cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of Novel Oncogenic Mutations in Thyroid Cancer.

Background Thyroid cancer patients frequently have favorable outcomes. However, a small subset develops aggressive disease refractory to traditional treatments. Therefore, we sought to characterize oncogenic mutations in thyroid cancers to identify novel therapeutic targets that may benefit patients with advanced, refractory disease. Study Design Data on 239 thyroid cancer specimens collected between January 2009 and September 2014 were obtained from the Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center. The tumors were analyzed with the OncoMap-4 or OncoPanel high-throughput genotyping platforms that survey up to 275 cancer genes and 91 introns for DNA rearrangement. Results Of the 239 thyroid cancer specimens, 128 (54%) had oncogenic mutations detected. These 128 tumors had 351 different mutations detected in 129 oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Examination of the 128 specimens demonstrated that 55% (n = 70) had 1 oncogenic mutation, and 45% (n = 48) had more than 1 mutation. The 351 oncogenic mutations were in papillary (85%), follicular (4%), medullary (7%), and anaplastic (4%) thyroid cancers. Analysis revealed that 2.3% (n = 3 genes) of the somatic gene mutations were novel. These included AR (n = 1), MPL (n = 2), and EXT2 (n = 1), which were present in 4 different papillary thyroid cancer specimens. New mutations were found in an additional 13 genes known to have altered protein expression in thyroid cancer: BLM , CBL , CIITA , EP300 , GSTM5 , LMO2 , PRAME , SBDS , SF1 , TET2 , TNFAIP3 , XPO1 , and ZRSR2 . Conclusions This analysis revealed that several previously unreported oncogenic gene mutations exist in thyroid cancers and may be targets for the development of future therapies. Further investigation into the role of these genes is warranted.
Topology of Wear Particles

Abstract This paper describes the evolution of elastomer/rubber wear debris morphology from the in situ leading to trailing edges of sliding contacted wear surfaces. Special attention is given to e...
Feedback and Realization

The word “cybernetics” was coined by Norbert Wiener, 1948, and his colleagues to denote “the (comparative) study of control and communication in the animal and the machine.” In a sense, then, all of the present book can be subsumed under the heading of “cybernetics.” However, in this section we will be primarily interested in feedback and related issues in control theory, which form one of the central themes discussed by Wiener in his book.
Electric field induced crossings of energy terms of a Rydberg quasi molecule enhancing charge exchange and ionization

Charge exchange is one of the most important atomic processes in plasmas. Charge exchange and crossings of corresponding energy levels that enhance charge exchange are strongly connected with problems of energy losses and of diagnostics in high temperature plasmas. Charge exchange was also proposed as an effective mechanism for population inversion in the soft X-ray and vacuum ultraviolet ranges. One of the most fundamental theoretical domains for studying charge exchange is the problem of electron terms in the field of two stationary Coulomb centers (TCC) of charges Z and Z′ separated by a distance R. It presents an intriguing atomic physics: the terms can have crossings and quasi crossings. These intrinsic features of the TCC problem also manifest in different areas of physics, such as plasma spectroscopy: a quasi crossing of the TCC terms, by enhancing charge exchange, can result in an unusual structure (a dip) in the spectral line profile emitted by a Z-ion from a plasma consisting of both Z- and Z′-i...
Determination of aliphatic amines in air by on-line solid-phase derivatization with HPLC-UV/FL.

An easy, rapid, and efficient method using on-line solid-phase derivatization in HPLC is developed for the trace determination of aliphatic amines in air. Some fundamental studies on stop-flow, on-line, solid-phase derivatizations in HPLC are also investigated, such as optimization of the reaction detection HPLC system and band broadening. Air is sampled with silica gel tubes from different sites, including sewage areas, fish cleaning and processing rooms, and an organoleptic lab of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The trapped amines are desorbed with an acidic aqueous-organic solution, followed by pH adjustment of the eluates to pH 10. The resulting solution is directly injected into an on-line, precolumn, solid-phase derivatization and reversed-phase HPLC-UV/FL system, not requiring any further sample workup steps. The percent derivatizations are as high as 88 +/- 5% (n = 3) for primary amines, and 75 +/- 4% (n = 3) for diethylamine under optimized conditions (60 degrees C for 10 min). The recoveries for all amines are above 90%. The method is validated by a single-blind, spiked experiment with 1.1-4.4% relative standard deviation (RSD) in the range of 15-47 ppm. These results are confirmed by a GC-FID method performed in another lab. Amines are quantitated via calibration plots, with final concentrations from 0.02 to 0.38 mg/m3 air. It is suggested that this newer approach for the determination of amines and polyamines, using polymeric solid-phase reagents on-line, precolumn in HPLC, should prove generally successful for other amines and other sample types in the future.
Electrocatalytic Reduction of Oxygen at Single Platinum Nanowires

