cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Model validation using equivalence tests

Model validation that is based on statistical inference seeks to construct a statistical comparison of model predictions against measurements of the target process. Previously, such validation has commonly used the hypothesis of no difference as the null hypothesis, that is, the null hypothesis is that the model is acceptable. This is unsatisfactory, because using this approach tests are more likely to validate a model if they have low power. Here we suggest the usage of tests of equivalence, which use the hypothesis of dissimilarity as the null hypothesis, that is, the null hypothesis is that the model is unacceptable. Thus, they flip the burden of proof back onto the model. We demonstrate the application of equivalence testing to model validation using an empirical forest growth model and an extensive database of field measurements. Finally we provide some simple power analyses to guide future model validation exercises.
Identification of the cleavage sites of sapovirus open reading frame 1 polyprotein.

Sapovirus (SaV), a member of the family Caliciviridae, is a causative agent of acute gastroenteritis in humans and swine and is currently divided into five genogroups, GI–GV. The proteolytic processing of the SaV open reading frame 1 (ORF1) polyprotein with a human GII SaV Mc10 strain has recently been determined and the products are arranged in the following order: NH2–p11–p28–p35 (NTPase)–p32–p14 (VPg)–p70 (Pro–Pol)–p60 (VP1)–COOH. The cleavage site between p14 (VPg) and p70 (Pro–Pol) was identified as E1055/A1056 by N-terminal amino acid sequencing. To identify other cleavage sites, a series of GII SaV Mc10 full-length clones containing disrupted potential cleavage sites in the ORF1 polyprotein were constructed and used to generate linear DNA templates for in vitro coupled transcription–translation. The translation products were analysed by SDS-PAGE or by immunoprecipitation with region-specific antibodies. N-terminal amino acid sequencing with Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant proteins was also used to identify the cleavage site between p32 and p14. These approaches enabled identification of the six cleavage sites of the Mc10 ORF1 polyprotein as E69/G70, Q325/G326, Q666/G667, E940/A941, E1055/A1056 and E1722/G1723. The alignment of the SaV full-length ORF1 amino acid sequences indicated that the dipeptides used for the cleavage sites were either E or Q at the P1 position and A, G or S at the P1′ position, which were conserved in the GI, GII, GIII, GIV and GV SaV ORF1 polyprotein.
Model-reference based wave-variable force control

Internal friction, backlash and structural compliance within a robot makes force control a tricky non-colocated control problem. Traditional force controllers are typically tuned for a specific environment and invariably have instability problems when contacting stiffer environments. This paper presents a new force controller designed to use control effort to compensate for energy losses due to friction without modifying the robots underlying passive dynamics. The controller uses a lossless model of the robot's inertia to predict the robot's motion in real time based on the wave-variables flowing between robot and environment. The model motion is used as a desired input for a wave-variable based controller. To calculate the wave variables the controller uses measurements of both the contact force and the acceleration at the end-effector. The resulting controller is compared analytically and experimentally to more traditional controllers.
From the Thomas-Windle model to a phenomenological description of Case-II diffusion in polymers

Abstract The classic theory of Thomas and Windle has provided a powerful description of the processes involved in Case-II diffusion, in which a sharply defined front of solvent-swollen gel advances into a glassy polymer. We show how some aspects of the Thomas–Windle model can be introduced into a recent formulation by Rossi and coworkers to provide a phenomenological description of the slowing of the advancing front.
Central Neurogenic Diabetes Insipidus, Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone, and Cerebral Salt-Wasting Syndrome in Traumatic Brain Injury

Central neurogenic diabetes insipidus, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, and cerebral salt-wasting syndrome are secondary events that affect patients with traumatic brain injury. All 3 syndromes affect both sodium and water balance; however, they have differences in pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Differentiating between hypernatremia (central neurogenic diabetes insipidus) and the 2 hyponatremia syndromes (syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, and cerebral salt-wasting syndrome) is critical for preventing worsening neurological outcomes in patients with head injuries.
A Dialogue on Ill-Defined Control

To give an introduction to the concepts addressed in the present volume, the Editors have contrived a dialogue between two scholars, imaginatively named A and B, which reflects the current state of our inter-discipline. It captures many of the views expressed in general discussions throughout the meeting.
Does political conflict hurt trade? Evidence from consumer boycotts

