cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of humic and fulvic acids with Eu(III) and Am(III)

Abstract The binding constants of Eu(III) and Am(III) with fulvic and humic acids have been measured by a tracer method. The binding constants of these acids exhibited a polyelectrolyte enhancement factor of 104–105 when compared to the analogous monomer ligands. Evidence was found for binding by two types of sites with 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometry.
School Outcomes of Sexual Minority Youth in the United States: Evidence from a National Study.

Using data from the Add Health Study, the first nationally representative study of adolescents in the U.S. to include information on same-sex romantic attraction, we examine school outcomes (school troubles, attitudes, and performance) of same-sex attracted youth within the context of four relational domains: family, teacher, social, and peer. Results indicate that each domain plays a role in the negative attitudes about school held by these sexual minority youth. However, sexual minority youths' feelings about their teachers play an important role in explaining school troubles.
Virtual-reality in microelectronics laboratory instruction

Computer simulations are powerful educational tools. They allow students to explore and interact with worlds not normally accessible. Places or events too small, too expensive, too slow, too fast, or too dangerous to enter can be explored with virtual reality. The microelectronics laboratory is one of those worlds. This paper describes a virtual-reality microelectronics laboratory that was written to help teach the principles involved in process integration. The laboratory simulation has been successfully used to assist with teaching a microelectronics technology short course.
Seismicity and suspect terranes in the southeastern United States

Evaluation of seismic hazard in the eastern United States is hampered by lack of a strong geologic foundation. If suspect terranes exist in the Appalachians, then geologic and mechanical differences between terranes may provide such a foundation. For example, a published map of suggested terranes is consistent with spatial characteristics of southeastern seismicity and with structural models of seismicity in central and southwestern Virginia and in southeastern South Carolina.
Elevated risk for autoimmune disorders in iraq and afghanistan veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Abstract Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with endocrine and immune abnormalities that could increase risk for autoimmune disorders. However, little is known about the risk for autoimmune disorders among individuals with PTSD. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 666,269 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans under age 55 who were enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system between October 7, 2001, and March 31, 2011. Generalized linear models were used to examine if PTSD, other psychiatric disorders, and military sexual trauma exposure increased risk for autoimmune disorders, including thyroiditis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus erythematosus, adjusting for age, gender, race, and primary care visits. Results PTSD was diagnosed in 203,766 veterans (30.6%), and psychiatric disorders other than PTSD were diagnosed in an additional 129,704 veterans (19.5%). Veterans diagnosed with PTSD had significantly higher adjusted relative risk (ARR) for diagnosis with any of the autoimmune disorders alone or in combination compared with veterans with no psychiatric diagnoses (ARR = 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.91–2.09) and compared with veterans diagnosed with psychiatric disorders other than PTSD (ARR = 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.43–1.59; p Conclusions Trauma exposure and PTSD may increase risk for autoimmune disorders. Altered immune function, lifestyle factors, or shared etiology may underlie this association.
The Contributions of the Economics of Information to Twentieth Century Economics

In the e eld of economics, perhaps the most important break with the past— one that leaves open huge areas for future work— lies in the economics of information. It is now recognized that information is imperfect, obtaining information can be costly, there are important asymmetries of information, and the extent of information asymmetries is affected by actions of e rms and individuals. This recognition deeply affects the understanding of wisdom inherited from the past, such as the fundamental welfare theorem and some of the basic characterization of a market economy, and provides explanations of economic and social phenomena that otherwise would be hard to understand. I. INTRODUCTION The century coming to a close has seen vast changes in economics in both ideas and methodology. Upon ree ection, it is remarkable, however, how many of the seeds of advances in this century were sowed in the previous. I would argue that perhaps the most important break with the past— one that leaves open huge areas for future work— lies in the economics of information. The recognition that information is imperfect, that obtaining information can be costly, that there are important asymmetries of information, and that the extent of information asymmetries is affected by actions of e rms and individuals, has had profound implications for the wisdom inherited from the past, and has provided explanations of economic and social phenomena that otherwise would be hard to understand. In this essay I wish to argue that information economics has had— directly and indirectly— a profound effect on how we think about economics today. Eighteenth and Nineteenth-Century Antecedents To be sure, Marshall and other nineteenth century economists talked about problems of imperfect information. But with one exception, discussions of information were obiter dicta, caveats at the end of the analysis; they were never at the center.
A Single Sensitizer for the Excitation of Visible and NIR Lanthanide Emitters in Water with High Quantum Yields

The versatile octadentate TIAM ligand forms lanthanide (Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho) complexes with high quantum yields in water. This ligand is an efficient sensitizer, and also shields the metal center from solvent quenching, as shown by an X-ray diffraction study of the Ho complex.
Air Quality Monitoring with SensorMap

