cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract P6-17-02: Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is effective against established HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases in mice

Background: Brain metastases represent a major problem in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer (1). The antibody-drug conjugate ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) has shown efficacy in trastuzumab-resistant systemic breast cancer. Here, we tested the hypothesis that T-DM1 could overcome trastuzumab resistance in murine models of brain metastases. Methods: We used previously established animal models of HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases and organotypic brain slice cultures that recapitulate clinical scenarios (2). We treated mice bearing HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases with trastuzumab or T-DM1 at equivalent or equipotent doses. Using intravital imaging, molecular techniques and histological analysis we determined tumor growth, mouse survival, cancer cell apoptosis and proliferation, tumor drug distribution, gene expression, and HER2 downstream signaling. Results: T-DM1 significantly delayed the growth of HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases compared to trastuzumab. These findings were consistent between HER2-driven and PI3K-driven breast tumors. The activity of T-DM1 resulted in a striking survival benefit compared to trastuzumab (median survival for BT474 tumors: 28d for trastuzumab vs 112d for T-DM1, HR=6.2, P Conclusions: Our findings suggest that T-DM1 can overcome resistance to HER2-targeted therapies in the CNS, and warrants clinical investigation for the effective treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases. References: 1. Kodack DP, Askoxylakis V, Ferraro GB, et al. Emerging strategies for treating brain metastases from breast cancer. Cancer Cell 2015, 27(2):163-175. 2. Kodack DP, Chung E, Yamashita H, et al. Combined targeting of HER2 and VEGFR2 for effective treatment of HER2-amplified breast cancer brain metastases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012, 109(45):E3119-3127. Citation Format: Askoxylakis V, Ferraro G, Kodack D, Badeaux M, Jain R. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is effective against established HER2-positive breast cancer brain metastases in mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-17-02.
Methane emission through ebullition from an estuarine mudflat: 1. A conceptual model to explain tidal forcing based on effective stress changes

Ebullition is an important pathway for transport of methane (CH4) to the atmosphere in wetlands. Water level changes have been suggested to trigger ebullition, especially in tidally flooded areas, although the controlling mechanisms remain uncertain. Bubble transport in submerged sediment represents a multiphase, dynamic interaction between gaseous and solid phases under the modulation of a liquid phase. An unvegetated sediment monolith was retrieved from an estuarine mudflat area at a tidal marsh site and maintained in a saturated state. Laboratory measurements on the mud monolith confirmed that not only ebbing tides, but also flooding tides could trigger ebullition releases of gas bubbles. We develop a Changing Stress for Simulating Ebullition (CSSE) model to describe mechanisms controlling bubble expansion in response to water level changes to unify these observations. Decreases in water level are assumed to lower the effective stress surrounding isolated trapped gas bubbles, driving upward transport via bubble expansion and deformation, with associated fracturing of overlying sediments. Increases in relative permittivity suggest that additional water invades macropores, with associated pore expansion, during the initial stage of increases in water level. We propose that subsequent matrix expansion under lowered effective stress on rising tides also leads to fracture propagation and bubble release. Our findings demonstrate the importance of effective stress changes in triggering ebullition from mudflat areas in tidal wetlands, modulated by the mechanical properties of shallow soft sediments.
Are Online Zenker's Diverticulum Materials Readable and Understandable?

ObjectivePatients use a multitude of resources to learn about Zenker’s diverticulum (ZD). The objectives of this study were to assess the readability and understandability of online materials on ZD, evaluate them against the existing criteria, and investigate the relationship between readability and understandability.MethodsThe first 50 webpages from an online search for ZD were analyzed. Twenty-one webpages had materials intended for patients and were included in the study. The patient education materials (PEMs) were analyzed using 6 readability tools. Four individuals used the Patient Education Materials Evaluation Tool (PEMAT) to assess the understandability. Fleiss κ interrater reliability analysis determined consistency among the raters. Finally, Pearson correlation coefficient analyzed the relationship between readability and understandability.ResultsThe reading grade level of the materials reviewed ranged from 10th to 16th grade while the understandability ranged from 31% to 74%. Correlation analys...
Merging rhodium-catalysed C–H activation and hydroamination in a highly selective [4+2] imine/alkyne annulation