Here we report the preparation and electrochemical characterization of single Pt nanowire electrodes with radii ranging from 25 to 130 nm for their electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Ultralong Pt nanowires were prepared by a laser pulling process. Single Pt nanowire electrodes were fabricated by metal deposition and lithography patterning to expose just a small portion (10–20 μm in length) of the nanowire for electrocatalytic studies. These wires were characterized thoroughly using cyclic voltammetry, under potential deposition of copper, and scanning electron microscopy. We have shown that their electrocatalytic activity toward ORR slightly decreases as the nanowire radius is reduced as measured by the onset potential. Additionally, the current density for the ORR decreases and the mass activity increases as the wire becomes smaller. The faradaic current was modeled on single nanowire electrodes, and the current was found to match the experimental value with outer-spher...
Resistance to the Two-Spotted Spider Mite in Pelargonium

Species and varieties of Pelargonium exhibit different degrees of resistance to the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch) (= T. telarius (L.)). It is easy to detect plants that are susceptible to mite attack by their yellow leaves and the whitish streaks caused by feeding injury. Resistance and susceptibility can be measured objectively by rearing spider mites on detached geranium leaves and recording the number of days the mites live after transfer and the number of eggs laid per female.
Nicotine, adolescence, and stress: A review of how stress can modulate the negative consequences of adolescent nicotine abuse

In order to continue the decline of smoking prevalence, it is imperative to identify factors that contribute to the development of nicotine and tobacco addiction, such as adolescent initiation of nicotine use, adolescent stress, and their interaction. This review highlights the biological differences between adolescent and adults in nicotine use and resulting effects, and examines the enduring consequences of adolescent nicotine administration. A review of both clinical and preclinical literature indicates that adolescent, but not adult, nicotine administration leads to increased susceptibility for development of long-lasting impairments in learning and affect. Finally, the role stress plays in normal adolescent development, the deleterious effects stress has on learning and memory, and the negative consequences resulting from the interaction of stress and nicotine during adolescence is reviewed. The review concludes with ways in which future policies could benefit by addressing adolescent stress as a means of reducing adolescent nicotine abuse.
Determining the Energetics of the Hydrogen Bond through FTIR: A Hands-On Physical Chemistry Lab Experiment

Hydrogen bonds are very important chemical structures that are responsible for many unique and important properties of solvents, such as the solvation power of water. These distinctive features are directly related to the stabilization energy conferred by hydrogen bonds to the solvent. Thus, the characterization of hydrogen bond energetics has been vital for many areas of science. We present a laboratory experiment for physical chemistry in which the hydrogen bond energetics between methyl acetate and water is investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The experiment consists of measuring the temperature dependent IR spectra of methyl acetate to determine the changes in the enthalpy and entropy of making/breaking hydrogen bonds. This experiment aims at providing the students with hands-on experience in the following topics: solution and sample cell preparation, IR spectra collection and analysis, and data modeling and thermodynamic calculations. The overall objective of this experimen...
The application of fastening technology in cylinder head assembly

The paper introduces the basic theory of fastener tightening and tightening control method.It presents the merits and demerits of kinds of control ways and shows control and monitor methods in the application with engine cylinder head as an example.
How to detect melting in laser heating diamond anvil cell

Research on the melting phenomenon is the most challenging work in the high pressure/temperature field. Until now, large discrepancies still exist in the melting curve of iron, the most interesting and extensively studied element in geoscience research. Here we present a summary about techniques detecting melting in the laser heating diamond anvil cell.
Marx’s Theory of Democracy in His Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of the State

Marx’s theory of democracy is a critique of the ‘political state’ in political philosophy, tied to his conception of the good society. Marx’s discussion of ‘democracy’ is faced with two difficulties. Firstly, the notion of ‘democracy’ is a ‘contested terrain’ revealing clashing political worldviews underneath its theory. Because of its hegemonic role in the existing ‘general consciousness’, even authoritarian politics masks itself as ‘democratic’, as in the recent Imperial promulgation of the export of democracy as a packaged set of political conditions imposed on the ruled by a dominant alien ruler. In such neo-colonialism disguised as ‘democracy’ there is a grand inversion of form and content, where democracy as the self-determination of the societal whole by itself for itself is presented as being the product of the will of One over the communal self of an heteronomous many.
Maternal Mortality: The Greatest Health Divide in the World

Stella lives in a small rural town in Bong County, Liberia. She is pregnant for the fourth time. During her previous three pregnancies, she labored at home with the assistance of Yvonne, a local traditional birth attendant (TBA). Of the three children, two died during labor.
Helium Atom-Surface Scattering (HASS)

This chapter will focus on the HASS technique and its advantages over other surface probes. From there I will move on to describing the manner in which the atom–surface interaction is modeled. Lastly, I will describe the scattering processes that can occur and what information they carry about the structure and vibrational character of the surface.
Glomerular Mechanisms of Proteinuria

The glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) consisting of glomerular endothelial cells, the glomerular basement membrane and podocytes is the key structure within the nephron that prevents filtration of serum proteins into the urine. While all three components are necessary for the development and maintenance of the GFB, the majority of investigations have focused on the role of the podocyte in preventing proteinuria. Podocytes are terminally differentiated cells with a highly complex architecture. Mutations in structural or signaling proteins in podocytes lead to proteinuria, as does podocyte damage leading to alterations in podocyte shape or progressive podocyte loss. Podocytes are not only important structural elements within the GFB but also play an active role in handling serum proteins such as albumin and IgG. Advanced imaging methods have further contributed to our understanding of the glomerular regulation of protein filtration in normal and disease states.
The Moral-Legal Janus Face of Human Rights

The complexity of our contemporary world requires a new approach to human rights. Human rights should no longer be conceived as a mere protection of human liberties and dignity. They must include the promotion and enhancement of conditions of life that give every person opportunities to pursue and achieve his or her happiness. Such a goal can be achieved only if there are institutions that can provide a stable basis for social integration. To approach human rights merely as legal rights or moral rights fails to capture their full meaning and scope, and weakens the effectiveness of their implementation. Human rights remain simple ideals without any concrete materialization in real life. The legal aspect of human rights materializes and protects their moral aspect. Differently put, the moral aspect of human rights consists of general norms and rights that constitute the standard on which life in society should be built, while the legal aspect constitutes the concretization of moral norms and rights. Thus, the legal aspect of human rights has the moral aspect of human rights as its core, for there can never be a productive and effective legitimation or institutionalization of human rights when their moral foundation is violated.
Malware propagation in fully connected networks: A netflow-based analysis

Malware attacks have become ubiquitous in modern large data-centric networks. Therefore advanced malware threat detection and related countermeasures are an important paradigm in cybersecurity research. This work studies malware propagation in fully connected networks, where network topology plays a minimal role in lateral spread within the network. The live netflow and perimeter alert data used in this study contrasts with other previous works due to the unavailability of ground truth for any attack type. Important features calculated from the netflow data as well as a novel ring-based flow model are described. These are helpful in tracking possible malware flow within the network. The results show that relevant features can be used to draw inferences about the propagation of certain classes of malware attacks.
Abstract 3635: Histone demethylase NDY1/KDM2B as a driver of survival and proliferation of normal and neoplastic mast cells

Proliferative disorders of mast cells exhibit a range of clinical behavior from benign cutaneous forms to aggressive systemic mastocytosis and mast cell leukemia. While these disorders are rare in people, they are among the most common malignancies in the dog, a circumstance that provides a useful model for an orphan disease. Growth of both normal and neoplastic mast cells is driven by c-kit (CD117), a tyrosine kinase receptor for stem cell factor. Ligand-independent, constitutive activation of c-kit via mutation is a common feature of mastocytic neoplasia. Therefore, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target c-kit have activity in aggressive mastocytosis in people and in dogs. However, resistance to c-kit targeted TKIs is common in both species, highlighting a need for other therapeutic targets. Our data indicates that chromatin modification may be important in mast cell biology. Specifically, we have shown that the JmjC domain lysine 36 specific histone H3 demethylase, NDY1/KDM2B, supports the proliferation and immortalization of bone-marrow derived mast cells. It is well known that NDY1/KDM2B is a driver of hematopoietic transformation and is associated with malignant progression in certain solid tumors (breast, pancreatic and urothelial carcinoma). Therefore, we investigated the effects of knockdown of NDY1/KDM2B in neoplastic human and canine mast cells in vitro and in xenografts. Our data demonstrate that this knockdown inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in vitro and inhibits tumor growth in vivo. Therefore, targeting therapy of NDY1/KDM2B or downstream effectors in mast cell tumors could be a beneficial addition to the existing therapeutic modalities. Supported by grants from the Morris Animal Foundation (D14CA) and NIH (R01CA109747). Citation Format: Parthena Foltopoulou, Raymond Pfau, Monica Betancur-Boissel, Manar AbdelMageed, Philip N. Tsichlis, Elizabeth A. McNiel. Histone demethylase NDY1/KDM2B as a driver of survival and proliferation of normal and neoplastic mast cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3635. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3635
A resonant modular multilevel DC-DC converter with zero current switching for MVDC application

This paper presents a modular multilevel dc-dc converter (MMC) with zero-current switching (ZCS) feature and its analysis for medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) applications. The main focus of this paper is analyzing the overall efficiency of the proposed MMC and experimentally verifying the theoretical analysis on operating principle. Furthermore, in order to achieve high efficiency, the proposed MMC has the capability to maintain ZCS operation at different load conditions. In this paper, the proposed MMC with maximum 200kW power output is used to perform the efficiency analysis. Simulation uses the same parameters that are used to analyze efficiency and displays waveforms when the MMC operates at 66kW. At last, a 200W lab prototype has been built. And operating characteristics of the MMC are validated through experimental results.
Treatment of Sydenham's Chorea: A Review of the Current Evidence

