cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3845: Smarce1 facilitates survival of metastatic breast cancer cells in circulation

Elevated BAF57/SMARCE1 protein expression has been linked to high metastatic potential of prostate cancer, while its relevance in metastatic breast cancer is not completely understood. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of SMARCE1 in regulating metastatic potential of basal-like breast tumor cells. SMARCE1 is a core subunit shared by all mammalian SWI/SNF complexes and is predicted to mediate the interaction between the SWI/SNF complex and transcriptional activators/repressors, as well as DNA binding. SWI/SNF are nucleosome modifying complexes that destabilize the histone-DNA interaction in an ATP-dependent manner to facilitate recruitment of transcription regulators to DNA. We found that SMARCE1 knockdown (SMARCE1-kd) in basal-like breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 reduced spontaneous lung metastasis in an orthotopic xenograft model, without affecting primary tumor growth. Through tail-vein injection of tumor cells we identified that SMARCE1-kd significantly reduced the number of metastatic foci in lungs of inoculated mice, implicating a role of SMARCE1 in promoting metastatic cell survival in later stages of metastasis occurring post-dissemination from primary tumors. In-vitro assays showed that SMARCE1-kd had no effect on cell migration and invasion, but substantially sensitized cells to anoikis. Consistently, we observed reduced activation/phosphorylation of the pro-survival proteins PTK2/FAK and MAPK/ERK and increased expression of apoptotic protein BCL2L11 in SMARCE1-kd cells compared to wild-type cells grown under suspension. We further confirmed using specific chemical inhibitors, that FAK and ERK phosphorylation are required for SMARCE1-mediated survival of tumor cells under suspension culture. Collectively, these results suggest a role for SMARCE1 in promoting metastasis by protecting cells against anoikis. The molecular mechanism underling SMARCE1-mediated regulation of FAK/ERK phosphorylation in response to loss of contact with extracellular matrix is under investigation. Citation Format: Aarti Sethuraman, Meiyun Fan, Martin M. Brown, Zhaohui Wu. Smarce1 facilitates survival of metastatic breast cancer cells in circulation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3845. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3845
Strategies for Fast Multiplication and Conservation of Forest Trees by Somatic Embryogenesis and Cryopreservation: a Case Study with Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.)

Common cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) is one of the most widespread species in the Mediterranean area. It has been traditionally cultivated for its ornamental value, becoming a typical feature of urban and rural landscapes, and high timber quality. In the last 30 years, cypress has been subjected to important breeding programmes, aimed to select clones tolerant to the widespread canker, caused by the pathogenic fungus Seiridium cardinale, leading to various patented varieties today available on the market, as well as for genotypes producing null or low amount of allergenic pollen. Somatic embryogenesis is a suitable in vitro regeneration method for fast cloning of conifer trees, and the cryopreservation of embryogenic callus is a significant tool for the safe long-term conservation of valuable cell lines. Recently, a complete protocol for the production of cypress plants from somatic embryogenesis was developed for the patented clone ‘Mediterraneo’. Here, the coupling of somatic embryogenesis and cryopreservation may offer a superior tool to propagate and maintain selected genotypes of cypress by overcoming repetitive subculturing of selected embryogenic callus lines. For the above, this study aimed to compare different cryopreservation techniques (PVS2-based vitrification and slow cooling) with the ‘Mediterraneo’ embryogenic callus line. Best results were obtained after the optimization of a slow cooling procedure, based on the 30-min treatment of embryogenic masses with a cryoprotective solution containing 180 g l-1 sucrose and 7.5% DMSO, followed by the reduction of the temperature at a rate of -1 °C min-1 up to -40 °C and the subsequent immersion in liquid nitrogen (“two-step freezing”).
Prenatal kynurenine treatment in rats causes schizophrenia-like broad monitoring deficits in adulthood.

Elevated brain kynurenic acid (KYNA) levels are implicated in the pathology and neurodevelopmental pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In rats, embryonic treatment with kynurenine (EKyn) causes elevated brain KYNA levels in adulthood and cognitive deficits reminiscent of schizophrenia. Growing evidence suggests that people with schizophrenia have a narrowed attentional focus, and we aimed at establishing whether these abnormalities may be related to KYNA dysregulation. To test whether EKyn rats display broad monitoring deficits, kynurenine was added to the chow of pregnant Wistar dams on embryonic days 15–22. As adults, 20 EKyn and 20 control rats were trained to stable performance on the five-choice serial reaction time task, requiring the localization of 1-s light stimuli presented randomly across five apertures horizontally arranged along a curved wall, equating the locomotor demands of reaching each hole. EKyn rats displayed elevated omission errors and reduced anticipatory responses relative to control rats, indicative of a lower response rate, and showed reduced locomotor activity. The ability to spread attention broadly was measured by parsing performance by stimulus location. Both groups displayed poorer stimulus detection with greater target location eccentricity, but this effect was significantly more pronounced in the EKyn group. Specifically, the groups differed in the spatial distribution of correct but not incorrect responses. This pattern cannot be explained by differences in response rate and is indicative of a narrowed attentional focus. The findings suggest a potential etiology of broad monitoring deficits in schizophrenia, which may constitute a core cognitive deficit.
Can Public Health Narrow the Health Gap Between the United States and Its Peer Nations? A Public Health of Consequence, January 2018

