cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-irradiation effects in 238Pu-substituted zirconolite: II. Effect of damage microstructure on recovery

Abstract Samples of 238Pu-substituted zirconolite (CaPuTi2O7) were stored near room temperature to allow accumulation of alpha recoil damage. Differential thermal analysis was employed to measure release of stored energy accompanying recrystallization, after damage had proceeded for times from 35 days ( 4.7 × 10 24 alpha decays/m 3 ) to 1198 days ( 1.6 × 10 26 α/m 3 ). It was found that three parameters related to energy release (amount of stored energy, transformation temperature, and abruptness of transformation) were dependent on damage dose. Results are interpreted in terms of the quantity and distribution of remanent crystallinity, and of the consequences of redamage to once-damaged material.
Small-Group Learning

(1993). Small-Group Learning. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 100, No. 7, pp. 662-668.
The relation between aggressive financial reporting and aggressive tax reporting: Evidence from ex-Arthur Andersen clients

Abstract We investigate the economic trade-offs managers face due to conflicting incentives to report high financial statement book income and, at the same time, report low taxable income. Our setting involves Houston clients of Arthur Andersen (AA), who have been shown to exhibit a culture of aggressive financial reporting. Using our sample of AA Houston clients, we test two competing theories: (1) firms which have a culture of aggressive financial reporting are also aggressive in their tax reporting, versus (2) firms which are willing to pay real dollars (taxes) to report higher financial statement earnings. We do not find support for either theory. Instead, our findings suggest a middle-ground: firms may exhibit a culture of aggressive financial reporting without impacting their relative tax reporting. Our findings not only shed light on the intersection of financial and tax reporting, but they also add to the extant literature involving the culture of AA. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to investigate the tax ramifications of AA’s culture of aggressive financial reporting.
Blood pressure control in continuous flow left ventricular assist devices: efficacy and impact on adverse events.

Background Continuous flow (CF) left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are afterload sensitive and therefore pump performance is affected by hypertension. In addition, poorly controlled hypertension may increase the risk of aortic insufficiency (AI) and stroke. Blood pressure regimens after CF LVAD have not been studied and their impact on rates of AI and stroke are unknown. Methods Patients who had CF LVAD at a single center and were supported greater than 30 days were included. Blood pressure was monitored at home by Doppler. Outpatient management of blood pressure was conducted according to a predefined institutional protocol (target mean arterial pressure ≤80 mm Hg). Results A total of 96 patients were included. At the end of follow-up, 25 patients were not on an antihypertensive drug, of these 9 died. Of the 74% receiving antihypertensives, 54% required 1 medication, 34% were on 2, 10% were on 3, and 3% were on 4 or more. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (85% of patients on an antihypertensive) and beta blockers (30%) were the most commonly prescribed medications. There was a significantly higher neurologic event rate in those on no antihypertensives compared with those on antihypertensives ( p = 0.009). Only 3% of patients with no or mild AI at baseline progressed to develop moderate or greater AI after a mean of 201 days of follow-up. Conclusions Blood pressure control can be achieved in patients with CF LVADs, with the majority of patients requiring only 1 or 2 antihypertensives.
Modeling the Density and Isentropic Compressibility of Seawater

Early studies have shown that the physical chemical properties of seawater can be estimated from the values for the major sea salts. These estimates have been made by assuming that the apparent molar properties of seawater, Φ(SW), are equal to the weighted sum of the major components of seawater ϕ(MX) $$ \Upphi \left( {\text{SW}} \right) \, = \sum_{\text{M}} \sum_{\text{X}} E_{\text{M}} E_{\text{X}} \phi \left( {\text{MX}} \right) $$ where E M and E X are the equivalent fractions of the cations (M) and anions (X) of each major sea salt (MX). This simple chemical model has been shown to predict the apparent molar volume, compressibility, and heat capacity of seawater from 0 to 40 °C and salinities as high as 40. In this paper, we have extended this model to 95 °C for the apparent molar volume and compressibility determined from density and sound speed measurements. The results indicate that reasonable estimates of the density and speed of sound of seawater and brines can be made using this approach from 5 to 90 °C and salinities of 40 g·kg−1. For high concentrations of seawater or brines, it is necessary to consider the volume of mixing of cations and anions of similar charge in the solution.
Software systems to control sensitivity studies of Monte Carlo simulations models

Studies of the sensitivity of Monte Carlo models to changes in the values of their features involve repetitive simulations. Subsequent displays and analyses express variation in simulated outcomes as a function of change in location in multidimensional feature space and provide feedback via inputs for future simulations. A software system has been designed to control execution of the interacting programs required, reducing the need for human intervention. Assumptions about the goals and operation of the system as a whole are isolated within a program which executes component packages using interprogram control and communication mechanisms. The latter allow component programs to operate independently of the sources of data or the execution environment: they may be used separately, or in software systems, such as for sensitivity analysis of a Monte Carlo epidemic model. The methodology contributes to modularity at the level of executable programs and to the plausibility and efficiency of sensitivity studies.
Modifying Ventricular Fibrillation by Targeted Rotor Substrate Ablation: Proof-of-Concept from Experimental Studies to Clinical VF

