cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing long-term outcomes between early and delayed initiation of peritoneal dialysis following catheter implantation

AbstractAim: The aim of this study was to compare peritonitis rates, peritoneal dialysis technique survival and patient survival between patients who started peritoneal dialysis earlier than 14 days (early starters) and 14 days or more (delayed starters) after insertion of a Tenckhoff catheter. Methods: Observational analysis was performed for all patients who underwent insertion of a Tenckhoff catheter at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2012. The patients were divided into two groups: early and delayed starters. The rate and outcomes of peritonitis were recorded. Peritoneal dialysis technique survival and patient survival were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox regression analysis was performed for peritoneal dialysis technique failure and patient mortality. Results: There were 80 early starters and 69 delayed starters. The peritonitis rate was 0.18 episodes per year in early starters and 0.13 episodes per year in delayed starters. There was no significant di...
Evaluating the Use of Ponded Fly Ash in a Roadway Base Course

This paper summarizes findings of laboratory and field trial evaluations of ponded fly ash used as a component in a stabilized aggregate base course. Ponded fly ash is the fine portion of pond ash which is a by-product of a coal burning process and is disposed by sluicing to a disposal pond. Three stabilized aggregate base mixtures containing various proportions of dense graded aggregate, ponded fly ash, and hydrated lime were evaluated in the laboratory relative to maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, unconfined compressive strength, and static chord modulus of elasticity. The mixture that was selected for field trial evaluation had the highest unconfined compressive strength and consisted of 84% dense graded aggregate, 11% ponded fly ash, and 5% hydrated lime. A 750 foot section of a 22 foot wide roadway was constructed in May 1988. Approximately 88 tons of ponded fly ash were utilized in constructing the experimental base. Prior to construction, in-place California Bearing Ratio tests, moisture content determinations and Road Rater deflection tests were performed on the prepared subgrade. The stabilized aggregate base was placed in one 8 inch lift. During construction, relative compaction and moisture content of the base material were monitored by means of nuclear devices. Post construction evaluations included Road Rater deflection tests and coring to obtain samples for laboratory evaluation. To date, the section containing the stabilized aggregate base is performing very well in comparison to the conventionally paved section.
Application of rDNA Analysis in the Classification and Identification of Fungus

The structure and futures of rDNA were introduced.The application of rDNA in the classification and identification of fungus was summarized.And the molecular biological identification method of fungi was predicted.
The Map Filling Algorithm Research of Health Resources Distribution Based on .Net

The paper analyzes the main factors that impact the distribution of medical and health information resources,characteristics and existing problems.Build the program to reflect the geographic distribution of health resources information.This article used VS2005,which is putted forward the area filling algorithm,and completed without the blind spot of scan the filling in different areas,realized the function of dynamic data processing etc.
Thiamin deposition in eggs is not dependent on riboflavin-binding protein.

Abstract The thiamin content of eggs laid by hens possessing no, one or two functional genes for riboflavin-binding protein is unaffected by the genotype. This does not support the hypothesis of Muniyappa & Adiga [Biochem. J. (1979) 177, 887–894] that the deposition of thiamin-binding protein is coupled to the deposition of riboflavin-binding protein.
Structure of the Cellulose Synthase Complex of Gluconacetobacter hansenii at 23.4 Å Resolution.

Bacterial crystalline cellulose is used in biomedical and industrial applications, but the molecular mechanisms of synthesis are unclear. Unlike most bacteria, which make non-crystalline cellulose, Gluconacetobacter hansenii extrudes profuse amounts of crystalline cellulose. Its cellulose synthase (AcsA) exists as a complex with accessory protein AcsB, forming a 'terminal complex' (TC) that has been visualized by freeze-fracture TEM at the base of ribbons of crystalline cellulose. The catalytic AcsAB complex is embedded in the cytoplasmic membrane. The C-terminal portion of AcsC is predicted to form a translocation channel in the outer membrane, with the rest of AcsC possibly interacting with AcsD in the periplasm. It is thus believed that synthesis from an organized array of TCs coordinated with extrusion by AcsC and AcsD enable this bacterium to make crystalline cellulose. The only structural data that exist for this system are the above mentioned freeze-fracture TEM images, fluorescence microscopy images revealing that TCs align in a row, a crystal structure of AcsD bound to cellopentaose, and a crystal structure of PilZ domain of AcsA. Here we advance our understanding of the structural basis for crystalline cellulose production by bacterial cellulose synthase by determining a negative stain structure resolved to 23.4 A for highly purified AcsAB complex that catalyzed incorporation of UDP-glucose into β-1,4-glucan chains, and responded to the presence of allosteric activator cyclic diguanylate. Although the AcsAB complex was functional in vitro, the synthesized cellulose was not visible in TEM. The negative stain structure revealed that AcsAB is very similar to that of the BcsAB synthase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, a non-crystalline cellulose producing bacterium. The results indicate that the crystalline cellulose producing and non-crystalline cellulose producing bacteria share conserved catalytic and membrane translocation components, and support the hypothesis that it is the extrusion mechanism and order in linearly arrayed TCs that enables production of crystalline cellulose.
Relative Position of the Third Characteristic Peak of the Intracranial Pressure Pulse Waveform Morphology Differentiates Normal-Pressure Hydrocephalus Shunt Responders and Nonresponders.

