cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation and Growth of Amorphous Phases By Solid-State Reactions Between Co Thin-Films And III-V Compound Semiconductors

Solid-state amorphizaiton reactions (SSAR’s) between Co thin-films and GaAs and InP have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Upon annealing at 260-300 °C, an amorphous phase was observed in the Co/GaAs system. Annealing at higher temperatures or for longer times led to the crystallization of this phase into a supersaturated CoAs structure. In the Co/InP system, annealing at 200°C for 1 hour led to the simultaneous formation of Co2P and an amorphous Co-In phase. At higher temperatures the amorphous phase crystallized into CoIn2 structure. For both systems, the amorphization reactions are attributed to the rapid diffusion of Co into the III–V substrates. The factors governing SSAR in ternary systems were discussed, with emphasis on the role of kinetics as opposed. to thermodynamic considerations.
Abstract 2734: Tumor-associated antigen c-terminal binding protein-2 is overexpressed in epithelial ovarian tumors

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC OBJECTIVES: Investigation of the expression pattern and functional roles of tumor antigen CtBP-2 in ovarian cancer. BACKGROUND: Tumor-associated antigens may have mechanistic function in cancer development and serum antibodies that target the tumor-associated antigens may have value in early detection. Antibodies to C-terminal binding protein 2 (CtBP-2), a component of the Wnt signaling pathway and a transcriptional corepressor via interaction with histone deacetylases (HDACs), were identified in patient serum using an innovative reverse capture antibody array method. We investigated the expression and function of CtBP-2 in human ovarian cancer tissue and ovarian cancer cell lines. METHODS: CtBP-2 expression was studied in 105 paraffin-embedded ovarian tumors by standard immunohistochemistry (IHC). ANOVA was used to compare the mean IHC staining scores (area stained x intensity) between healthy and tumor samples. Functional assays were performed with human ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and MCAS that stably integrated a CtBP2-targeting short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) construct via a Lentivirus vector. Protein expression was examined by western blotting. Cell proliferation in culture was evaluated by cell counting. Cell adhesion assays were performed using a CytoMatrix Screen kit from Millipore. Cell migration assays were performed using a Boyden chamber-based cell migration assay. B-catenin activity was measured using a TOPFLASH luciferase reporter assay. Cellular sensitivity to trichostatin A, a HDAC inhibitor, was measured using MTT assay. RESULTS: 83% of ovarian epithelial tumors stained positive with a mean score of 4.77 (borderline tumors) and 5.49 (invasive tumors) and showed a significant difference (p-value 50% and showed reduced proliferation rates. The knock-down cell lines also showed 40-80% reduction in adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins collagen I and collagen IV, 50-70% reduction in migration, suppressed B-catenin activity and enhanced sensitivity to trichostatin A. CONCLUSIONS: CtBP-2 is overexpressed in ovarian epithelial tumors and cancer cell lines. Ovarian cancer cell lines with suppressed CtBP-2 expression show a reduction in proliferation rate, cell adhesion and cell migration. The phenotype may be related to suppressed B-catenin activity. The knockdown cell lines are also more sensitive to HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A, suggesting that the expression of CtBP-2 might modulate cellular response to HDAC inhibitor in the clinical setting. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2734.
Combustion of Bitumen-in-Water Drops: A Phenomenological Study

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the break-up phenomena of bitumen-in-water emulsified fuel drops in a methane diffusion flame environment. The emulsified fuels were provided by a commercial source. The fuel drops of around 1 mm in diameter were supported on a fine-wire thermocouple and placed in a methane jet diffusion flame. Two high-speed cameras (1808 fps and 1200 fps) were used to record the experiments. Both the thermocouple temperature and high-speed videos were recorded. The break-up phenomena can be categorized as the stream breakup, localized breakup, and large violent breakup/micro-explosion. High-speed video images revealed 3 distinct stages of combustion of bitumen-in-water emulsified fuel drops: (a) a heating period and viscous fuel-shell formation, (b) shell deformation, and (c) micro-explosion or disruptive burning.
Investigation on occupational hazards of general berth project in Lanshan Port

[Objective]To detect the concentration( intensity) of occupational hazard factors in general berth project of new Lanshan Port in Shandong,analyze the effect of occupational prevention facilities.[Methods]The evaluation was conducted by data collection,field occupational hygiene survey and occupational health detection.[Results]A total of 78 dust operation points were tested,and the over standard rate was 9. 0%. The over standard rate of coal dust and welding fumes was 33. 3% and 12. 5% respectively,while the average concentration was 7. 2 mg / m3and 3. 2 mg / m3respectively. Among 53 times of noise detection,12 were higher than the limits,with the over standard rate of 24. 5%. The surface working was classified as grade Ⅱ. [Conclusion]It is necessary to strengthen the dust protection in goods yard,and improve the education of occupational hazards,to help the occupational exposure workers form the good personal protection consciousness.
Care Ethics and Stakeholder Theory

