cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4938: APC in breast cancer: the ABCs of gene expression

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and cancer-related cause of death in non-smoking women in the United States. Due to the heterogeneity of this disease, the oncogenic and signaling pathways contributing to these tumors are distinct. The Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) tumor suppressor is mutated or hypermethylated in up to 70% of sporadic breast cancers; however, the mechanism by which APC mutation impacts tumorigenesis remains unexplored. Up-regulation of the zinc finger transcription factor EGR-1 has been associated with cell invasion and enhanced drug resistance, which is an important property of cancer stem cells (CSCs). ALDH1 and STAT3 have been useful in the identification of CSCs, which are associated with poor clinical outcomes including increased tumor survival and invasion. We utilized two human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-157 and DU4475, and cells isolated from the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus-Polyoma middle T (MMTV-PyMT);ApcMin/+ mouse model. APC was knocked down in the MDA-MB-157 cells through shRNA lentiviral transduction, or transfected into DU4475 cells. First we looked at the expression of the transcription factor EGR-1 through Real-Time PCR in the MDA-MB-157 and DU4475 cell lines. Next, ALDH1 and STAT3 were measured in the MMTV-PyMT;ApcMin/+ mouse model and in MDA-MB-157 cells through western blots. In addition, an ALDEFLUOR assay was used to measure ALDH1 activity in the mouse model. To translate our findings to an in vivo model, we injected MMTV-PyMT;ApcMin/+ cells into the mammary fat pads of FVB-N syngeneic mice. EGR-1 expression was increased in both MDA-MB-157 APC-knockdown and DU4475 APC-mutant cells compared to cells expressing APC. In addition, STAT3 expression was found to be increased in MDA-MB-157 APC-knockdown and MMTV-PyMT;ApcMin/+ cells compared to MDA-MB-157 APC-wildtype and MMTV-PyMT;Apc+/+ cells. ALDH1 activity and tumor development were enhanced in ApcMin/+ cells compared to control cells. Combined, these data suggest that APC knockdown increases tumorigenic properties of cancer cells through EGR-1 overexpression and modulation of known cancer stem cell markers, ALDH1 and STAT3. Future studies will include measuring the expression of EGR-1 in the MMTV-PyMT;ApcMin/+ cells as well as ALDH1 in the human cell lines. Furthermore, because of the overexpression of these genes and markers, strategies designed to target positive populations might lead to more effective therapies of APC-mutant breast cancers. Citation Format: Katia Fernandez Soto, Monica K. VanKlompenberg, Jennifer Cole, Jenifer R. Prosperi. APC in breast cancer: the ABCs of gene expression. [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 4938. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4938
Catching an Earworm Through Movement

Earworms, also known as Involuntary Musical Imagery (INMI), are fragments of music that get stuck on mental replay. This study investigates the hypothesis that overt motorinvolvement (in the form of humming, singing, tapping or moving) and imagined motor involvement (in the form of imagining a continuation to an interrupted melody) induces INMI more frequently than passive music listening. Fourgroups of listeners heard one of four songs known to induce earworms in one of four conditions: full song, no movement; song with abrupt midphrase truncation, no movement; full song with instructions to hum, whistle, or sing along; full song with instructions to dance, tap, or nod along. After listening, all participants completed the same monotonous activity, intended to increase earworm induction by setting up a low attention state. Next, participants were asked to report on any earworms that occurred during the session and answer some general questions. Results suggested that vocal and physical involvement trigge...
Little Bad Concerns: Using Sentiment Analysis to Assess Structural Balance in Communication Networks

We present and test a scalable approach for assigning valence to links in unsigned graphs with the ultimate goal of enabling triadic balanced assessment in communication networks. We do this by applying domain-adjusted sentiment analysis to the content of communication data and translating aggregated sentiment scores for information exchanged between network members into link signs. This approach facilitates fast, informed and systematic balance testing (we generate link signs for 166,670 triads in our data); allowing for empirical hypothesis testing and theory building based on current or archival communication data. The proposed technique eliminates the need for manually labeling text data, and overcomes limitations with inferring valence from self-reported or user-generated (meta-) data in situations where historical context and ground truth valence data might be unavailable or limited. We test this approach on corporate email data to complement the large amount of prior work based on social media data and the limited knowledge on sentiment in professional settings. Our results suggest that sentiment is overall slightly positive and emotionality is low, which reflects conventions of language use in a corporate environment. We observe that people draw from (the top of) a smaller pool of positive terms more frequently than from a larger set of negative terms. The ratio of balanced triads (on average about 88%) to unbalanced triads (12%) remains relatively stable despite changes in corporate performance. The labor-intense adjustment of a given lexical resource to some dataset and domain pays off as it generates more empirical evidence with lower variance.
Host Genetics: It Is Not Just the Virus, Stupid

