cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational Strategies for Identification of Bimetallic Ethylene Epoxidation Catalysts

Publisher Summary A combination of quantum mechanical techniques and microkinetic modeling has been employed to explore improved catalysts than Ag for the ethylene epoxidation process. A combination of 10 bimetallic catalysts and pure Ag was investigated. Rather than carrying out a large number of computationally expensive Nudged Elastic Band calculations on periodic slabs, a cluster approach was employed by assuming the same transition state on different bimetallic catalysts as that on pure Ag. This approach results in tremendous computational savings, while maintaining reasonable accuracy. On the basis of the density functional theory (DFT) calculations for the oxametallacycle (OME) branching reactions, only AgCu, AgPd, and AgPt are predicted to be better catalysts than pure Ag for EO selectivity. Microkinetic modeling was used to incorporate the DFT results into amore comprehensive model and AgCu was found to be the only bimetallic catalyst that results in significantly higher EO selectivity than pure Ag. According to the microkinetic analysis, AgPd and AgPt do not lead to improved selectivity because of the high stability of the OME on these catalysts. Overall, this study confirms that AgCu is the only promising bimetallic catalyst out of the 10 combinations considered.
The Entrepreneurial Commons: Reframing the Relationship Between Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship

Framing the relationship between intellectual property and entrepreneurship in the terms described here leads both to a positive and normative research agenda. As a descriptive matter, there is much to be gained from systematically studying these questions in a variety of different contexts. Indeed, a fuller picture of the relationship requires numerous case studies of different firms and different industries. From this descriptive knowledge base, normative conclusions about changes to our intellectual property laws and rules that would benefit entrepreneurs can more readily and justifiably be drawn.
Abstract 1196: Enhancement of anti-melanoma effect of BRAF and MEK inhibition by metformin

Introduction: Metformin has been shown to inhibit human cancer cell growth via activation of MAP kinase with resultant inhibition of mTOR signaling pathway. Recent clinical evidence demonstrated the anti-melanoma effect of combined mutant BRAF inhibition and MEK inhibition. We determined the effect of metformin in combination with mutant BRAF and MEK inhibition on melanoma proliferation and the possible mechanisms. Methods: Human melanoma cells (SK-23, Mel888, Mel1861) were treated with Metformin (1-20 mM), PLX4032 (a mutant BRAF inhibitor, 1-20 uM), AZD6244 (a MEK inhibitor, 1-20 uM), or combination. Cell proliferation assay was performed using Cell Titer Blue assay. Western blotting was performed to determine the expression of PARP, caspases-9, LC3A/B,Beclin1, pERK, pMEK, AMPKa, p70S6, and p4E-BP1. GAPDH was used as internal control. Autophagy was further analyzed with immunofluorescence with LC-3 and NECN1 anti-antibody for visualization of lysosomal morphology and evaluated under the Nikon Eclipse Ti microscope (20×). DAPI was used to counter stain the nucleus. Apoptosis was further analyzed with flow cytometry using FITC Annexin V Apoptosis Detection Kit (BD Biosciences). Data were presented as means ± SD for the three separate experiments. For comparison between groups, the student9s t test was used and p Results: There was dose-dependent inhibition of melanoma cell proliferation with either metformin(M), PLX4032(P), and AZD6244(A). Addition of M to PA combination had synergistic effect on the anti-melanoma proliferative effect of PA. Significantly increased expression (p Conclusion: We have observed a synergistic effect on suppressing human melanoma proliferation with the addition of metformin to combined inhibition of mutant BRAF and MEK. The synergism is due to enhanced inhibition of mTOR signaling pathways. Citation Format: Yanping Zhang, Guangyong Peng, Eddy C. Hsueh. Enhancement of anti-melanoma effect of BRAF and MEK inhibition by metformin. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1196. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1196
Towards understanding the capability of spatial audio feedback in virtual environments for people with visual impairments

This research analyzes if and how the Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) can be used to support effective Human-Computer Interaction when people in a Virtual Environment (VE) without visual feedback. If sounds can be located in a VE by using HRTF only, designing and developing considerably safer but diversified training environments might greatly benefit individuals with visual impairments. To investigate this, we ran 2 usability studies: 1) to ascertain whether the HRTF could provide sufficient position information in VEs; 2) to learn whether the HRTF could provide sufficient distance and direction information in VEs. The results showed that a continuous audio feedback could help navigate in a VE without vision feedback.
Analyzing Food Samples—Organic Chemicals

In this chapter instruction is provided for the analysis of organic chemical residues in an advanced Total Diet Study (TDS). The most extreme and varied food matrices in the diet of the population are analyzed for over 500 organic chemicals at extreme trace levels, as low as 0.1 parts per billion. To accomplish this feat samples are analyzed by multiple analytical methods ranging from single residue methods that target specific compounds in a limited range of matrix types to general screening procedures capable of determining hundreds of analytes found in the full spectrum of matrices. A variety of instruments are employed for the determinations, including liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode, and a few older techniques such as GC with flame photometric detection. Critical attention is applied to the correct identification of residues and all analyses are conducted within an exhaustive quality management system. All these topics are briefly addressed in this chapter, in addition to quick overviews of some chemical contaminant exposures calculated from almost 40 years of United States TDS data.
US Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 Clinical Knowledge Score in Dermatology Resident Selection.

