cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A ratiometric lectin microarray approach to analysis of the dynamic mammalian glycome

Glycosylation creates an intricate and complex code for biological information that plays a role in cell-cell communication, infection, and immunity among many biological events. Dynamic changes in the glycosylation status of cells have been observed in tumor cell metastasis and cell differentiation but have been difficult to analyze because of a lack of high-throughput and facile technologies. Here, we present a method for the rapid evaluation of differences in the glycosylation of heterogeneous mammalian samples using a ratiometric two-color lectin microarray approach. This work represents a significant improvement in glycomics technology and sets the stage for the systematic evaluation of how glycans encode biological information in complex systems.
RNAi-mediated inhibition of cathepsin B and uPAR leads to decreased cell invasion, angiogenesis and tumor growth in gliomas

RNA interference (RNAi) provides a powerful method for gene silencing in eukaryotic cells, including proliferating mammalian cells. Here, we determined whether RNAi could be utilized to inhibit the expression of proteases implicated in the extracellular matrix degradation, which is characteristic of tumor progression. We have previously shown that antisense stable clones of uPAR and cathepsin B were less invasive and did not form tumors when injected intracranially ex vivo. Since antisense-mediated gene silencing does not completely inhibit the translation of target mRNA and high molar concentrations of antisense molecules are required to achieve gene silencing, we used the RNAi approach to silence uPAR and cathepsin B in this study. We found that the expression of double-stranded RNA leads to the efficient and specific inhibition of endogenous uPAR and cathepsin B protein expression in glioma cell lines as determined by Western blotting. We also found the RNAi of uPAR and cathepsin B reduces glioma cell invasion and angiogenesis in in vitro and in vivo models. Intratumoral injections of plasmid vectors expressing hpRNA for uPAR and cathepsin B resulted in the regression of pre-established intracranial tumors. Further, RNAi for uPAR and cathepsin B inhibited cell proliferation and reduced the levels of pERK and pFAK compared to controls. Taken together, our findings indicate for the first time that RNAi operates in human glioma cells with potential application for cancer gene therapy.
From Talmud folios to Web sites: HOT pages, COOL pages, and the information plenum

Home pages and Web sites remind us that once, before the printed page was HOT in the McLuhan (1965) sense, there were also COOL, nonlinear, interactive pages. Interfaces and Web pages resemble Talmud folios in interesting ways. Moreover, HOT pages and COOL pages represent competing notions of communication: the Hellenistic model, in which the world is an information vacuum to be filled by the communicator, and the Talmudic model, in which the world is an information plenum, absolutely full of knowledge and requiring guides and navigators.
Maximum likelihood estimation of statistical properties of composite gamma-lognormal fading channels

We propose maximum likelihood (ML) methods for estimating the parameters of composite gamma-lognormal fading channels. Newton-Raphson and expectation-maximization (EM) algorithms are developed to compute the ML estimates of the mean and variance of the shadowing component, and the Nakagami-m parameter of the fading component. We also derive Crame/spl acute/r-Rao bounds (CRBs) for the unknown parameters. Numerical simulations demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.
Sensitive Measurement of Se and Te in Cloud Water and Ambient Particulate Matter

ABSTRACT Analytical methods have been developed to measure low levels of trace elements (Te and Se) in cloud droplets and aerosol particulates. For water collected from cloud droplets, pneumatic nebulization coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry yielded sufficient sensitivity to allow measurement of Se and Te after a 20-fold hotplate preconcentration. In cloud water samples collected on July 23, 1995, at Whiteface Mountain, New York, USA, Se and Te concentrations appeared to track one another, suggesting that Te could become a viable tracer element given that Se is already a proven tracer in the study of oxidation of SO2 into . For aerosol filter samples, a microwave digestion scheme was developed to dissolve the sample, resulting in highly diluted Se and Te concentrations, too low to be measured by pneumatic nebulization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry Hydride generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to improve the detection limits of Se and Te by ...
Heidegger, Sociality, and Human Agency

According to Heidegger's Being and Time, social relations are constitutive of the core features of human agency. On this view, which I call a ‘strong conception’ of sociality, the core features of human agency cannot obtain in an individual subject independently of social relations to others. I explain the strong conception of sociality captured by Heidegger's underdeveloped notion of ‘being-with’ by reconstructing Heidegger's critique of the ‘weak conception’ of sociality characteristic of Kant's theory of agency. According to a weak conception, sociality is a mere aggregation of individual subjects and the core features of human agency are built into each individual mind. The weak conception of sociality remains today widely taken for granted. I show that Christine Korsgaard, one of the most creative contemporary appropriators of Kant, operates with a weak conception of sociality and that this produces a problematic explanatory deficiency in her view: she is unable to explain the peculiar motivational efficacy of shared social norms. Heidegger's view is tailor made to explain this phenomenon. I end by sketching how Heidegger provides a social explanation of a major systematic concern animating Korsgaard, the concern with the importance of individual autonomy and answerability in human life.
Inferring the fitness effects of DNA mutations from polymorphism and divergence data: statistical power to detect directional selection under stationarity and free recombination.