Introduction: The diversion of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) remains the principal treatment option for patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). External lumbar drain (ELD) and overnight intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring are popular prognostic tests for differentiating which patients will benefit from shunting. Using the morphological clustering and analysis of continuous intracranial pulse (MOCAIP) algorithm to extract morphological metrics from the overnight ICP signal, we hypothesize that changes in the third peak of the ICP pulse pressure waveform can be used to differentiate ELD responders and nonresponders. Materials and Methods: Our study involved 66 patients (72.2 ± 9.8 years) undergoing evaluation for possible NPH, which included overnight ICP monitoring and ELD. ELD outcome was based on clinical notes and divided into nonresponders and responders. MOCAIP was used to extract mean ICP, ICP wave amplitude (waveAmp), and a metric derived to study P3 elevation (P3ratio). Results: Of the 66 patients, 7 were classified as nonresponders and 25 as significant responders. The mean ICP and waveAmp did not vary significantly (p = 0.19 and p = 0.41) between the outcome groups; however, the P3ratio did show a significant difference (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Initial results suggest that the P3ratio might be used as a prognostic indicator for ELD outcome.
Model systems for the study of steroid-induced IOP elevation

Steroid-induced IOP elevation affects a significant number of patients. It results from a decrease in outflow facility of the aqueous humor. To understand the pathophysiology of this condition a number of model systems have been created. These include ex-vivo cell and organ cultures as well as in-vivo animal models in organisms ranging from rodents to primates. These model systems can be used to investigate specific aspects of steroid-induced IOP elevation. This brief review summarizes the strengths and limitations of the various model systems and provides examples of where these systems have been successfully used to advance our understanding of steroid-induced IOP elevation.
Abstract 1962: Identifying microRNA panels specifically associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and its different etiologies

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in the US has increased dramatically due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the epidemic of obesity-related nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Many microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as deregulated in HCC, but few results are consistent in previous studies. In the current study, we integrate clinical and etiologic data, as well as miRNA profiles from HCC and other 8 types of solid tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) data to investigate “HCC tumor type specific” and “tumor common” miRNA panels. Aberrant miRNA panels associated with HCCs of different etiology were also explored. Levels of 33 miRNAs were significant different between HCC tumor and paired non-tumor tissues (over 2-fold changes) after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, and most (28 miRNAs) were down-regulated in HCC tumors. Using this panel, we well classified HCC tumor tissues with 4 misclassifications among 48 paired tissues. Validating this panel in an additional 302 HCC tumor tissues, we almost perfectly distinguished tumor from non-tumor tissues with only two misclassifications (99% of HCC tissues correctly classified). Evaluating miRNA profiles in 32 independent HCC paired tissues from CUMC, we observed 40 miRNAs significantly deregulated in HCC with over 2-fold changes; 14 overlapped with those identified in TCGA. Eight miRNAs were further examined by quantitative RT-PCR in 66 paired HCC tissues from CUMC; 7 out of the 8 miRNAs showed consistent fold-changes. Subgroup analyses by HCC etiology found that 4 upregulated and 8 downregulated miRNAs were significantly associated with alcohol-related HCC. There were 7 and 4 miRNAs significantly associated with HBV- and HCV-related HCC, respectively. By comparison with the other 8 types of solid tumors, our data for the first time revealed that miR-24-1, miR-130a and miR-505 were significantly down-regulated only in HCC tumors; miR-142 and miR-455 were significantly down-regulated in HCC, but up-regulated in 5 other solid tumors, suggesting their HCC “tumor type specific” characteristics. A panel of 8 miRNAs were identified as “tumor common” markers including up-regulated miR-21, miR-182, miR-183, and down-regulated miR-139, miR-144, miR-101-2, miR-451, miR-486. These findings indicate that aberrant miRNA panels have HCC “tumor type specificity” and may be affected by different etiologies. These candidate miRNAs can be used as markers to improve clinical early diagnosis of HCC subtypes with specific etiologies and for more precise prevention and therapy. Citation Format: Jing Shen, Abby B. Siegel, Helen Remotti, Qiao Wang, Regina M. Santella. Identifying microRNA panels specifically associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and its different etiologies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1962.
Effect of Combinations of Fresh and Frozen Beef on Microbial Flora of Ground Beef Patties

