cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A core–shell electrode for dynamically and statically stable Li–S battery chemistry

Sulfur is an appealing cathode material for establishing advanced lithium batteries as it offers a high theoretical capacity of 1675 mA h g−1 at low material and operating costs. However, the lithium–sulfur (Li–S) electrochemical cells face several formidable challenges arising from both the materials chemistry (e.g., low electrochemical utilization of sulfur and severe polysulfide diffusion) and battery chemistry (e.g., dynamic and static instability and low sulfur loadings). Here, we present the design of a core–shell cathode with a pure sulfur core shielded within a conductive shell-shaped electrode. The new electrode configuration allows Li–S cells to load with a high amount of sulfur (sulfur loadings of up to 30 mg cm−2 and sulfur content approaching 70 wt%). The core–shell cathodes demonstrate a superior dynamic and static electrochemical stability in Li–S cells. The high-loading cathodes exhibit (i) a high sulfur utilization of up to 97% at C/20–C/2 rates and (ii) a low self-discharge during long-term cell storage for a three-month rest period and at different cell-storage conditions. Finally, a polysulfide-trap cell configuration is designed to evidence the eliminations of polysulfide diffusion and to investigate the relationship between the electrode configuration and electrochemical characteristics. The comprehensive analytical results based on the high-loading cathodes suggest that (i) the core–shell cathode is a promising solution for designing highly reversible Li–S cells and (ii) the polysulfide-trap cell configuration is a viable approach to qualitatively evaluating the presence or absence of polysulfide diffusion.
Design of redox-active peptides: Towards functional materials

In nature, the majority of processes that occur in the cell involve the cycling of electrons and protons, changing the reduction and oxidation state of substrates to alter their chemical reactivity and usefulness in vivo. One of the most relevant examples of these processes is the electron transport chain, a series of oxidoreductase proteins that shuttle electrons through well-defined pathways, concurrently moving protons across the cell membrane. Inspired by these processes, researchers have sought to develop materials to mimic natural systems for a number of applications, including fuel production. The most common cofactors found in proteins to carry out electron transfer are iron sulfur clusters and porphyrin-like molecules. Both types have been studied within natural proteins, such as in photosynthetic machinery or soluble electron carriers; in parallel, an extensive literature has developed over recent years attempting to model and study these cofactors within peptide-based materials. This chapter will focus on major designs that have significantly advanced the field.
Experiments on imperfection insensitive axially loaded cylindrical shells

This paper presents an experimental study of imperfection insensitive composite wavy cylindrical shells subject to axial compression. A fabrication technique for making cylindrical shells with intricate shape of cross-sections has been developed. A photogrammetry technique to measure the geometric imperfections has also been developed. The behavior of the wavy shells under axial compression was predicted through simulations and measured through compression tests. Both the analyses and experiments have confirmed that the wavy shells are imperfection insensitive. Comparisons between the wavy shells and circular shells have also confirmed that introducing optimal symmetry-breaking wavy cross-sections can significantly reduce the imperfection sensitivity and improve the load-bearing capability of cylindrical shells.
Vidas al Revés /Upside-Down Lives: Educational Challenges Faced by Transnational Children of Return Mexican Families

ABSTRACTDrastic immigration policies and economic conditions have resulted in unparalleled return rates to Mexico. Deported parents are faced with the difficult choice of leaving US-born children behind or taking them to their country of origin, where many face significant educational, cultural, and linguistic barriers. This study focuses on six families and the challenges they have faced living with undocumented status in the US, re-adjusting to life in Mexico, and the educational challenges faced by their children in both countries.
Smartphones and Child Injuries

Abstract From 2005 to 2012, injuries to children under five increased by 10%, possibly because smartphones distract caregivers from supervising children. I exploit the expansion of AT&T's 3G network in both a difference-in-differences and a triple difference framework and find that hospitals experienced a 5% increase in emergency department visits for children ages 0–5, but none for children ages 6–10, after getting 3G. Age-specific injury patterns on playgrounds, from poisoning, and in sports further support the conclusion that smartphones distract caregivers.
Defining Medical Student Patient Care Responsibilities Before Intern Year: Results of a National Survey.

Objectives Program directors have noted that first-year residents struggle with many of the patient care responsibilities they assume as they enter the US graduate medical education system. A national description of medical students' patient care experience in advance of graduation has not been published. We sought to describe the experience of US medical students during their clinical training by surveying the student representatives of each school. Methods We developed a mixed-methods survey that was delivered to representatives of 82 schools via an e-mail link to an online survey. Results Our response rate was 54% (44/82). Of those responding, 28% reported that students do not write any patient care orders at their institution and 34% reported not receiving pages related to patient care. Only 26% of institutions provide an increased patient load to students during their final year of training. Students identified many areas to improve the role of fourth-year medical students, including writing patient care orders, answering pages, increasing autonomy, defining their role better, and providing them with a longer subinternship experience. Conclusions Our survey suggests that students are graduating from the undergraduate medical education system and moving to the graduate medical education system in the United States without a guarantee of having answered a page related to patient care or having placed a patient care order. Further studies of students' experiences should be conducted to explore whether exposure to these skills improves first-year resident performance.
The Profibrinolytic Effect.of Activated Protein C in Clots Formed From Plasma Is TAFI-Dependent

Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is the precursor of an exopeptidase that is identical to plasma procarboxypeptidase B. Upon activation by thrombin, activated TAFI (TAFIa) attenuates fibrinolysis, presumably by catalyzing the removal of C-terminal lysines from partially degraded fibrin. Activated protein C (APC) proteolytically inactivates the essential cofactor in prothrombinase, factor Va, and limits both the formation of thrombin and subsequent activation of TAFI, thereby appearing profibrinolytic. TAFI is able to reconstitute an APC-dependent shortening of lysis time in a purified system; however, it remained to be determined the extent to which TAFI is involved in the profibrinolytic effect of APC in a plasma-based system. To aid in addressing this question, two monoclonal antibodies (MoAbTAFI#16 and #13) and a polyclonal antibody were produced against purified TAFI. MoAbTAFI#16 was shown to inhibit TAFI activation and thereby appears to stimulate fibrinolysis. Furthermore, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed using MoAbTAFI#13 and the polyclonal antibody. Through its use, the plasma concentration of TAFI was determined to be 73 nmol/L. In addition, a turbidity assay was used to determine the effect of APC on tissue plasminogen activator-induced fibrinolysis of clots produced from normal human plasma (NHP), plasma immunodepleted of TAFI (TdP), and TdP reconstituted with purified TAFI. APC shortened lysis time of clots produced from NHP in a saturable and concentration-dependent manner. However, APC had no effect on lysis time of clots formed from either TdP or NHP in the presence of 80 nmol/L MoAbTAFI#16. The APC effect could be reconstituted in TdP by the addition of purified TAFI. The lysis time in TdP was increased from 50 to 180 minutes in a TAFI concentration-dependent manner. The EC50 was 15 nmol/L and saturation was approached at physiologically relevant concentrations (60 nmol/L). The profibrinolytic effect of APC was also compared with that of MoAbTAFI#16 and two competitive inhibitors, an inhibitor of the carboxypeptidase A and B family purified from potato tubers and 2-Guanidinoethylmercaptosuccinic acid (GEMSA). All were able to reduce lysis time of clots formed from normal human plasma by 90 minutes, yielding respective EC50 values of 5 nmol/L, 15 nmol/L, 50 nmol/L, and 90 mumol/L. Therefore, the majority of the profibrinolytic effect of APC, in an in vitro plasma system, is dependent on TAFI. Because TAFIa dramatically influences lysis time, inhibitors of TAFIa or TAFI activation may prove to be important adjuvants for thrombolytic therapy.
Three reflections on Revolution at Point Zero for (re)producing an alternative academy

Revolution at Point Zero: Housework, Reproduction, and Feminist Struggle is a collection of Federici’s essays, her theorizations and research on feminist struggles to reconfigure social reproductio...
Al rich (111) and (110) surfaces of LaAlO3

Abstract Lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO3) has garnered significant interests since the discovery of a 2D electron gas at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface. In this work, the (110) surface of LaAlO3 was studied using a combination of transmission electron microscopy plan and profile imaging, image simulation, electron diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. Profile imaging of the (110) surface was performed on a (111) oriented single crystalline sample with an Al rich surface. Our results indicate that high annealing temperatures (1000–1300 °C) commonly used in preparing well ordered, flat surfaces of LaAlO3 result in Al rich surfaces. The (110) surface was found to be single layered AlOx with a (2 × 1) reconstruction. Angle resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the (2 × 1) surface structure was not hydrated. Convex hull construction of surface enthalpies as a function of excess AlO1.5 on the (110) surface was done using density functional theory calculations.
Light-Force Technique for Measuring Cluster Polarizabilities

We report on a light-force technique to make absolute measurements of cluster polarizabilities in the gas phase. The technique relies on several important experimental components and methods, including a front-ablation cluster source to produce cold clusters, a position-sensitive time-of-flight spectrometer, glass collimating slits, and a reliable technique for timing a particular slice of the cluster beam. The cluster beam is collimated with a pair of slits and the ideal locations of the slits to maximize the observable light force is discussed. To date, the polarizability of C60 at the fundamental wavelength of a Nd:YAG laser (1.064µμm) has been measured.
Carvedilol Prevents Redox Inactivation of Cardiomyocyte β1-Adrenergic Receptors

The mechanism that leads to a decrease in β1-adrenergic receptor (β1AR) expression in the failing heart remains uncertain. This study shows that cardiomyocyte β1AR expression and isoproterenol responsiveness decrease in response to oxidative stress. Studies of mechanisms show that the redox-dependent decrease in β1AR expression is uniquely prevented by carvedilol and not other βAR ligands. Carvedilol also promotes the accumulation of N-terminally truncated β1ARs that confer protection against doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in association with activation of protein kinase B. The redox-induced molecular controls for cardiomyocyte β1ARs and pharmacologic properties of carvedilol identified in this study have important clinical and therapeutic implications.
Beyond the label: Using a multilevel model of intersectionality to explore the educational experiences of Latino English learners

Latinos labeled “English learners” by the school system face social and systemic barriers that limit their access to postsecondary opportunities. Using a multilevel model of intersectionality, this...
Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome Treated Successfully With Anakinra in a 21-Year-Old Woman.