Stakeholder theory suggests that businesses have moral and social responsibilities beyond just obeying the law, avoiding deceptive business practices, and providing stockholders with high returns on their investments. According to stakeholder theory, businesses also have a responsibility to consider the interests and attend to the needs of all individuals and groups who are affected by their policies and operations, including employees, consumers, suppliers, the local community, and others. Several business ethicists have identified care ethics as a fruitful resource for developing stakeholder theories. Yet, existing care-based stakeholder theories are vague in some critical areas and consequently do not yield clear practical advice. In this article, I extend and clarify a care-based stakeholder theory in order to spell out more fully what it means to conduct business in a caring manner. I outline three priority rules for guiding difficult managerial decisions or trade-offs, and offer practical examples to show how care ethics can apply to the everyday management of a successful business enterprise. By addressing the weaknesses of existing accounts of care-based stakeholder theories, I further demonstrate how care ethics can contribute to a more robust and useful account of stakeholder theory in general.
SU-C-206-03: Metal Artifact Reduction in X-Ray Computed Tomography Based On Local Anatomical Similarity

Purpose: Metal implants such as orthopedic hardware and dental fillings cause severe bright and dark streaking in reconstructed CT images. These artifacts decrease image contrast and degrade HU accuracy, leading to inaccuracies in target delineation and dose calculation. Additionally, such artifacts negatively impact patient set-up in image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). In this work, we propose a novel method for metal artifact reduction which utilizes the anatomical similarity between neighboring CT slices. Methods: Neighboring CT slices show similar anatomy. Based on this anatomical similarity, the proposed method replaces corrupted CT pixels with pixels from adjacent, artifact-free slices. A gamma map, which is the weighted summation of relative HU error and distance error, is calculated for each pixel in the artifact-corrupted CT image. The minimum value in each pixel's gamma map is used to identify a pixel from the adjacent CT slice to replace the corresponding artifact-corrupted pixel. This replacement only occurs if the minimum value in a particular pixel's gamma map is larger than a threshold. The proposed method was evaluated with clinical images. Results: Highly attenuating dental fillings and hip implants cause severe streaking artifacts on CT images. The proposed method eliminates the dark and bright streaking and improves the implant delineation and visibility. In particular, the image non-uniformity in the central region of interest was reduced from 1.88 and 1.01 to 0.28 and 0.35, respectively. Further, the mean CT HU error was reduced from 328 HU and 460 HU to 60 HU and 36 HU, respectively. Conclusions: The proposed metal artifact reduction method replaces corrupted image pixels with pixels from neighboring slices that are free of metal artifacts. This method proved capable of suppressing streaking artifacts, improving HU accuracy and image detectability.
Learning through Participatory Design: Designing Digital Badges for and with Teens

Children and teens have valuable insights to offer in the design of sociotechnical learning tools and environments. Prior work has identified a range of participatory design (PD) techniques that have been used successfully to engage youth of various ages in the design process. Less understood is how youth experience and learn from their engagement in specific PD techniques. Although recent work has begun to address this understudied area, it has focused primarily on children, not adolescents. In the current study, we document the learning opportunities experienced by a group of high school students who participated in a series of six PD sessions focusing on the design of a digital badge system that recognizes and rewards out-of-school science learning. We discuss how these learning opportunities, actualized through scaffolded reflection, contributed positively to the design of the digital badge system. This work advances knowledge of how and why engaging youth in PD can contribute to effective designs of sociotechnical learning systems.
Production of Anisotropic Photoacoustic Pressure Waves by Photodissociation of Molecular Chlorine

The recoil momentum of atomic fragments produced by a pulsed photodissociation of a diatomic molecule can be detected as a pressure wave using a conventional electret microphone. We report here the detection of anisotropic pressure waves from photodissociation of Cl2 at 355 nm. The results of the experiments show that the photodissociation of Cl2 at this wavelength proceeds through a predominantly perpendicular transition.
The Postwar Recessions

“[T]he investment component of output is about six times as volatile as the consumption component.” – Edward C. Prescott (1986a) “[T]echnology shocks account for more than half the fluctuations in the postwar period, with a best point estimate near 75 percent.” – Edward C. Prescott (1986b) “[R]esidential investment causes, but is not caused by GDP [movements], while non-residential investment does not cause, but is caused by GDP [movements].” – Richard K. Green (1997) In this chapter, we examine the ten postwar recessions from 1948–9 to 2001 that preceded the Great Recession. The role of housing investment expenditures in both the Great Recession and the Depression is also manifest in the post–World War II period but with less catastrophic consequences. Recurrent patterns of interaction between housing investment and monetary policy are prominent elements of postwar U.S. economic cycles. Examination of these interactions clarifies one of the primary channels through which monetary policy affects output, especially in the period immediately preceding a recession, during the recession, and in the immediate aftermath of a recession.
Reinforcement Contingencies in Language Acquisition: Implications for Language Intervention

Childhood language delays and language impairments negatively impact educational outcomes and quality of life. In spite of previously prevailing views to the contrary, evidence suggests that childr...
The Role of Ligand Steric Bulk in New Monovalent Aluminum Compounds.

