cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using natural sedimentation to backfill a dredged pipeline trench

A pipeline is to be built beneath the seafloor in Long Island Sound on the east coast of the US. A trench will be dredged and the pipeline placed. This study investigated how long it would take natural sedimentation processes to fill the trench and cover the pipe. A US Army Corps of Engineers model was used to simulate both the settling of solids from the water column to the seafloor, and the scour and transport of bed sediment. The numerical results indicated that the pipe may be covered within a year. To fill the trench back to near the level of the bed would have a timeframe of several years.
DOES CLINICAL INERTIA VARY BY PERSONALIZED A1C GOAL? A STUDY OF PREDICTORS AND PREVALENCE OF CLINICAL INERTIA IN A U.S. MANAGED CARE SETTING

Submitted for publication December 7, 2015 Accepted for publication December 16, 2015 From the MedStar Health Research and Diabetes Institutes, Washington, DC. Address correspondence to Michelle F. Magee, MedStar Health Research and Diabetes Institutes MDI, 100 Irving Street NW, EB4114, Washington, DC 20010. E-mail: michelle.f.magee@medstar.net DOI:10.4158/EP151162.CO To purchase reprints of this article, please visit: www.aace.com/reprints. Copyright © 2016 AACE. Abbreviations: A1C = glycated hemoglobin A1C; GLP-1 = glucagonlike peptide-1.
Integration of Marketing and Production Services by Florida Citrus Associations

AS farmers become proficient in one type of cooperative effort, jt they usually attempt new fields of activity. Associations having performed satisfactory country point marketing service may extend their marketing service to the terminal markets, or the members may form a service cooperative such as finance, insurance, or electricity. Florida Citrus Cooperatives since 1909 have, on the whole, rendered a satisfactory packing-selling service. The big development of citrus cooperatives in recent years has been in the field of production. The Florida development is unique, not only because it covers the entire field of citrus production, but-at least to some extent-because it is completely integrated with the marketing service.
Metformin use and young age lung cancer: A case series report

Metformin, a widely-prescribed antihyperglycemic drug for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM-II), has been demonstrated to be antineoplastic in vivo and in vitro. However, various preclinical and epidemiological studies investigating the effects of metformin on lung cancer have obtained inconclusive results. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively investigate the effects of metformin, for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM-II), on the onset of lung cancer. In the present study, the pathological features of ten consecutive young age lung cancer cases, aged between 15 and 45 years old at the time of diagnosis and exhibiting existing primary DM, were investigated using the Mayo Clinic Lung Cancer Cohort database. Amongst this cohort, there were 2 cases of DM type 1 (DM-I) and 8 cases of DM-II. Of these patients, two exhibiting adenocarcinoma and DM-II had not been administered metformin; however, 1 patient exhibiting lymphoma and 4 patients with pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) had been administered metformin at least 12 months prior to lung cancer diagnosis. The remaining 3 patients exhibiting NETs and DM-II had been treated with insulin therapy. The present study hypothesized that the high proportion of NETs observed in the cases of metformin-treated DM-II was unlikely to be a random event. It was suggested that metformin treatment was not effective in the prevention of pulmonary NETs, and that metformin may instead induce the occurrence of NETs via as yet unknown signaling pathways. The present hypothesis may potentially serve as a novel indicator for the requirement to monitor young patients with diabetes, who are being treated with metformin, for the occurrence of pulmonary NETs.
State of the science for pediatric rehabilitation engineering

Over the past 25 years the field of rehabilitation engineering has recognized the need for a specific focus on the technological needs of children with disabilities as those needs often differ from those of adults [2]. Among the important efforts in a number of nations has been the support of a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on technology for children with orthopedic disabilities by the United States Department of Education. The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) earliest RERC on pediatrics influenced national rehabilitation policy and had a significant impact on the ‘Tech Act’ legislation of the early 1990s [13]. The NIDRR shifted the focus of this RERC in 1990 from leading the creation of technology service infrastructure to conducting research and development in the area of prosthetics and orthotics for children with orthopedic disabilities. The legacy of the Rancho Los Amigos RERC over its three funding cycles from 1990 to 2005, is now seen in a large number of commercially available products that meet the needs of children. Later, the NIDRR again shifted the focus of its pediatric RERC to newly emerging issues, and awarded this RERC on Technology for Children with Disabilities to our partnership between New Jersey Institute of Technology and the Childrens’ Specialized Hospital. We introduced the blending of emerging biomechanics, neuroscience and cognitive science with new therapeu-
Maimon’s Skepticism and its Relation to Critical and Dogmatic Philosophy

