cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between quality of interpersonal relationships and major depressive disorder: findings from the National Comorbidity Survey

Background: The current study compared the quality of interpersonal relationships in individuals with major depressive disorder to individuals with dysthymia, comorbid depression, nonaffective disorders, and no psychiatric disorders. Methods: Using data from the National Comorbidity Study, a series of logistic regressions, controlling for demographic variables, were conducted to examine the strength of the association between a major depressive disorder and interpersonal dysfunction (positive and negative interactions) in contrast to other psychiatric disorders. Results: Respondents with current major depressive disorder reported significantly fewer positive interactions and more negative interactions with their spouse or live-in partner than those with nonaffective disorders, and than those with no psychiatric disorders. There were no significant differences in quality of interpersonal relationships between respondents with major depressive disorder and those with dysthymia. Among those with major depressive disorder, comorbidity or treatment-seeking behavior did not significantly contribute to degree of interpersonal difficulties. The strength of the association between interpersonal dysfunction and depression were, in general, comparable for men and women with major depressive disorder. Limitations: The cross-sectional design of this report precludes inferences regarding causality between quality of interpersonal relationship and current major depressive disorder. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that, relative to psychiatric illness in general, poor intimate relationships are characteristic of a current major depressive disorder.
Towards automatic modeling of monuments and towers

Three-dimensional modeling from images, when carried out entirely by a human, can be time consuming and impractical for large-scale projects. On the other hand, full automation may be unachievable or not accurate enough for many applications such as culture heritage documentation. In addition, three-dimensional modeling from images, particularly fully automated methods, requires the extraction of features, such as corners, and needs them to appear in multiple images. However, in practical situations those features are not always available, sometimes not even in a single image, due to occlusions or lack of texture on the surface. Taking closely separated images or optimally designing view locations can preclude some occlusions. However, taking such images is often not practical and we are left with small number of images that do not properly cover every surface or corner. The approach presented in this paper uses both interactive and automatic techniques, each where it is best suited, to accurately and completely model monuments and towers. It particularly focuses on automating the construction of unmarked surfaces such as columns, arches, and blocks from minimum available clues. It also extracts the occluded or invisible corners from existing ones. Many examples, such as Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Florence's St. John baptistery at Santa Maria del Fiori Cathedral, and other monuments and towers from around the world are completely modeled from a small number of images taken by tourists.
Automated SEM Offset using programmed defects

Defect inspection plays a large role in the development and manufacture of semiconductor technologies. Defects detected in today's inspections tools are generally a fraction of a micron and require SEM review to analyze and justify corrective measures. It is very important that the review SEM drives to the exact location of the defects as a FoV (Field of View) of 2μm is necessary to provide the resolution needed for defect redetection without the inefficiencies associated with repeated ‘zooming’ of the image. A methodology which allows quick and accurate alignment of the review SEM to the defects in the results file is presented. This methodology uses a special structure containing programmed defects. The methodology is illustrated using the challenging example of PWQ wafers.
Increasing the Numerical Robustness of Balanced Model Reduction

T HIS is a formal apology for failing to cite a reference. Reference [1] was published as a Technical Note in the Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics in 2002 to present a technique to prebalance large-order, ill-conditioned models before the conduct of a standard model reduction. Although the technique was original, improved the numerical algorithm, and useful to the authors, 1) our starting placewas theMATLABRobust Control Toolbox [2], andwe should have referenced it, and 2) we failed to conduct a thorough literature search and, as a result, did not recognize that other authors had addressed the same problem, with a different solution, more than a decade earlier [3,4], which led to the development of this Toolbox. Although this omission was unintentional, it was inappropriate and unprofessional. We reviewed this oversight with the AIAA Publications Ethical Standards Subcommittee, and we are in agreement that this apology is the appropriate resolution to the issue. This oversight has reinforced for us the importance of conducting a thorough literature search. References
The importance of episodic weather events to the ecosystem of the Bering Sea shelf