The tetrameric Al(I) cyclopentadienyl compound Al4Cp*4 (Cp* = C5Me5) is a prototypical low-valence Al compound, with delocalized bonding between four Al(I) atoms and η5 ligands bound to the cluster exterior. The synthesis of new [AlR]4 (R = C5Me4Pr, C5Me4iPr) tetramers is presented. Though these systems failed to crystallize, comparison of variable-temperature 27Al NMR data with density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that these are Al4R4 tetramers analogous to Al4Cp*4 but with increased ligand steric bulk. NMR, DFT, and Atoms in Molecules analyses show that these clusters are enthalpically more stable as tetramers than the Cp* variant, due in part to noncovalent interactions across the bulkier ligand groups. Thermochemistry calculations for the low-valence metal interactions were found to be extremely sensitive to the DFT methodology used; the M06-2X functional with a cc-pVTZ basis set is shown to provide very accurate values for the enthalpy of tetramerization and 27Al NMR shifts. This com...
Sensitivity Analysis and Uncertainty Quantification in Pulmonary Drug Delivery of Orally Inhaled Pharmaceuticals

In spite of widespread use of modeling tools in inhalation dosimetry, it remains difficult to quantify the output uncertainties when subjected to various sources of input variability. This study aimed to develop a computational model that can quantify the input sensitivity and output uncertainty in pulmonary drug delivery by coupling probabilistic analysis package NESSUS with ANSYS Fluent. An image-based mouth-lung model was used to simulate the transport and deposition of drug particles and variability in particle size, density, and inhalation speed were considered. Results show that input variables have different importance levels on the delivered doses to lungs. For a given level of variability, the delivered dose is more sensitive to the variance of particle diameter than that of the inhalation speed and particle density. The range of input scatters has a profound impact on the outcome probability of delivered efficiencies, while the input distribution type (normal vs. log-normal) appears to have an insignificant effect. Despite normal distributions for all input variables, the output exhibits a non-normal distribution. The proposed model in this study allows easy specification of input distributions to conduct multivariable probabilistic analysis of inhalation drug deliveries, which can facilitate more reliable treatment planning and outcome assessment.
Trends in colorectal cancer mortality in hispanics: a SEER analysis.

// Afsaneh Barzi 1 , Dongyun Yang 1 , Sayedamin Mostofizadeh 1 and Heinz-Josef Lenz 1 1 Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA Correspondence to: Afsaneh Barzi, email: Barzi@usc.edu Keywords: hispanics; SEER; outcome; colorectal cancer; disparity Received: December 09, 2016 Accepted: July 23, 2017 Published: October 19, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality among Hispanics is lower than Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). If Hispanics receive equitable care and achieve the same degree of health benefit, their trend of better survival should be maintained. This study assesses mortality trends among Hispanics overtime to compare their survival improvement with NHW. Methods: We used the Incidence-Based Mortality database of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) to assess the mortality gap, which is defined as the difference in stage-specific mortality between NHWs and Hispanics, and currently has an advantage for Hispanics. Results: There is a statistically significant disparity in stage-specific mortality of CRC by race, with a higher proportion of deaths from metastatic disease among Hispanics than NHW (48% vs. 44% respectively). Comparing the time intervals of 2000-2005 and 2006-2011, mortality was reduced by 15.1% for NHWs and 5.9% for Hispanics, resulting in a narrowing of the mortality gap. The mortality gap between Hispanics and NHW is tapering overtime for every stage of the disease, reflecting that Hispanics have a disparity in CRC mortality. Conclusion: The mortality gap between Hispanics and NHWs is narrowing, supporting a significantly lower rate of mortality improvement in Hispanics. If the current trend continues, mortality rates in Hispanics will outpace that of NHWs.
Quantifier float as stranding

Quantifier float (as in The kids are all reading) has received two main analyses, with no consensus emerging as to which is superior. Under the stranding analysis (Sportiche 1988, a.m.o.), a floated quantifier and its associate underlyingly form a single nominal phrase (e.g., all the kids), which is broken up in the course of the derivation by movement of the associate to a higher position. Under the adverbial analysis (Doetjes 1992, a.m.o.), a floated quantifier does not form a constituent with its associate at any stage of the derivation; rather, it is an adverbial element adjoined to some clausal projection. This paper presents novel data from P’urhepecha (isolate, central-western Mexico)—and specifically from the variety spoken on the island of Janitzio on Lake Patzcuaro—that argue strongly in favor of the stranding analysis for this language. Janitzio P’urhepecha makes available a strikingly wide array of DP positions (most of them “subject” positions), and the distribution of floated quantifiers tracks that of ordinary DPs extremely faithfully. In addition, floated quantifiers match their associates in morphological case. These findings pose a considerable challenge to the hypothesis that quantifier float is universally derived by adjunction of the floated quantifier to a clausal projection.
Arachidonic acid-induced Ca 2+ entry and migration in a neuroendocrine cancer cell line

Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) has been implicated in the migration of some cancer cell lines. The canonical SOCE is defined as the Ca2+ entry that occurs in response to near-maximal depletion of Ca2+ within the endoplasmic reticulum. Alternatively, arachidonic acid (AA) has been shown to induce Ca2+ entry in a store-independent manner through Orai1/Orai3 hetero-multimeric channels. However, the role of this AA-induced Ca2+ entry pathway in cancer cell migration has not been adequately assessed. The present study investigated the involvement of AA-induced Ca2+ entry in migration in BON cells, a model gastro-enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEPNET) cell line using pharmacological and gene knockdown methods in combination with live cell fluorescence imaging and standard migration assays. We showed that both the store-dependent and AA-induced Ca2+ entry modes could be selectively activated and that exogenous administration of AA resulted in Ca2+ entry that was pharmacologically distinct from SOCE. Also, whereas homomeric Orai1-containing channels appeared to largely underlie SOCE, the AA-induced Ca2+ entry channel required the expression of Orai3 as well as Orai1. Moreover, we showed that AA treatment enhanced the migration of BON cells and that this migration could be abrogated by selective inhibition of the AA-induced Ca2+ entry. Taken together, these data revealed that an alternative Orai3-dependent Ca2+ entry pathway is an important signal for GEPNET cell migration.
Understanding language understanding: computational models of reading

This book highlights cutting-edge research relevant to the building of a computational model of reading comprehension, as in the processing and understanding of a natural language text or story. A distinguishing feature of the book is its emphasis on "real" understanding of "real" narrative texts rather than on syntactic parsing of single sentences taken out of context or on limited understanding of small, researcher-constructed stories.The book takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of reading, with contributions from computer science, psychology, and philosophy. Contributors cover the theoretical and psychological foundations of the research in discussions of what it means to understand a text, how one builds a computational model, and related issues in knowledge representation and reasoning. The book also addresses some of the broader issues that a natural language system must deal with, such as reading in context, linguistic novelty, and information extraction. Contributors: Dorrit Billman, Michael T. Cox, Eric Domeshek, Kurt Eiselt, Charles R. Fletcher, Richard Gerrig, Jennifer Holbrook, Eric Jones, Trent Lange, Mark Langston, Joe Magliano, Kavi Mahesh, Bonnie J.F. Meyer, Justin Peterson, William J. Rapaport, Ellen Riloff, Stuart C. Shapiro, Tom Trabasso, Charles M. Wharton.
Conical Quantum Billiard

The conical quantum billiard is examined. Wavefunctions are obtained in an open domain which excludes the polar axis, involving associated Legendre functions of the first and second kind. The first excited state is three-fold degenerate. One wavefunction is nonnodal. The nodal surface of either of the other states is a bisecting plane which includes the axis of the cone. These nodal properties maintain for 0 π/2, the nonnodal state acquires a nodal at θ = π/2. Thus, as with the image problem in two dimensions, there is critical vertex angle about which the nodal structure of one of the eigenstates suffers a topological change. This nodal transition is accompanied by a geometrical transformation of the cone from convex to concave. Solutions obtained are valid for all conical quantum billiards to the limit of the spherical quantum billiard excluding the polar axis.
Comparison of Prostate Specific Antigen with Prostate Specific Antigen Density for 3 Clinical Applications

AbstractWe compared prostate specific antigen (PSA) to PSA density for 3 clinical uses: detection of nonpalpable prostate cancer, staging of clinically localized prostate cancer and prediction of PSA detectability following radical prostatectomy. Of 153 men with normal digital rectal examinations undergoing prostate biopsy 25% had prostate cancer. Analysis of receiver operator characteristic curves demonstrated that PSA density predicted the outcome of biopsy significantly better than did PSA (p = 0.0013). Pathological examination of 155 radical prostatectomy specimens revealed that 56% had pathologically uncontained disease. There was no difference between the ability of PSA and PSA density to predict the pathological findings (p = 0.2379). PSA data more than 1 year postoperatively were available in 96 of the 155 prostatectomy patients. Of these men 41% had postoperative PSA levels of 0.1ng./ml. or more. Preoperative PSA and PSA density values were almost identical in the ability to identify these patien...
A Cotransformation Method To Identify a Restriction-Modification Enzyme That Reduces Conjugation Efficiency in Campylobacter jejuni.