I estimate the impact of international conflict on bilateral trade relations using several incidents of politically motivated boycotts: The boycott of Danish goods by Muslim countries following the Muhammad Comic Crisis in 2005/2006, the Chinese boycott of Japanese goods in response to the Senkaku/Diaoyu Island conflict in 2012, the boycott of French products in the US over the Iraq War in 2003, and Turkey's boycott of Israel over the Gaza conflict in 2014. The results from difference-in-differences regressions and the synthetic control group method show that boycotts can have strong negative effects on bilateral trade in both goods and services. I estimate an average one-year trade disruption of 18.8% in the case of Denmark, 2.7% for Japan, and 1.7% for French imports, where in the latter two cases this effect is only short term. For all boycott instances, this is only a minor share of overall exports of the boycotted country over the same period. For the Iraq and Gaza conflicts, there is a reciprocal negative effect on the boycotted countries' imports from the boycotter. Product-level results are in line with intuition: Boycotts are most effective for consumer goods, especially highly-branded signature export goods such as Japanese cars, while having at most a temporary effect on intermediates and capital goods. An event study on Japanese stock market returns suggests that the Chinese boycott depressed stock values of explicitly boycotted Japanese firms only temporarily.
Impact of Globalization on Vegetable Crops Production Per Capita in Serbia (2000-2012) (Uticaj Globalizacije Na Proizvodnju Povrtarskih Kultura Po Stanovniku U Srbiji (2000-2012))

English Abstract: Subject of this paper is to introduce the concept of globalization in general, and the possibility of making different strategies of development of this sector in Serbia. It also states the importance of the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which can be said with certainty that it is initiator of the globalization of all sectors of the economy. The aim of the study was to determine the strength of the globalization on agriculture in Serbia. Finally, given is the production of selected vegetables (potatoes, beans, peppers and tomatoes) in Serbia in the period 2000-2012 total and by population. Research methods are based on a literature search of specify themes, consultation with experts in agriculture and application of mathematical and statistical methods (rate of change).Serbian Abstract: Predmet rada je uvođenje u pojam globalizacije uopste, kao i mogucnosti izrade razlicitih strategija razvoja pomenutog sektora u Srbiji. Navodi se i znacaj osnivanja Svetske trgovinske organizacije (STO) za koju se može sa sigurnoscu reci da je inicijator globalizacije svih sektora privrede. Cilj rada je da se utvrdi jacina globalizacije na poljoprivredu Srbije. Naposletku, data je proizvodnja izabranih povrtarskih kultura (krompir, pasulj, paprika i paradajz) u Srbiji u periodu 2000-2012 ukupno i po broju stanovnika. Metode istraživanja su zasnovane na pretraživanju literature iz zadate oblasti, konsultaciji sa strucnjacima u poljoprivredi, kao i primeni matematicko statisticke metode (stopa promene).
Information Conduit or Agency Cost: Top Management and Director Interlock between Acquirers and Targets

This paper investigates the role of top management and board interlocks between acquirers and targets. I hypothesize that an interlock exacerbates agency problems and leads to value-decreasing acquisition. Interlocks may also serve as a conduit of information and personal experience, and reduce the cost of information gathering for both firms. I find supporting evidence for these two non-mutually exclusive hypotheses. Consistent with the agency hypothesis, interlocked acquirers on average underperform non-interlocked acquirers by 2% during announcement period. However, strongly governed acquirers receive higher announcement returns and have better post-acquisition performance in interlocked deals. In addition, the proportional synergy accrued to an acquirer is positively correlated with the interlocking agent’s ownership in the acquirer relative to her ownership in the target. Consistent with the information hypothesis, when the value of the target is opaque, interlocks improve acquirers’ announcement returns and long-term performance. Interlocked acquirers are also more likely to use equity as payment, especially when the acquirer’s stock value is opaque. Target CARs are not influenced by the existence of interlock. Finally, I find acquisitions are more likely to occur between two interlocked firms and such deals have a higher completion rate.
THE RANGE OF ACTIVE ABDUCTION AND LATERAL ROTATION AT THE HIP JOINT OF MEN

1. The greatest range of rotation of the right leg was forty-two and nine-tenths degrees; for the left, thirty-eight and seven-tenths degrees. The average range of rotation for the right was fifty and eight-tenths degrees; for the left, fifty-one and three-tenths degrees. 2. For right abduction the range was thirty-five and six-tenths degrees; for left, twenty-eight and five-tenths degrees. The average was thirty-six and three-tenths degrees and thirty-five and three-tenths degrees respectively. 3. No relation between the range of motion, either in abduction or rotation, and weight and height was established. The group measured was of relatively uniform weight and age.
Observations on the Intake of Water and Electrolytes by the Duck (Anas Platyrhynchos) Maintained on Fresh Water and on Hypertonic Saline

1. Intake of food, water and electrolyte by ducks maintained on fresh water and on hypertonic saline were measured over periods up to several months. 2. Transfer to saline approximately equivalent to 60% sea water was followed during the first 24 hr. by a sharp rise and fall in the plasma concentrations of sodium and chloride, which thereafter remained similar to the concentrations found in the freshwater-maintained birds. 3. Transfer to saline equivalent to 100% sea water resulted in a rise in these concentrations during the first 10 hr., which continued for a period up to 14 days, after which the birds either died or became unhealthy. 4. Upon transfer to saline drinking water (284 mM/l. Na + , 6.0 mM/l. K + ) there was a gradual loss of body weight accompanied by a reduction in the food and water intake. Body weights tended to become stable after about 3 weeks, but some individuals continued to lose weight while others regained what they had lost. 5. When the concentration of sodium chloride in the drinking water exceeded 143 mM/l. the amount of sodium chloride ingested remained constant. Thus there was progressive decline in the volume of water drunk as the concentration increased. It would appear therefore that the saline-adapted duck possessed some mechanism whereby the daily intake of sodium chloride was regulated. 6. The cloacal output from saline-adapted ducks over a 24 hr. period showed that only 10% of the ingested sodium was excreted via this pathway as compared with over 70% of the ingested potassium. Most of the sodium appeared to be excreted via the nasal glands. 7. The possible interactions between the renal and extra-renal excretory pathways in the maintenance of homeostasis during adaptation to diets including hypertonic saline or seawater are discussed.
Landscape framework to predict phenological events for gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) management programs