The fitness effects of classes of DNA mutations can be inferred from patterns of nucleotide variation. A number of studies have attributed differences in levels of polymorphism and divergence between silent and replacement mutations to the action of natural selection. Here, I investigate the statistical power to detect directional selection through contrasts of DNA variation among functional categories of mutations. A variety of statistical approaches are applied to DNA data simulated under Sawyer and Hartl9s Poisson random field model. Under assumptions of free recombination and stationarity, comparisons that include both the frequency distributions of mutations segregating within populations and the numbers of mutations fixed between populations have substantial power to detect even very weak selection. Frequency distribution and divergence tests are applied to silent and replacement mutations among five alleles of each of eight Drosophila simulans genes. Putatively “preferred” silent mutations segregate at higher frequencies and are more often fixed between species than “unpreferred” silent changes, suggesting fitness differences among synonymous codons. Amino acid changes tend to be either rare polymorphisms or fixed differences, consistent with a combination of deleterious and adaptive protein evolution. In these data, a substantial fraction of both silent and replacement DNA mutations appear to affect fitness.
The Pediatrician’s Role and Responsibility in Educating Parents About Environmental Risks

Pediatricians are fully aware of the major environmental causes of observable childhood morbidity and mortality (Table 1). It is also important for pediatricians to be aware of the variety of parental concerns regarding exposures to environmental chemicals. During their training and practice, one of their tasks is to counsel and educate parents on how to reduce or prevent the more common environmental risks (Table 1), but they have to be knowledgeable about the presence of environmental chemical and physical toxicants and the emerging literature on potential effects of low-level exposures of these agents to answer patients’ questions and provide reassurance or warnings about the valid risks of some of these toxicants. This article focuses on areas of counseling for which the pediatrician can feel assured that we have sufficient information so that attention to these issues and concerns will improve child health. Some of the material in this article can be found in more detail in the excellent Handbook of Pediatric Environmental Health .1 We have also used a format for categorizing children’s environmental risks in various age categories that was used by Napier2 in Chapter 13 of Juberg’s text on environmental chemicals.2 View this table: TABLE 1. Leading Causes of Death for Different Age Groups There has been some very good news concerning population exposures to environmental toxicants published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2003.3 The report indicated that there has been “encouraging signs that levels of lead, pesticides, and other chemicals in the body generally have declined over the past decade or so.”3 The report included 27 substances that included lead, mercury, cadmium, other metals, metabolites of organophosphorous pesticides, cotinine, phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, furans, coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls, noncoplanar polychlorinated biphenyls, phytoestrogens, selected organophosphate pesticides, carbamate pesticides, herbicides, pest repellants, and disinfectants. … Reprint requests to (R.L.B.) Rm 308, R/A, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Box 269, Wilmington, DE 19899. E-mail rbrent{at}nemours.org
DART-MS for rapid, preliminary screening of urine for DMAA

Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) is a sympathomimetic amine found in weight-loss/workout supplements or used as an appetite suppressant. DMAA is a stimulant that is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Adverse health effects as well as fatalities have been implicated with its use. Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) is an ambient ionization method that was employed to rapidly identify the presence of DMAA in various samples without any extraction or preparations whatsoever. DMAA was first identified in supplements, sampled directly in their solid forms. Furthermore, DMAA was detected directly in urine over 48 h as a means of indicating recent abuse of the substance. DART-MS analysis is instantaneous, and coupled with the high mass accuracy associated with the time-of-flight mass analyzer, results in unequivocal identification of the presence of DMAA. These features demonstrate DART-MS as an attractive potential alternative screening method for the presence of drugs and medications or for toxicological investigations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fuels for sodium-cooled fast reactors: US perspective

Abstract The US experience with mixed oxide, metal, and mixed carbide fuels is substantial, comprised of irradiation of over 50 000 MOX rods, over 130 000 metal rods, and 600 mixed carbide rods, in EBR-II and FFTF alone. All three types have been demonstrated capable of fuel utilization at or above 200 GWd/MTHM. To varying degrees, life-limiting phenomena for each type have been identified and investigated, and there are no disqualifying safety-related fuel behaviors. All three fuel types appear capable of meeting requirements of sodium-cooled fast reactor fuels, with reliability of mixed oxide and metal fuel well established. Improvements in irradiation performance of cladding and duct alloys have been a key development in moving these fuel designs toward higher-burnup potential. Selection of one fuel system over another will depend on circumstances particular to the application and on issues other than fuel performance, such as fabrication cost or overall system safety performance.
Solvent effects on the visible spectra of nitrobenzene anion radicals