Climate variability on decadal time scales is generally recognized to influence high-latitude marine populations. Our recent work in studying air‐sea interactions in the Bering Sea suggests that interannual to decadal climate variability is important through its modulation of the frequencies and magnitudes of weather events on intraseasonal time scales. We hypothesize that it is these weather events that directly impact the marine ecosystem of the Bering Sea shelf. The linkages between the event-scale weather and the ecosystem are illustrated with three examples: walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), Tanner crabs (Chionoecetes bairdi), and coccolithophorid phytoplankton (Emiliania huxleyi). We hypothesize that the strong recruitment of walleye pollock that occurred in 1978, 1982, and 1996 can be attributed in part due to the seasonably strong storms that occurred in the early summer of those years. These storms caused greater than normal mixing of nutrients into the euphotic zone which presumably led to sustained primary productivity after the spring bloom and, possibly, enhanced prey concentrations for pollock larvae and their competitors. Recruitment of Tanner crab was particularly strong for the 1981 and 1984 year-classes. These years had periods of prominent east wind anomalies along the Alaska Peninsula during the previous winter. Such winds promote flow through Unimak Pass, and hence an enhanced flux of nutrient-rich water onto the shelf. This mechanism may have ultimately resulted in favorable feeding conditions for Tanner crab larvae. Finally, an unprecedented coccolithophorid bloom occurred over the Bering Sea shelf in the summer of 1997. This summer featured lighter winds and greater insolation than usual after a spring that included a very strong May storm. This combination brought about a warm, nutrient-poor upper mixed layer by mid-summer. This provided a competitive advantage for coccolithophorid phytoplankton in 1997 and to a lesser extent in 1998. Unusually high concentrations of coccolithophores persisted for the following two years although physical environmental conditions did not remain favorable. While slow variations in the overall aspects of the physical environment may be important for setting the stage, we propose that the significant multi-year adjustments in the marine ecosystem of the Bering Sea shelf are more directly caused by major air‐sea interaction events on intraseasonal time scales.
Distinct transcriptional mechanisms direct expression of the rat Dmrt1 promoter in sertoli cells and germ cells of transgenic mice.

DMRT1 is a transcription factor expressed only in Sertoli cells and undifferentiated spermatogonia of the postnatal testis, where it is required for proper cellular differentiation and fertility. To elucidate the transcriptional regulatory regions that provide DMRT1's cell-specific expression, transgenic mice containing a LacZ reporter gene driven by variable amounts of rat Dmrt1 5′ flanking sequence, 9 kb and smaller, were evaluated. Examination of transgene expression by RT-PCR indicated that multiple promoter regions direct Dmrt1 to the testis and that sequences upstream of 2.8 kb are needed for both Sertoli cell expression and limiting transcriptional influence imposed by surrounding chromatin. Thus, whereas many of the transgenes were expressed in the testis, the ones with smaller promoters were significantly more prone to expression at ectopic sites or to complete silencing. Transgene expression in Sertoli cells and germ cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR following busulfan treatment to remove germ cells. Both evaluations indicated expression of the 9- and 3.2-kb promoters in Sertoli cells and germ cells, whereas activity of smaller promoters was largely restricted to germ cells. In all, the present study provides in vivo evidence that distinct promoter sequences participate in Dmrt1 regulation in somatic cells and germ cells, with the −3.2 kb/−2.8 kb region directing expression in Sertoli cells and downstream sequences (≤1.3 kb) directing it in germ cells. Further exploration of the mechanisms restricting Dmrt1 expression to the testis revealed that FOXL2, a transcription factor required for differentiation of the ovary, repressed Dmrt1 promoter through the −3.2 kb/−2.8 kb regulatory region, offering a potential mechanism for Dmrt1 transcriptional silencing in granulosa cells.
Aortic Dissection in Young Adults Who Abuse Amphetamines

Background Case reports suggest a relationship between amphetamine abuse/dependence and aortic dissection, but no population-based epidemiologic studies have examined this link. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that young adults with a diagnosis of amphetamine abuse/dependence would be at higher risk for aortic dissection after accounting for known risk factors. Methods In this population-based case-control study of 30,922,098 discharges from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1995 to 2007, among persons aged 18 to 49 years, we identified 3,116 thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic dissections using International Classification of Disease, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification codes 441.01 and 441.03. The SURVEYLOGISTIC procedure in SAS 9.2 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) was used to account for the Nationwide Inpatient Sample sampling methodology. Results In a multiple logistic regression analysis, while controlling for known risk factors, amphetamine abuse/dependence was significantly associated with aortic dissection (adjusted odds ratio=3.33, 95% CI=2.37-4.69, P Conclusions This statistically significant association suggests that amphetamine abuse/dependence may play a role in aortic dissection in young adults in the United States.
Of Polls and Race Prejudice Sports Illustrated’s Errant “Indian Wars”

This article offers a collaborative review of the article “The Indian Wars”from the March 4, 2002, issue of Sports Illustrated that purported to present novel scientific findings regarding the attitudes of sports fans and American Indians toward Native American mascots. Despite the claims of the periodical, the authors argue, the article provides a flawed and biased account of pseudo-Indian mascots that misconstrues their history as well as significance to Native and non-Native peoples. The authors begin with a critical reading of the article, analyzing its arguments, interpretive frames, methodology, and evidence. Then, the authors examine the context omitted from the article. In turn, the authors highlight the place of Indian stereotypes within EuroAmerican and Native American communities, the intersections of race and power animating such mascots, and the prejudice and terror encouraged by mascots and media coverage of them. Finally, the authors discuss the implications of “The Indian Wars.”
Corporate social responsibility and customer satisfaction among US publicly traded hotels and restaurants

Abstract This study, by performing a path regression analysis, examines a mediating effect of customer satisfaction between corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and firm value for US hotels and restaurants. Further, the study differentiates positive and negative CSR activities in the analysis. Findings suggest that the customer satisfaction does not play a role of a mediator between the two factors for both hotels and restaurants.
Sorting out the cytokines of asthma.