Rotor Substrate Ablation Suppresses VF Introduction Recent work has suggested a role for organized sources in sustaining ventricular fibrillation (VF). We assessed whether ablation of rotor substrate could modulate VF inducibility in canines, and used this proof-of-concept as a foundation to suppress antiarrhythmic drug-refractory clinical VF in a patient with structural heart disease. Methods and Results In 9 dogs, we introduced 64-electrode basket catheters into one or both ventricles, used rapid pacing at a recorded induction threshold to initiate VF, and then defibrillated after 18±8 seconds. Endocardial rotor sites were identified from basket recordings using phase mapping, and ablation was performed at nonrotor (sham) locations (7 ± 2 minutes) and then at rotor sites (8 ± 2 minutes, P = 0.10 vs. sham); the induction threshold was remeasured after each. Sham ablation did not alter canine VF induction threshold (preablation 150 ± 16 milliseconds, postablation 144 ± 16 milliseconds, P = 0.54). However, rotor site ablation rendered VF noninducible in 6/9 animals (P = 0.041), and increased VF induction threshold in the remaining 3. Clinical proof-of-concept was performed in a patient with repetitive ICD shocks due to VF refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs. Following biventricular basket insertion, VF was induced and then defibrillated. Mapping identified 4 rotors localized at borderzone tissue, and rotor site ablation (6.3 ± 1.5 minutes/site) rendered VF noninducible. The VF burden fell from 7 ICD shocks in 8 months preablation to zero ICD therapies at 1 year, without antiarrhythmic medications. Conclusions Targeted rotor substrate ablation suppressed VF in an experimental model and a patient with refractory VF. Further studies are warranted on the efficacy of VF source modulation.
Revised susceptibility, benefits, and barriers scale for mammography screening.

The purpose of this research was to revise scales measuring perceived susceptibility to breast cancer and perceived benefits and barriers to mammography utilization. A total of 618 women age 50 and over who were enrolled in a large intervention study participated in data collection. Scales were revised beginning with focus group input. Analyses included internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, factor analysis, confirmatory analysis, and known groups techniques to test construct validity. Internal consistency ranged from .75 to .88, and test reliabilities from .59 to .72. Construct validity was confirmed with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, as well as known group techniques. Overall these scales represent an improvement in those previously reported.
Gender in psychology.

Gender is increasingly understood as defining a system of power relations embedded in other power relations. Psychological research on gender—which has most often focused on analysis of sex differences, within-sex variability, and gender roles—has begun to incorporate this new understanding. By drawing on three resources, psychologists can make more rapid progress in understanding gender's significance for psychological processes: social science theories that link the individual and social levels of analysis; constructs (such as identity) that bridge the social and individual levels; and conceptual tools generated in feminist theory, perhaps especially intersectionality. We review these resources, cite active research programs that have employed them, and conclude by offering some practical suggestions about how to incorporate these resources into our research.
Application of Laminated Edible Films to Potato Chip Packaging

The effects of various stearic-palmitic acid blend concentrations in films, storage temperatures and storage times on potato chip quality were evaluated using Response Surface Methodology. Storage temperature and time affected the quality of potato chips. The maximum storage times for acceptable potato chip quality were: 30 to 43 days, 23 to 25 days, and 11 to 12 days for storage temperatures of 15, 25 and 357C, respectively. Results were independent of stearic-palmitic acid blend concentrations.
Biomarkers of disease differentiation: HCV recurrence versus acute cellular rejection

The wound-healing process induced by chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection triggers liver damage characterized by fibrosis development and finally cirrhosis. Liver Transplantation (LT) is the optimal surgical treatment for HCV-cirrhotic patients at end-stage liver disease. However, acute cellular rejection (ACR) and HCV recurrence disease represent two devastating complications post-LT. The accurate differential diagnosis between both conditions is critical for treatment choice, and similar histological features represent a challenge for pathologists. Moreover, the HCV recurrence disease severity is highly variable post-LT. HCV recurrence disease progression is characterized by an accelerated fibrogenesis process, and almost 30% of those patients develop cirrhosis at 5-years of follow-up. Whole-genome gene expression (WGE) analyses through well-defined oligonucleotide microarray platforms represent a powerful tool for the molecular characterization of biological process. In the present manuscript, the utility of microarray technology is applied for the ACR and HCV-recurrence biological characterization in post-LT liver biopsy samples. Moreover, WGE analysis was performed to identify predictive biomarkers of HCV recurrence severity in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded liver biopsies prospectively collected.
An Arabidopsis Cell Wall Proteoglycan Consists of Pectin and Arabinoxylan Covalently Linked to an Arabinogalactan Protein