The question we now have to consider is, What is the specific feature of Maimon’s skepticism? It would seem at first thought that Maimon’s conception concerning the application of the principle of causality to particular phenomena of experience as being based on induction, which can lead only to probability, does not supersede the skepticism of Hume, who maintains that any statement as to a causal connection between phenomena is nothing other than the result of habit and custom. In what sense, then, is Maimon’s skepticism different from that of Hume, and what is its relation to the various schools of skepticism as they have evolved in the history of human thought? The consideration of this question has relevance for contemporary thought. “Logical positivism” and cognate schools of thought prevalent in our time maintain that any statement of a causal connection between the phenomena of experience, and for that matter, any synthetic proposition, can claim only probability, no certainty. In what sense, then, is Maimon’s skepticism different?
Stirling to flight initiative

NASA has a consistent need for radioisotope power systems (RPS) to enable robotic scientific missions for planetary exploration that has been present for over four decades and will continue into the foreseeable future, as documented in the most recent Planetary Science Decadal Study Report. As RPS have evolved throughout the years, there has also grown a desire for more efficient power systems, allowing NASA to serve as good stewards of the limited plutonium-238 (238Pu), while also supporting the ever-present need to minimize mass and potential impacts to the desired science measurements. In fact, the recent Nuclear Power Assessment Study (NPAS) released in April 2015 resulted in several key conclusion regarding RPS, including affirmation that RPS will be necessary well into the 2030s (at least) and that 238Pu is indeed a precious resource requiring efficient utilization and preservation. Stirling Radioisotope Generators (SRGs) combine a Stirling cycle engine powered by a radioisotope heater unit into a single generator system. Stirling engine technology has been under development at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) since the 1970's. The most recent design, the 238Pu-fueled Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG), was offered as part of the NASA Discovery 2010 Announcement of Opportunity (AO). The Step-2 selections for this AO included two ASRG-enabled concepts, the Titan Mare Explorer (TiME) and the Comet Hopper (CHopper), although the only non-nuclear concept, InSight, was ultimately chosen. The DOE's ASRG contract was terminated in 2013. Given that SRGs utilize significantly less 238Pu than traditional Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) — approximately one quarter of the nuclear fuel, to produce similar electrical power output — they provide a technology worthy of consideration for meeting the aforementioned NASA objectives. NASA's RPS Program Office has recently investigated a new Stirling to Flight (S2F) initiative with the objective of developing a 100–500 We Stirling generator system. Additionally, a different approach is being devised for this initiative to avoid pitfalls of the past, and apply lessons learned from the recent ASRG experience. Two key aspects of this initiative are a Stirling System Technology Maturation Effort, and a Surrogate Mission Team (SMT) intended to provide clear mission pull and requirements context. The S2F project seeks to lead directly into a DOE flight system development of a new SRG. This paper will detail the proposed S2F initiative, and provide specifics on the key efforts designed to pave a forward path for bringing Stirling technology to flight.
Abstract A43: BRAF-mutated melanomas exhibit distinct metabolic programs that may determine therapeutic response

Nearly 60% of melanomas have an activating mutation in the BRAF kinase. Targeted inhibition of mutant BRAF has prolonged overall survival, but responses are highly variable. To investigate the response variability, we utilized a panel of eight BRAF V600E or D mutated melanoma cell lines and treated them with the targeted mutant BRAF inhibitor, PLX4720. Under PLX4720 treatment, the cell lines exhibited a spectrum of concentration-dependent sensitivities based on measured proliferative rates over 96 hours of treatment. Since dysregulated metabolism has been shown to influence therapy resistance, we hypothesized that this spectrum of sensitivity would vary concordantly along a single metabolic phenotype. To test this hypothesis we measured glucose and amino acid uptake, lactate production, extracellular acidification upon mitochondrial inhibition, and proliferative rates under lactogenic glycolysis (oxamic acid) and ATP-synthase (oligomycin) inhibition in the cell lines. Interestingly, we did not find a single metabolic spectrum but rather unique clusters of metabolic phenotypes ranging from glycolysis-, amino-acid-, and oxidative phosphorylation-dependent to high metabolically flexible cell lines. Particularly, some cell lines were extremely sensitive to even low concentrations of oligomycin, whereas the majority of cell lines exhibited concentration-independent decreases of approximately ½ their proliferative rate under vehicle control. Metabolism and cell growth are intimately linked to cell cycle status, so we asked whether sensitivity to PLX4720 is abrogated when cells are selected under PLX4720 treatment. Using a fluorescence ubiquitination cell cycle indicator (FUCCI) to label dividing cells (G2/S/M phases), we pre-treated melanomas with PLX4720 or vehicle, flow-sorted FUCCI+ and FUCCI-cells, then re-treated with PLX4720. This revealed there was no positive selection for PLX4720-resistant subclones, as the PLX4720 treated FUCCI+/- cells pheno-copied the proliferative rates of the vehicle treated FUCCI+/- cells. Taken together, our results suggest that BRAF-mutated melanomas exist in a metabolically rich landscape that may be an important factor in response to targeted BRAF inhibition. The long-term goal is to translate these metabolic differences clinically, possibly by coupling metabolic and oncogene targeted therapies. Citation Format: Keisha N. Hardeman, Chengwei Peng, Bishal Paudel, Darren Tyson, Jamey D. Young, Vito Quaranta, Joshua P. Fessel. BRAF-mutated melanomas exhibit distinct metabolic programs that may determine therapeutic response. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Metabolism and Cancer; Jun 7-10, 2015; Bellevue, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(1_Suppl):Abstract nr A43.
Clinical and Molecular Aspects of MBD5 -Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorder (MAND)