ABSTRACT Conjugation is an important mechanism for horizontal gene transfer in Campylobacter jejuni, the leading cause of human bacterial gastroenteritis in developed countries. However, to date, the factors that significantly influence conjugation efficiency in Campylobacter spp. are still largely unknown. Given that multiple recombinant loci could independently occur within one recipient cell during natural transformation, the genetic materials from a high-frequency conjugation (HFC) C. jejuni strain may be cotransformed with a selection marker into a low-frequency conjugation (LFC) recipient strain, creating new HFC transformants suitable for the identification of conjugation factors using a comparative genomics approach. To test this, an erythromycin resistance selection marker was created in an HFC C. jejuni strain; subsequently, the DNA of this strain was naturally transformed into NCTC 11168, an LFC C. jejuni strain, leading to the isolation of NCTC 11168-derived HFC transformants. Whole-genome sequencing analysis and subsequent site-directed mutagenesis identified Cj1051c, a putative restriction-modification enzyme (aka CjeI) that could drastically reduce the conjugation efficiency of NCTC 11168 (>5,000-fold). Chromosomal complementation of three diverse HFC C. jejuni strains with CjeI also led to a dramatic reduction in conjugation efficiency (∼1,000-fold). The purified recombinant CjeI could effectively digest the Escherichia coli-derived shuttle vector pRY107. The endonuclease activity of CjeI was abolished upon short heat shock treatment at 50°C, which is consistent with our previous observation that heat shock enhanced conjugation efficiency in C. jejuni. Together, in this study, we successfully developed and utilized a unique cotransformation strategy to identify a restriction-modification enzyme that significantly influences conjugation efficiency in C. jejuni. IMPORTANCE Conjugation is an important horizontal gene transfer mechanism contributing to the evolution of bacterial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance. Campylobacter jejuni, the leading foodborne bacterial organism, displays significant strain diversity due to horizontal gene transfer; however, the molecular components influencing conjugation efficiency in C. jejuni are still largely unknown. In this study, we developed a cotransformation strategy for comparative genomics analysis and successfully identified a restriction-modification enzyme that significantly influences conjugation efficiency in C. jejuni. The new cotransformation strategy developed in this study is also expected to be broadly applied in other naturally competent bacteria for functional comparative genomics research.
Oral Signs of Hematologic Disease

The oral manifestations of hematologic disorders are variable and sometimes resemble other local or systemic conditions. In addition to the cutaneous and systemic findings, the mucous membranes, periodontal tissues, salivary glands, and perioral tissues are often impacted. The clinical constellation may include nonspecific findings such as hemorrhage; fungal, viral, and bacterial infections; ulcerations; and edema. When discussing hematologic disorders, white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet dyscrasias must be considered.
Habitat quality and disturbance drive lichen species richness in a temperate biodiversity hotspot

The impacts of disturbance on biodiversity and distributions have been studied in many systems. Yet, comparatively less is known about how lichens–obligate symbiotic organisms–respond to disturbance. Successful establishment and development of lichens require a minimum of two compatible yet usually unrelated species to be present in an environment, suggesting disturbance might be particularly detrimental. To address this gap, we focused on lichens, which are obligate symbiotic organisms that function as hubs of trophic interactions. Our investigation was conducted in the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA. We conducted complete biodiversity inventories of lichens (all growth forms, reproductive modes, substrates) across 47, 1-ha plots to test classic models of responses to disturbance (e.g., linear, unimodal). Disturbance was quantified in each plot using a standardized suite of habitat quality variables. We additionally quantified woody plant diversity, forest density, rock density, as well as environmental factors (elevation, temperature, precipitation, net primary productivity, slope, aspect) and analyzed their impacts on lichen biodiversity. Our analyses recovered a strong, positive, linear relationship between lichen biodiversity and habitat quality: lower levels of disturbance correlate to higher species diversity. With few exceptions, additional variables failed to significantly explain variation in diversity among plots for the 509 total lichen species, but we caution that total variation in some of these variables was limited in our study area. Strong, detrimental impacts of disturbance on lichen biodiversity raises concerns about conservation and land management practices that fail to incorporate complete estimates of biodiversity, especially from ecologically important organisms such as lichens.
Over the Top, Connected, Programmatic and Addressable Television! What Does It All Mean? Definitions and a Call for Research

The idea that television advertising will move to a situation where individuals watching the same programming will view different messages target to them has been around for some time, yet such exp...
Household Air Pollution in a Changing Tibet: A Mixed Methods Ethnography and Indoor Air Quality Measurements

Household air pollution (HAP) is considered to be one of the largest environmental health risks in the world, being responsible each year for ~4.3 million deaths globally and 420,000 in China. Tibetan regions of China are known for pristine ambient air but several recent studies have concluded that the indoor air quality in Tibetan homes is compromised. Tibet is changing rapidly and this study sought to holistically understand HAP in relation to these changes. We took 28 measurements of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) concentrations in a variety of Tibetan dwellings in the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. A semi-structured interview and ethnographic participant-observation were also administered with residents to better understand household behaviors and awareness of HAP. The highest concentrations of PM2.5 and BC were found in the traditional yak hair tent, but nomads living in plastic tarp tents with improved stoves and stovepipes also had very compromised indoor air quality. All of the nomads in this study said they would prefer to use a fuel other than yak dung. More nomads expressed concern about their local glacier melting due to climate change than HAP, and indoor trash burning was seen at all sites. This study suggests that raising awareness of health and climate impacts due to HAP, in addition to having a better dialogue among the stakeholders and the residents in Tibet, is essential for obtaining better indoor air quality in the region.
Rab27b regulates the release, autophagic clearance, and toxicity of alpha-synuclein