The correlation of solvent shifts of the optical and E.P.R. spectra of the anion of nitrobenzene in N,N-dimethylformamide with added water is consistent with the picture of hydrogen-bonding or solvation of the NB·-.
Molecular Containers for NO X Gases

Supramolecular approaches to visual detection, storage, conversion and use of NO X gases are described that deploy calixarenes and their derivatives, such as hemicarcerands and synthetic nanotubes. Polymer-supported calixarene materials for NO X are also introduced. Chemical fixation of NO2/N2O4 is demonstrated through the transformation into calixarene–NO+ complexes and their use as nitrosonium storing and releasing reagents for organic synthesis. These findings highlight perspectives of supramolecular chemistry and molecular recognition in sensing and fixation of environmentally important gases.
Experimentally Measured Input Referred Voltage Offsets and Kickback Noise in RHBD Analog Comparator Arrays

Analog comparator arrays fabricated on a bulk CMOS 130-nm are measured to quantify input-referred offsets due to transistor variation and kickback noise. Comparators using RHBD edgeless and conventional two-edge transistors are compared to determine the impact on the circuit behavior. Both random variation and kickback noise are slightly larger than for an equivalent design using two-edge transistors. The input-referred offsets are shown to be completely systematic.
Cyclosporine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in African American and white subjects.

Background Renal allograft survival is lower in African American patients compared with white patients. Interethnic differences in cyclosporine (INN, ciclosporin) pharmacokinetics in renal transplant recipients have been described but have not been well characterized. Pharmacodynamic responses to cyclosporine have not been compared among ethnic groups. Methods Healthy men were studied after 5 days on a controlled diet. Cyclosporine concentrations were determined in whole blood drawn at intervals over 24 hours after administration of a microemulsion cyclosporine formulation (4 mg/kg; 9 African American subjects and 9 white subjects) and after a standard cyclosporine formulation (4 mg/kg; 10 African American subjects and 10 white subjects). Inhibition of phytohemagglutinin-P–stimulated interleukin-2 production in whole blood drawn 4 hours after cyclosporine was used as a pharmacodynamic measure to compare the effect of cyclosporine in African American and white subjects. Results The microemulsion cyclosporine formulation (area under the cyclosporine concentration-time curve, 7432 ± 560 ng · h/mL in African American subjects and 7043 ± 454 ng · h/mL in white subjects) was more bioavailable than the standard formulation (area under the cyclosporine concentration-time curve, 4828 ± 319 ng · h/mL in African American subjects and 4538 ± 301 ng · h/mL in white subjects); this resulted in an approximately 50% greater area under the cyclosporine concentration-time curve (P < .001 in both ethnic groups). There were no differences between African American subjects and white subjects in any pharmacokinetic measurement, with both the standard and the microemulsion cyclosporine formulations. Inhibition of phytohemagglutinin-P–stimulated interleukin-2 production 4 hours after the administration of cyclosporine was similar in African American subjects (70% ± 5% inhibition) and white subjects (64% ± 7% inhibition; P = .5). Conclusions The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cyclosporine were similar in a matched group of African American and white subjects studied under controlled conditions. Environmental factors may contribute more than genetic variability to the lower bioavailability of cyclosporine reported in African American renal transplant recipients. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2001) 69, 317–323; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2001.115073
Dual-wavelength interband cascade lasers in midinfrared spectral region

We report the world-first successful demonstration of widely spaced dual wavelength interband cascade lasers operating simultaneously in continuous wave near 3.5 and 4.5 microns.
Diagnostic Assays Based on Esterase-Mediated Resistance Mechanisms in Western Corn Rootworms (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Resistance to methyl-parathion among Nebraska western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, populations is associated with increased hydrolytic metabolism of an organophosphate insecticide substrate. An electrophoretic method to identify resistant individuals based on the staining intensity of esterase isozymes on nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels was developed. Three groups of esterases (I, II, and III) were visible on the gels, but only group II esterase isozymes were intensified in resistant populations. A total of 26 and 31 field populations of western corn rootworms from Nebraska (in 1998 and 1999, respectively) were assessed with nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) assays and diagnostic concentration bioassays. Significant correlations were observed between the two diagnostic assays. Group II esterase isozymes provide a reliable biochemical marker for detection of methyl-parathion resistance in individual western corn rootworms and a tool for monitoring the frequency of resistant individuals in field populations.
Magnetization transfer effects on T1-weighted three-dimensional gradient-echo MR images of a phantom simulating enhancing brain lesions.

