cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term stability and temporal trends of organic contaminants in four collections of mussel tissue frozen standard reference materials.

The stability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and chlorinated pesticides in frozen mussel tissue Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) stored at −80 °C was assessed by analyzing samples of SRM 1974, SRM 1974a, and SRM 1974b Organics in Mussel Tissue (Mytilus edulis) periodically over 25 y, 20 y, and 12 y, respectively. The most recent analyses were performed during the certification of the fourth release of this material, SRM 1974c. Results indicate the concentrations of these persistent organic pollutants have not changed during storage at −80 °C. In addition, brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) were quantified in each of the materials during this study. The stability information is important for on-going monitoring studies collecting large quantities of samples for future analyses (i.e., formally established specimen banking programs). Since all four mussel tissue SRMs were prepared from mussels collected at the same site in Dorchester Bay, MA, USA, the results provide a temporal trend study for these contaminants over a 17 year period (1987 to 2004).
Behavioral community psychology: conceptualizations and applications.

During the past few years there have been important developments in two related fields, i.e., community psychology as it affects the delivery of mental health services and behavior modification as an approach for understanding etiology and treatment of mental disorders. Although behavioral technology has been applied increasingly to community areas, there has been little comprehensive integration of the two approaches. This failure may be due to a lack of clarity both in the definitions and assumptions of the two approaches. This paper presents an integration of community and behavioral psychology, first by delineating their critical concepts and then by presenting illustrations of behavioral community psychology.
Meeting spiritual needs: what is an oncologist to do?

The original report by Balboni and colleagues regarding spiritual support is not a subtle message about a possible need for a few patients with cancer. It is a strong statement of a seriously unmet need in the vast majority of patients in our care. The authors found that 47% of the study patients with advanced cancer reported unmet spiritual needs by religious communities and 72% reported unmet spiritual needs by the health care system. If these figures were reported for any other dimension of patient care, cancer care settings concerned with quality would respond. How should we respond to patient needs for spiritual support? The topic of spirituality is a reminder of another topic raised in the 1970s to 1980s in oncology, which was also a subject to be avoided—that of sexuality in cancer patients. Controversies of that era asked similar questions: do patients really care about this? Do they want us to talk about it? What if their preferences are different from my own? If I ask about it, what do I do when they voice concerns? The authors of this research are to be commended for providing a comprehensive discussion about the implications of their findings. They conclude that physicians can participate in improved care by recognizing spiritual needs and by advocating for attention to religious and spiritual needs as a routine part of cancer care. This global recommendation is indisputable. Spiritual needs, like sexuality needs, will exist regardless of if we elect to address or ignore them. So what is an oncologist to do? At a time of unprecedented time constraints and demands of complex patients, diminished staff resources, managed care demands, and the struggle to address even the most basic of disease and treatment concerns—where do spiritual concerns fit in? To build on the general recommendations provided by Balboni and colleagues, I offer three specific suggestions.
Kv1.1-containing channels are critical for temporal precision during spike initiation.

Low threshold, voltage-gated potassium currents (Ikl) are widely expressed in auditory neurons that can fire temporally precise action potentials (APs). In the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body ...
A Simple and Highly Sensitive Colorimetric Detection Method for Gaseous Formaldehyde

A colorimetric detection method using amine-functionalized polymer films doped with a pH indicator has been developed for the rapid, sensitive, and quantitative detection of gaseous formaldehyde at concentrations well below the immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) limit. In 1 min, visible color changes are easily observed, even down to the permissible exposure limit (PEL) at 750 ppb. The limit of detection is below 50 ppb (7% of the PEL) after 10 min of exposure. This sensor is essentially unaffected by changes in humidity or temperature (4 to 50 degrees C) and is not sensitive to common interferents.
Delayed allograft rejection by T cell receptor Vβ8.1 transgenic mice peripherally tolerized to Mls‐1

One commonly studied model system for peripheral tolerance is the antigen-specific unresponsiveness of T cells from mice previously inoculated with superantigens such as Mls-1a. In this study, we used a TcR V beta 8.1 transgenic mouse model to investigate whether mice peripherally tolerized to Mls-1a exhibit delayed skin allograft rejection. We report dramatic prolongation of skin allograft survival in V beta 8.1 transgenic but not in non-transgenic mice tolerized to Mls-1a. Peripherally induced unresponsiveness to Mls-1a can, therefore, be considered true tolerance.
Soluble oil dermatitis

Summary Soluble oil is a term for oil-in-water emulsions used to cool metalworking and certain other industrial manufacturing operations. The questions to ask when assessing a patient suspected of having dermatitis from contact with soluble oil are reviewed.
On innovation: How do revenue variations affect research expenditures within U.S. research universities?