Ability to predict the timing of phenological events (herein termed target events) is an important component of gypsy moth, Lymalltria dispar (L.) management programs and integrated pest management programs in general. Several simulation models have been developed that, in part, demonstrate their validity for predicting events at individual locations. The framework described in this article extends the use of these models to be able to make predictions (i.e., create maps) for heterogeneous landscapes. An algorithm is presented that can predict the time that a target event will occur anywhere in a landscape using temperature, a digital elevation model, linked egg hatch and larval development models, and a linear function that relates elevation to the Julian date when a given target event will occur. The algorithm was validated with four data sets collected from Virginia, West Virginia/Pennsylvania, and Utah. Model predictions were satisfactory for the Virginia data sets and differed significantly from those for West Virginia/Pennsylvania and Utah data sets. Potential sources of error are discussed. Target event maps are presented that demonstrate how this landscape framework can be used in gypsy moth management programs.
Oxidation behavior of single-crystal Al2O3-fiber-reinforced Ni3Al-based composites

A series of single-crystal Al2O3-fiber-reinforced Ni3Al-based intermetallic matrix composites were fabricated by pressure casting. The matrices employed were binary Ni3Al, Ni3Al-0.5 at. pct Cr, and Ni3Al-0.34 at. pct Zr. The development of microstructure upon oxidation in air at either 1100 °C or 1200 °C was investigated by optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. In air-oxidized binary Ni3Al, some of the fibers were fully or partially covered with a layer of oxide. A weak fiber/matrix bond in this system, which led to fiber debonding during composite processing, is believed to be responsible for the ingress of O into the composite and oxidation of the matrix in the debonded regions at the fiber/matrix interface. Addition of Cr to Ni3Al resulted in an almost threefold increase in fiber/matrix bond strength. No oxidation of the interface was observed. A thick layer of oxide was formed around all the fibers when the composite was thermally cycled prior to isothermal annealing. Addition of Zr to Ni3Al resulted in the formation of a layer of ZrO2 on the surface of the fibers during composite processing. The ZrO2 layer provided a fast path for the diffusion of O, which led to the formation of a rootlike oxide structure around the fibers. The rootlike structure consisted of a network of Al2O3-covered ZrO2.
Illustrations of Fungi—XXIV

The species figured on the accompanying plate all belong to the genus Lactaria, which has been monographed, so far as the North American species are concerned, by Dr. Gertrude S. Burlingham. The drawings were made by Miss Eaton from specimens collected in or near New York City. For descriptions of the five species of Lactaria previously figured in this series, see Mycologia 3: pl. 49, 6: pl. I32, and 7: pl. I60, i63. The writer is indebted to Dr. Burlingham for generous assistance with this article.
Usefulness of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis in the epidemiological analysis of staphylococcus aureus isolates with decreased susceptibility to teicoplanin

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis for analysis of comparatively mega-base sized chromosomal restriction fragments is an important molecular technique in the epidemiological study of a variety of nosocomial pathogens. The usefulness of this approach is demonstrated in the evaluation of Staphylococcus aureus isolates exhibiting decreased susceptibility to teicoplanin in two clinical settings: multiple cultures from a single patient and isolates from different patients within the same hospital
Constructive Narrative in Arresting the Impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Research and clinical practice in social work have historically recognized a strengths perspective. More recently, the role of a constructivist perspective has been discussed in social work education and practice. Narrative construction for the stress disordered client reflects both perspectives. Social workers can listen for and, with clients, identify strengths, survivorship, and resilience as the stories of trauma and victimization are told. Attending to the language of strength and survivorship can actually yield realistic treatment goals. A model of collaborative conceptualization of the problem and target goals is presented with the intended focus of this paper being to encourage the telling and adaptive retelling of the story of trauma. The author shares examples of language and communication given by clients in the adaptive description of traumatic experiences which form the foundation of ongoing healing.
Extended-Spectrum β-lactam Resistance in the Enteric Flora of Patients at a Tertiary Care Medical Centre.