This survey analysis assesses the use of USMLE Step 2 CK scores in resident selection in US dermatology residency programs.
Introduction: The Shelf Life of a Meme

“Introduction: The Shelf Life of a Meme” provides an overview of the writer’s argument, highlights the ubiquity of the phrase “the male gaze” and its conceptual impact and implications, and explains the choices the writer made in titling and structuring Reading the Male Gaze.
Feeder-cell-independent culture of the pig embryonic stem cell-derived exocrine pancreatic cell line, PICM-31

The adaptation to feeder-independent growth of a pig embryonic stem cell-derived pancreatic cell line is described. The parental PICM-31 cell line, previously characterized as an exocrine pancreas cell line, was colony-cloned two times in succession resulting in the derivative cell line, PICM-31A1. PICM-31A1 cells were adapted to growth on a polymerized collagen matrix using feeder cell-conditioned medium and were designated PICM-31FF. Like the parental cells, the PICM-31FF cells were small and grew relatively slowly in closely knit colonies that eventually coalesced into a continuous monolayer. The PICM-31FF cells were extensively cultured: 40 passages at 1:2, 1:3, and finally 1:5 split ratios over a 1-yr period. Ultrastructure analysis showed the cells' epithelial morphology and revealed that they retained their secretory granules typical of pancreas acinar cells. The cells maintained their expression of digestive enzymes, including carboxypeptidase A1 (CPA1), amylase 2A (AMY2A), and phospholipase A2 (PLA2G1B). Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a fetal cell marker, continued to be expressed by the cells as was the pancreas alpha cell-associated gene, transthyretin. Several pancreas-associated developmental genes were also expressed by the cells, including pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) and pancreas-specific transcription factor, 1a (PTF1A). Proteomic analysis of cellular proteins confirmed the cells' production of digestive enzymes and showed that the cells expressed cytokeratin-8 and cytokeratin-18. The PICM-31FF cell line provides an in vitro model of fetal pig pancreatic exocrine cells without the complicating presence of feeder cells.
High-Pressure Evolution of Crystal Bonding Structures and Properties of FeOOH.

Recent conflicting reports on the high-pressure structural evolution of iron oxide-hydroxide (FeOOH) offer starkly contrasting scenarios for the hydrogen and oxygen cycles in Earth’s interior. Here we explore the crystal structures of FeOOH using an advanced search algorithm combined with first-principles calculations. Our results indicate a phase transition around 70 GPa from the known e-FeOOH to a new pyrite-type FeOOH (P-FeOOH) phase, and the two phases remain nearly degenerate in an unusually large pressure range. These findings clarify and explain the experimentally observed structural evolution and extensive phase coexistence. Moreover, our structure search identifies a previously unknown monoclinic (M-FeOOH) phase that is energetically close to P-FeOOH at pressures near the core-mantle boundary. We further reveal that the high-pressure FeOOH phases exhibit remarkably distinct sound-velocity profiles, providing key material properties essential to interpreting seismic data and elucidating FeOOH’s in...
Mixed metal double salt ionic liquids comprised of [HN222]2[ZnCl4] and AlCl3 provide tunable Lewis acid catalysts related to the ionic environment.

Two solids of differing Lewis acidities, triethylammonium tetrachlorozincate ([HN222]2[ZnCl4]) and AlCl3, have been combined across 0.1 to 0.9 mole fractions (with respect to [HN222]2[ZnCl4]), and homogeneous solid double salts or mixed metal [HN222]2x[(1 − x)AlCl3 + xZnCl4] double salt ionic liquids (DSILs) were obtained at x = 0.33, 0.4, and 0.5 with varying Lewis acidities. The characterization of the prepared DSILs (melting point, color, homogeneity, 1H, 13C, and 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR), single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), and matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry) suggests that [HN222]2[ZnCl4] transfers Cl− from [ZnCl4]2− to the stronger Lewis acid AlCl3, forming intermediate acidic DSILs with [AlCl4]− and [Al2Cl7]− anions and mixed anionic Zn species. Qualitative Lewis acidity measurements using acetonitrile as an IR-active probe showed that the acidity of the DSILs decreased as the amount of [ZnCl4]2− increased. In a Beckman rearrangement reaction of acetophenone oxime, significant catalytic activity was observed for the DSIL at x = 0.33, where the activity of the DSIL was found to be even higher than [HN222][Al2Cl7], AlCl3, [HN222]2[ZnCl4], or ZnCl2 despite its lower Lewis acidity, apparently due to the synergistic effect of AlCl3 and [ZnCl4]2− as Cl− donors for the formation of catalytically active species. The findings illustrate a DSIL-based approach for modifying the catalytic activity of a known complex without changing its inner coordination sphere.
Estrogen Receptor Knock-Out Mice: Molecular and Endocrine Phenotypes:

Using gene-targeting techniques, transgenic, knock-out (KO) mice, homozygous for the disrupted estrogen receptor α (αERKO) and β gene (βERKO) have been produced. Estrogen receptor (ER) β expression does not appear to be dependent on ER α expression. Progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA is detected in αERKO mice and appears to have both estrogen-independent and -dependent gene regulation. The phenotypic differences in αERKO and βERKO mice are described. Additional studies will further define the specific roles of ER α and ER β in various tissues.
Determinants of skeletal muscle protein turnover following severe burn trauma in children

Summary Background & aims Burns remain the fifth cause of non-fatal pediatric injuries globally, with muscle cachexia being a hallmark of the stress response to burns. Burn-induced muscle wasting is associated with morbidity, yet the determinants of muscle protein catabolism in response to burn trauma remains unclear. Our objective was to determine the effect of patient and injury characteristics on muscle protein kinetics in burn patients. Methods This retrospective, observational study was performed using protein kinetic data from pediatric patients who had severe burns (>30% of the total body surface area burned) and underwent cross-limb stable isotope infusions between 1999 and 2008 as part of prospective clinical trials. Mixed multiple regression models were used to assess associations between patient/injury characteristics and muscle protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR), net balance (NB), and rates of phenylalanine appearance (Ra; index of protein breakdown) and disappearance (Rd; index of protein synthesis) across the leg. Results A total of 268 patients who underwent 499 studies were analyzed. Increasing time post injury was associated with greater FSR (p Conclusions Data from this large patient cohort show that injury severity, sex, and time post injury influence skeletal muscle wasting in burned children. These findings suggest that individual patient characteristics should be considered when devising therapies to improve the acute care and rehabilitation of burn survivors.
Hardware for fast global operations on distributed memory multicomputers and multiprocessors

"Grand Challenge" problems such as climate modeling to predict droughts and human genome mapping to predict and possibly cure diseases such as cancer require massive computing power. Three kinds of computer systems currently used in attempts to solve these problems are "Big Iron" multicomputers such as the Intel Paragon, workstation cluster multicomputers, and distributed shared memory multiprocessors such as the Cray T3D. Machines such as these are inefficient in executing some or all of a set of global program operations which are important in many of the "Grand Challenge" programs. These operations include synchronization, reduction, MAX, MIN, one-to-all broadcasting, all-to-all broadcasting, and orderly access to global shared variables. My hypothesis was that a secondary network with a wide tree topology and one or more centralized processors optimized for these operations could substantially decrease their execution time on all three types of systems. To test my hypothesis, I developed the secondary network and Coordination Processor(COP) system described in this dissertation, modeled the major blocks of the design in VHDL, and simulated these blocks to verify their logic and get realistic timing values. The analyses developed for the COP system clearly demonstrate that it can speed up a variety of common global operations by as much as 2-3 orders of magnitude when added to any of several current multicomputers and multiprocessors. Examples show that this speedup reduces overall execution time for important scientific programs and computational kernels by an average of 25% at an increase in system cost of only about 2%. Further analyses show that for these global operations the COP system has a greater combination of speed and versatility than any other system.
Facile Synthesis of a Diverse Library of Mono-3-substituted β-Cyclodextrin Analogues

Substituted cyclodextrins (CDs) have many applications, but synthetic challenges have limited the derivatives that can routinely be accessed. In particular, although there is considerable interest ...
Analytics Makes Inventory Planning a Lights-Out Activity at Intel Corporation

The authors document more than a decade of work to develop an automated inventory target-setting process to enable Intel to manage more than $1 billion of finished-goods inventory.
Edge-Based Anomalous Sensor Placement Detection for Participatory Sensing of Urban Heat Islands

Crowdsensing temperature data have enabled a paradigm shift in the ways we collect data and analyze the heat exposure effects on individuals and communities. The use of low-cost sensors has helped in gathering granular spatiotemporal temperature data and capturing ever-changing ambient environmental conditions. However, this practice poses challenges such as sensor failures and data integrity. One of the main concerns of the participatory sensing approach is the misplacement of temperature sensors in a way that they are not exposed to the natural outdoor environment. We propose a novel approach to detect anomalous sensor placement in a semi-real-time manner at the edge of the Internet. We introduce a sliding window technique in conjunction with supervised learning classifiers to detect anomalously-placed sensors effectively. This approach is based on the empirical observation that temperature readings show more frequent fluctuations while exposed to the outdoor environment. We also conduct a series of comparative performance analysis of different classifiers including SVM, Logistic Regression, and Random Forest.
CAR T cell trogocytosis and cooperative killing regulate tumour antigen escape

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are synthetic antigen receptors that reprogram T cell specificity, function and persistence1. Patient-derived CAR T cells have demonstrated remarkable efficacy against a range of B-cell malignancies1-3, and the results of early clinical trials suggest activity in multiple myeloma4. Despite high complete response rates, relapses occur in a large fraction of patients; some of these are antigen-negative and others are antigen-low1,2,4-9. Unlike the mechanisms that result in complete and permanent antigen loss6,8,9, those that lead to escape of antigen-low tumours remain unclear. Here, using mouse models of leukaemia, we show that CARs provoke reversible antigen loss through trogocytosis, an active process in which the target antigen is transferred to T cells, thereby decreasing target density on tumour cells and abating T cell activity by promoting fratricide T cell killing and T cell exhaustion. These mechanisms affect both CD28- and 4-1BB-based CARs, albeit differentially, depending on antigen density. These dynamic features can be offset by cooperative killing and combinatorial targeting to augment tumour responses to immunotherapy.
Exploring Latino Preservice Teachers' Attitudes and Beliefs about Learning and Teaching Science: What Are the Critical Factors?.