In this study we examine the revenue expenditure relationships within public and private research and doctoral institutions. Results suggest tight relationships between some revenue and expenditure categories. Instructional expenditures are significantly influenced by revenues from tuition and fees, governmental appropriations (for public institutions), and grants and contracts. These results are significant both statistically and substantively. Research expenditures are affected first and foremost by government grants and contracts, and this is especially true at private institutions. Revenues from tuition, appropriation, and private gifts have a rather moderate effect on research expenditure. These results are consistent with the resource dependency interpretation of resource allocation patterns. Although the relationships between some revenue and expenditure categories are tight, the categories themselves are very broad and defined by historical convention rather than current practices and may need refinement.
Memory management for dataflow programming of multirate signal processing algorithms

Managing the buffering of data along arcs is a critical part of compiling a synchronous dataflow (SDF) program. This paper shows how dataflow properties can be analyzed at compile-time to make buffering more efficient. Since the target code corresponding to each node of an SDF graph is normally obtained from a hand-optimized library of predefined blocks, the efficiency of data transfer between blocks is often the limiting factor in how closely an SDF compiler can approximate meticulous manual coding. Furthermore, in the presence of large sample-rate changes, straightforward buffering techniques ran quickly exhaust limited on-chip data memory, necessitating the use of slower external memory. The techniques presented in this paper address both of these problems in a unified manner. >
Gene gun particle encoding preproenkephalin cDNA produces analgesia against capsaicin-induced bladder pain in rats

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of gene therapy using a gene gun or direct injection for the transfer of human preproenkephalin (PPE) plasmid cDNA using a capsaicin-induced bladder pain model in rats. Opioid peptides play an essential role in the modulation of micturition reflex and control of inflammatory pain. PPE is one such precursor molecule. Methods Human PPE cDNA was cloned into a modified pCMV plasmid and delivered into the bladder wall of adult female rats by direct injection or gene gun. At 4 and 7 days after gene therapy, continuous cystometrograms were performed under urethane anesthesia by filling the bladder (0.08 mL/min) with saline, followed by 15 μM capsaicin. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect enkephalins in the bladder after PPE cDNA transfer. Results The intercontraction interval was decreased after intravesical instillation of capsaicin (65.0% and 63.1% decrease) in the control group or direct PPE gene injection group, respectively. However, the gene gun-treated group showed a significantly reduced response to capsaicin instillation at day 4 and day 7 (intercontraction interval 16.2% and 42.8% decrease, respectively). This analgesic effect was reversed by intravenous naloxone, an opioid antagonist (5 mg/kg). Increased enkephalin immunoreactivity in the bladder was observed in the gene gun-treated group at day 4, which was reduced at day 7. Conclusions The PPE gene can be effectively transferred and suppress the nociceptive response in the bladder using the gene gun method. These results support potential clinical application of PPE gene gun delivery system for the treatment of bladder pain and other types of visceral pain.
An agent-based approach to modeling interactions between emission market and electricity market

An agent-based approach is proposed in this paper to analyze interactions between the emission and electricity markets. A cap-and-trade system is assumed to be in place to regulate emissions from power generation. Generation companies are modeled as adaptive learning agents that can bid strategically into the electricity market by Q-learning algorithm. These companies also participate in allowances trading in the emission market by adjusting their own allowances positions. In the simulation, generation companies can value their generation capacity and available allowances to maximize their profits. The results show that the initial allowance will influence the operation of power producers and that some generation companies may need to raise bid prices to recover their expenses for buying additional allowances. The results also reveal that in some cases generation companies may not increase profits by participating in both markets compared with bidding in the electricity market alone. This modeling framework can help design a sound emission market by simulating market scenarios with different policies, such as allowances caps. It can be also used to investigate the operation strategies for generation companies in such an environment.
Response to "Framing unauthorized immigrants: the effects of labels on evaluations," by Ommundsen, et al. (2014).

Summary.—Ommundsen, Larsen, van der Veer, and Eilertsen (2014) presented evidence that varying how immigrants are described in surveys can lead to differences in how respondents to those surveys change their self-reported orientations toward those immigrants and immigration policy. We argue that the apparent conflict between their findings and those of Knoll, Redlawsk, and Sanborn (2011) should be interpreted as complementary rather than contradictory. In particular, differences in samples, timing, and dependent variables limit direct comparisons between the studies. Moreover, because Ommundsen, et al. (2014) do not have a measure of partisanship and did not test for interaction effects between ideology and frames, their broader conclusions are limited given that immigration is such a highly charged political issue that is strongly affected by political ideology and partisan cues.
Demand response model and its effects on voltage profile of a distribution system

This paper develops a model for Demand Response (DR) by utilizing consumer behavior modeling considering different scenarios and levels of consumer rationality. Consumer behavior modeling has been done by developing extensive demand-price elasticity matrices for different types of consumers. These Price Elasticity Matrices (PEMs) are utilized to calculate the level of demand response for a given consumer. DR thus obtained is applied to a real world distribution network considering a day-ahead real time pricing scenario to study the effects of demand reduction on system voltage. Results show considerable boost in system voltage that paves way for further demand curtailment through demand side management techniques like Volt/Var Control (VVC).
Public Sector Labor— Management Relations: Change or Status Quo?