Background: Sydenham’s chorea (SC), the neurologic manifestation of rheumatic fever, remains the most prevalent form of chorea in children. Suggested treatments of chorea in SC include prophylactic penicillin, symptomatic (antipsychotic and anticonvulsant) medications, and immunomodulatory therapy (steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and plasma exchange). In this manuscript, we undertook a systematic review of the published literature to examine the data supporting these therapeutic recommendations. Methods: A search of PubMed, Embase, Psychinfo, and clinicaltrials.gov was conducted for publications pertaining to the treatment of SC/rheumatic chorea from 1956 to 2016. Results: Penicillin prophylaxis appears to reduce the likelihood of further cardiac complications and the recurrence rate of chorea. Data on symptomatic therapy for chorea are limited to individual case reports or series and rare comparison studies. The efficacy of steroid use is supported by a single placebo-controlled study and several case series. Information on other immunomodulatory therapies such as IVIG and plasmapheresis are limited to a small number of reports and a single comparison study. Discussion: Treatment decisions in SC are currently based on the treating physician’s clinical experience, the desire to avoid side effects, and the existence of only limited scientific evidence. Based on a review of the available literature, chorea often improves with symptomatic therapy and immunotherapy tends to be reserved for those who fail to respond. Steroids are beneficial; however, data using IVIG and plasmapheresis are very limited. Larger, well-controlled studies, using standardized assessment scales, are required if therapeutic decisions for SC are to be based on meaningful information.
Nitrogen Recovery by Bahiagrass from Pelletized Biosolids

Nitrogen fertilization has been shown to increase biomass and quality of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) dramatically in Florida sandy soils. Nevertheless, with low cattle prices, ranchers are forced to reduce fertilizers inputs. Biosolids contain considerable amounts of N and are inexpensive when compared with commercial fertilizers. Determining application rates that will not exceed crop assimilative capabilities is important to prevent losses to the environment. The objective of this study was to investigate temporal N recovery by bahiagrass pastures from pelletized municipal biosolids. Treatments included 7 rates (0, 0.55, 1.1, 2.2, 4.4, 8.8, and 17.6 Mg/ha) of biosolids, which provided 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 kg N/ha (organic plus inorganic). Treatments were applied to 6 m x 3 m plots arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. In addition to the absolute control (0 kg biosolids/ha), control plots were established that received water-soluble N at 180 kg N/ha. Phosphorus and K were applied at the same rate to all plots. Bahiagrass forage was harvested at 35, 69, 104, 151, and 201 days after initial application for yield and total Kjeldahl N determinations. Bahiagrass forage yields increased linearly with increasing biosolids rate in all harvests. Nitrogen accumulation for biosolids treatments was higher than those obtained with the soluble N sources, especially at higher biosolids rates. Nitrogen recovery rates reached values higher than 75% for the lowest biosolids rate. Increasing rates resulted in greater N accumulation in the forage, but comparatively lower recovery rates were found. Recovery rates, in percentage of total N applied, decreased at each subsequent harvest. Most of the N was removed within the first 35 days after application.
When Despair Grows in Us: Emotional Learning in (Trans)Formative Places.

This paper considers a person’s endogenous and emotional relationships to outdoor childhood or adolescent (trans)formative places. By revisiting the (trans)formative places of four citizens and filming the experiences, I gained an understanding of how these places engage emotional learning. The emotional data were explored through phenomenology and participatory analysis. Places transformed my participants through identity development, memory and anxiety, resiliency behaviour, nostalgia, and loss. My participants related to places through knowing a place and being home, engendering bliss and appreciation, the development of pride and hope, and experiencing emotionality. Part of our emotional development is linked to our relationships to place because we are, in some ways, part of that place. Returning to (trans)formative places can rejuvenate our relationships to those places through our emotional reactions.
Prenatal Diagnosis and Public Policy

Developments in human genetics and genetic counseling have high visibility among the public. The remarkable advances in genetic counseling made feasible by amniocentesis and prenatal diagnosis have raised many challenges about indications for using new technologies for diagnosis and treatment, about assuring access for all who need them, and about adequate support for research and services. Ethical dilemmas and legal disputes, which are common enough for medical care decisions and outcomes involving only a single patient, seem to be magnified in prenatal genetic diagnoses; these diagnoses, of course, involve a whole family, may imply different approaches to different ethnic groups within the population, and touch upon deeply held views of the moral, legal, and political position of the fetus. Many people and many health professionals look to the government for leadership, consensus-building, or adjudication in these complex matters.
Potential of STAT Somatic Mutation Testing at Resection