Introduction Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) is a syndrome of new-onset status epilepticus preceded by fever and highly refractory to treatment, thus resulting in high mortality and severe neurologic morbidity in surviving patients. Anakinra is an IL-1 receptor antagonist that has previously demonstrated efficacy in treating children with FIRES. Case presentation A 21-year-old previously healthy woman presented with new-onset superrefractory status epilepticus following a febrile illness. This was subsequently diagnosed as FIRES after an extensive evaluation failed to identify an alternative etiology. The patient's seizures were refractory to numerous antiepileptic drugs and immunomodulatory therapy. She was maintained under pharmacologic sedation for 31 days. Management and outcome Anakinra was initiated on day 32 of her hospital stay, with swift and complete remission of her status epilepticus. Seizures ceased within 24 hours. The patient remains in remission with minimal side effects from the medication and no known long-term morbidity. Discussion Here we report what we believe is the second case of super-refractory status epilepticus due to FIRES responding to anakinra, and the first such case in an adult patient. Anakinra was well tolerated with few side effects. Our results are further evidence for the autoinflammatory nature of FIRES and support the use of anakinra early in the treatment to prevent long-term sequelae.
Transseptal access and pulmonary vein isolation via internal jugular veins for persistent atrial fibrillation treatment in a patient with left atrial isomerism, sinus node dysfunction, and interrupted inferior vena cava: The usefulness of robotic magnetic navigation.

No abstract available Keywords: Atrial fibrillation ablation; Interrupted inferior vena cava; Left atrial isomerism; Sinus node dysfunction; Transseptal access via internal jugular veins.
Relativistic antifragility.

It is shown that the barbell distribution of a gas of relativistic molecules above its critical temperature, can be interpreted as an antifragile response to the relativistic constraint of subluminal propagation.
PTH/PTHrP Receptor Signaling Restricts Arterial Fibrosis in Diabetic LDLR -/- Mice by Inhibiting Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor Relays

Rationale: The PTH1R (PTH [parathyroid hormone]/PTHrP [PTH-related protein] receptor) is expressed in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) and increased VSM PTH1R signaling mitigates diet-induced arteriosc...
Ada protein- and sequence context-dependent mutagenesis of alkyl phosphotriester lesions in Escherichia coli cells.

Alkyl phosphotriester (alkyl-PTE) lesions are frequently induced in DNA and are resistant to repair. Here, we synthesized and characterized methyl (Me)- and n-butyl (nBu)-PTEs in two diastereomeric configurations (Sp and Rp) at six different flanking dinucleotide sites, i.e. XT and TX (X = A, C, or G), and assessed how these lesions impact DNA replication in Escherichia coli cells. When single-stranded vectors contained an Sp-Me-PTE in the sequence contexts of 5′-AT-3′, 5′-CT-3′, or 5′-GT-3′, DNA replication was highly efficient and the replication products for all three sequence contexts contained 85–90% AT and 5–10% TG. Thus, the replication outcome was largely independent of the identity of the 5′ nucleotide adjacent to an Sp-Me-PTE. Furthermore, replication across these lesions was not dependent on the activities of DNA polymerases II, IV, or V; Ada, a protein involved in adaptive response and repair of Sp-Me-PTE in E. coli, however, was essential for the generation of the mutagenic products. Additionally, the Rp diastereomer of Me-PTEs at XT sites and both diastereomers of Me-PTEs at TX sites exhibited error-free replication bypass. Moreover, Sp-nBu-PTEs at XT sites did not strongly impede DNA replication, and other nBu-PTEs displayed moderate blockage effects, with none of them being mutagenic. Taken together, these findings provide in-depth understanding of how alkyl-PTE lesions are recognized by the DNA replication machinery in prokaryotic cells and reveal that Ada contributes to mutagenesis of Sp-Me-PTEs in E. coli.
94 Trends in cannabis use, health effects, and criminalization prior to cannabis legalization in Michigan