This qualitative study explores the in- and out-of-school experiences that could have influenced elementary preservice teachers’ beliefs and attitudes toward learning and teaching science. Participants were 126 Latina/o EC-6 preservice teachers in the context of a 16-week undergraduate level elementary methods course. Data sources consisted of written reflections and semi-structure interviews. Findings show that preservice Latino teachers’ views about science can be determined by multiple factors, being the most important, their science teachers’ attitudes and the type of instruction they received as students from elementary through high school. Participation in science activities with their families and media influence were other factors. Implications relate to creating more engaging science lessons and valuing in- and outside school students’ everyday experiences. These findings add to a growing literature on educational attainment gaps in the STEM field.
On the Relative Impact of Intraluminal Thrombus Heterogeneity on Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Mechanics

Intraluminal thrombus (ILT) is present in the majority of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) of a size warranting consideration for surgical or endovascular intervention. The rupture risk of AAAs is thought to be related to the balance of vessel wall strength and the mechanical stress caused by systemic blood pressure. Previous finite element analyses of AAAs have shown that ILT can reduce and homogenize aneurysm wall stress. These works have largely considered ILT to be homogeneous in mechanical character or have idealized a stiffness distribution through the thrombus thickness. In this work, we use MRI to delineate the heterogeneous composition of ILT in 7 AAAs and perform patient-specific finite element analysis under multiple conditions of ILT layer stiffness disparity. We find that explicit incorporation of ILT heterogeneity in the finite element analysis is unlikely to substantially alter major stress analysis predictions regarding aneurysm rupture risk in comparison to models assuming a homogenous thrombus, provided that the maximal ILT stiffness is the same between models. Our results also show that under a homogeneous ILT assumption, the choice of ILT stiffness from values common in the literature can result in significantly larger variations in stress predictions compared to the effects of thrombus heterogeneity.
A trip to the zoo: colonial sightseeing and spectacle in Sudan (1901–1933)

During the early years of British colonial rule in Sudan, ‘notables’ from the colony's southern provinces travelled to Khartoum on diplomatic missions and to visit friends and family. Sightseeing b...
2083 Hemihysterectomy of Non-Communicating Rudimentary Horn Following a Missed Abortion

Video Objective The objectives of this film are to demonstrate the surgical management of a missed abortion in a non-communicating rudimentary horn. The majority of these pregnancies present with uterine rupture in the second trimester, making them difficult to manage and often hard to detect early in gestation. In this case presentation, the patient had previously failed medical management and suction dilation and curettage (D&C) prior to presenting to our clinic. The viewer should be able to understand the management of pregnancies in association with mullerian anomalies. Setting The film describes the case of a previously healthy 40 y/o G2P1 who presents to outpatient clinic after failing medical management and suction D&C for a missed abortion. Interventions An ultrasound (U/S) at the outlying provider's office confirmed a 5 week 5 day pregnancy in the right horn with uncertain cardiac activity. A follow-up U/S confirmed a missed abortion in the right horn. She underwent two doses of misoprostol with no resolution. A curette was unable to be passed during D&C. Upon referral, hysteroscopy was performed and a communication between the horns was unable to be visualized. She was immediately scheduled for a right hemi-hysterectomy and right salpingectomy the following day. The procedure was performed paying careful attention to the ureters, as mullerian anomalies are commonly associated with genitourinary anomalies as well. Conclusion To our knowledge, no report of a similar case exists in the literature. Our video highlights the surgical techniques and methods used to evaluate and treat a missed abortion within a non-communicating rudimentary horn. We intend to increase awareness regarding mullerian anomalies and the ways in which they can present. Careful attention must be paid to patients presenting with pregnancies in association with mullerian anomalies. The high risk of uterine rupture necessitates immediate surgical management.
Racial Disparities in Patient-Reported Measures of Physician Cultural Competency Among Cancer Survivors in the United States.