Plant cell walls are comprised largely of the polysaccharides cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin, along with ∼10% protein and up to 40% lignin. These wall polymers interact covalently and noncovalently to form the functional cell wall. Characterized cross-links in the wall include covalent linkages between wall glycoprotein extensins between rhamnogalacturonan II monomer domains and between polysaccharides and lignin phenolic residues. Here, we show that two isoforms of a purified Arabidopsis thaliana arabinogalactan protein (AGP) encoded by hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein family protein gene At3g45230 are covalently attached to wall matrix hemicellulosic and pectic polysaccharides, with rhamnogalacturonan I (RG I)/homogalacturonan linked to the rhamnosyl residue in the arabinogalactan (AG) of the AGP and with arabinoxylan attached to either a rhamnosyl residue in the RG I domain or directly to an arabinosyl residue in the AG glycan domain. The existence of this wall structure, named ARABINOXYLAN PECTIN ARABINOGALACTAN PROTEIN1 (APAP1), is contrary to prevailing cell wall models that depict separate protein, pectin, and hemicellulose polysaccharide networks. The modified sugar composition and increased extractability of pectin and xylan immunoreactive epitopes in apap1 mutant aerial biomass support a role for the APAP1 proteoglycan in plant wall architecture and function.
Racial differences in correlations between reported dietary intakes of carotenoids and their concentration biomarkers

Background: The predictive ability of dietary assessment methods to estimate specific circulating plasma carotenoid concentrations has been compared between African Americans and whites in only one study to date. Objective: The predictive abilities of 24-h dietary recalls and a food-frequency questionnaire in reporting dietary carotenoids when measured against concentration biomarkers were assessed in African Americans and compared with the findings in whites. Design: Data were collected from 250 generally healthy, nonsmoking white and African American participants aged 21‐69 y, who completed 8 self-administered online 24-h dietary recalls and one National Cancer Institute diet-history questionnaire in the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Energetics Study. Mean intakes from 4-d dietary recalls were correlated with plasma xanthophyll concentrations (lutein + zeaxanthin and b-cryptoxanthin) and hydrocarbon carotenoids (lycopene, a-carotene, and b-carotene). Results: Adjusted correlations of plasma carotenoids with reported dietary intakes for African Americans in the 24-h dietary recall ranged from 0.03 for b-carotene to 0.40 for b-cryptoxanthin. For whites, the correlations ranged from 0.13 for lycopene to 0.51 for b-cryptoxanthin. Conclusions: Despite stronger validity in reported energy intakes for African Americans than for whites in the 24-h dietary recall in the Energetics Study, both recalls and food-frequency dietary assessment methods yielded lower correlations in African Americans than in whites. This finding might be attributable to reporting differences in both dietary sources and food preparation or to racially related genetic variants influencing circulating concentrations. The current findings support the need to account for differences in race, age, sex, and body mass index in regression calibrations of dietary reports and measurement error adjustments. Am J Clin Nutr 2011;93:1102‐8.
Summer Innovation Experience for undergraduates in semiconductor technology

The President of Rochester Institute of Technology, Dr. William Destler announced in 2007 renewed emphasis on innovation and creativity in engineering education from the beginning in undergraduate and graduate education. The Microelectronic Engineering program at RIT proposed to establish a program — Summer Innovation Experience which will allow undergraduate students to participate in innovative research projects during the first and the fourth summer quarter. The program is tailored to first year students, fourth year students seeking graduate school, and students from other disciplines taking the Minor program in Microelectronics and Nanofabrication. Students work under the supervision of a faculty and team up with graduate students. The program is offered during the summer the quarter (June — August) funded through Research Experience for Undergraduates supplements on ongoing projects and industry support. Students are required to present at the institute wide Undergraduate Research Symposium held at RIT each year during the second week of August.
A fast simulator for pipelined A/D converters

A simulator for comprehensive analysis of pipelined A/D converters has been developed in MATLAB and compiled to an executable that can be run on various platforms. The simulator accepts user-specified parameters such as resolution per stage, number of stages, input and clock frequencies, input amplitude, op amp nonlinearity, capacitor mismatch, comparator offset, and clock jitter. The tool then provides the simulated performance in the form of residue plots, differential and integral nonlinearity profiles, output spectrum, and input-referred thermal noise. Compared with Cadence's Spectre, the proposed simulator runs several orders of magnitude faster while incurring a small error.
Injuries of the Castro-intestinal Tract in Children Notes on Recognition and Management:

Injuries of the gastro-intestinal tract occur in approximately 10 per cent of children with either blunt or penetrating trauma to the abdomen. These injuries require prompt surgical intervention, and in general are curable with an excellent prognosis if one is alert to the possibility of their occurrence and is familiar with the approaches to prompt and accurate diagnosis.
Accounting Faculty Internships: A Descriptive Study

