cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determinants of antifolate cytotoxicity: Folylpolyglutamate synthetase activity during cellular proliferation and development

Previous studies have documented the metabolism of a broad range of folate antimetabolites to polyglutamate derivatives by the enzyme folylpoly-gamma-glutamate synthetase (FPGS). The activity of the more recently developed classes of antifolates directed against thymidylate synthase and de novo purine synthesis is sufficiently dependent on polyglutamation that these compounds should be specifically cytotoxic to any normal or malignant proliferating cell expressing this enzyme. We have studied the patterns of expression of FPGS in mammalian cells and tissues during rapid growth, growth arrest, differentiation, and embryonic development. During embryogenesis in the rat, FPGS levels in liver and brain were higher during the period of proliferative activity and then dropped to a level characteristic of the adult organs. However, the levels in liver were substantially higher than those in brain at any given time. This pattern was mimicked in mouse C3H 10T1/2 embryo fibroblast cells, in which FPGS activity decreased after cessation of growth but then remained at a lower steady state level during an extended period of postconfluent culture. Enzyme activity also dropped after the differentiation of human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. In a human homolog of these experimental systems, FPGS levels were below the limits of detection in circulating mature human hematopoietic cells of the granulocytic, lymphoblastic, and erythrocytic lineages. In striking contrast, substantial levels of FPGS were found in circulating lymphoblasts from eight patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The levels of FPGS found in these transformed stem cells would help to explain the sensitivity of many acute lymphoblastic leukemias to folate antimetabolites. We concluded that expression of FPGS is regulated by at least two mechanisms, one of which is linked to proliferation and the other of which controls enzyme levels after differentiation and is tissue specific.
Abstract 989: A novel function of LncRNA AK023948—regulation of PI3K signaling

The human genome expresses a large number of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and increasing evidences suggest their physiological functions.However, the roles vast majority of lncRNAs are elusive in breast cancer. In the present study, we identified a set of lncRNAs that were differentially expressed in breast cancer tissues as compared to normal tissue. AK023948 is one of such lncRNAs which is up-regulated in breast cancer tissue and in breast cancer cell lines. Ectopic expression of AK023948 in breast cancer MCF-7 cells promotes proliferation and anchorage independent cell growth along with activation of AKT phosphorylation. On the other hand, knockdown or knockout of AK023948 in MCF-7 cells reduces the proliferation of cells and phosphorylation of AKT. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between AK023948 and pAKT expression in breast cancer tissue microarray. To determine the underlying mechanism of AK023948-mediated activation of AKT, we performed RNA precipitation assays using biotin-labeled AK023948 RNA probe combined with mass spectrometry analysis and identified that ATP dependent RNA helicase A (RHA/DHX9) is AK023948. The interaction of AK023948 with DHX9 was confirmed by Western blot and RNA immunoprecipitation (IP), respectively. Co-IP indicated that DHX9 interacts with PI3K regulatory subunit p85. Further characterization revealed that AK023948 works as scaffold for p85-DHX9 interaction, which is essential for stability of p85 and AKT activity. Finally, we showed that AK023948 is essential to AKT activation induced by growth factors and acidosis, but it has no effect on activation of ERK phosphorylation, suggesting that AK023948 specifically regulate AKT signaling via PI3K. Together, these results suggest that AK023948 contributes to breast cancer pathogenesis by activating AKT and AK023948 may serve as a novel target for breast cancer therapy. Citation Format: Pratirodh Koirala, Yin Yuan Mo. A novel function of LncRNA AK023948—regulation of PI3K signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 989.
Ni- and Mn-Promoted Mesoporous Co3O4: A Stable Bifunctional Catalyst with Surface-Structure-Dependent Activity for Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Efficient bifunctional catalysts for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are highly desirable due to their wide applications in fuel cells and rechargeable metal air batteries. However, the development of nonprecious metal catalysts with comparable activities to noble metals is still challenging. Here we report a one-step wet-chemical synthesis of Ni-/Mn-promoted mesoporous cobalt oxides through an inverse micelle process. Various characterization techniques including powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), N2 sorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirm the successful incorporation of Ni and Mn leading to the formation of Co–Ni(Mn)–O solid solutions with retained mesoporosity. Among these catalysts, cobalt oxide with 5% Ni doping demonstrates promising activities for both ORR and OER, with an overpotential of 399 mV for ORR (at −3 mA/cm2) and 381 mV (at 10 mA/cm2) for OER. Furthermore, it shows better durability ...
Henry P. Stapp on Quantum Theory and Reality

The results of the most recent efforts of Henry P. Stapp to formulate an account of physical reality compatible with relativity and the quantum theory are reviewed and remaining problems are identified. The most salient features of this quantum ontology are two kinds of realities, actual events and potentialities, and two kinds of time, Einstein time and process time. The non-local character of the “potentia” of this ontology provides in a natural manner for problems posed by Bell’s theorem. But left outstanding are difficulties with the actuality/potentiality dualism and with the two kinds of time.
Project HOPE: Evaluation of Health Science Career Education Programming for Rural Latino and European American Youth