Summary The dissemination of Enterobacteriaceae expressing resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, which are therapeutically used in both human and veterinary medicine, is of critical concern. The normal commensal flora of food animals may serve as an important reservoir for the zoonotic food-borne transmission of Enterobacteriaceae harbouring β-lactam resistance. We hypothesized that the predominant AmpC and ESBL genes reported in US livestock and fresh retail meat products, blaCMY-2 and blaCTX-M, would also be predominant in human enteric flora. We recovered enteric flora from a convenience sample of patients included in a large tertiary medical centre's Clostridium difficile surveillance programme to screen for and estimate the frequency of carriage of AmpC and ESBL resistance genes. In- and outpatient diarrhoeic submissions (n = 692) received for C. difficile testing at the medical centre's clinical diagnostic laboratory from July to December, 2013, were included. Aliquoted to a transport swab, each submission was inoculated to MacConkey broth with cefotaxime, incubated at 37°C and then inoculated to MacConkey agars supplemented with cefoxitin and cefepime to select for the AmpC and ESBL phenotypes, with blaCMY and blaCTX-M genotypes confirmed by PCR and sequencing. From the 692 diarrhoeic submissions, our selective culture yielded 184 isolates (26.6%) with reduced susceptibility to cefotaxime. Of these, 46 (6.7%) samples harboured commensal isolates carrying the AmpC blaCMY. Another 21 (3.0%) samples produced isolates harbouring the ESBL blaCTX-M: 19 carrying CTX-M-15 and 2 with CTX-M-27. Our results indicate that β-lactam resistance genes likely acquired through zoonotic food-borne transmission are present in the enteric flora of this hospital-associated population at lower levels than reported in livestock and fresh food products.
Bringing the Digital World to Students: Partnering with the University Communications Office to Provide Social Media Experiential Learning Projects.

Courses: Semester-long activities involved a Social Media course and PR Writing course; recommendations offered for other communication courses.Objectives: To provide students in advertising, public relations and related majors the opportunity to participate in a social media experiential learning project via partnership with the university communications office.
Chemical composition and source apportionment of size fractionated particulate matter in Cleveland, Ohio, USA☆

Abstract The Cleveland airshed comprises a complex mixture of industrial source emissions that contribute to periods of non-attainment for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and are associated with increased adverse health outcomes in the exposed population. Specific PM sources responsible for health effects however are not fully understood. Size-fractionated PM (coarse, fine, and ultrafine) samples were collected using a ChemVol sampler at an urban site (G.T. Craig (GTC)) and rural site (Chippewa Lake (CLM)) from July 2009 to June 2010, and then chemically analyzed. The resulting speciated PM data were apportioned by EPA positive matrix factorization to identify emission sources for each size fraction and location. For comparisons with the ChemVol results, PM samples were also collected with sequential dichotomous and passive samplers, and evaluated for source contributions to each sampling site. The ChemVol results showed that annual average concentrations of PM, elemental carbon, and inorganic elements in the coarse fraction at GTC were ∼2, ∼7, and ∼3 times higher than those at CLM, respectively, while the smaller size fractions at both sites showed similar annual average concentrations. Seasonal variations of secondary aerosols (e.g., high NO3− level in winter and high SO42− level in summer) were observed at both sites. Source apportionment results demonstrated that the PM samples at GTC and CLM were enriched with local industrial sources (e.g., steel plant and coal-fired power plant) but their contributions were influenced by meteorological conditions and the emission source's operation conditions. Taken together the year-long PM collection and data analysis provides valuable insights into the characteristics and sources of PM impacting the Cleveland airshed in both the urban center and the rural upwind background locations. These data will be used to classify the PM samples for toxicology studies to determine which PM sources, species, and size fractions are of greatest health concern.
The in vivo genetic toolkit for studying expression and functions of Drosophila melanogaster microRNAs

Since the initial reports that a group of small RNAs, now known as microRNAs (miRNAs), regulates gene expression without being translated into proteins, there has been an explosion of studies on these important expression modulators. Drosophila melanogaster has proven to be one of the most amenable animal models for investigations of miRNA biogenesis and gene regulatory activities. Here, we highlight the publicly available genetic tools and strategies for in vivo functional studies of miRNA activity in D. melanogaster. By coupling genetic approaches using available strain libraries with technologies for miRNA expression analysis and target and pathway prediction, researchers' ability to test functional activities of miRNAs in vivo is now greatly enhanced. We also comment on the tools that need to be developed to aid in comprehensive evaluation of Drosophila miRNA activities that impact traits of interest.
Practical Quality Improvement for the Allergist/Immunologist

Quality improvement (QI) has long been part of organized medicine, but has become increasingly more important in the last few years. Clinical expertise and input into QI activities are critical to keep QI grounded in evidence and practice. Busy clinicians face many competing demands; practical strategies are needed to help busy clinicians successfully engage in QI. This article provides a brief history of QI in medicine, notes several commonly used frameworks for QI in health care, and presents a practical QI model that can be applied to the clinical practice of allergy and immunology.
EphA2 Expression Regulates Inflammation and Fibroproliferative Remodeling in Atherosclerosis.