Alpha synuclein (syn) is the primary component of proteinaceous aggregates termed Lewy Bodies that pathologically define synucleinopathies including Parkinsons disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Syn is hypothesized to spread through the brain in a prion-like fashion by misfolded protein forming a template for aggregation of endogenous syn. The release and uptake of syn from cell to cell are considered important processes for this prion-like spread. Rab27b is one of several GTPases essential to the endosomal-lysosomal pathway and is implicated in protein secretion and clearance but has yet to be characterized in its role in syn spread. In this study, we used a paracrine syn in vitro model to test the impact of Rab27b on syn release, clearance, and toxicity. shRNA-mediated knockdown (KD) of Rab27b increased syn-mediated paracrine toxicity. While Rab27b reduced syn release primarily through non-exosomal pathways, the syn released under KD conditions was of higher molecular weight species by size exclusion chromatography. Rab27b KD increased intracellular insoluble syn levels and led to an accumulation of endogenous LC3 positive puncta. Rab27b KD also decreased LC3 turnover with chloroquine treatment, indicating a defect in autophagic flux. Rab27b protein levels were increased in postmortem human brain lysates from PD and DLB subjects compared to healthy controls. These data indicate a role for Rab27b in the release, clearance, and toxicity of syn and ultimately in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies.
Lived Experience and Knotty Networks

As I begin to think about what to write for my first editorial, I can’t help but to reflect on the past year from a local and global perspective. The ripple effects of the pandemic; lived experienc...
Detecting Abnormal Profiles in the Database of a PV plant Through Programmatic Comparison of Per Unit Profiles

This paper proposes a new concept to detect the abnormal profiles of a grid-tied PV plant. Continuous measurement of many parameters and storage in the database is a routine task performed by any commercial Grid-tied PV plant. Detecting the abnormalities in the operation of PV plant is an import part of the reliable operation of the PV plant. Operational factors like electrical and non-electrical faults result in ‘abnormal’ profiles. However, non-operational factors like interruptions in the data transfer protocols found filling the database with ‘corrupt’ data leading to the ‘abnormal’ profiles. Detecting ‘abnormal’ profiles is crucial to the operation of PV plant. A new concept of comparing the daily profiles of a set of parameters and labeling a day normal or abnormal is proposed in this paper. The methods are programmed to detect the data on a given day is ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal.’ Recorded data from a 6.2 kW grid-tied PV plant is used for validating the proposed methods. A sample dataset and proposed methods can be downloaded at https://ieee-dataport.org/authors/manjunathmatam.
Nurse Practitioner Scope-of-Practice Laws and Opioid Prescribing.

Policy Points The increased use of nurse practitioners represents a viable policy option to address continuing access-to-care deficiencies across the United States, but state scope-of-practice laws limit the ability of nurse practitioners to deliver health care. Groups in favor of restrictive scope-of-practice laws have argued that relaxing these laws will lead to increases in opioid prescriptions during an already severe opioid crisis, implicating patient safety concerns. An examination of a data set of 1.5 billion opioid prescriptions demonstrates that relaxing nurse practitioner scope-of-practice laws generally reduces opioid prescriptions. This evidence supports eliminating restrictive scope-of-practice laws that currently govern nurse practitioners in many states. Context As many parts of the United States continue to face physician shortages, the increased use of nurse practitioners (NPs) can improve access to care. However, state scope-of-practice (SOP) laws limit the ability of NPs to provide care by restricting the services they can provide and often requiring physician supervision of their practices. One important justification for the continuation of these restrictive SOP laws is preventing the overprescription of certain medications, particularly opioids. Methods This study examined a data set of approximately 1.5 billion individual opioid prescriptions between 2011 and 2018, which were aggregated to the individual provider-year level. A series of difference-in-differences regression models was estimated to examine the association between laws allowing NPs to practice independently and opioid prescribing patterns among physicians and NPs. Opioid prescriptions were measured in total annual morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) prescribed by individual providers. Findings Across all NPs and physicians, independent NP practice was associated with a statistically significant decline of 6%, 2%, 3%, 7%, and 5% in total annual MMEs prescribed to commercially insured, cash-paying, Medicare, government-assistance, and all patients, respectively. Medicaid patients saw no statistically significant change in annual MMEs. Across all payers, NPs generally increase and physicians generally decrease the number of opioids they prescribe following a grant of NP independence. These counterbalancing changes result in an overall net decline in MMEs. Conclusions No evidence supports the contention that allowing NPs to practice independently increases opioid prescriptions. The results support policy changes that allow NPs to practice independently.
Cerebral demyelination with internuclear ophthalmoplegia following wasp sting.