The mobile air quality monitoring network (MAQUMON) is presented. The system consists of a number of car-mounted sensor nodes measuring different pollutants in the air. The data points are tagged with location and time utilizing an on-board GPS. Periodically, the measurements are uploaded to a server, processed and then published on the SensorMap portal. Given a sufficient number of nodes and diverse mobility patterns, a detailed picture of the air quality in a large area will be obtained at a low cost.
Sensor configuration and activation for field detection in large sensor arrays

The problems of sensor configuration and activation for the detection of correlated random fields using large sensor arrays are considered. Using results that characterize the large-array performance of sensor networks in this application, the detection capabilities of different sensor configurations are analyzed and compared. The dependence of the optimal choice of configuration on parameters such as sensor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), field correlation, etc., is examined, yielding insights into the most effective choices for sensor selection and activation in various operating regimes.
Influence of fractionation schedules on the response of a rat brain tumor to therapy with BCNU and radiation

Abstract The maximum dose of 1, 3 his(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) that produced minimal toxicity after intraperitoneal administration 2, 3, or 5×/wk for 2 weeks was found to be 3.0, 2.5, or 2.0 mg/kg/treatment, respectively. BCNU toxicity appeared to be related to the total dose administered, which indicated little if any split-dose recovery. Deaths after whole brain irradiation resulted predominantly from starvation because of the inability of the irradiated rats to eat food pellets. When placed on a diet of soft mash, virtually all rats survived irradiation schedules of 520 rad/day 2× /wk for 2 wk; 433 rad/day 3× /wk for 2 wk; and 260 rad/day 5× /wk for 2 wk. There was no additional toxicity when these maximum doses of BCNU and radiation were combined in 2 week fractionation schemes. The 2× /wk and 3× /wk BCNU + radiation schedules, which employed the maximum tolerable doses of each agent, were as effective as the 5× /wk combination schedule in treating day 12 intracerebral 9L brain tumors.
Managing unmanned flight projects using methods in complex product development

Recent developments in management science at the MIT Sloan School of Management provide a disciplined approach to managing complex product development. The methods are in wide use in industry both in the US and abroad. The principles involved in complex product development are very much applicable to managing unmanned planetary flight projects. Central to the methods involved is the decision structure matrix, also referred to as the design structure matrix by some. This paper discusses the use of decision structure matrices (DSMs) in managing complex unmanned planetary exploration projects. The DSM is a powerful approach for defining, recording, and examining system dependencies, be it at the program-level, project-level or at an individual task-level. It is based on the premise that success in business requires an efficient sharing of information. The DSM provides a disciplined approach and a powerful methodology for managing projects via identification of intrinsic system dependencies during both development and operational phases.
Direct contact membrane method for evaluating preservative efficacy in solid cosmetics

Synopsis A method was developed for evaluating in-product preservative efficacy of solid cosmetics. Microbes (10(5)-10(6) colony-forming units) resting on membrane filters were placed in direct contact with the surface of pressed eye shadows at room temperature in a moist chamber. At daily intervals, or as appropriate, the filters were removed and viable counts were determined by pour plates of modified letheen agar. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate preservative efficacy. Decimal reduction times (D values) of 1.2-1.7 days were obtained for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 on in-house pressed eye shadows preserved with parabens and Germall 115. An average D value of 1.7 was also obtained for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus on a commercially pressed eye shadow containing the same preservatives as the in-house formulation. However, this commercial product was either totally ineffective or about 3-6 times less effective against E. coli. The predicted complete inactivation time corresponding to the above D value was about 9 days and was within the limits of current cosmetic guidelines for bacteria of 'less than 0.1% survival by the 14th day.'
Predicting regional variations in trabecular bone mechanical properties within the human proximal tibia using MR imaging.

article i nfo Trabecular bone density changes throughout the proximal tibia are indicative of several musculoskeletal disorders of the knee joint. Many of these disorders involve not only changes in the amount of bone, but also in the surrounding soft tissue. Osteoarthritis, for instance, involves bone density changes below the subchondral bone and throughout the proximal tibia, along with degradation evident in the articular cartilage. Osteoporosis, characterized by low bone density may also involve changes in bone size, structure or microarchitecture, each of which may contribute to fracture risk. Recent studies have shown that magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, most frequently applied for soft tissue imaging, also allows non-invasive 3- dimensional characterization of bone microstructure. The purpose of the current study is to use whole joint MR images to acquire regional apparent bone volume fraction (appBVF) throughout the proximal tibia and correlate with mechanical properties measured on the corresponding ex vivo specimens. To compare our method to a high-resolution imaging modality, micro-CT analysis was performed in a subset of specimens. Using linear mixed-effects models, significant correlations (pb0.05) were determined between MR appBVF and Young's modulus (r 2
Comparison of copper-64 labeled somatostatin agonists and antagonist as imaging and therapeutic agents