Catalytic C-H activation and hydroamination represent two important strategies for eco-friendly chemical synthesis with high atom efficiency and reduced waste production. Combining both C-H activation and hydroamination in a cascade process, preferably with a single catalyst, would allow rapid access to valuable nitrogen-containing molecules from readily available building blocks. Here we report a single metal catalyst-based approach for N-heterocycle construction by tandem C-H functionalization and alkene hydroamination. A simple catalyst system of cationic rhodium(I) precursor and phosphine ligand promotes redox-neutral [4+2] annulation between N-H aromatic ketimines and internal alkynes to form multi-substituted 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines (DHIQs) in high chemoselectivity over competing annulation processes, exclusive cis-diastereoselectivity, and distinct regioselectivity for alkyne addition. This study demonstrates the potential of tandem C-H activation and alkene hydrofunctionalization as a general strategy for modular and atom-efficient assembly of six-membered heterocycles with multiple chirality centres.
Social Work Continuing Education: A Statewide Case Study

ABSTRACTThis article presents findings from a 2013 qualitative study of social work continuing education (CE) in Massachusetts. Eleven focus groups were conducted with 75 participants from key stakeholder groups: practitioners, educators, licensing board members, and agency administrators. Although positive perspectives surfaced—such as diversity of CE options—thematic analysis nonetheless reflected considerable frustration with the current system. CE concerns included lack of access, cost, missing CE content areas, quality control issues, and lack of employer support. Participants also noted the need for enhanced transfer of CE-derived knowledge and skills in the workplace. Greater attention to this crucial aspect of professional development is therefore needed.
Liver Disease and Parenteral Fish Oil

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a lifesaving therapy for patients with intestinal failure. There are, however, risks associated with PN, including infections from the central venous catheter (CVC) through which PN is delivered, metabolic derangements, and organ dysfunction. Parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD) is a complication of PN characterized by cholestasis and hepatic inflammation that can progress to fibrosis and end-stage liver disease if not identified and managed. Soybean oil lipid emulsions (SOLE) as fat sources in PN can exacerbate the development of PNALD while fish oil lipid emulsions (FOLE) can reverse PNALD. FOLE-based strategies to treat PNALD include FOLE monotherapy, combining FOLE and SOLE, and use of new generation combination emulsions containing fish oil and other oils. Research efforts have focused on understanding the pathophysiology of PNALD, the role of SOLE in its pathogenesis, and the mechanisms by which FOLE reverses PNALD.
The Status of High Temperature Superconducting Wire Development

(1992). The Status of High Temperature Superconducting Wire Development. Materials and Processing Report: Vol. 7, No. 11-12, pp. 3-4.
The Impact of Work/Family Conflict and Workplace Social Support on Mental Distress in Home Health Workers:

The study explored the role of work/family conflict and workplace social support in predicting home health workers’ mental distress using a sample of home health workers in Central Texas (n = 150). The result of multivariate analysis showed that work/family conflict increased mental distress, while client support and organizational support decreased mental distress. In addition to the direct effects, client support was found to buffer the negative impact of work/family conflict. Findings call attention to the ways to reduce work/family conflict and increase workplace social support in efforts to promote home health workers’ mental well-being.
Abstract TP250: Defining Technical Quality Standards for Mobile Telestroke Assessment: A Substudy of the Improving Treatment with Rapid Evaluation of Acute Stroke via Mobile Telemedicine (iTREAT) Mobile Telestroke Platform

Introduction: In-ambulance use of remote videoconferencing for prehospital stroke assessment (mobile telestroke) is an emerging innovation in acute stroke care. As a new technology, there is a dear...
Illegal Aliens or Deserving Victims: The Ambivalent Implementation of the U Visa Program

The U visa potentially provides legal status to immigrant crime victims who assist law enforcement. To the detriment of petitioners, however, the government delayed the U visa's full implementation-the Department of Homeland Security released regulations seven years after the program's passage in 2000. Visa programs effectively define those immigrants who are deemed deserving of legal membership within the United States from those perceived to be undeserving, often imagined as economic migrants who illegally enter the country and abuse social services. In granting visas to the undocumented, the federal government uses guiding narratives of iconic figures that serve to validate deserving characteristics, while excluding undeserving traits. The use of a clear iconic figure is evident with the T visa, which the government enacted parallel to the U visa. In contrast, no such iconic figure propelled passage of the U visa statute. Without this guidance, the government delayed the implementation of the visa. The government and practitioners should, however, promote the U visa because it is an important tool to protect undocumented immigrants, assist law enforcement agencies, and develop a more flexible understanding of citizenship. 153 t Assistant General Counsel, United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, Washington, D.C.; J.D. University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, 2009; B.A., St. Mary's College of Maryland. ASIAN AMERICAN LAW JOURNAL
Local Control and Survival after Image-Guided Percutaneous Ablation of Adrenal Metastases.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate local control and survival after image-guided ablation of adrenal gland metastases. Materials and Methods Image-guided ablations of adrenal metastases measuring Results Technical success, primary efficacy, and secondary efficacy were 96%, 72%, and 76%. Local progression rate during all follow-up was 25%. Local tumor progression-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 82%, 69%, and 55%. Overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 82%, 44%, and 34%. In 16 patients with isolated adrenal metastasis, median disease-free survival was 8 months; 4 patients had no evidence of disease during follow-up. Lung cancer was associated with decreased survival (hazard ratio 4.41, P = .002). Conclusions Image-guided ablation can achieve local control for adrenal metastases
Microfluidic detection with acoustic spectroscopy (MIDAS) for analysis of insulin formulation stability