Beef patties composed of fresh beef, blast frozen beef or combinations of fresh and frozen beef were then frozen by liquid nitrogen (LN2) or liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) and stored at -20 C for 6 months. Analyses for various bacteria were made at monthly intervals to evaluate effects of originally combining fresh and frozen beef on the subsequent microbial flora. Of the different combinations of fresh and frozen meat, the mixture in a 50:50 ratio produced highest bacterial numbers during frozen storage. Lowest bacterial counts resulted from use of fresh beef with no blast frozen meat but frozen subsequently with LN2 or LCO2.
Neuropathic Pain: Central vs. Peripheral Mechanisms

Our goal is to examine the processes—both central and peripheral—that underlie the development of peripherally-induced neuropathic pain (pNP) and to highlight recent evidence for mechanisms contributing to its maintenance. While many pNP conditions are initiated by damage to the peripheral nervous system (PNS), their persistence appears to rely on maladaptive processes within the central nervous system (CNS). The potential existence of an autonomous pain-generating mechanism in the CNS creates significant implications for the development of new neuropathic pain treatments; thus, work towards its resolution is crucial. Here, we seek to identify evidence for PNS and CNS independently generating neuropathic pain signals. Recent preclinical studies in pNP support and provide key details concerning the role of multiple mechanisms leading to fiber hyperexcitability and sustained electrical discharge to the CNS. In studies regarding central mechanisms, new preclinical evidence includes the mapping of novel inhibitory circuitry and identification of the molecular basis of microglia-neuron crosstalk. Recent clinical evidence demonstrates the essential role of peripheral mechanisms, mostly via studies that block the initially damaged peripheral circuitry. Clinical central mechanism studies use imaging to identify potentially self-sustaining infra-slow CNS oscillatory activity that may be unique to pNP patients. While new preclinical evidence supports and expands upon the key role of central mechanisms in neuropathic pain, clinical evidence for an autonomous central mechanism remains relatively limited. Recent findings from both preclinical and clinical studies recapitulate the critical contribution of peripheral input to maintenance of neuropathic pain. Further clinical investigations on the possibility of standalone central contributions to pNP may be assisted by a reconsideration of the agreed terms or criteria for diagnosing the presence of central sensitization in humans.
A Framework for Integrating Biosimilars Into the Didactic Core Requirements of a Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum

Biologic drugs approved via the abbreviated United States biosimilar approval pathway are anticipated to improve access to medications by addressing increasing health care expenditures. Surveys of health care practitioners indicate that there is inadequate knowledge and understanding about biosimilars; this must be addressed to ensure safe and effective use of this new category of products. Concepts of biosimilar development, manufacturing, regulation, naming, formulary, and inventory considerations, as well as patient and provider education should be included within the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum as preparation for clinical practice. Based on these considerations, we propose that PharmD graduates be required to have knowledge in the following domains regarding biologics and biosimilars: legal definition, development and regulation, state pharmacy practice laws, and pharmacy practice management. We link these general biosimilar concepts to the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standards 2016 and Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education (CAPE) Outcomes 2013, and provide example classroom learning objectives, in-class activities, and assessments to guide implementation.
A Deterministic Method to Identify Multiple Local Extrema for the AC Optimal Power Flow Problem

This paper presents a deterministic approach to compute multiple local extrema for AC Optimal Power Flow (ACOPF) problems. An elliptical representation of the sphere-confined Fritz John conditions is constructed from a quadratic formulation of the ACOPF problem. Application of a branch tracing method to the elliptical formulation enables the calculation of multiple solutions. Further, a monotone search strategy enhances the computational efficiency of finding multiple local solutions with improved objective values. The proposed approach is first illustrated using two small examples with known feasible spaces. Then, four additional local solutions to a 39-bus system are found using the proposed approach.
Failure Detection in Large Sparse Systems

Abstract A failure detection scheme is proposed for large sparse systems, which is based upon a block triangularization procedure and the standard innovation-based detection techniques. An attractive property of the scheme is an easy fault isolation test, which locates the fault within the level of any block of the system
Biochemical markers of striatal desensitization in cortical-limbic hyperglutamatergic TS- & OCD-like transgenic mice

Abstract Tics and compulsions in comorbid Tourette's syndrome (TS) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are associated with chronic hyperactivity of parallel cortico/amygdalo-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) loop circuits. Comorbid TS- & OCD-like behaviors have likewise been observed in D1CT-7 mice, in which an artificial neuropotentiating transgene encoding the cAMP-elevating intracellular subunit of cholera toxin (CT) is chronically expressed selectively in somatosensory cortical & amygdalar dopamine (DA) D1 receptor-expressing neurons that activate cortico/amygdalo-striatal glutamate (GLU) output. We’ve now examined in D1CT-7 mice whether the chronic GLU output from their potentiated cortical/limbic CSTC subcircuit afferents associated with TS- & OCD-like behaviors elicits desensitizing neurochemical changes in the striatum (STR). Microdialysis-capillary electrophoresis and in situ hybridization reveal that the mice’s chronic GLU-excited STR exhibits pharmacodynamic changes in three independently GLU-regulated measures of output neuron activation, co-excitation, and desensitization, signifying hyperactive striatal CSTC output and compensatory striatal glial and neuronal desensitization: 1) Striatal GABA, an output neurotransmitter induced by afferent GLU, is increased. 2) Striatal d -serine, a glial excitatory co-transmitter inhibited by afferent GLU, is decreased. 3) Striatal Period1 (Per1), which plays a non-circadian role in the STR as a GLU + DA D1- (cAMP-) dependent repressor thought to feedback-inhibit GLU + DA- triggered ultradian urges and motions, is transcriptionally abolished. These data imply that chronic cortical/limbic GLU excitation of the STR desensitizes its co-excitatory d -serine & DA inputs while freezing its GABA output in an active state to mediate chronic tics and compulsions − possibly in part by abolishing striatal Per1-dependent ultradian extinction of urges and motions.
Clinical Reasoning: A 12-year-old girl with headache and change in mental status.