409 Objectives Copper-64 radiopharmaceuticals have demonstrated tumor growth inhibition with a relatively low radiation dose. We reported that 64Cu localization to tumor cell nuclei was dependent on the tumor suppressor protein p53; therefore, the in vitro and in vivo behavior of 64Cu-labeled agonists and an antagonist was investigated in SSTr2-transfected HCT116 human colorectal carcinoma cell lines that are either +/+ or -/- for p53 to determine the most optimal agent for PET imaging and targeted radiotherapy. Methods Receptor binding, internalization, nuclear localization and in vivo studies were performed with the SSTr2 agonists, 64Cu-CB-TE2A-Y3-TATE and 64Cu-DOTA-Y3-TATE vs. antagonist, 64Cu-CB-TE2A-sst2-ANT in sstr2-transfected p53 +/+ and -/- HCT116 cells. Results The antagonist, 64Cu-CB-TE2A-sst2-ANT, bound 8-9-fold more SSTr2 sites than did the 64Cu-labeled agonists. 64Cu-CB-TE2A-Y3-TATE was more efficiently internalized than 64Cu-DOTA-Y3-TATE, while 64Cu-CB-TE2A-sst2-ANT showed lower, yet significant levels of internalization. The 64Cu from agonists showed greater nuclear localization at 24 h in p53 +/+ vs -/- cells; however, there was no difference in the levels of 64Cu from the antagonist based on p53 status. Surprisingly, the DOTA and CB-TE2A conjugated agonists showed similar nuclear localization in the p53 +/+ and -/- cells. In vivo studies showed 64Cu-CB-TE2A-Y3-TATE to have the most optimal tumor uptake and clearance through non-target tissues. Conclusions p53 plays a role in 64Cu trafficking into tumor cell nuclei, as higher nuclear uptake was observed for p53 +/+ vs p53 -/- cell lines for both agonists. Based on the in vitro and biodistribution and imaging results, the agonist 64Cu-CB-TE2A-Y3-TATE is the most optimal agent for both PET imaging and targeted radiotherapy in the SSTr2-transfected HCT116 tumor model. Research Support NCI grant R01 CA064475 (CJA) and NCI grant R24 CA8630
Drought-induced piñon mortality alters the seasonal dynamics of microbial activity in piñon–juniper woodland

Abstract Pinon ( Pinus edulis ) – Juniper ( Juniperus monosperma ) (PJ) woodlands cover 17+ million hectares in the western USA. These woodlands have been particularly sensitive to recent changes in climate, with drought induced die-offs of pinon occurring across 1.5 million ha, since 2000, triggering large changes in the structure and function of these biomes. To assess the effects of this large scale mortality on soil processes, we analyzed rhizosphere extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) and fungal biomass in soil samples collected beneath tree canopies at two pinon–juniper woodland sites: one site where pinons were experimentally killed by girdling, and a paired intact site with no pinon mortality that served as a reference. We also quantified soil water content (SWC) from soil samples, and sap flow density fluxes as an indicator of tree physiological status. Soil EEA patterns varied as functions of the identity of the closest competitor trees, host-tree physiological status, and SWC. At the girdled site, we observed higher plant cell wall related decomposition activities under live juniper canopies, compared to dead pinon trees. In contrast, at the control site, we observed higher plant cell wall decomposition rates under live pinon rather than juniper canopies, particularly with higher soil moisture availability. At the site level, ordination plots for intact PJ woodlands showed a decreasing trend in microbial cell wall decomposition activity as soil water availability, and fungal biomass increased. We observed the opposite trend at the girdled site. Overall, these results suggest that widespread pinon mortality significantly affects the functional behavior of rhizosphere microorganisms at multiple scales, in part by shifting the focal substrates of microbial community decomposition.
Percentiles of t -Distributions

Absolute value of t statistic (i.e., |t|) given df and tail (both upper and lower tails) probability
Wisconsin Lawyers Use 'Cooperative Practice' in Divorce Cases

This is a brief preview of a forthcoming study of members of the Divorce Cooperation Institute (DCI), a group of Wisconsin lawyers who use a "Cooperative" process to provide a constructive and efficient negotiation process in divorce cases. The study involved in-depth telephone interviews and several surveys of DCI members. Although DCI members use this process only in divorce cases, it can be readily adapted for other types of cases.DCI's approach generally involves an explicit process agreement at the outset, based on principles of: (1) acting civilly, (2) responding promptly to reasonable requests for information, (3) disclosing all relevant financial information, (4) obtaining joint expert opinions before obtaining individual expert opinions, (5) obtaining expert input before requesting a custody study or appointment of a guardian ad litem, and (5) good-faith negotiation sessions, including four-way sessions where appropriate, to reach fair compromises based on valid information. The study describes how Cooperative Practice differs from traditional litigation-oriented process as well as Collaborative process. DCI members report that Cooperative Practice provides greater predictability and confidence than negotiation in litigation.Unlike Collaborative Practice, in Cooperative Practice, there is no "disqualification agreement" and thus Cooperative lawyers are not disqualified from representing clients in litigation if needed. Although Cooperative lawyers use many of the same procedures as in Collaborative Practice, they report using them selectively which they believe generally produces good outcomes as efficiently as possible.The complete results of the study will be published in "Practical Insights From an Empirical Study of Cooperative Lawyers in Wisconsin," 2008 Journal of Dispute Resolution (forthcoming).
Replacing the computer mouse