MBD5-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (MAND) is an umbrella term that describes a group of disorders, 2q23.1 deletion syndrome, 2q23.1 duplication syndrome, and MBD5 variants, that affect the function of methyl-binding domain 5 (MBD5) and share a common set of neurodevelopmental, cognitive, and behavioral impairments. This review provides a comprehensive clinical and molecular synopsis of 2q23.1 deletion syndrome. Approaches to diagnosis, genetic counseling, and up-to-date management are summarized, followed by a discussion of the molecular and functional role of MBD5. Finally, we also include a brief summary of MBD5 variants that affect function of MBD5 and 2q23.1 duplication syndrome.
Pathology of mammographically discovered breast cancer. Clinical implications of size and histologic differentiation.

The management of breast cancer is becoming increasingly complex, almost year by year. Previous paradigms have held that issues were dichotomous (e.g., good versus bad). These are being challenged constantly by more complex models that demand more than a duality of choice in therapeutic decision making. Most importantly, the determinants of local failure after conservative treatment are quite different from the determinants of survival. While we develop enhanced chemotherapy for immediate life-threatening disease, we also accepting subtypes of breast cancer that are of little threat to life and need little treatment. With the establishment of the efficacy of systemic chemotherapy, the question of whether some patients may be helped with chemotherapy becomes extremely important. The list of possible clinically useful subcategories is growing and is under active development. However, the prognostic factors in use have been validated repeatedly. The two major elements of anatomic staging--size and lymph node status--interact powerfully with histologic categories of grade and special type. In the area of small tumors, these associations indicate lesions that have almost no likelihood of association with distant failure, at least within 5 years.
Factors affecting death and progression towards next stage following modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in neonates.

OBJECTIVES The modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (BTS) is utilized to palliate neonates born with restrictive pulmonary blood flow including those with single ventricle (SV) or biventricular (BV) cardiac anomalies. We aim in the current study to report palliation outcomes of neonates with BTS and to examine factors affecting death and progression to the subsequent stage of palliation or repair. METHODS Between 2002 and 2012, 341 patients underwent BTS including 175 with SV and 166 with BV anomalies. Competing risk analysis modelled events after BTS (death or transplantation, transition to Glenn shunt or biventricular repair) and examined risk factors affecting outcomes. RESULTS SV patients had a higher incidence of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support requirement (12 vs 4%, P = 0.004) and unplanned cardiac reoperation (14 vs 7%, P = 0.051) than their BV counterparts. Additionally, hospital mortality was higher in SV than in BV patients (15 vs 3%, P < 0.001). In SV patients, competing risk analysis showed that, 2 years following BTS, 27% of patients had died or received transplantation and 73% had undergone the Glenn shunt. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with time until death or transplantation prior to Glenn were cardiopulmonary bypass [hazard ratio (HR) 3.6 (2.0-6.4), P < 0.001], unplanned cardiac reoperation [HR 2.4 (1.3-4.6), P = 0.007], pulmonary atresia [HR 2.0 (1.1-3.7), P = 0.026] and the shunt size/weight ratio [HR 1.3 (1.1-1.4) per 0.1 increase, P = 0.001]. In BV patients, competing risk analysis showed that, 2 years following BTS, 13% of patients had died or received transplantation, 85% had undergone biventricular repair and 2% were alive without biventricular repair. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with time until death or transplantation prior to biventricular repair were genetic syndromes and extracardiac malformations [HR 6.1 (2.0-18.2), P = 0.001], weight ≤2.5 kg [HR 5.6 (2.0-16.0), P = 0.001] and male gender [HR 3.4 (1.1-11.0), P = 0.041]. CONCLUSIONS Palliation with BTS continues to be associated with significant operative morbidity and mortality. In addition to hospital death, there is an important interstage attrition risk prior to subsequent palliation or biventricular repair. Inherent patient characteristics (i.e. genetic syndromes and low weight) and anatomical details (i.e. SV, pulmonary atresia and concomitant cardiac anomalies) are associated with worse survival.
MODIFICATION OF ADRENAL TYROSINE HYDROXYLASE ACTIVITY IN RATS FOLLOWING MANIPULATION IN INFANCY