Project HOPE comprises a health science career pipeline program based in social cognitive career theory. The program aims to promote health science career exploration for rural and Latino middle school students while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of achieving in math and science subjects. The authors conducted 2 studies to evaluate Project HOPE using baseline and follow-up evaluation data. Results of Study 1 indicated that Project HOPE was associated with increases in math/science self-efficacy for both Latino (n = 42) and European American (n = 31) students. Results of Study 2 indicated that Project HOPE was associated with higher health science career self-efficacy beliefs for European American students (n = 22) and higher health science career interests for Latino students (n = 28). These results suggest that domain-specific career interventions for middle school students that focus on jobs tied to the local economy may be a useful way to engage students in career exploration.
The appropriateness of physical contact with clients who have schizophrenia

The potential benefits and dangers of physical contact between social workers and their clients have been debated for decades. Some authors and researchers assert that non-erotic touch, when done w...
Hyper-CVAD Plus Nelarabine: A Pilot Study for Patients with Newly Diagnosed T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)/Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (LL)

Abstract Despite improvement in the prognosis of patients (pts) with T-ALL/LL relapses remain frequent and prognosis of relapsed patients is poor. New drugs specific for T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders and treatment programs combining successful strategies of the past with new agents remain critical. Nelarabine is the water-soluble prodrug of the deoxyguanosine analogue guanosine arabinoside (ara-G) and has activity in pts with relapsed/refractory T cell hematologic malignancies. Here we combine hyper-CVAD (fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone alternating with methotrexate and high-dose cytarabine for a total of 8 courses, Kantarjian et al. JCO 18:547, 2000) with nelarabine to try and improve response duration and survival of patients with T-ALL/LL. Nelarabine was given at 650 mg/m2 i.v. daily × 5 days q 28 days for two courses following completion of the hyper-CVAD sequence and prior to the POMP maintenance (vincristine, prednisone, 6-mercaptopurin, methotrexate). CNS prophylaxis consisted of 8 intrathecal (IT) treatments (2 with each of the first 4 cycles of hyper-CVAD, but not concomitant with nelarabine) alternating IT methotrexate with IT cytarabine. Starting in August 2007, 7 pts with pre-T ALL/LL have been enrolled. Three pts were in CR at study start following prior therapy with hyper-CVAD for a maximum of 3 cycles. Median age was 38 yrs (range 21–76). All pts had a pre-T immunophenotype. One pt had nodal-based disease only, 6 pts had marrow involvement and 4 pts presented with mediastinal masses. No patient had CNS involvement. Cytogenetics were diploid in 6 pts and abnormal in 1 [translocation t(1;14), del(13)]. All patients achieved or maintained a complete remission. Three patients completed the nelarabine consolidations (too early for the remaining pts). The dose of nelarabine had to be reduced to 650 mg/m2 on alternate days (1,3, 5) in one pt because of grade 2 toxicity from previous vincristine. No exacerbation of neurotoxicity was noted in any of the patients following nelarabine. The study continues to accrue. Hyper-CVAD achieves a high CR rate in T-ALL/LL. Administration of nelarabine is feasible following the hyper-CVAD induction. Assessment of impact of the nelarabine consolidation on DFS and survival requires higher patient numbers and longer follow up.
Application of ROBBIA in a Heterogeneous Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Cohort (P04.112)

OBJECTIVE: 1) Evaluate the “ROtman-Baycrest Battery to Investigate Attention” (ROBBIA) application to an MS cohort and reference normative controls; 2) Describe ROBBIA task performance according to MS disease type. BACKGROUND: ROBBIA is a “reaction time” (RT) research software program utilizing a computer stimulus screen and response box to investigate selective frontal attentional processes in association with focal and diffuse frontal lobe injury. The ROBBIA tasks minimize the multidimensional quality of tests commonly used to study frontal lobe cognitive processes and can potentially be used to study structure/function relationships in MS. DESIGN/METHODS: 35 MS patients (11 early, 11 relapsing-remitting, and 13 secondary-progressive MS (SPMS)) were administered an abbreviated ROBBIA battery consisting of the simple, choice, prepare, and suppress tasks. Mean task RT (SE) is presented in graphical form. Performance differences between controls (n=25) and MS patients, and between MS subtypes, were investigated with Wilcoxon Rank Sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS:Simple task: Patients were slower than controls (+97msec, p=.004), while SPMS was slower overall (p=.008). Early MS patients have disproportionately slower RT over successive trials. Choice task: No statistically significant RT difference among patients and between controls (+92msec, p=.07 to .26). No difference between accumulated errors (p=.26). Prepare task: SPMS patients were slower with an early and late warning stimulus (p=.01 to .05). Suppress task: SPMS patients were slower overall and by stimulus type (+277msec compared to controls, p=.02 to .04). Higher frequency distractor false positive errors trended for significance among patients (p=.10). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data suggests that ROBBIA distinguishes MS from reference controls with task-specific worsening associated with disease progression. These findings may be related to selective involvement of frontal regions and is a testable hypothesis utilizing MRI metrics in the future. Investigation with a contemporary and age-matched control cohort is needed to confirm our preliminary results. Disclosure: Dr. Nielsen has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec. Dr. Kinkel has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Genzyme Corporation as a consultant. Dr. Kinkel has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Reviews in Neurological Diseases. Dr. Kinkel has received research support from Biogen Idec, Avanir Pharmaceuticals, and Vaccinex.
Critical Analysis of Feature Selection Algorithms