This survey study assesses the role that physician cultural competency plays in racial disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes.
Network Growth Modeling to Capture Individual Lexical Learning

Network models of language provide a systematic way of linking cognitive processes to the structure and connectivity of language. Using network growth models to capture learning, we focus on the study of the emergence of complexity in early language learners. Specifically, we capture the emergent structure of young toddler’s vocabularies through network growth models assuming underlying knowledge representations of semantic and phonological networks. In construction and analyses of these network growth models, we explore whether phonological or semantic relationships between words play a larger role in predicting network growth as these young learners add new words to their lexicon. We also examine how the importance of these semantic and phonological representations changes during the course of development. We propose a novel and significant theoretical framework for network growth models of acquisition and test the ability of these models to predict what words a specific child is likely to learn approximately one month in the future. We find that which acquisition model best fits is influenced by the underlying network representation, the assumed process of growth, and the network centrality measure used to relate the cognitive underpinnings of acquisition to network growth. The joint importance of representation, process, and the contribution of individual words to the predictive accuracy of the network model highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of early acquisition, provides new tools, and suggests experimental hypotheses for studying lexical acquisition.
The Long Winter of 1880/81

CapsuleThe Hard Winter of 1880-1881 was among the most severe in the north central United States since modern records began, living up to its characterization in literature and folklore.
Som e verdade: pesquisa interdisciplinar em som e composição musical

This article examines some aspects my recent interdisciplinary research on sound phenomenology and musical composition, which explores philosophical, cultural, social, and political issues and engage a subjective and multipolar dialog with technology. New forms of technologically mediated listening, new processes of producing, manipulating, and transforming sound shape our lives and occupy our physical and existential living spaces. Wittgenstein suggests that sound is only the surface of music and that the musical work conceals something more profound that can hardly be described by logical-philosophical models or scientific theories. As an illustration of my compositional work, I discuss some ideas of my work The Refrigerator (2014), digital oratorio that thematizes my experience of torture during the military dictatorship in Brazil and reflects on Camus existential philosophical concept of absurdity. Husserl’s phenomenology of time consciousness supports my research on sound phenomenology focused on electroacoustic music. Based on Kuhn’s concept of scientific paradigm, I draft the idea of an electroacoustic paradigm as disciplinary matrix of contemporary music. I examine the concept of apparatus from the points of view of Agamben and Flusser as a key notion for understanding the current phase of capitalism and the structures of communication and creativity of the cybernetic society. Finally, I discuss Heidegger’s view of truth as the essence of art. Art help us to develop a new understanding of the being that moves from a modern aesthetic experience of an art object to a post-modern approach to the work of art. The university is a privileged environment to observe interdisciplinary connections between artistic disciplines and the intersections between art, technology, and society. The university’s role is not only to interpret and spread scientific and humanistic knowledge but to embrace cultural diversity by offering multiple perspectives for advancing research and critical thinking.
TRPML1 channels initiate Ca2+ sparks in vascular smooth muscle cells.

TRPML1 (transient receptor potential mucolipin 1) is a Ca2+-permeable, nonselective cation channel localized to the membranes of endosomes and lysosomes and is not present or functional on the plasma membrane. Ca2+ released from endosomes and lysosomes into the cytosol through TRPML1 channels is vital for trafficking, acidification, and other basic functions of these organelles. Here, we investigated the function of TRPML1 channels in fully differentiated contractile vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In live-cell confocal imaging studies, we found that most endosomes and lysosomes in freshly isolated SMCs from cerebral arteries were essentially immobile. Using nanoscale super-resolution microscopy, we found that TRPML1 channels present in late endosomes and lysosomes formed stable complexes with type 2 ryanodine receptors (RyR2) on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Spontaneous Ca2+ signals resulting from the release of SR Ca2+ through RyR2s ("Ca2+ sparks") and corresponding Ca2+-activated K+ channel activity are critically important for balancing vasoconstriction. We found that these signals were essentially absent in SMCs from TRPML1-knockout (Mcoln1-/- ) mice. Using ex vivo pressure myography, we found that loss of this critical signaling cascade exaggerated the vasoconstrictor responses of cerebral and mesenteric resistance arteries. In vivo radiotelemetry studies showed that Mcoln1-/- mice were spontaneously hypertensive. We conclude that TRPML1 is crucial for the initiation of Ca2+ sparks in SMCs and the regulation of vascular contractility and blood pressure.
A low-cost, composite collagen-PDMS material for extended fluid retention in the skin-interfaced microfluidic devices

Abstract The advancement of soft, wearable microfluidic devices relies on the microfabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft lithography techniques. However, thin 3D microstructures made of PDMS limit long-term storage of aqueous samples and reduce the accuracy of onboard sensing modalities within the platform because of the material's high permeation of water vapor. We studied a composite material of collagen microparticles and PDMS that greatly reduces water evaporation while maintaining the properties of a soft elastomer required for skin-interfaced microfluidics. The collagen-PDMS material is biocompatible, affordable, and non-toxic. We reduced permeability by 80.2% by building a film containing 30 wt% collagen microparticles. Mechanical properties, such as elastic modulus and bonding efficacy, can vary as a function of particle concentration in the films. The skin-interfaced collagen-PDMS microfluidic devices increase sweat retention by 45% through 9 h compared with pure PDMS. This material can greatly improve the long-term sample storage of epidermal devices.
Alcohol abstinence stigma and alcohol use among HIV patients in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam.