Abstract Much of the focus of viral pathogenesis is on viral virulence factors; however, virulence can only be defined in the context of a virus–host combination. Furthermore, there is abundant evidence that highly pathogenic viruses have been selected for specific host genetic variants within the target population. The identification and mechanistic dissection of host genetic polymorphisms therefore has powerful implications for our understanding of viral diseases, including the identification of novel therapeutic targets. In this chapter, we review the classical approaches used to identify host allelic variations that regulate disease susceptibility. We also discuss next-generation molecular technologies and computational approaches that are poised to revolutionize our understanding of the impact of host genetic variation on viral diseases at the population level.
Antecedents of care by physicians

The objective of this study was to examine factors impacting physicians' quality of care. This study used the Center for Studying Health System Change's 2008 Health Tracking Physician Survey data set consisting of 4720 physicians belonging to the American Medical Association. Regression analysis indicated that time with patient, career satisfaction, use of information technology for patient information, and income had a significant, positive impact on perception of high-quality care by physicians. Threat of malpractice lawsuits, percent revenue from Medicaid, and type of practice had a significant negative impact on perception of high-quality care by physicians. Among all the variables examined in our study, time with patient had the greatest impact on perception of high-quality care by physicians.
Optical properties of ex-vivo prostate tissues and the design of trans-rectal ultrasound coupled optical probe

We measured the bulk optical properties of benign and prostate cancer tissues and designed a clip-on optical probe for existing trans-rectal ultrasound transducer. We also tested the probe using laboratory phantoms.
Civic Integration or Ethnic Segregation? Models of Ethnic and Civic Nationalism in Club Football

This essay evaluates the ways that soccer has been used by various actors in the promotion of both ethnic and civic forms of nationalism throughout the world. By focusing on domestic soccer, this paper further investigates the phenomenon of nationalism in the world and provides broader theoretical and practical answers to the questions of integration and ethnic identity. This essay starts by examining the issue of ethnicity in historic and contemporary football, provides a review of the academic literature on ethnic and civic nationalism and then discusses the role of ethnic and civic models of identity within club football. Most notable is a discussion of five categories, which best explain why ethnic nationalism persists, and why it was initially mobilized. The essay then moves to a discussion of why most soccer clubs in the world have made the transition to a more civic form of nationalism. Finally, conclusions are drawn on the issue of ethnic nationalism in domestic football.
Phylogenetic Relationships of North American Aegialia (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) as Indicated by Allozymes and Morphology

A cladistic analysis of morphological characters of the North American species of Aegialia supported the concept of the genus, the subgenera, and identified several distinct clades within the subgenus Aegialia. Allozyme character analysis using neighbor-joining, maximum likelihood, and analysis of loci-as-characters using step matrices, also supported monophyly in Aegialia and its North American subgenera Leptaegialia and Psammoporus. A total evidence analysis using a combination of allozyme and morphological data sets provides a robust analysis of the genus and supports conclusions based on the individual data sets. A basin and range province flightless clade composed of Aegialia crescenta Gordon & Cartwright, A. hardyi Gordon & Cartwright, and A. magnifica Gordon & Cartwright was identified; with A. concinna Gordon & Cartwright as its sister species.
An institutional review of antimicrobial stewardship interventions

In order to combat increasing rates of bacterial resistance, many institutions have implemented antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) to improve antibiotic use. To ascertain the potential impact of our stewardship programme at Baylor St Luke's Medical Center (Houston, TX), antimicrobial-related interventions were analysed over a 4-year period. ASP recommendations related to antimicrobial therapy from 2009 to 2012 were retrieved from the hospital electronic database and were retrospectively reviewed. The number of interventions for each time period was adjusted to the hospital census data. The interventions were randomly assessed and categorised for clinical significance based on established institutional guidelines. In total, 14654 non-duplicate antimicrobial therapy interventions were retrieved, of which 11874 (81.0%) were audited for accuracy. Approximately 13 interventions were made per 1000 patient-days, but there were no significant patterns observed regarding the number of interventions performed from month to month (range 8-21). The most frequent types of interventions were related to inappropriate dosing (39.0%), antimicrobial selection (20.5%) and drug allergy (13.0%). Serious adverse drug events (ADEs) were potentially avoided in 20.7% of all interventions. Cumulative potential cost avoidance was more than US$6.5 million. In our institution, proper drug and dose selection were the major components of the ASP. Without focusing solely on reduction of drug acquisition costs, implementation of an ASP could still be cost effective by improving the quality of patient care and avoiding ADEs with serious consequences.
P2P:Development Status and Operation Schemes

The rapid development of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) technology and application has brought tremendous impact on telecom services and operation. Operators have to refine channel operation to develop special P2P services. By obeying the law of Internet services and combining the advantages of network, resources and customers, operators should make manageable and operational P2P solution to bring users with better P2P service experience. ZTE's operational and manageable P2P scheme provides tailored authorization and billing functions for operators. It is developed based on the broadband service management platform, widely used in live networks. ZTE's P2P system is stable and reliable.
CD43 Functions as an E-Selectin Ligand for Th17 Cells In Vitro and Is Required for Rolling on the Vascular Endothelium and Th17 Cell Recruitment during Inflammation In Vivo

