cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Engineering Promoter Architecture in Oleaginous Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

Eukaryotic promoters have a complex architecture to control both the strength and timing of gene transcription spanning up to thousands of bases from the initiation site. This complexity makes rational fine-tuning of promoters in fungi difficult to predict; however, this very same complexity enables multiple possible strategies for engineering promoter strength. Here, we studied promoter architecture in the oleaginous yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica. While recent studies have focused on upstream activating sequences, we systematically examined various components common in fungal promoters. Here, we examine several promoter components including upstream activating sequences, proximal promoter sequences, core promoters, and the TATA box in autonomously replicating expression plasmids and integrated into the genome. Our findings show that promoter strength can be fine-tuned through the engineering of the TATA box sequence, core promoter, and upstream activating sequences. Additionally, we identified a previously unreported oleic acid responsive transcription enhancement in the XPR2 upstream activating sequences, which illustrates the complexity of fungal promoters. The promoters engineered here provide new genetic tools for metabolic engineering in Y. lipolytica and provide promoter engineering strategies that may be useful in engineering other non-model fungal systems.
Updates in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetes has become one of the largest global health-care problems of the 21 st century. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the population prevalence of diabetes in the US is approaching 10% and is increasing by 5% each year. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication associated with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes causes a broad spectrum of neuropathic complications, including acute and chronic forms affecting each level of the peripheral nerve, from the root to the distal axon. This review will focus on the most common form, distal symmetric diabetic polyneuropathy. There has been an evolution in our understanding of the pathophysiology and the management of diabetic polyneuropathy over the past decade. We highlight these new perspectives and provide updates from the past decade of research.
Rheumatic disorders in adults under 50. Guidelines for differential diagnosis.

PreviewThe differential diagnosis of rheumatic disorders is more difficult than many physicians realize. Because these conditions are rarely emphasized in traditional inpatient training facilities, the practitioner may be handicapped when selecting appropriate therapy. Dr Lisse recommends early recognition and prompt treatment to improve the patient's quality of life and to help prevent long-term disability.
Teacher orchestration and student learning during mathematics activities in a smart classroom

A key factor in the successful implementation of smart learning technologies in classrooms is the teacher. In this paper, the use of a computer-supported collaborative mathematics activity, NumberNet, is examined in light of the teachers' roles and use of the technology. Two teachers, each with their classes of 15-16 students, worked on NumberNet on two consecutive days. Pre and post tests, and video recordings of the class sessions were collected. Results replicated prior research that indicated NumberNet was associated with increased mathematical flexibility and fluency. Case studies of the teachers show that they adapted the activity to match the mathematical abilities of their students. The teachers used the orchestration tools to change the task difficulty and move between small group and whole class activity to support the students' learning.
More end resection is not merrier.

Unrestrained 53BP1 activity causes fusions of dysfunctional telomeres and embryonic lethality associated with misrepair of DNA double-strand breaks in BRCA1-deficient mice. However, the physiological role of 53BP1 remains unclear, because it presumably did not evolve to carry out these pathological functions. A new report proposes that 53BP1 activity prevents hyper-resection and thereby promotes error-free DNA repair while suppressing alternative mutagenic pathways.
A survey of physician receptivity to molecular diagnostic testing and readiness to act on results for early-stage colon cancer patients

We sought to assess physician interest in molecular prognosic testing for patients with early stage colon cancer, and identify factors associated with the likelihood of test adoption. We identified physicians who care for patients with early-stage (pN0) colon cancer patients, mailed them a survey, and analyzed survey responses to assess clinician receptivity to the use of a new molecular test (GUCY2C) that identifies patients at risk for recurrence, and clinician readiness to act on abnormal test results. Of 104 eligible potential respondents, 41 completed and returned the survey. Among responding physicians, 56 % were receptive to using the new prognostic test. Multivariable analyses showed that physicians in academic medical centers were significantly more receptive to molecular test use than those in non-academic settings. Forty-one percent of respondents were ready to act on abnormal molecular test results. Physicians who viewed current staging methods as inaccurate and were confident in their capacity to incorporate molecular testing in practice were more likely to say they would act on abnormal test results. Physician receptivity to molecular diagnostic testing for early-stage colon cancer patients is likely to be influenced by practice setting and perceptions related to delivering quality care to patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01972737
Novel Integrated and Self-Configuring Photonic Architectures for Sensing, Communications and Processing

Self-designing approaches for complex photonics circuits offer new applications, including self-aligning systems, and sophisticated integrated optical interposers offer new opportunities for substantially reducing energy in information processing.
Geographic variation in inhaled corticosteroid use for children with persistent asthma in Medicaid.