Statement of Purpose In 2018, Michigan was the 10th state to pass a recreational cannabis law. The purpose of this report is to provide insight into cannabis-related indicators before recreational cannabis laws were enacted, and serve as the baseline for future evaluations following cannabis legalization in Michigan. Methods/Approach Existing data were compiled across areas (e.g., use, hospitalizations, legal charges, etc.) that potentially affect the public’s health and well-being. The report notes key findings, highlights data limitations, and elaborates priorities for tracking cannabis-related trends over time. Results An estimated one in nine Michigan residents (11.6%) used cannabis in the past month, which has increased by over 60% from 2002–2003 to 2016–2017. Overall, the rate of annual fatal motor vehicle crashes per 100 million vehicle mile traveled decreased from 1.04 in 2004 to 0.92 in 2017, while the number of drug tests administered to drivers of fatal crashes doubled simultaneously. The rate of hospitalizations for cannabis poisoning increased from 2010 (2.5 per 100,000 persons) to 2017 (3.7 per 100,000 persons). Cannabis-related legal charges increased by 2.4% from 2012 to 2018, peaking in 2016. However, the percentage of cannabis-related convictions out of all criminal convictions was highest in 2014 (4.2%) and lowest in 2018 (3.2%). Conclusions Cannabis use prevalence is higher in Michigan than in the Midwest and the United States. Better characterization of the potential involvement of cannabis in driving-related outcomes is needed. Data on cannabis-related hospitalizations highlight the need for prevention programs focusing on reducing poisonings, especially as higher potency cannabis-containing products become available. Changes in cannabis-related criminal justice data warrant monitoring over time. Significance and Contributions to Injury and Violence Prevention Science Examining changes in cannabis-related indicators over time will allow stakeholders and public health officials to best understand the potential impacts of recreational cannabis on public health and well-being. Funded by The Center for Disease Control and Prevention R49 CE002099
Crime prevention on college campuses: correlates of problem-solving, environmental design, and anti-fear efforts by campus law enforcement

The current study examines factors related to crime prevention activity by law enforcement agencies serving institutions of higher education throughout the USA. Identifying facilitators and barriers to the implementation of crime prevention programs and practices will be useful to proponents of these approaches. Using data collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics from a large sample of agencies throughout the USA, we identify factors that are related to applied forms of crime prevention, including crime prevention through environmental design, problem-oriented policing, use of SARA, having a crime prevention unit within the agency, and participation in anti-fear campaigns. Particular attention is placed on the effects of campus characteristics, agency characteristics, campus crime, precautionary actions, and other law enforcement precautionary activities. Results suggest that, overall, more task-oriented agencies are also more likely to engage in crime prevention activity, although the determinants of crime prevention varied by activity.
A-signifying semiotics and deaf/nondeaf becomings

We have written this article as performative co-autoethnography in which we focus on a crisis of communication we experienced as deaf/nondeaf collaborators. We bring together Deleuze's concept of ‘...
Exceptionally Long Covalent CC Bonds-A Local Vibrational Mode Study.

For decades one has strived to synthesize a compound with the longest covalent C-C bond applying predominantly steric hindrance and/or strain to achieve this goal. On the other hand electronic effects have been added to the repertoire, such as realized in the electron deficient ethane radical cation in its D3d form. Recently, negative hyperconjugation effects occurring in diamino-o-carborane analogs such as di-N,N-dimethylamino-o-carborane have been held responsible for their long C-C bonds. In this work we systematically analyzed CC bonding in a diverse set of 53 molecules including clamped bonds, highly sterically strained complexes such as diamondoid dimers, electron deficient species, and di-N,N-dimethylamino-o-carborane to cover the whole spectrum of possibilities for elongating a covalent C-C bond to the limit. As a quantitative intrinsic bond strength measure, we utilized local vibrational CC stretching force constants ka(CC) and related bond strength orders BSO n(CC), computed at the ωB97X-D/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. Our systematic study quantifies for the first time that whereas steric hindrance and/or strain definitely elongate a C-C bond, electronic effects can lead to even longer and weaker C-C bonds. Within our set of molecules the electron deficient ethane radical cation, in D3d symmetry, acquires the longest C-C bond with a length of 1.935 A followed by di-N,N-dimethylamino-o-carborane with a bond length of 1.930 A. However, the C-C bond in di-N,N-dimethylamino-o-carborane is the weakest with a BSO n value of 0.209 compared to 0.286 for the ethane radical cation; another example that the longer bond is not always the weaker bond. Based on our findings we provide new guidelines for the general characterization of CC bonds based on local vibrational CC stretching force constants and for future design of compounds with long C-C bonds.
B cells modulate the expression of MHC-II on cardiac CCR2− macrophages

The uninjured murine heart contains a heterogeneous population of macrophages with disparate ontogenies and functions. These macrophages are often associated with blood vessels and can be subclassified based on the expression of CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II). The biological cues that modulate these macrophage pool subpopulations have not been completely identified. It has been recently shown that a sub-population of circulating naive B cells adheres to the myocardial microvasculature. We hypothesized that B cells might modulate the phenotype of myocardial macrophages. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed both the relative location of B cells and macrophages in myocardial histological section and the prevalence of myocardial macrophage subsets in hearts from B cell-deficient mice (μMT) and mice depleted of B cells through administration of an anti-CD20 antibody. We found that B cells pause in the microvasculature in proximity of macrophages and modulate the number of myocardial CCR2-MHC-IIhigh cells. Through in vitro studies we found that this is likely the result of a paracrine effect of B cells on the expression of MHC-II in CCR2- cells. These results reveal an unexpected relationship between B cells and resident macrophages and, highlighting a direct intramyocardial effect of circulating B cells, challenge the currently held belief that naive recirculating B lymphocytes merely shuttle between lymphoid stations.
Micro-Flexible-Surface Probe for Determining Spatially Heterogeneous Electronic Conductivity of Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode Films