Sir,A 46 year aged female presented with history of wasp sting on the scalp ten days back when she visited a forest area along with a group of women for collecting firewood. Her companions witnesse...
Reactive, Developmental, Inflammatory, and Tumorlike Conditions

A variety of reactive, developmental, inflammatory, and tumorlike conditions can occur in the mediastinum (Table 1.1). Congenital and developmental cysts can present as a mass lesion in the mediastinum and may occur in a variety of settings. Congenital cysts usually occur in younger patients and are unilocular and small; they can arise anywhere along the anatomic course of embryonic descent of the thymus, including the neck. Developmental cysts can arise from displaced or ectopic remnants, such as foregut cysts and enteric duplication cysts. Acquired cysts can arise as a result of underlying inflammatory processes and can grow to be quite large and multiloculated. Thymic hyperplasia is another reactive process that presents as enlargement of the thymus and clinically can simulate a malignancy. Inflammatory conditions affecting the mediastinum include acute and chronic inflammation (mediastinitis), granulomatous processes related to sarcoidosis (affecting primarily mediastinal lymph nodes) or fungal infection, and end-stage fibrosing inflammation resulting in idiopathic sclerosing mediastinitis. Other developmental abnormalities that occur with some frequency in the mediastinum are the presence of ectopic thyroid or parathyroid tissue, which may give rise to tumor growths secondary to hyperplasia, benign nodules, or development of malignancy. Finally, a variety of benign tumorlike conditions in this anatomic compartment can lead to tumor masses that may be confused with malignancy, including thymolipoma, thymofibrolipoma, and Castleman’s disease.
The Molecular Biology of the Vitamin D Receptor

Vitamin D was discovered as a micronutrient that is essential for normal skeletal development and for maintaining bone integrity. Its importance in bone physiology is most apparent in the deficiency state, in which the lack of vitamin D produces rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. However, vitamin D is more appropriately classified as a hormone, and it is the vitamin D endocrine system that regulates skeletal homeostasis. In response to hypocalcemia and elevated parathyroid hormone, the kidney synthesizes and releases 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], the bioactive, hormonal form of vitamin D. 1,25(OH)2D3 acts on mineral-regulating target tissues such as intestine, bone, kidney, and parathyroid glands to maintain normal calcium and mineral homeostasis. Its predominant role is to enhance the intestinal absorption of dietary calcium and phosphorus. Thus, vitamin D preserves skeletal calcium by ensuring that adequate absorption of dietary calcium takes place. In addition to this calciotropic role, vitamin D functions in a plethora of cellular actions, perhaps the most fundamental of which is cellular differentiation (1). In skeletal tissue, 1,25(OH)2D3 increases osteoclast number (2) possibly by inducing the differentiation of preosteoclasts into mature boneresorbing cells (3). Vitamin D also acts directly on the osteoblast, in which one well-established effect is stimulating the synthesis of several bone matrix proteins including osteocalcin and osteopontin. Thus vitamin D is thought to preserve and maintain the integrity of the bony tissues via an integrated series of diverse effects.
Exploring soybean integrated pest management in a changing agricultural environment: the impacts of decreasing ecosystem services, invasive species and specialty cultivars

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a recently invasive pest to North America. Integrated pest management strategies exist for minimizing the impact of the soybean aphid on yield. These strategies were developed from field‐based research conducted under the environmental conditions of the time and using commodity soybean plants. The increased use of broad spectrum insecticides and the increased simplification of the landscape along with the release of altered fatty acid soybean cultivars have led to changes in the agricultural environment. How these changes affect soybean aphid population dynamics and interactions between the soybean aphid and other pests is investigated. The first objective was to determine how reduced natural enemy services may impact soybean aphid population growth between the economic threshold and economic injury level. The second objective was to determine how the soybean aphid could indirectly interact with the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines Ichinhoe and the brown stem rot fungus, Cadophora gregata Harrington and McNew. The third and fourth objectives were to determine the effect of altered fatty acid cultivars on soybean pests and pathogens. Objective four quantified the effect of these cultivars on the performance of the soybean aphid, soybean cyst nematode and brown stem rot. Objective five addressed how the alterations in fatty acid synthesis pathways present in these cultivars may affect plant volatile emissions and the downstream impact this has on host plant selection by the bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata Forster (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).
Biochemical assessment of the effects of acivicin and dipyridamole given as a continuous 72-hour intravenous infusion.