ABSTRACTObjective: Geographic variation in the rates of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use for children with persistent asthma in Medicaid has been reported, but the source of this variation is unknown. The objective of this study was to quantify the geographic variation in ICS use for children with persistent asthma in Medicaid that remains after adjusting for the characteristics of children in an area. Methods: Data from the 2005–2007 Medicaid Analytic eXtract files were used. Frequent fills of short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) were used to identify children 5–18 years of age with persistent asthma across the United States. A child was considered to have used an ICS if the child initially filled an ICS following frequent SABA use. Areas were determined using published methods, and the unadjusted ICS rate and the area treatment ratio for ICS, which adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics, were calculated for each area. Results: Of 15,917 children, 13% used an ICS. The median unadjusted ICS ra...
Understanding teachers' conceptual and pedagogical knowledge of probability

Recent reform movement in mathematics education has witnessed an increasing emphasis on "Teaching for Understanding" (NCTM, 2000). Teaching for understanding involves teaching practices that are complex and demanding, especially when the subject of teaching is a set of advanced and sophisticated mathematical ideas. It requires that teachers not only have coherent understanding of these ideas, but also know how one might get to it, i.e., knowing ways of supporting students to reach these understanding (Thompson, 2002). However, research on statistics education has attended to neither teachers' understanding of probability, nor their thinking on how to teach (Garfield & Ben-Zvi, 2003). Against this background, we undertook a teaching experiment with 8 high school statistics teachers in the format of a professional development workshop. The goal of this study was to develop a conceptual framework for understanding teachers' conceptual and pedagogical understanding of probability.
One Variable Optimization

This chapter discusses on the optimizationmodels and a wide variety of practical applications to achieve a desired goal for production and delivery at a minimum cost. It elaborates how one-variable optimization problems can be used to determine the values of the control variables that lead to the optimal outcome, given the constraints of the problem. One-variable optimization problems which is also called as maximum-minimum problems can be used to solve problems using mathematical modeling through a sequence of procedures such as five-step method, sensitivity and its analysis, and robustness. The five-step method derives solution when all the values are constant, whereas sensitivity analysis process can be used for finding alternating assumptions. Consideration of robustness is a necessary ingredient in any mathematical modeling project. A mathematical model is said to be robust if its conclusions remain true even though the model is not completely accurate.
Alternate Routes: Circumventing Rule 606(B) When Alternate Jurors Improperly Participate in Deliberations

Since the Supreme Court’s landmark plain-error decision in Olano v. United States, an evidentiary issue has plagued federal criminal trials. Though forbidden by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 24(c), alternate jurors frequently enter deliberations with regular jurors. Despite the strong likelihood of prejudice, in most jurisdictions any testimony about the deliberations is barred by Federal Rule of Evidence 606(b). As a result, many criminal defendants are unable to present testimony or evidence that could result in a new trial free from undue prejudice. This Article examines the Constitutional context of the Olano decision as well as past and present approaches to this evidentiary issue from federal and state jurisdictions. After discussing these approaches and their various advantages and drawbacks, the Article argues that evidentiary hearings, through Remmer v. United States, provide the best answer to protecting defendants’ rights while respecting the privacy of jurors.
Managed the economy: Now time to manage the peace in Middle East

Abstract. The paper utilizes religious philosophy to explain motivations for peace in Middle East where it is suggested in the paper that Kingdom of Saud-i-Arab has the potential to realize this goal. Keywords. Middle East, Business economics, Conflict resolution. JEL. E30, F20, F44.
Underinsurance Caused by Uninsurable Losses in the Public Good and Personal Assets

A significant portion of flood damages were not covered by insurance, and policies are devised to promote insurance coverage. There are, however, rational reasons for why households may not purchase full insurance facing risks. We discuss optimal underinsurance when there are uninsurable losses in the public good or personal assets. In a first-best allocation, households will fully restore the damaged public good after a natural hazard and purchase full insurance. When public good restoration is not available, the Samuelson condition holds in expected utility, and households purchase insurance less than their wealth loss. Also, when there are uninsurable losses in personal assets, that optimal insurance purchase is less than the wealth loss. We provide a model based on households' choices of coverage and deductibles in insurance purchases, that can be used to estimate their risk preferences towards natural hazards.
Policy Relevance, the Academy, and Nuclear Weapons

As a policy area with vital implications for national security, nuclear weapons are a logical area for academics to have input. While challenges to plugging into the policy world exist, academic research and theorizing on nuclear weapons has the potential, if pitched in the right way, to help shape policy debates in Washington, DC and elsewhere.
Narratives of School Counselors Regarding Advocacy for LGBTQ Students

Using a directed form of qualitative research proposed by Mayring, this qualitative study applied Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine the efforts of nine self-identified school coun...
Development and evaluation of a subunit vaccine for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis

Exper imenta l infect ion of rabbi ts wi th infect ious bovine rh inotrachei t i s v i rus (IBRV) produced d iverse manifes ta t ions of d isease which included abor t ion, conjunct iv i t i s , dermat i t i s , vulvovagini t i s , sys temic infect ion, neonata l death and respi ra tory t rac t infect ion. Each d isease syndrome was s tudied us ing v i rus i so la t ion, f luorescent ant ibody examinat ion and h is to logic examinat ion. Conjunct iv i t i s , dermat i t i s and vulvovagini t i s les ions were character ized by edema, inf i l t ra t ion of mucosa and submucosa wi th inf lammatory ce l l s and u lcera t ion of epi thel ium. Systemic infect ion resul ted in severe necros is of l iver and adrenal g lands wi th large numbers of ce l l s conta in ing in t ranuclear inc lus ions . Pregnant rabbi ts abor ted wi th in 48 hours fo l lowing inocula t ion of IBRV. Virus infect ion and v i ra l les ions were not demonstra ted in abor ted fe tuses .
Possible H2O storage in the crystal structure of CaSiO3 perovskite

Abstract The lower mantle is believed to contain much less hydrogen (or H2O) because of the low storage capacity of the dominant mineral phases, such as bridgmanite and ferropericlase. However, possible hydrogen storage in the third most abundant mineral in the region, CaSiO3 perovskite (Ca-Pv), is not well unknown. We have synthesized Ca-Pv from different starting materials with varying H2O contents at 19–120 GPa and 1400–2200 K in laser-heated diamond-anvil cell. While cubic perovskite structure is stable at the mantle-related pressures-temperatures (P−T) in anhydrous systems, we found non-cubic diffraction peak splitting in Ca-Pv even at high temperatures when it is synthesized from hydrous starting materials. In-situ high-pressure infrared spectroscopy showed OH vibration possibly from Ca-Pv. The unit-cell volume of hydrothermally synthesized Ca-Pv is systematically smaller than that of anhydrous Ca-Pv at high pressures. These observations suggest possible H2O storage in Ca-Pv at mantle-related P−T conditions. We also found the formation of separate δ–AlOOH and Ca-Pv phases from Al-bearing CaSiO3 glass starting materials in an H2O medium at 60 GPa and 1400 K. Ca-Pv still showed non-cubic peak splitting at high temperatures in this experiment. Therefore, it is possible that hydrous phases may coexist together with hydrous Ca-Pv in the lower mantle.
Comparison of kinetic theory and fluctuational electrodynamics for radiative heat transfer in nanoparticle chains

Abstract In chains of closely spaced nanoparticles supporting surface polaritons, near-field electromagnetic coupling leads to collective effects and super-Planckian thermal radiation exchange. Researchers have primarily used two analytical approaches to calculate radiative heat transfer in these systems: fluctuational electrodynamics, which directly incorporates fluctuating thermal currents into Maxwell's equations, and a kinetic approach where the dispersion relation provides modes and propagation lengths for the Boltzmann transport equation. Here, we compare results from the two approaches in the isotropic dipole limit in order to identify regimes in which kinetic theory is valid and to explain differing results in the literature on its validity. Using both methods, we calculate the diffusive radiative thermal conductivity of nanoparticle chains. We show that kinetic theory is valid and matches predictions by fluctuational electrodynamics if both the surface polariton propagation lengths are greater than the particle spacing and surface polaritons are the dominant contributors to radiative heat transfer.
Factors Associated with Perceived Need For Palliative Care Among Patients with Heart Failure

Background : Symptom burden, psychological morbidity and advance care planning needs remain high and often unmet among patients with heart failure (HF). Despite recommendations for the utilization of palliative care to address these burdens, palliative care remains greatly underutilized. Insufficient data exists regarding these patients’ preferences and the perceived need for palliative care in patients with HF. Methods : As part of the Hopeful Heart trial, which tested a collaborative care approach for depression and HF, we surveyed participants regarding their perceived need for palliative care. Specifically, they ranked their agreement with the following statement on a 6-item Likert scale: “Palliative/supportive care services would be helpful to me or my family now.” Study inclusion criteria included: systolic HF (ejection fraction ≤45%), NYHA class II-IV symptoms, and a recent HF-related hospitalization at one of 8 Pittsburgh-area hospitals. We compared sociodemographic factors, clinical characteristics and patient-centered outcomes between those with low versus high dichotomized perceived need for palliative care. We also performed logistic regression modeling perceived need as a dichotomized outcome. Results : of 671 patients who completed the outcome assessment, 56% were male with a mean age of 64 years, 73% white, and 62% NYHA Class III-IV. Participants had fair mental (SF-12 MCS, mean: 46.4) and HF-related (KCCQ, mean: 56.6) health related quality of life (HRQoL), and poor physical HRQoL (SF-12 PCS mean: 33.8). Those with high versus low perceived need were more likely to be depressed (87% vs 77%), younger (61 vs 67 years) and non-white (36% vs 31%), and have lower mental (44.7 vs 48.4), physical (32.4 vs 35.4) and HF-related (52.7 vs 61.1) HRQoL (all p≤ 0.004) at baseline. Multivariable models showed depression (odds ratio: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.07-3.23) and non-white race (3.19; 2.07-4.91) were associated with greater dichotomized perceived need, while age ≤ 65 (0.53;0.37-0.76) and lower mental HRQoL (0.98; 0.96-1.00) were associated with lower perceived need for palliative care. Parsimonious models found depression (1.86;1.07-3.23), age ≤ 65 (0.54;0.38-0.75), race (3.26,2.14-4.98) and lower mental (0.98;0.97-1.00) and physical (0.98;0.97-1.00) HRQoL were related to dichotomized need. Conclusions : Among recently hospitalized patients with systolic HF, those who were depressed, younger than 65 years-old, non-white, and reported poorer functional status and HRQoL were most likely to express perceived need for palliative care. These results suggest depression, reduced HRQoL and other factors may better identify patients with HF who would receive benefit from additional symptom support.
Dynamic data reconciliation, parameter estimation, and multi-scale, multi-physics modeling of the microwave-assisted methane dehydroaromatization process