Current techniques to analyze insulin, although efficient and accurate, usually require advanced scientific knowledge, chemical labeling, expensive equipment and/or are destructive. Ultrasonic spectroscopy is a viable alternative since it is simple to use, does not involve any sample preparation, and is non-destructive. Microfluidic ultrasonic spectroscopy detects particles through measuring the amount of acoustic energy transmitted at different frequencies. We have successfully performed acoustic spectroscopy to analyze insulin on the micro-scale, where the main advantage is that only 50 μL (vs. 1 mL) is required for sample analysis. To prove the efficacy of our device, we first measured fresh Sanofi U400 Insuman insulin over a range of frequencies. We then artificially aged insulin for six hours to compare the acoustic signature before and after protein aging. Next, to probe the dynamic range and sensitivity of our new method, we chose three frequencies and measured the progressive deterioration of insulin as it aged over time. Finally, we validated the performance of MIDAS against three benchmark tests: HPLC, ThT fluorescence assay and DLS. Specifically, we show that certain frequencies produce different spectra within 1 hour of accelerated aging. MIDAS compares well with benchmark tests of HPLC, ThT fluorescence assay and DLS. Such a device can be a complementary tool to help determine the stability of insulin in a cost-effective manner.
Microwave measurement of giant unilamellar vesicles in aqueous solution.

A microwave technique is demonstrated to measure floating giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) membranes in a 25 μm wide and 18.8 μm high microfluidic channel. The measurement is conducted at 2.7 and 7.9 GHz, at which a split-ring resonator (SRR) operates at odd modes. A 500 nm wide and 100 μm long SRR split gap is used to scan GUVs that are slightly larger than 25 μm in diameter. The smaller fluidic channel induces flattened GUV membrane sections, which make close contact with the SRR gap surface. The used GUVs are synthesized with POPC (16:0–18:1 PC 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), SM (16:0 Egg Sphingomyelin) and cholesterol at different molecular compositions. It is shown that SM and POPC bilayers have different dielectric permittivity values, which also change with measurement frequencies. The obtained membrane permittivity values, e.g. 73.64-j6.13 for POPC at 2.7 GHz, are more than 10 times larger than previously reported results. The discrepancy is likely due to the measurement of dielectric polarization parallel with, other than perpendicular to, the membrane surface. POPC and SM-rich GUV surface sections are also clearly identified. Further work is needed to verify the obtained large permittivity values and enable accurate analysis of membrane composition.
Meckel’s Diverticulum Resection

Meckel’s diverticulum is a congenital diverticulum of the small intestine that occurs in 2–3% of the population. It represents a remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct and its wall is comprised of all the layers that normally occur in the bowel, making it a true diverticulum. Ectopic tissue may be present, including gastric mucosa or pancreatic tissue. Most Meckel’s diverticula remain clinically silent, with fewer than 25% becoming apparent, mostly in the first two decades of life [1].
Discovery of Geospatial Discriminating Patterns from Remote Sensing Datasets