Asthma is a complex disorder characterized by intermittent, reversible airway obstruction, and by airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Although its cause(s) remain unknown, we now recognize that asthma is a syndrome whose common pathologic expression is inflammation of the airways. The airways of patients with even mild asthma are inflamed, and some data suggest that the severity of the asthma parallels the degree of inflammation (1-3). The airway inflammation of asthma is unique in that the airway wall is infiltrated by T lymphocytes bearing the T helper type 2 phenotype (4) and by eosinophils and mast ceils (2, 5, 6). Each of these cells is thought to contribute to the physiologic changes that characterize asthma (Fig. 1). The TH2 lymphocytes produce a limited panel ofcytokines including IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, and GM-CSF. Although the primary signals resulting in the infiltration of the asthmatic airways by this lymphocyte subset have not yet been identified, a number of models have been proposed based on the concept that the inflammtory process is triggered by the presentation of a restricted panel of antigens in the presence of appropriate cytokines. The net effect of antigen presentation in this microenvironment is to promote the synthesis of IgE through the actions of IL-4 on Ig isotype switching (7) and to enhance the differentiation, migration, and pathobiologic capacity of eosinophils through the actions of GMCSF, IL-3, and IL-5 (8, 9). The IgE produced in asthmatic airways binds to Fc~RI on mast cells, priming them for activation by antigen. Mast cells arise from bone marrow precursors, enter the circulation as non-metachromatically staining, agranular, CD34 +, c-kit +, and F%I<I + mononuclear leukocytes (10), and localize to mucosal and submucosal sites such as the bronchi. Once localized, these lineage-committed immature mast cells undergo tissue-specific differentiation along with maturation and expansion. Their development and movement involves growth factors and cytokines derived from both structural and hematopoietic cells in their microenvironment. The mast cells that further migrate into the luminal space, and which can be recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage, are primed for an augmented activation response (11). Mast cells also elaborate IL-4 (12, 13), which favors conversion ofT cells to the TH 2 phenotype, and IL-5 (14), which contributes to eosinophilopoiesis and to the priming of eosinophils for augmented responses. Once recruited from the circulation, mature eosinophils, in the presence of"asthmatic" cytokines, convert to an autoaggressive phenotype (15, 16), termed "hy
Efficient learning of action schemas and web-service descriptions

This work addresses the problem of efficiently learning action schemas using a bounded number of samples (interactions with the environment). We consider schemas in two languages--traditional STRIPS, and a new language STRIPS+WS that extends STRIPS to allow for the creation of new objects when an action is executed. This modification allows STRIPS+WS to model web services and can be used to describe web-service composition (planning) problems. We show that general STRIPS operators cannot be efficiently learned through raw experience, though restricting the size of action preconditions yields a positive result. We then show that efficient learning is possible without this restriction if an agent has access to a "teacher" that can provide solution traces on demand. We adapt this learning algorithm to efficiently learn web-service descriptions in STRIPS+WS.
Plant biology: time for growth.

Analyses of growth kinetics in seedlings reveal exquisite connections between the signalling pathways controlled by the circadian clock and by light, and illuminate the molecular mechanisms involved.
Water bears (Phylum Tardigrada) of Oceania, with the description of a new species of Milnesium

There are few published records of tardigrades (Phylum Tardigrada) from Oceania. Although terrestrial tardigrades have been collected from the Hawaiian islands of Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi, no species have been recorded from the northernmost main island, Kauaʻi. Samples of moss and lichen from Kaua'i and O'ahu yielded 302 tardigrade specimens and 35 eggs, representing nine genera and 16 species. Nine genera and 10 species were collected from Kaua'i, six genera and 10 species from O'ahu. A new species, Milnesium shilohae sp. nov., from O'ahu is described. The new species, a member of the ‘tardigradum’ group, has claw configuration [3–3]–[3–3]. It most closely resembles Milnesium bohleberi, from which it can be distinguished by its more posterior stylet support insertion point, narrower buccal tube standard width, more cylindrical buccal tube, and in having internal and anterior secondary claw spurs that are much larger than external and posterior spurs.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B33333AB-8E0...
Tunable Charge Transfer Dynamics at Tetracene/LiF/C60 Interfaces