Abstract In this paper, dynamic data reconciliation and parameter estimation has been performed for the microwave-assisted methane dehydroaromatization reaction system using the in-house experimental data. A custom reaction rate model has been developed including a model for coke formation and a model for the catalyst deactivation. A multi-physics, multi-scale reactor model is developed by developing a model for the microwave absorption in the metal and support sites in the catalyst and coupling the catalysts level model with the bulk scale model. For estimating microwave power absorption in the metal and support particles, a detailed model using the Maxwell’s equation as well as a reduced order model are developed. Analysis of operation frequency shows that 2.45 GHz frequency has a better reactor performance. It is also observed that the temperature differences between the metal and support sites are unlikely to be high for the methane dehydroaromatization reaction system as opposed to the traditional belief for MW-assisted reactive systems.
Model-Free Optimal Control using SPSA with Complex Variables

This work proposes a stochastic optimization algorithm to construct model-free controllers for nonlinear stochastic systems, where both the state and measurement equations are unknown. With no stringent model assumptions imposed on the underlying systems, the controllers are constructed by function approximators (FA), such as neural networks or polynomials. The optimal control refers to the optimal parameters within the FA. Since the functional form of the system remains unknown, we need to estimate the gradient to proceed with gradient-type algorithms. Inspired by the simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation (SPSA) algorithm and the complex-step gradient approximation, this work proposes a novel estimation for the gradient using only the system measurements. In contrast to prior work that requires at least two system measurements per iteration, the newly proposed method requires only one system measurement per iteration, which makes it suitable in tracking transient systems. We also establish an almost sure convergence result for stochastic approximation algorithms with time-varying objective functions. In the numerical illustration, we consider a non-additive noise model with polynomial controller FA, where the proposed algorithm shows a promising result of converging to the global minimum within a small number of iterations.
Neighborhood Profiles and Body Mass Index Trajectory in Female Adolescents and Young Adults.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify distinct neighborhood profiles patterned by key structural, physical, and social characteristics and test whether living in different profiles are associated with body mass index trajectories during adolescence in racial/ethnic minority female youth. Methods Participants were 1,328 sexually active female adolescents and young adults aged 14–23 years, predominately Hispanic and black, enrolled in an human papillomavirus type 4 vaccine (Gardasil) surveillance study at a large adolescent health clinic in New York City between 2007 and 2018. Body mass index was calculated from weight and height every 6 months. A comprehensive set of neighborhood structural, social, and physical characteristics from multiple national and state datasets was linked to each participant based on home address. Results Latent profile analysis revealed five distinct neighborhood profiles in New York City: High Structural/High Social Advantage, Moderate Advantage/Low Crime, Low SES (Socioeconomic Status)/High Activity, Low SES/High Social Advantage, and High Disadvantage. Results from multilevel growth curve analysis revealed that living in Low SES/High Activity neighborhoods was associated with a lower BMI at age 22 (b = −1.32, 95% confidence interval −2.49, −.16), as well as a slower increase in BMI from age 14 to 22 years (b = −.22, 95% confidence interval −.46, .02), compared to the High Disadvantage profile. Conclusions Our findings suggest that improving neighborhood structural, social, and physical environments may help promote healthy weight and reduce health disparities during adolescence and young adulthood.
Feasibility of using a particle counter or flow-cytometer for bacterial enumeration in the assimilable organic carbon (AOC) analysis method.