Accounting professionals, business college accrediting bodies, and even accounting academics themselves acknowledge that there is a disconnect between academe and the rigors and requirements of the accounting profession. Among the suggestions proposed in the literature to reduce this gap is the faculty internship, where accounting faculty members work within the field as accountants. Heretofore, individual case studies report benefits of such internships that accrue to a variety of stakeholder groups beyond just the faculty intern and include the academic institution, students, and accounting profession through faculty internships. This research seeks wider support for these benefits. This descriptive study involved surveying a sample of accounting faculty members to get their opinions about the benefits and drawbacks of faculty internships, and to determine the level of use of faculty internships in accounting. In all, 128 usable responses were obtained, representing a 14.6% response rate. The results of this study reveal that although most faculty members acknowledge the benefits cited in the literature, too few take advantage of faculty internships.
IMPLICATION ANALYSIS: A PRAGMATIC PROPOSAL FOR LINKING THEORY AND DATA IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Sociology and other social sciences struggle to emulate a model of scientific evidence that is often inappropriate. Not only do social researchers encounter special limits, but they are also handicapped by a distorted and idealized picture of practices in the “hard sciences.” Ironically, while often obliged to use data of lower quality, sociology employs standards for evaluating a theory that are not attained in the hard sciences. After a brief review of these obstacles, we describe a set of procedures for using empirical data to rigorously evaluate theories and hypotheses without resorting to the mimicking of hard science. The interaction between theory and evidence normally involves deriving implications from the theory (usually referred to as hypotheses) and then ascertaining how closely the empirical evidence meets these implications. The appropriateness of the implications is a key factor in the entire operation, linking as they do the data and the theory. The evaluation of a theory is no better than the theory's implications (as generated by the investigator) coupled with the quality and appropriateness of the evidence. It is our impression, however, that because this step is insufficiently addressed, there are unnecessary problems in the evaluation of theories. We use the term “Implication Analysis” to describe our efforts to review and improve current procedures.
Asymptotic growth of a bubble in a liquid with uniform initial superheat

A modification is presented of the Plesset-Z wick solution for the asymptotic growth phase of a bubble originating in an infinite volume of liquid of uniform superheat. After a transformation to Lagrangian coordinates, the heat conduction equation is solved by a perturbation method, noting that the volume of the thermal boundary layer surrounding the bubble is small compared to the bubble volume. This work differs from the Plesset-Z wick solution in that a temperature condition, rather than a heat flux condition, is imposed at the spherical boundary. This implies a second series of approximations (which fortunately converges very rapidly) based upon the observation that the inertial and surface tension terms in the equation of motion are small. The leading term of the unperturbed solution is identical with that of Plesset and Zwick. A solution for the first-order perturbation, and an estimate of the second-order perturbation, are presented for the first time. The perturbation series in the bubble volume is of the order of a descending series of powers of the Jakob number, and hence may not converge near the critical pressure.
The effects of grade III posterolateral knee complex injuries on anterior cruciate ligament graft force. A biomechanical analysis.

To determine if untreated grade III injuries of the posterolateral structures contribute to increased force on an anterior cruciate ligament graft, we measured the force in the graft in cadaveric knees during joint loading after reconstruction with otherwise intact structures and in the same reconstructed knees after selected cutting of specific posterolateral knee structures. Tests were first performed on the knee with the posterolateral structures intact and then after sequential sectioning of the fibular collateral ligament, popliteofibular ligament, and popliteus tendon. The graft force was significantly higher after fibular collateral ligament transection during varus loading at both 0° and 30° of knee flexion than it was for the same loading of the joint with intact posterolateral structures. In addition, coupled loading of varus and internal rotation moments at 0° and 30° of flexion further increased graft force beyond that with varus force alone. The increase in graft force remained significant with additional sequential cutting of the popliteofibular ligament and popliteus tendon. We believe this study supports the clinical observation that untreated grade III posterolateral structure injuries contribute to anterior cruciate ligament graft failure by allowing higher forces to stress the graft.
Profit in American Economic Theory