As unions in the private sector have continued on what appears to the pessimist to be a slow march into obscurity and irrelevance, public employee unions and collective bargaining are thriving in a majority of states. In this article, the author first provides a brief overview of the relevant scholarly research, and then changes the focus to the future of unionization and collective bargaining in the public and nonprofit sectors. It is suggested that the deck continues to be stacked against federal unions and collective bargaining, but that there are portents for significant gains in the state and local sectors, depending on bargaining-friendly changes in state and federal law.
Space-Time Current Process for Independent Ran- dom Walks in One Dimension

In a system made up of independent random walks, fluctuations of order n 1/4 from the hydrodynamic limit come from particle current across characteristics. We show that a two-parameter space-time particle current process converges to a two-parameter Gaussian process. These Gaussian processes also appear as the limit for the one-dimensional random average process. The final section of this paper looks at large deviations of the current process.
Effects of environmental exposure to diazepam on the reproductive behavior of fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas.

Pharmaceutical drugs are continuously discharged into the aquatic environment primarily through wastewater discharge; therefore, their possible effects on wildlife is a reason of concern. Diazepam is a widely prescribed benzodiazepine drug used to treat insomnia and anxiety disorders, and it has been found in wastewater effluents worldwide. The present study tested the effects of diazepam on fecundity and the reproductive behavior of the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, a fish that exhibits male parental care. Sexually mature fathead minnows were housed at a ratio of one male and two females per tank and exposed to nominal (measured) concentrations of 0, 0.1 (0.14 ± 0.06), 1.0 (1.04 ± 0.15), 10 (13.4 ± 1.5) µg L−1 for 21 days. Fish receiving the low diazepam treatment had significantly larger clutches than fish receiving the highest concentration but neither were different from controls. Diazepam exposure was not associated with a significant change in fertilization rate, hatchability or time to hatch, but a trend toward a higher number of eggs/day was observed in fish exposed to the low diazepam concentration relative to those exposed to the medium concentration. There were no significant differences in any of the behaviors analyzed when responses were averaged over time. The results showed that exposure to diazepam at concentrations as high as 13 µg L−1 did not significantly impact the reproductive behavior of fathead minnow. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 561–568, 2016.
Linguistic Cues and Memory for Synthetic and Natural Speech

Past research has demonstrated that there are cognitive processing costs associated with comprehension of speech generated by text-to-speech synthesizers, relative to comprehension of natural speech. This finding has important performance implications for the many applications that use such systems. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether certain characteristics of synthetic speech slow on-line, real-time cognitive processing. Whereas past research has focused on the phonemic acoustic structure of synthetic speech, we manipulated prosodic, syntactic, and semantic cues in a task requiring participants to recall sentences spoken either by a human or by one of two speech synthesizers. The findings were interpreted to suggest that inappropriate prosodic modeling in synthetic speech was the major source of a performance differential between natural and synthetic speech. Prosodic cues, along with others, guide the parsing of speech and provide redundancy. When these cues are absent or inaccurate, the additional burden placed on working memory may exceed its capacity, particularly in time-limited, demanding tasks. Actual or potential applications of this research include improvement of text-to-speech output systems in warning systems, feedback devices in aerospace vehicles, educational and training modules, aids for the handicapped, consumer products, and technologies designed to increase the functional independence of older adults.
Pancreatic Volume and Bicarbonate Output with Augmented Doses of Secretin

Summary With augmented doses of secretin from the same batch, the maximal secretory response of the pancreas in 10 healthy individuals under defined test circumstances was found with doses of 2 or 3 units/kg of body weight. The former dose was more reliable since apparent depression of pancreatic function occurred in some individuals with the larger dose. Of the various measurements of pancreatic exocrine function, total (60 min) volume output per kilogram of body weight and total (60 min) bicarbonate output per kilogram of body weight showed the largest differences associated with change of dose.
Adenovirus-mediated delivery of a soluble form of the VEGF receptor Flk1 delays the growth of murine and human pancreatic adenocarcinoma in mice