Assimilable organic carbon (AOC) is one of the major determinants of microbial growth and stability in drinking water distribution systems. Nevertheless, AOC measurements are rarely conducted in practice owing, in part, to the tedious and time-consuming nature of the bioassay. Herein, we compared three alternative cell count approaches [flow cytometry with staining (FC-S), flow cytometry without staining (FC-NS), and particle counting (Coulter counter; CC)] for bacterial enumeration as a means to expedite the AOC bioassay. Our results suggest that of the three methods only FC-S provides a suitable alternative to plate counting for rapid and accurate enumeration of both P17 and NOX in the AOC bioassay. While the cell counts obtained by FC-NS were linearly correlated with those obtained using the traditional heterotrophic plate count (HPC) method (FC-NS: R2 = 0.89–0.96), the AOC values obtained by FC-NS were overestimated by 18–57 %. The CC approach was unsuccessful in enumerating Spirillum strain NOX cells because of the relatively small size of that organism. The CC counts were linearly correlated with HPC for Pseudomonas fluorescens strain P-17 (P17) cells (R2 = 0.83) but like FC-NS, the CC approach also overestimated the AOC values (for P-17). The advantage of the FC-S method over the other two is improved sensitivity and the ability to specifically enumerate whole cells (and likely viable) as opposed to non-viable cells, cell debris, and other contaminating particles introduced by the test water itself or sample handling.
Role of Nitric Oxide in Short-Term Potentiation and Long-Term Facilitation

It has been well documented that increases in breathing in response to a variety of stimuli may often outlast the actual period of stimulation in various species (see references1, 2). For instance, after a brief hypoxic challenge, ventilation slowly returns to baseline values over a period of minutes, a phenomenon often termed as “short-term potentiation (STP).” On the other hand, after episodes of recurrent hypoxic challenges, depending on species, breathing may remain elevated as long as an hotir. This long lasting enhancement of respiration that follows recurrent episodes of hypoxia is referred to as “long-term facilitation (LTF).” It has been proposed that STP and LTF are critical for maintaining stability of breathing, especially in situations involving acute changes in arterial blood gases2, and may involve brainstem neurons1,2. Recent studies on hippocampal neurons suggest that nitric oxide (NO) is critical for the development of long term potentiation (LTP) associated with learning and memory3,4. Given that NOS-1, the enzyme that generates NO, is co-localized with 5-HT in raphe neurons5, 6, which has been shown to be important for the generation of LTF2, as well as our recent observation that NOS-1 mutant mice exhibit breathing instability during hypoxia7, prompted us to examine whether NO generated by NOS-1 plays a role in the development STP and/or LTF.
Survival, Growth, and Localization of Epiphytic Fitness Mutants of Pseudomonas syringae on Leaves

Among 82 epiphytic fitness mutants of a Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae strain that were characterized in a previous study, 4 mutants were particularly intolerant of the stresses associated with dry leaf surfaces. These four mutants each exhibited distinctive behaviors when inoculated onto and into plant leaves. For example, while none showed measurable growth on dry potato leaf surfaces, they grew to different population sizes in the intercellular spaces of bean leaves and on dry bean leaf surfaces, and one mutant appeared incapable of growth in both environments although it grew well on moist bean leaves. The presence of the parental strain did not influence the survival of the mutants immediately following exposure of leaves to dry, high-light incubation conditions, suggesting that the reduced survival of the mutants did not result from an inability to produce extracellular factors in planta. On moist bean leaves that were colonized by either a mutant or the wild type, the proportion of the total epiphytic population that was located in sites protected from a surface sterilant was smaller for the mutants than for the wild type, indicating that the mutants were reduced in their ability to locate, multiply in, and/or survive in such protected sites. This reduced ability was only one of possibly several factors contributing to the reduced epiphytic fitness of each mutant. Their reduced fitness was not specific to the host plant bean, since they also exhibited reduced fitness on the nonhost plant potato; the functions altered in these strains are thus of interest for their contribution to the general fitness of bacterial epiphytes.
Lactate metabolism. Studies of a child with a serious congenital deviation.

After a short summary of experiences with sodium lactate in the treatment of metabolic acidosis over a 30 year period, we present clinical and metabolic findings in a child born with a serious defect in the metabolism of lactate. The consequences were a constant threat of severe and perhaps fatal acidosis and tetany-like episodes leading to severe respiratory obstruction on the basis of bronchiolar muscle spasm and sometimes laryngeal spasm which would superimpose severe respiratory acidosis on an already severe metabolic acidosis. It is our opinion that no such case has previously been described.
Surface Plasmon Resonance: New Biointerface Designs and High-Throughput Affinity Screening

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a surface optical technique that measures minute changes in refractive index at a metal-coated surface. It has become increasingly popular in the study of biological and chemical analytes because of its label-free measurement feature. In addition, SPR allows for both quantitative and qualitative assessment of binding interactions in real time, making it ideally suited for probing weak interactions that are often difficult to study with other methods. This chapter presents the biosensor development in the last 3 years or so utilizing SPR as the principal analytical technique, along with a concise background of the technique itself. While SPR has demonstrated many advantages, it is a nonselective method and so, building reproducible and functional interfaces is vital to sensing applications. This chapter, therefore, focuses mainly on unique surface chemistries and assay approaches to examine biological interactions with SPR. In addition, SPR imaging for high-throughput screening based on microarrays and novel hyphenated techniques involving the coupling of SPR to other analytical methods is discussed. The chapter concludes with a commentary on the current state of SPR biosensing technology and the general direction of future biosensor research.
Abstract P5-13-01: Association between breastfeeding and breast cancer risk by receptor status: A meta-analysis