Ultrafast optical spectroscopy was utilized to investigate charge transfer dynamics across organic semiconductor tetracene/C60 interfaces in the presence of a LiF barrier layer. Photoinduced absorption spectra in the 1.6−2.3 eV range reveal a strong effect of the intermediate LiF barrier layer on dynamics of the charge transfer excitons (CTE) creation and recombination. Increasing thickness of the LiF film from 0 to 1 nm significantly suppresses CTE recombination while CTE generation remains practically unaltered. Further increase of LiF thickness to 2 nm prevents creation of CTE by diffusion from tetracene but does not affect direct CTE excitation by incident photons. Unlike thin films studied here, direct CTE photogeneration at the interface between thick organic films accounts for a small fraction (as compared to diffusion-induced) of total CTE population, resulting in a larger contribution of the LiF barrier to charge separation efficiency.
Spinal anesthesia in infants: recent developments.

Purpose of reviewSpinal anesthesia has long been described as a well-tolerated and effective means of providing anesthesia for infants undergoing lower abdominal surgery. Now, spinal anesthetics are being used for an increasing variety of surgeries previously believed to require a general anesthetic
Performance of a second-order neighboring optimal control scheme

The analytical basis and calculations for second-order expansions about discrete-parameter approximations of optimal trajectories are described in order to facilitate approximation of neighboring optimal control feedback gains. The scope of the present formulation includes finite-dimensional control trajectory representation, but no active state inequality constraints. The parameters of a second-order neighboring optimal control (NOC) scheme are calculated numerically. As an illustrative application, fuel optimal landing-phase guidance is considered for a chemical rocket-powered launch vehicle. A vertical lander geometry and initial and final boundary conditions are shown. (AIAA).
Tuberculosis and excess alcohol use in the United States, 1997–2012

Tuberculosis (TB) incidence continues to decrease in the United States, with fewer than 10 000 cases reported nationwide in 2012;1 however, excess alcohol use remains common. Excess alcohol use accounted for an estimated 88 000 deaths in the United States each year during 2006–2010,2 and an estimated US$224 billion in economic costs in 2006.3 Excessive alcohol use includes binge drinking, exceeding weekly limits, and any use by pregnant women or persons aged <21 years. In 2011, binge drinking was reported by 18.3% of US adults, who reported doing so an average of four times a month and consuming an average of 8 drinks per occasion.4 Substance use (including excess alcohol use) among patients with TB remains highly prevalent in the United States5 and abroad.6 Alcohol use might be responsible for a large proportion of TB program burden,7 which is represented by a strong association between excessive alcohol use and TB.8 This association may be explained by the progression of latent tuberculous infection to TB disease due to decreased immune system function among excess alcohol users,9 and exacerbated by other associated factors such as homelessness10 and smoking.11 Studies have shown excess alcohol use to be associated with a positive acid-fast bacilli (AFB) sputum smear microscopy result,12 delay in TB diagnosis,13 anti-tuberculosis treatment,13 and poor TB treatment outcomes.14 Excess alcohol use is also associated with an increased risk of belonging to a localized TB genotype cluster,15,16 suggesting an association between alcohol use and recent TB transmission. Despite the high prevalence of excess alcohol use described among TB patients, and the associated comorbidity and mortality, no recent nationwide analysis examining the prevalence of excess alcohol use and potential associations has been published. We investigated the prevalence of excess alcohol use among TB patients reported in the United States from 1997 to 2012. We assessed the association of excess alcohol use with markers for TB transmission and with treatment outcomes, while adjusting for the effects of other demographic and clinical characteristic variables routinely reported in US TB surveillance. We also assessed whether time to sputum culture conversion was associated with excess alcohol use among patients with pulmonary TB.
Multifunctional Electroactive Nanocomposites Based on Piezoelectric Boron Nitride Nanotubes.

Space exploration missions require sensors and devices capable of stable operation in harsh environments such as those that include high thermal fluctuation, atomic oxygen, and high-energy ionizing radiation. However, conventional or state-of-the-art electroactive materials like lead zirconate titanate, poly(vinylidene fluoride), and carbon nanotube (CNT)-doped polyimides have limitations on use in those extreme applications. Theoretical studies have shown that boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have strength-to-weight ratios comparable to those of CNTs, excellent high-temperature stability (to 800 C in air), large electroactive characteristics, and excellent neutron radiation shielding capability. In this study, we demonstrated the experimental electroactive characteristics of BNNTs in novel multifunctional electroactive nanocomposites. Upon application of an external electric field, the 2 wt % BNNT/polyimide composite was found to exhibit electroactive strain composed of a superposition of linear piezoelectric and nonlinear electrostrictive components. When the BNNTs were aligned by stretching the 2 wt % BNNT/polyimide composite, electroactive characteristics increased by about 460% compared to the nonstretched sample. An all-nanotube actuator consisting of a BNNT buckypaper layer between two single-walled carbon nanotube buck-paper electrode layers was found to have much larger electroactive properties. The additional neutron radiation shielding properties and ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared optical properties of the BNNT composites make them excellent candidates for use in the extreme environments of space missions. utilizing the unique characteristics of BNNTs.
Notorious support: The America first committee and the personalization of policy