In a few months the computer mouse will be half-a-century-old. It is known to have many drawbacks, the main ones being: loss of productivity due to constant switching between keyboard and mouse, and health issues such as RSI. Like the keyboard, it is an unnatural human-computer interface. However the vast majority of computer users still use computer mice nowadays. In this article, we explore computer mouse alternatives. Our research shows that moving the mouse cursor can be done efficiently with camera-based head tracking system such as the SmartNav device, and mouse clicks can be emulated in many complementary ways. We believe that computer users can increase their productivity and improve their long-term health by using these alternatives.
A Global Imperative for Achieving Managerial Strength and Synergy through the Mitigation of Micro-Aggression Workplace Behavior

As the reinventing and realignment of management to conduct global business continues during this decade and in future years, the new global landscape dictates even greater interaction among diverse peoples. Thus, it has become essential for business organizations to both develop and enhance desired human capital outcomes by managing micro aggression that can severely hinder the contributions and combined abilities of trans-cultural employees whose effectiveness depends on maximum capacity for making decisions, working together, and adding value to their organizations. Moreover, it is important to promote strategically directed team development to maximize human interaction and cooperation processes when doing business globally.A 2011 McKinsey study of more than 1,000 major businesses showed that when organizations worked at reducing the combined effect of bias and regressive behaviors in their decision-making processes, they were able to achieve and sustain returns up to seven percentage points higher than previously. This research based discussion looks at contemporary global human capital trends amidst possible adverse impacts of micro-aggression in light of innovative and creative process and performance from the 21st century global workforce which could significantly decrease their productivity. Subsequently, the authors discuss and provide benefits of effectively mitigating micro-aggression.
Integrated analytics system for electric industry asset management

Energy and utility companies are asset-intensive and often have aging infrastructure. They are also making a transition from time-based maintenance and heuristic decision-making to condition-driven maintenance and information-based decision-making. Achieving the objectives for infrastructure asset management requires integration of information from multiple heterogeneous data sources. This data resides in diverse and distributed systems of record, and these systems have proprietary data formats, data semantics, and data stewardship processes. It is challenging to organize these varieties of data sources into an integrated system to enable development and deployment of a wide variety of advanced asset analytics to support an effective asset management strategy. In this paper, we report on an integrated analytics system that addresses challenges in 1) organizing the data sources into a coherent integrated data model, 2) providing core capability of history reconstruction and other data services, and 3) provisioning to handle the large volume of historical data.
Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulfide Associations with Regional Bacterial Diversity Patterns in Microbially Induced Concrete Corrosion

The microbial communities associated with deteriorating concrete corrosion fronts were characterized in 35 samples taken from wastewater collection and treatment systems in ten utilities. Bacterial communities were described using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the V1V2 region of the small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (SSU-rRNA) gene recovered from fresh corrosion products. Headspace gas concentrations (hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and methane), pore water pH, moisture content, and select mineralogy were tested for correlation to community outcomes and corrosion extent using pairwise linear regressions and canonical correspondence analysis. Corroding concrete was most commonly characterized by moisture contents greater than 10%, pore water pH below one, and limited richness ( 10...
Experimental Evidence For Sulfur Induced Loss Of Ductility In Copper Shaped-Charge Jets

We have observed that a change in the bulk sulfur content of oxygen-free electronic copper markedly affects its high temperature (400–1000°C), high strain-rate (> 103 s−1) deformation and fracture behavior. These conditions are typical of those found in "jets" formed from the explosive deformation of copper shaped-charge liners. Specifically, an increase in the bulk sulfur concentration from 4 ppm to 8 ppm shortens the breakup time, tb, of the copper jets by nearly 20% as measured using flash x-ray radiographs recorded during breakup of the jets. At bulk concentrations of 4 ppm, the jet was observed to be uniform and axisymmetric with a breakup time of 186 µs. Jet particles exhibited length-to-diameter ratios of roughly 8:1. The addition of sulfur transformed the jet breakup behavior to non-uniform, non-axisymmetric rupture and reduced the breakup time to 147 µs. The length-to-diameter ratios decreased to roughly 5:1 in the sulfurdoped samples. Previously measured sulfur solubilities and diffusivities in copper at the temperatures where this material was processed indicates nearly all of the sulfur was localized to grain boundaries. Therefore, we infer that the increase in sulfur content at grain boundaries is directly responsible for the change in breakup performance of the shaped-charge jets.
Guide-Posts in Marketing Control:

P ROBABLY one of the most fundamental guide-posts to marketing control was stated over a hundred years ago by that rather penetrating German philosopher, George Wilhelm Friedrick Hegel (17701831). He stated, "history teaches this-that peoples and governments have never learned anything from history." It is interesting to note that he did not say peoples and governments could not learn from history. I quote Hegel because his great contribution to thought was his ability to combine the real with the ideal.
The efficacy of ulinastatin joint Danhong injection in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis

Objective To outlook Ulinastatin joint Danhong injection treatment of severe acute pancreatitis of the efficacy.Methods The treatment of 60 cases of confirmed severe acute pancreatitis in our hospital from January 2010 to January 2012 as the selected object,all patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group,each 30 cases,groups were treated ECG monitoring,fasting,decompression,oxygen,rehydration,maintenance of water,electrolyte and acid-base balance,improve hemodynamics,antibiotics prevent infection,nutritional support,symptomatic and supportive treatment.Again on the basis of observation group to Danhong injection 20~40 mL 0.9% saline 250~500 mL diluted slow intravenous infusion of ulinastatin 20 mg+100 mL normal saline slow intravenous infusion three times a day.Results The observation group after treatment ineffective in only three cases,the total effective rate was 90.0%(27/30),the control group,8 cases,total effective rate was 73.3%(22/30),the observation group,the total efficiency was significantly higher than con trol group,the difference was statistically significant(P 0.05).The observation group abdominal pain,bloating relief time,time to first bowel movement,length of hospital stay were significantly shorter in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P 0.05 or P 0.01).The two groups before treatment blood amylase comparison,the difference was not significant,lower than those before treatment after treatment and observation group after treatment,serum amylase level was significantly lower than the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P 0.05).Conclusion The effect of the ulinastatin joint Danhong injection treatment of severe acute pancreatitis,security,worthy of promotion and application.
Putting PrEP into Practice: Lessons Learned from Early-Adopting U.S. Providers’ Firsthand Experiences Providing HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and Associated Care

Optimizing access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an evidence-based HIV prevention resource, requires expanding healthcare providers’ adoption of PrEP into clinical practice. This qualitative study explored PrEP providers’ firsthand experiences relative to six commonly-cited barriers to prescription—financial coverage, implementation logistics, eligibility determination, adherence concerns, side effects, and anticipated behavior change (risk compensation)—as well as their recommendations for training PrEP-inexperienced providers. U.S.-based PrEP providers were recruited via direct outreach and referral from colleagues and other participants (2014–2015). One-on-one interviews were conducted in person or by phone, transcribed, and analyzed. The sample (n = 18) primarily practiced in the Northeastern (67%) or Southern (22%) U.S. Nearly all (94%) were medical doctors (MDs), most of whom self-identified as infectious disease specialists. Prior experience prescribing PrEP ranged from 2 to 325 patients. Overall, providers reported favorable experiences with PrEP implementation and indicated that commonly anticipated problems were minimal or manageable. PrEP was covered via insurance or other programs for most patients; however, pre-authorization requirements, laboratory/service provision costs, and high deductibles sometimes presented challenges. Various models of PrEP care and coordination with other providers were utilized, with several providers highlighting the value of clinical staff support. Eligibility was determined through joint decision-making with patients; CDC guidelines were commonly referenced but not considered absolute. Patient adherence was variable, with particularly strong adherence noted among patients who had actively sought PrEP (self-referred). Providers observed minimal adverse effects or increases in risk behavior. However, they identified several barriers with respect to accessing and engaging PrEP candidates. Providers offered a wide range of suggestions regarding content, strategy, and logistics surrounding PrEP training, highlighting sexual history-taking and sexual minority competence as areas to prioritize. These insights from early-adopting PrEP providers may facilitate adoption of PrEP into clinical practice by PrEP-inexperienced providers, thereby improving access for individuals at risk for HIV.
How to Evaluate Tumor Burden Before Therapeutic Decision

Absent residual tumor after primary debulking surgery is one of the main prognostic factors in advanced ovarian cancer. However, complete resection is very difficult to obtain, due to the wide spread diffusion of the disease both within the abdominal cavity on peritoneal surfaces, and to the liver/spleen, or far to the lung, brain and lymphnodes. Predicting successful surgical outcome depends on many variables including patients’ characteristics, serum markers, and disease extension. Here we describe more advanced techniques to assess pre-operative tumor burden, ongoing clinical trials and integrated clinical models to individualize therapeutic decision.
Activated T Cells (ATC) Armed with Anti-CD3 X Anti-Her2/Neu Bispecific Antibody (Her2Bi) Is a Potent Immunomodulator