Background: The rising incidence of breast cancer is mainly due to changes in reproductive, lifestyle, and environmental factors, not inherited genetic mutations. Many risk factors can be modified, offering important opportunities for prevention. In the era of personalized care, treatment is subtype dependent. While most prevention strategies are not subtype specific, we wanted to see if breastfeeding confers the same protection based on subtype, especially against poorer prognostic subtypes. Methodology: Relevant articles from case-control or prospective studies were identified by searching PubMed and Scopus databases through 2013 and reference lists of relevant articles. Two researchers independently did the search and evaluated the articles. The summary risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random effects models (DerSimonian-Laird method) for the association between breastfeeding and breast cancer by receptor status. The reference category in most of the studies was never breastfeeding, but in a few studies this also included women who breastfed for a short time. Results: This meta-analysis of 26 articles (20 from case-control, 6 from prospective studies) published between 1983 and 2013 included 34,479 women with invasive breast cancer from 8 countries. Breastfeeding was inversely associated with breast cancer risk across all combination of subtypes: ER+ or -, PR+ or -, HER2+ or -. The relative risk reduction ranged from 12–29% when only the results adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), parity, and family history of breast cancer were included. There did not appear to be a differential protective benefit of breastfeeding based on subtype using ever vs never analysis. (A breastfeeding dose response analysis by subtype is in progress.) Conclusion: Breastfeeding is a powerful strategy to reduce breast cancer risk, with a relative risk reduction of 12–29%. This benefit is larger than previously reported and was independent of hormone- and HER2-receptor status, suggesting mechanisms of action independent from these receptors and their ligands. To maximize breastfeeding use for the long-term health of mothers and babies, it is important to remove barriers in the home, community, and workplace as well as provide education and support before and after delivery. Citation Format: Marisa Weiss, Ying Liu, Paolo Boffetta, Graham Colditz, Ahmedin Jemel, Farhad Islami. Association between breastfeeding and breast cancer risk by receptor status: A meta-analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-13-01.
LESBIAN MOTHERS’ COUNSELING EXPERIENCES IN THE CONTEXT OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant concern for some lesbian households with children. Yet we know of only one study that has examined lesbian mothers’ experiences with IPV. In the current study we analyzed the counseling experiences of participants in our prior study. Interviews with 24 lesbian mothers (12 Black, 9 White, and 3 Latina) 23 to 54 years of age (M = 39.5) were coded using thematic analysis. Overall, lesbian mothers experiencing IPV did seek help from counselors (n = 15, 63%), typically after reaching a breaking point. Counselors were most helpful when addressing the abuse and promoting self-empowerment, and least helpful when victim-blaming or ignoring the abuse and/or the same-sex relationship. Lesbian mothers’ perceptions that mental health professionals were sometimes ineffective have implications for provider training. In order to work effectively with this population, providers should attempt to eliminate or correct personal biases or prejudices with self-exploration and education. By becoming more aware and knowledgeable of the nuances, struggles, and strengths of the lesbian community, providers can gain competency in providing therapeutic services to such clients. Mental health professionals can also adopt an advocacy stance to assist in spreading cultural awareness to others and support policy or institutional changes to include same-sex IPV. Competencies can be assessed through future studies that identify the knowledge and skills gap among mental health professionals who frequently work with the lesbian population.
BPR and logistics: the role of computational models

In manufacturing and distribution, a core process is logistics, and the cost of logistics is roughly 10% of GDP in the US. Designing, managing, and improving industrial logistics systems has never been more challenging, or more critical to competitive success. Fortunately, rapid advance in computational technology promises to provide industrial logistics system designers the kinds of design tools taken for granted by product designers. This paper identifies some opportunities and challenges, and highlights some recent successes in achieving the vision of powerful, integrated, computational platforms for industrial logistics system design.
Construction of economical linings of production equipment

A method of optimization of the designs of linings of heating equipment, the use of which in design of new and reconstruction of existing furnaces promotes an increase in effectiveness of use of material, fuel, and energy resources, has been developed.
Optimal data partitioning of MPEG-2 coded video

We analyze the problem of optimal data partitioning of MPEG-2 coded video in an operational rate-distortion context. The optimal algorithm is characterized and shown to have high complexity and delay. A causally optimal algorithm based on Lagrangian optimization is proposed, that optimally solves the problem for intra (I) pictures, and provides an optimal solution for predicted/interpolated (P/B) pictures when the additional constraints of causal operation and/or low-delay are imposed. A memoryless version of the algorithm, theoretically optimal for intrapictures only, is shown to perform almost identically but with significantly less computational complexity. Finally, a fast, suboptimal algorithm using purely rate-based optimization is also proposed, and is shown to perform quite close (within 1 dB) to the causally optimal one. Experimental results are provided using actual MPEG-2 coded video bitstreams.
Storm nitrogen dynamics in tile-drain flow in the US Midwest