Large amounts of remotely sensed data calls for data mining techniques to fully utilize their rich information content. In this paper, we study new means of discovery and summarization of knowledge contained in the spatial patterns of remote sensing datasets. Several geospatial feature variables are fused together, and the vector of their values at each spatial cell is considered as a transaction to be used in association analysis. The concept of emerging patterns is applied to ascertain the variables that exert dominant in∞uence on the distribution of a selected class variable. A new value-iteration method is introduced to optimally split the spatial domain of the selected variable into two classes. This division is used to calculate the set of patterns that are emerging with respect to the two classes; these patterns are the controlling factors|they are responsible for the spatial distribution of the class variable. A method for a concise summarization of controlling factors is introduced using a similarity measure that is custom-made for the type of patterns stemmed from remote sensing measurements. Using such a similarity measure, controlling factors are clustered providing brief description of difierent manners, in which the class variable is constrained by the explanatory variables. We evaluate our method in a real-world application pertaining to the density of vegetation within the continental United States. Examination of patterns related to the high vegetation cover provides a summary of data dependencies that helps to develop a better empirical model of the vegetation growth.
Associations of functional, psychosocial, medical, and socio-demographic factors with cognitive screening in chemotherapy naïve patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE To describe associations of functional, psychosocial, medical, and socio-demographic factors with performance on a cognitive screening test in chemotherapy naive patients with breast cancer. METHODS Women with breast cancer were recruited between 2009 and 2018. The Blessed Orientation Memory Concentration Test (BOMC) was administered prior to chemotherapy. Associations between baseline BOMC and functional (Karnofsky Self-Reported Performance Rating Scale (KPS), Time Up and Go Test (TUG), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Physical Function, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)), psychosocial (Mental Health Inventory-13, MOS Social Activity Limitation and Social Support Survey), medical, and socio-demographic variables were assessed using linear regression analysis. RESULTS In a sample of 331 women with breast cancer, the mean age was 65.2 years and 68.6% were 65 and older. Mean BOMC score was 3.60 on a scale from 0 (best) to 28 (worst). After controlling for demographic factors, worse BOMC screening test results were associated with KPS < 80 (P = 0.01), IADL<14 (P = 0.02), TUG ≥14 seconds (P = 0.001), worse MOS Physical Function (P = 0.0006), depressive symptoms (P = 0.04), and social activity limitations (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION In a sample of women with breast cancer, pre-treatment cognitive screening scores did not reveal profound cognitive impairment. BOMC screening scores were associated with multiple measures of physical function, but further research is needed to determine a clinically meaningful cut point in the BOMC for screening of cancer-related cognitive impairment.
Channeling analysis in studying ion irradiation damage in materials containing various types of defects

Abstract Ion channeling is a powerful quantitative technique for studying ion-irradiation induced defect evolution in single crystalline materials. An iterative procedure to determine dechanneling yields has been developed for decades, serving as a major method for analyzing experimental channeling data. The applicability of such procedure is, however, generally limited to the crystalline damage with only point defects and local amorphous domains. For the other cases, such as irradiated metals, the assumption of direct-backscattering free has usually been made. In the present study, Ni, TiAl, MgO, and SrTiO3 single crystals are selected as four model materials, representing metals, intermetallic alloys, and ceramic compounds with different defect evolution processes under irradiation, to investigate the fidelity of applying dechanneling analysis on various types of defects. The pure dechanneling assumption is shown oversimplified in Ni irradiated with low fluence self-ions and may result in error on the derived damage profile. Moreover, the iterative procedure of dechanneling analysis is shown valid for more general situations than the randomly distributed atoms, including those not exhibiting a peak in channeling spectra. The disappearance of damage peak in channeling spectra is attributed to the combined effects of small (but non-zero) scattering factor, long-range damage effects, and non-ignorable damage level in pristine crystals. Furthermore, the ratio of direct backscattering to dechanneling areas provides information on defect configurations in the materials containing a well-defined damage peak in channeling spectra. The contribution from dechanneling sources increases from SrTiO3, TiAl, to MgO, according to the derived scattering and dechanneling factors.
Medicaid accountable care organizations in four states: Implementation and early impacts

Policy Points Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Vermont leveraged State Innovation Model awards to implement Medicaid accountable care organizations (ACOs). Flexibility in model design, ability to build on existing reforms, provision of technical assistance to providers, and access to feedback data all facilitated ACO development. Challenges included sustainability of transformation efforts and the integration of health care and social service providers. Early estimates showed promising improvements in hospital-related utilization and Vermont was able to reduce or slow the growth of Medicaid costs. These states are sustaining Medicaid ACOs owing in part to provider support and early successes in generating shared savings. The states are modifying their ACOs to include greater accountability and financial risk. Context As state Medicaid programs consider alternative payment models (APMs), many are choosing accountable care organizations (ACOs) as a way to improve health outcomes, coordinate care, and reduce expenditures. Four states (Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Vermont) leveraged State Innovation Model awards to create or expand Medicaid ACOs. Methods We used a mixed-methods design to assess achievements and challenges with ACO implementation and the impact of Medicaid ACOs on health care utilization, quality, and expenditures in three states. We integrated findings from key informant interviews, focus groups, document review, and difference-in-difference analyses using data from Medicaid claims and an all-payer claims database. Findings States built their Medicaid ACOs on existing health care reforms and infrastructure. Facilitators of implementation included allowing flexibility in design and implementation, targeting technical assistance, and making clinical, cost, and use data readily available to providers. Barriers included provider concerns about their ability to influence patient behavior, sustainability of provider practice transformation efforts when shared savings are reinvested into the health system and not shared with participating clinicians, and limited integration between health care and social service providers. Medicaid ACOs were associated with some improvements in use, quality, and expenditures, including statistically significant reductions in emergency department visits. Only Vermont's ACO demonstrated slower growth in total Medicaid expenditures. Conclusions Four states demonstrated that adoption of ACOs for Medicaid beneficiaries was both possible and, for three states, associated with some improvements in care. States revised these models over time to address stakeholder concerns, increase provider participation, and enable some providers to accept financial risk for Medicaid patients. Lessons learned from these early efforts can inform the design and implementation of APMs in other Medicaid programs.
Addressing Social and Global Issues: Viewing the Syrian Refugee Crisis Through a Behavior-Analytic Lens