Endothelial E- and P-selectins mediate lymphocyte trafficking in inflammatory processes by interacting with lymphocyte selectin ligands. These are differentially expressed among different T cell subsets and function alone or in cooperation to mediate T cell adhesion. In this study, we characterize the expression and functionality of E-selectin ligands in Th type 17 lymphocytes (Th17 cells) and report that CD43 functions as a Th17 cell E-selectin ligand in vitro that mediates Th17 cell rolling on the vascular endothelium and recruitment in vivo. We demonstrate Th17 cells express CD44, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL)-1, and CD43. Few PSGL-1(-/-)CD43(-/-) Th17 cells accumulated on E-selectin under shear flow conditions compared with wild-type cells. CD43(-/-) Th17 cell accumulation on E-selectin was impaired as compared with wild-type and PSGL-1(-/-), and similar to that observed for PSGL-1(-/-)CD43(-/-) Th17 cells, indicating that CD43 alone is a dominant ligand for E-selectin. Notably, this finding is Th17 cell subset specific because CD43 requires cooperation with PSGL-1 in Th1 cells for binding to E-selectin. In vivo, Th17 cell recruitment into the air pouch was reduced in CD43(-/-) mice in response to CCL20 or TNF-α, and intravital microscopy studies demonstrated that CD43(-/-) Th17 cells had impaired rolling on TNF-α-treated microvessels. Furthermore, CD43(-/-) mice were protected from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and had impaired recruitment of Th17 cells in the spinal cord. Our findings demonstrate that CD43 is a major E-selectin ligand in Th17 cells that functions independent of PSGL-1, and they suggest that CD43 may hold promise as a therapeutic target to modulate Th17 cell recruitment.
Towards Comprehensive Analysis of Protein Family Quantitative Stability/Flexibility Relationships using Homology Models

The Distance Constraint Model (DCM) is a computational modeling scheme that uniquely integrates thermodynamic and mechanical descriptions of protein structure. As such, quantitative stability-flexibility relationships (QSFR) that describe the interrelationships of thermodynamics and mechanics can be quickly computed. Using comparative QSFR analyses, we have previously investigated these relationships across a small number of protein orthologs, ranging from two to a dozen [1, 2]. However, our ultimate goal is provide a comprehensive analysis of whole protein families, which requires consideration of many more structures. To that end, we have developed homology modeling and assessment protocols so that we can robustly calculate QSFR properties for proteins without experimentally derived structures. The approach, which is presented here, starts from a large ensemble of potential homology models and uses a clustering algorithm to identify the best models, thus paving the way for a comprehensive QSFR analysis across hundreds of proteins in a protein family.
CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizer phenotype not associated with attempted suicide in a large sample of psychiatric inpatients

Aim: Suicide accounts for over 800,000 deaths per year worldwide and is the tenth-leading cause of mortality in USA. Several studies have investigated cytochrome P450 CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizer (UM) phenotype in relation to suicidality, with mixed results. This study tested the hypothesis of increased suicide risk among CYP2D6 UMs. Patients & methods: Among the 4264 state psychiatric hospital inpatients included, 2435 (57%) reported a prior suicide attempt. Results: No association between UM status and attempted suicide was observed in bivariate (odds ratio: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.53–1.25), multivariate (adjusted odds ratio: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.55–1.46), or risk-stratified analyses. Conclusion: These results contrast with prior reports of increased suicidality among CYP2D6 UMs and highlight the pressing need to identify reliable screening methods to better address this persistent public health problem.
Lithium Ion Batteries in Electric Drive Vehicles

This research focuses on the technical issues that are critical to the adoption of high-energy-producing lithium Ion batteries. In addition to high energy density / high power density, this publication considers performance requirements that are necessary to assure lithium ion technology as the battery format of choice for electrified vehicles. Presentation of prime topics includes: • Long calendar life (greater than 10 years) • Sufficient cycle life • Reliable operation under hot and cold temperatures • Safe performance under extreme conditions • End-of-life recycling To achieve aggressive fuel economy standards, carmakers are developing technologies to reduce fuel consumption, including hybridization and electrification. Cost and affordability factors will be determined by these relevant technical issues which will provide for the successful implementation of lithium ion batteries for application in future generations of electrified vehicles.
TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTICS FOR METABOLISM OF CHLORELLA : I. THE RATE OF O2 UTILIZATION OF CHLORELLA PYRENOIDOSA WITH ADDED DEXTROSE