To the Editor: Molecular testing is used for the management of various cancers as more targeted therapies are becoming available as treatment options. The complexity of treatment strategies for cancer patients has made accurate and timely genomic assessment of tumor tissues imperative for optimal therapeutic strategies. We describe a novel approach for rapid somatic mutation detection in a colorectal cancer case using a “molecular touch-prep” specimen at the time of resection. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE)1 tissue is typically used as a source of DNA for somatic mutation testing. FFPE tissue sections are processed by deparaffinization, digestion, and DNA extraction. This processing can take up to 1.5 days in our laboratory and often results in DNA that is more degraded than DNA isolated from nonfixed tissue, thereby introducing challenges to subsequent molecular analysis (1). The Idylla™ system (Biocartis) is a first of a kind, cartridge-based molecular system that provides automated sample processing and targeted mutation detection with all reagents included in a single-use cartridge. The system requires only one 10-μm FFPE tissue section and a minimum tumor content of 10%. For …
Homophobia and the Health Psychology of Lesbians

American society in the last 30 years has seen an entirely new segment of society coalesce. Sensationalizing media attention has capitalized on Americans’ unfamiliarity with gay men and lesbians. The focus on the fringes of homosexual culture has made gay men and lesbians the brunt of multiple levels of prejudice, with negative assumptions about their morality, employability, and integrity. Similar accusations were made against African-Americans, Jews, and other ethnic groups in previous times. Gay men and lesbians have subsequently maintained a hidden subculture, which only recently has become more open and currently weaves through all segments of society. Surveys of the homosexual community suggest that health care providers lack knowledge of the issues salient in the lives of gay men and lesbians and that these health care providers have inadvertently or purposely alienated their patients. The gay and lesbian community needs medical care that recognizes its unique medical demographic profile and that is provided with sensitivity and respect. In this review of lesbian health literature, the medical and psychological effects of heterosexist prejudice from family, educational, religious, and governmental organizations will be discussed, and steps to ameliorate them will be suggested. With greater understanding of who lesbians are and of the psychological effects of societal disdain for them, providers can maintain the highest standard of medical care for all of their patients, including lesbians.
Use of Learner-Centered Instructional Strategies in Higher Education: Doctoral Student Assessments.

Based on multiple sources, this article concludes that, when learner-centered instructional strategies are used with doctoral students, these adult learners take charge of their individual and collective learning, become accountable for both, and enhance their ability to transfer learning to practice. The students studied skills of developed teams in advance of their group-conducted dissertation research first by engaging in team-development activities, then by conducting group-constructed pilot studies, and finally by collaboratively authoring related conference papers. These student-centered activities sought to ensure that the doctoral students could work together to conduct and complete their degree- ending, team-conducted dissertation research.
Formulating the Research Questions

This chapter provides a personalized account of how and why the authors (Ellerton and Clements) became interested in cyphering books. It also tells how the authors came to believe that the early history of school mathematics in North America between 1607 and about 1861 needed to be rewritten—because previous historians had not recognized the fundamentally powerful influence of the cyphering tradition. The chapter closes with a statement of five research questions.
Surf Zone Dynamics

Surf zone dynamics is a highly complicated topic in hydrodynamics which deals with the waves and wave generated phenomena in the region between the breaker line on a beach and the shoreline.
Psychiatric disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder affecting up to 15% of women in the reproductive age. Prior studies suggest that PCOS can be associated with mood and psychiatric disorders. The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of any psychiatric disorder in women with PCOS. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus through February 08, 2017 for studies that examined the prevalence of any psychiatric disorder in adolescents or adults with a clinical or biochemical diagnosis of PCOS. We used a random-effects model to generate pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We included 57 studies reporting on 172,040 patients. The majority of studies addressed depression and anxiety. Studies had fair methodological quality although most estimates were unadjusted. Women with PCOS were more likely to have a clinical diagnosis of depression (odds ratio (OR), 2.79; 95% CI, 2.23–3.50), anxiety (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 2.10–3.60), bipolar disorder (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.43–2.23) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) (OR, 1.37; 95% CI 1.22–1.55), but not social phobia or panic disorder. Using various scales, the severity of symptoms of depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and somatization disorders were higher compared to women without PCOS. PCOS is associated with an increased risk of diagnosis of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. It is associated with worse symptoms of depression, anxiety, OCD, and somatization. Screening for these disorders to allow early intervention may be warranted.
How to tell when a clustering is (approximately) correct using convex relaxations

We introduce a generic method to obtain guarantees of near-optimality and uniqueness (up to small perturbations) for a clustering. This method can be instantiated for a variety of clustering loss functions for which convex relaxations exist. Obtaining the guarantees amounts to solving a convex optimization problem. We demonstrate the practical relevance of this method by obtaining distribution free guarantees for the K-means clustering problem on realistic data sets. The guarantees do not depend on any distributional assumptions, but they depend on the data set at hand. They exist only when the data is clusterable.
Relationships among nursing student palliative care knowledge, experience, self-awareness, and performance: An end-of-life simulation study.

