cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CFL Education at the College Level

This chapter offers a critical review of the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language (TCFL) to non-heritage students at the college level. Drawing upon recent research in the field, it examines the current state of curriculum and instruction, highlights important issues, and attempts to provide recommendations for future development. The discussion on curriculum emphasizes the central role of national standards in today’s curricular planning and urges CFL programs to match their curricular scope with content standards, and to ensure quality and accountability via benchmarking with proficiency standards. In addition to offering a description of the curricular scope and sequence as reflected in popular CFL textbooks, the chapter also describes major characteristics of the Chinese language and provides a critical examination and rethinking of some prevalent TCFL practices. Finally, some pedagogical innovations and resources are shared, with particular attention to the use of new technological tools.
The Effect of the Need for Subsequent Equity Financing on Earnings Management Around Equity Financing

This study examines the relation between earnings management activities of firms issuing equity and the level of their subsequent equity issuance in the immediate future. We hypothesize that equity issuers with less need for subsequent equity issuances are more likely to engage in "income-increasing" earnings management prior to their equity issuances. In contrast, equity issuers with more need for subsequent equity issuances would be more concerned about the potential implications of current earnings management on their future reported earnings. We examine the levels of earnings accruals around equity issuances by listed U.S. companies during the period 1984-2001. We find that the level of income-increasing abnormal accruals around current equity issuance is negatively related to their need for subsequent equity issuance. Our results show that as the need for subsequent equity issuance decreases (increases), the level of current income-increasing accruals increases (decreases.)
N-Acetylgalactosamine Block-co-Polycations Form Stable Polyplexes with Plasmids and Promote Liver-Targeted Delivery.

The liver is an ideal target for nucleic acid therapeutic applications (i.e., siRNA, gene therapy, and genome editing) due to its ability to secrete proteins into the blood. In this work, we present the first synthesis of a novel monomer derived from N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (GalNAc) and its polymerization as a facile route to create multivalent delivery vehicles with exceptional targeting efficiency to asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPRs) on liver hepatocytes. A series of cationic diblock GalNAc glycopolymers composed of a GalNAc-derived block of fixed length (n = 62) and cationic 2-aminoethylmethacrylamide (AEMA) blocks of varying lengths (n = 19, 33, and 80) have been synthesized and characterized. In addition, nontargeted control polymers consisting of either glucose or polyethylene glycol-derived neutral blocks with an AEMA cationic block were also created and examined. All polymeric vehicles were able to bind and encapsulate plasmids (pDNA) into polymer–pDNA complexes (polyplexes). The GalNAc-deriv...
Adolescent psychological development: a review.

1. Eric Hazen, MD* 2. Steven Schlozman, MD† 3. Eugene Beresin, MD‡ 1. *Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass 2. †Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass 3. ‡Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass After reading this article, readers should be able to: 1. Discuss the processes of physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and moral development in adolescence. 2. Know the contributions of major developmental theorists, including Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Lawrence Kohlberg, to the understanding of adolescent development. 3. Describe the relationship between adolescent behavior and recent findings from studies of brain development. 4. Identify the primary tasks of adolescent development. Adolescent patients present a unique set of challenges to pediatricians. A polite, compliant child can appear to transform into a surly, rebellious teen before a doctor's eyes. Adolescence can be a tumultuous time, even when it is unfolding in a healthy manner. For this reason, and because there is so much individual variation in adolescent development, it can be particularly challenging to determine what is “normal” in adolescent development. Although previously believed to be uniformly a time of turmoil, this view has not been substantiated by large-scale studies. (1) Most teenagers progress through this period of life with few obvious behavioral problems. However, a sound and trusting doctor-patient relationship is required to appreciate the inner struggles many adolescents endure. A working understanding of the developmental tasks of adolescence and the processes through which they are achieved provides the best tool for a pediatrician in evaluating an adolescent's development. Any discussion of adolescent development should include a definition of adolescence itself. Determining the exact onset and conclusion of adolescent development can be difficult, with complex biologic, psychological, and social paradigms all playing roles. Cultural factors also must be considered in determining the developmental norms of adolescence. Normal development from one cultural perspective may appear aberrant when viewed through the lens of another culture, and in an increasingly multicultural society, such considerations are especially important. For example, an Asian youth who begins to question his parents’ values may …
The Invariance of R&D to the Number of Firms in the Industry: Equilibrium and Efficiency under BertrandCompetition

This paper presents certain results, of remarkable simplicity, concerning the market allocation of resources of research and development (RD as a result, the equilibrium RD for any research program, a larger number of firms entail larger gains to consumers, smaller gains to firms, and larger aggregate social benefits. While the market equilibrium level of effort per project is shown to coincide with the socially efficient level, the market undertakes fewer projects than is desirable.
Topographic Analysis of Horner's Syndrome