The temperature characteristic for the rate of O2 consumption by Chlorella pyrenoidosa suspended in Knop solution containing 1 per cent glucose was studied between 1° and 27°C. with the Warburg technic. The value of µ was found to be about 19,000 ±1,000 cal. There is some indication of a critical temperature at 20°C., with shift to a lower µ above this temperature. The effect of sudden changes in temperature on the rate of respiration and the variation of the latter with time at constant temperatures are discussed. It is concluded that the "normal" respiration (in absence of external glucose) does not appear in the determination of this temperature characteristic.
Acute Noncardiovascular Illness in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Abstract Background Fifty years after the inception of the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU), noncardiovascular illnesses have become more prevalent and may contribute to morbidity and mortality. Objectives The authors performed multivariate statistical analyses to determine the association of acute noncardiovascular illnesses with outcomes, including length of stay (LOS), mortality, and hospital readmission. Methods We studied 1,042 admissions between October 12, 2013 and November 28, 2014 to the CICU at the University of Virginia Health System, a tertiary-care academic medical center. Through systematic inspection of individual charts, we identified primary and secondary diagnoses, vital sign measurements, length of stay (LOS), hospital readmissions, and mortality. Results The most common primary diagnosis was acute coronary syndrome (25%), which consisted of both non−ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (14%) and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (11%). Sepsis was the most frequent noncardiovascular primary diagnosis (5%), but it only occurred in 16% of all admissions. Acute kidney injury and acute respiratory failure each occurred in 30% of admissions. One-half of all admissions (n = 524; 50%) were marked by acute respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, or sepsis. Median LOS in the CICU and the hospital were 2 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 1 to 5 days) and 6 days (IQR: 3 to 11 days). Mortality was 7% in the CICU and 12% in the hospital. Of the 920 patients who survived to hospital discharge, 171 (19%) were readmitted within 30 days. Sepsis, acute kidney injury, and acute respiratory failure were associated with mortality. Acute kidney injury, acute respiratory failure, and new-onset subclinical atrial fibrillation, which occurred in 8% of admissions, were all associated with CICU LOS. Conclusions Many patients in the modern CICU have acute noncardiovascular illnesses that are associated with mortality and increased LOS.
Management of suspected common bile duct stones on cholangiogram during same-stay cholecystectomy for acute gallstone-related disease

Recent data have suggested that upfront cholecystectomy should be performed even in the presence of moderately abnormal liver function tests (LFTs). As a consequence, more common bile duct (CBD) stones are discovered on intra-operative cholangiogram. We assessed the presentation and management of such patients to refine their management plan. Adult patients (>16 years) with an acute gallstone-related disease who had undergone same-stay cholecystectomy from January 2013 to January 2015 were retrospectively assessed. We excluded patients with pre-operative endoscopic CBD exploration. Among the 612 patients with same-stay cholecystectomy, 399 patients were included in the study, and 213 were excluded because of a pre-operative CBD exploration. Fifty patients (12.5%) presented an image of CBD stone on the intra-operative cholangiogram. Such patients were younger (47 vs. 55 years, P = .01) and less likely to present with fever (1 vs. 11.7%, P = .04) or signs of cholecystitis on ultrasound (66 vs. 83.7%, P = .003). Admission LFTs were higher in patients with an image of a stone. Among the 50 patients with an image on cholangiogram, a stone was confirmed in 26 (52%). Most patients (n = 32) underwent post-operative assessment with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). LFTs did not predict the presence of a confirmed stone. However, the absence of contrast passage into the duodenum was negatively associated with a confirmed stone (P = .08), and a filling defect was positively associated with one (P = .11). Most confirmed stones were successfully extracted by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) (25/26, 96%), except in one patient who needed a per-cutaneous approach because of duodenal diverticuli. Same-stay cholecystectomy can (and should) be performed even in the presence of moderately abnormal liver function tests. The cholangiogram suspicion of a CBD stone is confirmed in only half of the patients (more often in the presence of a filling defect, and less often with the absence of contrast passage). All stones can be safely treated after surgery (most by ERCP).
The relationship between cannabis use and cortisol levels in youth at ultra high-risk for psychosis

Recent studies have posited a relationship between cannabis use and the biological stress system, but this critical relationship has not been evaluated during the ultra high-risk (UHR) period immediately preceding the onset of psychotic disorders. Salivary cortisol samples were collected on 46 UHR and 29 control adolescents; these individuals were assessed for current cannabis use with a urine panel and self-report. UHR participants where separated into two groups: Current Cannabis Use (UHR-CU) and No Current Cannabis Use (UHR-NC). Healthy Control participants (HC) were free of cannabis use. Consistent with the literature, results indicate UHR individuals showed elevated cortisol levels when compared to HC participants. Further, we also observed that UHR-CU participants exhibited elevated levels when compared to both the non-using UHR and HC groups. Findings suggest that cannabis use may interact with underlying biological vulnerability associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis system.
A circuit for simultaneous optical data reception and energy harvesting