A 12-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with headaches for 1 week in the setting of a 20-pound weight gain over the last year. Headaches were described as severe, throbbing, constant, and occipital, with photophobia, nausea, and vomiting. Pain was worse with standing.
Search for a nonrelativistic component in the spectrum of cosmic rays at Earth

Dark matter particles gravitationally bound to our Galaxy should exhibit a characteristic speed distribution limited by their escape velocity at the position of Earth (${v}_{\mathrm{esc}}\ensuremath{\simeq}550\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{km}/\mathrm{s}$). An ongoing search for anomalous cosmic rays at Earth, kinematically similar to cold dark matter, is described. The technique can discriminate between these and known slow-moving particles such as neutrons, would be sensitive to telltale signatures from presently unexplored candidates, and offers the possibility of identifying the mediating type of interaction (nuclear vs electron recoils). Studies of background identification and abatement in a shallow underground site are presented. The expected reach of the method is discussed, and illustrated by obtaining the first limits for dark matter particles lighter than $100\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}/{c}^{2}$ interacting via nuclear recoils.
Our Moral Duties to Ill and Aging Companion Animals

This essay argues that once we enter into a relationship with a companion animal or animals we acquire direct moral duties to our non-human companions. The basic contention of this essay is that our direct duties are derived from our own autonomous decision to enter into a human-animal relationship. While, as Kant argued, we have indirect duties to non-human animals grounded in our duty to ourselves to maintain and protect our own humanity, it is furthered argued that we also have direct duties to our non-human companions grounded in our autonomous decision to enter into a human-animal relationship.
Should cosmetic outcome influence discussions about goals of care for severely burned patients

We focus on surrogate decision making and, specifically, the topic of cosmetic outcomes following burn injury in a case in which potential surrogates dispute what the patient would have wanted. In particular, we examine the choice and role of surrogate decision makers in light of ethical principles that guide surrogate decision making. We also examine whether and when cosmesis should enter into goals of care discussions and consider potential roles cosmetic outcomes could play in such discussions. Finally, we discuss how caregivers should respond when surrogate decision makers suggest cosmetic results as a reason for withdrawing care.
Low Reynolds Number Airfoil Design and Wind Tunnel Testing at Princeton University

This paper focuses on the development of efficient low Reynolds number airfoils. Both experimental and computational techniques were used. The experimental facility and measurement technique are discussed in detail, and turbulence measurements in the tunnel freestream are presented. Lift and Drag data were taken at chord Reynolds numbers between 0.6 × 105 and 3.0 × 105. Comparisons of data obtained in the Princeton facility with that in several others are presented and show good agreement. Based on the results of over 40 airfoils tested during the first phase of this program (including the DAE51, FX63–137, E205, E374, E214, E387, Miley, NACA 0009, S3021, S2091, S4233), several new airfoils were designed using the Eppler and Somers code and screened using the Drela and Giles ISES code. Seventeen of the most promising designs were actually wind tunnel tested. The design philosophy is discussed and verified experimentally. Several of the new airfoils show significant performance improvements over previous airfoils. Boundary layer trips were also investigated as a means of reducing drag. Several types of trips were compared (zig-zag trips, bump tape, blowing, and two-dimensional trips), and the simple two-dimensional trip was found to yield the greatest improvement. The effects of model inaccuracies are also discussed, as well as the importance of a thin trailing edge in achieving low drag.
Radiography and CT of Occupational and Environmental Lung Diseases