Horner's syndrome or oculosympathetic paralysis is not an uncommon finding in patients with head and neck neoplasms. While in most cases the syndrome is easily established at the bedside, it can be confirmed and topographically defined as a central, preganglionic, or postganglionic lesion through sequential pharmacologic testing. The importance of such localization lies in differentiating neoplasia vs. a benign condition as the cause of the syndrome. Such variants as congenital Horner's, an alternating Horner's, and a pseudo-Horner's syndrome are discussed in regard to their differential features.
Coherent spectroscopy and coherent control through spatiotemporal femtosecond pulse shaping

Spatiotemporal phase/amplitude shaping specifies all beams, pulse delays and phases for high-order spectroscopy. Multiple-quantum exciton and exciton-polariton coherences are observed. High-order THz spectroscopy and control are also realized. Article not available.
Terrorism: Social capital, social construction, and constructive society?:

Whether an establishment elite or a group countering the ideology and power of such an elite, terrorists engage in public relations activities aimed to acquire and apply social capital in the battle to manage issues and influence the trajectory of change (or in some cases to resist change). Such groups work to influence the dynamics of control and uncertainty of cost/reward ratios as power moves. In the search for social capital, they are required to achieve visibility for themselves and their cause, to prove that as an organization of change they are viable, and to demonstrate that they are legitimate brokers of social capital. Because it entails discourse processes and socially constructed meanings, terrorism can play a role in shaping citizens’ views on important matters. If, by that logic, terrorism and public relations are companions, one might ask, What social capital is gained and lost through the enactment of or resistance to terrorism? How and in what way is society made more fully functioning, m...
The physiology of fetal membrane weakening and rupture: Insights gained from the determination of physical properties revisited

Rupture of the fetal membranes (FM) is precipitated by stretch forces acting upon biochemically mediated, pre-weakened tissue. Term FM develop a para-cervical weak zone, characterized by collagen remodeling and apoptosis, within which FM rupture is thought to initiate. Preterm FM also have a weak region but are stronger overall than term FM. Inflammation/infection and decidual bleeding/abruption are strongly associated with preterm premature FM rupture (pPROM), but the specific mechanisms causing FM weakening-rupture in pPROM are unknown. There are no animal models for study of FM weakening and rupture. Over a decade ago we developed equipment and methodology to test human FM strength and incorporated it into a FM explant system to create an in-vitro human FM weakening model system. Within this model TNF (modeling inflammation) and Thrombin (modeling bleeding) both weaken human FM with concomitant up regulation of MMP9 and cellular apoptosis, mimicking the characteristics of the spontaneous FM rupture site. The model has been enhanced so that test agents can be applied directionally to the choriodecidual side of the FM explant consistent with the in-vivo situation. With this enhanced system we have demonstrated that the pathways involving inflammation/TNF and bleeding/Thrombin induced FM weakening overlap. Furthermore GM-CSF production was demonstrated to be a critical common intermediate step in both the TNF and the Thrombin induced FM weakening pathways. This model system has also been used to test potential inhibitors of FM weakening and therefore pPROM. The dietary supplement α-lipoic acid and progestogens (P4, MPA and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone) have been shown to inhibit both TNF and Thrombin induced FM weakening. The progestogens act at multiple points by inhibiting both GM-CSF production and GM-CSF action. The use of a combined biomechanical/biochemical in-vitro human FM weakening model system has allowed the pathways of fetal membrane weakening to be delineated, and agents that may be of clinical use in inhibiting these pathways to be tested.
Protein Microspheres with Unique Green and Red Autofluorescence for Noninvasively Tracking and Modeling Their in Vivo Biodegradation.

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) microspheres were prepared through a facile and low-cost route including a high-speed dispersion of BSA in cross-linking solution followed by spray drying. Interestingly the as-prepared BSA microspheres possess unique blue-green, green, green-yellow, and red fluorescence when excited by specific wavelengths of laser or LED light. The studies of UV–visible reflectance spectra and fluorescence emission spectra indicated that four classes of fluorescent compounds are presumably formed during the fabrication processes. The formation and the potential contributors for the unique green and red autofluorescence were also discussed and proposed though the exact structures of the fluorophores formed remain elusive due to the complexity of the protein system. The effect of spray-drying conditions on the morphology of spray-dried samples was investigated and optimized. FTIR was further employed to characterize the formation of the functional groups in the as-prepared autofluorescent micros...
Detection of the Integration of Human Transferrin Gene on Chromosomes in Transgenic Cloned Cows

To detect the integration of human transferrin gene(hTF) on chromosomes in transgenic cloned cows,the author optimized fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH).For transgenic cloned cows,53.1% to 86.8% of metaphases showed hybridization signals which were located on different chromosomes,such as Chr.11,Chr.15 and Chr.19.The results showed that using FISH to detect the integration site and hybridization signals was highly efficient and specific,also the copy numbers were detected by Real-time PCR.
What is automatized during perceptual categorization