Background:Atherosclerotic plaque formation results from chronic inflammation and fibroproliferative remodeling in the vascular wall. We previously demonstrated that both human and mouse atheroscle...
A potential field inspired approach to attitude motion planning with unit-quaternions

This paper presents a method of planning attitude motion with unit-quaternions in the presence of a single goal attitude, multiple obstacle attitudes, and forbidden axes of rotation. The method makes use of a potential field inspired approach that is utilized to generate a set of velocity directions that move the unit-quaternion towards a goal attitude and away from forbidden attitudes. A weighted sum of these directions is utilized to formulate an angular velocity vector where the weights are derived from a measure of the angular distance of the current attitude to both the goal and forbidden attitudes. The unit-quaternion state-transition matrix is utilized to propagate the unit-quaternion given this angular velocity vector thus insuring that the quaternion maintains unit magnitude. The method is demonstrated with an iterative example in which obstacles are strategically placed on previously generated attitude motion paths thereby highlighting the described technique's ability to generated paths that avoid forbidden attitudes.
Correlation between screening mammography interpretive performance on a test set and performance in clinical practice

Rationale and Objectives Evidence is inconsistent about whether radiologists' interpretive performance on a screening mammography test set reflects their performance in clinical practice. This study aimed to estimate the correlation between test set and clinical performance and determine if the correlation is influenced by cancer prevalence or lesion difficulty in the test set. Materials and Methods This institutional review board-approved study randomized 83 radiologists from six Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium registries to assess one of four test sets of 109 screening mammograms each; 48 radiologists completed a fifth test set of 110 mammograms 2 years later. Test sets differed in number of cancer cases and difficulty of lesion detection. Test set sensitivity and specificity were estimated using woman-level and breast-level recall with cancer status and expert opinion as gold standards. Clinical performance was estimated using women-level recall with cancer status as the gold standard. Spearman rank correlations between test set and clinical performance with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Results For test sets with fewer cancers (N = 15) that were more difficult to detect, correlations were weak to moderate for sensitivity (woman level = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.16, 0.69; breast level = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.61) and weak for specificity (0.24, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.45) relative to expert recall. Correlations for test sets with more cancers (N = 30) were close to 0 and not statistically significant. Conclusions Correlations between screening performance on a test set and performance in clinical practice are not strong. Test set performance more accurately reflects performance in clinical practice if cancer prevalence is low and lesions are challenging to detect.
Hillenbrand: Thinking Beyond the Certain

For years, the death care business looked good on paper for Hillenbrand, Inc.: the company had EBITDA margins of more than 26% in an industry that historically presented itself as stable, profitable, and highly predictable. With strong financial performance and a solid position as market leader, how does one know when being better isn't enough? Although Hillenbrand remained highly profitable, a decline in the annual burial rate and increased demand for cremation reduced death care profits and revenues. The president and CEO, Ken Camp, was convinced it was time to move Hillenbrand in a new direction and saw three main pathways—acquisitions, divestitures, or financial restructuring (i.e., use cash flow to reduce debt, raise dividends, or buy back stock). Which might represent the best opportunity? The case material includes profiles of several serious diversification contenders for students to analyze. Excerpt UVA-S-0243 Rev. Dec. 1, 2014 HILLENBRAND: THINKING BEYOND THE CERTAIN Batesville Casket Company (Batesville) was a 120-year-old leading casketmaker when it was spun off from Hill-Rom in 2008 and became its own public company—Hillenbrand, Inc. (Hillenbrand). Batesville had commanded premium prices due to its reputation for being a reliable provider of top-quality products and service to its funeral home customers. By coupling that with a cost-conscious Lean manufacturing orientation and highly efficient logistics capability, Batesville had enjoyed margins well above those of its competition. Although Hillenbrand continued to be highly profitable, a secular decline in the annual death rate in the United States and increased demand for cremation had placed downward pressure on death care profits and revenues. Ken Camp, then-president and CEO, was convinced it was time to move Hillenbrand in a new direction and saw three possible pathways—acquisitions, divestitures, or financial restructuring (i.e., using cash flow to reduce debt, raise dividends, or buy back stock). From these, Hillenbrand decided to use acquisitions as a vehicle to grow and diversify the company into areas outside of funeral products—it had a plan to make a $ 40-to-$ 75-million acquisition. As such, Camp and his leadership team looked at a range of options—some were capabilities adjacent, some were countercyclical. Most were within the planned range and at least one was almost 10 times the first considered dollar range. What kind of industry and market made the most sense for Hillenbrand? What size acquisition should it make? How should Hillenbrand finance it? A New Normal in the Death Care Industry? . . .
Abstract 205: Potential Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in High-Risk Uninsured Patients: An Analysis of the Heart Improvement Project