PURPOSE To develop a simple tissue phantom to study the effects of various imaging parameters and gadolinium concentrations on magnetization transfer (MT) and lesion-to-background ratios. METHODS A commercial egg product was doped with gadolinium in concentrations of 0.0 to 1.0 mmol/L and cooked. The T1 and T2 values were determined for the phantom materials and for the white and gray matter of a healthy volunteer subject. The gadolinium-doped egg phantom and human brain were studied using a short-repetition-time three-dimensional gradient-echo MT sequence with various effective MT powers, frequency offsets, and section-select flip angles. The normalized signal intensities, MT ratios (MTRs), and simulated lesion-to-background normal white matter contrast ratios were determined for a variety of experimental conditions. RESULTS The MTR and lesion-to-background contrast ratios for all materials were greatest at the highest effective MT power (270 Hz, root-mean-square of amplitude) and the narrowest MT pulse frequency offset (1000 Hz). There was an inverse relationship between gadolinium concentration and MTR, and a positive relationship between the gadolinium concentration and lesion-to-background contrast. MTR was greatest at low flip angles, where there was little T1 weighting. The simulated lesion-to-background contrast showed a complex, gadolinium concentration-dependent relationship with section excitation flip angle. CONCLUSIONS The tissue phantom has relaxation properties and MT behavior close to that expected for enhancing brain lesions, allowing a rigorous analysis of simulated lesion-to-background contrast for high MT power, short-repetition-time, three-dimensional gradient-echo sequences.
Error Control with PML/DL Treatments for CAA with Jet Flows.

1 Abstract In this paper we show by means of numerical experiments that the error intruduced in a numerical domain because of a Perfectly Matched Layer or Damping Layer boundary treatment can be controlled. These experimental demonstrations are for acoustic propagation with the Linearized Euler Equations with both uniform and steady jet flows. The propagating signal is driven by a time harmonic pressure source. Combinations of Perfectly Matched and Damping Layers are used with dierent damping profiles. These layer and profile combinations allow the relative error introduced by a layer to be kept as small as desired, in principle. Tradeos between error and cost are explored.
Radioimmunoassays and 2-Site Immunoradiometric “Sandwich” Assays: Basic Principles

The“sandwich”or noncompetitive reagent-excess, 2-site immunoradiometric assay (2-site IRMA), ELISA, USERIA, and related techniques, have several advantages compared with the traditional or competetive radioimmunoassays. IRMAs can provide improved sensitivity and specificity. However, IRMAs present some practical problems with nonspecific binding, increased consumption of antibody, biphasic dose response curve, (high dose hook effect), and may require special technieues for dose response curve analysis. We anticipate considerable growth in the popularity and importance of 2-site IRMA.
New Performance Metrics for Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Microbial Source Tracking Methods

The ability to select the best quantitative microbial source tracking method for a particular application is paramount. Binary sensitivity and specificity metrics are not adequate to describe the performance of the quantitative methods because the estimates depend on the amount of material tested and the limit of detection. We introduce a new framework for comparing the performance of quantitative fecal source identification methods.
Latent Condition Qualitative Comparative Analysis: A Mixed Method for Qualitative Analysis

In recent years a great deal of time and effort has been expended toward the development of qualitative methods which retain the advantages of case study and small-n methods, but which ameliorate the various problems (lack of transparency, excessive subjectivity, etc.) Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) is one of the more commonly used examples. QCA allows qualitative researchers to evaluate whether specific factors (conditions) and/or constellations of conditions are necessary, sufficient, or both for a given outcome. While QCA represents an important advance in political science methodology, its primary contributions are confined to how conclusions are drawn from data. Even with a rigorous application of QCA methodology, considerable subjectivity remains in how conditions and outcomes are coded. This is the gap we hope to address with this paper. Taking our inspiration from mixed-methods research design, we develop a new version of QCA, which we call Latent Condition-QCA (LC-QCA). The method relies on the fact that even in studies with a small number of units of analysis, researchers often have a much larger number of units of observation. That is, qualitative coding at higher levels is often based on the aggregation of lower-level units within cases (documents nested with countries, speeches nested within leaders, etc.) In LC-QCA, subjective qualitative coding is conducted at the lowest level of abstraction possible. It is assumed that the probability of observing distinct patterns of these codings is conditional upon the presence or absence of latent conditions. We further assume that conditions at the unit of observation level are predicted by latent conditions at the unit-of-analysis level. We then use hierarchical latent class analysis (HLCA) to assign conditions to units of analysis and observation. These condition assignments are then used to conduct QCA in the normal fashion. The logic used to develop LC-QCA demonstrates a framework for the advancement of social science methods through a true mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods.
Three-dimensional integral imaging displays using a quick-response encoded elemental image array: an overview