Abstract Background. Because pancreatic adenocarcinoma is poorly responsive to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, novel treatments such as antiangiogenic gene therapy may have use in the adjuvant treatment of this malignancy. We evaluated the antitumor effects of the in vivo administration of an adenovirus vector encoding a soluble form of Flk1 (Flk1-Fc), a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor, in 3 murine models of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods. In a first model, immunocompetent C57Bl/6 mice were injected subcutaneously with Panc02 murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells before treatment. In a second model, immunodeficient severe combined immunodeficiency mice were injected subcutaneously with BxPc-3 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells before treatment. In a third model, C57Bl/6 mice were injected with Panc02 cells through an intrasplenic route before treatment, in an effort to model metastatic disease. In each model, half the tumor-bearing mice were injected intravenously with 109 Flk1-Fc adenovirus particles and half with control adenovirus. Results. In subcutaneous tumor models, Ad Flk1-Fc-treated animals were found to have 75% smaller murine and 78% smaller human pancreatic tumor volumes, relative to tumor volumes of Ad Fc-treated animals, 6 weeks after vector administration. In animals injected with tumor through the intrasplenic route, pathologic and histologic analyses made 10 days after injection of tumor revealed hepatic, pancreatic, and splenic tumors, together with a desmoplastic response consistent with pathologic findings in human pancreatic cancer. Cohorts of these tumor-bearing mice treated with Ad Flk1-Fc demonstrated significantly longer survival and decreased liver replacement with tumor at the time of death, relative to animals treated with Ad Fc. Conclusion. A recombinant adenovirus encoding soluble Flk-1 inhibited pancreatic tumor growth in mice. These studies suggest that the delivery of gene products such as Flk1-Fc through in vivo gene transfer may be useful in the future treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer. (Surgery 2002;132:857-65.)
SLE: Another Autoimmune Disorder Influenced by Microbes and Diet?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system autoimmune disease. Despite years of study, the etiology of SLE is still unclear. Both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in the disease mechanisms. In the past decade, a growing body of evidence has indicated an important role of gut microbes in the development of autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. However, such knowledge on SLE is little, though we have already known that environmental factors can trigger the development of lupus. Several recent studies have suggested that alterations of the gut microbial composition may be correlated with SLE disease manifestations, while the exact roles of either symbiotic or pathogenic microbes in this disease remain to be explored. Elucidation of the roles of gut microbes—as well as the roles of diet that can modulate the composition of gut microbes—in SLE will shed light on how this autoimmune disorder develops, and provide opportunities for improved biomarkers of the disease and the potential to probe new therapies. In this review, we aim to compile the available evidence on the contributions of diet and gut microbes to SLE occurrence and pathogenesis.
Short-term postoperative surveillance imaging may be unnecessary in elderly patients with resected WHO Grade I meningiomas.

The optimal timing and frequency of postoperative imaging surveillance after a meningioma resection are not well-established. The low recurrence rates and slow growth of World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I meningiomas in particular have raised doubts about the utility of postoperative imaging surveillance. We sought to analyze the cost and utility of asymptomatic surveillance imaging in elderly patients after the resection of a WHO Grade I meningioma. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 45 patients who had a primary WHO Grade I meningioma resected at our institution between 2001–2013 at or above the age of 60 with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. All postoperative clinic notes were reviewed alongside imaging results to verify that patients were asymptomatic during the surveillance period. MRI and CT scan costs (all $USD) were estimated at $599.61 and $334.31 respectively based on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid national averages. During an average follow-up period of 4.5 years, the average number of total imaging studies performed per asymptomatic patient was 3.58 with an average total cost of $2086.30 per patient. Forty-two (93%) patients had no new abnormal findings on any of their imaging. Three (7%) patients demonstrated either a new meningioma or progressive growth of the postoperative residual tumor on imaging. No asymptomatic patient underwent a reoperation. Our data suggest that elderly patients with resected WHO Grade I meningiomas are at low risk for recurrence and may not need asymptomatic surveillance imaging for the first several postoperative years.
Differential regulation of hepatocyte DNA synthesis by cAMP in vitro in vivo

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) prevents epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced DNA synthesis in many types of cultured cells, including hepatocytes, but its effects on cellular proliferation in vivo are unknown. This study compares the effects of supplemental cAMP on hepatocyte proliferation induced in vivo by 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) and in vitro by EGF and determines the effects of cAMP on AP-1, a family of growth-regulatory transcription factors, and the kinase cascades that normally activate AP-1. Although injection of dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (30 mg/kgip) at the time of PH increased liver cAMP concentrations at least 100-fold for several hours, it did not inhibit hepatic incorporation of [3H]thymidine or proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression 24 h after PH. cAMP treatment led to a complete inhibition of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) activity and transiently reduced NH2-terminal Jun nuclear kinase (JNK) activity after PH but did not decrease the expression of c-jun mRNA or protein. Consistent with the known cAMP stimulation of jun-B in cultured cells, cAMP treatment increased jun-B mRNA, protein, and DNA binding activity post-PH. Surprisingly, cAMP treatment enhanced Raf kinase activity after PH in rats. In primary hepatocyte cultures, supplemental cAMP inhibited JNK and ERK activity, total AP-1 and c-Jun transcriptional activities, and DNA synthesis. Thus elevated cAMP inhibited ERK and JNK activity in culture and in vivo and inhibited hepatocyte proliferation in culture but not in vivo. This suggests that in vivo mechanisms compensate for cAMP inhibition of certain growth-related signaling cascades and emphasizes potential risks of extrapolating from simple cell culture systems to explain physiology in intact animals.
Oncogenic KRAS regulates asparagine synthase