An experiment is described that tested whether stimulus-response associations or an abstract rule are automatized during extensive practice at perceptual categorization. Twenty-seven participants each completed 12,300 trials of perceptual categorization, either on rule-based (RB) categories that could be learned explicitly or information-integration (II) categories that required procedural learning. Each participant practiced predominantly on a primary category structure, but every third session they switched to a secondary structure that used the same stimuli and responses. Half the stimuli retained their same response on the primary and secondary categories (the congruent stimuli) and half switched responses (the incongruent stimuli). Several results stood out. First, performance on the primary categories met the standard criteria of automaticity by the end of training. Second, for the primary categories in the RB condition, accuracy and response time (RT) were identical on congruent and incongruent stimuli. In contrast, for the primary II categories, accuracy was higher and RT was lower for congruent than for incongruent stimuli. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that rules are automatized in RB tasks, whereas stimulus-response associations are automatized in II tasks. A cognitive neuroscience theory is proposed that accounts for these results.
High content screening for modulators of cardiovascular or global developmental pathways in zebrafish.

Abstract Major developmental pathways play critical roles in wide array of human pathologies. Chemical genomic screening allows for the discovery of novel tools not only to target known pathway interactors but also to discover new, chemically tractable targets for known pathways. The zebrafish has emerged as a useful model for developmental biology and has been well characterized. The zebrafish represents a hardy conglomerate of totipotent cells that are massively and simultaneously assessing all significant pathways in parallel in an endogenous context. This represents a gold standard for biological assays, chemically targeting select pathways without causing pleiotropic effects. Here, we describe methods used to develop high content screening assays implementing transgenic zebrafish to assess phenotypic changes that have identified several classes of novel compounds that effect developmental pathways.
Lead generation in crop protection research: a portfolio approach to agrochemical discovery

The need for increased food and feed supply to support future global demand with the added challenges of resistance pressure and an evolving regulatory environment necessitates the discovery of new crop protection agents for growers of today and tomorrow. Lead generation is the critical 'engine' for maintaining a robust pipeline of new high-value products. A wide variety of approaches exist for the generation of new leads, many of which have demonstrated success. Each approach features some degree of merit or benefit while also having some inherent drawback or level of risk. While risk for any single approach can be mitigated in a variety of different ways depending on the approach, long-term viability of a successful lead generation program merits utilization of a portfolio of different approaches and methodologies for the generation of new leads. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Comparing the p̅p → K−K+ and p̅p → π−π+ reactions

A partial wave amplitude analysis of LEAR data on differential cross sections and analyzing powers of pp → K−K+ has been performed in the range plab = 360 − 1000 MeV/c, and compared to the results from the same observables for pp → π−π+. Contrary to other analyses we see no compelling evidence of resonance behavior in our amplitudes. However, as we discuss, the resulting amplitudes are not unique since a third observable remains to be measured for both reactions. Another remarkable result is that for pp → K−K+ all our solutions in the momentum interval below 900 MeV/c, only partial wave amplitudes including Jmax = 2 are necessary. This upper limit on the angular momentum is smaller than Jmax = 3 which is required for the data of the reaction pp → π−π+ in the same momentum interval. This finding is consistent with a model analysis for data above 1 GeV/c. Annihilation models with short range baryon exchange give too small J ≥ 2 amplitudes and final state ππ and KK interactions are presumably very important.
SU-C-207B-01: A Novel Graphics Processing Units (GPU) Implementation of Discrete Wavelet Transformation

Purpose: To design and implement a GPU-based discrete wavelet transformation (DWT) to be used in medical image reconstruction, image processing, and data compression. DWTs are widely used in medical physics, but the computation of DWTs is time consuming for large volumetric data. An efficient parallel implementation of DWTs is essential for many time sensitive applications, such as 4DCT. Methods: We choose Daubechies wavelet transformations as a benchmark, implementing both DWT and inverse DWT (IDWT). The reference CPU code is from “Numerical Recipes in C”. We implemented GPU-based codes using C++ with CUDA 7.5. A GPU is specialized processors with a highly parallel structure originally designed for manipulating computer graphics. GPU computation is highly memory-bounded. To optimize GPU memory access pattern and achieve best performance for transformation along Y-direction, the data are transposed before and after the DWT (IDWT), which can sharply reduce computing efforts. Both CPU and GPU codes are unit-tested and the result differences between two implementations are verified to be within rounding error. The hardware platform was a desktop with Intel Xeon E5-1607 3.00 GHz CPU and NVIDIA Quadro K2000 GPU. Results: With the GPU implemented code, we process a medical CT image size of 512×512×256 in 0.5 seconds, which is 60 times faster than the CPU implementation. A naive non-optimized GPU implementation by direct parallelization approaches only 10 times speedup for 2-D and 3-D DWT and IDWT. In comparison, the optimization of GPU memory access pattern can obtain an extra 6x speedup. Conclusion: We developed an efficient implementation of GPU-based DWT/IDWT for medical image processing. To achieve the best performance of any medical imaging processing algorithm, developers should pay attention to memory access pattern optimization when implementing on GPU architecture. This project is supported by CPRIT grant under RP150485.
Physiologic doses of bilirubin contribute to tolerance of islet transplants by suppressing the innate immune response.