Publisher Summary The activity of some of the enzymes synthesizing the adrenal catecholamines is affected by the animal's genetic endowment. Activity of these enzymes is also affected by environmental variables. Mice that have received the combined psychosocial stimulation of maternal separation during infancy and isolation after weaning have reduced activity of adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), while animals that are group housed after weaning have increased activity of these enzymes. In rats, infant handling modifies the response to later stressful situations. This manipulation consists of removing infant pups from the mother and placing them in individual containers and then returning them to the maternity cage. The procedure might be repeated for any length of time up to weaning. When the adrenocortical response to a novel environment is examined in later life, animals that have been handled in infancy have lower plasma levels of corticosterone and return to “resting” levels rapidly than non-handled animals.
Organic–inorganic binary mixture matrix for comprehensive laser-desorption ionization mass spectrometric analysis and imaging of medium-size molecules including phospholipids, glycerolipids, and oligosaccharides

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is a widely adopted, versatile technique, especially in high-throughput analysis and imaging. However, matrix-dependent selectivity of analytes is often a severe limitation. In this work, a mixture of organic 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and inorganic Fe3O4 nanoparticles is developed as a binary MALDI matrix to alleviate the well-known issue of triacylglycerol (TG) ion suppression by phosphatidylcholine (PC). In application to lipid standards and maize seed cross-sections, the binary matrix not only dramatically reduced the ion suppression of TG, but also efficiently desorbed and ionized a wide variety of lipids such as cationic PC, anionic phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), and neutral digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG). The binary matrix was also very efficient for large polysaccharides, which were not detected by either of the individual matrices. The usefulness of the binary matrix is demonstrated in MS imaging of maize seed sections, successfully visualizing diverse medium-size molecules and acquiring high-quality MS/MS spectra for these compounds.
Expansion of one-dimensional lattice hard-core bosons at finite temperature

We develop an exact approach to study the quench dynamics of hard-core bosons initially in thermal equilibrium in one-dimensional lattices. This approach is used to study the sudden expansion of thermal states after confining potentials are switched off. We find that a dynamical fermionization of the momentum distribution occurs at all temperatures. This phenomenon is studied for low initial site occupations, for which the expansion of the cloud is self-similar. In this regime, the occupation of the natural orbitals allows one to distinguish hard-core bosons from noninteracting fermions. We also study the free expansion of initial Mott insulating domains at finite temperature and show that the emergence of off-diagonal one-body correlations is suppressed gradually with increasing temperature. Surprisingly, the melting of the Mott domain is accompanied by an effective cooling of the system. We explain this phenomenon analytically using an equilibrium description based on an emergent local Hamiltonian.
Angel on one shoulder: Can perceived organizational support moderate the relationship between the Dark Triad traits and counterproductive work behavior?

Abstract Drawing on social exchange theory and a person-situation framework, we examined perceived organizational support as a moderator of the relationship between the Dark Triad personality traits of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy with specific types of counterproductive work behavior (i.e., sabotage, production deviance, withdrawal, theft, and abuse). Using a sample of 208 currently-employed online participants and structural equation modeling analyses we found that individuals scoring high on the Dark Triad traits reported engaging in some types of counterproductive work behavior less frequently when they perceived higher levels of organizational support. Our results support the person-situation interactionist model and suggest that individuals possessing higher levels of narcissism and psychopathy engage in certain types of counterproductive work behavior relatively less frequently when they perceive the organization as being supportive.
Step Therapy-Clinical Algorithms, Legislation, and Optimal Prescribing.

Increasing prescription drug costs impose economic burdens for patients and payers and are reflected in substantial increases in insurance premiums for individuals and employers and budget stress for public programs. One widely used approach to control prescription costs is “step therapy”: requiring patients to try a less expensive drug for a given condition before a more expensive option can be approved. Authorization of the second-line agent may require attestation by the prescriber that the patient took the initial medication and had adverse effects or inadequate clinical benefit. Such clinical algorithms are often sensible and evidence based and can improve the quality of care. But sometimes they are not, because of limited evidence, inadequate attention to the underlying evidence, or an emphasis on cost containment rather than patient outcomes. The economic stakes can be high, because manufacturers’ promotion to both prescribers and patients is usually aimed at encouraging use of more costly second-line agents.
Automated modification and fusion of voxel models to construct body phantoms with heterogeneous breast tissue: Application to MRI simulations.