In a 1982 address, B. F. Skinner asked a question that is still relevant today: Why are we not acting to save the world? Watching any news station will reveal a number of current global and social issues that our world is facing including, but not limited to, poverty, genocide, and climate change. Although there have been attempts to resolve these issues, these problems continue to cost lives and threaten the planet. These human-created problems are complex in terms of influencing factors and the human behavior involved and, therefore, require an objective, systematic approach. Behavior analysis is a science that studies environmental variables influencing human behavior, which allows for the prediction and creation of interventions that change behavior in a socially significant way. The present article uses the Syrian refugee crisis to illustrate how the principles of behavior analysis, specifically relational frame theory, Glenn’s (2004, “Individual Behavior, Culture, and Social Change,” The Behavior Analyst, 27, 133–151) analysis of macrobehavior and metacontingencies, and Goldiamond’s nonlinear analysis (1974, “Toward a Constructional Approach to Social Problems: Ethical and Constitutional Issues Raised by Applied Behavior Analysis,” Behaviorism, 2, 1–84), could be used to address global and social issues. The authors propose a model that may be used to analyze other social or global issues using behavior-analytic principles. This article is intended to demonstrate the breadth of potential applications of behavior-analytic principles and to serve as a call to action to the field to research interventions to address current social and global issues.
A Synchronous Model for Fieldbus Systems

A control system is described as a set of dynamic process variables such as temperature, flow and pressure. These are physical parameters and their values change with time. The primary function of the control system is to maintain the process variables within certain desired range. For this purpose, the control system has to determine the state of the process and its evolution in time. In the former case, the system reacts to external events, which occur at arbitrary instants whereas the latter takes decisions at well-defined instants in real-time. The main elements of a control system consist of the external process (which is also referred to as the controlled system), the measurement (that requires the conversion of dynamic process variables into useful information for the other control elements) and the control elements (which influences the external process by updating the steps taken by the controller). Sensors are responsible for measuring the process variables and actuators are the control elements. In a computer-controlled system, the measurements and set points are converted from analog-to-digital and from digital-to-analog forms with the help of A/D and D/A converters respectively. In a centralized approach, the algorithm is implemented on a single computer. Sensors and actuators are all connected to a central computer with the help of dedicated links. The following steps are performed.
The Impact of Dynamic Changes in Light Spectral Power Distribution on Cognitive Performance and Wellbeing

The spectral power distribution (SPD) of the indoor lighting environment can improve cognitive performance, as well as positively impact occupant wellbeing. Advances in solid-state lighting now all...
Evaluation of Seismic Fragility Analysis of the Mega Sub-Controlled Structural System (MSCSS)

The improved mega sub-controlled structure system (MSCSS) significantly reduced the building responses and improved the control effectiveness as compared to conventional mega substructure (MSS). Ho...
Chronicles of Astra: Challenges and Lessons from the First Petascale Arm Supercomputer

Arm processors have been explored in HPC for several years, however there has not yet been a demonstration of viability for supporting large-scale production workloads. In this paper, we offer a retrospective on the process of bringing up Astra, the first Petascale supercomputer based on 64-bit Arm processors, and validating its ability to run production HPC applications. Through this process several immature technology gaps were addressed, including software stack enablement, Linux bugs at scale, thermal management issues, power management capabilities, and advanced container support. From this experience, several lessons learned are formulated that contributed to the successful deployment of Astra. These insights can be helpful to accelerate deploying and maturing other first-seen HPC technologies. With Astra now supporting many users running a diverse set of production applications at multi-thousand node scales, we believe this constitutes strong supporting evidence that Arm is a viable technology for even the largest-scale supercomputer deployments.
Probing Documentation Practices: Reflecting on Students’ Conceptions, Values, and Experiences with Documentation in Creative Inquiry