In a political world characterized by social movement rivalry, advocates routinely use reputation work to discredit the motivations and character of their adversaries. Reputational entrepreneurs undercut organizational legitimacy by depicting members with disreputable or radical affiliations as representative of their opponents. These attacks on character must be countered, costing resources and limiting organizational reach. Through reputation work, advocates assert that groups they oppose have a large proportion of stigmatized supporters, are affiliated with prominent disreputable figures, and espouse policies favored by such figures. Such claims direct attention from the substance of the debate, directing attention to the moral stature of claimants. Those attacked must rely on counter strategies to defend themselves. They deny that disreputables are representative, demonstrating their bona fides by exclusive practices, claim that opposing groups have the same problem, and suggest that stigmatized suppo...
Empirical Study of the Complex Characteristics of the Electricity Market and its Evolution

With the definition of complex system as which is consisted of massive objects(including the living and unliving ones),the primary problem of studying the complex system is to figure out some certain ordered structure and function macroscopically through the non-linear interaction of objects,under the condition of none central control,incomplete information and partial interaction.Based on the theory of complex system,this paper analyzed the characters and evolution laws of the electric power market,while it empirically studied the electric power market of california and the PJM market.The results showed that,as an economic system,the electric power market possessed all features and properties of the complex system,covering multiple factors,multiple levels and multiple steps.The price of electricity in California presented a distribution of self-similarity,in another word,it had the emerging property of complex system,which also suggested that the competitive electric power market has a complex fractal structure,the price of electricity in the U.S.PJM market presented a distribution of power law,which confirmed that the competitive electric power market had a evolution law of self-organized criticality.From this point of view,this paper provided a new idea and way to study the electric power market.
Markers of kidney disease and risk of subclinical and clinical heart failure in African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study.

BACKGROUND African Americans and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk for clinical heart failure (HF). In this study, we aimed to determine the association of markers of kidney disease with subclinical HF (by echocardiogram) and risk of clinical HF among a large, well-characterized community-based cohort of African American patients. We also examined whether the association of markers of kidney disease with HF was attenuated with adjustment for echocardiographic measures. METHODS We studied participants in the Jackson Heart Study, a large community-based cohort of African Americans. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) were measured at baseline. We tested the association of eGFR and urine ACR with left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and physician-adjudicated incident HF. RESULTS Among the 3332 participants in the study, 166 (5%) had eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 405 (12%) had urine ACR ≥30 mg/g. In models adjusted for demographics, comorbidity and the alternative measure of kidney disease, lower eGFR and higher urine ACR were associated with higher LVM {β-coefficient 1.54 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-2.31] per 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 decrease in eGFR and 2.87 (95% CI 1.85-3.88) per doubling of urine ACR}. There was no association of eGFR and urine ACR with LVEF [β-coefficient -0.12 (95% CI -0.28-0.04) and -0.11 (95% CI -0.35-0.12), respectively]. There was no association of eGFR with the risk of incident HF [HR 1.02 (95% CI 0.91-1.14) per 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 decrease], while there was a significant association of urine ACR [HR 2.22 (95% CI 1.29-3.84) per doubling of urine ACR]. This association was only modestly attenuated with adjustment for LVM [HR 1.95 (95% CI 1.09-3.49)]. CONCLUSIONS Among a community-based cohort of African Americans, lower eGFR and higher ACR were associated with higher LVM. Furthermore, higher urine ACR was associated with incident HF, which was not entirely explained by the presence of left ventricular disease.
Peripherally Selective Cannabinoid 1 Receptor (CB1R) Agonists for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

Alleviation of neuropathic pain by cannabinoids is limited by their central nervous system (CNS) side effects. Indole and indene compounds were engineered for high hCB1R affinity, peripheral selectivity, metabolic stability, and in vivo efficacy. An epithelial cell line assay identified candidates with <1% blood-brain barrier penetration for testing in a rat neuropathy induced by unilateral sciatic nerve entrapment (SNE). The SNE-induced mechanical allodynia was reversibly suppressed, partially or completely, after intraperitoneal or oral administration of several indenes. At doses that relieve neuropathy symptoms, the indenes completely lacked, while the brain-permeant CB1R agonist HU-210 (1) exhibited strong CNS side effects, in catalepsy, hypothermia, and motor incoordination assays. Pharmacokinetic findings of ∼0.001 cerebrospinal fluid:plasma ratio further supported limited CNS penetration. Pretreatment with selective CB1R or CB2R blockers suggested mainly CB1R contribution to an indene's antiallodynic effects. Therefore, this class of CB1R agonists holds promise as a viable treatment for neuropathic pain.
Functional and therapeutic importance of purinergic signaling in polycystic kidney disease