Bilirubin has been recognized as a powerful cytoprotectant when used at physiologic doses and was recently shown to have immunomodulatory effects in islet allograft transplantation, conveying donor-specific tolerance in a murine model. We hypothesized that bilirubin, an antioxidant, acts to suppress the innate immune response to islet allografts through two mechanisms: 1) by suppressing graft release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and inflammatory cytokines, and 2) by producing a tolerogenic phenotype in antigen-presenting cells. Bilirubin was administered intraperitoneally before pancreatic procurement or was added to culture media after islet isolation in AJ mice. Islets were exposed to transplant-associated nutrient deprivation and hypoxia. Bilirubin significantly decreased islet cell death after isolation and hypoxic stress. Bilirubin supplementation of islet media also decreased the release of DAMPs (HMGB1), inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6), and chemokines (MCP-1). Cytoprotection was mediated by the antioxidant effects of bilirubin. Treatment of macrophages with bilirubin induced a regulatory phenotype, with increased expression of PD-L1. Coculture of these macrophages with splenocytes led to expansion of Foxp3+ Tregs. In conclusion, exogenous bilirubin supplementation showed cytoprotective and antioxidant effects in a relevant model of islet isolation and hypoxic stress. Suppression of DAMP release, alterations in cytokine profiles, and tolerogenic effects on macrophages suggest that the use of this natural antioxidant may provide a method of preconditioning to improve outcomes after allograft transplantation.
Zinc-Dependent Failure of Thymic Hormone in Human Pathologies

It is generally accepted that the thymus produce hormonal factors, such as the facteur thymique serique (FTS), more recently called thymulin in its zinc-bound form, which induce proliferation and differentiation of T-cells, responsible for cell-mediated immunityl. The plasma level of thymulin is high during ontogeny, both in animals and man, and progressively declines thereafter to reach nearly undetectable levels by the 5th decade in man1 and by the 12-15th month in mice2.
Poroelasticity-driven lubrication in hydrogel interfaces

It is widely accepted that hydrogel surfaces are slippery, and have low friction, but dynamic applied stresses alter the hydrogel composition at the interface as water is displaced. The induced osmotic imbalance of compressed hydrogel which cannot swell to equilibrium should drive the resistance to slip against it. This paper demonstrates the driving role of poroelasticity in the friction of hydrogel-glass interfaces, specifically how poroelastic relaxation of hydrogels increases adhesion. We translate the work of adhesion into an effective surface energy density that increases with the duration of applied pressure from 10 to 50 mJ m-2, as measured by micro-indentation. A model of static friction coefficient is derived from an area-based rules of mixture for the surface energies, and predicts the friction coefficient changes upon initiation of slip. For kinetic friction, the competition between duration of contact and relaxation time is quantified by a contacting Peclet number, PeC. A single length parameter on the scale of micrometers fits these two models to experimental micro-friction data. These models predict how short durations of applied pressure and faster sliding speeds, do not disrupt interfacial hydration; this prevailing water maintains low friction. At low speeds where interface drainage dominates, the osmotic suction works against slip for higher friction. The prediction of friction coefficients after adhesion characterization by micro-indentation makes use of the interplay between poroelasticity, adhesion, and friction. This approach provides a starting point for prediction of, and design for, hydrogel interfacial friction.
A literature review on the economic benefits of vaccines in low and middle income countries: Evaluating progress in the era of ‘a decade of vaccines’ initiative

Abstract While the clinical evidence of vaccine benefits is generally well established, the argument on the broader economic benefits resulting from investments in vaccines and immunization programs is murky and oftentimes, not well articulated. This is mostly true for low and middle-income countries. In this article, we examined literature evaluating both narrow and broad economic benefits of vaccines in LMICs from January 2000 to October 2016. A total of 177 studies were reviewed. Of these, 146 (82%) focused on understanding short-term direct and indirect impact (narrow economic benefits) of vaccines and 31 (18%) examined broader economic benefits which included willingness to pay for vaccines, outcome-related productivity gains, and savings accrued from preventing vaccine preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks. Virtually all studies reviewed concluded that implementation of various vaccine strategies were cost saving, cost-effective or, both cost saving and highly cost-effective under varying assumptions. The studies were further analyzed under three broad vaccine categories which included those focusing on new and underutilized vaccines 125 (71%), vaccines at the prequalification stage 31 (17%) and the traditional vaccines deployed through the Expanded Programme on Immunization such as pentavalent diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus, and those against polio, tuberculosis and measles which accounted for 21 (12%) of the studies. There was unequal geographic distribution of these studies when analyzed by World Health Organization regions. Regions like the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe had fewest studies completed (6) and (7) respectively. The lack of a standardized methodology and assumptions made cross-study comparisons and also broad generalization of some of the conclusions difficult. Most studies indicate that investments in immunization programs are cost effective and in some cases cost saving. Studies were skewed to narrow economic benefits. Wide variations in methods and assumptions made cross-country/study and regions comparisons difficult to achieve.
Spherical indentation of a freestanding circular membrane revisited: Analytical solutions and experiments