This research examines how maker-based teaching and learning impact the ways students practice and value process documentation. Educational environments like design studios and makerspaces rely heavily on the physicality of students’ work in hands-on, creative mediums. Transitioning learning and making to remote formats due to the pandemic provided an opportune moment to reflect on creative making curricula and its relationship to space, tools, and materials. Using a research-through-design approach, we deployed a remote design probe to examine students’ current understanding, contexts, values, and experiences with documentation and its integration with technology, space, and education. We report our findings from five activities completed over a one-week period by 15 students enrolled in undergraduate interdisciplinary creative programs. We illustrate how students have been navigating documentation practices as they continue to learn and work in new, remote settings. We demonstrate that despite different disciplinary standards, students share common values in how documentation connects with deeper learning processes.
Ethnic Differences in the Influence of Peers on Weight-Related Behavior

There is no doubt that peers have an influence on individual weight gain. This article seeks to find if the influence of peers is consistent across ethnic groups or whether certain groups are influenced more by their peers than other groups. Studies in the peer effects literature primarily focus on identifying the direct impact of peers on individual behavior. The difficulty in isolating the direct behavioral effect of peers on individual’s behavior is that there are several mechanisms driving the correlation between individual’s outcomes and peer group outcomes. We model peer effects using an identification strategy that exploits network structure and incorporates group-specific fixed effects to control for confounding effects. Using data taken from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we find that peer effects exist across all genders and ethnic groups, but it is more prevalent for Hispanic youth with respect to sedentary activities. The findings also show that having male peers is associated with lower exercise for both young males and young females. The implications of this study are that reducing obesity through encouraging healthy behaviors should not only focus on individual factors but also on the role of peers as well as gender and ethnic differences in the design of such programs.
A new thermal and trajectory model for high altitude balloons

A new computer model for the prediction of the trajectory and thermal behavior of high altitude balloons has been developed. In accord with flight data, the model permits radiative emission and absorption of the lifting gas and daytime gas temperatures above that of the balloon film. It also includes ballasting, venting, and valving. Predictions obtained with the model are compared with flight data and newly discovered features are discussed.
Treatment of Enuresis: The Rented Alarm Bell

Recently I was intrigued by a newspaper advertisement placed by the "National Enuresis Foundation." Free information about bed-wetting was offered to concerned parents if they filled out the coupon. Listing a fictional 8 year old son, I responded, and received a leaflet from the organization, which evidently is based in Florida. The leaflet provided a mixture of sound statements (e.g., that neither punishment nor reward is appropriate in managing bed-wetting) and subtly frightening suggestions (e.g., that enuretic children, if not cured, often become juvenile delinquents).
Understanding farmers’ perceptions and the effects of shea ( Vitellaria paradoxa) tree distribution in agroforestry parklands of Upper West Region, Ghana

Agroforestry parklands, characterized by scattered trees growing within cultivated crop fields, are the most widespread agricultural system in semi-arid West Africa. Agroforestry trees offer many ecological and socioeconomic benefits, such as added income, food, and medicine. They are currently under threat in this region due to recent changes in agricultural and land use practices. For example, a reduction in traditional fallow rotation periods has led to decreased regeneration of a common agroforestry tree, shea (Vitellaria paradoxa), which has been an important economic resource for women. The aims of this study were to determine beneficial spatial distributions of shea to maintain high yields of staple crops and to better understand male and female farmer perceptions of shea maintenance. We compared maize (Zea mays) vegetative growth, grain yield, soil moisture, and light availability associated with individual shea trees and clumps of trees on five farms in Ghanaian agroforestry parklands. We also interviewed local farmers to better understand their management perspectives. Maize vegetative growth increased with light availability, but was not limited by soil moisture. Conversely and contrary to farmer perceptions, grain yield was not influenced by light availability, but increased with increasing soil moisture. Also contrary to common beliefs of local farmers, grain yield was greater under clumps of shea compared to scattered distributions of individual trees. We therefore recommend the maintenance of clumped distributions of shea, as they provide beneficial microclimates for staple crops, and could assist in improving the productivity of shea products that are considered the domain of women farmers.
SLOWER: A performance model for Exascale computing