Background: The Heart Improvement Project (HIP) is a cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction clinic targeting high-risk, uninsured patients. Using coronary heart disease prediction models from the Framingham Heart Study, it is possible to project an individual’s 10-year CV disease risk based on status of the following risk factors: sex, age, LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C), blood pressure (BP), diabetes, and smoking status. Objective: To project the reduction in CV risk associated with two levels of intervention: first-line therapy (designed to decrease the systolic BP by 15 mm Hg and LDL-C by 30%) and maximal therapy to optimally control all modifiable risk factors. Methods: Data on 251 patients (52% male, mean age 51 yrs; 48% with Diabetes, 45% smokers) from HIP were analyzed. For each patient, their Framingham Risk Scores (FRS) and 10-year Coronary Heart Disease Risk (CHDR) were calculated in three different conditions: their actual risk assessment, and that projected under first-line, and maximal therapy. The three sets of FRS and CHDR were summarized using descriptive statistics. Pairwise differences between the three sets of FRS and CHDR were tested using two-sample t-test and 95% confidence intervals for the differences were computed. Results: Table 1 shows that the mean FRSs were 7.33, 4.90, and 3.51 (under initial, first-line, and maximal conditions, respectively). The corresponding CHDRs were 13%, 8%, and 6% respectively. All comparisons were statistically significant at the p Conclusions: First-line interventions for BP and lipid management can yield significant improvement in CHD risk in a population of high-risk uninsured patients.
How should we manage type A aortic dissection

The outcome of surgery for acute aortic dissection is improving, but many debates remain as to the optimal treatment. These include the necessary extent of the operation proximally and distally, as well as the use of endovascular technologies.
Proof of the Main Result

Let m, r ∈ ℕ, 0 < m ≤ r; n ∈ N, n ≥ r, and ou be a concave modulus of continuity. There exist collections of points v = v(B, n, r, m, ω) and ϑ = ϑ(B, n, r, m, ω) as in (5.1.1) for 0 < m < r and as in (5.1.13) for m = r, and the function Zn = Zn,r,m,ω, endowed with the properties $$ \begin{gathered} (i)\quad {{Z}_{n}}({{\nu }_{i}}) = {{( - 1)}^{{i + m}}}{{\left\| {{{Z}_{n}}} \right\|}_{{\mathbb{C}\left[ {0,1} \right]}}},\quad i = 0, \ldots ,n + 1; \hfill \\ (ii)\quad \mathop{{\sup }}\limits_{{h \in H_{0}^{\omega }\left[ {0,1} \right]}} \int\limits_{0}^{1} {h(x)K(x)dx = } \int\limits_{0}^{1} {[Z_{n}^{{(r)}}(x) - Z_{n}^{{(r)}}(0)]K(x)dx;} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ (0.1) where the coefficients \( \{ {{\alpha }_{i}}\} _{{i = 0}}^{n} \) of the kernel \( K(t){\mkern 1mu} = {\mkern 1mu} - \frac{1}{{(r - 1)!}}\sum\limits_{{i = 0}}^{n} {{{\alpha }_{i}}({{v}_{i}}{\mkern 1mu} - {\mkern 1mu} t)_{ + }^{{r - 1}}} \) satisfy equations (5.1.2), (5.1.10) for 0 < m < r, and (5.1.14) for m = r. We give a complete proof of Theorem 6.0.1 and then point out the only distinction between the proofs of Theorems 6.0.1 for 0 < m < r and m = r.
Stereochemistry and Biological Activity of 1α,23,25-Trihydroxy-24-Oxo-Vitamin D 3 , a Natural Metabolite of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 † 413

Stereochemistry and Biological Activity of 1α,23,25-Trihydroxy-24-Oxo-Vitamin D 3 , a Natural Metabolite of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 † 413
Abstract IA24: Identification of therapies for plexiform neurofibromas, a precursor of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors

Plexiform neurofibromas (PNs) are complex nerve and soft tissue tumors that affect 25-50% of individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), the most common genetic disease in man with a predisposition to cancer. PNs cause lifelong morbidity ranging from deformity to paralysis and mortality due to organ compression, and progress to MPNST in ~8-13% of patients. The generation of genetically engineered mouse models that closely recapitulate the development of human plexiform neurofibromas has allowed our laboratory and others to pursue genetic and pharmacologic studies to identify novel therapies. Genetic and adoptive transfer studies conducted by our lab in collaboration with Dr. Luis Parada identified a key role for c-kit/kit-ligand in tumor initiation and progression. These data led to a clinical trial administering imatinib mesylate to target aberrant stem cell factor (SCF)/c-kit signaling in the tumor microenvironment, which induced the only objective clinical responses ever obtained in a therapeutic clinical trial in pNF. Based on the observation that young children with head, neck, and airway tumors were most likely to have partial tumor regression, a registration trial in this patient population is currently being pursued. Further, additional phase 2 trials using other receptor tyrosine kinases that include c-kit are under way as well. More recently, studies in GEM models informed clinical trials of MEK inhibitors led by Dr. Brigitte Widemann (Pediatric Branch of NCI) to directly inhibit aberrant Ras signaling in PN cells. Studies are ongoing to extend these promising initial clinical findings to investigate the developmental, molecular, and pharmacokinetic effects of c-kit and MEK inhibition alone and in combination in preclinical models. Specifically, studies to explore adaptive responses to MEK inhibition monotherapy in mice and patients treated with selumetinib via integrated exome, RNAseq, and kinome studies in pre- and post-treatment tumor tissue are under way. Citation Format: D. Wade Clapp. Identification of therapies for plexiform neurofibromas, a precursor of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Conference on Advances in Sarcomas: From Basic Science to Clinical Translation; May 16-19, 2017; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(2_Suppl):Abstract nr IA24.
Embracing intersectionality to create a collective living theory of practice