An editorial is presented which addresses the authors' views about whether public health can help shrink a health indicators gap between the U.S. and other high-income nations, and it mentions another article which appears in the same issue of the journal and deals with health disparities and causes of death such as homicide, heart disease, and stroke in the U.S. The financial aspects of medicine in America are examined, along with health outcomes and communication.
Influence of Depressive Symptoms on Hallux Valgus Surgical Outcomes.

Background:The relationship between depressive symptoms and patient outcomes after hallux valgus surgery has not been well-studied. We hypothesized that patients with depressive symptoms would have...
Carbohydrate Structure, Biological Recognition, and Immune Function

Complex carbohydrates are favorable candidates for encoding biological information because of the large number of structures possible in relatively short oligosaccharide sequences. A great variety of complex carbohydrate structures exist in nature, with ample diversity to serve as receptors in recognition phenomena. The reader is referred to reviews for consideration of the carbohydrate structures found in glycolipids (Sweeley et al., 1978), glycoproteins (Walborg, 1978; Sharon and Lis, 1980; Berger et al., 1982) and glycosaminoglycans (Ginsburg and Neufeld, 1969; Heath 1971).
A new principle for incremental heuristic search: theoretical results

Planning is often not a one-shot task because either the world or the agent's knowledge of the world changes. In this paper, we introduce a new principle that can be used to solve a series of similar search tasks faster with heuristic search methods than running individual searches in isolation, by updating the heuristics over time to make them more informed and thus future searches more focused. This principle is simple and easy to integrate into heuristic search methods, and it is easy to prove the correctness of the resulting heuristic search methods.
Maternally inherited 133kb deletion of 14q32 causing Kagami-Ogata syndrome

We present a case of a newborn female with multiple anomalies demonstrating that the causes of imprinting disorders rely not only on the parent-of-origin of the chromosomal aberrations, but also the scope of genes contained in the imprinted region. The newborn female presented with prenatal polyhydramnios, neonatal respiratory distress, distal contractures, abdominal hernia, bell-shaped thorax, and abnormal ribs. The neonate required mechanical ventilation due to apnea, underwent surgery for laryngomalacia, and showed development delay by age 11 months. Chromosomal microarray analysis identified a single copy number loss in chromosome region 14q32.2q32.31, containing genes that are differentially expressed based on parent-of-origin. Microarray analysis also confirmed the identical deletion in the patient's mother, who was reported to be normal. Additional molecular analyses determined the exact size and breakpoints of the deletion as well as methylation states in both the patient and her mother. The maternally transmitted deletion was responsible for Kagami-Ogata syndrome in the patient.
The impact of housing type on low-income asthmatic children receiving multifaceted home interventions.

Abstract Objectives This study sought to evaluate whether government-assisted vs market-rate housing type influences the frequency of asthma symptoms or the quality of life scores among low-income urban children. In addition, the study sought to evaluate whether housing type influenced the success of in-home environmental and educational interventions in improving children's asthma symptoms or quality of life scores. Study design This was a before-and-after intervention design. Comprehensive health and environmental assessments and subsequent interventions were completed in 176 low-income households with 257 asthmatic children living in government-assisted housing and market-rate housing in Lowell, Massachusetts. Methods We collected environmental and health data with questionnaires at a baseline and a 12-month follow-up visit using the Children's Health Survey for Asthma and a walk-through environmental checklist. Education, tools to remove asthma triggers from the home, and home repairs and remediation were included in the interventions. Results As in other studies of multifaceted home interventions, there were significant improvements in all asthma symptoms, reductions in healthcare utilization related to asthma, and improvements in quality of life domains for children in both housing types. Environmental indices also improved from the baseline to the final assessment for both housing types. However, the housing type was an important factor in predicting a child's asthma status at the start of the study, with children living in government-assisted housing having significantly better physical health scores (76.8 of 100) and family emotional health scores (74.8 of 100) and fewer overnight hospital stays (mean of 0.02 in the previous 4 weeks) than children living in market-rate housing (67.6, 71.6, and 0.06, respectively). Examination of the change in the health status over the 1-year study period found that children living in market-rate housing had significantly larger reductions in the number of asthma attacks (0.43 in the previous 4 weeks versus 0.24 in assisted housing) and overnight hospital stays (0.06 in the previous 4 weeks versus 0.01 in assisted housing) and larger improvements in physical health quality of life scores (54% improved versus 25.5% in assisted housing). Conclusions Public assistance for low-income urban housing is associated with better health among children with asthma, and may influence the impact the in-home interventions have on health outcomes because children in market-rate housing have more prospects for improvement in their asthma-related health.
Bacterial Microbiota Response in Graptemys pseudogeographica to Captivity and Roundup® Exposure