A performance framework is introduced to facilitate the development and optimization of extreme-scale abstract execution models and the future systems derived from them. SLOWER defines a six-dimensional design trade-off space based on sources of performance degradation that are invariant across system classes. Exemplar previous generation execution models e.g., vector are examined in terms of the SLOWER parameters to illustrate their alternative responses to changing enabling technologies. New technology trends leading to nano-scale and the end of Moore's Law demand future innovations to address these same performance factors. An experimental execution model, ParalleX, is described to postulate one possible advanced abstraction upon which to base next generation hardware and software systems. A detailed examination is presented of how this class of dynamic adaptive execution model addresses SLOWER for advances in efficiency and scalability. To represent the SLOWER trade-off space, a queue model has been developed and is described. A set of simulation experiments spanning ranges of key parameters is presented to expose some initial properties of the SLOWER framework.
A systems biology study of microenvironment-dependent gene expression programs of RT4 bladder papilloma cells

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 4414 The tumor microenvironment plays a major role in determining the phenotype of cancer cells and modulating the aberrant cellular and molecular pathways inherent in malignant phenotypes. Using a model of tumor cell growth on normal and cancer-modulated extracellular matrix (ECM), the time course of gene expression of RT4 bladder papilloma cells was followed on normal- and malignant-derived ECM to identify processes that change over time in each case and to compare differences between growth in a papilloma phenotype on Matrigel and nearly normal growth in a multilayered epithelium on a gel derived from normal ECM (SISgel, a gel-forming product obtained from small intestine submucosa). An overall systems biology approach was used to build a picture of genes and pathways responding to the ECM and that are involved in the path toward malignant growth. Gene expression was determined with a genome-wide long-oligo printed chip over 10 time points. Hypervariable genes under both conditions were identified and bound to plausible networks constructed with a pathway analysis tool and constrained to require that all genes actually be expressed at > 3 sd above background to be included in a network. Overall, level of gene expression was higher on Matrigel than on SISgel. Clustering of hypervariable genes showed distinct patterns of gene expression under two conditions. Common transcriptional regulatory elements in clusters further confirmed the plausibility of networks identified. On Matrigel, changes in gene expression over 10 days were quantitative only, suggesting the cells essentially continued growth under the same regulatory system. In contrast on SISgel, several genes and transcription factors turned on or off over the time course, suggesting a hierarchy of expression programs. While highly cancer-related genes bound to networks were identified in cells growing on Matrigel, more normal patterns were seen on SISgel, where the main pathways involved growth and differentiation. The genes in those networks share common transcription factors further confirming their plausibility. This systems approach also suggested the participation of a number of very poorly characterized genes, which further suggests that novel pathways may play a role. High expression of cancer-related transcription factors such as TP53, MYC as well as cytokines TNF and IL1B on Matrigel may represent therapeutic targets for combating invasive behavior of tumor cells at early stages.
Artificial neural networks for estimation and fusion in long-haul sensor networks

We consider long-haul sensor networks where sensors are remotely deployed over a large geographical area to perform certain tasks, such as tracking and/or monitoring of one or more dynamic targets. A remote fusion center fuses the information provided by these sensors to improve the accuracy of the final estimates of certain target characteristics. In this work, we pursue artificial neural network (ANN) learning-based approaches for estimation and fusion of target states in long-haul sensor networks. The joint effect of (1) imperfect communication condition, namely, link-level loss and delay, and (2) computation constraints, in the form of low-quality sensor estimates, on ANN-based estimation and fusion, is investigated by means of analytical and simulation studies.
Describing depression: Congruence between patient experiences and clinical assessments

Objectives. Efforts to describe depression have relied on top-down methods in which theory and clinical experience define depression but may not reflect the individuals' experiences with depression. We assessed the degree of overlap between academic descriptions of depression and patient-reported symptoms as conceptualized in the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®). By extension, this work assesses the degree of overlap between current clinical descriptions of depression and patient-reported symptoms. Design. In this content analysis study, four focus groups were conducted across two sites to elicit symptoms and the experience of depression from depressed and medically ill patients. Methods. Depressed and medically ill patients were asked to describe symptoms that characterize depression. Data were transcribed and then coded using an a priori list of 43 facets of depression derived from extant depression measures. Results. Participants described 93% of the symptoms from the a priori list, supporting the validity of current depression measures. Interpersonal difficulties were underscored as was anger. In general, results from the focus groups did not require the generation of new items for depression and supported the content validity of the PROMIS hierarchical framework and item pool created originally. Conclusions. This work supports the validity of current depression assessment, but suggests further investigation of interpersonal functioning and anger may add to the depth and breadth of depression assessment.
Panama's International Banking Center: The direct employment effects☆

Abstract Despite the political saliency of employment, the growing scholarly literature on financial centers contains only a few cursory estimates of employment in international banking. We use simple methods to calculate the total and marginal direct employment effects of Panama's International Banking Center. The results, which appear reasonable, suggest that international banking activities are not very labor intensive and provide even fewer jobs than many observers infer from the relatively impressive asset amounts involved.
Gender differences in antacid-induced phosphate deprivation in rats.