Storm losses of N via tile-drainage in the US Midwest are a major concern for water quality in the Mississippi River Basin (MRB). This study investigates the impact of precipitation characteristics on NO3 −, NH4 + and DON concentrations and fluxes for spring storms in tile-drains in a Midwestern agricultural watershed. Bulk precipitation amount had little impact on solute median concentrations in tile-drains during storms, but clearly impacted Mg2+, K+ and NO3 − concentration patterns. For large storms (>6 cm of bulk precipitation), large amounts of macropore flow (43–50% of total tile-drain flow) diluted Mg2+ and NO3 − rich groundwater as discharge peaked. This pattern was not observed for NH4 + and DON or for smaller tile-flow generating events (<3 cm) during which macropore flow contributions were limited (11–17% of total tile-drain flow). Precipitation amount was positively (P < 0.01) correlated to NO3 − and NH4 + export rates, but not to DON export rates. Limited variations in antecedent water table depth in spring had little influence on N dynamics for the storms studied. Although significant differences in flow characteristics were observed between tile-drains, solute concentration dynamics and macropore flow contributions to total tile-drain flow were similar for adjacent tile-drains. Generally, NO3 − represented >80% of N flux during storms, while DON and NH4 + represented only 2–14% and 1–7% of N flux, respectively. This study stresses the non-linear behavior of N losses to tile drains during spring storms in artificially drained landscapes of the US Midwest, at a critical time of the year for N management in the MRB.
The Unsteady Boundary Layer on an Elliptic Cylinder Following the Impulsive Onset of Translational and Rotational Motion.

Abstract : The fluid motion about an elliptic cylinder impulsively set into translational and rotational motion is obtained by the method of matched asymptotic expansions for small time and large Reynolds number. The constraint of the perturbation model is that the boundary layer thickness and the distance of travel are of the same asymptotic order. It is found that pitch-up motion or rotation accompanying translation at an angle of attack is indeed capable of preventing the early formation of a leading edge separation bubble. Even before evident in the streamline pattern, the incipient separation bubble is accompanied by a characteristic vorticity signature in the vicinity of the leading edge that is quite different from that with rotation. Further, the onset of an adverse pressure gradient is displaced rearward from its location for pure translation. The pre-Kutta condition lift evidently arises with the local acceleration that is a consequence of the displacement effect of the growing boundary layer. (Author)
Surface Oxide Evolution on Al-Si Bond Wires

Al-Si wires are often used to make contact to bond-pads of semiconductor chips and devices. During operation in certain types of devices the wires typically reach relatively high temperatures. Under such circumstances, the oxidation could lead to a decrease of wire conductivity. It is of interest therefore to understand the oxidation behavior of the bond wires, particularly at elevated temperatures. In the current study, Al-Si wires were characterized as received from the supplier, and after thermal annealing at 240°C and 300°C. The surface oxides were found to evolve from a single-layer oxide to a double-layer oxide with varying chemistry. Oxide thicknesses were substantially lower than the wire diameter, even after 3000 hours of annealing. Therefore oxidation of the Al-Si wires has an insignificant impact on their electrical conductivity.
ON THE INTERACTIONS OF SLENDER SHIPS IN SHALLOW WATER

The unsteady hydrodynamic interaction of two bodies moving in a shallow fluid is examined by applying slender-body theory. The bodies are assumed to be in each other's far field and the free surface is assumed to be rigid. By matched asymptotics, the inner and outer problems are formulated and a pair of coupled integro-differential equations for determining the unknown cross flows is derived. The degree of coupling is shown to be related to a bottom-clearance parameter. Expressions are given for the unsteady sinkage force, trimming moment, sway force, and yaw moment. Numerical calculations for two weakly coupled cases are presented. One corresponds to the interaction of a stationary body with a passing one, the other to the interaction of two bodies moving in a steady configuration. Theoretical results are compared with existing experimental data.
Patriarchy in Post-1989 Poland and Tokarczuk's Dom Dzienny, Dom Nocny (The Day House, the Night House)