Abstract Background Palliative care education and experience are needed for student competence in delivering high-quality palliative nursing care. Simulation has been linked to acquired clinical competency among pre-licensure students. A known literature gap is measurement of students' performance during end-of-life simulations. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine relationships among previous palliative care nursing experience, knowledge, self-awareness, and performance in nursing students during an end-of-life simulation. Design/Setting/Participants A quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design was used to assess these variables with a convenience sample of 75 senior nursing students during an end-of-life simulation at a Midwest Jesuit university. Methods Self-awareness was measured with the Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying, Form B. The Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing measured participants' knowledge. Participants' performance during the simulation was measured using a modified version of the Creighton Competency Evaluation Instrument®. Palliative care nursing self-awareness and knowledge were assessed before and after the simulation. Previous end-of-life care experience was assessed with a single demographic question at pretest only. Results The sample was highly experienced in end-of-life care (93.3% reporting experience pre-simulation). Although pretest self-awareness (M = 124.5; ±1.3) and knowledge (M = 57.1%; ±2.2) were higher in students with two or more types of end-of-life experience (n = 42), there were no significant differences (p > .10) in these outcomes by groups pre- or post-simulation. Self-awareness (M = 130.1; ±1.2), knowledge (M = 80.5%; ±2.6), and performance (M = 94.1%; IQR 87.5 to 100) scores were high for student participants (n = 36) post-simulation, with moderate correlations found between some scores (rpb Conclusions Findings support self-awareness and knowledge as antecedents of high quality palliative nursing care. Students demonstrated increased post-simulation knowledge, self-awareness, and quality performance of palliative nursing care regardless of previous end-of-life experience. End-of-life simulation is supported as an education method for increasing palliative care nursing competence and assessing student performance of palliative care nursing interventions.
NatB modulates Rb mutant cell death and tumor growth by regulating EGFR/MAPK signaling through the N-end rule pathways

Abstract Despite the prevalence of N-terminal acetylation (Nt-acetylation), little is known of its biological functions. In this study, we show that NatB regulates Rb mutant cell survival, EGFR/MAPK signaling activity, and EGFR signaling-dependent tumor growth. We identify Grb2/Drk, MAPK, and PP2AC as the key NatB targets of EGFR pathway. Surprisingly, NatB activity increases the levels of positive pathway components Grb2/Drk and MAPK while decreases the levels of negative pathway component PP2AC despite these proteins have the same first two amino acids that are recognized by NatB and N-end rule pathways. Mechanistically, we show that NatB regulates Grb2/Drk protein stability through its N-terminal sequences and that Grb2/Drk and MAPK are selectively degraded by the Arg/N-end rule E3 ubiquitin ligase Ubr4, which targets proteins with free N-terminus. In contrast, PP2AC is selectively degraded by the Ac/N-end rule pathway E3 ubiquitin ligase Cnot4 that targets proteins with acetylated N-terminus. These results reveal a novel mechanism by which NatB-mediated Nt-acetylation and N-end rule pathways modulate EGFR/MAPK signaling by inversely regulating the levels of positive and negative components. Since mutation or overexpression that deregulate the EGFR/Ras signaling pathway are common in human cancers and NatB subunits are significant unfavorable prognostic markers, this study can potentially lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Significance Statement Nt-acetylation is often regarded as a constitutive, irreversible, and static modification that is not suited to serve regulatory functions. Our observation that Nt-acetylation by NatB coordinately regulate the levels of positive and negative components of the EGFR/MAPK pathway show that Nt-acetylation and N-end rule pathways can play important roles regulating important signaling pathways. As Acetyl-CoA level, which is influenced by cell metabolism, can be rate limiting for Nt-acetylation, our results also suggest a potentially new mechanism by which cellular metabolic status can regulate growth factor signaling.
Engineering microenvironments towards harnessing pro-angiogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy for promoting vascular regeneration is a promising strategy for treating ischemic diseases. However, low engraftment and retention rate of MSCs at the target site highlights the importance of paracrine signaling of MSCs in the reparative process. Thus, harnessing MSC-secretome is essential for rational design of MSC-based therapies. The role of microenvironment in regulating the paracrine signaling of MSCs is not well known. In this study, human bone marrow-derived MSCs were seeded on matrices with varying stiffness or cell adhesive sites, and conditioned media was collected. The concentrations of angiogenic molecules in the media was measured via ELISA. In addition, the bioactivity of the released molecules was investigated via assessing the proliferation and capillary morphogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) incubated with conditioned media. Our study revealed that secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is dependent on substrate stiffness. Maximal secretion was observed when MSCs were seeded on hydrogel matrices of 5.0 kPa stiffness. Proliferation and tubulogenesis of HUVECs supported ELISA data. On the other hand, variation of cell adhesive sites while maintaining a uniform optimal stiffness, did not influence the pro-angiogenic activity of MSCs.
Understanding BRCA Mutation Carriers' Preferences for Communication of Genetic Modifiers of Breast Cancer Risk.