Polycystic kidney diseases (PKD) are a group of inherited nephropathies marked with the formation of fluid-filled cysts along the nephron. This renal disorder affects millions of people worldwide, ...
Arsenic trioxide, ascorbic acid, filgrastim and erythropoietin for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes

17519 Background: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been reported to have activity when used as monotherapy for the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Herein we report the results of MDS patients treated wi...
Effects of supervised exercise and dietary nitrate in older adults with controlled hypertension and/or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Aerobic exercise training is an effective therapy to improve peak aerobic power (peak VO2) in individuals with hypertension (HTN, AHA/ACC class A) and heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). High nitrate containing beetroot juice (BRJ) also improves sub-maximal endurance and decreases blood pressure in both HTN and HFpEF. We hypothesized that combining an aerobic exercise and dietary nitrate intervention would result in additive or even synergistic positive effects on exercise tolerance and blood pressure in HTN or HFpEF. We report results from two pilot studies examining the effects of supervised aerobic exercise combined with dietary nitrate in patients with controlled HTN (n = 26, average age 65 ± 5 years) and in patients with HFpEF (n = 20, average age 69 ± 7 years). All patients underwent an aerobic exercise training regimen; half were randomly assigned to consume a high nitrate-containing beet juice beverage (BRJ containing 6.1 mmol nitrate for the HFpEF study consumed three times a week and 8 mmol nitrate for the HTN study consumed daily) while the other half consumed a beet juice beverage with the nitrate removed (placebo). The main result was that there was no added benefit observed for any outcomes when comparing BRJ to placebo in either HTN or HFpEF patients undergoing exercise training (p ≥ 0.14). There were within-group benefits. In the pilot study in patients with HFpEF, aerobic endurance (primary outcome), defined as the exercise time to volitional exhaustion during submaximal cycling at 75% of maximal power output, improved during exercise training within each group from baseline to end of study, 369 ± 149 s vs 520 ± 257 s (p = 0.04) for the placebo group and 384 ± 129 s vs 483 ± 258 s for the BRJ group (p = 0.15). Resting systolic blood pressure in patients with HFpEF also improved during exercise training in both groups, 136 ± 16 mm Hg vs 122 ± 3 mm Hg for the placebo group (p < 0.05) and 132 ± 12 mm Hg vs 119 ± 9 mm Hg for the BRJ group (p < 0.05). In the HTN pilot study, during a treadmill graded exercise test, peak oxygen consumption (primary outcome) did not change significantly, but time to exhaustion (also a primary outcome) improved in both groups, 504 ± 32 s vs 601 ± 38 s (p < 0.05) for the placebo group and 690 ± 38 s vs 772 ± 95 s for the BRJ group (p < 0.05) which was associated with a reduction in supine resting systolic blood pressure in BRJ group. Arterial compliance also improved during aerobic exercise training in both the HFpEF and the HTN patients for both BRJ and placebo groups. Future work is needed to determine if larger nitrate doses would provide an added benefit to supervised aerobic exercise in HTN and HFpEF patients.
The effect of aromatase inhibitors use on endothelial function among postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

e12064Background: Data on long-term cardiovascular effects and safety of aromatase inhibitors (AI) are limited and conflicting. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of AI on ...
Spontaneous and Gene-Directed Epilepsy Mutations in the Mouse

Spontaneous mutations in mice, along with those generated by genetic engineering approaches, are essential tools to understand the pathogenesis of human epilepsies. Monogenic models provide a coherent, reproducible lesion and a tractable biological starting point to explore the remarkably diverse biology of seizure disorders in the developing brain. Current clinical classification schemes estimate that about two thirds of all human epilepsies, formerly deemed idiopathic, are now considered to be of primarily genetic origin. Over 150 monogenic epilepsies have been identified. For each of these inherited disorders, a genetically defined mouse mutant can help identify the key molecular defects in excitability and plasticity in the developing epileptic brain, uncover new molecular targets for therapy, and serve as a reproducible biological test system for experimental strategies to prevent or reverse the onset of seizures.
The impact of emotional intelligence on auditor judgment

This study seeks to identify emotional intelligence (EI) as a key factor in dealing with emotions and pressures in an audit context. In this paper, we focus on how EI may influence the relation between job pressures (i.e., time budget pressure and client pressure) and auditors' judgment. Specifically, we investigate the moderating effect of EI on auditors' third‐person assessments of an auditor's actions when subject to internal and external pressures. The results suggest that the moderating influence of EI can effectively reduce auditors' tendency to engage in dysfunctional behavior and improve audit quality. Further, moderation analysis suggests that EI is a significant mechanism that moderates the effects of different types of pressure on auditors' judgments.
Using multi-axis material extrusion to improve mechanical properties through surface reinforcement