Kras is a small GTPase that functions in the transmission of extracellular mitogenic stimuli, and is one of the most frequently mutated genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Previously, Kras has been demonstrated to play a role in tumor metabolism in certain cell types and cancers, but this has yet to be analyzed in the context of NSCLC. We have analyzed how Kras changes metabolic gene expression by expressing a doxycycline-inducible hairpin against Kras in several NSCLC cell lines. One of the most regulated metabolism genes is asparagine synthetase (Asns), which transfers the g-amino group of glutamine to aspartate, yielding glutamate and asparagine. We find elevated levels of Asns in Kras mutant tumors, and that expression of Asns correlates with poor patient outcome. Knockdown of Asns in the absence of exogenous asparagine in the media results in inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis that is rescued by addition of asparagine. Additionally, under conditions of low glutamine levels, knockdown of Asns sensitizes cells to apoptosis, and overexpression of Asns is protective under these conditions. We also find a role for the glutaminase-activity of Asns in glutaminemediated anapleurosis of the TCA cycle. These observations suggest Asns may be an interesting and novel therapeutic target for NSCLC tumors with mutations in Kras.
The emergence of grammar in a language-ready brain: Comment on "Towards a Computational Comparative Neuroprimatology: Framing the language-ready brain" by Michael A. Arbib.

Elsevier Editorial System(tm) for Physics of Life Reviews Manuscript Draft Manuscript Number: Title: The emergence of grammar in a language-ready brain Comment on Towards a computational comparative neuroprimatology: framing the language-ready brain by Michael A. Arbib Article Type: Comment Keywords: Corresponding Author: Prof. John Hawkins, Corresponding Author's Institution: University of California Davis First Author: John Hawkins Order of Authors: John Hawkins
Further observations on the effect of 2,4-dinitrophenol on the growth of influenza virus.

The mechanism by which 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) retards assimilation of nutrients1 and growth has not yet been worked out in detail, but interference with the esterification of phosphate2 in mitochondrial preparations and a reduction in the cellular content of adenine triphosphate and phosphocreatine3 are important features of the action of this substance. Since DNP may produce these effects without a reduction in the
Panniculectomy and Cystectomy: An Approach to the Morbidly Obese Patient

The obese patient undergoing radical cystectomy faces a unique set of challenges. We present the case of a 68-year-old gentleman who presented to our institution with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin refractory disease, a body mass index of 38.5, and a large pannus. The present paper describes our technique for performing radical cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion and concomitant panniculectomy. We discuss the impact of obesity on patients undergoing radical cystectomy and how this may be mitigated by panniculectomy.
Impact of Structure and Composition on the Dealloying of CuxAu(1–x) Bulk and Nanoscale Alloys

In this work, the impact of structure and composition on the dealloying of bulk and nanoscale alloys CuxAu(1–x) have been discussed. In comparison with the dealloying of Ag—Au alloys, the Cu—Au system exhibits dealloying curves with more features associated generally with multistage dealloying. It has been shown for the first time that three stages exist during dealloying process of bulk CuxAu(1–x) (x = 0.7 and 0.8) alloys. The dealloying critical potential, Ec, has been associated with the starting point of stage II in which the anodic current slowly increases. Analysis of data from this work along with results of others suggests a monotonic potential dependence of Ec upon the composition of bulk CuxAu(1–x) alloys in the range of x from 0.70 to 0.95. The dealloying behavior of Cu0.75Au0.25 (Cu3Au) intermetallic (length ∼19 nm, width ∼10 nm) and random alloy (length ∼23 nm, width ∼9 nm) nanorods have also been discussed. Very close values of Ec have been determined for both types of nanorods with the rand...
How Much Do Americans Trust Their Government? An Empirical Study