Understanding how environmental factors influence various aspects of freshwater turtle health remains an important yet understudied topic within the context of individual–environment interactions. This is particularly true of host-associated bacterial microbiota, which are being increasingly recognized as a significant and understudied topic in the context of individual turtle health. While this area of work has expanded in certain areas, research efforts remain limited with regard to host–microbiota interactions in the context of habitat contaminants. Specifically, the commonly used herbicide, glyphosate, is of interest due to its massive worldwide use and known effects on various organisms. Effects of captivity on host-associated microbial community structure also remain largely unknown in various non-model organisms. To address these unknown effects of Roundup® and captivity on host-associated microbiomes, we examined the effects of low-level Roundup® exposure and captivity on the cloacal microbiota of the False Map Turtle, Graptemys pseudogeographica. We determined the effect of glyphosate by taking cloacal swabs pre- (0 h) and post-exposure (72 h) and examined microbial community beta- and alpha-diversity through 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. The results of this study indicate that low-level, short-term glyphosate exposure does not significantly alter the microbiota structure of G. pseudogeographica. However, there was a significant decrease in microbial community beta-diversity over time, confirming a trend that has been observed to a limited extent in other non-model organisms when put in laboratory conditions. These results are useful in understanding the baseline cloaca microbial community structure of G. pseudogeographica, as well as the implications and limitations of laboratory-based microbiota studies. Furthermore, this work suggests that low-level and short-term glyphosate exposure does not have a significant effect on the cloacal microbial community structure in wild-caught G. pseudogeographica.
Management of Periprosthetic Fractures Around a Total Knee Arthroplasty with a Loose Femoral Component

Periprosthetic distal femur fractures (PDFF) are complex problems for the surgeon with the potential for significant complications. The incidence of PDFF has been reported to be between 0.3% and 2.5%. While fixation remains the mainstay in a stable component, revision or use of a distal femoral replacement (DFR) may be required in the setting of a loose component with or without bone loss. The goal of treatment of PDFF is to provide the patient with a stable, painless knee and to minimize malalignment, and in this chapter, we will review the pertinent points to address during the work-up, planning, and execution of operative treatment of PDFF about a loose component.
Nested sensor array extension factors required to match the peak sidelobe height of a uniform linear array

Nested sensor arrays (NSAs) are a type of non-uniform linear array (NULA) that reduce the total number of sensors used for a given aperture and retain the same resolution of a uniform linear array (ULA) [Pal and Vaidyanathan, 2010]. The peak sidelobe (PSL) height fails to fall below the acceptable standard of -13 dB associated with ULAs for basic NSA configurations. The basic NSA can be extended by a factor to improve the PSL height. Coprime sensor arrays, a related NULA design, have established sensor extension factors that have been found to reduce the PSL height to this -13 dB standard [Adhikari et al., 2014]. For NSAs, such an extension factor has not been established. This research finds the parameters required to extend an NSA to adequately reduce the PSLs. NSAs can significantly reduce the number of sensors required to yield a satisfactory beampattern, as low as twenty-five percent of the total aperture for some cases. Considering various array apertures, certain configurations successfully use a distinctly small aperture but require a higher percentage of those to be active. To verify our results, we construct a sixty-four sensor microphone array with which we test the optimal configurations. [Work supported by Louisiana Tech University.]
Faith Community Nursing: A Wholistic and Holistic Nursing Practice

Care of the whole person is at the center of the practice of Faith Community Nursing. Historically, the use of the words “wholistic” and “holistic” have often been understood to be in opposition of each other and support different health concepts. The intent of this chapter is to provide the reader with an understanding of health from a whole person perspective focusing on the terms “wholistic” and “holistic.” The two terms are discussed from the perspective of their origins, underpinnings, delivery of care, definitions, significant works, and other comparative points. Both concepts are identified as being compatible with the practice of the faith community nursing depending on the beliefs, values, and practices of the nurse and how the faith community nurse is prepared for the specialty practice of faith community nursing.
Polarization in inclusive Λ and Λ ¯ production at large p T