This chapter addresses the imaging of the more common pneumoconioses and hypersensitivity pneumonitis and offers a brief description of the International Labour Office (ILO) International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumonoconioses. The imaging abnormalities of this group of diseases vary depending on the nature of the lung insult, but generally include homogeneous, hazy, ground-glass opacities as well as heterogeneous opacities including small irregular linear and nodular opacities. End-stage fibrosis may be manifested by volume loss, traction bronchiectasis, and honeycomb lung. Asbestosis usually involves the lower lobes and produces small irregular opacities that are frequently seen in conjunction with pleura plaques. Silicosis usually involves the upper lobes and is characterized by small nodules which may eventually grow and coalesce into large opacities or progressive massive fibrosis with distorted lung and emphysema. Talcosis may resemble either asbestosis or silicosis. Berylliosis tends to mimic the appearance of sarcoidosis which in turn, at times, resembles silicosis. Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis similarly mimics silicosis. Hard metal exposure produces images with ground-glass and irregular linear opacities as well as centrilobular nodules and emphysema. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis appears as scattered ground-glass and centrilobular opacities, air trapping, and, in late stages, pulmonary fibrosis with predominant upper lobe involvement. A description of the ILO classification of pneumoconioses and a brief description of the B-reading process including history, object, uses, and future direction are also included in this chapter.
Calcification and Fibrosis of Mitral Valves: In Vitro Ultrasonic Studies and Clinical Correlations

In the present study, M-mode echocardiography has been used to correlate specific echo patterns produced in vitro by calcified and non-calcified mitral valves with the degree of calcification of the valves. The extent of calcification and fibrosis of each mitral valve was readily determined by gross pathological examination, low-exposure x-rays to maximize differential tissue density resolution, and in 2 valves by microscopic examination. Using these techniques we found that 7 of 9 diseased, surgically excised mitral valves in this series showed evidence of solid, readily identifiable areas of moderate to heavy calcification and diffuse thickening, whereas 2 valves showed zero to trace amounts of either calcium or fibrosis. A tenth valve obtained at autopsy was added to this series and was found to be normal, without calcification or fibrosis, and served as a normal control.
Gamma-Ray Bursts: The Afterglow Revolution

GRBs were discovered with the Vela satellites, whose main purpose was to verify compliance with the 1963 Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Since their discovery these events, which emit the bulk of their energy in the 0.1— 1.0 MeV range, and whose durations span milliseconds to tens of minutes, posed one of the great unsolved problems in astrophysics. GRBs are formed in extreme relativistic outflows and provide important information about highly relativistic acceleration mechanisms. Until 1997, no counterparts (quiescent as well as transient) could be found and observations did not provide a direct measurement of their distance. The breakthrough came in early 1997, when the Wide Field Cameras aboard the Italian-Dutch BeppoSAX satellite allowed rapid and accurate localization of GRBs. Follow-up on these positions resulted in the discovery of X-ray, optical and radio afterglows. These observations revealed that GRBs come from ‘cosmological’ distances, and that they are by far the most luminous photon sources in the Universe, with peak luminosities in γ rays up to 1052 erg/s, and total energy budgets up to several times 1053—54 erg (for assumed isotropic emission). Evidence is accumulating, however, that GRB outflow is collimated in the form of jets and when corrected for the geometry of the outflow the energies of GRBs appear to cluster around 5 x 1050 ergs- very comparable to that of supernovae. GRBs are rare phenomena with an overall rate about 2000 times smaller than that of supernovae. Indirect evidence in the last several years shows that a fraction of GRBs may be related to a peculiar type of supernova explosions. Theoretical work has shown that these supernovae most likely mark the birth events of stellar mass black holes as the final products of the evolution of very massive stars. A fundamental question is whether there are also other processes that can drive such an engine, for example the coalescence of a double neutron-star system. Finally, the expectation is that one can use the enormous optical and infrared luminosities of the afterglows of GRBs to probe the Universe out to very large redshifts, beyond what is possible using supernovae or quasars. This would open an entirely new and exciting field of astrophysics and cosmology.
Multi-level pedotransfer modification functions of the USLE-K factor for annual soil erodibility estimation of mixed landscapes