So far in previous chapters, we have discussed details of various feature selection algorithms, both rough set based and non-rough set based, for supervised learning and unsupervised learning. In this chapter we will provide analysis of different RST-based feature selection algorithms. With explicit discussion on their results, different experiments were performed to compare the performance of algorithms. We will focus on RST-based feature selection algorithms.
The Occupational Mobility of Mexican Migrants in the United States

In this paper we analyze the pre-to-post migration occupational mobility of Mexican migrants to the U.S. using occupation and migration histories from the Mexican Migration Project. We compare the first occupation in the U.S. to the last occupation in Mexico, and the occupation in the last year spent in the U.S. to the occupation in the first year, by sex, using multinomial logistic regression models. The multivariate analyses account for individual, migration, and context characteristics. Our findings show rigidities in occupational structure for migrants and low opportunities for mobility after migration. Most men experience lateral mobility upon arriving to the U.S., and are unlikely to change occupations afterwards. Most women enter lower-status occupations or exit the labor force upon arrival, especially if highly educated or skilled. Undocumented men and university educated women are more likely to experience downward mobility. These patterns remain even after accounting for migrant networks.
Open-Loop Nash Equilibria for Dynamic Games Involving Volterra Integral Equations

In this paper, we consider a class of finite horizon dynamic games in which the state equation is a Volterra integral equation with infinite delay. This may be viewed as a game with coupled state and control constraints and is viewed as a game with coupled constraints in the spirit of Rosen. Our existence result is obtained by a fixed point argument using normalized equilibria. The results rely on convexity and seminormality conditions popularized by L. Cesari in the 1960s and 1970s as well as many others. As an example to which our results are applicable, we consider a competitive economic model originally appearing in the works of C. F. Roos in 1925.
Standards: A New Frontier for Quality

In recent times there has been a resurgence of interest in the preparation, promulgation, and implementation of standards. A major objective of standardization is to establish and/or improve the qu...
Dihedral symmetry in $SU(N)$ Yang-Mills theory

We point out that charge conjugation and coordinate reflection symmetries do not commute with the center symmetry of $SU(N)$ Yang-Mills (YM) theory when $Ng2$. As a result, for generic values of the $\ensuremath{\theta}$ angle, the group of discrete 0-form symmetries of YM theory on, e.g., the spacetime manifold ${\mathbb{R}}^{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{S}^{1}$ includes the dihedral group ${D}_{2N}$, which is non-Abelian for $Ng2$. At $\ensuremath{\theta}=\ensuremath{\pi}$, the non-Abelian factor in the symmetry group is enhanced to ${D}_{4N}$ due to discrete 't Hooft anomaly considerations. We illustrate these results in YM theory as well as in a simple quantum mechanical model, where we study representation theory as a function of the $\ensuremath{\theta}$ angle.
Cirrhosis and End-Stage Liver Disease

An experienced surgeon always approaches cirrhosis or end-stage liver disease with some trepidation. In the chapter that follows, we review the management of system and specific scenarios encountered while caring for critically ill patients with severe liver disease before and after surgery. The chapter provides a typical intensive care unit system-based approach with more detailed discussions of the management of specific clinical challenges as relevant.
Simultaneous learning of hierarchy and primitives for complex robot tasks

We present a new interaction paradigm for robot learning from demonstration, called simultaneous learning of hierarchy and primitives (SLHAP), in which information about hierarchy and primitives is naturally interleaved in a single, coherent demonstration session. A key innovation in the new paradigm is the human demonstrator’s narration of primitives as he executes them, which allows the system to identify the boundaries between primitives. Hierarchy is represented using hierarchical task networks; motion planning constraints on the primitives are represented using task space regions. We implemented SLHAP on an autonomous robot and produced an interaction video illustrating its effectiveness learning a complex task with five levels of hierarchy and eight types of primitives. The underlying algorithms which make SLHAP possible are described and evaluated.
The Linkage of Childhood Breastfeeding to Reduced Incidence of Obesity Among US Youths