Lithium-ion battery electrodes are generally made up of porous, thin films that are structurally heterogeneous on multiple length scales due to the manufacturing process. This in turn causes spatial variability in the electrical properties of the film. This work reports development of a low-cost, flexible probe for measurement of film conductivity and contact resistance to the current collector. When mounted on a moveable stage, the probe can quickly produce maps of electrode electrical properties at sub-millimeter resolution. Bulk conductivity and contact resistance are determined by inverting a 2D model of the experiment. The method is validated using a conductive silicone rubber placed on top of plain and corroded steel with significant contact resistance variation. Measurements on commercial quality electrode films, two cathodes and one anode, show statistically significant macro-variations in film properties perpendicular to the rolling direction and micro-variations throughout the film, variations that will impact electrode performance. The flexible-surface probe can be a significant tool to determine and minimize sources of variation in electrode manufacturing.
Chrysippus and the Rule of Knowledge

Chrysippus’ political theory operates at two levels, cosmopolitan and conventional. At the cosmopolitan level, the sage is a citizen of a world-wide, mutually beneficial city of the wise, including gods and humans. At a conventional level, the best form of human government is a kingship in which the sage either reigns or serves as a close advisor to the king. The Stoics favor kingship because the only legitimate basis for rule is knowledge and only the sage has the knowledge needed to rule. When a sage cannot rule, the best arrangement is for a sage to advise the king so that the sage can have the greatest influence in promoting virtue and restraining vice. Although the sage does not know the future, the sage’s wisdom allows her to judge infallibly the best course of actions in all circumstances. The sage’s knowledge is the focal point for Chrysippus’ political theory. Because the sage overcomes subjective uncertainty, the sage is able to rule through scientific knowledge.
The Impacts of Congestion on Trip Time

Congestion metrics that focus only on network performance (e.g., see Chap. 8) are necessary but not sufficient in addressing the impact of congestion on travelers. Reliance just on network congestion metrics provides only a partial understanding of the congestion problem.
Negative Ion Pulses Induced by Laser Irradiation of DC Discharge Media

Electron transport phenomena in gas discharge media are studied using a double-differential pumping mass spectrometer apparatus shown in Fig. 1, Gas mixtures (in the range of 0.5–1 Torr) are discharged by applying a DC voltage to hollow electrodes in a vacuum chamber. Negative ions produced by discharges flow into a second high-vacuum chamber through a pin hole (0.7 mm diameter). The ions are analyzed and detected by a mass spectrometer. An excimer laser is used to irradiate the discharge media.
SU-E-T-413: Examining Acquisition Rate for Using MatriXX Ion Chamber Array to Measure HDR Brachytherapy Treatments

Purpose: There are unique obstacles to implementing the MatriXX ionchamber array as a QA tool in Brachytherapy given that the device is designed for use in the MV energy range. One of the challenges we investigate is the affect of acquisition rates on dose measurement accuracy for HDR treatment plans. Methods: A treatment plan was optimized in Oncentra Brachy TPS to deliver a planar dose to a 5×5cm region at 10mm depth. The applicator was affixed to the surface of the MatriXX array. The plan was delivered multiple times using a Nucleatron HDR afterloader with a 2.9Ci Ir192 source. For each measurement the sampling rate of the MatriXX movie mode was varied (30ms and 500ms). This experiment was repeated with identical parameters, following a source exchange, with an 11.2Ci Ir192 source. Finally, a single snap measurement was acquired. Analysis was preformed to evaluate the fidelity of the dose delivery for each iteration of the experiment. Evaluation was based on the comparison between the measured and TPS predicted dose. Results: Higher sample rates induce a greater discrepancy between the predicted and measured dose. Delivering the plan using a lower activity source also produced greater discrepancy in the measurement due to the increased delivery time. Analyzing the single snap measurement showed little difference from the 500ms integral dose measurement. Conclusion: The advantage of using movie mode for HDR treatment delivery QA is the ability for real time source tracking in addition to dose measurement. Our analysis indicates that 500ms is an optimal frame rate.
Abstract 3805: Anticancer agent HJC0416 inhibits the growth of breast cancer xenografts via downregulating STAT3 signaling