This study presents new pedotransfer functions for realistic and dynamic predictions of the USLE soil erodibility factor (K). Multiple linear regression (MLR) models capturing the factors of the USLE of Fish river watershed in Alabama are developed using a dynamic remotely sensed land cover data from MODIS integrated into ArcSWAT model. The correlation matrix results of a forward stepwise MLR analysis for the period 2001–2011 show that the K-factor is profoundly affected by five variables namely, slope length and steepness, crop management factor, soil permeability, soil moisture content, and soil bulk density. The study demonstrates that the soil moisture content and soil bulk density factors that are commonly unaccounted for in the traditional USLE have a significant impact on K-factor. The predictions of the MLR models developed in the study are verified for the years 2006 and 2011. The results show that the MLR model containing all five variables is a good fit for K-factor (R2: 0.89 for 2006; 0.94 for 2011). The study shows that the mean values of K estimated for 2001–2011 using the USLE and MLR are respectively, 1.7 and 1.2 times the mean value of the measured K. The strong correlation between the estimated K from the MLR model and the measured K indicates that the use of soil moisture content (R2 = 0.84, p < 0.05) and soil bulk density (R2 = 0.77, p < 0.05) as predictor variables gives a better all-inclusive estimation of the soil erodibility factor in regions with noticeable temporal land cover transformations.
Efficacy of Community-Based Exercise Therapy Among African American Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance African American individuals are 2 times more likely than non-Hispanic white individuals to have peripheral artery disease (PAD). Structured community-based exercise therapy improves walking distance among patients with PAD, but these patients require motivation to adhere to therapy. Objective To assess whether motivational interviewing (MI) is more efficacious than Patient-Centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise (PACE) or control to improve walking distance in African American patients with PAD. Design, Setting, and Participants In this 3-group randomized clinical trial, 174 African American patients with PAD were studied from May 1, 2012, to November 30, 2016, at health care centers, churches, and health fairs in Wichita, Kansas; Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri. Interventions Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 fashion to 1 of 3 groups (57 to MI, 57 to PACE, and 60 to control). The 2 counseling interventions were delivered biweekly for 3 months and monthly for 3 months followed by a 6-month maintenance phase with limited contact. Control participants received a mailing at 3 and 9 months. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was 6-month change in 6-minute walking performance. Secondary outcomes included 12-month change in walking performance and 6- and 12-month changes in quality of life. Results A total of 174 African American patients (mean [SD] age, 64.2 [11.2] years; 128 [74.0%] female) were studied. At 6 months, mean (SE) change in walking distance by group was as follows: MI, −3.42 (4.55) m; PACE, 2.74 (6.00) m; and control, −0.18 (4.40) m. At 12 months, mean (SE) change in walking distance by group was as follows: MI, −7.75 (5.50) m; PACE, 13.75 (6.13) m; and control, −1.08 (5.73) m. Comparing each of the intervention arms (MI and PACE) with the control arm, no statistically significant increases in walking distance at 6 months (MI: change, −2.10 m; 95% CI, −16.54 to 12.35 m; PACE: change, 2.31 m; 95% CI, −11.36 to 15.97 m) or 12 months (MI: change, −5.56 m; 95% CI, −21.18 to 10.06 m; PACE: change, 14.24 m; 95% CI, −1.85 to 30.34 m) were found. Compared with MI, PACE resulted in a statistically significant increase in walking distance at 12 months of 19.80 m (95% CI, 3.33-36.28 m). Conclusions and Relevance In a cohort of African American patients with PAD, MI was not efficacious in improving walking distance at 6 or 12 months. The results of this study do not support the use of MI to improve walking performance in African American patients with PAD. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT01321086
Examining the Relationship between Helicopter Parenting and Emerging Adults’ Mindsets Using the Consolidated Helicopter Parenting Scale

The purpose of this study was to develop a consolidated helicopter parenting scale (CHPS) from five existing measures of helicopter parenting and utilize the new measure to examine the relationship between helicopter parenting and intelligence mindset. Participants were 275 emerging adults between 18–25 years of age who completed an online survey. First, we conducted an Exploratory Factor Analysis of five helicopter parenting measures to develop a scale that reliably measured participants’ reports of helicopter parenting by both their mothers and fathers. Then, we utilized the new measure to examine whether helicopter parenting mediated the relationship between emerging adults’ report of their parents’ failure mindsets and their own intelligence mindsets. The 10 items retained in the factor analysis primarily captured emerging adults’ perception that their parents’ involvement was inappropriate rather than delineating objective behaviors in which their parents engaged. Both mothers and fathers were more likely to engage in helicopter parenting when emerging adults reported their parents had a failure mindset. However, only fathers’ helicopter parenting mediated the relationship between parents’ failure mindsets and their children’s intelligence mindsets. When parents were viewed as having a failure-is-debilitating mindset, emerging adults also reported that fathers were more likely to participate in helicopter parenting behaviors, which was associated with fixed mindsets in emerging adults. People with fixed mindsets have been found to have decreased motivation (e.g., avoiding challenges and less perseverance) and academic achievement in prior research.
Performance Comparison of HPX Versus Traditional Parallelization Strategies for the Discontinuous Galerkin Method

As high performance computing moves towards the exascale computing regime, applications are required to expose increasingly fine grain parallelism to efficiently use next generation supercomputers. Intended as a solution to the programming challenges associated with these architectures, High Performance ParalleX (HPX) is a task-based C++ runtime, which emphasizes the use of lightweight threads and algorithm-dependent synchronization to maximize parallelism exposed by the application to the machine. The aim of this work is to explore the performance benefits of an HPX parallelization versus a MPI parallelization for the discontinuous Galerkin finite element method for the two-dimensional shallow water equations. We present strong and weak scaling results comparing the performance of HPX versus a MPI parallelization strategy on Knights Landing architectures. Our results indicate that for average task sizes of $$3.6\,{\mathrm {m s}}$$ , HPX’s runtime overhead is offset by more efficient execution of the application. Furthermore, we demonstrate that running with sufficiently large task granularity, HPX is able to outperform the MPI parallelization by a factor of approximately 1.2 for up to 128 nodes.
Abstract P3-06-16: The pattern of alpha- and beta- adrenergic receptor expression impacts breast cancer outcome