A circuit for simultaneous optical data reception and energy harvesting using a photovoltaic cell is presented. This circuit is based on a DC-Dc boost converter modified to also work as an optical communications receiver. The circuit is able to boost the low voltage of a typical silicon photovoltaic cell to a level that can be used to drive an electronic circuit. The data receiver portion of the circuit comprises a current-sense resistor, two amplification stages and a comparator. Measurements results using a laser diode as the light source show that a bit error rate of 1.25 × 10−3 at 160 kbps is achieved for binary PAM with logic 0 represented by a 5 mW laser beam and a logic 1 with no light. The power delivered by the circuit to a 50 kΩ load is 359.6 μW when the laser beam is modulated at 160 kbps. The conversion efficiency of the converter is 73.4 % and efficiency of the employed solar cell is 15.6 %.
Identification of rare noncoding sequence variants in gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor, alpha 4 subunit in autism spectrum disorder.

Alterations of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling system has been strongly linked to the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Genetic associations of common variants in GABA receptor subunits, in particular GABRA4 on chromosome 4p12, with ASD have been replicated by several studies. Moreover, molecular investigations have identified altered transcriptional and translational levels of this gene and protein in brains of ASD individuals. Since the genotyped common variants are likely not the functional variants contributing to the molecular consequences or underlying ASD phenotype, this study aims to examine rare sequence variants in GABRA4, including those outside the protein coding regions of the gene. We comprehensively re-sequenced the entire protein coding and noncoding portions of the gene and putative regulatory sequences in 82 ASD individuals and 55 developmentally typical pediatric controls, all homozygous for the most significant previously associated ASD risk allele (G/G at rs1912960). We identified only a single common, coding variant, and no association of any single marker or set of variants with ASD. Functional annotation of noncoding variants identified several rare variants in putative regulatory sites. Finally, a rare variant unique to ASD cases, in an evolutionary conserved site of the 3′UTR, shows a trend toward decreasing gene expression. Hence, GABRA4 rare variants in noncoding DNA may be variants of modest physiological effects in ASD etiology.
Axial Summit Trough

At the summit of magmatically robust mid-ocean ridges (MORs), a narrow trough may develop that marks the location of the divergent plate boundary and is the locus of most magmatic and hydrothermal activity (Macdonald and Fox, 1988). This axial summit trough (AST) is typically less than 500 m in width and 50 m in depth and may be discontinuous along the ridge in terms of its width, depth, strike, and continuity. ASTs are common along fastand intermediate-spreading rate ridges (e.g., East Pacific Rise, Juan de Fuca Ridge, Galapagos Spreading Center) and magma-rich, inflated portions of the slow-spreadingMid-Atlantic Ridge and Lau Basin back-arc spreading center.
Fake Science and Bad Public Policy: Lessons from Venture Capital

I review statistical methods used to estimate crowding out of private venture capital by government venture capital in recent work. I explain the importance of using data that pre-dates the creation of government venture capital in order to examine whether or not government has crowded out private venture capital. I show that statistical inference in recent work on topic that does not follow this straightforward statistical rule can give rise to remarkably incorrect conclusions; including, for example, a bizarre and clearly false inference that a market with more than 89% investment by government funds exhibits no evidence of displacement of private funds. Further, I point out an alarming number of inaccuracies and misstatements and an unusual refusal to explain problems with data and analyses amongst authors and editors alike.
The Advent of Ambulatory Eye Surgery

Modern Day-Op, or Ambulatory Surgical Centers or Units (ASCs or ASUs), are safe and efficient facilitators of both the surgeon’s and patient’s needs.
Dose Assessment (for Patients)

One of the requirements of the Medical Exposures Directive is that information should be available from each medical exposure undertaken to enable the assessment of dose to the patient. Normally this information is collected but only rarely is it required for a full dose assessment. Assessments are usually required if there has been an inadvertent exposure, e.g. the wrong diagnostic exposure was performed or an exposure was performed on the wrong patient, or if the patient has been exposed to a particularly high dose in, for example, a lengthy interventional procedure.
Reinventing business processes through automation: “a case study”

Although numerous firms have experimented with business process reengineering (BPR), many have achieved less than dramatic results (Davenport, 1993; Hammer and Champy, 1993; Kotter, 1995). To explore possible reasons for BPR underachievement, an in-depth case study was undertaken. The case focuses on events surrounding the redesign of a fundamental business process (Personal Lines Insurance) at Safeco Corporation. Redesign is led by the Information Systems and Services (ISS) department as they are in charge of the Personal Lines Systems (PLS) that support the business. Analysis of the interviews provides a detailed description of the project and uncovers possible reasons for failure of the reengineering effort.
Cummings and Mascato Soft on Woodcock-Johnson.