Confidence in the federal government of the United States has been very low in recent years. The reasons for the low regard with which American politicians and institutions are held is apparent from reading the front page of every major newspaper in America. The constant lies by politicians, the various scandals in Washington and elsewhere, mass murders by federal government officials going back to Waco, Ruby Ridge, and even Wounded Knee have destroyed whatever trust and confidence Americans once had in their government. Various cover-ups, such as the IRS scandal where IRS employees targeted conservative groups, disappearing emails, both by IRS officials and Hillary Clinton, the suspected murders of enemies of the Clintons, President Johnson and others, the Nixon Watergate scandal, annual deficits that are out of control regardless of which party is in power, military invasions of countries that pose no threat to the United States, and so forth, have all chipped away at the integrity of government officials and institutions. Many people are starting to think of secession as a viable option to the status quo.This paper uses the data gathered from the most recent World Values Survey for the United States. The sample size was 2232. The following demographic variables were examined to determine whether different subgroups had different opinions about the level of confidence in government: gender, age, education, marital status, income level, social class, sector of employment, the importance of religion and the region of the country. The study found that overall confidence was low, and that it was sometimes lower for some subgroups than others. This paper is part of a series that examines confidence in government. Other studies in the series include a longitudinal study of the United States and a study of confidence in 60 countries.
TU-A-207B-01: Imaging Genomics Associations and Biological Correlates of Radiomics

With the growth of quantitative imaging and quantitative image analysis, image-based biomarkers (i.e. image-based phenotypes) are becoming potential descriptors in personalized medicine as well as in cancer discovery research. Genomic study measures molecular cancer status and provides abundant information about cancer development mechanism. There is a need to understand the relationship between the image-based cancer phenotypes (from radiomics) and the underlying molecular and genomic system. Imaging scientists and genomic scientists need to be able to speak the same language in this common era of Big Data. The objective of this session is to learn the basics and mathematics of phenotype-genomics correlation and association studies, in particular radiomic phenotype-genomic studies. We will take genomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and imaging data from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) as an example to show how to organize multi-platform genomic data and integrate with quantitative tumor image phenotypes to perform association studies. We will show the software and procedure of discovering statistically significant associations between various imaging phenotypes (such as those characterizing tumor size, shape, margin, enhancement texture, and blood flow kinetics) and genomic features involved in multiple molecular regulation layers (including pathway gene expressions, pathway copy number variations, gene somatic mutations, miRNA expressions, and protein expressions). These findings form a basis for future studies using non-invasive imaging techniques for accurate cancer diagnosis and prognosis and for discovering the genetic mechanisms leading to specific tumor phenotypes for the development of personalized cancer treatment.
Successful Leadership for Improved Student Learning in High Needs Schools: U.S. Perspectives from the International Successful School Principalship Project (ISSPP)

Based on findings from the ISSPP, we examine three elements of successful school leadership: (1) improving student performance in high need schools; (2) building organizational capacity to sustain school success over time; and (3) developing leadership that is culturally responsive. Placing these issues in context, we describe the governance and funding foundations of the US system and the demographics of the increasingly diverse US student population. Next we offer an overview of the ISSPP and how it has contributed to the literature on leadership for improved student performance, with particular emphasis on improving the performance of high need schools; building organizational capacity to sustain success over time; and developing leadership that is culturally responsive. We conclude with directions for future research and the significance of site specific and comparative analyses.
Identification and Analysis of Informative Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in 16S rRNA Gene Sequences of the Bacillus cereus Group

ABSTRACT Analysis of 16S rRNA genes is important for phylogenetic classification of known and novel bacterial genera and species and for detection of uncultivable bacteria. PCR amplification of 16S rRNA genes with universal primers produces a mixture of amplicons from all rRNA operons in the genome, and the sequence data generally yield a consensus sequence. Here we describe valuable data that are missing from consensus sequences, variable effects on sequence data generated from nonidentical 16S rRNA amplicons, and the appearance of data displayed by different software programs. These effects are illustrated by analysis of 16S rRNA genes from 50 strains of the Bacillus cereus group, i.e., Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus mycoides, and Bacillus thuringiensis. These species have 11 to 14 rRNA operons, and sequence variability occurs among the multiple 16S rRNA genes. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) previously reported to be specific to B. anthracis was detected in some B. cereus strains. However, a different SNP, at position 1139, was identified as being specific to B. anthracis, which is a biothreat agent with high mortality rates. Compared with visual analysis of the electropherograms, basecaller software frequently missed gene sequence variations or could not identify variant bases due to overlapping basecalls. Accurate detection of 16S rRNA gene sequences that include intragenomic variations can improve discrimination among closely related species, improve the utility of 16S rRNA databases, and facilitate rapid bacterial identification by targeted DNA sequence analysis or by whole-genome sequencing performed by clinical or reference laboratories.
Portuguese tin-glazed earthenware in seventeenth-century New England: A preliminary study