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) play important roles in regulating the expression of genes activated during tumorigenesis. Particularly, STAT3 has been shown to contribute significantly in breast carcinogenesis and is often overexpressed in primary breast tumors. Increased STAT3 transcriptional activity is correlated with ER-negative phenotype in breast cancer cell lines and in primary invasive ductal breast carcinomas. Therefore, STAT3 emerges as a promising target for breast cancer treatment and prevention. We have designed, synthesized and screened a series of novel STAT3 inhibitors utilizing fragment-based drug design strategy. A number of small molecules with novel scaffolds have been discovered with low-micromolar to nanomolar potency in inhibiting the proliferation of various human breast cancer and pancreatic cancer cells. The identified compound HJC0416 significantly suppresses STAT3 promoter activity and STAT3 phosphorylation, reduces total STAT3 protein expression, induces cell growth arrest and early apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. HJC0416 also demonstrated a better efficacy in suppressing the growth of MDA-MB-231 breast xenograft tumors via intraperitoneal and oral administrative routes, with remarkably improved aqueous solubility and less toxicity than the lead compounds. We further demonstrated that p70S6K and MAPK pathways mediate the inhibitory effects from HJC0416 via downregulating RPS6, PDCD4 and EEF2K proteins. In conclusion, the new anticancer agent HJC0416 inhibits the growth of breast cancer xenografts via suppressing STAT3 expression and its phosphorylation. Citation Format: Ailian Xiong, Haijun Chen, Zhengduo Yang, Guoshuai Cai, Lili Wang, Chunyong Ding, Grace G. Xu, Christopher Wild, Na Ye, Ivan P. Uray, Jia Zhou, Qiang Shen. Anticancer agent HJC0416 inhibits the growth of breast cancer xenografts via downregulating STAT3 signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3805. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3805
Morphine via nitric oxide modulates beta-amyloid metabolism: a novel protective mechanism for Alzheimer's disease.

Background The deposition of intracellular and extracellular beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) in the brain is a pathologic feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. However, the exact role of the Abeta peptide in causing AD's symptoms is unclear. Material/methods CRL-2266 SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells (ATCC, USA) and HTB-11 human neuroblastoma cells (ATCC, USA) were cultured. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to analyze the effects of beta25-35, morphine, and SNAP treatments upon BACE-1 and BACE-2 mRNA expression semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The production of NO in SH-SY5Y cells was detected using the Apollo 4000 Free Radical Analyzer (World Precision Instruments). Results Untreated HTB-11 neuroblastoma cells constitutively express BACE-1 and BACE-2 mRNA. Morphine down regulates the expression of BACE-1 and up regulates the expression of BACE-2 in a naloxone antagonizable manner. When HTB-11 cells were treated with L-NAME, a cNOS inhibitor; the effects of morphine were blocked. SNAP (a NO donor) mimicked the effect of morphine. In SH-SY5Y cells, Abeta treated cells show a dose-dependent decrease in NO release, demonstrating that Ab is dose-dependently inhibiting the release of constitutive NO. Conclusions Ab and morphine/NO each inhibit the production of the other. This suggests that a deficiency of basal NO or endogenous morphine may trigger drastically reduced levels of basal NO. The outcome is chronic vasoconstriction and brain hypoperfusion and eventual neuronal death. This novel theorized mechanism for AD supports an increasingly-accepted vascular pathological hypothesis for the disease.
Indole-3-Carbinol Prevents Cervical Cancer in Human Papilloma Virus Type 16 (HPV16) Transgenic Mice

Mice that express transgenes for human papillomavirus type 16 under a keratin 14 promoter (K14-HPV16 mice) develop cervical cancer when they are given 17beta-estradiol chronically. We asked whether the antiestrogenic phytochemical indole-3-carbinol (I3C), found in cruciferous vegetables, administered at physiological doses, would prevent the cervical-vaginal cancer that is promoted in these mice by high doses of estrogen. We compared mice that were fed a control diet with those that were fed a diet supplemented with 2000 ppm I3C. In the group fed the control diet, at a dose of estradiol of 0.125 mg per 60-day release, 19 of 25 transgenic mice developed cervical-vaginal cancer within 6 months, and the remainder had dysplasia. Only 2 mice of 24 in the group fed the I3C supplemented diet developed cancer, and the remainder had dysplasia or hyperplasia. I3C reduced dysplasia in the nontransgenic mice. Similar results were obtained at a higher dose of estradiol (0.250 mg per 60-day release), and I3C helped to prevent morbidity associated with retention of fluid in the bladder that frequently occurred with the higher estradiol dose. Additionally, I3C appeared to reduce skin cancer in transgenic mice. These data indicate that I3C is a useful preventive for cervical-vaginal cancer and, possibly, other cancers with a papillomavirus component.
Energy efficient multi-resolution visual surveillance on wireless sensor networks

Visual surveillance with a distributed ad hoc sensor network enable reliable monitoring and control of a variety of applications that range from civil to military. However, due to the large volume of multimedia data associated with visual sensors, the surveillance scheme has to be architected with a goal of energy conservation and extending life expectancy. In this paper, we briefly discuss the computation and communication energy costs associated with a sensor node and explore the possibilities of extending battery life by choosing to perform local processing. We propose a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based multi-resolution surveillance schema designed to reduce power requirement. We then compare and contrast the computational and communication power expended by a traditionally used JPEG-based scheme and illustrate the significant power savings achieved by the proposed surveillance system
Surface relaxation kinetics of uranium dioxide