The review by Cummings and Moscato of the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Ability (WJTCA) is criticized for its treatment of two of the three issues they addressed. This critique comments on fi...
Mulberry trees: The basis and remnant of the Utah silk industry

Mulberry trees in Northern Utah were located by historical references to local sericulture and by examining vegetation in proximity to pioneer-era two-story houses. It was usually in the upstairs bedrooms of these larger homes where silkworms were raised, and many of these houses planted one or two mulberry trees in their yards. Although mulberry planting and sericulture were once advocated by early Mormon leaders as a means to achieve economic self-sufficiency, ultimately this social and economic experiment failed, leaving relic mulberry groves dotted throughout Utah. Most of these groves have now disappeared in the wake of urban expansion. Preservation of a few relic trees is proposed as a means of preserving cultural ties to the past.
Absolute Calibration of a Scatterance Meter

A new method has been developed for determining the absolute calibration of a light-scattering meter. The method is applicable when the light source is a well-collimated beam of small diameter, such as from a laser. No special reflectance or transmittance standards are required and the method is simple to implement. The measured calibration factor includes refractive effects at water/glass/air interfaces as well as the changes in scattering volume with scattering angle.
Changes in clouds and atmospheric circulation associated with rapid adjustment induced by increased atmospheric CO 2 : a multiscale modeling framework study

The radiative heating increase due to increased CO2 concentration is the primary source for the rapid adjustment of atmospheric circulation and clouds. In this study, we investigate the rapid adjustment resulting from an instantaneous doubling of CO2 and its physical mechanism using a multiscale modeling framework (MMF). The cloud-resolving model component of this MMF includes a sophisticated third-order turbulence closure and the MMF simulates realistic shallow and deep cloud climatology and boundary layer turbulence. Although the simulated cloud adjustment and its mechanism generally agree with earlier studies with conventional global climate models and another MMF with a lower-order turbulence closure, this MMF simulates an increase in the global-mean shortwave and net cloud radiative cooling and a negative cloud radiative effect change due to cloud adjustment. This result is related to the large increase in low-level clouds over the extratropical and subtropical oceans, resulting from reduced cloud-top entrainment implied from strengthened inversion. The downshift of planetary boundary layer and low-level clouds is generally weaker than that simulated by other models, which is due to reduction of shallow cumulus in the ascending and weak subsidence circulation regimes but to increase of stratocumulus in the strongest subsidence regime. Optically thicker stratocumulus compensates for reduced cooling by shallow cumulus. The reduced strength of all oceanic circulation regimes, which may be contributed by weakened energy transport resulting from water vapor and cloud CO2 masking effects, not only reduces optical depth of convective clouds but also shifts cloud coverage to lands where deep convection is enhanced.
GNSS-R Parameter Sensitivities for Soil Moisture Retrieval

We consider the problem of retrieving soil moisture based on GNSS-R time series data with incidence angle diversity in the presence of instrument calibration errors, vegetation cover uncertainty, and surface roughness uncertainty. After defining an observation model and a retrieval cost function, we derive a formula for retrieval performance as a function of calibration uncertainty, time series parameters, and prior statistics. Numerical results illustrate relationships among various parameters.
Age, nest initiation, and demographic characteristics of American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) breeding at Marsh Lake, Minnesota

ABSTRACT We studied how adult age and condition are related to nest initiation date and estimated survival and age at maturation in the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmelin, 1789), a long-lived, migratory, colonial-nesting waterbird. Timing of nest initiation in the breeding colony at Marsh Lake, Minnesota, was not related to age or body condition of adults. However, nests were initiated significantly earlier on a more isolated island with higher nest success than another island located nearer to the lake shore. We estimated an adult annual survival probability of 0.813 ± 0.079, similar to that reported for other American White Pelican populations. We estimated the mean age at which American White Pelicans return to nest at Marsh Lake and found that pelicans are unlikely to begin nesting until they are at least 5 years old.
An Equivalence Verification Methodology for Asynchronous Sleep Convention Logic Circuits

Sleep Convention Logic (SCL) is an emerging ultra-low power Quasi-Delay Insensitive (QDI) asynchronous design paradigm with enormous potential for industrial applications. Design validation is a critical concern before commercialization. Unlike other QDI paradigms, such as NULL Convention Logic (NCL) and Pre-Charge Half Buffers (PCHB), there exists no formal verification methods for SCL. In this paper, we propose a unified formal verification scheme for combinational as well as sequential SCL circuits, based on equivalence checking, which verifies both safety and liveness. The method is demonstrated using several multipliers, MACs, and ISCAS benchmarks.
Systemic Blood Pressure Is Associated with Anemia and Placenta Growth Factor In Sickle Cell Anemia