Background: Human voxel models incorporating detailed anatomical features are vital tools for the computational evaluation of electromagnetic (EM) fields within the body. Besides whole-body human voxel models, phantoms representing smaller heterogeneous anatomical features are often employed; for example, localized breast voxel models incorporating fatty and fibroglandular tissues have been developed for a variety of EM applications including mammography simulation and dosimetry, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultra-wideband microwave imaging. However, considering wavelength effects, electromagnetic modeling of the breast at sub-microwave frequencies necessitates detailed breast phantoms in conjunction with whole-body voxel models. Methods: Heterogeneous breast phantoms are sized to fit within radiofrequency coil hardware, modified by voxel-wise extrusion, and fused to whole-body models using voxel-wise, tissue-dependent logical operators. To illustrate the utility of this method, finite-difference time-domain simulations are performed using a whole-body model integrated with a variety of available breast phantoms spanning the standard four tissue density classifications representing the majority of the population. Results: The software library uses a combination of voxel operations to seamlessly size, modify, and fuse eleven breast phantoms to whole-body voxel models. The software is publicly available on GitHub and is linked to the file exchange at MATLAB R Central. Simulations confirm the proportions of fatty and fibroglandular tissues in breast phantoms have significant yet predictable implications on projected power deposition in tissue. Conclusions: Breast phantoms may be modified and fused to whole-body voxel models using the software presented in this work; user considerations for the open-source software and resultant phantoms are discussed. Furthermore, results indicate simulating breast models as predominantly fatty tissue can considerably underestimate the potential for tissue heating in women with substantial fibroglandular tissue.
Current concepts of shared decision making in orthopedic surgery

The Shared Decision Making (SDM) model, a collaborative decision making process between the physician and patient to make an informed clinical decision that enhances the chance of treatment success as defined by each patient’s preferences and values, has become a new and promising tool in the healthcare process; however, minimal data exists on its application in the orthopedic surgical specialty. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that this once novel idea can be implemented successfully in the orthopedic setting to improve patient outcomes. SDM can be applied without significant increases in the office length. Patients report that a physician that takes the time to listen to them is among the most important factors in their care. When time was focused on the SDM process, there was a direct correlation between the time spent with a patient and patient satisfaction. Patients exposed to a decision aid prior to surgery gained a greater knowledge from baseline to make a higher quality decision that was consistent with their values. Involving family members preoperatively can help all patients adhere to postoperative regimens. Exposing patients to a decision aid can reduce expensive elective surgeries, in favor of non-operative management. Incorporating patient goals into the decision-making process has increased satisfaction, compliance, and outcomes. SDM is a two-way exchange of information that attempts to correct the inequality of power between the patient and physician. Decision-aids are helpful tools that facilitate the decision-making process. Treatment decisions are consistent with patient preferences and values when there may be no “best” therapy. A good patient–physician relationship is essential during the process to reduce decisional conflict and increase overall patient outcomes.
Hibernation as a major determinant of life-history traits in marmots

During the downward trend of Quaternary global temperatures, crown-group marmots evolved to occupy harsh, seasonal environments at high latitudes and elevations. Marmots evolved hibernation and large body size, which allowed them to cope with a long, cold season with low, stressful ambient temperatures when food was unavailable. Harsh conditions during a short active season frequently cause reproductive failure and reproductive skipping in marmots. Seasonal phenology is controlled by a circannual rhythm that directs metabolic changes and fat accumulation for hibernation and reproduction. Metabolism and water balance in marmots are adapted to the low environmental temperatures of hibernation. Thus, marmots are subject to heat stress from solar radiation and high ambient temperatures during the active season. Energy conservation characterizes metabolism in marmots throughout the annual cycle: metabolic rates are lower than predicted from body size and decline during the active season, metabolism is actively suppressed to enter torpor, and most of the time during hibernation is spent at low metabolism in deep torpor. Young typically require 2 or more of the short active seasons to reach reproductive maturity and are retained at home, which leads to sociality based on kinship. Competition within the social group is expressed primarily as reproductive suppression, which delays the age of 1st reproduction that in turn strongly affects demography. Early snowmelt due to global warming may enable marmots to colonize new habitats or increase population growth. However, climate change most likely will diminish the ability of marmots to mobilize sufficient energy resources in a drier, warmer active season, which will reduce both survivorship and reproduction.
Auto-Gopher-II: an autonomous wireline rotary-hammer ultrasonic drill

Developing technologies that would enable future NASA exploration missions to penetrate deeper into the subsurface of planetary bodies for sample collection is of great importance. Performing these tasks while using minimal mass/volume systems and with low energy consumption is another set of requirements imposed on such technologies. A deep drill, called Auto-Gopher II, is currently being developed as a joint effort between JPL’s NDEAA laboratory and Honeybee Robotics Corp. The Auto-Gopher II is a wireline rotary-hammer drill that combines formation breaking by hammering using an ultrasonic actuator and cuttings removal by rotating a fluted auger bit. The hammering mechanism is based on the Ultrasonic/Sonic Drill/Corer (USDC) mechanism that has been developed as an adaptable tool for many drilling and coring applications. The USDC uses an intermediate free-flying mass to transform high frequency vibrations of a piezoelectric transducer horn tip into sonic hammering of the drill bit. The USDC concept was used in a previous task to develop an Ultrasonic/Sonic Ice Gopher and then integrated into a rotary hammer device to develop the Auto-Gopher-I. The lessons learned from these developments are being integrated into the development of the Auto- Gopher-II, an autonomous deep wireline drill with integrated cuttings and sample management and drive electronics. Subsystems of the wireline drill are being developed in parallel at JPL and Honeybee Robotics Ltd. This paper presents the development efforts of the piezoelectric actuator, cuttings removal and retention flutes and drive electronics.
High-Performance Cementitious Matrix using Carbon Nanofibers