A study of the inclusive polarization of $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ hyperons produced by 400-GeV/c protons incident on nuclear targets has been performed at Fermilab. The polarization P of the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ has been mapped over a large range of ${x}_{F}$ and ${p}_{T}$ to good precision for ${p}_{T}$ up to 3.8 GeV/c. The magnitude of the polarization at fixed ${x}_{F}$ rises with ${p}_{T}$ to a plateau at about 1 GeV/c, and the size of the plateau increases monotonically with ${x}_{F}$. The $\overline{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$ were found to be unpolarized for ${p}_{T}l2.4$ GeV/c. A target-nucleus dependence for the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ polarization has been observed.
Impact of Clinicians' Use of Electronic Knowledge Resources on Clinical and Learning Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Clinicians use electronic knowledge resources, such as Micromedex, UpToDate, and Wikipedia, to deliver evidence-based care and engage in point-of-care learning. Despite this use in clinical practice, their impact on patient care and learning outcomes is incompletely understood. A comprehensive synthesis of available evidence regarding the effectiveness of electronic knowledge resources would guide clinicians, health care system administrators, medical educators, and informaticians in making evidence-based decisions about their purchase, implementation, and use. Objective: The aim of this review is to quantify the impact of electronic knowledge resources on clinical and learning outcomes. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library for articles published from 1991 to 2017. Two authors independently screened studies for inclusion and extracted outcomes related to knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors, patient effects, and cost. We used random-effects meta-analysis to pool standardized mean differences (SMDs) across studies. Results: Of 10,811 studies screened, we identified 25 eligible studies published between 2003 and 2016. A total of 5 studies were randomized trials, 22 involved physicians in practice or training, and 10 reported potential conflicts of interest. A total of 15 studies compared electronic knowledge resources with no intervention. Of these, 7 reported clinician behaviors, with a pooled SMD of 0.47 (95% CI 0.27 to 0.67; P 50%) across studies. When compared with other resources—7 studies, not amenable to meta-analytic pooling—the use of electronic knowledge resources was associated with increased frequency of answering questions and perceived benefits on patient care, with variable impact on time to find an answer. A total of 2 studies compared different implementations of the same electronic knowledge resource. Conclusions: Use of electronic knowledge resources is associated with a positive impact on clinician behaviors and patient effects. We found statistically significant associations between the use of electronic knowledge resources and improved clinician behaviors and patient effects. When compared with other resources, the use of electronic knowledge resources was associated with increased success in answering clinical questions, with variable impact on speed. Comparisons of different implementation strategies of the same electronic knowledge resource suggest that there are benefits from allowing clinicians to choose to access the resource, versus automated display of resource information, and from integrating patient-specific information. A total of 4 studies compared different commercial electronic knowledge resources, with variable results. Resource implementation strategies can significantly influence outcomes but few studies have examined such factors.
Three decades of globalisation: Which countries won, which lost?

The world average exports‐to‐GDP ratio increased from 17% in 1985 to 27% in 2015. Hence, world exports have grown much faster than world GDP. However, despite this overall trade integration, which is a key aspect of globalisation, the exports‐to‐GDP ratios have declined for 29 of the 118 countries with such data from 1985 to 2015. Some countries have been driving globalisation, while others have become marginalised. This paper examines three decades of globalisation to shed some light upon which countries might be considered winners and which countries might be considered losers of globalisation. After summarising the evolution of income and income per capita, we examine the evolution of exports and net inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI). Contradictory to previous decades, we show there are now many countries from all income groups that have either experienced marginalisation or been driving globalisation. We then use novel regression analysis to review the robustness of generally accepted drivers of globalisation and marginalisation, with education and macroeconomic stability being the two most robust determinants.
Computational optimization of a novel atraumatic catheter for local drug delivery in coronary atherosclerotic plaques

Abstract Early identification and treatment of high-risk plaques before they rupture, and precipitate adverse events constitute a major challenge in cardiology today. Computational simulations are a time- and cost-effective way to study the performance, and to optimize a system. The main objective of this work is to optimize the flow of a novel atraumatic local drug delivery catheter for the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis. The mixing and spreading effectiveness of a drug fluid was analyzed utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in a coronary artery model. The optimum infusion flow of the nanoparticle-carrying drug fluid was found by maximizing the drug volume fraction and minimizing drug velocity at the artery wall, while maintaining acceptable wall shear stress (WSS). Drug velocities between 15 m/s and 20 m/s are optimum for local drug delivery. The resulting parameters from this study will be used to fabricate customized prototypes for future in-vivo experiments.
Comparison of Control Strategies and Electromechanical Devices for the Backpack Energy Harvesting System