Refined estimates of risk based on genetic risk modifiers could assist BRCA mutation carriers in understanding their risk, but it is not clear whether carriers are interested in receiving these est...
Cryogenic Creep of Metals

That significant creep can occur at cryogenic temperatures has been recognized since 1930, when it was first found in cadmium by Meissner, Polanyi, and Schmid.1 From the engineering viewpoint, cryogenic creep is particularly releveant to the design of superconducting generators and magnets, structures for deep space, Josephson Diode type computers, and other components for cryogenic applications. For example, the performance of superconductive windings (NbTi/Cu and/or Nb3Sn/Cu) composites) is affected by the matrix material behavior under applied stresses. The working life of cryogen storage vessels under high pressure also depends on the cryogenic creep behavior of the structural materials.
Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury: Ethnicity, Documentation, and Insurance Status.

OBJECTIVES Disparities in traumatic brain injury outcomes for ethnic minorities and the uninsured have previously been demonstrated; however, outcomes in undocumented immigrants have not been examined. We wanted to determine whether ethnicity, insurance, and documentation status served as risk factors for disparities in traumatic brain injury outcomes between undocumented immigrants and documented residents. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING Patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury admitted to the surgical/trauma ICU at a level 1 trauma center serving a large immigrant population in New York City from 2009 to 2016. PATIENTS Four-hundred seventy-one traumatic brain injury patients requiring surgical/trauma ICU admission. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Undocumented immigrants constituted 29% of the population, were younger (39 vs 57 yr old, respectively; p < 0.0001), Hispanic (83%; p < 0.0001), and uninsured (87%; p < 0.0001). Falls resulted in the majority of traumatic brain injuries in the total population, however, undocumented immigrants were almost twice as likely to be assaulted (p = 0.0032). There was no difference in presence of midline shifts, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Score, hypotension, hypoxia, and pupillary reactions between undocumented immigrants and documented residents. Undocumented immigrants presented with significantly more effaced basilar cisterns (p = 0.0008). There was no difference in hospital care between undocumented immigrants and documented residents as determined by emergency department to surgical/trauma ICU transfer times (p = 0.967). Undocumented immigrants were more likely to be discharged home (53% vs 33%, respectively; p = 0.0009) and less likely to be sent to rehabilitation (25% vs 32%, respectively; p = 0.0009). After adjusting length of stay and mortality for covariates, undocumented immigrants had shorter length of stay (p < 0.05) and there was no difference in hospital mortality between undocumented immigrants and documented residents. CONCLUSIONS Undocumented immigrants with traumatic brain injuries were more likely to be younger, have shorter length of stay, and experience similar mortality rates to documented residents. Social economic status may play a role in events prior to hospitalization and likely does in disposition outcomes.
Localization of Virus and Antibody Response in Mice Infected Persistently with MHV-JHM

Suckling mice infected intranasally with MHV-JHM and nursed by immunized dams develop a late onset demyelinating encephalomyelitis. Analysis by in situ hybridization revealed that MHV-JHM entered the central nervous system (CNS) via the olfactory and trigeminal nerves and spread over the next two weeks to the spinal cord, prior to amplification at this site. Serial measurements of neutralizing antibody titers showed that the late onset disease developed in some mice at levels of antibody which protected mice from the fatal, acute encephalitis, supporting the notion that cell-mediated and not humoral immunity is important in protecting mice from MHV-JHM persistence.
Interactions with humans shape coyote responses to hazing

Medium and large carnivores coexist with people in urban areas globally, occasionally resulting in negative interactions that prompt questions about how to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Hazing, i.e., scaring wildlife, is frequently promoted as an important non-lethal means for urbanites to reduce conflict but there is limited scientific evidence for its efficacy. We used a population of captive coyotes (Canis latrans) to simulate urban human-coyote interactions and subsequent effects of hazing on coyote behavior. Past experiences with humans significantly affected the number of times a coyote approached a human to necessitate hazing. Coyotes that had been hand fed by adults had to be more frequently hazed than coyotes with other or no past experiences with adults. Past experience with children had no impact on the number of hazing events. The number of times a coyote approached an adult or child was reduced across days based on the accumulative number of times hazed, suggesting coyotes learn to avoid behaviors warranting hazing and that this could be used as a non-lethal management tool. However, prior experience and whether the interaction is with an adult or child can alter the outcomes of hazing and must be considered in determining the efficacy of hazing programs.
Analysis of The Ratio of $\ell_1$ and $\ell_2$ Norms in Compressed Sensing