Abstract In our ongoing phase I dose-escalation trial in women with metastatic breast cancer, multiple infusions of ATC armed with Her2Bi (aATC) induced elevated levels of IL-2, IFNγ TNFα, GM-CSF, and IL-12 as well as the development of cytotoxic activity directed at breast cancer cell lines lasting up to 4 months (Grabert et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2006). These results suggested that aATC infusions “vaccinated” the endogenous immune system of the patients. In this study, we explored mechanisms of the increased cytotoxicity after immunotherapy with armed ATC by testing for cell-mediated cytotoxicity and in vitro anti-tumor antibody synthesis. We co-cultured irradiated aATC with fresh PBMC in presence or absence of SKBR3 for 7 days, collected the PBMC, and tested for cytotoxicity in MTT and Cr51 release assays directed at SKBR3, Daudi and A-431 cell lines. PBMC mediated high levels of non-specific cytotoxicity against all tested cell lines and there were no phenotypic changes in the PBMC after 7 days of co-culture. When PBMC were co-cultured with irradiated aATC and SKBR3 for 21 days in presence of IL-2, the B cells in the PBMC produced significantly higher amounts of specific Abs directed SKBR3 (ELISA for antibodies binding to SKBR3) compared to PBMC co-cultured with SKBR3 alone. CpG ODN type C augmented in vitro anti-SKBR3 Ab synthesis. These studies show that Her2Bi-armed ATCco-cultured with PBMC enhanced nonspecific cytotoxicity and induced in vitro specific antibody synthesis directed at SKBR3 cells. Evidence that Her2Bi armed ATC can induce a vaccination response is supported by dendritic cell (DC) loading experiments in which aATC were transiently mixed with SKBR3 cells to generate tumor lysate. IL-4 and GM-CSF generated DC were exposed to the lysate for 24 h, washed, and co-cultured with fresh PBMC for 14 and 21 days. At the end of co-culture, cytotoxicity assays against SKBR3 increased markedly whereas cytotoxicity directed at Daudi targets was low. In addition, there were considerable levels of Abs directed to SKBR3 in the supernatants of PBMC co-cultured with DC loaded with SKBR3 lysate, but not with DC loaded with SKBR3-culture media or RPMI alone. These studies established that the lysate produced as a result of aATC cytotoxicity against SKBR3 is immunogenic for DC. In summary, when PBMC were co-cultured with DC exposed to SKBR3 lysate, there was induction of specific cytotoxicity and in vitro tumor specific Abs synthesis. Together with experiments involving primary co-cultures of irradiated aATC, PBMC, and SKBR3, our studies show that there are both non-specific and specific cellular and humoral responses generated as a result of co-culture with Her2Bi armed ATC. These studies provide evidence that aATC infusions can induce both specific and non-specific cellular, humoral, and cytokine responses from the endogenous immune systems of patients. Please credit the grants R01CA92344, 5P30CA022453-25, 1819 from Michigan Economic Development Corporation and 6066-06 from Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Achmatowicz reaction and its application in the syntheses of bioactive molecules

Substituted pyranones and tetrahydropyrans are structural subunits of many bioactive natural products. Considerable effort is devoted toward the chemical synthesis of these natural products due to their therapeutic potential as well as low natural abundance. These embedded pyranones and tetrahydropyran structural motifs have been the subject of synthetic interest over the years. While there are methods available for the synthesis of these subunits, there are issues related to regio- and stereochemical outcomes, as well as versatility and compatibility of reaction conditions and functional group tolerance. The Achmatowicz reaction, an oxidative ring enlargement of a furyl alcohol, was developed in the 1970s. The reaction provides a unique entry to a variety of pyranone derivatives from functionalized furanyl alcohols. These pyranones provide convenient access to substituted tetrahydropyran derivatives. This review outlines general approaches to the synthesis of tetrahydropyrans, covering general mechanistic aspects of the Achmatowicz reaction or rearrangement with an overview of the reagents utilized for the Achmatowicz reaction. The review then focuses on the synthesis of functionalized tetrahydropyrans and pyranones and their applications in the synthesis of natural products and medicinal agents.
Plasma-based chemical functionalization of graphene to control the thermal transport at graphene-metal interfaces

Abstract The unique characteristics of graphene have generated much excitement due to its utility across a variety of applications. One of the principal issues inhibiting the development of graphene technologies pertains to difficulties in engineering high-quality metal contacts on graphene. In this regard, the thermal transport at the metal/graphene interface plays a significant role in the overall performance of devices. Here, we demonstrate the use of electron beam produced plasmas to chemically modify graphene and how these modifications can be used to tune the thermal transport across metal-graphene interfaces. We show that the operating conditions of the plasma can be adjusted to control the character and quantity of chemical moieties at the interface. Typically, when changes in the surface chemistry favor an increase in adhesion between the graphene and metal, the thermal boundary conductance can be notably improved. Interestingly, the conventional approach of adding a titanium “wetting layer” to improve metal adhesion did not improve the thermal boundary conductance at gold contacts.
Low frequency noise in hydrogenated p-type amorphous silicon thin films

Abstract We report on electrical noise measurements of p-type a-Si:H thin films prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Samples were grown at various boron concentrations and hydrogen dilution of the silane precursor. Measurements were made at temperatures ranging from 210 K to 450 K. In this temperature range, Mott variable range hopping conduction describes the electrical conductivity, and the noise has a 1/fγ component. The exponent γ for temperatures below 400 K is approximately 1, and the noise follows the Hooge model. For temperatures between 240 K and 380 K, the 1/f noise was found to be independent of the conductivity. Therefore, the carrier concentration does not change appreciably with temperature and the change in conductivity is due to the temperature dependence of the hole mobility. The normalized Hooge parameter correlates with the Mott hopping parameter, T0M, and in turn, to the material dopant boron concentration and hydrogen dilution levels. For temperatures above 400 K, the frequency exponent, γ, is larger than 1, indicative of a generation-recombination trap contribution to the noise. From the dependence of the normalized Hooge parameter to the Mott characteristic temperature T0M, we conclude that the electrical 1/f noise in p-type a-Si:H is associated with hopping conduction.
Myofilament Calcium Sensitivity: Consequences of the Effective Concentration of Troponin I