This article provides a general overview on the control strategies and their implications for the backpack energy harvesting system. The control strategies include reactive control and resistive damping. The study is performed for three cases of electric generator: the direct drive linear generator, the rotary machine integrated with the trans-rotary magnetic gear (MITROMAG), and the rotary machine coupled with a mechanical rack and pinion (MRP). Equivalent circuits based upon electrical–mechanical analogies are employed to help understand the system dynamics under the two control strategies. It is shown that in all cases, upon reactive control, more power can be harvested; however, it comes at the cost of a higher velocity, peak power, and force requirement. Moreover, it is shown that for most of the operating points considered, the direct drive linear generator outperforms the geared electromechanical devices in terms of the harvested power. Furthermore, it is revealed that the low stiffness of the MITROMAG slightly increases its harvested power compared to the MRP under the resistive damping strategy.
Feasibility of improving dietary quality using a telehealth lifestyle intervention for adults with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Background Evidence from observational studies increasingly highlights the association between unhealthy diet and poor health outcomes in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS), but very few intervention trials for dietary change have been completed. Improving diet quality via a low glycemic load (GL) diet has demonstrated improvements in cardiometabolic risks, cognitive risks, and psychosocial variables in diseases other than MS. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of delivering a low GL dietary intervention implemented via telehealth in a sample of adults with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). The secondary purpose was to explore the potential impact of the diet on MS outcomes and cardiometabolic risks. Methods Participants followed a low GL diet consisting of 100g of carbohydrate and GL of ≤45 points/1000 kcal daily for 12 weeks. Each participant received weekly calls from a telecoach, education and behavioral supports via weekly emails, and recorded all food intake on a mobile app. Feasibility was measured as time to recruit, retention and study completion, and intervention adherence. An a priori cut point of 80% completion was used to determine feasibility. Exploratory outcomes included the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) and patient-reported outcomes of anxiety, pain, mood, and fatigue. Cardiometabolic risks included body composition, fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and blood pressure. Results Twenty adults with RRMS (85% female, 50% African American) enrolled in the study and n=18 (90%) completed the intervention and follow-up measures. Participants completed 90% of scheduled calls and recorded at least one meal on 82% of intervention days (mean (SD) = 68 (25.5) days). Participants exceeded recommended daily GL reductions (recommended daily GL: 96.66 (12.97) points, reported follow-up daily GL: 90.32 (39.36) points). Timed 25-foot walk test and symbol digit modalities test both changed in the desired direction. Sleep, mood, anxiety, emotional health, and pain all moved in the expected directions, and anxiety (r=.24), pain (r=-.43), and emotional health (r=-.36) were moderately correlated with reductions in GL. Participants lost a mean of 2.93 (6.31, p=.003) kg, and had reductions in both fat and lean mass (fat mass: 1.94 (2.5) kg; lean mass: .72 (1.29) kg). Conclusion A low GL dietary intervention is feasible for adults with RRMS and may lead to improvements in MS outcomes and cardiometabolic risk. Additional research is needed with more tightly controlled feeding trials and larger sample sizes to further understand the impact of this dietary pattern on RRMS.
10.2 A 139 µ W 104.8dB-DR 24 kHz-BW CT ΔΣM with Chopped AC-Coupled OTA-Stacking and FIR DACs

Continuous-time delta-sigma modulators (CT $\Delta \Sigma \mathrm{Ms}$) have inherent anti-aliasing, resistive inputs, and relaxed settling requirements making them popular for audio applications. Due to the relatively low bandwidth, the noise-efficiency of the first OTA has a substantial influence on the power and FoM. OTA-stacking is a recently reported technique that improves the noise-current tradeoff in continuous-time amplifiers [1], [2]. This is the central idea behind the proposed CT $\Delta\Sigma$ M where an AC-coupled stacked OTA improves the noise-efficiency of the first integrator. The ADC with a 3-stack OTA achieves 100.9 dB SNDR and $104.8 \mathrm{dB} \mathrm{DR}$ in a 24 kHz bandwidth while consuming $139 \mu \mathrm{W}$ for a state-of-the-art Schreier $FoM _{\mathrm{DR}}$ of 187.2 dB.
672 COVID-19 Anxiety and Sleep in Middle-aged and Older Adults: Impact of Age and Sex

Introduction: COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory illness that was declared a pandemic in March 2020. During the course of COVID-19, studies have demonstrated worsening sleep quality and anxiety. No studies have examined age-related and sex-specific associations between COVID-19 anxiety and sleep in aging populations. We examined associations between COVID-19 anxiety and sleep, and evaluated age and sex as moderators, in middle-aged/older adults. Methods: Two hundred and seventy-seven middle-aged/older adults aged 50+ (Mage=64.68, SD=7.83;44% women) living in the United States who were cognitively healthy (no cognitive impairment/dementia/ neurological disorders) completed an online Qualtrics survey in July/August 2020 measuring sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index;PSQI) and COVID-19 anxiety (Coronavirus Anxiety Scale;CAS). Multiple regressions examined whether CAS was independently associated with or interacted with age or sex in its associations with PSQI total score/subscores (sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, daytime dysfunction), controlling for age, education, number of medical conditions, sleep/pain medication use, and COVID-19 status. Results: CAS interacted with age (B=-.008, SE=.003 p=.02, R-squared=.02), not sex (p=.31), in its association with sleep duration. Higher CAS was associated with shorter sleep duration in oldestolder adults (∼73 years old;B=.12, SE=.05, p=.01) and younger-older adults (∼65 years old;B=.07, SE=.03, p=.02), not middle-aged adults (∼57 years old, p=.47). CAS interacted with age (B=.01, SE=.004, p=.02), not sex (p=.56), in its association with sleep efficiency. Higher CAS was associated with worse sleep efficiency in oldest-older adults (B=.14, SE=.05, p=.009) and younger-older adults (B=.08, SE=.04, p=.03), not middle-aged adults (p=.60). Higher CAS was associated with greater daytime dysfunction (B=.26, SE=.07, p .05). Conclusion: Increased COVID-19 anxiety is associated with several aspects of worse sleep (shorter sleep duration, sleep efficiency) in older adults but not middle-aged adults. Generally, in middle-aged/older adults, higher COVID-19 anxiety is associated with worse daytime dysfunction and overall sleep quality. Sex does not moderate these associations. Increased COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in aging populations may translate to increased anxiety and subsequent sleep disruptions. Interventions aimed at mitigating negative pandemicrelated psychological and sleep outcomes may be particularly relevant for older adults.
Magnetization-prepared spoiled gradient-echo snapshot imaging for efficient measurement of R 2 -R 1ρ in knee cartilage