Quick-response (QR) codes are barcodes that can store information such as numeric data and hyperlinks. The QR code can be scanned using a QR code reader, such as those built into smartphone devices, revealing the information stored in the code. Moreover, the QR code is robust to noise, rotation, and illumination when scanning due to error correction built in the QR code design. Integral imaging is an imaging technique used to generate a three-dimensional (3D) scene by combining the information from two-dimensional (2D) elemental images (EIs) each with a different perspective of a scene. Transferring these 2D images in a secure manner can be difficult. In this work, we overview two methods to store and encrypt EIs in multiple QR codes. The first method uses run-length encoding with Huffman coding and the double-random-phase encryption (DRPE) to compress and encrypt an EI. This information is then stored in a QR code. An alternative compression scheme is to perform photon-counting on the EI prior to compression. Photon-counting is a non-linear transformation of data that creates redundant information thus improving image compression. The compressed data is encrypted using the DRPE. Once information is stored in the QR codes, it is scanned using a smartphone device. The information scanned is decompressed and decrypted and an EI is recovered. Once all EIs have been recovered, a 3D optical reconstruction is generated.
"Private Sector Involvement" in Financial Crisis Resolution: Definition, Measurement, and Implementation

Public policy on financial crises in emerging markets has implicitly been grounded in economic theory calling for lender-of-last-resort intervention when the country is solvent, and on theory recognizing that reputational damage is the quasi-collateral enabling lending to sovereigns with no physical collateral. The call for Private Sector Involvement - PSI - in the financing of crisis resolution has appropriately arisen from the desire for fairness as well as for successful outcomes. This paper identifies an array of PSI modalities and argues that in each crisis case the most voluntary type consistent with the circumstances should be chosen, to speed return to market access. Proper measurement of PSI is examined (e.g. gross versus net flows, time horizon). Even narrowly-defined PSI is found to have been large: $240 billion for 8 major episodes beginning with Thailand in 1997. Encouragingly, of the total fully half has been voluntary (market-based maturity-stretching swaps in Argentina andTurkey) or quasi-voluntary (bank credit line maintenance in Brazil, short-term debt conversion in Korea). A broader definition of PSI incorporating voluntary reflows after the crisis shows even larger magnitudes. The implication is that PSI has been working and does not need to be overhauled on a mandatory basis. The paper cites the growing empirical literature rejecting the hypothesis of strong "moral hazard" from the large official support programs, which is consistent with the common sense observation that lending to emerging markets has been drying up rather than mushrooming. On the proposed Sovereign Debt Restructuring Mechanism, the discussion notes the inherent difficulty of avoiding a signal that default will be facilitated for international political purposes, with resulting adverse effects on capital flows. The paper reviews the major recent crises (Argentina, Brazil, Turkey). It rejects an influential critique that the Argentine mega-swap and final IMF program in 2001 were serious mistakes, and agrees with those who judge that Brazil can sustain its debt if President-elect Lula adheres to his pledge of fiscal prudence. The analysis also examines the notion that sovereigns "wait too long" to default, and finds that the conditions for this argument to hold are stringent: the escalation of default damage from delay must be severe to offset even a moderate probability that default damage can eventually be avoided altogether. Correspondingly, the IMF should lean toward "Type I" errors of lending even when solvency is uncertain, rather than the reverse "Type II" errors, especially in light of its preferred-creditor status. At the same time, the solvency diagnosis should be informed by the growing experience showing political coherence is the most important condition for solvency, as political fragility or collapse precipitated the most serious instances of default (Russia, Indonesia, Argentina).
Self-similar slip instability on interfaces with rate- and state-dependent friction

We examine the development of a frictional instability, with diverging sliding rate, at the interface of elastic bodies in contact. Evolution of friction is determined by a slip rate and state depe...
The relationship between age of air and the diabatic circulation of the stratosphere

AbstractThe strength of the Brewer–Dobson circulation is difficult to estimate using observations. Trends in the age of stratospheric air, deduced from observations of transient tracers, have been used to identify trends in the circulation, but there are ambiguities in the relationship between age and the strength of the circulation. This paper presents a steady-state theory and a time-dependent extension to relate age of air directly to the diabatic circulation of the stratosphere. In steady state, it is the difference between the age of upwelling and downwelling air through an isentrope and not the absolute value of age that is a measure of the strength of the diabatic circulation through that isentrope. For the time-varying case, expressions for other terms that contribute to the age budget are derived. An idealized atmospheric general circulation model with and without a seasonal cycle is used to test the time-dependent theory and to find that these additional terms are small upon annual averaging. Th...
Tensile and fatigue qualification testing of ITER-CS conduit alloy JK2LB