Control of calcium binding to and dissociation from cardiac troponin C (TnC) is essential to healthy cardiac muscle contraction/relaxation. There are numerous aberrant post-translational modifications and mutations within a plethora of contractile, and even non-contractile, proteins that appear to imbalance this delicate relationship. The direction and extent of the resulting change in calcium sensitivity is thought to drive the heart toward one type of disease or another. There are a number of molecular mechanisms that may be responsible for the altered calcium binding properties of TnC, potentially the most significant being the ability of the regulatory domain of TnC to bind the switch peptide region of TnI. Considering TnI is essentially tethered to TnC and cannot diffuse away in the absence of calcium, we suggest that the apparent calcium binding properties of TnC are highly dependent upon an “effective concentration” of TnI available to bind TnC. Based on our previous work, TnI peptide binding studies and the calcium binding properties of chimeric TnC-TnI fusion constructs, and building upon the concept of effective concentration, we have developed a mathematical model that can simulate the steady-state and kinetic calcium binding properties of a wide assortment of disease-related and post-translational protein modifications in the isolated troponin complex and reconstituted thin filament. We predict that several TnI and TnT modifications do not alter any of the intrinsic calcium or TnI binding constants of TnC, but rather alter the ability of TnC to “find” TnI in the presence of calcium. These studies demonstrate the apparent consequences of the effective TnI concentration in modulating the calcium binding properties of TnC.
Leader-following consensus of parameter-dependent networks via distributed gain-scheduling control

This paper addresses the problem of leader-following consensus control of multi-agent systems subject to time-varying parameters and local, external disturbances. The agent dynamics are considered to be heterogeneous and represented in the form of parameter-dependent linear fractional transformation LFT. A novel distributed gain-scheduling control protocol is proposed, which consists of a distributed observer and a gain-scheduling LFT output-feedback controller. No plant state/output information but the local observer's estimation state is required to share among neighbouring agents. Under this new distributed control scheme, the overall network consensus with optimal disturbance attenuation performance can be achieved effectively by solving a set of independent convex optimisation problems. Simulation studies on synchronisation of multiple electrical circuit systems have been conducted to demonstrate the proposed approach.
Using a mutual acoustic impedance model to improve the time domain response of PMUT arrays

This paper presents an equivalent circuit model of a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) array, combining an acoustic coupling model originally developed for capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) arrays and an electro-mechanical model of the individual PMUTs in the array. This model is experimentally validated with PMUT arrays of varied sizes and accurately predicts both the time response and frequency-domain bandwidth. The model also demonstrates that the transmit pulse response of PMUT arrays is strongly affected by acoustic coupling within the array.
Aortic hemodynamics in postmenopausal women following cessation of hormone therapy

Abstract Central (aortic) blood pressure and aortic pulse wave characteristics are measures of cardiovascular health, predictive of cardiovascular mortality. Previous studies have compared aortic hemodynamics in women who do and do not take menopausal hormone therapy, but characteristics of these parameters following cessation of treatment have not been defined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to define aortic pulse wave characteristics in postmenopausal women with and without a history of menopausal hormone therapy use. Pulse wave analysis was conducted on 67 women who had participated in the randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS), 3 years subsequent to the four‐year treatment period. Treatment was oral conjugated equine estrogen (0.45 mg/day; n = 18); transdermal 17 β ‐estradiol (50 μ g/day; n = 23) each with oral micronized progesterone (Prometrium 200 mg); and placebo pills and patch ( n = 26). At post‐treatment, median age (60 years) and body mass index (27 kg/m 2 ) did not differ across prior treatment assignment. Aortic blood pressures (median systolic 115 mm Hg and diastolic 76 mm Hg) and augmentation index (median 33%) did not differ among women across prior treatment assignment. These results suggest that these doses and formulations of menopausal hormone therapy had no long‐term effects on central vascular function 3 years after cessation of treatment.
'Yes in My Backyard': Can a New Pro-Housing Movement Overcome the Power of NIMBYs?