Due to the layer stacking inherent in traditional three-axis material extrusion (ME) additive manufacturing processes, a part's mechanical strength is limited in the print direction due to weaker i...
Mobile technology to support lexical retrieval during activity retell in primary progressive aphasia

ABSTRACTBackground: Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies and tools developed for individuals with chronic aphasia have been found to facilitate generative language skills. There exists a need to identify effective AAC strategies and tools for individuals experiencing primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a neurodegenerative dementia, for which compensatory treatment paradigms are yet to be systematically evaluated.Aims: To examine the treatment effects of a novel language compensation tool, CoChat, and to determine if lexical retrieval skills improve are maintained during activity retell with use of this AAC application.Methods and procedures: Six individuals with PPA participated. The study was implemented using a single-subject alternating treatments experimental design to compare lexical retrieval during activity retell in three conditions: Absence of technology support, presence of photos only, and presence of CoChat app, with photo and labels. The number of target words produced b...
Teachers’ Perceptions of the Use of Blended Learning for Instructional Delivery and Student Production in K-12 Classrooms

This study seeks to determine teachers’ perceptions of the benefits of blended learning by grade span groupings: elementary, middle, and high school teachers and to examine teachers’ perceptions of their use of blended learning for instructional delivery and student production. The rapid growth of blending learning has created need for investigations into teachers’ perceptions of the benefit of blended learning. Data were gathered using quantitative research techniques with the use of a Likert scale on a three-part survey that analyzed a total of 460 public school teachers’ perceptions regarding blended learning as an instructional delivery approach in the classroom. The researchers designed the Turner & Young Technology Teacher Survey to study how teachers perceive blended learning in the classroom controlling for grade span groupings. The findings of this study indicated differences in teachers’ attitudes about the benefit of blended learning by grade span groups, particularly as it relates to instructional strategy. In addition, the results of this study indicate that as teachers recognized the benefits of blended learning, teachers also increased their use of blended learning for instructional delivery and for student production. This research adds to a small literature base examining the use of blended learning by grade span groupings. This study seeks to determine teachers’ perceptions of the benefits of blended learning by grade span groupings: elementary, middle, and high school teachers and to examine teachers’ perceptions of their use of blended learning for instructional delivery and student production. The rapid growth of blending learning has created need for investigations into teachers’ perceptions of the benefit of blended learning. Data were gathered using quantitative research techniques with the use of a Likert scale on a three-part survey that analyzed a total of 460 public school teachers’ perceptions regarding blended learning as an instructional delivery approach in the classroom. The researchers designed the Turner & Young Technology Teacher Survey to study how teachers perceive blended learning in the classroom controlling for grade
Zero Reversion Loss, High-Efficiency Charge Pump for Wide Output Current Load Range

Switched-capacitor charge pumps provide fully-integrated voltage conversion in integrated circuits, without the need for large area inductors. Traditional cross-coupled charge pump topologies are limited by reversion loss, where charge flows backward during a pumping cycle due to non-ideal switch control clocks. In this work, we present two modified charge pump topologies that eliminate reversion loss while adding minimal control complexity. A detailed comparison with recent published approaches is presented. The single-stage charge pump Designs I and II are implemented in a standard 180 nm CMOS process and exhibit peak efficiency of 81.9% and 83.2%, respectively, and more than 70% power efficiency is achieved across a load current range from 100–900 μA for Design II. The presented approach improves efficiency while decreasing required stage capacitance several-fold, achieving over 87 mW/mm2 power density.
Probability of Detection Model for Pipeline Inspection

The inspection of thousands of miles of gas transmission pipelines is a formidable problem. Inspection tools based on magnetic flux leakage (MFL) and ultrasonic phenomena have been developed, and continually evaluated with respect to defect detection and characterization accuracy. The concept of probability of detection (POD) offers a measure for quantifying the capabilities of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) systems in the presence of various sources of uncertainties.
Sex Roles and Sexual Dysfunction

Sex roles are stereotyped norms and expectations for human behavior based on gender which are socialized from birth onward and are continually reinforced by the social environment. A complete understanding of sex roles is possible only when they are viewed in the context of the society that supports the systematic social and economic oppression of women and maintains a general imbalance of power between men and women.
A Mixed Methods Study of Leaders’ Perceptions of Microlearning for Professional Development on the Job