Medical practice literature has linked childhood breastfeeding to wide ranging health benefits in youths and adults. Breastfed infants later in life have significantly better immune response functions, are less likely to contract Cohn's disease, suffer less allergic reactions, are less likely to develop diabetes, are happier, less hyperactive, and are less likely to be obese in adulthood. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, optimal breastfeeding of children confers health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, psychologic, social, economic, and environmental benefits. Jones et al, in a landmark paper (Lancet, 2003) estimated that over 1.3 million of the world's children under age 5 die daily from causes that could have been prevented by optimal breastfeeding and that for each child that die for lack of breastfeeding hundreds are at risk for contracting diseases that are preventable through breastfeeding. One study (Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine) using British data concluded that infants fed exclusively on mothers' milk the first 3 to 5 years of life has a 35 percent reduction in obesity at age 5 to 6 years, Breastfeeding in the US increased in the 1970s, fell in the 1980s and rose in the 1990s. The incidence of childhood obesity in the US is rising fast and has significant implications for adulthood obesity, premature mortality and morbidity and related health care costs that run into billions of dollars annually. Currently, 65 to 70 percent of the US adults are overweight or obese and the rise in childhood obesity is projected to worsen future obesity prevalence in the US. The goal of this paper is to use US data (50 states and the District of Columbia) on the duration of infant breastfeeding (in-hospital and 6 months after birth) as an independent variable in a model of youth obesity, from 1955 - 2002. State level data on breastfeeding trends, from 1955 through 2002, are obtained from Ross Products Division of Abbot Laboratory, which conducts nationally representative survey of new mothers and how they fed their infants. The annual "Ross Mothers Survey" contains additional information on mother's race, age, education, work status (full-time, part-time, not employed), whether WIC or non-WIC assistance recipient, as well as how mothers fed their infants (mother's milk, baby formula) in-hospital and after six months. During 2001, 70.1 percent of new mothers breastfed their children post-delivery in hospitals, but only 33 percent were still breastfeeding at six months. The Ross survey data are linked to data on prevalence of youth obesity. Controlling for other factors, fixed effects models were estimated separately for WIC and non-WIC breastfed infants. Preliminary results show that naturally breastfed children are highly unlikely to be obese, and that the children of WIC program recipients benefit less. The economic value of savings from breastfeeding, broadly measured in diseases prevented and improved quality of life, would tend to support the need to promote optimal breastfeeding after hospital discharge.
Mechanism of Liver Cell Destruction in Fulminant Hepatic Failure

The mechanism of hepatocellular death remains a challenging problem. It is well understood only when sudden interruption of cellular respiration, for instance by cyanide, results in instantaneous death without any morphologic alterations. Otherwise, cell death causes recognizable changes implying necrosis (Trump et al. 1974). It is then a step-like process of degeneration of the organelles. Therefore, the possibility of identifying these various steps offers one of the most promising avenues of basic research in hepatology to be applied to the management of acute and chronic liver disease.
Harmonically dancing space-time nodes: quantitatively deriving relativity, mass, and gravitation

The microscopic structure of space and time is investigated. It is proposed that space and time of an inertial observer $\Sigma$ are most conveniently described as a crystal array $\Lambda$, with nodes representing measurement `tickmarks' and connected by independent quantized harmonic oscillators which vibrate more severely the faster $\Sigma$ moves with respect to the object being measured (due to the Uncertainty Principle). The Lorentz transformation of Special Relativity is derived. Further, mass is understood as a localized region $\Delta \Lambda$ having higher vibration temperature than that of the ambient lattice. The effect of relativistic mass increase may then be calculated without appealing to energy-momentum conservation. The origin of gravitation is shown to be simply a transport of energy from the boundary of $\Delta \Lambda$ outwards by lattice phonon conduction, as the system tends towards equilibrium. Application to a single point mass leads readily to the Schwarzschild metric, while a new solution is available for two point masses - a situation where General Relativity is too complicated to work with. The important consequence is that inertial observers who move at relative speeds too close to $c$ are no longer linked by the Lorentz transformation, because the lattice of the `moving' observer has already disintegrated into a liquid state.
Impact of psychopathy on moral judgments about causing fear and physical harm

Psychopathy is a personality variable associated with persistent immoral behaviors. Despite this, attempts to link moral reasoning deficits to psychopathic traits have yielded mixed results with many findings supporting intact moral reasoning in individuals with psychopathic traits. Abundant evidence shows that psychopathy impairs responses to others’ emotional distress. However, most studies of morality and psychopathy focus on judgments about causing others physical harm. Results of such studies may be inconsistent because physical harm is an imperfect proxy for emotional distress. No previous paradigm has explicitly separated judgments about physical harm and emotional distress and assessed how psychopathy affects each type of judgment. In three studies we found that psychopathy impairs judgments about causing others emotional distress (specifically fear) but minimally affects judgments about causing physical harm and that judgments about causing fear predict instrumental aggression in psychopathy. These findings are consistent with reports linking psychopathy to insensitivity to others’ fear, and suggest that sensitivity to others’ fear may play a fundamental role in the types of moral decision-making impaired by psychopathy.
Uncanny Valley Effects on Friendship Decisions in Virtual Social Networking Service