Graphite nanomaterials would realize their reinforcement potential within cement-based materials when they are thoroughly dispersed and effectively bonded to cement hydrates. Thorough dispersion of graphite nanomaterials in the fresh cementitious matrix encounters challenges associated with the hydrophobic nature of nanomaterial surfaces and their strong tendency towards agglomeration via attractive van der Waals forces. Effective interfacial interactions with cement hydrates are further challenged by the relatively inert nature of nanomaterial surfaces. An experimental program was conducted with the objective of effectively utilizing both acid-oxidized and pristine carbon nanofibers towards reinforcement of high-performance cementitious pastes. Hybrid reinforcement systems comprising optimum volume fraction of carbon nanofibers and micro-scale fibers were also evaluated in cementitious matrices. The improvements in nanofiber dispersion and interfacial interactions resulting from acid-oxidation and use of proper dispersion techniques were found to bring about significant gains in the engineering properties of high-performance cementitious materials.
Explosive detection technology

The continuing proliferation of improvised explosive devices is an omnipresent threat to civilians and members of military and law enforcement around the world. The ability to accurately and quickly detect explosive materials from a distance would be an extremely valuable tool for mitigating the risk posed by these devices. A variety of techniques exist that are capable of accurately identifying explosive compounds, but an effective standoff technique is still yet to be realized. Most of the methods being investigated to fill this gap in capabilities are laser based. Raman spectroscopy is one such technique that has been demonstrated to be effective at a distance. Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) is a technique capable of identifying chemical compounds inside of containers, which could be used to detect hidden explosive devices. Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) utilized a coherent pair of lasers to excite a sample, greatly increasing the response of sample while decreasing the strength of the lasers being used, which significantly improves the eye safety issue that typically hinders laser-based detection methods. Time-gating techniques are also being developed to improve the data collection from Raman techniques, which are often hindered fluorescence of the test sample in addition to atmospheric, substrate, and contaminant responses. Ultraviolet based techniques have also shown significant promise by greatly improved signal strength from excitation of resonance in many explosive compounds. Raman spectroscopy, which identifies compounds based on their molecular response, can be coupled with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) capable of characterizing the sample’s atomic composition using a single laser.
Sex and Kidney Transplantation: Why Can't a Woman Be More Like a Man?

So lamented Rex Harrison in the famous musical “My Fair Lady.” These amusing, but clearly tongue in cheek, albeit politically incorrect lyrics, may be relevant to sex-based differential outcomes after kidney transplantation, as pointed out by two provocative and timely articles in this month’s
The Randomized Response Technique: Using Probability Theory to ask Sensitive Questions.

Is it possible to obtain accurate informa tion from a group of people who respond yes or no publicly to a sensitive question and, at the same time, provide a degree of privacy for their individual responses? The task is to estimate the group's true propor tion of yes and no answers while allowing each individual in the group to respond in a manner that partially conceals the indi vidual's true answer.
Existence of Global Solutions for Nonlinear Magnetohydrodynamics with Finite Larmor Radius Corrections

We discuss the existence of global solutions to the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations, where the effects of finite Larmor radius corrections are taken into account. Unlike the usual MHD, the pressure is a tensor and it depends on not only the density but also the magnetic field. We show the existence of global solutions by the energy methods. Our techniques of proof are based on the existence of local solution by semigroups theory and a priori estimate.
Dysregulated genes and miRNAs in the apoptosis pathway in colorectal cancer patients

Apoptosis is genetically regulated and involves intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. We examined 133 genes within these pathways to identify whether they are expressed differently in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and normal tissue (N = 217) and if they are associated with similar differential miRNA expression. Gene expression data (RNA-Seq) and miRNA expression data (Agilent Human miRNA Microarray V19.0) were generated. We focused on dysregulated genes with a fold change (FC) of > 1.50 or 1.50). Of these 41 genes, 11 were significantly associated with miRNA differential expression. BIRC5 had the greatest number of miRNA associations (14) and the most miRNAs with a seed-region match (10). Four of these matches, miR-145-5p, miR-150-5p, miR-195-5p, and miR-650, had a negative beta coefficient. CSF2RB was associated with ten total miRNAs (five with a seed-region match, and one miRNA, miR-92a-3p, with a negative beta coefficient). Of the three miRNAs associated with CTSS, miR-20b-5p, and miR-501-3p, had a seed-region match and a negative beta coefficient between miRNA:mRNA pairs. Several miRNAs that were associated with dysregulated gene expression, seed-region matches, and negative beta coefficients also were associated with CRC-specific survival. Our data suggest that miRNAs could influence several apoptosis-related genes. BIRC5, CTSS, and CSF2R all had seed-region matches with miRNAs that would favor apoptosis. Our study identifies several miRNA associated with apoptosis-related genes, that if validated, could be important therapeutic targets.
Current Progress and Challenges for Skeletal Muscle Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Transgene-Free Approaches