BACKGROUND. Chronic stress promotes myriad of genomic changes collectively termed conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA), contributing to a pro-tumorogenic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Adrenergic stimulation is one mechanism of CTRA, and adrenergic receptor (AR) modulators are currently repurposed in cancer trials. However, the impact of AR expression on TME and overall survival outcome (OS) in breast cancer (BC) remains unclear. We asked whether AR expression in tumor samples predicts prognosis in BC patients (pts) and whether it correlated to expression in normal cells. METHODS. Public RNA expression data accessed from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and fed to deconvolutional algorithm CIBERSORT, estimating 22 immune cell proportions. Clinical and OS data were accessed from XENA. Differential gene expression obtained for 115 CTRA genes known to correlate with stress. Cytolytic activity (CY) appended from Rooney et al. RESULTS. 1,211 pts had clinical and genomic data, including 114 pts with normal breast (BN) samples. When compared to BC, BN samples were enriched for ARG1, PTGS2, VCAM1, CSF1, as well as all ARs (ADR A1A, A1B, A1D, A2A, A2B, A2C, B1, B2, B3). There was significant correlation between BC and BN samples in A2A, B1, B2, IFN-γ, PTGS2 (Spearman ρ -0.2, -0.27, -0.2, 0.28, 0.29, P CONCLUSIONS. AR genes were similarly expressed across normal and tumor samples from BC pts. Pts with higher ADR-α expression had worse OS (higher Treg, lower CY) while higher ADR-β expression pts had better OS (higher TILs, M1, M1/M2, lower Treg, M2). Tex genes were higher in ADR-β, likely due to higher TILs. These findings illustrate the potential impact of chronic stress on TME and clinical outcome, potentially helping to discern pts who can benefit most from AR modulation. Citation Format: Elkhanany A, Katsuta E, Repasky E, Takabe K. The pattern of alpha- and beta- adrenergic receptor expression impacts breast cancer outcome [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-06-16.
Death and Dying in American Indian Cultures

The experience of loss and death of traditions, family, language, culture, trust, hope, and life itself has been so familiar for American Indian populations that it has characterized these groups throughout recent centuries. Yet in the midst of this, American Indians have coped and are now forming new characterizations marked by the experience of restoration and rebirth. This chapter discusses the role of historical events in the development of the traumatic nature of death often experienced in the present for American Indians. The author reviews literature related to bereavement rituals, grieving, spirituality, and meaning of death for all groups in this population and presents (a) highlights of a past study conducted with individuals in the Muscogee Creek tribe (see Walker AC, Death Stud 32:123–141, 2008; Walker AC, Death Stud 59(4):351–367, 2009; Walker AC, Balk DE, Death Stud 31:633–652, 2007; Walker AC, Thompson T, Omega 59(2):129–146, 2009) and (b) preliminary data from interviews recently conducted with individuals associated with the Lakota Tribe. Given the vast diversity within the individuals, families, and circumstances around death experienced by the 573 federally recognized tribes, we must recognize that any generalizations made should be done with caution. The chapter addresses briefly the interplay of rituals and beliefs with historical trauma and concludes with what death means for some American Indians.
HIV-associated comorbidities as mediators of the association between people living with HIV and hospital-acquired infections.

Background Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) lead to poor health outcomes in hospitalized patients and may be disproportionately affecting the aging population of people living with HIV (PLWH). This study determined the association between HIV and HAIs, and analyzed the potential mediating effects of comorbidities. Methods The Louisiana Hospital Inpatient Discharge Database for the years 2011-2015 was used. All patients with at least 1 HAI diagnosis within this source population were included as cases in the case-control study, and a 1:1 ratio of controls was randomly selected from the same hospitals. Results Of the 1,852,769 eligible hospital discharges that occurred from 2011 through 2015, there were 7,422 patients with at least 1 HAI. Marginal logistic regressions of the case-control sample showed a strong association between HIV and central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), but an inverse association between HIV and any HAI. However, the mediation analyses revealed that having at least 1 comorbidity mediates the association between HIV and CLABSIs. Discussion The unexpected inverse association between HIV and HAI could be attributed to the sample size of the exposed group of patients, or it could be explained by the mechanisms of treatment for HIV patients. Conclusions This study found that people living with HIV are at an increased risk of developing a CLABSI, which is consistent with the published literature. The mediation analyses indicated that having at least 1 comorbidity mediated the association between HIV and CLABSI diagnosis.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Adsorption of Bioinspired Oligomers on Alumina Surfaces.