Abstract Drawing on the uncanny valley effects (UVE) hypothesis and related works on avatar-based interactions, this study investigates the role of UVE (i.e., a feeling of eeriness), induced by ava...
Blood Biomarkers for Physical Recovery in Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review

Stroke is a common cause of physical disability. Biomarkers have been used to predict prognosis in ischemic stroke, but studies linking biomarkers to physical recovery from ischemic stroke have not been systematically evaluated since 2011. The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a systematic review of the intervening literature to identify potential predictive biomarkers for recovery of physical function following ischemic stroke. The PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched for studies reported between January 1, 2011, and September 18, 2018. Search criteria were adult ischemic stroke patients, blood sample collection within 24 ± 6 hrs of stroke onset, and outcome measures, including physical function. Identified from 18 studies and representing four biological classifications, 34 biomarkers were significantly associated with physical recovery after ischemic stroke: (1) immune response (15, 44%); (2) lipids/metabolism (4, 12%); (3) neuronal function (4, 12%); and (4) blood vessel/circulation (11, 32%). Of the predictive biomarkers associated with 1-month recovery, 60% (6 of 10) was classified into blood vessel/circulation; 54% (14 of 26) of the biomarkers associated with 3-6 month physical recovery involved the immune response. Blood biomarkers might provide useful information to improve the prediction of physical outcome after ischemic stroke. The data suggest that biomarkers from four biological classifications may predict physical recovery in patients after ischemic stroke.
The Missing Mother

This chapter examines examples in which the mother figure is absent in the lives of other characters or even as an agent in her own life. Those musicals include: Next to Normal, Spring Awakening, and Wicked, and Billy Eliot. In each of these successful plays, the mother figure, through her absence in the lives of her children, is shown as being the cause of their negative actions. This chapter advances the concept that commercial Broadway remains comfortable with the stereotype of the mother figure as the moral compass for her family but when that compass is absent in any way, the child’s ethical behavior is also compromised. The chapter will propose that what is needed are new presentations of motherhood that remove this moral burden.
Flow Interactions Between Low Aspect Ratio Hydrofoils in In-line and Staggered Arrangements.

Many species of fish gather in dense collectives or schools where there are significant flow interactions from their shed wakes. Commonly, these swimmers shed a classic reverse von Karman wake, however, schooling eels produce a bifurcated wake topology with two vortex rings shed per oscillation cycle. To examine the schooling interactions of a hydrofoil with a bifurcated wake topology, we present tomographic particle image velocimetry (tomo PIV) measurements of the flow interactions and direct force measurements of the performance of two low-aspect-ratio hydrofoils ( A R = 0.5 ) in an in-line and a staggered arrangement. Surprisingly, when the leader and follower are interacting in either arrangement there are only minor alterations to the flowfields beyond the superposition of the flowfields produced by the isolated leader and follower. Motivated by this finding, Garrick’s linear theory, a linear unsteady hydrofoil theory based on a potential flow assumption, was adapted to predict the lift and thrust performance of the follower. Here, the follower hydrofoil interacting with the leader’s wake is considered as the superposition of an isolated pitching foil with a time-varying cross-stream velocity derived from the wake flow measurements of the isolated leader. Linear theory predictions accurately capture the time-averaged lift force and some of the major peaks in thrust derived from the follower interacting with the leader’s wake in a staggered arrangement. The thrust peaks that are not predicted by linear theory are likely driven by spatial variations in the flowfield acting on the follower or nonlinear flow interactions; neither of which are accounted for in the simple theory. This suggests that unsteady potential flow theory that does account for spatial variations in the flowfield acting on a hydrofoil can provide a relatively simple framework to understand and model the flow interactions that occur in schooling fish. Additionally, schooling eels can derive thrust and efficiency increases of 63-80% in either a in-line or a staggered arrangement where the follower is between two branched momentum jets or with one momentum jet branch directly impinging on it, respectively.
Exceptional coupling in photonic anisotropic metamaterials for extremely low waveguide crosstalk