Neuromuscular diseases are caused by functional defects of skeletal muscles, directly via muscle pathology or indirectly via disruption of the nervous system. Extensive studies have been performed to improve the outcomes of therapies; however, effective treatment strategies have not been fully established for any major neuromuscular disease. Human pluripotent stem cells have a great capacity to differentiate into myogenic progenitors and skeletal myocytes for use in treating and modeling neuromuscular diseases. Recent advances have allowed the creation of patient-derived stem cells, which can be used as a unique platform for comprehensive study of disease mechanisms, in vitro drug screening, and potential new cell-based therapies. In the last decade, a number of methods have been developed to derive skeletal muscle cells from human pluripotent stem cells. By controlling the process of myogenesis using transcription factors and signaling molecules, human pluripotent stem cells can be directed to differentiate into cell types observed during muscle development. In this review, we highlight signaling pathways relevant to the formation of muscle tissue during embryonic development. We then summarize current methods to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells toward the myogenic lineage, specifically focusing on transgene-free approaches. Lastly, we discuss existing challenges for deriving skeletal myocytes and myogenic progenitors from human pluripotent stem cells.
The Sample Problem: A Comparative Study Of Lens Design Programs And Users

A lens design problem has been configured for comparison on several different lens design programs and by several different users. The problem sets up a starting point lens of double Gauss form of speed F/2 covering a 30 degree field and then, using only the computer program, the designer must reoptimize the lens for different speeds and fields. As expected, different computer programs resulted in different final lens designs, but different users also got different results using the same program. The conclusions indicate the skill of the designer and amount of effort expended contribute more to the final design than which program is used.
Poetry as a Therapeutic Tool Within an Adolescent Group Setting

Creating poetry can be a therapeutic method of allowing deeprooted feelings and experiences to be expressed. When the creation of poetry can be shared within a group context it can enhance the experience for all members, helping to provide cohesion and acting as a catalyst. The techniques discussed in this paper include: introducing poetry, teaching methods of writing poetry, having members bring a song or poem that they found to have personal relevance, and finally writing poetry within a group and discussing emotional issues raised by the poems. Through this process group members learn a new way of self-expression and find the experience therapeutic.
Eye-fixation as a measure of real-time processing of synthesized words.

We present experimental evidence from a study in which we monitor eye movements as people respond to pre-recorded instructions generated by a human speaker and by two text-tospeech synthesizers. We replicate findings demonstrating that people process human speech incrementally, making partial commitments as a word unfolds. Specifically, they entertain multiple lexical candidates on the fly depending on segmental overlap in the candidate set. Importantly, incremental understanding is also observed for synthesized text-to-speech instructions. These results, including some suggestive differences in responses with the two text-to-speech systems, establish the potential for using eye-tracking methodology together with synthesized speech stimuli as a powerful theoretical and experimental tool for spoken language processing research.
Philosophy Through Mathematics and Logic

All over the world philosophy is commonly taken to be centrally concerned with fundamental considerations about life and society. From such a perspective, mathematics and logic are very remote from philosophy indeed. Yet within the European tradition they have often occupied a conspicuous position in the pursuit of philosophy, beginning with the surprising devotion to ‘pure thought’ (or, in Husserl’s words, the ‘passion to know’) displayed in Greek philosophy. Given this devotion (or ‘passion’), the interest in mathematics and logic is not so hard to understand, since they are concerned with the ‘clean’ (in the sense of being abstract or idealized) and fundamental (in the sense of being universal) aspect of knowledge and reality. Indeed, according to a suggestive caricature, the spirit of Greek philosophical thought is said to be ‘unworldly,’ whereas that of the Chinese is said to be ‘worldly’ and that of the Indian ‘other worldly.’
Identifying At-Risk College Student Drinkers With the AUDIT-US: A Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve Analysis:

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is the gold standard screening measure. Recently, there has been increasing call to update the measure to reflect harmful drinking standards in the United States. The purpose of this study was to use receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to evaluate the AUDIT and the United States version (AUDIT-US). Participants were 382 traditional age (M = 20.2, SD = 1.5) college students (68.7% female, 64.9% White) who had consumed alcohol at least once in the 30 days prior to participating. Although results provide evidence for the AUDIT and the AUDIT-US as valid screening tools, the Consumption subscale of the AUDIT-US performed the best in predicting at-risk college drinkers. The Consumption subscale of the AUDIT-US with a single cutoff score of four appears to be the optimal and most parsimonious method of identifying at-risk college drinkers.
Acceptability and Feasibility of a Disease-specific Patient Portal in Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease.