The ITER Central Solenoid (CS) coils utilize cable-in-conduit conductor (CICC) and the conduit alloy is JK2LB. The production grade conduit alloy (and it's welds) must meet strict requirements for strength, toughness, fatigue crack resistance, and fabricability. The conduit alloy must retain good mechanical properties after additional fabrication steps such as welding, coil winding strain and exposure to the Nb3Sn superconductor's reaction heat treatment. Here we present data from cryogenic tensile, fracture toughness, fatigue crack growth rate, and axial fatigue tests of JK2LB alloy and conduit butt welds, before and after the exposure to the reaction heat treatment. The tests of specimens removed directly from the conduit provide confirmation of the materials properties and the effect of the cold work and aging. The 4 K fatigue performance is extremely important to the reliability of the CS and is covered both by axial cyclic fatigue tests and the fatigue crack growth rate measurements.
Combination Methyltransferase and Histone Deacetylase Inhibition in Elderly Patients with Secondary Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.

Background: Secondary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) carries a poor prognosis when compared to de novo AML. Therapeutic options are typically limited as patients are often elderly with comorbidities that preclude intensive chemotherapy. Moreover, resistance to therapy is common. Studies have shown that methyltransferase inhibitors (MTI) have activity in myeloid malignancy. It is not known if addition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors improves or prolongs the activity of MTI. We present our experience of 3 elderly patients with secondary AML treated with MTI (azacitidine or decitabine) in combination with an HDAC inhibitor (vorinostat). Methods: Patients include 2 males and 1 female, ages 78 yrs, 82 yrs and 71 yrs. All were initially diagnosed with high-grade myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which transformed to CD34+ secondary AML at 33, 14 and 4 months from diagnosis of MDS, respectively. One patient had trisomy 8. Patients received 8, 3 and 4 cycles of MTI before leukemic transformation, respectively. At transformation, one patient failed standard induction therapy and 1 patient failed arsenic trioxide. Both of these patients were then placed back on MTI as maintenance therapy. Vorinostat was added at a dosage of 400 mg daily at MTI cycles 8, 3 and 1 post transformation, respectively. The number of cycles of combination therapy was 6, 9 and 4. Gastrointestinal intolerance was an issue in 2 of these patients: nausea (n=2), diarrhea (n=2), vomiting (n=1) and loss of appetite (n=1). Dose reduction to 100mg in one patient and 300 mg in another resulted in some symptomatic relief. The addition of 5-HT3 antagonists or low dose prednisone allowed dose escalation. One patient had 50% reduction in marrow blasts, 1 had near clearance of the peripheral blasts and 1 had a transient minor platelet response. All 3 patients are alive at 14, 10 and 9 months post transformation (6, 8 and 7 months after addition of vorinostat) with no disease progression, respectively. Conclusion: The combination of MTI and HDAC could be an option in elderly patients with secondary AML without increasing morbidity and mortality. Treatment appears well tolerated when premedication with 5-HT3 antagonists is employed. As the treatment options are limited in high-risk elderly patients with secondary AML, larger studies are needed to investigate the utility of this combination.
Abstract C62: Receipt of cervical cancer screening among women with access to care and other chronic diseases

Background and Objectives: Cervical cancer screening can save lives when abnormal cervical lesions and early cancers are detected and treated, but many women are not screened as recommended. Limited or no access to health care is a known barrier to screening; however, in 2012, among women with no cervical cancer screening in the previous 5 years, nearly 70% had health insurance and a regular doctor or health care provider. This study examined the factors related to why women aged 40-65 with access to health care are not being screened for cervical cancer as recommended. Methods: The 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey was used to examine non-financial barriers to cervical cancer screening among women who reported insurance and a personal doctor or health care provider. Female respondents were asked if they had ever had a Pap test and if so, when this test was last performed. This study selected women who were aged 40-65 years, reported having medical insurance, at least one personal doctor or health care provider, no hysterectomy, or were not pregnant at the time of the survey. BRFSS data were weighted using advanced raking techniques. Chi-square testing was done to compare the characteristics of the respondents across screening history as screened versus never or rarely screened (more than 5 years). Results: Of the women analyzed for this study, 9.1% were never or rarely screened for cervical cancer and had access to health care with insurance and with a regular health care provider. When compared to women receiving timely screening, women who were never or rarely screened for cervical cancer had a higher prevalence of ever reporting a chronic disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (6% vs 13.7%), arthritis (31.4% vs 38.1), depression (22% vs 31.4%), or diabetes (9.6% vs 15.4%) (all p Conclusion: When we examined factors related to cervical cancer screening among women who reported having health insurance and access to a regular doctor or healthcare provider, a larger proportion of women with multiple chronic diseases reported not receiving the recommended screening for cervical cancer. The results of this study underscore the importance of examining the relationship between having multiple chronic diseases and specific barriers to cervical cancer screening. Additional research is recommended to determine if physicians and other health care providers can effectively balance managing patients9 chronic diseases and ensuring that patients receive recommended preventive services. Citation Format: Anatasha C. Crawford, Vicki Benard, Jessica King, Cheryll Thomas. Receipt of cervical cancer screening among women with access to care and other chronic diseases. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr C62.
Unmanned aircraft system-derived crop height and normalized difference vegetation index metrics for sorghum yield and aphid stress assessment