Electromagnetic coupling is ubiquitous in photonic systems and transfers optical signals from one device to the other, creating crosstalk between devices. While this allows the functionality of some photonic components such as couplers, it limits the integration density of photonic chips, and many approaches have been proposed to reduce the crosstalk. However, due to the wave nature of light, complete elimination of crosstalk between closely spaced, identical waveguides is believed to be impossible and has not been observed experimentally. Here we show an exceptional coupling that can completely suppresses the crosstalk utilizing highly anisotropic photonic metamaterials. The anisotropic dielectric perturbations in the metamaterial mutually cancel the couplings from different field components, resulting in an infinitely long coupling length. We demonstrate the extreme suppression of crosstalk via exceptional coupling on a silicon-on-insulator platform, which is compatible with a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor process. The idea of exceptional coupling with anisotropic metamaterials can be applied to many other electromagnetic devices, and it could drastically increase the integration density of photonic chips.
Use of the Theory of Planned Behavior Framework to Understand Breastfeeding Decision-Making Among Mothers of Preterm Infants.

Background: Mothers of preterm infants face significant challenges to breastfeeding. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is a well-known framework comprising three domains (attitudes, perceived control, and social norms), which has been used to conceptualize the array of factors that influence health-related behaviors and develop interventions to promote behaviors. Aim: We used the TPB framework to determine the array of factors that contribute to breastfeeding among mothers of preterm infants. Materials and Methods: Using qualitative research methods, we conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews with mothers regarding their experiences feeding their preterm infants according to TPB domains. We developed themes based on an iterative process of review of transcripts and conducted interviews until thematic saturation was reached. Results: We interviewed 23 mothers in 3 states 2 to 6 months after hospital discharge; 22 mothers initiated milk production and 6 were breastfeeding at the time of the interview. Factors that were positive and negative toward breastfeeding were present for all three TPB domains. Regarding attitudes, mothers felt that breastfeeding was a way to bond, that breast milk was healthy and protective, and that breast milk alone was insufficient for a growing preterm infant. Regarding perceived control, mothers felt empowered to breastfeed due to encouragement from hospital staff, friends, and family, and had difficulty overcoming their infant's immature oral feeding skills, competing responsibilities, and perceived infant preference for bottle feeding. Regarding social norms, mothers reported support for and against breastfeeding among hospital and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) providers, family, friends, and the media. Conclusion: Interventional studies geared toward breastfeeding promotion among mothers of preterm infants may focus on addressing barriers to direct breastfeeding during the neonatal intensive care unit and early post-discharge time periods.
Organizational Influences and Surgical System Safety

An organization’s contribution to surgical performance and patient safety takes several roles. Resource allocation provides both personnel and materials to perform a task. Operational support includes policies and procedures that should supplement and support the process. The larger subjective aspect of culture reinforces basic values in their response to adverse events or near misses. HFACS ties all three together with a facilitated approach to the interaction of humans, systems, and technology. Successful organizations also respond to error not by its outcome, but rather the intent of the action that led to it. Just culture moderates the response and recognizes that many rule violations are due to a poorly designed process, not human intransigence. Even if there is a desire to change a process, management of that change must be well thought out, to assure it is embedded into the culture long term.
Prolactin signaling in Nb2-11 T-lymphoma cells: A role for HRPAP20

2882 Previous studies of the recently identified protein, HRPAP20 (Hormone Responsive Proliferation Associated Protein, 20 KD), revealed its regulation by growth factor stimulation in responsive T-lymphoma and breast adenocarcinoma cells. In this setting, the anterior pituitary hormone, prolactin (PRL), rapidly increased HRPAP20 expression, which was also coupled to its serine phosphorylation. Stable transfection of HRPAP20 significantly increased proliferation and prolonged survival following an apoptotic stimulus, similar to the effects of PRL treatment. These observations suggested that HRPAP20 may represent an intermediate in PRL signaling. The present study was conducted to determine whether HRPAP20 could be co-localized with known PRL signaling proteins. Amino acid sequence analysis of HRPAP20 indicated a potential calmodulin (CaM) binding motif (amino acids 54-73) that overlapped with a putative protein kinase C (PKC)-phosphorylation site (amino acids 55-57; motif SXK) suggesting possible interactions among it, CaM, and PKC. Co-immunoprecipitation/ immunoblotting (co-IP/IB) experiments showed that HRPAP20 was associated with CaM in quiescent rat Nb2-11 T-lymphoma cells. Treatment with PRL rapidly (5 min) caused dissociation of the HRPAP20/CaM complex. Results from other experiments showed that phorbol ester (TPA)-induced PKC activation similarly disrupted the association of HRPAP20/CaM suggesting that the phosphorylation status of HRPAP20 may regulate its interaction with cellular proteins. Since previous studies linked PKC activation to PRL receptor stimulation, experiments were conducted to determine whether HRPAP20 was a substrate for PKC in PRL-treated cells. Stationary Nb2-11 cultures, exposed to pharmacological kinase antagonists, were treated with PRL prior to immunoblot analysis of HRPAP20 phosphorylation using anti-phosphoserine specific antibodies. Inhibition of PKC with RO-31-8220 significantly reduced HRPAP20 phosphorylation (p
Reconsidering the Reference Category