OBJECTIVE To examine the acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy of a health care portal. OBSERVATIONS Adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease were taught how to use sickle cell disease conditions page in MyChart and completed questionnaires at baseline, postintervention (T2, 6 wk after baseline) and after 3 months (T3). In total, 44 participants (M age=18.82, SD=2.72) viewed an average of 58.07 pages from T1 to T2. The portal was highly accepted (90.32%). Efficacy data indicated that portal use was associated with improved patient-provider communication. CONCLUSIONS Electronic portals are promising tools for improving medical self-management.
Dopamine D 3 R antagonist VK4-116 attenuates oxycodone self-administration and reinstatement without compromising its antinociceptive effects

Prescription opioids such as oxycodone are highly effective analgesics for clinical pain management, but their misuse and abuse have led to the current opioid epidemic in the United States. In order to ameliorate this public health crisis, the development of effective pharmacotherapies for the prevention and treatment of opioid abuse and addiction is essential and urgently required. In this study, we evaluated—in laboratory rats—the potential utility of VK4-116, a novel and highly selective dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) antagonist, for the prevention and treatment of prescription opioid use disorders. Pretreatment with VK4-116 (5–25 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently inhibited the acquisition and maintenance of oxycodone self-administration. VK4-116 also lowered the break-point (BP) for oxycodone self-administration under a progressive-ratio schedule of reinforcement, shifted the oxycodone dose–response curve downward, and inhibited oxycodone extinction responding and reinstatement of oxycodone-seeking behavior. In addition, VK4-116 pretreatment dose-dependently enhanced the antinociceptive effects of oxycodone and reduced naloxone-precipitated conditioned place aversion in rats chronically treated with oxycodone. In contrast, VK4-116 had little effect on oral sucrose self-administration. Taken together, these findings indicate a central role for D3Rs in opioid reward and support further development of VK4-116 as an effective agent for mitigating the development of opioid addiction, reducing the severity of withdrawal and preventing relapse.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: From Clostridium difficile to Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has evolved from a case report in the medical literature to the basis of major innovations in the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and, potentially, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the clinical setting, FMT was noted to significantly lower the risk of recurrent CDI, likely by increasing microbial diversity and altering the metabolic environment in the intestinal tract of recipients. In parallel, advances in the ability to quantify and characterize microbial communities in fecal samples led to the association of IBD with a state of intestinal dysbiosis. Consequently, a number of case series and randomized, controlled trials have evaluated FMT in treating active ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Unlike in CDI, the efficacy of FMT in the treatment of IBD appears to be influenced by a number of factors, including donor microbial profiles, inflammatory burden, and the microbial diversity of the recipient. The therapeutic potential of the microbiome has led to a number of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies isolating specific strains from healthy stool for use as targeted therapies for IBD in clinical trials. Ongoing studies are likely to determine the missing link between the efficacy of FMT and its impact on microbial communities and mucosal inflammation.
Large Deviations of Factor Models with Regularly-Varying Tails: Asymptotics and Efficient Estimation

We analyze the Large Deviation Probability (LDP) of linear factor models generated from non-identically distributed components with regularly-varying tails, a large subclass of heavy tailed distributions. An efficient sampling method for LDP estimation of this class is introduced and theoretically shown to exponentially outperform the crude Monte-Carlo estimator, in terms of the coverage probability and the confidence interval's length. The theoretical results are empirically validated through stochastic simulations on independent non-identically Pareto distributed factors. The proposed estimator is available as part of a more comprehensive Betta package.
A Counselor’s Tale: The Need for Cultural Awareness:

Culturally responsive (CR) leadership permeates all leadership practices and consists of several domains including: developing critical consciousness, supporting cultural knowledge development, and...
Is Iron Deficiency Anemia a Risk Factor for Poorer Outcomes in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Background Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) commonly have concomitant iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of IDA on (1) total in-hospital lengths of stay (LOS); (2) 90-day readmissions; (3) costs of care; (4) medical complications; and (5) and implant-related complications in patients who underwent primary TKA. Methods Patients with and without IDA undergoing primary TKA were identified and matched through a nationwide administrative claims database that yielded 94,053 and 470,264 patients, respectively. Primary outcomes that were statistically analyzed included in-hospital LOS, readmission rates, costs of care, medical complications, and implant-related complications. Results Patients with IDA had longer in-hospital LOS (4 days vs 3 days; P Conclusion The effect of IDA on TKA outcomes may make a large impact on healthcare usage. We found that patients with IDA had poorer results in all the outcomes that were measured. Orthopedic surgeons can use this information to evaluate the need for IDA interventions before TKA which may contribute to lower rates of morbidity and mortality in TKA.