A small, fixed-wing unmanned aircraft system (UAS) was used to survey a replicated small plot field experiment designed to estimate sorghum damage caused by an invasive aphid. Plant stress varied among 40 plots through manipulation of aphid densities. Equipped with a consumer-grade near-infrared camera, the UAS was flown on a recurring basis over the growing season. The raw imagery was processed using structure-from-motion to generate normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) maps of the fields and three-dimensional point clouds. NDVI and plant height metrics were averaged on a per plot basis and evaluated for their ability to identify aphid-induced plant stress. Experimental soil signal filtering was performed on both metrics, and a method filtering low near-infrared values before NDVI calculation was found to be the most effective. UAS NDVI was compared with NDVI from sensors onboard a manned aircraft and a tractor. The correlation results showed dependence on the growth stage. Plot averages of NDVI and canopy height values were compared with per-plot yield at 14% moisture and aphid density. The UAS measures of plant height and NDVI were correlated to plot averages of yield and insect density. Negative correlations between aphid density and NDVI were seen near the end of the season in the most damaged crops.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT AFTER HOSPITAL DISCHARGE: THE DUKE ELDER FAMILY CAREGIVER TRAINING (DEFT) PROGRAM

The decline in functional reserves and comorbidities complicate the recovery of older adults following a hospital discharge. Consequently, the assistance of family and friends (caregivers) while convalescing at home is particularly needed. The Duke Elder Family Caregiver Training (DEFT) Center offers a model for an academic-medical-community partnership for integrated caregiver support after hospital discharge. Under the leadership of the Duke School of Nursing, caregivers referred by Duke Hospital providers receive education and training in home care from Duke learners in Nursing, Medicine, Physical Therapy programs. Video technology is used for real-time observation of skills and communication at home. The DEFT collaborates with community-based agencies for resources and activation of lay volunteers for instrumental support. The DEFT aims to increase caregiver preparation for home care reduce preventable health care utilization among patients, and increase competence among learners in interprofessional care and care transitions. Preliminary data will be discussed in the presentation.
Humanizing Mathematics and Science Education: Promoting Discursive Meaning-Making, Scientific Knowledge-Building, and Technological Literacies

Within Theme 1 (Meaning and Communication) Strand 4: Communication outside the humanities, this paper makes a connection between The Humanities and Mathematics/Science Education, sharing how the use of the mathematical register leads to rich discursive practices allowing for dialogic interactions to inform the problem-solving process. It also shares how learning to make keen observations in the sciences backed by data-gathering and information-processing creates a strong platform for developing conjectural thinking, much needed in both disciplines. The problem-solving/problem-posing stance of both the mathematician and scientist, assisted by supportive technologies humanizes these sciences in an integrated fashion. Various new literacies are developed, such as numerical and scientific literacy, along with technological and consumer literacies.
The influence of temperature on the dielectric strength of gaseous cryogens

The influence of temperature on the dielectric strength of gaseous cryogens has been studied over a wide range of temperature and pressure. Electric breakdown measurements were designed to evaluate if there is any temperature effect after adjusting the pressure to equate the mass density of the gas medium. Breakdown measurements were conducted at 77 K and 293 K with the appropriately selected gas pressure to maintain the equivalent particle number density of helium. A chamber compatible for breakdown experiments at cryogenic temperature was used for the measurements at 77 K. A second chamber was specially designed for breakdown measurements at high-pressure at 293 K. The measurements at both temperatures were conducted over a range of pressures. It was observed that the dielectric strength of the gaseous medium scales with the mass density but no temperature effect was observed. It was also observed that a liner relation exists between the dielectric strength and mass density. These results provide an effective practical method to study the dielectric behavior of gases at a temperature of convenience and use the data to estimate the dielectric properties at a different set of operating temperature and pressure in any application.
Distributed Processing Network Survivability

A new methodology is given for describing the effectiveness of communicating networks of processing subsystems which are subject to communication and processing failures or losses. The network attributes are described as a graph of nodes and edges. A class of performance measures called the “survival index” is defined axiomatically on a connectivity state for the network graph and its reductions. This definition is based on the idea of a team of members cooperating or sharing resources by use of communication links, and on the existence of synergism or a “team effect,” where a group of connected members are more effective than isolated members. The present work is restricted to homogeneous teams — where members have equal capability.
Charges and Fields