Abstract Surface relaxation techniques have been used to investigate surface and vapor-phase diffusion in stoichiometric uranium dioxide. A series of sinusoidal profiles, with wavelengths in the range 8–40 μ, were produced on the (100), (110) and (111) surfaces of UO 2 . The relaxation to flatness of these profiles, due to capillary forces, was measured at temperatures from 1660 to 2035°C in a helium atmosphere. From the wavelength dependence of the decay constant, it was established that the relaxation kinetics were controlled predominantly by the diffusion of UO 2 vapor in helium. The vapor-phase diffusion coefficients were determined from the relaxation times associated with surface smoothing, and were compared with the predictions of kinetic theory. The agreement is within a factor of 2–4, and is within the limits of uncertainty of various kinetic parameters. The anisotropy of the measured relaxation rates and the relative importance of surface, volume and vapor-phase diffusion in UO 2 are discussed.
P104 Novel unphosphorylated STAT-containing transcription factor complex formation induced by IFN-gamma treatment results in antiviral activity

Introduction Type-I (e.g. IFN- α , IFN- β ) and type-II IFNs (IFN- γ ) have antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory properties. We previously showed that ISGF3 II – composed of phosphorylated STAT1, unphosphorylated STAT2, and IRF9 – plays a role in IFN- γ -mediated antiviral activity in humans. This novel transcription factor complex bound to ISRE promoter sequences in the PKR promoter, and depletion of its constituents by siRNA knockdown reversed IFN- γ -mediated ISRE induction and antiviral activity. Our work suggested that upregulation of the STAT proteins results in favorable conditions that induce ISGF3 II , yet the mechanism by which IFN- γ induces this complex remains unknown. Methods In order to examine how the abundance of these proteins affects formation of ISGF3 II , we generated cells that stably overexpress STAT2 and IRF9. We performed co-immunoprecipitation assays to determine whether ISGF3 II can be formed in untreated cells. We also plan to utilize ChIP assays to asses the ability of ISGF3 II or a completely unphosphorylated ISGF3-like transcription factor can bind to and induce gene transcription in the absense of IFN treatment. In addition, we will also use these cells to assess whether overexpressing the components of ISGF3 can result in antiviral activity in the absence of IFN treatment. Results Cells that overexpress IRF9 show formation of transcription factor complexes containing STAT1, STAT2, and IRF9 in untreated cells. In addition, the relative amount of these proteins isolated by co-immunoprecipitation increases upon treatment with IFN- α 2a and IFN- γ for one hour. We were also able to isolate ISGF3-like transcription factor complexes from untreated cells that overexpress STAT2. Conclusion Our data suggest that ISGF3-like transcription factor complexes can be formed in the absence of IFN treatment due to the increase in the abundance of their components in the cytoplasm. Further studies utilizing these cells may provide insight into the mechanism by which IFN- γ induces formation of transcription factor complexes containing unphosphorylated STAT proteins, as well as their role in mediating antiviral activity.
Probability distributions and confidence intervals for simulated power law noise

A method for simulating power law noise in clocks and oscillators is presented based on modification of the spectrum of white phase noise, then Fourier transforming to the time domain. Symmetric real matrices are introduced whose traces—the sums of their eigenvalues—are equal to the Allan variances, in overlapping or non-overlapping forms, as well as for the corresponding forms of the modified Allan variance. We show that the standard expressions for spectral densities, and their relations to Allan variance, are obtained with this method. The matrix eigenvalues determine probability distributions for observing a variance at an arbitrary value of the sampling interval τ, and hence for estimating confidence in the measurements. Examples are presented for the common power-law noises. Extension to other variances such as the Hadamard variance, and variances with dead time, are discussed.
Simulating the development of chlorophyll maxima in the celtic sea

Abstract A chlorophyll maximum is often present in shallow seas during periods of thermal stratification. Data from the Celtic Sea are used to support formulation of a dynamic model describing the vertical-temporal distribution of cyanobacteria, flagellates, diatoms, copepods, ammonium, and nitrate, given year-long background patterns for temperature and available solar radiation. Simulated results include the typical spring diatom peak coupled to mixed layer depletion of ammonium and nitrate, as well as subsequent peaks for other plankters and accumulation of chlorophyll within the thermocline.
From shame to language maintenance: Some suggestions for a beginning SNA class

Abstract While most language departments recognize the need for a track designed specifically for native speakers of Spanish, many individuals involved in the actual implementation of such programs find themselves in a bind because of the theoretical and pedagogical theories regarding the teaching of a native language to students whose language competency is characterized by a ‘non-standard’ dialect and negligible exposure to the written word. This paper suggests the rejection of an eradication approach and favours a more humanistic approach which takes into account the students' affective ties to the native dialect. The native dialect can and should be used as a foundation on which to build Hispanophone students' overall language competency with emphasis being placed on the acquisition of reading and writing as life-time skills.
Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) test of dioxin emission monitors