Since this Phase I trial was based on a strategy of biochemical modulation, namely, the inhibition of nucleoside uptake by dipyridamole, a biochemical assessment of the actions of acivicin and dipyridamole was undertaken in order to aid our interpretation of the clinical findings. The primary biochemical objectives of this trial were: (a) to determine whether plasma levels of dipyridamole sufficient to inhibit nucleoside uptake could be achieved with a 72-h continuous i.v. infusion; (b) to monitor the effects of acivicin on two key enzymatic targets, CTP synthetase and GMP synthetase; and (c) to evaluate changes in cellular ribonucleoside triphosphate pools during therapy. Since peripheral blood mononuclear cells have relevant biochemical targets and can be serially obtained during the course of therapy, the biochemical effects of acivicin and dipyridamole were determined in these cells. At the maximally tolerated dose of dipyridamole (23.1 mg/kg/72 h), the steady-state concentrations of total and free dipyridamole averaged 11.9 microM and 27.8 nM, respectively. These levels were sufficient to inhibit cytidine (1 microM) uptake by greater than 50% in the lymphocytes of five of six patients so treated. Using lymphocytes obtained from 14 normal volunteers the concentration of free dipyridamole needed to inhibit the uptake of 1 microM cytidine by 50% averaged 13.8 +/- 1.1 nM. The plasma levels of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, which tightly binds dipyridamole, ranged from 60 to 300 mg/dl in the patients in this study. As a consequence there were wide variations in the percentage of dipyridamole present as the unbound, pharmacologically active form and in the rates of dipyridamole clearance. The decreased rate of dipyridamole clearance seen in patients with high levels of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein resulted in higher plasma concentrations of total dipyridamole and compensated for the reduced fraction of free drug. Therefore, the plasma concentration of free dipyridamole varied much less than the total drug concentration in these patients. CTP synthetase and GMP synthetase activities were measured in patients' peripheral mononuclear cells prior to and at various times during therapy. CTP synthetase activity was inhibited in a time-dependent fashion by greater than 75% in seven of 13 evaluable courses; GMP synthetase was similarly inhibited in only three of ten cases. Ribonucleoside triphosphate pools were also measured in the patient's lymphocytes. CTP pool reductions of 30 to 50% were seen in nine of 19 courses, but in only four cases was the inhibition greater than 50%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
TASEP with discontinuous jump rates

We prove a hydrodynamic limit for the totally asymmetric simple exclusion process with spatially inhomogeneous jump rates given by a speed function that may admit discontinuities. The limiting density profiles are described with a variational formula. This formula enables us to compute explicit density profiles even though we have no information about the invariant distributions of the process. In the case of a two-phase flux for which a suitable p.d.e. theory has been developed we also observe that the limit profiles are entropy solutions of the corresponding scalar conservation law with a discontinuous speed function.
A Unifying Programming Model for Parallel Graph Algorithms

Abstractions and programming models simplify the writing of programs by providing a clear mental framework for reasoning about problem domains and for isolating program expression from irrelevant implementation details. This paper focuses on the domain of graph algorithms, where there are several classes of details that we would like to hide from the programmer, including execution model, granularity of decomposition, and data representation. Most current systems expose some or all of these issues at the same level as their graph abstractions, constraining portability and extensibility while also negatively impacting programmer productivity. To address these challenges, this paper presents a unifying generalized SIMD-like programming model (and corresponding C++ implementation) that can be used to uniformly express graph and other irregular applications on a wide range of types of parallelism, decompositions, and data representations. With respect to these issues, we develop a detailed analysis of our approach and compare it to a number of popular alternatives.
Interleukin-21 receptor blockade inhibits secondary humoral responses and halts the progression of preestablished disease in the (NZB × NZW)F1 systemic lupus erythematosus model.

Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that is driven in part by chronic B and T lymphocyte hyperresponsiveness to self antigens. A deficiency of interleukin-21 (IL-21) or IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) in mice dramatically reduces inflammation and B and T cell activation in models of autoimmunity, including SLE. However, whether IL-21 is essential for the maintenance and amplification of preestablished inflammation has not been widely examined in various animal models. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of novel mouse IL-21R neutralizing antibodies on recall responses to antigen challenge and on disease progression in the (NZB × NZW)F1 (NZB/NZW) mouse model of SLE. Methods Humoral and cellular immune responses to immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) were measured in mice dosed with IL-21R blocking antibodies. Progression of nephritis and markers of immune activation was monitored in NZB/NZW mice following different anti–IL-21R treatment regimens. Results IL-21R blockade specifically inhibited secondary IgG responses to SRBC immunization. In NZB/NZW mice, IL-21R blockade completely inhibited the onset of nephritis, which was associated with dramatic reductions in splenomegaly and in B cell and T cell activation. When administered to mice with preexisting disease, anti–IL-21R antibody halted the disease progression and mortality and reversed the nephritis in a subset of mice. Furthermore, treatment cessation was not followed by rapid reemergence of disease. Conclusion Our results highlight the importance of IL-21 in promoting humoral recall responses and in sustaining autoimmune inflammation.
Neuroimaging Endophenotypes in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has a strong genetic basis, and is heterogeneous in its etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation. Neuroimaging studies, in concert with neuropathological and clinical research, have been instrumental in delineating trajectories of development in children with ASD. Structural neuroimaging has revealed ASD to be a disorder with general and regional brain enlargement, especially in the frontotemporal cortices, while functional neuroimaging studies have highlighted diminished connectivity, especially between frontal-posterior regions. The diverse and specific neuroimaging findings may represent potential neuroendophenotypes, and may offer opportunities to further understand the etiopathogenesis of ASD, predict treatment response, and lead to the development of new therapies.