Abstract Due to the development of novel micro-fabrication techniques to produce ultra-thin materials and increasing interest in thin biological membranes, in recent years, the mechanical characterization of thin films has received a significant amount of attention. To provide a more accurate solution for the relationship among contact radius, load and deflection, the fundamental and widely applicable problem of spherical indentation of a freestanding circular membrane have been revisited. The work presented here significantly extends the previous contributions by providing an exact analytical solution to the governing equations of Foppl–Hecky membrane indented by a frictionless spherical indenter. In this study, experiments of spherical indentation has been performed, and the exact analytical solution presented in this paper is compared against experimental data from existing literature as well as our own experimental results.
Biology and Economics of Recommendations for Insecticide-Based Management of Soybean Aphid

ABSTRACT Soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, remains the key insect pest of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, in the north-central United States. Management of this pest has relied primarily ...
Mechanisms of the cyclic nucleotide cross-talk signaling network in cardiac L-type calcium channel regulation

Regulation of L-type Calcium (Ca2+) Channel (LCC) gating is critical to shaping the cardiac action potential (AP) and triggering the initiation of excitation-contraction (EC) coupling in cardiac myocytes. The cyclic nucleotide (cN) cross-talk signaling network, which encompasses the β-adrenergic and the Nitric Oxide (NO)/cGMP/Protein Kinase G (PKG) pathways and their interaction (cross-talk) through distinctively-regulated phosphodiesterase isoenzymes (PDEs), regulates LCC current via Protein Kinase A- (PKA) and PKG-mediated phosphorylation. Due to the tightly-coupled and intertwined biochemical reactions involved, it remains to be clarified how LCC gating is regulated by the signaling network from receptor to end target. In addition, the large number of EC coupling-related phosphorylation targets of PKA and PKG makes it difficult to quantify and isolate changes in L-type Ca2+ current (ICaL) responses regulated by the signaling network. We have developed a multi-scale, biophysically-detailed computational model of LCC regulation by the cN signaling network that is supported by experimental data. LCCs are modeled with functionally distinct PKA- and PKG-phosphorylation dependent gating modes. The model exhibits experimentally observed single channel characteristics, as well as whole-cell LCC currents upon activation of the cross-talk signaling network. Simulations show 1) redistribution of LCC gating modes explains changes in whole-cell current under various stimulation scenarios of the cN cross-talk network; 2) NO regulation occurs via potentiation of a gating mode characterized by prolonged closed times; and 3) due to compensatory actions of cross-talk and antagonizing functions of PKA- and PKG-mediated phosphorylation of LCCs, the effects of individual inhibitions of PDEs 2, 3, and 4 on ICaL are most pronounced at low levels of β-adrenergic stimulation. Simulations also delineate the contribution of the following two mechanisms to overall LCC regulation, which have otherwise been challenging to distinguish: 1) regulation of PKA and PKG activation via cN cross-talk (Mechanism 1); and 2) LCC interaction with activated PKA and PKG (Mechanism 2). These results provide insights into how cN signals transduced via the cN cross-talk signaling network are integrated via LCC regulation in the heart.
Notes on the Fauna of the Chipola Formation- III Two New Species of Vasum (Mollusca: Gastropoda), With Comments on Vasum Haitense (Sowerby)

When the writer (Vokes, 1966) published a monograph on the genus Vasum in the western Atlantic there were two species of Vasum known from the Chipola Formation of northwestern Florida. Since then, additional collecting has revealed two new species in this formation, plus many more and better examples of one of the previously described forms, Vasum haitense (Sowerby).
Glycolytic reprogramming through PCK2 regulates tumor initiation of prostate cancer cells