Social scientists often present modeling results from categorical explanatory variables, such as gender, race, and marital status, as coefficients representing contrasts to a “reference” group. Alt...
Perfusion, cryopreservation, and nanowarming of whole hearts using colloidally stable magnetic cryopreservation agent solutions

Nanowarming of cryopreserved organs perfused with magnetic cryopreservation agents (mCPAs) could increase donor organ utilization by extending preservation time and avoiding damage caused by slow and nonuniform rewarming. Here, we report formulation of an mCPA containing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) that are stable against aggregation in the cryopreservation agent VS55 before and after vitrification and nanowarming and that achieve high-temperature rise rates of up to 321°C/min under an alternating magnetic field. These SPIONs and mCPAs have low cytotoxicity against primary cardiomyocytes. We demonstrate successful perfusion of whole rat hearts with the mCPA and removal using Custodiol HTK solution, even after vitrification, cryostorage in liquid nitrogen for 1 week, and nanowarming under an alternating magnetic field. Quantification of SPIONs in the hearts using magnetic particle imaging demonstrates that the formulated mCPAs are suitable for perfusion, vitrification, and nanowarming of whole organs with minimal residual iron in tissues.
Talking up liquidity: insider trading and investor relations

Managements (“insiders”) of many corporations, especially small or newly-public firms, invest considerable resources in investor relations. We develop a model to explore the incentives of insiders to undertake such costly investments. We point out that insiders may undertake such investments not necessarily to improve the share price, but to enhance the liquidity of their block of shares. This leads to a divergence of interest between insiders and dispersed outside shareholders regarding investor relations. Our model predicts that the demographics of insiders (e.g. liquidity needs, size of equity stakes) are important determinants of the extent of investor relations across firms.
Interaction of gaseous hydrogen chloride and water with oxide surfaces

Abstract The influence of temperature, pressure, and outgas conditions on the adsorption of hydrogen chloride and water vapor on both α- and γ-alumina has been studied. Characterization of the adsorbents was performed using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low-temperature nitrogen adsorption—desorption measurements, BET nitrogen surface area measurements, and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Water vapor adsorption isotherms at 30, 40, and 50°C were measured on α- and γ-alumina after outgassing at 80, 200, and 400°C. Both outgas temperature and adsorption temperature influenced the adsorption of water vapor on the aluminas. The water vapor adsorption was completely reversible, α-Alumina adsorbed more water per unit area than γ-alumina. Isosteric heats of adsorption for water vapor on the aluminas were determined over a limited range of surface coverage. Hydrogen chloride adsorption isotherms at 30, 40, and 50°C were measured on the two aluminas after outgassing at 80, 200, and 400°C. Again, α-alumina adsorbed more hydrogen chloride per unit area than γ-alumina. The adsorption was only partially reversible, indicative of a chemisorption process. ESCA spectra of both aluminas were obtained after exposure to hydrogen chloride. The pH of slurries and the heats of immersion of the aluminas, outgassed from 80 to 400°C, were determined in both water and hydrochloric acid solutions of varying concentrations to complement the vapor phase measurements.
Retrospective Study: Definition†

The term retrospective study describes case–control studies and other designs, such as historical cohort studies, in which relevant exposures and/or disease incidences occurred before the time of the study data collection. Keywords: retrospective study; case–control study; historical cohort study
Differential in vitro methylation and synthesis of the 480-kilodalton corrinoid protein in Methanosarcina barkeri grown on different substrates.

The 480-kDa corrinoid protein was significantly methylated in extracts of acetate- but not methanol-grown cells incubated with 14CH3OH, in part because of its decreased synthesis in cells grown on substrates other than acetate. In addition, a 200-kDa corrinoid protein was methylated in extracts of methanol- but not acetate-grown cells. Images
Automated generation of protocol test sequences from formal specifications

A program which takes as input the formal specification of a protocol using the formal model systems of communicating machines, and outputs a sequence of tests for an implementation of the protocol is discussed. The protocol is specified formally as a finite state machine with local and shared variables. The test program, called TESTGEN, finds all paths which may be taken through the FSM and generates a sequence of tests to check all these paths. Certain possible error conditions or difficult to test conditions are also detected by the program, and the test designer receives a warning message. The program is applied to a formal specification of the CSMA/CD and FDDI protocols, generating a test sequence for both of these protocols. >
Extended culture of macrophages from different sources and maturation results in a common M2 phenotype