Purpose To validate the potential of quantifying R2 -R1ρ using one pair of signals with T1ρ preparation and T2 preparation incorporated to magnetization-prepared angle-modulated partitioned k-space spoiled gradient-echo snapshots (MAPSS) acquisition and to find an optimal preparation time (Tprep ) for in vivo knee MRI. Methods Bloch equation simulations were first performed to assess the accuracy of quantifying R2 -R1ρ using T1ρ - and T2 -prepared signals with an equivalent Tprep . For validation of this technique in comparison to the conventional approach that calculates R2 -R1ρ after estimating both T2 and T1ρ , phantom experiments and in vivo validation with five healthy subjects and five osteoarthritis patients were performed at a clinical 3T scanner. Results Bloch equation simulations demonstrated that the accuracy of this efficient R2 -R1ρ quantification method and the optimal Tprep can be affected by image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and tissue relaxation times, but quantification can be closest to the reference with an around 25 ms Tprep for knee cartilage. Phantom experiments demonstrated that the proposed method can depict R2 -R1ρ changes with agarose gel concentration. With in vivo data, significant correlation was observed between cartilage R2 -R1ρ measured from the conventional and the proposed methods, and a Tprep of 25.6 ms provided the most agreement by Bland-Altman analysis. R2 -R1ρ was significantly lower in patients than in healthy subjects for most cartilage compartments. Conclusion As a potential biomarker to indicate cartilage degeneration, R2 -R1ρ can be efficiently measured using one pair of T1ρ -prepared and T2 -prepared signals with an optimal Tprep considering cartilage relaxation times and image SNR.
Physicians as criminal defendants

Contrary to the commonly held notion that high occupational status shields a deviant individual from sanctions, some theorists have proposed a negative relationship between punishment and status when the offending behavior is of low to moderate seriousness, but a positive relationship when it is of high seriousness. This phenomenon has been termed “status liability,” and previous research suggests that physicians are especially vulnerable to its effect. The present study examines status liability in terms of diverse medical specialties to determine whether status differences among specialists produce measurably different public reactions to deviance. Results follow the pattern predicted by the status liability hypothesis. The findings also suggest policy implications in such judicial areas as voir dire, Medicaid, fraud enforcement, and malpractice litigation.
Individual and Two-Man Team Target Finding Performance

Individuals and two-man teams were tested on three target finding tasks. Effective performance of a target-finding task requires the establishment of an efficient search strategy which minimizes the time taken to find the target. On two of the tasks team performance was no better than would be expected, from normal order statistics, of its more capable member. Team performance on the third task presented evidence of a shift in team search strategy away from independent (or redundant) searching toward a more effective division of labor.
Establishment of the Genetic/Genomic Competency Center for Education

Purpose: Develop a trans-disciplinary repository of genomics education resources using a Web-based learning management system. The repository maps and organizes genetic-genomic information and materials relevant to educators by healthcare discipline-specific competencies and performance indicators. Methods: An interdisciplinary project team was established to guide toolkit repository building and usability testing. The toolkit was built using the X-CREDIT software on the Moodle learning management platform, which includes a mapping matrix and browsing function that captures teaching resources in a searchable database linked to competencies, knowledge areas, performance indicators, learning activities and resources, and outcome assessments. Discipline-specific advisory groups assisted in resource identification, competency mapping, and peer review. The toolkit is multidisciplinary, currently including physician assistants and nurses, and provides a resource crosslink to discipline-specific competencies. All resources have a detailed description, and users may contribute new resources, which are peer reviewed for relevance and accuracy by an editorial board. Alpha and beta testing using online usability surveys that included toolkit exercises helped refine the structure, look, and navigation of the final website. Findings: One hundred thirty faculty—124 nursing and 6 physician assistant faculty—agreed to participate. Of those, 59 users (45.4% response rate) completed the online usability survey. Nearly all users (94.9%) were able to find a competency that was relevant to their topic, and 85.4% were able to locate the relevant performance indicators. The majority (86.5%) felt the model adequately described the relationships between competencies, performance indicators, learning activities-resources, and assessments, and made conceptual sense. Survey respondents reported font color and size made the information difficult to read, windows were not large enough, and the “shopping cart” concept was confusing; all of these areas have been modified for the final toolkit version. Conclusions: Alpha and beta testing of the toolkit revealed that users can successfully obtain educational materials by searching competencies and performance indicators. The platform is accessible on the Internet at http://www.g-2-c-2.org and can be continually updated as new resources become available. Clinical Relevance: Faculty members need easy access to a wide range of accurate, current resources to facilitate integration of genomics into the curriculum.
A Rose by Any Other Name:: Measuring Support for Organized Feminism Using ANES Feeling Thermometers