// Jiangsha Zhao 1 , Jieran Li 2 , Teresa W.M. Fan 2 and Steven X. Hou 1 1 The Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA 2 Graduate Center of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, Center for Environmental and Systems Biochemistry, and Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA Correspondence to: Steven X. Hou, email: hous@mail.nih.gov Keywords: cancer, glucose metabolism, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase isoform 2, prostate, tumorigenicity Received: April 04, 2017 Accepted: May 21, 2017 Published: June 28, 2017 ABSTRACT Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) play important roles in tumor progression and metastasis. Identifying the factors regulating TICs may open new avenues in cancer therapy. Here, we show that TIC-enriched prostate cancer cell clones use more glucose and secrete more lactate than TIC-low clones. We determined that elevated levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase isoform 2 (PCK2) are critical for the metabolic switch and the maintenance of TICs in prostate cancer. Information from prostate cancer patient databases revealed that higher PCK2 levels correlated with more aggressive tumors and lower survival rates. PCK2 knockdown resulted in low TIC numbers, increased cytosolic acetyl-CoA and cellular protein acetylation. Our data suggest PCK2 promotes tumor initiation by lowering acetyl-CoA level through reducing the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Thus, PCK2 is a potential therapeutic target for aggressive prostate tumors.
The Math–Biology Values Instrument: Development of a Tool to Measure Life Science Majors’ Task Values of Using Math in the Context of Biology

This study describes the development of a survey grounded in expectancy-value theory, providing multiple forms of validity evidence to support its use as a measure of students’ interest in using ma...
How do I hold this thing? Controlling reconstructed Q*berts

Preserving a historically significant video game frequently requires either preserving or adapting a touchable interface for contemporary use. While control techniques are often evaluated in terms ...
Marriage education for clinicians.

The field of marriage education has come to be dominated by nonprofessionals with no clinical training because clinicians interested in relationships typically provide marital therapy to couples in...
Designing for Transparency of Coffee Production Costs

Smallholder coffee farmers in Latin America depend on global supply chains for their livelihood, and many join certified cooperatives to increase access to fair prices. In order to find out what a fair price is, we designed CalcuCafe, a tool for coffee farmers to calculate their cost of production. An evaluation in Peru uncovered tensions between coffee farmers and cooperative technicians, highlighting barriers to information transparency at the production level. Our ongoing work to address these barriers strives to support the long-term viability of smallholder coffee producers, a sizable yet marginalized group at the intersection of HCI for sustainable agriculture and HCI for development.
Radiation damage reduction by grain-boundary biased defect migration in nanocrystalline Cu

Abstract Nanocrystalline materials with a high density of grain boundaries have long been reported to alleviate radiation damage. However, a full mechanistic understanding of defect reduction, particularly the interaction mechanisms between grain boundaries and clustered defects during irradiation, remains an open question. Here we present atomistic simulations of prolonged radiation damage evolution in Cu bicrystals with increasing radiation dose. Our results reveal the atomic details of defect nucleation and migration, and the mechanisms for the annihilation of defect clusters during irradiation. Stacking fault tetrahedra formed due to radiation damage cascades show preferential migration to irradiated grain boundary. Interstitial-loaded grain boundaries are observed to be dynamically resilient, and persistently interact with the stacking fault tetrahedra, revealing a self-healing response to radiation damage. The results show a synergistic effect of grain boundaries on defect annihilation at small grain spacings of less than 6 nm, giving rise to a drastic decrease in the density of defect clusters. These findings, along with the mechanistic insights, present an integrated perspective on interface-mediated damage reduction in radiation-resistant nanomaterials.
The Role of Transfer Operators and Shifts in the Study of Fractals: Encoding-Models, Analysis and Geometry, Commutative and Non-commutative

We study a class of dynamical systems in \(L^2\) spaces of infinite products \(X\). Fix a compact Hausdorff space \(B\). Our setting encompasses such cases when the dynamics on \(X = B^\mathbb {N}\) is determined by the one-sided shift in \(X\), and by a given transition-operator \(R\). Our results apply to any positive operator \(R\) in \(C(B)\) such that \(R1 = 1\). From this we obtain induced measures \(\Sigma \) on \(X\), and we study spectral theory in the associated \(L^2(X,\Sigma )\). For the second class of dynamics, we introduce a fixed endomorphism \(r\) in the base space \(B\), and specialize to the induced solenoid \(\mathrm{Sol }(r)\). The solenoid \(\mathrm{Sol }(r)\) is then naturally embedded in \(X = B^\mathbb {N}\), and \(r\) induces an automorphism in \(\mathrm{Sol }(r)\). The induced systems will then live in \(L^2(\mathrm{Sol }(r), \Sigma )\). The applications include wavelet analysis, both in the classical setting of \(\mathbb {R}^n\), and Cantor-wavelets in the setting of fractals induced by affine iterated function systems (IFS). But our solenoid analysis includes such hyperbolic systems as the Smale-Williams attractor, with the endomorphism \(r\) there prescribed to preserve a foliation by meridional disks. And our setting includes the study of Julia set-attractors in complex dynamics.
Induction of a new RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli infected with bacteriophage T3

Abstract A new T3-specific RNA polymerase is found in T3-phage infected E. coli cells. Evidence is presented to show that the phage-induced polymerase is physically and biochemically distinct from the host cell RNA polymerase. The phage polymerase utilizes T3 DNA as template and is ineffective with T4, T7, calf thymus DNA or dAT copolymer. The polymerase can however copy dG: dC homopolymer, making poly rG exclusively.
Actin Structure in Fibroblasts