In her paper "Patriarchy in Post-1989 Poland and Tokarczuk's Dom Dzienny, Dom Nocny (The Day House, the Night House)" Justyna Sempruch analyzes Tokarczuk's 1998 narrative in the context of the post-communist revival of patriarchy in Poland as well as the parallel Western feminist impact on women's writing in Poland. These two distinct socio-cultural developments, as reflected in Tokarczuk's novel, expand the concept of a subversive household into a transnational dis/order that abolishes borders between domestic (national) and foreign structures: an increasing masculinization of the power structures (political arena and "scientific" practices) impacts the management of the social and the most private aspects of women's lives in post-1989 Poland while the growing popularity of "intellectual" feminism, borrowed from U.S. and French second-wave feminist positions, encourages a local "digging into" a collective "feminist" past. Tokarczuk's narrative belongs to a category which draws on Irigaray's theories and displays preoccupations with the failure of the sexual revolution. Sempruch argues that Tokarczuk's narrative reflects on the Western feminist formulations of Freudian and Lacanian psychoanalysis as a discourse normalising patriarchy, as well as on re-evaluations of hysteria as the unheard voice of the woman whose language is reduced to psychosomatic symptoms. Justyna Sempruch, "Patriarchy in Post-1989 Poland and Tokarczuk's Dom Dzienny, Dom Nocny" page 2 of 9 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 10.3 (2008):
Growth factor receptor gene and protein expressions in the human lens

In this study the mRNAs encoding epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), basic fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR-2) and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR-1) genes of the human normal lenses at ages varying from 0.5 to 72 years, were identified by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Regulation of EGFR gene expression in the lens did not change with aging, and of FGFR-2 and IGFR-1 genes also remained unaltered up to age 53 years. However, expressions of FGFR-2 and IGFR-1 genes were decreased at ages above 60 years. EGFR, FGFR-2 and IGFR-1 proteins were detected by immunoblot analysis in the epithelial cell membranes of lens at age varying from 40 to 72 years. There was no detectable amount of EGFR protein in fiber cell membranes of the lens, and the levels of FGFR-2 and IGFR-1 proteins were much lower than those in the epithelial cell membranes. The low levels of these receptor proteins in the fiber cell membranes of lens, suggest their possible role in keeping the differentiated function of these unique transparent cells. The findings of the increased protein levels with age of EGFR with the appearance of some degradation products at age 48 years and higher, and the increased FGFR-2 protein at age 60 years and higher in the epithelial cell membranes of lens, were of interest. It appears that this could be a compensatory protective response of the lens to aging process for lifelong continuation of normal growth by proliferation and differentiation of its epithelial cells into new fiber cells in the germinative zone at the equatorial region. Thus, these results could provide a basis for further studies on growth factor receptor gene and protein regulations in the mechanism of lens aging and progression of age-related human cataract.
Economic comparison of natural service and timed artificial insemination breeding programs in dairy cattle.

The objective was to compare the costs of natural service (NS) and timed artificial insemination (TAI) as breeding programs for dairy cows. Both programs were directly compared in a field study from November 2006 to March 2008. Reproductive results in that study were similar and served as inputs for this study. A herd budget accounting for all costs and revenues was created. Net cost during the field study for the NS program was $100.49/cow per year and for the TAI program was $67.80/cow per year, unadjusted for differences in voluntary waiting period for first insemination (VWP) and pregnancy rates (PR). After inclusion of the differences in VWP and PR, the economic advantage of the TAI program was $9.73/cow per year. Costs per day a cow was eligible for insemination were estimated at $1.45 for the NS program and $1.06 for the TAI program. Sensitivity analysis revealed that if the marginal feed cost increased to $5/hundredweight (cwt; 1 cwt = 45.36 kg), the advantage of TAI increased to $48.32/cow per year. In addition, higher milk prices and greater genetic progress increased the advantage of TAI. When semen price increased from $6 to $22, the NS program had an economic advantage of $33.29/cow per year. If each NS bull was replaced by an additional cow, the advantage of the TAI program was $60.81/cow per year. Setting the PR for both programs at 18% and the VWP at 80 d resulted in an advantage of $37.87/cow per year for the TAI program. In conclusion, any advantage of TAI depended greatly on cost to feed bulls, semen price, and genetic merit of semen.
Genetic control of prolificacy and related traits in the golden glow maize population: I. Phenotypic evaluation

The open-pollinated maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) population Golden Glow [GG(MP)] provides excellent material for the study of morphological and genetic changes associated with selection for prolificacy. Late generations of the GG(MP), when planted at low densities, resemble the architecture of teosinte (Z. mays subsp. parviglumis), the ancestor of maize. Our objectives were (i) to identify molecular markers linked to chromosomal regions that influenced prolificacy and related morphological traits, (ii) to determine whether genes previously shown to influence branching patterns in maize were associated with quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing these traits, and (iii) to determine whether epistatic interactions among putative QTLs influenced prolificacy and correlated traits. A mapping population was developed from the cross of inbred A679 and a highly prolific S, plant from Cycle 23 of GG(MP). Simple sequence repeat (SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were combined for the linkage map construction. Thirty-three QTLs were found for 14 of the 16 traits analyzed. A region located on Linkage Group 1 (LG 1) shared similarities with the pattern of development suggested for the teosinte branched1 (tb1) mutant. This suggests that genetic control of prolificacy and associated traits in GG(MP) may resemble the genetic changes underlying branching morphology that occurred during maize domestication. No evidence for additive-by-additive epistatic interactions was found.