Background Hazardous alcohol use is prevalent among people living with HIV (PWH), leading to sub-optimal HIV treatment outcomes. In Vietnam, alcohol use is highly normative making it socially challenging for PWH to reduce or abstain. We used mixed methods to develop a quantitative scale to assess alcohol abstinence stigma and examined the association between alcohol abstinence stigma with alcohol use among PWH in Vietnam. Methods We conducted qualitative interviews with 30 PWH with hazardous alcohol use from an antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic in the Thai Nguyen to inform item development. Alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. We tested items in a survey of 1,559 ART clinic patients to assess internal consistency and structural validity. We used log binomial modeling to estimate associations between any reported alcohol abstinence stigma and alcohol use. Results Using the results from the qualitative interview data, we developed the alcohol abstinence stigma scale with seven final items with scores ranging from 0 (no stigma) to 28 (high stigma). The scale had good internal consistency (α = 0.75). Exploratory factor analysis suggested the presence of three factors: internalized, experienced, and anticipated stigma that explained 56.9% of the total variance. The mean score was 2.74, (SD = 4.28) and 46% reported any alcohol abstinence stigma. We observed a dose-response relationship between alcohol abstinence stigma and alcohol use. PWH who reported any alcohol abstinence stigma had greater hazardous alcohol use (aPR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.56), harmful alcohol use (aPR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.37, 3.72), and dependence symptoms (aPR = 3.81, 95% CI: 2.19, 6.64). Conclusion Alcohol abstinence stigma is associated with increased alcohol levels of alcohol use among PWH in Vietnam, signaling challenges for alcohol reduction. Consideration of alcohol abstinence stigma will be essential for the design of effective alcohol reduction interventions and policy efforts to prevent adverse health consequences of alcohol use among PWH.
REPEATABILITY OF SWAY MEASURES IN UPPER EXTREMITY WEIGHT-BEARING.

Background Analysis of upper extremity weight bearing ability is important for athletes as some function largely in a closed chain capacity (e.g., wrestling, football, gymnastics); also, all require closed chain upper extremity function during strength and conditioning. Additionally, in a rehabilitation setting, closed chain upper extremity functional testing is often used as a return to play criterion. Lower extremity sway measures (biomechanical and clinical) have been published widely and have established reliability and validity; however, the reliability of upper extremity sway biomechanical measures has not been investigated to date. Hypothesis/purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the repeatability of a variety of force plate measurements during an upper extremity task in an athletic population. It was hypothesized that variables measuring upper extremity sway in a closed kinetic chain position would have excellent reliability. Study design Cross-sectional. Methods All data were collected using a force plate system with commercially available software. Four hundred and ninety healthy Division I athletes were tested for both their dominant and non-dominant upper extremity at one of two testing sessions. Subjects were instructed to stay as still as possible while maintaining a full plank position with one upper extremity on the force plate and the contralateral upper extremity behind their back. Two, 20-second trials were performed for each extremity. Variables measured included average sway velocity (ASV), sway velocity in medial-lateral (SVML) and anterior-posterior (SVAP) directions, sway velocity at 1st and 2nd time intervals for AP (VAP1 and 2) and ML (VML1 and 2) directions, and sway frequency in the AP direction for 1st and 2nd time intervals (FreAP1 and 2). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(2,1)) and their 95% confident intervals were calculated for all force plate variables for 980 limbs. Results No difference was seen between left and right extremities for any measure (p > 0.05). ICC's ranged from 0.61-0.90 for all variables, indicating moderate to excellent reliability for all variables. Conclusion Upper extremity sway biomechanical variables using a force plate system have moderate to excellent reliability. These results are important prior to validation and clinical utilization of these measures including baseline testing, return to play guidelines, and injury prevention parameters. Level of evidence 3.
Expression of the Autoantigen Topoisomerase-1 is Enriched in the Lung Tissues of Patients With Autoimmune Interstitial Lung Disease: A Case Control Study.

Background Among the autoimmune rheumatic diseases, it is striking that autoantibodies targeting ubiquitously expressed proteins (eg, topoisomerase-1) associate with specific clinical complications (eg, interstitial lung disease [ILD]). It has been proposed that enriched antigen expression in inflamed target tissue may play a role in focusing the autoimmune response. We sought to determine whether topoisomerase-1 expression is enriched in lungs from patients with autoimmune/inflammatory diseases relative to normal lung. Methods We used a 99-core lung tissue microarray (TMA) containing lung tissue from 40 patients with autoimmune inflammatory ILD (cases) and 46 control subjects with normal lungs. We stained the TMA with antibodies to compare topoisomerase-1 and CD8 expression between patients and control subjects and evaluated whether expression is enriched in specific cell types. Staining was analyzed, and statistical comparisons were performed. Results Cases were more likely to have global topoisomerase-1 expression (53% vs 21%; P = 0.003), specifically in pneumocytes (47% vs 16%; P = 0.003) and stromal/immune cells (32% vs 5%; P = 0.002) compared with control subjects. CD8 cell density (223 cells/mm2 vs 102 cells/mm2 ; P = 0.018) was significantly higher in topoisomerase-1-positive lung tissues compared with topoisomerase-1-negative lung tissues. Interestingly, topoisomerase-1 expression was significantly more common in scleroderma compared with normal lung (67% vs 21%; P = 0.036) and was present more frequently in pneumocytes in these patients (67% vs 16%; P = 0.018). Conclusions Pulmonary expression of topoisomerase-1 is increased in the setting of autoimmune ILD relative to normal lung, specifically in pneumocytes. This may contribute to the amplification of pulmonary disease in patients with scleroderma with a loss of tolerance to topoisomerase-1.
Redox-neutral S-nitrosation Mediated by a Dicopper Center