Inflammatory responses to biomaterials heavily influence the environment surrounding implanted devices, often producing foreign-body reactions. The macrophage is a key immunomodulatory cell type consistently associated with implanted biomaterials and routinely used in short-term in vitro cell studies of biomaterials aiming to reproduce host responses. Inconsistencies within these studies, including differently sourced cells, different durations of culture, and assessment of different activation markers, lead to many conflicting results in vitro that confound consistency and conclusions. We hypothesize that different experimentally popular monocyte–macrophage cell types have intrinsic in vitro culture-specific differences that yield conflicting results. Recent studies demonstrate changes in cultured macrophage cytokine expression over time, leading to the hypothesis that changes in macrophage phenotype also occur in response to extended culture. Here, macrophage cells of different transformed and primary-derived origins were cultured for 21 days on model polymer biomaterials. Cell type-based differences in morphology and cytokine/chemokine expression as well as changes in cell surface biomarkers associated with differentiation stage, activation state, and adhesion were compared. Results reflect consistent macrophage development toward an M2 phenotype via up-regulation of the macrophage mannose receptor for all cell types following 21-day extended culture. Significantly, implanted biomaterials experiencing the foreign-body response and encapsulation in vivo often elicit a shift toward an analogous M2 macrophage phenotype. In vitro “default” of macrophage cultures, regardless of lineage, to this M2 state in the presence of biomaterials at long culture periods is not recognized, but has important implications to in vitro modeling of in vivo host response. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 2864–2874, 2015.
Supply Chain Inventory Replenishment: The Debiasing Effect of Declarative Knowledge

Previous experimental research demonstrates that inefficient replenishment decision making in the supply chain can be caused by specific judgment and decision biases. Based on the literature we use controlled experiments involving both student subjects and supply chain managers to test debiasing interventions that provide declarative knowledge, which is theorized to enhance the acquisition of procedural knowledge. We first investigate the effects of three debiasing components in a single-echelon setting: knowledge of bullwhip, inventory position (IP), and use of a target order-up-to quantity. Experiment 1 (N = 1,608 decisions by 67 student subjects) using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design for the three components finds that the conceptual understanding of IP is salient for efficient replenishment decisions. We next examine the effects of the components in a simulated, multi-echelon, serial supply chain, which introduces the additional complexity of coordination risk. Experiment 2 (N = 3,072 decisions by 128 student subjects) using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design finds that although subjects benefit from training components, there is evidence of cognitive overload with an increased quantity of information. Finally we test whether these debiasing components may be an effective training program for practicing supply chain managers who can be expected to have higher levels of procedural knowledge through experience gained in the field. Experiment 3 (N = 864 decisions by 36 supply chain managers) using a 2 × 1 design investigates the effects of an instructional training intervention which includes all three debiasing components and finds the intervention to reduce costs by 14%. We provide avenues for future research and successful practice.
Effects of pregnancy on the maintenance of maternal behavior in the rat.

The effect of the development of pregnancy on maternal behavior was investigated in lactating primiparous rats. In lactating females that had been impregnated during postpartum estrus, significant deficits in maternal behavior frequently occurred 2–4 days prior to parturition. Yet, these deficits disappeared immediately prior to, or on the day of, parturition. In contrast, nonpregnant, lactating controls displayed no behavioral deficits when tested over a commensurate period of time. Moreover, termination of pregnancy through cesarean section shortly after maternal behavior first underwent disruption led to a rapid reinstatement of the behavior. Possible hormonal and nonhormonal explanations are discussed to account for these results which, overall, suggest that cohabitation with pups may not always be sufficient to maintain maternal responsivity in the female. Furthermore, the possible adaptive value of pup abandonment immediately prior to parturition is considered.
Near-infrared hyperspectral reflectance imaging for detection of bruises on pickling cucumbers

Mechanical injury often causes hidden internal damage to pickling cucumbers, which lowers the quality of pickled products and can incur economic losses to the processor. A near-infrared hyperspectral imaging system was developed to capture hyperspectral images from pickling cucumbers in the spectral region of 900–1700 nm. The system consisted of an imaging spectrograph attached to an InGaAs camera with line-light fiber bundles as an illumination source. Hyperspectral images were taken from the pickling cucumbers at 0–3, and 6 days after they were subjected to dropping or rolling under load which simulated damage caused by mechanical harvesting and handling systems. Principal component analysis (PCA), band ratio, and band difference were applied in the image processing to segregate bruised cucumbers from normal cucumbers. Bruised tissue had consistently lower reflectance than normal tissue and the former increased over time. Best detection accuracies from the PCA were achieved when a bandwidth of 8.8 nm and the spectral region of 950–1350 nm were selected. The detection accuracies from the PCA decreased from 95 to 75% over the period of 6 days after bruising, which was attributed to the self-healing of the bruised tissue after mechanical injury. The best band ratio of 988 and 1085 nm had detection accuracies between 93 and 82%, whereas the best band difference of 1346 and 1425 nm had accuracies between 89 and 84%. The general classification performance analysis suggested that the band ratio and difference methods had similar performance, but they were better than the PCA.