This study investigated the use of mobile microlearning, supported with social learning strategies, and its perceived usefulness as a delivery mode for professional development on the job. The use of computer-mediated communication and microlearning have been explored in educational settings. This study expanded the context to managers and leaders in the aerospace industry (n=15) and healthcare professions (n=20). Data was collected using a self-developed, semi-structured interview protocol and Likert-style survey. A professional development training, using the Graphical Inventory of Ethical Leadership (GIEL) survey tool, was delivered to participants’ mobile devices. Six themes emerged from the inductive analyses of the participants’ responses including: the flexible delivery saves time, maintains leader’s presence on the job, builds team cohesiveness, meets the leaders’ needs for personalizing delivery of the PD/understanding their employees’ learning needs, provides individuals with a voice in the selection of learning opportunities, and the absence of participants’ stated concerns over the use of technology. Conclusions, models for understanding the concepts, and implications for practice are provided.
Abstract 4755: Role of PAK4 in cancer immune cell exclusion

Lack of T-cell infiltration is the main mechanism of primary resistance to checkpoint blockade therapies. Here, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of metastatic melanoma biopsies taken from patients treated with anti-PD1 (n=23) with biopsies pre- (n=17) and during treatment (n=22), and investigated cancer cell intrinsic mechanisms of immune evasion. We classified our samples based on their T-cell infiltration status using a validated set of immune genes for T-cell infiltration (Spranger et al., 2015), normalized within gene and scored the samples from 0 (least infiltrated) to 1 (most infiltrated). In order to identify genes that anti-correlate with infiltration, we performed differential gene expression analysis between non-infiltrated (n= 18) and infiltrated tumors (n=21) regardless clinical response and condition. The analysis resulted in total of 1904 genes enriched in the non-infiltrated group (log2foldchange > 1, q-value Citation Format: Gabriel Abril-Rodriguez, Catherine S. Grasso, Jesse M. Zaretsky, Beata Berent-Maoz, Siwen Hu-Lieskovan, Antoni Ribas. Role of PAK4 in cancer immune cell exclusion [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4755.
Robotic Adrenalectomy: Are We Expanding the Indications of Minimally Invasive Surgery?

Abstract Introduction: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is accepted as the gold standard treatment for most adrenal pathologies. Open surgery is still considered the standard of care for large tumor...
Research: Use of Dry Electroencephalogram and Support Vector for Objective Pain Assessment

The reliability of normal gel-based electrode electroencephalogram (EEG) for measuring pain has been validated. To date, however, few documented trials have used dry EEG for pain quantification. The primary goal of this study was to objectively quantify pain using dry EEG in conjunction with a support vector machine (SVM). SVMs have been proven accurate for classifying pain intensity. The authors believe that EEG combined with an SVM could increase the statistical power of pain assessment. Currently, clinicians primarily rely on verbal (i.e., subjective) reports for assessing pain; therefore, the research described here could offer a method to objectively monitor pain, eliminate observer error, and individualize treatment.
Lung Ultrasonography in the Acutely Dyspneic Hemodialysis Patient.

A 79-year-old woman with ESKD presented to the emergency department with dyspnea. Three days before presentation, she developed rhinorrhea, cough, and fatigue. The day before admission, her prehemodialysis (pre-HD) weight was 52.6 kg, and her post-HD weight was 51.2 kg, 2 kg above her target weight
Gas and Dust Explosions

Abstract Coal mine explosions are rare, but they cause the most fatalities. Nearly 8,000 lives have been lost in US coal mines alone. Worldwide figures are much higher. Criteria for both gas and coal dust explosions are discussed. Flammability limits (upper and lower) for all mine gases are discussed. Techniques to determine if a mixture of combustible and inert gases are explosive are presented. Minimum ignition energy (MIE) and minimum temperatures for ignition for both gas and dust are presented. Impact of methane, moisture, particle size, and volatile content of coal on coal dust explosion is discussed. Preventive techniques comprising methane drainage, use of permissible equipment, mixing inert material, such as limestone dust, with coal dust to render it inert are explained. Finally, the use of stone dust barriers to contain the explosion within a section is presented. This limits the extent of damage to mine structures within the section and minimizes widespread losses of life and property.
The role of splanchnic congestion and the intestinal microenvironment in the pathogenesis of advanced heart failure.

Purpose of reviewRight-sided heart failure, which is often present in the setting of advanced heart failure, is associated with cardiac cachexia, the cardiorenal syndrome, and adverse outcomes. Improved understanding of venous congestion of the splanchnic circulation, which may play a key role in th
A Stable Low Frequency Time Domain EFIE with Weighted Continuity Equation

A new time domain electric field integral equation is proposed to solve low frequency problems. This new formulation uses the current and charge densities as unknowns, with a form of the continuity equation that is weighted by a Green's function as a second constraining equation. This equation can be derived from a scalar potential equivalence principle integral equation, which is in contrast to the traditional strong form of the continuity equation that has been used in an ad-hoc manner in the augmented EFIE. Numerical results demonstrate the improved stability of this approach, as well as the accuracy at low frequencies.