In this paper, we describe pivotal experiences that have shaped our respective professional journeys when teaching action research. We situate these experiences in relation to how they have contrib...
Penetrating Neck Trauma: a Review

This review focuses on the management of penetrating neck trauma and its evolution over the last several decades. Our increased experience with high-resolution computed tomography has changed the management of penetrating neck trauma from an anatomically zone-based approach to a “no zone” approach. Physical signs and symptoms of vascular, airway, and digestive track injuries still guide the basis of further radiographic and surgical workup. With the advancement and greater availability of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) technology, assessment of injuries has become easier and far more accurate. The hemodynamically stable patient may now be approached in a “no-zone” manner, and in certain cases managed safely with conservative measures. Wartime experience and improved technology played major roles in the evolution of penetrating neck injury management. Aggressive surgical exploration had given way to selective management based on anatomical neck zones, to most currently a “no zone” approach.
Phenotypic distinctions between mosaic forms of tuberous sclerosis complex.

To determine if mosaic tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) can be stratified into subtypes that correspond with prognosis and extent of disease. Next-generation sequencing of skin tumor and other samples was used to identify patients with mosaic pathogenic variants in TSC1 or TSC2. Extent of disease, onset age, and family history of TSC were determined through retrospective analysis of patient records. The median number of disease findings and age at penetrance differed between mosaic patients with asymmetrically distributed facial angiofibromas (4 findings, 24 years, n = 7), mosaic patients with bilaterally symmetric facial angiofibromas (8 findings, 10 years, n = 12), and germline TSC patients (10 findings, 4 years, n = 29). Cutaneous and internal organ involvement positively correlated in mosaic (R = 0.62, p = 0.005), but not germline (R = −0.24, p = 0.24) TSC. Variant allele fraction (VAF) in the blood (range: 0–19%) positively correlated with the number of major features (R = 0.55, p = 0.028). Five had a TSC2 variant identified in the skin that was below detection in the blood. One of 12 children from a mosaic parent had TSC. The phenotype of mosaic TSC ranged from mild to indistinguishable from germline disease. Patients with mosaicism and asymmetric facial angiofibromas exhibited fewer findings, later onset, and lower VAF in the blood.
Nursing students serve and learn how to check, change, and control blood pressure in the local community

Background: High blood pressure is currently affecting 103 million people in the United States and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart failure. The American Heart Association (AHA) launched Check. Change. Control. Program (CCC program). The program is an evidence-based hypertension management program that utilizes blood pressure self-monitoring to empower patients/participants to take ownership of their cardiovascular health. Project: Following the Partnership Model for Service Learning, Miami University and The AHA propose implementing the “Serve and Learn How to Check, Change, and Control: A Community-Based Intervention to Improve Blood Pressure Control” to improve the BP of a diverse group of residents in Middletown and Hamilton cities in Ohio. Participants: Fifteen nursing students served as volunteer health mentors. Each nursing student recruited five community members over the age of 18 and checked their blood pressure two times every month for four months. 80 community membered were recruited and joined the project for four months. Results: At the end of the program, more than half of the participants (n = 41) had blood pressure improvement (decrease in systolic or/a diastolic). On third of Tier 1/ HYPERTENSION participants (n = 10) have moved from uncontrolled (> or = to 130/80) to controlled (< or = to 129/79) based on comparing the participants’ 1st blood pressure reading to their last. Conclusions: The extremely positive effects of this project are an eye-opening on the need of applying the program on a larger scale. To apply this program on a larger scale, partnerships with community organizations such as community health and wellness centers are needed. These partnerships will provide quality access to healthcare. The students will be able to meet participants where they are in their communities in a safe, vibrant, open and welcoming centers.
Integrating blockchain technology with artificial intelligence for cardiovascular medicine.

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise for cardiovascular medicine but is limited by a lack of large, heterogeneous and granular data sets. Blockchain provides secure interoperability between siloed stakeholders and centralized data sources. We discuss integration of blockchain with AI for data-centric analysis and information flow, its current limitations and potential cardiovascular applications.
Ultrafast dynamics in the high-symmetry and in the charge density wave phase of 2 H -Nb Se 2