The performance of four dioxin emission monitors, including two long-term sampling devices, the Dioxin-MonitoringSystem (DMS) and AMESA (the adsorption method for sampling dioxins and furans), and two semireal-time continuous monitors, the resonance ionization with multimirror photon accumulation time-of-flight mass spectrometer (RIMMPA-TOFMS) and the jet resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (jet-REMPI) system were tested. A package boiler burning a simulated chlorinated hazardous waste was used for a total of nine tests. Reference samples were collected during each test and analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs) using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The PCDD/F concentrations of the reference samples measured by EPA Method 23 ranged from 0.9 to 6.0 ng toxic equivalence (TEQ)/dry standard cubic meter. The relative accuracies achieved by DMS, AMESA, and jet-REMPI varied from 22.6% to 78.2%, with 100% data completeness. The RIMMPA-TOFMS produced no quantifiable results due to various difficulties associated with the instrument during the testing. The two long-term samplers were easy to install and operate and provided a cumulative, averaged emission for the sampling period. The operations of the two semi-real-time continuous monitors were relatively complex, but one of them provided on-site, real-time data for PCDD/F emissions from measurement of a TEQ correlative indicator compound. This article summarizes results from the individual Environmental Technology Verification reports for the four dioxin monitors.
Hg 0.8 Cd 0.2 Te native defects: densities and dopant properties

We examine the native defect equilibrium in HgCdTe, including cation and anion vacancies, interstitials, and antisites in the analysis. A gradient correction to the local density functional has been added to the defect formation enthalpies calculated within the local density approximation, and preliminary predictions of the dominant ionization states are made. Temperature-dependent defect formation entropies and the temperature dependence of the pre-exponentials are incorporated into the calculation of the defect densities. Degenerate Fermi-Dirac statistics are used for the electronic equilibration, and the intrinsic reaction constant as a function of composition and temperature is calculated. We theoretically substantiate the doubly ionized mercury vacancy as the dominant defect in HgCdTe, and expect the doubly ionized mercury vacancy densities to be comparable in HgZnTe. We predict that tellurium antisites are donors and will be present for some annealing conditions in sufficient quantities to be measured and possibly to affect device performance.
Thin film amorphous and microcrystalline Si for solar cells

Abstract Electrical properties and stability of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) are dominated by hydrogen movement in the film. Hydrogen movement and the Si film structures are affected by heat treatment. We have investigated the influence of anneal treatment on a-Si: H films. The a-Si: H was deposited on metal substrates. The structures investigated were i/n + /Mo, n/n + /Mo, p/p + /Mo, and PIN/n + SS. Four types of thermal annealing were done; nitrogen atmosphere anneal, vaccum anneal, rapid thermal anneal (RTA), and excimer laser anneal. The anneal temperature ranged from 100 to 1200°C. Dark and light I–V studies show an improvement in short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage with a low temperature anneal (200–300°C). Raman scattering spectroscopy examination showed that microcrystallization initiated even at a low temperature of 600°C. It was found that the anneal time only has a small effect on crystallization but that the anneal temperature has a critical effect. The micro-crystalline silicon exhibited improved photo response after rf plasma hydrogen passivation of grain boundaries.
A Link Quality Inference Model for IEEE 802.15.4 Low-Rate WPANs

Accurate estimation of PHY conditions would allow for better cross-layer resource management and provisioning. Unfortunately, most commercial-of-the-shelf (COTS) devices typically provide very limited information. For example, IEEE 802.15.4 Zigbee radios only provide received signal strength indicator (RSSI), link quality indicator (LQI) and noise floor readings, which are stored in frame check sequence (FCS) of MAC frames. In this paper, we revisit the issue of link quality prediction in IEEE 802.15.4 low rate wireless personal area networks (LR-WPAN) analytically and experimentally. By deciphering LQI readings available in Zigbee radios with CC2420 chipset, we demonstrate for the first time that LQI truly reflects the signal-to- noise ratio (SNR) at receiver. We also investigate the chip correlation (CORR) defined in CC2420 data sheet, and verify its relationship with LQI readings through measurement studies. Furthermore, in order to predict the instantaneous link quality for commodity Zigbee radios, we develop an inference model under different channel environments that uses instantaneous LQI readings as input. The proposed model is validated using extensive simulation and experimental study. We believe it will lead to more informed resource management decisions in WPANs.
Characterization of carbides by scanning tunneling microscopy

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy were used to characterize several carbide surfaces. A single-crystal (6H) SiC growth surface parallel to the basal plane exhibited macroscopic growth steps and facets of the order of 1.4–3.0 nm. Three midgap electronic states were identified on this surface, which allowed imaging at relatively low biases for a large-band-gap semiconductor. Facets were observed on a TiC 0.95 (100) fracture surface with dimensions of five to ten times the unit-cell size. Surface reactions were observed by characterizing the SiC surfaces before and after exposure to the atmosphere and by in situ monitoring of a surface adsorbate on TiC. The first topographic images of a phase boundary were obtained in a polycrystalline Al 2 O 3 TiC composite.