Between 1972 and 1984, the American National Election Studies included a feeling thermometer that measured affect toward the "women's liberation movement." In 1988 the survey substituted a new item...
Development of the two-dimensional cross-section sensitivity and uncertainty analysis code SENSIT-2D with applications to the FED

Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses implement the information obtained from a transport code by providing a reasonable estimate for the uncertainty of a particular design parameter and a better understanding of the nucleonics involved. The toroidal geometry of many fusion devices motivates a two-dimensional calculation capability. A two-dimensional cross-section and secondary energy distribution (SED) sensitivity and uncertainty analysis code, SENSIT-2D, has been developed that allows modeling of a toroidal geometry. Two-dimensional and one-dimensional sensitivity analyses for the heating and the copper d.p.a. of the TF coil for a conceptual FED blanket/shield design were performed. The uncertainties from the two-dimensional analysis are of the same order of magnitude as those obtained from the one-dimensional study. The largest uncertainties were caused by the cross-section covariances for chromium.
Learning regular expressions from representative examples and membership queries

A learning algorithm is developed for a class of regular expressions equivalent to the class of all unionless unambiguous regular expressions of loop depth 2. The learner uses one representative example of the target language (where every occurrence of every loop in the target expression is unfolded at least twice) and a number of membership queries. The algorithm works in time polynomial in the length of the input example.
The development of Xenopus tropicalis transgenic lines and their use in studying lens developmental timing in living embryos

The generation of reporter lines for observing lens differentiation in vivo demonstrates a new strategy for embryological manipulation and allows us to address a long-standing question concerning the timing of the onset of differentiation. Xenopus tropicalis was used to make GFP reporter lines with (gamma)1-crystallin promoter elements directing GFP expression within the early lens. X. tropicalis is a close relative of X. laevis that shares the same ease of tissue manipulation with the added benefits of a diploid genome and faster life cycle. The efficiency of the Xenopus transgenic technique was improved in order to generate greater numbers of normal, adult transgenic animals and to facilitate in vivo analysis of the crystallin promoter. This transgene is transmitted through the germline, providing an accurate and consistent way to monitor lens differentiation. This line permitted us to distinguish models for how the onset of differentiation is controlled: by a process intrinsic to differentiating tissue or one dependent on external cues. This experiment would not have been feasible without the sensitivity and accuracy provided by the in vivo reporter. We find that, in specified lens ectoderm transplanted from neural tube stage donors to younger neural-plate-stage hosts, the onset of differentiation, as measured by expression of the crystallin/GFP transgene, is delayed by an average of 4.4 hours. When specified lens ectoderm is explanted into culture, the delay was an average of 16.3 hours relative to control embryos. These data suggest that the onset of differentiation in specified ectoderm can be altered by the environment and imply that this onset is normally controlled by external cues rather than by an intrinsic mechanism.
Quantitative LVEF and qualitative regional function from gated thallium-201 perfusion SPECT

This study investigates the feasibility of routine clinical 201Tl gated perfusion SPECT (gatedTl), and compares quantitative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and visually-assessed regional wall motion and thickening to analogous values obtained from 99mTc sestamibi gated perfusion SPECT (gated MIBI). Methods: We studied 121 patients with a rest gated 11(3–3.5 mCi, 35 sec/projection)/poststress gated MIBI (25–30 mCi, 25 sec/projection) separate dual-isotope protocol on a 90° dual-detector camera. Automatic quantitation of LVEFs was accomplished using previously developed and validated software, while visual scoring of motion and thickening was performed using four-point scales. Results: Average myocardial counts were lower in gated 11 images (306 ± 81 counts/pixel) compared to gated MIBI images(789 ± 237 counts/pixel). The quality of gated 11 images was ranked as excellent, good, fair and poor in 24.0%, 42.1%, 24.8% and 9.1%, respectively, of the patients, compared to 43.0%, 43.8%, 9.1% and 4.1%, respectively, for gated MIBI images. Quantitative-gated 11 and gated MIBI LVEFs correlated well (y = 0.11+1.05x, r = 0.918, SEE = 6.35). Possible poststress myocardial stunning may have caused gated Tl LVEFs to overestimate gated MIBI LVEFs by a larger (p = 0.03) amount in ischemic patients (n = 47, y = −0.69+1.09x, r = 0.914, s.e.e. = 6.44) compared to nonischemic patients (n = 64, y = −1.58+1.05x, r = 0.919, s.e.e. = 5.93), the residual difference in LVEFs for this latter group being likely due to different isotope resolution in conjunction with small left ventricles. Exact agreement between gated Tl and gated MIBI segmental myocardial function in 41 nonischemic patients was 92.2% (kappa = 0.619) and 95.4% (kappa = 0.586) for motion and thickening scores, respectively. Conclusion: Thallium-201 gated SPECT imaging can be effectively performed on the majority of patients in our clinical environment and offers the opportunity to assess both myocardial perfusion and function using one injection and one imaging sequence, similarly to what is done with 99mTc-based agents.
SU‐FF‐T‐574: Radiotherapy Treatment Plans with RapidArc for Prostate Cancer Involving Seminal Vesicles