Ever since J.C. Maxwell formulated his unifying electromagnetic theory in 1873, the phenomenon of electromagnetic radiation has fascinated the minds of theorists as well as experimentalists. The idea of displacement currents was as radical as it was important to describe electromagnetic waves. It was only fourteen years later when G. Hertz in 1887 succeeded to generate, emit and receive again electromagnetic waves, thus, proving experimentally the existence of such waves as predicted by Maxwell’s equations. The sources of the radiation are oscillating electric charges and currents in a system of metallic wires. In this text, we discuss the generation of electromagnetic radiation emitted by free electrons from first principles involving energy and momentum conservation as well as Maxwell’s equations.
Tips for submitting and reviewing CCSC papers

Over the last 11 years, the CCSC Mid-South Conference has been fortunate to receive, accept, and publish many excellent papers. In this panel discussion, past and present paper authors and paper chairs will give their viewpoints as to what precisely makes a paper a successful candidate for inclusion in the conference. Particular attention will be paid to discussing the reviewing criteria that the conference program committees have been employing.
The Distribution of Family Firm Performance Heterogeneity: Understanding Power Law Distributions

We examine an underlying assumption that is implicitly suggested in family business scholarship that the heterogeneity among family firm financial performance follows a normal distribution. Instead, performance heterogeneity may be represented more accurately by alternative distributions. In the present work, we substantiate this premise through the examination of three samples, and we argue that an examination of heterogeneity through this lens presents important research opportunities. This may help researchers better understand why recent meta-analyses, aggregating the relationship between family involvement and firm financial performance, indicate that the family’s involvement, at best, marginally influences financial performance. Methodologically, this perspective introduces a set of techniques that can offer novel insights into our understanding of important family firm questions.
Assessing the Metal-Metal Interactions in a Series of Heterobimetallic Nb/M Complexes (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) and Their Effect on Multielectron Redox Properties.

A one-pot synthetic procedure for a series of bimetallic Nb/M complexes, Cl–Nb(iPrNPPh2)3M–X (M = Fe (2), Ni (4), Cu (5)), is described. A similar procedure aimed at synthesizing a Nb/Co analogue instead affords iPrN═Nb(iPrNPPh2)2(μ-PPh2)Co–I (3) through cleavage of one phosphinoamide P–N bond under reducing conditions. Complexes 4 and 5 are found to have short Nb-M distances, corresponding to unusual metal–metal bonds between Nb and these first row transition metals. For comparison, a series of heterobimetallic O≡Nb(iPrNPPh2)3M–X complexes (M = Fe (7), Co (8), Ni (9), Cu (10)) was synthesized. In these complexes, the NbV center is engaged in sufficient π-bonding to the terminal oxo ligand to remove the driving force for direct metal–metal interactions. A comparison of the cyclic voltammograms of 2 and 4–10 reveals that the presence of a second metal shifts the redox potentials of both Nb and the late metal center anodically, even when direct metal–metal interactions are not present.
Bleeding Cirrhotic Patients: Endoscopic Therapy

Gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage is a serious medical condition commonly encountered in patients with cirrhosis. The etiology of bleeding is often grouped into causes proximal to the ligament of Treitz (upper GI bleed) or beyond it (lower GI bleed). Patients with cirrhosis are significantly more likely to present with upper GI bleed, which carries a higher risk of mortality. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage in cirrhosis is often driven by portal hypertension, though it may arise from other causes. The goal of therapy is to prevent and correct shock by providing resuscitative and supportive measures alongside medical, interventional radiologic, and endoscopic therapies to prevent further bleeding and complications of bleeding. Medical team members must be able to recognize and treat a variety of presentations of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the cirrhotic patient. This chapter will provide an overview of general principles of evaluation and treatment, with a focus on the endoscopic management of upper GI bleeding, particularly bleeding due to portal hypertension.
A phylogenetic approach disentangles interlocus gene conversion tract length and initiation rate

Interlocus gene conversion (IGC) homogenizes paralogs. Little is known regarding the mutation events that cause IGC and even less is known about the IGC mutations that experience fixation. To disentangle the rates of fixed IGC mutations from the tract lengths of these fixed mutations, we employ a composite likelihood procedure. We characterize the procedure with simulations. We apply the procedure to duplicated primate introns and to protein-coding paralogs from both yeast and primates. Our estimates from protein-coding data concerning the mean length of fixed IGC tracts were unexpectedly low and are associated with high degrees of uncertainty. In contrast, our estimates from the primate intron data had lengths in the general range expected from IGC mutation studies. While it is challenging to separate the rate at which fixed IGC mutations initiate from the average number of nucleotide positions that these IGC events affect, all of our analyses indicate that IGC is responsible for a substantial proportion of evolutionary change in duplicated regions. Our results suggest that IGC should be considered whenever the evolution of multigene families is examined.