The adsorption of small oligomers on a model metal oxide surface was studied with atomistically detailed molecular dynamics simulations. The oligomers consisted of two different repeat units: a maleimide, which contains a catechol functional group as in the dopamine residue found in marine adhesive proteins, and a methyl acrylate. A hydroxylated alumina surface was used as the model metal oxide surface. Adsorption interactions were investigated in aqueous as well as anhydrous conditions. In anhydrous conditions, the model oligomers displayed strong adsorption interactions with the surface. However, in aqueous conditions, the adsorption interactions were significantly weakened because of the competition with the water molecules for adsorption sites near the surface. Catechol functional groups in the model oligomers were found to play an important role in adsorption interactions with the alumina surface via hydrogen bonds. However, diverse adsorption properties were observed depending on compositions and se...
Does Litigation Risk Deter Insider Trading? Evidence from Universal Demand Laws

We exploit US states’ staggered adoption of Universal Demand laws to study how the risk of shareholder lawsuits affects opportunistic insider trading. UD laws, which make it harder for shareholders to bring derivative lawsuits against directors and officers (see, e.g., Houston, Lin and Xie 2018; and Appel 2019), lead to significantly more profitable insider trades, especially sales. This effect is greater in firms with higher information asymmetry or lower institutional monitoring, and comes from more opportunistic and riskier timing of trades. Our findings suggest that a decrease in litigation threat emboldens insiders to increase risk-taking and trade more profitably.
Sterics and Stereoelectronics in Aza-Glycine: Impact of Aza-Glycine Preorganization in Triple Helical Collagen

We previously demonstrated aza-glycine can serve as a reliable and general replacement of glycine in triple helical collagen. Aza-glycine considerably improves collagen's thermal stability and self-assembly properties without changing collagen's natural triple helix topology. We provided a firm structural basis for this stabilization with an atomic resolution crystal structure of collagen containing aza-glycine which revealed new cross-strand H-bonds within the triple helix interior. Here, using computational analysis, we show the enhanced properties of aza-glycine is a result of noncovalent forces (H-bonding) and backbone preorganization. The interplay of steric repulsion and hyperconjugative interactions in aza-glycine's backbone directly preorganizes the collagen peptide main-chain (φ, ψ) dihedrals for triple helical assembly. The synergy of multiple structural and electronic changes which originate at the residue level in the aza-glycine backbone and culminate at the macromolecular level of the triple helix lead to increased stability and faster refolding of collagen peptides containing aza-glycine.
Notes on reproduction in the deep-sea cup coral Balanophyllia malouinensis (Squires 1961) from the Southern Ocean

Deep-sea scleractinian cup corals are prominent members of Southern Ocean megabenthic communities, though little is known about their life history. This study used paraffin histology and scanning electron microscopy to characterize the reproduction of the scleractinian coral Balanophyllia malouinensis (Squires, 1961) from Burdwood Bank in the Drake Passage. Samples were taken in April and May via otter trawls, Blake trawls, and dredges on three separate cruises: one on the RV Lawrence M. Gould in 2006, and two on the RV Nathaniel B. Palmer in 2008 and 2011. B. malouinensis is gonochoric with rare hermaphroditism. All four spermatocyst stages were seen simultaneously in males; similarly, most females contained oocytes at varying stages of development, though seasonality or periodicity could not be determined without a wider range of sample dates. Average fecundity was 241 ± 184 oocytes/individual (n = 38) and not correlated to cup size. Maturing larvae were found in the mesenteries and coelenteron of females, indicating B. malouinensis broods its larvae. This study was the first to characterize the reproduction of a deep-sea Balanophyllia species and adds to a small but growing body of work seeking to understand the unique benthic communities of Burdwood Bank.
The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on ICU Organization, Care Processes, and Frontline Clinician Experiences: A Qualitative Study

Background The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented adjustments to ICU organization and care processes globally. Research Questions Did hospital emergency responses to the COVID-19 pandemic differ depending on hospital setting? Which strategies worked well to mitigate strain as perceived by intensivists? Study Design and Methods Between August and November 2020, we carried out semistructured interviews of intensivists from tertiary and community hospitals across six regions in the United States that experienced early or large surges of COVID-19 patients, or both. We identified themes of hospital emergency responses using the four S framework of acute surge planning: space, staff, stuff, system. Results Thirty-three intensivists from seven tertiary and six community hospitals participated. Clinicians across both settings believed that canceling elective surgeries was helpful to increase ICU capabilities and that hospitals should establish clearly defined thresholds at which surgeries are limited during future surge events. ICU staff was the most limited resource; staff shortages were improved by the use of tiered staffing models, just-in-time training for non-ICU clinicians, designated treatment teams, and deployment of trainees. Personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages and reuse were widespread, causing substantial distress among clinicians; hands-on PPE training was helpful to reduce clinicians’ anxiety. Transparency and involvement of frontline clinicians as stakeholders were important components of effective emergency responses and helped to maintain trust among staff. Interpretation We identified several strategies potentially to mitigate strain as perceived by intensivists working in both tertiary and community hospital settings. Our study also demonstrated the importance of trust and transparency between frontline staff and hospital leadership as key components of effective emergency responses during public health crises.