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to compare RapidArc plans and conventional IMRT plans for prostate cancer involving seminal vesicles.Methods and Materials: This study included 10 patients. The planning‐target volume (PTV) contained the prostate and seminal vesicles with a margin of 1cm in all direction except 7mm posterior. The prescription was 54Gy to the PTV (2Gy/fraction). Three plans were generated for each patient: 7‐beam IMRT, one‐arc RapidArc (1Arc), and two‐arc RapidArc (2Arc). Dosimetric results were compared and treatment time was calculated Results: RapidArc provided marginally better dose conformity and homogeneity for PTV coverage than IMRT for both Groups. The bladder D30 (the percentage dose delivered to 30% of the bladder) was 7% less (p=0.001) in 1Arc and 10% less (p 0.1) in 1Arc and 5% less (p=0.009) in 2Arc than in IMRT. The integral dose to normal tissue was very similar for all plans (p>0.1). Average MU values were 803, 531 and 703 for IMRT, 1Arc and 2Arc, respectively. Calculated treatment time including beam‐on time and beam‐off time (the time in‐between fields for machine setting and electronic data transfer) was 6.2 min, 1.7 min and 3.4 min for IMRT, 1Arc and 2Arc. Conclusions: RapidArc provided more efficient treatment delivery compared to IMRT for prostate cancer involving seminal vesicles. RapidArc and IMRT achieved very similar PTV coverage. RapidArc performed slightly better in sparing critical organs than IMRT for PTV with prostate and seminal vesicles. RapidArc with 2‐arc beams provides slightly better dosimetric results than RapidArc with 1‐arc beam although the treatment time becomes double.
Modeling and Parametric Analysis of Plasma Spray Particle State Distribution for Deposition Rate Control

Plasma spray for depositing thermal barrier coatings features large distributions of particle states that result in significant variations in coating quality. These variations arise from distributions of particle sizes, large spatial gradients of plasma thermal-fluid fields, and temporal variations of the arc and jet. This paper describes a simplified approach for studying how particle state distributions are influenced by torch conditions and powder distributions, and the implications for deposition rate monitoring and control. The approach combines a simplified jet model with a more detailed particle model. The important fluid-thermal spatial gradients in the plasma jet are captured using a three zone model: a core region, modeled by growth of a turbulent shear layer around a laminar core, a transition region and a similarity region. Plasma-particle momentum and thermal interactions, particle phase transitions, internal particle temperature gradients, and collapse of in-flight hollow particles have been modeled using a multi-lumped particle model. Effects of distributions of particle size, particle morphology, injection velocity, and carrier gas flow were studied for YSZ spray in an Ar-He plasma. The results provide guidance on sensor design and operation and on approaches for plume location control.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Effects of the nearest neighbors and the alloy matrix on SiH stretching vibrations in the amorphous SiO r :H (0<r<2) alloy system

Hydrogenated silicon suboxides, ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{\mathrm{r}}$:H, for alloy range (0lrl2) have been deposited by remote plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (remote PECVD) under conditions in which hydrogen is incorporated predominantly in monohydride or SiH bonding configurations. We have investigated both the SiH bond-stretching and bond-bending absorption bands by infrared (ir) absorption spectroscopy as a function of r, the alloy composition. In this paper, we have focused on the bond-stretching absorption bands, and have modeled the shape of the bond-stretching band as a function of the alloy composition. There are four distinct local environments for the SiH group in the sub- oxides; these can be written as HSi-${\mathrm{Si}}_{3\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{n}}$${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{n}}$, for n=0--3. A sum of Gaussian functions, one for each environment, is used to synthesize the absorption in the SiH stretching band. The peak positions of these Gaussians are calculated by an induction model which includes both local and matrix (or alloy) effects; the amplitude weightings are determined from a random statistical model for the local bonding environments of the Si-O groups in the ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{\mathrm{r}}$ alloy. We find that the frequency shifts caused by changes in the matrix, and associated with different values of r, are comparable to the shifts associated with the different local environments. The combination of these effects serves to diminish the discreteness of subband features in the absorption spectrum.