Abstract To determine whether an animal model could be used to study the susceptibility of women to antacid-induced phosphate deficiency, 6-wk-old male and female rats were given basic aluminum carbonate gel (Basaljel) (1 ml/100 g body wt) or distilled water by gastric intubation daily for 3 wk. Rats were fed either ad libitum (group 1) or by pair-feeding (group 2) with pelleted rat food containing 0.74% phosphorus. In group 1, baseline, 1-wk, and 3-wk values for serum phosphorus in Basaljel-treated females were 7.7 ± 0.2, 6.3 ± 0.2, and 6.2 ± 0.2 mg/dl, respectively. Corresponding values for control females were 7.8 ± 0.3, 7.0 ± 0.2, and 7.3 ± 0.2 mg/dl. Values for treated females were significantly lower (p
Plasma endothelin correlates with the extent of pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUNDEndothelin is a family of potent vasoconstrictor peptides of vascular endothelial origin. Although it has been proposed that the vasoconstrictor effects of endothelin are produced at the ...
Sequence analysis of the 47-kilodalton major integral membrane immunogen of Treponema pallidum.

Abstract The complete primary amino acid sequence for the 47-kilodalton (kDa) major integral membrane immunogen of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum was obtained by using a combined strategy of DNA sequencing (of the cloned gene in Escherichia coli) and N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the native (T. pallidum subsp. pallidum-derived) antigen. An open reading frame believed to encode the 47-kDa antigen comprised 367 amino acid codons, which gave rise to a calculated molecular weight for the corresponding antigen of 40,701. Of the 367 amino acids, 113 (31%) were sequenced by N-terminal amino acid sequencing of trypsin and hydroxylamine cleavage fragments of the native molecule isolated from T. pallidum subsp. pallidum; amino acid sequence data had a 100% correlation with that of the amino acid sequence predicted from DNA sequencing of the cloned gene in E. coli. Although no consensus sequences for the initiation of transcription or translation were readily identifiable immediately 5' to the putative methionine start codon, a 63-base-pair PstI fragment located 159 nucleotides upstream was required for expression of the 47-kDa antigen in E. coli. The 47-kDa antigen sequence did not reveal a typical leader sequence. The overall G+C content for the DNA corresponding to the structural gene was 53%. Hydrophilicity analysis identified at least one major hydrophilic domain of the protein near the N terminus of the molecule which potentially represents an immunodominant epitope. No repetitive primary sequence epitopes were found. The combined data provide the molecular basis for further structural and functional studies regarding the role of the antigen in the immunopathogenesis of treponemal disease.
Comprehensive approach to the child with gastrostomy

Endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement is the method of choice for enteral feeding of adults and children. It is most commonly needed in children with neurological impairment, and in those with swallowing difficulties. Complications are relatively common but in most cases not severe. Among the most common complications are bacterial and fungal infections of the skin around the tube. In adults, it is usually performed with local anesthesia, whereas in children general anesthesia is recommended. During the child’s hospitalization, parents are usually present in order to learn how to take care of the child at home. We offer them theoretical and practical knowledge about the life of a child with gastrostomy. We provide them information on feeding, skin care, possible complications, and actively include them in all steps of the process of gastrostomy nursing care as soon as possible. Likewise adults, children also have to be treated as equals, andfor this reason we have to know how to communicate with them, with special attention on child’s non-verbal communication. Nursing care to the child often presents an unfamiliar and even undesirable situation. It is therefore the role of the nurse to mitigate it by appropriate communication. It takes four to five days for parents to obtain sufficient information to be able to take care of their child at home. Upon discharge, they receive written information on percutaneous gastrostomy care.
Introductory discussion and comments on the three papers by Hyde Forbes, Irvin M. Ingerson, and Walter Weir

These three excellent papers present the ground-water conditions and problems or the San Joaquin Valley from three different points of view. Taken together they comprise a very good picture of the ground-water resources of the Valley. As the water-supply problems of the San Joaquin Valley are more acute in the portion of the Valley south of Chowchilla River it is natural that the authors devote more of their discussion to this portion. This should not cause us to lose sight of the fact that a large part of the best development in the Valley is in its northern part where nature has been more liberal in providing an adequate water-supply.