Striking changes in actin cytoarchitecture occur when cultured fibroblasts become oncogenically transformed by tumor viruses. These changes were first observed by electron and immunofluorescence miscroscopy as a loss of large bundles of actin microfilaments called “stress fibers.” Recent technical innovations for visualizing the cytoskeleton have revealed that actin structure in normal fibroblasts is much more complex than was originally supposed and that the changes in actin structure that occur on transformation, collectively referred to as “the actin transformation,” are manifold. In cells transformed by certain DNA- and RNA-containing tumor viruses, these actin alterations have been shown to be the consequence of specific viral genes that simultaneously set in motion a variety of pleiotypic changes in the infected cell and that are also required for tumorigenicity. Several of these transforming genes code for proteins that may directly induce transformation and tumorigenesis. Considerable progress has been made in recent years toward the identification of these proteins. Although the transforming proteins encoded by different viruses are distinct, they share certain properties that may be important in bringing about the actin transformation. Furthermore, since transformation induced by these distinct tumor viruses results in a more or less common actin phenotype in the infected cell, it is likely that the actin transformation contributes to the common features of transformation and tumorigenicity. Indeed, a wealth of studies have accumulated that show correlations among the actin transformation, tumorigenicity, and individual transformation parameters, some of which are related to growth control and others of which are not obviously growth-related. Nonetheless, a cause-and-effect relationship has not been demonstrated between the actin transformation and any of these parameters.
Gout and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation in older adults: a study of US Medicare data.

Objective To assess the association of gout with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in the elderly. Methods We used the 5% Medicare data from 2005 to 2012 to assess whether a diagnosis of gout was associated with incident AF. We used multivariable Cox regression adjusted for demographics, Charlson-Romano comorbidity index, common cardiovascular medications, allopurinol and febuxostat use, to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Among 1 647 812 eligible people, 9.8% had incident AF. The mean age was 75 years, 42% were male, 86% were white and the mean Charlson-Romano index score was 1.52. We noted 10 604 incident AF cases in people with gout and 150 486 incident AF cases in people without gout. The crude incidence rates of AF in people with and without gout were 43.4 vs 16.3 per 1000 patient-years, respectively. After multivariable-adjustment, gout was associated with a higher HR of incident AF, 1.92 (95% CI 1.88 to 1.96), with minimal attenuation of HR in sensitivity models that replaced the Charlson-Romano index score with a categorical variable, HR was 1.91 (95% CI 1.87 to 1.95). In another model that adjusted for AF-specific risk factors including hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and coronary artery disease and individual Charlson-Romano index comorbidities, the HR was slightly attenuated at 1.71 (95% CI 1.67 to 1.75). Older age, male sex, white race and higher Charlson-Romano index score were each associated with higher hazard of incident AF. Conclusion A diagnosis of gout almost doubled the risk of incident AF in the elderly. Future studies should explore the pathogenesis of this association.
Characterization of Cell Membrane Permeability In Vitro Part I: Transport Behavior Induced by Single-Pulse Electric Fields*:

Most experimental studies of electroporation focus on permeabilization of the outer cell membrane. Some experiments address delivery of ions and molecules into cells that should survive; others foc...
Pre-Launch Preparations for a Peer Observation Initiative Viewed through a Concerns Model.

This study was a qualitative comparative case study of two secondary schools (one urban high school and one suburban middle school) where teams of teacher leaders were in the planning stages of imp...
Whip, Whipped, and Doctors: Homer's Illiad and Camus' The Plague

L'A. considere la situation angoissante d'enfermement des habitants d'Oran dans «La peste» de Camus, et celle des Troyens dans «L'Iliade» d'Homere comme des paradigmes de l'existence humaine. L'A. examine la reponse des deux AA. a la question de la valeur de l'existence, en partant de la triade fleau-victime-medecin de Camus qu'il applique aux personnages et situations du recit de Homere
Legionella Pneumophila Infection and Cytokine Production

Legionella pneumophila has a relatively low attack rate for humans and generally causes disease either after exposure to high doses of bacteria or infection of an immunosuppressed host (1). This low attack rate suggests, among other things, that Legionella is relatively immunogenic or reactogenic in humans and other animals. Reports appearing soon after the epidemic of 1976 suggested that humans exposed to Legionella readily produce high titers of circulating antibody (2). Later, it was reported that sensitized lymphocytes appeared in the blood during acute legionellosis, suggesting the development of cell-mediated immunity, and that normal donors displayed a rather vigorous lymphocyte proliferation response to Legionella antigens (3). We reported that peripheral blood cells from normal donors readily produced cytokines such as interferon Y and tumor necrosis factor when cultured with either Legionella antigens or living Legionella organisms (4), suggesting that human leukocytes vigorously react to Legionella antigens in a non-immune fashion resulting in the upregulation of the cytokine network. Similar results were obtained employing mouse leukocyte cultures (5). Not only are Legionella bacteria reactogenic, perturbing host cells to respond and become activated, but also it appears that living, virulent bacteria are more reactogenic than either avirulent organisms (6) or killed bacteria (7).
Collaborative Approaches to Strengthen the Role of Science in Rangeland Conservation