DURING the past sixty years, there has been a highly significant development of the concept of profit in American economic thought, generally unaffected by influences from abroad. The process of this development has given the term an entirely new content and new connotations which are peculiar to its use in the United States. Unfortunately for clear comprehension, the history of profit doctrine has usually been considered to be chaotic and disconnecteda mere series of mutually exclusive and incompatible doctrines. It is the purpose of the present article to show (i) that there has been a logical process of development in the history of profit theory in the United States, and (2) something of the nature and significance of the concept which has been developed by this historical process. The thread of the process of development is not to be found in any series of positive contributions, each new one adding to the accepted content of its predecessor. On the contrary, the various contributions are important chiefly as they subtract from a common beginning. The process is one of the successive refinements of a concept. The start is taken from the classical definition of profit, as exemplified by John Stuart Mill. According to his definition, which was widely accepted in the United States prior to I883, profit is composed -of interest, wages of management, and the reward for risk-bearing. In three successive stages, American theorising has rejected each of these component parts, leaving no content whatever to the old definition. The first important step in the development of this American theory was the separation of interest from the concept of profit which had been accepted by classical economics. Although previously suggested in a sketchy fashion by minor writers,' the greatest credit for this achievement must go to Francis A. Walker, whose system of distribution was unique and original, if not endowed with enduring validity.2 His system, briefly, was as follows: Industry produces a certain amount of wealth, from which each participating factor is entitled to a share. The landowner receives rent, in the Ricardian sense. The capitalist receives interest, the rate of which is determined by the law of supply and demand. The entrepreneur receives profit, determined by the rent principle as applied to the relative efficiency of entrepreneurs, measured upward from the wage rate which alternative employments offer to the least efficient among them. After these deductions we have but one
Research on test of sodium cyclamate in fat-rich solid food with method of capillary gas chromatography

Objective: To set up a new method to test the content of sodium cyclamate in fat-rich solid food which is highly sensitive,swift,and convenient.Methods:Treat the sample with ultrasonic extraction,remove protein and fat by precipitation,and purification before testing by capillary gas chromatography.Results:Linear relation is fine with sodium cyclamate contents between 0.0050 and 0.20 mg/ml,Y=9.277×105X+2.971×103,r=0.9993.When testing a sample of 10 grams,it ranges from 0.050 to 2.0 g/kg,with a lowest detection limit of 0.014 g/kg.Recovery ratio ranges from 91.4% to 95.1%,RSD from 2.2% to 5.7%.Conclusion:This approach enjoys advantages of high sensitivity,low detection limit,broad range of linear relation,comparatively more convenient to operate,time-saving,and accuracy.So it is suitable to test the content of sodium cyclamate in both fat-rich and normal solid food.
Bladder cancer: ASCO endorses EAU muscle-invasive bladder cancer guidelines

A multidisciplinary expert panel from the American Society of Clinical Oncology has endorsed the updated European Association of Urology guidelines for the management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, with one exception. The panel also provides additional clarification of several recommendations.
JG-ODNs, novel G-quartet oligonucleotides, inhibit HIF-1a and HIF-2a activity and suppress growth of pancreatic and prostate tumors

A52 BACKGROUND: Hypoxia is an important process in the progression and treatment resistance of many human cancers. Hypoxia inducible-factor-1 and 2 (HIF-1 and HIF-2) have pivotal roles in tumor promotion by up-regulating their target genes, which are involved in energy metabolism, angiogenesis, cell survival, cell invasion, and drug resistance. The subunits HIF-1α and HIF-2α, which are hypoxia-controlled, determine the level of HIF-1 and HIF-2 dimers and transcription of hypoxia-inducible genes. Using our rational drug design system, we have developed G-rich oligodeoxynucleotides (JG-ODNs) as potent inhibitors of HIF-1α and HIF-2α for human cancer therapy. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that (i) the compounds, JG243 and JG244 were effectively delivered in cancer cells using our novel delivery system. (ii) JG243 and JG244, which have been identified to form a chair G-quartet structure inside the cells, strongly inhibit the activation of both HIF-1α and HIF-2α (IC50s
Optical Coherence Tomography in Pulmonary Medicine

Advances in pulmonary diagnostics and therapeutics offer amajor potential for optical imaging applications both in clinical practice and research settings. Complexities of pulmonary structures and function have restrictedwidespreadOCT investigations and clinical applications, but these will likely be overcome by developments in OCT technology [1]. Some factors that have limited adaptation of OCT into the pulmonary setting in the past have been the shallow depth of penetration, resolution limitations,
Educational Transformation in Upper-Division Physics: The Science Education Initiative Model, Outcomes, and Lessons Learned.

Detailed case study of the science education initiative model of course transformation, including upper-division physics courses.
Better together: improved care of the IBD patient using the multi-disciplinary IBD center

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are idiopathic relapsing inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract most commonly affecting individuals in the prime of their productive ...
Development of self-powered strain sensor using mechano-luminescent ZnS:Cu and mechano-optoelectronic P3HT