Abstract Abstract 2644 Introduction: The seventh report of the Joint National Committee (JNC 7) defines hypertension as blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140/90 and pre-hypertension as BP ≥ 120/80. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) shows that 42% of African American patients over the age of 20 are classified as hypertensive. Previous studies in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) have reported that systemic blood pressures (BP) are lower than age- and race-matched controls. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory factors associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressures in SCD. Methods: The data for this study was obtained from an ongoing study to determine the natural history of pulmonary hypertension in SCD. The first available systemic BP measurement for each patient was recorded, along with clinical and laboratory parameters. We evaluated associations between systolic and diastolic BP and 25 clinical and laboratory covariates using Spearman's correlation coefficient, and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests for categorical covariates. Patients were stratified based on age and SCD genotype (SS, Sb0, SD vs. SC, Sb+). Blood pressures from our SCD patients were compared to median values obtained from the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD) using Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests. Results: Blood pressures were evaluated in 153 separate patients (SS = 115, SC = 18, Sb0 = 10, Sb+ = 9, SD =1), with a median age of 37 years (range 18 – 71 years). Thirty two (21%) patients had a known history of hypertension and 38 (25%) patients were on at least one antihypertensive medication for either hypertension or proteinuria. The mean (STD) systolic and diastolic BP for the patients with SS, Sb0 thalassemia, and SD (N=126) were 122 mm Hg (±15) and 69 mm Hg (±10), respectively; and the median systolic and diastolic BP for patients with SC and Sb+ thalassemia (N=27) were 131 mm Hg (±12) and 75 mm Hg (±13), respectively. We observed significant correlations between systolic BP and age (r=0.36, p= Conclusion: The low systemic BP in SCD patients may be related to their lower BMI, combined with biologic factors such as anemia, hemolysis as well as increased levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family member, placenta growth factor. The higher BP in our patient population compared to values in the CSSCD may be related to differences in BMI, degree of anemia, and levels of PlGF. With the increasing survival of SCD patients, studies are required to determine the appropriate BP levels to initiate anti-hypertensive therapy. Table 1: . Comparison of BP from UNC Cohort and CSSCD Sex Age N UNC Cohort (median SBP) CSSCD (median SBP) p-value UNC Cohort (median DBP) CSSCD (median DBP) p-value Female 18–24 15 117 110 0.16 69 64 0.30 Female 25–34 25 118 110 69 68 0.53 Female 35–44 17 123 110 0.0076 68 70 0.95 Male 18–24 7 118 112 0.50 60 68 0.016 Male 25–34 14 120 114 0.077 63 70 0.20 Male 35–44 14 126 110 0.0004 71 70 0.89 Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Investigating the Performance of a Variable Stiffness Magnetic Spring for Resonant Ocean Power Generation

This paper presents a new type of variable stiffness magnetic spring which can have a highly linear translational force characteristic. The variable stiffness is achieved through the rotation of a central magnet. Both positive and negative spring constants can be created. Using an analytic-based field analysis modelling technique the operating principle and linearity characteristics of the adjustable magnetic spring are studied. The use of a magnetic spring with an adjustable negative spring constant could enable an ocean generator to continuously operate in a resonant state thereby greatly increasing its power generation capability. The presented variable stiffness spring could also be useful in other energy harvesting and robotic actuator applications.
Discrepancies in Written Versus Calculated Durations in Opioid Prescriptions: Pre-Post Study

Background: The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic. Long-term use of opioid medications is associated with an increased risk of dependence. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention makes specific recommendations regarding opioid prescribing, including that prescription quantities should not exceed the intended duration of treatment. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if opioid prescription quantities written at our institution exceed intended duration of treatment and whether enhancements to our electronic health record system improved any discrepancies. Methods: We examined the opioid prescriptions written at our institution for a 22-month period. We examined the duration of treatment documented in the prescription itself and calculated a duration based on the quantity of tablets and doses per day. We determined whether requiring documentation of the prescription duration affected these outcomes. Results: We reviewed 72,314 opioid prescriptions, of which 16.96% had a calculated duration that was greater than what was documented in the prescription. Making the duration a required field significantly reduced this discrepancy (17.95% vs 16.21%, P<.001) but did not eliminate it. Conclusions: Health information technology vendors should develop tools that, by default, accurately represent prescription durations and/or modify doses and quantities dispensed based on provider-entered durations. This would potentially reduce unintended prolonged opioid use and reduce the potential for long-term dependence.
A weighty issue: refeeding an adolescent patient on dialysis