For years local politics across the country have been dominated by homeowners who strongly oppose the construction of any new development – especially housing – in their communities. The success of these homeowners, often derisively called NIMBYs (“Not in my Backyard”) can be measured in skyrocketing housing costs, a sluggish economy, and widening inequality. In the last few years, a new grassroots movement has begun to emerge and, adopting the moniker YIMBY (“Yes in My Backyard”), has taken aim squarely at the NIMBY problem. As housing costs have risen to shocking levels in prosperous cities like Boston, Portland and San Francisco, residents in these and many other cities have formed organizations devoted to advocating at both the local and state level for policies that facilitate the construction of more housing. In a short time, YIMBY has had remarkable success, helping push an important package of housing bills through the California legislature in 2017, among many other achievements. YIMBY’s meteoric rise poses the question of whether it can sustain its success where other movements to combat NIMBYism have failed. NIMBYism is a powerful force because both state and local governments are structured to favor the interests of slow-growth homeowners over advocates for new housing. In this paper, I sketch some of the challenges YIMBYs are facing as they confront NIMBYism, and what strategies may be successful in overcoming those challenges.
Inception: Iran’s Non-State Foreign Policy in pre-1958

Iran’s non-state foreign policy under the Shah’s reign was mainly crafted out of Iran’s historical relations with the Iraqi Kurds and the Lebanese Shia. The extent and nature of Pahlavi Iran’s ties with these two non-state actors were to some degree related to their past connections with Iranian dynasties and society. As an ethnically and culturally Iranian people, the Kurds, particularly the Iraqi Kurds, used to be part of Iran’s territory. As the major Shia country in the region, Iran kept its ties with the Shia communities since the early sixteenth century. Before the late 1950s, these connections had been mostly cultural and religious. It was only after the Iraqi coup of 1958 that the Iranian regime began crafting its non-state foreign policy toward the Iraqi Kurds and the Lebanese Shia.
The Painful Sacroiliac Iliac Joint

Dysfunction of the sacroiliac (SI) joint is a recognized contributor to axial back pain. In this chapter, we will describe the challenge of making the diagnosis of SI joint dysfunction that may respond positively to surgical management, the relative indications and contraindications for surgical intervention, and the authors’ preferred technique.
Democracy and Discontent: From breakdown to order: West Bengal

West Bengal is something of an exception in India's contemporary political landscape. Whereas many states have experienced political instability over the past two decades, West Bengal has been relatively well governed since 1977. That stability has been remarkable because it has not been the result of low levels of political mobilization; West Bengal probably was India's most politically mobilized and chaotic state in the late 1960s. West Bengal's restoration and maintenance of political order naturally direct our attention to the issue of how growing crises of governability can be reversed. This chapter traces the roots of West Bengal's recent stability to the fact that a well-organized reformist party has remained in power. The Communist Party of India, Marxist (CPM), has repeatedly been elected to office in West Bengal since 1977. The party is communist in name only and is essentially social-democratic in its ideology, social program, and policies. The party's disciplined, effective organization has minimized the debilitating elite factionalism and the related elite-led mobilization and countermobilization so common in some other states. The CPM has also consolidated a coalition of the middle and lower strata by implementing some modest redistributive programs. That systematic incorporation of the poor has reduced the attractiveness of populism and its emphasis on deinstitutionalization. And finally, the CPM has adopted a nonthreatening approach toward property-owning groups, whose roles in production and economic growth remain essential for the long-term welfare of the state.
Catalytic Decarbonylation of Aldehydes Using Cationic Complexes of Rhodium(I) with Chelating Diphosphine Ligands

The decarbonylation of aldehydes, acyl halides, aroyl halides and alcohols is a useful and important reaction in organic synthesis.1,2 Although several methods not utilizing transition metals are known (including various deformylation reactions, thermal and photochemical decarbonylations ),3,4 they are not general and not usually applicable under mild conditions where undesirable side reactions are minimized. Stoichiometric homogeneous decarbonylation of aldehydes and acid chlorides using transition metal complexes of monodentate tertiary phosphine ligands such as RhCl(PPh3)3 5−7, [Rh−(PPh3)2(solvent)n]+ 8, and [Ru2Cl3(PEt2Ph)+ 9 is now well established. Of these, RhCl(PPt3)3 I has received the most study and has been proven useful as a reagent in organic synthesis.1,10 I decarbonylates aldehydes and acid chlorides under mild thermal conditions (<100°C) homogeneously in solution. The reactions are stoichiometric and are summarized by eq 1 and 2 where X = H or C1.6,11−13 Reaction Open image in new window 2 where X = CI occurs when a β-H is present while reaction 2 where X = H is of minor importance (e. g., decarbonylation of heptanal using I yields 86% hexane and 14% 1-hexene) .6 Hence, complex I is useful for the stoichiometric conversion of aldehydes into alkanes and of acid halides into alkyl or aryl halides and olefins (if β-H is present).
On the amylase from the indian water chestnut (Trapa bispinosa Roxb.)

A pure powdered form of the amylase has been isolated from the fruits ofTrapa bispinosa Roxb. and the course of its action on starch has been studied. The velocity constants calculated on the basis of monomolecular reaction give a constant value only after the reaction has proceeded for about 90 minutes. The greatest velocity was found at 0·25% starch concentration. The optimum pH was at 5·2–5·6 and the optimum temperature at 45–50°C.