An redox-neutral S -nitrosation of thiol has been achieved at dicopper(I,I) center. Treatment of dicopper (I,I) complex with excess NO • and thiol generates a dicopper (I,I) di- S -nitrosothiol complex [Cu I Cu I (RSNO) 2 ] 2+ or dicopper (I,I) mono- S -nitrosothiol complex [Cu I Cu I (RSNO)] 2+ , which readily release RSNO in 88-94% yield. The S -nitrosation reaction proceeds through a mixed-valence [Cu II Cu III ( μ -O)( μ -NO)] 2+ species, which deprotonates RS-H at the basic μ -O site and nitrosates the RS - at the μ -NO site. The [Cu II Cu III ( μ -O)( μ -NO)] 2+ complex is also competent for O -nitrosation of MeOH, which is isoelectronic to thiol. In this case, a rare [Cu II Cu II ( μ -NO)(OMe)] 2+ intermediate has been isolated and fully characterized, suggesting the S -nitrosation proceeds through the intermediary of analogous [Cu II Cu II ( μ -NO)(SR)] 2+ species. The redox- and proton-neutral S- nitrosation process reported here represents the first functional model of ceruloplasmin in mediating S -nitrosation of external thiols, adding further implications for biological copper sites in the interconversion of NO • /RSNO.
People with Disabilities in Human Subjects Research: A History of Exploitation, a Problem of Exclusion

People with disabilities are grossly underrepresented in health research. Equal and just representation for persons with disabilities is necessary to improve health outcomes and to respect for individuals who live with impairment. This article parses the causes for exclusion, and sets forth a multidimensional approach for bringing people with disabilities into human subjects research.
A 0.5 GHz, 50+ MHops/s Frequency-Hopped Wireless Frontend with Multipath Resilience

In this paper, we present an ultra-fast hopping spread spectrum setup that demonstrates the ability of frequency hopped spread spectrum (FHSS) technique to improve multipath resilience. We developed a fast hopping mixer prototype in 65nm CMOS RF process that can be added to the frontend of a traditional TX-RX pair used in this setup. Utilizing this test setup we show that a fast-hopping FHSS system can decode signals even at a −104dBm signal null caused by multipath. With hopping the receiver was able to decode a QPSK modulated signal at 400Ksymbol/sec with an EVM of −15.4dB for a five ray wireline emulation and an EVM of −12.6dB in a wireless setup. The five ray wireline path uses the 3GPP rural area channel model taps.
Associations of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time with pregnancy-specific health-related quality of life.

Abstract Purpose : To examine associations of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SED) with pregnancy-specific health-related quality of life (QoL) across pregnancy trimesters. Materials and methods : Women (N=131, mean age 30.9 years ± 4.9) were recruited from two large health care systems in the United States. MVPA and SED were estimated using a waist-worn ActiGraph GT3X and thigh-worn activPAL3 micro, respectively, for seven days in each trimester of pregnancy. Questionnaires were administered in each trimester to assess pregnancy-specific health-related QoL using the Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy Specific health Related Quality of Life (NVPQoL) questionnaire. Mixed effects linear regression examined associations of MVPA and SED with the NVPQoL total score and domain-specific scores (physical symptoms, fatigue, emotions, and limitations) across trimesters. Results : The NVPQoL total score and domain-specific scores significantly varied across trimesters, with highest scores (indicating worse QoL) observed in the first trimester and lowest scores (indicating better QoL) in the second trimester. A 1-standard deviation (SD) increment in MVPA (16.0 min/day or 1.8%) was associated with better QoL as indicated by the lower NVPQoL total score (β=-4.06, p=0.024) and limitations score (β = -2.80, p Conclusions : Pregnancy-specific health-related QoL varies across trimesters. Both lower SED, and to a greater extent higher MVPA are potential behavioral targets for improving pregnancy-specific health-related QoL.
The Impact of Sociology in My Role as an Evaluator

The skills gained from an education in sociology make for those of a great evaluator. This article describes how my theoretical and methodological training in sociology has impacted my current position in evaluation at a large research-focused university. In addition to the importance of quality training, I also discuss how universities and agencies can work together to create successful partnerships for program evaluations. My position as an evaluator in the university, however, is not without its challenges. I discuss my views on how evaluators are viewed by other academics and why I remain dedicated to being both a sociologist and an evaluator.
Multicenter Study Assessing Physician Recommendations Regarding the Continuation of Aspirin and/or NSAIDs Prior to Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Background In 2009 the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guidelines advised that both aspirin and NSAIDs be continued prior to low-risk gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures. We sought to determine physician knowledge regarding these guidelines.
The Orphan Nuclear Receptor TLX Is an Enhancer of STAT1-Mediated Transcription and Immunity to Toxoplasma gondii

The protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma, like many intracellular pathogens, suppresses interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) activity. We exploited this well-defined host–pathogen interaction as the basis for a high-throughput screen, identifying nine transcription factors that enhance STAT1 function in the nucleus, including the orphan nuclear hormone receptor TLX. Expression profiling revealed that upon IFN-γ treatment TLX enhances the output of a subset of IFN-γ target genes, which we found is dependent on TLX binding at those loci. Moreover, infection of TLX deficient mice with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma results in impaired production of the STAT1-dependent cytokine interleukin-12 by dendritic cells and increased parasite burden in the brain during chronic infection. These results demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for this orphan nuclear hormone receptor in regulating STAT1 signaling and host defense and reveal that STAT1 activity can be modulated in a context-specific manner by such “modifiers.”
ConvoCons: Encouraging Affinity on Multitouch Interfaces

This paper describes the design of ConvoCons, a system to promote affinity of group members working in a co-located multitouch environment. The research includes an exploratory study that led to the development of ConvoCons as well as the iterative evolution of the ConvoCon system, design trade-offs made, and empirical observations of users that led to design changes. This research adds to the literature on social interaction design and offers interface designers guidance on promoting affinity and increased collaboration via the user interface.
New chromatographic form of phenylalanine transfer ribonucleic acid from Escherichia coli growing exponentially in a low phosphate medium

Reversed-phase chromatography has been used to detect the presence of a new form of phenylalanyl-transfer ribonucleic acid (Phe-tRNA) from Escherichia coli growing exponentially in media containing low but nonlimiting levels of inorganic phosphate. The amount of this extra Phe-tRNA form is greatest in slowly growing cells (0.8 generations/h), and becomes negligible in media supporting a rapid growth rate (2.14 generations/h).
Feasible and accurate algorithms for covering semidefinite programs

In this paper we describe an algorithm to approximately solve a class of semidefinite programs called covering semidefinite programs. This class includes many semidefinite programs that arise in the context of developing algorithms for important optimization problems such as Undirected Sparsest Cut, wireless multicasting, and pattern classification. We give algorithms for covering SDPs whose dependence on e is e−1. These algorithms, therefore, have a better dependence on e than other combinatorial approaches, with a tradeoff of a somewhat worse dependence on the other parameters. For many reasons, including numerical stability and a variety of implementation concerns, the dependence on e is critical, and the algorithms in this paper may be preferable to those of the previous work. Our algorithms exploit the structural similarity between packing and covering semidefinite programs and packing and covering linear programs.
Creating a Pronunciation Profile of First-Year Spanish Students

Previous research has shown that improving pronunciation in the foreign language classroom is challenging, and there is often little time left over in a dense curriculum for pronunciation practice. In describing a pronunciation profile for all phonemes in Spanish, this study suggests that the principal challenge for native speakers of English who are learning Spanish may not be vowels, but the /r/ phonemes: the flap, the trill, and the cluster sound /tɾ/ pose the greatest challenges. Thus, if time is allocated to direct instruction in pronunciation, instructors and learners may focus on the pronunciation of Spanish language /r/ in its three forms, particularly since, when the /r/ phonemes are fronted in Spanish pronunciation, the following vowels are less likely to be pronounced as American English diphthongs. In addition, this study suggests that having students record themselves when reading aloud at multiple points during the course and then analyze and reflect on what they hear may result in pronunciation changes.
Erratum: “Curves in the lightlike cone” [Contrib. Algebr. Geom., 45(2004), 291–303]

In this note we add the miss part of Theorem 2.1 in the paper Liu (2004), Curves in the lightlike cone, Contrib. Algebr. Geom., 45(2004), 291–303.
Competitive Optoelectronic Learning Networks

Electronic competiton for a fixed current resource can be used to mediate a winner-take-all operation on an array of optical beams, using a special-purpose optoelectronic integrated circuit containing modulators and detectors. Reflective competiton between an array of optical beams is proposed as the basis for an unsupervised, competitive optical learning architecture. It is suggested that self-aligning, adaptive interconnection holograms can be written in photorefractive crystals which are repeatedly exposed to the interference between phase-conjugated object waves and competitively produced reference beams. As statistically clustered patterns are input to the optical network, specific output nodes should learn to respond to the various classes of input without supervision.
VASOPRESSIN mRNA IN THE SUPRAOPTIC AND SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEI: APPEARANCE AND CIRCADIAN REGULATION DURING DEVELOPMENT

VASOPRESSIN mRNA IN THE SUPRAOPTIC AND SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEI: APPEARANCE AND CIRCADIAN REGULATION DURING DEVELOPMENT