On the Ground • The use of science to inform conservation practices is limited by broad generalities generated from limited sampling alongside narrow ecosystem service perspectives. • Collaborative science approaches featuring “social-ecological system” perspectives are being used as a means to improve the utility of science. • We review our approach to collaborative science to improve brush management outcomes in rangelands in the Chihuahuan Desert. • Expanding the use and utility of collaborative science requires stable support via targeted funding and technical expertise, as well as web-based tools and mobile applications that link specific locations to science information and conservation practice guidelines.
Stabilization Results for Well-Posed Potential Formulations of a Current-Controlled Piezoelectric Beam and Their Approximations

Hysteresis is highly undesired for the vibration control of piezoelectric beams especially in high-precision applications. Current-controlled piezoelectric beams cope with hysteresis substantially in comparison to the voltage-controlled counterparts. However, the existing low fidelity current-controlled beam models are finite dimensional, and they are either heuristic or mathematically over-simplified differential equations. In this paper, novel infinite-dimensional models, by a thorough variational approach, are introduced to describe vibrations on a piezoelectric beam. Electro-magnetic effects due to Maxwell’s equations factor in the models via the electric and magnetic potentials. Both models are written in the standard state-space formulation (A, B, C), and are shown to be well-posed in the energy space by fixing the so-called Coulomb and Lorenz gauges. Different from the voltage-actuated counterparts, the control operator B is compact in the energy space, i.e. the exponential stabilizability is not possible. Considering the compact $$C=B^*-$$ type state feedback controller (induced voltage), both models fail to be asymptotically stable if the material parameters satisfy certain conditions. To achieve at least asymptotic stability, we propose an additional controller. Finally, the stabilizability of infinite-dimensional electrostatic/quasi-static model (no magnetic effects) is analyzed for comparison. The biggest contrast is that the asymptotic stability is achieved by an electro-mechanical state feedback controller for all material parameters. Our findings are simulated by the filtered semi-discrete Finite Difference Method.
International Optimism: Correlates and Consequences of Dispositional Optimism across 61 Countries

Author(s): Baranski, Erica; Sweeny, Kate; Gardiner, Gwendolyn; Members of the International Situations Project; Funder, David C | Abstract: ObjectiveThe current exploratory study sought to examine dispositional optimism, or the general expectation for positive outcomes, around the world.MethodDispositional optimism and possible correlates were assessed across 61 countries (Nn=n15,185; mean agen=n21.92; 77% female). Mean-level differences in optimism were computed along with their relationships with individual and country-level variables.ResultsWorldwide, mean optimism levels were above the midpoint of the scale. Perhaps surprisingly, country-level optimism was negatively related to gross domestic product per capita, population density, and democratic norms and positively related to income inequality and perceived corruption. However, country-level optimism was positively related to projected economic improvement. Individual-level optimism was positively related to individual well-being within every country, although this relationship was less strong in countries with challenging economic and social circumstances.ConclusionsWhile individuals around the world are generally optimistic, societal characteristics appear to affect the degree to which their optimism is associated with psychological well-being, sometimes in seemingly anomalous ways.
‘Orderinge Things Accordinge to his Majesties Comaundment’: the funeral of the Stuart queen consort Anna of Denmark

Based on untapped archival material, this article analyses the political significance of the expenditure, display, and ceremonial of the funeral of the queen consort, Anna of Denmark (1574–1619), w...
JA:2021-22. Digital Migration: Will Digital Technologies Transform Hazard Risk Assessment among an Emerging Agricultural Workforce?

Purpose: This presentation focuses on implementation of digital technologies and mobile devices to transform hazard risk assessment among agricultural workers. Many hazard risk assessments have tra...
Social cognitive abilities predict unique aspects of older adults' personal social networks.

Objective The current study explores whether personal social network characteristics are associated with older adults' memory and/or social cognitive function (e.g., ability to infer other's mental states - theory of mind). Methods 120 older adults completed a social network interview, a memory measure, and two core measures of social cognitive functions: emotion recognition and theory of mind. Results Variation in memory and social cognitive abilities predicted distinct aspects of older adults' social networks. Having better memory predicted having larger, less dense social networks, but better theory of mind was associated with having at least one acquaintance in the network, and having more heterogeneous social relationships within the network. Discussion Together our findings suggest that disparate social cognitive abilities may serve unique functions, facilitating maintenance of beneficial social connections.