An examination of documentary and archaeological evidence for the distribution and use of Portuguese tin-glazed earthenware in 17th-century New England. This type of ware is commonly found in excavations but its significance has been overlooked. Its presence marks a period of intensified Anglo-Portuguese trade in which New England merchants played an important role. Insular and mainland Portugal imported New England codfish and wood products and exported wine, fruit, salt, oil, and tin-glazed earthenware. New England sites contribute new information to refine the dating and classification of these ceramics, consisting mainly of plates and bowls. Their disappearance from New England by the late 17th century may have been due to enforcement of the Navigation Acts and ascent of the British ceramic industry. Typologies for the forms and decoration of these 17th century tin-glazed earthenwares are presented.
Sensitivity of Density Functional Theory Methodology for Oxygen Reduction Reaction Predictions on Fe–N4-Containing Graphitic Clusters

Density functional theory (DFT) was used to examine the O2 reduction reaction on Fe–N4-containing graphitic carbon clusters (Fe–N4–G) modeled after recent experimentally identified active sites, Mossbauer spin-state predictions and electrochemical reaction behavior in alkaline media. A detailed analysis of the O2, O, H2O, OOH, and OH adsorbate interactions on the Fe–N4–G cluster with solvation and/or dispersion corrections are considered. The total and partial density of states for the α- and β-spin orbitals are compared for the adsorbate of interest, Fe atom and surrounding graphitic cluster. Relative free-energy diagrams are constructed, which allow us to compare DFT predictions to experimental results for O2 reduction on systems containing embedded Fe–N4 clusters. For all reaction steps, different DFT functionals are explored and the respective geometries, energetics, and spin-states for each adsorbate interaction are reported for six commonly used functionals including B3LYP, M06-2X, M06-L, PBE, TPSSh...
Incidence of Elder Abuse in a U.S. Chinese Population: Findings From the Longitudinal Cohort PINE Study.

Background Elder abuse (EA) is a global public health issue. However, no prior longitudinal research has quantified the incidence of EA, which is critical to understand risk factors and future prevention strategies. Methods The study is based on a longitudinal cohort design. We followed 2,713 U.S. Chinese older adults who agreed to participate in the study within 2011 to 2015. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the 2-year incidence of EA and its subtypes. We employed multiple logistic regression analyses to examine the associations between the sociodemographic characteristics and incident EA. Results The incidence of overall EA was 8.8% with 4.8% for psychological, 2.9% for financial, 0.5% for physical, 0.1% for sexual abuse, and 1.1% for caregiver neglect. Age, gender, duration of residence, language preference and health status change were associated with incident EA. Self-perceived worsened health was positively associated with overall EA (odds ratio [OR] 1.28 (1.01, 1.62). Women (OR 2.98 [1.10, 8.11]) and older individuals (OR 1.06 [1.00, 1.13]) had an increased risk of caregiver neglect. Older adults who have lived in the U.S. longer had a higher risk of financial exploitation (OR 1.02 [1.00, 1.05]). Individuals who prefer to speak Mandarin or English were more likely to experience EA (OR 2.08 [1.21, 3.58]) and sexual or physical abuse (OR 3.91 [1.01, 15.17]). No significant association was observed between education, income, marital status, number of children, country of origin, overall health, life quality, and incident EA. Conclusion This study presents the first illustration of EA incidence in a longitudinal cohort study, the findings of which verify and challenge prior fundamental assumptions of risk factors associated with EA, and are relevant to future prevention strategies.
A New Transthyretin Mutation Associated with Amyloidotic Vitreous Opacities: Asparagine for Isoleucine at Position 84

An inherited type of amyloidosis was suspected in an individual of Italian descent who presented with vitreous opacities. Although no family history of amyloidosis was apparent, the patient's transthyretin gene was examined and found not to possess any of the known transthyretin mutations. Complete DNA sequencing revealed a substitution of adenine for thymine in the second base of codon 84 causing an amino acid change of asparagine for isoleucine. The mutation was confirmed by demonstrating the loss of an Sfa N1 restriction endonuclease site. Allele-specific DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction also was used to confirm the mutation. Either of these tests can be used for diagnosis. Asparagine 84 represents the second mutation associated with amyloidosis to occur at codon 84.
Smartphone data streams for bridge health monitoring

Abstract Knowledge on the dynamic properties of bridges in a city can improve condition assessments, maintenance scheduling, and emergency planning to better serve the public. Currently, bridge vibration data is obtained primarily by researchers through the use of a sophisticated sensor network that is composed of fixed sensor nodes. Recent studies have supported the alternative of mobile sensor networks, which are capable of delivering important structural information, e.g., modal properties, requiring less setup efforts and using fewer sensors. Simultaneously, digital technology has spawned data initiatives such as crowdsensing, in which individuals can collectively sense the urban environment. The prevalence of smartphones, which contain various advanced sensors, is rapidly restructuring researchers’ perceptions of data collection. This paper discusses the confluence of these emerging technologies, which can provide regular infrastructure data streams, within structural health monitoring (SHM) procedures for the immediate goal of system identification (SID) and towards automated maintenance of bridges. Will researchers continue to install sensor networks and collect their own data or will they start to source resident smartphone data? One of the objectives of this ongoing work is to quantify expected smartphone data stream volumes that would be applicable to SHM processes. As an example, the number of smartphones that traverse the Harvard bridge in a month is quantified.
The Therapeutic Implications of the Imprecatory Psalms in the Christian Counseling Setting