Aerospace structural systems are prone to structural damage during their use by vibration, impact, material degradation, and other factors. Due to the harsh environments in which aerospace structures operate, aerospace structures are susceptible to various types of damage and often their structural integrity is jeopardized unless damage onset is detected in timely manner. Yet, current state-of-the-art sensor technologies are still limited for structural health monitoring (SHM) of aerospace structures due to their high power consumption, need for large form factor design, and manageable integration into aerospace structures. This study proposes a design of multilayered self-powered strain sensor by coupling mechano-luminescent (ML) property of copper-doped zinc sulfide (ZnS:Cu) and mechano-optoelectronic (MO) property of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). One functional layer of the self-powered strain sensor is ZnS:Cu-based elastomeric composites that emit light in response to mechanical deformation. Another functional layer is P3HT-based thin films that generate direct current (DC) under light illumination and DC magnitude changes with applied strain. First, ML light emission characteristics of ZnS:Cu-based composites are studied under cyclic tensile strain with two various maximum strain up to 10% and 15% at various loading frequencies from 5 Hz to 20 Hz. Second, piezo-optical properties of P3HT-based thin films are investigated by acquiring light absorption of the thin films at various strains from 0% to 2% tensile strain. Last, micro-mechanical properties of the P3HT-based thin films are characterized using nanoindentation.
The use of an online comment system in clinical ethics consultation.

Background: Although a mechanism for resolving ethical issues in patient care is required for accreditation of American hospitals, there are no formal qualifications for providing clinical ethics c...
From Unbundling to Rebundling: Design Principles for Transforming Institutions in the New Digital Ecosystem

The last five years have been active and noisy ones for the impact of technology and online education on the future of colleges and universities. Much has been said to disparage the traditional ins...
Abstract NTOC-115: ASSOCIATION BETWEEN NUCLEAR SYK PHOSPHORYLATION AND EGFR/ERBB2 PATHWAY AND POOR SURVIVAL IN HIGH GRADE SEROUS OVARIAN CANCER

BACKGROUND: Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) has emerged as a cancer associated kinase of which aberrant activity contributes to tumor development and drug resistance in several types of human cancer including ovarian carcinoma. To better understand the mechanism how the SYK pathway participates in tumor progression, we studied the biochemistry and transcriptional regulation of SYK in high-grade ovarian serous carcinoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analyses were performed for phosphorylated SYK (Y525/526) and total SYK levels in 42 primary serous ovarian carcinomas and 112 tumor ascites formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues. The relative expression of SYK long and short isoforms in peritoneal ascites and cell lines were examined by reverse transcriptase-PCR. Transcriptome analysis of gene regulated by SYK inhibition was carried out using Illumina Human HT-12 v4 arrays. Results from array was analyzed for upstream regulators. IHC data was correlated with pEGFR (Y1197) and pERBB2 (Y877) nuclear expression. Association with survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test. RESULTS: We observed that active phosphorylated SYK (p-SYK, Y525/526) is mainly localized in the nucleus and cytoskeleton in cell lines and tissues. Investigation of SYK mRNA spliced variants in ascites tumors showed predominant SYK long isoform expression, consistent with its nuclear localization. Survival analyses revealed that intense nuclear p-SYK correlated with poor overall survival in two ovarian carcinoma cohorts. Patients with relatively high p-SYK in the nucleus had approximately half the median survival compared to those with undetectable or low nuclear p-SYK. SYK inhibition affected changes in gene expression that are downstream of ERBB2 and EGFR signaling. Correlation analyses in tissues suggested a relationship between p-SYK and pERBB2 or pEGFR signaling. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that activation of the SYK pathway leads to its phosphorylation and localization in cell nucleus. SYK activity plays a role in regulating EGFR and ERBB2 phosphorylation and activation. Thus, SYK may regulate tumor-promoting gene transcription through cross-talks with the EGFR/ERBB2 pathways. Citation Format: Yu, Yu; Ardighieri, Laura; Suryo Rahmanto, Yohan; Chen, Lin Y.; Tessarollo, Nayara G.; Mizushima, Taichi; Ayhan, Ayse; Davidson, Ben; Wang, Tian L., and Shih Ie M. ASSOCIATION BETWEEN NUCLEAR SYK PHOSPHORYLATION AND EGFR/ERBB2 PATHWAY AND POOR SURVIVAL IN HIGH GRADE SEROUS OVARIAN CANCER [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 12-13, 2016; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr NTOC-115.
Next-generation sequencing and clinical outcomes of patients with lung adenocarcinoma treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy

BACKGROUND Genetic aberrations are well characterized in lung adenocarcinomas (LACs) and clinical outcomes have been influenced by targeted therapies in the advanced setting. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is the standard-of-care therapy for patients with nonoperable, early-stage LAC, but to the authors' knowledge, no information is available regarding the impact of genomic changes in these patients. The current study sought to determine the frequency and clinical impact of genetic aberrations in this population. METHODS Under an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol, the records of 242 consecutive patients with early-stage lung cancers were reviewed; inclusion criteria included LAC histology with an adequate tumor sample for the successful use of next-generation sequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridization testing. Univariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with clinical outcomes. RESULTS LAC samples from 98 of the 242 patients were reviewed (40.5%), of whom 45 patients (46.0%) had genetic testing. The following mutations were noted: KRAS in 20.0% of samples, BRAF in 2.2% of samples, SMAD family member 4 (SMAD4) in 4.4% of samples, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in 15.6% of samples, STK1 in 2.2% of samples, tumor protein 53 (TP53) in 15.6% of samples, and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in 2.2% of samples. The following gene rearrangements were observed: anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in 8.9% of samples, RET in 2.2% of samples, and MET amplification in 17.8% of samples. The median total delivered SBRT dose was 50 grays (range, 48-60 grays) over a median of 5 fractions (range, 3-8 fractions). The KRAS mutation was associated with worse local control (odds ratio [OR], 3.64; P<.05). MET amplification was associated with worse regional (OR, 4.64; P<.05) and distant (OR, 3.73; P<.05) disease control. CONCLUSIONS To the authors' knowledge, the current series is the first to quantify genetic mutations and their association with clinical outcomes in patients with early-stage LAC treated with SBRT. KRAS mutations were associated with worse local control and MET amplification was associated with worse regional and distant disease control, findings that need to be validated in a prospective setting. Cancer 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Mimetic Model of Retinal Network in Catfish

Abstract Nonlinear analysis through single and two-input white-noise stimulation is performed on the catfish retinal neurons; the receptor, horizontal, bipolar, amacrine and ganglion cells. The results are correlated to the morphological and functional structure of this retina, as it pertains to the concentric receptive-field organization. The derived models can predict the neuron responses with good accuracy Conclusions are drawn on the functional role of the various neuron chains, within the retina, in realizing the receptive-field response components and processing light information. A preliminary functional model of the catfish retina is presented.
Development of the Cursorial Spider, Cheiracanthium inclusum (Araneae: Miturgidae), on Eggs of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Development of the cursorial spider, Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz) (Araneae: Miturgidae), from emergence to maturity on a diet of eggs of the lepidopteran pest Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was characterized. Cheiracanthium inclusum developed to adulthood with no mortality while feeding on a diet solely of H. zea eggs and water. The number of instars to adulthood varied from 4–5 for males and from 4–6 for females, although most males (84.6%) and females (66.7%) required 5 instars. Males and females took a similar time to become adults (54.2 ± 4.0 and 53.9 ± 2.0 days, respectively). Egg consumption was similar between males and females for the first 4 instars, but differed for the 5th instar and for the total number of eggs consumed to reach adulthood (651.0 ± 40.3 and 866.5 ± 51.4 eggs for males and females, respectively). Individual consumption rates suggest the potential for high impact of C. inclusum individuals on pest populations. Development was faster and survival greater than...
High rate of isolated right ventricular dysfunction in patients with non-significant CT pulmonary angiography.

Abstract Background Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension (PH) are commonly unrecognized in the emergency department (ED), but are associated with poor outcomes. Prior research has found a 30% prevalence of isolated RV dysfunction in ED patients after non-significant computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA). We aimed to prospectively define the prevalence of RV dysfunction and/or PH in short of breath ED patients, and assess outcomes. Methods Prospective observational study of patients with a non-significant CTPA. Isolated RV dysfunction and/or PH was defined as normal left ventricular function plus RV dilation, moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation or RV systolic pressure > 40 mm Hg on comprehensive echocardiography. Results Of 83 patients, 20 (24%, 95% [confidence interval] CI: 16–34%) had isolated RV dysfunction and/or PH. These patients had 40% ED recidivism and 30% hospital readmission at 30-days. When compared to patients with normal echocardiographic function, they had significantly longer intensive care unit and hospital length of stays. Conclusions In a prospective cohort of ED patients, we found a high prevalence of isolated RV dysfunction and/or PH after a non-significant CTPA. These patients had high rates of recidivism and hospital readmission. This data supports a continued need for ED based screening and specialty referral.
Long view from a high plateau

In the field of plant-pathogen interactions there have been three recent bursts of knowledge. The first was the isolation of the disease-resistance (R) genes; the second was the ability to isolate mutants in 'model' plants; and the third was identification of a conserved delivery system in plant and animal pathogens. Progress in all three areas was discussed at two recent meetings.
Measuring digit lengths with 3D digital stereophotogrammetry: A comparison across methods