For malnourished patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD), refeeding is complex; true weight (dry weight) gain must be accounted for as it accrues to safely dialyze. This case describes the challenge of following true weight to appropriately adjust treatment for a patient with ESRD on HD requiring inpatient refeeding. A 17-year-old female presented to an adolescent clinic after referral from her nephrologist for malnutrition and disordered eating. Her weight was 38.3 kg and height was 155.2 cm (76.2% of mean estimated body mass index, MEBMI). Her history was remarkable for a diagnosis of ESRD. The patient was admitted to the inpatient disordered eating program. The patient continued HD three times a week and was followed by nephrology. The team noted that the patient’s dry weight for dialysis had not yet been adjusted, leading to increasingly aggressive dialysis. The nephrology team addressed the need for reassessments of dry weight by utilizing the “crit line” method. Frequent assessment allowed the nephrology team to account for intensive renourishment of the patient. After a 64 day hospital stay, the patient achieved 88.1% of MEBMI, calculated using her most up to date dry weight. Among patients with malnutrition and ESRD requiring HD, it is imperative to determine a patient’s dry weight at the beginning of refeeding so the treatment plan can be adjusted according to the dynamic, true weight of the patient. This case illustrates the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork when managing a patient with malnutrition and ESRD on HD.
Persistent Activation of mRNA Translation by Transient Hsp90 Inhibition

The heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) chaperone functions as a protein-folding buffer and plays a role promoting the evolution of new heritable traits. To better understand how Hsp90 can affect mRNA translation, we screen more than 1,600 factors involved in mRNA regulation for physical interactions with Hsp90 in human cells. The mRNA binding protein CPEB2 strongly binds Hsp90 via its prion domain. In a yeast model, transient inhibition of Hsp90 results in persistent activation of a CPEB translation reporter even in the absence of exogenous CPEB that persists for 30 generations after the inhibitor is removed. Ribosomal profiling reveals that some endogenous yeast mRNAs, including HAC1, show a persistent change in translation efficiency following transient Hsp90 inhibition. Thus, transient loss of Hsp90 function can promote a nongenetic inheritance of a translational state affecting specific mRNAs, introducing a mechanism by which Hsp90 can promote phenotypic variation.
Trivalent chromium isotopes in the eastern tropical North Pacific oxygen-deficient zone

Changes in chromium (Cr) isotope ratios due to fractionation between trivalent [Cr(III)] and hexavalent [Cr(VI)] are being utilized by geologists to infer oxygen conditions in past environments. However, there is little information available on Cr in the modern ocean to ground-truth these inferences. Transformations between the two chromium species are important processes in oceanic Cr cycling. Here we present profiles of hexavalent and trivalent Cr concentrations and stable isotope ratios from the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP) oxygen-deficient zone (ODZ) which support theoretical and experimental studies that predict that lighter Cr is preferentially reduced in low-oxygen environments and that residual dissolved Cr becomes heavier due to removal of particle-reactive Cr(III) on sinking particles. The Cr(III) maximum dominantly occurs in the upper portion of the ODZ, implying that microbial activity (dependent on the sinking flux of organic matter) may be the dominant mechanism for this transformation, rather than a simple inorganic chemical conversion between the species depending on the redox potential.
Expanding the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score for Predicting Diabetes Incidence in People Living with HIV.

This study investigated whether the predictive ability of the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) can be improved among people with HIV by adding a marker of insulin resistance. In this longitud...
Environmental, Policy, and Cultural Factors Related to Physical Activity in Urban, African American Women

This study was part of a multi-site project carried out with seven universities throughout the United States to identify cultural, environmental, and policy determinants of physical activity in ethnic minority women aged 20 to 50 years. Following an extensive literature review, nine core research questions were created to examine potential barriers to physical activity as well as enabling factors. Methods and findings presented are from six focus groups of low-income, urban African American women. These focus groups were held at each of two health centers serving communities in Chicago, Illinois, that are predominantly African American and low income and have households usually headed by women. Forty-eight women participated, with 5 to 11 in each group. Most (85%) were unmarried, 40% had less than a high school education, and 33% were neither employed nor attending school. Findings reflected the influence of a culture of poverty and the importance of environmental safety and community support. The findings will be used to inform the development of community-based exercise interventions and policies that are culturally and socially sensitive to the needs of low-income, urban African American women.
Lawyers of All Faiths: Constructing Professional Identity and Finding Common Ground

Can one be a faithful lawyer? This article, based on a qualitative, empirical study, argues that lawyers from all religious and spiritual traditions constitute a singular community with shared values across their different religious perspectives. The article posits that the community of lawyers of all faiths constitutes a model for the American Bar in defining and refining a legal professional identity that encompasses the range of views and values present in our pluralistic bar. The dominant view of a lawyer's professional legal identity is that a lawyer should be concerned solely with her professional or organizational identity and should "bleach out" any other personal or group identities.This article builds upon the previous work of the Religious Lawyering Movement (RLM), which has challenged the view that religion or spirituality has no place in a lawyer's professional life. While past RLM scholarship studied religious lawyers segregated within particular religious traditions, this article, relying on the results of a study of a diverse group of lawyers, assumes a different perspective: that lawyers from different religious backgrounds share a number of commonalities and values that support excellence in their lawyering. The ability of lawyers from diverse religious backgrounds to find common ground in their work provides a positive example for a professional legal identity that is inclusive of diverse perspectives.