We investigate carrier and collective mode dynamics in $2H\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Nb}{\mathrm{Se}}_{2}$ using time-resolved optical pump-probe spectroscopy and compare the results with first-principles calculations. Broadband ultrafast reflectivity studies of $2H\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{Nb}{\mathrm{Se}}_{2}$ in a wide temperature interval covering the normal, charge density wave (CDW) and superconducting phase were performed. Spectral features observed in the transient reflectivity experiment were associated with specific optical transitions obtained from band structure calculations. Displacive excitation of coherent phonons showed CDW-associated coherent oscillations of the soft phonon mode across the whole spectral range. Temperature evolution of this coherent phonon mode in the low-excitation linear regime shows softening of the mode down to the CDW transition temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{CDW}}$ with subsequent hardening below ${T}_{\mathrm{CDW}}$. The global fit of the broadband probe data reveals four different relaxation times associated with characteristic electron-electron, electron-phonon, and phonon-phonon relaxation processes. From first-principles calculations of electron-phonon coupling we associate the few picosecond electron-phonon relaxation time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{2}$ with a specific group of phonons with frequencies around 20 meV. On the other hand, the anomalously long relaxation time of ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{3}\ensuremath{\sim}100\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ps}$ is associated with anharmonicity-driven phonon-phonon scattering. All relaxation processes result from anomalies near the second order CDW phase transition that are reflected in the temperature dependencies of the characteristic relaxation times and amplitudes of coherent oscillations. At the highest fluences we observe electronic melting of the CDW and disappearance of the mode hardening below ${T}_{\mathrm{CDW}}$.
Climate change in Alaska: Social workers’ attitudes, beliefs, and experiences

The average temperature in Alaska and the North American Arctic has risen at twice the rate of the global average due to climate change, causing changes to the natural environment that affect the physical, social, and emotional well‐being of people and communities. Social workers must be prepared to respond. Using a non‐probability, convenience sample, this study surveyed 159 social workers in Alaska to assess their attitudes and their perceptions of the effects of climate change on their clients and constituents. Results indicate that social workers in Alaska believe that climate change is happening, that human activities are responsible, and that it is a large threat to people in Alaska. Over 75% believe that climate change is dangerous for their clients now or will be dangerous in 10 years. Social workers report that in the past year their clients or constituents have experienced multiple climate change‐related problems with community infrastructure, health, and mental health.
Vehicle Connectivity and Automation: A Sibling Relationship

The evolution of several scientific advancements has been characterized by the amalgamation of two or more technologies. With respect to vehicle connectivity and automation, recent literature suggests that these two emerging transportation technologies will jointly shape profoundly, the future of transportation. As such, it may be considered useful to revisit the primary concepts of automation and connectivity, and to identify any current and expected future synergies between them. Doing this can help generate knowledge that could be used to justify investments related to systems connectivity and automation. In this paper, we discuss the sibling relationship between the concepts of automation and connectivity in the specific context of road transportation vehicles. This paper discusses the technological concepts of systems automation and systems connectivity, and how they work individually and together to contribute to transportation system efficiency and safety. The paper also discusses the separate and common benefits of the connectivity and automation, and their possible holistic effects in terms of these benefits where they overlap. The paper suggests that vehicle connectivity has immense potential to enhance vehicle automation. Automation, on the other hand, may not significantly promote vehicle connectivity directly, at least not in the short term but possibly in the long term.
NATURE Lab: Using Art as a Vehicle for Unconventional Science Practices in a Post-Industrial Neighborhood

STEAM is a buzzword in education today, but the recent addition of the "A" to the more-popular acronym STEM tends to characterize art as secondary to math and science. In order to explore an environment where the dichotomy is flipped, I conducted 18 weeks of participant observation at The Sanctuary for Independent Media in North Troy, NY, specifically as a part of their science initiative, NATURE Lab. The Sanctuary is a community organization led mostly by artists and supported by volunteers who provide documentary showings, concerts, potlucks, lectures, and other community events. In my ethnographic observation, a pattern of unconventional science practices as framed by and supported through art emerged, particularly with regards to rewilding/urban/ruderal ecologies, biohacking, and environmentally oriented citizen science. This deliberate use of art and artistic critique to engage everyday citizens with science provided a model for increasing science literacy and democratizing science practices, an indispensable act in the age of American climate denialism and increasing educational stratification.
The Metaphor as an Equation: Ezra Pound and the Similitudes of Representation

In a series of Imagist and Vorticist essays, Ezra Pound described metaphors, images, and poems as equations; mathematical equality, for Pound, promised both to model mimetic representation and, at the same time, to explain how the most abstract art could designate meaning. The breadth of Pound’s vision of equation was characteristic of his era, when mathematicians reconceived equality as a capacious relation reaching well beyond arithmetic. This chapter surveys the modernist understanding of equality and argues that the mathematical properties of equality characterize Pound’s early usage of metaphor, comparison, and juxtaposition. A mathematical lens reveals how Pound’s use of repetition and tautology attends to commonality, similitude, and sameness as elemental relations upholding poetry. The mathematical properties of equality can define sameness, and as such these properties offer a powerful language toward understanding representation.
Reduced recruitment of Chinook salmon in a leveed bar-built estuary

Estuaries are commonly touted as nurseries for salmonids, providing numerous advantages for smolts prior to ocean entry. In bar-built estuaries, sandbars form at the mouth of rivers during periods ...