measure the wind erodibility of nine soil types with a range of surface textures under two treatments (bare uncultivated and bare cultivated) in western New South Wales. The erodibility has been characterised by the soil flux function Q(u *), whereQis the streamwise soil flux (measured with a modified Bagnold soil trap) and u * the friction velocity (obtained by fitting the logarithmic wind profile law to a wind profile measured in the tunnel). Threshold friction velocities u *t were also observed for the range of surfaces. These data represent the only Australian tests published to date and supplement the American measurements of semi-arid soils by Gillette [1], [2], [3].
Abstract PR03: Prophylactic nodal irradiation abrogates the synergy of tumor radiotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade

Background: Prophylactic nodal irradiation (PNI) is a strategy used to treat early stage cancers with the potential to enhance local control and prevent metastatic spread. It remains unclear whether irradiation of tumor-associated draining lymph nodes (LN) influences anti-tumor T cell responses. Our aim was to investigate the in vivo effects of nodal irradiation on the phenotype and function of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and the impact of PNI on the anti-tumor effects of immunotherapy. Methods: The Small Animal Radiation Research Platform (SARRP) delivered imaged-guided stereotactic radiation (RT) to tumor (T-only) or tumor and LN (T+LN). Syngeneic tumors (MC38 colon, B16 melanoma) were implanted in C57BL/6 mice and irradiated (12Gy x1) and/or treated with immune checkpoint blockade with αCTLA-4 IgG2a (depleting) or αPD-1 IgG1. The composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME) was assayed by flow cytometry. To query tumor-antigen specific T cell responses, adoptive transfer experiments were performed using OVA-specific CD8+ T-cells from Rag-/- OT-1 mice and OVA-MHC class I tetramer (SIINFEKL). Tumor lysate was also collected for chemokine analysis, and tumor outgrowth was quantified over time. Results: T-only RT resulted in a significant increase (P Conclusions: We have successfully developed a SARRP-based early stage cancer model with the ability to target or spare the tumor-associated LN. Results to date demonstrate significant immunological differences that are contingent upon inclusion/exclusion of the LN. Long-term survival experiments suggest response and survival advantages with T-only RT, particularly in combination with αCTLA-4 blockade. Taken together, these data suggest that PNI may dampen anti-tumor immune responses and that Tumor-only RT might be a better strategy in combination immunotherapy regimens, although these results should be explored in carefully designed clinical trials. This abstract is also being presented as Poster B41. Citation Format: Ariel E. Marciscano, Ali Ghasemzadeh, Thomas R. Nirschl, Brian J. Francica, Debebe Theodros, Esteban Velarde, J Wong, Daniel LJ Thorek, Theodore L. DeWeese, Charles G. Drake. Prophylactic nodal irradiation abrogates the synergy of tumor radiotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2016 Oct 20-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2017;5(3 Suppl):Abstract nr PR03.
Moiré Chiral Metamaterials

Plasmonic chiral metamaterials are promising for applications in chiral sensors and photonic devices due to their strong optical chirality and light–matter interactions at the subwavelength scale. However, most of current plasmonic chiral metamaterials rely on local structural chirality or site-specific symmetry breaking, which has limited their optical activity, tunability, and scalable fabrication for practical applications. Here, this paper reports a new type of chiral metamaterials consisted of two layers of identical achiral Au nanohole arrays stacked into moire patterns. The chiroptical responses of the moire chiral metamaterials can be precisely tuned by the in-plane rotation between the two layers of nanohole arrays. Furthermore, the moire chiral metamaterials are applied to achieve label-free enantiodiscrimination of biomolecules and drug molecules at the picogram level. With their ultrathin thickness (≈70 nm, which is only ≈1/10 of the operation wavelength), strong chirality, and high tunability, the moire chiral metamaterials will advance a variety of photonic and optoelectronic applications.
N-Acetonitrile Functionalized Nitropyrazoles: Precursors to Insensitive Asymmetric N-Methylene-C Linked Azoles

Properties of energetic compounds obtained by linking energetic pyrazoles to tetrazoles by means of N-methylene-C bridges can be fine-tuned. Reactions of pyrazole derivatives with chloroacetonitrile followed by conversion of the cyano group to tetrazole using click reactions in the presence of zinc chloride result in asymmetric N-methylene-C bridged azole-based energetic compounds. All the compounds were thoroughly characterized by IR and NMR [1H, 13C {1H}, 15N] spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and for two compounds, further supported by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Heats of formation and detonation performances were calculated using Gaussian 03 and EXPLO5 v6.01 programs, respectively. Initial studies show that this new approach is promising for synthesizing less sensitive energetic compounds with fine-tuned properties.
Gastric bypass surgery stimulates the dormant gut-brain axis in obesity

To truly reduce the rates of chronic kidney disease, a root cause of kidney damage, obesity, must be targeted. Weight loss is often unsustainable because imbalances in satiety regulators are frequently not addressed to ensure maintenance of weight loss. In a recent study, gastric bypass surgery rebalanced satiety signals through resensitization of the gut-brain axis in obesity. This research may lead to noninvasive strategies to reduce obesity and obesity-related kidney disease.
Safety and accuracy of freehand versus navigated C2 pars or pedicle screw placement

Abstract Background Context C2 pedicle and pars screws require accurate placement to avoid injury to nearby neurovascular structures. Freehand, fluoroscopically guided, and computed tomography (CT)–based navigation techniques have been described in the medical literature. Purpose The present study aims to compare the safety and accuracy of the freehand technique versus stereotactic navigation for the placement of C2 pedicle and pars screws. Study Design/Setting This study was a retrospective review of consecutive patients treated with posterior fixation constructs. Patient Sample A total of 220 consecutive patients were treated with posterior fixation constructs containing C2 pars or pedicle screws placed at our institution. Outcome Measures Computed tomography imaging was used to assess the accuracy of screw placement. Intraoperative complications and incidence of stroke or mortality within 30 days of the operation were analyzed. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of consecutive patients treated with posterior fixation constructs containing C2 pars or pedicle screws placed by spine surgeons between January 1, 2010, and August 31, 2016. Clinical and radiographic data were collected and analyzed. Screw accuracy was graded independently by two reviewers according to the following criteria: grade A (no breach), grades B–E (breach with transverse foramen obstruction of 1%–25%, 26%–50%, 51%–75%, or 76%–100%, respectively), and grade M (medial breach). Screws were divided into acceptable (grades A and B) and unacceptable (grades C–E and M). Results A total of 426 C2 pars or pedicle screws (312 freehand, 114 navigated) were placed in 220 patients (160 freehand, 60 navigated). Complications were similar between the groups: three vertebral artery injuries (two [1%] freehand, one [2%] navigated; p>.99), five deaths (four [3%] freehand, one [2%] navigated; p>.99), and one (2%) stroke in the navigated group (p=.61). Computed tomography imaging was available for accuracy grading of 182 screws (131 freehand, 51 navigated). No breaches (grade A) occurred in 113 of the freehand screws (86%) and in 34 of the navigated screws (67%) (p=.006). More screws had acceptable placement in the freehand group (123 of 131, 94%) than in the navigated group (42 of 51, 82%) (p=.02). Conclusions In patients with postoperative CT imaging (43%), the freehand technique was found to be more accurate than CT-based navigation for C2 pedicle or pars screw placement. Complication rates did not differ between the two techniques in this study.