This article addresses the manner in which the imprecatory psalms provide a valuable mechanism for the cathartic release of negative emotion. The psalms in general work very well in providing voice...
The Dirac Equation and Spin $$\frac{1}{2}$$ Fields

The space of solutions to the Klein–Gordon equation gives an irreducible representation of the Poincare group corresponding to a relativistic particle of mass m and spin zero. Elementary matter particles (quarks and leptons) are spin \(\frac{1}{2}\) particles, and we would like to have a relativistic wave equation that describes them, suitable for building a quantum field theory.
Large fresh osteochondral allografts for the hip: growing the evidence:

Introduction Articular cartilage lesions of the hip are difficult to effectively treat. Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation in the knee has been associated with long-term success, but OCA for the hip has not been extensively studied. Here, we present the clinical and radiological outcomes from a cohort of 10 patients treated with fresh OCA transplants for large osteochondral defects of the femoral head and/or acetabulum. Methods 10 patients who had undergone osteochondral allograft transplantation of the femoral head and/or acetabulum at our institution between 2013 and 2016 were identified from our Institutional Review Board-approved registry. Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) was used to track patient progress. Results 10 patients with an average clinical follow-up of 1.4 years were included in this study. 4 patients were treated solely with OCA plugs for femoral head defects, while the remaining 6 received femoral OCA plugs and at least 1 concomitant procedure for additional intraarticular pathology. 7 patients (70%) had successful functional outcomes, while 3 (30%) had unsuccessful outcomes and were subsequently converted to total hip arthroplasty (THA) 5 to 29 months after OCA. Conclusions OCA transplantation can be an effective treatment strategy for young, healthy individuals with articular cartilage lesions of the hip. Smoking, avascular necrosis aetiology, acetabular involvement and concomitant procedures may be risk factors for unsuccessful outcomes necessitating salvage with THA. Long-term clinical studies to refine indications and determine functional outcomes and survival rates are warranted.
Improving Eating Habits

Health and well-being are fundamental to improving the human condition, and eating habits are an important component of wellness. Relationships between diet and health are well established (Jeffery, 1988; Frazao, 1994; National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences, 1989). Vitamin and mineral deficiencies and the diseases that they cause are rare in the United States today. Most nutrition-related health problems now result from dietary excess, and that will be the primary focus of this chapter. Currently, five of the ten leading causes of death in the United States (coronary heart disease, certain types of cancers, strokes, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis) are associated with diet. Together these nutrition-related health problems account for nearly two thirds of the deaths that occur in the United States.
A Nonlethal Method to Examine Non-Apis Bees for Mark-Capture Research

Studies of bee movement and activities across a landscape are important for developing an understanding of their behavior and their ability to withstand environmental stress. Recent research has shown that proteins, such as egg albumin, are effective for mass-marking bees. However, current protein mass-marking techniques require sacrificing individual bees during the data collection process. A nonlethal sampling method for protein mark-capture research is sorely needed, particularly for vulnerable, sensitive, or economically valuable species. This study describes a nonlethal sampling method, in which three non-Apis bee species (Bombus bifarius Cresson [Hymenoptera: Apidae], Osmia lignaria Say [Hymenoptera: Megachilidae], and Megachile rotundata Fabricius [Hymenoptera: Megachilidae]) were tested for a unique protein marker by immersing them momentarily in saline buffer and releasing them. Results showed that an egg albumin-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was 100% effective at detecting the protein on bees that were sampled nonlethally. Furthermore, this sampling method did not have an impact on bee survivorship, suggesting that immersing bees in buffer is a reliable and valid surrogate to traditional, destructive sampling methods for mark-capture bee studies.
Differentials in Optimal Control

In Chapter 2, it was shown that Taylor expansions of algebraic functions can be performed one term at a time by taking differentials. Once the differential process was defined, it was used from then on to obtain the first and second differentials associated with each parameter optimization problem. The purpose of this chapter is to extend the use of differentials to do Taylor expansions associated with the optimal control problem (Ref. Bl, p. 18). The elements of the optimal control problem are ordinary differential equations, algebraic final conditions, and integrals. In general, the first-order results of the Taylor expansion are used to define the differential operation, and their correctness is verified by deriving the second-order results by taking differentials.