We first propose a novel criterion that guarantees that an $s$-sparse signal is the local minimizer of the $\ell_1/\ell_2$ objective; our criterion is interpretable and useful in practice. We also give the first uniform recovery condition using a geometric characterization of the null space of the measurement matrix, and show that this condition is easily satisfied for a class of random matrices. We also present analysis on the robustness of the procedure when noise pollutes data. Numerical experiments are provided that compare $\ell_1/\ell_2$ with some other popular non-convex methods in compressed sensing. Finally, we propose a novel initialization approach to accelerate the numerical optimization procedure. We call this initialization approach \emph{support selection}, and we demonstrate that it empirically improves the performance of existing $\ell_1/\ell_2$ algorithms.
Burying Bertha: Race and the Ungraveable Body in Jane Eyre

Where is Bertha buried? We cannot tell because Jane Eyre does not tell us, and this absence of mortuarial or narratological marking is itself telling in a novel in which numerous graves attain materiality and sociality, and “grave” is an adjective signifying feminine exemplarity as well as Jane’s intimacy with Rochester. Tracking a range of sepulchral options and implications and drawing on Judith Butler’s distinction between grievable and ungrievable lives, this chapter argues that the insistent racialization of Bertha’s representationally outsized Creole body accounts for its scattering and ultimate disappearance in death, rendering her corpse not only ungrievable but un-gravable. What Rochester’s incarceration of her cannot accomplish—Bertha’s effective nonexistence—Jane’s narrative can: the madwoman had her attic; the dead woman is nowhere to be found.
Racialized Organizations and Color-Blind Racial Ideology in Brazil:

Although the relationship between organizations and structural racism is well established, less is known about how racialization occurs within organizations. Overlooking how racial ideology is imbu...
Quantitative second-harmonic generation imaging analysis based on fluid-dynamics measures

2D pseudo-vector field maps are derived from second-harmonic generation images of bone. Measures adapted from fluid dynamics, such as enstrophy and tortuosity, quantitatively distinguish between images with and without Harvesian canals.
Effects of Hurricane Michael on Access to Care for Pregnant Women and Associated Pregnancy Outcomes.

Background: Disasters are associated with worse perinatal outcomes, perhaps due to inadequate prenatal care (PNC). Methods: Using 2017–2019 Florida vital statistics, we compared PNC use before and after Hurricane Michael. We categorized counties as most affected (Area A) or less affected (Area B and C). We examined whether Michael’s effects on perinatal outcomes varied by maternity care availability and used the Baron and Kenny method to assess whether delayed PNC initiation mediated perinatal outcomes. Log-binomial regression and semi-parametric linear regression were used, controlling for maternal and ZIP code tabulation area characteristics. Results: Compared to the one-year period pre-Michael, the week of the first PNC was later in all areas in the one-year period post-Michael, with the largest change in Area A (adjusted difference 0.112, 95% CI: 0.055–0.169), where women were less likely to receive PNC overall (aRR = 0.994, 95% CI = 0.990–0.998) and more likely to have inadequate PNC (aRR = 1.193, 95% CI = 1.127–1.264). Michael’s effects on perinatal outcomes did not vary significantly by maternity care availability within Area A. Delayed PNC initiation appeared to mediate an increased risk in small for gestational age (SGA) births after Michael. Conclusion: Women in Area A initiated PNC later and had a higher likelihood of inadequate PNC. Delayed PNC initiation may partially explain increased risk of SGA.
A three-step local smoothing approach for estimating the mean and covariance functions of spatio-temporal Data

Spatio-temporal data are common in practice. Existing methods for analyzing such data often employ parametric modelling with different sets of model assumptions. However, spatio-temporal data in practice often have complicated structures, including complex spatial and temporal data variation, latent spatio-temporal data correlation, and unknown data distribution. Because such data structures reflect the complicated impact of confounding variables, such as weather, demographic variables, life styles, and other cultural and environmental factors, they are usually too complicated to describe by parametric models. In this paper, we suggest a general modelling framework for estimating the mean and covariance functions of spatio-temporal data using a three-step local smoothing procedure. The suggested method can well accommodate the complicated structure of real spatio-temporal data. Under some regularity conditions, the consistency of the proposed estimators is established. Both simulation studies and a real-data application show that our proposed method could work well in practice.
The First Knowledge Economy: Human Capital and the European Economy, 1750–1850

Introduction: knowledge and industrial development: the stakes -- 1. A portrait of early industrial lives: the Watts and Boultons, science and entrepreneurship -- 2. The knowledge economy and coal: how technological change happened -- 3. Technical knowledge and making cotton king -- 4. Textiles in Leeds: Mechanical science on the factory floor -- 5. The puzzle of French retardation I: reform and its antecedents -- 6. The puzzle of French retardation II: restoration and reaction -- 7. Education and the inculcation of industrial knowledge: the Low Countries, 1750-1830.