OBJECTIVES We compared digital 3D stereophotogrammetry to more traditional measurement methods (direct anthropometry and 2D scanning) to capture digit lengths and ratios. METHODS The length of the second and fourth digits was measured by each method and the second-to-fourth ratio was calculated. For each digit measurement, intraobserver agreement was calculated for each of the three collection methods. Further, measurements from the three methods were compared directly to one another. Agreement statistics included the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and technical error of measurement (TEM). RESULTS Intraobserver agreement statistics for the digit length measurements were high for all three methods; ICC values exceeded 0.97 and TEM values were below 1 mm. For digit ratio, intraobserver agreement was also acceptable for all methods, with direct anthropometry exhibiting lower agreement (ICC = 0.87) compared to indirect methods. For the comparison across methods, the overall agreement was high for digit length measurements (ICC values ranging from 0.93 to 0.98; TEM values below 2 mm). For digit ratios, high agreement was observed between the two indirect methods (ICC = 0.93), whereas indirect methods showed lower agreement when compared to direct anthropometry (ICC < 0.75). CONCLUSIONS Digit measurements and derived ratios from 3D stereophotogrammetry showed high intraobserver agreement (similar to more traditional methods) suggesting that landmarks could be placed reliably on 3D hand surface images. While digit length measurements were found to be comparable across all three methods, ratios derived from direct anthropometry tended to be higher than those calculated indirectly from 2D or 3D images.
Brain Stem: Clinical Considerations

Of all sites in the central nervous system, the brain stem provides the best example of how the anatomical pattern of involvement may allow the prediction of the actual pathologic process. The student has, of course, already encountered several examples of this phenomenon at the level of the spinal cord. For example, the clinical finding of a selective dissociated loss of pain and temperature in a cape-like distribution over the shoulders and upper extremities implies an anatomical process in a pericentral location involving the anterior commissure. One could readily deduce that an intrinsic pathological process was present and, moreover, could assume that in most cases the pathological process was that of syringomyelia.
Coordinate Systems and the Role of Tensor Calculus

Tensor calculus was invented in order to make geometric and analytical methods work together effectively. While geometry is one of the oldest and most developed branches of mathematics, coordinate systems are relatively new, dating back to the 1600s. The introduction of coordinate systems enabled the use of algebraic methods in geometry and eventually led to the development of calculus. However, along with their tremendous power, coordinate systems present a number of potential pitfalls, which soon became apparent. Tensor calculus arose as a mechanism for overcoming these pitfalls. In this chapter, we discuss coordinate systems, the advantages and disadvantages of their use, and explain the need for tensor calculus.
Exploration of University Faculty Perceptions and Experiences of Service-Learning as Engaged Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to explore how faculty at a private research university utilize the service-learning pedagogy to advance their scholarship of teaching and learning. Of specific interest was what influences them to utilize the service-learning pedagogy in their scholarship of teaching and learning, and how they perceive that utilizing the service-learning pedagogy affects student learning. Boyer’s work on the scholarship of teaching and learning framed the study. The findings of this study are that the experiential components of the service-learning pedagogy are effective in connecting students to real-world problems. As part of the curriculum it engages students in deeper learning and its use changes students’ perspectives about the importance of community involvement, establishing a community consciousness to those students involved. The study supports that the service-learning pedagogy is important to higher education faculty and has led to supporting their scholarship of teaching and learning.
Detecting respiratory viruses in children with protracted bacterial bronchitis.

Abstract Objective This study is to investigate the status and clinical significance of respiratory viruses in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of children with PBB. Methods Sixty-eight children with PBB aged from 3 months to 5 years were enrolled and retrospectively reviewed from January 2014 to December 2017. Thirty-five children with persistent pneumonia or chronic pneumonia were matched as controls. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected for respiratory virus detection and bacterial culture. Results The detection rate of bacteria in BALF of children with PBB was 61.8%, which was significantly higher than that of control group (20%) (P Conclusion Respiratory viruses can be detected in BALF of children with PBB, However, there is no evidence that PBB is virus-induced.
Time to first cigarette of the day and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) in adult regular and non-daily smokers: (NHANES) 2007-10.

As the number of regular smokers has decreased over the last decade, the prevalence of light ( 10 cigarettes per day), light smoking and non-daily smoking and the time to the first cigarette of the day (TTFC), a robust predictor of nicotine addiction, cessation failure, sleep disruption and other health indicators. Findings from a sample of 352 smokers suggest that among intermittent, non-daily and light daily smokers, TTFC of the day was associated with higher levels of NNK metabolite, an effect which was mediated by urinary cotinine levels, but not by the number of cigarettes smoked per day. This suggests these groups of smokers may be puffing each cigarette more intensely, thus increasing nicotine and toxin exposure, despite fewer overall cigarettes. These findings provide further information regarding toxicant exposure associated with lower-frequency smoking and has implications for future regulatory research approaches with lowered nicotine cigarettes and other tobacco products.
1973 The evolution of melanism

Abstract The study of industrial melanism took place over decades, but I mark the event at 1973 (which coincides with the release of the book by Kettlewell reviewing the phenomenon). Industrial melanism is one of the earliest and most studied examples of natural selection in a human-altered environment, and it appears in almost all evolution textbooks as an example of adaptation to environmental change.
A New Detailed Ethanol Kinetic Mechanism at Engine-Relevant Conditions

Ethanol is considered one of the most attractive renewable energy sources in the modern days. A chemical mechanism on ethanol is generated in this work to predict the performance of this fuel in en...